These letters were of little might, to make My manly minde to graunt hym his request, For which I did to fortune me betake, To wage new warres with hym I deemde it best, So from his fist his threatning blade to wrest: But see the force of fortune’s changing cheare, Another cloud before me did appeare. 7. My brother _Tosto_[1254] who from me was flead, Did now returne, and brought the _Norway_ kyng: They did deuise to haue from me my head, Which made me to indite another thing Vnto the duke, then playne and true meaning: I gaue him hope of that I neuer meant: These were the lines which to the duke I sent. Harolde the English King, to thee William, Duke of Normandie. _Harold_ the _English_ king, thee _William_ Duke doth greete: Thy letter being read, I haue not thought it meete, Without a parliament to do so great a thing, As of a forrayne duke, to make an _Englishe_ kyng: But if my three estates will follow mine[1255] aduise, Thou shalt receiue the crowne, and beare away the price: Therfore delay a time, thou shortly shalt receiue With full consent the thing, which now thou seek’st to haue. HAROLDE. 8. Then I in hast my power did prepare,[1256] For why, I hearde my brother _Tostoe’s_[1257] trayne, Two of my earles by north he had destroyd,[1258] And manye a thousand men he there had layne: But when we met, his triumphe was in vayne: For I and myne the _Norway_ king there kilte, And I my selfe my brother’s blood there spilte. 9. Now when the duke my friendly lines had read, And heard how I my men did muster newe, “There lies a snake within this greene grasse bed,” Quoth he, “therefore come forth my warrelike crewe, We will not staye to see what shall insue: By long delayes, from forrain coastes he may Procure an ayde, to scourge vs with decay.” 10. But when he heard with whom I had to deale: “Well done,” quoth he, “let hym go beate the bushe, I and my men to the lurche line will steale, And plucke the net euen at the present push, And one of them we with decaye will crushe: For he who doth the victor there remaine, Shall neuer rest, till he hath dealt with twaine.” 11. So I in vaine who had the victorie, Within fewe dayes was forst againe to fight, My strength halfe spoylde, the rest wounded and wearie,[1259] His campe was comne vnwares within my sight, There was no hope to flee by day nor night: I _Harold_ then, a haraude sent in haste, To know whither the duke his campe[1260] had plaste. 12.