g them all
that you are mad, and fain to be tied to a post. As soon as they come,
complain to them of the abuse proffered you by Saladyne. If they
redress you, why so: but if they pass over your plaints _sicco
pede_,[1] and hold with the violence of your brother before your
innocence, then thus: I will leave you unlocked that you may break out
at your pleasure, and at the end of the hall shall you see stand a
couple of good poleaxes, one for you and another for me. When I give
you a wink, shake off your chains, and let us play the men, and make
havoc amongst them, drive them out of the house and maintain
possession by force of arms, till the king hath made a redress of your
abuses."

[Footnote 1: with dry foot = carelessly.]

These words of Adam Spencer so persuaded Rosader, that he went to the
place of his punishment, and stood there while[1] the next morning.
About the time appointed, came all the guests bidden by Saladyne, whom
he entreated with courteous and curious entertainment, as they all
perceived their welcome to be great. The tables in the hall, where
Rosader was tied, were covered, and Saladyne bringing in his guests
together, showed them where his brother was bound, and was enchained
as a man lunatic. Rosader made reply, and with some invectives made
complaints of the wrongs proffered him by Saladyne, desiring they
would in pity seek some means for his relief. But in vain, they had
stopped their ears with Ulysses, that were his words never so
forceable, he breathed only his passions into the wind. They,
careless, sat down with Saladyne to dinner, being very frolic and
pleasant, washing their heads well with wine. At last, when the fume
of the grape had entered pell-mell into their brains, they began in
satirical speeches to rail against Rosader: which Adam Spencer no
longer brooking, gave the sign, and Rosader shaking off his chains got
a poleaxe in his hand, and flew amongst them with such violence and
fury, that he hurt many, slew some, and drave his brother and the rest
quite out of the house. Seeing the coast clear, he shut the doors, and
being sore anhungered, and seeing such good victuals, he sat him down
with Adam Spencer, and such good fellows as he knew were honest men,
and there feasted themselves with such provision as Saladyne had
prepared for his friends. After they had taken their repast, Rosader
rampired up[2] the house, lest upon a sudden his brother should raise
some crew of his tenants,