And founden in bokes of Antiquyte written in Romance
At Seinte Denyse Abbey in Fraunc[e],[91] and found in very
There as Cronycles remembrede be, 28 old chronicles at
Howe Laban, the kinge of hie degre, St Denys in France,
And sy[rh] and Sowdoɳ of hie Babiloɳ, relates how Laban, the
Conquerede grete parte of Christiante, king of Babylon, who
That was born in Askaloɳ. 32 was born at Ascalon,
And in the Cite of Agremare[92] conquered a great part
Vppon̄ the Rivere of Flagote of Christendom. He was
At þat tyme he soiorned the[rh]† holding his court in
Fulle roially, wel I wote, 36 the city of Agremore,
With kinges xij and Admyralles xiiij, on the river Flagot,
With many a Baron̄ & Kniȝtis ful boold, with 12 kings and 14
That roialle were and semly to sene; admirals, and many
Here worþynesse al may not be told. 40 worthy barons and
Hit bifelle by-twyxte March and Maye, [lf 1, bk] knights,
Whan kynde corage begynneth to pryke, when, in the time
Whan̄ ffritħ and felde wexen gaye, between March and
And every wight desirith his like, 44 May,
Whan̄ lovers slepen̄ withe opyn̄ yȝe,
As Nightyngalis on grene tre,
And sore desire þat thai cowde flye,
That thay myghte withe here lou«er»e be: 48
This worthy Sowdon̄ in this seson̄ he went to the chase
Shope him to grene woode to goon̄,
To chase the Bore or the Veneson̄,
The Wolfe, the Bere and the Bawson. 52
He roode tho vppon̄ a fforeste stronde in a wood near the
With grete rowte and roialte, sea.
The fairest, þat was in alle þat londe,
With Alauntes, Ly«m»meris and Racches free. 56
His huntes to chace he co«m»maunde,
Here Bugles boldely for to blowe,
To fere the beestis in þat launde.
[p003 OF THE CAPTURE OF A SARACEN SHIP BY THE ROMANS.]
The Sowdon̄ woxe wery I-nowe; 60 Being weary with
He rested him vndere an holme tre hunting, he sat down
Sittynge vppon̄ a grene sete under a holm tree,
Seynge a Dromonde com seilyng in þ^e see and, seeing a dromond
Anone he charged to bekyn̄ him w«i»t«h» sailing on the sea, he
honde 64 charged one to enquire
To here of him tidinges newe. for news concerning the
The maist«er» sende a man to londe, ship. The interpreter
Of diuers langages was gode and trewe, of the vessel being
And saide “lorde, this Dromonde[93] 68 sent ashore, informed
Fro Babyloyne comen̄ is, the soudan, that this
That was worþe thousande poundis, dromond, freighted at
As[94] it mete with shrewes I-wis, Babylon, with a cargo
Charged with perle and p«re»cious stones 72 of rich furs, spices,
And riche pelure and spicerye, oil, brass and pearls,
With oyle and bras qweynte for the nones intended as a present
To presente yow, my lorde worthy. to the soudan, had been
A drift of wedi[rh] vs droffe to Rome, 76 driven by stress of
The Romaynes robbed vs anone; weather to Rome, where
Of vs thai slowgh ful many one. they had been robbed by
With sorwe and care we be bygone. the Romans.
Whereof, lorde, remedye 80 [leaf 3]
Ye ordeyne by youre Barons boolde, Therefore he solicited
To wreke the of this vilane; that the soudan would
Or certes oure blis is coolde.” take revenge on those
The Soudon hirynge this tyþinge, 84 who had done such
With egre chere he made a vowe villainy to him.
To Mahounde and to Appolyne, The soudan, hearing
That thai shulde by it dere I-nowe, these tidings, made
Er that he wente fro theyme.[95] 88 a vow to Mahound and
“Where be ye, my kinges boolde, to Apolyn, that they
My Barons and my Admyral? should dearly pay for
Thes tidinges make myn herte coolde, it.
