or made it secure, as
soon as he planned his treacherous deed, with a triple line of walls
and moats, and had so braced the walls inside with sharpened stakes that
catapults could not throw them down. They had taken great pains with the
fortifications, spending all of June, July, and August in building walls
and barricades, making moats and drawbridges, ditches, obstructions, and
barriers, and iron portcullises and a great square tower of stone. The
gate was never closed from fear or against assault. The castle stood
upon a high hill, and around beneath it flows the Thames. The host
encamped on the river bank, and that day they have time only to pitch
camp and set up the tents.

(Vv. 1261-1348.) The army is in camp beside the Thames, and all the
meadow is filled with green and red tents. The sun, striking on the
colours, causes the river to flash for more than a league around. Those
in the town had come down to disport themselves upon the river bank with
only their lances in their hands and their shields grasped before their
breasts, and carrying no other arms at all. In coming thus, they showed
those without the walls that they stood in no fear of them. Alexander
stood aloof and watched the knights disporting themselves at feats of
arms. He yearns to attack them, and summons his companions one by one
by name. First Cornix, whom he dearly loved, then the doughty Licorides,
then Nabunal of Mvcene, and Acorionde of Athens, and Ferolin of
Salonica, and Calcedor from Africa, Parmenides and Francagel, mighty
Torin and Pinabel, Nerius and Neriolis. "My lords," he says, "I feel the
call to go with shield and lance to make the acquaintance of those who
disport themselves yonder before our eyes. I see they scorn us and hold
us in slight esteem, when they come thus without their arms to exercise
before our very eyes. We have just been knighted, and have not yet given
an account of ourselves against any knight or manikin. [217] We have
kept our first lances too long intact. And for what were our shields
intended? As yet, they have not a hole or crack to show. There is no use
in having them except in a combat or a fight. Let's cross the ford and
rush at them!" "We shall not fail you," all reply; and each one adds:
"So help me God, who fails you now is no friend of yours." Then they
fasten on their swords, tighten their saddles and girths, and mount
their steeds with shields in hand. When they had hung the shields about
their necks,