Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

40
ANCIENT SONGS
Whofe carcafTe I did fend to Rome
Cladd poorlye on a beere
And afterward I paft mount Joye 5£
The next approaching yeere.
Then I came to Rome, where I was mett
Right as a conquerour,
And by all the cardinalls folempnelye
I was crowned an emperour. . 60
One winter there I made abode :
Then word to mee was brought
Howe Mordred had opprefst the crowne :
What treafon he had wrought,
At home in Brittaine with my queene ; 65
Therefore I came with fpeede
To Brittaine backe, with all my power,
To quitt that traiterous deede
And foone at Sandwiche I arrivde,
Where Mordred me withftoode : 70
But yett at laft I landed there,
With eifufion of much blood.
For there my nephew fir Gawaine dyed,
Being wounded in that fore,
The whiche fir Lancelot in fight
Had given him before.
;
:
75
Thence