(the nuns in the midst) and marched in haste for Brand that is a lonely tower.  Then did these thirty (and with them I) shoot arrows amain on Pertolepe’s vanguard from every place of vantage hereabouts, and met them with right lusty hand-strokes and stayed thus their advance until of the thirty there none remained alive save seven (and of these, I).  And, since we could do no more, I (that do know this country from my misshapen youth) brought these men by secret ways unto the Tower of Brand that is desolate and a ruin, yet strong withal.  And there lay Walkyn (that is a notable fighter) keeping watch and ward within the tower what time he waited thy succour.  Now who so skilful and tender with our wounded as this sweet and gracious lady Abbess!  Next day, sure enough, cometh Pertolepe with brave show of horse and foot (above three thousand, lords) and straightway sendeth he a haughty fellow to demand incontinent surrender—­a loud-voiced knight whom Walkyn forthwith shot and slew with his own hand.  Whereat Sir Pertolepe waxed exceeding wroth and came on amain and beset the tower on all sides, whereby they lost others of their men, for Walkyn’s fellows shot exceeding strong and true (and with them, I).  Then, O my lords, in all that fierce debate, who so brave and calm, heartening wearied and wounded with gentle voice and gentler hand, than this same noble lady Abbess!  For two days lay we besieged whereby our food and drink began to fail (for the well within the tower is well-nigh dried up) yet none did eat or drink so sparingly as this same holy Abbess.  Now on this (the second day, lords) cometh Pertolepe himself (under flag of truce, lords) and demands we yield to him the body of this same lady Abbess (to our ransom) swearing on his knightly word he then will march away forthwith, and seek our hurt no more.  And, to save our lives, fain would this brave lady have yielded her to Pertolepe’s hands.  But Walkyn (mindful of his oath, lords), leaning him from the battlement, spake Red Pertolepe defiantly, calling him knave and liar, and therewith spat upon him, very fairly.  Whereat Pertolepe sware to hang us one and all and the battle joined again fiercer than before.  Therefore, on this the third day, seeing no hope of succour, Walkyn made him ready to sally out (a right desperate venture because of the women).  Then spake I before them all, saying I doubted not I might win through, and bring thee to their aid (an ye had kept the tryst) would they but ply their shafts amain to cover me.  The which was so agreed.  Then did this saintly lady Abbess set her white hand on this my hateful head and prayed the sweet Christ to shield this my monstrous body, and I thereafter being bedight in right good mail (as thou seest) issued suddenly out of the tower whiles our foemen sat at meat, and ran among them roaring dreadfully and smote amain full many until my axe brake and I betook me to my sword and smote them as I ran what time Walkyn’s archers shot right furiously and well.  Thus came I through Bloody Pertolepe’s array, and thus, lords, ye do behold a something weary man and a mighty hungry one withal!”