And wy[th]holdest oure tribute [th]_er_to:
[Th]u schalt be taw[gh]t [th]u hast mysdo:
We co_m_mande[th] [th]e in haste soone
and come to [Th]at [th]u come to vs at Rome 228
Rome to be To vnd_er_fang our_e_ ordynau_n_ce
punished for For [th]y dysobediau_n_ce;
his disobedience. As [th]u wold nat leze [th]y lyf,
Fulfylle [th]ys w_y_t_h_oute stryff." 232

[Arthur's Answer to Lucius.]

The Britons When [th]is l_ett_re was open & rad;
purpose to kill [Th]e bretou_n_s & all_e_ men wer_e_ mad,
the messengers, And wolde [th]e messager scle:--
but Arthur "Nay," seyd Arthour, "per de, 236
forbids it, That were a[gh]enst alle kynde,
A messager to bete or bynde;
y charge alle men here
for to make ham good chere." 240
And after Mete sanz fayl
Wy[th] hys lordes he hadde cou_n_sayl;
And alle asented [th]er to,
and resolves to Artho_ur_ to Rome scholde go; 244
invade Rome. And [th]ey ne wolde in hys t_ra_uayle
Wy[th] strenk[th] & good neuer fayle.
Than Artho_ur_ wroot to Rome a l_ett_re,
Was sentence was so_m_m-what bytter_e_, 248
And sayde i_n_ [th]is manere
As [gh]e may hure here:--

_L_ite_ra Reg_is_ "Knowe[th] well_e_ [gh]e of Romayne,
Arthuri._ Y am kyng Artho_ur_ of Bretayne. 252
Arthur's answer Frau_n_ce, y haue conquered hyt,
to the Emperor Y schall_e_ defende & kepe hyt [Gh]ut, [Fol. 44,
Lucius, Y come to Rome, as y am tryw, col. 2.]
claiming tribute To take my trybut (.) to me dywe, 256
from him. But noon [th]ere-for to paye,
By my werk [gh]e schall_e_ asay;
For [th]e Emp_er_our Constantyne
[Th]at was [th]e Soone of Elyne, 260
[Th]at was a Breton_e_ of [th]is lond,
Co_n_quered Rome w_y_t_h_ hys hond,
And so [gh]e owe[th] me tribut:
Y charge [gh]ow [th]at [gh]e pay me hyt. 264
Also Maximian kyng of Bretaigne