Vortimer spake
British, and Rowenne Saxish; to the king it seemed game enow, for her
speech he laughed. Hearken how she took on, this deceitful woman! In
her bosom she bare, beneath her teats, a golden phial filled with
poison; and the wicked Rowenne drank (or drenched) the bowl, until she
had half done, after the king's will. The while that the king laughed,
she drew out the phial; the bowl she set to her chin, the poison she
poured in the wine, and afterwards she delivered the cup to the king;
the king drank all the wine, and the poison therein. The day forth
passed, bliss was in the court, for Vortimer the good king of the
treachery knew nothing, for he saw Rowenne hold the bowl, and drink
half of the same wine that she had put therein. When it came to the
night, then separated the courtiers; and the evil Rowenne went to her
inn, and all her knights with her forth-right. Then ordered she her
swains, and eke the thanes all, that they in haste their horse should
saddle; and they most still to steal out of the burgh, and proceed all
by night to Thwongchester forth-right, and there most fast to inclose
them in a castle, and lie to Vortiger, that his son would besiege him.
Pages:
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57