The Legend of the Holy Grail its Sources, Character and Development, by Dorothy Kempe. The introduction to, and Part V of, Herry Lovelich's verse "History of the Holy Grail," |
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| XXI. |
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| XXIV. |
| XXV. | CHAPTER XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
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 | CHAPTER XXV. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
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CHAPTER XXV.
309
and this Child, had Calefere In prisown þere
Fal xvii dayes In that Manere.
So it be-happed, that the Sevententhe Nyht
As he there sat, I telle the Ryht,
Vppon his Cowche to Slombren hym list,—
he was so hevy, what to don he Nyst,—
and as he was In his Slombrenge,
hym thowghte he hadde a wondir Metenge,
So that hym þouhte An hond there was,
that be bothen Armes him held In that plas;
and, As A man that Slepte ful sore,
the hond he wolde han put Awey thore;
and the Same hond him Cawht Ageyn,
And Aȝen In his Slepe he it voided ful pleyn.
Fal xvii dayes In that Manere.
So it be-happed, that the Sevententhe Nyht
As he there sat, I telle the Ryht,
Vppon his Cowche to Slombren hym list,—
he was so hevy, what to don he Nyst,—
and as he was In his Slombrenge,
hym thowghte he hadde a wondir Metenge,
So that hym þouhte An hond there was,
that be bothen Armes him held In that plas;
and, As A man that Slepte ful sore,
the hond he wolde han put Awey thore;
and the Same hond him Cawht Ageyn,
And Aȝen In his Slepe he it voided ful pleyn.
thanne thowghte him that the hond tho
alle his Chenes to-barst vnto,
Mochel mawgre Of him that there lay,
Where-Offen he hadde A ful gret fray.
alle his Chenes to-barst vnto,
Mochel mawgre Of him that there lay,
Where-Offen he hadde A ful gret fray.
and whanne he felte that it was so,
Nethir Cryen ne speke ne myhte he tho;
thanne Abasched was he ful sore
Of the noyse that he herde thore.
and whanne that vpe he gan him dresse,
and felte him Self Owt of distresse,
hyse hondes & Feet he gan drawen him to,
and Felte vnbownde that he was tho,
and that Alle his Chenes to-forn him lye;
thanne thanked he god ful Solempnie.
Nethir Cryen ne speke ne myhte he tho;
thanne Abasched was he ful sore
Of the noyse that he herde thore.
and whanne that vpe he gan him dresse,
and felte him Self Owt of distresse,
hyse hondes & Feet he gan drawen him to,
and Felte vnbownde that he was tho,
and that Alle his Chenes to-forn him lye;
thanne thanked he god ful Solempnie.
Whanne he was Comen to the presown dore,
That ful blak and dirk it was to fore,
there Cam Owt tho A schyneng lyht,
as thowh it were of A lyghtenyng so briht;
thanne loked he Aboven his hed,
And him thowghte he sawgh In þat sted,
Owt of the hevene there Aperid An hy
A fair whit hond, hym thowhte Trewly,
Whiche that him bar, as him thowhte,
and Owt of that preson there him browhte
Sowfe: the arm, Red as feer it was,
as thike tyme him thowhte In that plas,
Whiche hond him took by his her,
and Owt of that presown bar him ther;
and the sleve lokede as be semblaunse
As Red as fir with-Owten variaunce;
but nonthing Ellis ne Myhte he Se,
but Onlyche the hond there Sekerle,
Sowf be the Arm, him thowghte, I-voluped was
the semblaunce of a body In that plas;
but the body Openly ne was not sein,
As I sey ȝow In Certein;
and In this manere sawh Nasciens tho
hond and body to-Gederis bothe two.
That ful blak and dirk it was to fore,
there Cam Owt tho A schyneng lyht,
as thowh it were of A lyghtenyng so briht;
thanne loked he Aboven his hed,
And him thowghte he sawgh In þat sted,
310
A fair whit hond, hym thowhte Trewly,
Whiche that him bar, as him thowhte,
and Owt of that preson there him browhte
Sowfe: the arm, Red as feer it was,
as thike tyme him thowhte In that plas,
Whiche hond him took by his her,
and Owt of that presown bar him ther;
and the sleve lokede as be semblaunse
As Red as fir with-Owten variaunce;
but nonthing Ellis ne Myhte he Se,
but Onlyche the hond there Sekerle,
Sowf be the Arm, him thowghte, I-voluped was
the semblaunce of a body In that plas;
but the body Openly ne was not sein,
As I sey ȝow In Certein;
and In this manere sawh Nasciens tho
hond and body to-Gederis bothe two.
And whanne that Aboven the Erthe he was there,
that the Erthe he felte in non Manere,
Wondirly Abasched he was Certeinlye,
that what to done he Ne wiste trewlye.
and thus the hand On lofte it bar him thar,
that he ne wiste whedir-ward ne whar,
Wheche that greved him Nothing,
Nethir hire ne there In non thing;
Nethir be the beryng Of his her,
It Greved him ryht nowher.
that the Erthe he felte in non Manere,
Wondirly Abasched he was Certeinlye,
that what to done he Ne wiste trewlye.
and thus the hand On lofte it bar him thar,
that he ne wiste whedir-ward ne whar,
Wheche that greved him Nothing,
Nethir hire ne there In non thing;
Nethir be the beryng Of his her,
It Greved him ryht nowher.
and whanne In the Eir he was so hye,
that Onne-the to þe preson he myhte sen trwlye,
þane lad him forth this hond In hye—
lik as this storie doth vs to vndirstond fullye—
tyl he Cam to-fore Calafer,
In his bed as he lay Sleping ther.
that Onne-the to þe preson he myhte sen trwlye,
þane lad him forth this hond In hye—
lik as this storie doth vs to vndirstond fullye—
tyl he Cam to-fore Calafer,
In his bed as he lay Sleping ther.
and whanne to the dore that he gan gon,
Aȝens him it Opened there Anon,
bothe dore posterne, and Ek the gate,
and Owt this hond lad him there-Ate;
and Euere to fore the hond wente,
& he it folwede with good Entente
til the Maister Gate that he was past,
Whiche gate gan to Chirken In hast,
as though A man hadde ben there
That Owt hadde stalked for drede & Fere.
Whanne Nasciens was thens A stones cast,
Aȝen he lokede Anon In hast;
anon him thowghte there In his Mynde
that Al On fyre It was him behinde.
Aȝens him it Opened there Anon,
311
and Owt this hond lad him there-Ate;
and Euere to fore the hond wente,
& he it folwede with good Entente
til the Maister Gate that he was past,
Whiche gate gan to Chirken In hast,
as though A man hadde ben there
That Owt hadde stalked for drede & Fere.
Whanne Nasciens was thens A stones cast,
Aȝen he lokede Anon In hast;
anon him thowghte there In his Mynde
that Al On fyre It was him behinde.
and whanne the peple Of the plase
Aspiden that it On Fire wase,
Gret Noise they maden, and deolful Cry,
Wherwith Calafer Awook Sekerly,
and Open he fond bothe dore & Gate,
As Nasciens was gon Owt there-Ate,
anon thanne to the presown dore he wente,
that Al Open there was veramente;
Wondirly abasched thanne was he tho,
that vndir hevene he Niste what to do.
On Of his Seriawntes he Cleped Anon,
and bad him Into þe presown to Gon;
and whanne þe presown he was with-Inne,
Of Nasciens ne sawh he neþer more ne Mynne;
and whanne Calafer herde tellen Of this,
Owt Of his wit he was with-Owten Mis,
and so gret Sorwe he gan to Make,
that Neuere Man gan so On take.
Aspiden that it On Fire wase,
Gret Noise they maden, and deolful Cry,
Wherwith Calafer Awook Sekerly,
and Open he fond bothe dore & Gate,
As Nasciens was gon Owt there-Ate,
anon thanne to the presown dore he wente,
that Al Open there was veramente;
Wondirly abasched thanne was he tho,
that vndir hevene he Niste what to do.
On Of his Seriawntes he Cleped Anon,
and bad him Into þe presown to Gon;
and whanne þe presown he was with-Inne,
Of Nasciens ne sawh he neþer more ne Mynne;
and whanne Calafer herde tellen Of this,
Owt Of his wit he was with-Owten Mis,
and so gret Sorwe he gan to Make,
that Neuere Man gan so On take.
thanne was browght to him An hors there,
and Into the Sadel sprang Calafere,
With a scharpe Swerd On honde;
and Al his Meyne that there gonne stonde,
hem he Charged Aftir to hye,
Euery Man be his weys sekerlye;
So that a path there fond he Anon,
And In-to that path gan he to gon,
& Evere was the hond Schineng to-fore,—
a Wondirful liht As him thouhte thore;—
the nyht, Pesible and fair it was,
Ne A softere Nyht neuere there Nas.
and Into the Sadel sprang Calafere,
With a scharpe Swerd On honde;
and Al his Meyne that there gonne stonde,
hem he Charged Aftir to hye,
Euery Man be his weys sekerlye;
312
And In-to that path gan he to gon,
& Evere was the hond Schineng to-fore,—
a Wondirful liht As him thouhte thore;—
the nyht, Pesible and fair it was,
Ne A softere Nyht neuere there Nas.
his hors he prekid wondirly faste,
& loked forth to forn hem atte laste,
and saugh where that Nasciens wente,
for him he knew ful wel veramente,
as he him Often to forne hadde sein,
him thouhte it was he In Certein.
