ill make mickle fight, and drive them
from land, or fell them down, or we ourselves will lie slain, and let
the heathen folk hold this realm, possess it with joy, if they may it
win. And if they all are heathen, and thou alone Christian, they will
never long have thee for king, except thou in thy days receive the
heathen law, and desert the high God, and praise their idols. Then
shalt thou perish in this world's realm, and thy wretched soul sink to
hell; then hast thou dearly bought the love of thy bride!" Then
answered Vortiger--of each evil he was ware:--"I will not leave them,
by my quick life! For Hengest is hither come, he is my father, and I
his son; and I have for mistress his daughter Rouwenne, and I have
wedded her, and had in my bed, and afterwards I sent after Octa, and
after more of his companions;--how might I for shame shun them so
soon, and drive from land my dear friends?" Then answered the Britons,
with sorrow bound: "We will nevermore obey thy commands, nor come to
thy court, nor hold thee for king, but we will hate thee with great
strength, and all thine heathen friends with harm greet. Be Christ
now, that is God's son, our help!" Forth went the earls, forth went
the lords, forth went the bishops, and the book-learned men, forth
went the thanes, forth went the swains, all the Britons, until they
came to London.

There was many a noble Briton at the husting, and the king's three
sons they all were come thither; there was Vortimer, Pascent, and
Catiger, and very many others, that came with the brothers; all the
folk came thither, that loved the Christendom. And all the rich men
betook them to counsel, and took the king's eldest son, who was come
to the husting, and with mickle song of praise elevated him to be
king. Then was Vortimer Christian king there, and Vortiger, his
father, followed the heathens. All thus it happened, as the counsel
was done.

And Vortimer, the young king, was most keen through all things; he
sent Hengest and Hors his brother, unless speedily they departed from
this realm, he would evil do to them, both blind and hang them; and
his own father he would destroy, and all the heathens, with great
strength. Then answered Hengest, fairest of all knights: "Here we will
dwell winter and summer, ride and run with the King Vortiger; and all
that with Vortimer go, they shall have sorrow and care!" Vortimer
heard that--he was wise and most wary--and caused a host to be
assembled over all