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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| XXXV. | CHAPTER XXXV. THE ADVENTURES OF THE MESSENGERS WHO GO TO SEEK NASCIENS. |
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 | CHAPTER XXXV. THE ADVENTURES OF THE MESSENGERS WHO GO TO SEEK NASCIENS. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
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CHAPTER XXXV. THE ADVENTURES OF THE MESSENGERS WHO GO TO SEEK NASCIENS.
2
Now telleth here this Storye Anon,
Whanne the fyve Messengeris weren gon
From the qweene, sire Nasciens to seke
—That Gentyl knyht So good & Meke,—
Somtyme towardis they Reden faste,
And somtime bakwardis they prekyd In haste,
for they ne Cowde knowen non Certeinte
In what Contre that he scholde be,
Ne neuere tydynges of hym herden telle,
In what Manere to hym befelle;
Where offen they weren Abascht ful sore
that of hym Cowden they heren no More.
Whanne the fyve Messengeris weren gon
From the qweene, sire Nasciens to seke
—That Gentyl knyht So good & Meke,—
Somtyme towardis they Reden faste,
And somtime bakwardis they prekyd In haste,
for they ne Cowde knowen non Certeinte
In what Contre that he scholde be,
Ne neuere tydynges of hym herden telle,
In what Manere to hym befelle;
Where offen they weren Abascht ful sore
that of hym Cowden they heren no More.
and whanne longe they hadden Reden so
In diuers londis bothe to & fro,
thorwh Alle payneme & othir Contre
where they Supposid him forto han be;
and thus sowhten they bothe fer & Ner,
but of hym herden they nowher.
And ful fer they weren Owt of here Contre,
Wherfore Alle ful Sory they be.
In diuers londis bothe to & fro,
thorwh Alle payneme & othir Contre
where they Supposid him forto han be;
and thus sowhten they bothe fer & Ner,
but of hym herden they nowher.
And ful fer they weren Owt of here Contre,
Wherfore Alle ful Sory they be.
So that it happid vppon A Nyht
that Into A Cite thei Comen ful Ryht
whiche that was In paynem londe,
As I do ȝow to vndirstonde;
And happed they Comen to an old vauasour
that kepte An Ost, & was A Man of honour.
and whanne they hadde Supped Echon,
this good man Axede of hem Anon
Of what Contre and whens they were,
And what thing that they Sowhten there.
thanne Answerid the Messengers to hym Agein,
“Of Sarras we ben Alle In Certein,
And thus Riden Abowte In Eche Contre
A knyht to fynden, ȝif it wolde be,
That is Iclepid Sire Nasciens
A worthy man & of gret defens,
that most wondirfully was lost
that Evere ȝit man wiste be ony Cost.”
that Into A Cite thei Comen ful Ryht
whiche that was In paynem londe,
As I do ȝow to vndirstonde;
3
that kepte An Ost, & was A Man of honour.
and whanne they hadde Supped Echon,
this good man Axede of hem Anon
Of what Contre and whens they were,
And what thing that they Sowhten there.
thanne Answerid the Messengers to hym Agein,
“Of Sarras we ben Alle In Certein,
And thus Riden Abowte In Eche Contre
A knyht to fynden, ȝif it wolde be,
That is Iclepid Sire Nasciens
A worthy man & of gret defens,
that most wondirfully was lost
that Evere ȝit man wiste be ony Cost.”
“What,” quod here Ost Aȝen tho,
“ȝe ben Cristened, so mot I go.”
Thanne he Answerid sone Ageyn,
“that is Soth, Sire, now in Certein.”
“haw thanne So hardy dorste ȝe be
Forto Comen Into this Contre,
Sethen that ȝe knowen with-owten dowte
that ȝe ben dedly hated Al A-bowte
that ben Contrarye to Owre lay:
Merveille it is to me how ȝe lyven this day.”
“ȝe ben Cristened, so mot I go.”
Thanne he Answerid sone Ageyn,
“that is Soth, Sire, now in Certein.”
“haw thanne So hardy dorste ȝe be
Forto Comen Into this Contre,
Sethen that ȝe knowen with-owten dowte
that ȝe ben dedly hated Al A-bowte
that ben Contrarye to Owre lay:
Merveille it is to me how ȝe lyven this day.”
“Sire,” seide On Of the Messengeris tho,
“Angwisch of wedering Made vs hider to go;
be wheche wederyng Oure lord is gon,
and of vs ne weten where to fynde hym non.
For we nete whethir Among paynems he be,
Owther Ellis Among the Cristiente;
therfore Supposing to fynden hym here,
hider we ben comen In this Manere.”
“thanne,” quod here ost to hem Ageyn,
“ȝe don gret folye here In Certeyn;
For it May Repenten ȝow ful sore,
And don ȝow Angwisch ful Moche More.”
thanne to hym Seiden they Everichon
‘that they Ne wiste non Othirwise to don.’
“Angwisch of wedering Made vs hider to go;
be wheche wederyng Oure lord is gon,
and of vs ne weten where to fynde hym non.
For we nete whethir Among paynems he be,
Owther Ellis Among the Cristiente;
therfore Supposing to fynden hym here,
hider we ben comen In this Manere.”
“thanne,” quod here ost to hem Ageyn,
“ȝe don gret folye here In Certeyn;
For it May Repenten ȝow ful sore,
And don ȝow Angwisch ful Moche More.”
4
‘that they Ne wiste non Othirwise to don.’
That Nyht weren they Served ful worschepfully
with Spices and with Alle delicasy,
For In that lond is gret plente
of Alle Manere of spices of deynte;
and So wel Iserved hadden they ne be
Sethen they departyd of here Contre.
thanne Axeden the Messengers of here ost there,
‘In what Manere of Contre that they were.’
thanne seide here Ost to hem Anon,
“In the Contre of Egipt ȝe ben Echon;
and the Name of this Cyte
Is Clepd Tosquean, vndirstonde now ȝe.
In whiche Same Tosquean Cyte
was born bothe fadir & Modir, As I telle the,
of that goode holy womman
that is Clepid Mary Egipcian.”
with Spices and with Alle delicasy,
For In that lond is gret plente
of Alle Manere of spices of deynte;
and So wel Iserved hadden they ne be
Sethen they departyd of here Contre.
thanne Axeden the Messengers of here ost there,
‘In what Manere of Contre that they were.’
thanne seide here Ost to hem Anon,
“In the Contre of Egipt ȝe ben Echon;
and the Name of this Cyte
Is Clepd Tosquean, vndirstonde now ȝe.
In whiche Same Tosquean Cyte
was born bothe fadir & Modir, As I telle the,
of that goode holy womman
that is Clepid Mary Egipcian.”
As they lyen In here bed that Nyht,
To the ȝongest of the fyve In his slepe was diht
So that he Say A Certein Avycioun,—
‘that Josephe of Armathie to forn him gan gon,’
“and Axede of Me what I sowht there.
and I him Answerid In My Manere,
‘Sire, I seke my lord Nasciens with-owten delay,
that hath be Missed ful many a day.’
‘What?’ quod Josephe, ‘that Man so hende,
hopest thou him In this Contre to fynde?’
‘Sire, trewly I not,’ quod this Messenger,
‘And therfore we seken hym fer & Ner.’
‘In this Contre,’ quod Josephes tho,
‘thow schat hym not fynde nethir to ne fro.
but A-Rys and go with Me,
And I schal schewen the where þat he be.’
To the ȝongest of the fyve In his slepe was diht
So that he Say A Certein Avycioun,—
‘that Josephe of Armathie to forn him gan gon,’
“and Axede of Me what I sowht there.
and I him Answerid In My Manere,
‘Sire, I seke my lord Nasciens with-owten delay,
that hath be Missed ful many a day.’
‘What?’ quod Josephe, ‘that Man so hende,
hopest thou him In this Contre to fynde?’
‘Sire, trewly I not,’ quod this Messenger,
‘And therfore we seken hym fer & Ner.’
‘In this Contre,’ quod Josephes tho,
‘thow schat hym not fynde nethir to ne fro.
but A-Rys and go with Me,
And I schal schewen the where þat he be.’
Thanne wente Iosephes forth to-fore,
And this Messenger folwede faste thore.
So longe to gederis they wenten In fere
Tyl Atte laste vppon A Mownteyn Comen they there,
And it was the heyest that Evere Men say;
thus hym Semede with-owten delay.
and whanne Aboven that they were,
An heyghere place ȝit Syen they there,
where Onne they myhten wel sen & knowe
Alle thinges vndir hem, it was so lowe,
and Al the See, and that there Inne was,
bothe Schepis & barges In that plas.
And this Messenger folwede faste thore.
5
Tyl Atte laste vppon A Mownteyn Comen they there,
And it was the heyest that Evere Men say;
thus hym Semede with-owten delay.
and whanne Aboven that they were,
An heyghere place ȝit Syen they there,
where Onne they myhten wel sen & knowe
Alle thinges vndir hem, it was so lowe,
and Al the See, and that there Inne was,
bothe Schepis & barges In that plas.
“Thanne Axed me Ioseph In his Manere,
‘What Manere of thing Sixt thou here?’
‘Alle the Erthe now, Sire, here I Se,
Where Inne the peple En-Abited be;
And alle the Sees I se Al-so
that Schepis or barges Inne Mown go.’”
thanne Ioseph gan hym to schewe
A gret Schipe with-Inne A threwe,
That fer from hym was In the Se
To-ward Grece, As he tolde Me.
“thanne Ioseph to Me ward drow Nerre,
‘Sixt thow ȝone schipe that is so ferre?’
‘ȝe, Sire, ful wel that Schipe I se,
that is so fer Into ȝone Contre.’
‘lo, In ȝone Schipe, As I telle the,
Is thy lord with his Compene.’”
‘What Manere of thing Sixt thou here?’
‘Alle the Erthe now, Sire, here I Se,
Where Inne the peple En-Abited be;
And alle the Sees I se Al-so
that Schepis or barges Inne Mown go.’”
thanne Ioseph gan hym to schewe
A gret Schipe with-Inne A threwe,
That fer from hym was In the Se
To-ward Grece, As he tolde Me.
“thanne Ioseph to Me ward drow Nerre,
‘Sixt thow ȝone schipe that is so ferre?’
‘ȝe, Sire, ful wel that Schipe I se,
that is so fer Into ȝone Contre.’
‘lo, In ȝone Schipe, As I telle the,
Is thy lord with his Compene.’”
and thus Sone they weren parted Asondir,
Where offen the messenger hadde gret wondir;
For he ne wiste whedir he gan to gon,
So Sodeynly he partyd from hym Anon.
Where offen the messenger hadde gret wondir;
For he ne wiste whedir he gan to gon,
So Sodeynly he partyd from hym Anon.
Vppon the morwe whanne Rysen they were,
and Al Redy forto Riden forth there,
& weren I-past Owt of that Cyte,
thanne this ȝonge Man to his felawes talked he,
and tolde hem verrayly with Al his Myht
whiche A vicioun he hadde that Nyht.
thanne Anon they Axeden him what it was;
and he hem gan tellen Alle the Cas.
Whanne they herden him Speken: In this degre,
‘It was A fair Aventure,’ they seiden Certeinle,
‘that Owre lord hem Nolde for-ȝeten In non Manere,
Sethen that here Lord they Sowhten So there;
and Ek be Ioseph they hadden warnenge,
Into what partyes they scholde gon Sekynge.’
and Al Redy forto Riden forth there,
& weren I-past Owt of that Cyte,
thanne this ȝonge Man to his felawes talked he,
and tolde hem verrayly with Al his Myht
whiche A vicioun he hadde that Nyht.
6
and he hem gan tellen Alle the Cas.
