"But then, within a little space, The poor people of that same place At every gate they were put out, Many a hundred on a rout. It was great pity them for to see, How women came kneeling on their knee; And their children also in their arms, For to save them from harms. And old men came kneeling them by, (p. 423) And there they made a doleful cry; And all they cried at once then, 'Have mercy on us, ye English men!' Our men gave them some of their bread, Though they to us were now so quede.[309] Harm to them we did none, But made them again to the ditch gone: And there we kept them all abache, Because they should not see our watch: Many one said they would liefer be slain, Than turn to the city of Rouen again. They went forth with a strong murmuration, And ever they cursed their own nation; For the city would not let them in, Therefore they did full great sin; For many one died there for cold, That might full well their life have hold. This was at the time of Christmas: I may you tell of a full fair case, As of great meekness of our good King; And also of meekness a great tokening. Our King sent into Rouen on Christmas day, His heralds in a rich array; And said, because of this high feast, Both to the meste and to the least Within the city, and also without, To tell, that be scanty of victuals all about, All they to have meat and drink thereto, And again safe-conduct to come and to go. They said, 'Gramercy!' all lightly, As they had set little prize thereby; And unnese [scarcely] they would grant any grace To the poor people that out put was, Save to two priests, and no more them with, For to bring meat they granted therewith; 'But an there come with you and mo [more], (p. 424) Truly we will shoot you too.' All on a row the poor people were set, The priests come and brought them meat; They ate and drank, and were full fain, And thanked our King with all their main; And as they sate, their meat to fong, Thus they talked them among: 'O Mightiful Jesu!' they said then, 'Of tender heart is the Englishmen; For see how this excellent King, That we have been ever again standing; And never would we obey him to, Nor no homage to him would we never do; And yet he hath on us more compassion, Than hath our own countrymen; And therefore, Lord Jesu, as Thou art full of mercy, Grant him grace to win his right in hey.'[310] And thus the poor people that time spake, And full good tent thereto was take; But when they had eaten and went their way, The truce adrew, and war took his way." [Footnote 309: _Quede_, or quade,--evil, bad.--See Glossary to Chaucer.] [Footnote 310: _In hey_,--in haste, speedily.] APPENDIX, No. III. (p. 425) AUTHENTICITY OF THE MANUSCRIPTS