But that we may with wysedome wisely woorke, It vs behoues in _Normandy_ to fight With hym, and not to let his souldiers lurke Here in my realme, we shal thereby achiue No noble acte, though hence we him do driue: But if we deale with him in _Normandy_, We shal receiue renowne and victorie. 3. It is the best with forraine foes to fyght Abroade, as did the haughtie _Hannibal_, And not at home to feele their hatefuil spight: Of all the rest it is the greatest thrall, That foes ariud shoulde spoyle our subiectes all: And for a truth this alwayes hath bin found, He speedeth best which fightes on forrayne grounde. 4. [My men of warre were mustered in hast, But hast to late was then of none auayle, The duke ariude, he in my realme was plaste, He euery where my subiectes did assayle, And euery where he caused them to quayle: For which I bode hym battaile by and by, Where equall warres gaue neither victorye. 5. For both our strengthes were weakned in such wise, We both for breath to pause were wel content, Euen then the duke he wisely did deuise, How here to yeeld my crowne I might be bent: For whiche to me a pursiphaunt he sent, With letters, suche as here I shall recite, Wherein he claimes the _Brittayne_ crowne his right.][1251] William Duke of Normandie, and ryght heyre to the Englyshe crowne, to Harolde the Vsurper. Though birthright cannot cause thee yeeld to me my crown, Yet haue thou some respect of honour and renowne, For thou by oth didst sweare to yeeld to me my right, When as I thee prefer’d, and stalde thee there by might: Mine vncle _Edwarde_ he, thy father’s faythfull freende, Gaue me his crowne, and thou thereto didst condescend, Yet now thou wouldest fayne defeate me of my right, And proue thy selfe forsworne of former promise plight: Shall _Harold_ haue his hest? shal _Godwine’s_ sonne here[1252] guide? Shall _William_ want his wyl, and haue his ryght denide? Well _Harolde_, if thou canst with warres determine so, I am content: if not, prouide, I am thy foe: My sonnes and al my kinne shal neuer stint to striue, To plucke thee from thy place, whilst one is left aliue: But if thou wylt be wise, to me my right resigne, And thou shalt haue the place belonging to thy line: If not, with fyre and swoorde I meane thy realme to spoyle, I neuer hence[1253] wyll starte till I haue forst thy foyle: And now thou knowste my wyl, determine for the best, Thou maist haue warres, and if thou wylt, thou maist haue rest. WILLYAM duke of Normandy. 6.