A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

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earae night. The fiery and impetuous temper of Percy
couid neither brook this taunt nor the loss of his stand-
ard, therefore hastily collecting a considerable army (ten
thousand men according to our Scottish historians), he
pursued the Scots, and overtook them at Otterbourne,
about thiity-two miles from Newcastle, where they were
advantageously posted. Though the day was almost
spent, and his troops fatigued with a long march, Percy
immediately attacked the Scots, and by the fury of his first
onset threw them into confusion; but they were quickly
raliied by Douglas, who, armed with an iron mace, rushed
into the thickest of the enemy, followed only by his chap-
lain and two squires. After performing prodigies of va-
lour, the brave hero, overpowered by numbers, received
three mortal wounds, and was fainting with loss of blood
when his friend? penetrated to the spot where he lay, with
his two ?(|uires dead by his side, and his chaplain alone
defending him with a lance. Feeling his end approach-
ma:, and afraid lest the report of his fall would dispirit
his soldiers, the gallant chief said to those around him,
"" Conceal my death, defend my standard, and avenge my
fall I It is an old prophec}', that a dead man shall gain
a field, and I hope it will be accomplished this night."
W'ith these words he expired. The fight was continued
by both parlies with the greatest obstinacy until morning,
when the English gave way on all sides, and were totally
routed with the loss of twelve hundred killed, the two
Percies, above an hundred gentlemen and officers, and
two thousand soldiers prisoners. Bravely and dearly
purchased as their victory was, the conquerors would
have lost all its advantages, h id the Bishop of Durham,
who was approaching with a large body of troops to the
assistance of Percy, made an attack upon them in their