A memorable Song, made upon the unhappy Hunting in Chevy Chase; between the Earle Pea[rcy]
of England, and the Earle Douglas of Scotland. To the tune of flying Fame.
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GOD prosper long our noble King,
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our lives and safeties all,
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A wofull hunting once there did
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in Chevy chase befall,
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To drive the Deere with hound & horne
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Earle Pearcy tooke his way:
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The child may rue that is unborne,
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the hunting of that day.
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The stout Earle of Northumberland,
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a vow to God did make,
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His pleasuere in the Scotish woods,
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three Summer daies to take:
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The chiefest Harts in Chevy chase
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to kill and beare away:
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These tydings to Earle Douglas came,
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in Scotland where he lay.
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Who sent Earle Pearcy present word,
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he would prevent his sport:
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The English Earle not fearing this,
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did to the woods resort,
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With fifteene hundred Bowmen bold,
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all chosen men of might,
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Who knew full well in time of need
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to aime their shafts aright.
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The gallant grayhounds swiftly ran
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to chace the Fallow Deere,
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On Munday they began to hunt,
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ore daylight did appeare:
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And long before high noone they had
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a hundred fat Buckes slaine
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And having din'd the Drovers went
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to rouse the Deere againe.
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The Bowmen mustred on the hills,
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well able to endure:
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Their backesides all with speciall care,
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that day was guarded sure.
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The hounds ran swiftly through the woods,
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the nimble Deere to take:
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That with their cries the hils and dales
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an Eccho shrill did make.
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Lord Pearcy to the Quarry went,
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to view the tender Deere,
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Quoth he, Earle Douglas pointed once,
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this day to meet me here:
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But if I knew he would not come,
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no longer would I stay;
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With that a brave yong gentleman
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thus to the Earle did say.
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Loe yonder doth Earle Douglas come,
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his men in armour bright:
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Full twentie hundred Scottish speares,
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all marching in our sight:
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All pleasant men of Tividale,
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[fast by the Rivers Twe]ed.
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Then cease your sports E. Pearcy sayd,
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and take your bowes with speed.
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And now with me my Countriemen,
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your courage forth advance:
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For never was there Champion yet,
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of Scotland or of France-
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That ever did on horsebacke come
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but if my hap it were,
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I durst encounter man for man,
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with him to breake a speare,
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E. Douglas on his milke whit Steed,
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(most like a Baron bold)
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Rode formost of his company,
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whose armour shone like gold.
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Shew me said he whose men ye be,
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that hunt so boldly here:
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That without my consent doe chase,
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and kill my fallow Deere.
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The man that first did answer make,
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was Noble Pearcy he,
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Who said we list not to declare,
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nor shew whose men we be:
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Yet will we spend our dearest bloud,
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thy chiefest harts to slay,
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Then Douglas swore a solemne oath,
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and thus in rage did say.
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Ere thus I will outbraved be,
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one of us two shall dye:
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I know thee well an Earle thou art,
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Lord Pearcy so am I.
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And trust me Pearcy pity it were,
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and great offence to kill,
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Any of these our guiltlesse men,
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for they have done none ill.
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Let thou and I the battell try,
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and set our men aside:
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Accurst be he, Earle Pearcy said,
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by whom it is denide.
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Then stept a gallant Squire forth,
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Witherington was his name:
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Who said I would not have it told
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to Henry our King for shame.
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That ere my Captaine fought on foot,
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and I stood looking on:
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You two be Earles quoth Witherington
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and I a Squire alone.
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Ile doe the best that doe I may,
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while I have power to stand:
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Whilest I have strength to wield my word
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Ile fight with heart and hand.
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Our English archers bent their bowes,
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their hearts were good and true
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[At the first flight of Arrows sent,]
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full fourescore Scots they sl[ue.]
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To drive the Deere w[ith hound and horn]
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Douglas bad [on the bent,]
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A Captaine m[ov'd with mickle pride,]
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the Speare[s to shivers went.]
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They clos'd [full fast on every side,]
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no slackne[sse there was found,]
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And many ga[llant Gentlemen]
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lay gasping o[n the ground;]
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O Christ it was g[reat grief to see,]
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how each one ch[?]
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And how the blood out of [?]
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did gush like waters [?]
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At last the two stout Earles [did meet,]
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[lik]e Captaines of great mi[ght,]
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Like Lyons mov'd they laid on [load]
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and made a cruell fight.
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They fought untill they both [did sweat,]
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with Swords of tempered [steele,]
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Untill the blood like drops of [rain.]
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they trickling downe did f[eele.]
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Yeeld thee Lord Pearcy, Doug[las said,]
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in faith I will thee bring,
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Where thou shalt high advanc[ed be,]
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with James our Scottish [King.]
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Thy ransome I will freely giv[e,]
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and this report of thee,
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Thou art the most couragious [Knight]
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that ever I did see.
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No Douglas quoth Earle P[earcy then,]
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thy proffers I doe scorn[,]
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I will not yeeld to any S[cot]
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that ever yet was born
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With that there came an [Arrow keen]
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out of an English bow,
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That stroke E Douglas to [the heart]
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a deepe and deadly blow[.]
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Who never spake more w[ords then these]
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fight out my mery men [all,]
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For why my life is at an [end,]
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Lord Pearcy sees my fa[ll.]
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Then leaving life Earle P[earcy took]
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the dead man by the han[d,]
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Who said, Earle Douglas [for thy life]
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would I had lost my La[nd.]
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O Christ my very heart d[oth bleed]
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with sorr[o]w for th[y sake.]
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For sure [a more renowned Knight]
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mi[schance did never take.]
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A K[night amongst the Scots there was,
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which saw Earl Douglas dye]
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W[ho straight in wrath did vow revenge
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upon the Earle Pearcy.]
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