Thus the renisht[437] them to ryde
Of twoe good renisht[438] steeds,30
And when the came to king Adlands halle,
Of redd gold shone their weeds.[439]
And when the came to kyng Adlands hall
Before the goodlye gate,
There they found good kyng Adlànd35
Rearing[440] himselfe theratt.
Now Christ thee save, good kyng Adlànd;
Now Christ you save and see.
Sayd, You be welcome, king Estmere,
Right hartilye to mee.40
You have a daughter, said Adler younge,
Men call her bright and sheene,
My brother wold marrye her to his wiffe,
Of Englande to be queene.
Yesterday was att my deere daughtèr45
Syr Bremor the kyng of Spayne;[441]
And then she nicked[442] him of naye,
And I doubt sheele[443] do you the same.
The kyng of Spayne is a foule paynim,[444]
And 'leeveth[445] on Mahound;50
And pitye it were that fayre ladyè
Shold marrye a heathen hound.
But grant to me, sayes kyng Estmere,
For my love I you praye;
That I may see your daughter deere55
Before I goe hence awaye.
Although itt is seven yeers and more
Since my daughter was in halle,
She shall come once downe for your sake
To glad my guestès alle.60
Downe then came that mayden fayre,
With ladyes laced in pall,[446]
And halfe a hundred of bold knightes,
To bring her from bowre to hall;
And as many gentle squiers,65
To tend upon them all.
The talents of golde were on her head sette,
Hanged low downe to her knee;
And everye ring on her small fingèr,
Shone of the chrystall free.70