Earl Percy was the son of the Duke of Northumberland. When he
was marching out of Boston, his band struck up the tune of Yankee
Doodle, in derision.
He saw a boy in Roxbury making himself very merry as he passed.
Percy inquired why he was so merry.
"To think," said the lad, "how you will dance by and by to Chevy
Chase."
Percy was much influenced by presentiments, and the words of the
boy made him moody. Percy was a lineal descendant of the Earl
Percy who was slain in the battle of Chevy Chase, and he felt all
day as if some great calamity might befall him.