Constance set all his kingdom in Vortiger’s hand, and he did all in the land, as he himself would.  Then saw Vortiger—­of much evil he was ware—­that Constance the king knew nothing of land (government?), for he had not learnt ever any learning, except what a monk should perform in his monastery.  Vortiger saw that—­the Worse was full nigh him!—­oft he bethought him what he might do, how he might with leasing please the king.  Now thou mayest hear, how this traitor gan him fare.  The best men of Britain were all dead, now were the king’s brothers both full little, and Guencehn the archbishop therebefore was dead, and this land’s king himself of the law knew nothing.  Vortiger saw this, and he came to the king, with mild speech his lord he gan greet:  “Hail be thou, Constance, Britain’s lord!  I am come thus nigh thee for much need, for to say to thee tidings that are come to land, of very great danger.  Now thee behoveth might, now weapons behove thee to defend thy country.  Here are chapmen arrived from other lands, as it is the custom; they have brought to me toll for their goods, and they have told me and plighted troth, that the King of Norway will newly fare hither, and the Danish king these Danes will seek, and the King of Russia, sternest of all knights, and the King of Gothland with host most strong, and the King of Frise—­therefore it alarmeth me.  The tidings are evil that are come to land; herefore I am most adread, for I know no good counsel, unless we may with might send after knights, that are good and strong, and that are well able in land, and fill thy castles with keen men, and so thou mightest defend thy kingdom against foreigners, and maintain thy worship with high strength.  For there is no kingdom, so broad nor so long, that will not soon be taken if there are too few warriors.”

Then answered the king—­of land he knew nothing—­“Vortiger, thou art steward over all Britain’s land, and thou shalt it rule after thy will.  Send after knights that are good in fight; and take all in thine hand, my castles and my land, and do all thy will, and I will be still, except the single thing, that I will be called king.”

Then laughed Vortiger—­he was of evil most ware—­was he never so blithe ere in his life!  Vortiger took leave, and forth he gan pass, and so he proceeded through all Britain’s land, all the castles and all the land he set in his own hand, and the fealty he took ever where he came.  And so he took his messengers, and sent to Scotland, and ordered the Peohtes, the knights best of all, three hundred to come to him, and he would well do to them.  And the knights came to him thereafter well soon; thus spake the traitorous man:  “Knights, ye are welcome.  I have in my hand all this regal land, with me ye shall go, and I will you love, and I will you bring before our king; ye shall have silver and gold, the best horses of this land, clothes, and fair wives; your will I will perform Ye shall be to me dear, for the Britons are hateful to me, loud and