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," |
 |
|
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
| XLIII. |
| XLIV. |
| XLV. | CHAPTER XLV. HOW JOSEPHES WAS IMPRISOND, AND HOW MORDREINS ARRIVD IN GREAT BRITAIN. |
| XLVI. |
| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
| L. |
| LI. |
| LII. |
| LIII. |
| LIV. |
| LV. |
| LVI. |
 | CHAPTER XLV. HOW JOSEPHES WAS IMPRISOND, AND HOW MORDREINS ARRIVD IN GREAT BRITAIN. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER XLV. HOW JOSEPHES WAS IMPRISOND, AND HOW MORDREINS ARRIVD IN GREAT BRITAIN.
168
whanne Iosephes Owt of Galafort was gon,
and his Fadir with hym wente Anon,
and An hundred and fifty of his Meyne
wente forth with hym In Compene;
but forto kepen Ioseps wif,
lefte Nasciens Meyne with-owten stryf,
and Celidoynes, and of his kyn Oþer Also,
Ioseps wyf tenden vnto.
and his Fadir with hym wente Anon,
and An hundred and fifty of his Meyne
wente forth with hym In Compene;
but forto kepen Ioseps wif,
lefte Nasciens Meyne with-owten stryf,
and Celidoynes, and of his kyn Oþer Also,
Ioseps wyf tenden vnto.
Thus Iosephes from galafort wente,
and the holy disch with hym presente;
Thus wente he On Every partye
the peple to preche Seckerlye,
Tyl to North wales þat he was gon,
and his compenye Everychon:
whiche same tyme kyng was there
king Crwdelx, ful fel In Eche Manere,
and An vntrewe paynem Evere he was,
For In his persone was there non Gras.
and the holy disch with hym presente;
Thus wente he On Every partye
the peple to preche Seckerlye,
Tyl to North wales þat he was gon,
and his compenye Everychon:
whiche same tyme kyng was there
king Crwdelx, ful fel In Eche Manere,
169
For In his persone was there non Gras.
and whanne that he herde telle
that Into his lond weren Comen ful snelle
Meyne that weren not Of his lay,
but cristened they weren, they gonne hym say,
and with him browhten An holy vessel,
that ful of grace was Every del;
but the kyng let this for leseng there,
for he ne troweded In non Manere,
but Seide that ‘thevis that they were,
whiche Into his lond weren Entre[d] in fere;’
and comanded that Riht Anon
to-forn hym they scholden be browht Echon;
So that to Cowrt weren they browht Alle,
To forn the kyng Into his halle.
that Into his lond weren Comen ful snelle
Meyne that weren not Of his lay,
but cristened they weren, they gonne hym say,
and with him browhten An holy vessel,
that ful of grace was Every del;
but the kyng let this for leseng there,
for he ne troweded In non Manere,
but Seide that ‘thevis that they were,
whiche Into his lond weren Entre[d] in fere;’
and comanded that Riht Anon
to-forn hym they scholden be browht Echon;
So that to Cowrt weren they browht Alle,
To forn the kyng Into his halle.
Whanne the kyng this Compenye þere say,
To forn hym Comen In so powre Aray,
barefoted, and In pore Clothenge,—
and whanne hem he Sawh so Comenge,
“This peple, he seide ful Schortly,
Nis non thing Forto tellen by,”
but there hem Comanded to presown,
Iosephes and this Meyne Echon.
“And fowrty Dayes there sc[h]olden they be
with-owten Mete, Oþer drynk, ful Sekerle,
and that No Man scholde ben so hardy
In Al that tyme to Comen hem Ny;
For that I wolde gladliche knowe
ȝif they myhten leven Ony throwe,
and whethir here lord hem feden scholde,
Oȝer the vessel that they so holy it holde;
For In that place scholen they Abyde
Everych Owr In to that Tyde,
And thanne þe sothe schal I se,
ȝif Alle here Seyenges trewe be;
For, be the lord that I On beleve,
In this wise I schal hem preve,
For Other vyawnde geten they non,
but they it gete owt Of the harde ston.”
To forn hym Comen In so powre Aray,
barefoted, and In pore Clothenge,—
and whanne hem he Sawh so Comenge,
“This peple, he seide ful Schortly,
Nis non thing Forto tellen by,”
but there hem Comanded to presown,
Iosephes and this Meyne Echon.
“And fowrty Dayes there sc[h]olden they be
with-owten Mete, Oþer drynk, ful Sekerle,
and that No Man scholde ben so hardy
In Al that tyme to Comen hem Ny;
For that I wolde gladliche knowe
ȝif they myhten leven Ony throwe,
and whethir here lord hem feden scholde,
Oȝer the vessel that they so holy it holde;
For In that place scholen they Abyde
Everych Owr In to that Tyde,
And thanne þe sothe schal I se,
ȝif Alle here Seyenges trewe be;
170
In this wise I schal hem preve,
For Other vyawnde geten they non,
but they it gete owt Of the harde ston.”
Thus there Comaunded this fals paynem
Only forto distroyen hem,
And forto bryngen hem to paynem lay,
And to forsaken Crestene, ȝif þat he may;
but for non thing they Nolden it do,
For non thing he dyde hem to.
And the Ferste Nyht Anon
Iesus to hem sone gan gon,
and Comforted hem In Alle degre,
“and þat dismayed Nothing ȝe be;
For what thing that ȝoure herte wile Crave,
Axeth it Redelich, and ȝe scholen it have;
and, thowgh that ȝe Abyden here,
dismaye ȝow not In non Manere,
For with-Inne schort tyme I schal ȝow sende
socoure that hym schal brynge to ende,
and distroyen that fals hownd and Alle his
þat ȝow In prisown putte with-Owten Mys;
and alle that ȝow Tornementis do,
they scholen ben browht In sorwe & wo.”
In this Manere tolde hem the voys that Nyht,
Wherthorwh they weren boþe Ioyful & lyht;
and In more Ioye they weren Also
For the tydynges they herden tho.
Only forto distroyen hem,
And forto bryngen hem to paynem lay,
And to forsaken Crestene, ȝif þat he may;
but for non thing they Nolden it do,
For non thing he dyde hem to.
And the Ferste Nyht Anon
Iesus to hem sone gan gon,
and Comforted hem In Alle degre,
“and þat dismayed Nothing ȝe be;
For what thing that ȝoure herte wile Crave,
Axeth it Redelich, and ȝe scholen it have;
and, thowgh that ȝe Abyden here,
dismaye ȝow not In non Manere,
For with-Inne schort tyme I schal ȝow sende
socoure that hym schal brynge to ende,
and distroyen that fals hownd and Alle his
þat ȝow In prisown putte with-Owten Mys;
and alle that ȝow Tornementis do,
they scholen ben browht In sorwe & wo.”
In this Manere tolde hem the voys that Nyht,
Wherthorwh they weren boþe Ioyful & lyht;
and In more Ioye they weren Also
For the tydynges they herden tho.
That same Nyht kyng Mordrayn
In his bed At Sarras lay Certeyn,
bothe his wyf and he In fere,
And of Josephes and Nasciens spoken there,
And In here hertes hadden gret Merveillynge
that Of hem ne herden they non tydynge,
Nethir Of Celidoyne ne his Compenye,
where-Offen they Merveilleden trewelye.
For ful fayn wolde the kyng han knowe
how with hem It stood vppon A rowe,
In his bed At Sarras lay Certeyn,
bothe his wyf and he In fere,
And of Josephes and Nasciens spoken there,
And In here hertes hadden gret Merveillynge
that Of hem ne herden they non tydynge,
Nethir Of Celidoyne ne his Compenye,
where-Offen they Merveilleden trewelye.
171
how with hem It stood vppon A rowe,
thus sone On slepe there fyl the kyng;—
him thowhte he sawh to forn him Comeng
Oure lord ful Angwischous and Al to-Rent,
And al newe wowndid to his Entent,
And vppon the Crois Crwcyfyed Ageyn,
bothe hondis & fet I-naylled In Certeyn.
and whanne the kyng this gan beholde,
he wepte and Syhede Many folde,
“ha! lord, ho this thyng hath þow I-do?”
And he Answerid Anon Ryht tho,
“kyng Crwdelx, Of North gales kyng,
Me hath thus put to Crwcyfyeng;
forto hym it sufficeth no thing
Of my ferste Crwcyfyeng;
but newe he Crwcyfieth me Ageyn,
As thou myht Sen with thin Eyen pleyn.
Arys vp faste Anon now here,
And loke thine ArMure Every where,
And take thy wyf Onliche with the,
and Nasciens wif In thy Compene,
and the dowhter of kyng label,
whiche Maiden thow knowest ful wel,
and hyeth ȝow faste to the see,
And there I-scheped that ȝe be;
For Into Grete breteygne thou schalt go,
there to Avengen me vppon My fo,
On kyng Crwdelx, that me tormentyth sore.
Anon kyng Mordrayns Answerid thore,
‘that ryht gladliche he wolde it do
to Avengen his lord vppon his fo.’
him thowhte he sawh to forn him Comeng
Oure lord ful Angwischous and Al to-Rent,
And al newe wowndid to his Entent,
And vppon the Crois Crwcyfyed Ageyn,
bothe hondis & fet I-naylled In Certeyn.
and whanne the kyng this gan beholde,
he wepte and Syhede Many folde,
“ha! lord, ho this thyng hath þow I-do?”
And he Answerid Anon Ryht tho,
“kyng Crwdelx, Of North gales kyng,
Me hath thus put to Crwcyfyeng;
forto hym it sufficeth no thing
Of my ferste Crwcyfyeng;
but newe he Crwcyfieth me Ageyn,
As thou myht Sen with thin Eyen pleyn.
Arys vp faste Anon now here,
And loke thine ArMure Every where,
And take thy wyf Onliche with the,
and Nasciens wif In thy Compene,
and the dowhter of kyng label,
whiche Maiden thow knowest ful wel,
and hyeth ȝow faste to the see,
And there I-scheped that ȝe be;
For Into Grete breteygne thou schalt go,
there to Avengen me vppon My fo,
On kyng Crwdelx, that me tormentyth sore.
Anon kyng Mordrayns Answerid thore,
‘that ryht gladliche he wolde it do
to Avengen his lord vppon his fo.’
On the Morwen, whanne he vp Ros,
hastely to Chirche thanne he Gos,
As A man bothe Ioyful & Gladde
For þeke Aviciown I-sein he hadde;
there herde he Matynes & Masse bothe;
thanne Calde he to hym the provost forsothe,
And told hym his Avyciown
Alto-gederis, bothe hol & som.
thanne whanne he hadde seid Everidel,
Anon that provost Answerid ful wel,
“Sire,” he seide, Make ȝe non taryeng,
but faste Somowneth ȝoure Ost to gadering,
and that ȝe hyen ȝow In Alle wyse
to Avengen Crist of his Mal Eyse,
For it is the fairest demonstraunce
that Evere ȝow happed In Ony chaunce.”
hastely to Chirche thanne he Gos,
As A man bothe Ioyful & Gladde
For þeke Aviciown I-sein he hadde;
172
thanne Calde he to hym the provost forsothe,
And told hym his Avyciown
Alto-gederis, bothe hol & som.
thanne whanne he hadde seid Everidel,
Anon that provost Answerid ful wel,
“Sire,” he seide, Make ȝe non taryeng,
but faste Somowneth ȝoure Ost to gadering,
and that ȝe hyen ȝow In Alle wyse
to Avengen Crist of his Mal Eyse,
For it is the fairest demonstraunce
that Evere ȝow happed In Ony chaunce.”
the kyng ful wel beleved þe provost thenne,
& Aftyr Nasciens wif he sente be his Menne,
& Aftyr the dowhter Of kyng label,
which for a Maide he knew ful wel,
and aftyr al his Meyne both fer & Ny
That to hym Alle they Comen In hy,
Eche Man Arayed In his beste wyse,
with swich harneis As he cowde best devise;
and thus to hym they hyeden Anon
his Comandement forto don,
And to hym they comen In to Sarras,
To that Cyte As his wille was;
Eche Man In his beste Aray,
To-forn him they Mostred þere þat day.
& Aftyr Nasciens wif he sente be his Menne,
& Aftyr the dowhter Of kyng label,
which for a Maide he knew ful wel,
and aftyr al his Meyne both fer & Ny
That to hym Alle they Comen In hy,
Eche Man Arayed In his beste wyse,
with swich harneis As he cowde best devise;
and thus to hym they hyeden Anon
his Comandement forto don,
And to hym they comen In to Sarras,
To that Cyte As his wille was;
Eche Man In his beste Aray,
To-forn him they Mostred þere þat day.
and whanne Nasciens wif þedir was gon,
the kyng here took In Cownseyl Anon,
And hire there tolde In Confesciown
Al the hol Mater Of his Aviciown,
“Wherefore that I knowe ful wel
that it is Goddis wyl Everydel
that ȝe with vs thedir scholen go,
and kyng labelis dowhter with vs Also,
and Also My wyf the qweene;
So þat Al my lond I shal leven bedene
To Aganore that ful trewe knyht,
It forto kepen with Al his Myht.
And ȝif that Neuere we comen Ageyn,
Nothir we ne Owre Eyres In Certeyn,
thanne I wile that the lond his be,
As next of my kyn ful sekerle.
And ȝif we Retorne hider Ageyn,
Agen In pocesciown to ben ful pleyn,
And as fre owre owne, the sothe to say,
lyk as it now is this same day.”
the kyng here took In Cownseyl Anon,
And hire there tolde In Confesciown
Al the hol Mater Of his Aviciown,
“Wherefore that I knowe ful wel
that it is Goddis wyl Everydel
that ȝe with vs thedir scholen go,
and kyng labelis dowhter with vs Also,
and Also My wyf the qweene;
So þat Al my lond I shal leven bedene
173
It forto kepen with Al his Myht.
And ȝif that Neuere we comen Ageyn,
Nothir we ne Owre Eyres In Certeyn,
thanne I wile that the lond his be,
As next of my kyn ful sekerle.
And ȝif we Retorne hider Ageyn,
Agen In pocesciown to ben ful pleyn,
And as fre owre owne, the sothe to say,
lyk as it now is this same day.”
And Evene as the Kyng had I-seyd tho,
his comandement he hyhte be do,
And sente Anon Aftyr his peple there
that behinde hym scholde leven In Ony Manere,
‘That they scholden Alle To Aganore
Ful sewrte and feith to Maken thore,
and hym to holden As for here lord.’
Thus made he hem Alle ensuren At on word,
“and ȝif it happede In Ony degre
That this Aganore dissesid be,
Oþer while Riden for to Osteye,
that ȝe hym helpe be Ony weye,
As ȝe wolden don ȝowre lige lord,
And þat ȝe ben Alle Of this Acord.
Fortheremore, ȝif that I deye,
Oþer Retornen neuere Aȝen Otterlye,
thanne wyle I that ȝe Crownen kyng
Sire Aganore, Ouer Alle thing;
of my lond & my Contre
I wile þat Aganore after me Kyng be;
for I knowe not In Al this lond,
As far As I can vndirstond,
Non man so worthy A Kyng to be
As Aganore is In Al degre.”
thus Maden they Surawnce Everichon,
as Manye as to-fore Mordreyn gonnen gon.
his comandement he hyhte be do,
And sente Anon Aftyr his peple there
that behinde hym scholde leven In Ony Manere,
‘That they scholden Alle To Aganore
Ful sewrte and feith to Maken thore,
and hym to holden As for here lord.’
Thus made he hem Alle ensuren At on word,
“and ȝif it happede In Ony degre
That this Aganore dissesid be,
Oþer while Riden for to Osteye,
that ȝe hym helpe be Ony weye,
As ȝe wolden don ȝowre lige lord,
And þat ȝe ben Alle Of this Acord.
Fortheremore, ȝif that I deye,
Oþer Retornen neuere Aȝen Otterlye,
thanne wyle I that ȝe Crownen kyng
Sire Aganore, Ouer Alle thing;
of my lond & my Contre
I wile þat Aganore after me Kyng be;
for I knowe not In Al this lond,
As far As I can vndirstond,
Non man so worthy A Kyng to be
As Aganore is In Al degre.”
thus Maden they Surawnce Everichon,
as Manye as to-fore Mordreyn gonnen gon.
174
Vppon the Morwen Aftyr Sewenge,
Eche Man to Sarras Cam to his Kynge;
And so thens departyd they sone,
& with hym thre hundred barowns Everichone,
with-Owten sqwyeris and oþer Meyne,
And with-Owten footmen ful sekerle.
Eche Man to Sarras Cam to his Kynge;
And so thens departyd they sone,
& with hym thre hundred barowns Everichone,
with-Owten sqwyeris and oþer Meyne,
And with-Owten footmen ful sekerle.
whanne that Owt Of þe Cyte weren they gon
king Mordreins and [his] feleschepe Echon,
and whanne that A myle he was past,
To Aganor he seide þere Anon in hast,
“ȝe behoven to tornen Ageyn,
For I have forȝeten In Certeyn
Princepaly my white Scheld,
of wheche I hadde nede In þe feld
whanne that I fawht with Tholome
Kyng Of Egipcyans, ful Sekerle.
For theke scheld In non Manere degre
I ne schal not leven behynden Me,
For Everyday that Scheld moste I se
In Remembraunce Of my victorye,
And of that hye Crwcyfyed kyng
that of myn Enemyes ȝaf me conqweryng.”
king Mordreins and [his] feleschepe Echon,
and whanne that A myle he was past,
To Aganor he seide þere Anon in hast,
“ȝe behoven to tornen Ageyn,
For I have forȝeten In Certeyn
Princepaly my white Scheld,
of wheche I hadde nede In þe feld
whanne that I fawht with Tholome
Kyng Of Egipcyans, ful Sekerle.
For theke scheld In non Manere degre
I ne schal not leven behynden Me,
For Everyday that Scheld moste I se
In Remembraunce Of my victorye,
And of that hye Crwcyfyed kyng
that of myn Enemyes ȝaf me conqweryng.”
Anon A sqwyer tornede Ageyn
For þe kynges scheld In Certeyn
that In his chombre þe kyng forgat.
the sqwyer forth Rod Anon with that,
And that scheld browhte to the kyng
with Owten Ony long taryeng.
So whanne the kyng the scheld þere say,
he Made bothe Mirthe, Ioye, and play,
And Into the schipe he dide it do
that hym Selve scholde In Go.
Also his qweene and Nasciens wyf,
and kyng labelis dowter, with-Owten stryf.
thanne of the peple was þere sore wepyng,
Gret lementaciown, and Mochel Morneng.
For þe kynges scheld In Certeyn
that In his chombre þe kyng forgat.
the sqwyer forth Rod Anon with that,
And that scheld browhte to the kyng
with Owten Ony long taryeng.
So whanne the kyng the scheld þere say,
he Made bothe Mirthe, Ioye, and play,
And Into the schipe he dide it do
that hym Selve scholde In Go.
Also his qweene and Nasciens wyf,
and kyng labelis dowter, with-Owten stryf.
thanne of the peple was þere sore wepyng,
Gret lementaciown, and Mochel Morneng.
175
whanne the kyng from his Meyne was gon,
and Entred the See there anon,
and the Seyl was vp I-drawe,
where-Offen his Meyne weren ful fawe,
and the Maister Marynere
Governaunce vppon hym took þere,
And putte Every Man to his degre,
In what Servise that they scholde be;
So that with-Inne A lytel space,
As God of his myht wolde graunten hem grace,
So fer they weren from the lond,
with-Inne A whille, as I vndirstond,
That Non Lond Ne Cowden they Aspye,
Nethyr Fer ne faste bye;
and whanne they weren A Middes the Se,
The Tempest A-Ros ful spetowsle,
So gret and therto so merveillous,
So dredful and Ek so boystous,
that Alle they wenden persched han be,
So boistows was the storm ful sekerle.
and Entred the See there anon,
and the Seyl was vp I-drawe,
where-Offen his Meyne weren ful fawe,
and the Maister Marynere
Governaunce vppon hym took þere,
And putte Every Man to his degre,
In what Servise that they scholde be;
So that with-Inne A lytel space,
As God of his myht wolde graunten hem grace,
So fer they weren from the lond,
with-Inne A whille, as I vndirstond,
That Non Lond Ne Cowden they Aspye,
Nethyr Fer ne faste bye;
and whanne they weren A Middes the Se,
The Tempest A-Ros ful spetowsle,
So gret and therto so merveillous,
So dredful and Ek so boystous,
that Alle they wenden persched han be,
So boistows was the storm ful sekerle.
The tempest was so fowl and strong
to the kyng and his peple Among,
that In sweche peryl Alle they were,
So that they wenden han persched there.
they Wepten, and sorweden, and Maden gret Cry,
and besowhten god of his Mercy,
and seiden “lord, and thi wille it be,
let vs not deyen here In this degre,
but Respite vs, lord, for thy Mercy,
that of Owre Misdedis Openly
we Axen the Mown Forȝevenesse
Of oure Gyltes & oure wrechednesse;
And Sese this tempest And this Torment
That we ben now Inne, lord, present,
and that we Mowen forth Savely gon
Thedyr As thou hast vs Ordeyned Echon.”
to the kyng and his peple Among,
that In sweche peryl Alle they were,
So that they wenden han persched there.
they Wepten, and sorweden, and Maden gret Cry,
and besowhten god of his Mercy,
and seiden “lord, and thi wille it be,
let vs not deyen here In this degre,
but Respite vs, lord, for thy Mercy,
that of Owre Misdedis Openly
we Axen the Mown Forȝevenesse
Of oure Gyltes & oure wrechednesse;
And Sese this tempest And this Torment
That we ben now Inne, lord, present,
and that we Mowen forth Savely gon
Thedyr As thou hast vs Ordeyned Echon.”
176
In the Mene whille they Maden here preyere
To God and to his Modyr So dere.
thanne Aperyd there A voys Anon,
that they it herden þere Everichon,
“voide the Enemy from ȝow In haste,
Owt of ȝowre Schipe that he were paste,
oþer Elles perschen scholen ȝe Alle,
Swich a Cas is ȝow befalle.”
To God and to his Modyr So dere.
thanne Aperyd there A voys Anon,
that they it herden þere Everichon,
“voide the Enemy from ȝow In haste,
Owt of ȝowre Schipe that he were paste,
oþer Elles perschen scholen ȝe Alle,
Swich a Cas is ȝow befalle.”
Whanne the kyng this vois so herde,
Anon As a Ferful Man he ferde,
and knew wel that the Enemy herberwed was
with-Innen his schipe, swich was his Gras;
but, for he Cowde not parceyven ho it were,
Anon holy water thanne took he there,
And Abowtes the Schipe he it Caste,
Over Al Abowtes in gret haste.
And As he wente Abowtes Castynge
the holy water for here vortherynge,
In a chambre he herde faste hym by
An hydows Noyse and A wondyrful Cry,
that wondirfully þere-Offen Abascht he was
Of the noyse he herde In that plas.
And thus sone they seyen there Anon
The Enemy Owt Of the Chambre gon
In liknesse of a damysele
that hadde Fetures Many & fele,
and A lyveng man with hire sche bar,
As hem thowhte that they Syen thare,
And Seyde, hereng there hem Alle,
“this Is Myn be lot I-falle,
And þerfore I take hym forth with Me
As Myn Owne servaunt ful sekerle.”
Anon As a Ferful Man he ferde,
and knew wel that the Enemy herberwed was
with-Innen his schipe, swich was his Gras;
but, for he Cowde not parceyven ho it were,
Anon holy water thanne took he there,
And Abowtes the Schipe he it Caste,
Over Al Abowtes in gret haste.
And As he wente Abowtes Castynge
the holy water for here vortherynge,
In a chambre he herde faste hym by
An hydows Noyse and A wondyrful Cry,
that wondirfully þere-Offen Abascht he was
Of the noyse he herde In that plas.
And thus sone they seyen there Anon
The Enemy Owt Of the Chambre gon
In liknesse of a damysele
that hadde Fetures Many & fele,
and A lyveng man with hire sche bar,
As hem thowhte that they Syen thare,
And Seyde, hereng there hem Alle,
“this Is Myn be lot I-falle,
And þerfore I take hym forth with Me
As Myn Owne servaunt ful sekerle.”
Thus sone weren they so fer I-past,
that the Syhte of hem hadden they lost;
Of wheche thing they weren Abascht Everichon,
that Of hem ne speken Cowde neuere On.
Thanne clepid the king A preest hastely,
An Old Man that was hym faste By,
And bad hym Entren the Chambre Anon,
Of wheche the Enemy was owt Gon;
“For I wot wel that the Enemy it was
That Isswed here owt of this plas.”
that the Syhte of hem hadden they lost;
Of wheche thing they weren Abascht Everichon,
that Of hem ne speken Cowde neuere On.
177
An Old Man that was hym faste By,
And bad hym Entren the Chambre Anon,
Of wheche the Enemy was owt Gon;
“For I wot wel that the Enemy it was
That Isswed here owt of this plas.”
Thanne the Goode Man took haliwater Anon,
and his stole, and gan forth to gon,
And Entred In to the Chambre there,
And the kyng him folwede ful Nere.
thanne there so stenkenge A savour was
that they ne Cowden Entren Into that plas
but ȝif here hertes scholden han to-broke,
so Mochel stench In that Chambre was loke.
thanne began this goodman there
holy water to Casten Every where,
but they ne fownden non Maner of thyng.
and his stole, and gan forth to gon,
And Entred In to the Chambre there,
And the kyng him folwede ful Nere.
thanne there so stenkenge A savour was
that they ne Cowden Entren Into that plas
but ȝif here hertes scholden han to-broke,
so Mochel stench In that Chambre was loke.
thanne began this goodman there
holy water to Casten Every where,
but they ne fownden non Maner of thyng.
thanne Axede Anon Mordrayns the kyng
Of hem that Abowte hym were,
“ȝif that Ony Man they lakkede þere,
Owther knyht Owthe sqwyere,
Owthe[r] Ony Oþer persone In Ony Manere.”
thanne Abowtes hem loked they Anon,
And þe Capteyn Of kome þanne was Agon.
thanne seide the kyng “ful Certeynle,
It is Ryht now grete Merveil to Me
but the Enemy hym haue forth bore
that with-Inne vs was herberwed to fore.”
Of hem that Abowte hym were,
“ȝif that Ony Man they lakkede þere,
Owther knyht Owthe sqwyere,
Owthe[r] Ony Oþer persone In Ony Manere.”
thanne Abowtes hem loked they Anon,
And þe Capteyn Of kome þanne was Agon.
thanne seide the kyng “ful Certeynle,
It is Ryht now grete Merveil to Me
but the Enemy hym haue forth bore
that with-Inne vs was herberwed to fore.”
Whiles they weren Of spekyng Of this Matere,
A lady to þe kyng Anon spak there:
“Sire, ful gret Merveil Mow ȝe have
Of þat holy Ermyt, So god me Save,
that ȝe hider browhte with ȝow,
how that so sore he slepith now,
that neuere ne waketh for non tempest
Of Al this storm, Mest ne lest.
And I wolde that to hym ȝe go
to weten how this tempest myhte be do;
For whanne this Enemy was Agon,
In Al the See tempest was there non.
A lady to þe kyng Anon spak there:
“Sire, ful gret Merveil Mow ȝe have
Of þat holy Ermyt, So god me Save,
that ȝe hider browhte with ȝow,
how that so sore he slepith now,
that neuere ne waketh for non tempest
Of Al this storm, Mest ne lest.
178
to weten how this tempest myhte be do;
For whanne this Enemy was Agon,
In Al the See tempest was there non.
thanne wente forth the kyng ful faste:
This Goodman he fond thanne Atte laste
Evere Slepenge In On degre,
and ful sore wepynge Euere lay he
as they he hadde ben ful wakynge,
So sore he wepte In his Slepynge.
This Goodman he fond thanne Atte laste
Evere Slepenge In On degre,
and ful sore wepynge Euere lay he
as they he hadde ben ful wakynge,
So sore he wepte In his Slepynge.
Whanne the kyng Sawh hym slepen so sore,
he Made A signe that Abowtes hym wore,
“Awaketh hym, he seide ful softely,
and by hym Abydeth stedfastly.”
and thus he seide In his wakyng,
“ha! thow Enemy, thow fowle thyng,
why hast thou here boren Away
Owt Of Oure schip A man this day?”
thanne Made he moche More Morneng
þanne Ony tyme to fore, and More wepyng;
and Evere Abod the kyng still there
to knowen Of this good Mannes Manere.
And so long þe kyng Abod In that plas
that þe goodman ful Awaked was,
and Nevertheles not for than
the water In his Eyen stille was than.
“Ha! sire!” quod he to the kyng thanne,
Why loketh On Me here so Many A Manne?”
“For sothe, sire,” quod the kyng Ageyn,
“We han ȝow beholden here In Certayn;
For ȝe han slept so stedfastly,
And we In torment, sorwe, and Cry:
and ȝit woken ȝe neuere for non thyng,
for tempest, sorwe, ne Cryeng;
and In ȝowre slepyng so gonnen ȝe speke
þat for sorwe we wenden Oure hertes to breke.”
he Made A signe that Abowtes hym wore,
“Awaketh hym, he seide ful softely,
and by hym Abydeth stedfastly.”
and thus he seide In his wakyng,
“ha! thow Enemy, thow fowle thyng,
why hast thou here boren Away
Owt Of Oure schip A man this day?”
thanne Made he moche More Morneng
þanne Ony tyme to fore, and More wepyng;
and Evere Abod the kyng still there
to knowen Of this good Mannes Manere.
And so long þe kyng Abod In that plas
that þe goodman ful Awaked was,
and Nevertheles not for than
the water In his Eyen stille was than.
“Ha! sire!” quod he to the kyng thanne,
Why loketh On Me here so Many A Manne?”
“For sothe, sire,” quod the kyng Ageyn,
“We han ȝow beholden here In Certayn;
For ȝe han slept so stedfastly,
And we In torment, sorwe, and Cry:
and ȝit woken ȝe neuere for non thyng,
for tempest, sorwe, ne Cryeng;
and In ȝowre slepyng so gonnen ȝe speke
þat for sorwe we wenden Oure hertes to breke.”
179
Thanne seide this Good Man to the kyng,
“Certes, Sire, there-Offen is non Merveillyng;
For In My sleping, as I lay stylle,
I sawh a thing that liked me Ille.”
“What may that be,” quod the kyng.
“Sire, I schal ȝow say with-Owten taryeng.
“Certes, Sire, there-Offen is non Merveillyng;
For In My sleping, as I lay stylle,
I sawh a thing that liked me Ille.”
“What may that be,” quod the kyng.
“Sire, I schal ȝow say with-Owten taryeng.
“Sire, In Myn Slepyng here I say
On Of ȝowre knyhtes this Selve day,
wheche I trowe it be Of Come ȝoure Capteyn,
that Is ȝowre Castel In Certeyn.
and how there-Offen it is betyd,
ȝe scholen wel heren, and ȝe Abyd.
he lovede so sore the lady Nascien
hot paramours, As I say ȝow pleyn,
and Neuere his Wille Myhte he haue
For non thing that he Cowde Crave;
and Evere Abowtes here faste he lay,
but he ne myhte spreden be non way.
and whanne the Enemy gan this Aspye,
Towardis him faste Gan he to hye
In liknesse Of that lady Gent
wheche Flegentyne hyhte verament,
and seide ‘And thow wost becomen My Man,
thy wyl wold I fulfillen than;
what that Evere that thow wilt do,
ȝowre wille to haue whanne ȝe liken so.’
On Of ȝowre knyhtes this Selve day,
wheche I trowe it be Of Come ȝoure Capteyn,
that Is ȝowre Castel In Certeyn.
and how there-Offen it is betyd,
ȝe scholen wel heren, and ȝe Abyd.
he lovede so sore the lady Nascien
hot paramours, As I say ȝow pleyn,
and Neuere his Wille Myhte he haue
For non thing that he Cowde Crave;
and Evere Abowtes here faste he lay,
but he ne myhte spreden be non way.
and whanne the Enemy gan this Aspye,
Towardis him faste Gan he to hye
In liknesse Of that lady Gent
wheche Flegentyne hyhte verament,
and seide ‘And thow wost becomen My Man,
thy wyl wold I fulfillen than;
what that Evere that thow wilt do,
ȝowre wille to haue whanne ȝe liken so.’
“thanne he hire Man becam Anone,
and his saviour forsook thus sone;
and Sethen that tyme In-to this day
hath he ben hire Man verray,
Into this Owr Of Midday ful Ryht
that I thus here Slepte In ȝowre Syht.
So that it behappede now this Cas
That this Captein In his Chombre was:
thanne Aperede there to hym Anone
the Enemy In lyknesse Of hire thus sone,
whiche he wende hadde ben Nasciens wyf,
whom that he lovede with Alle his lyf;
and as thing On Erthe he lovede so sore,
Neþer Of Alle thyng he desired More
thanne with hire to don Folye;
and thus sone he gan to here Aplye,
And to hire he Ran with A ful gret ber,
and his Caytyve lecherie fulfilde ther,
where-thorwh this gret tempest sekerlye,
here-Offen it Cam, As ȝe sien with Eye.
and his saviour forsook thus sone;
and Sethen that tyme In-to this day
hath he ben hire Man verray,
Into this Owr Of Midday ful Ryht
that I thus here Slepte In ȝowre Syht.
So that it behappede now this Cas
That this Captein In his Chombre was:
thanne Aperede there to hym Anone
the Enemy In lyknesse Of hire thus sone,
180
whom that he lovede with Alle his lyf;
and as thing On Erthe he lovede so sore,
Neþer Of Alle thyng he desired More
thanne with hire to don Folye;
and thus sone he gan to here Aplye,
And to hire he Ran with A ful gret ber,
and his Caytyve lecherie fulfilde ther,
where-thorwh this gret tempest sekerlye,
here-Offen it Cam, As ȝe sien with Eye.
“Whanne this Caytyf thus hadde I-do,
Into hire Owne forme thanne torned sche hire tho,
and seide that she wolde him with hire bere
Evene As hire Owne Man whiche was there.
thanne so gret drede hadde this knyht,
whanne he be-held that fowle wyht,
That Nethir On God neþer On holichirche
he ne Cowde not thenken, ne non good wirche;
lo! thus Sore disceyved he was,
thorwh drede and sorwen In that plas.
So the Enemy hym there took vpe Anon
In hys Nekke, and with him gan gon
like As ȝe both herde and Sye;
So In My slepe dede I witterlye,
As it tho plesede the goode lord,
he it me schewed be his Owne Acord.
“And whanne I sawh the Enemy the knyht so bere,
thanne wepte I sore, As ȝe syen here,
And Into the tyme that I waked was
I ne hadde neuere Reste In this plas,
Ne ȝit ne have for sorwe and drede
whanne I say the Enemy the knyht so lede;
For In myn herte I sorwe ful sore
That the Devel thorwh sweche deseyt thore,
And thorwgh swich Misaventure,
boþe lost body & sowle, I the Enswre.
and this is the Cawse Certeynlye
that I slept here so stedfastlye
whiles that the tempest dured here,
thus Slept I In this Manere;
and thus hath the Enemy deceyved that knyht:
Wherefore, gracious lord, of thy Myht,
and it, Goode lord, thy wille it be,
So On his Sowle thow have pyte.”
Into hire Owne forme thanne torned sche hire tho,
and seide that she wolde him with hire bere
Evene As hire Owne Man whiche was there.
thanne so gret drede hadde this knyht,
whanne he be-held that fowle wyht,
That Nethir On God neþer On holichirche
he ne Cowde not thenken, ne non good wirche;
lo! thus Sore disceyved he was,
thorwh drede and sorwen In that plas.
So the Enemy hym there took vpe Anon
In hys Nekke, and with him gan gon
like As ȝe both herde and Sye;
So In My slepe dede I witterlye,
As it tho plesede the goode lord,
he it me schewed be his Owne Acord.
“And whanne I sawh the Enemy the knyht so bere,
thanne wepte I sore, As ȝe syen here,
And Into the tyme that I waked was
I ne hadde neuere Reste In this plas,
Ne ȝit ne have for sorwe and drede
whanne I say the Enemy the knyht so lede;
For In myn herte I sorwe ful sore
That the Devel thorwh sweche deseyt thore,
And thorwgh swich Misaventure,
boþe lost body & sowle, I the Enswre.
181
that I slept here so stedfastlye
whiles that the tempest dured here,
thus Slept I In this Manere;
and thus hath the Enemy deceyved that knyht:
Wherefore, gracious lord, of thy Myht,
and it, Goode lord, thy wille it be,
So On his Sowle thow have pyte.”
This Aventure Anon Abowten schewed was
To Nasciens wif, & Oþere In that plas
that thike tyme with-Inne þe schipe were,
the bettere from Synne to kepen hem þere
and bettere serven here Creatour,
and hym better worschepen & honour.
To Nasciens wif, & Oþere In that plas
that thike tyme with-Inne þe schipe were,
the bettere from Synne to kepen hem þere
and bettere serven here Creatour,
and hym better worschepen & honour.
thus the schipe In the se gan to go
On day & Oþer, bothe two & Fro
as the wynd it Gan to blowe,
tyl at the laste with-Inne A throwe
They Aryveden In gret breteyne
At the Castel Of Caleph In Certeyne,
whiche that Next to North gales was
Of Al that Rem In that plas.
On day & Oþer, bothe two & Fro
as the wynd it Gan to blowe,
tyl at the laste with-Inne A throwe
They Aryveden In gret breteyne
At the Castel Of Caleph In Certeyne,
whiche that Next to North gales was
Of Al that Rem In that plas.
whanne they weren Arevyn Echon,
here Osteyowrs they maden forth gon,
and Maden Redy here pavylowns,
here hors, here Armures, here Akatowns;
& whiles thus besy they weren In Certayne,
they lokeden Aȝens A Mowntaygne,
they syen where that Comen two knyhtes
On horsbak I-armed Evene Owt Ryhtes,
and hem fayllede non thing, I vndirstonde,
Sawf that non Glayves hadden they On honde.
and whanne they seyen the knyhtes Comen prikyng so sore,
Aȝens hem they dresseden Anon thore,
vppon here destreris forto Ride,
with tho knyhtes to Meten that tyde.
here Osteyowrs they maden forth gon,
and Maden Redy here pavylowns,
here hors, here Armures, here Akatowns;
& whiles thus besy they weren In Certayne,
they lokeden Aȝens A Mowntaygne,
they syen where that Comen two knyhtes
On horsbak I-armed Evene Owt Ryhtes,
and hem fayllede non thing, I vndirstonde,
Sawf that non Glayves hadden they On honde.
and whanne they seyen the knyhtes Comen prikyng so sore,
Aȝens hem they dresseden Anon thore,
vppon here destreris forto Ride,
with tho knyhtes to Meten that tyde.
182
thanne Axeden they the knyhtes Anon
‘what they weren, & whedir they wolde gon.’
“Sire,” quod these knyhtes, “Cristened we be.”
“Now, goode Sire, quod they, whennes be ȝe?”
thanne Answerid kyng Mordrayn,
“And we ben Cristened, Sire, In Certayn,
And In baptesme Cleped I was
kyng Mordrayn, kyng of Sarras.”
‘what they weren, & whedir they wolde gon.’
“Sire,” quod these knyhtes, “Cristened we be.”
“Now, goode Sire, quod they, whennes be ȝe?”
thanne Answerid kyng Mordrayn,
“And we ben Cristened, Sire, In Certayn,
And In baptesme Cleped I was
kyng Mordrayn, kyng of Sarras.”
Thanne Anon Adown they Alyhte,
bothe the kyng and Eke the knyhte,
and seiden, “Sire kyng, welcomen ȝe be
Ful sekerly Into this Contre;
For In Many A place we ȝow han sowht
ȝif we myhte happen to sen ȝow owht.”
Anon the kyng seide to hem Ageyn,
“Now, leve Sires, whens Comen ȝe pleyn?”
“Sire Nasciens knyhtes forsothe we be,
that hider Comen to Meten with the.”
“Me forto Meten?” quod the kyng thanne,
“how was there war Offen Ony Manne?”
“Sikerly, sire kyng, quod the knyhtes tho,
here-Offen wisten we longes A-go;
For it is past Sixe dayes In Certeyn
Sethen my lord told vs ful pleyn,
that this day, Oþer to Morwen with-Owten faille,
Into this same port scholde ȝe ful saylle.”
bothe the kyng and Eke the knyhte,
and seiden, “Sire kyng, welcomen ȝe be
Ful sekerly Into this Contre;
For In Many A place we ȝow han sowht
ȝif we myhte happen to sen ȝow owht.”
Anon the kyng seide to hem Ageyn,
“Now, leve Sires, whens Comen ȝe pleyn?”
“Sire Nasciens knyhtes forsothe we be,
that hider Comen to Meten with the.”
“Me forto Meten?” quod the kyng thanne,
“how was there war Offen Ony Manne?”
“Sikerly, sire kyng, quod the knyhtes tho,
here-Offen wisten we longes A-go;
For it is past Sixe dayes In Certeyn
Sethen my lord told vs ful pleyn,
that this day, Oþer to Morwen with-Owten faille,
Into this same port scholde ȝe ful saylle.”
thanne spak the kyng with milde speche,
“doth Of ȝoure helmes, I ȝow beseche.”
And whanne that here vesages weren Overt,
he knew hem Openly thanne Apert.
Thanne was the ton Clamacydes,—
Of wheche this storye Aforn doth Rehers,—
and the tothir knyht hyhte sir Naron,
whiche was bothe kyng and qwenes sone,
and therto A worthy knyht,
As Often hadde ben proved In fyht.
“doth Of ȝoure helmes, I ȝow beseche.”
And whanne that here vesages weren Overt,
he knew hem Openly thanne Apert.
Thanne was the ton Clamacydes,—
Of wheche this storye Aforn doth Rehers,—
and the tothir knyht hyhte sir Naron,
whiche was bothe kyng and qwenes sone,
and therto A worthy knyht,
As Often hadde ben proved In fyht.
183
Thanne dide the kyng Of his helm Anon,
And On fote with hem gan to gon,
For the grete Ioye that there was
Cowde non Man devysen In non plas.
And the kyng hem kyste ful Often sithe
whethir they wolde oþer nolde, he was so blythe;
and as gret Ioye Of hem Made trewely
As he hadde begeten them with his body.
And On fote with hem gan to gon,
For the grete Ioye that there was
Cowde non Man devysen In non plas.
And the kyng hem kyste ful Often sithe
whethir they wolde oþer nolde, he was so blythe;
and as gret Ioye Of hem Made trewely
As he hadde begeten them with his body.
Whanne the knyhtes þat at þe see side were,
behelden the Ioye that the kyng Made there
to hem that he with Mette so,
where-Offen Mochel they Merveillede tho,
that the knyhtes wenten forth bedene
to weten what this thing Scholde Mene.
and whanne Ech Oþer gan forto beholde,
thanne was þere Ioye ful Manyfolde,
Ful Mochel More thanne was be-fore.
behelden the Ioye that the kyng Made there
to hem that he with Mette so,
where-Offen Mochel they Merveillede tho,
that the knyhtes wenten forth bedene
to weten what this thing Scholde Mene.
and whanne Ech Oþer gan forto beholde,
thanne was þere Ioye ful Manyfolde,
Ful Mochel More thanne was be-fore.
but whanne Flegentyne herde tellen thore
that they weren hire lordis knyhtes,
thanne to hem sche Ran Anon Ryhtes,
and hem there kiste ful Often Sythe,
So glad sche was, so Ioyful and blythe,
that Neuere herte Of non womman
Of so Mochel Ioye Cowde tellen than.
thanne Axede sche aftir Celidoyne hire sone,
ȝif Owht they wiste where he was be-Come.
that they weren hire lordis knyhtes,
thanne to hem sche Ran Anon Ryhtes,
and hem there kiste ful Often Sythe,
So glad sche was, so Ioyful and blythe,
that Neuere herte Of non womman
Of so Mochel Ioye Cowde tellen than.
thanne Axede sche aftir Celidoyne hire sone,
ȝif Owht they wiste where he was be-Come.
“Certes, lady, they Seiden Ageyn,
ȝe scholen hem Sen ful sone Certeyn,
both ȝowre sone and Ek My lord,
Al heyl and qwert, At On word;
For he him Ordeyneth with his Compenye
hedirward as faste As he kan hye.
For he knew wel In ful Certeyn,
this day Oþer to Morwen to Meten ȝow pleyn:
and there-fore hens scholen ȝe not Gon
Til he ȝow here visite Everichon.”
ȝe scholen hem Sen ful sone Certeyn,
both ȝowre sone and Ek My lord,
Al heyl and qwert, At On word;
For he him Ordeyneth with his Compenye
hedirward as faste As he kan hye.
For he knew wel In ful Certeyn,
this day Oþer to Morwen to Meten ȝow pleyn:
and there-fore hens scholen ȝe not Gon
Til he ȝow here visite Everichon.”
184
Of wheche tydinges the king was glad,
And Anon his Ostoyours he bad
‘that his pavylouns Alle pyht they were
In a faire Medwe besides there,
Evene faste be the see side,
that sire Nasciens þere he myhte Abyde;
And Also that herberwed he myhte be,
Sire Nasciens and al his Compenye,
and with hym Dewk Gaanor
that with him thedir Cam thor.
And Anon diden the kynges Comandement
Alle his Meyne With good Entent:
For so ful of Ioye they weren sekerlye
So that for Ioye hem thowhte they flye.
And as they weren thus In werkyng,
They Syen where Nasciens was Comeng
Down of An hy Mowntaygne,
and with him a gret Compenye In Certaygne.
And Anon his Ostoyours he bad
‘that his pavylouns Alle pyht they were
In a faire Medwe besides there,
Evene faste be the see side,
that sire Nasciens þere he myhte Abyde;
And Also that herberwed he myhte be,
Sire Nasciens and al his Compenye,
and with hym Dewk Gaanor
that with him thedir Cam thor.
And Anon diden the kynges Comandement
Alle his Meyne With good Entent:
For so ful of Ioye they weren sekerlye
So that for Ioye hem thowhte they flye.
And as they weren thus In werkyng,
They Syen where Nasciens was Comeng
Down of An hy Mowntaygne,
and with him a gret Compenye In Certaygne.
Whanne the kyng that gan Aspye,
Anon he horsed hym ful sekerlye
And hise knyhtes Everichon,
& Faste Aȝens this Nasciens gonne they gon;
Al so faste As they myhten Ride,
Eche Man his hors prekede At that Tyde.
thanne to-gederis Gonnen they Mete,
and ful Often they kisten ful swete,
and wepten for Ioye bothe harde & sore
Alle the Compenye that there wore.
But of the teres and of the Wepyng
that the dewchesse Made Ouer Alle thyng
whanne hire lord & hire Child sche say,
for Ioye sche swowned ten sithes that day;
so Everichon wenden þat there was,
for Ioye sche wolde han deid In that plas:
ful gret Ioye was that Nyht
that þe kyng made of Nasciens, I plyht.
Anon he horsed hym ful sekerlye
And hise knyhtes Everichon,
& Faste Aȝens this Nasciens gonne they gon;
Al so faste As they myhten Ride,
Eche Man his hors prekede At that Tyde.
thanne to-gederis Gonnen they Mete,
and ful Often they kisten ful swete,
and wepten for Ioye bothe harde & sore
Alle the Compenye that there wore.
But of the teres and of the Wepyng
that the dewchesse Made Ouer Alle thyng
whanne hire lord & hire Child sche say,
for Ioye sche swowned ten sithes that day;
so Everichon wenden þat there was,
for Ioye sche wolde han deid In that plas:
ful gret Ioye was that Nyht
that þe kyng made of Nasciens, I plyht.
185
and whanne they hadden sowped Al In fere,
as to sweche Lordis belonged there,
thanne þe kyng Axed Of Nasciens Certeyne
how he fond his sone Celydoyngne.
and he told hym Al In fere
“how In the Castel Of Galafort he fond hym there
dispwteng Aȝens the Sarrasynes
Maistres Of the lawe, tho wethirwynes;
but how that he thedir tho Cam,
ȝit Enqwered he not Of non Man;
but with this dewk I hym fond,
As I do ȝow to vndirstond.”
as to sweche Lordis belonged there,
thanne þe kyng Axed Of Nasciens Certeyne
how he fond his sone Celydoyngne.
and he told hym Al In fere
“how In the Castel Of Galafort he fond hym there
dispwteng Aȝens the Sarrasynes
Maistres Of the lawe, tho wethirwynes;
but how that he thedir tho Cam,
ȝit Enqwered he not Of non Man;
but with this dewk I hym fond,
As I do ȝow to vndirstond.”
Thanne Axede the kyng Of Celidoyne Anon,
how Into that Contre he gan gon.
“I schal ȝow tellen, quod Celidoyne than,
how that I Cam to this good Man,
and ȝe welen lestene and herkene to Me,
and Ek Al ȝoure hole Compeyne.
how Into that Contre he gan gon.
“I schal ȝow tellen, quod Celidoyne than,
how that I Cam to this good Man,
and ȝe welen lestene and herkene to Me,
and Ek Al ȝoure hole Compeyne.
“Certeyn, from ȝow whanne I gan gon
Into that vessel to-forn ȝow Echon,
he tolde me that the same Nyht
Cristes peple Ouer the Se wente Ryht
drye vppon here feet As On the grownde,
As I telle ȝow this Ilke Stownde,
So paste I long thorwh the See,
day and Other, with-Owten Compene
Of Ony worldly Erthliche thyng
sauf A brid that browhte me my lyveng:
Every day Ones with-Owten les
that brid to Me so gan pres.
thus wente I forth bothe day & Nyht,
tyl it liked Oure lord Of his grete Myht
that at þe laste I Cam to Galafort,
and to that Castel I gan Resort;
but I hadde ferst longe ben In þe se
Aftir goddis wille, as it scholde be.
“Whanne þe schipe was Comen to the lond,
A man to me Anon there gan fond,
‘Go thou Owt Of this Schipe here;’
but I hym not knew In non Manere,
So that Owt Of þe schip I wente Anon,
his Comandement Only for to don;
and me thowhte he was A good Man,
For to-wardis the Castel wente he than.
and whanne to the Entre that he gan go,
Anon his fynger took he tho,
And vppon the ȝate A Cros he Made,
where-Offen gret Merveille thanne I hade;
for the Cros becam blod Red
vpon the ȝate In that sted.
thanne seide this Man to Me trewlye,
“wost þou what this doth signefye?”
“Nay, sire, forsothe, thanne quod I,
I knowe not þe Signefyaunce trewly.”
“thanne vndirstonde thou Ryht wel
that I have thus Markyd this Castel
Aftir the Signe Of holychirche,
For they with-Inne so scholen werche
Ferst of Ony In this Contre
holy chirche to worschepen In Eche degre.
And vndirstonde that this Cros here
Ne schal not faille In non Manere,
But hem Availlen It schal Algate
that it beholden, bothe Erly and late,
and therto ne scholen haven non sodeyn deth
that it doth worschepen, and be the gate geth;
and to the lord Of the Castel
he may ben Sure to faren ful wel.
Into that vessel to-forn ȝow Echon,
he tolde me that the same Nyht
Cristes peple Ouer the Se wente Ryht
drye vppon here feet As On the grownde,
As I telle ȝow this Ilke Stownde,
So paste I long thorwh the See,
day and Other, with-Owten Compene
Of Ony worldly Erthliche thyng
sauf A brid that browhte me my lyveng:
Every day Ones with-Owten les
that brid to Me so gan pres.
thus wente I forth bothe day & Nyht,
tyl it liked Oure lord Of his grete Myht
that at þe laste I Cam to Galafort,
and to that Castel I gan Resort;
but I hadde ferst longe ben In þe se
Aftir goddis wille, as it scholde be.
186
A man to me Anon there gan fond,
‘Go thou Owt Of this Schipe here;’
but I hym not knew In non Manere,
So that Owt Of þe schip I wente Anon,
his Comandement Only for to don;
and me thowhte he was A good Man,
For to-wardis the Castel wente he than.
and whanne to the Entre that he gan go,
Anon his fynger took he tho,
And vppon the ȝate A Cros he Made,
where-Offen gret Merveille thanne I hade;
for the Cros becam blod Red
vpon the ȝate In that sted.
thanne seide this Man to Me trewlye,
“wost þou what this doth signefye?”
“Nay, sire, forsothe, thanne quod I,
I knowe not þe Signefyaunce trewly.”
“thanne vndirstonde thou Ryht wel
that I have thus Markyd this Castel
Aftir the Signe Of holychirche,
For they with-Inne so scholen werche
Ferst of Ony In this Contre
holy chirche to worschepen In Eche degre.
And vndirstonde that this Cros here
Ne schal not faille In non Manere,
But hem Availlen It schal Algate
that it beholden, bothe Erly and late,
and therto ne scholen haven non sodeyn deth
that it doth worschepen, and be the gate geth;
and to the lord Of the Castel
he may ben Sure to faren ful wel.
“Thus the goode Man tolde Me
that Cros there Made ful Sekerle.
thanne be the hond he took me Anon,
and In At the ȝate he Made Me gon,
and browht Me Into the Castel fer with-Inne,
and tyl Into A gardyne I Cam, he wolde not blynne,
the wheche vndir the hyghe towr was;
and there A welle was In that plas,
whiche was ful delitable and fayr to se,
and swete and delicious In Alle degre;
And there fownden the dewk Gaanor,
In whom the Enemy hadde Entred thor
The same day In the Morwenynge,
and browht hym in gret temptynge,
and bereft hym Clene his Mynde,
to Maken hym don thyng that was vnkynde;
For his Eldest Sone there took he Anon,
And In that welle wolde han drenched hym son.
whanne the goode Man beheld Al this,
That so fowle wolde han don Amys,
he bereft the Child Owt Of his hond,
and blew In his Face, as I vndirstond.
thanne thus sone he Cam to his wyt Ageyn,
As I ȝow sey, Sires, now In Certeyn.
that Cros there Made ful Sekerle.
thanne be the hond he took me Anon,
and In At the ȝate he Made Me gon,
187
and tyl Into A gardyne I Cam, he wolde not blynne,
the wheche vndir the hyghe towr was;
and there A welle was In that plas,
whiche was ful delitable and fayr to se,
and swete and delicious In Alle degre;
And there fownden the dewk Gaanor,
In whom the Enemy hadde Entred thor
The same day In the Morwenynge,
and browht hym in gret temptynge,
and bereft hym Clene his Mynde,
to Maken hym don thyng that was vnkynde;
For his Eldest Sone there took he Anon,
And In that welle wolde han drenched hym son.
whanne the goode Man beheld Al this,
That so fowle wolde han don Amys,
he bereft the Child Owt Of his hond,
and blew In his Face, as I vndirstond.
thanne thus sone he Cam to his wyt Ageyn,
As I ȝow sey, Sires, now In Certeyn.
“thanne this Goodman Riht Anon,
Er he ferthere thens wolde he gon,
he spreynte that welle Alle abowte,
and the Child there-Inne wesch with-Owten dowte;
and whanne he hadde thanne thus I-do,
thanne þe Child In Clothes he lappede tho,
and seide to dewk Gaanor, “there,
behold this Child that thow sixt here
Is now browht Owt Of the develis servage
whiles he is A Child of ȝong Age,
For Cristendom he hath Resceyved here;
therfore I Charge the In Alle Manere,
that now from this day forward,
Of Celydoyne and hym thou take good Garde.
and troste the wel Now In Certeyn
that I wolde not leven the, Celydoyn,
but for to bryngen the Only in Creawnce,
And thy Creatour to knowe with-Owten Variaunce”
Er he ferthere thens wolde he gon,
he spreynte that welle Alle abowte,
and the Child there-Inne wesch with-Owten dowte;
and whanne he hadde thanne thus I-do,
thanne þe Child In Clothes he lappede tho,
and seide to dewk Gaanor, “there,
behold this Child that thow sixt here
Is now browht Owt Of the develis servage
whiles he is A Child of ȝong Age,
For Cristendom he hath Resceyved here;
therfore I Charge the In Alle Manere,
that now from this day forward,
Of Celydoyne and hym thou take good Garde.
and troste the wel Now In Certeyn
that I wolde not leven the, Celydoyn,
188
And thy Creatour to knowe with-Owten Variaunce”
“thus Cristened the Child þe good Man there,
And Me to Gaanor be-took Al in fere:
thus dide this Goode Man, with-Owten dowte,
that the Croys On the ȝate Mad with-Owte.
and sethen that tyme ȝit hiderto
he ne wolde Neyther Gon to ne fro
but ȝif he hadde Me In Compenye,
So mochel Evere Aftyr he gan In me Affye.
Thanne Everyday I gan hym Schewe
The poyntes Of beleve vppon A rewe,
and ful knowlechinge and verite
Of the Ryht beleve ful Sekerle,
and Of Cristendom Everydel
As I haue herd told be holy Gospel.
And Me to Gaanor be-took Al in fere:
thus dide this Goode Man, with-Owten dowte,
that the Croys On the ȝate Mad with-Owte.
and sethen that tyme ȝit hiderto
he ne wolde Neyther Gon to ne fro
but ȝif he hadde Me In Compenye,
So mochel Evere Aftyr he gan In me Affye.
Thanne Everyday I gan hym Schewe
The poyntes Of beleve vppon A rewe,
and ful knowlechinge and verite
Of the Ryht beleve ful Sekerle,
and Of Cristendom Everydel
As I haue herd told be holy Gospel.
“Thanne seide dewk Gaanor Anon to Me,
That In gret Ese scholde he Neuere be
Tyl he knewe the sothe verray
whiche were to holden the better lay,
whethir the Cristene lawe, Oþer Sarazine;
thus faste In his wittes he gan devyne.
Thanne Made he there A gret Semble
Of Alle the Maistres Of Sarrasene,
what they Cowden seyn to Cristen lawe,
Owther it depreven In Ony Sawe.
And Thus Maden We Manye Asemble
for that same Cause ful Sekerle;
and tyl it happed vppon A day
that theke dispetison ȝe Comen & say.
That In gret Ese scholde he Neuere be
Tyl he knewe the sothe verray
whiche were to holden the better lay,
whethir the Cristene lawe, Oþer Sarazine;
thus faste In his wittes he gan devyne.
Thanne Made he there A gret Semble
Of Alle the Maistres Of Sarrasene,
what they Cowden seyn to Cristen lawe,
Owther it depreven In Ony Sawe.
And Thus Maden We Manye Asemble
for that same Cause ful Sekerle;
and tyl it happed vppon A day
that theke dispetison ȝe Comen & say.
“Now haue I told yow Al my destene,
In what Manere it hath happed with me
Sethen the tyme I parted ȝow fro,
How that Into this castel I gan go.
Now telleth me, And it ȝow plese,
Of ȝoure Aventures & Of ȝoure Ese.”
In what Manere it hath happed with me
Sethen the tyme I parted ȝow fro,
How that Into this castel I gan go.
Now telleth me, And it ȝow plese,
Of ȝoure Aventures & Of ȝoure Ese.”
189
Thanne began the kyng to preye
To Sire Nasciens that he scholde seye
what Aventures that hym come to,
Sethen the tyme he wente hem fro.
“Sire, be ȝowre leve, quod Nasciens thanne,
I schal it Neuere tellen it to non Manne,
but ȝif it In Confesciown be;
sweche thinges ben Many þer-Offen sekerle;
but Of A Ieawnt I schal ȝow telle,
swich A Cas with hym Me beFelle,
Of wheche there ben In the Mowntayn
Thre Grete towris I-mad Certayn:
this, quod Nasciens, I kan wel telle,
Alle the Cas how it be-Felle;
This is the sothe as I ȝow say:
To Sire Nasciens that he scholde seye
what Aventures that hym come to,
Sethen the tyme he wente hem fro.
“Sire, be ȝowre leve, quod Nasciens thanne,
I schal it Neuere tellen it to non Manne,
but ȝif it In Confesciown be;
sweche thinges ben Many þer-Offen sekerle;
but Of A Ieawnt I schal ȝow telle,
swich A Cas with hym Me beFelle,
Of wheche there ben In the Mowntayn
Thre Grete towris I-mad Certayn:
this, quod Nasciens, I kan wel telle,
Alle the Cas how it be-Felle;
This is the sothe as I ȝow say:
“whanne from Belik I Rod the ferste day,
and to the Mowntayn whanne I was gon,
thanne with this Ieawnt I Mette Anon
that lay there and Abod his pray,
as it was his Custom Every day,
that from A port Cam Of the se,
weyfareng men to wayten sekerle;
and hem wolde he slen Anon,
Owther to his presown with him scholden gon.
and Anon As he me Sawh Comen there,
he me Gan to Assaillen In his Manere.
and to the Mowntayn whanne I was gon,
thanne with this Ieawnt I Mette Anon
that lay there and Abod his pray,
as it was his Custom Every day,
that from A port Cam Of the se,
weyfareng men to wayten sekerle;
and hem wolde he slen Anon,
Owther to his presown with him scholden gon.
and Anon As he me Sawh Comen there,
he me Gan to Assaillen In his Manere.
Thus lasted longe that ilke Melle
be-twene hym & Me full Sekerle,
tyl that I was so forfowhte
That non lengere stonden I Mowhte.
Thanne Cam Nabor, that was my knyht,
and fond me there So wery In fyht,
that me Cam forto seken there,
and Slowh the Ieaw[n]t In Esy Manere;
and aftyr wolde he me han Slayn,
For with him I wolde not tornen Agayn;
but Owre lord it Suffren Nolde,
that me there so slen he scholde;
but thorwh that grete lordis Myht,
he fyl ded at my feet Anon ryht.”
and After he tolde hym Everydel
Of the deth Of the lord of Tarabel,
how that with thondir I-slayn he was,
and how that ded he lay In that plas.
but of Alle his Othere aventure
he nolde not tellen, I ȝow Enswre,
For non thing they Cowden do,
tyl there-Offen that he knew Mo.
be-twene hym & Me full Sekerle,
tyl that I was so forfowhte
That non lengere stonden I Mowhte.
Thanne Cam Nabor, that was my knyht,
and fond me there So wery In fyht,
that me Cam forto seken there,
and Slowh the Ieaw[n]t In Esy Manere;
and aftyr wolde he me han Slayn,
For with him I wolde not tornen Agayn;
190
that me there so slen he scholde;
but thorwh that grete lordis Myht,
he fyl ded at my feet Anon ryht.”
and After he tolde hym Everydel
Of the deth Of the lord of Tarabel,
how that with thondir I-slayn he was,
and how that ded he lay In that plas.
but of Alle his Othere aventure
he nolde not tellen, I ȝow Enswre,
For non thing they Cowden do,
tyl there-Offen that he knew Mo.
| CHAPTER XLV. HOW JOSEPHES WAS IMPRISOND, AND HOW MORDREINS ARRIVD IN GREAT BRITAIN. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |