“Sir,” quoth he, “be content, for this night go again into your old fetters, so shall you try the faith of friends, and save the life of an old servant.  To-morrow hath your brother invited all your kindred and allies to a solemn breakfast, only to see you, telling them all that you are mad, and fain to be tied to a post.  As soon as they come, complain to them of the abuse proffered you by Saladyne.  If they redress you, why so:  but if they pass over your plaints sicco pede,[1] and hold with the violence of your brother before your innocence, then thus:  I will leave you unlocked that you may break out at your pleasure, and at the end of the hall shall you see stand a couple of good poleaxes, one for you and another for me.  When I give you a wink, shake off your chains, and let us play the men, and make havoc amongst them, drive them out of the house and maintain possession by force of arms, till the king hath made a redress of your abuses.”

[Footnote 1:  with dry foot = carelessly.]

These words of Adam Spencer so persuaded Rosader, that he went to the place of his punishment, and stood there while[1] the next morning.  About the time appointed, came all the guests bidden by Saladyne, whom he entreated with courteous and curious entertainment, as they all perceived their welcome to be great.  The tables in the hall, where Rosader was tied, were covered, and Saladyne bringing in his guests together, showed them where his brother was bound, and was enchained as a man lunatic.  Rosader made reply, and with some invectives made complaints of the wrongs proffered him by Saladyne, desiring they would in pity seek some means for his relief.  But in vain, they had stopped their ears with Ulysses, that were his words never so forceable, he breathed only his passions into the wind.  They, careless, sat down with Saladyne to dinner, being very frolic and pleasant, washing their heads well with wine.  At last, when the fume of the grape had entered pell-mell into their brains, they began in satirical speeches to rail against Rosader:  which Adam Spencer no longer brooking, gave the sign, and Rosader shaking off his chains got a poleaxe in his hand, and flew amongst them with such violence and fury, that he hurt many, slew some, and drave his brother and the rest quite out of the house.  Seeing the coast clear, he shut the doors, and being sore anhungered, and seeing such good victuals, he sat him down with Adam Spencer, and such good fellows as he knew were honest men, and there feasted themselves with such provision as Saladyne had prepared for his friends.  After they had taken their repast, Rosader rampired up[2] the house, lest upon a sudden his brother should raise some crew of his tenants, and surprise them unawares.  But Saladyne took a contrary course, and went to the sheriff of the shire and made complaint of Rosader, who giving credit to Saladyne, in a determined resolution to revenge the gentleman’s wrongs, took with him five-and-twenty tall[3] men, and made