59. ‘Go fetch me down my armour of proof, For it is gilded with gold so clear; God be with my brother, John of Barton! Amongst the Portingales he did it wear.’
60. But when he had his armour of proof, And on his body he had it on, Every man that looked at him Said, gun nor arrow he need fear none.
61. ‘Come hither, Horsley,’ says my lord Howard, ‘And look your shaft that it go right; Shoot a good shoot in the time of need, And for thy shooting thou’st be made a knight.’
62. ‘I’ll do my best,’ says Horsley then, ‘Your honour shall see before I go; If I should be hanged at your mainmast, I have in my ship but arrows two.’
63. But at Sir Andrew he shot then; He made sure to hit his mark; Under the spole of his right arm He smote Sir Andrew quite through the heart.
64. Yet from the tree he would not start, But he clinged to it with might and main; Under the collar then of his jack He strake Sir Andrew through the brain.
65. ‘Fight on, my men,’ says Sir Andrew Barton, ‘I am hurt, but I am not slain; I’ll lay me down and bleed awhile, And then I’ll rise and fight again.
66. ‘Fight on, my men,’ says Sir Andrew Barton, ‘These English dogs they bite so low; Fight on for Scotland and Saint Andrew Till you hear my whistle blow!’
67. But when they could not hear his whistle blow, Says Harry Hunt, ‘I’ll lay my head You may board yonder noble ship, my lord, For I know Sir Andrew he is dead.’
68. With that they boarded this noble ship, So did they it with might and main; They found eighteen score Scots alive, Besides the rest were maimed and slain.
69. My lord Howard took a sword in his hand, And smote off Sir Andrew’s head; The Scots stood by did weep and mourn, But never a word durst speak or say.
70. He caused his body to be taken down, And over the hatch-board cast into the sea, And about his middle three hundred crowns: ‘Wheresoever thou lands, it will bury thee.’
71. With his head they sailed into England again, With right good will and force and main, And the day before New Year’s Even Into Thames’ mouth they came again.
72. My lord Howard wrote to King Henry’s grace, With all the news he could him bring: ‘Such a New Year’s gift I have brought to your Grace As never did subject to any king.