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.

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.

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.