Part 2 (1/2)

Our King fully hastily to his s.h.i.+p yede, And all other Lords of every degree: Every s.h.i.+p weighed his anchor in deed, With the tide to haste them to the sea.

They hoisted their sails, sailed aloft: A goodly sight it was to see.

The wind was good, and blew but soft: And forth they went in the name of the Trinity.[10]

Their course they took toward Normandy, And pa.s.sed over in a day and a night.

So in the second morning early, Of that country they had a sight: And ever [as] they drew near the coast, Of the day glad were they all; And when they were at the sh.o.r.e almost, Every s.h.i.+p his anchor let fall, With their tackles they launched many a long boat And over ha[t]ch threw them into the stream; A thousand shortly they saw afloat.

With men of arms that light did leme.

=THE GUNS PLAY TENNIS WITH HARFLEUR.=

Our king landed at Cottaunses [_Coutances_] without delay,[11]

On our Lady's Even [of] the a.s.sumption;[12]

And to Harflete [_Harfleur_] they took the way And mustered fair before the town.

Our King his banner there did 'splay, With standards bright and many [a] pennon: And there he pitched his tent adown; Full well broidered with armory gay.

First our comely King's tent with the crown, And all other Lords in good array.

”My brother CLARENCE,” the King did say, ”The towers of the town will I keep With her daughters and her maidens gay, To wake the Frenchmen of their sleep.”

”'London',” he said, ”shall with him meet; And my guns that lieth fair upon the green; For they shall play with Harflete A game of tennis as I ween.

Go we to game, for G.o.d's grace!

My children be ready everych one.”

For every great gun that there was, In his mouth he had a stone.

The Captain of Harflete soon anon Unto our King he sent hastily To know what his will was to be done, For to come thither with such a meiny?

”Deliver me the town!” the King said.

”Nay!” said the Captain, ”by G.o.d and St DENIS!”

”Then shall I win it,” said our King, ”By the grace of G.o.d and his goodness, Some hard tennis b.a.l.l.s I have hither brought Of marble and iron made full round.

I swear, by JESU that me dear bought, They shall beat the walls to the ground.”

=KING HENRY GRANTS A TRUCE.=

Then said the great gun, ”Hold fellows, we go to game!”

Thanked be MARY and JESU her son, They did the Frenchmen much shame.

”Fifteen afore,” said ”London” then; Her b.a.l.l.s full fair she gan outthrow.

”Thirty” said the second gun, ”I will win and I may.”

There as the wall was most sure, They bare it down without nay.

The ”King's Daughter” said ”Hearken this play!

Hearken Maidens now this tide!

Five and forty we have, it is no nay.”

They beat down the walls on every side.

The Normands said, ”Let us not abide!

But go we in haste, by one a.s.sent!

Wheresoever the gunstones do glide, Our houses in Harfleet are all to rent: The Englishmen our bulwarks have brent”

And women cried, ”Alas that ever they were born!”

The Frenchmen said, ”Now be we shent!

By us now the town is forlorn: It is best now therefore That we beseech this English King of grace, For to a.s.sail us no more; Lest he destroy us in this place.

Then will we bid the Dolphin make him ready, Or else this town delivered must be.”

Messengers went forth by and bye,[13]