This was a grand part to play, one held in much reverence; the harpers and minstrels who arrived at the castle gates, their heads full of war stories, or sweet tales, or lively songs to excite laughter, “ad ridendum,” were received with the highest favour. On their coming they announced themselves without by some “murie {195} singing” overheard in the house; soon came the order to bring them in; they were ranged at one end of the hall, and every one gave ear to them.[246] They preluded on their instruments, and then began to sing. On what subject? “Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow For old unhappy far off things And battles long ago: Or is it some more humble lay Familiar matter of to-day? Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain That has been and may be again?”[247] Like Taillefer at Hastings, they told of the prowess of Charlemagne and of Roland, or they spoke of Arthur, or of the heroes of the wars of Troy, undoubted ancestors of the Britons of England: “Men lykyn jestis for to here, And romans rede in diuers manere Of Alexandre the conqueroure, Of Julius Cesar the emperoure, Of Grece and Troy the strong stryf, There many a man lost his lyf, {196} Of Brute that baron bold of hond The first conqueroure of Englond, Of kyng Artour that was so riche, Was non in his tyme him liche, * * * * * How kyng Charlis and Rowlond fawght With Sarzyns nold they be cawght, Of Tristrem and of Ysoude the swete How they with love first gan mete, Of kyng John and of Isombras, Of Ydoyne and of Amadas, Stories of diuerce thynggis Of pryncis, prelatis, and of kynggis, Many songgis of diuers ryme, As english, frensh, and latyne.”[248]