BRAVE LORD WILLOUGHBEY. Peregrine Bertie, Lord Willoughby of Eresby, had, in the year 1586, He distinguished himself at the siege of Zutphen, in the Low Countries. was the year after made general of the English forces in the United Provinces, in room of the Earl of Leicester, who was recalled. This gave him an opportunity of signalizing his courage and military skill in several actions against the Spaniards. One of these, greatly exaggerated by popular report, is probably the subject of this old ballad, which, on account of its flattering encomiums on English valour, hath always been a favourite with the people. "Lord Willoughbie died in 1601.-Both Norris and Turner were famous among the military men of that age."-Percy. HE fifteenth day of July, With glistering spear and shield, A famous fight in Flanders Were English captains three; Was brave Lord Willoughbèy. The next was Captain Norris, The other Captain Turner, From field would never flee. With fifteen hundred fighting men, Alas! there were no more, They fought with fourteen thousand then, "Stand to it, noble pikemen, And look you round about: And shoot you right, you bow-men, And we will keep them out. You musquet and caliver men, Do you prove true to me: I'le be the formost man in fight," Says brave Lord Willoughby. And then the bloody enemy They fiercely did assail, And fought it out most furiously, The wounded men on both sides fell, Most pitious for to see, Yet nothing could the courage quell Of brave Lord Willoughbèy. For seven hours, to all mens view, Until our men so feeble grew That they could fight no more ; And then upon dead horses, When they had fed so freely, They kneeled on the ground, And praised God devoutly For the favour they had found ; And beating up their colours, The fight they did renew, And turning tow'rds the Spaniard, R Which made the Spaniards waver; Then quoth the Spanish general, I fear we shall be spoiled all For yonder comes Lord Willoughbey, For all the devils in hell.” And then the fearful enemy This news was brought to England "O this is brave Lord Willoughbey, My love that ever won; Of all the Lords of honour, 'Tis he great deeds hath done." To the souldiers that were maimed |