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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| XXXII. | CHAPTER XXXII. |
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 | CHAPTER XXXII. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
419
CHAPTER XXXII.
420
Now here declareth in this partye,
how that the Nyne hondis Sekerlye
delyverid Celydeyne Owt of dawngere
From alle the veniaunce of Calafere;
With Inne Schort tyme, Er he Cowde knowe,
Ful fer from his Contre was he throwe
Into the Se ful Apertlye;
Al hol x. Iornes ful Sekerlye
And half A Iorne,—As Seith the book,—
there was he left, ho-so wile it look,
be the wil of the Maister Above,
that on Celidoyne gan preven his love,
and lefte him there In An Yle
besides that his fadir was In Exyle;
properly from his fadir fyve Iorne
this Celydoyne was left ful sekerle.
how that the Nyne hondis Sekerlye
delyverid Celydeyne Owt of dawngere
From alle the veniaunce of Calafere;
With Inne Schort tyme, Er he Cowde knowe,
Ful fer from his Contre was he throwe
Into the Se ful Apertlye;
Al hol x. Iornes ful Sekerlye
And half A Iorne,—As Seith the book,—
there was he left, ho-so wile it look,
be the wil of the Maister Above,
that on Celidoyne gan preven his love,
and lefte him there In An Yle
besides that his fadir was In Exyle;
properly from his fadir fyve Iorne
this Celydoyne was left ful sekerle.
and whanne In this yl he was there,
Amyddes In the See he wiste neuere where,
and therto A Child but of ȝong Age—
vii. ȝere v. Monthes—and þerto fair of visage,
& therto Closed In A wondir place;
In the Same plase þere that he wase,
vppon the ton side A wylde forest
Walkyng wel ful of Raveynous beste;
the tothyr was the Open see,
Where as litel Comfort thanne Sawh he
but hyghe Rokkes & wateres wilde;
this was feble Comfort for A Childe:
but ȝif he hadde had þe More Compenye,
To A child it was ful gret Anoye.
Amyddes In the See he wiste neuere where,
and therto A Child but of ȝong Age—
vii. ȝere v. Monthes—and þerto fair of visage,
421
In the Same plase þere that he wase,
vppon the ton side A wylde forest
Walkyng wel ful of Raveynous beste;
the tothyr was the Open see,
Where as litel Comfort thanne Sawh he
but hyghe Rokkes & wateres wilde;
this was feble Comfort for A Childe:
but ȝif he hadde had þe More Compenye,
To A child it was ful gret Anoye.
Anon As thus In this yl he was,
The wedyr gan chongen In that plas,
To dyrkene, & to Reyne it gan ful faste,
And to lyhtene and thondren thanne Atte laste;
And So Oribly ferde that trowbelynge,
that semede An Ende Al the world to bryinge.
The wedyr gan chongen In that plas,
To dyrkene, & to Reyne it gan ful faste,
And to lyhtene and thondren thanne Atte laste;
And So Oribly ferde that trowbelynge,
that semede An Ende Al the world to bryinge.
thanne this Child of tendir Age
Sawgh that the See was So savage
And So spetous onne forto loke,
that for drede his herte tho quoke
lest that the wawes Of the se
Scholde han Comen þere he hadde be;
And so vpe Into the yl he drowh him faste,
& In a Rokke he Aspyde Atte laste
Where it was Cloven In part Asondir,
And thedir In he wente for ferd of thondir
Also sore Abasched As he Myhte be;
And Evere to wardis the see loked he.
Sawgh that the See was So savage
And So spetous onne forto loke,
that for drede his herte tho quoke
lest that the wawes Of the se
Scholde han Comen þere he hadde be;
And so vpe Into the yl he drowh him faste,
& In a Rokke he Aspyde Atte laste
Where it was Cloven In part Asondir,
And thedir In he wente for ferd of thondir
Also sore Abasched As he Myhte be;
And Evere to wardis the see loked he.
So longe atte laste loked he there
Tyl him thowhte, As be his Manere,
he sawh where Comen, As to his Eye,
Schepis with Meyne tho Sekerlye,
So that the wawes of the Se
To that yl hem drof ful Sikerle.
thanne they Criden þat with-Inne were,
“Save vs, oþer we schole perschen here.”
Tyl him thowhte, As be his Manere,
he sawh where Comen, As to his Eye,
Schepis with Meyne tho Sekerlye,
So that the wawes of the Se
To that yl hem drof ful Sikerle.
thanne they Criden þat with-Inne were,
“Save vs, oþer we schole perschen here.”
422
And whilles they Criden, & Maden this fare.
Tweyn Schepis to þat yl A-Ryved there;
To the Same Roche there Celydoyne was,
Comen bothe Schepis, As was here gras.
And whanne that they weren Aryved there,
thanne Cam þere forth An Old Marynere
that Knew more thanne Ony Othir
Of Al that Compenye Among þat fothir;
And thus he Seyde ful sore wepinge,
With deolful Noise and Sore Cryenge:
“Sire,” he seide, “this ys A wondir Chaunce,
that of Oure lyves we weren In dowtaunce;
and now is mochel wers than it was Er,
For we ben In A grettere daunger;
For here Nys non thyng but wilde beste
That vs schal devouren, bothe Mest & leste,
and Serpentes bolde, and dragouns wilde,
that don devowren bothe Man and Childe.”
Tweyn Schepis to þat yl A-Ryved there;
To the Same Roche there Celydoyne was,
Comen bothe Schepis, As was here gras.
And whanne that they weren Aryved there,
thanne Cam þere forth An Old Marynere
that Knew more thanne Ony Othir
Of Al that Compenye Among þat fothir;
And thus he Seyde ful sore wepinge,
With deolful Noise and Sore Cryenge:
“Sire,” he seide, “this ys A wondir Chaunce,
that of Oure lyves we weren In dowtaunce;
and now is mochel wers than it was Er,
For we ben In A grettere daunger;
For here Nys non thyng but wilde beste
That vs schal devouren, bothe Mest & leste,
and Serpentes bolde, and dragouns wilde,
that don devowren bothe Man and Childe.”
thanne sterte there forth An Old Knyht,
And Spak to the Maister with Al his Myht;
“Maister,” he seide, “have thow non fere,
Whiles that fyve hundred knyhtes ben here;
Of the bestes we scholen not drede,
So mochel we trosten In Owre Manhede.”
