Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse Part 3

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.

Sir BERGYGAUNTE he gan him yield; And other Lords of France many.

Lo, thus our comely King conquered the field, By the grace of G.o.d omnipotent, He took his prisoners, both old and young, And towards Calais forth he went.

He s.h.i.+pped there with good intent:[23]

To Canterbury full fair he pa.s.sed, And offered to St. THOMAS's shrine.

And through Kent he rode in haste; To Eltham he came all in good time.[24]

And over Blackheath, as he was riding,[25]

Of the city of London he was ware.

"Hail, royal city!" said our King, "CHRIST keep thee ever from sorrow and care!"

And then he gave that n.o.ble city his blessing He prayed JESU it might well fare!

To Westminster did he ride, And the French prisoners with him also: He ransomed them in that tide, And again to their country he let them go.

=THE LAMENTABLE SIEGE OF ROUEN.=

Thus of this matter I make an end, To th'effect of the Battle have I gone: For in this book I cannot comprehend The greatest battle of all, called the Siege of Rouen.

For that Siege lasted three years and more, And there a rat was at forty pence For in the city the people hungered sore.

Women and children, for fault of meat, were lore; And some for pain bare bones were gnawing, That at their b.r.e.a.s.t.s had two children sucking.

Of the Siege of Rouen it to write were pity, It is a thing so lamentable: Yet every High Feast, our King, of his charity, Gave them meat to their bodies comfortable; And at the last the town won, without fable.

Thus of all as now I make an end: To the bliss of heaven, G.o.d our souls send!

_Thus endeth the Battle of Agincourt._

Imprinted at London in Foster lane, in Saint Leonard's parish, by me JOHN SKOT.

FINIS.

Footnotes:

[9] 1st August 1415.

[10] 7th August 1415.

[11] _It should be_ Clef de caus.

[12] 14th August 1415.

[13] 10th September 1415.

[14] _It should be_ Sir LIONEL BRAQUEMONT.

[15] 22nd September 1415.

[16] 22nd September 1415.

[17] _It should be_ Sir THOMAS ERPINGHAM.

[18] _It should be_ Sir GILBERT UMFREVILLE.

[19] _It should be_ Sir WILLIAM BOURCHIER.

[20] ?8th October 1415.