Part 3 (1/2)
Our King rode forth, blessed might he be![20]
He spared neither dale nor down; By waters great fast rode he, Till he came to the water of Seine.[21]
The Frenchmen threw the bridge adown That over the water they might not pa.s.s.
Our King made him ready then; And to the town of Turreyn went more and less.
The Frenchmen, our King about becast With Battles strong on every side; The Duke of ORLEANS said in haste ”The King of England shall abide.
Who gave him leave this way to pa.s.s?
I trust that I shall him beguile Full long ere he come to Calais.”
The Duke of BOURBON answered soon And swore by G.o.d and by St. DENIS ”We will play them every each one, These Lords of England at the tennis; Their gentlemen, I swear by St. JOHN!
And archers we will sell them great plenty: And so will we rid [of] them soon, Six for a penny of our money.”
Then answered the Duke of BAR, Words that were of great pride: ”By G.o.d!” he said, ”I will not spare Over all the Englishmen for to ride, If that they dare us abide: We will overthrow them in fere [_company_], And take them prisoners in this tide: Then come home again to our dinner!”
=THE FAMOUS BATTLE OF AGINCOURT.=
HENRY our King that was so good; He prepared there full royally: Stakes he let [_caused to_] hew in a wood, And then set them before his archers verily.
The Frenchmen our ordnance gan espy.
They that we ordained for to ride Lighted adown, with sorrow truly; So on their feet fast gan abide.
Our King went up upon a hill high And looked down to the valleys low: He saw where the Frenchmen came hastily As thick as ever did hail or snow.
Then kneeled our King down, in that stound, And all his men on every side: Every man made a cross and kissed the ground, And on their feet fast gan abide.
Our King said, ”Sirs, what time of the day?”
”My Liege,” they said, ”it is nigh Prime [9 _a.m._]”
”Then go we to our journey, By the grace of JESU, it is good time: For saints that lie in their shrine, To G.o.d for us be praying.
All the Religious of England, in this time, _Ora pro n.o.bis_ for us they sing.”
St. GEORGE was seen over the host: Of very truth this sight men did see.
Down was he sent by the HOLY GHOST, To give our King the victory.
Then blew the trumpets merrily,[22]
These two Battles [_Armies_] together yede.
Our archers stood up full heartily, And made the Frenchmen fast to bleed.
Their arrows went fast, without any let, And many shot they throughout; Through habergeon, breastplate, and ba.s.sinet.
An eleven thousand were slain in that rout.
=KING HENRY'S TRIUMPH IN LONDON.=
Our gracious King, as I well know, That day he fought with his own hand.
He spared neither high ne low.
There was never King in no land, That ever did better on a day.
Wherefore England may sing a song: _Laus DEO!_ may we say; And other prayers ever among.
The Duke of ORLEANS, without nay, That day was taken prisoner.
The Duke of BOURBON also in fere: And also the Duke of BAR truly.