The story of England

¶ Arthurus misit nuncios ad Inperatorem.

When þe castel was al dight, & defensable for kyng & knyght, He ordeynd messegers [sent messengers.] to wende, . To þe Emperour he þoughte to sende, Line 12,532 Two erles þat were of noble lynage, & wel spekynge, [wele spoken.] of god langage: Geryn of Chartres, a man of pris, Wiþ Beofs of Hamptone, [Beus of Oxenford.] an oþer ful wys; Line 12,536 Wiþ þise two wente sire Wawayn, ffor he spak wel þe speche Romayn; ffor he had longe wiþ hem ben, [P. leaves out this line.] & his connynge þey hadde wel sen; [P. leaves out this line.] Line 12,540 ffor þat skile Arthur hym sent, [P. leaves out this line.] Þat he wist best what þeir speche ment; [P. leaves out this line.] & Arthur taughte þem þus to seye, When þey schulde wende þer weye: Line 12,544 " Sey þemperour he go to Rome, [Lambeth folio 54a:2] " & to ffraunce non hender come,

" Ne til no landes þat y wan, . " Ne chalange hit as man [be chalenged þorgh no.] Romayn; Line 12,548 " Þo ar myne; & myne schul be; " Romayn of þeym schal neuere haue fee. " ȝyf he wil nought turne ageyn, " Byd hem abide þe [stand to.] bataille pleyn, Line 12,552 " & auenture at alle [vs all to.] chaunce " To dereyne þe ryght of Rome & [whilk sall derayne þe Reme of.] ffraunce. " As longe as y may ffraunce [may it.] saue, " Þe Romayns schul hit [france sall he neuer.] neuere haue. Line 12,556 " Wyþ bataille, sey hym, y hit wan, " & schal [& so.] defend hit fro ilka man. " Wiþ force, þer-of had þey first fee, . " Wyþ force þey les hit a-geyns me; Line 12,560 " & now wiþ bataille schal hit be [sall be.] sene " Who schal haue hit quyt & clene."