Hengest bethought him what he might do; he saw there beside a haven very large, many good ships there stood in the sea-flood.  They saw on their right hand an island exceeding fair, it is called Thanet; thitherward they were brisk; there the Saxish men sought the sea, and anon gan pass into the island.  And the Britons followed after them, with many kind of crafts, and surrounded them on each side; with ships and with boats they gan to smite and shoot.  Oft was Hengest woe, and never worse than then; unless he did other counsel he should there be dead.  He took a spear-shaft, that was long and very tough, and put on the end a fair mantle, and called to the Britons, and bade them abide; he would speak with them, and yearn the king’s grace, and send Vortiger with peace to the land, to make this agreement that he might depart without more shame into Saxland.

The Britons went to the land, to Vortimer their king, and Hengest spake with Vortiger, in most secret converse.  Vortiger went on the land, and bare a wand in his hand.  The while that they spake of peace the Saxons leapt into their ships, and drew up high their sails to the top, and proceeded with weather in the wild sea, and left in this land their wives and their children, and Vortiger the king, who loved them through all things.  With much grief of mind Vortiger gan away fare; so long they proceeded, that in Saxland they were (arrived).  Then were in Britain the Britons most bold; they assumed to them mickle mood, and did all that seemed good to them; and Vortimer, the young king, was doughty man through all things.  And Vortiger, his father, proceeded over this Britain, but it was no man so poor, that did not revile him, and so he gan to wander full five years.  And his son Vortimer dwelt here powerful king, and all this nation loved him greatly.  He was mild to each man, and taught the folk God’s law, the young and the old, how they should hold Christendom.

He sent letters to Rome, to the excellent Pope, who was named Saint Romain—­all Christendom he made glad.—­He took two bishops, holy men they were both, Germain and Louis, of Auxerre and of Troyes; they proceeded out of Rome, so that they hither came.  Then was Vortimer so blithe as he was never ere here; he and all his knights went forth-right on their bare feet towards the bishops, and with much mirth mouths there kissed.  Now mayest thou hear of the King Vortimer, how he spake with Saint Germain,—­for their coming he was glad.  “Listen to me, lordings, I am king of this people; I hight Vortimer, my brother hight Catiger; and Vortiger hight our father—­miscounsel followeth him!  He hath brought into this land heathen people; but we have put them to flight, as our full foes, and felled with weapon many thousands of them, and sent them over sea-stream, so that they never shall come again.  And we shall in land worship our Lord, comfort God’s folk, and friendly it maintain, and be mild to the land-tillers; churches