& loked forth to forn hem atte laste,
and saugh where that Nasciens wente,
for him he knew ful wel veramente,
as he him Often to forne hadde sein,
him thouhte it was he In Certein.
and whanne Nasciens Say him come thanne,
Anon wax Nasciens A ful sory Manne;
but Evere the hond him held ful faste,
And him Ouer spradde there In haste,
that Openly thowght tho Nascien
the body to the hond Sawh he then;
and so faste him thowhte it took him ther,
that Neuere Erthly tonge Cowde telle Er;
For it Was Of so Merveillous Clarte tho,
so ful of brihgtenesse, & hot Schineng therto,
that In the hattest day Of the ȝer
þe sonne not so briht is as the body was ther.
Not be An hundred part Of Clernesse;
this putte Nasciens In Moche sekernesse.
but Natheles ful wondirfulli sore Adrad he was,
that he fyl In Swowneng In that plas,
So that nethir he ne saw ne felte non thing,
So sore was this Nasciens In Swowneng.
Anon wax Nasciens A ful sory Manne;
but Evere the hond him held ful faste,
And him Ouer spradde there In haste,
that Openly thowght tho Nascien
the body to the hond Sawh he then;
and so faste him thowhte it took him ther,
that Neuere Erthly tonge Cowde telle Er;
For it Was Of so Merveillous Clarte tho,
so ful of brihgtenesse, & hot Schineng therto,
that In the hattest day Of the ȝer
þe sonne not so briht is as the body was ther.
Not be An hundred part Of Clernesse;
this putte Nasciens In Moche sekernesse.
but Natheles ful wondirfulli sore Adrad he was,
that he fyl In Swowneng In that plas,
So that nethir he ne saw ne felte non thing,
So sore was this Nasciens In Swowneng.
thanne prekid ful faste this Calafere,
and loked Abowtes bothe here and there,
and In plase where þat he say Nasciens;
But tho was not he In his presens;
and Evere Abowtes he loked faste,
and Nothing he ne Say til at the laste,
that Alle the weye & al the plas
there As him thowhte that Nasciens was,
him thowhte it was On flawmeng fer,—
As him thouhte that tymes Calafer;—
And the Arm that was voluped In Cloth so Red,
him thowhte it brenneng fer In that sted,
that so wondirly Sore Abasched he was,
that for Alle the world he ne dorste In that plas
Not Ones Owt of his Sadil Alyhte,
bat down I swowneng he fyl anon Ryht.
For Of this Merveille so Sore Abascht he was,
That ded I swowneng lay he In that plas.
and loked Abowtes bothe here and there,
and In plase where þat he say Nasciens;
But tho was not he In his presens;
and Evere Abowtes he loked faste,
and Nothing he ne Say til at the laste,
313
there As him thowhte that Nasciens was,
him thowhte it was On flawmeng fer,—
As him thouhte that tymes Calafer;—
And the Arm that was voluped In Cloth so Red,
him thowhte it brenneng fer In that sted,
that so wondirly Sore Abasched he was,
that for Alle the world he ne dorste In that plas
Not Ones Owt of his Sadil Alyhte,
bat down I swowneng he fyl anon Ryht.
For Of this Merveille so Sore Abascht he was,
That ded I swowneng lay he In that plas.
thus lay Calafer long In Swownenge,
and homward his hors ful faste Rennenge
From the place that he Cam fro,
A gret pas homward gan he to go.
And whanne that the peple of the howshold
this hors thus Comenge Gonne beholde,
And here lord was left behinde;
this was gret wondir In here Mynde,
and Siker wenden here lord hadde ben ded,
be Comeng Of the hors In that Sted.
and whanne it Was On the Morwe lyht of day,
Eche man Of his Meyne wente his way
For to seken hem with here powere,
ȝif Ony Of hem myhte him fynden there;
but they ne Cowde weten In non Manere
What weye that took this Calafere.
and homward his hors ful faste Rennenge
From the place that he Cam fro,
A gret pas homward gan he to go.
And whanne that the peple of the howshold
this hors thus Comenge Gonne beholde,
And here lord was left behinde;
this was gret wondir In here Mynde,
and Siker wenden here lord hadde ben ded,
be Comeng Of the hors In that Sted.
and whanne it Was On the Morwe lyht of day,
Eche man Of his Meyne wente his way
For to seken hem with here powere,
ȝif Ony Of hem myhte him fynden there;
but they ne Cowde weten In non Manere
What weye that took this Calafere.
but it happed, As they sowhten boþe to & fro,
that somme of hem there gonne to go
Into the weye there that he lay;
Whiche was to hem A gret Afray,
Whanne they syen here Lord þere ded,
To Alle here syghtes In that sted;
There they gonnen him vp dressen Anon,
but foot On to stonde hadde he neuere On;
thow A man scholde han smeten Of his hed,
he ne myhte meven non lyme In that sted.
that somme of hem there gonne to go
Into the weye there that he lay;
Whiche was to hem A gret Afray,
Whanne they syen here Lord þere ded,
To Alle here syghtes In that sted;
There they gonnen him vp dressen Anon,
but foot On to stonde hadde he neuere On;
314
he ne myhte meven non lyme In that sted.
and than behelden they In his face,
And On the Riht side þere was a space,
As it were the forme Of An hond
that him hadde towched, I vndirstond;
And On the lefte side hem þouhte they sye
the forme Of A foot wel Sekerly,
that Ioyned to the hond it was,
Wondirfully Red In that plas,
As Owt Of the Forneys Comen flawmes of fire;
So thowht hem the Markes of Calafere;
but Only the Mark that Of the foot was,
As blak As pich was In that plas:
and his Nose, as ys it was Cold;
Al thus his Meine On him gonne behold.
For whanne he was Comen to his Ostel,
and Adawed he was Eche del,
he cowde wel tellen Of Al thing,
Where-Offen he hadde gret Merveillyng.
And On the Riht side þere was a space,
As it were the forme Of An hond
that him hadde towched, I vndirstond;
And On the lefte side hem þouhte they sye
the forme Of A foot wel Sekerly,
that Ioyned to the hond it was,
Wondirfully Red In that plas,
As Owt Of the Forneys Comen flawmes of fire;
So thowht hem the Markes of Calafere;
but Only the Mark that Of the foot was,
As blak As pich was In that plas:
and his Nose, as ys it was Cold;
Al thus his Meine On him gonne behold.
For whanne he was Comen to his Ostel,
and Adawed he was Eche del,
he cowde wel tellen Of Al thing,
Where-Offen he hadde gret Merveillyng.
and whanne they him fownde In this Manere,
they gonne him dresse hom forto bere,
but In gret drede they weren Echon
that membre ne Meven Myhte he non—
Nether Eye to Opene, ne mowth to speke;
lo! thus god On him Nasciens gan wreke;—
but Sekir they wende he hadde ben ded,
For Of him ne Cowden they non Oþer Red.
And thus they boren him In this Manere
hom to his plase with drede & fere,
that neuere spak word be Al the weye,
neþer Eye ne Opened Certeinlye,
Ne Nethir foot ne hond myhte to him drawe;
this was to hem A wonderful Sawe.
they gonne him dresse hom forto bere,
but In gret drede they weren Echon
that membre ne Meven Myhte he non—
Nether Eye to Opene, ne mowth to speke;
lo! thus god On him Nasciens gan wreke;—
but Sekir they wende he hadde ben ded,
For Of him ne Cowden they non Oþer Red.
And thus they boren him In this Manere
hom to his plase with drede & fere,
that neuere spak word be Al the weye,
neþer Eye ne Opened Certeinlye,
Ne Nethir foot ne hond myhte to him drawe;
this was to hem A wonderful Sawe.
315
and whanne to his hows with him they Come,
Wif, Child, & his Meyne Al & some,
Abowtes him gannen to drawen wel faste,
and Alle Of him weren sore Agaste,
that ded In the plase he hadde I-be,
Ne non Othir thing Of him ne Cowde they se;
So that In A bed they dyden him leye
Al so Eselye As they Cowde Certeinlye;
and alle, gret Mone Abowtes him they made,
For there nas non that Oþer cowde glade.
Wif, Child, & his Meyne Al & some,
Abowtes him gannen to drawen wel faste,
and Alle Of him weren sore Agaste,
that ded In the plase he hadde I-be,
Ne non Othir thing Of him ne Cowde they se;
So that In A bed they dyden him leye
Al so Eselye As they Cowde Certeinlye;
and alle, gret Mone Abowtes him they made,
For there nas non that Oþer cowde glade.
And whanne it was abowtes the Noun,
Wondirly to Cryen he gan þere Anon;
and his wif to him Ran ful faste,
as a womman that hadde gret haste,
and wondirly Sore Afrayed ȝhe was
Of his noise sche herde In that plas.
And whanne he of his swowneng Awook,
he Opened his Eyen, & gan vpe to look;
and abowtes him thanne he loked pure faste,
and water bad bringen At the laste,
Forto qwenchen that fer so stronge
that In his fase hadde brend so longe.
thanne Ronnen forth his Seriawntes Anon,
And Aftir water they gonne to gon,
And Casten it On bothe Sides Of his face
To quenchyn þe fyr in þat place.
thanne it semed to hem Euerichon
that thike side was brent In to þe bon;
And the bon, As whit it lay
Lik as doth Chalk In þe Clay;
And the flesch that was þere Abowte,
It semed ful Rosted with Owten dowte.
Wondirly to Cryen he gan þere Anon;
and his wif to him Ran ful faste,
as a womman that hadde gret haste,
and wondirly Sore Afrayed ȝhe was
Of his noise sche herde In that plas.
And whanne he of his swowneng Awook,
he Opened his Eyen, & gan vpe to look;
and abowtes him thanne he loked pure faste,
and water bad bringen At the laste,
Forto qwenchen that fer so stronge
that In his fase hadde brend so longe.
thanne Ronnen forth his Seriawntes Anon,
And Aftir water they gonne to gon,
And Casten it On bothe Sides Of his face
To quenchyn þe fyr in þat place.
thanne it semed to hem Euerichon
that thike side was brent In to þe bon;
And the bon, As whit it lay
Lik as doth Chalk In þe Clay;
And the flesch that was þere Abowte,
It semed ful Rosted with Owten dowte.
316
And thanne the lefte Side they gonne beholde,
wheche þat was bothe blak & Colde,
Of wheche he myhte suffren non towcheng
For non good Of Erthly thing;
and whanne þe water On that side they gonne to caste,
A wondirful Cry he made atte laste,
& with that he fyl In Swowneng,
So that Of lif of him hadde non man supposing,
but that fully ded he hadde I-be
Euere with-Owten Ony Recouere.
wheche þat was bothe blak & Colde,
Of wheche he myhte suffren non towcheng
For non good Of Erthly thing;
and whanne þe water On that side they gonne to caste,
A wondirful Cry he made atte laste,
& with that he fyl In Swowneng,
So that Of lif of him hadde non man supposing,
but that fully ded he hadde I-be
Euere with-Owten Ony Recouere.
and whanne Of swowneng he Cam Agayn,
his Eyen Opened he thanne Certein,
and seide, & pleynede him wel More,
and seide that deth negheden him wel sore.
thanne gan he to wrathen Anon,
And seide, “schal I deyen thus son,
that thus am fallen In Maledye,
and neuere In better poynt I was trewlye
to han lyved be ȝeres and be day;
and now I trowe I passe my way;”
thanne Cursed he the tyme that he was bore,
that In Swich manere Scholde deyen thore.
his Eyen Opened he thanne Certein,
and seide, & pleynede him wel More,
and seide that deth negheden him wel sore.
thanne gan he to wrathen Anon,
And seide, “schal I deyen thus son,
that thus am fallen In Maledye,
and neuere In better poynt I was trewlye
to han lyved be ȝeres and be day;
and now I trowe I passe my way;”
thanne Cursed he the tyme that he was bore,
that In Swich manere Scholde deyen thore.
thanne whanne he was Awaked wondirly wel,
after Nasciens Enqwered he Every del.
thanne they Of his howshold ful Snelle
Of him non tydinges ne Cowden they telle,
Nethir tokene ne Signe In non degre;
and thus him they tolde thanne Certeinlie.
and whanne that he herde this tyding,
Anon he fil Aȝen there tho In swowneng.
after Nasciens Enqwered he Every del.
thanne they Of his howshold ful Snelle
Of him non tydinges ne Cowden they telle,
Nethir tokene ne Signe In non degre;
and thus him they tolde thanne Certeinlie.
and whanne that he herde this tyding,
Anon he fil Aȝen there tho In swowneng.
and whanne Of his swowneng Awook he þere,
he Comaunded Anon þat In Alle Manere
Anon Nasciens sone to-foren him bringe,
and he scholde tellen him newe tydinge.
And whanne to forn him this Child gan gon,
Thanne seide this Calafer to him Anon,
‘That On him he wolde Avenged be,
For his fader from him wente In that degre;
and for his deseisse he Suffred therfore,
On hym Avenged he wolde ben thore.’
he Comaunded Anon þat In Alle Manere
Anon Nasciens sone to-foren him bringe,
and he scholde tellen him newe tydinge.
And whanne to forn him this Child gan gon,
Thanne seide this Calafer to him Anon,
317
For his fader from him wente In that degre;
and for his deseisse he Suffred therfore,
On hym Avenged he wolde ben thore.’
thanne Comanded Sire Calafere
that Child Anon forto Slen there.
thanne fil down Calaferes wif Anon,
and preyde him this thing not forto don;
“and ȝif Algates ȝe welen him Sle,
In presoun stille so let him be,
and Rathere hym Enfamyne there,
thanne him to slen In this Manere.”
that Child Anon forto Slen there.
thanne fil down Calaferes wif Anon,
and preyde him this thing not forto don;
“and ȝif Algates ȝe welen him Sle,
In presoun stille so let him be,
and Rathere hym Enfamyne there,
thanne him to slen In this Manere.”
And he that was ful Of Coruptioun
as Ony tigre, Other wilde lyown,
Owther Ony Other Savage beste
that han non Resoun, neþer lest ne meste,
‘but algates On him Avenged wolde he be,
thowh that him self there scholde [him] Sle.’
as Ony tigre, Other wilde lyown,
Owther Ony Other Savage beste
that han non Resoun, neþer lest ne meste,
‘but algates On him Avenged wolde he be,
thowh that him self there scholde [him] Sle.’
thanne Cleped he his Seriawntes Anon þere,
And Comaunded þat In to þe towr they scholde him bere
In his bed; Al so sik as that he was,
he wolde be born In to that hye plas;
and he Comanded Aftir him to bringe
Nasciens Sone with-Owten tarienge.
and they fulfilden his Comandement;
him they vpe boren verament;
and Aftyr hym, Celidoyne, Nasciens sone,
For hym they maden ful gret Mone.
And Comaunded þat In to þe towr they scholde him bere
In his bed; Al so sik as that he was,
he wolde be born In to that hye plas;
and he Comanded Aftir him to bringe
Nasciens Sone with-Owten tarienge.
and they fulfilden his Comandement;
him they vpe boren verament;
and Aftyr hym, Celidoyne, Nasciens sone,
For hym they maden ful gret Mone.
and whanne this Celydoine was vpe I-browht,
Calafer, this Terant, for-gat it nowht
there that Child forto spille,
Wit venamous herte & Evel wille.
thanne Anon his seriawntes he gan to Calle,
And Comanded the Child to throwen ouer the walle,
that with his Eyen he myhte it sen,
For sekir non Othirwise ne scholde it ben.
Calafer, this Terant, for-gat it nowht
there that Child forto spille,
Wit venamous herte & Evel wille.
thanne Anon his seriawntes he gan to Calle,
And Comanded the Child to throwen ouer the walle,
that with his Eyen he myhte it sen,
For sekir non Othirwise ne scholde it ben.
318
Wherfore deol & Sorwe they maden Echon
For that dede that they scholden don;
but they ne dorste not Offenden his Comaundement,
but Anon it fulfilde there present.
they token vpe this Child Anon,
And leften him Above Alle þe werk Of ston;
and whanne Calafer him Sawh so hye,
down him to Caste he bad hem hye;
Anon his biddeng fulfil they there,
and threwen him down In here Manere;
thanne this tyraunt gan vp to Rise
To sen this Child taken his I-wise,—
So ful he was Of Crwelte
As Evere Ony tyraunt myht be;—
And whanne þe Child was Middis his fallynge,
Alle Aftir him loked with-Owten tarienge,
and wende that to þe Erthe he schold haue gon,
and his lemes to-borsten Everichon;
but Anon As that they lokeden Owte,
they sien ix. hondes that child Comen Abowte,
that lik As Snow they weren so whit—
Whiche to soimme Of hem was gret delyt;—
and this Child they henten Anon
In this Maner tho Everichon,
two hondes to the Ryht Arm they wente,
and tweyne to þe left Arm veramente,
tweyne to the left leg, & tweyne to þe Ryhte,
and On to hed Openly In here syhte;
And In this Manere these Nyne hondis
browhte Celidoyne Ow[t] Of Califeris bondis
With-Owten Ony Of the Erthe towching:
this was to Calafer gret Merveillyng;
and Evere he lay and beheld ful faste
tyl that the Child was fer from him paste;
and whanne this beheld Sire Calafere,
that this Child was boren so fer,
For sorwe he fil In swowneng Anon.
For that dede that they scholden don;
but they ne dorste not Offenden his Comaundement,
but Anon it fulfilde there present.
they token vpe this Child Anon,
And leften him Above Alle þe werk Of ston;
and whanne Calafer him Sawh so hye,
down him to Caste he bad hem hye;
Anon his biddeng fulfil they there,
and threwen him down In here Manere;
thanne this tyraunt gan vp to Rise
To sen this Child taken his I-wise,—
So ful he was Of Crwelte
As Evere Ony tyraunt myht be;—
And whanne þe Child was Middis his fallynge,
Alle Aftir him loked with-Owten tarienge,
and wende that to þe Erthe he schold haue gon,
and his lemes to-borsten Everichon;
but Anon As that they lokeden Owte,
they sien ix. hondes that child Comen Abowte,
that lik As Snow they weren so whit—
Whiche to soimme Of hem was gret delyt;—
and this Child they henten Anon
In this Maner tho Everichon,
two hondes to the Ryht Arm they wente,
and tweyne to þe left Arm veramente,
tweyne to the left leg, & tweyne to þe Ryhte,
and On to hed Openly In here syhte;
And In this Manere these Nyne hondis
browhte Celidoyne Ow[t] Of Califeris bondis
With-Owten Ony Of the Erthe towching:
this was to Calafer gret Merveillyng;
and Evere he lay and beheld ful faste
tyl that the Child was fer from him paste;
and whanne this beheld Sire Calafere,
that this Child was boren so fer,
319
thanne Owt Of that towr Gan þer gon,
of wondirful dirknesse gret plente,
that non Of hem Mihte Oþer there se;
and aftir this dirknesse there spak A voysse,
that Alle they herden A wondirful Noisse,
that ‘to him whiche was Goddis Enemy,
veniawnce to him scholde Neyhen ful ny.’
of wondirful dirknesse gret plente,
that non Of hem Mihte Oþer there se;
and aftir this dirknesse there spak A voysse,
that Alle they herden A wondirful Noisse,
that ‘to him whiche was Goddis Enemy,
veniawnce to him scholde Neyhen ful ny.’
and Anon As this word was seide there,
Ful wondirfol Noise, & In dredful Manere.
It Gan to thondren & lyhtene ful faste,
that semed Al the Eyr scholde to-berste,
and that it were ful domesday;
thus weren they Alle In gret Afray,
So that Alle the Meyne that weren there
Forsoken here lord Calafere
that stille lay swowneng In that tour;
hym they forsoken with mochel dolour.
Ful wondirfol Noise, & In dredful Manere.
It Gan to thondren & lyhtene ful faste,
that semed Al the Eyr scholde to-berste,
and that it were ful domesday;
thus weren they Alle In gret Afray,
So that Alle the Meyne that weren there
Forsoken here lord Calafere
that stille lay swowneng In that tour;
hym they forsoken with mochel dolour.
And Anon As from him they weren I-went,
A Fyr from hevene Com there present,
and Of that towr hit smot the left partie
down Into the Middes ful Sekerlye,
In whiche partie that lay Sire Calafere.
So veniablely was he Slayn there,
that Er to the Erthe he Cam A-down,
the pecis of his body fledden In-virown,
and non of his Other Meyne
hadden non harm In non degre,
Sawf Only for drede In here syht,
that In here hertes they weren Afryht;
for Cristened thei weren Everichon,
and Chosen his plesaunse to don,
and to the Trenite they hadden hem take,
And forsaken Alle the develis so blake.
A Fyr from hevene Com there present,
and Of that towr hit smot the left partie
down Into the Middes ful Sekerlye,
In whiche partie that lay Sire Calafere.
So veniablely was he Slayn there,
that Er to the Erthe he Cam A-down,
the pecis of his body fledden In-virown,
and non of his Other Meyne
hadden non harm In non degre,
Sawf Only for drede In here syht,
that In here hertes they weren Afryht;
for Cristened thei weren Everichon,
and Chosen his plesaunse to don,
and to the Trenite they hadden hem take,
And forsaken Alle the develis so blake.
behold what God wile for his man do!
him kepen from Evel for Evere Mo!
him kepen from Evel for Evere Mo!
320
And thus, now As ȝe han herd here told,
paste this Calafer, that was So bold,
From worldly lif to Evere-lastyng peyne,
As this storie thus doth vs to seyne.
paste this Calafer, that was So bold,
From worldly lif to Evere-lastyng peyne,
As this storie thus doth vs to seyne.
and thus sone thorw al the Contre
this word gan Springe Certeinle,
how that Nasciens Owt of preson was gon—
Where-Offen weren glad ful Manion,—
And Of his Sone Also there,
how that he Aschaped, & in what Manere.
this word gan Springe Certeinle,
how that Nasciens Owt of preson was gon—
Where-Offen weren glad ful Manion,—
And Of his Sone Also there,
how that he Aschaped, & in what Manere.
And whanne Saracynte herde Of this tydyng,
Ful Ioyful sche was In Alle thing,
And beleved it ful Certeinlye
that it was thorwh goddis Mercye,
and thorwh him they weren vnbownde
Where so Evere they weren that ilke stownde;
Wel wiste sche be Crist it Was I-don,
Alle these poyntes thanne Everichon.
Ful Ioyful sche was In Alle thing,
And beleved it ful Certeinlye
that it was thorwh goddis Mercye,
and thorwh him they weren vnbownde
Where so Evere they weren that ilke stownde;
Wel wiste sche be Crist it Was I-don,
Alle these poyntes thanne Everichon.
thanne Alle the Barowns that Of þe Rem were,
To Sarras to qwene Saracynte Comen there,
Whanne they wisten the trewthe Of deliueraunce,
That Nasciens was happed Swich A chaunce,
and Of the veniaunce Of Calafere
That God Sodeinly On him took there;
thanne thus they dowted hem Everychon,
lest God veniaunce hem Wolde senden vppon,
For here fals Wil and Concentyng,
Of Nasciens & his sones presoneng.
To Sarras to qwene Saracynte Comen there,
Whanne they wisten the trewthe Of deliueraunce,
That Nasciens was happed Swich A chaunce,
and Of the veniaunce Of Calafere
That God Sodeinly On him took there;
thanne thus they dowted hem Everychon,
lest God veniaunce hem Wolde senden vppon,
For here fals Wil and Concentyng,
Of Nasciens & his sones presoneng.
thanne Comen Alle to the qweene Anon,
and Criden hire Mercy Everichon,
that hire Brother En-prisoned so was
be here Consentyn In that plas;
And seyden ‘þat it was Only Al & som,
Only be Calaferis ymaginacioun;
Wherfor, God hath veniaunce on him take
Openly, As we knowen, for Nasciens sake.’
and for they Syen that God Of his Myht
hadde schewed swich miracle to Alle Mennes siht,
there-fore Mercy they gonne to Crye
To qwene Saracynte ful lowlye:
“Now, goode lady, ȝoure brother don seken ȝe,
In what Contre that So Evere he be,
And we scholen putten vs In his Mercy—
bothe Owre bodyes, & Owre Good pleynly,—
With vs to done At his plesaunce,
To what presown, or to what Noisaunce.”
and Criden hire Mercy Everichon,
that hire Brother En-prisoned so was
be here Consentyn In that plas;
And seyden ‘þat it was Only Al & som,
Only be Calaferis ymaginacioun;
Wherfor, God hath veniaunce on him take
Openly, As we knowen, for Nasciens sake.’
321
hadde schewed swich miracle to Alle Mennes siht,
there-fore Mercy they gonne to Crye
To qwene Saracynte ful lowlye:
“Now, goode lady, ȝoure brother don seken ȝe,
In what Contre that So Evere he be,
And we scholen putten vs In his Mercy—
bothe Owre bodyes, & Owre Good pleynly,—
With vs to done At his plesaunce,
To what presown, or to what Noisaunce.”
and whanne qwene Saracinte herde hem thus seye,
Wel gladed hire herte was Certeinlye.
Anon sent sche Messangeris fyve,
And Charged hem Alle vppon here lyve,
And took hem I-nowh of gold & Fee,
& Charged hem to Serchen In Eche Contre,
Al so longe As Good & hors wolde Endure,
To sechen hire Brothir sche made hem Ensure;
And for non man Schold han hem In Suspescioun,
lettres Enseled with Good Entencioun,
Enseled vndir hire Owne Sel,
the bettere men hem to knowen & leven wel;
And In that lettre dide sche don wryte
As wel as that sche Cowde Endyte,
Of hire lordis Avicion Certefyenge,
þat he hadde the Niht to-foren his goynge.
Wel gladed hire herte was Certeinlye.
Anon sent sche Messangeris fyve,
And Charged hem Alle vppon here lyve,
And took hem I-nowh of gold & Fee,
& Charged hem to Serchen In Eche Contre,
Al so longe As Good & hors wolde Endure,
To sechen hire Brothir sche made hem Ensure;
And for non man Schold han hem In Suspescioun,
lettres Enseled with Good Entencioun,
Enseled vndir hire Owne Sel,
the bettere men hem to knowen & leven wel;
And In that lettre dide sche don wryte
As wel as that sche Cowde Endyte,
Of hire lordis Avicion Certefyenge,
þat he hadde the Niht to-foren his goynge.
thus the Messengeris here leve took,
that Iorne to done, & it not forsook;
Forto fulfillen hire Comaundement,
Alle forth they wenten with good entent.
that Iorne to done, & it not forsook;
Forto fulfillen hire Comaundement,
Alle forth they wenten with good entent.
Now Mosten we leven A while this storye,
And to Anothir Storye We Mosten hye,
Whiche that Certefieth Of Nasciens Wif,
That leveth In Wo, bothe Sorwe & stryf.
And to Anothir Storye We Mosten hye,
Whiche that Certefieth Of Nasciens Wif,
That leveth In Wo, bothe Sorwe & stryf.
| CHAPTER XXV. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |