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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| XLIV. | CHAPTER XLIV. OF THE CONVERSION OF DUKE GAANORT AND HIS PEOPLE. |
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 | CHAPTER XLIV. OF THE CONVERSION OF DUKE GAANORT AND HIS PEOPLE. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
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CHAPTER XLIV. OF THE CONVERSION OF DUKE GAANORT AND HIS PEOPLE.
“Now, Certes,” quod this Dewk thanne,
“In Al this lond Nys þere non So wys Manne,
Non Manere Of Clerk Of phelesophye,
that thou ne scholdest hem Alle distroye;
So that In gret Ioye thou hast me put Inne,
whiche from myn herte ne schal neuere twynne.
and now I haue so fulleche knoweng
So that I desire neuere non Othir thing.”
“In Al this lond Nys þere non So wys Manne,
Non Manere Of Clerk Of phelesophye,
that thou ne scholdest hem Alle distroye;
So that In gret Ioye thou hast me put Inne,
whiche from myn herte ne schal neuere twynne.
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So that I desire neuere non Othir thing.”
thanne torned he toward his Clerkis Anon,
and thus to hem seide Everichon,
“wyle ȝe not seyn that this virgine Marye
whiche that Conceyved so prevylye,
and bar Iesus Crist that holy prophete,
That bothe virgyne and Mayden is ȝete;
Is sche not Mayden bothe After and to-fore,
As this goode Man vs techeth In lore?”
and thus to hem seide Everichon,
“wyle ȝe not seyn that this virgine Marye
whiche that Conceyved so prevylye,
and bar Iesus Crist that holy prophete,
That bothe virgyne and Mayden is ȝete;
Is sche not Mayden bothe After and to-fore,
As this goode Man vs techeth In lore?”
“Sire, quothen they Alle Everichon,
there Aȝens ne seyn we not On.
For Apertly It was Schewed to ȝow
As he toforn vs telleth here now;
wherefore Alle we trowen it ful wel
that he hath seid here Everydel.
and loke ȝe don Ek, Sire, the same,
and Elles trewly ȝe ben to blame;
and þut to ȝoure lawe no more soiet þat ȝe be,
but Only to the lawe Of Cristyente.
therfore bethenke ȝe what ȝe welen do,
For ȝoure lawe we forsaken for Euere Mo;
Fo[r] nethir for wraththe ne for stryf
we scholen Neuere dureng Oure lyf
but Only On god worschepen Ay,
the wheche is Jesus Crist, God verray.”
there Aȝens ne seyn we not On.
For Apertly It was Schewed to ȝow
As he toforn vs telleth here now;
wherefore Alle we trowen it ful wel
that he hath seid here Everydel.
and loke ȝe don Ek, Sire, the same,
and Elles trewly ȝe ben to blame;
and þut to ȝoure lawe no more soiet þat ȝe be,
but Only to the lawe Of Cristyente.
therfore bethenke ȝe what ȝe welen do,
For ȝoure lawe we forsaken for Euere Mo;
Fo[r] nethir for wraththe ne for stryf
we scholen Neuere dureng Oure lyf
but Only On god worschepen Ay,
the wheche is Jesus Crist, God verray.”
Thanne kneled they down Everichon
To Josephes feet there Anon,
and preyden hym Alle Of Cristenenge,
And Ek Of that holy watres waschenge.
Anon As he thus herde hem Seyn,
he bad hem Rysen vp A-Geyn:
Ek he wepte for Ioye and for pyte,
So gret Mirthe in herte thanne hadde he;
and graunted hem there here Askyng,
the holy water Of Cresteneng.
To Josephes feet there Anon,
and preyden hym Alle Of Cristenenge,
And Ek Of that holy watres waschenge.
Anon As he thus herde hem Seyn,
he bad hem Rysen vp A-Geyn:
Ek he wepte for Ioye and for pyte,
So gret Mirthe in herte thanne hadde he;
and graunted hem there here Askyng,
the holy water Of Cresteneng.
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Thanne spak he to Dewk Gaanor,
And to hym thus seide Ryht thor,
“Faire Sire Gaanor, quod Iosephes Anon,
wilt thou do As thi Clerkes here don,
and As the Maistres don Of thy lawe;
For Of Cristendom they ben Ryht fawe?”
“Sire,” quod the dewk to Iosephes thanne,
“thowgh they forsaken it Every Manne,
Onliche Of baptesme I the beseke,
that Art goddis Mynestre good and Meke;
for though of hem Cristened ben neuere On,
Of Baptesme I praye the, Sire, now Anon.”
And to hym thus seide Ryht thor,
“Faire Sire Gaanor, quod Iosephes Anon,
wilt thou do As thi Clerkes here don,
and As the Maistres don Of thy lawe;
For Of Cristendom they ben Ryht fawe?”
“Sire,” quod the dewk to Iosephes thanne,
“thowgh they forsaken it Every Manne,
Onliche Of baptesme I the beseke,
that Art goddis Mynestre good and Meke;
for though of hem Cristened ben neuere On,
Of Baptesme I praye the, Sire, now Anon.”
At that tyme was there An huge Cry
Thorwgh Al that paleys ful trewely,
that Iosephes they hadden Greved So,
they Niste for Mone what to do,
but preiden hym Of Baptesme Everichon
Al so faste As they Myhten Rennen Oþer gon.
And whanne Iosephes Al this beheld there,
he made gret Ioye In his Manere,
and Comanded there A prest Anon
water to putten In a ston,
and blessed it with his Owne hond,
as I do ȝow to vndirstond,
and Cristened there-Inne dewk Gaanor,
And After Alle that Evere Comen thor,
Bothe Child, Man, and Womman,
that Baptesme Of hym preide than;
So that longe Er it was Noon
A thowsand he Cristened Everichon.
Thorwgh Al that paleys ful trewely,
that Iosephes they hadden Greved So,
they Niste for Mone what to do,
but preiden hym Of Baptesme Everichon
Al so faste As they Myhten Rennen Oþer gon.
And whanne Iosephes Al this beheld there,
he made gret Ioye In his Manere,
and Comanded there A prest Anon
water to putten In a ston,
and blessed it with his Owne hond,
as I do ȝow to vndirstond,
and Cristened there-Inne dewk Gaanor,
And After Alle that Evere Comen thor,
Bothe Child, Man, and Womman,
that Baptesme Of hym preide than;
So that longe Er it was Noon
A thowsand he Cristened Everichon.
and whanne that the Even Comen was,
This dewk there putte Owt Of his plas
Alle tho that Cristened wolde not be,
Owt Of his paleys he dyde hem fle,
and Alle his Meyne I-Cristened they were,
Sawf an hundred and Fyfty there.
(The dewk wolde neuere chongen his name,
For that it was Of Ryht gret fame,
And Ek his Fadyr I-Clepyd was so,
þerfore non Oþerwise Nolde Iosephes do.)
This dewk there putte Owt Of his plas
Alle tho that Cristened wolde not be,
Owt Of his paleys he dyde hem fle,
and Alle his Meyne I-Cristened they were,
Sawf an hundred and Fyfty there.
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For that it was Of Ryht gret fame,
And Ek his Fadyr I-Clepyd was so,
þerfore non Oþerwise Nolde Iosephes do.)
Anon he Comanded to Alle tho
Owt Of his lond thanne forto go.
and they Answeryd hem vntylle
that they wolden it don with good wille.
Thanne wenten they Owt Of þe Castel
To the water side ful faire and wel:
and there fownden they A schipe Anon,
and there-Inne Maryneris Manyon;
and thike Schip they Entred ful sone,
And Into the See Gonnen they Gone,
preyenge to the Chef Marynere
Into A Nothir lond to leden hem there.
Owt Of his lond thanne forto go.
and they Answeryd hem vntylle
that they wolden it don with good wille.
Thanne wenten they Owt Of þe Castel
To the water side ful faire and wel:
and there fownden they A schipe Anon,
and there-Inne Maryneris Manyon;
and thike Schip they Entred ful sone,
And Into the See Gonnen they Gone,
preyenge to the Chef Marynere
Into A Nothir lond to leden hem there.
And whanne Entred weren they Everychon,
And from the lond that they weren Gon,
A gret wynd Anon Gan there Aryse
Owt Of Mesure In Alle Wyse;
and the Schipe torned vp so down there
So that Alle Anon Idrenched they were,
Alle that Evere Resceyved not Crystyente,
bothen they and Maryneris, I-drenched they be.
that Nyht the dewk gret Ioye he Made,
and Iosephes and his felawes Made ful glade;
and al Nyht spoken Of þat Compenye
that from hem parted so velenoslye.
And from the lond that they weren Gon,
A gret wynd Anon Gan there Aryse
Owt Of Mesure In Alle Wyse;
and the Schipe torned vp so down there
So that Alle Anon Idrenched they were,
Alle that Evere Resceyved not Crystyente,
bothen they and Maryneris, I-drenched they be.
that Nyht the dewk gret Ioye he Made,
and Iosephes and his felawes Made ful glade;
and al Nyht spoken Of þat Compenye
that from hem parted so velenoslye.
The dewk, Of Iosephes Asked thanne,
“Good Sire, what schal fallen Of þese Menne?”
“I schal ȝow tellen, quod Iosephes tho,
Of that peple how it schal go:
to Morwen schole ȝe hem Alle Se
To londe ARyven In A queynte degre,
whiche to ȝow schal ben gret verefiaunce
and gret fulfillenge to ȝoure Creaunce:
and grettere wondir syen ȝe neuere Non
thanne ȝe scholen to Morwe Of hem Echon.”
Of which dewk Gaanor abascht hym sore,
and gladly of Iosephes wolde weten More,
but he durst not, lest he wolde hym greve,
þerfore no more to hym wolde he Meve.
So wente the dewk to his Reste that Nyht,
And Abod there whiles it was day lyht.
“Good Sire, what schal fallen Of þese Menne?”
“I schal ȝow tellen, quod Iosephes tho,
Of that peple how it schal go:
to Morwen schole ȝe hem Alle Se
To londe ARyven In A queynte degre,
whiche to ȝow schal ben gret verefiaunce
and gret fulfillenge to ȝoure Creaunce:
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thanne ȝe scholen to Morwe Of hem Echon.”
Of which dewk Gaanor abascht hym sore,
and gladly of Iosephes wolde weten More,
but he durst not, lest he wolde hym greve,
þerfore no more to hym wolde he Meve.
So wente the dewk to his Reste that Nyht,
And Abod there whiles it was day lyht.
Vppon the Morwe, Whanne it Was Day,
there Comen tydynges with-Owten delay
To this Dewk Sire Gaanore,
Of A Messenger cam renneng thore;
where-Offen Abasched he was non del,
For he supposede Of non thing but wel.
there Cam A ȝoman ful faste Rennenge,
And browhte þe dewk Merveillous tydynge.
“What ben tho, quod the dewk thanne,
telle me here Anon, thou ȝomanne.”
“be my trowthe, Sire, quod he tho,
vndir this Castel As I gan to go,
lyn there Al that peple ded
that hens departyd Owt Of this sted,
whiche that wolde not I-Cristened be;
ȝonder, Alle ded, ȝe Mown hem se.”
there Comen tydynges with-Owten delay
To this Dewk Sire Gaanore,
Of A Messenger cam renneng thore;
where-Offen Abasched he was non del,
For he supposede Of non thing but wel.
there Cam A ȝoman ful faste Rennenge,
And browhte þe dewk Merveillous tydynge.
“What ben tho, quod the dewk thanne,
telle me here Anon, thou ȝomanne.”
“be my trowthe, Sire, quod he tho,
vndir this Castel As I gan to go,
lyn there Al that peple ded
that hens departyd Owt Of this sted,
whiche that wolde not I-Cristened be;
ȝonder, Alle ded, ȝe Mown hem se.”
and Whanne þe dewk herde here-offen telle,
Owt Of his Castel he Cam ful snelle
Forto knowen whethir this soth were,
Owther A lesyng Itold hym there.
And whanne that he Cam to þe se side,
Manye Of his Meyne he fond þere that tyde
to beholden this Merveille there
that was befallen In this Manere.
and whanne the dewk it gan beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Many folde
Of so moche peple Ipersched to be.
thanne þere Of his Meyne Anon Axed he
‘What Manere Of peple that it was?’
thanne seide A knyht In that plas,
“It ben they that wolden not Cristened be
that here lyn ded As ȝe Mown se;
and forsothe, sire deuk, I haue herd telle
that An hundred and fyfty þere ben full snelle.”
Owt Of his Castel he Cam ful snelle
Forto knowen whethir this soth were,
Owther A lesyng Itold hym there.
And whanne that he Cam to þe se side,
Manye Of his Meyne he fond þere that tyde
to beholden this Merveille there
that was befallen In this Manere.
and whanne the dewk it gan beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Many folde
Of so moche peple Ipersched to be.
thanne þere Of his Meyne Anon Axed he
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thanne seide A knyht In that plas,
“It ben they that wolden not Cristened be
that here lyn ded As ȝe Mown se;
and forsothe, sire deuk, I haue herd telle
that An hundred and fyfty þere ben full snelle.”
“Now, serche Abowtes, quod the dewk thanne,
ȝif ȝe fynde here So Manye A Manne.”
thanne dyden they the dewkes Comandement,
and there they fownden hem Alle present—
An hundred and Fyfty Everichon
liggen alle there vppon harde ston;
and with hem was fownden A Marynere,
And An Ore In hond there.
ȝif ȝe fynde here So Manye A Manne.”
thanne dyden they the dewkes Comandement,
and there they fownden hem Alle present—
An hundred and Fyfty Everichon
liggen alle there vppon harde ston;
and with hem was fownden A Marynere,
And An Ore In hond there.
For this Merveille ful trewely
the dewk sent aftyr Iosephes hastely.
thanne thedyr Cam Iosephes Anon,
and his Compenye with hym Everichon.
thanne Axede the dewk Of Iosephes þere
Of that Aventure, how it were.
thanne quod Iosephes “Certeinle
It is behapped as it scholde be;
For thou schalt neuere sen synful Man
that the fals Enemy serven Can,
but ȝif he qwite hem thus here Mede
As to hem he hath don In this stede.
For whanne he hath served him al his Age,
be he Neuere Of so hy parage,—
And whanne he weneth Aboven to be,
thanne Cometh the fals Enemy ful sekerle,
And hem so sleth In dedly synne,
and sleth bothe body & sowle with-Inne.”
the dewk sent aftyr Iosephes hastely.
thanne thedyr Cam Iosephes Anon,
and his Compenye with hym Everichon.
thanne Axede the dewk Of Iosephes þere
Of that Aventure, how it were.
thanne quod Iosephes “Certeinle
It is behapped as it scholde be;
For thou schalt neuere sen synful Man
that the fals Enemy serven Can,
but ȝif he qwite hem thus here Mede
As to hem he hath don In this stede.
For whanne he hath served him al his Age,
be he Neuere Of so hy parage,—
And whanne he weneth Aboven to be,
thanne Cometh the fals Enemy ful sekerle,
And hem so sleth In dedly synne,
and sleth bothe body & sowle with-Inne.”
“Sire Iosephes, quod the dewk thenne,
what scholen we don with Alle these Menne.”
“Sire, quod Iosephes, I schal ȝow say.
Into this Erthe here let putte hem this day,
Evene be the banke faste by;
and Over hem do make A towr ful hy,
So that with-Inne the tour Alle Icolen they be,
here bodyes Iberyed ful sekerle;
And whanne the towr performed Is,
thanne schal it be Clepid with-Owten Mys,
“the towr Of Merveilles” schal be þe Name,
for, thorwgh alle breteyng, þat schal ben þe fame.
what scholen we don with Alle these Menne.”
“Sire, quod Iosephes, I schal ȝow say.
Into this Erthe here let putte hem this day,
154
and Over hem do make A towr ful hy,
So that with-Inne the tour Alle Icolen they be,
here bodyes Iberyed ful sekerle;
And whanne the towr performed Is,
thanne schal it be Clepid with-Owten Mys,
“the towr Of Merveilles” schal be þe Name,
for, thorwgh alle breteyng, þat schal ben þe fame.
“In this lond that is called breteyngne,
Arthowr A Kyng schal ben Certeygne,
the moste worthy and vaillawnt knyht,
and the Most Merveillous In Ony fyht.
and In that tyme here schal befalle
Many Merveilles wondirful with Alle
be the strok Of On swerd Only,
that Al the world þere-Offen schal speken trewly;
wheche Merveylles scholen Enduren here
In this lond fulliche fowrtene ȝere;
and this Merveille schal algates laste
til þe laste Of Nasciens lyne Come In haste.
Of the Merveilles I haue ȝow told
þat þere scholen ben wrowht Many fold;
For knyght In Arthures Cowrt ne schal non be
thus Iustes Other bataille Asketh sekerle,
that as a good a knyht here schal he fynde
Owt Of this towr to Entren be kende;
And thowgh that Neuere so Manye Assemblen here,
Owt Of this tour scholen Comen In fere
Man for Man with hem to fyhte;
and ȝit schal non Man knowen Aryhte
whens they Comen In Non degre,
tyl these Aventures be On persone I-Ended be,
and for this specyal Cause Only
‘the towr of Merveilles’ we schole Callen It properly.
Arthowr A Kyng schal ben Certeygne,
the moste worthy and vaillawnt knyht,
and the Most Merveillous In Ony fyht.
and In that tyme here schal befalle
Many Merveilles wondirful with Alle
be the strok Of On swerd Only,
that Al the world þere-Offen schal speken trewly;
wheche Merveylles scholen Enduren here
In this lond fulliche fowrtene ȝere;
and this Merveille schal algates laste
til þe laste Of Nasciens lyne Come In haste.
Of the Merveilles I haue ȝow told
þat þere scholen ben wrowht Many fold;
For knyght In Arthures Cowrt ne schal non be
thus Iustes Other bataille Asketh sekerle,
that as a good a knyht here schal he fynde
Owt Of this towr to Entren be kende;
And thowgh that Neuere so Manye Assemblen here,
Owt Of this tour scholen Comen In fere
Man for Man with hem to fyhte;
and ȝit schal non Man knowen Aryhte
whens they Comen In Non degre,
tyl these Aventures be On persone I-Ended be,
and for this specyal Cause Only
‘the towr of Merveilles’ we schole Callen It properly.
155
“Now doth beryn these Men Anon,
and do Make this towr of lym & ston;
For Alle thing þat I have ȝow told,
ȝe scholen fynden it trewe In Eche fold.”
and do Make this towr of lym & ston;
For Alle thing þat I have ȝow told,
ȝe scholen fynden it trewe In Eche fold.”
the dewk let beryen these Men Anon,
and let Ordeynen faste lym and ston,
both Masouns and Carpenteris sent After faste,
So that the towr were made In haste;
And whanne that towr Redy was dyht,
“the towr of Merveilles” Anon it hight;
the wheche Name longe dide laste,
Tyl that lawncelot thedir Cam In haste
and it dide breken In pecys A-down,
Al that towr Onlich In virown,
is Of Arthures hows the storye
It doth declaren More Openlye.
and let Ordeynen faste lym and ston,
both Masouns and Carpenteris sent After faste,
So that the towr were made In haste;
And whanne that towr Redy was dyht,
“the towr of Merveilles” Anon it hight;
the wheche Name longe dide laste,
Tyl that lawncelot thedir Cam In haste
and it dide breken In pecys A-down,
Al that towr Onlich In virown,
is Of Arthures hows the storye
It doth declaren More Openlye.
and whiles this towr was in Makyng,
þe dewk a fair Chirche hadde In Reryng
In a fair place Of his Castel
which this dewk loved ful wel.
þeke Chirche there Arerid it was
In þe worschepe Of Marye ful Of gras.
þe dewk a fair Chirche hadde In Reryng
In a fair place Of his Castel
which this dewk loved ful wel.
þeke Chirche there Arerid it was
In þe worschepe Of Marye ful Of gras.
and whiles this Chirche was In reryng,
Iosephes Modris tyme was Comeng
that hire Child sche scholde bere
In that Castel Evene riht there;
and whanne the Child Iborn it was,
A fair knave Child In that plas,
where-Offen gret Ioye there they made,
and Alle the Court they weren ful glade,
and Named that Child Galaas Anon;
where-fore gret feste þey maden Echon;
and for that Child In that Castel was bore,
“Galaas the fort” they Calden hym thore.
Iosephes Modris tyme was Comeng
that hire Child sche scholde bere
In that Castel Evene riht there;
and whanne the Child Iborn it was,
A fair knave Child In that plas,
where-Offen gret Ioye there they made,
and Alle the Court they weren ful glade,
and Named that Child Galaas Anon;
where-fore gret feste þey maden Echon;
and for that Child In that Castel was bore,
“Galaas the fort” they Calden hym thore.
Whanne they that In virown the Castel were,
Wysten how that With the Dewk It stood there,
and that he was torned to Cristendom,
and al his Meyne bothe hol & som,
and gonnen to Grosschen Everichon,
& there to hym Sent Massage Anon
‘that werren they wolden vppon hym þere,
and distroyen his londis Every where.’
Wysten how that With the Dewk It stood there,
156
and al his Meyne bothe hol & som,
and gonnen to Grosschen Everichon,
& there to hym Sent Massage Anon
‘that werren they wolden vppon hym þere,
and distroyen his londis Every where.’
Anon he Answerid þe Messengeris Ageyn,
and seide, ‘his lond he wolde kepen Certeyn
al so longe as that he Myhte,
For sarazines lawe he hadde forsaken Owtrihte,
and to that lawe wolde he neuere tormen Aȝen
Schortly thowh they wolde hym Slen.’
whanne they herden his Answere,
tho that Messengeris weren there
wenten to the kyng of Northhumberlond,
And dide hym Al this to vndirstond,—
‘that dewk Gaanor hadde deservid wel
his lond to lesen Everidel;
for he hadde forsaken paynem lawe
and to Cristendom he dide hym drawe.’
and seide, ‘his lond he wolde kepen Certeyn
al so longe as that he Myhte,
For sarazines lawe he hadde forsaken Owtrihte,
and to that lawe wolde he neuere tormen Aȝen
Schortly thowh they wolde hym Slen.’
whanne they herden his Answere,
tho that Messengeris weren there
wenten to the kyng of Northhumberlond,
And dide hym Al this to vndirstond,—
‘that dewk Gaanor hadde deservid wel
his lond to lesen Everidel;
for he hadde forsaken paynem lawe
and to Cristendom he dide hym drawe.’
Whanne the kyng of Northhumberlond herde this,
he was Ryht wroth with-Owten Mys;
For the kyng knew þe Dewk so wel
hard Of herte As Evere was stel,
and the worthyest knyht In Al bretayne;
this wiste wel the kyng, he was certayne.
thanne took he Cownseil of his barown,
Of that cause what is best to don:
“Sire, after hym Anon doth sende,
that he to ȝow Come, & not Offende;
and ȝif he ne Come not At ȝowre sonde,
thanne Mown ȝe hym Sle, & don him schonde;
And Elles taketh ȝoure Ost ful Clene
& werreth On him Al be-dene,
so mown ȝe slen him, and þe Cristene Also
that hym Made this forto do;
thanne scholen the Cristene In non degre
In this Lond not I-Reryd be.”
he was Ryht wroth with-Owten Mys;
For the kyng knew þe Dewk so wel
hard Of herte As Evere was stel,
and the worthyest knyht In Al bretayne;
this wiste wel the kyng, he was certayne.
thanne took he Cownseil of his barown,
Of that cause what is best to don:
“Sire, after hym Anon doth sende,
that he to ȝow Come, & not Offende;
and ȝif he ne Come not At ȝowre sonde,
thanne Mown ȝe hym Sle, & don him schonde;
And Elles taketh ȝoure Ost ful Clene
& werreth On him Al be-dene,
so mown ȝe slen him, and þe Cristene Also
that hym Made this forto do;
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In this Lond not I-Reryd be.”
Anon the kyng dyde After here Red,
and sente forth Messageris In that sted,
and ‘Comanded hym As his lige Man
Anon to hym he scholde Comen than
For to speken with hym there,
that he ne leve it In non Manere;
and ȝif that he This withstonde,
that he Nele Comen At Myn sonde,
Schortly he schal Confownded be,
he and alle hise ful Certeynle.’
and sente forth Messageris In that sted,
and ‘Comanded hym As his lige Man
Anon to hym he scholde Comen than
For to speken with hym there,
that he ne leve it In non Manere;
and ȝif that he This withstonde,
that he Nele Comen At Myn sonde,
Schortly he schal Confownded be,
he and alle hise ful Certeynle.’
whanne the dewk herde this tydyng,
To hym it was A gret Affrayeng;
For he knew the kyng Myhty was
Of londis, Of Body, In Every plas.
So thanne to Iosephes he Cam Anon,
And Axede Cownseil what to don.
“I schal ȝow say, quod Josephes tho,
In this thing what is best to do:
Anon that ȝe sende hym to seyne,
‘that his Man ȝe ben not certeyne;
For Owt Of his Subiection ȝe ben,
and Owt of alle his lordschepis ful Clen;
and Only I-set In the seignorie
Of Iesus Crist the sone Of Marye,
hos lordschepe that ȝe welen holde
For Ony Man, be he Neuere so bolde.’
For, knoweth wel, Sire dewk, In Certein,
That Owre Lord ȝow schal socouren ful pleyn,
and Of him to haven the victorye
Of tho Miscreawntes Sekerlye;
And thowgh algates ȝe scholden deye,
bettere myhten ȝe Neuere Certeinlye
thanne vppon the Enemy Of Iesu Crist,
Sire Dewk, herto thou myht wel tryst:
For werse thanne howndes, Siker they ben,
al the Compenye, as ȝe scholen wel sen.
this is my Counsaille that ȝe do,
and god honouren Evere Mo.
and but ȝe welen don Aftir Me,
holichirches child art þou not sekerle,
but A wykked servaunt to god Only
but þou Riht thus do vtterly.”
“And I wele seker, quod the dewk thanne;
him schal I serven for Ony Manne.”
To hym it was A gret Affrayeng;
For he knew the kyng Myhty was
Of londis, Of Body, In Every plas.
So thanne to Iosephes he Cam Anon,
And Axede Cownseil what to don.
“I schal ȝow say, quod Josephes tho,
In this thing what is best to do:
Anon that ȝe sende hym to seyne,
‘that his Man ȝe ben not certeyne;
For Owt Of his Subiection ȝe ben,
and Owt of alle his lordschepis ful Clen;
and Only I-set In the seignorie
Of Iesus Crist the sone Of Marye,
hos lordschepe that ȝe welen holde
For Ony Man, be he Neuere so bolde.’
For, knoweth wel, Sire dewk, In Certein,
That Owre Lord ȝow schal socouren ful pleyn,
and Of him to haven the victorye
Of tho Miscreawntes Sekerlye;
And thowgh algates ȝe scholden deye,
bettere myhten ȝe Neuere Certeinlye
thanne vppon the Enemy Of Iesu Crist,
Sire Dewk, herto thou myht wel tryst:
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al the Compenye, as ȝe scholen wel sen.
this is my Counsaille that ȝe do,
and god honouren Evere Mo.
and but ȝe welen don Aftir Me,
holichirches child art þou not sekerle,
but A wykked servaunt to god Only
but þou Riht thus do vtterly.”
“And I wele seker, quod the dewk thanne;
him schal I serven for Ony Manne.”
Thanne Cam he to þe Messengers Of þe kyng,
and of here bode ȝaf hem Answeryng:
“ȝe mown seÿn (sic) the kyng vnto,
‘with hym to speke will I not go;
but ȝif he wil Owht In Ony degre,
so lete hym Comen an speken with Me;
For as longe as he A paynem Is,
For hym I wele don nowht I-wis.’”
and of here bode ȝaf hem Answeryng:
“ȝe mown seÿn (sic) the kyng vnto,
‘with hym to speke will I not go;
but ȝif he wil Owht In Ony degre,
so lete hym Comen an speken with Me;
For as longe as he A paynem Is,
For hym I wele don nowht I-wis.’”
“how goth this, quod þe Messengeris tho,
that ȝe to ȝoure lord ne welen not go,
sethen ȝe holden Of hym ȝoure lond,
as it is don vs to vndirstond.”
“that I do Not, with-Owten lettenge,
but Only Of Iesus, hevene kinge;
Of hym I holde Al my lond,
as I do ȝow to vndirstond;
and for his love, sires, Only,
I haue forsaken Alle Oþere seignory.”
“In feyth, quod the Messageris Ageyn,
ȝe mown be sewr and Certein
that to-forn this Castel scholen ȝe se
to ȝow many A strong Eneme.”
“ȝe, quod þe dewk to hem ful sone,
thowgh they myn Enemyes ben Everichone,
So that God Onlich my frend he be,
Of hem haue I non drede sekerle.”
that ȝe to ȝoure lord ne welen not go,
sethen ȝe holden Of hym ȝoure lond,
as it is don vs to vndirstond.”
“that I do Not, with-Owten lettenge,
but Only Of Iesus, hevene kinge;
Of hym I holde Al my lond,
as I do ȝow to vndirstond;
and for his love, sires, Only,
I haue forsaken Alle Oþere seignory.”
“In feyth, quod the Messageris Ageyn,
ȝe mown be sewr and Certein
that to-forn this Castel scholen ȝe se
to ȝow many A strong Eneme.”
“ȝe, quod þe dewk to hem ful sone,
thowgh they myn Enemyes ben Everichone,
So that God Onlich my frend he be,
Of hem haue I non drede sekerle.”
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Thus departyd the messengeres Anon,
and toward here lord forth they gon,
& tolde him Evene word for word
that the dewk to hym wolde not Acord.
thanne sente he Messengeris Anon In hie
Abowtes Al his lond bothe fer & Nye,
‘that his Meyne to hym scholde Comen there
In here beste aray In alle Manere,
To A place that is I-Cleped ‘soose,’
whiche was þat tyme A fair Cyte.
and toward here lord forth they gon,
& tolde him Evene word for word
that the dewk to hym wolde not Acord.
thanne sente he Messengeris Anon In hie
Abowtes Al his lond bothe fer & Nye,
‘that his Meyne to hym scholde Comen there
In here beste aray In alle Manere,
To A place that is I-Cleped ‘soose,’
whiche was þat tyme A fair Cyte.
So be the day that he hem sette,
At that Cyte Alle they mette;
so þat the kyng Isswed Anon
Owt of that Cyte, and his Meyne Echon,—
what On hors bak, & what On foote,
bet than fyve thousend, wel I wote.—
so that his Iorne he took wel faste
Tyl to humber water he Cam Atte laste,
and Entrede Into A priorye,
he and Al his Compenye.
At that Cyte Alle they mette;
so þat the kyng Isswed Anon
Owt of that Cyte, and his Meyne Echon,—
what On hors bak, & what On foote,
bet than fyve thousend, wel I wote.—
so that his Iorne he took wel faste
Tyl to humber water he Cam Atte laste,
and Entrede Into A priorye,
he and Al his Compenye.
The same dai Comen they to-forn þe Castel,
& with hym his Meyne Everydel;
but Iosephs In that Castel not ne was,
but at Anothir besides In that plas.
Half A dayes Iorne thenne,
whiche ‘Caleph’ was Clepid of many Menne.
& with hym his Meyne Everydel;
but Iosephs In that Castel not ne was,
but at Anothir besides In that plas.
Half A dayes Iorne thenne,
whiche ‘Caleph’ was Clepid of many Menne.
Whanne the dewk sawh þe kyng so þere,
he was afrayed In diuers Manere
as A man that neuere beseged was
to-forn that tyme In non Maner of plas;
For Evere to fore tymes hadde he be
the worthiest knyht ful sekerle
Of Al the world with-Owten drede;
For dowte hadde he neuere In non stede.
The Castel with-Inne wel Ordeyned was
Of Men of strengthes In Every plas;
For Anon As the Cristene herden telle
that the kyng was so fers & felle,
and that he wolde werre begynne;
there-fore bethowhten they with-Inne,
were it werre, Other were it pes,
they wolde ben seker Neuertheles;
and More siker with-Inne they were
thanne with-Owten ȝif they hadde ben þere.
And the Castel In hym self ful strong it was,
whiche to hem was Comfort In that plas;
and the Cristene with Al here Myht
Stoffed that Castel bothe day and Nyht
to here power, what Myhte Availle
To that Castel with-Owten faille:
and this was On Of þe thinges Most
þat the dewk hym Comforted Aȝens þe Ost.
he was afrayed In diuers Manere
as A man that neuere beseged was
to-forn that tyme In non Maner of plas;
For Evere to fore tymes hadde he be
the worthiest knyht ful sekerle
Of Al the world with-Owten drede;
For dowte hadde he neuere In non stede.
The Castel with-Inne wel Ordeyned was
Of Men of strengthes In Every plas;
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that the kyng was so fers & felle,
and that he wolde werre begynne;
there-fore bethowhten they with-Inne,
were it werre, Other were it pes,
they wolde ben seker Neuertheles;
and More siker with-Inne they were
thanne with-Owten ȝif they hadde ben þere.
And the Castel In hym self ful strong it was,
whiche to hem was Comfort In that plas;
and the Cristene with Al here Myht
Stoffed that Castel bothe day and Nyht
to here power, what Myhte Availle
To that Castel with-Owten faille:
and this was On Of þe thinges Most
þat the dewk hym Comforted Aȝens þe Ost.
Whanne the kyng was Comen to-fore þat Castel,
he gan to loggen bothe faire & wel,
Supposing to hym In Alle Manere
that they with-Inne wolde not Isswen there.
The dewk in his Castel lay
and loked Atte wyndowe, as I ȝow say,
and lay in ful gret pensifnesse
As A Man that was In distresse.
& as In his thowht he lay there tho,
Sire Nasciens to-forn hym say he go,
Of whom he hadde herd gret Chevalrye
Of Conqwestes, Of batailles, Of victorye.
thanne seide the dewk to hym Anon,
“Sire, Of this Mater how scholen we don?
beholde Goddis Enemyes, this peple here,
how they loggen vs Al In fere,
And Goddis Enemyes Everychon!
what is best þat we with hem don?
hem to disloggen In this plas,
It were best thorwh goddis gras.
he gan to loggen bothe faire & wel,
Supposing to hym In Alle Manere
that they with-Inne wolde not Isswen there.
The dewk in his Castel lay
and loked Atte wyndowe, as I ȝow say,
and lay in ful gret pensifnesse
As A Man that was In distresse.
& as In his thowht he lay there tho,
Sire Nasciens to-forn hym say he go,
Of whom he hadde herd gret Chevalrye
Of Conqwestes, Of batailles, Of victorye.
thanne seide the dewk to hym Anon,
“Sire, Of this Mater how scholen we don?
beholde Goddis Enemyes, this peple here,
how they loggen vs Al In fere,
And Goddis Enemyes Everychon!
what is best þat we with hem don?
hem to disloggen In this plas,
It were best thorwh goddis gras.
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“Nay, Sire dewk, quod Nasciens tho,
For Otherwyse we scholen now do.”
“Now Certes, quod the dewk Ageyn,
aftyr ȝow wele I werken In certeyn.”
“thanne don ȝe ȝoure Men Armen Anon,
and to assemblen Everichon
Er fulliche logged that they be,
the More Ese to vs, Sire, ful Sikerle.
And for that I hope now trewely
we scholen hem fynden most besy,
And wers I-purveyed in Eche degre
thanne here Aftyr that they scholen be;
For now Cometh nothing In here thowht
that we hens Owt scholde Isswen Owht:
And therfore, sire, now Ryht Anon
On Goddis Enemyes now let vs gon
In Iesus Name, the sone Of Marye,
that vs wele defenden ful trewelye,
Oure warawunt and Oure Governour,
that vs wele Save In Every stour.
And ȝit More, sere, with-owten faylle,
And we dyen In this Bataylle,
to hevene bliss thanne scholen we go
thorw Martirdom for Evere Mo;
and ȝif that we han victorye,
Endles worschepe Sekerlye.”
For Otherwyse we scholen now do.”
“Now Certes, quod the dewk Ageyn,
aftyr ȝow wele I werken In certeyn.”
“thanne don ȝe ȝoure Men Armen Anon,
and to assemblen Everichon
Er fulliche logged that they be,
the More Ese to vs, Sire, ful Sikerle.
And for that I hope now trewely
we scholen hem fynden most besy,
And wers I-purveyed in Eche degre
thanne here Aftyr that they scholen be;
For now Cometh nothing In here thowht
that we hens Owt scholde Isswen Owht:
And therfore, sire, now Ryht Anon
On Goddis Enemyes now let vs gon
In Iesus Name, the sone Of Marye,
that vs wele defenden ful trewelye,
Oure warawunt and Oure Governour,
that vs wele Save In Every stour.
And ȝit More, sere, with-owten faylle,
And we dyen In this Bataylle,
to hevene bliss thanne scholen we go
thorw Martirdom for Evere Mo;
and ȝif that we han victorye,
Endles worschepe Sekerlye.”
Whanne the dewk this word herde,
thanne As A Ioyful Man he Ferde,
and Anon In his paleys let Crye
“As Armes, As Armes” faste in hye.
thanne Every man In his degre
hym to Armen wente besile;
and so to the Dewk they browhten Anon
ArMure to putten hym vppon,
and Ek to Sire Nasciens Also,
what thing that hym belonged vnto.
whanne the Dewk and Nasciens In fere
bothe weren Armed ful sewrly there,
Into the Cowrt they Comen Anon,
And to here hors there gonne they gon;
And Owt they tooken the Ryhte weye
Atte the Castel gate ful pleynlye.
thanne As A Ioyful Man he Ferde,
and Anon In his paleys let Crye
“As Armes, As Armes” faste in hye.
thanne Every man In his degre
hym to Armen wente besile;
and so to the Dewk they browhten Anon
ArMure to putten hym vppon,
and Ek to Sire Nasciens Also,
what thing that hym belonged vnto.
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bothe weren Armed ful sewrly there,
Into the Cowrt they Comen Anon,
And to here hors there gonne they gon;
And Owt they tooken the Ryhte weye
Atte the Castel gate ful pleynlye.
And whanne the Dewk to þe gate gan gon,
he Comanded the kepere Anon
that Open the gate scholde be,
his Meyne to Isswen with here Compene;
So that the dewk Isswed Anon Ryht,
and aftir, his Meyne with here Myht
al so sweftly as they Cowden gon,
And aftyr Nasciens wente Anon;
And Evere Vppon the dewk he sewede faste
with his Meyne In Ryht gret haste.
he Comanded the kepere Anon
that Open the gate scholde be,
his Meyne to Isswen with here Compene;
So that the dewk Isswed Anon Ryht,
and aftir, his Meyne with here Myht
al so sweftly as they Cowden gon,
And aftyr Nasciens wente Anon;
And Evere Vppon the dewk he sewede faste
with his Meyne In Ryht gret haste.
And whanne they weren Owt I-gon,
they prekyd here hors thanne Everichon
Al so faste As they myhten Renne,
On goddis Enemyes wolde they not blynne;
And so sodeynly On hem they gonne gon,
For of hem kepe token they non,
for þat they weren Abowtes loggeng,
And token kep Of non Oþer thyng;
for they supposeden Certeinly
þat they wolden not han Isswed so sodeynly.
they prekyd here hors thanne Everichon
Al so faste As they myhten Renne,
On goddis Enemyes wolde they not blynne;
And so sodeynly On hem they gonne gon,
For of hem kepe token they non,
for þat they weren Abowtes loggeng,
And token kep Of non Oþer thyng;
for they supposeden Certeinly
þat they wolden not han Isswed so sodeynly.
thanne On hem sodeynly they Come,
and beeten & slowen Manyone,
so that with-Inne A lytel space
two hundred weren slayn In þat place;
And the toþere knyhtes þat after hem gonne gon,
they gonnen so wel to fyhten Anon
that Manye they slowen Of Northhumberlond,
as this storye doth vs to vndirstond.
thanne be-gan the Styr Anon,
and thorwh Al the Ost it gan to gon,
what Of dede Men and wounded boþe
the Noyse was wonderfully forsothe.
and beeten & slowen Manyone,
so that with-Inne A lytel space
two hundred weren slayn In þat place;
And the toþere knyhtes þat after hem gonne gon,
they gonnen so wel to fyhten Anon
that Manye they slowen Of Northhumberlond,
as this storye doth vs to vndirstond.
thanne be-gan the Styr Anon,
and thorwh Al the Ost it gan to gon,
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the Noyse was wonderfully forsothe.
thanne whanne this Cry they herden Echon,
To here Armure they Ronnen anon;
and the kyng hym selve with-Owten lak
Caste An hawberk vppon his bak,
and his helm vppon his hed,
And hyede hym faste In to þat stede;
So dyden Alle tho that with him were;
For drede Of deth they Entred there.
To here Armure they Ronnen anon;
and the kyng hym selve with-Owten lak
Caste An hawberk vppon his bak,
and his helm vppon his hed,
And hyede hym faste In to þat stede;
So dyden Alle tho that with him were;
For drede Of deth they Entred there.
Thanne the kyng Al Redy was,
and Ek his Meyne In that plas;
“Seweth me, he seyde, Echon;
for On Owre Enemyes welen we gon.
And ȝif that I Mete dewk Gaanor,
Non Cristendom schal hym Saven thor
þat I ne schal slen hym þere Anon.”
and Ek his Meyne In that plas;
“Seweth me, he seyde, Echon;
for On Owre Enemyes welen we gon.
And ȝif that I Mete dewk Gaanor,
Non Cristendom schal hym Saven thor
þat I ne schal slen hym þere Anon.”
and so forth faste he gan to gon,
And Entred Into the Cristene pres,
& for non Man Nolde he not Ses.
Ful grete strokes gan he ȝeven there,
with Al his Myht and his powere;
So paste the kyng with his strenkthe
Into the bataylle In brede & lengthe;
There As he Sawh thikkest pres,
thedyr he wente with-Owten les;
And beheld to-fore hym there
how Nasciens hym bar, and In what Manere,
and sweche socoures As he there Made,
where-Offen gret Merveille this kyng hade.
So that Nasciens On bothe sides fawht he,
that þe peple fledde that hym gonnen se;
for In what place that Nasciens gan gon
Among tho paynemes Many On,
that he Ne Rod thorwgh hem ful bolde,
whethir the paynemis wolde Oþer Nolde;
And swiche Strokis ȝaf he there,
that they ne wisten whethir it were
thorwh his Owne Myht And strenkthe,
Owther be goddis grace In brede & lengthe;
For there ne was hawberk ne helm Non
that his swerd thorwgh bot In to the bon.
And swiche Merveilles there he wrowhte
that Eche Man Merveilled In his thowhte;
So that no man In al that Rowte
dorst hym Abyde, swich was here dowte.
And Entred Into the Cristene pres,
& for non Man Nolde he not Ses.
Ful grete strokes gan he ȝeven there,
with Al his Myht and his powere;
So paste the kyng with his strenkthe
Into the bataylle In brede & lengthe;
There As he Sawh thikkest pres,
thedyr he wente with-Owten les;
And beheld to-fore hym there
how Nasciens hym bar, and In what Manere,
and sweche socoures As he there Made,
where-Offen gret Merveille this kyng hade.
So that Nasciens On bothe sides fawht he,
that þe peple fledde that hym gonnen se;
for In what place that Nasciens gan gon
Among tho paynemes Many On,
that he Ne Rod thorwgh hem ful bolde,
whethir the paynemis wolde Oþer Nolde;
164
that they ne wisten whethir it were
thorwh his Owne Myht And strenkthe,
Owther be goddis grace In brede & lengthe;
For there ne was hawberk ne helm Non
that his swerd thorwgh bot In to the bon.
And swiche Merveilles there he wrowhte
that Eche Man Merveilled In his thowhte;
So that no man In al that Rowte
dorst hym Abyde, swich was here dowte.
And whanne the kyng Al this be-held,
that Nasciens So Ferde In that Feld,
he seide he was non Erthly Man,
but As A devel So fawht he than;
and Nasciens, that Every Renge he sowhte
In that bataille, and not Of hem Rowhte;
For he ne dredde for non Man,
were he Neuere so hardy than.
that Nasciens So Ferde In that Feld,
he seide he was non Erthly Man,
but As A devel So fawht he than;
and Nasciens, that Every Renge he sowhte
In that bataille, and not Of hem Rowhte;
For he ne dredde for non Man,
were he Neuere so hardy than.
thus Evere fyhteng vp & down he Rod,
So that No man there hym withstood;
And Atte laste he Mette with the kyng:
and whanne he knew hym be his Armeng,
And ok what harmes that he bar,
To him faste thanne Rod he thar.
So that No man there hym withstood;
And Atte laste he Mette with the kyng:
and whanne he knew hym be his Armeng,
And ok what harmes that he bar,
To him faste thanne Rod he thar.
Thus Nolde Sire Nasciens him refuse,
but faste towardis hym gan he to Muse,
And vppon hym sette his hors hed,
And towardis him prikyde In that sted.
thanne sone to hym Aproched he was,
And lefte vpe his swerd In that plas
For to han smeten therwith the kyng;
For In Nasciens Nas non Abydyng.
and whanne the kyng this beheld
That he so fawht In the feld,
and sawh his swerd Aboven his hed,
Anon he fledde In that sted
Also faste As he Myhte Ryde,
& Nasciens Aftir hym In that tyde;
So that his strok he ne Myhte restreyne,
but that his hors he smot so sore Certeyne
that his Chyne he smot In sonder.
the hors down fyl, it was non wondir,
and the kyng was þere sone Alyht,
& Sire Nasciens kythed On hym his Myht;
and vppon his helm he smot hym so
that On bothe knes the kyng fyl tho;
for non power he ne hadde to Ryse,
So nyghe was he to his Iwyse.
but faste towardis hym gan he to Muse,
And vppon hym sette his hors hed,
And towardis him prikyde In that sted.
thanne sone to hym Aproched he was,
And lefte vpe his swerd In that plas
For to han smeten therwith the kyng;
For In Nasciens Nas non Abydyng.
and whanne the kyng this beheld
That he so fawht In the feld,
and sawh his swerd Aboven his hed,
Anon he fledde In that sted
165
& Nasciens Aftir hym In that tyde;
So that his strok he ne Myhte restreyne,
but that his hors he smot so sore Certeyne
that his Chyne he smot In sonder.
the hors down fyl, it was non wondir,
and the kyng was þere sone Alyht,
& Sire Nasciens kythed On hym his Myht;
and vppon his helm he smot hym so
that On bothe knes the kyng fyl tho;
for non power he ne hadde to Ryse,
So nyghe was he to his Iwyse.
and whan Nasciens beheld Al this Cas,
that he there In Swowneng was,
he took the kyng be the helm Anon
Er he wolde Ony ferthere gon,
and took it Of Anon Of his hed,
So that Open he lay In that sted.
and whanne he hym Sawgh In this Manere,
and hym to slen In his powere,
ȝif he ne wolde Mercy Crye,
hym wolde he slen ful sekerlye.
“ȝelde the, sire kyng, ful Certeynle,
Other Ellis In feyth I schal the Sle
be the helpe Of Goddis Myht,
but þou the ȝelde Anon Ryht.”
“Sle me thanne, quod this kyng,
For I have levere with-Owten faillyng
A paynem To dien In this place,
thanne Cristene to be, and haue grace.”
that he there In Swowneng was,
he took the kyng be the helm Anon
Er he wolde Ony ferthere gon,
and took it Of Anon Of his hed,
So that Open he lay In that sted.
and whanne he hym Sawgh In this Manere,
and hym to slen In his powere,
ȝif he ne wolde Mercy Crye,
hym wolde he slen ful sekerlye.
“ȝelde the, sire kyng, ful Certeynle,
Other Ellis In feyth I schal the Sle
be the helpe Of Goddis Myht,
but þou the ȝelde Anon Ryht.”
“Sle me thanne, quod this kyng,
For I have levere with-Owten faillyng
A paynem To dien In this place,
thanne Cristene to be, and haue grace.”
Whanne Nasciens him herde thus tho seyn,
Anon his swerd he took Certein,
and smot Of there his hed,
Evene from the scholdres, In that sted.
And his hors Anon Aȝen he took
Mawgre his Enemyes, As seith the book;
and thanne began to fyhten ful sore,
Mochel hardere than he dide to fore:
thus that Bataille ne dide not blynne,
what of hem with-Owten & what Of hem with-Inne.
So that with-Inne A whille there
A thowsend Atte Erthe they were,
what dede & wounded In that plas,
As it there happed be goddis Gras.
ȝit Moche more peple there was
Of hem with-Owten In that plas;
Many mo thanne Of hem with-Inne,
but ȝit Of fyhteng wolden they not blynne.
Anon his swerd he took Certein,
and smot Of there his hed,
Evene from the scholdres, In that sted.
And his hors Anon Aȝen he took
Mawgre his Enemyes, As seith the book;
166
Mochel hardere than he dide to fore:
thus that Bataille ne dide not blynne,
what of hem with-Owten & what Of hem with-Inne.
So that with-Inne A whille there
A thowsend Atte Erthe they were,
what dede & wounded In that plas,
As it there happed be goddis Gras.
ȝit Moche more peple there was
Of hem with-Owten In that plas;
Many mo thanne Of hem with-Inne,
but ȝit Of fyhteng wolden they not blynne.
but al so sone As the kynges Meyne
Aspiden that here lord ded was he,
and that with-Owten Governour they were;
thanne sore Abasched weren they there,
And aftir that Owr hadden they non Myht
Forto defenden hem In that fyht;
but torned the bak thanne Everychon,
and towardis humbre they fledden Anon;
and Manye Of hem that fledden there,
Ful wel Iharneysed tho they were,
but they Of þe Castel Of Galafort thanne
Seweden Aftyr Every Manne,
So that At the wateris banke Anon
they were Confownded Everychon.
and þerfore ȝe Mown wel vndirstonde
Of so Merveillous A bataille In non londe,
but Only it were thorwh goddis Grace
that hem þerto graunted both Myht & space.
Aspiden that here lord ded was he,
and that with-Owten Governour they were;
thanne sore Abasched weren they there,
And aftir that Owr hadden they non Myht
Forto defenden hem In that fyht;
but torned the bak thanne Everychon,
and towardis humbre they fledden Anon;
and Manye Of hem that fledden there,
Ful wel Iharneysed tho they were,
but they Of þe Castel Of Galafort thanne
Seweden Aftyr Every Manne,
So that At the wateris banke Anon
they were Confownded Everychon.
and þerfore ȝe Mown wel vndirstonde
Of so Merveillous A bataille In non londe,
but Only it were thorwh goddis Grace
that hem þerto graunted both Myht & space.
Whanne here Enemyes so Ouercomen were,
Anon here loggen brenden they there,
And seiden pleynly Anon thenne,
that here good wolden they brenne;
for Of here good wolden they non,
but þere it brende Amonges hem Echon.
thus hadden the Cristene victorie
Of the Sarazines ful sekerlye,
In the Erthe Of grete bretaygne,
this I sey ȝow In Certeyne.
Anon here loggen brenden they there,
And seiden pleynly Anon thenne,
that here good wolden they brenne;
for Of here good wolden they non,
but þere it brende Amonges hem Echon.
167
Of the Sarazines ful sekerlye,
In the Erthe Of grete bretaygne,
this I sey ȝow In Certeyne.
thanne seide these Cristene Everichon,
that ‘be hem this bataille was Neuere don,
but Onliche, they wisten, be goddis Myht
that hem hadde sosteyned In here fyht.’
thanne was this a gret Afermeng
To here Creaunce with-Owten letteng;
Thanne knewen they wel ful verrayly
That He Was Lord God Al Myhty;
so that to God weren they ful Meke,
ful stedfast Of feith, and debonere Eke;
For the grete victore he hadde hem sent,
here thankynge they ȝoven to god verament.
that ‘be hem this bataille was Neuere don,
but Onliche, they wisten, be goddis Myht
that hem hadde sosteyned In here fyht.’
thanne was this a gret Afermeng
To here Creaunce with-Owten letteng;
Thanne knewen they wel ful verrayly
That He Was Lord God Al Myhty;
so that to God weren they ful Meke,
ful stedfast Of feith, and debonere Eke;
For the grete victore he hadde hem sent,
here thankynge they ȝoven to god verament.
Now leveth the storye here Anon Ryht
Of Alle these Meyne, I ȝow plyht,
And Torneth to Josephes now Ageyn,
as I schal ȝow declaren In Certeyn.
Of Alle these Meyne, I ȝow plyht,
And Torneth to Josephes now Ageyn,
as I schal ȝow declaren In Certeyn.
| CHAPTER XLIV. OF THE CONVERSION OF DUKE GAANORT AND HIS PEOPLE. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |