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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| XXXIX. | CHAPTER XXXIX. OF NASCIENS'S FURTHER ADVENTURES, AND HIS GENEALOGY. |
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 | CHAPTER XXXIX. OF NASCIENS'S FURTHER ADVENTURES, AND HIS GENEALOGY. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER XXXIX. OF NASCIENS'S FURTHER ADVENTURES, AND HIS GENEALOGY.
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Thanne Nasciens Anon, with-Owten dowte,
Chos the beste hors Of that Rowte,
And Into the Sadel he sprang Anon,
and hastede Faste that he were gon,
and told hem of the Ieawnt Every del,
In what Manere & how it befel:
whiche that the storye not telleth here,
but here-Aftir it schal schewen ȝow more Clere.
Chos the beste hors Of that Rowte,
And Into the Sadel he sprang Anon,
and hastede Faste that he were gon,
and told hem of the Ieawnt Every del,
In what Manere & how it befel:
whiche that the storye not telleth here,
but here-Aftir it schal schewen ȝow more Clere.
Thanne whanne On horsbak that he was set,
his weye he took, and non lengere ne let;
but Al so faste As the hors myhte gon,
Towardis the se he wente Anon,
Whedir as he cam be the spring of day,
And A fair schipe anon there he say;
The same schipe it was In Certeynte
where-Inne to fore tymes he hadde be,
that the bed and the swerd Inne þere was,
wich that him thowhte a delitable plas.
And to-forn that schip sawh he
The fairest damysele that myhte be,
and the beste Arayed In vesture
that Evere he say, I the Ensure.
his weye he took, and non lengere ne let;
but Al so faste As the hors myhte gon,
Towardis the se he wente Anon,
Whedir as he cam be the spring of day,
And A fair schipe anon there he say;
The same schipe it was In Certeynte
where-Inne to fore tymes he hadde be,
that the bed and the swerd Inne þere was,
wich that him thowhte a delitable plas.
And to-forn that schip sawh he
The fairest damysele that myhte be,
and the beste Arayed In vesture
that Evere he say, I the Ensure.
And whanne she say Nasciens Comen there,
Anon sche hym grette with fair Chere,
and vp aȝens hym gan to stonde,
& to hym forto speke gan sche fonde,
and seide, “Welcome, thou goddis knyht,
The beste that Euere was In Ony fyht!
Ha! Gentyl knyht, I preye the nowe,
For the feith that thou to þi lord dost owe,
That On thing thou wost don for me
which shal the not Costen In non degre.”
“Gladliche, quod sire Nasciens tho,
If it lye In My powere for to do.”
“That myhtest þou, quod this damysele, Anon Ryht,
ȝif that thou be A gentyl knyht.”
“Telle me thanne, quod Nasciens Anon,
and to my power I schal it don.”
“Gladly, quod sche, and thou woldest it do.
Into this schipe wold I go,
And I ne may Entren for werynesse;
For travaille and for gret distresse;
therfore Into þe schipe thow wost me bere;
now, gentil knyht, I preye the here.”
“That gladly schal I do, quod the knyht,
and It lye In my powere and Myht.”
And In his Armes he took hire tho,
and toward the Schipe gan he go.
Anon sche hym grette with fair Chere,
and vp aȝens hym gan to stonde,
& to hym forto speke gan sche fonde,
and seide, “Welcome, thou goddis knyht,
The beste that Euere was In Ony fyht!
Ha! Gentyl knyht, I preye the nowe,
For the feith that thou to þi lord dost owe,
That On thing thou wost don for me
which shal the not Costen In non degre.”
“Gladliche, quod sire Nasciens tho,
If it lye In My powere for to do.”
86
ȝif that thou be A gentyl knyht.”
“Telle me thanne, quod Nasciens Anon,
and to my power I schal it don.”
“Gladly, quod sche, and thou woldest it do.
Into this schipe wold I go,
And I ne may Entren for werynesse;
For travaille and for gret distresse;
therfore Into þe schipe thow wost me bere;
now, gentil knyht, I preye the here.”
“That gladly schal I do, quod the knyht,
and It lye In my powere and Myht.”
And In his Armes he took hire tho,
and toward the Schipe gan he go.
& Whanne that Inne he wolde han gon,
the schipe from londe it wente Anon;
and Evere the fastere to the schipe he wente,
The ferthere it was to his Entente.
Where-offen he Merveilled ful gretly,
& left that damysele Adown Anon In hy;
and merveilled Mochel Of that thing
that it so ferde In his werkyng.
for so sore Abasched was he tho,
That he ne wyste what forto do;
and left vp Anon his Ryht hond,
and the signe of the Cros Made, I vndirstond.
and whanne he hadde don In this Manere,
Abowtes hym faste lokede he there,
and sawh hire chonge with-Owten Misse
hire forme Into A schrewes liknesse,
lik as sche was In Certeinte,
A fowl fend in alle degre.
the schipe from londe it wente Anon;
and Evere the fastere to the schipe he wente,
The ferthere it was to his Entente.
Where-offen he Merveilled ful gretly,
& left that damysele Adown Anon In hy;
and merveilled Mochel Of that thing
that it so ferde In his werkyng.
for so sore Abasched was he tho,
That he ne wyste what forto do;
and left vp Anon his Ryht hond,
and the signe of the Cros Made, I vndirstond.
and whanne he hadde don In this Manere,
Abowtes hym faste lokede he there,
and sawh hire chonge with-Owten Misse
hire forme Into A schrewes liknesse,
lik as sche was In Certeinte,
A fowl fend in alle degre.
And whanne he gan þis beholde,
Ful faste his herte gan to Colde,
and blessed hym Evere lengere the More,
So that Of hire he was bascht ful sore.
“Ha! thou fals traytour, goddis Enemy,
Me wost thou han deceyved falsly
In the forme Of A womman here,
and art A fowl devel In Eche Manere!
but, fals thief, it schal not be:
for to god and holy chirche I betake me.”
and thus he betook hym to god Anon,
and Into the Schipe he gan to gon.
Ful faste his herte gan to Colde,
and blessed hym Evere lengere the More,
So that Of hire he was bascht ful sore.
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Me wost thou han deceyved falsly
In the forme Of A womman here,
and art A fowl devel In Eche Manere!
but, fals thief, it schal not be:
for to god and holy chirche I betake me.”
and thus he betook hym to god Anon,
and Into the Schipe he gan to gon.
Whanne Into the Schipe I-Entred he was,
he loked abowtes hym In that plas.
there non thing Elles Cowde he se,
but Only his hors, in non degre;
but An Orible Noise there he herde,
For, lyk As helles Mowth it Ferde.
And as develis they ferden Echon—
and that wiste he ful wel Anon—
that weren Abowtes him forto take;
but Evere On hym the Cros gan he make,
and his preyeris he gan forto seye,
And Ek his Orysouns thanne ful tentyslye.
and as he Made thanne his preyere,
down In Slepyng Fyl he there;
what for drede, and what for travaille,
There slept he with-Owten faille:
For ful A gret nede he hadde therto,
that hadde I-ben In swich travaille and wo.
he loked abowtes hym In that plas.
there non thing Elles Cowde he se,
but Only his hors, in non degre;
but An Orible Noise there he herde,
For, lyk As helles Mowth it Ferde.
And as develis they ferden Echon—
and that wiste he ful wel Anon—
that weren Abowtes him forto take;
but Evere On hym the Cros gan he make,
and his preyeris he gan forto seye,
And Ek his Orysouns thanne ful tentyslye.
and as he Made thanne his preyere,
down In Slepyng Fyl he there;
what for drede, and what for travaille,
There slept he with-Owten faille:
For ful A gret nede he hadde therto,
that hadde I-ben In swich travaille and wo.
Anon as he On slepe there was,
A viciown ther Cam him to, be goddis gras;
him thowhte he saw A man I-Clothid in Red,
that to forn hym stood In that Sted.
And Nasciens him Axede Anon Ryht there
What he was, In fair Manere.
he Seyde, “I am Swich A man,
that what thou hast don, tellen I Can;
and Ek what the is forto Come
I Can the tellen, Al and Some.”
Thanne Axede hym Nasciens Riht Anone,
“Where that was Celidoyne his sone.”
he seide, “that he was In the same lond
that hym was promysed to, I vndirstond,
Forto Encresen and Multeplye.”
“A, quod Nasciens, ho is there In his Compenye?”
“In his Compenye hath he there
Them that Maken hym Ryht gret Chere.
And Amonges hem Is be holden A lord,
I sey the, Nasciens, at On word.”
A viciown ther Cam him to, be goddis gras;
him thowhte he saw A man I-Clothid in Red,
that to forn hym stood In that Sted.
And Nasciens him Axede Anon Ryht there
What he was, In fair Manere.
he Seyde, “I am Swich A man,
that what thou hast don, tellen I Can;
and Ek what the is forto Come
I Can the tellen, Al and Some.”
88
“Where that was Celidoyne his sone.”
he seide, “that he was In the same lond
that hym was promysed to, I vndirstond,
Forto Encresen and Multeplye.”
“A, quod Nasciens, ho is there In his Compenye?”
“In his Compenye hath he there
Them that Maken hym Ryht gret Chere.
And Amonges hem Is be holden A lord,
I sey the, Nasciens, at On word.”
Thanne Axede Nasciens Of hym Eftsone
“Whedyr that Iosephe and Iosephes weren gone,
and tho þat with hym wente Owt of Sarras,
and owt of Manye Anothyr plas.”
thanne answerid this goodman Anon,
“that Iosep Ouer the see was gon,
with-Owten Ony schipe vppon that See,
Into Anothir lond, where that he
and Alle hise scholen there dwelle,
that Contre with newe peple to fulfille
whiche that is grauntyd to ȝow, and hem
that hym with komen Owt Ierusalem.”
“Whedyr that Iosephe and Iosephes weren gone,
and tho þat with hym wente Owt of Sarras,
and owt of Manye Anothyr plas.”
thanne answerid this goodman Anon,
“that Iosep Ouer the see was gon,
with-Owten Ony schipe vppon that See,
Into Anothir lond, where that he
and Alle hise scholen there dwelle,
that Contre with newe peple to fulfille
whiche that is grauntyd to ȝow, and hem
that hym with komen Owt Ierusalem.”
“Ha, goode Sire, quod Nasciens tho,
Sethen ȝe knowen what is to do,
Wolde ȝe tellen me On thing In Certein:
ȝif Evere to Myn Owne Contre to gon Ageyn.”
thanne Answerid this good Mon tho,
“Into thin Owne Contre schalt thou neuere go
but ȝif it be Onlych In dremenge;
tak thou this for a sykyr Tydynge.
Neþer this vessel never the Mo
Into thi Contre ne schal not go,
but hire stille dwellen In this Contre,
Tyl that Of Sarras al the Meyne,
And with hem that vessel to bryngen hol and Al,
Wheche that kepten the seint Graal.
and Aforn that tyme, In Certein,
This ylke Schipe schal not gon heyn.
and ȝit thedir it is In alle degre
thre hundred ȝer, As I telle it the.”
“Ha! goode Sire, quod Nascien thanne,
Of my lygne ho schal ben the laste Manne?”
“that schalt thow weten Ryht hastely,
To the I-schewed ful Openly.”
Sethen ȝe knowen what is to do,
Wolde ȝe tellen me On thing In Certein:
ȝif Evere to Myn Owne Contre to gon Ageyn.”
thanne Answerid this good Mon tho,
“Into thin Owne Contre schalt thou neuere go
but ȝif it be Onlych In dremenge;
tak thou this for a sykyr Tydynge.
Neþer this vessel never the Mo
Into thi Contre ne schal not go,
but hire stille dwellen In this Contre,
Tyl that Of Sarras al the Meyne,
And with hem that vessel to bryngen hol and Al,
Wheche that kepten the seint Graal.
89
This ylke Schipe schal not gon heyn.
and ȝit thedir it is In alle degre
thre hundred ȝer, As I telle it the.”
“Ha! goode Sire, quod Nascien thanne,
Of my lygne ho schal ben the laste Manne?”
“that schalt thow weten Ryht hastely,
To the I-schewed ful Openly.”
Thanne paste forth this good man with-Owten tarienge,
and lefte there Nasciens ful sore Slepynge;
as A man that sore fortravaylled was,
[he] lay Stylle Sleping In that plas.
ȝit thowhte Aȝen Sire Nasciens tho,
that Aȝen this goodman to hym Cam to,
and that A lytel wryt he hym browhte,
and In his hond it putte, as he him thowhte,
& seide, “behold now this Scripture here,
Thanne Of thy lyne thou schalt here,
but not Of hem that thou ferst Come,
For Otherwise Schalt thou knowen the dome;
For it is Of hem that Of the Comen schal,
as this wryt schal Schewen the Al.”
Thanne with this he partyd Away.
and lefte there Nasciens ful sore Slepynge;
as A man that sore fortravaylled was,
[he] lay Stylle Sleping In that plas.
ȝit thowhte Aȝen Sire Nasciens tho,
that Aȝen this goodman to hym Cam to,
and that A lytel wryt he hym browhte,
and In his hond it putte, as he him thowhte,
& seide, “behold now this Scripture here,
Thanne Of thy lyne thou schalt here,
but not Of hem that thou ferst Come,
For Otherwise Schalt thou knowen the dome;
For it is Of hem that Of the Comen schal,
as this wryt schal Schewen the Al.”
Thanne with this he partyd Away.
thus sone him thouhte that Celidoyne he say,
and with him broughte On aftyr Anothir,
Nyne persones vppon A fothir.
and In the gyse Of kynges they were,
Alle Sawf the heyhtthe In his Manere,—
and he lik the kynde Of An hownd was,
For diuers Skelis In that plas.
Therto he was so feble & so pore,
that non power he ne hadde to stonden thore.
The ferste to Celidoine knelide tho,
the second, þe thridde, þe fourthe diden al so;
the fyfthe, þe Sixthe, the Seventhe Ek,
to hym they knelyd ful lowly & Mek;
and the heytthe and the Ninthe, In here dregre,
thus Alle to Celidoyne kneleden hee.
Of whiche On was In forme of A lyown,
but that On his hed he ne hadde non Corown.
Whanne that out of this World scholde he go,—
Al this him thowhte Sire Nasciens tho,—
and that alle the world to him gan Compleyne;
Al thus demyd Nasciens In Certeyne:
whiles On slepe In the Schipe he lay,
Al this him thowghte verrayly he say.
and with him broughte On aftyr Anothir,
Nyne persones vppon A fothir.
and In the gyse Of kynges they were,
Alle Sawf the heyhtthe In his Manere,—
and he lik the kynde Of An hownd was,
For diuers Skelis In that plas.
Therto he was so feble & so pore,
that non power he ne hadde to stonden thore.
The ferste to Celidoine knelide tho,
the second, þe thridde, þe fourthe diden al so;
the fyfthe, þe Sixthe, the Seventhe Ek,
to hym they knelyd ful lowly & Mek;
90
thus Alle to Celidoyne kneleden hee.
Of whiche On was In forme of A lyown,
but that On his hed he ne hadde non Corown.
Whanne that out of this World scholde he go,—
Al this him thowhte Sire Nasciens tho,—
and that alle the world to him gan Compleyne;
Al thus demyd Nasciens In Certeyne:
whiles On slepe In the Schipe he lay,
Al this him thowghte verrayly he say.
thanne Abowtes the Our of Noon,
Sire Nasciens gan waken there Anon,
where as he Anon Redely the writ þere fonde,
Ful faire I-Closed there In his honde,
whiche the goodman dyde him take;
Redely he it fonde whanne he gan wake.
than Whanne Redelich he gan it be-holde,
þanne ioyede he In his herte Manie folde,
And wiste wel that Fable was it non
whanne he say the writ In his hond I-don;
and thankyd his god with herte & Mende,
that to hym he wolde ben so hende,
hym Alle swiche thinges forto schewe
In demonstraunce vppon A rewe;
For wel he wiste be goddes wille was it do,
Al that thing that he sawgh tho.
Sire Nasciens gan waken there Anon,
where as he Anon Redely the writ þere fonde,
Ful faire I-Closed there In his honde,
whiche the goodman dyde him take;
Redely he it fonde whanne he gan wake.
than Whanne Redelich he gan it be-holde,
þanne ioyede he In his herte Manie folde,
And wiste wel that Fable was it non
whanne he say the writ In his hond I-don;
and thankyd his god with herte & Mende,
that to hym he wolde ben so hende,
hym Alle swiche thinges forto schewe
In demonstraunce vppon A rewe;
For wel he wiste be goddes wille was it do,
Al that thing that he sawgh tho.
Thanne Opened he that wryt Anon,
And Many Merveilles þere behelde he son,
that In Ebrw I-wreten weren there,
and in lattyn, In dyvers Manere;
And Openly it Tolde of goddis knyhtes,
& of his Ministres Anon there Ryhtes.
The ferst, that Nasciens scholde be,
the Seconde, Celidoyne, as I telle the.
“and the ferste that of Celidoyne schal isswe,
schal ben A kyng ful good and trewe:
hos Name schal be kyng Narpus,
A ful worthy knyht, and an Awntrvs.
the secund, Nasciens schal ben his Name,
A worthy knyht, and of good fame.
the thridde, Elyen the grete, scholen they Calle,
A worthy man amonges hem alle,
and therto Religows Of lyf,
And Corowne schal beren with-Owten stryf.
The fowrthe, Ysayes, Clepid schal be;
The fyfthe Ionaanz, as ȝe mown se,
that schal ben A knyht good & hardy,
and holy chirche vp to beren stedfastly.
the Sixthe, lawnceloz, Inamed ful ryht,
A worthy man, & Mochel Of Myht,
And therto I-Crowned schal he be
In Erthe and In hevene ful Sekerle;
For In hym herberwed bothe there is
bothe pyte & Charite with-Owten Mys.
the seventhe, Bavs, scholen we Clepe;
& of him schal Comen with-Owten lette
The Eyhtthe, [that] schal ben lawncelot In Certayne,
whiche that suffren schal both travaylle and payne
More thanne Ony toforn hym han I-do,
Owther Aftyr hym Scholen Comen Also.
This the kynde Of An hownd schal have,
Tyl at his laste Ende to Maken him save.
And Many Merveilles þere behelde he son,
that In Ebrw I-wreten weren there,
and in lattyn, In dyvers Manere;
And Openly it Tolde of goddis knyhtes,
& of his Ministres Anon there Ryhtes.
The ferst, that Nasciens scholde be,
the Seconde, Celidoyne, as I telle the.
“and the ferste that of Celidoyne schal isswe,
schal ben A kyng ful good and trewe:
91
A ful worthy knyht, and an Awntrvs.
the secund, Nasciens schal ben his Name,
A worthy knyht, and of good fame.
the thridde, Elyen the grete, scholen they Calle,
A worthy man amonges hem alle,
and therto Religows Of lyf,
And Corowne schal beren with-Owten stryf.
The fowrthe, Ysayes, Clepid schal be;
The fyfthe Ionaanz, as ȝe mown se,
that schal ben A knyht good & hardy,
and holy chirche vp to beren stedfastly.
the Sixthe, lawnceloz, Inamed ful ryht,
A worthy man, & Mochel Of Myht,
And therto I-Crowned schal he be
In Erthe and In hevene ful Sekerle;
For In hym herberwed bothe there is
bothe pyte & Charite with-Owten Mys.
the seventhe, Bavs, scholen we Clepe;
& of him schal Comen with-Owten lette
The Eyhtthe, [that] schal ben lawncelot In Certayne,
whiche that suffren schal both travaylle and payne
More thanne Ony toforn hym han I-do,
Owther Aftyr hym Scholen Comen Also.
This the kynde Of An hownd schal have,
Tyl at his laste Ende to Maken him save.
Of hym Schal the Nynthe thanne Come,
that is likned to a flood al & some,
that Trowbled As A kanel schal be,
and thikke atte Begynneng, I telle it the;
but In the Midwardis It schal be More Cler
than to-forn it is In alle Manere;
And in the Ende, and thow wilt knowe,
A hundred fold dowble, vppon a Rowe,
More fairere, More Cleer, & More swete,
thanne In Ony place to-forn, I the behete;
and so swete to drynken It is Also,
that wondir it is to wetene withowten Mo;
So that A Man thynketh ful trewele
that fulfild Of þe swetnesse may he not be.
and In that flood schal I bathen Me
From top to the too ful Sekerle;
and this same Man schal ben A kyng,
And his Name Galath In vndirstondyng.
For he schal passen Of Bownte
Alle that Evere to-forn hym han be,
Oþer alle that Evere scholen hym sewe,
he schal hem passen: hold me for trewe.
this Man schal Enden alle Aventure
In that lond, I the here Ensure,
and Aftir my wil he schal it do,
thus I the telle with-Owten Mo.”
that is likned to a flood al & some,
that Trowbled As A kanel schal be,
and thikke atte Begynneng, I telle it the;
but In the Midwardis It schal be More Cler
than to-forn it is In alle Manere;
And in the Ende, and thow wilt knowe,
A hundred fold dowble, vppon a Rowe,
More fairere, More Cleer, & More swete,
thanne In Ony place to-forn, I the behete;
92
that wondir it is to wetene withowten Mo;
So that A Man thynketh ful trewele
that fulfild Of þe swetnesse may he not be.
and In that flood schal I bathen Me
From top to the too ful Sekerle;
and this same Man schal ben A kyng,
And his Name Galath In vndirstondyng.
For he schal passen Of Bownte
Alle that Evere to-forn hym han be,
Oþer alle that Evere scholen hym sewe,
he schal hem passen: hold me for trewe.
this Man schal Enden alle Aventure
In that lond, I the here Ensure,
and Aftir my wil he schal it do,
thus I the telle with-Owten Mo.”
Al this was wreten In thike lyveret,
the wheche In Nasciens hond was set.
and whanne he hadde loked Everydel,
From Ende to Ende as Cowde ful wel,
and beheld the Ende Of his lyne,
and whiche that to hym scholde propyne
Aftyr the Schewyng Of this good Man,
he hit beholdeth lik as he Can;
And that Galaaz it scholde be,
Ful Of Meknesse and of bownte,
Of knyhthod & of Chevalrye,
Of Conqwest and Of Victorye;
“and this Man the Ende of thy lyne schal be,
as I the telle ful Certeynle.”
the wheche In Nasciens hond was set.
and whanne he hadde loked Everydel,
From Ende to Ende as Cowde ful wel,
and beheld the Ende Of his lyne,
and whiche that to hym scholde propyne
Aftyr the Schewyng Of this good Man,
he hit beholdeth lik as he Can;
And that Galaaz it scholde be,
Ful Of Meknesse and of bownte,
Of knyhthod & of Chevalrye,
Of Conqwest and Of Victorye;
“and this Man the Ende of thy lyne schal be,
as I the telle ful Certeynle.”
thanne for Ioye Gan he to wepe,
whanne he was Awaked Of his slepe,
and thankyd God with good Creawnce,
For schewyng to hym of þat demonstraunce;
For gret Ioye he hadde to be-holde
the wryt In his hond ful Manyfolde;
and there it to be-holde was his Entent,
whiles the day with hym was present,
Fore Of Alle day he ne Myhte hym Restreyne
but that writ to beholden In certeyne;
For gladdere he was Of that Syhte
Thanne Alle the world to han had In his Myhte,
Of that Ilke same prophesye
whiche that hym was schewed sekerlye;
For he wiste wel with-Owten dowte
that it scholde be trewe Al Abowte,
lyk as he Fond in that Rolette,
whiche that In his hond was sette.
whanne he was Awaked Of his slepe,
and thankyd God with good Creawnce,
For schewyng to hym of þat demonstraunce;
For gret Ioye he hadde to be-holde
the wryt In his hond ful Manyfolde;
93
whiles the day with hym was present,
Fore Of Alle day he ne Myhte hym Restreyne
but that writ to beholden In certeyne;
For gladdere he was Of that Syhte
Thanne Alle the world to han had In his Myhte,
Of that Ilke same prophesye
whiche that hym was schewed sekerlye;
For he wiste wel with-Owten dowte
that it scholde be trewe Al Abowte,
lyk as he Fond in that Rolette,
whiche that In his hond was sette.
And whanne so longe he hadde loked there On,
Tyl that the day was Al A-gon,
that he Cowde knowen non lettrwre,
So dirk it was, I the Ensure;
and whanne that lettrure Cowde he knowen non,
Into his Bosom he it putte Anon,
And Aȝens his brest he gan it to leye
with Al His Mynde ful Enterelye;
And as Faste he gan that writ to hym folde,
as the Child of the Modir doth to þe pappes holde
bothe for pyte and Ek for love,
thus dyde he for the good lord above.
Thanne gan he his preyeris forto seye,
and ek his Orysouns ful devoutlye,
‘that god of his Mercy & pyte
In his Servise Meynteyned to be,
as the fadir wil kepen the sone,
So me, good lord, bringe to thy wone.’
Tyl that the day was Al A-gon,
that he Cowde knowen non lettrwre,
So dirk it was, I the Ensure;
and whanne that lettrure Cowde he knowen non,
Into his Bosom he it putte Anon,
And Aȝens his brest he gan it to leye
with Al His Mynde ful Enterelye;
And as Faste he gan that writ to hym folde,
as the Child of the Modir doth to þe pappes holde
bothe for pyte and Ek for love,
thus dyde he for the good lord above.
Thanne gan he his preyeris forto seye,
and ek his Orysouns ful devoutlye,
‘that god of his Mercy & pyte
In his Servise Meynteyned to be,
as the fadir wil kepen the sone,
So me, good lord, bringe to thy wone.’
And whanne he hadde mad his preyere,
To the Schippes bord gan he go there;
and al that leve longe Nyht
Into the Se he loked forth Ryht,
where that he fyl In a gret thowht,
whiche from hym ne myhte askapen nowht,
be Encheson þat the Eyhtthe of his lyne there
Scholde ben Chonged In Swich Manere,
As to the forme Of An hownd
whiche that goth vppon the grownd,
and the tothere the forme Of A lyown,
“this is to Me Ryht A Wondir Avyciown.”
and ȝit gan he to thynken More
why the nynthe to A lyown was not likned thore,
but to A flood that In begynneng was
Trowble and thikke In Every plas,
and In the Endyng bothe Cler & swete,
For to Every mannys drynkeng it was Mete.
To the Schippes bord gan he go there;
and al that leve longe Nyht
Into the Se he loked forth Ryht,
where that he fyl In a gret thowht,
whiche from hym ne myhte askapen nowht,
94
Scholde ben Chonged In Swich Manere,
As to the forme Of An hownd
whiche that goth vppon the grownd,
and the tothere the forme Of A lyown,
“this is to Me Ryht A Wondir Avyciown.”
and ȝit gan he to thynken More
why the nynthe to A lyown was not likned thore,
but to A flood that In begynneng was
Trowble and thikke In Every plas,
and In the Endyng bothe Cler & swete,
For to Every mannys drynkeng it was Mete.
vppon the wheche ful sore he thowhte,
and Into gret pe[n]sifnesse þere it hym browhte,
that Of al Nyht non Sleepe he ne slepte,
but Evere his writ ful wel he kepte;
and Al Nyht he lokede Into the se
vppon the Schippes bord ful Certeinle.
and Into gret pe[n]sifnesse þere it hym browhte,
that Of al Nyht non Sleepe he ne slepte,
but Evere his writ ful wel he kepte;
and Al Nyht he lokede Into the se
vppon the Schippes bord ful Certeinle.
thanne whanne he say the day to Sprynge,
To hym it was a Ioyful tydynge;
Thanne vp his hondis he gan to holde,
and thankid his lord ful Manyfolde,
and preide to god, In his Manere,
‘Of Certeyn thinges hym wisse & lere,
whiche that his herte desireth gretly
It forto knowen more Openly,
why that On Of his lyne scholde be
likned to An hownd,’ “this Merveilleth me,
and A nothir to a flood
whiche atte begynneng is trowble, I vndirstood,
and In the Endyng so swete it is
and so Merveillous, with-Owten Mis:
þerfore at Ese schal I neuere be
tyl that here-Offen I knowe þe Certeynte.”
To hym it was a Ioyful tydynge;
Thanne vp his hondis he gan to holde,
and thankid his lord ful Manyfolde,
and preide to god, In his Manere,
‘Of Certeyn thinges hym wisse & lere,
whiche that his herte desireth gretly
It forto knowen more Openly,
why that On Of his lyne scholde be
likned to An hownd,’ “this Merveilleth me,
and A nothir to a flood
whiche atte begynneng is trowble, I vndirstood,
and In the Endyng so swete it is
and so Merveillous, with-Owten Mis:
þerfore at Ese schal I neuere be
tyl that here-Offen I knowe þe Certeynte.”
Whanne thus his preyere he hadde I-do,
Aȝen the wryt he took him vnto,
and there-Onne faste he loked Anon
that Alle his lust was Awey gon;
For nethir to drinken ne to Ete
hadde he non lust, wel ȝe wete;
but Evere to loken vppon his wryt,
that was þe moste thing Of his delyt.
Aȝen the wryt he took him vnto,
95
that Alle his lust was Awey gon;
For nethir to drinken ne to Ete
hadde he non lust, wel ȝe wete;
but Evere to loken vppon his wryt,
that was þe moste thing Of his delyt.
and whanne it drowh to-ward the Noon,
Est Into the Se he lokede Anon,
and say A schipe Come seyleng faste
Towardis hym In ful gret haste;
and Atte laste it Aproched so Ny,
tyl bord On bord they weren sekerly.
and thanne ful faste beheld he there
Both vp & down In his Manere,
and non lyves body there-Inne he say;
but Euer he supposede as he lay,
that with-Owten Man ne was it nowht
that thike schipe there to hym browht;
so that his Owne schipe forsook he Anon,
and Into the tothir he gan forto gon,
and loked Abowtes In Every Corner
ȝif Ony man he [myht] fynden there.
Est Into the Se he lokede Anon,
and say A schipe Come seyleng faste
Towardis hym In ful gret haste;
and Atte laste it Aproched so Ny,
tyl bord On bord they weren sekerly.
and thanne ful faste beheld he there
Both vp & down In his Manere,
and non lyves body there-Inne he say;
but Euer he supposede as he lay,
that with-Owten Man ne was it nowht
that thike schipe there to hym browht;
so that his Owne schipe forsook he Anon,
and Into the tothir he gan forto gon,
and loked Abowtes In Every Corner
ȝif Ony man he [myht] fynden there.
And Atte laste A man there he fond,
as this storye doth ȝow forto vndirstond,
whiche was Ryht An Old Man,
that Governour Of thike schip was than;
whiche Man lay there In Restyng
In manere As thowgh he were In Slepyng.
and whanne that Nasciens to hym gan gon,
Vpe he Caste his Eyen there anon;
“What sekest thou, quod this good man, here?”
“A, sire, I wolde witen ȝif that On slepe ȝe were.”
“What is that to the?” quod this good Man,
“Wheþer I slepe Or wake,” quod he to Nasciens than;
“For this is not the ferste Owr
That thou hast don Me moche more langour;
but this schal I now forȝeven it the;
be war Eftsones thow greve not Me.”
as this storye doth ȝow forto vndirstond,
whiche was Ryht An Old Man,
that Governour Of thike schip was than;
whiche Man lay there In Restyng
In manere As thowgh he were In Slepyng.
and whanne that Nasciens to hym gan gon,
Vpe he Caste his Eyen there anon;
“What sekest thou, quod this good man, here?”
“A, sire, I wolde witen ȝif that On slepe ȝe were.”
“What is that to the?” quod this good Man,
“Wheþer I slepe Or wake,” quod he to Nasciens than;
“For this is not the ferste Owr
That thou hast don Me moche more langour;
96
be war Eftsones thow greve not Me.”
“A, swete sire, Anon quod Nasciens tho,
In what place haue I owht ȝow misdo?
Siker, and I it wiste In Ony degre,
gret Amendis wolde I Maken the;
after myn symple powere Certein,
ȝow, sire, Agreen I wolde ful pleyn.”
“Wel, quod this good man that was present,
Of thy good wille I holde in Contempt.”
thanne this good man Refreyned hym tho,
‘whens he was, & whedir he wolde go?’
And Nasciens hym tolde al the veryte
Of his trowble and his Adversite.
And whanne Nasciens hadde told hym Al this,
thanne Axede he Of hym with-Owten Mys,
‘Of what Contre that he was.’
In what place haue I owht ȝow misdo?
Siker, and I it wiste In Ony degre,
gret Amendis wolde I Maken the;
after myn symple powere Certein,
ȝow, sire, Agreen I wolde ful pleyn.”
“Wel, quod this good man that was present,
Of thy good wille I holde in Contempt.”
thanne this good man Refreyned hym tho,
‘whens he was, & whedir he wolde go?’
And Nasciens hym tolde al the veryte
Of his trowble and his Adversite.
And whanne Nasciens hadde told hym Al this,
thanne Axede he Of hym with-Owten Mys,
‘Of what Contre that he was.’
the goodman him answered In that plas,
“I am Of swich a Contre
that thou neuere Inne Come sekerle,
ne Neuere ne schalt in non Manere
whiles that thou lyvest here.
but of the writ þat thow hast in honde,
loke that thou wel vndirstonde.”
“that schal I, quod Nasciens, with good wille,
For þat myn herte wel mochel falleth vntylle;
For whiles that I there-Onne don thinke
I ne have non lust neþer to Eten ne drynke.
but Of ij thinges fayn wold I knowe
(ȝif I Myhte with-Inne A throwe,)
whiche Myn herte myhte gretly Ese,
And I wiste ȝow Not to mysplese;”
and tolde the goodman Every del,
lik as vppon his herte it lay ful wel.
“I am Of swich a Contre
that thou neuere Inne Come sekerle,
ne Neuere ne schalt in non Manere
whiles that thou lyvest here.
but of the writ þat thow hast in honde,
loke that thou wel vndirstonde.”
“that schal I, quod Nasciens, with good wille,
For þat myn herte wel mochel falleth vntylle;
For whiles that I there-Onne don thinke
I ne have non lust neþer to Eten ne drynke.
but Of ij thinges fayn wold I knowe
(ȝif I Myhte with-Inne A throwe,)
whiche Myn herte myhte gretly Ese,
And I wiste ȝow Not to mysplese;”
and tolde the goodman Every del,
lik as vppon his herte it lay ful wel.
Anon this good man beheld him tho,
and seide, “sire Nasciens, what thenkest þou do
For to knowen thy lordis prevyte,
which In non wyse ne scholde be.
For he is a gret fool with-Owten les,
that desireth to knowen his lordis secres
More thanne he Owhte forto do:
be war, sire Nasciens, do þou not so.”
“Now trewely, Sire, quod Nasciens Ageyn,
ȝe sein ful soth, Sire, In Certein.”
“For this Cause syre Nasciens, I telle it the,
that the wysere Evere scholdest thou be,
and Also no More to ben so vnkonneng
Of thy lordis secrees to han knoweng;
Sethen that god Of his gret pete,
Of his specyal grace and debonewryte,
Hath the schewed be demonstraunce
Of alle the lynes Every chawnche,
how they scholen happe, and what to be;
and ȝit me thinketh it pleseth not the,
but Evere desirest from day to day
hit forto knowen More verray,
whiche that Non thing Oweth to the,
Sethen that thou art Erthly & Mortalite.
Wherfore it May Neuere schewed be
To non dedly Man In non Manere degre,
but ȝif it be Only be Revelaciown
thorwgh the holigost In publicaciowun.
and seide, “sire Nasciens, what thenkest þou do
97
which In non wyse ne scholde be.
For he is a gret fool with-Owten les,
that desireth to knowen his lordis secres
More thanne he Owhte forto do:
be war, sire Nasciens, do þou not so.”
“Now trewely, Sire, quod Nasciens Ageyn,
ȝe sein ful soth, Sire, In Certein.”
“For this Cause syre Nasciens, I telle it the,
that the wysere Evere scholdest thou be,
and Also no More to ben so vnkonneng
Of thy lordis secrees to han knoweng;
Sethen that god Of his gret pete,
Of his specyal grace and debonewryte,
Hath the schewed be demonstraunce
Of alle the lynes Every chawnche,
how they scholen happe, and what to be;
and ȝit me thinketh it pleseth not the,
but Evere desirest from day to day
hit forto knowen More verray,
whiche that Non thing Oweth to the,
Sethen that thou art Erthly & Mortalite.
Wherfore it May Neuere schewed be
To non dedly Man In non Manere degre,
but ȝif it be Only be Revelaciown
thorwgh the holigost In publicaciowun.
“Behold how Owre lord In Alle Manere
Of his grete godnesse hath schewed þe here
As Mochel as Eny Creature Cowde devise!
and ȝit kanst þou not leven In Non Maner wyse,
but Evere forto Enqweren More & More.
be war lest it greve the ful sore;
For there-by Myhtest thow Ryht wel sone
Geten his haterede, And that Anone.”
Of his grete godnesse hath schewed þe here
As Mochel as Eny Creature Cowde devise!
and ȝit kanst þou not leven In Non Maner wyse,
but Evere forto Enqweren More & More.
be war lest it greve the ful sore;
For there-by Myhtest thow Ryht wel sone
Geten his haterede, And that Anone.”
Whanne Nasciens vndirstood Al this Resown,
thanne knew he wel be his Owne Enchesown
that he was A synnere ful grette,
and that Of his Synne he ne Cowde not lete;
and to the goodman Seide In this Manere,
“Now, good Sere, haueth me Excused here,
For it Nis non Merveille Of Myn Axynge
In that I am A synnere In Alle thynge;
and wot Neuere what I Axen Schal
that scholde me Availle, partye and Al;
and knoweth wel þat synneres In Al degre
knowen not what they Axen Certeynle,
Nethir Aftyr God neþer aftyr Resown;
therfore haueth me now In Excusaciown.”
thanne knew he wel be his Owne Enchesown
98
and that Of his Synne he ne Cowde not lete;
and to the goodman Seide In this Manere,
“Now, good Sere, haueth me Excused here,
For it Nis non Merveille Of Myn Axynge
In that I am A synnere In Alle thynge;
and wot Neuere what I Axen Schal
that scholde me Availle, partye and Al;
and knoweth wel þat synneres In Al degre
knowen not what they Axen Certeynle,
Nethir Aftyr God neþer aftyr Resown;
therfore haueth me now In Excusaciown.”
“Wherfore, quod the goode man thanne,
desirest thou to knowen the lyne Of Manne
that Scholen fallen Of thy degre,
thowgh likenesse Of an hownd þat it be,
and the Nynthe I-lykned to a flood,
lyk as here-to-fore thow vndirstood?”
“Sire, and I knew this, quod Nasciens tho,
thanne Al my sorwe were Clene Ago.”
“ȝe, quod this goodman to hym Ageyn,
Thanne schal I the it tellen In Certeyn.
desirest thou to knowen the lyne Of Manne
that Scholen fallen Of thy degre,
thowgh likenesse Of an hownd þat it be,
and the Nynthe I-lykned to a flood,
lyk as here-to-fore thow vndirstood?”
“Sire, and I knew this, quod Nasciens tho,
thanne Al my sorwe were Clene Ago.”
“ȝe, quod this goodman to hym Ageyn,
Thanne schal I the it tellen In Certeyn.
“Thyke that Of the lyown han Sygnefyaunce,
loke that thou take it In ful Remembrawnce—
and Ek of Owre lordis Owne Schewyng,—
that they Scholen ben good In here leveng,
And Of feyth bothe pyler and fundement,
and þerto Of Clene lyf In al here Entent.
& for Of Clene lyf that they scholen be,
The lyown they signefie In Eche degre
Be Manye Resowns, As I schal the Schewe:
herkene hem now, here vppon A rowe.
For lyk As the lyown Ouer Alle Other bestes
Is chef lord, and þerto hath alle his hestes,
and putteth hem vndir his Subiecciown,
Riht so doth the wyse Man be alle Manere Of Resown,—
he wil not In synne lyhtly falle,
thowghe þat be Entysment the devel to hym Calle,
and ȝif it happe as be Mys-Aventure
that In dedly synne he falle, I the enswre,
ȝit he hopeth Into the Otterest degre
thorwgh Celastial thinges saved forto be;
and that be the holigostes Myht
From synne to kepen hym bothe day and nyht;
And be Goddis Myht thens Owt to A-Ryse,
lyk as the lyown of Alle bestes hath the pryse:
and thus the goode Man doth hym Restreyne
Every day from Synne Certeyne
thorwgh his strengthe and thorwgh his Myht,
Of the holygost, I telle the ful Ryht.
loke that thou take it In ful Remembrawnce—
and Ek of Owre lordis Owne Schewyng,—
that they Scholen ben good In here leveng,
And Of feyth bothe pyler and fundement,
and þerto Of Clene lyf In al here Entent.
& for Of Clene lyf that they scholen be,
The lyown they signefie In Eche degre
Be Manye Resowns, As I schal the Schewe:
herkene hem now, here vppon A rowe.
For lyk As the lyown Ouer Alle Other bestes
Is chef lord, and þerto hath alle his hestes,
and putteth hem vndir his Subiecciown,
Riht so doth the wyse Man be alle Manere Of Resown,—
99
thowghe þat be Entysment the devel to hym Calle,
and ȝif it happe as be Mys-Aventure
that In dedly synne he falle, I the enswre,
ȝit he hopeth Into the Otterest degre
thorwgh Celastial thinges saved forto be;
and that be the holigostes Myht
From synne to kepen hym bothe day and nyht;
And be Goddis Myht thens Owt to A-Ryse,
lyk as the lyown of Alle bestes hath the pryse:
and thus the goode Man doth hym Restreyne
Every day from Synne Certeyne
thorwgh his strengthe and thorwgh his Myht,
Of the holygost, I telle the ful Ryht.
“The tothir that to an hownd I-lykned Is,
Signefyeth A Synnere with-Owten Mys,
that for hunger Renneth to his vyawnde,—
as I do the now forto vndirstonde,—
So doth the Synnere thorwgh temptaciowun
Of the develys quentyse and ymagynaciown,
that In synne whanne he is falle,
Evere the devel to hym doth Calle,
That he ne hath non strenkthe to Ryse
lyk as the lyown hath, In non wyse;
For, And he witte how fowl Synne were,
and how bytter In Eche Manere,
and what bytternesse that is there-Inne,
I trowe that he wolde beleven Of synne;
For thanne scholde he knowen Eche Del
The fylthnesse of Alle Synnes ful wel.
lo, thus to A flood and to A lyown
thy ligne is lykned be good Resown.
Signefyeth A Synnere with-Owten Mys,
that for hunger Renneth to his vyawnde,—
as I do the now forto vndirstonde,—
So doth the Synnere thorwgh temptaciowun
Of the develys quentyse and ymagynaciown,
that In synne whanne he is falle,
Evere the devel to hym doth Calle,
That he ne hath non strenkthe to Ryse
lyk as the lyown hath, In non wyse;
For, And he witte how fowl Synne were,
and how bytter In Eche Manere,
and what bytternesse that is there-Inne,
I trowe that he wolde beleven Of synne;
For thanne scholde he knowen Eche Del
The fylthnesse of Alle Synnes ful wel.
lo, thus to A flood and to A lyown
thy ligne is lykned be good Resown.
“And how the Nynthe is likned Certeynle
To A gret Flood,—here hast thou now se,
that In the begynneng trowble & thikke it is,
and swete In the Endeng with-Owten Mys.
To A gret Flood,—here hast thou now se,
that In the begynneng trowble & thikke it is,
and swete In the Endeng with-Owten Mys.
100
“Be enchosown that the flood trowbled schal be,
and thikke atte begynneng In Alle degre,
It is for he was begeten In Synne,
be Engendrwre, nethir More ne Mynne;
and that Mulyer not born he was,
but be lust Of lecherye In Certeine plas;
and not be holy Chirches ymagynacioun,
but Onlyche be fowl fornycaciowun,
and In Othir dedly Synne Also;
therfore his birthe In begynneng, foul it is, lo,
and trowbled As Is a thykke Revere.
and thikke atte begynneng In Alle degre,
It is for he was begeten In Synne,
be Engendrwre, nethir More ne Mynne;
and that Mulyer not born he was,
but be lust Of lecherye In Certeine plas;
and not be holy Chirches ymagynacioun,
but Onlyche be fowl fornycaciowun,
and In Othir dedly Synne Also;
therfore his birthe In begynneng, foul it is, lo,
and trowbled As Is a thykke Revere.
“but as In the Midwardis, vndirstonde þou here,
that whanne he Cam to his Middyl Age,
he wax A man bothe sad and Sage,
and ful Of prowesse and Chevalrye,
Therto Myhty man, Strong and hardye.
That is ȝit now More for to seyn:
Of Chevalrye he schal passen Alle his fadris pleyn,
bothe of Erthly prowesse,
Of bownte, and Of alle godnesse.
For a virgyne Evere schal he be
alle dayes Of his lyve Certeinle;
And the Ende Of him More Merveillous schal be
thanne Of Ony Oþer Man Certeynle;
For Of Condiscions he schal han non pere
Of non Erthly Man lyvenge here.
For he A More gracious Man schal ben
thanne Evere was Ony Of his stren.
Now have I told the Al the hole decent
Of Alle thy lyne, Sire, verament.”
that whanne he Cam to his Middyl Age,
he wax A man bothe sad and Sage,
and ful Of prowesse and Chevalrye,
Therto Myhty man, Strong and hardye.
That is ȝit now More for to seyn:
Of Chevalrye he schal passen Alle his fadris pleyn,
bothe of Erthly prowesse,
Of bownte, and Of alle godnesse.
For a virgyne Evere schal he be
alle dayes Of his lyve Certeinle;
And the Ende Of him More Merveillous schal be
thanne Of Ony Oþer Man Certeynle;
For Of Condiscions he schal han non pere
Of non Erthly Man lyvenge here.
For he A More gracious Man schal ben
thanne Evere was Ony Of his stren.
Now have I told the Al the hole decent
Of Alle thy lyne, Sire, verament.”
And whanne these wordes he hadde I-told,
Nasciens faste gon to be-hold,
And he ne wyste In non degre
where this Man becam Certeynle.
And whanne Nasciens sawgh al this,
thanne thanked he þe kyng Of blys,
and wiste wel þat it was goddis Ordinaunce
that him sente Swich manere of chaunce,
and þat he hadde verray knowenge
Of that he was to fore In stodyenge.
Nasciens faste gon to be-hold,
And he ne wyste In non degre
where this Man becam Certeynle.
And whanne Nasciens sawgh al this,
thanne thanked he þe kyng Of blys,
101
that him sente Swich manere of chaunce,
and þat he hadde verray knowenge
Of that he was to fore In stodyenge.
Now scholen we tornen here Owre storye,
and to Flegentyn, Nasciens wyf, scholen we hye.
and to Flegentyn, Nasciens wyf, scholen we hye.
| CHAPTER XXXIX. OF NASCIENS'S FURTHER ADVENTURES, AND HIS GENEALOGY. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |