“He gart hallowe the hart, and syne couth it hyng
About his hals[120] (neck) full hende (respectfully), and on his awne hart.”
The story then proceeds:
“XXXVIII.
“Now bot I semble for thi saull with Sarasenis mycht,
Sall I never sene be into Scotland!”
An extension of the original commission, be it noted, and a motive for what follows:
“Thus in defence of the faith he fure to the fecht
With knychtis of Cristindome to kepe his command.
And quhen the batallis so brym, brathly and bricht,
War joyned thraly in thrang, mony thousand,
Amang the hethin men the hert hardely he slang,
Said: ‘Wend on as thou was wont,
Throw the batell in bront,
Ay formast in the front,
Thy fays amang;’
“XXXIX.
“‘And I sall followe the in faith, or feye to be fellit,—
As thi lege man leill, my lyking thow art.’
Thus frayis he the fals folk, trewly to tell it,
Aye quhile he coverit (recovered) and come to the Kingis hart,
Thus feile feildis he wan, aye worschipand it,
Throwout Cristindome kid (known)
War the dedis that he did,
Till on a time it betid
As tellis the writ.”[121]