The Legend of the Holy Grail its Sources, Character and Development, by Dorothy Kempe. The introduction to, and Part V of, Herry Lovelich's verse "History of the Holy Grail," |
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| LII. | CHAPTER LII. OF PIERS'S ADVENTURES. HOW HE IS CURED, AND BEATS KING ORCAWS, KILLS KING MARAHANS, MARRIES CAMYLLE, BEGETS HERLAWNT, AND IS BURID. |
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 | CHAPTER LII. OF PIERS'S ADVENTURES. HOW HE IS CURED, AND BEATS KING ORCAWS, KILLS KING MARAHANS, MARRIES CAMYLLE, BEGETS HERLAWNT, AND IS BURID. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER LII. OF PIERS'S ADVENTURES. HOW HE IS CURED, AND BEATS KING ORCAWS, KILLS KING MARAHANS, MARRIES CAMYLLE, BEGETS HERLAWNT, AND IS BURID.
276
Now this storye doth forth procede
whedir that Cryst Piers gan lede:
whanne he was Comen In to the hye see,
As swyftly as Evere brid gan to fle
It drof the vessel forth, I ȝow plyht,
ful foure dayes and foure Nyht,
that nethir he ne drank ne Ete
but Ryht litel of Ony Mete.
Atte Fyfthe daye, Abowtes pryme,
For werynesse he slepte that tyme,
and for Angwisch that he hadde,
of his lyf ful sore him dradde;
For so Megre and feble he was
that he myhte not steren in that plas.
whedir that Cryst Piers gan lede:
277
As swyftly as Evere brid gan to fle
It drof the vessel forth, I ȝow plyht,
ful foure dayes and foure Nyht,
that nethir he ne drank ne Ete
but Ryht litel of Ony Mete.
Atte Fyfthe daye, Abowtes pryme,
For werynesse he slepte that tyme,
and for Angwisch that he hadde,
of his lyf ful sore him dradde;
For so Megre and feble he was
that he myhte not steren in that plas.
so þat it happed be Aventure
At A Castel he Aryved, I ȝow Ensure,
whiche that ful Of paynemis was,
and þe kynges name was Orcaws,
and he was On Of þe beste knyhtes
that In the world levede tho Ryhtes;
and he hadde ben In Ryht Creaunce,
he ne hadde had non felawe with-owten variaunce.
At A Castel he Aryved, I ȝow Ensure,
whiche that ful Of paynemis was,
and þe kynges name was Orcaws,
and he was On Of þe beste knyhtes
that In the world levede tho Ryhtes;
and he hadde ben In Ryht Creaunce,
he ne hadde had non felawe with-owten variaunce.
And whanne at the Castel Aryved he was,
thanne Cam walkyng this kynges dowhter Orcaws,
whiche was a damysele ful fair and gent,
and bar þe pris of Bewte verament;
Of Alle the Maydenis In that Contre
sche was the fairest, As I telle it the.
So As sche Cam disportyng toward þe see,
and hire Maidenis In hire Compeyne,
For Manye sche hadde that with hire wente,
hire to disporte Aftyr hire Entente;
and In here pleyeng As they weren that day
they Sien where þat this vessel lay,
and there so lowde they gonne to synge,
hire felawes and sche In here pleyenge,
that piers Awook there that he lay,
so Astoned he was Of that Afray.
thanne Cam walkyng this kynges dowhter Orcaws,
whiche was a damysele ful fair and gent,
and bar þe pris of Bewte verament;
Of Alle the Maydenis In that Contre
sche was the fairest, As I telle it the.
So As sche Cam disportyng toward þe see,
and hire Maidenis In hire Compeyne,
For Manye sche hadde that with hire wente,
hire to disporte Aftyr hire Entente;
and In here pleyeng As they weren that day
they Sien where þat this vessel lay,
and there so lowde they gonne to synge,
hire felawes and sche In here pleyenge,
that piers Awook there that he lay,
so Astoned he was Of that Afray.
278
and whanne the Maide to this vessel sowhte,
he was ful syk, thanne hire thowhte;
and whanne that sche beheld his wounde,
Anon to hire felawes sche seide that stownde,
“wile ȝe now sen the Cause why
that this man so sik is trewely?
It Nys not wondyr thowh he were ded
Of this wounde here In this sted,
and that me thenketh were gret pyte,
For a ful fair Man hath he be
whanne that he was In hele Of his body,
A ful semly persone, sche seide, trewely;
therfore wolde I that the Cristene Man,
which to my Fadris presoun Is tan,
that is a good leche In alle Manere,
To helen this Man I wolde he were here;
For him so Mochel I knowe,
that non Erthly man with-Inne þis throwe
Ne Can so sone don hym boote
As thike Cristene, so wel I wote.”
he was ful syk, thanne hire thowhte;
and whanne that sche beheld his wounde,
Anon to hire felawes sche seide that stownde,
“wile ȝe now sen the Cause why
that this man so sik is trewely?
It Nys not wondyr thowh he were ded
Of this wounde here In this sted,
and that me thenketh were gret pyte,
For a ful fair Man hath he be
whanne that he was In hele Of his body,
A ful semly persone, sche seide, trewely;
therfore wolde I that the Cristene Man,
which to my Fadris presoun Is tan,
that is a good leche In alle Manere,
To helen this Man I wolde he were here;
For him so Mochel I knowe,
that non Erthly man with-Inne þis throwe
Ne Can so sone don hym boote
As thike Cristene, so wel I wote.”
Thanne be this tyme Piers ful wakyng was,
and beheld tho damyselis In that plas,
the whiche so Richely weren Adyht,
And hire Compenye In his syht.
thanne Merveilled this piers wondirly sore
what Alle thike ladyes and damyseles wore.
& whanne this damysel sawh that Awaked he was,
Anon sche Axede hym In that plas
Of what Contre that he were.
thanne Piers hire Answeride Anon there,
“Of Ierusalem I am bore,
and am I-torned to Cristene lore,
and ful Syk and feble I am therto,
that I ne may neyther walkyn ne go;
wherefore gret nede Of Cownseil I haue,
ȝif Ony Man Cowde me helpe Oþer Saue,
and but ȝif the Sonnere it be,
For fawt Of helpe I deye Sykerle.”
and beheld tho damyselis In that plas,
the whiche so Richely weren Adyht,
And hire Compenye In his syht.
thanne Merveilled this piers wondirly sore
what Alle thike ladyes and damyseles wore.
& whanne this damysel sawh that Awaked he was,
Anon sche Axede hym In that plas
Of what Contre that he were.
thanne Piers hire Answeride Anon there,
“Of Ierusalem I am bore,
and am I-torned to Cristene lore,
and ful Syk and feble I am therto,
that I ne may neyther walkyn ne go;
wherefore gret nede Of Cownseil I haue,
ȝif Ony Man Cowde me helpe Oþer Saue,
279
For fawt Of helpe I deye Sykerle.”
thanne Axede him the damysele there
In what Manere I-Cristened they were,
“For sothe A Cristene Man I Am, quod he,
here Al so syk As ȝe me now se.”
“be ȝe A knyht,” quod this damysele, thanne.
“ȝe trewly, and therto A Cristene Manne.”
“Forsothe, quod this damysele tho,
thanne hath ȝoure vessel Evele I-go,
For In this place but paynemys ne be,
And non Cristene dwellyng In this Contre;
and therfore, And they knewen ȝow here,
& that A Cristene Man ȝe were,
Anon they wolden don ȝow to ded
with-Owten Ony Othir Red.
ȝit neuertheles, for that ȝe be
A man ful syk & In euel degre,
and Also that ȝe ben Alone,
& weten neuere whider ȝe ben gone,
Therfore Of ȝow I haue pyte
that som socour ȝe hadde, ȝif it myhte be,
ȝif previliche to Ony man þat I durst tryste,
So that my fadir not there of wiste.”
In what Manere I-Cristened they were,
“For sothe A Cristene Man I Am, quod he,
here Al so syk As ȝe me now se.”
“be ȝe A knyht,” quod this damysele, thanne.
“ȝe trewly, and therto A Cristene Manne.”
“Forsothe, quod this damysele tho,
thanne hath ȝoure vessel Evele I-go,
For In this place but paynemys ne be,
And non Cristene dwellyng In this Contre;
and therfore, And they knewen ȝow here,
& that A Cristene Man ȝe were,
Anon they wolden don ȝow to ded
with-Owten Ony Othir Red.
ȝit neuertheles, for that ȝe be
A man ful syk & In euel degre,
and Also that ȝe ben Alone,
& weten neuere whider ȝe ben gone,
Therfore Of ȝow I haue pyte
that som socour ȝe hadde, ȝif it myhte be,
ȝif previliche to Ony man þat I durst tryste,
So that my fadir not there of wiste.”
“damysele, quod Piers Anon thanne,
Conne þe Ony helpe Oþer Ony Manne
that me Cowde hele Of my Syknesse,
and me to helpen Owt Of my dystresse?”
“be my Creaunce, quod this Maiden Anon,
My Fadir hath A Cristene man In presoun,
that A good man Of his lawe he is,
and þerto of lechecraft he berith the pris;
and wel I wot, and he were here,
he scholde ȝow Maken bothe hol & fere
ȝif Euere Ony man it scholde do
be wyt Oþer Craft, As I beleve so.
and therefore In my Chambre I wolde ȝe were,
So that non body not were the Nere
but Only my damyseles that here been,
that thyke Cristene man mihte ȝow seen;
and, be myn hed, there scholde this Nyht
Som Oþer Counseylle to ȝow ben dyht,
For ȝif be Ony weye that it May be,
that goode Cristene man schal ȝow se.”
Conne þe Ony helpe Oþer Ony Manne
that me Cowde hele Of my Syknesse,
and me to helpen Owt Of my dystresse?”
“be my Creaunce, quod this Maiden Anon,
My Fadir hath A Cristene man In presoun,
that A good man Of his lawe he is,
and þerto of lechecraft he berith the pris;
and wel I wot, and he were here,
he scholde ȝow Maken bothe hol & fere
ȝif Euere Ony man it scholde do
be wyt Oþer Craft, As I beleve so.
280
So that non body not were the Nere
but Only my damyseles that here been,
that thyke Cristene man mihte ȝow seen;
and, be myn hed, there scholde this Nyht
Som Oþer Counseylle to ȝow ben dyht,
For ȝif be Ony weye that it May be,
that goode Cristene man schal ȝow se.”
“ha damysele, quod Piers Anon Ryht,
Now, for the love of God Almyht
and for ȝoure owne Cowrtesye
that I myhte speken with that man In hie,
And that ȝe wolden haven Rowthe on me,
And that Cristene man that I myhte Se.”
And whanne sche herd hym preyen so faire,
thanne to hire damyseles gan sche Repaire;
And Axede of hem this qwestiown,
“Of this Cristene Man what schole we don?
For Certes me thinketh it were wel I-do,
ȝif Ony hele that he myhte come to;
For a worthy knyht hath he be,
as me semeth be his degre.
and ȝif In helthe that he were,
A semeliere persone nowher Nere.”
Now, for the love of God Almyht
and for ȝoure owne Cowrtesye
that I myhte speken with that man In hie,
And that ȝe wolden haven Rowthe on me,
And that Cristene man that I myhte Se.”
And whanne sche herd hym preyen so faire,
thanne to hire damyseles gan sche Repaire;
And Axede of hem this qwestiown,
“Of this Cristene Man what schole we don?
For Certes me thinketh it were wel I-do,
ȝif Ony hele that he myhte come to;
For a worthy knyht hath he be,
as me semeth be his degre.
and ȝif In helthe that he were,
A semeliere persone nowher Nere.”
“Madame, quod hire damyseles On Rewe,
ȝif it be with ȝow as ȝe here schewe,
Of Rekewr schal he faillen non
ȝif ȝe Consenten As we schole don;
For wel to ȝoure Chambre ȝe mown hym have,
And thedyr hym bringe bothe so Wnd and save;
and ȝif ȝe wyl knowen In this stede,
down be this water we scholen him lede;
and so forth Into the Gardyn,
And thorwgh ȝowre praiel wel & fyn;
& so to ȝoure Chambre we scholen him lede,
Ful prevyliche thorwgh Al this stede.
and whanne we han thus I-do,
thanne mown ȝe hauen the Cristene ȝow to,
and Owt of preson him to brynge
Into ȝoure Chambre with-owten lesinge;
So that he may his wounde þere se,
that there-Offen hol he myhte be.”
“ȝe sein ful wel, quod this lady tho,
I wele wel that ȝe don so.”
ȝif it be with ȝow as ȝe here schewe,
Of Rekewr schal he faillen non
ȝif ȝe Consenten As we schole don;
For wel to ȝoure Chambre ȝe mown hym have,
And thedyr hym bringe bothe so Wnd and save;
and ȝif ȝe wyl knowen In this stede,
down be this water we scholen him lede;
and so forth Into the Gardyn,
And thorwgh ȝowre praiel wel & fyn;
& so to ȝoure Chambre we scholen him lede,
Ful prevyliche thorwgh Al this stede.
281
thanne mown ȝe hauen the Cristene ȝow to,
and Owt of preson him to brynge
Into ȝoure Chambre with-owten lesinge;
So that he may his wounde þere se,
that there-Offen hol he myhte be.”
“ȝe sein ful wel, quod this lady tho,
I wele wel that ȝe don so.”
thus sone these damyseles gonne to gon
Into this vessel thanne Anon,
and token this Piers full softely,
and with hem forth ladden ful prevyly;
thorwh the Gardyn Into the Chambre they wente,
and fulfilde here ladyes Entente.
Into this vessel thanne Anon,
and token this Piers full softely,
and with hem forth ladden ful prevyly;
thorwh the Gardyn Into the Chambre they wente,
and fulfilde here ladyes Entente.
And whanne thus they hadden I-do,
and to hire Chambre they weren Comen vnto,
For hym A Cowche they Maden ful prest,
where vppon As he Scholde Rest;
but for the Angwisch that he was Inne,
he ne hadde non Reste, neþer more ne Mynne.
thanne Axede hym this lady fre,
“Now, leve sire, how stont it with the?”
and to hire Chambre they weren Comen vnto,
For hym A Cowche they Maden ful prest,
where vppon As he Scholde Rest;
but for the Angwisch that he was Inne,
he ne hadde non Reste, neþer more ne Mynne.
thanne Axede hym this lady fre,
“Now, leve sire, how stont it with the?”
Thanne Answerid Piers In fair Manere,
“Now trewly I trowe to dyen riht here,
and neuere to Abyden to Morwen day,
Ful seker, damysele, As I ȝow say.”
and whanne sche herde him speken so thore,
thanne hadde sche more pite þanne sche hadde to fore,
and seide, “Sire, dismaye ȝow non thing!
ȝe scholen hauen helpe with-owten taryeng.”
“Now trewly I trowe to dyen riht here,
and neuere to Abyden to Morwen day,
Ful seker, damysele, As I ȝow say.”
and whanne sche herde him speken so thore,
thanne hadde sche more pite þanne sche hadde to fore,
and seide, “Sire, dismaye ȝow non thing!
ȝe scholen hauen helpe with-owten taryeng.”
Thanne sente sche to the presoun Anon
Al so prevyly As sche Mihte don,
And with Alle wyttes And hire gynne
To geten hym Owt that was with-Inne.
and whanne that owt sche hadde hym take,
For fere this Cristene began to qwake,
and seide, “damysele, what thinke ye do?
I trowe ȝe purposen me forto slo,
and Of my deth ȝe Mown not wynne,
þerfore it were bettere that ȝe blynne.”
And thus he seide for this Entent,
For þat he wende sche wolde han him schent.
“Nay, sire, þere-Offen haue thou non dowte,
but folwe thou me sethen þou Art Owte,
And Into my Chambre folwe thou Me,
and there the Cause schal I schewen the
why Owt Of preson I do the take;
It is Only for Anotheris sake.”
Al so prevyly As sche Mihte don,
And with Alle wyttes And hire gynne
To geten hym Owt that was with-Inne.
and whanne that owt sche hadde hym take,
For fere this Cristene began to qwake,
282
I trowe ȝe purposen me forto slo,
and Of my deth ȝe Mown not wynne,
þerfore it were bettere that ȝe blynne.”
And thus he seide for this Entent,
For þat he wende sche wolde han him schent.
“Nay, sire, þere-Offen haue thou non dowte,
but folwe thou me sethen þou Art Owte,
And Into my Chambre folwe thou Me,
and there the Cause schal I schewen the
why Owt Of preson I do the take;
It is Only for Anotheris sake.”
Thanne wente this damysele forth to-fore,
and the Cristene hire folwede thore;
And whanne Into þe Chambre they weren gon,
thus sone sche schewed hym Piers Anon
that so sik In his bed there lay;
& whanne this presoner tho him say,
Of him he hadde ful gret pite,
and so wolde Ony man In Cristiente.
“Now behold this Man In this stounde
that we be the see side here fownde!
and ȝif this Cristene Man helen ȝe Mown,
I schal deliueren ȝow Owt Of presown,
and senden ȝow bothe Into Anothir Contre
where þat ȝe desiren to be,
with As mochel Richesse As ȝe haue,
Owthir Ony Of ȝou Can Of me Crave,
To gon Into what partye that ȝow lyst;
and hereto ȝe Mown wel Tryst;
and thus wil I do As I telle it the,
For þe grete deseise that I In hym Se.”
and the Cristene hire folwede thore;
And whanne Into þe Chambre they weren gon,
thus sone sche schewed hym Piers Anon
that so sik In his bed there lay;
& whanne this presoner tho him say,
Of him he hadde ful gret pite,
and so wolde Ony man In Cristiente.
“Now behold this Man In this stounde
that we be the see side here fownde!
and ȝif this Cristene Man helen ȝe Mown,
I schal deliueren ȝow Owt Of presown,
and senden ȝow bothe Into Anothir Contre
where þat ȝe desiren to be,
with As mochel Richesse As ȝe haue,
Owthir Ony Of ȝou Can Of me Crave,
To gon Into what partye that ȝow lyst;
and hereto ȝe Mown wel Tryst;
and thus wil I do As I telle it the,
For þe grete deseise that I In hym Se.”
Whanne the presoner wist that Cristened he was,
he made ful gret Ioye thanne In that plas,
and Answerid to the damysele Anon,
‘that thike thing he would gladliche don;’
thanne Axede this presoner Of him þere Ryht,
how longe it was sethen he was so dyht.
thanne Answerid piers to hym Anon,
“It is sethen Sixtene dayes Agon,
and Every day it is wers than oþer,
I sei the trewly, my leve brothir,
and non socour ne kan I gete,
Ne neþer Appatyt to drinke ne mete,
whiche that Moche dismayeth Me
Ful sekerly, Sere, I telle it the.”
Thanne bespak Anon this presonere,
and to this damysele seide he there,
“I wolde, And ȝowre wille it were,
Into ȝoure Prayel ȝe boren him here,
and there bettere the wonde myhte I se
thanne In this Chambre In Alle degre.”
he made ful gret Ioye thanne In that plas,
and Answerid to the damysele Anon,
‘that thike thing he would gladliche don;’
283
how longe it was sethen he was so dyht.
thanne Answerid piers to hym Anon,
“It is sethen Sixtene dayes Agon,
and Every day it is wers than oþer,
I sei the trewly, my leve brothir,
and non socour ne kan I gete,
Ne neþer Appatyt to drinke ne mete,
whiche that Moche dismayeth Me
Ful sekerly, Sere, I telle it the.”
Thanne bespak Anon this presonere,
and to this damysele seide he there,
“I wolde, And ȝowre wille it were,
Into ȝoure Prayel ȝe boren him here,
and there bettere the wonde myhte I se
thanne In this Chambre In Alle degre.”
And Anon this lady thanne
dide beren Owt this Sike Manne
Into the Sonne, that he myhte knowe
Alle his Maladye In a throwe.
and whanne he beheld hym in that plas,
thanne Sawh he wel that Envemyned he was,
whiche was the Cause Certeinle
That lyhtlyche I-heled Myhte he not be,
Til that the vemyn owt were I-don.
dide beren Owt this Sike Manne
Into the Sonne, that he myhte knowe
Alle his Maladye In a throwe.
and whanne he beheld hym in that plas,
thanne Sawh he wel that Envemyned he was,
whiche was the Cause Certeinle
That lyhtlyche I-heled Myhte he not be,
Til that the vemyn owt were I-don.
than seide þis presoner to pers Anon,
“Frend, Envemyned ȝe ben ful sore,
þerfore ȝoure Angwich is moche the more,
and tyl that vemyn Owt be I-take
Ferst, ȝoure peyne May not Aslake;
And aftir the vemyn is Owte I-do,
Anon ryht helthe schal Comen ȝow to,
that with-Inne a monthe, be goddis grace,
Al hol to Maken ȝow In this place.”
“Frend, Envemyned ȝe ben ful sore,
þerfore ȝoure Angwich is moche the more,
and tyl that vemyn Owt be I-take
Ferst, ȝoure peyne May not Aslake;
And aftir the vemyn is Owte I-do,
Anon ryht helthe schal Comen ȝow to,
that with-Inne a monthe, be goddis grace,
Al hol to Maken ȝow In this place.”
thus sone there besowghte ful faste,
Aftir Swiche herbes In gret haste
the vemyn to drawen Owt Of that wounde,
And Aftyr to Maken him hol and sownde.
that so vppon him travailled this presoner
that with-Inne the Mounthe hol was he ther,
and to that lady ȝald hym Agayn
As hol and Clene In Certayn.
and this Piers, that was the fairest knyht
that Owt of Ierusalem wente In syht,
thanne his wit and bownte to him restored was
whanne helthe he hadde In that plas.
Aftir Swiche herbes In gret haste
284
And Aftyr to Maken him hol and sownde.
that so vppon him travailled this presoner
that with-Inne the Mounthe hol was he ther,
and to that lady ȝald hym Agayn
As hol and Clene In Certayn.
and this Piers, that was the fairest knyht
that Owt of Ierusalem wente In syht,
thanne his wit and bownte to him restored was
whanne helthe he hadde In that plas.
With-Inne this terme fil An Aventure
That kyng Marahans Of yreland, I ȝow ensure,
Cam to disporten him with kyng Orkaws,
In as mochel as that his Cosyn he was.
and his Eldest sone with him gan go,
that A lytel to-fore A knyht was Mad tho,
and þerto dowhty In his dede:
thus In storie here we Rede.
So that thike Nyht þere was gret feste
In that Castel to Mest and leste;
but it happede be A tretour boteler
that kyng Marahans sone poysoned he ther,
And At the table there he deyde Anon
At Soper ded As Ony ston.
That kyng Marahans Of yreland, I ȝow ensure,
Cam to disporten him with kyng Orkaws,
In as mochel as that his Cosyn he was.
and his Eldest sone with him gan go,
that A lytel to-fore A knyht was Mad tho,
and þerto dowhty In his dede:
thus In storie here we Rede.
So that thike Nyht þere was gret feste
In that Castel to Mest and leste;
but it happede be A tretour boteler
that kyng Marahans sone poysoned he ther,
And At the table there he deyde Anon
At Soper ded As Ony ston.
And whanne þe kyng beheld this there,
he wende kyng Orcaws Conseyl that it Were;
and thus sone wente he thenne
to the kyng of grete breteygne with his Menne,
wheche that tyme I-clepid was
Of bretaynge kyng lwce, In Every plas.
he wende kyng Orcaws Conseyl that it Were;
and thus sone wente he thenne
to the kyng of grete breteygne with his Menne,
wheche that tyme I-clepid was
Of bretaynge kyng lwce, In Every plas.
whanne kyng Marahans to forn hym was þere,
and him hadde Compleyned In dyvers Manere,
and Apechyd kyng Orkaws Of Treson,
For that he hadde poysoned his son,—
thus sone Orkaws After was sent
to Londone to Comen to parlement.
and, whanne Orkaws to Londone was gon,
kyng Marahans Of treson him Apechid Anon,
and Seide that [he] be fals Treson
In his Castel hadde poysoned his son.
Anon kyng Orkaws that gan denaye,
and seide the Contrarye to him in faye;
and In that qwarel his Gage he kaste,
hit to defende whil his lyf wold laste,
Owther be his persone, oþer be Anothir,
be som knyht, other be his brothir;
For with Marahan he ne kepte not fyhte,
For that he was so worthy A knyhte,
For Of paynemys he bar the prys,
As Aboven oþer flowres doth þe flowr delys.
and him hadde Compleyned In dyvers Manere,
and Apechyd kyng Orkaws Of Treson,
For that he hadde poysoned his son,—
thus sone Orkaws After was sent
to Londone to Comen to parlement.
285
kyng Marahans Of treson him Apechid Anon,
and Seide that [he] be fals Treson
In his Castel hadde poysoned his son.
Anon kyng Orkaws that gan denaye,
and seide the Contrarye to him in faye;
and In that qwarel his Gage he kaste,
hit to defende whil his lyf wold laste,
Owther be his persone, oþer be Anothir,
be som knyht, other be his brothir;
For with Marahan he ne kepte not fyhte,
For that he was so worthy A knyhte,
For Of paynemys he bar the prys,
As Aboven oþer flowres doth þe flowr delys.
Thus this bataylle Enioyned was,
and bothe fownden Ostages In that plas;
and the day Assigned was Also
Whanne that the Bataylle scholde be do.
and bothe fownden Ostages In that plas;
and the day Assigned was Also
Whanne that the Bataylle scholde be do.
thanne kyng Orkaws torned hom Ageyn,
and Aftyr his brothyr sente In Certein
that the bataylle for hym scholde don þat day.
his brothir him Answerid, and seide “Nay,
For ȝe knowen ful wel that kyng Marahans
Is þe moste worthiest knyht In Alle defens
that Entreth Into Ony bataylle,
þere-fore hym I Schal not Asaylle,
Nethir for stryf, Nethir for hete,
to-gederis In feld scholen we not mete,
his body and Myn to-Gederis In fere;
It schal not ben In non Manere.”
and Aftyr his brothyr sente In Certein
that the bataylle for hym scholde don þat day.
his brothir him Answerid, and seide “Nay,
For ȝe knowen ful wel that kyng Marahans
Is þe moste worthiest knyht In Alle defens
that Entreth Into Ony bataylle,
þere-fore hym I Schal not Asaylle,
Nethir for stryf, Nethir for hete,
to-gederis In feld scholen we not mete,
his body and Myn to-Gederis In fere;
It schal not ben In non Manere.”
Whanne kyng Orkaws this vndirstood,
thanne Anon began to Chongen his Mood
whanne that his brothir it hadde forsake,
and that the bataille he wolde not take.
Ful Mochel Mone thanne he Made,
that he som Oþir knyht ne hadde;
For so Often tymes Asayed had he
kyng Marahan In bataille & In Melle,
So that he knew wel be his dede
he was þe beste þat bestrod Ony steede,
and þerfore Nolde Orkaws In non degre
In bataylle him Meten Certeynle.
thanne Anon began to Chongen his Mood
whanne that his brothir it hadde forsake,
and that the bataille he wolde not take.
Ful Mochel Mone thanne he Made,
that he som Oþir knyht ne hadde;
286
kyng Marahan In bataille & In Melle,
So that he knew wel be his dede
he was þe beste þat bestrod Ony steede,
and þerfore Nolde Orkaws In non degre
In bataylle him Meten Certeynle.
thanne sente Orkaws Ryht Anon
Aftyr his barowns Everychon,
Forto preven the beste knyht
that for hym Myhte taken that fyht.
and this Orkaws þere feynede him Syk,
To knowen which of hem that was best lyk
that ylke bataille forto do
whanne þat to þe poynt they comen to.
And whanne they syen hym liggen In this Manere,
They Axede him what his wille were;
thanne seide he ‘that Agreved was he sore
Of tydynges that him Comen thore.’
and they Axeden him what tho schold be;
and he seide, “kyng Marahans Certeinle
hath sent a knyht In to this Lond,
As it is don me to vndirstond,
that with his Owne body he will holde fyhtes
Aȝens .xij. of the beste knyhtes
that with-Inne My Lond I May fynde;
and thus Is it to Me put In Mynde,
and forto preven this Ilke thyng
to ȝow haue I sent to ȝeven warneng,
and to Morwe At pryme this schal be;
þerfore, and ȝow lyst, telleth now me
ȝif that ȝe welen kepen that day;
Fore trewly, for Syknesse I ne May.
And wile ye now vndirstonden here
I sente for ȝow In this Manere;
and forto Fellen that knyhtes pride
For ȝow I sente now At this tyde,
that thike knyht ne schal not say,
but his felawe here to fynden Eche day.”
Aftyr his barowns Everychon,
Forto preven the beste knyht
that for hym Myhte taken that fyht.
and this Orkaws þere feynede him Syk,
To knowen which of hem that was best lyk
that ylke bataille forto do
whanne þat to þe poynt they comen to.
And whanne they syen hym liggen In this Manere,
They Axede him what his wille were;
thanne seide he ‘that Agreved was he sore
Of tydynges that him Comen thore.’
and they Axeden him what tho schold be;
and he seide, “kyng Marahans Certeinle
hath sent a knyht In to this Lond,
As it is don me to vndirstond,
that with his Owne body he will holde fyhtes
Aȝens .xij. of the beste knyhtes
that with-Inne My Lond I May fynde;
and thus Is it to Me put In Mynde,
and forto preven this Ilke thyng
to ȝow haue I sent to ȝeven warneng,
and to Morwe At pryme this schal be;
þerfore, and ȝow lyst, telleth now me
ȝif that ȝe welen kepen that day;
Fore trewly, for Syknesse I ne May.
And wile ye now vndirstonden here
I sente for ȝow In this Manere;
and forto Fellen that knyhtes pride
For ȝow I sente now At this tyde,
287
but his felawe here to fynden Eche day.”
And thus the kyng þere gan hem telle;
for there A lesyng he Feyned ful felle;
For straunge knyht In his Rem was non,
but he him self it wolde thanne don,
Amonges theke twelve to preven Anon
ȝif Ony Aȝens kyng Marahans dorste gon.
thanne Axeden they Anon Ageyn,
“Sere, be ȝe now here In Certeyn
that thike knyht to Morwen At pryme
At thike brygge wil Arere that tyme?”
“ȝe, quod the kyng thanne trewely,
there scholen ȝe hym Meten ful sekerly.”
“thanne, quod they, we scholen him Mete,
whethir he Ryde be weye Oþer strete,
So that ȝowre worschepe saved schal be,
and we schameles In Alle degre.”
for there A lesyng he Feyned ful felle;
For straunge knyht In his Rem was non,
but he him self it wolde thanne don,
Amonges theke twelve to preven Anon
ȝif Ony Aȝens kyng Marahans dorste gon.
thanne Axeden they Anon Ageyn,
“Sere, be ȝe now here In Certeyn
that thike knyht to Morwen At pryme
At thike brygge wil Arere that tyme?”
“ȝe, quod the kyng thanne trewely,
there scholen ȝe hym Meten ful sekerly.”
“thanne, quod they, we scholen him Mete,
whethir he Ryde be weye Oþer strete,
So that ȝowre worschepe saved schal be,
and we schameles In Alle degre.”
Thus sone these .xij. knyhtes departyd Away,
and hom to here Ostelis they wenten þat day;
and the kyng lefte Stille In his bed
Tyl It was Even In that same sted.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
he Clepyd his stewerd Anon Ryht,
“Go, fette me the moste straungest Armure,
the Moste beste and the most Sure,
For hennes to-Nyht now wyl I pace,
And to morwen At Even Aȝen In this place;
and ȝif that Ony man Axe After me,
Sey that deseised I am ful Certeinle.”
and hom to here Ostelis they wenten þat day;
and the kyng lefte Stille In his bed
Tyl It was Even In that same sted.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
he Clepyd his stewerd Anon Ryht,
“Go, fette me the moste straungest Armure,
the Moste beste and the most Sure,
For hennes to-Nyht now wyl I pace,
And to morwen At Even Aȝen In this place;
and ȝif that Ony man Axe After me,
Sey that deseised I am ful Certeinle.”
Thus the kyng Comanded þe styward þere,
and so he wrowhte Aftyr his Manere.
and whanne the day Aproched was,
the kyng him Armede In that plas,
and took his hors, & gan forth Ride
Into that brigge that Ilke tyde.
but Er thanne thens he wente,
he made the styward sweren presente
that he scholde discouere him to non Man,
what so Evere Of hym they Axeden than.
and so he wrowhte Aftyr his Manere.
and whanne the day Aproched was,
the kyng him Armede In that plas,
and took his hors, & gan forth Ride
Into that brigge that Ilke tyde.
288
he made the styward sweren presente
that he scholde discouere him to non Man,
what so Evere Of hym they Axeden than.
thanne so this kyng gan forth to Ryde,
forth to the Brygge At that tyde;
and ther Abod tyl the Owr Of pryme,
and was Non Comen at that tyme.
thanne alle xij knyhtes they Comen In-same,
Forto fulfillen that Ilke Game;
but Speris with hem Non they browhte,
For At Alle daye there sen they Mowhte
the Brigge with speris Envirowned Abowte,
the wheche that weren bothe gret and stowte,
Whiche that Cavsede Men Of the Contre there
Eche Other to Asayen In dyvers Manere.
forth to the Brygge At that tyde;
and ther Abod tyl the Owr Of pryme,
and was Non Comen at that tyme.
thanne alle xij knyhtes they Comen In-same,
Forto fulfillen that Ilke Game;
but Speris with hem Non they browhte,
For At Alle daye there sen they Mowhte
the Brigge with speris Envirowned Abowte,
the wheche that weren bothe gret and stowte,
Whiche that Cavsede Men Of the Contre there
Eche Other to Asayen In dyvers Manere.
Whanne these xij knyhtes there behelde
that þere was A knyht with spere and schelde
that Redy was to Iusten there,
Ech man hym Ordeyned In his Manere
Forto Iusten Aȝens that knyht,
Euery man there to preven his Myht;
and thus Ech Of hem A spere there took
as On the brigge were, and non forsook;
and the kyng him Cawhte Anothir,
and forth he prekede Amonges þat fothir;
& so he smot the ferste knyht,
and þere sore wounded him In þat fyht,
So that he hadde there dethes wounde,
Onnethe to Rysen Aftir þat stownde.
And whanne that thus down he was I-Cast,
To anothir knyht he prekyd In hast,
and him he wounded Al so sore,
lyk As he dide the tothir before;
and so the thrydde and þe fowrthe Also,
and thus Alle twelve he browhte to wo.
that þere was A knyht with spere and schelde
that Redy was to Iusten there,
Ech man hym Ordeyned In his Manere
Forto Iusten Aȝens that knyht,
Euery man there to preven his Myht;
and thus Ech Of hem A spere there took
as On the brigge were, and non forsook;
and the kyng him Cawhte Anothir,
and forth he prekede Amonges þat fothir;
& so he smot the ferste knyht,
and þere sore wounded him In þat fyht,
So that he hadde there dethes wounde,
Onnethe to Rysen Aftir þat stownde.
And whanne that thus down he was I-Cast,
To anothir knyht he prekyd In hast,
and him he wounded Al so sore,
lyk As he dide the tothir before;
and so the thrydde and þe fowrthe Also,
and thus Alle twelve he browhte to wo.
289
And whanne Alle xij I-scomfyt they were,
the kyng In this Maner to hem seide there,
“Sires, ȝe knowen presoneres ȝe be,
As be þe lawe Of this Contre;
and that with ȝow I May now do
As that to Armes belongen vnto.”
and they Answerid hym Ageyn,
“Sire, that is soth In Certeyn.”
“Thanne Comande I ȝow Everichon,
that ȝe Alle to kyng Orkaws gon,
and ȝeldeth to hym Alle ȝowre persones
On My behalve with-Inne his wones.
the kyng In this Maner to hem seide there,
“Sires, ȝe knowen presoneres ȝe be,
As be þe lawe Of this Contre;
and that with ȝow I May now do
As that to Armes belongen vnto.”
and they Answerid hym Ageyn,
“Sire, that is soth In Certeyn.”
“Thanne Comande I ȝow Everichon,
that ȝe Alle to kyng Orkaws gon,
and ȝeldeth to hym Alle ȝowre persones
On My behalve with-Inne his wones.
thanne Axede they hym what he hyhte.
“he knoweth me ful wel, I telle ȝow Ryhte,
but Of myn Name, it is not to ȝow;
for whanne he hereth Of this prow,
thanne wil he knowen me ful wel,
I ȝow seye As trewe As steel;
And that In Manye stormes I haue be
with him In bataylle ful Sykerle.”
thanne sworen they In here Entent
To Fulfillen his Comaundement,
But ful Of sorwe Alle they were
that they weren so discomfyt there
Of On knyht there In that plase:
Ful Moche Sorwe Amonge hem wase.
“he knoweth me ful wel, I telle ȝow Ryhte,
but Of myn Name, it is not to ȝow;
for whanne he hereth Of this prow,
thanne wil he knowen me ful wel,
I ȝow seye As trewe As steel;
And that In Manye stormes I haue be
with him In bataylle ful Sykerle.”
thanne sworen they In here Entent
To Fulfillen his Comaundement,
But ful Of sorwe Alle they were
that they weren so discomfyt there
Of On knyht there In that plase:
Ful Moche Sorwe Amonge hem wase.
Thanne departyd Anon the xij knyhtes
From that place there Anon Ryhtes;
and the kyng Entrede Into the forest
whanne that he say his tyme best,
and þere Alle day Abod he Sekerlye
For that non Man Scholde him Aspye.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
Toward his Castel he gan hym dyht,
And In A Gardyn vndir the towr
his steward hym Abood Every Owr.
and whanne he Cam to this Gardyn,
his steward him Resceyved wel & fyn,
and Resceyved his hors and his Armure,
And Aftyr to Chambre wente ful pure.
& whanne A while In Chambre he hadde I-be,
Anon to halle thanne wente he,
and Made Semblaunce As thowgh syk he were
To-forn Alle his Meyne þat was there.
Thanne his Meyne Aȝens hym gonne gon,
and hym worschepid Everichon,
and hym Axede ‘how that it were,
& why he was Of so hevy Chere.’
and he Answerid hem Ageyn,
“I Me strengthe with Al my Mayn
aȝens herte to Maken good Contenaunce,
So mochel Of Syknesse I haue dowtawnce.”
From that place there Anon Ryhtes;
and the kyng Entrede Into the forest
whanne that he say his tyme best,
and þere Alle day Abod he Sekerlye
For that non Man Scholde him Aspye.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
Toward his Castel he gan hym dyht,
And In A Gardyn vndir the towr
his steward hym Abood Every Owr.
290
his steward him Resceyved wel & fyn,
and Resceyved his hors and his Armure,
And Aftyr to Chambre wente ful pure.
& whanne A while In Chambre he hadde I-be,
Anon to halle thanne wente he,
and Made Semblaunce As thowgh syk he were
To-forn Alle his Meyne þat was there.
Thanne his Meyne Aȝens hym gonne gon,
and hym worschepid Everichon,
and hym Axede ‘how that it were,
& why he was Of so hevy Chere.’
and he Answerid hem Ageyn,
“I Me strengthe with Al my Mayn
aȝens herte to Maken good Contenaunce,
So mochel Of Syknesse I haue dowtawnce.”
And vppon the Morwe, at the Owr of pryme,
the xij knyhtes Comen In good tyme
that discomfyt Of hym were,
(but they it ne knewe In non Manere,)
and ȝolden hem to hym As presoneres
On a knyhtes behalve that was ful fers;
but they ne knewen not his Name,
For he was A man Of ful gret fame;
and tolden kyng Orkaws Al In fere
how thike knyht discomfyt hem there.
the xij knyhtes Comen In good tyme
that discomfyt Of hym were,
(but they it ne knewe In non Manere,)
and ȝolden hem to hym As presoneres
On a knyhtes behalve that was ful fers;
but they ne knewen not his Name,
For he was A man Of ful gret fame;
and tolden kyng Orkaws Al In fere
how thike knyht discomfyt hem there.
“Ha! quod kyng Orkaws thanne,
Now wot I wel that he Is A manne
that ȝow Alle hath taken As presoneres,
And to Me Represented now here.”
thanne Made he Semblaw[n]t As wroth he were,
but ȝit neuere the mo ne was he there;
and sente forth his Messengeris Anon
thorwh-Owt his Rem for to gon,
to warnen Alle his Chevalrye,
‘Atte brigge to Meten that knyht so hardye;
and ȝif Ony so hardy that there were
with that knyht to fyhten there,
what Maner Of good that he wolde Crave,
Anon Of kyng Orkaws he Scholde it have.’
Now wot I wel that he Is A manne
that ȝow Alle hath taken As presoneres,
And to Me Represented now here.”
thanne Made he Semblaw[n]t As wroth he were,
but ȝit neuere the mo ne was he there;
and sente forth his Messengeris Anon
thorwh-Owt his Rem for to gon,
to warnen Alle his Chevalrye,
‘Atte brigge to Meten that knyht so hardye;
291
with that knyht to fyhten there,
what Maner Of good that he wolde Crave,
Anon Of kyng Orkaws he Scholde it have.’
but they that to fore tymes I-beten were,
Alle here Goodes the kyng Sesyd there
As for On ȝer And On day,
thus kyng Orkaws hem gan to say.
and whanne that they that In the Contre were,
herden how þe xij knyhtes happeden there,
thanne In hem selve they hadden gret drede,
For they Niste neuere how to spede;
and ȝif discomfyt that they were,
here londis to lesen In swich maner there.
Alle here Goodes the kyng Sesyd there
As for On ȝer And On day,
thus kyng Orkaws hem gan to say.
and whanne that they that In the Contre were,
herden how þe xij knyhtes happeden there,
thanne In hem selve they hadden gret drede,
For they Niste neuere how to spede;
and ȝif discomfyt that they were,
here londis to lesen In swich maner there.
Whanne that Piers that with this lady was,
And Of his Maladye helyd In that plas,
thanne was he as ful Of pensifnesse
As whanne he was In his distresse.
thanne Axede the lady hym Ryht tho,
“Piers, what is ȝow to thenken so,
and what Cause that it may be,
I praye ȝow, Sere, now telleth Me;
and ȝif I mowe don ȝow Ony Ese,
Owther Ony thing that May ȝow plese,
anon Ryht it schal ben do,
þere-fore to suffren bothe peyne and wo.’
And Of his Maladye helyd In that plas,
thanne was he as ful Of pensifnesse
As whanne he was In his distresse.
thanne Axede the lady hym Ryht tho,
“Piers, what is ȝow to thenken so,
and what Cause that it may be,
I praye ȝow, Sere, now telleth Me;
and ȝif I mowe don ȝow Ony Ese,
Owther Ony thing that May ȝow plese,
anon Ryht it schal ben do,
þere-fore to suffren bothe peyne and wo.’
“A! faire lady, quod Piers Anon,
Ryht ful Esely ȝe myhte it don.”
“Seye On, quod this lady thanne,
and I schal don it, for Ony Manne.”
“thanne schal I ȝow tellen, quod piers trewly,
And ȝe me wil Enswren feythfully;
For it Cometh now In My Mynde
that ȝoure fadir sendeth Into Every Ende
Aftyr his knyhtes And Bachelere,
here worthynesse forto preven here;
And thike tyme have I sen,
and not fulliche fyve ȝeres they ben,
& swich A knyht were In Oure Contre,
wel sone Asayed scholde he be;
and ȝif that I hadde harneys and Gere,
For Alle the Men that Evere were
I[n] my persone Ryht Al Alone
To that knyht wolde I gone;
al thowgh I be In straunge Contre,
I scholde him Asaye, what so he be,
thowh he were the strengest Of this Molde,
And Abyden me he wolde:
but harneys have I In non Manere,
and þat Maketh me to Mornen so here.”
Ryht ful Esely ȝe myhte it don.”
“Seye On, quod this lady thanne,
and I schal don it, for Ony Manne.”
“thanne schal I ȝow tellen, quod piers trewly,
And ȝe me wil Enswren feythfully;
For it Cometh now In My Mynde
that ȝoure fadir sendeth Into Every Ende
Aftyr his knyhtes And Bachelere,
here worthynesse forto preven here;
292
and not fulliche fyve ȝeres they ben,
& swich A knyht were In Oure Contre,
wel sone Asayed scholde he be;
and ȝif that I hadde harneys and Gere,
For Alle the Men that Evere were
I[n] my persone Ryht Al Alone
To that knyht wolde I gone;
al thowgh I be In straunge Contre,
I scholde him Asaye, what so he be,
thowh he were the strengest Of this Molde,
And Abyden me he wolde:
but harneys have I In non Manere,
and þat Maketh me to Mornen so here.”
Whanne the kynges dowhter herde this,
sche Merveilled he spak Of so gret Aprys,
And that he wolde Iosten At that tyde
with hym that no Man dorste Abyde.
thanne seide to him this lady Anon,
“hors and harneys ȝe scholen haue son,
and longe Er Nyht Redy it schal be;
ann therefore, Piers, dismaye not the;
& þerto As Richely ȝe scholen ben dyht
As thowgh A kynges sone ȝe weren Owtryht;
but In feith, Sire, be the Cownseil Of Me,
Aȝens that knyht ȝe scholen not Te.”
“Now, faire lady, quod Pers tho,
that ȝe me han be-hote, brynge me vnto;
and Of me dismaye ȝow non thing,
for I troste holiche In hevene kyng.”
sche Merveilled he spak Of so gret Aprys,
And that he wolde Iosten At that tyde
with hym that no Man dorste Abyde.
thanne seide to him this lady Anon,
“hors and harneys ȝe scholen haue son,
and longe Er Nyht Redy it schal be;
ann therefore, Piers, dismaye not the;
& þerto As Richely ȝe scholen ben dyht
As thowgh A kynges sone ȝe weren Owtryht;
but In feith, Sire, be the Cownseil Of Me,
Aȝens that knyht ȝe scholen not Te.”
“Now, faire lady, quod Pers tho,
that ȝe me han be-hote, brynge me vnto;
and Of me dismaye ȝow non thing,
for I troste holiche In hevene kyng.”
and whanne they hadden spoken Of this Matere,
Anon from him sche wente there;
bothe hors and harneys him Ordeyned thus sone,
and Alle Oþer thing that was to done.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
The weye to the Brygge sche tawhte him Ryht.
thanne Of this lady his leve he took,
and On his weye forth faste he schook.
& whanne to þe brigge that he was Gon,
Into þat forest thanne wente he Anon,
there A While to taken his Reste
As that tyme þere it liked him beste;
and down he Alyhte Of his Rownsy,
& be his brydel hym teyde þere faste by,
and þere to pasture ȝif he wolde
Tyl þat day Aperede On Goddis Molde.
Anon from him sche wente there;
bothe hors and harneys him Ordeyned thus sone,
and Alle Oþer thing that was to done.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
The weye to the Brygge sche tawhte him Ryht.
293
and On his weye forth faste he schook.
& whanne to þe brigge that he was Gon,
Into þat forest thanne wente he Anon,
there A While to taken his Reste
As that tyme þere it liked him beste;
and down he Alyhte Of his Rownsy,
& be his brydel hym teyde þere faste by,
and þere to pasture ȝif he wolde
Tyl þat day Aperede On Goddis Molde.
vppon the Morwen whanne it was day,
Piers toward his hors took the way,
and Made his hors Al Redy,
& his helm gan lasen ful Iostly;
and Abowte his Nekke he heng his scheld;
thanne Owt Of þe forest he took the feld.
whanne toward the brigge that he gan gon,
thanne kyng Orkaws Aspide he Anon
that thedir was Comen for theke Entent,
To Wyten ȝif there were Ony present
whiche that Aȝens him dorste Abyde:
this was his Comeng At that tyde.
Piers toward his hors took the way,
and Made his hors Al Redy,
& his helm gan lasen ful Iostly;
and Abowte his Nekke he heng his scheld;
thanne Owt Of þe forest he took the feld.
whanne toward the brigge that he gan gon,
thanne kyng Orkaws Aspide he Anon
that thedir was Comen for theke Entent,
To Wyten ȝif there were Ony present
whiche that Aȝens him dorste Abyde:
this was his Comeng At that tyde.
And whanne piers beheld him there,
he lyht Adown for Ony fere,
and tasted his harneis In that stede,
þat it scholde not faille whanne he hadd nede.
and whanne he say that Al siker it was,
To hors Aȝen he wente In that plas.
and to the brigge he cam Anon,
and Salwed the kyng As he scholde don.
Anon a spere On honde he took,
& towardis the kyng wel faste he schook,
and seide that Iusten Nedis he Moste:
the kyng him Answeryd that hym wel lyste.
he lyht Adown for Ony fere,
and tasted his harneis In that stede,
þat it scholde not faille whanne he hadd nede.
and whanne he say that Al siker it was,
To hors Aȝen he wente In that plas.
and to the brigge he cam Anon,
and Salwed the kyng As he scholde don.
Anon a spere On honde he took,
& towardis the kyng wel faste he schook,
and seide that Iusten Nedis he Moste:
the kyng him Answeryd that hym wel lyste.
So swyftly they Ronnen In that plas,
as faste as the howndes hertes don chas,
and so sore to-Gederis they Mette,
that here scheldes Into the feld weren smette,
So that there was Non geyn Char,
but bothe here whyte flesche persched thar;
so that bothe hadden they wowndis grete,
and ȝit Nethir Othir ne wolde not lete;
so that the kyng On Piers his spere to-brak,
and Piers Aȝen hym hitte with-Owten lak,
& bare him Owt Of his sadel Into the feeld
Ouer his hors Crowpere undir his Scheld;
and there so sore I-hurt he was,
Onnethis to Meven Owt Of that plas.
as faste as the howndes hertes don chas,
294
that here scheldes Into the feld weren smette,
So that there was Non geyn Char,
but bothe here whyte flesche persched thar;
so that bothe hadden they wowndis grete,
and ȝit Nethir Othir ne wolde not lete;
so that the kyng On Piers his spere to-brak,
and Piers Aȝen hym hitte with-Owten lak,
& bare him Owt Of his sadel Into the feeld
Ouer his hors Crowpere undir his Scheld;
and there so sore I-hurt he was,
Onnethis to Meven Owt Of that plas.
Whanne Piers atte therthe the kyng say,
Of his hors he Alyhte with-Owten delay,
and there drowh Owt his swerd Anon,
& towardis this kyng he gan to Gon;
so þat be thike tyme þe kyng Rekeuered was,
and On his feet stood In that plas,
Ful sore I-hurt, and ful of Angwyschs.
thanne to the kyng Piers seide thus,
“Sire knyht, ȝoure Iostyng lost han ȝe;
assayeth ȝif Ony bettere ȝe Mown ȝow byse,
and ȝif Ony thing that ȝe Mown wynne
with Ony Other Melle vs betwynne.”
Anon he drowh his swerd with good Entente,
And his scheld On honde he hente.
Of his hors he Alyhte with-Owten delay,
and there drowh Owt his swerd Anon,
& towardis this kyng he gan to Gon;
so þat be thike tyme þe kyng Rekeuered was,
and On his feet stood In that plas,
Ful sore I-hurt, and ful of Angwyschs.
thanne to the kyng Piers seide thus,
“Sire knyht, ȝoure Iostyng lost han ȝe;
assayeth ȝif Ony bettere ȝe Mown ȝow byse,
and ȝif Ony thing that ȝe Mown wynne
with Ony Other Melle vs betwynne.”
Anon he drowh his swerd with good Entente,
And his scheld On honde he hente.
whanne the kyng sawh þat he was Redy,
Faste to that Melle he gan hym hy,
and there his prowesse he schewede In his wyse
with Alle his strengthe In the beste Gyse,
so that with his swerd & with his scheld
he Entrede forth In to that Feld;
In the beste Maner that he Myhte,
thanne forth he wente Anon Ryhte.
Not-with-stondyng, sore hurt he was
to foren tyme In that same plas,
so þat moche more Nede thanne hadde he
Of Restyng thanne Of Ony Melle.
Faste to that Melle he gan hym hy,
and there his prowesse he schewede In his wyse
with Alle his strengthe In the beste Gyse,
so that with his swerd & with his scheld
he Entrede forth In to that Feld;
In the beste Maner that he Myhte,
thanne forth he wente Anon Ryhte.
Not-with-stondyng, sore hurt he was
to foren tyme In that same plas,
295
Of Restyng thanne Of Ony Melle.
thanne be-twixen hem began Melle ful strong
which that Amonges hem durede ful long,
and Ech Other sore hurten As they stood,
that Owt Of bothe here bodyes Ran plente Of blood;
so ful Of gret prowesse weren they bothe
that Eche Of Other Merveilled forsothe.
For the kyng supposede ful Certeynly
to han fowndyn non knyht so dowhty
that with him so longe Myhte Melle;
wherefore to him self he gan to spelle;
and Piers In that same Manere
Evene Of the kyng thowhte ryht ther;
For In non Rem he wende han fownde
so worthy A knyht Goyng on grownde.
but At the Ende Of that Mellë
the kyng non lengere myht duren sekerle,
For Evere this Piers was so ful Of prowesse
and browhte the kyng In gret distresse,
so that thorwgh Melle and thorwgh torneye
the kyng non lengere myhte stondyn In feye;
but there to-fore Piers he fyl Adown,
Ful sore syker I-hurt his body In-Vyrown;
So sore, that ȝif Ony Man him hadde I-seye
On hym he wolde han had pyte In feye.
which that Amonges hem durede ful long,
and Ech Other sore hurten As they stood,
that Owt Of bothe here bodyes Ran plente Of blood;
so ful Of gret prowesse weren they bothe
that Eche Of Other Merveilled forsothe.
For the kyng supposede ful Certeynly
to han fowndyn non knyht so dowhty
that with him so longe Myhte Melle;
wherefore to him self he gan to spelle;
and Piers In that same Manere
Evene Of the kyng thowhte ryht ther;
For In non Rem he wende han fownde
so worthy A knyht Goyng on grownde.
but At the Ende Of that Mellë
the kyng non lengere myht duren sekerle,
For Evere this Piers was so ful Of prowesse
and browhte the kyng In gret distresse,
so that thorwgh Melle and thorwgh torneye
the kyng non lengere myhte stondyn In feye;
but there to-fore Piers he fyl Adown,
Ful sore syker I-hurt his body In-Vyrown;
So sore, that ȝif Ony Man him hadde I-seye
On hym he wolde han had pyte In feye.
Anon thanne Piers, that Supposid nothing
that it hadde been Syre Orkaws the kyng,
to him wente a ful gret pas,
and puld Offen his helm In that plas,
and seide ‘he wolde him slen vppon that Molde
but ȝif that for Scomfyt he wolde hym holde.’
Anon the kyng his Eyen vp Caste,
and vppon Piers lokede Atte laste,
& seide “thou myhtest me slen ful wel,
For In thy power it is Eche del;”
“Now, be my trowthe, quod Piers tho,
but thou the ȝelde, I schal the slo;
and fulliche discomfyt holden the,
Other Ellis thy bane wyle I be.”
thanne quod the kyng, “Certeynlye,
Mochel lever hadde Ich here to dye
thanne to speken that schamful word,
Creaunt me ȝelde be myn Owne Acord;
For to A kyng it were the grettest schame,
the Moste Repref, and the Moste blame,
that Evere Ony Erthly kyngdom held,
So Schamful A word to sein In feld;
ȝit hadde [I] levere xiij Sithe deye
(ȝif so Often that I myhte In feye,)
that I, whiche have be so worthy A knyht,
So schamfully schulde sein thorwh ony fyht.”
that it hadde been Syre Orkaws the kyng,
to him wente a ful gret pas,
and puld Offen his helm In that plas,
and seide ‘he wolde him slen vppon that Molde
but ȝif that for Scomfyt he wolde hym holde.’
Anon the kyng his Eyen vp Caste,
and vppon Piers lokede Atte laste,
& seide “thou myhtest me slen ful wel,
For In thy power it is Eche del;”
296
but thou the ȝelde, I schal the slo;
and fulliche discomfyt holden the,
Other Ellis thy bane wyle I be.”
thanne quod the kyng, “Certeynlye,
Mochel lever hadde Ich here to dye
thanne to speken that schamful word,
Creaunt me ȝelde be myn Owne Acord;
For to A kyng it were the grettest schame,
the Moste Repref, and the Moste blame,
that Evere Ony Erthly kyngdom held,
So Schamful A word to sein In feld;
ȝit hadde [I] levere xiij Sithe deye
(ȝif so Often that I myhte In feye,)
that I, whiche have be so worthy A knyht,
So schamfully schulde sein thorwh ony fyht.”
Whanne Piers vndirstood that he
A kyng was Of so hy degre,
and wende he hadde ben A sengle knyht
that with hym there held swich fyht;
but whanne he Supposid that þe kyng he was,
Anon to him spak he In that plas,
and seide, “Sire, for Charite
so telle here what Man ȝe be;
For me thinketh as be ȝowre talkyng
that ȝe scholden ben A kyng”
“Certes, quod the kyng, sire knyht,
I am A kyng here In thy syht;
and, kyng Orkaws, it Is Myn Name,
In this lond A Man Of ryht gret fame.”
A kyng was Of so hy degre,
and wende he hadde ben A sengle knyht
that with hym there held swich fyht;
but whanne he Supposid that þe kyng he was,
Anon to him spak he In that plas,
and seide, “Sire, for Charite
so telle here what Man ȝe be;
For me thinketh as be ȝowre talkyng
that ȝe scholden ben A kyng”
“Certes, quod the kyng, sire knyht,
I am A kyng here In thy syht;
and, kyng Orkaws, it Is Myn Name,
In this lond A Man Of ryht gret fame.”
And whanne that Piers this vndirstood
that it was Orkaws þat lay so bathed in blood,
Anon Piers ful Of sorwe he was
that him so hadde Greved In þat plas,
So that he Nyste what forto do,
but his swerd he ȝald him vnto,
and seide “sire, I Crye the Mercye
Of that I haue don the gret Anoye.
wherfore, goode sire, forȝeveth it me
that I so moche haue trespaced Aȝens the;
And, lo, my swerd here to the I ȝelde,
And my body and lyf I putte In thi welde,
holich, Sire kyng, Into thy Bandom,
And At thyn Ordenance hol & som.”
that it was Orkaws þat lay so bathed in blood,
Anon Piers ful Of sorwe he was
that him so hadde Greved In þat plas,
So that he Nyste what forto do,
but his swerd he ȝald him vnto,
297
Of that I haue don the gret Anoye.
wherfore, goode sire, forȝeveth it me
that I so moche haue trespaced Aȝens the;
And, lo, my swerd here to the I ȝelde,
And my body and lyf I putte In thi welde,
holich, Sire kyng, Into thy Bandom,
And At thyn Ordenance hol & som.”
Whanne the kyng herde him so seyn,
and that to hym so Offrede him pleyn,
thanne seide the kyng to him tho,
“What art thou that doost here so,
that Of me hast here victorie,
And therto Mercy here me Crye;
For it is A ful gret Merveyl to Me,
the Conqwerour to þe scomfyt ȝolden to be.”
and that to hym so Offrede him pleyn,
thanne seide the kyng to him tho,
“What art thou that doost here so,
that Of me hast here victorie,
And therto Mercy here me Crye;
For it is A ful gret Merveyl to Me,
the Conqwerour to þe scomfyt ȝolden to be.”
“Sire, quod Piers Anon Ryht,
I am here to-forn ȝow bothe man and knyht,
and I-born hennes A fer Contre,
Of Ierusalem, that Grete Cyte;
And therto, sire Piers it is My Name,
and Cristene I am, and Of that fame;
but me befyl An Aventure,
Sire kyng, ful Sikerly I ȝow Ensure,
so that I Entrede Into ȝowre Castel
Not longes Agon, I wot ful wel;
and ful Evel I was wonded before,
which that did me ful Mochel sore.
but, thanked be God and ȝoure dowhter so dere,
Al Myn Rekeur hadde I there,
and thorwgh A Cristene that is ȝowre presoner
whiche that ȝe In preson kepen ther.
For siker I wende to han ben ded
Of my wonde þat I hadde In that sted;
but, Gromesty God and that good Man,
Al hel and fers he Made me than.
And whanne that hol that I was,
thanne herde I tellen In that plas
how that ȝe A bane dyde Crye
thorwgh-Owt ȝoure lond ful hastilye,
Atte the Brigge to Iusten with A knyht
that was A Man Of so Mochel Myht.
and Al so sone as that I Myhte
harneys geten Of ȝoure dowhter so bryhte,
I me hyder hiede ful sone;
but I ne wyste how it gan gone,
For siker I ne scholde han Comen here
and I hadde knowen In Ony Manere
that it hadde been ȝowre persone,
I scholde ȝow han lefft here Alone,
For the grete benefit that I haue
Of ȝoure dowhter, so Crist hire save;
and þerfore, that I haue don be vnknowenge,
Of forȝevenesse I preye ȝow, sire kynge.”
I am here to-forn ȝow bothe man and knyht,
and I-born hennes A fer Contre,
Of Ierusalem, that Grete Cyte;
And therto, sire Piers it is My Name,
and Cristene I am, and Of that fame;
but me befyl An Aventure,
Sire kyng, ful Sikerly I ȝow Ensure,
so that I Entrede Into ȝowre Castel
Not longes Agon, I wot ful wel;
and ful Evel I was wonded before,
which that did me ful Mochel sore.
but, thanked be God and ȝoure dowhter so dere,
Al Myn Rekeur hadde I there,
and thorwgh A Cristene that is ȝowre presoner
whiche that ȝe In preson kepen ther.
For siker I wende to han ben ded
Of my wonde þat I hadde In that sted;
but, Gromesty God and that good Man,
Al hel and fers he Made me than.
298
thanne herde I tellen In that plas
how that ȝe A bane dyde Crye
thorwgh-Owt ȝoure lond ful hastilye,
Atte the Brigge to Iusten with A knyht
that was A Man Of so Mochel Myht.
and Al so sone as that I Myhte
harneys geten Of ȝoure dowhter so bryhte,
I me hyder hiede ful sone;
but I ne wyste how it gan gone,
For siker I ne scholde han Comen here
and I hadde knowen In Ony Manere
that it hadde been ȝowre persone,
I scholde ȝow han lefft here Alone,
For the grete benefit that I haue
Of ȝoure dowhter, so Crist hire save;
and þerfore, that I haue don be vnknowenge,
Of forȝevenesse I preye ȝow, sire kynge.”
and the kyng him forȝaf with-Owten Faylle
So þat with Marahan he wolde taken bataille.
thanne seide Piers to þe kyng Ageyn,
“Forto haven ȝowre love I wile Certeyn
putten my lyf In Aventure
Aȝens kyng Marahan, I ȝow Ensure.”
Thanne the kyng gan him behete
Many Gwerdoins bothe goode & grete,
and what thing that he wolde Crave,
thowgh his kyngdom, that he wolde haue:
but that he wolde For non thing
that kyng Marahan hadde knoweng
that ȝif A Cristene Man he were,
thanne Marahan nolde fyhte with him there;
“for thanne myhte he Refusen with-Owten faille
with ȝow to fyhten In bataylle;
For that ȝe ben not Of this lay,
þerfore he may ȝow refusen In fay.”
Anon Piers the kyng Ensured he
That Neuere discoverid schold it be.
So þat with Marahan he wolde taken bataille.
thanne seide Piers to þe kyng Ageyn,
“Forto haven ȝowre love I wile Certeyn
putten my lyf In Aventure
Aȝens kyng Marahan, I ȝow Ensure.”
Thanne the kyng gan him behete
Many Gwerdoins bothe goode & grete,
and what thing that he wolde Crave,
thowgh his kyngdom, that he wolde haue:
but that he wolde For non thing
that kyng Marahan hadde knoweng
that ȝif A Cristene Man he were,
thanne Marahan nolde fyhte with him there;
“for thanne myhte he Refusen with-Owten faille
with ȝow to fyhten In bataylle;
For that ȝe ben not Of this lay,
þerfore he may ȝow refusen In fay.”
299
That Neuere discoverid schold it be.
Thanne putten they here swerdis bothe vpe in fere,
and vndyr that Brygge Rested hem there,
In a gret deseise there bothe two,
Tyl that the day was Al A-go.
and whanne It was with-Inne the Nyht,
To hors bak they wenten A-Non Ryht,
and to the Castel gonnen they to go
that they bothen ferst Comen fro,
Al so prevyly as that they Myhte,
that they scholde Comen In non Mannes syhte,
Neþer non Man knowen Of here Comenge,
Sauf Only the steward Of the kynge
that Abod vppon hise lord,
Lyk As It Was be here Owne Acord;
and Anon there lyhten they Adown,
bothe the kyng and Ek Perown;
and they Onharmed hem þere Anon.
and vndyr that Brygge Rested hem there,
In a gret deseise there bothe two,
Tyl that the day was Al A-go.
and whanne It was with-Inne the Nyht,
To hors bak they wenten A-Non Ryht,
and to the Castel gonnen they to go
that they bothen ferst Comen fro,
Al so prevyly as that they Myhte,
that they scholde Comen In non Mannes syhte,
Neþer non Man knowen Of here Comenge,
Sauf Only the steward Of the kynge
that Abod vppon hise lord,
Lyk As It Was be here Owne Acord;
and Anon there lyhten they Adown,
bothe the kyng and Ek Perown;
and they Onharmed hem þere Anon.
the kyng Aftyr his dowhter sente thus son;
and whanne to-forn him that sche was gon,
the kyng his dowhter Axede Anon,
“damysele, he seide, knowe ȝe this knyht?”
sche wolde it haue I-heled with Al hire Myht:
“Nay, faire dowhter, haue ȝe non drede,
ȝe nede not hym to helen for this dede;
wherfore, I preye ȝow, dowhter dere,
That ȝif Evere ȝe Maden him Ony good chere,
that An hundred fold bettere ȝe now do,
For he to Me Aqwyteth hym so:
For the beste knyht Of þe world Is he,
And this day in bataille hat Ouercomen Me;
And More-Ouer to Me hath he mad Surawnce
with Marahans to fyhten Into the Owtraunce.”
and whanne to-forn him that sche was gon,
the kyng his dowhter Axede Anon,
“damysele, he seide, knowe ȝe this knyht?”
sche wolde it haue I-heled with Al hire Myht:
“Nay, faire dowhter, haue ȝe non drede,
ȝe nede not hym to helen for this dede;
wherfore, I preye ȝow, dowhter dere,
That ȝif Evere ȝe Maden him Ony good chere,
that An hundred fold bettere ȝe now do,
For he to Me Aqwyteth hym so:
For the beste knyht Of þe world Is he,
And this day in bataille hat Ouercomen Me;
And More-Ouer to Me hath he mad Surawnce
with Marahans to fyhten Into the Owtraunce.”
thanne that damysele Made gret Ioyeng
whanne he had hire told that tydyng;
and ȝif Evere sche dide hym Servise to-fore,
Aftyr sche dyde An hundred part More.
whanne he had hire told that tydyng;
300
Aftyr sche dyde An hundred part More.
Thanne leches weren sent Aftyr Anon
Alle here woundes to serchen Echon,
For þere-Offen hadden they gret plente
Of grete and smale, As they myhten se.
and whanne the leches gan hem beholde,
and hem serched ful Many folde,
they boden hem Abasched Nothing to be,
For Al hol scholden they ben sykerle;
and with-Inne xvj dayes & xvj Nyht
they scholde ben bothe Ioly & lyht,
so þat Er the day Come Of Bataylle,
Al heyl to been with-Owten faille.
Alle here woundes to serchen Echon,
For þere-Offen hadden they gret plente
Of grete and smale, As they myhten se.
and whanne the leches gan hem beholde,
and hem serched ful Many folde,
they boden hem Abasched Nothing to be,
For Al hol scholden they ben sykerle;
and with-Inne xvj dayes & xvj Nyht
they scholde ben bothe Ioly & lyht,
so þat Er the day Come Of Bataylle,
Al heyl to been with-Owten faille.
Thus Cam Sire Piers In knowelechinge
with kyng Orkaws with-Owten lesynge,
and Eche A day I-Served with Riche deynte
As thowh Ryht A kyng he hadde I-be.
And whanne the day of Bataille Aproched Ny,
They gonnen hem Arayen ful hastyly,
and to horsbak they gonne hem dyhte
with A gret Compenye, I ȝow plyhte,
and to Londone they Gonnen to Ryde,
To kepen here day þere At that tyde.
with kyng Orkaws with-Owten lesynge,
and Eche A day I-Served with Riche deynte
As thowh Ryht A kyng he hadde I-be.
And whanne the day of Bataille Aproched Ny,
They gonnen hem Arayen ful hastyly,
and to horsbak they gonne hem dyhte
with A gret Compenye, I ȝow plyhte,
and to Londone they Gonnen to Ryde,
To kepen here day þere At that tyde.
& whanne to Londone that they weren Gon,
there fownden kyng Marahans Anon
In the Cowrt to-forn kyng lucye,
his Apel there forto Complye.
whanne kynge lwcye kyng Orkaws say,
he hym Anon Axede with-Owten delay,
‘ȝif that the bataylle he wolde Entren there,
Othir Anothir for hym, as was þe Manere.’
there fownden kyng Marahans Anon
In the Cowrt to-forn kyng lucye,
his Apel there forto Complye.
whanne kynge lwcye kyng Orkaws say,
he hym Anon Axede with-Owten delay,
‘ȝif that the bataylle he wolde Entren there,
Othir Anothir for hym, as was þe Manere.’
Thanne Sire Piers, that was so dowhty A knyht,
To-forn hem Alle he presede Anon Ryht,
and Aȝens kyng Marahans put his Gage—
As A worthy knyht ful Of Corage—
For kyng Orkaws to fyhten there,
and him defende with schel[d] and spere.
Anon kyng Lwcye bothe here Gages took
with Ryht good wille, & not forsook.
To-forn hem Alle he presede Anon Ryht,
and Aȝens kyng Marahans put his Gage—
As A worthy knyht ful Of Corage—
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and him defende with schel[d] and spere.
Anon kyng Lwcye bothe here Gages took
with Ryht good wille, & not forsook.
Thanne they Of kyng Lucyes howshold
Comen to Enqweren be Manyfold
‘what he was that scholde Fyhte
Aȝens kyng Marahans þat was so wyhte;’
but non Man Of the kynges paleys there
Ne wisten not what Man Sire Piers were,
But that they seyden Amonges hem Alle
that he was A knyght Of kyng Orkaws halle.
“Now, Certein, quod Al that Compenye,
vs thinketh this knyht doth gret Folye,
Aȝens kyng Marahans þe bataylle to take,
that In Al this lond he ne hath non Make;
wherefore we supposen vtterlye
hym hadde ben bettere han left his Compenie.”
Thus telleden they of Perown there
that knewen ful lytel Of his Manere.
Comen to Enqweren be Manyfold
‘what he was that scholde Fyhte
Aȝens kyng Marahans þat was so wyhte;’
but non Man Of the kynges paleys there
Ne wisten not what Man Sire Piers were,
But that they seyden Amonges hem Alle
that he was A knyght Of kyng Orkaws halle.
“Now, Certein, quod Al that Compenye,
vs thinketh this knyht doth gret Folye,
Aȝens kyng Marahans þe bataylle to take,
that In Al this lond he ne hath non Make;
wherefore we supposen vtterlye
hym hadde ben bettere han left his Compenie.”
Thus telleden they of Perown there
that knewen ful lytel Of his Manere.
and whanne that Comen was the day of bataylle,
To-Gideris they sembleden with-Owten faylle,
So that there was be-twixen hem two
Many Crwel Strokes with peyne and Wo,
that Merveille it was forto beholde
the prowesse Of tho knyhtes so bolde;
and from it was pryme Of the day
they fowhten tyl it was past noon In fay;
For with gret prowesse & poyntes so fers
he gan him to defende from Sire Piers.
for whanne Marahans knew Of Pierses Myht,
he him defendyd with Many strong fyht;
but Atte laste Ende trewely
his defens ne vailled him not sekerly,
For Sire Piers hym slowhe there in the feeld,
and stille there lay ded vndir hys Scheld;
and there Sire Piers smot Of his hed,
& bar it to kyng lucye In that sted,
And seyde to hym In this Manere,
“Sire kyng, this dede haue I don here
to Aqwyten kyng Orkaws In this feeld
Of tresowne that Marahans him Apelyd.”
To-Gideris they sembleden with-Owten faylle,
So that there was be-twixen hem two
Many Crwel Strokes with peyne and Wo,
that Merveille it was forto beholde
the prowesse Of tho knyhtes so bolde;
and from it was pryme Of the day
they fowhten tyl it was past noon In fay;
For with gret prowesse & poyntes so fers
he gan him to defende from Sire Piers.
for whanne Marahans knew Of Pierses Myht,
he him defendyd with Many strong fyht;
but Atte laste Ende trewely
his defens ne vailled him not sekerly,
For Sire Piers hym slowhe there in the feeld,
and stille there lay ded vndir hys Scheld;
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& bar it to kyng lucye In that sted,
And seyde to hym In this Manere,
“Sire kyng, this dede haue I don here
to Aqwyten kyng Orkaws In this feeld
Of tresowne that Marahans him Apelyd.”
“Certes, sire,” quod kyng lucye tho,
“Ful worthily here, Syre, hauen ȝe do,
and Aqwyt ȝow In Alle degre
As A knyht ful Of Chevalre,
and here to-Fore Alle My Baronye
ȝe han ȝow qwyt Ful dowhtylye;
And On the beste knyht ȝit ȝe be
that Evere Sawh I, Certeynle;
wherfore, And it were to ȝow non Noysaunce,
I wolde han som Of ȝowre Aqweyntawnce.”
“Sire kyng, Gladliche it May wel be
that Myn Aqweyntaunce haven scholen ȝe;
but In this Contre I ne schal not Abyde,
Sauf As lytel As I May this Tyde.”
“Ful worthily here, Syre, hauen ȝe do,
and Aqwyt ȝow In Alle degre
As A knyht ful Of Chevalre,
and here to-Fore Alle My Baronye
ȝe han ȝow qwyt Ful dowhtylye;
And On the beste knyht ȝit ȝe be
that Evere Sawh I, Certeynle;
wherfore, And it were to ȝow non Noysaunce,
I wolde han som Of ȝowre Aqweyntawnce.”
“Sire kyng, Gladliche it May wel be
that Myn Aqweyntaunce haven scholen ȝe;
but In this Contre I ne schal not Abyde,
Sauf As lytel As I May this Tyde.”
and whanne kyng Lucye say it wolde not be,
that he not wolde taryen In that Contre,
thanne kyng Orkaws took he Asyde,
And preide hym that Ilke tyde
“that Er viij dayes fulfillyd were,
At ȝoure Castel I schal speken him there,
For Mochel desire I now trewelye
to knowen som Of his Chevalrye;
and Ek Aqweynted with him to be,
I sey ȝow, kyng Orkaws, ful sekerle.”
thanne kyng Orkaws Answeryd As þe hende,
“Sire, I hope there schole ȝe hym fynde.”
that he not wolde taryen In that Contre,
thanne kyng Orkaws took he Asyde,
And preide hym that Ilke tyde
“that Er viij dayes fulfillyd were,
At ȝoure Castel I schal speken him there,
For Mochel desire I now trewelye
to knowen som Of his Chevalrye;
and Ek Aqweynted with him to be,
I sey ȝow, kyng Orkaws, ful sekerle.”
thanne kyng Orkaws Answeryd As þe hende,
“Sire, I hope there schole ȝe hym fynde.”
Thus from Londone they departyd Anon,
And to his Owne Castel Gan he to gon,
So that kyng Orkaws ful Ioyful was,
and Ek Alle his Meyne In that plas,
Of his Speed and Of his Iorne
that was I-don At Londone Cyte.
And whanne to his Castel that he Cam,
Aȝens hem tho wente Many A Man,
& Of Sire Piers Maden ful gret Ioye there
that he hadde born hym In swich Manere,
For they knewen wel In Certayn
That a worthy knyght he hadde I-slayn.
And to his Owne Castel Gan he to gon,
So that kyng Orkaws ful Ioyful was,
and Ek Alle his Meyne In that plas,
303
that was I-don At Londone Cyte.
And whanne to his Castel that he Cam,
Aȝens hem tho wente Many A Man,
& Of Sire Piers Maden ful gret Ioye there
that he hadde born hym In swich Manere,
For they knewen wel In Certayn
That a worthy knyght he hadde I-slayn.
Whanne the thrydde day Was Agon,
thanne seide kyng Orkaws to Piers Anon,
“Sire Piers, ȝe han me don Good Servise,
And I Myhte it ȝow qwyten In Ony Gyse;
but Axeth Of Me what ȝe welen Crave,
and be my CreAwnce ȝe scholen it haue:
And ȝif it be In My powere,
what that Evere ȝe Axen here.”
“Sire, quod Piers Ageyn hym to,
Myn Askynge ȝe mown ful Esely do:
For non Good Of ȝowre ne wil I haue,
Nether Of non Richesse ne wil I Crave;
but On thing that ȝe wolde don for me
whiche schal profyten ȝow In Eche degre.”
thanne kyng Orkaws Answerid hym Ageyn
that he it wolde don In Certeyn.
thanne seide kyng Orkaws to Piers Anon,
“Sire Piers, ȝe han me don Good Servise,
And I Myhte it ȝow qwyten In Ony Gyse;
but Axeth Of Me what ȝe welen Crave,
and be my CreAwnce ȝe scholen it haue:
And ȝif it be In My powere,
what that Evere ȝe Axen here.”
“Sire, quod Piers Ageyn hym to,
Myn Askynge ȝe mown ful Esely do:
For non Good Of ȝowre ne wil I haue,
Nether Of non Richesse ne wil I Crave;
but On thing that ȝe wolde don for me
whiche schal profyten ȝow In Eche degre.”
thanne kyng Orkaws Answerid hym Ageyn
that he it wolde don In Certeyn.
“Now, Sire, non thing Ellis I Axe Of the,
but Cristene Man that thou wilt be,
and forsaken now thy fals lay
that thou hast worschepid Many A day;”
and be-gan him forto schewe
Of Cristes passiown with-Inne A throwe,
and the holy vangelye gan him vndo,
And Of Other poyntes Manye Mo;
so þat with-Inne two dayes Aftyr Sewynge
he browhte hem Alle to Cristenynge,
and Reneyeden the Sarasynes lay
that they hadden kept ful Many A day.
but Cristene Man that thou wilt be,
and forsaken now thy fals lay
that thou hast worschepid Many A day;”
and be-gan him forto schewe
Of Cristes passiown with-Inne A throwe,
and the holy vangelye gan him vndo,
And Of Other poyntes Manye Mo;
so þat with-Inne two dayes Aftyr Sewynge
he browhte hem Alle to Cristenynge,
and Reneyeden the Sarasynes lay
that they hadden kept ful Many A day.
304
and there sente he Aftyr An Ermyt Anon,
and lete hem Cristenen there Everichon.
thanne the kyng that Orkaws I-Clepid was,
his Name was torned In that plas,
and ‘Lamet’ In baptesme Clepid was he,
And his dowhter ‘Camylle’ Certeynle.
thanne, for the love Of the kyng,
they Of the Contre Maden gret Beldyng,
And A Cyte they gonne to Make,
And ‘Orkanye’ It Clepyd for his sake.
and lete hem Cristenen there Everichon.
thanne the kyng that Orkaws I-Clepid was,
his Name was torned In that plas,
and ‘Lamet’ In baptesme Clepid was he,
And his dowhter ‘Camylle’ Certeynle.
thanne, for the love Of the kyng,
they Of the Contre Maden gret Beldyng,
And A Cyte they gonne to Make,
And ‘Orkanye’ It Clepyd for his sake.
Whanne that Cristened Alle they were
For the Moste part In that Rem there,
Thanne kyng Lamet seyde In his wyse
To Sire Piers, that knyht Of pryse,
“Now, Sire Piers, Myn Owne Frende
that to Me han ben so good & hende,
Now that I have Fulfild to the
Alle that Evere thow hast Axed Of Me,
therfore, Sire, herteliche I ȝow preye
that myn Request ȝe welen not denye.”
thanne seide sire Piers ful Sekirly,
‘that his Reqwest he ne schold deny
ȝif that It were In his powere
Ony thing that he myhte don there.’
For the Moste part In that Rem there,
Thanne kyng Lamet seyde In his wyse
To Sire Piers, that knyht Of pryse,
“Now, Sire Piers, Myn Owne Frende
that to Me han ben so good & hende,
Now that I have Fulfild to the
Alle that Evere thow hast Axed Of Me,
therfore, Sire, herteliche I ȝow preye
that myn Request ȝe welen not denye.”
thanne seide sire Piers ful Sekirly,
‘that his Reqwest he ne schold deny
ȝif that It were In his powere
Ony thing that he myhte don there.’
“I ȝow beseche thanne, quod the kyng,
that ȝe wolden fulfillen now myn Axyng:
My dowhter Camylle that ȝe wolden take
To ȝowre wyf, Sire, for my sake;
For sche is I-comen Of kyng & qwene,
and þerto A good womman with-Owten wene;
And I schal ȝow Sesen In Al Myn lond,
and Maken hem Buxom to ȝowre hond;
& ȝyf thus, Sire Piers, it Myhte be,
there nas neuere thing so Ioyful to Me
as ȝow tweyne to ben knyt In Maryage,
So worthy persones Of so hy parage.”
thanne him Answerid Sire piers ful stille,
“Sire, sethen ȝe han fulfyld My wille,
ȝowre Askyng gladliche, Sire, wile I do,
I Sey ȝow Sykerle with-Owten Mo.”
that ȝe wolden fulfillen now myn Axyng:
My dowhter Camylle that ȝe wolden take
To ȝowre wyf, Sire, for my sake;
For sche is I-comen Of kyng & qwene,
and þerto A good womman with-Owten wene;
And I schal ȝow Sesen In Al Myn lond,
and Maken hem Buxom to ȝowre hond;
& ȝyf thus, Sire Piers, it Myhte be,
there nas neuere thing so Ioyful to Me
as ȝow tweyne to ben knyt In Maryage,
So worthy persones Of so hy parage.”
305
“Sire, sethen ȝe han fulfyld My wille,
ȝowre Askyng gladliche, Sire, wile I do,
I Sey ȝow Sykerle with-Owten Mo.”
Thanne the kyng thanked hym Often Sithe,
and Of that tydynge was Ioyful and blythe;
and thus sone he sente aftyr this Mayde
& tolde hire how this Gentyl knyht hadde saide,
So that Ensured thanne bothe they were,
And for the Mariages they Ordeyned there.
And happede that Aȝens the day Of weddynge
Thedyr was Comen Sire Lwcye the kynge,
and Merveillede that Alle I-Cristened weren there
In so schort tyme sethen to-gederis they were;
ȝit Neuertheles he desirede so Sore
To knowen Sire Piers And Of his lore,
and forto haven his Aqweyntawnce
he ne wolde not leven for Al this Chawnce.
and Of that tydynge was Ioyful and blythe;
and thus sone he sente aftyr this Mayde
& tolde hire how this Gentyl knyht hadde saide,
So that Ensured thanne bothe they were,
And for the Mariages they Ordeyned there.
And happede that Aȝens the day Of weddynge
Thedyr was Comen Sire Lwcye the kynge,
and Merveillede that Alle I-Cristened weren there
In so schort tyme sethen to-gederis they were;
ȝit Neuertheles he desirede so Sore
To knowen Sire Piers And Of his lore,
and forto haven his Aqweyntawnce
he ne wolde not leven for Al this Chawnce.
So that In the Cyte of Orkanye
was this Maryage ful Ryalye;
and there kyng Lwcye Abod viij dayes
Fulliche, As this Storye here Sayes,
To beren Sire Piers þere Compenye
that was so worthy In Chevalrye;
For the kyng him preisede so wel
Of Bewte & bounte Euerydel,
so that neuer wheche he Say
So Mochel him pleside be hys lay.
And Er the viij dayes I-past they were,
Sire Piers kyng Lwcye so preched there,
And Al his Compenye Ek therto
that thike tyme with hym comen tho,
& hem gan schewen Cristes lawe,
where-Offen kyng lwcye was ful fawe;
So that Cristened thanne wolde he be
be swych A Covenaunt As I schal tellen the,
with this, that Piers In Compenye
with kyng Lwcye wil holden Chevalrye;
And herto Swrawnce to þe kyng he Made,
where-Offen that Meyne weren ful glade;
and þat he wolde hym loven Aboven Alle Othir,
As love scholde ben be-twene brothir & brothir.
was this Maryage ful Ryalye;
and there kyng Lwcye Abod viij dayes
Fulliche, As this Storye here Sayes,
To beren Sire Piers þere Compenye
that was so worthy In Chevalrye;
For the kyng him preisede so wel
Of Bewte & bounte Euerydel,
so that neuer wheche he Say
So Mochel him pleside be hys lay.
And Er the viij dayes I-past they were,
Sire Piers kyng Lwcye so preched there,
And Al his Compenye Ek therto
that thike tyme with hym comen tho,
& hem gan schewen Cristes lawe,
where-Offen kyng lwcye was ful fawe;
So that Cristened thanne wolde he be
be swych A Covenaunt As I schal tellen the,
306
with kyng Lwcye wil holden Chevalrye;
And herto Swrawnce to þe kyng he Made,
where-Offen that Meyne weren ful glade;
and þat he wolde hym loven Aboven Alle Othir,
As love scholde ben be-twene brothir & brothir.
Thus kyng Lwcye there Cristened was
And his Meyne Also In that plas;
Thorwh the teching Of Sire Perown,
thus weren they Crestened Alle In-virown,
As witnesseth Sire Robert Borron here
that from latyn to Frensch translated this Matere.
and Ek the Olde Storye Recordeth Also
That In this Manere this was I-do;
And ȝit Neuertheles Brwtes Storye
Of Sire Piers ne Maketh non Memorye;
For it Is ful Syker, with-Owten dowte,
that he which In Romawnce this drow Owte,
he knew ful lytel Of Seynt Graal,
Owther Of the Storye Of Sank Ryal;
And therefore noman Merveille hym here
thowgh of Sire Piers he speketh not there;
but they ne Connen not hem Excuse,
Neuere owt Of this storye him to Refuse.
And his Meyne Also In that plas;
Thorwh the teching Of Sire Perown,
thus weren they Crestened Alle In-virown,
As witnesseth Sire Robert Borron here
that from latyn to Frensch translated this Matere.
and Ek the Olde Storye Recordeth Also
That In this Manere this was I-do;
And ȝit Neuertheles Brwtes Storye
Of Sire Piers ne Maketh non Memorye;
For it Is ful Syker, with-Owten dowte,
that he which In Romawnce this drow Owte,
he knew ful lytel Of Seynt Graal,
Owther Of the Storye Of Sank Ryal;
And therefore noman Merveille hym here
thowgh of Sire Piers he speketh not there;
but they ne Connen not hem Excuse,
Neuere owt Of this storye him to Refuse.
Ryht longe lyvede Sire Piers there
In worthinesse and strengthe, In diuers Manere;
and vppon his wyf there be-gat he
A worthy Eyr In Alle Maner degre;
And Herlawnt was that Childes Name,
A vayllawnt knyht, And Of gret Fame.
For whanne to harmes that he Cam,
he wax A worthy Chevalrows Man;
And whanne that Sire Piers ded was,
he Comaunded his Meyne In that plas
In Orkanye hym forto Entere,
In A Chirche Of Seynt Phelyp there;
that be his lyve he dyde Don Make
In Worschepe Of God And Seint Phelyppes sake;
and thus Entered there he was
with Mochel worschepe In that plas,
In worthinesse and strengthe, In diuers Manere;
and vppon his wyf there be-gat he
A worthy Eyr In Alle Maner degre;
And Herlawnt was that Childes Name,
A vayllawnt knyht, And Of gret Fame.
For whanne to harmes that he Cam,
he wax A worthy Chevalrows Man;
And whanne that Sire Piers ded was,
he Comaunded his Meyne In that plas
In Orkanye hym forto Entere,
In A Chirche Of Seynt Phelyp there;
307
In Worschepe Of God And Seint Phelyppes sake;
and thus Entered there he was
with Mochel worschepe In that plas,
and Aftyr his deth his sone harlan
the Regne Aftyr hym ReIoysched than,
and Anon kyng was Crowned there;
& þerto A good Man in Many Manere,
and wedded þe kynges dowhter Of Irland,
& On hire begat, As I vndirstond,
An Eyr that A kyng I-Crowned was,
A worthy knyht In Every plas,
hos Name was Callid Melyan,
that was A Chevalrows & A worthy Man.
the Regne Aftyr hym ReIoysched than,
and Anon kyng was Crowned there;
& þerto A good Man in Many Manere,
and wedded þe kynges dowhter Of Irland,
& On hire begat, As I vndirstond,
An Eyr that A kyng I-Crowned was,
A worthy knyht In Every plas,
hos Name was Callid Melyan,
that was A Chevalrows & A worthy Man.
and Of Melyan descended Anothir kyng,
A worthy Man In Alle thing
hos Name þat was Agristes,
A worthy Man In Every ples,
and þerto bothe wys and Redy;
and to his wyf A fayre lady,
A womman Gentyl & Of hy parage,
and þerto I-Comen Of gret lynage;
so that On hire begat an Eyr of fame,
kyng hedor Aftir was his name.
A worthy Man In Alle thing
hos Name þat was Agristes,
A worthy Man In Every ples,
and þerto bothe wys and Redy;
and to his wyf A fayre lady,
A womman Gentyl & Of hy parage,
and þerto I-Comen Of gret lynage;
so that On hire begat an Eyr of fame,
kyng hedor Aftir was his name.
and this hedor was On Of þe beste knyhtes
that Evere In Orkanye was In fyhtes,
& wedded þe kynges dowhter Of Northgales,
As In this Manere vs scheweth these tales;
And An Eyr On hire Engendred he
that Aftyr kyng was Of Orkane;
And kyng loot thanne was his Name,
A worthy Man & Of gret Fame;
& On Of kyng Arthures kyn weddede he,—
which was A man Of gret powste—
and sche was lady faire and gent.
& on hire he Engendrede verament
Foure sones ful trewelye,
As Recordith this Storye,—
Of wheche the ferste Gawneyns hyhte,
that was A worthy Man In fyhte,
but that luxoryows he was,
A gret vys In Every plas.
that Evere In Orkanye was In fyhtes,
& wedded þe kynges dowhter Of Northgales,
As In this Manere vs scheweth these tales;
And An Eyr On hire Engendred he
that Aftyr kyng was Of Orkane;
And kyng loot thanne was his Name,
A worthy Man & Of gret Fame;
& On Of kyng Arthures kyn weddede he,—
which was A man Of gret powste—
and sche was lady faire and gent.
& on hire he Engendrede verament
308
As Recordith this Storye,—
Of wheche the ferste Gawneyns hyhte,
that was A worthy Man In fyhte,
but that luxoryows he was,
A gret vys In Every plas.
The secund ne was not so worthy A knyht,
And Granayns be his Name he hyht,
and þerto A prowd Man was he,
but not to Comende for Chevalre.
And Granayns be his Name he hyht,
and þerto A prowd Man was he,
but not to Comende for Chevalre.
the thrydde brothir hyhte Gwerrehes,
A worthy Man In Every pres,
and longe Endurede In travaille;
but Atte laste with-Owten faille
Ful velenosly he was Slayn
be Boort Oþer lawncelot In Certeyn.
A worthy Man In Every pres,
and longe Endurede In travaille;
but Atte laste with-Owten faille
Ful velenosly he was Slayn
be Boort Oþer lawncelot In Certeyn.
The fowrthe brothir, was his Name
Gahenet, A man Of Fame.
this Gahenet was a worthy knyht,
bothe trewe and stedfast In Every fyht;
and this of the fowre bretheren wisest was,
this forseid Gahanet In every plas.
but ȝyt Cam he neuere to Gaweyn,
As this storye seyth Certein.
Gahenet, A man Of Fame.
this Gahenet was a worthy knyht,
bothe trewe and stedfast In Every fyht;
and this of the fowre bretheren wisest was,
this forseid Gahanet In every plas.
but ȝyt Cam he neuere to Gaweyn,
As this storye seyth Certein.
but thanne was there On Mordret,
that men Supposen hadde ben be-get
Be-twene kyng Loot and his wif;
but it was to-foren with-Owten stryf,
kyng Arthewr On his Soster Engendrid hym,
As Manye bokys it telleth In Rym;
For he wende the Maiden Of Yrland it hadde be,
whanne that to his Soster wente he.
and whanne that he knew Apertly
that with his Soster he hadde synned fleschly,
Thanne Repented they hem Wondir Sore
Of that dede they hadden don thore.
but this was Er he weddede Gonnore,
That A worthy lady was, and Of good lore.
that men Supposen hadde ben be-get
Be-twene kyng Loot and his wif;
but it was to-foren with-Owten stryf,
kyng Arthewr On his Soster Engendrid hym,
As Manye bokys it telleth In Rym;
For he wende the Maiden Of Yrland it hadde be,
whanne that to his Soster wente he.
309
that with his Soster he hadde synned fleschly,
Thanne Repented they hem Wondir Sore
Of that dede they hadden don thore.
but this was Er he weddede Gonnore,
That A worthy lady was, and Of good lore.
Now here Mown ȝe sen In Certeyn,
the Generacioun bothe hol and pleyn;
And how that Gaweyn Of þe lyne Cam
Of Iosephes Of Armathie, that Good Man;
and this Supposeth not the peple here;
but It is thus In Alle Manere.
the Generacioun bothe hol and pleyn;
And how that Gaweyn Of þe lyne Cam
Of Iosephes Of Armathie, that Good Man;
and this Supposeth not the peple here;
but It is thus In Alle Manere.
And now leveth here this Storye
& of Al this lyne ful Sekerlye,
and Only torneth to Iosephes Agayn
As here Aftyr ȝe scholen heren ful pleyn.
& of Al this lyne ful Sekerlye,
and Only torneth to Iosephes Agayn
As here Aftyr ȝe scholen heren ful pleyn.
| CHAPTER LII. OF PIERS'S ADVENTURES. HOW HE IS CURED, AND BEATS KING ORCAWS, KILLS KING MARAHANS, MARRIES CAMYLLE, BEGETS HERLAWNT, AND IS BURID. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |