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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| XLVI. |
| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. | CHAPTER XLVIII. OF MOYS'S PRESUMPTION AND ITS PUNISHMENT; AND OF BRONS AND HIS SONS, AND ALEYN THE GROS. |
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 | CHAPTER XLVIII. OF MOYS'S PRESUMPTION AND ITS PUNISHMENT; AND OF BRONS AND HIS SONS, AND ALEYN THE GROS. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER XLVIII. OF MOYS'S PRESUMPTION AND ITS PUNISHMENT; AND OF BRONS AND HIS SONS, AND ALEYN THE GROS.
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whanne Owt Of þat Contre he was gon,
and his Compenye with him Echon,
In to A place he Cam pleynly,
And On hyhte Bron wente hym by,
a good Man, & An holy lyvere,
algates with Iosephes wente þere.
So happede it vpon a Fryday
as to-gederis they wente be þe way,
and happede that theke day bothe In fere
at the table of seint Graal seten there,
but betwene hem two sekerly
was a gret spas left Openly,
the spas Of A Mannes sytteng
betwene hem with-Owten fayllyng;
and Amyddis the table was this spas,
where-Offen they merveilleden In þat plas.
and his Compenye with him Echon,
In to A place he Cam pleynly,
And On hyhte Bron wente hym by,
a good Man, & An holy lyvere,
algates with Iosephes wente þere.
So happede it vpon a Fryday
as to-gederis they wente be þe way,
and happede that theke day bothe In fere
at the table of seint Graal seten there,
but betwene hem two sekerly
was a gret spas left Openly,
the spas Of A Mannes sytteng
betwene hem with-Owten fayllyng;
and Amyddis the table was this spas,
where-Offen they merveilleden In þat plas.
thanne was þere On þat highte Peers,
Cosyn to Iosephes, thus gan Rehers,
“Sire, why ne Clepen ȝe som Man here
that In that place myhte sitten there?
For so streite here, sire, we Sitte,
and Other goode men At Owre Mete,
In distresse And In Mal Ese,
and þat voide place myhte vs plese.”
Cosyn to Iosephes, thus gan Rehers,
“Sire, why ne Clepen ȝe som Man here
that In that place myhte sitten there?
For so streite here, sire, we Sitte,
and Other goode men At Owre Mete,
In distresse And In Mal Ese,
and þat voide place myhte vs plese.”
“Peers, quod Iosephes thanne Agayn,
This place, I schal telle the In Certayn,
Is Ordeyned here for non Man
that here I knowe Oþer Aspie kan;
but it is don for signefyance,
Peers, I the telle with-Owten variAunce,
whanne that Iesus his Sene Made
Among his disciples to Maken hem glade,
and In the Middes Sat he there,
þat signefieth that this Is voide here;
and but þe holyere man he be þat I konne wit,
Elles schal there non Man here syt.”
This place, I schal telle the In Certayn,
215
that here I knowe Oþer Aspie kan;
but it is don for signefyance,
Peers, I the telle with-Owten variAunce,
whanne that Iesus his Sene Made
Among his disciples to Maken hem glade,
and In the Middes Sat he there,
þat signefieth that this Is voide here;
and but þe holyere man he be þat I konne wit,
Elles schal there non Man here syt.”
Tho that At thike table were,
these wordis to presomcioun token there;
and tho that weren dwellyng In synne,
After here Mete ne Cowden not blynne,
but Ay talkeden Of this Mater,
and seiden ‘it was fable, In here Maner,
and that A lesyng Iosephes had I-mad;’
thus with-Owten faille they seid:
“for As Esely A man Myht sitten there
as In Ony place with-Owten fere,
Nethir non more peryl scholde he have
thanne In Anoþer place, but sitten as save.”
these wordis to presomcioun token there;
and tho that weren dwellyng In synne,
After here Mete ne Cowden not blynne,
but Ay talkeden Of this Mater,
and seiden ‘it was fable, In here Maner,
and that A lesyng Iosephes had I-mad;’
thus with-Owten faille they seid:
“for As Esely A man Myht sitten there
as In Ony place with-Owten fere,
Nethir non more peryl scholde he have
thanne In Anoþer place, but sitten as save.”
To this word Assentyd ful foure & twenty
that of Iersualem weren Only,
Of wheche, tweyne gret spekeris were,
that Symon and Moys weren Cleped þere,
& seiden, “lordynges, howe semeth ȝow here
Of Oure bischope that thus vs doth lere,
that thike place voide scholde be
In signefiaunce Of An hy degre,
And that folye it is to sitten there
but ȝif a passing holy man he were;
how thinkyth ȝow be this qwestiown?
Ys it Owther trowthe, Owther Ony Resown?
For he seith it is folye gret,
Ony man to sitten In that set.”
“Now, Certes, quod the tothir tho,
It is ful lik for to ben so,
Rathere a leseng than Owht Elles,
thus vs thenketh, as he spellis.
but Is it not for the beste
that we ȝit not breken Iosephes heste,
Ne non Man forto Sitten there
tyl we knowen more Of his Manere?”
that of Iersualem weren Only,
Of wheche, tweyne gret spekeris were,
that Symon and Moys weren Cleped þere,
& seiden, “lordynges, howe semeth ȝow here
Of Oure bischope that thus vs doth lere,
that thike place voide scholde be
In signefiaunce Of An hy degre,
And that folye it is to sitten there
but ȝif a passing holy man he were;
how thinkyth ȝow be this qwestiown?
Ys it Owther trowthe, Owther Ony Resown?
For he seith it is folye gret,
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“Now, Certes, quod the tothir tho,
It is ful lik for to ben so,
Rathere a leseng than Owht Elles,
thus vs thenketh, as he spellis.
but Is it not for the beste
that we ȝit not breken Iosephes heste,
Ne non Man forto Sitten there
tyl we knowen more Of his Manere?”
“In the Name Of god, quod Moys thanne,
And ȝe welen hym preye not-for-thanne
that to Morwe I myhte sitten there,
I wele It don with Ryht good Chere.”
“Now, certein, quod these Othere tho,
And we wisten ȝe wolden don so,
we wolden him preien with good wille,
to weten what he wile sein vs tylle.”
so to Iosephes they Comen Anon,
and preiden him faire Everichon,
& seiden “A man we han Amonges vs here
that Is worthi to sytten there;
wherefore we preien ȝow for Cherite,
and for Al Oure worschepe sekerle,
that him ȝe wolden let sitten there
To Morwen, sire, At his dynere.”
And ȝe welen hym preye not-for-thanne
that to Morwe I myhte sitten there,
I wele It don with Ryht good Chere.”
“Now, certein, quod these Othere tho,
And we wisten ȝe wolden don so,
we wolden him preien with good wille,
to weten what he wile sein vs tylle.”
so to Iosephes they Comen Anon,
and preiden him faire Everichon,
& seiden “A man we han Amonges vs here
that Is worthi to sytten there;
wherefore we preien ȝow for Cherite,
and for Al Oure worschepe sekerle,
that him ȝe wolden let sitten there
To Morwen, sire, At his dynere.”
thanne Iosephes Axede hem Anon
“ȝif that Amonges ȝow be swich On
that desireth forto sytten there,
and is not worthy In non Manere?”
“ȝis, forsothe, they seiden Alle,
swich grace Amonges vs is befalle:
Moys it is, sire, sekerly,
ȝoure Owne Cosin and Oure, sothly.”
“A, quod Iosephes, how may this be?
what tyme Nether his fadir ne he
Ouer the se myhte not vs sewe,
but leften behinde Al the rewe
Among the tothere that hadden Misdo,
that for sinne with vs myht not go?
and now ȝe sein that he is so good a man,
and worthy is to sytten there than!
I May it not leven In non degre
that so holy A man he scholde be,
but that it so plese to Oure lord
Of A wikked man to Maken A good.”
“ȝif that Amonges ȝow be swich On
that desireth forto sytten there,
and is not worthy In non Manere?”
“ȝis, forsothe, they seiden Alle,
swich grace Amonges vs is befalle:
Moys it is, sire, sekerly,
ȝoure Owne Cosin and Oure, sothly.”
“A, quod Iosephes, how may this be?
what tyme Nether his fadir ne he
217
but leften behinde Al the rewe
Among the tothere that hadden Misdo,
that for sinne with vs myht not go?
and now ȝe sein that he is so good a man,
and worthy is to sytten there than!
I May it not leven In non degre
that so holy A man he scholde be,
but that it so plese to Oure lord
Of A wikked man to Maken A good.”
“Sire, what liketh ȝow forto sein so?
we knowen him worthy with-Owten Mo
to sitten In that same place,
ȝif it so be ȝe ȝiven him grace;
and þerfore we preien ȝow Euerychon
that In that place he myhte sitte Alon:
and þere schole ȝe preven goddis wille,
whethir that he be goodman Oþer ille.”
“I wele wel, quod Iosephes tho,
that Goddis wille were fully do;
but I ne kan trowen for non thing
that he scholde ben so good Of leveng;
ȝit neuertheles suffren wele I
that he sitte there trewely.”
And they him thankede Everichon,
and forth to Moys they wenten Anon,
& þere Al to-gederis tolden hym It,
how In þe voide place he scholde syt.
thanne he seide ‘he wolde it do,
And þat riht fayn he was þerto.’
we knowen him worthy with-Owten Mo
to sitten In that same place,
ȝif it so be ȝe ȝiven him grace;
and þerfore we preien ȝow Euerychon
that In that place he myhte sitte Alon:
and þere schole ȝe preven goddis wille,
whethir that he be goodman Oþer ille.”
“I wele wel, quod Iosephes tho,
that Goddis wille were fully do;
but I ne kan trowen for non thing
that he scholde ben so good Of leveng;
ȝit neuertheles suffren wele I
that he sitte there trewely.”
And they him thankede Everichon,
and forth to Moys they wenten Anon,
& þere Al to-gederis tolden hym It,
how In þe voide place he scholde syt.
thanne he seide ‘he wolde it do,
And þat riht fayn he was þerto.’
Thus Al that Nyht Spoken they no More
tyl On the Morwen at Midday thore.
thanne Comen they to Moys, his felawes Echon,
and seiden “Moys, now mown ȝe gon,
and sitten as ȝe hyhten ȝisterday,
& Ek as to vs alle ȝe gonnen say.”
tyl On the Morwen at Midday thore.
thanne Comen they to Moys, his felawes Echon,
and seiden “Moys, now mown ȝe gon,
and sitten as ȝe hyhten ȝisterday,
& Ek as to vs alle ȝe gonnen say.”
218
thanne Mois seide he wolde it don;
and to that part he wente Anon
where that Iosephes & bron seten In fere,
and thus to Iosephes he seide there;
with so pytows chere to hem he wente,
Semenge a good man As be his Entente.
and to that part he wente Anon
where that Iosephes & bron seten In fere,
and thus to Iosephes he seide there;
with so pytows chere to hem he wente,
Semenge a good man As be his Entente.
thanne to him quod Iosephes there,
“loke be non weye thou sytte not here
but ȝif thou knowe þe Man worthy,
Oþer ellis it schal þe Repenten trewly.
For troste the, Moys, now In Certeyn,
that here non synnere may sitten pleyn;
for this place doth signefie
the place Of goddis sene sekerlye,
þerfore, be war, Er þou here Sitte,
that þou best worthy thi self wyte
Of Alle this general Compenye;
and ellis here to sitten, it were folye,
and ȝif Oþer wise with the it be,
I drede þou wilt ben lost Certeinle.”
“loke be non weye thou sytte not here
but ȝif thou knowe þe Man worthy,
Oþer ellis it schal þe Repenten trewly.
For troste the, Moys, now In Certeyn,
that here non synnere may sitten pleyn;
for this place doth signefie
the place Of goddis sene sekerlye,
þerfore, be war, Er þou here Sitte,
that þou best worthy thi self wyte
Of Alle this general Compenye;
and ellis here to sitten, it were folye,
and ȝif Oþer wise with the it be,
I drede þou wilt ben lost Certeinle.”
Whanne that Mois this word herd,
as A man afrayed, riht so he ferde;
ȝit neuertheles he Answerid Ageyn,
‘that worthy he was þere to sitten Certeyn,
and þerto he trosted In his degre
þat Owre lord god not wroth wolde be.’
“Come forth anon, quod Iosephes thanne,
and sit dowun here as a worthy Manne;
& ȝif it so be as thou dost schewe,
we scholen it knowen sone Al this rewe.”
as A man afrayed, riht so he ferde;
ȝit neuertheles he Answerid Ageyn,
‘that worthy he was þere to sitten Certeyn,
and þerto he trosted In his degre
þat Owre lord god not wroth wolde be.’
“Come forth anon, quod Iosephes thanne,
and sit dowun here as a worthy Manne;
& ȝif it so be as thou dost schewe,
we scholen it knowen sone Al this rewe.”
þanne Came forth Mois Anon;
betwene Iosephes & bron he gan to gon,
And þer adoun he gan to sitte;
but ful sone he repented itte.
Moys hadde not longe I-seten there,
that from hevene Cometh In A wonder Manere
Sevene hondis, to Alle here syht,
Eche brenneng as brond so bryht;
but the bodyes that weren Of tho
they mihte not se for what to do,
but this alle they behelden ful wel,
how fir and flambes they Casten Echedel
vppon Moys there that he sat,
there Alle the peple sawh wel that;
And þat as lihtly he brende there
as a drye busch whanne it is On fere.
and vp him lifte tho handes Anon,
& with him In to þe eyr gonne they gon
Al so brenneng as he was,
and boren him Into a ful fer plas.
betwene Iosephes & bron he gan to gon,
And þer adoun he gan to sitte;
but ful sone he repented itte.
Moys hadde not longe I-seten there,
that from hevene Cometh In A wonder Manere
219
Eche brenneng as brond so bryht;
but the bodyes that weren Of tho
they mihte not se for what to do,
but this alle they behelden ful wel,
how fir and flambes they Casten Echedel
vppon Moys there that he sat,
there Alle the peple sawh wel that;
And þat as lihtly he brende there
as a drye busch whanne it is On fere.
and vp him lifte tho handes Anon,
& with him In to þe eyr gonne they gon
Al so brenneng as he was,
and boren him Into a ful fer plas.
whanne they that at thike table were,
Syen the hondes Awey hym bere,
they weren Abasched Everichon,
and to Iosephes they seiden Anon,
“A, sire Iosephes, now knowen we wel
that þou seist trowthe Everidel.
For a gret synne it is to do,
that Sege to Neyhen Ony mo;
For we knowen non Man worthy here
In that place to sitten there.
Now, goode sire, and it be ȝowre wille,
whedir that he is, ȝe wolden vs telle;
and whethir he saved Other dampned be,
that ȝe wolden vs tellen for Charite.”
Syen the hondes Awey hym bere,
they weren Abasched Everichon,
and to Iosephes they seiden Anon,
“A, sire Iosephes, now knowen we wel
that þou seist trowthe Everidel.
For a gret synne it is to do,
that Sege to Neyhen Ony mo;
For we knowen non Man worthy here
In that place to sitten there.
Now, goode sire, and it be ȝowre wille,
whedir that he is, ȝe wolden vs telle;
and whethir he saved Other dampned be,
that ȝe wolden vs tellen for Charite.”
“here-Offen Certein scholen ȝe be
whanne tyme Cometh Sekerle,
ȝe scholen him sen where þat he Is,
Apertly to ȝowre Eyen with-Owten Mys;
thanne scholen ȝe knowen In Certeyn
whethir he be In Ioye Other peyn.”
Aftyr this they wolden no More
Of that Mater Axen Josephes thore;
for Alle Abasched ful sore they were
Of that Syhte they Syen there.
whanne tyme Cometh Sekerle,
ȝe scholen him sen where þat he Is,
Apertly to ȝowre Eyen with-Owten Mys;
thanne scholen ȝe knowen In Certeyn
whethir he be In Ioye Other peyn.”
Aftyr this they wolden no More
Of that Mater Axen Josephes thore;
220
Of that Syhte they Syen there.
and whanne I-Eten they hadden Echon,
thanne seide Bron to Iosephes Anon,
“Sire, Of thing that I schal Axen the,
I preie ȝow þat ȝe welen Conseillen Me.”
“Seith on, Bron, quod Iosephes thanne,
and I wele Cownseillen ȝow As I kanne.”
“Sire, .xij. sones I haue, quod he,
that alle ȝoure Cosines seker they be;
Do hem Comen to-fore ȝow Echon,
and thanne axeth hem be On and On
what Maner Of Men that they welen be,
Owther wedded men, Owther speritwalte.”
“this schal I wel don, quod Iosephes thanne:”
So let he sende Aftyr Every Manne.
thanne seide Bron to Iosephes Anon,
“Sire, Of thing that I schal Axen the,
I preie ȝow þat ȝe welen Conseillen Me.”
“Seith on, Bron, quod Iosephes thanne,
and I wele Cownseillen ȝow As I kanne.”
“Sire, .xij. sones I haue, quod he,
that alle ȝoure Cosines seker they be;
Do hem Comen to-fore ȝow Echon,
and thanne axeth hem be On and On
what Maner Of Men that they welen be,
Owther wedded men, Owther speritwalte.”
“this schal I wel don, quod Iosephes thanne:”
So let he sende Aftyr Every Manne.
whanne to-forn him, Iosephes, weren Comen Echon,
thanne he E[n]qwered Of Ech be his On,
‘what Maner Of Man he wolde be.’
So þat .xj. Acorded Into On degre,
‘that wedded wolden they ben Alle,
what Aventure so that hem be-falle;’
but the .xij. brother Answerid not so,
For ‘Oþerwise he thowhte to do,
and that Neuere wedded wolde he be,
but Al his lyf Chast virgine sekerle;
and Alle dayes tyl he gan to sterve,
that holy vessel wolde he Serve.’
This Ches that brother, as I ȝow telle;
lo, what grace that hym befelle!
and his xj bretherin I-wedded to be,
for that Chosen they ful Sekerle.
thanne he E[n]qwered Of Ech be his On,
‘what Maner Of Man he wolde be.’
So þat .xj. Acorded Into On degre,
‘that wedded wolden they ben Alle,
what Aventure so that hem be-falle;’
but the .xij. brother Answerid not so,
For ‘Oþerwise he thowhte to do,
and that Neuere wedded wolde he be,
but Al his lyf Chast virgine sekerle;
and Alle dayes tyl he gan to sterve,
that holy vessel wolde he Serve.’
This Ches that brother, as I ȝow telle;
lo, what grace that hym befelle!
and his xj bretherin I-wedded to be,
for that Chosen they ful Sekerle.
And whanne Iosephes beheld this On brothir,
what he hadde Chosen Aforn Alle the tothir,
he gan him to Clippen and to kysse
ful Often sithes with-Owten Misse,
and to the xj seide he thanne,
“Of ȝow han Chosen Ech Manne
that A wif wedden wele he.
ȝe scholen it haven ful sekerle,
For I schal Maryen ȝow Everichon,
Swiche as ȝe desire here Anon;
and God grawnte ȝow grace þat ȝe so do,
trewe wedlok to kepen for Evere Mo.”
what he hadde Chosen Aforn Alle the tothir,
he gan him to Clippen and to kysse
ful Often sithes with-Owten Misse,
221
“Of ȝow han Chosen Ech Manne
that A wif wedden wele he.
ȝe scholen it haven ful sekerle,
For I schal Maryen ȝow Everichon,
Swiche as ȝe desire here Anon;
and God grawnte ȝow grace þat ȝe so do,
trewe wedlok to kepen for Evere Mo.”
To the xijthe brother seide he there,
“Tweyn thinges han ȝe chosen here:
the ferste, to kepen virginite;
þe secund, A Servaunt Axen ȝe to be,
Forto Serven this holy vessel
which that is here, Seint graal.
On Of these I graunte ȝow wel;
þe Grete god þe toþer ȝow gr[a]unte Ech del,
That ȝe Alle dayes Of ȝowre Lyve That Mown be,
and him Only worschepen In alle degre;
and that ȝowre flesch ne tempted be,
To non Maner lust Of lecherye,
but that ȝe flen alle maner of fole;
therto preyeth God Enterlye.
and for that ȝe han Chosen virginite,
and Mynestre to þ holy vessel to be,
Of On thing I sey ȝow In Certeyn,
Aftyr my deth scholen ȝe ful pleyn
the lordschepe Of that vessel have,
It forto kepen bothe sownd and save.
and whanne Owt Of this world þat ȝe scholen go,
loke ȝe thanne to whom ȝe deliueren it to,
that he be A man ful Of grace
& ful Of Goodnesse In Eche place.
this ȝifte, my frend, ȝeve I to the,
For that thow Axest virginite.”
“Tweyn thinges han ȝe chosen here:
the ferste, to kepen virginite;
þe secund, A Servaunt Axen ȝe to be,
Forto Serven this holy vessel
which that is here, Seint graal.
On Of these I graunte ȝow wel;
þe Grete god þe toþer ȝow gr[a]unte Ech del,
That ȝe Alle dayes Of ȝowre Lyve That Mown be,
and him Only worschepen In alle degre;
and that ȝowre flesch ne tempted be,
To non Maner lust Of lecherye,
but that ȝe flen alle maner of fole;
therto preyeth God Enterlye.
and for that ȝe han Chosen virginite,
and Mynestre to þ holy vessel to be,
Of On thing I sey ȝow In Certeyn,
Aftyr my deth scholen ȝe ful pleyn
the lordschepe Of that vessel have,
It forto kepen bothe sownd and save.
and whanne Owt Of this world þat ȝe scholen go,
loke ȝe thanne to whom ȝe deliueren it to,
that he be A man ful Of grace
& ful Of Goodnesse In Eche place.
this ȝifte, my frend, ȝeve I to the,
For that thow Axest virginite.”
and þere Anon he knelide A-down,
and thankid Iosephes with good devociown,
there anon ful sore wepynge
as he to-forn him was knelynge;
So that after the deth Of Iosephe
the holy vessel dide he kepe.
thanne Iosephes to his bretherin retourned Anon,
and hem Maryede Everichon,
Eche man Aftyr his Owne wille,
thus here Mariages he gan fulfille.
and thankid Iosephes with good devociown,
222
as he to-forn him was knelynge;
So that after the deth Of Iosephe
the holy vessel dide he kepe.
thanne Iosephes to his bretherin retourned Anon,
and hem Maryede Everichon,
Eche man Aftyr his Owne wille,
thus here Mariages he gan fulfille.
Whanne that Iosephes thus hadde I-do,
forthere Into breteygne thanne gan he go,
and with him his Compenye,
Into swich place as god wolde him gye.
and non day þere was þat he forth wente
that his Compenye Encresede veramente,
Som day be xx, and some day be Mo:
barefot Aftyr hym gonnen they to go,
and forsoken here Richesses Everichon,
and forth with Iosephes gonne they gon.
for ȝit Cam he neuere In non plase
but þat be him gret peple I-torned wase,
and hem Cast Owt Of Miscreaunce
be his wordis, swich was his chawnce;
and be the vertv Of the holy gost,
whiche þat is lord Of myhtes Most,
The strengest paynem þat Evere was,
he dide him torne be goddis gras,
So þat, thoruh his goode preching,
Euery day his Compenye was Encresing.
forthere Into breteygne thanne gan he go,
and with him his Compenye,
Into swich place as god wolde him gye.
and non day þere was þat he forth wente
that his Compenye Encresede veramente,
Som day be xx, and some day be Mo:
barefot Aftyr hym gonnen they to go,
and forsoken here Richesses Everichon,
and forth with Iosephes gonne they gon.
for ȝit Cam he neuere In non plase
but þat be him gret peple I-torned wase,
and hem Cast Owt Of Miscreaunce
be his wordis, swich was his chawnce;
and be the vertv Of the holy gost,
whiche þat is lord Of myhtes Most,
The strengest paynem þat Evere was,
he dide him torne be goddis gras,
So þat, thoruh his goode preching,
Euery day his Compenye was Encresing.
Vpon a day as they forth wente,
In a wastable Contre veramente,
where that was scars of vyaunde,
as this storie doth vs vndirstonde:
and vndirstondeth ȝe now verament,
that Al the Compenye that with him went,
Ne weren not worthy Sufficed to be
Of the holy vessel Sekerle;
but Manye of hem þat with him wente
weren holy lyveris, and Of good Entente;
and Oþer that leveden In lecherye,
and In Oþer dedly synne witterlye,
& that here lyf nolde Chongen there
For Sermown ne for non preyere,
but lyveden aftyr lust of here body,
wheche torned hem to gret foly.
In a wastable Contre veramente,
where that was scars of vyaunde,
as this storie doth vs vndirstonde:
and vndirstondeth ȝe now verament,
that Al the Compenye that with him went,
Ne weren not worthy Sufficed to be
Of the holy vessel Sekerle;
223
weren holy lyveris, and Of good Entente;
and Oþer that leveden In lecherye,
and In Oþer dedly synne witterlye,
& that here lyf nolde Chongen there
For Sermown ne for non preyere,
but lyveden aftyr lust of here body,
wheche torned hem to gret foly.
Thyke day, whanne they Entred were
Into the valey that I Rehersed Ere,
whanne Into the Middis that they weren gon,
A gret stanke fo Wnden they Anon,
And At the hed of thike stang
they fownden A vessel As they gonne gang,
And A Net þer-Inne, fysch forto take:
thus wrowhte Only god ȝit for here sake;
and whanne that they to the stang weren gon,
they Casten Of here Clothes riht Anon
For the strong hete that there was,
As theke day happede be Cas.
thanne be-gan Iosephes his servise Anon
As he was wont forto don,
and with him Othere Of his Compenye
that goode lyveris weren trewlye.
and tho that to thike Servise vsed not were,
here preyeres they seiden Amonges hem there,
and preiden to god, for his grete grace,
hem forto bringen Into swich a place
where they myhte haven here sostenaunce
For here leveng, and to his plesaunce.
Into the valey that I Rehersed Ere,
whanne Into the Middis that they weren gon,
A gret stanke fo Wnden they Anon,
And At the hed of thike stang
they fownden A vessel As they gonne gang,
And A Net þer-Inne, fysch forto take:
thus wrowhte Only god ȝit for here sake;
and whanne that they to the stang weren gon,
they Casten Of here Clothes riht Anon
For the strong hete that there was,
As theke day happede be Cas.
thanne be-gan Iosephes his servise Anon
As he was wont forto don,
and with him Othere Of his Compenye
that goode lyveris weren trewlye.
and tho that to thike Servise vsed not were,
here preyeres they seiden Amonges hem there,
and preiden to god, for his grete grace,
hem forto bringen Into swich a place
where they myhte haven here sostenaunce
For here leveng, and to his plesaunce.
Theke day Alle the Cristene were
In Worschepinge Of the holy vessel there;
and whanne they hadden don what they wolde,
Anon they Seten vppon that Molde,
and spredden Abrod vppon here knees
Towaylles and Empty dowbleris,
as men that wolden here fast breke,
down In that Medwe þere they sete;
For Othere tables weren there non
but þat weren mad Of flesch and bon.
and whanne A-down that they weren set,
Thanne Cam On peers with-Owten let,
that Cosin there to Iosephes was,
and browhte seint Graal Into þat plas;
and so þat be vertw of thike holy vessel
Al the table was fulfeld wel
Of Alle Manere Of vyawnde
that herte cowde thenke Oþer vndirstonde.
thus there As Alle these good men sete,
Fulfylled they were with Alle Manere of Mete;
but in place as the Synneris were,
Non Multiplicacion was not there;
Of theke forseid holy vessel
Fulfild weren they neuere A del;
So ne wiste the Synneris what to do,
For non vyaunde ne hadden they tho.
In Worschepinge Of the holy vessel there;
and whanne they hadden don what they wolde,
Anon they Seten vppon that Molde,
and spredden Abrod vppon here knees
Towaylles and Empty dowbleris,
224
down In that Medwe þere they sete;
For Othere tables weren there non
but þat weren mad Of flesch and bon.
and whanne A-down that they weren set,
Thanne Cam On peers with-Owten let,
that Cosin there to Iosephes was,
and browhte seint Graal Into þat plas;
and so þat be vertw of thike holy vessel
Al the table was fulfeld wel
Of Alle Manere Of vyawnde
that herte cowde thenke Oþer vndirstonde.
thus there As Alle these good men sete,
Fulfylled they were with Alle Manere of Mete;
but in place as the Synneris were,
Non Multiplicacion was not there;
Of theke forseid holy vessel
Fulfild weren they neuere A del;
So ne wiste the Synneris what to do,
For non vyaunde ne hadden they tho.
Aftyr Mete, whanne vpe Resen they were,
The synful to Iosephes Comen there,
and seiden “sire, what scholen we do?
but ȝif ȝe ȝowre Cownseyl putten vs to,
Elles ben we ful Evele be-gon,
For nethir mete ne drynk haue we non;
therfore for vs mosten ȝe preye,
that we for hunger here ne deye;
For the vessel vs repleynscheth not here,
þerfore ȝe mosten In Other Manere.”
The synful to Iosephes Comen there,
and seiden “sire, what scholen we do?
but ȝif ȝe ȝowre Cownseyl putten vs to,
Elles ben we ful Evele be-gon,
For nethir mete ne drynk haue we non;
therfore for vs mosten ȝe preye,
that we for hunger here ne deye;
For the vessel vs repleynscheth not here,
þerfore ȝe mosten In Other Manere.”
thanne Answerid Iosephes to hem Ageyn,
“Now Mown ȝe knowen In Certeyn
that ȝowre God han ȝe forsake;
and whiles that ȝe to God diden take,
thanne was he to ȝow[re] fadyr ful kynde
whiles that ȝe him hadden In Mynde,
and sethen that stepchildren that ȝe ben,
he hath þow forȝeten ful Clen.
Now þerfore Ensample mown ȝe take;
It Nis not Good hym to forsake.
And ȝif stylle With Hym Wolde ȝe han be,
Non thing ȝow scholde han lakked Sekerle;
and ȝit not-withstondyng Al this,
I schal ȝow Cownsayllen with-Owten Mys,
b'encheson that ȝe han non Relevyng
at this tyme here In Etyng.”
“Now Mown ȝe knowen In Certeyn
that ȝowre God han ȝe forsake;
and whiles that ȝe to God diden take,
thanne was he to ȝow[re] fadyr ful kynde
whiles that ȝe him hadden In Mynde,
225
he hath þow forȝeten ful Clen.
Now þerfore Ensample mown ȝe take;
It Nis not Good hym to forsake.
And ȝif stylle With Hym Wolde ȝe han be,
Non thing ȝow scholde han lakked Sekerle;
and ȝit not-withstondyng Al this,
I schal ȝow Cownsayllen with-Owten Mys,
b'encheson that ȝe han non Relevyng
at this tyme here In Etyng.”
Thanne Anon Iosephes gan forth Calle
the xijthe sone of Bron, as gan befalle,
wheche he hadde Chosen to the seint Graal,
where-Offen Maister he made hem with Al;
whos Name was Cleped Aleyn the Gros,
A ful holy man, And Of gret loos;
(but ȝit this was not that Aleyn
That of Celidoyne discended pleyn;
for that Aleyn, kyng Crowned he was,
and so was this Neuere In non plas.)
the xijthe sone of Bron, as gan befalle,
wheche he hadde Chosen to the seint Graal,
where-Offen Maister he made hem with Al;
whos Name was Cleped Aleyn the Gros,
A ful holy man, And Of gret loos;
(but ȝit this was not that Aleyn
That of Celidoyne discended pleyn;
for that Aleyn, kyng Crowned he was,
and so was this Neuere In non plas.)
Whanne þis Aleyn to-fore Iosephes gan gon,
to hym he seide to-forn hem Echon,
“Alayn,—that Of this world shalt be
the Moste gracious Man Of thy degre,—
Go thou to this stange Anon;
and Into that vessel that ȝe gon,
& take the Net that ȝe finden there;
Into þe water it Caste In ȝowre Manere,
and taketh fisch for this Meyne,
wherby sosteyned that they Mown be.”
to hym he seide to-forn hem Echon,
“Alayn,—that Of this world shalt be
the Moste gracious Man Of thy degre,—
Go thou to this stange Anon;
and Into that vessel that ȝe gon,
& take the Net that ȝe finden there;
Into þe water it Caste In ȝowre Manere,
and taketh fisch for this Meyne,
wherby sosteyned that they Mown be.”
This Child dide his Comaundement,
and to þe water wente with good Entent,
and Into the stangne the Net þere Caste,
and to londe drow yt Atte laste.
Whanne they that stooden vpon þe lond,
And there Abyden Goddis sond,
the Net to þe lond they drowen wel faste,
and there-Inne to loken hadden they haste;
and but On fysch fownden they Sekerly,
but it was ful gret trewely.
and they boden him ‘Asayen Eft sone
ȝif Ony bettere he myhte done;
For the tenthe part Of theke Meyne
with that fisch suffised not scholde be.’
and he seide þat he wolde no More
Into that stangne Comen thore.
and to þe water wente with good Entent,
and Into the stangne the Net þere Caste,
and to londe drow yt Atte laste.
Whanne they that stooden vpon þe lond,
And there Abyden Goddis sond,
226
and there-Inne to loken hadden they haste;
and but On fysch fownden they Sekerly,
but it was ful gret trewely.
and they boden him ‘Asayen Eft sone
ȝif Ony bettere he myhte done;
For the tenthe part Of theke Meyne
with that fisch suffised not scholde be.’
and he seide þat he wolde no More
Into that stangne Comen thore.
This fysch began he to Cutten Anon,
and Into Certein pecis it don;
Ek there soden Anon it was,
and Comaunded hem sitten In þat plas.
thanne so diden they Ryht Anon
lik as they hadden Mester Echon.
thanne Iosephes seide to Aleyn tho,
“Wost þou not now what þou schalt do?
Departe this fisch As I schal þe telle;
vppon here table thou do it ful snelle;
At Ech Ende thou sette A Mes,
At the Myddes Anothir, & not thou ses.
thanne preye to God ful devoutly,
that he wolde Of his grete Mercy
for the schewen grace In this Manere
to tho Synful that weren there;
that thoruh thi preiere fulfild myht be
thike sinful peple thoruh his pyte,
as thou his servaunt wylt Evere be
to þe holy seint Graal In alle degre.”
and Into Certein pecis it don;
Ek there soden Anon it was,
and Comaunded hem sitten In þat plas.
thanne so diden they Ryht Anon
lik as they hadden Mester Echon.
thanne Iosephes seide to Aleyn tho,
“Wost þou not now what þou schalt do?
Departe this fisch As I schal þe telle;
vppon here table thou do it ful snelle;
At Ech Ende thou sette A Mes,
At the Myddes Anothir, & not thou ses.
thanne preye to God ful devoutly,
that he wolde Of his grete Mercy
for the schewen grace In this Manere
to tho Synful that weren there;
that thoruh thi preiere fulfild myht be
thike sinful peple thoruh his pyte,
as thou his servaunt wylt Evere be
to þe holy seint Graal In alle degre.”
Thanne began Aleyn forto preye
with teres and with wepyng Of Eye
Aforn the holy vessel A ful gret spas,
Evere beseching God Of his Gras.
Whanne he hadde I-don his preyere,
thanne Iosephes Comaundement fulfild he þere,
and sette this fysch In thre partye
Oppon the Cloth ful Sekerlye.
with teres and with wepyng Of Eye
Aforn the holy vessel A ful gret spas,
Evere beseching God Of his Gras.
Whanne he hadde I-don his preyere,
thanne Iosephes Comaundement fulfild he þere,
227
Oppon the Cloth ful Sekerlye.
thanne þere Owre lord wrowhte Miracles Anon
for Aleyn his chosyn, Amonges hem Echon.
that with that fysch fulfild they were,
Al the hole Compenye that was there,
as they Al the world Of Mete
to hem be Ordenaunce hadde ben gete;
and lefte there ful gret plente
Of Relef of that fisch ful sekerle.
for Aleyn his chosyn, Amonges hem Echon.
that with that fysch fulfild they were,
Al the hole Compenye that was there,
as they Al the world Of Mete
to hem be Ordenaunce hadde ben gete;
and lefte there ful gret plente
Of Relef of that fisch ful sekerle.
thanne to aleyn token they Ageyn
the leveng Of that fisch In Certeyn;
and there-with ȝoven him A name
Of wheche Evere After he hadde þe fame;
For Evere after I-Cleped was he
“Aleyn the Riche Fischere” sekerle;
and so Cleped they him Everychon,
Alle þo þat with þe holy vessel gonne gon.
and from that day aftyre for Ony thing
It was Clepid “aleynes stagne” with-Owten lesing.
the leveng Of that fisch In Certeyn;
and there-with ȝoven him A name
Of wheche Evere After he hadde þe fame;
For Evere after I-Cleped was he
“Aleyn the Riche Fischere” sekerle;
and so Cleped they him Everychon,
Alle þo þat with þe holy vessel gonne gon.
and from that day aftyre for Ony thing
It was Clepid “aleynes stagne” with-Owten lesing.
thanne so gret Ioye Amonges hem they made,
that be Aleyn they weren so glade
that non tonge ne Cowden it telle,
Nether Of here Ioye halfendel Cowde spelle.
that be Aleyn they weren so glade
that non tonge ne Cowden it telle,
Nether Of here Ioye halfendel Cowde spelle.
| CHAPTER XLVIII. OF MOYS'S PRESUMPTION AND ITS PUNISHMENT; AND OF BRONS AND HIS SONS, AND ALEYN THE GROS. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |