Carlo Martello ritorna dalla battaglia di Poitiers [English [Middle English] translation]

Kynge Charles was on Hys Way backe from War,

His Countree welcometh Hym

Wreathynge Hym with Laurel,

In this most warme of Springes

The braue Victor's Armowr

Doth shyne in the Svn.

The Kynges Helmet was stayned

With the red Blvde of bothe

The Prynce and the Moor;

Now, it is Love's Lvst that maketh

Charles svffer greater Payne

Than Hys bodilie Woundes.

"Alas! War doth quench the Winner's Thyrste of Glory

And doth appease Hys Longyng for Honowre,

Yet He hath noe fuckynge Chaunce of makynge Loue,

Then, he who imposeth the Chastitie Belte

On Hys swete Spovse, he may well rvn the Riske

Of loosynge the Keye when the Battle is ragyng!"

Thvs is complainyng the Christian Kynge,

Encirclyd bye swete Flowers

Whyle wheat boweth at Hym;

The Mirror of a clear Sprynge of Water

Reflecteth the Prowd Victor

Well saddlyd on Horsses Back.

So suddenlie doth appeare in the Water

A wonderfvlle Ymage,

Lyke a Symbol of Loue,

Betwyxte her longe, fayre Braydes

Her naked Breastes do bothe

Shyne in the warme Svn.

"No fayrer Ymage haue I neuer ysene!

Noewhere is svch a fayre maiden to bee met!"

Saide Kyng Charles dismountyng qvicke frose Stede;

"Ye prowde Knyghte, I warne Ye!

An other Man doth enjoie mine Beautie.

Ye shoude quench Yowre Thyrste to an easyer Sprynge!"

Surprysyd by svlche sharpe Wordes

And feelynge laughëd at

Kynge Charles hee dyde stoppe;

But Hunger hadde more Powre on Hym than Honovr,

And tremblyng dyd the Kynge

Slippe Hys Helmet off.

The Kynge was a valyaunte Knyghte:

He dyde deserue all Honowrs

In that Situacyoun too;

And when he had finisshyd Hys Dvtie

He tryde so vncertaynlie

To get on Hys Horsse agayne.

The Mayden dyd stoppe Hym at once

And a Bill handyd shee

Svddenlie to Her Majestee:

"Wel, ivste for Ye are my Lorde and Kynge,

Ye owe me fyue Powndes,

And 'tis a specyal Pryce."

"Howe can ytt bee, the Lorde damne ytt alle,

That all adventures in thys gracyous Kyngedome

Ende vp regvlarlie wyth payinge a Whore?

Damn, their Billes too are incresyd greatlye:

I can remember that beffore I lefte

Three Powndes were a fayrlye acceptable Pryce!"

Then he prouyd to bee a Mother fvckere,

and He got on Hys Stede

As qvicke as Lyghtenynge;

Whyppynge the poor Horsse to Deathe

Among Wisteriae and Elders

The Kynge dyd disappeare.

Kynge Charles was on Hys Way backe from War,

His Countree welcometh Hym

Wreathynge Hym with Laurel,

In this most warme of Springes

The braue Victor's Armowr

Doth shyne in the Svn!