On th’ East _Locrinus_ with an armie great, By West was _Cambre_ with an other band: By North an arme of sea the shoares did beat, Which compast mee and mine within their lande. No way to scape was there but Water fande, Which I must taste, or else the sworde of those Which were to mee and mine full deadly foes. 10. So when I sawe the best of all mine hoste Beate downe with bats, shot, slayne, or forst to swimme, Myselfe was fayne likewise to flye the coast, And with the rest the waters entred in, A simple shift for Princes to begin. Yet farre I deem’d it better so to dye Then at mine enmies foot an abiect lye. 11. But when I thus had swam with hope to scape, If I might wend the water waues to passe: The _Britannes_ that before my ships had gate Gan watche mee, where amidst the surge I was. Than with my boates they rowde to mee (alas) And all they cryde keepe _Humber_, keepe theyr King, That to our Prince wee may the traytour bring. 12. So with my boats beset, poore _Humber_ I Wist no refuge, my weery armes did ake, My breath was short, I had no powre to crye, Or place to stande, whyle I my playnte might make. The water colde made all my ioynts to shake, My heart did beate with sorowe, griefe, and payne, And downe my cheeks salt teares they gusht amayne. 13. O must thou yeelde, and shall thy boats betraye Thy selfe (quoth I) no mercy _Britaynes_ haue: O would to God I might escape away, I wot not yet if pardon I may craue, Although my deeds deserue no life to haue. I will, I nill, death, bondage, beast am I, In waters thus, in forayne soyle to dye. 14. With that I clapt my quauering hands abroade, And helde them vp to heauen, and thus I sayde: O Gods that knowe the paynes that I haue bode, And iust reuengement of my rashnes payde, And of the death of _Albanact_ betrayde By mee and mine, I yeelde my life therefore, Content to dye, and never greeue yee more. 15. Then straight not opening of my handes, I bowde My selfe, and set my head my armes betweene: And downe I sprang with all the force I coulde, So duckte, that neither head nor foote were seene, And neuer sawe my foes agayne I weene: There was I drownde: the _Britaynes_, to my fame, Yet call that arme of sea by _Humber’s_ name.[236] 16.