Whanne they herden him Speken: In this degre,
‘It was A fair Aventure,’ they seiden Certeinle,
‘that Owre lord hem Nolde for-ȝeten In non Manere,
Sethen that here Lord they Sowhten So there;
and Ek be Ioseph they hadden warnenge,
Into what partyes they scholde gon Sekynge.’
thanne seiden alle be on Asent,
‘that Evene to þe se to gon was here Entent,
And there forto geten hem A schip Anon,
And so forth Into the Se wolde they gon,
The See to Envirowne be day & be Nyht
ȝif that here lord Nasciens fynden they myht.’
‘that Evene to þe se to gon was here Entent,
And there forto geten hem A schip Anon,
And so forth Into the Se wolde they gon,
The See to Envirowne be day & be Nyht
ȝif that here lord Nasciens fynden they myht.’
But ȝit Er they from here Ost wente,
he hem Counseilled veramente
‘that they ne Scholden In non degre
be knowen that they weren of Cristiente;’
“and ȝif ȝe don oþer wise thanne I ȝow seye,
ȝe scholen ben Alle dede ful certeynlye;
and þerfore As y conseille ȝow, loke that ȝe do
In Alle þe places where so ȝe go.”
thei seiden þerto they wolden don here Myht:
thanne forth they wenten Anon Ryht.
he hem Counseilled veramente
‘that they ne Scholden In non degre
be knowen that they weren of Cristiente;’
“and ȝif ȝe don oþer wise thanne I ȝow seye,
ȝe scholen ben Alle dede ful certeynlye;
and þerfore As y conseille ȝow, loke that ȝe do
In Alle þe places where so ȝe go.”
thei seiden þerto they wolden don here Myht:
thanne forth they wenten Anon Ryht.
Thus parted the Messengeris from that Cyte thore
As ȝe herden me tellen here before,
and hem dressede towardis the See
Also faste As they Myhten flee,
And Redyn Al day with gret peyne
In An Owtraious Contre Certeyne.
for it was so hot in that Contre,
that Alle Naked, Men wenten, I telle the;
for there the Monthe of August, so hot it is,
hattere thanne oþer Monthis with-owten Mis.
As ȝe herden me tellen here before,
and hem dressede towardis the See
Also faste As they Myhten flee,
And Redyn Al day with gret peyne
In An Owtraious Contre Certeyne.
for it was so hot in that Contre,
that Alle Naked, Men wenten, I telle the;
for there the Monthe of August, so hot it is,
hattere thanne oþer Monthis with-owten Mis.
that same day the hete was [so] Strong
that On Of here felawes deide hem Among
For thurst That he took tho there;
and thus he deide In this Manere.
and of Egypt the Chief Cite
they hym beryede ful worschepfulle,
Where-offen Alisawndre is the Name,
A worthy Cyte, and of a gret fame.
that On Of here felawes deide hem Among
7
and thus he deide In this Manere.
and of Egypt the Chief Cite
they hym beryede ful worschepfulle,
Where-offen Alisawndre is the Name,
A worthy Cyte, and of a gret fame.
And the Secunde day there After Anon,
Tho that weren left gonnen forth to gon,
and helden forth here Iorne
Tyl that they Comen to the See,
And there fownden they A schipe ful sone
That evene streyht to the lond was gone,
the wheche Schipe hadde with-Innes him there
Two hundred Men ded In qweynt Manere.
Tho that weren left gonnen forth to gon,
and helden forth here Iorne
Tyl that they Comen to the See,
And there fownden they A schipe ful sone
That evene streyht to the lond was gone,
the wheche Schipe hadde with-Innes him there
Two hundred Men ded In qweynt Manere.
And Into that Schip they Entrede Anon,
the fowre Messengeris Everichon,
and Syen the Manere of this Aray,
Where offen they weren Abascht In fay.
thanne loked they A lytel hem beside,
and behelden vndir A planke that tyde,
They syen where that a fair lady lay,
(As this Storie vs doth here Say,)
and drowen hire owt of that place
To Sen what Maner of womman it wace.
thanne þe messengeres Refreyned hire then
Of the deth of Alle these men,
and why they weren Slayn, & In what Manere,
of hire wolden they weten there.
the fowre Messengeris Everichon,
and Syen the Manere of this Aray,
Where offen they weren Abascht In fay.
thanne loked they A lytel hem beside,
and behelden vndir A planke that tyde,
They syen where that a fair lady lay,
(As this Storie vs doth here Say,)
and drowen hire owt of that place
To Sen what Maner of womman it wace.
thanne þe messengeres Refreyned hire then
Of the deth of Alle these men,
and why they weren Slayn, & In what Manere,
of hire wolden they weten there.
thanne Ryht Anon Answerid sche,
“ȝif that ȝe welen Ensuren to Me
that ȝe welen don Me non bodyly ded,
I schal ȝow tellen In this Sted.”
And they hire Enswrede Ryht Anon,
‘that hire peticiown scholde be don;
Nethir non thing to hire don scholde be
that hire scholde Misplece In ony degre.’
“thanne schal I tellen ȝow Al the Cas
how they weren ded here In this plas.
“ȝif that ȝe welen Ensuren to Me
that ȝe welen don Me non bodyly ded,
I schal ȝow tellen In this Sted.”
And they hire Enswrede Ryht Anon,
‘that hire peticiown scholde be don;
Nethir non thing to hire don scholde be
that hire scholde Misplece In ony degre.’
8
how they weren ded here In this plas.
“Vndir-stondeth, the men that here ded be,
they weren Alle of label Cite;
And Alle weren they kyng Labelys Men,
that was my fadyr, As y wel ken.
and thus it happede, as I ȝow telle,
that kyng Melohaus how with him befelle,
that he wolde Into Surrye go
his Eldest sone forto Sen tho,
that was put Into thike partye
For to Norture, I sey ȝow Sekerlye.
and whanne he was Entred Into þe Se,
and with hym A fayr Compeyne,
thanne Cam þe kyng of Sarre In þat sted,
that him hated Evene to the ded,
So that he sente gret Chyvalre
Into the middes of the See,
And Into the Schepis they Entred Anon,
And on Owre [men] Gonnen to gon,
that they weren fayn to a Roche to fle
that stood In Myddis of the See,
Where vppon was a Castel
that was bothe fayr, swete, & lel.
they weren Alle of label Cite;
And Alle weren they kyng Labelys Men,
that was my fadyr, As y wel ken.
and thus it happede, as I ȝow telle,
that kyng Melohaus how with him befelle,
that he wolde Into Surrye go
his Eldest sone forto Sen tho,
that was put Into thike partye
For to Norture, I sey ȝow Sekerlye.
and whanne he was Entred Into þe Se,
and with hym A fayr Compeyne,
thanne Cam þe kyng of Sarre In þat sted,
that him hated Evene to the ded,
So that he sente gret Chyvalre
Into the middes of the See,
And Into the Schepis they Entred Anon,
And on Owre [men] Gonnen to gon,
that they weren fayn to a Roche to fle
that stood In Myddis of the See,
Where vppon was a Castel
that was bothe fayr, swete, & lel.
“Thus thanne Semblede bothe Meyne
To-Gederis Amyddis the hye See,
that so there to-Gederis they fowhte
that Men Merveilles Sen there Mowhte,
ȝo that with Inne the Owr of A day
A thowsend Men there ded I say,
For there nas non of hem than
but ȝif he were holden A passyng Man,
and A worthy knyht of his hond,
As I do ȝow to vndirstond;
So that there with-owten faille
My fadir was Slayn In bataylle,
And Alle the Remnaunt beheded were
lik In the forme As ȝe sen here;
So that there Scaped non persone
Sauf only, Sires, I Alone.
and Siker ded there hadde I be
but that A maiden they fownden me,
and a feble persone of Stature:
this was the Cause, I ȝow Enswre,
that me my lif they leten have;
so from hem wente I tho save,
And lefte here with this Compeyne
that ded ȝe sen In this degre.
Now have I ȝow told the Certeinte
of that ȝe me han Axed ful sekerle.”
To-Gederis Amyddis the hye See,
that so there to-Gederis they fowhte
that Men Merveilles Sen there Mowhte,
ȝo that with Inne the Owr of A day
A thowsend Men there ded I say,
For there nas non of hem than
but ȝif he were holden A passyng Man,
and A worthy knyht of his hond,
As I do ȝow to vndirstond;
So that there with-owten faille
My fadir was Slayn In bataylle,
9
lik In the forme As ȝe sen here;
So that there Scaped non persone
Sauf only, Sires, I Alone.
and Siker ded there hadde I be
but that A maiden they fownden me,
and a feble persone of Stature:
this was the Cause, I ȝow Enswre,
that me my lif they leten have;
so from hem wente I tho save,
And lefte here with this Compeyne
that ded ȝe sen In this degre.
Now have I ȝow told the Certeinte
of that ȝe me han Axed ful sekerle.”
they seiden the bataylle, þat soth it was,
For it was wel sene In that plas,
So that verray tokenys they myhten se
with Inne the Schipe bord Certeinle.
For it was wel sene In that plas,
So that verray tokenys they myhten se
with Inne the Schipe bord Certeinle.
Thanne token they Conceil Al In fere
how with that Schipe they myhten don there;
For ȝif so to haven it Into the Se,
Alle here Confucioun it Myhte be.
thanne Answered on of the fowre tho,
“hereth myn Avis what me thenketh þerto:
these men that here now ded be,
Owre semblaunce they han, As ȝe mown se;
therfore In worscheping of Owre Creatoure
We scholen hem don Som Maner Onoure;
and here bodyes we scholen berren here,
that non wilde beste ne have non powere
on hem to feden In non manere degre;
For swich As they weren, so ben we;
Al thowh that Christened not they were,
ȝit Owre semblaunce han they, As we sen here.
And whanne this schipe I-clensed it Is,
thanne Moste we gon with-owten Mys,
And Geten vs Owher A Marynere
that Into þe Se myhte Governe vs here,
and Gyden vs aftyr Goddis wille,
Whethir he wele vs saven oþer Spille:
this is my Counseil that ȝe do.”
“Forsothe we A-senten wel therto.”
how with that Schipe they myhten don there;
For ȝif so to haven it Into the Se,
Alle here Confucioun it Myhte be.
thanne Answered on of the fowre tho,
“hereth myn Avis what me thenketh þerto:
these men that here now ded be,
Owre semblaunce they han, As ȝe mown se;
therfore In worscheping of Owre Creatoure
We scholen hem don Som Maner Onoure;
and here bodyes we scholen berren here,
that non wilde beste ne have non powere
on hem to feden In non manere degre;
For swich As they weren, so ben we;
Al thowh that Christened not they were,
ȝit Owre semblaunce han they, As we sen here.
And whanne this schipe I-clensed it Is,
thanne Moste we gon with-owten Mys,
10
that Into þe Se myhte Governe vs here,
and Gyden vs aftyr Goddis wille,
Whethir he wele vs saven oþer Spille:
this is my Counseil that ȝe do.”
“Forsothe we A-senten wel therto.”
Thanne wenten they Into swich A partye
Where as helpe to haven Sekerlye.
and whanne with the peple they weren present,
they behyhten hem with ful good Entent
what manere of gwerdon that they wolden have
Forto helpen this peple weren Grave.
Where as helpe to haven Sekerlye.
and whanne with the peple they weren present,
they behyhten hem with ful good Entent
what manere of gwerdon that they wolden have
Forto helpen this peple weren Grave.
So sore they travailled Alle the day,
And Every Man dyde what he may,
tyl alle these Bodyes Everichon
with-Innen the Erthe weren they don;
Evene faste by the se syde
they leften tho Bodyes forto Abyde.
And In the Roche there Al this was,
they leten lettres don Graven In that plas
that In Grw weren In this Manere,
‘kyng Labelis Men Liggen here
that they of Grace han thus Slayn:
here lyn they Berred In Certayn
bothe for Rewthe and Ek pyte
that swich semblaunce hadden they, lik as han we
The messengeris that Nasciens Sowhte,
In this Manere han they wrowhte.’
And Every Man dyde what he may,
tyl alle these Bodyes Everichon
with-Innen the Erthe weren they don;
Evene faste by the se syde
they leften tho Bodyes forto Abyde.
And In the Roche there Al this was,
they leten lettres don Graven In that plas
that In Grw weren In this Manere,
‘kyng Labelis Men Liggen here
that they of Grace han thus Slayn:
here lyn they Berred In Certayn
bothe for Rewthe and Ek pyte
that swich semblaunce hadden they, lik as han we
The messengeris that Nasciens Sowhte,
In this Manere han they wrowhte.’
And whanne they hadden thus I-do,
Thanne Axede they of the damysele tho
‘What sche wolde don, & In what Manere,
and hou sche thowhte to Governen hire there.
“Seres, I wot Nevere Certeinle,
I am So fer Owt of my Contre,
Nethir here know I non Man,
Nethir of here Maneris nowht I ne kan,
Nethir non thing they welen don for me;
þerfore Aftir ȝoure Cownseil now wele I be,
For of my self Cownseil have I non,
and therto I not what forto don.”
Thanne Axede they of the damysele tho
‘What sche wolde don, & In what Manere,
and hou sche thowhte to Governen hire there.
“Seres, I wot Nevere Certeinle,
I am So fer Owt of my Contre,
Nethir here know I non Man,
Nethir of here Maneris nowht I ne kan,
11
þerfore Aftir ȝoure Cownseil now wele I be,
For of my self Cownseil have I non,
and therto I not what forto don.”
thanne wepte this damysele wondirly Sore,
that on word me myhten sche speken no More.
thanne of hire, pite hadden they with-owten faille,
And token hem to Gederis In Cownsaylle:
‘best it weren,’ they seiden tho,
‘that thike damysele with hem scholde go
til they hadden here lord Ifownde,
ȝif it wolde happen In Oure stownde,
and thanne Cristene hire forto don;’
herto they Assented Everychon.
Thanne seiden they to this Mayden Alle
Wheche A cas Amongs hem was befalle,
that with hem Scholde sche go
And hire wille were to don so.
that on word me myhten sche speken no More.
thanne of hire, pite hadden they with-owten faille,
And token hem to Gederis In Cownsaylle:
‘best it weren,’ they seiden tho,
‘that thike damysele with hem scholde go
til they hadden here lord Ifownde,
ȝif it wolde happen In Oure stownde,
and thanne Cristene hire forto don;’
herto they Assented Everychon.
Thanne seiden they to this Mayden Alle
Wheche A cas Amongs hem was befalle,
that with hem Scholde sche go
And hire wille were to don so.
thanne seide this Maiden Anon Ageyn,
“that wyle I gladlich In Certeyn,
On this Condiscion, that ȝe ne wille
Non velenie A-wayten me vntylle.”
and they Answerid, “Nay, ful Sekerly
that to defenden with myht of Body.”
“that wyle I gladlich In Certeyn,
On this Condiscion, that ȝe ne wille
Non velenie A-wayten me vntylle.”
and they Answerid, “Nay, ful Sekerly
that to defenden with myht of Body.”
thanne fil sche down to here feet,
And wepte for Ioye Also Skeet,
And seyde ‘that sche wolde with-owten variaunce
Onlich ben at here Governaunce:
thanne to hire seiden they Alle In fere
hire forto Sosteyne At here powere.
And wepte for Ioye Also Skeet,
And seyde ‘that sche wolde with-owten variaunce
Onlich ben at here Governaunce:
thanne to hire seiden they Alle In fere
hire forto Sosteyne At here powere.
thanne spoken they forto have
A Man that the Schipe Cowde governe & save,
but nowher non Mihten they fynde;
Where[for] sory weren they In here Mynde.
A Man that the Schipe Cowde governe & save,
but nowher non Mihten they fynde;
Where[for] sory weren they In here Mynde.
That Evenyng to þe schipe they gonnen Ordeyne
Alle Manere of viandes, hem to susteyne.
And whanne the Nyht was Comen vpponne,
Alle fyve to the Schipe gonne to Gon,
And lyen with-Inne the schippes bord
there to Resten hem, At On word:
And Evere was the seyl vp an hy,
As it to the Roche Aryvede Sekerly.
Alle Manere of viandes, hem to susteyne.
12
Alle fyve to the Schipe gonne to Gon,
And lyen with-Inne the schippes bord
there to Resten hem, At On word:
And Evere was the seyl vp an hy,
As it to the Roche Aryvede Sekerly.
And so it happede Abowtes Midnyht
A wynd there Ros of ful gret Myht,
and blew the Schip Into the See
ful mochel ferthere than they wenden han be;
and whanne they wenden han ben At the Ryvage,
With-Inne the See they weren A fer passage;
and whanne they loked hem Abowte,
In the depe Se weren they with owten dowte.
A wynd there Ros of ful gret Myht,
and blew the Schip Into the See
ful mochel ferthere than they wenden han be;
and whanne they wenden han ben At the Ryvage,
With-Inne the See they weren A fer passage;
and whanne they loked hem Abowte,
In the depe Se weren they with owten dowte.
Thanne weren they Abasched ful Sore
whanne Amongs the wawes weren they thore;
and Nethir Mayster ne Governour
hem forto Socouren In that Stoure;
and the See not pesible, but boistous, was,
So þat ful sore they dredden hem In þat plas.
and thorwh the tempest that was there,
the Seyl to-brast In many A manere
And fyl fer from hem In to the Se.
thanne ful sore Abascht weren Alle he,
And for-possed with wawes weren they there,
So that of here lyves they hadden gret fere.
whanne Amongs the wawes weren they thore;
and Nethir Mayster ne Governour
hem forto Socouren In that Stoure;
and the See not pesible, but boistous, was,
So þat ful sore they dredden hem In þat plas.
and thorwh the tempest that was there,
the Seyl to-brast In many A manere
And fyl fer from hem In to the Se.
thanne ful sore Abascht weren Alle he,
And for-possed with wawes weren they there,
So that of here lyves they hadden gret fere.
In this Angwisch, and In this dolour,
thre dayes weren they In this stour
With owten Mete Oþer Ony drynk;
this was to hem A ful hevy thing.
And with Inne these thre dayes, so fer weren they browht
with-Inne the hye Se, that they wyste nowht;
And ȝit demed they In Al here peyne
that from Egipt they weren fer Certeyne;
and so they weren, with-owten lettyng,
ferthere thanne they Cowden han knoweng;
For the Schipe wente Evere to fore the wynd
Swiftere than þe Rakke In þe Eyr be kynd,
and so fer drof hem In to the Se
that they ne wiste In to whiche contre.
thre dayes weren they In this stour
With owten Mete Oþer Ony drynk;
this was to hem A ful hevy thing.
And with Inne these thre dayes, so fer weren they browht
with-Inne the hye Se, that they wyste nowht;
And ȝit demed they In Al here peyne
that from Egipt they weren fer Certeyne;
and so they weren, with-owten lettyng,
ferthere thanne they Cowden han knoweng;
13
Swiftere than þe Rakke In þe Eyr be kynd,
and so fer drof hem In to the Se
that they ne wiste In to whiche contre.
The fowrthe day, the Owr of pryme,
hem be-happed An hard Chaunce that tyme,
and fowle Acombred Alle they were,
For to A passing gret Roch they proched wel Nere;
and the wynd ful harde thedir hem sore drof
that the Schip on fowre partyes to-Rof;
In which of somme Of tho fowre partyes
tweyne weren dreint with-owten lyes,
And the damysele floterid In the see,
Oþer Socoure kowde non there sche.
hem be-happed An hard Chaunce that tyme,
and fowle Acombred Alle they were,
For to A passing gret Roch they proched wel Nere;
and the wynd ful harde thedir hem sore drof
that the Schip on fowre partyes to-Rof;
In which of somme Of tho fowre partyes
tweyne weren dreint with-owten lyes,
And the damysele floterid In the see,
Oþer Socoure kowde non there sche.
And whanne sche beheld that tweyne saved were,
Ful lowde to hem than Cride sche there,
And preide hem sweteliche In hire Manere
‘For love of here God that they lovede so dere,
Of whom they helden the newe lay,
that they wolden hire Socouren that day.’
Ful lowde to hem than Cride sche there,
And preide hem sweteliche In hire Manere
‘For love of here God that they lovede so dere,
Of whom they helden the newe lay,
that they wolden hire Socouren that day.’
thanne beheld on of the Messengerres two,
and gret pite hadde on this damysele tho,
and took vppe his hond & him gan to blesse,
And In to the Se he gan hym dresse.
tho betook he hym to God Almyht,
Anon to that damysele he gan hym dyht,
So that with myht and strengthe of hem two
Aȝen to the Roche wonnen they tho.
and gret pite hadde on this damysele tho,
and took vppe his hond & him gan to blesse,
And In to the Se he gan hym dresse.
tho betook he hym to God Almyht,
Anon to that damysele he gan hym dyht,
So that with myht and strengthe of hem two
Aȝen to the Roche wonnen they tho.
Whanne to the Roche they weren I-gon,
they thanked Iesus, Maryes sone, Anon,
that hem hadde Saved from peryl & wo,
So Ny here deth As they weren tho.
they thanked Iesus, Maryes sone, Anon,
that hem hadde Saved from peryl & wo,
So Ny here deth As they weren tho.
In this Manere tweyne of the Messengeres
Weren perschid for fawt of Maryneris
as they wenten to sechen Nasciens here lord,—
thus weren they persched At on word,—
And tweyne leften with that damysele;
but the ne hadden neyther to mete ne to Mele,
For Alle here vyaunde In to the Se fylle,
As here to fore ȝe herden Me telle.
thanne ful sore Abasched they were
that non Maner of viaunde hadden they there;
And therto fer In A straunge Contre,
And fer from peple disolat to be,
that In that yl was there vyaunde non
to sellen, neþer growenge on Erthe ne ston.
And this was on of the moste thing
that hem browhte Into so Mochel Morneng,
For thens supposid they neuere to han gon
but ȝif it be thoruh [grace] Of Only god Alon.
& so In goddis gouernaunce they putten hem Echon,
To don with hem what he wolde don;
And knelyng, Cryden hym Mercye
with weping and teris ful tendirlye;
and Cryden to him In this Manere,
“Now, goode lord, thow Socoure vs here,
that we ne fallen In non desperaunce
thorwh the fals Enemyes Chawnce;
but kepe vs lord In thin Servyse,
that þe fals Enemy of vs Cachche non prise.”
Weren perschid for fawt of Maryneris
as they wenten to sechen Nasciens here lord,—
thus weren they persched At on word,—
14
but the ne hadden neyther to mete ne to Mele,
For Alle here vyaunde In to the Se fylle,
As here to fore ȝe herden Me telle.
thanne ful sore Abasched they were
that non Maner of viaunde hadden they there;
And therto fer In A straunge Contre,
And fer from peple disolat to be,
that In that yl was there vyaunde non
to sellen, neþer growenge on Erthe ne ston.
And this was on of the moste thing
that hem browhte Into so Mochel Morneng,
For thens supposid they neuere to han gon
but ȝif it be thoruh [grace] Of Only god Alon.
& so In goddis gouernaunce they putten hem Echon,
To don with hem what he wolde don;
And knelyng, Cryden hym Mercye
with weping and teris ful tendirlye;
and Cryden to him In this Manere,
“Now, goode lord, thow Socoure vs here,
that we ne fallen In non desperaunce
thorwh the fals Enemyes Chawnce;
but kepe vs lord In thin Servyse,
that þe fals Enemy of vs Cachche non prise.”
Sweche wordis & swiche preyeris
Oftyn tymes hadden these messengeris;
and Evere this damysele wepte ful sore,
and Cursid the tyme that sche Cam thore,
From Evel to werse to ben browht,
Euere thus Compleyned sche In hire thouht.
And there they hyre Comforted Anon
Also Mochel As they Cowden don,
And seiden ‘that God wolde socour hem sende
Er Comen Owht fowe dayes to the Ende;’
“and therfore, damysele, wepe ȝe no more,
For ȝowre Morneng doth vs moche sore.”
Oftyn tymes hadden these messengeris;
and Evere this damysele wepte ful sore,
and Cursid the tyme that sche Cam thore,
From Evel to werse to ben browht,
Euere thus Compleyned sche In hire thouht.
And there they hyre Comforted Anon
Also Mochel As they Cowden don,
And seiden ‘that God wolde socour hem sende
Er Comen Owht fowe dayes to the Ende;’
“and therfore, damysele, wepe ȝe no more,
For ȝowre Morneng doth vs moche sore.”
15
Thanne Axede sche hem of here Creaunce,
And they hire tolde with-owten variaunce
how that be Iosephe of Barthamye
they it Resceyveden ful trewelye,
And be Al holy Chirches lawe,
Of wheche Creawnce they weren ful fawe.
thanne tolden they hyre In Eche degre
What powere [Crist hadde,] & what dignete,
and how that socouren he wolde his frend,
And from peryles to-bringen him to good End.
“For who that In hym hath Affyaunce,
he wele hym kepen with-owten variaunce;
and from Alle perylles, I the Enswre,
hym delyveren, as Seith the holy scripture.”
And they hire tolde with-owten variaunce
how that be Iosephe of Barthamye
they it Resceyveden ful trewelye,
And be Al holy Chirches lawe,
Of wheche Creawnce they weren ful fawe.
thanne tolden they hyre In Eche degre
What powere [Crist hadde,] & what dignete,
and how that socouren he wolde his frend,
And from peryles to-bringen him to good End.
“For who that In hym hath Affyaunce,
he wele hym kepen with-owten variaunce;
and from Alle perylles, I the Enswre,
hym delyveren, as Seith the holy scripture.”
“In feith,” quod this damysele tho,
“ȝif ȝowre lord sweche Merveilles May do
as ȝe me now tellen here,
on hym wil I trosten In Alle Manere.
ȝif he owt of this peryl vs now brynge,
and to vs wil owht sende In Socourynge,
And therto A-sckapen from Al this fere,
I hym promyse In Alle Manere
From this day forward his Servaunt to be,
And hym to Serven In Alle Manere degre.”
“ȝif ȝowre lord sweche Merveilles May do
as ȝe me now tellen here,
on hym wil I trosten In Alle Manere.
ȝif he owt of this peryl vs now brynge,
and to vs wil owht sende In Socourynge,
And therto A-sckapen from Al this fere,
I hym promyse In Alle Manere
From this day forward his Servaunt to be,
And hym to Serven In Alle Manere degre.”
“Ha, damysele,” quod they Anon,
“Now weten we wel Everychon
that with-owten dowte ful Sekerly
we scholen haven Socour Ryht hastely
Al other wyse thanne he wolde han do
Sethen ȝoure promys ȝe han mad so.”
“Now weten we wel Everychon
that with-owten dowte ful Sekerly
we scholen haven Socour Ryht hastely
Al other wyse thanne he wolde han do
Sethen ȝoure promys ȝe han mad so.”
In this Manere leften they Alle thre
In ful grete thowht ful Sekerle;
For they hadden Neuere be wont þerto,
to suffren swich Angwisch As they hadden tho.
and whanne the Nyht Gan Comen faste,
Abowtes In the yl they loked Atte laste,
and Aspiden Ryht Anon there
An old wal of ston In A qweynte Manere,
that somtyme of an hows it was,
and with gret pride I-mad In that plas;
but be Old tyme it was down throwe,
but A parcel lefte there vppon a Rowe
that there vndir Myhten wel Reste
Sixe persones, other fyve Atte leste.
In ful grete thowht ful Sekerle;
For they hadden Neuere be wont þerto,
to suffren swich Angwisch As they hadden tho.
and whanne the Nyht Gan Comen faste,
Abowtes In the yl they loked Atte laste,
16
An old wal of ston In A qweynte Manere,
that somtyme of an hows it was,
and with gret pride I-mad In that plas;
but be Old tyme it was down throwe,
but A parcel lefte there vppon a Rowe
that there vndir Myhten wel Reste
Sixe persones, other fyve Atte leste.
thanne to thike partyes wenten they anon
be here wittes thanne Everichon,
and seide ‘that bettere it was þere to Abyde
vndir that wal thanne be the see syde,
In the Schadewe forto kepen hem,
thanne forto liggen be the strem.’
and there Abyden they Al that Nyht
Tyl on þe Morwen it was day lyht.
be here wittes thanne Everichon,
and seide ‘that bettere it was þere to Abyde
vndir that wal thanne be the see syde,
In the Schadewe forto kepen hem,
thanne forto liggen be the strem.’
and there Abyden they Al that Nyht
Tyl on þe Morwen it was day lyht.
On the Morwen Erely, whanne it was day,
Ful faste here preyeres thanne gonne they say,
‘That God for his pyte & grete Mercy
hem Som Comfort Scholde sende hastely.’
thanne seiden they that they wolden gon
to sen what howseng was In that ston.
and whanne in this Roch they wenten an hy,
they behelden Abowtes ful Inwardly:
thanne Anothir wal syen they there,
As thowh of Marbel wrowht it were,
And A lytel hows there vppon,
—thus hem thowhte, and thedir gonne gon,—
Whiche was som tyme Richelych dyht
As that it Semed to here Syht,
that hem thowhte so Riche myhte non be
So sotely Mad In that Contre.
Ful faste here preyeres thanne gonne they say,
‘That God for his pyte & grete Mercy
hem Som Comfort Scholde sende hastely.’
thanne seiden they that they wolden gon
to sen what howseng was In that ston.
and whanne in this Roch they wenten an hy,
they behelden Abowtes ful Inwardly:
thanne Anothir wal syen they there,
As thowh of Marbel wrowht it were,
And A lytel hows there vppon,
—thus hem thowhte, and thedir gonne gon,—
Whiche was som tyme Richelych dyht
As that it Semed to here Syht,
that hem thowhte so Riche myhte non be
So sotely Mad In that Contre.
and In they Entrede, & vpe they wente,
the Messengeres and þe damysele veramente.
and whanne they be-helden Al A-bowte,
thanne Sien they there with-Owten dowte
An hostel that som tyme was Rialy dyht,
As thowh it hadde ben for þe most Man of Myht
Arayed lik A Ryal Manere,
Somtyme On lord to han dwelled In there.
the Messengeres and þe damysele veramente.
and whanne they be-helden Al A-bowte,
thanne Sien they there with-Owten dowte
17
As thowh it hadde ben for þe most Man of Myht
Arayed lik A Ryal Manere,
Somtyme On lord to han dwelled In there.
For there-Inne stoden peleris of Marbil stones,
Ful Rialy I-wrowht for the Nones;
And thre-qwarterid they weren Of Gold & Asure
and Of Silver, be gret Maistrye, I the Ensure,
As thowh it hadde ben wrowht be Enchauntement,
So Rialy it was there present.
And with-Innen Atte the Ende of þat hows
They Syen A bed ful Merveillows,
the Richest and the moste Avenaunt
That Evere Man Say, As I vndirstond.
And the fowre postes that it vp Bare,
Of Bryht Schyneng gold weren they there,
And Of precyous stones they weren ful pyht,
And therto ful Rialy weren they dyht
that moche peple it Myhte han Seyn,
So Merveillously it was wrowht In Certein:
For they wenden it hadde ben In dremeng
Whanne they syen Al this Riche thyng.
Ful Rialy I-wrowht for the Nones;
And thre-qwarterid they weren Of Gold & Asure
and Of Silver, be gret Maistrye, I the Ensure,
As thowh it hadde ben wrowht be Enchauntement,
So Rialy it was there present.
And with-Innen Atte the Ende of þat hows
They Syen A bed ful Merveillows,
the Richest and the moste Avenaunt
That Evere Man Say, As I vndirstond.
And the fowre postes that it vp Bare,
Of Bryht Schyneng gold weren they there,
And Of precyous stones they weren ful pyht,
And therto ful Rialy weren they dyht
that moche peple it Myhte han Seyn,
So Merveillously it was wrowht In Certein:
For they wenden it hadde ben In dremeng
Whanne they syen Al this Riche thyng.
Aboven this bed, A tombe there was,
Ful fayr, ful Riche, þer In that plas;
And therto so Merveillously it was wrowht
that Alle they Merveilleden In here thowht;
for it was so delitable In here Syhte tho
That mochel Comfort it dede hem do.
Where-vppon lettres of grw weren wreten there
that thus Seyden, and In this Manere,
‘here lith ypocras, the beste Fesiscian
That Evere Sawh lyvenge Ony man,
that be Cawtel of his wyves Red,
Sodeynly he was browht to his ded:
and Into this place was he browht trewlye
Be Antonye the kyng of percye.’
Ful fayr, ful Riche, þer In that plas;
And therto so Merveillously it was wrowht
that Alle they Merveilleden In here thowht;
for it was so delitable In here Syhte tho
That mochel Comfort it dede hem do.
Where-vppon lettres of grw weren wreten there
that thus Seyden, and In this Manere,
‘here lith ypocras, the beste Fesiscian
That Evere Sawh lyvenge Ony man,
that be Cawtel of his wyves Red,
Sodeynly he was browht to his ded:
and Into this place was he browht trewlye
Be Antonye the kyng of percye.’
18
Whanne the Messengeris these lettres gonne beholde,
They gonnen to Reden hem Mani folde,
and longe Of hym to-gyderes they spoke,
And seiden that he was A wys man On boke.
They gonnen to Reden hem Mani folde,
and longe Of hym to-gyderes they spoke,
And seiden that he was A wys man On boke.
ful faste they behelden this hows Abowte
From the ton Ende to the tothir with-owten dowte,
And so Manye Riche thinge syen they there
that Evere to-forn syen they In Ony Manere;
For Maner was þer Neuere so Ryaly dyht
that Cowde Comprehende to Mannes Myht.
For Of Al the world hem thowhte it was þe richest place
That Evere Erthly man In browht wase;
and the Richesse that there they fownde
Miht non man tellen that wenten On grownde.
From the ton Ende to the tothir with-owten dowte,
And so Manye Riche thinge syen they there
that Evere to-forn syen they In Ony Manere;
For Maner was þer Neuere so Ryaly dyht
that Cowde Comprehende to Mannes Myht.
For Of Al the world hem thowhte it was þe richest place
That Evere Erthly man In browht wase;
and the Richesse that there they fownde
Miht non man tellen that wenten On grownde.
But now leveth here this storye
Ony more of this hows to speken sekerlye,
Whiche that ypocras dyde don Make
Onlich There for his Owne Sake,
and for his Maner he let it dyht,
For he was A man Mochel Of Myht;
And Enstored ful wel it was
Of Manye Richesse In that plas;
Whiche hows is Now Al forfare,
but ȝit Al that Richesse leften thare.
Ony more of this hows to speken sekerlye,
Whiche that ypocras dyde don Make
Onlich There for his Owne Sake,
and for his Maner he let it dyht,
For he was A man Mochel Of Myht;
And Enstored ful wel it was
Of Manye Richesse In that plas;
Whiche hows is Now Al forfare,
but ȝit Al that Richesse leften thare.
| CHAPTER XXXV. THE ADVENTURES OF THE MESSENGERS WHO GO TO SEEK NASCIENS. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |