The Political Songs of England: From the Reign of John to That of Edward II

by Unknown

In terris extiteras.

The whole was preceded by a life of Simon de Montfort, occupying two pages of the manuscript, but which some hostile hand has carefully erased. The following song was evidently written immediately after the battle of Evesham.

THE LAMENT OF SIMON DE MONTFORT.

[MS. Harl. 2253, fol. 59 r^o, early in 14th cent.]

Chaunter m’estoit, mon cuer le voit, en un dure langage,

Tut en ploraunt fust fet le chaunt de nostre duz baronage,

Que pur la pees, si loynz après se lesserent detrere,

Lur cors trencher, e demenbrer, pur salver Engleterre.

Ore est ocys la flur de pris, qe taunt savoit de guere,