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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| XXXVIII. | CHAPTER XXXVIII. |
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 | CHAPTER XXXVIII. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
65
Thus twey nyhtes to-gederis Abyden they,
As here Reherseth now this Story,
And vppon the thridde Nyht
The Mone be-gan to schynen wel bryht,
and the See bothe Mek and stable it was,
and with the wynd they seileden A fair pas.
and Abowtes the hye Myd Nyht,
Of a fair Castel they hadden a syht,
of wheche the name, Barne I-clepid it was,
That Mordrayns sone Owhte In that plas,
In the Ottrest partye of his Owne lond
Toward the see, as I vndirstond.
As here Reherseth now this Story,
And vppon the thridde Nyht
The Mone be-gan to schynen wel bryht,
and the See bothe Mek and stable it was,
and with the wynd they seileden A fair pas.
and Abowtes the hye Myd Nyht,
Of a fair Castel they hadden a syht,
of wheche the name, Barne I-clepid it was,
That Mordrayns sone Owhte In that plas,
In the Ottrest partye of his Owne lond
Toward the see, as I vndirstond.
And whanne so Nygh that they were,
and that Castel they knewen wel there,
They blesseden the Kyng of hevene Anon,
And worschepis they ȝeven hym Everichon,
‘that he hem thedir browhte In Savfte
From Alle Maner perylles In Eche degre;
And that they hadden desired so sore,
to the lond thanne that they comen thore,
So that they ne failleden In non degre,
but Evene to port salw tho comen hee.’
and that Castel they knewen wel there,
They blesseden the Kyng of hevene Anon,
And worschepis they ȝeven hym Everichon,
‘that he hem thedir browhte In Savfte
From Alle Maner perylles In Eche degre;
And that they hadden desired so sore,
to the lond thanne that they comen thore,
So that they ne failleden In non degre,
but Evene to port salw tho comen hee.’
Thanne After hem they loked Ageyn,
and they syen vppon the se Comen ful pleyn
In Manere of A prest I-clothed In whit,
tho As hem Semede, swich was his Abyt;
And Al drye to hem he Cam vppon the see,
As Alle they it syen ful verraylle;
and as faste vppon the see wente he
As Evere fowl with wenges Myhte fle,
So that the Schip he Overtook Anon
where As Inne they weren Everichon,
Thanne In goddis Name he hem grette,
and they hym thanked, and not ne lette;
but Alle Abasched sore weren they there,
Lest that it here Enemy tho were
hem forto bryngen Owt of here creaunce,
whiche browhte here hertes inne gret dowtaunce.
and they syen vppon the se Comen ful pleyn
In Manere of A prest I-clothed In whit,
tho As hem Semede, swich was his Abyt;
And Al drye to hem he Cam vppon the see,
As Alle they it syen ful verraylle;
and as faste vppon the see wente he
As Evere fowl with wenges Myhte fle,
So that the Schip he Overtook Anon
where As Inne they weren Everichon,
Thanne In goddis Name he hem grette,
and they hym thanked, and not ne lette;
but Alle Abasched sore weren they there,
Lest that it here Enemy tho were
66
whiche browhte here hertes inne gret dowtaunce.
Thanne be-spak this good Man tho,
“Lordynges, Abasche ȝow not So,
For As fore non Evel I Come to ȝow,
but bothe for ȝowre profyt and ȝowre prow.”
Thanne seide this man to Nasciens tho,
“Be the grete Maister I am Sente the vnto,
There as thou art hurt be thy desert,
The hol to Maken Openly & Apert;
and therfore Anon Aproche þou hider to Me,
For by me hol now schalt thou be.”
“Lordynges, Abasche ȝow not So,
For As fore non Evel I Come to ȝow,
but bothe for ȝowre profyt and ȝowre prow.”
Thanne seide this man to Nasciens tho,
“Be the grete Maister I am Sente the vnto,
There as thou art hurt be thy desert,
The hol to Maken Openly & Apert;
and therfore Anon Aproche þou hider to Me,
For by me hol now schalt thou be.”
whanne that Nascyens herde hym thus seye,
Anon to the Schippys bord he gan to Aplye,
and knelyd down Anon vppon his kne
To hym be whom he scholde keuered be.
Anon this Man lifte vpe his hond,
and the signe of the Croys Made, As I vndirstond,
And there Sire Nasciens he gan to blesse;
and Al hol he was In Sekernesse
As Evere he was Ony tyme before,
heillere and lyhtere thanne thowhte hym thore.
Anon to the Schippys bord he gan to Aplye,
and knelyd down Anon vppon his kne
To hym be whom he scholde keuered be.
Anon this Man lifte vpe his hond,
and the signe of the Croys Made, As I vndirstond,
And there Sire Nasciens he gan to blesse;
and Al hol he was In Sekernesse
As Evere he was Ony tyme before,
heillere and lyhtere thanne thowhte hym thore.
“ARys vp, Nasciens,” quod this good Man,
“and worschepe thy god In what thou kan.”
whanne Nasciens knew that he hol was
Be the signacle of þe Man In that plas,
Thanne knelid Nasciens tho down Ageyn,
And to this goodman thus gan to seyn,
“Ha: thou holy Man & holy persone,
Now for Charite telle me here Anone
how thou Mihtest gon vppon the See
That there Confownded not weren ȝe.”
“Nasciens,” quod this good Man tho,
“That schal I tellen the Er that I go.
wete thou wel that I am he
Of whom that thow In thy Maister Cyte
A Chirche of hym that thou dost Make;
hider to the Come I now for his sake;
and thus the grete Maister sente me to the
That thin helthe I scholde be,
And from Adversite the to defende,
And that to goddis Comandementes þou Attende;
ȝif þou wilt his love haven In Ony wyse,
that thou do non fals Sacrefice.
herkene to me now, I the Rede,
what Maner of thing I shal the bede,
that from this tyme forward wele he kepen the
From Alle Aventures, ful syker thou be.
For Al so strong he is therto
As vppon the See to Maken Me go,
And vppon þe wete Se to Maken my weye
with-Owten Confowndyng, As I the seye.
So lyhtly schal Iosepe of Barithmathie,
and Josephes the ferste Cristen bischope sekerlye,
and with hym his peple Also,
Alle Bare On the Se scholen they go;
with-owten Schipe owther Ony Oþer thyng
Into Grete Breteigne Crist doth hem bryng.
For it is the grete lordis wille,
Of his ligne Breteyne to fulfille.”
“and worschepe thy god In what thou kan.”
whanne Nasciens knew that he hol was
Be the signacle of þe Man In that plas,
Thanne knelid Nasciens tho down Ageyn,
And to this goodman thus gan to seyn,
“Ha: thou holy Man & holy persone,
Now for Charite telle me here Anone
how thou Mihtest gon vppon the See
That there Confownded not weren ȝe.”
“Nasciens,” quod this good Man tho,
“That schal I tellen the Er that I go.
wete thou wel that I am he
Of whom that thow In thy Maister Cyte
67
hider to the Come I now for his sake;
and thus the grete Maister sente me to the
That thin helthe I scholde be,
And from Adversite the to defende,
And that to goddis Comandementes þou Attende;
ȝif þou wilt his love haven In Ony wyse,
that thou do non fals Sacrefice.
herkene to me now, I the Rede,
what Maner of thing I shal the bede,
that from this tyme forward wele he kepen the
From Alle Aventures, ful syker thou be.
For Al so strong he is therto
As vppon the See to Maken Me go,
And vppon þe wete Se to Maken my weye
with-Owten Confowndyng, As I the seye.
So lyhtly schal Iosepe of Barithmathie,
and Josephes the ferste Cristen bischope sekerlye,
and with hym his peple Also,
Alle Bare On the Se scholen they go;
with-owten Schipe owther Ony Oþer thyng
Into Grete Breteigne Crist doth hem bryng.
For it is the grete lordis wille,
Of his ligne Breteyne to fulfille.”
And whiles they Spoken thus In fere,
They Syen A vessel In the se Comen there,
And towardis hem it cam ful faste
Til bord on bord hit Cam Atte laste,
And to-Gederis they smeten so sore
that they wenden han persched thore;
but with-Inne non thing there nas
That they cowden Aspien In that plas.
They Syen A vessel In the se Comen there,
And towardis hem it cam ful faste
Til bord on bord hit Cam Atte laste,
And to-Gederis they smeten so sore
that they wenden han persched thore;
but with-Inne non thing there nas
That they cowden Aspien In that plas.
thanne bespak this good Man Certeyne
Anon Ryht there to Celidoyne,
“Now, faire child, ARys vpe here,
and In this Schipe that thou were;
and go As Aventure wil the lede:
do, faire Child, now as I the bede;
For thus the sente to seyne be Me
the grete lord inne maieste,
which that deleuered [the] from Calafere,
Owt of his presown and his powere.”
Anon Ryht there to Celidoyne,
“Now, faire child, ARys vpe here,
and In this Schipe that thou were;
68
do, faire Child, now as I the bede;
For thus the sente to seyne be Me
the grete lord inne maieste,
which that deleuered [the] from Calafere,
Owt of his presown and his powere.”
Anon As this Child herd hym seyn so,
Owt of the grete Schipe he gan to go
In to that lytel vessel Anon,
And betawht hem God Everichon.
And thus sone As he Entred he was,
As Swiftly As sonne Entreth thoruh glas
I-past he was Owt of here Syht,
that they non lengere sen hym ne Myht.
Owt of the grete Schipe he gan to go
In to that lytel vessel Anon,
And betawht hem God Everichon.
And thus sone As he Entred he was,
As Swiftly As sonne Entreth thoruh glas
I-past he was Owt of here Syht,
that they non lengere sen hym ne Myht.
thanne whanne Nasciens beheld Al this,
For so Abasched he was Iwis,
Thanne seide this good man to Nasciens there
“Abasche the not, Sire, In non Manere,
For thy sone here-Aftir Schalt thou se
bothe heyl and qwert In alle degre;
In that lond that god hath behoten the & thyne,
There schalt thou hym Sen ful wel afyne.
Now forth to thy contre that thou go,
To thy wyf and to thy Meyne Al-so;
For this is goddis Comandement
that I the Seye now verrament.”
For so Abasched he was Iwis,
Thanne seide this good man to Nasciens there
“Abasche the not, Sire, In non Manere,
For thy sone here-Aftir Schalt thou se
bothe heyl and qwert In alle degre;
In that lond that god hath behoten the & thyne,
There schalt thou hym Sen ful wel afyne.
Now forth to thy contre that thou go,
To thy wyf and to thy Meyne Al-so;
For this is goddis Comandement
that I the Seye now verrament.”
Thanne this goodman Anon from hem paste
that they ne wiste where he be-Cam In haste;
and thus sone Alle Sawf Aryved they were
vndir the Castel gate tho there,
so Ny, that Alle tho þat weren In the Castel
Myht han herd hem wondirly well
But that Alle On Slepe they were,
So that kyng Mordreins Cride lowde there,
and Seyde, “Opene ȝe the ȝates Anon,
and leteth ȝoure lordes here Inne to gon.”
that they ne wiste where he be-Cam In haste;
and thus sone Alle Sawf Aryved they were
vndir the Castel gate tho there,
so Ny, that Alle tho þat weren In the Castel
Myht han herd hem wondirly well
But that Alle On Slepe they were,
So that kyng Mordreins Cride lowde there,
and Seyde, “Opene ȝe the ȝates Anon,
and leteth ȝoure lordes here Inne to gon.”
69
thanne they with-Inne Rysen vp ful faste,
And to the walles Ronnen in gret haste,
And Seiden, “sires, ho ben ȝe there
that Into this Castel wold Entren here?”
So longe the kyng to hem Spak,
That they hym Knewe with-Owten lak
that it was here Owne Kyng;
And faste bothe torches & tortys weren In lyhteng,
and with As gret Ioye Resceyved here kyng
As It hadde be God to here plesyng.
that Nyht gret worschepe the Kyng they don,
Al that Meyne Everychon,
For gret love that to hym they hadde
and ful sore for him weren they Adradde.
and whanne it was the day lyht,
Messengeres faste prekid, ho so gon Miht,
Abowtes In eche contre Rydynge,
Of the kyng & Nasciens to beren tydynge.
And to the walles Ronnen in gret haste,
And Seiden, “sires, ho ben ȝe there
that Into this Castel wold Entren here?”
So longe the kyng to hem Spak,
That they hym Knewe with-Owten lak
that it was here Owne Kyng;
And faste bothe torches & tortys weren In lyhteng,
and with As gret Ioye Resceyved here kyng
As It hadde be God to here plesyng.
that Nyht gret worschepe the Kyng they don,
Al that Meyne Everychon,
For gret love that to hym they hadde
and ful sore for him weren they Adradde.
and whanne it was the day lyht,
Messengeres faste prekid, ho so gon Miht,
Abowtes In eche contre Rydynge,
Of the kyng & Nasciens to beren tydynge.
whanne the Barouns of that Contre
of Kyng Mordreyns knew Certeinte,
To that Castel prykeden they ful faste,
ful Manye Barowns, and In gret haste;
For Ioye the wepyng they maden there,
I trowe that neuere man say Ere;
there was bothe Mirthe, Ioye, & gret feste,
amonges tho barowns bothe lest and Meste.
and with-Inne the Seventhe day
to that Castel Cam the qwene In fay;
and so gret Ioye of hire lord hadde sche thanne,
and of hire brothir that worthy Manne,
that non wyht with mowthe tellen ne Can
the Ioye that Made thike goode womman.
of Kyng Mordreyns knew Certeinte,
To that Castel prykeden they ful faste,
ful Manye Barowns, and In gret haste;
For Ioye the wepyng they maden there,
I trowe that neuere man say Ere;
there was bothe Mirthe, Ioye, & gret feste,
amonges tho barowns bothe lest and Meste.
and with-Inne the Seventhe day
to that Castel Cam the qwene In fay;
and so gret Ioye of hire lord hadde sche thanne,
and of hire brothir that worthy Manne,
that non wyht with mowthe tellen ne Can
the Ioye that Made thike goode womman.
and whanne that Nasciens to Reste was gon,
thanne herde he tellen Ryht Anon
that his wyf owt of þat Rem was past,
hym forto seken with ful gret hast.
thanne Messengeris sente he forth Anon,
hos[o] myhte fastere Ryden Other gon,
and not to stynten tyl sche were fownde,
where so they walked be ony grownde.
So that the Messengeres forth they wente;
and schortly to bryngen it to oure Entente,
Into the Rem of Meotyde
they Reden Er they wolden Abyde,
and with this lady Metten they thore;
Ful Ioyful and glad weren they therfore.
and whanne of hire lord þat sche herde telle
that heyl he was I flesch & felle,
Anon sche Retorned hom Ageyn
as I ȝow telle here now In Certeyn.
thanne herde he tellen Ryht Anon
that his wyf owt of þat Rem was past,
hym forto seken with ful gret hast.
70
hos[o] myhte fastere Ryden Other gon,
and not to stynten tyl sche were fownde,
where so they walked be ony grownde.
So that the Messengeres forth they wente;
and schortly to bryngen it to oure Entente,
Into the Rem of Meotyde
they Reden Er they wolden Abyde,
and with this lady Metten they thore;
Ful Ioyful and glad weren they therfore.
and whanne of hire lord þat sche herde telle
that heyl he was I flesch & felle,
Anon sche Retorned hom Ageyn
as I ȝow telle here now In Certeyn.
and whanne sche was Entred Into Kyng Mordrayns lond—
As this storie doth ȝow to vndirstond,—
thanne fond sche hire lord, & Mordrayns þe kyng,
In þe Cite of Sarras with-Owten lesyng:
thanne Of the Ioye that was hem be-twene,
No Man tho Cowde tellen, as I wene.
but whanne hire sone sche sawh not there,
Thanne wondirfully Chonged sche hire chere;
but thanne thorugh the Kyng & hire lorde
they to hem Maden hire Acorde,
and tolden hire of Merveilles In ech degre,—
how that with Celidoyne it scholde be,
and what Aventures hym befelle,
Al this they tolden the lady vntylle.
As this storie doth ȝow to vndirstond,—
thanne fond sche hire lord, & Mordrayns þe kyng,
In þe Cite of Sarras with-Owten lesyng:
thanne Of the Ioye that was hem be-twene,
No Man tho Cowde tellen, as I wene.
but whanne hire sone sche sawh not there,
Thanne wondirfully Chonged sche hire chere;
but thanne thorugh the Kyng & hire lorde
they to hem Maden hire Acorde,
and tolden hire of Merveilles In ech degre,—
how that with Celidoyne it scholde be,
and what Aventures hym befelle,
Al this they tolden the lady vntylle.
That same day that they to Sarras wente,
Kyng labelis dowhter was cristened presente;
In the worschep of god & þe qwene Mordrayn,
There was sche Cristened In Certeyn
be the handes of Petro that was thanne
I-Cownted for Ryht an holy Manne;
And Ek Ioseps kynnes-man for sothe he was,
a blessed man holden In that plas;
whiche damysele was sethen ful sekerlye
Celidoynes wif, as seith now this storye
. . that myn sire Robert Boroun here
From latyn Into frensch translated this Matere,
Next Aftyr that holy Ermyt
that god him Self hadde taken It.
Kyng labelis dowhter was cristened presente;
In the worschep of god & þe qwene Mordrayn,
There was sche Cristened In Certeyn
be the handes of Petro that was thanne
I-Cownted for Ryht an holy Manne;
And Ek Ioseps kynnes-man for sothe he was,
a blessed man holden In that plas;
71
Celidoynes wif, as seith now this storye
. . that myn sire Robert Boroun here
From latyn Into frensch translated this Matere,
Next Aftyr that holy Ermyt
that god him Self hadde taken It.
Ful gret Merveille Among these ladyes was
Of that fair Aventure, and Of that Gras,
that so be Goddis helpe this socour
badden browht here lordis Owt of langour.
ȝit not-with-stondyng for this fair Aventure,
Neuer the prowdere weren they, I the Enswre;
Ne the More bobaunce hadden In herte,
but to God ȝoven preysenges, and not A-sterte,
For that socour he hadde hem sent
here lordis to sen with Eyen present.
Of that fair Aventure, and Of that Gras,
that so be Goddis helpe this socour
badden browht here lordis Owt of langour.
ȝit not-with-stondyng for this fair Aventure,
Neuer the prowdere weren they, I the Enswre;
Ne the More bobaunce hadden In herte,
but to God ȝoven preysenges, and not A-sterte,
For that socour he hadde hem sent
here lordis to sen with Eyen present.
Thanne ful fer senten they Abowte
To seken Iosephe with-owten dowte,
For they supposeden sekerlye
that Celidoyne with him was Otterlye,
but for non Man that Evere they sente
herden they non tydynges veramente,
and that Greved hem ful sore
that of hym herden they no more.
Thanne seiden they tho hem betwene
Sethen that they syen it wolde not bene,
‘bettere it were Iosephe to seke,
whiche that is A Man bothe good & Meke,
that he better Comfort wolde vs telle
thanne ȝit Of hym Ony befelle.’
To seken Iosephe with-owten dowte,
For they supposeden sekerlye
that Celidoyne with him was Otterlye,
but for non Man that Evere they sente
herden they non tydynges veramente,
and that Greved hem ful sore
that of hym herden they no more.
Thanne seiden they tho hem betwene
Sethen that they syen it wolde not bene,
‘bettere it were Iosephe to seke,
whiche that is A Man bothe good & Meke,
that he better Comfort wolde vs telle
thanne ȝit Of hym Ony befelle.’
thus weren they Algates ful of thowht
For þat of Celidoyne herden they nowht:
Thanne thus In pensifnesse fil Nasciens tho,
where-thorwh in-to Mal Ese he made hym go,
that bothe he lefte his drynk & his Mete,
and Al that to the Body scholde ben Seete;
So that he thowhte vppon non Othir thing,
but that Evere to god he ȝaf gretyng,
and besowhte God for his grete pyte
‘that he myhte have Scheweng In som degre
where that Iosephe of Armathye,
Owther Celydoyne, to fynden Otterlye.’
“And ȝit More, Lord, I the beseche,
with ful faire wordis & myldë speche,
that Owt Of this world [thou] let me not gon
Tyl Into þat lond passen we Mown,
as it is don me to vndirstonde
that ȝit schal I passen Into strange londe,
whiche that Multeplied scholde be
Al holiche Of Myn Meyne.”
For þat of Celidoyne herden they nowht:
Thanne thus In pensifnesse fil Nasciens tho,
where-thorwh in-to Mal Ese he made hym go,
that bothe he lefte his drynk & his Mete,
and Al that to the Body scholde ben Seete;
72
but that Evere to god he ȝaf gretyng,
and besowhte God for his grete pyte
‘that he myhte have Scheweng In som degre
where that Iosephe of Armathye,
Owther Celydoyne, to fynden Otterlye.’
“And ȝit More, Lord, I the beseche,
with ful faire wordis & myldë speche,
that Owt Of this world [thou] let me not gon
Tyl Into þat lond passen we Mown,
as it is don me to vndirstonde
that ȝit schal I passen Into strange londe,
whiche that Multeplied scholde be
Al holiche Of Myn Meyne.”
thanne flegentyne, Nasciens wyf,
Tolde hire lord, with-Owten stryf,
Of a certein Aviciown Anon
that to hire In slepe gan to gon,
‘that they Anon Into that lond scholde fare
whiche with hem fulfild scholde ben thare.’
Tolde hire lord, with-Owten stryf,
Of a certein Aviciown Anon
that to hire In slepe gan to gon,
‘that they Anon Into that lond scholde fare
whiche with hem fulfild scholde ben thare.’
Lo, this preyere Nasciens Made Every day,
and Ek be Nyht As he In bedde lay.
So longe he preyde, and In Eche Owr,
þat Atte laste to hym sente Owre saviour.
On Even[in]g As he In his bed lay;
A wondir Avicyown hym thowhte he say:—
that In his Chambre A gret Clerte was,
and Ek A voys he herde In that plas—
wher-with he Awook Anon there—
that to him seide in this Manere:
“ARis vp Nasciens, now Anon Ryht,
And faste towardis the see the dyht,
where thou schalt fynde A schipe Anon;
and þer-Inne faste Entre thow Anon;
and what Euere thou se, haue þou non dowte
what Manere of thing be the Abowte;
& thedir the riht wey schal it leden the
Of thike that thou desirest to se;
And sone tydynges schalt thow knowe
Of alle thy peticiouns vppon A rowe.”
and Ek be Nyht As he In bedde lay.
So longe he preyde, and In Eche Owr,
þat Atte laste to hym sente Owre saviour.
On Even[in]g As he In his bed lay;
A wondir Avicyown hym thowhte he say:—
that In his Chambre A gret Clerte was,
and Ek A voys he herde In that plas—
wher-with he Awook Anon there—
that to him seide in this Manere:
“ARis vp Nasciens, now Anon Ryht,
And faste towardis the see the dyht,
where thou schalt fynde A schipe Anon;
and þer-Inne faste Entre thow Anon;
and what Euere thou se, haue þou non dowte
what Manere of thing be the Abowte;
73
Of thike that thou desirest to se;
And sone tydynges schalt thow knowe
Of alle thy peticiouns vppon A rowe.”
whanne this Clerte non lengere dide last,
and that the vois from hym was past,
Owt of his bed he aros Anon tho,
and thankynges to god thanne dide he do,
‘that God, of hise gret Cortesye,
had hym certefyed so openlye
that Aftir Celidoyne he scholde go
Into a fer strange lond tho,
Forto pubplysche that Contre
that ful of myscreawntes now be.’
and that the vois from hym was past,
Owt of his bed he aros Anon tho,
and thankynges to god thanne dide he do,
‘that God, of hise gret Cortesye,
had hym certefyed so openlye
that Aftir Celidoyne he scholde go
Into a fer strange lond tho,
Forto pubplysche that Contre
that ful of myscreawntes now be.’
thus sone he Clothed hym Anon,
And to his Stable he gan to gon,
And took A good hors And A strong,
And there Into the sadel sone he sprong,
So that Neuere man the wysere was
whedir he wente, ne Into what plas,
Ne non man hym Aparceyven Myhte
whether he wente be day oþer be nyhte.
And to his Stable he gan to gon,
And took A good hors And A strong,
And there Into the sadel sone he sprong,
So that Neuere man the wysere was
whedir he wente, ne Into what plas,
Ne non man hym Aparceyven Myhte
whether he wente be day oþer be nyhte.
vppon the Morwe, whanne it was day,
the lady Awook there that sche lay,
and Missid hire lord that lay hire by.
Anon sette sche vpe a sorweful Cry,
so that al hire peple hire Cam Abowte,
And for here weren they In gret dowte,
and Axeden what they myhten do:
So that Anon Acordid they tho
‘that Eche man scholde gon be his Contre;
for fer from hem Myhte he not be,
sethen the tyme he wente his way.’
Thus Amonges hem they gonne to say.
the lady Awook there that sche lay,
and Missid hire lord that lay hire by.
Anon sette sche vpe a sorweful Cry,
so that al hire peple hire Cam Abowte,
And for here weren they In gret dowte,
and Axeden what they myhten do:
So that Anon Acordid they tho
‘that Eche man scholde gon be his Contre;
for fer from hem Myhte he not be,
sethen the tyme he wente his way.’
Thus Amonges hem they gonne to say.
thanne Eche man took hors Anon,
and Eche man his partye gan to gon,
and seiden ‘ȝif they myhten hym Mete,
his Compenye they wolden not lete,
but him to bryngen hom A-geyn;’
thus seide Eche man In Certeyn.
and Eche man his partye gan to gon,
74
his Compenye they wolden not lete,
but him to bryngen hom A-geyn;’
thus seide Eche man In Certeyn.
So On that was of that Compenye,
In his weye faste gan he hye,
and loked forth to-forn hym tho,
and Aspide where Nasciens hadde go
be the Naylles of his hors feet;
thanne thike weye wolde he not leet.
In his weye faste gan he hye,
and loked forth to-forn hym tho,
and Aspide where Nasciens hadde go
be the Naylles of his hors feet;
thanne thike weye wolde he not leet.
and he that hem thus gan to Aspye,
his Name was Nabor ful sekerlye;
whiche was A gret knyht, & A strong,
and In Servage hadde ben long,
and Also In gret Caytyvete;
but sire Nasciens for Rewthe & pyte
hym bowhte of A kyng Of ynde,
For he seide he was Comen Of kynges kynde;
but trewly Nabor ne was not so;
for A veleynes sone was he tho,
and I-comen of A schrewed streen
lik as he schewed, seker ȝe ben:
and an old knyht he was therto,
Sixty ȝer & ten with-Owten Mo;
and therto he was the most felonows Man
and Most Crewel þat In the world levede than
his Name was Nabor ful sekerlye;
whiche was A gret knyht, & A strong,
and In Servage hadde ben long,
and Also In gret Caytyvete;
but sire Nasciens for Rewthe & pyte
hym bowhte of A kyng Of ynde,
For he seide he was Comen Of kynges kynde;
but trewly Nabor ne was not so;
for A veleynes sone was he tho,
and I-comen of A schrewed streen
lik as he schewed, seker ȝe ben:
and an old knyht he was therto,
Sixty ȝer & ten with-Owten Mo;
and therto he was the most felonows Man
and Most Crewel þat In the world levede than
And whanne he hadde fownden this Redy weye
That Nasciens forth Rod ful sekerlye,
Thanne Rood he faste In his Iorne
Al so harde As that hors Mihte fle
whiles he myhten have the day lyht,
that of his lord he myhte haven a syht.
And so faste he gan to Ryde,
that Sixty myles & ten he Rod þat tyde,
and so Rod he In ful gret haste
Tyl his wit from him was Ny paste,
And Also he hadde I-lost the syht
Of Nasciens hors feet, as I the plyht.
That Nasciens forth Rod ful sekerlye,
Thanne Rood he faste In his Iorne
Al so harde As that hors Mihte fle
whiles he myhten have the day lyht,
that of his lord he myhte haven a syht.
And so faste he gan to Ryde,
that Sixty myles & ten he Rod þat tyde,
and so Rod he In ful gret haste
Tyl his wit from him was Ny paste,
75
Of Nasciens hors feet, as I the plyht.
and whanne it was Abowtes Evesong,
at þe foot of A Mow[n]teyn þat was hyh & long,
there mette he with a sarraȝyn thanne,
and Axed hym ȝif he Saw Ony Manne,
A knyht Rydyng al Alone;
thus hym this Nabor axede sone.
and he Answerid Anon ageyn
and seide “Nay, sire, In Certeyn
this day sawh I Man neuer on
On hors here Ryden, but on Alon
that with Fereyn, the stowte Ieaunt,
I saw hyn fyhten, as I vndirstond:
And whether he be knyht Oþer bachelere,
Seker, sire, I not In non Manere.”
at þe foot of A Mow[n]teyn þat was hyh & long,
there mette he with a sarraȝyn thanne,
and Axed hym ȝif he Saw Ony Manne,
A knyht Rydyng al Alone;
thus hym this Nabor axede sone.
and he Answerid Anon ageyn
and seide “Nay, sire, In Certeyn
this day sawh I Man neuer on
On hors here Ryden, but on Alon
that with Fereyn, the stowte Ieaunt,
I saw hyn fyhten, as I vndirstond:
And whether he be knyht Oþer bachelere,
Seker, sire, I not In non Manere.”
And whanne this word he vndirstood,
thanne with the Sarrezyn non lengere he bod,
but prikede fast forth In his weye
As faste As the hors Myht gon In feye;
and thanne forth ferthere he gan to pace;
thanne þere he beheld to-forn his face
A sore Melle Of tweyne ful felownesly.
thanne thidirward faste he gan hym hy,
and so longe hadde they fowhten In this Manere
So þat for febelnesse they fillen bothe there,
and the ton vppon the tothir he lay.
So longe hadden they fowhten þat day
that Onnethis there brethen they myhte,
So wery they weren there bothen of fyhte.
thanne with the Sarrezyn non lengere he bod,
but prikede fast forth In his weye
As faste As the hors Myht gon In feye;
and thanne forth ferthere he gan to pace;
thanne þere he beheld to-forn his face
A sore Melle Of tweyne ful felownesly.
thanne thidirward faste he gan hym hy,
and so longe hadde they fowhten In this Manere
So þat for febelnesse they fillen bothe there,
and the ton vppon the tothir he lay.
So longe hadden they fowhten þat day
that Onnethis there brethen they myhte,
So wery they weren there bothen of fyhte.
whanne that Nabor his lord tho say
vndir the Ieawnt there he lay,
ȝit abasched he was ful sore,
al-thowgh An hardy man he wore,
and there drow Owt his swerd Anon,
and to hem ward faste he gan to gon;
thanne Of his hors he A-lyhte Certeyne,
And there it fastened Anon be the Reyne,
And on his feet Cam A gret pas
To hem bothe þere the Melle it was.
and whanne the Ieaunt sawgh On Comen there,
with a swerd drawen In Swich A manere,
thanne vp Arysen Anon wolde he;
but for Nasciens it Myhte not be,
that anon knew Nabor be sight;
he held thanne þe Ieaunt with Al his Myht,
that vp from hym he myhte not Aryse
for owht þe Ieaunt Cowde don In non wyse.
thanne Nabor smot this Ieaunt So,
that his hed he Clef Evene vntwo
down Into the harde teth,
So þat he lost bothe wit and breth.
Anon sire Nasciens Ros vpe thanne,
As lyht, as Ioyful, as ony Manne,
and thankede God In Many Manere
Of that socour he sente hym there.
vndir the Ieawnt there he lay,
ȝit abasched he was ful sore,
al-thowgh An hardy man he wore,
and there drow Owt his swerd Anon,
and to hem ward faste he gan to gon;
76
And there it fastened Anon be the Reyne,
And on his feet Cam A gret pas
To hem bothe þere the Melle it was.
and whanne the Ieaunt sawgh On Comen there,
with a swerd drawen In Swich A manere,
thanne vp Arysen Anon wolde he;
but for Nasciens it Myhte not be,
that anon knew Nabor be sight;
he held thanne þe Ieaunt with Al his Myht,
that vp from hym he myhte not Aryse
for owht þe Ieaunt Cowde don In non wyse.
thanne Nabor smot this Ieaunt So,
that his hed he Clef Evene vntwo
down Into the harde teth,
So þat he lost bothe wit and breth.
Anon sire Nasciens Ros vpe thanne,
As lyht, as Ioyful, as ony Manne,
and thankede God In Many Manere
Of that socour he sente hym there.
whanne Nabor say his lord hol & sownd,
and that he stood vppon the grownd,
“Sire,” he seide, “God, worschepid thou be,
That from peryl Of deth hath deliuered the.
Now for all the Servise that I have ȝow do,
hom ward Aȝen that ȝe wolden go,
and Elles Sire In Certayn
Non of ȝoure Meyne schal Nevere be fayn,
Nethir In Ioye, nethir in Reste,
and therfore, sire, me semeth beste,
and also for my lady ȝoure wyf
that lyveth In peynë, wo, and stryf,
Ne neuere Joye may Comen In hire herte,
but Evere to lyven In peynes smerte,
but ȝif ȝe homward tornen agayn,
Sertes, sire, schal she neuere be fayn;
and Elles demen Alle Mosten we,
that ȝe ben ded In som hard degre.”
and that he stood vppon the grownd,
“Sire,” he seide, “God, worschepid thou be,
That from peryl Of deth hath deliuered the.
Now for all the Servise that I have ȝow do,
hom ward Aȝen that ȝe wolden go,
and Elles Sire In Certayn
Non of ȝoure Meyne schal Nevere be fayn,
Nethir In Ioye, nethir in Reste,
and therfore, sire, me semeth beste,
and also for my lady ȝoure wyf
that lyveth In peynë, wo, and stryf,
Ne neuere Joye may Comen In hire herte,
but Evere to lyven In peynes smerte,
but ȝif ȝe homward tornen agayn,
Sertes, sire, schal she neuere be fayn;
77
that ȝe ben ded In som hard degre.”
“Now, Nabor, myn Owne swete frend,
that to me hast been bothe good and kend,—
wete thou wel, Nabor, In Certeyn,
that hom-ward schal I neuere tornen Ageyn
til I have seyn that I Come fore;
there-fore, Nabor, preye me no more;
For Sekir, Nabor, In this degre,
It nys non nede forto preyen me.”
“No, Sire, quod Nabor, Anon tho;
and whanne from My compenye I gan to go,
that ȝow wenten to seken Abowte,
Eche of vs Ensurede with-owten dowte
that which of vs ȝow myhte fynde,
hom Aȝen to Rotorne be ony kynde.
and now sethen that I have ȝow fownde
heil & sownd vppon this grownde,
hom Aȝen with me scholen ȝe gon,
Certes, sire, whethir ȝe wele Oþer non.”
that to me hast been bothe good and kend,—
wete thou wel, Nabor, In Certeyn,
that hom-ward schal I neuere tornen Ageyn
til I have seyn that I Come fore;
there-fore, Nabor, preye me no more;
For Sekir, Nabor, In this degre,
It nys non nede forto preyen me.”
“No, Sire, quod Nabor, Anon tho;
and whanne from My compenye I gan to go,
that ȝow wenten to seken Abowte,
Eche of vs Ensurede with-owten dowte
that which of vs ȝow myhte fynde,
hom Aȝen to Rotorne be ony kynde.
and now sethen that I have ȝow fownde
heil & sownd vppon this grownde,
hom Aȝen with me scholen ȝe gon,
Certes, sire, whethir ȝe wele Oþer non.”
“Now, Certes, quod Nasciens to Nabor tho,
I trowe, power hast thow non therto.”
“That I have, quod Nabor to Nasciens Ageyn,
Owther Ellis we schole fyhten In Certeyn.”
“What, quod Nasciens to hym thanne,
I wende that thow were My Manne;
and ȝif tho scholdest fyhten with me,
Me thynketh, Nabor, it myhte not wel be.”
“be my trowthe, quod Nabor, tho,
and that Sekerly Schal I do;
For my trowthe breken I Nylle,
Only ȝowre wil to fulfille.”
“Now trewely, quod Sire Nasciens,
that bataille were Of grete Offens,
and Ek Egal it Myhte not be
be non thing, as besemeth me;
For thou art bothe fresch and lyht,
and I am A man wery Of fyht;
And Ek Armed thou art therto,
and In non wyse nam I not so.
Therto my lige Man I vndirstond,
and ȝit I made þe knyht with myn hond;
and therfore hand schost thou non leyn On Me,
as me now semeth, In non degre.”
“I schal, quod Nabor, be my fay;
Aȝen with me schalt þou gon this day;
Whethir that thow wilt, Owther non,
Aȝen with me schalt thou gon.”
“Nay, be the grace of god, quod Nasciens tho,
For non power that thou kanst do.”
I trowe, power hast thow non therto.”
“That I have, quod Nabor to Nasciens Ageyn,
Owther Ellis we schole fyhten In Certeyn.”
“What, quod Nasciens to hym thanne,
I wende that thow were My Manne;
and ȝif tho scholdest fyhten with me,
Me thynketh, Nabor, it myhte not wel be.”
“be my trowthe, quod Nabor, tho,
and that Sekerly Schal I do;
For my trowthe breken I Nylle,
Only ȝowre wil to fulfille.”
“Now trewely, quod Sire Nasciens,
that bataille were Of grete Offens,
and Ek Egal it Myhte not be
be non thing, as besemeth me;
78
and I am A man wery Of fyht;
And Ek Armed thou art therto,
and In non wyse nam I not so.
Therto my lige Man I vndirstond,
and ȝit I made þe knyht with myn hond;
and therfore hand schost thou non leyn On Me,
as me now semeth, In non degre.”
“I schal, quod Nabor, be my fay;
Aȝen with me schalt þou gon this day;
Whethir that thow wilt, Owther non,
Aȝen with me schalt thou gon.”
“Nay, be the grace of god, quod Nasciens tho,
For non power that thou kanst do.”
Thanne Nasciens his weye gan to take,
and faste to the Seward gan he schake;
thanne this Nabor to-forn hym gan prese,
and of his weye there Made hym Sese,
and be the ton arm hym held ageyn,
That forthere myhte he not In Certeyn.
“A, quod Nasciens, and thow with strengthe me holde!
I trowe þat thou be not so bolde
To letten at this tyme My Iorne
Of thing that I desire to Se.”
and faste to the Seward gan he schake;
thanne this Nabor to-forn hym gan prese,
and of his weye there Made hym Sese,
and be the ton arm hym held ageyn,
That forthere myhte he not In Certeyn.
“A, quod Nasciens, and thow with strengthe me holde!
I trowe þat thou be not so bolde
To letten at this tyme My Iorne
Of thing that I desire to Se.”
Thanne held this Nabor so faste hym there
that he ne myhte Ascapen In non Manere,
For he was bothen feynt and wery
Of þe Bataille Of the Ieawnt trewely,
so that non power he hadde hym to withstonde,
So faste he held hym be the honde.
And this Felown and vntrewe man,
so sore he drowgh On his lord than,
that to the grownd he made hym to falle;
Anon In swowneng fyl he with-alle,
and to-barst bothen vysage & his forehed,
that the blood Ran Owt In that sted;
so sore he Astoned tho was
Of that fallyng In that plas.
and this veleyn ne hadde non pyte
Of his lord In non manere degre,
For he was ful Of schrewednesse,
Of vntrowthe, and of al wykkednesse.
that he ne myhte Ascapen In non Manere,
For he was bothen feynt and wery
Of þe Bataille Of the Ieawnt trewely,
so that non power he hadde hym to withstonde,
So faste he held hym be the honde.
And this Felown and vntrewe man,
so sore he drowgh On his lord than,
that to the grownd he made hym to falle;
Anon In swowneng fyl he with-alle,
and to-barst bothen vysage & his forehed,
that the blood Ran Owt In that sted;
79
Of that fallyng In that plas.
and this veleyn ne hadde non pyte
Of his lord In non manere degre,
For he was ful Of schrewednesse,
Of vntrowthe, and of al wykkednesse.
Whanne Nasciens Of his swowneng Awaked was tho,
thanne this fals Nabor Cryde hym vnto,
‘that trewly he scholde hym Slen Anon,
but ȝif homwardis he wolde gon.’
and Nasciens so woful was tho
For tweyne thynges with-Owten Mo:
On, for that he wolde him ledyn Ageyn,
which Aȝens his wille was pleyn;
And ȝif that Aȝen he tornede so,
thanne his Comandement myhte he not do.
quod Nasciens, “and thou wilt, þou myht me sle,
For Aȝen wile I not In non degre.”
“Certeynly,” quod this Nabor tho,
“And but thow wilt, I schal the slo.
For now Onlyche alle thy Meyne,
For the maken sorwe and pyte;
and Ek thy frendis Everichon,
For the they maken passing Mon.
And therfore now, so god helpe Me,
but ȝif thow wilt Comen, I schal slen the.”
“Sle me,” quod Nasciens, “thanne In this sted,
and I wele forȝeven the my ded.”
thanne this fals Nabor Cryde hym vnto,
‘that trewly he scholde hym Slen Anon,
but ȝif homwardis he wolde gon.’
and Nasciens so woful was tho
For tweyne thynges with-Owten Mo:
On, for that he wolde him ledyn Ageyn,
which Aȝens his wille was pleyn;
And ȝif that Aȝen he tornede so,
thanne his Comandement myhte he not do.
quod Nasciens, “and thou wilt, þou myht me sle,
For Aȝen wile I not In non degre.”
“Certeynly,” quod this Nabor tho,
“And but thow wilt, I schal the slo.
For now Onlyche alle thy Meyne,
For the maken sorwe and pyte;
and Ek thy frendis Everichon,
For the they maken passing Mon.
And therfore now, so god helpe Me,
but ȝif thow wilt Comen, I schal slen the.”
“Sle me,” quod Nasciens, “thanne In this sted,
and I wele forȝeven the my ded.”
Thanne this Nabor drowh his swerd ful hastely,
And gan it holden there vp An hy,
For to han Cloven his hed In sondir,
Where-Offen Sire Nasciens hadde wondir.
and whanne Nasciens say þe swerd An hy,
he left vpe his hond to God almyhty,
and seide, “lord, save me thou here
From this false thevis powere.”
And Anon as he hadde Mad his preyere
this Nabor Anon ded fyl down there,
and his swerd Ryht In his hond,
as the storye vs doth to vndirstond.
And gan it holden there vp An hy,
For to han Cloven his hed In sondir,
Where-Offen Sire Nasciens hadde wondir.
and whanne Nasciens say þe swerd An hy,
he left vpe his hond to God almyhty,
and seide, “lord, save me thou here
From this false thevis powere.”
80
this Nabor Anon ded fyl down there,
and his swerd Ryht In his hond,
as the storye vs doth to vndirstond.
Whanne Nasciens beheld that Merveil there,
bothe sory and glad he was In his Manere:
Glad, for he was asckaped so;
And Ek sory, for his deth tho;
For In his herte he demed ful sore
That his sowle ne was but lore.
bothe sory and glad he was In his Manere:
Glad, for he was asckaped so;
And Ek sory, for his deth tho;
For In his herte he demed ful sore
That his sowle ne was but lore.
thanne loked Nasciens toward the see,
And beheld where Cam a gret Compeyne
On hors bak faste prekynge;
and to hym wardis they weren Comenge;
And al abowtes he loked hym there,
where he myhte hym hyden In Ony Manere;
for gret drede thanne hadde he tho,
that Aȝen with hem scholde he go.
And whiles he lokede where hym to hyde,
vppon him they Comen In that tyde;
and gret ioye they maden Everichon
whanne they here lord syen there gon.
For his lige Men weren they Echon,
That hym sowhten there anon;
and Of his a Castel hadden In kepyng,
and goode men they weren, and trewe lovenge;
And also newe Cristened weren they alle
For love of Nasciens, so gan befalle.
and whanne that Ech Of hem say Oþer,
they Ioyed to-gederis as Brother and brothire;
and for the gret love that was hem betwene,
Ful Often they kysten al be-dene.
And beheld where Cam a gret Compeyne
On hors bak faste prekynge;
and to hym wardis they weren Comenge;
And al abowtes he loked hym there,
where he myhte hym hyden In Ony Manere;
for gret drede thanne hadde he tho,
that Aȝen with hem scholde he go.
And whiles he lokede where hym to hyde,
vppon him they Comen In that tyde;
and gret ioye they maden Everichon
whanne they here lord syen there gon.
For his lige Men weren they Echon,
That hym sowhten there anon;
and Of his a Castel hadden In kepyng,
and goode men they weren, and trewe lovenge;
And also newe Cristened weren they alle
For love of Nasciens, so gan befalle.
and whanne that Ech Of hem say Oþer,
they Ioyed to-gederis as Brother and brothire;
and for the gret love that was hem betwene,
Ful Often they kysten al be-dene.
This lord that was Of tarabel
Axede Of Nasciens Everydel
‘how that Nabor so was ded,
that toforn hem lay in that sted.’
Thanne Nasciens took hym On side Anon,
and tolde hym Onliche how it gan gon,
and how that he wolde han hym Slayn:
“but oure lord it nolde suffren In Certayn,
but swich veniaunce took As ȝe mown se,
and thus ded is he In this degre;
wheche forthenketh me ful sore,
and Oþerwise goddis wille it wore:
For I telle ȝow myn Entent,
It is good to kepen goddes commaundement.”
“Now, trewly,” quod this lord of Tarabel,
“Me Semeth this veniawnce to hym Cam wel,
For, Ma fey, wers ne myhte be not do
Thanne to his lige to werken so;
and forto Slen his owne lord,
Therto myhte I Neuere Acord.”
Axede Of Nasciens Everydel
‘how that Nabor so was ded,
that toforn hem lay in that sted.’
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and tolde hym Onliche how it gan gon,
and how that he wolde han hym Slayn:
“but oure lord it nolde suffren In Certayn,
but swich veniaunce took As ȝe mown se,
and thus ded is he In this degre;
wheche forthenketh me ful sore,
and Oþerwise goddis wille it wore:
For I telle ȝow myn Entent,
It is good to kepen goddes commaundement.”
“Now, trewly,” quod this lord of Tarabel,
“Me Semeth this veniawnce to hym Cam wel,
For, Ma fey, wers ne myhte be not do
Thanne to his lige to werken so;
and forto Slen his owne lord,
Therto myhte I Neuere Acord.”
And whiles they stoden thus In fere,
And talked to-gedere Of this Matere,
A vois betwenes hem herden they there,
that thus there seide In this Manere,
“A, thou Man Of Tarabel!
Enemy to Crist! þat knowest þou wel;
And fals Cristene Man Ek therto!
For thou thyn Owne fadir didest slo.
Why demest thou this Man here
Wers than thy self In Ony Manere?
For thou wost haven thy Fadris lond,
thou hym slowh, I do the vndirstond.
therefore gret veniaunce schal Comen to the,
that Al the world therby war schal be.”
And talked to-gedere Of this Matere,
A vois betwenes hem herden they there,
that thus there seide In this Manere,
“A, thou Man Of Tarabel!
Enemy to Crist! þat knowest þou wel;
And fals Cristene Man Ek therto!
For thou thyn Owne fadir didest slo.
Why demest thou this Man here
Wers than thy self In Ony Manere?
For thou wost haven thy Fadris lond,
thou hym slowh, I do the vndirstond.
therefore gret veniaunce schal Comen to the,
that Al the world therby war schal be.”
And Anon as this vois was gon,
the wedir gan chongen Riht Anon,
and so dirk Amonges hem it be-cam to be,
That non Of hem ne Myhte Othere se.
thanne Amonges hem Cam A strok Of thondir,
Where-Offen the peple hadde [so] gret wondir
that to the Erthe they fillen Echon,
that vppon here feet myhte stonden neuer on,
but lyen As thow they hadden ben dede,
Everychon In that Stede.
and whanne that they Of here swowneng Awook,
Of here lord thanne kepe they took;
and fownden where that he ded lay,
as Alle that Meyne there it say,
Smeten to the ded with that thondir;
and so as he stank, it was gret wondir:
For there Mihte no man hym Comen Ny,
So fowle he stank there Certeynly.
the wedir gan chongen Riht Anon,
and so dirk Amonges hem it be-cam to be,
That non Of hem ne Myhte Othere se.
thanne Amonges hem Cam A strok Of thondir,
Where-Offen the peple hadde [so] gret wondir
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that vppon here feet myhte stonden neuer on,
but lyen As thow they hadden ben dede,
Everychon In that Stede.
and whanne that they Of here swowneng Awook,
Of here lord thanne kepe they took;
and fownden where that he ded lay,
as Alle that Meyne there it say,
Smeten to the ded with that thondir;
and so as he stank, it was gret wondir:
For there Mihte no man hym Comen Ny,
So fowle he stank there Certeynly.
And whanne this Meyne sawhe that it was so,
They Cryden, & Maden ful Mochel wo,
lementaciown, and gret weylyng,
that A Myle Me Myhte heren here Morneng.
And, whiles they Maden this lementacioun,
To hem þere cam A man of Religiown;
And al whit was his vesture,
that he Inne Cam, I the ensure.
and whanne he say Nasciens there,
As a sory man, and In gret fere,
and, for best he knew Nasciens tho,
anon to hym gan he to go,
And Axede Of Nasciens Everydel
How that Aventure there befel.
thanne Nasciens Certefyed hym Anon
Al the Mater, ho it was doon.
“Forsothe,” quod this good Man,
“this is A Merveillous Mater than,
For Of swich anothir Neuere I herde,
Sethen I Cam Into Middelerde!
Now god On here sowles Mercy have,
and his wille be hem to save.”
They Cryden, & Maden ful Mochel wo,
lementaciown, and gret weylyng,
that A Myle Me Myhte heren here Morneng.
And, whiles they Maden this lementacioun,
To hem þere cam A man of Religiown;
And al whit was his vesture,
that he Inne Cam, I the ensure.
and whanne he say Nasciens there,
As a sory man, and In gret fere,
and, for best he knew Nasciens tho,
anon to hym gan he to go,
And Axede Of Nasciens Everydel
How that Aventure there befel.
thanne Nasciens Certefyed hym Anon
Al the Mater, ho it was doon.
“Forsothe,” quod this good Man,
“this is A Merveillous Mater than,
For Of swich anothir Neuere I herde,
Sethen I Cam Into Middelerde!
Now god On here sowles Mercy have,
and his wille be hem to save.”
“Now, goode sire,” quod Nasciens tho,
“that Cownceyl ȝe wolden ȝeven me vnto,
whethir In holy Erthe here bodyes to grave,
Owthir in Other place to Maken hem save.”
“I schal ȝow seyn,” quod this good Man,
“Swich Conseyl as I therto Can.
ȝe knowen it Cam be goddes veniaunce;
therfore were it good that this chaunce
thorwgh-Owt al the world were knowe,
bothe Amongis hye & lowe;
that Ensample therby they mown take,
Eche man from wikkednesse to Aslake.
And therefore here, be my Cownsaylle,
we scholen hem beryen with-Owten faille;
And wryten vppon here bodyes here
In what Manere that ded they were;
So that Evere In Remembrawnce
May be knowen here Mischaunce
the bettere to Every Cristene Man
That the lettres Reden wel Can:
And thus me semeth best þat ȝe do,”
quod this goodman to Nasciens tho.
“that Cownceyl ȝe wolden ȝeven me vnto,
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Owthir in Other place to Maken hem save.”
“I schal ȝow seyn,” quod this good Man,
“Swich Conseyl as I therto Can.
ȝe knowen it Cam be goddes veniaunce;
therfore were it good that this chaunce
thorwgh-Owt al the world were knowe,
bothe Amongis hye & lowe;
that Ensample therby they mown take,
Eche man from wikkednesse to Aslake.
And therefore here, be my Cownsaylle,
we scholen hem beryen with-Owten faille;
And wryten vppon here bodyes here
In what Manere that ded they were;
So that Evere In Remembrawnce
May be knowen here Mischaunce
the bettere to Every Cristene Man
That the lettres Reden wel Can:
And thus me semeth best þat ȝe do,”
quod this goodman to Nasciens tho.
Thanne Answerid Sire Nasciens þere Anon,
and seide, “seker, it scholde be don.”
thanne Clepide forth Sire Nasciens there,
the Meyne þat with the lord of tarabel were,
“Now, lordynges, I preye ȝow Everichon
that these Bodyes Into the Erthe ȝe don;
On body Of this [side] Of the weye,
Anoþer On þe toþer side that ȝe leye;
and Amyddes hem bothe this Ieawnt,
that here with me bataille gan hawnt.
and whanne In the Erthe ȝe han hem do,
To Beyllye, My Castel, that ȝe go,
and sey to Flegentyne, My dwchesse,
that for me sche make non distresse;
but that sche do here forto Make
Thre tombes for these Mennes sake;
And On Every tombe let hire don write
Swich Mater As ȝe han herd vs Endite,
that A Remembraunce it Mote be
To Alle the Men Of Cristyente.”
and seide, “seker, it scholde be don.”
thanne Clepide forth Sire Nasciens there,
the Meyne þat with the lord of tarabel were,
“Now, lordynges, I preye ȝow Everichon
that these Bodyes Into the Erthe ȝe don;
On body Of this [side] Of the weye,
Anoþer On þe toþer side that ȝe leye;
and Amyddes hem bothe this Ieawnt,
that here with me bataille gan hawnt.
and whanne In the Erthe ȝe han hem do,
To Beyllye, My Castel, that ȝe go,
and sey to Flegentyne, My dwchesse,
that for me sche make non distresse;
but that sche do here forto Make
Thre tombes for these Mennes sake;
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Swich Mater As ȝe han herd vs Endite,
that A Remembraunce it Mote be
To Alle the Men Of Cristyente.”
They seiden his Comandement scholde be do;
and these bodyes Into the Erthe they putten tho,
With Many Teres And sore Wepynge,
and all Nyht weren they there dwellynge.
and these bodyes Into the Erthe they putten tho,
With Many Teres And sore Wepynge,
and all Nyht weren they there dwellynge.
| CHAPTER XXXVIII. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |