With beestes and breddes every dele, richly embroidered That was right curious and gaye; 132 with figures of The Armes displaied of Laban animals and birds. Of Asure and foure lions of goolde. Four golden lions, the Of Babiloyne the riche Sowdon̄, arms of the soudan of Moost myghty man he was of moolde, 136 Babylon, were also He made a vowe to Termagaunte, displayed thereon. Whan Rome were distroied & hade Laban made a vow to myschau«n»ce, Termagant, to destroy He woolde turne ayen erraunte Rome, and after that And distroye Charles the kinge of Fraunce. 140 Charlemagne. Fortħ thai sailed on the flode, Having disembarked in Tille thai come to the haven of Rome: the haven of Rome, The wynde hem served, it was ful goode. they slew all Ther londed many a grymlye gome. 144 Christians, and burned Thai brente and slowen, þat Cristen were, towns, abbeys and Town̄, Abbey and holy chirche. churches. The hethen hade such power there, The Pope of Rome, That moche woo gan thai there wircħ. 148 hearing of the heathens Tidinggis came to Rome anone laying waste the whole Unto the Pope, that þ^t tyme was, country, That the heþen came to bren and slone. This was to hem a sory cas. 152 He lete cal his counsaile to-geder assembled his council. To wete, what was beste to don̄. Anone as thai were come þede[rh], He asked of hem al ful sone: 156 “Lordinges, it is vnknowne[96] to you, That this cursed hathen Sowdon̄ Bre«n»nyth and stroyeth oure pepul nowe, Alive he leveth vnneth not one. 160 Seint Petir be oure governoure [leaf 5] And save this worthi Cite of Rome, And Seinte Poule be oure gydoure From this cursed hethen̄ houne[97]!” 164 Ifreȝ he bispake him than̄, Jeffrez, a senator [p006 SAVARIS LEADS THE CHRISTIAN TROOPS]