Note 1110 — Chapter XV · THE NORMAN INVASION AND THE CAMPAIGN OF HASTINGS.[1055]

Guid. Amb. 54;

“Nam ter quinque dies complêsti finibus illis,

Exspectans summi Judicis auxilium.

Ecclesiam sancti devotâ mente frequentans,

Illi pura dabas ingeminando preces.

Inspicis et templi gallus quâ vertitur aurâ;

Auster si spirat, lætus abinde redis:

Si subitò Boreas Austrum divertit et arcet,

Effusis lacrimis fletibus ora rigas.

Desolatus eras: frigus faciebat et imber,

Et polus obtectus nubibus et pluviis.”

The edition in the Monumenta Historica Britannica has “ter quinque dies,” while those of Giles and Michel have “tum quinque.” The former reading is obviously right, as explaining the expression in v. 53 of “longa difficilisque mora.” With William’s looking at the weathercock, compare the passage of Macaulay referred to in p. 386.