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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| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. | CHAPTER XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
| XLIII. |
| XLIV. |
| XLV. |
| XLVI. |
| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
| L. |
| LI. |
| LII. |
| LIII. |
| LIV. |
| LV. |
| LVI. |
 | CHAPTER XXVIII. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
351
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Now bothe Resown & Ryht it is
Aȝen to the Storye to tornen with-Owten Mis,
And to this yl to tornen Anon Agein,
That so brood & so longe Is In Certein;
And ȝit it to vs Scheweth Apressly,
the declarenge Of this holy Storye,
That Nasciens was In the laste Ende,
that Gentyl dwk so good & kende.
Towardis the west partye of the see
This ful trewe dwk thanne was he;
but ȝit the see not So nygh he was,
that be-twene hem was a ful gret spas,
the Mowntawnce Of Sevene Miles bedene,
and An half Mile, with-Owten wene.
Aȝen to the Storye to tornen with-Owten Mis,
And to this yl to tornen Anon Agein,
That so brood & so longe Is In Certein;
352
the declarenge Of this holy Storye,
That Nasciens was In the laste Ende,
that Gentyl dwk so good & kende.
Towardis the west partye of the see
This ful trewe dwk thanne was he;
but ȝit the see not So nygh he was,
that be-twene hem was a ful gret spas,
the Mowntawnce Of Sevene Miles bedene,
and An half Mile, with-Owten wene.
Whanne Nasciens the day Gan to dawe,
thanne Of that Sihte he was ful fawe,
And that he myhte haven Ony knowenge
Of what partie of the see he was, with-Owten varienge;
And for As Mochel as the day is more Comfortable
thanne is the Nyht, with-Owten Ony fable,
For Evere hadde he In ful hopinge,
Be the day to hauen had som Comfortynge.
thanne Of that Sihte he was ful fawe,
And that he myhte haven Ony knowenge
Of what partie of the see he was, with-Owten varienge;
And for As Mochel as the day is more Comfortable
thanne is the Nyht, with-Owten Ony fable,
For Evere hadde he In ful hopinge,
Be the day to hauen had som Comfortynge.
and with this, Nasciens, In-to the Est he knelid adown,
and there Anon to God Made his Orisown,
Preyeng to Jesus that was Maryes sone,
(As Other God than him ne knew he none)
‘that he Wolde of his gret Mercye,—
—lik As he was On Only god verraylye,
And that non Other god neuere Nas but he,
Most Myhtful god In Maieste,
In whiche On Only god beleved he,
thre persones, but on God in vnite,—
that Swich Counseil he wolde him sende,
helthe to his Sowle, his lif to Amende.’
And whanne thus his preyere he hadde I-do,
The Signe Of the holy Cros On him made he tho,
and Also he Made it In his face,
the strengere to be thorwh goddis grace.
and there Anon to God Made his Orisown,
Preyeng to Jesus that was Maryes sone,
(As Other God than him ne knew he none)
‘that he Wolde of his gret Mercye,—
—lik As he was On Only god verraylye,
And that non Other god neuere Nas but he,
Most Myhtful god In Maieste,
In whiche On Only god beleved he,
thre persones, but on God in vnite,—
that Swich Counseil he wolde him sende,
helthe to his Sowle, his lif to Amende.’
And whanne thus his preyere he hadde I-do,
The Signe Of the holy Cros On him made he tho,
and Also he Made it In his face,
the strengere to be thorwh goddis grace.
353
and whanne he hadde thus I-do,
to the nexte party of þe Se wente he tho;
& whanne he hadde gon the spas of half a Myle,
Into the See he gan loken with-Inne A while;
A lytel thing him thowhte he say Comen there,
No More thanne A swan As thowh it were,
That streyht to the yl it gan Aplye—
As this Storye vs scheweth ful sekerlye;—
to the same Ende that he Inne was,
thedir it Appliede, As happed be Cas.
to the nexte party of þe Se wente he tho;
& whanne he hadde gon the spas of half a Myle,
Into the See he gan loken with-Inne A while;
A lytel thing him thowhte he say Comen there,
No More thanne A swan As thowh it were,
That streyht to the yl it gan Aplye—
As this Storye vs scheweth ful sekerlye;—
to the same Ende that he Inne was,
thedir it Appliede, As happed be Cas.
and whanne he Saw it So faste Comenge,
Euere the grettere it wax, to his semenge;
but thanne mihte he not ful wel go;
For so forbrosed his feet weren tho
with the Chenes Of his presownenge,
that to Walken hadde he non likynge:
and Anothir Skele there was also,
that he nas neuere Mochel wont forto go.
ȝit wente he forth with ful gret peyne,
And Aftir that thing he loked A-geyne
Wheche that he beheld In the Morwenyng,
that to-ward the yl Cam flotering;
and thanne parceyved he Sone In haste,
That A fair Schipe it was Atte laste,
the wheche was [so] wondirly fair & Riche,
That In Al this world him thowhte non swiche.
Euere the grettere it wax, to his semenge;
but thanne mihte he not ful wel go;
For so forbrosed his feet weren tho
with the Chenes Of his presownenge,
that to Walken hadde he non likynge:
and Anothir Skele there was also,
that he nas neuere Mochel wont forto go.
ȝit wente he forth with ful gret peyne,
And Aftir that thing he loked A-geyne
Wheche that he beheld In the Morwenyng,
that to-ward the yl Cam flotering;
and thanne parceyved he Sone In haste,
That A fair Schipe it was Atte laste,
the wheche was [so] wondirly fair & Riche,
That In Al this world him thowhte non swiche.
And whanne this Schipe he gan be-holde,
In his herte he Ioyede ful Manyfolde,
And peyned him faste thanne forto go
To wardis the See, As he myhte tho;
So that With gret peyne & Angwisch Also
Atte laste to this Schipe Cam he to.
And whanne thedir he was Comen ful Ryht,
Ful wery he was, and hadde non Myht.
Thanne sawh he that bothe his feet In fere,
Alle for hete for-sckorchid were,
and Ek for-Rent they weren Also,
For the lytel weye that he hadde go;
So that Er thike vij miles hadde he gon,
It was Of the day the tyde Of Noon;
thanne was he bothe feynt, wery, & fastynge,
and Al distrowbled for his Travaillynge.
In his herte he Ioyede ful Manyfolde,
And peyned him faste thanne forto go
To wardis the See, As he myhte tho;
So that With gret peyne & Angwisch Also
Atte laste to this Schipe Cam he to.
And whanne thedir he was Comen ful Ryht,
Ful wery he was, and hadde non Myht.
Thanne sawh he that bothe his feet In fere,
Alle for hete for-sckorchid were,
354
For the lytel weye that he hadde go;
So that Er thike vij miles hadde he gon,
It was Of the day the tyde Of Noon;
thanne was he bothe feynt, wery, & fastynge,
and Al distrowbled for his Travaillynge.
Anon thanne loked he A lytel beside
Vppon the Ryht half of him In that tyde,
thanne Sawh he A Schipe A-Ryde
Evene fast by him Also blyve;
thanne thowhte him it was the same thing
that Al day hadde he Sein to his Supposing;
So to-wardis that Schipe he torned Anon
Also faste As that he Cowde Gon.
Vppon the Ryht half of him In that tyde,
thanne Sawh he A Schipe A-Ryde
Evene fast by him Also blyve;
thanne thowhte him it was the same thing
that Al day hadde he Sein to his Supposing;
So to-wardis that Schipe he torned Anon
Also faste As that he Cowde Gon.
the Schipe, So Riche & So fair it was,
And Merveillede how that It Cam In to þat plas.
And whanne he be-gan thus it longe to beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Many folde;
And Mochel More Merveil thanne hadde he,
For Nethir Man ne womman ne cowde he se
that Schip with-Inne to warde Oþer Gye:
thus telleth this Storie ful Openlye.
And Merveillede how that It Cam In to þat plas.
And whanne he be-gan thus it longe to beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Many folde;
And Mochel More Merveil thanne hadde he,
For Nethir Man ne womman ne cowde he se
that Schip with-Inne to warde Oþer Gye:
thus telleth this Storie ful Openlye.
thanne gan he him drawen Neer & Neere,
Til that to the Schipe he was Come there;
and In han Entred ful fayn wold he,
ȝif Ony Mon there-Inne mihte he Se,
and forto proven the trewthe there
Of that Bewte In Alle Manere,
ȝif with-Inne it were As fayre Owt Ryht,
As with-Owten it was there to his syht.
Til that to the Schipe he was Come there;
and In han Entred ful fayn wold he,
ȝif Ony Mon there-Inne mihte he Se,
and forto proven the trewthe there
Of that Bewte In Alle Manere,
ȝif with-Inne it were As fayre Owt Ryht,
As with-Owten it was there to his syht.
Anon As In-to the Schip Entren Wold he,
In that for-schip he Sawh ful Sekerle
lettres Of Gold, I vndirstonde,
that As Writeng it was of Caldee londe,
that As pitous word they gonne to Speke.
thanne Nasciens Ner to the Schip gan Reke;
For that Word there so dowtable was
To Ony man that Entren wolde Into þat plas.
Lo, these wordis seide the Scripture
as I the schal Schewe, I the Ensure,
“thow that wilt with-Inne me Entren here,
loke thou be stedfast In alle manere,
And that thou ful of feyth algates be;
For with-Innes me nis thing non but feith sekerle;
therfore I Rede, devise the ful wel
that thow be Clene Everydel,
and stedfast In feith & In Creaunce,
Oþer elles the be-happeth Som Meschaunce.
For stedfast feith, Creaunce it is;
and Anon As thow thy Creaunce dost mis
In Ony partie Or In Ony degre,
I the forsaken Schal ful Sekerle,
that Of me Sostenaunce shalt þou non have,
Neþer non helpe, thowh thou Crye and Crave,
but I schal the faillen In thyn most nede,
and leten the fallen with-Owten drede,
So that thou schalt I-lost thanne be
For fawt of beleve, And thow it fle.”
In that for-schip he Sawh ful Sekerle
lettres Of Gold, I vndirstonde,
that As Writeng it was of Caldee londe,
that As pitous word they gonne to Speke.
thanne Nasciens Ner to the Schip gan Reke;
355
To Ony man that Entren wolde Into þat plas.
Lo, these wordis seide the Scripture
as I the schal Schewe, I the Ensure,
“thow that wilt with-Inne me Entren here,
loke thou be stedfast In alle manere,
And that thou ful of feyth algates be;
For with-Innes me nis thing non but feith sekerle;
therfore I Rede, devise the ful wel
that thow be Clene Everydel,
and stedfast In feith & In Creaunce,
Oþer elles the be-happeth Som Meschaunce.
For stedfast feith, Creaunce it is;
and Anon As thow thy Creaunce dost mis
In Ony partie Or In Ony degre,
I the forsaken Schal ful Sekerle,
that Of me Sostenaunce shalt þou non have,
Neþer non helpe, thowh thou Crye and Crave,
but I schal the faillen In thyn most nede,
and leten the fallen with-Owten drede,
So that thou schalt I-lost thanne be
For fawt of beleve, And thow it fle.”
thanne with-stood this Nasciens In that stede,
and these lettres of gold he gan forto Rede;
and whanne he hadde longe him bethowht
how that Schipe thedir was I-browht,
Into the Schipe he wolde han gon,
but that word him Stoned Anon
that was so dowtful & Charchable,
For they Weren Wordis Of non fable.
and whanne In this thowht he hadde longe I-be,
Other wyse he gan tho him be-se,
and him bethowht In Other Manere
How that he Scholde Governe him there.
and these lettres of gold he gan forto Rede;
and whanne he hadde longe him bethowht
how that Schipe thedir was I-browht,
Into the Schipe he wolde han gon,
but that word him Stoned Anon
that was so dowtful & Charchable,
For they Weren Wordis Of non fable.
and whanne In this thowht he hadde longe I-be,
Other wyse he gan tho him be-se,
and him bethowht In Other Manere
How that he Scholde Governe him there.
Thanne In this manere thus gan he Seyn:
“O goode lord God, of Alle thinges Sovereign,
the wordis Of this Schipe Seith here,
that but feyth nys there-Inne in non manere;
and ȝif these lettres now trewe here be,
thanne wot I wel ful certeinle
that this Schipe be ȝow hedir Is I-sent;
this knowe I wel thanne verament.
And ȝif only it be Comen from ȝow,
thanne In My Creaunce knowe I now
that non Evel thing there-Inne May be,
Ne Contrariowsness In non degre
that scholde Aȝens ȝoure glorious Name
ben Reprof, velenie, Oþer elles schame.
but, lord, I beleve In ȝow ful feithfully;
wheche Creawnce I took ful devoutly
Of thin One Seriaw[n]t so dere,
That þou wost ben worschepid & beleved In alle manere;
And In Stedfast beleve, the Ay worschepinge,
I schal In Entren for Ony thinge.
For who that Is In thi stedfast beleve,
From Alle Misaventures it doth him Meve,
and Saueth him, and Ek Alle tho
that In thy beleve stedfast go;
In what Maner peryl that so he be,
thi beleve him saveth Sekerle.”
356
the wordis Of this Schipe Seith here,
that but feyth nys there-Inne in non manere;
and ȝif these lettres now trewe here be,
thanne wot I wel ful certeinle
that this Schipe be ȝow hedir Is I-sent;
this knowe I wel thanne verament.
And ȝif only it be Comen from ȝow,
thanne In My Creaunce knowe I now
that non Evel thing there-Inne May be,
Ne Contrariowsness In non degre
that scholde Aȝens ȝoure glorious Name
ben Reprof, velenie, Oþer elles schame.
but, lord, I beleve In ȝow ful feithfully;
wheche Creawnce I took ful devoutly
Of thin One Seriaw[n]t so dere,
That þou wost ben worschepid & beleved In alle manere;
And In Stedfast beleve, the Ay worschepinge,
I schal In Entren for Ony thinge.
For who that Is In thi stedfast beleve,
From Alle Misaventures it doth him Meve,
and Saueth him, and Ek Alle tho
that In thy beleve stedfast go;
In what Maner peryl that so he be,
thi beleve him saveth Sekerle.”
thus sone Sire Nasciens left vp his hond,
and made the signe of Holy Cros, I vndirstond,
And Entred In to the Schip Anon
Also Faste As he myhte Gon.
And whanne that Entred he was with-Inne,
Fast loked he Abowtes, and nolde not blynne;
In Alle parties loked he ful faste;
And so faste he loked Atte laste,
So that him thowhte In non Maner of Se
A fairere Schipe ne Myhte be;
And thus to him Selve he gan to seyn,
‘That So fair a schip he Sawh neuere Certein,’
Ne so ful of Bewte neþer of Richesse
Sawh he neuere to fore As that, I Gesse,
As that Same was to his Avis,
for of Alle Schepis it bar the pris.
and made the signe of Holy Cros, I vndirstond,
And Entred In to the Schip Anon
Also Faste As he myhte Gon.
And whanne that Entred he was with-Inne,
Fast loked he Abowtes, and nolde not blynne;
In Alle parties loked he ful faste;
And so faste he loked Atte laste,
So that him thowhte In non Maner of Se
A fairere Schipe ne Myhte be;
357
‘That So fair a schip he Sawh neuere Certein,’
Ne so ful of Bewte neþer of Richesse
Sawh he neuere to fore As that, I Gesse,
As that Same was to his Avis,
for of Alle Schepis it bar the pris.
And whanne Alle the Corners he hadde Serched Abowte,
Aboven and benethen, with-Owten dowte,
thanne to þe bowk of þe schipe gan he gon,
and there atte laste he fond Anon;
he beheld Where heng A Cloth of Whit;
it was ful plesaunt to his delyt;
and lik A Cowrtyn him thowhte it was,
that was hanged In that plas.
Aboven and benethen, with-Owten dowte,
thanne to þe bowk of þe schipe gan he gon,
and there atte laste he fond Anon;
he beheld Where heng A Cloth of Whit;
it was ful plesaunt to his delyt;
and lik A Cowrtyn him thowhte it was,
that was hanged In that plas.
thanne Anon lefte he vp this Courtyn In haste;
there-vndir, a faire bed he fond atte laste,
the Wheche the fairest & þe Richest bed it was
that euere to fore he Saw In Ony plas;
and at the hed of the Same bed
was A Crowne of gold In that sted;
and at the beddis feet Sekerliche
A swerd there was, bothe faire & Riche,
Wheche vppon the bed it lay Ouerthwert,
Al this, Sire Nasciens, it Sawh Apert—
Whiche that Owt of þe Skawberk was drawe
half A fote & an handful, thus seith this Sawe.
this swerd was of diuers facioun Sekerlye,
as here Witnesseth this holy Storye,
For the pomel was of swich A ston
That Colours it hadde Manyon,
As Manye As on the Erthe myhte be
To his Sihte there weren vpon, sikerle;
and Ech Of the Colours hadde a Clerte,
and Ech Clerte A vertu, as þat storie scheweth me,
Where As this Storie doth declare
Of Mani mo thinges whanne he Cometh thare.
there-vndir, a faire bed he fond atte laste,
the Wheche the fairest & þe Richest bed it was
that euere to fore he Saw In Ony plas;
and at the hed of the Same bed
was A Crowne of gold In that sted;
and at the beddis feet Sekerliche
A swerd there was, bothe faire & Riche,
Wheche vppon the bed it lay Ouerthwert,
Al this, Sire Nasciens, it Sawh Apert—
Whiche that Owt of þe Skawberk was drawe
half A fote & an handful, thus seith this Sawe.
this swerd was of diuers facioun Sekerlye,
as here Witnesseth this holy Storye,
For the pomel was of swich A ston
That Colours it hadde Manyon,
As Manye As on the Erthe myhte be
To his Sihte there weren vpon, sikerle;
and Ech Of the Colours hadde a Clerte,
and Ech Clerte A vertu, as þat storie scheweth me,
Where As this Storie doth declare
358
thanne to the handyl Of this swerd,
there nas non swich In Middillerd;
For tweyne Skales it hadde, with-Inne the hond,
Of two diuers bestes, as I vndirstond;
the ton sckale was In Maner of A Serpent,
that In Caldiens lond was most present
thanne In Ony Oþer lond Certein;
there was his hawntyng I telle ȝow pleyn.
and ‘papagast’ was this Serpentis Name,
Whiche was a Serpent of A wondirful fame.
For this is the kynde of that Serpent,
What man that A bone of his hath verament,
him Nedeth neuere non Other hete,
Nethir of sonne, ne of travaille, to don him swete;
but that Evere In Mesurable hete he schal be;
this vertw hath his bon ful Sekerle,
Whereoffen the ton sckale of the handele it is,
As I haue ȝow told with-Owten Mys.
there nas non swich In Middillerd;
For tweyne Skales it hadde, with-Inne the hond,
Of two diuers bestes, as I vndirstond;
the ton sckale was In Maner of A Serpent,
that In Caldiens lond was most present
thanne In Ony Oþer lond Certein;
there was his hawntyng I telle ȝow pleyn.
and ‘papagast’ was this Serpentis Name,
Whiche was a Serpent of A wondirful fame.
For this is the kynde of that Serpent,
What man that A bone of his hath verament,
him Nedeth neuere non Other hete,
Nethir of sonne, ne of travaille, to don him swete;
but that Evere In Mesurable hete he schal be;
this vertw hath his bon ful Sekerle,
Whereoffen the ton sckale of the handele it is,
As I haue ȝow told with-Owten Mys.
The tothir Skale is Of A fysch of the Se,
That In Ewfrate most wont is forto be;
And In Othir water Is it non,
but only In Ewfrate Al Alon.
‘Tortenavs’ is the Name Of this fysch,
As we it Mown Sownen In Englysch.
And his bones of these strengthe ben,
As Me declaren here schole ȝe sen;
For As long As Ony man it hath On honde—
I do ȝow ful wel forto vndirstonde—
that nethir of ioye ne of sorwe schal he have In Mende,
but onlich Of that bon, swich is the kende;
and whanne Owt his hond it is I-don,
To his kende Memorie Cometh he Anon
As Owhte forto ben In A kendly man.
Lo, swich A vertu this bon hath than!
behold what vertw Is In these bones tweyne,
Where offen the handele is Mad In Certeine!
That In Ewfrate most wont is forto be;
And In Othir water Is it non,
but only In Ewfrate Al Alon.
‘Tortenavs’ is the Name Of this fysch,
As we it Mown Sownen In Englysch.
And his bones of these strengthe ben,
As Me declaren here schole ȝe sen;
For As long As Ony man it hath On honde—
I do ȝow ful wel forto vndirstonde—
that nethir of ioye ne of sorwe schal he have In Mende,
but onlich Of that bon, swich is the kende;
and whanne Owt his hond it is I-don,
To his kende Memorie Cometh he Anon
As Owhte forto ben In A kendly man.
Lo, swich A vertu this bon hath than!
359
Where offen the handele is Mad In Certeine!
Wheche handele & sckales, I-keuered it was
With A Riche Red Cloth In that plas,
I-set wel ful of lettres Of Gold,
(As he myhte there pleynly behold,)
Wheche that Spoken In this degre
ful Openly, As he myht wel Se;
“I am Merveillous to beholde On A rowe,
And ȝit moche more Merveillous I Am to knowe;
For me Schal neuere man taken On honde—
As I do the Forto vndirstonde,—
be his hand neuere So large & gret,
Me schal he not drawen, I the behet;
Ne non Man that is Erthly levenge,
but Onlich On Man with-Ovten varienge.
And he Schal ben the most worthiest,
the Most Able, & the Most best,
that Euere was him before,
And schal passen Alle þat is bore,
Of prowesse and of konnenge,
Of alle tho that to-forn him weren levenge,
Oþer Evere Scholen ben In tyme Comenge;
Swich Schal his strengthe ben & his konnenge.”
and thus the lettres of the handelyng spak
To this Sire Nasciens with-Owten lak.
With A Riche Red Cloth In that plas,
I-set wel ful of lettres Of Gold,
(As he myhte there pleynly behold,)
Wheche that Spoken In this degre
ful Openly, As he myht wel Se;
“I am Merveillous to beholde On A rowe,
And ȝit moche more Merveillous I Am to knowe;
For me Schal neuere man taken On honde—
As I do the Forto vndirstonde,—
be his hand neuere So large & gret,
Me schal he not drawen, I the behet;
Ne non Man that is Erthly levenge,
but Onlich On Man with-Ovten varienge.
And he Schal ben the most worthiest,
the Most Able, & the Most best,
that Euere was him before,
And schal passen Alle þat is bore,
Of prowesse and of konnenge,
Of alle tho that to-forn him weren levenge,
Oþer Evere Scholen ben In tyme Comenge;
Swich Schal his strengthe ben & his konnenge.”
and thus the lettres of the handelyng spak
To this Sire Nasciens with-Owten lak.
and whanne Sire Nasciens beheld al this,
Ful Sore he was Astoned with-Owten Mis;
and Merveilled ful Mochel In his thowht
In what Manere these lettres weren wrowht;
And what they weren forto Mene,
In his herte he Merveilled be-dene.
thanne beheld he the blad of þe swerd
that so drawen lay, As to-fore ȝe han herd;
And there-vppon loked he wonder faste,
And Rede lettre he Aspide þat Onne atte laste,
Wheche weren As Red as Any Blood;
thus him thowhte þere As he stood.
Ful Sore he was Astoned with-Owten Mis;
and Merveilled ful Mochel In his thowht
In what Manere these lettres weren wrowht;
And what they weren forto Mene,
In his herte he Merveilled be-dene.
thanne beheld he the blad of þe swerd
that so drawen lay, As to-fore ȝe han herd;
And there-vppon loked he wonder faste,
And Rede lettre he Aspide þat Onne atte laste,
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thus him thowhte þere As he stood.
thanne took he this swerd A lytel Ner,
And gan to Reden tho lettres In this Maner;
thanne Rad he how this Resown Mente
As I schal ȝow declaren here presente:
It seide that “Neuere man Scholde ben hardy
Me Owt forto drawen ful Sekerly,
but better thanne Anothir he Mowe fyhte,
and more hardiere, & more Of mihte;
And hos Otherwise drawe it In ony sted,
he schal ben the ferst that schal be ded.”
(and this proved wel Schal ben,
As aftir In this Storie here scholen ȝe sen.)
and whanne Nasciens these lettres hadde Red,
he Merveilled him Mochel In that Sted,
Most Of Ony Othir thinge
that he Sawh sethen the begynneng.
And It was on of þe thinges most In his talent,
that Swerd owt to drawen verament,
and Owt of the Sckavberk it forto se,
to knowen what Meneng It Myhte be;
For the lettres that it seide with-Owte,
ȝaf Nasciens Most Talent with-Owten dowte.
And gan to Reden tho lettres In this Maner;
thanne Rad he how this Resown Mente
As I schal ȝow declaren here presente:
It seide that “Neuere man Scholde ben hardy
Me Owt forto drawen ful Sekerly,
but better thanne Anothir he Mowe fyhte,
and more hardiere, & more Of mihte;
And hos Otherwise drawe it In ony sted,
he schal ben the ferst that schal be ded.”
(and this proved wel Schal ben,
As aftir In this Storie here scholen ȝe sen.)
and whanne Nasciens these lettres hadde Red,
he Merveilled him Mochel In that Sted,
Most Of Ony Othir thinge
that he Sawh sethen the begynneng.
And It was on of þe thinges most In his talent,
that Swerd owt to drawen verament,
and Owt of the Sckavberk it forto se,
to knowen what Meneng It Myhte be;
For the lettres that it seide with-Owte,
ȝaf Nasciens Most Talent with-Owten dowte.
thanne Nasciens beheld the Sckawberk tho,
that for Merveille he Niste what to do;
And for Al that he Cowde be-holde,
Benethen, Oþer Aboven, In Ony folde,
and ȝit Nethir In herte, Mynde, ne thowht,
he ne Cowde not weten where-offen it was wrowht;
but wel he wiste it was Al so Red,
and As Ony Red Rose In that sted;
Where-aboven weren lettres of gold,
As he gan there to be-hold;
Euere On Of Gold, Anothir Of Asure;
thus weren they set, I the Ensure.
And A thowsend braunches on this schawberk were,
(Whiche was so Riche, As I Rehersed ȝow Ere,)
that issweden Owt from that Onle,
that Most Merveillous thing it was to se;
For Of so fowl Mater they were,
and therto So powre In þat plase there,
And as of spittynges and Caytyvetes,
Of febelnesses, of filthes, in many degres,
that bothe be Semblaunt & Countenaunce
It was to hym gret dowtaunce:
For An Our the swerd it myhte not Sosteine,
So feble it was, him thowhte Certeine.
that for Merveille he Niste what to do;
And for Al that he Cowde be-holde,
Benethen, Oþer Aboven, In Ony folde,
and ȝit Nethir In herte, Mynde, ne thowht,
he ne Cowde not weten where-offen it was wrowht;
but wel he wiste it was Al so Red,
and As Ony Red Rose In that sted;
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As he gan there to be-hold;
Euere On Of Gold, Anothir Of Asure;
thus weren they set, I the Ensure.
And A thowsend braunches on this schawberk were,
(Whiche was so Riche, As I Rehersed ȝow Ere,)
that issweden Owt from that Onle,
that Most Merveillous thing it was to se;
For Of so fowl Mater they were,
and therto So powre In þat plase there,
And as of spittynges and Caytyvetes,
Of febelnesses, of filthes, in many degres,
that bothe be Semblaunt & Countenaunce
It was to hym gret dowtaunce:
For An Our the swerd it myhte not Sosteine,
So feble it was, him thowhte Certeine.
And the lettres that On sckawberke were,
In this Maner Seiden they there;
“hos that Me vppon him doth bere,
Ful Sewr he Schal ben Euery where;
And more hardy therto schal he be
thanne Ony Oþer man In his degre.
ȝif he bere me In that Manere
as the lettres Of þe swerd Rehersed Ere.
For what man that Abowtes him bereth Me,
he ne schal neuere ben schamed In non degre
as longe as with these braw[n]ches he is gert,
and that On his body I hange Ouerthwert.
but that neuere non be so hardy
that the Raunges that here ben to don Awey;
for him schal happen Manie Misaventure
And Manye Evel dedes, I the Ensure,
that he, ne non Man levenge,
Of him schal tellen non Amendynge;
Ne behoten neuere schal be to Man
So hard as to him Schal be than
that now Is, ne that Neuere schal be,
but ȝif In sauf Ostag he be Sekerle;
And ȝit him be-hoveth to ben Osteyed
In the Manere as here Is seide,
Wheche sholde ben be A wommannes hond,
bothe kynges dowhter & qweene, I vndirstond.
this womman be þe Riht name schal clepen this swerd,
and Me by my Name Openly & Apert;
For neuere to-foren In-to that day
Non Creature be oure riht name Clepen ne may.”
In this Maner Seiden they there;
“hos that Me vppon him doth bere,
Ful Sewr he Schal ben Euery where;
And more hardy therto schal he be
thanne Ony Oþer man In his degre.
ȝif he bere me In that Manere
as the lettres Of þe swerd Rehersed Ere.
For what man that Abowtes him bereth Me,
he ne schal neuere ben schamed In non degre
as longe as with these braw[n]ches he is gert,
and that On his body I hange Ouerthwert.
but that neuere non be so hardy
that the Raunges that here ben to don Awey;
for him schal happen Manie Misaventure
And Manye Evel dedes, I the Ensure,
that he, ne non Man levenge,
Of him schal tellen non Amendynge;
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So hard as to him Schal be than
that now Is, ne that Neuere schal be,
but ȝif In sauf Ostag he be Sekerle;
And ȝit him be-hoveth to ben Osteyed
In the Manere as here Is seide,
Wheche sholde ben be A wommannes hond,
bothe kynges dowhter & qweene, I vndirstond.
this womman be þe Riht name schal clepen this swerd,
and Me by my Name Openly & Apert;
For neuere to-foren In-to that day
Non Creature be oure riht name Clepen ne may.”
Ful longe this Nasciens this Skawberk gan beholde,
and in his herte he Merveilled ful Manifolde.
& whanne thus In the Schip he hadde loked Abowte
On Alle partyes with-Inne & with-Owte;
but neuere so soft ne Cowde he gon,
that Al the bed be-gan to qwaken Anon
from the ton Ende to þe toþer, In that plas;
In this Manere this bed So qwakyng it was.
And whanne he tornede, & it be-held,
For discomfort he ne Myhte hym weld;
For to him it semede tho As Red As blood;
and þervppon wondirful lettres there stood,
that As Ony Cole so blak they were,
the Resoun that was I-weten there;
Wheche lettres Seiden In that Stede,
As that tyme I Cowde hem Rede:
“hos that Me preiseth most here,
Most Schal I him fynde In Oþer Manere,
So that In gret Nede blamed schal he not be
In non wise, As I telle it the.
and to hym to whom I scholde ben Most debonayre,
To him with most Anger I wele Repeire:
Which schal be-happe but Ony[s], Sekerly,
As I the telle here now Openly:
For with-Owten faille so moste it be
At that tyme Onys ful Sikerle.”
Swiche wordis seide the lettrure there
that on þe swerd weren wreten In that manere.
and in his herte he Merveilled ful Manifolde.
& whanne thus In the Schip he hadde loked Abowte
On Alle partyes with-Inne & with-Owte;
but neuere so soft ne Cowde he gon,
that Al the bed be-gan to qwaken Anon
from the ton Ende to þe toþer, In that plas;
In this Manere this bed So qwakyng it was.
And whanne he tornede, & it be-held,
For discomfort he ne Myhte hym weld;
For to him it semede tho As Red As blood;
and þervppon wondirful lettres there stood,
that As Ony Cole so blak they were,
the Resoun that was I-weten there;
Wheche lettres Seiden In that Stede,
As that tyme I Cowde hem Rede:
“hos that Me preiseth most here,
Most Schal I him fynde In Oþer Manere,
So that In gret Nede blamed schal he not be
In non wise, As I telle it the.
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To him with most Anger I wele Repeire:
Which schal be-happe but Ony[s], Sekerly,
As I the telle here now Openly:
For with-Owten faille so moste it be
At that tyme Onys ful Sikerle.”
Swiche wordis seide the lettrure there
that on þe swerd weren wreten In that manere.
and the Skavberk he be-held Agein:
than merveilled he gretly In Certein,
For that partye was non Othir I-liche,
but to his Sihte As blak As Ony pich;
thanne Abasched he was ful Sore,
that he ne wiste what to sein no More,
For he ne Cowde demen of what kynde,
Ne nether to purposen In his Mynde;
but As him thowhte there be Resoun,
Aftir A maner of tre was the facioun;
and Oþer whille him thowhte þat it was
Of lether I-mad In that plas,
but he ne Cowde devise In non degre
Of what Maner Of Beste it Myhte be;
Anothir tyme him thouhte Of yrne it was,
Owthir of sum Oþer Metal In that plas:
Thus wolde he han declared it be him selve;
but ȝit Cowde he not putten the Ex In þe helve.
than merveilled he gretly In Certein,
For that partye was non Othir I-liche,
but to his Sihte As blak As Ony pich;
thanne Abasched he was ful Sore,
that he ne wiste what to sein no More,
For he ne Cowde demen of what kynde,
Ne nether to purposen In his Mynde;
but As him thowhte there be Resoun,
Aftir A maner of tre was the facioun;
and Oþer whille him thowhte þat it was
Of lether I-mad In that plas,
but he ne Cowde devise In non degre
Of what Maner Of Beste it Myhte be;
Anothir tyme him thouhte Of yrne it was,
Owthir of sum Oþer Metal In that plas:
Thus wolde he han declared it be him selve;
but ȝit Cowde he not putten the Ex In þe helve.
Thus doth Nasciens with gret Entencioun;
but Ay he is In ful gret Trebulacioun,
For the Skawberk to haven Offe knowenge,
but he ne Cowde for non manere thinge,
Oþer Whille to On thing In Certeinte,
And þerwhille to Anothir; but it wolde not be.
thus nethir the swerd hondel, ne pomel,
Ne Cowde he declaren Neuere A del;
Where-Offen the swerd I-forged was,
And whens it Cam, & from what plas,
Ne ho that the Swerd schold thedir bringe,
he ne cowde not weten for non thinge;
Nether the strengthe of that schethe þere
he ne Cowde declaren it In non Manere,
Ne not devisen of what kynd it was
he ne Cowde for non Maner of Cas,
Neþer of the grete Merveilles that ben comenge
In diuers Reawmes with-Owten varyenge;
And of the grete Breteyne Also,
What Merveilles that schal Comen hire to:
Of Alle these thinges that to forn Rehersed be,
this Storye ȝit declareth not Sekerle.
but Ay he is In ful gret Trebulacioun,
For the Skawberk to haven Offe knowenge,
but he ne Cowde for non manere thinge,
Oþer Whille to On thing In Certeinte,
And þerwhille to Anothir; but it wolde not be.
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Ne Cowde he declaren Neuere A del;
Where-Offen the swerd I-forged was,
And whens it Cam, & from what plas,
Ne ho that the Swerd schold thedir bringe,
he ne cowde not weten for non thinge;
Nether the strengthe of that schethe þere
he ne Cowde declaren it In non Manere,
Ne not devisen of what kynd it was
he ne Cowde for non Maner of Cas,
Neþer of the grete Merveilles that ben comenge
In diuers Reawmes with-Owten varyenge;
And of the grete Breteyne Also,
What Merveilles that schal Comen hire to:
Of Alle these thinges that to forn Rehersed be,
this Storye ȝit declareth not Sekerle.
but whanne that tyme Cometh therto,
That declareng of þe swerd we scholen gon to;
Thanne schal that swerd be knowen ful wel,
And the propre Name there Offen Everidel,
And the lettres that vppon the schethe be,
thanne scholen they ben knowen Openle.
For whanne that Cometh bothe tyme & day,
Al this schal ben declared sauns delay,
the kynde of the Swerd, and schethe also,
And Alle the vertwes that longen therto.
thanne Openly I-schewed scholen they be,
Lik as this holy Storie telleth Certeinle.
That declareng of þe swerd we scholen gon to;
Thanne schal that swerd be knowen ful wel,
And the propre Name there Offen Everidel,
And the lettres that vppon the schethe be,
thanne scholen they ben knowen Openle.
For whanne that Cometh bothe tyme & day,
Al this schal ben declared sauns delay,
the kynde of the Swerd, and schethe also,
And Alle the vertwes that longen therto.
thanne Openly I-schewed scholen they be,
Lik as this holy Storie telleth Certeinle.
Now beleveth this Storye here
Of the Swerd and the schethe, In this Manere;
and Speketh here of Anothir Entent
that Oppon the Bed was verament:
A spyndele was there schoten forth Ryht
thorwh the bordis Of the bed, I the plyht;
and Anothir Spyndele Ouerthwert was þere do,
that bothen to-Gederis metten they tho;
and bothe Spindelis, As long they were
As lengthe & brede of þe bed Everywhere.
And to the hed Of the two spyndelis certein
Anoþer spyndele was Ioyned, I sey ȝow pleyn;
Of these thre, ful Mochel there is to schewe,
Of manie diuers poyntes vppon A Rewe.
Of the Swerd and the schethe, In this Manere;
and Speketh here of Anothir Entent
that Oppon the Bed was verament:
A spyndele was there schoten forth Ryht
thorwh the bordis Of the bed, I the plyht;
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that bothen to-Gederis metten they tho;
and bothe Spindelis, As long they were
As lengthe & brede of þe bed Everywhere.
And to the hed Of the two spyndelis certein
Anoþer spyndele was Ioyned, I sey ȝow pleyn;
Of these thre, ful Mochel there is to schewe,
Of manie diuers poyntes vppon A Rewe.
but now this Storye telleth here,
that the ferste spyndle was In Alle Manere,
was Also whit As ony snow snewenge;
And the laste was as Red as blood bledenge;
And the ouerth-wert that Aboven was,
lik to An Emerawde In that plas;
As Grene As An Emeraude it was there
To his Syhte In Al Manere:
Of these thre Colowres Sekerlye
Weren these iij spindelis trewelye,
that with-owten Naturel peyntyng were,
but Offe here Owne kynde Alle there;
For nether be Erthly man ne wommane
thedyr ne weren they now browht thanne.
that the ferste spyndle was In Alle Manere,
was Also whit As ony snow snewenge;
And the laste was as Red as blood bledenge;
And the ouerth-wert that Aboven was,
lik to An Emerawde In that plas;
As Grene As An Emeraude it was there
To his Syhte In Al Manere:
Of these thre Colowres Sekerlye
Weren these iij spindelis trewelye,
that with-owten Naturel peyntyng were,
but Offe here Owne kynde Alle there;
For nether be Erthly man ne wommane
thedyr ne weren they now browht thanne.
And for As mochel as to the peple it is dowtaunce,
but declareng þere-onne be with-owten variaunce,
And but þere-offen they knewen more vndirstondeng,
Elles wolden they holden it for A gabbyng,
There-fore here turneth this Storye,
and of Anothir thing Maketh Memorye
that is ful swete forto here,
bothe forto lestene & ek to lere;
And In tyme Comeng, this Storye
the thre spyndelis schal declaren Openlye,
And Of the Schipe Al the knowlechinge,
Alle this Scholen ȝe knowen In tyme Comenge.
but declareng þere-onne be with-owten variaunce,
And but þere-offen they knewen more vndirstondeng,
Elles wolden they holden it for A gabbyng,
There-fore here turneth this Storye,
and of Anothir thing Maketh Memorye
that is ful swete forto here,
bothe forto lestene & ek to lere;
And In tyme Comeng, this Storye
the thre spyndelis schal declaren Openlye,
And Of the Schipe Al the knowlechinge,
Alle this Scholen ȝe knowen In tyme Comenge.
| CHAPTER XXVIII. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |