¶ Þe king haþ a kniȝt wiþ him
Sterne in bataile & swiþe grim:
Of swich þow neuer herd.
In þis world nis man, sikerly,
Boute hit wer þe lord sire Gij,
Line 5
Þat of him nolde ben aferd. [afered MS.]
Miȝtest of him awreke me,
A noble prins þan schostow be,
& sle him wiþ dent of swerd.'
Heraud seide, 'so y schel do, [folio 170a:a]
Line 10
Ȝif god wile helpe me þerto,
Be min hore berd.'
Wiþ þat com a mesagere bold,
To þemeraile he haþ y-told
Swiþe hard tiding:
King Arguus stiward wiþ-outen let
On of is castels hadde be-set,
Line 5
Wiþouten eni lesing.
Whan þemeraile herde þis,
He bad is stiward, for-soþ y-wis,
His folk be-fore him bringe.
So a dede riȝt anon,
Line 10
& bad hem bosken euerichon
Al boun to batailinge.
Heraud lep on a rabyte [arabyte MS.] [C line 10911]
Þat was meche, & noþing lite,
Rod out of þe toun.
Þat ost him siwede fair & wel,
Til hii come to þe castel
Line 5
Wiþ spere and gounfanoun,
Wiþ helm on heued & brinie briȝt.
Iyren-wrye mani a kniȝt
To bataile wer þai boun.
Ayþer ost gan oþer asaile:
Line 10
Ech man fondede, wiþouten faile,
To felle is foman adoun.
