ued him hotly. Saladyne, afraid of his
brother's fury, cried out to him thus:

[Footnote 1: beat.]

"Rosader, be not so rash: I am thy brother and thine elder, and if I
have done thee wrong I'll make thee amends: revenge not anger in
blood, for so shalt thou stain the virtue of old Sir John of Bordeaux:
say wherein thou art discontent and thou shalt be satisfied. Brothers'
frowns ought not to be periods of wrath: what, man, look not so
sourly; I know we shall be friends, and better friends than we have
been, for, _Amantium ira amoris redintegratio est_."

These words appeased the choler of Rosader, for he was of a mild and
courteous nature, so that he laid down his weapons, and upon the faith
of a gentleman assured his brother he would offer him no prejudice:
whereupon Saladyne came down, and after a little parley they embraced
each other and became friends; and Saladyne promising Rosader the
restitution of all his lands, "and what favor else," quoth he, "any
ways my ability or the nature of a brother may perform." Upon these
sugared reconciliations they went into the house arm in arm together,
to the great content of all the old servants of Sir John of Bordeaux.

Thus continued the pad[1] hidden in the straw, till it chanced that
Torismond, king of France, had appointed for his pleasure a day of
wrastling and of tournament to busy his commons' heads, lest, being
idle, their thoughts should run upon more serious matters, and call to
remembrance their old banished king; a champion there was to stand
against all comers, a Norman, a man of tall stature and of great
strength; so valiant, that in many such conflicts he always bare away
the victory, not only overthrowing them which he encountered, but
often with the weight of his body killing them outright. Saladyne
hearing of this, thinking now not to let the ball fall to the ground,
but to take opportunity by the forehead, first by secret means
convented[2] with the Norman, and procured him with rich rewards to
swear that if Rosader came within his claws he should never more
return to quarrel with Saladyne for his possessions. The Norman
desirous of pelf--as _Quis nisi mentis inops oblatum respuit
aurum?_--taking great gifts for little gods, took the crowns of
Saladyne to perform the stratagem.

[Footnote 1: toad.]

[Footnote 2: met.]

Having thus the champion tied to his villainous determination by oath,
he prosecuted the intent of his purpose thus. He went to you