Therfore my counselors I calle, To remedy this, howe thay best maye. For me were lever that he were slayn̄, Thane he a Cristen̄ hounde shulde be, 1756 Or witħ Wolfes be rente and slayn̄, By Mahounde mygħty of dignyte.” To answerde Sortybraunce and Broulande advise him And saide “gode counsaile we shal yoᶙ gyfen̄, 1760 If thoue wilte do aftyr coven«au»nte, It shal yoᶙ profit, while yoᶙ lyven̄. Take xij knightis of worthy dede to send 12 knights, And sende hem to Charles on message nowe. 1764 and to bid Charles A-raye hem welle in roial wede, For thȳ honou[rh] and for thy prowe. [leaf 44] Bidde Charles sende thy sone to the to give up Ferumbras And voyde thy londe in alle haste, 1768 and to withdraw from Or ellis thou shalt him honge on a tr«e», his country. As hye, as any shippes maste.” “Nowe by Mahounde” q«uo»d Laban, “This counseil is both trewe and goode, 1772 I shalle him leve for no man̄ To parforme this, though he we[rh] woode.” He did his lettris write in haste, The knight«es» were called to goo þ«er»witħ, 1776 The knights are That thay hyȝe hem̄ to Charles faste dispatched. And charke[145] hym̄ vppon̄ life and lithe. Fortħ thai ride towarde Mantrible þan̄, In a medowe, was fayre and grene, 1780 Near Mantrible Thai mette witħ Charles messageris ten̄. they meet with the Duke Neymes axed hem̄, what thai wolde mene, Christian messengers. And saide “Lordynges, whens come ye? Duke Naymes inquires And whider ye are mente, telle vs this tyde.” 1784 whither they intend “From̄ the worthy Sowdon̄” than̄ saide he, to go. “To Charles on message shalle we ride, [p052 THE PEERS KILL THE SOUDAN’S MESSENGERS.]