The story of England

¶ De Octa, filio Hengysty.

Octa, Hengystes sone þat was, When Aurelius furgaf [Forgyuen before.] his trespas, & had hym gyuen, [& þe kyng gaf him.] & his meyne, Londes y þe norþ contre; Line 9156 When he wyste þat he was ded

Þat þeym þe lond furst furbed, Of hym he gaf nought, þat was newe, Til hym þoughte he neuere be trewe. Line 9160 What dide þis schrewe, þe false Octa? Conseilled wyþ his cosyn Ebessa, [Cosa. (Eossa, Wace, ii. 12, l. 8640; Eosa, Galf. Mon. viii. 18.)] Wyþ alle þo of his owen kynde, & oþer Saxons þat þey myght fynde; Line 9164 & fele of þo wyþ hem went Þat scaped atte [fro þe.] slaughter of Passent; Þat fro Vter handes [in weles.] fled, Þey com til Octa, & he þem led. Line 9168 By-ȝonde Humber al þe land Octa tok vntil hys hand, Al til Scotland in lengþe & bred. To ȝork syþen al þey ȝed, Line 9172 Þat [toun] for to bysege [þe toun for to sege.] & to wyn; Þey defended hem faste wyþyn; [fended it that was þer-In.] Þe kyng þe sege wolde remewe, Þe toun a-geynes þeym rescuwe; Line 9176 He þoughte nought longe fort [long to.] [Petyt folio 55a:1] abyde, Bot gadered folk on ilka syde. When he was comen, he abod nought, Bot on þe Payens bataille sought; Line 9180 & þe Payens egre & stout, Þorow þe Bretons held þem out; Payens & Cristen, many were slawen, & many a sowle fro [Many saule of.] body drawen. Line 9184