To cheere his daughters mind: When lo upon the fourthe morninge 30 A hugye giaunt stiffe and starke, 35 Before him came a dwarffe full lowe, 40 And at his backe five heads he bare, Sir, quoth the dwarffe, and louted lowe, Behold these heads I beare with me! The Eldridge knight is his own cousine, Whom a knight of thine hath shent: And hee is come to avenge his wrong, 45 And to thee, all thy knightes among, Defiance here hath sent. 50 But yette he will appease his wrath Thy daughters love to winne: And but thou yeelde him that fayre mayd, 75 80 85 90 Thy head, syr king, must goe with mee; 95 And there came lords, and there came knights, Or else within these lists soe broad Did stand both still and pale: For whenever they lookt on the grim soldàn, Quoth hee, But heaven be now my speede, Or else I shall be slaine. 155 Downe then steppeth that fayre ladyè And shriekte and swound awaye. 180 140 And now with swordes soe sharpe of steele, They gan to lay on load. The soldan strucke the knighte a stroke, That made him reele asyde; Then giving her one partinge looke, He closed his eyes in death, |