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Chap. 4.
The Roman de Rou.
I HAVE strung together in a very literal er version such portions of the Roman de Rou by ROBERT WACE as have most direct relation to the Battlefield . ROBERT WACE'S grandfather was present in the famous field , and we may imagine him in the following simple narrative delineating the scenes, in which he had himself taken part. I commence with the marshalling of the troops by William : but the exclamations of the English on the night before the battle deserve our attention. In them we recognise the Saxon " wassail" (weissel), " Let him come" (Laticome), the very natural defiance of those who were on their defence . " Drink health " ( Drinckeheil), " Drink to me" (Drintome).
