He dwelleth on the border side,
To him I'll goe right privilìe."
Thus did the noble Percy 'plaine,
With a heavy heart and wel-away,
When he with all his gallant men
On Bramham moor had lost the day.
But when he to the Armstrongs came,
They delt with him all treacherouslye;
For they did strip that noble earle:
And ever an ill death may they dye.
False Hector to Earl Murray sent,
To shew him where his guest did hide:
Who sent him to the Lough-leven,
With William Douglas to abide.
And when he to the Douglas came,
He halched him right curteouslie:
Say'd, "Welcome, welcome, noble earle,
Here thou shalt safelye bide with mee."
When he had in Lough-leven been
Many a month and many a day;
To the regent[1] the lord warden[2] sent,
That bannisht earle for to betray.
He offered him great store of gold,
And wrote a letter fair to see
Saying, "Good my lord, grant me my boon,
And yield that banisht man to mee."
Earle Percy at the supper sate
With many a goodly gentleman:
The wylie Douglas then bespake,
And thus to flyte with him began:
"What makes you be so sad, my lord,
And in your mind so sorrowfullye?
To-morrow a shooting will be held
Among the lords of the North countrye.
"The butts are sett, the shooting's made,
And there will be great royaltye:
And I am sworne into my bille,
Thither to bring my Lord Percye."
"I'll give thee my hand, thou gentle Douglas,
And here by my true faith," quoth hee,
"If thou wilt ryde to the worldes end,
I will ryde in thy companye."
And then bespake a lady faire,
Mary à Douglas was her name: