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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| XLII. | CHAPTER XLII. NASCIENS, AND THE SINNERS OF JOSEPH'S COMPANY, LAND IN BRITAIN, MEET JOSEPH, AND THEN CELIDOYNE. |
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 | CHAPTER XLII. NASCIENS, AND THE SINNERS OF JOSEPH'S COMPANY, LAND IN BRITAIN, MEET JOSEPH, AND THEN CELIDOYNE. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER XLII. NASCIENS, AND THE SINNERS OF JOSEPH'S COMPANY, LAND IN BRITAIN, MEET JOSEPH, AND THEN CELIDOYNE.
117
Now this storye telleth here
Of the Godman and Nasciens In fere,
how that Nasciens þis writ gan beholde,
and there-Onne loked ful Many folde;
and how this goodman was thanne Ago
From Nasciens, and how he ne wiste tho.
Of the Godman and Nasciens In fere,
how that Nasciens þis writ gan beholde,
and there-Onne loked ful Many folde;
and how this goodman was thanne Ago
From Nasciens, and how he ne wiste tho.
Nasciens, that was bothe Ioyful and glad,
On his writ faste loked that he had;
and to that Schippes bord he Cam Anon,
and Into his Owne Schipe he gan to gon,
where As was the Bed so Riche,
and the swerd þat In þe world ne was non swiche,
And no man Abowtes hym nowher he say,
but Only that Richesse that to-forn hym lay;
wherethorwh In his herte he gan to glade
Of the Goode wordis that þe good man seid hade;
and thanne Abowtes hym he lokede tho,
and Sawh non wyht Comeng to ne fro,
Ne nethir man ne womman that he myhte to speke.
Thanne Aȝen to his wryt he gan to Reke
Tyl that the Nyht it Cam hym vppon;
thanne down to sleepe he leyd hym Anon.
On his writ faste loked that he had;
and to that Schippes bord he Cam Anon,
and Into his Owne Schipe he gan to gon,
where As was the Bed so Riche,
and the swerd þat In þe world ne was non swiche,
And no man Abowtes hym nowher he say,
but Only that Richesse that to-forn hym lay;
wherethorwh In his herte he gan to glade
Of the Goode wordis that þe good man seid hade;
and thanne Abowtes hym he lokede tho,
and Sawh non wyht Comeng to ne fro,
Ne nethir man ne womman that he myhte to speke.
Thanne Aȝen to his wryt he gan to Reke
Tyl that the Nyht it Cam hym vppon;
thanne down to sleepe he leyd hym Anon.
thanne hym thowhte As long as he In slepe lay
That this goodman Aȝen to hym Cam In Fay,
and took that writ Owt Of his hond,—
thus gan he tho forto vndirstond,—
and seide to him thus In Certeyn,
“this writ gettest thou Neuere ageyn:
tyl that Owt of this world schalt þou go,
this writ Aȝen Cometh the neuere vnto;
and Owt Of this schipe gost þou not In non degre
Tyl the day of the Resurectioun ful sekerle,
and thanne schalt þou A-Ryven Anon
Into þe lond there as Is Celidoyne thy son;
and with þe A-Ryven scholen Also
the Synneris that with Iosephes ne myghten not go.”
Al this Sawgh Nasciens In his slepinge,
where-Offen he hadde gret Merveillynge.
That this goodman Aȝen to hym Cam In Fay,
and took that writ Owt Of his hond,—
thus gan he tho forto vndirstond,—
and seide to him thus In Certeyn,
“this writ gettest thou Neuere ageyn:
tyl that Owt of this world schalt þou go,
this writ Aȝen Cometh the neuere vnto;
and Owt Of this schipe gost þou not In non degre
Tyl the day of the Resurectioun ful sekerle,
and thanne schalt þou A-Ryven Anon
Into þe lond there as Is Celidoyne thy son;
and with þe A-Ryven scholen Also
the Synneris that with Iosephes ne myghten not go.”
118
where-Offen he hadde gret Merveillynge.
Vppon the Morwen whanne it was day lyht,
vp Ros thanne this Nasciens Anon Riht,
and bethowghte hym Of his Aviciown
That he hadde seyn, bothe Alle and som.
Thanne aftir his wryt loked he there,
and he it Cowde fynde In non Manere;
and ȝit loked he bothe vpe and down
Al Abowtes that Schipe In vyrown.
& whanne he Cowde fynden In non wyse,
thanne gan his herte ful sore to Agryse;
thanne woste he wel that thike good Man
thike wryt from hym hadde taken than,
where-Offen Abasched ful sore he was
that his wryt was so gon In that plas;
but he hopede that it was be goddis Ordenaunce,
wherfore he was the lasse In dowtaunce,
So that he Comforted hym the More
thorwgh the Avyciown that he hadde thore.
vp Ros thanne this Nasciens Anon Riht,
and bethowghte hym Of his Aviciown
That he hadde seyn, bothe Alle and som.
Thanne aftir his wryt loked he there,
and he it Cowde fynde In non Manere;
and ȝit loked he bothe vpe and down
Al Abowtes that Schipe In vyrown.
& whanne he Cowde fynden In non wyse,
thanne gan his herte ful sore to Agryse;
thanne woste he wel that thike good Man
thike wryt from hym hadde taken than,
where-Offen Abasched ful sore he was
that his wryt was so gon In that plas;
but he hopede that it was be goddis Ordenaunce,
wherfore he was the lasse In dowtaunce,
So that he Comforted hym the More
thorwgh the Avyciown that he hadde thore.
It behapped hym so the same day
That In the see a schipe he say,
(and Cam from Cordres that Cyte,)
where-Inne was a gret Compene,
An Amyrawnt, and with hym bothe princes & knyhtes
and many Oþer peple Redy to fyhtes;
& Into Grece ward they were,
vppon kyng Salarnande to werren there.
and whanne sire Nasciens thei gonne to se,
thanne Merveilled Alle this Compene,
and, for aftir hem he was formably,
with hem In here schipe they wolden han had trewly;
but Nasciens Nolde In non degre
Comen in here Compeyne.
That In the see a schipe he say,
(and Cam from Cordres that Cyte,)
where-Inne was a gret Compene,
An Amyrawnt, and with hym bothe princes & knyhtes
and many Oþer peple Redy to fyhtes;
& Into Grece ward they were,
vppon kyng Salarnande to werren there.
and whanne sire Nasciens thei gonne to se,
thanne Merveilled Alle this Compene,
and, for aftir hem he was formably,
with hem In here schipe they wolden han had trewly;
but Nasciens Nolde In non degre
Comen in here Compeyne.
And whanne they syen he Wolde not so,
they seiden he was a fool with-Owten Mo,
and that they sien neuere so Nise A man
as þis veray fool Nasciens was than;
So that to hym þanne for Routhe & pyte
Of here vyandes thanne ȝoven hee;
and so from hym thanne gonne they gon,
and Of hym spoken Many On,
that they Syen nevere to fore
A man In a schipe Alone to gon Ore.
they seiden he was a fool with-Owten Mo,
119
as þis veray fool Nasciens was than;
So that to hym þanne for Routhe & pyte
Of here vyandes thanne ȝoven hee;
and so from hym thanne gonne they gon,
and Of hym spoken Many On,
that they Syen nevere to fore
A man In a schipe Alone to gon Ore.
And Nasciens that In the se was Abrod,
Vpp and down labowred as wolde þe goode lord;
Now wente forward here A whille,
and now Wente bakwardis Many A myle,
and Into Manye A dyvers Contre
that schipe A-Ryved ful Sekerle;
and Often Arest wit Miscreans,
but Euere god delyuered him be chauns.
and atte laste the schipe took In to þe see,
Estward Into A port thanne wente he;
and Abowtes high Midnyht
he fyl On slepe Anon Ryht;
and his schipe to lond it wente,
And ȝit wook he not veramente.
Vpp and down labowred as wolde þe goode lord;
Now wente forward here A whille,
and now Wente bakwardis Many A myle,
and Into Manye A dyvers Contre
that schipe A-Ryved ful Sekerle;
and Often Arest wit Miscreans,
but Euere god delyuered him be chauns.
and atte laste the schipe took In to þe see,
Estward Into A port thanne wente he;
and Abowtes high Midnyht
he fyl On slepe Anon Ryht;
and his schipe to lond it wente,
And ȝit wook he not veramente.
But now declareth this storye
at what yl be A-Ryved Sekerlye—
at the devyseng Of Seynt Graal
whiche that this Storye declareth Al,—
It telleth that he Aryved Evene ryht þere
In the same place as Iosephes felischepe were,
where as they Abyden wel longe
that for synne þe wolde not hem fonge.
at what yl be A-Ryved Sekerlye—
at the devyseng Of Seynt Graal
whiche that this Storye declareth Al,—
It telleth that he Aryved Evene ryht þere
In the same place as Iosephes felischepe were,
where as they Abyden wel longe
that for synne þe wolde not hem fonge.
And whanne the Schipe to the lond was gon,
To hem A voys there Cam Anon,
“Into this Schipe Entrith Alle ȝe,
and Ouer the Se Cowndyed scholen ȝe be
Into the lond that is to ȝow behote,
there-Inne to Gryffen Many A Rote.
for, be war þat ȝe don non More Synne
From this day forward but þat ȝe blynne.
and ȝif ȝe don In Ony degre,
bothe body & sowle distroyed ȝe be.”
To hem A voys there Cam Anon,
“Into this Schipe Entrith Alle ȝe,
and Ouer the Se Cowndyed scholen ȝe be
Into the lond that is to ȝow behote,
there-Inne to Gryffen Many A Rote.
120
From this day forward but þat ȝe blynne.
and ȝif ȝe don In Ony degre,
bothe body & sowle distroyed ȝe be.”
And whanne they herde that þe vois thus spak tho,
anon they answereden with-Owten Mo,
“lord, thyn Owne Men Alle we be
From this day forward now Sekerle,
In Swich a Manere as be non weye
thy Comandement not breken feithfullye.”
anon they answereden with-Owten Mo,
“lord, thyn Owne Men Alle we be
From this day forward now Sekerle,
In Swich a Manere as be non weye
thy Comandement not breken feithfullye.”
and ȝit A bonet In þe schip there was
that was not set On In that plas;
and whanne the bonet was Onne I-don,
thanne God sente hem wynd Ryht Anon,
So that with-Inne A schort while
they Cowden Nethir Sen lond ne yle,
So fer they weren in the Se.
thanne betoken they hem Alle to þe Trenyte,
and preyden god for his gret Mercye
“that to theke Contre he wolde don hem Aplye
where that Iosephes and Owre felawes be;
Now gracious lord, for thy grete pyte.”
that was not set On In that plas;
and whanne the bonet was Onne I-don,
thanne God sente hem wynd Ryht Anon,
So that with-Inne A schort while
they Cowden Nethir Sen lond ne yle,
So fer they weren in the Se.
thanne betoken they hem Alle to þe Trenyte,
and preyden god for his gret Mercye
“that to theke Contre he wolde don hem Aplye
where that Iosephes and Owre felawes be;
Now gracious lord, for thy grete pyte.”
And whiles thus they weren In here prey[er]e
Into A partye Of the Schipe loked they there,
and Syen Nasciens where that he lay,
that hadde not waked Of Al that day
For non noyse that they Alle Made,
Where-Offen Merveille alle they bade.
and whanne they gonnen hym thus Aspye,
Abowtes hym faste they Ronne Sekerlye,
& thus they spoken Amonges hem Echon,
“whethir schole we Awaken hym Other non.”
thanne Answerid Anon somme ageyn,
“Awake we him now here In Certein.”
Anon On leyde his hond vppon Nasciens his hed,
and there Awook hym In that sted.
& Anon whanne he Awaked was,
he blessid hym Often In that plas,
And Merveilled Mochel In his thowht
how that Meyne to hym was browht;
For whanne to Slepe he leyde hym þat Nyht,
with-Innen his Schipe ne was non wyht.
Into A partye Of the Schipe loked they there,
and Syen Nasciens where that he lay,
that hadde not waked Of Al that day
For non noyse that they Alle Made,
Where-Offen Merveille alle they bade.
and whanne they gonnen hym thus Aspye,
Abowtes hym faste they Ronne Sekerlye,
& thus they spoken Amonges hem Echon,
“whethir schole we Awaken hym Other non.”
thanne Answerid Anon somme ageyn,
“Awake we him now here In Certein.”
Anon On leyde his hond vppon Nasciens his hed,
and there Awook hym In that sted.
121
he blessid hym Often In that plas,
And Merveilled Mochel In his thowht
how that Meyne to hym was browht;
For whanne to Slepe he leyde hym þat Nyht,
with-Innen his Schipe ne was non wyht.
thanne vp Anon he gan hym to dresse,
Amonges hem alle In Sothfastnesse,
As A Man that was ful sore Afrayed,
and Of his wittes thanne Alle dismayed,
and hem grette there Everychon.
thanne After, he Axede Of hem Anon
‘Whens that they Comen In to that plas,
For with-Inne schort while non with him Nas.’
Thanne answerid they hym Anon Ageyn,
‘that somme Of Ierusalem weren Certeyn,
And somme Of galile & Of Other plase;
Swich was þe Compenye þat there wase;
and from here londis thus ben they go,
and from here Richesse Clene Also,
be his Comandement that is kyng of kinges—
Wheche is Iesus Crist, lord Ouer al thynges—
For Into A lond that we scholde go
that vs he hath behoten for Evere Mo,
To vs and to Oure Eyres In fere:’
In this Maner tolden they Nasciens there.
Amonges hem alle In Sothfastnesse,
As A Man that was ful sore Afrayed,
and Of his wittes thanne Alle dismayed,
and hem grette there Everychon.
thanne After, he Axede Of hem Anon
‘Whens that they Comen In to that plas,
For with-Inne schort while non with him Nas.’
Thanne answerid they hym Anon Ageyn,
‘that somme Of Ierusalem weren Certeyn,
And somme Of galile & Of Other plase;
Swich was þe Compenye þat there wase;
and from here londis thus ben they go,
and from here Richesse Clene Also,
be his Comandement that is kyng of kinges—
Wheche is Iesus Crist, lord Ouer al thynges—
For Into A lond that we scholde go
that vs he hath behoten for Evere Mo,
To vs and to Oure Eyres In fere:’
In this Maner tolden they Nasciens there.
And whiles they talkyd of this Matere,
Sire Nasciens thanne beheld Every where,
and Amonges hem alle he sawh a knyht
that to fore tymes he knew ful riht,
as him thowhte be his semblaunce
at that tyme with-Owten varyaunce.
Sire Nasciens thanne beheld Every where,
and Amonges hem alle he sawh a knyht
that to fore tymes he knew ful riht,
as him thowhte be his semblaunce
at that tyme with-Owten varyaunce.
thanne wiste he þat it was Clamarides
that hurt was In bataylle amonges þe pres,
and Anon his boote he hadde
thorugh þe Crois þat Mordrayns In his scheld ladde,
whiche Cros In his scheld to bataille he bar
whanne with kyng Tholome fawht he thar.
that hurt was In bataylle amonges þe pres,
and Anon his boote he hadde
thorugh þe Crois þat Mordrayns In his scheld ladde,
122
whanne with kyng Tholome fawht he thar.
Thanne whanne that this Nasciens knew veraily
that it was Clamacides properly,
Non lengere Abyden thanne he ne Myhte,
but hym be his propre Name clepid Anon Ryhte,
and seide “Clamacides, Art thou not he
that Sumtyme heldist lordschepe Of Me?”
and whanne Clamacides herde On clepen hym be name,
he Merveilled thanne gretly Of that fame,
and Aspide that it was Sire Nasciens.
thanne Anon cam he to his presens,
and wiste wel it was his Owne lord,
an (sic) he his knyht be his Owne acord.
thanne to hym he Ran ful faste,
and abowten his Nekke his Armes he Caste,
and hym kyste for Ioye and pyte,
Sore wepyng that Alle men myhten it se,
and seide “Sire, what Aventure may this be
that thus In this Contre ben now ȝe,
And how to me ȝe Comen here,
Fayn wolde I weten, & what Manere.”
“And Namly ȝe, sire Clamacides,
how that ȝe Comen in this pres.”
“Certes, quod Clamacides tho,
Sethen that Iosephes Owre bischope gan forth go
and his fadyr Iosephe with his Compene,
whanne from Sarras they wente sekerle,
thanne left y al my worldly Catel
and swed him forth Everydel,
Iosephs (sic) and his Compenye,
Tyl to the Se we Comen trewlye;
and there Al this Compenye lefte for synne,
Man, Womman, and Child, bothe More & Mynne;
and told hym how þat Iosephes past Ouer the se
Clene be Myracle Certeinle;
and so leften we there behynde
Tyl God vppon vs wolde han som Mende.
and thus, god worschepid mot he be,
Into this Schipe ben Entred we;
For the Moste desire we have,
and we Of god dorsten it Crave,
to Come to Iosephes Oure bischop dere,
To his Fadyr, an to oure Compenye In fere.”
that it was Clamacides properly,
Non lengere Abyden thanne he ne Myhte,
but hym be his propre Name clepid Anon Ryhte,
and seide “Clamacides, Art thou not he
that Sumtyme heldist lordschepe Of Me?”
and whanne Clamacides herde On clepen hym be name,
he Merveilled thanne gretly Of that fame,
and Aspide that it was Sire Nasciens.
thanne Anon cam he to his presens,
and wiste wel it was his Owne lord,
an (sic) he his knyht be his Owne acord.
thanne to hym he Ran ful faste,
and abowten his Nekke his Armes he Caste,
and hym kyste for Ioye and pyte,
Sore wepyng that Alle men myhten it se,
and seide “Sire, what Aventure may this be
that thus In this Contre ben now ȝe,
And how to me ȝe Comen here,
Fayn wolde I weten, & what Manere.”
“And Namly ȝe, sire Clamacides,
how that ȝe Comen in this pres.”
“Certes, quod Clamacides tho,
Sethen that Iosephes Owre bischope gan forth go
and his fadyr Iosephe with his Compene,
whanne from Sarras they wente sekerle,
thanne left y al my worldly Catel
and swed him forth Everydel,
Iosephs (sic) and his Compenye,
Tyl to the Se we Comen trewlye;
and there Al this Compenye lefte for synne,
Man, Womman, and Child, bothe More & Mynne;
and told hym how þat Iosephes past Ouer the se
Clene be Myracle Certeinle;
123
Tyl God vppon vs wolde han som Mende.
and thus, god worschepid mot he be,
Into this Schipe ben Entred we;
For the Moste desire we have,
and we Of god dorsten it Crave,
to Come to Iosephes Oure bischop dere,
To his Fadyr, an to oure Compenye In fere.”
“telle me thanne, quod Nasciens anon,
Is ȝowre feleschepe wit Iosephes gon?”
“ȝe, forsothe, Sire, Sikerly,
And so ben we Of his Compeny;
but for Owre Synnes that we han don,
In his feleschepe Myhte we not Gon.
Now have I ȝow told Al In fere
Of Owre beenge & Of Owre Manere;
and, good Sire, that ȝe wolden vs telle
how þat ȝe sethen of Sarras gonnen Owte dwelle;
and how that ȝe han fare there ȝe han be,
Now, goode Sire, that ȝe welen tellen Me.”
Is ȝowre feleschepe wit Iosephes gon?”
“ȝe, forsothe, Sire, Sikerly,
And so ben we Of his Compeny;
but for Owre Synnes that we han don,
In his feleschepe Myhte we not Gon.
Now have I ȝow told Al In fere
Of Owre beenge & Of Owre Manere;
and, good Sire, that ȝe wolden vs telle
how þat ȝe sethen of Sarras gonnen Owte dwelle;
and how that ȝe han fare there ȝe han be,
Now, goode Sire, that ȝe welen tellen Me.”
And Nasciens to hym gan to Reporte
In to whiche diuers Contre he gan Resorte,
and More he wele whanne he hath space,
ȝif Evere to Iosephes to Comen have I grace.
In to whiche diuers Contre he gan Resorte,
and More he wele whanne he hath space,
ȝif Evere to Iosephes to Comen have I grace.
Thanne alle that Evere weren In the Schipe tho,
Gret Ioye to Nasciens thanne gonne they do,
and hym kysten Al vppon A rewe,
and Nasciens hem aȝen with-In A threwe;
thus dured that Ioye þat day & that Nyht
Tyl vppon the Morwe it was day lyht.
and On þe Morwe whanne it was lyht day
Alle gonnen thei knelen, and forto pray
“that God here Synnes wolde forȝeten Echon,
and to his Mercye hem take be On & On,
And bringe hem Into the same place
there Iosephes is, Lord, thorwgh þi grace,
And Oure Othir Feleschepe Also,
good lord, that we myhte Comen hem to.”
Gret Ioye to Nasciens thanne gonne they do,
and hym kysten Al vppon A rewe,
and Nasciens hem aȝen with-In A threwe;
thus dured that Ioye þat day & that Nyht
Tyl vppon the Morwe it was day lyht.
and On þe Morwe whanne it was lyht day
Alle gonnen thei knelen, and forto pray
“that God here Synnes wolde forȝeten Echon,
and to his Mercye hem take be On & On,
And bringe hem Into the same place
there Iosephes is, Lord, thorwgh þi grace,
124
good lord, that we myhte Comen hem to.”
And thus dwelled hee In this preyere
Tyl pryme Of the day Al In fere.
and whanne they hadden thus I-do,
they gonnen hem blessen Everichon tho
with the Signe Of the holy Crois,
they thanked Iesus with mylde voys,
and forth they gonnen to loken Anon,
And Aspyden the lond Evene thus son;
and faste be the water syde
they syen moche peple þere Abyde;
but they Nisten what they were
tyl Somwhat that they Comen Nere.
Tyl pryme Of the day Al In fere.
and whanne they hadden thus I-do,
they gonnen hem blessen Everichon tho
with the Signe Of the holy Crois,
they thanked Iesus with mylde voys,
and forth they gonnen to loken Anon,
And Aspyden the lond Evene thus son;
and faste be the water syde
they syen moche peple þere Abyde;
but they Nisten what they were
tyl Somwhat that they Comen Nere.
and whanne they syen the lond verayly,
thanne hadde they bothe Ioye and pley,
And Evere thankeden Goddis sonde
that he hem Gyede towardis the londe.
and whanne the schipe to the lond was Comen so Ny
that they Syen here felawes Openly,
thanne so gret Ioye was hem Among
that non Erthly man cowde tellen with tong;
& whanne they that On þe water side were,
knewen that here felawes weren there,
Ful lowde to hem they gonne to Crye,
and seide “welcometh” Al An hye
Al so lowde as they myhte Crye,
“Welcometh” quod Iosephes ful Sekerlye.
thanne hadde they bothe Ioye and pley,
And Evere thankeden Goddis sonde
that he hem Gyede towardis the londe.
and whanne the schipe to the lond was Comen so Ny
that they Syen here felawes Openly,
thanne so gret Ioye was hem Among
that non Erthly man cowde tellen with tong;
& whanne they that On þe water side were,
knewen that here felawes weren there,
Ful lowde to hem they gonne to Crye,
and seide “welcometh” Al An hye
Al so lowde as they myhte Crye,
“Welcometh” quod Iosephes ful Sekerlye.
Thus the Schipe there Cam to londe,
and Every man Owt gan to fonde.
thanne Eche man Oþer gan to Embrace,
and for Ioye they kysten In that place,
and wepten for Ioye and for pete
As they Alle here frendis ded hadde be.
and Every man Owt gan to fonde.
thanne Eche man Oþer gan to Embrace,
and for Ioye they kysten In that place,
and wepten for Ioye and for pete
As they Alle here frendis ded hadde be.
Anon as that Nasciens Iosephes Say,
Towardis him he took the way,
And Of hym took knowleching,
and ful Onestly Made hym gretyng.
thanne Iosephes Made hym ful gret Chere,
and was Ryht Ioyful that he was there.
thanne Iosephes Gan hym forto Refreyne
Of his fare, and Of kyng Mordreyne;
For Iosephes forȝat hym non thyng,
so mochel he hadde hem In Chersyng.
Towardis him he took the way,
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and ful Onestly Made hym gretyng.
thanne Iosephes Made hym ful gret Chere,
and was Ryht Ioyful that he was there.
thanne Iosephes Gan hym forto Refreyne
Of his fare, and Of kyng Mordreyne;
For Iosephes forȝat hym non thyng,
so mochel he hadde hem In Chersyng.
Thanne tolde hym Nasciens Al In fere
what Aventure hadde behapped hym there
Sethen the tyme ȝe from vs wente,
what hem hadde happed veramente;
and how that god for hem hadde wrowht,
& how Into diuers places that they weren brouht.
So al day vppon the brynke Abyden they there,
bothe Iosephes and Alle þat with hym were,
and thankede God there Everychon
That hem thedyr Sawfly browhte so sone.
what Aventure hadde behapped hym there
Sethen the tyme ȝe from vs wente,
what hem hadde happed veramente;
and how that god for hem hadde wrowht,
& how Into diuers places that they weren brouht.
So al day vppon the brynke Abyden they there,
bothe Iosephes and Alle þat with hym were,
and thankede God there Everychon
That hem thedyr Sawfly browhte so sone.
That day ne Eten they non vyawnde,
but Resceyved here Saviour, as I vndirstonde,
vppon the Table Of seynt Graal,
Other in oþer wyse Clepid sank Ryal.
but Resceyved here Saviour, as I vndirstonde,
vppon the Table Of seynt Graal,
Other in oþer wyse Clepid sank Ryal.
vppon the Morwe Alle Repleynsched they were
with swich vyaunde as they desired there,
and the thridde day Ek Also
what thing they wolden desiren tho.
thus fowre dayes Abyden they there
vppon the Se side In this Manere.
the Fyfthe day they gonnen to remeve,
and walkid Al day tyl that it was Eve;
& atte laste they Entreden In to A forest,
bothe Olde & ȝong, & lest & Mest:
And al day and al Nyht Meteles they were,
whiche gret diseisse dyde hem there.
with swich vyaunde as they desired there,
and the thridde day Ek Also
what thing they wolden desiren tho.
thus fowre dayes Abyden they there
vppon the Se side In this Manere.
the Fyfthe day they gonnen to remeve,
and walkid Al day tyl that it was Eve;
& atte laste they Entreden In to A forest,
bothe Olde & ȝong, & lest & Mest:
And al day and al Nyht Meteles they were,
whiche gret diseisse dyde hem there.
vppon the Morwe an Aventure befelle;
the storye wele that I it telle.
thus Al that day gonne they go
Fastyng with peyne and with wo,
tyl it was Abowtes Mydday,
An Old Womman there they say
that In An Ovene book hire bred,
and twelfe loves sche hadde In þat sted;
but In soth they weren but smale
Forto Maken there-Offen Ony tale.
and thus they that forhungred were,
thike .xij. loves they Bowhten there;
wherfore Amonges hem they streven faste,
and gret Noyse they maden Atte laste,
& acorden they myhten not In non weye
Of these .xij. loves Certeynlye;
For On hongred they weren Manyon,
And but .xij. loves amonges hem Echon,
where as weren fyve hundred persones
Of Men & wommen Alle þere At Ones;
that so gret stryf amonges hem was,
Eche Oþer wold han slayn In that plas
ȝif they ne hadde I-stilled be.
the storye wele that I it telle.
126
Fastyng with peyne and with wo,
tyl it was Abowtes Mydday,
An Old Womman there they say
that In An Ovene book hire bred,
and twelfe loves sche hadde In þat sted;
but In soth they weren but smale
Forto Maken there-Offen Ony tale.
and thus they that forhungred were,
thike .xij. loves they Bowhten there;
wherfore Amonges hem they streven faste,
and gret Noyse they maden Atte laste,
& acorden they myhten not In non weye
Of these .xij. loves Certeynlye;
For On hongred they weren Manyon,
And but .xij. loves amonges hem Echon,
where as weren fyve hundred persones
Of Men & wommen Alle þere At Ones;
that so gret stryf amonges hem was,
Eche Oþer wold han slayn In that plas
ȝif they ne hadde I-stilled be.
thanne faste to Iosephes gonne they fle,
and seiden, “Certein, with-Owten faille,
Sire, but ȝif ȝe potten þerto Consaille,
Eche man Oþer wil now sle
For A lytel bred, sire, sikerle.”
“Nay, Certes, quod Iosephes tho,
For bred is it Not, how so it go;
but it is for here Owne Synne
that þe fals Enemy hath tempted hem Inne.”
thanne seyde Iosephe to his sone Anon
‘that to þe peple he moste gon,
and stillen hem In that they Cowde Oþer Myhte;
For A lytel bred they gynnen to fyhte.’
and seiden, “Certein, with-Owten faille,
Sire, but ȝif ȝe potten þerto Consaille,
Eche man Oþer wil now sle
For A lytel bred, sire, sikerle.”
“Nay, Certes, quod Iosephes tho,
For bred is it Not, how so it go;
but it is for here Owne Synne
that þe fals Enemy hath tempted hem Inne.”
thanne seyde Iosephe to his sone Anon
‘that to þe peple he moste gon,
and stillen hem In that they Cowde Oþer Myhte;
For A lytel bred they gynnen to fyhte.’
Thanne Iosephes Cam to hem Anon,
and Maden hem to Sytten Everychon;
and so they dyden Al In fere
vppon that Grownd seten down there.
and Iosephes took these loves hym selve,
and hem Brak Anon there Allë twelve,
And Everich lof he brak On thre,
And In the holy disch thanne putte it he.
and Maden hem to Sytten Everychon;
127
vppon that Grownd seten down there.
and Iosephes took these loves hym selve,
and hem Brak Anon there Allë twelve,
And Everich lof he brak On thre,
And In the holy disch thanne putte it he.
there god thanne schewede his Miracle Anon
On þe bred þat In the holy vessel was don.
thanne was this bred aforn hem leyd
(as Iosephes hadde Comanded and seid,)
To-forn the fyve hundred persones
that on tweyne sides seten In tho wones,
halfdendel here, and halfendel there;
thus to-forn hem was it leid In this Manere.
and so mochel plente they hadden Of Mete
that Nowher Ny they myhten it Ete,
but there hem lefte so gret plente
that þeroffen they Merveilled ful sekerle;
and ȝit there leften, as hem thowhte,
More thanne þe .xij. loves that they bowhte.
On þe bred þat In the holy vessel was don.
thanne was this bred aforn hem leyd
(as Iosephes hadde Comanded and seid,)
To-forn the fyve hundred persones
that on tweyne sides seten In tho wones,
halfdendel here, and halfendel there;
thus to-forn hem was it leid In this Manere.
and so mochel plente they hadden Of Mete
that Nowher Ny they myhten it Ete,
but there hem lefte so gret plente
that þeroffen they Merveilled ful sekerle;
and ȝit there leften, as hem thowhte,
More thanne þe .xij. loves that they bowhte.
Swich Miracles god schewede there
For the Synneres that with Iosephes were,
whiche that weren In dedly synne;
lo, ȝit God Of his goodnesse ne wolde not blynne!
this Miracle In grete Breteyne was do
abowtes þe Midday with-Owten Mo;
whiche day to hem it was ful gret Ese,
For þe peple ful wel it dide thanne plese.
For the Synneres that with Iosephes were,
whiche that weren In dedly synne;
lo, ȝit God Of his goodnesse ne wolde not blynne!
this Miracle In grete Breteyne was do
abowtes þe Midday with-Owten Mo;
whiche day to hem it was ful gret Ese,
For þe peple ful wel it dide thanne plese.
And whanne they hadden Eten thus Everichon,
Iosephes gan hem for to prechen Anon,
and schewed hem the poyntes Of the gospel,
and to hem declared it bothe faire and wel;
And seyden hem that it was for Synne,
theke Errowr that they weren fallen Inne,
and Ek thorwgh the develis power,
be hos Entyseng ȝe trespaced Er.
“Me Merveylleth gretly of ȝoure werkyng
whanne Evere more ȝe hadden Alle ȝoure Askyng,
as wel as ȝoure felawes ȝowre desire,
and ȝit fillen ȝe In the develis powere;
and that myhten ȝe ful wel now se
whanne Ouer the Se ȝe Myhten not gon with me;
that Causede ȝoure felawes Everychon
Ouer the see with Me to gon,
b'enchesoun to god of here goode Servyse;
And as wikkedly diden ȝe In ȝoure gyse.”
Sweche wordis Iosephes to hem seide,
and Often Sithes to fore hem it leide;
and thus he hem tawhte wel forto do
that Aftyr his werkyng they Scholden levene so;
but ȝit hadden they a lettyng
that they ne Cowden don but litel good thing;
For In hem was wounden with Inne,
Fowr venym that Made hem to Synne.
Iosephes gan hem for to prechen Anon,
and schewed hem the poyntes Of the gospel,
and to hem declared it bothe faire and wel;
And seyden hem that it was for Synne,
theke Errowr that they weren fallen Inne,
and Ek thorwgh the develis power,
be hos Entyseng ȝe trespaced Er.
128
whanne Evere more ȝe hadden Alle ȝoure Askyng,
as wel as ȝoure felawes ȝowre desire,
and ȝit fillen ȝe In the develis powere;
and that myhten ȝe ful wel now se
whanne Ouer the Se ȝe Myhten not gon with me;
that Causede ȝoure felawes Everychon
Ouer the see with Me to gon,
b'enchesoun to god of here goode Servyse;
And as wikkedly diden ȝe In ȝoure gyse.”
Sweche wordis Iosephes to hem seide,
and Often Sithes to fore hem it leide;
and thus he hem tawhte wel forto do
that Aftyr his werkyng they Scholden levene so;
but ȝit hadden they a lettyng
that they ne Cowden don but litel good thing;
For In hem was wounden with Inne,
Fowr venym that Made hem to Synne.
That Nyht Iosephs and his Compenye,
In A wode they lyen ful Sekerlye;
And vppon the Morwe, whanne it was day,
To that holy vessel token they here way
there as was the Seynt Graal,
Owther Oþer wise it Clepid the sank Ryal.
And there Maden they Orysowns
with goode herte and high devociouns;
and whanne that thus they hadden I-do,
Thanne here weye Chosen they tho;
and thus they wenten al that tyme
tyl that it was the Owr Of pryme.
In A wode they lyen ful Sekerlye;
And vppon the Morwe, whanne it was day,
To that holy vessel token they here way
there as was the Seynt Graal,
Owther Oþer wise it Clepid the sank Ryal.
And there Maden they Orysowns
with goode herte and high devociouns;
and whanne that thus they hadden I-do,
Thanne here weye Chosen they tho;
and thus they wenten al that tyme
tyl that it was the Owr Of pryme.
thanne behelden they Anon there fast bye,
and A Castel aspiden they ful hastelye
That to the Sarazines belonged there,
as aftirward they dyden Enqwere;
whiche Castel was Cleped Galafort,
and A qweynte Cros hadden vppon the port,
where-Offen they Merveyllede Everichon
Swich A Cros there-Onne was don.
For they supposede In Alle that lond
Non swiche Signe have ben, I vndirstond;
For but paynemys they wenden it hadde be.
Thanne seyde Iosephes ful Sekerle
“Into this Castel Entren We here;
For here is a signe Of goddis powere.”
and A Castel aspiden they ful hastelye
That to the Sarazines belonged there,
as aftirward they dyden Enqwere;
whiche Castel was Cleped Galafort,
and A qweynte Cros hadden vppon the port,
129
Swich A Cros there-Onne was don.
For they supposede In Alle that lond
Non swiche Signe have ben, I vndirstond;
For but paynemys they wenden it hadde be.
Thanne seyde Iosephes ful Sekerle
“Into this Castel Entren We here;
For here is a signe Of goddis powere.”
Thanne thus forth gonne they to gon
Alle Barefoted there Everichon.
and whanne they Nerre hadden Entred the weye,
the Castel fair semede to here Eye;
and bothe it was strong and fair to Syht,
and therto A place Of ful strong Myht.
but ȝit On Neuer nethir syde
Nethir Man ne womman ne syen that tyde.
Wherfore they Merveillede wondirly sore
that non peple ne syen they thore;
thanne seiden they In here Manere
‘that for hem God hadde Ordeyned þat Castel there.’
thanne Entrede they Into that Castel Anon,
but Man ne womman Syen they Non.
Alle Barefoted there Everichon.
and whanne they Nerre hadden Entred the weye,
the Castel fair semede to here Eye;
and bothe it was strong and fair to Syht,
and therto A place Of ful strong Myht.
but ȝit On Neuer nethir syde
Nethir Man ne womman ne syen that tyde.
Wherfore they Merveillede wondirly sore
that non peple ne syen they thore;
thanne seiden they In here Manere
‘that for hem God hadde Ordeyned þat Castel there.’
thanne Entrede they Into that Castel Anon,
but Man ne womman Syen they Non.
and whanne Into the Myddis they weren gon,
they stoden stille and herkened Anon,
and hem thowghte as to here heryng
that they herden A gret Noyse Of spekyng;
Of mochel peple, Where so they were,
Gret Noyse hem thoughte they herden there.
Thanne forthere gonne they to gon;
Into a fairre halle Entrede they Anon,
where that they fownden Everydel
Alle the meyne of that Castel,
and Alle the wise Clerkis Of that Contre,
that best Sarrazines lawe Cowden hee;
And the dwk of þat plase was there present
at that grete Semble verament;
the whiche semble Ordeyned he
Alle Aȝens Celidoyne ful Sikerle;
which dwk was bothe Riche & fort,
his Name was Clepid Gaanort.
Thus he to Celidoyne he hadde behyht:
“ȝif that he Cowde, Owther preven Myht,
that Cristen lawe paste the Sarrazyn,
thanne wil I pleynly beleven In thyn,
and anon I-Cristened wil I be,
Celidoyne, for love Of the.”
they stoden stille and herkened Anon,
and hem thowghte as to here heryng
that they herden A gret Noyse Of spekyng;
Of mochel peple, Where so they were,
Gret Noyse hem thoughte they herden there.
Thanne forthere gonne they to gon;
Into a fairre halle Entrede they Anon,
where that they fownden Everydel
Alle the meyne of that Castel,
and Alle the wise Clerkis Of that Contre,
that best Sarrazines lawe Cowden hee;
And the dwk of þat plase was there present
at that grete Semble verament;
130
Alle Aȝens Celidoyne ful Sikerle;
which dwk was bothe Riche & fort,
his Name was Clepid Gaanort.
Thus he to Celidoyne he hadde behyht:
“ȝif that he Cowde, Owther preven Myht,
that Cristen lawe paste the Sarrazyn,
thanne wil I pleynly beleven In thyn,
and anon I-Cristened wil I be,
Celidoyne, for love Of the.”
this Cavsede Celidoyne to ben þere Redy
Aȝens tho Sarrazynes ful apertly.
ȝit Celidoyne In that place
to hem so spak thorwh goddis grace,
that they wisten neuere what to Answere,
Swiche qwestions he put hem there.
and Celidoyne held hem so hote thanne
that they ne wiste what to sein, non Manne.
Thanne anon be the lordis preyere
tyl On þe Morwe Celidoyne ȝaf hem day there;
and ȝif that Celidoyne Cowde not thanne preve,
he scholde ben distroyed long Er Eve,
and ȝif the Sarrazines benethe weren Ido,
they scholde ben Confownded for Evere Mo.
Aȝens tho Sarrazynes ful apertly.
ȝit Celidoyne In that place
to hem so spak thorwh goddis grace,
that they wisten neuere what to Answere,
Swiche qwestions he put hem there.
and Celidoyne held hem so hote thanne
that they ne wiste what to sein, non Manne.
Thanne anon be the lordis preyere
tyl On þe Morwe Celidoyne ȝaf hem day there;
and ȝif that Celidoyne Cowde not thanne preve,
he scholde ben distroyed long Er Eve,
and ȝif the Sarrazines benethe weren Ido,
they scholde ben Confownded for Evere Mo.
Thanne thus departed they Everichon,
and Eche man to his Ostel hom gan he gon.
thanne Abowtes hem loked They faste
On Iosephes and his Compenie In haste;
& how bare foted they wente,
and how Evel vestured þere presente;
wherfore they Merveilleden Everichon
that swich peple Amonges hem gan to gon.
and Eche man to his Ostel hom gan he gon.
thanne Abowtes hem loked They faste
On Iosephes and his Compenie In haste;
& how bare foted they wente,
and how Evel vestured þere presente;
wherfore they Merveilleden Everichon
that swich peple Amonges hem gan to gon.
Whanne Nasciens beheld Celidoyne tho,
that with the dewk gan forth to go,
thanne gret Ioye he hadde In herte,
and Anon to his sone he sterte,
and took him In his Armës two,
and Often tymes he kyste him tho,
and wepte for Ioye and for pyte
Whanne that his sone there say he.
And whanne that the Remnaunt syen this,
Eche Aftyr Othir Celydoyne gan to kys.
that with the dewk gan forth to go,
thanne gret Ioye he hadde In herte,
and Anon to his sone he sterte,
131
and Often tymes he kyste him tho,
and wepte for Ioye and for pyte
Whanne that his sone there say he.
And whanne that the Remnaunt syen this,
Eche Aftyr Othir Celydoyne gan to kys.
Thanne that beheld this Dewk Gaanort
that they to Celidoyne thus gonnen Resort,
where-Offen he Merveyllede wondir sore
what Maner Of peple that they wore.
and whanne they hadden So Ido,
Anon the Dewk Clepid Celidoyne tho,
And Axed hym what the Compenye were
That so gret Joye he Made to there.
that they to Celidoyne thus gonnen Resort,
where-Offen he Merveyllede wondir sore
what Maner Of peple that they wore.
and whanne they hadden So Ido,
Anon the Dewk Clepid Celidoyne tho,
And Axed hym what the Compenye were
That so gret Joye he Made to there.
Thanne to that Dewk Answeryd Celidoyne,
“Sire, this is my Fadyr Certeyne;”
and schewed hym to Nasciens þere Anon ryht;
“and, sire, this is the pastour Of god Almyht,
and Eke the vpholdere Of holichirche,
that Many goode wirkes doth wirche,
and Alle the tothere, holy peple ben,
the wheche gon barfot, as ȝe mowun sen.
ȝit neuertheles, Sire, I telle it the,
Riche peple they weren In here Contre,
And Al that han forsaken Only
For the love Of god Almyhty,
that as porely clothed In this world went he
as don this peple that ȝe now here se.
Now wot I wel with-Owten Dowte
That ȝoure Clergye, alle the Rowte,
Ful Clene Schal Confownded ben
Toforn ȝow, Sire, As ȝe scholen sen;
For to-forn this high persone here
they scholen not doren lyen In non Manere.”
“Sire, this is my Fadyr Certeyne;”
and schewed hym to Nasciens þere Anon ryht;
“and, sire, this is the pastour Of god Almyht,
and Eke the vpholdere Of holichirche,
that Many goode wirkes doth wirche,
and Alle the tothere, holy peple ben,
the wheche gon barfot, as ȝe mowun sen.
ȝit neuertheles, Sire, I telle it the,
Riche peple they weren In here Contre,
And Al that han forsaken Only
For the love Of god Almyhty,
that as porely clothed In this world went he
as don this peple that ȝe now here se.
Now wot I wel with-Owten Dowte
That ȝoure Clergye, alle the Rowte,
Ful Clene Schal Confownded ben
Toforn ȝow, Sire, As ȝe scholen sen;
For to-forn this high persone here
they scholen not doren lyen In non Manere.”
“Celidoyne, quod this dewk tho,
Sethen thou hen knowest so,
lede hem vp Into my paleys Anon;
and that good Chere my meyne hem don,
and that they ben Esed with the beste,
and that Richely they ben browht to Reste;
and to Morwe Atte pryme Of day
With the to the halle they Comen here way.
and Of On thing thou me Entende;
but ȝif þe maister of ȝoure lawe Can him defende,
Swich Iewyse On hym Schal I do
that it schal be spoken Of for Evere Mo.”
thanne Comaunded his seriawntes anon
the Cristene men to herberwen Echon;
and so they weren Alle ful Richely,
And therto Ifed with alle delicasy.
And thus Resceyved alle they were
For the love Of Celidoyne there,
and hadde Alle thing that they wolden have,
Owther what here hertes Cowde Crave.
Sethen thou hen knowest so,
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and that good Chere my meyne hem don,
and that they ben Esed with the beste,
and that Richely they ben browht to Reste;
and to Morwe Atte pryme Of day
With the to the halle they Comen here way.
and Of On thing thou me Entende;
but ȝif þe maister of ȝoure lawe Can him defende,
Swich Iewyse On hym Schal I do
that it schal be spoken Of for Evere Mo.”
thanne Comaunded his seriawntes anon
the Cristene men to herberwen Echon;
and so they weren Alle ful Richely,
And therto Ifed with alle delicasy.
And thus Resceyved alle they were
For the love Of Celidoyne there,
and hadde Alle thing that they wolden have,
Owther what here hertes Cowde Crave.
that Nyht Celidoyne be his fadir lay,
and thus to Celidoyne gan he say;
he Axede him In what Manere
that Into that Contre Cam he there;
and he him tolde ful Sekerly
that his vessel him thedir browhte trewly.
thanne quod Nasciens Aȝen tho
“how longe is that now Ago?”
thanne seide Celidoyne to his fadir Ageyn,
“Fowre Monthis & More, Sire, In Certein.”
“And where han ȝe dwellid sethen Algate?”
“Sire, In a forest with An Ermit boþe Erly & late,
whiche is a man Of ful holy lyf;
there he me kepte with-Owten Stryf,
and gladlich wolde heren Every day
Of the Cristene lawe what I wold say,
In dispiseng of sarrazines lawe,
whiche thing to hym was ful fawe.”
and thus Al Nyht spoken they in fere
Of Manye Aventures to-gederis there.
and thus to Celidoyne gan he say;
he Axede him In what Manere
that Into that Contre Cam he there;
and he him tolde ful Sekerly
that his vessel him thedir browhte trewly.
thanne quod Nasciens Aȝen tho
“how longe is that now Ago?”
thanne seide Celidoyne to his fadir Ageyn,
“Fowre Monthis & More, Sire, In Certein.”
“And where han ȝe dwellid sethen Algate?”
“Sire, In a forest with An Ermit boþe Erly & late,
whiche is a man Of ful holy lyf;
there he me kepte with-Owten Stryf,
and gladlich wolde heren Every day
Of the Cristene lawe what I wold say,
In dispiseng of sarrazines lawe,
whiche thing to hym was ful fawe.”
133
Of Manye Aventures to-gederis there.
Now of this Mater leveth this storye,
And to Dewk Gaanort let vs now hye.
And to Dewk Gaanort let vs now hye.
| CHAPTER XLII. NASCIENS, AND THE SINNERS OF JOSEPH'S COMPANY, LAND IN BRITAIN, MEET JOSEPH, AND THEN CELIDOYNE. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |