Scarce fifty-five did fly.

       Of fifteen hundred Englishmen

       Went home but fifty-three;

       The rest in Chevy Chase were slain,

       Under the greenwood tree.

       Next day did many widows come

       Their husbands to bewail;

       They washed their wounds in brinish tears,

       But all would not prevail.

       Their bodies, bathed in purple blood,

       They bore with them away;

       They kissed them dead a thousand times

       Ere they were clad in clay.

       This news was brought to Edinburgh,

       Where Scotland's king did reign,

       That brave Earl Douglas suddenly

       Was with an arrow slain.

       "O heavy news!" King James did say,

       "Scotland may witness be

       I have not any captain more

       Of such account as he!"

       Like tidings to King Henry came

       Within as short a space,

       That Piercy of Northumberland

       Was slain in Chevy Chase.

       "Now God be with him!" said our king,

       "Sith 'twill no better be,

       I trust I have within my realm

       Five hundred as good as he!

       "Yet shall not Scots nor Scotland say

       But I will vengeance take,

       And be reveng-ed on them all

       For brave Earl Piercy's sake."

       This vow the king did well perform

       After on Humble Down;

       In one day fifty knights were slain,

       With lords of great renown,

       And of the rest of small account,

       Did many hundreds die:

       Thus ended the hunting in Chevy Chase

       Made by the Earl Piercy.

       God save our king, and bless this land

       With plenty, joy, and peace,

       And grant henceforth that foul debate

       Twixt noble men may cease!