Þis l_ett_re was celyd fast, Y-take the Messagerez on hast; 272 Arthour ȝaf ham ȝyftez grete, And chered ham wyþ drynk and Mete. Lucius's Þey hasted ham to come hoom; messengers Byfor þe Emp_er_o_ur_ þey beþ coom; 276 return to him. Saluted hym as resou_n_ ys, And toke hym þes letterys. Þey seyde to þe Emp_er_our "We have be wyþ kyng Artho_ur_; 280 But such anoþ_er_ as he ys oon, Say neuer no Man. He ys s_er_ued on hys howshold Wyþ kynges, Erles, worthy & bold; 284 Hys worthynesse, sur Emp_er_our, Passeþ Much_e_ all_e_ ȝowre; and give him He seyde he wolde hyder come Arthur's message. And take trywage of all_e_ Rome, 288 We dowteþ last he wel do soo, For he ys Myghty ynow þer-too." Now, erst þan we goo ferþer, Every man þat ys here 292 Sey a Pater noster And ave wyþ gode chere; Ame_n_. Pater noster Ave Maria. Now stureth hym self Artho_ur_ [Fol. 44_b_.] Þenkyng on hys labo_ur_, 296 Arthur prepares And gaderyþ to hym strenghth aboute, for his Hys kynges & Erles on a rowte-- expedition A fayr syȝt to Mannes ye to Rome. to see suche a cheualrye,-- 300 [The Number of Arthur's Host.]