Recitationwithdramaticenergybymenwhosebusinessitwastotravelfromonegreathousetoanotheranddelightthepeoplebytheway,wasusualamongusfromthefirst.Thescopinventedandtheglee-manrecitedheroiclegendsandothertalestoourAnglo-Saxonforefathers.
　　Thesewerefollowedbytheminstrelsandothertellersoftaleswrittenforthepeople.Theyfrequentedfairsandmerrymakings,spreadingtheknowledgenotonlyoftalesinproseorballadform,butofappealsalsotopublicsympathyfromsocialreformers.
　　Aslateastheyear1822,AllanCunningham,inpublishingacollectionof"TraditionalTalesoftheEnglishandScottishPeasantry,"spokefromhisownrecollectionofitinerantstory-tellerswhowerewelcomedinthehousesofthepeasantryandearnedalivingbytheircraft.
　　Theearlieststory-tellingwasinrecitative.Whentheoldalliterationpassedonintorhyme,andthecrowdorrusticfiddletooktheplaceoftheold"gleebeam"foraccentuationofthemeasureandthemeaningofthesong,wecometotheballad-singerasPhilipSidneyknewhim.Sidneysaid,inhis"DefenceofPoesy,"thatheneverheardtheoldsongofPercyandDouglas,thathefoundnothisheartmovedmorethanwithatrumpet;andyet,hesaid,"itissungbutbysomeblindcrowder,withnoroughervoicethanrudestyle;whichbeingsoevilapparelledinthedustandcobwebofthatuncivilage,whatwoulditworktrimmedinthegorgeouseloquenceofPindar?"
　　Manyanoldballad,instinctwithnaturalfeeling,hasbeenmoreorlesscorrupted,bybadearormemory,amongthepeopleuponwhoselipsithaslived.Itistobeconsidered,however,thattheoldbroaderpronunciationofsomelettersdevelopedsomesyllablesandtheswiftnessofspeechslurredoverothers,whichwillaccountformanyanapparenthaltinthemusicofwhatwasactually,onthelipsoftheballad-singer,agoodmetricalline.
　　"ChevyChase"is,mostlikely,acorruptionoftheFrenchwordchevauchee,whichmeantadashovertheborderfordestructionandplunderwithintheEnglishpale.ChevaucheewastheFrenchequivalenttotheScottishborderraid.CloserelationsbetweenFranceandScotlandaroseoutoftheircommoninterestincheckingmovementstowardstheirconquestbythekingsofEngland,andmanyFrenchwordswereusedwithahomelyturninScottishcommonspeech.Eventhatnationalsourceofjoy,"greatchieftainofthepudding-race,"thehaggis,hasitsnamefromtheFrenchhachis.Attheendoftheoldballadof"ChevyChase,"whichreadsthecorruptedwordintoanewsense,astheHuntingontheCheviotHills,thereisanidentifyingoftheHuntingoftheCheviotwiththeBattleofOtterburn:——
　　"OldmenthatknowenthegroundwellenoughcallittheBattleofOtterburn.
　　AtOtterburnbeganthisspurnuponaMonenday;
　　TherewasthedoughtyDouglasslain,thePercyneverwentaway."
　　TheBattleofOtterburnwasfoughtonthe19thofAugust1388.TheScotsweretomusteratJedburghforaraidintoEngland.TheEarlofNorthumberlandandhissons,learningthestrengthoftheScottishgathering,resolvednottoopposeit,buttomakeacounterraidintoScotland.TheScotsheardofthisanddividedtheirforce.Themainbody,underArchibaldDouglasandothers,rodeforCarlisle.A
　　detachmentofthreeorfourhundredmen-at-armsandtwothousandcombatants,partlyarchers,rodeforNewcastleandDurham,withJamesEarlofDouglasforoneoftheirleaders.ThesewerealreadypillagingandburninginDurhamwhentheEarlofNorthumberlandfirstheardofthem,andsentagainstthemhissonsHenryandRalphPercy.
　　Inahand-to-handfightbetweenDouglasandHenryPercy,DouglastookPercy'spennon.AtOtterburntheScotsovercametheEnglishbutDouglasfell,struckbythreespearsatonce,andHenrywascapturedinfightbyLordMontgomery.TherewasaScotsballadontheBattleofOtterburnquotedin1549inabook——"TheComplayntofScotland"——
　　thatalsoreferredtotheHunttisofChevet.Theolderversionof"ChevyChase"isinanAshmoleMS.intheBodleian,fromwhichitwasfirstprintedin1719byThomasHearneinhiseditionofWilliamofNewbury'sHistory.ItsauthorturnsthetablesontheScotswiththesuggestionofthecomparativewealthofEnglandandScotlandinmenofthestampofDouglasandPercy.Thelaterversion,whichwasonceknownmorewidely,isprobablynotolderthanthetimeofJamesI.,andistheversionpraisedbyAddisoninNos.70and74of"TheSpectator."
　　"TheNut-BrownMaid,"inwhichwecanhardlydoubtthatawomanpleadsforwomen,wasfirstprintedin1502inRichardArnold'sChronicle.
　　Nut-brownwastheoldwordforbrunette.Therewasanoldsayingthat"anut-browngirlisneatandblithebynature."
　　"AdamBell,ClymoftheClough,andWilliamofCloudeslie"wasfirstprintedbyCoplandabout1550.Afragmenthasbeenfoundofanearlierimpression.Laneham,in1575,inhisKenilworthLetter,included"AdamBell,ClymoftheClough,andWilliamofCloudeslie"
　　amongthelightreadingofCaptainCox.InthebooksoftheStationers'CompanyfortheprintingandeditingofwhichwearedeeplyindebtedtoProfessorArber,thereisanentrybetweenJuly1557andJuly1558,"ToJohnkyngetopryntethisbokeCalledAdamBelletc.andforhislycensehegivethtothehowse."Onthe15thofJanuary1581-2"AdamBell"isincludedinalistoffortyormorecopyrightstransferredfromSampsonAwdeleytoJohnCharlewood;"A
　　HundredMerryTales"andGower's"ConfessioAmantis"beingamongtheothertransfers.Onthe16thofAugust1586theCompanyofStationers"AlowedvntoEdwardwhiteforhiscopiesthesefyveballadessothattheybetollerable:"fouronlyarenamed,onebeing"AballadofWilliamClowdisley,neverprintedbefore."Draytonwroteinthe"Shepheard'sGarland"in1593:——
　　"Comesitwedownunderthishawthorntree,Themorrow'slightshalllendusdayenough——
　　AndtellataleofGawainorSirGuy,OfRobinHood,orofgoodClemoftheClough."
　　BenJonson,inhis"Alchemist,"actedin1610,alsoindicatesthecurrentpopularityofthistale,whenFace,thehousekeeper,bringsDapper,thelawyer'sclerk,toSubtle,andrecommendshimwith——
　　"'slight,IbringyouNocheatingClimo'theCloughorClaribel."
　　"Binnorie,"or"TheTwoSisters,"isaballadonanoldthemepopularinScandinaviaaswellasinthiscountry.Therehavebeenmanyversionsofit.Dr.Rimbaultpublisheditfromabroadsidedated1656.TheversionheregivenisSirWalterScott's,fromhis"MinstrelsyoftheScottishBorder,"withafewtouchesfromotherversionsgiveninProfessorFrancisJamesChild'snobleeditionof"TheEnglishandScottishPopularBallads,"which,whencomplete,willbethechiefstorehouseofourballadlore.
　　"KingCophetuaandtheBeggarMaid"isreferredtobyShakespearein"Love'sLabour'sLost,"Activ.scI;in"RomeoandJuliet,"Actii.
　　sc.I;andin"II.HenryIV.,"Actiii.sc.4.Itwasfirstprintedin1612inRichardJohnson's"CrownGarlandofGouldenRosesgatheredoutofEngland'sRoyallGarden.BeingtheLivesandStrangeFortunesofmanyGreatPersonagesofthisLand,setforthinmanypleasantnewSongsandSonnetsneverbeforeimprinted."
　　"TakethyOldCloakaboutthee,"waspublishedin1719byAllanRamsayinhis"Tea-TableMiscellany,"andwasprobablyasixteenthcenturypieceretouchedbyhim.Iagosingsthelaststanzabutone——"KingStephenwasaworthypeer,"etc——in"Othello,"Actii.sc.3.
　　In"Othello,"Activ.sc.3,thereisalsoreferencetotheoldballadof"Willow,willow,willow."
　　"TheLittleWeeMan"isaweeballadthatisfoundinmanyformswithalittlevariation.Itimproveswhatwasbestintheopeningofalongerpiecewhichintroducedpopularprophecies,andistobefoundinCottonMS.JuliusA.v.ItwasprintedbyThomasWrightinhiseditionofLangtoft'sChronicleii.452.
　　"TheSpanishLady'sLove"wasprintedbyThomasDeloneyin"TheGarlandofGoodwill,"publishedinthelatterhalfofthesixteenthcentury.TheheroofthisballadwasprobablyoneofEssex'scompanionsintheCadizexpedition,andvariousattemptshavebeenmadetoidentifyhim,especiallywithaSirJohnBolleofThorpeHall,Lincolnshire.
　　"Edward,Edward,"isfromPercy's"Reliques."PercyhaditfromLordHailes.
　　"RobinHood"isthe"LytellGesteofRobynHood,"printedinLondonbyWynkendeWorde,andagaininEdinburghbyChepmanandMyllarin15O8,inthefirstyearoftheestablishmentofaprinting-pressinScotland.
　　"KingEdwardIV.andtheTannerofTamworth"isaballadofakindoncepopular;therewere"KingAlfredandtheNeatherd,""KingHenryandtheMiller,""KingJamesI.andtheTinker,""KingHenryVII.andtheCobbler,"withadozenmore."TheTannerofTamworth"inanother,perhapsolder,form,as"TheKingandtheBarker,"wasprintedbyJosephRitsoninhis"AncientPopularPoetry."
　　"SirPatrickSpens"wasfirstpublishedbyPercyinhis"ReliquesofAncientEnglishPoetry"1757.ItwasgivenbySirWalterScottinhis"MinstrelsyoftheBorder,"andwithmoredetailbyPeterBuchaninhis"AncientBalladsoftheNorth."Buchantookitfromanoldblindballad-singerwhohadreciteditforfiftyyears,andlearntitinyouthfromanotherveryoldman.TheballadisuponaneventinScottishhistoryofthethirteenthcentury,touchingmarriageofaMargaret,daughteroftheKingofScotland,toHaningo,sonoftheKingofNorway.Theperilsofawintersea-passageinshipsoftheoldentimewererecognisedbyanActofthereignofJamesIII.ofScotland,prohibitingallnavigation"fraethefeastofSt.Simon'sDayandJudeuntothefeastofthePurificationofourLady,calledCandlemas."
　　"Edomo'Gordon"wasfirstprintedatGlasgowbyRobertandAndrewFoulisin1755.PercyascribeditspreservationtoSirDavidDalrymple,whogaveitfromthememoryofalady.TheincidentwastransferredtotheborderfromtheNorthofScotland.Edomo'GordonwasSirAdamGordonofAuchindown,Lieutenant-DeputeforQueenMaryintheNorthin1571.HesentCaptainKerwithsoldiersagainsttheCastleofTowie,whichwassetonfire,andtheLadyofTowie,withtwenty-sixotherpersons,"wascruellybrinttothedeath."Otherformsoftheballadascribethedeed,withincidentsofgreatercruelty,toCaptainCarr,theLordofEstertowne.
　　"TheChildrenintheWood"wasenteredinthebooksoftheStationers'
　　Companyonthe15thofOctober1595toThomasMillingtonas,"forhisCopievnderth[eh]andesofbothethewardensaballadintituled,TheNorfolkgenthiswillandTestamentandhowheCommyttedthekeepingeofhisChildrentohisownebrotherwhoedeltemostewickedlywiththemandhoweGodplaguedhimforit."
　　Itwasprintedasablack-letterballadin167O.Addisonwroteapaperonitin"TheSpectator"No.85,praisingitas"oneofthedarlingsongsofthecommonpeople."
　　"TheBlindBeggarofBednallGreen"isinmanycollections,andwasknowninElizabeth'stime,anotherElizabethanballadhavingbeensettothetuneofit."Thisveryhouse,"wroteSamuelPepysinJune1663
　　ofSirWilliamRider'shouseatBethnalGreen,"wasbuiltbytheblindbeggarofBednallGreen,somuchtalkedofandsunginballads;buttheysayitwasonlysomeouthousesofit."TheAngelsthataboundedintheBeggar'sstoresweregoldcoins,sonamedfromthefigureononesideoftheArchangelMichaelovercomingtheDragon.Thiscoinwasfirststruckin1466,anditwasuseduntilthetimeofCharlestheFirst.
　　"TheBailiff'sDaughterofIslington,"or"TrueLoveRequited,"isaballadinPepys'scollection,nowintheBodleian.TheIslingtonoftheBalladissupposedtobeanIslingtoninNorfolk.
　　"BarbaraAllen'sCruelty"wasreferredtobyPepysinhisDiary,January2,1665-6as"thelittleScotchsongofBarbaryAllen."ItwasfirstprintedbyAllanRamsayin1724inhis"Tea-TableMiscellany."InthesameworkAllanRamsaywasalsothefirstprinterof"SweetWilliam'sGhost."
　　Fragmentsof"TheBraeso'Yarrow"areinoldcollections.TheballadhasbeengivenbyScottinhis"MinstrelsyoftheBorder,"andanotherversionisinPeterBuchan's"AncientBalladsoftheNorth."
　　"KempOwyne"isheregivenfromBuchan's"BalladsoftheNorthofScotland."HerealsoProfessorF.J.ChildhaspointedtomanyIcelandic,Danish,andGermananalogies.Alliedto"KempOwyne"isthemodernballadof"TheLaidleyWormofSpindlestonHeughs,"writtenbefore1778bytheRev.Mr.LambofNorham;butthe"LailyWormandtheMachreloftheSea"isanoldercousinto"KempOwyne."
　　"O'ertheWatertoCharlie"isgivenbyBuchanastheoriginalformofthisoneofthemanysongsmadewhenPrinceCharlesEdwardmadehisattemptin1745-6.Thesongsworkedscrapsoflivelyoldtunes,withsomeoldwordsofballad,intodeclarationofgoodwilltothePretender.
　　"AdmiralHosier'sGhost"waswrittenbyRichardGloverin174Otorousenationalfeeling.Vice-AdmiralVernonwithonlysixmen-of-warhadtakenthetownofPortobello,andlevelleditsfortifications.
　　Theplacehassodangerousaclimatethatitisnowalmostdeserted.
　　AdmiralHosierin1726hadbeen,inthesameport,withtwentyships,restrainedfromattack,whileheandhismenweredyingoffever.HewastoblockadetheSpanishportsintheWestIndiesandcaptureanySpanishgalleonsthatcameout.HeleftPortoBelloforCarthagena,wherehecruisedaboutwhilehismenwerebeingsweptawaybydisease.
　　Hisshipsweremadepowerlessthroughdeathofhisbestofficersandmen.Hehimselfatlastdied,itwassaid,ofabrokenheart.Dyer'sballadpointedthecontrastasareproachtotheGovernmentforhalf-heartedsupportofthewar,andwasmeantforsuggestionofthesuccessthatwouldrewardvigorousaction.
　　"JemmyDawson"wasaballadwrittenbyWilliamShenstoneonayoungofficerofManchestervolunteerswhowashanged,drawn,andquarteredin1746onKenningtonCommonforhavingservedthePretender.Hewasengagedtoayounglady,whocametotheexecution,andwhenitwasoverfellbackdeadinhercoach.
　　"WilliamandMargaret,"byDavidMallet,publishedin1727,isanotherexampleofthetendencytotherevivaloftheballadintheeighteenthcentury.
　　"ElfinlandWood,"bytheScottishpoetWilliamMotherwell,whodiedin1835,agedthirty-seven,isamodernimitationoftheancientScottishballad.Mrs.Hemans,whowrote"Casabianca,"diedalsoin1835.Butthelastballadinthisbundle,LadyAnneBarnard's"AuldRobinGray,"
　　waswrittenin1771,andowesitsplacetoadesirethatthisvolume,whichbeginswiththebestoftheoldballads,shouldendwiththebestofthenew.LadyAnne,eldestdaughterofthefifthEarlofBalcarres,marriedSirAndrewBarnard,librariantoGeorgeIII.,andsurvivedherhusbandeighteenyears.WhiletheauthorshipofthepieceremainedasecretthereweresomewhoattributedittoRizzio,thefavouriteofMaryQueenofScots.LadyAnneBarnardacknowledgedtheauthorshiptoWalterScottin1823,andtoldhowshecametowriteittoanoldairofwhichshewaspassionatelyfond,"Bridegroomgratwhenthesungaeddown."Whenshehadheapedmanytroublesonherheroine,andcalledtoalittlesistertosuggestanother,thesuggestioncamepromptly,"Stealthecow,sisterAnne."Andthecowwasstolen.
　　H.M.
　　CHEVYCHASE
　　ThePercyoutofNorthumberland,andavowtoGodmadeheThathewouldhuntinthemountainsofCheviotwithindaysthree,InthemaugreofdoughtyDouglasandallthateverwithhimbe,ThefattesthartsinallCheviothesaidhewouldkillandcarrythemaway.
　　"Bymyfaith,"saidthedoughtyDouglasagain,"IwillletthathuntingifthatImay!"
　　ThenthePercyoutofBamboroughcame,withhimamightymean-y;
　　Withfifteenhundredarchers,boldofbloodandbone,theywerechosenoutofshiresthree.
　　ThisbeganonaMonday,atmorn,inCheviot,thehillissohie,Thechildmayruethatisunborn,itwasthemorepitie.
　　Thedriversthoroughthewood-eswentfortoraisethedeer;
　　Bowmenbickereduponthebentwiththeirbroadarrowsclear,Thenthewildthoroughthewood-eswentoneverysid-eshear;
　　Greyhoundsthoroughthegrov-esglentfortokilltheirdeer.
　　ThisbeganinCheviot,thehillsabone,earlyonaMonnynday;
　　Bythatitdrewtothehourofnoonahundredfathartsdeadtherelay.
　　Theyblewamortuponthebent;theysembledonsidisshear,TothequarrythenthePercywent,toseethebrittlingofthedeer.
　　Hesaid,"ItwastheDouglas'promisethisdaytomeetmehere;
　　ButIwisthewouldfail,verament"——agreatoaththePercysware.
　　AtthelastasquireofNorthumberlandlooked,athishandfullnighHewaswareofthedoughtyDouglascoming,withhimamightymean-y,Bothwithspear,bill,andbrand,itwasamightysighttosee.
　　HardiermenbothofheartnorhandwerenotinChristiant-e.
　　Theyweretwentyhundredspearmengoodwithoutanyfail;
　　TheywerebornealongbythewaterofTweed,i'th'boundsofTividale.
　　"Leaveoffthebrittlingofthedeer,"hesaid,"andtoyourbowslookyetakegoodheed,Forneversithyewereofyourmothersbornhadyeneversomickleneed."
　　ThedoughtyDouglasonasteedherodeallhismenbeforn,Hisarmourglitteredasdidaglede,abolderbarnwasneverborn.
　　"Tellmewhosemenyeare,"hesays,"orwhosementhatyebe;
　　WhogaveyouleavetohuntinthisCheviotChaseinthespiteofmineandofme?"
　　Thefirstmanthateverhimananswermade,itwasthegoodLordPerc-
　　y,"Wewillnottelltheewhosemenweare,"hesays,"norwhosementhatwebe;
　　ButwewillhunthereinthisChaseinthespiteofthineandofthee.
　　ThefattesthartsinallCheviotwehavekilled,andcasttocarrythemaway."
　　"Bymytroth,"saidthedoughtyDouglasagain,"thereforethetoneofusshalldiethisday."
　　ThensaidthedoughtyDouglasuntotheLordPerc-y,"Tokillalltheseguiltlessmen,alas!itweregreatpit-y.
　　But,Percy,thouartalordofland,Iamanearlcalledwithinmycountr-y.
　　Letallourmenuponapartistand,anddothebattleoftheeandofme."
　　"NowChrist'scurseonhiscrown,"saidtheLordPercy,"whosoevertheretosaysnay!
　　Bymytroth,doughtyDouglas,"hesays,"thoushaltneverseethatday!
　　NeitherinEngland,Scotland,norFrance,norfornomanofawomanborn,Butandfortunebemychance,Idaremeethim,onemanforone."
　　ThenbespakeasquireofNorthumberland,RichardWitheringtonwashisname,"ItshallneverbetoldinSouthEngland,"hesays,"toKingHarrytheFourth,forshame.
　　Iwotyoubengreatlord-estwo,Iamapoorsquireofland;
　　Iwillneverseemycaptainfightonafield,andstandmyselfandlookon;
　　ButwhileImaymyweaponwieldIwillfightbothheartandhand."
　　Thatday,thatday,thatdreadfulday:thefirstfyttehereIfind,AnyouwillhearanymoreofthehuntingoftheCheviot,yetistheremorebehind.
　　SECONDFYTTE.
　　TheEnglishmenhadtheirbowsybent,theirheartsweregoodenow;
　　Thefirstofarrowsthattheyshotoff,sevenscorespearmentheyslowe.
　　YetbidestheEarlDouglasuponthebent,acaptaingoodenow,Andthatwasseeneverament,forhewroughtthembothwoandwough.
　　TheDouglaspartedhishostinthreelikeachiefchieftainofpride,Withsuarspearsofmightytreetheycomeinoneveryside,ThroughourEnglisharcherygavemanyawoundfullwide;
　　Manyadoughtytheygardtodie,whichgain-edthemnopride.
　　TheEnglishmenlettheirbowsbe,andpulledoutbrandsthatwerebright;
　　Itwasaheavysighttoseebrightswordsonbasnetslight.
　　Thoroughrichmailandmanoplemanysterntheystruckdownstraight,Manyafrekethatwasfullfreethereunderfootdidlight.
　　AtlasttheDouglasandthePercymet,liketocaptainsofmightandofmain;
　　Theyswapttogethertilltheybothswat,withswordsthatwereoffineMilan.
　　Theseworthyfrekisfortofighttheretotheywerefullfain,Tillthebloodoutoftheirbasnetssprentaseverdidhailorrain.
　　"Yieldthee,Percy,"saidtheDouglas,"andinfaithIshalltheebringWherethoushalthaveanearl'swagisofJamyourScottishking.
　　Thoushalthavethyransomfree,Ihighttheeherethisthing,ForthemanfullestmanyetartthouthateverIconqueredinfieldfighting."
　　"Nay,"saidtheLordPercy,"Itoldittheebeforn,ThatIwouldneveryieldedbetonomanofawomanborn."
　　Withthattherecameanarrowhastilyforthofamightywone;
　　IthathstrickentheEarlDouglasinatthebreastbone.
　　Throughliverandlung-esboththesharparrowisgone,Thatneverafterinallhislife-dayshespakemoword-esbutone,Thatwas,"Fightye,mymerrymen,whilisyemay,formylife-daysbengone!"
　　ThePercylean-edonhisbrandandsawtheDouglasdee;
　　Hetookthedeadmanbythehand,andsaid,"Woismeforthee!
　　TohavesavedthylifeIwouldhavepartedwithmylandsforyearsthree,Forabettermanofheartnorofhandwasnotinallthenorthcountree."
　　Ofallthatsee,aScottishknight,wascalledSirHughtheMontgomer-
　　y,HesawtheDouglastothedeathwasdight,hespendedaspearatrustytree,Herodeuponacoursierethroughahundredarcher-y,HeneverstintednorneverblanetillhecametothegoodLordPerc-y.
　　HesetupontheLordPercyadintthatwasfullsore;
　　WithasuarspearofamightytreecleanthoroughthebodyhethePercyboreOnthetothersidethatamanmightseealargeclothyardandmore.
　　TwobettercaptainswerenotinChristiant-ethanthatdayslainwerethere.
　　AnarcherofNorthumberlandsawslainwastheLordPerc-y,Hebareabentbowinhishandwasmadeoftrustytree,Anarrowthataclothyardwaslongtothehardsteelhal-edhe,AdintthatwasbothsadandsorehesatonSirHughtheMontgomer-y.
　　ThedintitwasbothsadandsorethatheonMontgomeryset,Theswan-feathersthathisarrowbare,withhisheart-bloodtheywerewet.
　　Therewasneverafrekeonefootwouldflee,butstillinstourdidstand,Hewingoneachotherwhiletheymightdreewithmanyabalefulbrand.
　　ThisbattlebeganinCheviotanhourbeforethenoon,Andwhenevensongbellwasrangthebattlewasnothalfdone.
　　Theytookoneitherhandbythelightofthemoon,ManyhadnostrengthfortostandinCheviotthehillisaboon.
　　OffifteenhundredarchersofEnglandwentawaybutseventyandthree,OftwentyhundredspearmenofScotlandbutevenfiveandfift-y;
　　ButallwereslainCheviotwithin,theyhadnostrengthtostandonhy:
　　Thechildmayruethatisunborn,itwasthemorepity.
　　TherewasslainwiththeLordPercySirJohnofAgerstone,SirRogerthehindeHartley,SirWilliamtheboldHerone,SirGeorgetheworthyLumley,aknightofgreatrenown,SirRalphtherichRugby,withdintswerebeatendown;
　　ForWitheringtonmyheartwaswo,thateverheslainshouldbe,Forwhenbothhisleggiswerehewenintwo,yethekneeledandfoughtonhisknee.
　　TherewasslainwiththedoughtyDouglasSirHughtheMontgomer-y;
　　SirDavyLewdale,thatworthywas,hissister'ssonwashe;
　　SirCharlesofMurrayinthatplacethatneverafootwouldflee;
　　SirHughMaxwell,alordhewas,withtheDouglasdidhedee.
　　Soonthemorrowtheymadethembiersofbirchandhazelsogay;
　　Manywidowswithweepingtearscametofetchtheirmakisaway.
　　Tivydalemaycarpofcare,Northumberlandmaymakegreatmoan,FortwosuchcaptainsasslainwerethereontheMarchpartishallneverbenone.
　　WordiscomentoEdinboroughtoJamytheScottishking,ThatdoughtyDouglas,lieutenantoftheMarches,helayslainCheviotwithin.
　　Hishand-esdidhewealandwring;hesaid,"Alas!andwoeisme:
　　SuchanothercaptainScotlandwithin,"hesaid,"yeafaithshouldneverbe."
　　WordiscomentolovelyLondon,tothefourthHarryourking,ThatLordPerc-y,lieutenantoftheMarches,helayslainCheviotwithin.
　　"Godhavemercyonhissoul,"saidKingHarry,"goodLord,ifthywillitbe,IhaveahundredcaptainsinEngland,"hesaid,"asgoodaseverwashe;
　　ButPercy,anIbrookmylife,thydeathwellquiteshallbe."
　　Asournoblekingmadehisavow,likeanobleprinceofrenown,ForthedeathoftheLordPerc-yhedidthebattleofHomildoun,WheresixandthirtyScottishknightsonadaywerebeatendown;
　　Glendaleglitteredontheirarmourbright,overcastle,tower,andtown.
　　ThiswasthehuntingoftheCheviot;thattearbeganthisspurn;
　　OldmenthatknowenthegroundwellenoughcallitthebattleofOtterburn.
　　AtOtterburnbeganthisspurnuponaMonenday;
　　TherewasthedoughtyDouglasslain,thePercyneverwentaway.
　　TherewasneveratimeontheMarchpart-essentheDouglasandthePercymet,Butitismarvelantheredbloodrunnotastheraindoesinthestret.
　　JesuChristourbalisbete,andtotheblissusbring!
　　ThuswasthehuntingoftheCheviot.Godsendusallgoodending!
　　CHEVYCHASEthelaterversion.
　　Godprosperlongournobleking,Ourlivesandsafetiesall!
　　AwoefulhuntingoncetheredidInChevyChasebefall.
　　TodrivethedeerwithhoundandhornEarlPiercytooktheway;
　　ThechildmayruethatisunbornThehuntingofthatday!
　　ThestoutEarlofNorthumberland,AvowtoGoddidmake,HispleasureintheScottishwoodsThreesummers'daystotake,ThechiefesthartsinChevyChaseTokillandbearaway;
　　ThesetidingstoEarlDouglascameInScotlandwherehelay,WhosentEarlPiercypresentwordHewouldpreventhissport.
　　TheEnglishEarl,notfearingthat,Didtothewoodsresort,Withfifteenhundredbowmenbold,Allchosenmenofmight,WhoknewfullwellintimeofneedToaimtheirshaftsaright.
　　ThegallantgreyhoundsswiftlyranTochasethefallowdeer;
　　OnMondaytheybegantohuntEredaylightdidappear;
　　AndlongbeforehighnoontheyhadAhundredfatbucksslain.
　　Thenhavingdined,thedriverswentTorousethedeeragain.
　　Thebowmenmusteredonthehills,Wellabletoendure;
　　TheirbacksidesallwithspecialcareThatdaywereguardedsure.
　　ThehoundsranswiftlythroughthewoodsThenimbledeertotake,ThatwiththeircriesthehillsanddalesAnechoshrilldidmake.
　　LordPiercytothequarrywentToviewthetenderdeer;
　　Quothhe,"EarlDouglaspromisedonceThisdaytomeetmehere;
　　"ButifIthoughthewouldnotcome,NolongerwouldIstay."
　　WiththatabraveyounggentlemanThustotheEarldidsay,"Lo,yonderdothEarlDouglascome,Hismeninarmourbright,FulltwentyhundredScottishspearsAllmarchinginoursight,"AllmenofpleasantTividaleFastbytheriverTweed."
　　"Oceaseyoursports!"EarlPiercysaid,"Andtakeyourbowswithspeed,"Andnowwithme,mycountrymen,Yourcourageforthadvance!
　　FortherewasneverchampionyetInScotlandnorinFrance"Thateverdidonhorsebackcome,Butifmyhapitwere,Idurstencountermanforman,Withhimtobreakaspear."
　　EarlDouglasonhismilk-whitesteed,Mostlikeabaronbold,Rodeforemostofhiscompany,Whosearmourshonelikegold:
　　"Showme,"saidhe,"whosemenyoubeThathuntsoboldlyhere;
　　ThatwithoutmyconsentdochaseAndkillmyfallowdeer."
　　ThefirstmanthatdidanswermakeWasnoblePiercy,he,Whosaid,"Welistnottodeclare,Norshowwhosemenwebe;
　　"YetwewillspendourdearestbloodThychiefesthartstoslay."
　　ThenDouglassworeasolemnoath,Andthusinragedidsay,"ErethusIwilloutbrav-edbe,Oneofustwoshalldie!
　　Iknowtheewell!anearlthouart,LordPiercy!soamI.
　　"Buttrustme,Piercy,pityitwere,Andgreatoffence,tokillAnyoftheseourguiltlessmenFortheyhavedonenoill;
　　"LetthouandIthebattletry,Andsetourmenaside."
　　"Accurstbehe,"EarlPiercysaid,"Bywhomitisdenied."
　　Thensteppedagallantsquireforth,——
　　Witheringtonwashisname,——
　　Whosaid,"IwouldnothaveittoldToHenryourking,forshame,"Thate'ermycaptainfoughtonfoot,AndIstandlookingon:
　　YoubetwoEarls,"quothWitherington,"AndIaSquirealone.
　　"I'lldothebestthatdoImay,WhileIhavepowertostand!
　　WhileIhavepowertowieldmysword,I'llfightwithheartandhand!"
　　OurEnglisharchersbenttheirbows——
　　Theirheartsweregoodandtrue,——
　　Atthefirstflightofarrowssent,FullfourscoreScotstheyslew.
　　Todrivethedeerwithhoundandhorn,Douglasbadeonthebent;
　　Twocaptainsmovedwithmicklemight,Theirspearstoshiverswent.
　　Theyclosedfullfastoneveryside,Noslacknesstherewasfound,ButmanyagallantgentlemanLaygaspingontheground.
　　OChrist!itwasgreatgrieftoseeHoweachmanchosehisspear,AndhowthebloodoutoftheirbreastsDidgushlikewaterclear!
　　AtlastthesetwostoutEarlsdidmeetLikecaptainsofgreatmight;
　　Likelionswoodtheylaidonload,Theymadeacruelfight.
　　Theyfought,untiltheybothdidsweat,Withswordsoftemperedsteel,TillbloodadowntheircheekslikerainTheytricklingdowndidfeel.
　　"Oyieldthee,Piercy!"Douglassaid,"AndinfaithIwilltheebringWherethoushalthighadvanc-edbeByJamesourScottishking;
　　"ThyransomIwillfreelygive,Andthisreportofthee,ThouartthemostcourageousknightThateverIdidsee."
　　"No,Douglas!"quothEarlPiercythen,"ThyprofferIdoscorn;
　　IwillnotyieldtoanyScotThateveryetwasborn!"
　　WiththattherecameanarrowkeenOutofanEnglishbow,WhichstruckEarlDouglastotheheartAdeepanddeadlyblow;
　　Whoneversaidmorewordsthanthese,"Fighton;mymerrymenall!
　　Forwhy?mylifeisatanend,LordPiercyseesmyfall."
　　Thenleavinglife,EarlPiercytookThedeadmanbythehand;
　　Whosaid,"EarlDouglas!forthylifeWouldIhadlostmyland!
　　"OChrist!myveryheartdothbleedForsorrowforthysake!
　　Forsure,amoreredoubtedknightMischancecouldnevertake!"
　　AknightamongsttheScotstherewas,WhichsawEarlDouglasdie,WhostraightinheartdidvowrevengeUpontheLordPierc-y;
　　SirHughMontgomeryhewascalled,Who,withaspearfullbright,Wellmountedonagallantsteed,Ranfiercelythroughthefight,AndpasttheEnglisharchersallWithoutalldreadorfear,AndthroughEarlPiercy'sbodythenHethrusthishatefulspear.
　　WithsuchavehementforceandmightHisbodyhedidgore,ThestaffranthroughtheothersideAlargeclothyardandmore.
　　Sothusdidboththosenoblesdie,Whosecouragenonecouldstain.
　　AnEnglisharcherthenperceivedThenobleEarlwasslain;
　　HehadagoodbowinhishandMadeofatrustytree;
　　AnarrowofaclothyardlongTothehardheadhal-edhe,AgainstSirHughMontgomeryHisshaftfullrightheset;
　　Thegreygoose-wingthatwasthereon,Inhisheart'sbloodwaswet.
　　ThisfightfrombreakofdaydidlastTillsettingofthesun;
　　Forwhentheyrungtheeveningbell,Thebattlescarcewasdone.
　　WithstoutEarlPiercytherewasslainSirJohnofEgerton,SirRobertHarcliffeandSirWilliam,SirJamesthatboldbar-on;
　　AndwithSirGeorgeandSirJames,Bothknightsofgoodaccount,GoodSirRalphRabytherewasslain,Whoseprowessdidsurmount.
　　ForWitheringtonneedsmustIwailAsoneindolefuldumps,Forwhenhislegsweresmittenoff,Hefoughtuponhisstumps.
　　AndwithEarlDouglastherewasslainSirHughMontgomery,AndSirCharlesMorrelthatfromthefieldOnefootwouldneverfly;
　　SirRogerHeverofHarcliffetoo,——
　　Hissister'ssonwashe,——
　　SirDavidLambwell,wellesteemed,Butsavedhecouldnotbe;
　　AndtheLordMaxwellinlikecaseWithDouglashediddie;
　　OftwentyhundredScottishspears,Scarcefifty-fivedidfly.
　　OffifteenhundredEnglishmenWenthomebutfifty-three;
　　TherestinChevyChasewereslain,Underthegreenwoodtree.
　　NextdaydidmanywidowscomeTheirhusbandstobewail;
　　Theywashedtheirwoundsinbrinishtears,Butallwouldnotprevail.
　　Theirbodies,bathedinpurpleblood,Theyborewiththemaway;
　　TheykissedthemdeadathousandtimesEretheywerecladinclay.
　　ThisnewswasbroughttoEdinburgh,WhereScotland'skingdidreign,ThatbraveEarlDouglassuddenlyWaswithanarrowslain.
　　"Oheavynews!"KingJamesdidsay,"ScotlandmaywitnessbeIhavenotanycaptainmoreOfsuchaccountashe!"
　　LiketidingstoKingHenrycameWithinasshortaspace,ThatPiercyofNorthumberlandWasslaininChevyChase.
　　"NowGodbewithhim!"saidourking,"Sith'twillnobetterbe,ItrustIhavewithinmyrealmFivehundredasgoodashe!
　　"YetshallnotScotsnorScotlandsayButIwillvengeancetake,Andbereveng-edonthemallForbraveEarlPiercy'ssake."
　　ThisvowthekingdidwellperformAfteronHumbleDown;
　　Inonedayfiftyknightswereslain,Withlordsofgreatrenown,Andoftherestofsmallaccount,Didmanyhundredsdie:
　　ThusendedthehuntinginChevyChaseMadebytheEarlPiercy.
　　Godsaveourking,andblessthislandWithplenty,joy,andpeace,AndgranthenceforththatfouldebateTwixtnoblemenmaycease!
　　THENUT-BROWNMAID
　　Beitrightorwrong,thesemenamongOnwomendocomplain;
　　Affirmingthis,howthatitisAlabourspentinvainTolovethemwele;forneveradeleTheyloveamanagain:
　　Forletamandowhathecan,Theirfavourtoattain,Yet,ifanewtothempursue,TheirfirsttrueloverthanLabourethfornaught;andfromherthoughtHeisabanishedman.
　　Isaynotnay,butthatalldayItisbothwritandsaidThatwoman'sfaithis,aswhosaith,Allutterlydecayed;
　　Butnevertheless,rightgoodwitn-essInthiscasemightbelaid.
　　Thattheylovetrue,andcontin-ue,RecordtheNut-brownMaid:
　　Whichfromherlove,whenhertoproveHecametomakehismoan,Wouldnotdepart;forinherheartShelovedbuthimalone.
　　ThenbetweenusletusdiscussWhatwasallthemanereBetweenthemtwo:wewillalsoTellallthepaininfereThatshewasin.NowIbegin,Sothatyemeanswere:
　　Wher-efore,ye,thatpresentbeIprayyougiveanear.
　　Iamtheknight.Icomebynight,AssecretasIcan;
　　Saying,"Alas!thusstandeththecase,Iamabanishedman."
　　AndIyourwillfortofulfilInthiswillnotrefuse;
　　Trustingtoshew,inword-esfew,ThatmenhaveanilluseTotheirownshamewomentoblame,Andcauselessthemaccuse:
　　ThereforetoyouIanswernow,Allwomentoexcuse,——
　　"Mineownheartdear,withyouwhatcheer?
　　Iprayyou,tellanone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Itstandethso:adeedisdoWhereofmuchharmshallgrow;
　　MydestinyisfortodieAshamefuldeath,Itrow;
　　Orelsetoflee.Theonemustbe.
　　NoneotherwayIknow,Buttowithdrawasanout-law,Andtakemetomybow.
　　Wherefore,adieu,myownhearttrue!
　　NoneotherredeIcan:
　　ForImusttothegreenwoodgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"OLord,whatisthisworld-esbliss,Thatchangethasthemoon!
　　Mysummer'sdayinlustyMayIsdarkedbeforethenoon.
　　Ihearyousay,farewell:Nay,nay!
　　Wede-partnotsosoon.
　　Whysayyeso?whitherwillyego?
　　Alas!whathaveyedone?
　　Allmywelf-aretosorrowandcareShouldchange,ifyeweregone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Icanbelieve,itshallyougrieve,Andsomewhatyoudistrain;
　　But,afterward,yourpain-eshardWithinadayortwainShallsoonaslake;andyeshalltakeCom-forttoyouagain.
　　Whyshouldyenought?for,tomakethought,Yourlabourwereinvain.
　　AndthusIdo;andprayyou,lo,AsheartilyasIcan:
　　ForImusttothegreenwoodgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"Now,siththatyehaveshewedtomeThesecretofyourmind,Ishallbeplaintoyouagain,Likeasyeshallmefind.
　　Sithitisso,thatyewillgo,Iwillnotleavebehind.
　　Shallneverbesaid,theNut-brownMaidWastoherloveunkind:
　　Makeyouread-y,forsoamI,Althoughitwereanone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"YetIyoure-de,takegoodheedWhenmenwillthinkandsay:
　　Ofyoung,ofold,itshallbetold,ThatyebegoneawayYourwantonwillfortofulfil,Ingreenwoodyoutoplay;
　　AndthatyemightfromyourdelightNolongermakedelay.
　　RatherthanyeshouldthusformeBecalledanillwom-an,YetwouldItothegreenwoodgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"Thoughitbesungofoldandyoung,ThatIshouldbetoblame,TheirsbethechargethatspeaksolargeInhurtingofmyname:
　　ForIwillprove,thatfaithfulloveItisdevoidofshameInyourdistressandheavinessTopartwithyouthesame:
　　Andsureallthothatdonotso,Trueloversaretheynone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Icounselyou,RememberhowItisnomaiden'slawNothingtodoubt,buttorunoutTowoodwithanout-law;
　　ForyemustthereinyourhandbearAbowtobearanddraw;
　　And,asathief,thusmustyelive,Everindreadandawe;
　　Bywhichtoyougreatharmmightgrow:
　　YethadIlieverthanThatIhadtothegreenwoodgoAlone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"Ithinknotnay,butasyesay,Itisnomaiden'slore;
　　Butlovemaymakemeforyoursake,Asyehavesaidbefore,Tocomeonfoot,tohuntandshootTogetusmeatandstore;
　　ForsothatIyourcompanyMayhave,Iasknomore;
　　Fromwhichtopart,itmakethmineheartAscoldasanystone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Foranout-law,thisisthelaw,Thatmenhimtakeandbind;
　　Withoutpit-ie,hang-edtobe,Andwaverwiththewind.
　　IfIhadnedeasGodforbede!
　　Whatrescuescouldyefind?
　　Forsooth,Itrow,youandyourbowShoulddrawforfearbehind.
　　Andnomervayle:forlittleavailWereinyourcounselthan:
　　WhereforeItothewoodwillgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE
　　"Fullwellknowye,thatwomenbeFullfeeblefortofight;
　　NowomanhedeitisindeedTobeboldasaknight;
　　Yet,insuchfearifthatyewereAmongenemiesdayandnight,Iwouldwithstand,withbowinhand,TogrievethemasImight,Andyoutosave;aswomenhaveFromdeathmanyaone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Yettakegoodhede;foreverIdredeThatyecouldnotsustainThethornyways,thedeepvall-eys,Thesnow,thefrost,therain,Thecold,theheat:fordryorwet,Wemustlodgeontheplain;
　　And,usabove,noneotherroofButabrakebushortwain:
　　Whichsoonshouldgrieveyou,Ibelieve:
　　AndyewouldgladlythanThatIhadtothegreenwoodgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"SithIhaveherebeenpartynereWithyouofjoyandbliss,Imustal-sopartofyourwoeEndure,asreasonis:
　　YetamIsureofonepleas-ure;
　　And,shortly,itisthis:
　　That,whereyebe,meseemeth,perde,Icouldnotfareamiss.
　　Withoutmorespeech,IyoubeseechThatweweresoonagone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Ifyegothyder,yemustconsider,Whenyehavelusttodine,Thereshallnomeatbefortogete,Nordrink,beer,ale,newine.
　　Nesheet-esclean,toliebetween,Ymadeofthreadandtwine;
　　Noneotherhouse,butleavesandboughs,Tocoveryourheadandmine;
　　Lomineheartsweet,thisilldi-eteShouldmakeyoupaleandwan:
　　WhereforeItothewoodwillgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"Amongthewilddeer,suchanarchere,Asmensaythatyebe,Nemaynotfailofgoodvitayle,Whereissogreatplent-y:
　　AndwaterclearoftherivereShallbefullsweettome;
　　WithwhichinheleIshallrightweleEndure,asyeshallsee;
　　And,erewego,abedortwoIcanprovideanone;
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Loyet,before,yemustdomore,Ifyewillgowithme:
　　Ascutyourhairupbyyourear,Yourkirtlebytheknee,Withbowinhand,fortowithstandYourenemies,ifneedbe:
　　Andthissamenight,beforedaylight,TowoodwardwillIflee.
　　Anyewillallthisfulfil,Doitshortlyasyecan:
　　ElsewillItothegreenwoodgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"IshallasnowdomoreforyouThan'longethtowomanhede;
　　Toshortmyhair,abowtobear,Toshootintimeofneed.
　　Omysweetmother!beforeallotherForyouhaveImostdrede!
　　Butnow,adieu!Imustensue,Wherefortunedothmelead.
　　Allthismakeye.Nowletusflee;
　　Thedaycomesfastupon:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Nay,nay,notso;yeshallnotgo,AndIshalltellyouwhy,——
　　YourappetiteistobelightOflove,Iwellespy:
　　For,rightasyehavesaidtome,InlikewisehardilyYewouldanswerewhosoeveritwere,Inwayofcompany,Itissaidofold,Soonhot,sooncold;
　　Andsoisawom-an:
　　WhereforeItothewoodwillgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"Ifyetakeheed,itisnoneedSuchwordstosaybyme;
　　Foroftyeprayed,andlongassayed,OrIyouloved,pard-e;
　　AndthoughthatIofancestryAbaron'sdaughterbe,YethaveyouprovedhowIyouloved.
　　Asquireoflowdegree;
　　Andevershall,whatsobefall;
　　Todiethereforeanone;
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Abaron'schildtobebeguiled!
　　Itwereacurs-eddede;
　　Tobefel-awwithanout-lawAlmightyGodforbede!
　　Yetbetterwere,thepoorsquyereAlonetoforestyede,Thanyeshallsayanotherday,ThatbymywickeddedeYewerebetrayed:Wherefore,goodmaid,ThebestredethatIcan,Is,thatItothegreenwoodgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"Whatsoeverbefall,InevershallOfthisthingyouupbraid:
　　Butifyego,andleavemeso,Thenhaveyemebetrayed.
　　Rememberyouwele,howthatyedele,Forifye,asyesaid,BesounkindtoleavebehindYourlove,theNut-brownMaid,Trustmetru-ly,thatIshalldieSoonafteryebegone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Ifthatyewent,yeshouldrepent;
　　ForintheforestnowIhavepurveyedmeofamaid,WhomIlovemorethanyou;
　　Anotherfairerthaneveryewere,Idareitwellavow;
　　Andofyouboth,eachshouldbewrothWithother,asItrow:
　　Itweremineeasetoliveinpeace;
　　SowillI,ifIcan:
　　WhereforeItothewoodwillgo,Alone,abanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"ThoughinthewoodIunderstoodYehadaparamour,Allthismaynoughtremovemythought,ButthatIwillbeyour:
　　Andsheshallfindmesoftandkind,Andcourteiseveryhour;
　　GladtofulfilallthatshewillCommandme,tomypower:
　　Forhadye,lo!anhundredmo,YetwouldIbethatone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Mineowndearlove,IseetheproofThatyebekindandtrue;
　　Ofmaid,andwife,inallmylife,ThebestthateverIknew.
　　Bemerryandglad;benomoresad;
　　Thecaseischang-ednew;
　　ForitwereruththatforyourtruthYoushouldhavecausetorue.
　　Benotdismayed,whatsoeverIsaidToyou,whenIbegan:
　　Iwillnottothegreenwoodgo;
　　Iamnobanishedman."
　　SHE.
　　"Thesetidingsbemoregladtome,Thantobemadeaqueen,IfIweresuretheyshouldendure:
　　Butitisoftenseen,WhenmenwillbreakpromisetheyspeakThewordisonthespleen.
　　Yeshapesomewilemetobeguile,Andstealfromme,Iween:
　　ThenwerethecaseworsethanitwasAndImorewo-begone:
　　For,inmymind,ofallmankindIlovebutyoualone."
　　HE.
　　"Yeshallnotnedefurthertodrede:
　　Iwillnotdispar-ageYouGoddefend!,sithyoudescendOfsogreatalin-age.
　　Nowunderstand:toWestmoreland,Whichismyheritage,Iwillyoubring;andwitharingBywayofmarri-ageIwillyoutake,andladymake,AsshortlyasIcan:
　　Thushaveyewonanearl-essonAndnotabanishedman."
　　Heremayyesee,thatwomenbeInlove,meek,kind,andstable;
　　Letnevermanreprovethemthan,Orcallthemvari-able;
　　But,rather,prayGodthatwemayTothembecomfort-able,Whichsometimeprovethsuchasheloveth,Iftheybecharit-able.
　　ForsithmenwouldthatwomenshouldBemeektothemeachone;
　　MuchmoreoughttheytoGodobey,AndservebutHimalone.
　　ADAMBELL,CLYMOFTHECLOUGH,ANDWILLIAMOFCLOUDESLIE.
　　THEFIRSTFYTTE.
　　Merryitwasingreenfor-est,Amongtheleav-esgreen,WherethatmenwalkbotheastandwestWithbowsandarrowskeen,Toraisethedeeroutoftheirden,Suchsightsashathoftbeenseen;
　　AsbythreeyeomenoftheNorthCountrey:
　　BythemisasImean.
　　TheoneofthemhightAdamBell,TheotherClymoftheClough,ThethirdwasWilliamofCloudeslie,Anarchergoodenough.
　　Theywereoutlawedforvenison,Thesethreeyeomeneveryone;
　　Theysworethembrethrenuponaday,ToInglewoodfortogone.
　　Nowlithandlisten,gentlemen,Andthatofmirthslovetohear:
　　Twoofthemweresinglemen,Thethirdhadaweddedfere.
　　Williamwastheweddedman,Muchmorethenwashiscare;
　　Hesaidtohisbrethrenuponaday,ToCarlislehewouldfare,FortospeakwithfairAlicehiswife,Andwithhischildrenthree.
　　"Bymytroth,"saidAdamBell,"Notbythecounselofme:
　　ForifyegotoCarlisle,brother,Andfromthiswildwoodwend,IftheJusticemayyoutake,Yourlifewereatanend."——
　　"IfthatIcomenotto-morrow,brother,Byprimetoyouagain,TrustnotelsebutthatIamtake,OrelsethatIamslain."——
　　Hetookhisleaveofhisbrethrentwo,AndtoCarlisleheisgone.
　　Thereheknockedathisownwind-owShortlyandanon.
　　"Wherebeyou,fairAlice,mywife?
　　Andmychildrenthree?
　　Lightlyletinthinehusb-and,WilliamofCloudeslie."——
　　"Alas,"thensaidefairAl-ice,Andsigh-edwondroussore,"Thisplacehathbeenbesetforyou,Thishalf-eyearandmore."
　　"NowamIhere,"saidCloudeslie,"IwouldthatIinwere;——
　　Nowfetchusmeatanddrinkenough,Andletusmakegoodcheer."
　　Shefetchedhimmeatanddrinkplent-y,Likeatrueweddedwife,Andpleas-edhimwiththatshehad,Whomshelovedasherlife.
　　Therelayanoldwifeinthatplace,Alittlebesidethefire,WhichWilliamhadfoundofcharityMor-ethansevenyear;
　　Upsherose,andwalkedfullstill,Evilmoteshespeedtherefore:
　　ForshehadnotsetnofootongroundInsevenyearbefore.
　　Shewentuntothejusticehall,Asfastasshecouldhie:
　　"ThisnightiscomeuntothistownWilliamofCloudeslie."
　　ThereoftheJusticewasfullfain,AndsowastheSheriffalso;
　　"Thoushaltnottravelhither,dame,fornought,Thymeedthoushalthave,erethougo."
　　Theygavetoherarightgoodgown,Ofscarletitwas,asIheardsain;
　　Shetookthegiftandhomeshewent,Andcouchedherdownagain.
　　TheyraisedthetownofmerryCarlisle,Inallthehastethattheycan,Andcamethrong-ingtoWilliam'shouse,Asfastastheymightgan.
　　Theretheybesetthatgoodyeo-man,Roundaboutoneveryside;
　　Williamheardgreatnoiseoffolks,Thathitherwardhied.
　　Aliceopenedashotwind-ow,Andlook-edallaboutShewaswareoftheJusticeandtheSheriffboth,Withafullgreatrout.
　　"Alas,treason!"criedAlice,"Everwoemaythoube!——
　　Gointomychamber,myhusband,"shesaid,"SweetWilliamofCloudeslie."
　　Hetookhisswordandhisbuckl-er,Hisbowandhischildrenthree,Andwentintohisstrongestchamber,Wherehethoughtsuresttobe.
　　FairAl-icefollowedhimasalovertrue,Withapoleaxeinherhand:
　　"HeshallbedeadthatherecomethinThisdoor,whileImaystand."
　　Cloudesliebentawell-goodbow,Thatwasoftrustytree,HesmotetheJusticeonthebreast,Thathisarrowburstinthree.
　　"God'scurseonhisheart!"saidWilliam,"Thisdaythycoatdidon,Ifithadbeennobetterthanmine,Ithadgonenearthybone!"
　　"Yieldthee,Cloudeslie,"saidtheJustice,"Andthybowandthyarrowstheefro!"
　　"God'scurseonhisheart,"saidfairAl-ice,"Thatmyhusbandcounsellethso!"
　　"Setfireonthehouse,"saidtheSheriff,"Sithitwillnobetterbe,AndburnwethereinWilliam,"hesaid,"Hiswifeandhischildrenthree!"
　　Theyfiredthehouseinmanyaplace,Thefireflewuponhigh;
　　"Alas,"thencriedfairAl-ice,"Iseeweshallheredie!"
　　Williamopenedhisbackwind-ow,Thatwasinhischamberonhigh,Andwithshet-eslethiswif-edown,Andhischildrenthree.
　　"Haveheremytreasure,"saidWilli-am,"Mywifeandmychildrenthree;
　　ForChrist-eslovedothemnoharm,Butwreakyouallonme."
　　Williamshotsowondrouswell,Tillhisarrowswereallgone,Andthefiresofastuponhimfell,Thathisbowstringburntintwo.
　　Thesparklesburnt,andfellupon,GoodWilliamofCloudeslie!
　　Butthenwasheawoefulman,andsaid,"Thisisacoward'sdeathtome.
　　"LieverIhad,"saidWilli-am,"Withmyswordintherouttorun,Thanhereamongmineenemies'wood,Thuscruellytoburn."
　　Hetookhisswordandhisbucklerthen,Andamongthemallheran,Wherethepeopleweremostinpress,Hesmotedownmanyaman.
　　Theremightnomanabidehisstroke,Sofiercelyonthemheran;
　　Thentheythrewwindowsanddoorsonhim,Andsotookthatgoodyeom-an.
　　Theretheyboundhimhandandfoot,Andinadeepdungeonhimcast:
　　"Now,Cloudeslie,"saidthehighJust-ice,"Thoushaltbehangedinhaste!"
　　"OnevowshallImake,"saidtheSheriff,"ApairofnewgallowsshallIfortheemake,AndallthegatesofCarlisleshallbeshut,Thereshallnomancomeinthereat.
　　ThenshallnothelpClymoftheCloughNoryetAdamBell,Thoughtheycamewithathousandmo,Norallthedevilsinhell."
　　EarlyinthemorningtheJusticeuprose,Tothegatesfastganhegone,AndcommandedtoshutcloseLightlyeveryone;
　　Thenwenthetothemarket-place,Asfastashecouldhie,Apairofnewgallowstherehesetup,Besidethepillor-y.
　　Alittleboystoodthemamong,Andaskedwhatmeantthatgallowstree;
　　Theysaid-e,"Tohangagoodyeoman,CalledWilliamofCloudeslie."
　　Thatlittleboywasthetownswineherd,AndkeptfairAlice'swine,FullofthehadseenWilliaminthewood,Andgivenhimtheretodine.
　　Hewentoutatacreviceinthewall,Andlightlytothewooddidgone;
　　Theremethewiththesewightyeomen,Shortlyandanon.
　　"Alas!"thensaidthatlittleboy,"Yetarryherealltoolong!
　　Cloudeslieistakenanddamnedtodeath,Andreadyfortohong."
　　"Alas!"thensaidgoodAdamBell,"Thateverweseethisday!
　　Hemightherewithushavedwelled,Sooftaswedidhimpray.
　　Hemighthavetarriedingreenfor-est,Undertheshadowssheen,Andhavekeptbothhimandusatrest,Outofalltroubleandteen."
　　Adambentarightgoodbow,Agreathartsoonhadheslain:
　　"Takethat,child,"hesaid,"tothydinner,Andbringmeminearrowagain."
　　"Nowgowehence,"saidthesewightyeomen,"Tarrywenolongerhere;
　　Weshallhimborrow,byGod'sgrace,Thoughweabyeitfulldear."
　　ToCarlislewentthesegoodyeom-enOnamerrymorningofMay.
　　HereisafytteofCloudeslie,Andanotherisfortosay.
　　THESECONDFYTTE.
　　AndwhentheycametomerryCarlisle,Allinamorningtide,Theyfoundthegatesshutthemuntil,Roundaboutoneveryside.
　　"Alas,"thensaidgoodAdamBell,"Thateverweweremademen!
　　Thesegatesbeshutsowonderlywell,Thatwemaynotcomeherein."
　　ThenspakehimClymoftheClough:
　　"Withawilewewillusinbring;
　　Letussaywebemessengers,StraightcomenfromourKing."
　　Adamsaid:"Ihavealetterwrittenwell,Nowletuswiselywerk;
　　WewillsaywehavetheKing-e'sseal,Iholdtheporternoclerk."
　　ThenAdamBellbeatonthegate,Withstrok-esgreatandstrong;
　　Theporterheardsuchnoisethereat,Andtothegatehethrong.
　　"Whoistherenow,"saidtheporter,"Thatmakethallthisknocking?"
　　"Webetwomessengers,"saidClymoftheClough,"BecomenstraightfromourKing."
　　"Wehavealetter,"saidAdamBell,"TotheJusticewemustitbring;
　　Letusinourmessagetodo,ThatwewereagaintoourKing."
　　"Herecomethnomanin,"saidtheporter,"Byhimthatdiedonatree,Tillthatafalsethiefbehanged,CalledWilliamofCloudeslie!"
　　ThenspakethegoodyeomanClymoftheClough,AndsworebyMaryfree,"Ifthatwestand-elongwithout,Likeathiefhangedshaltthoube.
　　LoherewehavetheKing-esseal;
　　What,lourdain,artthouwood?"
　　Theporterweenedithadbeenso,Andlightlydidoffhishood.
　　"Welcomebemylord'sseal,"saidhe,"Forthatshallyecomein."
　　Heopenedthegaterightshortelie,Anevilopen-ingforhim.
　　"Nowarewein,"saidAdamBell,"Thereofwearefullfain,ButChristheknoweth,thatharrowedhell,Howweshallcomeoutagain."
　　"Hadwethekeys,"saidClymoftheClough,"Rightwellthenshouldwespeed;
　　ThenmightwecomeoutwellenoughWhenweseetimeandneed."
　　Theycalledtheportertoacouns-el,Andwrunghisneckintwo,Andcasthiminadeepdunge-on,Andtookthekeyshimfro.
　　"NowamIporter,"saidAdamBell;
　　"See,brother,thekeyshavewehere;
　　Theworstport-ertomerryCarlisleTheyhavehadthishundredyear:
　　Andnowwillweourbow-esbend,Intothetownwillwego,Fortodeliverourdearbroth-er,Thatliethincareandwoe."
　　Theybenttheirgoodyewbow-es,Andlookedtheirstringswereround,Themarket-placeofmerryCarlisleTheybesetinthatstound;
　　Andastheylook-edthembeside,Apairofnewgallowstheretheysee,AndtheJusticewithaquestofsquires,ThatjudgedWilliamhang-edtobe.
　　AndCloudeslielayreadythereinacart,Fastboundbothfootandhand,Andastrongropeabouthisneck,Allreadyfortobehanged.
　　TheJusticecalledtohimalad,Cloudeslie'sclothesshouldhehaveTotakethemeasureofthatyeom-an,Thereaftertomakehisgrave.
　　"Ihaveseenasgreatmarvel,"saidCloudeslie,"Asbetweenthisandprime;
　　Hethatmakeththisgraveforme,Himselfmaylietherein."——
　　"Thouspeakestproudly,"saidtheJustice;
　　"Ishallhangtheewithmyhand."
　　Fullwellthatheardhisbrethrentwo,Therestillastheydidstand.
　　ThenCloudesliecasthiseyenaside,AndsawhistwobrethrenAtacornerofthemarket-place,ReadytheJusticetoslain.
　　"Iseegoodcomfort,"saidCloudeslie,"YethopeIwelltofare;
　　IfImighthavemyhandsatwill,RightlittlewouldIcare."
　　ThenspakegoodAdamBellToClymoftheCloughsofree,"Brother,seeyemarktheJusticewell;
　　Lo,yonderyemayhimsee;
　　AndattheSheriffshootIwillStronglywitharrowkeen."
　　AbettershotinmerryCarlisleThissevenyearwasnotseen.
　　Theyloosedtheirarrowsbothatonce,Ofnomanhadtheydrede;
　　TheonehittheJustice,theothertheSheriff,Thatboththeirsidesganbleed.
　　Allmenvoided,thatthemstoodnigh,WhentheJusticefelltotheground,AndtheSherifffellnighhimby,Eitherhadhisdeath'swound.
　　Allthecitizensfastganflee,Theydurstnolongerabide;
　　Thenlightlytheyloos-edCloudeslie,Wherehewithropeslaytied.
　　Williamsterttoanofficerofthetown,Hisaxeoutofhishandhewrong,Oneach-esidehesmotethemdown,Himthoughthetarriedtoolong.
　　Williamsaidtohisbrethrentwo:
　　"Togetherletusliveanddee;
　　Ife'eryouhaveneed,asIhavenow,Thesameshallyefindbyme."
　　Theyshotsowellinthattide,Fortheirstringswereofsilkfullsure,Thattheykeptthestreetsoneveryside,Thatbattledidlongendure.
　　Theyfoughttogetherasbrethrentrue,Likehardymenandbold;
　　Manyamantothegroundtheythrew,Andmanyanheartmadecold.
　　Butwhentheirarrowswereallgone,Menpressedtothemfullfast;
　　Theydrewtheirsword-esthenanon,Andtheirbow-esfromthemcast.
　　Theywentlightlyontheirway,Withswordsandbucklersround;
　　Bythatitwasthemiddesoftheday,Theyhadmademanyawound.
　　Therewasmanyaneat-horninCarlisleblown,Andthebellsback-warddidring;
　　Manyawomansaid"Alas!"
　　Andmanytheirhandsdidwring.
　　TheMayorofCarlisleforthcomewas,Andwithhimafullgreatrout;
　　Thesethreeyeomendreadhimfullsore,Fortheirlivesstoodindoubt.
　　TheMayorcamearmedafullgreatpace,Withapoleaxeinhishand;
　　Manyastrongmanwithhimwas,Thereinthatstourtostand.
　　TheMayorsmoteCloudesliewithhisbill,Hisbucklerheburstintwo;
　　Fullmanyayeomanwithgreatill,"Alas!treason!"theycriedforwoe.
　　"Keepwethegat-esfast,"theybade,"Thatthesetraitorsthereoutnotgo!"
　　Butallfornoughtwasthattheywrought,Forsofasttheydownwerelaid,Tilltheyallthreethatsomanfullyfought,Weregottenwithoutatabraid.
　　"Havehereyourkeys,"saidAdamBell,"MineofficeIhereforsake;
　　Ifyoudobymycoun-sel,Anewport-erdoyemake."
　　Hethrewthekeysthereattheirheads,Andbadethemeviltothrive,Andallthatlettethanygoodyeo-manTocomeandcomforthiswife.
　　Thusbethesegoodyeomengonetothewood,Aslightasleafonlinde;
　　Theylaughandbemerryintheirmood,Theiren'mieswerefarbehind.
　　WhentheycametoInglewood,Undertheirtrystingtree,Theretheyfoundbow-esfullgood,Andarrowsgreatplent-y.
　　"SohelpmeGod,"saidAdamBell,AndClymoftheCloughsofree,"IwouldwewerenowinmerryCarlisle,Beforethatfairmeynie!"
　　Theysitthemdownandmakegoodcheer,Andeatanddrinkfullwell——
　　Hereisafytteofthesewightyeomen,AndanotherIshallyoutell.
　　THETHIRDFYTTE.
　　AstheysatinInglewoodUndertheirtrystingtree,Theythoughttheyheardawomanweep,Buthertheymightnotsee.
　　Soretheresigh-edfairAl-ice,Andsaid,"Alasthate'erIseethisday!
　　Fornowismydearhusbandslain:
　　Alas,andwellaway!
　　"MightIhavespokenwithhisdearbrethren,Witheitherofthemtwain,Toshow-ethemwhathimbefell,Myheartwereoutofpain."
　　Cloudesliewalkedalittlebeside,Andlookedunderthegreenwoodlinde;
　　Hewaswareofhiswifeandhischildrenthree,Fullwoeinheartandmind.
　　"Welcome,wife,"thensaidWilli-am,"Underthistrystingtree!
　　Ihadweenedyesterday,bysweetSaintJohn,Thoushouldmeneverhavesee."
　　"Nowwellisme,"shesaid,"thatyebehere!
　　Myheartisoutofwoe."——
　　"Dame,"hesaid,"bemerryandglad,Andthankmybrethrentwo."
　　"Hereoftospeak,"saidAdamBell,"Iwisitisnoboot;
　　ThemeatthatwemustsupwithalItrunnethyetfastonfoot."
　　Thenwenttheydownintothelaunde,Thesenoblearchersallthree;
　　Eachofthemslewahartofgrease,Thebestthattheycouldsee.
　　"Haveherethebest,Al-ice,mywife,"
　　SaidWilliamofCloudeslie,"BecauseyesoboldlystoodmebyWhenIwasslainfullnie."
　　Andthentheywenttotheirsupp-erWithsuchmeatastheyhad,AndthankedGodoftheirfort-une;
　　Theywerebothmerryandglad.
　　Andwhenthattheyhadsupp-edwell,Certainwithoutenlease,Cloudesliesaid:"WewilltoourKing,Togetusacharterofpeace;
　　Al-iceshallbeatoursojourning,Inanunneryherebeside,Andmytwosonsshallwithhergo,Andtheretheyshallabide.
　　"Mineeldestsonshallgowithme,ForhimhaveInocare,AndheshallbringyouwordagainHowthatwedofare."
　　ThusbetheseyeomentoLondongone,Asfastastheymayhie,TilltheycametotheKing'spal-ace,Wheretheywouldneedsbe.
　　AndwhentheycametotheKing-escourt,Untothepalacegate,Ofnomanwouldtheyasknoleave,Butboldlywentinthereat.