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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| XXX. |
| XXXI. | CHAPTER XXXI. |
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 | CHAPTER XXXI. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER XXXI.
405
Now schewith forth this Storye
[How] that Nasciens ful Sekerlye
[Beh]eld tho spyndelis that on þe bed lye,
[And] tho thre Tres ful Sekerlye
that Colowred weren of here Owne kynde,
where-Offen he Merveilled Sore In his Mynde;
With wheche Bransches the Bed was spred
bothe Enlonges And Ouerthwert, as it is Seid,
[How] that Nasciens ful Sekerlye
[Beh]eld tho spyndelis that on þe bed lye,
[And] tho thre Tres ful Sekerlye
that Colowred weren of here Owne kynde,
where-Offen he Merveilled Sore In his Mynde;
With wheche Bransches the Bed was spred
bothe Enlonges And Ouerthwert, as it is Seid,
And Evere this Nasciens beheld hem faste,
And Merveilled In his Mynde Atte laste
Whethir of the[r] Owne kynde it scholde be,
Oþer depeynted with Colours ful Sekerle;
Ne stedfastliche he ne cowde not beleve,
Ne with Alle his wyttes ne Cowde not preve,
how that So I-Colowred they were,
Oþer I-peynted In Othir Manere.
And Merveilled In his Mynde Atte laste
Whethir of the[r] Owne kynde it scholde be,
Oþer depeynted with Colours ful Sekerle;
Ne stedfastliche he ne cowde not beleve,
Ne with Alle his wyttes ne Cowde not preve,
how that So I-Colowred they were,
Oþer I-peynted In Othir Manere.
thanne Anon A word to hym Self gan he say,
Whiche Sore him Repentyd that same day,
“be my trowthe,” quod Nasciens tho ful pleyn,
“Of this bed I not what I schal Seyn,
For I ne Can not demyn In My Memorye
but that this bed is Mad Al be trechorye,
And be falsnesse, and be Engyn,
thus thowhte me tho In hertë Myn.”
Whiche Sore him Repentyd that same day,
406
“Of this bed I not what I schal Seyn,
For I ne Can not demyn In My Memorye
but that this bed is Mad Al be trechorye,
And be falsnesse, and be Engyn,
thus thowhte me tho In hertë Myn.”
And Anon As he hadde Seide this werd,
he gan to beholde vppon the Schippes bord,
and Sawh how that It Clef A-two,
So that Into the Se thanne fyl he tho,
And there Anon I-dreynt was he ful Ny,
Ne hadde goddis helpe han ben Sekerly.
he gan to beholde vppon the Schippes bord,
and Sawh how that It Clef A-two,
So that Into the Se thanne fyl he tho,
And there Anon I-dreynt was he ful Ny,
Ne hadde goddis helpe han ben Sekerly.
And whanne In the water thus was he,
Sore Abascht he was ful sekerle;
For he Niste whethir he slepe oþer wook,
So Sodeynly the watir him took.
and thus Sone he loked him Abowte,
And Sauf Of the Schipe that he was Owte,
Beholdynge to-wardis the yl Anon;
Thedirward ful faste he swam ful son,
tyl Atte laste he Recouerede this yl
Where that he ferst was In Exil.
Sore Abascht he was ful sekerle;
For he Niste whethir he slepe oþer wook,
So Sodeynly the watir him took.
and thus Sone he loked him Abowte,
And Sauf Of the Schipe that he was Owte,
Beholdynge to-wardis the yl Anon;
Thedirward ful faste he swam ful son,
tyl Atte laste he Recouerede this yl
Where that he ferst was In Exil.
And whanne the yl Recouered he hadde,
Ryht ful gret Ioye thanne he Made,
And loked Aftyr this Schip Anon,
And Aftyr tho lettres Everychon
that Seiden In this Manere vtterlye,
‘In Me Nis but Only feith Certeinlye.’
Ryht ful gret Ioye thanne he Made,
And loked Aftyr this Schip Anon,
And Aftyr tho lettres Everychon
that Seiden In this Manere vtterlye,
‘In Me Nis but Only feith Certeinlye.’
And whanne he beheld this Scripture so,
he wiste wel In Synne he was fallen tho
be Miscreaunce & Misbeleve.
þerfore Anon to him Self he gan to Repreve,
And thus to him Self he gan to Seyn,
“Ow thou Man of litel beleve In Certein,
Why were thow Se Ethe for to tornen here,
And of Misbeleve to ben On this Manere.
Of that Schipe that thow were Inne,
O fals belevere, why wost þou from it twynne?
Why Art thou Of Misbeleve & Miscreaunce,
Sethen god the hath Schewed be Many chaunce,
And be Many Merveilles In that Schipe Also:
A! fals Cristen Creature, why wost þou so do?”
he wiste wel In Synne he was fallen tho
be Miscreaunce & Misbeleve.
þerfore Anon to him Self he gan to Repreve,
And thus to him Self he gan to Seyn,
“Ow thou Man of litel beleve In Certein,
Why were thow Se Ethe for to tornen here,
And of Misbeleve to ben On this Manere.
407
O fals belevere, why wost þou from it twynne?
Why Art thou Of Misbeleve & Miscreaunce,
Sethen god the hath Schewed be Many chaunce,
And be Many Merveilles In that Schipe Also:
A! fals Cristen Creature, why wost þou so do?”
Thanne there to god Cryde he Mercye
With Sorye herte & weping Eye,
‘That God wolde for-ȝeven his Misdede,
And Evere him to Socoure In his Nede;
And that wroth with him he wolde not be,
but on hym to haven Mercy & pite;
And that for his newe Miscreance,
God On him scholde schewe non veniaunce.’
And thus vppon the yl stood Nasciens there
Al the live long day In this Manere.
With Sorye herte & weping Eye,
‘That God wolde for-ȝeven his Misdede,
And Evere him to Socoure In his Nede;
And that wroth with him he wolde not be,
but on hym to haven Mercy & pite;
And that for his newe Miscreance,
God On him scholde schewe non veniaunce.’
And thus vppon the yl stood Nasciens there
Al the live long day In this Manere.
And whanne to the Eveward it gan to drawe,
And the lyht with-drawen, as be Old Sawe,
And that the Sonne hadde lost his lyht,
It wax to dymmen & to becomen to Nyht;
thanne Made Nasciens his preyere
With good herte & In devout Manere;
and whanne he hadde So I-do,
down he hym leyde Anon Ryht tho;
And there he Slepte Al that Nyht
Tyl On the Morwen it was day lyht.
And the lyht with-drawen, as be Old Sawe,
And that the Sonne hadde lost his lyht,
It wax to dymmen & to becomen to Nyht;
thanne Made Nasciens his preyere
With good herte & In devout Manere;
and whanne he hadde So I-do,
down he hym leyde Anon Ryht tho;
And there he Slepte Al that Nyht
Tyl On the Morwen it was day lyht.
vppon the morwe, whanne it was day,
and that the Sonne it Schewede verray,
thanne Nasciens his Eyen Opened Anon,
And Abowtes hym he gan loken ful son,
And Into the See he lokede ful Stedfastlye,
Aftyr that Schipe there ful witterlye
that he hadde seyn the day to fore,
ȝif Owht thanne he Myht sen it there;
but Nethir Fer Nethir Nye
he Cowde it non sen Certeinlye.
and that the Sonne it Schewede verray,
thanne Nasciens his Eyen Opened Anon,
And Abowtes hym he gan loken ful son,
And Into the See he lokede ful Stedfastlye,
Aftyr that Schipe there ful witterlye
that he hadde seyn the day to fore,
ȝif Owht thanne he Myht sen it there;
but Nethir Fer Nethir Nye
he Cowde it non sen Certeinlye.
408
and whanne that he Sawhe it wold not be
that he ne myht it sen In non partë,
thanne wondirly Sore Abaschet he was,
So þat he left vpe his hond In that plas,
and On hym he Made the Signe of the Crois,
thus Cryeng to god with Milde voys:
“Now, Jesu Crist, for thy grete pite,
and for thy Mercy that is so large & fre,
that Me Owt of Calaferis daungere
Into this place hast Browht me here,
Wheche that was My Moste Enemy
that Evere ȝit hadde ich here worldly;
and Sethen, lord, that thou hast don so,
From alle Oþer Enemyes kepe me now fro,
that me Asailleth Every day,
Me to deceyven, ȝif that he May,
With his False conspuracye;
Now, goode lord, from him þou me gye;
And defende me, lord, As A Champiown,
From the wiles of that fals Felown,
That I mot kepen Euere for thy sake
Thike Iowel whiche thou distime betake,
Whiche is my Sowle, In Eche degre
It to Kepen, lord, power graunt thow Me.
And ȝif therto I ne haue neþer Strengthe ne powere,
Now, goode lord, that thow Supporte me here,
And that Euere My sowle that thou Kepe,
Whethir that Evere I wake Oþer Slepe.
For I Knowe wel In Myn Memorie,
that ȝif that fals thef Owht me Aspye,
Ȝif I Owht be blenched from holy Chirche,
thanne his Maistres On Me wile he wirche,
And Me to strangelyn ȝif he May,
That ȝit so feble am In the newe fay;
therfore Euere, lord, defende thou me,
Tyl More Stedfast that In beleve there I be.”
that he ne myht it sen In non partë,
thanne wondirly Sore Abaschet he was,
So þat he left vpe his hond In that plas,
and On hym he Made the Signe of the Crois,
thus Cryeng to god with Milde voys:
“Now, Jesu Crist, for thy grete pite,
and for thy Mercy that is so large & fre,
that Me Owt of Calaferis daungere
Into this place hast Browht me here,
Wheche that was My Moste Enemy
that Evere ȝit hadde ich here worldly;
and Sethen, lord, that thou hast don so,
From alle Oþer Enemyes kepe me now fro,
that me Asailleth Every day,
Me to deceyven, ȝif that he May,
With his False conspuracye;
Now, goode lord, from him þou me gye;
And defende me, lord, As A Champiown,
From the wiles of that fals Felown,
That I mot kepen Euere for thy sake
Thike Iowel whiche thou distime betake,
Whiche is my Sowle, In Eche degre
It to Kepen, lord, power graunt thow Me.
And ȝif therto I ne haue neþer Strengthe ne powere,
Now, goode lord, that thow Supporte me here,
And that Euere My sowle that thou Kepe,
Whethir that Evere I wake Oþer Slepe.
For I Knowe wel In Myn Memorie,
that ȝif that fals thef Owht me Aspye,
Ȝif I Owht be blenched from holy Chirche,
thanne his Maistres On Me wile he wirche,
And Me to strangelyn ȝif he May,
That ȝit so feble am In the newe fay;
therfore Euere, lord, defende thou me,
Tyl More Stedfast that In beleve there I be.”
409
Whiles Nasciens Made thus his preyere,
Euere towardes the See loked he there,
Evene plat Est, ȝif he myhte Aspye
Ony Schipe Owther fer other Nye.
And Atte laste he loked So fere
Tyl A schipe him thowhte he sawh comen there,
And there-Inne A Man of Ryht gret Age,
As him Semed be his visage;
And streith it Cam to that yl
there Nasciens was Inne In Exyl;
And So Nyhe to the yl there Gan it gon,
two spereschaft lengthe there anon;
but Non ner it ne kam there,
nethir not ne wolde In non Manere:
So Riche thike litel vessel was,
That Sire Nasciens thowhte In non plas—
Nether vppon the lond ne vppon the See—
So Riche A vessel that Myhte han be;
For with-owten it was Set so ful of precious stones,
Every bord ful thikke for the Nonis,
So that Nasciens wende ful Sekerly
that Alle worldly princes, ful Certeynly,
Ne hadden of precious stones so gret plente
lik As In that Schipe there gan he to se;
And ȝit was that Schipe In Other degre
Anoured with diuers Iowellis Certeinle.
Euere towardes the See loked he there,
Evene plat Est, ȝif he myhte Aspye
Ony Schipe Owther fer other Nye.
And Atte laste he loked So fere
Tyl A schipe him thowhte he sawh comen there,
And there-Inne A Man of Ryht gret Age,
As him Semed be his visage;
And streith it Cam to that yl
there Nasciens was Inne In Exyl;
And So Nyhe to the yl there Gan it gon,
two spereschaft lengthe there anon;
but Non ner it ne kam there,
nethir not ne wolde In non Manere:
So Riche thike litel vessel was,
That Sire Nasciens thowhte In non plas—
Nether vppon the lond ne vppon the See—
So Riche A vessel that Myhte han be;
For with-owten it was Set so ful of precious stones,
Every bord ful thikke for the Nonis,
So that Nasciens wende ful Sekerly
that Alle worldly princes, ful Certeynly,
Ne hadden of precious stones so gret plente
lik As In that Schipe there gan he to se;
And ȝit was that Schipe In Other degre
Anoured with diuers Iowellis Certeinle.
thanne beheld Nasciens this Schipe on bothe side,
And Alle the Ietes sauf xij In that Tyde,
Alle they weren Echon of Sylver fyn tho,
And the poyntes with fyn gold I-garnesched weren Also,
that was Also Cler Schynenge
As the sonne vppon the water whanne it is Glemerynge;
And to forn, As scharpe And trenchaunt they were
As Evere was knyf Owther Ony spere.
And Alle the Ietes sauf xij In that Tyde,
Alle they weren Echon of Sylver fyn tho,
And the poyntes with fyn gold I-garnesched weren Also,
that was Also Cler Schynenge
As the sonne vppon the water whanne it is Glemerynge;
And to forn, As scharpe And trenchaunt they were
410
Whanne Nasciens Sawh this good Man fast by,
and beheld that he wolde Comen No Ny,
Nasciens to-ward hym gan to dresse,
With him to speken In Sekernesse.
thanne seide Nasciens, “Sire, welcome ȝe be!”
“Graunt Mercye, Sire,” quod this good man Sekerle
and beheld that he wolde Comen No Ny,
Nasciens to-ward hym gan to dresse,
With him to speken In Sekernesse.
thanne seide Nasciens, “Sire, welcome ȝe be!”
“Graunt Mercye, Sire,” quod this good man Sekerle
thanne Axede This good Man Nasciens Anon,
“how that Into this Contre Gonnen ȝe to gon,
that Is so fer from Every Man?”
thus Axede he of Nasciens than.
“how that Into this Contre Gonnen ȝe to gon,
that Is so fer from Every Man?”
thus Axede he of Nasciens than.
“Now Certes, faire Sire,” quod Nasciens tho,
“I ne wot Into this yl how I come to;
but wel I wot It was be goddis wille
That this yl I Cam vntille;
And bothe thorwh his grace and his Myht
that me deliuerede from that Crwel Knyht,
Owt Of his presown, Sire Calafer,
Where that I was In Riht gret danger.”
“I ne wot Into this yl how I come to;
but wel I wot It was be goddis wille
That this yl I Cam vntille;
And bothe thorwh his grace and his Myht
that me deliuerede from that Crwel Knyht,
Owt Of his presown, Sire Calafer,
Where that I was In Riht gret danger.”
“ȝe, Sire, Of Calafer have thou non drede,
For he is ded on Ryht Evel dede
Al so wykkedly As man Myhte deye,
I telle the, Nasciens, now Certeinlye.”
“ha, goode swete Sire,” quod Nasciens tho,
“Is this trewe that ȝe seyn me vnto?
And how myhten ȝe haven thereoffen knowenge,
this were to Me A Merveillous thinge.”
“ȝif, Sire, Sekerely,” this good man seyde,
“this day I sawhe whanne that he deyde.”
For he is ded on Ryht Evel dede
Al so wykkedly As man Myhte deye,
I telle the, Nasciens, now Certeinlye.”
“ha, goode swete Sire,” quod Nasciens tho,
“Is this trewe that ȝe seyn me vnto?
And how myhten ȝe haven thereoffen knowenge,
this were to Me A Merveillous thinge.”
“ȝif, Sire, Sekerely,” this good man seyde,
“this day I sawhe whanne that he deyde.”
“And this be Soth, Sire, that ȝe me Seye,
And ȝe An Erthly Man Certeinlye,
It may not Acorden, In non degre,
That I so fer from folk scholde be
as ȝe diden me ferst to vndirstonde
that I was so fer Owt of londe;
And ȝit is it not past Matyn tyme,
Neþer no wher ny the Owr of pryme,
And ȝe so faste scholde han gon,
For Erthly man myht neuere don it non.”
And ȝe An Erthly Man Certeinlye,
It may not Acorden, In non degre,
That I so fer from folk scholde be
as ȝe diden me ferst to vndirstonde
that I was so fer Owt of londe;
And ȝit is it not past Matyn tyme,
411
And ȝe so faste scholde han gon,
For Erthly man myht neuere don it non.”
“Now I the Sey,” quod this goode Man tho,
“I sawh hym ded with-Owten Mo.
And ȝit Art thou from thyn Owne Contre
Ferthere thanne that thow wenest to be;
And ȝif thow wilt not Me leven of this,
Sore Schal the Repenten with-owten mis,
Al so Sore As thow dydest Ere,
Whanne In the Schipe thou spoke thike wordys there,
thorwh wheche Into the water þou wentest Anon,
& þere to hauen deid, wistest þou non Othir won.”
“I sawh hym ded with-Owten Mo.
And ȝit Art thou from thyn Owne Contre
Ferthere thanne that thow wenest to be;
And ȝif thow wilt not Me leven of this,
Sore Schal the Repenten with-owten mis,
Al so Sore As thow dydest Ere,
Whanne In the Schipe thou spoke thike wordys there,
thorwh wheche Into the water þou wentest Anon,
& þere to hauen deid, wistest þou non Othir won.”
Whanne Nasciens vndirstood hym tho
That he So Merveillously Spak him vnto,
and Remembred him In swich Manere
Of þe wordis that he In the Schipe spak there,
Whiche that non man vndirstondyn ne Myhte,
but Only God thorwh his Insihte,
Thanne supposid he Aboven Alle thing
that from God it Cam, theke discouereng,
And that God hadde discouered hym tho
To thike olde Man that to hym Cam so,
And that to hym was he sent In Comfortynge,
Somme goode tydynges him forto brynge.
That he So Merveillously Spak him vnto,
and Remembred him In swich Manere
Of þe wordis that he In the Schipe spak there,
Whiche that non man vndirstondyn ne Myhte,
but Only God thorwh his Insihte,
Thanne supposid he Aboven Alle thing
that from God it Cam, theke discouereng,
And that God hadde discouered hym tho
To thike olde Man that to hym Cam so,
And that to hym was he sent In Comfortynge,
Somme goode tydynges him forto brynge.
thanne to this good Man Seid Nasciens Agein,
“Sire, I leve ȝow ful wel In Certein;
Of Alle thinges that ȝe me Seye
I beleve ȝow wel Certeinlye;
but of that Schipe that wente fro Me,
Sire, konne ȝe there offen owht tellen Me,
ȝif It Euere Owht schold Comen Agein
Into on[y] place there I am Certein,
and ȝif Evere Ony More I schal it se
In ony place where so that I be.”
“Sire, I leve ȝow ful wel In Certein;
Of Alle thinges that ȝe me Seye
I beleve ȝow wel Certeinlye;
but of that Schipe that wente fro Me,
Sire, konne ȝe there offen owht tellen Me,
ȝif It Euere Owht schold Comen Agein
Into on[y] place there I am Certein,
and ȝif Evere Ony More I schal it se
In ony place where so that I be.”
412
“ȝe, thou schalt it sen,” quod this good Man,
“Better Arayed thanne Euere was it than;
For it groweth & wexeth Every day
Bettere thanne other with-owten delay,
And so it schal whiles the world doth Endure,
Sekerly, Sire Nasciens, I the Enswre.”
“Sire,” quod Nasciens to that good Manne,
“that Schipe that Every day Encresseth thanne,
It Nis non Schipe As Othere be.”
“thou seist soth,” quod this goodman, “ful sekerle;
but Of A schipe it is the Semblawnce,
And of the highe god A gred demonstraunce
that he wolde hedir it to the Sende;
but of his signefiaunce thou schalt knowen þe Ende,
and Otherwise thanne A schipe thou schalt it calle
In tyme Comeng, So May be-falle.”
“Certes, Sire,” quod Nisciens tho,
“I beleve wel that ȝe sein me vnto;
And therfore, sire, I preye ȝow for charite,
The Signefyaunce that ȝe tellen me.”
“I schal the tellen with Ryht good chere,”
quod this Good Man Anon Ryht there.
“Better Arayed thanne Euere was it than;
For it groweth & wexeth Every day
Bettere thanne other with-owten delay,
And so it schal whiles the world doth Endure,
Sekerly, Sire Nasciens, I the Enswre.”
“Sire,” quod Nasciens to that good Manne,
“that Schipe that Every day Encresseth thanne,
It Nis non Schipe As Othere be.”
“thou seist soth,” quod this goodman, “ful sekerle;
but Of A schipe it is the Semblawnce,
And of the highe god A gred demonstraunce
that he wolde hedir it to the Sende;
but of his signefiaunce thou schalt knowen þe Ende,
and Otherwise thanne A schipe thou schalt it calle
In tyme Comeng, So May be-falle.”
“Certes, Sire,” quod Nisciens tho,
“I beleve wel that ȝe sein me vnto;
And therfore, sire, I preye ȝow for charite,
The Signefyaunce that ȝe tellen me.”
“I schal the tellen with Ryht good chere,”
quod this Good Man Anon Ryht there.
“The Schipe that thow here Sye, Sikerle
It signefieth holy Chirche, Siker thow be,
whiche that is the most delitable thing
In Al this world with-owten varyeng;
and lik As the schipe hadde non thing with-Inne
bote feith & Creaunce, neþer more ne Mynne,—
As vppon the bordys Rehersid the scripture,—
Ryht so fareth holy Chirche, I the Enswre,
that bothe feith and trowthe, as I the say,
In holy Chirche it is from day to day;
And of these two thinges ferst Sekerly
holy Chirche was fowndid, I telle the pleynly.
It signefieth holy Chirche, Siker thow be,
whiche that is the most delitable thing
In Al this world with-owten varyeng;
and lik As the schipe hadde non thing with-Inne
bote feith & Creaunce, neþer more ne Mynne,—
As vppon the bordys Rehersid the scripture,—
Ryht so fareth holy Chirche, I the Enswre,
that bothe feith and trowthe, as I the say,
In holy Chirche it is from day to day;
And of these two thinges ferst Sekerly
holy Chirche was fowndid, I telle the pleynly.
“And the Brefis that on the schipe weren set,
Signefieth holy Scripture with-owten let,
wheche defendith that non Man schold Entren there
but he be stedfast In feith In Alle Manere;
Riht so defendith the same Scripture,
Non man holichirche to Entren but he be pure,
And of Synne I-clensed that he be,
[By] confescioun Of mowthe ful Openle
And with herte-ful Repentaunce,
And to God to ben stedfast In Creaunce,
& there-offen Mevable that he ne be,
As is the paynym In Eche degre,
That wile Tornen with Everey wynd;
For swech is Evere the paynyms kynd.
But the Cristene owht not forto don so;
but As A myhty Bole they scholden do,
that is Sekir of Fote And of fundement,
whanne that he is asaylled of his Enymyes present;
Ryht so stedfastlych In Alle Manere
Scholde Evere Cristen Man lyven here;
And stedfastly beleven In holichirche,
And there-Inne Alle goode werkys to wirche,
Forto defenden hem with strengthe & Myht
Aȝens that Enemy that, bothe day & nyht,
doth what he Can hem forto withdrawe
bothe from god & from holy Chirche lawe.
And therfore I Rede now Every Man
to fownden him In the fadir, what that he kan,
the wheche is Crist, Goddis Sone of hevene,
that Into therthe discended with Mylde stevene.
Signefieth holy Scripture with-owten let,
413
but he be stedfast In feith In Alle Manere;
Riht so defendith the same Scripture,
Non man holichirche to Entren but he be pure,
And of Synne I-clensed that he be,
[By] confescioun Of mowthe ful Openle
And with herte-ful Repentaunce,
And to God to ben stedfast In Creaunce,
& there-offen Mevable that he ne be,
As is the paynym In Eche degre,
That wile Tornen with Everey wynd;
For swech is Evere the paynyms kynd.
But the Cristene owht not forto don so;
but As A myhty Bole they scholden do,
that is Sekir of Fote And of fundement,
whanne that he is asaylled of his Enymyes present;
Ryht so stedfastlych In Alle Manere
Scholde Evere Cristen Man lyven here;
And stedfastly beleven In holichirche,
And there-Inne Alle goode werkys to wirche,
Forto defenden hem with strengthe & Myht
Aȝens that Enemy that, bothe day & nyht,
doth what he Can hem forto withdrawe
bothe from god & from holy Chirche lawe.
And therfore I Rede now Every Man
to fownden him In the fadir, what that he kan,
the wheche is Crist, Goddis Sone of hevene,
that Into therthe discended with Mylde stevene.
“And lik As the Schipe, Ordeyned it was
thorwh the See to Gon In Every plas,
And with-Owten peryl to Comen to londe;
So Is holy Chirche, as þat I vndirstonde,
For to Susteyne the Cristene In this world here,
That they ne perschen not In non Manere.
thorwh the See to Gon In Every plas,
And with-Owten peryl to Comen to londe;
So Is holy Chirche, as þat I vndirstonde,
For to Susteyne the Cristene In this world here,
That they ne perschen not In non Manere.
“be the Schipe vndirstonde thow holy Chirche;
And be the See, the world, ȝif þou wilt wirche.
And lyk As the Schipe thorwgh the See
Saveth the Men that there Inne be
From Alle Maneres perilles of here Body,
lik So doth holy Chirche ful trewely;
Evere Goddis Servauntes doth he kepe,
whethir that they waken other Slepe,
From Alle Maner of dedly Synne,
That Non Schal Entren hem with-Inne.
And be the See, the world, ȝif þou wilt wirche.
414
Saveth the Men that there Inne be
From Alle Maneres perilles of here Body,
lik So doth holy Chirche ful trewely;
Evere Goddis Servauntes doth he kepe,
whethir that they waken other Slepe,
From Alle Maner of dedly Synne,
That Non Schal Entren hem with-Inne.
For holy Chirche povrgeth Also Clene
Alle Manere of goddis Servauntes bedene,
lik As the Gold Resceyveth his Clernesse
be Sevene weyes In Sekernesse,
Wheche that Maken hym to Schyne So bryht
Aboven Alle Oþer Metales that ben more lyht;
And lik As the Sonne passeth the sterre,
So doth gold Alle Metales bothe Ny & ferre.
Alle Manere of goddis Servauntes bedene,
lik As the Gold Resceyveth his Clernesse
be Sevene weyes In Sekernesse,
Wheche that Maken hym to Schyne So bryht
Aboven Alle Oþer Metales that ben more lyht;
And lik As the Sonne passeth the sterre,
So doth gold Alle Metales bothe Ny & ferre.
“Now of the Schip I haue the told the signifiaunce;
And now of the bed I wele with-Owten variaunce.
the Bed Signefyeth In Certein
the holy table, I sey the ful pleyn,
where that Every day Goddis sone of hevene
Is Onne I-Sacred with ful Mylde Stevene;
Where that the wyn Is I-torned blood Red,
And the bred to verray flesch In that Sted,
be the vertu of the holy wordys there
that the blessed man Seyth In his Manere.
So be this Schalt thou vndirstonde
the cros that Crist was on Crucified In Ivrie londe,
Where onne I-Sacred that he was,
and Made Redempcioun In that plas,
Mannes Sowle to byen from helle,—
The develis powste forto felle,—
Whiche Every day to forn his ded
Wenten to helle, that fowlë Sted.
And now of the bed I wele with-Owten variaunce.
the Bed Signefyeth In Certein
the holy table, I sey the ful pleyn,
where that Every day Goddis sone of hevene
Is Onne I-Sacred with ful Mylde Stevene;
Where that the wyn Is I-torned blood Red,
And the bred to verray flesch In that Sted,
be the vertu of the holy wordys there
that the blessed man Seyth In his Manere.
So be this Schalt thou vndirstonde
the cros that Crist was on Crucified In Ivrie londe,
Where onne I-Sacred that he was,
and Made Redempcioun In that plas,
Mannes Sowle to byen from helle,—
The develis powste forto felle,—
Whiche Every day to forn his ded
Wenten to helle, that fowlë Sted.
“Also ȝit myhtest thou vndirstondyn More
be the Bed what it is to Signefye thore,
A thing that Mad is on forto Reste
Whanne Crist had Suffred deth, As hym liked beste.
For Evere Aftir Strong Travaille
Behoveth A man to Resten Sawn faylle:
Riht so Schalt thou vndirstonde,
that aftir that god hadde suffred schonde,
Rest that Crist took As hym list
In what place so him liked best.
be the Bed what it is to Signefye thore,
415
Whanne Crist had Suffred deth, As hym liked beste.
For Evere Aftir Strong Travaille
Behoveth A man to Resten Sawn faylle:
Riht so Schalt thou vndirstonde,
that aftir that god hadde suffred schonde,
Rest that Crist took As hym list
In what place so him liked best.
“Now haue I the told the signefiaunce
Of Schipe & bed with-owten variaunce.
Now of the thre Spyndelis wil y fonde,
Owther braunches, whethir ȝe welen vndirstonde;—
For, with-Owten gret Tokenyng,
Abowtes that bed Envirownenge
was not don, wel myhtes thou wete,
As I schal the Openly declaren itte,—
Of wheche on was whit, Anoþer was Red,
the thridde was grene In that Sted:
what the Signefyaunce is of these thre,
Schortely I wele it declaren to the.
Of Schipe & bed with-owten variaunce.
Now of the thre Spyndelis wil y fonde,
Owther braunches, whethir ȝe welen vndirstonde;—
For, with-Owten gret Tokenyng,
Abowtes that bed Envirownenge
was not don, wel myhtes thou wete,
As I schal the Openly declaren itte,—
Of wheche on was whit, Anoþer was Red,
the thridde was grene In that Sted:
what the Signefyaunce is of these thre,
Schortely I wele it declaren to the.
“Ferst, be the whit thou schalt vndirstonde,
Whanne Crist Cam ferst In to Erthly londe,
he Cam Only In virgenite,
And Into the blessid virgine so Entred he;
And hire virginite ne dide Neuere schende,
but Clene virgine Abideth with-owten Ende.
For Into hire bosom he Entred As Clos
As A ȝate is schet þer that no man In gos;
And As holyche he Isswede Ageyn,
And Euere the ȝate clos schyt In Certein.
So this betokeneth virginite
In Alle degres, As thou myht se.
Whanne Crist Cam ferst In to Erthly londe,
he Cam Only In virgenite,
And Into the blessid virgine so Entred he;
And hire virginite ne dide Neuere schende,
but Clene virgine Abideth with-owten Ende.
For Into hire bosom he Entred As Clos
As A ȝate is schet þer that no man In gos;
And As holyche he Isswede Ageyn,
And Euere the ȝate clos schyt In Certein.
So this betokeneth virginite
In Alle degres, As thou myht se.
“The Rede braunch that vppon that bed lay,
which of his owne kynde is profay,
therby schalt thou vndirstonden charite,
In Crist that So lowliche wolde be,
that bowed his body to passiown,
For Mannes Sowle to maken Redempcioun.
behold, swich lownesse he schewed þere!
and the grettest ȝifte for man In ony Manere
ȝaf Crist there! his Owne Body,
the wheche that is lyf Euere lastyngly.
lo, hire Charite myhtest þou vndirstonde,
whanne that In dedly flesch he hym wond
In the welle of Charite and of pite;
lo, thus dyde Crist for love of the!
which of his owne kynde is profay,
therby schalt thou vndirstonden charite,
416
that bowed his body to passiown,
For Mannes Sowle to maken Redempcioun.
behold, swich lownesse he schewed þere!
and the grettest ȝifte for man In ony Manere
ȝaf Crist there! his Owne Body,
the wheche that is lyf Euere lastyngly.
lo, hire Charite myhtest þou vndirstonde,
whanne that In dedly flesch he hym wond
In the welle of Charite and of pite;
lo, thus dyde Crist for love of the!
“Be the tothir Spyndele that grene was,
wheche On the bed was In that plas,
that to An EMeraude I-figured it Is,—
The wheche that to paciense with-owten Mys
Is the Semblaunce Of that ston,
As men it knowen ful Manyon;
the wheche Emeraude is Evere Grene,
lik so is paciense with Owten wene;
the wheche may neuere ben taken Away
For non deseisse, I dar wel Say,
Nethir for non Maner Adversite,
ȝif In A Cristen Mannes herte I-grounded it be.
For be pacyense schalt thow han victorye,
And with paciense discomfit thyn Enemye;
For there as paciense I-herberwed he ys,
There is Evere victorye with Owten Mys.
wheche On the bed was In that plas,
that to An EMeraude I-figured it Is,—
The wheche that to paciense with-owten Mys
Is the Semblaunce Of that ston,
As men it knowen ful Manyon;
the wheche Emeraude is Evere Grene,
lik so is paciense with Owten wene;
the wheche may neuere ben taken Away
For non deseisse, I dar wel Say,
Nethir for non Maner Adversite,
ȝif In A Cristen Mannes herte I-grounded it be.
For be pacyense schalt thow han victorye,
And with paciense discomfit thyn Enemye;
For there as paciense I-herberwed he ys,
There is Evere victorye with Owten Mys.
For thouhe thy Enemy be neuere So wood,
and these thre thou wel vndirstood,
And kepe hem Sadly In thin herte,—
thanne schal thyn Enemy neuere the Asterte,—
Whiche is ferst virgynite,
Meknesse, and thanne Charite;
And with these thre Certeinlye
was the bed I-couerid sothfastlye,
Whiche the verray Cros doth Signefye,
On wheche that Crist gan vpon deye;
For whanne On the Cros he suffred ded,
Alle these thre weren In his Manhed;
For As holy writ it doth Certefye,
with-Owten these thre was he not Sekerlye;
For these three vertwes weren with him there
whanne he suffrede deth In Alle Manere;
So with virgynyte, Charite and pacyense,”
[He conquerd Death, and bought us bliss intense.]
and these thre thou wel vndirstood,
And kepe hem Sadly In thin herte,—
thanne schal thyn Enemy neuere the Asterte,—
Whiche is ferst virgynite,
Meknesse, and thanne Charite;
And with these thre Certeinlye
was the bed I-couerid sothfastlye,
Whiche the verray Cros doth Signefye,
417
For whanne On the Cros he suffred ded,
Alle these thre weren In his Manhed;
For As holy writ it doth Certefye,
with-Owten these thre was he not Sekerlye;
For these three vertwes weren with him there
whanne he suffrede deth In Alle Manere;
So with virgynyte, Charite and pacyense,”
[He conquerd Death, and bought us bliss intense.]
In this Mene while that this good Man
Of Alle these thinges to Nasciens spak than,
and told hym Al the Signefiaunce
of Schipe and bed with-owten variaunce,
that plesed to Nasciens So wondirly wel
Al that this Man Seide Everydel;
For so swete and so delicat his wordis were,
that Nasciens fil on Slepe ryht there,
And Evere him thowhte, As he lay,
that this good man to hym talked Alway.
Of Alle these thinges to Nasciens spak than,
and told hym Al the Signefiaunce
of Schipe and bed with-owten variaunce,
that plesed to Nasciens So wondirly wel
Al that this Man Seide Everydel;
For so swete and so delicat his wordis were,
that Nasciens fil on Slepe ryht there,
And Evere him thowhte, As he lay,
that this good man to hym talked Alway.
And whanne that he whiche In the vessel was,
Sawh Nasciens On Slepe In that plas,
thanne thens Anon he gan to hye,
And with-Inne A litel while Sekerlye
he was thennes A gret Iorne,
Ful fer Abrod Into the Se.
Sawh Nasciens On Slepe In that plas,
thanne thens Anon he gan to hye,
And with-Inne A litel while Sekerlye
he was thennes A gret Iorne,
Ful fer Abrod Into the Se.
Whanne this good man was forth gon,
And Nasciens Slept stille as a ston,
In his sleep he thowhte, be his Entent,
that to forn him Cam a gret Serpent,
And him Asaillede wonder faste,
Tyl that he hurt hym Atte laste,
And smot hym sore vndir the lefte syde.
And sore he defensed him At that tyde;
but his defens Myhte ful litel Avaylle,
Tyl atte the laste thanne saun faille
there Can a Werm of lytel powere,
In Socoureng of Nasciens there.
And Nasciens Slept stille as a ston,
In his sleep he thowhte, be his Entent,
that to forn him Cam a gret Serpent,
And him Asaillede wonder faste,
Tyl that he hurt hym Atte laste,
And smot hym sore vndir the lefte syde.
And sore he defensed him At that tyde;
418
Tyl atte the laste thanne saun faille
there Can a Werm of lytel powere,
In Socoureng of Nasciens there.
And whanne þe serpent Sawh þat werm comen tho,
From Nasciens he fledde him fro,
wich Cam to him for Socourenge,
thanne In this Serpent was non longere Abydynge.
Thus thowhte Nasciens In his Slepinge.
From Nasciens he fledde him fro,
wich Cam to him for Socourenge,
thanne In this Serpent was non longere Abydynge.
Thus thowhte Nasciens In his Slepinge.
And whanne he Awok, with-owten varyenge
he was Abascht, And wende Sekerly
þat with the Serpent he hadde fowhten Certeinly;
and fully Awaked thanne was he,
thanne wiste he wel ful Sekerle
that verrayly Aslepe he was
thorwh the Swete wordes þat In that plas
that the goode man Seide to him tho,
whiche In the vessel was Ago,
that he ne Cowde be non-were Aspye
In Al the See, nether fer ne Nye.
he was Abascht, And wende Sekerly
þat with the Serpent he hadde fowhten Certeinly;
and fully Awaked thanne was he,
thanne wiste he wel ful Sekerle
that verrayly Aslepe he was
thorwh the Swete wordes þat In that plas
that the goode man Seide to him tho,
whiche In the vessel was Ago,
that he ne Cowde be non-were Aspye
In Al the See, nether fer ne Nye.
thanne to hym Self he gan to Compleyne,
And thus to hym Self he gan to seyne,
‘that he was bothe A fool & A Caytyf
that In sweche degre hath led his lif,
So that In his Slepe was taken Away
Al that the goodman to hym gan say,
And ful lytel of wit thanne was he
that this forȝat In Alle degre,
Of Alle the wordis of this good Man
that In the yl to hym seide he than,
And In his Sleepe it was from him gon,
Onne this word Cowde he tellen non.’
And thus to hym Self he gan to seyne,
‘that he was bothe A fool & A Caytyf
that In sweche degre hath led his lif,
So that In his Slepe was taken Away
Al that the goodman to hym gan say,
And ful lytel of wit thanne was he
that this forȝat In Alle degre,
Of Alle the wordis of this good Man
that In the yl to hym seide he than,
And In his Sleepe it was from him gon,
Onne this word Cowde he tellen non.’
but leve we now of his talkynge,
And Celidoyne his sone let vs forth bringe,
And tellen forth of his Storye,
That to him be-fil ful Certeinlie.
And Celidoyne his sone let vs forth bringe,
And tellen forth of his Storye,
That to him be-fil ful Certeinlie.
| CHAPTER XXXI. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |