death, nor for ever anything, for fear of the sovereign.  Thus we fared there, and therefore are we now here, to seek under heaven land and good lord.  Now thou hast heard, lord king, sooth of us through all things.”  Then answered Vortiger—­of each evil he was ware—­“I believe thee, knight, that thou sayest to me right sooth.  And what are your creeds, that ye in believe, and your dear god, whom ye worship?” Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights—­in all this kingdom is not a knight so tall nor so strong:—­“We have good gods, whom we love in our mind, whom we have hope in, and serve them with might.  The one hight Phebus; the second Saturnus; the third hight Woden, who is a mighty god; the fourth hight Jupiter, of all things he is aware; the fifth hight Mercurius, who is the highest over us; the sixth hight Appolin, who is a god brave; the seventh hight Tervagant, a high god in our land.  Yet (in addition) we have a lady, who is high and mighty, high she is and holy, therefore courtiers love her—­she is named Frea—­well she them treateth.  But among all our dear gods whom we shall serve, Woden had the highest law in our elders’ days; he was dear to them even as their life, he was their ruler, and did to them worship; the fourth day in the week they gave him for his honour.  To the Thunder (Jupiter) they gave Thursday, because that it may help them; to Frea, their lady, they gave her Friday; to Saturnus they gave Saturday; to the Sun they gave Sunday; to the Moon they gave Monday; to Tidea they gave Tuesday.”  Thus said Hengest, fairest of all knights.  Then answered Vortiger—­of each evil he was ware—­“Knights, ye are dear to me, but these tidings are loathsome to me; your creeds are wicked, ye believe not on Christ, but ye believe on the Worse, whom God himself cursed; your gods are of nought, in hell they lie beneath.  But nevertheless I will retain you in my power, for northward are the Peohtes, knights most brave, who oft into my land lead host most strong, and oft do me much shame, and therefore I have grief.  And if ye will me avenge, and procure me their heads, I will give you land, much silver and gold.”  Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights:  “If Saturnus so will it, and Woden, our lord, on whom we believe, it shall all thus be!”

Hengest took leave, and gan wend to his ships; there was many a strong knight; they drew their ships upon the land.  Forth went the warriors to Vortiger the king; Hengest went before, and Hors, next of all to him; then the Alemainish men, who were noble in deeds; and afterwards they sent to him (Vortiger) their brave Saxish knights, Hengest’s kinsmen, of his old race.  They came into hall, fairly all; better were clothed and better were fed Hengest’s swains, than Vortiger’s thanes!  Then was Vortiger’s court held in contempt! the Britons were sorry for such a sight.