PART FIRST.
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t grieveth me to tell you o'Near London late what did befal,'Twixt two young gallant gentlemen;It grieveth me, and ever shall. One of them was Sir George Wharton,My good Lord Wharton's son and heir;The other, James Stuart, a Scottish knight,One that a valiant heart did bear. When first to court these nobles came,One night, a gaining, fell to words;And in their fury grew so hot,That they did both try their keen swords. No manner of treating, nor advice,Could hold from striking in that place;For, in the height and heat of blood,James struck George Wharton on the face. "What doth this mean," George Wharton said,"To strike in such unmanly sort?"But, that I take it at thy hands,"The tongue of man shall ne'er report!" "But do thy worst, then," said Sir James,"Now do thy worst! appoint a day!"There's not a lord in England breathes"Shall gar me give an inch of way." "Ye brag right weel," George Wharton said;"Let our brave lords at large alane,"And speak of me, that am thy foe;"For you shall find enough o' ane! "I'll alterchange my glove wi' thine;"I'll show it on the bed o' death;"I mean the place where we shall fight;"There ane or both maun lose life and breath!" "We'll meet near Waltham," said Sir James;"To-morrow, that shall be the day."We'll either take a single man,"And try who bears the bell away." Then down together hands they shook,Without any envious sign;Then went to Ludgate, where they lay,And each man drank his pint of wine. No kind of envy could be seen,No kind of malice they did betray;But a' was clear and calm as death,Whatever in their bosoms lay, Till parting time; and then, indeed,They shew'd some rancour in their heart;"Next time we meet," says George Wharton,"Not half sae soundly we shall part!" So they have parted, firmly bentTheir valiant minds equal to try:The second part shall clearly show,Both how they meet, and how they dye.
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