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. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. | CHAPTER 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 XXXIII. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
438
CHAPTER XXXIII.
439
And Anon As In Slepe he was falle,
A wondir Aviciown he hadde with-alle;
that he Entred In to An hy weye
Whiche was brod & large ful Sekerlye,
And so with men it was vsed to fore,
Where-offen he Merveilled wondir sore;
Where As mochel peple there was
hawntynge that weye and that plas,
that þere non Man Mihte Entren ne gon
but that be felouns thei were taken Anon,
And In presown Anon I-do,
and alle here good Itaken hem fro.
A wondir Aviciown he hadde with-alle;
that he Entred In to An hy weye
Whiche was brod & large ful Sekerlye,
And so with men it was vsed to fore,
Where-offen he Merveilled wondir sore;
Where As mochel peple there was
hawntynge that weye and that plas,
440
but that be felouns thei were taken Anon,
And In presown Anon I-do,
and alle here good Itaken hem fro.
Whanne he was Entred Into this weye,
A man by hym sauwh he faste bye,
Whiche semed A man of gret honour,
A semly persone, & ful of Favour,
And seide ‘he wolde beren me Compenye,
tyl that weye I were past ful Sekerlye.’
So that togederys gonnen they gon;
the goodman to fore þe kyng folwed son;
And Euere hadde the kyng gret drede
how In that weye he scholde spede.
And As he loked hym there Abowte,
he Sawh of thevys A ful gret Rowte,
So þat þe kynges drede dyde Evere laste
Tyl that theke weye he were paste;
For þer the thevys token there Every Man
That they Myhten leyn hond vppon.
A man by hym sauwh he faste bye,
Whiche semed A man of gret honour,
A semly persone, & ful of Favour,
And seide ‘he wolde beren me Compenye,
tyl that weye I were past ful Sekerlye.’
So that togederys gonnen they gon;
the goodman to fore þe kyng folwed son;
And Euere hadde the kyng gret drede
how In that weye he scholde spede.
And As he loked hym there Abowte,
he Sawh of thevys A ful gret Rowte,
So þat þe kynges drede dyde Evere laste
Tyl that theke weye he were paste;
For þer the thevys token there Every Man
That they Myhten leyn hond vppon.
And whanne In this weye long hadde he gon,
Abowtes hym he lokede thanne Anon,
And that man thanne sawh he nowht,
the whiche theke weye hadde him browht.
Abowtes hym he lokede thanne Anon,
And that man thanne sawh he nowht,
the whiche theke weye hadde him browht.
thanne In to A lytel path there Entred he,
The moste delytable that Evere myhte be,
and ful of trees froyt berenge,
Al grene, & ful of flowres, to his semenge.
And whanne he was Entred Into this plas,
A wondirful vois him thouhte ther was,
“Cometh & wascheth, ȝe pleple Echon,
And to ȝoure Mete thanne schole ȝe gon
Aboven In that hye Cyte;
For þer þe tables Al redy they be,
and swete Metes for ȝow I-dyht;
thus sente ȝow to seyne the lord most of myht.”
The moste delytable that Evere myhte be,
and ful of trees froyt berenge,
Al grene, & ful of flowres, to his semenge.
And whanne he was Entred Into this plas,
A wondirful vois him thouhte ther was,
“Cometh & wascheth, ȝe pleple Echon,
And to ȝoure Mete thanne schole ȝe gon
Aboven In that hye Cyte;
For þer þe tables Al redy they be,
and swete Metes for ȝow I-dyht;
thus sente ȝow to seyne the lord most of myht.”
441
The kyng, that desired sore to knowen of this,
Whethir his sorwe scholde han Ony Ende I-wys;
And As he wolde han Enqwered of hem tho,
Faste to forn hym thanne Gonnen they go;
and so folwede he faste Certayne
tyl that he Cam to An hy Mowntayne,
the heyest that Evere say he to fore
From the tyme that he was bore;
On whiche Mountayn was A welle,
The fairest that Evere he herde of telle;
and there they weschen Everychon
that to þe Mete In that Cite scholde gon;
but the kyng, wysch there not he,
but Aftir that Compenye faste gan he fle.
Whethir his sorwe scholde han Ony Ende I-wys;
And As he wolde han Enqwered of hem tho,
Faste to forn hym thanne Gonnen they go;
and so folwede he faste Certayne
tyl that he Cam to An hy Mowntayne,
the heyest that Evere say he to fore
From the tyme that he was bore;
On whiche Mountayn was A welle,
The fairest that Evere he herde of telle;
and there they weschen Everychon
that to þe Mete In that Cite scholde gon;
but the kyng, wysch there not he,
but Aftir that Compenye faste gan he fle.
And whanne to the gates they comen Echon,
Of that Cyte, they Entred Anon;
Alle that Evere hadde waschen Atte welle
To that Cite weren welcomed ful snelle,
Where As gret Ioye they hadden there
In Manye A worschepful diuers Manere.
Of that Cyte, they Entred Anon;
Alle that Evere hadde waschen Atte welle
To that Cite weren welcomed ful snelle,
Where As gret Ioye they hadden there
In Manye A worschepful diuers Manere.
Thanne the kyng Anon Entren wolde he,
but therto hadde non Maner of powste.
thanne Axede he of the porter Anon,
‘Why that In to the halle he ne myhte gon.’
thanne Answerid the porter Aȝeyn,
“for þou wost not waschen thin hondys In Certein
At the welle, As Other han don,
þerfore here-Inne schalt þou not gon.
