CHEVY CHASE, the name of perhaps the most famous of British ballads. In its present form, the piece does not seem to be older than about the beginning of the 17th century. But more ancient versions, doubtless, existed; and bishop Percy has published a poem of the 16th c., which has obviously suggested passages in the more recent composition. It is impossible to reconcile its incidents with history, but the event which is meant to be commemorated appears to have been the battle of Otter burn, in Aug., 1388—a fight which Froissart declares to have been the bravest and most chivalrous which was fought in his day. According to the ballad, Percy vowed that he would enter Scotland, and take his pleasure for three days in the woods of his rival, and slay the deer therein at will. Douglas, when he heard the vaunt, exclaimed: " Tell him he will find one day more than enough." Accordingly, at the time of the bay-harvest, Percy, with stag-hounds and archers, passed into the domains of his foe, and slew a "hundred fallow-deer and harts of grice." When the English had hastily cooked their game, and were about to retire, earl Douglas, clad in armor, and heading his Scottish spears, came on the scene. Haughty challenge and defiance passed between
the potentates, and the battle joined. In the center of the fray the two leaders met: " Yield thee, Percy!" cried Douglas. " I will yield to no Scot that ever was born of woman!" cried Percy. During this colloquy, an English arrow struck Douglas to the heart. "Fight on, my merry men!" cried he, as lie died. Percy, with all the chival rous feeling of his race, took the dead man by the hand, and vowed that lie would have given all his lands to save him, for a braver knight never fell by such a chance. Sir Hugh Montgomery, having seen the fall of Douglas, clapped spurs to his horse, dashed on Percy, and struck his spear through his body a long cloth-yard and more. Although the leaders on both sides had fallen, the battle, which had begun at break of day, continued till the ringing of the curfew-bell. Scotsmen and Englishmen claim the victory. When the battle ended, representatives of every noble family ou either side of the border lay on the bloody greensward.