The fifteenth day of July, With glistering spear and shield, A famous fight in Flanders Was foughten in the field: The most couragious officers 5 Were English captains three; But the bravest man in battel Was brave Lord Willoughbèy.
The next was Captain Norris, A valiant man was hee; 10 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, 15 Upon the bloody shore.
"Stand to it, noble pikemen, And look you round about: And shoot you right, you bow-men, And we will keep them out. 20 You musquet and calìver men, Do you prove true to me: I'le be the formost man in fight," Says brave Lord Willoughbèy.
And then the bloody enemy 25 They fiercely did assail, And fought it out most furiously, Not doubting to prevail. The wounded men on both sides fell, Most pitious for to see, 30 Yet nothing could the courage quell Of brave Lord Willoughbèy.
For seven hours, to all mens view, This fight endured sore, Until our men so feeble grew 35 That they could fight no more; And then upon dead horses, Full savourly they eat, And drank the puddle water, They could no better get. 40
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, 45 The fight they did renew, And turning tow'rds the Spaniard, A thousand more they slew.
The sharp steel-pointed arrows, And bullets thick did fly; 50 Then did our valiant soldiers Charge on most furiously: Which made the Spaniards waver; They thought it best to flee; They fear'd the stout behaviour 55 Of brave Lord Willoughbèy.
Then quoth the Spanish general, "Come, let us march away; I fear we shall be spoiled all If here we longer stay; 60 For yonder comes Lord Willoughbey, With courage fierce and fell; He will not give one inch of way For all the devils in hell."
And then the fearful enemy 65 Was quickly put to flight, Our men persued couragiously, And caught their forces quite; But at [the] last they gave a shout, Which ecchoed through the sky; 70 "God and St. George for England!" The conquerers did cry.
This news was brought to England With all the speed might be, And soon our gracious queen was told 75 Of this same victory. "O this is brave Lord Willoughbey, My love that ever won; Of all the lords of honour, 'Tis he great deeds hath done." 80