For non Man, but ȝif he Clene be,
Into this halle Entreth not he.”
but therto hadde non Maner of powste.
thanne Axede he of the porter Anon,
‘Why that In to the halle he ne myhte gon.’
thanne Answerid the porter Aȝeyn,
“for þou wost not waschen thin hondys In Certein
At the welle, As Other han don,
þerfore here-Inne schalt þou not gon.
For non Man, but ȝif he Clene be,
Into this halle Entreth not he.”
And the kyng, that ful of sorwe was,
Atte A weket loked In to that plas,
and sawh his soster that he hadde slayn,
Atte the hygh table Sitten Certein,
And with A chapelet vppon hire hed,
ful of precious stones In that sted;
And him thouhte hire neuere so fair Er
be A thousendfold As sche was ther.
And whanne sche sawh he beheld hire so,
Sche seide, “go, wasche the As we han do,
And þanne schalt þou with vs atte Mete be,
And ben I-servid with alle deynte.”
Atte A weket loked In to that plas,
and sawh his soster that he hadde slayn,
Atte the hygh table Sitten Certein,
And with A chapelet vppon hire hed,
ful of precious stones In that sted;
442
be A thousendfold As sche was ther.
And whanne sche sawh he beheld hire so,
Sche seide, “go, wasche the As we han do,
And þanne schalt þou with vs atte Mete be,
And ben I-servid with alle deynte.”
Whanne the kyng beheld Al this Manere,
That he ne myhte not ben Resceyved there,
Anon his weye he turnede Ageyn
that same weye that he cam Certein;
but wardeyn thanne hadde he non,
whanne thoruh this medwe he scholde gon.
That he ne myhte not ben Resceyved there,
Anon his weye he turnede Ageyn
that same weye that he cam Certein;
but wardeyn thanne hadde he non,
whanne thoruh this medwe he scholde gon.
thanne Cam this peple there Anon,
and vppon hym leyden hond Echon,
that of his deth neuere was he so sore Aferd
Sethen he Cam In-to Middillerd.
thanne he Axed hem Everichon,
‘Why they leyden hond hym vppon.’
“For we welen so, I telle it the;
For thou Art Al oure In Every degre,
And with vs now schalt thou go,
In to what place we welen leden þe to.”
“thanne drowen they me forth Anon
be the her & be þe hondes, & forth gonne gon;
and be the feet they drowen me faste
to An hows In A valeye Atte laste,
the whiche was wastful & wilde;
and In that hows, Meyne that was vn-Mylde,
For it was so fowl, so hydous, forto be-holde,
that Erthely man was neuere so bolde
that hous to Entren to discrye,
It was so ful of filthe and velonye.
and wondir blak it was therto,
Ful of wepinges & Cryenges as it myhte go:”
and Al this the kyng In Avisioun Say,
that for drede he deyde nygh that day.
and vppon hym leyden hond Echon,
that of his deth neuere was he so sore Aferd
Sethen he Cam In-to Middillerd.
thanne he Axed hem Everichon,
‘Why they leyden hond hym vppon.’
“For we welen so, I telle it the;
For thou Art Al oure In Every degre,
And with vs now schalt thou go,
In to what place we welen leden þe to.”
“thanne drowen they me forth Anon
be the her & be þe hondes, & forth gonne gon;
and be the feet they drowen me faste
to An hows In A valeye Atte laste,
the whiche was wastful & wilde;
and In that hows, Meyne that was vn-Mylde,
For it was so fowl, so hydous, forto be-holde,
that Erthely man was neuere so bolde
that hous to Entren to discrye,
It was so ful of filthe and velonye.
and wondir blak it was therto,
Ful of wepinges & Cryenges as it myhte go:”
and Al this the kyng In Avisioun Say,
that for drede he deyde nygh that day.
443
And whanne him thouhte In his Aviciown
that Into þat hous they wolden han throwen him down,
And for drede Anon wook he there,
And wondirly Cryde, & in An hy Manere,
And Seyde, “help now, I nam but ded
but ȝif ich have Ony other Red.”
And thus Cryde he with so An hy A voys
that he Made Riht A wondirful Noys,
So that Alle his lordis and Baronye
herden how wondirly that he gan to Crye,
And to hym Ronnen they Alle Anon
Forto weten what so he wolde don.
that Into þat hous they wolden han throwen him down,
And for drede Anon wook he there,
And wondirly Cryde, & in An hy Manere,
And Seyde, “help now, I nam but ded
but ȝif ich have Ony other Red.”
And thus Cryde he with so An hy A voys
that he Made Riht A wondirful Noys,
So that Alle his lordis and Baronye
herden how wondirly that he gan to Crye,
And to hym Ronnen they Alle Anon
Forto weten what so he wolde don.
there fownden they him In his bed liggenge,
As A Man that Made wel Mochel Mornenge,—
Neuere Man So mochel Made to here mynde,—
which stoned hem Alle In here Kynde,
For Al day Merye they hadden ben.
But whanne the kyng thus gonne they sen,
Astoned fowle weren they alle,
What of this Mater Myhte befalle.
As A Man that Made wel Mochel Mornenge,—
Neuere Man So mochel Made to here mynde,—
which stoned hem Alle In here Kynde,
For Al day Merye they hadden ben.
But whanne the kyng thus gonne they sen,
Astoned fowle weren they alle,
What of this Mater Myhte befalle.
Thanne tweyne that with him weren most preve,
To hym they Comen ful Softele,
and seiden, “Sire, what may ȝow Aylle,
Oþer what Manere thing dyde ȝow Asaille,”
For they knewen, be his Cryenge,
that he was Aferd In his dremenge.
To hym they Comen ful Softele,
and seiden, “Sire, what may ȝow Aylle,
Oþer what Manere thing dyde ȝow Asaille,”
For they knewen, be his Cryenge,
that he was Aferd In his dremenge.
thanne seide he to hem Anon there
That thike tyme Abowtes him were,
‘That there Say Neuere Erthly man
So Merveillous Syhtes as he Sawh than;’
“where-fore I schal neuere blithe be
Tyl there offen I knowe the Certeinte.
Now to fore me bring forth Celidoyne,
That myn Other Avision declared Certeine;
and ȝif of this he telle me As verraylly
As he of the tother dyde trewly,
what thing he wele Comanden me to
At his Owne wille, I wyle it now do.”
That thike tyme Abowtes him were,
‘That there Say Neuere Erthly man
So Merveillous Syhtes as he Sawh than;’
“where-fore I schal neuere blithe be
Tyl there offen I knowe the Certeinte.
Now to fore me bring forth Celidoyne,
That myn Other Avision declared Certeine;
and ȝif of this he telle me As verraylly
As he of the tother dyde trewly,
444
At his Owne wille, I wyle it now do.”
So to this child thanne gonnen they go,
that I[n] A pavilown On slepe was tho;
And him A-woken ful tendirlye,
For that to the kyng he Moste hye.
and the Child him dressed vp Anon,
And to forn the kyng thanne Gan he gon.
that I[n] A pavilown On slepe was tho;
And him A-woken ful tendirlye,
For that to the kyng he Moste hye.
and the Child him dressed vp Anon,
And to forn the kyng thanne Gan he gon.
& whanne the kyng on þe child gan looke,
Gret Comfort thanne to him he tooke;
“Now, Maister,” quod the kyng thanne,
“As I holde the, most wysest manne
that euere Sawh I of thin Age,
And that born Is of so hygh parage,
I preye ȝow that ȝe wolden tellen me
Of that I schal ȝow schewen, the Certeinte.”
Gret Comfort thanne to him he tooke;
“Now, Maister,” quod the kyng thanne,
“As I holde the, most wysest manne
that euere Sawh I of thin Age,
And that born Is of so hygh parage,
I preye ȝow that ȝe wolden tellen me
Of that I schal ȝow schewen, the Certeinte.”
“Sire,” quod Celidoyne, “I wele ful gladly;
but not be myn owne wit, sire, trewly,
but As I am Enformed of the Maister Above,
Whiche that thou Owhtest wel forto love.
and for thow wost not leven his word be me,
There-fore sore blamed schalt thou be.
For whanne thou Come to that Cite
Which In thy Slepe was schewed to the,
ȝif that thow wylt Entren there,
Thou Most don As I schal the lere;
And but thou wilt Aftir me don so,
To Endeles dirknesse elles schalt thou go,
To that dirk hous, ful of teres & sorwe,
Endelesly to dwelle, þat no man schal the borwe.”
but not be myn owne wit, sire, trewly,
but As I am Enformed of the Maister Above,
Whiche that thou Owhtest wel forto love.
and for thow wost not leven his word be me,
There-fore sore blamed schalt thou be.
For whanne thou Come to that Cite
Which In thy Slepe was schewed to the,
ȝif that thow wylt Entren there,
Thou Most don As I schal the lere;
And but thou wilt Aftir me don so,
To Endeles dirknesse elles schalt thou go,
To that dirk hous, ful of teres & sorwe,
Endelesly to dwelle, þat no man schal the borwe.”
And whanne the kyng herd hym speken so,
On knes Aforn hym down fyl he tho,
& seide, “Al that Evere thou seyst me here,
I knowe it verrayly In Eche Manere,
And that thou Art hy with god Above,
I knowe ful wel he doth the love,
So what that Evere tho[u] Comandest Me,
I schal it fulfyllen ful Certeinle.
For thou hast told me verraillye
That In myn Avicion I sawh Certeynlye.”
On knes Aforn hym down fyl he tho,
& seide, “Al that Evere thou seyst me here,
I knowe it verrayly In Eche Manere,
And that thou Art hy with god Above,
I knowe ful wel he doth the love,
445
I schal it fulfyllen ful Certeinle.
For thou hast told me verraillye
That In myn Avicion I sawh Certeynlye.”
“ȝe,” quod Celidoyne Anon ryht tho,
“ȝit More schal I tellen the Er that I go:
I schal the schewen the Signefiaunce
Of Al thin Avicion with-owten variaunce,
So that the bettere thou schalt me leve,
For that swiche thinges I schal þe preve:—
“ȝit More schal I tellen the Er that I go:
I schal the schewen the Signefiaunce
Of Al thin Avicion with-owten variaunce,
So that the bettere thou schalt me leve,
For that swiche thinges I schal þe preve:—
“The grete weye that thou there Sye,
Signefieth the old lawe Sekerly,
Where that so gret peple to forn han gon
As thou hast herd tellen of Many on;
and swich As grete Maistres were,
And wolde not vndirstondin þe peple to lere,
but let hem Gon to Alle wrechchednesse,
to filthes, and synne, And vnkendenesse,
So that Every day that Cursede Enemy
To hym hem draweth by and by,
And Casteth hem In to helle anon,—
As wel good as bad thedir wenten Echon,—
lo this Enemy is to Signefye,
that be the weyes lyn so aparttly
For to taken hem that passen therby,
this signefieth the devel ful trewly.
Signefieth the old lawe Sekerly,
Where that so gret peple to forn han gon
As thou hast herd tellen of Many on;
and swich As grete Maistres were,
And wolde not vndirstondin þe peple to lere,
but let hem Gon to Alle wrechchednesse,
to filthes, and synne, And vnkendenesse,
So that Every day that Cursede Enemy
To hym hem draweth by and by,
And Casteth hem In to helle anon,—
As wel good as bad thedir wenten Echon,—
lo this Enemy is to Signefye,
that be the weyes lyn so aparttly
For to taken hem that passen therby,
this signefieth the devel ful trewly.
“Now [be] this weye that thou hast Seyn,
‘the olde lawe’ vndirstonde thou ful pleyn;
and be the Robberis that ben there,
vndirstonde thou the devel In Ech Manere;
And be the faire Man that with the wente,
vndirstonde thou Crist veramente;
There God Of the hadde pyte,
And In that dredful weye Governed the,
So that thyn Enemyes hadden non power
In Non wyse forto Neyhen the there.
For of him Ones haddest thou pyte,
there fore so hath he now of the;
And wistest thou neuere what pete was
thike tyme In that same plas.
‘the olde lawe’ vndirstonde thou ful pleyn;
and be the Robberis that ben there,
vndirstonde thou the devel In Ech Manere;
And be the faire Man that with the wente,
vndirstonde thou Crist veramente;
There God Of the hadde pyte,
And In that dredful weye Governed the,
So that thyn Enemyes hadden non power
In Non wyse forto Neyhen the there.
446
there fore so hath he now of the;
And wistest thou neuere what pete was
thike tyme In that same plas.
“Now haue I told the Al In fere
Of that faire Man, In this Manere,
that In that weye Cowndered the
Among Alle tho thevys ful Sekerle;
ȝit A Nothir Resoun I schal the Schewe
To forn Al this peple vppon A rewe,
be the grete weye that is so wyde
I schal the declaren At this tyde.
Of that faire Man, In this Manere,
that In that weye Cowndered the
Among Alle tho thevys ful Sekerle;
ȝit A Nothir Resoun I schal the Schewe
To forn Al this peple vppon A rewe,
be the grete weye that is so wyde
I schal the declaren At this tyde.
“thou sixt wel whanne A schipe is with-Inne,
And to the Se goth, and may not blynne,
And hath nethir Maister ne Governour
That schipe to Steren In that stowr;
And whanne fer into the Se Is he go,
and with the wynd beten bothe to & fro,
Tyl Amyddes the see that he be,
that brod & large Is Onne to se,
there Nis non Man that him Socoure May,
Sauf Only God that is verray;
This Owhtest thow to vnrdirstondyn here
Of the weye of Synneris In this Manere.
And to the Se goth, and may not blynne,
And hath nethir Maister ne Governour
That schipe to Steren In that stowr;
And whanne fer into the Se Is he go,
and with the wynd beten bothe to & fro,
Tyl Amyddes the see that he be,
that brod & large Is Onne to se,
there Nis non Man that him Socoure May,
Sauf Only God that is verray;
This Owhtest thow to vnrdirstondyn here
Of the weye of Synneris In this Manere.
“For Anon As A Cristen man In Ony weye
Forsaketh his Creatour, Serteinlye
thanne hath he broken this weye Anon
that thou Sie Alle the folk Inne gon;
thanne taken they bothe leve & lycense
Forto folwen the develis precense,
And thanne scholen they haven Compenye
that weye to gon ful Sekerlye,
and here flessches lust to fulfille,
and leven the goode wey, & taken the ylle
Aftir the develys Cownsaille,
that Nothing may hem A-vaylle.
And In this weye, Sire kyng label,
hast thou longe gon, thou wost ful wel;
but now at this Manere of Comenge,
And thow wilt, thou schalt hauen Comfortynge
Of him that the best helpen he May,
[He] Schal the Owt Bringe this selve day.
Forsaketh his Creatour, Serteinlye
thanne hath he broken this weye Anon
that thou Sie Alle the folk Inne gon;
thanne taken they bothe leve & lycense
Forto folwen the develis precense,
And thanne scholen they haven Compenye
that weye to gon ful Sekerlye,
and here flessches lust to fulfille,
and leven the goode wey, & taken the ylle
Aftir the develys Cownsaille,
that Nothing may hem A-vaylle.
447
hast thou longe gon, thou wost ful wel;
but now at this Manere of Comenge,
And thow wilt, thou schalt hauen Comfortynge
Of him that the best helpen he May,
[He] Schal the Owt Bringe this selve day.
“ȝit schal I more to the here declare
Of the grene weye that thou sye thare:
‘The newe lawe’ it doth Signefye,
that Everiday Encresith certeinlye.
And the streite weye that was there,
Signefieth of hem that there Inne were,
[they] hadden [no] leve forth there to gon,
that Goddis Comaundement fulfilden Echon,
And of holy chirche Also thanne,
In þat wey wente swich maner of Manne.
Of the grene weye that thou sye thare:
‘The newe lawe’ it doth Signefye,
that Everiday Encresith certeinlye.
And the streite weye that was there,
Signefieth of hem that there Inne were,
[they] hadden [no] leve forth there to gon,
that Goddis Comaundement fulfilden Echon,
And of holy chirche Also thanne,
In þat wey wente swich maner of Manne.
