Note 454 — Chapter XII · THE LATER REIGN OF WILLIAM IN NORMANDY.[159] 1051–1066. (continued 2)

So I understand Wace (10089);

“Endementres k’al Rei parloent,

E de noveles demandoent,

Eis vus la novele venue

E par tute terre espandue,

Ke tut li mielx de lor amiz

Esteit à Mortemer occiz.”

He had just before said (10067);

“C’est une chose, ke novele,

Ki mult est errant et isnele,

E ki bone novele porte

Séurement bute à la porte.”

So Will. Pict. 100. “Famâ referente, quæ tam falsi quam veri nuntia volat.” Compare Mr. Grote’s remarks and quotations on the φήμη. Hist. of Greece, v. 260.