Page:The muses threnodie (Adamson, 1638).djvu/27
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The first muse
7
Between these cursed clans, Chattan, and Kay[1]
Before King Robert, Iohn; upon the day
Appointed, then and there, where did conveene
Thirtie 'gainst thirtie matcht upon that greene,
Of martiall fellows, all in rageing mood
Like furious Ajax, or Orestes wood,
Alonely arm'd with long two-handed swords,
Their sparkling eyes cast fire in steed of words,
Their horride beards, thrown browes, brusled mustages
Of deadly blowes t'enshew were vive presages.
Thus standing Fortuns event for to try,
And thousands them beholding, one did cry
With loud and mightie voice, Stay! hold your hands!
A little space we pray; The case thus stands;
One of our number is not heere to day;
This suddaine speach did make some little stay
Of this most bloodie bargaine, th'one partie fight
Would not unlesse the number were made right
Unto the adverse faction, nor was any
That would it take in hand amongst so many
Beholders of all ranks into that place:
On th'other side none would sustaine disgrace
To be debarred from his other fellowes,
He rather hung seven yeeres upon the gallowes.
Thus as the question stood, was found at length
One Henry wind, for triall of his strength
The charge would take, a sadler of his craft,[2]
I wot not well whether the man was daft,
But for an half french crown he took in hand,
Stoutly to fight so long as he might stand,
Before King Robert, Iohn; upon the day
Appointed, then and there, where did conveene
Thirtie 'gainst thirtie matcht upon that greene,
Of martiall fellows, all in rageing mood
Like furious Ajax, or Orestes wood,
Alonely arm'd with long two-handed swords,
Their sparkling eyes cast fire in steed of words,
Their horride beards, thrown browes, brusled mustages
Of deadly blowes t'enshew were vive presages.
Thus standing Fortuns event for to try,
And thousands them beholding, one did cry
With loud and mightie voice, Stay! hold your hands!
A little space we pray; The case thus stands;
One of our number is not heere to day;
This suddaine speach did make some little stay
Of this most bloodie bargaine, th'one partie fight
Would not unlesse the number were made right
Unto the adverse faction, nor was any
That would it take in hand amongst so many
Beholders of all ranks into that place:
On th'other side none would sustaine disgrace
To be debarred from his other fellowes,
He rather hung seven yeeres upon the gallowes.
Thus as the question stood, was found at length
One Henry wind, for triall of his strength
The charge would take, a sadler of his craft,[2]
I wot not well whether the man was daft,
But for an half french crown he took in hand,
Stoutly to fight so long as he might stand,
And