But I be venged, dyen I shalle. 92 ‘Ferumbras, my son,’ he
Sire Ferumbras, my sone so dere, said, ‘and my daughter
Ye muste me comforte in this case; Floripas, ye must
[p004 THE SOUDAN STARTS FROM AGREMORE]
My ioye is alle in the nowe here be my comfort in this
And in my Doghter Dame Florypas. 96 case.
Sortybraunce, my Counselere, Order Sortibrance,
Lete clepe him forthe to counsaile me, my counsellor, to be
And Oliborne, my Chauncelere called for, and my
And noble Clerke of hie degre, 100 chancellor Oliborn,
And Espiarde, my messangere, and Espiard my
To goon to Assye and to Aufrike, messenger, that he
To kinges, princes fer[rh] and ne[rh], may go to Africa and
Barons, Admyralls and Dukes frike, 104 to Asia and to all
Comaundinge hem vppon̄ her legeaunce the princes, who owe
To come in al hast vnto me, me allegiance, and
Wel Armed with shelde and launse, command them hastily to
To Egremoure þon̄ riche Cite.” 108 assemble with shield
In shorte tyme this message was wroghte and lance at Agremore.’
An hundred thouusande on a rowte In a short time 100,000
That robbery was righte dere boght, men had assembled.
Was never none derrer without«en» douȝte. 112 On the advice of
The kinge of Baldas, sir Lukafe[rh], Lukafer,
Of Aufryke lorde and governoure, king of Baldas,
Spake to the Sowdon̄, that me«n» myghte the soudan also
here, brought together 700
And saide “sir, for thyn honou[rh], 116 sail and a
Do sende for shippes both fe[rh] and dromond for himself,
nere.” for Ferumbras of
Carrikes, Galeis and shippes shene, Alexandrie, for the
vij hundred were gadered al in fere Asiatic king of
And a Dromonde for the Sowden̄ kene. 120 [leaf 4] Chaunder and
Sir Ferumbras of Alisaundre for Floripas. There
In the Dromonde with him was, were two masters in
Of Assy the kinge of Chaunde[rh], that vessel, and two
And his faire dogħter Floripas. 124 idols placed on the
Two maistres were in the Dromounde, main top, with round
Two goddes on hye seten̄ thore maces, therewith to
In the maister toppe, withe macis rounde, menace the Christians.
To manace with the Cristen̄ lore. 128 The sails of red
The sailes were of rede Sendelle, sendal-silk were
Embrowdred witħ riche araye,
[p005 TO INVADE ROME WITH A GREAT ARMY.]
With beestes and breddes every dele, richly embroidered
That was right curious and gaye; 132 with figures of
The Armes displaied of Laban animals and birds.
Of Asure and foure lions of goolde. Four golden lions, the
Of Babiloyne the riche Sowdon̄, arms of the soudan of
Moost myghty man he was of moolde, 136 Babylon, were also
He made a vowe to Termagaunte, displayed thereon.
Whan Rome were distroied & hade Laban made a vow to
myschau«n»ce, Termagant, to destroy
He woolde turne ayen erraunte Rome, and after that
And distroye Charles the kinge of Fraunce. 140 Charlemagne.
Fortħ thai sailed on the flode, Having disembarked in
Tille thai come to the haven of Rome: the haven of Rome,
The wynde hem served, it was ful goode. they slew all
Ther londed many a grymlye gome. 144 Christians, and burned
Thai brente and slowen, þat Cristen were, towns, abbeys and
Town̄, Abbey and holy chirche. churches.
The hethen hade such power there, The Pope of Rome,
That moche woo gan thai there wircħ. 148 hearing of the heathens
Tidinggis came to Rome anone laying waste the whole
Unto the Pope, that þ^t tyme was, country,
That the heþen came to bren and slone.
This was to hem a sory cas. 152
He lete cal his counsaile to-geder assembled his council.
