Part 3 (1/2)

A mischance that time him led, He asked that paen for to wed.

Hengist wild not draw a lite,[21]

But granted him, alle so t.i.te.[22]

And Hors his brother consented soon.

Her friendis said, it were to don.

They asked the king to give her Kent, In douery to take of rent.

Upon that maiden his heart so cast, That they asked the king made fast.

I ween the king took her that day, And wedded her on paien's lay.[23]

Of priest was there no benison No ma.s.s sungen, no orison.

In seisine he had her that night.

Of Kent he gave Hengist the right.

The earl that time, that Kent all held, Sir Goragon, that had the sheld, Of that gift no thing ne wist To[24] he was cast out with[25] Hengist.

[1] 'Schotin:' sending about the cups briskly.

[2] 'Well-farand:' very rich.

[3] 'Lauerid:' lord.

[4] 'Ne couth:' knew not.

[5] 'Lered:' learned.

[6] 'Sessoun:' Saxons.

[7] 'Latimer:' _for_ Latiner, or Latinier, an interpreter.

[8] 'Leets:' esteems.

[9] 'Skof:' sport, joke.

[10] 'Ken:' to signify.

[11] 'Sine:' then.

[12] 'Cede:' went.

[13] 'Tane:' taken.

[14] 'Sithes:' many times.

[15] 'Ying:' young.

[16] 'Avenant:' handsome.

[17] 'Semblant:' countenance.

[18] 'Mervelik:' marvellously.

[19] 'Quemid:' pleased.

[20] 'Paen:' pagan, heathen.

[21] 'Wild not draw a lite:' would not fly off a bit.

[22] 't.i.te:' happeneth.

[23] 'On paien's lay:' in pagan's law; according to the heathenish custom.

[24] 'To:' till.

[25] 'With:' by.

THE ATTACK OF RICHARD I. ON A CASTLE HELD BY THE SARACENS.

The dikes were fulle wide that closed the castle about, And deep on ilka side, with bankis high without.

Was there none entry that to the castle 'gan ligg,[1]

But a strait kauce;[2] at the end a draw-brig, With great double chaines drawen over the gate, And fifty armed swaines porters at that gate.

With slinges and mangonels they cast to king Richard, Our Christians by parcels casted againward.

Ten sergeants of the best his targe 'gan him bear That eager were and prest[3] to cover him and to were.[4]

Himself as a giant the chaines in two hew, The targe was his warant,[5] that none till him threw.