Ballads And Poems Illustrating English History

sen all the best archers That in England might be found, I0 And all was to fight with the King of France, Within a little stound. And when our King was over the water, And on the salt sea gone, Then tidings into Scotland came That all England was gone. Bows and arrows they were all forth, At home was not left a man But shepherds and millers both, And priests with shaven crowns. 20 Then the King of Scots in a study stood, As he was a man of great might; He sware he would hold his Parliament in leeve London, If he could ride there right. Then bespake a squire, of Scotland born, And said "My liege, apace, Before you come to leeve London, Full sore you'll rue that race. "There been bold yeomen in merry England, Husbandmen stiff and strong; 30 Sharp swords they done wear, Bearen. bows and arrows long." The King was angry at that word; A long sword out he drew, And there before his royal company His own squire he slew. Hard hansel had the Scots that day, That wrought them woe enow, For then durst not a Scot speak a word For hanging at a bough. 40 "The Earl of Anguish, where art thou? In my coat-armour thou shalt be, And thou shalt lead the forward Thorough the English country. "Take thee York," then said the King, "In stead whereas it doth stand; I'll make thy eldest son after thee Heir of all Northumberland. "The Earl of Vaughan, where be ye? In my coat-armo...