To wete, what was beste to don̄.
Anone as thai were come þede[rh],
He asked of hem al ful sone: 156
“Lordinges, it is vnknowne[96] to you,
That this cursed hathen Sowdon̄
Bre«n»nyth and stroyeth oure pepul nowe,
Alive he leveth vnneth not one. 160
Seint Petir be oure governoure [leaf 5]
And save this worthi Cite of Rome,
And Seinte Poule be oure gydoure
From this cursed hethen̄ houne[97]!” 164
Ifreȝ he bispake him than̄, Jeffrez, a senator
[p006 SAVARIS LEADS THE CHRISTIAN TROOPS]
Of Rome he was a Senatoure, of Rome, advised that
And saide “senditħ some worthy man worthy men should be
To Charles kinge of hye honoure. 168 sent to Charles of
He wolde you helpe with al his mygħte, Douce France to implore
That noble kinge of Dowse Fraunce.” his assistance.
“Certes” q«uo»d Savaris “þat weren no But Duke Savariz,
rigħte, thinking this to be
It were right a foule myschaunce, 172 a wretched piece of
To sende to þat worthy kinge. timidity,
We have oure hedes yet al hole, as they had not tried
Oure sheldes be not broke no-thinge, anything for
Hawberke, spere, ner poleyne, ner pole. 176 themselves,
Where-of shul we playn̄ to him,
That no thinge yet have assaide?
Mecħ uylanye we myght wynne,
That for noght were so sone afrayed. 180
Ten thousande men delyu«er»e me tyte asked for 10,000 men
Tomorue next in-to the feelde, to be put under his
And I shall prove with al my myghte command.
To breke there bothe spere and shelde.” 184
Vnto the Senatours it semed welle,
His counsaile goode and honurable.
This worthi Duke was armed in stele
In armes goode and profitable; 188
He bare a Chek of goulis clere,
An Egle of goolde abrode displayed.
With him many a bolde Bachelere
Tho spake Savaryȝ witħ wordes on hye 192 The next morning the
And saide “my felowes alle, duke addressed his men,
This daie prove you men̄ worthy,
And faire you al shal befalle.
Thenke yat Criste is more myghty 196
Than here fals goddis alle;
And he shal geve vs the victorie,
And foule shal hem this day bifalle.”
Fortħ than rode þat faire Ooste 200 and directed them to
With right goode chere and randon̄, the soudan’s
[p007 AGAINST THE SARACENS AND CONQUERS THEM.]
Tille than come ful nyȝe the cooste. pavilion near the
Of the Sowdons Pavylon̄ shore.
Ferumbras was of hem ware 204 [leaf 6] Ferumbras,
And sprange out as a sparkil of glede; that doughty
Of Armes bright a sheelde he bare, warrior, becoming aware
A Doughty man̄ he was of dede. of them, led
xv thousande came oute there 208 15,000 men against the
With him at þat same tyde, Romans.
Ayen the Romaynes for to were,
Witħ bobaunce, booste and grete pride.
The stoure was stronge, enduryn[g|] longe: 212
The Romaynes hade there the feelde;
The Sarysyns thai slougħ amonge,
Ten thousand and mo with spere and sheelde. 10,000 and more of the
Sauariz was wise and ware 216 Saracens were slain,
And drowe towards þat Citee. and the Romans, though
His baner displaied witħ him he bare victorious, were led
To releve with his meyne. back to Rome by the
The Pope with his Senatours 220 cautious Savaris.
Thanked god þat tyme of glorie, The Pope thanked God
That gafe hem þat day grete honours, for the victory.
Of hethen that dai to have the victorie. Lukafer of Baldas
Lukafere, kinge of Baldas, 224 having scoured the
The countrey hade serchid and sought, country,
Ten thousande maidyns faire of face brought 10,000 maidens
Vnto the Sowdan hath he broghte. to the soudan, who
The Sowdon̄ co«m»manded hem anone, 228 ordered them to be
That thai shulde al be slayn̄. slain,
Martires thai were eu«er»ychon̄, saying, he would
And therof were thai al ful fayne. not have his people
He saide “my peple nowe ne shalle 232 polluted by them, and
With hem noughte defouled be, he would destroy every
But I wole distroie ou«er» all Christian seed.
The sede over alle Cristiante.” Lukafer said to the
Tho spake lukefere the kinge, 236 soudan:
That hethen̄ hounde Baldas,
[p008 THE NEXT DAY LUKAFER ASSAULTS THE CITY,]
And saide “Sir Sowdan̄, g«ra»unte me one “Grant me thy daughter
thinge, and I will bring thee
Thi doghter Dame Floripas. Charlemagne and all his
The kinge of Fraunce I shal the bringe 240 twelve peers.”
And the xij dosipers alle in fere.” Laban assented; but
The Sowdan saide in þat tokenyn[g|], Floripas said, she
“I g«ra»unte the here, that is so dere.” would only consent to
Tho sayde Floripe “sire, noon̄ haste, 244 be his darling,
He hath note done as he hath saide.
I trowe, he speketh these wordes in waste, [leaf 7]
He wole make bute an easy brayde.
Whan he bryngith home Charles the kinge 248 when he had taken
And the xij dosipers alle, Charles and the
I g«ra»unte to be his derlynge douzepeers.
What so evere therof by-falle. The next morning the
Than on the morowe the Sowdan̄ 252 soudan ordered Lukafer
Callid to him Lukafe[rh] of Baldas, to assault the City
To assaile the Cite anone: with 30,000 men.
“And loke thou tary not in this cas!
Thritty thousande of my menie, 256
Of Gallopes, Ethiopes and Aufricanes,
Take hem to the walles witħ the.
Betitħ down̄ wallis, towris and stones.”
Lukafe[rh] blewe his clarion̄ 260
To Assemble the Sarasyns þat tide,
Where-of thai knewe right welle the soune,
Thai made hem redy for to ride,
But whan thai come to the yate, 264
The Dikes were so develye depe, The Saracens, finding
Thai helde hem selfe Chek-mate; the ditches too deep,
Ouer cowde thai nothir goo nor crepe. cannot pass, and are
Lukafe[rh] in al the haste 268
Turned to the Sowdan agayn̄ obliged to return.
And saide “sir, it is alle in waste,
We laboure nowe alle in vayne.
To depe and brode the Dikes bene, 272
The Towres so stronge be witħ alle,
[p009 BUT THE HEATHENS ARE OBLIGED TO WITHDRAW.]
That by Mahounde I can note seen̄,
How that we shulde wyne ther to the
walle.”
Who was woode but the Sowdon̄? 276
He reneyed his goddis alle.
He clepede his Engyno«ur» sir mavone, The soudan calls for
To counsaile he did him faste calle. his engineer Mavon,
He tolde him the case of þat myschefe, 280
How it stode at that ilke tyde.
Mavon Gafe him counsel in breefe who advised him to fill
To fille the Dikes þat were depe.[98] the ditch
Every man to woode shal goon̄, 284
Fagotis to hewe and faste bynde, with fagots.
And fille the Dikes faste anoon̄
With alle, that we may ther fynde.
“Gramercy, Mavon̄,” q«uo»d Laban than̄, 288 Laban thanks his wise
“Mahoundis benysone thou shalt haue, engineer.
Of alle myn Ooste the wiseste man, [leaf 8]
With counsaile men for to saue.”
Alle this was done the seconde daye, 292 The following day, the
Men myght go even to the walle; ditch being filled with
On every party the ooste laye, fagots, the city
Thai made assaite[99] then generalle. was assaulted from all
The Romaynes ronnen̄ to the toures, 296 quarters. The Romans
Thai were in ful grete dowte; ran to the towers, and
Thai hade many sharpe shoures, a sharp conflict
Thai were assailed sore a-bowte. ensued.
Wifis and maidyns stones thai bare 300 Women and maidens
To the walles than ful faste, carried stones which
Thai were in grete drede and care; the
The men over the wallis did caste. men threw over the
Thai slowen many a Sarasyn̄, 304 walls.
x «thousande»[100] pepul of hem̄ and moo. 10,000 Saracens were
The daie passed to the fyne, slain and
The hethen withdrowe hem tho. the heathens obliged to
Whan these tidinges came to laban, 308 withdraw.
[p010 LUKAFER ENTERS THE MAIN TOWER OF ROME.]
His goddes he gan chide. Laban chides his gods
He waxe both blake, pale and wan, and nearly grows mad
He was nyȝe woode þat same tyde. with vexation. But
Tho Lukafer comfortede him welle 312 Lukafer told him that,
And saide “sir, be not dismayed, having espied that
For I have aspied everydele, Savaris would, the
Howe thai shalle alle be betrayede. following day, come
Sauariz wole to morowe witħ us fighte, 316 out again to fight
His baner knowe I ful welle; with them, he would
I shal have an othere, I yoᶙ plighte, have a banner made
Like to this every dele. exactly like his, which
Whan he is moste besy in bataile, 320 when Savaris was much
Than wole I with banere displaiede engaged in the battle,
Ride in to Rome w«i»t«h»out faile, he would unfold and
Thus shal thai al be betrayede.” enter Rome.
The Sowdan̄ was glad of this tidinge, 324
Hopinge it shulde be so;
And even as it was in purposynge, And so it
Right so was it aftir I-do. turned out; the Romans
Wenynge it hade be Sauarye, 328 mistaking him for
Relevinge fro the hethen stou[rh], Savaris, returning from
Wenynge doth ofte harme w«i»t«h»oute lye, his sally, he entered
He entred to the maist«er» Toure. the main tower,
The firste warde thus thay wo«n»ne 332 [leaf 9]
By this fals contrevede engyne.
Thus was moche sorowe bygon̄,
Thai slougħ all, that were ther-Inne. and slew all therein.
Whan̄ Sauariz saugħ this discomfitu[rh] 336 Savaris becoming aware
Of the Romaynes in that tyme, of the artifice of the
And howe harde than̄ was here aventu[rh], enemy,
Of sorowe þat myghte he ryme
Of x thousande men̄ lefte no moo 340 and seeing out of
But sexty men̄ and twelfe, 10,000 Romans no more
And whan he sawe this myschief tho, than seventy-two left,
He turned homewarde agayn him selue. turned back, but found
By than̄ he founde the gate shite 344 the gate shut,
[p011 THE POPE DESPATCHES MESSENGERS TO CHARLEMAGNE.]
With Sarisyns, that hade it wone;
And Estragot with him he mette
With bores hede, blake and donne.
For as a bore an hede hadde 348
And a grete mace stronge as stele.
He smote Sauaryz as he were madde, and was slain by
That dede to grounde he felle. Estragot, a black giant
This Astrogot of Ethiop, 352 of Ethiopia.
He was a kinge of grete strengtħ;
Ther was none suche in Europe
So stronge and so longe in lengtħ.
I trowe, he were a develes sone, 356
Of Belsabubbis lyne,
For ever he was thereto I-wone,
To do Cristen̄ men grete pyne.
Whan tidinggis came to the [P]ope, 360 After the death of
That Duke Sauaryz was dede slayn̄, Savaris, the Pope
Than̄ to woo turned alle his hope;
He dide calle than̄ to counsaile summoned his council
Alle the Senatouris of Rome, 364 again.
What þinge þat myght hem most availe,
And what were beste to done.
Tho by-spake a worthy man of counsaile,
An Erille of the Senatouris: 368 An earl of the
“The best counsaile, þat I can senatours suggested
the necessity of
Sending vnto Charles the kinge[101] dispatching messengers
Certifiynge him by your myssangeris to Charlemagne,
The myschief þat ye are Inne, 372 imploring him to come
That he come with his Dosyperys to their deliverance.
To reskue Cristiante fro this heþen.” [leaf 10]
All thai assentede anone therto; They all assented.
The l«ett»res were made in haste. 376 Three messengers, with
Thre messageres we ordeyn̄[102] therto, letters written in
That went forthe at the laste. haste,
[p012 THE SARACENS THROW DOWN A BASTILE OF ROME.]
At a posterne thai wente oute left the city by a
Pryvely aboute mydnygħt, 380 postern at midnight,
And passed through alle the route. and passed the enemy’s
Of hem was war no wigħt. camp without being
BVT let we nowe the messangeris goon̄, noticed by any wight.
And speke we of Laban̄, 384
Howe he dide saile the Cite anoon̄,
And co«m»maundid, þat every man Laban commanded every
Shulde withe Pikeys or witħ bille man to throw pikes and
The Wallis over throwe, 388 bills over the walls,
That he myght the Romaynes kille, to kill the Romans.
Playnly on a rowe,
By water he ordeynede the shippes goon̄, He ordered the ships
The bootis bownden to the maste, 392 to go up the water,
That thai myght fight with hem anoon̄, with their boats bound
Honde of honde, þat was here caste. to the mast, that they
To the Toure a bastile stode, might fight in close
An engyne was I-throwe— 396 combat.
That was to the Cite ful goode— Near the tower there
And brake down̄ towres both hie and lowe. stood a bastile which
Tho sorowede alle the Citesyns formed a principal
And were ful hevy than̄. 400 protection to the city.
Tho wox prowde the Sarasyns, It was laid low by
And than bispake sire laban stones hurled from an
And saide “yolde youe here to me, engine.
Ye may not longe endure, 404 Laban, growing proud,
Or ellis shall ye al slayn̄ be, summoned the Romans to
By mahounde I you ensure.” surrender.
A Romayne drife a darte him to Instead of an answer, a
And smote him on the breste plate, 408 Roman hurled a dart at
Ne hadde his hawberke lasted tho, his breast-plate, but
Mahounde had come to late. his hauberk shielded
Tho was the Sowdon̄ more þan̄ wod, him.
He cried to Ferumbras, 412 The soudan, more than
“For Mahoundes loue, þat is so good, mad, charged Ferumbras
Destroye vp bothe man and place. to destroy them all,
[p013 ESTRAGOT IS CRUSHED BY A PORTCULLIS.]
Spare no thinge that is alyve,
Hows, Toure ner Walle, 416 [leaf 11]
Beest, ner man, Childe nere Wife,
Brenne, slo and distroye alle.”
Tho Ferumbras ordeynede anone
To bende the Engynes to the town̄ 420
And bete down̄ botħ Toure and stoon̄.
He cleped fortħ Fortibraunce and Mavon̄ and enjoined
And saide “be youre Engynes goode? Fortibrance and Mavon
Shewe forth here nowe your crafte 424 to direct their
For Mahoundis love, þat gevith man foode, engines against the
That ther be no Toure lafte.” walls.
Tho the grete gloton̄ Estagote[103] The great glutton
With his myghty mace sware 428 Estragot, with his
On the Gatis of Rome he smote heavy mace,
And brake hem alle on thre thare. smote on the gates
In he entrid at the Gate and brake them in
The Porte-Colis on him thai lete falle. 432 pieces.
He wende, he hade come to late, But as he was
It smote him through herte, lyuer and entering one of the
galle. gates, they let the
He lai cryande at the grounde portcullis fall,
Like a develle of Helle; 436 which crushed him to
Through the Cite wente the sowne, the ground,
So lowde than gan he yelle. where he lay crying
Gladde were al the Romaynes, like a devil.
That he was take in the trappe, 440 The Romans were glad,
And sorye were al the Sarsyns but the Saracens
Of þat myschevos happe. grieved.
Sory was the Soudon̄ than̄
And Ferumbras and Lukafe[rh]. 444 They withdrew to
Thai drowe hem tille her tent«es» than̄, their tents, leaving
Thai left him ligginge there. behind the corpse of
Mahounde toke his soule to him Estragot, whose soul
And broght it to his blis. 448 went up to Mahound.
He loued him wel and al his kyn,
[p014 THE POPE ATTEMPTS A SALLY.]
Of þat myghte he not mys.
Anone the [P]ope dide somon̄ alle; The Pope called all
The peple of the Cite came, 452 his people to St.
To Seinte Petris he dide hem calle, Peter’s,
And thidere came every man.
He saide on hie “my Children dere, and proposed to them
Ye wote wel, howe it is; 456
Ayenst the Sarisyns, þat nowe be here,
We mowe not longe endure I-wis.
Thay brekene oure walles, oure Toures alle [leaf 12]
With caste of his Engyne. 460
Therefore here amonge yoᶙ alle
Ye shalle here counsaile myne.
Thai bene withdrawe to here Oost,[104]
And on-armede thay ben alle. 464
Therfore, me thenketh, is beste to attempt a sally
To-morowe erly on hem to falle. with 20,000 men, to
We have xxx^{ti} thousande men; attack the enemy
Twenty thousande shal go witħ me, 468 before day-break
And in this Cite leve ten within their camp,
To governe the comynalte.” and to leave 10,000
The Senatouris assentede sone for the guard of the
And saide, bet«er» myghte no man seyne. 472 city. The senators
On the morowe this was it done[105]; assented.
God bringe hem wele home agayne. In the morning
The Pope did display than the Pope displayed
The hie baner of Rome, 476 the banner of Rome,
And he assoiled every man̄
Througħ gracious god in Dome.
He praide of helpe and socou[rh] and after a prayer
Seinte Petir and Poule also 480 for the preservation
And oure lady, þat swete floure, of the city,
To saue the Cite of Rome from woo. they marched out.
Forth thai riden̄ towarde the Oost. But Ferumbras, going
Ferumbras romede a-boute; 484 his rounds,
[p015 FERUMBRAS DRAWS UP THE SARACEN TROOPS.]
He saw the Romaynes comen̄ by the Cost,[106] discovered their
Thereof he hade grete dowte. coming,
He blewe an horne, of bras it was; sounded the alarm,
The Sarsyns be-gon̄ to wake. 488
“Arise vp” he saide in aras,[107]
“We bene elles alle I-take,
And Armes anone, every wight,
To horse with spere and shelde! 492
Ye may se here a ferefu[l~l] sighte
Of oure enemyes in the felde.
Astopars,[108] goo ye biforne vs, and drew up his
For ye be men of myghte; 496 troops.
Ethiopes, Assayneȝ and Askalous,
Go nexte afore my sighte.
My Fadir and I with Babyloynes,
Ho[109] shal kepe the rerewarde. 500
King Lukafe[rh] with Baldeseynes,
To venge alle, shalle have the Fowarde.” [leaf 13]
The Romaynes aspied, þat thai were ware
Of here comynge than̄, 504
And therfore hade thay moche care.
Natheles on he«m» thai gon̄—
Seinte Petir be here socoure!—
And laiden on side, bake and bon̄. 508
There bigan a sturdy shoure There began a hard
Sire [110]Ferumbras of Alisaundre oon̄,[111] struggle.
That bolde man was in dede,
Vppon a steede Cassaundre gaye, 512
He roode in riche Weede.
Sire Bryer of Poyle a Romayne to fraye Ferumbras slew Sir
He bare through witħ a spere, Bryer of Apulia
Dede to the grounde ther he lan̄ 516
Might he no more hem dere!
[p016 A GREAT MANY ARE SLAIN ON EITHER SIDE.]