“lo, this Goddis Comandement Is,
that non Child of holy chirche Iwys
Scholde Erren Aȝens his Creatour
be non manere of wise, for non dolour,
Ne nethir to don non dedly Synne,
Ne vsen non Coveitise neþer more ne Mynne;
And forsaken Envye Also therto,
ȝif Aftir god & trowthe thou wilt do;
Ne be non thouht to fallen In to synne,
but Evere the Ryht weye hold the with-Inne.
that non Child of holy chirche Iwys
Scholde Erren Aȝens his Creatour
be non manere of wise, for non dolour,
Ne nethir to don non dedly Synne,
Ne vsen non Coveitise neþer more ne Mynne;
And forsaken Envye Also therto,
ȝif Aftir god & trowthe thou wilt do;
Ne be non thouht to fallen In to synne,
but Evere the Ryht weye hold the with-Inne.
“The Trees that be that grene weye stoden Abowte,
‘pastours of holy Chirche’ it signefien withowten dowte,
that Alle Abowtes the world don gon,
The holy vangelye forto vndon.
‘pastours of holy Chirche’ it signefien withowten dowte,
that Alle Abowtes the world don gon,
The holy vangelye forto vndon.
“The vois that thou herdest Clepen there,
Signefieth ‘goddis Mercy’ In Eche Manere,
that Clepith Synneris that Synne han forsake,
And Iust that to his Servise han hem take,
And behotyth hem Al Manere of delicasye
That to ony Mannes wyt May Applye.
Signefieth ‘goddis Mercy’ In Eche Manere,
that Clepith Synneris that Synne han forsake,
And Iust that to his Servise han hem take,
And behotyth hem Al Manere of delicasye
That to ony Mannes wyt May Applye.
448
Be that welle, vndirstonde thou here,
Whiche In that Mowntayne thou sye there,
that is to Signefye Euere ‘god Alone,’
That Aboven Sitteth In his trone,
the wheche is the heyest lord & kyng,
and heyghest he is ouer Alle Maner thing;
Which is sene be his Bownte,
And be many Miracles In diuers degre
Whiche he wrowhte In this world here;
For ouer Alle Erthly men he hadde powere,
And Aboven Alle Other heyest is he,
lik As þat Mowntayn Aboven oþer semed þe to be:
and lik As that Mowntayn Aboven therthe was,
So Is God heyghest In Every plas.
Whiche In that Mowntayne thou sye there,
that is to Signefye Euere ‘god Alone,’
That Aboven Sitteth In his trone,
the wheche is the heyest lord & kyng,
and heyghest he is ouer Alle Maner thing;
Which is sene be his Bownte,
And be many Miracles In diuers degre
Whiche he wrowhte In this world here;
For ouer Alle Erthly men he hadde powere,
And Aboven Alle Other heyest is he,
lik As þat Mowntayn Aboven oþer semed þe to be:
and lik As that Mowntayn Aboven therthe was,
So Is God heyghest In Every plas.
“& for that Cause the welle Icleped It is
‘The vnctioun of Baptesme’ with-owten Mis,
Wheche was be goddis Ordenaunce,
And God it fulfilde to his plesaunce,
There sye thow god In Maieste
that toward this welle browhte the.
‘The vnctioun of Baptesme’ with-owten Mis,
Wheche was be goddis Ordenaunce,
And God it fulfilde to his plesaunce,
There sye thow god In Maieste
that toward this welle browhte the.
“And that Cyte that So fair & swete was,
vndirstonde thou ‘paradys’ In this plas,
Where that god Maketh his hyghe feste
To alle his beloved, bothe leste and Meste.
vndirstonde thou ‘paradys’ In this plas,
Where that god Maketh his hyghe feste
To alle his beloved, bothe leste and Meste.
“And vndirstonde thou here-by Also,
that whanne In Atte gates thou myhtest not go,
For thou Nost waschschen In non Manere
Atte welle, As other diden there,—
þerfore it signefieth In this degre
That Goddis Seriaunt ne myht þou not be,
Nethir non Child of holy Chirche,
but ȝif Oþerwise that þou wilt wirche,
And that I-Cristened that thou be,’
ȝif thow wilt Ony of these festes se.
that whanne In Atte gates thou myhtest not go,
For thou Nost waschschen In non Manere
Atte welle, As other diden there,—
þerfore it signefieth In this degre
That Goddis Seriaunt ne myht þou not be,
Nethir non Child of holy Chirche,
but ȝif Oþerwise that þou wilt wirche,
And that I-Cristened that thou be,’
ȝif thow wilt Ony of these festes se.
“And for the bettere þou scholdest han me increaunce,
Al this I the telle with-owten Enqweraunce.
And þen so longe In swevenyng thou hast be,
In schort processe I haue declared it to the;
And there fore leve me ȝif thou wilt,
And but ȝif þou do, thou schalt be spilt.
449
And þen so longe In swevenyng thou hast be,
In schort processe I haue declared it to the;
And there fore leve me ȝif thou wilt,
And but ȝif þou do, thou schalt be spilt.
“Al this, Sie thow, kyng Label,
In thyn Avicioun Everydel,
Whiche thou woldest neuere to man discure,
for þou wendist that neuere Creature
Of non Manere Erthly londe
Cowde it the don to vndirstonde:
but As the hyghe Maister Enformed hath me,
I haue the told In Eche degre.
In thyn Avicioun Everydel,
Whiche thou woldest neuere to man discure,
for þou wendist that neuere Creature
Of non Manere Erthly londe
Cowde it the don to vndirstonde:
but As the hyghe Maister Enformed hath me,
I haue the told In Eche degre.
“Be the wastful lawndes, haue vndirstondyng
‘Thy wykked werkys’ In Alle thing
that thou hast don Al thy lyve
Sethen thou were born In wo & stryve.
therfore Cristened loke that thou be,
ȝif thou wilt ben holpen In Ony degre.
‘Thy wykked werkys’ In Alle thing
that thou hast don Al thy lyve
Sethen thou were born In wo & stryve.
therfore Cristened loke that thou be,
ȝif thou wilt ben holpen In Ony degre.
450
“Now forthermore I schal the telle,
that dirk blak hows signefyeth ‘helle’;
To wheche place Al Miscreaunt
Atte the day of dom schal ben here haunt;
To whiche Ostel that Is so blak,
At that dom Gost thow with-owten lak;
but ȝif it In this world thou it Amende,
Ellis thedir gost thou with-owten Ende:
And so In this world myht thou don here
To blisse to Comen, that hath non pere.”
that dirk blak hows signefyeth ‘helle’;
To wheche place Al Miscreaunt
Atte the day of dom schal ben here haunt;
To whiche Ostel that Is so blak,
At that dom Gost thow with-owten lak;
but ȝif it In this world thou it Amende,
Ellis thedir gost thou with-owten Ende:
And so In this world myht thou don here
To blisse to Comen, that hath non pere.”
“Now, Certes,” quod kyng label tho,
“Merveillously hast þou this vndo.
And ȝit more merveillous is that lord
that to the hath discouered Every word;
And but he were Myhtiere thanne oþer be,
this Mihte he Neuere han schewed to the.
Where fore to him only I me take,
And Alle myn Olde werkes I forsake;
And what that Evere ȝe Comanden me to,
At ȝoure byddyng I wele it do.”
“Merveillously hast þou this vndo.
And ȝit more merveillous is that lord
that to the hath discouered Every word;
And but he were Myhtiere thanne oþer be,
this Mihte he Neuere han schewed to the.
451
And Alle myn Olde werkes I forsake;
And what that Evere ȝe Comanden me to,
At ȝoure byddyng I wele it do.”
“thanne schal I tellen þe,” Celidoyne gan say,
“thus me hath Schewed the Maister varray,
hos Seriawnt I am ful prest,
that here besides In this forest
dwelleth An holy Ermyt, and of good lif,
and þerto A prest with-owten stryf.
Go we to hym streyht Anon,
Cristendom to don the vppon,
that I have to the Spoken of to fore,
forto Entren In to that Cite thore,
To that hygh worthy feste,
In paradis to dwellen with lest & meste.”
“Certes,” quod the kyng tho,
“Al this I am Redy forto do.”
“thus me hath Schewed the Maister varray,
hos Seriawnt I am ful prest,
that here besides In this forest
dwelleth An holy Ermyt, and of good lif,
and þerto A prest with-owten stryf.
Go we to hym streyht Anon,
Cristendom to don the vppon,
that I have to the Spoken of to fore,
forto Entren In to that Cite thore,
To that hygh worthy feste,
In paradis to dwellen with lest & meste.”
“Certes,” quod the kyng tho,
“Al this I am Redy forto do.”
Thanne Axede this kyng Anon Ryht
Of duk, Erl, barown, And knyht,
ȝif they wolden Conceillen him þerto,
this Manere thing Al forto do.
“For weteth wel In Certayn,
that In Myn herte I schal neuere be fayn
Tyl I-Cristened that I be,
As Celidoyne here Enformeth Me.”
Of duk, Erl, barown, And knyht,
ȝif they wolden Conceillen him þerto,
this Manere thing Al forto do.
“For weteth wel In Certayn,
that In Myn herte I schal neuere be fayn
Tyl I-Cristened that I be,
As Celidoyne here Enformeth Me.”
thanne Answered they him Aȝeyn,
‘that wold they neuere In Certein
Ne not departen from here lay,
No more thanne here fadres be Olde day.’
“leve, sire kyng,” quod Celidoyne tho,
“For Aȝens here wil it schal not be do.”
‘that wold they neuere In Certein
Ne not departen from here lay,
No more thanne here fadres be Olde day.’
“leve, sire kyng,” quod Celidoyne tho,
452
Thanne Celidoyne this kyng vnclothed Anon,
and powre Clothes dyde hym vppon;
‘For he ne wolde In non Manere
that so to forn him he Come there
In non Maner of swich Aray
that signefieth to pride in Ony way,’
“but As In lownesse And In humylite
So to forn him Comen scholen ȝe.”
and powre Clothes dyde hym vppon;
‘For he ne wolde In non Manere
that so to forn him he Come there
In non Maner of swich Aray
that signefieth to pride in Ony way,’
“but As In lownesse And In humylite
So to forn him Comen scholen ȝe.”
Anon the kyng dyde his Comandement,
And with hym wente with good Entent.
And from here pavilouns they partyd Anon,
& forth thorwgh the forest gonne they gon,
That so forth to Gederis wenten they faste,
tyl Into A gret valey they comen Atte laste;
And so longe to-Gyveris they wente,
Tyl that the day was Al I-spente;
So that it happed hem be Grace
That to thermyt they comen In þat place,
And Clepeden At his dore Anon,
and thus sone he gan it vndon.
And with hym wente with good Entent.
And from here pavilouns they partyd Anon,
& forth thorwgh the forest gonne they gon,
That so forth to Gederis wenten they faste,
tyl Into A gret valey they comen Atte laste;
And so longe to-Gyveris they wente,
Tyl that the day was Al I-spente;
So that it happed hem be Grace
That to thermyt they comen In þat place,
And Clepeden At his dore Anon,
and thus sone he gan it vndon.
thanne ful gret Merveille þis hermyt hadde,
What maner of thing thedyr hem ladde,
And what they sowhten In that straunge place,
thike peple that thedir Comen wase;
For fully A mounthe to forn that day,
Neuere Man ne womman ne child he ne say.
What maner of thing thedyr hem ladde,
And what they sowhten In that straunge place,
thike peple that thedir Comen wase;
For fully A mounthe to forn that day,
Neuere Man ne womman ne child he ne say.
And whanne the dore was thus vndon,
Celidoyne Entred thanne In Anon,
and beknew that Cristened he was,
Whiche was to thermyt A Ioyful Cas;
So Ech of hem Othir Embracen began,
and An hundred Sithes they kisten than.
“Faire sone,” quod this Ermyt tho,
“Into Manye stronge place schalt þou go,
And goddis Pyler thow ȝchalt ben,
To helpe forto vndirsette Al cristen.”
Celidoyne Entred thanne In Anon,
and beknew that Cristened he was,
Whiche was to thermyt A Ioyful Cas;
453
and An hundred Sithes they kisten than.
“Faire sone,” quod this Ermyt tho,
“Into Manye stronge place schalt þou go,
And goddis Pyler thow ȝchalt ben,
To helpe forto vndirsette Al cristen.”
thanne Celidoyne [spak] Anon Ageyn,
And told him Al the Cas In Certein,
Also Al the cause of here Comenge,
this kyng to Cristendom forto bringe.
thann hadde this Goodman gret Ioye of this,
that he scholde A sowle wynnen to blis,
and seide that he wolde with good wille
on þe Morwen here Axeng to fulfille.
And told him Al the Cas In Certein,
Also Al the cause of here Comenge,
this kyng to Cristendom forto bringe.
thann hadde this Goodman gret Ioye of this,
that he scholde A sowle wynnen to blis,
and seide that he wolde with good wille
on þe Morwen here Axeng to fulfille.
Alle that Nyht hadden they here talkyng,
that to alle holynesse was belongeng;
So that Al Nyht this good man Gan hem preche,
And of holy mennes lyves he gan hem teche,
that for Crist Suffrede Tormentis harde,
And to the Blisse of hevene wenten Aftirwarde;
So that Evere the kyng for Ioye he wepe,
That of Al theke Nyht he ne slepe.
that to alle holynesse was belongeng;
454
And of holy mennes lyves he gan hem teche,
455
And to the Blisse of hevene wenten Aftirwarde;
So that Evere the kyng for Ioye he wepe,
That of Al theke Nyht he ne slepe.
Vppon the Morwen, whanne it was lyht,
Thermyt his Matynes seide Anon Ryht;
and whanne his Matynes weren I-do,
A fair ston ful Redy Made he tho,
And there with water he gan it fille.
thanne Anon the kyng he Clepid him Tylle,
& made him don Of his Clothes Anon,
And there Into that ston forto gon.
Anon there ȝaf he hym ful Crystenynge
holich after holy Chirches werkynge.
Whanne the kyng thus Cristened was there,
his Name nolde he Chonge In non Manere;
For of fairenesse it hadde Semblaunce,
Wherfore þere offen nolde he maken non variaunce.
Thermyt his Matynes seide Anon Ryht;
and whanne his Matynes weren I-do,
A fair ston ful Redy Made he tho,
And there with water he gan it fille.
thanne Anon the kyng he Clepid him Tylle,
& made him don Of his Clothes Anon,
And there Into that ston forto gon.
Anon there ȝaf he hym ful Crystenynge
holich after holy Chirches werkynge.
Whanne the kyng thus Cristened was there,
his Name nolde he Chonge In non Manere;
For of fairenesse it hadde Semblaunce,
Wherfore þere offen nolde he maken non variaunce.
Whanne this Good Man hym Cristened haddē so,
Anon hem gan he forth Clepen tho
that with hym Comen In Compenye,
And Axede hem there Anon In hye,
‘ȝif that they wolden Cristened be
lik here lord was, As sche myhte se,’
thanne Answerid they Anon Ageyn,
‘that wolde they Neuere don In Certein;
For they wolden Neuere Chongen here lay
That here Fadris helden to forn here day.’
Anon hem gan he forth Clepen tho
that with hym Comen In Compenye,
And Axede hem there Anon In hye,
‘ȝif that they wolden Cristened be
lik here lord was, As sche myhte se,’
thanne Answerid they Anon Ageyn,
‘that wolde they Neuere don In Certein;
For they wolden Neuere Chongen here lay
That here Fadris helden to forn here day.’
thanne this goodman Ryht Anon
A whit Robe the kyng dide vppon,
holiche be thermytes Ordenaunce;
Swich was thanne the kynges Chaunce.
A whit Robe the kyng dide vppon,
holiche be thermytes Ordenaunce;
Swich was thanne the kynges Chaunce.
thanne Seide the kyng to Celidoyne tho,
“Faire child, þou hast me browht Owt of wo;
For I am becomen So heyl A man
that non Erthly tonge tellen ne kan.
For me semeth now In My syht,
that I am At theke Cyte so bryht
where that I say the grete feste
Of manye peple, bothe lest & Meste,
Where As I was put Away Anon Ryht,
that Into the halle Entren I ne Myht,
For that I wysch not In Certeyne
Atte the welle vppon the Mownteyne.”
“Faire child, þou hast me browht Owt of wo;
For I am becomen So heyl A man
that non Erthly tonge tellen ne kan.
456
that I am At theke Cyte so bryht
where that I say the grete feste
Of manye peple, bothe lest & Meste,
Where As I was put Away Anon Ryht,
that Into the halle Entren I ne Myht,
For that I wysch not In Certeyne
Atte the welle vppon the Mownteyne.”
Thanne seide the kyng to his Compenye
that thedir with hym Comen Certeinlye,
“Lordynges, that In Myn Compenye han be,
and In Travaille and In Adversite,
and welen not beren me Compenye
Now at this tyme feythfullye
there As I am In a Ioyful lyf,
And ȝe dwellen stille In wo & stryf;
holiche Alle I ȝow forsake,
And to this lif I wele me take;
For with ȝow schal I neuere go
Into the Cuntre that I Cam fro.”
that thedir with hym Comen Certeinlye,
“Lordynges, that In Myn Compenye han be,
and In Travaille and In Adversite,
and welen not beren me Compenye
Now at this tyme feythfullye
there As I am In a Ioyful lyf,
And ȝe dwellen stille In wo & stryf;
holiche Alle I ȝow forsake,
And to this lif I wele me take;
For with ȝow schal I neuere go
Into the Cuntre that I Cam fro.”
And whanne they herde the kyng thus seyn,
Alle ful wooful they weren In Certeyin,
And seiden that they hadden lost Alle here pray,
Whanne that the kyng hadde Torned his lay.
So that Owt of this hows they wenten Anon,
And to-Gederis to Conseil gonne they gon,
And Axeden how that they Scholden do,
that thus the kyng was parted hem fro.
thanne Answered Anothir there,
“What Nedith vs lengere to Abyden here?
for his lay wile he not forsake,
that he hath now hym to I-take,
but of hym that Conseil ȝaf therto,
Loke what with hym welen ȝe do.”
Alle ful wooful they weren In Certeyin,
And seiden that they hadden lost Alle here pray,
Whanne that the kyng hadde Torned his lay.
So that Owt of this hows they wenten Anon,
And to-Gederis to Conseil gonne they gon,
And Axeden how that they Scholden do,
that thus the kyng was parted hem fro.
thanne Answered Anothir there,
“What Nedith vs lengere to Abyden here?
for his lay wile he not forsake,
that he hath now hym to I-take,
but of hym that Conseil ȝaf therto,
Loke what with hym welen ȝe do.”
457
thanne wēntēn they Into thermytage,
And token Celidoyne with wilde Rage.
And whethir that he wolde oþer Non,
with hem that Child Moste Nedis gon.
And the kyng defended hem faste;
Not withstondyng ȝit forth they paste.
thanne seide Celidoyne to the kyng,
“Sire, for me Make ȝe No Morneng.
Sire, of on thyng I warne now the:
stylle with this good man that thou be,
whiche schal the ȝeven good Consaille
That to thy Sowle schal Availle.
And whedir so Evere thy Men Me lede,
Of hem Certein haue I non drede,
For he that I worschepe and Serve,
From alle perylles he wele me swerve.”
And token Celidoyne with wilde Rage.
And whethir that he wolde oþer Non,
with hem that Child Moste Nedis gon.
And the kyng defended hem faste;
Not withstondyng ȝit forth they paste.
thanne seide Celidoyne to the kyng,
“Sire, for me Make ȝe No Morneng.
Sire, of on thyng I warne now the:
stylle with this good man that thou be,
whiche schal the ȝeven good Consaille
That to thy Sowle schal Availle.
And whedir so Evere thy Men Me lede,
Of hem Certein haue I non drede,
For he that I worschepe and Serve,
From alle perylles he wele me swerve.”
And so, be Celidoynes Cownsaylle,
the kyng left Stylle with-owten faille,
and on the Morwe with Mylde stevenne
he deyde, and wente to the blisse of hevenne.
As God wolde haven it, so was it don,
For hens to blisse gan he gon.
and sethen for hym Crist Meracle wrowhte
vppon Mochel peple that there hym Sowhte.
the kyng left Stylle with-owten faille,
and on the Morwe with Mylde stevenne
he deyde, and wente to the blisse of hevenne.
As God wolde haven it, so was it don,
For hens to blisse gan he gon.
and sethen for hym Crist Meracle wrowhte
vppon Mochel peple that there hym Sowhte.
And thowgh this Mater and Oþere longe not to þis storye,
ȝit he that this book Made hath put it in Memorye
Forto Maken A Cler Notysyng,
And forto declaren so Everithing
More Openly to mannes Mynde,
Al the mater the bettere to bryngen to an Ende:
thus Alle thinges doth he putten In Memorye,
he that ferst Made this holy Storye.
ȝit he that this book Made hath put it in Memorye
Forto Maken A Cler Notysyng,
And forto declaren so Everithing
More Openly to mannes Mynde,
Al the mater the bettere to bryngen to an Ende:
thus Alle thinges doth he putten In Memorye,
he that ferst Made this holy Storye.
| CHAPTER XXXIII. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |