Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance by Herry Lovelich ... (AB. 1450 A.D.), edited from the unique ms. 80 in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, with an introduction, notes, and glossaries by Dr. Ernst A. Kock |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. | [Chapter III] |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
 | [Chapter III] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance |  |
[Chapter III]
Ful sory was kyng Fortager tho,
whanne he herde tellen it scholde be so,
and axede of merlyne anon Ryht
ȝif that ony othirwyse it myhte ben dyht.
“Nay, syker, Fortager,” quod merlyne tho,
“Non othirwyse now ne may it go.”
and whanne that fortager wiste al this,
that tho children scholde comen, j-wys,
thanne warnede he his peple anon
that to hym scholden they comen ful son,
aȝens that jlke same day
That merlyne hym of tolde, with-owten Nay.
So that to wynchestre he gan to go,
and al his power with him tho.
but the cawse wiste neuere a man,
but they that of his cownseyl weren than.
and whanne merlyne hadde endyd this mater,
thanne took he his leve of kyng Fortager,
and thanne forth to blase he gan to gon,
and told hym of these merveilles echon.
So that Blayse gan hem to Wryte,
and jnto his Book forto endyte.
So that merlyne with Blayse dwellede there,
tyl þe bretheren aftyr hym gonnen enqwere.
whanne he herde tellen it scholde be so,
and axede of merlyne anon Ryht
ȝif that ony othirwyse it myhte ben dyht.
“Nay, syker, Fortager,” quod merlyne tho,
“Non othirwyse now ne may it go.”
and whanne that fortager wiste al this,
that tho children scholde comen, j-wys,
thanne warnede he his peple anon
that to hym scholden they comen ful son,
aȝens that jlke same day
That merlyne hym of tolde, with-owten Nay.
82
and al his power with him tho.
but the cawse wiste neuere a man,
but they that of his cownseyl weren than.
and whanne merlyne hadde endyd this mater,
thanne took he his leve of kyng Fortager,
and thanne forth to blase he gan to gon,
and told hym of these merveilles echon.
So that Blayse gan hem to Wryte,
and jnto his Book forto endyte.
So that merlyne with Blayse dwellede there,
tyl þe bretheren aftyr hym gonnen enqwere.
and kyng Fortager at wynchestre abod,
as he be merlyne ferst vndirstood.
And that same day, with-owten lesynge,
the peple of Wynchestre syen comenge
Fer jn the see a ful gret Navye,
where-offen they merveilled, ful trewelye;
jn whiche vesselys weren, certeynle,
both costantynes sones, as j telle the.
and whanne that Fortager herde of this,
Ful sore he was abasched, j-wys,
and comaunded his men to armes anon
alle so faste as they myhten gon,
and also his port forto defende,
therto he bad hem forto atende.
& whanne at the port they weren echon,
thanne behelden they jn-to the se anon,
and Syen here ryhtful kynges banere
Ful openly displayed ryht there,
wheche weren the armes of costantyn;
they knewen the gonfanouns wele & fyn.
thanne merveillede this peple everichon
how that this thing thus myhte be don.
So that these vesselis aryvede to londe,
as J do ȝow to vndirstonde.
and whanne to londe a-ryved they were,
thanne axede the peple of hem there
what manere of peple was there with-jnne.
thanne answerid they, & wolde not blynne:
“They ben the vesselis of Pendragown,
that to this Rewm hath good Resown;
and also vter, his brothir so dere,
jnto his Rewm with him cometh here
of Fortager Forto taken veniaunce,
that hem hath don ful gret Noysaunce,
and as a fals man, J vndirstond,
vntrewely & vniostly halt he here lond.”
and whanne that the peple vndirstod this,
that it was here owne lord, J-wys,
That with hym browhte so gret meyne,
thanne weren they abasched, ful Sykyrle,
and nolden non thyng aȝens hem do,
Lest aftyr it myhte hem tornen to moche wo,
and comen and seiden to Fortager,
that aȝens hem wolden they not fyhten ther.
and whanne Fortager this vndirstood,
thanne for wraththe he was nyhe wood.
thanne spak he to his owne men,
that hym wolde not Forsaken than,
the castel wel to kepen ouer alle thyng.
so seyden they wolden, with-owten fayllyng.
thanne a-ryvede these schepis there anon,
and the peple of the cuntre thider faste gonne gon,
and aȝens hym they wenten be on acord,
& there hym resceyveden as here lord.
as he be merlyne ferst vndirstood.
And that same day, with-owten lesynge,
the peple of Wynchestre syen comenge
Fer jn the see a ful gret Navye,
where-offen they merveilled, ful trewelye;
jn whiche vesselys weren, certeynle,
both costantynes sones, as j telle the.
and whanne that Fortager herde of this,
Ful sore he was abasched, j-wys,
and comaunded his men to armes anon
alle so faste as they myhten gon,
and also his port forto defende,
therto he bad hem forto atende.
& whanne at the port they weren echon,
thanne behelden they jn-to the se anon,
and Syen here ryhtful kynges banere
Ful openly displayed ryht there,
wheche weren the armes of costantyn;
they knewen the gonfanouns wele & fyn.
thanne merveillede this peple everichon
how that this thing thus myhte be don.
So that these vesselis aryvede to londe,
as J do ȝow to vndirstonde.
and whanne to londe a-ryved they were,
thanne axede the peple of hem there
83
thanne answerid they, & wolde not blynne:
“They ben the vesselis of Pendragown,
that to this Rewm hath good Resown;
and also vter, his brothir so dere,
jnto his Rewm with him cometh here
of Fortager Forto taken veniaunce,
that hem hath don ful gret Noysaunce,
and as a fals man, J vndirstond,
vntrewely & vniostly halt he here lond.”
and whanne that the peple vndirstod this,
that it was here owne lord, J-wys,
That with hym browhte so gret meyne,
thanne weren they abasched, ful Sykyrle,
and nolden non thyng aȝens hem do,
Lest aftyr it myhte hem tornen to moche wo,
and comen and seiden to Fortager,
that aȝens hem wolden they not fyhten ther.
and whanne Fortager this vndirstood,
thanne for wraththe he was nyhe wood.
thanne spak he to his owne men,
that hym wolde not Forsaken than,
the castel wel to kepen ouer alle thyng.
so seyden they wolden, with-owten fayllyng.
thanne a-ryvede these schepis there anon,
and the peple of the cuntre thider faste gonne gon,
and aȝens hym they wenten be on acord,
& there hym resceyveden as here lord.
thanne kyng Fortager with his meyne,
to his castel wenten they ful hastyle.
and there bothe bretheren be on asent
hym vigerously asayllede, verament.
So that Pandragoun Fyr dede jn caste
jnto that castel, that brende ryht faste,
where-jnne this Fortager Syker was brent,
as this storye scheweth, verament.
And thus tooken bothe bretheryn Jn Fere
harde veniaunce on here enemyes there.
to his castel wenten they ful hastyle.
and there bothe bretheren be on asent
hym vigerously asayllede, verament.
So that Pandragoun Fyr dede jn caste
jnto that castel, that brende ryht faste,
where-jnne this Fortager Syker was brent,
as this storye scheweth, verament.
And thus tooken bothe bretheryn Jn Fere
harde veniaunce on here enemyes there.
84
thanne the kynnes-men of Fortager
vppon the crystene werreden ther,
and the tweyne bretheren gonnen hem asaylle,
and jnto a castel hem droven, Sauns faylle.
thanne took pandragon cownseyl there,
and vter his brothyr, alle Jn fere,
how that thike castel they myhten wynne
and ek the peple that was with-jnne.
at whiche cownseyl fyve barouns there were
that to-forn tyme the dragowns syen fyhten there,
and herden al the significaciown.
how that merlyne tolde al & Som
of tho tweyne dragowns to Fortager,
To Pandragown and to his brothir they tolden ther,
and of the merveylles everychon
that merlyne hem tolde be on and be on.
“and wete ȝe wel, Syres, that he Js on
the wysest man, except god alon.”
thanne seide Pandragown to these Barowns:
“where dwellith that man & in whiche Regyowns?”
“we weten neuere,” quod they ageyn,
“where hym to fynden, Jn certeyn,
Neþer jn what contre hym to have,
also god oure sowles moot save!
and ȝif he be owht jn this partye,
we scholen hym fynde, wel Sekerlye.”
vppon the crystene werreden ther,
and the tweyne bretheren gonnen hem asaylle,
and jnto a castel hem droven, Sauns faylle.
thanne took pandragon cownseyl there,
and vter his brothyr, alle Jn fere,
how that thike castel they myhten wynne
and ek the peple that was with-jnne.
at whiche cownseyl fyve barouns there were
that to-forn tyme the dragowns syen fyhten there,
and herden al the significaciown.
how that merlyne tolde al & Som
of tho tweyne dragowns to Fortager,
To Pandragown and to his brothir they tolden ther,
and of the merveylles everychon
that merlyne hem tolde be on and be on.
“and wete ȝe wel, Syres, that he Js on
the wysest man, except god alon.”
thanne seide Pandragown to these Barowns:
“where dwellith that man & in whiche Regyowns?”
“we weten neuere,” quod they ageyn,
“where hym to fynden, Jn certeyn,
Neþer jn what contre hym to have,
also god oure sowles moot save!
and ȝif he be owht jn this partye,
we scholen hym fynde, wel Sekerlye.”
thanne forth sente pandragown anon
messengeris, as faste as they cowde gon,
To serchen al the lond owt ryht,
ȝif that there cowde ony wyht
hem tellen merlyne Forto Fynde,
that holden was so gentyl & kynde.
And merlyne, that knew al this ful wel,
Tolde it to Blayse thanne everydel,
and from Blayse thanne wente anon,
& Forth to a town he gan to gon,
there as the messengeris at mete were.
and jn this gyse to hem cam he there:
lik as a schepperde he hadde j-be,
with a staf on his nekke, ful sekerle,
and ek a peyre of ful Boystous schoon,
vppon his Feet thanne were they doon,
and vppon hym a clowted cote,
that heng adown abowten his throte,
and therto he hadde a ful gret berd,
þerwith to han mad many men aferd,
So that he Semede jn alle degre
a man of evel lykynge, ful sekyrle.
and thus to þe same place he cam anon
þere as þe messengeres eten everichon,
and seide to hem Jn this manere:
“Ful evel don ȝe ȝoure dever here
and ȝoure lordis arende also,
Forto Seken merlyne that ȝe scholden go.”
and whanne they herde thus hym Seyn,
“what jn þe devellis name, be-hold this veleyn!
where-offen with sorwe smateryth he
of ony thing that to vs longeth forto be?”
“jn feith,” quod Merlyne thanne ageyn,
“and j hym scholde seken, jn certeyn,
J scholde hym Fynde Sonnere thanne ȝe,
j telle ȝow, Sires, ful Sykerle.”
thanne resen these messengeris anon,
and toward merlyne they gonne to gon,
& him þere axede anon Ryht
ȝif he him knew be day oþer be Nyht.
“Ȝys, Forsothe, J Knowe Hym Ryht Wel
and al his abydyng every del.
but that he tolde me, Jn certeyn,
that ȝowre travaylle was but jn veyn;
For thowgh ȝe fownden him jn this contre,
with ȝow wolde he not gon, Sykerle.
but goth to ȝowre lord now ageyn faste,
and that the castel to taken he have non haste,
tyl that Augwys be ded other slayn,
of wheche castel he js lord, certayn.
and wete ȝe wel that of thyke barownes fyve
there ben but thre now left on lyve,
that Ferst tolden the kyng of merlyne,
whiche that cowde so mochel of devyne.
and þerfore to ȝowre lord that ȝe telle,
what maner aventure so hym befalle,
ȝif that merlyne he wyle with speke,
jnto this contre hym-Self moste reke,
and aftyr him Serchen jn market & town
abowtes al this contre Jn vyrown.”
messengeris, as faste as they cowde gon,
To serchen al the lond owt ryht,
ȝif that there cowde ony wyht
hem tellen merlyne Forto Fynde,
that holden was so gentyl & kynde.
And merlyne, that knew al this ful wel,
Tolde it to Blayse thanne everydel,
and from Blayse thanne wente anon,
& Forth to a town he gan to gon,
there as the messengeris at mete were.
and jn this gyse to hem cam he there:
85
with a staf on his nekke, ful sekerle,
and ek a peyre of ful Boystous schoon,
vppon his Feet thanne were they doon,
and vppon hym a clowted cote,
that heng adown abowten his throte,
and therto he hadde a ful gret berd,
þerwith to han mad many men aferd,
So that he Semede jn alle degre
a man of evel lykynge, ful sekyrle.
and thus to þe same place he cam anon
þere as þe messengeres eten everichon,
and seide to hem Jn this manere:
“Ful evel don ȝe ȝoure dever here
and ȝoure lordis arende also,
Forto Seken merlyne that ȝe scholden go.”
and whanne they herde thus hym Seyn,
“what jn þe devellis name, be-hold this veleyn!
where-offen with sorwe smateryth he
of ony thing that to vs longeth forto be?”
“jn feith,” quod Merlyne thanne ageyn,
“and j hym scholde seken, jn certeyn,
J scholde hym Fynde Sonnere thanne ȝe,
j telle ȝow, Sires, ful Sykerle.”
thanne resen these messengeris anon,
and toward merlyne they gonne to gon,
& him þere axede anon Ryht
ȝif he him knew be day oþer be Nyht.
“Ȝys, Forsothe, J Knowe Hym Ryht Wel
and al his abydyng every del.
but that he tolde me, Jn certeyn,
that ȝowre travaylle was but jn veyn;
For thowgh ȝe fownden him jn this contre,
with ȝow wolde he not gon, Sykerle.
but goth to ȝowre lord now ageyn faste,
and that the castel to taken he have non haste,
tyl that Augwys be ded other slayn,
of wheche castel he js lord, certayn.
86
there ben but thre now left on lyve,
that Ferst tolden the kyng of merlyne,
whiche that cowde so mochel of devyne.
and þerfore to ȝowre lord that ȝe telle,
what maner aventure so hym befalle,
ȝif that merlyne he wyle with speke,
jnto this contre hym-Self moste reke,
and aftyr him Serchen jn market & town
abowtes al this contre Jn vyrown.”
The messengeris vndirstoden riht wel
what to hem that seide merlyne everydel,
an ech of hem on other lokede welfaste;
thussone merlyne owt of here syhte was paste.
thanne spoken they to-gederes hem be-twene:
“with the devel haven we spoken, j wene.
what Scholen we don of this mateer
That he to vs spak of now heer?”
“Infeyth,” quod on of that compenye,
“To owre lord welfaste we scholen vs hye,
and aforn hym to rehersen we scholen ben bolde
every word as this man hath vs tolde.”
what to hem that seide merlyne everydel,
an ech of hem on other lokede welfaste;
thussone merlyne owt of here syhte was paste.
thanne spoken they to-gederes hem be-twene:
“with the devel haven we spoken, j wene.
what Scholen we don of this mateer
That he to vs spak of now heer?”
“Infeyth,” quod on of that compenye,
“To owre lord welfaste we scholen vs hye,
and aforn hym to rehersen we scholen ben bolde
every word as this man hath vs tolde.”
and forth they ryden everychon,
Tyl jnto that ost they comen anon
There as the kyng was with his meyne;
Streyht to hym comen they, ful Sykerle.
whanne þat kyng Pandragoon gan be-holde,
For joye he be-gan his armes to Folde,
and hem axede anon there presente:
“han ȝe owht Fownde for that ȝe wente?”
“The sothe to tellen we ȝow enswre,
how it vs happede, and what aventure.”
That tolden they the kyng, with-owten lak,
jn what maner this veleyn to hem Spak.
thanne they that herden hem speken jn this manere,
that to-forn tyme knewen merlyne there,
Merveyllede that ony so hydows a man
to hem swich materis Scholde meven than.
For they wisten not, with-owten dowtance,
that merlyne cowde taken ony oþer semblaunce
but onlyche his owne Jn properte;
Of this merveyleden they, ful certeynle.
but thanne wisten they there ageyn
that no man ne cowde not, jn certeyn,
tellen of tho wondris alle
Sauf on[l]y merlyne, how so befalle.
thanne axeden [they] þe messengeris jn hye
jn what maner of contre that they hym sye.
thanne answerede the messengeris ageyn:
“To oure Jn he cam, Jn certeyn,
there as we eten, ȝe mown vndirstond,
jn the contre of Northhumberlond.”
thanne seiden they holiche, al that rowte,
that jt was merlyne with-owten dowte,
& that he desirede aftyr here knoweng,
onliche that there him scholde seken the kyng.
Tyl jnto that ost they comen anon
There as the kyng was with his meyne;
Streyht to hym comen they, ful Sykerle.
whanne þat kyng Pandragoon gan be-holde,
For joye he be-gan his armes to Folde,
and hem axede anon there presente:
“han ȝe owht Fownde for that ȝe wente?”
“The sothe to tellen we ȝow enswre,
how it vs happede, and what aventure.”
That tolden they the kyng, with-owten lak,
jn what maner this veleyn to hem Spak.
thanne they that herden hem speken jn this manere,
that to-forn tyme knewen merlyne there,
Merveyllede that ony so hydows a man
to hem swich materis Scholde meven than.
For they wisten not, with-owten dowtance,
87
but onlyche his owne Jn properte;
Of this merveyleden they, ful certeynle.
but thanne wisten they there ageyn
that no man ne cowde not, jn certeyn,
tellen of tho wondris alle
Sauf on[l]y merlyne, how so befalle.
thanne axeden [they] þe messengeris jn hye
jn what maner of contre that they hym sye.
thanne answerede the messengeris ageyn:
“To oure Jn he cam, Jn certeyn,
there as we eten, ȝe mown vndirstond,
jn the contre of Northhumberlond.”
thanne seiden they holiche, al that rowte,
that jt was merlyne with-owten dowte,
& that he desirede aftyr here knoweng,
onliche that there him scholde seken the kyng.
and whanne they comen jnto Northhumberlond,
as J do ȝow vtterly forto vndirstond,
Non tydynges ne cowden they heren ther
of merlyne, the devyn, nethir Fer ne Ner.
and as the kyng there gan forth to Ryde
Jn his jornes be eche a syde,
and as thorwgh a pleyn he gan to gon
and with him his meyne everichon,
they syen a drove of bestes ful gret
and therto an herdeman keping that hepe.
so that they axede hym anon
whens he was, & whedir he wolde gon,
“Sires, j do ȝow to vndirstonde
that j am of Northhumberlonde.
and Rihtnow a good man cam to me,
and seide that kyng Pandragon sikerle
jn this contre a man scholde Seke
that is bothe wys, good, and meke.”
“that is fulsoth,” quothen they thanne,
“kanst þou vs owht tellen of that manne?”
thanne answerid this vyleyn ageyn:
“ȝe, and J myhte sen the kyng, jn certeyn,
j wolde hym tellen of swich tydyng
of wheche to ȝow j ne wele Schewen non thing.”
“thanne com with me,” quod this good man,
“and to the kyng j wele schewen the anon.”
thanne quod this vileyn to him ageyn:
“my bestes scholde j evele kepen, jn certein;
but ȝif he wele comen hidir to me,
J schal hym tellen, ful certeinle,
Where he schal fynde that ilke persone
For whom jnto this contre he is gone.”
thanne departyd he from this vileyn anon,
and to the kyng streyht is he gon,
and tolde the kyng jn Wordis fewe
the Wordis of the vilein al on rewe.
“Anon lede me thedyr,” quod the kyng,
“and lete vs make non lengere taryeng!”
thus thanne ladde he forth þe kyng jn hye
to that same herdeman, ful trewelye.
thanne seide this goodman to that vyleyn:
“lo, Felawe, here is the kyng, certeyn;
Now telle him here thy lykyng,
For siker þou be, this is the kyng.”
“Sire kyng, forsothe J telle now the
that merlyne thou sekyst, ful sekyrle.
but to fynden he is ful ylle,
but ȝif hym-self wile concente þertylle.
And therefore jnto the nexte town thou go,
and thussone he schal comen the to.
with the [to spe]ken þere wil he ful ryht,
J sey the tr[ewe]ly, ful gentyl knyht.”
“how schal j hym knowen?” quod the kyng,
“but ȝif of hym J hadde som tokenyng?”
“Sire kyng, ȝif that thou leve not me,
Sey ellis of Fals cownseyl that j be!”
“J mistroste not,” quod the kyng tho,
“But that it is trewe thou seist me to.”
so paste the kyng thanne forth anon
owt of þat forest, to towne gan he gon.
And thussone to hym cam there
a semly man, arayed jn onest manere,
and seide: “sire kyng, welfownde ȝe be!
Merlyne, the devyn, sente me to the,
and sente the to seyne, ful sekerlye,
that the same was merleyne, trewelye,
whiche kepte the bestes Jn here pasture,
And, sire, be this tokene, J ȝow ensure,
that to towne scholde he comen to the,
whanne þou of hym haddest nede, sikerle.
But non gret mester ȝit Hast thow,
and of goode tydynges J schal tellen the now,
that merlyne sente the to say
by me, sire kyng, this same day.
knowe thow wel, for certeynlye,
that kyng haugwis is ded, trewelye,
and þat thy brothir vter hath hym slayn,
wite thou wel this, pandragon, jn certayn.”
and whanne the kyng herde this,
Ful mochel thanne he merveilled, j-wys.
“Js this trewe that thou tellest me?”
“Sire, ȝe, for he wyle not lyen, sykerle,
and a fool thou art, but thou it leve,
For here-offen the sothe wel schalt þou preve.”
as J do ȝow vtterly forto vndirstond,
Non tydynges ne cowden they heren ther
of merlyne, the devyn, nethir Fer ne Ner.
and as the kyng there gan forth to Ryde
Jn his jornes be eche a syde,
and as thorwgh a pleyn he gan to gon
and with him his meyne everichon,
they syen a drove of bestes ful gret
and therto an herdeman keping that hepe.
so that they axede hym anon
whens he was, & whedir he wolde gon,
“Sires, j do ȝow to vndirstonde
that j am of Northhumberlonde.
and Rihtnow a good man cam to me,
and seide that kyng Pandragon sikerle
jn this contre a man scholde Seke
that is bothe wys, good, and meke.”
“that is fulsoth,” quothen they thanne,
“kanst þou vs owht tellen of that manne?”
88
“ȝe, and J myhte sen the kyng, jn certeyn,
j wolde hym tellen of swich tydyng
of wheche to ȝow j ne wele Schewen non thing.”
“thanne com with me,” quod this good man,
“and to the kyng j wele schewen the anon.”
thanne quod this vileyn to him ageyn:
“my bestes scholde j evele kepen, jn certein;
but ȝif he wele comen hidir to me,
J schal hym tellen, ful certeinle,
Where he schal fynde that ilke persone
For whom jnto this contre he is gone.”
thanne departyd he from this vileyn anon,
and to the kyng streyht is he gon,
and tolde the kyng jn Wordis fewe
the Wordis of the vilein al on rewe.
“Anon lede me thedyr,” quod the kyng,
“and lete vs make non lengere taryeng!”
thus thanne ladde he forth þe kyng jn hye
to that same herdeman, ful trewelye.
thanne seide this goodman to that vyleyn:
“lo, Felawe, here is the kyng, certeyn;
Now telle him here thy lykyng,
For siker þou be, this is the kyng.”
“Sire kyng, forsothe J telle now the
that merlyne thou sekyst, ful sekyrle.
but to fynden he is ful ylle,
but ȝif hym-self wile concente þertylle.
And therefore jnto the nexte town thou go,
and thussone he schal comen the to.
with the [to spe]ken þere wil he ful ryht,
J sey the tr[ewe]ly, ful gentyl knyht.”
“how schal j hym knowen?” quod the kyng,
“but ȝif of hym J hadde som tokenyng?”
“Sire kyng, ȝif that thou leve not me,
Sey ellis of Fals cownseyl that j be!”
“J mistroste not,” quod the kyng tho,
“But that it is trewe thou seist me to.”
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owt of þat forest, to towne gan he gon.
And thussone to hym cam there
a semly man, arayed jn onest manere,
and seide: “sire kyng, welfownde ȝe be!
Merlyne, the devyn, sente me to the,
and sente the to seyne, ful sekerlye,
that the same was merleyne, trewelye,
whiche kepte the bestes Jn here pasture,
And, sire, be this tokene, J ȝow ensure,
that to towne scholde he comen to the,
whanne þou of hym haddest nede, sikerle.
But non gret mester ȝit Hast thow,
and of goode tydynges J schal tellen the now,
that merlyne sente the to say
by me, sire kyng, this same day.
knowe thow wel, for certeynlye,
that kyng haugwis is ded, trewelye,
and þat thy brothir vter hath hym slayn,
wite thou wel this, pandragon, jn certayn.”
and whanne the kyng herde this,
Ful mochel thanne he merveilled, j-wys.
“Js this trewe that thou tellest me?”
“Sire, ȝe, for he wyle not lyen, sykerle,
and a fool thou art, but thou it leve,
For here-offen the sothe wel schalt þou preve.”
Thanne charged the kyng tweyne messengeris anon
that Jn alle haste they scholden gon—
“to knowen ȝif this thing now trewe be,
and doth me to wetene ful hastyle.”
so forth reden the messengeris anon,
and with othir messengeris metten they thusson,
From vter to pandragown, jn that sted,
hym forto tellen how haugwys was ded.
whanne þe messengeris thus metten jn fere,
aȝen to-gideris tornede [they] in fayr manere,
and hym tolden jn cownseyl, certayn,
jn what maner vter haugwys hadde slayn.
thanne charged the kyng hem ful hyghly
that this thing, algates to kepen Jt prevy,
and merveillede gretliche ouer alle thyng
how merlyne of this scholde haue knoweng,
and Jn his herte merveilled ful gretle
Jn what maner that haugwys ded scholde be,
and thowhte of merlyne more to enqwere,
ȝif of that mater he cowde tellen hym there.
that Jn alle haste they scholden gon—
“to knowen ȝif this thing now trewe be,
and doth me to wetene ful hastyle.”
so forth reden the messengeris anon,
and with othir messengeris metten they thusson,
From vter to pandragown, jn that sted,
hym forto tellen how haugwys was ded.
whanne þe messengeris thus metten jn fere,
aȝen to-gideris tornede [they] in fayr manere,
and hym tolden jn cownseyl, certayn,
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thanne charged the kyng hem ful hyghly
that this thing, algates to kepen Jt prevy,
and merveillede gretliche ouer alle thyng
how merlyne of this scholde haue knoweng,
and Jn his herte merveilled ful gretle
Jn what maner that haugwys ded scholde be,
and thowhte of merlyne more to enqwere,
ȝif of that mater he cowde tellen hym there.
so that al a day jn that town gan he abyde,
and as from the mynstre he cam þat tyde,
with hym there mette a semly man,
and to kyng Pandragon he seide than:
“Sire kyng, al heyl and wel thou be!
here jn this town what thyng seken ȝe?”
“j abyde merlyne,” quod the kyng,
“with hym to haue som maner of spekyng.”
“Sire kyng,” quod this good man thanne,
“j ne hold ȝow not ȝit so wys a manne
merlyne to knowen, thowgh ȝe hym sye,
J sey ȝow, sire kyng, ful sekyrlye.
and þerfore clepeth hem that him han se,
and axe of hem ȝif that merlyne j be.”
So that the kyng, for hem he sente anon,
and toforn hym comen they everychon.
“Lordynges,” quod the kyng to hem thanne,
“here byden we merlyne, þat worthy manne.
Js þere ony of ȝow that hym kan knowe,
and he here stood jn this rowe?”
“Forsothe, sire kyng, that may not be
but ȝif we hym Syen, ful sikerle.”
thanne seide this goodman to the kyng:
“this were now a wondirful thing,
how that anothir man they scholde knowe,
whanne þat hem-self they konnen neþer hy ne lowe.”
thanne answered these lordis ageyn:
“his werkis we knowen not, jn certeyn,
but his Semblaunce we knowen ful wel,
and we hym syen everydel.”
thanne seide this goodman to hem ageyn:
“how scholde ȝe ony man knowen, jn certeyn,
but ȝif ȝe knowen his Semblaunce?
This Were to me a Wondyrful chawnce.”
thanne clepede merlyne the kyng anon,
and jnto a prevy chambre they gonne to gon,
and seide: “sire kyng, J am joyful of the
and of ȝoure brothyr, sire, ful certeinle.
For J am the same persone, with-owten dwere,
that ȝe comen forto Seken here.
Now goth owt of this chambre anon,
and ledeth me toforn hem Echon
that tolden to ȝow they cowde knowen me,
and they alle wylen seyn, ful sykerle,
that ȝe haven fownden the same merlyne
whiche that they clepen the goode devyne.”
and as from the mynstre he cam þat tyde,
with hym there mette a semly man,
and to kyng Pandragon he seide than:
“Sire kyng, al heyl and wel thou be!
here jn this town what thyng seken ȝe?”
“j abyde merlyne,” quod the kyng,
“with hym to haue som maner of spekyng.”
“Sire kyng,” quod this good man thanne,
“j ne hold ȝow not ȝit so wys a manne
merlyne to knowen, thowgh ȝe hym sye,
J sey ȝow, sire kyng, ful sekyrlye.
and þerfore clepeth hem that him han se,
and axe of hem ȝif that merlyne j be.”
So that the kyng, for hem he sente anon,
and toforn hym comen they everychon.
“Lordynges,” quod the kyng to hem thanne,
“here byden we merlyne, þat worthy manne.
Js þere ony of ȝow that hym kan knowe,
and he here stood jn this rowe?”
“Forsothe, sire kyng, that may not be
but ȝif we hym Syen, ful sikerle.”
thanne seide this goodman to the kyng:
“this were now a wondirful thing,
how that anothir man they scholde knowe,
whanne þat hem-self they konnen neþer hy ne lowe.”
thanne answered these lordis ageyn:
“his werkis we knowen not, jn certeyn,
but his Semblaunce we knowen ful wel,
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thanne seide this goodman to hem ageyn:
“how scholde ȝe ony man knowen, jn certeyn,
but ȝif ȝe knowen his Semblaunce?
This Were to me a Wondyrful chawnce.”
thanne clepede merlyne the kyng anon,
and jnto a prevy chambre they gonne to gon,
and seide: “sire kyng, J am joyful of the
and of ȝoure brothyr, sire, ful certeinle.
For J am the same persone, with-owten dwere,
that ȝe comen forto Seken here.
Now goth owt of this chambre anon,
and ledeth me toforn hem Echon
that tolden to ȝow they cowde knowen me,
and they alle wylen seyn, ful sykerle,
that ȝe haven fownden the same merlyne
whiche that they clepen the goode devyne.”
thanne wente Pandragown forth anon,
and clepid his meyne everychon.
thanne took merlyne his owne Semblaunce,
that he to-forn hadde, with-owten variaunce.
and thanne, anon as they hym Sye,
they seiden it was merlyne, trewlye.
“thanne avyse ȝow wel,” quod the kyng,
“that it be merlyne with-owten lesyng.”
and they seiden: “wel we hym knowe
among alle this peple jn this rowe.”
“j wolde fayn weten,” quod the kyng,
“ȝif j evere to ȝow spak ony thyng,
er that j cam jnto this town;
of this wolde j fayn knowen þe resown.”
“Sire,” quod merlyne to the kyng thanne,
“For certeyn, J am the same manne
that walkede ȝondir jn ȝone forestes,
kepyng alle tho forseid bestes.
also the same man am J
that told ȝow of haugwys, trewely.”
thanne seide the kyng to hem ageyn:
“Evele knowen ȝe merlyne, jn certeyn!”
and clepid his meyne everychon.
thanne took merlyne his owne Semblaunce,
that he to-forn hadde, with-owten variaunce.
and thanne, anon as they hym Sye,
they seiden it was merlyne, trewlye.
“thanne avyse ȝow wel,” quod the kyng,
“that it be merlyne with-owten lesyng.”
and they seiden: “wel we hym knowe
among alle this peple jn this rowe.”
“j wolde fayn weten,” quod the kyng,
“ȝif j evere to ȝow spak ony thyng,
er that j cam jnto this town;
of this wolde j fayn knowen þe resown.”
“Sire,” quod merlyne to the kyng thanne,
“For certeyn, J am the same manne
that walkede ȝondir jn ȝone forestes,
kepyng alle tho forseid bestes.
also the same man am J
that told ȝow of haugwys, trewely.”
thanne seide the kyng to hem ageyn:
“Evele knowen ȝe merlyne, jn certeyn!”
thanne axede the kyng of merlyne there
how of augwis he knew and jn what manere.
“Sire,” quod merlyne, “as it not ben scholde,
Augwys vter mordred han wolde.
Anon to thy brothyr j wente jn hye,
and told hym al his purpos vtterlye,
and how that augwys hym ordeynede to sle;
al this j told hym, ful Sykerle.
and ȝit he ne wolde not me beleve,
tyl that the sothe him-self dede preve.
so that ȝowre brothir wook alone al nyht,
tyl that the sothe he preven myht,
and evere awayted the comenge
of Augwis, þat was so crewel a kynge.
thanne atte laste cam this haugwis
jnto vteris pavyloun, þat was of prys.
and ȝoure brothir let hym entren anon,
with a scharpe knyf drawen, jnto his won,
hym forto hauen slayn, verayment.
so þat vter he sowhte al abowtes þe tent,
but he ne cowde hym not Fynde,
wherfore he mornede jn his mynde.
and owt aȝen he wolde han gon,
but ȝoure brothir mette with hym anon.
So there fowhten they to-gederis, jn certayn,
that vter, ȝoure brothyr, hath hym slayn.”
Whanne that the kyng herde al this,
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“Sire,” quod merlyne, “as it not ben scholde,
Augwys vter mordred han wolde.
Anon to thy brothyr j wente jn hye,
and told hym al his purpos vtterlye,
and how that augwys hym ordeynede to sle;
al this j told hym, ful Sykerle.
and ȝit he ne wolde not me beleve,
tyl that the sothe him-self dede preve.
so that ȝowre brothir wook alone al nyht,
tyl that the sothe he preven myht,
and evere awayted the comenge
of Augwis, þat was so crewel a kynge.
thanne atte laste cam this haugwis
jnto vteris pavyloun, þat was of prys.
and ȝoure brothir let hym entren anon,
with a scharpe knyf drawen, jnto his won,
hym forto hauen slayn, verayment.
so þat vter he sowhte al abowtes þe tent,
but he ne cowde hym not Fynde,
wherfore he mornede jn his mynde.
and owt aȝen he wolde han gon,
but ȝoure brothir mette with hym anon.
So there fowhten they to-gederis, jn certayn,
that vter, ȝoure brothyr, hath hym slayn.”
anon he axede of hym, j-wis,
jn what Semblance he myhte be,
whanne that with his brothir spak he.
“Sire,” quod Merlyne thanne a-geyn,
“Jn lykenesse of an old man, certeyn.”
“Tolde ȝe Owht hym What man ȝe Were?”
“nay, sire,” quod merlyne, “jn non manere;
Nethyr he ne schal not it knowen for me,
tyl ȝowre-Self it hym telle, ful Sikerle.”
Thanne seide to hym Pandragown, the kyng:
“Now, dere Frend, j preye ȝow ouer alle thyng
that ȝe wylen now gon with me,
For of ȝoure cownseyl have j nede, parde.”
93
ȝif that ȝe Welen owht leven on me.”
“merlyne, ȝe han so mochel to me told
of vter, my brothir, many fold,
that ȝif it now soth be,
For evere schal j now leven on the.”
“thanne vndirstonde ȝe, with-owten varyaunce,
þat J to ȝowre [brothir] schal speken jn the same semblaunce
that J was, whanne j hym tolde, certeyn,
how that haugwys hym wolde han slayn,
and that with-jnne this viij dayes it schal be.”
“thanne preye j ȝow, merlyne, for charite,
that j moot knowen the same Face,
whanne ȝe with hym speken jn ony place.”
“that scholen ȝe, Sire, with good wille.
but of on thyng J Sey ȝow vntille:
that ȝif Evere ony love ȝe wyle haven of me,
So that ȝe kepen Jt Jn prevyte.”
Thus aqweyntyd merlyne with Pendragown,
and of hym took leve Jn that town.
So Forth to Blasye he gan to gon,
and dide hym it putten jn scripture anon,
that so be hym knowen we this storye,
wheche to vs is put Jn memorye.
And Pandragown held forth his weye,
tyl that to his brothyr he cam, jn feye.
& whanne that vter his brothyr Say,
Ful mochel Joye he made that day,
and took the kyng anon on side,
and þere hym tolde that ilke tyde
how that haugwis he had slayn,
lik as merlyne him ferst hadde told, certeyn.
“Now, goode brother, what myht he be,
That ferst discured to ȝow þis destyne?”
“Now, so me god helpe,” quod vter thanne,
“j merveillede neuere so mochel of manne.
Of that ȝe me Seyn jn this throwe
whiche j wende neuere but that god and j hadde knowe.
and therfore I preye ȝow, for charyte,
how that ȝe jt wiste, now telleth me.”
“J seye ȝow sekerly,” quod Pandragown,
“j Jt now knowe be good Resown.
but, brothir vter, what good man was he
that from the deth warawnted the?”
“be the oth þat j owe to ȝow, my kyng,
j schal ȝow trewly seyn, to my knoweng.
j not what maner of man jt was,
but a good man he semede jn every plas,
and therefore the bettere j gan hym leve,
For aftyr, the sothe he dede me preve.”
“Cowde ȝe hym knowen,” quod Pandragown tho,
“jn ony place and he to-fore ȝow go?”
“ȝe, sire, forsothe,” quod vter thanne,
“J schal hym knowen to-forn anothir manne.”
“wel, Sire vter, thanne warne j the
that with-jnne xij dayes he wyle here be,
and only with ȝow wil he speke,
and to ȝow his herte wyle he breke.
but of on thing j preye ȝow, certeinle:
that al that day ȝe ben to-forn me,
that j myhte knowen, as wel as ȝe,
what maner of man þat so he be.”
And vter be-hyghte that so he Wolde,
and not to letten for ȝong neþer olde.
and thus bothe the bretheren Jn fere
of diuers materis spoken there.
and of hym took leve Jn that town.
So Forth to Blasye he gan to gon,
and dide hym it putten jn scripture anon,
that so be hym knowen we this storye,
wheche to vs is put Jn memorye.
And Pandragown held forth his weye,
tyl that to his brothyr he cam, jn feye.
& whanne that vter his brothyr Say,
Ful mochel Joye he made that day,
and took the kyng anon on side,
and þere hym tolde that ilke tyde
how that haugwis he had slayn,
lik as merlyne him ferst hadde told, certeyn.
“Now, goode brother, what myht he be,
That ferst discured to ȝow þis destyne?”
“Now, so me god helpe,” quod vter thanne,
“j merveillede neuere so mochel of manne.
94
whiche j wende neuere but that god and j hadde knowe.
and therfore I preye ȝow, for charyte,
how that ȝe jt wiste, now telleth me.”
“J seye ȝow sekerly,” quod Pandragown,
“j Jt now knowe be good Resown.
but, brothir vter, what good man was he
that from the deth warawnted the?”
“be the oth þat j owe to ȝow, my kyng,
j schal ȝow trewly seyn, to my knoweng.
j not what maner of man jt was,
but a good man he semede jn every plas,
and therefore the bettere j gan hym leve,
For aftyr, the sothe he dede me preve.”
“Cowde ȝe hym knowen,” quod Pandragown tho,
“jn ony place and he to-fore ȝow go?”
“ȝe, sire, forsothe,” quod vter thanne,
“J schal hym knowen to-forn anothir manne.”
“wel, Sire vter, thanne warne j the
that with-jnne xij dayes he wyle here be,
and only with ȝow wil he speke,
and to ȝow his herte wyle he breke.
but of on thing j preye ȝow, certeinle:
that al that day ȝe ben to-forn me,
that j myhte knowen, as wel as ȝe,
what maner of man þat so he be.”
And vter be-hyghte that so he Wolde,
and not to letten for ȝong neþer olde.
and thus bothe the bretheren Jn fere
of diuers materis spoken there.
and merlyne forth to Blasye wente,
and tolde hym alle these poyntes, veramente,
how the tweyne bretheryn of hym gonne speke,
& how þat vter of his fo gan hym wreke,
and how that Pandragown wolde hym asaye
be many poyntes and many a waye.
thanne axede blasie of merlyne there
how they lyveden and jn what manere.
thanne seide merlyne to blasie ageyn
that—“bothe ben they ȝonge men, jn certeyn,
and gret nede they haven of good cownsaylle
of swich a man that myhte hem avaylle.
but fyrst jnto mirthe j wolde hem drawe
with lawghenges & boordes to maken hem fawe.
For j wot wel where woneth a fayr lady
that vter Loveth, paramours, trewely,
and so streyht to hym wyl j gon
with a lettre from his love anon.
For j knowe alle the wordis preve
that betwixen hem to-fore tyme hath be.”
and tolde hym alle these poyntes, veramente,
how the tweyne bretheryn of hym gonne speke,
& how þat vter of his fo gan hym wreke,
and how that Pandragown wolde hym asaye
be many poyntes and many a waye.
thanne axede blasie of merlyne there
how they lyveden and jn what manere.
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that—“bothe ben they ȝonge men, jn certeyn,
and gret nede they haven of good cownsaylle
of swich a man that myhte hem avaylle.
but fyrst jnto mirthe j wolde hem drawe
with lawghenges & boordes to maken hem fawe.
For j wot wel where woneth a fayr lady
that vter Loveth, paramours, trewely,
and so streyht to hym wyl j gon
with a lettre from his love anon.
For j knowe alle the wordis preve
that betwixen hem to-fore tyme hath be.”
And þe xj day thanne next Sewenge,
To cowrt cam merlyne faste rennenge
jn liknesse of a groom messenger
that from his Love to hym cam ther,
and seide: “my lady greteth ȝow wel
with herte and Body everydel,
and sente ȝow here a lettre to rede
alone be ȝoure-self jn prevy stede.”
thanne took vter this lettre, verament,
and wende his love hadde it hym sent,
and ryht gret Joye he gan to make
of þe lettre for his loves sake.
thanne spak the lettre jn this manere,
þat the messenger he scholde lestene & here
and trowen that he to hym seide,
For so on hym hire arende sche leyde.
and this messenger tolde many prevy thyng
that vter had offen ryht good knoweng,
so that þe bettyr wil hadde he to dwelle
For thinges þe messenger gan hym telle.
thus alday taryede kyng Pandragown,
Tyl the lyht of day was ny agon,
and merveillede of merlynes taryenge,
and why that so Longe was his dwellenge.
To cowrt cam merlyne faste rennenge
jn liknesse of a groom messenger
that from his Love to hym cam ther,
and seide: “my lady greteth ȝow wel
with herte and Body everydel,
and sente ȝow here a lettre to rede
alone be ȝoure-self jn prevy stede.”
thanne took vter this lettre, verament,
and wende his love hadde it hym sent,
and ryht gret Joye he gan to make
of þe lettre for his loves sake.
thanne spak the lettre jn this manere,
þat the messenger he scholde lestene & here
and trowen that he to hym seide,
For so on hym hire arende sche leyde.
and this messenger tolde many prevy thyng
that vter had offen ryht good knoweng,
so that þe bettyr wil hadde he to dwelle
For thinges þe messenger gan hym telle.
thus alday taryede kyng Pandragown,
Tyl the lyht of day was ny agon,
and merveillede of merlynes taryenge,
and why that so Longe was his dwellenge.
thussone merlyne drowh hym on syde,
and þere took anothir lyknesse that tyde,
Evene the same fygure and semblaunce
as whanne he warned vter of his chaunce.
Anon as vter him gan be-holde,
he hym knew and jn armes gan folde,
and preyede hym for alle cowrtesye
with hym to abyden stedfastlye,
and that he wolde speken with the kyng
with-owten ony more taryeng.
thanne tolde vter to Pandragown
that this good man was comen to town.
thanne axede the kyng of vter there
ȝif it were the same jn alle manere.
“ȝe, sire,” quod vter, “with-owten dowte.”
so forth wenten they bothe jn þat rowte,
and comen bothe to this good man,
and þer of hym gret joye made than.
“wile ȝe þat j to my brothir vter proclame
what man ȝe ben and what is ȝoure name?”
“Ȝe, sire, J Wyle Wyth Ryht good Wylle
that to ȝoure brothyr ȝe seyn it vntylle.”
thanne seide Pandragown to his brothyr dere:
“knowen ȝe owht this man that is here?
J telle ȝow, brothir, ful certeinlye,
that this is the wisest man, trewlye,
that here on lyve may now be,
Of whom we han gret mester, ful sikerle.
For sweche konneng hath this man,
as here to-forn hym tellen j ȝow kan.
for to ȝow cam non other messengere
but only this man that Js here.
and þe lettres tok ȝow this same man
that seide how he from ȝoure love cam.”
thanne abascht hym vter ful sore,
and of that man he wondred thore.
“how may j beleven this jlke thyng?
this were to me gret merveyllyng!”
“As wel mown ȝe knowen this jlke dede
as of oþer thinges þat he to ȝow afore seide.”
thanne seide vter: “ful certeynle,
j kan not beleven that this scholde ben he.”
the kyng preide merlyne jn wordis fewe
that som maner of tokenyng he wold hym schewe.
“Goth forth from me,” quod merlyne, “henne,
and anon j schal don hym me kenne.
For j wele proven hym þe same semblance
Of that Garsown, with-owten varyaunce.”
and þere took anothir lyknesse that tyde,
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as whanne he warned vter of his chaunce.
Anon as vter him gan be-holde,
he hym knew and jn armes gan folde,
and preyede hym for alle cowrtesye
with hym to abyden stedfastlye,
and that he wolde speken with the kyng
with-owten ony more taryeng.
thanne tolde vter to Pandragown
that this good man was comen to town.
thanne axede the kyng of vter there
ȝif it were the same jn alle manere.
“ȝe, sire,” quod vter, “with-owten dowte.”
so forth wenten they bothe jn þat rowte,
and comen bothe to this good man,
and þer of hym gret joye made than.
“wile ȝe þat j to my brothir vter proclame
what man ȝe ben and what is ȝoure name?”
“Ȝe, sire, J Wyle Wyth Ryht good Wylle
that to ȝoure brothyr ȝe seyn it vntylle.”
thanne seide Pandragown to his brothyr dere:
“knowen ȝe owht this man that is here?
J telle ȝow, brothir, ful certeinlye,
that this is the wisest man, trewlye,
that here on lyve may now be,
Of whom we han gret mester, ful sikerle.
For sweche konneng hath this man,
as here to-forn hym tellen j ȝow kan.
for to ȝow cam non other messengere
but only this man that Js here.
and þe lettres tok ȝow this same man
that seide how he from ȝoure love cam.”
thanne abascht hym vter ful sore,
and of that man he wondred thore.
“how may j beleven this jlke thyng?
this were to me gret merveyllyng!”
“As wel mown ȝe knowen this jlke dede
as of oþer thinges þat he to ȝow afore seide.”
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j kan not beleven that this scholde ben he.”
the kyng preide merlyne jn wordis fewe
that som maner of tokenyng he wold hym schewe.
“Goth forth from me,” quod merlyne, “henne,
and anon j schal don hym me kenne.
For j wele proven hym þe same semblance
Of that Garsown, with-owten varyaunce.”
And forth he wente thanne anon,
and þat same semblance he took thusson,
& cam to vter and took his leve,
For that þe sothe he scholde preve.
“brother, the sothe knowen not now ȝe,
that this same verray man Js he
that tolde how haugwis wolde ȝow han slayn?”
“ȝis, ful sekyr ȝe ben, brothyr, jn certeyn;
For bothe wete ȝe wel and vndirstonde
that he knoweth thinges jn dyvers londe,
bothe that is to comen and that js gon,
For of aventures kan he tellen manyon.
wherefore, brothir, we welen hym preye
with vs to dwellen, be ony weye;
For aftyr his werkynge welen we do
of alle thinges that vs longen vnto.”
and þat same semblance he took thusson,
& cam to vter and took his leve,
For that þe sothe he scholde preve.
“brother, the sothe knowen not now ȝe,
that this same verray man Js he
that tolde how haugwis wolde ȝow han slayn?”
“ȝis, ful sekyr ȝe ben, brothyr, jn certeyn;
For bothe wete ȝe wel and vndirstonde
that he knoweth thinges jn dyvers londe,
bothe that is to comen and that js gon,
For of aventures kan he tellen manyon.
wherefore, brothir, we welen hym preye
with vs to dwellen, be ony weye;
For aftyr his werkynge welen we do
of alle thinges that vs longen vnto.”
thanne bothe bretheren gonnen hym beseche
with hem to dwellen, with ful fayr speche.
“For so mochel to vs hauen ȝe told
of dyvers thinges manyfold,
wherefore that j beleve ȝow wel;
and that ȝe wolden everydel
Taken governaunce of my brothir and me;
and it ȝow likede, it myhte so be.”
thanne answerede hem aȝen merlyne:
“this schal j granten ȝow wel and fyne,
but j wile that ȝe knowen, certeinly,
of myn doyng prevyly.
For ȝit most j gon forther mo
to the hed of Gret Breteigne, how so j do.
but weteth wel that j schal haue knowenge
Of alle ȝowre nedis, with-owten varienge;
and Neuere deseisse schal j be ȝow se,
but that j schal helpen ȝow, Sekerle.
and þerfore chargeth not whanne j go,
For schortly schal j comen ȝow to.
and whanne that j come jnto ȝoure howshold,
loke þat ȝe joyen many fold
aforn ȝowre meyne jn my Syht,
That there-offen mowe knowen Every Wyht.”
with hem to dwellen, with ful fayr speche.
“For so mochel to vs hauen ȝe told
of dyvers thinges manyfold,
wherefore that j beleve ȝow wel;
and that ȝe wolden everydel
Taken governaunce of my brothir and me;
and it ȝow likede, it myhte so be.”
thanne answerede hem aȝen merlyne:
“this schal j granten ȝow wel and fyne,
but j wile that ȝe knowen, certeinly,
of myn doyng prevyly.
For ȝit most j gon forther mo
to the hed of Gret Breteigne, how so j do.
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Of alle ȝowre nedis, with-owten varienge;
and Neuere deseisse schal j be ȝow se,
but that j schal helpen ȝow, Sekerle.
and þerfore chargeth not whanne j go,
For schortly schal j comen ȝow to.
and whanne that j come jnto ȝoure howshold,
loke þat ȝe joyen many fold
aforn ȝowre meyne jn my Syht,
That there-offen mowe knowen Every Wyht.”
Thus belefte merlyne with the kyng,
and with his Brother vter was dwellyng.
so atte laste from hem wolde he gon,
jn swich semblaunce þat they myhten hym knowen echon.
So that whanne aȝen he cam,
of hym made joye bothe child & man,
and wenten and tolden to the kyng
at eche tyme of merlynes comyng.
and algates whanne þe kyng þere-of herde,
Ful mochel joye of hym he ferde,
and algates wente hym forto mete,
were jt jn feld oþer Jn strete,
and gret joye of hym made.
and ek al the meyne was ful glade,
and token the kyng anon on syde,
& thore hym tolde þat Jlke tyde
that he was the beste devyn, trewly,
except god that is al-myhtty.
“Now preyeth hym, Jn alle wyse,
that he wolde tellen ȝow jn what gyse
how that the castel to bryngen to ende,
and how this werre atte laste schal wende,
and of his kyn to haven victorye;
of this axe ȝe hym, ful certeynlye.”
the kyng answerede hem ageyn
that ryht gladliche he wolde it seyn.
and with his Brother vter was dwellyng.
so atte laste from hem wolde he gon,
jn swich semblaunce þat they myhten hym knowen echon.
So that whanne aȝen he cam,
of hym made joye bothe child & man,
and wenten and tolden to the kyng
at eche tyme of merlynes comyng.
and algates whanne þe kyng þere-of herde,
Ful mochel joye of hym he ferde,
and algates wente hym forto mete,
were jt jn feld oþer Jn strete,
and gret joye of hym made.
and ek al the meyne was ful glade,
and token the kyng anon on syde,
& thore hym tolde þat Jlke tyde
that he was the beste devyn, trewly,
except god that is al-myhtty.
“Now preyeth hym, Jn alle wyse,
that he wolde tellen ȝow jn what gyse
how that the castel to bryngen to ende,
and how this werre atte laste schal wende,
and of his kyn to haven victorye;
of this axe ȝe hym, ful certeynlye.”
the kyng answerede hem ageyn
that ryht gladliche he wolde it seyn.
whanne the thrydde day j-comen was,
the cownseyl assemblede al jn on plas.
thanne the kyng aforn his cownseil
enqwered of merlyne wondirly wel:
“Now, dere Frend,” quod the kyng thanne,
“J knowe ȝow For Ryht a wys manne,
and for the beste devyn J ȝow knowe
jn al this world, owthyr hyghe oþer lowe.
that ȝe wolden me tellen, j ȝow preye,
of diuers thynges that J schal seye,
and how this castel that j schal have,
and ek my meyne, to kepen hem save.”
thanne answeride merlyne a-geyn:
“Syre, j wolde that ȝe wisten, ful fayn:
For sethen his kynnes-men haugwis hadden lost,
Sethen that tyme maden they non bost,
ne rekken but lytel, the sothe to say,
owt of this lond to gon here way;
and to morwe vndir trewe hem besende,
thanne fulsone schole ȝe knowen the ende,
how they scholen profren to ȝelden ageyn
al þat they holden of ȝoure fadyr, certeyn.
but ȝit scholen ȝe not don so,
For whanne here answere cometh ȝow vnto,
ȝe scholen ȝow offren hem to conveye
be sauf coundit and be ryht weye,
and owt of ȝoure lond hem don lede,
and scheping hem ordeynen jnto what stede,
jnto what contre that they wylen gon;
thus to hem scholen ȝe answeren anon.”
thanne the kyng Sente forth vlfyn
and thre other knyhtes with hym;
and merlyne hem charged with this massage,
as they weren knyhtes of hygh parage.
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thanne the kyng aforn his cownseil
enqwered of merlyne wondirly wel:
“Now, dere Frend,” quod the kyng thanne,
“J knowe ȝow For Ryht a wys manne,
and for the beste devyn J ȝow knowe
jn al this world, owthyr hyghe oþer lowe.
that ȝe wolden me tellen, j ȝow preye,
of diuers thynges that J schal seye,
and how this castel that j schal have,
and ek my meyne, to kepen hem save.”
thanne answeride merlyne a-geyn:
“Syre, j wolde that ȝe wisten, ful fayn:
For sethen his kynnes-men haugwis hadden lost,
Sethen that tyme maden they non bost,
ne rekken but lytel, the sothe to say,
owt of this lond to gon here way;
and to morwe vndir trewe hem besende,
thanne fulsone schole ȝe knowen the ende,
how they scholen profren to ȝelden ageyn
al þat they holden of ȝoure fadyr, certeyn.
but ȝit scholen ȝe not don so,
For whanne here answere cometh ȝow vnto,
ȝe scholen ȝow offren hem to conveye
be sauf coundit and be ryht weye,
and owt of ȝoure lond hem don lede,
and scheping hem ordeynen jnto what stede,
jnto what contre that they wylen gon;
thus to hem scholen ȝe answeren anon.”
thanne the kyng Sente forth vlfyn
and thre other knyhtes with hym;
and merlyne hem charged with this massage,
as they weren knyhtes of hygh parage.
Forth these messengeris token here way
Streyht to the castel, as J ȝow say.
and whanne they with-jnne syen hem comenge,
aȝens hem they comen with-owten taryenge,
and axede of hem ȝif—“messengeris ȝe be?”
thanne vlfyn answerede & seide: “ȝe,
the kyng ȝow sente be vs to seyn
that thre wykys trwys scholen ȝe hauen, certeyn.”
“thanne to counseyl scholen we go,
To wyten how that we mown do.
Ryht Wondirfully sore Anoyed We be
of haugwis deth, ful certeynle;
and therto hauen we non vytaylle
hire forto abyden, sires, saunsfaylle,
Neþer non Refrescheng we mown have
of oure frendis here vs to save;
and jnto swich a day ȝe grauntyn vs trewe,
but here to abyden, it wolde vs rewe.
For it were ful evel soiornenge
jn a place with-owten vytayllynge.
but we hym don to vndirstonde
that this castel [we] deliueren jnto his honde,
and al the lond that longeth therto,
and we of hym to holdyn it for euere mo,
and þerto every ȝer hym forto ȝelde
thrytty knyhtes with spere and schelde,
an hundryd destreres, & as many of palfray,
and an hundrid fawkowns, the sothe to say.”
And they acordyd alle Jn on.
Streyht to the castel, as J ȝow say.
and whanne they with-jnne syen hem comenge,
aȝens hem they comen with-owten taryenge,
and axede of hem ȝif—“messengeris ȝe be?”
thanne vlfyn answerede & seide: “ȝe,
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that thre wykys trwys scholen ȝe hauen, certeyn.”
“thanne to counseyl scholen we go,
To wyten how that we mown do.
Ryht Wondirfully sore Anoyed We be
of haugwis deth, ful certeynle;
and therto hauen we non vytaylle
hire forto abyden, sires, saunsfaylle,
Neþer non Refrescheng we mown have
of oure frendis here vs to save;
and jnto swich a day ȝe grauntyn vs trewe,
but here to abyden, it wolde vs rewe.
For it were ful evel soiornenge
jn a place with-owten vytayllynge.
but we hym don to vndirstonde
that this castel [we] deliueren jnto his honde,
and al the lond that longeth therto,
and we of hym to holdyn it for euere mo,
and þerto every ȝer hym forto ȝelde
thrytty knyhtes with spere and schelde,
an hundryd destreres, & as many of palfray,
and an hundrid fawkowns, the sothe to say.”
And they acordyd alle Jn on.
so with this answere wente þe messengeres anon,
and tolden the kyng word and ende,
of this castel how it scholde wende.
and whanne the kyng herde here answere,
anon he axede of merlyne riht there
what were here-offen best forto do.
“ȝe,” quod merlyne, “thow schalt not don so,
For gret peryl it myhte be jn tyme comenge,
and stille jn this lond they weren dwellenge.
but j schal tellen the what thou schalt do:
anon sende aȝen, with-owten mo,
and bidde hem delyveren that castel,
For therto anon they scholen ben Lel,
For they ne hauen non maner of vytaylle,
J seye ȝow, Sires, with-owten faylle.
and behote ȝe hem that they scholen gon
sauf with here lyves Everychon;
And J ȝow Seye, wyth-owten Noye,
that schal ben to hem a passyng joye.”
thanne the kyng aftyr merlynes sawe
wrowht on þe morwe, whanne the day gan dawe,
Forth forto beren this answere
to hem that jn þe castel weren there.
and whan they of the castel herdyn this,
thanne maden they bothe joye and blys,
and weren cowndyed thorwgh the Lond,
and browht to the se, as j vndirstond,
and a redy Navye hem forth to lede
Jnto what lond owþer jnto what stede
that hem-selve they wolde to gon.
thus weren they exyled everychon
onliche be the cownseyl of merlyne,
that was holden so good a devyne.
and tolden the kyng word and ende,
of this castel how it scholde wende.
and whanne the kyng herde here answere,
anon he axede of merlyne riht there
what were here-offen best forto do.
“ȝe,” quod merlyne, “thow schalt not don so,
For gret peryl it myhte be jn tyme comenge,
and stille jn this lond they weren dwellenge.
but j schal tellen the what thou schalt do:
anon sende aȝen, with-owten mo,
and bidde hem delyveren that castel,
For therto anon they scholen ben Lel,
For they ne hauen non maner of vytaylle,
J seye ȝow, Sires, with-owten faylle.
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sauf with here lyves Everychon;
And J ȝow Seye, wyth-owten Noye,
that schal ben to hem a passyng joye.”
thanne the kyng aftyr merlynes sawe
wrowht on þe morwe, whanne the day gan dawe,
Forth forto beren this answere
to hem that jn þe castel weren there.
and whan they of the castel herdyn this,
thanne maden they bothe joye and blys,
and weren cowndyed thorwgh the Lond,
and browht to the se, as j vndirstond,
and a redy Navye hem forth to lede
Jnto what lond owþer jnto what stede
that hem-selve they wolde to gon.
thus weren they exyled everychon
onliche be the cownseyl of merlyne,
that was holden so good a devyne.
thus was merlyne conseillour and lord
of the kyng & his brothyr, at on word;
Tyl on an day there was to do
of thinges þat scholde come þe kyng vnto,
where-offen tweyne Barowns hadden envye,
that with the kyng he spak so prevylye,
and seiden: “sire kyng, we merveillen echon
that ȝe so beleven vppon this man.
For wete ȝe wel, sire kyng, in certeyn,
that al his werkyng of the devel cometh, pleyn.
and þerfore we wolde jn onest manere
that ȝe his compeny lefte here.”
“that were me loth,” quod the kyng,
“For j nolde him wraththen for non thyng.”
“Sire,” quod this Barown ageyn,
“j wile hym not Noyen, jn certeyn.”
Now was this Barown ful of envye
and ful of vices, ful trewelye,
and to the kynges cowrt cam vppon a day,
& there thus of merlyne gan he to say,
And of hym gret Joye thus he Wrowhte,
but evere anothir was Jn his thowhte.
there this barown clepede to-fore the kyng
twenty knyhtes, with-owten leseng.
“Now wile ȝe sen,” quod this Barown thanne,
“merlyne here, so worthy a manne,
that tolde the kyng howh Fortagere
jn his castel scholde brenne riht þere.—
and therfore preye j ȝow, for charite,
of my siknesse that ȝe wolden tellen me,
& that ȝe welen tellen me vtterlye
On what maner of deth that j schal dye.”
of the kyng & his brothyr, at on word;
Tyl on an day there was to do
of thinges þat scholde come þe kyng vnto,
where-offen tweyne Barowns hadden envye,
that with the kyng he spak so prevylye,
and seiden: “sire kyng, we merveillen echon
that ȝe so beleven vppon this man.
For wete ȝe wel, sire kyng, in certeyn,
that al his werkyng of the devel cometh, pleyn.
and þerfore we wolde jn onest manere
that ȝe his compeny lefte here.”
“that were me loth,” quod the kyng,
“For j nolde him wraththen for non thyng.”
“Sire,” quod this Barown ageyn,
“j wile hym not Noyen, jn certeyn.”
Now was this Barown ful of envye
and ful of vices, ful trewelye,
and to the kynges cowrt cam vppon a day,
& there thus of merlyne gan he to say,
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but evere anothir was Jn his thowhte.
there this barown clepede to-fore the kyng
twenty knyhtes, with-owten leseng.
“Now wile ȝe sen,” quod this Barown thanne,
“merlyne here, so worthy a manne,
that tolde the kyng howh Fortagere
jn his castel scholde brenne riht þere.—
and therfore preye j ȝow, for charite,
of my siknesse that ȝe wolden tellen me,
& that ȝe welen tellen me vtterlye
On what maner of deth that j schal dye.”
Thanne answerede merlyne, that knew ful wel
his malencolyvs herte everydel:
“ȝe han me preid that j schal Seye
to ȝow of ȝoure deth, trewelye,
knowe ȝe wel that þe same day
that deyen ȝe scholen, wit-owten nay,
of an hors ȝowre Nekke schal to-breke.”
Aforn alle these knyhtes thus gan he speke.
thanne seide the Barown to the kyng:
“God me defende from his talkyng!”
his malencolyvs herte everydel:
“ȝe han me preid that j schal Seye
to ȝow of ȝoure deth, trewelye,
knowe ȝe wel that þe same day
that deyen ȝe scholen, wit-owten nay,
of an hors ȝowre Nekke schal to-breke.”
Aforn alle these knyhtes thus gan he speke.
thanne seide the Barown to the kyng:
“God me defende from his talkyng!”
tho wente he hom jn-to his contre,
and there a whille dwelled he,
and cam aȝen thedir as þe kyng was,
and Feynede hym sore syk jn that plas,
and him forto sen he preyde the kyng,
and algates merlyne with hym bryng,
so that merlyne ne knowe jn non degre
For what maner cause thedir cometh he.
thanne cam merlyne to the kyng,
and axede hym what was his willyng.
“ȝe mosten to towne gon with me,
a sik man j preye ȝow þere forto se.”
thanne clepid the kyng his prevy meyne
with him to gon that man to se.
and whanne that thedyr they weren comen echon,
thanne seide to the kyng this sik man anon:
“Sire, j preye ȝow, for charyte,
that ȝowre devyne may tellen me
ȝyf j schal deyen of this syknesse,
oþer ellis to suffren ony more distresse.”
“Sire kyng,” anon quod merlyne thanne,
“of þis siknesse schal not deyen this manne.”
thanne answerede the syk man, trewelye:
“now, good sire, of what siknesse schal j deye?”
“Forsothe, hangenge schalt thow ende,
and hangen þou schalt jnto thin ende.”
and with that tornede him merlyn there,
and made a semblaunce as wroth he were.
thus whanne merlyne was forth gon,
this barown to the kyng seyde anon:
“Now mowen ȝe knowen be his spelle,
a fool he is swyche thynges to telle,
that swyche tweyn dethes me doth devyse
whiche ben not cordyng jn non wyse!
And the thrydde tyme ȝit j schal asaye:
To morwe wil j gon to on abbeye,
and that ȝe wolden thider hye,
and merlyne jn ȝoure compenye,
and the abbot ȝow schal seyn
that on of his monkes is Sik, certein,
and ȝow schal preyen, for charite,
thike sike monk þat ȝe wolden comen se
and merlyne with ȝow forto brynge.”
the kyng him grantyd his askynge.
and there a whille dwelled he,
and cam aȝen thedir as þe kyng was,
and Feynede hym sore syk jn that plas,
and him forto sen he preyde the kyng,
and algates merlyne with hym bryng,
so that merlyne ne knowe jn non degre
For what maner cause thedir cometh he.
thanne cam merlyne to the kyng,
and axede hym what was his willyng.
“ȝe mosten to towne gon with me,
a sik man j preye ȝow þere forto se.”
thanne clepid the kyng his prevy meyne
with him to gon that man to se.
and whanne that thedyr they weren comen echon,
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“Sire, j preye ȝow, for charyte,
that ȝowre devyne may tellen me
ȝyf j schal deyen of this syknesse,
oþer ellis to suffren ony more distresse.”
“Sire kyng,” anon quod merlyne thanne,
“of þis siknesse schal not deyen this manne.”
thanne answerede the syk man, trewelye:
“now, good sire, of what siknesse schal j deye?”
“Forsothe, hangenge schalt thow ende,
and hangen þou schalt jnto thin ende.”
and with that tornede him merlyn there,
and made a semblaunce as wroth he were.
thus whanne merlyne was forth gon,
this barown to the kyng seyde anon:
“Now mowen ȝe knowen be his spelle,
a fool he is swyche thynges to telle,
that swyche tweyn dethes me doth devyse
whiche ben not cordyng jn non wyse!
And the thrydde tyme ȝit j schal asaye:
To morwe wil j gon to on abbeye,
and that ȝe wolden thider hye,
and merlyne jn ȝoure compenye,
and the abbot ȝow schal seyn
that on of his monkes is Sik, certein,
and ȝow schal preyen, for charite,
thike sike monk þat ȝe wolden comen se
and merlyne with ȝow forto brynge.”
the kyng him grantyd his askynge.
vppon the morewen, whanne it was day,
the kyng him Rod to that abbay,
and merlyne thedyr with hym rod,
So herden they masse, and þere abod.
Atte laste cam the Abbot there,
and to the kyng seide jn this manere:
“Ha, Sire kyng, and ȝowre wylle Jt be,
that an old syk monk ȝe wolden com se,
and ȝowre devyne with ȝow to brynge,
and it were ȝowre wille, Sire kynge.”
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne tho:
“Sire, with me wile ȝe owht go?”
“ȝe, sire,” quod merlyne, “ful gladly!”
and took the kyng on syde jn hy:
the kyng him Rod to that abbay,
and merlyne thedyr with hym rod,
So herden they masse, and þere abod.
Atte laste cam the Abbot there,
and to the kyng seide jn this manere:
“Ha, Sire kyng, and ȝowre wylle Jt be,
that an old syk monk ȝe wolden com se,
and ȝowre devyne with ȝow to brynge,
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thanne seide the kyng to merlyne tho:
“Sire, with me wile ȝe owht go?”
“ȝe, sire,” quod merlyne, “ful gladly!”
and took the kyng on syde jn hy:
“Whanne ferst j a-qweynted with ȝow bothe,
thanne non fool helden ȝe me, forsothe.
what, trowen ȝe that J ne knowe, sekerlye,
vppon what deth this fool schal deye?
For now sore merveillen scholen ȝe ful snelle
of a thing that j schal hym telle.”
quod the kyng thanne to merlyne:
“may it be trewe he schal have swich fyne?”
“Now, Sire,” quod merlyne, “but ȝif it trewe be,
Neuere here-aftyr ne leve thow me!
and ȝit er that j parte from his compenye,
J shal hym tellen how that he schal dye.”
So wenten they forth al jn fere,
lyk as the abbot hem ladde there.
thanne seide the abbot to the kyng:
“Sire, and j dorste preyen ȝow of on thyng:
that ȝowre devyn ȝow wolde seye
ȝif this monk of this maladye schal deye.”
and merlyne answerede anon there
jn maner as that wroth he were,
and seide to the abbot vntylle:
“he may arysen, ȝif that he wylle,
For siknesse here ne feleth he non,
but that he may bothe rysen & gon.
and þerto, abbot, to the J seye
that thike day whanne he schal deye,
his nekke he schal breken vnto,
and an honged, and be spilt also.
Now Nedyth hym to feyne no more,
For his herte j knowe bothe here & thore.”
thanne ros hym vpe this Jlke Barown,
and seide þere to kyng Pendragown:
“Now mown ȝe knowen his folye,
that seith on swich maner þat j scholde deye.
For this knowe j wel, that may not be
of me ne of non othir man, Sikerle.
Now devise ȝow, Sire, Ryht wel,
how ȝe this man leven ony del!”
thus thanne this werk gan to ende;
and jnto fer contre jt gan wende
how that merlyne gan to Say
on what deth he scholde dyen, jn fay.
thanne non fool helden ȝe me, forsothe.
what, trowen ȝe that J ne knowe, sekerlye,
vppon what deth this fool schal deye?
For now sore merveillen scholen ȝe ful snelle
of a thing that j schal hym telle.”
quod the kyng thanne to merlyne:
“may it be trewe he schal have swich fyne?”
“Now, Sire,” quod merlyne, “but ȝif it trewe be,
Neuere here-aftyr ne leve thow me!
and ȝit er that j parte from his compenye,
J shal hym tellen how that he schal dye.”
So wenten they forth al jn fere,
lyk as the abbot hem ladde there.
thanne seide the abbot to the kyng:
“Sire, and j dorste preyen ȝow of on thyng:
that ȝowre devyn ȝow wolde seye
ȝif this monk of this maladye schal deye.”
and merlyne answerede anon there
jn maner as that wroth he were,
and seide to the abbot vntylle:
“he may arysen, ȝif that he wylle,
For siknesse here ne feleth he non,
but that he may bothe rysen & gon.
and þerto, abbot, to the J seye
that thike day whanne he schal deye,
his nekke he schal breken vnto,
and an honged, and be spilt also.
Now Nedyth hym to feyne no more,
For his herte j knowe bothe here & thore.”
thanne ros hym vpe this Jlke Barown,
and seide þere to kyng Pendragown:
“Now mown ȝe knowen his folye,
that seith on swich maner þat j scholde deye.
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of me ne of non othir man, Sikerle.
Now devise ȝow, Sire, Ryht wel,
how ȝe this man leven ony del!”
thus thanne this werk gan to ende;
and jnto fer contre jt gan wende
how that merlyne gan to Say
on what deth he scholde dyen, jn fay.
So aftyr on a day not forthan
be-gan to ryde this good man,
and jn his compenye gret plente
Of his owne meyne, ful sykyrle.
So atte laste he cam to a ryver,
where as a brygge of tre was there,
and þervppon smot he his palfray,
that down on knes it fyl, jn fay.
So that he, whiche aboven was,
Fyl a-down there jn that plas,
and there his Nekke he brak vnto,
And as to the water he scholde han go,
So that his leg jn his Robe fastenyd there,
and alle his oþer lymes jn þe water were.
thanne weren there tweyne men Jn compenye,
herden how that merlyne gan seye;
Jn what maner he scholde ded be,
There they Rehersed, ful Sykerle.
thanne be-gan there an hidows cry
of alle his meyne, ful trewely;
whanne owt of the water they hadden him take,
For Sorwe they schoken & gonne to qwake.
thanne seiden they: “folys that they be
that merlyn ne leven not, Sykerle!”
they Beryeden the cors with honour.
and merlyn to the kyng kam thike same our,
and told bothen hym and to vter
how that with the barown it happede ther.
the kyng axede whanne it was, certeinle.
“with-jnne sixe dayes messengeres scholen ȝe se.
thanne kept j not to ben here,
For faste they welen of me enqwere
of diuers maters, what so they be,
but answere geten they non, Sikerle,
For j wyle no more so openly seye,
that the peple schal vndirstonden, jn feye.”
thanne wende the kyng þat he wroth were,
and þerfore weren ful sory there.
So wente merlyne to Blaysye anon,
and told him of these thynges echon,
and of oþere, that to comen were;
jn this maner departyd merlyne þere.
There dwellede merlyne to þe vj day,
be-gan to ryde this good man,
and jn his compenye gret plente
Of his owne meyne, ful sykyrle.
So atte laste he cam to a ryver,
where as a brygge of tre was there,
and þervppon smot he his palfray,
that down on knes it fyl, jn fay.
So that he, whiche aboven was,
Fyl a-down there jn that plas,
and there his Nekke he brak vnto,
And as to the water he scholde han go,
So that his leg jn his Robe fastenyd there,
and alle his oþer lymes jn þe water were.
thanne weren there tweyne men Jn compenye,
herden how that merlyne gan seye;
Jn what maner he scholde ded be,
There they Rehersed, ful Sykerle.
thanne be-gan there an hidows cry
of alle his meyne, ful trewely;
whanne owt of the water they hadden him take,
For Sorwe they schoken & gonne to qwake.
thanne seiden they: “folys that they be
that merlyn ne leven not, Sykerle!”
they Beryeden the cors with honour.
and merlyn to the kyng kam thike same our,
and told bothen hym and to vter
how that with the barown it happede ther.
the kyng axede whanne it was, certeinle.
“with-jnne sixe dayes messengeres scholen ȝe se.
thanne kept j not to ben here,
106
of diuers maters, what so they be,
but answere geten they non, Sikerle,
For j wyle no more so openly seye,
that the peple schal vndirstonden, jn feye.”
thanne wende the kyng þat he wroth were,
and þerfore weren ful sory there.
So wente merlyne to Blaysye anon,
and told him of these thynges echon,
and of oþere, that to comen were;
jn this maner departyd merlyne þere.
tyl they that at the deth weren, [comen], Jn fay,
and tolden the kyng how that it stood,
howhe þis barown was persched jn that flood,
and seiden that merlyne was þe wysest man
that Jn al this world was lyveng than.
For of hym was neuere thyng seid ne don,
but ȝif he jnto Scripture dide it putten anon.
and thus began merlynes prophecye
of the kynges of Engelond, certeynlye,
and of othere many thynges also.
he dide holy Blasye it wryten tho.
thanne axede Blayse of merlyne there:
“wryten they also jn this manere?”
“Nay, certeynly, non of hem alle,
but they wryten that schal befalle,
which thynges they scholen Neuere knowe,
Tyl that they be-fallen vppon a rowe.”
Thanne Retornede merlyne to cowrt ageyn,
and aȝens hym they comen, jn certeyn,
and tolden hym of that Jlke tydyng,
as thowg þere-offen he ne hadde knowen non thing.
Thanne sette on merlyne and gan to telle
Ful dyrke worrdes of prophecyes felle,
where-offen a book they maden anon.
thanne forth to the kyng merlyne gan gon,
and there to hem seyde he ful petowsly:
“J love ȝoure bothe worschepis Badyly;
haven ȝe not now vndirstondyng
of haugwys kynnes-men exylyng,
that owt of this lond ȝe deden don dryve,
aftyr that haugwys hadde left his lyve?”
“ȝis, this wele knowen we, Jn certeyn;
but for what cause do ȝe this seyn?”
“J sey,” quod merlyne, “for this enchesown,
That haugwys kynnes-men everychon,
with-jnnen hem-Self they don thus speke,
that of haugwys deth they welen hem wreke.
So that they maken gret congregacyown
of dyvers peple al abowtes Jn verown,
and hopen this lond forto conqwere
and ek forto haven the victorye here.”
thanne, whanne þe kyng herde this,
and also his Brothyr vter, j-wys,
Of these tydynges they merveylled gretle,
And axeden Of Merlyne Howh this Myhte be.
“haven they there so gret plente
Of Fensable peple Jn alle degre?”
“ȝe,” quod merlyne, “with-owten dowte,
they haven more peple hem abowte
thanne ȝe owther ȝowre brothyr, jn feye,
For aȝens on of ȝowris they haven tweye;
and but ȝif ȝe werkyn ryht wysly,
ȝe scholen ben discomfyt & stroyed, trewely.”
“we scholen werkyn aftyr ȝowre wylle,
what that evere ȝe welen seyn vs vntylle.”
thanne axeden they merlyne anon there
whanne they scholden comen and jn what manere.
“Atte the elleveneth day, ful trewly;
but loke that ȝe kepen this prevy,
and j defende ȝow, as J now kan,
that there-offen ȝe ne tellen neuere man.
but aftyr my cownseyl that ȝe don,
and sendeth aftyr alle ȝoure men anon,
and that they ben here with-owten let
the laste wyke of the mounthe of junet,
to assemblen vppon Salisbery pleyn
ȝowre enemyes to withstondyn ageyn.
so that on of ȝow with half ȝowre meyne,
be-twixen hem and þe se scholen gon, Sykerle;
and so tweyne dayes ȝe scholen abyde,
and on the thrydde to fyhten, what so betyde.
& ȝif ȝe thus wilen don, trewely,
J dar ȝow behoten the victory.”
Ful dyrke worrdes of prophecyes felle,
where-offen a book they maden anon.
thanne forth to the kyng merlyne gan gon,
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“J love ȝoure bothe worschepis Badyly;
haven ȝe not now vndirstondyng
of haugwys kynnes-men exylyng,
that owt of this lond ȝe deden don dryve,
aftyr that haugwys hadde left his lyve?”
“ȝis, this wele knowen we, Jn certeyn;
but for what cause do ȝe this seyn?”
“J sey,” quod merlyne, “for this enchesown,
That haugwys kynnes-men everychon,
with-jnnen hem-Self they don thus speke,
that of haugwys deth they welen hem wreke.
So that they maken gret congregacyown
of dyvers peple al abowtes Jn verown,
and hopen this lond forto conqwere
and ek forto haven the victorye here.”
thanne, whanne þe kyng herde this,
and also his Brothyr vter, j-wys,
Of these tydynges they merveylled gretle,
And axeden Of Merlyne Howh this Myhte be.
“haven they there so gret plente
Of Fensable peple Jn alle degre?”
“ȝe,” quod merlyne, “with-owten dowte,
they haven more peple hem abowte
thanne ȝe owther ȝowre brothyr, jn feye,
For aȝens on of ȝowris they haven tweye;
and but ȝif ȝe werkyn ryht wysly,
ȝe scholen ben discomfyt & stroyed, trewely.”
“we scholen werkyn aftyr ȝowre wylle,
what that evere ȝe welen seyn vs vntylle.”
thanne axeden they merlyne anon there
whanne they scholden comen and jn what manere.
“Atte the elleveneth day, ful trewly;
but loke that ȝe kepen this prevy,
and j defende ȝow, as J now kan,
that there-offen ȝe ne tellen neuere man.
but aftyr my cownseyl that ȝe don,
and sendeth aftyr alle ȝoure men anon,
and that they ben here with-owten let
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to assemblen vppon Salisbery pleyn
ȝowre enemyes to withstondyn ageyn.
so that on of ȝow with half ȝowre meyne,
be-twixen hem and þe se scholen gon, Sykerle;
and so tweyne dayes ȝe scholen abyde,
and on the thrydde to fyhten, what so betyde.
& ȝif ȝe thus wilen don, trewely,
J dar ȝow behoten the victory.”
thanne seiden the bretheren to merlyne there:
“Now, goode merlyne, telle vs now here
ȝif ony of vs jn bataylle schal ded be.”
thanne answeryd merlyne: “ful Sykerle,
there nas neuere thyng that hadde begynneng,
but of necescite it moste hauen endyng,
ne neuere man owghte the deth drede,
ȝif he it resceyue Jn tyme of nede.
and therfore wolde J thanne,” quod merlyne,
“doth bryngen me ȝowre relykes, þat ben so fyne,
and þer-vppon bothe scholen ȝe swere
that ȝe scholen don as j schal ȝow lere
bothen for ȝowre prow and worschepe also,
and aftyr that schal j tellen ȝow mo.”
thus sworen they bothe at his Byddyng.
thanne anon seide merlyne to the kyng:
“ȝe hauen sworen to me, with-owten faylle,
Trewe men to be Jn this Bataylle
aȝens god and ȝowre owne persone,
how so that evere the game doth gone.
For to hym-Self may non man trewe be,
but ȝif to god he be trewe, Sykerle.
and that ȝe confessen ȝow generally
Forto fyhten aȝens ȝowre enemy.
and aftyr mown ȝe ben ful Sure
hem ouercomen bothe clene & pure,
for they beleven not on the Trenite.
And now herkene what j sey the:
Sethen holychirche cam jnto this lond,
Swich a bataylle was non, as j vndirstond,
Neþer not schal ben be owre daye.
therfore, Syker, as j ȝow saye,
on of ȝow schal deyen jn this bataylle,
as j ȝow seye with-owten Faylle.
and þerfore that ryaly ȝe ȝow araye
Forto fyhten, as j ȝow saye,
and jn worschepe of the Trenyte,
For ȝowre helpe syker wile he be;
And for his love arayeth ȝow wel
To his plesawnce Everydel!”
“Now, goode merlyne, telle vs now here
ȝif ony of vs jn bataylle schal ded be.”
thanne answeryd merlyne: “ful Sykerle,
there nas neuere thyng that hadde begynneng,
but of necescite it moste hauen endyng,
ne neuere man owghte the deth drede,
ȝif he it resceyue Jn tyme of nede.
and therfore wolde J thanne,” quod merlyne,
“doth bryngen me ȝowre relykes, þat ben so fyne,
and þer-vppon bothe scholen ȝe swere
that ȝe scholen don as j schal ȝow lere
bothen for ȝowre prow and worschepe also,
and aftyr that schal j tellen ȝow mo.”
thus sworen they bothe at his Byddyng.
thanne anon seide merlyne to the kyng:
“ȝe hauen sworen to me, with-owten faylle,
Trewe men to be Jn this Bataylle
aȝens god and ȝowre owne persone,
how so that evere the game doth gone.
For to hym-Self may non man trewe be,
but ȝif to god he be trewe, Sykerle.
and that ȝe confessen ȝow generally
Forto fyhten aȝens ȝowre enemy.
and aftyr mown ȝe ben ful Sure
hem ouercomen bothe clene & pure,
for they beleven not on the Trenite.
And now herkene what j sey the:
Sethen holychirche cam jnto this lond,
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Neþer not schal ben be owre daye.
therfore, Syker, as j ȝow saye,
on of ȝow schal deyen jn this bataylle,
as j ȝow seye with-owten Faylle.
and þerfore that ryaly ȝe ȝow araye
Forto fyhten, as j ȝow saye,
and jn worschepe of the Trenyte,
For ȝowre helpe syker wile he be;
And for his love arayeth ȝow wel
To his plesawnce Everydel!”
Lo, this Was Merlynes Cownsaylle,
As j ȝow sey wit-owten faylle.
these bretheren vndirstoden ful wel his sawe,
and of his cownseyl they weren ryht fawe.
Anon thanne senten they thorwgh al here lond
For here Retenu, J vndirstond.
and whanne they weren asembled everychon,
grete ȝiftes hadden they thanne anon,
and preyden eche man Jn his degre
that redy and arayed he wolde be,
and jn the laste wyke of Jvnet,
on þe pleyn of Salisbery, with-owten let,
next to the cost of the se,
that be hem þe rem defendid myhte be.
thus dwelden bothe bretheren jn Fere,
tyl the day of Somowns were comen there,
and kepten merlynes comandement,
that he hem bothe bad, verament.
So that atte feste of pentecost
thyder they comen with here ost,
here Ryal cowrt to holden there
Fast by the se Jn here manere.
and manye grete ȝiftes there ȝoven they
To dewk, erl, and to Barown, trewly.
and so longe abyden they on that grownde,
Tyl þat here enemyes a-ryvede Jn þat stownde.
thanne sente the kyng to prelates anon,
that they scholde comen everichon
Forto confessen his peple Jn fere,
that they weren clene Jn alle manere.
and so thorwh the ost everychon
they weren confessed thanne anon,
and eche to oþer forȝaf þere his maltalent,
and therto clene asoylled, verament.
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne there
that tydynges he hadde of here powere,
and howh they weren aryved echon,
alle his enemyes, be on & be on.
thanne seide merlyne to hym ageyn:
“that is ful trewe, jn certeyn!”
thanne axede the kyng of merlyne tho
Jn what maner that he scholde do.
“ȝe scholen to morwen senden ȝoure brothir vter
and half ȝoure meyne to ben with hym ther.
and whanne ȝowre enemyes ben owt of þe see,
thanne betwixen hem and þe water schal he be.
and thanne wilen they resemblen anon
here jnto this contre forto gon.
and thus tweyne dayes schal he werken there,
and þe thridde day jn the eyr schal apere
a red dragown, & þanne mown ȝe fyhte
and the victorye to haven, j seye ȝow ryhte.”
As j ȝow sey wit-owten faylle.
these bretheren vndirstoden ful wel his sawe,
and of his cownseyl they weren ryht fawe.
Anon thanne senten they thorwgh al here lond
For here Retenu, J vndirstond.
and whanne they weren asembled everychon,
grete ȝiftes hadden they thanne anon,
and preyden eche man Jn his degre
that redy and arayed he wolde be,
and jn the laste wyke of Jvnet,
on þe pleyn of Salisbery, with-owten let,
next to the cost of the se,
that be hem þe rem defendid myhte be.
thus dwelden bothe bretheren jn Fere,
tyl the day of Somowns were comen there,
and kepten merlynes comandement,
that he hem bothe bad, verament.
So that atte feste of pentecost
thyder they comen with here ost,
here Ryal cowrt to holden there
Fast by the se Jn here manere.
and manye grete ȝiftes there ȝoven they
To dewk, erl, and to Barown, trewly.
and so longe abyden they on that grownde,
Tyl þat here enemyes a-ryvede Jn þat stownde.
thanne sente the kyng to prelates anon,
110
Forto confessen his peple Jn fere,
that they weren clene Jn alle manere.
and so thorwh the ost everychon
they weren confessed thanne anon,
and eche to oþer forȝaf þere his maltalent,
and therto clene asoylled, verament.
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne there
that tydynges he hadde of here powere,
and howh they weren aryved echon,
alle his enemyes, be on & be on.
thanne seide merlyne to hym ageyn:
“that is ful trewe, jn certeyn!”
thanne axede the kyng of merlyne tho
Jn what maner that he scholde do.
“ȝe scholen to morwen senden ȝoure brothir vter
and half ȝoure meyne to ben with hym ther.
and whanne ȝowre enemyes ben owt of þe see,
thanne betwixen hem and þe water schal he be.
and thanne wilen they resemblen anon
here jnto this contre forto gon.
and thus tweyne dayes schal he werken there,
and þe thridde day jn the eyr schal apere
a red dragown, & þanne mown ȝe fyhte
and the victorye to haven, j seye ȝow ryhte.”
To this cownseyl acordid ful wel
both pandragown an vter everydel.
and ful gret joye bothen they made,
and of this cownseil they weren ful glade.
thanne seide vter to merlyne anon:
“Jnto tho partyes now wyle j gon.”
“Loke that ȝe thanne ben a good knyht!”
and thus departyd they that Jlke Nyht.
so that vter took forth his jorne,
and with hym half here meyne.
so that be-twene þe see and his enemyes he abod,
and with his meyne thus forth he rod.
thanne seide merlyne: “abasche the non thyng
For deth ne bataylle, be my cownseyllyng!”
And Whanne that Vter herde this,
Ful mochel his herte was esyd, J-wys.
both pandragown an vter everydel.
and ful gret joye bothen they made,
and of this cownseil they weren ful glade.
thanne seide vter to merlyne anon:
“Jnto tho partyes now wyle j gon.”
“Loke that ȝe thanne ben a good knyht!”
and thus departyd they that Jlke Nyht.
so that vter took forth his jorne,
and with hym half here meyne.
so that be-twene þe see and his enemyes he abod,
and with his meyne thus forth he rod.
thanne seide merlyne: “abasche the non thyng
For deth ne bataylle, be my cownseyllyng!”
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Ful mochel his herte was esyd, J-wys.
thanne wente merlyne Jnto North-humberlond
to Blaysye, his maistyr, as J vndirstond,
and let this putten Jnto Scripture
and many mo thynges, J ȝow ensure.
to Blaysye, his maistyr, as J vndirstond,
and let this putten Jnto Scripture
and many mo thynges, J ȝow ensure.
thanne rod vter with his meyne
aftyr merlynes cownseil, ful Sykerle,
and lay be-twene the Schepis & that ost,
whiche that they dredden most.
So lay Vter Stylle ryht there
thre dayes Jn this manere,
and atte the Selve thrydde day
the kyng remevyd, the sothe to say,
and kam So Nyhe that meyne,
that eche of hem myht other se.
and whanne the ost beheld al this,
that on bothe sides they weren beset, j-wys,
and that to here Schipes they myhte not gon
with-owten bataylle of here fon,
thanne jn the eyr aperede that syht
that merlyne afore tyme hem tolde ful ryht,
of wheche Syhte the enemyes of the kyng
hadden gret drede, with-owten lesyng.
thanne seide the kyng to his meyne anon:
“To armes and to hors let vs now gon,
and also Faste as we mown ryde,
vppon oure enemyes this Jlke tyde.”
and whanne that vter Say the kyng so do,
anon with his meyne he remevede also,
that so on bothe sydes beset they were.
thanne began anon strong bataylle there
and gret occisiown on bothe syde,
and mochel peple ded at that tyde.
but haugwis kynnesmen hadden the werre,
Not-withstondyng they comen from ferre.
but of this bataylle j reherse no more,
whiche of hem that best bar hym thore.
but Pandragown the kyng was there ded,
and manye of his barowns in that sted.
thanne thus recordith this Storye,
that vter hadde there the victorye,
and þat of his enemyes ne sckaped neuer on,
that ded they weren, other taken, echon.
thus endid the bataylle of Salisbery there,
where pandragown was slayn Jn this manere.
aftyr merlynes cownseil, ful Sykerle,
and lay be-twene the Schepis & that ost,
whiche that they dredden most.
So lay Vter Stylle ryht there
thre dayes Jn this manere,
and atte the Selve thrydde day
the kyng remevyd, the sothe to say,
and kam So Nyhe that meyne,
that eche of hem myht other se.
and whanne the ost beheld al this,
that on bothe sides they weren beset, j-wys,
and that to here Schipes they myhte not gon
with-owten bataylle of here fon,
thanne jn the eyr aperede that syht
that merlyne afore tyme hem tolde ful ryht,
of wheche Syhte the enemyes of the kyng
hadden gret drede, with-owten lesyng.
thanne seide the kyng to his meyne anon:
“To armes and to hors let vs now gon,
and also Faste as we mown ryde,
vppon oure enemyes this Jlke tyde.”
and whanne that vter Say the kyng so do,
anon with his meyne he remevede also,
that so on bothe sydes beset they were.
thanne began anon strong bataylle there
and gret occisiown on bothe syde,
and mochel peple ded at that tyde.
but haugwis kynnesmen hadden the werre,
Not-withstondyng they comen from ferre.
but of this bataylle j reherse no more,
whiche of hem that best bar hym thore.
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and manye of his barowns in that sted.
thanne thus recordith this Storye,
that vter hadde there the victorye,
and þat of his enemyes ne sckaped neuer on,
that ded they weren, other taken, echon.
thus endid the bataylle of Salisbery there,
where pandragown was slayn Jn this manere.
thanne hadde vter the rem Jn governaunce,
as was bothe resown, ryht, and chaunce.
thanne vter dide assemblen his meyne anon,
and let beryen his dede men Everichon,
and on every tombe wrot the name,
what he was, and of what fame.
but as towching his brothyr the kyng,
vppon his tombe made he non wrytyng.
For a gret Fool he is, with-owten dowte,
that a kynges tombe ne kan knowen with-owte,
For heyere and richere thanne ony oþer it was
that weren J-beryed Jn that plas.
thanne remevid vter to Logres anon,
and with hym his prelacye everychon;
And there was he sacred and crowned kyng,
and of alle the rewm hadde he the governeng.
Thus was vter kyng of the Lond,
and alle homages resceyvede, J vndirstond.
as was bothe resown, ryht, and chaunce.
thanne vter dide assemblen his meyne anon,
and let beryen his dede men Everichon,
and on every tombe wrot the name,
what he was, and of what fame.
but as towching his brothyr the kyng,
vppon his tombe made he non wrytyng.
For a gret Fool he is, with-owten dowte,
that a kynges tombe ne kan knowen with-owte,
For heyere and richere thanne ony oþer it was
that weren J-beryed Jn that plas.
thanne remevid vter to Logres anon,
and with hym his prelacye everychon;
And there was he sacred and crowned kyng,
and of alle the rewm hadde he the governeng.
Thus was vter kyng of the Lond,
and alle homages resceyvede, J vndirstond.
thanne the Fyftenethe day aftyr Sewenge
cometh merlyne to the cowrt of the kynge.
gret was the joye the kyng of hym made,
and alle the howshold of hym was glade.
Thanne seide merlyne to Vter there:
“thy brotheris name J wolde thou bere;
& benchesown of the dragown, J-wis,
that jn the eyr aperede, with-owten mys,
and aftyr thyke dragowns semblaunce,
J wolde thou madist on, with-owten variaunce.”
This kyng let maken this dragown anon
of gold, also faste as it myhte be don,
and vppon a lawnce Jt Sette, Sanȝ faylle,
with hym to be born Jn bataylle.
thus was he clepyd vter Pendragown;
his brothir and þe baner was thenchesown.
cometh merlyne to the cowrt of the kynge.
gret was the joye the kyng of hym made,
and alle the howshold of hym was glade.
Thanne seide merlyne to Vter there:
“thy brotheris name J wolde thou bere;
& benchesown of the dragown, J-wis,
that jn the eyr aperede, with-owten mys,
and aftyr thyke dragowns semblaunce,
J wolde thou madist on, with-owten variaunce.”
This kyng let maken this dragown anon
of gold, also faste as it myhte be don,
and vppon a lawnce Jt Sette, Sanȝ faylle,
113
thus was he clepyd vter Pendragown;
his brothir and þe baner was thenchesown.
thanne merlyne with hym gan there dwelle,
and on a day to þe kyng gan he to spelle:
“why dost thou non more reuerence
there thy brotheris body lyth jn precense?”
“what woldest thow, merlyne, that j scholde do?
Sey what thow wylt, and it schal be so.”
“Swich a thing to maken, thow it attende,
that Scholde abyden with-owten ende.”
“Sey me thanne,” quod the kyng ageyn,
“and j wele it don, Jn certeyn.”
thanne quod merlyne: “Sende thow anon
Jnto Erlond aftyr gret ston.
and j my-Self wile thedyr pase,
to schewen where they ben and jn what place,
and tellen hem wheche that they scholen brynge
Jn thi Schepis hider, with-owten lesynge.”
thus the kyng schepis thedyr sente,
and merlyne with hem was there presente.
“Sen ȝe now these stones here?
jn ȝoure Schepis j wolde they were.”
and whanne these stones they gonne beholde,
jn here hertes they merveylled many folde,
and seiden that nevere schipe hem myhten bere,
Ne neuere jnto here Schipe scholde comen there.
thanne tornede they thus hom a-geyn,
and of that merveylle tolde the kyng, ful pleyn.
Anon thanne hem answeryd the kyng:
“Abydeth here stylle tyl merlynes comeng!”
and on a day to þe kyng gan he to spelle:
“why dost thou non more reuerence
there thy brotheris body lyth jn precense?”
“what woldest thow, merlyne, that j scholde do?
Sey what thow wylt, and it schal be so.”
“Swich a thing to maken, thow it attende,
that Scholde abyden with-owten ende.”
“Sey me thanne,” quod the kyng ageyn,
“and j wele it don, Jn certeyn.”
thanne quod merlyne: “Sende thow anon
Jnto Erlond aftyr gret ston.
and j my-Self wile thedyr pase,
to schewen where they ben and jn what place,
and tellen hem wheche that they scholen brynge
Jn thi Schepis hider, with-owten lesynge.”
thus the kyng schepis thedyr sente,
and merlyne with hem was there presente.
“Sen ȝe now these stones here?
jn ȝoure Schepis j wolde they were.”
and whanne these stones they gonne beholde,
jn here hertes they merveylled many folde,
and seiden that nevere schipe hem myhten bere,
Ne neuere jnto here Schipe scholde comen there.
thanne tornede they thus hom a-geyn,
and of that merveylle tolde the kyng, ful pleyn.
Anon thanne hem answeryd the kyng:
“Abydeth here stylle tyl merlynes comeng!”
Thanne cam merlyne to cowrt anon,
and of this the kyng told hym thusson.
thanne made merlyne his Surawnce
hem forto bryngen, with-owten variaunce.
and thus merlyne thorwgh his craft,
tyl the stones weren there, he ne laft,
and leyde hem on the Sepulture
Of pandragown, J the enswre.
thanne vter Pendragown with gret meyne
To the pleyn of Salisbery wente hem to se.
and whanne they behelden this grete mervaylle,
thanne seide the peple, with-owten Faylle,
that alle the world hem ne cowde meve,
thowg that they scholden the sothe preve.
thanne seide merlyne: “j schal hem dresse
mochel bettere thanne they lyn, J-wysse.”
“howh myhte that be?” quod the kyng anone,
“that may non man do but god alone.”
thanne quod merlyne to hem anon:
“Goth ȝe now hennes everychon,
and j schal hem dressen, as j have hyht,
oþer ellis my covenaunt held j not a-ryht.”
So that merlyne belefte there stylle,
and his covenawnt he dide fulfille.
and of this the kyng told hym thusson.
thanne made merlyne his Surawnce
hem forto bryngen, with-owten variaunce.
and thus merlyne thorwgh his craft,
tyl the stones weren there, he ne laft,
and leyde hem on the Sepulture
114
thanne vter Pendragown with gret meyne
To the pleyn of Salisbery wente hem to se.
and whanne they behelden this grete mervaylle,
thanne seide the peple, with-owten Faylle,
that alle the world hem ne cowde meve,
thowg that they scholden the sothe preve.
thanne seide merlyne: “j schal hem dresse
mochel bettere thanne they lyn, J-wysse.”
“howh myhte that be?” quod the kyng anone,
“that may non man do but god alone.”
thanne quod merlyne to hem anon:
“Goth ȝe now hennes everychon,
and j schal hem dressen, as j have hyht,
oþer ellis my covenaunt held j not a-ryht.”
So that merlyne belefte there stylle,
and his covenawnt he dide fulfille.
Thanne cam merlyne to the kyng
as to a man þat he lovede with-owten feyneng,
and seide: “Sire kyng, herkeneth to me!
j moste to ȝow discure a gret prevyte,
on the prevyest that evere ȝe knewe,
And therfore to ȝow J Wele Jt Schewe,
Whiche schal ben ryht a strange thing,
as j ȝow say atte the begynneng;
and that ȝe discure me to non lyveng man.”
his axeng anon the kyng grauntid hym than.
“J wele that ȝe vndirstonde me, ful pleyn:
Al the connenge that J have, certeyn,
onlych it cometh of the enemy;
and therto god, that is almyhty,
Wit and memorie hath grauntid to me
thynges that ben comeng to knowen, certeinle;
and be that Sovereyn vertw
the enemy hath lost, as j telle ȝow,
alle the part that he hadde jn me,
thorwh goddis wille, sire, Sykerle.
Sire, now have ȝe ful knowlechynge
From whens that cometh al my konnenge.
Now j wele tellen the what Js goddis wylle,
and thow wylt herkene and lestene theretyille.
and whanne thou knowest of my menyng,
loke that thou Folwe it Jn werkyng.
Sire kyng, now vndirstonde thou me,
that god decendid from þe maieste
jn-to this erthe the Synneris to Save,
and for that he wolde here sowles have.
Also beleve wel that his sene he made
among his disciples to maken hem glade,
and þat he to hem seide Jn this manere:
‘on of ȝow schal betraien me þat is here.’
Also, Sire kyng, vndirstonde thou me,
that moche povert and diseise suffrede he
of the jewes, and they falsly him Slowe
aȝens the lawe, with fals witnesse j-nowe,
and vppon the croys for vs he deyde.
thanne cam a knyht, as to-foren ȝe herd seide,
and axed the body, For his gwerdown,
of hym that for vs hadde paid rawnsom.
as to a man þat he lovede with-owten feyneng,
and seide: “Sire kyng, herkeneth to me!
j moste to ȝow discure a gret prevyte,
on the prevyest that evere ȝe knewe,
And therfore to ȝow J Wele Jt Schewe,
Whiche schal ben ryht a strange thing,
as j ȝow say atte the begynneng;
and that ȝe discure me to non lyveng man.”
his axeng anon the kyng grauntid hym than.
“J wele that ȝe vndirstonde me, ful pleyn:
Al the connenge that J have, certeyn,
onlych it cometh of the enemy;
and therto god, that is almyhty,
Wit and memorie hath grauntid to me
thynges that ben comeng to knowen, certeinle;
and be that Sovereyn vertw
the enemy hath lost, as j telle ȝow,
alle the part that he hadde jn me,
thorwh goddis wille, sire, Sykerle.
Sire, now have ȝe ful knowlechynge
115
Now j wele tellen the what Js goddis wylle,
and thow wylt herkene and lestene theretyille.
and whanne thou knowest of my menyng,
loke that thou Folwe it Jn werkyng.
Sire kyng, now vndirstonde thou me,
that god decendid from þe maieste
jn-to this erthe the Synneris to Save,
and for that he wolde here sowles have.
Also beleve wel that his sene he made
among his disciples to maken hem glade,
and þat he to hem seide Jn this manere:
‘on of ȝow schal betraien me þat is here.’
Also, Sire kyng, vndirstonde thou me,
that moche povert and diseise suffrede he
of the jewes, and they falsly him Slowe
aȝens the lawe, with fals witnesse j-nowe,
and vppon the croys for vs he deyde.
thanne cam a knyht, as to-foren ȝe herd seide,
and axed the body, For his gwerdown,
of hym that for vs hadde paid rawnsom.
Sire, aftyr that, he ros from ded
Jn scomfiture of the fowle qwed.
and happede aftyr his vp-rysyng,
this knyht with his sowdiours was walkyng
Jn a place of wast and desert,
and with hym many of his lignage, apert.
Sire, þere happede, a famyne cam hem vppon,
and to this knyht, here maister, they compleyned anon.
Anon thanne this knyht made his preyere
that god som Tokenyng wolde schewen hem þere,
the cause to suffren Swich deseise,
that he myhte it knowen, & it wolde him plese.
Anon thanne hadde he comandement
a table forto maken, verament,
jn mynde of þe table and of swete jesus,
at which he sat jn Symon lepres hows,
and that table to koueren (& not to lette)
with whit cloth, and þer-vppon þe holy vessel sette—
‘and that the vessel be kouered also
with fair whit cloth, how so euere ȝe do!’
whiche vessel browhte the kyng of blys
To this knyht jnto presown, j-wys,
where as he was two and fowrty ȝer,
whiche vessel al his hol comfort was ther,
and be this vessel departyd he
the goode from the evel, ful sikerle.
and, Sire, at this Table evere there was
Jn memorie of crist kept a voide plas,
whiche specyal place doth Signefye
the place that judas jn Sat, trewelye,
which he Forsook, whanne god hadde sayd:
‘on of ȝow hath me betrayed
that with me here doth drynke and ete.’
(Jt hadde ben bettere he dyde it lete.)
So Was this place there voyde stylle,
tyl that aftyr-ward be goddis wylle
anothir, hyht mathy, was there-jne j-set,
as to hym there Jt cam be lot,
and to fulfille þe nombre of þe postelis twelve,
for thus wold god it scholde ben him-selve.
and, Sire, this voyde place þat at þe [table] Is,
Signefieth be josepe, Sire, j-wis;
and lik as maththy was chosen therto,
riht so was josepe, wit-owten mo,
So that these tweyne tables covenable were,
and thus pleside crist mennes hertes there.
Sire, this peple clepede this vessel
‘the Sank Ryal’ oþer ellys ‘Seint Graal.’
Jn scomfiture of the fowle qwed.
and happede aftyr his vp-rysyng,
this knyht with his sowdiours was walkyng
Jn a place of wast and desert,
and with hym many of his lignage, apert.
Sire, þere happede, a famyne cam hem vppon,
and to this knyht, here maister, they compleyned anon.
Anon thanne this knyht made his preyere
that god som Tokenyng wolde schewen hem þere,
the cause to suffren Swich deseise,
that he myhte it knowen, & it wolde him plese.
Anon thanne hadde he comandement
a table forto maken, verament,
jn mynde of þe table and of swete jesus,
at which he sat jn Symon lepres hows,
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with whit cloth, and þer-vppon þe holy vessel sette—
‘and that the vessel be kouered also
with fair whit cloth, how so euere ȝe do!’
whiche vessel browhte the kyng of blys
To this knyht jnto presown, j-wys,
where as he was two and fowrty ȝer,
whiche vessel al his hol comfort was ther,
and be this vessel departyd he
the goode from the evel, ful sikerle.
and, Sire, at this Table evere there was
Jn memorie of crist kept a voide plas,
whiche specyal place doth Signefye
the place that judas jn Sat, trewelye,
which he Forsook, whanne god hadde sayd:
‘on of ȝow hath me betrayed
that with me here doth drynke and ete.’
(Jt hadde ben bettere he dyde it lete.)
So Was this place there voyde stylle,
tyl that aftyr-ward be goddis wylle
anothir, hyht mathy, was there-jne j-set,
as to hym there Jt cam be lot,
and to fulfille þe nombre of þe postelis twelve,
for thus wold god it scholde ben him-selve.
and, Sire, this voyde place þat at þe [table] Is,
Signefieth be josepe, Sire, j-wis;
and lik as maththy was chosen therto,
riht so was josepe, wit-owten mo,
So that these tweyne tables covenable were,
and thus pleside crist mennes hertes there.
Sire, this peple clepede this vessel
‘the Sank Ryal’ oþer ellys ‘Seint Graal.’
And, sire, ȝif ȝe welen don aftyr me,
the thrydde table, jn worschepe of þe Trenite,
ȝe scholen be-gynne, as j ȝow schal Say,
and ȝow to gret worschepe it schal torne eche day,
and to ȝoure Sowle gret mede also,
and manye benfettes ȝow schal comen to,
and thorwgh this world this word schal springe,
as j ȝow Seye with-owten lesenge.”
Lo, thus Spak merlyne to the kyng,
whiche wordis to hym were gret lykyng.
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne ageyn:
“J nolde for non thing, Jn certein,
that god non thing ne loste be me
whiche that to his plesaunce myhte be.
wherfore, merlyne, ordeyne as thow wylt,
For vppon me ne schal not lyn the gylt.”
“Now,” thanne quod merlyne to the kyng,
“where liketh ȝow best to ben abydyng?”
“Now certes,” quod the kyng ageyn,
“where þou wilt it ordeynen, jn certeyn,
and where that most plesyng it myhte be
To God, that Syt anhyghe jn maieste.”
thanne answerede merlyne, þat was ful lel:
“jn wales, atte þe town of Cardweille,
and there schalt thou holden thy feste
atte pentecost bothe to mest and leste.
and forth to-foren, Sire, wyl j gon
that Table to ordeynen for ȝow echon;
and also hem that there schal Sytte,
j wile hem ordeynen, that thow it wyte.”
the thrydde table, jn worschepe of þe Trenite,
ȝe scholen be-gynne, as j ȝow schal Say,
and ȝow to gret worschepe it schal torne eche day,
and to ȝoure Sowle gret mede also,
and manye benfettes ȝow schal comen to,
and thorwgh this world this word schal springe,
117
Lo, thus Spak merlyne to the kyng,
whiche wordis to hym were gret lykyng.
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne ageyn:
“J nolde for non thing, Jn certein,
that god non thing ne loste be me
whiche that to his plesaunce myhte be.
wherfore, merlyne, ordeyne as thow wylt,
For vppon me ne schal not lyn the gylt.”
“Now,” thanne quod merlyne to the kyng,
“where liketh ȝow best to ben abydyng?”
“Now certes,” quod the kyng ageyn,
“where þou wilt it ordeynen, jn certeyn,
and where that most plesyng it myhte be
To God, that Syt anhyghe jn maieste.”
thanne answerede merlyne, þat was ful lel:
“jn wales, atte þe town of Cardweille,
and there schalt thou holden thy feste
atte pentecost bothe to mest and leste.
and forth to-foren, Sire, wyl j gon
that Table to ordeynen for ȝow echon;
and also hem that there schal Sytte,
j wile hem ordeynen, that thow it wyte.”
| [Chapter III] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance | |