, on whom we believe, it shall all thus be!"

Hengest took leave, and gan wend to his ships; there was many a strong
knight; they drew their ships upon the land. Forth went the warriors
to Vortiger the king; Hengest went before, and Hors, next of all to
him; then the Alemainish men, who were noble in deeds; and afterwards
they sent to him (Vortiger) their brave Saxish knights, Hengest's
kinsmen, of his old race. They came into hall, fairly all; better were
clothed and better were fed Hengest's swains, than Vortiger's thanes!
Then was Vortiger's court held in contempt! the Britons were sorry for
such a sight.

It was no whit long before five knights' sons who had travelled
quickly came to the king; they said to the king new tidings: "Now
forth-right the Peohtes are come; through thy land they run, and
harry, and burn, and all the north end fell to the ground; hereof thou
must advise thee, or we all shall be dead." The king bethought him
what he might do, he sent to the inn, after all his men. There came
Hengest, there came Hors, there came many a man full brave; there came
the Saxish men, Hengest's kinsmen, and the Alemainish knights, who are
good in fight. The King Vortiger saw this; blithe was he then there.

The Peohtes did, as was their custom, on this side of the Humber they
were come. And the King Vortiger of their coming was full aware;
together they came (encountered), and many there slew; there was fight
most strong, combat most stern! The Peohtes were oft accustomed to
overcome Vortiger, and so they thought then to do, but it befell then
in other wise, for it was safety to them (the Britons) that Hengest
was there, and the strong knights who came from Saxland, and the brave
Alemainish, who came thither with Hors, for very many Peohtes they
slew in the fight; fiercely they fought, the fated fell! When the noon
was come, then were the Peohtes overcome, and quickly away they fled,
on each side they forth fled, and all day they fled, many and without
number. The King Vortiger went back to lodging, and ever were nigh to
him Hors and Hengest. Hengest was dear to the king, and to him he gave
Lindesey, and he gave Hors treasures enow, and all their knights he
treated exceeding well, and thus a good time it stood in the same
wise. The Peohtes durst never come into the land, no robbers nor
outlaws, that they were not soon slain; and Hengest exceeding fairly
served the king.

Then befell it on a time, that the king wa