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 bent
Their valiant minds equal to try:
The second part shall clearly show,
Both how they meet, and how they
dye.
THE DUEL OF WHARTON AND STUART.
PART SECOND.
George Wharton was the first ae man,
Came to the appointed place that
day,
Where he espyed our Scots lord coming,
As fast as he could post away.
They met, shook hands; their cheeks were
pale;
Then to George Wharton James did
say,
“I dinna like your doublet, George,
“It stands sae weel on you
this day.
“Say, have you got no armour on?
“Have ye no under robe of
steel?
“I never saw an English man
“Become his doublet half sae
weel.”
“Fy no! fy no!” George Wharton
said,
“For that’s the thing
that mauna be,
“That I should come wi’ armour
on,
“And you a naked man truly.”