 | Barbour's Bruce |  |
1
[Storys to rede ar delitabill]
[BOOK I]
Storys to rede ar delitabillSuppos yat yai be nocht bot fabill,
Yan suld storys yat suthfast wer
And yai war said on gud maner
Hawe doubill plesance in heryng.
Ye fyrst plesance is ye carpyng,
And ye toyer ye suthfastnes
Yat schawys ye thing rycht as it wes,
And suth thyngis yat ar likand
Tyll mannys heryng ar plesand.
Yarfor I wald fayne set my will
Giff my wyt mycht suffice yartill
To put in wryt a suthfast story
Yat it lest ay furth in memory
Swa yat na tyme of lenth it let
Na ger it haly be forȝet.
For auld storys yat men redys
Representis to yaim ye dedys
Of stalwart folk yat lywyt ar
Rycht as yai yan in presence war.
And certis yai suld weill hawe prys
2
And led yar lyff in gret trawaill,
And oft in hard stour off bataill
Wan gret price off chewalry
And war woydyt off cowardy,
As wes king Robert off Scotland
Yat hardy wes off hart and hand,
And gud schyr Iames off Douglas
Yat in his tyme sa worthy was
Yat off hys price & hys bounte
In ser landis renownyt wes he.
Off yaim I thynk yis buk to ma,
Now God gyff grace yat I may swa
Tret it and bryng it till endyng
Yat I say nocht bot suthfast thing.
Qwhen Alexander ye king wes deid
Yat Scotland haid to steyr & leid,
Ye land [sex] ȝer & mayr perfay
Lay desolat eftyr hys day
Till yat ye barnage at ye last
Assemblyt yaim and fayndyt fast
To cheys a king yar land to ster
Yat off awncestry cummyn wer
Off kingis yat aucht yat reawte
3
Bot enwy yat is sa feloune
Maid amang yaim gret discencioun,
For sum wald haiff ye Balleoll king
For he wes cummyn off ye offspryng
Off hyr yat eldest syster was,
And oyer sum nyt all yat cas
And said yat he yair king suld be
Yat war in als ner degre
And cummyn war of ye [neyst] male
And in branch collaterale.
Yai said successioun of kyngrik
Was nocht to lawer feys lik,
For yar mycht succed na female
Quhill foundyn mycht be ony male
How yat in [lyne] ewyn descendand.
Yai bar all oyer-wayis on hand,
For yan ye neyst cummyn off ye seid
Man or woman suld succeid.
Be yis resoun yat part thocht hale
Yat ye lord off Anandyrdale
Robert ye Brwys erle off Carryk
Aucht to succeid to ye kynryk.
Ye barownys yus war at discord
4
Till at ye last yai all concordyt
Yat all yar spek suld be recordyt
Till Schyr Eduuard off Yngland king,
And he suld swer yat but fenȝeyng
He suld yat arbytre disclar
Off yir twa yat I tauld off ar
Quhilk succeid to sic a hycht,
And lat him ryng yat had ye rycht.
Yis ordynance yaim thocht ye best,
For at that tyme wes pes and rest
Betwyx Scotland and Ingland bath,
And yai couth nocht persawe ye skaith
Yat towart yaim wes apperand.
For yat at ye king off Ingland
Held swylk freyndschip and cumpany
To yar king yat wes swa worthy,
Yai trowyt yat he as gud nychtbur
And as freyndsome compositur
Wald hawe iugyt in lawte,
Bot oyir-wayis all ȝheid ye gle.
A blynd folk full off all foly,
Haid ȝe wmbethocht ȝow enkrely
Quhat perell to ȝow mycht apper
Ȝe had nocht wrocht on yat maner.
Haid ȝe tane keip how at yat king
Alwayis for-owtyn soiournyng
5
And throw his mycht till occupy
Landis yat war till him marcheand
As Walis was and als Ireland,
Yat he put to swylk thrillage
Yat yai yat war off hey parage
Suld ryn on fute as rebaldaill
Quhen he wald our folk assail.
Durst nane of Walis in bataill ride
Na yhet fra ewyn fell abyd
Castell or wallyt toune within
Yat he ne suld lyff and lymmys tyne,
In-to swilk thrillage yaim held he
Yat he ourcome throw his powste.
Ȝe mycht se he suld occupy
Throw slycht yat he ne mycht throw maistri.
Had ȝe tane kep quhat was thrillag
And had consideryt his vsage
Yat gryppyt ay but gayne-gevyng,
Ȝe suld for-owtyn his demyng
Haiff chosyn ȝow a king yat mycht
Have haldyn veyle ye land in rycht.
Walys ensample mycht have bene
To ȝow had ȝe it forow sene,
[And wys men sayis he is happy
Yat be oyer will him chasty,]
For wnfayr thingis may fall perfay
6
Bot ȝe traistyt in lawte
As sympile folk but mawyte,
And wyst nocht quhat suld efter tyd.
For in yis warld yat is sa wyde
Is nane determynat yat sall
Knaw thingis yat ar to fall,
Bot God yat is off maist poweste
Reserwyt till his maieste
For to knaw in his prescience
Off alkyn tyme ye mowence.
On yis maner assentyt war
Ye barownis as I said ȝow ar,
And throuch yar aller hale assent
Messingeris till hym yai sent,
Yat was yan in ye haly land
On Saracenys warrayand.
And fra he wyst quhat charge yai had
He buskyt hym but mar abad
And left purpos yat he had tane
And till Ingland agayne is gane,
And syne till Scotland word send he
Yat yai suld mak ane assemble,
And he in hy suld cum to do
In all thing as yai wrayt him to.
7
Yat he suld slely fynd ye gate
How yat he all ye senȝhowry
Throw his gret mycht suld occupy.
And to Robert ye Brwys said he,
‘Gyff yow will hald in cheyff off me
For euermar, and yine ofspryng,
I sall do swa yow sall be king.’
‘Schyr,’ said he, ‘sa God me save
Ye kynryk ȝharn I nocht to have
Bot gyff it fall off rycht to me,
And gyff God will yat it sa be
I sall als frely in all thing
Hald it as it afferis to king,
Or as myn eldris forouth me
Held it in freyast reawte.’
Ye toyir wreyth him and swar
Yat he suld have it neuer mar
And turnyt him in wreth away.
Bot Schyr Ihon the Balleoll perfay
Assentyt till him in all his will,
Quhar-throuch fell efter mekill ill.
He was king bot a litill quhile
And throuch gret sutelte and ghyle
For litill enchesone or nane
He was arestyt syne and tane,
And degradyt syne wes he
Off honour and off dignite,
Quheyer it wes throuch wrang or rycht
8
Quhen Schyr Edward ye mychty king
Had on yis wys done his likyng
Off Ihone ye Balleoll, yat swa sone
Was all defawtyt & wndone,
To Scotland went he yan in hy,
And all ye land gan occupy
Sa hale yat bath castell & toune
War in-till his possessioune
[Fra Weik anent Orknay]
To Mullyr snwk in Gallaway,
And stuffyt all with Inglis-men.
Schyrreffys and bailȝheys maid he yen,
And alkyn oyer officeris
Yat for to gowern land afferis
He maid off Inglis nation,
Yat worthyt yan sa rych fellone
And sa wykkyt and cowatous
And swa hawtane and dispitous
Yat Scottis-men mycht do na thing
Yat euer mycht pleys to yar liking.
Yar wyffis wald yai oft forly
And yar dochtrys dispitusly
And gyff ony of yaim yar-at war wrath
Yai watyt hym wele with gret scaith,
9
To put hym to destruccione.
And gyff yat ony man yaim by
Had ony thing yat wes worthy,
As hors or hund or oyer thing
Yat war plesand to yar liking,
With rycht or wrang it have wald yai,
And gyf ony wald yaim withsay
Yai suld swa do yat yai suld tyne
Oyir land or lyff or leyff in pyne,
For yai dempt yaim efter yar will,
Takand na kep to rycht na skill.
A quhat yai dempt yaim felonly,
For gud knychtis yat war worthy
For litill enchesoune or yan nane
Yai hangyt be ye nekbane.
[Alas] yat folk yat euer wes fre,
And in fredome wount for to be,
Throw yar gret myschance and foly
War tretyt yan sa wykkytly
Yat yar fays yar iugis war,
Quhat wrechitnes may man have mar.
A, fredome is a noble thing,
Fredome mays man to haiff liking,
10
He levys at es yat frely levys.
A noble hart may haiff nane es
Na ellys nocht yat may him ples
Gyff fredome failȝhe, for fre liking
Is ȝharnyt our all oyer thing.
Na he yat ay has levyt fre
May nocht knaw weill ye propyrte
Ye angyr na ye wrechyt dome
Yat is cowplyt to foule thyrldome,
Bot gyff he had assayit it.
Yan all perquer he suld it wyt,
And suld think fredome mar to prys
Yan all ye gold in warld yat is.
Yus contrar thingis euer-mar
Discoweryngis off ye toyer ar,
And he yat thryll is has nocht his.
All yat he has enbandownyt is
Till hys lord quhat-euer he be.
Yheyt has he nocht sa mekill fre
As fre wyll to leyve or do
Yat at hys hart hym drawis to.
Yan mays clerkis questioun
Quhen yai fall in disputacioun
Yat gyff man bad his thryll owcht do,
And in ye samyn tym come him to
His wyff and askyt him hyr det,
11
And pay fryst yat he awcht, & syne
Do furth his lordis commandyne,
Or leve onpayit his wyff and do
Yai thingis yat commaundyt is him to.
I leve all ye solucioun
Till yaim yat ar off mar renoun,
Bot sen yai mak sic comperyng
Betwix ye dettis off wedding
And lordis bidding till his threll,
Ȝe may weile se youcht nane ȝow tell
How hard a thing yat threldome is.
For men may weile se yat ar wys
Yat wedding is ye hardest band
Yat ony man may tak on hand,
And thryldome is weill wer yan deid,
For quhill a thryll his lyff may leid
It merrys him body and banys,
And dede anoyis him bot anys.
Schortly to say, is nane can tell
Ye halle condicioun off a threll.
Thus-gat levyt yai & in sic thrillage
Bath pur and yai off hey parag,
For off ye lordis sum yai slew
And sum yai hangyt and sum yai drew,
And sum yai put in presoune
12
And amang oyer off Dowglas
Put in presoun Schir Wilȝam was
Yat off Dowglas was lord and syr,
Off him yai makyt a martyr.
Fra yai in presoune him sleuch
Hys land yat is fayr inewch
Yai ye lord off Clyffurd gave.
He had a sone, a litill knave,
Yat wes yan bot a litill page,
Bot syne he wes off gret waslage.
Hys fadyr dede he wengyt sua
Yat in Ingland I wnderta
Wes nane off lyve yat hym ne dred,
For he sa fele off harnys sched
Yat nane yat lyvys yaim can tell.
Bot wonderly hard thing fell
Till him or he till state wes brocht.
Yair wes nane auentur yat mocht
Stunay hys hart na ger him let
To do ye thing yat he wes on set,
For he thocht ay encrely
To do his deid awysily.
He thocht weill he was worth na seyle
13
& als for till escheve gret thingis
And hard trawalys and barganyngis,
Yat suld ger his price dowblyt be.
Quharfor in all hys lyve-tyme he
Wes in gret payn and gret trawaill,
And neuer wald for myscheiff faill,
Bot dryve ye thing rycht to ye end
And tak ye vre yat God wald send.
Hys name wes Iames of Douglas,
& quhen he herd his fader was
Put in presoune so fellounly,
And at his landis halyly
War gevyn to ye Clyffurd perfay
He wyst nocht quhat to do na say,
For he had na thing for to dispend
Na yar wes nane yat euer [him] kend
Wald do sa mekill for him yat he
Mycht sufficiantly fundyn be.
Yan wes he wonder will off wane,
And sodanly in hart has tane
Yat he wald trawaile our ye se
And a quhile in Parys be,
And dre myscheiff quhar nane hym kend
Till God sum succouris till hym send.
And as he thocht he did rycht sua,
And sone to Parys can he ga
And levyt yar full sympylly,
14
And till swylk thowlesnes he ȝeid
As ye cours askis off ȝowtheid,
And wmquhill in-to rybbaldaill.
And yat may mony tyme awaill,
For knawlage off mony statis
May quhile awailȝe full mony gatis,
As to ye gud erle off Artayis
Robert befell in his dayis,
For oft feynȝeyng off rybbaldy
Awailȝeit him and yat gretly.
And Catone sayis ws in his wryt
Yat to fenyhe foly quhile is wyt.
In Parys ner thre ȝer duellyt he,
And yen come tythandis our ye se
Yat his fadyr wes done to ded.
Yen wes he wa and will of red,
And thocht yat he wald hame agayne
To luk gyff he throw ony payn
Mycht wyn agayn his heritage
And his men out off all thryllage.
To Sanct Androws he come in hy,
Quhar ye byschop full curtasly
Resavyt him, and gert him wer
His knyvys forouth him to scher,
And cled him rycht honorabilly
And gert ordayn quhar he suld ly.
15
All men lufyt him for his bounte,
For he wes off full fayr effer
Wys curtais and deboner.
Larg and luffand als wes he,
And our all thing luffyt lawte.
Leavte to luff is gretumly,
Throuch leavte liffis men rychtwisly.
With a wertu & leavte
A man may ȝeit sufficyand be,
And but leawte may nane haiff price
Queyer he be wycht or he be wys,
For quhar it failȝeys na wertu
May be off price na off valu
To mak a man sa gud yat he
May symply callyt gud man be.
He wes in all his dedis lele,
For him dedeynȝeit nocht to dele
With trechery na with falset.
His hart on hey honour wes [set],
And hym contenyt on sic maner
Yat all him luffyt yat war him ner.
Bot he wes nocht sa fayr yat we
Suld spek gretly off his beaute.
In wysage wes he sumdeill gray
And had blak har as ic hard say,
Bot off lymmys he wes weill maid
With banys gret & schuldrys braid,
His body wes weyll [maid and lenȝe]
As yai yat saw hym said to me.
16
And meyk and sweyt in cumpany,
Bot quha in battaill mycht him se
All oyir contenance had he.
And in spek [wlispyt he sumdeill],
Bot yat sat him rycht wondre weill.
Till gud Ector of Troy mycht he
In mony thingis liknyt be.
Ector had blak har as he had
And stark lymmys and rycht weill maid,
And wlispyt alsua as did he,
And wes fullfillyt of leawte
& wes curtais and wys and wycht,
Bot off manheid and mekill mycht
Till Ector dar I nane comper
Off all yat euer in warldys wer.
Ye-quethyr in his tyme sa wrocht he
Yat he suld gretly lovyt be.
He duellyt yar quhill on a tid
Ye king Eduuard with mekill prid
Come to Strevillyne with gret mengȝe
For till hald yar ane assemble.
Yidderwart went mony baroune,
Byschop Wylȝame off Lambyrtoun
Raid yiddyr als and with him was
Yis squyer Iames of Dowglas.
Ye byschop led him to ye king
And said, ‘Schyr heyr I to ȝow bryng
Yis child yat clemys ȝour man to be,
17
Yat ȝe resave her his homage
And grantis him his heritage.’
‘Quhat landis clemys he,’ said ye king.
‘Schyr giff yat it be ȝour liking
He clemys ye lordschip off Douglas,
For lord yaroff hys fader was.’
Ye king yen wrethyt him encrely
And said, ‘Schyr Byschop sekyrly
Gyff yow wald kep yi fewte
Yove maid nane sic speking to me.
Hys fadyr ay wes my fay feloune
And deyt yarfor in my presoun
And wes agayne my maieste,
Yarfor hys ayr I aucht to be.
Ga purches land quhar-euer he may
For yaroff haffys he nane perfay.
Ye Clyffurd sall yaim haiff for he
Ay lely has serwyt to me.’
Ye byschop hard him swa ansuer
And durst yan spek till him na mar,
Bot fra his presence went in hy
For he dred sayr his felouny
Swa yat he na mar spak yarto.
Ye king did yat he com to do
And went till Ingland syn agayn
With mony man off mekill mayn.
Lordingis quha likis for till her,
Ye romanys now begynnys her
18
And assayit full gret hardynes
Or yai mycht cum till yar entent.
Bot syne our Lord sic grace yaim sent
Yat yai syne throw yar gret walour
Come till gret hycht & till honour,
Magre yar fayis euerilkane
Yat war sa fele yat [ay] till ane
Off yaim yai war weill a thowsand,
Bot quhar God helpys quhat may withstand.
Bot and we say ye suthfastnes
Yai war sum tyme erar may yen les,
Bot God yat maist is off all mycht
Preserwyt yaim in his forsycht
To weng ye harme and ye contrer
At yat fele folk and pautener
Dyd till sympill folk and worthy
Yat couth nocht help yaim self. For-yi
Yai war lik to ye Machabeys
Yat as men in ye bibill seys
Throw yar gret worschip and walour
Fawcht in-to mony stalwart stour
For to delyuer yar countre
Fra folk yat throw iniquite
Held yaim and yairis in thrillage.
Yai wrocht sua throw yar wasselage
Yat with few folk yai had wictory
Off mychty kingis, as sayis ye story,
And delyueryt yar land all fre,
Quharfor yar name suld lovyt be.
19
Saw all ye kynryk swa forfayr,
And swa trowblyt ye folk saw he
Yat he yaroff had gret pitte.
Bot quhat pite yat euer he had
Na contenance yaroff he maid,
Till on a tym Schyr Ihone Cumyn
As yai come ridand fra Strewillyn
Said till him, ‘Schyr will ȝe nocht se
How yat gouernyt is yis countre.
Yai sla our folk but enchesoune
And haldis yis land agayne resoune,
And ȝe yaroff suld lord be.
And gyff yat ȝe will trow to me
Ȝe sall ger mak [ȝow] yaroff king,
And I sall be in ȝour helping
With-yi ȝe giff me all ye land
Yat ȝe haiff now in-till ȝour hand.
And gyff yat ȝe will nocht do sua
Na swylk a state apon ȝow ta,
All hale my land sall ȝouris be
And lat me ta ye state on me
And bring yis land out off thyrllage,
For yar is noyer man na page
In all yis land yan yai sall be
Fayn to mak yaim selwyn fre.’
Ye lord ye Brwis hard his carping
And wend he spak bot suthfast thing,
And for it likit till his will
He gave his assent sone yartill
20
I will blythly apon me ta
Ye state, for I wate yat I have rycht,
And rycht mays oft ye feble wycht.’
Ye barownys yus accordyt ar,
And yat ilk nycht writyn war
Yair endenturis, and aythis maid
To hald yat yai forspokyn haid.
Bot off all thing wa worth tresoun,
For yar is noyer duk ne baroun
Na erle na prynce na king off mycht
Yocht he be neuer sa wys na wycht
For wyt worschip price na renoun,
Yat euer may wauch hym with tresoune.
Wes nocht all Troy with tresoune tane
Quhen [ten] ȝeris off ye wer wes gane.
Yen slayn wes mony thowsand
Off yaim with-owt throw strenth of hand,
As Dares in his buk he wrate,
And Dytis yat knew all yar state.
Yai mycht nocht haiff beyn tane throw mycht,
Bot tresoun tuk yaim throw hyr slycht.
And Alexander ye conqueroure
Yat conqueryt Babilonys tour
And all yis warld off lenth and breid
21
Wes syne destroyit throw pwsoune
In his awyne hows throw gret tresoun,
Bot or he deit his land delt he.
To se his dede wes gret pite.
Iulius Cesar als, yat wan
Bretane and Fraunce as dowchty man,
Affryk Arrabe Egipt Surry
And all Evrope halyly,
And for his worschip & valour
Off Rome wes fryst maid emperour,
Syne in his capitole wes he
Throw yaim of his consaill preue
Slayne with [punsoune] rycht to ye ded,
And quhen he saw yar wes na rede
Hys eyn with his hand closit he
For to dey with mar honeste.
Als Arthur yat throw chevalry
Maid Bretane maistres & lady
Off [tuelf] kin[rikis] yat he wan,
And alsua as a noble man
He wan throw bataill Fraunce all fre,
And Lucius Yber wencusyt he
Yat yen of Rome wes emperour,
Bot ȝeit for all his gret valour
Modreyt his syster son him slew,
And gud men als ma yen inew
Throw tresoune and throw wikkitnes,
22
Sa fell of yis conand-making,
For ye Cwmyn raid to ye king
Off Ingland & tald all yis cas
Bot I trow nocht all as it was,
Bot ye endentur till him gaf he
Yat soune schawit ye iniquite.
Quharfor syne he tholyt ded,
Yan he couth set yarfor na rede.
Quhen ye king saw ye endentur
He wes angry out of mesur,
And swour yat he suld wengeance ta
Off yat Brwys yat presumyt swa
Aganys him to brawle or rys
Or to conspyr on sic a wys.
And to Schyr Ihon Cumyn said he
Yat he suld for his leawte
Be rewardyt and yat hely,
And he him thankit humyly.
Yan thocht he to have ye leding
Off all Scotland but gane-saying
Fra at ye Brwce to dede war brocht.
Bot oft failȝeis ye fulis thocht,
And wys mennys etling
Cummys nocht ay to yat ending
Yat yai think it sall cum to,
For God wate weill quhat is to do.
23
As I sall efterwartis tell.
He tuk his leve and hame is went,
And ye king a parlyament
Gert set yarefter hastely
And yidder somownys he in hy
Ye barownys of his reawte,
And to ye lord ye Bruce send he
Bydding to cum to yat gadryng.
And he yat had na persawyng
Off ye tresoun na ye falset
Raid to ye king but langer let,
And in Lundon hym herberyd he
Ye fyrst day off yar assemble,
Syn on ye morn to court he went.
Ye kyng sat into parleament
And forouth hys consaile preue
Ye lord ye Bruce yar callyt he
And schawyt hym ye endentur.
He wes in full gret auentur
To tyne his lyff, bot God of mycht
Preserwyt him till hyer hycht,
Yat wald nocht yat he swa war dede.
Ye king betaucht hym in yat steid
Ye endentur ye seile to se,
And askyt gyff it enselyt he.
24
And answeryt till him humyly
And sayd, ‘How yat I sympill be
My seyle is nocht all tyme with me.
Ik have ane oyer it to ber.
Yarfor giff yat ȝour willis wer
Ic ask ȝow respyt for to se
Yis letter and yarwith awysit be
Till to-morn yat ȝe be set,
And yen for-owtyn langer let
Yis letter sall I entyr heyr
Befor all ȝour consaill planer,
And yar-till in-to borwch draw I
Myn herytage all halily.’
Ye king thocht he wes traist inewch
Sen he in bowrch hys landis drewch,
And let hym with ye letter passe
Till entyr it as for-spokin was.
25
[BOOK II]
Ye Bruys went till his innys swyth,Bot wyt ȝe weile he wes full blyth
Yat he had gottyn yat respyt.
He callit his marschall till him tyt
And bad him luk on all maner
Yat he ma till his men gud cher,
For he wald in his chambre be
A weill gret quhile in preuate,
With him a clerk for-owtyn ma.
Ye marschell till ye hall gan ga
And did hys lordys commanding.
Ye lord ye Bruce but mar letting
Gert preuely bryng stedys twa,
He and ye clerk for-owtyn ma
Lap on for-owtyn persawyng,
And day and nycht but soiournyng
Yai raid quhill on ye fyften day
Cummyn till Louchmaban ar yai.
Hys broder Eduuard yar yai fand
Yat thocht ferly ic tak on hand
Yat yai come hame sa preuely.
He tauld hys brodyr halyly
How yat he yar soucht was
26
Sa fell it in ye samyn tid
Yat at Drumfres rycht yar besid
Schir Ihone ye Cumyn soiornyng maid.
Ye Brus lap on and yidder raid
And thocht for-owtyn mar letting
For to qwyt hym his discoueryng.
Yidder he raid but langer let
And with Schyr Ihone ye Cumyn met
In ye Freris at ye hye awter,
And schawyt him with lauchand cher
Ye endentur, syne with a knyff
Rycht in yat sted hym reft ye lyff.
Schyr Edmund Cumyn als wes slayn
And oyir mony off mekill mayn.
Nocht-for-yi ȝeit sum men sayis
At yat debat fell oyer-wayis,
Bot quhat-sa-euyr maid ye debate
Yar-throuch he deyt weill I wat.
He mysdyd yar gretly but wer
Yat gave na gyrth to ye awter,
Yarfor sa hard myscheiff him fell
Yat ik herd neuer in romanys tell
Off man sa hard frayit as wes he
Yat efterwart com to sic bounte.
Now agayne to ye king ga we
Yat on ye morn with his barne
Sat in-till his parleament,
27
Rycht till his in with knychtis kene.
Quhen he oft-tyme had callit bene
And his men efter him askit yai,
Yai said yat he sen ȝhysterday
Duelt in his chambyr ythanly
With a clerk with him anerly.
Yan knokyt yai at his chamur yar
And quhen yai hard nane mak ansuar
Yai brak ye dur, bot yai fand nocht
Ye-quheyir ye chambre hale yai socht.
Yai tauld ye king yan hale ye cas
And how yat he eschapyt was.
He wes off his eschap sary
And swour in ire full stalwartly
Yat he suld drawyn and hangit be.
He manansyt as him thocht, bot he
Thoucht yat suld pas ane oyer way
And, quhen he as ȝe hard me say
In-till ye kyrk Schyr Ihone haid slain,
Till Louchmabane he went agayne
And gert men with his lettres ryd
To freyndis apon ilk sid
Yat come to hym with yar mengȝe,
& his men als assemblit he
And thocht yat he wald mak him king.
Our all ye land ye word gan spryng
Yat ye Bruce ye Cumyn had slayn,
And amang oyer, lettres ar gayn
To ye byschop off Androws towne
Yat tauld how slayn wes yat baroun.
Ye letter tauld hym all ye deid,
And he till his men gert reid
28
I hop Thomas prophecy
Off Hersildoune sall weryfyd be
In him, for swa our Lord help me
I haiff gret hop he sall be king
And haiff yis land all in leding.’
Iames off Dowglas yat ay-quhar
All-wayis befor ye byschop schar
Had weill hard all ye letter red,
And he tuk alsua full gud hed
To yat ye byschop had said.
And quhen ye burdys doun war laid
Till chamyr went yai yen in hy,
And Iames off Dowglas preuely
Said to ye byschop, ‘Schyr ȝe se
How Inglis-men throw yar powste
Dysherysys me off my land,
And men has gert ȝow wnderstand
Als yat ye erle off Carryk
Clamys to govern ye kynryk,
And for ȝon man yat he has slayn
All Inglis-men ar him agayn
And wald disherys hym blythly,
Ye-quheyer with him duell wald I.
Yarfor schir giff it war ȝour will
I wald tak with him gud & ill.
Throw hym I trow my land to wyn
Magre ye Clyffurd and his kyn.’
Ye byschop hard and had pite
And said, ‘Swet son sa God help me
29
Bot at I nocht reprowyt war.
On yis maner weile wyrk you may.
Yow sall tak Ferrand my palfray,
For yar is na hors in yis land
Sa swytht na ȝeit sa weill at hand.
Tak him as off yine awyne hewid
As I had gevyn yar-to na reid,
And gyff his ȝhemar oucht gruchys
Luk yat yow tak him magre his,
Swa sall I weill assonȝeit be.
Mychty God for his powste
Graunt yat he yat yow pasis to
& yow in all tyme sa weill to do
Yat ȝe ȝow fra ȝowr fayis defend.’
He taucht him siluer to dispend
& syne gaiff him gud day
& bad him pas furth on his way,
for he ne wald spek till he war gane.
Ye Dowglas yen his way has taine
Rycht to ye hors as he him bad,
Bot he yat him in ȝhemsell had
Yan warnyt hym dispitously,
Bot he yat wreth him encrely
Fellyt hym with a suerdys dynt,
And syne for-owtyn langer stynt
Ye hors he sadylt hastely,
And lap on hym delyuerly
30
Der God yat is off hevyn king
Sawff hym and scheld him fra his fayis.
All him alane ye way he tais
Towart ye towne off Louchmabane,
And a litill fra Aryk stane
Ye Bruce with a gret rout he met
Yat raid to Scone for to be set
In kingis stole and to be king.
& quhen Dowglas saw hys cummyng
He raid and hailsyt hym in hy
And lowtyt him ffull curtasly,
And tauld him haly all his state
& quhat he was, & als how-gat
Ye Clyffurd held his heritage,
And yat he come to mak homage
Till him as till his rychtwis king,
And at he boune wes in all thing
To tak with him ye gud and ill.
And quhen ye Bruce had herd his will
He resawyt him in gret daynte
And men and armys till him gaff he.
He thocht weile he suld be worthy
For all his eldris war douchty.
Yusgat maid yai yar aquentance
Yat neuer syne for nakyn chance
Departyt quhill yai lyffand war.
Yair frendschip woux ay mar & mar,
For he serwyt ay lelely,
And ye toyer full wilfully
Yat was bath worthy wycht & wys
31
Ye lord ye Bruce to Glaskow raid,
& send about him quhill he haid
Off his freyndis a gret menȝhe,
& syne to Scone in hy raid he
And wes maid king but langer let,
And in ye kingis stole wes set
As in yat tyme wes ye maner.
Bot off yar nobleis, gret affer,
Yar seruice na yar realte
Ȝe sall her na thing now for me,
Owtane yat he off ye barnage
Yat yidder come tok homage,
And syne went our all ye land
Frendis and frendschip purchesand
To maynteym yat he had begunnyn.
He wyst or all ye land war wonnyn
He suld fynd full hard barganyng
With him yat wes off Ingland king,
For yar wes nane off lyff sa fell
Sa pautener na sa cruell.
And quhen to King Eduuard wes tauld
How at ye Brwys yat wes sa bauld
Had brocht ye Cumyn till ending,
& how he syne had maid him king,
Owt off his wyt he went weill ner,
And callit till him Schir Amer
Ye Wallang yat wes wys and wycht
And off his hand a worthy knycht,
32
& in hy till Scotland ga,
And byrn and slay and rais dragoun,
And hycht all Fyfe in warysoun
Till him yat mycht oyer ta or sla
Robert ye Bruce yat wes his fa.
Schir Aymer did as he him bad,
Gret chewalry with him he had,
With him wes Philip ye Mowbray,
And Ingram ye Wmfrawill perfay
Yat wes bath wys and awerty
& full off gret chewalry,
& off Scotland ye maist party
Yai had in-till yar cumpany,
For yheit yen mekill off ye land
Wes in-till Inglis-mennys hand.
Till Perth yen went yai in a rout,
Yat yen wes wallyt all about
With feile towris rycht hey bataillyt
To defend giff it war assaylit,
Yar-in duellyt Schyr Amery
With all his gret chewalry.
Ye King Robert wyst he wes yar
And quhat-kyn chyftanys with him war
And assemblyt all his mengȝe.
He had feyle off full gret bounte
Bot yar fayis war may yen yai
Be [fyften hunder] as ik herd say,
Ye-quheyer he had yar at yat ned
Full feill yat war douchty off deid
33
Twa erlis alsua with him war,
Off Leuynax and Atholl war yai.
Eduuard ye Bruce wes yar alsua,
Thomas Randell and Hew de le Hay
And Schyr Dauid ye Berclay
Fresale Somerueile and Inchmertyn.
Iames off Dowglas yar wes syne
Yat yheyt yan wes bot litill off mycht,
And oyir fele folk forsye in fycht
[Als was gude Cristell of Setoun
And Robert Boyd of greit renoun,
And uther feill of mekill micht],
Bot I can nocht tell quhat yai hycht.
Yocht yai war qwheyn yai war worthy
And full off gret chewalry,
And in bataill in gud aray
Befor Sanct Ihonystoun com yai
And bad Schyr Amery isch to fycht,
And he yat in ye mekill mycht
Traistyt off yaim yat wes him by
Bad his men arme yaim hastily.
Bot Schir Ingram ye Wmfrawill
Thocht it war all to gret perill
In playne bataill to yaim to ga
Or-quhill yai war arayit sa,
And till Schyr Amer said he,
‘Schir giff yat ȝe will trow to me,
Ȝe sall nocht ische yaim till assaile
34
For yar ledar is wys and wycht
And off his hand a noble knycht,
And he has in his cumpany
Mony a gud man & worthi
Yat sall be hard for till assay
Till yai ar in sa gud aray,
For it suld be full mekill mycht
Yat now suld put yaim to ye flycht,
For quhen folk ar weill arayit
And for ye bataill weill purwait,
With-yi yat yai all gud men be,
Yai sall fer mar be awise
And weill mar for to dreid yen yai
War set sum-dele out off aray.
Yarfor ȝe may schyr say yaim till
Yat yai may yis nycht and yai will
Gang herbery yaim and slep and rest,
And at to-morn but langar lest
Ȝe sall isch furth to ye bataill,
And fecht with yaim bot gyf yai faile.
Sa till yar herbery went sall yai
And sum sall went to ye forray,
And yai yat duellis at ye logyng
Sen yai come owt off trawelling
Sall in schort tyme wnarmyt be.
Yen on our best maner may we
With all our fayr chewalry
Ryd towart yaim rycht hardyly.
35
Quhen yai se ws arayit to fycht
Cummand on yaim sa sudanly,
Yai sall affrayit be gretumly,
And or yai cummyn in bataill be
We sall speid ws swagat yat we
Sall be all redy till assembill.
Sum man for erynes will trymbill
Quhen he assayit is sodanly
Yat with awisement is douchty.’
As he awisyt now have yai done,
And till yaim wtouth send yai sone
And bad yaim herbery yaim yat nycht
And on ye morn cum to ye fycht.
Quhen yai saw yai mycht no mar
Towart Meffayn yen gan yai far
And in ye woud yaim logyt yai.
Ye thrid part went to ye forray,
And ye lave sone wnarmyt war
And skalyt to loge yaim her & yar.
Schyr Amer yen but mar abaid
With all ye folk he with him haid
Ischyt in-forcely to ye fycht,
And raid in-till a randoun rycht
Ye strawcht way towart Meffen.
Ye king yat wes wnarmyt yen
Saw yaim cum swa inforcely,
Yen till his men gan hely cry,
‘Till armys swyth and makys ȝow ȝar,
Her at our hand our fayis ar.’
And yai did swa in full gret hy
36
Ye king displayit his baner
Quhen yat his folk assemblyt wer
And said, ‘Lordingis now may ȝe se
Yat ȝone folk all throw sutelte
Schapis yaim to do with slycht
Yat at yai drede to do with mycht.
Now I persawe he yat will trew
His fa it sall him sum-tyme rew.
And nocht-for-yi yocht yai be fele
God may rycht weill our werdis dele
For multitud mais na victory,
As men has red in mony story
Yat few folk has oft wencusyt ma.
Trow we yat we sall do rycht sua.
Ȝe ar ilkan wycht and worthy
And full of gret chewalry,
And wate rycht weill quhat honour is.
Wyrk yhe yen apon swylk wys
Yat ȝour honour be sawyt ay.
And a thing will I to ȝow say,
Yat he yat [deis] for his cuntre
Sall herbryit in-till hewyn be.’
Quhen yis wes said yai saw cumand
Yar fayis ridand ner at ye hand
Arayit rycht awisely,
Willfull to do chewalry.
On ayir syd yus war yai yhar
37
Yai straucht yar speris on ayir syd
And swa ruydly gan samyn ryd
Yat speris [al] to-fruschyt war
And feyle men dede and woundyt sar,
Ye blud owt at yar byrnys brest,
For ye best and ye worthiest
Yat wilfull war to wyn honour
Plungyt in ye stalwart stour
And rowtis ruyd about yaim dang.
Men mycht haiff seyn in-to yat thrang
Knychtis yat wycht and hardy war
Wndyr hors feyt defoulyt yar
Sum woundyt and sum all ded,
Ye gres woux off ye blud all rede.
And yai yat held on hors in hy
Swappyt owt swerdis sturdyly
And swa fell strakys gave and tuk
Yat all ye renk about yaim quouk.
Ye Bruysis folk full hardely
Schawyt yar gret chewalry,
And he him selff atour ye lave
Sa hard and sa hewy dyntis gave
Yat quhar he come yai maid him way.
His folk yaim put in hard assay
To stynt yar fais mekill mycht
Yat yen so fayr had off ye fycht
Yat yai wan feild ay mar & mar.
Ye kingis small folk ner wencusyt ar,
And quhen ye king his folk has sene
Begyn to faile, for propyr tene
38
And in ye stour sa hardyly
He ruschyt yat all ye semble schuk.
He all till-hewyt yat he our-tuk
And dang on yaim quhill he mycht drey,
And till his folk he criyt hey,
‘On yaim on yaim yai feble fast,
Yis bargane neuer may langar last.’
And with yat word sa wilfully
He dang on and sa hardely
Yat quha had sene him in yat fycht
Suld hald him for a douchty knycht.
Bot yocht he wes stout and hardy
And oyir als off his cumpany,
Yar mycht na worschip yar awailȝe,
For yar small folk begouth to failȝe
And fled all skalyt her and yar.
Bot ye gude at enchaufyt war
Off ire abade and held ye stour
To conquyr yaim endles honour.
And quhen Schyr Amer has sene
Ye small folk fle all bedene
And sa few abid to fycht
He releyt to him mony a knycht
And in ye stour sa hardyly
He ruschyt with hys chewalry
39
Schyr Thomas Randell yar wes tane
Yat yen wes a ȝoung bacheler,
And Schyr Alexander Fraseyr
And Schyr Dauid ye Breklay
Inchmertyne and Hew de le Hay
And Somerweil and oyer ma.
And ye king him selff alsua
Wes set in-till full hard assay
Throw Schyr Philip ye Mowbray
Yat raid till him full hardyly
And hynt hys rengȝe and syne gan cry,
‘Help help I have ye new-maid king.’
With yat come gyrdand in a lyng
Crystall off Seytoun quhen he swa
Saw ye king sesyt with his fa,
And to Philip sic rout he raucht
Yat yocht he wes off mekill maucht
He gert him galay disyly,
And haid till erd gane fullyly
Ne war he hynt him by his sted,
Yen off his hand ye brydill yhed.
And ye king his enssenȝe gan cry,
Releyt his men yat war him by
Yat war sa few yat yai na mycht
Endur ye fors mar off ye fycht.
Yai prikyt yen out off ye pres,
And ye king yat angry wes
For he his men saw fle him fra
Said yen, ‘Lordingis sen it is swa
Yat vre rynnys agane ws her,
40
Till God ws send eft-sonys grace.
And ȝeyt may fall giff yai will chace
Quyt yaim corn-but sum dele we sall.’
To yis word yai assentyt all
And fra yaim walopyt owyr-mar.
Yar fayis alsua wery war
Yat off yaim all yar chassyt nane,
Bot with presoneris yat yai had tane
Rycht to ye toune yai held yar way,
Rycht glaid and ioyfull off yar pray.
Yat nycht [yai] lay all in ye toun,
Yar wes nane off sa gret renoun
Na ȝeit sa hardy off yaim all
Yat durst herbery with-out ye wall,
Sa dred yai sar ye gayne-cummyng
Off Schyr Robert ye douchty king.
And to ye king off Ingland sone
Yai wrate haly as yai haid done,
And he wes blyth off yat tithing
And for dispyte bad draw and hing
All ye presonneris yocht yai war ma.
Bot Schyr Amery did nocht sua,
To sum bath land and lyff gaiff he
To leve ye Bruysis fewte
And serve ye king off Ingland
And off him for to hald ye land
And werray ye Brws as yar fa.
Thomas Randell wes ane off ya
Yat for his lyff become yar man.
41
Sum yai ransownyt sum yai slew
And sum yai hangyt and sum yai drew.
[I]n yis maner [rebutyt] was
Ye Bruys yat mekill murnyn mais
For his men yat war slayne and tane,
And he wes als sa will off wane
Yat he trowit in nane sekyrly
Owtane yaim off his cumpany,
Yat war sa few yat yai mycht be
[Fyve hunder] ner off all mengȝe.
His broder alwayis wes him by
Schyr Eduuard yat wes sa hardy,
And with him wes a bauld baroun
Schyr Wilȝam ye Boroundoun.
Ye erle off Athole als wes yar,
Bot ay syn yai discomfyt war
Ye erle off ye Leuenax wes away
And wes put to full hard assay
Or he met with ye king agayn,
Bot always as a man off mayn
He mayntemyt him full manlyly.
Ye king had in his cumpany
Iames alsua of Dowglas
Yat wycht wys and awerty was,
Schyr Gilbert de le Hay alsua
Schir Nele Cambell and oyer ma
42
As wtelauys went mony day
Dreand in ye Month yar pyne,
Eyte flesch and drank water syne.
He durst nocht to ye planys ga
For all ye commownys went him fra
Yat for yar liffis war full fayn
To pas to ye Inglis pes agayn.
Sa fayris ay commounly,
In commownys may nane affy
Bot he yat may yar warand be.
Sa fur yai yen with him, for he
Yaim fra yar fais mycht nocht warand
Yai turnyt to ye toyer hand,
Bot threldome yat men gert yaim fele
Gert yaim ay ȝarne yat he fur wele.
Yws in ye hyllis levyt he
Till ye maist part off his menȝe
Wes rewyn and rent, na schoyne yai had
Bot as yai yaim off hydys mad.
Yarfor yai went till Abyrdeyne
Quhar Nele ye Bruys come & ye queyn
And oyir ladyis fayr and farand
Ilkane for luff off yar husband
Yat for leyle luff and leawte
Wald partenerys off yar paynys be.
Yai chesyt tyttar with yaim to ta
43
For luff is off sa mekill mycht
Yat it all paynys makis lych,
And mony tyme mais tender wychtis
Off swilk strenthtis and swilk mychtis
Yat yai may mekill paynys endur
And forsakis nane auentur
Yat euyr may fall, with-yi yat yai
Yarthrow succur yair liffys may.
Men redys, quhen Thebes wes tane
And kyng Aristas men war slane
Yat assailyt ye cite,
Yat ye wemen off his cuntre
Come for to fech him hame agayne
Quhen yai hard all his folk wes slayne,
Quhar ye king Campaneus
Throw ye help off Menesteus
Yat come percas ridand yarby
With [thre hunder] in cumpany
Yat throw ye kingis prayer assailyt
Yat ȝeit to tak ye toun had failȝeit.
Yen war ye wiffys thyrland ye wall
With pikkis, quhar ye assailȝeis all
Entryt and dystroyit ye tour
And slew ye pupill but recour.
44
And all ye kingis men war slayne
Ye wiffis had him till his cuntre
Quhar wes na man leiffand bot he.
In wemen mekill comfort lyis
And gret solace on mony wis,
Sa [fell yt] her, for yar cummyng
Reiosyt rycht gretumly ye king.
Ye-quheyer ilk nycht him selwyn wouk
And his rest apon daiis touk.
A gud quhile yar he soiournyt yen
And esyt wonder weill his men
Till yat ye Inglis-men herd say
Yat he yar with his menȝe lay
All at ese and sekyrly.
Assemblit yai yar ost in hy
And yar him trowit to suppris,
Bot he yat in his deid wes wys
Wyst yai assemblyt war & quhar,
And wyst yat yai sa mony war
Yat he mycht nocht agayne yaim fycht.
His men in hy he gert be dycht
And buskyt of ye toun to ryd,
Ye ladyis raid rycht by his syd.
Yen to ye hill yai raid yar way,
Quhar gret defaut off mete had yai.
Bot worthy Iames off Dowglas
45
For to purches ye ladyis mete
And it on mony wis wald get,
For quhile he venesoun yaim brocht,
And with his handys quhile he wrocht
Gynnys to tak geddis & salmonys
Trowtis elys and als menovnys,
And quhill yai went to ye forray,
And swa yar purchesyng maid yai.
Ilk man traweillyt for to get
And purches yaim yat yai mycht ete.
Bot off all yat euer yai war
Yar wes nocht ane amang yaim yar
Yat to ye ladyis profyt was
Mar yen Iamys of Dowglas,
And ye king oft comfort wes
Throw his wyt and his besynes.
On yis maner yaim gouernyt yai
Till yai come to ye hed off Tay.
46
[BOOK III]
Ye lord off Lorne wonnyt yar-byYat wes capitale ennymy
To ye king for his emys sak
Ihon Comyn, and thocht for to tak
Wengeance apon cruell maner.
Quhen he ye king wyst wes sa ner
He assemblyt his men in hy,
And had in-till his cumpany
Ye barownys off Argyle alsua.
Yai war a thowsand weill or ma
And come for to suppris ye king
Yat weill wes war of yar cummyng.
Bot all to few with him he had
Ye-quheyir he bauldly yaim abaid,
And weill ost at yar fryst metyng
War layd at erd but recoveryng.
Ye kingis folk full weill yaim bar
And slew and fellyt and woundyt sar,
Bot ye folk off ye toyer party
Fawcht with axys sa fellyly,
For yai on fute war euer-ilkane,
Yat yai feile off yar hors has slayne,
And till sum gaiff yai woundis wid.
Iames off Dowglas wes hurt yat tyd
And als Schyr Gilbert de le Hay.
Ye [king his] men saw in affray
And his ensenȝe can he cry
47
He rad yat he yaim ruschyt all
And fele off yaim yar gert he fall.
Bot quhen he saw yai war sa feill
And saw yaim swa gret dyntis deill
He dred to tyne his folk, foryi
His men till him he gan rely
And said, ‘Lordyngis foly it war
Tyll ws for till assembill mar,
For yai fele off our hors has slayn,
And giff yhe fecht with yaim agayn
We sall tyne off our small mengȝe
And our selff sall in perill be.
Yarfor me thynk maist awenand
To withdraw ws ws defendand
Till we cum owt off yar daunger,
For owr strenth at our hand is ner.’
Yen yai withdrew yaim halely,
Bot yat wes nocht full cowartly,
For samyn in-till a sop held yai
And ye king him abandonyt ay
To defend behind his mengȝe,
And throw his worschip sa wrouch he
Yat he reskewyt all ye flearis
And styntyt swagat ye chassaris
Yat nane durst owt off batall chas,
For alwayis at yar hand he was.
Sa weile defendyt he his men
Yat quha-sa-euer had seyne him yen
48
And turn sa oft-sythis ye wisage
He suld say he awcht weill to be
A king off a gret reawte.
Quhen yat ye lord off Lorne saw
His men stand off him ane sik aw
Yat yai durst nocht folow ye chase
Rycht angry in his hart he was,
And for wondyr yat he suld swa
Stot yaim him ane but ma
He said, ‘Me think Marthokys sone,
Rycht as Golmakmorn was wone
To haiff fra [Fyn] all his mengne,
Rycht swa all his fra ws has he.’
He set ensample yus mydlike,
Ye-quheyir he mycht mar manerlik
Lyknyt hym to Gaudifer de Larys
Quhen yat ye mychty duk Betys
Assailȝeit in Gadyrris ye forrayours,
And quhen ye king yaim maid rescours
Duk Betys tuk on him ye flycht
Yat wald ne mar abid to fycht.
Bot gud Gaudifer ye worthi
Abandonyt him so worthyly
For [to] reskew all ye fleieris
And for to stonay ye chasseris
49
And alsua did he Tholimar
And gud Coneus alsua
Danklyne alsua & oyir ma,
Bot at ye last yar slayne he wes.
In yat failȝeit ye liklynes,
For ye king full chewalrusly
Defendyt all his cumpany
And wes set in full gret danger
And ȝeit eschapyt haile and fer.
Twa breyir war in yat land
Yat war ye hardiest off hand
Yat war in-till all yat cuntre,
And yai had sworn iff yai mycht se
Ye Bruys quhar yai mycht him our-ta
Yat yai suld dey or yen hym sla.
Yar surname wes Makyne Drosser,
Yat is al-so mekill to say her
As ye Durwarth sonnys perfay.
Off yar cowyne ye thrid had yai
Yat wes rycht stout ill and feloune.
Quhen yai ye king off gud renoune
Saw sua behind his mengne rid
And saw him torne sa mony tid,
Yai abaid till yat he was
Entryt in ane narow place
Betuix a louch-sid and a bra
50
Yat he mycht nocht weill turn his sted.
Yen with a will till him yai ȝede
And ane him by ye bridill hynt,
Bot he raucht till him sic a dynt
Yat arme and schuldyr flaw him fra.
With yat ane oyer gan him ta
Be ye lege and his hand gan schute
Betuix ye sterap and his fute,
And quhen ye king feld yar his hand
In his sterapys stythly gan he stand
And strak with spuris ye stede in hy,
And he lansyt furth delyuerly
Swa yat ye toyer failȝeit fete,
And nocht-for-yi his hand wes ȝeit
Wndyr ye sterap magre his.
Ye thrid with full gret hy with yis
Rycht till ye bra-syd he ȝeid
And stert be-hynd hym on his sted.
Ye king wes yen in full gret pres,
Ye-quheyer he thocht as he yat wes
In all hys dedys awise
To do ane owtrageous bounte,
And syne hyme yat behynd him was
All magre his will him gan he ras
Fra be-hynd him, yocht he had sworn,
He laid hym ewyn him beforn,
Syne with ye suerd sic dynt hym gave
Yat he ye heid till ye harnys clave.
He rouschit doun off blud all rede
51
And yen ye king in full gret hy
Strak at ye toyir wigorusly
Yat he efter his sterap drew
Yat at ye fyrst strak he him slew.
On yis wis him delyuerit he
Off all yai felloun fayis thre.
Quhen yai of Lorne has sene ye king
Set in hym selff sa gret helping
And defendyt him sa manlely,
Wes nane amang yaim sa hardy
Yat durst assailȝe him mar in fycht,
Sa dred yai for his mekill mycht.
Yar wes a baroune Maknauchtan
Yat in his hart gret kep has tane
To ye kingis chewalry
And prisyt him in hert gretly,
And to ye lord off Lorne said he,
‘Sekyrly now may ȝe se
Be tane ye starkest pundelan
Yat ewyr ȝour lyff-tyme ȝe saw tane,
For ȝone knycht throw his douchti deid
And thro his owtrageous manheid
Has fellyt in-till litill tyd
Thre men off mekill prid,
And stonayit all our mengȝe swa
Yat eftyr him dar na man ga,
52
Yat semys off ws he had na dred.’
Yen gane ye lord off Lorn say,
‘It semys it likis ye perfay
Yat he slayis ȝongat our mengȝe.’
‘Schyr,’ said he, ‘sa our Lord me se,
To sauff ȝour presence it [is] nocht swa,
Bot quheyer-sa yhe be freynd or fa
Yat wynnys prys off chewalry
Men suld spek yaroff lelyly,
And sekyrly in all my tyme
Ik hard neuer in sang na ryme
Tell off a man yat swa smertly
Eschewyt swa gret chewalry.’
Sic speking off ye king yai maid,
And he eftyr his mengȝe raid
And in-till saufte yaim led
Quhar he his fayis na-thing dred,
And yai off Lorne agayn ar gayn
Menand ye scaith yat yai haiff tayn.
Ye king yat nycht his wachis set
And gert ordayne yat yai mycht et,
And bad conford to yaim tak
And at yar mychtis mery mak.
For disconford, as yen said he,
Is ye werst thing yat may be,
For throw mekill disconforting
Men fallis oft in-to disparyng,
And fra a man disparyt be
Yen wtraly wencusyt is he,
And fra ye hart be discumfyt
53
‘Yarfor,’ he said, ‘atour all thing
Kepys ȝow fra disparyng,
And thynk youch we now harmys fele
Yat God may ȝeit releve ws weill.
Men redys off mony men yat war
Fer hardar stad yen we yhet ar
And syne our Lord sic grace yaim lent
Yat yai come weill till yar entent.
For Rome quhilum sa hard wes stad
Quhen Hanniball yaim wencusyt had
Yat off ryngis with rich [stane]
Yat war off knychtis fyngeris tane
He send thre bollis to Cartage,
And syne to Rome tuk his wiage
Yar to distroye ye cite all.
And yai within bath gret and small
Had fled quhen yai saw his cummyng
Had nocht bene Scipio ye king,
Yat or yai fled wald yaim haiff slayn,
And swagat turnyt he yaim agayn.
Syne for to defend ye cite
Bath serwandis and threllis mad he fre,
And maid yaim knychtis euerilkane,
And syne has off ye templis tane
Ye armys yat yar eldrys bar,
In name off wictory offerryt yar.
And quhen yai armyt war and dycht
Yat stalwart karlis war and wycht
54
Yaim thocht yat yai had leuer ta
Ye dede na lat ye toun be tane,
And with commowne assent as ane
Yai ischit off ye toune to fycht
Quhar Hannyball his mekill mycht
Aganys yaim arayit was.
Bot throw mycht off goddis grace
It ranyt sa hard and hewyly
Yat yar wes nane sa hardy
Yat durst in-to yat place abid,
Bot sped yaim in-till hy to rid,
Ye ta part to yar pailȝownys,
Ye toyer part went in ye toune is.
Ye rayne yus lettyt ye fechtyn,
Sa did it twys yar-efter syne.
Quhen Hanibal saw yis ferly
With all his gret chewalry
He left ye toune & held his way,
And syne wes put to sik assay
Throw ye power off yat cite
Yat his lyff and his land tynt he.
Be yir quheyne yat sa worthily
Wane sik a king and sa mychty,
Ȝe may weill be ensampill se
Yat na man suld disparyt be,
55
For na myscheiff yat euer may fall,
For nane wate in how litill space
Yat God wmquhile will send grace.
Had yai fled and yar wayis gane
Yar fayis swith ye toune had tane.
Yarfor men yat werrayand war
Suld set yar etlyng euer-mar
To stand agayne yar fayis mycht
Wmquhile with strenth & quhile with slycht,
And ay thynk to cum to purpos,
And giff yat yaim war set in chos
To dey or to leyff cowartly,
Yai suld erar dey chewalrusly.
Yusgat yaim confort ye king
And to confort yaim gan inbryng
Auld storys off men yat wer
Set in-tyll hard assayis ser
And yat fortoun contraryit fast,
And come to purpos at ye last.
Yarfor he said yat yai yat wald
Yar hartis wndiscumfyt hald
Suld ay thynk ententily to bryng
All yar enpres to gud ending,
As quhile did Cesar ye worthy
Yat traweillyt ay so besyly
With all his mycht folowing to mak
To end ye purpos yat he wald tak,
56
Ay quhill to do him levyt ocht.
For-yi gret thingis eschewyt he
As men may in his story se.
Men may se be his ythen will,
And it suld als accord to skill
Yat quha tais purpos sekyrly
And folowis it syne ententily
For-owt fayntice or yheit faynding,
With-yi it be conabill thing,
Bot he ye mar be wnhappy
He sall eschew it in party,
And haiff he lyff-dayis weill mai fall
Yat he sall eschew it all.
For-yi suld [nane] haff disparing
For till eschew a full gret thing,
For giff it fall he yaroff failȝe
Ye fawt may be in his trawailȝe.
He prechyt yaim on yis maner
And fenȝeit to mak better cher
Yen he had mater to be fer,
For his caus ȝeid fra ill to wer,
Yai war ay in sa hard trawaill,
Till ye ladyis began to fayle
Yat mycht ye trawaill drey na mar,
Sa did oyer als yat yar war.
Ye erle Ihone wes ane off ya
Off Athole yat quhen he saw sua
Ye king be discumfyt twys,
57
And lyff in sic trawaill and dout,
His hart begane to faile all-out
And to ye king apon a day
He said, ‘Gyff I durst to ȝow say,
We lyff in-to sa mekill dreid,
And haffis oft-sys off met sik ned,
And is ay in sic trawailling
With cauld and hunger and waking,
Yat I am sad off my selwyn sua
Yat I count nocht my liff a stra.
Yir angrys may I ne mar drey,
For youcht me yarfor worthit dey
I mon soiourne, quhar-euer it be.
Levys me yarfor par cheryte.’
Ye king saw yat he sa wes failyt
And yat he ik wes for-trawaillyt.
He said, ‘Schyr Erle we sall sone se
And ordayne how it best may be.
Quhar-euer ȝe be our Lord ȝow send
Grace fra ȝour fais ȝow to defend.’
With yat in hy to him callyt he
Yaim yat till him war mast preue.
Yen amang yaim yai thocht it best
And ordanyt for ye liklyest
Yat ye queyne and ye erle alsua
And ye ladyis in hy suld ga
With Nele ye Bruce till Kildromy,
For yaim thocht yai mycht sekyrly
58
For swa stalwart wes ye castell
Yat it with strenth war hard to get
Quhill yat yar-in war men and mete.
As yai ordanyt yai did in hy,
Ye queyne and all hyr cumpany
Lap on yar hors and furth yai far.
Men mycht haiff sene quha had bene yar
At leve-takyng ye ladyis gret
And mak yar face with teris wet,
And knychtis for yar luffis sak
Bath sich and wep and murnyng mak,
Yai kyssyt yar luffis at yar partyng.
Ye king wmbethocht him off a thing,
Yat he fra yine on fute wald ga
And tak on fute bath weill & wa,
And wald na hors-men with him haiff,
Yarfor his hors all haile he gaiff
To ye ladyis yat myster had.
Ye queyn furth on hyr wayis rade
And sawffly come to ye castell
Quhar hyr folk war ressawyt weill
And esyt weill with meyt and drynk,
Bot mycht nane eys let hyr to think
On ye king yat wes sa sar stad
Yat bot [twa hunder] with him had,
Ye-quheyir yaim weill confortyt he ay.
God help him yat all mychtis may.
Ye queyne duelt yus in Kyldromy,
59
Yat war [twa hunder] and na ma
Fra yai had send yar hors yaim fra
Wandryt emang ye hey montanys,
Quhar he and his oft tholyt paynys,
For it wes to ye wynter ner,
And sa feile fayis about him wer
Yat all ye countre yaim werrayit.
Sa hard anoy yaim yen assayit
Off hunger cauld with schowris snell
Yat nane yat levys can weill it tell.
Ye king saw how his folk wes stad
And quhat anoyis yat yai had,
And saw wynter wes cummand ner,
And yat he mycht on na [maner]
[Dre] in ye hillys ye cauld lying
Na ye lang nychtis waking.
He thocht he to Kyntyr wald ga
And swa lang soiowrnyng yar ma
Till wynter wedder war away,
And yen he thocht but mar delay
In-to ye manland till arywe
And till ye end his werdis dryw.
And for Kyntyr lyis in ye se
Schyr Nele Cambel befor send he
For to get him nawyn and meite,
And certane tyme till him he sete
60
Schir Nele Cambell with his mengȝe
Went his way but mar letting
And left his broyer with ye king,
And in [tuelf] dayis sua traweillit he
Yat he gat schippyne gud plente
And wittalis in gret aboundance.
Sa maid he nobill chewisance
For his sibmen wonnyt yar-by
Yat helpyt him full wilfully.
Ye king efter yat he wes gane
To Lowchlomond ye way has tane
And come yar on ye thrid day,
Bot yar-about na bait fand yai
Yat mycht yaim our ye water ber.
Yan war yai wa on gret maner
For it wes fer about to ga,
And yai war in-to dout alsua
To meyt yar fayis yat spred war wyd.
Yarfor endlang ye louchhis syd
Sa besyly yai socht and fast
Tyll Iamys of Dowglas at ye last
Fand a litill sonkyn bate
And to ye land it drew fut-hate,
Bot it sa litill wes yat it
Mycht our ye watter bot thresum flyt.
Yai send yar-off word to ye king
Yat wes ioyfull off yat fynding
And fyrst in-to ye bate is gane,
With him Dowglas, ye thrid wes ane
61
And set yaim on ye land all dry,
And rowyt sa oft-sys to & fra
Fechand ay our twa & twa
Yat in a nycht and in a day
Cummyn owt-our ye louch ar yai,
For sum off yaim couth swome full weill
And on his bak ber a fardele.
Swa with swymmyng and with rowyng
Yai brocht yaim our and all yar thing.
Ye king ye quhilis meryly
Red to yaim yat war him by
Romanys off worthi Ferambrace
Yat worthily our-cummyn was
Throw ye rycht douchty Olywer,
And how ye duk-peris wer
Assegyt in-till Egrymor
Quhar king Lawyne lay yaim befor
With may thowsandis yen I can say,
And bot [ellevin] within war yai
And a woman, and war sa stad
Yat yai na mete yar-within had
Bot as yai fra yar fayis wan.
Yheyte sua contenyt yai yaim yan
Yat yai ye tour held manlily
Till yat Rychard off Normandy
Magre his fayis warnyt ye king
Yat wes ioyfull off yis tithing,
For he wend yai had all bene slayne.
62
And wan Mantrybill and passit Flagot,
And syne Lawyne and all his flot
Dispitusly discumfyt he,
And deliueryt his men all fre,
And wan ye naylis and ye sper
And ye croune yat Ihesu couth ber,
And off ye croice a gret party
He wan throw his chewalry.
Ye gud king apon yis maner
Comfort yaim yat war him ner
And maid yaim gamyn and solace
Till yat his folk all passyt was.
Quhen yai war passit ye water brad
Suppos yai fele off fayis had
Yai maid yaim mery and war blyth.
Nocht-for-yi full fele syth
Yai had full gret defaut off mete,
And yarfor venesoun to get
In twa partys ar yai gayne.
Ye king him selff wes in-till ane
And schyr Iames off Dowglas
In-to ye toyer party was.
Yen to ye hycht yai held yar way
And huntyt lang quhill off ye day
And soucht schawys and setis set
Bot yai gat litill for till ete.
63
Yat ye erle of ye Leuenax was
Amang ye hillis ner yar-by,
And quhen he hard sa blaw & cry
He had wonder quhat it mycht be,
And on sic maner spyryt he
Yat [he] knew yat it wes ye king,
And yen for-owtyn mar duelling
With all yaim off his cumpany
He went rycht till ye king in hy,
Sa blyth and sa ioyfull yat he
Mycht on na maner blyther be
For he ye king wend had bene ded,
And he wes alsua will off red
Yat he durst nocht rest in-to na place,
Na sen the king discumfyt was
At Meffan he herd neuer thing
Yat euer wes certane off ye king.
Yarfor in-to full gret daynte
Ye king full humyly haylist he,
And he him welcummyt rycht blythly
And askyt him full tenderly,
And all ye lordis yat war yar
Rycht ioyfull off yar meting war,
And kyssyt him in gret daynte.
It wes gret pite for til se
How yai for ioy and pite gret
64
Yat yai wend had bene dede, foryi
Yai welcummyt him mar hartfully,
And he for pite gret agayne
Yat neuer off metyng wes sa fayne.
Yocht I say yat yai gret sothly
It wes na greting propyrly,
For I trow traistly yat gretyng
Cummys to men for mysliking,
And yat nane may but angyr gret
Bot it be wemen, yat can wet
Yair chekys quhen-euer yaim list with teris,
Ye-quheyir weill oft yaim na thing deris.
But I wate weill but lesyng
Quhat-euer men say off sic greting
Yat mekill ioy or ȝeit pete
May ger men sua amowyt be
Yat water fra ye hart will rys
And weyt ye eyne on sic a wys
Yat is lik to be greting,
Yocht it be nocht sua in all thing,
For quhen men gretis enkrely
Ye hart is sorowful or angry,
Bot for pite I trow gretyng
Be na thing bot ane opynnyng
Off hart yat schawis ye tendernys
Off rewth yat in it closyt is.
65
Throw goddis grace assemblyt wer.
Ye erle had mete and yat plente
And with glaid hart it yaim gaiff he,
And yai eyt it with full gud will
Yat soucht na noyer sals yar-till
Bot appetyt, yat oft men takys,
For rycht weill scowryt war yar stomakys.
Yai eit and drank sic as yai had
And till our Lord syne lowyng maid,
And thankit him with full gud cher
Yat yai war mete on yat maner.
Ye king yen at yaim speryt ȝarne
How yai sen he yaim seyne had farne,
And yai full petwysly gan tell
Auenturis yat yaim befell
And gret anoyis and powerte.
Ye king yar-at had gret pite
And tauld yaim petwisly agayne
Ye noy ye trawaill and ye payne
Yat he had tholyt sen he yaim saw.
Wes nane amang yaim hey na law
Yat he ne had pite and plesaunce
Quhen yat he herd mak remembrance
Off ye perellys yat passyt war,
Bot quhen men oucht at liking ar
To tell off paynys passyt by
Plesys to heryng petuisly,
And to rehers yar auld disese
Dois yaim oft-sys confort and ese,
66
Dishonour wikytnes na schame.
Efter ye mete sone rais ye king
Quhen he had lewyt hys speryng.
And buskyt him with his mengȝe
And went in hy towart ye se
Quhar schyr Nele Cambell yaim mete
Bath with schippis and with meyte
Saylys ayris and oyer thing
Yat wes spedfull to yar passyng.
Yen schippyt yai for-owtyn mar,
Sum went till ster and sum till ar,
And rowyt be ye ile of But.
Men mycht se mony frely fute
About ye cost, yar lukand
As yai on ayris rais rowand,
And newys yat stalwart war & squar,
Yat wont to spayn gret speris war,
Swa spaynyt aris yat men mycht se
Full oft ye hyde leve on ye tre.
For all war doand, knycht and knawe,
Wes nane yat euer disport mycht have
Fra steryng and fra rowyng
To furthyr yaim off yar fleting.
Bot in ye samyn tyme at yai
War in schipping as ȝe hard me say
Ye erle off the Leuenax was,
I can nocht tell ȝow throw quhat cas,
67
Till ye king wes fer on his way.
Quhen yat yai off his cuntre
Wyst yat so duelt be-hynd wes he
Be se with schippys yai him socht,
And he yat saw yat he wes nocht
Off pith to fecht with yai traytouris
And yat he had na ner socouris
Yen ye kingis flote, for-yi
He sped him efter yaim in hy,
Bot ye tratouris hym folowyt sua
Yat yai weill ner hym gan our-ta
For all ye mycht yat he mycht do.
Ay ner and ner yai come him to,
And quhen he saw yai war sa ner
Yat he mycht weill yar manance her
And saw yaim ner and ner cum ay,
Yen till his mengȝe gan he say,
‘Bot giff we fynd sum sutelte
Ourtane all sone sall we be.
Yarfor I rede but mar letting
Yat owtakyn our armyng
We kast our thing all in ye se,
And fra our schip swa lychtyt be
We sall swa row and speid ws sua
Yat we sall weill eschaip yaim fra,
With yat yai sall mak duelling
Apon ye se to tak our thing
And we sall row but resting ay
Till we eschapyt be away.’
68
And yar schip yai lychtyt sone
And rowyt syne with all yar mycht,
And scho yat swa wes maid lycht
Raykyt slidand throw ye se.
And quhen yar fayis gan yaim se
Forowth yaim alwayis mar and mar,
Ye thingis yat yar fletand war
Yai tuk and turnyt syne agayne,
And leyt yai lesyt all yar payne.
Quhen yat ye erle on yis maner
And hys mengȝe eschapyt wer,
Eftyr ye king he gan hym hy
Yat yen with all his cumpany
In-to Kyntyr arywyt was.
Ye erle tauld him all his cas,
How he wes chasyt on ye se
With yaim yat suld his awyn be,
And how he had bene tane but dout
Na war it yat he warpyt owt
All yat he had him lycht to ma
And swa eschapyt yaim fra.
‘Schyr Erle,’ said ye king, ‘perfay
Syn yow eschapyt is away
Off ye tynsell is na plenȝeing.
Bot I will say ye weile a thing,
Yat yar will fall ye gret foly
69
For fele sys quhen yow art away
Yow art set in-till hard assay,
Yarfor me thynk best to ye
To hald ye alwayis ner by me.’
‘Schyr,’ said ye erle, ‘it sall be swa.
I sall na wys pas fer ȝow fra
Till God giff grace we be of mycht
Agayne our fayis to hald our stycht.’
Angus off Ile yat tyme wes syr
And lord and ledar off Kyntyr,
Ye king rycht weill resawyt he
And wndertuk his man to be,
And him and his on mony wys
He abandownyt till his serwice,
And for mar sekyrnes gaiff him syne
Hys castell off Donavardyne
To duell yarin at his liking.
Full gretumly thankyt him ye king
And resawyt his seruice.
Nocht-for-yi on mony wys
He wes dredand for tresoun ay,
And yarfor as ik hard men say
He traistyt in nane sekyrly
Till yat he knew him wtraly.
Bot quhatkyn dred yat euer he had
Fayr contenance to yaim he maid,
And in Donavardyne dayis thre
For-owtyne mar yen duellyt he.
Syne gert he his mengȝe mak yaim ȝar
70
Yat is ane ile in ye se,
And may weill in mydwart be
Betuix Kyntyr and Irland,
Quhar als gret stremys ar rynnand
And als peralous and mar
Till our-saile yaim in-to schipfair
As is ye rais off Bretangȝe
Or strait off Marrok in-to Spanȝe.
Yair schippys to ye se yai set,
And maid redy but langer let
Ankyrs rapys bath saile and ar
And all yat nedyt to schipfar.
Quhen yai war boune to saile yai went,
Ye wynd wes wele to yar talent.
Yai raysyt saile and furth yai far,
And by ye Mole yai passyt ȝar
And entryt sone in-to ye rase
Quhar yat ye stremys sa sturdy was
Yat wawys wyd wycht brekand war
Weltryt as hillys her and yar.
Ye schippys our ye wawys slayd
For wynd at poynt blawand yai had,
Bot nocht-for-yi quha had yar bene
A gret stertling he mycht haiff seyne
Off schippys, for quhilum sum wald be
Rycht on ye wawys as on mounte,
71
Rycht as yai doune till hell wald draw,
Syne on ye waw stert sodanly,
And oyer schippys yat war yarby
Deliuerly drew to ye depe.
It wes gret cunnannes to kep
Yar takill in-till sic a thrang
And wyth sic wawis, for ay amang
Ye wawys reft yar sycht of land
Quhen yai ye land wes rycht ner-hand,
And quhen schippys war sailand ner
Ye se wald rys on sic maner
Yat off ye wawys ye weltrand hycht
Wald refe yaim oft off yar sycht.
Bot in-to Rauchryne nocht-foryi
Yai arywyt ilkane sawffly,
Blyth and glaid yat yai war sua
Eschapyt yai hidwys wawis fra.
In Rauchryne yai arywyt ar
And to ye land yai went but mar
Armyt apon yar best maner.
Quhen ye folk yat yar wonnand wer
Saw men off armys in yar cuntre
Aryve in-to sic quantite
Yai fled in hy with yar catell
Towart a rycht stalwart castell
Yat in ye land wes ner yar-by.
72
And fle with cataill her and yar.
Bot ye kingis folk yat war
Deliuer off fute yaim gan our-hy
And yaim arestyt hastely
And brocht yaim to ye king agayne
Swa yat nane off yaim all wes slayne.
Yen with yaim tretyt swa ye king
Yat yai to fullfill hys ȝarnyng
Become his men euerilkane,
And has him trewly wndertane
Yat yai and yairis loud and still
Suld be in all thing at his will,
And quhill him likit yar to leynd
Euerilk day yai suld him seynd
Wittalis for [thre hunder] men,
And yai as lord suld him ken,
Bot at yar possessioune suld be
For all his men yar awyn fre.
Ye cunnand on yis wys was maid,
And on ye morn but langer baid
Off all Rauchryne bath man & page
Knelyt and maid ye king homage,
And yarwith swour him fewte
To serve him ay in lawte,
And held him rycht weill cunnand,
For quhill he duelt in-to ye land
Yai fand meit till his cumpany
And serwyt him full humely.
73
[BOOK IV]
In Rawchryne leve we now ye kingIn rest for-owtyn barganyng,
And off his fayis a quhile spek we
Yat throw yar mycht and yar powste
Maid sic a persecucioune
Sa hard sa strayt and sa feloune
On yaim yat till hym luffand wer
Or kyn or freynd [on] ony maner
Yat at till her is gret pite.
For yai sparyt off na degre
Yaim yat yai trowit his freynd wer
Noyer off ye kyrk na seculer,
For off Glaskow byschop Robert
And [Marcus] off Man yai stythly speryt
Bath in fetrys and in presoune,
And worthy Crystoll off Seytoun
In-to Loudon betresyt was
Throw a discipill off Iudas
Maknab, a fals tratour yat ay
Wes off his duelling nycht & day
Quhom to he maid gud cumpany.
It wes fer wer yan tratoury
For to betreys sic a persoune
So nobill and off sic renoune,
Bot yar-off had he na pite,
In hell condampnyt mot he be.
For quhen he him betrasyt had
74
In hy in Ingland to ye king,
Yat gert draw him & hede & hing
For-owtyn pete or mercy.
It wes gret sorow sekyrly
Yat so worthy persoune as he
Suld on sic maner hangyt be,
Yusgate endyt his worthynes.
Off Crauford als Schyr Ranald wes
And Schyr Bryce als ye Blar
Hangyt in-till a berne in Ar.
Ye queyn & als dame Mariory,
Hyr dochter yat syne worthily
Wes coupillyt in-to Goddis band
With Walter stewart off Scotland,
Yat wald on na wys langar ly
In [ye] castell off Kyldromy
To byd a sege, ar ridin raith
With knychtis and squyeris bath
Throw Ros rycht to ye gyrth off Tayne.
Bot yat trawaill yai maid in wayne,
For yai off Ros yat wald nocht ber
For yaim na blayme na ȝeit danger
Owt off ye gyrth [yame] all has tayne
And syne [has send] yaim euerilkane
Rycht in-till Ingland to ye king,
75
And put ye ladyis in presoune
Sum in-till castell sum in dongeoun.
It wes gret pite for till her
Ye folk be troublyt on yis maner.
Yat tyme wes in Kyldromy
Wyth men yat wycht war & hardy
Schyr Neile ye Bruce, and I wate weile
Yat yar ye erle wes off Adheill.
[Ye] castell weill wittalyt [yai]
And mete and fuell gan puruay
And enforcyt ye castell sua
Yat yaim thocht na strenth mycht it ta.
And quhen it to ye king was tauld
Off Ingland how yai schup till hauld
Yat castell he wes all angry
And callyt his sone till hym in hy,
Ye eldest and aperand ayr
A ȝoung bacheler and stark and fayr
Schyr Eduuard callyt off Carnauerane,
Yat wes ye sterkast man off ane
Yat men [fynd] mycht in ony countre,
76
And he gert als call erlys twa
Glosystyr and Harfurd war ya
And bad yaim wend in-to Scotland
And set a sege with stalwart hand
To ye castell off Kyldromy,
And all ye halderis halyly
He bad distroy for-owtyn ransoun
Or bryng yaim till him in presoune.
Quhen yai ye commaundment had tane
Yai assemblyt ane ost onane
And to ye castell went in hy
And it assegyt wigorusly
And mony tyme full hard assaylyt.
Bot for to tak it ȝeit yai failyt,
For yai with-in war rycht worthy
And yaim defendyt douchtely
And ruschyt yair fayis oft agayne
Sum [beft] sum woundyt sum alslayne,
And mony tymys ische yai wald
And bargane at ye barrais hald
And wound yar fayis oft & sla.
Schortly yai yaim contenyt swa
Yat yai with-oute disparyt war
And thocht till Ingland for to far,
77
And with yat it wes warnyst weill,
And saw ye men defend yaim swa
Yat yai nane hop had yaim to ta,
Nane had yai done all yat sesoune
Gyff it ne had bene fals tresoun,
For yar with yaim wes a tratour.
A fals lourdane a losyngeour
Hosbarne to name maid ye tresoun,
I wate nocht for quhat enchesoun
Na quham with he maid yat conwyn,
Bot as yai said yat war within
He tuk a culter hate glowand
Yat ȝeit wes in a fyr brynnand
And went him to ye mekill hall
Yat yen with corn wes fyllyt all
And heych wp in a mow it did,
Bot it full lang wes nocht yar hid.
For men sayis oft yat fyr na prid
But discouering may na man hid,
For ye pomp oft ye prid furth schawis
Or ellis ye gret boist yat it blawis,
Na yar may na man [fyr] sa cowyr
Yan low or rek sall it discowyr.
78
Sone throw ye thak-burd gan apper
Fyrst as a stern syne as a mone,
And weill bradder yar-efter sone
Ye fyr owt syne in bles brast
And ye rek rais rycht wondre fast.
Ye fyr our all ye castell spred
Yat mycht na force off man it red.
Yan yai within drew to ye wall
Yat at yat tyme wes bataillit all
With-in rycht as it wes with-oute.
Yat bataillyne with-owtyn dout
Sawyt yar lywys, for it brak
Bles yat yaim wald our-tak.
And quhen yar fayis ye myscheiff saw
Till armys went yai in a thraw
And assaylyt ye castell fast
Quhar yai durst come for fyris blast,
Bot yai with-in [yat] myster had
Sa gret defence and worthy mad
Yat yai full oft yar fayis [rusit]
For yai nakyn perall refusyt,
Yai trawaillyt for to sauff yar lyffis.
Bot werd yat till ye end ay drywis
79
Yat yai on twa halfys war assailyt,
In with fyr yat yaim swa broilȝit,
And wtouth with folk yat yaim swa toilȝit
Yat yai brynt magre yaim ye ȝat
Yat, for ye fyre yat wes swa hate,
Yai durst nocht entyr swa in hy,
Yarfor yar folk yai gan rely
And went to rest for it wes nycht
Till on ye morn yat day wes lycht.
At sik myscheiff as ȝe her say
War yai within, ye-quethyr ay
Yai yaim defendyt dowchtely
And contenyt yaim sa manlily
Yat or day throw mekill payn
Yai had muryt wp yar ȝat agayn.
Bot on ye morn quhen day wes lycht
And sone wes ryssyn schynand brycht
Yai without in hale bataill
Come purwayt redy till assaill,
Bot yai within yat swa war stad
Yat yai wittaill na fewell had
Quhar-with yai mycht ye castell hald
Tretyt fyrst and syne yaim ȝauld
80
Bot yat ay to Scottis-men wes ill
As sone eftyr weill wes knawin,
For yai war hangyt all and drawyn.
Quhen yis cunnand yus tretyt wes
And affermyt with sekyrnes,
Yai tuk yaim off ye castell sone,
And in-till schort tyme has done
Yat all a quarter off Snawdoun
Rycht till ye erd yai tummyllyt doun,
Syne towart Ingland went yar way.
Bot quhen ye king Eduuard hard say
How [Neill] ye Bruce held Kildromy
Agayne his sone sa stalwartly,
He gadryt gret chewalry
And towart Scotland went in hy,
And as in-till Northummyrland
He wes with his gret rowt ridand
A seknes tuk him in ye way
And put him to sa hard assay
Yat he mycht nocht ga na ryd.
Him worthit magre his abid
In-till ane hamillet yar-by
A litill toun & wnworthy,
81
He wes sa stad yat he ne mocht
Hys aynd bot with gret paynys draw
Na spek bot giff it war weill law,
Ye-quheyer he bad yai suld him say
Quhat toun wes yat yat he in lay.
‘Schyr,’ yai said, ‘Burch-in-ye-sand
Men callis yis toun in-till yis land.’
‘Call yai it burch als,’ said he.
‘My hop is now fordone to me,
For I wend neuer to thole ye payne
Off deid till I throw mekill mayn
Ye burch off Ierusalem had tane,
My lyff wend I yar suld be gayne.
In burch I wyst weill I suld de
Bot I wes noyer wys na sle
Till oyer burch kep to ta.
Now may I na wis foryer ga.’
Yus pleynȝeit he off his foly,
As he had mater sekyrly
Quhen he cowyt certante
Off yat at nane may certan be,
Ye-quheyer men said [enclosit he] had
A spyryt yat him ansuer maid
82
Bot he fulyt forowtyn wer
Yat gaiff throuth till yat creatur,
For feyndys ar off sic natur
Yat yai to mankind has inwy,
For yai wate weill and witterly
Yat yai yat weill ar liffand her
Sall wyn ye sege quharoff yai wer
Tumblyt throuch yar mekill prid.
Quhar-throw oft-tymys will betid
Yat quhen feyndys distrenȝeit ar
For till aper and mak answar
Throw force off coniuracioun,
Yat yai sa fals ar and feloun
Yat yai mak ay yar ansuering
Into dowbill wnderstanding
To dissaiff yaim yat will yaim trow.
Insample will I set her now
Off a wer as I herd tell
Betuix Fraunce & ye Flemyngis fell.
Ye erle Ferandis modyr was
Nygramansour, and Sathanas
Scho rasyt and him askyt syne
Quhat suld worth off ye fechtyn
83
And he, as all tyme he wes wone,
In-to dissayt maid his ansuer
And said till hyr yir thre wers her,
‘Rex ruet in bello tumilique carebit honore
Ferrandus comitissa tuus mea cara Minerua
Parisius veniet magna comitante caterua.’
Yis wes ye spek he maid perfay
And is in Inglis toung to say,
‘Ye king sall fall in ye fechting
And sall faile honour off erding,
And yi Ferand Mynerve my der
Sall rycht to Parys went but wer,
Folowand him gret cumpany
Off nobill men and off worthy.’
Yis is ye sentence off yis saw
Yat ye Latyn gan hyr schaw.
He callyt hyr his Mynerwe
For Mynerwe ay wes wont [to] serwe
Him, till scho leffyt, at his diuys,
And for scho maid ye samyn seruice
His Mynerwe hyr callyt he,
And als throw his sutelte
He callyt hyr der hyr till dissaiff
84
Off his spek ye wndyrstanding
Yat mast plesyt till hyr liking.
Yis dowbill spek sua hyr dissawyt
Yat throw hyr [feill] ye ded ressawit,
For scho wes off hyr ansuer blyth
And till hyr sone scho tauld it swyth,
And bad him till ye batell sped
For he suld wictory haiff but dred.
And he yat herd hyr sermonyng
Sped him in hy to ye fechting
Quhar he discomfyt wes and schent
And takin and to Paris sent,
Bot in ye fechting nocht-foryi
Ye king, throw his chewalry,
Wes laid at erd and lawit bath,
Bot his men helpyt him weill rath.
And quhen Ferandis moder herd
How hyr sone in ye bataill ferd
And at he swa wes discomfyt,
Scho rasyt ye ill spyryt als tyt
& askyt quhy he gabyt had
Off ye ansuer yat he hyr mad,
And he said he had said suth all.
85
In ye battaill, and say did he,
And failȝeid erding, as men may se.
And I said yat yi sone suld ga
To Paris, and he did rycht swa,
Folowand sic a mengȝe
Yat neuer in his lyff-tyme he
Had sic a mengȝe in leding.
Now seis yow I maid na gabbing.’
Ye wyff confusyt wes perfay
And durst no mar yan till him say.
Yusgat throw dowbill wnderstanding
Yat bargane come till sic ending
Yat ye ta part dissawyt was.
Rycht sagat fell yt in yis cas,
At Ierusalem trowyt he
Grawyn in ye burch to be,
Ye-quethyr at Burch-in-to-ye-sand
He swelt rycht in his awn land.
And quhen he to ye dede wes ner
Ye folk yat at Kildromy wer
Come with presoneris yat yai had tane,
And syne to ye king ar gane
And for to confort him yai tauld
How yai ye castell to yaim ȝauld
86
To do off [yame] quhat-euer he thocht,
And askyt quhat men suld off yaim do.
Yan lukyt he angyrly yaim to
And said grynnand, ‘Hyngis & drawys.’
Yat wes wonder off sik sawis,
Yat he yat to ye ded wes ner
Suld ansuer apon sic maner
For-owtyn menyng and mercy.
How mycht he traist on Hym to cry
Yat suthfastly demys all thing
To haiff mercy, for his criyng,
Off him yat throw his felony
In-to sic poynt had na mercy.
His men his maundment has done
And he deyt yar-efter sone
And syne wes brocht till berynes.
His sone syne king efter wes.
To ye king Robert agayne ga we
Yat in Rauchryne with his menȝe
Lay till wynter ner wes gane,
And off yat ile his mete has tane.
Iames off Douglas wes angry
Yat yai langar suld ydill ly
87
‘Ye pure folk off thys countre
Ar chargit apon gret maner
Off ws yat idill lyis her,
And ik her say yat in Arane
In-till a styth castell off stane
Ar Inglis men yat with strang hand
Haldys ye lordschip off ye land.
Ga we yidder, and weill may fall
Anoy yaim in sum thing we sall.’
Schir Robert said, ‘I grant yar-till,
Till her mar ly war litill skill.
Yarfor till Aran pas will we,
For I knaw rycht weill ye countre,
And ye castell rycht swa knaw I
We sall cum yar swa prewely
Yat yai sall haiff na persawyng
Na ȝeit witting off our cummyng,
And we sall ner enbuschyt be
Quhar we yar outecome may se.
Sa sall it on [na] maner fall
Na scaith yaim on sum wis we sall.’
With yat yai buskyt yaim on-ane
And at ye king yar leiff has tane
And went yaim furth syne on yar way.
88
Syne rowyt alwayis by ye land
Till yat ye nycht wes ner on hand,
Yan till Arane yai went yar way
And saufly yar arywyt yai,
And in a glen yar galay drewch
And syne it helyt weill inewch.
Yar takyll ayris and yar ster
Yai hyde all on ye samyn maner,
And held yar way rycht in ye nycht
Swa yat or day wes dawyn lycht
Yai war enbuschyt ye castell ner
Armyt apon yar best maner,
And youcht yai wate war & wery
And for lang fastyng all hungry
Yai thocht to hald yaim all prewe
Till yat yai weill yar poynt mycht se.
Schir Ihon ye Hastingis at yat tid
With knychtis off full mekill prid
And squyeris and ȝemanry,
And yat a weill gret cumpany,
Wes in ye castell off Brathwik,
And oftsys quhen it wald him lik
He went till huntyng with his menȝe,
89
Yat durst nane warne to do his will.
He wes in-to ye castell still
Ye tyme yat Iames off Dowglas
As ik haiff tauld enbuschit was.
Sa hapnyt yat tyme throw chance
Yat with wittalis and purwyaunce
And with clething and with armyng
Ye day befor in ye ewynnyng
Ye wndyr-wardane ariuyt was
With thre batis weill ner ye place
Quhar yat ye folk I spak off ar
Preuely enbuschyt war.
Syne fra ye batis saw yai ga
Off Inglis-men [thretty] and ma
Chargit all with syndry thingis.
Sum bar wyne & sum armyngis,
Ye remanant all chargit wer
With thingis off syndry maner,
And oyer syndry ȝeid yaim by
As yai war maistrys ydilly.
Yai yat enbuschyt war yat saw,
All for-owtyn dreid or aw
90
And slew all yat yai mycht our-tak.
Ye cry rais hidwysly and hey,
For yai yat dredand war to dey
Rycht as bestis gan rar and cry.
Yai slew yaim for-owtyn mercy,
Swa yat in-to ye samyne sted
Weill ner [fourty] yar war dede.
Quhen yai yat in ye castell war
Hard ye folk sa cry and rar
Yai ischyt furth to ye fechting,
Bot quhen ye Dowglas saw yar cummyng
His men till him he gan rely
And went till meit yaim hastily.
And quhen yai off ye castell saw
Him cum on yaim for-owtin aw
Yai fled for-owtyne mar debate,
And yai yaim folowit to ye ȝate
And slew off yaim as yai in past,
Bot yai yair ȝate barryt fast
Yat yai mycht do at yaim na mar.
Yarfor yai left yaim ilkane yar
And turnyt to ye se agayne
Quhar yat ye men war forowth slayn.
And quhen yai yat war in ye batis
91
Yai had discumfyt yar menȝe
In hy yai put yaim to ye se
And rowyt fast with all yar mayne,
Bot ye wynd wes yaim agayne
Yat swa hey gert ye land-bryst rys
Yat yai moucht weld ye se na wis.
Yen yai durst nocht cum to ye land,
Bot [held] yaim yar sa lang hobland
Yat off ye thre batis drownyt twa.
And quhen Dowglas saw it wes swa
He tuk armyng and cleything
Wittalis wyne and oyer thing
Yat yai fand yar and held yar way
Rycht glaid and ioyfull off yar pray.
Quhen yis Iames off Douglas
And hys menȝe throw goddis grace
War relewyt with armyng
And with wittaill and clething,
Syne till a strenth yai held yar way
And yaim full manly governyt ay
Till on ye tend day yat ye king
With all yat war in his leding
Arywyt in-to yat countre
92
Ye king arywyt in Arane
And syne to ye land is gane
And in a toune tuk his herbery,
And speryt syne specially
Gyff ony man couth tell tithand
Off ony strang men in yat land.
‘Ȝhis,’ said a woman, ‘Schyr perfay
Off strang men I kan ȝow say
Yat ar cummyn in yis countre,
And schort quhile syne throu yar bounte
Yai haff discomfyt our wardane
And mony off his men has slane,
[In]-till a stalwart place her-by
Reparis all yar cumpany.’
‘Dame,’ said ye king, ‘wald yow me wis
To yat place quhar yar repair is
I sall reward ye but lesing,
For yai ar all off my duelling
And I rycht blythly wald yaim se
And swa trow I yat yai wald me.’
‘Yhis,’ said scho, ‘Schir I will blythly
Ga with ȝow and ȝour cumpany
Till yat I schaw ȝow yar repair.’
‘Yat is inewch my syster fayr,
Now ga we forth-wart,’ said ye king.
93
Folowand hyr as scho yaim led
Till at ye last scho schawyt a sted
To ye king in a wode glen
And said, ‘Schir her I saw ye men
Yat yhe sper efter mak logyng.
Her I trow be yar reparyng.’
Ye king yen blew his horn in hy
And gert ye men yat wer him by
Hald yaim still and all prewe,
And syne agayn his horn blew he.
Iames off Dowglas herd him blaw
And [he ye blast] alsone gan knaw
And said, ‘Sothly ȝon is ye king,
I knaw lang quhill syne his blawyng.’
Ye thrid tym yar-with-all he blew
And yen schir Robert Boid it knew
And said, ‘Ȝone is ye king but dreid,
Ga we furth till him better speid.’
Yan went yai till ye king in hy
And him inclynyt curtasly,
And blythly welcummyt yaim ye king
And wes ioyfull of yar meting
And kissit yaim & speryt syne
How yai had farne in yar [outyne],
94
Syne lowyt yai God off yar meting,
Syne with ye king till his herbery
Went bath ioyfull and ioly.
Ye king apon ye toyer day
Gan till his prewe menȝe say,
‘Ȝe knaw all weill and ȝe may se
How we are owt off our cuntre
Banyst throw Inglis-mennys mycht,
And yat yat suld be owris off rycht
Throw yar maistrys yai occupy,
And wald alsua for-owtyne mercy
Giff yai haid mycht distroy ws all.
Bot God forbeid it suld sa fall
Till ws as yai mak manassyng,
For yan war yar na recoweryng,
And mankind biddis ws yat we
To procur wengeance besy be.
For ȝe may se we haiff [thre] thingis
Yat makis ws oft monestingis
For to be worthi wis and wycht
And till anoy yaim at our mycht.
Ane is our lyffis sawfte
Yat on na wys suld sawft be
Gyff yai had ws at yar liking.
95
Is yat yai our possessioune
Haldis strenthly agayn resoun.
Ye thrid is ye ioy yat we abid,
Giff yat it happyn as weill may tid
Yat we wyn wictour and maistry,
Till ourcum yar felony.
Yarfor we suld our hartis rais
Swa yat na myscheyff ws abais,
And schaip alwayis to yat ending
Yat beris in it mensk and lowing.
And yarfor lordingis gyff ȝe se
Amang ȝow giff yat it speidfull be
I will send a man in Carrik
To spy and sper our kynrik
How it is led and freynd and fa.
And giff he seis we land may ta
On Turnberys snuke he may
Mak a fyr on a certane day
[And] mak takynnyng till ws yat we
May yar aryve in sawfte.
And giff he seis we may nocht swa,
Luk on na wys ye fyr he ma.
Swa may we yar-throw haiff wittring
96
To yis spek all assentyt ar,
And yan ye king with-outyn mar
Callyt ane yat wes [till] him prewe
And off Carrik his countre,
And chargyt him in les and mar
As ȝe hard me diuis it ar,
And set him certane day to mai
Ye fyr giff he saw it war swai
Yat yai had possibilite
To maynteyme wer in yat cuntre.
And he yat wes rycht weill in will
His lordis yharnyng to fullfill
As he yat worthy wes and leile
And couth secreis rycht weill conseill
Sad he wes boune in-till all thing
For to fullfill his commaunding,
And said he suld do sa wisely
Yat na repruff suld efter ly,
Syne at ye king his leiff has tane
And furth apon his way is gane.
Now gais ye messynger his way
Yat hat Cutbert as I herd say.
In Carrik sone arywyt he
97
Bot he fand few yarin perfay
Yat gud wald off his maister say,
For fele off yaim durst nocht for dreid,
And oyer sum rycht into deid
War fayis to ye nobill king,
Yat rewyt syne yar barganyng.
Baith hey and law ye land wes yen
All occupyit with Inglis-men
Yat dispytyt atour all thing
Robert ye Bruce ye douchty king.
Carrik wes giffyn yen halyly
To schir Henry lord ye Persy
Yat in Turnberyis castell yen
Was with weill ner thre hunder men,
And dawntyt sagat all ye land
Yat all wes till him obeysand.
Yis Cutbert saw yar felony,
And saw ye folk sa halely
Be worthyn Inglis baith rich & pur
Yat he to nane durst him discur,
Bot thocht to leve ye fyr wnmaid,
Syne till his maister went but baid
And all yar conwyne till hym [tell],
Yat wes sa angry and sa fell.
Ye king yat in-till Arane lay
98
Yat he set till his messinger
As ik diuisyt ȝow lang er,
Eftyr ye fyr he lokyt fast
And als sone as ye none wes past
Him thocht weill he saw a fyr
Be Turnbery byrnand weill schyr,
And till his menȝe it gan schaw.
Ilk man thocht weill yat he it saw,
Yen with blyth hart ye folk gan cry,
‘Gud king speid ȝow deliuerly
Swa yat we sone in ye ewynnyng
Aryve for-owtyn persaywing.’
‘I grant,’ said he. ‘Now mak ȝow ȝar,
God furthyr ws in-till our far.’
Yen in schort time men mycht yaim se
Schute all yar galayis to ye se
And ber to se baith ayr and ster
And oyer thingis yat myster wer,
And as ye king apon ye sand
Wes gangand wp and doun, bidand
Till yat his menȝe redy war,
His ost come rycht till him yar,
And quhen yat scho him halyst had
99
And said, ‘Takis gud kep till my saw,
For or ȝe pas I sall ȝow schaw
Off ȝour fortoun a gret party,
Bot our all specially
A wyttring her I sall ȝow ma
Quhat end yat ȝour purpos sall ta,
For in yis land is nane trewly
Wate thingis to cum sa weill as I.
Ȝe pas now furth on ȝour wiage
To wenge ye harme and ye owtrag
Yat Inglismen has to ȝow done,
Bot ȝe wat nocht quhat-kyne forton
Ȝe mon drey in ȝour werraying.
Bot wyt ȝe weill with-outyn lesing
Yat fra ȝe now haiff takyn land
Nane sa mychty na sa strenththi of hand
Sall ger ȝow pas owt off ȝour countre
Till all to ȝow abandownyt be.
With-in schort tyme ȝe sall be king
And haiff ye land at ȝour liking
And ourcum ȝour fayis all,
Bot fele anoyis thole ȝe sall
Or yat ȝour purpos end haiff tane,
100
And yat ȝe trow yis sekyrly
My twa sonnys with ȝow sall I
Send to tak part of ȝour trawaill,
For I wate weill yai sall nocht faill
To be rewardyt weill at rycht
Quhen ȝe ar heyit to ȝowr mycht.’
Ye king yat herd all hyr carping
Thankit hyr in mekill thing,
For scho confort him sumdeill,
Ye-quheyir he trowyt nocht full weill
Hyr spek, for he had gret ferly
How scho suld wyt it sekyrly,
As it wes wounderfull perfay
How ony mannys science may
Knaw thingis yat ar to cum
Determynabilly, all or sum,
Bot giff yat he inspyrit war
Off him yat all thing euermar
Seys in his presciens
As it war ay in presens,
As was Dauid and Ieremy
Samuell Ioell and Ysai,
Yat at throw his haly grace gan tell
101
Bot ye prophetis sa thyn ar sawyn
Yat nane in erd now is knawin.
Bot fele folk ar sa curyous
And to wyt thingis cowatous
Yat yai, throw yar gret clergy
Or ellys throw yar dewilry,
On yir twa maneris makis fanding
Off thingis to cum to haiff knawing.
Ane off yaim is astrologi,
Quhar-[throw] clerkys yat ar witty
May knaw coniunctiones off planetis,
And quheyir yat yar cours yaim settis
In soft segis or in angry,
And off ye hewyn all halyly
How yat ye dispositioun
Suld apon thingis wyrk her doun
On regiones or on climatis,
Yat wyrkys nocht ay-quhar agatis
Bot sum-quhar les & sum-quhar mar
Eftyr as yar bemys strekyt ar
Oyir all ewyn or on wry.
Bot me think it war gud maistri
Till ony astrolog to say,
‘Yis sall fall her & on yis day.’
For youcht a man his lyff haly
102
Yat on sternys his hewid he brak,
Ye wys man sayis he suld nocht mak
All hys lyff certane dayis thre,
And ȝeit suld he ay doute quhill he
Saw how yat it come till ending.
Yan is yat na certane demyng.
Or gyff yai men yat will study
In ye craft off astrology
Knaw all mennys nacioun
And knew ye constellacioun
Yat kyndlik maneris gyfis yaim till
For till inclyne to gud or ill,
How yat yai throw science of clergi
Or throw slycht off astrology
Couth tell quhatkyn perell apperis
To yaim yat haldys kyndlik maneris,
I trow yat yai suld faile to say
Ye thingis yat yaim happyn may.
For quheyir-sa men inclynyt be
To vertu or to mawyte,
He may rycht weill refreynȝe his will
Oyir throw nurtur or throw skill
And to ye contrar turne him all.
And men has mony tyme [sene] fall
103
Throw yar gret wit away has drewyn
Yar ill and worthin off gret renoun
Magre ye constellacioun,
As Arestotill, giff as men redis
He had folowyt his kyndly dedis,
He had bene fals and cowatous,
Bot his wyt maid him vertuous.
And sen men may on yis kyn wys
Wyrk agayne yat cours yat is
Pryncipaill caus off yar demyng,
Me think yar doyme na certane thing.
Nygromancy ye toyer is,
Yat kennys men on syndry wys
Throw stalwart coniuracionys
And throw exorcizacionys
To ger spyritis to yaim apper
And giff ansueris on ser maner,
As quhylum did ye Phitones
Yat, quhen Saul abaysyt wes
Off ye Felystynys mycht,
Raysyt throw hyr mekill slycht
Samuelis spyrite als tite,
Or in his sted ye iwill spyrite
104
Bot off hyr selff rycht nocht wyst scho.
And man is in-to dreding ay
Off thingis yat he has herd say,
Namly off thingis to cum, quhill he
Knaw off ye end ye certante.
And sen yai ar in sic wenyng
For-owtyne certante off witting,
Me think quha sayis he knawis thingis
To cum he makys gret gabingis.
Bot quheyer scho yat tauld ye king
How his purpos suld tak ending
Wenyt or wist it witterly,
It fell efter all halyly
As scho said, for syne king wes he
And off full mekill renomme.
105
[BOOK V]
Thys wes in ver, quhen wynter tidWith his blastis hidwys to bid
Was ourdrywyn, and byrdis smale
As turturis and ye nychtyngale
Begouth rycht sariely to syng
And for to mak in yar singyng
Swete notis and sownys ser
And melodys plesand to her,
And ye treis begouth to ma
Burgeans and brycht blomys alsua
To wyn ye helyng off yar hewid
Yat wykkyt wynter had yaim rewid,
And all gressys beguth to spryng.
In-to yat tyme ye nobill king
With his flote and a few mengȝe,
Thre hunder I trow yai mycht be,
Is to ye se owte off Arane
A litill forouth ewyn gane.
Yai rowit fast with all yar mycht
Till yat apon yaim fell ye nycht
106
Swa yat yai wyst nocht quhar yai wer
For yai na nedill had na stane,
Bot rowyt alwayis in-till ane
Sterand all tyme apon ye fyr
Yat yai saw brynnand lycht and schyr.
It wes bot auentur yaim led,
And yai in schort tyme sa yaim sped
Yat at ye fyr arywyt yai
And went to land but mar delay.
And Cuthbert yat has sene ye fyr
Was full off angyr and off ire,
For he durst nocht do it away
And wes alsua dowtand ay
Yat his lord suld pas to se.
Yarfor yar cummyng waytit he
And met yaim at yar arywing.
He wes wele sone brocht to ye king
Yat speryt at him how he had done,
And he with sar hart tauld him sone
How yat he fand nane weill luffand
Bot all war fayis yat he fand,
And yat ye lord ye Persy
With ner [thre hunder] in cumpany
107
Fullfillyt off dispyt and prid,
Bot ma yan twa partis off his rowt
War herberyt in ye toune without,
‘And dyspytyt ȝow mar schyr King
Yan men may dispyt ony thing.’
Yan said ye king in full gret ire,
‘Tratour quhy maid yow yan ye fyr.’
‘A schyr,’ said he, ‘sa God me se
Ye fyr wes newyr maid for me,
Na or ye nycht I wyst it nocht,
Bot fra I wyst it weill I thocht
Yat ȝe and haly ȝour menȝe
On hy suld put ȝow to ye se,
For-yi I come to mete ȝow her
To tell perellys yat may aper.’
Ye king wes off his spek angry
And askyt his prywe men in hy
Quhat at yaim thocht wes best to do.
Schyr Edward fryst answert yar-to,
Hys brodyr yat wes swa hardy,
And said, ‘I say ȝow sekyrly
Yar sall na perell yat may be
Dryve me eftsonys to ye se.
108
Quheyir it be esfull or angry.’
‘Broyer,’ he said, ‘sen yow will sua
It is gud yat we samyn ta
Dissese or ese or payne or play
Eftyr as God will ws purway.
And sen men sayis yat ye Persy
Myn heritage will occupy,
And his menȝe sa ner ws lyis
Yat ws dispytis mony wys,
Ga we and wenge sum off ye dispyte,
And yat may we haiff done als tite
For yai ly traistly but dreding
Off ws or off our her-cummyng,
And yocht we slepand slew yaim all
Repruff yar-off na man sall,
For werrayour na fors suld ma
Quheyer he mycht ourcum his fa
Throw strenth or throw sutelte,
Bot yat gud faith ay haldyn be.’
Quhen yis wes said yai went yar way,
And to ye toune sone cummyn ar yai
Sa preuely but noyis making
Yat nane persawyt yar cummyng.
Yai skalyt throw ye toun in hy
And brak wp duris sturdely
And slew all yat yai mycht ourtak,
109
Full petowsly gan rar & cry,
And yai slew yaim dispitously
As yai yat war in full gud will
To wenge ye angyr and ye ill
Yat yai and yairis had yaim wrocht.
[Yai] with sa feloun will yaim soucht
Yat yai slew yaim euerilkan
Owtane Makdowell him allan
Yat eschapyt throw gret slycht
And throw ye myrknes off ye nycht.
In ye castell ye lord ye Persy
Hard weill ye noyis & ye cry,
Sa did ye men yat within wer
And full effraytly gat yar ger,
Bot off yaim wes nane sa hardy
Yat euer ischyt fourth to ye cry.
In sic effray yai baid yat nycht
Till on ye morn yat day wes lycht,
And yan [cesyt] in-to party
Ye noyis ye slawchtyr and ye cry.
Ye king gert be departyt yen
All hale ye reff amang ye men
And duellyt all still yar dayis thre.
110
Rycht in ye fyrst begynnyng
Newlingis at his arywyng.
Quhen yat ye king & his folk war
Arywyt as I tauld ȝow ar,
A quhile in Karryk leyndyt he
To se quha freynde or fa wald be,
Bot he fand litill tendyrnes,
And nocht-for-yi ye puple wes
Enclynyt till him in party,
Bot Inglismen sa angrely
Led yaim with daunger & with aw
Yat yai na freyndschip durst him schaw.
Bot a lady off yat cuntre
Yat wes till him in ner degre
Off cosynage wes wonder blyth
Off his arywyng, [and] alswyth
Sped hyr till him in full gret hy
With fourty men in cumpany
And betaucht yaim all to ye king
Till help him in his werraying,
And he resawyt yaim in daynte
And hyr full gretly thankit he,
And speryt tythandis off ye queyne
And off his freyndis all bedene
Yat he had left in yat countre
111
And scho him tauld sichand full sar
How yat his brothyr takyn war
In ye castell off Kyldromy
And destroyit sa welanysly,
And ye erle off Athall alsua,
And how ye queyn and oyer ma
Yat till his party war heldand
War tane and led in Ingland
And put in feloun presoune,
And how yat Cristole off Setoun
Wes slayn, gretand scho tauld ye king,
Yat sorowful wes off yat tithing
And said quhen he had thocht a thraw
Yir wordis yat I sall ȝow schaw.
‘Allace,’ he said, ‘for luff off me
And for yar mekill lawte
Yai nobill men & yai worthy
Ar destroyit sa welanysly,
Bot and I leyff in lege-powyste
Yar deid rycht weill sall wengit be.
Ye king ye-quheyer off Ingland
Thocht yat ye kynrik off Scotland
Was to litill to yaim and me,
112
Bot off gud Cristole off Setoun
Yat wes off sa nobill renoun
Yat he suld dey war gret pite
Bot quhar worschip mycht prowyt be.’
Ye king sichand yus maid his mayn,
And ye lady hyr leyff has tayn
And went hyr hame till hyr wonnyng,
And fele sys confort ye king
Bath with siluer and with mete
Sic as scho in ye land mycht get.
And he oft ryot all ye land
And maid all his yat euer he fand
And syne drew him till ye hycht
To stynt better his fayis mycht.
In all yat tym wes ye Persy
With a full sympill cumpany
In Turnberys castell lyand,
For ye king Robert swa dredand
Yat he durst nocht isch furth to fayr
Fra yine to ye castell off Ayr
Yat wes yen full off Inglismen,
Bot lay lurkand as in a den
Tyll ye men off Northummyrland
113
Conwoy him till his cuntre.
For his saynd till yaim send he,
And yai in hy assemblyt yen
Passand I weyne a thousand men
And askyt awisement yaim amang
Quheyer yat yai suld duell or gang,
Bot yai war skownrand wonder sar
Sa fer in-to Scotland for to far,
For a knycht schyr Gawter ye Lile
Said it wes all to gret perile
Swa ner yai [schavaldwris] to ga.
His spek discomfort yaim swa
Yat yai had left all yar wyage
Na war a knycht off gret corage
Yat schyr Roger off Sanct Ihon hycht
Yat yaim confort with all his mycht,
And sic wordis to yaim gan say
Yat yai all samyn held yar way
Till Turnbery, quhar ye Persy
Lap on and went with yaim in hy
In Ingland his castell till
114
Now in Ingland is ye Persy
Quhar I trow he a quhile sall ly
Or yat he schap hym for to fayr
To werray Carryk ony mar,
For he wyst he had na rycht
And als he dreid ye kyngys mycht
Yat in Carrik wes trawailland
In ye maist strenth off ye land,
Quhar Iamys off Dowglas on a day
Come to ye king and gan him say,
‘Schyr with ȝour leyve I wald ga se
How yat yai do in my contre
And how my men demanyt ar,
For it anoyis me wonder sar
Yat ye Clyffurd sa pesabylly
Brukys and haldys ye senȝowry
Yat suld be myn with alkyn rycht.
Bot quhile I lyff & may haiff mycht
To lede a ȝowman or a swayne
He sall nocht bruk it but bargayne.’
Ye king said, ‘Certis I can nocht se
How yat yow ȝeit may sekyr be
In-to yat countre for to far
Quhar Inglis-men sa mychty ar
115
He said, ‘Schyr nedways I will wend
And tak yat auentur will giff
Quheyer-sa it be to dey or lyff.’
Ye king said, ‘Sen it is swa
Yat yow sic ȝarnyng has to ga
Yow sall pas furth with my blyssing,
And giff ye hapnys ony thing
Yat anoyis or scaithfull be
I pray ye sped ye sone to me
And tak we samyn quhat-euer may fall.’
‘I grante,’ he said and yar-with-all
He lowtyt and his leve has tane
And towart his countre is he gane.
Now takis Iames his wiage
Towart Dowglas his heritage
With twa ȝemen for-owtyn ma.
Yat wes a symple stuff to ta
A land or a castell to wyn,
Ye-quheyer he ȝarnyt to begyn
Till bring purpos till ending
For gud help is in gud begynnyng,
For gud begynnyng & hardy
116
May ger oftsys wnlikly thing
Cum to full conabill ending.
Swa did it her, bot he wes wys
And saw he mycht on nakyn wys
Werray his fa with ewyn mycht,
Yarfor he thocht to wyrk with slycht,
And in Dowglasdaile his countre
Apon ane ewynnyng entryt he.
And yan a man wonnyt yar-by,
Yat wes off freyndis weill mychty
And ryche off mobleis & off cateill,
And had bene till his fadyr leyll,
And till him selff in his ȝowthed
He haid done mony a thankfull deid,
Thom Dicson wes his name perfay.
Till him he send & gan him pray
Yat he wald cum all anerly
For to spek with him preuely,
And he but daunger till him gais.
Bot fra he tauld him quhat he wais
He gret for ioy and for pite
And him rycht till his hous had he,
Quhar in a chambre preuely
He held him and his cumpany,
117
Off mete & drynk and oyer thing
Yat mycht yaim eys yai had plente.
Sa wrocht he throw sutelte
Yat all ye lele men off yat land
Yat with his fadyr war duelland
Yis gud man gert cum ane & ane
And mak him manrent euerilkane,
And he him selff fyrst homage maid.
Dowglas in hart gret glaidschip haid
Yat ye gud men off his cuntre
Wald swagate till him bundyn be.
He speryt ye conwyne off ye land
& quha ye castell had in hand
And yai him tauld all halily,
And syne amang yaim preuely
Yai ordanyt yat he still suld be
In hiddillis and in prewete
Till Palme Sonday yat wes ner-hand
Ye thrid day efter folowand,
For yan ye folk off yat countre
Assemblyt at ye kyrk wald be,
And yai yat in ye castell wer
Wald als be yar yar palmys to ber
As folk yat had na dreid off ill
For yai thocht all was at yar will.
Yan suld he cum with his twa men,
118
He suld ane mantill have auld & bar
And a flaill as he a thresscher war.
Wndyr ye mantill nocht-for-yi
He suld be armyt preuely,
And quhen ye men off his countre
Yat suld all boune befor him be
His ensenȝe mycht her hym cry,
Yen suld yai full enforcely
Rycht ymyddys ye kyrk assaill
Ye Inglismen with hard bataill
Swa yat nane mycht eschap yaim fra,
For yar-throwch trowyt yai to ta
Ye castell yat besid wes ner.
And quhen yis yat I tell ȝow her
Wes diuisyt & wndertane
Ilkane till his hows hame is gane
And held yis spek in preuete
Till ye day off yar assemble.
Ye folk apon ye Sonounday
Held to saynct Bridis kyrk yar way,
And yai yat in ye castell war
Ischyt owt bath les and mar
And went yar palmys for to ber,
Owtane a cuk and a porter.
119
And quhat yai war had witting,
& sped him till ye kyrk in hy,
Bot or he come to hastily
Ane of his criyt, ‘Dowglas Dowglas.’
Thomas Dikson, yat nerrest was
Till yaim yat war off ye castell
Yat war all innouth ye chancell,
Quhen he ‘Dowglas’ swa hey hard cry
Drew owt his swerd and fellely
Ruschyt amang yame to & fra,
Bot ane or twa for-owtin ma
Yan in hy war left lyand,
Quhill Dowglas come rycht at hand
And yen enforcyt on yaim ye cry,
Bot yai ye chansell sturdely
Held and yaim defendyt wele
Till off yar men war slayne sumdell.
Bot ye Dowglace sa weill him bar
Yat all ye men yat with him war
Had confort off his wele-doyng,
And he him sparyt nakyn thing
Bot prowyt swa his force in fycht
Yat throw his worschip and his mycht
120
Yat yai ye chansell on yaim wan.
Yan dang yai on swa hardyly
Yat in schort tyme men mycht se ly
Ye [twa] part dede or yen deand,
Ye lave war sesyt sone in hand
Swa yat off [thretty] levyt nane
Yat yai ne war slayne ilkan or tane.
Iames off Dowglas quhen yis wes done
Ye presoneris has he tane alsone
And with yaim off his cumpany
Towart ye castell went in hy
Or noyis or cry suld rys,
And for he wald yaim sone suppris
Yat lewyt in ye castell war
Yat war bot [twa] for-owtyn mar,
Fyve men or sex befor send he
Yat fand all opyn ye entre
And entryt and ye porter tuk
Rycht at ye ȝate and syne ye cuk.
With yat ye Dowglas come to ye ȝat
And entryt in for-owtyn debate
And fand ye mete all redy [graid]
And burdys set & clathis [laid].
121
And sat and eyt all at layser,
Syne all ye gudis turssyt yai
Yat yaim thocht yai mycht haiff away,
And namly wapnys & armyng
Siluer and tresour and clethyng.
Wyttalis yat mycht nocht tursyt be
On yis maner destroyit he,
All ye wittalis owtane salt
Als quheyt and flour & meill & malt
In ye wyne-sellar gert he bring
And samyn on ye flur all flyng,
And ye presoneris yat he had tane
Rycht yar-in gert he heid ilkane,
Syne off ye townnys ye hedis outstrak.
A foule melle yar gane he mak,
For meile & malt & blud & wyne
Rane all to-gidder in a mellyne
Yat was wnsemly for to se.
Yarfor ye men off yat countre
For swa fele yar mellyt wer
Callit it ‘ye Dowglas lardner’.
122
& ded hors and fordid ye well,
And brynt all owtakyn stane,
And is furth with his menȝe gayne
Till his resett, for him thocht weill
Giff he had haldyn ye castell
It had bene assegyt raith,
& yat him thocht to mekill waith,
For he ne had hop off reskewyng.
And it is to peralous thing
In castell assegyt to be
Quhar want is off yir thingis thre,
Wittaill or men with yar armyng
Or yan gud hop off rescuyng,
And for he dred yir thingis suld faile
He chesyt furthwart to trawaill
Quhar he mycht at his larges be
& swa dryve furth his destane.
On yis wise wes ye castell tan,
& slayne yat war yarin ilkan.
Ye Dowglas syne all his menȝe
Gert in ser placis departyt be,
123
Yat ȝeid departyt her & yar.
Yaim yat war woundyt gert he ly
In-till hiddillis all preuely,
And gert gud lechis till yaim bring
Quhill yat yai war in-till heling,
And him selff with a few menȝe
Quhile ane quhile twa & quhilis thre
And umquhill all him allane
In hiddillis throw ye land is gane.
Sa dred he Inglis-[mennys] mycht
Yat he durst nocht wele cum in sycht,
For yai war yat tyme all-weldand
As maist lordis our all ye land.
Bot tithandis yat scalis sone
Off yis deid yat Douglas has done
Come to ye Cliffurd his ere in hy,
Yat for his tynsaill wes sary
And menyt his men yat yai had slane,
And syne has to purpos tane
To big ye castell wp agayne.
Yarfor as man off mekill mayne
He assemblit gret cumpany,
And till Dowglas he went in hy
124
& maid it rycht stalwart & styth
& put yarin wittalis & men.
Ane of ye Thyrwallys yen
He left behind him capitane
& syne till Ingland went agayne.
In-to Carrik lyis ye king
With a full symple gadryng,
He passyt nocht twa hunder men.
Bot schyr Eduuard his broder yen
Wes in Galloway weill ner him by,
With him ane oyer cumpany
Yat held ye strenthis off ye land,
For yai durst nocht ȝeit tak on hand
Till our-rid ye land planly.
For off Walence schyr Amery
Was in-till Edynburgh lyand
Yat ȝeyt was wardane of ye land
Wnderneyth ye Inglis king,
& quhen he herd off ye cummyng
Off king Robert & his menȝe
In-to Carryk & how yat he
Haid slayn off ye Persyis men
His consaile he assemblit yen,
& with assent off his consaill
125
Schyr Ingrame [ye Wmfrawill] yat wes hardy
& with him a gret cumpany.
& quhen schyr Ingram cummyn wes yar
Him thocht nocht speidfull for till far
Till assaile him in-to ye hycht,
Yarfor he thocht to wyrk with slycht
& lay still in ye castell yan
Till he gat speryng yat a man
Off Carrik, yat wes sley & wycht
& a man als off mekill mycht
As off ye men off yat cuntre,
Wes to ye king Robert mast preue
As he yat wes his sibman ner,
& quhen he wald for-owtyn danger
Mycht to ye kingis presence ga,
Ye-quheyer he & his sonnys twa
War wonnand still in ye cuntre
For yai wald nocht persaywit be
Yat yai war speciall to ye king.
Yat maid him mony tyme warnyng
Quhen yat yai his tynsaill mycht se,
For-yi in yaim affyit he.
His name can I nocht tell perfay,
126
[Forsuth yat his ane e ves out,
Bot he sa sturdy wes and stout]
Yat he wes ye maist dowtit man
Yat in Carrik lywyt yan.
& quhen schyr Ingrame gat wittering
For-suth yis wes na gabbing,
Efter him in hy he sent
& he come at his commandment.
Schyr Ingrame yat was sley & wis
Tretyt with him yan on sic wys
Yat he maid sekyr wndertaking
In tresoun for to slay ye king,
& he suld haiff for hys seruice
Gyff he fullfillyt yar diuice
Weill fourty pundis worth off land
Till him & till hys ayris ay lestand.
Ye tresoun yus is wndertane,
& he hame till his hous is gane
& wattyt opertunyte
For to fulfill hys mawyte.
In gret perell yan was ye king
Yat off yis tresoun wyst na thing,
For he yat he traistit maist of ane
127
And nane may betreys tyttar yan he
Yat man in trowis leawte.
Ye king in him traistyt, for-yi
He had fullfillyt his felony
Ne war ye king throw Goddis grace
Gat hale witting of his purchace,
And how and for how mekill land
He tuk his slauchter apon hand.
I wate nocht quha ye warnyng maid,
Bot on all tym sic hap he had
Yat quhen men schup yaim to betrais
He gat witting yaroff all-wayis,
& mony tyme as I herd say
Throw wemen yat he wyth wald play
Yat wald tell all yat yai mycht her,
& swa mycht happyn yat it fell her,
Bot how yat euer it fell per de
I trow he sall ye warrer be.
Nocht-for-yi ye tratour ay
Had in his thocht bath nycht & day
How he mycht best bring till ending
His tresonabill wndretaking,
Till he wmbethinkand him at ye last
128
Yat ye king had in custome ay
For to rys arly ilk day
& pas weill fer fra his menȝe
Quhen he wald pas to ye prewe,
And sek a cowert him allane
Or at ye maist with him ane.
Yar thocht he with his sonnys twa
For to supprise ye king & sla
& syne went to ye wod yar way,
Bot ȝeit off purpos failit yai,
& nocht-for-yi yai come all thre
In a cowert yat wes prewe
Quhar ye king oft wes [wont] to ga
His prewe nedys for to ma.
Yair hid yai yaim till his cummyng,
And ye king in-to ye mornyng
Rais quhen yat his liking was
& rycht towart yat cowert gais
Quhar liand war ye tratouris thre
For to do yar his preuete.
To tresoun tuk he yen na heid,
Bot he wes wont quhar-euer he ȝeid
His swerd about his hals to ber
& yat awaillyt him gretli yer,
For had nocht God all thing weldand
129
He had bene dede withoutyn dreid.
A chamber page yar with him ȝeid,
& swa for-owtyn falowis ma
Towart ye cowert gan he ga.
Now bot God help ye noble king
He is ner-hand till his ending,
For yat cowert yat he ȝeid till
Wes on ye toyer sid a hill
Yat nane of his men mycht it se.
[Yiddirwart] went yis page & he,
& [quhen] he cummyn wes in ye schaw
He saw yai thre cum all on raw
Aganys him full sturdely.
Yan till his boy he said in hy,
‘Ȝon men will slay ws & yai may.
Quhat wapyn has yow.’ ‘Ha schyr perfay
Ik haiff bot a bow & a wyr.’
‘Giff me yaim smertly bath.’ ‘A schyr
How-gaite will ȝe yat I do.’
‘Stand on fer & behald ws to.
Giff yow seis me abowyn be
Yow sall haiff wapynnys gret plente,
& giff I dey withdraw ye sone.’
130
He tite ye bow out off his hand,
For ye tratouris war ner cummand.
Ye fader had a swerd but mar,
Ye toyer bath swerd & hand-ax bar,
Ye thrid a swerd had & a sper.
Ye king persawt be yar affer
Yat all wes as men had him tauld.
‘Tratour,’ he said, ‘yow has me sauld.
Cum na forthyr bot hald ye yar.
I will yow cum na forthermar.’
‘A schyr wmbethinkis ȝow,’ said he,
‘How ner yat I suld to ȝow be.
Quha suld cum ner ȝow bot I.’
Ye king said, ‘I will sekirly
Yat yow at yis tyme cum nocht ner.
Yow may say quhat yow will on fer.’
Bot he with fals wordis flechand
Was with his twa sonnys cummand.
Quhen ye king saw he wald nocht let
Bot ay come on fenȝeand falset
He taisyt ye wyre & leit it fley,
& hyt ye fader in ye ey
Till it rycht in ye harnys ran
131
Ye broyer yat ye hand-ax bar
Swa saw his fader liand yar,
A gyrd rycht to ye king he couth maik
And with ye ax hym our-straik,
Bot he yat had his sword on hycht
Roucht him sic rout in randoun rycht
Yat he ye hede till ye harnys claiff
And dede doune till ye erd him draiff.
Ye toyer broder yat bar ye sper
Saw his brodyr fallin yer,
And with ye sper as angry man
With a rais till ye king he ran.
Bot ye king yat him dred sum thing
Waytyt ye sper in ye cummyng
& with a wysk ye hed off strak,
And or ye toyer had toyme to tak
His suerd ye king sic swak him gaiff
Yat he ye hede till ye harnys claiff,
He ruschyt doun off blud all reid.
And quhen ye king saw yai war ded
All thre lyand he wipit his brand,
With yat his boy come fast rynnand
And said, ‘Our Lord mot lowyt be
132
To fell ye felny & ye prid
Off yir thre in swa litill tid.’
Ye king said, ‘Sa our Lord me se
Yai had bene worthi men all thre
Had yai nocht bene full off tresoun,
Bot yat maid yar confusioun.’
133
[BOOK VI]
Ye king is went till his logyng,& off yis deid sone come tithing
Till schyr Ingrame ye Wmfrawill
Yat thocht with sutelte & gyle
Haid all failȝeit in yat place.
Yarfor anoyit swa he was
Yat he agayne to Lothyane
Till schyr Amer his gate has tane
& till him tauld all hale ye cas,
Yat yar-off all forwonderyt was
How ony man sa sodanly
Mycht do so gret chewalry
As did ye king yat him allane
Wengeance off [thre] traytouris has tane,
And said, ‘Certis I may weill se
Yat it is all certante
Yat [ure] helpys hardy men
As be yis deid we may ken.
War he nocht owtrageous hardy
He had nocht wnabasytly
134
I drede yat his gret wassalag
And his trawaill may bring till end
Yat at men quhile full litill wend.’
Sik speking maid he off ye king
Yat ay forowtyn soiournyng
Trawaillit in Carrik her & yar.
His men fra him sa scalit war
To purches yar necessite
& als ye countre for to se
Yat yai left nocht with him sexty.
And quhen ye Gallowais wyst suthli
Yat he wes with sa few mengȝe
Yai maid a prewe assemble
Off wele twa hunder men & ma,
& slewth-hundis with yaim gan ta,
For yai thocht him for to suppris
And giff he fled on ony wys
To folow him with ye hundis swa
Yat he suld nocht eschaip yaim fra.
Yai schup yaim in ane ewynnyng
To suppris sodanly ye king
And till him held yai straucht yar way,
Bot he, yat had his wachis ay
135
Lang or yai come had wyttering
And how fele yat yai mycht be,
Yarfor he thocht with his menȝe
To withdraw him out off ye place,
For ye nycht weill fallyn was
& for ye nycht he thocht at yai
Suld nocht haiff sycht to hald ye way
Yat he war passyt with his menȝe.
And as he thocht rycht swa did he
& went him doun till a morras
Our a watter yat rynnand was,
And in ye bog he fand a place
Weill strait yat weill twa bow-drawcht was
Fra ye watter yai passit haid.
He said, ‘Her may ȝe mak abaid
& rest ȝow all a quhile & ly,
I will ga wach all preuely.
Giff ik her oucht off yar cummyng
& giff I may her ony thing
I sall ger warn ȝow sa yat we
Sall ay at our awantage be.’
Ye king now takys his gate to ga
136
& schyr Gilbert de le Hay left he
Yar for to rest with his menȝe.
To ye watter he come in hy
& lysnyt full ententily
Giff he herd oucht off yar cummyng
Bot ȝeit yen mocht he her na thing.
Endlang ye watter yen ȝeid he
On ayer syd a gret quantite
And saw ye brayis hey standand,
Ye watter holl throw slik rynnand,
& fand na furd yat men mycht pas
Bot quhar him selwyn passit was,
And swa strait wes ye wp-cummyng
Yat twa men mycht nocht samyn thring
Na on na maner pres yaim swa
Yat yai to-gidder mycht [land ta].
[His twa men bad he yan in hy
Ga to yair feris to rest and ly
For he vald vach yar com to se.
‘Schir,’ said yai, ‘quha sall vith ȝow be.’
‘God,’ he said, ‘forouten ma.
Pas on, for I will it be swa.’
Thai did as he yame biddin had
And he yar all allane abaid,]
137
He herknyt & herd as it war
A hundis [questyng] on fer
Yat ay come till him ner & ner.
He stude still for till herkyn mar
& ay ye langer he wes yar
He herd it ner & ner cummand,
Bot he thocht he yar still wald stand
Tyll yat he herd mar takynnyng.
Yan for ane hundis [questyng]
He wald nocht wakyn his menȝe,
Yarfor he wald abid and se
Quhat folk yai war & quheyir yai
Held towart him ye rycht way
Or passyt ane oyer way fer by.
Ye moyne wes schynand clerly,
& swa stude he herknand
Till yat he saw cum at his hand
Ye hale rout in-till full gret hy.
Yen he wmbethocht him hastily
Giff he held towart his menȝe
138
Yai suld be passit ye furd ilkan,
And yen behuffyt him ches ane
Off yir twa, oyer to fley or dey.
Bot his hart yat wes stout & hey
Consaillyt hym hym allane to bid
And kepe yaim at ye furd syd
& defend weill ye wpcummyng
Sen he wes warnyst of armyng
Yat he yar arowys thurth nocht dreid,
And gyff he war off gret manheid
He mycht stunay yaim euerilkane
Sen yai ne mycht cum bot ane & ane,
And did rycht as hys hart hym bad.
Strang wtrageous curage he had
Quhen he sa stoutly him allane
For litill strenth off erd has tane
To fecht with twa hunder & ma.
Yar-with he to ye furd gan ga,
And yai apon ye toyer party
Yat saw him stand yar anyrly
Thringand in-till ye water rad
For off him litill dout yai had
& raid till him in full gret hy.
139
With his sper yat rycht scharp schar
Till he doun till ye erd him bar.
Ye lave come yen in-till a randoun,
Bot his hors yat wes born doun
Combryt yaim ye wpgang to ta,
& quhen ye king saw it wes swa
He stekyt ye hors & he gan flyng
& syne fell at ye wpcummyng.
Ye layff with yat come with a schout,
& he yat stalwart wes & stout
Met yaim rycht stoutly at ye bra
And sa gud payment gan yaim ma
Yat fyvesum in ye furd he slew.
Ye lave yen sumdell yaim withdrew
Yat dred his strakys wondre sar
For he in na thing yaim forbar.
Yen said ane, ‘Certis we ar to blame.
Quhat sall we say quhen we cum ham
Quhen a man fechtis agane ws all.
Quha wyst euer men sa foully fall
As ws gyff yat we yusgat leve.’
With yat all haile a schoute yai geve
And cryit, ‘On him, he may nocht last.’
140
Yat had he nocht ye better bene
He had bene dede with-owtyn wen,
Bot he sa gret defence gan mak
Yat quhar he hyt ewyn a strak
Yar mycht nathing agane-stand.
In litill space he left liand
Sa fele yat ye wpcummyng wes yen
Dyttyt with slayn hors & men,
Swa yat his fayis for yat stopping
Mycht nocht cum to ye wpcummyng.
A der God quha had yen bene by
& sene hove he sa hardyly
Adressyt hym agane yaim all
I wate weile yat yai suld him call
Ye best yat levyt in his day,
& giff I ye suth sall say
I herd neuer in na tym gane
Ane stynt sa mony him allane.
Suth is, quhen [till] Ethiocles
Fra his broyer Polnices
Wes send Thedeus in message
To ask haly ye heritage
Off Thebes till hald for a ȝer,
For yai twynnys off a byrth wer,
141
Bot ye barnage off yar cuntre
Gert yaim assent on yis maner,
Yat ye tane suld be king a ȝer,
& yen ye toyer & his mengȝe
Suld nocht be fundyn in ye countre
Quhill ye fyrst broyer regnand wer,
Syne suld ye toyer renge a ȝer
& yen ye fyrst suld leve ye land
Quhill yat ye toyer war regnand.
Yus ay a ȝer suld regne ye tane,
Ye toyer a ȝer fra yat war gane.
To ask haldyn off yis assent
Wes Thedeus to Thebes sent,
& swa spak for Polnices
Yat off Thebes Ethiocles
Bad his constabill with him ta
Men armyt weill & [forouth] ga
To mete Thedeus in ye way
& slay him but langer delay.
The constable his way is gane
& [nyne & fourty] with him tane
Swa yat he with yaim maid fyfty.
In-till ye ewynnyng preuely
Yai set enbuschement in ye way
Quhar Thedeus behowyt away
142
And he yat off yar mawyte
Wyst na thing his way has tane
And towart [Grece agane] is gane.
And as he raid in-to ye nycht
Sa saw he with ye monys lycht
Schynyng off scheldys gret plente,
& had wondre quhat it mycht be.
With yat all hale yai gaiff a cry
And he yat hard sa suddanly
Sic noyis sumdele affrayit was,
Bot in schort time he till him tais
His spyritis full hardely,
For his gentill hart & worthy
Assuryt hym in-to yat nede.
Yen with ye spuris he strak ye sted
& ruschyt in amang yaim all.
Ye fyrst he met he gert him fall,
& syne his suord he swapyt owt
& roucht about him mony rout
And slew sexsum weill sone & ma.
Yen wndre him his hors yai sla
And he fell, bot he smertly ras
& strykand rowm about him mas
& slew off yaim a quantite,
143
With yat a litill rod he fand
Wp towart ye crag strekand.
Yidder went he in full gret hy
Defendand him full douchtely
Till in ye crag he clam sumdell
And fand a place enclosyt weill
Quhar nane bot ane mycht him assail.
Yar stud he & gaiff yaim bataill
And yai assaylyt euerilkan,
& oft fell quhen yat he slew ane
As he doun to ye erd wald dryve
He wald ber doun weill [four] or fyve.
Yar stud he & defendyt swa
Till he had slayne yaim halff & ma.
A gret stane yen by hym saw he
Yat throw [the] gret [anciente]
Wes lowsyt redy for to fall,
& quhen he saw yaim cummand all
He tumblyt doun on yaim ye stane,
& [aucht] men yar with it has slayn
And swa stonayit ye remanand
Yat yai war weile ner recreand.
Yen wald he presone hald no mar
144
And hewyt & slew with all his mayn
Till he has [nyne & fourty] slayne.
Ye constabill syne gan he ta
And gert him swer yat he suld ga
Till king Ethiocles & tell
Ye awentur yat yaim befell.
Thedeus bar him douchtely
Yat him allane ourcome [fyfty].
Ȝe yat yis redys, cheys yhe
Quheyer yat mar suld prysit be
Ye king, yat with awisement
Wndertuk sic hardyment
As for to stynt him ane but fer
Ye folk yat twa hunder wer,
Or Thedeus, yat suddanly
For yai had raysyt on him ye cry
Throw hardyment yat he had tane
Wane [fyfty] men all him allane.
Yai did yar deid bath on ye nycht
And faucht bath with ye mone-lycht,
Bot ye king discomfyt ma
And Thedeus yen ma gan sla.
Now demys quheyer mar lowing
Suld Thedeus haiff or ye king.
145
Ye king yat stout wes & bauld
Wes fechtand on ye furd syd
Giffand and takand rowtis [rid]
Till he sic martyrdom yar has maid
Yat he ye ford all stoppyt haid
Yat nane off yaim mycht till him rid.
Yaim thocht yan foly for to byd
& halely ye flycht gan ta
& went hamwartis quhar yai come fra,
For ye kingis men with ye cry
Walknyt full effrayitly
And com to sek yar lord ye king.
Ye Galloway men hard yar cummyng
& fled and durst abid no mar.
Ye kingis men yat dredand war
For yar lord full spedyly
Come to ye furd and sone in hy
Yai fand ye king syttand allane,
Yat off hys bassynet has tane
Till awent him, for he wes hate.
Yan speryt yai at him off his state
& he tauld yaim all hale ye cas,
146
& how yat God him helpyt swa
Yat he eschapyt hale yaim fra.
Yan lukyt yai how fele war ded,
& yai fand lyand in yat sted
Fourtene yat war slayne with his hand.
Yan lovyt yai God fast all-weildand
Yat yai yar lord fand hale & fer,
And said yaim byrd on na maner
Drede yar fayis sen yar chyftane
Wes off sic hart & off sic mayn
Yat he for yaim had wndretan
With swa fele for to fecht [him] ane.
Syk wordis spak yai of ye king,
& for his hey wndretaking
Farlyit and ȝarnyt hym for to se
Yat with hym ay wes wont to be.
A, quhat worschip is prisit thing,
For it mays men till haiff loving
Gyff it be folowit ythenly,
For pryce off worschip nocht-foryi
Is hard to wyn, for gret trawaill
Offt to defend & oft assaill
147
Gerris men off worschip wyn ye price,
And may na man haiff worthyhed
Bot he haiff wyt to ster his deid
& se quhat ys to leve or ta.
Worschip extremyteys has twa,
Fule-hardyment ye formast is
And ye toyer is cowartys,
And yai ar bath for to forsak.
Fule-hardyment all will wndertak,
Als weill thingis to leve as ta,
Bot cowardys dois na thing swa
Bot wttrely forsakis all,
Bot yat war [derer] for to fal
Na war faute off discretioun.
Foryi has worschip sic renoun,
Yat it is mene betuix yai twa
And takys yat is till wnderta
& levys yat is to leve, for it
Has sa gret warnysing of wyt
Yat it all perellis weile gan se
And all awantagis yat may be.
I wald till hardyment heyld haly
With-yi away war [ye] foly,
148
Bot hardyment yat mellyt is
With wyt is worschip ay perde,
For but wyt worschip may nocht be.
Yis nobile king yat we off red
Mellyt all tyme with wit manheid,
Yat may men by yis melle se.
His wyt schawyt him ye strait entre
Off ye furd & ye wschyng alsua
Yat as him thocht war hard to ta
Apon a man yat war worthy,
Yarfor his hardyment hastily
Thocht it mycht be weill wndretan
Sen at anys mycht assail bot ane.
Yus hardyment gouernyt with wyt
Yat he all tyme wald samyn knyt
Gert him off worschip haiff ye price
And oft ourcum his ennymyis.
Ye king in Carrik duellyt ay still,
Hys men assemblyt fast him till
Yat in ye land war trawailland
Quhen yai off yis deid herd tithand
For yai yar vre wald with him ta
Gyff yat he eft war assaylyt swa.
Bot ȝeit yan Iames of Dowglas
149
Or ellys weill ner-hand yar-by
In hyddillys sumdeill preuely,
For he wald se his gouernyng
Yat had ye castell in keping,
& gert mak mony iuperty
To se quheyer he wald ische blythly.
& quhen he persawyt yat he
Wald blythly ische with his menȝe,
He maid a gadring preuely
Off yaim yat war on his party,
Yat war sa fele yat yai durst fycht
With Thyrwall & all ye mycht
Off yaim yat in ye castell war.
He schupe him in ye nycht to far
To Sandylandis, and ner yar-by
He him enbuschyt preuely
And send a few a trane to ma,
Yat sone in ye mornyng gan [ta]
Catell yat wes ye castell by
And syne withdrew yaim hastily
Towart yaim yat enbuschit war.
Yan Thyrwall for-owtyn mar
Gert arme his men forowtyn baid
150
And folowyt fast efter ye ky.
He wes armyt at poynt clenly
Owtane his hede wes bar.
[Yan] with ye men yat with him war
Ye catell folowit he gud speid
Rycht as a man yat had na dreid
Till yat he gat off yaim a sycht.
Yan prekyt yai with all yar mycht
Folowand yaim owt off aray,
And yai sped yaim fleand quhill yai
Fer by yar buschement war past,
& Thyrwall ay chassyt fast.
And yan yai yat enbuschyt war
Ischyt till him bath les & mar
& rayssyt sudanly ye cry,
& yai yat saw sa sudandly
Yat folk come egyrly prekand
Rycht betuix yaim and yar warand,
Yai war in-to full gret effray
& for yai war owt off aray
Sum off yaim fled & sum abad,
And Dowglas yat yar with him had
A gret mengȝe full egrely
151
& in schort tyme ourraid yaim swa
Yat weile nane eschapyt yaim fra.
Thyrwall yat wes yar capitane
Wes yar in ye bargane slane
& off his men ye mast party,
Ye lave fled full effraytly.
Dowglas his menȝe fast gan chas,
And ye flearis yar wayis tays
Till ye castell in full gret hy.
Ye formast entryt spedyly,
Bot ye chaseris sped yaim sa fast
Yat yai ourtuk sum off ye last
And yaim forowtyn mercy gan sla.
And quhen yai off ye castell swa
Saw yaim sla off yar men yaim by
Yai sparyt ye ȝattis hastily
& in hy to ye wallis rane.
Iames off Dowglas his menȝe yan
Sesyt weile hastily in hand
Yat yai abowt ye castell fand
To yar resett, syne went yar way.
Yus ischyt Thyrwall yat day.
Quhen Thyrwall on yis maner
152
Iames off Dowglas & his men
Buskit yaim all samyn yen
And went yar way towart ye king
In gret hy, for yai herd tything
Yat off Walence schyr Amery
With a full gret chewalry
Bath off Scottis & Inglis-men
With gret felny war redy yen
Assemblyt for to sek ye king,
Yat wes yat tyme with his gadring
In Cumnok quhar it straitast was.
Yidder went Iames of Dowglas
& wes rycht welcum to ye king
And quhen he had tauld yat tithing,
How yat schyr Amer wes cummand
For till hunt him owt off ye land
With hund and horne rycht as he war
A woulff a theyff or theyffis fer,
Yan said ye king, ‘It may weill fall
Yocht he cum and his power all
We sall abid in yis countre,
And gyff he cummys we sall him se.’
Ye king spak apon yis maner,
153
Assemblyt a gret cumpany
Off noble men & off worthy
Off Ingland and of Lowthiane,
And he has alsua with him tane
Ihone off Lorn & all hys mycht
Yat had off worthi men & wycht
With him [aucht hunder] men & ma.
A sleuth-hund had he yar alsua
Sa gud yat wald chang for na thing,
And sum men sayis ȝeit yat ye king
As a traytour him noryst had
And sa mekill off him he maid
Yat hys awyn handis wald him feid.
He folowyt him quhar-euer he ȝeid
Sa yat ye hund him [lovyt] swa
Yat he wald part na wys him fra.
Bot how yat Ihon of Lorn him had
Ik herd neuer mencioun be mad,
Bot men sayis it wes certane thing
Yat he had him in his sesyng
And throw him thocht ye king to ta,
For he wyst he him luffyt swa
Yat fra yat he mycht anys fele
Ye kingis sent he wyst rycht weill
Yat he wald chaung it for na thing.
154
For Ihon Cumyn his emys sak,
Mycht he him oyer sla or tak
He wald nocht prys his liff a stra
Sa yat he wengeance of him mycht ta.
Ye wardane yan schyr Amery
With yis Ihone in cumpany
And oyer off gud renoun alsua,
Thomas Randell wes ane off ya,
Come in-till Cumnok to sek ye king
Yat wes weill war off yar cummyng
And wes wp in ye strenthys yen
And with him weill [four hunder] men.
His broder yat tym with him was
And alsua Iames off Dowglas.
Schyr Ameryys rowte he saw
Yat held ye plane ay & ye law
And in hale battaill alwayis raid.
Ye king yat na supposyn had
Yat yai war may yen he saw yar
Till yaim & noyer ellis-quhar
Had ey, & wrocht wnwittily,
For Ihon off Lorn full sutelly
Be-hind thocht to supprys ye king.
155
Aboute ane hill [he] held ye way
And held him in-to cowert ay
Till he sa ner come to ye king
Or he persawyt his cummyng
Yat he wes cummyn on him weill ner.
Ye toyer ost & schyr Amer
Pressyt apon ye toyer party.
Ye king wes in gret iuperty
Yat wes on ayer sid wmbeset
With fayis yat to sla him thret,
& ye leyst party off ye twa
Was starkar yan he & ma.
And quhen he saw yaim pres him to
He thocht in hy quhat was to do
And said, ‘Lordis we haiff na mycht
As at yis tyme to stand & fycht,
Yarfor departis ws in thre,
All sall nocht sa assailyt be,
& in thre partis hald our way.’
Syne till his prewe folk gan he say
Betuix yaim in-to preuete
In quhat sted yar repayr suld be.
With yat yar gate all ar yai gane
And in thre partis yar way has tane.
156
Fra quhar ye king departyt was
And in his trace ye hund he set
Yat yen for-owtyn langer let
Held ewyn ye way efter ye king
Rycht as he had off him knawing,
And left ye toyer partys twa
As he na kep to yaim wald ta.
& quhen ye king saw his cummyng
Efter hys route in-till a ling
He thocht yai knew yat it wes he,
Yarfor he bad till his menȝe
Ȝeit yen in [thre] depart yaim sone,
And yai did swa for-owtyn hone
And held yar way in thre partys.
Ye hund did yar sa gret maistrys
Yat held ay for-owtyn changing
Eftre ye rowt quhar wes ye king.
And quhen ye king had sene yaim swa
All in a rowt efter him ga
Ye way and folow nocht his men
He had a gret persawing yen
Yat yai knew him, for-yi in hy
He bad his men rycht hastily
Scaile and ilkan hald his way
157
Ilk man a syndry gate is gane
And ye king with him has tane
His foster broder for-owtyn ma
And samyn held yar [gate] yai twa.
Ye hund folowyt alwayis ye king
And changyt for na departing
Bot ay folowit ye kingis trace
But waweryng as he passyt was,
And quhen Ihon off Lorn saw
Ye hund [sa hard] eftre him draw
And folow strak efter yai twa
He knew ye king wes ane of ya,
And bad [fyve] off his cumpany
Yat war rycht wycht men & hardy
And als off fute spediast war
Off all yat in yair rowt war
Ryn eftre him & him ourta
And lat him na wys pas yaim fra,
& fra yai had herd ye bydding
Yai held yar way efter ye king
& folowyt him sa spedely
Yat yai him weill sone gan ourhy.
Ye king yat saw yaim cummand ner
158
For he thocht giff yai war worthi
Yai mycht him trawaile and tary
And hald him swagate tariand
Till ye remanand com at hand,
Bot had he dred bot anerly
[Yai fyve] I trow all sekyrly
He suld have had na mekill dred.
And till his falow as he ȝeid
He said, ‘Yir [fyve] ar fast cummand,
Yai ar weill ner now at our hand,
Sa is yar ony help at ye
For we sall sone assailyt be.’
‘Ȝa schyr,’ he said, ‘all yat I may.’
‘Yow sayis weill,’ said ye king. ‘Perfay
I see yaim cummand till ws ner.
I will na forthyr bot rycht her
I will byd quhill ic am in aynd,
And se quhat force yat yai can faynd.’
Ye king yan stud full sturdely,
And ye fyve-sum in full gret hy
Come with gret schor & manassing.
Yen [thre] off yaim went to ye king,
& till his man ye toyer twa
159
Ye king met yaim yat till him socht
And to ye fyrst sic rowt he roucht
Yat er and chek doune in ye hals
He schar & off ye [schuldir] als,
He ruschyt doun all disyly.
Ye twa yat saw sa sudanly
Yar falow fall effrayit war
And stert a litill owyrmar.
Ye king with yat blenkit him by
And saw ye twa-some sturdely
Agane his man gret melle ma.
With yat he left his awin twa
And till yaim yat faucht with his man
A loup rycht lychtly maid he yan
And smate ye hed off ye tane,
To mete his awne syne is he gane.
Yai come on him full sturdely,
He met ye fyrst sa egrely
Yat with ye swerd yat scharply schar
Ye arme fra ye body he bar.
Quhat strakys yai gaiff I can nocht tell,
Bot to ye king sa fayr befell
Yat yocht he trawaill had & payne
160
His foster broder yar-efter sone
Ye fyft owt off dawys has done.
& quhen ye king saw yat all fyve
War on yat wys broucht owt off lyve
Tyll hys falow yan gan he say,
‘Yow has helpyt weile perfay.’
‘It likys ȝow to say swa,’ said he,
‘Bot ye gret part to ȝow tuk ȝe
Yat slew [four] off ye fyve ȝow ane.’
Ye king said, ‘As ye glew is gane
Better yan yow I mycht it do
For ik had mar layser yar-to,
For ye twa falowys yat delt with ye
Quhen yai saw me assailyt with [thre]
Off me rycht nakyn dowt yai had
For yai wend I sa straytly war stad,
And for-yi yat yai dred me noucht
Noy yaim fer owt ye mar I moucht.’
With yat ye king lokyt him by
And saw off Lorn ye company
Weill ner with yar sleuth-hund [cummand].
161
He went with his falow in hy.
God sayff yaim for his gret mercy.
162
[BOOK VII]
Ye king towart ye wod is ganeWery for-swayt & will of wane,
In-till ye wod sone entryt he
& held doun towart a wale
Quhar throw ye woid a watter ran.
Yidder in gret hy wend he yan
& begouth for to rest him yar
& said he mycht no forthermar.
His man said, ‘Schyr it mai nocht be.
Abyd ȝe her ȝe sall son se
[Fyve hunder] ȝarnand ȝow to sla,
And yai ar fele aganys ws twa.
And sen we may nocht dele with mycht
Help ws all yat we may with slycht.’
Ye king said, ‘Sen yat yow will swa,
Ga furth, & I sall with ye ga.
Bot ik haiff herd oftymys say
Yat quha endlang a watter ay
Wald waid a bow-draucht he suld ger
Bathe ye slouth-hund & his leder
Tyne ye sleuth men [gert] hym ta.
163
For war ȝone deuillis hund away
I roucht nocht off ye lave perfay.’
As he dywisyt yai haiff doyn
And entryt in ye watter sone
& held doun endlang yar way,
& syne to ye land ȝeid yai
& held yar way as yai dyd er.
And Ihone off Lorn with gret affer
Come with hys rout rycht to ye place
Quhar yat his [fyve] men slane was.
He menyt yaim quhen he yaim saw
And said eftre a litill thraw
Yat he suld weng yar blowde,
Bot oyer-wayis ye gamyn ȝowde.
Yar wald he mak na mar duelling
Bot furth in hy folowit ye king.
Rycht to ye burn yai passyt war,
Bot ye slouth-hund maid styntyn yar
& waweryt lang tyme to & fra
Yat he na certane gate couth ga,
Till [at] ye last yat Ihon of Lorn
Persawyt ye hund ye slouth had lorn
And said, ‘We haiff tynt yis trawaill.
164
For ye woid is bath braid & wid
& he is weill fer be yis tid,
Yarfor is gud we turn agayn
And waist no mar trawaill in wayne.’
With yat relyit he his mengȝe
& his way to ye ost tuk he.
Yus eschapyt ye nobill king,
Bot sum men sayis yis eschaping
Apon ane oyer maner fell
Yan throw ye wading, for yai tell
Yat ye king a gud archer had,
And quhen his lord he saw sua stad
Yat he wes left sa anerly
He ran on sid alwayis him by
Till [he] in-to ye woude wes gane.
Yan said he till him selff allane
Yat he arest rycht yar wald ma
To luk giff he ye hund mycht sla,
For giff ye hund mycht lest in lyve
He wyst rycht weile yat yai wald dryve
Ye kingis trace till yai him ta,
Yan wyst he weile yai wald him sla.
& for he wald his lord succur
He put his liff in auentur,
165
Till yat ye hund come [at] his hand
And with ane arow sone him slew
& throw ye woud syne him withdrew.
Bot quheyir yis eschaping fell
As I tauld fyrst or I now tell,
I wate weill without lesing
Yat at ye burn eschapyt ye king.
Ye king has furth his wayis tane,
& Ihon of Lorn agayne is gane
To schyr Aymer yat fra ye chace
With his men yen repayryt was
Yat sped lytill [in] yar chassyng.
Youcht at yai maid gret folowing
Full egrely yai wan bot small,
Yar fayis ner eschapyt all.
Men sayis schyr Thomas Randell yan
Chassand ye kingis baner wan,
Quhar-throw in Ingland with ye king
He had rycht gret price & lowing.
Quhen ye chasseris relyit war
And Ihon of Lorn had met yaim yar
He tauld schyr Aymer all ye cas,
How yat ye king eschapyt was
166
And syne to ye wode him drew.
Quhen schyr Aymer herd yis, in hy
He sanyt him for ye ferly
& said, ‘He is gretly to prys,
For I knaw nane yat liffand is
Yat at myscheyff gan help him swa.
I trow he suld be hard to sla
& he war bodyn ewynly.’
On yis wis spak schyr Aymery,
& ye gud king held furth his way
Betuix him & his man quhill yai
Passyt owt throw ye forest war.
Syne in ye more yai entryt [ar]
Yat wes bathe hey & lang & braid,
& or yai halff it passyt had
Yai saw on syd [thre] men cummand
Lik to lycht men & wauerand,
Swerdis yai had & axys als
& ane off yaim apon his hals
A mekill boundyn weyer bar.
Yai met ye king & halist him yar,
And ye king yaim yar hailsing ȝauld
& askyt yaim quheyer yai wauld.
167
For mete with him giff yat yai moucht
Yar duelling with him wauld yai ma.
Ye king said, ‘Giff yat ȝe will swa,
Haldys furth ȝour way with me
& I sall ger ȝow sone him se.’
Yai persawyt be his speking
Yat he wes ye selwyn Robert king,
& chaungyt contenance & late
And held nocht in ye fyrst state,
For yai war fayis to ye king
And thocht to cum in-to sculking
And duell with him quhill yat yai saw
Yar poynt, & bryng him yan off daw.
Yai grantyt till his spek foryi,
Bot ye king yat wes witty
Persawyt weill be yar hawing
Yat yai luffyt him na-thing
& said, ‘Falowis ȝe mon all thre,
Foryir aqwent till yat we be,
All be ȝour selwyn [forrouth] ga,
And on ye samyn wys we twa
Sall folow behind weill ner.’
Quod yai, ‘Schyr it is na myster
To trow in ws ony ill.’
‘Nane do I,’ said he, ‘bot I will
168
Better with othyr knawin be.’
‘We grant,’ yai said, ‘sen ȝe will swa,’
And furth apon yar gate gan ga.
Yus ȝeid yai till ye nycht wes ner,
And yan ye formast cummyn wer
Till a waist housbandis hous, & yar
Yai slew ye weyir yat yai bar
And slew fyr for to rost yar mete,
And askyt ye king giff he wald ete
And rest him till ye mete war dycht.
Ye king yat hungry was ik hycht
Assentyt till yar spek in hy,
Bot he said he wald anerly
[Betuyx hym & his fallow be]
At a fyr, & yai all thre
In ye end off ye hous suld ma
Ane oyer fyr, & yai did swa.
Yai drew yaim in ye hous end
& halff ye weyir till him send.
And yai rostyt in hy yar mete
And fell rycht freschly for till ete,
For ye king weill lang fastyt had
And had rycht mekill trawaill mad,
169
& quhen he had etyn hastily
He had to slep sa mekill will
Yat he mocht set na let yar-till,
For quhen ye wanys fillyt ar
Men worthys hewy euermar
And to slepe drawys hewynes.
Ye king yat all fortrawaillyt wes
Saw yat him worthyt slep nedwayis.
Till his foster-broder he sayis,
‘May I traist in ye me to waik
Till ik a litill sleping tak.’
‘Ȝa schyr,’ he said, ‘till I may drey.’
Ye king yen wynkyt a litill wey,
And slepyt nocht full encrely
Bot gliffnyt wp oft sodanly,
For he had dreid of yai thre men
Yat at ye toyer fyr war yen.
Yat yai his fais war he wyst,
Yarfor he slepyt as foule on twyst.
Ye king slepyt bot a litill yan
Quhen sic slep fell on his man
170
Bot fell in slep & rowtyt hey.
Now is ye king in gret perile
For slep he swa a litill quhile
He sall be ded for-owtyn dreid,
For ye [thre] tratouris tuk gud heid
Yat he on slep wes & his man.
In full gret hy yai rais wp yan
And drew yar suerdis hastily
& went towart ye king in hy
Quhen yat yai saw him sleip swa,
& slepand thocht yai wald him sla.
[Till him yai ȝeid a full gret pas,
Bot in yat tym throu Goddis grace]
Ye king wp blenkit hastily
And saw his man slepand him by
And saw cummand ye toyer thre.
Deliuerly on fute gat he
And drew his suerd owt & yaim mete,
And as he ȝude his fute he set
Apon his man weill hewyly.
He waknyt & rais disily,
For ye slep maistryt hym sway
Yat or he gat wp ane off yai
Yat com for to sla ye king
171
Swa yat he mycht help him no mar.
Ye king sa straitly stad wes yar
Yat he wes neuer ȝeyt sa stad,
Ne war ye armyng yat he had
He had bene dede for-owtyn wer.
Bot nocht-for-yi on sic maner
He helpyt him in yat bargane
Yat yai thre tratowris he has slan
Throw Goddis grace & his manheid.
Hys foster broyer yar wes dede,
Yen wes he wondre will of wayn
Quhen he saw him left allane.
His foster broder menyt he
And waryit all ye toyer thre,
& syne his way tuk him allane
And rycht towart his tryst is gane.
The king went furth way & angri
Menand his man full tenderly
& held his way all him allane,
And rycht towart ye hous is gan
Quhar he set tryst to meit his men.
It wes weill inwyth nycht be yen,
He come sone in ye hous & fand
Ye howswyff on ye benk sittand
172
And quhen he come & [queyir he gais].
‘A trawailland man dame,’ said he,
‘Yat trawaillys her throw ye contre.’
Scho said, ‘All yat trawailland er
For ane his sak ar welcum her.’
Ye king said, ‘Gud dame quhat is he
Yat gerris ȝow haiff sik specialte
To men yat trawaillis.’ ‘Schyr perfay,’
Quod ye gud-wyff, ‘I sall ȝow say,
Ye king Robert ye Bruys is he,
Yat is rycht lord off yis countre.
His fayis now haldis him in thrang,
Bot I think to se or ocht lang
Him lord & king our all ye land
Yat na fayis sall him withstand.’
‘Dame luffis yow him sa weil,’ said he.
‘Ȝa schyr,’ said scho, ‘sa God me se.’
‘Dame,’ sayd he, ‘hym her ye by,
For ik am he, I say ye soithly,
Yha certis dame.’ ‘& quhar ar gane
Ȝour men quhen ȝe ar yus allane.’
173
Scho said, ‘It may na wys be swa.
Ik haiff twa sonnys wycht & hardy,
Yai sall becum ȝour men in hy.’
As scho diuisyt yai haiff done,
His sworn men become yai sone.
Ye wyff syn gert him syt & ete,
Bot he has schort quhile at ye mete
Syttyn quhen he hard gret stamping
Abowt ye hows, yen but letting
Yai stert wp ye hows for to defende,
[Bot] sone eftre ye king has kend
Iames off Dowglas. Yan wes he blyth
And bad oppyn ye durris swyth
And yai come in all yat yar war.
Schyr Eduuard ye Bruce wes yar,
And Iames alsua off Dowglas
Yat wes eschapyt fra ye chace
& with ye kingis broyer met,
Syn to ye tryst yat yaim wes set
Yai sped yaim with yar cumpany
Yat wer [ane hunder] & weile fyfty.
& quhen yat yai haiff sene ye king
Yai war ioyfull of yar meting
& askyt how yat he eschapyt was,
174
How ye [fyve] men him pressyt fast,
& how he throw ye water past,
& how he met ye thewis thre
& how he slepand slane suld be
Quhen he waknyt throw Goddis grace,
& how his foster brodyr was
Slayne he tauld yaim all haly.
Yan lowyt yai God commounly
Yat yar lord wes eschapyt swa,
Yan spak yai wordis to & fra
Till at ye last ye king gan say,
‘Fortoun ws trawaillyt fast today
Yat scalyt ws sa sodanly.
Our fayis to-nycht sall ly traistly
[For yai trow we so scalit ar
And fled to-vauerand her and yar
Yat we sall nocht thir dayis thre
All to-giddir assemblit be.
Yarfor yis nycht yai sall trastly]
But wachys tak yar ese & ly.
Quharfor quha knew yar herbery
& wald cum on yaim sodanly
With few mengȝe mycht yaim scaith
175
‘Perfay,’ quod Iames of Dowglas,
‘As I come hyddyrwart per cas
I come sa ner yar herbery
Yat I can bring ȝow quhar yai ly,
And wald ȝe speid ȝow ȝeit or day
It may swa happin yat we may
Do yaim a [gretar] scaith weile sone
Yan yai ws all day has done,
For yai ly scalyt as yaim lest.’
Yan thocht yaim all it wes ye best
To sped yaim to yaim hastyly,
And yai did swa in full gret hy
And come on yaim in ye dawing
Rycht as ye day begouth to spryng.
Sa fell it yat a cumpany
Had in a toun tan yar herbery
Weile fra ye ost a myle or mar,
Men said yat yai [twa hunder] war.
Yar assemblyt ye nobill king,
And sone eftre yar assembling
Yai yat slepand assaylyt war
Rycht hidwysly gan cry and rar,
And oyer sum yat herd ye cry
Ras sa rycht effrayitly
176
Fleand to warand her & yar,
And sum his armys with him drew,
And yai for-owtyn mercy yaim slew
And sa ewyll wengeance can ta
Yat ye twa partis of yaim & ma
War slayn rycht in yat ilk sted,
Till yar oist ye remanand fled.
Ye oyst yat hard ye noyis & cry
& [saw] yar men swa wrechytly
Sum nakit fleand her & yar,
Sum all hale, sum woundyt sar,
In-to full gret effray yai rais
And ilk man till his baner gays
Swa yat ye oyst wes all on ster.
Ye king & yai yat with him wer
Quhen on ster ye oyst saw sua
Towart yar warand gan yai ga,
And yar in sawete com yai.
& quhen schyr Aymer herd say
How yat ye king yar men had slayn
& how yai turnyt war agayn
177
Yat nobill hart quhar-euer it be
It is hard till ourcum throw maystri,
For quhar ane hart is rycht worthy
Agayne stoutnes it is ay stoute,
Na as I trow yar may na dowte
Ger it all-owt discumfyt be
Quhill body lewand is & fre,
As be yis melle may be sene.
We wend Robert ye Bruce had bene
Swa discomfyt yat be gud skill
He suld noyer haiff haid hart ne will
Swilk iuperty till wndreta,
For he put was at wndre swa
Yat he wes left all him allane
& all his folk war fra hym gayn,
& he sagat fortrawaillyt
To put yaim off yat him assaylit
Yat he suld haiff ȝarnyt resting
Yis nycht atour all oyer thing.
Bot his hart fillyt is off bounte
Swa yat it wencusyt may nocht be.’
On yis wys spak schyr Aymery,
& quhen yai off his cumpany
178
& how ye king yar men had slayn
And yat his wes gane all fre,
Yaim thocht it wes a nycete
For to mak yar langer duelling
Sen yai mycht nocht anoy ye king,
And said yat to schyr Amery,
Yat wmbethocht him hastily
Yat he to Carlele vald ga
And a quhill yarin soiourn ma
& haff his spyis on ye king
To knaw alwayis his contenyng,
And quhen yat he his poynt mycht se
He thocht yat with a gret menȝe
He suld schute apon him sudanly.
Yarfor with all his company
Till Ingland he ye way has tane,
And ilk man till his hous is gane.
In hy till Carlele went is he
And yarin thinkys for till be
Till he his poynt saw off ye king,
[Yat] yen with all his gadering
Wes in Carryk quhar [vmbestount]
He wald went with his men til hunt.
179
He went till hunt for till assay
Quhat gamyn was in yat countre,
And swa hapnyt yat day yat he
By a woud-syd to [sett] is gane
With his twa hundys him allane,
Bot he his suerd ay with him bar.
He had bot schort quhile syttyn yar
Quhen he saw fra ye woud cummand
Thre men with bowys in yar hand
Yat towart him come spedely,
And he yat persaywyt in hy
Be yar affer and yar hawing
Yat yai luffyt him nakyn thing,
He rais and his leysche till him drew he
& leyte hys hundis gang all fre.
God help ye king now for his mycht,
For bot he now be wys & wycht
He sall be set in mekill pres,
For yai thre men for-owtyn les
War his fayis all wtrely,
And wachyt him sa bysyly
To se quhen yai wengeance mycht tak
Off ye king for Ihon Comyn his sak
Yat yai thocht yan yai layser had.
180
In hy yai thocht yai suld him sla,
And gyff yat yai mycht chewys swa
Fra yat yai ye king had slayn
Yat yai mycht wyn ye woud agayn,
His men yaim thocht yai suld nocht dred.
In hy towart ye king yai ȝeid
And bent yar bowys quhen yai war ner,
And he yat dred on gret maner
Yar arowys, for he nakyt was,
In hy a speking to yaim mais
And said, ‘Ȝow aucht to schame perde
Sen ik am ane & ȝe ar thre
For to schute at me apon fer.
Bot had ȝe hardyment to cum ner
And with ȝour suerdis till assay,
Wyn me apon sic wys giff ȝe may,
Ȝe sall wele owte mar prisyt be.’
‘Perfay,’ quod ane yan off ye thre,
‘Sall na man say we dred ye swa
Yat we with arowys sall ye sla.’
With yat yar bowys away yai kest
And come on fast but langer frest.
Ye king yaim met full hardyly
181
Yat he fell dede doun on ye gren.
And quhen ye kingis hund has sene
Yai men assailȝe his maister swa
He lap till ane & gan him ta
Rycht be ye nek full sturdyly.
Till top our tale he gert him ly,
And ye king yat his suerd out had
Saw he sa fayr succour him maid.
Or he yat fallyn wes mycht rys
[He] him assayllyt on sic wys
Yat he ye bak strak ewyn in twa.
Ye thrid yat saw his falowis swa
For-owtyn recoueryng be slayne
Tok to ye wod his way agane,
Bot ye king folowit spedyly,
And als ye hund yat wes him by
Quhen he ye man saw fle him fra
Schot till him sone & gan him ta
Rycht be ye nek and till him dreuch,
And ye king yat was ner yneucht
In hys ryssing sik rowt him gaff
Yat stane-dede to ye [erd] he draff.
Ye kingis men [yat] wer yan ner
182
Ye king assaillyt sa sodanly
Yai sped yaim towart him in hy
And askyt how yat cas befell,
And he all haly gan yaim tell
How yai assaillyt him all thre.
‘Perfay,’ quod yai, ‘we may wele se
Yat it is hard till wndretak
Sic melling with ȝow to mak
Yat swa smertly has slayn yir thre
For-owtyn hurt.’ ‘Perfay,’ said he,
‘[I slew bot ane forouten ma]
God & my hund has slayn ye twa.
Yar tresoun combryt yaim perfay
For rycht wycht men all thre war yai.’
Quhen yat ye king throw Goddis grace
On yis maner eschapyt was
He blew his horn & yen in hy
Hys gud men till him gan rely,
Yen hamwartis buskyt he to far
For yat day wald he hunt no mar.
In Glentruell all a quhile he lay,
And went weyle oft to hunt & play
For to purches yaim venesoun,
For yan der war in sesoun.
In all yat tyme schyr Aymery
With nobill men in cumpany
183
And quhen he hard ye certante
Yat in Glentrewle wes ye king
& went till hunt & till playing,
He thocht with hys chewalry
To cum apon him sodanly
And fra Carlele on nychtis ryd
And in cowert on dayis bid,
And swagate with [syc] tranonting
He thocht he suld suppris ye king.
He assemblyt a gret mengne
Off folk off full gud renomme
Bath off Scottis & Inglis-men.
Yar way all samyn held yai yen
And raid on nycht sa preuely
Till yai come in a wod ner by
Glentruele, quhar logyt wes ye king
Yat wyst rycht nocht off yar cummyng.
Into gret perile now is he,
For bot [God] throw his gret powste
Save him he sall be slayne or tane,
For yai war sex quhar he wes ane.
Quhen schyr Amery as ik haiff tauld
With his men yat war stout & bauld
184
War bot a myle fra him away
He tuk awisement with his men
On quhat maner yai suld do yen.
For he said yaim yat ye king was
Logyt in-to sa strayt a place
Yat horsmen mycht nocht him assaile,
And giff futemen gaiff him battaile
He suld be hard to wyn giff he
Off yar cummyng may wytteryt be.
‘Yarfor I rede all preuely
We send a woman him to spy
Yat powerly arrayit be.
Scho may ask mete per cheryte
And se yar conwyn halily
And apon quhat maner yai ly,
Ye quhilis we & our menȝe
Cumand owt-throw ye wode may be
On fute all armyt as we ar.
May we do swa yat we cum yar
On yaim or yai wyt our cummyng,
We sall fynd in yaim na sturting.’
Yis consaill thocht yaim wes to best,
Yen send yai furth but langer frest
Ye woman yat suld be yar spy,
185
Rycht to ye logis quhar ye king
Yat had na drede off supprising
Yheid wnarmyt mery and blyth.
Ye woman has he sene alswyth,
He saw hyr wncouth and foryi
He beheld hyr mar encrely,
& be hyr contenance him thocht
Yat for gud cummyn wes scho nocht.
Yen gert he men in hy hyr ta,
And scho yat dred men suld hyr sla
Tauld how yat schyr Amery
With ye Clyffurd in cumpany
With ye flour off Northummyrland
War cummand on yaim at yar hand.
Quhen yat ye king herd yat tithing
He armyt him but mar duelling,
Sa did yai all yat euer wes yar,
Syne in a sop assemblyt ar,
I trow yai war thre hunder ner.
And quhen yai all assemblit wer
Ye king his baner gert display
And set his men in gud aray,
Bot yai had standyn bot a thraw
Rycht at yar hand quhen yat yai saw
186
Armyt on fute with sper in hand
Yat sped yaim full enforcely.
Ye noyis begouth sone and ye cry,
For ye gud king yat formast was
[Stoutly] towart his fayis gays,
And hynt owt off a mannys hand
Yat ner besyd him wes gangand
A bow and [a braid arow] als,
And hyt ye formast in ye hals
Till thropill and wesand ȝeid in [twa]
And he doun till ye erd gan ga.
Ye laiff with yat maid a stopping,
Yan but mar bad ye nobill king
Hynt fra his baneour his banar
And said, ‘Apon yaim, for yai ar
Discumfyt all.’ With yat word
He swappyt swyftly out his suord
And on yaim ran sa hardely
Yat all yai off his cumpany
Tuk hardyment off his gud deid,
For sum yat fryst yar wayis ȝeid
Agayne come to ye fycht in hy
And met yar fayis wigorusly
Yat all ye formast ruschyt war,
187
Saw yat ye formast left ye sted
Yai tornyt sone ye bak & fled
And owt off ye wod yaim withdrew.
Ye king a few men off yaim slew
For yai rycht sone yar gat gan ga.
It discomfortyt yaim all sua
Yat ye king with his mengne was
All armyt to defend yat place
Yat yai wend throw yar tranonting
Till haiff wonnyn for-owtyn fechtin
Yat yai effrayit war sodanly,
And [he] yaim soucht sa angyrly
Yat yai in full gret hy agane
Owt off ye wod rane to ye plane,
For yaim faillyt off yar entent.
Yai war yat tyme sa foully schent
Yat [fyften hunder] men & ma
With a few mengne war rebotyt swa
Yat yai withdrew yaim schamfully.
Yarfor amang yaim sodanly
Yar rais debate and gret distance,
Ilkan wytt oyer off yar myschance.
Clyffurd & Waus maid a melle
188
And ayir syne drew till partys,
Bot schyr Aymer yat wes wys
Departyt yaim with mekill payn,
And went till Ingland hame again.
He wyst fra stryff ras yaim amang
He suld yaim nocht hald samyn lang
For-owtyn debate or melle,
Yarfor till Ingland turnyt he
With mar schame yen he went of ton,
Quhen sa mony off sic renone
Saw sa few men bid yaim battaill
Quhar yai ne war hardy till assaile.
189
[BOOK VIII]
Ye king, fra schyr Aymer wes gane,Gadryt his menȝe euerilkan
And left bath woddis & montanys
And held hys way strak till ye planys,
For he wald fayne yat end war maid
Off yat yat he begunnyn had,
And he wyst weill he mycht nocht bring
It to gud end but trawalling.
To Kyle went he fryst & yat land
He maid all till him obeysand,
Ye men maist force come till his pes.
Syne efterwart or he wald ses
Of Conyngayme ye maist party
He gert held till his senȝowry.
In Boithweill yen schyr Aymer was
Yat in hys hart gret angre has
For [yai] off Cunyngame & Kile
Yat war obeysand till him quhile
Left Inglis-mennys fewte.
Yaroff fayne wengyt wald he be,
And send Philip ye Mowbray
With a thowsand as ik herd say
Off men yat war in his leding
To Kile for to werray ye king.
190
Had spyis owt on ilka sid
Wyst off yar cummyng & yat yai
Wald hald doune Makyrnokis way.
He tuk with him all preuely
Yaim yat war off his cumpany
Yat war [fourty] with-owtyn ma,
Syne till a strait place gan he ga
Yat is in Makyrnokis way,
Ye [Edir] ford it hat perfay,
It lyis betuix marrais tua
Quhar yat na hors on lyve may ga.
On ye south halff quhar Iames was
Is ane wpgang, a narow pas,
And on ye north halff is ye way
Sa ill as it apperis to-day.
Dowglas with yaim he with him had
Enbuschyt him and yaim abaid,
He mycht weile fer se yar cummyng
Bot yai mycht se of hym na thing.
Yai baid in buschement all ye nycht,
And quhen ye sone was schynand brycht
Yai saw in battaillyng cum arayit
Ye waward with baner displayit,
& syne sone ye remanand
Yai saw weile ner behind cummand.
Yen held yai yaim still & preue
191
War entryt in ye ford yaim by,
Yen schot yai on yaim with a cry
And with wapnys yat scharply schar
Sum in ye ford yai bakwart bar,
& sum with [arowis] barblyt braid
Sa gret martyrdome on yaim has maid
Yat yai gan draw to woyd ye place,
Bot by-hynd yaim sa stoppyt was
Ye way yat yai fast mycht nocht fle,
And yat gert mony off yaim de,
For yai on na wys mycht away
Bot as yai come bot giff yat yai
Wald throw yar fayis hald ye gat,
Bot yat way thocht yaim all to hat.
Yar fayis met yaim sa sturdely
& contenyt ye fycht sa hardily
Yat yai sa dredand war yat yai
Yat fyrst mycht fle fyrst fled away,
And [quhen] ye rerward saw yaim swa
Discumfyt & yar wayis ga
Yai fled on fer & held yar way.
Bot schyr Philip ye Mowbray
Yat with ye formast ridand was
Yat entryt wes in ye place,
Quhen yat he saw how he wes stad
Throw ye gret worschip yat he had
With spuris he strak ye steid off pryce
192
Throw ye thikkest off yaim he raid,
And but challance eschapyt had
Ne war [ane hynt] him by ye brand,
Bot ye gud steid yat wald nocht stand
Lansyt furth deliuerly.
Bot ye toyer sa stalwartly
Held [yat ye belt] braist off ye brand
And suerd and belt left in hys hand,
And he but suerd his wayis raid
Weill otowth yaim and yar abaid,
And beheld how yat his menȝe fled
And how his fayis clengyt ye steid
Yat war betuix him and his men.
Yarfor furth ye wayis tuk he yen
To Kylmarnok & Kilwynnyne
And till Ardrossane eftre syne,
Syne throw ye Largis him allane
Till Ennirkyp ye way has tane
Rycht to ye castell yat wes yen
Stuffyt all with Inglismen
Yat him resaiffyt in daynte,
And fra yai wyst howgat yat he
Sa fer had rydin him allane
Throw yaim yat war his fayis ilkan
193
And lovyt fast his chewalry.
Schyr Philip yus eschapyt was,
And Dowglas [ȝet] wes in ye place
Quhar he sexty has slayne & ma,
Ye layff fouly yar gat gan ga
And fled to Bothwell hame agayne
Quhar Schyr Aymer wes na thing fayn
Quhen he herd tell on yat maner
Yat his mengne discumfyt wer.
Bot quhen to king Robert wes tauld
How yat ye Dowglas yat wes bauld
Wencussyt sa fele with fewe menȝe
Rycht ioyfull in his hart wes he,
& all his menȝe confortyt war
For yaim thocht weille bath les & mar
Yat yai suld less yar fayis dreid
Sen yar purpos sa with yaim ȝeid.
Ye king lay in Galliston
Yat is rycht ewyn anent Lowdoun
& till his pes tuk ye cuntre.
Quhen schir Aymer & his menȝe
Hard how he ryotyt ye land
& how yat nane durst him withstand
He wes in-till his hart angry,
194
He send him word, & said giff he
Durst him in-to ye planys se
He suld ye [tend] day of May
Cum wndyr Lowdoun hill away,
& giff yat he wald meyt him yar
He said his worschip suld be mar,
& mar be turnyt in nobillay,
To wyn him in ye playne away
With hard dintis in ewyn fechting
Yen to do fer mar with skulking.
Ye king yat hard his messynger
Had dispyt apon gret maner
That schyr Aymer spak sa heyly,
Yarfor he ansueryt irusly
And to ye messynger said he,
‘Say to yi lord giff yat I be
In lyfe he sall me se yat day
Weyle ner giff he dar hald ye way
Yat he has said, for sekyrly
Be Lowdoun hill mete him sall I.’
Ye messinger but mare abaid
Till his maistre ye wayis raid
& his ansuer him tauld alswith
Quharof he was bath glaid & blyth,
For he thocht throw his mekill mycht
Gyff ye king durst cum to fycht
195
Yat suld be in his cumpany
He suld swa ourcum ye king
Yat yar suld be na recowering.
And ye king on ye toyer party
Yat was all wis & auerty
Raid for to se & cheis ye place,
And saw ye hey gat liand was
Apon a fayr feild ewyn & dry,
Bot apon ayir sid yarby
Wes a gret mos mekill & braid
Yat fra ye way wes quhar men raid
A bow-draucht weile on ayer sid,
And yat place thocht him all to wyd
Till abyd men yat horsyt war.
Yarfor [thre] dykys our-thuort he schar
Fra baith ye mossis to ye way
Yat war sa fer fra oyer yat yai
War ytwyn a bow-draucht or mar.
Sa holl and hey ye dykys war
Yat men mycht nocht but mekill pane
Pas yaim yocht nane war yaim agan,
Bot sloppys in ye way left he
Sa large & off sic quantite
Yat [fyve hunder] mycht samyn rid
In at ye sloppis sid be sid.
Yar thocht he battaile for to bid
And bargane yaim, for he na [drede]
196
Na ȝeit behind giff yaim battaile,
& befor thocht him weill yat he
Suld fra yar mycht defendyt be.
Thre dep dykys he gert yar ma,
For, gyff he mycht nocht weill ourta
To mete [yaim at] ye fyrst, yat he
Suld have ye toyer on his pouste,
Be yan ye thrid gyff it war sua
Yat yai had passyt ye toyer twa.
On yis wys him ordanys he,
And syne assemblit his mengne
Yat war [sex] hunder fechtand men,
But rangale yat wes with him yen
Yat war als fele as yai or ma.
With all yat mengne gan he ga
Ye ewyn or yat ye bataill suld be
Till litill Lowd un quhar yat he
Wald abid to se thair cummyng,
Syne with ye men of his leding
He thocht to sped him sua yat he
Suld at ye dyk befor yaim be.
Schyr Aymer on ye toyer party
Gadryt sua gret chewalry
Yat he mycht be thre thowsand ner
Armyt & dycht on gud maner,
197
He held towart his trist his way
Quhen ye set day cummyn was.
He sped him fast towart ye place
Yat he nemmyt for to fycht,
Ye sone wes ryssyn schynand brycht
Yat schawyt on ye scheldis brade
In [twa] eschelis ordanyt he had
Ye folk yat he had in leding.
Ye king weile sone in ye mornyng
Saw fyrst cummand yar fyrst eschele
Arrayit sarraly and weile,
And at yar bak sumdeill ner-hand
He saw ye toyer folowand,
Yar bassynettis burnyst all [brycht]
Agayne ye son glemand off lycht,
Yar speris pennonys and yar scheldis
Off lycht enlumvnyt all ye feldis,
Yar best & browdyn brycht baneris
And hors hewyt on ser maneris
And cot-armowris off ser colour
And hawbrekis yat war quhyt as flour
Maid yaim gleterand as yai war lyk
Tyll angelys hey off hewynnys ryk.
198
How ȝon men throw yar gret poweste
Wald, and yai mycht fulfill yar will,
Sla ws, & makys sembland yar-till,
And sen we knaw yar felny
Ga we mete yaim sa hardily
Yat ye stowtest of yar mengȝe
Off our meting abaysit be,
For gyff ye formast egrely
Be met ȝe sall se sodanly
Ye henmaist sall abaysit be.
And youcht yat yai be ma yan we
Yat suld abays ws litill thing,
For quhen we cum to ye fechting
Yar may mete ws no ma yan we.
Yarfor lordingis ilkan suld be
Off ws worthi off gret walour
For to maynteyme her our honour.
Thynkis quhat glaidschip ws abidis
Gyff yat we may as weile betidis
Haff wictour off our fayis her,
For yar is nane yan fer na ner
In all thys land yat ws thar doute.’
Yen said yai all yat stud about,
‘Schyr gyff God will we sall sa do
Yat na reprow sall fall yar-to.’
‘Now ga we furth yan,’ said ye king,
‘Quhar he yat maid off nocht all thing
Lede ws & saiff ws for his mycht
199
With yat yai held yar way in hy
Weill [sex hunder] in cumpany
Stalwart and stout worthi & wycht
Bot yai war all to few ik hycht
Agayne sa fele to stand in stour
Ne war yar wtrageous walour.
Now gais ye nobill king his way
Rycht stoutly and in gud aray,
And to ye formast dyk is gane
And in ye slop ye feld has tane.
Ye cariage & ye powyrall
Yat war nocht worth in ye bataill
Behynd him levyt he all still
Syttand all samyn on ye hyll.
Schyr Aymer ye king has sene
With his men yat war cant & kene
Come to ye playne doune fra ye hill
As him thocht in full gud will
For to defend or to assaile
Gyff ony wald him bid battaill.
Yarfor his men confortit he
And bad yaim wycht & worthi be,
For gyff yat yai mycht wyne ye king
& haiff wictour off his fechting
Yai suld rycht weile rewardyt be
And ek gretly yar renomme.
200
And he left his amonesting
And gert trump to ye assemble,
And ye formest off his mengne
Enbrasyt with ye scheldis braid
And rycht sarraly togydder raid
With heid stoupand and speris straucht
Rycht to ye king yar wayis raucht,
Yat met yaim with sa gret vigour
Yat ye best and off maist valour
War laid at erd at yar meting,
Quhar men mycht her sic a breking
Off speris yat to-fruschyt war
And ye woundyt sa cry and rar
Yat it anoyus wes to her,
For yai yat fyrst assemblyt wer
Fwyngyt and faucht full sturdely.
Ye noyis begouth yen and ye cry.
A mychty God quha yar had bene
And had ye kingis worschip sene
And his brodyr yat waine him by
Yat stonayit yaim sa hardely
Yat yair gud deid and yair bounte
Gaiff gret confort to yar mengȝe,
And how Douglas sa manlily
Confortyt yaim yat war him by,
201
To wyn honour & cum yar-till.
Ye kingis men sa worthi war
Yat with speris yat scharply schar
Yai stekit men & stedis baith
Till rede blud ran off woundis raith.
Ye hors yat woundyt war [gan] fling
And ruschyt yar folk in yar flynging
Swa yat yai yat ye formast war
War skalyt in soppys her & yar.
Ye king [yat] saw yaim ruschyt swa
And saw yaim reland to & fra
Ran apon yaim sa egrely
And dang on yaim sa hardely
Yat fele gart off his fayis fall.
Ye feild wes ner coueryt all
Bath with slane hors & with men,
For ye gud king yar folowit yen
With [fyve hunder] yat wapnys bar
Yat wald yar fayis na thing spar.
Yai dang on yaim sa hardely
Yat in schort tyme men mycht se ly
At erd [ane] hunder and wele mar.
Ye remanand sa fleyit war
Yat yai begouth yaim to withdraw,
202
Yar waward be sa discumfyt
Yai fled for-owtyn mar respyt.
And quhen schyr Aymer has sene
His men fleand haly beden
Wyt ȝe weile him wes full way,
Bot he moucht nocht ammonys sway
Yat ony for him walde torne agane,
& quhen he saw he tynt his payn
He turnyt his bridill & to-ga,
For ye gud king yaim presit swa
Yat sum war dede & sum war tane
And ye laiff yar gat ar gane.
Ye folk fled apon yis maner
For-owt arest, & schir Aymer
Agane to Boithweill is gane
Menand ye scaith yat he has tane,
Sa schamfull yat he wencusit wais
Yat till Ingland in hy he gais
Rycht to ye king and schamfully
He gaff wp yar his wardanry,
Na newyr syne for nakyn thing
Bot giff he come rycht with ye king
Come he to werray Scotland,
Sa hewyly he tuk on hand
Yat ye king in-to set battaill
203
Wencusyt him with a gret menȝe
Yat war renonyt off gret bounte.
Syc anoy had schyr Amery,
And king Robert yat wes hardy
Abaid rycht still in-to ye place
Till yat his men had left ye chace,
Syne with presoneris yat yai had tane
Yai ar towart yar innys gane
Fast lowand God off yar weilfar.
He mycht haiff sene yat had bene yar
A folk yat mery wes & glaid
For yar wictour, & als yai haid
A lord yat sa swete wes ande deboner
Sa curtais and off sa fayr effer
Sa blyth & als sa weill bourdand
And in battaill sa styth to stand
Swa wys & rycht swa awise
Yat yai had gret caus blyth to be.
Swa war yai blyth withowtyn dout,
For fele yat wynnyt yaim about
Fra yai ye king saw help him swa
Till him yar homage gan yai ma.
Yan woux his power mar & mar,
And he thocht weile yat he wald far
Oute-our ye Mounth with his menȝe
204
In-to schyr Alexander Fraser
He traistyt for yai cosyngis wer
And his broder Symon, yai twa.
He had mystre weile of ma
For he had fayis mony ane.
Schir Ihon Cumyn erle off Bouchquhane
And schyr Ihon ye Mowbray syne
And gud schyr Dauid off Brechyne
With all ye folk off yar leding
War fayis to ye noble king,
And for he wyst yai war his fayis
His wiage yidderwart he tais,
For he wald se quhatkyn ending
Yai wald set on yar manassing.
Ye king buskyt & maid him ȝar
Northwartis with his folk to far,
His brodyr gan he with him ta
And schyr Gilbert de le Hay alsua,
Ye erle off Leuenax als wes yar
Yat with ye king was our-all-quhar,
Schyr Robert Boyd and oyer ma.
Ye king gan furth his wayis ta,
And left Iames off Douglas
With all ye folk yat with him was
Behind him for to luk giff he
Mycht recower his countre.
He left in-to full gret perill,
205
Throw his gret worschip sa he wrocht
Yat to ye kingis pes he brocht
Ye forest of Selcrik all hale,
And alsua did he Douglas dale
And Iedworthis forest alsua.
And quha-sa weile on hand couth ta
To tell his worschippis ane & ane
He suld fynd off yaim mony ane,
For in his tyme as men said me
[Thretten] tymys wencusyt wes he
And had wictouris [seuin & fyfty].
Hym semyt nocht lang ydill to ly,
Be his trawaill he had na will,
Me think men suld him love with skill.
Yis Iames quhen ye king wes gane
All preuely his men has tane
& went to Dowglas daile agane,
And maid all preuely a trane
Till yaim yat in ye castell war.
A buschement slely maid he yar,
& off his men [fourtene] or ma
He gert as yai war sekkis ta
Fyllyt with gres, & syne yaim lay
Apon yar hors & hald yar way
Rycht as yai wald to Lanark far
206
& quhen yai off ye castell saw
Sa fele ladys gang on raw
Off yat sycht yai war wonder fayn
And tauld it to yar capitane
Yat hate schyr Ihone off Webetoun.
He wes baith ȝong stoute & felloun
Ioly alsua & walageous,
And for yat he was amorous
He wald isch fer ye blythlyar.
He gert his men tak all yar ger
And isch to get yaim wittaille,
For yar wittaile gan fast yaim faile.
Yai ischyt all abandounly
And prykkyt furth sa wilfully
To wyn ye ladys yat yai saw pas
Quhill yat Douglas with his was
All betuix yaim & ye castell.
Ye laid-men yat persawyt weill,
Yai kest yar ladys doun in hy,
& yar gownys deliuerly
Yat heylyt yaim yai kest away,
And in gret hy yar hors hint yai
And stert apon yaim sturdely
And met yar fayis with a cry,
Yat had gret wonder quhen yai saw
207
Cum apon yaim sa hardely.
Yai woux abaysit sodanly
And at ye castell wald haiff bene,
Quhen yai on oyer halff has sene
Dowglas brak his enbuschement
Yat agayne yaim rycht stoutly went.
Yai wyst nocht quhat to do na say,
Yar fayis on ayir sid saw yai
Yat strak on yaim for-owtyn sparing,
And yai mycht help yaim selwyn na thing
Bot fled to warrand quhar yai mocht,
And yai sa angryly yaim socht
Yat off yaim all eschapyt nane.
Schyr Ihoun Webetoun yar wes slane,
And quhen he dede wes as ȝe her
Yai fand in-till his coffeir
A lettyr yat him send a lady
Yat he luffyt per drouery,
Yat said quhen he had ȝemyt a ȝer
In wer as a gud bachiller
Ye awenturis castell off Douglas
Yat to kepe sa peralus was
Yan mycht he weile ask a lady
Hyr amowris and hyr drouery,
208
And quhen yai slayne on yis wyse wer
Dowglas rycht to ye castell raid
And yar sa gret debate he maid
Yat in ye castell entryt he,
I wate nocht all ye certante
Quhethyr it wes throw strenth or slycht,
Bot he wrocht sua with mekill mycht
Yat ye constabill & all ye laiff
Yat war yarin bath man & knaw
He tuk & gaiff yaim dispending
And sent yaim hame but mar grewing
To ye Cliffurd in yar countre.
And syne sa besyly wrocht he
Yat he tumblyt doun all ye wall
And destroyit ye housis all,
Syne till ye forest held his way
Quhar he had mony ane hard assay
& mony fayr poynt off wer befell.
Quha couth yaim all rehers or tell
He suld say yat his name suld be
Lestand in-to full gret renoune.
209
[BOOK IX]
Now leve we in-till ye forestDowglas yat sall bot litill rest
Till ye countre deliueryt be
Off Inglis folk & yar powste,
And turne we till ye noble king
Yat with ye folk off his leding
Towart ye Month has tane his wai
Rycht stoutly and in-till gud array,
Quhar Alysander Frayser him met
And als his broder Symonet
With all ye folk yai with yaim had.
Ye king gud contenance yaim maid
Yat wes rycht blyth off yar cummyne.
Yai tauld ye king off ye conwyne
Off Ihone Cumyn erle of Bouchane
Yat till help him had with him tane
Schyr Ihon Mowbray & oyer ma,
Schyr Dauid off Brechyn alsua,
With all ye folk off yar leding,
‘And ȝarnys mar na ony thing
210
For schyr Ihone ye Cumyn his sak
Yat quhylum in Drumfres wes slayn.’
Ye king said, ‘Sa our Lord me sayn
Ik had gret caus him for to sla,
And sen yat yai on hand will ta
Becaus off him to werray me
I sall thole a quhile & se
On quhat wys yat yai pruwe yar mycht,
& giff it fall yat yai will fycht
Giff yai assaile we sall defend,
Syne fall eftre quhat God will send.’
Eftre yis spek ye king in hy
Held straucht his way till Enrowry,
And yar him tuk sik a seknes
Yat put him to full hard distres.
He forbar bath drynk & mete,
His men na medicyne couth get
Yat euer mycht to ye king awaile,
Hys force gan him halyly faile
Yat he mycht noyer rid na ga.
Yen wyt ȝe yat his men war wa,
For nane wes in yat company
Yat wald haiff bene halff sa sary
211
Lyand befor him in yat steid
As yai war for his seknes,
For all yar confort in him wes.
Bot gud schyr Eduuard ye worthi
His broder yat wes sa hardy
And wys and wycht set mekill payn
To comfort yaim with all his mayn,
And quhen ye lordis yat yar war
Saw yat ye ill ay mar & mar
Trawaillyt ye king, yaim thocht in hy
It war nocht spedfull yar to ly,
For yar all playne wes ye countre
And yai war bot a few menȝe
To ly but strenth in-to ye playne.
For-yi till yat yar capitane
War coweryt off his mekill ill
Yai thocht to wend sum strenthis till.
For folk for-owtyn capitane
Bot yai ye better be apayn
[Sall] nocht be all sa gud in deid
As yai a lord had yaim to leid
Yat dar put him in awentur
But abaysing to tak ye wre
Yat God will send, for quhen yat he
212
Yat he dar put him till assay
His folk sall tak ensample ay
Off his gud deid & his bounte,
And ane off yaim sall be worth thre
Off yaim yat wikkyt chifftane hais,
His wrechytnes sa in yaim gais
Yat yai yar manlynes sall tyn
Throw wrechitnes of his conwyn.
For quhen ye lord yat yaim suld leid
May do nocht bot as he war ded
Or fra his folk haldis his way
Fleand, trow ȝe nocht yan yat yai
Sall wencusyt in yar hartis be.
Ȝis sall yai, as I trow per de,
Bot giff yar hartis be sa hey
Yat yai na will for yar worschip flei,
And yocht sum be of sic bounte
Quhen yai ye lord and his menȝe
Seys fley, ȝeit sall yai fley apayn
For all men fleis ye deid rycht fayne.
Se quhat he dois yat swa fowlly
Fleys yus for his cowardy,
Bath him and his wencusy[s] he
And gerris his fayis abowne be.
Bot he yat throw his gret noblay
Till perallis him abandownys ay
213
Gerris [yame] be of sa gret bounte
Yat mony tyme wnlikly thing
Yai bring rycht weill to gud ending.
Sa did yis king yat ik off reid,
And for his wtrageous manheid
Confortyt his on sic maner
Yat nane had radnes quhar he wer.
Yai wald nocht fecht till yat he wes
Liand in-till his seknes,
Yarfor in litter yai him lay
And till ye Sleuauch held yar way
And thocht yar in yat strenth to ly
Till passyt war his malady.
Bot fra ye erle of Buchane
Wyst yat yai war yidder gane
And wyst [yat sa] sek wes ye king
Yat men dowtyt off his cowering,
He sent eftre his men in hy
And assemblyt a gret company,
For all his awine men war yar
And all his frendis with him war,
Yat wes schir Ihonne ye Mowbray
And his brodyr as ik hard say
214
With fele folk in yar ledyng.
And quhen yai all assemblit war
In hy yai tuk yar way to far
To ye Sleuauch with all yar men
For till assaile ye king [yat] yen
Wes liand in-till his seknes.
Yis wes eftyr ye Martymes
Quhen snaw had helyt all ye land.
To ye Sleuauch yai come ner-hand
Arayit on yar best maner,
And yane ye kingis men yat wer
War off yar come yaim apparaylyt
To defend giff yai yaim assaylyt,
And nocht-foryi yar fayis war
Ay twa for ane yat yai war yar.
Ye erlys men ner cummand war
Trumpand and makand mekill far
And maid knychtis quhen yai war ner,
And yai yat in ye woddis sid wer
Stud in aray rycht sarraly
And thocht to byd yar hardyly
Ye cummyng off yar ennymys,
Bot yai wald apon nakyn wys
Ische till assaile yaim in fechting
Till coweryt war ye nobill king,
Bot and oyir wald yaim assailȝe
215
And quhen ye erlis cumpany
Saw yat yai wrocht sa wisely
Yat yai yar strenth schupe to defend,
Yar archeris furth to yaim yai send
To bykkyr yaim & men off mayne,
And [yai] send archeris yaim agayne
Yat bykkyrryt yaim sa sturdely
Till yai off ye erlis party
In-till yar battaill drywyn war.
Thre dayis on yis wys lay yai yar
And bykkyrryt yaim euerilk day
Bot yar bowmen ye war had ay.
And quhen ye kingis cumpany
Saw yar fayis befor yaim ly
Yat ilk day wox ma & ma,
& yai war quhone & stad war sua
Yat yai had na thing for till eyt
Bot giff yai trawaillit it to get,
Yarfor yai tuk consale in-to hy
Yat yar wald yai na langer ly
Bot hald yar way quhar yai mycht get
To yaim and yaris wittaillis & mete.
In a littar ye king yai lay
And redyit yaim and held yar way
216
Ilk man buskyt him in his degre
To fycht giff yai assaillyt war.
In myddis yaim ye king yai bar
And ȝeid about him sarraly
And nocht full gretly yaim gan hy.
Ye erle and yai yat with him war
Saw yat yai buskit yaim to far,
And saw how with sa litill effray
Yai held furth with ye king yar way
Redy to fycht quha wald assaile.
Yar hartis begouth all to faile
And in pes lete yaim pas yar way
And till yar howsis hame went yai.
Ye erle his way tuk to Bowchane,
And schyr Eduuard ye Bruce is gane
Rycht to Strabolghy with ye king
And swa lang yar maid soiornyng
Till he begouth to cowyr & ga,
And syne yar wayis gan yai ta
Till Innerrowry straucht agane,
For yai wald ly in-to ye plane
Ye wynter sesone, for wittaile
In-till ye plane mycht yaim nocht faile.
Ye erle wyst yat yai war yar
217
Brechyne & Mowbray & yar men
All till ye erle assemblyt yen,
And war a full gret cumpany
Off men arayit iolyly.
Till Auld Meldrum yai ȝeid ye way
And yar with yar men logit yai
Befoir Ȝhule ewyn a nycht but mar,
A thowsand trow I weile yai war.
Yai logyt yaim all yar yat nycht
& on ye morn quhen day wes lycht
Ye lord off Brechyn schyr Dawy
Is went towart Innerrowry
To luk gyff he on ony wys
Mycht do skaith till his ennymys,
And till ye end off Innerrowry
Come ridand sa sodanly
Yat off ye kingis men he slew
A part, & oyer sum yaim withdrew
And fled yar way towart ye king
Yat with ye maist off his gadryng
On ye ȝond half Doun wes yan liand.
And quhen men tauld him [tithand]
How schyr Dawy had slayn his men
218
And bad his men all mak yaim ȝar
In-to gret hy, for he wald far
To bargane with his ennymys.
With yat he buskyt for to rys
Yat wes nocht all weill coweryt yen.
Yen said sum off his prewe men,
‘Quhat thynk ȝe yusgat to far
To fycht and nocht ȝeit coweryt ar.’
‘Ȝhis,’ said ye king, ‘withowtyn wer,
Yar bost has maid me haile & fer,
For suld na medicyne sa sone
Haiff coweryt me as yai haiff done.
Yairfor sa God him selff me se
I sall oyir haiff yaim or yai me.’
And quhen his men has hard ye king
Set him sa hale for ye fechting,
Off hys cowering all blyth yai war
And maid yaim for ye battaill ȝar.
Ye nobill king & his mengȝe
Yat mycht weile ner [seuin hunder] be
Towart Auld Meldrum tuk ye way
Quhar ye erle & his menȝe lay.
Ye discourrouris saw yaim cummand
Wyth baneris to ye wynd wawand
And ȝeid to yar lord in hy
219
& yaim arayit for battaile,
Behind yaim set yai yar [merdale]
And maid gud sembland for to fycht.
Ye king come on with mekill mycht
And yai abaid makand gret fayr
Till yai ner at assembling wayr,
Bot quhen yai saw ye nobill king
Cum stoutly on for-owtyn fenȝeing
A litill on bridill yai yaim withdrew,
And ye king yat rycht weill knew
Yat yai war all discumfyt ner
Pressyt on yaim with his baner
And yai withdrew mar & mar.
And quhen ye small folk yai had yar
Saw yar lordis withdraw yaim swa
Yai turnyt ye bak all & to-ga
And fled all scalyt her & yar.
Ye lordis yat ȝeyt to-gydder war
Saw yat yar small folk war fleand
And saw ye king stoutly cummand,
Yai war ilkane abaysit swa
Yat yai ye bak gave and to-ga,
A litill stound samyn held yai
And syne ilk man has tane his way.
Fell neuer men sa foule myschance
220
For quhen ye kingis cumpany
Saw yat yai fled sa foulyly
Yai chasyt yaim with all yar mayn
& sum yai tuk & sum has slayn.
Ye remanand war fleand ay,
Quha had gud hors gat best away.
Till Ingland fled ye erle off Bowchquhane
Schyr Ihon Mowbray is with him gane
And war resett with ye king,
Bot yai had bath bot schort lesting
For yai deyt sone eftre syne.
And schyr Dauid off Breychyne
Fled till Brechyne his awine castell
And warnyst it bath fayr & weill,
Bot ye erle off Atholl Dawy
His sone yat wes in Kyldromy
Come syne and him assegyt yar,
And he yat wald hald were ne mar
Na bargane with ye nobile king
Come syne his man with gud treting.
Now ga we to ye king agayne
Yat off his wictory wes rycht fayn,
And gert his men bryn all Bowchane
Fra end till end and sparyt nane,
And heryit yaim on sic maner
221
Men menyt ye herschip off Bouchane.
Ye king yan till his pes has tane
Ye north cuntreys yat humbly
Obeysyt till his senȝowry
Swa yat be north ye Month war nane
Yen yai his men war euerilkan,
His lordschip wox ay mar & mar.
Towart Angus syne gan he far
And thocht sone to mak all fre
Yat wes on ye north halff ye Scottis se.
Ye castell off Forfayr wes yen
Stuffyt all with Inglis-men,
Bot Philip ye Forestar off Platane
Has off his freyndis with him tane,
And with leddrys all preuely
Till ye castell he gan him hy
And [clam] wp our ye wall off stane
And swagate has ye castell tane
Throw faute off wach with litill pane,
And syne all yat he fand has slayne,
Syne ȝauld ye castell to ye king
Yat maid him rycht gud rewarding,
And syne gert brek doun ye wall
And fordyd well and castell all.
Quhen yat ye castell off Forfar
222
Doun till ye erd as ik haiff tauld,
Ye king yat wycht wes wys and bauld
Yat thocht yat he wald mak all fre
Apon ye northhalff ye Scottis se
Till Perth is went with all his rout
And wmbeset ye toun about
And till it a sege has set.
Bot quhill it mycht haiff men & met
It mycht nocht but gret payne be tane
For all ye wall wes yen of stane
And wycht towris and hey-standand,
And yat tyme war yarin duelland
[Mushet] and als Olyfard,
Yai twa ye toun had all in ward
And off Straitherne als ye Erle wes yar,
Bot his sone & off his men war
Without in-till ye kingis rowt.
Yar wes oft bekering styth & stout
And men slayne apon ilk party,
Bot ye gud king yat all wytty
Wes in his dedis euerilkane
Saw ye wallis sa styth off stane
223
& how ye toun wes hard to ta
With opyn sawt strenth or mycht.
Yarfor he thocht to wyrk with slycht,
And in all tyme yat he yar lay
He spyit and slely gert assay
Quhar at ye dyk schaldest was,
Till at ye last he fand a place
Yat men mycht till yar schuldris wad.
And quhen he yat place fundyn had
He gert his men busk ilkane
Quhen sex woukis off ye sege war gane,
And tursyt yar harnes halyly
And left ye sege all opynly
And furth with all his folk gan fayr
As he wald do yar-to no mayr.
And yai yat war within ye toun
Quhen yai to fayr sa saw him boun
Yai schowtyt him and skornyn mad,
And he furth on his wayis rad
As he ne had will agayne to turn
Na besyd yaim mak mar soiourn.
Bot in [aucht] dayis nocht-foryi
He gert mak leddrys preuely
Yat mycht suffice till his entent,
And in a myrk nycht syne is went
224
Bot hors and knafis all left he
Fer fra ye toun, and syne has tane
Thair ledderis and on fut ar gane]
Towart ye toun all preuely.
Yai hard na wachys spek na cry
For yai war within may-fall
As men yat dred nocht slepand all.
Yai haid na dreid yen off ye king
For yai off him herd na thing
All yai thre dayis befor or mar,
Yairfor sekyr and traist yai war.
And quhen ye king yaim hard nocht ster
He was blyth on gret maner,
And his ledder in hand gan ta
Ensample till his men to ma,
Arayit weill in all his ger
Schot in ye dik and with his sper
Taistyt till he it our-woud,
Bot till his throt ye watyr stud.
Yat tyme wes in his cumpany
A knycht off France wycht & hardy,
And quhen he in ye watyr swa
Saw ye king pas & with him ta
Hys ledder wnabasytly,
He saynyt him for ye ferly
And said, ‘A lord quhat sall we say
Off our lordis off Fraunce yat yai
With gud morsellis fayrcis yar [pawnce]
225
Quhen sic a knycht & sa worthy
As yis throw his chewalry
Into sic perell has him set
To wyn a wrechyt hamillet.’
With yat word to ye dik he ran
And our efter ye king he wan,
& quhen ye kingis menȝe saw
Yar lord owt-our in-till a thraw
Yai passyt ye dik and but mar let
Yar leddrys to ye wall yai set
And to clymb wp fast pressyt yai,
Bot ye gud king as I herd say
Was ye secund man tuk ye wall
And bad yar till his mengȝe all
War cummyn wp in full gret hy.
Ȝeyt yan rais noyer noyis na cry,
Bot sone efter yai noyis maid
Yat off yaim fyrst persawing had
Swa yat ye cry rais throw ye toun,
Bot he yat with his men wes boun
Till assaill to ye toun is went
And ye maist off his menȝe sent
All scalyt throw ye toun, bot he
Held with him selwyn a gret mengne
Sa yat he moucht be ay purwayit
226
Bot yai yat he send throw ye toun
Put to sa gret confusioun
Yar fayis yat in beddis war
Or scalyt [fleand] her & yar
Yat or ye sone rais yai had tane
Yar fayis or discumfyt ilkane.
Ye wardanys bath yarin war tane,
And Malice off Straithern is gane
Till his fadyr ye erle [Malice]
And with strenth tuk him & his,
Syne for his sak ye noble king
Gave him his in gouernyng.
Ye lave yat ran [out-throu] ye toun
Sesyt to yaim in-to gret fusoun
Men and armyng and marchandis
And oyer gud on syndry wys,
Quhill yai yat er war pour & bar
Off yat gud rych and mychty war,
Bot yar wes few slayne for ye king,
Yat yaim had gevyn in commanding
On gret payne yat yai suld slay nane
Yat but gret bargane mycht be tane.
Yat yai war kynd to ye countre
He wyst & off yaim had pite.
On yis maner ye toun wes tane,
227
And wallis gert he tumble doun.
He levyt nocht about yat toun
Towr standand na stane na wall
Yat he ne haly gert stroy yaim all,
And presonerys yat yar tuk he
He send quhar yai mycht haldyn be,
And till his pes tuk all ye land.
Wes nane yat durst him yan withstand
Apon northhalff ye Scottis se,
All obeysyt till his maieste
Owtane ye [lord of] Lorn and yai
Off Arghile yat wald with him ga.
He held him ay agayne ye king
And hatyt him atour all thing,
Bot ȝete or all ye gamyn ga
I trow weill yat ye king sall ta
Wengeance off his gret cruelte,
And yat him sar repent sall he
Yat he ye king contraryit ay,
May-fall quhen he it mend na may.
Ye kingis broder quhen ye toun
Wes takyn yus & dongyn doun
Schyr Eduuard yat wes sa worthy
Tuk with him a gret cumpany
And tuk his gayt till Galloway,
For with his men he wald assay
228
And wyn it fra Inglis-mennys hand.
Yis schyr Eduuard forsuth ik hycht
Wes off his hand a noble knycht
And in blythnes suete & ioly,
Bot he wes owtrageous hardy
And of sa hey wndretaking
Yat he haid neuer ȝeit abaysyng
Off multitud off men, for-yi
He discumfyt commounly
Mony with quhone, yarfor had he
Owt-ouer his peris renomme.
And quha wald rehers all ye deid
Off his hey worschip & manheid
Men mycht a mekill [romanys] mak,
And nocht-for-yi I think to tak
On hand [off him to say sum thing]
Bot nocht tende part his trawalyn.
Yis gud knycht yat I spek off her
With all ye folk yat with him wer
Weill sone to Galloway cummyn is,
All yat he fand he makyt his
And ryotyt gretly ye land.
Bot yan in Galloway war wonnand
Schyr Ingrahame ye Wmfrawill yat wes
229
Yat he off worschip passyt ye rowt,
Yarfor he gert ay ber about
Apon a sper a rede bonet
In-to takyn yat he wes set
In-to ye hycht off chewalry,
And off Saynct Ihone als schyr Aymry.
Yir twa ye land had in stering,
And quhen yai hard off ye cummyng
Off schyr Eduuard yat sa playnly
Oure-raid ye land, yare in gret hy
Yai assemblyt all yar mengne,
I trow [tuelf hunder] yai mycht be.
Bot he with fewar folk yaim met
Besyd Cre and sa hard yaim set
With hard battaill and stalwart fycht
Yat he yaim all put to ye flycht
And [slew twa hunder] weill & ma,
And ye chyftanys in hy gan ta
Yar way to [Buttill] for to be
Yar resawyt to sawfte,
And schyr Eduuard yaim chasit fast,
Bot till ye castell at ye last
Gat schyr Ingrahame and schyr Amery,
Bot ye best off yar cumpany
Left ded behind yaim in ye place.
230
Wes falyt he gert seys ye pray
And swa gret cattell had away
Yat it war wonder for to se.
Owt of [Buttill] yai saw how he
Gert his men dryve with him yar pray
Bot na let set yar-in mycht yai.
Throw his chewalrous chewalry
Galloway wes stonayit gretumly
And he dowtyt for his bounte.
Sum off ye men off ye countre
Come till his pes and maid him aith.
Bot schyr Amery yat had ye skaith
Off ye bargane I tauld off er
Raid till Ingland till purches yer
Off armyt men gret cumpany
To weng him off ye welany
Yat schyr Eduuard yat noble knycht
Him did by Cre in-to ye fycht.
Off gud men he assemblit yar
Weill [fyften hunder] men & mar
Yat war rycht of gud renowne.
His way with all yat folk tuk he,
And in ye land all preuely
Entryt with yat chewalry
Thynkand schyr Eduuard to suppris
231
For he thocht he wald him assaile
Or yat he left in playn bataill.
Now may ȝe her off gret ferly
And off rycht hey chewalry,
For schyr Eduuard in-to ye land
Wes with his mengne rycht ner-hand,
And in ye mornyng rycht arly
Herd ye countre men mak cry
And had wyttryng off yar cummyng.
Yan buskyt he him but delaying
And lapp on hors delyuerly,
He had yan in route fyfty
All apon gud hors armyt weill,
His small folk gert he ilk-deill
Withdraw yaim till a strait yar-by,
And he raid furth with his fyfty.
A knycht yat yen wes in his rowt
Worthi and wycht stalwart & stout
Curtais and fayr & off gud fame
Schyr Alane off Catkert be name
Tauld me yis taile as I sall tell.
Gret myst in-to ye mornyng fell
Sa yai mycht nocht se yaim by
For myst a bowdraucht fullely.
Sa hapnyt yat yai fand ye trais
Quhar at ye rowt furth passyt wais
232
Schyr Eduuard yat gret ȝarnyn had
All tymys to do chewalry
With all his rout in full gret hy
Folowyt ye trais quhar gane war yai,
And befor mydmorne off ye day
Ye myst wox cler all sodanly,
And yan he and his cumpany
War nocht a bowdrawcht fra ye rout.
Yan schot yai on yaim with a schout,
For gyff yai fled yai wyst yat yai
Suld nocht weill feyrd part get away,
Yarfor in awentur to dey
He wald him put or he wald fley.
And quhen ye Inglis cumpany
Saw on yaim cum sa sodanly
Sik folk for-owtyn abaysyng
Yai war stonayt for effrayng,
And ye toyer but mar abaid
[Swa] hardely amang yaim raid
Yat fele off yaim till erd yai bar.
Stonayit sa gretly yan yai war
Throw ye force off yat fyrst assay
Yat yai war in-till gret effray,
And wend [be fer] yai had bene ma
For yat yai war assailit swa.
233
Yan schyr Eduuardis cumpany
Set stoutly in ye heid agayne,
And at yat cours borne doune & slayn
War off yar fayis a gret party
Yat yai effrayit war sa gretly
Yat yai war scalyt gretly yen.
And quhen schyr Eduuard and his men
Saw yaim in-till sa ewill aray
Ye thrid tyme on yaim prekyt yai,
And yai yat saw yaim sa stoutly
Come on dred yaim sa gretumly
Yat all yar rowt bath les and mar
Fled prekand scalyt her and yar.
Wes nane amang yaim sa hardy
To bid, bot all comonaly
Fled to warand, and he gan chas
Yat wilfull to distroy yaim was
And sum he tuk and sum war slayn,
Bot schyr Amery with mekill payn
Eschapyt and his gat is gayn.
His men discumfyt war ilkane,
Sum tane sum slayne sum gat away,
It wes a rycht fayr poynt perfay.
234
And drewyn to ye end scharply
May ger oftsys wnlikly thingis
Cum to rycht fayr and gud endingis
As it fell in-to yis cas her.
For hardyment withowtyn wer
Wan [fyften] hunder with fyfty
Quhar ay for ane yar wes [thretty],
And twa men ar a mannys her,
Bot vre yaim led on swilk maner
Yat yai discumfyt war ilkane.
Schir Amery hame his gat is gane
Rycht blyth yat he swa gat away,
I trow he sall nocht mony day
Haiff will to werray yat countre,
With-yi schyr Eduuard yar-in be.
And [he] duelt furth in-to ye land
Yaim yat rebell war werrayand,
And in a ȝer sa werrayit he
Yat he wane qwyt yat countre
Till his broderys pes ye king.
Bot yat wes nocht but hard fechting,
For in yat tyme yar him befell
Mony fayr poynt as ik herd tell
Ye quhilk yat ar nocht writyn her,
Bot I wate weile yat in yat ȝer
[Thretten] castellis with strenth he wan
235
Quha-sa off him ye south will reid.
Had he had mesure in his deid
I trow yat worthyar yen he
Mycht nocht in his tym fundyn be
Owtakyn his broder anerly,
To quham in-to chewalry
Lyk wes nane in his day,
For he led him with mesur ay,
And [with wyt] his chewalry
He gouernyt sa worthily
Yat he [oft] full wnlikly thing
Broucht rycht weill to gud ending.
In all yis tyme Iames of Dowglas
In ye forest trawaland was,
And it throw hardiment & slycht
Occupyit all magre ye mycht
Off his fell fayis, ye-quheyer yai
Set him oft in full hard assay,
Bot oft throw wyt and throu bounte
His purpos to gud end brocht he.
In-till yat tyme him fell throu cas
On ane nycht as he trawaland was
And thocht till haiff [tane] resting
In ane hous on ye watyr off Lyne,
236
Ner-hand ye hous sua lysnyt he
And herd [yair sawis ilke deill],
And be yat he persawyt weill
Yat yai war strang men yat yar
Yat nycht yarin herbryd war.
And as he thocht it fell per cas,
For off Bonkle ye lord yar was
Alysander Stewart hat he
With oyer twa off gret bounte,
Thomas Randell off gret renowne
And Adame alsua off Gordoune,
Yat yar come with gret cumpany
And thocht in-to ye forest to ly
And occupy [it] throw yar mycht,
And with trawaill and stalwart fycht
Chace Dowglace out of yat countre.
Bot oyer-wayis yen ȝeid ye gle,
For quhen Iames had wittering
Yat strang men had tane herbryng
In ye place yat he schup him to ly
237
And wmbeset it all about.
Quhen yai with-in hard swilk a rout
About ye hous yai rais in hy
And tuk yar ger rycht hastily
And schot furth fra yai harnasyt war.
Yar fayis yaim met with wapnys bar
And assaylit rycht hardely,
And yai defendyt douchtely
With all yar mycht, till at ye last
Yar fayis pressyt yaim sa fast
Yat yar folk failyt yaim ilkane.
Thomas Randell yar wes tane
And Alexander Stewart alsua
Woundyt in a place or twa.
Adam of Gordoun fra ye fycht
Quhat throw his strenth & his mycht
Eschapyt and ser off yar men,
Bot yai yat war arestyt yen
War off yar taking wondre wa,
Bot neidlingis behowit it be swa.
Yat [nycht] ye gud lord off Dowglas
Maid to schyr Alysander yat was
His emys sone rycht glaidsome cher,
Swa did he als with-owtyn wer
Till Thomas Randell for yat he
Wes to ye king in ner degre
Off blud, for his sistre him bar,
And on ye morne for-owtyn mar
Towart ye noble king he raid
238
Ye king off his present wes blyth
And thankyt him weill fele syth,
And till his nevo gan he say,
‘Yow has ane quhill renyid yi fay,
Bot yow reconsalit now mon be.’
Yen till ye king ansueryt he
And said, ‘Ȝe chasty me, bot ȝe
Aucht bettre chastyt for to be,
For sene ȝe werrayit ye king
Off Ingland, in playne fechting
Ȝe suld pres to derenȝhe rycht
And nocht with cowardy na with slycht.’
Ye king said, ‘Ȝeit [may]-fall it may
Cum or oucht lang to sic assay.
Bot sen yow spekys sa rudly
It is gret skyll men chasty
Yai proud wordis till yat yow knaw
Ye rycht and bow it as yow aw.’
Ye king for-owtyn mar delaying
Send him to be in ferme keping
Quhar yat he allane suld be,
Nocht all apon his powste fre.
239
[BOOK X]
Quhen Thomas Randell on [yis] wisWes takyn as ik [her] dewys
And send to duell in gud keping
For spek yat he spak to ye king,
Ye gud king yat thocht on ye scaith
Ye dispyt and felny bath
Yat Ihone off Lorne had till him doyn,
His ost assemblyt he yen sone
And towart Lorn he tuk ye way
With his men in-till gud aray.
Bot Ihone off Lorn off his cummyng
Lang or he come had wittering,
And men on ilk sid gadryt he
I trow [twa thousand] yai mycht be
And send yaim for to stop ye way
Quhar ye gud king behowyt away,
And yat wes in ane ewill plas
Yat sa strayt and sa narow was
Yat twasum samyn mycht nocht rid
In sum place off ye hillis sid.
Ye nethyr halff was peralous
For a schor crag hey and hydwous
Raucht to ye se doun fra ye pas,
240
Swa combrows hey and stay
Yat it was hard to pas yat way.
Crechinben hecht yat montane,
I trow nocht yat in all Bretane
Ane heyar hill may fundyn be.
Yar Ihone off Lorne gert his menȝe
Enbuschyt be abowyn ye way,
For giff ye king held yar a-way
He thocht he suld sone wencussyt be,
And him selff held him apon ye se
Weill ner ye pais with his galayis.
Bot ye king yat in all assayis
Wes fundyn wys and awise
Persawyt rycht weill yar sutelte,
And yat he neid yat gait suld ga.
Hys men departyt he in twa
And till ye gud lord off Dowglas
Quham in herbryd all worschip was
He taucht ye archerys euerilkane,
And yis gud lord with him has tane
Schyr Alysander Fraser ye wycht,
And Wylȝam Wysman a gud knycht
And with yaim syne schyr Androw Gray.
241
And clamb ye hill deliuerly
And or yai off ye toyer party
Persawyt yaim yai had ilkane
Ye hycht abowyne yar fayis tane.
Ye king and his men held yar way,
And quhen in-till ye pas war yai
Entryt ye folk of Lorne in hy
Apon ye king raysyt ye cry
And schot and tumblit on him stanys
Rycht gret & hewy for ye nanys,
Bot yai scaith nocht gretly ye king
For he had yar in his leding
Men yat lycht & deliuer war
& lycht armouris had on yaim yar
Swa yat yai stoutly clamb ye hill
And lettyt yar fayis to fulfill
Ye maist part of yar felny.
And als apon ye toyer party
Come Iames of Dowglas & his rout
And schot apon yaim with a schout
And woundyt yaim with arowis fast,
& with yar suerdis at ye last
Yai ruschyt amang yaim hardely,
For yai of Lorn full manlely
Gret and apert defens gan ma.
Bot quhen yai saw yat yai war swa
242
And saw weill yat yar ennemys
Had all ye fayrer off ye fycht
In full gret hy yai tuk ye flycht,
And yai a felloun chas gan ma
And slew all yat yai mycht ourta,
& yai yat mycht eschap but delay
Rycht till ane water held yar way
Yat ran doun be ye hillis syd.
It was sta styth & depe & wid
Yat men in na place mycht it pas
Bot at ane bryg yat beneuth yaim was.
To yat brig held yai straucht ye way
And to brek it fast gan assay,
Bot yai yat chassyt quhen yai [yaim] saw
Mak yar arest but drede or aw
Yai ruschyt apon yaim hardely
And discumfyt yaim wterly,
And held ye brig haile quhill ye king
With all ye folk off his leding
Passyt ye brig all at yar ese.
To Ihone off Lorne it suld displese
I trow, quhen he his men mycht se
Owte off his schippis fra ye se
Be slayne and chassyt in ye hill,
Yat he mycht set na help yar-till,
[For] it angrys als gretumly
243
To se yar fayis fulfill yar will
As to yaim selff to thole ye ill.
At sic myscheiff war yai of Lorn,
For fele ye lyvys yar has lorne
And oyer sum war fled yar way.
Ye king in hy gert sese ye pray
Off all ye land, quhar men mycht se
Sa gret habundance come of fe
Yat it war wonder to behauld.
Ye king yat stoute wes stark & bauld
Till Dunstaffynch rycht sturdely
A sege set and besyly
Assaylit ye castell it to get,
And in schort tym he has yaim set
In swilk thrang yat yarin war yan
Yat magre yaris he it wan,
And ane gud wardane yarin set
And betaucht hym bath men & met
Swa yat he lang tyme yar mycht be
Magre yaim all off yat countre.
Schyr Alexandir off Arghile yat saw
Ye king dystroy wp clene & law
His land sent treyteris to ye king
And come his man but mar duelling,
And he resawyt him till his pes,
Bot Ihone off Lorne his sone [ȝeit] wes
244
And fled with schippis on ye se,
Bot yai yat left apon ye land
War to ye king all obeysand.
And he yar hostage all has tane
And towart Perth agayne is gane
To play him yar in-to ye playne.
Ȝeyt Lothyane was him agayne,
And at Lythkow wes yan a pele
Mekill and stark and stuffyt wele
With Inglis-men, and wes reset
To yaim yat with armuris or met
Fra Edynburgh wald to Strewelyn ga
And fra Strewelyng agane alsua,
[And] till ye countre did gret ill.
Now may ȝe her giff yat ȝe will
Entremellys and iuperdyis
Yat men assayit mony wys
Castellis and peyllis for to ta,
And yis Lithquhow wes ane off ya
& I sall tell ȝow how it wes tane.
In ye contre yar wonnyt ane
Yat husband wes, and with his fe
Oftsys hay to ye peile led he,
Wilȝame Bunnok to name he [hicht]
245
He saw sa hard ye contre stad
[Yat he gret noy and pite had]
Throw ye gret force yat it was yen
Gouernyt and led with Inglis-men,
Yai trawalyt men out-our mesure.
He wes a stout carle & a sture
And off him selff dour & hardy,
& had freyndis wonnand him by
And schawyt to sum his preuete,
And apon his conwyne gat he
Men yat mycht ane enbuschement ma
Quhill yat he with his wayn suld ga
To lede yaim hay in-to ye pele.
Bot his wayne suld be stuffyt wele,
For [aucht] men in ye body
Off his wayn suld sit preuely
And with hay helyt be about,
And him selff yat wes dour & stout
Suld be ye wayne gang ydilly,
And ane ȝuman wycht & hardy
Befor suld dryve ye wayne & ber
Ane hachat yat war scharp to scher
Wnder his belt, and quhen ye ȝat
War opynnyt and yai war yar-at
246
‘Call all, call all,’ yan hastyly
He suld stryk with ye ax in twa
Ye soyme, and yan in hy suld ya
Yat war with-in ye wayne cum out
And mak debate quhill yat yar rout
Yat suld ner-by enbuschyt be
Cum for to manteyme ye melle.
Yis wes in-till ye herwyst tyd
Quhen feldis yat ar fayr & wid
Chargyt with corne all fully war,
For syndry cornys yat yai bar
Wox ryp to wyn to mannys fud,
And ye treys all chargyt stud
With ser frutis on syndry wys.
In yis suete tyme yat I dewys
Yai off ye pele had wonnyn hay
And with yis Bunnok spokyn had yai
To lede yar hay, for he wes ner,
& he assentyt but daunger
And said yat he in ye mornyng
Weile sone a fothyr he suld bring
Fayrer and gretar & weile mor
Yan he brocht ony yat ȝer befor,
247
For yat nycht warnyt he preuely
Yaim yat in ye wayne suld ga
And yat in ye buschement suld be alsua,
And yai sa graithly sped yaim yar
Yat or day yai enbuschyt war
Weile ner ye pele quhar yai mycht her
Ye cry als sone as ony wer,
& held yaim sua still but stering
Yat nane off yaim had persawing.
And yis Bonnok fast gan him payne
To dres his menȝe in his wayne
& all a quhile befor ye day
He had yaim helyt weile with hay
& made him to ȝok his fe
Till men ye son schynand mycht se,
And sum yat war within ye pele
War ischyt on yar awne wnsele
To wyn yar herwyst ner yar-by.
Yan Bonnok with ye cumpany
Yat in his wayne closyt he had
Went on his way but mar [abaid]
& callit his wayne towart ye pele,
& ye portar yat saw him wele
Cum ner ye ȝet, it opnyt sone,
& yen Bonnok for-owtyn hone
Gert call ye wayne deliuerly,
& quhen it wes set ewynly
248
Swa yat men mycht it spar na gat
He criyt [hey], ‘Call all, call all,’
And he yan lete ye gad-wand fall
& hewyt in twa ye soyme in hy.
Bonnok with yat deliuerly
Roucht till ye portar sic a rout
Yat blud and harnys bath come out,
And yai yat war within ye wayne
Lap out belyff & sone has slayne
Men off ye castell yat war by.
Yan in ane quhile begouth [ye] cry,
And yai yat ner enbuschyt war
Lap owt & come with swerdis bar
& tuk ye castell all but payn
And has yaim yat yar-in was slayn,
And yai yat war went furth beforn
Quhen yai ye castell saw forlorn
Yai fled to warand to & fra,
& sum till Edinburgh gan ga
& till Strewilline ar oyer gane
& sum in-till ye gat war slayne.
Bonnok on yis wis with his wayne
Ye pele tuk and ye men has slane,
Syne taucht it till ye king in hy
Yat him rewardyt worthely
& gert dryve it doun to ye ground,
249
Settand in pes all ye countre
Yat at his obeysance wald be.
& quhen a litill time wes went
Eftre Thomas Randell he sent
& sa weile with him tretit he
Yat he his man hecht for to be,
And ye king his ire him forgave
& for to hey his state him gave
Murreff & erle yaroff him maid,
And oyer syndry landis braid
He geve him in-till heritage.
He knew his worthi wasselage
And his gret wyt & his awys
His traist hart and his lele seruice,
Yarfor in him affyit he
And ryche maid him off land & fe,
As it wes certis rycht worthi.
For and men spek off him trewly
He wes swa curageous ane knycht
Sa wys sa worthy and sa wycht
And off sa souerane gret bounte
Yat mekill off him may spokyn be,
& for I think off him to rede
And to schaw part off his gud dede
I will discryve now his fassoun
250
He wes off mesurabill statur
And weile porturat at mesur
With braid wesage plesand & fayr,
Curtais at poynt and debonayr
And off rycht sekyr contenyng.
Lawte he lowyt atour all thing,
Falset tresoun and felony
He stude agayne ay encrely,
He heyit honour ay & larges
& ay mantemyt rychtwysnes.
In cumpany solacious
He was and yar-with amorous,
And gud knychtis he luffyt ay,
& giff I ye suth sall say
He wes fulfillit off bounte
As off wertuys all maid was he.
I will commend him her no mar
Bot ȝe sall her weile forthyrmar
Yat he for his dedis worthy
Suld weile be prisyt souerandly.
Quhen ye king yus was with him sauch
& gret lordschyppis had him betaucht
He wox sa wyse & sa awyse
Yat his land fyrst weill stablyst he
And syne he sped him to ye wer
Till help his eyme in his myster,
251
Bot with a symple aparaling
Till Edinburgh he went in hy
With gud men in-till cumpany,
& set a sege to ye castell
Yat yan wes warnyst wonder weill
With men and wyttalis at all rycht
Swa yat it dred na mannys mycht.
Bot yis gud erle nocht-foryi
Ye sege tuk full apertly
And pressyt ye folk yat yar-in was
Swa yat nocht ane ye ȝet durst pas.
Yai may abid yarin and ete
Yair wittaill quhill yai oucht mai get
Bot I trow yai sall lettyt be
To purches mar in ye contre.
Yat tyme Eduuard off Ingland king
Had gewyn yat castell in keping
Till schyr Perys Lombert [a] Gascoun,
And quhen yai of his [varnysoun]
Saw ye sege set yar sa stythly
Yai mystrowit him off tratoury
For yat he spokyn had with ye king,
And for yat ilk mystrowing
Yai tuk him and put in presoun,
And off yar awine nacioun
Yai maid ane constable yaim to lede
252
And he set wyt & strenth & slycht
To kep ye castell at his mycht.
Bot now off yaim I will be still,
And spek a litill quhill I will
Off ye douchty lord off Dowglas
At yat tyme in ye forest was
Quhar he mony a iuperty
And fayr poyntis off chewalry
Serwyt als weill be nycht as day
Till yaim yat in [ye] castellis lay
[Of] Roxburch and Iedwort, bot I
Will lat fele off yaim pas forby
For I can noucht rehers yaim all,
And youcht I couth weill trow ȝe sall
Yat I mycht nocht suffice yar-to,
Yar suld sa mekill be ado,
Bot yai yat I wate wytterly
Eftre my wyt rehers will I.
Yis tyme yat ye gud erle Thomas
Assegyt as ye lettre sayis
Edinburgh, Iames off Douglas
Set all his wit for to purchas
How Roxburch throw sutelte
Or ony craft mycht wonnyn be,
Till he gert Syme off ye Leidhous
253
Off hempyn rapis leddris ma
With [treyn] steppis bundyn swa
Yat brek wald nocht on nakyn wis.
A cruk yai maid at yar diuis
Off irne yat wes styth and squar
Yat, fra it in ane kyrneill war
And ye ledder yar-fra straitly
Strekit, it suld stand sekyrly.
Yis gud lord off Dowglas alsone
As yis diuisit wes and done
Gaderyt gud men in preuete,
Thre scor I trow yai mycht be,
And on ye fasteryngis ewyn rycht
In ye begynnyng off ye nycht
To ye castell yai tuk yar way.
With blak frogis all helyt yai
Ye armowris yat yai on yaim had.
Yai come ner-by yar but abad
& send haly yar hors yaim fra,
And yai on rawnge in ane route gan ga
On handis and fete quhen yai war ner
Rycht as yai ky or oxin wer
Yat war wont to be bondyn left yarout.
254
Ye-quheyer ane on ye wall yat lay
Besid him till his fere gan say,
‘Yis man thinkis to mak gud cher,’
And nemmyt ane husband yar-by ner,
‘Yat has left all his oxyn owt.’
Ye toyer said, ‘It is na dout
He sall mak mery to-nycht yocht yai
Be with ye Dowglas led away.’
Yai wend ye Dowglas & his men
Had bene oxin, for yai ȝeid yen
On handis and fete ay ane & ane.
Ye Douglas rycht gud tent has tane
Till yar spek, bot all sone yai
Held carpand inwart yar way.
Douglas men yaroff war blyth
And to ye wall yai sped yaim swith,
And sone has wp yar ledder set
Yat maid ane clap quhen ye cruchet
Wes fixit fast in ye kyrneill.
Yat herd ane off ye wachis weill
And buskyt yidderwart but baid,
Bot Ledehous yat ye ledder maid
Sped him to clymb fyrst to ye wall,
Bot or he wes vp gottyn all
He at yat ward had in keping
Met him rycht at ye wp-cummyng,
255
He maid na noys na cry na soun
Bot schot till him deliuerly.
And he yat wes in iuperty
To [de] a launce he till him maid
And gat him be ye nek but baid
And stekyt him wpwart with a knyff
Quhill in his hand he left ye lyff.
And quhen he ded swa saw him ly
Wp on ye wall he went in hy
And doun ye body kest yaim till
And said, ‘All gangis as we will,
Spede ȝow wpwart deliuerly,’
And yai did sua in full gret hy.
Bot or yai wan wp yar come ane
And saw Ledhous stand him allane
And knew he wes nocht off yar men.
In hy he ruschyt till him yen
And him assailit sturdely,
Bot he slew him deliuerly
For he wes armyt & wes wycht,
Ye toyer nakyt wes ik hicht
And had nocht for to stynt ye strak.
Sic melle yar-wp gan he mak
Quhill Dowglas & his mengne all
War cummyn wp apon ye wall,
Yan in ye tour yai went in hy.
Ye folk wes yat tyme halily
In-till ye hall at yar daunsyng
256
And apon fasteryngis ewyn yis
As custume is to mak ioy & blys
Till folk yat ar in-to pouste.
Swa trowyt yai yat tyme to be,
Bot or yai wyst rycht in ye hall
Dowglas and his rout cummyn war all
And criyt on hycht ‘Douglas, Douglas.’
And yai yat ma war yan he was
Hard Douglas criyt hidwysly,
Yai war abaysit for ye cry
And schup rycht na defens to ma,
And yai but pite gan yaim sla
Till thay had gottyn ye ouerhand.
Ye toyer fled to sek warand
Yat owt off mesure ded gane dreid.
Ye wardane saw how yat it ȝeid
Yat callyt wes Gilmyn de Fynys,
In ye gret toure he gottyn is
And oyer off his cumpany
And sparryt ye entre hastily.
Ye lave yat lewyt war without
War tane or slayne, yis is na dout,
Bot giff yat ony lap ye wall.
Ye Douglas yat nycht held ye hall
All-yocht his fayis yaroff war wa,
257
Throw-out ye castell all yat nycht
Till on ye morn yat day wes lycht.
Ye wardane yat was in ye tour
Yat wes a man off gret walour
Gilmyn ye Fynys quhen he saw
Ye castell tynt be clene & law
He set his mycht for to defend
Ye tour, bot yai without him send
Arowys in sa gret quantite
Yat anoyit yaroff wes he,
Bot till ye toyer day nocht-for-yi
He held ye tour full sturdely,
And yan at ane assalt he was
Woundyt sa felly in ye face
Yat he wes dredand off his lyff.
Yarfor he tretit yan beliff
And ȝauld ye tour on sic maner
Yat he and all yat with him wer
Suld saufly pas in Ingland.
Dowglas held yaim gud conand
And conwoid yaim to yar countre,
Bot yar full schort tyme levyt he
For throw ye wound in-till ye face
He deyt sone and beryit was.
Dowglas ye castell sesyt all
Yat yane wes closyt with stalwart wall,
And send yis Leidhous till ye king
258
And hys broyer in full gret hy
Schyr Eduuard yat wes sa douchty
He send yidder to tumbill it doun
Bath tour & castell & doungeoun.
And he come with gret cumpany
And gert trawaile sa besyly
Yat tour & wall rycht to ye ground
War tumblit in a litill stound,
And duelt yar quhill all Tewidale
Come to ye kingis pes all haile
Owtane Iedwort and oyer yat ner
Ye Inglis-mennys boundis wer.
Quhen Roxburgh wonnyn was on yis wis
Ye erle Thomas yat hey empris
Set ay on souerane he bounte
At Edynburgh with his mengne
Wes lyand at a-sege as I
Tauld ȝow befor all opynly.
Bot fra he hard how Roxburgh was
Tane with a trayne, all his purchas
And wyt and besines ik hycht
He set for to purches sum slycht
How he mycht help him throw body
Mellyt with hey chewalry
To wyn ye wall off ye castell
Throw sumkyn slycht, for he wyst weill
Yat na strenth mycht it playnly get
259
Yarfor preuely speryt he
Giff ony man mycht fundyn be
Yat couth fynd ony iuperty
To clymb ye wallis preuely
And he suld have his warysoun,
For it wes his entencioun
To put him till all awentur
Or yat a sege on him mysfur.
Yan wes yar ane Wilȝame Francus
Wycht and apert wys & curyus
Yat in-till hys ȝoutheid had bene
In ye castell. Quhen he has sene
Ye erle sua enkerly him set
Sum sutelte or wile to get
Quhar-throw ye castell have mycht he
He come till him in preuete
And said, ‘Me think ȝe wald blythly
Yat men fand ȝow sum ieperty
How ȝe mycht our ye wallis wyn,
And certis giff ȝe will begyn
For till assay on sic a wys
Ik wndertak for my seruice
To ken ȝow to clymb to ye wall,
And I sall formast be of all,
Quhar with a schort ledder may we
I trow off tuelf fute it may be
260
And gyff yat ȝe will wyt how I
Wate yis I sall ȝow blythly say.
Quhen I wes ȝoung yis hendre day
My fadyr wes kepar of ȝone hous,
& I wes sumdeill walegeous
And lovyt a wench her in ye toun,
And for I but suspicioun
Mycht repayr till hyr preuely
Off rapys a leddre to me mad I
And yar-with our ye wall [I slaid].
A strayt roid yat I sperit had
In-till ye crage syne doun I went
And oftsys come till myn entent,
And quhen it ner drew to ye day
Ik held agayne yat ilk way
And ay come in but persawing.
Ik wsyt lang yat trawaling
Swa yat I kan yat roid ga rycht
Youcht men se newyr sa myrk ye nycht.
And giff ȝe think ȝe will assay
To pas wp efter me yat way
Wp to ye wall I sall ȝow bring,
Giff God ws sawys fra persawing
Off yaim yat wachys on ye wall.
And giff yat ws sua fayr may fall
261
Giff a man on ye wall may get
He sall defend & it be ned
Quhill ye remanand wp yaim sped.’
Ye erle wes blyth off his carping
And hycht him fayr rewarding
And wndre-tuk yat gat to ga,
And bad him sone his ledder ma
And hald him preue quhill yai mycht
Set for yar purpos on a nycht.
Sone efter was ye ledder made,
And yan ye erle but mar abaid
Puruayt him a nycht preuely
With [thretty] men wycht & hardy,
And in a myrk nycht held yar way
Yat put yaim till full hard assay
And to gret perell sekyrly.
I trow mycht yai haiff sene clerly
Yat gat had nocht bene wndretane
Youcht yai to let yaim had nocht ane,
For ye crag wes hey and hidwous
And ye clymbing rycht peralous,
For hapnyt ony to slyd and fall
He suld sone be to-fruschyt all.
Ye nycht wes myrk as ik hard say,
And to ye fute sone cummyn ar yai
Off ye crag yat was hey & schor,
262
Clamb in crykes forouth ay
And at ye bak him folowyt yai.
With mekill payne quhile to quhile fra
Yai clamb in-to yai crykys sua
Quhile halff ye crag yai clumbyn had,
And yar a place yai fand sa brad
Yat yai mycht syt on anerly,
And yai war [ayndles] & wery
And yar abaid yar aynd to ta,
And rycht as yai war sittand swa
Rycht aboune yaim wp apon ye wall
Ye chak-wachys assemblyt all.
Now help yaim God yat all thing mai
For in full gret perell ar yai,
For mycht yai se yaim yar suld nane
Eschape out off yat place wnslane,
To dede with stanys yai suld yaim ding
Yat yai mycht help yaim selwyn na thing.
Bot wonder myrk wes ye nycht
Swa yat yai off yaim had na sicht,
And nocht-foryi ȝete wes yar ane
Off yaim yat swappyt doun a stane
And said, ‘Away, I se ȝow weile,’
Ye-quheyer he saw yaim nocht a dele.
Out-our yar hedis flaw ye stane
And yai sat still lurkand ilkane.
Ye wachys quhen yai herd nocht ster
Fra yat ward samyn all passit er
263
Ye erle Thomas alsone & yai
Yat on ye crag yar sat him by
Towart ye wall clamb hastily
And yidder [come] with mekill mayn
And nocht but gret perell & payn,
For fra yine wp wes grewouser
To clymb wp ne be-neth be fer.
Bot quhatkyn payne sua euer yai had
Rycht to ye wall yai come but bad
Yat had weile ner [tuelf] fute of hycht,
And for-owt persawing or sycht
Yai set yar ledder to ye wall,
And syne Fransoys befor yaim all
Clamp wp & syne schyr Androw Gray,
And syne ye erle him selff perfay
Was ye thrid yat ye wall can ta.
Quhen yai yar-doune yar lord swa
Saw clumbyne wp apon ye wall
As woud men yai clamb eftre all,
Bot or all wp clumbene war yai
Yai yat war wachys till assay
Hard steryng and preue speking
And alsua fraying off armyng
And on yaim schot full sturdely,
264
And slew off yaim dispitously.
Yan throw ye castell rais ye cry,
‘Tresoun tresoun,’ yai criyt fast.
Yan sum of yaim war sua agast
Yat yai fled and lap our ye wall,
Bot to sa swyth yai fled nocht all,
For ye constabill yat wes hardy
All armyt schot furth to ye cry
And with him fele hardy & stout.
Ȝeyt wes ye erle with his rout
Fechtand with yaim apon ye wall
Bot sone he discumfit yaim all.
Be yat his men war cummyn ilkan
Wp to ye wall and he has tane
His way doun to ye castell sone.
In gret perell he has him doyn
For yai war fer ma men yarin
And yai had bene of gud covyn
Yan he, bot yai effrayit war,
& nocht-foryi with wapnys bar
Ye constabill and his cumpany
Met him and his rycht hardely.
Yar mycht men se gret bargane ris,
For with wapnys of mony wis
Yai dang on oyer at yar mycht
Quhill swerdis yat war fayr & brycht
War till ye hiltis all bludy.
Yen hydwysly begouth ye cry
265
Hidwysly gan cry and rar.
Ye gud erle and his cumpany
Faucht in yat fycht sa sturdely
Yat all yar fayis ruschyt war.
Ye constable wes slane rycht yar,
& fra he fell ye ramanand
Fled quhar yai best mycht to warand,
Yai durst nocht bid to ma debate.
Ye erle wes handlyt yar sa hat
Yat had it nocht hapnyt throw cas
Yat ye constable yar slane yen was
He had bene in gret perell yar,
Bot quhen yai fled yar wes no mar,
Bot ilk man to sauff his lyff
Fled furth his dayis for to dryve,
And sum slaid doune out-our ye wall.
Ye erle has tane ye castell all
For yen wes nane durst him withstand.
I hard newyr quhar in nakin land
Wes castell tane sa hardely
Owtakyn [Tyre] all anerly,
Quhen Alexandir ye conquerour
Yat conqueryt Babilonys tour
Lap [fra a berfrois on] ye wall
Quhar he amang his fayis all
Defendyt him full douchtely
Quhill his noble chewalry
266
Yat noyer left for dede no dreid,
For fra yai wyst weill yat ye king
Wes in ye toune yar wes na thing
In-till yat tym yat stynt yaim moucht,
For all perell yai set at nocht.
Yai clamb ye wall & Ariste
Come fyrst to ye gud king quhar he
Defendyt him with all his mycht
Yat yen sa hard wes set ik hycht
Yat he wes fellit on a kne,
He till his bak had set a tre
For dred yai suld behind assaile.
Ariste yen to ye bataile
Sped him in all hy sturdely
And dang on yaim sa douchtely
Yat ye king weile reskewit was,
For his men in-to syndri plas
Clamb our ye wall and soucht ye king
And him reskewit with hard fechting
And wane ye toun deliuerly.
Owtane yis taking anerly
I herd newyr in na tym gane
Quhar castell wes sa stoutly tane.
And off yis taking yat I mene
Sanct Margaret ye gud haly quene
Wyst in hyr tyme throw reweling
Off him yat knawis and wate all thing,
Yarfor in sted off prophecy
267
Yat is yat in-till hyr chapele
Scho gert weile portray a castell,
A ledder wp to ye wall standand
And a man wp yar-apon climband,
And wrat outht him as auld men sais
In Frankis, ‘Gardys [wous de Francais].’
And for yis word scho gert writ swa
Men wend ye Frankis-men suld it ta,
Bot for Frawnsois hattyn wes he
Yat swa clamb wp in preuete
Scho wrat yat as in prophecy,
And it fell efterwart sothly
Rycht as scho said, for tane it was
And Frawnsoys led yaim wp yat pas.
On yis wis Edinburgh wes tane
And yai yat war yarin ilkane
Oyer tane or slane or lap ye wall.
Yar gudis haiff yai [sesyt] all
And souch ye hows euerilkane.
Schyr Peris Lubaut yat wes tane,
As I said er, befor yai fand
In boyis and hard festnyng sittand.
Yai brocht him till ye erle in hy
268
Yen he become ye kingis man.
Yai send word to ye king rycht yan
And tauld how ye castell wes tane,
And he in hy is yidder gane
With mony ane in cumpany
And gert myne doun all halily
Bath tour and wall rycht to ye grond,
And syne our all ye land gan fond
Sesand ye countre till his pes.
Off yis deid yat sa worthi wes
Ye erle wes prisyt gretumly,
Ye king yat saw him sa worthi
Wes blyth and ioyfull our ye lave
And to manteyme his stat him gave
Rentis and landis fayr inewch,
And he to sa gret worschip dreuch
Yat all spak off his gret bounte.
Hys fayis gretly stonayit he
For he fled neuer for force off fycht.
Quhat sall I mar say off his mycht,
His gret manheid and his bounte
Gerris him ȝeit renownyt be.
In yis tyme yat yir iupertys
Off yir castellis yat I dewis
War eschewyt sa hardely,
Schir Edward ye Bruce ye hardy
Had all Galloway and Nydysdale
Wonnyn till his liking all haile
269
Rycht in ye dyk bath tour & wall.
He hard yen say and knew it weill
Yat in-to Ruglyne wes a pele,
Yidder he went with his menȝe
And wonnyn it in schort tyme has he,
Syne to Dunde he tuk ye way
Yat yen wes haldyne as ic herd say
Agayne ye king, yarfor in hy
He set a sege yar-to stoutly
And lay yar quhill it ȝoldyn was.
To Strewillyne syne ye way he tais
Quhar gud schyr Philip ye Mowbray
Yat wes sa douchty at assay
Wes wardane & had in keping
Yat castell of ye Inglis king.
Yar-till a sege yai set stythly,
Yai bykyrrit oftsys sturdely
Bot gret chewalry done wes nane.
Schyr Eduuard fra ye sege wes tane
A weile lang tyme about it lay,
Fra ye lentryne yat is to say
Quhill forouth ye sanct Ihonys mes.
Ye Inglis folk yat yar-in wes
Begouth to failȝe wittaill be yan.
Yan schyr Philip yat douchti man
Tretyt quhill yai consentit war
270
To cum it war nocht with bataile
Reskewyt, yen yat for-owtyn faile
He suld ye castell ȝauld quytly,
Yat connand band yai sickerly.
1
[BOOK XI]
And quhen yis connand yus wes madSchir Philip in-till Ingland raid
And tauld ye king all haile his tale,
How he a [tuelf] moneth all hale
Had as it writyn wes in yar taile
To reskew Strewillyne with bataill.
And quhen he hard schyr Philip say
Yat Scottis-men had set a day
To fecht & yat sic space he had
To purway him he wes rycht glaid,
And said it wes gret sukudry
Yat set yaim apon sic foly,
For he thocht to be or yat day
Sa purwayit & in sic aray
Yat yar suld nane strenth him withstand.
And quhen ye lordis off Ingland
Herd yat yis day wes set planly
Yai iugyt it all [to gret foly],
And thoucht to haiff all yar liking
Giff men abaid yaim in fechting,
Bot oft faillys ye fulis thocht
And ȝeit wys mennys ay cummys nocht
To sic end as yai wene all-wayis.
A litill stane oft as men sayis
May ger weltyr a mekill wayn,
Na mannys mycht may stand agayn
2
He wate quhat till all thing afferis
And disponys at his liking
Efter his ordynance all thing.
Quhen schyr Eduuard as I ȝow say
Had gevyn sa owtrageous a day
To ȝeld or reskew Strewillyne,
Rycht to ye king he went him syne
And tauld quhat tretys he had mad
And quhat day he yaim gevyn had.
Ye king said quhen he hard ye day,
‘Yat wes wnwisly doyn perfay.
Ik herd neuer quhar sa lang warnyng
Wes gevyn to sa mychty a king
As is ye king off Ingland,
For he has now in-till hand
Ingland Ireland & Walis alsua
And Aquitayngne ȝeit with all ya,
& off Scotland ȝeit a party
Duellis wnder his senȝowry,
And off tresour sua stuffyt is he
Yat he may wageouris haiff plente,
And we ar quhoyne agayne sa fele.
God may rycht weill oure werdys dele,
Bot we ar set in iuperty
To tyne or wyn yen hastily.’
Schir Eduuard said, ‘Sa God me rede
Yocht he & all yat he may led
3
Quhen ye king hard his broder sua
Spek to ye bataile sa hardyly
He prisyt him in hys hart gretumly
And said, ‘Broder sen sua is gane
Yat yis thing yus is wndretane
Schap we ws yarfor manlely,
And all yat luffis ws tenderly
And ye fredome off yis countre
Purway yaim at yat time to be
Boune with all mycht yat euer yai may,
Swa giff yat our fayis assay
To reskew Strewilline throw bataill
Yat we off purpos ger yaim faill.’
To yis yai all assentyt ar
And bad yar men all mak yaim ȝar
For to be boune agayne yat day
On ye best wis yat euer yai may.
Yan all yat worthi war to fycht
Off Scotland set all hale yar mycht
To purway yaim agane yat day,
Wapynnys & armowris purwayit yai
& all yat afferis to fechting.
And in Ingland ye mychty king
Purwayit him in sa gret aray
Yat certis hard I neuer say
Yat Inglis-men mar aparaile
4
For quhen ye tyme wes cummyn ner
He assemblit all his power,
And but his awne chewalry
Yat wes sa gret it wes ferly
He had of mony ser countre
With him gud men of gret bounte.
Of Fraunce worthi chewalry
He had in-till his cumpany,
Ye erle off Henaud als wes yar
And with him men yat worthi war,
Off Gascoyne and off Almany
And off ye [duche] off Bretayngny
He had wycht men & weill farand
Armyt clenly bath fute and hand,
Off Ingland to ye chewalry
He had yar gaderyt sa clenly
Yat nane left yat mycht wapynnys weld
Or mychty war to fecht in feild,
All Walis als with him had he
And off Irland a gret mengne,
Off Pouty Aquitane & Bayoun
He had mony off gret renoune,
[And of Scotland he had ȝeit yen
5
Quhen all yir sammyn assemblit war
He had of fechtaris with hym yar]
Ane hunder thowsand men & ma
And [fourty] thowsand war of ya
Armyt on hors bath heid & hand,
And off yai ȝeit war [thre] thousand
With helyt hors in plate and mailȝe
To mak ye front off ye batailȝe,
And [fyfty] thousand off archeris
He had for-owtyn hobeleris,
And men of fute [and small rangale]
Yat ȝemyt harnays & wittaile
He had sa fele it wes ferly.
Off cartis als yar ȝeid yaim by
Sa fele yat, but all yai yat bar
Harnays and als yat chargyt war
With pailȝownys and weschall with-all
And aparaile of chambyr & hall
And wyne and wax schot & wittaile,
[Aucht] scor [wes] chargyt with pulaile.
Yai war sa fele quhar yat yai raid
And yar bataillis war sa braid
And swa gret rowme held yar chare
6
Ourtak ye landis largely.
Men mycht se yan yat had bene by
Mony a worthi man and wycht
& mony ane armur gayly dycht
And mony a sturdy sterand stede
Arayit in-till ryche wede,
Mony helmys and haberiownys
Scheldis and speris and penownys,
And sa mony a cumbly knycht
Yat it semyt yat in-to fycht
Yai suld wencus ye warld all haile.
Quhy suld I mak to lang my taile,
To Berwik ar [yai] cummyn ilkane
And sum yar-in has innys tane
And sum logyt without ye town ys
In tentis and in pailȝownys.
& quhen ye king his ost has sene
So gret & sa gud men & clene
He wes rycht ioyfull in his thocht
& weile supposyt yat yar wes nocht
In warld a king mycht him withstand,
Him thocht all wonnyn till his hand,
And largly amang his men
7
Off oyer mennys thing larg wes he.
& yai yat war off his menȝe
Manausyt ye Scottis-men hely
With gret wordis, bot nocht-foryi
Or yai cum all to yar entent
Howis in haile claith sall be rent.
Ye king throu consaile of his men
His folk delt in bataillis ten,
In ilkane war weile [ten] thousand
Yat lete yai stalwartly suld stand
In ye bataile and stythly fycht
& leve nocht for yar fayis mycht.
He set ledaris till ilk bataile
Yat knawin war of gud gouernaile,
And till renownyt erlis twa
Off Glosyster & Herfurd war ya
[He gaf] ye waward in leding
With mony men at yar bidding
Ordanyt in-to full gud aray.
Yai war sa chewalrous yat yai
Trowyt giff yai come to fycht
Yar suld na strenth withstand yar mycht.
And ye king quhen his mengne wer
Diwysit in-till bataillis ser
His awyne bataill ordanyt he
& quha suld at his bridill be,
8
Apon a half hys reyngȝe to [get],
And off Walence schyr Amery
On oyer half yat wes worthy,
For in yar souerane bounte
Owt-our ye lave affyit he.
Quhen ye king apon yis kyn wys
Had ordanyt as ik her diuis
His bataillis and his stering
He rais arly in a mornyng
And fra Berwik he tuk ye way.
Bath hillis and walis helyt yai
As ye bataillis yat war braid
Departyt our ye feldis raid.
Ye sone wes brycht and schynand cler
And armouris yat burnysyt wer
Swa blomyt with ye sonnys beme
Yat all ye land wes in a leme,
Baneris rycht fayrly flawmand
And penselys to ye wynd wawand
Swa fele yar wer of ser quentis
Yat it war gret slycht for to diuise,
9
Yar contenance and yar maner
Youcht I couth I suld combryt be.
Ye king with all yat gret menȝe
Till Edinburgh he raid him rycht,
Yai war all-out to fele to fycht
With few folk of a symple land,
Bot quhar God helpys quhat ma withstand.
Ye king Robert quhen he hard say
Yat Inglis-men in sic aray
And in-to sua gret quantite
Come in his land, in hy gert he
His men be somound generaly,
And yai come all full wilfully
To ye Torwod quhar yat ye king
Had ordanyt to mak yar meting.
Schir Eduuard ye Bruce ye worthi
Come with a full gret cumpany
Off gud men armyt weill at rycht
Hardy and forsy for to fycht,
Walter stewart of Scotland syne
Yat yan wes bot a berdles hyne
Come with a rout of noble men,
Yat men mycht be contynence ken.
Ye gud lord of Dowglas alsua
Brocht with him men ik wnderta
Yat weile war wsit in fechting,
10
Giff yaim betid in thrang to be,
Awantage yai sall tittar se
For to stonay yar fayis mycht
Yan men yat wsis nocht to fycht.
Ye erle off Murreff with his men
Arayit weile come alsua yen
In-to gud cowyne for to fycht
And gret will for to manteym yar mycht.
Owtakyn [oyer] mony barownys
And knychtis yat of gret renowne is
Come with yar men full stalwartly.
Quhen yai war assemblyt halely
Off fechtand men I trow yai war
[Thretty] thowsand & sum-dele mar,
For-owtyn cariage and pettaill
Yat ȝemyt harnayis & wittaill.
Our all ye ost yan ȝeid ye king
And beheld to yar contenyng
And saw yaim of full fayr affer.
Off hardy contenance yai wer,
Be liklynes ye mast cowart
Semyt full weill to do his part.
Ye king has sene all yar hawing
[That] knew him weile in-to sic thing,
11
Off sic contenance & sa hardy
For-owt effray or abaysing.
In his hart had he gret liking
And thoucht yat men of sa gret will
Giff yai wald set yar will yar-till
Suld be full hard to wyn perfay.
Ay as he met yaim in ye way
He welcummyt yaim with glaidsum far
Spekand gud wordis her & yar,
And yai yat yar lord sa mekly
Saw welcum yaim & sa hamly
Ioyfull yai war, and thocht yat yai
Aucht weill to put yaim till assay
Off hard fechting or stalwart stur
For to maynteyme hys honur.
Ye worthi king quhen he has sene
Hys ost assemblit all bedene
And saw yaim wilfull to fulfill
His liking with gud hart & will
And to maynteyme weill yar [franchis],
He wes reiosyt mony wys
And callyt all his consaile preue
And said yaim, ‘Lordis now ȝe se
Yat Inglis-men with mekill mycht
Has all disponyt yaim for ye fycht
For yai ȝone castell wald reskew.
Yarfor is gud we ordane now
12
And sua to yaim ye wayis clos
Yat yai pas nocht but gret letting.
We haiff her with ws at bidding
Weile [thretty] thowsand men & ma,
Mak we [four] bataillis of ya
And ordane ws on sic maner
Yat quhen our fayis cummys ner
We to ye New Park hald our way,
For yar behowys yaim nede away
Bot giff yat yai will be-newth ws ga
And our ye merrais pass, and swa
We sall be at awantage yar.
And me think yat rycht spedfull war
To gang on fute to yis fechting
Armyt bot in litill armyng,
For schup we ws on hors to fycht
Sen our fayis ar mar off mycht
And bettyr horsyt yan ar we
We suld into gret perell be,
And gyff we fecht on fute perfay
At a wantage we sall be ay,
For in ye park amang ye treys
Ye hors-men alwayis [cummerit beis],
And ye sykis als-sua yat ar yar-doun
Sall put yaim to confusioune.’
All yai consentyt till yat saw
13
Yar [four] bataillis ordanyt yai,
And till ye erle Thomas perfay
Yai gaif ye waward in leding
For in his noble gouernyng
And in his hey chewalry
Yai assoweryt rycht soueranly,
And for to maynteyme his baner
Lordis yat off gret worschip wer
War assygnyt with yar mengne
In-till his bataill for to be.
Ye toyer bataill wes gevyn to led
Till him yat douchty wes of deid
And prisyt off hey chewalry,
Yat wes schyr Eduuard ye worthy,
I trow he sall maynteyme it sua
Yat howsa-euer ye gamyn ga
His fayis to plenȝe sall mater haf.
And syne ye thrid bataill yai gaff
Till Walter Stewart for to leid
And to Douglas douchty of deid,
Yai war cosyngis in ner degre
Yarfor till him betaucht wes he
For he wes ȝoung, bot nocht-foryi
I trow he sall sa manlily
Do his dewour & wirk sa weill
Yat him sall nede ne mar ȝemseill.
Ye ferd bataile ye noble king
Tuk till his awne gouernyng,
14
Ye men of Carrik halely
And off Arghile & of Kentyr
And off ye ilis quharof wes syr
Angus of Ile, and but all ya
He of ye plane-land had alsua
Off armyt men a mekill rout,
His bataill stalwart wes & stout.
He said ye rerward he wald ma
And ewyn [forrouth] him suld ga
Ye waward, and on ayer hand
Ye toyer bataillis suld be gangand
Besid on sid a litill space,
And ye king yat behind yaim was
Suld se quhar yar war mast myster
And releve yar with his baner.
Ye king yus yat wes wycht & wys
And rycht awise at diuis
Ordanyt his men for ye fechting
In gud aray in alkyn thing.
And on the morn on Setterday
Ye king hard his discourouris say
Yat Inglis men with mekill mycht
Had lyin at Edinburgh all nycht.
Yarfor with-owtyn mar delay
He till ye New Park held his way
15
And in ye park yaim herberyt yar,
And in a plane feld be ye way
Quhar he thocht ned behowyd away
Ye Inglis-men gif yat yai wald
Throw ye park to ye castell hald
He gert men mony pottis ma
Off a fute-breid round, and al ya
War dep wp till a mannys kne,
Sa thyk yat yai mycht liknyt be
Till a wax cayme yat beis mais.
All yat nycht trawailland he wais
Swa yat or day he has maid
Yai pottis, and yaim helyt haid
With stykkis and with gres all grene
Swa yat yai moucht nocht weil be sen.
On Sonday yan in ye mornyng
Weile sone efter ye sone rising
[Yai] hard yar mes commounaly
And mony yaim schraiff full devotly
Yat thocht to dey in yat melle
Or yan to mak yar contre fre.
To God for yar rycht prayit yai,
Yar [dynit] nane of yaim yat day
Bot for ye vigil off sanct Ihane
Yai fastyt water and breid ilkan.
Ye king quhen yat ye mes wes don
16
And at his liking saw yaim mad,
On ayer sid rycht weill braid
It wes pittyt as ik haif tauld.
Giff yat yar fayis on hors wald hald
Furth in yat way I trow yai sall
Nocht weill eschaip for-owtyn fall.
Throw-out ye ost yar gert he cry
Yat all suld arme yaim hastily
And busk yaim on yar best maner,
And quhen yai assemblyt wer
He gert aray yaim for ye fycht,
And syne gert cry our-all on hycht
Yat quha-sa-euer he war yat fand
Hys hart nocht sekyr for to stand
To wyn all or dey with honur
For to maynteyme yat stalwart stour
Yat he betyme suld hald his way,
And suld duell with him bot yai
Yat wald stand with him to ye end
And tak ye vre yat God wald send.
Yan all ansuerd with a cry
And with a woce said generaly
Yat nane for dout off deid suld faile
Quhill discumfyt war ye gret bataile.
Quhen ye gud king has hard his men
Sa hardely ansuer him yen
17
Till sic discomfort suld yaim leid
Yat yai suld eschew ye fechting
In hart he had gret reiosing,
For him thocht men off sic covyn
Sa gud and hardy & sa fyne
Suld weile in bataill hald yar rycht
Agayne men off full mekill mycht.
Syne all ye smale folk and pitall
He send with harnays and with wittaill
In-till ye park weill fer him fra
And fra ye bataillis gert yaim ga
And als he bad yai went yar way,
[Twenty] thowsand weile ner war yai.
Yai held yar way till a wale,
Ye king left with a clene mengne
Ye-quheyir yai war [thretty] thousand
Yat I trow sall stalwartly stand
And do yar dewour as yai aw.
Yai stud yan rangyt all on raw
Redy for to gyff hard battaill
Giff ony folk wald yaim assaile.
Ye king gert yaim all buskit be
For he wyst in certante
That his fayis all nycht lay
18
Held towart him ye way all straucht
With mony men of mekill maucht.
Yarfor till his newo bad he
Ye erle off Murreff with his menȝe
Besid ye kyrk to kepe ye way
Yat na man pas yat gat away
For to debate ye castell,
And he said him self suld weill
Kepe ye entre with his bataill
Giff yat ony wald yar assale,
And syne his broder schyr Eduuard
And ȝoung Walter alsua Steward
And ye lord of Douglas alsua
With yar mengne gud tent suld ta
Quhil[k] off yaim had of help myster
And help with yaim yat with hym wer.
Ye king send yan Iames of Douglas
And schyr Robert ye Keyth yat was
Marschell off all ye ost of fe
Ye Inglis-mennys come to se,
And yai lap on and furth yai raid,
Weile horsyt men with yaim yai haid,
And sone ye gret ost haf yai sene
Quhar scheildis schynand war sa schene
19
Yat gave agayne ye sone gret lycht.
Yai saw sa fele browdyne baneris
Standaris and pennownys & speris,
And sa fele knychtis apon stedis
All flawmand in yar wedis,
And sa fele bataillis and sa braid
Yat tuk sa gret rowme as yai raid
Yat ye maist ost and ye stoutest
Off Crystyndome and ye grettest
Suld be abaysit for to se
Yair fayis in-to sic quantite
And swa arayit for to fycht.
Quhen yar discourrouris has had sycht
Off yar fayis as I ȝow say
Towart ye king yai tuk yar way,
And tauld him in-till preuete
Ye multitud and ye beaute
Off yair fayis yat come sa braid
And off ye gret mycht yat yai haid.
Yan ye king bad yaim yai suld ma
Na contenance yat it war sua
Bot lat yaim in-to comowne say
Yat yai cum in-till ewyll aray
20
For oft-sys throw a word may rys
Discomford and tynsaill with-all,
And throu a word als weill may-fall
Comford may rys and hardyment
May ger men do yar entent.
On ye samyn wys it did her,
Yar comford and yar hardy cher
Comford yaim sa gretumly
Off yar ost yat ye leyst hardy
Be contenance wald formast be
For to begyne ye gret melle.
Apon yis wis ye noble king
Gaff all his men recomforting
Throw hardy contenance of cher
Yat he maid on sa gud maner.
Yaim thocht yat na myscheiff mycht be
Sa gret with-yi yai him mycht se
Befor yaim sua yat yaim suld greve
Yat ne his worschip suld yaim releve,
His worschip confort yaim sua
And contenance yat he gan ma
Yat ye mast coward wes hardy.
On oyer half full sturdely
Ye Inglis-men in sic aray
As ȝe haf herd me forouth say
21
Ye baneris to ye wynd wawand,
And quhen yai cummyn war sa ner
Yat bot twa myle betuix yaim wer
Yai chesyt a ioly cumpany
Off men yat wicht war & hardy
On fayr courseris armyt at rycht,
Four [banrentis] off mekill mycht
War capitanys of yat route,
Ye syr ye Clyffurd yat wes stout
Wes off yaim all souerane leidar,
[Aucht hunder] armyt I trow yai war.
Yai war all ȝoung men & ioly
Ȝarnand to do chewalry,
Off best of [all] ye ost war yai
Off contenance and off aray.
Yai war ye fayrest cumpany
Yat men mycht find of sa mony,
To ye castell yai thocht to far
For giff yat yai weill mycht cum yar
Yai thocht it suld reskewit be.
Furth on yar way held yis menȝe
And towart Strewilline held yar way,
Ye New Park all eschewit yai
For yai wist weill ye king wes yar
And newth ye New Park gan yai far
Weill newth ye kyrk in-till a rout.
Ye erle Thomas yat wes sa stout
22
In gret hy went he yaim agane
With [fyve hunder] for-owtyn ma
Anoyit in his hart and wa
Yat yai sa fer wer passit by,
For ye king haid said him rudly
Yat a rose of his chaplete
Was fallyn, for quhar he wes set
To kep ye way yai men war passit.
And yarfor he hastyt him sa fast
Yat cummyn in schort tyme wes he
To ye plane feld with his menȝe,
For he thocht yat he suld amend
Yat he trespassit had or yan end.
And quhen ye Inglis-men him saw
Cum on for-owtyn dyn or aw
And tak sa hardely ye plane
In hy yai sped yaim him agane
And strak with spuris ye stedis stith
Yat bar yaim ewyn hard and swith.
And quhen ye erle saw yat menȝe
Cum sa stoutly, till his said he,
‘Be nocht abaysit for yar schor,
Bot settis speris ȝow befor
And bak to bak set all ȝour rout
And all ye speris poyntis owt,
Swagate ws best defend may we
23
And as he bad yaim yai haif done,
And ye toyer come on alsone.
Befor yaim all come prikand
A knycht hardy off hart & hand
And a wele gret lord at hame
Schyr Gilȝame [Danecourt] wes his nam
And prikyt on yaim hardely,
And yai met him sa sturdely
Yat he and hors wes borne doune
And slayne rycht yar for-owt ransoun,
With Inglis-men gretly wes he
Menyt yat day and his bounte.
Ye lave come on rycht sturdely
Bot nane off yaim sa hardely
Ruschyt amang yaim as did he,
Bot with fer mar maturyte
Yai assemblyt all in a rout
And enweround yaim all about
Assailȝeand yaim on ilka sid.
And yai with speris woundis wyd
Gaff till ye hors yat come yaim ner,
And yai yat ridand on yaim wer
Yat doune war borne losyt ye lyvis,
And oyer speris dartis & knyffis
And wapynnys on ser maner
24
Yat yaim defendyt sa wittily
Yat yair fayis had gret ferly,
For sum wald schout out of yar rout
And off yaim yat assaylyt about
Stekyt stedis and bar doun men.
Ye Inglis-men sa rudly yen
Kest amang yaim suerdis and mas
Yat ymyd yaim a monteyle was
Off wapynnys yat war warpyt yar.
Ye erle and his yus fechtand war
At gret myscheiff as I ȝow say,
For quhonnar be full fer war yai
Yan yar fayis & all about
War inweround, quhar mony rout
War roucht full dispitously.
Yar fayis demanyt yaim full starkly,
On ayer half yai war sa stad
For ye rycht gret heyt yat yai had
For f[e]chtyn and for sonnys het
Yat all yar flesche of swate wes wete,
And sic a stew rais out off yaim yen
Off aneding bath of hors and men
And off powdyr yat sic myrknes
In-till ye ayr abowyne yaim wes
25
Yai war in gret perplexite
Bot with gret trawaill nocht-foryi
Yai yaim defendyt manlily
And set bath will & strenth & mycht
To rusch yar fayis in yat fycht
Yat yaim demanyt yan angyrly.
Bot gyff God help yaim hastily
Yai sall yar fill have of fechting.
Bot quhen ye noble renownyt king
With oyer lordis yat war him by
Saw how ye erle abandounly
Tuk ye plane feld, Iames of Douglas
Come to ye king rycht quhar he was
And said, ‘A schyr sanct Mary
Ye erle off Murref opynly
Tays ye plane feld with his mengne,
He is in perell bot he be
Sone helpyt for his fayis ar ma
Yan he and horsyt weill alsua,
And with ȝour leve I will me speid
To help him for he has ned,
All wmbeweround with his fayis is he.’
Ye king said, ‘Sa our Lord me se
A fute till him yow sall nocht ga,
Giff he weile dois lat him weile ta.
Quheyer-euer him happyn, to wyn or los,
I will nocht for him brek purpos.’
26
Se yat his fayis him suppris
Quhen yat I may set help yar-till,
With ȝour leve sekyrly I will
Help him or dey in-to ye payn.’
‘Do yan and speid ye sone agayn,’
Ye king said, and he held his way.
Gyff he may cum in tyme perfay
I trow he sall him help sa weill
Yat off his fayis sall it feill.
27
[BOOK XII]
Now Douglas furth his wayis tais,And in yat selff tyme fell throw cais
Yat ye king off Ingland quhen he
Was cummyn with his gret menȝe
Ner to ye place as I said ar
Quhar Scottis men arayit war,
He gert arest all his bataill
And oyer alsua to tak consaill
Quheyer yai wald herbry yaim yat nycht
Or yan but mar ga to ye fycht.
Ye waward yat wist na thing
Off yis arest na his duelling
Raid to ye park all straucht yar way
For-owtyn stinting in gud aray,
And quhen ye king wist yat yai wer
In hale bataill cummand sa ner
His bataill gert he weill aray.
He raid apon a litill palfray
Laucht and ioly arayand
His bataill with ane ax in hand,
And on his bassynet he bar
Ane hat off [qwyrbolle] ay-quhar,
And yar-wpon in-to taknyng
Ane hey croune yat he wes king.
28
With yar bataill approchand ner
Befor yaim all yar come ridand
With helm on heid and sper in hand
Schyr Henry ye Boune ye worthi,
Yat was a wycht knycht & a hardy
And to ye erle off Herfurd cusyne,
Armyt in armys gud & fyne
Come on a sted a bow-schote ner
Befor all oyer yat yar wer,
And knew ye king for yat he saw
Him swa rang his men on raw
And by ye croune yat wes set
Alsua apon his bassynet,
And towart him he went in hy.
And [quhen] ye king sua apertly
Saw him cum forouth all his feris
In hy till him ye hors he steris.
And quhen schyr Henry saw ye king
Cum on for-owtyn abaysing
Till him he raid in full gret hy,
He thocht yat he suld weill lychtly
Wyn him and haf him at his will
Sen he him horsyt saw sa ill.
Sprent yai samyn in-till a ling,
Schyr Henry myssit ye noble king
And he yat in his sterapys stud
29
With sua gret mayne raucht him a dynt
Yat noyer hat na helm mycht stynt
Ye hewy dusche yat he him gave
Yat ner ye heid till ye harnys clave.
Ye hand-ax schaft fruschit in twa,
And he doune to ye erd gan ga
All flatlynys for him faillyt mycht.
Yis wes ye fryst strak off ye fycht
Yat wes perfornyst douchtely,
And quhen ye kingis men sa stoutly
Saw him rycht at ye fyrst meting
For-owtyn dout or abaysing
Have slayne a knycht sua at a strak
Sic hardyment yar-at gan yai tak
Yat yai come on rycht hardely.
Quhen Inglis-men saw yaim sa stoutly
Cum on yai had gret abaysing
And specially for yat ye king
Sa smartly yat gud knycht has slayne
Yat yai withdrew yaim euerilkane
And durst nocht ane abid to fycht
Sa dred yai for ye kingis mycht.
And quhen ye kingis men yaim saw
Swa in hale bataill yaim withdraw
A gret schowt till yaim gan yai mak
And yai in hy tuk all ye bak,
30
Sum off yaim yat yai haf ourtane
Bot yai war few forsuth to say,
Yar hors fete had [ner] all away.
Bot how-sa quhoyne deyt yar
Rebutyt foulily yai war
And raid yar gait with weill mar schame
Be full fer yan yai come fra hame.
Quhen yat ye king reparyt was
Yat gert his men all leve ye chas
Ye lordis off his cumpany
Blamyt him as yai durst gretumly
Yat he him put in auentur
To mete sa styth a knycht and sture
In sic poynt as he yan wes sene,
For yai [said] weill it mycht haiff bene
Cause off yar tynsaill euerilkan.
Ye king ansuer has maid yaim nane
Bot menyt hys handax schaft [yat] sua
Was with ye strak brokyn in twa.
Ye erle Thomas wes ȝete fechtand
With fayis apon athyr hand
And [slew] off yaim a quantite,
Bot wery war his men & he
31
Yai yaim defendyt manlely
Quhill yat ye Douglas come ner
Yat sped him on gret maner,
And Inglis-men yat war fechtand
Quhen yai ye Douglas saw ner-hand
Yai wandyst and maid ane opynnyng.
Iames of Dowglas be yar relying
Knew yat yai war discumfyt ner,
Yan bad yaim yat with him wer
Stand still and pres na forthyrmar.
‘For yai yat ȝonder fechtand ar,’
He said, ‘ar off sa gret bounte
Yat yar fayis weill sone sall be
Discumfyt throw yar awne mycht
Yocht na man help yaim for to fycht,
And cum we now to ye fechting
Quhen yai ar at discumfiting
Men suld say we yaim fruschit had,
And swa suld yai yat caus has mad
With gret trauaill and hard fechting
Los a part of yar lowing,
And it war syn to les yar prys
Yat off sa souerane bounte is.
And he throw plane & hard fechting
32
He sall haff yat he wonnyn has.’
Ye erle with yat yat fechtand was
Quhen he hys fayis saw brawland sua
In hy apon yaim gan he ga,
And pressyt [yame] sa wonder fast
With hard strakys quhill at ye last
Yai fled yat durst abid ne mar.
Bath hors and men slane left yai yar
And held yar way in full gret hy
Nocht all togydder bot syndryly
And yai yat war owrtane war slayn,
Ye lave went till yar ost agayne
Off yar tynsaill sary and wa.
Ye erle yat had him helpyn sua
And his als yat wer wery
Hynt off yar bassynettis in hy
Till awent yaim for yai war wate,
Yai war all helyt in-to swate.
[Yai] semyt men forsuth ik hycht
Yat had fandyt yar force in fycht
And swa did yai full douchtely.
Yai fand off all yar cumpany
Yat yar wes bot a ȝuman slayne
And lowyt God and wes full fayne
33
Towart ye king yan gan yai ga
And till him weill sone cummyn ar.
He wyttyt at yaim of yar far
And glaidsome cher to yaim mad
For yai sa weile yaim borne had.
Yan all pressyt in-to gret daynte
Ye erle off Murreff for to se,
For his hey worschip and gret valour
All ȝarnyt to do him honour,
Sa fast yai ran to se him yar
Yat ner all samyn assemblit ar.
And quhen ye gud king gan yaim se
Befor yaim swa assemblit be
Blyth and glaid yat yar fayis wer
Rabutyt apon sic maner
A litill quhill he held him still,
Syne on yis wys he said his will.
‘Lordingis we aucht to love & luff
All mychty God yat syttis abuff
Yat sendis ws sa fayr begynnyng.
It is a gret discomforting
Till our fayis yat on yis wis
Sa sone has bene rabutyt twis,
For quhen yai off yar ost sall her
And knaw suthly on quhat maner
34
And syne ȝone othyr ioly rout
Yat I trow off ye best men war
Yat yai mycht get amang yaim yar,
War rabutyt sa sodanly,
I trow and knawis it all clerly
Yat mony ane hart sall wawerand be
Yat semyt er off gret bounte,
And fra ye hart be discumfyt
Ye body is nocht worth a myt,
Yarfor I trow yat gud ending
Sall folow till our begynnyng.
Ye-quheyer I say nocht yis ȝow till
For yat ȝe suld folow my will
To fycht, bot in ȝow all sall be,
For gyff ȝow thinkis spedfull yat we
Fecht we sall, and giff ȝe will
We leve, ȝour liking to fulfill.
I sall consent on alkyn wis
To do rycht as ȝe will dywys,
Yarfor sayis off ȝour will planly.’
And with a woce yan gan yai cry,
‘[Gud] king forowtyn mar delay
To-morne alsone as ȝe se day
Ordane ȝow hale for ye bataill,
For doute off dede we sall nocht faill
Na na payn sall refusyt be
35
Quhen ye king had hard sa manlily
Yai spak to fechting and sa hardely
In hart gret glaidschip can he ta
And said, ‘Lordingis sen ȝe will sua
Schaip we ws yarfor in ye mornyng
Swa yat we be ye sone-rysing
Haff herd mes and buskyt weill
Ilk man in-till his awn eschell
Without ye pailȝownys arayit
In bataillis with baneris displayit,
And luk ȝe na wis brek aray.
And as ȝe luf me I ȝow pray
Yat ilk man for his awne honour
Purway him a gud baneour,
And quhen it cummys to ye fycht
Ilk man set hart will & mycht
To stynt our fayis mekill prid.
On hors yai will arayit rid
And cum on ȝow in full gret hy,
Mete yaim with speris hardely
And think yan on ye mekill ill
36
And ar in will ȝeit for to do
Giff yai haf mycht to cum yar-to.
And certis me think weill yat ȝe
For-owt abasing aucht to be
Worthy and of gret wasselagis
For we haff thre gret awantagis.
Ye fyrst is yat we haf ye rycht
And for ye rycht ay God will fycht.
Ye toyer is yat yai cummyn ar
For lyppynyng off yar gret powar
To sek ws in our awne land,
And has brocht her rycht till our hand
Ryches in-to sa gret quantite
Yat ye powrest of ȝow sall be
Bath rych and mychty yar-with-all
Giff yat we wyne, as weill may fall.
Ye thrid is yat we for our lyvis
And for our childer & for our wywis
And for our fredome and for our land
Ar strenȝeit in-to bataill for to stand,
And yai for yar mycht anerly
And for yai lat of ws heychtly
And for yai wald distroy ws all
Mais yaim to fycht, bot ȝeit may fall
Yat yai sall rew yar barganyng.
37
Yat happyn yaim as God forbed
[Till fynd fantis in-till our deid]
Yat yai wyn ws opynly
Yai sall off ws haf na mercy,
And sen we knaw yar felone will
Me think it suld accord to skill
To set stoutnes agayne felony
And mak sa-gat a iuperty.
Quharfor I ȝow requer and pray
Yat with all ȝour mycht yat ȝe may
Yat ȝe pres ȝow at ye begynnyng
But cowardys or abaysing
To mete yaim at [sall] fyrst assemble
Sa stoutly yat ye henmaist trymble,
And menys of ȝour gret manheid
Ȝour worschip and ȝour douchti deid
And off ye ioy yat we abid
Giff yat ws fall as weill may tid
Hap to wencus yis gret battaill.
In [ȝour] handys with-out faile
Ȝe ber honour price and riches
Fredome welth and blythnes
Gyff ȝe contene ȝow manlely,
38
Sall fall giff ȝe lat cowardys
And wykytnes ȝow suppris.
Ȝe mycht haf lywyt in-to threldome,
Bot for ȝe ȝarnyt till have fredome
Ȝe ar assemblyt her with me,
Yarfor is nedfull yat ȝe be
Worthy and wycht but abaysing.
And I warne ȝow weill off a thing,
Yat mar myscheff may fall ws nane
Yan in yar handys to be tane,
For yai suld sla ws I wate weill
Rycht as yai did my brothyr Nele.
Bot quhen I mene off ȝour stoutnes
And off ye mony gret prowes
Yat ȝe haff doyne sa worthely
I trayst and trowis sekyrly
To haff plane wictour in yis fycht,
For youcht our fayis haf mekill mycht
Yai have ye wrang, and succudry
And cowatys of senȝowry
Amowys yaim for-owtyn mor.
Na ws thar dreid yaim bot befor
For strenth off yis place as ȝe se
Sall let ws enweronyt to be.
And I pray ȝow als specially
39
Yat nane of ȝow for gredynes
Haff ey to tak of yar riches,
Na presoneris for to ta
Quhill ȝe se yaim contraryit sa
Yat ye feld anerly ȝowris be,
And yan at ȝour liking may ȝe
Tak all ye riches yat yar is.
Giff ȝe will wyrk apon yis wis
Ȝe sall haff wictour sekyrly.
I wate nocht quhat mar say sall I,
Bot all wate ȝe quhat honour is,
Contene [ȝow] yan on sic a wis
Yat ȝour honour ay savyt be.
And ik hycht her in leaute
Giff ony deys in yis bataille
His ayr but ward releff or taile
On ye fyrst day [his land] sall weld
All be he neuer sa ȝoung off eild.
Now makys ȝow redy for to fycht,
God help ws yat is maist of mycht.
I rede armyt all nycht yat we be
Purwayit in bataill sua yat we
To mete our fayis ay be boune.’
Yan ansueryt yai all with a soune,
‘As ȝe dywys all sall be done.’
40
And ordanyt yaim for ye fechting
Syne assemblyt in ye ewynnyng,
And swagat all ye nycht bad yai
Till on ye morn yat it wes day.
Quhen ye Cliffurd as I sade ar
And all his rout rebutyt war
And yar gret waward alsua
War distrenȝeit ye bak to ta
And yai had tauld yar rebuting—
Yai off ye waward how ye king
Slew at a strak sa apertly
A knycht yat wycht wes and hardy,
And how all haile ye kingis bataill
Schup yaim rycht stoutly till assaill
And schyr Eduuard ye Bruce alsua
Quhen yai all haill ye bak gan ta
And how yai [lesyt] of yar men,
And Cliffurd had tauld alsua yen
How Thomas Randell tuk ye plane
With a few folk and how wes slane
Schyr Gilȝame Danecourt ye worthi,
And how ye erle faucht manly
Yat as ane hyrchoune all his rout
Gert set owt speris all about
And how yat yai war put agayne
And part off yar gud men slayne—
41
Tuk and sic drede of yat tithing
Yat in [fyve hunder] placis and ma
Men mycht se samyn routand ga
Sayand, ‘Our lordis for yar mycht
Will allgate fecht agane ye rycht,
Bot quha-sa werrayis wrangwysly
Yai fend God all to gretumly
And yaim may happyn to mysfall,
And swa may tid yat her we sall.’
And quhen yar lordys had persawing
Off discomfort and rownnyng
Yat yai held samyn twa & twa,
Throw-out ye ost sone gert yai ga
Heraldis to mak a crye
Yat nane discomfort suld be,
For in punȝe is oft [hapnyne]
Quhile for to wyn & quhill to tyne,
And yat in-to ye gret bataill
Yat apon na maner may faill
Bot giff ye Scottis fley yar way
Sall all amendyt be perfay.
Yarfor yai monest yaim to be
Off gret worschip and off bounte
42
And tak amendis at yar hand.
Yai may weill monys as yai will
And yai may hecht als to fulfill
With stalwart hart yar bidding all,
Bot nocht-for-yi I trow yai sall
In-till yar hartis dredand be.
Ye king with his consaill preue
Has tane to rede yat he wald nocht
Fecht or ye morne [bot] he war socht,
Yarfor yai herberyd yaim yat nycht
Doune in ye Kers, and gert all dycht
And maid redy yar aparaill
Agayne ye morne for ye battaill,
And for in ye Kers pulis war
Howsis yai brak & thak bar
To mak briggis quhar yai mycht pas,
And sum sayis ȝeit ye folk yat was
In ye castell quhen nycht gan fall
For yat yai knew ye myscheiff all
Yai went full ner all yat yai war
And duris and wyndowys with yaim bar,
Swa yat yai had befor ye day
Briggyt ye pulis swa yat yai
War passyt our [euer-ilkane,
And ye hard feld on hors has tane
All reddy for till gif battale]
43
Ye Scottis-men quhen it wes day
Yar mes devotly gert yai say
Syne tuk a sop and maid yaim ȝar,
And quhen yai all assemblyt war
And in yar bataillis all purwayit
With yar braid baneris all displayit
Yai maid knychtis, as it afferis
To men yat wsys yai mysteris.
Ye king maid Walter Stewart knycht
And Iames of Dowglas yat wes wycht,
And oyer als of gret bounte
He maid ilkane in yar degre.
Quhen yis wes doyne yat I ȝow say
Yai went all furth in gud aray
And tuk ye plane full apertly,
Mony gud man wicht and hardy
Yat war fulfillyt of gret bounte
In-till yai rowtis men mycht se.
Ye Inglismen on oyer party
Yat as angelis schane brychtly
War nocht arayit on sic maner
For all yar bataillis samyn wer
In a schilthrum, bot quheyer it was
Throw ye gret stratnes of ye place
44
Or yat it was for abaysing
I wate nocht, bot in a schiltrum
It semyt yai war all & sum,
Owtane ye awaward anerly
Yat rycht with a gret cumpany
Be yaim selwyn arayit war.
Quha had bene by mycht have sene yar
Yat folk ourtak a mekill feild
On breid quhar mony a schynand scheld
And mony a burnyst brycht armur
And mony man off gret walur
And mony a brycht baner and schene
Mycht in yat gret schiltrum be sene.
And quhen ye king of Ingland
Swa ye Scottis saw tak on hand
Takand ye hard feyld sa opynly
And apon fute he had ferly
And said, ‘Quhat will ȝone Scottis fycht.’
‘Ȝa sekyrly [schir],’ said a knycht,
Schyr Ingrame ye Wmfrawill hat he,
And said, ‘Forsuth now schyr I se
It is ye mast ferlyfull sycht
Yat euyre I saw quhen for to fycht
45
Agayne ye mycht of Ingland
In plane hard feild to giff bataile.
Bot and ȝe will trow my consaill
Ȝe sall discomfy yaim lychtly.
Withdrawys ȝow hyne sodandly
With bataillis and with penownys
Quhill yat we pas our pailȝownys,
And ȝe sall se alsone yat yai
Magre yar lordys sall brek aray
And scaile yaim our harnays to ta.
And quhen we se yaim scalit sua
Prik we yan on yaim hardely
And we sall haf yaim wele lychtly,
For yan sall nane be knyt to fycht
Yat may withstand ȝour mekill mycht.’
‘I will nocht,’ said ye king, ‘perfay
Do sa, for yar sall na man say
Yat I sall eschew ye bataill
Na withdraw me for sic rangaile.’
Quhen yis wes said yat er said I
Ye Scottis-men comounaly
Knelyt all doune to God to pray
And a schort prayer yar maid yai
To God to help yaim in yat fycht,
And quhen ye Inglis king had sycht
46
‘Ȝone folk knelis to ask mercy.’
Schyr Ingrahame said, ‘Ȝe say suth now,
Yai ask mercy bot nane at ȝow,
For yar trespas to God yai cry.
I tell ȝow a thing sekyrly,
Yat ȝone men will all wyn or de,
For doute of dede yai sall nocht fle.’
‘Now be it sa,’ yan said ye king,
And yan but langer delaying
Yai gert trump till ye assemble.
On ayer sid men mycht yan se
Mony a wycht man and worthi
Redy to do chewalry.
Yus war yai boune on ayer sid,
And Inglis-men with mekill prid
Yat war in-till yar awaward
To ye bataill yat schyr Eduuard
Gowernyt and led held straucht yar way.
Ye hors with spuris hardnyt yai
And prikyt apon yaim sturdely,
And yai met yaim rycht hardely
Swa yat [at] yar assemble yar
Sic a fruschyng of speris war
Yat fer away men mycht it her.
At yat meting forowtyn wer
War stedis stekyt mony ane
And mony gud man borne [doune] & slayne,
47
Was yar eschewyt, for hardely
Yai dang on oyer with wapnys ser.
Sum of ye hors yat stekyt wer
Ruschyt and relyt rycht rudlye,
Bot ye remanand nocht-for-yi
Yat mycht cum to ye assembling
For yat let maid na stinting
Bot assemblyt full hardely,
And yai met yaim full sturdely
With speris yat wer scharp to scher
And axys yat weile groundyn wer
Quhar-with was roucht mony a rout.
Ye fechting wes yar sa fell and stout
Yat mony a worthi man & wicht
Throw fors wes fellyt in yat fycht
Yat had na mycht to rys agane.
Ye Scottis-men fast gan yaim payn
Yar fayis mekill mycht to [rus],
I trow yai sall na payn refuse
Na perell quhill yar fayis be
Set in weill hard perplexite.
And quhen ye erle of Murref swa
Yar waward saw sa stoutly ga
Ye way to schyr Eduuard all straucht
[Yat] met yaim with full mekill maucht,
He held hys way with his baner
48
Ye nyne bataillis yat war sa braid,
Yat sa fele baneris with yaim haid
And of men sa gret quantite
Yat it war wonder for to se.
Ye gud erle yidder tuk ye way
With his battaill in gud aray
And assemblit sa hardily
Yat men mycht her yat had bene by
A gret frusch of ye speris yat brast,
For yar fayis assemblyt fast
Yat on stedis with mekill prid
Come prikand as yai wald our-rid
Ye erle and all his cumpany,
Bot yai met yaim sa sturdely
Yat mony of yaim till erd yai bar,
For mony a sted was stekyt yar
And mony gud man fellyt wnder fet
Yat had na hap to rys wp ȝete.
Yar mycht men se a hard bataill
And sum defend and sum assaile
And mony a reale romble rid
Be roucht yar apon ayer sid
Quhill throw ye byrnys bryst ye blud
Yat till erd doune stremand ȝhude.
Ye erle of Murreff and his men
Sa stoutly yaim contenyt yen
Yat yai wan place ay mar & mar
49
Ay ten for ane or may perfay,
Swa yat it semyt weill yat yai
War tynt amang sa gret menȝe
As yai war plungyt in ye se.
& quhen ye Inglis-men has sene
Ye erle and all his men bedene
Faucht sa stoutly but effraying
Rycht as yai had nane abasing
Yaim pressyt yai with all yar mycht,
And yai with speris and suerdis brycht
And axys yat rycht scharply schar
Ymyddis ye wesag met yaim yar.
Yar mycht men se a stalwart stour
And mony men of gret valour
With speris mas and knyffis
And oyer wapynnys wyssyll yar lyvis
Swa yat mony fell doune all dede,
Ye greys woux with ye blud all reid.
Ye erle yat wycht wes and worthi
And hys men faucht sa manlyly
Yat quha-sa had sene yaim yat day
I trow forsuth yat yai suld say
Yat yai suld do yar dewor wele
Swa yat yar fayis suld it fele.
50
[BOOK XIII]
Quhen yir twa fyrst bataillis werAssemblyt as I said ȝow er,
Ye stewart Walter yat yan was
And ye gud lord als of Douglas
In a bataill, quhen yat yai saw
Ye erle for-owtyn dred or aw
Assembill with his cumpany
On all yat folk sa sturdely
For till help him yai held yar way
And yar bataill in gud aray,
And assemblyt sa hardely
Besid ye erle a litill by
Yat yar fayis feld yar cummyn wele,
For with wapynnys stalwart of stele
Yai dang apon with all yar mycht.
Yar fayis resawyt weile ik hycht
With swerdis speris and with mase,
Ye bataill yar sa feloune was
And swa rycht gret spilling of blud
Yat on ye erd ye flousis stud.
Ye Scottis-men sa weill yaim bar
And swa gret slauchter maid yai yar
And fra sa fele ye lyvis rewyt
Yat all ye feld bludy wes lewyt.
51
All syd be sid fechtand weill ner,
Yar mycht men her mony dynt
And wapynnys apon armuris stynt,
And se tumble knychtis and stedis
And mony rich and reale wedis
Defoullyt foully wnder fete,
Sum held on loft sum tynt ye suet.
A lang quhill yus fechtand yai war
Yat men na noyis mycht her yar,
Men hard nocht bot granys and dintis
Yat slew fyr as men slayis on flyntis,
Yai faucht ilk ane sa egerly
Yat yai maid noyer noyis na cry
Bot dang on oyer at yar mycht
With wapnys yat war burnyst brycht.
Ye arowys [als sua] thyk yar flaw
Yat yai mycht say wele yat yaim saw
Yat yai a hidwys schour gan ma,
For quhar yai fell ik wndre-ta
Yai left efter yaim taknyng
Yat sall ned as I trow leching.
Ye Inglis archeris schot sa fast
Yat mycht yar schot haff ony last
It had bene hard to Scottis-men,
Bot king Robert yat wele gan ken
52
And yar schot rycht hard and grewous
Ordanyt forouth ye assemble
Hys marschell with a gret menȝe,
[Fyve hunder] armyt in-to stele
Yat on lycht hors war horsyt welle,
For to pryk amang ye archeris
And swa assaile yaim with yar speris
Yat yai na layser haiff to schut.
Yis marschell yat ik off mute
Yat schyr Robert of Keyth was cauld
As ik befor her has ȝow tauld
Quhen he saw ye bataillis sua
Assembill and togidder ga
And saw ye archeris schoyt stoutly,
With all yaim off his cumpany
In hy apon yaim gan he rid
And ourtuk yaim at a sid,
And ruschyt amang yaim sa rudly
Stekand yaim sa dispitously
And in sic fusoun berand doun
And slayand yaim for-owtyn ransoun
Yat yai yaim scalyt euerilkane,
And fra yat tyme furth yar wes nane
Yat assemblyt schot to ma.
Quhen Scottis archeris saw yat yai sua
53
And with all yar mycht schot egrely
Amang ye hors-men yat yar raid
And woundis wid to yaim yai maid
And slew of yaim a full gret dele.
Yai bar yaim hardely and wele
For, fra yar fayis archeris war
Scalyt as I said till ȝow ar
Yat ma na yai war be gret thing
Swa yat yai dred nocht yar schoting,
Yai woux sa hardy yat yaim thocht
Yai suld set all yar fayis at nocht.
Ye merschell and his cumpany
Wes ȝeit as till ȝow er said I
Amang ye archeris quhar yai maid
With speris rowme quhar yat yai raid
And slew all yat yai mycht ourta,
And yai wele lychtly mycht do sua
For yai had nocht a strak to stynt
Na for to hald agayne a dynt,
And agayne armyt men to fycht
May nakyt men have litill mycht.
Yai scalyt yaim on sic maner
Yat sum to yar gret bataill wer
Withdrawyn yaim in full gret hy
And sum war fled all wtrely,
Bot ye folk yat behind yaim was,
Yat for yar awne folk had na space
Yheyt to cum [to] ye assembling,
54
Ye archeris yat yai met fleand
Yat yen war maid sa recreand
Yat yar hartis war tynt clenly,
I trow yai sall nocht [scaith] gretly
Ye Scottis-men with schote yat day.
And ye gud king Robert yat ay
Wes fillyt off full gret bounte
Saw how yat his bataillis thre
Sa hardely assemblyt yar
And sa weill in ye fycht yaim bar
And swa fast on yar fayis gan ding
Yat him thocht nane had abaysing,
And how ye archeris war scalyt yen,
He was all blyth and till his men
He said, ‘Lordingis now luk yat ȝe
Worthy and off gud cowyn be
At thys assemble and hardy,
And assembill sa sturdely
Yat na thing may befor ȝow stand.
Our men ar sa freschly fechtand
Yat yai yar fayis has [conrayit] sua
Yat be yai pressyt ik underta
A litill fastyr ȝe sall se
Yat yai discumfyt sone sall be.’
55
And on ane feld assemblyt yai
Sa stoutly yat at yar cummyng
Yar fayis war ruschyt a gret thing.
Yar mycht men se men felly fycht
And men yat woryi war & wycht
[Do] mony woryi wasselage,
Yai faucht as yai war in a rage,
For quhen ye Scottis [ynkirly]
Saw yar fayis sa sturdely
Stand in-to bataill yaim agayn
With all yar mycht and all yar mayn
Yai layid on as men out of wit,
And quhar yai with full strak mycht hyt
Yar mycht na armur stynt yar strak.
Yai to-fruschyt yat yai mycht our-tak
And with axys sic duschys gave
Yat yai helmys and hedis clave,
And yar fayis rycht hardely
Met yaim and dang on yaim douchtely
With wapnys yat war styth of stele.
Yar wes ye bataill [strikyn] wele.
Sa gret dyn yar wes of dyntis
As wapnys apon armur styntis,
And off speris sa gret bresting
And sic thrang and sic thrysting,
56
A noyis as yai gan oyer beit
And ensenȝeys on ilka sid
Gewand and takand woundis wid,
Yat it wes hydwys for to her.
All [four] yar bataillis with yat wer
Fechtand in a frount halyly.
A mychty God how douchtely
Schyr Eduuard ye Bruce & his men
Amang yar fayis contenyt yaim yen
Fechtand in sa gud covyn
Sa hardy worthy & sa fyne
Yat yar waward ruschyt was
And maugre yaris left ye place,
And till yar gret rout to warand
Yai went yat tane had apon hand
Sa gret anoy yat yai war effrayit
For Scottis yat yaim hard assa[yit]
Yat yan war in a schiltrum all.
Quha hapnyt in-to yat fycht to fall
I trow agane he suld nocht rys.
[Yar] mycht men se on mony wys
Hardimentis eschewyt douchtely,
And mony yat wycht war & hardy
57
Quhar all ye feld off blud wes rede,
Armys and [quyntys] yat yai bar
With blud war sa defoulyt yar
Yat yai mycht nocht descroyit be.
A mychty God quha yan mycht se
Yat stewart Walter and his rout
And ye gud Douglas yat wes sa stout
Fechtand in-to yat stalwart stour,
He suld say yat till all honour
Yai war worthi yat in yat fycht
Sa fast pressyt yar fayis mycht
Yat yaim ruschyt quhar yai ȝeid.
Yar men mycht se mony a steid
Fleand on stray yat lord had nane.
A Lord quha yan gud tent had tane
Till ye gud erle of Murreff
And his yat sua gret rowtis geff
And faucht sa fast in yat battaill
Tholand sic paynys and trawaill
Yat yai and yaris maid sic debat
Yat quhar yai come yai maid yaim gat.
Yan mycht men her enseynȝeis cry
And Scottis-men cry hardely,
‘On yaim on yaim on yaim yai faile.’
58
And slew all yat yai mycht ourta,
And ye Scottis archeris alsua
Schot amang yaim sa deliuerly
Engrewand yaim sa gretumly
Yat quhat for yaim yat with yaim faucht
Yat swa gret rowtis to yaim raucht
And pressyt yaim full egrely,
And quhat for arowis yat felly
Mony gret woundis gan yaim ma
And slew fast off yar hors alsua,
Yat yai wandyst a litill wei.
Yai dred sa gretly yen to dey
Yat yar cowyn wes wer & wer,
For yaim yat fechtand with yaim wer
Set hardyment and strenth & will
And hart and corage als yar-till
And all yar mayne & all yar mycht
To put yaim fully to flycht.
In yis tyme yat I tell off her
At yat bataill on yis maner
Wes strykyn [quhar] on ayer party
[Yai] war fechtand enforcely,
Ȝomen and swanys and pitaill
Yat in ye park [to ȝeme] wittaill
War left, quhen yai wist but lesing
59
On yar fayis assemblyt wer,
Ane off yaim selwyn yat war yar
Capitane of yaim all yai maid,
And schetis yat war sumdele brad
Yai festnyt in steid off baneris
Apon lang treys and speris,
And said yat yai wald se ye fycht
And help yar lordis at yar mycht.
Quhen her-till all assentyt wer
In a rout [yai] assemblit er
[Fyften] thowsand yai war or ma,
And yan in gret hy gan yai ga
With yar baneris all in a rout
As yai had men bene styth & stout.
Yai come with all yat assemble
Rycht quhill yai mycht ye bataill se,
Yan all at anys yai gave a cry,
‘Sla sla apon yaim hastily,’
And yar-with-all cumand war yai,
Bot yai war wele fer ȝete away.
And Inglis-men yat ruschyt war
Throuch fors of fycht as I said ar
Quhen yai saw cummand with sic a cry
60
Yat yaim thocht wele als mony war
As yat wes fechtand with yaim yar
And yai befor had nocht yaim sene,
Yan with ȝe weill with-outyn wene
Yai war abaysit sa gretumly
Yat ye best and ye mast hardy
Yat war in-till yar ost yat day
Wald with yar mensk haf bene away.
Ye king Robert be yar relying
Saw yai war ner at discomfiting
And his ensenȝe gan hely cry,
Yan with yaim off his cumpany
Hys fayis he pressyt sa fast yat [yai]
War in-till sa gret effray
Yat yai left place ay mar & mar,
For all ye Scottis-men yat yar war
Quhen yai saw yaim eschew ye fycht
Dang on yaim with all yar mycht
Yat yai scalyt yaim in troplys ser
And till discomfitur war ner
And sum off yaim fled all planly,
Bot yai yat wycht war & hardy
Yat schame lettyt to ta ye flycht
At gret myscheiff mantemyt ye fycht
And stythly in ye stour gan stand.
61
Saw his men fley in syndry place,
And saw his fayis rout yat was
Worthyn sa wycht & sa hardy
Yat all his folk war halyly
Sa stonayit yat yai had na mycht
To stynt yar fayis in ye fycht,
He was abaysyt sa gretumly
Yat he and his cumpany
[Fyve] hunder armyt all at rycht
In-till a frusch all tok ye flycht
And to ye castell held yar way,
And ȝeyt haiff ik hard som men say
That off Walence schir Aymer
Quhen he ye feld saw wencusyt ner
Be ye reyngȝe led away ye king
Agayne his will fra ye fechting.
And quhen schyr Gylis ye Argente
Saw ye king yus and his menȝe
Schap yaim to fley sa spedyly,
He come rycht to ye king in hy
And said, ‘Schyr sen it is sua
Yat ȝe yusgat ȝour gat will ga
Hawys gud day for agayne will I,
Ȝeyt fled I neuer sekyrly
And I cheys her to bid and dey
Yan for to lyve schamly and fley.’
62
He turnyt and agayne he rade
And on Eduuard ye Bruys rout
Yat wes sa sturdy and sa stout
As drede off nakyn thing had he
He prikyt cryand ‘ye Argente,’
And yai with speris swa him met
And swa fele speris on him set
Yat he and hors war chargyt swa
Yat bathe till ye erd gan ga
And in yat place yar slane wes he.
Off hys deid wes rycht gret pite,
He wes ye thrid best knycht perfay
Yat men wyst lywand in his day,
He did mony a fayr iourne.
On Saryzynys thre derenȝeys faucht he
And in-till ilk derenȝe off ya
He wencussyt Saryzynys twa.
His gret worschip tuk yar ending.
And fra schyr Aymer with ye king
Was fled wes nane yat durst abid
Bot fled scalyt on ilka sid,
And yar fayis yaim pressyt fast.
Yai war to say suth swa agast
63
Yat off yaim a full gret party
Fled to ye water of Forth & yar
Ye mast part off yaim drownyt war,
And Bannokburne betuix ye brays
Off men [and] hors swa stekyt wais
Yat apon drownyt [hors] and men
Men mycht pas dry owt-our it yen.
And laddis swanys and rangaill
Quhen yai saw wencussyt ye battaill
Ran amang yaim and swa gan sla
As folk yat na defens mycht ma
Yat war pitte for to se.
Ik herd neuer quhar in na contre
Folk at sua gret myscheiff war stad,
On ane sid yai yar fayis bad
Yat slew yaim doun for-owtyn mercy,
And yai had on ye toyer party
Bannokburne yat swa cumbyrsum was
For slyk and depnes for to pas
Yat yar mycht nane out-our it rid,
Yaim [worthit] mawgre yaris abid
Swa yat sum slayne sum drownyt war,
Mycht nane eschap yat euer come yar
Ye-quheyer mony gat away
64
Ye king with yaim he with him had
In a rout till ye castell rad
And wald haiff bene yarin, for yai
Wyst nocht quhat gat to get away,
Bot Philip ye Mowbra said him till,
‘Ye castell schyr is at ȝour will,
Bot cum ȝe in it ȝe sall se
Yat ȝe sall sone assegyt be
And yar sall nane of Ingland
To mak ȝow rescours tak on hand
And but rescours may na castell
Be haldyn lang, ȝe wate yis wele.
Yarfor confort ȝow and rely
Ȝour men about ȝow rycht starkly
And haldis about ye park ȝour way
[Knyt] als sadly as ȝe may,
For I trow yat nane sall haff mycht
Yat chassys with sa fele to fycht.’
And his consaill yai haiff doyne
And be-newth ye castell went yai sone
Rycht be ye Round Table away,
And syne ye park enweround yai
And towart Lythkow held in hy.
Bot I trow yai sall hastily
Be conweyit with sic folk yat yai
I trow mycht suffre wele away,
For schyr Iames lord of Douglas
65
And he gaff him it but abaid,
Bot all to few of hors he haid,
He had nocht in hys rout sexty
Ye-quheyer he sped him hastely
Ye way eftyr ye king to ta.
Now lat him on his wayis ga
And eftre yis we sall weill tell
Quhat him in-till ye chace befell.
Quhen ye gret battaill on yis wis
Was discumfyt as ik dewys
Quhar [thretty] thowsand wele war ded
Or drownyt in yat ilk sted,
And sum war in-till handis tane
And oyer sum yar gate war gane,
Ye erle of Herfurd fra ye melle
Departyt with a gret mengne
And straucht to Bothwell tok ye vai
Yat yan in ye Inglis-mennys fay
Was, and haldyn as place of wer,
Schyr Walter Gilbertson wes yer
Capitane and it had in ward.
Ye erle of Herfurd yidderward
Held and wes tane in our ye wall
And fyfty of his men with-all,
And set in howsis sindryly
Swa yat yai had yar na [mastry].
Ye lave went towart Ingland
66
Ye [thre] partis war slane or tane,
Ye lave with gret payn hame ar gan.
Schyr Mawrice alsua ye Berclay
Fra ye gret bataill held hys way
With a gret rout off Walis-men,
Quhar-euer yai ȝeid men mycht yaim ken
For yai wele ner all nakyt war
Or lynnyn clathys had but mar.
Yai held yar way in full gret hy
Bot mony off yar cumpany
Or yai till Ingland come war tane
And mony als off yaim war slayne.
Yair fled als oyer wayis ser,
Bot to ye castell yat wes ner
Off Strewilline fled sic a mengȝe
Yat it war wonder for to se,
For ye craggis all helyt war
About ye castell her and yar
Off yaim yat for strenth of yat sted
Yidderwart to warand fled,
And for yai war sa fele yat yar
Fled wnder ye castell war
Ye king Robert yat wes wytty
Held in his gud men ner him by
For drede yat ris agayne suld yai.
Yis was ye caus forsuth to say
Quhar-throuch ye king of Ingland
67
Quhen yat ye feld sa clene wes maid
Off Inglis-men yat nane abaid
Ye Scottis-men sone tuk in hand
Off yaris all yat euer yai fand,
[As siluer gold clathis and armyng
With weschall and all other thing
Yat euer yai mycht lay on yare hand.
So gret a riches yair yai fand]
Yat mony man mychty wes maid
Off ye riches yat yai yar haid.
Quhen yis wes doyne yat her say I
Ye king send a gret cumpany
Wp to ye crag yaim till assaile
Yat war fled fra ye gret battaill,
And yai yaim ȝauld for-owtyn debate,
And in hand has tane yaim fute-hate
Syne to ye king yai went yar way.
Yai dispendyt haly yat day
In spulȝeing and riches takyng
Fra end was maid off ye fechting,
And quhen yai nakyt spulȝeit war
Yat war slane in ye bataill yar
It wes forsuth a gret ferly
To se samyn sa fele dede ly.
Twa hunder payr off spuris reid
War tane of knychtis yat war deid,
Ye erle of Glosyster ded wes yar
68
And Gylis de Argente alsua
And Payn [Typtot] & oyer ma
Yat yar namys nocht tell can I.
And apon Scottis-mennys party
Yar wes slane woryi knychtis twa,
Wilȝame ye Wepoynt wes ane of ya
And schyr Walter of Ross ane oyer
Yat schyr Eduuard ye kingis broyer
Luffyt and had in sic daynte
Yat as him selff him luffyt he.
And quhen he wyst yat he wes ded
He wes sa wa & will of reide
Yat he said makand iwill cher
Yat him war lewer yat iournay wer
Wndone yan he sua ded had bene.
Owtakyn him men has nocht sene
Quhar he for ony man maid menyng,
And ye caus wes of his luffing
Yat he his sister paramouris
Luffyt, and held all [at] rebouris
Hys awyne wyff dame Ysabell.
And yarfor sa gret distance fell
Betuix him and ye erle Dawi
Off Athole broyer to yis lady
Yat he apon saynct Ihonys nycht,
69
In Cammyskynnell ye kingis wittaill
He tuk and sadly gert assaile
Schyr Wilȝam off [Herth] & him slew
& with him men ma yen ynew.
Yarfor syne in-till Ingland
He wes bannyst and all his land
Wes sesyt as forfaut to ye king
Yat did yar-off syne his liking.
Quhen ye feld as I tauld ȝow ar
Was dispulȝeit and left all bar
Ye king and all his cumpany
Blyth and ioyfull glaid and mery
Off ye grace yat yaim fallin was
Towart yar innys yar wayis tays
To rest yaim, for [yai] wery war.
Bot for ye erle Gilbert of Clar
Yat slane wes in ye bataill-place
Ye king sumdele anoyit was
For till him [wele ner] sib wes he,
Yan till a kyrk he gert him be
Brocht and walkyt all yat nycht.
And on ye morn quhen day wes lycht
Ye king rais as his willis was.
Yan ane Inglis knycht throw cas
Hapnyt yat he ȝeid wawerand
Swa yat na man laid on him hand,
70
And waytyt quhill he saw ye king
In ye morne cum furth arly.
Till him yan is he went in hy,
Schyr Marmeduk ye Tweingue he hycht.
He raykyt till ye king all rycht
And halyst him apon his kne.
‘Welcum schyr Marmeduk,’ said he,
‘To quhat man art yow presoner.’
‘To nane,’ he said, ‘bot to ȝow her
I ȝeld me at ȝour will to be.’
‘And I ressave ye schyr,’ said he.
Yan gert he tret him curtasly,
He duelt lang in his cumpany,
And syne till Ingland him send he
Arayit weile but ransoun fre
And geff him gret gyftis yarto.
A worthi man yat sua wald do
Mycht mak him gretly for to prise.
Quhen Marmeduk apon yis wis
Was ȝoldyn as ik to ȝow say,
Yan come schir Philip ye Mowbra
And to ye king ȝauld ye castell,
His cunnand has he haldyn well,
And with him tretyt sua ye king
Yat he belewyt of hys duelling
And held him lely his fay
Quhill ye last end off his lyf-day.
71
Tell how yat he folowit ye chas.
He had to quhone in his cumpany
Bot he sped him in full gret hy,
And as he throuch the Torwod fur
Sa met he ridand on ye mur
Schyr Laurence off Abyrnethy
Yat with [four scor] in cumpany
Come for till help ye Inglismen
For he was Inglis-man ȝet yen,
Bot quhen he hard how yat it wes
He left ye Inglis-mennys pes
And to ye lord Dowglas rycht yar
For to be lele & trew he swar.
And yan yai bath folowit ye chas,
And or ye king off Ingland was
Passyt Lythkow yai come sa ner
With all ye folk yat with yaim wer
Yat weill amang yaim [schout] yai mycht,
Bot yai thocht yaim to few to fycht
With ye gret rowt yat yai had yar
For [fyve hunder] armyt yai war.
To-gidder sarraly raid yai
And held yaim apon bridill ay,
Yai war gouernyt wittily
For it semyt ay yai war redy
72
Giff yai assailyt war in fycht.
And ye lord of Douglas and his men,
How yat he wald nocht schaip him yen
For to fecht with yaim all planly,
He conwoyit yaim sa narowly
Yat of ye henmaist ay tuk he,
Mycht nane be-hind his falowis be
A pennystane cast na he in hy
Wes dede, or tane deliuerly
Yat nane rescours wald till him ma
All-yocht he [luwyt] him neuer sua.
On yis maner conwoyit he
Quhill yat ye king and his menȝe
To Wenchburg all cummyn ar.
Yan lychtyt all yat yai war
To bayt yar hors yat war wery,
And Douglas and his cumpany
Baytyt alsua besid yaim ner.
Yai war sa fele with-owtyn wer
And in armys sa clenly dycht
And swa arayit for to fycht,
And he sa quhoyne and but supleyng
Yat he wald nocht in plane fechting
Assaile yaim, bot ay raid yaim by
Waytand hys poynt ay ythandly.
A litill quhill yai baytyt yar
73
And [he] was alwayis by yaim ner,
He leyt yaim nocht haff sic layser
As anys water for to ma,
And giff ony stad war sa
Yat he behind left ony space
Sesyt alsone in hand he was.
Yai conwoyit yaim on sic a wis
Quhill yat ye king and hys rout is
Cummyn to ye castell of Dunbar
Quhar he and sum of his menȝe war
Resawyt rycht weill, for ȝete yan
Ye erle Patrik was Inglis-man,
Yat gert with mete and drynk alsua
Refresche yaim weill, and syne gert ta
A bate and send ye king by se
To Bawmburgh in his awn contre.
Yar hors yar left yai all on stray
Bot sesyt I trow weill sone war yai.
Ye lave yat lewyt yar-without
Adressyt yaim in-till a rout
And till Berwik held straucht yar way
In route, bot and we suth say
Stad yai war full narowly
Or yai come yar, bot nocht-for-yi
Yai come to Berwik weill & yar
In-to ye toune ressawyt war,
74
And quhen ye lord off Douglas has sene
Yat he had losyt all hys payne
Towart ye king he went agane.
Yis king eschapyt on yis wis.
Lo quhat fading in fortoun is
Yat will apon a man quhill smyle
And prik on him syne a nothyr quhill,
In na tym stable can scho stand.
Yis mychty king off Ingland
Scho had set on hyr quheill on hycht
Quham with sa ferlyfull a mycht
Off men off armys and archeris
And off fute-men and hobeleris
He come ridand out off his land
As I befor has borne on hand,
And in a nycht syne and a day
Scho set him in sa hard assay
Yat he with few men in a bate
Wes fayne for till hald hame his gate.
Bot off yis ilk quhelys turnyng
King Robert suld mak na murnyng,
For on his syd ye quheyle on hycht
Rais quhen ye toyer doun gan lycht,
[For twa contraris ȝhe may wit wele
75
Quhen ane is hye ye toyir is law,
And gif it fall yat fortoune thraw
The quheill about, it yat on hicht
Was ere it most doune lycht],
And it yat wndre lawch was ar
Mon lepe on loft in ye contrar.
Sa fure it off yir kingis twa,
Quhen ye king Robert stad was sua
Yat in gret myscheiff wes he
Ye toyer was in his maieste,
And quhen ye king Eduuardis mycht
Wes lawyt king Robert wes on hycht,
And now sic fortoun fell him till
Yat he wes hey and at his will.
At Strewillyne wes he ȝeyt liand,
And ye gret lordis yat he fand
Dede in ye feld he gert bery
In haly place honorabilly,
And ye lave syne yat dede war yar
In-to gret pyttis erdyt war.
Ye castell and ye towris syne
Rycht till ye ground doune gert he myn,
And syne to Bothwell send he
Schyr Eduuard with a gret menȝe
For yar wes [yine] send him word
Yat ye rich erle off Herford
And oyer mychty als wer yer.
76
Yat erle and castell and ye lave
In schyr Eduuardis hand he gave,
And till ye king ye erle send he
Yat gert him rycht weill ȝemyt be
Quhill [at] ye last yai tretyt sua
Yat he till Ingland hame suld ga
For-owtyn paying of raunsoune fre,
And yat for him suld changyt be
Byschap Robert yat blynd was mad
And ye queyne yat yai takyn had
In presoune as befor said I
And hyr douchter dame Mariory.
Ye erle was changyt for yir [thre],
And quhen yai cummyn war hame all fre
Ye king hys douchter yat was far
And wes als aperand ayr
With Walter Stewart gan he wed,
And yai wele sone gat of yar bed
A knaw child throw our lordis grace,
Yat eftre hys gud eldfader was
Callyt Robert and syne wes king,
And had ye land in gouernyng
Eftyr hys worthy eyme Dawy
Yat regnyt twa ȝer and fourty.
And in ye tyme of ye compiling
77
And off hys kynrik passit was
[Fyve] ȝer, and wes ye ȝer of grace
[A] thowsand [thre hunder] sevynty
And [fyve], and off his eld sexty,
And yat wes efter yat ye gud king
Robert wes broucht till his ending
[Sex] and fourty winter but mar.
God graunt yat yai yat cummyn ar
Off his ofspring manteyme ye land
And hald ye folk weill to warand
And manteyme rycht and leawte
Als wele as in hys tyme did he.
King Robert now wes wele at hycht
For ilk day yan grew his mycht,
His men woux rich and his contre
Haboundyt weill of corne & fe
And off alkyn oyer ryches,
Myrth and solace & blythnes
War in ye land commonaly
For ilk man blyth war & ioly.
Ye king eftre ye gret iourne
Throw rede off his consaill preue
In ser townys gert cry on hycht
That quha-sa clemyt till haf rycht
78
Yat in yai [tuelf] moneth suld he
Cum and clam yt and yarfor do
To ye king yat pertenyt yarto,
And giff yai come nocht in yat ȝer
Yan suld yai wit with-owtyn wer
Yat hard yar-eftre nane suld be.
Ye king, yat wes of gret bounte
And besynes, quhen yis wes done
Ane ost gert summound eftre sone
And went yaim in-till Ingland
And our-raid all Northummyrland,
And brynt howsis and tuk yar pray
And syne went hame agane yar way.
I lat it schortly pas for-by
For yar wes done na chewalry
Prowyt yat is to spek of her.
Ye king went oft on yis maner
In Ingland for to rich his men
Yat in riches haboundyt yen.
79
[BOOK XIV]
Ye erle off Carrik schyr Eduuard,Yat stoutar wes yan a libard
And had na will to be in pes,
Thocht yat Scotland to litill wes
Till his broyer and him alsua,
Yarfor to purpos gan he ta
Yat he off Irland wald be king.
Yarfor he send and had tretyng
With [Irschery] off Irland,
Yat in yar leawte tuk on hand
Off all Irland to mak him king
With-yi yat he with hard fechting
Mycht our-cum ye Inglis men
Yat in ye land war wonnand yen,
And yai suld help with all yar mycht.
And he yat hard yaim mak sic hycht
In-till his hart had gret liking,
And with ye consent of ye king
Gadryt him men off gret bounte
And at Ayr syne schippyt he
In-till ye neyst moneth of Mai,
Till Irland held he straucht his wai.
He had yar in his cumpany
Ye erle Thomas yat wes worthi
And gud schyr Philip ye Mowbray
Yat sekyr wes in hard assay,
80
And schyr Ihone Stewart yat wes wycht
Ye Ramsay als of Ouchterhous
Yat wes wycht and chewalrous
And schyr Fergus off Ardrossane
And oyer knychtis mony ane.
In Wolringis fyrth arywyt yai
Sauffly but bargan or assay
And send yar schippis hame ilkan.
A gret thing have yai wndertane
Yat with sa quhoyne as yai war yar
Yat war sex [thousand] men but mar
Schup to werray all Irland,
Quhar yai sall se mony thousand
Cum armyt on yaim for to fycht,
Bot yocht yai quhone war yai war wicht,
And for-owt drede or effray
In twa bataillis tuk yar way
Towart Cragfergus it to se.
Bot ye lordis of yat countre
Mandweill Besat and Logane
Yar men assemblyt euerilkane,
Ye Sawagis [wes] alsua yar,
And quhen yai assemblit war
Yar war wele ner [tuenty] thousand.
81
Sic a menȝe aryvyt war
With all ye folk yat yai had yar
Yai went towart yaim in gret hi,
And fra schyr Eduuard wist suthly
Yat ner till him cummand war yai
His men he gert yaim wele aray,
Ye awaward had ye erle Thomas
And ye rerward schyr Eduuard was.
Yar fayis approchyt to ye fechting
And yai met yaim but abaysing.
Yar mycht men se a gret melle,
For erle Thomas and his menȝe
Dang on yar fayis sa douchtely
Yat in schort tym men mycht se ly
Ane hunder yat all blody war,
For hobynys yat war stekyt yar
Relyt and flang and gret rowme mad
And kest yaim yat apon yaim rad,
And schyr Eduuardis cumpany
Assemblyt syne sa hardely
Yat yai yar fayis ruschyt all.
Quha hapnyt in yat fycht to fall
It wes perrell off hys rysing.
Ye Scottis-men in yat fechting
Swa apertly and wele yaim bar
Yat yar fayis sua ruschyt war
82
In yat bataill wes tane or slane
All hale ye flur off Wlsyster.
Ye erle off Murreff gret price had yer,
For his worthi chewalry
Comfort all his cumpany.
Yis wes a full fayr begynnyng,
For newlingis at yar arywing
In plane bataill yai discomfyt yar
Yar fayis yat [four] ay for ane war,
Syne to Cragfergus ar yai gane
And in ye toune has innys tane.
Ye castell weill wes stuffyt yen
Off new with wyttaill and with men,
Yartill yai set a sege in hy.
Mony eschewe full apertly
Wes maid quhill yar ye sege lay
Quhill trewys at ye last tuk yai,
Quhen yat ye folk off Hulsyster
Till his pes haly cummyn wer,
For schyr Eduuard wald tak on hand
To rid furth forthyr in ye land.
Off ye kingis off yat countre
Yar come till him and maide fewte
Weyll [ten] or [tuelf] as ik hard say,
83
For [twa] off yaim, ane Makgullane
And ane oyer hat Makartane,
Withset a pase in-till his way
Quhar him behowyt ned away
With twa thowsand off men with speris
And als mony of yar archeris,
And all ye catell of ye land
War drawyn yidder to warand.
Men callys yat plase Innermallane,
In all Irland straytar is nane.
For schyr Eduuard yat kepyt yai,
Yai thoucht he suld nocht yar away,
Bot he his wiage sone has tane
And straucht towart ye pas is gane.
Ye erle off Murreff schyr Thomas
Yat put him fyrst ay till assayis
Lychtyt on fute with his menȝe
And apertly ye pase tuk he.
Yir Ersch kingis I spak off ar
With all ye folk yat with [yame] war
Met him rycht sturdely, bot he
Assaylyt sua with his menȝe
Yat maugre yaris yai wan ye pas.
84
Throw-out ye wod yaim chasyt yai
And sesyt in sic fusoune ye pray
Yat all ye folk off yar ost war
Refreschyt weill ane wouk or mar.
At Kilsagart schir Eduuard lay,
And wele sone he has hard say
Yat at Dundalk wes assemble
Made off ye lordis off yat countre.
In ost yai war assemblyt yar,
Yar wes fyrst schyr Richard of Clar
Yat in all Irland lufftenande
Was off ye king off Ingland,
Ye erle of De[s]mond wes yar
And ye erle alsua of Kildar,
Ye Breman & [ye Wardoune]
Yat war lordis of gret renoune,
Ye Butler alsua yar was
And schyr Morys le Fys Thomas,
Yai with yar men ar cummyn yar,
A rycht gret ost forsuth yai war.
And [quhen] schyr Eduuard wyst suthly
Yat yar wes swilk chewalry
His ost in hy he gert aray
And yidderwartis tuk ye way
85
Bot for he wyst all witterly
Yat in ye toune war mony men
His bataillis he arayit yen,
And stud arayt in bataill
To kep yaim gif yai wald assaile.
And quhen yat schyr Rychard of Clar
And oyer lordis yat yar war
Wyst yat ye Scottis men sa ner
With yar bataillis cummyn wer,
Yai tuk to consaile yat yat nycht
For it wes layt yai wald nocht fycht,
Bot on ye morne in ye mornyng
Weile sone eftre ye sone-rysing
Yai suld isch furth all yat yar war,
Yarfor yat nycht yai did no mar
Bot herbryit yaim on athyr party.
Yat nycht ye Scottis cumpany
War wachit [rycht weill] all at rycht,
And on ye morn quhen day wes lycht
In twa bataillis yai yaim arayit,
Yai stud with baneris all displayit
For ye bataill all redy boun.
And yai yat war with-in ye toun
Quhen sone wes rysyn schenand cler
Send furth of yaim yat with-in wer
Fyfty to se ye contenyng
Off Scottis men and yar cummyng,
And yai raid furth & saw yaim sone,
Syne come agayne with-outyn hone.
86
Yai tauld yar lordis yat wer yar
Yat Scottis-men semyt to be
Worthi and off gret bounte,
‘Bot yai ar nocht withoutyn wer
Half-dell a dyner till ws her.’
Ye lordys had off yis tithing
Gret ioy and gret recomforting
And gert men throw ye cite cry
Yat all suld arme yaim hastily.
Quhen yai war armyt & purwayit
And for ye fycht all hale arayit
Yai went yaim furth in gud aray,
Sone with yar fayis assemblyt yai
Yat kepyt yaim rycht hardely.
Ye stour begouth yar cruelly
For athyr part set all yar mycht
To rusche yar fayis in ye fycht
And with all mycht on oyer dang.
Ye stalwart stour lestyt wele lang
Yat men mycht nocht persave na se
Quha maist [at] yar abowe suld be,
For fra sone eftre ye sone-rissing
Quhill eftre mydmorne ye fechting
Lestyt in-till swilk a dout.
87
With all yaim of his cumpany
Schot apon yaim sa sturdely
Yat yai mycht thole no mar ye fycht,
All in a frusche yai tuk ye flycht
And yai folowyt full egrely,
[In-to] ye toun [all] commonaly
Yai entryt bath intermelle.
[Yair] men mycht felloune slauchter se,
For ye rycht noble erle Thomas
Yat with his rout folowyt ye chas
Maid swilk a slauchter in ye toun
And swa felloune occisioun
Yat [ye] rewys all bludy war
Off slayne men yat war liand yar,
Ye lordis war gottyn all away.
And quhen ye toun as I ȝow say
Wes throw gret force of fechting tane
And all yar fayis fled or slayne
Yai herbryit yaim all in ye toun,
Quhar off wittaill wes sic fusoun
And sua gret haboundance of wyne
Yat ye gud erle had dowtyne
Yat off yar men suld drunkyn be
And mak in drunkynnes sum melle.
Yarfor he maid of wyne levere
88
And yai had all yneuch perfay.
Yat nycht rycht weill at ese war yai
And rycht blyth of ye gret honour
Yat yaim befell for yar walour.
Eftyr yis fycht yai soiornyt yar
In-to Dundalk thre dayis but mar,
Syne tuk yai southwartis yar way.
Ye erle Thomas wes forouth ay
And as yai raid throw ye countre
Yai mycht apon ye hillis se
Swa mony men it wes ferly,
And quhen ye erle wald sturdely
Dres him to yaim with his baner
Yai wald [fle] all yat [euir] yai wer
Swa yat in fycht nocht ane abad.
And yai southwart yar wayis raid
Quhill till a gret forest come yai,
Kylrose it hat as ik hard say,
And yai tuk all yar herbery yar.
In all yis tyme Rychard of Clar
Yat wes ye kingis luftenand
Off ye barnagis of Irland
A gret ost he assemblyt had,
Yai war [fyve] bataillis gret and braid
Yat soucht schir Eduuard & his men,
Weill ner him war yai cummyn yen.
89
Cummand on him and war sa ner.
His men he dressyt yaim agayn
And gert yaim stoutly ta ye playn
And syne ye erle [yar] come to se
And schir Philip ye Mowbray send he,
And schyr Ihone Stewart went alsua.
Furth to discouer yar way yai ta,
Yai saw ye ost sone cum at hand
Yai war to ges fyfty thousand,
Hame till schir Eduuard raid yai yen
And said weill yai war mony men.
He said agayne, ‘Ye ma yai be
Ye mar honour all-out haff we
Giff yat we ber ws manlyly.
We ar set her in iuperty
To wyn honour or for to dey,
We ar to fer fra hame to fley
Yarfor lat ilk man woryi be.
Ȝone ar gadryngis of yis countre
And yai sall fley I trow lychly
And men assaile yaim manlyly.’
All said yan yat yai weile suld do,
With yat approchand ner yaim to
90
And yai met yaim with mekill mycht
Yat war [ten] thowsand worthi men.
Ye Scottis-men all on fute war yen,
And yai on stedys trappyt weile
Sum helyt all in irne and stele,
Bot Scottis-men at yar meting
With speris persyt yar armyng
And stekyt hors and men doun bar.
A feloun fechting wes yan yar,
I can nocht tell yar strakys all
Na quha in fycht gert oyer fall
Bot in schort tyme ik wnderta
Yai of Irland war contraryit sua
Yat yai durst yan abyd no mar
Bot fled scalyt all yat yai war,
And levyt in ye bataill sted
Weill mony off yar gud men dede,
Off wapnys armyng & of ded men
Ye feld was haly strowyt yen.
Yat gret ost rudly ruschyt was
Bot schyr Eduuard let na man chas
Bot with presoneris yat yai had tane
Yai till ye woud agayne ar gane
Quhar yat yar harnays levyt war.
Yat nycht yai maid yar men gud cher
And lovyt God fast off his grace.
[Yis] gud knycht yat sa worthi was
91
Be lyknyt weill yat in-to fycht
Forsuk na multitud off men
Quhill he had ane aganys ten.
Yus as I said Rychard of Clar
And his gret ost rebutyt war,
Bot he about him nocht-foryi
Wes gaderand men ay ythenly
For he thocht ȝete to cowyr hys cast.
It angyrryt him rycht ferly fast
Yat twys in-till batell wes he
Discomfyt with a few mengne.
And Scottis-men yat to ye forest
War ridyn for to mak yar rest
All yai twa nychtis yar yai lay
And maid yaim myrth solace & play.
Towart Ydymsy syne yai raid,
Ane Yrsche king yat aith had maid
To schyr Eduuard of fewte,
For forouth yat him prayit he
To se hys land and na wittaill
Na nocht yat mycht yaim help suld faile.
Schyr Eduuard trowit in hys hycht
And with hys rout raid yidder rycht.
A gret rywer he gert him pas
And in a rycht fayr place yat was
Lawch by a bourne he gert yaim ta
Yar herbery, and said he wald ga
92
He held hys way but mar duelling.
For to be-trais yaim wes his thocht,
In sic a place he has yaim broucht
Quhar-of twa iournais wele and mar
All ye cattell with-drawyn war,
Swa yat yai in yat land mycht get
Na thing yat worth war for till ete,
With hungyr he thocht yaim to feblis
Syne bring on yaim yar ennemys.
Yis fals traytouris men had maid
A litill [owth] quhar he herbryit had
Schyr Eduuard and ye Scottis-men
Ye ischow off a louch to den
And leyt it owt in-to ye nycht.
Ye water yan with swilk a mycht
On schir Eduuardis men com doun
Yat yai in perell war to droun
For or yai wist on flot war yai.
With mekill payn yai gat away
And held yar lyff as God gaff grace,
Bot off yar harnayis tynt yar was.
He maid yaim na gud fest perfay
And nocht-for-yi yneuch had yai,
For youcht yaim faillyt of ye mete
I warn ȝow wele yai war wele wet.
In gret distres yar war yai stad
For gret defaut off mete yai hade,
And yai betuix reweris twa
93
Ye Bane yat is ane arme of ye se
Yat with hors may nocht passyt be
Wes betuix yaim and Hulsyster.
Yai had bene in gret perell yer
Ne war [a] scowmar of ye se,
Thomas of Downe hattyn wes he,
Hard yat ye ost sa straytly yan
Wes stad, and salyt wp ye Ban
Quhill he come wele ner quhar yai lay,
Yai knew him weill & blyth war yai,
[Yan] with four schippys yat he had tane
He set our ye Ban ilkane.
And quhen yai come in biggit land
Wittaill and mete ynewch yai fand
And in a wod yaim herberyt yai,
Nane of ye land wist quhar yai lay,
Yai esyt yaim and maid gud cher.
In-till yat tym besid yaim ner
With a gret ost schyr Rychard of Clar
And othyr gret of Irland war
Herberyt in a forest syde,
And ilk day yai gert men rid
To bring wittaill on ser manerys
To yaim fra ye toun off Coigneris
Yat wele ten gret myle wes yaim fra.
Ilk day as yai wald cum and ga
94
Yat bot twa myle betuix yaim wer,
And quhen ye erle Thomas persawing
Had off yar cummyng and yar ganging
He gat him a gud cumpany,
Thre hunder on hors wycht & hardy,
Yar wes schyr Philip ye Mowbray
And schyr Ihone Stewart als perfay
And schyr Alane Stewart alsua
Schir Robert Boid and oyer ma.
Yai raid to mete ye wittaleris
Yat with yar wittail fra Coigneris
Come haldand to yar ost ye way.
Swa sudanly on yaim schot yai
Yat yai war sua abaysyt all
Yat yai leyt all yar wapnys fall
And mercy petously gan cry,
And yai tuk yaim in yar mercy
And has yaim wp sa clenly tane
Yat off yaim all eschapyt nane.
Ye erle of yaim gat wittering
Yat off yar ost in ye ewynnyng
Wald cum owt at ye woddis sid
And agaynys yar wittaill rid.
He thocht yan on ane iuperty,
And gert his menȝe halily
Dycht yaim in ye presoneris aray,
Yair pennownys als with yaim tuk yai,
And quhill ye nycht wes ner yai bad
95
Sum of yar mekill ost has sene
Yar come & wend yai had bene
Yar wittalouris, yarfor yai raid
Agaynys yaim scalyt, for yai haid
Na dred yat yai yar fayis war
And yaim hungryt alsua weill sar,
Yarfor yai come abandounly.
And quhen yai ner war in gret hi
Ye erle and all yat with him war
Ruschyt on yaim with wapnys bar
And yar ensenȝeis hey gan cry.
Yan yai yat saw sua sodanly
Yar fayis dyng on yaim war sa rad
Yat yai na hart to help yaim had
Bot to ye ost yar way gan ta,
And yai chassyt and sua fele gan sla
Yat all ye feldys strowyt war,
Ma yan a thowsand ded war yar.
Rycht till yar ost yai gan yaim chas
And syne agane yar wayis tais.
On yis wis wes yat wittaill tane
And of ye Irche-men mony slane.
Ye erle syne with his cumpany
Presoneris and wittalis halily
Yai broucht till schyr Eduuard alswith
And he wes of yar cummyn blyth.
96
For rycht all at yar eys yai wer,
Yai war ay walkyt sekyrly.
And yar fayis on ye toyer party
Quhen yai hard how yar men war slane
And how yar wittalis als wes tane
Yai tuk to consaill yat yai wald
Yair wayis towart Coigneris hald
And herbery in ye cite ta,
And yan in gret hy yai haf don sua
And raid be nycht to ye cite,
Yai fand yar of wittalis gret plente
& maid yaim rycht mery cher
For all traist in ye toun yai wer.
Apon ye morne yai send to spy
Quhar Scottis-men had tane herbery,
Bot yai war with-all als tane
And brocht rycht till ye ost ilkane.
Ye erle of Murreff rycht mekly
Speryt at ane of yar cumpany
Quhar yar ost wes & quhat yai thocht
To do, and said him gif he moucht
Fynd yat till him ye suth said he
He suld gang hame but ransoun fre.
97
Yai think to-morn quhen it is day
To sek ȝow with all yar menȝe
Giff yai may get wit quhar ȝe be.
Yai haff gert throw ye countre cry
Off payne of lyve full fellounly
Yat all ye men of yis countre
To-nycht in-to ye cyte be,
And trewly yai sall be sa fele
Yat ȝe sall na wis with yaim dele.’
‘De pardew,’ said he, ‘weill may be.’
To schyr Eduuard with yat ȝeid he
And tauld him wtrely yis tale.
Yan haf yai tane for consale hale
Yat yai wald rid to ye cite
Yat ilk nycht swa yat yai mycht be
Betuix ye toune with all yar rout
And yaim yat war to cum with-out.
Als yai dewisyt yai haf done,
Befor ye toune yai come alsone
And bot halfindall a myle of way
Fra ye cite [arest] tuk yai.
And quhen ye day wes dawyn lycht
Fyfty on hobynys yat war wycht
Come till a litill hill yat was
Bot fra ye toun a litill space
And saw schyr Eduuardis herbery,
98
Yat swa quhone durst on ony wis
Wndretak sa hey enprys
As for to cum sa hardely
Apon all ye chewalry
Off Irland for to bid battaill.
And swa it wes withowtyn faill,
For agane yaim war gadryt yar
With ye wardane Richard of Clar
Ye Butler and erlis twa,
Off Desmownd and Kildar war ya,
[Bryman] Werdoune and [fis] Waryne
And schyr Paschall [ye] Florentine
Yat wes a knycht of Lumbardy
And wes full of chewalry.
Ye Mawndweillis war yar alsua
Besatis Loganys & oyer ma
Sawages als, & ȝeit wes ane
Hat schyr Nycholl of Kylkenane,
And with yir lordis sa fele wes yen
Yat for ane of ye Scottis-men
I trow yat yai war [fyve] or ma.
Quhen yir discourouris seyne had sua
Ye Scottis ost yai went in hy
99
How yai to yaim war cummyn ner,
To sek yaim fer wes na myster.
And quhen ye erle Thomas had sene
Yat yai men at ye hill had bene
He tuk with him a gud menȝe
On hors, ane hunder yai mycht be,
And till ye hill yai tuk yar way.
In a slak yaim enbuschyt yai
And in schort tyme fra ye cite
Yai saw cum ridand a mengne
For to discur to ye hill.
Yen war yai blyth and held yaim still
Quhill yai war cummyn to yaim ner,
Yan in a frusche all yat yai wer
Yai schot apon yaim hardely,
And yai yat saw sa sudandly
Yat folk cum on abaysit war.
And nocht-foryi sum of yaim yar
Abad stoutly to ma debate,
And oyer sum ar fled yar gate,
And in-to wele schort tym war yai
Yat maid arest contraryit sua
Yat yai fled halyly yar gat,
And yai yaim chassyt rycht to ye ȝat
And a gret part off yaim has slayn,
And syne went till yar ost agayn.
100
[BOOK XV]
Quhen yai with-in has sene sua slaynYar men and chassyt hame agayn
Yai war all wa, and in gret hy
‘Tyll armys’ heyly gan yai cry.
Yan armyt yaim all yat yai war
And for ye bataill maid yaim ȝar,
Yai ischyt owt all wele arayit
In-to ye bataill baner displayit
Bowne on yar best wis till assaile
Yar fayis in-to [fell] bataill.
And quhen schyr Philip ye Mowbra
Saw yaim ische in sa gud aray
Till schir Eduuard ye Bruys went he
And said, ‘Schyr it is gud yat we
Schap for sum slycht yat may awaile
To help ws in-to yis bataill.
Our men ar quhoyne, bot yai haf will
To do mar yan yai may fulfill,
Yarfor I rede our cariage
For-owtyn ony man or page
Be yaim selwyn arayit be
And yai sall seyme fer ma yan we,
Set we befor yaim our baneris,
Ȝone folk yat cummys out of Coigneris
Quhen yai our baneris yar may se
Sall trow traistly yat yar ar we
101
Cum we yan on yaim at a sid
And we sall be at awantag,
For fra yai in our cariag
Be entryt yai sall combryt be,
And yan with all our mycht may we
Lay on and do all yat we may.’
All as he ordanyt done haf yai,
And yai yat come out of Coigneris
Adressyt yaim to ye baneris
And smate with spuris ye hors in hy
And ruschit yaim sudandly.
Ye barell-ferraris yat war yar
Cumbryt yaim fast yat ridand war,
And yan ye erle with his bataill
Come on and sadly gan assaill,
And schyr Eduuard a litill by
Assemblit sua rycht hardely
Yat mony a fey fell wndre fete,
Ye feld wox sone of blud all wete.
With sa gret felny yar yai faucht
And sic rowtis till oyer raucht
With stok with stane & with retrete
As ayer part gan oyer bet
Yat it wes hidwys for to se.
102
Sa knychtlik apon ayer sid
Giffand and takand rowtis [rid]
Yat pryme wes passyt or men mycht se
Quha mast at yar abow mycht be,
Bot sone eftre yat prime wes past
Ye Scottis-men dang on sa fast
And schot on yaim at abandoun
As ilk man war a campioun
Yat all yar fayis tuk ye flycht,
Wes nane of yaim yat wes sa wicht
Yat ewyr durst abid his fer
Bot ilk man fled yar wayis ser.
To ye toun fled ye mast party,
And erle Thomas sa egrely
And hys rowte chassyt with suerdis bar
Yat all amang yame mellyt war
Yat all to-gidder come in ye toun.
Yan wes ye slauchter sa felloune
Yat all ye ruys ran of blud,
Yaim yat yai gat to ded all ȝhud
Swa yat yan yar weill ner wer dede
Als fele as in ye bataill-stede.
Ye [fys]-Warine wes takyn yar,
Bot swa rad wes Richard of Clar
103
All yat moneth I trow yat he
Sall haf na gud will for to fycht.
Schyr Ihone Stewart a noble knycht
Wes woundyt throw ye body yar
With a sper yat scharply schar,
Bot to Monpeller went he syne
And lay yar lang in-till helyne
And at ye last helyt wes he.
Schyr Eduuard yan with his menȝe
Tuk in ye toun yar herbery,
Yat nycht yai blyth war and ioly
For ye victour yat yai had yar.
And on ye morn for-owtyn mar
Schyr Eduuard gert men gang & se
All ye wittaill of yat cite,
And yai fand sic foysoun yarin
Off corne and flour and wax & wyn
Yat yai had of it gret ferly,
And schyr Eduuard gert halily
In-till Cragfergus [it] caryit be,
Syne yidder went his men & he
And held ye sege full stalwartly
Quhill Palme Sonday wes passit by.
Yan quhill ye Twysday in Pays wouk
On ayer half yai trewys touk
Swa yat yai mycht yat haly tid
In pennance and in prayer bid.
104
To ye castell in-to ye nycht
Fra Dewillyne schippis come [fyften]
Chargyt with armyt men bedene,
Four thowsand trow I weill yai war,
In ye castell yai entryt ar.
Ye Mawndweill auld schyr Thomas
Capitane of yat menȝe was.
In-till ye castell priuely
Yai entryt for yai had [gert] spy
Yat mony or schyr Eduuardis men
War scalyt in ye contre yen,
Yarfor yai thocht in ye mornyng
Till isch but langer delaying
And to suppris yaim suddanly,
For yai thocht yai suld traistly
For ye trewys yat takyn war,
Bot I trow falset euermar
Sall [haue] wnfayr & ewill ending.
Schyr Eduuard wist of yis na thing
For off tresoun had he na thoucht,
Bot for ye trew he lewyt nocht
To set wachis to ye castell,
Ilk nycht he gert men walk it wele
And Nele Flemyng wachit yat nycht
With sexty men worthi & wycht.
105
Yai yat within ye castell wer
Had armyt yaim and maid yaim boun
And sone yar brig awalit doun
And ischit in-till gret plente,
And quhen Nele Flemyng gan yaim se
He send ane to ye king in hy
And said to yaim yat war him by,
‘Now sall men se ik wndretak
Quha dar dey for his lordis sak.
Now ber ȝow weill, for sekyrly
With all yis mengne fecht will I,
In-till bargane yaim hald sall we
Quhill yat our maister armyt be.’
And with yat word assemblyt yai,
Yai war to few all-out perfay
With sic a gret rout for to fycht,
Bot nocht-foryi with all yar mycht
Yai dang on yaim sa hardely
Yat all yar fayis had gret ferly
Yat yai war all of swilk manheid
As yai na drede had of yar dede.
Bot yar fayis sa gane assaile
Yat na worschip yar mycht awaile,
Yan yai war slayne wp euerilkan
Sa clene yat yar eschapyt nane,
And ye man yat went to ye king
For to warne him of yar isching
106
Schyr Eduuard wes commonaly
Callyt ye king of Irland.
And quhen he hard sic thing on hand
In full gret hast he gat his ger,
Twelff wycht men in his chawmer wer
Yat armyt yaim in full gret hy,
Syne with his baner hardily
Ye myddis of ye toun he tays.
Weill ner cummand war his fayis
Yat had delt all yar men in thre,
Ye Mawndwell with a gret menȝe
Rycht throw ye toun ye way held doun,
Ye lave on athyr sid ye toun
Held to mete yaim yat fleand war,
Yai thoucht yat all yat yai fand yar
Suld dey but ransoune euerilkane.
Bot wthyr-wayis ye gle is gane,
For schyr Eduuard with his baner
And his twelff I tauld ȝow of er
On all yat rowte sua hardely
Assemblyt yat it wes ferly,
For Gib Harpar befor him ȝeid
Yat wes ye douchteast in deid
Yat yan wes liuand off his state,
And with ane ax maid him sic gat
107
And off thre in a litill stound
Ye Mawndweill be his armyng
He knew and roucht him sic a swyng
Yat he till erd ȝeid hastily.
Schyr Eduuard yat wes ner him by
Reuersyt him and with a knyff
Rycht in yat place reft him ye liff.
With yat off Ardrossane Fergus
Yat wes a knycht rycht curageous
Assemblyt with sexty and ma,
Yai preyssyt yan yar fayis swa
Yat yai yat saw yar lord slayne
Tynt hart and wald haf bene again,
And ay as Scottis men mycht be
Armyt yai come to ye melle
And dang apon yar fayis sua
Yat yai all ye bak gan ta,
And yai yaim chassyt to ye ȝat,
Yar wes hard fycht and gret debat.
Yar slew schyr Eduuard with his hand
A knycht yat of all Irland
Wes callit best and of maist bounte,
To surnam Maundweill had he,
His awne name I can nocht say,
Bot his folk to sa hard assay
War set as yai of ye doungeoun
Durst opyn na ȝhat na brig lat doun.
108
Soucht yaim yat fled yar to warand
Sa felly yat of all perfay
Yat ischyt apon him yat day
Yar eschapyt neuer ane
Yat [yai ne] war oyer tane or slayn,
For to ye fycht Maknakill yen
Com with twa hundreth sper-men
And yai slew all yai mycht to-wyn.
Yis ilk Maknakill with a gyn
Wan off yar schippis four or fyve
And haly reft ye men yar lif.
Quhen end wes maid of yis fychting
Ȝeyt yen wes lyffand Nele Fleming.
Schyr Eduuarde went him for to se,
About him slayne lay his menȝe
All in a lump on athyr hand
And he redy to dey throwand.
Schir Eduuard had of him pite
And him full gretly menyt he
And regratyt his gret manheid
And his worschip and douchty deid,
Sic mayn he maid men had gret ferly
For he wes nocht custummabilly
Wont for to meyne men ony thing
Na wald nocht her men mak menyng.
He stud yar-by till he wes ded
109
And him with worschip gert he be
Erdyt with gret solemnyte.
On yis wis ischit Maundwill,
Bot sekyrly falset & gyle
Sall all-wayis haif ane iwill ending
As weill is sene be yis isching,
In tyme of trewys ischit yai
And in sic tyme as on Pasche day
Quhen God rais for to sauf mankin
Fra wem of auld Adamys syne,
Yarfor sa gret myschaunce yaim fell
Yat ilkane as ȝe hard me tell
War slayne wp or takyn yar.
And yai yat in ye castell war
War set in-till [sic fray yat hour]
For yai couth se quhar na succour
Suld cum to releyff, and yai
Tretyt and till a schort day
Ye castell till him ȝauld fre
To sawff yaim lyff & lym, & he
Held yaim full weill his cunnand.
Ye castell tuk he in his hand
And wyttalyt weill & has set
110
And a quhill yarin restyt he.
Off him no mar now spek will we
Bot to king Robert will we gang
Yat we haff left wnspokyn of lang.
Quhen he had conwoyit to ye se
Hys brodyr Eduuard and his menȝe
[With his schippes he maid him ȝar
In-till ye Ilis for till fare,
Walter Steward with hym tuk he
His mawch and with him gret menȝhe]
And oyer men off gret noblay.
To Tarbart yai held yar way
In galayis ordanyt for yar far,
Bot yaim worthyt draw yar schippis yar,
And a myle wes betuix ye seys
Bot yat wes [lownyt] all with treis.
Ye king his schippis yar gert draw,
And for ye wynd couth stoutly blaw
Apon yar bak as yai wald ga
He gert men rapys and mastis ta
And set yaim in ye schippis hey
And sayllis to ye toppis tey
And gert men gang yar-by drawand,
Ye wyind yaim helpyt yat wes blawand
Swa yat in a litill space
111
And quhen yai yat in ye Ilis war
Hard tell how ye gud king had yar
Gert his schippis with saillis ga
Owt-our betuix [ye] Tarbart[is] twa
Yai war abaysit sa uterly,
For yai wyst throw auld prophecy
Yat he yat suld ger schippis sua
Betuix yai seis with saillis ga
Suld wyne ye Ilis sua till hand
Yat nane with strenth suld him withstand.
Yarfor yai come all to ye king,
Wes nane withstud his bidding
Owtakyn Ihone of Lorne allane,
Bot weill sone eftre wes he tane
And present rycht to ye king,
And yai yat war of his leding
Yat till ye king had brokyn fay
War all dede and destroyit away.
Yis Ihone of Lorne ye king has tane
And send him furth to Dunbertane
A quhill in presoun yar to be,
Syn to Louchlewyn send wes he
Quhar he wes quhill in festnyng,
I trow he maid yarin ending.
112
Brocht till his liking les & mar,
All yat sesoun yar duellyt he
At huntyng gamyn & at gle.
Quhill ye king apon yis maner
Dawntyt ye Ilis as I tell her
Ye gud schyr Iames of Douglas
In-till ye forest duelland was
Defendand worthely ye land.
Yat tym in Berwik wes duelland
Edmound de Cailow a Gascoune
Yat wes a knycht of gret renoune
And in-till Gascoune his contre
Lord off gret senȝowry wes he.
He had Berwik in keping
And maid a priue gadering
And gat him a gret cumpany
Of wycht men armyt iolily,
And ye nethyr ende of Tewidale
He prayit doun till him all hale
And of ye Mers a gret party,
Syne towart Berwik went in hy.
Schir Adam of Gordoun yat yan
Wes becummyn Scottis-man
Saw yaim dryf sua away yar fe
And wend yai had bene quhone, for he
113
And yame yat sesyt in ye pray.
Yan till schyr Iames of Douglas
In-to gret hye ye way he tais
And tald how Ynglis-men yair pray
Had tane and syne went yar way
Toward Berwik with all yar fee,
And said yai quheyn war and gif he]
Wald sped him he suld weill lichtly
Wyn yaim and reskew all ye ky.
[Schir Iames rycht soyne gaf his assent
Till follow yame and furth is went
Bot with ye men yat he had yair
And met hym by ye gat but mair.
Yai followit yame in full gret hy
And com weill neir yame hastely
For or yai mycht yame fully se
Yai come weill neir vith yair menȝe,
And yan bath ye forreouris and ye scaill
In-till a childrome knyt all haill
And wes a rycht fair cumpany.
Befor yame gert yai driff ye ky]
With knawis and swanys yat na mycht
Had for to stand in feld and fycht,
Ye lave behynd yaim maid a stale.
Ye Dowglas saw yar lump all hale
114
And saw yai war sa mony syne
Yat yai for ane of his war twa.
‘Lordingis,’ he said, ‘sen it is sua
Yat we haf chassyt of sic maner
Yat we now cummyn ar sa ner
Yat we may nocht eschew ye fycht
Bot gif we fouly ta ye flycht,
Lat ilkane on his lemman mene
And how he mony tyme has bene
On gret thrang and weill cummyn away.
Think we to do rycht sua to-day,
And tak we of yis furd her-by
Our awantage for in gret hy
Yai sall cum on ws for to fycht.
Set we yan will & strenth & mycht
For to mete yaim rycht hardely.’
And with yat word full hastily
He displayit his baner
For his fayis war cummand ner
Yat quhen yai saw he wes sa quhoyne
Thocht yai suld with yaim sone haf don
And assemblit full hardely.
Yar men mycht se men fecht felly
And a rycht cruell melle mak
And mony strakys giff and tak.
115
Bot ye gret hardyment yat he hade
Comfort hys men on sic a wys
That na man thocht on cowardys
Bot faucht sa fast with all yar mayn
Yat yai fele of yar fayis has slayn,
And youcht yai be weill fer [war] ma
Yan yai, ȝeit [vre] demanyt yaim sua
Yat Edmound de Cailow wes ded
Rycht in yat ilk fechtyn-stede,
And all ye lave fra he wes done
War planly discomfyt sone,
And yai yat chassyt sum has slayn
And turnyt ye prayis all agayn.
Ye hardast fycht forsuth yis wes
Yat euer ye gud lord off Dowgles
Wes in as off sa few mengne,
For nocht had bene his gret bounte
Yat slew yar chyftane in yat fycht
His men had all to dede bene dycht.
He had in-till custoume alway
Quhen-euer he come till hard assay
To preys him ye chiftane to sla,
And her fell hap yat he did sua,
Yat gert him haff wictour fele sys.
116
Wes dede ye gud lord of Douglas
To ye forest his wayis tays.
His fayis gretly gan him dred,
Ye word sprang weile fer of his deid
Swa yat in Ingland ner yar-by
Men spak of it commonaly.
Schir Robert Nevile yat tid
Wonnyt at Berwik ner besid
Ye march quhar ye lord Douglas
In ye forest repayrand was
And had at him full gret inwy,
For he saw him sa manlyly
Mak ay his boundis mar & mar.
He hard ye folk yat with him war
Spek off ye lord Douglas mycht
And how he forsye wes in fycht
And how [him] fell oft fayr fortoun.
He wrethyt yar-at all-soun
And said, ‘Quhat wene ȝe, is yar nane
Yat euer is worth bot he allane.
Ȝe set him as he wer but per,
Bot ik awow befor ȝow her
Giff euer he cum in-till yis land
He sall fynd [me] ner at his hand,
And gif ik euer his baner
May se displayit apon wer
117
All-yocht ȝhe hald him neuer sa stout.’
Of yis awow sone bodword was
Brocht to schyr Iames of Dowglas
Yat said, ‘Gif he will hald his hycht
I sall do sa he sall haiff sycht
Off me and my cumpany
Ȝeyt or oucht lang wele ner him by.’
Hys retenew yan gaderyt he
Yat war gud men of gret bounte,
And till ye march in gud aray
Apon a nycht he tuk ye way
Swa yat in-to ye mornyng arly
He wes with all his cumpany
Befor Berwik and yar he maid
Men to display his baner brad,
And of his menȝe sum sent he
For to bryn townys twa or thre,
And bad yaim sone agayne yaim sped
Swa yat on hand giff yar come ned
Yai mycht be for ye fycht redy.
Ye Newill yat wyst witterly
Yat Dowglas cummyn wes sa ner
And saw all braid stand his baner,
Yan with ye folk yat with him [war]
And he had a gret menȝe yar
For all ye gud off yat countre
In-till yat tyme with him had he
Swa yat he yar with him had yen
118
He held his way wp till a hill
And said, ‘Lordingis it war my will
To mak end off ye gret deray
Yat Dowglas mayis ws ilk day,
Bot me think it spedfull yat we
Abid quhill his men scalit be
Throw ye countre to tak yar pray,
Yan fersly schout on yaim we may
And we sall haf yaim at our will.’
Yan all yai gaf assent yar-till
And on ye hill abaid howand.
Ye men fast gaderyt of ye land
And drew till him in full gret hy.
Ye Dowglas yen yat wes worthi
Thoucht it wes foly mar to bid,
Towart ye hill yan gan he rid,
And quhen ye Newill saw yat yai
Wald nocht pas furth to ye forray
Bot pressyt to yaim with yar mycht
He wyst weill yan yat yai wald fycht
And till his mengȝe gan he say,
‘Lordingis now hald we furth our way,
Her is ye flour of ye countre
And may yen yai alsua ar we,
Assembill we yen hardely,
For Douglas with ȝone ȝhwmanry
Sall haf na mycht till ws perfay.’
Yen in a frusch assemblyt yai,
Yan mycht men her ye speris brast
119
And blude bryst owt at woundis wid.
Yai faucht fast apon athyr sid
For athyr party gan yaim payn
To put yar fayis on bak agayn.
Ye lordis off Newill and Douglas
Quhen at ye fechting fellast was
Met to-gidder rycht in ye preys,
Betuix yaim yan gret bargane wes.
Yai faucht felly with all yar maucht,
Gret rowtis ayer othyr raucht,
Bot Dowglas starkar wes ik hycht
And mar wsyt alsua to fycht,
And he set hart and will alsua
For to deliuer him of his fa
Quhill at ye last with mekill mayn
Off fors ye Newill has he slayn,
Yen his ensenȝe hey gan cry
And ye lave sa hardely
He ruschyt with his menȝe
Yat in-till schort tym men mycht se
Yar fayis tak yaim to ye flycht,
And yai yaim chassyt with all yar mycht.
Schir Rawff Newill in ye chas
And ye baron of Hiltoun was
Takyn and oyer of mekill mycht.
Yar wes fele slayne in-to yat fycht
120
And quhen ye feld wes clengit clen
Swa yat yar fayis euerilkane
War slayne or chassyt awai or tan
Yan gert he forray all ye land
And sesyt all yat euer yai fand
And brynt townys in yar way,
Syne hale and fer cummyn ar yai.
Ye prayis amang his menȝe
Eftre yar meritis delt he
And held na thing till his behuff.
Sic dedis aucht to ger men luff
Yar lord, and sua yai did perfay.
He tretyt yaim sa wisly ay
And with sa mekill luff alsua
And sic a-wansement wald ma
Off yar deid yat ye mast cowart
He maid stowtar yen a libart,
With cherysing yusgat maid he
His men wycht and of gret bounte.
Quhen Newill yus was brocht to ground
And of Cailow auld schyr Edmound,
Ye drede of ye lord of Dowglas
And his renoune sa scalit was
Throw-out ye marchis of Ingland
Yat all yat [war yar]-in wonnand
Dred him as ye fell dewill of hell,
And ȝeit haf ik hard oft-sys tell
Yat he sa gretly dred wes yan
121
Yai wald rycht with ane angry face
Betech yaim to ye blak Douglas.
Throw his gret worschip & bounte
Swa with his fayis dred wes he
Yat yaim growyt to her his name.
He may at ese now duell at hame
A quhill for I trow he sall nocht
With fayis all a quhile be socht.
Now lat him in ye forest be,
Off him spek now no mar will we,
Bot off schyr Eduuard ye worthi
Yat with all his chewalry
Wes at Cragfergus ȝeit liand
To spek mar we will tak on hand.
122
[BOOK XVI]
Quhen schyr Eduuard as ik said arHad discomfyt Richard of Clar
And of Irland all ye barnage
Thris throw his worthi wasselag
And syne with all his men of mayn
Till Cragfergus wes cummyn agayn,
Ye gud erle of Murreff Thomas
Tuk leyff in Scotland for to pas,
And he him levyt with a gruching,
And syne him chargyt to ye king
To pray him specialli yat he
Cum in-till Irland him to se,
For war yai baith in-to yat land
Yai suld fynd nane suld yaim withstand.
Ye erle furth yane his way has tane
And till his schipping is he gayn
And sayllyt weill out-our ye se.
In-till Scotland sone arywit he,
Syne till ye king he went in hy,
And [he] resawyt him glaidsumly
And speryt of his brodyr fayr
And of iournayis yat thai had yar,
And he him tauld all but lesing.
Quhen ye king left had ye spering
123
And he said he wald blythly se
Hys broyer and se ye affer
Off yat cuntre and off yar wer.
A gret mengȝe yen gaderyt he,
& twa lordys of gret bounte
Ye tane ye stewart Walter was
The toyer Iames of Douglas
Wardanys in his absence maid he
For to maynteyme wele ye countre,
Syne to ye se he tuk ye way
And at Lochriane in Galloway
He schippyt with all his menȝe,
To Cragfergus sone cummyn is he.
Schir Eduuard of his come wes blyth
And went doun to mete him swyth
& welcummyt him with glaidsome cher,
Sa did [he] all yat with him wer
& specially ye erle Thomas
Off Murreff yat his newo was,
Syne till ye castell went yai ȝar
And maid yaim mekill fest & far.
Thay soiournyt yar dayis thre
And yat in myrth and iolyte.
King Robert apon yis kyn wis
In-till Irland arywit is,
124
With his men soiournyt dayis thre
Yai tuk to consaill yat yai wald
With all yar folk yar wayis hald
Throw all Irland fra end till oyer.
Schir Eduuard yan ye kingis broyer
Befor in ye awaward raid,
Ye king him selff ye rerward maid
Yat had in-till his cumpany
Ye erle Thomas yat wes worthi.
Yar wayis southwart haff yai tane
And sone ar passyt [Inderwillane].
Yis wes in ye moneth off May
Quhen byrdis syngis in ilk spray
Melland yar notis with seymly soune
For softnes of ye suet sesoun,
And levys off ye branchys spredis
And blomys brycht besid yam bredis
And feldis ar strowyt with flouris
Well sawerand of ser colouris
And all thing worthis blyth and gay,
Quhen that yis gud king tuk his way
To rid southwart as I said ar.
Ye wardane yan Richard of Clar
Wyst ye king wes arywyt sua
And wyst yat he schup him to ta
125
And of all Irland assemblit he
Bath burges and chewalry
And hobilleris and ȝhumanry
Quhill he had ner fourty [thousand].
Bot he wald nocht ȝet tak on hand
With all his fayis in feld to fycht
Bot he wmbethocht him of ane slycht,
Yat he with all yat gret menȝe
Wald in [a] wod enbuschit be
All priuely besid ye way
Quhar yat yar fayis suld away,
And lat ye awaward pas fer by
And syne assembill hardely
On ye rerward with all yar men.
Yai did as yai diuisyt yen,
In ane wod yai enbuschit wer,
Ye Scottis ost raid by yaim ner
Bot yai na schawing of yaim maid.
Schir Eduuard weill fer forouth rad
With yaim yat war of his menȝe,
To ye rerward na tent tuk he,
And schyr Richard of Clar in hy
Quhen schyr Eduuard wes passyt by
Send lycht ȝomen yat weill couth schout
To bykkyr ye rerward apon fute.
Yan twa of yaim yat send furth war
126
And schot amang ye Scottis men.
Ye king yat had yar with him yen
Weill [fyve] thousand wicht & worthi
Saw yai twa sa abandounly
Schut amang yaim and cum sa ner.
He wist rycht weill with-owtyn wer
Yat yai rycht ner suppowall had,
Yarfor a bidding has he mad
Yat na man sall be sa hardy
To prik at yaim, bot sarraly
Rid redy ay in-to bataill
To defend gif men wald assail,
‘For we sall sone ik wndreta,’
He said, ‘haf for to do with ma.’
Bot schyr Colyne Cambell, yat ner
Was by quhar yai [twa] ȝhumen wer
Schowtand amang yaim hardily,
Prykyt on yaim in full gret hy
And sone ye tane has our-tane
And with ye sper him sone has slane,
Ye toyer turnyt and schot agayne
And at a schot his hors has slane.
With yat ye king come hastily
And in-till his malancoly
With a trounsoun in-till hys new
To schyr Colyne sic dusche he gewe
Yat he dynnyt on his arsoun,
127
Bot oyer lordis yat war him by
Ameyssyt ye king in-to party,
And he said, ‘Breking of bidding
Mycht caus all our discumfiting.
Weyne ȝe ȝone ribaldis durst assaill
Ws sa ner in-till our bataill
Bot giff yai had suppowaill ner.
I wate rycht weill with-owtyn wer
Yat we sall haf to do in hy,
Yarfor luk ilk man be redy.’
With yat weill neir [thretty] or ma
Off bowmen come and bykyrit sua
Yat yai hurt off ye kingis men.
Ye king has gert his archeris yen
Schoute for to put yai men agayn.
With yat yai entryt in a playn
And saw arayit agayn yaim stand
In four bataillis fourty thowsand.
Ye king said, ‘Now lordingis lat se
Quha worthy in yis fycht sall be,
On yaim for-owtyn mar abaid.’
Sa stoutly yan on yaim yai raid
And assemblyt sa hardely
Yat off yar fayis a gret party
War laid at erd at yar meting.
Yar wes off speris sic bristing
128
Yat it a wele gret frusch has maid,
Hors come yar fruschand heid for heid
Swa yat fele on ye ground felle deid.
Mony a wycht and worthi man
As ayer apon oyer ran
War duschyt dede doun to ye ground,
Ye red blud out off mony a wound
Ruschyt in sa gret foysoun yan
Yat off ye blud ye stremys ran.
And yai yat wraith war & angry
Dang on oyer sa hardily
With wapnys yat war brycht and bar
Yat mony a gud man deyit yar,
For yai yat hardy war and wycht
And frontlynys with yar fayis gan fycht
Pressyt yaim formast for to be.
Yar mycht men cruell bargane se
And hard bataill. Ik tak on hand
In all ye wer off Irland
Sa hard a fechting wes nocht sene,
Ye-quheyer of gret wictours [nynteyne]
Schyr Eduuard has with-owtyn wer,
And in-to les yan in thre ȝer,
And in syndry bataillis of ya
129
With trappyt hors rycht to ye fete,
Bot in all tymys he wes ȝete
Ay ane for fyve quhen lest wes he.
Bot ye king in-to yis melle
Had alwayis [aucht] of his fa-men
For ane, bot he sua bar him yen
Yat his gud deid and his bounte
Confortyt swa all his menȝe
Yat ye mast coward hardy wes,
For quhar he saw ye thikkest pres
Sa hardely on yaim he raid
Yat yar about him rowme he maid,
And erle Thomas ye worthi
Wes in all tyme ner him by
And faucht as he war in a rage,
Swa yat for yar gret wasselage
Yar men sic gret hardyment gan tak
Yat yai na perell wald forsak
Bot yaim abandound sa stoutly
And dang apon yaim sa hardely
Yat all yar fayis affrayit war.
And yai yat saw weill be yar far
Yat yai eschewyt sum-dele ye fycht
130
[And pressit yame dyngand so fast
Yat yai ye bak gaf at ye last,
And yai yat saw yaim tak ye flicht
Pressit yame yan with all yare mycht]
And in yar fleyng fele gan sla.
Ye kingis men has chassyt swa
Yat yai war scalyt euerilkane.
Rychard off Clar ye way has tane
To Dewillyne into full gret hy
With oyer lordys yat fled him by,
And warnysyt bath castellis & townys
Yat war in yar possessiownys.
Yai war sa felly fleyit yar
Yat I trow schyr Richard off Clar
Sall haiff na will to faynd his mycht
In bataill na in fors to fycht
Quhill king Robert and his menȝe
Is duelland in yat cuntre.
Yai stuffyt [strenthis] on yis wis,
And ye king yat wes to pris
Saw in ye feld rycht mony slane,
And ane of yaim yat yar wes tane
Yat wes arayit iolyly
He saw greyt wonder tenderly,
And askyt him quhy he maid sic cher.
131
It is na wonder yocht I gret.
I se fele her lossyt ye suet,
Ye flour of all north Irland
Yat hardyast war of yar hand
And mast dowtyt in hard assay.’
Ye king said, ‘Yow dois wrang perfay,
Yow has mar caus myrthis to ma
For yow ye dede eschapyt sua.’
Richard off Clar on yis maner
And all his folk discomfyt wer
With few folk as I to ȝow tauld,
And quhen Eduuard ye Bruys ye bauld
Wyst at ye king had fochtyn sua
With sa fele folk and he yar-fra
Mycht na man se a waer man.
Bot ye gud king said till him yan
Yat it wes in his awne foly
For he raid swa wnwittely
Sa far befor, & na waward
Maid to yaim of ye rerward,
For he said quha on wer wald rid
In a waward he suld na tid
Pas fra hys rerward fer of sycht
For gret perell swa fall yar mycht.
132
Bot ye king and all yat yar war
Raid furthwartis in bettyr aray
And nerar to-gidder yan er did yai.
Throw all ye land playnly yai raid,
Yai fand nane yat yaim obstakill maid.
Yai raid ewyn forouth Drochindra
And forouth Dewillyne syne alsua
And to giff battaill nane yai fand,
Syne went yai southwart in ye land
And richt till Lynrike held yar way
Yat is ye southmaist toun perfay
Yat in Irland may fundyn be.
Yar lay yai dayis twa or thre
And buskyt syne agayn to far,
And quhen yat yai all redy war
Ye king has hard a woman cry,
He askyt quhat yat wes in hy.
‘It is ye layndar schyr,’ said ane,
‘Yat hyr child-ill rycht now has tane
And mon leve now behind ws her,
Yarfor scho makys ȝone iwill cher.’
Ye king said, ‘Certis it war pite
Yat scho in yat poynt left suld be,
133
Yat he ne will rew a woman yan.’
His ost all yar arestyt he
And gert a tent sone stentit be
And gert hyr gang in hastily,
And oyer wemen to be hyr by.
Quhill scho wes deliuer he bad
And syne furth on his wayis raid,
And how scho furth suld caryit be
Or euer he furth fur ordanyt he.
Yis wes a full gret curtasy
Yat swilk a king and sa mychty
Gert his men duell on yis maner
Bot for a pouer lauender.
Agayne northwart yai tuk yar way
Throw all Irland yan perfay,
Throw all Connach rycht to Dewillyne,
And throw all [Myth and Irell] syne
& Monester & Lenester,
And syne haly throw Wlsister,
To Cragfergus forowtyn bataill,
For yar wes nane durst yaim assaill.
Ye kingis off Irchery
Come to schyr Eduuard halily
134
Bot giff yat it war ane or twa.
Till Cragfergus yai come again,
In all yat way wes nane bargain
Bot giff yat ony poynȝe wer
Yat is nocht for to spek of her.
Ye Irsche kingis yan euerilkane
Hame till yar awne repayr ar gane,
And wndretuk in all-kyn thing
For till obey to ye bidding
Off schyr Eduuard yat yar king callit yay.
He wes now weill set in gud way
To conquer ye land halyly,
For he had apon his party
Ye Irschery and Wlsyster,
And he wes sa furth on his wer
Yat he was passyt throw Irland
Fra end till wthyr throw strenth of hand.
Couth he haf gouernyt him throw skill
And folowyt nocht to fast his will
Bot with mesur haf led his dede
It wes weill lik withoutyn drede
Yat he mycht haiff conqueryt weill
Ye land of Irland ilka-dele,
Bot his owtrageous sucquedry
135
Off purpos lettyt him perfay,
[As] ik her-efter sall ȝow say.
Now leve we her ye noble king
All at his ease and his liking,
And spek we of ye lord of Douglas
Yat left to kep ye marchis was.
He gert set wrychtis yat war sleye
And in ye halche of Lyntaile
He gert yaim mak a fayr maner,
And quhen ye howsis biggit wer
He gert purway him rycht weill yar
For he thowcht to mak ane infar
And to mak gud cher till his men.
In Rychmound wes wonnand yen
Ane erle yat men callit schyr Thomas,
He had inwy at ye Dowglas
And said gif [yat he] his baner
Mycht se displayit apon wer
Yat sone assemble on it suld he.
He hard how Dowglas thocht to be
At Lyntailey and fest to ma,
And he had wittering weill alsua
Yat ye king and a gret menȝe
War passyt yan of ye countre
And ye erle of Murref Thomas,
Yarfor he thocht ye countre was
Febill of men for to withstand
136
And of ye marchis yan had he
Ye gouernaile and ye pouste.
He gaderyt folk about him yen
Quhill he wes ner [ten] thousand men,
And wod-axys gert with him tak
For he thocht [he] his men wald mak
To hew Iedwort forrest sa clene
Yat na tre suld yar-in be sene.
Yai held yaim forthwart on yar way,
Bot ye gud lord Dowglas yat ay
Had spyis owt on ilka sid
Had gud wittering yat yai wald rid
And cum apon him suddanly.
Yan gaderyt he rycht hastily
Yaim yat he mowcht of his menȝe,
I trow yat yan with him [had] he
Fyfty yat worthy war and wicht
At all poynt armyt weill and dycht,
And off archeris a gret menȝe
Assemblyt als with him had he.
A place yar was yar in ye way
Quhar he thocht weill yai suld away
Yat had wod apon athyr sid,
Ye entre wes weill large and wid
And as a scheild it narowit ay
Quhill at in-till a place ye way
137
Ye lord of Douglas yidder ȝeid
Quhen he wyst yai war ner cummand,
And [a-lauch] on ye ta hand
[All] hys archeris enbuschit he
And bad yaim hald yaim all preue
Quhill yat yai hard him rays ye cry,
And yan suld schut hardely
Amang yar fayis and sow yaim sar
Quhill yat he throw yaim passyt war,
And syne with him furth hald suld yai.
Yan byrkis on athyr sid ye way
Yat ȝoung and thik war growand ner
He knyt togidder on sic maner
Yat men moucht nocht weill throw yaim rid.
Quhen yis wes done [he] gan abid
Apon ye toyer half ye way,
And Richmound in gud aray
Come ridand in ye fyrst escheill.
Ye lord Dowglas has sene him weill
And gert his men all hald yaim still
Quhill at yar hand yai come yaim till
And entryt in ye narow way,
Yan with a schout on yaim schot yai
138
Ye Rychmound [yan yat] worthi was
Quhen he has hard sua rais ye cry
And Douglas baner [saw] planly
He dressyt yidderwart in hy,
And yai come on sua hardily
Yat yai throw yaim maid yaim ye way,
All yat yai met till erd bar yai.
Ye Rychmound borne doun yar was,
On him arestyt ye Douglas
And him reuersyt and with a knyff
Rycht in yat place reft him ye lyff.
Ane hat apon his helm he bar
And yat tuk with him Dowglas yar
In taknyng, for it furryt was,
And syne in hy yar wayis tays
Quhill in ye wod yai entryt war.
Ye archeris weill has borne yaim yar
For weill and hardily schot yai.
Ye Inglis rowt in gret affray
War set, for Douglas suddanly
With all yaim of his cumpany
Or euer yai wyst wes in yar rout
And thyrlyt yaim weill ner throch-out,
And had almast all doyn his deid
139
And quhen yai saw yar lord slayn
Yai tuk him wp and turnyt agayn
To draw yaim fra ye schot away,
Yan in a plane assemblit yai
And for yar lord yat yar wes dede
Yai schup yaim in yat ilk sted
For to tak herbery all yat nycht.
And yan ye Dowglas yat wes wicht
Gat wytteryng ane clerk Elys
With weill [thre hunder] ennymys
All straucht to Lyntaile war gayn
And herbery for yar ost had tane.
Yan yidder is he went in hy
With all yaim of his cumpany
And fand clerk Elys at ye mete
And his round about him set,
And yai come on yaim stoutly yar
And with suerdis yat scharply schar
Yai seruyt yaim full egrely.
Slayn war yai full grewously
Yat wele ner eschapyt nane,
Yai seruyt yaim on sa gret wane
With scherand swerdis and with knyffis
Yat weile ner all left ye lyvys.
Yai had a felloun efter mes,
Yat sowrchargis to chargand wes.
140
Rycht till ye ost ye wayis tais
And tauld how yat yar men war slayn
Sa clene yat ner eschapyt nane.
And quhen yai of yar ost had herd
How yat ye Douglas with yaim ferd
Yat had yar herbryouris slane
And ruschyt all yaim self agayn
And slew yar lord in-myd yar rout,
Yar wes nane of yaim all sa stout
Yat mar will yan had till assaile
Ye Dowglas, yarfor to consaill
Yai ȝeid and to purpos has tane
To wend hamwart, & hamwart ar gan
And sped yaim swa apon yar way
Yat in Ingland sone cummyn ar yai.
Ye forest left yai standand still,
To hew it yan yai had na will
Specially quhill ye Dowglas
Swa ner-hand by yar nychtbur was.
And he yat saw yaim torne agayn
Persawyt weill yar lord wes slayn
And be ye hat yat he had tane
He wist alsua weill, for ane
Yat takyn wes said him suthly
Yat Rychmound commounly
141
Yan Douglas blythar wes yan er
For he wist weill yat Rychmound
His felloun fa wes brocht to ground.
Schir Iames of Dowglas on yis wis
Throu his worschip & his empris
Defendyt worthely ye land.
Yis poynt of wer I tak on hand
Wes wndretane full apertly
And eschewyt rycht hardely,
For he stonayit for-owtyn wer
Yat folk yat well [ten] thousand wer
With fyfty armyt men but ma.
I can als tell ȝow oyer twa
Poyntis yat wele eschewyt wer
With fyfty men, and but wer
[Yai war done swa richt hardely
Yat yai war prisit soueranly
Atour all oyir poyntis of wer
Yat in yar tym eschevit wer].
Yis wes ye fyrst yat sua stoutly
Wes brocht till end wele with [fifty],
In-to Galloway ye toyer fell
Quhen as ȝe forouth herd me tell
Schir Eduuard ye Bruys with [fifty]
142
And [fyften] hunder men be tale.
Ye thrid fell in-till Esdaill
Quhen yat schyr Ihone ye Soullis was
Ye gouernour of all yat place,
Yat to schyr Androw Hardclay
With [fifty] men with-set ye way
Yat had yar in his cumpany
Thre hunder horsyt iolyly.
Yis schyr Ihone in-till playn melle
Throw sowerane hardiment [& bounte]
Wencussyt yaim sturdely ilkan
And schyr Andrew in hand has tane,
I will nocht rehers ye maner
For quha-sa likis yai may her
Ȝoung wemen quhen yai will play
Syng it amang yaim ilk day.
Yir war ye worthi poyntis thre
Yat I trow euermar sall be
Prissyt quhile men may on yaim mene.
It is well worth for-owtyn wene
Yat yar namys for euermar,
Yat in yar tym sua worthi war
Yat men till her ȝeit has daynte,
For yar worschip and yar bounte
Be lestand ay furth in lowing,
143
Bring yaim he wp till hevynnys blis
Quhar allwayis lestand lowing is.
In yis tym yat ye Richmound
Was on yis maner brocht to ground
Men off ye cost off Ingland
Yat duelt on Humbre or nerhand
Gaderyt yaim a gret mengne
And went in schippis to ye se,
And towart Scotland went in hy
And in ye fyrth come hastely.
Yai wend till haiff all yar liking
For yai wist weile yat ye king
Wes yan fer owt of ye countre,
With him mony of gret bounte,
Yarfor in-to ye fyrth come yai
And endlang it wp held yai
Quhill yai besid Ennerkething
On west half towart Dunferlyng
Tuk land and fast begouth to ryve.
Ye erle of Fyff and ye [schyrreff]
Saw to yar cost schippis approchand,
Yai gaderyt to defend yar land
And a-forgayn ye schippis ay
144
And yocht to let yaim land to tak.
And quhen ye schipmen saw yaim mak
Swilk contenance in sic aray
Yai said amang yaim all yat yai
Wald nocht let for yaim land to ta,
Yan to ye land yai sped yaim swa
That yai come yar in full gret hy
And arywyt full hardely.
Ye Scottis-men saw yar cummyng
And had of yaim sic abasing
Yat yai all samyn raid yaim fra
And ye land letles lete yaim ta.
Yai durst nocht fecht with yaim, foryi
Yai with-drew yaim all halily
Ye-quethyr yai war [fyve] hunder ner.
Quhen yai away yus ridand wer
And na defens begouth to schape,
Off Dunkeldyn ye gud byschap
Yat men callyt Wilȝam ye Sanctecler
Come with a rowt in gud maner.
I trow on hors yai war sexty,
Him selff was armyt iolyly
And raid apon a stalwart sted,
A chemer for till hele his wed
Apon his armour had he yen
And armyt weill als war his men.
145
A-waywart with yar gret menȝe,
And askyt yaim weill sone quhat hy
Maid yaim to turne sa hastily.
Yai said yar fayis with stalwart hand
Had in sic foysoun takyn ye land
Yat yai thocht yaim all out to fele
And yaim to few with yaim to dele.
Quhen ye byschap hard it wes sua
He said, ‘Ye king aucht weill to ma
Off ȝow, yat takys sa wele on hand
In his absence to wer his land.
Certis giff he gert serff ȝow weill
Ye gilt spuris rycht be ye hele
He suld in hy ger hew ȝow fra,
Rycht wald with cowartis men did swa.
Quha luffis his lord or his cuntre
Turne smertly now agayne with me.’
With yat he kest of his chemer
And hynt in hand a stalwart sper
And raid towart his fayis in hy,
All turnyt with him halyly
For he had yaim reprowyt sua
Yat off yaim all nane fled him fra.
He raid befor yaim sturdely
And yai him folowyt sarraly
Quhill yat yai come ner approchand
To yar fayis yat had tane land,
146
And sum war went to ye forray.
Ye gud byschap quhen he yaim saw
He said, ‘Lordingis but drede or aw
Pryk we apon yaim hardely
And we sall haf yaim wele lychtly.
Se yai ws cum but abaysing
Swa yat we mak her na stinting
Yai sall weill sone discumfyt be.
Now dois weill, for men sall se
Quha luffis ye kingis mensk today.’
Yan all to-gidder in gud aray
Yai prekyt apon yaim sturdely,
Ye byschap yat wes rycht hardy
And mekill and stark raid forouth ay.
Yan in a frusche assemblit yai,
And yai yat at ye fryst meting
Feld off ye speris sa sar sowing
Wandyst and wald haiff bene away,
Towart yar schippis in hy held yai,
And yai yaim chassyt fellounly
And slew yaim sua dispitously
Yat all ye feldis strowyt war
Off Inglis-men yat slane war yar,
And yai ȝeyt yat held wnslayne
Pressyt to ye se agayne,
147
Slew all yat euer yai mycht our-ta.
Bot yai yat fled ȝeit nocht-for-yi
Swa to yar schippis gan yaim hy,
And in sum barge sua fele gan ga
And yar fayis hastyt yaim sua
Yat yai our-tumblyt and ye men
Yat war [yar-in] war drownyt yen.
Yar did ane Inglis-man perfay
A weill gret strenth as ik hard say,
For quhen he chassyt wes till his bat
A Scottis-man yat him handlyt hat
He hynt yan be ye armys twa,
And war him wele or war him wa
He ewyn apon his bak him slang
And with him to ye bat gan gang
And kest him in all mawgre his,
Yis wes a wele gret strenth i-wis.
Ye Inglis men yat wan away
To yar schippis in hy went yai
And saylyt hame angry and wa
Yat yai had bene rebutyt sua.
Quhen yat ye schipmen on yis wis
War discumfyt as I dewys
Ye byschap yat sa weill him bar
148
Wes ȝeyt in-to [ye] fechtyn-sted
Quhar yat [fyve] hunder ner war ded
For-owtyn yaim yat drownyt war,
And quhen ye feld was spulȝeit bar
Yai went all hame to yar repar.
To ye byschap is fallyn fayr
Yat throw his price and his bounte
Wes eschewyt swilk a iourne.
Ye king yarfor ay fra yat day
Him luffyt and prisyt & honoryt ay
And held him in suylk daynte
Yat his awne bischop him callit he.
Yus yai defendyt ye countre
Apon bath halffis ye Scottis se
Quhill yat ye king wes out off land,
Yat yan as ik haf borne on hand
Throw all Irland his cours had maid
And agane to Cragfergus raid.
And quhen his broder as he war king
Had all ye Irschery at bidding
And haly Wlsistre alsua
He buskyt hame his way to ta.
Off his men yat war mast hardy
And prisyt mast of chewalry
With his broder gret part left he,
149
Quhen yar levys on ayer party
Wes tane he went to schip in hy,
Ye erle Thomas with him he had,
Yai raissyt sayllis but abaid
And in land off Galloway
For-owt perell aryvyt yai.
150
[BOOK XVII]
Ye lordis off ye land war fayneQuhen yai wist he wes cummyn agan
And till him went in full gret hy,
And he ressawit yaim hamlyly
And maid yaim fest and glaidsum cher,
And yai sa wonderly blyth wer
Off his come yat na man mycht say,
Gret fest and fayr till him maid yai.
Quhar-euer he raid all ye countre
Gaderyt in daynte him to se,
Gret glaidschip yan wes in ye land.
All yan wes wonnyn till his hand,
Fra ye Red Swyre to Orknay
Wes nocht off Scotland fra his fay
Owtakyn Berwik it allane.
Yat tym yarin wonnyt ane
Yat capitane wes of ye toun,
All Scottis-men in suspicioun
He had and tretyt yaim rycht ill.
He had ay to yaim hewy will
And held yaim fast at wndre ay,
151
Yat a burges Syme of Spalding
Thocht yat it wes rycht angry thing
Swagate ay to rebutyt be.
Yarfor in-till his hart thocht he
Yat he wald slely mak covyne
With ye marchall, quhays cosyne
He had weddyt till his wiff,
And as he thocht he did belyff.
Lettrys till him he send in hy
With a traist man all priuely,
And set him tym to cum a nycht
With leddrys and with gud men wicht
Till ye kow ȝet all priuely,
And bad him hald his trist trewly
And he suld mete yaim at ye wall,
For his walk yar yat nycht suld fall.
Quhen ye marchell ye lettre saw
He wmbethocht him yan a thraw,
For he wist be him selwyn he
Mycht nocht off mycht no power be
For till escheyff sa gret a thing,
And giff he tuk till his helping
Ane, oyer suld [wrethit] be.
Yarfor rycht to ye king ȝeid he
And schawyt him betuix yaim twa
152
Quhen yat ye king hard yat yis trane
Spokyn wes in-till certayne
Yat him thocht yarin na fantis
He said him, ‘Certis yow wrocht as wis
Yat has discoweryt ye fryst to me,
For giff yow had discoueryt ye
To my newo ye erle Thomas
Yow suld disples ye lord Douglas,
And him alsua in ye contrer,
Bot I sall wyrk on sic maner
Yat yow [at] yine entent sall be
And haff of nane off yaim mawgre.
Yow sall tak kep weill to ye day,
And with yaim yat yow purches may
At ewyn yow sall enbuschit be
In Dwns park, bot be preue,
And I sall ger ye erle Thomas
And ye lord alsua of Douglas
Ayer with a sowme of men
Be yar to do as yow sall ken.’
Ye marchell but mar delay
Tuk leve and held furth on his way
And held his spek preue and still
Quhill ye day yat wes set him till.
Yan of the best of Lothiane
He [with] hym till his tryst has tane
153
To Duns park with his menȝe
He come at evyn priuely,
And syne with a gud cumpany
Sone eftyr come ye erle Thomas
Yat wes met with ye Lord Dowglas.
A rycht fayr cumpany yai war
Quhen yai war met to-gidder yar,
And quhen ye marchell ye covyn
To bath ye lordis lyne be lyne
Had tauld, yai went furth on yar way.
Fer fra ye toun yar hors left yai,
To mak it schort swa wrocht yai yen
Yat but seyng off ony men
Owtane Sym of Spaldyn allane
Yat gert yat deid be wndertane
Yai set yar leddrys to ye wall,
And but persawing come wp all
And held yaim in a nuk preue
Quhill yat ye nycht suld passit be,
And ordaynyt yat ye maist party
Off yar men suld gang sarraly
With yar lordis and hald a stale,
And ye remanand suld all hale
Skaill throw ye toun & tak or sla
Ye men yat yai mycht our-ta.
Bot sone yis ordynance brak yai,
154
Ye twa partis off yar men and ma
All scalyt throw ye toun gan ga.
Sa gredy war yai to ye gud
Yat yai ran rycht as yai war woud
And sesyt howsis and slew men,
And yai yat saw yar fayis yen
Cum apon yaim sa suddanly
Throw-out ye toun yai raissyt ye cry
And schot to-gidder her and yar,
And ay as yai assemblyt war
Yai wald abid and mak debate.
Had yai bene warnyt wele I wate
Yai suld haiff sauld yar dedis der
For yai war gud men and yai wer
Fer ma yan yai were yat yaim socht,
Bot yai war scalyt yat yai mocht
On na maner assemblyt be.
Yar war gret melleys twa or thre,
Bot Scottis-men sa weile yaim bar
Yat yar fayis ay ruschyt war
And contraryit at ye last war sua
Yat yai haly ye bak gan ta,
Sum gat ye castell bot nocht all
And sum ar slydyn our ye wall
And sum war in-till handis tane
And sum war in-till bargane slane.
On yis wis yaim contenyt yai
155
Yan yai yat in ye castell war
And oyer yat fled to yaim yar
Yat war a rycht gret cumpany
Quhen yai ye baneris saw simply
Standand and stuffyt with a quhone
Yar ȝattis haff yai opnyt sone
And ischit on yaim hardely.
Yan erle Thomas yat wes worthi
And ye gud lord als of Douglas
With ye few folk yat with yaim was
Met yaim stoutly with wapnys ser.
Yar mycht men se yat had bene ner
Men abandoune [yaim] hardely.
Ye Inglis men faucht cruelly
And with all mychtis gan yaim payn
To rusche ye Scottis-men agayn.
I trow yai had swa done perfay
For yai war fewar fer yan yai
Giff it na had bene a new-mad knycht
Yat till his name schyr Wilȝam hycht,
Off Keyth and off Gallistoun
He hycht throw difference of sournoune,
Yat bar him sa rycht weill yat day
And put him till sua hard assay
And sic dyntis about him dang
Yat quhar he saw ye thikkest thrang
156
And swa enforslye gan fycht
Yat he maid till his mengne way,
And [yai] yat ner war by him ay
Dang on yar fayis sua hardely
Yat yai haff tane ye bak in hy
And till ye castell held ye way,
And at gret myscheiff entryt yai
For yai war pressyt yar sa fast
Yat yai fele lesyt of ye last.
Bot yai yat entryt nocht-foryi
Sparyt yar ȝattis hastily
And in hy to ye wallis ran
For yai war nocht all sekyr yan.
Ye toun wes takyn on yis wis
Throu gret worschip & hey [em]pris,
And all ye gud yat [yai] yar fand
Wes sesyt smertly in-till hand.
Wittaill yai fand in gret foysoun
And all yat fell to stuff off toun
Yat kepyt yai fra destroying,
And syn has word send to ye king,
And he wes off yat tything blyth
And sped him yidderwart swith.
And as he throw ye cuntre raid
157
A mekill rowt of worthi men,
And ye folk yat war wonnand yen
In-till ye Mers and Tewidaill
And in ye forest als all hale
And ye est end off Lothiane
Befor yat ye king come ar gane
To Berwik with sa stalwart hand
Yat nane yat wes yat tyme wonnand
On ȝond half Tweid durst weil apper.
And yai yat in ye castell wer
Quhen yai yar fayis in sic plente
Saw forouth yaim assemblyt be
And had na hop of reskewing
Yai war abaysit in gret thing,
Bot yai ye castell nocht-foryi
Held yai [fyve] dayis sturdely
Syne ȝauld it on ye [sext] day,
And till yar countre syne went yai.
Yus wes ye castell and ye toun
Till Scottis-mennys possessioun
Brocht, and sone eftre ye king
Come ridand with his gadering
To Berwik, and in ye castell
He wes herbrid bath fayr & weill
And all his lordis him by,
Ye remanand commonaly
Till herbry till ye toun ar gane.
Ye king has yen to consaill tan
158
Bot castell & ye toun with-all
Stuff weill with men & with wittaill
And alkyn oyer apparaill
Yat mycht awaile or ellis myster
To hald castell or toun off wer.
And Walter stewart of Scotland
Yat yan wes ȝoung and awenand
And [sone]-in-laucht wes to ye king
Haid sa gret will and sic ȝarnyng
Ner-hand ye marchis for to be
Yat Berwik to ȝemsell tuk he,
And resawit of ye king ye toun
And ye castell and ye dongeoun.
Ye king gert men of gret noblay
Ryd in-till Ingland for to pray
Yat brocht owt gret plente of fe,
And sum contreis tholyt he
For wittaill, yat in gret foysoun
He gert bring smertly to ye toun
Swa yat bath castell and toun war
Well stuffyt for a ȝer and mar.
Ye gud stewart off Scotland yen
Send for his frendis and his men
Quhill he had with him, but archeris
And but [burdouris] and awblasteris,
[Fyve] hunder men wycht and worthi
159
Ihone Crab a Flemyng als had he
Yat wes of sa gret sutelte
Till ordane and mak apparaill
For to defend and till assaill
Castell of wer or yan cite
Yat nane sleyar mycht fundyn be.
He gert engynys and cranys ma
And purwayit grec fyr alsua,
Spryngaldis and schot on ser maneris
Yat to defend castellis afferis
He purwayit in-till full gret wane,
Bot gynnys for crakys had he nane
For in Scotland ȝeit yan but wene
Ye ws of yaim had nocht bene sene.
Quhen ye toun apon yis wis
Was stuffyt as ik her diuis
Ye nobill king his way has tane
And riddyn towart Lowthiane,
And Walter Stewart yat wes stout
Be-left at Berwik with his rout
And ordanyt fast for apparaill
To defend giff men wald assaill.
Quhen to ye king of Ingland
Was tauld how yat with stalwart hand
Berwik wes tane and stuffyt syn
With men and wittaill [and] armyn
160
And gert assembill all halely
His consaill, and has tane to reid
Yat he hys ost will yidder leid
And with all mycht yat he mycht get
To ye toune ane assege set,
And gert dyk yaim sa stalwartly
Yat quhill yaim likyt yar to ly
Yai suld fer owt ye traister be.
And gif ye men of ye contre
With strenth of men wald yaim assaill
At yar dykis in-to bataill
Yai suld a-wantage hawe gretly,
Yocht all Scottis for gret foly
War till assaill in-to fechting
At hys dykis sa stark a thing.
Quhen yis consaill on yis maner
Wes tane he gert bath fer & ner
Hys ost haly assemblyt be,
Ane gret folk yan vith him had he.
Off Longcastell ye erle Thomas
Yat syne wes sanct as men sayis
In his cumpany wes yar,
& all ye erllys yat als war
161
& baronys als of mekill mycht
With him to yat assege had he,
And gert his schippis by ye se
Bring schot & oyer apparaill
And gret warnysone of wittaill.
To Berwik with all his menȝe
With his bataillis arayit come he,
And till gret lordis ilkane sindry
Ordanyt a feld for yar herbry.
[Yan] men mycht sone se pailȝownys
Be stentyt of syndry fassownys
Yat yai a toune all sone maid yar
Mar yan bath toun and castell war.
On oyer half syne on ye se
Ye schippis come in sic plente
With wittaill armyng and with men
Yat all ye havyn wes stoppyt yen.
And quhen yai yat war in ye toun
Saw yar fayis in sic foysoun
Be land and se cum sturdely,
Yai as wycht men & rycht worthi
Schup yaim to defend yar steid
Yat yai in awentur of deid
Suld put yaim or yan rusch agane
Yar fayis, for yar capitane
Tretyt yaim sa luflely,
162
Off yaim yat armyt with him wer
War of his blud and sib him ner,
Or ellis war his elye.
Off sic confort men mycht yaim se
And of sa rycht far contenyng
As nane of yaim had abaysing.
On dayis armyt weill war yai
And on ye nycht wele walkyt ay,
Weill [sex] dayis sua yai abaid
Yat na full gret bargane haid.
In-till yis tyme yat I tell her
Yat yai with-owtyn bargayne wer
Ye Inglis-men sa clossyt had
Yar ost with dykis yat yai maid
Yat yai war strenthit gretumly.
Syne with all handis besely
Yai schup yaim with yar apparaill
Yaim of ye toun for till assaill,
And of our ladys ewyn Mary
Yat bar ye byrth yat all gan by
Yat men callis hyr natiuite
Sone in ye mornyng men mycht se
Ye Inglis ost arme yaim in hy
And display baneris sturdely,
And assembill to yar baneris
With instrumentis of ser maneris
As scaffaldis leddris & couering
163
Till ilk lord and his bataill
Wes ordanyt quhar he suld assaill.
And yai within quhen yat yai saw
Yat mengne raung yaim sua on raw
Till yar wardis yai went in hy
Yat war stuffyt rycht stalwartly
With stanys and schot & oyer thing
Yat nedyt to yar defending,
And in-to sic maner abaid
Yair fayis yat till assail yaim maid.
Quhen yai withowt war all redy
Yai trumpyt till a salt in hy,
And ilk man with his apparaill
Quhar he suld be went till assaill,
Till ilk kyrnell yat war yar
Archeris to schut assignyt war,
And quhen on yis wys yai war boun
Yai went in hy towart ye toun
And fillyt dykis hastily,
Syne to ye wall rycht hardely
Yai went with leddris yat yai haid.
Bot yai sa gret defend [has] maid
Yat war abowyne apon ye wall
Yat oft leddris and men with-all
Yai gert fall flatlingis to ye ground,
Yat men mycht se in a litill stound
164
Dressand wp leddris douchtely
And sum on leddris pressand war,
Bot yai yat on ye wall war yar
Till all perellis gan abandoun
Yaim till yar fayis war dongyn doun.
At gret myscheff defendyt yai
Yar toun, for giff we suth sall say
Ye wallis of ye toun yan wer
Sa law yat a man with a sper
Mycht stryk ane oyer wp in ye face,
And ye schot alsa thik yar was
Yat [it] war wondre for to se.
Walter Stewart with a menȝe
Raid ay about for to se quhar
Yat for to help mast myster war,
And quhar men presit mast he maid
Succour till his yat myster haid.
Ye mekill folk yat wes with-out
Haid enweronyt ye toun about
Swa yat na part of it wes fre.
Yar mycht men ye assailiaris se
Abandoun yaim rycht hardely,
And ye defendouris douchtely
With all yar mychtis gan yaim payn
To put yar fayis with force agayn.
On yis wis yaim contenyt yai
165
Yan yai yat in ye schippis wer
Ordanyt a schip with full gret fer
To cum with all hyr apparaill
Rycht to ye wall for till assaill.
Till myd-mast wp yar bat yai drew
With armyt men yar-in inew,
A brig yai had for to lat fall
Rycht fra ye bat apon ye wall,
With bargis by hyr gan yai row
And pressyt yaim rycht fast to tow
Hyr by ye brighous to ye wall,
On yat entent yai set yaim all.
Yai brocht hyr quhill scho come well ner,
Yan mycht men se on [seir] maner
Sum men defend and sum assaill
Full besyly with gret trawaill.
With-in sa stoutly yai yaim bar
Yat ye schipmen sa handlyt war
Yat yai ye schip on na maner
Mycht ger to cum ye wall sa ner
Yat yar fall-brig mycht neych yar-till
For oucht yai mycht gud or ill,
Quhill yat scho ebbyt on ye grund,
Yan mycht men in a litill stound
Se yaim be fer of wer cowyn
Yan yai war er yat war hyr in.
And quhen ye se wes ebbyt sua
166
Owt off ye toun ischit in hy
Till hyr a weill gret cumpani
And fyr till hyr has keyndlyt son.
In-to schort tyme swa haif yai done
Yat yai in fyr has gert hyr bryn
And sum war slayn yat war hyr in
And sum fled and away ar gane.
Ane engynour yar haif yai tane
Yat wes sleast of yat myster
Yat men wist ony fer or ner,
In-till ye toun syne entryt yai.
It fell yaim happily perfay
Yat yai gat in sa hastily
For yar come a gret cumpany
In full gret hy wp by ye se
Quhen yai ye schip saw brynnand be,
Bot or yai come ye toyer war past
Ye ȝat and barryt it rycht fast.
Yat folk assaylyt fast yat day,
And yai with-in defendyt ay
On sic a wis yat yai yat war
With gret enforce assailland yar
Mycht do yar will on na maner.
And quhen yat ewynsang tym wes ner
Ye folk with-owt yat war wery
And sum woundyt full cruelly
Saw yaim within defend yaim swa,
And saw it wes nocht eyth to ta
167
And yai yat in-till [stering] had
Ye ost saw yat yar schip war brynt
And of yaim yat yarin wes tynt,
And yar folk woundyt & wery,
Yai gert blaw ye retreit in hy.
Fra ye schipmen rebotyt war
Yai lete ye toyer assaill no mar,
For throw ye schip yai wend ilkan
Yat yai ye toun wele suld haf tane.
Men sayis yat ma schippis yan sua
Pressyt yat tym ye toun to ta,
Bot for yat yar wes brynt bot ane
And ye engynour yarin wes tane
Her-befor mencioun maid I
Bot off a schip all-anerly.
Quhen yat yai blawyn had ye retret
Yar folk yat tholyt had paynys gret
Withdrew yaim haly fra ye wall,
Ye assalt have yai left all.
And yai within yat wery war
And mony of yaim woundyt sar
War blyth and glaid quhen yat yai saw
Yar fayis on yat wis yaim withdraw,
And fra yai wyst suthly yat yai
168
Set gud wachys to yar wall,
Syne till yar innys went yai all
And essyt yaim yat wery war,
And oyer yat had woundis sar
Had gud lechys forsuth ik hycht
Yat helpyt yaim as yai best mycht.
On ayer sid wery war yai,
Yat nycht yai did no mar perfay.
[Fyve] dayis eftyr yai war still
That nane till oyer did mekill ill.
Now leve we [yir] folk her lyand
All still as ik have born on hand
And turne ye cours of our carping
To schyr Robert ye douchty king,
Yat assemblyt bath fer and ner
Ane ost quhen yat he wist but wer
Yat ye king sua of Ingland
Had assegyt with stalwart hand
Berwik quhar Walter Stewart was.
To purpos with his men he tais
Yat he wald nocht swa sone assaile
Ye king of Ingland with bataill
And at his dykis specially,
For yat moucht weill turne to foly.
Yarfor he ordanyt lordis twa
Ye erle of Murreff wes ane of ya
Ye toyer wes ye lord of Dowglas
With [fyften thousand] men to pas
169
And swa gret ryote yar to ma
Yat yai yat lay segeand ye toun,
Quhen yai hard ye destructioun
Yat yai suld in-till Ingland ma,
Suld be sua dredand and swa wa
For yar childer and for yar wiffis
Yat yai suld drede to lese ye lyvis,
And yar gudis alsua yat yai
Suld dreid yan suld be had away,
Yai suld leve yar sege in hy
And wend to reskew hastily
Yar gud yar frendis and yar land.
Yarfor as ik haf born on hand
Yir lordis send he furth in hy
And yai yar way tuk hastily
And in Ingland gert bryn & sla,
And wrocht yarin sa mekill wa
As yai forrayit ye countre
Yat it wes pite for to se
Till yaim yat wald it ony gud,
For yai destroyit all as yai ȝhud.
Swa lang yai raid destroyand sua
As yai trawersyt to & fra
Yat yai ar cummyn to Repoun
And destroyit haly yat toun,
170
Yai tuk and at Mytoun yar-by.
And quhen ye men of yat countre
Saw yar land swa destroyit be
Yai gaderyt in-to full gret hy
Archeris burges & ȝhumanry
Preystis clerkys monkis and freris
Husbandis and men of all maneris
Quhill yat yai samyn assemblit war
Wele [twenty] thowsand men & mar,
Rycht gud armys inew yai had.
Ye archebyschop of Ȝork yai mad
Yar capitane, and to consaill
Has tane yat yai in plane bataill
Wald assaill ye Scottis-men
Yat fer fewar yan yai war yen.
Yan he displayit his baner
And oyer byschappys yat yar wer
Gert display yar baneris alsua,
All in a rout furth gan yai ga
Towart Mytoun ye redy way.
& quhen ye Scottismen hard say
Yai war to yaim cummand ner
Yai buskyt yaim on yar best maner
And delyt yaim in bataillis twa,
Dowglas ye awaward gan ma,
Ye rerward maid erle Thomas
171
And swa ordanyt in gud aray
Towart yar fayis yai held yar way.
Quhen athyr had on oyer sycht
Yai pressyt on bath half to ye fycht.
Ye Inglis men come rycht sadly
With gud contenance and hardy
Rycht in a frusch with yar baner
Quhill yar fayis come sa ner
Yat yai yar wisag mycht se,
Thre sper lenth I trow weill mycht be
Betuix yaim, quhen sic abasing
Tuk yaim yat but mar in a swyng
Yai gaff ye bak all and to-ga.
Quhen Scottis-men had sene yaim swa
Effrayitly fle all yar way
In gret hy apon yaim schot yai
And slew and tuk a gret party,
Ye laiff fled full effrayitly
As yai best moucht to sek warand.
Yai chassyt sa ner at hand
Yat ner a thowsand deyt yar.
Off yaim ȝet thre [hunder] war
Preystis yat deyt in yat chas,
172
Ye chaptur of Mytone for yar
Slayn sa mony prestis war.
Quhen yis folk yus discomfyt was
& Scottis-men had left ye chas
Yai went yaim forth-ward in ye land
Slayand swa & destroyand,
And yai yat at ye sege lay
Or it wes passyt ye [fyft] day
Had maid yaim syndry apparal
To gang eft-sonys till assaill.
Off gret gestis a sow yai maid
Yat stalwart heildyne abon it had
With armyt men inew yarin
And instrumentis for to myne,
Syndry scaffaldis yai maid with-all
Yat war weill heyar yan ye wall,
And ordanyt als yat be ye se
Ye toun suld weill assaillyt be.
Yai within yat saw yaim swa
Swa gret apparaill schap to ma
Throw Crabys consaill yat wes sley
A crane yai haiff gert dres wp hey
Rynnand on quheillis yat yai mycht bring
It quhar yat nede war of helping,
And pyk and ter als haiff yai tane
173
And dry treyis yat weill wald brin
And mellyt ayer oyer in,
And gret fagaldis yaroff yai maid
Gyrdyt with irne bandis braid,
Ye fagaldis weill mycht mesuryt be
Till a gret townys quantite.
Yai fagaldis brynnand in a [baill]
With yar cran thocht [yai] till awaill,
And gyff ye sow come to ye wall
To lat it brynnand on hyr fall
And with stark chenȝeis hald it yar
Quhill all war brynt wp yat yar war.
Engynys alswa for to cast
Yai ordanyt & maid redy fast
And set ilk man syne till his ward,
And schyr Walter ye gud steward
With armyt men suld rid about
And se quhar yat yar war mast dout
And succour yar with his menȝe.
And quhen yai in sic degre
Had maid yaim for defending,
On ye Rud Ewyn in ye dawing
Ye Inglis ost blew till assaill.
Yan mycht men with ser apparaill
Se yat gret ost cum sturdely,
Ye toun enweround yai in hy
174
For all yar mycht yai set yar-till
Yat yaim pressyt fast on ye toun.
Bot yai yat gan yaim abandoun
To dede or yan to woundis sar
Sa weill has yaim defendit yar
Yat leddrys to ye ground yai slang,
And with stanys sa fast yai dang
Yar fayis yat fele yar left liand
Sum dede sum hurt & sum swonand.
Bot yai yat held on feyt in hy
Drew yaim away deliuerly
And scounryt nocht for yat thing
Bot went stoutly till assailling,
And yai aboun defendyt ay
And set yaim to sa hard assay
Quhill yat fele of yaim woundyt war,
[And] yai sa gret defens maid yar
Yat yai styntit yar fayis mycht.
Apon sic maner gan yai fycht
Quhill it wes ner none of ye day,
Yan yai without on gret aray
Pressyt yar sowe towart ye wall.
And yai within sone gert call
Ye engynour yat takyn was,
And gret mannance till him mais
And swour yat he suld dey bot he
Prowyt on ye sow sic sutelte
175
And he yat has persawyt wele
Yat ye dede wes weill ner him till
Bot giff he mycht fullfill yar will
Thocht yat he at his mycht wald do.
Bendyt in gret hy yan ves scho
Yat till ye sow wes ewyn set,
In hy he gert draw ye cleket
And smertly swappyt out a stane.
Ewyn our ye sow ye stane is gane
And behind it a litill wey
It fell, and yan yai criyt hey
Yat war in hyr, ‘Furth to ye wall,
For dredles it is ouris all.’
Ye gynour yan deliuerly
Gert bend ye gyn in full gret hy
And ye stane smertly swappyt owt,
It flaw owt quheyerand with a rout
And fell rycht ewyn befor ye sow.
Yar hartis yan begouth to grow,
Bot ȝeyt yan with yar mychtis all
Yai pressyt ye sow towart ye wall
And has hyr set yar-to [iuntly].
Ye gynour yan gert bend in hy
Ye gyne and wappyt out ye stane
Yat ewyn towart ye lyft is gane
176
Rycht be ye wall in a randoun,
And hyt ye sow in sic maner
Yat it yat wes ye mast [summer]
And starkast for to stynt a strak
In sunder with yat dusche it brak.
Ye men [ran] owt in full gret hy,
And on ye wallis yai gan cry
Yat yar sow wes feryt yar.
Ihone Crab yat had his ger all ȝar
In his fagaldis has set ye fyr
And our ye wall syne gan yaim wyr
And brynt ye sow till brundis bar.
With all thys fast assailȝeand war
Ye folk with-out with felloun fycht,
And yai with-in with mekill mycht
Defendyt manlily yar steid
In-to gret awentur off deid.
Ye schipmen with gret apparaill
Come with yar schippis till assaill
With top-castell warnyst weill
Off wicht men armyt in-to steill,
Yar batis up apon yar mast
Drawyn weill hey and festnyt fast,
And pressyt with yat gret atour
177
Hyt in ye aspyne with a stane,
And ye men yat yarin war gane
Sum ded sum dosnyt come doun wynland.
Fra yine furth durst nane tak on hand
With schippis to preys yaim to ye wall,
Bot ye lave war assailȝeand all
On ilk sid sa egrely
Yat certis it wes gret ferly
Yat yat folk sic defens has maid
With ye gret myscheiff yat yai had,
For yar wallis sa law yan wer
Yat a man rycht weill with a sper
Mycht stryk ane oyer wp in ye face
As her-befor said to ȝow was,
And fele of yaim war woundit sar,
And ye laiff sa fast trawaillyt war
Yat nane had tyme rest for to ma,
Yar aduersouris assaillyt sua.
Yai war within sa straitly stad
Yat yar wardane, yat with him had
Ane hunder men in cumpany
Armyt yat wicht war & hardy
And raid about for to se quhar
Yat his folk hardest presyt war
178
Come sindry tymys in placis ser
Quhar sum of ye defendouris war
All dede and oyer woundyt sar,
Swa yat he of his cumpany
Behuffyt for to leve yar party,
Swa yat be he a cours had maid
About, of all ye men he haid
Yar wes lewyt with him bot ane
Yat he ne had left yaim euerilkan
To releve quhar he saw myster.
And ye folk yat assailland wer
[At] Mary ȝat tohewyn haid
Ye barrais and a fyr had maid
At ye draw-brig and brynt it doun,
And war thringand in gret foysoun
Rycht to ye ȝat a fyr to ma.
Yan yai within gert smertly ga
Ane to ye wardane for to say
How yai war set in hard assay,
And quhen schyr Walter Stewart herd
How men sa straitly [with] yaim ferd
He gert cum of ye castell yen
All yat yar war off armyt men,
For [yar] yat day assaillyt nane,
And with yat rowt in hy is gane
To Mary ȝate, and to ye wall
179
And wmbethocht him suddanly
Bot giff gret help war set in hy
Yar-to, yai suld bryn wp ye ȝet
Yat fra ye wall yai suld nocht let.
Yarfor apon gret hardyment
He suddanly set his entent,
And gert all wyd set wp ye ȝat,
And ye fyr yat he fand yar-at
With strenth off men he put away.
He set him to full hard assay,
For yai yat war assailȝeand yar
Pressyt on him with wapnys bar
And he defendyt with his mycht.
Yar mycht men se a felloun sycht
Off stabing stocking and striking,
Yar maid yai sturdy defending
For with gret strenth of men ye ȝat
Yai defendyt and stud yar-at
Mawgre yar fayis, quhill ye nycht
Gert yaim on bath half leve ye fycht.
Yai off ye ost quhen nycht gan fall
Fra ye assalt withdrew yaim all.
Woundyt and wery & forbeft
With mad cher ye assalt yai left
And till yar innys went in hy
And set yar wachis hastily,
Ye lave yaim esyt as yai mycht best
For yai had gret myster of rest.
Yat nycht yai spak commonaly
180
Yat yai swa stout defens had maid
Agayne ye gret assalt yai haid.
And yai within on oyer party
Quhen yai yar fayis sa hastily
Saw withdraw yaim yai war all blyth,
And has ordanyt yar wachis swith
And syne ar till yar innys gane.
Yar wes bot full few of yaim slane
Bot fele war woundyt wtterly,
Ye lave our mesur war wery.
It was ane hard assawlt perfay,
And certis I herd neuer say
Quhar quheyn mar defence had maid
Yat swa rycht hard assailling haid,
And off a thing yat yar befell
Ik haff ferly yat I sall tell,
Yat is yat in-till all yat day
Quhen all yar mast assailȝeit yai
And ye schot thikkest wes with-all
Women with child and childer small
In armfullis gaderyt wp & bar
Till yaim yat on ye wallis war
[Arrowes, and nocht ane slayne ves yar]
Na ȝeit woundyt, and yat wes mar
Ye myrakill of God almichty
181
On athyr syd yat nycht yai war
All still, and on ye morn but mar
Yar come tythandis out off Ingland
To yaim of ye ost, yat bar on hand
How yat by Borowbrig at Mytoun
Yar men war slayn and dongyn doun,
And at ye Scottis-men throu ye land
Raid ȝeit brynnand and destroyand.
And quhen ye king had hard [yis] tale
His consaile he assemblyt haile
To se quheyer [fayr] war him till
To ly about ye toun all still
And assailȝe quhill it wonnyn war,
Or yan in Ingland for to fayr
And reskew his land and his men.
His consaill fast discordyt yen,
For sotheroun men wald yat he mad
Arest yar quhill he wonnyn haid
Ye toun and ye castell alsua,
Bot northyn men wald na thing sua
Yat dred yar frendis for to tyn
And mast part of yar gudis syne
Throw Scottis-mennys cruelte,
Yai wald he lete ye sege be
And raid for till reskew his land.
Off Longcastell I tak on hand
Ye erle Thomas wes ane of ya
182
And for yat mar inclynyt he
To ye folk of ye south countre
Na to ye northyn mennys will,
He tuk it to sa mekill ill
Yat he gert turs his ger in hy
And with his bataill halily
Yat off ye ost ner thrid part was
Till Ingland hame his way he tais.
But leve he hame has tane his gat,
Yarfor fell efter sic debat
Betuix him & ye king yat ay
Lastyt quhill Androw Hardclay
That throw ye king wes on him set
Tuk him rycht in Pomfret,
And on ane hill beside ye toun
Strak off his hede but ransoun,
Yarfor syne hyngyt & drawyn wes he
& with him a weill gret menȝe.
Men said syne efter yis Thomas
Yat on yis wis maid marter was
Was saynct and myrakillis did,
Bot enwy syne gert yaim be hid,
Bot quheyer he haly wes or nane
At Pomfret yus was he slane.
And syne ye king of Ingland
Quhen yat he saw him tak on hand
183
Him thocht it wes perell to ly
Yar with ye lave of his menȝe,
Hys harnays yarfor tursit he
And in-till Ingland hame gan he far.
Ye Scottis-men yat destroyand war
In Ingland sone hard tell tithing
Off yis gret sege departing,
Yarfor yai tuk westwart ye way
And till Carlele hame went ar yai
With prayis and with presoneris
And oyer gudis on ser maneris.
Ye lordis to ye king ar gain,
And ye lave has yar wayis tain
Ilk man till his repayr agayne.
Ye king i-wys was wondre fayn
Yat yai war cummyn hale and fer,
And yat yai sped on sic maner
Yat yai yar fayis discomfyt hade
And but tynsaill of men has maid
Rescours to yaim yat in Berwik
184
And quhen ye king had speryt tithand
How yai had farne in Ingland,
And yai had tauld him all hale yar far
[How] Inglis-men discumfyt war,
Rycht blyth in-till his hart wes he
And maid yaim fest with gamyn & gle.
Berwik wes on yis maner
Reskewyt and yai yat yarin wer
Throw manheid and throw sutelte.
He wes worthi a prynce to be
Yat couth with wit sa hey a thing
But gret tynsaill bring till ending.
Till Berwik syne ye way he tays
And quhen he hard yar how it ways
Defendyt rycht swa apertly,
He lowyt yaim yat war yar gretly.
Walter Stewart his gret bounte
Out-our ye laiff commendyt he
For ye rycht gret defens he maid
At ye ȝat quhar men brynt had
Ye brig as ȝe herd me dywis,
And certis he wes weill to pris
185
[At] opyn ȝate maid defending.
Mycht he haff levyt quhill he had bene
Off perfyt eild, with-owtyn wene
His renoun suld have strekyt fer,
Bot dede yat walkis ay to mer
With all hyr mycht [waik and vorthy]
Had at his worschip sic inwi
Yat in ye flour of his ȝoutheid
So endyt all his douchti deid,
As I sall tell ȝow foryer-mar.
Quhen ye king had a quhill bene yar
He send for maysonys fer & ner
Yat sleast war off yat myster
And gert weill [ten] fute hey ye wall
About Berwykis toune our-all,
And syne towart Louthyane
With his menȝe his gat is gane.
And syne he gert ordane in hy
Bath armyt men and ȝhumenry
In-till Irland in hy to fayr
To help his broyer yat wes yar.
186
[BOOK XVIII]
Bot he yat rest anoyit ayAnd wald in trawaill be alway,
A day forouth yar arywing
Yat war send till him fra ye king,
He tuk his way south-wart to far
Magre yaim all yat with him war,
For he had nocht yan in yat land
Of all men I trow twa thousand,
Owtane ye kingis off Irchery
Yat in gret rowtis raid him by.
Towart Dundalk he tuk ye way,
And quhen Richard of Clar hard say
Yat he come with sa few menȝe
All yat he mycht assemblit he
Off all Irland off armyt men,
Swa yat he had yar with him yen
Off trappyt hors [twenty] thowsand
But yai yat war on fute gangand,
And held furth northward on his way.
And quhen schyr Eduuard has hard say
Yat cummyn ner till him wes he
He send discouriouris him to se,
Ye Sowllis and ye Stewart war yai
And schyr Philip ye Mowbray,
And quhen yai sene had yar cummyng
187
And said weill yai war mony men.
In [hy] schyr Eduuard ansuerd yen
And said yat he suld fecht yat day
Youcht tribill and quatribill war yai.
Schyr Ihone Stewart said, ‘Sekyrly
I reid nocht ȝe fecht on sic hy,
Men sayis my broyer is cummand
With [fyften] thowsand men ner-hand,
And war yai knyt with ȝow ȝe mycht
Ye traystlyer abid to fycht.’
Schyr Eduuard lukyt all angrely
And till ye Soullis said in hy,
‘Quhat sayis yow.’ ‘Schyr,’ he said, ‘perfay
As my falow has said I say.’
And [yan] to schyr Philip said he.
‘Schyr,’ said he, ‘sa our Lord me se
Me think na foly for to bid
Ȝour men yat spedis yaim to rid,
For we ar few, our fayis ar fele,
God may rycht weill our werdis dele,
Bot it war wondre yat our mycht
Suld our-cum sa fele in fycht.’
Yan with gret ire ‘Allace,’ said he,
‘I wend neuer till her yat of ye.
Now help quha will for sekyrly
188
Sall na man say quhill I may drey
Yat strenth of men sall ger me fley.
God scheld yat ony suld ws blam
Gif we defend our noble nam.’
‘Now be it swagat yan,’ quod yai,
‘We sall tak yat God will purwai.’
And quhen ye kingis of Irchery
Herd say and wyst sekyrly
Yat yar king with sa quhone wald fycht
Agane folk of sa mekill mycht
Yai come till him in full gret hy
And consaillyt him full tenderly
For till abid his men, & yai
Suld hald yar fayis all yat day
Doand and on ye morn alsua
With yar ronnyngis yat yai suld ma.
Bot yar mycht na consaill awaile,
He wald algat hav bataile.
And quhen yai saw he wes sa thra
To fycht yai said, ‘Ȝe ma well ga
To fycht with ȝone gret cumpany,
Bot we acquyt ws wterly
Yat nane of ws will stand to fycht.
Assuris nocht yarfor in our mycht,
For our maner is of yis land
To folow & fecht & fecht fleand
And nocht to stand in plane melle
189
He said, ‘Sen yat ȝour custum is
Ik ask at ȝow no mar bot yis,
That is yat ȝe and ȝour menȝe
Wald all to-gidder arayit be
And stand on fer but departing
And se our fycht & ye ending.’
Yai said weill yat yai suld do swa,
And syne towart yar men gan yai ga
That war weill [twenty thousand] ner.
Eduuard with yaim yat with him wer
Yat war nocht fully twa thousand
Arayit yaim stalwartly to stand
Agayne [fourty] thowsand and ma.
Schir Eduuard yat day wald nocht ta
His cot-armour, bot Gib Harper
Yat men held als with-owtyn per
Off his estate had on yat day
All hale schyr Edwardis aray.
Ye fycht abad yai on yis wis,
And in gret hy yar ennymys
Come till assemble all redy
And yai met yaim rycht hardely.
Bot yai sa few war south to say
Yat ruschyt with yar fayis war yai,
And yai yat pressyt mast to stand
War slane doun, and ye remanand
190
Schyr Eduuard yat had sic valour
Wes dede & Ihone Stewart alsua
And Ihone ye Soullis als with ya
And oyer als off yar cumpany.
Yai war wencussyt sa suddanly
Yat few in-till ye place war slane,
For ye lave has yar wayis tane
Till ye Irsche kingis yat war yar
& in hale bataill howand wer.
Ihone Thomas-sone yat wes leder
Off yaim of Carrik yat yar wer
Quhen he saw ye discumfiting
Withdrew him till ane Irsch king
Yat off his aqwentance had he,
And he resawit him in leawte.
And quhen Ihone cummyn wes to yat king
He saw be led fra ye fechting
Schir Philyp ye Mowbray ye wicht
Yat had bene dosnyt in-to ye fycht,
And with armys led wes he
Wyth twa men apon a cause
Yat wes betuix yaim & ye toun
And strekyt lang in a randown.
Towart ye toun yai held yar way,
191
Schir Philip of his desynes
Ourcome, and persawit he wes
Tane & led suagat with twa.
Ye tane he swappyt sone him fra
& syne ye toyer in gret hy,
And drew ye suerd deliuerly
& till ye fycht his wayis tays
Endlang ye cause yat yan was
Fillyt in-till gret foysoun
Off men yat yan went till ye toun,
And he yat met yaim agayn gan ma
Sic payment quhar he gan ga
Yat weile a hundre men gert he
Leve maugre yaris ye cause.
As Ihone Thomas-sone said suthly
Yat saw his deid all halily
Towart ye bataill ewyn he ȝeid.
Ihone Thomas-sone yat tuk gud heid
Yat yai war wencussyt all planly
Cryit on him in full gret hy
And said, ‘Cum her for yar is nane
On lyve for yai ar dede ilkane.’
Yan stud he still a quhill and saw
Yat yai war all doune of daw,
192
Yis Ihone wrocht syne sa wittely
Yat all yat yidder fled yan wer
Yocht yat yai lossyt of yar ger
Come till Cragfergus hale & fer.
And yai yat at ye fechting wer
Socht schyr Eduuard to get his heid
Amang ye folk yat yar wes dede
And fand Gib Harper in his ger,
And for sa gud hys armys wer
Yai strak hys hed of & syn it
Yai have gert salt in-till a kyt
And send it in-till Ingland
Till ye king Eduuard in presand.
Yai wend schyr Eduuardis it had bene,
Bot for ye armyng yat wes schene
Yai of ye heid dissawyt wer
All yocht schyr Eduuard deyt yer.
On yis wis war yai noble men
For wilfulnes all lesyt yen,
And yat wes syne and gret pite
For had yar owtrageous bounte
Bene led with wyt and with mesur,
Bot gif ye mar mysawentur
[Be] fallyn yaim, it suld rycht hard thing
Be to lede yaim till owtraying,
Bot gret owtrageous surquedry
193
& yai yat fled fra ye melle
Sped yaim in hy towart ye se
& to Cragfergus cummyn ar yai,
And yai yat war in-to ye way
To schir Eduuard send fra ye king
Quhen yai hard ye discumfiting
To Cragfergus yai went agayne.
And yat wes nocht for-owtyn payn,
For yai war mony tyme yat day
Assailȝeit with Irschery, bot yai
Ay held to-gidder sarraly
And defendyt sa wittely
Yat yai eschapyt oft throu mycht
And mony tyme alsua throw slycht,
For oft of yaris to yaim gaff yai
To lat yaim scaithles pas yar way,
And till Cragfergus come yai swa
Yat batis and schyppis gan yai ta
And saylyt till Scotland in hy
And yar arywyt all saufly.
Quhen yai of Scotland had wittering
Off schir Eduuardis wencussing
Yai menyt him full tenderly
Our all ye land commounaly,
& yai yat with him slayn war yar
Full tenderly als menyt war.
194
Wes discumfyt on yis maner,
And quhen ye feld wes clengit clene
Swa yat na resistens wes sene
Ye wardane yan schyr Richard of Clar
And all ye folk yat with him war
Towart Dundalk has tane ye way
Swa yat rycht na debat maid yai
At yat tym with ye Irschery,
Bot to ye toun yai held in hy,
And syne had send furth to ye king
Yat had Ingland in gouernyng
Gib Harperis heid in a kyt.
Ihone Mavpas till ye king had it
And he ressawyt it in daynte,
Rycht blyth off yat present wes he
For he wes glaid yat he wes sua
Deliueryt off a felloun fa.
In hart yar-off he tuk sic prid
Yat he tuk purpos for to rid
With a gret ost in Scotland
For to weng him with stalwart hand
Off tray of trawaill & of tene
Yat done yarin till him had bene,
And a rycht gret ost gaderit he
195
Cum with gret foysoun of wittaill,
For at yat tyme he wald him taile
To dystroy wp sa clene ye land
Yat nane suld leve yar-in lewand,
And with his folk in gret aray
Towart Scotland he tuk ye way.
And quhen king Robert wist yat he
Come on him with sic a mengne
He gaderyt his men bath fer & ner
Quhill sa fele till him cummyn wer,
And war als for to cum him to,
Yat him thocht he rycht weill suld do.
He gert withdraw all ye catell
Off Lowthiane euerilkdeill,
And till strenthis gert yaim be send
And ordanyt men yaim to defend,
And with his ost [all] still he lay
At Culros, for he wald assay
To ger hys fayis throw fasting
Be feblyst and throw lang walking,
And fra he feblist had yar mycht
Assembill yan with yaim to fycht.
He thocht to wyrk apon yis wis,
And Inglis-men with gret maistrys
Come with yar ost in Lowthian
And sone till Edynburgh ar gan,
196
Yar schippys yat war on ye se
Had ye wynd contrar to yaim ay
Swa yat apon na maner yai
Had power to ye fyrth to bring
Yar wittailis to releve ye king,
And yai of ye ost yat faillyt met
Quhen yai saw yat yai mycht nocht get
Yar wittaillis till yaim be ye se
Yai send furth rycht a gret menȝe
For to forray all Lowthiane,
Bot cataill haf yai fundyn nane
Owtakyn a bule yat wes haltand
Yat in Tranentis corne yai fand.
That brocht yai till yar ost agayne,
& quhen ye erle of Warayne
Saw yat bule anerly cum swa
He askyt giff yai gat na ma,
And yai haff said all till him nay.
Yan said he, ‘Certis I dar say
Yis is ye derrest best yat I
Saw euer ȝeit, for sekyrly
It cost a thousand pound & mar.’
And quhen ye king and yai yat war
Off his consaill saw yai mycht get
Na cattell till yar ost till ete
Yat yan of fasting had gret payn
197
At Melros schup yai for to ly
And send befor a cumpany
Thre hunder ner of armyt men.
Bot ye lord Douglas yat wes yen
Be-syd in-till ye forest ner
Wyst of yar come and quhat yai wer,
And with yaim of his cumpany
In-to Melros all preuely
He howyt in a buschement,
And a rycht sturdy frer he sent
With-out ye ȝate yar come to se,
And bad him hald him all preue
Quhill yat he saw yaim cummand all
Rycht to ye coynȝe yar of ye wall,
And yan cry hey ‘Douglas Douglas.’
Ye frer yan furth his wayis tais
Yat wes all stout derff and hardy,
Hys mekill hud helyt haly
Ye armur yat he on him had,
Apon a stalwart hors he rad
And in his hand he had a sper,
And abaid apon yat maner
Quhill yat he saw yaim cummand ner,
And quhen ye formest passyt wer
Ye coynȝe he criyt ‘Douglas Douglas.’
Yan till yaim all a cours he mas
And bar ane doun deliuerly,
And Douglas and his cumpany
198
And quhen yai saw sa gret a rout
Cum apon yaim sa suddanly
Yai war abaysyt gretumly
And [gaf] ye bak but mar abaid.
The Scottis men amang yaim raid
& slew all yat yai mycht our-ta,
A gret martyrdome yar gan yai ma,
And yai yat eschapyt wnslayne
Ar till yar gret ost went agayne
And tauld yaim quhatkyn welcummyng
Dowglas yaim maid at yar meting
Yat conwoyit yaim agayn rudly
And warnyt planly herbery.
Ye king of Ingland & his men
Yat saw yar herbriouris yen
Cum rebutyt on yat maner
Anoyit in yar hart yai wer,
And thocht yat it war gret foly
In-till ye wod to tak herbery,
Yarfor by Dryburgh in ye playn
Yai herbryit yaim and syne again
Ar went till Ingland yar way.
And quhen ye king Robert hard say
Yat yai war turnyt hame agayn
And how yar herbriouris war slayn,
In hy his ost assemblit he
199
And till Ingland his ways tais.
Quhen his ost assemblyt ways
Auchty thowsand he wes & ma
And [aucht] batallis he maid of ya,
In ilk bataill war [ten] thousand,
Syne went he furth till Ingland
And in-till hale rowt folowit sa fast
Ye Inglis king, quhill at ye last
He come approchand to Biland
Quhar at yat tyme yar wes lyand
Ye king of Ingland with his men.
King Robert yat had witteryng yen
Yat he lay yar with mekill mycht
Tranountyt swa on him a nycht
Yat be ye morn yat it wes day
Cummyn in a plane feld war yai
Fra Biland bot a litill space,
Bot betuix yaim and it yar was
A craggy bra strekyt weill lang
And a gret peth wp for to gang,
Oyer-wayis mycht yai nocht away
To pas to Bilandis abbay
Bot gif yai passyt fer about.
And [quhen] ye mekill Inglis rout
Hard yat ye king Robert wes sa ner,
200
Went to ye peth and tuk ye bra,
Yai thocht yar defens to ma,
Yar baneris yar yai gert display
And yar bataillis on braid aray,
And thocht weill to defend ye pas.
Quhen ye king Robert persawit was
Yat yai thocht yar yaim to defend
Efter his consaill has he send
And askyt quhat wes best to do.
Ye lord Douglas ansueryt yar-to
And said, ‘Schyr I will wnderta
Yat in schort tyme I sall do sa
Yat I sall wyn ȝon pas planly,
Or yan ger all ȝon cumpany
Cum doun to ȝow her to yis plane.’
Ye king said yan till him agayn,
‘Do yan, quhar mychty God ye speid.’
Yan he furth on his wayis ȝeid,
And of ye ost ye mast hardy
Put yaim in-till his cumpany
And held yar way towart ye pas.
Ye gud erle of Murreff Thomas
Left his bataill and in gret hy
Bot with four men of his cumpany
Come till ye lordis rout of Douglas,
201
Befor yaim all ye pas tuk he
For he wald yat men suld him se.
And quhen schyr Iames off Douglas
Saw yat he swagat cummyn was
He prisyt him yaroff gretly
And welcummyt him hamlyly,
And syne ye pas yai samyn ta.
Quhen Inglis men saw yaim do swa
Yai lychtyt and agayn yaim ȝeid,
Twa knychtis rycht douchty of deid,
Thomas Ouchtre ane had to name
Ye toyer schyr Rawf of Cobhame,
Come doun befor all yar menȝe,
Yai war bath full of gret bounte
And met yar fayis manlely,
Bot yai war pressyt rycht gretumly.
Yar mycht men se rycht weill assaile
And men defend with stout bataill
And [arrowes] fley in gret foysoun
And yai yat owe war tumbill doun
Stanys apon yaim fra ye hycht,
Bot yai yat set bath will & mycht
To wyn ye peth yaim pressyt swa
202
Ye way wp till hys hors in hy,
And left schyr Thomas manlily
Defendand with gret mycht ye pas
Quhill yat he swa supprisit was
Yat he wes tane throw hard fechting.
And yarfor syne in his ending
He wes renownyt for best of hand
Off a knycht off all Ingland,
For yis ilk schyr Rawf of Cobhame
In-till all Ingland he had name
For ye best knycht of all yat land,
And for schyr Thomas duelt fechtand
Quhar schyr Rauff as befor said [we]
Withdrew him [prisit] our him was [he].
Yus war yai fechtand in ye pas,
And quhen ye king Robert yat was
Wys in his deid & auerty
Saw his men sa rycht douchtely
Ye peth apon yar fayis ta
And saw his fayis defend yaim sa,
Yan gert he all ye Irschery
Yat war in-till his cumpany
Off Arghile and ye Ilis alsua
Speid yaim in gret hy to ye bra,
203
And clym wp in ye craggis hy
And speid yaim fast ye hycht to ta.
Yan mycht men se yaim stoutly ga
And clymb all-gait wp to ye hycht
And leve nocht for yar fayis mycht,
Magre yar fayis yai bar yaim swa
Yat yai ar gottyn aboun ye bra.
Yan mycht men se yaim fecht felly
And rusch yar fayis sturdely,
And yai yat till ye pas war gane
Magre yar fayis ye hycht has tane.
Yan laid yai on with all yar mycht,
Yar mycht men se men felly fycht.
Yar wes a peralous bargane,
For a knycht schyr Ihone ye Bretane
Yat lychtyt wes aboune ye bra
And his men gret defens gan ma,
And Scottis-men sua gan assaill
And gave yaim sa felloun bataill
Yat yai war set in sic affray
Yat yai yat mycht fley fled away,
Schyr Ihone ye Bretane yar wes tane
And rycht fele off his folk war slane.
204
Ye lord ye Sule wes ane of ya,
Ye toyer wes ye merschell Bretayn
Yat wes a wele gret lord at hame,
Ye lave sum ded war & sum tane
And ye remanand fled ilkane.
And quhen ye king of Ingland
Yat ȝeyt at Biland wes liand
Saw his men discumfyt planely
He tuk his way in full gret hy
And furthwart fled with all his mycht,
Scottis-men chassyt fast ic hycht
And in ye chas has mony tane,
Ye king quitly away is gane
And ye mast part of his menȝe.
Stewart Walter yat gret bounte
Set ay on hey chewalry
With [fyve] hunder in cumpany
Till Ȝorkis ȝettis ye chas gan ma
And yar sum of yar men gan sla
And abade yar quhill ner ye nycht
To se giff ony wald ische to fycht,
And quhen he saw nane wald cum out
He turnyt agane with all his rout
And till his ost he went in hy
Yat tane had yan yar herbery
205
And Ryfuowis yat was by ner-hand.
Yai delt amang yaim yat war yer
Ye king off Inglandis ger
Yat he had levyt in Biland,
All gert yai lep out our yar hand,
And maid yaim all glaid and mery.
And quhen ye king had tane herbery
Yai brocht till him ye prisoneris
All wnarmyt as it afferis,
And quhen he saw Ihone of Bretangne
He had at him rycht gret engaigne,
For he wes wont to spek hychtly
At hame and our dispitusly,
And bad have him away in hy
And luk he kepyt war straitly,
And said war it nocht yat he war
Sic a catyve he suld by sar
Hys wordys yat war swa angry,
And he humbly criyt him mercy.
Yai led him furth for-owtyn mar
And kepyt him wele quhill yai war
Cummyn hame till yar awne countre,
Lang eftre syne ransonyt wes he
For [twenty] thowsand pund to pay
206
Quhen yat ye king yis spek had maid
Ye Frankys knychtis men takyn had
War brocht rycht yar befor ye king,
And he maid yaim fayr welcummyng
And said, ‘I wate rycht weill yat ȝe
For ȝour gret worschip and bounte
Come for to se ye fechting her.
For sen ȝe in ye countre wer
Ȝour strenth ȝour worschyp & ȝour mycht
Wald nocht lat ȝow eschew ye fycht,
And sen yat caus ȝow led yar-till
And noyer wreyth na iwill will
As frendis ȝe sall resawyt be,
Quhar all tyme welcum her be ȝe.’
Yai knelyt and thankyt him gretly,
And he gert tret yaim curtasly
And lang quhill with him yaim had he
And did yaim honour and bounte,
And quhen yai ȝarnyt to yar land
To ye king of Fraunce in presand
He send yaim quit but ransoun fre
And gret gyftis to yaim gaff he.
His frendis yusgat curtasly
He couth ressawe and hamely,
And his fayis stoutly stonay.
At Biland all yat nycht he lay,
207
And on ye morn forowtyn mar
Yai haff forthwart tane yar way.
Sa fer at yat tyme trawaillyt yai
Brynnand slayand and destroyand
Yair fayis with all yar mycht noyand
Quhill till ye Wald cummyn war yai,
Syne northwart tuk yai hame yar way
And destroyit in yar repayr
Ye wale all planly off Beauewar.
And syne with presoneris and catell
Riches and mony fayr iowell
To Scotland tuk yai hame yar way
Bath blyth and glaid ioyfull & gay,
And ilk man went to yar repayr
And lowyt God yaim fell sa fayr
Yat yai ye king off Ingland
Throw worschip and throw strenth of hand
And throw yar lordis gret bounte
Discumfyt in his awne countre.
208
[BOOK XIX]
Yan wes ye land a quhile in pes,Bot cowatys, yat can nocht ces
To set men apon felony
To ger yaim cum to senȝowry,
Gert lordis off full gret renoune
Mak a fell coniuracioun
Agayn Robert ye douchty king,
Yai thocht till bring him till ending
And to bruk eftre his dede
Ye kynrik and to ryng in hys steid.
Ye lord ye Soullis schyr Wilȝam
Off yat purches had mast defame,
For principale yar-off was he
Off assent of yat cruelte.
He had gottyn with him sindry,
Gilbert Male-herbe Ihone of Logy
Yir war knychtis yat I tell her
And Richard Broun als a squyer,
And gud schyr Dawy off Breichyn
Wes off yis deid arettyt syne
As I sall tell ȝow foryermar.
Bot yai ilkane discoweryt war
209
Or till yar purpos cum mycht yai,
For scho tauld all to ye king
Yar purpos and yar ordanyng,
And how yat he suld haf bene ded
And Soullis ryng in-till his steid,
And tauld him werray taknyng
Yis purches wes suthfast thing.
And quhen ye king wist it wes sua
Sa sutell purches gan he ma
Yat he gert tak yaim euerilkan,
And quhar ye lord Sowllis was tane
Thre hunder and sexty had he
Off squyeris cled in his lyuere
At yat tyme in his cumpany
Owtane knychtis yat war ioly.
In-to Berwik takyn wes he
Yat mycht all his mengne se
Sary and wa, bot suth to say
Ye king lete yaim all pas yar way
And held yaim at he takyn had.
Ye lord Sowllis sone eftre maid
Plane granting of all yat purchas.
A parlement set yarfor yar was
And brocht yidder yis mengne war.
Ye lord ye Sowllis has grantyt yar
210
Yarfor sone eftre he wes sent
Till his pennance to Dunbertane
And deit yar in a tour off stane.
Schir Gilbert Male-herbe & Logy
And Richard Broune [yir] thre planly
War with a sys yar ourtane,
Yarfor yai drawyn war ilkane
And hangyt and hedyt yar-to
As men had dempt yaim for to do.
And gud schyr Dawy off Breichyn
Yai gert chalance rycht straitly syne,
And he grauntyt yat off yat thing
Wes wele maid till him discowering
Bot he yar-till gaf na consent,
And for he helyt yar entent
And discoweryt it nocht to ye king
Yat he held of all his halding
And maid till him his fewte
Iugyt till hang and draw wes he.
And as yai drew him for to hing
Ye pepill ferly fast gan thring
Him and his myscheyff for to se
Yat to be-hald wes gret pite.
211
Wes with ye king as Scottis-man,
Quhen he yat gret myscheiff gan se
He said, ‘Lordingis quhar-to pres ȝe
To se at myscheiff sic a knycht
Yat wes sa worthi and sa wicht
Yat ik haff sene ma pres to se
Him for his rycht souerane bounte
Yan now doys for to se him her.’
And quhen yir wordis spokyn wer
With sary cher he held him still
Quhill men had done of him yar will,
And syne with ye leve of ye king
He brocht him menskly till erding.
And syne to ye king said he,
‘A thing I pray ȝow graunt me,
Yat is yat ȝe off all my land
Yat is in-till Scotland liand
Wald giff me leve to do my will.’
Ye king yan sone [has] said him till,
‘I will wele graunt yat it sua be,
Bot tell me quhat amowis ye.’
He said agane, ‘Schyr graunt mercy
And I sall tell ȝow it planely,
Myne hart giffis me na mar to be
With ȝow duelland in yis countre,
Yarfor bot yat it nocht ȝow grewe
212
For quhar swa rycht worthi a knycht
And sa chewalrous and sa wicht
And sa renownyt off worschip syne
As gud schyr Dauid off Brechyn
And sa fullfillyt off all manheid
Was put to sa welanys a ded,
Myn hart forsuth may nocht gif me
To duell for na thing yat may be.’
Ye king said, ‘Sen yat yow will sua
Quhen-euer ye likys yow may ga,
And yow sall haiff gud leve yar-to
Yi liking off yi land to do.’
And he him thankyt gretumly
And off his land in full gret hy
As hym thocht best disponyt he,
Syne at ye king of gret bounte
Befor all yaim yat with him war
He tuk his leve for euermar,
And went in Ingland to ye king
Yat maid him rycht fayr welcummyng
And askyt him of ye north tithing.
And he him tauld all but lesing
How yai knychtis destroyit war
And as I tauld till ȝow ar,
And off ye kingis curtassy
Yat lewyt him debonarly
To do off his land his liking.
213
Off Scotland messyngeris to trete
Off pes giff yat yai mycht it get,
As yai befor oft-sys war send
How yat yai coutht nocht bring till end.
For ye gud king had in entent,
Sen God sa fayr grace had him lent
Yat he had wonnyn all his land
Throw strenth off armys till his hand,
Yat he pes in his tyme wald ma
And all landis stabill swa
Yat his ayr eftre him suld be
In pes, gif men held lawte.
In-till yis tyme yat Wmfrawill
As I bar ȝow on hand er quhill
Come till ye king of Ingland
Ye Scottis messingeris yar he fand
Off pes and rest to haiff tretis.
Ye king wist schir Ingrahame wes wis
And askyt consaile yar-to
Quhat he wald rede him for to do,
For he said him thocht hard to ma
Pes with ye king Robert his fa
Quhill yat he off him wengit war.
Schir Ingrahame maid till him ansuar
And said, ‘He delt sa curtasly
With me yat on na wis suld I
214
‘Ye behowis nedwayis,’ said ye king,
‘To yis thing her say yine awis.’
‘Schir,’ said he, ‘sen ȝour willis is
Yat I say, wyt ȝe sekyrly
For all ȝour gret chewalry
To dele with him ȝhe haf na mycht.
His men all worthyn ar sa wicht
For lang wsage of fechting
Yat has bene nuryst in swilk thing
Yat ilk ȝowman is sa wicht
Off his yat he is worth a knycht.
Bot and ȝe think ȝowr wer to bring
To ȝour purpos and ȝour liking,
Lang trewys with him tak ȝe.
Yan sall ye mast off his menȝe
Yat ar bot symple ȝumanry
Be [dystrenȝit] commonaly
To wyn yar mete with yar trawaill,
And sum of yaim nedis but faill
With pluch and harow for to get
And oyer ser crafftis yar mete,
Swa yat yar armyng sall worth auld
And sall be rottyn stroyit and sauld,
And fele yat now of wer ar sley
In-till ye lang trew sall dey
215
Yat sall conn litill of yat mastrys.
And quhen yai diswsyt er
Yan may ȝe move on yaim ȝour wer
And sall rycht well as I suppos
Bring ȝour entent to gud purpos.’
Till yis assentyt yai ilkane,
And eftre sone war trewis tane
[Betuix ye] twa kingis yat wer
Tailȝeit to lest for [thretten] ȝer
And on ye marchis gert yaim cry.
Ye Scottis-menn kepyt yaim lelely,
Bot ye Inglismen apon ye se
Distroyit throw gret inyquyte
Marchand schippis yat sailand war
Fra Scotland till Flaundris with war,
And destroyit euerilkane
And to yar oys ye gud has tane.
Ye king send oft till ask redres,
Bot nocht off it redressyt wes
And he abaid all tyme askand,
Ye trew on his half gert he stand
Apon ye marchis stabilly
And gert men kep yaim lelely.
In yis tyme yat trewis war
Lestand on marchis as I sade ar
Schyr Walter Stewart yat worthi was
216
His iwill ay woux mar & mar
Quhill men persawit be his far
Yat him worthit nede pay ye det
Yat na man to pay may let,
Schrywyn and als repentit weill
Quhen all wes doyn him ilkdeill
Yat crystyn man nedyt till have
As gud crystyn ye gast he gave.
Yan men mycht her men gret and cry
And mony a knycht and mony a lady
Mak in apert rycht ewill cher,
Sa did yai all yat euer yai war,
All men him menyt commounly
For off his eild he wes worthy.
Quhen yai lang quhill yar dule had maid
Ye cors to Paslay haiff yai haid,
And yar with gret solempnyte
And with gret dule erdyt wes he,
God for his mycht [his] saule bring
Quhar joy ay lestis but ending.
Efftre his dede as I said ar
Ye trewys yat swa takyn war
For till haff lestyt [thretten] ȝer,
Quhen twa ȝer of yaim passyt wer
And ane halff as I trow allsua
217
Redres of schippys yat war tane
And off ye men als yat war slane,
Bot contynowyt yar mawtye
Quhen-euer yai met yaim on ye se.
He sent and acquyt him planly
And gave ye trewis wp opynly,
And in ye wengeance of yis trespas
Ye gud erle of Murreff Thomas
And Donald erle of Mar alsua
And Iames of Douglas with yai twa,
And Iames Stewart yat ledar wes
Efter his gud broyeris disceis
Off all his bruderys men in wer,
He gert apon yar best maner
With mony men bowne yaim to ga
In Ingland for to bryn and sla,
And yai held furth till Ingland.
Yai war of gud men [ten] thousand,
Yai brynt and slew in-till yar way,
Yar fayis fast destroyit yai
And swagat southwart gan yai far
To Wardaill quhill yai cummyn war.
Yat tyme Eduuard off Carnauerane
Ye king wes ded and laid in stane,
And Eduuard his sone yat wes ȝing
In Ingland crownyt wes to king
218
He had in France bene yar-befor
With his moder dame Ysabell,
And wes weddyt as ik herd tell
With a ȝoung lady fayr of face
Yat ye erlis douchter was
Off Hennaud, and off yat cuntre
Brocht with him men of gret bounte,
Schir Ihone ye Hennaud wes yar leder
Yat was wys and wycht in wer.
And yat tyme yat Scottis-men wer
At Wardaile as I said ȝow er
In-till Ȝork wes ye new-maid king,
And herd tell of ye destroying
Yat Scottis-men maid in his countre.
A gret ost till him gaderyt he,
He wes wele ner [fyfty] thousand,
Yan held he northwart in ye land
In hale battaill with yat mengne,
[Auchtene] ȝer auld yat tyme wes he.
Ye Scottis-men a day Cokdaile
Fra end till end had [heryit] haile
And till Wardaile again yai raid.
Yar discourriouris yat sycht has haid
Off cummyn of ye Inglis-men
To yar lordis yai tauld it yen.
219
Raid furth to se yar cummyng
And saw yat sewyn bataillis war yai
Yat come ridand in gud aray,
Quhen he yat folk behaldyn had
Towart his ost agayn he rad.
Ye erle speryt gif he had sene
Yat ost. ‘Ȝa schyr,’ he said, ‘but wene.’
‘Quhat folk ar yai.’ ‘Schyr mony men.’
Ye erle his ayth has suorn yen,
‘We sall fecht with yaim yocht yai war
Ȝeyt ma eftsonys yan yai ar.’
‘Schir lowyt be God,’ he said agayn,
‘Yat we haiff sic a capitayn
Yat swa gret thing dar wndreta,
Bot be saynct Bryd it beis nocht swa
Giff my consaill may trowyt be,
For fecht on na maner sall we
Bot it be at our awantage,
For me think it war na owtrage
To fewar folk aganys ma
Awantage quhen yai ma [to] ta.’
As yai war on yis wis spekand
Our ane hey rig yai saw ridand
Towart yaim ewyn a battaill braid,
Baneris displayit inew yai haid,
And a nothyr come eftre ner
And rycht apon ye samyn maner
Yai come quhill [seuin] bataillis braid
220
Ye Scottis-men war yan liand
On north-halff Wer towart Scotland.
Ye dale wes strekyt weill ik hycht,
On athyr sid yar wes ane hycht
And till ye water doune sum-deill stay.
Ye Scottis-men in gud aray
On yar best wis buskyt ilkane
Stud in a strenth yat yai had tane,
And yat wes fra ye water of Wer
A quartar of a myle weill ner,
Yar stud yai battaill till abid,
And Inglis-men on athyr sid
Come ridand dounwart quhill yai wer
To Weris water cummyn als ner
As on oyer halff yar fayis [war].
Yan haf yai maid a-rest rycht yar
And send owt archerys a thowsand
With hudis off and bowys in hand
And gert yaim drink weill of ye wyn,
And bad yaim gang to bykker syne
Ye Scottis ost in abandoun
[And] ger yaim cum apon yaim doun,
For mycht yai ger yaim brek aray
To haiff yaim at yar will thocht yai.
Armyt men doune with yaim yai send
Yaim at ye water to defend.
Ye lord Douglas has sene yar fer,
And men yat rycht weill horsyt wer
221
Behind ye bataillis preuely
He gert howe to bid yar cummyng,
And quhen he maid to yaim taknyng
Yai suld cum prekand fast and sla
With sperys yat yai mycht ourta,
Donald off Mar yar chiftane was
And Archebald [with hym] of Douglas.
Ye lord Dowglas towart yaim raid,
A gowne on his armur he haid,
And trawersyt all wayis wp agayn
Yaim ner his bataillis for to trayn,
And yai yat drunkyn had off ye wyne
Come ay wp lingand in a lyne
Quhill yai ye battaill come sa ner
Yat arowis fell amang yaim ser.
Robert off Ogill a gud squyer
Come prikand yan on a courser
And on ye archeris criyt agane,
‘Ȝe wate nocht quha mays ȝow yat trayn,
That is ye lord Dowglas yat will
Off his playis ken sum ȝow till,’
And quhen yai herd spek of Douglas
Ye hardyest effrayit was
And agayn turnyt halely.
[His] takyn maid he yan in hy,
222
Sa stoutly prekyt on yaim yar
Yat weile thre hunder haiff yai slane
And till ye water hame agane
All ye remanand gan yai chas.
Schir Wilȝam off Erskyn [yat] was
[Newlyngis makyn knycht yat day
Weill-horsit in-till gud aray]
Chasyt with other yat yar war
Sa fer furth yat hys hors him bar
Amang ye lump of Inglis-men,
& with strang hand wes takyn yen,
Bot off him wele sone chang wes maid
For othyr yat men takyn haid.
Fra yir Inglis archeris wes slane
Yar folk raid till yar ost agane,
And rycht swa did ye lord off Dowglas.
And quhen yat he reparyt was
Yai mycht amang yar fayis se
Yar pailȝownys sone stentyt be,
And yai persawyt sone in hy
Yat yai yat nycht wald tak herbery
And schup to do no mar yat day,
Yarfor yaim alsua herbryit yay
And stent pailȝownys in hy,
Tentis and lugis als yar-by
Yai gert mak and set all on raw.
223
Yat forouth in Scotland had bene nane,
Tymmeris for helmys war ye tane
Yat yaim thoucht yane off gret bewte
And alsua wondyr for to se,
Ye toyer crakys war off wer
Yat yai befor herd neuer er,
Off yir twa thingis yai had ferly.
Yat nycht yai walkyt stalwartly,
Ye mast part off yaim armyt lay
Quhill on ye morn yat it wes day.
Ye Inglis-men yaim wmbethocht
Apon quhat maner yat yai moucht
Ger Scottis leve yar awantage,
For yaim thocht foly and owtrage
To gang wp till yaim till assaill
Yaim at yar strenth in plane battaill,
Yarfor of gud men a thousand
Armyt on hors bath fute and hand
Yai send behind yar fayis to be
Enbuschit in-till a wale,
And schup yar bataillis as yai wald
Apon yaim till ye fechtyn hald,
For yai thocht Scottis-men sic will
Had yat yai mycht nocht hald yaim still,
For yai knew yaim off sic curage
Yat [yar]-throuch strenth and awantage
Yai suld leve and mete yaim planly.
224
Behind brek on yaim at ye bak,
Sa thocht yai wele yai suld yaim mak
For to repent yaim off yar play.
Yar enbuschement furth send haiff yai
Yat yaim enbuschit preuely,
And on ye morn sum-dele arly
In-till yis ost hey trumpyt yai
And gert yar braid bataillis aray,
And all arayit for to fycht
Yai held hed towart ye water rycht.
Scottis-men yat saw yaim do swa
Boune on yar best wis gan yaim ma
And in bataill planly arayit
With baneris till ye wynd displayit
Yai left yar strenth, and all planly
Come doune to mete yaim hardely
In als gud maner as yai moucht
Rycht as yar fayis befor had thocht.
Bot ye lord Douglas yat ay was war
And set owt wachis her and yar
Gat wyt off yar enbuschement,
Yan in-till gret hy is he went
Befor ye battaillis and stoutly
He bad ilk man turn him in hy
225
Wp till yar strenth he bad yaim ga
Swa yat na let yar yai maid,
And yai did as he biddyn haid
Quhill till yar strenth yai come agayne,
Yan turnyt yai yaim with mekill mayn
And stud redy to giff battaill
Giff yar fayis wald yaim assaill.
Quhen Inglis-men had sene yaim swa
Towart yar strenth agayne wp ga
Yai criyt hey, ‘Yai fley yar way.’
Schyr Ihone Hennaud said, ‘Perfay
Ȝone fleyng is rycht [degyse],
Yar armyt men behind I se
And yar baneris, swa yat yaim thar
Bot turne yaim as yai standand ar
And be arayit for to fycht
Giff ony presyt yaim with mycht.
Yai haiff sene our enbuschement
And agane till yar strenth ar went.
Ȝone folk ar gouernyt wittily,
And he yat ledis is worthi
For awise worschip and wysdome
To gouerne ye empyr off Rome.’
Yus spak yat worthi knycht yat day,
226
Saw yat yai swa discoweryt war
Towart yar ost agane yai fair,
And ye bataillis off Inglis-men
Quhen yai saw yai had faillyt yen
Off yar purpos to yar herbery
Yai went and logit yaim in hy.
On oyer halff rycht swa did yai,
Yai maid na mar debat yat day.
Quhen yai yat day ourdrewyn had
Fyris in gret foysoun yai maid
Alsone as ye nycht fallyn was.
And yan ye gud lord off Douglas,
Yat had spyit a place yar-by
Twa myile yin yat quhar mar traistly
Ye Scottis ost mycht herbry ta
And defend yaim better alsua
Yan ellys in ony place yar-by,
It wes a park all halily
Wes enwyround about with wall,
It wes ner full of treys all
Bot a gret plane in-till it was,
Yidder thocht ye lord of Dowglas
Be nychtyrtale yar ost to bring.
Yarfor for-owtyn mar duelling
Yai bet yar fyris and maid yaim mar,
And syne all samyn furtht yai far
227
Yai come and herbryit yaim weill
Wp-on ye water and als ner
Till it as yai beforouth wer.
And on ye morn quhen it wes day
Ye Inglis ost myssyt away
Ye Scottis-men and had ferly,
And gert discourriouris hastily
Pryk to se quhar yai war away,
And be yar fyris persawyt yai
Yat yai in ye park of Werdale
Had gert herbry yar ost all hale.
Yarfor yar ost but mar abaid
Buskyt, and ewyn anent yaim raid
And on athyr halff ye water of Wer
Gert stent yar pailȝownys als ner
As yar-befor stentyt war yai.
[Aucht] dayis on bath halff swa yai lay
Yat Inglis-men durst nocht assaill
Ye Scottis-men with plane battaill
For strenth of erd yat yai had yar.
Yar wes ilk day iustyn of wer
And scrymyn maid full apertly
And men tane on athyr party,
And yai yat war tane on a day
On ane oyer changyt war yai,
Bot oyer dedis nane war done
228
Till it fell on ye sewynd day
Ye lord Douglas had spyit a way
How yat he mycht about yaim rid
And com on ye ferrer sid.
And at ewyn purwayit him he
And tuk with him a gud mengne
[Fyve] hunder on hors wicht and hardy,
And in ye nycht all preuely
For-owt noyis sa fer he raid
Quhill yat he ner enweronyt had
Yar ost and on ye ferrar sid
Towart yaim slely gan he rid.
And ye men yat with him war
He gert in hand have suerdis bar
And bad yaim hew rapys in twa
Yat yai ye pailȝownys mycht ma
To fall on yaim yat in yaim war,
Yan suld ye lave yat folowit yar
Stab doune with speris sturdely,
And quhen yai hard his horne in hy
To ye water hald doune yar way.
Quhen yis wes said yat ik her say
Towart yar fayis fast yai raid
229
And as yai ner war approchand
Ane Inglis-man yat lay bekand
Him be a fyr said till his fer,
‘I wat nocht quhat may tyd ws her
Bot rycht a gret growyng me tais,
I dred sar for ye blak Douglas,’
And he yat hard him said, ‘Perfay
Yow sall haiff caus gif yat I may.’
With yat with all his cumpany
He ruschyt in on yaim hardely
And pailȝownys doune he bar,
With sperys yat scharply schar
Yai stekyt men dispitously.
Ye noys weill sone rais and cry,
And yai stabbyt stekyt and slew
And pailȝownys doun ȝarne yai drew.
A felloune slauchter maid yai yar
For yai yat liand nakit war
Had na power defens to ma
And yai but pite gan yaim sla.
Yai gert yaim weill wyt yat foly
Wes ner yar fayis for to ly
Bot giff yai traistly wachit war.
Ye Scottis-men war slayand yar
230
Ras throw ye ost commonaly
Yat lord and oyer war on ster,
And quhen ye Douglas wyst yai wer
Armand yaim all commonaly
He blew his horne for to rely
His men and bad yaim hald yar way
Towart ye water and swa did yai,
And he abaid henmast to se
Yat nane off hys suld lewyt be.
And as he baid swa howand
Swa come yane ane with a club in hand
And swa gret a rowt till him raucht
Yat had nocht bene his mekill maucht
& his rycht souerane manheid
In-till yat place he had bene dede,
Bot he yat [na] tyme wes effrayit
Yocht he weill oft wes hard assayit
Throw mekill strenth and gret manheid
Has brocht ye toyer to ye ded.
His men yat till ye water doun
War ridyne in-till a raundoun
Myssyt yar lord quhen yai come yar,
Yan war yai dredand for him sar,
Ilkan at oyer speryt tithing
Bot ȝeit off him yai hard na thing.
Yan gan yai consaill samyn ta
Yat yai to sek him wp wald ga,
231
A tutilling off his horne hard yai
And yai yat has it knawyn swith
War of his cummyn wonder blyth
And speryt at him of his abaid.
And he tauld how a carle him maid
With a club sic felloun pay
Yat met him stoutly in ye way
Yat had nocht fortoun helpit ye mar
He had bene in gret perell yar.
Yusgat spekand yai held yar way
Quhill till yar ost cummyn ar yai
Yat on fute armyt yaim abaid
For till help giff yai myster haid,
And alsone as ye lord Dowglas
Met with ye erle off Murreff was
Ye erle speryt at yaim tithing
How yai had farne in yar owting.
‘Schyr,’ said he, ‘we haf drawyn blud.’
Ye erle yat wes of mekill mude
Said, ‘And we all had yidder gayne
We haid discumfyt yaim ilkan.’
‘Yat mycht haff fallyn weill,’ said he,
‘Bot sekyrly ynew war we
To put ws in ȝone awentur,
For had yai maid discumfitur
On ws yat ȝonder passyt wer
It suld all stonay yat ar her.’
232
Yat we may nocht with iupertys
Our feloune fayis [fors] assaill
We sall do it in plane battaill.’
Ye lord Dowglas said, ‘Be saynct Brid
It war gret foly at yis tid
Till ws with swilk ane ost to fycht
Yat growys ilk day off mycht
And has wittaill yar-with plente,
And in yar countre her ar we
Quhar yar may cum ws na succourys.
Hard is to mak us her rescours
Na we ne may ferrar mete to get,
Swilk as we haiff her we mon et.
Do we with our fayis yarfor
Yat ar her liand ws befor
As ik herd tell yis othyr ȝer
Yat a fox did with a fyscher.’
‘How did ye fox,’ ye erle gan say.
He said, ‘A fyscher quhilum lay
Besid a ryver for to get
Hys nettis yat he had yar set.
A litill loge yar-by he maid,
And yar-within a bed he haid
And a litill fyr alsua,
A dure yar wes for-owtyn ma.
233
He rase and yar wele lang duelt he,
And quhen he had doyne his deid
Towart his loge agayn he ȝeid,
And with licht of ye litill fyr
Yat in ye luge wes brynnand schyr
In-till his luge a fox he saw
Yat fast on ane salmound gan gnaw.
Yan till ye dur he went in hy
And drew his suerd deliuerly
And said, ‘Reiffar yow mon her out.’
Ye fox yat wes in full gret dout
Lukyt about sum hole to se,
Bot nane eschew persave couth he
Bot quhar ye man stud sturdely.
A lauchtane mantell yan him by
Liand apon ye bed he saw,
And with his teth he gan it draw
Out-our ye fyr, and quhen ye man
Saw his mantill ly brinnand yan
To red it ran he hastily.
Ye fox gat owt yan in gret hy
& held his way his warand till.
Ye man leyt him begilyt ill
Yat he his gud salmound had tynt
And alsua had his mantill brynt,
And ye fox scaithles gat away.
234
Be ȝone ost and ws yat ar her,
We ar ye fox and yai ye fyscher
Yat stekis forouth ws ye way.
Yai wene we may na-gat away
Bot rycht quhar yai ly, bot perde
All as yai think it sall nocht be,
For I haff gert se ws a gait
Suppos yat it be sumdele wate,
A page off owris we sall nocht tyne.
Our fayis for yis small tranowntyn
Wenys weill we sall prid ws swa
Yat we planely on hand sall ta
To giff yaim opynly battaill.
Bot at yis tyme yar thocht sall faill,
For we to-morne her all ye day
Sall mak als mery as we may,
And mak ws boune agayn ye nycht,
And yan ger mak our fyris lycht
And blaw our hornys and mak far
As all ye warld our awne war
Quhill yat ye nycht weill fallin be.
And yan with all our harnays we
Sall tak our way hamwart in hy,
And we sall gyit be graithly
Quhill we be out off yar daunger
235
Yan sall we all be at our will
And yai sall lete yaim trumpyt ill
Fra yai wyt weill we be away.’
To yis haly assentyt yai,
And maid yaim gud cher all yat nycht
Quhill on ye morn yat day wes lycht.
Apon ye morn all preuely
Yai tursit harnays and maid redy
Swa yat or ewyn all boun war yai,
And yar fayis yat agane yaim lay
Gert haiff yar men yat yar war ded
In cartis till ane haly sted.
All yat day cariand yai war
With cartis men yat slayn war yar,
Yat yai war fele mycht men well se
Yat in carying sa lang suld be.
Ye ostis baith [all] yat day wer
In pes, and quhen ye nycht wes ner
Ye Scottis folk yat liand war
In-till ye park maid fest and far
And blew hornys and fyris maid
And gert yaim mak brycht and braid,
Swa at yat nycht yar fyris war mar
Yan ony tym befor yai war.
And quhen ye nycht wes fallin weill
With all yar harnayis ilka-dele
236
Sone in a mos entryt ar yai
Yat had wele twa myle lang of breid,
Out-our yat mos on fute yai ȝeid
And in yar hand yar hors leid yai.
It wes rycht a noyus way,
[Bot flaikkis in the wod thay maid
Of wandis and thame with thame had
And sykis thairwith briggit thay,
And swa had weill thair hors away
On sic wyse that all that thair weir]
Come weill out-our it hale and fer,
And tynt bot litill off yar ger
Bot giff it war ony summer
Yat in ye mos wes left liand.
Quhen all as ik haff born on hand
Out-our yat mos yat wes sa braid
War cummyn a gret glaidschip yai haid
And raid furth hamwart on yar way.
And on ye morn quhen it wes day
Ye [Inglis]-men saw ye herbery
Quhar Scottis-men war wont to ly
All woid. Yai wondryt gretly yen
And send furth syndry off yar men
To spy quhar yai war gayn away,
Quhill at ye last yar trais fand yai
237
Yat wes swa hidwous for to waid
Yat awntyr yaim yar-to durst nane,
Bot till yar ost agayne ar gayn
And tauld how yat yai passyt war
Quhar neuer man passit ar.
Quhen Inglis-men hard it wes sua
In hy to consaill gan yai ta
Yat yai wald folow yaim no mar,
Yar ost rycht yan yai scalit yar
And ilk man till his awn raid.
And king Robert yat wittering haid
At his men in ye park swa lay
And at quhat myscheiff yar war yai,
Ane ost assemblyt he in hy
And [ten] thousand men wicht & hardy
He has send furth with erllis twa
Off ye [Marche] and Angus war ya
Ye ost in Werdale to releve,
And giff yai mycht sa weill escheve
Yat samyn mycht be yai and yai
Yai thocht yar fayis till assay.
Swa fell yat on ye samyn day
Yat ye mos as ȝe hard me say
Wes passyt ye discourrowris yat yar
Ridand befor ye ost war
Off athyr ost has gottyn sycht,
And yai yat worthy war and wicht
238
Ensenȝeys hey yai criyt yer.
And be yar cry persawyt yai
Yat yai war frendys and at a fay,
Yan mycht men se yaim glaid & blyth
And tauld it to yar lordis swith.
Ye [ostis] bath [met] samyn syne,
Yar wes rycht hamly welcummyn
Maid amang yai gret lordis yar,
Off yar metyng ioyfull yai war.
Ye erle Patrik and his menȝe
Had wittaillis with yaim gret plente
And yar-with weill relevyt yai
Yar frendis, for ye suth to say
Quhill yai in Wardale liand war
Yai had defawt off mete, bot yar
Yai war relevyt with gret plente.
Towart Scotland with gamyn & gle
Yai went and hame wele cummyn ar yai
& scalyt syne ilk man yar way.
Ye lordis ar went to ye king
Yat has maid yaim fair welcumyng,
For off yar come rycht glaid wes he,
And yat yai sic perplexite
For-owt tynsaill eschapyt haid
All war yai blyth and mery maid.
239
[BOOK XX]
Some eftre yat ye erle ThomasFra Wardaill yus reparyt was
[Ye kyng] assemblyt all his mycht
And left nane yat wes worth to fycht,
A gret ost yan assemblit he
And delt his ost in partis thre.
A part to Norame went but let
And a stark assege has set
And held yaim in rycht at yar dyk,
Ye toyer part till Anwyk
Is went and yar a sege set yai,
And quhill yat yir assegis lay
At yir castellis I spak off ar
Apert eschewys oft maid yar war
And mony fayr chewalry
Eschewyt war full douchtely.
Ye king at yai castellis liand
Left hys folk as I bar on hand
And with the thrid ost held hys way
Fra park to park hym for to play
Huntand as all hys awn war,
And till yaim yat war with him yar
240
Yat neyst to Scotland war liand
In fe and heritage gave he,
And yai payit for ye selys fe.
On yis wys raid he destroyand
Quhill yat ye king of Ingland
Throw consaill of ye Mortymar
And hys moder yat yat tym war
Ledaris of him yat yan ȝoung wes
To king Robert to tret off pes
Send messyngeris, and swa sped yai
Yat yai assentyt on yis way
[Yan] a perpetuale pes [to] tak,
And yai a mariage suld mak
Off ye king Robertis sone Dawy
Yat yan bot fyve ȝer had scarsly
And off dame Ihone als off ye Tour
Yat syne wes of full gret walour,
Systre scho wes to ye ȝing king
Yat had Ingland in gouernyng,
Yat yan of eild had sewyn ȝer.
And monymentis and lettrys ser
Yat yai off Ingland yat tyme had
Yat oucht agayn Scotland maid
In-till yat tretys wp yai gaff,
And all ye clame yat yai mycht haff
In-till Scotland on ony maner,
241
Yat he to yaim off Ingland
Had done off wer with stalwart hand
Full [twenty] thowsand pund suld pay
Off siluer in-to gud monay.
Quhen men [yir] thingis for-spokyn had
And with selis and athis maid
Festnyng off frendschip and of pes
Yat neuer for na chaunc suld ces,
Ye mariage syne ordanyt yai
To be at Berwik and ye day
Yai haff set quhen yat yis suld be,
Syne went ilk man till his countre.
Yus maid wes pes quhar wer wais ar
And yus ye segis raissyt war.
Ye king Robert ordanyt to pay
Ye siluer, and agane ye day
He gert wele for ye mangery
Ordane quhen yat his sone Dawy
Suld weddyt be, & erle Thomas
And ye gud lord of Douglas
In-till his steid ordanyt he
Dewisouris of yat fest to be,
For a malice him tuk sa sar
242
His malice off enfundeying
Begouth, for throuch his cald lying
Quhen in his gret myscheiff wes he
Him fell yat hard perplexite.
At Cardros all yat tyme he lay,
And quhen ner cummyn wes ye day
Yat ordanyt for ye weddyn was
Ye Erle and ye lord of Douglas
Come to Berwik with mekill far
And brocht ȝoung Dawy with yaim yar,
And ye Queyn & ye Mortymer
On oyer part cummyn wer
With gret affer and reawte,
Ye ȝoung lady of gret bewte
Yidder yai brocht with rich affer.
Ye weddyn haf yai makyt yar
With gret fest and solempnyte,
Yar mycht men myrth and glaidschip se
For rycht gret fest yai maid yar
And Inglis-men and Scottis war
To-gidder in ioy and solace,
Na felloune betuix yaim was.
Ye fest a wele lang tym held yai,
And quhen yai buskyt to far away
Ye queyn has left hyr douchter yar
With gret riches and reale far,
243
Wes gevyn till hous sa richely,
And ye erle and ye lord Douglas
Hyr in daynte ressawyt has
As it war worthi sekyrly,
For scho wes syne ye best lady
And ye fayrest yat men thurft se.
Eftre yis gret solemnyte
Quhen of bath half lewys war tane
Ye queyn till Ingland hame is gane
And had with hyr Mortymar.
Ye erle and yai yat levyt war
Quhen yai a quhill hyr conwoyit had
Towart Berwik again yai raid,
And syne with all yar cumpany
Towart ye king yai went in hy,
And had with yaim ye ȝoung Dawy
And dame Ihone als yat ȝoung lady.
Ye king maid yaim fair welcumyng
And efter but langer delaying
He has gert set a parleament
And yidder with mony men is went,
For he thocht he wald in his lyff
Croun hys ȝoung sone & his wyff,
And at yat parleament swa did he.
With gret fayr and solemnyte
Ye king Dawy wes crownyt yar,
And all ye lordis yat yar war
244
Maid him manredyn and fewte.
And forouth yat yai crownyt war
Ye king Robert gert ordane yar,
Giff it fell yat his sone Dawy
Deyit but ayr male off his body
Gottyn, Robert Stewart suld be
Kyng and bruk all ye realte
Yat hys douchter bar Mariory,
And at yis tailȝe suld lelyly
Be haldyn all ye lordis swar
And it with selys affermyt yar.
And gyff it hapnyt Robert ye king
To pas to God quhill yai war ȝing,
Ye gud erle off Murreff Thomas
And ye lord alsua off Dowglas
Suld haiff yaim in-to gouernyng
Quhill yai had wyt to ster yar thing,
And yan ye lordschip suld yai ta.
Her-till yar athys gan yai ma
And all ye lordis yat yar war
To yir twa wardanys athis suar
Till obey yaim in lawte
Giff yaim hapnyt wardanys to be.
Quhen all yis thing yus tretit wes
And affermyt with sekyrnes
Ye king to Cardros went in hy,
245
Ye seknes and him trawailit swa
Yat he wyst him behowyt to ma
Off all yis liff ye commoun end
Yat is [ye] dede quhen God will send,
Yarfor his lettrys sone send he
For ye lordis off his countre
And yai come as yai biddyng had.
His testament yan has he maid
Befor bath lordis and prelatis,
And to religioun of ser statis
For hele of his saule gaf he
Siluer in gret quantite.
He ordanyt for his saule weill,
And quhen yis done wes ilkadele
He said, ‘Lordingis swa is it gayn
With me yat yar is nocht bot ane,
Yat is ye dede with-outyn drede
Yat ilk man mon thole off nede.
And I thank God yat has me sent
Space in yis lyve me to repent,
For throwch me and my werraying
Off blud has bene rycht gret spilling
Quhar mony sakles men war slayn,
Yarfor yis seknes and yis payn
I tak in thank for my trespas.
246
Quhen I wes in prosperite
Off my synnys to sauffyt be
To trawaill apon Goddis fayis,
& sen he now me till him tayis
Swa yat ye body may na wys
Fullfill yat ye hart gan dewis
I wald ye hart war yidder sent
Quhar-in consawyt wes yat entent.
Yarfor I pray ȝow euerilkan
Yat ȝe amang ȝow ches me ane
Yat be honest wis and wicht
And off his hand a noble knycht
On Goddis fayis my hart to ber
Quhen saule and cors disseueryt er,
For I wald it war worthily
Brocht yar, sen God will nocht yat I
Haiff pouer yidderwart to ga.’
Yan war yar hartis all sa wa
Yat nane mycht hald him fra greting.
He bad yaim leve yar sorowing
For it he said mycht nocht releve
And mycht yaim rycht gretly engreve,
And prayit yaim in hy to do
Ye thing yat yai war chargit to.
Yan went yai furth with drery mode,
Amang yaim yai thocht it gode
Yat ye worthi lord of Douglas
247
Suld tak yis travaill apon hand,
Heir-till yai war all accordand,
Syne till ye kyng yai went in hy
And tald hym at yai thoucht trewly
Yat ye douchty lord Dowglas]
Best schapyn for yat trawaill was.
And quhen ye king hard yat yai swa
Had ordanyt him his hart to ta
Yat he mast ȝarnyt suld it haff
He said, ‘Sa God him self me saiff
Ik hald me rycht weill payit yat ȝhe
Haff chosyn him, for his bounte
And his worschip set my ȝarnyng
Ay sen I thocht to do yis thing
Yat he it with him yar suld ber,
And sen ȝe all assentit er
It is ye mar likand to me.
Lat se now quhat yar-till sayis he.’
And quhen ye gud lord of Douglas
Wist yat thing yus spokyn was
He come and knelit to ye king
And on yis wis maid him thanking.
‘I thank ȝow gretly lord,’ said he,
‘Off mony larges and gret bounte
That yhe haff done me fel-sys
Sen fyrst I come to ȝour seruice,
Bot our all thing I mak thanking
Yat ȝe sa dyng and worthy thing
248
Off all bounte and all prowes
Will yat [I] in my ȝemsall tak.
For ȝow schyr I will blythly mak
Yis trawaill, gif God will me gif
Layser and space swa lang to lyff.’
Ye king him thankyt tendrely,
Yan wes nane in yat cumpany
Yat yai na wepyt for pite,
Yar cher anoyis wes to se.
Quhen ye lord Dowglas on yis wis
Had wndretane sa hey empris
As ye gud kyngis hart to ber
On goddis fayis apon wer
Prissyt for his empris wes he.
And ye kingis infirmyte
Woux mar & mar quhill at ye last
Ye dulfull dede approchit fast,
And quhen he had gert till him do
All yat gud crystyn man fell to
With werray repentance he gaf
Ye gast, yat God till hewyn haiff
Amang his chossyn folk to be
In ioy solace and angell gle.
And fra his folk wist he wes ded
249
Yar mycht men se men ryve yar har
And comounly knychtis gret full sar
And yar newffys oft samyn dryve
And as woud men yar clathis ryve,
Regratand his worthi bounte
His wyt his strenth his honeste
And our-all ye gret cumpany
Yat he maid yaim oft curtasly.
‘All our defens,’ yai said, ‘allace
And he yat all our comford was
Our wit & all our gouernyng
Allace is brocht her till ending.
His worschip and his mekill mycht
Maid all yat war with him sa wycht
Yat yai mycht neuer abaysit be
Quhill forouth yaim yai mycht him se.
Allace quhat sall we do or say,
For on lyff quhill he lestyt ay
With all our nychtbowris dred war we,
And in-till mony ser countre
Off our worschip sprang ye renoun
And yat wes all for his persoune.’
With swilk wordis yai maid yar mayn
And sekyrly wounder wes nane,
For better gouernour yan he
Mycht in na countre fundyn be.
250
Ye lamentacioun suld discryve
Yat yat folk for yar lard maid.
And quhen yai lang yus sorowit had,
And he debowaillyt wes clenly
And bawmyt syne richly,
And ye worthi lord of Douglas
His hart as it for-spokyn was
Has ressawyt in gret daynte
With gret fayr and solemnyte,
Yai haiff had hym to Dunferlyne
And him solemply erdyt syne
In a fayr tumb in-till ye quer.
Byschappys and prelatis yat yar wer
Assoilȝeit him quhen ye serwice
Was done as yai couth best dewis
And syne on ye toyer day
Sary and wa ar went yar way.
Quhen yat ye gud king beryit was
Ye erle of Mureff schir Thomas
Tuk all ye land in gouernyng,
All obeyit till his bidding,
And ye gud lord of Douglas syne
Gert mak a cas of siluer fyne
Ennamylyt throw sutelte,
251
And ay about his hals it bar
And fast him bownyt for to far.
His testament diuisyt he
And ordanyt how his land suld be
Gouernyt quhill his gayn-cummyng
Off frendis, and all oyer thing
Yat till him pertenyt ony wis
With sik forsych and sa wys
Or his furth-passing ordanyt he
Yat na thing mycht amendyt be.
And quhen yat he his leve had tane
To schip to Berwik is he gane,
And with a noble cumpany
Off knychtis and off squyery
He put him yar to ye se.
A lang way furthwart saylit he,
For betuix Cornwaill and Bretaynne
He sayllyt, and left ye Grunȝe of Spainȝe
On northalff him, and held yar way
Quhill to Sabill ye Graunt com yai,
Bot gretly war his men and he
Trawaillyt with tempestis of ye se,
Bot yocht yai gretly trawaillit war
Hale and fer ar yai cummyn yar.
252
And eftre in a litill quhill
Yar hors to land yai drew ilkane
And in ye toun has herbry tane,
He hym contenyt rychly
For he had a fayr cumpany
And gold ynewch for to dispend.
Ye king [Alfons] him eftre send
And hym rycht weill ressawyt he
And perofferyt hym in gret plente
Gold and tresour hors and armyng,
Bot he wald tak yar-off na thing
For [he said] he tuk yat waiage
To pas in-till pilgramage
On Goddis fayis, yat his trawaill
Mycht till his saule hele awaill,
And sen he wyst yat he had wer
With Saryzynys he wald duell yar
And serve him at hys mycht lely.
Ye king him thankyt curtasly
And betaucht him gud men yat war
Weill knawyn of yat landis wer
And ye maner yar-off alsua,
Syne till his innys gan he ga
Quhen yat ye king him levit had.
A weill gret soiourne yar he mad,
253
Come in gret hy him for to se
And honowryt him full gretumly,
And out-our all men fer soueranly
Ye Inglis knychtis yat war yar
Honour and company him bar.
Amang yai strangeris was a knycht
Yat wes haldyn sa worthi & wicht
[Yat] for ane of ye gud wes he
Prissyt off ye cristiante,
Sa fast till-hewyn was his face
Yat it our-all ner wemmyt was.
Or he ye lord Douglas had sene
He wend his face had wemmyt bene
Bot neuer a hurt yar-in had he.
Quhen he wnwemmyt gan it se
He said yat he had gret ferly
Yat swilk a knycht and sa worthi
And prissyt of sa gret bounte
Mycht in ye face wnemmyt be,
And he answerd yar-to mekly
And said, ‘Lowe God all tym had I
254
Quha wald tak kep to yis ansuer
Suld se in it wnderstanding
Yat, and he yat maid yat asking
Had handis to wer, hys face
Yat for faute off defence sa was
To-fruschyt in-till placis ser
Suld have may-fall left hale & fer.
Ye gud knychtis yat yan war by
Pryssyt hys ansuer gretumly,
For it wes maid with mek speking
And had rycht hey wnderstanding.
Apon yis maner still yai lay
Quhill throw ye countre yai hard say
Yat ye hey king of Balmeryne
With mony a mody Saryzine
Was entryt in-till ye land off Spanȝe
All hale ye countre to [manȝe].
Ye king off Spaynȝe on oyer party
Gaderyt his ost deliuerly
And delt hym in-till bataillis thre,
And to ye lord Douglas gaff he
Ye awaward to led and ster,
All hale ye strangeris with him wer,
And ye gret maister off saynct Iak
Ye toyer bataill gert he tak,
255
Yusgat diuisyt furth yai far
To mete yar fayis yat in bataill
Arayit redy till assaill
Come agayn yaim full sturdely.
Ye Dowglas yat wes sa worthi
Quhen he to yaim of his leding
Had maid a fayr monesting
To do weill and na ded to dred,
For hevynnys blys suld be yar mede
Gyff yat yai deyt in goddis seruice
Yan as gud werrayouris and wis,
With yaim stoutly assemblit he.
Yar mycht men felloun fechtyn se,
For yai war all wicht and worthi
Yat war on ye Cristyn party
And faucht sa fast with all yar mayne
Yat Saryzynys war mony slayne,
Ye-quheyer with mony fele fachoun
256
Bot at ye last ye lord Dowglas
And ye gret rowt yat with him was
Pressyt ye Saryzynys swa
Yat yai haly ye bak gan ta,
And yai chassyt with all yar mayn
And mony in ye chas has slayn.
Sa fer chassyt ye lord of Douglas
With few yat he passyt was
All ye folk yat war chassand yen,
He had nocht with him our ten
Off all men yat war with him yar.
Quhen he saw all reparyt war
Towart hys ost yan turnyt he,
And quhen ye Saryzynys gan se
Yat ye chasseris turnyt agayn
Yai relyit with mekill mayn.
And as ye gud lord of Dowglas
As I said er reparand was
Sa saw he rycht besid yaim ner
Quhar yat schyr Wilȝam ye Sanctecler
With a gret rout enweround was.
He wes anoyit and said, ‘Allace
Ȝone worthy knycht will sone be ded
Bot he haff help, and our manheid
Biddys ws help him in gret hy
257
And God wate weill our entent is
To lyve or de in hys seruice,
Hys will in all thing do sall [we].
Sall na perell eschewyt be
Quhill he be put out of ȝone payn
Or yan we all be with him slayn.’
With yat with spuris spedely
Yai strak ye hors and in gret hy
Amang ye Sarazynys yai raid
And rowme about yaim haf yai maid,
Yai dang on fast with all yar mycht
And fele off yaim to ded has dycht.
Grettar defens maid neuer sa quhone
Agayne sa fele as yai haf done,
Quhill yai mycht last yai gaf battaill
Bot mycht na worschip yar awaill
Yat yai ilkan war slayn doun yar,
For Saryzynys sa mony war
Yat yai war [twenty] ner for ane.
Ye gud lord Dowglas yar was slane
And schyr Wilȝam ye Sancte Cler alsua
And oyer worthy knychtis twa,
Schyr Robert Logane hat ye tane
And ye toyer schir Walter Logane,
258
Yar saullis haff till his hewynnys hycht.
Ye gud lord Dowglas yus wes ded,
And Sarazynys in yat sted
Abaid no mar bot held yar way,
Yai knychtis dede yar lewyt yai.
Sum off ye lord Douglas men
Yat yar lord ded has fundyn yen
Ȝeid weill ner woud for dule & wa,
Lang quhill our him yai sorowit sua
And syne with gret dule hame him bar.
Ye kingis hart haiff yai fundyn yar
And yat hame with yaim haf yai [tane],
And ar towart yar innys gane
With gretyng and with iwill cher,
Yar sorow wes angry for till her.
And quhen of Keth gud schyr Wilȝam
Yat all yat day had bene at hame,
For at swa gret malice wes he
Yat he come nocht to ye iourne
For his arme brokyn wes in twa,
Quhen he yat folk sic dule saw ma
He askyt quhat it wes in hy
And yai him tauld all opynly
259
With Sarazynys yat releyt agayn,
And quhen he wyst yat it was sua
Out-owr all othyr him was wa
And maid sa wonder ywill cher
Yat all wondryt yat by him wer.
Bot to tell off yar sorowing
It noyis and helpis litill thing,
Men may weill wyt youcht nane yaim tell
How angry for sorow and how fell
Is to tyne sic a lord as he
To yaim yat war off his mengne,
For he wes swete and debonar
And weill couth trete hys frendis far,
And his fayis rycht fellounly
Stonay throw hys chewalry
Ye-quheyer off litill affer wes he.
Our all thing luffit he lawte,
At tresoun growyt he sa gretly
Yat na traytour mycht be him by
Yat he mycht wyt yat he ne suld be
Weill punyst off his cruelte.
I trow ye lele Fabricius
Yat fra Rome to werray Pyrrus
Wes send with a gret mengne
260
Ye-quheyer quhen Pirrus had
On him and on his mengne maid
Ane owtrageous discumfitour
Quhar he eschapyt throw auentour
And mony off his men war slayne,
And he had gadryt ost agayne,
A gret maistre off medicyne
That had Pyrrus in gouernyne
Perofferyt to Fabricius
In tresoun to sla Pyrrus,
For in-till his neyst potioun
He suld giff him dedly pusoun.
Fabricius yat wonder had
Off yat peroffre yat he him maid
Said, ‘Certis Rome is welle off mycht
Throw strenth off armys in-to fycht
To wencus yar fayis, yocht yai
Consent to treusoun be na way,
And for yow wald do sic trewsoun
[You] sall [to] get a warysoun
Ga to Pyrrus and lat him do
Quhat-euer him lyis on hart yar-to.’
Yan till Pyrrus he send in hy
261
Fra end till end tell him yis tale.
Quhen Pyrrus had it hard all hale
He said, ‘Wes euer man yat swa
For leawte bar him till his fa
As her Fabricius dois to me.
It is als ill to ger him be
Turnyt fra way of rychtwisnes
Or ellis consent to wikkitnes
As at mydday to turne agayn
Ye sone yat rynnys his cours playn.’
Yus said he off Fabricius,
Yat syne wencussyt yis ilk Pyrrus
In plane bataill throw hard fechting.
His honest leawte gert me bring
In yis ensample her, for he
Had souerane price off leawte,
And swa had ye lord of Douglas
Yat [honest] lele and worthy was
Yat wes ded as befor said we,
All menyt him strang & preue.
Quhen his men lang had mad murnyn,
Yai debowalyt him and syne
Gert [seth] him swa yat mycht be tane
262
And ye carioune yar in haly place
Erdyt with rycht gret worschip was.
Ye banys haue yai with yaim tane
And syne ar to yar schippis gane
Quhen yai war lewyt off ye king
Yat had dule for yar sorowing.
To se yai went, gud wind yai had,
Yar cours till Ingland haiff yai maid
And yar sauffly arywyt yai,
Syne towart Scotland held yar way
And yar ar cummyn in full gret hy,
And ye banys honorabilly
In-till ye kyrk off Douglas war
Erdyt with dule and mekill car.
Schyr Archebald his sone gert syn
Off alabast bath fair & fyne
Ordane a tumbe sa richly
As it behowyt to swa worthy.
Quhen yat on yis wis schyr Wilȝam
Off Keth had brocht his banys hame
And ye gud kingis hart alsua,
And men had richly gert ma
With fayr effer his sepultur,
Ye erle off Murreff yat had ye cur
Yat tyme off Scotland halely
263
Ye kingis hart at ye abbay
Off Melros, quhar men prays ay
Yat he and his have paradys.
Quhen yis [wes] done yat I dewys
Ye gud erle gouernyt ye land
And held ye power weill to warand,
Ye lave sa weill mantemyt he
And held in pes swa ye countre
Yat it wes neuer or his day
Sa weill, as ik hard auld men say.
Bot syne allace pusonyt wes he,
To se his dede wes gret pite.
Yir lordis deyt apon yis wis.
He yat hey lord off all thing is
Wp till his mekill blis yaim bring
And graunt his grace yat yar ofspring
Leid weill [ye land], and ententyve
Be to folow in all yar lyve
Thar nobill eldrys gret bounte.
Quhar afauld God in trinyte
Bring ws hey till his mekill blis
Quhar alwayis lestand liking is.
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