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The Story of England

by Robert Manning of Brunne, A.D. 1338. Edited from mss. at Lambeth Palace and the Inner Temple, by Frederick J. Furnivall
Mannyng, Robert (fl. 1288-1338)

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Ye Story of Inglande

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Arthur merueilled ferly strong
Þat þe messegers dwelled so long,
& what þem letted, & þorow wham,
Þat þe sex þousand hom ne cam.
Þen cald he swyþe sire Ider
Þat was a doughti bacheler:
“Tak fyf þousand, & smartly fare,
“Þe sex þousand sekeþ, wher þey are.”
Sire Ider dide as Arthur bad,
& for his wendyng fele were glad.
Als Ider & his folk forþ ferde,
Gret noise vnder a wode þey herde;
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Þey hied þem þanne, & wel go[d] pas,
Þey dredde þem sore of som mys cas.
Þen say Ider þat sire Wawayn
& Geryn, & Beof, foughte oþer a-geyn.
In to þe most pres Ider þen sprong,
& gaf a cri, þe wode al rong.
Þanne were þe Bretons alle abouen,
Þe Romayns route bakward schouen:
When Ider had met wyþ þe Romains route,
Of dynt ne deþ had he no doute;
Lytel þey þoughte hem self to saue,
So fayn þey wolde þe werre haue;
Þe Romayns þey ouer ryden & ronne,
& þer gode stedes wonne;
& þe Romayns atter power
Stryken & stoden ageyns Ider;
Manye were on boþe partys
Slayn þer for to wynne pris.
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