The Worse was there full nigh, who in each game is full cruel; the Worse who never did good, he troubled the king’s mood; he mourned full much, to have the maiden for wife.  That was a most loathly thing, that the Christian king should love the heathen maid, to the harm of his people!  The maiden was dear to the king, even as his own life; he prayed to Hengest, his chieftain, that he should give him the maid-child.  Hengest found in his counsel to do what the king asked him; he gave him Rouwenne, the woman most fair.  To the king it was pleasing; he made her queen, all after the laws that stood in the heathen days; was there no Christendom, where the king took the maid, nor priest, nor any bishop, nor was God’s book ever handled, but in the heathen fashion he wedded her, and brought her to his bed’ Maiden he had her, and ample gift bestowed on her; when he had disgraced himself on her, he gave her London and Kent.

The king had three sons, who were men exceeding fair; the eldest hight Vortimer,—­Pascent, and Catiger.  Garengan was an earl, who possessed Kent long, and his father before him, and he afterwards through his kin (by inheritance), when he best weened to hold his land, then had it the queen, and Hengest in his hand; strange it seemed to the knight, what the king thought.  The king loved the heathens and harmed the Christians, the heathens had all this land to rule under their hand, and the king’s three sons oft suffered sorrow and care.  Their mother was then dead, therefore they had the less counsel—­their mother was a woman most good, and led a life very Christian, and their stepmother was heathen, Hengest’s daughter.

It was not long but a while, that the king made a feast, exceeding great, the heathens he brought thereto, he weened most well to do; thither came thanes, knights and swains.  And all that knew of book (the Christians) forsook the feast, for the heathen men were highest in the court, and the Christian fold was held for base; the heathens were blithe, for the king loved them greatly.  Hengest bethought him what he might do; he came to the king, with a hailing (salutation), and drank to the king.  Then thus spake Hengest, fairest of all knights who lived of heathen law in those days:  “Hearken to me now, lord king, thou art to me dear through all things; thou hast my daughter, who is to me very dear, and I am to thee among folk as if I were thy father.  Hearken to my instruction, it shall be to thee lief, for I wish chiefly to help counsel thee.  Thy court hate thee on my account, and I am detested for thee, and thee hate kings, earls and thanes; they fare in thy land with a host exceeding strong.  If thou wilt avenge thee with much worship, and do woe to thy enemies, send after my son Octa, and after another, Ebissa, his wed-brother.  These are the noblest men that ever led army; and give them of thy land in the north end.  They are of mickle might, and strong in fight; they will defend thy land well with the best;