A NOBLE DEWEL, OR, An unmatchable combat betwixt Sir William and the Earl of Southast.  
Being a true relation how this b●… E. of Southast murdered Sir William Gray, Son to the Right Ho●… the Lord Gray, which news is sad to the nation of Scotland, and how the waits for trial for the same.  
Tune of, Sir George Wharton.  
 2 woodcuts: portraits of swordsmen  


MY heart doth bleed to tell the wo  
or chance of grief that late befell  
At Biglesworth in Bedfordshire  
as I to you for truth will tell,  
There was two valiant Noble men,  
that very rashly fell at words,  
And nothing could appease their wraths  
till they betook them to their Swords.   

The one was called Sir William Gray,  
the good Lord Gray his Son and Heir,  
The other Sir james as they him call,  
or Earl of Southeist as I hear,  
It seems their quarrel they began,  
within the house of Parliament,  
And till this Earl had killed Sir Gray,  
he could not rest nor be contend,   

About Religion they out fell,  
the Earl he was a Presbyteir,  
Sir William did his ways deny,  
he being a loyal Cavelier,  
For our late King as I am  told,  
in Scotland often kept his court,  
At the house of Sir William Gray,  
he and his Nobles did their resort.   

And for his true obedience then,  
as I do wrightly understand  
He made was the chiefest Governor,  
in the Northern part of fair Scotland  
It seems the Earl of Southeist called,  
did kill Sir William for this thing,  
Because be Governor was made,  
and much advanced by the King.   

This Earl was governor before,  
out of Commission late was thrown,  
Even by this present Government,  
so that he could not call't his own,  
And good Sir Gray put in his place,  
but truth it brought him into thrall,  
For though that cruel bloody Earl,  
his wrist was causer of his fall.   

You see the bloody minds of those,  
which lately had the Sword in hand,  
And if they had it so again,  
they quickly would confounded the Land  
For to find opportunity  
this wicked Earl he did invent,  
How he might murder Noble Gray,  
for truth it was his full intent.    

The second part, to the same Tune.  
 woodcut: 4 swordsmen  

WIthin the house of Parliament,  
the Earl fell out with Noble Gray  
But yet before they did depart,  
they loving friends the 〈◇〉 went away,  
It was not known the Earl did owe,  
the least ill will at that same time  
To noble Gray or unto his,  
or any of his royal line.   

They rod together thirty Miles,  
to Beglisworth from London Town,  
And in the way was no distaste,  
until they lit there at the Crown.   

They supped together too that night,  
as peacefully as men could do,  
But yet a sudden accidence,  
betim● ith morning did ●nsue,  
The Earl he rose ith morn ●etime,  
with mischief harboured in his breast,  
H● come unto the Chamber where,  
sir William Gray, he lay at rest,   

And called Sir G●ay to go with him,  
unto the Fields to take the air,  
And he God wot not thinking ill,  
did with him to the Fields repair,  
Like to a Lamb that went to dy,  
not ●●inking death to be so near,  
Eve● so befell the same ye see,  
to Noble Gray as doth appear.   

He left his man a-bed that morn,  
because he came in late at night,  
Desiring them to let him lie,  
till he returned back with the Knight,  
His bedfellow and Kindsman too,  
went as a second in the place,  
If that the Earl should offer him,  
any abuse or eke disgrace.   

He did no sooner come in field,  
but both the seconds and the Earl,  
Did plot contrive against Sir Gray,  
his courage purposel to q●eal,  
The Earl began the quarrel then,  
and Noble Gray did so outdare,  
And said he was a better man,  
then all the Grays in Scotland were,   

And said to him come fight with me,  
thou cowardice which art no man,  
Which forced Valiant Gray to take,  
his glitering Sword within his hand,  
And so the battle fierce began,  
and Noble Gray he played his part,  
But yet at length unhappily,  
the Earl he thrust him to the heart,   

This being done they dragged him too  
a stinking ditch which there was by,  
And robbed him of his jewels rich,  
and then they presently did fly,  
unto the Crown whereas there coach,  
stood ready for their safe convey,  
But by a man it was found out,  
which did them presently betray.   

When they was took they did them search  
whereas they found them full of Gold,  
A golden watch and ring which cost,  
five hundred pounds his man thus  told,  
They had them to the Iustice strait,  
and he did sand them to the Goal,  
Whereas they wait for trial now,  
I think theres no man will them bail,   

And thus I will conclude my song,  
I wish all Traytors to be ware,  
And not to murder as they do,  
lest they fall in the hang-mans snare.     

London, Printed for John Andrews at the White-Lyon near Py-corner.