And Spak to the Maister with Al his Myht;
“Maister,” he seide, “have thow non fere,
Whiles that fyve hundred knyhtes ben here;
Of the bestes we scholen not drede,
So mochel we trosten In Owre Manhede.”
And In the Mene whille þat thus gonnen talke,
Celydoyne to hem ward gan forto walke,
and Supposed that Cristene they hadde ben,
but paynemes they weren Alle beden,
and born of the lond of percye,—
thus weren they Alle ful Sekerlye—
And wenten toward the Ost of Syrre,
that Kyng Samwelis brothir had slayn Sekerle,
for that with his wif he hym fond
dishonestly, Aȝens lawe of lond.
Celydoyne to hem ward gan forto walke,
and Supposed that Cristene they hadde ben,
but paynemes they weren Alle beden,
and born of the lond of percye,—
thus weren they Alle ful Sekerlye—
And wenten toward the Ost of Syrre,
that Kyng Samwelis brothir had slayn Sekerle,
for that with his wif he hym fond
dishonestly, Aȝens lawe of lond.
423
So happed, that Amongs this Compenye
was thike tyme the kyng Of percye,
Which that was ȝong man, bothe faire & lel;
his Name was Clepid there Kyng Label;
which was A knyht bothe stalworthe and worthy,
And vppon his Enemyes ful Crwel & hardy;
but In Al the world So mochel hatred he than
As he dyde the trewe Cristene Man.
was thike tyme the kyng Of percye,
Which that was ȝong man, bothe faire & lel;
his Name was Clepid there Kyng Label;
which was A knyht bothe stalworthe and worthy,
And vppon his Enemyes ful Crwel & hardy;
but In Al the world So mochel hatred he than
As he dyde the trewe Cristene Man.
And whanne to this Roche Aryved they were,
Anon kyng Label Comanded there—
Whanne he Sawh þe wedyr was Ouerpast,
And it Gan to Cleren Atte last,—
he Charged that his pavylouns weren pyht,
For there wolde he Resten Al Nyht.
Anon they fulfilden his Comaundement,
And pyhten his pavylouns þere present.
Anon kyng Label Comanded there—
Whanne he Sawh þe wedyr was Ouerpast,
And it Gan to Cleren Atte last,—
he Charged that his pavylouns weren pyht,
For there wolde he Resten Al Nyht.
Anon they fulfilden his Comaundement,
And pyhten his pavylouns þere present.
And whiles they weren Abowten here harneys,
Celydoyne Cometh down In to that pres,
And hem Grette In his Manere,
And Axed of what Contre þat they were.
And they that of him hadde wondir tho,
Merveylled what Contre that he Cam fro,
And thus him Answerid Certeinlye,
‘that they weren of the lond of percye:’
And so they token this Child Anon,
And to Kyng Label they gonne to gon.
Celydoyne Cometh down In to that pres,
And hem Grette In his Manere,
And Axed of what Contre þat they were.
And they that of him hadde wondir tho,
Merveylled what Contre that he Cam fro,
And thus him Answerid Certeinlye,
‘that they weren of the lond of percye:’
And so they token this Child Anon,
And to Kyng Label they gonne to gon.
thanne whanne Kyng label hym behelde
So faire A Child, and of so ȝong Elde,
And therto Clothed So Richely,
In his herte he hadde gret ferly,
And thowhte he was Comen of gentyl Kynde,
for this Ran Euere In kyng Labelis Mynde.
And that Child ful gret Chere he Made,
And fayn he was that Child to glade,
& sore desired he forto knowe
the Childes kenrede vppon A rowe;
So that this Child he gan to freyne,
And gan to Axen thanne Certeyne
Of what Contre that he was.
So faire A Child, and of so ȝong Elde,
And therto Clothed So Richely,
In his herte he hadde gret ferly,
And thowhte he was Comen of gentyl Kynde,
for this Ran Euere In kyng Labelis Mynde.
And that Child ful gret Chere he Made,
And fayn he was that Child to glade,
424
the Childes kenrede vppon A rowe;
So that this Child he gan to freyne,
And gan to Axen thanne Certeyne
Of what Contre that he was.
And thanne þat child so ful of gras,
that Cowde more In his degre
thanne ony oþer Child ful Sekerle,
Told hym Evene the Rihte weye
Of Al his Kynrede ful Sekerlye,
& told hym Ek More ouer therto
that his fadir newe Cristened was tho,
And Al the lond Abowtes In-virown,
“And, sire, Cristened I am with-owten More sermown,
& Cristendom I took Certeinie
Of the hyghe bischope Of Cristiente,
the wheche hyght Iosepe, I vndirstonde,
that Crist Sacrid bisschope with his owun honde.”
that Cowde more In his degre
thanne ony oþer Child ful Sekerle,
Told hym Evene the Rihte weye
Of Al his Kynrede ful Sekerlye,
& told hym Ek More ouer therto
that his fadir newe Cristened was tho,
And Al the lond Abowtes In-virown,
“And, sire, Cristened I am with-owten More sermown,
& Cristendom I took Certeinie
Of the hyghe bischope Of Cristiente,
the wheche hyght Iosepe, I vndirstonde,
that Crist Sacrid bisschope with his owun honde.”
Whanne kyng Label herde of this tydyng,
With-Inne him Self he made Mochel Mornyng,
For he knew kyng Eualach ful wel,
And of his prowesse tho Everydel
that Eualach dyde with his Owne hond;
thus dide he Celidoyne to vndirstond;
“Also, Celidoyne, ful Certeinly
I knowe thy fadir As A knyht worthy;
Wherfore me Repenteth In Myn herte,
For these tydynges don me smerte,
that they ben torned to the wikked fay,
And han forsaken here Owne lay;
and Also thy Self, with gret folye,
thy feith hast forsaken vtterlye,
therfore with me schalt thow go,
to Asayen what I kan don the to;
And ȝit schalt thow tellen Me
how that thou Come Into this Contre,
Into So savage and so wilde A plase,
there as Neuere to foren tymes Man I-wase.”
With-Inne him Self he made Mochel Mornyng,
For he knew kyng Eualach ful wel,
And of his prowesse tho Everydel
that Eualach dyde with his Owne hond;
thus dide he Celidoyne to vndirstond;
“Also, Celidoyne, ful Certeinly
I knowe thy fadir As A knyht worthy;
Wherfore me Repenteth In Myn herte,
For these tydynges don me smerte,
that they ben torned to the wikked fay,
And han forsaken here Owne lay;
and Also thy Self, with gret folye,
thy feith hast forsaken vtterlye,
therfore with me schalt thow go,
to Asayen what I kan don the to;
And ȝit schalt thow tellen Me
how that thou Come Into this Contre,
425
there as Neuere to foren tymes Man I-wase.”
And Celydoyne hym tolde Anon,
‘how that he Owt of presown was gon,
Owt of the hows of Calafere
that My fadyr & I In presown were,
and how bothe they weren Owt past
thorwh Cristes Myht, and that In hast.’
‘how that he Owt of presown was gon,
Owt of the hows of Calafere
that My fadyr & I In presown were,
and how bothe they weren Owt past
thorwh Cristes Myht, and that In hast.’
“And whanne Calafer sawh that it was so
that my Fadir owt of presown was go,
thanne Comanded Calafere Anon
that An hy Into þe towr I scholde gon;
and there, of his hy Crwelte,
Of that hye towr down Caste he Me.
but Iesus Crist, of his goodnesse,
Wold me not weten In swich distresse;
But be his Mynestres there Anon
I was deliuered from Alle my fon.
and whanne I was In myn fallyng,
they me Resceyved with-owten taryenge,
and Into this plase they me browhte;
but Sekerly I ne sawh hem nowhte.
Wherfore, Iesus Crist, graunt Mercye,
that so me deliueredest from myn Enemye!”
that my Fadir owt of presown was go,
thanne Comanded Calafere Anon
that An hy Into þe towr I scholde gon;
and there, of his hy Crwelte,
Of that hye towr down Caste he Me.
but Iesus Crist, of his goodnesse,
Wold me not weten In swich distresse;
But be his Mynestres there Anon
I was deliuered from Alle my fon.
and whanne I was In myn fallyng,
they me Resceyved with-owten taryenge,
and Into this plase they me browhte;
but Sekerly I ne sawh hem nowhte.
Wherfore, Iesus Crist, graunt Mercye,
that so me deliueredest from myn Enemye!”
Whanne the kyng herde Al this Mevyng,
With-Inne him Self he Made gret Morneng,
and seide tho to his Compenye,
“Of this Child I Merveille now Certeinlye.”
thanne Seide his Cownseil to hym tho,
“Maketh hym A Knyht, we reden ȝow so,
For that, sire, is the manere
Of Cristen peple Everiwhere;
For An Awnter vs thenketh In oure Mynde,
that A fairere Child schole ȝe neuere fynde.”
there the kyng him made knyht Anon tho,
Supposing Of his feith to putten hym fro.
With-Inne him Self he Made gret Morneng,
and seide tho to his Compenye,
“Of this Child I Merveille now Certeinlye.”
thanne Seide his Cownseil to hym tho,
“Maketh hym A Knyht, we reden ȝow so,
For that, sire, is the manere
Of Cristen peple Everiwhere;
For An Awnter vs thenketh In oure Mynde,
that A fairere Child schole ȝe neuere fynde.”
there the kyng him made knyht Anon tho,
Supposing Of his feith to putten hym fro.
426
That Nyht the Kyng Ordeynede so,
that wachche Abowtes hym scholde be do;
And Celidoyne he worscheped there ouer Alle thing,
& Al Nyht be hym lay As his derlyng.
that wachche Abowtes hym scholde be do;
And Celidoyne he worscheped there ouer Alle thing,
& Al Nyht be hym lay As his derlyng.
tho whanne the Child on Slepe was,
ȝit slepte not the Kyng, As happed be Cas,
but Axede Of his Conseil there Anon,
‘What were best with that Child to don,
that thus hath Taken Cristiente,
And his Owne lay forsaketh he.’
“ȝif I Cowde don him it forsake,
My dowhter his wif thanne wolde I Make;
For I knowe ful wel In My Mynde
that he is Comen of ful gentyl kynde,
So that he may not faille In non wyse;
he Moste ben A knyht Of worthy Aprise;
So thanne my dowhter schal he have,
And Al my Rem bothe Sownd & save.”
ȝit slepte not the Kyng, As happed be Cas,
but Axede Of his Conseil there Anon,
‘What were best with that Child to don,
that thus hath Taken Cristiente,
And his Owne lay forsaketh he.’
“ȝif I Cowde don him it forsake,
My dowhter his wif thanne wolde I Make;
For I knowe ful wel In My Mynde
that he is Comen of ful gentyl kynde,
So that he may not faille In non wyse;
he Moste ben A knyht Of worthy Aprise;
So thanne my dowhter schal he have,
And Al my Rem bothe Sownd & save.”
Thanne Aftyr the kyng was leyd Anon,
And Every Man to his wachche gan gon,
the kyng On Slepe be-fyl Anone;
And thus sone hym Cam vision vppone.
And Every Man to his wachche gan gon,
the kyng On Slepe be-fyl Anone;
And thus sone hym Cam vision vppone.
hym thowhte that In A medewe he was,
Whiche was large & Grene In that plas;
And In that Medewe A fair Tre there was tho,
And Many diuers flowres Owt of it Gonnen go,
that Envirownd this Tre Al Abowte,
And ful of flowres it heng with-owte,
As it Axeth the kende After A tre;
And this Manere wise thus thouht he.
Whiche tre the kyng beheld ful faste,
And þer-Offen Merveilled Atte laste
how this tre Swiche flowres scholde bere,
Wher-offen he Merveilled In his Manere.
And besides this Tre Cam Owt A Serpent,
that there flawmes of fyr out Caste verament,
and wasted this faire tre Anon,
And Alle the flowres þere Everichon:
thanne Anon After, I the plyht,
Al this was past Owt of the kynges syht.
Whiche was large & Grene In that plas;
And In that Medewe A fair Tre there was tho,
And Many diuers flowres Owt of it Gonnen go,
that Envirownd this Tre Al Abowte,
And ful of flowres it heng with-owte,
As it Axeth the kende After A tre;
And this Manere wise thus thouht he.
Whiche tre the kyng beheld ful faste,
427
how this tre Swiche flowres scholde bere,
Wher-offen he Merveilled In his Manere.
And besides this Tre Cam Owt A Serpent,
that there flawmes of fyr out Caste verament,
and wasted this faire tre Anon,
And Alle the flowres þere Everichon:
thanne Anon After, I the plyht,
Al this was past Owt of the kynges syht.
Thanne on the Morewe whanne it was day,
the wachche to hym Cam with-owten delay,
And tolden hym how they hadden that Nyht
Taken A lyown with ryht gret myht,
So that they thowhten, As I vndirstond,
That lyown to leden Into here Owne lond.
Thann to Celydoyne tooken they þe way,
And A-wooken the Child there he lay;
for ful sore On slepe was he,
that Al nyht to fore In thowht had be
For his fadir Sire Nasciens,
That he ne hadde ben In his presens.
the wachche to hym Cam with-owten delay,
And tolden hym how they hadden that Nyht
Taken A lyown with ryht gret myht,
So that they thowhten, As I vndirstond,
That lyown to leden Into here Owne lond.
Thann to Celydoyne tooken they þe way,
And A-wooken the Child there he lay;
for ful sore On slepe was he,
that Al nyht to fore In thowht had be
For his fadir Sire Nasciens,
That he ne hadde ben In his presens.
And whanne he was Clothed Anon tho,
To the kyng Anon was he browht to;
thanne the kyng him took be the hond,
And sette hym At his feet, I vndirstond.
thanne Comanded he there anon
that Alle his Conseille to forn him scholde gon.
And the wysest of Alle his Meyne,
to forn hym they sembled ful sekerle.
To the kyng Anon was he browht to;
thanne the kyng him took be the hond,
And sette hym At his feet, I vndirstond.
thanne Comanded he there anon
that Alle his Conseille to forn him scholde gon.
And the wysest of Alle his Meyne,
to forn hym they sembled ful sekerle.
And whanne they weren sembled Everichon,
To hem the kyng thanne seide Anon:
“Lordynges,” quod the kyng tho,
“A wondir avicioun this Nyht Cam me to;
Wherfore In Ese neuere schal I be
tyl there-Offen I knowne the Certeynte,
And wherto that it Tornen May,
In herte schal I neuere ben glad parfay.
& this is the Cause that I for ȝow sente,
ȝif Ony of ȝow be ȝoure Entente
Cowde me declaren the verite,
& what signefiaunce þat this myhte be.”
So þat he declared to hem his Avisiown,
Of Al that he hadde Sein, hol & som;
And Aftir, hem preide Everichon
here Avis to schewen þer-offen Anon.
To hem the kyng thanne seide Anon:
“Lordynges,” quod the kyng tho,
“A wondir avicioun this Nyht Cam me to;
Wherfore In Ese neuere schal I be
tyl there-Offen I knowne the Certeynte,
And wherto that it Tornen May,
428
& this is the Cause that I for ȝow sente,
ȝif Ony of ȝow be ȝoure Entente
Cowde me declaren the verite,
& what signefiaunce þat this myhte be.”
So þat he declared to hem his Avisiown,
Of Al that he hadde Sein, hol & som;
And Aftir, hem preide Everichon
here Avis to schewen þer-offen Anon.
thanne these Men thowhte hem be-twene,
What Maner of thing it scholde Mene;
but they ne Cowden for non thing
bryngen that vicyown to An Endyng.
And so they seiden to þe kyng Anon,
‘that non Exposiscioun Cowde they don.’
thanne the Kyng Abascht hym sore,
& seide, “somwhat it tokeneth, with-owten More.”
“Sire,” they Seiden verament,
“We konne non oþer knowen in owre Entent.”
What Maner of thing it scholde Mene;
but they ne Cowden for non thing
bryngen that vicyown to An Endyng.
And so they seiden to þe kyng Anon,
‘that non Exposiscioun Cowde they don.’
thanne the Kyng Abascht hym sore,
& seide, “somwhat it tokeneth, with-owten More.”
“Sire,” they Seiden verament,
“We konne non oþer knowen in owre Entent.”
Whanne that the Child wheche þere sat
Atte the kynges feet, undirstood Al that
Whiche the kyng hadde Schewed to his Meyne,
there-offen to han knowen the verite,
this Child him dressed vp Anon,
& on his feet stood to forn hem Echon,
[OMITTED]
And forto speken wolde he wonden for non,
But spak so lowde to the kyng
that þere offen þe peple hadde Merveillyng:
“Kyng label, I se wel now here
that thy Conseil ne Can in non Manere
the declaren the verite;
but, sire kyng, I schal schowen it to the,
lik as the grete Maister Above,
Whos Servaunt I am, & whom I love,
Me hath schewed In My Mynde,
the goode lord that is so kende.
Atte the kynges feet, undirstood Al that
Whiche the kyng hadde Schewed to his Meyne,
there-offen to han knowen the verite,
this Child him dressed vp Anon,
& on his feet stood to forn hem Echon,
[OMITTED]
And forto speken wolde he wonden for non,
But spak so lowde to the kyng
that þere offen þe peple hadde Merveillyng:
“Kyng label, I se wel now here
that thy Conseil ne Can in non Manere
the declaren the verite;
but, sire kyng, I schal schowen it to the,
lik as the grete Maister Above,
Whos Servaunt I am, & whom I love,
Me hath schewed In My Mynde,
429
“thou sie In thyn Avisiown
A grene Medwe, Alle & som,
& þere-Inne was A fair Tre
þat with flowres Envirownd was he;
And Aftyr thou sye A Serpent,
wherthorw Alle the floures weren schent.
A grene Medwe, Alle & som,
& þere-Inne was A fair Tre
þat with flowres Envirownd was he;
And Aftyr thou sye A Serpent,
wherthorw Alle the floures weren schent.
“Now schal I tellen the my Resown
As Cometh to myn ȝonge discressioun,
For I nam but ȝong, and litel of wyt,
So gret A thing to declaren It.
but wete þou wel In Certeyn,
that þe holigost fulfilleth pleyn
Alle his Servauntes Everychon;
& so be his Miht I schal the it vndon.
As Cometh to myn ȝonge discressioun,
For I nam but ȝong, and litel of wyt,
So gret A thing to declaren It.
but wete þou wel In Certeyn,
that þe holigost fulfilleth pleyn
Alle his Servauntes Everychon;
& so be his Miht I schal the it vndon.
“The medewe that was so fair & Grene,
signefieth the world ful of treye & tene;
and ȝit is likenge to alle tho
that there-Inne Abyden & go,
an tho þat there-Inne ben wel at Ese,
And Namliche to synneris it doth hem plese
that lyn Evere In gret dedly synne,
To hem þe world is plesyng neþer more ne Mynne;
For thus they wenen, with-owten Mo,
That the world scholde neuere hem fro,
and that Evere In strengthe scholde they be,
and the world with hem laste ful Sikerle;
& thus they hopen Algates to dwelle
In Ioye & blisse, as I ȝow telle.
signefieth the world ful of treye & tene;
and ȝit is likenge to alle tho
that there-Inne Abyden & go,
an tho þat there-Inne ben wel at Ese,
And Namliche to synneris it doth hem plese
that lyn Evere In gret dedly synne,
To hem þe world is plesyng neþer more ne Mynne;
For thus they wenen, with-owten Mo,
That the world scholde neuere hem fro,
and that Evere In strengthe scholde they be,
and the world with hem laste ful Sikerle;
& thus they hopen Algates to dwelle
In Ioye & blisse, as I ȝow telle.
“but ho so wele vndirstonde the verite,
I schal declaren, and ȝe welen herkenen Me;
and Oþer wise it is in signefiaunce here,
for the Medwe fareth In this manere:
On þe Morwe it is grene, & ful of flowres
that fair is to Syhte, & swete of Odours;
and At Even, be hete of the Sonne,
Forskorchid & drye to-gederis ben Ronne:
Ryht so fareth Mankynde Anon
Whanne the Sowle from the body is gon,
to this Medwe may likned I-be,
as to foren tymes I schew to the.
I schal declaren, and ȝe welen herkenen Me;
and Oþer wise it is in signefiaunce here,
for the Medwe fareth In this manere:
On þe Morwe it is grene, & ful of flowres
that fair is to Syhte, & swete of Odours;
and At Even, be hete of the Sonne,
430
Ryht so fareth Mankynde Anon
Whanne the Sowle from the body is gon,
to this Medwe may likned I-be,
as to foren tymes I schew to the.
“and what this tre doth signefie,
Whiche is of feble Nature Sekerlye,
Signefieth be mannes persone here,
That Is so poure In Alle Manere,
and is Comen of so poure kynde,
ȝif thou wilt here-offen taken Mynde;
and of so gret Freelnesse & Caytyvete
here offen cometh Man, As thou myht se:
this day A man he Is, to Morwen Is he non:
& so it schal fare be vs now Everichon.
but sekerly, kyng label, to this Tre
At this tyme I lykne now the.
Whiche is of feble Nature Sekerlye,
Signefieth be mannes persone here,
That Is so poure In Alle Manere,
and is Comen of so poure kynde,
ȝif thou wilt here-offen taken Mynde;
and of so gret Freelnesse & Caytyvete
here offen cometh Man, As thou myht se:
this day A man he Is, to Morwen Is he non:
& so it schal fare be vs now Everichon.
but sekerly, kyng label, to this Tre
At this tyme I lykne now the.
“and of the flowres that þere Abowtes be,
be-thenk with-Inne thi self, and be-hold & se;
but And thou wilt herkene to me,
of A blessid flowr I schal tellen the,
that Neuere defaded for non thing,
whiche is þe virgine Modyr of þe glorous kyng,
That bar god & Man, Owre Savyour,
whiche is Marye modir & Maide, þat blessid flour.
this flour, non thing Apeyren it May,
from þe begynneng Into domesday;
and there as Oþer flowres boþe dryen & fade,
this flowr is Evere bothe Ioyful & glade.
be-thenk with-Inne thi self, and be-hold & se;
but And thou wilt herkene to me,
of A blessid flowr I schal tellen the,
that Neuere defaded for non thing,
whiche is þe virgine Modyr of þe glorous kyng,
That bar god & Man, Owre Savyour,
whiche is Marye modir & Maide, þat blessid flour.
this flour, non thing Apeyren it May,
from þe begynneng Into domesday;
and there as Oþer flowres boþe dryen & fade,
this flowr is Evere bothe Ioyful & glade.
“but of this flour that is bothe bryht & Cler,
In thyn Avicion haddist þou non warneng ther;
For that flowr fareth In non degre
As the flowres that weren schewed to the.
The flowres that Fadyn so Every day,
Abowtes the, Sire, they ben In fay.
And wilt thow knowen, sire, what they be?
Anon, Sire, I schal here declaren hem the:
The ton flowr is bownte, ful Sekerly;
The secund prowesse; the thrydde is Cortesy;
and Manye other vertwes ben The Abowte,
Mo thanne Anoþer man hath, sawnz dowte,
And bettere Norture In Alle degre
thanne Manye Oþer ben Sekerle;
For As manie vertwes thou hast, with-Owt n variaunce,
As Euere hadde Man that is ful of Mescreaunce;
And therto thou Art bothe fair & semly;
but not to god, I sey ȝow pleynly,
but onliche to that fals & strong Enemy
that Alle dayes of thy lyve thou woschepist only.
For so manye vertwes In the ben
As Evere In Miscreaunce A man may sen;
Wherfore it is gret Rowthe & pyte
that so gracious vertwes In Miscreaunt schold be.
431
For that flowr fareth In non degre
As the flowres that weren schewed to the.
The flowres that Fadyn so Every day,
Abowtes the, Sire, they ben In fay.
And wilt thow knowen, sire, what they be?
Anon, Sire, I schal here declaren hem the:
The ton flowr is bownte, ful Sekerly;
The secund prowesse; the thrydde is Cortesy;
and Manye other vertwes ben The Abowte,
Mo thanne Anoþer man hath, sawnz dowte,
And bettere Norture In Alle degre
thanne Manye Oþer ben Sekerle;
For As manie vertwes thou hast, with-Owt n variaunce,
As Euere hadde Man that is ful of Mescreaunce;
And therto thou Art bothe fair & semly;
but not to god, I sey ȝow pleynly,
but onliche to that fals & strong Enemy
that Alle dayes of thy lyve thou woschepist only.
For so manye vertwes In the ben
As Evere In Miscreaunce A man may sen;
Wherfore it is gret Rowthe & pyte
that so gracious vertwes In Miscreaunt schold be.
“Now schal I the declaren Every del
—and thow wilt vndirstondyn Me wel—
What signefieth that Ilke tre,
and the floures that þere-Abowtes be;
and the hepe of Erthe that is therby,
As schal I the declaren ful Openly.
—and thow wilt vndirstondyn Me wel—
What signefieth that Ilke tre,
and the floures that þere-Abowtes be;
and the hepe of Erthe that is therby,
As schal I the declaren ful Openly.
“that hepe, it is to vndirstonde,
that mankynde In ony londe
be fild so ful of dedly Synne,
of filthes of wrechchednesse, hem Alle with Inne
and Every day they hepen More and More,
& gaderen hepe vppon hepe, þat doth hem sore,
be wrechchednesse & Many Othir thing,
Everyday to here Owne hyndring,
and greven sore here Creatour,
Whiche that they Owten don honour;
And they welen not Amenden hem for non thing,
For speche neþer for Manassyng.
432
be fild so ful of dedly Synne,
of filthes of wrechchednesse, hem Alle with Inne
and Every day they hepen More and More,
& gaderen hepe vppon hepe, þat doth hem sore,
be wrechchednesse & Many Othir thing,
Everyday to here Owne hyndring,
and greven sore here Creatour,
Whiche that they Owten don honour;
And they welen not Amenden hem for non thing,
For speche neþer for Manassyng.
“and this hepe, sire, Is with-Innen the,
and from thy birthe Euere hath be;
For sethen of thy modyr that þou were bore,
didest thou Nevere good, lasse ne more,
but Euere Contrarye thy Creatour
thou hast him wraththed In Every Our;
and thus hast þou gaderid with-Inne the,
hepe vppon hepe ful Sekerle,
and Every day Synne vppon synne,
and of this lif noldest þou not blynne;
thanne thus be thin Aviciown
thou Art the same, bothe Alle & som.
and from thy birthe Euere hath be;
For sethen of thy modyr that þou were bore,
didest thou Nevere good, lasse ne more,
but Euere Contrarye thy Creatour
thou hast him wraththed In Every Our;
and thus hast þou gaderid with-Inne the,
hepe vppon hepe ful Sekerle,
and Every day Synne vppon synne,
and of this lif noldest þou not blynne;
thanne thus be thin Aviciown
thou Art the same, bothe Alle & som.
“Now of this Serpent I schal the telle,
and thou wilt lestene me vntylle:
the serpent, the deth of þe sowle doth signefye,
Of Man that In this world lyveth bodily,
and In the world hath passeng delyt,
Where-offen neuere that he wolden ben qwyt;
and for non warneng ne wil not he
Tornen to the Ioye that is lastyngle:
and for they welen not don so,
to Endeles deth therfore they go.
of thyn Avicioun this is the signefiaunce,
as me scheweth the holy gost with-Owten variaunce.
and thou wilt lestene me vntylle:
the serpent, the deth of þe sowle doth signefye,
Of Man that In this world lyveth bodily,
and In the world hath passeng delyt,
Where-offen neuere that he wolden ben qwyt;
and for non warneng ne wil not he
Tornen to the Ioye that is lastyngle:
and for they welen not don so,
to Endeles deth therfore they go.
of thyn Avicioun this is the signefiaunce,
433
“and for þat in me thou schalt han more Affyaunce,
I schal the tellen of a more dowtaunce,
of swich A thing As thou hast don
longe tymes hens, & fern Agon,
and thou hast evere In supposing
that þer-offen knoweth non Erthly thing
but thou Alone, ful Certeinle;
but þou art desceyved, I telle it the;
For he that knoweth Alle thing,
Me hath it put in vndirstondyng.”
I schal the tellen of a more dowtaunce,
of swich A thing As thou hast don
longe tymes hens, & fern Agon,
and thou hast evere In supposing
that þer-offen knoweth non Erthly thing
but thou Alone, ful Certeinle;
but þou art desceyved, I telle it the;
For he that knoweth Alle thing,
Me hath it put in vndirstondyng.”
Whanne the kyng herd him thus seye,
Al Red he was for schame Sekerlye:
“Sey on,” quod the kyng tho Anon,
“What is that thing whiche I have don,
that thou seyst non knoweth but I:
Sey on what it is now, belamy.”
Al Red he was for schame Sekerlye:
“Sey on,” quod the kyng tho Anon,
“What is that thing whiche I have don,
that thou seyst non knoweth but I:
Sey on what it is now, belamy.”
“Sire,” quod Celydoynes tho,
“that schal I anon gladliche do:
And thou wilt, Aforn Al thyn Meyne,
Owther thou wilt Ellis, In prevyte.
For As I haue be ful supposing
of Enformeng of þat glorious kyng,
the prikkes of deth doth signefie
the serpent, I sey the ful sekerlye.”
“that schal I anon gladliche do:
And thou wilt, Aforn Al thyn Meyne,
Owther thou wilt Ellis, In prevyte.
For As I haue be ful supposing
of Enformeng of þat glorious kyng,
the prikkes of deth doth signefie
the serpent, I sey the ful sekerlye.”
“Schal I thanne dyen?” quod the kyng.
“ȝe, with-Inne fowre dayes, with-owten varyeng,
Owt of this world schalt thou pace;
but whedir thou Nost, ne Into what place.
and therfore loke what Conseille thow wilt have,
ȝif that thou thenke thy Sowle to save;
and loke that thou now leve Me,
For thing that I schal tellen to the.”
“ȝe, with-Inne fowre dayes, with-owten varyeng,
Owt of this world schalt thou pace;
but whedir thou Nost, ne Into what place.
and therfore loke what Conseille thow wilt have,
ȝif that thou thenke thy Sowle to save;
and loke that thou now leve Me,
For thing that I schal tellen to the.”
434
thanne this kyng took hym on Syde,
to weten what he mente At that tyde.
to weten what he mente At that tyde.
“Sire kyng, warneng I ȝeve to the,
Anon that Cristene Man that thou be;
And thus Sente the forto Say,
the hyghe Maister that is god verray;
And be this Tokene he sente to the,
that non thing to him Is preve:
how that thou, the ferst day of May,
thin Owne Soster thou slowe In fay,
For Cause sche wolde not suffren the
with hire bodyly to done Synne and foolee.
And whanne þou Sye sche wold not don so,
And thy folye Concentyn therto,
Anon thou smotest of here hed,
& Into the se threw it In that sted;
Anon the bodi Aftir thou threw Also;
this Movrdre didest thou with-owten Mo.
And to this wendest þou ful Sekerle
that non Man hadde ben preve;
but he that is Aboven Alle thing,
Of this Made me to haven vndirstondyng:
therfore, lord, worschepid Mot thou be,
that sweche thing openly schewest to Me!”
Anon that Cristene Man that thou be;
And thus Sente the forto Say,
the hyghe Maister that is god verray;
And be this Tokene he sente to the,
that non thing to him Is preve:
how that thou, the ferst day of May,
thin Owne Soster thou slowe In fay,
For Cause sche wolde not suffren the
with hire bodyly to done Synne and foolee.
And whanne þou Sye sche wold not don so,
And thy folye Concentyn therto,
Anon thou smotest of here hed,
& Into the se threw it In that sted;
Anon the bodi Aftir thou threw Also;
this Movrdre didest thou with-owten Mo.
And to this wendest þou ful Sekerle
that non Man hadde ben preve;
but he that is Aboven Alle thing,
Of this Made me to haven vndirstondyng:
therfore, lord, worschepid Mot thou be,
that sweche thing openly schewest to Me!”
Whanne the Kyng herde hym tho speken so,
“Merveilles thou hast me told,” quod þe kyng tho,
“For there nys non Man Erthly levenge
that I supposid coude telle me this thinge;
And of Myn Avicioun hast þou me told
verray trowthes be many fold,
And so openly as thou hast declared it to me
Cowde non Erthly man don Certeinle.”
“Merveilles thou hast me told,” quod þe kyng tho,
“For there nys non Man Erthly levenge
that I supposid coude telle me this thinge;
And of Myn Avicioun hast þou me told
verray trowthes be many fold,
And so openly as thou hast declared it to me
Cowde non Erthly man don Certeinle.”
thanne he Comaunded his Meyne ful sone
his bed to Maken, for þerto wolde he gone,
For distempred A lytel he was,
So he hem tolde In that plas
they fulfilden Anon his byddyng
In Alle Maner wise, to plesen the kyng;
And thanne Comaunded he his barouns Anon,
Good warde of þat child to setten vppon.
thanne they Answeryd hym Anon,
And seide his Comaundement scholde be don.
his bed to Maken, for þerto wolde he gone,
For distempred A lytel he was,
So he hem tolde In that plas
435
In Alle Maner wise, to plesen the kyng;
And thanne Comaunded he his barouns Anon,
Good warde of þat child to setten vppon.
thanne they Answeryd hym Anon,
And seide his Comaundement scholde be don.
To his Cowche wente the kyng thanne,
Also hevy As Ony Erthly Manne,
And warned his Barouns Everichon,
‘that Nyhe hym Comen scholde neuere on;
Whethir he be freend other kynnes man,
Ny hym Scholde Comen non Maner of Man.’
So that they kouered the kynges pavyloun,
that of non wyht he scholde heren þe sown,
and Also that alle Maner of Clerte
From that kyng defended scholde be.
Also hevy As Ony Erthly Manne,
And warned his Barouns Everichon,
‘that Nyhe hym Comen scholde neuere on;
Whethir he be freend other kynnes man,
Ny hym Scholde Comen non Maner of Man.’
So that they kouered the kynges pavyloun,
that of non wyht he scholde heren þe sown,
and Also that alle Maner of Clerte
From that kyng defended scholde be.
The Kyng on his Cowche was leyd Anone,
And to hym Self he Made ful gret Mone
For the wordes that Child Celidoyne
to hym hadde there seid In Certeyne.
thanne gan he to wepen wondirly Sore,
With wryngeng of hondis, & ȝit Mochel more,
that the water of his Eyen Ran by hym Adown,
Al Abowtes his body there In virown;
And thus to his persone he gan Compleyne
of Manye Caytyvetes tho In Certeyne:
And to hym Self he Made ful gret Mone
For the wordes that Child Celidoyne
to hym hadde there seid In Certeyne.
thanne gan he to wepen wondirly Sore,
With wryngeng of hondis, & ȝit Mochel more,
that the water of his Eyen Ran by hym Adown,
Al Abowtes his body there In virown;
And thus to his persone he gan Compleyne
of Manye Caytyvetes tho In Certeyne:
“Ow thou now ful powre Caytyf,
With owten Counseil, & Cursid Of lyf,
that Neuere ne woldest Counseilled be
to non good lyveng, In non Maner degre,
that the myhte Counseille thy sowle to save;
Swich Maner Counseille wost thou not have!
Now, fals Caytyf, here schalt thou deye
As the porest man In the world trewlye.
With owten Counseil, & Cursid Of lyf,
that Neuere ne woldest Counseilled be
to non good lyveng, In non Maner degre,
that the myhte Counseille thy sowle to save;
Swich Maner Counseille wost thou not have!
Now, fals Caytyf, here schalt thou deye
As the porest man In the world trewlye.
“Whedir schalt þou go, thou Cursed Caytyf,
Whanne from thy body Is past thy lyf?
What, trowest thou, Caytyf & wrechche Also,
thy Crowne to have whanne þou dost go,
Owther thy Septre In thyn hond?
What, wenest þou to ben kyng of a lond,
And to haven lordschepe As thou hast here,
And therto so moche welthe In Alle Manere?
A, thou Caytevous kyng In Alle Manere,
With Owten Cownseil that the konne lere!
Now atte ferste myhtest thou knowe
that þou hast non Conseille, neþer hy ne lowe.
A, kyng and Caytyf Also,
With owten Ioye Art thou Euere Mo.
For this that me clepeth the prykke of deth,
Whanne that Eche man schal lesen his breth,
thanne forsaken Me bothe Modir & wyf,
And Alle the peple that Evere boren lyf;
For there kan non of hem Alle
tellen what Aventures me schal be-falle
Whanne owt of this world that I schal gon,
What Aventures me scholen fallen vppon;
Whethir Riche other powre that I schal be,
Owther A man of lowere degre,
Owther At Ese, Other At non Ese.
Whanne from thy body Is past thy lyf?
436
thy Crowne to have whanne þou dost go,
Owther thy Septre In thyn hond?
What, wenest þou to ben kyng of a lond,
And to haven lordschepe As thou hast here,
And therto so moche welthe In Alle Manere?
A, thou Caytevous kyng In Alle Manere,
With Owten Cownseil that the konne lere!
Now atte ferste myhtest thou knowe
that þou hast non Conseille, neþer hy ne lowe.
A, kyng and Caytyf Also,
With owten Ioye Art thou Euere Mo.
For this that me clepeth the prykke of deth,
Whanne that Eche man schal lesen his breth,
thanne forsaken Me bothe Modir & wyf,
And Alle the peple that Evere boren lyf;
For there kan non of hem Alle
tellen what Aventures me schal be-falle
Whanne owt of this world that I schal gon,
What Aventures me scholen fallen vppon;
Whethir Riche other powre that I schal be,
Owther A man of lowere degre,
Owther At Ese, Other At non Ese.
“O caytevous kyng, ho schal the þere plese?
O thou wrechche and Ek Caytevous kyng,
that hast here So gret A gaderyng,
And so Manye worschepis As thou hast here!
O, powre wrechche, what schalt þou han Ellis where?
And whanne hens that thou schalt go,
thow nost whether to Ioye oþer elles to wo.
Now, Caytevous kyng, Remembre the wel
Of Alle thy lyveng Everydel;
And ȝit, powre Creature, whiles þou Art here,
Conseille the bettere, and In Other Manere;
For At thine choys now shal it be,
Whethyr to Ioye oþer to peyne þat thou wilt fle,
Whanne Owt of this world thou schalt pace,
thow wost neuer Into what Manere of place.
O thou wrechche and Ek Caytevous kyng,
that hast here So gret A gaderyng,
And so Manye worschepis As thou hast here!
O, powre wrechche, what schalt þou han Ellis where?
And whanne hens that thou schalt go,
thow nost whether to Ioye oþer elles to wo.
Now, Caytevous kyng, Remembre the wel
Of Alle thy lyveng Everydel;
And ȝit, powre Creature, whiles þou Art here,
Conseille the bettere, and In Other Manere;
For At thine choys now shal it be,
Whethyr to Ioye oþer to peyne þat thou wilt fle,
437
thow wost neuer Into what Manere of place.
“For of this worldys Ioye Inowh haue I,
As mochel As Ony Erthly man trewly
that Evere of myn Age was born—
As I have Rehersed here beforn—
But for As Mochel As that I have knowenge
that this worldis Ioye nys but sorwe & mornenge,
And that In Morneng schal ben the Ende,
Alle sweche as I am Euere forto schende,
thanne knowe I wel that In Every Owr
the Ioye of this world Nys but dolowr,
Wraththe, Envye, and wrechchednesse;
this hath me thus browht In distresse.
thus thanne be my self now may I knowe,
that Alle my Ioyes to sorwe ben torned On A rowe.
As mochel As Ony Erthly man trewly
that Evere of myn Age was born—
As I have Rehersed here beforn—
But for As Mochel As that I have knowenge
that this worldis Ioye nys but sorwe & mornenge,
And that In Morneng schal ben the Ende,
Alle sweche as I am Euere forto schende,
thanne knowe I wel that In Every Owr
the Ioye of this world Nys but dolowr,
Wraththe, Envye, and wrechchednesse;
this hath me thus browht In distresse.
thus thanne be my self now may I knowe,
that Alle my Ioyes to sorwe ben torned On A rowe.
“A, kyng Caytyf, whanne thou hennest dost go,
And Into what place þou Nost, ne whedyr to,
And whethir that sorwe schole Euere hauen Endynge,
Owther Ellis Endelesly to ben lastynge!
O most vnworthy wrechche that Evere was,
Now þe Ende of thy lif Aprocheth In this plas,
And the begynneng of thy Sorwe & Care
Now hast thou fownden Every whare.
Now bethenke the, the moste wrechche þat euere was born,
why ne wost thou knowen this here beforn?
For he that knoweth Alle Manere of thing,
Of hym it is to me ful gret Reprovyng;
and he that knoweth Alle thing that is Comenge,
and that to me hath now sent this warnenge,
Whethir þat I wele Chesen Ioye other peyne,
he hath me warned now In Certeyne.”
And Into what place þou Nost, ne whedyr to,
And whethir that sorwe schole Euere hauen Endynge,
Owther Ellis Endelesly to ben lastynge!
O most vnworthy wrechche that Evere was,
Now þe Ende of thy lif Aprocheth In this plas,
And the begynneng of thy Sorwe & Care
Now hast thou fownden Every whare.
Now bethenke the, the moste wrechche þat euere was born,
why ne wost thou knowen this here beforn?
For he that knoweth Alle Manere of thing,
Of hym it is to me ful gret Reprovyng;
and he that knoweth Alle thing that is Comenge,
and that to me hath now sent this warnenge,
Whethir þat I wele Chesen Ioye other peyne,
he hath me warned now In Certeyne.”
And thus In sweche maneres, & In Mornenge,
the kyng there fyl tho On Slepinge;
Al be-wept lik As he there was,
he fil on slepe In that plas.
the kyng there fyl tho On Slepinge;
Al be-wept lik As he there was,
he fil on slepe In that plas.
| CHAPTER XXXII. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |