Layamon: Brut Edited from British Museum Ms. Cotton Caligula A. IX and British Museum Ms. Cotton Otho C. XIII: By G. L. Brook and R. F. Leslie |
 | I, II. |
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 | Layamon: Brut |  |
Nv seið mid loft-songe þe wes on leoden preost.
al swa þe boc spekeð þe he to bisne inom.
þa Grickes hefden Troye mid teone bi-wonen.
& þat lond iwest & þa leoden of-slawen.
& for þe wrake-dome of Menelaus quene.
Elene was ihoten. alðeodisc wif.
þa Paris Alixandre mid pret-wrenche. bi-won.
for hire weoren on ane daȝe hund þousunt deade.
Vt of þan fehte þe was feondliche stor.
Eneas þe duc mid erm[ð]en at-wond.
Nefede he boten anne sune þe was mid him isund.
Asscanius was ihoten nefede he bern no ma.
& þes duc mid his drihte to þare sæ him droh.
of kunne & of folke þe fulede þan duke.
of monne & of ahte. þe he to þare sæ brouhte.
& tuenti gode scipen. he guðliche fulde.
& þa scipen foren wide ȝeon þare wintrede sæ.
mid wolcnen & mid wedere heo þoleden wen-siðes.
ant mid muchelure care heo to londe bicomen.
On Italiȝe heo comen to londe þar Rome nou on stondeð.
fele ȝer under sunnan nas ȝet Rome bi-wonnen.
& heuede Eneas þe duc mid his driht-folcke.
widen iwalken. ȝend þat wide water.
moni lond umbe-rowen redes him trokeden.
On Italiȝe he com on lond þat him was iqueme.
A þon londe he fund mete & he hine mid monscipe biwon.
& mid golde and mid gersume & he griðliche spac.
I þere Tyure he eode alond þer þa sea wasceð þat sond.
ful neh þan ilke stude þar Rome nou stondeð.
Þe king was ihoten Latin þe on þan londe wes.
hey wes and riche & he wes redesful.
mid wintre he wes bi-weaued. swo hit wolde Godd.
Þar com Eneas & grette þen alde king.
& he hine feire on-feng mid allen his folke.
Muche lond he him ȝef & mare him biheyte.
an-long þare sea siden & widen.
Þare quene hit of-þouhte noþeles heo hit þolede.
Þe king heuede ane douter þe him was swiþe deore.
Eneam he heo biheyte to habben to wife.
& after his daye al his drihliche lond.
for he nefde nenne sune þe sarure was his heorte.
Þat maiden wes ihoten Lauine seþen heo wes leodena quene.
feier wes þe wimmon & wunsum hire monnen.
Ah Turnus was ihoten þat wes of Tuskanne duc
þet lufede þet maiden & hire monscipe bed.
þat he heo wolde habben to heiȝen are quene.
Þa com þat word to him þat was widene cuð.
þat þe king Latin ȝef Lauine his douter.
Eneam to are brude for heo wes his deore bearn
Þa wes Turnus sari & soruful on his mode.
for he heo heuede swiþe ilofe[d] & luf-þing hire biheite.
Weorre makede Turnus mid teonen he wes idrefe[d].
wið Eneam he nom an feiht þat wes feondliche strong.
hond wið honde fuhten þa heȝe men.
Teone wes on compe þar Turnus feol.
mid mechen to-heawen his monscipe wes þe lasse.
Eneas nom Lauine leofliche to wife.
he wes king & heo quen & kine-lond heo welden.
inne griðe & inne friðe & freoliche loueden.
Seoþen Eneas Lauine heuede inomen & þa leodene bi-wnnen.
he makede enne stronge castel mid starke ston walle.
Lauine hehte his leuemon þene castel he clepede Lauinion.
þat wes for hire worðscipe wel þat he hire uþe.
Feour winter he heuede þat wif mid wrðscipe to welden.
after þa feourðe ȝere he was dead his freonden hit of-þuhten.
Heuede Lauine þa quene kinebearn on wombe.
þa quen þer-efter sone ænne sune hefde to froure.
Siluius Eneas for æ[ð]elen he wes ihoten.
Ascanius his broþer þe mid his fader com from Troie.
mid muchele worscipe þis kine-bearn bi-wiste.
Asscanius wes þes childes broþer ah heo nefden noht ane moder.
His moder wes ihoten Creusa Priames kinges dohter.
þe Eneas his fader in Troie for-leas.
inne þane fehte his feon heo him binomen.
Asscanius heold þis drihliche lond daiȝes & ȝeres.
& he makede ane heȝe burh Albe Lingoe wes ihaten.
Þa burh wes wel iȝarwed binnen lut ȝearen.
he ȝef heo his stepmoder for þon lofe of his broþer.
& Lauinion þene castel & muchel lond þar-to.
þe his fader hefde imaked þe wile þe he on liue wes.
þis lond he hire lende þat come hir lifes ende.
Ah heo nom þene mahum þe heo tolden for godd.
þe Eneas mid his ferde brohte from Troie.
In Albe Lingue he hine sette ah sone he þonene iuatte.
forð aȝein mid þan winde þe Feond hine ferede.
Asscanius þe kene þe wes i kinges stude.
four & þritti winter he heold þat lond
& þa leoden mid blissen.
Þa com his lifes ende lað þah him were.
Siluium his broþer þe wes Lauine sune.
he bitahte al þat lond þat Eneas heore fader hefde on hond.
Ænne sune heuede Asscanius. þe wes ihaten Siluius.
þis child hefde his eames nome ah lut ȝer he leouede.
for his ahne sune seoþen hine sceat to deaþe.
Þa þis child was feir muche þa luuede he a maide.
þeo was Lauine mawe mid darnscipe he heo luuede.
Hit iwerð þere swa hit deð wel iwere.
þat þeos ȝunge wiman iwerd hire mid childe.
þe ȝet leouede Asscanius þe on þan londe was duc.
Vnder-ȝetene weren þe þinges. þat þeo wimon was mid childe.
Þa sende Asscanius þe wes lauerd & dux.
after heom ȝend þat lond þe cuþen dweomerlakes song.
witen he wolde þurh þa wiþer-craftes.
wat þing hit were þat þeo wimon hefde on wombe.
Heo wrpen heore leoten þe Scucke wes bi-tweonen.
heo funden on þen crefte carefule leoðes.
þet þeo wimon was mid ane sune þat wes a selcuð bearn.
þat boa sculde fallen fader & his moder.
þorh him heo sculden deiȝen & þene deað þolien.
& þurh his ealdren deð idreuen out of londe.
& umben longne first mid wrðscipe comen liðen.
Þo leoten weren iworpen & swa hit al iwearð.
Þa þe time com. þat þe cnaue wes iboren
in þere burhe. þa brude dead iwearð.
þe child wes iboren isund to baluen his moder.
Þat child was ihaten Brutus þat bearn nas nowit feie.
Þis child leuede & wel iþei & þeweas hit luuede.
He was fiftene ȝer ald þa he to wode ferde.
& his fader mid him & feie-sið makede.
Heo funden ane heorde of heorten swiðe greate.
þe fader heo bi-eode to his aȝre unneode.
To his sune he heo draf him-seolfue to balewe.
Brutus sette on his flo
he wende to sceoten þat hea der & ihitte his aȝene fader.
þurh-ut þere broste. wao wes Brutus þer-fore.
Wa wes him on liue þa þe fader wes on deaðe.
Þa þat iherde his kun þe he of icumen wes.
þat he þe flo heuede idrawen & his fader of-slawen.
heo hine flemden out of þane londe.
& he iwende sorhful ouer sea-streames.
into Griclonde þer he his cun funde.
of þan folck of Troye þe mid teonen wes to-drefed.
þere quene cun Heleine þes kinges sune Priami.
& muchel folc of his þeoden ah al heo weren þeowe.
& of his aȝne kunne moni kineborene mon.
Moni ȝer was agan seo[ð]ðen his cun hider com.
þa wepmen weren iwexan þa wimen wel iþowene.
& heore nutene neotsume weren
Nes Brutus i þon londe bute lutel ane wile.
þat alle monnen he wes leof & muchele monscipe biwon.
for cniht he was swiþe god þan folke to queme.
he was mete-custi þat is monscipe steor.
Alle monnen he was leof þe him lokeden on.
heo him ȝeuen gersume & feire hine gretten.
heo seiden him mid rede & mid stilliche runen.
ȝif he were swa þriste & he hit don durste.
þat he heom wolde leaden out of þane leoden.
out of þeowedome freo þat heo weoren.
heo hine wolden maken duc & deme ofer his folke.
We habbeð seoue þusun[d] of gode cnihten.
wið-outen wifmen þe noht ne cunnen of wepnen.
children & hinen þa ure nete sculen ȝemen.
For muchel we wlleð driȝen & habben care of ure life.
ær we nulleð mid frescipe faren from ure feonden.
Alle þe weren at þisse reade biluuede þeos runen.
Inne Griclonde was a ȝung mon of þriti ȝeren.
Assaracus ihaten of swi[ð]e heie kunne.
al swa þe boc spekeð þe he to bisne inom.
þa Grickes hefden Troye mid teone bi-wonen.
& þat lond iwest & þa leoden of-slawen.
& for þe wrake-dome of Menelaus quene.
Elene was ihoten. alðeodisc wif.
þa Paris Alixandre mid pret-wrenche. bi-won.
for hire weoren on ane daȝe hund þousunt deade.
Vt of þan fehte þe was feondliche stor.
Eneas þe duc mid erm[ð]en at-wond.
Nefede he boten anne sune þe was mid him isund.
Asscanius was ihoten nefede he bern no ma.
& þes duc mid his drihte to þare sæ him droh.
of kunne & of folke þe fulede þan duke.
of monne & of ahte. þe he to þare sæ brouhte.
& tuenti gode scipen. he guðliche fulde.
& þa scipen foren wide ȝeon þare wintrede sæ.
mid wolcnen & mid wedere heo þoleden wen-siðes.
ant mid muchelure care heo to londe bicomen.
On Italiȝe heo comen to londe þar Rome nou on stondeð.
fele ȝer under sunnan nas ȝet Rome bi-wonnen.
& heuede Eneas þe duc mid his driht-folcke.
widen iwalken. ȝend þat wide water.
moni lond umbe-rowen redes him trokeden.
On Italiȝe he com on lond þat him was iqueme.
A þon londe he fund mete & he hine mid monscipe biwon.
& mid golde and mid gersume & he griðliche spac.
I þere Tyure he eode alond þer þa sea wasceð þat sond.
ful neh þan ilke stude þar Rome nou stondeð.
Þe king was ihoten Latin þe on þan londe wes.
hey wes and riche & he wes redesful.
mid wintre he wes bi-weaued. swo hit wolde Godd.
Þar com Eneas & grette þen alde king.
& he hine feire on-feng mid allen his folke.
Muche lond he him ȝef & mare him biheyte.
an-long þare sea siden & widen.
Þare quene hit of-þouhte noþeles heo hit þolede.
5
Eneam he heo biheyte to habben to wife.
& after his daye al his drihliche lond.
for he nefde nenne sune þe sarure was his heorte.
Þat maiden wes ihoten Lauine seþen heo wes leodena quene.
feier wes þe wimmon & wunsum hire monnen.
Ah Turnus was ihoten þat wes of Tuskanne duc
þet lufede þet maiden & hire monscipe bed.
þat he heo wolde habben to heiȝen are quene.
Þa com þat word to him þat was widene cuð.
þat þe king Latin ȝef Lauine his douter.
Eneam to are brude for heo wes his deore bearn
Þa wes Turnus sari & soruful on his mode.
for he heo heuede swiþe ilofe[d] & luf-þing hire biheite.
Weorre makede Turnus mid teonen he wes idrefe[d].
wið Eneam he nom an feiht þat wes feondliche strong.
hond wið honde fuhten þa heȝe men.
Teone wes on compe þar Turnus feol.
mid mechen to-heawen his monscipe wes þe lasse.
Eneas nom Lauine leofliche to wife.
he wes king & heo quen & kine-lond heo welden.
inne griðe & inne friðe & freoliche loueden.
Seoþen Eneas Lauine heuede inomen & þa leodene bi-wnnen.
he makede enne stronge castel mid starke ston walle.
Lauine hehte his leuemon þene castel he clepede Lauinion.
þat wes for hire worðscipe wel þat he hire uþe.
Feour winter he heuede þat wif mid wrðscipe to welden.
after þa feourðe ȝere he was dead his freonden hit of-þuhten.
Heuede Lauine þa quene kinebearn on wombe.
þa quen þer-efter sone ænne sune hefde to froure.
6
Ascanius his broþer þe mid his fader com from Troie.
mid muchele worscipe þis kine-bearn bi-wiste.
Asscanius wes þes childes broþer ah heo nefden noht ane moder.
His moder wes ihoten Creusa Priames kinges dohter.
þe Eneas his fader in Troie for-leas.
inne þane fehte his feon heo him binomen.
Asscanius heold þis drihliche lond daiȝes & ȝeres.
& he makede ane heȝe burh Albe Lingoe wes ihaten.
Þa burh wes wel iȝarwed binnen lut ȝearen.
he ȝef heo his stepmoder for þon lofe of his broþer.
& Lauinion þene castel & muchel lond þar-to.
þe his fader hefde imaked þe wile þe he on liue wes.
þis lond he hire lende þat come hir lifes ende.
Ah heo nom þene mahum þe heo tolden for godd.
þe Eneas mid his ferde brohte from Troie.
In Albe Lingue he hine sette ah sone he þonene iuatte.
forð aȝein mid þan winde þe Feond hine ferede.
Asscanius þe kene þe wes i kinges stude.
four & þritti winter he heold þat lond
& þa leoden mid blissen.
Þa com his lifes ende lað þah him were.
Siluium his broþer þe wes Lauine sune.
he bitahte al þat lond þat Eneas heore fader hefde on hond.
Ænne sune heuede Asscanius. þe wes ihaten Siluius.
þis child hefde his eames nome ah lut ȝer he leouede.
for his ahne sune seoþen hine sceat to deaþe.
Þa þis child was feir muche þa luuede he a maide.
þeo was Lauine mawe mid darnscipe he heo luuede.
Hit iwerð þere swa hit deð wel iwere.
þat þeos ȝunge wiman iwerd hire mid childe.
þe ȝet leouede Asscanius þe on þan londe was duc.
Vnder-ȝetene weren þe þinges. þat þeo wimon was mid childe.
Þa sende Asscanius þe wes lauerd & dux.
after heom ȝend þat lond þe cuþen dweomerlakes song.
witen he wolde þurh þa wiþer-craftes.
wat þing hit were þat þeo wimon hefde on wombe.
Heo wrpen heore leoten þe Scucke wes bi-tweonen.
heo funden on þen crefte carefule leoðes.
8
þat boa sculde fallen fader & his moder.
þorh him heo sculden deiȝen & þene deað þolien.
& þurh his ealdren deð idreuen out of londe.
& umben longne first mid wrðscipe comen liðen.
Þo leoten weren iworpen & swa hit al iwearð.
Þa þe time com. þat þe cnaue wes iboren
in þere burhe. þa brude dead iwearð.
þe child wes iboren isund to baluen his moder.
Þat child was ihaten Brutus þat bearn nas nowit feie.
Þis child leuede & wel iþei & þeweas hit luuede.
He was fiftene ȝer ald þa he to wode ferde.
& his fader mid him & feie-sið makede.
Heo funden ane heorde of heorten swiðe greate.
þe fader heo bi-eode to his aȝre unneode.
To his sune he heo draf him-seolfue to balewe.
Brutus sette on his flo
he wende to sceoten þat hea der & ihitte his aȝene fader.
þurh-ut þere broste. wao wes Brutus þer-fore.
Wa wes him on liue þa þe fader wes on deaðe.
Þa þat iherde his kun þe he of icumen wes.
þat he þe flo heuede idrawen & his fader of-slawen.
heo hine flemden out of þane londe.
& he iwende sorhful ouer sea-streames.
into Griclonde þer he his cun funde.
of þan folck of Troye þe mid teonen wes to-drefed.
þere quene cun Heleine þes kinges sune Priami.
& muchel folc of his þeoden ah al heo weren þeowe.
& of his aȝne kunne moni kineborene mon.
Moni ȝer was agan seo[ð]ðen his cun hider com.
þa wepmen weren iwexan þa wimen wel iþowene.
& heore nutene neotsume weren
Nes Brutus i þon londe bute lutel ane wile.
þat alle monnen he wes leof & muchele monscipe biwon.
for cniht he was swiþe god þan folke to queme.
he was mete-custi þat is monscipe steor.
Alle monnen he was leof þe him lokeden on.
heo him ȝeuen gersume & feire hine gretten.
heo seiden him mid rede & mid stilliche runen.
ȝif he were swa þriste & he hit don durste.
þat he heom wolde leaden out of þane leoden.
10
heo hine wolden maken duc & deme ofer his folke.
We habbeð seoue þusun[d] of gode cnihten.
wið-outen wifmen þe noht ne cunnen of wepnen.
children & hinen þa ure nete sculen ȝemen.
For muchel we wlleð driȝen & habben care of ure life.
ær we nulleð mid frescipe faren from ure feonden.
Alle þe weren at þisse reade biluuede þeos runen.
Inne Griclonde was a ȝung mon of þriti ȝeren.
Assaracus ihaten of swi[ð]e heie kunne.
His fader wes a Gric ikoren ah his moder wes of Troien iboren.
& heo wes a cheuese hire cheap wes þe wrse.
Noþelas hit ilomp inne lut ȝere.
þat þe fader wes dead his duȝeðe he bi-lefde.
He ȝef Assaracum his sune sele þreo castles.
& al þat ligginde lond þe þer-abuten lei.
Assaracus heuede enne broþer þe wes under wedlac iboren
after þen heðene tidende þe wes in þan londe.
Þes cniht hefde his fader lond & loð him wes his broþer.
for he heold þe stronge castles þurh staðele his fader ȝefe.
His broþer heo him wolde bi-nimen ah he ne mihte speden.
þar aros wal[e] & win & wiðer-heppes feola.
Assaracus wes god cniht wið Grickes he heold moni fiht.
ah he hefde muchele strengþe of meren his cunne.
of þan Troyscen monnen þe weren his moder isib.
for þare sibe-laȝe luue hem wes bi-tweonen.
Assaracus hit redde mid diȝenliche runen.
þat þat Troynisce folc mid his fulle fultume.
nomen þene cniht Brutun & makeden hine to duke.
& he heora monredne mid monscipe on-feng.
He sende his sonde wide ȝend þane londe.
he heihte his folc sumunen & cumen to him-seoluen.
wapmen & wifmen þa weoleȝen & þa weaðlen.
alle he heom sumunde & to wode sende.
bote seoue þusend kempen þa he in-to þane castlen dude.
Þa lette he riden vnirimed folc.
bi-ȝeoten wepnen & mete muchel wes þa neode.
& al þat smale mon-kun he dude ȝeond þea muntes.
& him-self mid his ferde bi-foren & bi-hinden.
Seoþen he nom to rede & to som-runen.
þat he an wriht makede al mid wisdome.
Pandrasum þene king he grette mid greiðlicre speche.
& þat wriht he him sende & þeos word seaide.
For þan weorldes scome & for þan muchele grome.
þat Dardanisc kun þe we beoð of icomene.
woneð in þisse londe leode to sconde.
inne þeowe-dome þrel-werkes doð.
heo beoð to-gadere icumene kuðies mæȝes.
al swa þat ilke folc þe freoscipe wole bi-winne.
Heo habbe[ð] idemed þat ich am duc ofer heom.
Ich abbe i min castlen seoue þusend kempen.
ich habbe in þane munten monie þusund.
Leouere heom his to libben bi þan wode-roten.
al swa þat wilde swin þat wroteð ȝeond þan grouen.
þane heo þine þeowedomes lengre iþolien.
Ȝif heo wlle[ð] frescipe bi-winnen ne wndre þou nawiht þer-fore.
heo biddeð þe mid freonscipe þat þu heom ifreoie.
Þes word he sendeð al swa þe wriht þe seið.
þat heo moten wonien wer-swa heo wolleð.
inne griðe & in friðe & heo wlleð þe freonscipe don.
Ȝif þou þis nult iþolien þe scal beon þa wrse.
Þe king nom þat writ on hond & he hit wrodliche bi-heold.
seolcu[ð] him þuhte swulcere speche.
Þa he alles spac mid þræte he spilede.
To wroþer heore hele habbeð heo such werc i-don.
Mine þralles i mire þeode me suluen þretiað.
Wide he sende ȝeond þat lond for he wes leoden king.
þat come to hirede riche men & weðlen.
al þat wapmon-cun þa mihte beren wæpen.
vppen lif & uppen leomen al þes londes folc.
an horsen & an foten forð heo ifusten.
Þe king þræted Brutun swa he dude Assaracun.
þat he heom wolde biliggen mid laðen heora feonden.
Ȝif he heom mihte bi-winnen mid his wored-strencðe.
alle heo sculden hongien on heȝe treowen.
Brutus iherde seggen al swa hit soð wæs.
þat Pandrasus þe king him towardes com.
mid muchelere ferde. ah heo weren summe faie.
Brutus nom to reade þat him best was.
He nom his kene men þa to compe weren gode.
he ferde to þan wode to þan wilderne.
to þan ilke weie þe he ful ȝeare wuste.
þat þe king mid his ferde forð sculde iwenden.
Brutus hefede gode cnihtes to neode.
þre þusund mid him ilead to þære þruppe.
Þe king him com riden mid riche his folke.
Brutus heom smat on mid his grime smite.
isowte he þe Grickes mid his grim ræsen.
Þa Grickes neoren noht warre of heore wensiðe.
wenden him þeo rugges flowen haȝe men.
Achalon heihte an flum þe nes noht feor from heom.
þider in iwenden moni þusunde.
Brutus heom com æfter & æfer he heom leide on.
mid sweord & mid spere al he to-drof þes kinges here.
a londe & a watere he heom adun leaide.
& þe king him-self fleh he iseih his frend fallen.
Muchel folc þer was of-sclawen on moniare wisen.
Þe king hefde ænne broðer neafde he nenne oðer.
Antigonus wes ihoaten inne Gric-londe he wes heh.
Iseih his broðer ferden hu heo iuaren weren.
a wætere & a londe swa heom læðest wes.
Antigonus mid his weapnen & mid his wæl-kempen
iwenden toward Brutun to his bale-siðe.
Heo comen to-gadere mid greatere heorte.
Þar he mihte bi-halden þe bi-halues were.
moni wensiðes wiþer-happes feol[e].
moni heaued moni hond fallen to foten.
monie þar fuhten monie flæm makeden.
monie þar feollen þurh heora feon-ðewæs.
Þa Troysse men sloȝen. al þa Grickes þea heo neih comen.
Þer Brutus nom Antigonun þes kinges broþer Pandrasum.
mid him he hine lædde for leof he him wes to habben.
He hine leatte wel witen mid wnder stronge benden.
& al-swa his iferen þe mid him ifunden weren.
Þat iherde þe king Pandrasus hit neas him noht iqueme.
þat Antigonus his broþer wes in armliche benden.
Þe king sende swa wide swa ileste his riche.
& heihte eulne mon þe mihte riden oþer gan.
þat heo comen mid him to þane castle of Sparatin.
Nes castel nan swa strong i þon londe of Griclond.
He wende hit to soþe soð þeh hit neore.
þat Brutus hefde þa men þe he mid fihte biwon.
idon into þan castle & þear heom quic heolde.
& him-seolf þer forð mide for þære muchele biȝæte.
Ah Brutus dude betere read & him þa beth ilomp.
In þon castle he dude hende six hundred of his cnihten.
him-self mid his fenge he to wode ferde.
Þe king to þan castle forð mid his ferde
þer he lei abuten þar-inne weren his laðe feond.
His ferde he sette on ælchere siden.
ofte heo ræsden & ræmden to-gadere.
mid stelene orde & mid starka biten.
mid stocken & mid stanen stal-fiht heo makeden.
mid Grickisce fure feollen þæ fæie.
þar was muchel blod-gute baluwe þer wes riue.
Þa cnihtes of þan castle quic-liche heom wið-stoden.
þaet ne mihte þes kinges folc of heom fael makien.
ah þe king of his monnen monie þusend læs.
Þe king wes on mode sar þat wes for his monne lure.
He tæh hine aȝein ane þrowe & þreateð þene castel.
& þat folc þer-inne þenne he hit hefde bi-wnnen.
þat he heom wolde quellen oþer quic al for-brennen.
He lette makien enne dic þe wes wnderliche deop.
abouten his ferde & feiede heo mid þornen.
& leai þer-abuten & abat his bale-siðes.
Þe king wes swiðe wrað & swar muchelne oað.
þat nolde he þonne faren ar his feo[n]den feie weore.
I þon castle weoren monie men & muchel mete þer bihofede.
þe mete forð iwat for þer fengen feole to.
Heo nomen ænne ærendrake þe æðele wes to neode.
heo senden to heore læuerde þa leof heom wes on heorten.
Heo hine gretten mid godene heore worden.
heo beden hine come to helpe mid allen his strengðe.
þe wile þe heo weren isunde þe weren his sele men.
Brutus hine bi-þohte of swlchere neode.
& þas word seide mid soþere heorte.
He deð him-selua freoma þa helpeð his freondene.
swa ich wlle mine bi mine quicke liue.
Þa wes þere a wel-ibore mon Anacletus wes ihaten.
mid þes kinges broðer he was itaken & þer læi inne benden.
Brutus him ræmde to mid grimmen his rasen.
bi þone toppe he hine nom al-swa he hine walde of-slean.
& his nakede sweord leide on his necke.
& þas word saide Brutus þe sele.
Niðing þou ært al dead buten þou do mine read.
& þi læuerd al-swa bote þu min lare do.
ah ȝif þu wlt þu miht wel helpen inc seluen.
Lauerd quað Anacletus don ic wille þine lare.
help mine lauerd & me mid alle mire mihten.
Do swa quad Brutus & þe scal beon þe bet.
ȝe sculen habben lif & leomen & beon mine leofe freond.
Brutus him swar an æð breken þat he hit nælde.
Þus seide Brutus þe wes cniht mid þane beste.
Anacletus leofe freond to-niht þu scalt faren.
a þeon time bið best þonne men gað to bedde.
þu scalt forð wenden to þas kinges ferde.
Wonne þu comest to þon cnihten þat þene king bi-witeð.
þær þu findest seouen houndred þa hæleðes beoð kene.
& þu heom clepe to & cuðliche wið heom spec.
Ich am Anacletus ich am mid ærmðen abroken.
vt of þon benden þe Brutus me heuede on idon.
& ȝet ich ou sigge on oþer ibrout ich habbe þes kinges broþer.
vt of þon quarcerne of þan quale-huse.
þær Brutus hin hefde idon for to-marewene he hine wolde an-hon.
& ich hine habbe idon i þisse [w]ude derne.
Cnihtes fuseð me mid leteð slæpen þene king.
& fare we on sele riht al swo stille.
stelen swa we wolden
& ich eou wlle leden forð to mine lauerde.
i þon wode-rime þer he vnder rise lið.
Ȝif ȝe hine mawen bringen bi-foren ure kinge.
wel bið him þere bringe oeu bið þe beð þer-fore.
& for he is his broðer for nafð he nenne oþer.
Cuð he wes þen cnihten & heo hine i-cneowen.
heo wenden þat his sawen soðe weren.
ah alle heo weren lease for he wes his leodene swike.
Nis nawer nan so wis mon þat me ne mai bi-swiken.
Anacletus ferde bi-foren þe cnihtes him fuleden.
ferde æfter ane bache al-swa Brutus him hefde itaiht.
Brutus hæfde his folc bi-foren & bi-hinden.
Wes þe wei holh & long þa [c]lude weren stronge.
Brutus heom ræsde to mid richere strengðe.
alle to-gadere he heom nom nane he ne lafde.
summe he sloh summe he bond þa beste quike he at-heold.
& alle he heom bi-wuste swa him best þuhte.
Brutus nom his ferde on feowre he heo to-dælde.
& he hehte alle his men monscipe biwinnen.
[þ]a ȝunge & þa alde æðela iwurðen.
wihte wal-kempen on heora wiðer-winnan.
& an hihinga faren to þan kinge.
& ich for-beode heolde mine þeinen.
vppe þere muchele lufe þe us bi-tueiȝen lið.
þat nan ne beo so wilde nan swa unwitti.
þat word talie ne talkie mid speche.
ær he ihere minne horn mid græte hiue blowen.
For mi-self ich wlle teo to-foren to telde þas kinges.
anan swa ich lihte of blonken swa ich wlle blawen.
anan swa ȝe hi[t] i-hereð hende mine kempen.
oht-liche heom slæð on & weccheð heom of slepa.
leteð þa Grickisca gliden to grunde
fallen þa feie for heo beð vre fulle fan.
Duden alle þa cnihtes swa Brutus heom taute.
& he him-seolf teih bi-foren to telde þæs kinges.
Of his horse he þreou his horn he vastliche bleu.
Iherden hit Troynisce & tuhten to þon Gricken.
heo heom aweihten mid heora wæles igrure.
Þar fluwen haueden on felde fæiðe þer feollen.
moni hond moni fot þe hæp wæs þe wrse.
Moni þusend þer flowen þærmes heo droȝen.
& Brutus mid his cnihten þene king ifeng.
al ihal & al isund heihliche he cleopede.
Ich habbe þisses folkes king fælleð his leoden.
Ne lete ȝe nenne quick quecchen to holte.
& iche wlle þesne king læden mid me seolfan.
Þar Brutus bi-feng al þat him bi-foren wes.
Sparatin he aredde heh an his castel.
A-marewen þa hit dai wes & þa niht to-dælde.
Brutus sumunde his folc heo weren his fulle freonde.
he heihte for his lufe al his leode-ferde.
þat heo nomen þat [w]æ[l] & wel hit biburiede.
inne deope seaðen setten þa deade.
& hit wes sone idon for monie þusend þer-to fengen.
Al þa biȝetene æhte he delde his cnihten.
& alle his leoue men he mid monscipe grette.
Þa al þis wes i-don þa dude he on oþer.
he lette an heh climben & lude clepian.
þat on þane daȝe amarwen come his drihtliche folc.
& alle his heȝe men comen to hustinge.
& heo swa duden blisse wes on daie.
Þat folc com to-gadere guðliche cnihtes.
& heora lauerd spac & þus heom wið spelede.
Lusteð mine cnihtes lusteð mine leofe men.
Suggeð me to runun. ræd þat eou þunche
Ich habbe þesne leod-king ileid in mine benden.
& his broðer al-swa hit is þe bet mid us.
& his leoden of-slawen ihc am him þa laðere.
& alle his ahte iȝeuen mine æðelinge.
Ȝif ȝe hit rædeð ȝe beo[ð] mine riche men.
ich wulle mid swerde his heue[d] of swippen.
& ȝif ȝe hit wille[ð] ich hine wlle spillen.
& ȝif ȝe me readeð ich hine wille freoien.
ȝif he me ȝefeð gersume gold & seoluer.
alle his maðmas wið þon þa he mote libben.
Þa ansuereden æðela cnihtes.
Summen hit weora iqueme þat heo hine sculden quellen.
him-seolf habben þat lond & beon þere leodene king.
Summe queðen ælles & þus þa quides eoden.
Ȝeue us þe king & al his gold & þa maðmes of his lond.
ȝef us peal ȝeue us hors ȝeue us haihe scrud.
ȝeue us ænne ende of his kine-londe.
ȝeue us ȝislæs þer-to & þis mei beon wel idon.
Þer wes moni riche mon þe cuðe lutel reden.
weðer heom weore wnsumre to faren þe to wonien.
Þa wile þe heo tweoneden þus clepede Membricius.
þet wes a riche mon þe wes swiðe wel idon.
wys & witful wel he hit cudde.
Wet speke ȝe cnihtes wet speke ȝe kempen.
Vn[d]er eou alle nis þar nan swa god.
þa ȝet habbe isæid þat us is selest to don.
Ȝif ȝe hit lusten wlle Brutus mi lauard.
& ȝe alle biluuien gode mine lare.
ich eou wlle seggen selast ræden.
& þa ansuerede al þat folc Faihn we wllen hit iheren.
Þa quað Membricius ludere stefne.
Ȝirne we to þane kinge ȝeuen suiðe gode
þat is alreforwarde þat he us ifreoie.
Sone þar-after ȝurne we his dohter.
þat he heo ȝeue ure lauerde Brutun to his bedde.
of his corne he us ȝeue swa muchel þat we beon iquemed.
gold & garsume & his gode hors.
& al his beste mæte-cun þe his men habbeð.
& alle þa liðinde scipen þe on his londe beoð.
& alle þat bi-houeð þa scipen to driuen.
of monnen & of wapnen þat we mawen wel faren.
fare uorð ouer sæ sel þat we wrðen.
& liðen swa longe þat we to londe comen.
varen wide ȝeond þat lond & fondia þeo leoden.
wer us beo iqueme king þat we makien.
of Brute ure lauerde þe is best of us.
and Ignoien to quen þe is þis kinges dohter.
For ȝif we hit ȝeorneð to wonien her mid Gricken.
heo beoð ure fulle feond for we beoð ifead wi[ð] heom.
for heora kun we habbet islaȝen in eorðe heo sleopeð.
we beoð heom loaðe for heora muchele lure.
heo wlleð us biwiȝelien þurh heora wiðere-craftes.
a swa heom beoð iwrð swa us wrse bið.
for mid ure wepnen heora kun we aqueald habbeð.
mid ure honden monie þusunde.
Ȝif we sceoteð to heora mæðe þat bið ure imone deað.
ȝif we heom ilefeð þat bið ure muchele lure.
ȝif heo wel wexit heo wlleð wonien us.
Wel ich hit mai suggen to soþe ich hit wene.
nis þar nan swa heih nis þar nan swa laih.
þat we nabbet his freond ifelled to grunde.
For þon ȝif hit eow bi-loueð þe wise beoð on þonke.
fare we from þisse londe þa leodene us beoð laþe.
Al heora god we sculen nimen & lutel hem læuen.
wonien heo sculen un-balde for hora muchela bursten.
& we mæwen faren riche ȝif we ræd luuieð.
for al þat god of þisse londe we sculen leden mid us.
& heo bi-læuen wrecches & wælde heom scal fulien.
for þe riche haueð muchel rum to ræsen biforen þan wrecchan.
Þas word weoren iqueðene þeo quides weoren leoue.
Þa he mihte ihere þe bihalues were.
muchel dom muchel dune muchel folkes dream.
& alle heo clepeden þus Soð seið Membricius.
& alle hit bi-luueden gode weren his lære.
Þa letten bringen þene king vt of quarcerne.
& his bro[ð]er mid him beine to-gadere.
mid yrene benden bi-foren Brutone.
Heo him to clepeden & la[ð] spel him cudden.
heo seiden þat he sculde beon anhongen an one heȝe treowe.
oþer mid horsen to-drawen mid droflicen vitan.
buten heo heom lette freo ta faren of his londe.
ȝeue heom al his aȝte þe he biȝeten mahte.
& alle his scipen gode þa floten bi sæ-flode.
& his dohter Ignogen heore duc to quene.
Þe king hine bi-þoute wat he don mahte.
Sari he was on liue þæs tiðende him weren læðe.
Of deað he hefde care drof he wes on mode.
Pandrasus answerede mid seorhfulle worden
Ȝe biddeð mine dohter swa hende & haldeð me inne bende.
& Antigonun mine broðer mid ærmliche witen.
& mine men ȝe habbeð isclawen & ȝeorneð mine maðmas.
& mine leoue dohter to swa laðe mannes bihoue.
Ah heo mot nede beien þe mon þe ibunden bið.
Eouer axe ich eow leue lað þeh hit me were.
& ȝif ȝe bi-læuen wolden inne mire þeoden.
al þridden dale mi lond ich wolde setten Brutan on hond.
& freoien al his folc & freonscipe makien.
& Ignogen mine dohter ȝeuen eowre duke.
& swa we sculden bi-leauen leoue mæȝes.
vre lif læden & liþen to-sumne.
Þa ænswerede Brutus þe wes borene duke.
Nulle we noht þis on-fon ah we faren wlle[ð].
& þu swiðe hiendliche scild þe wið dæðe.
Ȝef us þat we wilniað ȝif þou libben wlt.
Þe king sende his sonde. ȝeond al Gric-londe.
þat me hit him to brohte alle his aihte.
& greiðede his scipen gode bi þan sæ-flode.
& al þat þær-to bi-houede hahliche i-funden.
al-swa heo wolden heora lauerd from loðen alesen.
Al his men duden swa þe king hehte.
Þa scipen weoren igreþede mid gode grund-fulled.
Þe king ȝef Brutun his dohter þe wes his bearn deora.
& al þat forward wes ilest Þa fusden þa ferde.
wenden riht to þare sæ sela þa þeines.
Muchel wæs þa blisse þa Brutus hafde mid him.
Brutus nom Ignogen & into scipe lædde.
Heo rihten heora rapes heo rærden heora mastes.
heo wunden up seiles wind sto[d] an willen.
Sixtene siðe tuenti scipen tuhten from hauene.
& feower scipen greate þe weren grund-ladene.
mid þat beste wepnen þa Brutus hauede.
Heo fusde[n] from stronde vt of Griclonde.
heo wenden vt i wide sæ þa wilde wurðen itemede.
Tweiȝe dawes & tua niht inne sæ weren.
þen oðer dai heo comen liðen on æuen to londe.
Logice hatte þat eit-lond. leode nere þar nane.
ne wapmen ne wifmen buten westiȝe pæ[ð]es.
Vtlaȝen hefden i-ræued þat lond & alle þa leoden of-slaȝen.
& swa hit wes al west & wnnen bi-ræued.
Ah swa monie þar waren wilde deor þat wnder heom þuhte.
& þa Troinisce men tuhten to þon deoren.
& duden of þan wilden al heora iwilla.
to þan scipen [lædden swa muche swa heo] wælden
Heo funden i þon eit-londe. ane burh swiðe stronge
To-hælde weoren þe walles weste weren hallen.
Temple heo funden þar ane imaked of marme stæne.
muchel & mære þe Wrse hit hafde to welden.
Þer-inne was an onlicnesse a wifmonnes liche.
feier hit wes & swiðe heih an are hæitnesse nome.
Diana wes ihaten þe Deouel heo luuede.
Heo dude wnder craftes þe Scucke hire fulste.
Heo wes quen of alle wodes þe weoxen on eorðen.
a þon heðene lawen me heold heo for hehne godd.
To hire weoren iwoned þa wnder-creftie men.
of þa [þ]ingen þa weren to kumen heo heom wolde cuðen.
mid tacnen & mid swefnen þonne heo weren on slæpe.
Þe wile þeo on þan eit-londe wes folc woniende.
heo wurðeden þat anlicnes þe Scucke hit on-feng.
Brutus hit herde siggen þurh his sæ-monnen.
þe ær weoren on þan londe & þa lawen wusten.
Brutus nam twelf witiȝen þe weren his wiseste men.
& enne preost of his lawen. þa weren on þan heðen dawen.
Gerion hehte þe preost he was an hirede hæh.
he ferde to þere stowe. þar Diane inne stod.
Brutus ferde in-to þere temple & þa twelfe mid him.
& lette al his folc bilæuen þer-vte.
Ana scale he bear an honde al of reade golde.
milc wes i þere scale & win sume dale.
þa milc wæs of are wite hinde þe Brutus sceat mid his honde.
He makede bi þon weofede a swiðe wunsum fur.
Niȝen siðen he bi-eode þat weofed for his neode.
He clepede to þere leuedi heo wes him on heorten leof.
mid milden his worden he ȝirnde hire mihten.
Ofte he custe þat weofed mid wnsume lates.
he halde þa milc in þat fur mid milden his worden.
Leafdi Diana leoue Diana heȝe Diana. help me to neode.
Wise m[e] & wite [m]e þurh þine wihtful craft.
whuder ich mæi liðan & ledan mine leoden.
to ane wnsume londe þer ich mihte wunien.
& ȝif ich þat lond mai bi-ȝeten & mi folc hit þurh-gengen.
makian ich wlle on þine nome mæren ane stowe.
& ich þe wulle huren mid wrhscipe hæȝan.
Þus spec Brutus
Seo[ð]ðen he nam þe hude. þa wæs of þare hinde.
Bi-foren þan wefede he heo spradde swlc he leie on bedde.
He cnelede þar-ufenan & seo[ð]ðen he adun læi.
Swa he gon slomnen & þer-æfter to slepen.
Þa þuhte him on his swefne þar he on slepe læi.
þat his lauedi Diana hine leofliche biheolde.
mid wn-sume leahtren wel heo him bi-hihte.
& hendiliche hire hond on his heued leide
& þus him to seide þer he on slepe lai.
Bi-ȝende France i þet west þu scalt finden a wunsum lond.
þat lond is bi-urnan mid þære sæ þar-on þu scalt wrþan sæl.
Þar is fuȝel þar is fisc þer wuniað feire deor.
þar is wode þar is water þar is wilderne muchel.
þet lond is swiþe wunsum weallen þer beoð feire.
wuniað in þon londe eotantes swiðe stronge.
Albion hatte þat lond ah leode ne beoð þar nane.
Þer-to þu scalt teman & ane neowe Troye þar makian.
þer scal of þine cunne kine-bearn arisen.
& scal þin mære kun wælden þ[a]s londes.
ȝeond þa weorld beon ihæȝed & þu beo hæl & isund.
Þæ awoc Brutus wel wes him on life.
He þoute of his swefne & hou þe læfdi him sæide.
mid muchelere lufe he seide hit his leoden.
hu him imette & þa læfdi hine igrette.
He þonkede hire ȝeorne mid liðfulle worden.
he bi-heihte hire biheste & he hit wel laste.
þat to hire he wolde teman & wrchen hire ane temple.
& on licnesse of ræde golde whenne he come to londe.
& æ to his liue hire willen idriȝen.
At hire heo nomen læue & to scipe li[ðd]en.
Heo hefden wind heo hefden water þe heom wel ferede.
þritti dawes & þritti niht heo ferden efer forð-riht.
Bi-fore Affrike heo ferden forð & eeuer heo drowen west & norð.
ouer þen lac of Siluius & ouer þen lac of Philisteus.
bi Ruscikadan heo nomen þa sæ & bi þe montaine of Azare.
In þære sæ heo funden vtlawen þa kenneste þa weoren o þon dawen.
fifti scipen fulle þer weore feondes to feole.
Wið Bruten heo fuhten & fealden of his monnen.
ah Brutus hefde þa ouere hond þa fæie he sloh þe quike he bond.
þar bi-won Brutus feole kunnan wunnan.
muchel garsum & mete his monscipe wes þa mære.
Nefde Brutus nenne swa wreche man þat gold & pal ne dude him on.
Þeonene he ferden forð wel feole dawen ȝong.
ouer Maluan æne flum suiðe long i Mauritane heo comen a lond
Heo li[ðd]en ȝeond þat ilke lond & þa leoden heo slowen.
þene drinc & þene mete þe heo þar funden.
to heora scipe heo hit fusden feirest þat heom þohte.
heo nomen of þan londe al þat heo wolden.
Þa ferden heo forð heora færð wes on sæle.
muchel ahte heo hæfden bi-wunnen Þa comen heo to þan bunnen.
þa Hercules makede mid muchelen his strengðe.
þat weoren postes longe of marmon stane stronge.
Þat taken makede Hærcules þat lond þe þer-abuten wes.
swiðe brod & swiðe long al hit stod an his hond.
Þer heo funden þe merminnen þat beoð deor of muchele ginnen.
wifmen hit þunchet fuliwis bi-neoðe þon gurdle hit þuncheð fisc.
Þeos habbeð swa murie song ne beo þa dai na swa long.
ne bið na man weri heora songes to heræn.
Hit is half mon & half fisc hit hafð þes wurse taken fuliwis.
for his werkes beo[ð] swa swete þat feolan men heo ne maȝen for-leten.
Brutus iherde siggen þurh his sæ-monnen.
of þan ufele ginnen þe cuðen þa mereminnen.
He hihte hondlien kablen teon seiles to toppa.
leten laden þene wind liðe[n] mid þan uðen.
Þa mereminnen heom to svommen on alchare sidan.
swiða heo heom lætten mid luðere heora craften.
Neðelas Brutus at-bræc al buten burstan.
& ferde riht on his wei his scipen runden swiðe.
A steores-man ham talde wil-spel þat he Spaine isæih.
Heo drowen toward hauene haleðes weoren bliðe.
To þan londe heo ferden þer heo leof folc funden.
fouwer þrum ferden þer weoren feola þusend.
gode knihtes þa gode weoren to fihten.
Þeos weoren heora sibbe-men hit wes þa beth mid heom.
Þeos feower ferden from Troye weoren iflemed.
Atenor heom ledde þe wes leode ælder.
& he mid þan folke fleh ut of Troye.
þa Grickes hit bi-wnnan mid heora wæl-slahte.
Corineus wes heora duc se[ð]ðen Atenor was dea[d].
Corineus wes a strong mon & he heuede muchele ban.
he wes swa kene he wes swa strong swilc hit weore an eotand.
Þa tiðind com to Corineum þat Brutus wes þider icomen.
wel wes him on liue nes he neuer ær swa bliðe.
Heo comen to-gadere & ofte heo custen.
Brutus him seide tiðinde þat an lond he ferde sechinde.
þer he mihte þurh-wunian mid his wnfolke.
Corineus him answerede & ich þe wulle mid fare.
mid mine driht-folke & habben dale mid þe.
& halden þe for herre & here þe for lauerd.
Þis feoreward was imaked heo ferden to-somne.
Heo ferden from Spaine riht toward Brutaine.
Armoriche heihte þat lond þer Brutaines noma nu on stond.
Peytou heo letten on riht hond swa heo comen a þet lond.
in are swiðe feire æ þer Læire falleð i þa sæ.
Seoue niht & enne dæi Brutus i þare hauene læi.
& he sende ȝeond þat lond & scawede þa leoden.
Goffar þan king of Peyters nes hit noht iqueme.
þat he iseh swlche sonden faren ȝeond his londe.
Þe king heihte his wise men þe wel cuðen a speche.
þat heo to þare sæ ferden þar þa ferde læi.
& iwusten at þon cnihten wet heo þer sohten.
wheþer heo walden hælden grið & greten þes londes king.
þe heo wolden mid wiðere þan kinge wið-stonden.
Numbert hehte þe alder-mon þe sculde þas ernde don.
Corineus wes ifaren to wode & draf þer þa wilde deor.
mid hornen & mid hunden & mid fif hundred cnihten.
Imetten heo faren Numbert þes kinges sonde of þat eard.
Numbert heom to clepede mid ludere stefne.
Whonene beo ȝe cnihtes Ȝe fare[ð] mid unrihte.
Ȝe huntieð i þes kinges friðe þer-fore ȝe sculen beon fæie.
Ȝe doð þan kinge muchel scome þer-fore ȝe sculen han grome.
Forboden he haueð his deor-frið þer-fore ȝe sculen liggen stif.
Corineus i-werð him wroð & wende him to-ȝeines.
& saide þas ilke word mid muchelere wre[ð]ðe.
Cniht þu ært muchel sot þat þu swa motest.
Ȝif þe king hit haueð forboden ne scal him neuer beo þa bet.
ne nawit for his forbode nulle ich hit bileuen.
to nimen his heortes & his hindes & al þa deor þat ich finde.
Þa iwre[ð]ðede Numbert þa kinges stiward of þat eard.
he leadde an his honde enne bowe stronge.
& he þene streng up braid balu com on ueste.
On he sette ane fla & he feondliche droh.
& þa fla lette gliden bi Corineus siden.
Corineus bleinte & þene scute bi-berh.
& towardes Numbert he leop swilc hit an leon weora.
& þene bowe igreap mid muchele strengðe.
He smot Numbert mid þon bowe þat his hæfd-bon to-brec.
þat his blod & his brain ba weoren to-dascte.
Fluȝen his i-feren feondliche swi[ð]e.
to þon kinge Goffar & saiden hine tiðende sære.
þet islawen wes Numbert þe wes his awene stiward.
Þe king wes swiðe særi & seorhful on mode.
& sende his sonde ȝeond his kine-londe.
gaderede his ferde þer weoren men fæie.
Þa ferde wes isumned & heo forð fusden.
toward sele Brutun þer he bi sæ wonede.
Brutus wes swiþe war for wisdome him fulede.
haures he sende to hirede þes kinges.
to witen of his farcost wher he wolde feihten.
Þa hawres ferden & sone aȝein comen.
& comen to heora læuarda þer he lai bi hauene.
& þeos word him seiden al swa hit s[oð] iwarð.
Hal beo þu Brutus Þu ert þe hexste of us.
Nu hafð Goffar þe king igadered his ferde.
muchel ferd & riche & heȝe word he spekeð.
þat alle heo wullet quellen quic þat heo findeð.
& þa scipen to-draȝen & þa wif drenchen.
Nulleð heo leaue nenne of ous a-liue.
Brutus nom al his ȝunge folc & hem to scipe fusede.
& alle his æhte his folc bitahte.
& to heom seide Brutus þe sele.
Ȝe beoð mine leofe men Hercniað mine lare.
Ne cume ȝe neauer wi[ð]-vten scipes bord ær ich ou sende sutel. word.
wheðer ich maȝe þe ufere hond habben of þan kinge.
Brutus nom his cnihtes & iwende forð-rihtes.
to þon ilke weie þer him iwised wes.
þer þe king walde forð mid muchelere his ferde.
To-gadere heo comen hardliche heo on-sloȝen.
þer wes swiðe strong feht feollen þe feie.
þer wes moni steap mon mid stele to-swngen.
Longe a dai leste þat feht þer feol moni god cniht.
Corineus com quecchen & to him-seolfe queð.
A-wæi Corineus Nere þu icoren kempa.
Cuð nu þine strengða & þina stepa main.
& þisse Peytisce folc fal to þe grunde.
Corineus heom rasde to swa þe rimie wulf.
þane he wule on scheapen scaðe-werc wrchen.
Breid he mid swiðeren hond a sweord muchel & swi[ð]e strong.
al þat he þer-mid hitte al hit a-dun healde.
Neora þa bearn nea swa strong þah he hefde brunie on.
ȝif he hine mid sweorde at-ran nea ras he neuer-mare.
Þa he hefde twa hundred mid sweorde to-hewen.
þa brac þat sweord in his hond riht bi þere hilte.
Þa wes wroð Corineus & þas word cleopede.
Wa wrðe auer þene smið þa þe mid honden smeo[ð]ðede.
Corineus abuten bi-heold for þe bearn was abolȝen.
& igrap of onnes monnes honde ana wiæx swiðe stronge.
al þat he neh com þer-mid he hit aquelde.
Þe king sette to fleonne & al þa ferde eafter.
& Corineus heom eafter com kenliche swiðe.
& heom to clepede þe unimete kempa.
Goffar mid þire ferde wi wolt þu fleam makian.
Ne miht þu na-wiht so fleon ȝif þu us wlt heonne fleman.
þu most swiþer fehten er we heonne iwenden.
Ne ganninde ne ridinde ne durste him nan abiden.
Þe king hefde enne þein swiþe heard he was i-haten Suard.
he bi-heold Corineum þe heom after com.
Suard hefde to i-feren þreo hundred ridearen.
he wende on-ȝean sone & he ohtliche feaht.
Nes hit noht longe þat Suard mihte stonde.
for Corineus him geinde to mid his guð-strencðe.
he gurde Suard on þat hæfd þat he grund sohte.
& he hine for-smat a-midden a twa riht bi þon ribben.
Nes þer nan swa stæðeli þat lengore mihte stonden.
Corineus heom to-brutte ban & heora ribbes.
& [ȝ]eond þat lond he heom to-draf moni þusend þar abad.
Þat folc þat flei Corineum þat com to Brutun.
& alle heo slowen þat heo neih comen.
Þe king Goffar iseih his burst & un-æðe him-seolf at-breac.
he fleih ut of his londe & bi-læfde his leode.
In-to France he ferde þer he freond funde.
to þon kaisere & to his tueolf iferen.
and tolde heom of þan balwe þe Brutus him hefde idon.
Inne Franse weren italde twelfe iferan.
þa Freinsce heo cleopeden dusze pers þa weren drihtliche men.
kinges heo weoren icleopede þat heo ofte cu[ðd]en.
Heo bi-hæihten Goffaren þen kinge þat heo hine wreken wolden.
wreken hine of his unwines þat him þe [eðere] weorra.
Heo senden ȝeond al France & buden heora ferda.
fulle seouen nihte heo somenede cnihtes.
& Brutus ladde his ferde in Armorichen earde.
& he wes swiðe bliðe for his muchele biȝate.
Ȝeond þat lond he gon ernen & þa tunes for-bearnen.
& herȝede þat lond & tæh hit to his aȝre hond.
Al þat lond he wiste & al he hit awalde.
Swa he ferde mid his here þat he on ænne hul bi-com.
He wes feir & heih & he hine swiðe bi-heold.
He nom ræd æt his monnen þat he wolde þar castel makian.
Þa þe castel vp stod he wes strong & swiðe god.
Nes hit buten lutel wile þat Goffar king com him liðen.
mid vnimete ferde of Frenchisce folke.
& of alle þon londen þa leȝen into France.
Þa Goffar þe king þene castel kennede
swa swiðe wa him was þat al his wit he for-læs.
Swiðe he fusde þider-ward kene his ferde.
heo to-dælden heom atweolfa & t[uȝen] on alchere halue.
& þa Troynisce men heom comen aȝein.
& anan leiden to þan grunden of þane Freinsce þreo þusende.
Þa Freinsce weoren isturmede & noðelas heo stal makeden.
& heo bi niðinges beard driuen heom on-ȝeinwærd.
Brutun & his kempan heo driuen into þan castle.
& in þera ilke uore heo fælden of his i-ueren.
& æl dai heo ræmden & resden to þan castle.
þat com to þere nihte þat lengre heo ne mihten.
I þon castle wes muchel dred a þa mid-niht heo nomen read.
þat heo wolden Corineum to þon wode senden.
mid alle þon folke þat he hefde on his ferde.
& ferden vt swa stille swa heo stelen wolden.
in-to ane þicke wode þa þer on uest wes.
Brutus wes i þon castle & hine wel wuste.
A-marwen þo hit dawede & dai com to folke.
Brutus wes on-bolȝen swa bið þa wilde bær.
wenne hundes hine bistondeð i þon wode-londe.
Brutus hehte his beornes don on heora burnan.
& heora wæpne gode for heo to feht sculden.
Vp heo duden heora castles ȝæten & cofliche vt wenden.
fusden to þan Freinscan & heo hem to-ȝan fengen.
Þær wes feiht swiðe strong on alche halue hit wes stor.
þer wes monies kunnes folc & moni cniht feie.
Þer hefde Brutus enne mæi haihte Turnus.
swa wod he was to fehte þat he feie iwerð.
He feolde þa Frensca on feole kunne wisen.
mid his aȝene honden he falde monie hundred.
ah he ferde to feor ut from his iueren.
& heo him to liðden on elchere siden.
mid wepnen hine wundeden & seoððen hine slowen.
Brutus hine funde dead & into þane castle dude.
& þer-inne bi-buriȝede bi ane stan walle.
Þuru þan ilka Turnus Turs wes ihaten.
Turuine al þat lond þurh Turnus deaðe.
Brutus ferde ut & fusde to fihte.
wreken he wolde his teonen & Turnus his wine leoue.
To-gadere heo comen & grundliche on-slowen.
þer wes bil ibeat þer wes balu muchel.
& feht unimete fæie þer feollen.
Þat feht wes wnder strong þa Corineus of wode com.
mid michelene ferde Brutun to fulste.
Brutus wes on ane half Corineus an oðer.
Heo letten to-gliden gares swiþe scarpe.
heo qualden þa Frensce alle þa heo funden.
þus heo westen þat lond & slowen þa leoden.
Nes næuer þa mon iboren ne swa wis mon icoren.
þe cuðe i þon daȝe tellen of þan deade.
hu monie þusende þer weoren ileid to grunde.
Þa bleou Brutus & bonnede his ferde.
& speken to-gadere of feole wisdomes.
& funden on ræde þat heo faren wolden.
Heo letten lude clepian & cuðen ȝeond þat ferde.
þat Brutus þe sele to þare sæ wolde.
Swa heo ferden to heora scipa mid allen heora uenge.
& mid seoluere & mid golde þa wes Goffares kinges.
& þere Freinsce monnen þe i þon feht for-worðen.
Heo ferden ut of hauene þa heleðes weren bliðe.
wind stod on willen ploȝede þe wilde fisc.
þet water wes swiðe god gumen weoren bliðe.
Lið[d]en þa leoden þat heo on londe comen.
æt Dertemuðe i Totenes wel wes Brutus þes.
Þa scipen biten on þat sond & al þat folc eode an lond.
Þa hefde Brutus þa ȝeue þat Diana him bi-heihte.
i Logice þan eit-londe þer heo weoren at-stonden.
Muchel wes þa murðe þe þat folc makode.
& heo Godd þonkeden mid þeu-fulle worden.
þat heo heora wil-daȝes wælden weoren.
Heo funden i þon londe twenti eotandes stronge.
Heora nomen ne herdi neuer tellen a leoda ne a spella.
boten þes anes name þa heore alre lauerd wes.
Geomagog ihaten þat was þe heihste.
Godes wiðer-saka þe Wrse hine luuede.
Brutus & his gode folc under-ȝeten þeos feondes.
& heora stelane flon fusden to þon feonden.
Þa flan heom weoren laðe & heo liðden to þon munten.
& i þon wilderne an hudlese wuneden.
Hit ilomp on ane daȝe þat Brutus & his duȝeðe.
makeden halinesse mid wrscipen heȝen.
mid mete & mid drinchen & mid murie gleo-dreme.
mid seoluer & mid golde þe elche bar an honde.
mid horsen & mid scruden blisse wes on hirede.
wes al þat folc swa bliðe swa heo neoren nauer er on liue.
Þa comen þære twenti teon of þan munten.
eotendes longe muchele & stronge.
Heo tuȝen alle to-gadere treon swiðe muchele.
heo leopen to Brutus folke þer heo hurtes duden.
In are lutle stunde heo slowen fif hundred.
mid stocken & mid stanen stal-feht heo makeden.
& þa Troynisce men mid strengðe wenden aȝein.
heo letten gliden heora flan & þa eotendes fluȝen.
& heo letten heom to gæres liðen.
Þa heo best wende to fleonne þa weoren heo faie.
Þa niȝentene heo slowen Geomagog heo nomen.
& he quic wes ibroht bi-foren Brutone.
Brutus hine lette witen wel mid þan beste.
for to leten fondien of his main stronge.
to wreastlene bi-foren Brutus Geomagog & Corineus.
Brutus hit demdæ uppen ære dune.
vppen þære sæ-cliua þat folc com to-some.
Forð com Corineus & fusde hine sulfne.
& þe eotend al-swa þat alle hit bi-heolden.
Þer wes moni wepmon þer wes moni wifmon.
þer wes muchel folc at þere wrastlinge.
Heo ȝeokeden heora earmes & ȝarweden heom-seoluan.
breoste wið breoste banes þer crakeden.
Heo scuten heora sconken þa scalkas weoren stronge.
Heo hurten heora hafden hæleðes bi-heolden.
Ofte heo luten a-dun alse heo wolden liggen.
ofte heo up lupan alse heo fleon wolden.
laðliche læches heo leite[d]en mid eȝan.
Al was heora gristbatinge al swa wilde bares eȝe.
Whil heo weoren blake & ladliche iburste
whil heo weoren ræde & hehliche wenden.
heora eiþer wilnada oðer to wælden.
mid wiȝeleden mid wrenchen mid wunderliche strengðen.
Geomagog hine bi-þouhte & þudde Corineum.
frommard his breoste & breid eft on-ȝein.
brac him bi þon rugge feower of his ribben.
vfele he hine mærde ah na-wiht he hit ne mende.
Ful lutel þer wæs wone þat Corineus nas ouer-come.
Neoþelas he hine bi-þoute wat he don mahte.
Nom him heorte to & streahte his ærmes.
& breid Geomagog þat him þe rug for-berst.
igrap hine bi þon gurdle & him grimliche heaf.
Wes þa clude swiðe heh þer heo acliue fuhten.
Corineus hine fælde & hine fusde mid mæine.
aduneward þa clude þat his ban to-cluuen.
þat al þe feond to-barst ær he to folde come.
& þus þe hæȝe scaðe ferde to helle.
Nu & æuer-mare haueð þat clif þare.
nome on ælche leode þat þat weos Geomagoges lupe.
& mid swilce ræde þas eotentes weoren deade.
Nu wes al þis lond i-ahned a Brutus hond.
Þa hæfde þa Troinisce men ouer-comen heora teonen.
þa weoren heo bliðe on heora breost-þonke.
þa makeden heo hus & hæle[ð]es sikere.
Heo makeden tunes heo tileden on eorðen.
cornes heo seowen. medewen heo meowen.
al heo tileden ase heo to þohten.
for al hit wes heora aȝen þat heo ouer seȝen.
Þis lond was ihaten Albion þa Brutus cum her-on.
þa nolde Brutus na-mare þat hit swa ihaten weore.
ah scupte him nome æfter him-seluan.
He wes ihaten Brutus þis lond he clepede Brutaine.
& þa Troinisce men þa temden hine to hærre.
æfter Brutone Brutuns heom cleopede.
& ȝed þe nome læsteð & a summe stude cleouie[ð] faste.
Brutus ȝef Corineum þe wes his kempa de[or]a.
ana dala of his londa & sette hit him an honda.
Þe lauerd hehte Corineus & þat lond Corinee.
Seo[ð]ðen þurh þa leoden þe i þon londa weoren.
heo clepeden hit Cornwaile þurh heora sotliche cure.
Heora aȝene speke Troinisce & seoððen heo hit cleopeden Brutunisc.
ah Englisce men hit habbe[ð] awend seoððen Gurmund com in þis lond.
Gurmund draf out þe Brutuns & his folc wes ihaten Sexuns.
of ane ende of Alemaine Angles wes ihaten.
of Angles comen Englisce men and Engle-lond heo hit clepeden.
Þa Englisce ouer-comen þe Brutuns & brouhten heom þer neoðere.
þat neofer seoððen heo ne arisen ne her ræden funden.
Brutaine hefde Brutus & Cornwaile Corineus.
Brutus nom alle his freond þe comen in his ferde.
neh him he heom lænde for heo him leofe weoren.
Corineus him cleopede to alle his icorene.
alle he heom lænde þer heom wes alre leofest.
Weox þet folk & wel i-þaih for ælc hefde his iwillen.
Inne lut ȝeren firste wes þat folc swa muchel.
þat þer nas nan ende of folke swiþe hende.
Brutus hine bi-þohte & þis folc bi-heold.
bi-heold he þa muntes feire & muchele.
bi-heold he þa medewan þat weoren swiðe mære.
bi-heold he þa wateres & þa wilde deor.
bi-heold he þa fisches bi-heold he þa fuȝeles.
bi-heold he þa leswa & þene leofliche wode.
bi-heold he þene wode hu he bleou bi-heold he þat corn hu hit greu.
al he iseih on leoden þat him leof was on heorten.
Þa bi-þohte he on Troyȝen þer his cun teone þoleden.
and he li[ðd]e ȝeond þis lond & scæwede þea leoden.
He funde wunsum ane stude vppen ane watere.
þær he gon aræren riche ane burhe.
mid bouren & mid hallen mid hæȝe stan walle.
Þa þe burh wes i-maked þa wes he swiðe mare.
þa burh wes swiðe wel idon & he hire sette name on.
he ȝef hire to hire tirfulne name Troye þe Newe.
to munien his ikunde whone he icomen weore.
Soððen þa leodene longe þer-after.
leiden adun þene noma & Trinouant heo nemneden.
Binnen feola wintre hit iwerð seo[ð]ðen.
þat aræs of Brutus kunne þat was an heh king.
Lud wes i-haten þas burh he luuede swiðe.
Þe king i þere burh wonede swiðe feola wintre.
he lette heo lude clepian ȝond his leod-folke.
hehte heo nemnen Kaerlud æfter þone kinge.
Seo[ð]ðen com oþer tir & neowe tidinde.
þat men heo clepeden Lundin ouer al þas leode.
Seoððen comen Englisce men & cleopeden heo Lundene.
Se[ð]ðen comen þa Frensca þa mid fehte heo bi-wonnen.
mid heora leodðeawe & Lundres heo hehten.
Þus is þas burh i-uaren se [ð]ðen heo ærest wes a-reræd.
þus is þis eit-lond i-gon from honde to hond.
þet alle þa burhȝes þe Brutus iwrohte.
& heora noma gode þa on Brutus dæi stode.
beoð swiðe afelled þurh warf of þon folke.
Þa Brutus hefde imaked þa hehȝe burh þa Neowe Troie was ihaten.
& he lette fusen þar-to muchel of his folke.
He heom bi-tahte þa burh & iȝearwed mid þan beste.
& he heom onleide þat weoren lawen gode.
He hehte þat luue scolde liðen heom bi-tweonen.
ælc halden oðren riht. ba bi daie & bi nith.
& wea-swa nolde he sculde beon iwite.
& swa vfele he mihte don þat he sculde beon ihon.
For swulchen eiȝe gode heo hefden muchele drede.
& bi-comen riht-wise men & rædes heo luueden.
Hæfde [Brutus] þis lond fower and twenti winter. on his hond
& of Ignogen his quene he hefde þreo sunen scene.
Þa heora fader wes dead alle heo nomen enne read.
& hine bi-burien in Newe Troye þere burhȝe.
þat heora fader hefde i-maked mid muchelere blisse.
Seððen þa þreo broðeren hi to-gadere comen.
æl mid seahte & al mid luue þas leode to-dælden.
Þe ældeste broðer Locrin wes ihaten.
þe wes þe wiseste þe wes þe warreste.
þe wes þe strengeste stif he wes on þonke.
He hæfde to dæle þat suð lond þat æfter him Locres wes icleped.
& heo wes a cheuese hire cheap wes þe wrse.
Noþelas hit ilomp inne lut ȝere.
þat þe fader wes dead his duȝeðe he bi-lefde.
He ȝef Assaracum his sune sele þreo castles.
& al þat ligginde lond þe þer-abuten lei.
Assaracus heuede enne broþer þe wes under wedlac iboren
after þen heðene tidende þe wes in þan londe.
Þes cniht hefde his fader lond & loð him wes his broþer.
for he heold þe stronge castles þurh staðele his fader ȝefe.
His broþer heo him wolde bi-nimen ah he ne mihte speden.
þar aros wal[e] & win & wiðer-heppes feola.
Assaracus wes god cniht wið Grickes he heold moni fiht.
ah he hefde muchele strengþe of meren his cunne.
of þan Troyscen monnen þe weren his moder isib.
for þare sibe-laȝe luue hem wes bi-tweonen.
Assaracus hit redde mid diȝenliche runen.
þat þat Troynisce folc mid his fulle fultume.
nomen þene cniht Brutun & makeden hine to duke.
& he heora monredne mid monscipe on-feng.
He sende his sonde wide ȝend þane londe.
he heihte his folc sumunen & cumen to him-seoluen.
wapmen & wifmen þa weoleȝen & þa weaðlen.
alle he heom sumunde & to wode sende.
bote seoue þusend kempen þa he in-to þane castlen dude.
Þa lette he riden vnirimed folc.
bi-ȝeoten wepnen & mete muchel wes þa neode.
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& him-self mid his ferde bi-foren & bi-hinden.
Seoþen he nom to rede & to som-runen.
þat he an wriht makede al mid wisdome.
Pandrasum þene king he grette mid greiðlicre speche.
& þat wriht he him sende & þeos word seaide.
For þan weorldes scome & for þan muchele grome.
þat Dardanisc kun þe we beoð of icomene.
woneð in þisse londe leode to sconde.
inne þeowe-dome þrel-werkes doð.
heo beoð to-gadere icumene kuðies mæȝes.
al swa þat ilke folc þe freoscipe wole bi-winne.
Heo habbe[ð] idemed þat ich am duc ofer heom.
Ich abbe i min castlen seoue þusend kempen.
ich habbe in þane munten monie þusund.
Leouere heom his to libben bi þan wode-roten.
al swa þat wilde swin þat wroteð ȝeond þan grouen.
þane heo þine þeowedomes lengre iþolien.
Ȝif heo wlle[ð] frescipe bi-winnen ne wndre þou nawiht þer-fore.
heo biddeð þe mid freonscipe þat þu heom ifreoie.
Þes word he sendeð al swa þe wriht þe seið.
þat heo moten wonien wer-swa heo wolleð.
inne griðe & in friðe & heo wlleð þe freonscipe don.
Ȝif þou þis nult iþolien þe scal beon þa wrse.
Þe king nom þat writ on hond & he hit wrodliche bi-heold.
seolcu[ð] him þuhte swulcere speche.
Þa he alles spac mid þræte he spilede.
To wroþer heore hele habbeð heo such werc i-don.
Mine þralles i mire þeode me suluen þretiað.
Wide he sende ȝeond þat lond for he wes leoden king.
þat come to hirede riche men & weðlen.
al þat wapmon-cun þa mihte beren wæpen.
vppen lif & uppen leomen al þes londes folc.
an horsen & an foten forð heo ifusten.
Þe king þræted Brutun swa he dude Assaracun.
þat he heom wolde biliggen mid laðen heora feonden.
Ȝif he heom mihte bi-winnen mid his wored-strencðe.
alle heo sculden hongien on heȝe treowen.
14
þat Pandrasus þe king him towardes com.
mid muchelere ferde. ah heo weren summe faie.
Brutus nom to reade þat him best was.
He nom his kene men þa to compe weren gode.
he ferde to þan wode to þan wilderne.
to þan ilke weie þe he ful ȝeare wuste.
þat þe king mid his ferde forð sculde iwenden.
Brutus hefede gode cnihtes to neode.
þre þusund mid him ilead to þære þruppe.
Þe king him com riden mid riche his folke.
Brutus heom smat on mid his grime smite.
isowte he þe Grickes mid his grim ræsen.
Þa Grickes neoren noht warre of heore wensiðe.
wenden him þeo rugges flowen haȝe men.
Achalon heihte an flum þe nes noht feor from heom.
þider in iwenden moni þusunde.
Brutus heom com æfter & æfer he heom leide on.
mid sweord & mid spere al he to-drof þes kinges here.
a londe & a watere he heom adun leaide.
& þe king him-self fleh he iseih his frend fallen.
Muchel folc þer was of-sclawen on moniare wisen.
Þe king hefde ænne broðer neafde he nenne oðer.
Antigonus wes ihoaten inne Gric-londe he wes heh.
Iseih his broðer ferden hu heo iuaren weren.
a wætere & a londe swa heom læðest wes.
Antigonus mid his weapnen & mid his wæl-kempen
iwenden toward Brutun to his bale-siðe.
Heo comen to-gadere mid greatere heorte.
Þar he mihte bi-halden þe bi-halues were.
moni wensiðes wiþer-happes feol[e].
moni heaued moni hond fallen to foten.
monie þar fuhten monie flæm makeden.
monie þar feollen þurh heora feon-ðewæs.
Þa Troysse men sloȝen. al þa Grickes þea heo neih comen.
Þer Brutus nom Antigonun þes kinges broþer Pandrasum.
mid him he hine lædde for leof he him wes to habben.
He hine leatte wel witen mid wnder stronge benden.
& al-swa his iferen þe mid him ifunden weren.
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þat Antigonus his broþer wes in armliche benden.
Þe king sende swa wide swa ileste his riche.
& heihte eulne mon þe mihte riden oþer gan.
þat heo comen mid him to þane castle of Sparatin.
Nes castel nan swa strong i þon londe of Griclond.
He wende hit to soþe soð þeh hit neore.
þat Brutus hefde þa men þe he mid fihte biwon.
idon into þan castle & þear heom quic heolde.
& him-seolf þer forð mide for þære muchele biȝæte.
Ah Brutus dude betere read & him þa beth ilomp.
In þon castle he dude hende six hundred of his cnihten.
him-self mid his fenge he to wode ferde.
Þe king to þan castle forð mid his ferde
þer he lei abuten þar-inne weren his laðe feond.
His ferde he sette on ælchere siden.
ofte heo ræsden & ræmden to-gadere.
mid stelene orde & mid starka biten.
mid stocken & mid stanen stal-fiht heo makeden.
mid Grickisce fure feollen þæ fæie.
þar was muchel blod-gute baluwe þer wes riue.
Þa cnihtes of þan castle quic-liche heom wið-stoden.
þaet ne mihte þes kinges folc of heom fael makien.
ah þe king of his monnen monie þusend læs.
Þe king wes on mode sar þat wes for his monne lure.
He tæh hine aȝein ane þrowe & þreateð þene castel.
& þat folc þer-inne þenne he hit hefde bi-wnnen.
þat he heom wolde quellen oþer quic al for-brennen.
He lette makien enne dic þe wes wnderliche deop.
abouten his ferde & feiede heo mid þornen.
& leai þer-abuten & abat his bale-siðes.
Þe king wes swiðe wrað & swar muchelne oað.
þat nolde he þonne faren ar his feo[n]den feie weore.
I þon castle weoren monie men & muchel mete þer bihofede.
þe mete forð iwat for þer fengen feole to.
Heo nomen ænne ærendrake þe æðele wes to neode.
heo senden to heore læuerde þa leof heom wes on heorten.
Heo hine gretten mid godene heore worden.
heo beden hine come to helpe mid allen his strengðe.
18
Brutus hine bi-þohte of swlchere neode.
& þas word seide mid soþere heorte.
He deð him-selua freoma þa helpeð his freondene.
swa ich wlle mine bi mine quicke liue.
Þa wes þere a wel-ibore mon Anacletus wes ihaten.
mid þes kinges broðer he was itaken & þer læi inne benden.
Brutus him ræmde to mid grimmen his rasen.
bi þone toppe he hine nom al-swa he hine walde of-slean.
& his nakede sweord leide on his necke.
& þas word saide Brutus þe sele.
Niðing þou ært al dead buten þou do mine read.
& þi læuerd al-swa bote þu min lare do.
ah ȝif þu wlt þu miht wel helpen inc seluen.
Lauerd quað Anacletus don ic wille þine lare.
help mine lauerd & me mid alle mire mihten.
Do swa quad Brutus & þe scal beon þe bet.
ȝe sculen habben lif & leomen & beon mine leofe freond.
Brutus him swar an æð breken þat he hit nælde.
Þus seide Brutus þe wes cniht mid þane beste.
Anacletus leofe freond to-niht þu scalt faren.
a þeon time bið best þonne men gað to bedde.
þu scalt forð wenden to þas kinges ferde.
Wonne þu comest to þon cnihten þat þene king bi-witeð.
þær þu findest seouen houndred þa hæleðes beoð kene.
& þu heom clepe to & cuðliche wið heom spec.
Ich am Anacletus ich am mid ærmðen abroken.
vt of þon benden þe Brutus me heuede on idon.
& ȝet ich ou sigge on oþer ibrout ich habbe þes kinges broþer.
vt of þon quarcerne of þan quale-huse.
þær Brutus hin hefde idon for to-marewene he hine wolde an-hon.
& ich hine habbe idon i þisse [w]ude derne.
Cnihtes fuseð me mid leteð slæpen þene king.
& fare we on sele riht al swo stille.
stelen swa we wolden
& ich eou wlle leden forð to mine lauerde.
i þon wode-rime þer he vnder rise lið.
Ȝif ȝe hine mawen bringen bi-foren ure kinge.
wel bið him þere bringe oeu bið þe beð þer-fore.
& for he is his broðer for nafð he nenne oþer.
20
heo wenden þat his sawen soðe weren.
ah alle heo weren lease for he wes his leodene swike.
Nis nawer nan so wis mon þat me ne mai bi-swiken.
Anacletus ferde bi-foren þe cnihtes him fuleden.
ferde æfter ane bache al-swa Brutus him hefde itaiht.
Brutus hæfde his folc bi-foren & bi-hinden.
Wes þe wei holh & long þa [c]lude weren stronge.
Brutus heom ræsde to mid richere strengðe.
alle to-gadere he heom nom nane he ne lafde.
summe he sloh summe he bond þa beste quike he at-heold.
& alle he heom bi-wuste swa him best þuhte.
Brutus nom his ferde on feowre he heo to-dælde.
& he hehte alle his men monscipe biwinnen.
[þ]a ȝunge & þa alde æðela iwurðen.
wihte wal-kempen on heora wiðer-winnan.
& an hihinga faren to þan kinge.
& ich for-beode heolde mine þeinen.
vppe þere muchele lufe þe us bi-tueiȝen lið.
þat nan ne beo so wilde nan swa unwitti.
þat word talie ne talkie mid speche.
ær he ihere minne horn mid græte hiue blowen.
For mi-self ich wlle teo to-foren to telde þas kinges.
anan swa ich lihte of blonken swa ich wlle blawen.
anan swa ȝe hi[t] i-hereð hende mine kempen.
oht-liche heom slæð on & weccheð heom of slepa.
leteð þa Grickisca gliden to grunde
fallen þa feie for heo beð vre fulle fan.
Duden alle þa cnihtes swa Brutus heom taute.
& he him-seolf teih bi-foren to telde þæs kinges.
Of his horse he þreou his horn he vastliche bleu.
Iherden hit Troynisce & tuhten to þon Gricken.
heo heom aweihten mid heora wæles igrure.
Þar fluwen haueden on felde fæiðe þer feollen.
moni hond moni fot þe hæp wæs þe wrse.
Moni þusend þer flowen þærmes heo droȝen.
& Brutus mid his cnihten þene king ifeng.
al ihal & al isund heihliche he cleopede.
Ich habbe þisses folkes king fælleð his leoden.
Ne lete ȝe nenne quick quecchen to holte.
22
Þar Brutus bi-feng al þat him bi-foren wes.
Sparatin he aredde heh an his castel.
A-marewen þa hit dai wes & þa niht to-dælde.
Brutus sumunde his folc heo weren his fulle freonde.
he heihte for his lufe al his leode-ferde.
þat heo nomen þat [w]æ[l] & wel hit biburiede.
inne deope seaðen setten þa deade.
& hit wes sone idon for monie þusend þer-to fengen.
Al þa biȝetene æhte he delde his cnihten.
& alle his leoue men he mid monscipe grette.
Þa al þis wes i-don þa dude he on oþer.
he lette an heh climben & lude clepian.
þat on þane daȝe amarwen come his drihtliche folc.
& alle his heȝe men comen to hustinge.
& heo swa duden blisse wes on daie.
Þat folc com to-gadere guðliche cnihtes.
& heora lauerd spac & þus heom wið spelede.
Lusteð mine cnihtes lusteð mine leofe men.
Suggeð me to runun. ræd þat eou þunche
Ich habbe þesne leod-king ileid in mine benden.
& his broðer al-swa hit is þe bet mid us.
& his leoden of-slawen ihc am him þa laðere.
& alle his ahte iȝeuen mine æðelinge.
Ȝif ȝe hit rædeð ȝe beo[ð] mine riche men.
ich wulle mid swerde his heue[d] of swippen.
& ȝif ȝe hit wille[ð] ich hine wlle spillen.
& ȝif ȝe me readeð ich hine wille freoien.
ȝif he me ȝefeð gersume gold & seoluer.
alle his maðmas wið þon þa he mote libben.
Þa ansuereden æðela cnihtes.
Summen hit weora iqueme þat heo hine sculden quellen.
him-seolf habben þat lond & beon þere leodene king.
Summe queðen ælles & þus þa quides eoden.
Ȝeue us þe king & al his gold & þa maðmes of his lond.
ȝef us peal ȝeue us hors ȝeue us haihe scrud.
ȝeue us ænne ende of his kine-londe.
ȝeue us ȝislæs þer-to & þis mei beon wel idon.
Þer wes moni riche mon þe cuðe lutel reden.
24
Þa wile þe heo tweoneden þus clepede Membricius.
þet wes a riche mon þe wes swiðe wel idon.
wys & witful wel he hit cudde.
Wet speke ȝe cnihtes wet speke ȝe kempen.
Vn[d]er eou alle nis þar nan swa god.
þa ȝet habbe isæid þat us is selest to don.
Ȝif ȝe hit lusten wlle Brutus mi lauard.
& ȝe alle biluuien gode mine lare.
ich eou wlle seggen selast ræden.
& þa ansuerede al þat folc Faihn we wllen hit iheren.
Þa quað Membricius ludere stefne.
Ȝirne we to þane kinge ȝeuen suiðe gode
þat is alreforwarde þat he us ifreoie.
Sone þar-after ȝurne we his dohter.
þat he heo ȝeue ure lauerde Brutun to his bedde.
of his corne he us ȝeue swa muchel þat we beon iquemed.
gold & garsume & his gode hors.
& al his beste mæte-cun þe his men habbeð.
& alle þa liðinde scipen þe on his londe beoð.
& alle þat bi-houeð þa scipen to driuen.
of monnen & of wapnen þat we mawen wel faren.
fare uorð ouer sæ sel þat we wrðen.
& liðen swa longe þat we to londe comen.
varen wide ȝeond þat lond & fondia þeo leoden.
wer us beo iqueme king þat we makien.
of Brute ure lauerde þe is best of us.
and Ignoien to quen þe is þis kinges dohter.
For ȝif we hit ȝeorneð to wonien her mid Gricken.
heo beoð ure fulle feond for we beoð ifead wi[ð] heom.
for heora kun we habbet islaȝen in eorðe heo sleopeð.
we beoð heom loaðe for heora muchele lure.
heo wlleð us biwiȝelien þurh heora wiðere-craftes.
a swa heom beoð iwrð swa us wrse bið.
for mid ure wepnen heora kun we aqueald habbeð.
mid ure honden monie þusunde.
Ȝif we sceoteð to heora mæðe þat bið ure imone deað.
ȝif we heom ilefeð þat bið ure muchele lure.
ȝif heo wel wexit heo wlleð wonien us.
Wel ich hit mai suggen to soþe ich hit wene.
26
þat we nabbet his freond ifelled to grunde.
For þon ȝif hit eow bi-loueð þe wise beoð on þonke.
fare we from þisse londe þa leodene us beoð laþe.
Al heora god we sculen nimen & lutel hem læuen.
wonien heo sculen un-balde for hora muchela bursten.
& we mæwen faren riche ȝif we ræd luuieð.
for al þat god of þisse londe we sculen leden mid us.
& heo bi-læuen wrecches & wælde heom scal fulien.
for þe riche haueð muchel rum to ræsen biforen þan wrecchan.
Þas word weoren iqueðene þeo quides weoren leoue.
Þa he mihte ihere þe bihalues were.
muchel dom muchel dune muchel folkes dream.
& alle heo clepeden þus Soð seið Membricius.
& alle hit bi-luueden gode weren his lære.
Þa letten bringen þene king vt of quarcerne.
& his bro[ð]er mid him beine to-gadere.
mid yrene benden bi-foren Brutone.
Heo him to clepeden & la[ð] spel him cudden.
heo seiden þat he sculde beon anhongen an one heȝe treowe.
oþer mid horsen to-drawen mid droflicen vitan.
buten heo heom lette freo ta faren of his londe.
ȝeue heom al his aȝte þe he biȝeten mahte.
& alle his scipen gode þa floten bi sæ-flode.
& his dohter Ignogen heore duc to quene.
Þe king hine bi-þoute wat he don mahte.
Sari he was on liue þæs tiðende him weren læðe.
Of deað he hefde care drof he wes on mode.
Pandrasus answerede mid seorhfulle worden
Ȝe biddeð mine dohter swa hende & haldeð me inne bende.
& Antigonun mine broðer mid ærmliche witen.
& mine men ȝe habbeð isclawen & ȝeorneð mine maðmas.
& mine leoue dohter to swa laðe mannes bihoue.
Ah heo mot nede beien þe mon þe ibunden bið.
Eouer axe ich eow leue lað þeh hit me were.
& ȝif ȝe bi-læuen wolden inne mire þeoden.
al þridden dale mi lond ich wolde setten Brutan on hond.
& freoien al his folc & freonscipe makien.
& Ignogen mine dohter ȝeuen eowre duke.
& swa we sculden bi-leauen leoue mæȝes.
28
Þa ænswerede Brutus þe wes borene duke.
Nulle we noht þis on-fon ah we faren wlle[ð].
& þu swiðe hiendliche scild þe wið dæðe.
Ȝef us þat we wilniað ȝif þou libben wlt.
Þe king sende his sonde. ȝeond al Gric-londe.
þat me hit him to brohte alle his aihte.
& greiðede his scipen gode bi þan sæ-flode.
& al þat þær-to bi-houede hahliche i-funden.
al-swa heo wolden heora lauerd from loðen alesen.
Al his men duden swa þe king hehte.
Þa scipen weoren igreþede mid gode grund-fulled.
Þe king ȝef Brutun his dohter þe wes his bearn deora.
& al þat forward wes ilest Þa fusden þa ferde.
wenden riht to þare sæ sela þa þeines.
Muchel wæs þa blisse þa Brutus hafde mid him.
Brutus nom Ignogen & into scipe lædde.
Heo rihten heora rapes heo rærden heora mastes.
heo wunden up seiles wind sto[d] an willen.
Sixtene siðe tuenti scipen tuhten from hauene.
& feower scipen greate þe weren grund-ladene.
mid þat beste wepnen þa Brutus hauede.
Heo fusde[n] from stronde vt of Griclonde.
heo wenden vt i wide sæ þa wilde wurðen itemede.
Tweiȝe dawes & tua niht inne sæ weren.
þen oðer dai heo comen liðen on æuen to londe.
Logice hatte þat eit-lond. leode nere þar nane.
ne wapmen ne wifmen buten westiȝe pæ[ð]es.
Vtlaȝen hefden i-ræued þat lond & alle þa leoden of-slaȝen.
& swa hit wes al west & wnnen bi-ræued.
Ah swa monie þar waren wilde deor þat wnder heom þuhte.
& þa Troinisce men tuhten to þon deoren.
& duden of þan wilden al heora iwilla.
to þan scipen [lædden swa muche swa heo] wælden
Heo funden i þon eit-londe. ane burh swiðe stronge
To-hælde weoren þe walles weste weren hallen.
Temple heo funden þar ane imaked of marme stæne.
muchel & mære þe Wrse hit hafde to welden.
Þer-inne was an onlicnesse a wifmonnes liche.
30
Diana wes ihaten þe Deouel heo luuede.
Heo dude wnder craftes þe Scucke hire fulste.
Heo wes quen of alle wodes þe weoxen on eorðen.
a þon heðene lawen me heold heo for hehne godd.
To hire weoren iwoned þa wnder-creftie men.
of þa [þ]ingen þa weren to kumen heo heom wolde cuðen.
mid tacnen & mid swefnen þonne heo weren on slæpe.
Þe wile þeo on þan eit-londe wes folc woniende.
heo wurðeden þat anlicnes þe Scucke hit on-feng.
Brutus hit herde siggen þurh his sæ-monnen.
þe ær weoren on þan londe & þa lawen wusten.
Brutus nam twelf witiȝen þe weren his wiseste men.
& enne preost of his lawen. þa weren on þan heðen dawen.
Gerion hehte þe preost he was an hirede hæh.
he ferde to þere stowe. þar Diane inne stod.
Brutus ferde in-to þere temple & þa twelfe mid him.
& lette al his folc bilæuen þer-vte.
Ana scale he bear an honde al of reade golde.
milc wes i þere scale & win sume dale.
þa milc wæs of are wite hinde þe Brutus sceat mid his honde.
He makede bi þon weofede a swiðe wunsum fur.
Niȝen siðen he bi-eode þat weofed for his neode.
He clepede to þere leuedi heo wes him on heorten leof.
mid milden his worden he ȝirnde hire mihten.
Ofte he custe þat weofed mid wnsume lates.
he halde þa milc in þat fur mid milden his worden.
Leafdi Diana leoue Diana heȝe Diana. help me to neode.
Wise m[e] & wite [m]e þurh þine wihtful craft.
whuder ich mæi liðan & ledan mine leoden.
to ane wnsume londe þer ich mihte wunien.
& ȝif ich þat lond mai bi-ȝeten & mi folc hit þurh-gengen.
makian ich wlle on þine nome mæren ane stowe.
& ich þe wulle huren mid wrhscipe hæȝan.
Þus spec Brutus
Seo[ð]ðen he nam þe hude. þa wæs of þare hinde.
Bi-foren þan wefede he heo spradde swlc he leie on bedde.
He cnelede þar-ufenan & seo[ð]ðen he adun læi.
Swa he gon slomnen & þer-æfter to slepen.
Þa þuhte him on his swefne þar he on slepe læi.
32
mid wn-sume leahtren wel heo him bi-hihte.
& hendiliche hire hond on his heued leide
& þus him to seide þer he on slepe lai.
Bi-ȝende France i þet west þu scalt finden a wunsum lond.
þat lond is bi-urnan mid þære sæ þar-on þu scalt wrþan sæl.
Þar is fuȝel þar is fisc þer wuniað feire deor.
þar is wode þar is water þar is wilderne muchel.
þet lond is swiþe wunsum weallen þer beoð feire.
wuniað in þon londe eotantes swiðe stronge.
Albion hatte þat lond ah leode ne beoð þar nane.
Þer-to þu scalt teman & ane neowe Troye þar makian.
þer scal of þine cunne kine-bearn arisen.
& scal þin mære kun wælden þ[a]s londes.
ȝeond þa weorld beon ihæȝed & þu beo hæl & isund.
Þæ awoc Brutus wel wes him on life.
He þoute of his swefne & hou þe læfdi him sæide.
mid muchelere lufe he seide hit his leoden.
hu him imette & þa læfdi hine igrette.
He þonkede hire ȝeorne mid liðfulle worden.
he bi-heihte hire biheste & he hit wel laste.
þat to hire he wolde teman & wrchen hire ane temple.
& on licnesse of ræde golde whenne he come to londe.
& æ to his liue hire willen idriȝen.
At hire heo nomen læue & to scipe li[ðd]en.
Heo hefden wind heo hefden water þe heom wel ferede.
þritti dawes & þritti niht heo ferden efer forð-riht.
Bi-fore Affrike heo ferden forð & eeuer heo drowen west & norð.
ouer þen lac of Siluius & ouer þen lac of Philisteus.
bi Ruscikadan heo nomen þa sæ & bi þe montaine of Azare.
In þære sæ heo funden vtlawen þa kenneste þa weoren o þon dawen.
fifti scipen fulle þer weore feondes to feole.
Wið Bruten heo fuhten & fealden of his monnen.
ah Brutus hefde þa ouere hond þa fæie he sloh þe quike he bond.
þar bi-won Brutus feole kunnan wunnan.
muchel garsum & mete his monscipe wes þa mære.
Nefde Brutus nenne swa wreche man þat gold & pal ne dude him on.
Þeonene he ferden forð wel feole dawen ȝong.
ouer Maluan æne flum suiðe long i Mauritane heo comen a lond
Heo li[ðd]en ȝeond þat ilke lond & þa leoden heo slowen.
34
to heora scipe heo hit fusden feirest þat heom þohte.
heo nomen of þan londe al þat heo wolden.
Þa ferden heo forð heora færð wes on sæle.
muchel ahte heo hæfden bi-wunnen Þa comen heo to þan bunnen.
þa Hercules makede mid muchelen his strengðe.
þat weoren postes longe of marmon stane stronge.
Þat taken makede Hærcules þat lond þe þer-abuten wes.
swiðe brod & swiðe long al hit stod an his hond.
Þer heo funden þe merminnen þat beoð deor of muchele ginnen.
wifmen hit þunchet fuliwis bi-neoðe þon gurdle hit þuncheð fisc.
Þeos habbeð swa murie song ne beo þa dai na swa long.
ne bið na man weri heora songes to heræn.
Hit is half mon & half fisc hit hafð þes wurse taken fuliwis.
for his werkes beo[ð] swa swete þat feolan men heo ne maȝen for-leten.
Brutus iherde siggen þurh his sæ-monnen.
of þan ufele ginnen þe cuðen þa mereminnen.
He hihte hondlien kablen teon seiles to toppa.
leten laden þene wind liðe[n] mid þan uðen.
Þa mereminnen heom to svommen on alchare sidan.
swiða heo heom lætten mid luðere heora craften.
Neðelas Brutus at-bræc al buten burstan.
& ferde riht on his wei his scipen runden swiðe.
A steores-man ham talde wil-spel þat he Spaine isæih.
Heo drowen toward hauene haleðes weoren bliðe.
To þan londe heo ferden þer heo leof folc funden.
fouwer þrum ferden þer weoren feola þusend.
gode knihtes þa gode weoren to fihten.
Þeos weoren heora sibbe-men hit wes þa beth mid heom.
Þeos feower ferden from Troye weoren iflemed.
Atenor heom ledde þe wes leode ælder.
& he mid þan folke fleh ut of Troye.
þa Grickes hit bi-wnnan mid heora wæl-slahte.
Corineus wes heora duc se[ð]ðen Atenor was dea[d].
Corineus wes a strong mon & he heuede muchele ban.
he wes swa kene he wes swa strong swilc hit weore an eotand.
Þa tiðind com to Corineum þat Brutus wes þider icomen.
wel wes him on liue nes he neuer ær swa bliðe.
36
Brutus him seide tiðinde þat an lond he ferde sechinde.
þer he mihte þurh-wunian mid his wnfolke.
Corineus him answerede & ich þe wulle mid fare.
mid mine driht-folke & habben dale mid þe.
& halden þe for herre & here þe for lauerd.
Þis feoreward was imaked heo ferden to-somne.
Heo ferden from Spaine riht toward Brutaine.
Armoriche heihte þat lond þer Brutaines noma nu on stond.
Peytou heo letten on riht hond swa heo comen a þet lond.
in are swiðe feire æ þer Læire falleð i þa sæ.
Seoue niht & enne dæi Brutus i þare hauene læi.
& he sende ȝeond þat lond & scawede þa leoden.
Goffar þan king of Peyters nes hit noht iqueme.
þat he iseh swlche sonden faren ȝeond his londe.
Þe king heihte his wise men þe wel cuðen a speche.
þat heo to þare sæ ferden þar þa ferde læi.
& iwusten at þon cnihten wet heo þer sohten.
wheþer heo walden hælden grið & greten þes londes king.
þe heo wolden mid wiðere þan kinge wið-stonden.
Numbert hehte þe alder-mon þe sculde þas ernde don.
Corineus wes ifaren to wode & draf þer þa wilde deor.
mid hornen & mid hunden & mid fif hundred cnihten.
Imetten heo faren Numbert þes kinges sonde of þat eard.
Numbert heom to clepede mid ludere stefne.
Whonene beo ȝe cnihtes Ȝe fare[ð] mid unrihte.
Ȝe huntieð i þes kinges friðe þer-fore ȝe sculen beon fæie.
Ȝe doð þan kinge muchel scome þer-fore ȝe sculen han grome.
Forboden he haueð his deor-frið þer-fore ȝe sculen liggen stif.
Corineus i-werð him wroð & wende him to-ȝeines.
& saide þas ilke word mid muchelere wre[ð]ðe.
Cniht þu ært muchel sot þat þu swa motest.
Ȝif þe king hit haueð forboden ne scal him neuer beo þa bet.
ne nawit for his forbode nulle ich hit bileuen.
to nimen his heortes & his hindes & al þa deor þat ich finde.
Þa iwre[ð]ðede Numbert þa kinges stiward of þat eard.
he leadde an his honde enne bowe stronge.
& he þene streng up braid balu com on ueste.
38
& þa fla lette gliden bi Corineus siden.
Corineus bleinte & þene scute bi-berh.
& towardes Numbert he leop swilc hit an leon weora.
& þene bowe igreap mid muchele strengðe.
He smot Numbert mid þon bowe þat his hæfd-bon to-brec.
þat his blod & his brain ba weoren to-dascte.
Fluȝen his i-feren feondliche swi[ð]e.
to þon kinge Goffar & saiden hine tiðende sære.
þet islawen wes Numbert þe wes his awene stiward.
Þe king wes swiðe særi & seorhful on mode.
& sende his sonde ȝeond his kine-londe.
gaderede his ferde þer weoren men fæie.
Þa ferde wes isumned & heo forð fusden.
toward sele Brutun þer he bi sæ wonede.
Brutus wes swiþe war for wisdome him fulede.
haures he sende to hirede þes kinges.
to witen of his farcost wher he wolde feihten.
Þa hawres ferden & sone aȝein comen.
& comen to heora læuarda þer he lai bi hauene.
& þeos word him seiden al swa hit s[oð] iwarð.
Hal beo þu Brutus Þu ert þe hexste of us.
Nu hafð Goffar þe king igadered his ferde.
muchel ferd & riche & heȝe word he spekeð.
þat alle heo wullet quellen quic þat heo findeð.
& þa scipen to-draȝen & þa wif drenchen.
Nulleð heo leaue nenne of ous a-liue.
Brutus nom al his ȝunge folc & hem to scipe fusede.
& alle his æhte his folc bitahte.
& to heom seide Brutus þe sele.
Ȝe beoð mine leofe men Hercniað mine lare.
Ne cume ȝe neauer wi[ð]-vten scipes bord ær ich ou sende sutel. word.
wheðer ich maȝe þe ufere hond habben of þan kinge.
Brutus nom his cnihtes & iwende forð-rihtes.
to þon ilke weie þer him iwised wes.
þer þe king walde forð mid muchelere his ferde.
To-gadere heo comen hardliche heo on-sloȝen.
þer wes swiðe strong feht feollen þe feie.
þer wes moni steap mon mid stele to-swngen.
40
Corineus com quecchen & to him-seolfe queð.
A-wæi Corineus Nere þu icoren kempa.
Cuð nu þine strengða & þina stepa main.
& þisse Peytisce folc fal to þe grunde.
Corineus heom rasde to swa þe rimie wulf.
þane he wule on scheapen scaðe-werc wrchen.
Breid he mid swiðeren hond a sweord muchel & swi[ð]e strong.
al þat he þer-mid hitte al hit a-dun healde.
Neora þa bearn nea swa strong þah he hefde brunie on.
ȝif he hine mid sweorde at-ran nea ras he neuer-mare.
Þa he hefde twa hundred mid sweorde to-hewen.
þa brac þat sweord in his hond riht bi þere hilte.
Þa wes wroð Corineus & þas word cleopede.
Wa wrðe auer þene smið þa þe mid honden smeo[ð]ðede.
Corineus abuten bi-heold for þe bearn was abolȝen.
& igrap of onnes monnes honde ana wiæx swiðe stronge.
al þat he neh com þer-mid he hit aquelde.
Þe king sette to fleonne & al þa ferde eafter.
& Corineus heom eafter com kenliche swiðe.
& heom to clepede þe unimete kempa.
Goffar mid þire ferde wi wolt þu fleam makian.
Ne miht þu na-wiht so fleon ȝif þu us wlt heonne fleman.
þu most swiþer fehten er we heonne iwenden.
Ne ganninde ne ridinde ne durste him nan abiden.
Þe king hefde enne þein swiþe heard he was i-haten Suard.
he bi-heold Corineum þe heom after com.
Suard hefde to i-feren þreo hundred ridearen.
he wende on-ȝean sone & he ohtliche feaht.
Nes hit noht longe þat Suard mihte stonde.
for Corineus him geinde to mid his guð-strencðe.
he gurde Suard on þat hæfd þat he grund sohte.
& he hine for-smat a-midden a twa riht bi þon ribben.
Nes þer nan swa stæðeli þat lengore mihte stonden.
Corineus heom to-brutte ban & heora ribbes.
& [ȝ]eond þat lond he heom to-draf moni þusend þar abad.
Þat folc þat flei Corineum þat com to Brutun.
& alle heo slowen þat heo neih comen.
Þe king Goffar iseih his burst & un-æðe him-seolf at-breac.
42
In-to France he ferde þer he freond funde.
to þon kaisere & to his tueolf iferen.
and tolde heom of þan balwe þe Brutus him hefde idon.
Inne Franse weren italde twelfe iferan.
þa Freinsce heo cleopeden dusze pers þa weren drihtliche men.
kinges heo weoren icleopede þat heo ofte cu[ðd]en.
Heo bi-hæihten Goffaren þen kinge þat heo hine wreken wolden.
wreken hine of his unwines þat him þe [eðere] weorra.
Heo senden ȝeond al France & buden heora ferda.
fulle seouen nihte heo somenede cnihtes.
& Brutus ladde his ferde in Armorichen earde.
& he wes swiðe bliðe for his muchele biȝate.
Ȝeond þat lond he gon ernen & þa tunes for-bearnen.
& herȝede þat lond & tæh hit to his aȝre hond.
Al þat lond he wiste & al he hit awalde.
Swa he ferde mid his here þat he on ænne hul bi-com.
He wes feir & heih & he hine swiðe bi-heold.
He nom ræd æt his monnen þat he wolde þar castel makian.
Þa þe castel vp stod he wes strong & swiðe god.
Nes hit buten lutel wile þat Goffar king com him liðen.
mid vnimete ferde of Frenchisce folke.
& of alle þon londen þa leȝen into France.
Þa Goffar þe king þene castel kennede
swa swiðe wa him was þat al his wit he for-læs.
Swiðe he fusde þider-ward kene his ferde.
heo to-dælden heom atweolfa & t[uȝen] on alchere halue.
& þa Troynisce men heom comen aȝein.
& anan leiden to þan grunden of þane Freinsce þreo þusende.
Þa Freinsce weoren isturmede & noðelas heo stal makeden.
& heo bi niðinges beard driuen heom on-ȝeinwærd.
Brutun & his kempan heo driuen into þan castle.
& in þera ilke uore heo fælden of his i-ueren.
& æl dai heo ræmden & resden to þan castle.
þat com to þere nihte þat lengre heo ne mihten.
I þon castle wes muchel dred a þa mid-niht heo nomen read.
þat heo wolden Corineum to þon wode senden.
mid alle þon folke þat he hefde on his ferde.
& ferden vt swa stille swa heo stelen wolden.
in-to ane þicke wode þa þer on uest wes.
44
A-marwen þo hit dawede & dai com to folke.
Brutus wes on-bolȝen swa bið þa wilde bær.
wenne hundes hine bistondeð i þon wode-londe.
Brutus hehte his beornes don on heora burnan.
& heora wæpne gode for heo to feht sculden.
Vp heo duden heora castles ȝæten & cofliche vt wenden.
fusden to þan Freinscan & heo hem to-ȝan fengen.
Þær wes feiht swiðe strong on alche halue hit wes stor.
þer wes monies kunnes folc & moni cniht feie.
Þer hefde Brutus enne mæi haihte Turnus.
swa wod he was to fehte þat he feie iwerð.
He feolde þa Frensca on feole kunne wisen.
mid his aȝene honden he falde monie hundred.
ah he ferde to feor ut from his iueren.
& heo him to liðden on elchere siden.
mid wepnen hine wundeden & seoððen hine slowen.
Brutus hine funde dead & into þane castle dude.
& þer-inne bi-buriȝede bi ane stan walle.
Þuru þan ilka Turnus Turs wes ihaten.
Turuine al þat lond þurh Turnus deaðe.
Brutus ferde ut & fusde to fihte.
wreken he wolde his teonen & Turnus his wine leoue.
To-gadere heo comen & grundliche on-slowen.
þer wes bil ibeat þer wes balu muchel.
& feht unimete fæie þer feollen.
Þat feht wes wnder strong þa Corineus of wode com.
mid michelene ferde Brutun to fulste.
Brutus wes on ane half Corineus an oðer.
Heo letten to-gliden gares swiþe scarpe.
heo qualden þa Frensce alle þa heo funden.
þus heo westen þat lond & slowen þa leoden.
Nes næuer þa mon iboren ne swa wis mon icoren.
þe cuðe i þon daȝe tellen of þan deade.
hu monie þusende þer weoren ileid to grunde.
Þa bleou Brutus & bonnede his ferde.
& speken to-gadere of feole wisdomes.
& funden on ræde þat heo faren wolden.
Heo letten lude clepian & cuðen ȝeond þat ferde.
þat Brutus þe sele to þare sæ wolde.
46
& mid seoluere & mid golde þa wes Goffares kinges.
& þere Freinsce monnen þe i þon feht for-worðen.
Heo ferden ut of hauene þa heleðes weren bliðe.
wind stod on willen ploȝede þe wilde fisc.
þet water wes swiðe god gumen weoren bliðe.
Lið[d]en þa leoden þat heo on londe comen.
æt Dertemuðe i Totenes wel wes Brutus þes.
Þa scipen biten on þat sond & al þat folc eode an lond.
Þa hefde Brutus þa ȝeue þat Diana him bi-heihte.
i Logice þan eit-londe þer heo weoren at-stonden.
Muchel wes þa murðe þe þat folc makode.
& heo Godd þonkeden mid þeu-fulle worden.
þat heo heora wil-daȝes wælden weoren.
Heo funden i þon londe twenti eotandes stronge.
Heora nomen ne herdi neuer tellen a leoda ne a spella.
boten þes anes name þa heore alre lauerd wes.
Geomagog ihaten þat was þe heihste.
Godes wiðer-saka þe Wrse hine luuede.
Brutus & his gode folc under-ȝeten þeos feondes.
& heora stelane flon fusden to þon feonden.
Þa flan heom weoren laðe & heo liðden to þon munten.
& i þon wilderne an hudlese wuneden.
Hit ilomp on ane daȝe þat Brutus & his duȝeðe.
makeden halinesse mid wrscipen heȝen.
mid mete & mid drinchen & mid murie gleo-dreme.
mid seoluer & mid golde þe elche bar an honde.
mid horsen & mid scruden blisse wes on hirede.
wes al þat folc swa bliðe swa heo neoren nauer er on liue.
Þa comen þære twenti teon of þan munten.
eotendes longe muchele & stronge.
Heo tuȝen alle to-gadere treon swiðe muchele.
heo leopen to Brutus folke þer heo hurtes duden.
In are lutle stunde heo slowen fif hundred.
mid stocken & mid stanen stal-feht heo makeden.
& þa Troynisce men mid strengðe wenden aȝein.
heo letten gliden heora flan & þa eotendes fluȝen.
& heo letten heom to gæres liðen.
Þa heo best wende to fleonne þa weoren heo faie.
48
& he quic wes ibroht bi-foren Brutone.
Brutus hine lette witen wel mid þan beste.
for to leten fondien of his main stronge.
to wreastlene bi-foren Brutus Geomagog & Corineus.
Brutus hit demdæ uppen ære dune.
vppen þære sæ-cliua þat folc com to-some.
Forð com Corineus & fusde hine sulfne.
& þe eotend al-swa þat alle hit bi-heolden.
Þer wes moni wepmon þer wes moni wifmon.
þer wes muchel folc at þere wrastlinge.
Heo ȝeokeden heora earmes & ȝarweden heom-seoluan.
breoste wið breoste banes þer crakeden.
Heo scuten heora sconken þa scalkas weoren stronge.
Heo hurten heora hafden hæleðes bi-heolden.
Ofte heo luten a-dun alse heo wolden liggen.
ofte heo up lupan alse heo fleon wolden.
laðliche læches heo leite[d]en mid eȝan.
Al was heora gristbatinge al swa wilde bares eȝe.
Whil heo weoren blake & ladliche iburste
whil heo weoren ræde & hehliche wenden.
heora eiþer wilnada oðer to wælden.
mid wiȝeleden mid wrenchen mid wunderliche strengðen.
Geomagog hine bi-þouhte & þudde Corineum.
frommard his breoste & breid eft on-ȝein.
brac him bi þon rugge feower of his ribben.
vfele he hine mærde ah na-wiht he hit ne mende.
Ful lutel þer wæs wone þat Corineus nas ouer-come.
Neoþelas he hine bi-þoute wat he don mahte.
Nom him heorte to & streahte his ærmes.
& breid Geomagog þat him þe rug for-berst.
igrap hine bi þon gurdle & him grimliche heaf.
Wes þa clude swiðe heh þer heo acliue fuhten.
Corineus hine fælde & hine fusde mid mæine.
aduneward þa clude þat his ban to-cluuen.
þat al þe feond to-barst ær he to folde come.
& þus þe hæȝe scaðe ferde to helle.
Nu & æuer-mare haueð þat clif þare.
nome on ælche leode þat þat weos Geomagoges lupe.
& mid swilce ræde þas eotentes weoren deade.
Nu wes al þis lond i-ahned a Brutus hond.
50
þa weoren heo bliðe on heora breost-þonke.
þa makeden heo hus & hæle[ð]es sikere.
Heo makeden tunes heo tileden on eorðen.
cornes heo seowen. medewen heo meowen.
al heo tileden ase heo to þohten.
for al hit wes heora aȝen þat heo ouer seȝen.
Þis lond was ihaten Albion þa Brutus cum her-on.
þa nolde Brutus na-mare þat hit swa ihaten weore.
ah scupte him nome æfter him-seluan.
He wes ihaten Brutus þis lond he clepede Brutaine.
& þa Troinisce men þa temden hine to hærre.
æfter Brutone Brutuns heom cleopede.
& ȝed þe nome læsteð & a summe stude cleouie[ð] faste.
Brutus ȝef Corineum þe wes his kempa de[or]a.
ana dala of his londa & sette hit him an honda.
Þe lauerd hehte Corineus & þat lond Corinee.
Seo[ð]ðen þurh þa leoden þe i þon londa weoren.
heo clepeden hit Cornwaile þurh heora sotliche cure.
Heora aȝene speke Troinisce & seoððen heo hit cleopeden Brutunisc.
ah Englisce men hit habbe[ð] awend seoððen Gurmund com in þis lond.
Gurmund draf out þe Brutuns & his folc wes ihaten Sexuns.
of ane ende of Alemaine Angles wes ihaten.
of Angles comen Englisce men and Engle-lond heo hit clepeden.
Þa Englisce ouer-comen þe Brutuns & brouhten heom þer neoðere.
þat neofer seoððen heo ne arisen ne her ræden funden.
Brutaine hefde Brutus & Cornwaile Corineus.
Brutus nom alle his freond þe comen in his ferde.
neh him he heom lænde for heo him leofe weoren.
Corineus him cleopede to alle his icorene.
alle he heom lænde þer heom wes alre leofest.
Weox þet folk & wel i-þaih for ælc hefde his iwillen.
Inne lut ȝeren firste wes þat folc swa muchel.
þat þer nas nan ende of folke swiþe hende.
Brutus hine bi-þohte & þis folc bi-heold.
bi-heold he þa muntes feire & muchele.
bi-heold he þa medewan þat weoren swiðe mære.
52
bi-heold he þa fisches bi-heold he þa fuȝeles.
bi-heold he þa leswa & þene leofliche wode.
bi-heold he þene wode hu he bleou bi-heold he þat corn hu hit greu.
al he iseih on leoden þat him leof was on heorten.
Þa bi-þohte he on Troyȝen þer his cun teone þoleden.
and he li[ðd]e ȝeond þis lond & scæwede þea leoden.
He funde wunsum ane stude vppen ane watere.
þær he gon aræren riche ane burhe.
mid bouren & mid hallen mid hæȝe stan walle.
Þa þe burh wes i-maked þa wes he swiðe mare.
þa burh wes swiðe wel idon & he hire sette name on.
he ȝef hire to hire tirfulne name Troye þe Newe.
to munien his ikunde whone he icomen weore.
Soððen þa leodene longe þer-after.
leiden adun þene noma & Trinouant heo nemneden.
Binnen feola wintre hit iwerð seo[ð]ðen.
þat aræs of Brutus kunne þat was an heh king.
Lud wes i-haten þas burh he luuede swiðe.
Þe king i þere burh wonede swiðe feola wintre.
he lette heo lude clepian ȝond his leod-folke.
hehte heo nemnen Kaerlud æfter þone kinge.
Seo[ð]ðen com oþer tir & neowe tidinde.
þat men heo clepeden Lundin ouer al þas leode.
Seoððen comen Englisce men & cleopeden heo Lundene.
Se[ð]ðen comen þa Frensca þa mid fehte heo bi-wonnen.
mid heora leodðeawe & Lundres heo hehten.
Þus is þas burh i-uaren se [ð]ðen heo ærest wes a-reræd.
þus is þis eit-lond i-gon from honde to hond.
þet alle þa burhȝes þe Brutus iwrohte.
& heora noma gode þa on Brutus dæi stode.
beoð swiðe afelled þurh warf of þon folke.
Þa Brutus hefde imaked þa hehȝe burh þa Neowe Troie was ihaten.
& he lette fusen þar-to muchel of his folke.
He heom bi-tahte þa burh & iȝearwed mid þan beste.
& he heom onleide þat weoren lawen gode.
He hehte þat luue scolde liðen heom bi-tweonen.
ælc halden oðren riht. ba bi daie & bi nith.
54
& swa vfele he mihte don þat he sculde beon ihon.
For swulchen eiȝe gode heo hefden muchele drede.
& bi-comen riht-wise men & rædes heo luueden.
Hæfde [Brutus] þis lond fower and twenti winter. on his hond
& of Ignogen his quene he hefde þreo sunen scene.
Þa heora fader wes dead alle heo nomen enne read.
& hine bi-burien in Newe Troye þere burhȝe.
þat heora fader hefde i-maked mid muchelere blisse.
Seððen þa þreo broðeren hi to-gadere comen.
æl mid seahte & al mid luue þas leode to-dælden.
Þe ældeste broðer Locrin wes ihaten.
þe wes þe wiseste þe wes þe warreste.
þe wes þe strengeste stif he wes on þonke.
He hæfde to dæle þat suð lond þat æfter him Locres wes icleped.
& Cambert hehte þe oðer þat wes þe midleste broðer.
him þat lond to dale com þat Cambrie wes ihaten.
þat is þat wilde lond þat Welsce men luuieð.
Se[ð]ðen hit is icleped Wales for þere quen Galoes.
& for þan duke Gualun Wælsce men me heom hateð.
Þe þridde broðer hehte Albanac seoððen Humber hine bi-swac.
Albanac nom his lond i þon norð ende.
þat nu ure leodene Scot-lond clepiað.
ah Albanac on his daȝe Albanie hit clepede.
Locrines mær eode suð & east forð Albanac hefde al þat norð.
Camber hefde al him-sulf bi westen Sæuarne.
Þo þa þre breðeren hefden þis lond þa luueden heom þeos leoden.
mid sibben & mid sahten seouentene winter.
Æfter seouentene ȝere sone þer-æfter
cum liðen to londe. þat wes an leodisc king
Humber was ihaten. king of Hunuze
vuele weoren his þewes. his þeines weoren kene
He hefde moni lond a-west. & leodene bi-swikene.
& moni hundred eit-londe þa weoren bi sæ-stronde.
mesten-dal alle heonne to Alamaine.
Humber king & al his fleote & his muchele scip-ferde.
comen on Albanac[k]es londe. & fuhten wið his leoden.
mid fure & mid here mid feole kunne hærme.
Albanac him fusde to mid muclan his ferde.
& heo to-gadere comen kempen þer feollen.
Al Albanakes folc folden i-seohten.
buten whilc þat þer at-wond þurh wode burȝe.
& þer was Albanac him-seolf i-slawen in þon fehte.
& swlcne hærm in þon londe dude Humber þe stronge.
Þat folc þe on þan fehte at-wond fluȝen of þan londe.
in-to Brut-londe to Locrine þon stronge.
Heo seiden him to soðe sorhfulle spelles.
þat dead wes his broðer Albanac & hu Humber hine bi-swac.
To-gædere comen mid soðe þat weoren þa tweiene broðeren.
Locrin & Camber & al heora leoden.
mid alle þon kniten þe heo biȝeten mihten.
Heo ferden toward Humber mid hæȝere strengðe.
& Humber wes swa swiðe wod. for al þat lond on him stod.
he ferde ouer Scotte water mid alle his wælkempan.
& mid bisie i-fihte Brut-lond heo wolden iwinnen.
Locrin & Camber comen heom to-ȝeines.
heo stureden heora wepnan wane wes on folke.
Þer Humber ferde to baluæ & Bruttus weoren bliðe.
Al his folc he losede þer þurh Locri[n] & Camber.
& him-seolf mid wæne ferde into ane watere.
Þer-inne he adronc & mid him muchel folc.
For Humber kinges deaðe Humbre was ihaten.
Humber wi[ð] swiðe mucle an here in Alemaine hefde iherȝed.
& hefde þat lond swiðe awest & þat folc swiðe awemmed.
He nom of þan mon-kunne þreo swiðe feire mæidene.
Þeo an wes ihaten Astrild anes hahȝes kinges dohter.
þa alre feireste wifmon þe þa wunede on folke.
Þas mæidenes weoran i þan scipen mid Humbres monnen.
þe wuste Humberes fæi þe whilen he wende to fehten.
Þa Humber was dead in Humbre adrunken.
Locrin & Camber to þon scipen comen.
for to habben al þa æhte þe Humber king aute.
Imong þon scipmonnen i funden þa þreo maidenes.
Locrin iseh þer Æstrild & he heo leofliche bi-heold.
& he heo mid armen inom eð him wes on heorten.
& he hire to seide Sel þe scal iwurðen.
wifmon þu eart hende & ic þe wlle habben.
mid wurðscipen hæȝe to richen are quene.
þa while þe ic libbe oðer nulle ic habben.
for þe ic am swa bliðe swa næs I næuer ær on liue.
Þa ȝet leouede Corineus þe in Cornwaile wes dux.
nefde he bute æne dohter ah heo wes him swiðe deore.
Locrin him hefde on foreward habben þat he heo wolde.
& he heo hæfde i hond-fæst at-foren his hired-monnen.
ah for Æstrilde luue he heo wolde bi-læuen.
Þis iherde Corineus þe wes in Cornwaile dux.
þet his leoue dohter wes Locrin at-laðed.
Corineus wes un-eðe & wa on his mode.
He ferde to þisse londe þat he com to Locrine.
He lædde on his exle ane muchele wi-eax.
He stod bi-foren Locrine & laðelich him lokede on.
& þas word him iqueð Corineus þe kempa.
Seie me Locrin saie me læðe mon.
saie me þu ebare sot seorwe þe beoð ȝeueðe.
ne scal þe nan man scilden wið scondliche deaðe.
Þu hauest mine dohter þat is mi bearn deore
& me seolfan iscend þer-fore þu scalt scrinkin.
Ic liðde mid þine fader & ledde his ferde.
moni swinc moni swæt monine seorhfulne pleiȝe.
moni grimne reas moni greatne dunt.
moni ane wnde moni wnderlic feht.
þolede ich on folde bi-foren Brutone.
þe wes mi deore wine mi drihliche lauerd
Þer-fore þu scalt beon feie. for nes he neuer þi fader
for ȝif þu were Brutus sune ne deodest þu me nane sceome.
For his luue moni eotend ic leide dead a þene grund.
an þu mi muchele swinc mid sare forȝeldest.
bi-leafest feier & sceone mine dohter Guendoleine.
for al-þeodisc meiden Æstrild ihate.
Þu nast of whulche londe heo com heder liðen.
ne whulc king is hire fader ne whulc quen hire moder.
Ah þu scalt habben for hire luue þat þe is alre laðest.
þat al þu scalt to-scæne mid scearpe mire eaxe.
Corineus up ahof & his eax adun sloh.
and smat in enne muchele stane þer Locrin stod vuenan.
Þe stan al to-sceande & Locrin at-sturte.
Alle heo hiȝeden to an elcher halfe.
& to-deleden heom atwa teona wes on hirde.
þer wes moni hah word.
& þa alre seleste eoden to-sumne
hulden muchel husting. þa hehste of þan hirde.
þat heo nolden iþolian for al-þeodene gold.
þat þeos laððe weore bi-tuxe Corineo & Locrine.
Ah we wlleð ræden & we wlleð runan.
þat weo nimen Wændoleine Locrine to are quene.
& halden alle vre aðes bi-twux Corineo & Locrine.
& halden hiredes luue mid soð-fasten huiȝe.
& senden Æstrilde vt of þissen londe.
& Locrin þis biluuede for hit wes his leodene read.
He nom Guendoleine & hefde heo to wiue
& he hit seide soð þeih hit nere.
þat he wolde Æstrilde senden vt of londe.
Ah ne dude he nawiht swo for swiken he þohte.
ah he nom his enne hired-mon þe he wel trowede on.
& hehte hine swiðe stille steolen vt of hirede.
& hehte hine faren to þon tune þe Trinouant wes ihaten.
þe wes on vre leoden Lundene ihaten.
& þar an hiȝinge þurh-ut alle þinges.
makian an eorð-hus. eadi & feier.
þe walles of stone þe duren of whales bone.
& þat inne swiðe feire stude from socne þes folkes.
& dude þer-inne muchel col & claðes i-nowe.
pælles & purpras & guldene ponewæs.
muchel win muchel wex muchel wunsum þing.
& seoððen forð-rihtes wende al bi nihte.
& mid stilliche ginne brohte Æstrild þer-inne.
Þus dude þes riche mon. swa Locrin hine hefde ihaten.
for euer-ulc god mon ah his lauerdes heste to don.
Seouen ȝer wes Astrild i þissen eorð-huse.
þat neuer ne ferde heo wið-uten dore ne na mon heo þer nuste.
buten þe king Locrin & his iueren mid him.
Þonne he to Trinouant wende þenne seide he to Wendoleine.
þat he wolde beon seoueniht þære & his godd hure.
inne diȝelnesse & elles he ne durste.
þat ei mon wuste whet he þer sohte.
Guendoleine him ilefede luðere weren his craftes.
Þus ferde Locrin þe wilde þat Astrild wes mid childe.
& Guendoleine al-swa mid childe heo weren ba twa.
Ane dohter hefde Æstrild inne þon eorð-huse.
þe king heo lette fulwen æfter þon lawen þe stoden a þon ilke dawen.
heo wes ihaten Abren nes feirure child nan.
& Guendoleine hefde enne sune an heorte hire wes þa bet.
Madan he was ihaten heh sune þes kinges.
Þis child weox & wel iþei & al folk hit wes leof.
Þa he cuðe gan & speken wið folke.
þe king Locrin hine nom his feire sune Madan.
& to Corinee hine sende in-to his londe.
þat he hine sculde wel i-teon & tuhlen him teachen.
& swa he dude mid mæine þa while þe he mihte.
Þa com þe time gliden þa ælc monne abideð.
þat Corineus þe stronge makede his liues ende.
Þet iherde þe king hit wes him swiðe queme.
Þa he wuste to soðe þat Corineus was dead.
he nom of his hirde tweolf hende men.
& Guendoleine he sende into hire fader londe.
in-to Cornwaile in-to hire cuððe.
Þa wæs Guendoleine at hame & hire sune Madan.
& swiðe heo hit mænde to alle monnen.
þe hire fader wolde þe while he wes on liue.
Heo gæderede to-sumne alle hire sibbe. freond
& alle þa knites þe heo biȝeten mihte.
& alle þat cuðe folk þat hire freond weoren.
& alle þa vncuðe to hire comen.
of wel feola londe for seoluere & for golde.
& heo rumliche hit ȝef gode þon kempan.
& bæd heom for heora wurðscipe wreken hire teonan.
Hæfde Locrin þe king inomen to him Æstrild.
heo wes him iqueme & he heo hæfde to quene.
Vnder þissere blisse þer comen muchele burstes.
Me cudde Locrine þe wes þisse leodene king.
þat Guendoleine mid ferde fusde to þisse londe.
to wreken hire teona of þon kinge & of þer quene.
Þe king mid his folke fusde hire to-ȝeines.
& heo to-gadere comen vppen ane watere.
þat water hatte Stoure þat feiht was swiðe sturne.
inne Deorsete Locrin deað þolede.
on arwe him com to heorte þat he adun halde.
þer he wes feie & muchel of his ferde.
& þa quike men at-flowen & muchel fleam makeden.
Guendoleine hæfde þa vfere hond & iahnede hire al þis lond.
& heo ferde to þan castle þer Æstrild wes inne.
heo nom Æstrild & Abren & lette heom ibinden.
& lette heom worpen in ane deope watere.
þer heo adronken & þer heo deað þoleden.
Þa wes Guendoleine leodene læfdi.
Þa hehte heo ane heste mid haiȝere witte.
þat me sculde þat ilke water þer Abren wes adrunken.
clepien hit Auren for þane mæidene Abren.
& for Locrines lufe þe wes hire kine-louerd.
þe streonede Abren vppen Astrild.
Þa hefde heo isclawen þene king & þa neowe quene & heora child.
& Auren hatte ȝet þas æ at Cristes-chirche heo falleð i þare sæ.
Guendoleine wes swiðe strong for al Brutenne wes on hire hond.
& heo was swa swiðe wel bi-þouht þat ælche monne heo dude riht.
Ælch mon mihte faren ȝend hire lond þaih he bere ræd gold.
Ten ȝer heo wes mid Locrine often heo hæfde seorwe & pine.
Fiftene ȝer and niȝen dawæs seoððen Locrin wes dead.
al Brutaine heo wuste. wel mid þon beste.
inne griðe & in friðe wun wes on folke.
Seoððen heo ȝef Madan an hond al his fader kine-lond.
To Cornwaile he ferde aȝein þe hire fader ahte.
& þer heo wonede in þon londe þa leoden weoren þe bliðre.
Madan hire sune nom a wif þe wes swiðe hende.
Bi hire he hæfde twein sunen ah beine heo weoren unseli.
Menbriz haihte þe aldre Malin þe ȝungre.
Ah fourti wintre heore fader Madan mid mensca heold his riche.
& þa his liues ende com he wende swiðe wel to don.
his tuæin sunan he sette on hond al his riche kine-lond.
Ah þa heora fader wes dæd þe sunen duden vuelne ræd.
Bi-tweonen heom aræs wal[e] & win wiðer heo weoren beien.
sleȝht & muchel seorwa al for heora uniselðe.
Ah Menbriz dude vnwreste he wes swike mid þan meste.
wið Malin his broðer he nom grið & bi-hahte to halden frið.
& swa he nom enne dai þat come heore drihtliche folc.
to makian saht & some bi-tuxen him & his bro[ð]er.
A þon daie þat wes iset þa comen heo to-sumne.
Membriz hefde inomen þat grið ah sone he makede unfrið.
he dude þer serwe inoh for þer he his broðer of-sloh.
& þus he iwon al þis lond þat hit stod on his awene hond.
Membriz hatede al his cun for non nes him iqueme.
þa riche he makede wrecchas þa hæne hine awarieden.
Ȝif þar was swa hah mon þat he ne durste fordon.
mid attere he hine adrengte þat he sone dæd wes.
A wif he nom swiðe hende enne sune on hire he streonede.
Ebrauc he wes i-cleped ȝeond al he wes cuð.
Menbriz dude an vuel weorc & him ec þa wrse ilomp.
vuel þing him wes iqueme he for-heowede al his quene.
His hired-men he nom to bedde & wifmen he al bilafde.
Twenti ȝer he heold þis lond þa leoden al to hærme.
& seoððen him a time com mid teonen he wes i-funden.
þat he to wode wende. to wundre him-seoluan.
to huntien after deoren werfore he deð þolede.
In þon wode he funde feier ane hinde
þa hunten wenden æfter mid muchelen heora lude.
Swa swiðe heo liððeden forð þat þe king heom for-leas.
þat nefde he næfer enne of alle his monnen.
He bi-com in a bæch þer he bale funde.
vppen ane weorede of wlfan awedde.
Heo him to lupen on alchere halue.
& to-luken þene king & his leomen to-drowen.
& his hors al-swa. þat deade heo weoren bo twa.
& þus ferde Membriz þe his broðer bi-swac Malin.
Enne sune he hafde bi seoluan his quene.
þe was ihaten Ebrauc æðelest alre kingen.
þe æuer sculde halden lond oþer bi-witen leode.
Al his cun he wurðede richen & wrecchen.
þa richen he lette beon stille. þa wrecchen hefden heore wille.
þat lond heo lette tilien him tuwen hired-men to.
blisse wes on londe a feole kunne þinge.
Heo heold swiðe god grið ne breac na man his frið.
Cnihtes he hæfde gode stronge & wode.
heo wilneden after worre for heom wes heora Drihten wroð.
Þe king hit wel wuste þeh he hit suggen ne durste.
He lætte bi sæ-flode ȝearkien scipen gode.
vmben ane stunde þa scipen ȝaru weoren.
& he dude þer-inne his drihtliche cnites.
& sende heom in-to France mid muchelere ferde.
& heo herȝeden France & feor þer bi-ȝeonden.
& alle þa londes þa þer-to leȝen.
Muchel wes þa gersume þe heo hæfden inome.
& comen eft hider ham al isund & ihal.
Þes wes þe æreste king þe ferde vt to ræuing.
þat ouer sæ wende vt of þisse londe.
Swiðe longe þer-after wes al þis leodisc folc.
vnimete riche of þere ræuinge.
Þa com hit to mode Ebrauc þon gode.
þat he wolde bulden twa burh stronge.
He nom his folc & ferde forð & droh him rites norð.
a ðas half Scotlonde þer he wolde at-stonde.
Ærest he makede ane burh & Kaer Ebrauc heo clepede.
þa oðer on are dune Adud he heo hahte.
Þa heo wes icleped Kaer Ebrauc seððen wes icleped Eborac.
Seoððen comen vncuðe men & Eoverwic heo hahten.
& þa norþerne men nis hit nawiht ȝeare.
þurh ane unþewe Ȝeorc heo ihæhten.
Þa ferde þe king norður ma & ane neowe burh makede.
vppen Angnetes munte mærliche feier.
Maidene Castel he wes icleoped nat ich for wan hit was swa idon.
Ebrauc leofede swiðe longe. & lond heold mid mensce.
Sixti winter he wes king i griðe he heold his kine-lond.
Ah he hæfde moni wif þe his cun of a-wachede.
he hefde on liue tuenti sunen. and alc hefde sundri moder.
him þat lond to dale com þat Cambrie wes ihaten.
þat is þat wilde lond þat Welsce men luuieð.
Se[ð]ðen hit is icleped Wales for þere quen Galoes.
& for þan duke Gualun Wælsce men me heom hateð.
Þe þridde broðer hehte Albanac seoððen Humber hine bi-swac.
Albanac nom his lond i þon norð ende.
þat nu ure leodene Scot-lond clepiað.
ah Albanac on his daȝe Albanie hit clepede.
Locrines mær eode suð & east forð Albanac hefde al þat norð.
Camber hefde al him-sulf bi westen Sæuarne.
Þo þa þre breðeren hefden þis lond þa luueden heom þeos leoden.
mid sibben & mid sahten seouentene winter.
Æfter seouentene ȝere sone þer-æfter
cum liðen to londe. þat wes an leodisc king
Humber was ihaten. king of Hunuze
vuele weoren his þewes. his þeines weoren kene
He hefde moni lond a-west. & leodene bi-swikene.
& moni hundred eit-londe þa weoren bi sæ-stronde.
mesten-dal alle heonne to Alamaine.
Humber king & al his fleote & his muchele scip-ferde.
comen on Albanac[k]es londe. & fuhten wið his leoden.
mid fure & mid here mid feole kunne hærme.
56
& heo to-gadere comen kempen þer feollen.
Al Albanakes folc folden i-seohten.
buten whilc þat þer at-wond þurh wode burȝe.
& þer was Albanac him-seolf i-slawen in þon fehte.
& swlcne hærm in þon londe dude Humber þe stronge.
Þat folc þe on þan fehte at-wond fluȝen of þan londe.
in-to Brut-londe to Locrine þon stronge.
Heo seiden him to soðe sorhfulle spelles.
þat dead wes his broðer Albanac & hu Humber hine bi-swac.
To-gædere comen mid soðe þat weoren þa tweiene broðeren.
Locrin & Camber & al heora leoden.
mid alle þon kniten þe heo biȝeten mihten.
Heo ferden toward Humber mid hæȝere strengðe.
& Humber wes swa swiðe wod. for al þat lond on him stod.
he ferde ouer Scotte water mid alle his wælkempan.
& mid bisie i-fihte Brut-lond heo wolden iwinnen.
Locrin & Camber comen heom to-ȝeines.
heo stureden heora wepnan wane wes on folke.
Þer Humber ferde to baluæ & Bruttus weoren bliðe.
Al his folc he losede þer þurh Locri[n] & Camber.
& him-seolf mid wæne ferde into ane watere.
Þer-inne he adronc & mid him muchel folc.
For Humber kinges deaðe Humbre was ihaten.
Humber wi[ð] swiðe mucle an here in Alemaine hefde iherȝed.
& hefde þat lond swiðe awest & þat folc swiðe awemmed.
He nom of þan mon-kunne þreo swiðe feire mæidene.
Þeo an wes ihaten Astrild anes hahȝes kinges dohter.
þa alre feireste wifmon þe þa wunede on folke.
Þas mæidenes weoran i þan scipen mid Humbres monnen.
þe wuste Humberes fæi þe whilen he wende to fehten.
Þa Humber was dead in Humbre adrunken.
Locrin & Camber to þon scipen comen.
for to habben al þa æhte þe Humber king aute.
Imong þon scipmonnen i funden þa þreo maidenes.
Locrin iseh þer Æstrild & he heo leofliche bi-heold.
& he heo mid armen inom eð him wes on heorten.
& he hire to seide Sel þe scal iwurðen.
wifmon þu eart hende & ic þe wlle habben.
58
þa while þe ic libbe oðer nulle ic habben.
for þe ic am swa bliðe swa næs I næuer ær on liue.
Þa ȝet leouede Corineus þe in Cornwaile wes dux.
nefde he bute æne dohter ah heo wes him swiðe deore.
Locrin him hefde on foreward habben þat he heo wolde.
& he heo hæfde i hond-fæst at-foren his hired-monnen.
ah for Æstrilde luue he heo wolde bi-læuen.
Þis iherde Corineus þe wes in Cornwaile dux.
þet his leoue dohter wes Locrin at-laðed.
Corineus wes un-eðe & wa on his mode.
He ferde to þisse londe þat he com to Locrine.
He lædde on his exle ane muchele wi-eax.
He stod bi-foren Locrine & laðelich him lokede on.
& þas word him iqueð Corineus þe kempa.
Seie me Locrin saie me læðe mon.
saie me þu ebare sot seorwe þe beoð ȝeueðe.
ne scal þe nan man scilden wið scondliche deaðe.
Þu hauest mine dohter þat is mi bearn deore
& me seolfan iscend þer-fore þu scalt scrinkin.
Ic liðde mid þine fader & ledde his ferde.
moni swinc moni swæt monine seorhfulne pleiȝe.
moni grimne reas moni greatne dunt.
moni ane wnde moni wnderlic feht.
þolede ich on folde bi-foren Brutone.
þe wes mi deore wine mi drihliche lauerd
Þer-fore þu scalt beon feie. for nes he neuer þi fader
for ȝif þu were Brutus sune ne deodest þu me nane sceome.
For his luue moni eotend ic leide dead a þene grund.
an þu mi muchele swinc mid sare forȝeldest.
bi-leafest feier & sceone mine dohter Guendoleine.
for al-þeodisc meiden Æstrild ihate.
Þu nast of whulche londe heo com heder liðen.
ne whulc king is hire fader ne whulc quen hire moder.
Ah þu scalt habben for hire luue þat þe is alre laðest.
þat al þu scalt to-scæne mid scearpe mire eaxe.
Corineus up ahof & his eax adun sloh.
and smat in enne muchele stane þer Locrin stod vuenan.
Þe stan al to-sceande & Locrin at-sturte.
Alle heo hiȝeden to an elcher halfe.
60
þer wes moni hah word.
& þa alre seleste eoden to-sumne
hulden muchel husting. þa hehste of þan hirde.
þat heo nolden iþolian for al-þeodene gold.
þat þeos laððe weore bi-tuxe Corineo & Locrine.
Ah we wlleð ræden & we wlleð runan.
þat weo nimen Wændoleine Locrine to are quene.
& halden alle vre aðes bi-twux Corineo & Locrine.
& halden hiredes luue mid soð-fasten huiȝe.
& senden Æstrilde vt of þissen londe.
& Locrin þis biluuede for hit wes his leodene read.
He nom Guendoleine & hefde heo to wiue
& he hit seide soð þeih hit nere.
þat he wolde Æstrilde senden vt of londe.
Ah ne dude he nawiht swo for swiken he þohte.
ah he nom his enne hired-mon þe he wel trowede on.
& hehte hine swiðe stille steolen vt of hirede.
& hehte hine faren to þon tune þe Trinouant wes ihaten.
þe wes on vre leoden Lundene ihaten.
& þar an hiȝinge þurh-ut alle þinges.
makian an eorð-hus. eadi & feier.
þe walles of stone þe duren of whales bone.
& þat inne swiðe feire stude from socne þes folkes.
& dude þer-inne muchel col & claðes i-nowe.
pælles & purpras & guldene ponewæs.
muchel win muchel wex muchel wunsum þing.
& seoððen forð-rihtes wende al bi nihte.
& mid stilliche ginne brohte Æstrild þer-inne.
Þus dude þes riche mon. swa Locrin hine hefde ihaten.
for euer-ulc god mon ah his lauerdes heste to don.
Seouen ȝer wes Astrild i þissen eorð-huse.
þat neuer ne ferde heo wið-uten dore ne na mon heo þer nuste.
buten þe king Locrin & his iueren mid him.
Þonne he to Trinouant wende þenne seide he to Wendoleine.
þat he wolde beon seoueniht þære & his godd hure.
inne diȝelnesse & elles he ne durste.
þat ei mon wuste whet he þer sohte.
Guendoleine him ilefede luðere weren his craftes.
Þus ferde Locrin þe wilde þat Astrild wes mid childe.
& Guendoleine al-swa mid childe heo weren ba twa.
62
þe king heo lette fulwen æfter þon lawen þe stoden a þon ilke dawen.
heo wes ihaten Abren nes feirure child nan.
& Guendoleine hefde enne sune an heorte hire wes þa bet.
Madan he was ihaten heh sune þes kinges.
Þis child weox & wel iþei & al folk hit wes leof.
Þa he cuðe gan & speken wið folke.
þe king Locrin hine nom his feire sune Madan.
& to Corinee hine sende in-to his londe.
þat he hine sculde wel i-teon & tuhlen him teachen.
& swa he dude mid mæine þa while þe he mihte.
Þa com þe time gliden þa ælc monne abideð.
þat Corineus þe stronge makede his liues ende.
Þet iherde þe king hit wes him swiðe queme.
Þa he wuste to soðe þat Corineus was dead.
he nom of his hirde tweolf hende men.
& Guendoleine he sende into hire fader londe.
in-to Cornwaile in-to hire cuððe.
Þa wæs Guendoleine at hame & hire sune Madan.
& swiðe heo hit mænde to alle monnen.
þe hire fader wolde þe while he wes on liue.
Heo gæderede to-sumne alle hire sibbe. freond
& alle þa knites þe heo biȝeten mihte.
& alle þat cuðe folk þat hire freond weoren.
& alle þa vncuðe to hire comen.
of wel feola londe for seoluere & for golde.
& heo rumliche hit ȝef gode þon kempan.
& bæd heom for heora wurðscipe wreken hire teonan.
Hæfde Locrin þe king inomen to him Æstrild.
heo wes him iqueme & he heo hæfde to quene.
Vnder þissere blisse þer comen muchele burstes.
Me cudde Locrine þe wes þisse leodene king.
þat Guendoleine mid ferde fusde to þisse londe.
to wreken hire teona of þon kinge & of þer quene.
Þe king mid his folke fusde hire to-ȝeines.
& heo to-gadere comen vppen ane watere.
þat water hatte Stoure þat feiht was swiðe sturne.
inne Deorsete Locrin deað þolede.
on arwe him com to heorte þat he adun halde.
þer he wes feie & muchel of his ferde.
64
Guendoleine hæfde þa vfere hond & iahnede hire al þis lond.
& heo ferde to þan castle þer Æstrild wes inne.
heo nom Æstrild & Abren & lette heom ibinden.
& lette heom worpen in ane deope watere.
þer heo adronken & þer heo deað þoleden.
Þa wes Guendoleine leodene læfdi.
Þa hehte heo ane heste mid haiȝere witte.
þat me sculde þat ilke water þer Abren wes adrunken.
clepien hit Auren for þane mæidene Abren.
& for Locrines lufe þe wes hire kine-louerd.
þe streonede Abren vppen Astrild.
Þa hefde heo isclawen þene king & þa neowe quene & heora child.
& Auren hatte ȝet þas æ at Cristes-chirche heo falleð i þare sæ.
Guendoleine wes swiðe strong for al Brutenne wes on hire hond.
& heo was swa swiðe wel bi-þouht þat ælche monne heo dude riht.
Ælch mon mihte faren ȝend hire lond þaih he bere ræd gold.
Ten ȝer heo wes mid Locrine often heo hæfde seorwe & pine.
Fiftene ȝer and niȝen dawæs seoððen Locrin wes dead.
al Brutaine heo wuste. wel mid þon beste.
inne griðe & in friðe wun wes on folke.
Seoððen heo ȝef Madan an hond al his fader kine-lond.
To Cornwaile he ferde aȝein þe hire fader ahte.
& þer heo wonede in þon londe þa leoden weoren þe bliðre.
Madan hire sune nom a wif þe wes swiðe hende.
Bi hire he hæfde twein sunen ah beine heo weoren unseli.
Menbriz haihte þe aldre Malin þe ȝungre.
Ah fourti wintre heore fader Madan mid mensca heold his riche.
& þa his liues ende com he wende swiðe wel to don.
his tuæin sunan he sette on hond al his riche kine-lond.
Ah þa heora fader wes dæd þe sunen duden vuelne ræd.
Bi-tweonen heom aræs wal[e] & win wiðer heo weoren beien.
sleȝht & muchel seorwa al for heora uniselðe.
Ah Menbriz dude vnwreste he wes swike mid þan meste.
wið Malin his broðer he nom grið & bi-hahte to halden frið.
& swa he nom enne dai þat come heore drihtliche folc.
to makian saht & some bi-tuxen him & his bro[ð]er.
A þon daie þat wes iset þa comen heo to-sumne.
Membriz hefde inomen þat grið ah sone he makede unfrið.
66
& þus he iwon al þis lond þat hit stod on his awene hond.
Membriz hatede al his cun for non nes him iqueme.
þa riche he makede wrecchas þa hæne hine awarieden.
Ȝif þar was swa hah mon þat he ne durste fordon.
mid attere he hine adrengte þat he sone dæd wes.
A wif he nom swiðe hende enne sune on hire he streonede.
Ebrauc he wes i-cleped ȝeond al he wes cuð.
Menbriz dude an vuel weorc & him ec þa wrse ilomp.
vuel þing him wes iqueme he for-heowede al his quene.
His hired-men he nom to bedde & wifmen he al bilafde.
Twenti ȝer he heold þis lond þa leoden al to hærme.
& seoððen him a time com mid teonen he wes i-funden.
þat he to wode wende. to wundre him-seoluan.
to huntien after deoren werfore he deð þolede.
In þon wode he funde feier ane hinde
þa hunten wenden æfter mid muchelen heora lude.
Swa swiðe heo liððeden forð þat þe king heom for-leas.
þat nefde he næfer enne of alle his monnen.
He bi-com in a bæch þer he bale funde.
vppen ane weorede of wlfan awedde.
Heo him to lupen on alchere halue.
& to-luken þene king & his leomen to-drowen.
& his hors al-swa. þat deade heo weoren bo twa.
& þus ferde Membriz þe his broðer bi-swac Malin.
Enne sune he hafde bi seoluan his quene.
þe was ihaten Ebrauc æðelest alre kingen.
þe æuer sculde halden lond oþer bi-witen leode.
Al his cun he wurðede richen & wrecchen.
þa richen he lette beon stille. þa wrecchen hefden heore wille.
þat lond heo lette tilien him tuwen hired-men to.
blisse wes on londe a feole kunne þinge.
Heo heold swiðe god grið ne breac na man his frið.
Cnihtes he hæfde gode stronge & wode.
heo wilneden after worre for heom wes heora Drihten wroð.
Þe king hit wel wuste þeh he hit suggen ne durste.
He lætte bi sæ-flode ȝearkien scipen gode.
vmben ane stunde þa scipen ȝaru weoren.
& he dude þer-inne his drihtliche cnites.
& sende heom in-to France mid muchelere ferde.
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& alle þa londes þa þer-to leȝen.
Muchel wes þa gersume þe heo hæfden inome.
& comen eft hider ham al isund & ihal.
Þes wes þe æreste king þe ferde vt to ræuing.
þat ouer sæ wende vt of þisse londe.
Swiðe longe þer-after wes al þis leodisc folc.
vnimete riche of þere ræuinge.
Þa com hit to mode Ebrauc þon gode.
þat he wolde bulden twa burh stronge.
He nom his folc & ferde forð & droh him rites norð.
a ðas half Scotlonde þer he wolde at-stonde.
Ærest he makede ane burh & Kaer Ebrauc heo clepede.
þa oðer on are dune Adud he heo hahte.
Þa heo wes icleped Kaer Ebrauc seððen wes icleped Eborac.
Seoððen comen vncuðe men & Eoverwic heo hahten.
& þa norþerne men nis hit nawiht ȝeare.
þurh ane unþewe Ȝeorc heo ihæhten.
Þa ferde þe king norður ma & ane neowe burh makede.
vppen Angnetes munte mærliche feier.
Maidene Castel he wes icleoped nat ich for wan hit was swa idon.
Ebrauc leofede swiðe longe. & lond heold mid mensce.
Sixti winter he wes king i griðe he heold his kine-lond.
Ah he hæfde moni wif þe his cun of a-wachede.
he hefde on liue tuenti sunen. and alc hefde sundri moder.
he wes þritti dohtrenne fader. þeo wifmen weoren feire.
Of his sunen hercne þa nomen & ich heo þe wulle nemnen.
Brutus Uært Escut. Margadud Sisiluius. Regin Bladud.
Moruit. Lagon. Ebedloan Ricar. Spaden. Gaul. Pardan.
Ældad. Gangu. Kerin. Luor Ruc. Assarac. Buel. Hector.
Þeos weoren Ebraukes sunen þes aðeles kinges.
His dohter nomen hercna nu þa hæȝe weoren iborene.
Þa eldeste was ihaten Gloigin Ocidas. Ourar Ignogen.
Guardid Radan. Guendlian. Angarad. Guenboden Meðelan.
Malure. Ecub. Zangustel. Scadud. Kambreda Methahel.
Gaz. Echem. Nest. Gorgon. Wladus. Ebræn Blangru. Egron
Bedra. Aballac. Eangnes Andor. Scadiald. Galoes.
Efter þissere Galoes Wales wes inemned.
Galoes wes feirest of alle þan oðren.
leouest þone kinge of þan sustren & of þon breoð[er]en.
& Anoþer wes alre best itowen hire tuhtlen weren gode
Gloigin hehte þa alre elduste þeo wes þurh alle þing þa æðeleste.
alle heo weoren wel bi-hedda.
Þe king of Lumbardie Siluius he wes heora nexta cunnes-mon.
richeliche he nom his sonde & sende to Ebrauke kinge of þisse londe.
He bad hine senden him alle his dohtren.
& he heom wolde ȝeuen richen his monnen.
swiðe riche cnihten of Troinisce cunne.
þa weoren in Lumbardie of heore strund þah stræmes heom todæleden.
& þa wifmen of Lumbardie weoren heom swiðe laðe.
for þi þe king sende after þisse maidenen to ȝeuen his riche monnen.
swa he dude & þus hit wes wa wes Lumbardisce folc þes.
Þa hefde þe king Siluius his wille & Lumbardie he walde.
& al his Troinisce cun tuhten to him-seoluan.
Summe þa breo[ð]eren Ebraukes sunen comen þider mid heora sustren.
Heo biȝeten wepnen heo biȝeten scipen heo biȝeten men þe heom cuðen witen.
heo senden ouer al þan ærde to biȝeten muchele ferde.
Þa comen þas cnihtes ut of Brutaine ferden of Lumbardie to Alamaigne.
Assarac þe com ut of þissen eard his broðren hine cleopeden heora lauerd.
Heo færden mid ȝeapscipe & mid wisdome swa longe þat heo to Alamaine comen.
Muchele castles heo bigunnen heo slowen heo barnden & þæt lond bi-wunnen.
Ebrauc heora fader heold þis lond sixti winter he wes heore king.
He hæfde her his eldeste sune iholden mid him-seoluan.
his nome wes wel wide cuð he hehte Brutus Uært Escud.
Tueolf ȝer he heold þis kine-lond seoððen his fader hit bilefde.
Ænne sune he hefde ihaten Lei[l] he heold þis kine-lond after him.
fulle fif & twenti ȝer æfter his fader daie
He makede ane heȝe burh feier & hende
to imonien Lei[l] þene king & Kaer Leil heo clepede.
In alle þon norð ende nes nan burh swa hende.
Lei[l] þe king heold wel þis lond & lawen he hafde stronge.
ah toward his lifes ende him ilomp wel luðere.
þat alle his riche eorles & alle his heȝe beornes.
makeden muchel unfrið & for þon kinge heo nolden holden grið.
Nefden heo of heore kinge buten heora scærninge.
& euer-ælc wilde mon hefde al his wil to don.
Þa iwerð þe king sec þurh hefeȝere seorwe.
& sone þer-after com þe dai. þat þe king dead lai.
Þes king hefde enne sune þe wes swiðe god mon.
he wes swiðe god knit Ruhhudibras ihaten.
Þe cniht nom þæs riche & þene kinedom æke.
& niȝen & þritti winter he heold þæs leoden.
æfter leuen his fader þe Leil was ihaten.
He sette þis lond he sahtnesse wrohte.
he sette stronge lawen he wes sturne þon dusien.
he luuede þeo leoden þe his lawen heolden.
Æuer-alcne godne mon he aðelede mid gode.
he hehte hælden grið & frið vppe leome & vppe lif.
He makede ane riche burh & hehte heo Winchestre.
swlc werc him þuhte swiðe muri & seoððen he makede Cantwareburi.
& Cestesburi castel an Waladunes dune.
Ne com nauer seoððen nan swa seolcuð þing.
þat an muchel ærn spec a þon castle þer he set.
þet Ruhhudibras þe king him-seolf hit iherde.
& alle his cnihtes þe mide him weoren.
Þes fuȝel tacnede faie-sið þes kinges.
Ruhhudibras was sone dead wa wes his duhþen.
His sune hehte Bladud he wes a swiðe bisi mon.
he wes strong & swiðe muchel riche he wes & mæhti.
he cuðe þene vuele craft þat he wið þene Wurse spæc.
& al þat euer he wolde þe Wurse him talde.
Þes ilke king Bladud Baðen iwrohte.
þurh swiðe muchele ginne mid ane stæn-cunne.
al swa great swa a beam þe he leide in ane walle-stream.
Þe ilke makeð þat water hot & þan folc halwende.
He makede an temple onfest þe baðe an ære hæhtnesse nome.
þe hire nome wul ihere[n] Minerue heo was ihaten.
To hire he hefde loue. & læfdi heo hehte.
In þere temple he lette beornen enne blase of fure.
þe neuer ne aþeostrede wintres ne sumeres.
ah euer me þat fur bette swa þe king haihte.
to wrðscipe his læfdi þe leof him wes on heorten.
Þus dude Bladud þe king þat hit wes wide cuð.
Þa he hefde þus idon. þæ þohte he on oðer.
He ȝealp þat he wolde fleon on fuȝeles læche.
þat al his folc mihte iseon & his fluhtes bi-halden.
He makede his feðerhome & þaruore he hæfde muchel scome.
To Lunden he ferde mid muchelen his folke.
his feðer-home he dude him on & he his f[l]uht þer bigon.
Mid wiȝeful his fluhte. tæih him to þon lufte
he ferde swiðe hehȝe þere weolcne he wes swiðe nih.
Þe wind him com on wiðere weðeleden his fluhtes.
brecon þa strenges þe he mid strahte.
& he feol to folde þe king wes feie.
vppen are stouwe þe i Lundene stod.
Appollones temple þe wes þe tir-fulle Feond.
þe king feol on þene rof þat he al to-draf.
Þus wes þas kineriche of heora kinge bi-ræued.
Tuenti winter hafde Bladud þas kine-lond an hond.
æfter his fader Ruhhudibras þe Leil sune þes riche kinges wes.
Bladud hafde enne sune. Leir wes ihaten.
Efter his fader daie he heold þis drihliche lond.
somed an his liue sixti winter.
He makede ane riche burh þurh radfulle his crafte.
& he heo lette nemnen efter him-seoluan.
Kaer Leir hehte þe burh leof heo wes þan kinge.
þa we an ure leod-quide Leirchestre clepiað.
Ȝeare a þan holde dawen heo wes swiðe aðel burh.
& seoððen þer seh toward swiðe muchel seorwe.
þat heo wes al for-faren þurh þere leodene uæl.
Sixti winter hefde Leir þis lond al to welden.
Þe king hefde þreo dohtren bi his drih-liche quen.
nefde he nenne sune þer-fore he warð sari.
his manscipe to halden buten þa þreo dohtren.
Þa ældeste dohter haihte Gornoille þa oðer Ragau. þa þridde Cordoille.
Heo wes þa ȝungeste suster. a wliten alre va[i]rest.
heo wes hire fader al swa leof swa his aȝene lif.
Þa ældede þe king & wakede an aðelan.
& he hine bi-þohte wet he don mahte.
of his kineriche æfter his deie.
He seide to himsuluen. þat þat vuel wes
Ic wlle mine riche to-don allen minen dohtren
& ȝeuen hem mine kine-þeode & twemen mine bearnen.
Ac ærst ic wille fondien whulchere beo mi beste freond.
and heo scal habbe þat beste del of mine drih-lichen lon[d].
Þus þe king þohte & þer-æfter he worhte.
He clepede Gornoille hes guðfulle dohter.
vt of hire bure to hire fader deore
& þeus spac þe alde king. þer he on æðelen seat.
Sei me Gornoille soðere worden.
swiþe dure þeo eart me hu leof æm ich þe.
Hu mochel worȝ leste þu me to walden kineriche.
Gornoille was swiðe wær swa beoð wif-men wel ihwær.
& seide ane lesinge heore fædere þon king.
Leofe fæder dure swa bide ich Godes are.
swa helpe me Apollin for min i-læfe is al on him.
þat leuere þeo ært me æne þane þis world al clane.
& ȝet ic þe wlle speken wit þeou ært leouere þene mi lif.
& þis ich sucge þe to seoðe þu mith me wel ileue.
Leir þe king ilefde his doster læisinge
& þas ænsware ȝef. þat waes þe olde king.
Ich þe Gornoille seuge leoue dohter dure.
god scal beon þi meda for þira gretinge.
Ic eam for mire ælde swþe vnbalded.
& þou me leuoste swþe mare þan is on liue.
Ich wille mi dirhliche lond a þroe al to-dalen.
þin is þat beste deal þu ært mi dohter deore.
& scalt habben to lauerd. min alre beste þein.
þeo ich mai uinden in mine kinne-londe.
Æfter spac þe olde kinge wit his [oðer] dohter.
Leoue dohter Regau waet seist tu me to ræide
Seie þu bi-fore mire duȝ[ð]en heo dure ich am þe an herten.
Þa answærde mid rætfulle worden
Al þat is on liue nis [me] swa dure.
swa me is þin an lime forðe min ahȝene lif.
Ah heo ne seide naþing s[o]ð no more þenne hiire suste[r].
Alle hire lesinge hire uader ilefede.
Þa answarede þe king hiis doȝter him icwemde.
Þea þridde del of mine londe ich bi-take þe an honde.
þu scalt nime louerd þer þe is alre leowost.
Þa ȝet nolde þe leod-king his sothscipe bi-læuen
he hehte cumen him bi-foren. his dohter Gordoille.
Heo was alre ȝungest of soðe ȝær-witelest.
& þe king heo louede more þanne ba tueie þe oðre.
Cordoille iherde þa lasinge. þe hire sustren seiden þon kinge
nom hire leaf-fulne huie þat heo liȝen nolden.
hire fader heo wolde suge seoð were him lef were him lað.
Þeo queð þe alde king vnra[d] him fulede.
Iheren ich wlle of þe Cordoille.
sua þe helpe Appollin hu deore þe beo lif min.
Þa answarede Cordoille lude & no-wiht stille.
mid gomene & mid lehtre to hire fader leue.
Þeo art me leof al-so mi fæder & ich þe al-so þi dohter.
Ich habbe to þe sohfaste loue for we buoð swiþe isibbe.
& swa ich ibide are ich wille þe suge mare.
Al swa muchel þu bist woruh swa þu velden ært.
& al swa muchel swa þu hauest men þe wllet luuien.
for sone heo bið ilaȝe[d] þe mon þe lutel ah.
Þus seide þe mæiden Cordoille & seoððen set swþe stille.
Þa iwarðe þe king wærð for he nes þeo noht iquemed.
& wende on is þonke þat hit weren for vnðeawe.
þat he hire weore swa unwourð þat heo hine nold iwurði
swa hire twa sustren þe ba somed læsinge speken.
Þe king Leir iwerðe swa blac swlch hit a blac cloð weoren.
iwærð his hude & his heowe for he was suþe ihærmed.
mid þere wræððe he wes isweued. þat he feol iswowen.
Late þeo he up fusde þat mæiden wes afeared.
Þa hit alles up brac hit wes vuel þat he spac.
Hærne Cordoille ich þe telle wlle mine wille.
Of mine dohtren þu were me durest nu þu eært me arle læðes[t].
Ne scalt þu næuer halden dale of mine lande.
ah mine dohtren ich wlle delen mine riche
& þu scalt worðen warchen. & wonien in wansiðe
for nauere ich ne wende. þat þu me woldes þus scanden
Þar-fore þu scalt beon dæd ich wene fliȝ ut of min eæh-sene.
Þine sustren scullen habben mi kine-lond & þis me is iqueme.
Þe Duc of Cornwaile scal habbe Gornoille.
& þe Scottene king Regau þat scone.
& ic hem ȝeue al þa winne þe ich æm waldinge ouer.
& al þe alde king dude swa he hafuede idemed.
Of[te] wes þen mæidene wa & næure wors þenne þa.
[w]a hire wes on mode for hire fader wærþe.
Heo uende into hire boure þar heo ofte sætte sare.
for heo nolde liȝen hire fadder leoue.
Þat maide wes swðen swomefest for hire fader heo scunede.
& dude þene beste red. in hire bure heo abed.
& þolede þene mod-kare & mornede swþe.
& þus ane stonde hit stod æ ðon ilka.
In France wes a king riche & swiðe kene.
Aganippes wes ihaten hæleðen he wes ældere.
He wes a ȝenge king. ah quene nauede he nane
He sende hiis sande. into þisse lande
to Leir þan king. & leofliche hine gret.
He bæd hine don is iwille ȝeuen him Cordoille.
& he heo wolde habben hæȝe to are quene.
& æfter hire don ærest þat hire were alre leofust.
Feor haueden liðende men ispeken of þan mæidene.
feiȝernesse & freo-scipe at-foren þan Frensce kinge.
of hire mucla fæira wlita of hire muchela monschipe.
hu heo wes þolemod of fæire hire þeæwen.
þat nes on Leir kinges lond nan wifman al swa hende.
& þe king Aganippus igrette Leir kin þus.
Leir kin hine biþohte wat he don mohte.
he letten writen a writ & wel hit lette dihten.
& sende hit bi his sonde in Frauncene londe.
Þus spec þes kinges writ hit wes widen icuð.
Þe kinge of Bruttaine. þe Leir is haten.
greteð Aganippus. þene aldere of Fraunce.
Worðschepe haue þu þire wel-deda.
& þire feire sonde þat grete þu me woldest.
Ac ich do þe wel to witene hær bi mine writ rith.
þat mi drihliche lond atwa ich habbe ideled.
iȝeuen hit mine twam dohtren þe me beoh swiðe deore.
Dohter ich habbe þa þridda ac ne ræcche ich wær heo libbe.
for heo me for-huste & heo hold me for hæne
& for mire halde. heo me unæle[de].
heo make[de] me swa swiþe wrað. þe worse hire scal i-wurðn
of alle mine londe. ne of alle mine leode
þe ich auere biȝeat. oðer bi-ȝete mæie
ich þe sucge soð-riht na scal heo habbe nawiht.
Ac ȝef þu heo wult habben for mæide heo is hende.
ich heo wulle þe biwiten & senden ha þe in ane scipe.
mid seoluen hire claðen of me nafð heo na more.
Ȝif þu heo wult underfon al þis ilka ich wulle don.
Iseid ich habbe þene grund & þu seolf wurð al hisund.
Þis writ com to Fraunce to þan freo kinge.
He hit lette raden leof him weren þa runen.
Þa wende þe kinge þat hit were for vuele.
þat Leir kinge hire fæder heo him wolde atleden.
& he mochul a þa wodeloker wilnede þeos mæidenes.
& seide to is bornen þat wes þe bisie king.
Ich eam riche mon i-noh þat na mare ich ne rec[c]he.
ne scal neuere Leir king þat mæiden me attlede
ac ich heo wulle habben to hæ[h]ȝe[r]e are quene.
Habben heore fader al is lond al hiis seoluer and is gold.
Ne bidde ich nanne maðmes me seolf ich habben inoȝe.
bute þat mæiden Cordoille. þenne hæbbe ich mine wille
Mid writ & mid worde. he sende eft to þisse londe
& bad Leir king him sende his dohter þe wæs hende.
& he wolde wel don mid muchele worðe-scipe heo u[n]der-fon.
Þa nom þa olde king æðele his meiden.
mid seoluen hire claðes & lette heo fo[r]ðe liðen.
ofer þa stremes hire fader hire wes sturne.
Aganippus þe Frennsce king vnder-feng þis meiden child.
al hiis folc hit wes iqueme & makeden heo to quene.
& þus heo þer bi-lefde leof heo wes þon leoden.
& Leir king hire fæder luuede i ðisse londe.
& hadde iȝeuen is twain dohtren al his drihliche leand.
He ȝef Gornoille Scotlondes kinge.
he hæhte Maglaunus his mæhte weren store.
Cornwailles duke Regau is dohter.
Þa i-lomp hit seoððe sone þar-æfter.
þat þe Scottene king & þe duk speken to-gaðere.
mid heore stil rune nome hem to reda.
þat heo wolden al þis lond habben on heora hond.
& feden Leir þane king þe while þe he leouede.
dæies & nihtes mid feowerti hired-cnihtes
& heo him wolden finden. hauekes & hundes
þat he mihte riden ȝeond alle þanne þeoden.
& libben on lisse þe while þe he leouede.
Þus heo þa ispeken & eft hit to-breken.
& Leir king hit iherde & eft him wes þe worsse.
& Leir gan liðe to Scottenæ leoda.
mid Maglaune his aðume & mid þere eldre dohtre.
Me vnder-fenge þene king mid mochele feirnusse.
& wel me him dihte mid feowerti hire[d]-cnihtes.
mid horsen & mid hundes mid al þet him bi-heovede.
Þa hi-lomp hit seoððen seone þer-after.
þe Gornoille bi-þohte. whet heo don mihte
Heore þuhte swiþe eille. of æðelene hire fædere
& heo hit bi-gan to mainen. to Maglaune hire louerde
and seide him ibedde. þer heo leiin iueore
Seie me mi lauerd. monne þu ert me leouest
me þuncheð þat mi fæder. nis nowhit felle.
no he wurh-scipe ne can his wit he hauet bileued.
Me þunche[ð] þe alde mon wole dotie nou nan.
He [h]alt here fauwerti cnihtes daies and nihtes.
he haueht her þas þeines and alle heore swaines.
hundes and hauekes þer-uore we habbet harmes.
and nowher heo ne spedet and auere heo spenet.
& al þat goud þat we hem doð heo hit bluðeliche vnder-foð.
and cunnen us vn[ð]onc for ure wel-dede.
Heo doð muchel bisemære ure men hi to-betet.
mi fader hauet to monie of idele manne.
Ale þa feorðe dale lete we for[ð] fuse.
inoh he hauet on þirti to þirngen to borde.
Vs selve we habbet cokes to quecchen to cuchene.
vs sulue we habbet bermen & birles inowe.
Lete we sum þis mochele folc fare wher ha wulleð.
swa ich æuere ibiden are iðolien nulle ich hit mare.
Þis iherde Maglaunus þat is quene spilede þus.
& he hire andswarede mid aðelere spiche.
Leiuedi þu haues mochel wouh nauest þu riche-dom inoh.
Ah hald þine fæder on lisse ne luueðe he no-wiht longe.
For ȝef ferrene kinges hiherde þa tidinde.
þe we swa takede him on heo us wolden tælen.
Ah late we hine welden his folc on his willen.
and þis min aȝe ræd is for sone her-æfter he beð dead.
& ac we habben in ure hond al half is kine-lond.
Þa seide Gornoille Lauerd beo þeu stille.
let me al iwurþen & ich ham wulle atwailden.
Heo sende mid hire ginne to þare cnihtene inne
heo hahte hem faren here wæi for heo nolden hem no more feden
moni of þen þeinen. monie of þen swe[i]nen
þe þider weren icumene. mid Leir þanne kinge
Þis iherde Leir king. þar-fore he wes swuþe wrah
þa iȝedede þe king. mid ȝemeliche worden
and þus seide þe kinge. sorhful on mode
Wa worðe þan monne. þe lond haueðe mid menske
and bi-tachet hit is childe. þe while þe he mai hit walden
for ofte hit ilimpð. þat eft hit him of-þincheð
Nu ich wulle hunne faren forð-rihte to Cornwalen.
ȝernen ich wulle rædes to Regau mire dohter.
þe hauede Hemeri þe duc & mi drihliche lond.
Forhd þe king wende in-to þan suð ende.
to Regau is dochter for rædes him trukeden.
Þa he to Cornwale com he wes feire þer vnder-fon.
swa al þet halue ȝer mid al his hirede he wes þer.
Þa saide Regau to hire duc H[e]meri.
Lauerd herne þu me to fulle soþe ich sucge hit þe.
We habbet idon unwisdom. þat we mine fader habbet vnde[r]-fon
mid [þ]irtti cnihten hit nis me noht iqueme.
Do we awai þane twenti a tene beoð inohȝe
for al heo dringket and eteð & na god heo ne bi-ȝeteð.
Þa seide Hemeri þe duc þe his alde fader bi-swake.
Swa ich eæuere beo on liue ne scal he habben beote fiue.
for þer he hauet hirde hinoh for he nauyt no doð.
& ȝef he wille henne faren fuse we hine sone.
Al heo ispedden ase heo ispeken hafden.
binomen him is doȝeðe and al his drihliche folc.
nolden heo him bi-leafuen cnihtes beoten fiue
Þis iseh Leir þe king wa wes him on liue.
His mod him gon mengen he morȝnede swiðe.
and þas worde seide mid seorhfulle laichen
Wela weolla. wella. hu þu bi-swikest monine mon.
Þenne he þe treoweðe alre best on þenne bi-swikes tu heom
Nis hit nowit ȝare noht fulle twa ȝere.
þat ich was a riche king and held mine cnihtes.
Nu ich habben ibiden þat ich bare sitte
wunnen biræue[d] wa is me on liue.
Ich wes at Gornoille mire god-fulle dohter.
wu[ne]den on hire leoden mid þritti cnihtes.
þe ȝet ich mihte libben ah þenne igonne liðen.
Ich wende swiðe wel to don ac wurse ich habbe vnder-fon
Aȝen ich wulle to Scotte to scone mire docter.
ȝernen hira milcea þat heo me nele wurdea.
bidden heo me vnder-fon mid mine fif cnihten.
Þer ich wulle wunie and þolie þeos wænen
ane lutele stunde. for ne libbe ich no-wiht longe
Leir þe king wende forh. to is dohter wunede norð
Fulle þre nihtes heo hærabarewude hine. and is cnihtes
heo swor a þane ferþe dæi bi al heuenliche main.
þat ne sculde he habben mare bute enne kincte þere.
and ȝef he þet nolde ferde wuder he wolde.
Wel oft wes Leir wa and neuere wurs þanne þa.
Þa seide þe alde king æruu e was on herten.
Wallan dæð wela deað. þat þu me nelt for-demen
Seoð seide Cordoille. for cuð hit is me nouþe.
mi ȝengestte dohter heo was me wel dure.
seoððen heo me wes lea[ð]est for heo me seiden alre sohust.
þat he bið vnworð & lah. þe mon þe litul ah
and ihc nas na wurdra. þenne ich nes weldinde.
Ouer soh seiden þat ȝunge vifmon hire folweð mochel wisdom.
Þa wile þe ich hæuede mi kinelond luueden me mine leoden.
for mine londe & for mine feo mine eorles fulle to mine cneo
Nu ich æm a wrecche mon. ne leouet me no mon for þan
Ah mi dohter me seide seoh for nou ich hire ileue i-noh.
& ba twa hire susteren lasinge me seiden.
þat ich ham wes swa leof leuere þenne hire aȝe lif.
& Cordoille mi dohter dohȝeþe me seide.
þat heo me leouede swa feire swa monnes fader scolde.
Wet wold ich bidde mare of mire dohter dure.
Nu ich wullen faren feorð & ouer sæ fusen.
ihiren of Cordoille. wat beon hire wille
Hire seohðe word ich nam to grame. þar-fore ich habbe nu muchele scame
for nu ich mot bi-secchen þat þing þat ich ær for-howede.
Nule heo me do na wurse þanne hire lond forwurnen.
Leir ferde to þere sæ mid ane alpie swein.
in-to ane schipe he bi-com ne icnwo hine no mon
ouer sea icomen hauene sone. anomen.
Forð wende þe king Leir nauede he bute enne swein.
Hi axeden þa quene þat heo comen hire a neweste.
tahten heom leode wer wes þes londes quene.
Leir king wende on anne feld & reste hine on folden.
and is sw[ei]n he forð sende þe wes irad-mon hende.
to þere quene Cordoille and seide hire wel stille.
Hail wurð þu feire quene Ich eam þines fader sweine.
and þi uader is hider ikimen for al is lond is him bi-nomen.
Beoð ba þine sustren touward him for-sworene
He cumeð for neode in-to þisse leode.
and help him nu for þu miht he is þi fader alse hit is riht.
Þe quene Cordoille seæt longe swþe stille.
Heo iward reode on hire benche swilche hit were of wine-scenche.
and þe swain sæt sone þer-after him wes þe bet.
Þa alles vppe abræc hit wes god þet heo spæc.
Appollin mi lauer[d]. ich þankie þe þat mi fæder is icumme to me.
Tidinge ic ihire leoue þat mi fader on liue is.
Of me he habben scal goudne reæd bute ich beo þe raðer ded.
Seie me nuþe leo[f] swein. & harne mine lare
Ich þe wulle bi-tache a male riche
peniȝes þer buo[ð] an sunda to iwisse an hundrad punda
Ich bi-tæche þe anne hængest godna & strongna.
to læden þis garisume to leuene mine fadere
and seie him þat ich hine gret godere gretinge.
& hatine fare swiþe to hare feire burȝe.
and rumen him herberia i summe riche burie.
& bugge him alre errust þat him wes alre leouust
metes & drinches. & hende claðes
hundes & hauekes & durewurðe horses.
hal[d]e in is heose. feuwerti hired-cnihtes.
heȝe and riche bi-hongen mid ræue.
makie him god baid. & ofte hine baðie
& him blod lete lutlen and ofte.
Wenne þu wult more suluer sæche hit at me suluen.
& ich him wulle senden inoh of þisse ende.
swa neuer he ne cuðe of his alde cuððe.
cnihte ne sweine ne nauer nanne þeine.
Þenne feowerti dawes beoð agan. þenne cuðe he anan
to leue mine lauerd. þat Leir is an is londe.
icume ouer sæ-streme to isen is eastresse.
& ich hit wulle swa nimen alse ich hine nusten.
liðen him to-ȝænes. mid mine lauerde.
fainen mines lauerdes & is fæirliche cume.
Nute hit neuere nane gume buten he beo neowene icume.
& þus hit writen sende to mine lauerd kinge.
& þu þas æhte on-fo and loca þat þu wel do.
and ȝef þu heo þus dalest to godere þire hæle.
& þe swein on-feng þas ahte & to is louer[d] ferde.
to Leir þon kinge. & seide þas tidinge
þer he læi on felde and reste hine on folde.
Sone werð þe alde king wunliche iæðeled.
& þas wuord seide mid soðere stefuene.
After vuele cumeð god wel is him þe hit habbe mot.
Heo ferden to hare æȝene burh ase þe quene hæhte.
& al heo iduden efter hire lare.
Þ[a] forð wuren agan feuwerti daȝene.
þon nom Leir þe king is leouste cnihtes.
& gret Aganippum þat was his leue aðum.
& seide him bi his sond þet icume he wes to is londe.
to speken wit his dohter þe wes him swuðe dure.
Aganippus wes bliþe þet Leir wes cumen liðen.
ferde him to-ȝenes mid alle his þeines.
and þa quene Cordoille þa hauede Leir is wille.
Heo comen to-gadere & ofte heo custen.
heo uenden to burȝe blisse wes an hirede.
Þer wes bemene song. þere [ȝ]eden pipen among.
al weren þe hællen bi-hongen mid pellen.
alle þa mete-burdes ibrusted mid golde
[Ringes of golde] ælc mon hafte on honde.
mid fiþelen and mid harpen hæleðes þer sungen.
Lette þe king gan awal & lude clepien ouer-al.
and seide þat Leir kin icume wes to londen.
Nu hateð Aganippus þe is þe heȝest ouer us.
þat ȝe Leir king alle wurðe liðe.
& scal beon eouwer lauerd inne þissere leoden.
al swa fele ȝere swa he wonien wulle here
& Aganippus ure king s[c]al beon is vnder-ling.
Wha-swa wulle libba alde þas sibba
& ȝef o man hit wille breken on ueste it bi[ð] iwreken.
& wite he alle is mon þat he here haldet. on.
Þa answareda þa duȝeþa Don we hit wullet
lude and stille al þes kinges wille.
Þurð-out al þat ulke ȝer heo duden al þus þer.
mid muchelere sibba mid mocheleære seahte.
Þa þeos ȝer wes a-gon þa wold Leir king fare ham.
to þisse londe liðen and ȝernde þeos kinges leue.
Þe king Aganippus answerede him þus
Ne scalt þu neuere þider faren bute mochelere ferde.
ah ich þe wulle lanen of mine leode-folc
fif hundred schipes. ifulled mid cnihten
& al þat heom bihoueð to habben on fore.
And þine dohter Cordoille þa is þisse londes quene.
heo scall mid mochelere ferde faren mid þe
an liþen to þen londen þer þu were leodene king.
And ȝef þu miht æine finden þe þe wulle aȝen-stonde
binimen þe þine rihte & þine kine-riche.
þu ahliche ueht. & fel heo to grunde
& irum al þat lond. and sete hit Cordoille an hond
þat heo hit al habbe. efter þi[n]e daie
Þas wordes seide Aganippus. & Leir king dude þus
and al he iworhte. swa his freond him tahte.
To þisse lon[d]en he com liðen. mih leoue his dohter
He higreðe[d]e mid þane beste þe him buwen wolden.
& alle he ham fulde þe him wit feohten.
and he al þis kine-lond biwon to his aȝere hande.
& ȝef hit Cordoille þe wes Francene quene.
and hit ane stunde stod a þissene ilke.
Leir king one leoden þreo ȝer leouede.
þæ com his ende-dæi þat þe king ded læi.
Inne Leirchestre his dohter hine leide.
inne Ianies temple al swa þe b[o]c tellet.
and Cordoille heold þis lond mid hæȝere strenðe.
fulle fif ȝere quene heo wes here.
þa while Francene king fæisiðe makede.
and Cordoille com þat wourd þat heo was iworðen widewe.
Þa come þa tidende to Scottlondes kinge.
þat Aganippus was dead Leir king idæied.
He sende þurh Brittaine into Cornwaille.
& hehte þane duc stronge heriȝen in suð londe.
and he wolde bi norðen iahnien þa londa.
For hit was swuþe mouchel scome & ec swiþe muchel grame.
þat scholde a quene beon king in þisse londe.
& heora sunen beon buten þa weren hire beteren.
of þan aldre sustren þa þa æðelen sulden habben.
Nulle we hit na-more iþolien al þat lond we wulleð habben.
Of his sunen hercne þa nomen & ich heo þe wulle nemnen.
Brutus Uært Escut. Margadud Sisiluius. Regin Bladud.
Moruit. Lagon. Ebedloan Ricar. Spaden. Gaul. Pardan.
Ældad. Gangu. Kerin. Luor Ruc. Assarac. Buel. Hector.
Þeos weoren Ebraukes sunen þes aðeles kinges.
His dohter nomen hercna nu þa hæȝe weoren iborene.
Þa eldeste was ihaten Gloigin Ocidas. Ourar Ignogen.
Guardid Radan. Guendlian. Angarad. Guenboden Meðelan.
Malure. Ecub. Zangustel. Scadud. Kambreda Methahel.
Gaz. Echem. Nest. Gorgon. Wladus. Ebræn Blangru. Egron
Bedra. Aballac. Eangnes Andor. Scadiald. Galoes.
70
Galoes wes feirest of alle þan oðren.
leouest þone kinge of þan sustren & of þon breoð[er]en.
& Anoþer wes alre best itowen hire tuhtlen weren gode
Gloigin hehte þa alre elduste þeo wes þurh alle þing þa æðeleste.
alle heo weoren wel bi-hedda.
Þe king of Lumbardie Siluius he wes heora nexta cunnes-mon.
richeliche he nom his sonde & sende to Ebrauke kinge of þisse londe.
He bad hine senden him alle his dohtren.
& he heom wolde ȝeuen richen his monnen.
swiðe riche cnihten of Troinisce cunne.
þa weoren in Lumbardie of heore strund þah stræmes heom todæleden.
& þa wifmen of Lumbardie weoren heom swiðe laðe.
for þi þe king sende after þisse maidenen to ȝeuen his riche monnen.
swa he dude & þus hit wes wa wes Lumbardisce folc þes.
Þa hefde þe king Siluius his wille & Lumbardie he walde.
& al his Troinisce cun tuhten to him-seoluan.
Summe þa breo[ð]eren Ebraukes sunen comen þider mid heora sustren.
Heo biȝeten wepnen heo biȝeten scipen heo biȝeten men þe heom cuðen witen.
heo senden ouer al þan ærde to biȝeten muchele ferde.
Þa comen þas cnihtes ut of Brutaine ferden of Lumbardie to Alamaigne.
Assarac þe com ut of þissen eard his broðren hine cleopeden heora lauerd.
Heo færden mid ȝeapscipe & mid wisdome swa longe þat heo to Alamaine comen.
Muchele castles heo bigunnen heo slowen heo barnden & þæt lond bi-wunnen.
Ebrauc heora fader heold þis lond sixti winter he wes heore king.
He hæfde her his eldeste sune iholden mid him-seoluan.
his nome wes wel wide cuð he hehte Brutus Uært Escud.
Tueolf ȝer he heold þis kine-lond seoððen his fader hit bilefde.
Ænne sune he hefde ihaten Lei[l] he heold þis kine-lond after him.
fulle fif & twenti ȝer æfter his fader daie
He makede ane heȝe burh feier & hende
to imonien Lei[l] þene king & Kaer Leil heo clepede.
In alle þon norð ende nes nan burh swa hende.
72
ah toward his lifes ende him ilomp wel luðere.
þat alle his riche eorles & alle his heȝe beornes.
makeden muchel unfrið & for þon kinge heo nolden holden grið.
Nefden heo of heore kinge buten heora scærninge.
& euer-ælc wilde mon hefde al his wil to don.
Þa iwerð þe king sec þurh hefeȝere seorwe.
& sone þer-after com þe dai. þat þe king dead lai.
Þes king hefde enne sune þe wes swiðe god mon.
he wes swiðe god knit Ruhhudibras ihaten.
Þe cniht nom þæs riche & þene kinedom æke.
& niȝen & þritti winter he heold þæs leoden.
æfter leuen his fader þe Leil was ihaten.
He sette þis lond he sahtnesse wrohte.
he sette stronge lawen he wes sturne þon dusien.
he luuede þeo leoden þe his lawen heolden.
Æuer-alcne godne mon he aðelede mid gode.
he hehte hælden grið & frið vppe leome & vppe lif.
He makede ane riche burh & hehte heo Winchestre.
swlc werc him þuhte swiðe muri & seoððen he makede Cantwareburi.
& Cestesburi castel an Waladunes dune.
Ne com nauer seoððen nan swa seolcuð þing.
þat an muchel ærn spec a þon castle þer he set.
þet Ruhhudibras þe king him-seolf hit iherde.
& alle his cnihtes þe mide him weoren.
Þes fuȝel tacnede faie-sið þes kinges.
Ruhhudibras was sone dead wa wes his duhþen.
His sune hehte Bladud he wes a swiðe bisi mon.
he wes strong & swiðe muchel riche he wes & mæhti.
he cuðe þene vuele craft þat he wið þene Wurse spæc.
& al þat euer he wolde þe Wurse him talde.
Þes ilke king Bladud Baðen iwrohte.
þurh swiðe muchele ginne mid ane stæn-cunne.
al swa great swa a beam þe he leide in ane walle-stream.
Þe ilke makeð þat water hot & þan folc halwende.
He makede an temple onfest þe baðe an ære hæhtnesse nome.
þe hire nome wul ihere[n] Minerue heo was ihaten.
To hire he hefde loue. & læfdi heo hehte.
74
þe neuer ne aþeostrede wintres ne sumeres.
ah euer me þat fur bette swa þe king haihte.
to wrðscipe his læfdi þe leof him wes on heorten.
Þus dude Bladud þe king þat hit wes wide cuð.
Þa he hefde þus idon. þæ þohte he on oðer.
He ȝealp þat he wolde fleon on fuȝeles læche.
þat al his folc mihte iseon & his fluhtes bi-halden.
He makede his feðerhome & þaruore he hæfde muchel scome.
To Lunden he ferde mid muchelen his folke.
his feðer-home he dude him on & he his f[l]uht þer bigon.
Mid wiȝeful his fluhte. tæih him to þon lufte
he ferde swiðe hehȝe þere weolcne he wes swiðe nih.
Þe wind him com on wiðere weðeleden his fluhtes.
brecon þa strenges þe he mid strahte.
& he feol to folde þe king wes feie.
vppen are stouwe þe i Lundene stod.
Appollones temple þe wes þe tir-fulle Feond.
þe king feol on þene rof þat he al to-draf.
Þus wes þas kineriche of heora kinge bi-ræued.
Tuenti winter hafde Bladud þas kine-lond an hond.
æfter his fader Ruhhudibras þe Leil sune þes riche kinges wes.
Bladud hafde enne sune. Leir wes ihaten.
Efter his fader daie he heold þis drihliche lond.
somed an his liue sixti winter.
He makede ane riche burh þurh radfulle his crafte.
& he heo lette nemnen efter him-seoluan.
Kaer Leir hehte þe burh leof heo wes þan kinge.
þa we an ure leod-quide Leirchestre clepiað.
Ȝeare a þan holde dawen heo wes swiðe aðel burh.
& seoððen þer seh toward swiðe muchel seorwe.
þat heo wes al for-faren þurh þere leodene uæl.
Sixti winter hefde Leir þis lond al to welden.
Þe king hefde þreo dohtren bi his drih-liche quen.
nefde he nenne sune þer-fore he warð sari.
his manscipe to halden buten þa þreo dohtren.
Þa ældeste dohter haihte Gornoille þa oðer Ragau. þa þridde Cordoille.
Heo wes þa ȝungeste suster. a wliten alre va[i]rest.
heo wes hire fader al swa leof swa his aȝene lif.
76
& he hine bi-þohte wet he don mahte.
of his kineriche æfter his deie.
He seide to himsuluen. þat þat vuel wes
Ic wlle mine riche to-don allen minen dohtren
& ȝeuen hem mine kine-þeode & twemen mine bearnen.
Ac ærst ic wille fondien whulchere beo mi beste freond.
and heo scal habbe þat beste del of mine drih-lichen lon[d].
Þus þe king þohte & þer-æfter he worhte.
He clepede Gornoille hes guðfulle dohter.
vt of hire bure to hire fader deore
& þeus spac þe alde king. þer he on æðelen seat.
Sei me Gornoille soðere worden.
swiþe dure þeo eart me hu leof æm ich þe.
Hu mochel worȝ leste þu me to walden kineriche.
Gornoille was swiðe wær swa beoð wif-men wel ihwær.
& seide ane lesinge heore fædere þon king.
Leofe fæder dure swa bide ich Godes are.
swa helpe me Apollin for min i-læfe is al on him.
þat leuere þeo ært me æne þane þis world al clane.
& ȝet ic þe wlle speken wit þeou ært leouere þene mi lif.
& þis ich sucge þe to seoðe þu mith me wel ileue.
Leir þe king ilefde his doster læisinge
& þas ænsware ȝef. þat waes þe olde king.
Ich þe Gornoille seuge leoue dohter dure.
god scal beon þi meda for þira gretinge.
Ic eam for mire ælde swþe vnbalded.
& þou me leuoste swþe mare þan is on liue.
Ich wille mi dirhliche lond a þroe al to-dalen.
þin is þat beste deal þu ært mi dohter deore.
& scalt habben to lauerd. min alre beste þein.
þeo ich mai uinden in mine kinne-londe.
Æfter spac þe olde kinge wit his [oðer] dohter.
Leoue dohter Regau waet seist tu me to ræide
Seie þu bi-fore mire duȝ[ð]en heo dure ich am þe an herten.
Þa answærde mid rætfulle worden
Al þat is on liue nis [me] swa dure.
78
Ah heo ne seide naþing s[o]ð no more þenne hiire suste[r].
Alle hire lesinge hire uader ilefede.
Þa answarede þe king hiis doȝter him icwemde.
Þea þridde del of mine londe ich bi-take þe an honde.
þu scalt nime louerd þer þe is alre leowost.
Þa ȝet nolde þe leod-king his sothscipe bi-læuen
he hehte cumen him bi-foren. his dohter Gordoille.
Heo was alre ȝungest of soðe ȝær-witelest.
& þe king heo louede more þanne ba tueie þe oðre.
Cordoille iherde þa lasinge. þe hire sustren seiden þon kinge
nom hire leaf-fulne huie þat heo liȝen nolden.
hire fader heo wolde suge seoð were him lef were him lað.
Þeo queð þe alde king vnra[d] him fulede.
Iheren ich wlle of þe Cordoille.
sua þe helpe Appollin hu deore þe beo lif min.
Þa answarede Cordoille lude & no-wiht stille.
mid gomene & mid lehtre to hire fader leue.
Þeo art me leof al-so mi fæder & ich þe al-so þi dohter.
Ich habbe to þe sohfaste loue for we buoð swiþe isibbe.
& swa ich ibide are ich wille þe suge mare.
Al swa muchel þu bist woruh swa þu velden ært.
& al swa muchel swa þu hauest men þe wllet luuien.
for sone heo bið ilaȝe[d] þe mon þe lutel ah.
Þus seide þe mæiden Cordoille & seoððen set swþe stille.
Þa iwarðe þe king wærð for he nes þeo noht iquemed.
& wende on is þonke þat hit weren for vnðeawe.
þat he hire weore swa unwourð þat heo hine nold iwurði
swa hire twa sustren þe ba somed læsinge speken.
Þe king Leir iwerðe swa blac swlch hit a blac cloð weoren.
iwærð his hude & his heowe for he was suþe ihærmed.
mid þere wræððe he wes isweued. þat he feol iswowen.
Late þeo he up fusde þat mæiden wes afeared.
Þa hit alles up brac hit wes vuel þat he spac.
Hærne Cordoille ich þe telle wlle mine wille.
Of mine dohtren þu were me durest nu þu eært me arle læðes[t].
Ne scalt þu næuer halden dale of mine lande.
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& þu scalt worðen warchen. & wonien in wansiðe
for nauere ich ne wende. þat þu me woldes þus scanden
Þar-fore þu scalt beon dæd ich wene fliȝ ut of min eæh-sene.
Þine sustren scullen habben mi kine-lond & þis me is iqueme.
Þe Duc of Cornwaile scal habbe Gornoille.
& þe Scottene king Regau þat scone.
& ic hem ȝeue al þa winne þe ich æm waldinge ouer.
& al þe alde king dude swa he hafuede idemed.
Of[te] wes þen mæidene wa & næure wors þenne þa.
[w]a hire wes on mode for hire fader wærþe.
Heo uende into hire boure þar heo ofte sætte sare.
for heo nolde liȝen hire fadder leoue.
Þat maide wes swðen swomefest for hire fader heo scunede.
& dude þene beste red. in hire bure heo abed.
& þolede þene mod-kare & mornede swþe.
& þus ane stonde hit stod æ ðon ilka.
In France wes a king riche & swiðe kene.
Aganippes wes ihaten hæleðen he wes ældere.
He wes a ȝenge king. ah quene nauede he nane
He sende hiis sande. into þisse lande
to Leir þan king. & leofliche hine gret.
He bæd hine don is iwille ȝeuen him Cordoille.
& he heo wolde habben hæȝe to are quene.
& æfter hire don ærest þat hire were alre leofust.
Feor haueden liðende men ispeken of þan mæidene.
feiȝernesse & freo-scipe at-foren þan Frensce kinge.
of hire mucla fæira wlita of hire muchela monschipe.
hu heo wes þolemod of fæire hire þeæwen.
þat nes on Leir kinges lond nan wifman al swa hende.
& þe king Aganippus igrette Leir kin þus.
Leir kin hine biþohte wat he don mohte.
he letten writen a writ & wel hit lette dihten.
& sende hit bi his sonde in Frauncene londe.
Þus spec þes kinges writ hit wes widen icuð.
Þe kinge of Bruttaine. þe Leir is haten.
greteð Aganippus. þene aldere of Fraunce.
Worðschepe haue þu þire wel-deda.
& þire feire sonde þat grete þu me woldest.
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þat mi drihliche lond atwa ich habbe ideled.
iȝeuen hit mine twam dohtren þe me beoh swiðe deore.
Dohter ich habbe þa þridda ac ne ræcche ich wær heo libbe.
for heo me for-huste & heo hold me for hæne
& for mire halde. heo me unæle[de].
heo make[de] me swa swiþe wrað. þe worse hire scal i-wurðn
of alle mine londe. ne of alle mine leode
þe ich auere biȝeat. oðer bi-ȝete mæie
ich þe sucge soð-riht na scal heo habbe nawiht.
Ac ȝef þu heo wult habben for mæide heo is hende.
ich heo wulle þe biwiten & senden ha þe in ane scipe.
mid seoluen hire claðen of me nafð heo na more.
Ȝif þu heo wult underfon al þis ilka ich wulle don.
Iseid ich habbe þene grund & þu seolf wurð al hisund.
Þis writ com to Fraunce to þan freo kinge.
He hit lette raden leof him weren þa runen.
Þa wende þe kinge þat hit were for vuele.
þat Leir kinge hire fæder heo him wolde atleden.
& he mochul a þa wodeloker wilnede þeos mæidenes.
& seide to is bornen þat wes þe bisie king.
Ich eam riche mon i-noh þat na mare ich ne rec[c]he.
ne scal neuere Leir king þat mæiden me attlede
ac ich heo wulle habben to hæ[h]ȝe[r]e are quene.
Habben heore fader al is lond al hiis seoluer and is gold.
Ne bidde ich nanne maðmes me seolf ich habben inoȝe.
bute þat mæiden Cordoille. þenne hæbbe ich mine wille
Mid writ & mid worde. he sende eft to þisse londe
& bad Leir king him sende his dohter þe wæs hende.
& he wolde wel don mid muchele worðe-scipe heo u[n]der-fon.
Þa nom þa olde king æðele his meiden.
mid seoluen hire claðes & lette heo fo[r]ðe liðen.
ofer þa stremes hire fader hire wes sturne.
Aganippus þe Frennsce king vnder-feng þis meiden child.
al hiis folc hit wes iqueme & makeden heo to quene.
& þus heo þer bi-lefde leof heo wes þon leoden.
& Leir king hire fæder luuede i ðisse londe.
& hadde iȝeuen is twain dohtren al his drihliche leand.
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he hæhte Maglaunus his mæhte weren store.
Cornwailles duke Regau is dohter.
Þa i-lomp hit seoððe sone þar-æfter.
þat þe Scottene king & þe duk speken to-gaðere.
mid heore stil rune nome hem to reda.
þat heo wolden al þis lond habben on heora hond.
& feden Leir þane king þe while þe he leouede.
dæies & nihtes mid feowerti hired-cnihtes
& heo him wolden finden. hauekes & hundes
þat he mihte riden ȝeond alle þanne þeoden.
& libben on lisse þe while þe he leouede.
Þus heo þa ispeken & eft hit to-breken.
& Leir king hit iherde & eft him wes þe worsse.
& Leir gan liðe to Scottenæ leoda.
mid Maglaune his aðume & mid þere eldre dohtre.
Me vnder-fenge þene king mid mochele feirnusse.
& wel me him dihte mid feowerti hire[d]-cnihtes.
mid horsen & mid hundes mid al þet him bi-heovede.
Þa hi-lomp hit seoððen seone þer-after.
þe Gornoille bi-þohte. whet heo don mihte
Heore þuhte swiþe eille. of æðelene hire fædere
& heo hit bi-gan to mainen. to Maglaune hire louerde
and seide him ibedde. þer heo leiin iueore
Seie me mi lauerd. monne þu ert me leouest
me þuncheð þat mi fæder. nis nowhit felle.
no he wurh-scipe ne can his wit he hauet bileued.
Me þunche[ð] þe alde mon wole dotie nou nan.
He [h]alt here fauwerti cnihtes daies and nihtes.
he haueht her þas þeines and alle heore swaines.
hundes and hauekes þer-uore we habbet harmes.
and nowher heo ne spedet and auere heo spenet.
& al þat goud þat we hem doð heo hit bluðeliche vnder-foð.
and cunnen us vn[ð]onc for ure wel-dede.
Heo doð muchel bisemære ure men hi to-betet.
mi fader hauet to monie of idele manne.
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inoh he hauet on þirti to þirngen to borde.
Vs selve we habbet cokes to quecchen to cuchene.
vs sulue we habbet bermen & birles inowe.
Lete we sum þis mochele folc fare wher ha wulleð.
swa ich æuere ibiden are iðolien nulle ich hit mare.
Þis iherde Maglaunus þat is quene spilede þus.
& he hire andswarede mid aðelere spiche.
Leiuedi þu haues mochel wouh nauest þu riche-dom inoh.
Ah hald þine fæder on lisse ne luueðe he no-wiht longe.
For ȝef ferrene kinges hiherde þa tidinde.
þe we swa takede him on heo us wolden tælen.
Ah late we hine welden his folc on his willen.
and þis min aȝe ræd is for sone her-æfter he beð dead.
& ac we habben in ure hond al half is kine-lond.
Þa seide Gornoille Lauerd beo þeu stille.
let me al iwurþen & ich ham wulle atwailden.
Heo sende mid hire ginne to þare cnihtene inne
heo hahte hem faren here wæi for heo nolden hem no more feden
moni of þen þeinen. monie of þen swe[i]nen
þe þider weren icumene. mid Leir þanne kinge
Þis iherde Leir king. þar-fore he wes swuþe wrah
þa iȝedede þe king. mid ȝemeliche worden
and þus seide þe kinge. sorhful on mode
Wa worðe þan monne. þe lond haueðe mid menske
and bi-tachet hit is childe. þe while þe he mai hit walden
for ofte hit ilimpð. þat eft hit him of-þincheð
Nu ich wulle hunne faren forð-rihte to Cornwalen.
ȝernen ich wulle rædes to Regau mire dohter.
þe hauede Hemeri þe duc & mi drihliche lond.
Forhd þe king wende in-to þan suð ende.
to Regau is dochter for rædes him trukeden.
Þa he to Cornwale com he wes feire þer vnder-fon.
swa al þet halue ȝer mid al his hirede he wes þer.
Þa saide Regau to hire duc H[e]meri.
Lauerd herne þu me to fulle soþe ich sucge hit þe.
We habbet idon unwisdom. þat we mine fader habbet vnde[r]-fon
88
Do we awai þane twenti a tene beoð inohȝe
for al heo dringket and eteð & na god heo ne bi-ȝeteð.
Þa seide Hemeri þe duc þe his alde fader bi-swake.
Swa ich eæuere beo on liue ne scal he habben beote fiue.
for þer he hauet hirde hinoh for he nauyt no doð.
& ȝef he wille henne faren fuse we hine sone.
Al heo ispedden ase heo ispeken hafden.
binomen him is doȝeðe and al his drihliche folc.
nolden heo him bi-leafuen cnihtes beoten fiue
Þis iseh Leir þe king wa wes him on liue.
His mod him gon mengen he morȝnede swiðe.
and þas worde seide mid seorhfulle laichen
Wela weolla. wella. hu þu bi-swikest monine mon.
Þenne he þe treoweðe alre best on þenne bi-swikes tu heom
Nis hit nowit ȝare noht fulle twa ȝere.
þat ich was a riche king and held mine cnihtes.
Nu ich habben ibiden þat ich bare sitte
wunnen biræue[d] wa is me on liue.
Ich wes at Gornoille mire god-fulle dohter.
wu[ne]den on hire leoden mid þritti cnihtes.
þe ȝet ich mihte libben ah þenne igonne liðen.
Ich wende swiðe wel to don ac wurse ich habbe vnder-fon
Aȝen ich wulle to Scotte to scone mire docter.
ȝernen hira milcea þat heo me nele wurdea.
bidden heo me vnder-fon mid mine fif cnihten.
Þer ich wulle wunie and þolie þeos wænen
ane lutele stunde. for ne libbe ich no-wiht longe
Leir þe king wende forh. to is dohter wunede norð
Fulle þre nihtes heo hærabarewude hine. and is cnihtes
heo swor a þane ferþe dæi bi al heuenliche main.
þat ne sculde he habben mare bute enne kincte þere.
and ȝef he þet nolde ferde wuder he wolde.
Wel oft wes Leir wa and neuere wurs þanne þa.
Þa seide þe alde king æruu e was on herten.
90
Seoð seide Cordoille. for cuð hit is me nouþe.
mi ȝengestte dohter heo was me wel dure.
seoððen heo me wes lea[ð]est for heo me seiden alre sohust.
þat he bið vnworð & lah. þe mon þe litul ah
and ihc nas na wurdra. þenne ich nes weldinde.
Ouer soh seiden þat ȝunge vifmon hire folweð mochel wisdom.
Þa wile þe ich hæuede mi kinelond luueden me mine leoden.
for mine londe & for mine feo mine eorles fulle to mine cneo
Nu ich æm a wrecche mon. ne leouet me no mon for þan
Ah mi dohter me seide seoh for nou ich hire ileue i-noh.
& ba twa hire susteren lasinge me seiden.
þat ich ham wes swa leof leuere þenne hire aȝe lif.
& Cordoille mi dohter dohȝeþe me seide.
þat heo me leouede swa feire swa monnes fader scolde.
Wet wold ich bidde mare of mire dohter dure.
Nu ich wullen faren feorð & ouer sæ fusen.
ihiren of Cordoille. wat beon hire wille
Hire seohðe word ich nam to grame. þar-fore ich habbe nu muchele scame
for nu ich mot bi-secchen þat þing þat ich ær for-howede.
Nule heo me do na wurse þanne hire lond forwurnen.
Leir ferde to þere sæ mid ane alpie swein.
in-to ane schipe he bi-com ne icnwo hine no mon
ouer sea icomen hauene sone. anomen.
Forð wende þe king Leir nauede he bute enne swein.
Hi axeden þa quene þat heo comen hire a neweste.
tahten heom leode wer wes þes londes quene.
Leir king wende on anne feld & reste hine on folden.
and is sw[ei]n he forð sende þe wes irad-mon hende.
to þere quene Cordoille and seide hire wel stille.
Hail wurð þu feire quene Ich eam þines fader sweine.
and þi uader is hider ikimen for al is lond is him bi-nomen.
Beoð ba þine sustren touward him for-sworene
He cumeð for neode in-to þisse leode.
and help him nu for þu miht he is þi fader alse hit is riht.
Þe quene Cordoille seæt longe swþe stille.
Heo iward reode on hire benche swilche hit were of wine-scenche.
and þe swain sæt sone þer-after him wes þe bet.
92
Appollin mi lauer[d]. ich þankie þe þat mi fæder is icumme to me.
Tidinge ic ihire leoue þat mi fader on liue is.
Of me he habben scal goudne reæd bute ich beo þe raðer ded.
Seie me nuþe leo[f] swein. & harne mine lare
Ich þe wulle bi-tache a male riche
peniȝes þer buo[ð] an sunda to iwisse an hundrad punda
Ich bi-tæche þe anne hængest godna & strongna.
to læden þis garisume to leuene mine fadere
and seie him þat ich hine gret godere gretinge.
& hatine fare swiþe to hare feire burȝe.
and rumen him herberia i summe riche burie.
& bugge him alre errust þat him wes alre leouust
metes & drinches. & hende claðes
hundes & hauekes & durewurðe horses.
hal[d]e in is heose. feuwerti hired-cnihtes.
heȝe and riche bi-hongen mid ræue.
makie him god baid. & ofte hine baðie
& him blod lete lutlen and ofte.
Wenne þu wult more suluer sæche hit at me suluen.
& ich him wulle senden inoh of þisse ende.
swa neuer he ne cuðe of his alde cuððe.
cnihte ne sweine ne nauer nanne þeine.
Þenne feowerti dawes beoð agan. þenne cuðe he anan
to leue mine lauerd. þat Leir is an is londe.
icume ouer sæ-streme to isen is eastresse.
& ich hit wulle swa nimen alse ich hine nusten.
liðen him to-ȝænes. mid mine lauerde.
fainen mines lauerdes & is fæirliche cume.
Nute hit neuere nane gume buten he beo neowene icume.
& þus hit writen sende to mine lauerd kinge.
& þu þas æhte on-fo and loca þat þu wel do.
and ȝef þu heo þus dalest to godere þire hæle.
& þe swein on-feng þas ahte & to is louer[d] ferde.
to Leir þon kinge. & seide þas tidinge
þer he læi on felde and reste hine on folde.
Sone werð þe alde king wunliche iæðeled.
& þas wuord seide mid soðere stefuene.
After vuele cumeð god wel is him þe hit habbe mot.
Heo ferden to hare æȝene burh ase þe quene hæhte.
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Þ[a] forð wuren agan feuwerti daȝene.
þon nom Leir þe king is leouste cnihtes.
& gret Aganippum þat was his leue aðum.
& seide him bi his sond þet icume he wes to is londe.
to speken wit his dohter þe wes him swuðe dure.
Aganippus wes bliþe þet Leir wes cumen liðen.
ferde him to-ȝenes mid alle his þeines.
and þa quene Cordoille þa hauede Leir is wille.
Heo comen to-gadere & ofte heo custen.
heo uenden to burȝe blisse wes an hirede.
Þer wes bemene song. þere [ȝ]eden pipen among.
al weren þe hællen bi-hongen mid pellen.
alle þa mete-burdes ibrusted mid golde
[Ringes of golde] ælc mon hafte on honde.
mid fiþelen and mid harpen hæleðes þer sungen.
Lette þe king gan awal & lude clepien ouer-al.
and seide þat Leir kin icume wes to londen.
Nu hateð Aganippus þe is þe heȝest ouer us.
þat ȝe Leir king alle wurðe liðe.
& scal beon eouwer lauerd inne þissere leoden.
al swa fele ȝere swa he wonien wulle here
& Aganippus ure king s[c]al beon is vnder-ling.
Wha-swa wulle libba alde þas sibba
& ȝef o man hit wille breken on ueste it bi[ð] iwreken.
& wite he alle is mon þat he here haldet. on.
Þa answareda þa duȝeþa Don we hit wullet
lude and stille al þes kinges wille.
Þurð-out al þat ulke ȝer heo duden al þus þer.
mid muchelere sibba mid mocheleære seahte.
Þa þeos ȝer wes a-gon þa wold Leir king fare ham.
to þisse londe liðen and ȝernde þeos kinges leue.
Þe king Aganippus answerede him þus
Ne scalt þu neuere þider faren bute mochelere ferde.
ah ich þe wulle lanen of mine leode-folc
fif hundred schipes. ifulled mid cnihten
& al þat heom bihoueð to habben on fore.
And þine dohter Cordoille þa is þisse londes quene.
heo scall mid mochelere ferde faren mid þe
96
And ȝef þu miht æine finden þe þe wulle aȝen-stonde
binimen þe þine rihte & þine kine-riche.
þu ahliche ueht. & fel heo to grunde
& irum al þat lond. and sete hit Cordoille an hond
þat heo hit al habbe. efter þi[n]e daie
Þas wordes seide Aganippus. & Leir king dude þus
and al he iworhte. swa his freond him tahte.
To þisse lon[d]en he com liðen. mih leoue his dohter
He higreðe[d]e mid þane beste þe him buwen wolden.
& alle he ham fulde þe him wit feohten.
and he al þis kine-lond biwon to his aȝere hande.
& ȝef hit Cordoille þe wes Francene quene.
and hit ane stunde stod a þissene ilke.
Leir king one leoden þreo ȝer leouede.
þæ com his ende-dæi þat þe king ded læi.
Inne Leirchestre his dohter hine leide.
inne Ianies temple al swa þe b[o]c tellet.
and Cordoille heold þis lond mid hæȝere strenðe.
fulle fif ȝere quene heo wes here.
þa while Francene king fæisiðe makede.
and Cordoille com þat wourd þat heo was iworðen widewe.
Þa come þa tidende to Scottlondes kinge.
þat Aganippus was dead Leir king idæied.
He sende þurh Brittaine into Cornwaille.
& hehte þane duc stronge heriȝen in suð londe.
and he wolde bi norðen iahnien þa londa.
For hit was swuþe mouchel scome & ec swiþe muchel grame.
þat scholde a quene beon king in þisse londe.
& heora sunen beon buten þa weren hire beteren.
of þan aldre sustren þa þa æðelen sulden habben.
Nulle we hit na-more iþolien al þat lond we wulleð habben.
Heo bi-gunnen werre [w]anne com on west.
& þere quene suster sunen sumneden ferde.
Heo[re] nomen were ihaten þus Morgan & Cunedagius.
Ofte heo ledden ferde ofte heo fuhten
ofte heo weren buuenne and ofte bi-noðen.
Þat com at þan laste þat heo wes alre leofust.
þe Bruttes heo sloȝen Cordoille heo nomen.
Heo duden heo in quarterne in ane quale-huse.
heo werðede heore moddri mare þene heo sulden.
þat þe wimman was swa wroð þat hire sculuen heo was lað.
Heo nom enne longne cnif & bi-nom hire seoluen þat lif.
Þat wes an uuel ræd þat hire suluen makede dead.
Þeo wes al þis kine-lond an Morgan & Cunedagies heond.
heo fenge to þissen lond and mid fuhten hit bi-wunnen.
Þa dælden þa broþeran al þis driht-liche lond.
Cunedagius bi þare Humbre. hauede al þe[t] west Morgan hauede norð & est.
& swa heo heolden. al þis lond ale þe twa ȝere. on heore heond.
Þa þe twa ȝer weren agon þa twineden here þonkes.
Morgan wes in Scottlond þene norð ende he hauede ane honde.
inne Cornwale. Cunedagies he hauede moni god hus
Morgan hafte an hirede. swiðe monie cnihtes.
þeo ne luuede noht þas leoden. ah laið heo hem weoren
He taleden wið Morgan & is cnihtscipe tælden
and þus him to seiden þa vnselie mon.
Lauer[d] Morgan whi nult þu faren & fusen þine ferden.
and faren ȝend al Brutlond & nimen hit to þire heonde.
Þer-of we habbeð sceome & at oure herte muche grame.
þat þu dalest þis lond þe sculde beon o þire hond.
Þu eært a swa hende gome and þere eældre suster sone.
Delest þine lond wið þine mæi monscipe is þa lasse.
Þus speken þeos swiken and spileden mid worde
swa long heo hine lærde. þat he heom ileuede
He gadere[de] ferde þe wes feondliche stor.
he ferde ouer þe Humbre and hermes he worhte.
he herȝede he brande folc he amærde.
Heo sloȝen heo nomen al þat heo aneh comen.
Þat word com sone suð for hit wes widen cuð.
þet Morgan ledde muchele here & hærmes dude þas leoden.
Þa ihurde Cunedagius þat Morgan is mæi ferde þus.
þa iwerð he swiþe wrað & þas word seide.
Ȝets[in]ge a wurþe þe wa monie mon þu bi-cherrest.
þurh þe haueð Morgan mi mæ is monschipe afallet.
ah he scall hit abuggen ȝif ich mot libben.
Þa nom Kunedagius & send ȝeond his cuððe.
& gadere[de] muchel folc and ȝeærwede his ferde.
He fusede mid monschipe to-ward Margane his mæie.
Þa heo sculden fehten þa fleh Morgan awaie.
fro[m] londe to londe. & he him after liðde
In-to Wales he flæh he him after f[er]de.
þer he of-toc Morgan mid muchele strengðe.
& sloh he him of þat hæued his hap wes þa wurse.
& al his men slowen þat heo neh comen.
buten wuhlc wræcche swa cwic cuahte to holde.
Heo nomen Morganus liche. & leide hit on vrþen
wel heo hine buriden þe wes þes Wales lauerd.
Wes þet lond. þurh Morgan. Margan ihæten
& þere quene suster sunen sumneden ferde.
Heo[re] nomen were ihaten þus Morgan & Cunedagius.
Ofte heo ledden ferde ofte heo fuhten
98
Þat com at þan laste þat heo wes alre leofust.
þe Bruttes heo sloȝen Cordoille heo nomen.
Heo duden heo in quarterne in ane quale-huse.
heo werðede heore moddri mare þene heo sulden.
þat þe wimman was swa wroð þat hire sculuen heo was lað.
Heo nom enne longne cnif & bi-nom hire seoluen þat lif.
Þat wes an uuel ræd þat hire suluen makede dead.
Þeo wes al þis kine-lond an Morgan & Cunedagies heond.
heo fenge to þissen lond and mid fuhten hit bi-wunnen.
Þa dælden þa broþeran al þis driht-liche lond.
Cunedagius bi þare Humbre. hauede al þe[t] west Morgan hauede norð & est.
& swa heo heolden. al þis lond ale þe twa ȝere. on heore heond.
Þa þe twa ȝer weren agon þa twineden here þonkes.
Morgan wes in Scottlond þene norð ende he hauede ane honde.
inne Cornwale. Cunedagies he hauede moni god hus
Morgan hafte an hirede. swiðe monie cnihtes.
þeo ne luuede noht þas leoden. ah laið heo hem weoren
He taleden wið Morgan & is cnihtscipe tælden
and þus him to seiden þa vnselie mon.
Lauer[d] Morgan whi nult þu faren & fusen þine ferden.
and faren ȝend al Brutlond & nimen hit to þire heonde.
Þer-of we habbeð sceome & at oure herte muche grame.
þat þu dalest þis lond þe sculde beon o þire hond.
Þu eært a swa hende gome and þere eældre suster sone.
Delest þine lond wið þine mæi monscipe is þa lasse.
Þus speken þeos swiken and spileden mid worde
swa long heo hine lærde. þat he heom ileuede
He gadere[de] ferde þe wes feondliche stor.
he ferde ouer þe Humbre and hermes he worhte.
he herȝede he brande folc he amærde.
Heo sloȝen heo nomen al þat heo aneh comen.
Þat word com sone suð for hit wes widen cuð.
þet Morgan ledde muchele here & hærmes dude þas leoden.
Þa ihurde Cunedagius þat Morgan is mæi ferde þus.
þa iwerð he swiþe wrað & þas word seide.
Ȝets[in]ge a wurþe þe wa monie mon þu bi-cherrest.
100
ah he scall hit abuggen ȝif ich mot libben.
Þa nom Kunedagius & send ȝeond his cuððe.
& gadere[de] muchel folc and ȝeærwede his ferde.
He fusede mid monschipe to-ward Margane his mæie.
Þa heo sculden fehten þa fleh Morgan awaie.
fro[m] londe to londe. & he him after liðde
In-to Wales he flæh he him after f[er]de.
þer he of-toc Morgan mid muchele strengðe.
& sloh he him of þat hæued his hap wes þa wurse.
& al his men slowen þat heo neh comen.
buten wuhlc wræcche swa cwic cuahte to holde.
Heo nomen Morganus liche. & leide hit on vrþen
wel heo hine buriden þe wes þes Wales lauerd.
Wes þet lond. þurh Morgan. Margan ihæten
Cunedagius heuede al þis lond þer-of he wes lauerd.
þro and þritti wintere he welde þas riche.
inne griðe & in friþe his frenden to blisse.
A Cunedagius dawe þe king wes on leode
Remus & Romulus Rome iwrohten.
beine iweren ibroðeren ah þe an sloh þene oðren.
After þritti wintere com þe dæi þat Cunedagius deæd læi.
He hefte anne sune ræhne Riwald wes ihaten.
he wes wis he wes fæir he welde þat riche hær.
al hit hine luuede þat liuede in londe.
An þan ilke time hær com a selkeð taken.
sulche hare nere eær ne com ne neuer seoð[ð]en hider-to.
From heouene her com a sulcuð flod þre dæȝes hit rinde blod.
þreo dæies and þreo niȝt þat wæs swuþe mochel pliht.
Þa þe rein wes agan her com hider taken a-[n]an.
Her comen blake fleȝen and fluȝen in mone eȝene.
in here muð in heore neose heore lif heom eode al to leose.
swulc. fare of fleoȝen her was. þat heo freten þet corn & þat græs
wo wes al þen folke þe wuneden an folden.
Þær-after com swulke mon-qualm þat lute hær cwike læfden.
Seoð[ð]en her com a strong ræd þat Riwald kinge iwerð dea[d].
Riwald king hafuede anne sune. Gurgustius ihaten
his lond he huld half ȝer and suððen he adun halde.
Þer-efter com Sisillius he wes sone her deæd.
Suð[ð]en com Lago þa æhte wike liuede.
Suoðen. com king Marke. he wes þritti wiken king.
Þeo com Gorbodiago he wes fif ȝere god king.
Þe king hauede tweie sunen beiene vniselie.
þe eldere heȝte F[e]reus þe ȝengere hehte Poreus.
Þas breþren weren swa wode and swa wiþer-warde.
þat al heo weren vn-sahte. & a[l] heo weren vn-some
& eiþer hateden oþer. swa ne sulde na-wiht breoþer
and beien mid onde. heo weoren in þisse londe.
þat Gorbidiagus heore fader of his sunen wes a-fered.
for ofte bi-foren him-suluen heo bi-gunnen to fuhten.
Þe aldre seide þat al þis lond he wolde halden on is aȝere hond.
þe ȝengere him ȝef swuh enswere Ær ich þe slæ mid mine spere.
ar þu hit sule aȝen þa while ich beon on liue.
Poreus hauede þe heorte swa luþer and swa loð him wes his broþer
þat swiken he him wolde a summes kinnes wisen.
Fereus hit iherde suggen. þorh soðfaste worden
þat his br[o]ðer hine wolde slæn. þer-fore he wes ful sari.
He ferde aw[æ]i ouer sæ þat him þuhte selest.
he funde inne Francene eærd þene king þe hehte Sward.
he bad him herd-sum-nesse heren þat he him wolde.
beon him for hold cniht ba bi dæie and bi niht.
Þe king wes gled for his kime & for þen cnihtes þet come mid hine.
& heold hine on erde & hæhliche hine clepede.
Ful soue ȝere mid þon kinge he wunede þere.
þat king he hauede iquemed & al-swa þere quene.
Þa seoue ȝer weoren aliðene þa bad he leue.
færren þat he wolde into þisse londe.
Þe king him lende ane ferd of his kennest folke
him-seolf he sende sonde. wide ȝen þat londe
after alle þen cnihten. þe he bi-ȝete mihte
and he to-clipede. muchelen his ferde
& al mid isunde. come to þisse londe
A-nan heo bigunne fuhte. & falde þas leoden
& is broðer [Po]reus. ferde him to-ȝenes.
mid þon stronge fæhte [Fe]reus he felden.
and alle his ferde he leiden to folde.
Iudon hæhte here moder þe riche was and on-mære.
swiðe heo was sari for sorehfulle þan slehte.
þat heore sune ȝeo[n]gere sloh þene eldere.
Þe deæde heore wæs leouere þe quike here wes leoðere.
Þe quike hire wes swa swiþe leoð þat bi-nimen heo him þohte his lif.
Poreus lai on bure þer him muchel plihte ilomp.
þer he læi softe & he siker slepte.
Com is moder liðen mid leoð-lichen creæften.
mid oþer s[ix] wiuen mid six longe cniuen.
Þeo uniseli moder þus hire sune murðde.
heo cærf him þene swure a-twa a wurþe hire wa
þe uniselie moder mid sexe hine to-snæde.
& al to-dælde lim from oþere.
Þa wes þe muchele speche ȝend þat kineriche.
of Iudon þere quene þa heore sone acualde.
& of þare seoreȝe þe isiȝe wes to londe.
Þa weas dæd Fereus al-swa wes Poreus.
bi-numen wes þere moder monschipe on leode.
þa nes þer noht of þen kunne þe mihte þis kine-lond walden
wep-mon ne wif-mon bute þa seo[rh]-fulle Iudon.
Gumen heom igader[ed]en & wurpen heo to sa-grunde.
Þa aræste here vnfriðe ouer-al me brac þene grið
sterce weren þe reæmes mid stronge raflake.
elc mon ræuede oðer. þeah hit weren his broðer.
wrake wes on londe wa wes þone vnstronge.
Her wes hunger & hete her wes alre hærmene mest.
her wes muchel mon-qualm. þat lut her quike bi-lefden.
Feowere here weren riche þe haueden ferden muchele.
þeo nedden al þæ oðere & heom ne[ð]ðer sætten.
& speken heom to-gadere & speleden þa hæȝe.
þat heo wuolden al þis lond dælen heom bi-twenen.
Þus heo hit idemden & þer-æfter swa duden.
In Scot-lond wes king Stater i Logres wes king Piner.
Cloten hafte Cornwale Rudæuc hauede Norh Wales.
Ah Cloten hæfde mest riht to aȝen þas riche.
ah þa oðere weoren ræhere & eke heo weoren richere.
of golde & of garisume and of gode londe.
Cloten heo o-scuneden & færedene for-howede.
Cloten hauede Cornwale þat he heold wel one griðe.
Cloten hauede enne sune þe sel wes on eorðe.
he wes feir he wes muchel to feahten he wes mære.
cniht he wes kene. & he wes ȝeua custi
monie þewes gode he haueda on his moda.
His no[m]e wes ihote þus Donwallo Molinus.
Þis wes þe feiruste mon þe æuere æhte ær þ[i]sne kinedom.
Þa he mihte beren wepnen & his hors wel awilden.
he lið[d]e ȝeon þeos leoden sulch hit an liun were.
He sloh Piner þene king his folc he al aqualde.
þa him wih-stoden he felde heom to his foten.
& al Logres þat lond he æȝenede to his æȝere hond.
Suððen he turnde his fare & ferd feorh-riht to Wales.
þer he funde Rudac king. þe reh wes to fehte.
to-ȝeines him he funde þer Scot-londes king Stater.
Heo speken þer to sæhte to sibbe and to some.
aiðes heo sworen swiken þat heo nolden.
Þus heo makeden heore fære A-ȝen ferde Dunwale.
& his mochele ferde to Cornwale his eærde.
Þa iherde Stater þat Dunwale wes swiðe fer.
Mid muchele Scot-ferde he scrað to þisse londe.
Rudauc mid his Welscen þat wæ wes þe more.
In-to þisse londe heo comen þis floc heo hær slowe.
wide heo ærnde tuones heo for-barnden.
mochel dal heo iwesten mid harmen þan mesten.
Þat word com to Dunwale þer he wes i Cornwale.
wet Ruwak king dude her and þe king Stater.
Þa seide Dunwale þat was þe duȝende mon.
Nu heo beð for-sworne mid heore swike-dome.
Bi Appollines ære ne ileue ich hem neuere-mare.
Nu [w]e sculle ræmen and ræisen to-gadere.
Vnder þissen luften leten riht scuften.
Sen[deð] mine sonden ȝend alle mine londe.
and biddeh alne godne mon þe grið wulle halden.
& alle þe me of haldeh cumen ær sone.
& send[eð] liþinde men æfter oþere leoden.
to folien me in mine londe for seoluer & for golde.
& ich wulle mine rihte faren to stal-fehte.
to-ȝene þene swerd broþeren þe beiene beoh for-sworene.
For wel often he beoð awald þe stonde[ð] o þen woȝe.
ne mai neuere mon-sware mon-scipe longe aȝen.
Þe Dunwale hauede isæd al his folc luuede þene ræd.
He somenede færd swulc nes næuere eær on erde.
swoððen wes þa time þe Bruttes come hær liðen.
Heo fulde his ferde & for a mucla costa.
to-ȝenes þan twam kingen þer he hem funde on walde.
Heo heolden to-gædere & hardeliche fuhten.
feollen þa fæie falewede nebbes.
Weoren al þa feldes ifayed mid blode.
þer wes moni har[d] gume mid sworde to-hewen.
Dunwal i þan fæhte wes feondliche kene.
þat fæht wes swuðe strong & swuðe stær[c] & swuþe longe.
Dunwal i þan fahte. hauede swuðe gode cnihtes
wise and wære. monie heo afelden
Dunwale him bi-þohte. wat he don mihte
He nom of his ferde six hundred cnihtes.
of þan aldre hexten to wi[ȝ]e alre hardest.
& þus heo heom seide on his som-runan.
Nime we þis wepnen þe bi þisse walle ligge[ð].
& halden bi-foren bresten sceldes þa brade.
& fare we bi-halues alse we of heoren weoren.
þe wille sullen ore ferden fæhten biliue.
Þenne Stateres floc iseoð ore fæire sculdes.
[c]umen on feste hit buh heom wel iqueme.
for þan wepnen heo wullet wenen þat þeo beon heore i-feren.
We scullen ous bi-redien and slen Rudauc þane king.
and feorh-rihtes þære slen þane king Statere.
Mid strengðe we sullen wenden þurh ure wiþer-iwinnen.
& fellen ure feondes for alle heo buh fæi.
Þus spac Dunwale þat was þe duȝenede mon.
& al he iworhte swa his word tahte.
Heo nomen þa seeldes þa leien in þan feldes.
brade and gode ihelede mid golde.
heo wenden to þan kingen þer heo weren on kompen.
Þe kingges weren bliðe heo wenden bi þan bordden.
heo wenden bi þen scelden þat hit heore scalkes weoren.
Sone so Dunwale heom næh com swa he hæhte slæn heom.
Slæð heom mid sweorde for alle heo beoð for-sworne.
Rudac heo slowen & Stater heo nomen.
& al hene to-liðeden lim from þen oðere.
heoræ sceaftes weoren strake. of his flæsces heo makeden here marce
Anan heo ferden towærd heore iueren.
þa heo to-gaderen comen somed heo on-sloȝen.
Þa kingges weoren deædde heore duȝeðe to-dealde.
twinseden cnihtes here tir wes at-fallen.
Dunwales men sloȝen al þat heo aneh comen.
al þa ferde heo falden to grunde.
buten swulc for-wonde man þe mid sorwe at-wand.
Þa hauede Dunwale þis lond al bi-ȝeten to his hond.
suððen he wes heh king. coð hit wes wide of him
beoð on beoken feole-feld bisnen.
Þet wes þa eæraste mon þe guldene crune dude him on.
here inne Bruttaine seoððen Bruttes hit ieode.
He makede swulc grið. he makede swulc frið
monien laȝen gode þe lon[g] souððen stode.
Heo makeden ane sæt-nesse and mid aȝe heo semde.
þe ælc cheorl eæt. his sulche hæfde grið al-swa þe king sulf.
alken farinde mon ȝef slaht oþer þeofðe hæfde i-don
and he æt-sturte in-to are burie. þat heo weren iborȝen.
þenne and auere-mare heo swulden habben are.
to [f]use into hame & habben his æhte
and ȝef æi mon him liðere dude he sculde dom þolien.
& þus ælkene forme gult þe king su[l]f hine for-ȝef.
Þe king makede monie laȝen þa ȝet beoð on londe.
& alle laȝen gode bi his daȝen stode.
Feowerti wintre he walde þes leode a blisse hit stod on his hand.
Seoððen dæide þe king [w]a wes his duȝeðe.
To-gadere come his eorles & brohten hine to eorðe.
inne Lundene burh feire hine leiden.
in are riche temple mid golde heo hine bi-tunden.
Þe king hauede bi his wiue twene sonen on liue.
þe ældre hæhte. Belin þe ȝeonggere Brenne
Þas breðren iwurðen heom swahte. þur[h] sele monne rede
Belin ȝef his leue broþer. anne dal of his londe
bi-ȝende þere Humbre. mid mon-scipe to halden
norð in-to þare sæ sel þat heo iworðe.
Þer-fore his mon he bicom & hærd-sumnesse him solde don.
Belin heol[d] þis suðlond & Cornwale on his hond.
& Wales þer forð mid and faire hit dihte.
Fif ȝer heo heolden þus þis lond. & leoue heom wes bi-twune
þet æuere eiþer oðer. luuede alse is broþer.
Ah Brennes hauede vuele men his æðelene heo a-merden.
þeo ælche dæie hine larden luðere craftes.
þat he sculde wih his broðer forewa[r]de breken.
Anne hird-cniht he. hauede. þe æht wes on þen weorede
þe þane balew mæinde and þus spec wih Brenne.
Seie me mi lauerd leoust alre monne.
whi þolest þu þat Belin þe is þin aȝene broðer.
hauet swa mochel of þisse lande & þu hauest swa lutel.
Nefde ȝe ba enne fader and beie enne moder.
beiene of ane cunne cuð hit is on folke.
Nu stond al þis muchele lond a Bailenes aȝere hond.
& þu eært his mon and is cniht þat is woh & na-wiht riht.
Eært þu þenne cheues-boren þat þu wult beon for-loren.
Oþer þu eart swa eærȝh cniht þat of londe ne rehchest na-wiht.
oþer þu þenchest beo raðe dead & þine duȝeðen al bi-laiuen.
Bi-leæf þe treuweþe bi-lef þene æð for al þis folc is swiðe wrað.
Hercne þine herdes ræd & heo þe wullet helpen.
Hit us þinchet wunder ȝef þu hine nelt a-walden.
Þu eært muchele betere cniht to halden comp & ifiht.
& þu eær[t] muchele ahtere & ec mare hærdere.
Cheflon þu ouer-come and Scot-lond him bi-nome.
of Muraine he wes king and he wiht þe othliche fæht.
eærst þu hine ouer-come and seoððen þu hine slowe.
and al his ferde þe he brohte to þan eærde
Ah wel ich hit ileuen. þat we þe sunden l[o]ðe
þat þu þi þanc al for-hele. wih þine hired-monnen
Ah for nauer nare teonen. nulle we þe trukien
neuer ane siðen. bi ure quike liuen.
And fær bi ure ræden & mid þe þu læden.
tweolue of þine witiȝen of þine wisuste monnen.
& fær forh nu to-niht in-to Norewaieȝe forh-riht.
to Alfinge kinge þu bist him cume deore
& gret þu londes king. and al his leode.
Þe king haueð ane dohter þe him is swuþe dure.
Bide heo to þire bi-houe to habben to are quene.
Þenne he sið þe swa hende cniht he þe ȝeueð [heo] forð-riht.
Seoððen ȝern to þan kinge þat he þe læne ferde.
to lede to þine londe to balden þine leoden
Bide auer-ælcne cniht. þet þu þer bi-ȝeten miht
for seluere and for gold cume mid þe to þisse londe.
& we sullen þe wile bi-witen þine riche.
Derneliche þu scalt don þeos ilka deda
þat hit nute Belin þe is þin aȝene broðer.
Ah fær swiðe & cum raðe for þus we þe rade[ð].
Þenne þu cumes faren ham we swulle[ð] beon al fuse.
mid mochelen ure ferde to færen ȝeon þan eærde.
to o-wreken þe uppon Beline þe þe bismar haue[ð] idon.
Þus spec Malgod swike he wes ful god
Þe oðere him radden al swa. þer-fore hem wroþe wide wa.
Þa Brennes hauede ihirde his hirde-manne lare.
þa gladede is mod þe rad him þuhte swiðe god.
& seide hem þis answare After eore rade ich wulle færen.
He greiðede his cnihtes & feorh færde bi nihttes.
swa longe þat he bi-com to Ælfinge kinge.
Þonne king heo igrette & his gumen alle.
and þe king him answerede swiðeliche fæire.
Þa spec Brennes & his ærnde a-bed.
he ȝirnde þeos kinges dohter to habben to are quene.
& þe king him ȝette al þat he ȝirnde.
gold & gærsume. feoh & færde.
Þa wes Brennes swiðe bald on heorte he wes bliðe.
þat mæiden he weddede & nom heo to his bedde.
Seoueniht he wes þære hit þutte him seoue ȝere.
ær he aȝen come to fæhten wih his broðer.
Of witten heo weoren amadde [þ]e him swa rædden.
Brennes wes in Norwæye Belin in þisse londe.
Belin ihærde sugge þurh summe sæg treowe.
of his broðer wifðinge and for wulche þinge.
& for wulchere neode he to Norwæiȝe færde.
Belin hine bi-þohte of swulchere dede.
& þas worde seide þe sæg wes itreouwe.
Wa wurðe a þon broðer þe bi-swikeð þene oðer.
Whær beo ȝe mine cnihtes whar beo ȝe mine kempen.
whar beo ȝe mine leoue men nu we scullen liðen.
Heo ferden to Humber-londe þer weoren castles stronge.
Þe castles heo nomen alle & strangede þe walles.
He lette blauwen bemen and nam al þa burhwes.
þa weoren on his broðer londe þe he hafde an heonde.
He dude þer-inne mæte inoh & wepmen unifoh.
þat me mihte heom walden wih Brennes an-walde.
His cnihtes mid him-seoluen to þare sæ færden.
þar laien bi þan brimme and bisilichen hit wisten.
Brennes wes in Norweȝe and noht her-of nuste.
he wende þat his broðer nuste noht of his fære.
Leaf he nom at Ælfing. þe wes Norweine king.
& he him ȝef answere A mote þu wel færen.
& Delgan mi dohter þe me is swþe deore.
Þis under-stod þe ȝeonge quene faren þat heo scolde.
heo hauede enne leoue-mon þa heo swuþe ileoued hæfde.
þene king of Denemark þe leof hire weis on mode.
He wes swiðe god cniht Godlæc he hahte
Þa sende Dalgan. þa quene in-to Denemarke
& guðde Godlacke þa wes hire gome deore
stille boc-runen. heo senden him to ræden
& seiden him þat Brennes. a king of Britaine
hauede heo biwedded. & ihaued heo to bedde
al hire vnðonkes. þer-fore hire wes uneðe
and heo he wolden læiden to-ward his leoden.
næuede heo bute þreo nihte feorst faren þat heo scolde.
Sone hit mæi ilimpen þanne ihc hunnen liðe.
þah þu habben blisse and grið ne speke ich þe nauere-more wið.
and ihc sende þe gretinge of mine gold ringe.
Þa Godlac isæh þis wa him wes ful iwis.
Stille he wes iswoȝen on his kine-stole.
Me warp on his nebbe. cold welle-watere.
Þa þe king wes a-waht he wes swuþe idraht.
he seide forð-rihtes Whar beoð mine cnihtes.
Fare we swiðe to þare sæ sele mine dranches.
Godlac king on ueste mid gud-fulle folke.
to þere sæ wenden scipen þer heo funden.
makede muchul sæ-flot and ferden mid streme.
to-ȝenes þare hauene þer Brennes from halde.
Þa Brennes com i wide sæ he i-mette his wiðer-iwinne.
scip ærne to-ȝen scip þa hit al towonde to scifren.
horn a-ȝen horne halde þe wacre.
Þer wes moni breoste mid brade spere i-þurlud.
helmes þe[r] gullen beornes þer fullen.
balluw þer wes riue Brennes flæh bliue.
& Godlac hæld æfter monie scipen he þer cahte.
He i-seh a scip þar hit lað sulkene wes þat seil-clæð
he clupede to his dringes: Nu forh nu niðinges.
Þet is þere quene scip: þe us bi-foren queccheð.
Halde[ð] alle þer-to and ȝif ȝe hit mawen ifon
æuere-mare ich æu leouie. þa wile þa ich liouie
Mid strengðe heo halden to schipen & þa quene heo igripen.
Godlac sloh þa scip-gumen & alle heo nom þat garsume.
and ladde þa quene Delgan toward Denemarke anan.
He þoðte heo to habben to his awere bihoue.
& oðer weis hit sæht
Godlac forh geinde glad he wes on heorte.
he þohte to habben Delgan to quene of Dene-marke.
ah him com muchel lætting swa him wes alre laðest.
Æft aras a ladlich weder þeostrede þa wolcne.
þe wind com on weðere and þa sæ he wraðede.
vðen þer urnen al-se [t]unes þer burnen.
rapes þer braken b[a]lu wes fulle riue.
Scipen þer sunken
þer þreo & fifti scipen. feollen to grunde
in þa teonfulle sæ. torneden sæiles
Godlac hauede a god scip. ne gomede him no-wiht
he hine bi-ðohte weht he don mihten.
He igrap ane wi-æxe muchele and swiðe scærpe.
he for-heow þænne mæst a-two riht amidden.
he lette seil and þane meæst liðen mid vðen.
Þus seide Goðlac sære him gromede.
Æuer-ælc æhte mon: help þat we libben.
þat we comen to londe ne recche we on wulche leoden.
Heo ferden mid þon wedere nusten heo nauere whudere.
vnder fif dawene ȝeong heo comen to þisse londe.
Comen þes kinges cnihtes þe þæ sæ wusten.
and nomen Godlac þene king & Delgan þæ quene.
Heo seiden heom enne strongne ræd Nu ȝe beon alle dead.
ah ȝef ȝe wullen us seuggen ȝet ȝe mawen libben.
whonene ȝe beð icumene & whet ȝe her sohten.
Godlac answerede mid godlichen worden.
We beoh sæ-werie men and we wullet soð sucgen.
ah nuten næuere þæs gumen in-to whuche londe heo beoð icume.
ne þas strond we ne cnoweð þe we isoht habbeð.
þis lon ne þas leoden ne wha her lauerd is.
ne we nuten na þe ma þat we ne speken wit ure ifæn.
Ah ich eow bidde leoue men leddeð us to þæn kinge.
& ich him wulle suggen of blissen and of sorwen.
And þa cnihtes heom lædden to heore leod-kinge.
Godlac & [þa] quene heore æhte & his iferen.
& seiden him þat he wes i Brutaine i Belin kinges londe.
Sone swa he to þan king com wisliche he clupede him an.
Hail wurh þu Belin king Brennes is þi broðer.
& ich hatte Godlac gumenen ich wes lauerd.
Denemarkene king þeos wif-man hatte Delcan.
Brennes com to Norhweie to Ælfinge kinge.
Þe king him ȝef Delcan þe ȝare wes mi leoue-mon.
Sonden commen bi-twenen þe soðe word me seiden.
whennen Bre[n]nes wolde liðen & mine leoue-mon leden.
To-ȝenes ich him ferde mid feowerti scipen gode.
and mid al swa fele cnihtes swa þa scipen beren mihten.
& ich wulle suggen þe an wunder he haueden scipen seouen hundred.
And ich bigon strong fæht and Brennes to flenne.
his men ich awelde & monie ich aquelde.
and þer ich nom Delga[n] þe ær wes mi leoue-mon.
& ich sugge þe to soðe þat ȝet leoueð þi broðer.
for he hald to þen londe & wel com to hauene.
And ich isæh þare quene scip quecchen mid vðen.
& ich ferden þer-æfter and bi-wan hit mid fæhte.
Þa wes ich bliðe on mine quike liue.
Þa ich wes i wide sæ wiðer com to-ȝenes.
þet weder wes swa wilde & þa sæ wrædde.
and draf me to þisse londe in-to þire leode.
A[nd] me do þine milce for þu eart mihti ouer me.
Þe king heom lette halden in swiðe feire benden.
in ane stronge castle þer he heom wel bi-wiste.
Nes hit buten feower wiken þat þas [þ]inge ifaren weoren.
cam Brennes riden in-to Scotte-londe.
mid feower hundred schipen folc þer wes fæie.
He sende his boden: to Belin his broðer.
& bad hine quic-liche aȝeuen him his quene.
& þane kinge Gudlac: þe his gumen hauede a-falled.
& ȝef he hit nolle him sal beon þa wurse
In his londen ich wulle gon. & slæn al þat ich finde
mid fehte & mid fure þis feoreward ich him halde.
bute he me wullen ȝeuen. þat ich him to-ȝeurne
& mi londe rume & fare to his riche.
and aȝeue me mine burȝes & mine buri gode.
castles and toures þe he me halt a teonen.
Forð ferde þas sonde to Belin king
& seide him þeos ibeod. from Brenne his broðer
& Belin him warde al þat he ȝernde
þat ne sulde he nauere ibiden. þe while þe he mihte riden
Þe [sonde] aȝan ferde. & seide hit Brenne
Brenne wes swiðe wrað. & bannede is ferde
scheldede his scalken. al-se heo to wiȝe solden
folkede his cnihtes al-sa heo scolden fehten.
Belin an halue hæiȝede him to-ȝeines.
Muchel æie wes þære vnder þan wude of Kalatere.
þer heo heom imetten & vuele hem igretten.
To-gædere heo comen heo graneden sone.
feondliche heo feohten bi þeosende heo fellen.
Swiðe faht Belin king swa duden his Bruttes.
heo weoren swiðe ohte men þat æðel heo bi-wunnen.
Brennes heom from bæh and mid his folke he fleh.
al to-ward þare sæ mid muchele vn-sælðe.
& Belin heom æfter & heo adun leide.
sixti þusende he leide to þen gronde.
A schip funde Brennes bi þon brimme stonden.
he bicom þer-inne mid his twelf monnen.
ne leædde he na ma isunde of alle his monnen.
Ouer sæ he ferden in toward France.
and þeo for-wundede men wende into holte.
Þa al þis wes ifarren & Brennes wes awæi i-floȝen.
Belin in Euerewic huld eorlene husting.
he bed þat his riche men rihtne read radden.
whet him weore to donne bi þon ilke monne.
& bi Godlac kinge þe [he] huold i bende.
For Gudlac him sende word. bi ane wise monne
þat if he him wold leoðien. of laðe his benden
þat he wolde his mon beon. mid alle his mon-ueorde
& he him wolde ȝeuen al þat gold. þe he haueden i Denemark lond.
& ælcche ȝere him senden þreo þusund punden.
her-to him wolden finden. ȝisel of his gilde
wih þon þe he lette. sckere. hine & his ifere
& his leoue-men swa deore. to Denemark leoden
Belin king him ȝette. þat forward þat he ȝerde
and freoliche hine lette faren. and alle his iueren
Belin hauede þeo ȝeseles. & þa ȝeuen gode
& his mon-ræidene. mid monschipe biw[u]nnen
& Gudlac ledde forh. þa wif-mon swiðe fæire
& he heo bohte swiðe deore. bruken he heo þohte
Belin huld þas riche wel feole ȝere.
& he swiðe freolic al his folc he ladde.
he makede swiðe god grið his gumen hit wel heolden.
Þa weoren i þissere leode laȝen swiðe gode.
& al leouede þeone king þe quic wes an londe.
Þa hauede Belin an heond al Brutteines lond.
he ferde ȝeond al. & lawen sette
he scawede þa wuodes. & þa wildernes
meduwen. and mores & þa hæȝe muntes.
burwes and tunes & al hit ȝeorne bi-hold.
Þe king hine bi-ðohte whet he don mihte.
He bi-gon ane stræte muchele & swiðe græte.
feiȝer & swiðe long þurhut al þis kinelond.
& þe king and his folc Fosse heo clupeden.
Heo lið hut of Toteneis. a þet cume to Catenes
Toteneis is in Cornwale. Cateneis in Scot-dale
An-oðer stret. he makede swiðe hendi from Suð-hamtone to Seint Deuwi.
Seo[ð]ðe he makede þe þridde þe kærf þis lond amidde.
Þa þeos stræt weoren idon þa leide þa king heom laȝen on
þat wha-swa i þen stræten breken grið þe king him wolde bi-nimen his lif.
ah wha-swa oðerne imette þer fæire hine igrætte.
Þis weoren þeos kinges strætte þe ich i-kenned habbe.
I Frænce wes Brennes þe wes þeos kinges broðer
on his heorte he hauede grome. on his mode muchele scome
þat he hæuede iloren his kinelond. and his quene þe he leouede
& him swiðe scomede. þat he swa i-scend wes
He wunede inne France. mid his tweolfe i-feren
he herde þon king & wel him iquemde.
& al þa Frensce leoden swiðe heo loueden Brenne.
for Brennes bi-ȝet muchel feoh & feire hit dælde.
Nes he noht. ȝælpinde. ah he wes ȝeue-custi
he wes þer swiðe oht mon. & æðele weore his deden
& him þer ofte wel ilomp. þer-fore he wes þe leofere
þa he wes þere. wel cuð & ouer-al i-cnawen.
& þe king hine leouede & al his leoden.
Þa nom he his iferen & bi-sohte þeos folkes king
þat he him sculde fulste. mid his gode folke
his lond to biȝetene. of Belin his breoðer
Þe king him bi-hette. and wel hit him ȝette
Þa bead he leaue. & he furðer lað
to Seguine Duc. þe lauerd wes of Burguine
& of þen Brutlonde þe is bi-ȝeonde sæ-stronde.
Feire he igrette þeone duc þa he his grið sohte.
he seide þat he him wolden hæren and halden hine for herra.
leofliche him buwen. & halden hine for lauerd
Þe duc þer-fore fain wes. & hine fæire on-feng.
Brennes wes swiðe hende his hap wes þe betere.
Brennes cuðe on hundes Brennes cuðe an hauekes.
he cuðe mid his honden hanlie þa harpe.
þurh his hænde-craftes hired-men hine leouede.
& his lauerd alse wilcume swa he weoren his aȝene sune.
Þe duc hauede æne dohter þe him wes swiþe deore.
ah he neuede nenne sune þer-fore he wes sari.
Þe duc bi-sæh a Brenne þe hauede bodi hende.
& him to seide mid sohfeste huȝe
Brennes þu ært hende. & þu ært hæh iboren
& þu eært cniht swiðe god & þu eært me iqueme.
Þu come ouer streme. þu eart kinges istreonne
þu eært me swiðe iliðe. & ich þe leouie swiðe
Al þat ich þe bi-hate. ich hit þe wulle halden
ich wulle ȝeuen þe mine dohter. þa me is swiðe deore
& æfter mine dæie. al mi drihliche lond
for wel hit luuieð. alle mine burnes
þat hit þus beo idon. and þat þu þis vnder-fon
Þa answerede Brennes. mid beienliche worden
Ich hit þankie þe. & alle þine þeode
for eouwer muchele wurhchipe. wel þat ȝe me vnnen
Al þis wes idon. alse þe duc demde
Blisse was on hirede. þeo Brennes þis mæide nom.
mid muchelere wurhschipe he wunede mid þan ducke.
Þa þat forme ȝer wharð forð igan.
þa wes þe duc dead and Brennes hauede his duweðe.
al þon folk he wes leof ase heore aȝene lif.
for he heold swiðe god grið & glæd wes wið his monnen.
He hauede swiðe mucchel lond þat al stod an his hond.
and he hæfde a swiðe god wif & he heo leouede alse his lif.
Wið-innen a lut ȝeren Brennes hine bi-ðohte.
an his broðer Belin þe his lond bi-nom him.
He sende his sonde ȝeond Burguine londe.
þro and þritti wintere he welde þas riche.
inne griðe & in friþe his frenden to blisse.
A Cunedagius dawe þe king wes on leode
Remus & Romulus Rome iwrohten.
beine iweren ibroðeren ah þe an sloh þene oðren.
After þritti wintere com þe dæi þat Cunedagius deæd læi.
He hefte anne sune ræhne Riwald wes ihaten.
he wes wis he wes fæir he welde þat riche hær.
al hit hine luuede þat liuede in londe.
An þan ilke time hær com a selkeð taken.
sulche hare nere eær ne com ne neuer seoð[ð]en hider-to.
From heouene her com a sulcuð flod þre dæȝes hit rinde blod.
þreo dæies and þreo niȝt þat wæs swuþe mochel pliht.
Þa þe rein wes agan her com hider taken a-[n]an.
Her comen blake fleȝen and fluȝen in mone eȝene.
in here muð in heore neose heore lif heom eode al to leose.
swulc. fare of fleoȝen her was. þat heo freten þet corn & þat græs
wo wes al þen folke þe wuneden an folden.
Þær-after com swulke mon-qualm þat lute hær cwike læfden.
Seoð[ð]en her com a strong ræd þat Riwald kinge iwerð dea[d].
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his lond he huld half ȝer and suððen he adun halde.
Þer-efter com Sisillius he wes sone her deæd.
Suð[ð]en com Lago þa æhte wike liuede.
Suoðen. com king Marke. he wes þritti wiken king.
Þeo com Gorbodiago he wes fif ȝere god king.
Þe king hauede tweie sunen beiene vniselie.
þe eldere heȝte F[e]reus þe ȝengere hehte Poreus.
Þas breþren weren swa wode and swa wiþer-warde.
þat al heo weren vn-sahte. & a[l] heo weren vn-some
& eiþer hateden oþer. swa ne sulde na-wiht breoþer
and beien mid onde. heo weoren in þisse londe.
þat Gorbidiagus heore fader of his sunen wes a-fered.
for ofte bi-foren him-suluen heo bi-gunnen to fuhten.
Þe aldre seide þat al þis lond he wolde halden on is aȝere hond.
þe ȝengere him ȝef swuh enswere Ær ich þe slæ mid mine spere.
ar þu hit sule aȝen þa while ich beon on liue.
Poreus hauede þe heorte swa luþer and swa loð him wes his broþer
þat swiken he him wolde a summes kinnes wisen.
Fereus hit iherde suggen. þorh soðfaste worden
þat his br[o]ðer hine wolde slæn. þer-fore he wes ful sari.
He ferde aw[æ]i ouer sæ þat him þuhte selest.
he funde inne Francene eærd þene king þe hehte Sward.
he bad him herd-sum-nesse heren þat he him wolde.
beon him for hold cniht ba bi dæie and bi niht.
Þe king wes gled for his kime & for þen cnihtes þet come mid hine.
& heold hine on erde & hæhliche hine clepede.
Ful soue ȝere mid þon kinge he wunede þere.
þat king he hauede iquemed & al-swa þere quene.
Þa seoue ȝer weoren aliðene þa bad he leue.
færren þat he wolde into þisse londe.
Þe king him lende ane ferd of his kennest folke
him-seolf he sende sonde. wide ȝen þat londe
after alle þen cnihten. þe he bi-ȝete mihte
and he to-clipede. muchelen his ferde
& al mid isunde. come to þisse londe
A-nan heo bigunne fuhte. & falde þas leoden
104
mid þon stronge fæhte [Fe]reus he felden.
and alle his ferde he leiden to folde.
Iudon hæhte here moder þe riche was and on-mære.
swiðe heo was sari for sorehfulle þan slehte.
þat heore sune ȝeo[n]gere sloh þene eldere.
Þe deæde heore wæs leouere þe quike here wes leoðere.
Þe quike hire wes swa swiþe leoð þat bi-nimen heo him þohte his lif.
Poreus lai on bure þer him muchel plihte ilomp.
þer he læi softe & he siker slepte.
Com is moder liðen mid leoð-lichen creæften.
mid oþer s[ix] wiuen mid six longe cniuen.
Þeo uniseli moder þus hire sune murðde.
heo cærf him þene swure a-twa a wurþe hire wa
þe uniselie moder mid sexe hine to-snæde.
& al to-dælde lim from oþere.
Þa wes þe muchele speche ȝend þat kineriche.
of Iudon þere quene þa heore sone acualde.
& of þare seoreȝe þe isiȝe wes to londe.
Þa weas dæd Fereus al-swa wes Poreus.
bi-numen wes þere moder monschipe on leode.
þa nes þer noht of þen kunne þe mihte þis kine-lond walden
wep-mon ne wif-mon bute þa seo[rh]-fulle Iudon.
Gumen heom igader[ed]en & wurpen heo to sa-grunde.
Þa aræste here vnfriðe ouer-al me brac þene grið
sterce weren þe reæmes mid stronge raflake.
elc mon ræuede oðer. þeah hit weren his broðer.
wrake wes on londe wa wes þone vnstronge.
Her wes hunger & hete her wes alre hærmene mest.
her wes muchel mon-qualm. þat lut her quike bi-lefden.
Feowere here weren riche þe haueden ferden muchele.
þeo nedden al þæ oðere & heom ne[ð]ðer sætten.
& speken heom to-gadere & speleden þa hæȝe.
þat heo wuolden al þis lond dælen heom bi-twenen.
Þus heo hit idemden & þer-æfter swa duden.
In Scot-lond wes king Stater i Logres wes king Piner.
Cloten hafte Cornwale Rudæuc hauede Norh Wales.
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ah þa oðere weoren ræhere & eke heo weoren richere.
of golde & of garisume and of gode londe.
Cloten heo o-scuneden & færedene for-howede.
Cloten hauede Cornwale þat he heold wel one griðe.
Cloten hauede enne sune þe sel wes on eorðe.
he wes feir he wes muchel to feahten he wes mære.
cniht he wes kene. & he wes ȝeua custi
monie þewes gode he haueda on his moda.
His no[m]e wes ihote þus Donwallo Molinus.
Þis wes þe feiruste mon þe æuere æhte ær þ[i]sne kinedom.
Þa he mihte beren wepnen & his hors wel awilden.
he lið[d]e ȝeon þeos leoden sulch hit an liun were.
He sloh Piner þene king his folc he al aqualde.
þa him wih-stoden he felde heom to his foten.
& al Logres þat lond he æȝenede to his æȝere hond.
Suððen he turnde his fare & ferd feorh-riht to Wales.
þer he funde Rudac king. þe reh wes to fehte.
to-ȝeines him he funde þer Scot-londes king Stater.
Heo speken þer to sæhte to sibbe and to some.
aiðes heo sworen swiken þat heo nolden.
Þus heo makeden heore fære A-ȝen ferde Dunwale.
& his mochele ferde to Cornwale his eærde.
Þa iherde Stater þat Dunwale wes swiðe fer.
Mid muchele Scot-ferde he scrað to þisse londe.
Rudauc mid his Welscen þat wæ wes þe more.
In-to þisse londe heo comen þis floc heo hær slowe.
wide heo ærnde tuones heo for-barnden.
mochel dal heo iwesten mid harmen þan mesten.
Þat word com to Dunwale þer he wes i Cornwale.
wet Ruwak king dude her and þe king Stater.
Þa seide Dunwale þat was þe duȝende mon.
Nu heo beð for-sworne mid heore swike-dome.
Bi Appollines ære ne ileue ich hem neuere-mare.
Nu [w]e sculle ræmen and ræisen to-gadere.
Vnder þissen luften leten riht scuften.
Sen[deð] mine sonden ȝend alle mine londe.
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& alle þe me of haldeh cumen ær sone.
& send[eð] liþinde men æfter oþere leoden.
to folien me in mine londe for seoluer & for golde.
& ich wulle mine rihte faren to stal-fehte.
to-ȝene þene swerd broþeren þe beiene beoh for-sworene.
For wel often he beoð awald þe stonde[ð] o þen woȝe.
ne mai neuere mon-sware mon-scipe longe aȝen.
Þe Dunwale hauede isæd al his folc luuede þene ræd.
He somenede færd swulc nes næuere eær on erde.
swoððen wes þa time þe Bruttes come hær liðen.
Heo fulde his ferde & for a mucla costa.
to-ȝenes þan twam kingen þer he hem funde on walde.
Heo heolden to-gædere & hardeliche fuhten.
feollen þa fæie falewede nebbes.
Weoren al þa feldes ifayed mid blode.
þer wes moni har[d] gume mid sworde to-hewen.
Dunwal i þan fæhte wes feondliche kene.
þat fæht wes swuðe strong & swuðe stær[c] & swuþe longe.
Dunwal i þan fahte. hauede swuðe gode cnihtes
wise and wære. monie heo afelden
Dunwale him bi-þohte. wat he don mihte
He nom of his ferde six hundred cnihtes.
of þan aldre hexten to wi[ȝ]e alre hardest.
& þus heo heom seide on his som-runan.
Nime we þis wepnen þe bi þisse walle ligge[ð].
& halden bi-foren bresten sceldes þa brade.
& fare we bi-halues alse we of heoren weoren.
þe wille sullen ore ferden fæhten biliue.
Þenne Stateres floc iseoð ore fæire sculdes.
[c]umen on feste hit buh heom wel iqueme.
for þan wepnen heo wullet wenen þat þeo beon heore i-feren.
We scullen ous bi-redien and slen Rudauc þane king.
and feorh-rihtes þære slen þane king Statere.
Mid strengðe we sullen wenden þurh ure wiþer-iwinnen.
& fellen ure feondes for alle heo buh fæi.
Þus spac Dunwale þat was þe duȝenede mon.
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Heo nomen þa seeldes þa leien in þan feldes.
brade and gode ihelede mid golde.
heo wenden to þan kingen þer heo weren on kompen.
Þe kingges weren bliðe heo wenden bi þan bordden.
heo wenden bi þen scelden þat hit heore scalkes weoren.
Sone so Dunwale heom næh com swa he hæhte slæn heom.
Slæð heom mid sweorde for alle heo beoð for-sworne.
Rudac heo slowen & Stater heo nomen.
& al hene to-liðeden lim from þen oðere.
heoræ sceaftes weoren strake. of his flæsces heo makeden here marce
Anan heo ferden towærd heore iueren.
þa heo to-gaderen comen somed heo on-sloȝen.
Þa kingges weoren deædde heore duȝeðe to-dealde.
twinseden cnihtes here tir wes at-fallen.
Dunwales men sloȝen al þat heo aneh comen.
al þa ferde heo falden to grunde.
buten swulc for-wonde man þe mid sorwe at-wand.
Þa hauede Dunwale þis lond al bi-ȝeten to his hond.
suððen he wes heh king. coð hit wes wide of him
beoð on beoken feole-feld bisnen.
Þet wes þa eæraste mon þe guldene crune dude him on.
here inne Bruttaine seoððen Bruttes hit ieode.
He makede swulc grið. he makede swulc frið
monien laȝen gode þe lon[g] souððen stode.
Heo makeden ane sæt-nesse and mid aȝe heo semde.
þe ælc cheorl eæt. his sulche hæfde grið al-swa þe king sulf.
alken farinde mon ȝef slaht oþer þeofðe hæfde i-don
and he æt-sturte in-to are burie. þat heo weren iborȝen.
þenne and auere-mare heo swulden habben are.
to [f]use into hame & habben his æhte
and ȝef æi mon him liðere dude he sculde dom þolien.
& þus ælkene forme gult þe king su[l]f hine for-ȝef.
Þe king makede monie laȝen þa ȝet beoð on londe.
& alle laȝen gode bi his daȝen stode.
Feowerti wintre he walde þes leode a blisse hit stod on his hand.
Seoððen dæide þe king [w]a wes his duȝeðe.
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inne Lundene burh feire hine leiden.
in are riche temple mid golde heo hine bi-tunden.
Þe king hauede bi his wiue twene sonen on liue.
þe ældre hæhte. Belin þe ȝeonggere Brenne
Þas breðren iwurðen heom swahte. þur[h] sele monne rede
Belin ȝef his leue broþer. anne dal of his londe
bi-ȝende þere Humbre. mid mon-scipe to halden
norð in-to þare sæ sel þat heo iworðe.
Þer-fore his mon he bicom & hærd-sumnesse him solde don.
Belin heol[d] þis suðlond & Cornwale on his hond.
& Wales þer forð mid and faire hit dihte.
Fif ȝer heo heolden þus þis lond. & leoue heom wes bi-twune
þet æuere eiþer oðer. luuede alse is broþer.
Ah Brennes hauede vuele men his æðelene heo a-merden.
þeo ælche dæie hine larden luðere craftes.
þat he sculde wih his broðer forewa[r]de breken.
Anne hird-cniht he. hauede. þe æht wes on þen weorede
þe þane balew mæinde and þus spec wih Brenne.
Seie me mi lauerd leoust alre monne.
whi þolest þu þat Belin þe is þin aȝene broðer.
hauet swa mochel of þisse lande & þu hauest swa lutel.
Nefde ȝe ba enne fader and beie enne moder.
beiene of ane cunne cuð hit is on folke.
Nu stond al þis muchele lond a Bailenes aȝere hond.
& þu eært his mon and is cniht þat is woh & na-wiht riht.
Eært þu þenne cheues-boren þat þu wult beon for-loren.
Oþer þu eart swa eærȝh cniht þat of londe ne rehchest na-wiht.
oþer þu þenchest beo raðe dead & þine duȝeðen al bi-laiuen.
Bi-leæf þe treuweþe bi-lef þene æð for al þis folc is swiðe wrað.
Hercne þine herdes ræd & heo þe wullet helpen.
Hit us þinchet wunder ȝef þu hine nelt a-walden.
Þu eært muchele betere cniht to halden comp & ifiht.
& þu eær[t] muchele ahtere & ec mare hærdere.
Cheflon þu ouer-come and Scot-lond him bi-nome.
of Muraine he wes king and he wiht þe othliche fæht.
eærst þu hine ouer-come and seoððen þu hine slowe.
and al his ferde þe he brohte to þan eærde
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þat þu þi þanc al for-hele. wih þine hired-monnen
Ah for nauer nare teonen. nulle we þe trukien
neuer ane siðen. bi ure quike liuen.
And fær bi ure ræden & mid þe þu læden.
tweolue of þine witiȝen of þine wisuste monnen.
& fær forh nu to-niht in-to Norewaieȝe forh-riht.
to Alfinge kinge þu bist him cume deore
& gret þu londes king. and al his leode.
Þe king haueð ane dohter þe him is swuþe dure.
Bide heo to þire bi-houe to habben to are quene.
Þenne he sið þe swa hende cniht he þe ȝeueð [heo] forð-riht.
Seoððen ȝern to þan kinge þat he þe læne ferde.
to lede to þine londe to balden þine leoden
Bide auer-ælcne cniht. þet þu þer bi-ȝeten miht
for seluere and for gold cume mid þe to þisse londe.
& we sullen þe wile bi-witen þine riche.
Derneliche þu scalt don þeos ilka deda
þat hit nute Belin þe is þin aȝene broðer.
Ah fær swiðe & cum raðe for þus we þe rade[ð].
Þenne þu cumes faren ham we swulle[ð] beon al fuse.
mid mochelen ure ferde to færen ȝeon þan eærde.
to o-wreken þe uppon Beline þe þe bismar haue[ð] idon.
Þus spec Malgod swike he wes ful god
Þe oðere him radden al swa. þer-fore hem wroþe wide wa.
Þa Brennes hauede ihirde his hirde-manne lare.
þa gladede is mod þe rad him þuhte swiðe god.
& seide hem þis answare After eore rade ich wulle færen.
He greiðede his cnihtes & feorh færde bi nihttes.
swa longe þat he bi-com to Ælfinge kinge.
Þonne king heo igrette & his gumen alle.
and þe king him answerede swiðeliche fæire.
Þa spec Brennes & his ærnde a-bed.
he ȝirnde þeos kinges dohter to habben to are quene.
& þe king him ȝette al þat he ȝirnde.
gold & gærsume. feoh & færde.
Þa wes Brennes swiðe bald on heorte he wes bliðe.
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Seoueniht he wes þære hit þutte him seoue ȝere.
ær he aȝen come to fæhten wih his broðer.
Of witten heo weoren amadde [þ]e him swa rædden.
Brennes wes in Norwæye Belin in þisse londe.
Belin ihærde sugge þurh summe sæg treowe.
of his broðer wifðinge and for wulche þinge.
& for wulchere neode he to Norwæiȝe færde.
Belin hine bi-þohte of swulchere dede.
& þas worde seide þe sæg wes itreouwe.
Wa wurðe a þon broðer þe bi-swikeð þene oðer.
Whær beo ȝe mine cnihtes whar beo ȝe mine kempen.
whar beo ȝe mine leoue men nu we scullen liðen.
Heo ferden to Humber-londe þer weoren castles stronge.
Þe castles heo nomen alle & strangede þe walles.
He lette blauwen bemen and nam al þa burhwes.
þa weoren on his broðer londe þe he hafde an heonde.
He dude þer-inne mæte inoh & wepmen unifoh.
þat me mihte heom walden wih Brennes an-walde.
His cnihtes mid him-seoluen to þare sæ færden.
þar laien bi þan brimme and bisilichen hit wisten.
Brennes wes in Norweȝe and noht her-of nuste.
he wende þat his broðer nuste noht of his fære.
Leaf he nom at Ælfing. þe wes Norweine king.
& he him ȝef answere A mote þu wel færen.
& Delgan mi dohter þe me is swþe deore.
Þis under-stod þe ȝeonge quene faren þat heo scolde.
heo hauede enne leoue-mon þa heo swuþe ileoued hæfde.
þene king of Denemark þe leof hire weis on mode.
He wes swiðe god cniht Godlæc he hahte
Þa sende Dalgan. þa quene in-to Denemarke
& guðde Godlacke þa wes hire gome deore
stille boc-runen. heo senden him to ræden
& seiden him þat Brennes. a king of Britaine
hauede heo biwedded. & ihaued heo to bedde
al hire vnðonkes. þer-fore hire wes uneðe
and heo he wolden læiden to-ward his leoden.
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Sone hit mæi ilimpen þanne ihc hunnen liðe.
þah þu habben blisse and grið ne speke ich þe nauere-more wið.
and ihc sende þe gretinge of mine gold ringe.
Þa Godlac isæh þis wa him wes ful iwis.
Stille he wes iswoȝen on his kine-stole.
Me warp on his nebbe. cold welle-watere.
Þa þe king wes a-waht he wes swuþe idraht.
he seide forð-rihtes Whar beoð mine cnihtes.
Fare we swiðe to þare sæ sele mine dranches.
Godlac king on ueste mid gud-fulle folke.
to þere sæ wenden scipen þer heo funden.
makede muchul sæ-flot and ferden mid streme.
to-ȝenes þare hauene þer Brennes from halde.
Þa Brennes com i wide sæ he i-mette his wiðer-iwinne.
scip ærne to-ȝen scip þa hit al towonde to scifren.
horn a-ȝen horne halde þe wacre.
Þer wes moni breoste mid brade spere i-þurlud.
helmes þe[r] gullen beornes þer fullen.
balluw þer wes riue Brennes flæh bliue.
& Godlac hæld æfter monie scipen he þer cahte.
He i-seh a scip þar hit lað sulkene wes þat seil-clæð
he clupede to his dringes: Nu forh nu niðinges.
Þet is þere quene scip: þe us bi-foren queccheð.
Halde[ð] alle þer-to and ȝif ȝe hit mawen ifon
æuere-mare ich æu leouie. þa wile þa ich liouie
Mid strengðe heo halden to schipen & þa quene heo igripen.
Godlac sloh þa scip-gumen & alle heo nom þat garsume.
and ladde þa quene Delgan toward Denemarke anan.
He þoðte heo to habben to his awere bihoue.
& oðer weis hit sæht
Godlac forh geinde glad he wes on heorte.
he þohte to habben Delgan to quene of Dene-marke.
ah him com muchel lætting swa him wes alre laðest.
Æft aras a ladlich weder þeostrede þa wolcne.
þe wind com on weðere and þa sæ he wraðede.
vðen þer urnen al-se [t]unes þer burnen.
rapes þer braken b[a]lu wes fulle riue.
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þer þreo & fifti scipen. feollen to grunde
in þa teonfulle sæ. torneden sæiles
Godlac hauede a god scip. ne gomede him no-wiht
he hine bi-ðohte weht he don mihten.
He igrap ane wi-æxe muchele and swiðe scærpe.
he for-heow þænne mæst a-two riht amidden.
he lette seil and þane meæst liðen mid vðen.
Þus seide Goðlac sære him gromede.
Æuer-ælc æhte mon: help þat we libben.
þat we comen to londe ne recche we on wulche leoden.
Heo ferden mid þon wedere nusten heo nauere whudere.
vnder fif dawene ȝeong heo comen to þisse londe.
Comen þes kinges cnihtes þe þæ sæ wusten.
and nomen Godlac þene king & Delgan þæ quene.
Heo seiden heom enne strongne ræd Nu ȝe beon alle dead.
ah ȝef ȝe wullen us seuggen ȝet ȝe mawen libben.
whonene ȝe beð icumene & whet ȝe her sohten.
Godlac answerede mid godlichen worden.
We beoh sæ-werie men and we wullet soð sucgen.
ah nuten næuere þæs gumen in-to whuche londe heo beoð icume.
ne þas strond we ne cnoweð þe we isoht habbeð.
þis lon ne þas leoden ne wha her lauerd is.
ne we nuten na þe ma þat we ne speken wit ure ifæn.
Ah ich eow bidde leoue men leddeð us to þæn kinge.
& ich him wulle suggen of blissen and of sorwen.
And þa cnihtes heom lædden to heore leod-kinge.
Godlac & [þa] quene heore æhte & his iferen.
& seiden him þat he wes i Brutaine i Belin kinges londe.
Sone swa he to þan king com wisliche he clupede him an.
Hail wurh þu Belin king Brennes is þi broðer.
& ich hatte Godlac gumenen ich wes lauerd.
Denemarkene king þeos wif-man hatte Delcan.
Brennes com to Norhweie to Ælfinge kinge.
Þe king him ȝef Delcan þe ȝare wes mi leoue-mon.
Sonden commen bi-twenen þe soðe word me seiden.
whennen Bre[n]nes wolde liðen & mine leoue-mon leden.
To-ȝenes ich him ferde mid feowerti scipen gode.
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& ich wulle suggen þe an wunder he haueden scipen seouen hundred.
And ich bigon strong fæht and Brennes to flenne.
his men ich awelde & monie ich aquelde.
and þer ich nom Delga[n] þe ær wes mi leoue-mon.
& ich sugge þe to soðe þat ȝet leoueð þi broðer.
for he hald to þen londe & wel com to hauene.
And ich isæh þare quene scip quecchen mid vðen.
& ich ferden þer-æfter and bi-wan hit mid fæhte.
Þa wes ich bliðe on mine quike liue.
Þa ich wes i wide sæ wiðer com to-ȝenes.
þet weder wes swa wilde & þa sæ wrædde.
and draf me to þisse londe in-to þire leode.
A[nd] me do þine milce for þu eart mihti ouer me.
Þe king heom lette halden in swiðe feire benden.
in ane stronge castle þer he heom wel bi-wiste.
Nes hit buten feower wiken þat þas [þ]inge ifaren weoren.
cam Brennes riden in-to Scotte-londe.
mid feower hundred schipen folc þer wes fæie.
He sende his boden: to Belin his broðer.
& bad hine quic-liche aȝeuen him his quene.
& þane kinge Gudlac: þe his gumen hauede a-falled.
& ȝef he hit nolle him sal beon þa wurse
In his londen ich wulle gon. & slæn al þat ich finde
mid fehte & mid fure þis feoreward ich him halde.
bute he me wullen ȝeuen. þat ich him to-ȝeurne
& mi londe rume & fare to his riche.
and aȝeue me mine burȝes & mine buri gode.
castles and toures þe he me halt a teonen.
Forð ferde þas sonde to Belin king
& seide him þeos ibeod. from Brenne his broðer
& Belin him warde al þat he ȝernde
þat ne sulde he nauere ibiden. þe while þe he mihte riden
Þe [sonde] aȝan ferde. & seide hit Brenne
Brenne wes swiðe wrað. & bannede is ferde
scheldede his scalken. al-se heo to wiȝe solden
folkede his cnihtes al-sa heo scolden fehten.
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Muchel æie wes þære vnder þan wude of Kalatere.
þer heo heom imetten & vuele hem igretten.
To-gædere heo comen heo graneden sone.
feondliche heo feohten bi þeosende heo fellen.
Swiðe faht Belin king swa duden his Bruttes.
heo weoren swiðe ohte men þat æðel heo bi-wunnen.
Brennes heom from bæh and mid his folke he fleh.
al to-ward þare sæ mid muchele vn-sælðe.
& Belin heom æfter & heo adun leide.
sixti þusende he leide to þen gronde.
A schip funde Brennes bi þon brimme stonden.
he bicom þer-inne mid his twelf monnen.
ne leædde he na ma isunde of alle his monnen.
Ouer sæ he ferden in toward France.
and þeo for-wundede men wende into holte.
Þa al þis wes ifarren & Brennes wes awæi i-floȝen.
Belin in Euerewic huld eorlene husting.
he bed þat his riche men rihtne read radden.
whet him weore to donne bi þon ilke monne.
& bi Godlac kinge þe [he] huold i bende.
For Gudlac him sende word. bi ane wise monne
þat if he him wold leoðien. of laðe his benden
þat he wolde his mon beon. mid alle his mon-ueorde
& he him wolde ȝeuen al þat gold. þe he haueden i Denemark lond.
& ælcche ȝere him senden þreo þusund punden.
her-to him wolden finden. ȝisel of his gilde
wih þon þe he lette. sckere. hine & his ifere
& his leoue-men swa deore. to Denemark leoden
Belin king him ȝette. þat forward þat he ȝerde
and freoliche hine lette faren. and alle his iueren
Belin hauede þeo ȝeseles. & þa ȝeuen gode
& his mon-ræidene. mid monschipe biw[u]nnen
& Gudlac ledde forh. þa wif-mon swiðe fæire
& he heo bohte swiðe deore. bruken he heo þohte
Belin huld þas riche wel feole ȝere.
& he swiðe freolic al his folc he ladde.
he makede swiðe god grið his gumen hit wel heolden.
Þa weoren i þissere leode laȝen swiðe gode.
126
Þa hauede Belin an heond al Brutteines lond.
he ferde ȝeond al. & lawen sette
he scawede þa wuodes. & þa wildernes
meduwen. and mores & þa hæȝe muntes.
burwes and tunes & al hit ȝeorne bi-hold.
Þe king hine bi-ðohte whet he don mihte.
He bi-gon ane stræte muchele & swiðe græte.
feiȝer & swiðe long þurhut al þis kinelond.
& þe king and his folc Fosse heo clupeden.
Heo lið hut of Toteneis. a þet cume to Catenes
Toteneis is in Cornwale. Cateneis in Scot-dale
An-oðer stret. he makede swiðe hendi from Suð-hamtone to Seint Deuwi.
Seo[ð]ðe he makede þe þridde þe kærf þis lond amidde.
Þa þeos stræt weoren idon þa leide þa king heom laȝen on
þat wha-swa i þen stræten breken grið þe king him wolde bi-nimen his lif.
ah wha-swa oðerne imette þer fæire hine igrætte.
Þis weoren þeos kinges strætte þe ich i-kenned habbe.
I Frænce wes Brennes þe wes þeos kinges broðer
on his heorte he hauede grome. on his mode muchele scome
þat he hæuede iloren his kinelond. and his quene þe he leouede
& him swiðe scomede. þat he swa i-scend wes
He wunede inne France. mid his tweolfe i-feren
he herde þon king & wel him iquemde.
& al þa Frensce leoden swiðe heo loueden Brenne.
for Brennes bi-ȝet muchel feoh & feire hit dælde.
Nes he noht. ȝælpinde. ah he wes ȝeue-custi
he wes þer swiðe oht mon. & æðele weore his deden
& him þer ofte wel ilomp. þer-fore he wes þe leofere
þa he wes þere. wel cuð & ouer-al i-cnawen.
& þe king hine leouede & al his leoden.
Þa nom he his iferen & bi-sohte þeos folkes king
þat he him sculde fulste. mid his gode folke
his lond to biȝetene. of Belin his breoðer
Þe king him bi-hette. and wel hit him ȝette
Þa bead he leaue. & he furðer lað
to Seguine Duc. þe lauerd wes of Burguine
& of þen Brutlonde þe is bi-ȝeonde sæ-stronde.
128
he seide þat he him wolden hæren and halden hine for herra.
leofliche him buwen. & halden hine for lauerd
Þe duc þer-fore fain wes. & hine fæire on-feng.
Brennes wes swiðe hende his hap wes þe betere.
Brennes cuðe on hundes Brennes cuðe an hauekes.
he cuðe mid his honden hanlie þa harpe.
þurh his hænde-craftes hired-men hine leouede.
& his lauerd alse wilcume swa he weoren his aȝene sune.
Þe duc hauede æne dohter þe him wes swiþe deore.
ah he neuede nenne sune þer-fore he wes sari.
Þe duc bi-sæh a Brenne þe hauede bodi hende.
& him to seide mid sohfeste huȝe
Brennes þu ært hende. & þu ært hæh iboren
& þu eært cniht swiðe god & þu eært me iqueme.
Þu come ouer streme. þu eart kinges istreonne
þu eært me swiðe iliðe. & ich þe leouie swiðe
Al þat ich þe bi-hate. ich hit þe wulle halden
ich wulle ȝeuen þe mine dohter. þa me is swiðe deore
& æfter mine dæie. al mi drihliche lond
for wel hit luuieð. alle mine burnes
þat hit þus beo idon. and þat þu þis vnder-fon
Þa answerede Brennes. mid beienliche worden
Ich hit þankie þe. & alle þine þeode
for eouwer muchele wurhchipe. wel þat ȝe me vnnen
Al þis wes idon. alse þe duc demde
Blisse was on hirede. þeo Brennes þis mæide nom.
mid muchelere wurhschipe he wunede mid þan ducke.
Þa þat forme ȝer wharð forð igan.
þa wes þe duc dead and Brennes hauede his duweðe.
al þon folk he wes leof ase heore aȝene lif.
for he heold swiðe god grið & glæd wes wið his monnen.
He hauede swiðe mucchel lond þat al stod an his hond.
and he hæfde a swiðe god wif & he heo leouede alse his lif.
Wið-innen a lut ȝeren Brennes hine bi-ðohte.
an his broðer Belin þe his lond bi-nom him.
He sende his sonde ȝeond Burguine londe.
Þe ferde wes swa muchel þat heo wes vnimete.
In-to Normandie he com and þer he þa sæ nom.
& he ferde mid sunde in-to þisse londe.
Brennes bæh a þat lond mid his leode-ferde.
Sonde com to Belin þa him soð sæide.
þat Brennes his broðer hefde isoht his riche.
mid vnimete ferde icommen to his eærde.
Belin lette beoden ȝeond al his londe.
and bæd al þa kempen þe wið-inne sæ wuneden
þat heo comen to his neode. to driuen vt þa vnleoden
Ȝeærwe wes þat ferde & forð-war[d] ifusede.
heo comen swa næh þere twam ferden.
Þa ȝet leouede þa ælde quene a wifmon wis and kene.
heo wes ihaten Tonuenne ho iber Belin.
and þat heo wel cudde.
Heo nom hire on anne curtel. þe wes swiðe to-toren
hire hem heo up i-tæh. hire cneon he wes swiðe neh
Heo eode on hire bare foten. al heo hit dude for gode
Heo com to þere ferde þe icumen wes to þissere eærde
heo axede æfter Brenne þer he wes bi ferde.
þer he hine wepnede alse he to fihte þeohte.
& alle his burnes duden on heore burnen.
Swa leonge me hi[r]e tahte þat heo him to com.
Vfenen heo him orn bi-twixen hire ærmes heo hine nom.
ofte heo hine clupte. & ofte heo hine custe
130
& he ferde mid sunde in-to þisse londe.
Brennes bæh a þat lond mid his leode-ferde.
Sonde com to Belin þa him soð sæide.
þat Brennes his broðer hefde isoht his riche.
mid vnimete ferde icommen to his eærde.
Belin lette beoden ȝeond al his londe.
and bæd al þa kempen þe wið-inne sæ wuneden
þat heo comen to his neode. to driuen vt þa vnleoden
Ȝeærwe wes þat ferde & forð-war[d] ifusede.
heo comen swa næh þere twam ferden.
Þa ȝet leouede þa ælde quene a wifmon wis and kene.
heo wes ihaten Tonuenne ho iber Belin.
and þat heo wel cudde.
Heo nom hire on anne curtel. þe wes swiðe to-toren
hire hem heo up i-tæh. hire cneon he wes swiðe neh
Heo eode on hire bare foten. al heo hit dude for gode
Heo com to þere ferde þe icumen wes to þissere eærde
heo axede æfter Brenne þer he wes bi ferde.
þer he hine wepnede alse he to fihte þeohte.
& alle his burnes duden on heore burnen.
Swa leonge me hi[r]e tahte þat heo him to com.
Vfenen heo him orn bi-twixen hire ærmes heo hine nom.
ofte heo hine clupte. & ofte heo hine custe
A whet wult þu Brenne. Whet wult þu balwe menge.
Ȝif þu s[lea]st þine broðer ne bistz þu neuer oðer.
Ne beon ȝit bute tweien mine sunen ȝit be beien.
Biðenc o ðire mon-schipe bi-ð[e]nc o ðire moder.
bi-ðenc a mire lare Þu eært mi bærn deore.
Loka her þa tittes þat þu suke mid þine lippes.
Lou war hire þa wifmon þa þe a ðas weoreld i-bær.
Leo wær here þa wombe þe þu læie inne swa longe.
Leo war here þa ilke likame Ne do þu me neuere þane scome.
þat ich for þine þinge mid sæxe me of-stinge.
Nu hit is vmbe seoue ȝere þat þu weren here.
and al forewarde þu breke toward þine breoðer
Þu weore his mon bi-cumen and he þe leouede also his sone.
Aðes þu him swore swiken þat þu noldest.
Þu hauest woh & [he] haue [ð] riht þat is þe swiþe muchel pliht.
& ouer sæ þu liðe al buten læue.
to Alfinge kinge & nome his dohter ȝeonge.
Swa þu woldest mid ferde faren to þissen eærde.
and don þe seoluen bisemar fehten wit þine broðer.
ȝif Denemarkene king idrecched þe neuede
& suððen þu come. and herm her iuore
& æf[t] wendest ouer sæ. & nu þu ært sel icumen
Nu þu eært londes weldent. & us scal beon þe wurse
Mid uncuðe mannen. þu wlt þi cun quelle
Ne sculde na cniht. hærȝien þær he hauede ha[m]es iwald
no eæf[t] on his cuhðe. qued-schipe wurchen
Ah leoue sune Brennes. bei þi starke þonc.
leie a-dun þin hære-scrud & þinne rede sceld.
and þi sper longe & þi swerd stronge.
and ilef þire moder & leoue þinne broðer.
Vrnen ire teares ouer hire leores.
Brennes þat isæh & sorȝeden on his heorte.
let cliden his gare þat hit grund sohte.
He scæt his riche sceld feor ut in þene feld.
awei he warp his gode breond & of mid þere burne.
Brennes and his moder. mildelichen ferden.
in ænne bradne feld and Belin him to-ȝennes.
Þa weop þe breoðer al swa dede þe oðer.
Þa spec þe moder milde mid muðe.
Ȝit buð mine leoue sunen liðeð to-somne.
& iwurðeð sæhte and euer on blisse.
Cusse [ð] and cluppe[ð] cuðie meies
Cnihtes ȝit beoð boðe kene. while ich wes quene
Nis hit noht un-huhtlic. incker moder inc hateð
Þer heo hom custen. þe weren kinges bearn
bi-feoren þa twam ferden. freond-scipe makeden
Bemen þer bleowen. blisse wes on folke
þer weore segge songe. þer were pipen i-magge
þer wes swa muchel murehðe. þat ne mihte heo beon na-mare
Þus iwerað Brennes. sæht whit his broðer
Þa makeden heo ane laðunge. of heore leoue folke
þat al comen to Lundene. uppe wite of feowerti punden
to þan hustingge. bi-foren Belin kinge
Þa weoren al þas leoden. at Lundene isomed
Þer wes Belin þe king. and al his kine-riche.
Bruttes & Scottes & moni scone. þein
Þer wes þe Duc of Burgoine Brennes ihaten.
Weoren þa broðerne bliðe on here mode.
& al þa twa ferden of moni ane eærde.
Þe kingges nomen to ræde at riche heore monnen.
þat heo wolden mid ferde faren in-to France.
In France weore læwen sulkuðe a þan dawen.
& selcuðe tidende for þer were feower kinges.
Belin seide to Brenne Fare we bliue.
in tou-warde France & mid fehte hit biwinnen.
Heo bleuwen heore bemen & buden here ferde.
and to þere sæ wenden & wel ouer commen.
Mid nihen hundred scipene heo commen in-to hauene.
heo commen in-to þen lond [an]d neoðer [ed]en þa leoden.
Com þa tiðende to þan feouwer kinggen.
þat Belin king wes icumen & þe duc Brenne.
mid unimete ferde to bi-winne France
To-gadere þe kinges come & æðes heo sweoren
þat heo wolde libben to-gadere. oðer liggen
& euer-ælc oðer. halden for broðer
Mid aðen heo hit bi-hæten. and ful wel hit heolden
Heo sommeneden heore ferde. þe wes feond-liche stor
& heo ferden bliue. to-war[d] Beline
Brennes mid his ferde. wes bi-foren Beline
To-gædere come þeos kinges. mid heore here-ðringes
Ferde whit ferde. feon-liche feu[ð]ten
Scottes & Bruttes. bei[ene] to-gaderes
Belin here læuerd. heom biforen wende
Brennes bisides. mid his folke of Burguine
Heo smiten to-gædere. helmes þere gullen.
breken brade sperren bordes þer scænden.
redde blod scede rinkas feollen.
þer wes muchel gristbat þer wes cumene fæl.
weoren þa hulles and þa dæles iwriȝen mid þe dæden
Belin ibræid up his helm & clipede to Brennes.
Ne isihst þu leoue bro[ð]er heou breoðeð þa Frensce.
& þa ferde of unker londe isund ȝet stondet.
Greiðe we us seoluen mid grimme oure ræsen.
& heom on ileggen mid orde and mid egge.
Brennes wes swiðe bald & þis wel bi-leouede.
Al heo heom slowen þe heo aneh comen.
and þas feower kinges heo leiden to þan grunde.
Whulc riche mon þer at-fleh in-to castle he abeh.
& heo him after ferden mid spere. & mi[d] swerde.
Nes þer nan oðer lið ȝif heo nalden ȝernen grið.
þene castel heo nomen hine seulfne and his folke sloȝen.
Þus heo þurh-eoden Francene þeode.
In þan ilcan ȝere wes Belin kaisere.
and Brennes his broðer beiene togaderes.
for heo hauede France mid fehte bi-wunnen.
and alle þa fre londes þe leien in-to France.
Þa hauede heo muche riche irumed to honde.
þeo speken heo to-gadere þa sele ibroðeren.
and seide þat heo wolden halden hustinge.
of allen þat l[eo]den þe heore læwen leoueden
& of al þan londen þe stoden on heore heonden.
and þurh heore alre dome heo wolden fære to Rome.
to wreken o þon folke Remus þene feire.
þe Romulus his broðer in Rome of-sloh.
þer bi-foren fele ȝere for al þat mon-kun wes þa ȝet þere.
Al þa kinges þus duden swa heom-self demmeden.
heo gadere[de] heore ferde in Francene eærde.
Þa þat folc wes icumen sone heo fusden.
for þer wes swa mochel folc & swa vnimete.
þat a neuere nane walde ne mihte hit al halde.
Heo ferden ouer Mungiu mid muchelen here ferden.
seo[ð]ðen heo ferden ful iwis þer me clipð Munt Senis.
heo nomen al Taurins and Iuorie & alle þe burȝewes of Lu[m]bardie.
Versæus and Pauie & Cremuinne Melan. Plæucence & Buluine.
þet wæter heo ouer-ferden of Taurim & seo[ð]ðen heo ferden ouer Bardun.
Tuscan heo habbe[ð] al bi-wunnen i Salome heo slowe monie þusend monnen.
Swa heo nehlehte toward Rome to late heom þuste are heo þer comen
& þat Romeanisce floc swiðe wes of-fered.
for heom comen stronge tidinge from Belin þon kinge.
Haueden al þa reuen þe [w]unede in Rome.
and alle þa riche gumen þa Rome burwe walden.
iloked tweiene eorles i þon ilka ȝeære.
þe sculden witen þat lond & wissien þa leoden.
& læden here ferde wher hit neod weore.
for heore beire nome ich þe wulle telle.
þe an hehte Gabius þe oðer Prosenna.
Þeos ilke eorles weren kene ohte men and wel idone.
and al þat Romanisce folc ferde bi heore ræde.
Þeos eorles comen to Rome to þan red-fulle monen.
axeden heom ræddes of swulchere neode.
wheðer heo boden ferde whit Belinne to fehten.
þe heo speken him wit & seoððe axeden his grið.
Þa weoren in Rome wise men on dome.
and ðohten bi-pechen Belin mid heore præt-wrenchen.
Heo nomen heom to ræde and to som-rune.
þat noht heo nolden fehten no heore ferd lea[d]e.
Ah we wullet gan a leoðe and leoue we wulle[ð] wurchen.
we wulle[ð] setten heom an hond al þis Romanisce lond.
& wur[ð]ien heom in leoden al swa mon lauerd scal.
ȝeuen heom seluer and gold and bi-techen heom al þis lond.
ȝeuen heom garisum swa heo wulle[ð] kepe.
vre childre to ȝisle ȝef heo swa wulleð
ælcches barunes sune þe i þissere burh wuneð.
þeo scullen beon icorne. and swiðe wel iborne.
childre swiðe hendi ȝisles feor and twenti.
& ælche ȝer of golde ten hundred punde
Þa kingges buh stronge and of ferrene lond.
Heo habbeð swa muche folc swa nes næuer eær on ferde.
Þe kinges beoð ȝunge of æhte ȝissinge.
Sone swa heo ihurden swulch worde don heo hit wulleð.
for heo ne mawen bidde mare buten þat we ȝernen heore ære.
& ȝif we mawen swa wel don þat heo þis wullen vnder-fon.
& bi-leuen oure leoden and faren to heore londe.
seoððen we sculleð bi-g[i]nnen to don ure wille.
for betere is þat we leosen leoue oure children.
þanne we nimen swulne ræd þat we allen beo deade.
and al Rome burh mid fure for-berne[d].
& al þat liggende lond þat lið in-to Rome.
beo al bi-ræiued þe nu stonde[ð] riche.
For ȝif hit wulle[ð] Teruagant þe [i]s oure god of þisse lond.
her-mid we sculle[ð] heom bi-charren & seo[ð]ðen heom amarren.
þat ne sculle[ð] heo nauere isunde cumen to heore londe.
Þa seiden heo in halle Þisne read halde we alle.
Þeos eorles heom gereden mid godliche scruden.
& nomen mid heo[m] cnihtes swa feole swa heom þuhte.
ha leopen an heore feire hors bi-wriȝen mid fæire palle.
Ælc mon nom an honde ane scale of rede golde.
Feouwer daies fulle forð-ward heo wenden.
þat heo comen to þon eærde þer Belin wes mid his ferde.
& Brennes his bro[ð]er beiene to-somne.
Heo axeden aðelinges wer leye þa kinges.
Me heo[m] tahte þa feldes þer weoren þare kingene tælddes.
Heo ferden bi-liue þat þider heo comen liðe.
Heom þuhte muchel ferlich of al þeon folke
wher hit al i-numen weore þat heo iseiȝen þere.
Heo iseiȝen Belin king buȝen ut of telde.
& heo lihten adun & leofliche on [cneow]en
forn at þan kinge. heo fullen to folde
Ȝif þu s[lea]st þine broðer ne bistz þu neuer oðer.
Ne beon ȝit bute tweien mine sunen ȝit be beien.
Biðenc o ðire mon-schipe bi-ð[e]nc o ðire moder.
bi-ðenc a mire lare Þu eært mi bærn deore.
Loka her þa tittes þat þu suke mid þine lippes.
Lou war hire þa wifmon þa þe a ðas weoreld i-bær.
Leo wær here þa wombe þe þu læie inne swa longe.
Leo war here þa ilke likame Ne do þu me neuere þane scome.
þat ich for þine þinge mid sæxe me of-stinge.
Nu hit is vmbe seoue ȝere þat þu weren here.
and al forewarde þu breke toward þine breoðer
Þu weore his mon bi-cumen and he þe leouede also his sone.
132
Þu hauest woh & [he] haue [ð] riht þat is þe swiþe muchel pliht.
& ouer sæ þu liðe al buten læue.
to Alfinge kinge & nome his dohter ȝeonge.
Swa þu woldest mid ferde faren to þissen eærde.
and don þe seoluen bisemar fehten wit þine broðer.
ȝif Denemarkene king idrecched þe neuede
& suððen þu come. and herm her iuore
& æf[t] wendest ouer sæ. & nu þu ært sel icumen
Nu þu eært londes weldent. & us scal beon þe wurse
Mid uncuðe mannen. þu wlt þi cun quelle
Ne sculde na cniht. hærȝien þær he hauede ha[m]es iwald
no eæf[t] on his cuhðe. qued-schipe wurchen
Ah leoue sune Brennes. bei þi starke þonc.
leie a-dun þin hære-scrud & þinne rede sceld.
and þi sper longe & þi swerd stronge.
and ilef þire moder & leoue þinne broðer.
Vrnen ire teares ouer hire leores.
Brennes þat isæh & sorȝeden on his heorte.
let cliden his gare þat hit grund sohte.
He scæt his riche sceld feor ut in þene feld.
awei he warp his gode breond & of mid þere burne.
Brennes and his moder. mildelichen ferden.
in ænne bradne feld and Belin him to-ȝennes.
Þa weop þe breoðer al swa dede þe oðer.
Þa spec þe moder milde mid muðe.
Ȝit buð mine leoue sunen liðeð to-somne.
& iwurðeð sæhte and euer on blisse.
Cusse [ð] and cluppe[ð] cuðie meies
Cnihtes ȝit beoð boðe kene. while ich wes quene
Nis hit noht un-huhtlic. incker moder inc hateð
Þer heo hom custen. þe weren kinges bearn
bi-feoren þa twam ferden. freond-scipe makeden
Bemen þer bleowen. blisse wes on folke
þer weore segge songe. þer were pipen i-magge
þer wes swa muchel murehðe. þat ne mihte heo beon na-mare
Þus iwerað Brennes. sæht whit his broðer
Þa makeden heo ane laðunge. of heore leoue folke
þat al comen to Lundene. uppe wite of feowerti punden
134
Þa weoren al þas leoden. at Lundene isomed
Þer wes Belin þe king. and al his kine-riche.
Bruttes & Scottes & moni scone. þein
Þer wes þe Duc of Burgoine Brennes ihaten.
Weoren þa broðerne bliðe on here mode.
& al þa twa ferden of moni ane eærde.
Þe kingges nomen to ræde at riche heore monnen.
þat heo wolden mid ferde faren in-to France.
In France weore læwen sulkuðe a þan dawen.
& selcuðe tidende for þer were feower kinges.
Belin seide to Brenne Fare we bliue.
in tou-warde France & mid fehte hit biwinnen.
Heo bleuwen heore bemen & buden here ferde.
and to þere sæ wenden & wel ouer commen.
Mid nihen hundred scipene heo commen in-to hauene.
heo commen in-to þen lond [an]d neoðer [ed]en þa leoden.
Com þa tiðende to þan feouwer kinggen.
þat Belin king wes icumen & þe duc Brenne.
mid unimete ferde to bi-winne France
To-gadere þe kinges come & æðes heo sweoren
þat heo wolde libben to-gadere. oðer liggen
& euer-ælc oðer. halden for broðer
Mid aðen heo hit bi-hæten. and ful wel hit heolden
Heo sommeneden heore ferde. þe wes feond-liche stor
& heo ferden bliue. to-war[d] Beline
Brennes mid his ferde. wes bi-foren Beline
To-gædere come þeos kinges. mid heore here-ðringes
Ferde whit ferde. feon-liche feu[ð]ten
Scottes & Bruttes. bei[ene] to-gaderes
Belin here læuerd. heom biforen wende
Brennes bisides. mid his folke of Burguine
Heo smiten to-gædere. helmes þere gullen.
breken brade sperren bordes þer scænden.
redde blod scede rinkas feollen.
þer wes muchel gristbat þer wes cumene fæl.
weoren þa hulles and þa dæles iwriȝen mid þe dæden
Belin ibræid up his helm & clipede to Brennes.
136
& þa ferde of unker londe isund ȝet stondet.
Greiðe we us seoluen mid grimme oure ræsen.
& heom on ileggen mid orde and mid egge.
Brennes wes swiðe bald & þis wel bi-leouede.
Al heo heom slowen þe heo aneh comen.
and þas feower kinges heo leiden to þan grunde.
Whulc riche mon þer at-fleh in-to castle he abeh.
& heo him after ferden mid spere. & mi[d] swerde.
Nes þer nan oðer lið ȝif heo nalden ȝernen grið.
þene castel heo nomen hine seulfne and his folke sloȝen.
Þus heo þurh-eoden Francene þeode.
In þan ilcan ȝere wes Belin kaisere.
and Brennes his broðer beiene togaderes.
for heo hauede France mid fehte bi-wunnen.
and alle þa fre londes þe leien in-to France.
Þa hauede heo muche riche irumed to honde.
þeo speken heo to-gadere þa sele ibroðeren.
and seide þat heo wolden halden hustinge.
of allen þat l[eo]den þe heore læwen leoueden
& of al þan londen þe stoden on heore heonden.
and þurh heore alre dome heo wolden fære to Rome.
to wreken o þon folke Remus þene feire.
þe Romulus his broðer in Rome of-sloh.
þer bi-foren fele ȝere for al þat mon-kun wes þa ȝet þere.
Al þa kinges þus duden swa heom-self demmeden.
heo gadere[de] heore ferde in Francene eærde.
Þa þat folc wes icumen sone heo fusden.
for þer wes swa mochel folc & swa vnimete.
þat a neuere nane walde ne mihte hit al halde.
Heo ferden ouer Mungiu mid muchelen here ferden.
seo[ð]ðen heo ferden ful iwis þer me clipð Munt Senis.
heo nomen al Taurins and Iuorie & alle þe burȝewes of Lu[m]bardie.
Versæus and Pauie & Cremuinne Melan. Plæucence & Buluine.
þet wæter heo ouer-ferden of Taurim & seo[ð]ðen heo ferden ouer Bardun.
Tuscan heo habbe[ð] al bi-wunnen i Salome heo slowe monie þusend monnen.
138
& þat Romeanisce floc swiðe wes of-fered.
for heom comen stronge tidinge from Belin þon kinge.
Haueden al þa reuen þe [w]unede in Rome.
and alle þa riche gumen þa Rome burwe walden.
iloked tweiene eorles i þon ilka ȝeære.
þe sculden witen þat lond & wissien þa leoden.
& læden here ferde wher hit neod weore.
for heore beire nome ich þe wulle telle.
þe an hehte Gabius þe oðer Prosenna.
Þeos ilke eorles weren kene ohte men and wel idone.
and al þat Romanisce folc ferde bi heore ræde.
Þeos eorles comen to Rome to þan red-fulle monen.
axeden heom ræddes of swulchere neode.
wheðer heo boden ferde whit Belinne to fehten.
þe heo speken him wit & seoððe axeden his grið.
Þa weoren in Rome wise men on dome.
and ðohten bi-pechen Belin mid heore præt-wrenchen.
Heo nomen heom to ræde and to som-rune.
þat noht heo nolden fehten no heore ferd lea[d]e.
Ah we wullet gan a leoðe and leoue we wulle[ð] wurchen.
we wulle[ð] setten heom an hond al þis Romanisce lond.
& wur[ð]ien heom in leoden al swa mon lauerd scal.
ȝeuen heom seluer and gold and bi-techen heom al þis lond.
ȝeuen heom garisum swa heo wulle[ð] kepe.
vre childre to ȝisle ȝef heo swa wulleð
ælcches barunes sune þe i þissere burh wuneð.
þeo scullen beon icorne. and swiðe wel iborne.
childre swiðe hendi ȝisles feor and twenti.
& ælche ȝer of golde ten hundred punde
Þa kingges buh stronge and of ferrene lond.
Heo habbeð swa muche folc swa nes næuer eær on ferde.
Þe kinges beoð ȝunge of æhte ȝissinge.
Sone swa heo ihurden swulch worde don heo hit wulleð.
for heo ne mawen bidde mare buten þat we ȝernen heore ære.
& ȝif we mawen swa wel don þat heo þis wullen vnder-fon.
& bi-leuen oure leoden and faren to heore londe.
140
for betere is þat we leosen leoue oure children.
þanne we nimen swulne ræd þat we allen beo deade.
and al Rome burh mid fure for-berne[d].
& al þat liggende lond þat lið in-to Rome.
beo al bi-ræiued þe nu stonde[ð] riche.
For ȝif hit wulle[ð] Teruagant þe [i]s oure god of þisse lond.
her-mid we sculle[ð] heom bi-charren & seo[ð]ðen heom amarren.
þat ne sculle[ð] heo nauere isunde cumen to heore londe.
Þa seiden heo in halle Þisne read halde we alle.
Þeos eorles heom gereden mid godliche scruden.
& nomen mid heo[m] cnihtes swa feole swa heom þuhte.
ha leopen an heore feire hors bi-wriȝen mid fæire palle.
Ælc mon nom an honde ane scale of rede golde.
Feouwer daies fulle forð-ward heo wenden.
þat heo comen to þon eærde þer Belin wes mid his ferde.
& Brennes his bro[ð]er beiene to-somne.
Heo axeden aðelinges wer leye þa kinges.
Me heo[m] tahte þa feldes þer weoren þare kingene tælddes.
Heo ferden bi-liue þat þider heo comen liðe.
Heom þuhte muchel ferlich of al þeon folke
wher hit al i-numen weore þat heo iseiȝen þere.
Heo iseiȝen Belin king buȝen ut of telde.
& heo lihten adun & leofliche on [cneow]en
forn at þan kinge. heo fullen to folde
Læuerd þine ære. for þu ært leodene king
We þe aȝeueð Rome & al þa riche.
& al þa londes þe ligge[ð] in-to Rome.
& alle þe madmes þat we on horde habbe[ð].
& swa muchel garsumme swa þine gumen kepeð.
& æðes we sulle[ð] þe swerien þat we þe nulle[ð] swiken.
uppen ure godd wel idon. þe is icliped Dagon
We swullen þine men bi-comen. & þine mon-scipe heien
mid allen oure mihten. daies and nihtes
and we þe wulle[ð] bi-techen. ut of þissere riche
feur and twenti ȝunge. riche monne childere
þe scullen beon alle icorne. and swiðe heiȝe iborne
We scullen of þissere þeode. cumen to þire neode.
and whuder þu hatest for þu ært ure hærre.
& to swulche forward we beoð hidere isende.
& we biddeð þine ære nu & auere-mare.
Þe king wes stille & þa swiken speken ille.
he weonden þat hit weoren soð þat heo iseid haueden.
ah al heo þohten oðer to slæn Belin king & his broðer.
Þeo hit up bræc hit wes god þat he spec.
Wel ȝe me bi-hatet halde ȝeif ȝe wulleð.
eow swal beon þe betere
To swuche forewarde. fon ich hit wulle
& ȝe scullen of me halden and habben me for harre.
& habben freoliche eoure lond & we freond iwurðen.
To-daie a seouen-nihte bringeð me her rihtte.
gold & gersume ȝeoue and eower ȝisles.
& cumen her on fore þe hæxete of Rome.
& swerie me æðes þat æð heom scel iwurðen.
& bi-cumen nu mine men & mine monscipe hæien.
& ȝif ȝe þis nulleð alle ich ȝeow aquelle.
Ah swiðe ham rideð leou wer here ich eow abide.
Ȝif ȝe spekeð mid rihte comeð to-dæi a seouen-nihte.
and ȝif ȝe spekeð wowe. bi-læuet inne Rome
& ich eou wullen to faren. & bringen eou sorwen an kare.
Þeos swiken gunnen ride ham into Rome.
& ȝarekeden heore ȝeouen & alle heore ȝisles.
& to heore dæie brohten to Beline kinge.
& he heom faire vnder-feng and freond-scipe bi-hehte.
Ȝisles heo him ȝeouen sone & his men bicome.
and he mid þan ilke foreward fusde eft aȝenward.
& þa swiken sone ferden to Rome
Belin & Brenne beie to-so[m]ne.
nomen heom to ræde & to som-rune.
þat heo wolden liðen þurh-out Lumbardie.
and faren to Alemainne & þa aðelene bi-winnen.
Þa Almainnisce men weoren of here cume warre.
& heo gadere[den] heom to-ȝeines strongliche ferden.
of alle þeon londe þon keiser hæfde an honde.
& þa Romanisce men ful ȝære hit iseȝen.
þat Belin & Brennes. beiene weoren ifarenne.
Heo ȝærkeden ræhðen. twa þusend rideres.
and swiðe an hiȝende senden heom efter.
Heo letten forð bi-siden an-oþer folc riden.
ten þusend kempen alle icudde.
þat heo bi-foren comen þan kaiser to helpe.
þe wolde aȝen king Belin feht ihalden.
& þat Romanisce floc riden heom bihinden.
Heo þohten heom beon on-fest þer þe hulles weore mest.
& senden heom arewen i þon weie narewe.
s[lea]n heore lauerd Belin & his broðer mid him.
Heo forȝeten here ȝisles & þat grið þat heo ȝurden.
æðes and þa treuþen þer-fore heo hauede teonen.
Belin & his broðer beien weoren warre.
of þon swike-dome þe heom com of Rome.
þa haueden heo þa mære æie of þan Alemainnisce kaisere.
Þa speken heo mid ræde for heo haueden neode.
þat Brennes & his ferde aȝen faren sculde.
fehten wih þat Romanisce folc & fellen ȝef heo mihten.
& Belin bæh ouer mu[n]t mid muclen his strengðe.
to feahten wið þon keisere & wih þon Alemainisce here.
fondien on fehte ȝif he hine ouer-cumen mæhte
& wheðer heore of þen broðeren. þe ærht his fæht ouer-come
come on-ȝean sonen. to helpen þon oðer
Þe folc of Burguine. ferde aȝan mid Brenne
of France and Peitou. sworen him & plicten
of þan Maine & of þan Turuine. treuliche him hærden
of Normaundie & of Flaundres. freoliche him fulsten
& of Lohærenne heo liðe to mid strengðe.
& þat folc of Ca[s]cuine þe noht nælden griðien.
& folc of fele leode þe liðe forð mid Brennen.
to þan Romanisce men þe heom æfter uoren.
Brenne and his folc heom to comen.
Anan swa heo iseiȝen Brennes buȝe heo[m] to-ȝennes.
swa þat Romainnisce folc sohte to flæinde.
& heo heom æfter foren and monie þer fullen.
& swiðe monie þer fluwen & ferden to Rome.
& Brennes þe riche softe heom beh æfter.
mid starkere fore ferde to-ward Rome.
and Belin þe aðel king wes in Alemainne.
Ferde he hauede inoh muchel and vni-feie.
Bruttes & Wailsce Scottes & Densce.
þer wes Godlac þe god wes to neode.
Þa iherden tellen þe ten þusend cnihtes.
þe weoren icumen of Rome þan keisere to fulsten.
þat Brennes þe riche ferde touward Rome.
and summe heore men i-slæȝene & summe to-driuene
nomen heom ræde. þat þeonenen heo wolden riden
riht touward Rome. eære Brennes þider come.
Þat word com to Belinne of Brennes his broðer.
heo he hauede itaken on & al whet he haueden idon.
And oðer sonde þer com þe sone him talde.
þat tweie þusend cnihtes þe werren i ðon Alemainnesce fehte.
wolden aȝen sone faren in-to Rome.
& al makeden heore faren alse ha wolden a þare niht faren.
Belin wes swiðe wis & warscipe him folweden.
he hauede monie Alemains mid agge to-heowen.
and monie he ledde isunde mid him ibunden.
He hauede tweine wisse men i þon fuhte bi-wunnen.
þeo cuðe þes londen lawen and speken whit þon leoden.
Belin king heom to spæc & þus heom wið spilede.
Ihere ȝe cnihtes whet ich eow wulle cuðen.
Ic inc habbe beiene an inne mine benden.
Ȝif ȝet wulle[ð] after ræde faren ich [inc] wulle freoiȝen.
mid gode ræue bi-hon and makien inc riche.
faren mid me suluen & ich inckere freond wurðe.
ȝif ȝit me wulleð laden þe cunne þas leoden.
riht to þan weie. þe ȝit witen ful wel
þar þis Romanisce folc forð wulleð riden.
and we heom sculleð fon on & heom wi[ð] fahten
feollen oure feondes. & faren after Brenne.
& liðen mid ræde and Rome bi-liggen.
and þis [ich] inc bi-seche þat al we wurðen sele.
Þa cnihtes weoren wise & ful ȝere-witele.
& al ham iwurden þe Belin heom to-ȝernde.
and heom markede forð touward Munt-giu heo ferden.
in-to ane mucele bæche þa munte bi-halues.
þer heo forð sculden cumen þa weoren þa gumen feie.
Belin wes bi hullen swiðe-liche stille.
þa comen liðen þa weore þa Rom-leoden.
Belin heom to leop bi-foren & bi-hinden.
Þeo cnihtes weoren vnwepned þa þe wæne heom wes ȝeueðe.
heo wenden to beon sikere þeo Belin heom on sohte.
Ne nomen heo nonne cniht quic ah alle heo heom aqualden.
for nauede Belin nan cnihte þet he næs þere god kimppe.
ne neauere nenne herd-swein þat he ne fahte alse þein.
ne næuer nænne hird-cnaue þat he nas wod on his laȝe.
Þat faht bi-gon at mid-niht & [laste] þat hit wes dæiliht.
& swa þene dæi longe heo wenden seo[ð]ðen þa muntes.
and qualden alle þa ilke þe aniht weoren atcropene.
Belin a ðene mærȝen letten blawen his bemen.
& beonnede his ferde hahte forð-rihtes.
riden þenne ilke wæi þe forð into Rome læi.
æfter Brenne his bro[ð]er þe heom bi-foren wes.
Brennes hit hirde suggen & his broðer a-bad.
Forð heo b[u]ȝen beiene þat heo come to Rome buri.
Þa burh heo bileien mid heore leod-ferden.
Þet folc. þer wið-innen heom ohtliche wið fehten.
Belin & Brenne heo bileien al abeoten.
and þa oðere hem scuten to scærpe gares.
Ofte heo letten grund-hat læd gliden heom an heore hæfd.
stockes & stanes & strales hate.
and swiðe wel heo wereden. þa walles of Rome
Þer fore alle þan cræften þe heo uten cuððen.
ne for alle þen fuhte þe heore ferde makede.
ne mihten heo Rome-wal nawiht onwalden.
ah heo loseden monie þusend godere monnen.
& tuwen heom fram þan walle wa wes heore herten.
Þe king him bi-ðohten whet heo don mihten.
and seiden heom bi-twenen Leteð comen sonen.
þa feouwer and twenti children þe we habbeð to ȝislen.
and doð up an waritreo þer-on heo scullen winden.
& wreken þan siðes and ure wiðer-i-winnen.
for ȝet we scullen heom to liðen swa heom bið ælre læ[ð]est.
Þe furken. weoren aræred heo teuwen up þa ȝisles.
and heom þer hengen bi-foren heore eldren.
Wa wes heore faderen þeo heo i-seiȝen heore beærn. hangen.
Mid muðen heo seiden mid aðen heo hit sworen.
þer-fore hit sculden iwurðen muchele þa wurse.
swa þat for deaðe ne for lif nalden heo nauere makien grið.
for þat weoren þa richcheste & þa alre hæhȝeste
& þa rad-fulleste. þe wuneden in Rome
þat bi-foren heore eȝenen. bi-hulden and i-seȝen
þat heore bern me on-heng. on heȝe trouwen
Þa orles weorne iwende swiðe for þeonne.
þe heom wite solden Gabius and Prosenna into Lumbardie.
in-to þon leode efter monkunne þe heom sculden [fulsten].
to helpene heore monne aȝen Belinne and Brenne.
Þa com þer a mon irnen from þan twam eorlen.
þe brohte writ-runen in-to þere burh of Rome.
þat seide heom to soðe þat þa eorles comen.
in þer ilke nihte mid ten þusend cnihten.
& mid ferde vnimete of monnen on foten.
þe sculden cumen bi-halues & Belin king aquellen.
and Brennes his broðer beiene to-gadere.
Ȝif ȝe me wulle[ð] ileuen a-nan swa hit beoð auen.
sendeð ut cnihtes & bi-ginneð to fihten.
ær hit beo mid-niht ich sugge eow hit soð-riht.
come[ð] mid heore mannen Gabius and Prosenna.
þe sculleð eow wurðliche wreken on eower [wi]þer-i winnen.
A-nan swa þe dæi wes a-gan swa heo ȝeten openeden
letten ut cnihtes bigunnen muchele fihtes.
swa heo fehten al niht þat hit wes dæi-liht.
Þa com þer fusen vnimete ferde.
Gabius an Prosenna mid muchele mon-kinne.
ut of Lumbardie and liðen touward Brenne.
& [he] heom faht wið feondliche swiðe.
& Belin him resde to. to þan Romanisce folke
& heo fusden swiðe. Þe faht wes unimete
þer wes ballu riue. Bruttes þer fullen
Belin and Brennes. burstes þare hæfden
& þa Romanisce men. remden heom uuenen
Whet wolde ȝe her niðinges. mid þe Bruttisce kinge
wende ȝe mid ginnen. Romen bi-winnen
wenden ȝe mid fehten. to fellen uren leoden
& beon eow seluen riche. and welden al Rome
Ȝe scullen drinken eowre blod balu eow is ȝeueðe.
Ȝe beoð ure bernenne bone þer-fore ȝe sculleð breoðen.
fallen and ure leoden swa eow bið alre læðust.
Belin & Brennes buȝen heom fram þan fuhte.
wih-innen are muchele dic þe heo hæfden ilet dælfen.
þat heore folc mihten swiðe wel wunien wið-innen.
Þer-innen heo speken þer-inne heo runden.
ane lutle while ne leaste hit na-wiht ane mile.
and þus heo seiden heom bi-twune
Ȝif we hennen fareð þus. alle heo wulleð æfter us
and ȝif hit swa il[i]mppeð þat we ham cumen liðen.
heorten we haueden sare and ure cun æd-wit auere-mare.
Ah ga we heom on mid sweorde for al heo beoð for[lorn]e
& ureke ue ure wine-mæies.
for leouere us is here mid manscipe to fallen
þanne we heonne i-sunde farren. ure frenden to scare
Þe while þe heo þus speken. and spileden mid worden
wende þa þeodisce men. þat Belin wolden þenne
and seiden heom bi-twenen. in þere burh of Rome
Nu heo wulleð heonnen. nulleð heo na-mare fehten
ah Belin and his broðer. al heo ðo[ð]ten oðer
Heo senden ut of Rome. cnihtes wel idone
feowerti hundred. to hæȝen ane castele
to kepen Belin king and his broðer Brennes.
and baldeliche whi[ð] fehten
and þa oðere of Rome riden heom bi-hinden.
and slæn heom bi-twenen and wreken ore tounen.
Þe cnihtes weoren on fore fer ut of Rome.
Þa hehte Belin. & Brennes his broðer
Lihteð of eowre blanken. and stondeð on eowre sconken
and kerueð eowre spere longe. & makiet heom scorte & stronge
scradieð eower sceldes. al of þe smal enden
and we eow wulleð bi-foren. libben oðer liggen
& auer-alc god mon harde hine sulue.
for her scullen þe wædlen alle i-wurðen riche.
Blawen ore bemen and banneð ore ferde.
and maken we of ure uæren fihtie ferden
and on auer-alche hæpe. hertoȝe stæpne.
þa heom makie balde and to-gadere halde.
& wenden to þen walle on æuer-ælchere halue.
hiȝe[n]d-liche fo we on for alle we scullen wel don.
Þeo blewen heo here bemen þat heo of Rome hit sculden iheren.
and heo ut iwenden ohte kempen.
Þa i-seȝen heo of Rome Belin & his bro[ð]ere.
þa clupeden heo lude ȝeond þare leoden.
Nu fleð ure ifan nu we sculleð heom to gan.
Mid þe forwarde monnen ut wenden Prosenna.
Gabius him com æfter mid fifti hundred cnihtes.
mid alle heore wepnen þe weoren vniwælde.
Þa oðere weoren swifte heore wepnen weoren lihte.
heo leiden to-gadere & feon-liche fuhten.
Weoren heo of Rome alle ridinde.
þa o[ð]ere a-foten and fengen heom to-ȝæines.
and slowen alle heore hors here hæp wes þe lættere.
Gabius heo slowe Prosenna heo nomen.
heo duden heore wille of þan Rom-monen.
alle heo slowen þat heom aȝen stoden.
Heo breken þa Rom-walles on auer-ache halue.
and binnen heo i-wenden and þa burh awelden.
Biwunnen heo Rome þe riche burh wel idone.
þer heo funden michel gold & gærsume uni-mete.
Heo unbunde þa locun drowen ut þa baiȝes.
þa palles & þa purpres þe iworht weore in Puille.
alle þa maðemes þe weoren monie kunnes.
Þer wes moni wrehche sone iworðen riche.
al þa seouen nihte his iwil þar hefde ælc cniht.
of seoluere and of golde inoh of þon londe.
Letten þa kinges don fæire þinges.
timbrien þa hallen bæten þa walles.
þe þer weoren to-brokene mid þeon balu fehte.
Letten heo climben on hæh cleopien to þon folke
þat þe kinges heom speken wið. & þer setten heore grið.
þat ne wurðe na man swa wod þat of oþere falle his blod.
ne of his æhte ȝerne buten he hit ȝeuen him wulle.
And alle þe flæmen þe iflowe buð of Rome.
þe aȝan wulleð cumen þes kinges grið wilniæn.
a[nd] bi-cumen þes kinges mon alse we hit ær cuðden.
cumen al mid sibben and her heore lif libben.
and habben þa ilke læȝen þe stoden bi heore ældre dæwen.
And Belin ure hæȝe king hit bi-tæcheð Brenne.
þe scæl bi-læuen here and beon eower kæisere.
and him-seolf wule liðen and eower læue habben.
and heonnen he wule buȝen in-to Bruttæine.
Wælle muchel wes þa wop þæ Belin þeonne wende.
ah heo weoren ifrouuer[d] sone for þan riche-dom of Rome.
Brennes þer boȝede king of Lumbardie.
and Belin gon wenden in-to þisse londe.
Lette he ȝeond his castles makie kine-wurðe werkes.
rihten alle þæ hallen & stronginen þæ walles.
bulden þa bures hæien þa toures.
and swa þis wunliche lond mid wurð-scipe wælden.
& Brennes walde Rome fulle fiftene ȝere.
þa endede Brennes wel wes Romanisce folc þæs.
Heo seolf nomen heore lond and heolden on heore hond.
burh. & heore blissæ seoððen Brennes wes deæd.
& Belin i ðisse londe makede læȝen stronge.
& laȝen swiðe gode þe bi his liue stoden.
Belin ferde to Wales & anne burh makede.
he heo makeda æ[ð]ðele uppen Uske þan wætere.
Of þon ilke flode. þe king hire nome funde
þan king heo wes deore. Kæir Usch. heo næmde
and seoððen heo wes ihæten. Kair Lion ich wullen seggen þe for wan.
Vmbe feole ȝere æfter Belinnes forð-fare.
[herden þe men of Rome of Belinnes deaþe]
and seiden heom bi-twenen While he dude us tuone.
Nu is þe king iburied Wrake we us on Bruttes.
& in-to þan londen we sullen faren bringen þer sorwen & kare.
Hider heo gunnen senden of Romanisce ende.
feower fer-rædene þa we clipieð ferden.
þe weoren on þan ilke dæȝen legiuns ihaten.
werren on alche legiun þus feole leod-kempen.
six þusend & six hundred & sixti iferen.
Þeos comen bi wateren of weorren heo weoren wise.
heo duden i þisse londe alle leode sorwen.
and auer o þon ende heom-seoluen weoren isunde.
& auer-alche wintre inne Wales heo wuneden.
Heo iwunne þe burh Kair Uske and þer-inne heo wuneden.
a þat her com liðen ma of heore leoden.
For ilke legiuns heo clupeden Kair Usc. Kaer Liun
Seo[ð]ðen her com oðer mon-cun þe heo cleopeden Kaerliun.
Nu ich þe habben iseid hu hit is igan. of Kaerliun bi Glom-margan
Fo we ȝet to Beline to þan blisfulle kinge.
þa he hæuede imaked þas burh & heo inemned Kaer Usc.
Þa þe burh wes strong and hende þeo gon he þonnen wenden.
he wende riht to Lundene þe burh he leoue[de] swiðe.
He bigon þer ane ture þe strengeste of al þe tune.
and mid muchele ginne a ȝæt þer-vnder makede.
þeo clupede men hit Belȝæs-ȝate
nu and auere-mare. þe nome stonde [ð] þare
Leouede Belin þe king in alre blisse.
and alle his leoden leoueden hine swiðe.
An his dæies wes swa mochel mæte þat hit wes vnimete.
þat folc þurh heore. drunken moni þusend swulten.
Þe king leouede longe þat hit com touward his ende.
þat i Lundene he wes dæd sari wes his du[ȝ]eðe.
wa wes heom on liue for þæs kinges dæðe.
Heo ferden to his horde. and nome þer muche deal goldes
heo makeden ane tunne of golde. and of ȝimme.
þene king heo duden þer-inne þat wes here louer[d] Belin.
vp heo hine duden heȝe an ufen-meste þan turre.
þat me mihte hine bi-halden wide ȝeon þeon londe.
Þat heo duden for muchelere luue for he wes here dure læuerd.
Þus iuor al Belin king seo[ð]ðen com his sune Gurguint.
Gurguint Ber[t]ruc. heh[te] his sune wellen æðele wes þe gume.
welle wi[t]er wes þer a mon and wisliche heold his cune-dom.
Sæhte and sibbe he luuede unstronge monnen he leoðede.
grið he heolde al-se his fæder god mid þon bezste.
bute þat þa Densce men dunrih[t] at-soken.
þat heo to Brut-londe nolden maren senden.
gold ne garsume ne gauel of þon londe.
Gurguint hine bi-þohte. what he don mæhte
he seonde his sonde. wide ȝen his londe
he beonnede his folc & ȝærekede ferde.
muchele and grete mid monnen vnimete.
He to scipe wende & fram þan londe hælde.
ofer þane saltne strem sel hit him þuhte.
A þene oðerne dæi he com to Denemarke.
he iwende uppe þat lond æfter his iwille.
he axede gauel of þan londe þe his fader hauede an honde.
þe Gudlac king him ȝaf. mid godene iwille
Þa seide Gudlakes sune. mid gromiende speche.
Ȝif mi fæder dude his wille nulle ich hit naht iwurðen.
ah fare he ut of mine londe. ȝif he wulle libbe
Þat word com to Gurguint. þe wes Brut-londes king
W[he]r beoð mine þeines. wher beoð mine sweines
wher beoð mine kempes. and mine kene men
Eorneð and eærne. and al þis lond bearneð
and alle þa men slæð. þe ȝe cumeð neh.
and heore children and heore wif. werpeð in-to þe wæteren
and brekeð heore walles. & berne[ð] heore halles
seælle[ð] heore tures. & swaleð heore bures.
& swa heo sculden under-stonden. þat ich am king of Brut-londe
and þat heo aȝen me to ȝelden. alse heo duden Belin kinge
Forð iwende þat hired. swa þæ king hæhte
heo dude þer muchele hermes. mid hæhȝere strengðe
Þe king of þan londe mid muchelere genge.
com to-ȝeines Gurguint mid godliche strengðe.
Heo fuhten wunderliche i-noh. and Gurguint Denemarkene king ofsloh.
& his Densce ferde he felden to þan grunde.
He ferden to þan burȝen and him alle on-buȝen.
and alle he awælde betere and wurse.
His men heo bi-comen and æðes him sworen
& æfter cure heo him ȝeuen þreo hundred ȝisles.
and al swa muchel gærsume swa Gudlac king bihehte.
þa Belin inne freode and alle his iueren.
And Gurguint þa iuende aȝæn in-to þisse londe.
Ase he ferden on his wæi bi þan ende of Orcanai.
þa fonde he i sæ-flod þritti scipe gode.
of wapmen and of wif-men. þe schipe wel a-fulle[d]
mid fele cunne wepnen. swiðe ibone
Þuhte Gurguint þon kinge. hær-of swiðe sællic þing
whet þat scipen weoren. þe he ifunde þere
He sende ane sonde him to. and hæhte heom suggen
wannen heo weoren. and whet heo þer sohten
and ȝif heo wolden speken him wih and ȝernen þes kinges grið.
Þa enswerede heore alre lauerd.
We wulleð speken him wið and ȝeornen his grið.
Heo to-gaderen come and grið heo nomen sone.
Þa queð Pantolaus wið Gurguint he speke þus.
We beo[ð] sæ-werie men mid wedere bi-driuene.
Ich hæhte Pantolaus and þu art læuerd oue[r] us.
we beoð a þine londe bi-cumen þine laȝen we bi-luuie[ð].
and us alle þu miht walden æftere þine iwille.
Of Spaine ich wes ut idriuen and al mi driht-liche folc.
swiðe muchel we habbeoð i-soht bi þisse sæ-rime.
a lond þe us were liðe þe we mihten on libben.
ne maȝe we hit ifinden for næuer næne þinge.
lond to ure leoden þer we maȝen to liðen.
We habbeð ihaued moni burst moni hunger & moni þurst.
moni walc moni wind bi wilde þisse watere.
Nu we biddeð þin ære ne maȝe we drien hit na-mare.
and ȝif hit weoren þin i-wille and þu hit don woldest.
to ȝifuen us an ende i þine kinne-londe.
we wulleð þine men beon þine mon-scipe herien.
& þe leofuen wið a to ure liue.
Þa enswærde Gurguint þat wes Brut-londes king.
Nulle ich na so don ah eower monradene ic wulle fon.
and ich eow wulle senden. in-to ane londe
for ich nat whet ȝe beoð. ne whannen ȝe icume beoð
Ah ȝe scullen habben lædes-men. and forð ȝe scullen liðen
& ich eow wullen lanen. of mine leod-folke
fouwerti hundred cnihtes þe gode beoð on fihte.
Heo sculleð eow þat lond bi-taken þer ȝe sculleð libben.
and eower laȝen setten to rihten eore leoden.
Gurguint heom sende in-to Irlonde
þar nas nauer nan man. seoððen Noes flod hit hauede ouer-gan
& Gurguint forð wende. into þisse londe
and Pantolaus þer ȝeonde wunde wel mid þon beste.
and lette hine clepie king & his wif quene.
And he sette st[r]onge lawen to steowien his folke.
for heo haueden inne sæ seorwen ibidene.
fulle seouen ȝere heo misliche foren.
Heore claðes weoren iwerede and vuele heo weoren igærede.
nakede heo weoren and naðing ne rohten.
wha heore leome sæȝe alle þe on heom weoren.
& þus heo ladden heore laȝen and longe heo ilæsten.
& Gurguint i þisse londe leouede mid blisse.
& he huld god grið þe while þe i-laste his lif.
in Kaer Liun he wes dea[d] seorhful wes his duȝeðe.
Anne sune he hauede aht mon Gu[e]ncelin ihaten.
he walde þis lond and þas du[ȝe]ðe æfter his fader dæie.
Þes wes þurð-ut alle þing clæne mon and god king.
he ledde swiðe feir lif & he hæfde a god wif.
Marcie men heo clupede þat is ȝet widene cuð.
nu and auere-mare is taken of here heare.
Þeo quene leornede anne craft heo wes a boken wel itaht.
heo leornede hire lære leofliche on heorten.
of hire wisdome sprong þat word wide.
þat heo wes swiðe wis of wordliche dome.
Þa makede heo ane læȝe and læide ȝeon þat leode.
þeos laȝe wes al iworhte
Bruttes nemneden þa laȝen. æfter þare lafuedi
to soðen wihuten wene. þe laȝe hehte Marciane
Seo[ð]ðen þer-æfter. monie hundred wintre
com Alfred þe king. Englelondes deorling
and wrat þa laȝen on Englis. ase heo wes ær on Bruttisc
and whærfde hire nome on his dæȝe. and cleopede heo Mærcene laȝe
Ah þet I þe sugge. þurh alle þing ne makede heo noh[t] ærst Ælured king.
ah heo makede þa quene þe me Mærcie cleopede.
and Ælured heo seide on Englisc þis is seoð ful iwis.
Hæfde þas wise quene bi hire weoreld-kinge.
ænne lutelne sune Sillius ihaten.
nefde heo children na ma þer-foren wes þere quene wa.
Nefde þis child Sillius buten seouen ȝeæra.
þa his fader wes dæd. and his duȝeðe bi-leæfde
His moder nom þas riche and mid ræde heo walde.
& wiste wel hire sone a mid hire-seolue.
Þa þe sune wes swa ald þat he wes an horse bald.
þa makede heo hine king his folke hit wes iqueme.
He wes a wel god mon & softe he wolde libben.
ne leouede he noht half his lif þat him ne com his dæd-sih.
He bi-lefde tweie sunen þa tuwen þes fader þæuwes.
Þe aldre hæhte Rummarus þe ȝungere hæhte Damus.
Rummarus wes ane while king and seoððen Damus hit onfenge.
Þes Damus on his deie ane chiuese him ichæs.
he hauede bi þare wimman enne swiðe wandliche sune.
Morpidus ihaten monnene strengest.
of maine and of þeauwe of alle þissere þeode.
Þes biȝet þesne kinedom þurh kenschipe muchele.
cniht he wes swiðe strong kene and custi muchel and long.
of alle þingen heo weore god ȝi[f] heo neore to-wamed.
A-nan se he wes wrað wi[ð] eni mon i þan stude he hine wolde slæn.
nere he na swa riche cniht þat he hine ne sloh forð-riht.
weore hit rih[t] weore hit woh i þon stude he hine sloh.
& sone swa he iwrað glad he dude al þat me hine bad.
Ah hit wes muchel hærme. of ane mon swa hende
þat þurh his wraððe. his wi[t] wes awemmed
A ðon ilke time com þe duc of Moraine.
in-to þisse londe leode to hærme.
ferde bi þere sæ-brimme and monie burstes dude.
he makede muchel ræflac ræh he wes on fihte.
Æfter sæ he forh lað to Norðhumberlonde.
þer he gon bulde castel swiðe strongne.
al abuten hi[m] þat londe he nom to his aȝere hond.
Morpidus þe balde iwærð him abolwen.
and sende ȝeond þæs ærde & sommnede ferde.
and com to þon duke al bi lihte dæie.
Þer wes moni god Brut and moni bisi kempen.
þeo fihten wið þone duke al þene dæi longe.
Þa hit wes muchel uppe non þe king þene duc ouer-com.
he turnde to fleme and he æfter him ferde.
Þer he sloh þene duc and al his duȝeðe.
ær þe dæi weoren agon dæd heo weoren alle.
mid swiðe stronge fih[te] þet wes mid rihte.
and alle þa he funde a-marwe in þon londe.
oðer mid fure he lette hom slæn oðer he heom lette quic flan.
Mid muðe heo hit seiden þeo þat hit iseȝen.
þat Morpidus mid his honden þurh hæhȝere strengðe.
seouen hundred of-sloh and swende mid wepnen.
He lette makien ane dich þe wes long and swiðe deop.
and he lette al þat wel weorpen þer an innen.
Þa huld he ane stunde his lond mid isunde.
inn griðe and inne friðe and freo-liche on folke.
Wnder þon hær com tidinde salcuð to londe.
and hit wes sone icuð Morpidun þan king
þat wes icumen of þare sæ. a deor swiðe sellich
frommard Irlonde. com hider liðen
and bi þon sæ-rime. rasde to þon folke
Oft an one dæie. hit makede an hundred fæie
and æft to þare sæ wende. þe wæld-scæðe luðere
þenne hit æft wende aȝan. wærðe hit heom grætte
Þus hit to londe bæh. and werede þeos leoden
þat folc hit agaste tunes hit aweste.
þat folc a-w[a]i hald an aulchere halue.
Þe king hit harde seggen and særi wes an hurten.
þiðerward wende þe king him-seolue to wæine.
to-ward þon deore þer he dæð fæhte.
Þa he com suð swa feor þer þe feond wunede.
þa hahte he al his hird-folc faren to are burȝe.
and hæhte heom þer abiden and ane he gon riden.
Þa he forð wende wapnen he ladde.
þat wes a kene sweord and enne koker fulne flan.
enne boȝe swiðe strong and a spere swiðe long.
æt his sadele an æx and æt þe oðer hælue an hond-sæx.
and forð he gon wenden to-warde þan ende.
þer he herde suggen þat þe feond wonede.
Swa longe he ferde þat he hit ifunde.
and he lette fuse him to flan swuðe kene.
and alle him to sende and seo[ð]ðen him neor wende.
he ferde on his stede sulc he walde awede.
Þa his flæn weoren iscoten þæ iwærd his boȝe to-broken.
he igrap his spere. stronge þer he pihte hit o þon londe.
and he ærde to þon deore and s[m]at hit a þan sweore.
þat þe deor feol abac and þe scæft al to-brac.
And þat deor up astod and ræsde o þene stede.
and for-bat him þa breste ban and þa senuwen.
þat þa lihte and þa liuere feollen on eorðen.
And þe king droh his sweord þe him wes itase.
and þet deor he smat a-nan uppe þat hæued-bæn.
þat þet sweord in deæf and þa hilt on his hand bræc.
And þat deor to-dede his chæfles and to þan kinge weoðede.
and for-bat hine amidden a twa þat wes þat fiht idon.
Þus ferde þe king for he wes to kene.
for þe mon is muchel sot þe nimeð to him-seoluen.
mare þonne he maȝen walden he sæl halden þe raðer.
for vnræd is swiðe ræh his lauerd he let reosen.
and auer vmbe stunde felleð hine to þe grunde.
Þet folc wes swiðe særi for sorwen þes kinges.
and hit wes bliðe for dæ[ð]ðen of þon deore.
Þe king hæfden fif sunen bi feire his quene.
Þe aldest hehte Gorbo[ni]an welle æðel wes þere a mon.
Argal hæhte þe oðer þe wes Gorbonianes broðer.
Þe þridde hæhte Elidur þe feorðe Ingenes. þe fifte Peredur
Þe ældeste broðer. Gorbo[n]ian he iwærð king in þisse londe.
he wes swiðe soð-fest and swiðe wel iðæwed.
rad-ful and rihtwis and a mete run-hende.
He heold þis lond stille al æfter his iwille.
mid treouscipe gode þe while his tir læste.
and þus he hine huld an hæfne þat com his liues ende.
inne Lundene he lið særi weoren his leode.
Þer-æfter com þe oðer Argal his broðer.
þe wes next him iboren seoððen he wes king icorn.
Þis wes þe for-cuððeste mon þe æfre hedde kinedom.
vnriht him wes leof and riht-wis-nesse him wes lað.
what-se hæfde richedom he hine makede wræcche mon.
his gode men he hatede þa uuele he hæhȝede.
al his motinge was ful of ȝitsinge.
He somnede to-gædere gærsumme muchele.
& æuere he þohte embe uuel and swulche weoren his dede.
Þus ladde Argal his lif fram ȝuȝeðe to his dæd-sið.
To-gædere commen þa riche men þe aȝe weoren & mæhti.
& makeden heore hustinge mid hæhere wra[ð]ðe.
Plihten mid honden þat heo wel hulden.
þurh alle þing flemen Argal heore king
and ut heo hine flemden. feor of þissen earde
and nomen þene oðer. Elidur his broðer
Þis wes þe þridde. heo afengen hine mid sibbe
& makeden hine to kinge. þe cniht wes swiðe kene
he wes of his speche. ælche monne imete
wið þa goden he wes duhti. and sturne wið þa dusie
Argal þe wes idriuen ut. drof him wes on heorte
he ferde feor ȝeond moni lon[d]. and fondede þan leoden
he bi-soðte moni-enne king. and monienne keiser
monienne richene þein. monienne baldne swein
he bi-sohte al þat folc. þer he for[ð] ferde
þat heo him solde helpen. to muchelere neode
mid strengðe oðer mid ginne. his lond to bi-winne
Ne mihte he neuere finden mon þe him wolde ȝette beon.
þe him oht wolde fulsten þat he hider fore.
ne naðing him bi-hæten þat heo him wolden helpen.
Þa wes Argal þe king ærm on his mode.
seorhful on heorte for his muchele burste.
Argal hine bi-ðohte whet he don mihte.
þat he wolde aȝen fare and fondien his broðer.
and war he mihte of his monnen æie milce ifinden.
Hit wes vmbe fif winter seoððe he heonne ferde.
seoððen he þas seorȝe him-seolfen hæfde itimbred.
þa lette he hine atlichen and wende to þissen londe.
wið his aȝene kun he hine vncuð makede.
ne i-cneow hine nauere na man þe hine ær iseȝen hæfden.
He fræinede þis leod-folc æfter heore kineleouerde.
& heo him þene king tahten þer he hun[t]ede on comelan.
wið his hird-iferen i þon wude of Kalatere.
Þeone king he i-mette and mildeliche hine i-grætte.
Læuerd king quað Argal hæil wurð þu an isunde.
Þu ært mi bro[ð]er Elidur eædi beo þu æuere.
ne der ich noht kennen for þisses londes monnen.
þat ich her king weore leste heo me icneowen.
ah ich bidde þine ære nu and æuere-mare.
Þa quað Elidur þe king þi cume me is iqueme.
To his broðer he com and leofliche hine custe.
þer Elidur þe king weop mid his eȝenen.
and mid muchelen ædmeden æðelede his broðer.
and lette hine læden leofliche and stille.
in-to ane castle Clud wes ihaten.
and lette hine baðien and beddien feire.
and duȝeliche hine biwitten and his namen dærnen.
What iherden auere suggen a sæȝen oðer a spelle.
þat æuere æni bro[ð]er dude þus for oðer
þat Elidur þe king dude for Argale.
Þe king hine braeid sæc alse þeah hit seoð weore.
þe king læi on bure særiliche on beadde.
He sende his sonde ȝeond his kinelonde
lette laðien him to. al his leod-þeines
mid wurden and mid writen. þe dude heom wel to witen
þat ne mihte he no lengere libben on eærðe.
ah of heom þe king wolde. habben read. for hiȝenliche he weoren dæd
and heo him redden. wher his lich mihte bezst leggen
Þet word wes cuð ȝeond þis lond. and come þeos cnihtes
to burh þis kinges to muchelen hustinge.
Þe king and his broðer weoren in ane bure.
þeær heo hæfden wel iȝeten and seoððen idrunken.
Þe king eoden to bedde & his broðer hiine hudde.
and mid him his leoueste men þe he wuste on liue.
feowerti gode cnihtes mid burnen wel idihten.
mid sweorden & mid schelden alse heo to fehte sculden.
Þe king læi in his bædde. alse þæh he ne mihte libben
in þære burh he sende word. bi his beste wikeneren
and hæhten his drihliche folc stilleluker dremen.
for his hæhued oc sæ sweðen þat he ne mihte idriȝen.
to ihæren þene muchele drem of swa feole mannen.
Þe king lette witen his durren þat ne moste þer na mon in cumen.
ne wið-inne þon castel-buri na quic mon iboren.
bute þe king mid his seonden æfter him sende
Þe king aras of bedde. and burne he warp on rigge
and nam onne his honde. ane wi-æxe stronge
and cluppede into bure. Argal his broðer
And nomen heore sonde. and in-to þere burh senden
æfter þon hehste þringe. þat he comen to þen kinge.
Seone swa he to bure com þe king hine inom.
and he him wræð to ase he hine wolde anho.
& him abuten urnen cnihtes swi[ð]e sturne.
alse heo wolden mid heonden al hine to-heowen.
Þus seiden Elidur þe king Nu ich þe wulle quellen.
bute þu beo stille and don al mine wille.
Þus andswerde þe þein Ich hit wulle don fæin.
Bi-cum her mines broðer mon ȝif þu þi lif wult habbe.
Þis is Argal þe king þe of eærde wes iflemed.
þe is nu hider icumen and eower king scal iwurðen.
Þe þein swiðe stille dude al þes kinges wille.
and seo[ð]ðen þe king hine lette don in-to ane derne bure.
& lette enne cniht eærne æfter an oðer. eorle.
and swa he þer a-gon ase þe oðer hæfde idon.
Þus dude Elidur þe king bi allen þeos eorlen.
bi ane and bi ane þat he heom hæfde al clane.
Þa dude he an-oðer nom he his broðer.
mid muchelere blisse to Eowrwik hine brohte.
þer weoren þeos leoden iliðenned to-gadere.
At-foren al his folke he his kinehelm on-feng.
& sette hit on his broðer hæfd & hæf hine to kinge.
Æuer seo[ð]ðen iwarð Argal aðelest ærle kingen.
þat vuel he al for-lette þat gode he imette.
iwærð he swiðe milde þan ȝunge and þan alden.
& wið alle monnen ful iwis iwærð þe king riht-wis.
Þis lond wes istaðeled & stod i þon ilke.
fulle ten ȝere þa iwærð þe king vn-fere.
swa þe king seoc læi þreo wiken & enne dæi.
ne mihte he þer-of beon hæl ah dæd wes þe king Argal.
Þa comen al þeos leoden liðen to-somne
and nomen eft Elidur. & duden hine to his a[ð]ðelen
heuen hine to kinge. mid hæȝere blisse
and hit ane stunde. stod on him-seolue
& Elidur wes æðelest of alle his mon-cunne.
Iuienes and Perredur iseȝen þat Elidur.
west eft i-wurðen leod-king ouer þisse londe.
Heo somneden muchel folke of feole cunne monnen.
and ledden here ferde wide ȝeond þissen ærde.
To-gædere com Elidur Ingenes & Peredur.
sær-liche heo feohte & fælden heore cnihtes.
Þa sette i þon fuhte. Elidur to flænne
and his broðeren him æfter. mid alle here mæhte
Ingenes & Perredur. nomen þene king Elidur
heo hine lædde to Lundene. særi weoren his leoden
In are swiðe stronge tur heo duden þene king Elidur.
moni ȝer and moni dæi þe king in þære ture læi.
and his broð[er]en gunnen liðen wide ȝeond þeos leoden.
Iuienes hæfde half þis londe riht bi þere Humbre.
al þesne suð ende he heold an his heonde.
& Peredur hæfde norð al bi þere Humbre forð.
& seoððen þer-æfter al to-gæderen he hit ahte.
for Ingenes ne leouede buten seouen ȝeren.
Þa nom Peredur al þis lond. and sette an his aȝere hond
& he iwarð him swuðe luðer. & læh al his folke
Þæ com þe fæ-liche dæd. & falde hine to grunde
swa vuele he luuede his lif. þat þe Scucke hine i-fenge
Þæ somnede al þis leod-folc. in-to Lundene ferden
& nomen ut Elidur. þer he læi in are tur
and duden þer a selcuð þing. makeden hine þridde chærre king.
Þa i-warð he swa duhti swa þe dæi feire.
alle folc he dude riht wel wes þisse londe idiht.
inne blisse leouede his leode to murhðe.
& þa he sculde of liue wende he hæfde feiren ende.
Þa com his broðer sune Gorbonianes.
þe wes þe formeste of þæn fif broðeren.
þe cniht wes ihaten Lador he wes þisse londes king.
ah Lador ne luuede buten ane lutle wile.
Æfter him com Morgan sune Argales.
a ȝer he hulde þas leoden and seoððen he dun læi.
Ænmaunus hæhte þe oðer þe wes Morganus broðer.
þeos weoren mannes sunes þeos ær weoren kinges.
Þes ilke Enmaunus heold his kinelond þus.
þat nas na þein in þissen londe þat nalde hine fæin slæn mid his honden.
and al his folc he hatede and al he hit hænde.
wið al folc he wes wiðerward þe Wurse hine leouede.
and his aȝene heredmen hine to deaðe hateden.
Neoðeles on ende þat folc of þissen londen.
fusden hine and flæmden. feor of þissen ærde.
for he wes swa wiðerward heo driuen hine of þis ær[de].
mid seorwen and mid seore ne com he her nauer-mare.
To-gadere commen þe hæhste eorles of þissen londe.
and curen heom enne king of ane cnihte þe wes kene.
he wes Inienes sune of Peredures kunne. icume.
Iwallo hæhte þe king he wes god þurh alle þing.
wel he braid on deade efter his alderen.
of alre godnesse þe gume wes ilæred.
he hæfde gode þæwes his þeode wes þæ betere.
A[c] hit wes ladlich burst þat he ne moste libben.
na lengere þene seouen ȝere ne mosten he luuien here.
dæd wes Iwallo þe king his duȝeðe he bilæfde.
Seoððen her rixlede a king Rime wes ihaten.
he wes Peredures bæren he wes Elidures broðer.
Seoððen com Goronces sune Elidures.
Seoððen wes Catulus his fæder hæhte Goroncius.
Seoððen com Coillus his broðer hæhte Catulus.
Seoððen com Porex king he wes of þeon kunne.
Seo[ð]ðen com Cherin he wes Porexus cun
Ah Cherin leouede longe. inne þisse londe
ah þa oðer six kinges. þe ær weoren on londe
ne leouede nan here. fulle æhte ȝere
ah longe leouede here. Cherin. muchel he dronk mede and win
weoren al his duȝeðen. bilefed oppe drenche
and al he leas his wurðscipe. for þon win-scenche
ne dude nauer oðer god. ne greiðe on his þeode
Ah selliche þi[n]ges weoren of þissen kinge
swa he leoueden here. wel feole ȝere
swa næuere vnleoden. þis lond ne iseoðten
ah þis lond wes on griðe. and ifulled mid gode
Þa com þe ilke dæi. þat þe king deæd læi
þa hæfde he þreo sunen. bi hæȝere his quene
þe aldeste hæhte Fulgenius. Aldus [&] Andragus
Ah ful lutle wile. liuede þas ilke
ælc of heom an stunde. wes king in þissen londe
a[c] wið-inne feouwer ȝere. alle heo weoren dæde her
Þe ȝungeste of þan breðeren. þe wes þe bezste
Andragus he hæhte. enne sune he hehde.
Urrian hæhte þat childe þe iwærð þisse leodes king.
a ȝer he leouede and seo[ðð]en he dæd þolede.
Æfter þon kinge Vrian wes Eliu[d] his kunnes-mon.
Þa com Cledaus Doten & Gurguincius.
Þeos ilka þreo kinges heolden þas þeode.
an efter ane þæt dæd heo weoren alle.
ah nawiht heo her ne duden nouðer god ne ufel.
Seo[ð]ðen com Merian þes wes a swiðe hende mon.
hundes and hauekes he hæuede vnimete.
þat æuere-elche dæi he pleuwede mid his deoren.
Ah he wes swa feir mon þat wif-men hine luueden.
þer-of he nom ȝemen ah hit nes him noht iqueme.
ah he luuede his quene æuere bi his liue.
Seoððen wes Bledon his sune and blæð-fest king.
he hæfde inoh god and hit his gumen dælde.
nes neuer seoð[ð]en næ king swa custi þurh alle þinge.
Seoððen wes his sune king Cap wes ihæten.
Æfter Cap Oein for elchen vuele he wes fein.
Seoððen com Sillius þe wes Oæines sune.
Seoððe sone æfter þet com a king Blæðgabreat.
Seoððen þeos worle wes astolled. ne cuðe na mon swa muchel of song
of harpe & of salteriun. of fiðele & of coriun
of timpe & of lire. gleomen him weoren deore
he cuðen al þeos songes. & þat gleo of ilcche londe
Of him wes muchel speche. ȝeond þas woruld-riche
swa þat al þis mon-cun. þat of him iherden tellen
seiden þat he wes god. of alle gleo-cræften
Æuer wes þe king glad. & æuere he gomen luueden
& þus he lædde his lif. þe while þe hit ilæste
Seoððen wes his broðer king. Arkinaus ihæten
he hit heolde seouen ȝeore. i griðe he wunede here
Seoððen wes his sune king. þe vniseliche luuede
Ældolf men cleopeden þene king. his deden weoren for-cuðe
Nes nan swa god wif i þon londe. þe he walde.
ȝif heo wes a wiht hende þat he ne makede hore.
þæh hit weoren an eorles wif he bi-nom hire al hire æðelen.
þe ȝunge wifmen & þe ælde he makeden to sconde.
For þisse vniwærste laȝe his leode hine hateden.
in-to þan bare dæðe nalde he for þon hit bileæfue.
Seoððen com Redion & rædden þissen þeoden
half ȝer & seouen niht þa wes he dæd forh-riht.
Seoððen Redært his broðer lasse while þenne þe oðer.
Seoððen com an þe leouede wel he hæhte Famul-penicel.
on his liue he wes swa riche alle þon oðere vniliche.
Seoððen com a king þe hæhte Pir his hæ[d] wes swulc swa beoð gold wir.
þet al folc wundreden on wheonene com swa feir mon.
Æfter him com Capor þe king wes on þeode.
Æfter him com Eligille þe heold þis lond ful stille.
þes wes a swiðe wis mon & of alle þinge wel idon.
mid blisse he luuede here fif & twenti ȝere.
Seoððen wes king his sune Heli ȝeres fulle feouwerti.
oðer wile he heold grið & oðer while me fæht him wið.
He wes a swiðe æht gume & he streonde þreo snelle sunen.
Lu[d] wes ihaten þe an he wes a swiðe æht mon.
þe midlest Casibellaunus þe ȝungeste hehte Nennius.
Æfter Heli king æhte þis lond Lud his sune wel longe.
þes wes swiðe oht king and vnimete kene.
and he wes swiðe riche for rædes he luuede.
He ferde ȝeond al þis kine-lond and ælche burh he makede strong.
castles makede Lud þe king & Lundenne he luuede þurh alle þing.
Þe ȝeht þe Lud king ahte þis lond hehte Lundene Trinouant.
and of castles ner þer na-þing bute þat tur þe makede Belin king.
al swa þes boc her telleð bi-uore a þissen spelle
Lud king lette legge þane wal. abuten þe burh of Lundene al
þe auere ȝet haueð ilast. & swa he wule ȝet wel longe
He letten bulden þe hallen. swiðe muchele mid alle.
he hehte ilchene riche mon þat he dælde his æhte atwam.
& nome þa hæluen-dale and hæh bold him makede.
and alle þæ vnstronge men þere burh he duden wið-uten.
& heȝede þæ burh and makede heo swiðe hende.
He leide a-dun þere burhȝe nome and nemnede hire æfter him-seoluen.
& hehten heo Kaer Lud and ouer-al hit let cuðen.
Þat he duden al for þon þat s[eoð]ðen sculden moni mon.
þennen þe king weoren dæd demen of his weorken.
Seoððen her com vncu[ð] folc faren in þessere þeode.
& nemneden þa burh Lundin [an] heore leode-wisen.
Seoððen comen Sæxisce men & Lundene heo cleopeden.
þe nome ileste longe inne þisse londe.
Seoððen comen Normans mid heore nið-craften.
and nemneden heo Lundres þeos leodes heo amærden
Swa is al þis lond iuaren. for uncuðe leoden
þeo þis londe hæbbeð bi-wunnen. and ef[t] beoð idriuen hennene.
And eft hit bi-ȝetten oðeræ þe uncuðe weoren.
& falden þene ælden nomen æfter heore wille.
of gode þe burȝen & wenden heore nomen.
swa þat nis her burh nan in þissere Bruttene.
þat habbe hire nome æld þe me arst hire on-stalde.
Þa gon þis lond wenden. þat com þis kinges ende
Lud king iwarð dæd. in Lundene me hine leide
þer weoren eorles swiðe whæte. and leiden þene king bi ane ȝate
þat ȝet me cleope[ð] ful iwis. Port Lud a Bruttisce
Seoððen comen Ænglisce men. wel waht and cleupeden hit Ludesȝate.
and swa hit haueð wel longe o þon nome istonde.
Þa weoren þer twa children Ludes sunen kinges.
þe ældre hæhte Androgeus þe oþer Temelcinus
Þas children uueren lutle. þa here fader deȝede
Þa com heore fader broðer. Cassibelaunus
and iwærð him-sulf to kinge and biwuste þas children.
and leof-liche heom fedde for luue of his broðer.
Þes Cassibellaunus wes þisses londes king.
þe leodes hine luueden for his laȝen weoren gode.
he sette feire þeauwes in þissen þeoden.
and he wes swiðe god king & god cniht þurh alle þing.
Þeos children weoxen an hond þat heo mihten halden lond.
þe king heom ȝef gode tweien eorl-domes.
Androgeus him wes leouere and he him Lundene ȝæf.
& þer-mid he ȝæf him al Kent for he him wolde iquemen.
& he hehte Tennancius to Cornwale temen
and freoliche þas twein broðerne. heolden þas eorldomes
buten þat heo icneowen. þene king for heore herre
for he wes heore lauerd. and al þissere leodene
Þa wile þa heo weoren sæhte. & heore men on some
þis lond ferde swiðe wel. mid sibbe heo hulden
ah seoððen heo iwærðen wærðe. & hit iwærð þa weorse
swa þat Romleode. comen to þissen þeoden
and sette ȝeld a þisse londe. æiðer seluer & gold
þe næuer eær on liue. ne dursten hider liðen
axien king of þissen londe. þat he ȝefue ȝeld in-to Rome
Þa wes hit ilumpen o þan daȝen. ase we soð suggen maȝen
þat Iulius Scezar wes iuaren. mid vnimete ferde
from Rome. into France Þe feond wes iwraððed.
Al þa londes he bi-won þe he mid eȝene lokede on.
he þohte to bi-winnen mid strengðen & mid ginnen.
al middel-eærdes lond and halde þat worlde in his hond.
Ah he ne mihte hit don al þas wurlde under fote.
ah þa þreo dale he biwon of þissere wurlde-riche.
fif & fifti kine-lond he bi-won to his aȝere hond.
wið-uten his riche þe ær læi to Rome.
Cniht he wes kene ȝeond al middel-ærde cuð.
he wes þe wisseste mon of al þe worulde-riche.
he makede þane kalender þe dihteð þane moneð & þe ȝer.
he dihte feole domes þe ȝet stondeð ine Rome.
Wale þat eæuere ei sucche mon in-to [helle] sculde gan.
Iulius wende of Rome mid folke wel idone.
he ferde ouer Lumbardie swa he dude ouer Munt-giwe.
he bi[w]on Loherne & Gascunne Peytou.
Normandie & Brittaine & Luueine & Alemaine.
Seoððen he hæfde iwunnen Gascunne he charde aȝen in-to Burgunne.
into Flandres he ferde and makede his schip-færde.
Hit wes an ane time
þat þe dæi wes liht. and þe sunne wes swiðe briht
and Cezar rad ȝeo[n]d Flaundre lond. an scewede þære sæ-strond
Þat weder wes swiðe liðe. and he þis lon[d] ikende
Þa freinede Iulius & wi[ð] þon folke he spec. þus.
Wat his þat ilke æit-lond þat ich mid æȝen iseo.
feor ouer sæ-stram. Feir hit me þuncheð
A wis mon þus quað. and mid þæne kæisere spæc
Þæt is a muchel æit-lond. of alche gode hit is strong
þet Bruttes ærest ifeng. þer beoð duhtie men
We þe aȝeueð Rome & al þa riche.
& al þa londes þe ligge[ð] in-to Rome.
& alle þe madmes þat we on horde habbe[ð].
& swa muchel garsumme swa þine gumen kepeð.
& æðes we sulle[ð] þe swerien þat we þe nulle[ð] swiken.
uppen ure godd wel idon. þe is icliped Dagon
We swullen þine men bi-comen. & þine mon-scipe heien
mid allen oure mihten. daies and nihtes
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feur and twenti ȝunge. riche monne childere
þe scullen beon alle icorne. and swiðe heiȝe iborne
We scullen of þissere þeode. cumen to þire neode.
and whuder þu hatest for þu ært ure hærre.
& to swulche forward we beoð hidere isende.
& we biddeð þine ære nu & auere-mare.
Þe king wes stille & þa swiken speken ille.
he weonden þat hit weoren soð þat heo iseid haueden.
ah al heo þohten oðer to slæn Belin king & his broðer.
Þeo hit up bræc hit wes god þat he spec.
Wel ȝe me bi-hatet halde ȝeif ȝe wulleð.
eow swal beon þe betere
To swuche forewarde. fon ich hit wulle
& ȝe scullen of me halden and habben me for harre.
& habben freoliche eoure lond & we freond iwurðen.
To-daie a seouen-nihte bringeð me her rihtte.
gold & gersume ȝeoue and eower ȝisles.
& cumen her on fore þe hæxete of Rome.
& swerie me æðes þat æð heom scel iwurðen.
& bi-cumen nu mine men & mine monscipe hæien.
& ȝif ȝe þis nulleð alle ich ȝeow aquelle.
Ah swiðe ham rideð leou wer here ich eow abide.
Ȝif ȝe spekeð mid rihte comeð to-dæi a seouen-nihte.
and ȝif ȝe spekeð wowe. bi-læuet inne Rome
& ich eou wullen to faren. & bringen eou sorwen an kare.
Þeos swiken gunnen ride ham into Rome.
& ȝarekeden heore ȝeouen & alle heore ȝisles.
& to heore dæie brohten to Beline kinge.
& he heom faire vnder-feng and freond-scipe bi-hehte.
Ȝisles heo him ȝeouen sone & his men bicome.
and he mid þan ilke foreward fusde eft aȝenward.
& þa swiken sone ferden to Rome
Belin & Brenne beie to-so[m]ne.
nomen heom to ræde & to som-rune.
þat heo wolden liðen þurh-out Lumbardie.
and faren to Alemainne & þa aðelene bi-winnen.
Þa Almainnisce men weoren of here cume warre.
& heo gadere[den] heom to-ȝeines strongliche ferden.
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& þa Romanisce men ful ȝære hit iseȝen.
þat Belin & Brennes. beiene weoren ifarenne.
Heo ȝærkeden ræhðen. twa þusend rideres.
and swiðe an hiȝende senden heom efter.
Heo letten forð bi-siden an-oþer folc riden.
ten þusend kempen alle icudde.
þat heo bi-foren comen þan kaiser to helpe.
þe wolde aȝen king Belin feht ihalden.
& þat Romanisce floc riden heom bihinden.
Heo þohten heom beon on-fest þer þe hulles weore mest.
& senden heom arewen i þon weie narewe.
s[lea]n heore lauerd Belin & his broðer mid him.
Heo forȝeten here ȝisles & þat grið þat heo ȝurden.
æðes and þa treuþen þer-fore heo hauede teonen.
Belin & his broðer beien weoren warre.
of þon swike-dome þe heom com of Rome.
þa haueden heo þa mære æie of þan Alemainnisce kaisere.
Þa speken heo mid ræde for heo haueden neode.
þat Brennes & his ferde aȝen faren sculde.
fehten wih þat Romanisce folc & fellen ȝef heo mihten.
& Belin bæh ouer mu[n]t mid muclen his strengðe.
to feahten wið þon keisere & wih þon Alemainisce here.
fondien on fehte ȝif he hine ouer-cumen mæhte
& wheðer heore of þen broðeren. þe ærht his fæht ouer-come
come on-ȝean sonen. to helpen þon oðer
Þe folc of Burguine. ferde aȝan mid Brenne
of France and Peitou. sworen him & plicten
of þan Maine & of þan Turuine. treuliche him hærden
of Normaundie & of Flaundres. freoliche him fulsten
& of Lohærenne heo liðe to mid strengðe.
& þat folc of Ca[s]cuine þe noht nælden griðien.
& folc of fele leode þe liðe forð mid Brennen.
to þan Romanisce men þe heom æfter uoren.
Brenne and his folc heom to comen.
Anan swa heo iseiȝen Brennes buȝe heo[m] to-ȝennes.
swa þat Romainnisce folc sohte to flæinde.
& heo heom æfter foren and monie þer fullen.
& swiðe monie þer fluwen & ferden to Rome.
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mid starkere fore ferde to-ward Rome.
and Belin þe aðel king wes in Alemainne.
Ferde he hauede inoh muchel and vni-feie.
Bruttes & Wailsce Scottes & Densce.
þer wes Godlac þe god wes to neode.
Þa iherden tellen þe ten þusend cnihtes.
þe weoren icumen of Rome þan keisere to fulsten.
þat Brennes þe riche ferde touward Rome.
and summe heore men i-slæȝene & summe to-driuene
nomen heom ræde. þat þeonenen heo wolden riden
riht touward Rome. eære Brennes þider come.
Þat word com to Belinne of Brennes his broðer.
heo he hauede itaken on & al whet he haueden idon.
And oðer sonde þer com þe sone him talde.
þat tweie þusend cnihtes þe werren i ðon Alemainnesce fehte.
wolden aȝen sone faren in-to Rome.
& al makeden heore faren alse ha wolden a þare niht faren.
Belin wes swiðe wis & warscipe him folweden.
he hauede monie Alemains mid agge to-heowen.
and monie he ledde isunde mid him ibunden.
He hauede tweine wisse men i þon fuhte bi-wunnen.
þeo cuðe þes londen lawen and speken whit þon leoden.
Belin king heom to spæc & þus heom wið spilede.
Ihere ȝe cnihtes whet ich eow wulle cuðen.
Ic inc habbe beiene an inne mine benden.
Ȝif ȝet wulle[ð] after ræde faren ich [inc] wulle freoiȝen.
mid gode ræue bi-hon and makien inc riche.
faren mid me suluen & ich inckere freond wurðe.
ȝif ȝit me wulleð laden þe cunne þas leoden.
riht to þan weie. þe ȝit witen ful wel
þar þis Romanisce folc forð wulleð riden.
and we heom sculleð fon on & heom wi[ð] fahten
feollen oure feondes. & faren after Brenne.
& liðen mid ræde and Rome bi-liggen.
and þis [ich] inc bi-seche þat al we wurðen sele.
Þa cnihtes weoren wise & ful ȝere-witele.
& al ham iwurden þe Belin heom to-ȝernde.
and heom markede forð touward Munt-giu heo ferden.
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þer heo forð sculden cumen þa weoren þa gumen feie.
Belin wes bi hullen swiðe-liche stille.
þa comen liðen þa weore þa Rom-leoden.
Belin heom to leop bi-foren & bi-hinden.
Þeo cnihtes weoren vnwepned þa þe wæne heom wes ȝeueðe.
heo wenden to beon sikere þeo Belin heom on sohte.
Ne nomen heo nonne cniht quic ah alle heo heom aqualden.
for nauede Belin nan cnihte þet he næs þere god kimppe.
ne neauere nenne herd-swein þat he ne fahte alse þein.
ne næuer nænne hird-cnaue þat he nas wod on his laȝe.
Þat faht bi-gon at mid-niht & [laste] þat hit wes dæiliht.
& swa þene dæi longe heo wenden seo[ð]ðen þa muntes.
and qualden alle þa ilke þe aniht weoren atcropene.
Belin a ðene mærȝen letten blawen his bemen.
& beonnede his ferde hahte forð-rihtes.
riden þenne ilke wæi þe forð into Rome læi.
æfter Brenne his bro[ð]er þe heom bi-foren wes.
Brennes hit hirde suggen & his broðer a-bad.
Forð heo b[u]ȝen beiene þat heo come to Rome buri.
Þa burh heo bileien mid heore leod-ferden.
Þet folc. þer wið-innen heom ohtliche wið fehten.
Belin & Brenne heo bileien al abeoten.
and þa oðere hem scuten to scærpe gares.
Ofte heo letten grund-hat læd gliden heom an heore hæfd.
stockes & stanes & strales hate.
and swiðe wel heo wereden. þa walles of Rome
Þer fore alle þan cræften þe heo uten cuððen.
ne for alle þen fuhte þe heore ferde makede.
ne mihten heo Rome-wal nawiht onwalden.
ah heo loseden monie þusend godere monnen.
& tuwen heom fram þan walle wa wes heore herten.
Þe king him bi-ðohten whet heo don mihten.
and seiden heom bi-twenen Leteð comen sonen.
þa feouwer and twenti children þe we habbeð to ȝislen.
and doð up an waritreo þer-on heo scullen winden.
& wreken þan siðes and ure wiðer-i-winnen.
for ȝet we scullen heom to liðen swa heom bið ælre læ[ð]est.
Þe furken. weoren aræred heo teuwen up þa ȝisles.
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Wa wes heore faderen þeo heo i-seiȝen heore beærn. hangen.
Mid muðen heo seiden mid aðen heo hit sworen.
þer-fore hit sculden iwurðen muchele þa wurse.
swa þat for deaðe ne for lif nalden heo nauere makien grið.
for þat weoren þa richcheste & þa alre hæhȝeste
& þa rad-fulleste. þe wuneden in Rome
þat bi-foren heore eȝenen. bi-hulden and i-seȝen
þat heore bern me on-heng. on heȝe trouwen
Þa orles weorne iwende swiðe for þeonne.
þe heom wite solden Gabius and Prosenna into Lumbardie.
in-to þon leode efter monkunne þe heom sculden [fulsten].
to helpene heore monne aȝen Belinne and Brenne.
Þa com þer a mon irnen from þan twam eorlen.
þe brohte writ-runen in-to þere burh of Rome.
þat seide heom to soðe þat þa eorles comen.
in þer ilke nihte mid ten þusend cnihten.
& mid ferde vnimete of monnen on foten.
þe sculden cumen bi-halues & Belin king aquellen.
and Brennes his broðer beiene to-gadere.
Ȝif ȝe me wulle[ð] ileuen a-nan swa hit beoð auen.
sendeð ut cnihtes & bi-ginneð to fihten.
ær hit beo mid-niht ich sugge eow hit soð-riht.
come[ð] mid heore mannen Gabius and Prosenna.
þe sculleð eow wurðliche wreken on eower [wi]þer-i winnen.
A-nan swa þe dæi wes a-gan swa heo ȝeten openeden
letten ut cnihtes bigunnen muchele fihtes.
swa heo fehten al niht þat hit wes dæi-liht.
Þa com þer fusen vnimete ferde.
Gabius an Prosenna mid muchele mon-kinne.
ut of Lumbardie and liðen touward Brenne.
& [he] heom faht wið feondliche swiðe.
& Belin him resde to. to þan Romanisce folke
& heo fusden swiðe. Þe faht wes unimete
þer wes ballu riue. Bruttes þer fullen
Belin and Brennes. burstes þare hæfden
& þa Romanisce men. remden heom uuenen
Whet wolde ȝe her niðinges. mid þe Bruttisce kinge
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wenden ȝe mid fehten. to fellen uren leoden
& beon eow seluen riche. and welden al Rome
Ȝe scullen drinken eowre blod balu eow is ȝeueðe.
Ȝe beoð ure bernenne bone þer-fore ȝe sculleð breoðen.
fallen and ure leoden swa eow bið alre læðust.
Belin & Brennes buȝen heom fram þan fuhte.
wih-innen are muchele dic þe heo hæfden ilet dælfen.
þat heore folc mihten swiðe wel wunien wið-innen.
Þer-innen heo speken þer-inne heo runden.
ane lutle while ne leaste hit na-wiht ane mile.
and þus heo seiden heom bi-twune
Ȝif we hennen fareð þus. alle heo wulleð æfter us
and ȝif hit swa il[i]mppeð þat we ham cumen liðen.
heorten we haueden sare and ure cun æd-wit auere-mare.
Ah ga we heom on mid sweorde for al heo beoð for[lorn]e
& ureke ue ure wine-mæies.
for leouere us is here mid manscipe to fallen
þanne we heonne i-sunde farren. ure frenden to scare
Þe while þe heo þus speken. and spileden mid worden
wende þa þeodisce men. þat Belin wolden þenne
and seiden heom bi-twenen. in þere burh of Rome
Nu heo wulleð heonnen. nulleð heo na-mare fehten
ah Belin and his broðer. al heo ðo[ð]ten oðer
Heo senden ut of Rome. cnihtes wel idone
feowerti hundred. to hæȝen ane castele
to kepen Belin king and his broðer Brennes.
and baldeliche whi[ð] fehten
and þa oðere of Rome riden heom bi-hinden.
and slæn heom bi-twenen and wreken ore tounen.
Þe cnihtes weoren on fore fer ut of Rome.
Þa hehte Belin. & Brennes his broðer
Lihteð of eowre blanken. and stondeð on eowre sconken
and kerueð eowre spere longe. & makiet heom scorte & stronge
scradieð eower sceldes. al of þe smal enden
and we eow wulleð bi-foren. libben oðer liggen
& auer-alc god mon harde hine sulue.
for her scullen þe wædlen alle i-wurðen riche.
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and maken we of ure uæren fihtie ferden
and on auer-alche hæpe. hertoȝe stæpne.
þa heom makie balde and to-gadere halde.
& wenden to þen walle on æuer-ælchere halue.
hiȝe[n]d-liche fo we on for alle we scullen wel don.
Þeo blewen heo here bemen þat heo of Rome hit sculden iheren.
and heo ut iwenden ohte kempen.
Þa i-seȝen heo of Rome Belin & his bro[ð]ere.
þa clupeden heo lude ȝeond þare leoden.
Nu fleð ure ifan nu we sculleð heom to gan.
Mid þe forwarde monnen ut wenden Prosenna.
Gabius him com æfter mid fifti hundred cnihtes.
mid alle heore wepnen þe weoren vniwælde.
Þa oðere weoren swifte heore wepnen weoren lihte.
heo leiden to-gadere & feon-liche fuhten.
Weoren heo of Rome alle ridinde.
þa o[ð]ere a-foten and fengen heom to-ȝæines.
and slowen alle heore hors here hæp wes þe lættere.
Gabius heo slowe Prosenna heo nomen.
heo duden heore wille of þan Rom-monen.
alle heo slowen þat heom aȝen stoden.
Heo breken þa Rom-walles on auer-ache halue.
and binnen heo i-wenden and þa burh awelden.
Biwunnen heo Rome þe riche burh wel idone.
þer heo funden michel gold & gærsume uni-mete.
Heo unbunde þa locun drowen ut þa baiȝes.
þa palles & þa purpres þe iworht weore in Puille.
alle þa maðemes þe weoren monie kunnes.
Þer wes moni wrehche sone iworðen riche.
al þa seouen nihte his iwil þar hefde ælc cniht.
of seoluere and of golde inoh of þon londe.
Letten þa kinges don fæire þinges.
timbrien þa hallen bæten þa walles.
þe þer weoren to-brokene mid þeon balu fehte.
Letten heo climben on hæh cleopien to þon folke
þat þe kinges heom speken wið. & þer setten heore grið.
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ne of his æhte ȝerne buten he hit ȝeuen him wulle.
And alle þe flæmen þe iflowe buð of Rome.
þe aȝan wulleð cumen þes kinges grið wilniæn.
a[nd] bi-cumen þes kinges mon alse we hit ær cuðden.
cumen al mid sibben and her heore lif libben.
and habben þa ilke læȝen þe stoden bi heore ældre dæwen.
And Belin ure hæȝe king hit bi-tæcheð Brenne.
þe scæl bi-læuen here and beon eower kæisere.
and him-seolf wule liðen and eower læue habben.
and heonnen he wule buȝen in-to Bruttæine.
Wælle muchel wes þa wop þæ Belin þeonne wende.
ah heo weoren ifrouuer[d] sone for þan riche-dom of Rome.
Brennes þer boȝede king of Lumbardie.
and Belin gon wenden in-to þisse londe.
Lette he ȝeond his castles makie kine-wurðe werkes.
rihten alle þæ hallen & stronginen þæ walles.
bulden þa bures hæien þa toures.
and swa þis wunliche lond mid wurð-scipe wælden.
& Brennes walde Rome fulle fiftene ȝere.
þa endede Brennes wel wes Romanisce folc þæs.
Heo seolf nomen heore lond and heolden on heore hond.
burh. & heore blissæ seoððen Brennes wes deæd.
& Belin i ðisse londe makede læȝen stronge.
& laȝen swiðe gode þe bi his liue stoden.
Belin ferde to Wales & anne burh makede.
he heo makeda æ[ð]ðele uppen Uske þan wætere.
Of þon ilke flode. þe king hire nome funde
þan king heo wes deore. Kæir Usch. heo næmde
and seoððen heo wes ihæten. Kair Lion ich wullen seggen þe for wan.
Vmbe feole ȝere æfter Belinnes forð-fare.
[herden þe men of Rome of Belinnes deaþe]
and seiden heom bi-twenen While he dude us tuone.
Nu is þe king iburied Wrake we us on Bruttes.
& in-to þan londen we sullen faren bringen þer sorwen & kare.
Hider heo gunnen senden of Romanisce ende.
feower fer-rædene þa we clipieð ferden.
þe weoren on þan ilke dæȝen legiuns ihaten.
werren on alche legiun þus feole leod-kempen.
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Þeos comen bi wateren of weorren heo weoren wise.
heo duden i þisse londe alle leode sorwen.
and auer o þon ende heom-seoluen weoren isunde.
& auer-alche wintre inne Wales heo wuneden.
Heo iwunne þe burh Kair Uske and þer-inne heo wuneden.
a þat her com liðen ma of heore leoden.
For ilke legiuns heo clupeden Kair Usc. Kaer Liun
Seo[ð]ðen her com oðer mon-cun þe heo cleopeden Kaerliun.
Nu ich þe habben iseid hu hit is igan. of Kaerliun bi Glom-margan
Fo we ȝet to Beline to þan blisfulle kinge.
þa he hæuede imaked þas burh & heo inemned Kaer Usc.
Þa þe burh wes strong and hende þeo gon he þonnen wenden.
he wende riht to Lundene þe burh he leoue[de] swiðe.
He bigon þer ane ture þe strengeste of al þe tune.
and mid muchele ginne a ȝæt þer-vnder makede.
þeo clupede men hit Belȝæs-ȝate
nu and auere-mare. þe nome stonde [ð] þare
Leouede Belin þe king in alre blisse.
and alle his leoden leoueden hine swiðe.
An his dæies wes swa mochel mæte þat hit wes vnimete.
þat folc þurh heore. drunken moni þusend swulten.
Þe king leouede longe þat hit com touward his ende.
þat i Lundene he wes dæd sari wes his du[ȝ]eðe.
wa wes heom on liue for þæs kinges dæðe.
Heo ferden to his horde. and nome þer muche deal goldes
heo makeden ane tunne of golde. and of ȝimme.
þene king heo duden þer-inne þat wes here louer[d] Belin.
vp heo hine duden heȝe an ufen-meste þan turre.
þat me mihte hine bi-halden wide ȝeon þeon londe.
Þat heo duden for muchelere luue for he wes here dure læuerd.
Þus iuor al Belin king seo[ð]ðen com his sune Gurguint.
Gurguint Ber[t]ruc. heh[te] his sune wellen æðele wes þe gume.
welle wi[t]er wes þer a mon and wisliche heold his cune-dom.
Sæhte and sibbe he luuede unstronge monnen he leoðede.
grið he heolde al-se his fæder god mid þon bezste.
bute þat þa Densce men dunrih[t] at-soken.
þat heo to Brut-londe nolden maren senden.
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Gurguint hine bi-þohte. what he don mæhte
he seonde his sonde. wide ȝen his londe
he beonnede his folc & ȝærekede ferde.
muchele and grete mid monnen vnimete.
He to scipe wende & fram þan londe hælde.
ofer þane saltne strem sel hit him þuhte.
A þene oðerne dæi he com to Denemarke.
he iwende uppe þat lond æfter his iwille.
he axede gauel of þan londe þe his fader hauede an honde.
þe Gudlac king him ȝaf. mid godene iwille
Þa seide Gudlakes sune. mid gromiende speche.
Ȝif mi fæder dude his wille nulle ich hit naht iwurðen.
ah fare he ut of mine londe. ȝif he wulle libbe
Þat word com to Gurguint. þe wes Brut-londes king
W[he]r beoð mine þeines. wher beoð mine sweines
wher beoð mine kempes. and mine kene men
Eorneð and eærne. and al þis lond bearneð
and alle þa men slæð. þe ȝe cumeð neh.
and heore children and heore wif. werpeð in-to þe wæteren
and brekeð heore walles. & berne[ð] heore halles
seælle[ð] heore tures. & swaleð heore bures.
& swa heo sculden under-stonden. þat ich am king of Brut-londe
and þat heo aȝen me to ȝelden. alse heo duden Belin kinge
Forð iwende þat hired. swa þæ king hæhte
heo dude þer muchele hermes. mid hæhȝere strengðe
Þe king of þan londe mid muchelere genge.
com to-ȝeines Gurguint mid godliche strengðe.
Heo fuhten wunderliche i-noh. and Gurguint Denemarkene king ofsloh.
& his Densce ferde he felden to þan grunde.
He ferden to þan burȝen and him alle on-buȝen.
and alle he awælde betere and wurse.
His men heo bi-comen and æðes him sworen
& æfter cure heo him ȝeuen þreo hundred ȝisles.
and al swa muchel gærsume swa Gudlac king bihehte.
þa Belin inne freode and alle his iueren.
And Gurguint þa iuende aȝæn in-to þisse londe.
Ase he ferden on his wæi bi þan ende of Orcanai.
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of wapmen and of wif-men. þe schipe wel a-fulle[d]
mid fele cunne wepnen. swiðe ibone
Þuhte Gurguint þon kinge. hær-of swiðe sællic þing
whet þat scipen weoren. þe he ifunde þere
He sende ane sonde him to. and hæhte heom suggen
wannen heo weoren. and whet heo þer sohten
and ȝif heo wolden speken him wih and ȝernen þes kinges grið.
Þa enswerede heore alre lauerd.
We wulleð speken him wið and ȝeornen his grið.
Heo to-gaderen come and grið heo nomen sone.
Þa queð Pantolaus wið Gurguint he speke þus.
We beo[ð] sæ-werie men mid wedere bi-driuene.
Ich hæhte Pantolaus and þu art læuerd oue[r] us.
we beoð a þine londe bi-cumen þine laȝen we bi-luuie[ð].
and us alle þu miht walden æftere þine iwille.
Of Spaine ich wes ut idriuen and al mi driht-liche folc.
swiðe muchel we habbeoð i-soht bi þisse sæ-rime.
a lond þe us were liðe þe we mihten on libben.
ne maȝe we hit ifinden for næuer næne þinge.
lond to ure leoden þer we maȝen to liðen.
We habbeð ihaued moni burst moni hunger & moni þurst.
moni walc moni wind bi wilde þisse watere.
Nu we biddeð þin ære ne maȝe we drien hit na-mare.
and ȝif hit weoren þin i-wille and þu hit don woldest.
to ȝifuen us an ende i þine kinne-londe.
we wulleð þine men beon þine mon-scipe herien.
& þe leofuen wið a to ure liue.
Þa enswærde Gurguint þat wes Brut-londes king.
Nulle ich na so don ah eower monradene ic wulle fon.
and ich eow wulle senden. in-to ane londe
for ich nat whet ȝe beoð. ne whannen ȝe icume beoð
Ah ȝe scullen habben lædes-men. and forð ȝe scullen liðen
& ich eow wullen lanen. of mine leod-folke
fouwerti hundred cnihtes þe gode beoð on fihte.
Heo sculleð eow þat lond bi-taken þer ȝe sculleð libben.
and eower laȝen setten to rihten eore leoden.
Gurguint heom sende in-to Irlonde
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& Gurguint forð wende. into þisse londe
and Pantolaus þer ȝeonde wunde wel mid þon beste.
and lette hine clepie king & his wif quene.
And he sette st[r]onge lawen to steowien his folke.
for heo haueden inne sæ seorwen ibidene.
fulle seouen ȝere heo misliche foren.
Heore claðes weoren iwerede and vuele heo weoren igærede.
nakede heo weoren and naðing ne rohten.
wha heore leome sæȝe alle þe on heom weoren.
& þus heo ladden heore laȝen and longe heo ilæsten.
& Gurguint i þisse londe leouede mid blisse.
& he huld god grið þe while þe i-laste his lif.
in Kaer Liun he wes dea[d] seorhful wes his duȝeðe.
Anne sune he hauede aht mon Gu[e]ncelin ihaten.
he walde þis lond and þas du[ȝe]ðe æfter his fader dæie.
Þes wes þurð-ut alle þing clæne mon and god king.
he ledde swiðe feir lif & he hæfde a god wif.
Marcie men heo clupede þat is ȝet widene cuð.
nu and auere-mare is taken of here heare.
Þeo quene leornede anne craft heo wes a boken wel itaht.
heo leornede hire lære leofliche on heorten.
of hire wisdome sprong þat word wide.
þat heo wes swiðe wis of wordliche dome.
Þa makede heo ane læȝe and læide ȝeon þat leode.
þeos laȝe wes al iworhte
Bruttes nemneden þa laȝen. æfter þare lafuedi
to soðen wihuten wene. þe laȝe hehte Marciane
Seo[ð]ðen þer-æfter. monie hundred wintre
com Alfred þe king. Englelondes deorling
and wrat þa laȝen on Englis. ase heo wes ær on Bruttisc
and whærfde hire nome on his dæȝe. and cleopede heo Mærcene laȝe
Ah þet I þe sugge. þurh alle þing ne makede heo noh[t] ærst Ælured king.
ah heo makede þa quene þe me Mærcie cleopede.
and Ælured heo seide on Englisc þis is seoð ful iwis.
Hæfde þas wise quene bi hire weoreld-kinge.
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nefde heo children na ma þer-foren wes þere quene wa.
Nefde þis child Sillius buten seouen ȝeæra.
þa his fader wes dæd. and his duȝeðe bi-leæfde
His moder nom þas riche and mid ræde heo walde.
& wiste wel hire sone a mid hire-seolue.
Þa þe sune wes swa ald þat he wes an horse bald.
þa makede heo hine king his folke hit wes iqueme.
He wes a wel god mon & softe he wolde libben.
ne leouede he noht half his lif þat him ne com his dæd-sih.
He bi-lefde tweie sunen þa tuwen þes fader þæuwes.
Þe aldre hæhte Rummarus þe ȝungere hæhte Damus.
Rummarus wes ane while king and seoððen Damus hit onfenge.
Þes Damus on his deie ane chiuese him ichæs.
he hauede bi þare wimman enne swiðe wandliche sune.
Morpidus ihaten monnene strengest.
of maine and of þeauwe of alle þissere þeode.
Þes biȝet þesne kinedom þurh kenschipe muchele.
cniht he wes swiðe strong kene and custi muchel and long.
of alle þingen heo weore god ȝi[f] heo neore to-wamed.
A-nan se he wes wrað wi[ð] eni mon i þan stude he hine wolde slæn.
nere he na swa riche cniht þat he hine ne sloh forð-riht.
weore hit rih[t] weore hit woh i þon stude he hine sloh.
& sone swa he iwrað glad he dude al þat me hine bad.
Ah hit wes muchel hærme. of ane mon swa hende
þat þurh his wraððe. his wi[t] wes awemmed
A ðon ilke time com þe duc of Moraine.
in-to þisse londe leode to hærme.
ferde bi þere sæ-brimme and monie burstes dude.
he makede muchel ræflac ræh he wes on fihte.
Æfter sæ he forh lað to Norðhumberlonde.
þer he gon bulde castel swiðe strongne.
al abuten hi[m] þat londe he nom to his aȝere hond.
Morpidus þe balde iwærð him abolwen.
and sende ȝeond þæs ærde & sommnede ferde.
and com to þon duke al bi lihte dæie.
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þeo fihten wið þone duke al þene dæi longe.
Þa hit wes muchel uppe non þe king þene duc ouer-com.
he turnde to fleme and he æfter him ferde.
Þer he sloh þene duc and al his duȝeðe.
ær þe dæi weoren agon dæd heo weoren alle.
mid swiðe stronge fih[te] þet wes mid rihte.
and alle þa he funde a-marwe in þon londe.
oðer mid fure he lette hom slæn oðer he heom lette quic flan.
Mid muðe heo hit seiden þeo þat hit iseȝen.
þat Morpidus mid his honden þurh hæhȝere strengðe.
seouen hundred of-sloh and swende mid wepnen.
He lette makien ane dich þe wes long and swiðe deop.
and he lette al þat wel weorpen þer an innen.
Þa huld he ane stunde his lond mid isunde.
inn griðe and inne friðe and freo-liche on folke.
Wnder þon hær com tidinde salcuð to londe.
and hit wes sone icuð Morpidun þan king
þat wes icumen of þare sæ. a deor swiðe sellich
frommard Irlonde. com hider liðen
and bi þon sæ-rime. rasde to þon folke
Oft an one dæie. hit makede an hundred fæie
and æft to þare sæ wende. þe wæld-scæðe luðere
þenne hit æft wende aȝan. wærðe hit heom grætte
Þus hit to londe bæh. and werede þeos leoden
þat folc hit agaste tunes hit aweste.
þat folc a-w[a]i hald an aulchere halue.
Þe king hit harde seggen and særi wes an hurten.
þiðerward wende þe king him-seolue to wæine.
to-ward þon deore þer he dæð fæhte.
Þa he com suð swa feor þer þe feond wunede.
þa hahte he al his hird-folc faren to are burȝe.
and hæhte heom þer abiden and ane he gon riden.
Þa he forð wende wapnen he ladde.
þat wes a kene sweord and enne koker fulne flan.
enne boȝe swiðe strong and a spere swiðe long.
æt his sadele an æx and æt þe oðer hælue an hond-sæx.
and forð he gon wenden to-warde þan ende.
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Swa longe he ferde þat he hit ifunde.
and he lette fuse him to flan swuðe kene.
and alle him to sende and seo[ð]ðen him neor wende.
he ferde on his stede sulc he walde awede.
Þa his flæn weoren iscoten þæ iwærd his boȝe to-broken.
he igrap his spere. stronge þer he pihte hit o þon londe.
and he ærde to þon deore and s[m]at hit a þan sweore.
þat þe deor feol abac and þe scæft al to-brac.
And þat deor up astod and ræsde o þene stede.
and for-bat him þa breste ban and þa senuwen.
þat þa lihte and þa liuere feollen on eorðen.
And þe king droh his sweord þe him wes itase.
and þet deor he smat a-nan uppe þat hæued-bæn.
þat þet sweord in deæf and þa hilt on his hand bræc.
And þat deor to-dede his chæfles and to þan kinge weoðede.
and for-bat hine amidden a twa þat wes þat fiht idon.
Þus ferde þe king for he wes to kene.
for þe mon is muchel sot þe nimeð to him-seoluen.
mare þonne he maȝen walden he sæl halden þe raðer.
for vnræd is swiðe ræh his lauerd he let reosen.
and auer vmbe stunde felleð hine to þe grunde.
Þet folc wes swiðe særi for sorwen þes kinges.
and hit wes bliðe for dæ[ð]ðen of þon deore.
Þe king hæfden fif sunen bi feire his quene.
Þe aldest hehte Gorbo[ni]an welle æðel wes þere a mon.
Argal hæhte þe oðer þe wes Gorbonianes broðer.
Þe þridde hæhte Elidur þe feorðe Ingenes. þe fifte Peredur
Þe ældeste broðer. Gorbo[n]ian he iwærð king in þisse londe.
he wes swiðe soð-fest and swiðe wel iðæwed.
rad-ful and rihtwis and a mete run-hende.
He heold þis lond stille al æfter his iwille.
mid treouscipe gode þe while his tir læste.
and þus he hine huld an hæfne þat com his liues ende.
inne Lundene he lið særi weoren his leode.
Þer-æfter com þe oðer Argal his broðer.
þe wes next him iboren seoððen he wes king icorn.
Þis wes þe for-cuððeste mon þe æfre hedde kinedom.
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what-se hæfde richedom he hine makede wræcche mon.
his gode men he hatede þa uuele he hæhȝede.
al his motinge was ful of ȝitsinge.
He somnede to-gædere gærsumme muchele.
& æuere he þohte embe uuel and swulche weoren his dede.
Þus ladde Argal his lif fram ȝuȝeðe to his dæd-sið.
To-gædere commen þa riche men þe aȝe weoren & mæhti.
& makeden heore hustinge mid hæhere wra[ð]ðe.
Plihten mid honden þat heo wel hulden.
þurh alle þing flemen Argal heore king
and ut heo hine flemden. feor of þissen earde
and nomen þene oðer. Elidur his broðer
Þis wes þe þridde. heo afengen hine mid sibbe
& makeden hine to kinge. þe cniht wes swiðe kene
he wes of his speche. ælche monne imete
wið þa goden he wes duhti. and sturne wið þa dusie
Argal þe wes idriuen ut. drof him wes on heorte
he ferde feor ȝeond moni lon[d]. and fondede þan leoden
he bi-soðte moni-enne king. and monienne keiser
monienne richene þein. monienne baldne swein
he bi-sohte al þat folc. þer he for[ð] ferde
þat heo him solde helpen. to muchelere neode
mid strengðe oðer mid ginne. his lond to bi-winne
Ne mihte he neuere finden mon þe him wolde ȝette beon.
þe him oht wolde fulsten þat he hider fore.
ne naðing him bi-hæten þat heo him wolden helpen.
Þa wes Argal þe king ærm on his mode.
seorhful on heorte for his muchele burste.
Argal hine bi-ðohte whet he don mihte.
þat he wolde aȝen fare and fondien his broðer.
and war he mihte of his monnen æie milce ifinden.
Hit wes vmbe fif winter seoððe he heonne ferde.
seoððen he þas seorȝe him-seolfen hæfde itimbred.
þa lette he hine atlichen and wende to þissen londe.
wið his aȝene kun he hine vncuð makede.
ne i-cneow hine nauere na man þe hine ær iseȝen hæfden.
He fræinede þis leod-folc æfter heore kineleouerde.
& heo him þene king tahten þer he hun[t]ede on comelan.
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Þeone king he i-mette and mildeliche hine i-grætte.
Læuerd king quað Argal hæil wurð þu an isunde.
Þu ært mi bro[ð]er Elidur eædi beo þu æuere.
ne der ich noht kennen for þisses londes monnen.
þat ich her king weore leste heo me icneowen.
ah ich bidde þine ære nu and æuere-mare.
Þa quað Elidur þe king þi cume me is iqueme.
To his broðer he com and leofliche hine custe.
þer Elidur þe king weop mid his eȝenen.
and mid muchelen ædmeden æðelede his broðer.
and lette hine læden leofliche and stille.
in-to ane castle Clud wes ihaten.
and lette hine baðien and beddien feire.
and duȝeliche hine biwitten and his namen dærnen.
What iherden auere suggen a sæȝen oðer a spelle.
þat æuere æni bro[ð]er dude þus for oðer
þat Elidur þe king dude for Argale.
Þe king hine braeid sæc alse þeah hit seoð weore.
þe king læi on bure særiliche on beadde.
He sende his sonde ȝeond his kinelonde
lette laðien him to. al his leod-þeines
mid wurden and mid writen. þe dude heom wel to witen
þat ne mihte he no lengere libben on eærðe.
ah of heom þe king wolde. habben read. for hiȝenliche he weoren dæd
and heo him redden. wher his lich mihte bezst leggen
Þet word wes cuð ȝeond þis lond. and come þeos cnihtes
to burh þis kinges to muchelen hustinge.
Þe king and his broðer weoren in ane bure.
þeær heo hæfden wel iȝeten and seoððen idrunken.
Þe king eoden to bedde & his broðer hiine hudde.
and mid him his leoueste men þe he wuste on liue.
feowerti gode cnihtes mid burnen wel idihten.
mid sweorden & mid schelden alse heo to fehte sculden.
Þe king læi in his bædde. alse þæh he ne mihte libben
in þære burh he sende word. bi his beste wikeneren
and hæhten his drihliche folc stilleluker dremen.
for his hæhued oc sæ sweðen þat he ne mihte idriȝen.
to ihæren þene muchele drem of swa feole mannen.
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ne wið-inne þon castel-buri na quic mon iboren.
bute þe king mid his seonden æfter him sende
Þe king aras of bedde. and burne he warp on rigge
and nam onne his honde. ane wi-æxe stronge
and cluppede into bure. Argal his broðer
And nomen heore sonde. and in-to þere burh senden
æfter þon hehste þringe. þat he comen to þen kinge.
Seone swa he to bure com þe king hine inom.
and he him wræð to ase he hine wolde anho.
& him abuten urnen cnihtes swi[ð]e sturne.
alse heo wolden mid heonden al hine to-heowen.
Þus seiden Elidur þe king Nu ich þe wulle quellen.
bute þu beo stille and don al mine wille.
Þus andswerde þe þein Ich hit wulle don fæin.
Bi-cum her mines broðer mon ȝif þu þi lif wult habbe.
Þis is Argal þe king þe of eærde wes iflemed.
þe is nu hider icumen and eower king scal iwurðen.
Þe þein swiðe stille dude al þes kinges wille.
and seo[ð]ðen þe king hine lette don in-to ane derne bure.
& lette enne cniht eærne æfter an oðer. eorle.
and swa he þer a-gon ase þe oðer hæfde idon.
Þus dude Elidur þe king bi allen þeos eorlen.
bi ane and bi ane þat he heom hæfde al clane.
Þa dude he an-oðer nom he his broðer.
mid muchelere blisse to Eowrwik hine brohte.
þer weoren þeos leoden iliðenned to-gadere.
At-foren al his folke he his kinehelm on-feng.
& sette hit on his broðer hæfd & hæf hine to kinge.
Æuer seo[ð]ðen iwarð Argal aðelest ærle kingen.
þat vuel he al for-lette þat gode he imette.
iwærð he swiðe milde þan ȝunge and þan alden.
& wið alle monnen ful iwis iwærð þe king riht-wis.
Þis lond wes istaðeled & stod i þon ilke.
fulle ten ȝere þa iwærð þe king vn-fere.
swa þe king seoc læi þreo wiken & enne dæi.
ne mihte he þer-of beon hæl ah dæd wes þe king Argal.
Þa comen al þeos leoden liðen to-somne
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heuen hine to kinge. mid hæȝere blisse
and hit ane stunde. stod on him-seolue
& Elidur wes æðelest of alle his mon-cunne.
Iuienes and Perredur iseȝen þat Elidur.
west eft i-wurðen leod-king ouer þisse londe.
Heo somneden muchel folke of feole cunne monnen.
and ledden here ferde wide ȝeond þissen ærde.
To-gædere com Elidur Ingenes & Peredur.
sær-liche heo feohte & fælden heore cnihtes.
Þa sette i þon fuhte. Elidur to flænne
and his broðeren him æfter. mid alle here mæhte
Ingenes & Perredur. nomen þene king Elidur
heo hine lædde to Lundene. særi weoren his leoden
In are swiðe stronge tur heo duden þene king Elidur.
moni ȝer and moni dæi þe king in þære ture læi.
and his broð[er]en gunnen liðen wide ȝeond þeos leoden.
Iuienes hæfde half þis londe riht bi þere Humbre.
al þesne suð ende he heold an his heonde.
& Peredur hæfde norð al bi þere Humbre forð.
& seoððen þer-æfter al to-gæderen he hit ahte.
for Ingenes ne leouede buten seouen ȝeren.
Þa nom Peredur al þis lond. and sette an his aȝere hond
& he iwarð him swuðe luðer. & læh al his folke
Þæ com þe fæ-liche dæd. & falde hine to grunde
swa vuele he luuede his lif. þat þe Scucke hine i-fenge
Þæ somnede al þis leod-folc. in-to Lundene ferden
& nomen ut Elidur. þer he læi in are tur
and duden þer a selcuð þing. makeden hine þridde chærre king.
Þa i-warð he swa duhti swa þe dæi feire.
alle folc he dude riht wel wes þisse londe idiht.
inne blisse leouede his leode to murhðe.
& þa he sculde of liue wende he hæfde feiren ende.
Þa com his broðer sune Gorbonianes.
þe wes þe formeste of þæn fif broðeren.
þe cniht wes ihaten Lador he wes þisse londes king.
ah Lador ne luuede buten ane lutle wile.
Æfter him com Morgan sune Argales.
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Ænmaunus hæhte þe oðer þe wes Morganus broðer.
þeos weoren mannes sunes þeos ær weoren kinges.
Þes ilke Enmaunus heold his kinelond þus.
þat nas na þein in þissen londe þat nalde hine fæin slæn mid his honden.
and al his folc he hatede and al he hit hænde.
wið al folc he wes wiðerward þe Wurse hine leouede.
and his aȝene heredmen hine to deaðe hateden.
Neoðeles on ende þat folc of þissen londen.
fusden hine and flæmden. feor of þissen ærde.
for he wes swa wiðerward heo driuen hine of þis ær[de].
mid seorwen and mid seore ne com he her nauer-mare.
To-gadere commen þe hæhste eorles of þissen londe.
and curen heom enne king of ane cnihte þe wes kene.
he wes Inienes sune of Peredures kunne. icume.
Iwallo hæhte þe king he wes god þurh alle þing.
wel he braid on deade efter his alderen.
of alre godnesse þe gume wes ilæred.
he hæfde gode þæwes his þeode wes þæ betere.
A[c] hit wes ladlich burst þat he ne moste libben.
na lengere þene seouen ȝere ne mosten he luuien here.
dæd wes Iwallo þe king his duȝeðe he bilæfde.
Seoððen her rixlede a king Rime wes ihaten.
he wes Peredures bæren he wes Elidures broðer.
Seoððen com Goronces sune Elidures.
Seoððen wes Catulus his fæder hæhte Goroncius.
Seoððen com Coillus his broðer hæhte Catulus.
Seoððen com Porex king he wes of þeon kunne.
Seo[ð]ðen com Cherin he wes Porexus cun
Ah Cherin leouede longe. inne þisse londe
ah þa oðer six kinges. þe ær weoren on londe
ne leouede nan here. fulle æhte ȝere
ah longe leouede here. Cherin. muchel he dronk mede and win
weoren al his duȝeðen. bilefed oppe drenche
and al he leas his wurðscipe. for þon win-scenche
ne dude nauer oðer god. ne greiðe on his þeode
182
swa he leoueden here. wel feole ȝere
swa næuere vnleoden. þis lond ne iseoðten
ah þis lond wes on griðe. and ifulled mid gode
Þa com þe ilke dæi. þat þe king deæd læi
þa hæfde he þreo sunen. bi hæȝere his quene
þe aldeste hæhte Fulgenius. Aldus [&] Andragus
Ah ful lutle wile. liuede þas ilke
ælc of heom an stunde. wes king in þissen londe
a[c] wið-inne feouwer ȝere. alle heo weoren dæde her
Þe ȝungeste of þan breðeren. þe wes þe bezste
Andragus he hæhte. enne sune he hehde.
Urrian hæhte þat childe þe iwærð þisse leodes king.
a ȝer he leouede and seo[ðð]en he dæd þolede.
Æfter þon kinge Vrian wes Eliu[d] his kunnes-mon.
Þa com Cledaus Doten & Gurguincius.
Þeos ilka þreo kinges heolden þas þeode.
an efter ane þæt dæd heo weoren alle.
ah nawiht heo her ne duden nouðer god ne ufel.
Seo[ð]ðen com Merian þes wes a swiðe hende mon.
hundes and hauekes he hæuede vnimete.
þat æuere-elche dæi he pleuwede mid his deoren.
Ah he wes swa feir mon þat wif-men hine luueden.
þer-of he nom ȝemen ah hit nes him noht iqueme.
ah he luuede his quene æuere bi his liue.
Seoððen wes Bledon his sune and blæð-fest king.
he hæfde inoh god and hit his gumen dælde.
nes neuer seoð[ð]en næ king swa custi þurh alle þinge.
Seoððen wes his sune king Cap wes ihæten.
Æfter Cap Oein for elchen vuele he wes fein.
Seoððen com Sillius þe wes Oæines sune.
Seoððe sone æfter þet com a king Blæðgabreat.
Seoððen þeos worle wes astolled. ne cuðe na mon swa muchel of song
of harpe & of salteriun. of fiðele & of coriun
of timpe & of lire. gleomen him weoren deore
he cuðen al þeos songes. & þat gleo of ilcche londe
184
swa þat al þis mon-cun. þat of him iherden tellen
seiden þat he wes god. of alle gleo-cræften
Æuer wes þe king glad. & æuere he gomen luueden
& þus he lædde his lif. þe while þe hit ilæste
Seoððen wes his broðer king. Arkinaus ihæten
he hit heolde seouen ȝeore. i griðe he wunede here
Seoððen wes his sune king. þe vniseliche luuede
Ældolf men cleopeden þene king. his deden weoren for-cuðe
Nes nan swa god wif i þon londe. þe he walde.
ȝif heo wes a wiht hende þat he ne makede hore.
þæh hit weoren an eorles wif he bi-nom hire al hire æðelen.
þe ȝunge wifmen & þe ælde he makeden to sconde.
For þisse vniwærste laȝe his leode hine hateden.
in-to þan bare dæðe nalde he for þon hit bileæfue.
Seoððen com Redion & rædden þissen þeoden
half ȝer & seouen niht þa wes he dæd forh-riht.
Seoððen Redært his broðer lasse while þenne þe oðer.
Seoððen com an þe leouede wel he hæhte Famul-penicel.
on his liue he wes swa riche alle þon oðere vniliche.
Seoððen com a king þe hæhte Pir his hæ[d] wes swulc swa beoð gold wir.
þet al folc wundreden on wheonene com swa feir mon.
Æfter him com Capor þe king wes on þeode.
Æfter him com Eligille þe heold þis lond ful stille.
þes wes a swiðe wis mon & of alle þinge wel idon.
mid blisse he luuede here fif & twenti ȝere.
Seoððen wes king his sune Heli ȝeres fulle feouwerti.
oðer wile he heold grið & oðer while me fæht him wið.
He wes a swiðe æht gume & he streonde þreo snelle sunen.
Lu[d] wes ihaten þe an he wes a swiðe æht mon.
þe midlest Casibellaunus þe ȝungeste hehte Nennius.
Æfter Heli king æhte þis lond Lud his sune wel longe.
þes wes swiðe oht king and vnimete kene.
and he wes swiðe riche for rædes he luuede.
He ferde ȝeond al þis kine-lond and ælche burh he makede strong.
186
Þe ȝeht þe Lud king ahte þis lond hehte Lundene Trinouant.
and of castles ner þer na-þing bute þat tur þe makede Belin king.
al swa þes boc her telleð bi-uore a þissen spelle
Lud king lette legge þane wal. abuten þe burh of Lundene al
þe auere ȝet haueð ilast. & swa he wule ȝet wel longe
He letten bulden þe hallen. swiðe muchele mid alle.
he hehte ilchene riche mon þat he dælde his æhte atwam.
& nome þa hæluen-dale and hæh bold him makede.
and alle þæ vnstronge men þere burh he duden wið-uten.
& heȝede þæ burh and makede heo swiðe hende.
He leide a-dun þere burhȝe nome and nemnede hire æfter him-seoluen.
& hehten heo Kaer Lud and ouer-al hit let cuðen.
Þat he duden al for þon þat s[eoð]ðen sculden moni mon.
þennen þe king weoren dæd demen of his weorken.
Seoððen her com vncu[ð] folc faren in þessere þeode.
& nemneden þa burh Lundin [an] heore leode-wisen.
Seoððen comen Sæxisce men & Lundene heo cleopeden.
þe nome ileste longe inne þisse londe.
Seoððen comen Normans mid heore nið-craften.
and nemneden heo Lundres þeos leodes heo amærden
Swa is al þis lond iuaren. for uncuðe leoden
þeo þis londe hæbbeð bi-wunnen. and ef[t] beoð idriuen hennene.
And eft hit bi-ȝetten oðeræ þe uncuðe weoren.
& falden þene ælden nomen æfter heore wille.
of gode þe burȝen & wenden heore nomen.
swa þat nis her burh nan in þissere Bruttene.
þat habbe hire nome æld þe me arst hire on-stalde.
Þa gon þis lond wenden. þat com þis kinges ende
Lud king iwarð dæd. in Lundene me hine leide
þer weoren eorles swiðe whæte. and leiden þene king bi ane ȝate
þat ȝet me cleope[ð] ful iwis. Port Lud a Bruttisce
Seoððen comen Ænglisce men. wel waht and cleupeden hit Ludesȝate.
and swa hit haueð wel longe o þon nome istonde.
Þa weoren þer twa children Ludes sunen kinges.
þe ældre hæhte Androgeus þe oþer Temelcinus
188
Þa com heore fader broðer. Cassibelaunus
and iwærð him-sulf to kinge and biwuste þas children.
and leof-liche heom fedde for luue of his broðer.
Þes Cassibellaunus wes þisses londes king.
þe leodes hine luueden for his laȝen weoren gode.
he sette feire þeauwes in þissen þeoden.
and he wes swiðe god king & god cniht þurh alle þing.
Þeos children weoxen an hond þat heo mihten halden lond.
þe king heom ȝef gode tweien eorl-domes.
Androgeus him wes leouere and he him Lundene ȝæf.
& þer-mid he ȝæf him al Kent for he him wolde iquemen.
& he hehte Tennancius to Cornwale temen
and freoliche þas twein broðerne. heolden þas eorldomes
buten þat heo icneowen. þene king for heore herre
for he wes heore lauerd. and al þissere leodene
Þa wile þa heo weoren sæhte. & heore men on some
þis lond ferde swiðe wel. mid sibbe heo hulden
ah seoððen heo iwærðen wærðe. & hit iwærð þa weorse
swa þat Romleode. comen to þissen þeoden
and sette ȝeld a þisse londe. æiðer seluer & gold
þe næuer eær on liue. ne dursten hider liðen
axien king of þissen londe. þat he ȝefue ȝeld in-to Rome
Þa wes hit ilumpen o þan daȝen. ase we soð suggen maȝen
þat Iulius Scezar wes iuaren. mid vnimete ferde
from Rome. into France Þe feond wes iwraððed.
Al þa londes he bi-won þe he mid eȝene lokede on.
he þohte to bi-winnen mid strengðen & mid ginnen.
al middel-eærdes lond and halde þat worlde in his hond.
Ah he ne mihte hit don al þas wurlde under fote.
ah þa þreo dale he biwon of þissere wurlde-riche.
fif & fifti kine-lond he bi-won to his aȝere hond.
wið-uten his riche þe ær læi to Rome.
Cniht he wes kene ȝeond al middel-ærde cuð.
he wes þe wisseste mon of al þe worulde-riche.
he makede þane kalender þe dihteð þane moneð & þe ȝer.
he dihte feole domes þe ȝet stondeð ine Rome.
Wale þat eæuere ei sucche mon in-to [helle] sculde gan.
Iulius wende of Rome mid folke wel idone.
190
he bi[w]on Loherne & Gascunne Peytou.
Normandie & Brittaine & Luueine & Alemaine.
Seoððen he hæfde iwunnen Gascunne he charde aȝen in-to Burgunne.
into Flandres he ferde and makede his schip-færde.
Hit wes an ane time
þat þe dæi wes liht. and þe sunne wes swiðe briht
and Cezar rad ȝeo[n]d Flaundre lond. an scewede þære sæ-strond
Þat weder wes swiðe liðe. and he þis lon[d] ikende
Þa freinede Iulius & wi[ð] þon folke he spec. þus.
Wat his þat ilke æit-lond þat ich mid æȝen iseo.
feor ouer sæ-stram. Feir hit me þuncheð
A wis mon þus quað. and mid þæne kæisere spæc
Þæt is a muchel æit-lond. of alche gode hit is strong
þet Bruttes ærest ifeng. þer beoð duhtie men
Brutaine hit hatte. þat lond þe þu bi-haldest
Þa spæc Iulius Cezar. he wes wis and swiðe iwar
Wel ich hit wæt what Bruttis wæs. for mine bæc hit me suggeð
alle we comen of ane kunne. alse þe bæc hit us cuððe[ð]
Vre aldren weoren i Troie. þer heo teone þoleden
æt þon muchele fæhte. moni þeosend þer weoren fæie
Þa heo weoren ouer-cumen. þæ quahten heo wide
and ferde sichinde lond. þer heo mihten on libben
Þer Bruttus bi-com. and to his liue he wunede þer-an
Þeonnenen come þa kinges. þe weoren wunder kene
Belin and Brennes. þe Rome bi-wunnen
Heo for-ferde Rome. þa burh wel idone
heo nomen of Romanisce londe. muchel seoluer & gold
heore ȝisles heo letten an-hon. heore folc heo letten fordon
Þet dude Belin and his broðer. ah nou þer is an-oðer
Ich hahte Iulius Cezar. þer-fore is min herte sær.
þet me mine ældre dude scome ær ich weore mon ibore.
Ah nu ich wulle sende in-to þon lond
to iwiten at þon bezste. ȝif heo me wulleð buȝen
and ȝif heo me wulleð senden. gauel of heore londe
for ȝif heo wulleð ȝirne grið. nulle ich heom noht fehten wið
Findeð me tweien wise men. þe wel cunnen a speche
He bi-tæhten heom forð-riht. a writ þe wes al idiht
and grætte Cassibellaune. þene king of Bruttaine
Þus seide þat writ. þe wel bar þe ernde
Ich æm Iulius Scesar. þe of Rome em icumen her
Ȝif þu wult ȝirne grið. nele ic þe noht fehten wið
And hiȝendliche me sende. gauel of þine londe
þu sulf mi mon bicumen. and for kaisere me halden
for al hit is min aȝen. þat ic iseo mid min æȝen
Cassibellane i-seh þat writ. þer-fore he wes abolȝen
he wes wunderliche wrah. for þes tidende him wes læð
A writ he lette makien. mid muchere wraððe
al wið-ute grætinge. sende hit Cesar þon kinge
Þat writ to þon keisere com. þeos wordes weoren þer-on idon
Sillich us þuncheð Cezar. þu ært swa wis and swa war
þat þu þenchest to beon keisere of alle quike monne.
Þu ært icumen of Rome þine word beoð swiðe store.
Of ure londe þu axest ȝeld and ne scelt þu þer-fore ȝælpen.
Þu sulf ært swiðe gripel þine gumen sunden ȝefere.
þu þenchest to setten o þin hond al middel-ærdes lond.
We beoð in ane æit-londe at þere worldes ende. at-stonde
þe Bruttes biwunne and [w]e wunieð þer-on.
& freoliche we hit haldeð wið alle weoruld-kingen.
& þe nulle we næuere sende gauel of ure londe.
for ȝif þu weore al swa wis swa ich wende þat þu weore.
þenne woldest þu vnder-stonde [þ]æt we beoð in ure londe.
freo and swa scone swa þi folc is of Rome.
for ure ældere ut of Troye fluȝen and of anne kunne we beoð icumen.
þine aldren and ure at Troye wuren ifeire.
Ȝif þu me wult ilæiuen. boten þu us wulllen bilæiuen
þu scalt of Brutten. muchel balu habben
þu and þine iferen. ȝif þu auere cumest here
For ure aldren weoren kinges. inne þisse londe
Belin & Brenne. beiene to-somne.
heo bi-ȝeten Rome mid richere strengðe.
and hit is ore irihte þat þu an rixlest.
& forði þu ahtest me to ȝulden gauel of þine londe.
and þu hit halst on unriht þer-fore þu scalt habben pliht.
for þu waldest beon min hærre & þu me sculdest buȝen.
Cezar iseh þis writ and he hit wraðliche biheold.
abolȝen he wes on mode he weorp hit to his foten.
Wær beo ȝe mine cnihtes þe gode beoð to fihte.
Leteð ȝarkni mine scipen for nu we scullen wende.
and forð scullen buȝen in-to Bruttaine.
and ni[m]en þer þis londes king and quic hine for-bærnen.
& bi-ȝutten al þat lond to ure aȝere hond.
Sixti scipen heo makeden vnimete muchele.
þeos weoren al neowe stronge & wel itreowe.
of lasse scipen þar weoren swa feole þat nuste na man þe tale.
Þeo com heom a wedere wunderliche feire.
heo ferden from stronde touward þisse londe.
heo turnden to hauene inne þare Temese.
þer þa Temese and þa sæ heom-seoleuen imetteð.
Sone come þa tiðende to þisse londes kinge.
& he hit letten cuðen wide ȝeonde þissere þeode.
þat Cezar wes hider icomen and wrað he ha[f]de þis lon[d] inumen.
Cassibellaune þe king wes war þurh alle þing.
he wuste wel of heore cume þat hauen of Douere he hauede inu[m]en.
Þer lai mid his ferde þe king of þissen earde.
þider com tiðende þat him wæs sær þat icumen wes Iulius Cezar.
Moni wes þe kempe þe wes mid Cassebellaune þe king.
& he hafde enne stiwarde þene wisseste mon of al þis ærde.
Belan he wes ihaten bæȝes he dælde.
he wes cniht swiðe ræh to ræden ane kinge.
vnder þen kinge he heolde þis lond and þas leoden him hereden.
Þe king hehden his broðer sune beiene to-somne.
þe aldre hæhte Androgeus. þe ȝungere Tennantius
þeos weoren beien him bi-foren eorles swiðe balde.
Nennius wes þeos kinges broðer næfde he nenne oðer.
He ferde ut of Cantuarie-burie mid balden his ferden.
Androgeus of Lundene mid Kentisce leoden.
Tennantius of Cornwale his kempen weore kene.
Æridius þe king his Scottes he lædde.
and Britael com to neode Norð Walene king.
& Guærtaæt. þe mode mid þon Suð Walscen.
Co[m] of Galwæie Æssel þe gode.
com of Muriene moni spere kene.
of alle þissen þeoden come to þære neode.
to Cassibellaune kinge of þissen londe.
& þene king lærde al þas leod-cnihtes.
þat he his freo-scipe mid fehte biwunne.
& he heom an hond salde swa þat he wolde.
þat fehten he wolde wið Cezar þe axede lon-gauel her.
Forð-ward heo wenden & his folke fusde.
to þere sæ heo wenden and Cezar þer funden.
Of heore [cume wes war Iulius Cezar]
he cleopede on his cnihtes Ȝarewieð eow to fihte.
for nu is mid ferde icumen Cassibellaunus.
Heo liðede to-gadere mid heore speren longe.
mid axen mid sweorden mid scærpe speres orde.
hard-liche heo heowen hælmes þer gollen.
feonliche heo feohten hafdes þer feollen.
And Cesar þe keisere wes vnimete kene.
his longe sweord he adroh and moni mon þer-mide asloð.
he swonc i þon fehte þat al he lauede asweote.
He sloh þa him neh weoren alle buten iferen.
he dude þer muchelne wunder he sloh þer an hundred.
of ahtere monnen þe feond mid his mæche.
Þat iseh Androgeus and cleopede his fader. Nennius.
and beiene þa eorles buȝen heom to-gaderes.
mid swiðe muchele folke to-gæderen stoden faste.
Iseȝen heo Iulius Cesar fæhten al swa a wilde bar.
and heo him to fusden mid ladliche fehte.
& monie of heore feonden heo fælden to þon grunde.
Þa iseh Nennius wær fæht Cesar Iulius.
and he him to rasde mid ræhæm his sweorde.
vppen þene helm he hine smat þpat þet sweord in bat.
Selkuð hit þuðte moni cnihte.
þat he durste cumen him næh for þan þa þe keisere. wes swa hæh.
Iulius Cesar ne queð nan word ah he bræid ut his sweord.
and Nennium he smat þa uppen þene helm swa.
þat þe helm to-hælde & þat hæfde bledde.
ah he ne blakede no for he wes cniht wel idon.
& Iulius [nefde]. na bræð ah his brond he up ahæf
and Nennius hæf vp his sceld scilde hine sulue.
Iulius adun smat & þat sweord a ðene scelde bat.
Iulius hit wraste & þat sweord stike[de] feste.
Iulius þat sweord heold and Nennius þene sceld.
& þus heo hit longe bi-tuȝen ne mihte he þat sweord ut draȝen.
Þat isæh Androgeus hu uerden Cesar & Nennius.
& heo hem to fusde monie to fulste.
Þa isæh Cesar tiðend þat him wes sær.
he for-lette þene brand þa nefde he noht on his hond.
& he þa feond-liche turnde to flæme.
Nennius wende i þane felde and he turnde his sceld.
droh ut þene brande þa wes þe eorl swiðe bald.
Monie Romanisce men mid þon sweorde he leide adun.
he wes moniennes monnes bone & monianne he dude scome.
Al þat he mid þan sweorde smat þer-riht hit i-wat.
al þat he þer-mid at-ran weore hit flæs weore hit ban.
þurh þeos sweordes wunde heo fullen to þon grunde.
Alle dæi wes þat f[i]ht[e]. a þet com þe þestere niht
Iulius þe kaisere. mid alle þan Romanisce here
dalden from þan fihte. al bi þustere nihte
to hærberȝe heo wenden. uppen þare sæ-stronde
heo bi-lefden bi-æften. twenti hundred cnihten
þeo leien under scelden. i-slæȝen ȝeond þon felden
Cesar iwende to his bedde. his men weoren of-dredde
inne biwakeden in þere nihte. þritti hundred cnihten
mid helmen & mid burnen. & mid stelene sweorden
Iulius Cesar. he wes ȝep and swuðe i-wær
he isæh his muchele lure. & of mære he hæfde kare
he a-ras to þan mid-nihte. and bannede his cnihtes
and seide heom þat heo wolden faren. and fleon of þissen londe
faren into Flandre. and beo þer wuniende
a þat he iseȝen his time. þat he mihten æft cumen liðen
Heo ferden forh-rihte. to scipe al bi nihte
heo hæfden swiðe fair weder. & wenden into Flandre
A-marȝen þa hit dæi wes. þe king mid his duȝeðe
ȝarekede his ferde & wende to þan fihte.
Þeo was Romanisce folc iuaren from here [l]onde.
þat ne funden heo nauer enne of Cesares monnen.
Þa weoren Bruttes bliðe an heore mode.
muchel wes þa blisse þat heo makeden mid iwisse.
and sone þer-æfter særi heo wurðen
& Cassibellaune þe king. iwarð særi þurh alle þing
for Nennius his broðer. ne mihte finden bote
of his hæfued-wunde. þe Iulius smat mid honde
ne þurh nenne læche-cræfte. ne mihte he lif habben
Nes þer nan oðer ræd. buten Nennius iwarð dæ[d]
& Nennius was ilæid. at þon norð ȝæte i Lundene
Þe king næm enne marmestan. & lette hine mid golde bi-gon
mid golde and mid ȝimme. his broðer he leide þer-inne
mid riche-dome þa Bruttes. Nennium bi-burden
Nu þu miht iheren sulke[ð] word þe king nom þat ilke sweorde.
þat Nennius his broðer biwan of Iulius Cesare.
and læide hit bi his broðer þat hit his bone weore.
Wæs þe stelene brond swiðe brad & swiðe long.
þer-on weoren igrauen feole cunne boc-stauen.
æ ðere hilte wes igrauen
þat þa sweord wes i-cleoped. inne Rome Crocia Mors
swa þat sweord hæhte. for hit hauede muchele mahte
Þer-mide þe keisere. þrætede ælches londes here
for nas næuere þe ilke bern. þe auere i-boren weoren
þat of þen ilke sweorde. enne swipe hefde
þat he of his likame. lette ænne drope blod
þat he nes sone dæd. neore he noht swa dohti
Iulius mid his ferde. læi inne Flandre
Þat word com to France. heou he iuaren hæfde
& hu he wæs mid his færde i-flæmde of þissen earde.
Þa weoren þa Frensce men þer-fore swiþe uæine.
for toward Iulius heo hæfden grome. & þi weoren fæin of his scome
Ælc Frensc-mon þe wes aht. hæfð hine seolfne bi-þoht
and seide to his iuere. Ne wurðe he nauere isæle
þe nu and auere-mare. buȝe [to] Cesare
þe Bruttes habbeð ouer-cumen. & of heore londe idriuen
Nulle we him nauere hæren. ne hælde for ure hærre
a[c] wih him we scullen. ure freo-scipe. mid fehte bi-tellen
for ne sunde we na bliðere. þenne beoð þa Bruttes
þe hine habbeoð ut idriuen. & his cnihtes islæȝen
Þis ihærden segge Iulius. þat þa Frenscen speken þus
& þat heo speken of þrætte. & of prute ibeote
He wende into France. mid muchelen his ferde
alse heo noht ne cuðe. þat heo him vuel walden
& sende ȝeond al France. æfter his freo monnen
þat heo comen him to. alswa heo sculden to heore herre don
Alle heo comen him to. & alle hine custen
& alle hine grætten. & heore grame dærnden
Iulius wes swiðe wis. and war on his þonke
he lette bringen muchel gold. and gærsume store
ærst he ȝæf. þæn hæhste. þe eoden him næxte
ȝefuen swiðe riche. of ræden his golde
auerelcne cnihte he ȝef ȝeoue brihte.
mid þere ȝeue he heom ouer-com þat wes þa þat bezste iwan.
& freoliche him bi-hæhte habben þat heo scolden.
Þa weoren heo his freond þe ær weoren his fulle fon.
Whær is þe ilke mon þat me ne mæi mid mede ouer-gan.
þurh þa luue of þan feo feond-scipe aleggen.
makien feolle ifreond þæh heo weoren i-uæiede.
Nu spac Iulius Cesar he wes wis and swiðe iwar.
I-hereð mine Frensce men mine freo cnihtes.
Ich wulle sende to Rome to mine monnen wel idone.
þat heo me sende forð-rihtes fif hundred cnihtes.
for ȝet ich wulle wenden in-to Brut-londe.
& ȝe me scullen uæren mid mid muchelere strengðe.
& þat lond ich wulle biwinnen & þa bet eow scel iwurðen.
for eowre muchele wurð-scipe weole ȝe scullen habben.
Alle eowre flemede men mid mire freondscipen cumen aȝæn
for ȝifuen ich wulle witen. & þe wræcchen makien richen
freo ȝe scullen iwurðen & mine freond-scipe habben.
Þa answare[de] þat hired mid hæhȝere stefne.
Mid þe we wulleð libben & mid þe we wulleð liggen.
and wurð-scipe þe bi-winnen mid strengðe and mid ginnen.
& mid þe we wulleð buȝen mid baldere strengðe.
ouer sæ to Brutlonde to Cassibellaune þa kinge.
& wið him we scullen fihten & wærken þine cnihtes.
& iwinnen al þat lond and setten hit in þire hond.
& þer moste mare to ær þis weoren al i-don.
for al heo weoren særi ær hit soð weore.
Þa Cesar hæfde þis idon & his gærsume idæle[d].
& æc hæfde freond-scipe mid his feo biwunnen.
þa ferde he into Buluine þer him bezst þuðte.
He hehte wurchen ane tur wunderliche fæier.
þe tur wes muchel and hæh & þere sæ heo stod wel neh.
Þe kæisere hire ȝæf nome & Oðeres heo cleopede.
in þare tur stronge þe kæisere wunede longe.
þreottene monðes wunede Iulius in Oðeres.
and þider he lette al cumen gold and his gærsume.
Næs næuere na tur þe swa weore itimbred.
mid crafte swa gode swa þa tur of Oð[er]es.
Þer mihten sitten in þon grunde cnihtes sixti hundred.
& þa turres cop mi[h]te w[reo]n a cniht mid his capen.
Þa þe tur wes al ȝaru þa hæfde Cesar þe lasse kare.
in-to France he wende & sette his wike.
ȝeond al he sette reuwen stronge & hæȝen.
þ[e] fengen þa lond-gauel & mid þan feo sculden faren.
æuer-alcne ȝere to Oðres þeon ture.
Þa lette he wurchen wunderliche muchele
six hundred scipen. & sette heo to hauene
Þa þat wærc wes i-don. & al þat þer bihouede to
þa seide þe keisere. þat to Brut-londe he wolde faren
forð bi his quike liue. nalde he heom swa bi-læuen
Six hundred scipe gode. he fusde i sæ-flode
& nuste na mon þat itel. of þan scipen þat seileden after
& forð-riht heo wenden. in-to þere Temese
Nu þohte Iulius Cezar. ah þer he wes to vn-war
he þohte swa forð teon. æfter þere Temese
rouwen swa longe. þat he come to Londen
& þær heo wolden up faren. & fehten wið Bruttes
& iwinnen al þis lond. to his aȝere hond
Ah nas hit noht swa iloten. for lettinge com on ueste
for sæ-liðende men. seiden þon Brutten
þat þe kaisere Iulius. wolde i Temese cume þus
faren forð to Lunden. & fehten wi[ð] þan leoden
& þa Bruttes iwurðen war. & wisdom bi-þoðten
& nomen longen ræftres. stronge & rihte
mid stronge irene heo weoren iscod. & setten heom i Temese flod
Þer weoren fifti hundred. faste i þon grunde
& þa herre endes ihodede mid irene bendes.
to-ȝænes heom heolden inne þere hauene.
& swa heo þer stoden biwriȝen mid þon flode.
Þa com Iulius Cesar and hær-æf næs na-wiht war.
Þæt weder heom strong-liche drof ster-men þer sungen.
weder heom stod on wille heo wenden w[e]l to speden.
heo urnen touward hauene scipen gunnen helden.
bosmes þer rendden water in wende.
seiles þer helfden aðeles adrunken.
& þa Rom-leoden rameden ȝeond uþen.
Þa scipen wenden to wundre oðer half hundred.
Þer-after com Iulius Cesar on his hurte him wæs sær.
heo scuuen ut heore lof & læiden to þon londe.
& þeo þer-æfter comen weoren war sone.
and heom sælliche i-lomp þæt mesten dæl com a lond.
Heo sloȝen heoren teldes wide ȝeond þa feldes.
& sære menden heoren wines þe adrunken weoren.
Þa wæs þe king war Cassibellaunes.
þat Iulius þe kæisere wes a Lundene mid his hære.
Þa ȝeddede þe king Cassibellaune
Welle broðer Nennius. þat ich þe quic nabbe
& þat sweord Crocea Mors. þe þu biwunne a compe
& þe bi mire side. isund seȝe riden.
an oðer half Androchius & his broðer Tennancius.
siker-lichen we sculden uaren & fehten wið þon kæisere.
& forð we sculen liðen & fellen his leoden.
Cassibellaune Bruttene king wes god cnih[t] þurh alle þing.
He somnede vnimete here & ferde touward þon kæisere.
& þus spec wið his folke & luueliche spilede.
Biðencheð eow ohte cnihtes to bitellen eoweore rihtes.
bi-þencheð a Belin þone king & Brennes his broðer.
hu heo biȝeten Rome mid riche here ferde.
& biwunnen al þa richen þe læien in-to Rome.
& swa heo hit walden wel feole wintre.
& swa heo þer boȝeden þe wile þe heo luueden.
& ich hit sugge eow cnihtes Rome is eowre irihte.
nu hit halt Iulius Cesar þe is tweien icumen her.
& halt þer eower icunde & her eow wule driuen of londe.
& hateð eow swa swiðe þat awei he wule eow driue.
Ȝif ȝe leoseð þis lond ouer-al ȝe wurðe[ð] laðe.
Ah beo ȝe swiðe bisie for we beoð ohte Bruttes.
Cesar is in ure londe & lið her bi sæ-stronde.
Ohliche liðe we him to swa him alre laðest beo.
& awalde we þe keisere & al his Romanisce here.
& aredden ure lond of þan Rom-leodene.
Þa andswereden þa ferde. Varen we biliue.
for Iulius is fæie mid al his Rom-folke.
Forð heo ifusden & ferden biliue.
þat heo þidir comen þer læi þat folk of Rome.
& heo heom to ræsden mid ræhere strengðe.
Laðliche heo feohten & Rom-ware feollen.
þer Cesar folk folden isohten
noht bi tene no bi t[wenti] ah bi twenti þusende.
Swa heo fehten al dæi monie þer weoren fæie.
þet hit com to þere nihte ne mihte Cesar na-mare fihte.
Cesar wes swa swiðe wa & bi-ðohte hine þa.
þat he wolde a þere nihte fleon awæi mid his cnihten.
Iulius Cezar of his lure wes þer war.
he lette blawen his bemen & bannen his ferden.
& lette leode cleopien & ouer-al cuðen.
þat heo comen to heore innes & ȝarekeden heore ginnes.
& fæȝeden heoren wepnen a-marwen heo fusden to fehte.
Þis ihærden þa bisie þe weoren þer bi-hælues.
forð-riht heo comen to Cassibellaune.
& seiden him þat Cesar wulde þe ȝet wunnien þar.
& amarwe he weolde fehten mid alle his cnihten.
& fallen þa Bruttes oðer him-sulf beo fæie.
for þus heo letten cleopien & cuðen ȝeond his ferde.
Ah wa la wa & wala wa. þat Cassibellaune nær iwar
þa he wende swiðe wel don. ah ne dude he hit no
He droh in ane hælue. & toc þan herberwe
& alle þa nihte. greiðeden his cnihtes
heore scæftes & heore sceldes. þa scælkes weoren bischærred
For Iulius Cesar. of his hærme wæs wær
a-buten mid-nihte. he warnede alle his cnihtes
& to scipen ferden & fusden an veste.
Heo hafden swiðe god weder & wenden mid vðen.
heo ledden in heore scipen æiðer deade men and quiken.
moni sorh-fulne sæg sare iwunded.
monienne deadne cniht of Cesares duhȝeðe.
Swa heo wenden mid þon flode to þon tur of Oðres.
þer wes Iulius Cezar an heorte he hafde sorȝe & sar.
Amarȝen þa hit wes dæi-liht hit wes cuð forð-riht.
& æc iseid þon kinge Cassibellaune.
hu Iulius þe kæisere wes from þissen londe ifaren.
& al hu he fusde & flæh mid þon vðen.
þat næs þer bilæued nan of Rom-leoden.
Þa wes þon kinge wa & þus ȝeddede þa.
Wale wale vn-ræd mani cniht þu makest dæd.
Welle þat ich nas ær war þat Iulius wolde wenden.
Ful soh seide þe seg þe þeos saȝe talde.
Ȝif þu ileuest ælcne mon selde þu sælt wel don.
Swa ic wende wel þat þe sæȝe soð weoren.
þe me wes to-niht itald [bi] an eorl swic-ful & bald.
þat Cesar wolde nu to-dæi Brut-lond biwinnen.
oðer her mid sweorde liggen to-swungen.
and al his iuere þe mid him comen here.
Nu wes þis ilke iseid me to bi-swiken.
Wæila wæi wæila wæi þat he is þus i-faren awæi.
& na-þeles ich em bliðe for auere to ure liue.
we m[a]ȝen ouer-sitten þis lond ær he us æft isechen.
for æuere-more he mai imunnen þat he him her imunten
for her liggeð to-ȝere. ten þusend of his iferen
wið-uten his driht-liche scipen. þe i sæ idrunken
Ah wel ich þonkie mine gode. for wurð-scipe ich habbe ibiden
& twien iflemed þene keisere. mid alle his Romanisce leode
& nu ich wulle to Lundene. þa burh ich luuie swuðe
& þer ich wulle halinesse to mine goden halden.
& swiðe heom wurðen for heore wel-dæde.
Þe king lette blawen & bonnien his ferden.
& hehten heom alle faren heom. & hired-men beon bliðe
& fæien heore steden. and græiðen heore iweden
& þas dæies æn þreom wiken. wenden to Lundene
mid wif & mid bernen. blisse to makien
eorles & þeines. cnihtes & sweines
& al þat freoliche folc. of Brut-londes ærde
þene dæie heo vnder-nomen. & to Lundene heo comen
mid swulche riche-dome. [al] swa hit weoren i Rome
Þe king bi-gon seruise. on ælches cunnes wise
æfter þan heðene laȝen. þe stoden o ðen ilkæ daȝen
Þer stoden in þere temple. ten þusend monnen
þet wes þe bezste cure. of al Brut-londe
biforen heore mahun. þe heom þuhte mære
Apolin wes ihaten heo heolden hine for hæhne godd.
Ælc beorn hæfde on heonde ane þechene bærninde.
wæs ælc bald beorn iboned mid golde.
þe king hafde his kine-helm hæhliche on hæfde.
Wæs at-foren þan wæfde imaked an wunlic fur.
þe king warp riches þer-in & alle his hæhste men mid him.
seoððen heo þer offreden aððeles madmes.
& þonkede Appollin his gode þe þa muchele wurðscipe uðen him.
Þa þe seruuinge wes idon þat hit to þe mete com.
þer-of ich wulle þe tellen selcuðe spelles.
Weoren in þeos kinges cuchene twa hundred cokes.
& ne mæi na man tellen for alle þa bermannen.
Islaȝene weoren to þon mele twælf þusend ruðeren sele.
& þritti hundred hærtes & al swa feole hinden.
of þan fohȝel-cunne ne mai hit na mon kennen.
& al þat wæl & al þat gold þe wes ȝeond al þeos kinges lond.
hit wes al isomned [at] þere sereuunge.
Nes hit nauer mid soð itald seoððen þeos weoruld wes a-stald.
þat weore on ane stude swulc ȝifueðe istured.
ne of alche þinge swulc riche-dom iȝiuen & under-fon.
Muri wes þe dæi & liht & þa sonne wes swiðe briht.
weoren þa bernes i-scængte mid beore.
& þa drihliche gumen weoren win-drunken.
Heo ferden ȝeond þa feldes mid scæftes & mid sceldes.
Summe heo gunnen ærnen & somme heo gunnen eornen.
& summe heo gunnen pleien pliht com on ueste.
Summen pleoden on tæuelbrede & summen ærnden heore stede.
Þa weoren þer tweiene prute heo weoren beien.
Herigal hehte þe an Æueling þe oðer.
Herigal wes þes kinges mæi þet wes hærm a þen ilke dæi.
ahte cniht wes Auelin Androgeus wes is hem.
Þeos tweien cnihtes bi-gunnen mid sceldes to scurmen.
ærst heo pleoweden and seoððe pliht makeden.
þer Herigal smat Æuelin swiðe vuele a þane chin.
Heo bigunnen to chiden cnihtes come riden.
Euelin wes swiðe wrað & mid þan stæue to-draf.
and smat Herigal a þon ribben þat þe stæf to-bræc amidden.
Þa queð þe cniht Herigal Euelin þat is swiðe sar.
þu me smite bi þon rugge ah sare þu hit slat a-buggen.
for nu þi stæf is to-broken balu þe scal beon ȝifueðe.
Euielin wes swiðe sari þat him wes swa ilumpen.
þe oðer wolde him habben dæd hit þuhte him swiðe hærd ræd.
& he hine bi-þohte wæt he don mihte
nefde he noht on his hond. bute enne luttelne sceld
Isæh he enne hendlicne mon. þe þer stod bi-haluen
þe wes þudere icumen. for to i-seon þare cnihte gomen
þe ȝunge mon heold on his hond. enne stelene brond
Euielin þene brond igrap. mid grimliche lechen
& braid hine of þere scæðe þa wes his hurte æðe.
He ræsde to Herigale & smat hine swi[ð]e sare.
þat his neb & his neose niðer ba heolden.
æft he him to sweinde & þa hond him of-swipte.
dunt he him ȝef þane þridde & for-smat hine amidde.
Swa endede þæ pleowe þat Herigal læi of-sloȝen.
and Euelin þonene wende his sweord he bar on honde.
ne funde he nonne swa kene mon þat hond him durste leggen on.
al þat folc he bi-bæh to Androchies inne he flæh.
Þet iherde þe king icud h[it] wes him sone.
hu hit al wes ifaren & hu Herigal læi of-slæwen.
Þe king nom þreo aldere men and sende to Androgeum.
and hehte hine bringen his mæi to þon kinge.
to þolie þes kinges dom for þan slæhte þe [he] hafde idon.
and ȝif he swa nolde he hine flæme wolde.
Þa answerede Androgeus and toward þan kinge he spæc þus.
Nulle ich hine bringen for nauer nane þinge.
þat me Euelin for-do noþer slæ ne na a-ho
Ah ich habbe freo lond. þat freoliche stont a mire honde
& ich habbe min [hired] heh vnder þon kinge.
Ȝif her is æni cniht þe of Eueline axeð riht.
come to mine herede & þer he hit scal habben.
& ich sugge eow to soðe nis þer ræd nan oðer
Þis wes sone icuð. to Cassibellaune
Þe king iwarð him swiðe wrað. swulc he weore of witte
& þeos ilkæ word him seide. Cassibellaune
Ut of min æh-senen. Androgeus & his iueren
& ȝif ich hine mai eower ifon. in þon stude he beð for-don
Androgeus forð-rihtes. nom alle his cnihtes
& anan gon liðen. ut of Lundenne
& iwenden in-to Kent. to his ane castle
and hine strongede wel. mid mete & mid wepnen
& þe king nom Lundene & þat lond. to his aȝere hond
& seoððen fusde in-to Kent. mid muchelere ferde
mid here and mid fure. þat lond for-ferde swiðe
Androgeus nom tweie cnihtes. & sende to þon kinge
& þus þe cnihtes him spæken wið. King Androgeus ȝeornneð þi grið
Androgeus is þin aȝene. mon. al þine wille he wule don
wið þon þe þu him ȝeue grið. & late hine sæhtne þe wið
and leten bi-leuen þine brune. his lond þe þu for-bærnest
I-þench þat he wes Lu[d]es sune. of þine broðer he is icumen
& his fader ahte al þat lond. þat nu stondeð a þire hond
And al hit þuncð him wel idon. ȝif þu his sæhtnesse wult vnder-fon
bute nele he þe nauere Euelin. mid ærhðe bitæchen
þat þu him sculle oðer don. oðer slæn oðer a-hon
Þa þe king iherde þis. þa wes he wræð ful iwis
and þus seide þe king Cassebellaune.
What beo ȝe mine kemppen
mine driht-liche men. Wrekeð me of Androgeum
His lond ich wulle for-bærnen. & his bone iwurðen
Þis iherden suggen Androgeus. & he answerede þus
Whilen hit wes iseid inne soð spelle.
þat moni mon deð muchel vuel al his vnðankes.
Swa ich moht nu neode for muchere neode.
Þe mon þe þoleð þat me hine wule for-don þat ich telle vnwis-dom.
þe while he mæi þurh æni cræft i compe hine werien.
Ælc cniht ah an uuel to don ær he wurse vnder-fon.
and swa ich æuere bere sceld and spere sende ich wulle to þon kæisere.
& græten Iulius Cesare & mænen to him mi sar.
& bedden þat he me ræde for nu ich habbe neode.
Androgeus þe riche cnihte makede a writ wel idiht.
& nom erendrake godne & sende him to Oðres.
to Iulius þon kæisere mid al his Romanisce here
& þus wes þat writ idiht. & þus hit spæc forð-riht
Hail beo þu mid þine here. Iulius þe keisere
Þu hattes Iulius Cezar. to þe ich mæne mi sær
Androgeus þin aȝene mon þis nis nan swike-dom
for þat weord þat ich þe sende. bi mine liue ich hit halde
& þu hit nult ileuen beoten hit læssingge beo.
ich hit wulle trousien þurh minne tir-fulne godd.
þurh mine lauerd Appollin þe leof me is on heorte.
For ofte hit is ilumpen inne feole leoden.
þet æfter muchele hatinge hehȝe men heom luuede.
& æfter muchel weorld-scome wurð-scipe wurhten.
Twien þu hafuest i-beon ouer-cummen & þine men we habbeð islæn. & inome
& idriuen þe of Brut-londe mid feht swiðe stronge.
mid us þu hæfuest bileued moni þeosend kempen.
Þat nes noht þurh ure kinge Cassibellaune.
ah hit wes þurh me seolfne & þurh sele mine folke.
for ich lædde mid me Lundene uerde.
& [eke] al þa Kent-wærre þe kempen weoren gode.
& þer-wið-ute monienne Brut þe bald wes to fehten.
Seoððen we þe hafden ouer-comen & þi folke i-slaȝen an i-inomen.
Nu is Cassibellaune & his men swa modi iwurðen.
þet mid fehte heo wulleð me sende ut of Brut-londe.
fleme me from leoden feor from londe.
Mi lond heo habbeoð me al i-west & Lundene me biræued.
& me sulfne heo þencheð quellen and alle mine kempen.
Ȝif þu þis writ iheren wult hit wule þe suggen minne gult.
Þa þu weoren from us iliðe at þa latere cherre.
þa wes þa king swa bliðe swa he nas nauer ære on his liue.
& on oðer halue he hæfde kare for he nusten þat þu woldest faren.
Noþe-les he seide at-foren al his duȝeðe.
Nu is Iulius awei ifloȝen tweien he is aflemed.
tweien he com to Bruttene þer him wes balu ȝeueðe.
ne þurfe we nu nauer-mare iseon hine cumen here.
for her beoð his bezste cnihtes islæȝen in ure fehte.
& nu we sulleð for heore beone bliðe iwurðen.
Scullen alle mine Bruttes mid baldere prute.
liðen to Lundene & þer lof makien.
vre lauerde Appollin & alle ure goden mid him.
for þere muchele wurðe-scipe þe ich nu walde.
Þus lið[d]en to Lundene alle Brut-leoden.
cnihtes & ð[r]inges mid wifue & mid children.
& mid alle þe wurð-scipe þe heo weoren wældinde ouer.
Þa we þus comen to Lundene we gunnen lof makien.
ure lauerd Apollin. & alle ure goden mid him
Seoððen þeos weorld wes astalled. nes hit nowher itald
þat weore nowhar swa muchel mete. iuorððed to ane mele
ne swa muchel god dringe. folke ideled
Euelin i-seh enne gume. ȝungen him bi-halfues
& bar an his riht hond. ænne stelene brond
Euelin him ræsde to. & hine ræhliche græp
[an] hiȝinge he þat sweord adroh. & Herigal of-sloh
Þat iherde þe king. Cassibellaune
þat Herigal wes of-slaȝen. and Euelin awæi ifloȝen
to me he sende his seonde. wið-uten gretinge
hehte me bringe to him. mine mæi Euelin
swiðe bringe hine him to. to þolien his hirdes dom
for an of þon he weolden him don. oðer slan oðer an-hon
& ȝif ich þat nalde. ich scolde fleon of his on-walde
& ȝif he mihte me seoluen ifon. he me walden slæn oðer an-hon
Ich ȝirnde þes kinges g[r]ið. & walde sæhtnen him wið.
& riht him don i mine hirde for ich wes his eorl þe hehste.
ah nolde ich him neuere Euelin to ærmðen him bi-tache.
& he me a-flemde sone from hirede.
Lundene he hæfueð me bi-nome & mine cnihtes o[f]slaȝen.
Naðeles ich habbe an hirede twa and fifti hundred.
& ȝet ich habbe an honde twenti castles stronge.
& mi-seolf ich wunie inne Kent mid kene mine beornnen.
& þe king me fehteð wið & nule me ȝeuen na grið.
Nu þu hauest iherd mi sær lauerd Iulius Cesar.
al mid soðe worden alse þis writ þe telleð.
A þisse write ich habbe idon þat ich wulle bi-cumen þin mon.
& halden þe for herre for hehne mine lauerd.
wið þan þe þu me helpe a[t] heȝere neode.
& aredde me of þon kinge. Cassibellaune
Þas weord ich wulle þe treosien. þurh mine tirfulne god
þat ich hit wulle soðien. ase ich hit bi write suggen
& cum hiȝend-liche to Britteine. þat lond ich þe biteche
þurh me þu hit bi-læfdes. & þurh me þu hit scalt habben
Þis writ iherde Iulius. þe him hafde i-send Androgeus
þa enswerede. Iulius þe keisere
Nulle ich him ileuen. þur[h] alle leodene að
bute he me sende anan. his feire sune Cenan
& þritti oðere ȝisles. to Oðres me sende
þeo beon alle icornne & hæȝe ibornne.
Ȝif he þis wule don his bod ic wulle a-fon.
& cumen him to helpe mid hæȝere strengðe.
Þas word sende Iulius mid write to Androgeus.
Androgeus forð-riht anan sende his sune Cenan.
& þritti ȝi[s]les oðere he sende him to Oðeres.
And Iulius þe sele to þere sa i-wende.
mid alle his folke fusde touward Burttene.
anan swa hit daȝede he com up at Douere.
Þat word him herde Androgeus & sone þider wende.
& þas wordes seide Androgeus Wulcume ært þu Iulius.
swiðe leof þu ært me þis lond ich þe bitæche.
Heo speken to-somne & spileden mid sehte.
Þeo while hefede þe king Cassibellaune.
ȝeond al his kinelond isomned ferde stronge.
to Lundene he wolde liðen & enne castel biliggen.
þe Androgeus þe stronge hafde þa ȝet an honde.
Þa þe ferde wes al igadered þa com an gume ærnen.
& anan he þus cleopede to Cassibellaune.
Hal seo þu ure king Ich þe bringe tiðende.
of þon Rom-leoden þe laðe þe beoð an heorten.
Alle heo beoð i Doure þine dæd-liche iuan.
& þer is Androgeus to speken wið Iulius.
Þeos word beoð soðe þe ich her sugge.
and þench mid wulche deden þu miht werien þine leoden.
Þa wes særi þe king Cassibellaune.
& lette biliue blawen his beme.
cuðen his kempen þa tiðende neow-cumene.
þat Iulius þe kæisere. mid his Romanisce here
wes þer-riht icumen. and þa hauene at Doure hafde inomen
Þa sæide þe king. Cassibellaune
Lundene we mote bilæuen. & to Doure liðen
Bonnieð ure ferde. & fare we bi-liue
Forð ferde þe king. mid vnimete folke
riht towarde Doure. to his muchelen vn-bihoue
Þat iherde Iulius Cesar. he wes wis and swiðe iwar
þat þuderward com on ueste. Cassibellaune
Þa wes Iulius bliðe. for þe tiðende leofue
he ferde ut of Doure. bi þe sæ-oure
in-to ane muchele slæde. & slahliche his folc hudde
And Androgeus wende. in-to ane oðere ende
to ane wilderne in-to ane wude muchele.
& þus spec Androgeus & wið his folke spilede þus.
Ne wurðe nan cniht swa wod ne kempe swa wilde.
þat he æuere speke worde furðer þene his speres ord.
ne from his ifere ride for to-somnen we scullen gliden
faste to-gadere. & ure i-fan fællen
& ȝif here is æi heredring. þe maȝen nimen þene king
nime hine mid i-sunde. & ne ȝefue him nane wunde
for he is mi lauer[d] & mi cu[n]. nulle ich hine quellen
[ah we scullen] al his folk feollen to grunde.
& ȝemen þes fehtes & nawiht þes fenges.
fællen þa ræȝe & læten þa ræf liggen.
& al swa lerde Iu[lius] leoue his cnihtes
Iulius hæfde to iueren. þritti hundred riderne
cnihtes. i-corene. kene-wurð kempen
& Androgeus hæfde to iueren. ten þusend rideren
Al-swa heo þus leien stille. & bi-diemden heore wille
þer com þe king riden. Cassibellaune
mid vnimete ferde. mid vnimete folke
& com heom bi-tweonen. þer heo þoleden teonen
Iulius him wes biforen. Androgeus bihinden
ah Androgeus. ær awoc. & ut of wude wende
& al þat folc þe he lædde lude hit grædde.
bleowen here bemen belden heore beornes.
& heom toward wenden on euere-elchen ende.
Þis iherde þe king Cassibelaune.
iherde he þene muchelne dræm & þene dune muchelne.
he seide forð-rihtes Wepneð eow cnihtes.
Þes kinges heorte wes ful sær he wende þat hit weore Cesar.
ah Cesær mid his ginne bi-uoren wes ful stille.
and ihærde þane dræm wel of Androgeus folke.
& Iulius wes al rædi alse he to wolde ræsen.
& Cassibellaune þe king nuste her-of na-þing.
ah he wepnede his cnihtes and ȝarewede heom to fehten.
Ær heo weoren hælf ȝaru þer com Androgeus faren.
and he fusde heom to mid feondliche strengðe.
Þe cnihtes þe weoren igarede bi-gunnen to fæhten.
& Androgeus heom to mid aðelere stre[n]gðe.
æt þon frum-ræsen he feolde of þon folke.
feowerti hundred þat folke wes þæ læsse.
Þa wolde þat folke fleon þer com Iulius teon.
forn aȝæien heore hæued & heom to heolde.
of þon folke he sloh muchel & uni-foh.
Þa fleh Bruttene king Cassibellaune.
wel ofte him wes wa neuer wurse þene þa.
Iulius him wes bi-foren Androgeus him bæften.
& on ælche side siȝen to his hærme.
Þe king hine bi-þohte Cassibellaune.
i-sæh him bi-hælues ænne holt hæhne.
bi ænnes wudes ende þider he gon wenden.
and muchel of his folke floȝen mid þon kinge.
& a-stiȝen uppe þen hul mid muchele mod-sorȝe.
naþeles þer up þurngen fiftene þusunde.
Wes þe mu[n]t swiðe hæh hasles þer greowen.
Þa spæc Iulius Cezar. he wes wis and swiðe iwar
Wel ich hit wæt what Bruttis wæs. for mine bæc hit me suggeð
alle we comen of ane kunne. alse þe bæc hit us cuððe[ð]
Vre aldren weoren i Troie. þer heo teone þoleden
æt þon muchele fæhte. moni þeosend þer weoren fæie
Þa heo weoren ouer-cumen. þæ quahten heo wide
and ferde sichinde lond. þer heo mihten on libben
Þer Bruttus bi-com. and to his liue he wunede þer-an
Þeonnenen come þa kinges. þe weoren wunder kene
Belin and Brennes. þe Rome bi-wunnen
Heo for-ferde Rome. þa burh wel idone
heo nomen of Romanisce londe. muchel seoluer & gold
heore ȝisles heo letten an-hon. heore folc heo letten fordon
Þet dude Belin and his broðer. ah nou þer is an-oðer
Ich hahte Iulius Cezar. þer-fore is min herte sær.
þet me mine ældre dude scome ær ich weore mon ibore.
Ah nu ich wulle sende in-to þon lond
to iwiten at þon bezste. ȝif heo me wulleð buȝen
and ȝif heo me wulleð senden. gauel of heore londe
for ȝif heo wulleð ȝirne grið. nulle ich heom noht fehten wið
Findeð me tweien wise men. þe wel cunnen a speche
192
and grætte Cassibellaune. þene king of Bruttaine
Þus seide þat writ. þe wel bar þe ernde
Ich æm Iulius Scesar. þe of Rome em icumen her
Ȝif þu wult ȝirne grið. nele ic þe noht fehten wið
And hiȝendliche me sende. gauel of þine londe
þu sulf mi mon bicumen. and for kaisere me halden
for al hit is min aȝen. þat ic iseo mid min æȝen
Cassibellane i-seh þat writ. þer-fore he wes abolȝen
he wes wunderliche wrah. for þes tidende him wes læð
A writ he lette makien. mid muchere wraððe
al wið-ute grætinge. sende hit Cesar þon kinge
Þat writ to þon keisere com. þeos wordes weoren þer-on idon
Sillich us þuncheð Cezar. þu ært swa wis and swa war
þat þu þenchest to beon keisere of alle quike monne.
Þu ært icumen of Rome þine word beoð swiðe store.
Of ure londe þu axest ȝeld and ne scelt þu þer-fore ȝælpen.
Þu sulf ært swiðe gripel þine gumen sunden ȝefere.
þu þenchest to setten o þin hond al middel-ærdes lond.
We beoð in ane æit-londe at þere worldes ende. at-stonde
þe Bruttes biwunne and [w]e wunieð þer-on.
& freoliche we hit haldeð wið alle weoruld-kingen.
& þe nulle we næuere sende gauel of ure londe.
for ȝif þu weore al swa wis swa ich wende þat þu weore.
þenne woldest þu vnder-stonde [þ]æt we beoð in ure londe.
freo and swa scone swa þi folc is of Rome.
for ure ældere ut of Troye fluȝen and of anne kunne we beoð icumen.
þine aldren and ure at Troye wuren ifeire.
Ȝif þu me wult ilæiuen. boten þu us wulllen bilæiuen
þu scalt of Brutten. muchel balu habben
þu and þine iferen. ȝif þu auere cumest here
For ure aldren weoren kinges. inne þisse londe
Belin & Brenne. beiene to-somne.
heo bi-ȝeten Rome mid richere strengðe.
and hit is ore irihte þat þu an rixlest.
& forði þu ahtest me to ȝulden gauel of þine londe.
and þu hit halst on unriht þer-fore þu scalt habben pliht.
for þu waldest beon min hærre & þu me sculdest buȝen.
194
abolȝen he wes on mode he weorp hit to his foten.
Wær beo ȝe mine cnihtes þe gode beoð to fihte.
Leteð ȝarkni mine scipen for nu we scullen wende.
and forð scullen buȝen in-to Bruttaine.
and ni[m]en þer þis londes king and quic hine for-bærnen.
& bi-ȝutten al þat lond to ure aȝere hond.
Sixti scipen heo makeden vnimete muchele.
þeos weoren al neowe stronge & wel itreowe.
of lasse scipen þar weoren swa feole þat nuste na man þe tale.
Þeo com heom a wedere wunderliche feire.
heo ferden from stronde touward þisse londe.
heo turnden to hauene inne þare Temese.
þer þa Temese and þa sæ heom-seoleuen imetteð.
Sone come þa tiðende to þisse londes kinge.
& he hit letten cuðen wide ȝeonde þissere þeode.
þat Cezar wes hider icomen and wrað he ha[f]de þis lon[d] inumen.
Cassibellaune þe king wes war þurh alle þing.
he wuste wel of heore cume þat hauen of Douere he hauede inu[m]en.
Þer lai mid his ferde þe king of þissen earde.
þider com tiðende þat him wæs sær þat icumen wes Iulius Cezar.
Moni wes þe kempe þe wes mid Cassebellaune þe king.
& he hafde enne stiwarde þene wisseste mon of al þis ærde.
Belan he wes ihaten bæȝes he dælde.
he wes cniht swiðe ræh to ræden ane kinge.
vnder þen kinge he heolde þis lond and þas leoden him hereden.
Þe king hehden his broðer sune beiene to-somne.
þe aldre hæhte Androgeus. þe ȝungere Tennantius
þeos weoren beien him bi-foren eorles swiðe balde.
Nennius wes þeos kinges broðer næfde he nenne oðer.
He ferde ut of Cantuarie-burie mid balden his ferden.
Androgeus of Lundene mid Kentisce leoden.
Tennantius of Cornwale his kempen weore kene.
Æridius þe king his Scottes he lædde.
and Britael com to neode Norð Walene king.
& Guærtaæt. þe mode mid þon Suð Walscen.
Co[m] of Galwæie Æssel þe gode.
com of Muriene moni spere kene.
196
to Cassibellaune kinge of þissen londe.
& þene king lærde al þas leod-cnihtes.
þat he his freo-scipe mid fehte biwunne.
& he heom an hond salde swa þat he wolde.
þat fehten he wolde wið Cezar þe axede lon-gauel her.
Forð-ward heo wenden & his folke fusde.
to þere sæ heo wenden and Cezar þer funden.
Of heore [cume wes war Iulius Cezar]
he cleopede on his cnihtes Ȝarewieð eow to fihte.
for nu is mid ferde icumen Cassibellaunus.
Heo liðede to-gadere mid heore speren longe.
mid axen mid sweorden mid scærpe speres orde.
hard-liche heo heowen hælmes þer gollen.
feonliche heo feohten hafdes þer feollen.
And Cesar þe keisere wes vnimete kene.
his longe sweord he adroh and moni mon þer-mide asloð.
he swonc i þon fehte þat al he lauede asweote.
He sloh þa him neh weoren alle buten iferen.
he dude þer muchelne wunder he sloh þer an hundred.
of ahtere monnen þe feond mid his mæche.
Þat iseh Androgeus and cleopede his fader. Nennius.
and beiene þa eorles buȝen heom to-gaderes.
mid swiðe muchele folke to-gæderen stoden faste.
Iseȝen heo Iulius Cesar fæhten al swa a wilde bar.
and heo him to fusden mid ladliche fehte.
& monie of heore feonden heo fælden to þon grunde.
Þa iseh Nennius wær fæht Cesar Iulius.
and he him to rasde mid ræhæm his sweorde.
vppen þene helm he hine smat þpat þet sweord in bat.
Selkuð hit þuðte moni cnihte.
þat he durste cumen him næh for þan þa þe keisere. wes swa hæh.
Iulius Cesar ne queð nan word ah he bræid ut his sweord.
and Nennium he smat þa uppen þene helm swa.
þat þe helm to-hælde & þat hæfde bledde.
ah he ne blakede no for he wes cniht wel idon.
& Iulius [nefde]. na bræð ah his brond he up ahæf
and Nennius hæf vp his sceld scilde hine sulue.
Iulius adun smat & þat sweord a ðene scelde bat.
Iulius hit wraste & þat sweord stike[de] feste.
198
& þus heo hit longe bi-tuȝen ne mihte he þat sweord ut draȝen.
Þat isæh Androgeus hu uerden Cesar & Nennius.
& heo hem to fusde monie to fulste.
Þa isæh Cesar tiðend þat him wes sær.
he for-lette þene brand þa nefde he noht on his hond.
& he þa feond-liche turnde to flæme.
Nennius wende i þane felde and he turnde his sceld.
droh ut þene brande þa wes þe eorl swiðe bald.
Monie Romanisce men mid þon sweorde he leide adun.
he wes moniennes monnes bone & monianne he dude scome.
Al þat he mid þan sweorde smat þer-riht hit i-wat.
al þat he þer-mid at-ran weore hit flæs weore hit ban.
þurh þeos sweordes wunde heo fullen to þon grunde.
Alle dæi wes þat f[i]ht[e]. a þet com þe þestere niht
Iulius þe kaisere. mid alle þan Romanisce here
dalden from þan fihte. al bi þustere nihte
to hærberȝe heo wenden. uppen þare sæ-stronde
heo bi-lefden bi-æften. twenti hundred cnihten
þeo leien under scelden. i-slæȝen ȝeond þon felden
Cesar iwende to his bedde. his men weoren of-dredde
inne biwakeden in þere nihte. þritti hundred cnihten
mid helmen & mid burnen. & mid stelene sweorden
Iulius Cesar. he wes ȝep and swuðe i-wær
he isæh his muchele lure. & of mære he hæfde kare
he a-ras to þan mid-nihte. and bannede his cnihtes
and seide heom þat heo wolden faren. and fleon of þissen londe
faren into Flandre. and beo þer wuniende
a þat he iseȝen his time. þat he mihten æft cumen liðen
Heo ferden forh-rihte. to scipe al bi nihte
heo hæfden swiðe fair weder. & wenden into Flandre
A-marȝen þa hit dæi wes. þe king mid his duȝeðe
ȝarekede his ferde & wende to þan fihte.
Þeo was Romanisce folc iuaren from here [l]onde.
þat ne funden heo nauer enne of Cesares monnen.
Þa weoren Bruttes bliðe an heore mode.
muchel wes þa blisse þat heo makeden mid iwisse.
and sone þer-æfter særi heo wurðen
& Cassibellaune þe king. iwarð særi þurh alle þing
for Nennius his broðer. ne mihte finden bote
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ne þurh nenne læche-cræfte. ne mihte he lif habben
Nes þer nan oðer ræd. buten Nennius iwarð dæ[d]
& Nennius was ilæid. at þon norð ȝæte i Lundene
Þe king næm enne marmestan. & lette hine mid golde bi-gon
mid golde and mid ȝimme. his broðer he leide þer-inne
mid riche-dome þa Bruttes. Nennium bi-burden
Nu þu miht iheren sulke[ð] word þe king nom þat ilke sweorde.
þat Nennius his broðer biwan of Iulius Cesare.
and læide hit bi his broðer þat hit his bone weore.
Wæs þe stelene brond swiðe brad & swiðe long.
þer-on weoren igrauen feole cunne boc-stauen.
æ ðere hilte wes igrauen
þat þa sweord wes i-cleoped. inne Rome Crocia Mors
swa þat sweord hæhte. for hit hauede muchele mahte
Þer-mide þe keisere. þrætede ælches londes here
for nas næuere þe ilke bern. þe auere i-boren weoren
þat of þen ilke sweorde. enne swipe hefde
þat he of his likame. lette ænne drope blod
þat he nes sone dæd. neore he noht swa dohti
Iulius mid his ferde. læi inne Flandre
Þat word com to France. heou he iuaren hæfde
& hu he wæs mid his færde i-flæmde of þissen earde.
Þa weoren þa Frensce men þer-fore swiþe uæine.
for toward Iulius heo hæfden grome. & þi weoren fæin of his scome
Ælc Frensc-mon þe wes aht. hæfð hine seolfne bi-þoht
and seide to his iuere. Ne wurðe he nauere isæle
þe nu and auere-mare. buȝe [to] Cesare
þe Bruttes habbeð ouer-cumen. & of heore londe idriuen
Nulle we him nauere hæren. ne hælde for ure hærre
a[c] wih him we scullen. ure freo-scipe. mid fehte bi-tellen
for ne sunde we na bliðere. þenne beoð þa Bruttes
þe hine habbeoð ut idriuen. & his cnihtes islæȝen
Þis ihærden segge Iulius. þat þa Frenscen speken þus
& þat heo speken of þrætte. & of prute ibeote
He wende into France. mid muchelen his ferde
alse heo noht ne cuðe. þat heo him vuel walden
& sende ȝeond al France. æfter his freo monnen
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Alle heo comen him to. & alle hine custen
& alle hine grætten. & heore grame dærnden
Iulius wes swiðe wis. and war on his þonke
he lette bringen muchel gold. and gærsume store
ærst he ȝæf. þæn hæhste. þe eoden him næxte
ȝefuen swiðe riche. of ræden his golde
auerelcne cnihte he ȝef ȝeoue brihte.
mid þere ȝeue he heom ouer-com þat wes þa þat bezste iwan.
& freoliche him bi-hæhte habben þat heo scolden.
Þa weoren heo his freond þe ær weoren his fulle fon.
Whær is þe ilke mon þat me ne mæi mid mede ouer-gan.
þurh þa luue of þan feo feond-scipe aleggen.
makien feolle ifreond þæh heo weoren i-uæiede.
Nu spac Iulius Cesar he wes wis and swiðe iwar.
I-hereð mine Frensce men mine freo cnihtes.
Ich wulle sende to Rome to mine monnen wel idone.
þat heo me sende forð-rihtes fif hundred cnihtes.
for ȝet ich wulle wenden in-to Brut-londe.
& ȝe me scullen uæren mid mid muchelere strengðe.
& þat lond ich wulle biwinnen & þa bet eow scel iwurðen.
for eowre muchele wurð-scipe weole ȝe scullen habben.
Alle eowre flemede men mid mire freondscipen cumen aȝæn
for ȝifuen ich wulle witen. & þe wræcchen makien richen
freo ȝe scullen iwurðen & mine freond-scipe habben.
Þa answare[de] þat hired mid hæhȝere stefne.
Mid þe we wulleð libben & mid þe we wulleð liggen.
and wurð-scipe þe bi-winnen mid strengðe and mid ginnen.
& mid þe we wulleð buȝen mid baldere strengðe.
ouer sæ to Brutlonde to Cassibellaune þa kinge.
& wið him we scullen fihten & wærken þine cnihtes.
& iwinnen al þat lond and setten hit in þire hond.
& þer moste mare to ær þis weoren al i-don.
for al heo weoren særi ær hit soð weore.
Þa Cesar hæfde þis idon & his gærsume idæle[d].
& æc hæfde freond-scipe mid his feo biwunnen.
þa ferde he into Buluine þer him bezst þuðte.
He hehte wurchen ane tur wunderliche fæier.
þe tur wes muchel and hæh & þere sæ heo stod wel neh.
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in þare tur stronge þe kæisere wunede longe.
þreottene monðes wunede Iulius in Oðeres.
and þider he lette al cumen gold and his gærsume.
Næs næuere na tur þe swa weore itimbred.
mid crafte swa gode swa þa tur of Oð[er]es.
Þer mihten sitten in þon grunde cnihtes sixti hundred.
& þa turres cop mi[h]te w[reo]n a cniht mid his capen.
Þa þe tur wes al ȝaru þa hæfde Cesar þe lasse kare.
in-to France he wende & sette his wike.
ȝeond al he sette reuwen stronge & hæȝen.
þ[e] fengen þa lond-gauel & mid þan feo sculden faren.
æuer-alcne ȝere to Oðres þeon ture.
Þa lette he wurchen wunderliche muchele
six hundred scipen. & sette heo to hauene
Þa þat wærc wes i-don. & al þat þer bihouede to
þa seide þe keisere. þat to Brut-londe he wolde faren
forð bi his quike liue. nalde he heom swa bi-læuen
Six hundred scipe gode. he fusde i sæ-flode
& nuste na mon þat itel. of þan scipen þat seileden after
& forð-riht heo wenden. in-to þere Temese
Nu þohte Iulius Cezar. ah þer he wes to vn-war
he þohte swa forð teon. æfter þere Temese
rouwen swa longe. þat he come to Londen
& þær heo wolden up faren. & fehten wið Bruttes
& iwinnen al þis lond. to his aȝere hond
Ah nas hit noht swa iloten. for lettinge com on ueste
for sæ-liðende men. seiden þon Brutten
þat þe kaisere Iulius. wolde i Temese cume þus
faren forð to Lunden. & fehten wi[ð] þan leoden
& þa Bruttes iwurðen war. & wisdom bi-þoðten
& nomen longen ræftres. stronge & rihte
mid stronge irene heo weoren iscod. & setten heom i Temese flod
Þer weoren fifti hundred. faste i þon grunde
& þa herre endes ihodede mid irene bendes.
to-ȝænes heom heolden inne þere hauene.
& swa heo þer stoden biwriȝen mid þon flode.
Þa com Iulius Cesar and hær-æf næs na-wiht war.
Þæt weder heom strong-liche drof ster-men þer sungen.
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heo urnen touward hauene scipen gunnen helden.
bosmes þer rendden water in wende.
seiles þer helfden aðeles adrunken.
& þa Rom-leoden rameden ȝeond uþen.
Þa scipen wenden to wundre oðer half hundred.
Þer-after com Iulius Cesar on his hurte him wæs sær.
heo scuuen ut heore lof & læiden to þon londe.
& þeo þer-æfter comen weoren war sone.
and heom sælliche i-lomp þæt mesten dæl com a lond.
Heo sloȝen heoren teldes wide ȝeond þa feldes.
& sære menden heoren wines þe adrunken weoren.
Þa wæs þe king war Cassibellaunes.
þat Iulius þe kæisere wes a Lundene mid his hære.
Þa ȝeddede þe king Cassibellaune
Welle broðer Nennius. þat ich þe quic nabbe
& þat sweord Crocea Mors. þe þu biwunne a compe
& þe bi mire side. isund seȝe riden.
an oðer half Androchius & his broðer Tennancius.
siker-lichen we sculden uaren & fehten wið þon kæisere.
& forð we sculen liðen & fellen his leoden.
Cassibellaune Bruttene king wes god cnih[t] þurh alle þing.
He somnede vnimete here & ferde touward þon kæisere.
& þus spec wið his folke & luueliche spilede.
Biðencheð eow ohte cnihtes to bitellen eoweore rihtes.
bi-þencheð a Belin þone king & Brennes his broðer.
hu heo biȝeten Rome mid riche here ferde.
& biwunnen al þa richen þe læien in-to Rome.
& swa heo hit walden wel feole wintre.
& swa heo þer boȝeden þe wile þe heo luueden.
& ich hit sugge eow cnihtes Rome is eowre irihte.
nu hit halt Iulius Cesar þe is tweien icumen her.
& halt þer eower icunde & her eow wule driuen of londe.
& hateð eow swa swiðe þat awei he wule eow driue.
Ȝif ȝe leoseð þis lond ouer-al ȝe wurðe[ð] laðe.
Ah beo ȝe swiðe bisie for we beoð ohte Bruttes.
Cesar is in ure londe & lið her bi sæ-stronde.
Ohliche liðe we him to swa him alre laðest beo.
& awalde we þe keisere & al his Romanisce here.
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Þa andswereden þa ferde. Varen we biliue.
for Iulius is fæie mid al his Rom-folke.
Forð heo ifusden & ferden biliue.
þat heo þidir comen þer læi þat folk of Rome.
& heo heom to ræsden mid ræhere strengðe.
Laðliche heo feohten & Rom-ware feollen.
þer Cesar folk folden isohten
noht bi tene no bi t[wenti] ah bi twenti þusende.
Swa heo fehten al dæi monie þer weoren fæie.
þet hit com to þere nihte ne mihte Cesar na-mare fihte.
Cesar wes swa swiðe wa & bi-ðohte hine þa.
þat he wolde a þere nihte fleon awæi mid his cnihten.
Iulius Cezar of his lure wes þer war.
he lette blawen his bemen & bannen his ferden.
& lette leode cleopien & ouer-al cuðen.
þat heo comen to heore innes & ȝarekeden heore ginnes.
& fæȝeden heoren wepnen a-marwen heo fusden to fehte.
Þis ihærden þa bisie þe weoren þer bi-hælues.
forð-riht heo comen to Cassibellaune.
& seiden him þat Cesar wulde þe ȝet wunnien þar.
& amarwe he weolde fehten mid alle his cnihten.
& fallen þa Bruttes oðer him-sulf beo fæie.
for þus heo letten cleopien & cuðen ȝeond his ferde.
Ah wa la wa & wala wa. þat Cassibellaune nær iwar
þa he wende swiðe wel don. ah ne dude he hit no
He droh in ane hælue. & toc þan herberwe
& alle þa nihte. greiðeden his cnihtes
heore scæftes & heore sceldes. þa scælkes weoren bischærred
For Iulius Cesar. of his hærme wæs wær
a-buten mid-nihte. he warnede alle his cnihtes
& to scipen ferden & fusden an veste.
Heo hafden swiðe god weder & wenden mid vðen.
heo ledden in heore scipen æiðer deade men and quiken.
moni sorh-fulne sæg sare iwunded.
monienne deadne cniht of Cesares duhȝeðe.
Swa heo wenden mid þon flode to þon tur of Oðres.
þer wes Iulius Cezar an heorte he hafde sorȝe & sar.
Amarȝen þa hit wes dæi-liht hit wes cuð forð-riht.
& æc iseid þon kinge Cassibellaune.
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& al hu he fusde & flæh mid þon vðen.
þat næs þer bilæued nan of Rom-leoden.
Þa wes þon kinge wa & þus ȝeddede þa.
Wale wale vn-ræd mani cniht þu makest dæd.
Welle þat ich nas ær war þat Iulius wolde wenden.
Ful soh seide þe seg þe þeos saȝe talde.
Ȝif þu ileuest ælcne mon selde þu sælt wel don.
Swa ic wende wel þat þe sæȝe soð weoren.
þe me wes to-niht itald [bi] an eorl swic-ful & bald.
þat Cesar wolde nu to-dæi Brut-lond biwinnen.
oðer her mid sweorde liggen to-swungen.
and al his iuere þe mid him comen here.
Nu wes þis ilke iseid me to bi-swiken.
Wæila wæi wæila wæi þat he is þus i-faren awæi.
& na-þeles ich em bliðe for auere to ure liue.
we m[a]ȝen ouer-sitten þis lond ær he us æft isechen.
for æuere-more he mai imunnen þat he him her imunten
for her liggeð to-ȝere. ten þusend of his iferen
wið-uten his driht-liche scipen. þe i sæ idrunken
Ah wel ich þonkie mine gode. for wurð-scipe ich habbe ibiden
& twien iflemed þene keisere. mid alle his Romanisce leode
& nu ich wulle to Lundene. þa burh ich luuie swuðe
& þer ich wulle halinesse to mine goden halden.
& swiðe heom wurðen for heore wel-dæde.
Þe king lette blawen & bonnien his ferden.
& hehten heom alle faren heom. & hired-men beon bliðe
& fæien heore steden. and græiðen heore iweden
& þas dæies æn þreom wiken. wenden to Lundene
mid wif & mid bernen. blisse to makien
eorles & þeines. cnihtes & sweines
& al þat freoliche folc. of Brut-londes ærde
þene dæie heo vnder-nomen. & to Lundene heo comen
mid swulche riche-dome. [al] swa hit weoren i Rome
Þe king bi-gon seruise. on ælches cunnes wise
æfter þan heðene laȝen. þe stoden o ðen ilkæ daȝen
Þer stoden in þere temple. ten þusend monnen
þet wes þe bezste cure. of al Brut-londe
biforen heore mahun. þe heom þuhte mære
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Ælc beorn hæfde on heonde ane þechene bærninde.
wæs ælc bald beorn iboned mid golde.
þe king hafde his kine-helm hæhliche on hæfde.
Wæs at-foren þan wæfde imaked an wunlic fur.
þe king warp riches þer-in & alle his hæhste men mid him.
seoððen heo þer offreden aððeles madmes.
& þonkede Appollin his gode þe þa muchele wurðscipe uðen him.
Þa þe seruuinge wes idon þat hit to þe mete com.
þer-of ich wulle þe tellen selcuðe spelles.
Weoren in þeos kinges cuchene twa hundred cokes.
& ne mæi na man tellen for alle þa bermannen.
Islaȝene weoren to þon mele twælf þusend ruðeren sele.
& þritti hundred hærtes & al swa feole hinden.
of þan fohȝel-cunne ne mai hit na mon kennen.
& al þat wæl & al þat gold þe wes ȝeond al þeos kinges lond.
hit wes al isomned [at] þere sereuunge.
Nes hit nauer mid soð itald seoððen þeos weoruld wes a-stald.
þat weore on ane stude swulc ȝifueðe istured.
ne of alche þinge swulc riche-dom iȝiuen & under-fon.
Muri wes þe dæi & liht & þa sonne wes swiðe briht.
weoren þa bernes i-scængte mid beore.
& þa drihliche gumen weoren win-drunken.
Heo ferden ȝeond þa feldes mid scæftes & mid sceldes.
Summe heo gunnen ærnen & somme heo gunnen eornen.
& summe heo gunnen pleien pliht com on ueste.
Summen pleoden on tæuelbrede & summen ærnden heore stede.
Þa weoren þer tweiene prute heo weoren beien.
Herigal hehte þe an Æueling þe oðer.
Herigal wes þes kinges mæi þet wes hærm a þen ilke dæi.
ahte cniht wes Auelin Androgeus wes is hem.
Þeos tweien cnihtes bi-gunnen mid sceldes to scurmen.
ærst heo pleoweden and seoððe pliht makeden.
þer Herigal smat Æuelin swiðe vuele a þane chin.
Heo bigunnen to chiden cnihtes come riden.
Euelin wes swiðe wrað & mid þan stæue to-draf.
and smat Herigal a þon ribben þat þe stæf to-bræc amidden.
Þa queð þe cniht Herigal Euelin þat is swiðe sar.
þu me smite bi þon rugge ah sare þu hit slat a-buggen.
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Euielin wes swiðe sari þat him wes swa ilumpen.
þe oðer wolde him habben dæd hit þuhte him swiðe hærd ræd.
& he hine bi-þohte wæt he don mihte
nefde he noht on his hond. bute enne luttelne sceld
Isæh he enne hendlicne mon. þe þer stod bi-haluen
þe wes þudere icumen. for to i-seon þare cnihte gomen
þe ȝunge mon heold on his hond. enne stelene brond
Euielin þene brond igrap. mid grimliche lechen
& braid hine of þere scæðe þa wes his hurte æðe.
He ræsde to Herigale & smat hine swi[ð]e sare.
þat his neb & his neose niðer ba heolden.
æft he him to sweinde & þa hond him of-swipte.
dunt he him ȝef þane þridde & for-smat hine amidde.
Swa endede þæ pleowe þat Herigal læi of-sloȝen.
and Euelin þonene wende his sweord he bar on honde.
ne funde he nonne swa kene mon þat hond him durste leggen on.
al þat folc he bi-bæh to Androchies inne he flæh.
Þet iherde þe king icud h[it] wes him sone.
hu hit al wes ifaren & hu Herigal læi of-slæwen.
Þe king nom þreo aldere men and sende to Androgeum.
and hehte hine bringen his mæi to þon kinge.
to þolie þes kinges dom for þan slæhte þe [he] hafde idon.
and ȝif he swa nolde he hine flæme wolde.
Þa answerede Androgeus and toward þan kinge he spæc þus.
Nulle ich hine bringen for nauer nane þinge.
þat me Euelin for-do noþer slæ ne na a-ho
Ah ich habbe freo lond. þat freoliche stont a mire honde
& ich habbe min [hired] heh vnder þon kinge.
Ȝif her is æni cniht þe of Eueline axeð riht.
come to mine herede & þer he hit scal habben.
& ich sugge eow to soðe nis þer ræd nan oðer
Þis wes sone icuð. to Cassibellaune
Þe king iwarð him swiðe wrað. swulc he weore of witte
& þeos ilkæ word him seide. Cassibellaune
Ut of min æh-senen. Androgeus & his iueren
& ȝif ich hine mai eower ifon. in þon stude he beð for-don
Androgeus forð-rihtes. nom alle his cnihtes
& anan gon liðen. ut of Lundenne
& iwenden in-to Kent. to his ane castle
216
& þe king nom Lundene & þat lond. to his aȝere hond
& seoððen fusde in-to Kent. mid muchelere ferde
mid here and mid fure. þat lond for-ferde swiðe
Androgeus nom tweie cnihtes. & sende to þon kinge
& þus þe cnihtes him spæken wið. King Androgeus ȝeornneð þi grið
Androgeus is þin aȝene. mon. al þine wille he wule don
wið þon þe þu him ȝeue grið. & late hine sæhtne þe wið
and leten bi-leuen þine brune. his lond þe þu for-bærnest
I-þench þat he wes Lu[d]es sune. of þine broðer he is icumen
& his fader ahte al þat lond. þat nu stondeð a þire hond
And al hit þuncð him wel idon. ȝif þu his sæhtnesse wult vnder-fon
bute nele he þe nauere Euelin. mid ærhðe bitæchen
þat þu him sculle oðer don. oðer slæn oðer a-hon
Þa þe king iherde þis. þa wes he wræð ful iwis
and þus seide þe king Cassebellaune.
What beo ȝe mine kemppen
mine driht-liche men. Wrekeð me of Androgeum
His lond ich wulle for-bærnen. & his bone iwurðen
Þis iherden suggen Androgeus. & he answerede þus
Whilen hit wes iseid inne soð spelle.
þat moni mon deð muchel vuel al his vnðankes.
Swa ich moht nu neode for muchere neode.
Þe mon þe þoleð þat me hine wule for-don þat ich telle vnwis-dom.
þe while he mæi þurh æni cræft i compe hine werien.
Ælc cniht ah an uuel to don ær he wurse vnder-fon.
and swa ich æuere bere sceld and spere sende ich wulle to þon kæisere.
& græten Iulius Cesare & mænen to him mi sar.
& bedden þat he me ræde for nu ich habbe neode.
Androgeus þe riche cnihte makede a writ wel idiht.
& nom erendrake godne & sende him to Oðres.
to Iulius þon kæisere mid al his Romanisce here
& þus wes þat writ idiht. & þus hit spæc forð-riht
Hail beo þu mid þine here. Iulius þe keisere
Þu hattes Iulius Cezar. to þe ich mæne mi sær
Androgeus þin aȝene mon þis nis nan swike-dom
for þat weord þat ich þe sende. bi mine liue ich hit halde
& þu hit nult ileuen beoten hit læssingge beo.
ich hit wulle trousien þurh minne tir-fulne godd.
þurh mine lauerd Appollin þe leof me is on heorte.
218
þet æfter muchele hatinge hehȝe men heom luuede.
& æfter muchel weorld-scome wurð-scipe wurhten.
Twien þu hafuest i-beon ouer-cummen & þine men we habbeð islæn. & inome
& idriuen þe of Brut-londe mid feht swiðe stronge.
mid us þu hæfuest bileued moni þeosend kempen.
Þat nes noht þurh ure kinge Cassibellaune.
ah hit wes þurh me seolfne & þurh sele mine folke.
for ich lædde mid me Lundene uerde.
& [eke] al þa Kent-wærre þe kempen weoren gode.
& þer-wið-ute monienne Brut þe bald wes to fehten.
Seoððen we þe hafden ouer-comen & þi folke i-slaȝen an i-inomen.
Nu is Cassibellaune & his men swa modi iwurðen.
þet mid fehte heo wulleð me sende ut of Brut-londe.
fleme me from leoden feor from londe.
Mi lond heo habbeoð me al i-west & Lundene me biræued.
& me sulfne heo þencheð quellen and alle mine kempen.
Ȝif þu þis writ iheren wult hit wule þe suggen minne gult.
Þa þu weoren from us iliðe at þa latere cherre.
þa wes þa king swa bliðe swa he nas nauer ære on his liue.
& on oðer halue he hæfde kare for he nusten þat þu woldest faren.
Noþe-les he seide at-foren al his duȝeðe.
Nu is Iulius awei ifloȝen tweien he is aflemed.
tweien he com to Bruttene þer him wes balu ȝeueðe.
ne þurfe we nu nauer-mare iseon hine cumen here.
for her beoð his bezste cnihtes islæȝen in ure fehte.
& nu we sulleð for heore beone bliðe iwurðen.
Scullen alle mine Bruttes mid baldere prute.
liðen to Lundene & þer lof makien.
vre lauerde Appollin & alle ure goden mid him.
for þere muchele wurðe-scipe þe ich nu walde.
Þus lið[d]en to Lundene alle Brut-leoden.
cnihtes & ð[r]inges mid wifue & mid children.
& mid alle þe wurð-scipe þe heo weoren wældinde ouer.
Þa we þus comen to Lundene we gunnen lof makien.
ure lauerd Apollin. & alle ure goden mid him
Seoððen þeos weorld wes astalled. nes hit nowher itald
þat weore nowhar swa muchel mete. iuorððed to ane mele
ne swa muchel god dringe. folke ideled
220
& bar an his riht hond. ænne stelene brond
Euelin him ræsde to. & hine ræhliche græp
[an] hiȝinge he þat sweord adroh. & Herigal of-sloh
Þat iherde þe king. Cassibellaune
þat Herigal wes of-slaȝen. and Euelin awæi ifloȝen
to me he sende his seonde. wið-uten gretinge
hehte me bringe to him. mine mæi Euelin
swiðe bringe hine him to. to þolien his hirdes dom
for an of þon he weolden him don. oðer slan oðer an-hon
& ȝif ich þat nalde. ich scolde fleon of his on-walde
& ȝif he mihte me seoluen ifon. he me walden slæn oðer an-hon
Ich ȝirnde þes kinges g[r]ið. & walde sæhtnen him wið.
& riht him don i mine hirde for ich wes his eorl þe hehste.
ah nolde ich him neuere Euelin to ærmðen him bi-tache.
& he me a-flemde sone from hirede.
Lundene he hæfueð me bi-nome & mine cnihtes o[f]slaȝen.
Naðeles ich habbe an hirede twa and fifti hundred.
& ȝet ich habbe an honde twenti castles stronge.
& mi-seolf ich wunie inne Kent mid kene mine beornnen.
& þe king me fehteð wið & nule me ȝeuen na grið.
Nu þu hauest iherd mi sær lauerd Iulius Cesar.
al mid soðe worden alse þis writ þe telleð.
A þisse write ich habbe idon þat ich wulle bi-cumen þin mon.
& halden þe for herre for hehne mine lauerd.
wið þan þe þu me helpe a[t] heȝere neode.
& aredde me of þon kinge. Cassibellaune
Þas weord ich wulle þe treosien. þurh mine tirfulne god
þat ich hit wulle soðien. ase ich hit bi write suggen
& cum hiȝend-liche to Britteine. þat lond ich þe biteche
þurh me þu hit bi-læfdes. & þurh me þu hit scalt habben
Þis writ iherde Iulius. þe him hafde i-send Androgeus
þa enswerede. Iulius þe keisere
Nulle ich him ileuen. þur[h] alle leodene að
bute he me sende anan. his feire sune Cenan
& þritti oðere ȝisles. to Oðres me sende
þeo beon alle icornne & hæȝe ibornne.
Ȝif he þis wule don his bod ic wulle a-fon.
& cumen him to helpe mid hæȝere strengðe.
Þas word sende Iulius mid write to Androgeus.
Androgeus forð-riht anan sende his sune Cenan.
& þritti ȝi[s]les oðere he sende him to Oðeres.
222
mid alle his folke fusde touward Burttene.
anan swa hit daȝede he com up at Douere.
Þat word him herde Androgeus & sone þider wende.
& þas wordes seide Androgeus Wulcume ært þu Iulius.
swiðe leof þu ært me þis lond ich þe bitæche.
Heo speken to-somne & spileden mid sehte.
Þeo while hefede þe king Cassibellaune.
ȝeond al his kinelond isomned ferde stronge.
to Lundene he wolde liðen & enne castel biliggen.
þe Androgeus þe stronge hafde þa ȝet an honde.
Þa þe ferde wes al igadered þa com an gume ærnen.
& anan he þus cleopede to Cassibellaune.
Hal seo þu ure king Ich þe bringe tiðende.
of þon Rom-leoden þe laðe þe beoð an heorten.
Alle heo beoð i Doure þine dæd-liche iuan.
& þer is Androgeus to speken wið Iulius.
Þeos word beoð soðe þe ich her sugge.
and þench mid wulche deden þu miht werien þine leoden.
Þa wes særi þe king Cassibellaune.
& lette biliue blawen his beme.
cuðen his kempen þa tiðende neow-cumene.
þat Iulius þe kæisere. mid his Romanisce here
wes þer-riht icumen. and þa hauene at Doure hafde inomen
Þa sæide þe king. Cassibellaune
Lundene we mote bilæuen. & to Doure liðen
Bonnieð ure ferde. & fare we bi-liue
Forð ferde þe king. mid vnimete folke
riht towarde Doure. to his muchelen vn-bihoue
Þat iherde Iulius Cesar. he wes wis and swiðe iwar
þat þuderward com on ueste. Cassibellaune
Þa wes Iulius bliðe. for þe tiðende leofue
he ferde ut of Doure. bi þe sæ-oure
in-to ane muchele slæde. & slahliche his folc hudde
And Androgeus wende. in-to ane oðere ende
to ane wilderne in-to ane wude muchele.
& þus spec Androgeus & wið his folke spilede þus.
Ne wurðe nan cniht swa wod ne kempe swa wilde.
þat he æuere speke worde furðer þene his speres ord.
224
faste to-gadere. & ure i-fan fællen
& ȝif here is æi heredring. þe maȝen nimen þene king
nime hine mid i-sunde. & ne ȝefue him nane wunde
for he is mi lauer[d] & mi cu[n]. nulle ich hine quellen
[ah we scullen] al his folk feollen to grunde.
& ȝemen þes fehtes & nawiht þes fenges.
fællen þa ræȝe & læten þa ræf liggen.
& al swa lerde Iu[lius] leoue his cnihtes
Iulius hæfde to iueren. þritti hundred riderne
cnihtes. i-corene. kene-wurð kempen
& Androgeus hæfde to iueren. ten þusend rideren
Al-swa heo þus leien stille. & bi-diemden heore wille
þer com þe king riden. Cassibellaune
mid vnimete ferde. mid vnimete folke
& com heom bi-tweonen. þer heo þoleden teonen
Iulius him wes biforen. Androgeus bihinden
ah Androgeus. ær awoc. & ut of wude wende
& al þat folc þe he lædde lude hit grædde.
bleowen here bemen belden heore beornes.
& heom toward wenden on euere-elchen ende.
Þis iherde þe king Cassibelaune.
iherde he þene muchelne dræm & þene dune muchelne.
he seide forð-rihtes Wepneð eow cnihtes.
Þes kinges heorte wes ful sær he wende þat hit weore Cesar.
ah Cesær mid his ginne bi-uoren wes ful stille.
and ihærde þane dræm wel of Androgeus folke.
& Iulius wes al rædi alse he to wolde ræsen.
& Cassibellaune þe king nuste her-of na-þing.
ah he wepnede his cnihtes and ȝarewede heom to fehten.
Ær heo weoren hælf ȝaru þer com Androgeus faren.
and he fusde heom to mid feondliche strengðe.
Þe cnihtes þe weoren igarede bi-gunnen to fæhten.
& Androgeus heom to mid aðelere stre[n]gðe.
æt þon frum-ræsen he feolde of þon folke.
feowerti hundred þat folke wes þæ læsse.
Þa wolde þat folke fleon þer com Iulius teon.
forn aȝæien heore hæued & heom to heolde.
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Þa fleh Bruttene king Cassibellaune.
wel ofte him wes wa neuer wurse þene þa.
Iulius him wes bi-foren Androgeus him bæften.
& on ælche side siȝen to his hærme.
Þe king hine bi-þohte Cassibellaune.
i-sæh him bi-hælues ænne holt hæhne.
bi ænnes wudes ende þider he gon wenden.
and muchel of his folke floȝen mid þon kinge.
& a-stiȝen uppe þen hul mid muchele mod-sorȝe.
naþeles þer up þurngen fiftene þusunde.
Wes þe mu[n]t swiðe hæh hasles þer greowen.
swiðe wes þe hul bi-clused mid cludes of stane.
Heo bi-gunnen þene wude feollen & heo bi-foren leggen.
mid stocken & mid stanen & mid stelene orden.
heo gunnen heom to werien wið heore wiðer-iwinnen.
Þene hul makede þe king to strongge enne castle.
an are nihte firste þat worc wes iforðed.
for þer worhten sweines. þer worðten þeines
& þe king mid his honden. Cassibellaune
wurhte ful swiðe. to burȝen his liue
Þa þet work wes up iset. heom wes alles þa bet
& Iulius Cesar. bi-lai heom a-bute þer
A þen hulle wes þe king. Cassibellaune
þer he þolede muchelne burst. nes þer neouþer win ne must.
þreo daȝes & þreo niht ne æt þer næuer na cniht.
Heo weoren swiðe uuele ilæd for þe king heom hauede al for-rad.
þe nold sæht-nesse afon at his mæie Androgeum.
þerfore he læi on hulle hunger him derfde.
Nearew wes þe king ilæd nuste he nenne ræd.
for nuste he a nare halue helpen þat him mahte.
isæh alle dæi bi-foren his fulle iuan alle icoren.
Iulium þene kæisere mid alle þan Romanisce here.
mid alle þan Rom-leoden to þes kinges un-neoden.
& alle dæi þus cleopeden to Cassibellaune.
Nu þu scalt adreden for þine ær-dæden.
hit þe likede wel þat þu us a-dun læidest.
mid þine fehte & ure kun feldest.
nu is icumen þin wa-dæi for dæð þu scalt þolien.
mid hungere & mid hæte & mid sceome muchele.
Þa wes wa þeon kinge. Cassibellaune
& nom him enne ræd. for him wes muchel neod
He nom enne wisne cniht. & sende hine forð-riht
vt to þon folke. þer weoren his iuan
& grette Androgeum. mid grið-fulle worden
bed hine cuðen. þat he his cun weoren
& þa bet æt þære neode for he wes his bro[ð]er sune.
For nabbe ich þe noht swa uuele idon þat sculde þer-foren dæd on-fon.
for þat is muchel un-riht ȝif æuere æi god cniht.
wule his god-liche cun bute gulte aquellen.
Æt heȝere neode nu þu must me ræden.
sæhtnien me wið þene kæisere & wið þon Romanisce here.
& seoððen ich wullen þe speken wi[ð] & makien æfter þine wille grið.
to-gaderen wit scullen libben to-gadere wit scullen liggen.
Þenc of mire neode & sæhtne me wið Rom-lede.
for ȝif ihc her for-wur[ð]e auerst þe beoð þa wurse.
for ȝet heo wurððeð þe laðe þe me fulsteð nu to dæðe.
Þa answerede Androgeus & wið þene cnihte he spec þus.
Heu ȝare wes hit iwurðen inne worlde-riche.
þat mines æmes muchele mod swa milde is i-wurðen.
& swa swiðe ræh mon rihtes icnawen.
Ȝet ne beoð fif dæiȝes allunge iuerede
þat he me nolde vt driuen. bi-nimen me æt þan liue
Þær-to he duden al his mahte. he bi-ræuede mine æhte
& al þat me wes leof. him wes wunder-liche læð
Þe king dude vn-wis-dom. þat he swulc mod him droh on
for he fæht wið Cesare. þan Romanisce keisere
& he hine twien ouer-com. and his folk sloh and nom
Ne dune hit noht þe king ane. ah we alle clane
þer ich wes o þon fihte. mid alle mine cnihten
hærde bi-ðrungen. i wel feole stunden.
Ah ich mi-seolf neore & mine gode cnihtes.
i-numen weoren ure king & his Bruttes alle aqualde.
ah we bi-foren þon kinge fuhte ful swiðe.
& driuen ut þene kæisere mid his Romanisce here.
Ne dude hit noht þe king ane ah duden we alle clæne.
Þa we hafden swa idon & muchele wur-scipe an-fon.
þa iwarð þe king on mode prut ah ne draf he hine noht ane ut.
Seoððen hit is nu her-to ibroht nu is min eam wel bi-ðoht.
mid mildliche worden he ȝerneð mine milce.
for itemed is þe wode nu beoð his word gode.
Nu ich wulle wende mi mod aȝenes uuel. ich wulle don god
& lutlien ich wulle his kare. & sæhtnien him wið Cesare
ær cumen þe ende of þisse dæi. helpen him ȝif ich mai
Androgeus wes swa god. sone he dude hine bar-fot
& alle his bezste cnihtes. þe mid him weoren an fuhte
& eoden to þon kaisere. þer he wes i þon here
& feollen to his foten. & folden & isohten
mildeliche spæc þus. þe treowe cniht Androgeus
Lauerd Iulius þin are. nu & æuer-mære
Lett me speken þe wið. ich ȝerne mildce and þi grið
Þu hauest ouer-cumen minne æm. inne þine fehte he nam flem
i þissen hulle he lið. & ȝeorneð þe lif-grið
for al þu hauest ouer-cumen. Cassibellaune
& muchel of his folke. iualled to grunde
& þene kinge & al his lond bi-ȝiten to þire aȝere hond.
Ȝif him nu lifues grið & let hine speken þe wið.
Ær he wes freo king.
nu þu ært iwreken him on let hine bi-cumen þin aȝene mon.
and ælche ȝer þe sende þat gauel of Brutt-londe.
madmes and muchel feoh þe monscipe is þin aȝen.
Þis iherde Cesar of þissere specche he wes wær.
a-weiward he halde & nolde hit iheren.
makede hine swulc he weore wrað for þon wurde þe he iherde.
Androgeus wes wis and war þæne kæisere he eode neor.
and græten worden þæne keisere igrætte.
and þus queð Androgeus Hærcne hiderward Iulius.
Wið me ne beo þu noht wiðer-ward Ilæst ich habbe þe min foreward.
& al þat ich þe bi-hehte bi-foren vnkere cnihten.
Ich bi-hæhte þe al Brut-lond to setten a þire aȝere hond.
& swa ich habben nu idon & þu hit hauest al under-fon.
ah ne bihæhte ich þe nauere to slæn Cassibellaune minne æm.
mid nane rihte ne mai ich hine for-don for ich eam his mæi and his mon.
ne scal he næuere dæd þolien þe while þe ich mai him freoien.
Ah ȝif mine eame lifues gri[ð] & let hine sæhtnie þe wið.
Þi mon he sæl bi-cumen to ȝisle biteche þe his sune.
& ælche ȝere senden þreo þusend punden.
& þat ich þe wullen swerien uppen mine sweorden.
Ȝif þu þis nult iwurðen þe wurs þeo scælt iwurðen.
ne scalt þu nauere mid þine here. isund of Brut-londe faren
Þa wes a-drad þe keisere. mid his Romanisce here
leouere him weore þane al his lond. þene al his seoluer þæne al his gold.
þat he weore in Oðeres in his castel gode.
for þa hefde swiðe muchel care Iulius þon kæisere.
þe wende þat Androgeus swiken hine wolde.
Iulius wes wis and war þat he wel cudde þær.
Þus seide þa Iulius to þan eorle Androgeus.
Androgeus mi leofue mon al þine wille ic wulle don.
don ich wulle þin ræd for þu me hulpe þa me wes neod.
for ne funde ich nauere treoure mon bi-tweonen þis & Latran.
Þis wes sone icud to Cassibellaune.
þa wes he swa bliðe swa he nes neuere on his liue.
Vt wende þe king Cassibellaune.
adun of þan hulle bliðe on his mode.
Ah þer Iulius dude wel & wurð-scipen muchele.
he hine lette ueden he hine lette scruden.
he hine lette baðien ær he him bi-uoren come.
Þa hit wes al igreiþed þa comen heo to-gæderes.
grið þer heo astalleden & wel hit wes ihalden.
heo makeden heore foreward biforen heore duȝeðe.
Cassibellaune bi-com Iulius aȝene mon.
& ælche ȝere him sende þreo þusend punden.
Æðes þer weoren isworene & neoren heo nauere forlorne.
for treowe men heom a-stalden & al-swa heo gunnen heom halden.
Neoðeles Iulius wes þæ ærste mon þe dude þis lond inne [þ]eowdom.
seoððen Noe & his sunen of þære arche weoren icumen.
Þeo al þis wes iuaren þa to-dælde þa verden.
& þe keisere & his iueren al þat winter heo wuneden here.
mid sæhte and mid sibbe mid selcuðe murȝeþe.
Touward þan sumere heo ouer sæ wende.
& lædde mid him Androgeum þe wes his deoreste mon.
& Androgeus walde al þat he wolde.
heonene in-to Rome hit stod on Androgeus dome.
Ne com he nauere-mare here ne nan of his i-uere.
ne leouede he neuer seoððen buten seouen ȝere.
Cassibellaune þe wes þisse londes king.
þa his ende-dæie com in Eouer-wicke heo dæide
[Ær þe king were dæd dæide] his quene.
þe king wes al bærn-les Bruttes weoren særi.
Þis iherde Tennancius þe i Cornwale wes dux.
þat his eam wes idæied & his aðelene æt-fallen.
and his broðer Androgeus iuaren uorð mid Iulius.
& [m]uchel of his cunne quehten mid him-seolue.
Tennancius hine bi-ðoðte hu he faren mihte.
& hu he mihte gan on þat he hafde þisne kine-dom.
þe Lud king his fader walde wel longe.
Tennancius nom his sonde & sende in-to Brutlonde.
bad heom buȝen him to þa bet heom sculde iwurðen.
hebben hine to kinge al buten compe
bitachen him al þat lond. þe Lud his fader hafde an hond
& he heom wolde luuien. þa while þat he luuede
& ȝif heo þis wolde. habben he hit wolde
oðer he wolde mid fehte. fallen heom to grunde
Bruttes ferden heom to Lundene. to muchele hustinge
þat heom þuhte þe bezste ræd. to don þat Tennantius heom bæd
Æfter him heo senden. & heouen hine to kinge
þa weoren inne Bruttene. blissen inouwe
Tou and twenti wintre. þis lond he iwalde
seoððen com þe ilke dæi. þat þe king dæd læi
inne Lundene he lið. særi weoren his leoden
Þeos kinge hæfde enne sune. Kinbelin ihaten
he wes iuaren mid his æme. forð into Rome
Augustus Cesar hine makede cniht. þat wes swiðe muchel riht
for seoððen Iulius wes dæd. & duȝeðen bi-læfden
ne bilæfde he næuer nænne. of Androgeus cunne
þat heold feht & iwin. swa dude Kinbelin
& weorede Rome-þeode. wið vncuðe leode
Þis iherde Bruttes. þe weoren swi[ð]e bisie
þat Kinbelin þe kene. wunede inne Rome
þe wes Tennantiusses sone. & of Lud kinge icume
Tweien cnihtes heo nomen sone. & senden to Rome
& þeo cudden Kinbeline. þat his fader wes of liue
& beden hine stilleliche. uaren of þere riche
Nes hit noht longe þat he ne com hider sone.
and Bruttes hine on-fengen. & heouen hine to kinge
On Kinbelines dæie þe king wes inne Bruttene.
com a þissen middel-ærde anes maidenes sune.
iboren wes in Beðleem of bezste alre burden.
He is ihaten Iesu Crist þurh þene Halie Gost.
alre worulde wunne walden englenne.
Fæder he is on heuenen froure moncunnes.
Sune he is on eorðen of sele þon mæidene.
& þene Halie Gost haldeð mid him-seoluen
þene gast he wel daleð. to þan þe him beoð leoue
al-swa he dude Peture. þe wes a wræche fiscære
þe makede hine an mancunne. hehst of alre manne
Kinbelin Bruttene king wes god mon þurh alle þing.
& he luuede here twa & twenti ȝere.
An his dæie her luuede a mon inne þisse leoden.
feorliche þing fuleden him he wes ihaten Teilesin.
heo heolten hine for witie. þurh his wit-fulne cræfte
& al heo hit ilæfden. þat Teilesin heom seide
he seide heom seolkuð i-noh. & al heo hit funden soð
he seide heom ælche ȝere. wæt heom to cumen weore
Þe king him sende æfter. wise twalf cnihtes
ba[d] hine comen him to. þat he nan oðer seolden don
& heo hine broðten sone. bi-foren þen folke-kinge.
A-nan swa þe king hine imette fæire he hine igrette.
Swa me helpen min hefde & mi chin wulcume ært þu Teilesin.
& leouere me is þine isunden þenne a þusend punden.
Þa andswerede Teilesin and þus seide to Kinbelin.
Swa ich mote gode iþeon al þu hit sælt wel biteon.
Þa wes glad Kinbelin & þus seide to Teilesin.
Her beoð to þisse londe icumen seolcuðe leod-ronen.
& from-war[d] þeon londe of Ierusalem iwurðen heo beoð in Beðleem.
Þer is iboren an luttel child inne þere leoden.
Muchele is & stor þe eiȝe tacnen þer beoð on sterren.
an monen & on seonnen eie is on mon-cunnen.
Þis is widen icuð & þa writen me beoð to icume.
& ic wolde iwiten æt þe þu ært mi wine deore.
to whan þis tocne wule ten to wulche þinge temen.
for her-fore is alches londes folc læd-liche afered.
Þa answerede Teilesin & þus seide to Kinbelin.
Hit wes ȝare iqueðen þa quides beoð nu soðe.
þat scolden beon a child iboren of alle folke icoren.
& þat scolde beon ihaten Hælend & helpen his freondes.
alesen his leofue wines of læðe heore bendes.
of helle bringen Adam Noe & Abraham.
Sadoc & Samiel & Symeon þene alde.
Iosep an Beniamin & alle his broðeres mid him.
Iohel & Eliseon Asor & Naason.
Ysaac & his broðer & monienne oðer.
moni hundred þusend þe iþud beoð to hellen.
& for swulchere neode he is icumen to þere þeoden.
Þeos word seide Teilesin & alle heo weoren soðe.
Þa þan kinge wes icudde þas quides þa weoren soðe.
þa weoren þa tiðinde cuðe ȝeond his kineriche.
Bruttes her-of ȝemden & noht hit ne forȝeten.
Kinbelin wes god king & griðful þurh alle þing.
& þa Rom-leoden swiðe hine luueden.
& ȝif þe king wolde wið heom wiðer-heolden.
he miðte æt-halden heore feoh þe Iulius her fætte.
ah æuere-mære bi his liue he hit heom leofliche ȝeaf.
Seoððe him comen þæ tiðinde of Crist Godes childe.
ne leouede þe king mære buten ten ȝere.
Seoððen þe king bilæfden his lif inne Eowuerwike he ȝet lið.
Her he bilæfden tweien sunen Wiðer & Aruiragune.
Wiðer wes þa ældere. Aruiragun þe ȝungere
ah þe king biqueð Wiðer. al his kineriche
& he dihte and delde. æfter his fader dæie.
He wes swi[ð]e god cniht & hæfde ihælden moni fiht.
ah he wes swiðe sturne. & stærc wið þeon folke.
He nalde for nane dome mare heren to Rome.
ne na gauel heo[m] senden vt of þissen londe.
ah whære-swa he fonde enne gume þe of Rome weore hider icumen.
he lette smiten him of þat hæfde biræiuie hine at liue.
& þus he heom græiðeden mid grimme his gomene.
[An] kæisere wes in Rome Claudius ihaten.
iherden þa tiðende of Wiðer þon kinge.
whulcne scome he him hæfden idon & mare him bi-hehte.
Þe kæisere hine wrædden þe Wurs him wes on heorte.
& swor bi his rigge þat Wiðer hit scolde a-biggen.
He bigon. to senden ȝeond al þan Romleoden.
he hætte al þa ræiȝe and alle þa rad-fulle.
alle his hæȝe men his hustigge isechen.
& heo to-gædere comen i þere burh of Rome.
Heo buden heore ferden. wide ȝeond þon ærde
Mid unimete dome. heo ferden vt of Rome
heo ferden swa longe. þat heo comen to þisse londe
Claudius þe kæisere. & al his Romanisce here
At Port-chæstre heo comen alond. & stepen up a sæ-strond
& bi-læien anan Port-chæstre. mid heore folke swiðe faste
Heo letten deluen diches. vnimete deope
& al a-buten ouer-al. he makede stænene wal.
Þa wes Port-chestre burh mid þan bezste.
ah mid þan wind-ræsen al heo gunnen to-reosen.
mid fure and mid fehte for-uaren þurh Glaudius þan kæisere.
Þis iherde Wiðer þe wes Bruttene king her.
þat icumen wes i þisse lond Claudius þat wes swa strong.
Þe king gædere[de] uerde wide ȝeond his eærde.
& Aruiragus his broðer gæderede an-oðer.
& ferden to-ward þære sæ mid selkuðe folke.
þat heo comen mid heore here to Claudiene þan kæise[re].
Feondliche heo feohten fullen þa fæie.
and þe eorl Aruiragus mid æðele help his broðer.
Claudius hæfde enne richene mon þe wes icleoped Haumund.
he redde þæn kæisere & al þan Romanisce here.
Hamund bi-heold Wiðer & his wiðer-happes.
& heu ladliche i þon fihten he sloh þa Rom-cnihtes.
& al þat him bi-foren stod he falden to his foten.
Hamun hine bi-þohte whet he don mihte.
hv he mihte þene king Wiðer aquelle.
Hamun ferde ȝeon þat wæl & wende þa deden.
funde þer enne cniht þe islæȝen wes þer-riht.
nom he his burne & his gold-ileired bord.
leoup he an his stede & bihælues he gon riden.
þer he isæh Wiðe[r] king þe wiðer wes an compe.
Hamun þe ridere smat his aȝene ifere.
& warð him swiðe bisi swulc he Brut weore.
Wende þe king Wiðer þat he weore his iuere.
ah þer he na ne come ȝif hit nere for swike-dome.
Hamun arnde upwar[d] & oðer while adunward.
þenne he isæh Romanisce mon he rasden him ouen-an.
his speche wes al Brutisc Brut swulc he weoren.
Swa longe he gon riden þat he wes bi þæs kinges side.
& fæht þan kinge bi-foren swulc he weoren his mon iboren.
& sloh is haȝen iueren muchel swike-dom wes þere.
Þe king him treousede on for he wes swa æht mon.
& wende for soð riht þat he weore his aȝen cniht.
Þe king wende forð-rihtes bi-hælues þan fihte.
he wes swiðe of-hæt þat al his burne wes bi-swæt.
he lette his burne of his rugge eorne.
& Hamun him to strac mid toȝen his mæine.
mid his spere he wes wæht þes kinges breosten he to-bræc.
þane king Wiðer he of-sloh þer wes swike-dom inoh.
& seoððen rehliche fleh to his Rom-leode.
kudde hit his kæisere whet he dude mid his spere.
Þis isæh Aruiragus þat his broðer islæȝe wes þus.
mid muchelen hiȝinge he leup to þan dæde kinge.
igrap his stede & alle his iwede.
& sturede i þon compe al-se hit þe king weore.
Mest alle þa Bruttes þe weoren þere wenden þat hit weoren Wiðer.
heo ræsden to Romleoden & heo remden to flonne.
heo sloȝen forð-rihtes Claudienes cnihtes.
niȝen þusende heo læiden to þon grunde.
Claudien þe kæisere sa[d] wes of þon compe.
his folc flah into scipen & from þæn londe iwenden.
forð mid þon vþen feondes heom uereden.
Fif þusend heo lefden uppen þon londe.
þat ne mithte no to scipe cumen þat heo neoren islæȝen oþer inomen.
Wunderliche a-wei heo riden touward ane muchele wude.
Aruiragus heom æfter mid twenti þusend cnihtes.
heo sloȝen heo nomen mid honden heo to-drowen.
Hamun þurh þene wude flæh riht touward þere sæ.
he ærnde to are hæuene he wenden scipen habben.
Þe sæ wes iȝeonge[d] þe scipen stoden a londe.
Þæ wile þe he þa scipen vt scæf Aruiragus him to draf.
Nefde Hamun to iueren bute þritti rideren.
Aruiragus heom alle sloh & Hamun mid heorsen to-droh.
for his broðer dæðe him wes swi[ð]e unneðe.
& an oðer halue he wes glæd þat his ifon weoren dæd.
Heo bi-gunnen þene wude feollen & heo bi-foren leggen.
mid stocken & mid stanen & mid stelene orden.
heo gunnen heom to werien wið heore wiðer-iwinnen.
Þene hul makede þe king to strongge enne castle.
an are nihte firste þat worc wes iforðed.
for þer worhten sweines. þer worðten þeines
& þe king mid his honden. Cassibellaune
wurhte ful swiðe. to burȝen his liue
Þa þet work wes up iset. heom wes alles þa bet
& Iulius Cesar. bi-lai heom a-bute þer
A þen hulle wes þe king. Cassibellaune
þer he þolede muchelne burst. nes þer neouþer win ne must.
þreo daȝes & þreo niht ne æt þer næuer na cniht.
Heo weoren swiðe uuele ilæd for þe king heom hauede al for-rad.
þe nold sæht-nesse afon at his mæie Androgeum.
þerfore he læi on hulle hunger him derfde.
Nearew wes þe king ilæd nuste he nenne ræd.
for nuste he a nare halue helpen þat him mahte.
isæh alle dæi bi-foren his fulle iuan alle icoren.
Iulium þene kæisere mid alle þan Romanisce here.
mid alle þan Rom-leoden to þes kinges un-neoden.
& alle dæi þus cleopeden to Cassibellaune.
Nu þu scalt adreden for þine ær-dæden.
hit þe likede wel þat þu us a-dun læidest.
mid þine fehte & ure kun feldest.
nu is icumen þin wa-dæi for dæð þu scalt þolien.
228
Þa wes wa þeon kinge. Cassibellaune
& nom him enne ræd. for him wes muchel neod
He nom enne wisne cniht. & sende hine forð-riht
vt to þon folke. þer weoren his iuan
& grette Androgeum. mid grið-fulle worden
bed hine cuðen. þat he his cun weoren
& þa bet æt þære neode for he wes his bro[ð]er sune.
For nabbe ich þe noht swa uuele idon þat sculde þer-foren dæd on-fon.
for þat is muchel un-riht ȝif æuere æi god cniht.
wule his god-liche cun bute gulte aquellen.
Æt heȝere neode nu þu must me ræden.
sæhtnien me wið þene kæisere & wið þon Romanisce here.
& seoððen ich wullen þe speken wi[ð] & makien æfter þine wille grið.
to-gaderen wit scullen libben to-gadere wit scullen liggen.
Þenc of mire neode & sæhtne me wið Rom-lede.
for ȝif ihc her for-wur[ð]e auerst þe beoð þa wurse.
for ȝet heo wurððeð þe laðe þe me fulsteð nu to dæðe.
Þa answerede Androgeus & wið þene cnihte he spec þus.
Heu ȝare wes hit iwurðen inne worlde-riche.
þat mines æmes muchele mod swa milde is i-wurðen.
& swa swiðe ræh mon rihtes icnawen.
Ȝet ne beoð fif dæiȝes allunge iuerede
þat he me nolde vt driuen. bi-nimen me æt þan liue
Þær-to he duden al his mahte. he bi-ræuede mine æhte
& al þat me wes leof. him wes wunder-liche læð
Þe king dude vn-wis-dom. þat he swulc mod him droh on
for he fæht wið Cesare. þan Romanisce keisere
& he hine twien ouer-com. and his folk sloh and nom
Ne dune hit noht þe king ane. ah we alle clane
þer ich wes o þon fihte. mid alle mine cnihten
hærde bi-ðrungen. i wel feole stunden.
Ah ich mi-seolf neore & mine gode cnihtes.
i-numen weoren ure king & his Bruttes alle aqualde.
ah we bi-foren þon kinge fuhte ful swiðe.
& driuen ut þene kæisere mid his Romanisce here.
Ne dude hit noht þe king ane ah duden we alle clæne.
Þa we hafden swa idon & muchele wur-scipe an-fon.
þa iwarð þe king on mode prut ah ne draf he hine noht ane ut.
Seoððen hit is nu her-to ibroht nu is min eam wel bi-ðoht.
230
for itemed is þe wode nu beoð his word gode.
Nu ich wulle wende mi mod aȝenes uuel. ich wulle don god
& lutlien ich wulle his kare. & sæhtnien him wið Cesare
ær cumen þe ende of þisse dæi. helpen him ȝif ich mai
Androgeus wes swa god. sone he dude hine bar-fot
& alle his bezste cnihtes. þe mid him weoren an fuhte
& eoden to þon kaisere. þer he wes i þon here
& feollen to his foten. & folden & isohten
mildeliche spæc þus. þe treowe cniht Androgeus
Lauerd Iulius þin are. nu & æuer-mære
Lett me speken þe wið. ich ȝerne mildce and þi grið
Þu hauest ouer-cumen minne æm. inne þine fehte he nam flem
i þissen hulle he lið. & ȝeorneð þe lif-grið
for al þu hauest ouer-cumen. Cassibellaune
& muchel of his folke. iualled to grunde
& þene kinge & al his lond bi-ȝiten to þire aȝere hond.
Ȝif him nu lifues grið & let hine speken þe wið.
Ær he wes freo king.
nu þu ært iwreken him on let hine bi-cumen þin aȝene mon.
and ælche ȝer þe sende þat gauel of Brutt-londe.
madmes and muchel feoh þe monscipe is þin aȝen.
Þis iherde Cesar of þissere specche he wes wær.
a-weiward he halde & nolde hit iheren.
makede hine swulc he weore wrað for þon wurde þe he iherde.
Androgeus wes wis and war þæne kæisere he eode neor.
and græten worden þæne keisere igrætte.
and þus queð Androgeus Hærcne hiderward Iulius.
Wið me ne beo þu noht wiðer-ward Ilæst ich habbe þe min foreward.
& al þat ich þe bi-hehte bi-foren vnkere cnihten.
Ich bi-hæhte þe al Brut-lond to setten a þire aȝere hond.
& swa ich habben nu idon & þu hit hauest al under-fon.
ah ne bihæhte ich þe nauere to slæn Cassibellaune minne æm.
mid nane rihte ne mai ich hine for-don for ich eam his mæi and his mon.
ne scal he næuere dæd þolien þe while þe ich mai him freoien.
Ah ȝif mine eame lifues gri[ð] & let hine sæhtnie þe wið.
Þi mon he sæl bi-cumen to ȝisle biteche þe his sune.
232
& þat ich þe wullen swerien uppen mine sweorden.
Ȝif þu þis nult iwurðen þe wurs þeo scælt iwurðen.
ne scalt þu nauere mid þine here. isund of Brut-londe faren
Þa wes a-drad þe keisere. mid his Romanisce here
leouere him weore þane al his lond. þene al his seoluer þæne al his gold.
þat he weore in Oðeres in his castel gode.
for þa hefde swiðe muchel care Iulius þon kæisere.
þe wende þat Androgeus swiken hine wolde.
Iulius wes wis and war þat he wel cudde þær.
Þus seide þa Iulius to þan eorle Androgeus.
Androgeus mi leofue mon al þine wille ic wulle don.
don ich wulle þin ræd for þu me hulpe þa me wes neod.
for ne funde ich nauere treoure mon bi-tweonen þis & Latran.
Þis wes sone icud to Cassibellaune.
þa wes he swa bliðe swa he nes neuere on his liue.
Vt wende þe king Cassibellaune.
adun of þan hulle bliðe on his mode.
Ah þer Iulius dude wel & wurð-scipen muchele.
he hine lette ueden he hine lette scruden.
he hine lette baðien ær he him bi-uoren come.
Þa hit wes al igreiþed þa comen heo to-gæderes.
grið þer heo astalleden & wel hit wes ihalden.
heo makeden heore foreward biforen heore duȝeðe.
Cassibellaune bi-com Iulius aȝene mon.
& ælche ȝere him sende þreo þusend punden.
Æðes þer weoren isworene & neoren heo nauere forlorne.
for treowe men heom a-stalden & al-swa heo gunnen heom halden.
Neoðeles Iulius wes þæ ærste mon þe dude þis lond inne [þ]eowdom.
seoððen Noe & his sunen of þære arche weoren icumen.
Þeo al þis wes iuaren þa to-dælde þa verden.
& þe keisere & his iueren al þat winter heo wuneden here.
mid sæhte and mid sibbe mid selcuðe murȝeþe.
Touward þan sumere heo ouer sæ wende.
& lædde mid him Androgeum þe wes his deoreste mon.
& Androgeus walde al þat he wolde.
heonene in-to Rome hit stod on Androgeus dome.
Ne com he nauere-mare here ne nan of his i-uere.
234
Cassibellaune þe wes þisse londes king.
þa his ende-dæie com in Eouer-wicke heo dæide
[Ær þe king were dæd dæide] his quene.
þe king wes al bærn-les Bruttes weoren særi.
Þis iherde Tennancius þe i Cornwale wes dux.
þat his eam wes idæied & his aðelene æt-fallen.
and his broðer Androgeus iuaren uorð mid Iulius.
& [m]uchel of his cunne quehten mid him-seolue.
Tennancius hine bi-ðoðte hu he faren mihte.
& hu he mihte gan on þat he hafde þisne kine-dom.
þe Lud king his fader walde wel longe.
Tennancius nom his sonde & sende in-to Brutlonde.
bad heom buȝen him to þa bet heom sculde iwurðen.
hebben hine to kinge al buten compe
bitachen him al þat lond. þe Lud his fader hafde an hond
& he heom wolde luuien. þa while þat he luuede
& ȝif heo þis wolde. habben he hit wolde
oðer he wolde mid fehte. fallen heom to grunde
Bruttes ferden heom to Lundene. to muchele hustinge
þat heom þuhte þe bezste ræd. to don þat Tennantius heom bæd
Æfter him heo senden. & heouen hine to kinge
þa weoren inne Bruttene. blissen inouwe
Tou and twenti wintre. þis lond he iwalde
seoððen com þe ilke dæi. þat þe king dæd læi
inne Lundene he lið. særi weoren his leoden
Þeos kinge hæfde enne sune. Kinbelin ihaten
he wes iuaren mid his æme. forð into Rome
Augustus Cesar hine makede cniht. þat wes swiðe muchel riht
for seoððen Iulius wes dæd. & duȝeðen bi-læfden
ne bilæfde he næuer nænne. of Androgeus cunne
þat heold feht & iwin. swa dude Kinbelin
& weorede Rome-þeode. wið vncuðe leode
Þis iherde Bruttes. þe weoren swi[ð]e bisie
þat Kinbelin þe kene. wunede inne Rome
þe wes Tennantiusses sone. & of Lud kinge icume
Tweien cnihtes heo nomen sone. & senden to Rome
& þeo cudden Kinbeline. þat his fader wes of liue
& beden hine stilleliche. uaren of þere riche
Nes hit noht longe þat he ne com hider sone.
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On Kinbelines dæie þe king wes inne Bruttene.
com a þissen middel-ærde anes maidenes sune.
iboren wes in Beðleem of bezste alre burden.
He is ihaten Iesu Crist þurh þene Halie Gost.
alre worulde wunne walden englenne.
Fæder he is on heuenen froure moncunnes.
Sune he is on eorðen of sele þon mæidene.
& þene Halie Gost haldeð mid him-seoluen
þene gast he wel daleð. to þan þe him beoð leoue
al-swa he dude Peture. þe wes a wræche fiscære
þe makede hine an mancunne. hehst of alre manne
Kinbelin Bruttene king wes god mon þurh alle þing.
& he luuede here twa & twenti ȝere.
An his dæie her luuede a mon inne þisse leoden.
feorliche þing fuleden him he wes ihaten Teilesin.
heo heolten hine for witie. þurh his wit-fulne cræfte
& al heo hit ilæfden. þat Teilesin heom seide
he seide heom seolkuð i-noh. & al heo hit funden soð
he seide heom ælche ȝere. wæt heom to cumen weore
Þe king him sende æfter. wise twalf cnihtes
ba[d] hine comen him to. þat he nan oðer seolden don
& heo hine broðten sone. bi-foren þen folke-kinge.
A-nan swa þe king hine imette fæire he hine igrette.
Swa me helpen min hefde & mi chin wulcume ært þu Teilesin.
& leouere me is þine isunden þenne a þusend punden.
Þa andswerede Teilesin and þus seide to Kinbelin.
Swa ich mote gode iþeon al þu hit sælt wel biteon.
Þa wes glad Kinbelin & þus seide to Teilesin.
Her beoð to þisse londe icumen seolcuðe leod-ronen.
& from-war[d] þeon londe of Ierusalem iwurðen heo beoð in Beðleem.
Þer is iboren an luttel child inne þere leoden.
Muchele is & stor þe eiȝe tacnen þer beoð on sterren.
an monen & on seonnen eie is on mon-cunnen.
Þis is widen icuð & þa writen me beoð to icume.
& ic wolde iwiten æt þe þu ært mi wine deore.
to whan þis tocne wule ten to wulche þinge temen.
238
Þa answerede Teilesin & þus seide to Kinbelin.
Hit wes ȝare iqueðen þa quides beoð nu soðe.
þat scolden beon a child iboren of alle folke icoren.
& þat scolde beon ihaten Hælend & helpen his freondes.
alesen his leofue wines of læðe heore bendes.
of helle bringen Adam Noe & Abraham.
Sadoc & Samiel & Symeon þene alde.
Iosep an Beniamin & alle his broðeres mid him.
Iohel & Eliseon Asor & Naason.
Ysaac & his broðer & monienne oðer.
moni hundred þusend þe iþud beoð to hellen.
& for swulchere neode he is icumen to þere þeoden.
Þeos word seide Teilesin & alle heo weoren soðe.
Þa þan kinge wes icudde þas quides þa weoren soðe.
þa weoren þa tiðinde cuðe ȝeond his kineriche.
Bruttes her-of ȝemden & noht hit ne forȝeten.
Kinbelin wes god king & griðful þurh alle þing.
& þa Rom-leoden swiðe hine luueden.
& ȝif þe king wolde wið heom wiðer-heolden.
he miðte æt-halden heore feoh þe Iulius her fætte.
ah æuere-mære bi his liue he hit heom leofliche ȝeaf.
Seoððe him comen þæ tiðinde of Crist Godes childe.
ne leouede þe king mære buten ten ȝere.
Seoððen þe king bilæfden his lif inne Eowuerwike he ȝet lið.
Her he bilæfden tweien sunen Wiðer & Aruiragune.
Wiðer wes þa ældere. Aruiragun þe ȝungere
ah þe king biqueð Wiðer. al his kineriche
& he dihte and delde. æfter his fader dæie.
He wes swi[ð]e god cniht & hæfde ihælden moni fiht.
ah he wes swiðe sturne. & stærc wið þeon folke.
He nalde for nane dome mare heren to Rome.
ne na gauel heo[m] senden vt of þissen londe.
ah whære-swa he fonde enne gume þe of Rome weore hider icumen.
he lette smiten him of þat hæfde biræiuie hine at liue.
& þus he heom græiðeden mid grimme his gomene.
[An] kæisere wes in Rome Claudius ihaten.
iherden þa tiðende of Wiðer þon kinge.
whulcne scome he him hæfden idon & mare him bi-hehte.
240
& swor bi his rigge þat Wiðer hit scolde a-biggen.
He bigon. to senden ȝeond al þan Romleoden.
he hætte al þa ræiȝe and alle þa rad-fulle.
alle his hæȝe men his hustigge isechen.
& heo to-gædere comen i þere burh of Rome.
Heo buden heore ferden. wide ȝeond þon ærde
Mid unimete dome. heo ferden vt of Rome
heo ferden swa longe. þat heo comen to þisse londe
Claudius þe kæisere. & al his Romanisce here
At Port-chæstre heo comen alond. & stepen up a sæ-strond
& bi-læien anan Port-chæstre. mid heore folke swiðe faste
Heo letten deluen diches. vnimete deope
& al a-buten ouer-al. he makede stænene wal.
Þa wes Port-chestre burh mid þan bezste.
ah mid þan wind-ræsen al heo gunnen to-reosen.
mid fure and mid fehte for-uaren þurh Glaudius þan kæisere.
Þis iherde Wiðer þe wes Bruttene king her.
þat icumen wes i þisse lond Claudius þat wes swa strong.
Þe king gædere[de] uerde wide ȝeond his eærde.
& Aruiragus his broðer gæderede an-oðer.
& ferden to-ward þære sæ mid selkuðe folke.
þat heo comen mid heore here to Claudiene þan kæise[re].
Feondliche heo feohten fullen þa fæie.
and þe eorl Aruiragus mid æðele help his broðer.
Claudius hæfde enne richene mon þe wes icleoped Haumund.
he redde þæn kæisere & al þan Romanisce here.
Hamund bi-heold Wiðer & his wiðer-happes.
& heu ladliche i þon fihten he sloh þa Rom-cnihtes.
& al þat him bi-foren stod he falden to his foten.
Hamun hine bi-þohte whet he don mihte.
hv he mihte þene king Wiðer aquelle.
Hamun ferde ȝeon þat wæl & wende þa deden.
funde þer enne cniht þe islæȝen wes þer-riht.
nom he his burne & his gold-ileired bord.
leoup he an his stede & bihælues he gon riden.
þer he isæh Wiðe[r] king þe wiðer wes an compe.
Hamun þe ridere smat his aȝene ifere.
242
Wende þe king Wiðer þat he weore his iuere.
ah þer he na ne come ȝif hit nere for swike-dome.
Hamun arnde upwar[d] & oðer while adunward.
þenne he isæh Romanisce mon he rasden him ouen-an.
his speche wes al Brutisc Brut swulc he weoren.
Swa longe he gon riden þat he wes bi þæs kinges side.
& fæht þan kinge bi-foren swulc he weoren his mon iboren.
& sloh is haȝen iueren muchel swike-dom wes þere.
Þe king him treousede on for he wes swa æht mon.
& wende for soð riht þat he weore his aȝen cniht.
Þe king wende forð-rihtes bi-hælues þan fihte.
he wes swiðe of-hæt þat al his burne wes bi-swæt.
he lette his burne of his rugge eorne.
& Hamun him to strac mid toȝen his mæine.
mid his spere he wes wæht þes kinges breosten he to-bræc.
þane king Wiðer he of-sloh þer wes swike-dom inoh.
& seoððen rehliche fleh to his Rom-leode.
kudde hit his kæisere whet he dude mid his spere.
Þis isæh Aruiragus þat his broðer islæȝe wes þus.
mid muchelen hiȝinge he leup to þan dæde kinge.
igrap his stede & alle his iwede.
& sturede i þon compe al-se hit þe king weore.
Mest alle þa Bruttes þe weoren þere wenden þat hit weoren Wiðer.
heo ræsden to Romleoden & heo remden to flonne.
heo sloȝen forð-rihtes Claudienes cnihtes.
niȝen þusende heo læiden to þon grunde.
Claudien þe kæisere sa[d] wes of þon compe.
his folc flah into scipen & from þæn londe iwenden.
forð mid þon vþen feondes heom uereden.
Fif þusend heo lefden uppen þon londe.
þat ne mithte no to scipe cumen þat heo neoren islæȝen oþer inomen.
Wunderliche a-wei heo riden touward ane muchele wude.
Aruiragus heom æfter mid twenti þusend cnihtes.
heo sloȝen heo nomen mid honden heo to-drowen.
Hamun þurh þene wude flæh riht touward þere sæ.
he ærnde to are hæuene he wenden scipen habben.
Þe sæ wes iȝeonge[d] þe scipen stoden a londe.
244
Nefde Hamun to iueren bute þritti rideren.
Aruiragus heom alle sloh & Hamun mid heorsen to-droh.
for his broðer dæðe him wes swi[ð]e unneðe.
& an oðer halue he wes glæd þat his ifon weoren dæd.
for Hamundes dæðe Hamton heo hit hæhte.
nu and auere-mare þe nome stondeð þere.
Nu þu iherest of wuche gomen aras þer þe to-nome.
swa doð a feole wise to-nome ariseð
& ofte of lutle þinge. þe longe ilaste[ð].
for nis nauere nan oðer gomen þat cleouieð alswa ueste.
Þa Hamun & is iueren weoren dæd Aruiragus wes swiðe glad.
nu and auere-mare þe nome stondeð þere.
Nu þu iherest of wuche gomen aras þer þe to-nome.
swa doð a feole wise to-nome ariseð
& ofte of lutle þinge. þe longe ilaste[ð].
for nis nauere nan oðer gomen þat cleouieð alswa ueste.
Þa Hamun & is iueren weoren dæd Aruiragus wes swiðe glad.
ah sone þer-æfter. him com særinesse
He & his cnihtes. þeonene forð-rihtes
tuo Winchestre wenden. wæne com on ueste
heo wende to soðe. þat heo siker weoren
Claudius þe keisere. mid alle his Romanisce here
ouer sæ wende. al mid isunde
Nes he þer buten enne niht. þe wind wende forð-riht
fromward þan stronde. in-to þissen londe
Claudius wenden aȝan. weder him stod an wille
hiȝenliche sone. to Port-chestre heo comen
Up iwende þe kæisere. mid al his Romanisce here
iwepned wel alle. heo wenden to þan walle
to heo eoden alle afoten. & swiðe freche weoren
ouer þene wal heo clumben. & binnen heo þrungen
þat folc heo al slowen. þa æhte heo nomen
al þa wunliche burh. heo barnden to duste
Þus Port-chæstre to-ræs & nauere seo[ðð]en heo ne aras.
þat heo swulc weore swa heo wes eare.
Claudius þe keisere mid wunderliche here.
ferde to Winchæstre & bi-læi þa burh swi[ð]e feste.
Þer binnen wes Aruiragus ærmliche biþrungen.
and muchel dæl of his cunne of Bruttisce monnen.
Wa wes þon kinge Aruiragus & to his cnihtes seide þus.
Suggeð me gode men godfulle kempen.
wulle ȝe me helpen mid hæhȝere strengðe.
her to biwinne wurð-scipe minne.
Þa answereden aðele cnihtes.
Nulle we þe bilæuen for liue ne for dæðen.
On heo duden heore iweden & leopen on heore steden.
cnihtes þer weoren swiðe iwhæte heo dude[n] up þere burh-ȝæten.
heo makeden heore sceld-trome þa scalkes weoren gode.
Weoren alle þa cnihtes ȝærewe to þon fihte.
Þa somnede alle þa alde þe to fehte heom scolde halden.
bi are halue heo riden & spileden of ræde.
& nomen tweien cnihtes & senden to þon kæisere.
& axeden wheðer he wolde grið þe he wolde vnfrih.
Ær þer come mare lure hefde he þene cure.
Þa andswerede Claudius & wið þan cnihten he spec þus.
Wel is þe man nut þe sæht-nesse wurcheð.
Ich æm ræh mon i-noh Rome is min riche.
& alle þa londes stondeð a mire honde.
þa biȝet me bi-uoren Iulius þe kæisere.
& æfter mine dome hæreð in-to Rome.
buten þes ilke kinedom nulle me noht icnawen.
na þissere leodes folke for lauerd me halden.
& me þugcheð muche scome at mire heorte ic habbe grome.
ȝif Rome scæl for-leosen þa while þe ich leouie.
heore muchele wurhscipe þat mine ældere hire biwunnen.
For nare ȝitsunge for nare ȝiuernesse.
ne com ich to þissen londe to halden fiht stronge.
ne for nane plihte buten to biȝiten mine rihte.
& ic heo wulle bi-winnen oðer an wæle liggen.
Æ[c] cnihtes ȝit beoð hider icumen from þon kinge Aruiragune.
Fareð swi[ð]e aȝen to þan folc-kinge.
suggeð him to soðe for hit cumeð him to cuðe.
þat ȝif he wule a leoð gan & halden me for lauerde.
& he me wulle buȝen þa bet him scal iwurðen.
ȝif he me wule sende mine rihten of his londe.
ic hine wulle wurðien mid wurhscipe muclen.
& suggeð him ful iwis ich ȝifuen him mine dohter Genuis.
to sibben & to some þe bet wit mawen libben.
& ȝif he þis nule don he scal wurs vnderfon.
faren wit swullen to-somne & mid fehten hit to-dælen.
makien wæn-slæhtes þænne beoð hit þe wurse.
Þa cnihtes wenden forð-riht to þan folc-kinge.
cudden him soð quides from Claudien þæn kæisere.
Þe king isæh þe neode & droh to his ræde.
and he mid wurð-scipe þas cnihtes awurðede.
þat he of his kinedome wulde heren in-to Rome.
and seoððe wurðscipe him don his dohter to quene vnder-fon.
To-gædere heo comen and sæhten heo weoren sone.
& seoððen heo alle iwenden i[n]-to Winchæstren.
þa weoren in þissen londe blisfulle songes.
Heo wuneden inne Winchæstre an and twenti wikene.
& senden to Rome ful iwis æfter þan maidene Genuis.
Þat maiden mid isunde com to þisse londe.
& Claudien þe kæisere ȝæf heo þisse kinge.
ȝet hit is isene þat heo wes her quene.
þat þe king [Aruiragus] to quene hæfde Genuis.
Þes þinges weoren idone and Claudien hæuede isend to Rome.
þa while iwende Claudius & þe king Aruiragus.
into Orcaneiȝe & þat lond al bi-læien.
ah muchel lond þer-abuten al heo hit biȝeten.
two & þritti æit-lond heo setten on heore aȝere heond.
heore grið heo setten fæste and wenden to Winchæstre.
From Rome wes icumen ful i-wis þat fæire maide Genuis.
isund & hire iuæren. sixti rideren
þat maiden wes iwedded. þe king heo hafde to bedde
Muchel wes þa blisse. þe wes þanne i Bruttene
mid þan kinge Aruiragus. and þæn kæisere Claudius
þa wes þis folk. swa bliðe. swa heo nære nauer ær on liue
for þere muchele blisse. heo arærden enne burȝe
an enne swiðe feire stude. uppe Sæuerne
Þa þe burh wes al imaked. mid muchelere strengðe
þa burh ȝæf Aruiragus. þæn kaisere Claudius
and þat lond þer-abuten. muchel & noht lutel.
He hæhte setten hire on nome þe hire mihte isemen.
hu þe king Aruiragus nam to quene Genuis.
& þer þe king heo ȝef Claudiene þan Romanisce kæisere.
Claudien þe heȝe. Kairclou heo hehte.
a[c] nas hit noht longe þat þe nome moste stonden.
a[c] for Claudiusses wurð-scipe swa wes þe nome iqueððen.
Ah þa Claudius ærest in þissen londe com he funde enne feire wimman.
heo wes witer heo wes wis heo wes maiden ful iwis.
Claudienes cnihtes heo bi-wunnen i þon fihte.
inne Port-chæstre & heolden heo wel fæste.
& ȝeuen heo Claudiene hit wes him swið;e iqueme.
& he hire rædde & forð mid him ladde.
& leouede þe wimman leofliche swiðe.
Þe wifman i-warð mid childe bi Claudiene þan balde.
þa þet child wes iboren. wel wes Claudiene þer-foren
Þa þe time wes ifulled. þat hit fulleht. sculde habben
æfter þan [hað]ene laȝen. þat stoden o þen ilke dæȝen
nome heo him aræhten. and Gloi þat child hahten
Þis child wæx and wel iþæh. & muchel folc him to bah
& Claudien him bitæhte. þa burh þe he ahte
& sette heo mid cnihten. þe gode weoren to fehten
and hæhte heo wite wel faste. & heoten heo Gloichestre
al for his sune luuen. þe leof him wes an heorten
þe seoð[ð]e biȝæt al Walisc lond. to his aȝere hond
and þerof he wes deme. & duc feole ȝere
Þis child me biwuste. inne Gloichæstre
& þa þeos þinges weoren idone. Claudius ferde to Rome
& ladde þes childes moder. for quene nauede he oðer
Þa Claudius com to Rome. tið;ende him com sone
þat þer wes cumen liðende. into þere leode
an swiðe selcuð gume. of Antioge he wes icome
Petrus he wes ihaten. he dude þer feole teonen
he uerde ȝeond al þat lond. & turnde hit to Godes hond
Heonene wes iuaren Claudius. þis lond heold Aruiragus
& Genuis his quene. þe wifmon wel idone
þa isæh þisses ledes king. þat him ne derede naðing
þus he wunede here. mid blisse twenti ȝere
Vnder þan comen tiðende. to Aruiragus þan kinge
næs þer nan oðer ræd. bute Claudius inne Rome wes dæd
Wa wes þisse kinge. swa wes þere quene
swa wes alle þon bezsten. þe wuneden an Bruttene
An þan timen hit wes. þat Gloi wes swiðe god cniht
Þa þeo tiðende. weoren comen to londe
of Claudius þen kæisere. & hu hit wes al iuaren
þa seide þe king. Aruiragus. & wið his duȝeðe he spac þus
Swa ich auere ibiden are. nulle ich nauere-mare
þurh nane dome. heren into Rome
næ nauere-mare heom senden. gauel of mine londe
Ah ȝif heo hider cumeð liðen. leoden to biwinnen
her heo sculeð ibiden. bitterest alre baluwen
næ biȝeten nan oðer god. buten here ȝeoten heore blod
scullen alle heore wif. widewen iwurðen
Þus seide þe king. þeh hit soð neore
þer he sæt mid his scenche. an his kine-benche
Ah al oðer hit iwarð. inne þan twam wintren
for þa Rom-leoden. sende to þissere þeoden
hæhte heom senden. here gauel of þissen londe
And þe king Aruiragus. wradliche heom answerede
hehten heom mucle eiȝe. ut of his æh-seone
fleon of þissen londe. ær heo fæiȝe iwurðen
forð heo iwenden, into Rom-londe
Þa wes i þon ȝere. Vaspasien kæisere
þes tiðende him wes læð. & her-fore he was wrað
He clupede to ræde. alle Rom-leode
& seide bi his liue. þat he wolde to Brutt-londe
bi-telen his irihten. þat Claudius ær ahte
& ȝif heo nolden gan an grið. he wolden fehten heom wið:
and al Rom-leoden. þis him gon ræden
Vaspasien him forð wende. þat he com to France
þa ȝet hit wes al his aȝen. þat he isæh mid his aȝene
ladde he þere leodene king. þe hine for lauer[d] icneou
vorð mid im-seoluen. touward þissen londen
To þere sæ he wende. scipen he þer funde
þat to-ȝenes him weoren ibonned. þe ȝet þe he wes i Rome
He ibad þes wederes. wind com on oueste
in he wende at Wit-sond. & æt Doure he þohte nimen lond
Aruiragus þer-of wes war. & atliche him biuore uerde
& draf hine ut mid stre[n]gðe. forð mid sæ-strame
Mid him hafde Vaspasien. swiðe gode sæ-men
s[t]rahten vt here lof. & leiden æfter vðen
forð bi sæ-side. seileden swiðe.
An hiȝende ful sone to Tottenas heo come.
strahten scipen to þan londe & eoden uppen stranden.
Heo nomen heore wepnen & forð gunnen wenden.
to-somnen heo riden uaste þat heo comen to Æxechæstre.
he wen[den] wel to bi-stelene in-to þare burhȝe.
Ah þet burh-folc wes war & wel hine wusten.
wel heo closden heore ȝeten & ȝareweden heom to fehten.
& þa burh bi-wusten wel mid þan bezsten.
Seouen daȝes fulle Vaspasien mid his monnen.
læiȝe at Exchæstre & bilaie heom swiðe ueste.
Þat iherde Aruiragus þat he wes icume þus.
he nom al þa ferde of Brut-londes ærde.
& sone he gon faren. in toward Cornwalen
in-to Ex-chæstre. þa burh wes þa fæstre
Aruiragus wes þer-innen. mid Bruttisce mennen
Vaspasien þer-vte. þa burh bi-læi abute
A-marȝen þa hit dæi wes. duren heo vntunden
cnihtes heom gereden. grundliche feire
blewen þa bemen. heornes gunnen dremen
heondleden scæftes. & gold-faȝe sceldes
riden ut to-some. ræȝe Brutes.
þritti þusend þe þræt wes þa mare.
Þer-ute wes heom to-ȝæn þe kæisere Uaspasien.
to-gadere heo tuhten & laðliche fuhten.
hardeliche heuwen helmes þer gullen.
stercliche to-stopen mid steles egge.
Alle dæi þer ilæste fæht mid þan mæste.
a þet þat þustere niht to-dælde heore muchele fiht.
læien a ba halue cnihtes to-heouwen.
þær wes hærm mid þon meste bi-uoren Ex-chæstre
Þat bi-heold þa quene. Genuis i-haten
særi wes hire heorte. mid hermen a-fulled
cleopede to hire lauerde. þe leof hire wes on heorte
to þon kinge Aruiragus. þæ quene spac wið him þus
Lauer[d] bi-þenc þe. Þine þeowes beoð gode
þu hauest mucle treow-scipe. treowðe staðeluæste
þat beoð þa þingges. þe bi-riseð to ælche kinge
riche men & hæne ȝif wið seoumen he wule beon clænen.
Bi-þenc þu a þine quides þe þu sulf quiddest.
wið Claudien minne fader þe wes þi cudliche freond.
þe dude þe þa wurhscipe bi-tahte me þe to wiue.
& þu ært me swa leof swa mi kine-lauerd.
Mi cun is her wið-vten & þi kun her wið-innen.
Ȝif þu brekest þine quides & mi cun quellest.
soð ich þe habbe iseid wið þine sune þu beost iuæid.
& ȝif mi cun clembeð. & bi-neoðen þe ibringeð
& þe seoluen & þin folc. falleð to grunde
ȝif þu and þine þer wurðeð dæd. þeonne beo ich wið mine sune iued.
betere weore sæhte þene swulc vnisibbe.
& bi-þenc þe of þan fore. hu þu mine fader swore.
to lasten alche ȝere al to þine liue.
gauel in-to Rome of þine kine-dome.
& ȝet ilæsteð þi lif swa hit do longe.
for þi þu most holden þat þu ær bihæhtest.
Al þa hered-cnihtes heolden mid þere quene.
Þe king and alle his cnihtes wakeden alle nihte.
al niht heo runden whæt heom weoren to ræde.
Ne mihte heo finde nænne ræd þe heom þuhte al swa god.
swa heom þuhte þe soðe quides of þere quene.
A-marwe þa hit dæi wes. duȝeþen heom gereden
to-gædere-ward heo uusden. alswa heo wolden fehten
Forð com þa quene. & rad heom bi-tweonen
ærst heo nom grið. & seoððen heo heom spac wið
sette sæhtnesse. somnede cnihtes
þa ær weoren ifeonde. makede heom to fronde
And þe king heom bi-hehten his foreward to haldene.
& swa he hit ilæste þe while þe he luuede.
Þus heo weoren sahte & þus heo weoren some.
Þa wes þeos Bruttene swiðe iblissed.
& Vaspasiæn and his iueren al þat winter wuneden here.
from burie to burie ferden mid blisse.
Anan swa seomer come þa ferden heo to Rome.
Brut-lond wes bliðe a to þeos kinges liue.
Nu hauede þe king Aruiragus enne sune þe hehte Maurus.
he wes isende to Rome to leornien in scole.
þer him wes swa wel idiht he wes clærc & god cniht.
Þider him com sonde ut of þissen londe.
þæt her nes nan rad for þe king his fader wes dæd.
& he mosten cume sone to his kine-dome.
Swa wes þat writ idiht & he hit dude forð-riht.
to þisse londe he com & under-feng þene kine-dom.
Wel riche wes Aruiragus and mucle ricchere Maurius.
a þisse londe he heold grið a þisse londe he hulde frið.
her wes blisse her wes mete & alre godene mast.
A þissen ilken hit stod þet com ouer sæ-flod.
an king þe hæhte Rodric elche oðer unilic.
he com ut of Scice elches londes vniliche.
he brohte mid him þe Peohtes folc of muchele mahte.
Seoððen Rod[r]ic wes ærst mon & he mihte uuel don.
a he ferde bi sæ-flod & dude he uuel & næuere god.
monie hundreð buriȝe he hæfde imakede blæðe.
He ferde bi sæ-stronde into Scotlonde.
þat lond he al wæste mid hermen þan meste.
þurh þat lond he ærnde & hæ[r]ȝede and hærmde.
Comen þa tiðende to Maurius þon kinge.
hu þe king Rodric his ræflac makede.
Sone he sende sonde ȝeond alle þisse kine-londe
hæhte æuerælcne mon þa his monscipe uðe.
þat he wel iwepned comen to hirede
Þis folc wes isomned. and þe king fusde
ferde into Scotlonde. þere he Rodric king fond
Heo fuhten swiðe feondliche. & feollen þa Peohtes
& Rodric þer wes of-slaȝen. & seoððen mid heorsen to-draȝen
Þer dude Maurius þe king. a wel swuðe sællech þing
uppen þen ilke stude. þer he Rodric uor-dude
he lette a-ræren anan. enne swuðe sælcuð stan
he lette þer-on grauen. sælcuðe run-stauen
hu he Rodric. of-sloh. & hine mid horsen to-droh
& hu he þa Peohtes. ouer-com mid his fæhtes
Vp he sette þæne stan. ȝet he þer stondeð
swa he deð al swa longe. swa þa woreld stondeð.
Nome him scupte þe king & hehte þene stan West-mering.
a muchel dæl londes þe þer lið abuten.
nom þe king to his hond & hæhte hit West-merelinge lond.
Nu þu hafuest soð iherd for wham hit swa hatte.
Þa þe þeo Peohtes weoren ouer-cumne i þon fehte.
and Rodric wes dæd & his iueren for-demed.
þa fluȝen þer bihælues fiftene hundred.
þat weoren þa feirest men þe weoren i þon fehte.
hæfden he to here-toȝe enne hæh-iborene mon.
Þeos weolden heom iburȝen & bi-halues fleon.
& buȝen vt of londe to helpen heore liue.
Þat i-sehȝen þreo eorles þe i þeon fehte weoren ohte.
whudere-ward þa ferde heore flæm makeden.
Þe eorles heom siȝen to mid selen heore cnihtes.
driuen heom in-to ænne hæhne wude þer heo heærm þoleden.
Stod þe wund-liche wude amidden ane wælde.
biuoren na bihinden ne mihten þær nan at-winden.
ah alle hi heom nomen & nane heo ne a-sloȝen.
fæste heom heo bunden & brohten to þen kinge.
þat þe king heom sculden don oðer slan oðer hon.
Anan swa þe king heom spec wið swa heo ȝeornden his grið.
ȝeorne heo hine beden þurh his æd-meden.
þat he nomen heom to þrallen & heo him wolden þiwien.
& heo him wolden beon liðe a to heore liue.
Al þe king weorhte also heo bi-sohten.
& heom an heond sælde muchel dæl of londe.
al abuten Catenes þer heo caðel wrohten.
Þat lond wes swiðe god ah seoððen wes þe muchel flod.
nes hit neuere itiled þurh nænne eorðe-itilie.
no nauere þer ne wuneden on nanes cunnes quic mon.
Sonen heo gunnen to ærien þat lond wes swiðe æðele.
heo tileden heo seowen heo repen heo meowen.
wið-innen þan þrom ȝeren þa nomen heo twælf iueren.
& heo uerden sone þat heo to þisse londe comen.
Bruttes heo gretten mid græi[ð]lichen worden.
beden heom beon on sele & alle isunde.
We eow to-ȝerneð ȝeue swiðe deore.
þet ȝe us ȝiuen wifmen to habben to wiue.
þenne maȝe we heolden luue to þissen leod-folke.
Þa þis iherden Bruttes heokerliche heom þuhte.
& hehten heom faren awæi & fleon of heore londe.
for nolde heo heom ȝetten þa þinges þe heo ȝernden.
Peohtes weoren i-scende & heore wæi forð wende.
ham to heore cunne & cudden heom heore erende.
Heo nomen heore sonde & sende to Irlonde.
to þes londes kinge Gille Caor ihaten.
& biden hine heom senden wifmen of his londe.
& þe king heom ȝette al þat heo ȝeorenden.
Þurh þa ilke wifmen þa þer wuneden longe.
þat folc gan to spelien Irlondes speche.
& auer seoððen þa laȝen wunieð a þan londe.
swa heo beoð þere nu and æuere-mare.
Hæfde Maurius þe king god grið ȝeo[n]d his lond
a to his liue his leoden weoren bliðe.
Þa com þe ilke dæi þat þe king dæd læi.
forð com þes kinges sune Coil wes ihaten.
Þes wes ræh þes wes strong þes wes stið an þonke.
þes cuðe alle þa domes þe stoden inne Rome.
ah he ne luuede noht longe þat wes his leodene hærm.
ah þa while þe he luuede his lond he huld a blisse.
Hæfde Coil þe king þe wes Bruttene aðel.
enne leofue sune Luces ihaten.
þes wes þe bezste mon þe auere hæfde kinedom.
seoððen to Brutlonde com Bruttes þe hit biwan.
Luces wes kineboren Luces wes wel itoȝen.
& he wes swiðe blæð-fæst Bruttes hine luueden.
Moni wes þat gode þing þat cuðe Luces þe king.
nes þa na man vnder lufte þe cuðe betere cræftes.
Þurh yþisne ilke æðele mon vnder-fe[n]g þis lond Cristin-dom.
þe mon þe wule lusten hu hit ærest ilomp.
þeos boc him wulle suggen soððere wordes.
hu Luces þe king ærst Crist luuede.
Men wel i-done comen ut of Rome.
comen to þan kinge & talden him tiðende.
of alle þere fore þe Petrus dude in Rome.
and whulcne martirdom Petrus hauede vnder-fon.
& þa oðere halȝen þe mid Godde hah weoren.
Þa longede swuðe Luces þon kinge.
ære he mare wuste of þan Lauerd Criste.
Þa weoren inne Rome men wel idone.
& an hali mon þer wes Pape Elæudarius wes ihaten.
Nom Luces þe king of his leofuste monnen.
sende to þa Papen & feire hine gon greten.
& be[d] hine on Godes nomen þat him god uðe.
þet he senden him anan sumne god-cunde mon.
for þe king wolde wel don & Cristes laȝen vnder-fon.
libben mid rihte & luuien his Drihte.
he an alle his leoden þe wuneden inne þissere þeoden.
Þa þuhte Elæuðerie þat tiðende swiðe murie
nes na mon on liue. þat weore al-swa bliðe
alse wes þe hali man. þa he þis iheren gon
Þe Pape hafden tweien biscopes. þe luueden Godes rihten
hider-wardes he heom senden. þa biscopes forð wenden
þat comen þa Godes sonden. in-to þissen londe.
to Luces þon kingen & to al his here-ðringen.
Þa spac Dunian & þe oðer biscop Fagan.
seiden þan kinge lar-spel & he hit hærcnede wel.
ær þat lær-spel weoren idon þe king ȝeornde Cristin-dom.
& alle his duȝeþe-cnihtes. hit ȝeorde forð-rihtes.
Þe king fulluht vnder-fe[ng]. & alle his gode men mid him
& alle his Bruttes. þe him buȝen wolden
& þa fulluht nulden vnder-fon. þe king heom letten fordon
Þa þis wes al idon. þa token heo oðer weise on
beiene þa biscopes. ferden ȝeond þas Bruttene
alle þa templen. þe þa heðene hafden itimbrid
Heo letten alle þa scrud at þere dure werpen vt
wascen þa waȝes. wel mid þan bezsten
þa nomen anlicnes. þe Mahun weoren ihatene
heo letten heom draȝen vt. oðer bi hondes oðer bi fot
heo heom letten swalen. inne swærte fure
Þa þis wes al idon. þa token heo oðer weiis on
heo ferde forð-rihtes. þurh Godes mihten
from stouwe to stouwe & stureden heom-seoluen.
hælȝeden alle þa templen a þes Helindes nomen.
Þa þet wes all i-don þo token heo oðer weis on.
þa setten heo biscopes þan folken to dihten.
þer-ouer ærchebiscopes þat clærcscipe to rihten
chirchen he letten areren. monie & wel iwhare.
preostes heo þer setten ase þer-to mihte semen.
Þa þis wes al idon þa token heo oðer weis on.
þa com Luces þe king & lond þer-to leide.
& sette þer-on Godes frið & freoden alle þe chirchen.
& þa laȝen beoð a monie studen al-swa Luces heom on dude.
Naþeles heo weoren soððen swiðe awæmmed.
ladliche iniþered þurh niðfulne craft.
& eft heo weoren irihte swa hit weolde Drihten.
Þa alle þas þinges weoren idone þa ferden þa biscopes to Rome.
& bi-leæfden in þisse londe þat folc a Godes heonde.
& Luces heore lauerd þe leof heom was an heorte.
þus hit ferde here wel feole ȝere.
Luces þe leod-king leouuede wel longe.
twa and feowerti wintre mid muchere winne.
her wes mete her wes drænc men þer-of dræmden.
her wes unimete fare a þissere folc riche.
Þ[u]s heo gunnen driuen & forȝeten to swiðe.
þat heom tæhte þe hehȝe mon þe gode biscop Dunian.
& Fagan his i-uære þe while þe heo weoren here.
Inne griðe þurh alle þing wunede Luces þe king.
þat com þe ilke dæi þat þe king dæd læi.
leof him wes grið and ræd inne Gleochæstre he wes dæd.
þær hehȝe Bruttes þene king bureden.
Þa wes þe weorlde swa uorð iuaren seoððen ure Drihte wes iboren.
an hundred ȝere and sixti þa þe king sah to grunde.
Seoððen Luces king wes dæd her wunede a swiðe strong red.
ne bi-læfde he her neouðer suster ne broðe[r].
ne quene ne næh cun þe his caðel mihte heolden.
To Rome comen tiðende of Luces þon kinge.
hu þe king wæs hære dæd. & i þisse londe nas na ræd
Heo makeden heore uerde. and senden to þissen ærde
Seuarus wes heore hære-toȝe inne Rome he wes ibore.
Þe ferde wes swiðe strong þeo comen heo to þisse lond.
Seuerius wende anan to hæbbene þisne kinedom.
ah Bruttes weoren bisie & ofte hine a-bæileden.
ofte heo him wið fuhten a feole cunne wisen.
Seuarus hine biðo[ð]te whet he don miðte.
in his herede he makede grið & lette awæi þat vniriht.
þat na man ne wurðe swa wod. ne witte bi-dæled
þat in his hirede breke grið. uppe leome & uppe lif
of nauere nane þinge. þat come to his cleopinge
Þis iseȝen Bruttes. þe weoren swiðe bisie
þat Seuarus in his hirede hæfde hehliche grið.
& mong heom-seoluen vnimete seorȝen.
Bruttes siȝen to-gæderes fulle seoue þusend.
& speken Seuarium wið & ȝirden his hiredes grið.
& he heom ȝette & ȝef ȝiues swiðe gode.
Þa wes Seuarus hired selcuðliche istronged.
alle þe ær weoren buuen he heom sette bi-neoðen.
& muchele luue heold wið. alle þat ȝirnden his grið
He uærde to Lunden. & heo hine vnder-fengen
he uerde þurh þis kinelond. & sette hit in his aȝere hond
& æuere heo fluȝen him bi-uoren. þe his feond weoren
Swa swiðe he heom hænde. þat heo fluwen ouer Hu[m]bre
heo fluȝen forð-rihtes. þat heo comen to þan Peohtes
& heo heom vnder-fengen. & nomen heom to iuaren
Heo makeden enne hehne cniht heore here-toȝe forð-riht
fæier cniht and hende. Fulgenes wes ihaten
he heom scolde læden. & he heo[m] sculde ræden
Enne ende of Scot-londe. nom Fulgenes to his honde
þe ende him wes deore. he hæhte Dæire
Sæuarus from Scotte-wær[d]. seoððe aȝæn wende
& his folc lædde in-to Lundene.
& Fulgenes vt of Scot-len muchel scaðe makede.
He leop in-to Brutlond mid muchele balu-ræssen.
æhte he nom men he sloh he duden seorȝen inoh.
& þus he uerde longe inne Scot-londe.
Þis iherde Seuarus þe inne Rome wes kæisere.
and seoððen hider al þa lond. stod an his aȝere heond
þe kæisere sende his seonde ȝeond feole londe.
lette him to beoden swa monie of weorcmonnen.
þat he lette makien ænne dic þe wæs wunderliche deop.
muche and swiðe stronge bisides Scotlonde.
from sæ to sæ eode þæ dich. ælche oðere vnilich.
Þe[r]-vfenen he makede scid wal wunder ane cræftie.
seoððen he sette cnihtes to witen hit dæies & nihtes.
þat neuere Poht þer-ouer ne com ne næuere nan oðer mon.
bute wha-swa walden ȝernen grið & spæken þan kæisere wið.
& wunien forð here mid Seuare þan kæisere.
Þat iherde Fulgenes þat þis weorc iuorðed wes.
þat he into þisse londe ne mihte ne dæies ne nihtes.
Nuste he þa nænne ræd þe him æuere þuhte god.
he cleopede alle his dringches þat heo comen to hustinge.
heore kinge to ræden of his muchele neode.
Heo him rædden to faren riht into Cise.
fær-liche he þider com & fæire wes under-fon.
He spac wið þan Peohtes & swa muchel heom bi-hæhte.
þat heo gædereden in þan ærde mucle scip-ferde.
& ferden bi sæ-stronde into þissen londe.
He uerde riht to Euerwicke Brutten þutte sellic.
þa burh he anan bilæi mid baldere strengðe.
Seoððen he dude to witen þurh worde & þurh writen.
alle his freonden þe weoren in þissen londe.
þat heo scolden wel don & alle comen him to.
he heom wolden mucle wele & wurð-scipe itæchen.
& æuere to his liue heo sculden beon him leoue.
Þis iherden Bruttes þer-fore heo weoren balde.
& wenden from Seuere þan Romænisce kæisere.
moni þusend Bruttes to Fulgenes.
& he heom faire on-feng & muche feoh bihæhte
Þat iherde Sæuarus þat Fu[l]genes dude þus.
he somnede uerde of folke of þissen ærde.
he uu[s]de touwærd Euerwic to his fæi-siðe.
Þa he to Euerwic com Fulgenes him wes a-foren on.
heo bigunnen fehten feondliche swiþe.
a ba hælue þer ful folc unimete.
Sæuare þer wes of-slæȝen & feole his Romwæren.
Fulgenes wes iwunde wunderliche sære.
þat i þan þridden dæie he sarne dæd þolede.
Of Sæueres dæðe Bruttus þer demden.
sæiden heom bi-tweonen þa þat tir ahten.
Seuarus wes god cniht & he heold us swiðe riht.
þæ while þe we him walden heren ær we turnden to Fulgene.
þurh heore vuele ræde beien heo beoð dædde
Nime we Sæuarusses lic & lede we hit into Eouuerwic.
& þær we hit sculleð bi-burien mid muchelere blisse.
& forð ȝelden þa duȝeðe þe he us dude whilen.
Al weoren þa dæden al-se heo idemden.
Sæuarus bi-lefde here tweien sunen. þus hæhten heore nomen
þe ældere hehte Basian. þe ȝungere hahte Gezan
Þe beiene heo weoren ibroðeren. ah noht of are moder
Basianes moder. wes of Brut-londes ærd
& Gezanes moder. of Romanisce monnen
Bruttes nomen Basian. & bitahten him þisne kinedom
& þa Romanisce men. to kinge makede Gezan
Bruttes weoren bisie. & Basian heo luueden
& þa Romanisce men. luueden swiðe Gezan
Þær aras muchel ballu. bi-twenen þissen broðeren
heo nomen here uerden. & comen to stal-fehte
and þer þe king Basian. sloh his broðer Gezan
& þat Romanisce folc. fleh of þissen londe
a[c] monie þer weoren ifalled. i þan muchele fehte
I þisse londe wes a ȝung mon. vnder þon kinge Basian
Carrais wes ihaten. his nome. þes wes a sellich gume
His fader wes an un-strong cniht. ah þe sune wes swiðe sturne
þat wes þe bisegæste mon. þe wunede inne Bruttene
Of nane quike monne. næuede he care nænne
wa wes him þurh alle þing. þat Basian wes Bruttene king
Basian wes griðful king. & Carrais ne likede hit naþing
Þa a þan ilke time. verden bi sæ-rime
vt-laȝen to iwiten. fulle sixti scipen
Carrais hine biðohte. of ane hindere cræfte
þat he wolde sone. faren in-to Rome
Forð he i-uusde. & in-to Rome ferde
& spac wið þane kæisere. & wið þan Romanisce here
& þus seide Carrais. he wes swike fuli-wis
Hæil seo þu Cyrian. þe king þe græteð Basian
and dæð þe ful wel to witen. ba bi worden & bi writen
þat ne mæi he þe no mare senden. þat gauel of Bruttlonde
for twien he haueð bigunnen. to senden hit bi his monnen
i sæ heo funden vt-laȝen & habbeoð alle his men islaȝen.
& iræued al þat gærsume. þe scolde þe to cume
Þa vt-laȝes beoð swa stronge. bi watere & bi londe
þat ne mæi na man ouer sæ uaren. bute mid swiðe mucle care
Ah ȝif þi wille weore. þat þut woldest me ihere
& bi-tachen me þine writen. & senden me twælf scipen
& hælden me to munde. a þire aȝere hond
into sæ ic wolde faren. & slæn alle þa ut-laȝen
& þi gauel þe sende. ut of Brutlonde
For ich æm ennes cnihtes sune. & cun ich habbe iwide
haueð mi fader bi þære sæ. castel swiðe sæle
& cnihtes inowe. & men unifoȝe
alle heo wulleð to me draȝen. to quellen þa ut-laȝen
& þus ich wulle þurh mire hond. witen þi feh & þi lond
Þis ihærde Cyrian. speken þene swike-ful mon
& al he ȝette him. þat he him to ȝirde
writen he him bi-tehten. & wapnen him aræhte
& forð hine senden. touward þissen londe
Forð he ferde Carrais. þat he com to France
æuere his writen he vnfeold. þer he forð ferde
& seiden al þan monnen. what he i Rome hæhde biwunnen
& folc him wende. an æuerælche ende
Carrais com to sæ. mid selcuðe uolke
he hafde to iueren. fif hundred rideren
& folc he hafde a foten. muchel and vnnimete
Al þa scipen bi sæ-stronde. he nom to his honde
he uerde forð in sæ. uereden hine vðen
& he sone bi-com in-to Brutlonde.
& anan bigon ræuinge uppen Basian þene kinge.
Carrais nom his sonde & sende ȝeond þisse londe.
bad ælcne ȝungne mon þe weorces nalde ȝeomen.
& æuere-ælcne ut-laȝe þe his lond hadde bi-boȝen.
& auerælcne cnihtes sune þat his main wolde cuðen.
and ælcne wiðerfulne mon þe god wolde biwinnen.
þat him to scolden comen for golde and gæirsume.
Þas weoren cuðe wunder ane wide.
& þa wiðerwarde sumnede uerde.
heo comen to Carrais þritti þusend fuliwis.
& heo uorð iwenden bi þan sæ-stronde.
Heo rupten heo ræfden noht heo ne bi-læfden.
castles heo [nomen] Bruttes heo sloȝen.
monie heo forbarnden aðele Bruttus.
heo uerden norh heo uerden æst al þat lond heo makeden west.
heo ferden into Scot-lon þer heo scaðe worhten.
& aȝan to þisse londe. þas leoden heo for-uerden
He nom ænne bisine mon. & sende to Brutten
& þas word heom sæde. þe Carrais heom sende
Carrais þe stronge. wunieð inne comela
& send he[r] bi-halues. & grætet wel Bruttes
Ȝe buð godliche gumen. & ich eow wulle griðien
& freoscipe eow ȝiuen. & freond-scipe halden
ȝif ȝe on eowre cuððe. king me wulleð makien
& Bruttus andswereden. for heo weoren aðele men
& seiden þurh alle þing. þat heo nalden swiken heore king
for næuere quicne mon. swiken þene king Basian
& þis word aȝæn com. to Carrais þon stronge
Carrais hine biþohte. whæt he don mæhte
bi twam wittre cnihten. he sende to þan Pohtes
þa Pohtes weoren on londe. next Basiane þan kinge
To heom com þa so[n]de. from Carrais þon stronge
& muchel heom bihæhte. of worliche æhte
Þa Pohtes weoren uuele. he leoseden heore aðele
heo sworen forð-rihtes. & treoðen heo plihten
þat heo wolden Basian. inne fehte biswiken
Þis word com to Carrais. þa wes he glad ful iwis
forð-riht he nom his sonde. & sende to þan kinge
& seide him forð-rihtes. þat wið him he wolde fehte
buten he him wolde rumen. & bilæuen þæs riche
Þa seide þe king Basian. Ær ih wulle dæd beon
Wið-innen seouen nihte. heo comen to þan fihte
biforen þere burh Eouerwic. þat feht wes swiðe storlic
Þa heo scolden bezst fehten. þa fluȝen al þa Pohtes
& heo Basian þe king mid alle bilæfden.
& Carrais him on þrong and mid spere him of-stong.
Bruttes heo sloȝen & moni hundred þer nomen.
Þa stod al þis lond a Carrais aȝere hond.
þa nom he al þa Peohtes & sende in-to Scotte.
& ȝ[a]f heom þere muchel lond inne Scot-londen.
& heore cun wunede þære seoððen auere-mare.
Þis word com to Rome her-æfter ful sone.
hu Carrais hæfde iuaren & Basian þene king of-slæȝen.
Heo somneden twa ferden of Romanisce ærden.
& nomen tweien eorles þe weoren swiðe aðele.
Allec hæhte þe an wes wis & strong mon.
þe oðer wes icleoped þus Liuius Gallus.
Heo ferden of Rome & to þisse londe comen.
þat heo bicomen to Carrais þan kinge
Carrais heo of-sloȝen. his cnihtes heo nomen
Þus þa Romanisce men. ræsden to leo[d]en
& Allec nom to his honde. muchel of þisse londe
Þa ȝet þer weoren Bruttus. monie bi-hælues
þe castles heolden stronge. burhȝes brade & longe
Heo lætten hiȝendliche varen. seoð into Cornwalen
æfter Asclepidiot. þe wes i Cornwale duc
He com an hiȝenge. & heo hine heouen to kinge
Þa somneden Bruttus. sele þeines
hehte alle þa cnihtes. cumen to þan kinge
and æuerælcne ohte mon. biwinnen his aðelen
heo buden heore uerde. uppe niðinges bærde
Þa wes Allec þe king. iliðen in-to Lunden
& Bruttene king. sone him bæh æfter
Hit wes an anne hæhȝe dæie. halȝeden leoden
wes Allec þe king. in are temple
in Lundenne mid his Rom-leoden.
Þa iherde þe king mucle ludinge.
in Lundene stureden þa leoden
Allec him ut leop. & his wepnen he igrap
& al his Rom-leoden. þa i Lun[d]ene weoren
& comen ut of þere burh. & iseȝen heom bi-hæluen
iseȝen heom bi-siden. sillic heom þuhte
wha hæfde al þa mon-uerede. þidere isende
Bruttes heom buȝen to. mid bittere ræsen
Allec heo sloȝen. muche folc heo nomen
& sum on uæste bæh. in-to þere burh
& þe eorl Liuius. in-to Lundenne flæh
lette luken þa ȝeten. & him-seolf læð to walle
and Bruttes þa burȝen. gunnen bi-riden
& bi-leien þa burh. wel mid þe bezsten
Þe king Asclepediot. þe wes cniht swiðe god
sende his sonde. in-to Scotlonde
in-to Muriane æfter mon-weore[de].
& æc in-to Wes[t] Wales æfter Wæl-Brutten.
& swa he lette sone uaren soð in-to Cornwalen.
hæhte ælcne mon of þan ærd þe hæfde on his chinne bærd.
uppe leome & vppen lif to Lundene liðen.
Inne seouen nihte isomned heo weoren.
heo heolden to walle mid wunderliche strengðe.
& Liuius Gallus go[d]liche werede.
Bruttes a þan ende breken þa walles.
& iwenden binnen þa wes þa burh bi-wunnen.
& Liuius Gallus gæinde to anne castle.
& þer binen him ræsde mid his Romanisce uolke.
& Bruttene king bæh to þæn castle.
& lætte to læpen alle þa Brut-leoden.
Þa isæh Liuius Gallus þat his help wes swiðe wac.
þa leonede he ouer wal & lude gon cleopien.
Asclepidiot þene king Þu ært swiðe kene.
ich wullen þe speken wið & ȝirne þe liues grið.
þat þu mid griðe me leten uaren forð touward Rome.
& mid me mine leoden þe ȝet beoð an liue.
& ich þe wulle swerien vppen mine sweorde.
þat nulle ic nauere-mare aȝen cumen here.
Asclepidiot iherde þat þeos word him þuhte god.
& al him iȝette þat Gallus þer ȝerde.
Of þan castle heo ut foren & aðes heo sworen.
& swa heo gunnen wenden uorð ut of londen.
Þa com Scottene king scriðen to hirede.
& imætte Gallus & his gumen alle.
Sone cleopede Columban þe wes Scottene king.
Whar beo ȝe mine gumen vt of Galwæiða.
Whar beo ȝe mine men ut of Mureine.
Whar beo ȝe mine Scottes Scriðeð me biside.
Her we sculleð wel whreken ure wines deore.
& ure uulle iuan fallen to þan grunde.
Ȝif þe king Asclipidiot þe is cniht swiðe god.
haueð heom speken wið & iȝefuen heom liues grið.
nes ich noht þere ne nan of mine iuaren.
ne we hit nulleð halden for ure freond heo habbeoð aqualde.
Heo leiden heom bi-tweonen heore speren longe.
& ladlichen swiðe feolen Rom-leoden.
& Gallus heo nomen & þat hafd him of sloȝen.
& wurpen hine in ænne broc þe þer heom bi stod.
& al þæt wal heo brohten in-to þan broke.
þer Gallus i þan broke at grunde was bi-buried.
Þa wes þas þeode iclansed of Rom-leode.
and Bruttes þan broke nome bi-tæhten
for Gallus wes islaȝen þer-bi hæhte hine nemni Galli.
& a þere Ænglisce boc he is ihaten Wale-broc.
Nu ich habbe þe i-raht hu he hauede þene nome icaht.
for nu and auere-mare is þe nome þere.
Þa wes king Asclepidiot þe wes cniht swiðe god.
fulle ten ȝere mid Brutten heo luuede here.
seoððen his ende bicom þat was uuele idon.
þat he sculden swa raðe. uaren of þissen lif-daȝen
for he wes swiðe læfful alle Brut luueden.
I Glouchæstre wes an eorl of aðelene mon-cunne.
þe alre hæheste iborne mon þe wunede inne Bruttene.
Coel wes ihaten hæhst of þan Brutten.
he wæs of Gloies cunne þe Glochæstre ahte.
swa þat mid alle heore mihte heo comen to ane fihte.
Coel eorl i þan fihte stod & sloh þene king Asclepidiot.
I-mong þissen imonge com reouðe to þisse londe.
swa þat þe kæisere Dioclician sende to þisse londe Maximiæn.
hider he com faren mid muchelere ferde
Þa he com to londe. Coel he uunde
mid compe hæfde biuunnen. þat he king was him-seolue
Coel and Maxim[i]en. cuðliche speken.
& freondscipe makeden i-uastened mid treoðen.
Þa seide Maximien Mi broðer Dioclician.
haueð me al þa londes bitaht a mire honde.
bi-twixe Mu[n]tgiu & Scot-londe þat ic heo scal þurh-scriðen.
& alle þa ilke men for-don þat luuieð þene Cristindom.
Þa wes wa Coel þe king wæs on Bruttene.
þat isæhtnesse mid treoðe hafde isemed.
Coel heold hine stille & Maxi[m]ien dude his wille.
elcne Cristine mon at þan hefde he binom.
& þa wið-saken wolde Cristindom he dude his marken him on.
Þus ferde Maximien he martrede Seint Alban.
& Seint Iulien and Seint Aaron & tweien ancr[es] of Kærlion.
Næs nan biscop næs nan clærk ne cniht neore he swa sterc.
bute he wi[ð]-soke Cristindom þat he nes anan fordon.
Þa þis wes al idon þa uerde forð Maximian.
& Coel bilæfde king inne Bruttene.
Þes king hæfuede enne dohter þe wes him swiðe deore.
& he al þis kinelond bitahte þan maidene an hond.
for næfde he nan oðer child þe mihte i þissen londe beon king.
Þat mæide hehte Elene seoððen heo wes quene.
i þan londe of Ierusalem leoden to blissen.
Þis maiden wes wel itæht on bocken heo cuðe godne cræft.
& wunede in þisse londe mid hire fader stronge.
Her-æfter sone þat word com to Rome.
Þat Coel hæfden iquald Asclepidiot þene king
Þa weoren Rom-leoden. bliðe on heore mode
for he hæfde an his daȝen. muchel of heore cunne islaȝen
Ȝet ne com Maximien neuere to Rome aȝen.
Þa nom Dioclicien ænne eorl wel idon.
þat wes þe ræhȝeste mon þe wu[ne]den inne Rome.
& hæfde moni lond ilæid under his hond
nas na man in his dæȝen. þat dursten him derf makien
Þe kæisere hine sende. into þissen londe
in-to þissen ærde. mid vnimete uærde
[C]ustance hehte þe eorl. æðelest alre cnihten
Þis iherde Coel. þat icumen wæs Custance
a-dræd he wes swiðe. of his ahȝene liue
he nom forð-rihtes. six wise cnihtes
to Custance heom sende. & wilcumede hine to londe
& he seolf him wolden specken wið. ȝef he him wolden ȝifuen grið
& Custance him sende æfter. þat he come mid twalf cnihten
to-somne heo comen. to-gædere heo speken sone
Þa queð þe kin Coel. Custance lust me nu wel
Ich sugge þe þurh alle þing. ich sloh Asclepidiot þene king
þe hæfde þurh his wiðer-laȝen. muchel of þine cunne. of-slaȝen
& mid strengðe eow at-holden wolde. þat gauel of þissen londe
& muchelne scome he eow dude. þe ræðer he dæd þolede
For ich wes an of þan hæhste. þat swore eow hersumnesce
to Romen þat we sculden senden. þat gauel of þissen londe.
Þas aððes þe king bræc þer-fore he is nu dæd.
Ah a-swike wit vnker fihtes & lokien we to þan rihten.
& ich wullen halden to & halden þe for hærre.
& beon þe ful liðe & halden þe for lauerd.
& ælche ȝere þe senden þat gauel of Brutlonde.
Þa answere[de] Custance riche mon & swiðe bald.
Coel þu ært wis mon & wisdom þe folleweð.
Beo nu godful king & gumene þu beo lauerd
& al ich þe ȝette swa þu hit ȝirnest.
& ich wulle mid monscipe þine monradene on-fon.
for þu us dedest monscipe and god. þa þu sloȝe Asclepidiot
Mid muchelere wurscipe. sæht heo iwurðen
mid muchelere blisce. heo wuneden in burȝen
Ah nes hit buten ane while. þat þer com an-oðer time
neoren noht feouwerti daȝen. allunge iuæreden
þat Coel þe king. seoc lai an comlen
his hæfde swiðe oc. & þe king wes wunderliche seoc
Seouen niht & ænne dæi. þe king swiðe seoc lai
hit heold hine bi þan ribben. þat ne mihte he na leng libben
& he cleopede him to. riche his þeines
þat heo him sculden ræden. at swulchere neode
hu he mihte dihten. Ælene his dohter
Þa heo ha[f]den al iseid. þat wes þe utemæste rað
þat heo ȝeue Ælene. Custance to are quene
& al his kineliche lond. sette in Custances hond
& Coel him dude swa. þe king wes inne Bruttene
Þa nes þer nan oðer rad. bute Coel king iwarð dæd
& Custance hauede Ælene. biwedded to quene
þet wes þa wiseste wifman. þa wunede a Bruttene
Custance hauede his quene. a child heom wes imene
Þa þat child wes iboren. God sulf hit hauede i-coren
þer-fore wes al bliðe. þat wunede inne Bruttene
Þa comen to-somne. weorld-seli men
heo funden þat child. nome swiðe hende
heo luueden his licame. & ȝeuen him his fader nome
Custaz hæhte þe king. & Costantin hæhte þat child
þe lef wes on heorten. alle Brut-londen
his moder Elene. wæs þisses londes quene
Þat child wæx and wel iþæh. Godes mildce him wes neh
Bruttes him weoren liðe. & he hom luuede swiðe
heo weoren his moder cunnes-men. icomen heo wes of Brutten
& Custanz his fader. inne Rome wes i-uostred
Al þat þet child mid æȝen isæh. al hit to bæh
Þeo þat child wes uorð iuæred. & wes of twealf ȝere
nes na man i þis ærd. þat weore of heorten swa hærd
Þene Costantin wes wrað. ne dursten na mon speken him wið
& þenne he wes bliðe. he wes uule liðe
Swiðe he luuede alcne cniht þe wæs leof to deme riht.
& his Bruttisce cun swiðe hine bihoȝeden.
& his Romanisce cun wurðliche him radde.
Þa þat child wes of þrittene ȝere þa iwærð his fader vnueren.
þat wes þe ute[m]esten ræd þat Custance þe king iwærð dæd.
& Bruttus nome þat child & makeden heom þer-of anne king.
& Costantin þe ȝunge king mid wisdome heold þis lond.
swulc he weore an æld kingen alre baldest.
Þa wes a þen ilke time a kæisere inne Rome.
he wes ihæten Maxenz þe Wurse hine luuede.
þat wes þe forcuððeste mon þe quic wes on liue.
Al Rome he for-dude þurh his muchele misbode.
alle þa heȝe men he hatede to dæðe.
& alle þa hæne mid harme he igrætte.
Þer weoren monie i Rome riche & wel idone.
þe bi-læfden al þat leoden & fluȝen of þan londe.
for þan scamen & for þan bisemare þe heom dude þe kæisere.
& comen to þissen londe to Costantine þan kinge.
& menden to him heore sær & heore sorh-siðes.
& þan vnimete scome & þenne muche grome.
þe Maxenz heom hæuede idon & idriuen of heore londe.
For nusten heo nenne king þe heo mihten to kennen.
swa heo mihten to Costantine for he wes of heore cunne.
Ȝeorne heo hine beden þat he heom scolden ræden.
hu heo mihten awræken heore wansiðes.
vppe Maxenze þe heore monscipe hæfde auælled.
Swa longe heo ræd ȝeornden þat he heom ræd ȝette.
þat he wolde riden wið ræiȝere strengðe.
forð in-to Rome & þa riche bi-winnen.
& wreken heom on Maxenz þe his cun hæfde i-scænd.
& Costantin þe king gode gaderede uærde.
vnimete folc monianes cunnes
Þe king gon to riden. touward Rom-leoden.
þat he com to Rome mid ræȝere strengðe.
Þe king wes swiðe god cniht & he ȝarkede his fiht.
& he Maxenz of-sloh þer wes blisse inoh.
þa weoren Rom-leoden bliðen on heore þeoden.
Þa wes Costantin þe king kæisere of Rome.
and þer wes Elene þe halie quene & hire þreo æmmes.
þe ældeste hæhte Leonin Trahern & Marin.
þe eorles weoren wel idone Costantin heom bitæhte Rome.
to ræden þa leden to dihten þere þeoden.
& þa læuedi Ælene þa halie quene.
to Ierusalem wende mid richere genge.
& spæc wi[ð] þan elde of þan Iudean þe weoren balde.
& heo heom bihehte swiðe muche æhte.
þat heo hire scolden ræden to vinden þa Rode.
þe Crist ure Lauerd alisden on þes middelærd.
Þeo Iudeus heo sohten & þere quene heo itæhten.
Þa wes heo swa bliðe swa heo nes neuere ær on liue.
& heo vele ȝere þurh þan wunede þere.
þe while hire æem Leonin wes in Rome mid Costantin.
Of þan broðeren he wes ældest of wisdome alre selest.
nomen þa Rom-wisen & wimman him ȝeuen.
of þan hehste cunne of Romanisce monnen.
Þa wifman wes biwedded & Leonin heo hæfde to his bedde.
he dude alse hit is wune he streonede hire on enne sone.
Þa þat child wes iboren þa funden heo him hehne nome.
heo hehten hine forð-riht anan þene hæȝe Maximian.
& Costantin þe king luuede swiðe þat child.
Þus hit ferde þære wurs hit ferde here.
Þa wes inne Walsce londe a duc þe wes swiðe strong.
Octaues he hehte he wes of heȝe cunne.
he cleopede to Brutlonde. þat hit wes his icunde
& al þat þe sæ bi-gæð. Octaues wes swi[ð]e mah
he nom muchele uærde. & wenden ȝeond þissen ærde
ærst he sloh þæ eorles. & þrallede þæ chærles
he heomelede þa reuen. nalde he [n]ænne bi-lefuen
al þis kineliche lond. Octauus nom to his hond
Þis word com to Costantin. in Rome þer he wunede in
hu Octauus hauede idon. his folc islaȝen and ihon
Særi wes þa Costantin. & sorhful an heorte
for he ne mihte nanes weies cumen. to þissere kineriche
for he hauede al Rome-lond. þe stod an his aȝere hond
& his moder Elene. him hafde isend æfter
Þa nom he Traher his æm. & tæhte hine to rade
& þis lond him bi-tahte. biwinnen ȝef he hit mahte
for him-seolf Costantin. ne com he nauere-mare her-in
Ah he nom folc & æhte. & Traher bi-tehte
mid muchelere uerde. sende hine to þissen ærde
& for he wes his moder æm. ȝef he mihte Octauus slæn
& he mihte swa wel don. halde him-seolf þisne dom
Traher forð wende. toward þissen londe
mid ferde mid þan mæste. he com to Portchæstre
Þa Bruttes weoren swiðe whæte. & heolden fæsten heore ȝæte
& Traher heom fæht wið. & þæne þridde dæi heo ȝerden grið
& Traher ferde binnen. & Portchæstre wes biwunne
& þonnene he gon wende. riht to Winchæstre
& Octauus wes icumen bi-uoren. in-to þære burhȝe
To-gædere heo comen. heo fæhten & sloȝen
þat slæht ne mihte. na mare beon i fihte
He isæh his muchelne lure. & nom him oðerne cure
& ferde bi nihte. to þære sæ rihte.
Ær Bruttes hit mihten iwiten his ferde wes al iscipen
& forð heo gunnen wenden i Scot-londe.
& [he al Scotlond] iwon to his aȝere hond
& he wende ouer Humbre. mid hæhȝere strengðe
& in þissere Bruttene burȝes he a-weste.
Octauus þat iherde þe king wes an ærde.
& he mid his folke þider-ward fusde.
to-gadere heo comen & fuhten ful sone.
Nu hæfde Traher swiðe muchel folc. þer.
Scottes & Peohtes & Romanisce cnihtes.
Traher feht wið Octaues & he hine sone ouercom.
Scottes huuen up muchelne ræm & Octaues folc nam flem.
& Romanisce beornes sloȝen þa Bruttes.
Þa wes Octaues wa & he wende to þere sæ.
bi þere sæ-stronde þer he scipen funde.
in-to þane scipen he lað & in-to Norwæiȝe he draf.
Nafde he of his fihte bute an & þritti cnihtes.
& alle þa oðere weoren inomen & Traheres men bi-cumen.
& fiftene þusend islæȝen & idon of heore lif-daȝen.
Þa wes in Norweoȝen ærd a king þe hæhte Compert.
Octaues him spæc wið & ȝernde mildeliche his grið.
& seide him hu Traher mid teone hine hauede iflæmed.
& ȝif þu me wult wlsten mid muchele þine ferden.
þat ich maȝen aȝæn cumen to mine kine-riche.
ich þe wulle luuien & halden þe for lauerd.
mid sæhte & mid sibbe þa while þat ich libbe.
& after mine dæiȝen. mine duȝeðe þe bi-tachen
Þa ænswærede Compert. þe king wes of þan ærd
Þu sælt in þisse ȝere. beon mid me hære
& deornliche sende in-to Brutlonde.
mid weorden and mid writen bi monnen þe heom cunnen witen.
& senden þine sonden to þine bezste freonden.
bi-hæten seoluer & gold muchel æhte & lond.
ȝif ai mon mihte Traher king tuhten to dæðe.
mid drenche oðer mid dweomerlace oðer mid steles bite.
oðer mid æie crafte bi-winnen him his mahte.
þenne mihtes þu aȝen faren mucle þe lasse weoren þi kare.
þenne wlle I þe aȝan bringen & makien þe to kingen.
Al dude Octaues Compertes lare
sende his sonde. in-to þisse londe
þurh þan ilke crafte. þe Compert king him tæhte
& Traher wes on Bruttene. king swiðe bliðe
næfde he of Octaue. caræ næuer nane
na mare þeh he nære iboren. oðer i watere for-loren
Traher wes i Lundene. bliðe mid his leoden
fulle seouen nihte. bliðe mid his cnihten
Þa wes i Kent an eorl. Aldolf i-haten
feond he wes þes kinges. for Octaues þingen
ofte he ferde to þan kinge. & hernede tiðinge
Chæpmen bunden heore ware. þa wolde þe king faren
Aldolf ferde him bi-foren mid feower hundred cnihten.
& leop ut of ane wude wunder wel iwepned.
Traher king he þer fond & mid spere hine stong.
& his muchele uerde sette to fleonde
& Aldolf heom after droh. and muchel folc he þer of-sloh
& seððen he uerde in-to Kent. in-to ane stronge castle
& sende an hiȝinge. after Octaue þan kinge
& he anan com. to þissere kineriche
to kinge he wes vnder-fon. þa þuhte hit hi[m] we[l] idon
Heo ferde ȝeond þas þeoden. & sloh þa Romleoden
þa hæhne & þa riche. alle heo sloh iliche
whar-swa he mihte hine kennen. ne læuede he nauer ænne
& twa & twenti ȝere. he wuneden seoððen here
inne griðe & inne friðe. mid freond-scipe of Brutten
Þa þe he wes wel ald mon. þa com him uuel on
þat vuel hine heold stronge. ah he þreowede longe
Þe king hine bi-ðohte. what he don mihte
wham he mihte bi-tæchen. al his kineriche
and al his duȝeðe. æfter his dæie
Mid carte he for to Lundene. & sette his hustinge
eorles þer comen. riche & wel idone
& alle þa wise. þe wuneden on Bruttene
Þa þe king heom hauede isæid. & bæd heom ræden him ræd
whæm he mihte bi-tæche. al his kine-riche
for nefde he nenne sune. þe his land mihte halden
ne child bute ane dohter. þe him wes swiðe deore
& hire he wolde bi-tachen. al his kineriche
& ȝefuen hire lauerd. þene hæhste mon of þis ærd
Summe him ræden a-nan. þat he heo ȝeuen þan eorle Conan.
he wes wis and riche. him heo he mihte bitæche
oðere þer weoren. þe þis nalden ihæren
I Cornwale wes an eorl god. þe wes ihaten Cradoc
he stod up i þan hustinge. and þus spæc wið þan kinge
Hercne me Octaue. hercne me kinelauerd
No here ich nenne godne ræd. þe þe ȝet beo isæd
Ȝif þu bi-tachest Conan. þine kineriche
þat word comeð sone. vorð into Rome
For nu is Ælene. Ierusalem quene
& þe king Costantin. & alle his cnihtes mid him
& dæd his þe riche Leonin. & his broðer Marin
& Maximien þe ȝunge cniht. i Rome haldeð muchel fiht
& Traher i þisse londe. mid spere wes of-stungen
& ælche dæi inne Rome Maximien þe wel idone.
haldeð swiðe muchel iwin wið Gracien & wið Valantin.
& Costantin þe king of us ne þencheð naðing.
& þus we beoð of Bruttene freonden biræued.
Bute þu wisliche bitæche þine kineriche.
wulleð Romleode cumen to þissere þeode.
& for-uaren vs mid fehte & ure freond ivallen.
& maken vnsæhte & binimen us ure irihten.
Þenne þu beost forð-faren ne beon we næuere buten caren.
Ah send into Rome æfter Maximien þan wel idone.
he is swiðe hende gume & he was Leonines sune.
his fader wes Ælenen æm he is of aðele cunne.
& ȝif him þine dohter þa þe is swiðe deore.
& make hine to kinge þine dohter to quene.
þenne maȝe we libben mid sæhte & mid sibben.
& a to ure liue witen ure leoden.
mid winne & mid wurðscipe mid muchele wisdome.
Þa aras Conan & stod biuoren þan kinge.
he wes wunderliche wrað for þeos speche him wes lað.
he spæc aȝen Cradoc alse he hine wolde fordon.
Ah ne rohte næuere Cradoc of al þat Conan eorl spæc.
for al þat hustinge þe wes biuoren þan kinge.
bi-luueden Cradockes ræd for heo iseȝen þat hit wes neod
Þ[a] cleopede Octaues. Brutlondes lauerd
Hail seo þu Caradoc.
Herfore þu scælt habben wurhscipe muchele.
Læn me Mauric þinne sune þe is a swiðe wis gume.
to uaren a mire neode in-to Rom-þeode.
æfter Maximiane þane richen & þane kene.
þæt he cume swiðe þe while þe ich beo on liue.
and ich him wulle bitæchen mine kine-riche.
and mine dohter Orien to habben to quene.
& ic wulle Maurike mede bi-tæchen.
ich ȝeue him Norhhumber-lond here mid mire aȝere hond.
þis ich him bitæchen of mine kine-riche.
wið þan þe he me bringe Maximien þæ hende.
Al swa þe king ȝirde Mauric hit him ȝette.
he ferde uor[ð]-rihtes mid þreom wise cnihtes.
þat he com to Rome to Maximiene.
Þer wes muchel vnfrið in al þan londe nas na grið.
ah mid vn-friðe þer wes muchel win mid Gracien & mid Ualantin.
Heo duden Maximiene vnimete teone
muchel lond heo hæfden binomen ære þider come Maurich þe gume.
Sone swa Maximiane i-sæh. swa he him to bæh.
& fæire hine igrætte. mid guðfulle worden
& he irad-liche. lædde hine to ræde.
& he þus spæc. wunderliche feire
Hercne Maximian. þu ært of muche cunne
þu weore Elene æmes sune. of hæhȝe cunne þu ært icumen
Ær ich hider uore. nis hit nawhit ȝære
Octaues ure king. i Lundene heold his husting
þat hustinge wes god hit wes witene-imot.
vnhæle & ælde hæueð þene king vnbalded.
Þer wes moni cniht god & þe king heom æxede ræd.
wham he mihte bitæchen his dohter & his riche.
& alle his doȝeðe æfter his dæie.
Þreo eorles anan icure þe eorl Canaan.
þat me sculde him Brutlond bi-tachen al on his hond.
& þa fæire Oriene þes kinges dohter to quene.
Conanes eorldom Kent is ihaten.
& mi fader is an icor ren eorl Cornwalen lauerd.
he is ihaten Caradoc he is of þine cunne.
& ich hatte Mauric þe mæste of his childeren.
Þa heo hæfden a-nan þus icoren Conan.
þa lep mi fader up swulc hit an liun weore.
& wið-seide þene cure bi-foren ure kinge.
Þer wes swiðe muchel dune þeines þer dremden.
& mi fader Caredoc makede lust & þus spæc.
While wes Elene Custances quene.
Ælene hæfde enne æm þe æðele wes on londe.
he wes i-haten Leonin uorð he ferde mid Costantin.
Traher hæhte his broðer & Marin þe oðer.
Traher i þissen londe wes islæȝen mid wornge.
Conanes fader hine sloh þat wes swiðe muchel woh.
for [Tra]her king wende þat heo weoren ifreonde.
Lusteð wel Bruttes þe her beoð bi-hælues.
Leonin hadde ænne sune & inne Rome he wuneð.
Maximien he hatte of þan aðele cunne.
Sende we to Rome & haten hine cumen sone.
& in ure hustinge hæhuen hine to kinge.
& þa feire Oriene bithæchen him to quene.
þenne maȝen we libben mid sæhten & mid sibben.
Þus spæc mi fader Caradoc biforen þan folke.
Þa andswerede þe king hit wes him swiðe i-queme.
& alle his beornen þe wunieð on Brutene.
bute Conaan wes swiðe wræð for þe cure him wes læð.
Cleope nu to ræde þine rædȝiuen gode.
& sæie me her of andswere for nu to-marwen ich wulle faren.
Þa wes Maximien for þisse worde swi[ð]e fæin.
he cleope[de] his ræd-ȝiuen & eoden to rune.
þe ræd wes sone iræd al swa Mauric hit bad.
Stille i-wende sone Maximien of Rome.
i þan seouen-nihte mid alle his cnihten.
wenden þa Rom-leoden þat he wolde to heore vn-neode.
þat he wolden fehten aȝan Valentin & Gracian.
for a heo weoren a-uare;[d] of Maximian and of his hirede.
Ah anan heo wende toward þissen londe.
& swa he gon liðen into Londenne.
fair-lac he gon bringe Octaue þan kingen.
& þe king him for-ȝef his dohter to quene.
Þa wes king Maximien hit þuhte Bruttes i-don wel.
& Conaan eorl mid wraððen wende to Scotten.
& monie Scottes him buȝen to & ane burh bigunnen.
næs þa in al þan ende burh al swa hende.
Þa þeo burh wes al i-maked mid muchelere strengðe.
he sette hire æne nome æfter him-seoluen.
ofte he ræd hire þurh & þurh & hehte heo Cuninges-burh.
nu and æuere-mare þe nome stondeð þere.
Conaan ledde ferde in þan norð ærde.
he hatede Maximien þat abohte mo[n]i mon.
Þa wise men of þisse londe þe luueden þas leoden.
makeden hustinge bitwexen Conaan & þan kinge.
þer heo iwurðen sæhte & þer heo iwurðen somme.
& makede i þissen londe grið god mid þan bezste.
& þe king him bihæhte a-nan to makiene riche mon.
swa he dude seoððen þet abohte moni mon.
mid gr[i]ðe he wuneden here fulle fif ȝere.
Þa hefde Maximien gærsume vni[m]ete.
for he næfde of his londe na gauel isende to Rome.
Þa þe fif ȝer weoren agan þa sæide Maximian.
þat he wolde ouer sæ uaren & fehten wið þan Frenscen.
& ȝif he þere mihte speden to-ward Rome he wolde riden.
to wreken his teone on Gracien and on Valentin.
þe monie him hæfden idone teonen inne Rome.
Þus spæc Maximien uor him wes to murie.
for þis lond wes þa swiðe god & he hit hæfde al vnder fot.
& him ne stod æie to na-þing for dæd wes Octaues þe king.
Maximien bæd ferde feorliche store.
þe king hafde kene men & vnimete gærsume.
forð he gon wenden ut of þissen londen.
forð he gon liðen ut of þissen leoden.
he makede him-seluen muchel clond. ne isæh he nauere æft þis lond
Ouer sæ he wende. and wel com to londe
[in ane londe] swiðe riche þe hehte. Armoriche
Þa scipen urnen a ðen lond. þat folc wenden uppe strond
Heo bigunnen ænne castel. god mid þan bæzsten
heo riden ȝeond þæn leode. & nomen þer muchele prude
heo funden herre-feng inoh. & lædden to heore ferde
& æc heo nomen. wummen. wunder ane monie
& duden þat heo wolden. ȝeond Ærmoriche londe
Þis iherde Humbald. þe wes lauerd i þa lond
hu þe king Mæximien. amerde his riche
Humbald sende sonde. ȝeond al þan londen
þer he æine freond hæfde. þe him helpen wolde
& þohte þat he wælde. heom driuen of his londe
Heo comen bi dæie-lihte. to ane stronge fihte
Bruttes heom ouer-comen. & Humbald heo sloȝen
& fiftene þusende þer weoren i-slaȝen. & idon of lif-dæȝen
Þa þis feht wes i-don. þa wende Maximien
aȝen in-to herberȝe. to resten hine seolue
A-marȝen þa hit dæi wes. duȝeðen heom gereden
heo wenden to þere heȝe burh. þe Nantes is ihaten
ne funden heo þer-inne. noht of moncunne
þe hoem wið wolde stonden. & þa burh heolden
al hit wæs a-wæi ifloȝen. and of þan londe iboȝen
buten a lute wifmen. þe weoren þer wið-innen
Þa burh nom Maximien. & sette mid his monnen
þeo cleopede Maximien. to þan eorle Conaan
Conaan þu ært god cniht. þu hæfuest ihalden wel mi fiht
& ich þe wulle mede muchele bi-tæche.
for þu hæf[d]est al Brutlond i þire aȝere hond.
ȝif ich hit nere þu weore king þere.
and þe eorl Caredoc þe is of mine cunne.
ȝet hit mai ilimpe hit is þe an vnðonke.
Ah loke wulche wætres & wunliche londes.
whulche wurð-liche wude whulche wilde deores.
whul[che] liðe londe on to libbenne
Þis lond hehten Armoriche. þis ich þe bitæche
& muchele mare her-to. ȝif ich hit mæi ifo
her-of þu scalt beon king. & þas riche aȝen
Vt ich wullen driuen. al þat ich finde on liue
ȝungen and alde. vt of þisse londe
and wulcne swa ich mai here ifon. i þan stude he beoð fordon
& sende ich wulle to Aðionærd. þe is min aȝene stiward
eorl he is treowe. for æuer he is að-neowe
for him ich habbe wel bi-tæht. Brutlond to witene
& he me s[c]a[l] senden. in-to þisse londe
wapmen and wifmen. of wel feole cræften
cnihtes & þeines & al heore sweines.
sixti hundred cnihten þe gode beon to fihten.
ten hundred þeines seoue þusend sweines.
seoue þusend burh-men þe sæle beon on æhte.
þritti þusend wifmen þe wel beon ifunden.
Þenne þis folc bið hider icumen & heo stude habbeð i-numen.
þenne bið al þis fæire lond iset Brutten an hond.
æfter þine leoden bi-tæche heom name
Brutlond þat lasse.
Nu and auere-mare þe nome stondeð þere.
& þus Armoriche nome niðer wes auælled.
swa þat næuere-mare ne bið he aræred.
Conaan þeos ȝeue afeng & iwrað þeos kinges freond.
mid muchelere wurðscipe & wel heo hit heolden.
And þe king sende in-to þisse londe.
& hæhte Aðionard þe biwuste Brutlondes ærd.
þat he him swiðe sende þat folc of Brutlonde.
& folc of ælche cræfte sundri scipen bi-tæhte.
& mong þan wifmonnen wepmon næuer enne.
buten þa seoluen scipmen þe heom scullen læden.
Al eoden þeos ræd swa þe king hæfde iseid.
& Conaan þer heold to mid hæhȝere strengðe.
& þe king ferde uorð toward France.
& bi-ȝæt al þat kine-lond & sette hit on his aȝere hond.
& þeonne he gon liðen in-to Lohernne.
al þat lond he bi-ȝæt swa he dude Liuieine æc.
swa he gon liðe in-to Lumbardie.
al þat lond he bi-ȝæt þær wes Caradoc dæd.
þa hauede Mauric his sune sorȝen inowe.
nes þer nan oðer ræd buten þe Mavric iwærð dæd.
To Rome wende Maximiæn uppe Valentin & vppen Gracien.
i fehte he nom þene oðer þa ȝirnde grið þa oðer.
Cnihtes heo weoren hende þe king heom dude i bende.
& he anan sone ahnede him al Rome.
Þat word com to Conaan hu iuaren hafde Maximiæn.
& þat Caradoc wes dæd inne Lumbardie
& al-swa Mauric his sune. for muchele sarinesse
Þa nom þe eorl Conaan. ænne swiðe wisne mon
& sende to þissen londe. to Adionard þan stronge
þe wes stiward swiðe bisi. inne þiss[e] Bruttene
To Adionard me brohten writ. þat dæd wes his broðer
Caradoc þe mære. & Mauric his sune deore
þa næfde Caradoc i þis ærd. broðer bute Adionard
& he forð-riht nom an his hond al Caradokes lond.
Þa iherden þa Frence men þat at Rome wes Maximien.
& Cradoc wes dæd þa nomen þa Frence ænne ræd.
þat heo wolden flæme Conaan þene kene.
vt of þan londe þe Maximian him ȝæf an honde.
þe is bi-halues France & Bruttaine is ihaten.
& Conaan ne ȝirnde na grið ah festliche heom feht wið.
& wel he makede his castles treowe & swiðe uæste.
& alle his beornen he wes leof þe comen of þissen londe.
For alle he hæfde þa cnihtes þe Maximien him bi-hehte.
& ec þa eorles & þa sweines & þa cheorles.
& alle þa burh-men þa him bi-hehte Maximien.
Wifmen neuede he noht feole buten fiftene hundred.
for wifmen nolden noht liðen vt of þissen londe.
buten þe eorl Adionard þe wes þe hæhste i þis ærd.
walde heore borh beon þat heo scolden heore while wel bi-teon.
Þa hæhuede Adionard ænne dohter swiðe deore.
heo hæfde al þat hære-word of þan maidenen of þis ærd.
þeo wimman wes on sele heo hæhte Vrsele.
Conaan sende to þis ærd to þan eorle Adionærd.
& bed þat he him ȝeue his dohter to quene.
Adionard ȝæf andswere wurðscipe habbe he þer-fore.
Mon-scipe habbe Conaan þat he mire dohter wel on.
Nu to-dæi a seouen nihten ich heo senden him bi mine cnihten.
& alle þa wimmen þe him ȝef mi lauerd Maximien.
þider heo scullen liðen ȝif heo wulleð libben.
oðer ich heom wullen alle for-don & bi þan titten an-hon.
Þa ȝarkede Adionard þisses londes lauerd.
his dohter Ursæle þe wimman wes wel sæle.
he þohte heo to sende ouer sæ-strames.
in-to Bruttaine londe to Conaan þan stronge.
Þa iherden þa wimmen wide ȝeond þas Bruttene.
þat me wolde senden Vrse[l]e to þan londe.
hire comen to inoȝe monie & vn-ifoȝe.
þat wolden mid hire uaren to þan kinge Conaane.
swiðe feole heo bi-sohte ma þeone heo rohten.
Þa þe dæi wes icumen þe Adionard hafde inumen.
þat forð scolde uaren þat mæiden Vresele.
þa hafden to iwiten seouen and twenti scepen.
alle heo weoren isunde i þere burh of Lunden.
Inne þere Temese heo teuhten heore seiles.
wind heo hæfden wunsum weder mid þan bezsten.
& heo seileden forð þat inne sæ heo comen.
þa vmbe stunde ne sæȝe heo noht of londe.
Þa aras heom a wind a þere wiðer side.
swurken vnder sunnen sweorte weolcnen.
haȝel & ræin þer aræs þe hit i-seh him agras.
vðen þer urnen tunes swulche þer burnen.
bordes þer breken vimmen gunnen wepen.
Þa scipen þa urnen bi-uoren twelue þer weoren for-loren.
þa oðere weoren al to-driuen & forð mid þere sæ iliðen.
nes þer na steores-mon þat æuere aht cuðe þer-on
Nes næuere na mon iboren. ne of nane londe icoren.
þat hæleð weore swa stærc ne swa hærd-iheorted.
þe iherde þesne weop & þisne wunderliche ræm.
& cleopien to þan halhȝen mid hæhȝere steuene.
þat his heorte neore særi for þan vnimete sorhȝen.
Seoððen þis world wes astald & monnen an honde isælde.
ne com nauere wurse hap to nane wummannen.
Summe þe scipen wunden forð mid þan wederen.
fulle fiftene i þan ane wes [Vrsele].
þe sæ wes wunder ane wod and ladliche iwraððed.
& þa scipen i þere wildere sæ
æuere norð forð-riht. þreo dæies & þreo niht
Þa weoren ut of Norweiȝen. tweien eorles iuaren
Mælgam & Wanis. heo weoren kene ful iwis
of Denemarke & of Norweiȝe. heo weoren iqueðen vt-laȝen
& heo ferden bi sæ-siden. vnimete wide
Heo i-cneowen wel a þan wolcnen. þas wederes custes
heo droȝen to ane ait-londe. þer heo leoðe hafueden
Wanis wes in Hungrie. þer he harm worhte
Mælga wes inne Scise. þer he scaðe makede
þat he ne mihte i þan londe. na lengere at-stonde
& of Norweiȝe iflemed. þer heo fiht þoleden.
& inne sæ heo weoren iuaren uulle seoue ȝeren.
& swa heo leien i þan æit-londe & iseȝen þat weder stronge.
iseȝen scipen an & an while ma while nan.
þeonne feowere þenne fiue sellic heom þuhten a þissen liue.
whæt weoren þa ȝemere scipen þa ȝeond þa sæ weolken.
Þe wind gon aliðen & þat weder leoðede.
& Wanis isæh i þere sæ þa scipen wandrien.
& þus spæc þere wið Malgan his iuere.
Forð wit nu swuðe & after heom biliue.
mid gode fiftene scipen faren we heom æfter.
mid ure bezste cnihten þe gode beon to fihten.
& leten ælle ure oðere scipen ure herberwe bi-witen.
for þis is sum riche king rædes bi-dæled.
þe wolde mid his folke uaren to summe londe.
& haueð þeos wind & þeos weder a-wiðer him i-stonden.
þat wa is him aliue Nu [wende] we him to biliue.
& ȝif hit wule Appolin þat is deore lauerd min.
þat we maȝen mid fihte biwinnen hine & his cnihtes.
& heo ne beon of ure laȝen we scullen him don of lif-dæȝen.
& swa we scullen nimen a hond heore seoluer & heore gold.
& faren to ure inne & ȝeolpen for þere winne.
Forð heo wenden mid flode fiftene scipen gode.
þe strengeste þe weoren a þan dæȝen & fulled mid ut-laȝen.
& a-nan of-token fif scipen of wimmonnen afulled.
Seol-cuð heom þuhte what hit beon mahte.
& heo cleopeden heom on nes þer nan ændswere.
for al weoren þa wimmen awald to þan deðe.
To heom heo droȝen and þas fif scipen nomen.
and furðer heo iwenden & niȝene heo iuengen.
and heo mid þan feowertene scipen ferden to þan londe.
Seoððen þis worlde wes astald nes hit neowhær itald.
on songe no on spelle ne miðte hit na mon telle.
þat weoren æi wimman swa wræcchelichen atoȝene.
ne swa reoliche inne sæ for-radde.
Melga nom [Vrsele] þa scolden beon quene.
& scome hire bi-hedde & ladde heo to his bedde.
Þa þe heðene mon hæfuede on hire his wille idon.
he ȝæf heo his hired-monnen sone to makien to heore.
& summe heo heom salden for seoluer [&] for gold.
& monie & vnifoȝe. heo þer of-sloȝen
& summe heo heom drengte. in þere sæ deope
& summe heo Godd wið-soken. & to haðene-scipe token
& þus heo weoren for-radde. mid reowðe þan mæste
Melga & Wanis. ihurden suggen ful iwis
þat þas Bruttene wes of cnihte bi-dæled.
for Conaan hauede swiðe monie ilæd to Armoriche.
& Maximiæn ladde to Rome monie & wel idone.
swa wes þis kinelond of folke swiðe vnstrong.
Melga & Wanis iwenden in-to Scotten.
þat lond heo þurh arnden & herȝeden & barnden.
þa ahte heo nomen þat folc heo of-sloȝen.
& swa heo wenden hiderward ouer þere Humber.
hermes heo worhten and hene lond makeden.
Þis i-herden Bruttes and weoren þer-fore særi.
heore sonde heo [n]omen sone & senden touward Rome.
Heo grætten Maximian and talden him of Melgan.
& of Wanis his iuere whet heo duden here.
& beden hine heom ræden oðer ælles heo weoren dæde.
Maximien wes sari for swulche tiðende
& anan dude ut of bende. Gracien þene hende
anan swa he him to com. þus he cleopede him on
Gracien bicum mi mon. & þu scelt seoððen wel don
& ich þe wullen senden. in-to Brutlonde
ich wulle al þat kine-lond. bi-techen þe a þire hond
& þu scalt beon mi stiward. swa wes þe eorl Adionard
& ȝif þu wult wel don. ich wulle þe makien riche mon
and driuen of mire þeoden. vncuðe leoden
Þa and-swerede Gracien. mid griðfulle worden
Al ich wulle wurchen. after þine willen
liðen wuder-swa þu wult. & halden þe for lauerd
Þe aðes weoren isworene. & æft heo weoren for-lorene
Maximien þe keisere. bæd swiðe muchelne here
& he chæs of þan iwihte. ten þusend cnihten
& makede Gracien. gumene ælder
& swa heo gunnen wenden. in-to þissen londe
& her he fæht ful iwis. wið Melga & wi[ð] Wanis.
þat wes swiðe wel idon. þat he heo æt compe ouer-com
& draf heom ouer sæ-stronde. in-to Yrlonde
& seoððen ferde ȝeond þis lond. swa him wes alre leofuest
& þe kæisere Maximiæn. inne Rome wes hæh mon
& hæuede Valentin. wel uaste bi-clused in ane castle.
Þa hefde Valentin & Gracien inne Rome muchel cun.
& iseȝen þene enne broðer idæled from þen oðer.
Heo senden heore sonde in-to Puille londe.
& heo senden to Gradie þan Duc of Lumbardie.
& in-to Alemaine to aðelen þan folke.
and in-to feole londe þæ læien þer-abeoten.
& beden of heore ærde alle gaderen værde.
& to ane isette dæie sone cumen abeoten Rome.
& wreken uppen Maximien Valentin & Gratien.
Her-of nuste na-þing Maximien þe riche king.
ah he wunede inne Rome mid muchele riche-dome.
Vmbe lutle virste þa comen þa uerden.
al abeoten Rome riden seouen kinges.
heo to-breken Rome wal & eoden in ouer-al.
Rome burh heo nomen & Maximien heo sloȝen.
& duden vt Valentin & alle his iueren mid him.
of þan stronge castle & keiser hine makede.
& nomen heore sonde & senden to þisse londe.
& senden Gratien word whæt þer wes iwurðen.
& Gratien forð-riht anan ahnede þisne kine-dom.
þisne kinedom haueden Gratien þe ær ahte Maximien.
& Valentin of Rome ahte þa riche.
Þus riht þurh swulne ræd wes Maximien dæd.
and Gracien wes king her þat wes cuð wel iwar.
Wið-innen ane ȝere nes þer first na-mare.
iwrað þe king Gracien gumene forcuðest.
al he for-uerde þis lond þa leoden him weoren laðe.
þa riche he for-uerde þa wræcche he drof of ærde.
ne durste. þa riche þeines nowhær him cumen to-ȝeines.
ah alle heo hine fluȝen and alle heo hine bibuȝen.
Þa weoren in Æst Ængle aðele iborene cheorles.
twene ibroðeren itwinnes heo woeren.
þe oðer hehte Eðelbald & þe oðer Ælfwald.
Heo isehȝen on feole studen hou þe king þis lond fordude
Þas cheorles heom bi-þohten. whæt heo don mihten
& speken heom ful stille. þat þene king heo walden quellen
& senden in Æst Ængle wide ȝeond þan londe.
& sumnede on ærde seouen hundred cheorles.
& seiden þurh alle þing þat heo walden bi-sechen þene king.
& bidden hine mildce þurh þene milde Godd.
þat he þurh his mihte heolde heom to rihte.
Ah Ælfwald & his broðer al heo þuhten oðer.
heo uerden swiðe warliche mid wunsumme lades.
& ælc bær an honde ænne saȝel stronge.
and bi-siden heo gunnen heongen cniues swiðe longe.
vnder heore barme to scilden heom wið hærme.
& swa heo forð ferden alle i-sunde.
& vmben are mile heo ræsten ane while.
& auer-ælcne hired-gume feire heo igrætten.
& milde-liche þurh alle þing fræineden whær weoren þe king.
& hired-men heom tahten whær heo hine finden mæhten.
whær he wes in anne wude in ane wilderne
æfter ane bare. he hine a-bohte ful sære
Þa cheorles wenden to þan wuden. & warliche heom hudden
alle bute tweien. toward þan kinge heo weoren beien
and iuunden þene king. þær he wes an slæting
& him to cleopeden. quickere stæuene
Hider-ward lauerd king. we þe wulleð cuðen a wunderlic þing.
of ane swulche bare þe her is bi-halues.
vnder ane berhȝe þer he burh hafueð i-chosen.
ne iherde we næuere on liue tellen of swulche swine.
ȝif þu þider wult riden þer he þe abideð.
Þer-fore wes þe king glad & þiderwærd wes swiðe ræd.
& þa cheorles him biuoren beien to-gædere.
Þa cheorles up þreowen þene king heo icneowen.
& heo hine niðer setten & al hine to-heowen.
Þus Gratien þe king for ut an slæting.
Sone hit wes ouer-al iseid þat þe luðere king wes dæd.
þa weoren inne Bruttene blissen inowe.
ah sone þer-æfter sorȝen heom weoren ȝiueðen.
Þa wes æuer-ælc cheorl al swa bald alse an eorl.
& alle þa gadelinges alse heo weoren sunen kinges.
Þis word com to wel iwhare hu þe king wes iuaren.
comen sæ-liðende men uorð into Irlonde.
& funden þer ful iwis Melga & Wanis.
& talden heom tiðende al of þissen londe.
hu hit al wes iuaren & þat cheorles næfden nane kare.
& hefden al þis kine-lond iset a cheorlene hond.
Þa weoren glade ful iwis Melga & Wanis.
& seiden þat heo walden toward þissen londe.
Mid muchelere uerde heo comen to þissen ærde.
heo hæfden of Gutlonde ut-laȝen stronge.
of Neorewæi & of Denemarke men swiðe starke.
& of Yrlonde. Gillemaur þene stronge
of Scottene heo hafden. alle þa hæhsten
& of Galeweoðe. gumen swiðe kene
& swa heo gunnen wenden. ut to Norð-humber-londe
ahten heo nomen folc heo þer sloȝen
castles heo ararden. & ahneden þa arde
þa burhȝen heo nomen. & al þat heo neh comen
Þa iseȝen Bruttes. þat balu wes on londe
nusten heo nænne ræd. heo wenden alle wurðen dæd
Sonden heo nomen sone. & senden toward Rome
& beden heore are. þa & auere-mære
ȝif heo heom wolde helpen. to hæȝere neode
a to heore liue heo walden heom liðe.
& luue to heom halden ȝif heo heom helpen wolden.
Þis word wes isend bi write swiðe deore.
& þat writ wes irad imæ[n]g þan Rom-leden.
Þa speken sone þæ wisseste of Rome.
Bi vfelen iwurhten sculden we heom to wenden.
for Gratien heo sloȝen his men heo for-foren.
& neoðeles we heom scullen senden. ferde of þissen ærde
of þissen ænde. ænne ælpi verde
Vt heo senden of Rome. cnihtes wel idone
fif and twenti hu[n]dred. comen in-to Lunden
& buden al þa ferde. of Brut-londes ærde
& ferden forð ful iwis. to Melga & Wanis
& heo fehten heom wið. & sloȝen heore uerde
& heo sulf mid ærh-scipe. arnden to heolte
& letten slæn heore folc. heore vnimete uerde
& heo seolf liðden forð. biuoren Scotlonde
& Febus heom æfter. mid his Romanisce cnihten
ah heo ne mihten for nane þingen. Melgan iuinden
& heo bi-gunnen feorlic. ane swiðe deope dich
& þer-ouen-on ouer-al. ænne strongne stanene wal
bi þere sæ-stronde bi-side Scot-londe.
þer weoren æuere iwuned þe vt-laȝen to londen cumen.
& seoððe heo heom dihten to bi-witen þa dich mid cnihten.
Þa dic & þa wal weoren ȝare þa næfde Bruttes nane kare.
aȝan heo gunnen wenden to þare burh of Lunden.
& Febus of Rome hustinge bad sone.
Þer com moni riche mon to þan hustinge anan.
moni cniht moni eorl moni þein moni cheorl.
moni riche burh-mon þer wende beon bliðe anan.
þa sorh-fulle weoren an heorten ær þe dæi weoren agan.
Febus þe feire cniht lette beoden his ferde uorð-riht.
þat heo comen to hustinge mid alle heore þringe.
& þa sweines at hærberwen letten heore hors wel ȝærwen.
& makien þa heors al swa ȝare swa heo sculden forð faren
& al þat folc duden þus. swa hit hæhte Febus
& swa heo gunnen wenden. to heore hustinge
Þa þat folc wes al icumen. & ælc his stude hafde inomen
þa hehte me lusten. inne Lundenne
Þa stod him up Febus. þe riche cniht and seide þus
Lusteð me nu Bruttes. þe her beoð bi-halues
Ich habbe eow to suggen. soð word of Rome
Ȝe us sende sonde. in-to ure londe
of þare sorhȝe ful iwis. þe eow duden Melgan & Wanis
& ich mid mire ferde. com to þissen ærde
& ich habbe eower iuan. iualled to þan grunde
& iflemed ut of ærde. Melgan buten uærde
Nu [ȝ]e maȝen to-ȝere. careles wunien here
of þare ilke uerde. þe islaȝen is on ærde
Ȝe us habbeð ofte imaked wrað. þer-uore inne Rome ȝe beoð lað
for ofte ȝe us habbeð at-halden. þat gauel of þissen londe
& æc [ȝ]e habbeoð ufele idon. i-slæȝe þene king Gratien
& ofte ȝe us bi-hateð. treoðe to halden
& æuere a þan ænde. ȝe wakieð an honde
We habbeð for eower luuen. ilosed ure leoden
cnihtes i þissen londe. an hundred þusende
seoððen Iulius Cesar ærst bicom her.
ah swa we ibiden are nulle we no mare.
ah we wulleð sone uaren in-to Rome.
& bi-tachen eow þis kine-lond & haldeð hit on eowre hond.
& brukeð hit mid [wu]nne
for nulle we nauere-mare. aȝan comen here
We habbeð of þisse londe. ihaued monie þusend punde
þa we habbeð her bi-soht. ah heo beoð ful deore aboht
we beoð ofte hider ifaren. mid wandreðe & mid care
& nu ȝe maȝen wel don. bisecheð eow wepnen a-nan
& werieð eow seoluen. wið vncuðe leoden
Neoren eower ælderen. aðelene cæppen
Heonne to Rome. al þat lond. stod on heore aȝere hond
& al þat lond þat heo iseȝen. sone heo hit bi-wunne
al heo hit biwunnen. mid heore ahte wæpnen
Ah makieð in eowre londe. castles swiðe stronge
and werieð eowre þeode. wið vncuðe leode
& wunieð her hal and hæil. & habbeð alle godne dæie
Þa þeos word weoren [isæid] þa wes her a strong ræd.
næs nauere þe mon iboren inne nare burhȝe.
þe auere mihte tellen þurh nane spellen.
of þere muchele særi-næsse þa isiȝen wes to folke.
Þa weoren inne Lundenne lað-liche iberen.
þer wes wop þer wes rop. & reoðen vnimete
þa þeo Rom-leoden. riden toward scipene
& Bruttes bilafden. inne þisse londe
mid vnimete reoðe. ne cuðe heo ræd nænne
Þas tiðinde ful iwis. iherde Melga & Wanis
heo hefden ane verde. of vnimete folke
& heo gunnen wenden. in-to Norh-humber-lond
ȝeond þat lond heo arnden. and sloȝen & barnden
& swa heo forð wenden. þat heo comen to þan walle
þeo þa Rom-leoden. hæfden aræred
Bruttes weoren wið-innen. mid swiðe feole monnen
& Melga wið-vten. & ȝeorne wes abuten
hu he mihte aȝeinnen. þat he weoren bi[n]nen
Heo ræsden to þan walle. ræiȝe þeines
somned alle þa uerde. feole cunnen ærde
þa dich wes swiðe wid & deop. & þa ferde to-leop
& Bruttes weoren igærede. & þene wal weoreden
heo scuten in heo scuten ut. scalkes þer feollen
arwen fluȝen ouer wal. al abuten ouer-al
swa þicke wes heore uæræ. swulc hit haȝel wæren
þat for þa arewen ne mihte þa Bruttes. ȝemen [n]anes fihtes
ah a-dun of þan walle. iwenden heo alle
& setten to fleme. feond-liche swi[ð]e.
& þa oðer breken þane wal & eoden binnen ouer-al.
& after heo droȝen & swuðe heom sloȝen.
heo sloȝen þer muchel wunder twa & fifti hundred.
al of Brutten seoluen wið-uten þan Scotten.
& wið-utten þan Dænscæn þa inne þere dic bi-læfden.
Þus iþæh þis kinelond a þere Bruttene hond.
Whæren Bruttes cnihtes icorene.
ah nu heo weoren alle swiðe for-lorene.
ne beoð heo neuere hæȝe buten heo hælp habben.
of oðere moncunne for heo seolf ne cunne.
Þus ferde ful iwis Melga & Wanis.
Þa Bruttes of Lundene to Rome sende sone.
beden heom swiðe cumen & don alse heo ær weoren iwuned.
þat heo arædde þis lond & nomen hit al to heore hond.
for heom heo hit vðen bet þane þan vncuðen.
Þa ȝeuen heo þus answære Nulle we nauere þider faren.
to þolien þat sw[i]nc & þat iwin. aȝæn þat heðene cun
for þat is Goddes wiðer-sake. Wanis ihaten
& Melgan his iuere. nulle we nauere cumen þere
þat is al þe ende. nulle we þuder wende
an-oðer halue we habbeoð. mare þene we maȝen an-hebben
Nes þer nan oðer and-swere. & þas sonden gunnen aȝæn faren
Þa heo aȝan comen. þa Bruttes from Rome
þa tiðinde talden þe Romleoden heom salden.
þa wes Lundene folc mid sorȝen ibunden.
Þa wes þer an ærchebiscop þat wes hali mon [&] god.
& mid Godde swiðe hæh Guencelin ihaten.
He sende his sonde ȝeond alle Brutlonde.
æfter alle þan clæreken þe Godes lare cuðen.
alle þaie ihade[de] gumen hiȝendliche him to comen.
& heo ful sone to Lundene comen.
Þus Guencelin heom spæc wið Mid us wunien Godes grið.
þat is on Latin ful iwis þat me sæið Pax vobis.
& heo him seiden forn to Et cum spiritu tuo.
Þa bi-gon he lar-spæl & of gode spæc swi[ð]e wel.
A þan daȝen at Sei[n]t Pauwel wes þe ærchebiscop stol.
& wel feole ȝere þe ærchebiscopes weoren þere.
ah seoððen þa Seint Austin com hit wes to Cantuare-buri idon.
Nu seide Guencelin þa wes þa heolie mon.
Lusteð lauerdin[g]es of ure tiðendes.
þa þes haðene mon þe is ihaten Melgan.
& Wanis & heore uerde habbeð ibroht [wa] to þissen ærde.
& wulleð þesne Cristindom al for-faren & for-don.
& ich wulle habben leue forð ich wulle liðen.
& ouer sæ wenden to summe hæȝe kinge.
& bidde þane hæȝe king þat hæ us hælpen þurh alle þing.
& ȝif ich mai iuinden to speken wið swulche kinge.
þenne wulle ich wel fain cumen hidere aȝæin.
oðer ælles næuere-mare nulle ich cummen here.
& ȝe bidden for me on eower bare cneowen.
& habbeð alle godne dæi cumen ich wulle ȝif ich mai.
Þa wes þat folc særi & sorhful on heorte.
ne biden nauere Brutware an heore liue swulche care.
Forð wende Guencelin & his clærkes mid him.
riht forð to þere sæ þær heom sæl þuhten.
Scipen heo þer funden & sone in wenden.
& heo ful sone ouer sæ comen.
in-to Bruttaine þer-foren heo weoren faine.
þa þe king Maximien ȝæf þan eorle Conaan.
ah dæd wes þa Maximiæn swa wes þe king Conaan.
Ah Aldroein hæhte his sune þe wes of Conaan icumen.
Brutaine þat lond he hafde al in his hond.
Armoriche hæhte þat lond ah þene nome hit losede an hond.
A[l]dro[ei]n wes þer king vnder him wes moni hæh dring.
Guencelin to þan kinge com & he hine lette wel a-fon.
þe ærchebiscop feol to þes kinges fot & bæd hine biðenche uppen Godd.
Lauer[d] king Aldroein ofte þe wurðe Godd fæin.
Iþenc þat þu weore Conaanes sune of Brutten þu ært al icumen.
Ich æm icumen to speken þe wið & ȝeornnen þe liues grið.
In-to ure londe beoð icumen twæine hæþene gumen.
Melga & Wanis muchel ufel heo doh us.
heo habbeoð of ure londe al þene norð ende.
& swiðe we beoð auæred þat heo nu nabben mare.
& ȝet heo þencheð ufele don to fallen þæne Cristindom.
& turne to heðenesse þa hæȝe & þa læsse.
For þi fader nom of Brutlonde alle þa cnihtes stronge.
& moni þusend ladde to Rome Maximien þe wel idone.
& nu liggeð of-slaȝen þa heo bilæfden an ure daȝen.
& þus is Brut-londdes ærd of folke bi-dæled.
Sonde we sende to Rome & beden þat heo comen.
and heo us habbeoð wor[d] isend bi vre sond-monnen
þat we don þat bezste þat we muȝen. for nulleð heo nauer-mare cumen
ah hateð us bi-winnen. hælp ȝif we cunnen
& habbeð iqueðen us scere. nu & auere-mare
Ah wel mæi don hu hit ga. for wræcches we beoð æuere-ma
Whilen weoren Bruttes. þa bezste men of londe
al þat heo bigunnen. al heo hit biwunnen
Nu heo beoð ouercumen. æiðer islaȝen & inomen
& a-wæi ivaren mid Maximian. & mid þi uader Conaan
þat [n]is þer bileued wel neh nan. þat auere beo æi tale on
Ah þu ært of ure cunne. of us naue þu nane sunne
help us nu for þu miht. ælles we habbeoð muchel pliht
Þus spæc þe ærchebiscop. þat Aldroein king hit vnder-stod
þe king gon siche sare him gunnen glide teores.
& urnen his æȝene þat his hired-men hit iseȝen.
Þa ȝæf þe king and-swære & wið Guencelin he spæc þus þere.
Ich eow wulle helpen mid hæȝere strengðe.
ich þe wullen bitæchen twa þusend cnihtes.
þat scullen beon þa bezste þæ wunieð inne Brutene.
& Costantin minne broðer swulcne nat ich nænne oðer.
swa wid swa is þes dæi-liht nat ich nenne betere cnihte.
ne nat ich a wærulde-riche cniht his iliche.
makieð hine lauerd ouer al Brutlondes ærd.
Þa axede Aldroein þe king his deore broðe[r] Costantin.
& he forð-rihtes bitahte him þa cnihtes.
Forð ferde Costantin & þe ærchebiscop mid him.
& þe king him-seolf walde uaren ah of Frensce monnen he hæfde kare.
Hider-ward wende Costantin þe hende.
and al his uerde isund at Totteneis heo comen a lond.
þeder com þe ohte mon wælla wel wes he ibon.
& mid him twa þusend cnihten swulche na king ne æhte.
Forð heo gunnen liðen in-to Lundenne.
and senden æfter cnihten ȝeond þat kineriche.
and æuerælc oht mon þat hiȝenliche come anan.
Þet iherde Bruttes þer heo wuneden i þan puttes.
inne eorðen & inne stockes heo hudden heom alse brockes.
i wude i wilderne inne hæðe & inne uærne.
þat ne mihte wel neh na man nenne Brut iuinden.
buten heo weoren in castle oðer y burhȝe iclused uaste.
Þa heo iherden of þissen worde þat Costantin wes an ærde.
þa comen ut of munten moni þusend monnen.
heo leopen ut of þan wuden swulc hit deor weoren.
Liðen toward Lundenne moni hundred þusend.
bi straten & bi walden al hit forð hælden.
& þa æhte wif-men wæpmonnes claðes duden heom on.
& heo forð wenden towward þere uerde.
Þa isæh þe eorl Costantin al þis folc cumen to him.
þa wes he swa bliðe swa he nes næuer ær an liue.
Forð heo nomen heore wæi twa niht & enne dæi.
þat heo comen ful iwis to Melga & Wanis.
To-gadere heo ræsden mid ræȝe strengðe.
fuhten feo[n]dliche feollen þa uæie.
ær þe dæi weoren a-gan islaȝen wes Wanis & Melgan.
& Peohtes inowe & Scottes vnifohȝe.
Densce & Norenisce Galewaȝes & Irreisce.
Þa while þat þe dæi wes liht ilæste auere þis slæht.
þa com hit to þan æuen-time þa cleopeden þe æorl Costantin.
& bad þa wæi-witere for-ærnen þa wateres.
and snelle men toward þære sæ þet þer heom sculden sechen.
Þe mon þe iseȝen þat gomen hu forð gengden þa quenen.
ȝoend wudes & ȝend feldes ȝeond hulles & ȝeond heldes.
whær-swa heo funden æine mon at-wunden.
þe weore mid Melga þan hæðene kinga.
þa quenen lude loȝen & al hine to-droȝen.
& beden for þere seole þat hire neuere sæl nere.
Þus þa Bruttisce quenen moni þusend aqualden.
& þus heo areden þæsne kinedo[m]. of Wanis & of Melgan
& Costantin þe ohte. ferde to Selechæstre
& heold his hustinge. of alle his Brut þringen
alle þa Bruttes. buȝen to þan mote
& nomen Costantin aðeling. and makeden hine Bruttene king
Muchel wes þa murðe. þat wæs a mancunne
& seoððen heo him ȝefuen wif. wunder ane hende
i-boren of þan hæsten. of Bruttene þan alre bezsten
Of þissen hæȝe wiue. Costantin hæfuede
inne þissere leode þreo sunen lutle.
Hæfde þe æreste sune wel neh his fader nome.
Costantin hæhte þe king & Costanz hæhte þat child.
Þa þis child wes iwaxen þat hit cuðe riden.
þa lette his fader hit munekien þurh luðere monnene ræde.
& þat child munec wes inne Winchæstre.
After him wes iboren an-oðer þe wes þe midleste broðer.
he wes ihaten Aurelius his to-nome hæhte Ambrosius.
Þa wes alre last iboren a child þat wes wel icoren.
he wes ihaten Vther his aðelen weore store.
he wes þe ȝungeste broðer. ah he leouede lengere þane þa oðere
Guencelin þe ærchebiscop. þe to-ward Gode wes ful god
he bi-wuste þa twa childere. for luue of þan kinge
Ah wale þat heore fader na lengere ne moste libben.
for he hafde gode laȝen þa while þe he luuede.
ah he nes king here buten twælf ȝere.
& seoððen wæs þæ king dæd hercne nu þurh wulcne ræd.
He hafde in his huse ænne Poht hende cniht and swi[ðe] aht
he uerde mid þan kinge. & mid alle his dringen
nanes weies oðer. bute al-swa his broðer
Þa iwarð he swa riche. al his iferen vniliche
þa þohten he to swiken. Costantin þene richen
he com biuoren þan kinge. & feol an his cneowen
& þus leh þa leod-swike. biuoren his lauerd.
Lauer[d] king cum uorð-riht. & spec wið Cadal þinne cniht
& ic þe wulle tællen. of uncuðe spællen
swulc þu næuere ære. an ærde ne herdest
Þa aras þe king Costantin. & eode forð ut mid him
ah wale þat hit nusten. Costantines cnihtes
Heo eoden swa longe forð-ward. þat heo comen in ænne orchærd
Þa seide þa swike. þere. Lauerd beon wit here
Þe swike set adun. alse he wolde holden run
& he bah to þan kinge. alse mon dæð of runinge
He igrap ænne cnif swiðe long. & þene king þer-mid of-stong
in-to þere heorte. & he him-seolf at-sterte
þer þe king dæd læi. & þe swike fleh awæi
Þat word com to herede. hu þe king iuaren hafde
þa wes muchel reoðe. & rumede to folke
Þa weoren Bruttes bisie an þonke
heo nusten þurh nane þinge. whet heo mihten to kinge
for þas kinges sunen tweien. lutlen heo weoren beien
Ambrosie cuðe vnneðe. riden an horse
& Vther his bro[ð]er. þa ȝæt sæc his moder
& Costance þe aldeste. wes i Winchæstre
munec-claðes he hauede an. alse an of his iueren
Þa comen to Lundenne. al þis leodisce folc
to heore hustinge. & to ræden heom of kinge
wulche weis heo mihten don. & heu heo mihten taken on
& wulc an of þissen children. heo mihten habben to kinge
Þa curen þas leoden. Aureliæn Ambrosian
to habben to kinge ouer heom.
Þat iherde Uortiger ȝæp mon & swi[ð]e war.
i-mong þan eorlen he stod & fast-liche hit wið-soc.
& he þus sæide soð þæh hit nære.
Ich eow wulle ræden ræd mid þan bezsten.
Abideð feouwertene niht & cumen we æft her riht.
& ich eow wullen suggen soð[ð]ere wordes
þat mid eower eȝenen ȝe scullen iseon. & eowre while wel bi-teon.
þis ilke we scullen ibiden. & to ure londe þa while riden
& halden grið & halden vrið. freoliche on ærde
Al duden þat hird. swa Uortiger demde
& he him-seolf wende. al-se he walde to his londe.
& turnde riht þene wæi þe in-to Winchæstre lai.
Vortiger hafde Walisc lond þat haluen-dæl an his hond.
feouwerti cnihtes gode he hauede on his hirede.
He wende to Winchæstre þer he Costanz funde.
& spæc wið þæne abbod þe þat munster biwat.
þer Costanz wes munec þas kinges sune of Bruttene.
He wende in-to þan munestre mid mildere speche.
he sæide þat he wolde speken wið Costance.
Þe abbed hit him uðe & he hine ladde to spæc-huse.
Þus spæc Vortiger wið þene munec þa þær.
Custanz hærcne minne ræd for nu is þi fader dæd.
Þer is Ambrosie þi broðer & Vther þe oðer.
Nu habbeð þa ælde þa aðeleste an londe.
icoren Aurilien his to-nome is Ambrosien
ȝif heo maȝen þurh alle þing. heo wulleð makien hine king
& Vðer þi broðer. sukeð ȝet his moder
Ah ic heom habbe wið-sæid. & for-sake þenche
for ich habben i-beon stiward. of al Brutlondes ærd
& eorl ich æm riche. mine iueren vniliche
& ich habbe Walsce lond. haluendæl in mire hond
mare ich habbe ane. þane þa oðere al clæne
Ich æm icome to þe. for monne leofuest ært tu me
ȝif þu wult me swærie aðes. ich wulle don of þe þas claðes
ȝif þu wult æchen mi lond. & þin ræd don in mire hond
& makien me þinne stiward. ouer al Brutlondes ærd
& þurh mine ræde. don al þine dæde.
& þu wulle me an hond plihten þat ich hit scal al dihten.
ich þe wulle þurh alle þing makien Brut-londes king.
Þes munec sæt wel stille þa spæche him eode an wille.
Þa and-swarede þe munec mid muchelere liste.
Wel wurðe þe Vortiger þat þu ært icumen her.
ȝif auere-mare cumeð þæ dæi þat ich king beon mæi.
al mi ræd & al mi lond ich wulle don i þire hond.
& al þat þu wult don mine men hit scullen vnder-uon.
& aðes ich þe swerie þat þis ich wulle uorien.
Þus seide þe munec he murnede swiðe.
hu hit al weore þat he munec neore.
for him weoren blake claðes wunder ane laðe.
Vortiger [wes] ȝæp & war þat he cuð[d]e wel iwar.
he nom ane cape of his ane cnihte.
on þene munec he heo dude & ladde hine ut of þan stude.
he nom ænne swein anan and þa blake claðes dude him on.
& heold rune wið þane swæin swulc hit þe munec weore.
Munekes eoden vpward munekes eoden dunward.
iseȝen bi þan weien þane swein mid munec-claðen.
þe hod hongede adun alse he hudde his crune.
wende æche oðer þat hit weore heore broðer.
þe þer sæt swa sære i þa spæc-huse.
a þan dæi-lihte imong alle þan cnihten.
Heo comen to heore abbede & hine gretten þurh Gode.
Lauerd benedicite we beoð icumen biuoren þe.
for sellic us þuncheð whet Vortiger þencheð.
in ure spæc-huse þer he spel haldeð
þurh-ut þesne dæi na munec þer-in cumen ne maie.
buten Costanz ane & þa cnihtes al clane.
Sære we adredeð þat heo him mis-ræden
Þa answerede þe abbed Næi ac heo him radeð god.
biddeð hine halden his hod for nu is his fader dæd.
Vortiger þer abed þe while Costance awæi rad.
Vortiger up aras of þan munstere vt lað.
& alle his cnihtes ut wenden for[ð]-rihtes.
Munekes þer urnen þider anan wenden to uinde Costance.
þa iseȝen heo þa claðes liggen bi þan waȝes.
þa ælcan to oðer mænden of heore broðer.
Þe abbed an horse leop & æfter Uortiger rad.
& sone gon of-ærne þe eorl Uortigerne.
Þus seide þe abbed to Vortigerne þer he rad.
Seie me þu wode cniht whi dest þu swa muchel vnriht.
Þu bi-ni[m]est us ure broðer Let hine & nim þene oðer.
Nim Ambrosie þat child & make of him ænne king.
& ne wrað þu noht Sæint Benediht. ne do þu him nan vn-riht
Þis iherde Uortige[r]. he wes ȝæp & swiðe iwar
sone he aȝan com. & þe abbed he nom
& swor bi his honden. þat he hine wolde an-hongen.
buten he him plihte þat he wolden vorð-rihtes.
vnhadien Costanz þas kinges sone of þis londe.
& for swulchere neode he sculden beon king of þissere þeode.
Þe abbed ne durste nan oðer þar he vn-hadede his broðer.
& þat child ȝef þan abbede an hond twenti sulhene lond.
& seoððen heo liðeden forð in-to Lundenne.
Vortiger þe hæȝe for-bad his hired-monnen.
þet heo nane manne ne tælden whæt heo hæfden
Vortiger i Lundene læi þat com þe ilke isæte dæi.
þat sculden to hustinge cumen þa cnihtes of þissen
To þan dæie heo comen monie & vniuoȝe.
heo redden heo runden ræiȝe þa beornes.
þat Ambrosie heo wolden habben & to kinge hæbben.
for Vther wes to lutel þa ȝet he moste suken.
& munec wes Costanz þe ældest wes of heom.
& heo nalden for nane þinge munec makie[n] to kinge.
Þis iherde Vortige[r] þe wes ȝæp [&] swuðe iwar.
& an uoten leop swulc hit an liun weore.
Nusten þa Bruttes na whon whæt Vortiger hæfde idon.
he hæfde in ane bure Costanz þene deore.
wel iba[ð]ðed & iscrud & seoððen mid twælf cnihten ihud.
Þa spæc þus Vortiger he wes of ȝæp-scipe war.
Lusteð lauerd[l]inges þe while þe ich speke of kinges.
Ich wes i Winchæstre þer ich wel spedde.
ich spæc wið þene abbed þat is hali mon [&] god.
& seiden him þa neode þe icumen is to þissere þeode.
of Costantines dæðe þer-fore him is vnneðe.
& of Costance þan childe þe he hæfde ihalden.
& ich bad hine for Gode don þat child of hade.
& for swulchere neode king he scolde beon on þeode.
& þe abbed nom his ræd. & dude al þat ich hine bed.
& here ich habbe his munekes þe gode beoð and mære.
þat sculleð witnesse beren eowe alle biuoren.
Leo wær here is þat ilke child makien we her-of enne king.
& her ich halde crune þa þer-to bi-houeð.
& þat þis wule wið-suggen he hit scal abuggen.
Vortiger wes swiðe strong þe hæhste mon of Brutlond.
nes þer nauer nan swa hæh þat his quides durste halsien.
Wes i þere ilke wike þe ærchebiscop forð iwiten.
nes þer nan biscop þat forð on his wæi ne scoc.
na munec ne nan abbed þat he an his wæi ne rad.
for heo ne dursten for Gode don þer þa misbode.
nime þane munec child & makien Brut-londes king.
Þis isæh Vortiger of ufele he wes wel iwar.
up he gon stonden þe crune he nom an honden.
he setten heo vppe Costance þat him wes on þonke.
Nes næuere na ma[n] þat don þer mihte Cristin-dom.
þat mihte blessinge don in þan kinge.
bute Vortiger ane. hit dude for alle clane
Þe frume wes vn-hende. & al-swa wes þe ænde
he for-lette Goddes had. þer-fore he sorȝen ibad
Þus wes king Costance. & Vortiger wes his stiward
Costanz al his kinelond. sette i Vortigeres hond
& al he dude an londe. swa him-sulf wolde
Þa isæh Uortiger. of muclen vfele he wes wær
þat Costanz þe king. ne cuðe of londe na-þing
for he nefde ileorned. nauer nane lare
buten in his munstre. þat munec scolde drigen
Vortiger þat isæh. þe Wurse him wes ful neh
ofte he hine bi-ðohte. wæht he don mahte
hu he mihte mid læsinge. i-quemen þan kinge
Nu þu miht iheren. hu þes swiken him gon uaren
Weoren of Brutlonde. þa bezste alle dæde
nu weoren þas kinges broðeren. beien ful lutle
& Guencelin ærchebiscop. þer bi-foren wes dæd
& him-sulf þisses londes king. of þare laȝe ne cuðe na-þing
Vortiger þis i-sah. & he to þan kinge bæh
mid mildere spæche. his lauerd he gon greten
Hal seo þu Costanz. Brutlondes lauerd
Ich æm icumen þe þus næh. for muchelere neode
for suggen þe tiðende. þe beoð icume to londe
of swiðe muchele plihte. Nu þe bi-houeð mihte
nu þe bi-houeð wepnen. to werie þine þeoden
Her beoð chæpmen icumen. of oðere londen al-se hit is iwune
heo habbeoð ibroht to me tol for heore æhte.
and heo habbeoð me i-tald. & treowðen i-plihte
þat þe king of Norewæiȝe. neowenliche wule hider uaren
& þere Densemonne king. þas Denen wulle at-sechen
& þe king of Rusie ræhȝest alre cnihten.
& þe king of Gutlonde mid ferde swiðe stronge.
& þe king of Frise þer-uore me a-griseð.
Þa tiðende beoð stronge þe icumen beoð to londe.
her-uore ich æm swiðe adred for ne con ich nenne godne ræd.
buten we moten mid mihten senden æfter cnihten.
þat beon gode & stronge & þat wel cunnen a londe.
& setten þine castles mid kene monnen.
& swa þu miht þi kinelond werien wið vnleoden.
& þinne wurh-scipe halden mid hæȝere strenðe
For nis nan kine-lond. na swa brad næ swa long
þat ne bið sone inomen. ȝif þær bið to lute gumen
Þenne answerede þe king. of londe ne cuðe he naðing
Vortiger þu ært stiward. ouer al Brutlondes ærd
& þu hit scalt walden. after þine willen
Send after cnihten. þe gode beon to fihten
& nim al i þire hond. mine castles & mi lon[d]
& do al þine i-wille. & ich wulle beon stille
bute þe an-læpi þing. ich wulle beon icleoped king
Þa loh Uortiger. he wes of vfele swi[ðe] iwær
nes he nauere swa bliðe. ær on his liue
Uortiger nam læue. & forð he gon liðe
& swa he uorð ferde
al þat lond. he sette an his aȝere hond
and þe monraddene he nom. æuere æwher he com
& swa he nom his sonde. & sende to Scotlonde
& hæhte þa Pohtes. þa alre bezste cnihtes
þreo hundred him cumen to. & he heo[m] wolde wel don
And þa cnihtes him to come. þer-æfter wel sone
Þus spæc þe swike-fulle gume. Cnihtes ȝe beoð wulcume
Ich habbe i mire hond. al þis kinewurðe lond
mid me ȝe scullen liðen. for ich eow wullen luuien
& ich eow wullen bringe. bi-uoren ure kinge
ȝe scullen habbe seoluer & gold. þe bezste hors of þis lond
claðes & fæire wif. eore wille ich wulle driȝen
ȝe sculleð beon me leofue. for þa Bruttes me beoð laðe
lude & stille ich wulle [don eore wille].
ȝif ȝe wulleð in londe halden me for lauerd.
Þa forð-rihtes answarede þa cnihtes.
Al we wulleð don þine iwille
& heo gunnen wenden. to Costa[n]ce þan kinge
To þan kinge com Uortiger. of ufele he wes wel war
& seide him of his dæde. hu he idon hæuede
& her ich habbe Peohtes. þa scullen beon hired-cnihtes
and alle ich habbe þine casles. swiðe wel bitæht
& þas uncuðe cnihtes. bi-uoren us scullen fihten
Al þe king bi-lufde. swa Fortiger hoȝede
ah wale þat nuste þa king. of his þohte naðing
ne of his swike-dome. þe he dude þer-æfter sone
Þas cnihtes weoren an hirede. hæhliche iwurðed
fulle twa ȝere. mid þan kinge heo wuneden þere.
& Uortiger þe stiward wes heore alre lauerd.
A he seide þat Bruttes neoren noht to nuttes.
ah he seide þat þa Peohtes weoren gode cnihtes.
A weoren Bruttes godes bidaled
& þa Peohtes walden. al þat heo wolden
heo hafden drænc heo hafden mete. heo hafden muchel blisse æke
Vortiger heom salde. al þat heo wolden
& heom wes al swa leof. swa heore aȝene lif
swa þat heo al speken. þer heo heore mete æten
þat Uortiger weoren wurðe. to walden þas þeode
þurh-ut alle þinges. bæt þene swulche þreo kinges.
Vortiger ȝef þissen gumen swiðe muchele gærsume.
Þa ilomp hit on ane dæie þa Uortiger at his inne laie.
he nom his tweiene cnihtes & sende æfter þan Peohtes.
hæhten heom cumen her for alle heo sculden æten þer.
To him comen þa cnihtes to his inne forð-rihtes.
he uondede heom mid worde alse heo seten at borde.
he lette heom bringen schenches of feole cunne drenches.
heo drunken heo dremden dæi þer forð eode.
Þa heo weore swa drunken þat wakeden heore sconken
þa spæc Uortiger þat he hæfde iþoht ær.
Hercneð nu me cnihtes ich wulle suggen eow uorð-rihtes
of mire muchele sorȝen. þat ich fore habbe imurned
Þe king me bi-tahte þis ard for to beon his stiward
Ȝe beoð me on liue. alre monnen leof[es]t.
ah nabbe ich æhten to ȝiue mine cnihten.
for þes king æh al þis lond and he is ȝung & þæh strong.
and al ic him mot ȝelden þat ich nime of his londe.
& ȝif ich his for-leose ich sal laȝe þolien.
& mine ahten ich habbe ispend for ich eo wulle iquemen.
& nu ich mot heonene uaren feor to summe kinge.
heren him mid sæhte & bi-winnen mid him ahte.
ne mæi I noht for muchele scome. habben here þesne wone
ah forð ich mot liðen. to uncuðe leoden
& ȝif auere cumeð þe dæi þat ich æhten bi-ȝiten mæi.
and ich maȝen swa wel iþeon þat ȝe cumen a londe þer ich beon.
ich eow wulle wel biwiten mid muchelere wurðscipe.
And habbeoð alle godne dæi to-niht ich wulle faren awæi.
hit bið a muchele wæne whær ȝe i-seon me auere-mare.
Nusten noht þas cnihtes. wæt þe swike þohte.
Vortiger wes fæc for her he his lauerd bi-swæc
& þe cnihtes heolden hit for soh. þat þe swike sæide
Fortiger hæhte his sweines. sadeli his blonken
& nemnede twælf scalkes. to laden mid him-seoluen
to horsen heo eoden. swulc heo wolden of þeoden
Þat iseoȝen þa Peohtes. þa for-drunkene cnihtes
hu Vortiger wolde uaren. her-uore heo hæfden muchelne kare
heo eoden to ræden. heo eoden to rune
alle heo menden heore lif. for Vortiger heom wes swa leof
& þus seiden þa Peohtes. þa drunkene cnihtes
Whæt maȝe we nu to rade. Whæ scal us nu ræden
Wha scal us feden Wha scal us scruden
Wha scal an hirede beon ure lauerd
Nu Vortiger is iuaren. alle we mote fusen
Nulle we for nane þinge. munec habbe to kinge
Ah wulle we wel don. forð-riht faren we him to
diȝelliche & stille. & don al ure iwille
in-to his bure. & drincken of his beore
Þenne we habbeð idrunken. dreme we lude
& summe sculleð to þere dure mid sweorden sto[n]den þer biuoren.
& summe forð-rihtes nimen þene king & his cnihtes.
& slæn of þa hafden & we seolf hired haben.
& leten sone of-ærnen uræ lauerd Uortigerne.
& seoððen þurh alle þinge hæbben hine to kinge.
þenne mah we libben swa us bið alre leofuest.
Wenden þa cnihtes to þan kinge forð-rihtes.
eoden heo alle þurh-ut þære halle.
in-to þas kinges bure þer he sæt bi fure.
Nes þer nan þat word spæc bute Gille Callæt.
þus he wið þæne kinge spæc swiken he þohte þet.
Lust me nu leod-king Nulle ich þe liȝen naðing.
We habbeoð i-beon an hirede hæhliche iwurðed.
þurh þinne stiwærd þe haueð iwiten al þis ærd.
he us haueð wel iued he us haueð wel iscrud.
& to soðe ich sugge þe mai mid him we æten nu to-dæi.
ah sare us of-þuncheð nefden we noht to drinken.
& nu we beoð in þine bure ȝef us drinken of þine beore.
Þa ȝæf þe king answare þat scal beon eowre laste kare.
for ȝe sculleð habben to drinken þa while þe eow god þunche.
Me heom brohte drinken & heo gunnen dremen.
Þus sæide Gille Calæt to þere dure he wes ful wæt.
Whær beo ȝe cnihtes Sturieð eow forð-rihtes.
& heo þene king igripen & his hæfde of smiten.
& alle his cnihtes heo sloȝen forð-rihtes.
& nomen ænne sondes-mon and senden toward Lunden.
þat he swiðe sculde ærne æfter Uortigerne.
þat he swiðe comen & þene kine-dom nome.
for þat wuste he þurh alle þing islæȝen wes Costanz þe king.
Þet iharde Uortigerne þe swike wes ful derne.
þus he hæhte þene sondes-mon aȝan for[ð]-riht anan.
& hat heom wel bi-witen al ure wurð-scipen.
þat nauer anne wende ut of þan ænde.
ah alle me abiden a þat ich cu[m]e riden.
& swa ich wulle dele þis lond us alle imæne.
Forð wende þe sondes-mon and Vortiger nom anan.
& sende ȝeond Lunden & to hustinge hehte heom.
ræðen & ful sone þat heo alle comen.
Icumen weoren þa burmen þe swiðe balde weoren.
þa spæc Vortigerne þe swike wes ful deorne.
swiðe he gon to wepen & særiliche siken.
ah hit wes an hafde & noht an his heorte.
Þa axeden hine þa burh-men þe swiðe balde weoren.
Lauerd Vortigerne whæht is þat þu murnest.
Nert þu na wimman swa sære to wepen.
Þa answarede Vortigerne þe wes swike ful deorne.
Ich eow wulle telle for reoliche spelle.
of muche særnesse þe isiȝen is to londe.
Ich habbe i ðis ærd ibeon eower kinges stiwærd.
& ispæken hi[m] wið & iluued hine swa mi lif.
ah nalde he at þan ende nænne ræd luuien.
He luuede þa Peohtes þa vncuðe cnihtes.
& us nalde he god don ne neower feire vnder-fon.
ah heom he wes liðe a to heore liue.
Ne mihte ic of þan kinge habben scipinge.
ich spende mine ahte þa wile þa heo ilaste.
& seoððen ich nam leue to mine londe liðe.
and þenne ich hæfde mine gauel cumen aȝan to hirede.
Þa isæhȝen þa Peohtes þat þe king nefde nane cnihtes.
neo nauere nænne cunes-mon þe heo wolden oht fore don.
heo nomen heore. uore in-to þas kinges bure
Ich suggen eow þurh alle þing. islæȝen heo habbeoð þæne king
& þencheð þisne kine-dom. & us alle for-don
& wulleð forð-rihte. makien king of ane Peohte
Ah ich wes his stiward. w[r]æken ich wulle minne lauerd
& æueræche oht mon. hælpen me þat to don
On ich wulle mid mine gæren. & forð-riht ich wulle uaren
Wenden ut of Lunden. cnihtes þritti hundred
heo riden & heo arnden. forð mid Vortigerne
þat heo neh-læhten þer weoren þa Peohtes
& he nom enne of his cnihtes. & sende to þan Peohten
& seide heom þat he com. ȝif heo hine wolden vnder-uon
Þa Peohtes weoren bliðe. for heore fæi-siðe
& heo nomen heore gode gæren. nes þer neowðer sceld ne spære
Vortiger forð-rihtes. wepnede alle his cnihtes
& comen þa Peohtes. & bruhten hæued þas kinges
Þa Vortiger þis hæued isæh. þa hælde he to grunde ful neh
swulc he hafuede mod-kare. mest of alre monne
mid his lechen he gon liȝen. his heorte wes ful bliðe
Þa seide Vortigerne. þe swike wes ful deorne
Auerælc oht mon. mid sweorde leggeð heom on
& wrækeð wel an ærde. þe seorȝe of ure lauerd
Nænne heo ne nomen. ah alle heo heom sloȝen
& to þan inne wende. in-to Winchæstre
& sloȝen heore sweines. & heore burh-þeines
heore cokes & heore cnaues. alle heo duden of lif-dæȝen
Þus ferden þa tiðinde of Costanz þan kinge.
& þa weorlde-wis mon þa oðere childre bi-wusten.
for heo hafden care of Vortiger heo nomen Ambrosie & Vðer.
& la[d]den heom ouer sæ in-to þere lasse Brutene.
& fæire heom bi-tahten Budiz þan kinge.
& he heom feire vnder-feng he wes heore cun & heore freond.
& mid muchelere liste þa childere he biwuste.
and swa wel fele ȝere mid him heo weoren þere.
Vortiger a þissen londe wes ihoue to kinge.
alle þa Brut[tes] stronge stoden an his honde.
fif & twenti ȝeren he wes king here.
He wes wod he wes wild he wes ræh he wes bald.
of alle þinge he hæfde his iwille. bute þa Peohtes neoren næuere stille
ah eouere heo wenden. ȝeond þene norh enden
& henden þis kinelond. mid hærmen vnimete
& wreken heore cun inoh þat Vortiger here of-sloh.
Vnder þan comen tiðende into þissen londe.
þat Aurelien wes cniht þe Ambrosiæn wes ihæten.
& al-swa wes Vther god cniht & swiðe i-war.
and wolden comen to þissen londe & leden here swiðe stronge.
Þis wes feole siðe iqueðe ofte iquidded.
ofte comen tiðinde to Vortiger þan kinge.
þer-fore him ofte scomede & his heorte gromede.
for men hit sæiden wel iwhær Nu cume[ð] Ambrosie. & Vther.
and wulleð wræken Costance þene king of þis lond.
N[i]s þer cost nan oðer wærken heo wulleð heore broðer.
and slæn Vortigerne & to duste hine for-berne.
þus heo wulleð al þis lond setten an heore aȝere hond.
Swa quiddeden ælche dæi al þat verden æfter wæi.
Uortiger hine biðohte whæt he don mihte.
& þohte sende sonde into oðere londe.
æfter vncuðe cnihten þa hine biwiten mihten.
and þohte to beon wær wið Ambrosie & wi[ð] Vther.
Vnder þan comen tiðende to Vortiger þan kinge.
þat ouer sæ weoren icumen swiðe selcuðe gumen.
inne þere Temese to londe heo weoren icummen.
þreo scipen gode comen mid þan flode.
þreo hundred cnihten alse hit weoren kinges.
wið-uten þan scipen-monnen þe weoren þer wið-innen.
Þis weoren þa færeste men þat auere her comen.
ah heo weore hæðene þat wes hærm þa mare.
Uortiger heom sende to and axede hu heo weoren idon.
ȝif heo grið sohten & of his freond-scipe rohten.
Heo wisliche andswerden swa heo wel cuðen.
& seiden þat heo walden speken wið þan kinge.
& leofliche him heren & hælden hine for hærre.
and swa heo gunnen wenden forð to þan kinge.
Þa wes Uortigerne þa king in Cantuarie-buri.
þer he mid his hirede hæhliche spilede.
þer þas cnihtes comen bi-foren þan folc-kinge.
Sone swa heo hine imetten fæire heo hine igrætten.
& seiden þat heo him wolden hæren i þisse londe.
ȝif he heom wolde mid rihten at-halden.
Þa andswerede Vortiger of elchen vuele he wes war.
An alle mine iliue þe ich iluued habbe.
bi dæie no bi nihtes ne sæh ich nauere ær swulche cnihtes.
for eouwer cumen ich æm bliðe & mid me ȝe scullen bilæfuen.
& eouwer wille ich wulle driȝen bi mine quicke liuen.
Ah of eou ich wulle iwiten þurh soðen eouwer wurð-scipen.
whæt cnihten ȝe seon & whænnenen ȝe icumen beon.
& whar ȝe wullen beon treowe alde & æc neowe.
Þa answerede þe oðer þat wes þe aldeste broðer.
Lust me nu lauerd king & ich þe wullen cuðen.
what cnihtes we beoð & whanene we icumen seoð.
Ich hatte Henges Hors is mi broðer.
we beoð of Alemainne aðelest alre londe.
of þat ilken ænde þe Angles is ihaten.
Beoð in ure londe selcuðe tiðende.
vmbe fiftene ȝer þat folc his isomned.
al ure iledene folc & heore loten werpeð.
vppen þan þe hit fale [ð] he scal uaren of londe.
bilæuen scullen þa fiue þa sexte scal forð liðe.
ut of þan leode to u[n]cuðe londe.
ne beo he na swa leof mon uorð he scal liðen.
For þer is folc swiðe muchel mære þene heo walden.
Þa wif fareð mid childe swa þe deor wilde.
æueralche ȝere heo bereð child þere
Þat beoð an us feole þat we færen scolden.
ne mihte we bilæue for liue ne for dæðe.
ne for nauer nane þinge for þan folc-kinge.
Þus we uerden þere & for þi beoð nu here.
to sechen vnder lu[f]te lond & godne lauerd.
Nu þu hæfuest iherd lauerd ki[n]g soð of us þurh alle þi[n]g.
Þa answærede Vortiger of alc an vfele he wes war.
Ich ileue þe cniht þat þu me sugge soð-riht.
& wulche beoð æoure i-leuen þat ȝe on ileueð.
& eoure leofue godd þe ȝe to lute[ð].
Þa andswarede Hænges cnihtene alre fæirest.
nis in al þis kine-lond cniht swa muchel ne swa strong.
We habbeð godes gode þe we luuieð an ure mode.
þa we habbeð hope to & heoreð heom mid mihte.
Þe an hæhte Phebus þe oðer Saturnus.
þe þridde hæhte Woden þat is an weoli godd.
þe feorðe hæh[te] Iupiter of alle þinge he is whar.
þe fifte hæhte Mercurius þat [i]s þe hæhste ouer us.
þæ sæxte hæhte Appollin þat is a godd wel idon.
þe seoueðe hatte Teruagant an hæh godd in ure lon[d].
Ȝet we habbeð anne læuedi þe hæh is & mæhti.
heh heo is & hali hired-men heo luuieð for þi.
heo is ihate Frææ wel heo heom dihteð.
Ah for alle ure goden deore þa we scullen hæren.
He & his cnihtes. þeonene forð-rihtes
tuo Winchestre wenden. wæne com on ueste
heo wende to soðe. þat heo siker weoren
Claudius þe keisere. mid alle his Romanisce here
ouer sæ wende. al mid isunde
Nes he þer buten enne niht. þe wind wende forð-riht
fromward þan stronde. in-to þissen londe
Claudius wenden aȝan. weder him stod an wille
hiȝenliche sone. to Port-chestre heo comen
Up iwende þe kæisere. mid al his Romanisce here
iwepned wel alle. heo wenden to þan walle
to heo eoden alle afoten. & swiðe freche weoren
ouer þene wal heo clumben. & binnen heo þrungen
þat folc heo al slowen. þa æhte heo nomen
al þa wunliche burh. heo barnden to duste
Þus Port-chæstre to-ræs & nauere seo[ðð]en heo ne aras.
þat heo swulc weore swa heo wes eare.
Claudius þe keisere mid wunderliche here.
ferde to Winchæstre & bi-læi þa burh swi[ð]e feste.
Þer binnen wes Aruiragus ærmliche biþrungen.
and muchel dæl of his cunne of Bruttisce monnen.
Wa wes þon kinge Aruiragus & to his cnihtes seide þus.
Suggeð me gode men godfulle kempen.
wulle ȝe me helpen mid hæhȝere strengðe.
246
Þa answereden aðele cnihtes.
Nulle we þe bilæuen for liue ne for dæðen.
On heo duden heore iweden & leopen on heore steden.
cnihtes þer weoren swiðe iwhæte heo dude[n] up þere burh-ȝæten.
heo makeden heore sceld-trome þa scalkes weoren gode.
Weoren alle þa cnihtes ȝærewe to þon fihte.
Þa somnede alle þa alde þe to fehte heom scolde halden.
bi are halue heo riden & spileden of ræde.
& nomen tweien cnihtes & senden to þon kæisere.
& axeden wheðer he wolde grið þe he wolde vnfrih.
Ær þer come mare lure hefde he þene cure.
Þa andswerede Claudius & wið þan cnihten he spec þus.
Wel is þe man nut þe sæht-nesse wurcheð.
Ich æm ræh mon i-noh Rome is min riche.
& alle þa londes stondeð a mire honde.
þa biȝet me bi-uoren Iulius þe kæisere.
& æfter mine dome hæreð in-to Rome.
buten þes ilke kinedom nulle me noht icnawen.
na þissere leodes folke for lauerd me halden.
& me þugcheð muche scome at mire heorte ic habbe grome.
ȝif Rome scæl for-leosen þa while þe ich leouie.
heore muchele wurhscipe þat mine ældere hire biwunnen.
For nare ȝitsunge for nare ȝiuernesse.
ne com ich to þissen londe to halden fiht stronge.
ne for nane plihte buten to biȝiten mine rihte.
& ic heo wulle bi-winnen oðer an wæle liggen.
Æ[c] cnihtes ȝit beoð hider icumen from þon kinge Aruiragune.
Fareð swi[ð]e aȝen to þan folc-kinge.
suggeð him to soðe for hit cumeð him to cuðe.
þat ȝif he wule a leoð gan & halden me for lauerde.
& he me wulle buȝen þa bet him scal iwurðen.
ȝif he me wule sende mine rihten of his londe.
ic hine wulle wurðien mid wurhscipe muclen.
& suggeð him ful iwis ich ȝifuen him mine dohter Genuis.
to sibben & to some þe bet wit mawen libben.
& ȝif he þis nule don he scal wurs vnderfon.
faren wit swullen to-somne & mid fehten hit to-dælen.
makien wæn-slæhtes þænne beoð hit þe wurse.
248
cudden him soð quides from Claudien þæn kæisere.
Þe king isæh þe neode & droh to his ræde.
and he mid wurð-scipe þas cnihtes awurðede.
þat he of his kinedome wulde heren in-to Rome.
and seoððe wurðscipe him don his dohter to quene vnder-fon.
To-gædere heo comen and sæhten heo weoren sone.
& seoððen heo alle iwenden i[n]-to Winchæstren.
þa weoren in þissen londe blisfulle songes.
Heo wuneden inne Winchæstre an and twenti wikene.
& senden to Rome ful iwis æfter þan maidene Genuis.
Þat maiden mid isunde com to þisse londe.
& Claudien þe kæisere ȝæf heo þisse kinge.
ȝet hit is isene þat heo wes her quene.
þat þe king [Aruiragus] to quene hæfde Genuis.
Þes þinges weoren idone and Claudien hæuede isend to Rome.
þa while iwende Claudius & þe king Aruiragus.
into Orcaneiȝe & þat lond al bi-læien.
ah muchel lond þer-abuten al heo hit biȝeten.
two & þritti æit-lond heo setten on heore aȝere heond.
heore grið heo setten fæste and wenden to Winchæstre.
From Rome wes icumen ful i-wis þat fæire maide Genuis.
isund & hire iuæren. sixti rideren
þat maiden wes iwedded. þe king heo hafde to bedde
Muchel wes þa blisse. þe wes þanne i Bruttene
mid þan kinge Aruiragus. and þæn kæisere Claudius
þa wes þis folk. swa bliðe. swa heo nære nauer ær on liue
for þere muchele blisse. heo arærden enne burȝe
an enne swiðe feire stude. uppe Sæuerne
Þa þe burh wes al imaked. mid muchelere strengðe
þa burh ȝæf Aruiragus. þæn kaisere Claudius
and þat lond þer-abuten. muchel & noht lutel.
He hæhte setten hire on nome þe hire mihte isemen.
hu þe king Aruiragus nam to quene Genuis.
& þer þe king heo ȝef Claudiene þan Romanisce kæisere.
Claudien þe heȝe. Kairclou heo hehte.
a[c] nas hit noht longe þat þe nome moste stonden.
a[c] for Claudiusses wurð-scipe swa wes þe nome iqueððen.
Ah þa Claudius ærest in þissen londe com he funde enne feire wimman.
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Claudienes cnihtes heo bi-wunnen i þon fihte.
inne Port-chæstre & heolden heo wel fæste.
& ȝeuen heo Claudiene hit wes him swið;e iqueme.
& he hire rædde & forð mid him ladde.
& leouede þe wimman leofliche swiðe.
Þe wifman i-warð mid childe bi Claudiene þan balde.
þa þet child wes iboren. wel wes Claudiene þer-foren
Þa þe time wes ifulled. þat hit fulleht. sculde habben
æfter þan [hað]ene laȝen. þat stoden o þen ilke dæȝen
nome heo him aræhten. and Gloi þat child hahten
Þis child wæx and wel iþæh. & muchel folc him to bah
& Claudien him bitæhte. þa burh þe he ahte
& sette heo mid cnihten. þe gode weoren to fehten
and hæhte heo wite wel faste. & heoten heo Gloichestre
al for his sune luuen. þe leof him wes an heorten
þe seoð[ð]e biȝæt al Walisc lond. to his aȝere hond
and þerof he wes deme. & duc feole ȝere
Þis child me biwuste. inne Gloichæstre
& þa þeos þinges weoren idone. Claudius ferde to Rome
& ladde þes childes moder. for quene nauede he oðer
Þa Claudius com to Rome. tið;ende him com sone
þat þer wes cumen liðende. into þere leode
an swiðe selcuð gume. of Antioge he wes icome
Petrus he wes ihaten. he dude þer feole teonen
he uerde ȝeond al þat lond. & turnde hit to Godes hond
Heonene wes iuaren Claudius. þis lond heold Aruiragus
& Genuis his quene. þe wifmon wel idone
þa isæh þisses ledes king. þat him ne derede naðing
þus he wunede here. mid blisse twenti ȝere
Vnder þan comen tiðende. to Aruiragus þan kinge
næs þer nan oðer ræd. bute Claudius inne Rome wes dæd
Wa wes þisse kinge. swa wes þere quene
swa wes alle þon bezsten. þe wuneden an Bruttene
An þan timen hit wes. þat Gloi wes swiðe god cniht
Þa þeo tiðende. weoren comen to londe
of Claudius þen kæisere. & hu hit wes al iuaren
þa seide þe king. Aruiragus. & wið his duȝeðe he spac þus
Swa ich auere ibiden are. nulle ich nauere-mare
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næ nauere-mare heom senden. gauel of mine londe
Ah ȝif heo hider cumeð liðen. leoden to biwinnen
her heo sculeð ibiden. bitterest alre baluwen
næ biȝeten nan oðer god. buten here ȝeoten heore blod
scullen alle heore wif. widewen iwurðen
Þus seide þe king. þeh hit soð neore
þer he sæt mid his scenche. an his kine-benche
Ah al oðer hit iwarð. inne þan twam wintren
for þa Rom-leoden. sende to þissere þeoden
hæhte heom senden. here gauel of þissen londe
And þe king Aruiragus. wradliche heom answerede
hehten heom mucle eiȝe. ut of his æh-seone
fleon of þissen londe. ær heo fæiȝe iwurðen
forð heo iwenden, into Rom-londe
Þa wes i þon ȝere. Vaspasien kæisere
þes tiðende him wes læð. & her-fore he was wrað
He clupede to ræde. alle Rom-leode
& seide bi his liue. þat he wolde to Brutt-londe
bi-telen his irihten. þat Claudius ær ahte
& ȝif heo nolden gan an grið. he wolden fehten heom wið:
and al Rom-leoden. þis him gon ræden
Vaspasien him forð wende. þat he com to France
þa ȝet hit wes al his aȝen. þat he isæh mid his aȝene
ladde he þere leodene king. þe hine for lauer[d] icneou
vorð mid im-seoluen. touward þissen londen
To þere sæ he wende. scipen he þer funde
þat to-ȝenes him weoren ibonned. þe ȝet þe he wes i Rome
He ibad þes wederes. wind com on oueste
in he wende at Wit-sond. & æt Doure he þohte nimen lond
Aruiragus þer-of wes war. & atliche him biuore uerde
& draf hine ut mid stre[n]gðe. forð mid sæ-strame
Mid him hafde Vaspasien. swiðe gode sæ-men
s[t]rahten vt here lof. & leiden æfter vðen
forð bi sæ-side. seileden swiðe.
An hiȝende ful sone to Tottenas heo come.
strahten scipen to þan londe & eoden uppen stranden.
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to-somnen heo riden uaste þat heo comen to Æxechæstre.
he wen[den] wel to bi-stelene in-to þare burhȝe.
Ah þet burh-folc wes war & wel hine wusten.
wel heo closden heore ȝeten & ȝareweden heom to fehten.
& þa burh bi-wusten wel mid þan bezsten.
Seouen daȝes fulle Vaspasien mid his monnen.
læiȝe at Exchæstre & bilaie heom swiðe ueste.
Þat iherde Aruiragus þat he wes icume þus.
he nom al þa ferde of Brut-londes ærde.
& sone he gon faren. in toward Cornwalen
in-to Ex-chæstre. þa burh wes þa fæstre
Aruiragus wes þer-innen. mid Bruttisce mennen
Vaspasien þer-vte. þa burh bi-læi abute
A-marȝen þa hit dæi wes. duren heo vntunden
cnihtes heom gereden. grundliche feire
blewen þa bemen. heornes gunnen dremen
heondleden scæftes. & gold-faȝe sceldes
riden ut to-some. ræȝe Brutes.
þritti þusend þe þræt wes þa mare.
Þer-ute wes heom to-ȝæn þe kæisere Uaspasien.
to-gadere heo tuhten & laðliche fuhten.
hardeliche heuwen helmes þer gullen.
stercliche to-stopen mid steles egge.
Alle dæi þer ilæste fæht mid þan mæste.
a þet þat þustere niht to-dælde heore muchele fiht.
læien a ba halue cnihtes to-heouwen.
þær wes hærm mid þon meste bi-uoren Ex-chæstre
Þat bi-heold þa quene. Genuis i-haten
særi wes hire heorte. mid hermen a-fulled
cleopede to hire lauerde. þe leof hire wes on heorte
to þon kinge Aruiragus. þæ quene spac wið him þus
Lauer[d] bi-þenc þe. Þine þeowes beoð gode
þu hauest mucle treow-scipe. treowðe staðeluæste
þat beoð þa þingges. þe bi-riseð to ælche kinge
riche men & hæne ȝif wið seoumen he wule beon clænen.
Bi-þenc þu a þine quides þe þu sulf quiddest.
wið Claudien minne fader þe wes þi cudliche freond.
þe dude þe þa wurhscipe bi-tahte me þe to wiue.
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Mi cun is her wið-vten & þi kun her wið-innen.
Ȝif þu brekest þine quides & mi cun quellest.
soð ich þe habbe iseid wið þine sune þu beost iuæid.
& ȝif mi cun clembeð. & bi-neoðen þe ibringeð
& þe seoluen & þin folc. falleð to grunde
ȝif þu and þine þer wurðeð dæd. þeonne beo ich wið mine sune iued.
betere weore sæhte þene swulc vnisibbe.
& bi-þenc þe of þan fore. hu þu mine fader swore.
to lasten alche ȝere al to þine liue.
gauel in-to Rome of þine kine-dome.
& ȝet ilæsteð þi lif swa hit do longe.
for þi þu most holden þat þu ær bihæhtest.
Al þa hered-cnihtes heolden mid þere quene.
Þe king and alle his cnihtes wakeden alle nihte.
al niht heo runden whæt heom weoren to ræde.
Ne mihte heo finde nænne ræd þe heom þuhte al swa god.
swa heom þuhte þe soðe quides of þere quene.
A-marwe þa hit dæi wes. duȝeþen heom gereden
to-gædere-ward heo uusden. alswa heo wolden fehten
Forð com þa quene. & rad heom bi-tweonen
ærst heo nom grið. & seoððen heo heom spac wið
sette sæhtnesse. somnede cnihtes
þa ær weoren ifeonde. makede heom to fronde
And þe king heom bi-hehten his foreward to haldene.
& swa he hit ilæste þe while þe he luuede.
Þus heo weoren sahte & þus heo weoren some.
Þa wes þeos Bruttene swiðe iblissed.
& Vaspasiæn and his iueren al þat winter wuneden here.
from burie to burie ferden mid blisse.
Anan swa seomer come þa ferden heo to Rome.
Brut-lond wes bliðe a to þeos kinges liue.
Nu hauede þe king Aruiragus enne sune þe hehte Maurus.
he wes isende to Rome to leornien in scole.
þer him wes swa wel idiht he wes clærc & god cniht.
Þider him com sonde ut of þissen londe.
þæt her nes nan rad for þe king his fader wes dæd.
& he mosten cume sone to his kine-dome.
Swa wes þat writ idiht & he hit dude forð-riht.
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Wel riche wes Aruiragus and mucle ricchere Maurius.
a þisse londe he heold grið a þisse londe he hulde frið.
her wes blisse her wes mete & alre godene mast.
A þissen ilken hit stod þet com ouer sæ-flod.
an king þe hæhte Rodric elche oðer unilic.
he com ut of Scice elches londes vniliche.
he brohte mid him þe Peohtes folc of muchele mahte.
Seoððen Rod[r]ic wes ærst mon & he mihte uuel don.
a he ferde bi sæ-flod & dude he uuel & næuere god.
monie hundreð buriȝe he hæfde imakede blæðe.
He ferde bi sæ-stronde into Scotlonde.
þat lond he al wæste mid hermen þan meste.
þurh þat lond he ærnde & hæ[r]ȝede and hærmde.
Comen þa tiðende to Maurius þon kinge.
hu þe king Rodric his ræflac makede.
Sone he sende sonde ȝeond alle þisse kine-londe
hæhte æuerælcne mon þa his monscipe uðe.
þat he wel iwepned comen to hirede
Þis folc wes isomned. and þe king fusde
ferde into Scotlonde. þere he Rodric king fond
Heo fuhten swiðe feondliche. & feollen þa Peohtes
& Rodric þer wes of-slaȝen. & seoððen mid heorsen to-draȝen
Þer dude Maurius þe king. a wel swuðe sællech þing
uppen þen ilke stude. þer he Rodric uor-dude
he lette a-ræren anan. enne swuðe sælcuð stan
he lette þer-on grauen. sælcuðe run-stauen
hu he Rodric. of-sloh. & hine mid horsen to-droh
& hu he þa Peohtes. ouer-com mid his fæhtes
Vp he sette þæne stan. ȝet he þer stondeð
swa he deð al swa longe. swa þa woreld stondeð.
Nome him scupte þe king & hehte þene stan West-mering.
a muchel dæl londes þe þer lið abuten.
nom þe king to his hond & hæhte hit West-merelinge lond.
Nu þu hafuest soð iherd for wham hit swa hatte.
Þa þe þeo Peohtes weoren ouer-cumne i þon fehte.
and Rodric wes dæd & his iueren for-demed.
þa fluȝen þer bihælues fiftene hundred.
þat weoren þa feirest men þe weoren i þon fehte.
hæfden he to here-toȝe enne hæh-iborene mon.
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& buȝen vt of londe to helpen heore liue.
Þat i-sehȝen þreo eorles þe i þeon fehte weoren ohte.
whudere-ward þa ferde heore flæm makeden.
Þe eorles heom siȝen to mid selen heore cnihtes.
driuen heom in-to ænne hæhne wude þer heo heærm þoleden.
Stod þe wund-liche wude amidden ane wælde.
biuoren na bihinden ne mihten þær nan at-winden.
ah alle hi heom nomen & nane heo ne a-sloȝen.
fæste heom heo bunden & brohten to þen kinge.
þat þe king heom sculden don oðer slan oðer hon.
Anan swa þe king heom spec wið swa heo ȝeornden his grið.
ȝeorne heo hine beden þurh his æd-meden.
þat he nomen heom to þrallen & heo him wolden þiwien.
& heo him wolden beon liðe a to heore liue.
Al þe king weorhte also heo bi-sohten.
& heom an heond sælde muchel dæl of londe.
al abuten Catenes þer heo caðel wrohten.
Þat lond wes swiðe god ah seoððen wes þe muchel flod.
nes hit neuere itiled þurh nænne eorðe-itilie.
no nauere þer ne wuneden on nanes cunnes quic mon.
Sonen heo gunnen to ærien þat lond wes swiðe æðele.
heo tileden heo seowen heo repen heo meowen.
wið-innen þan þrom ȝeren þa nomen heo twælf iueren.
& heo uerden sone þat heo to þisse londe comen.
Bruttes heo gretten mid græi[ð]lichen worden.
beden heom beon on sele & alle isunde.
We eow to-ȝerneð ȝeue swiðe deore.
þet ȝe us ȝiuen wifmen to habben to wiue.
þenne maȝe we heolden luue to þissen leod-folke.
Þa þis iherden Bruttes heokerliche heom þuhte.
& hehten heom faren awæi & fleon of heore londe.
for nolde heo heom ȝetten þa þinges þe heo ȝernden.
Peohtes weoren i-scende & heore wæi forð wende.
ham to heore cunne & cudden heom heore erende.
Heo nomen heore sonde & sende to Irlonde.
to þes londes kinge Gille Caor ihaten.
& biden hine heom senden wifmen of his londe.
& þe king heom ȝette al þat heo ȝeorenden.
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þat folc gan to spelien Irlondes speche.
& auer seoððen þa laȝen wunieð a þan londe.
swa heo beoð þere nu and æuere-mare.
Hæfde Maurius þe king god grið ȝeo[n]d his lond
a to his liue his leoden weoren bliðe.
Þa com þe ilke dæi þat þe king dæd læi.
forð com þes kinges sune Coil wes ihaten.
Þes wes ræh þes wes strong þes wes stið an þonke.
þes cuðe alle þa domes þe stoden inne Rome.
ah he ne luuede noht longe þat wes his leodene hærm.
ah þa while þe he luuede his lond he huld a blisse.
Hæfde Coil þe king þe wes Bruttene aðel.
enne leofue sune Luces ihaten.
þes wes þe bezste mon þe auere hæfde kinedom.
seoððen to Brutlonde com Bruttes þe hit biwan.
Luces wes kineboren Luces wes wel itoȝen.
& he wes swiðe blæð-fæst Bruttes hine luueden.
Moni wes þat gode þing þat cuðe Luces þe king.
nes þa na man vnder lufte þe cuðe betere cræftes.
Þurh yþisne ilke æðele mon vnder-fe[n]g þis lond Cristin-dom.
þe mon þe wule lusten hu hit ærest ilomp.
þeos boc him wulle suggen soððere wordes.
hu Luces þe king ærst Crist luuede.
Men wel i-done comen ut of Rome.
comen to þan kinge & talden him tiðende.
of alle þere fore þe Petrus dude in Rome.
and whulcne martirdom Petrus hauede vnder-fon.
& þa oðere halȝen þe mid Godde hah weoren.
Þa longede swuðe Luces þon kinge.
ære he mare wuste of þan Lauerd Criste.
Þa weoren inne Rome men wel idone.
& an hali mon þer wes Pape Elæudarius wes ihaten.
Nom Luces þe king of his leofuste monnen.
sende to þa Papen & feire hine gon greten.
& be[d] hine on Godes nomen þat him god uðe.
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for þe king wolde wel don & Cristes laȝen vnder-fon.
libben mid rihte & luuien his Drihte.
he an alle his leoden þe wuneden inne þissere þeoden.
Þa þuhte Elæuðerie þat tiðende swiðe murie
nes na mon on liue. þat weore al-swa bliðe
alse wes þe hali man. þa he þis iheren gon
Þe Pape hafden tweien biscopes. þe luueden Godes rihten
hider-wardes he heom senden. þa biscopes forð wenden
þat comen þa Godes sonden. in-to þissen londe.
to Luces þon kingen & to al his here-ðringen.
Þa spac Dunian & þe oðer biscop Fagan.
seiden þan kinge lar-spel & he hit hærcnede wel.
ær þat lær-spel weoren idon þe king ȝeornde Cristin-dom.
& alle his duȝeþe-cnihtes. hit ȝeorde forð-rihtes.
Þe king fulluht vnder-fe[ng]. & alle his gode men mid him
& alle his Bruttes. þe him buȝen wolden
& þa fulluht nulden vnder-fon. þe king heom letten fordon
Þa þis wes al idon. þa token heo oðer weise on
beiene þa biscopes. ferden ȝeond þas Bruttene
alle þa templen. þe þa heðene hafden itimbrid
Heo letten alle þa scrud at þere dure werpen vt
wascen þa waȝes. wel mid þan bezsten
þa nomen anlicnes. þe Mahun weoren ihatene
heo letten heom draȝen vt. oðer bi hondes oðer bi fot
heo heom letten swalen. inne swærte fure
Þa þis wes al idon. þa token heo oðer weiis on
heo ferde forð-rihtes. þurh Godes mihten
from stouwe to stouwe & stureden heom-seoluen.
hælȝeden alle þa templen a þes Helindes nomen.
Þa þet wes all i-don þo token heo oðer weis on.
þa setten heo biscopes þan folken to dihten.
þer-ouer ærchebiscopes þat clærcscipe to rihten
chirchen he letten areren. monie & wel iwhare.
preostes heo þer setten ase þer-to mihte semen.
Þa þis wes al idon þa token heo oðer weis on.
þa com Luces þe king & lond þer-to leide.
& sette þer-on Godes frið & freoden alle þe chirchen.
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Naþeles heo weoren soððen swiðe awæmmed.
ladliche iniþered þurh niðfulne craft.
& eft heo weoren irihte swa hit weolde Drihten.
Þa alle þas þinges weoren idone þa ferden þa biscopes to Rome.
& bi-leæfden in þisse londe þat folc a Godes heonde.
& Luces heore lauerd þe leof heom was an heorte.
þus hit ferde here wel feole ȝere.
Luces þe leod-king leouuede wel longe.
twa and feowerti wintre mid muchere winne.
her wes mete her wes drænc men þer-of dræmden.
her wes unimete fare a þissere folc riche.
Þ[u]s heo gunnen driuen & forȝeten to swiðe.
þat heom tæhte þe hehȝe mon þe gode biscop Dunian.
& Fagan his i-uære þe while þe heo weoren here.
Inne griðe þurh alle þing wunede Luces þe king.
þat com þe ilke dæi þat þe king dæd læi.
leof him wes grið and ræd inne Gleochæstre he wes dæd.
þær hehȝe Bruttes þene king bureden.
Þa wes þe weorlde swa uorð iuaren seoððen ure Drihte wes iboren.
an hundred ȝere and sixti þa þe king sah to grunde.
Seoððen Luces king wes dæd her wunede a swiðe strong red.
ne bi-læfde he her neouðer suster ne broðe[r].
ne quene ne næh cun þe his caðel mihte heolden.
To Rome comen tiðende of Luces þon kinge.
hu þe king wæs hære dæd. & i þisse londe nas na ræd
Heo makeden heore uerde. and senden to þissen ærde
Seuarus wes heore hære-toȝe inne Rome he wes ibore.
Þe ferde wes swiðe strong þeo comen heo to þisse lond.
Seuerius wende anan to hæbbene þisne kinedom.
ah Bruttes weoren bisie & ofte hine a-bæileden.
ofte heo him wið fuhten a feole cunne wisen.
Seuarus hine biðo[ð]te whet he don miðte.
in his herede he makede grið & lette awæi þat vniriht.
þat na man ne wurðe swa wod. ne witte bi-dæled
þat in his hirede breke grið. uppe leome & uppe lif
of nauere nane þinge. þat come to his cleopinge
Þis iseȝen Bruttes. þe weoren swiðe bisie
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& mong heom-seoluen vnimete seorȝen.
Bruttes siȝen to-gæderes fulle seoue þusend.
& speken Seuarium wið & ȝirden his hiredes grið.
& he heom ȝette & ȝef ȝiues swiðe gode.
Þa wes Seuarus hired selcuðliche istronged.
alle þe ær weoren buuen he heom sette bi-neoðen.
& muchele luue heold wið. alle þat ȝirnden his grið
He uærde to Lunden. & heo hine vnder-fengen
he uerde þurh þis kinelond. & sette hit in his aȝere hond
& æuere heo fluȝen him bi-uoren. þe his feond weoren
Swa swiðe he heom hænde. þat heo fluwen ouer Hu[m]bre
heo fluȝen forð-rihtes. þat heo comen to þan Peohtes
& heo heom vnder-fengen. & nomen heom to iuaren
Heo makeden enne hehne cniht heore here-toȝe forð-riht
fæier cniht and hende. Fulgenes wes ihaten
he heom scolde læden. & he heo[m] sculde ræden
Enne ende of Scot-londe. nom Fulgenes to his honde
þe ende him wes deore. he hæhte Dæire
Sæuarus from Scotte-wær[d]. seoððe aȝæn wende
& his folc lædde in-to Lundene.
& Fulgenes vt of Scot-len muchel scaðe makede.
He leop in-to Brutlond mid muchele balu-ræssen.
æhte he nom men he sloh he duden seorȝen inoh.
& þus he uerde longe inne Scot-londe.
Þis iherde Seuarus þe inne Rome wes kæisere.
and seoððen hider al þa lond. stod an his aȝere heond
þe kæisere sende his seonde ȝeond feole londe.
lette him to beoden swa monie of weorcmonnen.
þat he lette makien ænne dic þe wæs wunderliche deop.
muche and swiðe stronge bisides Scotlonde.
from sæ to sæ eode þæ dich. ælche oðere vnilich.
Þe[r]-vfenen he makede scid wal wunder ane cræftie.
seoððen he sette cnihtes to witen hit dæies & nihtes.
þat neuere Poht þer-ouer ne com ne næuere nan oðer mon.
bute wha-swa walden ȝernen grið & spæken þan kæisere wið.
& wunien forð here mid Seuare þan kæisere.
Þat iherde Fulgenes þat þis weorc iuorðed wes.
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Nuste he þa nænne ræd þe him æuere þuhte god.
he cleopede alle his dringches þat heo comen to hustinge.
heore kinge to ræden of his muchele neode.
Heo him rædden to faren riht into Cise.
fær-liche he þider com & fæire wes under-fon.
He spac wið þan Peohtes & swa muchel heom bi-hæhte.
þat heo gædereden in þan ærde mucle scip-ferde.
& ferden bi sæ-stronde into þissen londe.
He uerde riht to Euerwicke Brutten þutte sellic.
þa burh he anan bilæi mid baldere strengðe.
Seoððen he dude to witen þurh worde & þurh writen.
alle his freonden þe weoren in þissen londe.
þat heo scolden wel don & alle comen him to.
he heom wolden mucle wele & wurð-scipe itæchen.
& æuere to his liue heo sculden beon him leoue.
Þis iherden Bruttes þer-fore heo weoren balde.
& wenden from Seuere þan Romænisce kæisere.
moni þusend Bruttes to Fulgenes.
& he heom faire on-feng & muche feoh bihæhte
Þat iherde Sæuarus þat Fu[l]genes dude þus.
he somnede uerde of folke of þissen ærde.
he uu[s]de touwærd Euerwic to his fæi-siðe.
Þa he to Euerwic com Fulgenes him wes a-foren on.
heo bigunnen fehten feondliche swiþe.
a ba hælue þer ful folc unimete.
Sæuare þer wes of-slæȝen & feole his Romwæren.
Fulgenes wes iwunde wunderliche sære.
þat i þan þridden dæie he sarne dæd þolede.
Of Sæueres dæðe Bruttus þer demden.
sæiden heom bi-tweonen þa þat tir ahten.
Seuarus wes god cniht & he heold us swiðe riht.
þæ while þe we him walden heren ær we turnden to Fulgene.
þurh heore vuele ræde beien heo beoð dædde
Nime we Sæuarusses lic & lede we hit into Eouuerwic.
& þær we hit sculleð bi-burien mid muchelere blisse.
& forð ȝelden þa duȝeðe þe he us dude whilen.
Al weoren þa dæden al-se heo idemden.
Sæuarus bi-lefde here tweien sunen. þus hæhten heore nomen
þe ældere hehte Basian. þe ȝungere hahte Gezan
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Basianes moder. wes of Brut-londes ærd
& Gezanes moder. of Romanisce monnen
Bruttes nomen Basian. & bitahten him þisne kinedom
& þa Romanisce men. to kinge makede Gezan
Bruttes weoren bisie. & Basian heo luueden
& þa Romanisce men. luueden swiðe Gezan
Þær aras muchel ballu. bi-twenen þissen broðeren
heo nomen here uerden. & comen to stal-fehte
and þer þe king Basian. sloh his broðer Gezan
& þat Romanisce folc. fleh of þissen londe
a[c] monie þer weoren ifalled. i þan muchele fehte
I þisse londe wes a ȝung mon. vnder þon kinge Basian
Carrais wes ihaten. his nome. þes wes a sellich gume
His fader wes an un-strong cniht. ah þe sune wes swiðe sturne
þat wes þe bisegæste mon. þe wunede inne Bruttene
Of nane quike monne. næuede he care nænne
wa wes him þurh alle þing. þat Basian wes Bruttene king
Basian wes griðful king. & Carrais ne likede hit naþing
Þa a þan ilke time. verden bi sæ-rime
vt-laȝen to iwiten. fulle sixti scipen
Carrais hine biðohte. of ane hindere cræfte
þat he wolde sone. faren in-to Rome
Forð he i-uusde. & in-to Rome ferde
& spac wið þane kæisere. & wið þan Romanisce here
& þus seide Carrais. he wes swike fuli-wis
Hæil seo þu Cyrian. þe king þe græteð Basian
and dæð þe ful wel to witen. ba bi worden & bi writen
þat ne mæi he þe no mare senden. þat gauel of Bruttlonde
for twien he haueð bigunnen. to senden hit bi his monnen
i sæ heo funden vt-laȝen & habbeoð alle his men islaȝen.
& iræued al þat gærsume. þe scolde þe to cume
Þa vt-laȝes beoð swa stronge. bi watere & bi londe
þat ne mæi na man ouer sæ uaren. bute mid swiðe mucle care
Ah ȝif þi wille weore. þat þut woldest me ihere
& bi-tachen me þine writen. & senden me twælf scipen
& hælden me to munde. a þire aȝere hond
into sæ ic wolde faren. & slæn alle þa ut-laȝen
& þi gauel þe sende. ut of Brutlonde
For ich æm ennes cnihtes sune. & cun ich habbe iwide
274
& cnihtes inowe. & men unifoȝe
alle heo wulleð to me draȝen. to quellen þa ut-laȝen
& þus ich wulle þurh mire hond. witen þi feh & þi lond
Þis ihærde Cyrian. speken þene swike-ful mon
& al he ȝette him. þat he him to ȝirde
writen he him bi-tehten. & wapnen him aræhte
& forð hine senden. touward þissen londe
Forð he ferde Carrais. þat he com to France
æuere his writen he vnfeold. þer he forð ferde
& seiden al þan monnen. what he i Rome hæhde biwunnen
& folc him wende. an æuerælche ende
Carrais com to sæ. mid selcuðe uolke
he hafde to iueren. fif hundred rideren
& folc he hafde a foten. muchel and vnnimete
Al þa scipen bi sæ-stronde. he nom to his honde
he uerde forð in sæ. uereden hine vðen
& he sone bi-com in-to Brutlonde.
& anan bigon ræuinge uppen Basian þene kinge.
Carrais nom his sonde & sende ȝeond þisse londe.
bad ælcne ȝungne mon þe weorces nalde ȝeomen.
& æuere-ælcne ut-laȝe þe his lond hadde bi-boȝen.
& auerælcne cnihtes sune þat his main wolde cuðen.
and ælcne wiðerfulne mon þe god wolde biwinnen.
þat him to scolden comen for golde and gæirsume.
Þas weoren cuðe wunder ane wide.
& þa wiðerwarde sumnede uerde.
heo comen to Carrais þritti þusend fuliwis.
& heo uorð iwenden bi þan sæ-stronde.
Heo rupten heo ræfden noht heo ne bi-læfden.
castles heo [nomen] Bruttes heo sloȝen.
monie heo forbarnden aðele Bruttus.
heo uerden norh heo uerden æst al þat lond heo makeden west.
heo ferden into Scot-lon þer heo scaðe worhten.
& aȝan to þisse londe. þas leoden heo for-uerden
He nom ænne bisine mon. & sende to Brutten
& þas word heom sæde. þe Carrais heom sende
Carrais þe stronge. wunieð inne comela
& send he[r] bi-halues. & grætet wel Bruttes
Ȝe buð godliche gumen. & ich eow wulle griðien
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ȝif ȝe on eowre cuððe. king me wulleð makien
& Bruttus andswereden. for heo weoren aðele men
& seiden þurh alle þing. þat heo nalden swiken heore king
for næuere quicne mon. swiken þene king Basian
& þis word aȝæn com. to Carrais þon stronge
Carrais hine biþohte. whæt he don mæhte
bi twam wittre cnihten. he sende to þan Pohtes
þa Pohtes weoren on londe. next Basiane þan kinge
To heom com þa so[n]de. from Carrais þon stronge
& muchel heom bihæhte. of worliche æhte
Þa Pohtes weoren uuele. he leoseden heore aðele
heo sworen forð-rihtes. & treoðen heo plihten
þat heo wolden Basian. inne fehte biswiken
Þis word com to Carrais. þa wes he glad ful iwis
forð-riht he nom his sonde. & sende to þan kinge
& seide him forð-rihtes. þat wið him he wolde fehte
buten he him wolde rumen. & bilæuen þæs riche
Þa seide þe king Basian. Ær ih wulle dæd beon
Wið-innen seouen nihte. heo comen to þan fihte
biforen þere burh Eouerwic. þat feht wes swiðe storlic
Þa heo scolden bezst fehten. þa fluȝen al þa Pohtes
& heo Basian þe king mid alle bilæfden.
& Carrais him on þrong and mid spere him of-stong.
Bruttes heo sloȝen & moni hundred þer nomen.
Þa stod al þis lond a Carrais aȝere hond.
þa nom he al þa Peohtes & sende in-to Scotte.
& ȝ[a]f heom þere muchel lond inne Scot-londen.
& heore cun wunede þære seoððen auere-mare.
Þis word com to Rome her-æfter ful sone.
hu Carrais hæfde iuaren & Basian þene king of-slæȝen.
Heo somneden twa ferden of Romanisce ærden.
& nomen tweien eorles þe weoren swiðe aðele.
Allec hæhte þe an wes wis & strong mon.
þe oðer wes icleoped þus Liuius Gallus.
Heo ferden of Rome & to þisse londe comen.
þat heo bicomen to Carrais þan kinge
Carrais heo of-sloȝen. his cnihtes heo nomen
Þus þa Romanisce men. ræsden to leo[d]en
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Þa ȝet þer weoren Bruttus. monie bi-hælues
þe castles heolden stronge. burhȝes brade & longe
Heo lætten hiȝendliche varen. seoð into Cornwalen
æfter Asclepidiot. þe wes i Cornwale duc
He com an hiȝenge. & heo hine heouen to kinge
Þa somneden Bruttus. sele þeines
hehte alle þa cnihtes. cumen to þan kinge
and æuerælcne ohte mon. biwinnen his aðelen
heo buden heore uerde. uppe niðinges bærde
Þa wes Allec þe king. iliðen in-to Lunden
& Bruttene king. sone him bæh æfter
Hit wes an anne hæhȝe dæie. halȝeden leoden
wes Allec þe king. in are temple
in Lundenne mid his Rom-leoden.
Þa iherde þe king mucle ludinge.
in Lundene stureden þa leoden
Allec him ut leop. & his wepnen he igrap
& al his Rom-leoden. þa i Lun[d]ene weoren
& comen ut of þere burh. & iseȝen heom bi-hæluen
iseȝen heom bi-siden. sillic heom þuhte
wha hæfde al þa mon-uerede. þidere isende
Bruttes heom buȝen to. mid bittere ræsen
Allec heo sloȝen. muche folc heo nomen
& sum on uæste bæh. in-to þere burh
& þe eorl Liuius. in-to Lundenne flæh
lette luken þa ȝeten. & him-seolf læð to walle
and Bruttes þa burȝen. gunnen bi-riden
& bi-leien þa burh. wel mid þe bezsten
Þe king Asclepediot. þe wes cniht swiðe god
sende his sonde. in-to Scotlonde
in-to Muriane æfter mon-weore[de].
& æc in-to Wes[t] Wales æfter Wæl-Brutten.
& swa he lette sone uaren soð in-to Cornwalen.
hæhte ælcne mon of þan ærd þe hæfde on his chinne bærd.
uppe leome & vppen lif to Lundene liðen.
Inne seouen nihte isomned heo weoren.
heo heolden to walle mid wunderliche strengðe.
& Liuius Gallus go[d]liche werede.
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& iwenden binnen þa wes þa burh bi-wunnen.
& Liuius Gallus gæinde to anne castle.
& þer binen him ræsde mid his Romanisce uolke.
& Bruttene king bæh to þæn castle.
& lætte to læpen alle þa Brut-leoden.
Þa isæh Liuius Gallus þat his help wes swiðe wac.
þa leonede he ouer wal & lude gon cleopien.
Asclepidiot þene king Þu ært swiðe kene.
ich wullen þe speken wið & ȝirne þe liues grið.
þat þu mid griðe me leten uaren forð touward Rome.
& mid me mine leoden þe ȝet beoð an liue.
& ich þe wulle swerien vppen mine sweorde.
þat nulle ic nauere-mare aȝen cumen here.
Asclepidiot iherde þat þeos word him þuhte god.
& al him iȝette þat Gallus þer ȝerde.
Of þan castle heo ut foren & aðes heo sworen.
& swa heo gunnen wenden uorð ut of londen.
Þa com Scottene king scriðen to hirede.
& imætte Gallus & his gumen alle.
Sone cleopede Columban þe wes Scottene king.
Whar beo ȝe mine gumen vt of Galwæiða.
Whar beo ȝe mine men ut of Mureine.
Whar beo ȝe mine Scottes Scriðeð me biside.
Her we sculleð wel whreken ure wines deore.
& ure uulle iuan fallen to þan grunde.
Ȝif þe king Asclipidiot þe is cniht swiðe god.
haueð heom speken wið & iȝefuen heom liues grið.
nes ich noht þere ne nan of mine iuaren.
ne we hit nulleð halden for ure freond heo habbeoð aqualde.
Heo leiden heom bi-tweonen heore speren longe.
& ladlichen swiðe feolen Rom-leoden.
& Gallus heo nomen & þat hafd him of sloȝen.
& wurpen hine in ænne broc þe þer heom bi stod.
& al þæt wal heo brohten in-to þan broke.
þer Gallus i þan broke at grunde was bi-buried.
Þa wes þas þeode iclansed of Rom-leode.
and Bruttes þan broke nome bi-tæhten
for Gallus wes islaȝen þer-bi hæhte hine nemni Galli.
& a þere Ænglisce boc he is ihaten Wale-broc.
282
for nu and auere-mare is þe nome þere.
Þa wes king Asclepidiot þe wes cniht swiðe god.
fulle ten ȝere mid Brutten heo luuede here.
seoððen his ende bicom þat was uuele idon.
þat he sculden swa raðe. uaren of þissen lif-daȝen
for he wes swiðe læfful alle Brut luueden.
I Glouchæstre wes an eorl of aðelene mon-cunne.
þe alre hæheste iborne mon þe wunede inne Bruttene.
Coel wes ihaten hæhst of þan Brutten.
he wæs of Gloies cunne þe Glochæstre ahte.
swa þat mid alle heore mihte heo comen to ane fihte.
Coel eorl i þan fihte stod & sloh þene king Asclepidiot.
I-mong þissen imonge com reouðe to þisse londe.
swa þat þe kæisere Dioclician sende to þisse londe Maximiæn.
hider he com faren mid muchelere ferde
Þa he com to londe. Coel he uunde
mid compe hæfde biuunnen. þat he king was him-seolue
Coel and Maxim[i]en. cuðliche speken.
& freondscipe makeden i-uastened mid treoðen.
Þa seide Maximien Mi broðer Dioclician.
haueð me al þa londes bitaht a mire honde.
bi-twixe Mu[n]tgiu & Scot-londe þat ic heo scal þurh-scriðen.
& alle þa ilke men for-don þat luuieð þene Cristindom.
Þa wes wa Coel þe king wæs on Bruttene.
þat isæhtnesse mid treoðe hafde isemed.
Coel heold hine stille & Maxi[m]ien dude his wille.
elcne Cristine mon at þan hefde he binom.
& þa wið-saken wolde Cristindom he dude his marken him on.
Þus ferde Maximien he martrede Seint Alban.
& Seint Iulien and Seint Aaron & tweien ancr[es] of Kærlion.
Næs nan biscop næs nan clærk ne cniht neore he swa sterc.
bute he wi[ð]-soke Cristindom þat he nes anan fordon.
Þa þis wes al idon þa uerde forð Maximian.
& Coel bilæfde king inne Bruttene.
284
& he al þis kinelond bitahte þan maidene an hond.
for næfde he nan oðer child þe mihte i þissen londe beon king.
Þat mæide hehte Elene seoððen heo wes quene.
i þan londe of Ierusalem leoden to blissen.
Þis maiden wes wel itæht on bocken heo cuðe godne cræft.
& wunede in þisse londe mid hire fader stronge.
Her-æfter sone þat word com to Rome.
Þat Coel hæfden iquald Asclepidiot þene king
Þa weoren Rom-leoden. bliðe on heore mode
for he hæfde an his daȝen. muchel of heore cunne islaȝen
Ȝet ne com Maximien neuere to Rome aȝen.
Þa nom Dioclicien ænne eorl wel idon.
þat wes þe ræhȝeste mon þe wu[ne]den inne Rome.
& hæfde moni lond ilæid under his hond
nas na man in his dæȝen. þat dursten him derf makien
Þe kæisere hine sende. into þissen londe
in-to þissen ærde. mid vnimete uærde
[C]ustance hehte þe eorl. æðelest alre cnihten
Þis iherde Coel. þat icumen wæs Custance
a-dræd he wes swiðe. of his ahȝene liue
he nom forð-rihtes. six wise cnihtes
to Custance heom sende. & wilcumede hine to londe
& he seolf him wolden specken wið. ȝef he him wolden ȝifuen grið
& Custance him sende æfter. þat he come mid twalf cnihten
to-somne heo comen. to-gædere heo speken sone
Þa queð þe kin Coel. Custance lust me nu wel
Ich sugge þe þurh alle þing. ich sloh Asclepidiot þene king
þe hæfde þurh his wiðer-laȝen. muchel of þine cunne. of-slaȝen
& mid strengðe eow at-holden wolde. þat gauel of þissen londe
& muchelne scome he eow dude. þe ræðer he dæd þolede
For ich wes an of þan hæhste. þat swore eow hersumnesce
to Romen þat we sculden senden. þat gauel of þissen londe.
Þas aððes þe king bræc þer-fore he is nu dæd.
Ah a-swike wit vnker fihtes & lokien we to þan rihten.
& ich wullen halden to & halden þe for hærre.
& beon þe ful liðe & halden þe for lauerd.
& ælche ȝere þe senden þat gauel of Brutlonde.
Þa answere[de] Custance riche mon & swiðe bald.
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Beo nu godful king & gumene þu beo lauerd
& al ich þe ȝette swa þu hit ȝirnest.
& ich wulle mid monscipe þine monradene on-fon.
for þu us dedest monscipe and god. þa þu sloȝe Asclepidiot
Mid muchelere wurscipe. sæht heo iwurðen
mid muchelere blisce. heo wuneden in burȝen
Ah nes hit buten ane while. þat þer com an-oðer time
neoren noht feouwerti daȝen. allunge iuæreden
þat Coel þe king. seoc lai an comlen
his hæfde swiðe oc. & þe king wes wunderliche seoc
Seouen niht & ænne dæi. þe king swiðe seoc lai
hit heold hine bi þan ribben. þat ne mihte he na leng libben
& he cleopede him to. riche his þeines
þat heo him sculden ræden. at swulchere neode
hu he mihte dihten. Ælene his dohter
Þa heo ha[f]den al iseid. þat wes þe utemæste rað
þat heo ȝeue Ælene. Custance to are quene
& al his kineliche lond. sette in Custances hond
& Coel him dude swa. þe king wes inne Bruttene
Þa nes þer nan oðer rad. bute Coel king iwarð dæd
& Custance hauede Ælene. biwedded to quene
þet wes þa wiseste wifman. þa wunede a Bruttene
Custance hauede his quene. a child heom wes imene
Þa þat child wes iboren. God sulf hit hauede i-coren
þer-fore wes al bliðe. þat wunede inne Bruttene
Þa comen to-somne. weorld-seli men
heo funden þat child. nome swiðe hende
heo luueden his licame. & ȝeuen him his fader nome
Custaz hæhte þe king. & Costantin hæhte þat child
þe lef wes on heorten. alle Brut-londen
his moder Elene. wæs þisses londes quene
Þat child wæx and wel iþæh. Godes mildce him wes neh
Bruttes him weoren liðe. & he hom luuede swiðe
heo weoren his moder cunnes-men. icomen heo wes of Brutten
& Custanz his fader. inne Rome wes i-uostred
Al þat þet child mid æȝen isæh. al hit to bæh
Þeo þat child wes uorð iuæred. & wes of twealf ȝere
nes na man i þis ærd. þat weore of heorten swa hærd
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& þenne he wes bliðe. he wes uule liðe
Swiðe he luuede alcne cniht þe wæs leof to deme riht.
& his Bruttisce cun swiðe hine bihoȝeden.
& his Romanisce cun wurðliche him radde.
Þa þat child wes of þrittene ȝere þa iwærð his fader vnueren.
þat wes þe ute[m]esten ræd þat Custance þe king iwærð dæd.
& Bruttus nome þat child & makeden heom þer-of anne king.
& Costantin þe ȝunge king mid wisdome heold þis lond.
swulc he weore an æld kingen alre baldest.
Þa wes a þen ilke time a kæisere inne Rome.
he wes ihæten Maxenz þe Wurse hine luuede.
þat wes þe forcuððeste mon þe quic wes on liue.
Al Rome he for-dude þurh his muchele misbode.
alle þa heȝe men he hatede to dæðe.
& alle þa hæne mid harme he igrætte.
Þer weoren monie i Rome riche & wel idone.
þe bi-læfden al þat leoden & fluȝen of þan londe.
for þan scamen & for þan bisemare þe heom dude þe kæisere.
& comen to þissen londe to Costantine þan kinge.
& menden to him heore sær & heore sorh-siðes.
& þan vnimete scome & þenne muche grome.
þe Maxenz heom hæuede idon & idriuen of heore londe.
For nusten heo nenne king þe heo mihten to kennen.
swa heo mihten to Costantine for he wes of heore cunne.
Ȝeorne heo hine beden þat he heom scolden ræden.
hu heo mihten awræken heore wansiðes.
vppe Maxenze þe heore monscipe hæfde auælled.
Swa longe heo ræd ȝeornden þat he heom ræd ȝette.
þat he wolde riden wið ræiȝere strengðe.
forð in-to Rome & þa riche bi-winnen.
& wreken heom on Maxenz þe his cun hæfde i-scænd.
& Costantin þe king gode gaderede uærde.
vnimete folc monianes cunnes
Þe king gon to riden. touward Rom-leoden.
þat he com to Rome mid ræȝere strengðe.
Þe king wes swiðe god cniht & he ȝarkede his fiht.
& he Maxenz of-sloh þer wes blisse inoh.
þa weoren Rom-leoden bliðen on heore þeoden.
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and þer wes Elene þe halie quene & hire þreo æmmes.
þe ældeste hæhte Leonin Trahern & Marin.
þe eorles weoren wel idone Costantin heom bitæhte Rome.
to ræden þa leden to dihten þere þeoden.
& þa læuedi Ælene þa halie quene.
to Ierusalem wende mid richere genge.
& spæc wi[ð] þan elde of þan Iudean þe weoren balde.
& heo heom bihehte swiðe muche æhte.
þat heo hire scolden ræden to vinden þa Rode.
þe Crist ure Lauerd alisden on þes middelærd.
Þeo Iudeus heo sohten & þere quene heo itæhten.
Þa wes heo swa bliðe swa heo nes neuere ær on liue.
& heo vele ȝere þurh þan wunede þere.
þe while hire æem Leonin wes in Rome mid Costantin.
Of þan broðeren he wes ældest of wisdome alre selest.
nomen þa Rom-wisen & wimman him ȝeuen.
of þan hehste cunne of Romanisce monnen.
Þa wifman wes biwedded & Leonin heo hæfde to his bedde.
he dude alse hit is wune he streonede hire on enne sone.
Þa þat child wes iboren þa funden heo him hehne nome.
heo hehten hine forð-riht anan þene hæȝe Maximian.
& Costantin þe king luuede swiðe þat child.
Þus hit ferde þære wurs hit ferde here.
Þa wes inne Walsce londe a duc þe wes swiðe strong.
Octaues he hehte he wes of heȝe cunne.
he cleopede to Brutlonde. þat hit wes his icunde
& al þat þe sæ bi-gæð. Octaues wes swi[ð]e mah
he nom muchele uærde. & wenden ȝeond þissen ærde
ærst he sloh þæ eorles. & þrallede þæ chærles
he heomelede þa reuen. nalde he [n]ænne bi-lefuen
al þis kineliche lond. Octauus nom to his hond
Þis word com to Costantin. in Rome þer he wunede in
hu Octauus hauede idon. his folc islaȝen and ihon
Særi wes þa Costantin. & sorhful an heorte
for he ne mihte nanes weies cumen. to þissere kineriche
for he hauede al Rome-lond. þe stod an his aȝere hond
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Þa nom he Traher his æm. & tæhte hine to rade
& þis lond him bi-tahte. biwinnen ȝef he hit mahte
for him-seolf Costantin. ne com he nauere-mare her-in
Ah he nom folc & æhte. & Traher bi-tehte
mid muchelere uerde. sende hine to þissen ærde
& for he wes his moder æm. ȝef he mihte Octauus slæn
& he mihte swa wel don. halde him-seolf þisne dom
Traher forð wende. toward þissen londe
mid ferde mid þan mæste. he com to Portchæstre
Þa Bruttes weoren swiðe whæte. & heolden fæsten heore ȝæte
& Traher heom fæht wið. & þæne þridde dæi heo ȝerden grið
& Traher ferde binnen. & Portchæstre wes biwunne
& þonnene he gon wende. riht to Winchæstre
& Octauus wes icumen bi-uoren. in-to þære burhȝe
To-gædere heo comen. heo fæhten & sloȝen
þat slæht ne mihte. na mare beon i fihte
He isæh his muchelne lure. & nom him oðerne cure
& ferde bi nihte. to þære sæ rihte.
Ær Bruttes hit mihten iwiten his ferde wes al iscipen
& forð heo gunnen wenden i Scot-londe.
& [he al Scotlond] iwon to his aȝere hond
& he wende ouer Humbre. mid hæhȝere strengðe
& in þissere Bruttene burȝes he a-weste.
Octauus þat iherde þe king wes an ærde.
& he mid his folke þider-ward fusde.
to-gadere heo comen & fuhten ful sone.
Nu hæfde Traher swiðe muchel folc. þer.
Scottes & Peohtes & Romanisce cnihtes.
Traher feht wið Octaues & he hine sone ouercom.
Scottes huuen up muchelne ræm & Octaues folc nam flem.
& Romanisce beornes sloȝen þa Bruttes.
Þa wes Octaues wa & he wende to þere sæ.
bi þere sæ-stronde þer he scipen funde.
in-to þane scipen he lað & in-to Norwæiȝe he draf.
Nafde he of his fihte bute an & þritti cnihtes.
& alle þa oðere weoren inomen & Traheres men bi-cumen.
& fiftene þusend islæȝen & idon of heore lif-daȝen.
Þa wes in Norweoȝen ærd a king þe hæhte Compert.
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& seide him hu Traher mid teone hine hauede iflæmed.
& ȝif þu me wult wlsten mid muchele þine ferden.
þat ich maȝen aȝæn cumen to mine kine-riche.
ich þe wulle luuien & halden þe for lauerd.
mid sæhte & mid sibbe þa while þat ich libbe.
& after mine dæiȝen. mine duȝeðe þe bi-tachen
Þa ænswærede Compert. þe king wes of þan ærd
Þu sælt in þisse ȝere. beon mid me hære
& deornliche sende in-to Brutlonde.
mid weorden and mid writen bi monnen þe heom cunnen witen.
& senden þine sonden to þine bezste freonden.
bi-hæten seoluer & gold muchel æhte & lond.
ȝif ai mon mihte Traher king tuhten to dæðe.
mid drenche oðer mid dweomerlace oðer mid steles bite.
oðer mid æie crafte bi-winnen him his mahte.
þenne mihtes þu aȝen faren mucle þe lasse weoren þi kare.
þenne wlle I þe aȝan bringen & makien þe to kingen.
Al dude Octaues Compertes lare
sende his sonde. in-to þisse londe
þurh þan ilke crafte. þe Compert king him tæhte
& Traher wes on Bruttene. king swiðe bliðe
næfde he of Octaue. caræ næuer nane
na mare þeh he nære iboren. oðer i watere for-loren
Traher wes i Lundene. bliðe mid his leoden
fulle seouen nihte. bliðe mid his cnihten
Þa wes i Kent an eorl. Aldolf i-haten
feond he wes þes kinges. for Octaues þingen
ofte he ferde to þan kinge. & hernede tiðinge
Chæpmen bunden heore ware. þa wolde þe king faren
Aldolf ferde him bi-foren mid feower hundred cnihten.
& leop ut of ane wude wunder wel iwepned.
Traher king he þer fond & mid spere hine stong.
& his muchele uerde sette to fleonde
& Aldolf heom after droh. and muchel folc he þer of-sloh
& seððen he uerde in-to Kent. in-to ane stronge castle
& sende an hiȝinge. after Octaue þan kinge
& he anan com. to þissere kineriche
to kinge he wes vnder-fon. þa þuhte hit hi[m] we[l] idon
Heo ferde ȝeond þas þeoden. & sloh þa Romleoden
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whar-swa he mihte hine kennen. ne læuede he nauer ænne
& twa & twenti ȝere. he wuneden seoððen here
inne griðe & inne friðe. mid freond-scipe of Brutten
Þa þe he wes wel ald mon. þa com him uuel on
þat vuel hine heold stronge. ah he þreowede longe
Þe king hine bi-ðohte. what he don mihte
wham he mihte bi-tæchen. al his kineriche
and al his duȝeðe. æfter his dæie
Mid carte he for to Lundene. & sette his hustinge
eorles þer comen. riche & wel idone
& alle þa wise. þe wuneden on Bruttene
Þa þe king heom hauede isæid. & bæd heom ræden him ræd
whæm he mihte bi-tæche. al his kine-riche
for nefde he nenne sune. þe his land mihte halden
ne child bute ane dohter. þe him wes swiðe deore
& hire he wolde bi-tachen. al his kineriche
& ȝefuen hire lauerd. þene hæhste mon of þis ærd
Summe him ræden a-nan. þat he heo ȝeuen þan eorle Conan.
he wes wis and riche. him heo he mihte bitæche
oðere þer weoren. þe þis nalden ihæren
I Cornwale wes an eorl god. þe wes ihaten Cradoc
he stod up i þan hustinge. and þus spæc wið þan kinge
Hercne me Octaue. hercne me kinelauerd
No here ich nenne godne ræd. þe þe ȝet beo isæd
Ȝif þu bi-tachest Conan. þine kineriche
þat word comeð sone. vorð into Rome
For nu is Ælene. Ierusalem quene
& þe king Costantin. & alle his cnihtes mid him
& dæd his þe riche Leonin. & his broðer Marin
& Maximien þe ȝunge cniht. i Rome haldeð muchel fiht
& Traher i þisse londe. mid spere wes of-stungen
& ælche dæi inne Rome Maximien þe wel idone.
haldeð swiðe muchel iwin wið Gracien & wið Valantin.
& Costantin þe king of us ne þencheð naðing.
& þus we beoð of Bruttene freonden biræued.
Bute þu wisliche bitæche þine kineriche.
wulleð Romleode cumen to þissere þeode.
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& maken vnsæhte & binimen us ure irihten.
Þenne þu beost forð-faren ne beon we næuere buten caren.
Ah send into Rome æfter Maximien þan wel idone.
he is swiðe hende gume & he was Leonines sune.
his fader wes Ælenen æm he is of aðele cunne.
& ȝif him þine dohter þa þe is swiðe deore.
& make hine to kinge þine dohter to quene.
þenne maȝe we libben mid sæhte & mid sibben.
& a to ure liue witen ure leoden.
mid winne & mid wurðscipe mid muchele wisdome.
Þa aras Conan & stod biuoren þan kinge.
he wes wunderliche wrað for þeos speche him wes lað.
he spæc aȝen Cradoc alse he hine wolde fordon.
Ah ne rohte næuere Cradoc of al þat Conan eorl spæc.
for al þat hustinge þe wes biuoren þan kinge.
bi-luueden Cradockes ræd for heo iseȝen þat hit wes neod
Þ[a] cleopede Octaues. Brutlondes lauerd
Hail seo þu Caradoc.
Herfore þu scælt habben wurhscipe muchele.
Læn me Mauric þinne sune þe is a swiðe wis gume.
to uaren a mire neode in-to Rom-þeode.
æfter Maximiane þane richen & þane kene.
þæt he cume swiðe þe while þe ich beo on liue.
and ich him wulle bitæchen mine kine-riche.
and mine dohter Orien to habben to quene.
& ic wulle Maurike mede bi-tæchen.
ich ȝeue him Norhhumber-lond here mid mire aȝere hond.
þis ich him bitæchen of mine kine-riche.
wið þan þe he me bringe Maximien þæ hende.
Al swa þe king ȝirde Mauric hit him ȝette.
he ferde uor[ð]-rihtes mid þreom wise cnihtes.
þat he com to Rome to Maximiene.
Þer wes muchel vnfrið in al þan londe nas na grið.
ah mid vn-friðe þer wes muchel win mid Gracien & mid Ualantin.
Heo duden Maximiene vnimete teone
muchel lond heo hæfden binomen ære þider come Maurich þe gume.
Sone swa Maximiane i-sæh. swa he him to bæh.
& fæire hine igrætte. mid guðfulle worden
300
& he þus spæc. wunderliche feire
Hercne Maximian. þu ært of muche cunne
þu weore Elene æmes sune. of hæhȝe cunne þu ært icumen
Ær ich hider uore. nis hit nawhit ȝære
Octaues ure king. i Lundene heold his husting
þat hustinge wes god hit wes witene-imot.
vnhæle & ælde hæueð þene king vnbalded.
Þer wes moni cniht god & þe king heom æxede ræd.
wham he mihte bitæchen his dohter & his riche.
& alle his doȝeðe æfter his dæie.
Þreo eorles anan icure þe eorl Canaan.
þat me sculde him Brutlond bi-tachen al on his hond.
& þa fæire Oriene þes kinges dohter to quene.
Conanes eorldom Kent is ihaten.
& mi fader is an icor ren eorl Cornwalen lauerd.
he is ihaten Caradoc he is of þine cunne.
& ich hatte Mauric þe mæste of his childeren.
Þa heo hæfden a-nan þus icoren Conan.
þa lep mi fader up swulc hit an liun weore.
& wið-seide þene cure bi-foren ure kinge.
Þer wes swiðe muchel dune þeines þer dremden.
& mi fader Caredoc makede lust & þus spæc.
While wes Elene Custances quene.
Ælene hæfde enne æm þe æðele wes on londe.
he wes i-haten Leonin uorð he ferde mid Costantin.
Traher hæhte his broðer & Marin þe oðer.
Traher i þissen londe wes islæȝen mid wornge.
Conanes fader hine sloh þat wes swiðe muchel woh.
for [Tra]her king wende þat heo weoren ifreonde.
Lusteð wel Bruttes þe her beoð bi-hælues.
Leonin hadde ænne sune & inne Rome he wuneð.
Maximien he hatte of þan aðele cunne.
Sende we to Rome & haten hine cumen sone.
& in ure hustinge hæhuen hine to kinge.
& þa feire Oriene bithæchen him to quene.
þenne maȝen we libben mid sæhten & mid sibben.
Þus spæc mi fader Caradoc biforen þan folke.
Þa andswerede þe king hit wes him swiðe i-queme.
& alle his beornen þe wunieð on Brutene.
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Cleope nu to ræde þine rædȝiuen gode.
& sæie me her of andswere for nu to-marwen ich wulle faren.
Þa wes Maximien for þisse worde swi[ð]e fæin.
he cleope[de] his ræd-ȝiuen & eoden to rune.
þe ræd wes sone iræd al swa Mauric hit bad.
Stille i-wende sone Maximien of Rome.
i þan seouen-nihte mid alle his cnihten.
wenden þa Rom-leoden þat he wolde to heore vn-neode.
þat he wolden fehten aȝan Valentin & Gracian.
for a heo weoren a-uare;[d] of Maximian and of his hirede.
Ah anan heo wende toward þissen londe.
& swa he gon liðen into Londenne.
fair-lac he gon bringe Octaue þan kingen.
& þe king him for-ȝef his dohter to quene.
Þa wes king Maximien hit þuhte Bruttes i-don wel.
& Conaan eorl mid wraððen wende to Scotten.
& monie Scottes him buȝen to & ane burh bigunnen.
næs þa in al þan ende burh al swa hende.
Þa þeo burh wes al i-maked mid muchelere strengðe.
he sette hire æne nome æfter him-seoluen.
ofte he ræd hire þurh & þurh & hehte heo Cuninges-burh.
nu and æuere-mare þe nome stondeð þere.
Conaan ledde ferde in þan norð ærde.
he hatede Maximien þat abohte mo[n]i mon.
Þa wise men of þisse londe þe luueden þas leoden.
makeden hustinge bitwexen Conaan & þan kinge.
þer heo iwurðen sæhte & þer heo iwurðen somme.
& makede i þissen londe grið god mid þan bezste.
& þe king him bihæhte a-nan to makiene riche mon.
swa he dude seoððen þet abohte moni mon.
mid gr[i]ðe he wuneden here fulle fif ȝere.
Þa hefde Maximien gærsume vni[m]ete.
for he næfde of his londe na gauel isende to Rome.
Þa þe fif ȝer weoren agan þa sæide Maximian.
þat he wolde ouer sæ uaren & fehten wið þan Frenscen.
& ȝif he þere mihte speden to-ward Rome he wolde riden.
to wreken his teone on Gracien and on Valentin.
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Þus spæc Maximien uor him wes to murie.
for þis lond wes þa swiðe god & he hit hæfde al vnder fot.
& him ne stod æie to na-þing for dæd wes Octaues þe king.
Maximien bæd ferde feorliche store.
þe king hafde kene men & vnimete gærsume.
forð he gon wenden ut of þissen londen.
forð he gon liðen ut of þissen leoden.
he makede him-seluen muchel clond. ne isæh he nauere æft þis lond
Ouer sæ he wende. and wel com to londe
[in ane londe] swiðe riche þe hehte. Armoriche
Þa scipen urnen a ðen lond. þat folc wenden uppe strond
Heo bigunnen ænne castel. god mid þan bæzsten
heo riden ȝeond þæn leode. & nomen þer muchele prude
heo funden herre-feng inoh. & lædden to heore ferde
& æc heo nomen. wummen. wunder ane monie
& duden þat heo wolden. ȝeond Ærmoriche londe
Þis iherde Humbald. þe wes lauerd i þa lond
hu þe king Mæximien. amerde his riche
Humbald sende sonde. ȝeond al þan londen
þer he æine freond hæfde. þe him helpen wolde
& þohte þat he wælde. heom driuen of his londe
Heo comen bi dæie-lihte. to ane stronge fihte
Bruttes heom ouer-comen. & Humbald heo sloȝen
& fiftene þusende þer weoren i-slaȝen. & idon of lif-dæȝen
Þa þis feht wes i-don. þa wende Maximien
aȝen in-to herberȝe. to resten hine seolue
A-marȝen þa hit dæi wes. duȝeðen heom gereden
heo wenden to þere heȝe burh. þe Nantes is ihaten
ne funden heo þer-inne. noht of moncunne
þe hoem wið wolde stonden. & þa burh heolden
al hit wæs a-wæi ifloȝen. and of þan londe iboȝen
buten a lute wifmen. þe weoren þer wið-innen
Þa burh nom Maximien. & sette mid his monnen
þeo cleopede Maximien. to þan eorle Conaan
Conaan þu ært god cniht. þu hæfuest ihalden wel mi fiht
& ich þe wulle mede muchele bi-tæche.
for þu hæf[d]est al Brutlond i þire aȝere hond.
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and þe eorl Caredoc þe is of mine cunne.
ȝet hit mai ilimpe hit is þe an vnðonke.
Ah loke wulche wætres & wunliche londes.
whulche wurð-liche wude whulche wilde deores.
whul[che] liðe londe on to libbenne
Þis lond hehten Armoriche. þis ich þe bitæche
& muchele mare her-to. ȝif ich hit mæi ifo
her-of þu scalt beon king. & þas riche aȝen
Vt ich wullen driuen. al þat ich finde on liue
ȝungen and alde. vt of þisse londe
and wulcne swa ich mai here ifon. i þan stude he beoð fordon
& sende ich wulle to Aðionærd. þe is min aȝene stiward
eorl he is treowe. for æuer he is að-neowe
for him ich habbe wel bi-tæht. Brutlond to witene
& he me s[c]a[l] senden. in-to þisse londe
wapmen and wifmen. of wel feole cræften
cnihtes & þeines & al heore sweines.
sixti hundred cnihten þe gode beon to fihten.
ten hundred þeines seoue þusend sweines.
seoue þusend burh-men þe sæle beon on æhte.
þritti þusend wifmen þe wel beon ifunden.
Þenne þis folc bið hider icumen & heo stude habbeð i-numen.
þenne bið al þis fæire lond iset Brutten an hond.
æfter þine leoden bi-tæche heom name
Brutlond þat lasse.
Nu and auere-mare þe nome stondeð þere.
& þus Armoriche nome niðer wes auælled.
swa þat næuere-mare ne bið he aræred.
Conaan þeos ȝeue afeng & iwrað þeos kinges freond.
mid muchelere wurðscipe & wel heo hit heolden.
And þe king sende in-to þisse londe.
& hæhte Aðionard þe biwuste Brutlondes ærd.
þat he him swiðe sende þat folc of Brutlonde.
& folc of ælche cræfte sundri scipen bi-tæhte.
& mong þan wifmonnen wepmon næuer enne.
buten þa seoluen scipmen þe heom scullen læden.
Al eoden þeos ræd swa þe king hæfde iseid.
& Conaan þer heold to mid hæhȝere strengðe.
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& bi-ȝæt al þat kine-lond & sette hit on his aȝere hond.
& þeonne he gon liðen in-to Lohernne.
al þat lond he bi-ȝæt swa he dude Liuieine æc.
swa he gon liðe in-to Lumbardie.
al þat lond he bi-ȝæt þær wes Caradoc dæd.
þa hauede Mauric his sune sorȝen inowe.
nes þer nan oðer ræd buten þe Mavric iwærð dæd.
To Rome wende Maximiæn uppe Valentin & vppen Gracien.
i fehte he nom þene oðer þa ȝirnde grið þa oðer.
Cnihtes heo weoren hende þe king heom dude i bende.
& he anan sone ahnede him al Rome.
Þat word com to Conaan hu iuaren hafde Maximiæn.
& þat Caradoc wes dæd inne Lumbardie
& al-swa Mauric his sune. for muchele sarinesse
Þa nom þe eorl Conaan. ænne swiðe wisne mon
& sende to þissen londe. to Adionard þan stronge
þe wes stiward swiðe bisi. inne þiss[e] Bruttene
To Adionard me brohten writ. þat dæd wes his broðer
Caradoc þe mære. & Mauric his sune deore
þa næfde Caradoc i þis ærd. broðer bute Adionard
& he forð-riht nom an his hond al Caradokes lond.
Þa iherden þa Frence men þat at Rome wes Maximien.
& Cradoc wes dæd þa nomen þa Frence ænne ræd.
þat heo wolden flæme Conaan þene kene.
vt of þan londe þe Maximian him ȝæf an honde.
þe is bi-halues France & Bruttaine is ihaten.
& Conaan ne ȝirnde na grið ah festliche heom feht wið.
& wel he makede his castles treowe & swiðe uæste.
& alle his beornen he wes leof þe comen of þissen londe.
For alle he hæfde þa cnihtes þe Maximien him bi-hehte.
& ec þa eorles & þa sweines & þa cheorles.
& alle þa burh-men þa him bi-hehte Maximien.
Wifmen neuede he noht feole buten fiftene hundred.
for wifmen nolden noht liðen vt of þissen londe.
buten þe eorl Adionard þe wes þe hæhste i þis ærd.
walde heore borh beon þat heo scolden heore while wel bi-teon.
Þa hæhuede Adionard ænne dohter swiðe deore.
heo hæfde al þat hære-word of þan maidenen of þis ærd.
þeo wimman wes on sele heo hæhte Vrsele.
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& bed þat he him ȝeue his dohter to quene.
Adionard ȝæf andswere wurðscipe habbe he þer-fore.
Mon-scipe habbe Conaan þat he mire dohter wel on.
Nu to-dæi a seouen nihten ich heo senden him bi mine cnihten.
& alle þa wimmen þe him ȝef mi lauerd Maximien.
þider heo scullen liðen ȝif heo wulleð libben.
oðer ich heom wullen alle for-don & bi þan titten an-hon.
Þa ȝarkede Adionard þisses londes lauerd.
his dohter Ursæle þe wimman wes wel sæle.
he þohte heo to sende ouer sæ-strames.
in-to Bruttaine londe to Conaan þan stronge.
Þa iherden þa wimmen wide ȝeond þas Bruttene.
þat me wolde senden Vrse[l]e to þan londe.
hire comen to inoȝe monie & vn-ifoȝe.
þat wolden mid hire uaren to þan kinge Conaane.
swiðe feole heo bi-sohte ma þeone heo rohten.
Þa þe dæi wes icumen þe Adionard hafde inumen.
þat forð scolde uaren þat mæiden Vresele.
þa hafden to iwiten seouen and twenti scepen.
alle heo weoren isunde i þere burh of Lunden.
Inne þere Temese heo teuhten heore seiles.
wind heo hæfden wunsum weder mid þan bezsten.
& heo seileden forð þat inne sæ heo comen.
þa vmbe stunde ne sæȝe heo noht of londe.
Þa aras heom a wind a þere wiðer side.
swurken vnder sunnen sweorte weolcnen.
haȝel & ræin þer aræs þe hit i-seh him agras.
vðen þer urnen tunes swulche þer burnen.
bordes þer breken vimmen gunnen wepen.
Þa scipen þa urnen bi-uoren twelue þer weoren for-loren.
þa oðere weoren al to-driuen & forð mid þere sæ iliðen.
nes þer na steores-mon þat æuere aht cuðe þer-on
Nes næuere na mon iboren. ne of nane londe icoren.
þat hæleð weore swa stærc ne swa hærd-iheorted.
þe iherde þesne weop & þisne wunderliche ræm.
& cleopien to þan halhȝen mid hæhȝere steuene.
þat his heorte neore særi for þan vnimete sorhȝen.
Seoððen þis world wes astald & monnen an honde isælde.
312
Summe þe scipen wunden forð mid þan wederen.
fulle fiftene i þan ane wes [Vrsele].
þe sæ wes wunder ane wod and ladliche iwraððed.
& þa scipen i þere wildere sæ
æuere norð forð-riht. þreo dæies & þreo niht
Þa weoren ut of Norweiȝen. tweien eorles iuaren
Mælgam & Wanis. heo weoren kene ful iwis
of Denemarke & of Norweiȝe. heo weoren iqueðen vt-laȝen
& heo ferden bi sæ-siden. vnimete wide
Heo i-cneowen wel a þan wolcnen. þas wederes custes
heo droȝen to ane ait-londe. þer heo leoðe hafueden
Wanis wes in Hungrie. þer he harm worhte
Mælga wes inne Scise. þer he scaðe makede
þat he ne mihte i þan londe. na lengere at-stonde
& of Norweiȝe iflemed. þer heo fiht þoleden.
& inne sæ heo weoren iuaren uulle seoue ȝeren.
& swa heo leien i þan æit-londe & iseȝen þat weder stronge.
iseȝen scipen an & an while ma while nan.
þeonne feowere þenne fiue sellic heom þuhten a þissen liue.
whæt weoren þa ȝemere scipen þa ȝeond þa sæ weolken.
Þe wind gon aliðen & þat weder leoðede.
& Wanis isæh i þere sæ þa scipen wandrien.
& þus spæc þere wið Malgan his iuere.
Forð wit nu swuðe & after heom biliue.
mid gode fiftene scipen faren we heom æfter.
mid ure bezste cnihten þe gode beon to fihten.
& leten ælle ure oðere scipen ure herberwe bi-witen.
for þis is sum riche king rædes bi-dæled.
þe wolde mid his folke uaren to summe londe.
& haueð þeos wind & þeos weder a-wiðer him i-stonden.
þat wa is him aliue Nu [wende] we him to biliue.
& ȝif hit wule Appolin þat is deore lauerd min.
þat we maȝen mid fihte biwinnen hine & his cnihtes.
& heo ne beon of ure laȝen we scullen him don of lif-dæȝen.
& swa we scullen nimen a hond heore seoluer & heore gold.
& faren to ure inne & ȝeolpen for þere winne.
Forð heo wenden mid flode fiftene scipen gode.
þe strengeste þe weoren a þan dæȝen & fulled mid ut-laȝen.
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Seol-cuð heom þuhte what hit beon mahte.
& heo cleopeden heom on nes þer nan ændswere.
for al weoren þa wimmen awald to þan deðe.
To heom heo droȝen and þas fif scipen nomen.
and furðer heo iwenden & niȝene heo iuengen.
and heo mid þan feowertene scipen ferden to þan londe.
Seoððen þis worlde wes astald nes hit neowhær itald.
on songe no on spelle ne miðte hit na mon telle.
þat weoren æi wimman swa wræcchelichen atoȝene.
ne swa reoliche inne sæ for-radde.
Melga nom [Vrsele] þa scolden beon quene.
& scome hire bi-hedde & ladde heo to his bedde.
Þa þe heðene mon hæfuede on hire his wille idon.
he ȝæf heo his hired-monnen sone to makien to heore.
& summe heo heom salden for seoluer [&] for gold.
& monie & vnifoȝe. heo þer of-sloȝen
& summe heo heom drengte. in þere sæ deope
& summe heo Godd wið-soken. & to haðene-scipe token
& þus heo weoren for-radde. mid reowðe þan mæste
Melga & Wanis. ihurden suggen ful iwis
þat þas Bruttene wes of cnihte bi-dæled.
for Conaan hauede swiðe monie ilæd to Armoriche.
& Maximiæn ladde to Rome monie & wel idone.
swa wes þis kinelond of folke swiðe vnstrong.
Melga & Wanis iwenden in-to Scotten.
þat lond heo þurh arnden & herȝeden & barnden.
þa ahte heo nomen þat folc heo of-sloȝen.
& swa heo wenden hiderward ouer þere Humber.
hermes heo worhten and hene lond makeden.
Þis i-herden Bruttes and weoren þer-fore særi.
heore sonde heo [n]omen sone & senden touward Rome.
Heo grætten Maximian and talden him of Melgan.
& of Wanis his iuere whet heo duden here.
& beden hine heom ræden oðer ælles heo weoren dæde.
Maximien wes sari for swulche tiðende
& anan dude ut of bende. Gracien þene hende
anan swa he him to com. þus he cleopede him on
Gracien bicum mi mon. & þu scelt seoððen wel don
& ich þe wullen senden. in-to Brutlonde
316
& þu scalt beon mi stiward. swa wes þe eorl Adionard
& ȝif þu wult wel don. ich wulle þe makien riche mon
and driuen of mire þeoden. vncuðe leoden
Þa and-swerede Gracien. mid griðfulle worden
Al ich wulle wurchen. after þine willen
liðen wuder-swa þu wult. & halden þe for lauerd
Þe aðes weoren isworene. & æft heo weoren for-lorene
Maximien þe keisere. bæd swiðe muchelne here
& he chæs of þan iwihte. ten þusend cnihten
& makede Gracien. gumene ælder
& swa heo gunnen wenden. in-to þissen londe
& her he fæht ful iwis. wið Melga & wi[ð] Wanis.
þat wes swiðe wel idon. þat he heo æt compe ouer-com
& draf heom ouer sæ-stronde. in-to Yrlonde
& seoððen ferde ȝeond þis lond. swa him wes alre leofuest
& þe kæisere Maximiæn. inne Rome wes hæh mon
& hæuede Valentin. wel uaste bi-clused in ane castle.
Þa hefde Valentin & Gracien inne Rome muchel cun.
& iseȝen þene enne broðer idæled from þen oðer.
Heo senden heore sonde in-to Puille londe.
& heo senden to Gradie þan Duc of Lumbardie.
& in-to Alemaine to aðelen þan folke.
and in-to feole londe þæ læien þer-abeoten.
& beden of heore ærde alle gaderen værde.
& to ane isette dæie sone cumen abeoten Rome.
& wreken uppen Maximien Valentin & Gratien.
Her-of nuste na-þing Maximien þe riche king.
ah he wunede inne Rome mid muchele riche-dome.
Vmbe lutle virste þa comen þa uerden.
al abeoten Rome riden seouen kinges.
heo to-breken Rome wal & eoden in ouer-al.
Rome burh heo nomen & Maximien heo sloȝen.
& duden vt Valentin & alle his iueren mid him.
of þan stronge castle & keiser hine makede.
& nomen heore sonde & senden to þisse londe.
& senden Gratien word whæt þer wes iwurðen.
& Gratien forð-riht anan ahnede þisne kine-dom.
þisne kinedom haueden Gratien þe ær ahte Maximien.
& Valentin of Rome ahte þa riche.
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and Gracien wes king her þat wes cuð wel iwar.
Wið-innen ane ȝere nes þer first na-mare.
iwrað þe king Gracien gumene forcuðest.
al he for-uerde þis lond þa leoden him weoren laðe.
þa riche he for-uerde þa wræcche he drof of ærde.
ne durste. þa riche þeines nowhær him cumen to-ȝeines.
ah alle heo hine fluȝen and alle heo hine bibuȝen.
Þa weoren in Æst Ængle aðele iborene cheorles.
twene ibroðeren itwinnes heo woeren.
þe oðer hehte Eðelbald & þe oðer Ælfwald.
Heo isehȝen on feole studen hou þe king þis lond fordude
Þas cheorles heom bi-þohten. whæt heo don mihten
& speken heom ful stille. þat þene king heo walden quellen
& senden in Æst Ængle wide ȝeond þan londe.
& sumnede on ærde seouen hundred cheorles.
& seiden þurh alle þing þat heo walden bi-sechen þene king.
& bidden hine mildce þurh þene milde Godd.
þat he þurh his mihte heolde heom to rihte.
Ah Ælfwald & his broðer al heo þuhten oðer.
heo uerden swiðe warliche mid wunsumme lades.
& ælc bær an honde ænne saȝel stronge.
and bi-siden heo gunnen heongen cniues swiðe longe.
vnder heore barme to scilden heom wið hærme.
& swa heo forð ferden alle i-sunde.
& vmben are mile heo ræsten ane while.
& auer-ælcne hired-gume feire heo igrætten.
& milde-liche þurh alle þing fræineden whær weoren þe king.
& hired-men heom tahten whær heo hine finden mæhten.
whær he wes in anne wude in ane wilderne
æfter ane bare. he hine a-bohte ful sære
Þa cheorles wenden to þan wuden. & warliche heom hudden
alle bute tweien. toward þan kinge heo weoren beien
and iuunden þene king. þær he wes an slæting
& him to cleopeden. quickere stæuene
Hider-ward lauerd king. we þe wulleð cuðen a wunderlic þing.
of ane swulche bare þe her is bi-halues.
vnder ane berhȝe þer he burh hafueð i-chosen.
ne iherde we næuere on liue tellen of swulche swine.
ȝif þu þider wult riden þer he þe abideð.
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& þa cheorles him biuoren beien to-gædere.
Þa cheorles up þreowen þene king heo icneowen.
& heo hine niðer setten & al hine to-heowen.
Þus Gratien þe king for ut an slæting.
Sone hit wes ouer-al iseid þat þe luðere king wes dæd.
þa weoren inne Bruttene blissen inowe.
ah sone þer-æfter sorȝen heom weoren ȝiueðen.
Þa wes æuer-ælc cheorl al swa bald alse an eorl.
& alle þa gadelinges alse heo weoren sunen kinges.
Þis word com to wel iwhare hu þe king wes iuaren.
comen sæ-liðende men uorð into Irlonde.
& funden þer ful iwis Melga & Wanis.
& talden heom tiðende al of þissen londe.
hu hit al wes iuaren & þat cheorles næfden nane kare.
& hefden al þis kine-lond iset a cheorlene hond.
Þa weoren glade ful iwis Melga & Wanis.
& seiden þat heo walden toward þissen londe.
Mid muchelere uerde heo comen to þissen ærde.
heo hæfden of Gutlonde ut-laȝen stronge.
of Neorewæi & of Denemarke men swiðe starke.
& of Yrlonde. Gillemaur þene stronge
of Scottene heo hafden. alle þa hæhsten
& of Galeweoðe. gumen swiðe kene
& swa heo gunnen wenden. ut to Norð-humber-londe
ahten heo nomen folc heo þer sloȝen
castles heo ararden. & ahneden þa arde
þa burhȝen heo nomen. & al þat heo neh comen
Þa iseȝen Bruttes. þat balu wes on londe
nusten heo nænne ræd. heo wenden alle wurðen dæd
Sonden heo nomen sone. & senden toward Rome
& beden heore are. þa & auere-mære
ȝif heo heom wolde helpen. to hæȝere neode
a to heore liue heo walden heom liðe.
& luue to heom halden ȝif heo heom helpen wolden.
Þis word wes isend bi write swiðe deore.
& þat writ wes irad imæ[n]g þan Rom-leden.
Þa speken sone þæ wisseste of Rome.
Bi vfelen iwurhten sculden we heom to wenden.
for Gratien heo sloȝen his men heo for-foren.
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of þissen ænde. ænne ælpi verde
Vt heo senden of Rome. cnihtes wel idone
fif and twenti hu[n]dred. comen in-to Lunden
& buden al þa ferde. of Brut-londes ærde
& ferden forð ful iwis. to Melga & Wanis
& heo fehten heom wið. & sloȝen heore uerde
& heo sulf mid ærh-scipe. arnden to heolte
& letten slæn heore folc. heore vnimete uerde
& heo seolf liðden forð. biuoren Scotlonde
& Febus heom æfter. mid his Romanisce cnihten
ah heo ne mihten for nane þingen. Melgan iuinden
& heo bi-gunnen feorlic. ane swiðe deope dich
& þer-ouen-on ouer-al. ænne strongne stanene wal
bi þere sæ-stronde bi-side Scot-londe.
þer weoren æuere iwuned þe vt-laȝen to londen cumen.
& seoððe heo heom dihten to bi-witen þa dich mid cnihten.
Þa dic & þa wal weoren ȝare þa næfde Bruttes nane kare.
aȝan heo gunnen wenden to þare burh of Lunden.
& Febus of Rome hustinge bad sone.
Þer com moni riche mon to þan hustinge anan.
moni cniht moni eorl moni þein moni cheorl.
moni riche burh-mon þer wende beon bliðe anan.
þa sorh-fulle weoren an heorten ær þe dæi weoren agan.
Febus þe feire cniht lette beoden his ferde uorð-riht.
þat heo comen to hustinge mid alle heore þringe.
& þa sweines at hærberwen letten heore hors wel ȝærwen.
& makien þa heors al swa ȝare swa heo sculden forð faren
& al þat folc duden þus. swa hit hæhte Febus
& swa heo gunnen wenden. to heore hustinge
Þa þat folc wes al icumen. & ælc his stude hafde inomen
þa hehte me lusten. inne Lundenne
Þa stod him up Febus. þe riche cniht and seide þus
Lusteð me nu Bruttes. þe her beoð bi-halues
Ich habbe eow to suggen. soð word of Rome
Ȝe us sende sonde. in-to ure londe
of þare sorhȝe ful iwis. þe eow duden Melgan & Wanis
& ich mid mire ferde. com to þissen ærde
& ich habbe eower iuan. iualled to þan grunde
& iflemed ut of ærde. Melgan buten uærde
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of þare ilke uerde. þe islaȝen is on ærde
Ȝe us habbeð ofte imaked wrað. þer-uore inne Rome ȝe beoð lað
for ofte ȝe us habbeð at-halden. þat gauel of þissen londe
& æc [ȝ]e habbeoð ufele idon. i-slæȝe þene king Gratien
& ofte ȝe us bi-hateð. treoðe to halden
& æuere a þan ænde. ȝe wakieð an honde
We habbeð for eower luuen. ilosed ure leoden
cnihtes i þissen londe. an hundred þusende
seoððen Iulius Cesar ærst bicom her.
ah swa we ibiden are nulle we no mare.
ah we wulleð sone uaren in-to Rome.
& bi-tachen eow þis kine-lond & haldeð hit on eowre hond.
& brukeð hit mid [wu]nne
for nulle we nauere-mare. aȝan comen here
We habbeð of þisse londe. ihaued monie þusend punde
þa we habbeð her bi-soht. ah heo beoð ful deore aboht
we beoð ofte hider ifaren. mid wandreðe & mid care
& nu ȝe maȝen wel don. bisecheð eow wepnen a-nan
& werieð eow seoluen. wið vncuðe leoden
Neoren eower ælderen. aðelene cæppen
Heonne to Rome. al þat lond. stod on heore aȝere hond
& al þat lond þat heo iseȝen. sone heo hit bi-wunne
al heo hit biwunnen. mid heore ahte wæpnen
Ah makieð in eowre londe. castles swiðe stronge
and werieð eowre þeode. wið vncuðe leode
& wunieð her hal and hæil. & habbeð alle godne dæie
Þa þeos word weoren [isæid] þa wes her a strong ræd.
næs nauere þe mon iboren inne nare burhȝe.
þe auere mihte tellen þurh nane spellen.
of þere muchele særi-næsse þa isiȝen wes to folke.
Þa weoren inne Lundenne lað-liche iberen.
þer wes wop þer wes rop. & reoðen vnimete
þa þeo Rom-leoden. riden toward scipene
& Bruttes bilafden. inne þisse londe
mid vnimete reoðe. ne cuðe heo ræd nænne
Þas tiðinde ful iwis. iherde Melga & Wanis
heo hefden ane verde. of vnimete folke
& heo gunnen wenden. in-to Norh-humber-lond
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& swa heo forð wenden. þat heo comen to þan walle
þeo þa Rom-leoden. hæfden aræred
Bruttes weoren wið-innen. mid swiðe feole monnen
& Melga wið-vten. & ȝeorne wes abuten
hu he mihte aȝeinnen. þat he weoren bi[n]nen
Heo ræsden to þan walle. ræiȝe þeines
somned alle þa uerde. feole cunnen ærde
þa dich wes swiðe wid & deop. & þa ferde to-leop
& Bruttes weoren igærede. & þene wal weoreden
heo scuten in heo scuten ut. scalkes þer feollen
arwen fluȝen ouer wal. al abuten ouer-al
swa þicke wes heore uæræ. swulc hit haȝel wæren
þat for þa arewen ne mihte þa Bruttes. ȝemen [n]anes fihtes
ah a-dun of þan walle. iwenden heo alle
& setten to fleme. feond-liche swi[ð]e.
& þa oðer breken þane wal & eoden binnen ouer-al.
& after heo droȝen & swuðe heom sloȝen.
heo sloȝen þer muchel wunder twa & fifti hundred.
al of Brutten seoluen wið-uten þan Scotten.
& wið-utten þan Dænscæn þa inne þere dic bi-læfden.
Þus iþæh þis kinelond a þere Bruttene hond.
Whæren Bruttes cnihtes icorene.
ah nu heo weoren alle swiðe for-lorene.
ne beoð heo neuere hæȝe buten heo hælp habben.
of oðere moncunne for heo seolf ne cunne.
Þus ferde ful iwis Melga & Wanis.
Þa Bruttes of Lundene to Rome sende sone.
beden heom swiðe cumen & don alse heo ær weoren iwuned.
þat heo arædde þis lond & nomen hit al to heore hond.
for heom heo hit vðen bet þane þan vncuðen.
Þa ȝeuen heo þus answære Nulle we nauere þider faren.
to þolien þat sw[i]nc & þat iwin. aȝæn þat heðene cun
for þat is Goddes wiðer-sake. Wanis ihaten
& Melgan his iuere. nulle we nauere cumen þere
þat is al þe ende. nulle we þuder wende
an-oðer halue we habbeoð. mare þene we maȝen an-hebben
Nes þer nan oðer and-swere. & þas sonden gunnen aȝæn faren
Þa heo aȝan comen. þa Bruttes from Rome
þa tiðinde talden þe Romleoden heom salden.
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Þa wes þer an ærchebiscop þat wes hali mon [&] god.
& mid Godde swiðe hæh Guencelin ihaten.
He sende his sonde ȝeond alle Brutlonde.
æfter alle þan clæreken þe Godes lare cuðen.
alle þaie ihade[de] gumen hiȝendliche him to comen.
& heo ful sone to Lundene comen.
Þus Guencelin heom spæc wið Mid us wunien Godes grið.
þat is on Latin ful iwis þat me sæið Pax vobis.
& heo him seiden forn to Et cum spiritu tuo.
Þa bi-gon he lar-spæl & of gode spæc swi[ð]e wel.
A þan daȝen at Sei[n]t Pauwel wes þe ærchebiscop stol.
& wel feole ȝere þe ærchebiscopes weoren þere.
ah seoððen þa Seint Austin com hit wes to Cantuare-buri idon.
Nu seide Guencelin þa wes þa heolie mon.
Lusteð lauerdin[g]es of ure tiðendes.
þa þes haðene mon þe is ihaten Melgan.
& Wanis & heore uerde habbeð ibroht [wa] to þissen ærde.
& wulleð þesne Cristindom al for-faren & for-don.
& ich wulle habben leue forð ich wulle liðen.
& ouer sæ wenden to summe hæȝe kinge.
& bidde þane hæȝe king þat hæ us hælpen þurh alle þing.
& ȝif ich mai iuinden to speken wið swulche kinge.
þenne wulle ich wel fain cumen hidere aȝæin.
oðer ælles næuere-mare nulle ich cummen here.
& ȝe bidden for me on eower bare cneowen.
& habbeð alle godne dæi cumen ich wulle ȝif ich mai.
Þa wes þat folc særi & sorhful on heorte.
ne biden nauere Brutware an heore liue swulche care.
Forð wende Guencelin & his clærkes mid him.
riht forð to þere sæ þær heom sæl þuhten.
Scipen heo þer funden & sone in wenden.
& heo ful sone ouer sæ comen.
in-to Bruttaine þer-foren heo weoren faine.
þa þe king Maximien ȝæf þan eorle Conaan.
ah dæd wes þa Maximiæn swa wes þe king Conaan.
Ah Aldroein hæhte his sune þe wes of Conaan icumen.
Brutaine þat lond he hafde al in his hond.
Armoriche hæhte þat lond ah þene nome hit losede an hond.
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Guencelin to þan kinge com & he hine lette wel a-fon.
þe ærchebiscop feol to þes kinges fot & bæd hine biðenche uppen Godd.
Lauer[d] king Aldroein ofte þe wurðe Godd fæin.
Iþenc þat þu weore Conaanes sune of Brutten þu ært al icumen.
Ich æm icumen to speken þe wið & ȝeornnen þe liues grið.
In-to ure londe beoð icumen twæine hæþene gumen.
Melga & Wanis muchel ufel heo doh us.
heo habbeoð of ure londe al þene norð ende.
& swiðe we beoð auæred þat heo nu nabben mare.
& ȝet heo þencheð ufele don to fallen þæne Cristindom.
& turne to heðenesse þa hæȝe & þa læsse.
For þi fader nom of Brutlonde alle þa cnihtes stronge.
& moni þusend ladde to Rome Maximien þe wel idone.
& nu liggeð of-slaȝen þa heo bilæfden an ure daȝen.
& þus is Brut-londdes ærd of folke bi-dæled.
Sonde we sende to Rome & beden þat heo comen.
and heo us habbeoð wor[d] isend bi vre sond-monnen
þat we don þat bezste þat we muȝen. for nulleð heo nauer-mare cumen
ah hateð us bi-winnen. hælp ȝif we cunnen
& habbeð iqueðen us scere. nu & auere-mare
Ah wel mæi don hu hit ga. for wræcches we beoð æuere-ma
Whilen weoren Bruttes. þa bezste men of londe
al þat heo bigunnen. al heo hit biwunnen
Nu heo beoð ouercumen. æiðer islaȝen & inomen
& a-wæi ivaren mid Maximian. & mid þi uader Conaan
þat [n]is þer bileued wel neh nan. þat auere beo æi tale on
Ah þu ært of ure cunne. of us naue þu nane sunne
help us nu for þu miht. ælles we habbeoð muchel pliht
Þus spæc þe ærchebiscop. þat Aldroein king hit vnder-stod
þe king gon siche sare him gunnen glide teores.
& urnen his æȝene þat his hired-men hit iseȝen.
Þa ȝæf þe king and-swære & wið Guencelin he spæc þus þere.
Ich eow wulle helpen mid hæȝere strengðe.
ich þe wullen bitæchen twa þusend cnihtes.
þat scullen beon þa bezste þæ wunieð inne Brutene.
& Costantin minne broðer swulcne nat ich nænne oðer.
swa wid swa is þes dæi-liht nat ich nenne betere cnihte.
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makieð hine lauerd ouer al Brutlondes ærd.
Þa axede Aldroein þe king his deore broðe[r] Costantin.
& he forð-rihtes bitahte him þa cnihtes.
Forð ferde Costantin & þe ærchebiscop mid him.
& þe king him-seolf walde uaren ah of Frensce monnen he hæfde kare.
Hider-ward wende Costantin þe hende.
and al his uerde isund at Totteneis heo comen a lond.
þeder com þe ohte mon wælla wel wes he ibon.
& mid him twa þusend cnihten swulche na king ne æhte.
Forð heo gunnen liðen in-to Lundenne.
and senden æfter cnihten ȝeond þat kineriche.
and æuerælc oht mon þat hiȝenliche come anan.
Þet iherde Bruttes þer heo wuneden i þan puttes.
inne eorðen & inne stockes heo hudden heom alse brockes.
i wude i wilderne inne hæðe & inne uærne.
þat ne mihte wel neh na man nenne Brut iuinden.
buten heo weoren in castle oðer y burhȝe iclused uaste.
Þa heo iherden of þissen worde þat Costantin wes an ærde.
þa comen ut of munten moni þusend monnen.
heo leopen ut of þan wuden swulc hit deor weoren.
Liðen toward Lundenne moni hundred þusend.
bi straten & bi walden al hit forð hælden.
& þa æhte wif-men wæpmonnes claðes duden heom on.
& heo forð wenden towward þere uerde.
Þa isæh þe eorl Costantin al þis folc cumen to him.
þa wes he swa bliðe swa he nes næuer ær an liue.
Forð heo nomen heore wæi twa niht & enne dæi.
þat heo comen ful iwis to Melga & Wanis.
To-gadere heo ræsden mid ræȝe strengðe.
fuhten feo[n]dliche feollen þa uæie.
ær þe dæi weoren a-gan islaȝen wes Wanis & Melgan.
& Peohtes inowe & Scottes vnifohȝe.
Densce & Norenisce Galewaȝes & Irreisce.
Þa while þat þe dæi wes liht ilæste auere þis slæht.
þa com hit to þan æuen-time þa cleopeden þe æorl Costantin.
& bad þa wæi-witere for-ærnen þa wateres.
and snelle men toward þære sæ þet þer heom sculden sechen.
Þe mon þe iseȝen þat gomen hu forð gengden þa quenen.
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whær-swa heo funden æine mon at-wunden.
þe weore mid Melga þan hæðene kinga.
þa quenen lude loȝen & al hine to-droȝen.
& beden for þere seole þat hire neuere sæl nere.
Þus þa Bruttisce quenen moni þusend aqualden.
& þus heo areden þæsne kinedo[m]. of Wanis & of Melgan
& Costantin þe ohte. ferde to Selechæstre
& heold his hustinge. of alle his Brut þringen
alle þa Bruttes. buȝen to þan mote
& nomen Costantin aðeling. and makeden hine Bruttene king
Muchel wes þa murðe. þat wæs a mancunne
& seoððen heo him ȝefuen wif. wunder ane hende
i-boren of þan hæsten. of Bruttene þan alre bezsten
Of þissen hæȝe wiue. Costantin hæfuede
inne þissere leode þreo sunen lutle.
Hæfde þe æreste sune wel neh his fader nome.
Costantin hæhte þe king & Costanz hæhte þat child.
Þa þis child wes iwaxen þat hit cuðe riden.
þa lette his fader hit munekien þurh luðere monnene ræde.
& þat child munec wes inne Winchæstre.
After him wes iboren an-oðer þe wes þe midleste broðer.
he wes ihaten Aurelius his to-nome hæhte Ambrosius.
Þa wes alre last iboren a child þat wes wel icoren.
he wes ihaten Vther his aðelen weore store.
he wes þe ȝungeste broðer. ah he leouede lengere þane þa oðere
Guencelin þe ærchebiscop. þe to-ward Gode wes ful god
he bi-wuste þa twa childere. for luue of þan kinge
Ah wale þat heore fader na lengere ne moste libben.
for he hafde gode laȝen þa while þe he luuede.
ah he nes king here buten twælf ȝere.
& seoððen wæs þæ king dæd hercne nu þurh wulcne ræd.
He hafde in his huse ænne Poht hende cniht and swi[ðe] aht
he uerde mid þan kinge. & mid alle his dringen
nanes weies oðer. bute al-swa his broðer
Þa iwarð he swa riche. al his iferen vniliche
þa þohten he to swiken. Costantin þene richen
he com biuoren þan kinge. & feol an his cneowen
& þus leh þa leod-swike. biuoren his lauerd.
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& ic þe wulle tællen. of uncuðe spællen
swulc þu næuere ære. an ærde ne herdest
Þa aras þe king Costantin. & eode forð ut mid him
ah wale þat hit nusten. Costantines cnihtes
Heo eoden swa longe forð-ward. þat heo comen in ænne orchærd
Þa seide þa swike. þere. Lauerd beon wit here
Þe swike set adun. alse he wolde holden run
& he bah to þan kinge. alse mon dæð of runinge
He igrap ænne cnif swiðe long. & þene king þer-mid of-stong
in-to þere heorte. & he him-seolf at-sterte
þer þe king dæd læi. & þe swike fleh awæi
Þat word com to herede. hu þe king iuaren hafde
þa wes muchel reoðe. & rumede to folke
Þa weoren Bruttes bisie an þonke
heo nusten þurh nane þinge. whet heo mihten to kinge
for þas kinges sunen tweien. lutlen heo weoren beien
Ambrosie cuðe vnneðe. riden an horse
& Vther his bro[ð]er. þa ȝæt sæc his moder
& Costance þe aldeste. wes i Winchæstre
munec-claðes he hauede an. alse an of his iueren
Þa comen to Lundenne. al þis leodisce folc
to heore hustinge. & to ræden heom of kinge
wulche weis heo mihten don. & heu heo mihten taken on
& wulc an of þissen children. heo mihten habben to kinge
Þa curen þas leoden. Aureliæn Ambrosian
to habben to kinge ouer heom.
Þat iherde Uortiger ȝæp mon & swi[ð]e war.
i-mong þan eorlen he stod & fast-liche hit wið-soc.
& he þus sæide soð þæh hit nære.
Ich eow wulle ræden ræd mid þan bezsten.
Abideð feouwertene niht & cumen we æft her riht.
& ich eow wullen suggen soð[ð]ere wordes
þat mid eower eȝenen ȝe scullen iseon. & eowre while wel bi-teon.
þis ilke we scullen ibiden. & to ure londe þa while riden
& halden grið & halden vrið. freoliche on ærde
Al duden þat hird. swa Uortiger demde
& he him-seolf wende. al-se he walde to his londe.
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Vortiger hafde Walisc lond þat haluen-dæl an his hond.
feouwerti cnihtes gode he hauede on his hirede.
He wende to Winchæstre þer he Costanz funde.
& spæc wið þæne abbod þe þat munster biwat.
þer Costanz wes munec þas kinges sune of Bruttene.
He wende in-to þan munestre mid mildere speche.
he sæide þat he wolde speken wið Costance.
Þe abbed hit him uðe & he hine ladde to spæc-huse.
Þus spæc Vortiger wið þene munec þa þær.
Custanz hærcne minne ræd for nu is þi fader dæd.
Þer is Ambrosie þi broðer & Vther þe oðer.
Nu habbeð þa ælde þa aðeleste an londe.
icoren Aurilien his to-nome is Ambrosien
ȝif heo maȝen þurh alle þing. heo wulleð makien hine king
& Vðer þi broðer. sukeð ȝet his moder
Ah ic heom habbe wið-sæid. & for-sake þenche
for ich habben i-beon stiward. of al Brutlondes ærd
& eorl ich æm riche. mine iueren vniliche
& ich habbe Walsce lond. haluendæl in mire hond
mare ich habbe ane. þane þa oðere al clæne
Ich æm icome to þe. for monne leofuest ært tu me
ȝif þu wult me swærie aðes. ich wulle don of þe þas claðes
ȝif þu wult æchen mi lond. & þin ræd don in mire hond
& makien me þinne stiward. ouer al Brutlondes ærd
& þurh mine ræde. don al þine dæde.
& þu wulle me an hond plihten þat ich hit scal al dihten.
ich þe wulle þurh alle þing makien Brut-londes king.
Þes munec sæt wel stille þa spæche him eode an wille.
Þa and-swarede þe munec mid muchelere liste.
Wel wurðe þe Vortiger þat þu ært icumen her.
ȝif auere-mare cumeð þæ dæi þat ich king beon mæi.
al mi ræd & al mi lond ich wulle don i þire hond.
& al þat þu wult don mine men hit scullen vnder-uon.
& aðes ich þe swerie þat þis ich wulle uorien.
Þus seide þe munec he murnede swiðe.
hu hit al weore þat he munec neore.
for him weoren blake claðes wunder ane laðe.
Vortiger [wes] ȝæp & war þat he cuð[d]e wel iwar.
he nom ane cape of his ane cnihte.
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he nom ænne swein anan and þa blake claðes dude him on.
& heold rune wið þane swæin swulc hit þe munec weore.
Munekes eoden vpward munekes eoden dunward.
iseȝen bi þan weien þane swein mid munec-claðen.
þe hod hongede adun alse he hudde his crune.
wende æche oðer þat hit weore heore broðer.
þe þer sæt swa sære i þa spæc-huse.
a þan dæi-lihte imong alle þan cnihten.
Heo comen to heore abbede & hine gretten þurh Gode.
Lauerd benedicite we beoð icumen biuoren þe.
for sellic us þuncheð whet Vortiger þencheð.
in ure spæc-huse þer he spel haldeð
þurh-ut þesne dæi na munec þer-in cumen ne maie.
buten Costanz ane & þa cnihtes al clane.
Sære we adredeð þat heo him mis-ræden
Þa answerede þe abbed Næi ac heo him radeð god.
biddeð hine halden his hod for nu is his fader dæd.
Vortiger þer abed þe while Costance awæi rad.
Vortiger up aras of þan munstere vt lað.
& alle his cnihtes ut wenden for[ð]-rihtes.
Munekes þer urnen þider anan wenden to uinde Costance.
þa iseȝen heo þa claðes liggen bi þan waȝes.
þa ælcan to oðer mænden of heore broðer.
Þe abbed an horse leop & æfter Uortiger rad.
& sone gon of-ærne þe eorl Uortigerne.
Þus seide þe abbed to Vortigerne þer he rad.
Seie me þu wode cniht whi dest þu swa muchel vnriht.
Þu bi-ni[m]est us ure broðer Let hine & nim þene oðer.
Nim Ambrosie þat child & make of him ænne king.
& ne wrað þu noht Sæint Benediht. ne do þu him nan vn-riht
Þis iherde Uortige[r]. he wes ȝæp & swiðe iwar
sone he aȝan com. & þe abbed he nom
& swor bi his honden. þat he hine wolde an-hongen.
buten he him plihte þat he wolden vorð-rihtes.
vnhadien Costanz þas kinges sone of þis londe.
& for swulchere neode he sculden beon king of þissere þeode.
Þe abbed ne durste nan oðer þar he vn-hadede his broðer.
& þat child ȝef þan abbede an hond twenti sulhene lond.
& seoððen heo liðeden forð in-to Lundenne.
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þet heo nane manne ne tælden whæt heo hæfden
Vortiger i Lundene læi þat com þe ilke isæte dæi.
þat sculden to hustinge cumen þa cnihtes of þissen
To þan dæie heo comen monie & vniuoȝe.
heo redden heo runden ræiȝe þa beornes.
þat Ambrosie heo wolden habben & to kinge hæbben.
for Vther wes to lutel þa ȝet he moste suken.
& munec wes Costanz þe ældest wes of heom.
& heo nalden for nane þinge munec makie[n] to kinge.
Þis iherde Vortige[r] þe wes ȝæp [&] swuðe iwar.
& an uoten leop swulc hit an liun weore.
Nusten þa Bruttes na whon whæt Vortiger hæfde idon.
he hæfde in ane bure Costanz þene deore.
wel iba[ð]ðed & iscrud & seoððen mid twælf cnihten ihud.
Þa spæc þus Vortiger he wes of ȝæp-scipe war.
Lusteð lauerd[l]inges þe while þe ich speke of kinges.
Ich wes i Winchæstre þer ich wel spedde.
ich spæc wið þene abbed þat is hali mon [&] god.
& seiden him þa neode þe icumen is to þissere þeode.
of Costantines dæðe þer-fore him is vnneðe.
& of Costance þan childe þe he hæfde ihalden.
& ich bad hine for Gode don þat child of hade.
& for swulchere neode king he scolde beon on þeode.
& þe abbed nom his ræd. & dude al þat ich hine bed.
& here ich habbe his munekes þe gode beoð and mære.
þat sculleð witnesse beren eowe alle biuoren.
Leo wær here is þat ilke child makien we her-of enne king.
& her ich halde crune þa þer-to bi-houeð.
& þat þis wule wið-suggen he hit scal abuggen.
Vortiger wes swiðe strong þe hæhste mon of Brutlond.
nes þer nauer nan swa hæh þat his quides durste halsien.
Wes i þere ilke wike þe ærchebiscop forð iwiten.
nes þer nan biscop þat forð on his wæi ne scoc.
na munec ne nan abbed þat he an his wæi ne rad.
for heo ne dursten for Gode don þer þa misbode.
nime þane munec child & makien Brut-londes king.
Þis isæh Vortiger of ufele he wes wel iwar.
up he gon stonden þe crune he nom an honden.
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Nes næuere na ma[n] þat don þer mihte Cristin-dom.
þat mihte blessinge don in þan kinge.
bute Vortiger ane. hit dude for alle clane
Þe frume wes vn-hende. & al-swa wes þe ænde
he for-lette Goddes had. þer-fore he sorȝen ibad
Þus wes king Costance. & Vortiger wes his stiward
Costanz al his kinelond. sette i Vortigeres hond
& al he dude an londe. swa him-sulf wolde
Þa isæh Uortiger. of muclen vfele he wes wær
þat Costanz þe king. ne cuðe of londe na-þing
for he nefde ileorned. nauer nane lare
buten in his munstre. þat munec scolde drigen
Vortiger þat isæh. þe Wurse him wes ful neh
ofte he hine bi-ðohte. wæht he don mahte
hu he mihte mid læsinge. i-quemen þan kinge
Nu þu miht iheren. hu þes swiken him gon uaren
Weoren of Brutlonde. þa bezste alle dæde
nu weoren þas kinges broðeren. beien ful lutle
& Guencelin ærchebiscop. þer bi-foren wes dæd
& him-sulf þisses londes king. of þare laȝe ne cuðe na-þing
Vortiger þis i-sah. & he to þan kinge bæh
mid mildere spæche. his lauerd he gon greten
Hal seo þu Costanz. Brutlondes lauerd
Ich æm icumen þe þus næh. for muchelere neode
for suggen þe tiðende. þe beoð icume to londe
of swiðe muchele plihte. Nu þe bi-houeð mihte
nu þe bi-houeð wepnen. to werie þine þeoden
Her beoð chæpmen icumen. of oðere londen al-se hit is iwune
heo habbeoð ibroht to me tol for heore æhte.
and heo habbeoð me i-tald. & treowðen i-plihte
þat þe king of Norewæiȝe. neowenliche wule hider uaren
& þere Densemonne king. þas Denen wulle at-sechen
& þe king of Rusie ræhȝest alre cnihten.
& þe king of Gutlonde mid ferde swiðe stronge.
& þe king of Frise þer-uore me a-griseð.
Þa tiðende beoð stronge þe icumen beoð to londe.
her-uore ich æm swiðe adred for ne con ich nenne godne ræd.
buten we moten mid mihten senden æfter cnihten.
þat beon gode & stronge & þat wel cunnen a londe.
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& swa þu miht þi kinelond werien wið vnleoden.
& þinne wurh-scipe halden mid hæȝere strenðe
For nis nan kine-lond. na swa brad næ swa long
þat ne bið sone inomen. ȝif þær bið to lute gumen
Þenne answerede þe king. of londe ne cuðe he naðing
Vortiger þu ært stiward. ouer al Brutlondes ærd
& þu hit scalt walden. after þine willen
Send after cnihten. þe gode beon to fihten
& nim al i þire hond. mine castles & mi lon[d]
& do al þine i-wille. & ich wulle beon stille
bute þe an-læpi þing. ich wulle beon icleoped king
Þa loh Uortiger. he wes of vfele swi[ðe] iwær
nes he nauere swa bliðe. ær on his liue
Uortiger nam læue. & forð he gon liðe
& swa he uorð ferde
al þat lond. he sette an his aȝere hond
and þe monraddene he nom. æuere æwher he com
& swa he nom his sonde. & sende to Scotlonde
& hæhte þa Pohtes. þa alre bezste cnihtes
þreo hundred him cumen to. & he heo[m] wolde wel don
And þa cnihtes him to come. þer-æfter wel sone
Þus spæc þe swike-fulle gume. Cnihtes ȝe beoð wulcume
Ich habbe i mire hond. al þis kinewurðe lond
mid me ȝe scullen liðen. for ich eow wullen luuien
& ich eow wullen bringe. bi-uoren ure kinge
ȝe scullen habbe seoluer & gold. þe bezste hors of þis lond
claðes & fæire wif. eore wille ich wulle driȝen
ȝe sculleð beon me leofue. for þa Bruttes me beoð laðe
lude & stille ich wulle [don eore wille].
ȝif ȝe wulleð in londe halden me for lauerd.
Þa forð-rihtes answarede þa cnihtes.
Al we wulleð don þine iwille
& heo gunnen wenden. to Costa[n]ce þan kinge
To þan kinge com Uortiger. of ufele he wes wel war
& seide him of his dæde. hu he idon hæuede
& her ich habbe Peohtes. þa scullen beon hired-cnihtes
and alle ich habbe þine casles. swiðe wel bitæht
& þas uncuðe cnihtes. bi-uoren us scullen fihten
Al þe king bi-lufde. swa Fortiger hoȝede
348
ne of his swike-dome. þe he dude þer-æfter sone
Þas cnihtes weoren an hirede. hæhliche iwurðed
fulle twa ȝere. mid þan kinge heo wuneden þere.
& Uortiger þe stiward wes heore alre lauerd.
A he seide þat Bruttes neoren noht to nuttes.
ah he seide þat þa Peohtes weoren gode cnihtes.
A weoren Bruttes godes bidaled
& þa Peohtes walden. al þat heo wolden
heo hafden drænc heo hafden mete. heo hafden muchel blisse æke
Vortiger heom salde. al þat heo wolden
& heom wes al swa leof. swa heore aȝene lif
swa þat heo al speken. þer heo heore mete æten
þat Uortiger weoren wurðe. to walden þas þeode
þurh-ut alle þinges. bæt þene swulche þreo kinges.
Vortiger ȝef þissen gumen swiðe muchele gærsume.
Þa ilomp hit on ane dæie þa Uortiger at his inne laie.
he nom his tweiene cnihtes & sende æfter þan Peohtes.
hæhten heom cumen her for alle heo sculden æten þer.
To him comen þa cnihtes to his inne forð-rihtes.
he uondede heom mid worde alse heo seten at borde.
he lette heom bringen schenches of feole cunne drenches.
heo drunken heo dremden dæi þer forð eode.
Þa heo weore swa drunken þat wakeden heore sconken
þa spæc Uortiger þat he hæfde iþoht ær.
Hercneð nu me cnihtes ich wulle suggen eow uorð-rihtes
of mire muchele sorȝen. þat ich fore habbe imurned
Þe king me bi-tahte þis ard for to beon his stiward
Ȝe beoð me on liue. alre monnen leof[es]t.
ah nabbe ich æhten to ȝiue mine cnihten.
for þes king æh al þis lond and he is ȝung & þæh strong.
and al ic him mot ȝelden þat ich nime of his londe.
& ȝif ich his for-leose ich sal laȝe þolien.
& mine ahten ich habbe ispend for ich eo wulle iquemen.
& nu ich mot heonene uaren feor to summe kinge.
heren him mid sæhte & bi-winnen mid him ahte.
ne mæi I noht for muchele scome. habben here þesne wone
350
& ȝif auere cumeð þe dæi þat ich æhten bi-ȝiten mæi.
and ich maȝen swa wel iþeon þat ȝe cumen a londe þer ich beon.
ich eow wulle wel biwiten mid muchelere wurðscipe.
And habbeoð alle godne dæi to-niht ich wulle faren awæi.
hit bið a muchele wæne whær ȝe i-seon me auere-mare.
Nusten noht þas cnihtes. wæt þe swike þohte.
Vortiger wes fæc for her he his lauerd bi-swæc
& þe cnihtes heolden hit for soh. þat þe swike sæide
Fortiger hæhte his sweines. sadeli his blonken
& nemnede twælf scalkes. to laden mid him-seoluen
to horsen heo eoden. swulc heo wolden of þeoden
Þat iseoȝen þa Peohtes. þa for-drunkene cnihtes
hu Vortiger wolde uaren. her-uore heo hæfden muchelne kare
heo eoden to ræden. heo eoden to rune
alle heo menden heore lif. for Vortiger heom wes swa leof
& þus seiden þa Peohtes. þa drunkene cnihtes
Whæt maȝe we nu to rade. Whæ scal us nu ræden
Wha scal us feden Wha scal us scruden
Wha scal an hirede beon ure lauerd
Nu Vortiger is iuaren. alle we mote fusen
Nulle we for nane þinge. munec habbe to kinge
Ah wulle we wel don. forð-riht faren we him to
diȝelliche & stille. & don al ure iwille
in-to his bure. & drincken of his beore
Þenne we habbeð idrunken. dreme we lude
& summe sculleð to þere dure mid sweorden sto[n]den þer biuoren.
& summe forð-rihtes nimen þene king & his cnihtes.
& slæn of þa hafden & we seolf hired haben.
& leten sone of-ærnen uræ lauerd Uortigerne.
& seoððen þurh alle þinge hæbben hine to kinge.
þenne mah we libben swa us bið alre leofuest.
Wenden þa cnihtes to þan kinge forð-rihtes.
eoden heo alle þurh-ut þære halle.
in-to þas kinges bure þer he sæt bi fure.
Nes þer nan þat word spæc bute Gille Callæt.
þus he wið þæne kinge spæc swiken he þohte þet.
Lust me nu leod-king Nulle ich þe liȝen naðing.
352
þurh þinne stiwærd þe haueð iwiten al þis ærd.
he us haueð wel iued he us haueð wel iscrud.
& to soðe ich sugge þe mai mid him we æten nu to-dæi.
ah sare us of-þuncheð nefden we noht to drinken.
& nu we beoð in þine bure ȝef us drinken of þine beore.
Þa ȝæf þe king answare þat scal beon eowre laste kare.
for ȝe sculleð habben to drinken þa while þe eow god þunche.
Me heom brohte drinken & heo gunnen dremen.
Þus sæide Gille Calæt to þere dure he wes ful wæt.
Whær beo ȝe cnihtes Sturieð eow forð-rihtes.
& heo þene king igripen & his hæfde of smiten.
& alle his cnihtes heo sloȝen forð-rihtes.
& nomen ænne sondes-mon and senden toward Lunden.
þat he swiðe sculde ærne æfter Uortigerne.
þat he swiðe comen & þene kine-dom nome.
for þat wuste he þurh alle þing islæȝen wes Costanz þe king.
Þet iharde Uortigerne þe swike wes ful derne.
þus he hæhte þene sondes-mon aȝan for[ð]-riht anan.
& hat heom wel bi-witen al ure wurð-scipen.
þat nauer anne wende ut of þan ænde.
ah alle me abiden a þat ich cu[m]e riden.
& swa ich wulle dele þis lond us alle imæne.
Forð wende þe sondes-mon and Vortiger nom anan.
& sende ȝeond Lunden & to hustinge hehte heom.
ræðen & ful sone þat heo alle comen.
Icumen weoren þa burmen þe swiðe balde weoren.
þa spæc Vortigerne þe swike wes ful deorne.
swiðe he gon to wepen & særiliche siken.
ah hit wes an hafde & noht an his heorte.
Þa axeden hine þa burh-men þe swiðe balde weoren.
Lauerd Vortigerne whæht is þat þu murnest.
Nert þu na wimman swa sære to wepen.
Þa answarede Vortigerne þe wes swike ful deorne.
Ich eow wulle telle for reoliche spelle.
of muche særnesse þe isiȝen is to londe.
Ich habbe i ðis ærd ibeon eower kinges stiwærd.
& ispæken hi[m] wið & iluued hine swa mi lif.
ah nalde he at þan ende nænne ræd luuien.
354
& us nalde he god don ne neower feire vnder-fon.
ah heom he wes liðe a to heore liue.
Ne mihte ic of þan kinge habben scipinge.
ich spende mine ahte þa wile þa heo ilaste.
& seoððen ich nam leue to mine londe liðe.
and þenne ich hæfde mine gauel cumen aȝan to hirede.
Þa isæhȝen þa Peohtes þat þe king nefde nane cnihtes.
neo nauere nænne cunes-mon þe heo wolden oht fore don.
heo nomen heore. uore in-to þas kinges bure
Ich suggen eow þurh alle þing. islæȝen heo habbeoð þæne king
& þencheð þisne kine-dom. & us alle for-don
& wulleð forð-rihte. makien king of ane Peohte
Ah ich wes his stiward. w[r]æken ich wulle minne lauerd
& æueræche oht mon. hælpen me þat to don
On ich wulle mid mine gæren. & forð-riht ich wulle uaren
Wenden ut of Lunden. cnihtes þritti hundred
heo riden & heo arnden. forð mid Vortigerne
þat heo neh-læhten þer weoren þa Peohtes
& he nom enne of his cnihtes. & sende to þan Peohten
& seide heom þat he com. ȝif heo hine wolden vnder-uon
Þa Peohtes weoren bliðe. for heore fæi-siðe
& heo nomen heore gode gæren. nes þer neowðer sceld ne spære
Vortiger forð-rihtes. wepnede alle his cnihtes
& comen þa Peohtes. & bruhten hæued þas kinges
Þa Vortiger þis hæued isæh. þa hælde he to grunde ful neh
swulc he hafuede mod-kare. mest of alre monne
mid his lechen he gon liȝen. his heorte wes ful bliðe
Þa seide Vortigerne. þe swike wes ful deorne
Auerælc oht mon. mid sweorde leggeð heom on
& wrækeð wel an ærde. þe seorȝe of ure lauerd
Nænne heo ne nomen. ah alle heo heom sloȝen
& to þan inne wende. in-to Winchæstre
& sloȝen heore sweines. & heore burh-þeines
heore cokes & heore cnaues. alle heo duden of lif-dæȝen
Þus ferden þa tiðinde of Costanz þan kinge.
& þa weorlde-wis mon þa oðere childre bi-wusten.
for heo hafden care of Vortiger heo nomen Ambrosie & Vðer.
& la[d]den heom ouer sæ in-to þere lasse Brutene.
356
& he heom feire vnder-feng he wes heore cun & heore freond.
& mid muchelere liste þa childere he biwuste.
and swa wel fele ȝere mid him heo weoren þere.
Vortiger a þissen londe wes ihoue to kinge.
alle þa Brut[tes] stronge stoden an his honde.
fif & twenti ȝeren he wes king here.
He wes wod he wes wild he wes ræh he wes bald.
of alle þinge he hæfde his iwille. bute þa Peohtes neoren næuere stille
ah eouere heo wenden. ȝeond þene norh enden
& henden þis kinelond. mid hærmen vnimete
& wreken heore cun inoh þat Vortiger here of-sloh.
Vnder þan comen tiðende into þissen londe.
þat Aurelien wes cniht þe Ambrosiæn wes ihæten.
& al-swa wes Vther god cniht & swiðe i-war.
and wolden comen to þissen londe & leden here swiðe stronge.
Þis wes feole siðe iqueðe ofte iquidded.
ofte comen tiðinde to Vortiger þan kinge.
þer-fore him ofte scomede & his heorte gromede.
for men hit sæiden wel iwhær Nu cume[ð] Ambrosie. & Vther.
and wulleð wræken Costance þene king of þis lond.
N[i]s þer cost nan oðer wærken heo wulleð heore broðer.
and slæn Vortigerne & to duste hine for-berne.
þus heo wulleð al þis lond setten an heore aȝere hond.
Swa quiddeden ælche dæi al þat verden æfter wæi.
Uortiger hine biðohte whæt he don mihte.
& þohte sende sonde into oðere londe.
æfter vncuðe cnihten þa hine biwiten mihten.
and þohte to beon wær wið Ambrosie & wi[ð] Vther.
Vnder þan comen tiðende to Vortiger þan kinge.
þat ouer sæ weoren icumen swiðe selcuðe gumen.
inne þere Temese to londe heo weoren icummen.
þreo scipen gode comen mid þan flode.
þreo hundred cnihten alse hit weoren kinges.
wið-uten þan scipen-monnen þe weoren þer wið-innen.
Þis weoren þa færeste men þat auere her comen.
ah heo weore hæðene þat wes hærm þa mare.
Uortiger heom sende to and axede hu heo weoren idon.
358
Heo wisliche andswerden swa heo wel cuðen.
& seiden þat heo walden speken wið þan kinge.
& leofliche him heren & hælden hine for hærre.
and swa heo gunnen wenden forð to þan kinge.
Þa wes Uortigerne þa king in Cantuarie-buri.
þer he mid his hirede hæhliche spilede.
þer þas cnihtes comen bi-foren þan folc-kinge.
Sone swa heo hine imetten fæire heo hine igrætten.
& seiden þat heo him wolden hæren i þisse londe.
ȝif he heom wolde mid rihten at-halden.
Þa andswerede Vortiger of elchen vuele he wes war.
An alle mine iliue þe ich iluued habbe.
bi dæie no bi nihtes ne sæh ich nauere ær swulche cnihtes.
for eouwer cumen ich æm bliðe & mid me ȝe scullen bilæfuen.
& eouwer wille ich wulle driȝen bi mine quicke liuen.
Ah of eou ich wulle iwiten þurh soðen eouwer wurð-scipen.
whæt cnihten ȝe seon & whænnenen ȝe icumen beon.
& whar ȝe wullen beon treowe alde & æc neowe.
Þa answerede þe oðer þat wes þe aldeste broðer.
Lust me nu lauerd king & ich þe wullen cuðen.
what cnihtes we beoð & whanene we icumen seoð.
Ich hatte Henges Hors is mi broðer.
we beoð of Alemainne aðelest alre londe.
of þat ilken ænde þe Angles is ihaten.
Beoð in ure londe selcuðe tiðende.
vmbe fiftene ȝer þat folc his isomned.
al ure iledene folc & heore loten werpeð.
vppen þan þe hit fale [ð] he scal uaren of londe.
bilæuen scullen þa fiue þa sexte scal forð liðe.
ut of þan leode to u[n]cuðe londe.
ne beo he na swa leof mon uorð he scal liðen.
For þer is folc swiðe muchel mære þene heo walden.
Þa wif fareð mid childe swa þe deor wilde.
æueralche ȝere heo bereð child þere
Þat beoð an us feole þat we færen scolden.
ne mihte we bilæue for liue ne for dæðe.
ne for nauer nane þinge for þan folc-kinge.
Þus we uerden þere & for þi beoð nu here.
360
Nu þu hæfuest iherd lauerd ki[n]g soð of us þurh alle þi[n]g.
Þa answærede Vortiger of alc an vfele he wes war.
Ich ileue þe cniht þat þu me sugge soð-riht.
& wulche beoð æoure i-leuen þat ȝe on ileueð.
& eoure leofue godd þe ȝe to lute[ð].
Þa andswarede Hænges cnihtene alre fæirest.
nis in al þis kine-lond cniht swa muchel ne swa strong.
We habbeð godes gode þe we luuieð an ure mode.
þa we habbeð hope to & heoreð heom mid mihte.
Þe an hæhte Phebus þe oðer Saturnus.
þe þridde hæhte Woden þat is an weoli godd.
þe feorðe hæh[te] Iupiter of alle þinge he is whar.
þe fifte hæhte Mercurius þat [i]s þe hæhste ouer us.
þæ sæxte hæhte Appollin þat is a godd wel idon.
þe seoueðe hatte Teruagant an hæh godd in ure lon[d].
Ȝet we habbeð anne læuedi þe hæh is & mæhti.
heh heo is & hali hired-men heo luuieð for þi.
heo is ihate Frææ wel heo heom dihteð.
Ah for alle ure goden deore þa we scullen hæren.
Woden hehde þa hæhste laȝe an ure ælderne dæȝen.
he heom wes leof æfne al-swa heore lif.
he wes heore walden and heom wurð-scipe duden.
þene feorðe dæi i þere wike heo ȝifuen him to wurð-scipe.
Þa þunre heo ȝiuen Þunres-dæi for þi þat heo heom helpen mæi.
Freon heore læfdi heo ȝiuen hire Fridæi.
Saturnus heo ȝiuen Sætterdæi þene sunne heo ȝiuen Sonedæi.
Monen heo ȝifuen Monedæi Tidea heo ȝeuen Tis-dæi.
Þus seide Hæ[n]gest cnihten alre hendest.
Þa answerede Vortiger of ælchen vfel he wæs wær.
Cnihtes ȝe beoð me leofue ah þas tiðende me beoð laðe.
eouwer ileuen beoð vnwraste ȝe ne ileoueð noht an Criste.
ah ȝe ileoueð a þene Wurse þe Godd seolf awariede.
eoure godes ne beoð nohtes in helle heo niðer liggeð.
Ah neoðeles ich wulle eou at-hælde. an mine anwalde.
for norð beoð þa Peohtes swiðe ohte cnihtes.
þe ofte ledeð in mine londe ferde swiðe stronge.
& ofte do[ð] me muchele scome & þerfore ich habbe grome.
& ȝif ȝe me wulleð wræken & heore hæfden me biȝeten.
ich eou wullen ȝeuen lond muchel seoluer & gold.
Þa andswerede Hængest cnihtene alre feirest.
Ȝif hit wulle Saturnus al hit scal i-wurðe þus.
& Woden ure lauerd þe we on bi-liueð.
Hengest nom læue & to scipen gon liðe.
þer wes moni cniht strong heo droȝen heore scipen uppe þe lond.
Forð wenden dringches to Vortigerne þan kenge.
biuoren wende Hengest & Hors him alre hændest.
seoððen þa Alemainisce men þa aðele weoren an deden.
& seoððen heo senden him to heore Sæxisce cnihtes wel idon.
Hengestes cunnes-men of his aldene cu[ð]ðen.
Heo comen in-to halle hændeliche alle.
bett weoren iscrudde & bed weoren iuædde.
Hængest swaine þene Vortigernes. þeines
Þa wes Vortigernes hired for hehne ihalden.
Bruttes weoren særi for swulchere isihðe.
Nes hit nawiht longe þat ne comen to þan kinge.
cnihtes sunen uiue þa i-faren hafden biliue.
heo sæiden to þan kinge neowe tiðenden.
Nu forð-rihtes icumen beoð þa Peohtes.
þurh þi lond heo ærneð & hærȝieð & berneð.
& al þene norð ænde iuæld to þan grunde.
her-of þu most ræden oðer alle we beoð dæden.
Þe king hine bi-þohte whæt he don mihte.
he sende to þan innen after al his monnen.
Þer com Hengest þer com Hors þer com m[o]ni mon ful oht.
þer comen þa Saxisce men Hengestes cunnes-men.
& þa Alemainisce cnihtes þe beoð gode to fihte.
Þis isæh þe king Vortiger bliðe wes he þa þer.
Þa Peohtes duden heore iwune a þas hælf þere Humbre, heo weoren icume.
& þe king Vortiger of heore cume wes ful war.
to-gadere heo comen & feole þer of-sloȝen.
þer wes feht swi[ð]e strong comp swiðe sturne.
Þe Peohtes weoren ofte iwuned Vortigene to ouer-cumen.
& þa heo þohten a[l]swa ah hit ilomp an-oðer þa.
for hit wes heom al hele þat Hængest wes þere.
& þa cnihtes stronge þe comen of Saxe-londe.
& þa ohte Alemanisce þe þider comen mid Horse.
swiðe monie Peohtes heo sloȝen i þan fehte.
feondliche heo fuhten feollen þa fæie.
Þa þe non wes icumen þa weoren Peohtes ouer-cumen.
& swuðe heo awæi floȝen an ælche helue heo forð fluȝen.
& alle dai heo fluȝen monie & vnnifoȝe.
Þe king Vortigerne wende to herberwe.
& æuere him weoren on uast Hors & Hængest.
Hængest wes þan kinge leof & him Lindesaȝe ȝef.
& he ȝæf Horse madmes inoȝe.
& alle heore cnihtes he swiðe wel dihte.
& hit gode stunde stod a þan ilke.
Ne durste nauere Peohtes cumen i þan londes.
no ræueres no ut-laȝen þat heo neoren sone of-slæȝen.
& Hængest swiðe fæire herede þane king.
Þa ilomp hit in ane time þat þe king wes swiðe bliðe.
an ane hæȝe dæie imong his duȝeðe monnen.
Hengest hine bi-þohte what he don mihte.
for he wolde wið þan kinge holden runinge.
Þan kinge he eode to-foren & fæire hine gon greten.
Þe king sone up stod & sætte hine bi him-seoluen.
heo drunken heo dremden blisse wes among heom.
Þa queð Hengest to þan kinge Lauerd hærcne tiðende.
& ich þe wulle ræcchen deorne runen.
ȝif þu mine lare wel wult lusten.
& noht halden to wraððe þat ich wel leare.
Þe king answarede swa Henges hit wolde.
Þa sæide Hængest cnihten alre fæirest.
Lauerd ich habbe moni a dæi þine monscipe ihæȝed.
& þin holde mon ibeon i richen þine hirede.
& in ælche fæhte hæhst of þine cnihten.
& ich habbe ofte ihærd hoh-fulle ronen.
imong þine hired-monnen heo hatieð þe swiðe.
in-to þan bare dæðe ȝif heo hit dursten cuðe.
Ofte heo stilleliche spækeð & spilieð mid runen.
of twam ȝunge monnen þat feor wunieð hennen.
þe an hæhte Vther þe oðer Ambrosie.
þe þridde hæhte Costance þe wes king i þisse lond.
& he her wes of-slaȝen þurh swicfulle laȝen.
Nu wulleð cume þa oðere & wræken heore broðer.
al forbærnen þi lond & slæn þine leoden.
þe seoluen & þine duȝeðen driuen ut of londe.
& þus suggeð þine men þer heo somned sitteð.
for þa twene broðere beoð beyne kine-borne.
of Androeinnes kunne þas aðele Bruttes.
& þus þine duȝeðe stille þe fordeme[ð].
Ah ich þe wulle ræde of muchele þire neode.
þat þu biȝite cnihtes þa gode beoð to fihte.
& bi-tache me ænne castel oðer ane kineliche burh.
þat ich mai inne ligge þa while þa ich libbe.
Ic am uor þe iuaid þær-fore ic wene beon dæd.
fare þer ic auer fare næm ich næuere bute care.
buten ich ligge faste biclused inne castle.
Ȝif þu þis me wult don ich hit wulle mid luue a-fon.
& ich wulle biliue senden after mine wiue.
þat is a Sexisc wimmon of wisdome wel idon.
& after Rouwenne mire dohter þe me is swiðe deore.
Þenne ich habbe mi wif & mine wine-maies.
& ich beo i þine londe fulliche at-stonde.
þa bet ich wullen hiren þe ȝif þu þis ȝettest me.
Þa answerede Vortiger of ælchen vuele he wes war.
Nim cnihtes biliue & send æfter þine wiue.
& æfter þine children þan ȝungen & þan olden.
& æfter þine cunnen & afeoh heom mid wunne.
þenne heo to þe cumeð þu sca[l]t habben gærsume.
hæhliche heom to ueden & wurðliche scruden.
Ah nulle ich castel na burh nane þe bi-techen.
for men me wolden scenden i mine kine-londe.
for ȝe haldeð þa hæðene laȝe þat stod on eoure ælderen dæȝe.
& we haldeð Cristes laȝe & wulleð auere an ure dæȝe.
Þa ȝet spæc Hængest cnihten alre hendest.
Lauerd ich wulle þin iwil driȝen her & ouer-al.
& don al mine dæde æfter þine ræde
Nu ic wulle biliue. sende after mine wiue
& æfter mire dohter þe me is swa deore.
& æfter ohte monnen þa bezste of mine cunne.
and þu ȝif me swa muchel lond to stonden a mire aȝere hond.
swa wule anes bule hude ælches weies ouer-spræden.
feor from ælche castle amidden ane ualde.
Þenne ne mai þe atwite þe hæne ne þe riche.
þat þu æi hæhne burhȝe hæðene monne habbe bi-tæht.
Þe king him iȝette swa Hengest ȝirnde.
Hengest nom læue & forð he gon liðe.
& æfter his wiue sende sonde to his aȝene londe.
& he seolf wende ȝeond þis lond to sechen ænne bræ[d]ne fæld.
þer he mihte wel spræde on his feire hude.
He com æn enne ende in enne fæire uelde.
he hafde ane hude biȝite to his neode.
of ane wilde bule þe wes wunder ane strong.
He hæfden ænne wisne mon þe wel cuðe a craften.
þe nom þas hude & a bord leide.
and whætte his sæxes alse he schæren wolde.
Of þere hude he kærf enne þwong swiðe s[m]al & swiðe long.
nes þe þwong noht swiðe bræd buten swulc a twines þræd.
Þa al islit wes þe þong he wes wunder ane long.
a-buten he bilæde muche del of londe.
He bigon to deluen dic swiðe muchele.
Þer-uppe stenene wal þe wes strong ouer-al.
ane burh he arerde muchele & mare.
Þa þe burh we[s] al ȝare þa scop he hire nome.
he hæhte heo ful iwis Kaer Carrai. an Bruttisc.
& Ænglisce cnihtes heo cleopeden Þwong-chastre.
nu and auere-mare þe nome sto[n]deð þere.
& for nan o[ð]ere gome næueden þæ burh þene nome.
a þet come Densce men and driuen ut þa Bruttes.
þene þridde nome heo þer sætte & Lane-castel hine hæhten.
& for swulche gomen þæ tun ha[f]de þas þreo nomen.
Vnder þan com liðen hider Hengestes wif mid hire scipen.
heo hæfde to iueren fiftene hundred ridern.
mid hire comen to iwiten muchele æhtene scipen.
þer comen inne muchel of Hengestes cunne.
& Rouwen his dohter þe him wes swi[ð]e deore.
Hit wes umbe while þat com þe ilke time.
þat iȝarked wes þa burh mid þan alre bezste.
Hengest com to þan kinge & bad him gistninge.
& seide þat he hafde an in iȝarked to-ȝeines him.
& bad þat he come þer-to & he scolde beon fæire under-fon.
& þe king him ȝette swa Hengest hit wolde.
Hit com to þan time þat þe king gon. forð liðe.
mid þan deoreste monnen of alle his duȝeðe.
forð he gon buȝen þat he to burh com.
he bi-heold þene wal up and dun ouer-al.
al him wel likede þat he on lokede.
He wende in-to halle & his heleðes mid him alle.
bemen heo bleowen gomen men gunnen cleopien.
bord heo hetten breden cnihtes setten þer-to
heo æten heo drunken dræm wes i burhȝen.
Þa þe duȝeðe hafde iȝeten þa wes heom þa bet iloten.
Hængest eode in-to þan inne þer wunede Rouwenne.
he heo lette scruden mid vnimete prude.
al þat scrud þe heo hafde on heo weoren swiðe wel ibon.
heo weoren mid þan bezste ibrusted mid golde.
Heo bar an hire honde ane guldene bolle.
i-uulled mid wine þe wes wunder ane god.
Hæȝe iborenne men heo lædden to hallen.
biuoren þan kinge fairest alre þinge.
Reowen sæt a cneowe & cleopede to þan kinge.
& þus ærest sæide in Ænglene londe.
Lauerd king wæs hæil For þine kime ich æm uæin.
Þe king þis ihærde & nuste what heo seide.
þe king Vortigerne fræinede his cnihtes sone.
what weoren þat speche þe þat maide spilede.
Þa andswerede Keredic a cniht swiðe sellic.
he wes þe bezste latimer þat ær com her.
Lust me nu lauerd king & ich þe wulle cuðen.
whæt seið Rouwenne fæirest wimmonnen.
Hit beoð tiðende inne Sæxe-londe.
whær-swa æi duȝeðe gladieð of drenche
þat freond sæiðe to freonde mid fæire loten hende.
Leofue freond wæs hail Þe oðer sæið Drinc hail.
Þe ilke þat halt þene nap he hine drinkeð up.
o[ð]er uul me þider fareð & bi-thecheð his iueren.
þenne þat uul beoð icumen þenne cusseoð heo þreoien.
Þis beoð sele laȝen inne Saxe-londe.
& inne Alemaine heo beoð ihalden aðele.
Þis iherde Uortiger of alche[n] uuele he wes war.
& seide hit an Bruttisc ne cuðe he nan Ænglisc.
Maiden Rouwenne drinc bluðeliche þenne.
Þat maide dronc up þat win & lette don oðer þer-in.
& bi-tæhten þan kinge & þrien hine custe.
& þurh þa ilke leoden þa laȝen comen to þissen londe.
wæs-hail & drinc-hæil. moni mon þer-of is fain
Rouwenne þe hende sat bi þan kinge.
þe king heo ȝeorne biheold heo was him an heorte leof.
ofte he heo custe ofte he heo clupte.
al his mod & his main hælde to þan mæidene.
Þe Wurse wes þer ful neh þe in ælche gomene is ful ræh.
þe Wurse ne dude næuere god he mæingde þas kinges mod.
he murnede ful swiðe to habben þat mæden to wiue.
Þat wes swi[ð]e ladlic þing þat þe Cristine king.
luuede þat haðene maide leoden to hærme.
þat maiden wes þan kinge leof æfne alse his aȝene lif.
he bad Hengest his dring ȝiuen him þat maide-child.
Hengest funde an his ræd to don þat þe king him bed.
he ȝef him Rouwenne wimmon swiðe hende.
Þan kinge hit was [icweme] he imakede heo to quene.
al after þan laȝen þe stoden an hæðe[ne] dæȝen.
nes þer nan Cristindom þer þe king þat maide [n]o[m].
ne preost ne na biscop ne nauere ihandled Godes boc.
ah an heðene wune he heo wedde & brohte heo to his bedde.
Maiden he heo hæfde & mærȝeue hire bi-tahte.
Þa he hine an hire hafde iscend he hire ȝef Londen & Kent.
Þe king hafde þreo sunen þe weoren swiðe hende gumen.
þe ældeste hehte Vortimer Passcent & Katiger.
Garengan wes an eorl þe Kent ohte longe.
& his fader biuoren him and seoððen he þurh his cun
þa he bezst wende to halden his lond
þa hafde Hengest hit an his hond.
sellic þuhte þan cnihte whæt þe king þohte.
Þe king luuede þa hæðene & henede þa Cristine.
þe hæðene hæfden al þis lond to walden under heore hond.
& þes kinges þreo sunen ofte þoleden sorȝen & kare.
Heore moder wes þa dæd þer-uore heo hafden þe lasse ræd.
here moder wes swiðe god wif & ladde swiðe Cristin lif.
& heore steop-moder hæðene Hengestes dohter.
Nes hit noh[t] longe buten ane stunde.
þat þe king makede ueorme swiðe store.
þe hæðene he laðede þar-to he wende swiðe wel to don.
þider comen þæines cnihtes and sweines.
and alle þe cuðe a boken þa feorme for-soken.
for þa hæðene men weoren hæhst an hireden.
& þæt Cristine hired for hæne wes ihalden.
þa hæðene weoren bliðe for þe king heom luueden swiðe.
Hengest hine bi-þohte what he don mahte.
he com to þan kinge mid are hailinge.
& dronc to þan kinge.
Þa spæc þus Hængest cnihtene alre hændest.
þat of hæðene laȝen leouede a þan dæȝen.
Hærcne me lauerd king þu ært me leof þurh alle þing.
þu hæuest mine dohter þæ me is swiðe deore.
& ich æm þe an folke swa ich þi fader weore.
Hærcne mine lare heo sculleð þe wurðen leofue.
for ich wulle hæhliche to helpen þe ræden.
Þin hired þe hateð for me & ich æm iuæid for þe.
& þe hatieð kinges eorles & ðringes.
heo uareð in þine londe mid hære swiðe stronge.
Ȝif þu wult þe awraken mid wurð-scipe muchen.
& don þine vniwinen wa send after mine sune Octa.
& æfter enne oðer Ebissa his wed-broðer.
þis beoð þa hæhste men þe æuere hired lædden.
& i þan norð ende ȝif heom of þine londe.
Heo beoð of muchele mæhte & stronge i fæhte.
heo wulleð bi-witen þi lond wel mid þan bezsten.
Þenne mihte þu mid winne þi lif al uor-werien.
mid haueken & mid hunden hired-plæie luuien.
ne þræt þu nauere habben kare of uncuðe leoden.
Þa answarede Vortiger of ælchen uuele he wes war
Send þine sonde in-to Sex-londe.
after þine sune Octa & after þine freonden ma.
Do him wel to iwiten þat he sende his writen.
æfter al þan cnihten þe gode beoð to fihten.
ȝeond alle Sæx-þeoden þat heo cumen to mire neoden.
& þeh he bringen ten þusend gumen alle heo beoð me wel icumen.
Þis ihærde Hengest cnihten alre henddest.
þa wes he swa bliðe swa he nes næuere an his liue.
Hengest sende his sonde in-to Sax-londe.
hehte cumen Octa and his wed-bro[ð]er Ebissa.
& al of heore cun[n]e þat heo mihten iwinnen.
& alle þa cnihtes þæ heo biȝiten mihten.
Octa sende sonde ȝeond þreom kine-londe.
& bad ælchene ohte gume hiȝenliche him to cume.
þe wolden biȝiten lond oðer seoluer oðer gold.
Heo comen to hirede alse haȝel þe ualleð.
þat was to iwitene mid þreo hundred scipene.
Forð wenden mid Octa þritti þusend & æc ma.
ohte men & kene & Ebissa his iuere.
æfter com liðen mid unimete leoden.
& he ladde to iwiten oðer half hundred scipen.
þer-æfter comen liðe. fiue & fife
bi sixe bi seoue bi tene & bi ælleuene.
& þus heo comen liðen toward þissen londe.
hæðene hære-gumen to hirede þis kinges.
þat þis lond wes swa vul of uncuðe leoden.
þat nes nan swa wis mon no swa ȝer-witele.
þat mihte to-dæle þa Cristine & þa hæðene.
for þa hæðene weoren swa riue & auere heo comen biliue.
Þa iseȝen Bruttes þat balu wes an londe.
þer-uore heo weoren særi & an heorte druri.
& ferden to þan kinge þe hæhste of þissen londe.
& þus him to sæiden mid sorh-fule steuene.
Lust us nu lauerd king of ure leod-runen.
Þu ært þurh us bald king inne þissen Brutene.
& þu hafuest þe biwunnen hærm & muchele sunnen.
ibroht heðene folc ȝet hit þe ihærmeð.
& þu letest Godes laȝen uor uncu[ð]e leoden.
& nult ne ihæren ure Drihten for þissen hæ[ð]ene cnihten.
& we þe wulleð bidden for alle Godes sibben.
þat þu heom bilæuen & of þine londe driuen.
Ȝif þu ælles ne maht we wulleð makien muchel fæht.
& driuen heom of londe oðer heom adun fallen.
oðer we us-seoluen of-slaȝen wulleð liggen.
& leten haðene uolc hælden þas riche.
bruken hit mid winne ȝif heo hit maȝen iwinnen.
& ȝif heo alle beoð hæðene & þu ane Cristine.
nulleð heo nauere longe habben þe to kinge.
buten þu a þine daȝen a-fo hæðene laȝen.
& bilæue þe hæhȝe Godd & luuie heore Mahimet.
Þenne scalt þu for-wurþen a þissere woruld-riche.
& þi wracche saule siȝen to helle.
þenne hauest þu aboht þe luue of þire brude.
Þa answærede Vortiger of ælc an uuele he wes wær.
Nulle ich heom bilauen bi mine quike liue.
for Hengest is hider icumen he is mi fader & ich his sune.
& ich habbe to leof-monne his dohter Rouwenne.
& ich heo habbe bi-wedded & ihaued a mine bedde.
& seoððen ich sende after Octa & after his iueren ma.
Hu mihte ich for scome scunien heom swa sone.
driuen of londe mine wines deore.
Þa andswarede Bruttes mid sorȝen ibunden.
Nulle we nauere-mare þine iboden here.
ne to þine hirede cumen ne þe uor king halden.
ah hatien we wulleð mid hæhȝere strengðe.
alle þine hæðene wines & hærme igreten.
bidden us to fultume þat is Crist Godes sune.
Forð iwenden eorles forð iwenden beornes.
forð iwenden biscopes & þa boc-ilæred men.
forð iwenden þæines forð iwenden sweines.
alle Brutleoden þat heo comen to Lundene.
Þer wes moni hæh Brut at þan hustinge.
& þeos king[es] þreo sunes alle heo weoren þider icumen.
þer wes Uortimer Pascent & Katiger.
& swiðe monie oðere þat comen mid þan broðere.
al þat folc þider com þat luueden þene Cristten-dom.
Alle þa riche nomen heom to ræde.
& nomen þes kinges ældeste sune þe to þan hustinge wes icumen.
& mid muchele loft-songe heuen hine to kinge.
Þa wes Vortimer Cristine king þer.
& Uortiger his fader fulede þan hæðenen.
he heom wes leof æfne al-swa heore lif.
he wes heore walden and heom wurð-scipe duden.
þene feorðe dæi i þere wike heo ȝifuen him to wurð-scipe.
Þa þunre heo ȝiuen Þunres-dæi for þi þat heo heom helpen mæi.
Freon heore læfdi heo ȝiuen hire Fridæi.
Saturnus heo ȝiuen Sætterdæi þene sunne heo ȝiuen Sonedæi.
Monen heo ȝifuen Monedæi Tidea heo ȝeuen Tis-dæi.
Þus seide Hæ[n]gest cnihten alre hendest.
Þa answerede Vortiger of ælchen vfel he wæs wær.
Cnihtes ȝe beoð me leofue ah þas tiðende me beoð laðe.
eouwer ileuen beoð vnwraste ȝe ne ileoueð noht an Criste.
ah ȝe ileoueð a þene Wurse þe Godd seolf awariede.
eoure godes ne beoð nohtes in helle heo niðer liggeð.
Ah neoðeles ich wulle eou at-hælde. an mine anwalde.
for norð beoð þa Peohtes swiðe ohte cnihtes.
þe ofte ledeð in mine londe ferde swiðe stronge.
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& ȝif ȝe me wulleð wræken & heore hæfden me biȝeten.
ich eou wullen ȝeuen lond muchel seoluer & gold.
Þa andswerede Hængest cnihtene alre feirest.
Ȝif hit wulle Saturnus al hit scal i-wurðe þus.
& Woden ure lauerd þe we on bi-liueð.
Hengest nom læue & to scipen gon liðe.
þer wes moni cniht strong heo droȝen heore scipen uppe þe lond.
Forð wenden dringches to Vortigerne þan kenge.
biuoren wende Hengest & Hors him alre hændest.
seoððen þa Alemainisce men þa aðele weoren an deden.
& seoððen heo senden him to heore Sæxisce cnihtes wel idon.
Hengestes cunnes-men of his aldene cu[ð]ðen.
Heo comen in-to halle hændeliche alle.
bett weoren iscrudde & bed weoren iuædde.
Hængest swaine þene Vortigernes. þeines
Þa wes Vortigernes hired for hehne ihalden.
Bruttes weoren særi for swulchere isihðe.
Nes hit nawiht longe þat ne comen to þan kinge.
cnihtes sunen uiue þa i-faren hafden biliue.
heo sæiden to þan kinge neowe tiðenden.
Nu forð-rihtes icumen beoð þa Peohtes.
þurh þi lond heo ærneð & hærȝieð & berneð.
& al þene norð ænde iuæld to þan grunde.
her-of þu most ræden oðer alle we beoð dæden.
Þe king hine bi-þohte whæt he don mihte.
he sende to þan innen after al his monnen.
Þer com Hengest þer com Hors þer com m[o]ni mon ful oht.
þer comen þa Saxisce men Hengestes cunnes-men.
& þa Alemainisce cnihtes þe beoð gode to fihte.
Þis isæh þe king Vortiger bliðe wes he þa þer.
Þa Peohtes duden heore iwune a þas hælf þere Humbre, heo weoren icume.
& þe king Vortiger of heore cume wes ful war.
to-gadere heo comen & feole þer of-sloȝen.
þer wes feht swi[ð]e strong comp swiðe sturne.
Þe Peohtes weoren ofte iwuned Vortigene to ouer-cumen.
& þa heo þohten a[l]swa ah hit ilomp an-oðer þa.
for hit wes heom al hele þat Hængest wes þere.
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& þa ohte Alemanisce þe þider comen mid Horse.
swiðe monie Peohtes heo sloȝen i þan fehte.
feondliche heo fuhten feollen þa fæie.
Þa þe non wes icumen þa weoren Peohtes ouer-cumen.
& swuðe heo awæi floȝen an ælche helue heo forð fluȝen.
& alle dai heo fluȝen monie & vnnifoȝe.
Þe king Vortigerne wende to herberwe.
& æuere him weoren on uast Hors & Hængest.
Hængest wes þan kinge leof & him Lindesaȝe ȝef.
& he ȝæf Horse madmes inoȝe.
& alle heore cnihtes he swiðe wel dihte.
& hit gode stunde stod a þan ilke.
Ne durste nauere Peohtes cumen i þan londes.
no ræueres no ut-laȝen þat heo neoren sone of-slæȝen.
& Hængest swiðe fæire herede þane king.
Þa ilomp hit in ane time þat þe king wes swiðe bliðe.
an ane hæȝe dæie imong his duȝeðe monnen.
Hengest hine bi-þohte what he don mihte.
for he wolde wið þan kinge holden runinge.
Þan kinge he eode to-foren & fæire hine gon greten.
Þe king sone up stod & sætte hine bi him-seoluen.
heo drunken heo dremden blisse wes among heom.
Þa queð Hengest to þan kinge Lauerd hærcne tiðende.
& ich þe wulle ræcchen deorne runen.
ȝif þu mine lare wel wult lusten.
& noht halden to wraððe þat ich wel leare.
Þe king answarede swa Henges hit wolde.
Þa sæide Hængest cnihten alre fæirest.
Lauerd ich habbe moni a dæi þine monscipe ihæȝed.
& þin holde mon ibeon i richen þine hirede.
& in ælche fæhte hæhst of þine cnihten.
& ich habbe ofte ihærd hoh-fulle ronen.
imong þine hired-monnen heo hatieð þe swiðe.
in-to þan bare dæðe ȝif heo hit dursten cuðe.
Ofte heo stilleliche spækeð & spilieð mid runen.
of twam ȝunge monnen þat feor wunieð hennen.
þe an hæhte Vther þe oðer Ambrosie.
þe þridde hæhte Costance þe wes king i þisse lond.
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Nu wulleð cume þa oðere & wræken heore broðer.
al forbærnen þi lond & slæn þine leoden.
þe seoluen & þine duȝeðen driuen ut of londe.
& þus suggeð þine men þer heo somned sitteð.
for þa twene broðere beoð beyne kine-borne.
of Androeinnes kunne þas aðele Bruttes.
& þus þine duȝeðe stille þe fordeme[ð].
Ah ich þe wulle ræde of muchele þire neode.
þat þu biȝite cnihtes þa gode beoð to fihte.
& bi-tache me ænne castel oðer ane kineliche burh.
þat ich mai inne ligge þa while þa ich libbe.
Ic am uor þe iuaid þær-fore ic wene beon dæd.
fare þer ic auer fare næm ich næuere bute care.
buten ich ligge faste biclused inne castle.
Ȝif þu þis me wult don ich hit wulle mid luue a-fon.
& ich wulle biliue senden after mine wiue.
þat is a Sexisc wimmon of wisdome wel idon.
& after Rouwenne mire dohter þe me is swiðe deore.
Þenne ich habbe mi wif & mine wine-maies.
& ich beo i þine londe fulliche at-stonde.
þa bet ich wullen hiren þe ȝif þu þis ȝettest me.
Þa answerede Vortiger of ælchen vuele he wes war.
Nim cnihtes biliue & send æfter þine wiue.
& æfter þine children þan ȝungen & þan olden.
& æfter þine cunnen & afeoh heom mid wunne.
þenne heo to þe cumeð þu sca[l]t habben gærsume.
hæhliche heom to ueden & wurðliche scruden.
Ah nulle ich castel na burh nane þe bi-techen.
for men me wolden scenden i mine kine-londe.
for ȝe haldeð þa hæðene laȝe þat stod on eoure ælderen dæȝe.
& we haldeð Cristes laȝe & wulleð auere an ure dæȝe.
Þa ȝet spæc Hængest cnihten alre hendest.
Lauerd ich wulle þin iwil driȝen her & ouer-al.
& don al mine dæde æfter þine ræde
Nu ic wulle biliue. sende after mine wiue
& æfter mire dohter þe me is swa deore.
& æfter ohte monnen þa bezste of mine cunne.
and þu ȝif me swa muchel lond to stonden a mire aȝere hond.
swa wule anes bule hude ælches weies ouer-spræden.
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Þenne ne mai þe atwite þe hæne ne þe riche.
þat þu æi hæhne burhȝe hæðene monne habbe bi-tæht.
Þe king him iȝette swa Hengest ȝirnde.
Hengest nom læue & forð he gon liðe.
& æfter his wiue sende sonde to his aȝene londe.
& he seolf wende ȝeond þis lond to sechen ænne bræ[d]ne fæld.
þer he mihte wel spræde on his feire hude.
He com æn enne ende in enne fæire uelde.
he hafde ane hude biȝite to his neode.
of ane wilde bule þe wes wunder ane strong.
He hæfden ænne wisne mon þe wel cuðe a craften.
þe nom þas hude & a bord leide.
and whætte his sæxes alse he schæren wolde.
Of þere hude he kærf enne þwong swiðe s[m]al & swiðe long.
nes þe þwong noht swiðe bræd buten swulc a twines þræd.
Þa al islit wes þe þong he wes wunder ane long.
a-buten he bilæde muche del of londe.
He bigon to deluen dic swiðe muchele.
Þer-uppe stenene wal þe wes strong ouer-al.
ane burh he arerde muchele & mare.
Þa þe burh we[s] al ȝare þa scop he hire nome.
he hæhte heo ful iwis Kaer Carrai. an Bruttisc.
& Ænglisce cnihtes heo cleopeden Þwong-chastre.
nu and auere-mare þe nome sto[n]deð þere.
& for nan o[ð]ere gome næueden þæ burh þene nome.
a þet come Densce men and driuen ut þa Bruttes.
þene þridde nome heo þer sætte & Lane-castel hine hæhten.
& for swulche gomen þæ tun ha[f]de þas þreo nomen.
Vnder þan com liðen hider Hengestes wif mid hire scipen.
heo hæfde to iueren fiftene hundred ridern.
mid hire comen to iwiten muchele æhtene scipen.
þer comen inne muchel of Hengestes cunne.
& Rouwen his dohter þe him wes swi[ð]e deore.
Hit wes umbe while þat com þe ilke time.
þat iȝarked wes þa burh mid þan alre bezste.
Hengest com to þan kinge & bad him gistninge.
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& bad þat he come þer-to & he scolde beon fæire under-fon.
& þe king him ȝette swa Hengest hit wolde.
Hit com to þan time þat þe king gon. forð liðe.
mid þan deoreste monnen of alle his duȝeðe.
forð he gon buȝen þat he to burh com.
he bi-heold þene wal up and dun ouer-al.
al him wel likede þat he on lokede.
He wende in-to halle & his heleðes mid him alle.
bemen heo bleowen gomen men gunnen cleopien.
bord heo hetten breden cnihtes setten þer-to
heo æten heo drunken dræm wes i burhȝen.
Þa þe duȝeðe hafde iȝeten þa wes heom þa bet iloten.
Hængest eode in-to þan inne þer wunede Rouwenne.
he heo lette scruden mid vnimete prude.
al þat scrud þe heo hafde on heo weoren swiðe wel ibon.
heo weoren mid þan bezste ibrusted mid golde.
Heo bar an hire honde ane guldene bolle.
i-uulled mid wine þe wes wunder ane god.
Hæȝe iborenne men heo lædden to hallen.
biuoren þan kinge fairest alre þinge.
Reowen sæt a cneowe & cleopede to þan kinge.
& þus ærest sæide in Ænglene londe.
Lauerd king wæs hæil For þine kime ich æm uæin.
Þe king þis ihærde & nuste what heo seide.
þe king Vortigerne fræinede his cnihtes sone.
what weoren þat speche þe þat maide spilede.
Þa andswerede Keredic a cniht swiðe sellic.
he wes þe bezste latimer þat ær com her.
Lust me nu lauerd king & ich þe wulle cuðen.
whæt seið Rouwenne fæirest wimmonnen.
Hit beoð tiðende inne Sæxe-londe.
whær-swa æi duȝeðe gladieð of drenche
þat freond sæiðe to freonde mid fæire loten hende.
Leofue freond wæs hail Þe oðer sæið Drinc hail.
Þe ilke þat halt þene nap he hine drinkeð up.
o[ð]er uul me þider fareð & bi-thecheð his iueren.
þenne þat uul beoð icumen þenne cusseoð heo þreoien.
Þis beoð sele laȝen inne Saxe-londe.
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Þis iherde Uortiger of alche[n] uuele he wes war.
& seide hit an Bruttisc ne cuðe he nan Ænglisc.
Maiden Rouwenne drinc bluðeliche þenne.
Þat maide dronc up þat win & lette don oðer þer-in.
& bi-tæhten þan kinge & þrien hine custe.
& þurh þa ilke leoden þa laȝen comen to þissen londe.
wæs-hail & drinc-hæil. moni mon þer-of is fain
Rouwenne þe hende sat bi þan kinge.
þe king heo ȝeorne biheold heo was him an heorte leof.
ofte he heo custe ofte he heo clupte.
al his mod & his main hælde to þan mæidene.
Þe Wurse wes þer ful neh þe in ælche gomene is ful ræh.
þe Wurse ne dude næuere god he mæingde þas kinges mod.
he murnede ful swiðe to habben þat mæden to wiue.
Þat wes swi[ð]e ladlic þing þat þe Cristine king.
luuede þat haðene maide leoden to hærme.
þat maiden wes þan kinge leof æfne alse his aȝene lif.
he bad Hengest his dring ȝiuen him þat maide-child.
Hengest funde an his ræd to don þat þe king him bed.
he ȝef him Rouwenne wimmon swiðe hende.
Þan kinge hit was [icweme] he imakede heo to quene.
al after þan laȝen þe stoden an hæðe[ne] dæȝen.
nes þer nan Cristindom þer þe king þat maide [n]o[m].
ne preost ne na biscop ne nauere ihandled Godes boc.
ah an heðene wune he heo wedde & brohte heo to his bedde.
Maiden he heo hæfde & mærȝeue hire bi-tahte.
Þa he hine an hire hafde iscend he hire ȝef Londen & Kent.
Þe king hafde þreo sunen þe weoren swiðe hende gumen.
þe ældeste hehte Vortimer Passcent & Katiger.
Garengan wes an eorl þe Kent ohte longe.
& his fader biuoren him and seoððen he þurh his cun
þa he bezst wende to halden his lond
þa hafde Hengest hit an his hond.
sellic þuhte þan cnihte whæt þe king þohte.
Þe king luuede þa hæðene & henede þa Cristine.
þe hæðene hæfden al þis lond to walden under heore hond.
& þes kinges þreo sunen ofte þoleden sorȝen & kare.
Heore moder wes þa dæd þer-uore heo hafden þe lasse ræd.
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& heore steop-moder hæðene Hengestes dohter.
Nes hit noh[t] longe buten ane stunde.
þat þe king makede ueorme swiðe store.
þe hæðene he laðede þar-to he wende swiðe wel to don.
þider comen þæines cnihtes and sweines.
and alle þe cuðe a boken þa feorme for-soken.
for þa hæðene men weoren hæhst an hireden.
& þæt Cristine hired for hæne wes ihalden.
þa hæðene weoren bliðe for þe king heom luueden swiðe.
Hengest hine bi-þohte what he don mahte.
he com to þan kinge mid are hailinge.
& dronc to þan kinge.
Þa spæc þus Hængest cnihtene alre hændest.
þat of hæðene laȝen leouede a þan dæȝen.
Hærcne me lauerd king þu ært me leof þurh alle þing.
þu hæuest mine dohter þæ me is swiðe deore.
& ich æm þe an folke swa ich þi fader weore.
Hærcne mine lare heo sculleð þe wurðen leofue.
for ich wulle hæhliche to helpen þe ræden.
Þin hired þe hateð for me & ich æm iuæid for þe.
& þe hatieð kinges eorles & ðringes.
heo uareð in þine londe mid hære swiðe stronge.
Ȝif þu wult þe awraken mid wurð-scipe muchen.
& don þine vniwinen wa send after mine sune Octa.
& æfter enne oðer Ebissa his wed-broðer.
þis beoð þa hæhste men þe æuere hired lædden.
& i þan norð ende ȝif heom of þine londe.
Heo beoð of muchele mæhte & stronge i fæhte.
heo wulleð bi-witen þi lond wel mid þan bezsten.
Þenne mihte þu mid winne þi lif al uor-werien.
mid haueken & mid hunden hired-plæie luuien.
ne þræt þu nauere habben kare of uncuðe leoden.
Þa answarede Vortiger of ælchen uuele he wes war
Send þine sonde in-to Sex-londe.
after þine sune Octa & after þine freonden ma.
Do him wel to iwiten þat he sende his writen.
æfter al þan cnihten þe gode beoð to fihten.
ȝeond alle Sæx-þeoden þat heo cumen to mire neoden.
& þeh he bringen ten þusend gumen alle heo beoð me wel icumen.
Þis ihærde Hengest cnihten alre henddest.
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Hengest sende his sonde in-to Sax-londe.
hehte cumen Octa and his wed-bro[ð]er Ebissa.
& al of heore cun[n]e þat heo mihten iwinnen.
& alle þa cnihtes þæ heo biȝiten mihten.
Octa sende sonde ȝeond þreom kine-londe.
& bad ælchene ohte gume hiȝenliche him to cume.
þe wolden biȝiten lond oðer seoluer oðer gold.
Heo comen to hirede alse haȝel þe ualleð.
þat was to iwitene mid þreo hundred scipene.
Forð wenden mid Octa þritti þusend & æc ma.
ohte men & kene & Ebissa his iuere.
æfter com liðen mid unimete leoden.
& he ladde to iwiten oðer half hundred scipen.
þer-æfter comen liðe. fiue & fife
bi sixe bi seoue bi tene & bi ælleuene.
& þus heo comen liðen toward þissen londe.
hæðene hære-gumen to hirede þis kinges.
þat þis lond wes swa vul of uncuðe leoden.
þat nes nan swa wis mon no swa ȝer-witele.
þat mihte to-dæle þa Cristine & þa hæðene.
for þa hæðene weoren swa riue & auere heo comen biliue.
Þa iseȝen Bruttes þat balu wes an londe.
þer-uore heo weoren særi & an heorte druri.
& ferden to þan kinge þe hæhste of þissen londe.
& þus him to sæiden mid sorh-fule steuene.
Lust us nu lauerd king of ure leod-runen.
Þu ært þurh us bald king inne þissen Brutene.
& þu hafuest þe biwunnen hærm & muchele sunnen.
ibroht heðene folc ȝet hit þe ihærmeð.
& þu letest Godes laȝen uor uncu[ð]e leoden.
& nult ne ihæren ure Drihten for þissen hæ[ð]ene cnihten.
& we þe wulleð bidden for alle Godes sibben.
þat þu heom bilæuen & of þine londe driuen.
Ȝif þu ælles ne maht we wulleð makien muchel fæht.
& driuen heom of londe oðer heom adun fallen.
oðer we us-seoluen of-slaȝen wulleð liggen.
& leten haðene uolc hælden þas riche.
bruken hit mid winne ȝif heo hit maȝen iwinnen.
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nulleð heo nauere longe habben þe to kinge.
buten þu a þine daȝen a-fo hæðene laȝen.
& bilæue þe hæhȝe Godd & luuie heore Mahimet.
Þenne scalt þu for-wurþen a þissere woruld-riche.
& þi wracche saule siȝen to helle.
þenne hauest þu aboht þe luue of þire brude.
Þa answærede Vortiger of ælc an uuele he wes wær.
Nulle ich heom bilauen bi mine quike liue.
for Hengest is hider icumen he is mi fader & ich his sune.
& ich habbe to leof-monne his dohter Rouwenne.
& ich heo habbe bi-wedded & ihaued a mine bedde.
& seoððen ich sende after Octa & after his iueren ma.
Hu mihte ich for scome scunien heom swa sone.
driuen of londe mine wines deore.
Þa andswarede Bruttes mid sorȝen ibunden.
Nulle we nauere-mare þine iboden here.
ne to þine hirede cumen ne þe uor king halden.
ah hatien we wulleð mid hæhȝere strengðe.
alle þine hæðene wines & hærme igreten.
bidden us to fultume þat is Crist Godes sune.
Forð iwenden eorles forð iwenden beornes.
forð iwenden biscopes & þa boc-ilæred men.
forð iwenden þæines forð iwenden sweines.
alle Brutleoden þat heo comen to Lundene.
Þer wes moni hæh Brut at þan hustinge.
& þeos king[es] þreo sunes alle heo weoren þider icumen.
þer wes Uortimer Pascent & Katiger.
& swiðe monie oðere þat comen mid þan broðere.
al þat folc þider com þat luueden þene Cristten-dom.
Alle þa riche nomen heom to ræde.
& nomen þes kinges ældeste sune þe to þan hustinge wes icumen.
& mid muchele loft-songe heuen hine to kinge.
Þa wes Vortimer Cristine king þer.
& Uortiger his fader fulede þan hæðenen.
Vortimer þe ȝunge king wes swiðe kene þurh alle þing.
he sende Hengest word & Horse his broðer.
buten heo hiȝenliche uerden of þis riche.
he heom walde ufel don baðe ablenden and anhon.
& his aȝene fader he for-uaren walde.
& alle þa hæðene mid hæȝere strengðe.
Þa andswærede Hengest cnihtene alre hendest.
Her we wulleð wunien wintres & sumeres.
riden & ærnen mid þan kinge Vortigerne.
& alle þa mid Vortimere uareð heo sculleð habben sorȝen & kare.
Þat iherde Vortimer he wes wis & swiðe iwar.
& lette beoden uerde ȝeond allen þissen ærde.
þat al þat Cristine folc come to hirede.
Vortimer þe ȝunge king i Lundene heold his hus-ting.
þe king hehte ælcne mon þe luuede þene Cristindom.
þat heo þa hæðene hatien scolden.
& þa hæfden bringen to Vortimer þan kinge.
& twalf panewes habben to mede for his wel-dede.
Vortimer þe ȝunge verde ut of Lundene.
& Pascent his broðer & Katiger þe oðer.
heom wes icumen word þat Hengest læi at Epiford.
uppen þan watere þe men nemneð Darewente.
Þer comen to-somne sixti þusend monnen.
an are halue wes Uortimer Pascent & Categer.
& al þat leod-liche folc þat luueden ure Drihten.
an oðere halue weoren drenches mid Vortigerne þan kinge.
Hengest and his broðer & moni þusend oðer.
To-somne heo comen & mid mæine on-sloȝen.
þer uellen to þan grunde twa & þritti hundred.
of Hængestes monnen & Hors wes for-wonded.
Catiger þer com & mid his spere hine þurh-nom.
& Hors forð-riht þer for-wundede Catiger.
& Hengest gon to flonnen mid al his driht-monnen.
& Vortigerne þe king flæh forð alse þe wind.
heo floȝen forð in-to Kent & Vortimer heom after went.
uppen þere sæ-brimme þer Hengest þolede pine.
þer heo gunnen at-stonden & fuhten swiðe longe.
Fif þusende þer weoren islæȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
of Vortigernes monnen of þan hæðene cunnen.
Hengest hine biðohte whæt he don mahte.
iseh he þer bi-halues ane hæuene swiðe mære.
moni scipen gode þer stoden i sæ-flode.
Heo iseȝen an heore riht hond a swiðe fæier æit-lond.
hit is ihaten Tænate þiderward heo weoren whæte.
þer þa Sæxisce men þæ sæ isohten.
& anan gunnen wenden in-to þan æit-londe.
& Bruttes heom after mid feole cunne craften.
& heom to-heolden in æchere hælue.
mid scipen & mid baten heo gunnen smiten & sceoten.
Ofte wes Hængest wæ & nauere wurs þene þa.
buten he dude oðerne ræd þer he sculden wurðen dæd.
He nom ænne spere-scæft þe wes long & swiðe stærc.
& dude a þene ænde ænne mantel hende.
& cleopede to þan Brutten & bed heom abiden.
he wold spæcken heom wið & ȝirnen þeos kinges grið.
& mid griðe sende Uortigerne to londe.
to makien his forward þat he faren moste.
wið-uten mare sconde in-to Sæx-londe.
Bruttes wende to londe to Vortimere heore kinge.
and Hengest spæc wið Vortigerne of rune swiðe derne.
Vortigerne wende a þat lond & ber anne ȝerd an his hond.
Þa while þa heo of griðe speken Saxes i scipe leopen.
& droȝen up to coppe hæȝe heore seiles.
& wenden mid wedere i þere sæ wilde.
& letten i þissen londe wiues & heore children.
& Vortigerne king þe heom luuede þurh alle þing.
Mid muchele mod-kære Hengest gon a-wæi uaren.
swa longe heo ferden þat inne Saxlonde heo weoren.
Þa weoren inn Bruttene Bruttes swiðe balde.
heo droȝen on heom muchel mod & duden al þat heom þuhte god.
& Vortimer þe ȝunge wes duhti mon þurh alle þing.
& Vortigerne his fader ferde ȝeond þas Bruttene.
ah nes hit nan swa wac mon þat him ne hokerede on.
& swa he gon wondrien fulle fif wintren.
& his sune Vortimer riche king wuneden her.
& al þis leodisce folc luueden hine swiðe.
he wes milde ælche cnafe & tahte þan folke Godes læȝe.
þan ȝungen & þan ælden hu heo Cristindom sculden halden.
Writen he sende to Rome to þan Pape wel idone.
þe wes ihaten Sceint Romæin al Cristindom he make[de] fain.
Biscopes he nom twæin hali men heo weoren bæien.
Germain & Leois of Ceore & of Træis.
heo uerden ut of Rome swa þat heo hider comen.
Þa wes swa bliðe Vortimer swa he nes næuere ær her.
he & alle his cnihtes iwenden uo[r]ð-rihtes.
an here bare uoten to-ȝeines þan biscopen.
& mid michelere murhðe muðes þer custen.
Nu þu miht iheren of þan kinge Vortimere.
heu he spac wið Seint Germain for heore kume he wes fæin.
Lusteð me lauerd-dinges ich æm þissere leodene king.
ich hatte Vortimer mi broðer hatte Catimer.
Vortigerne hehte ure fader him uulieð unrædes.
He hafð ibroh[t] i þis lond hæðene leoden.
ah we heom habbeoð iflemed al swa ure uulle iuan
& mid wepnen i-felled of heom ueole þusen.
& isend heom ouer sæ-stra[m] þat heo nauere sel ne cumen aȝan.
& we scullen an londe luuiæn ure Drihten.
Godes folc urofrien & freond-liche hit halden.
wurðen mils liðe wið þa lond-tilien.
churichen we scullen hæhȝen & hæðene-scipe hatien.
Habbe alc god mon his rihte ȝif Godd hit an.
& ælc þrel & ælc wælh wurðe iuroeid.
& here ich bi-teche eou an hond al freo ælc chiric-lond.
& ich for-ȝiue ælchere widewe hire lauerdes quide.
he sende Hengest word & Horse his broðer.
buten heo hiȝenliche uerden of þis riche.
he heom walde ufel don baðe ablenden and anhon.
380
& alle þa hæðene mid hæȝere strengðe.
Þa andswærede Hengest cnihtene alre hendest.
Her we wulleð wunien wintres & sumeres.
riden & ærnen mid þan kinge Vortigerne.
& alle þa mid Vortimere uareð heo sculleð habben sorȝen & kare.
Þat iherde Vortimer he wes wis & swiðe iwar.
& lette beoden uerde ȝeond allen þissen ærde.
þat al þat Cristine folc come to hirede.
Vortimer þe ȝunge king i Lundene heold his hus-ting.
þe king hehte ælcne mon þe luuede þene Cristindom.
þat heo þa hæðene hatien scolden.
& þa hæfden bringen to Vortimer þan kinge.
& twalf panewes habben to mede for his wel-dede.
Vortimer þe ȝunge verde ut of Lundene.
& Pascent his broðer & Katiger þe oðer.
heom wes icumen word þat Hengest læi at Epiford.
uppen þan watere þe men nemneð Darewente.
Þer comen to-somne sixti þusend monnen.
an are halue wes Uortimer Pascent & Categer.
& al þat leod-liche folc þat luueden ure Drihten.
an oðere halue weoren drenches mid Vortigerne þan kinge.
Hengest and his broðer & moni þusend oðer.
To-somne heo comen & mid mæine on-sloȝen.
þer uellen to þan grunde twa & þritti hundred.
of Hængestes monnen & Hors wes for-wonded.
Catiger þer com & mid his spere hine þurh-nom.
& Hors forð-riht þer for-wundede Catiger.
& Hengest gon to flonnen mid al his driht-monnen.
& Vortigerne þe king flæh forð alse þe wind.
heo floȝen forð in-to Kent & Vortimer heom after went.
uppen þere sæ-brimme þer Hengest þolede pine.
þer heo gunnen at-stonden & fuhten swiðe longe.
Fif þusende þer weoren islæȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
of Vortigernes monnen of þan hæðene cunnen.
Hengest hine biðohte whæt he don mahte.
iseh he þer bi-halues ane hæuene swiðe mære.
moni scipen gode þer stoden i sæ-flode.
Heo iseȝen an heore riht hond a swiðe fæier æit-lond.
hit is ihaten Tænate þiderward heo weoren whæte.
382
& anan gunnen wenden in-to þan æit-londe.
& Bruttes heom after mid feole cunne craften.
& heom to-heolden in æchere hælue.
mid scipen & mid baten heo gunnen smiten & sceoten.
Ofte wes Hængest wæ & nauere wurs þene þa.
buten he dude oðerne ræd þer he sculden wurðen dæd.
He nom ænne spere-scæft þe wes long & swiðe stærc.
& dude a þene ænde ænne mantel hende.
& cleopede to þan Brutten & bed heom abiden.
he wold spæcken heom wið & ȝirnen þeos kinges grið.
& mid griðe sende Uortigerne to londe.
to makien his forward þat he faren moste.
wið-uten mare sconde in-to Sæx-londe.
Bruttes wende to londe to Vortimere heore kinge.
and Hengest spæc wið Vortigerne of rune swiðe derne.
Vortigerne wende a þat lond & ber anne ȝerd an his hond.
Þa while þa heo of griðe speken Saxes i scipe leopen.
& droȝen up to coppe hæȝe heore seiles.
& wenden mid wedere i þere sæ wilde.
& letten i þissen londe wiues & heore children.
& Vortigerne king þe heom luuede þurh alle þing.
Mid muchele mod-kære Hengest gon a-wæi uaren.
swa longe heo ferden þat inne Saxlonde heo weoren.
Þa weoren inn Bruttene Bruttes swiðe balde.
heo droȝen on heom muchel mod & duden al þat heom þuhte god.
& Vortimer þe ȝunge wes duhti mon þurh alle þing.
& Vortigerne his fader ferde ȝeond þas Bruttene.
ah nes hit nan swa wac mon þat him ne hokerede on.
& swa he gon wondrien fulle fif wintren.
& his sune Vortimer riche king wuneden her.
& al þis leodisce folc luueden hine swiðe.
he wes milde ælche cnafe & tahte þan folke Godes læȝe.
þan ȝungen & þan ælden hu heo Cristindom sculden halden.
Writen he sende to Rome to þan Pape wel idone.
þe wes ihaten Sceint Romæin al Cristindom he make[de] fain.
Biscopes he nom twæin hali men heo weoren bæien.
Germain & Leois of Ceore & of Træis.
heo uerden ut of Rome swa þat heo hider comen.
Þa wes swa bliðe Vortimer swa he nes næuere ær her.
384
an here bare uoten to-ȝeines þan biscopen.
& mid michelere murhðe muðes þer custen.
Nu þu miht iheren of þan kinge Vortimere.
heu he spac wið Seint Germain for heore kume he wes fæin.
Lusteð me lauerd-dinges ich æm þissere leodene king.
ich hatte Vortimer mi broðer hatte Catimer.
Vortigerne hehte ure fader him uulieð unrædes.
He hafð ibroh[t] i þis lond hæðene leoden.
ah we heom habbeoð iflemed al swa ure uulle iuan
& mid wepnen i-felled of heom ueole þusen.
& isend heom ouer sæ-stra[m] þat heo nauere sel ne cumen aȝan.
& we scullen an londe luuiæn ure Drihten.
Godes folc urofrien & freond-liche hit halden.
wurðen mils liðe wið þa lond-tilien.
churichen we scullen hæhȝen & hæðene-scipe hatien.
Habbe alc god mon his rihte ȝif Godd hit an.
& ælc þrel & ælc wælh wurðe iuroeid.
& here ich bi-teche eou an hond al freo ælc chiric-lond.
& ich for-ȝiue ælchere widewe hire lauerdes quide.
& þus we scullen an ure daȝen aniðeri Hengestes laȝen.
& hine & his hæðene-scipe þæ he hider brohte.
& minne fader biswak þurh swike his cra[f]tes.
þurh his dohter Rouwenne mine uader he uor-radde.
& mi uader swa uuele agon scunede þene Cristindom.
& þa hæðene laȝen luuede to swiðe.
þa we sculleð sceonien þa while þa we luuien.
Þa answare[de] Seint Germain for swulche worden he wes fain.
Ich þonkie mine Drihte þe scop þes daȝes lihte.
þet he swulche mildce sent to moncunne.
Þas biscopes ferden ȝeond þis lond & setten hit al a Godes hond.
& þene Cristindom heo rihten & þat volc þer-to dihten.
& seoððen þer-æfter sone heo iwenden to Rome.
& sæiden þan Papen þe Roumain wes ihaten.
hu he hafden her idon iriht þene Cristindom.
& þus hit ane stunde stod a þan ilken.
Vo we ȝet a Uortigerne alre kinge si he ærmest.
he louede Rouwen of þan hæðenne cunne.
Hengestes dohter heo þuhten him wel softe.
Rouwenne heo bi-þohte whæt heo don mahte.
hu heo mahte hire fader wreken & hire freondene deað.
Ofte heo sende sonde to Uortimere þon kinge.
heo him sende maðmes moniare cunne.
of seoluer & of golde þe beste of æie londe.
heo ȝirnede his ære þat heo moste wonien here
mid Uortigerne his fader & foluen his rædes.
Þe king uor his fader bone ȝette hire hir bone.
buten þat heo sculde wel don luuien þene Cristindom
al þat þe king ȝirnede al heo hit ȝette.
Ah wale þat Uortimer of hire þonke næs wær.
Wale þat þe gode king of hire þonke nuste na-þing.
þat he nuste þene swikedom þe þohte þa luðere wimman
Hit ilomp an are tide heo nom hire to ræde
& hine & his hæðene-scipe þæ he hider brohte.
& minne fader biswak þurh swike his cra[f]tes.
þurh his dohter Rouwenne mine uader he uor-radde.
& mi uader swa uuele agon scunede þene Cristindom.
& þa hæðene laȝen luuede to swiðe.
þa we sculleð sceonien þa while þa we luuien.
Þa answare[de] Seint Germain for swulche worden he wes fain.
Ich þonkie mine Drihte þe scop þes daȝes lihte.
þet he swulche mildce sent to moncunne.
Þas biscopes ferden ȝeond þis lond & setten hit al a Godes hond.
& þene Cristindom heo rihten & þat volc þer-to dihten.
& seoððen þer-æfter sone heo iwenden to Rome.
& sæiden þan Papen þe Roumain wes ihaten.
hu he hafden her idon iriht þene Cristindom.
& þus hit ane stunde stod a þan ilken.
Vo we ȝet a Uortigerne alre kinge si he ærmest.
he louede Rouwen of þan hæðenne cunne.
386
Rouwenne heo bi-þohte whæt heo don mahte.
hu heo mahte hire fader wreken & hire freondene deað.
Ofte heo sende sonde to Uortimere þon kinge.
heo him sende maðmes moniare cunne.
of seoluer & of golde þe beste of æie londe.
heo ȝirnede his ære þat heo moste wonien here
mid Uortigerne his fader & foluen his rædes.
Þe king uor his fader bone ȝette hire hir bone.
buten þat heo sculde wel don luuien þene Cristindom
al þat þe king ȝirnede al heo hit ȝette.
Ah wale þat Uortimer of hire þonke næs wær.
Wale þat þe gode king of hire þonke nuste na-þing.
þat he nuste þene swikedom þe þohte þa luðere wimman
Hit ilomp an are tide heo nom hire to ræde
[to don bi his ræde] alle hire neode.
and to wlche time heo mihte wel don vnderuongen þene Cristindom.
Forð heo gon riden to Uortimer þan kinge.
þa heo hine imette uæire heo hine igrette.
Hal wrð þu lauerd king Bruttene deorling.
Ich æm þe icomen to Cristindom ich wulle auon.
an þan ilke dæie þe þu seolf demest.
Þa wæs Uortimer þe king bliþe þurh alle þing.
he wende þat hit weore soð þat þeo scaðe sæide.
Bemen þer bleowen blisse wes on hirede.
forð mon brohte þat water bi-foren þan kinge.
heo seten to borde mid muchelure blisse.
Þa þe king hafde iæten þa eoden þeines-men to mete.
in halle heo drunken harpen þer dremden.
Þa swicfulle Rouuenne eode to are tunne.
þer wes idon in þes kinges deoreste win.
nom heo an honde ane bolle of ræde golde.
& heo gon scenchen on þas kinges benche.
Þa heo isæh hire time heo fulde hir scale of wine.
& at-foren al þan dringe heo eode to þan kinge.
& þus hailede him on þe swic-fulle wimman.
Lauerd king wæs hail Uor þe ich am swiðe uæin.
Hercne nu muchel swikedom of þere luðere wimmon.
hu heo gon swiken þer þene king Uortimer.
Þe king heo uæire under-uæng to his fæie-siðe.
Fortimer spæc Bruttisc & Rouuenne Saxisc.
þan king þuhte gomen inoh for hire spæche he loh.
Hærcne hu heo toc on þ[i]s swicfulle wimman.
In hire bosme heo bar bi-neoðen hire titten.
ane guldene ampulle of attere i-fulled.
& þa luðere Rouuenne dronc þene bolle.
þat heo hafde half don after þes kinges dom.
Þa while þe þa king loh þa ampulle heo ut droh.
þene bolle heo sette to hire chin þat atter heo halde in þat win.
& seoðen heo þa cuppe bitahte þan kinge.
Þe king dronc al þat win & þat atter þer-in.
Þe dæi forð eode blisse wes on hirede.
for Uortimer þe gode king of þan swikedom nuste na-þing.
for he isah Rouuenne halden þene bolle
& drinken half þat ilke win þat heo heuede idon þer-in.
Þa hit com to þare nihte þa to-dælleden hired-cnihtes.
& þa ufele Rouwenne wende to hire inne.
& alle hire cnihtes mid hire uorð-rihtes.
Þa heihte heo hire sweines & ec þaie þeines.
þat heo an hiȝinge heore hors sculden sadelien.
& heo swið stille stelen ut of buruwe.
& wenden al bi nihte to Þwoncchestre uorð-rihte.
& þer swiðe vaste bi-clusen heom in ane castle.
& luȝen Uortigerne þat his sune hine wolde biliggen.
& Vortigerne þe swikele king ilæfde þare læsing.
Nu vnder-ȝat Uortimer his sune þat he hefde atter inomen.
ne mihte na lechecraft helpen him næ wiht.
He nom feole sonden & sende ȝeond his londe.
& hehte alle his cnihtes to him comen forð-rihtes.
Þa þat folc was icumen þa was þe king swiðe untrumed.
þa ȝirnde þe king heore grið & þus he spac hem alle wið.
Alre cnihten wrð eow best þe heren æie kinge.
þer nis nan oðer red buten hiȝend-liche ich beo dæd.
hir ich bitæche eow mi lond al mi seoluer & al mi gold.
& alle mine maðmes eowre monscipe is þa mare.
& ȝe forð-rihtes senden after cnihtes
& ȝeuen heom soluer & gold & hældeð ȝe seolf eowre lond.
& wrekeð eow ȝif ȝe cunnen of Sexisce monnen.
uor weonne so ich beo uorð-faren Hengest eow wul makien kare.
& nimeð mine likamæ & leggeð an chæsten.
& ledeð me to þare sæ-stronde þer Saxisce men wulleð cumen a lond.
Anan swa heo me þer witen awæi heo wulleð wenden.
nouðer quic ne dead ne durren heo me abiden.
I-mong þissen dome dæ[d] i-warð þe gode king.
þer wes wop þer wes rop & reuliche iberen.
Heo nomen þes kinges licame & ladden to Lundene.
& bisides Bælȝes-ȝate fæire hine bi-burȝeden.
& nawiht hine ne ladden alse þe king heihte.
Þus liuede Uortimer & þus he endede þar.
Þa iueolen Bruttes a balu-fulle ræde.
heo nomen Uortigerne anan & bi-tahten heom þesne kenedom.
welle reoulich wes þer a þing nu was Vortigerne æft king.
Uortigerne nom his sonde & sende to Sexlonde.
& grette wel Hengest cnihten alre væirest.
& bad hine [an] hiȝinge comen to þisse londe.
& mid him brouhte here an hundred ridæren.
For þat wite þu þuru alle þing þat dead is Vortimer þe king.
& siker þu miht hider comen for dæd is Fortimer mi sune.
Nis þe non neod to bringen mid þe muchel genge.
leste ure Bruttes æft beon abolȝen.
þat eow æft seorwen siȝen bitweonen.
Hengest somnede uærde of feole cunne ærde.
þat he hefde to iwiten seouen hundred scipen.
& ælc scip he dihte mid þreo hundred cniten.
i þere Temese at Lundene Hengest com to londe.
Þat word com ful sone to Uortigerne þan kinge.
þat Hengest was in hauene mid seouen hundred scipene.
Ofte was Uortigerne wa neuer wrse þan þæ.
& Bruttes weoren sari & seorhful an heorte.
nusten heo an world-riche ræd þat heom weore ilike.
Hengest was of ufele war þat he wel cudde þær.
he nom sone his sonde & sende to þan kinge.
& grette Uortigerne king mid swiðe uæire worden.
& seide þat he was icumen swa fader sculde to his sune.
mid sibbe & mid saihte he wolde on sele wunien.
grið he wolde luuien un-riht he wolde scunien.
grið he wolde habben grið he wolde holden.
& al þis leodisce folc luuien he wolde.
& Uortigerne þene king luuien þurh alle þing.
Ah he hefde ibroht i þis lond ut of Sexleoden.
seouen hundred scipene of hæðene folke.
þat beoð þe alre wihteste men. þat wunieð under sunnen.
& ich wulle quað Hengest leden heo to þan kinge.
to an i-sette dæie at-foren al his duȝeðe.
& þe king scal arisen and of þan cnihten cheosen.
twa hundred cnihten to leden to his fihten.
þe sculen biwiten þene king durewurðliche þurh alle þing.
& seoððen scullen þa oðere uaren to heore ærde.
mid sibbe & mid sæle aȝen to Sæx-londe.
& ich wulle bi-læuen mid monnen alre selest.
þat is Uortigerne þe king þe ich luuie þurh alle þing.
Þat word com to Brutten hu Hengest bihæhte heom.
þa weoren heo uæine uor uæiren his worden.
& setten grið & setten frið to whulchen ane uirste.
þe king an ane dæie wolde iseon þas duȝeðe.
Þat iherde Hengest cnihten alre uæirest.
Þa wes he swa bliðe swa he nes neuer ær an liue.
for he þohte swike þene king an his riche.
Her iwrað Hengest cnihte uor-cuðest.
swa bið æuerælc mon þe bi-swikeð þe him wel on.
Wha wolde wenen a þissere weorld-riche.
þat Hengest swiken þohte þene king þat hæfde his dohter.
for nis nauer nan mon þat me ne mai mid swike-dome ouer-gan.
Heo nomen ænne isetne dæi þat scolden þas duȝeðen.
cumen heom to-somne mid sæhte & mid sibbe.
an ane uælde þe wæs muri an-uast Ambresburi.
Þe stude wes Ælenge nu hatte hit Stan-henge.
Þer Hengest þe swike æiðer bi worde & bi write.
cuðde þan kinge þat he cumen wolde.
mid his mon-uerde to wurð-scipe þes kinges.
ah he nalde bringen on drihte buten þreo hundred cnihten.
þa alre wiseste men þe he mihte uinden.
& þe king brohte al swa ueole baldere þeinen.
and þeo weoren þa alre witereste þe wuneden on Bruttene.
mid goden heore iweden al buten wepnen.
þat heom no to-wurðen þurh þrist of þan wepnen.
Þus heo hit speken & æft heo hit to-breken.
for Hængest þe leod-swike þus he his gon learen.
þat ælc nome a long sax & læiden bi his sconke.
wið-inne his hose þer h[e] hit [mihte] hæle.
Þenne heo comen to-somne Sæxes & Bruttes.
þenne queð Hengest cnihten alre swikelest.
Hail seo þu lauerd king ælc þe is þin vnder-ling.
Ȝif æuere æi of þine gume gære haueð bisiden.
send hit mid freond-scipe feor from us seoluen.
& beon we on sele and motegen of sahte.
nu we maȝen mid sibben ure lif libben.
Þus þe balde-fulle mon bi-spac þer þa Bruttes.
Þa andswarede Uortiger her he wes to vn-war.
Ȝif here is æi cniht swa wod þat wepnen habbe bi siden.
he scal leosen þa hond þurh his aȝene brand.
buten he hit sone heonene isende.
Heore wepnen heo awæi senden þa nefden heo noht an honden.
cnihtes eoden upward cnihtes eoden adonward.
ælc spac wið oðer swulc he weore his broðer.
Þa weoren Bruttes imænged wið þan Saxes.
Þa cleopede Hengest cnihtene swikelæst.
Nimeð eoure sexes sele mine bernes.
& ohtliche eou sturieð & nænne ne sparieð.
Bruttes þer weoren riche ah ne cuðe heo noht þa speche.
whæt þa Saxisce men seiden heom bi-tweonen.
Heo breoden ut þa sæxes alle bihalues.
heo smiten an riht half heo smiten an lift half.
biuoren & bihinden heo leiden heom to grunde.
alle heo sloȝen þat heo neh comen.
of þes kinges monnen [sone] þer feollen
feouwer hundred. & fife. wa wes þan kinge on liue
Þa Hengest hine igrap mid grimmen his gripen.
& bi þan mantle hine ibræid þat breken þa strenges.
& Sæxes him sette to & wolden þene king fordon.
& Hengest hine gon werien & nalde hit noht iþeuen.
ah he heold hine ful faste þe while þat feht i-laste.
Þer wes moni riche Brut biræfued þan liue.
Summe heo fluȝen swiðe ofer þene feld brade.
& wereden heom mid stanen for wepnen næfden heo nane.
Þer wes swiðe hard fiht þer feol moni god cniht.
Þer wes of Salesburi an oht bonde icumen.
ænne muchelne mæin clubbe he bar an his rugge.
Þa wes þer an aðele eorl Aldulf ihaten.
cniht mid þan bezste he æhte Glochæstre
he to þan cheorle leop swulc hit a liun weoren.
& binom him þe clubbe þa he bar an rugge.
æuere wulcne swa he s[m]at þer forð-rihtes he iwat.
bi-foren & bi-hinden he laide heom to grunde.
Þreo & fifti he þer sloh & seoððe to ane ste[de] droh.
he leop uppen stede & swiðe gon him riden.
he ærde to Glochæstre & þe ȝates læc ful feste.
& anan forð-rihtes lette ærmi his cnihtes.
ȝeond alle þan londe & nomen þat heo funden.
heo nomen orf heo nomen corn & al þat heo quic funden.
& brohten to burhȝe vnnimete blisse.
þa ȝæten heo tunden uaste & wel heom biwusten.
Lete we hit þus stonden & speken of þan kinge.
Sexes him leoppe to & wolde þene king for-do.
Hengest cleopede uorð-rihtes Aswikeð mine cnihtes.
ne sculle ȝe hine noht for-faren for us he haueð ihaued mucle care.
& he haueð to quene mine dohter þa is scone.
ah alle his burhȝes he scal us bitæchen.
ȝif he wule his lif broken oðer ælles him is balu ȝiueðe.
Þa wes Uortigerne væste ibunden.
giues swiðe grete heo duden an his foten.
ne moste he nauere biten mete ne wið nenne freond speken.
ær he heom hæfden isworen uppen halidom þat wes i-coren.
þat he al þis kine-lond wolde bitæchen heom an heond.
burhȝes & castles & al his co[m]elan.
& al swa he idode ase hit idemed was.
& Hengest nom an his hond al þis riche kine-lond.
& delde his leoden muchel of þisse londe.
he ȝæf æne eorle al Kent ase hit bi Lundene went.
he ȝæf his stiwarde Æst-sex
& his burðeine Middel-sax bitahte.
Þa cnihtes hit at-fengen and ane while heo heolden.
þa while Uortigerne ȝeond þis lond ferde.
& bitahte Hengest hæȝen his burhȝes.
& Hengest forð-rihtes dude þer-in his cnihtes.
þa while muchel smal folc læi inne Suð-sæxe.
& inne Middel-sæxe muchel of þan kunne.
& inne Æst-saxe heore aðeleste ȝuȝeðe.
Mete heo ferden al þat heo funden.
heo for-læiȝen þa wif & Godes laȝen breken.
heo duden i þan londe al þat heo wolden.
Þat iseȝen Bruttes þat balu wes on londe.
& hu Sæxisce men isiȝen weoren to heom.
Bruttes scupten þan londe nome for Sæxisce monnen scome.
& for þan swike-dome þat heo idon hæfden.
for þan þe heo mid cnifen biræueden heom at liue.
þa cleopeden heo þat lond al Æst-sæx & West-sæx.
& þat þridde Middel-sæx.
Vortigerne þe king bi-tahte heom al þis lond.
þat ne bilæfde him an honde a turf of londe.
& him-seolf Vortigerne flæh ouer Sæuærne.
feor in-to Wellisce londe & þer he gon at-stonde.
& his hired mid him þe hæne wes iwurðen.
& he hæfde an horde gersume swi[ð]e stronge.
he lette his men riden widen & siden.
and lette him to bonnen of ælches cunnes monnen.
þe æuere wolden his feoh mid freond-scipe ȝirnen.
Þat iherden Bruttes þat iherden Scottes.
to him heo comen þer-after ful sone.
an ælchere side þider heo gunnen riden.
monies hæȝes monnes sune for golde & for gærsume.
Þa hæfde he to-somne sixti þusend monnen.
þa sumnede he þa richen þa wel cuðen ræden.
Gode men ræ[d]e[ð] me ræd uor me is swiðe muchel neod.
whar ich mihte on wilderne wurchen ænne castel.
þer ic mihte an inne l[i]bbe mid mine monnen.
& halden hine wið Hengest mid hæȝere strengðe.
a þat ich mihte bæt burhȝen iwinnen.
wræken me a mine feonden þa mine wines feolden.
& habbeð al mi kine-lond awræht ut of mire hond.
& þus me iflæmed mine fulle ifan.
Þa andswarede a wis mon þe wel cuðe ræden.
Lust me nu lauerd king ich þe cuðe god þing.
uppen þan munte of Reir ich wullen ræden.
þat þu caste[l] wurche mid stronge stan walle.
for þer þu miht wunien & libben mid winne.
& ȝet þu hauest a þire hond muchel seoluer & gold.
to halden þine hired þa þe helpen scal.
& swa þu miht on liue libben alræ sælest
Þa andswere[de] þe king Let hit cuðen an hiȝing.
ȝeond muchele mire ferde þæt ich faren wulle.
to þan munte of Reir & ræren þer castel.
Forð ferde þe king & þa ferde mid him.
Þa heo þider comen dic heo bigunnen sone.
Hornes þer bleouwen machunnes heowen.
lim heo gunnen bærnen ȝeond þat lond ærnen.
& al Wæst Walsce lond setten a Uortigernes hond.
al heo hit nomen þat heo neh comen.
Þa þe dic wes idoluen & allunge ideoped.
þa bi-gunnen heo wal a þere dic ouer-al.
& heo lim & stan leiden to-somne.
of machunes þer wes wunder fif and twenti hundred.
A dæi heo leiden þene wal a niht he feol ouer-al.
a marwe heo hine arædden a niht he gon to-reosen.
Fulle seouen nihte swa heom dihte.
ælche dæi heo hine aredden & ælche niht he gon reosen.
Þa wes sari þe king & sorhful þurh alle þing.
swa wes al þa uerde ladliche of-færed.
for æuere heo lokede whænne Hengest come an-uuenan.
Þe king wes ful særi & sende after witien.
æfter world-wise monne þa wisdom cuðen.
& bad heom leoten weorpen & fondien leod-runen.
fondien þat soðe mid heore siȝe-craften.
whær-on hit weore ilong þat þe wal þe wes swa strong.
ne moste niht-longes nauere istonden.
Þas weorlde-wise men þer a twa wenden.
summe heo wenden to þan wude summe to weien-læten.
heo gunnen loten weorpen mid heore leod-runen.
fulle þreo nihten heore craftes heo dihten.
Ne mihten heo nauere finden þurh nauere nane þinge.
whær-on hit weore ilong þat þe wal þat wes swa strong.
æuere-ælche nihte to-ras & þe king his swinc læs.
Buten witie þer wes an he wes ihaten Ioram.
he seide þat he hit afunde ah hit þuhte læsinge.
he seide ȝif mon funde in auer æi londe.
æuer æi cniht bærn þe næuere fæder no ibæd.
& openede his breoste & nomen of his blode.
& mengde wið þan lime & þæne wal læide.
þenne mihte he stonde to þere worlde longe.
Þat word com to þan kinge of þere læsinge.
& he hit i-lefde þah hit læs weore.
Sone he nom his sonde & sende ȝeond þan londe.
swa feor swa he for dæðes kare dursten æies weies faren.
& in ælche tune hercneden þa runen.
whær heo mihten ifinden. speken of swulche childe
Þas cnihtes forð ferden widen ȝeond þan ærde.
tweien uerden ænne wæi þe west-riht him læi.
þe læi forð-rihtes in þer nu is Kaer-merðin.
Bisides þere burh in ane weie brade.
hefden ænne muchelne plæȝe alle þa burh-cnauen.
Þas cnihtes weoren weri & an heorte swiðe særi.
& seten adun bi þan plaȝe & bi-heolden þas cnauen.
Vmben ane stunde heo bigunnen striuinge.
al-se hit wes auer laȝe imong childrene plæȝe.
þe an þe o[ð]erne smat & he þeos dun[t]es abad.
Þa wes swiðe grim Dinabuz touward Mærlin.
& þus quað Dinabus þe þene dunt hefde.
Mærling vnwærste man whu hæuest þu me þus idon.
þu hauest idon me muchel scome þer-fore þu scalt habben grome.
Ich æm anes kinges sune & þu ært of noht icumen.
Þv nahtes i nane stude habben freo monnes ibude.
for swa wes al þa uore þi moder wes an hore.
for nuste heo næuere þene mon þat þe streonde hire on.
no þu on moncunne nefdest fader nenne.
& þu in ure londe makest us to sconde.
þu ært us imong icumen & nært nænes monnes sune.
þu scalt i þissen dæie þer-uore dæd þolien.
þis iherden þa cnihtes þer heo weoren bi-halues.
heo arisen up & eoden neor & neodeliche ȝerden.
of þissere uncuðe talen þe heo iherden of þan cnauen.
Þa wes inne Kair-merðin a reue þe hehte Eli.
þa cnihtes biliue comen to þan reue.
& þus him to sæiden sone mid muðe.
We buð her-rihtes Uortigernes cnihtes.
& habbeoð her ifunde enne cnaue ȝunge.
he is ihaten Merlin ne icnawe we na-wiðt his cunne.
Nim hine [an] hiȝin[g]e & sende hine to þan kinge.
al-se þu wult libben & þine limen habben.
& his moder mid him þe hine bar to monnen.
ȝif þu þis wult don þe king heom wule under-fon.
& ȝif þu hit noht ne ȝemest þer-fore þu bist flæme.
& þas burh al for-bard þas leoden al fordemed.
Þa answarede Eli þe reue of Kæir-merðin.
Wel ic wat þat al þis lond stunt a Vortigernes hond.
& we beoð alle his men his monscipe is þe mare.
& we scullen þis don fain & driȝen his wille.
Forð wende þe reue & burh-men his iuere.
& ifunden Mærlin & his plaȝe-iueren mid him.
Mærlin heo nomen and his iuæren loȝen.
Þa þa Mærling wes ilad þa wes Dinabus ful glad.
e wende þat he ilad weore limen for to leosen.
ah al an-oðer set þe dom ær hit weoren al idon.
Nu wes Mærlinges moder wunder mere i-wurðen.
in ane haȝe munstre mu[n]chene ihaded.
Þider iwende Eli þe reue of Kair-merðin.
& nom him þa lafdie þer heo læi on munstre.
& uorð him gon ærne to þan kinge Uortigerne.
& muchel folc mid him & ladden þa nunne & Merlin.
Sone wes þat word cuð to Vortigernes kinges muð.
þat icumen wes Eli & brohte þa lauedi.
& Marling heore sone wes mid hire þer icumen.
Þa wes an liue Vortigerne bli[ð]e.
& þa læuedi aueng mid swiðe uæire læten.
& Mærlin he bitahte goden twælf cnihten.
þa weoren þan kinge holde & hine witen scolden.
Þa sæiden þe king Vortiger wið þa nunne he spilede þer
Gode læuedi sæi me sæl þe scal iwurðe.
whar weoren þu iboren Wha streonede þe to bearne.
Þæ andswarede þa nunne & hire fader nemnede.
Þriddendale þis lond stod a mines fader hond.
of þan londe he wes king cuð hit wes wide.
he wes ihaten Conaan cnihtene lauerd.
Þa answarede þe king swulc heo his cun weore.
Lauedi sæie þu hit me sæl þe scal iwurðen.
her is Mærlin þi sune wha streonede hine.
Who wes him a folke for fader iholden.
Þa heng heo hire hæfued & heolde touward bræsten.
bi þan kinge heo sæt ful softe & ane lutle while þohte.
vmbe while heo spac & spilede wið þan kinge.
King ich þe wulle tellen for seolcuðe spellen.
Mi fader Conaan þe king luuede me þurh alle þing.
þa iwarð ich on vestme wunder ane fæir.
Þa ich wes an uore fiftene ȝere.
þa wunede ich on bure on wunsele mine.
maidene mid me wunder ane uæire.
þenne ich wæs on bedde iswaued mid soft mine slepen.
þen com biuoren þa fæireste þing þat wes iboren.
swulc hit weore a muchel cniht al of golde idiht.
Þis ich isæh on sweuene alche niht on slepe.
Þis þing glad me biuoren and glitene[de] on golde.
ofte hit me custe ofte hit me clupte.
ofte hit me to-bæh & eode me swiðe neh.
Þa ich an ænde me bisæh selcuð me þuhte þas.
mi mæte me wes læ[ð] mine limes uncuðe.
selcuð me þuhte what hit beon mihte.
Þa anȝæt ich on ænde þat ich was mid childe.
þa mi time com þisne cnaue ich hæfuede.
Nat ic on folde what his fader weoren.
ne wha hine biȝate inne weorlde-riche.
no whaðer hit weore unwiht þe on Godes halue idiht.
La swa ich ibedde are nat ich na-mare.
to suggen þe of mine sune hu he to worulde is icume.
Þe nunne beh hire hæfde adun & hire huȝe dihte.
þe king hine bi-þohte whæt he don mihte.
& droh him to ræde redȝiuen gode.
& heo him radden ræd mid þan bezste.
þat he of-sende Magan þat wes a selcuð mon.
He wes a wis clærc & cuðe of feole cræften.
he cuðe wel ræden he cuðe feor læden.
he cuðe of þan crafte þe wuneð i þan lufte.
he cuðe tellen of ælche leod-spelle.
Magan com to hirede þar þe king wunede.
& þene king grætte mid godfulle worde.
Hail seo þu & sund Vortigerne þe king.
Ich æm icumen to þe cuð me þine iwille.
Þa andswærede þe king & talde al þan clærke.
hu þa nunne hafde i-sæid & axede hine þer of ræd.
ord fram þan ende al he him talde.
Þa sæide Magan Ich con ful wel her-on.
Þer wunieð in þan lufte feole cunne wihte.
þa þer scullen bilæfuen þat Domes-dæi cume liðen.
Summe heo beoð aðele & summe heo uuel wurcheð.
Þer-on is swiðe muchel cun þa cumeð imong monnen.
heo beoð ihaten ful iwis incubii demones.
Ne doð heo noht muchel scaðe bute hokerieð þan folke.
monine mon o[n] sweuene ofte heo swencheð
& monienne hende wimmon þurh heore cræfte kenneð anan.
& monies godes monnes child heo bicharreð þurh wigeling.
& þus wes Marlin biȝeten & iboren of his moder.
& þus hit is al igan quað þe clærc Magan.
þa sæide Marling. to seolue þan kinge.
King þine men me habbeoð inumen & ich æm to þe icumen.
& ich iwiten wulle what beon þi wille.
& for wulche þinge ich æm ibroht to kinge.
Þa spilede þe king mid [c]wikere speche.
Mærlin þu ært hider icumen þu nært nanes monnes sune.
Swiðe þe longeð after laðe spelle.
Iwhiten þu wult þa uore nu þu hit scalt ihere.
Ich habbe bigunnen a weorc mid grund-liche stre[n]gðe.
þe haueð mine gærsume wel swiðe binume.
fif þusend men wurcheð þer-on.
Ich habbe lim & stan on leode nis betere nan.
na in nare leode weorcmen al swa gode.
Al þat heo leggeoð a dæi to soðe ich hit sugge mæi.
ær dæi amarwen al hit bið dune.
ælc stan from oðer iualled to þan grunde.
Nu suggeð mine wise and mine witie men.
þat ȝif ich nime þi blod ut of þire breoste
& minne wal wurche & do to mine lime.
þenne mai he stonde to þere worlde longe.
Nu þu hit wost al hu þe iwurðe scal.
Þis ihærde Mærlin & bælh on his mode.
& þas word sæide wrað þeh he weore.
Nulle hit nauere God seolf þe gumenene is lauerd.
þat þi castel stonde for mine heorte blode.
ne nauere þi stan wal stille ne ligge.
For alle þine witien beo swiðe swikele.
i sæi[ð] læssinge bi-foren þæ seolue.
þat þu scalt afinde a þisses dæies ferste.
for þis sæde Ioram þe is mi fulle ifa.
þa tiðende me þuncheð game ich wes iscæpen him to bone.
Let cumen biuoren Ioram þine witie.
& alle his iuere forð-rihtes here.
þa þeos lesinge talden þan kinge.
& ȝif ich þe sugge soðe mine worde.
of þine walle & whi he adun falleð.
and mid soðe hit bitelle þat heore talen [s]inde lese.
ȝef me heore hæfden ȝif ich þi wærc hæle.
Þa andswarede þe king mid quickere steuene.
Swa me helpe min hond þis forwærde ich þe halde.
To þan kinge was ibroht Ioram þe witie.
& seofue of his iueren alle heo weoren uæie
Marline gromede & he grimliche spæc.
Sæie me Ioram leod-swike lað me on heorten.
whi falleð þes wal uolden to grunde.
Sæie me w[hæ] hit vælleð þat þe wal reoseð.
What mai man uinden at þere dic-grunde.
Ioram wes stille ne cuðe he noht tellen.
Þa seide Merlin þas word King hald me for-ward.
Let deluen þas dich seouen uoten deopere.
Heo scullen uinden ænne stan wunder ane ueire.
he is ueir & brad volke to bi-halden.
Þa dich wes idoluen seoue vet depre.
þa uunden heo anan þer-rihtes þene stan.
Þa sæide Mærlin þas word King hald me forward.
Sæie me Ioram monne me la[ð]est
& sæie þisse kinge. wulches cunnes þinges
vnder þissen stane. staðel habbeoð inumen.
Ioram wes stille ne cuðe he noht telle.
Þa sæide Mærlin wunder A water her is under.
Doh a-wai þisne stan þat water ȝe findeð a-nan.
Heo duden a-wæi þene stan at-foren þan kinge anon.
þat water heo funden þa sæide Merlin.
Æxe me Ioram þe is mi fulle ifa.
umben ane stunde suggen þe of þan grunde.
what wuneð i þan watere wintres & summeres.
Þe king. axede Ioram ah ne cuðe he nowiht þer-on.
Þa ȝet sæide Mærlin þas word King hald me foreward.
Let alæten þis wæter & wei weorpen.
Þer wunieð i þan grunde tweien draken stronge.
Þe an is a norð half þe oðer a suð half.
þe o[ð]er is milc-whit ælche deore unnilich.
þe oðer ræd alse blod wurmen alre baldest.
Ælche middernihte heo big[i]nneð to fihten.
[and þurh hire fihte] feollen þine wurckes
þa eorðe gon to-rusien & þi wal to-reosen.
þurh swulche wundre þi wal is afallen.
þa iwrað i þissen flode & noht for mine blode.
Þis wæter wes al ilæde þes kinges men weoren glæde.
muchel wes þa blisse biuoren þan leod-kinge.
& sone þer-after sari heo weoren.
ær þe dæi come to ende heo iherden tiðinde.
Þa þa water wes al ilædden & þe put wes ilær.
þa comen ut þas tweien draken muchel dunen makeden.
& fuhten grimliche dun i þere dich.
Ne isæh nauere na cniht nan ladluker fiht.
fluȝen of heore muðe fures leomen.
Þis isah þe leod-king grimme heore lates.
Þa wes he awundred on þissere wurlde-riche.
what weore þis tacninge þa he isah þer on grunde.
& hu Mærlin hit wuste þat nan oðer mon nuste.
Ærest wes þe white buuen & seoððen he wes bi-neoðen.
& þe drake ræde for-wundede hine to dæðe.
and æiðer wende to his hole ne isæh heom seoððe na mon iboren.
Þus ferden þeos þing þat isah Vortigerne þe king.
and alle þe weoren mid him luueden swiðe Mærlin.
& þe king hatede Ioram & his hæfed him binam.
& his seouene iueren þe mid him weoren þære.
To telde eode þe king & mid him lædde Mærlin.
& seide him mid mucle luue Mærling þu ært wil-cume.
& ich þe ȝiuen wulle al þat þu ȝirnest.
of mine londe of seoluere & of golde.
He wende þurh Mærlin þat lond al iwinnen.
ah al oðer hit wende ær comen þes daies ende.
Þus fræinede þe king his leofe freond Merlin.
Sæie me nu Merlin monnen me leofuest.
what bitacnieð þa draken þe þene dune makeden.
þe stan & þat water & þat wunderliche fæht.
Sæie me ȝif þi wil is whæt bitacneð al þis.
& seoððen þu most me ræden hu ich scal me læden.
& hu ich mai biwinne kinedom minne.
of Hengest mines wiues fader þe swiðe me hæfð i-hærmed.
Þa andswarede Merlin þane kinge þe spac wið him.
King þu ært unwis & vnwiter a ræde.
Þu fræinest of þan draken þe þene dune makeden.
& whæt tacne[ð] heore fiht & heore feond-liche gripen.
Heo tacneð kinges þa sunde to cumene.
& heore fiht & heore uare & heore uæi uolc.
Ah ȝif þu weore swa wis mon & swa witter a þoncke.
þat þv fræinedest me of feole þine sorȝen.
of þire mucle kare þa þe is to cumene.
ich þe wolde suggen of sorȝe þine.
Þa quað Vortiger þe king Leofue freond Merling.
sæie me of þan þinge þe me to cumen sonden.
Bluðeliche quad Mærlin baldere stefne.
ich þe wulle suggen ah æuere hit wule þe reouwen.
King king bi-siȝ þe Sorȝen þe bið ȝeueðe
of Costantines cunne his bern þu aqualdest
Þu lettest slæn Costanz. þe wes king a þis lond
þu lettest þine Peohtes hine ladliche biswiken.
þer-uore þu ibidest alre baluwene mæst.
Seoððen þu tuȝen uuenon þe uncuðe leoden.
Saxes to londe þer-uore þu wurðest to sconde.
Nu beoð of Brutaine beornes ariued.
hit his Aurilien & Vther nu þu ært þær-of war.
Heo cumeð to-mærȝen fuliwis i þis lond at Tottenæs.
ich do þe wel to witene mid seouen hundred scipene.
& nu heo inne sæ seilieð biliue.
and to wlche time heo mihte wel don vnderuongen þene Cristindom.
Forð heo gon riden to Uortimer þan kinge.
þa heo hine imette uæire heo hine igrette.
Hal wrð þu lauerd king Bruttene deorling.
Ich æm þe icomen to Cristindom ich wulle auon.
an þan ilke dæie þe þu seolf demest.
Þa wæs Uortimer þe king bliþe þurh alle þing.
he wende þat hit weore soð þat þeo scaðe sæide.
Bemen þer bleowen blisse wes on hirede.
forð mon brohte þat water bi-foren þan kinge.
heo seten to borde mid muchelure blisse.
Þa þe king hafde iæten þa eoden þeines-men to mete.
in halle heo drunken harpen þer dremden.
Þa swicfulle Rouuenne eode to are tunne.
þer wes idon in þes kinges deoreste win.
nom heo an honde ane bolle of ræde golde.
& heo gon scenchen on þas kinges benche.
Þa heo isæh hire time heo fulde hir scale of wine.
& at-foren al þan dringe heo eode to þan kinge.
& þus hailede him on þe swic-fulle wimman.
Lauerd king wæs hail Uor þe ich am swiðe uæin.
Hercne nu muchel swikedom of þere luðere wimmon.
388
Þe king heo uæire under-uæng to his fæie-siðe.
Fortimer spæc Bruttisc & Rouuenne Saxisc.
þan king þuhte gomen inoh for hire spæche he loh.
Hærcne hu heo toc on þ[i]s swicfulle wimman.
In hire bosme heo bar bi-neoðen hire titten.
ane guldene ampulle of attere i-fulled.
& þa luðere Rouuenne dronc þene bolle.
þat heo hafde half don after þes kinges dom.
Þa while þe þa king loh þa ampulle heo ut droh.
þene bolle heo sette to hire chin þat atter heo halde in þat win.
& seoðen heo þa cuppe bitahte þan kinge.
Þe king dronc al þat win & þat atter þer-in.
Þe dæi forð eode blisse wes on hirede.
for Uortimer þe gode king of þan swikedom nuste na-þing.
for he isah Rouuenne halden þene bolle
& drinken half þat ilke win þat heo heuede idon þer-in.
Þa hit com to þare nihte þa to-dælleden hired-cnihtes.
& þa ufele Rouwenne wende to hire inne.
& alle hire cnihtes mid hire uorð-rihtes.
Þa heihte heo hire sweines & ec þaie þeines.
þat heo an hiȝinge heore hors sculden sadelien.
& heo swið stille stelen ut of buruwe.
& wenden al bi nihte to Þwoncchestre uorð-rihte.
& þer swiðe vaste bi-clusen heom in ane castle.
& luȝen Uortigerne þat his sune hine wolde biliggen.
& Vortigerne þe swikele king ilæfde þare læsing.
Nu vnder-ȝat Uortimer his sune þat he hefde atter inomen.
ne mihte na lechecraft helpen him næ wiht.
He nom feole sonden & sende ȝeond his londe.
& hehte alle his cnihtes to him comen forð-rihtes.
Þa þat folc was icumen þa was þe king swiðe untrumed.
þa ȝirnde þe king heore grið & þus he spac hem alle wið.
Alre cnihten wrð eow best þe heren æie kinge.
þer nis nan oðer red buten hiȝend-liche ich beo dæd.
hir ich bitæche eow mi lond al mi seoluer & al mi gold.
& alle mine maðmes eowre monscipe is þa mare.
& ȝe forð-rihtes senden after cnihtes
& ȝeuen heom soluer & gold & hældeð ȝe seolf eowre lond.
390
uor weonne so ich beo uorð-faren Hengest eow wul makien kare.
& nimeð mine likamæ & leggeð an chæsten.
& ledeð me to þare sæ-stronde þer Saxisce men wulleð cumen a lond.
Anan swa heo me þer witen awæi heo wulleð wenden.
nouðer quic ne dead ne durren heo me abiden.
I-mong þissen dome dæ[d] i-warð þe gode king.
þer wes wop þer wes rop & reuliche iberen.
Heo nomen þes kinges licame & ladden to Lundene.
& bisides Bælȝes-ȝate fæire hine bi-burȝeden.
& nawiht hine ne ladden alse þe king heihte.
Þus liuede Uortimer & þus he endede þar.
Þa iueolen Bruttes a balu-fulle ræde.
heo nomen Uortigerne anan & bi-tahten heom þesne kenedom.
welle reoulich wes þer a þing nu was Vortigerne æft king.
Uortigerne nom his sonde & sende to Sexlonde.
& grette wel Hengest cnihten alre væirest.
& bad hine [an] hiȝinge comen to þisse londe.
& mid him brouhte here an hundred ridæren.
For þat wite þu þuru alle þing þat dead is Vortimer þe king.
& siker þu miht hider comen for dæd is Fortimer mi sune.
Nis þe non neod to bringen mid þe muchel genge.
leste ure Bruttes æft beon abolȝen.
þat eow æft seorwen siȝen bitweonen.
Hengest somnede uærde of feole cunne ærde.
þat he hefde to iwiten seouen hundred scipen.
& ælc scip he dihte mid þreo hundred cniten.
i þere Temese at Lundene Hengest com to londe.
Þat word com ful sone to Uortigerne þan kinge.
þat Hengest was in hauene mid seouen hundred scipene.
Ofte was Uortigerne wa neuer wrse þan þæ.
& Bruttes weoren sari & seorhful an heorte.
nusten heo an world-riche ræd þat heom weore ilike.
Hengest was of ufele war þat he wel cudde þær.
he nom sone his sonde & sende to þan kinge.
& grette Uortigerne king mid swiðe uæire worden.
& seide þat he was icumen swa fader sculde to his sune.
mid sibbe & mid saihte he wolde on sele wunien.
grið he wolde luuien un-riht he wolde scunien.
392
& al þis leodisce folc luuien he wolde.
& Uortigerne þene king luuien þurh alle þing.
Ah he hefde ibroht i þis lond ut of Sexleoden.
seouen hundred scipene of hæðene folke.
þat beoð þe alre wihteste men. þat wunieð under sunnen.
& ich wulle quað Hengest leden heo to þan kinge.
to an i-sette dæie at-foren al his duȝeðe.
& þe king scal arisen and of þan cnihten cheosen.
twa hundred cnihten to leden to his fihten.
þe sculen biwiten þene king durewurðliche þurh alle þing.
& seoððen scullen þa oðere uaren to heore ærde.
mid sibbe & mid sæle aȝen to Sæx-londe.
& ich wulle bi-læuen mid monnen alre selest.
þat is Uortigerne þe king þe ich luuie þurh alle þing.
Þat word com to Brutten hu Hengest bihæhte heom.
þa weoren heo uæine uor uæiren his worden.
& setten grið & setten frið to whulchen ane uirste.
þe king an ane dæie wolde iseon þas duȝeðe.
Þat iherde Hengest cnihten alre uæirest.
Þa wes he swa bliðe swa he nes neuer ær an liue.
for he þohte swike þene king an his riche.
Her iwrað Hengest cnihte uor-cuðest.
swa bið æuerælc mon þe bi-swikeð þe him wel on.
Wha wolde wenen a þissere weorld-riche.
þat Hengest swiken þohte þene king þat hæfde his dohter.
for nis nauer nan mon þat me ne mai mid swike-dome ouer-gan.
Heo nomen ænne isetne dæi þat scolden þas duȝeðen.
cumen heom to-somne mid sæhte & mid sibbe.
an ane uælde þe wæs muri an-uast Ambresburi.
Þe stude wes Ælenge nu hatte hit Stan-henge.
Þer Hengest þe swike æiðer bi worde & bi write.
cuðde þan kinge þat he cumen wolde.
mid his mon-uerde to wurð-scipe þes kinges.
ah he nalde bringen on drihte buten þreo hundred cnihten.
þa alre wiseste men þe he mihte uinden.
& þe king brohte al swa ueole baldere þeinen.
and þeo weoren þa alre witereste þe wuneden on Bruttene.
mid goden heore iweden al buten wepnen.
þat heom no to-wurðen þurh þrist of þan wepnen.
Þus heo hit speken & æft heo hit to-breken.
394
þat ælc nome a long sax & læiden bi his sconke.
wið-inne his hose þer h[e] hit [mihte] hæle.
Þenne heo comen to-somne Sæxes & Bruttes.
þenne queð Hengest cnihten alre swikelest.
Hail seo þu lauerd king ælc þe is þin vnder-ling.
Ȝif æuere æi of þine gume gære haueð bisiden.
send hit mid freond-scipe feor from us seoluen.
& beon we on sele and motegen of sahte.
nu we maȝen mid sibben ure lif libben.
Þus þe balde-fulle mon bi-spac þer þa Bruttes.
Þa andswarede Uortiger her he wes to vn-war.
Ȝif here is æi cniht swa wod þat wepnen habbe bi siden.
he scal leosen þa hond þurh his aȝene brand.
buten he hit sone heonene isende.
Heore wepnen heo awæi senden þa nefden heo noht an honden.
cnihtes eoden upward cnihtes eoden adonward.
ælc spac wið oðer swulc he weore his broðer.
Þa weoren Bruttes imænged wið þan Saxes.
Þa cleopede Hengest cnihtene swikelæst.
Nimeð eoure sexes sele mine bernes.
& ohtliche eou sturieð & nænne ne sparieð.
Bruttes þer weoren riche ah ne cuðe heo noht þa speche.
whæt þa Saxisce men seiden heom bi-tweonen.
Heo breoden ut þa sæxes alle bihalues.
heo smiten an riht half heo smiten an lift half.
biuoren & bihinden heo leiden heom to grunde.
alle heo sloȝen þat heo neh comen.
of þes kinges monnen [sone] þer feollen
feouwer hundred. & fife. wa wes þan kinge on liue
Þa Hengest hine igrap mid grimmen his gripen.
& bi þan mantle hine ibræid þat breken þa strenges.
& Sæxes him sette to & wolden þene king fordon.
& Hengest hine gon werien & nalde hit noht iþeuen.
ah he heold hine ful faste þe while þat feht i-laste.
Þer wes moni riche Brut biræfued þan liue.
Summe heo fluȝen swiðe ofer þene feld brade.
& wereden heom mid stanen for wepnen næfden heo nane.
Þer wes swiðe hard fiht þer feol moni god cniht.
Þer wes of Salesburi an oht bonde icumen.
396
Þa wes þer an aðele eorl Aldulf ihaten.
cniht mid þan bezste he æhte Glochæstre
he to þan cheorle leop swulc hit a liun weoren.
& binom him þe clubbe þa he bar an rugge.
æuere wulcne swa he s[m]at þer forð-rihtes he iwat.
bi-foren & bi-hinden he laide heom to grunde.
Þreo & fifti he þer sloh & seoððe to ane ste[de] droh.
he leop uppen stede & swiðe gon him riden.
he ærde to Glochæstre & þe ȝates læc ful feste.
& anan forð-rihtes lette ærmi his cnihtes.
ȝeond alle þan londe & nomen þat heo funden.
heo nomen orf heo nomen corn & al þat heo quic funden.
& brohten to burhȝe vnnimete blisse.
þa ȝæten heo tunden uaste & wel heom biwusten.
Lete we hit þus stonden & speken of þan kinge.
Sexes him leoppe to & wolde þene king for-do.
Hengest cleopede uorð-rihtes Aswikeð mine cnihtes.
ne sculle ȝe hine noht for-faren for us he haueð ihaued mucle care.
& he haueð to quene mine dohter þa is scone.
ah alle his burhȝes he scal us bitæchen.
ȝif he wule his lif broken oðer ælles him is balu ȝiueðe.
Þa wes Uortigerne væste ibunden.
giues swiðe grete heo duden an his foten.
ne moste he nauere biten mete ne wið nenne freond speken.
ær he heom hæfden isworen uppen halidom þat wes i-coren.
þat he al þis kine-lond wolde bitæchen heom an heond.
burhȝes & castles & al his co[m]elan.
& al swa he idode ase hit idemed was.
& Hengest nom an his hond al þis riche kine-lond.
& delde his leoden muchel of þisse londe.
he ȝæf æne eorle al Kent ase hit bi Lundene went.
he ȝæf his stiwarde Æst-sex
& his burðeine Middel-sax bitahte.
Þa cnihtes hit at-fengen and ane while heo heolden.
þa while Uortigerne ȝeond þis lond ferde.
& bitahte Hengest hæȝen his burhȝes.
& Hengest forð-rihtes dude þer-in his cnihtes.
þa while muchel smal folc læi inne Suð-sæxe.
& inne Middel-sæxe muchel of þan kunne.
398
Mete heo ferden al þat heo funden.
heo for-læiȝen þa wif & Godes laȝen breken.
heo duden i þan londe al þat heo wolden.
Þat iseȝen Bruttes þat balu wes on londe.
& hu Sæxisce men isiȝen weoren to heom.
Bruttes scupten þan londe nome for Sæxisce monnen scome.
& for þan swike-dome þat heo idon hæfden.
for þan þe heo mid cnifen biræueden heom at liue.
þa cleopeden heo þat lond al Æst-sæx & West-sæx.
& þat þridde Middel-sæx.
Vortigerne þe king bi-tahte heom al þis lond.
þat ne bilæfde him an honde a turf of londe.
& him-seolf Vortigerne flæh ouer Sæuærne.
feor in-to Wellisce londe & þer he gon at-stonde.
& his hired mid him þe hæne wes iwurðen.
& he hæfde an horde gersume swi[ð]e stronge.
he lette his men riden widen & siden.
and lette him to bonnen of ælches cunnes monnen.
þe æuere wolden his feoh mid freond-scipe ȝirnen.
Þat iherden Bruttes þat iherden Scottes.
to him heo comen þer-after ful sone.
an ælchere side þider heo gunnen riden.
monies hæȝes monnes sune for golde & for gærsume.
Þa hæfde he to-somne sixti þusend monnen.
þa sumnede he þa richen þa wel cuðen ræden.
Gode men ræ[d]e[ð] me ræd uor me is swiðe muchel neod.
whar ich mihte on wilderne wurchen ænne castel.
þer ic mihte an inne l[i]bbe mid mine monnen.
& halden hine wið Hengest mid hæȝere strengðe.
a þat ich mihte bæt burhȝen iwinnen.
wræken me a mine feonden þa mine wines feolden.
& habbeð al mi kine-lond awræht ut of mire hond.
& þus me iflæmed mine fulle ifan.
Þa andswarede a wis mon þe wel cuðe ræden.
Lust me nu lauerd king ich þe cuðe god þing.
uppen þan munte of Reir ich wullen ræden.
þat þu caste[l] wurche mid stronge stan walle.
for þer þu miht wunien & libben mid winne.
400
to halden þine hired þa þe helpen scal.
& swa þu miht on liue libben alræ sælest
Þa andswere[de] þe king Let hit cuðen an hiȝing.
ȝeond muchele mire ferde þæt ich faren wulle.
to þan munte of Reir & ræren þer castel.
Forð ferde þe king & þa ferde mid him.
Þa heo þider comen dic heo bigunnen sone.
Hornes þer bleouwen machunnes heowen.
lim heo gunnen bærnen ȝeond þat lond ærnen.
& al Wæst Walsce lond setten a Uortigernes hond.
al heo hit nomen þat heo neh comen.
Þa þe dic wes idoluen & allunge ideoped.
þa bi-gunnen heo wal a þere dic ouer-al.
& heo lim & stan leiden to-somne.
of machunes þer wes wunder fif and twenti hundred.
A dæi heo leiden þene wal a niht he feol ouer-al.
a marwe heo hine arædden a niht he gon to-reosen.
Fulle seouen nihte swa heom dihte.
ælche dæi heo hine aredden & ælche niht he gon reosen.
Þa wes sari þe king & sorhful þurh alle þing.
swa wes al þa uerde ladliche of-færed.
for æuere heo lokede whænne Hengest come an-uuenan.
Þe king wes ful særi & sende after witien.
æfter world-wise monne þa wisdom cuðen.
& bad heom leoten weorpen & fondien leod-runen.
fondien þat soðe mid heore siȝe-craften.
whær-on hit weore ilong þat þe wal þe wes swa strong.
ne moste niht-longes nauere istonden.
Þas weorlde-wise men þer a twa wenden.
summe heo wenden to þan wude summe to weien-læten.
heo gunnen loten weorpen mid heore leod-runen.
fulle þreo nihten heore craftes heo dihten.
Ne mihten heo nauere finden þurh nauere nane þinge.
whær-on hit weore ilong þat þe wal þat wes swa strong.
æuere-ælche nihte to-ras & þe king his swinc læs.
Buten witie þer wes an he wes ihaten Ioram.
he seide þat he hit afunde ah hit þuhte læsinge.
he seide ȝif mon funde in auer æi londe.
402
& openede his breoste & nomen of his blode.
& mengde wið þan lime & þæne wal læide.
þenne mihte he stonde to þere worlde longe.
Þat word com to þan kinge of þere læsinge.
& he hit i-lefde þah hit læs weore.
Sone he nom his sonde & sende ȝeond þan londe.
swa feor swa he for dæðes kare dursten æies weies faren.
& in ælche tune hercneden þa runen.
whær heo mihten ifinden. speken of swulche childe
Þas cnihtes forð ferden widen ȝeond þan ærde.
tweien uerden ænne wæi þe west-riht him læi.
þe læi forð-rihtes in þer nu is Kaer-merðin.
Bisides þere burh in ane weie brade.
hefden ænne muchelne plæȝe alle þa burh-cnauen.
Þas cnihtes weoren weri & an heorte swiðe særi.
& seten adun bi þan plaȝe & bi-heolden þas cnauen.
Vmben ane stunde heo bigunnen striuinge.
al-se hit wes auer laȝe imong childrene plæȝe.
þe an þe o[ð]erne smat & he þeos dun[t]es abad.
Þa wes swiðe grim Dinabuz touward Mærlin.
& þus quað Dinabus þe þene dunt hefde.
Mærling vnwærste man whu hæuest þu me þus idon.
þu hauest idon me muchel scome þer-fore þu scalt habben grome.
Ich æm anes kinges sune & þu ært of noht icumen.
Þv nahtes i nane stude habben freo monnes ibude.
for swa wes al þa uore þi moder wes an hore.
for nuste heo næuere þene mon þat þe streonde hire on.
no þu on moncunne nefdest fader nenne.
& þu in ure londe makest us to sconde.
þu ært us imong icumen & nært nænes monnes sune.
þu scalt i þissen dæie þer-uore dæd þolien.
þis iherden þa cnihtes þer heo weoren bi-halues.
heo arisen up & eoden neor & neodeliche ȝerden.
of þissere uncuðe talen þe heo iherden of þan cnauen.
Þa wes inne Kair-merðin a reue þe hehte Eli.
þa cnihtes biliue comen to þan reue.
& þus him to sæiden sone mid muðe.
We buð her-rihtes Uortigernes cnihtes.
404
he is ihaten Merlin ne icnawe we na-wiðt his cunne.
Nim hine [an] hiȝin[g]e & sende hine to þan kinge.
al-se þu wult libben & þine limen habben.
& his moder mid him þe hine bar to monnen.
ȝif þu þis wult don þe king heom wule under-fon.
& ȝif þu hit noht ne ȝemest þer-fore þu bist flæme.
& þas burh al for-bard þas leoden al fordemed.
Þa answarede Eli þe reue of Kæir-merðin.
Wel ic wat þat al þis lond stunt a Vortigernes hond.
& we beoð alle his men his monscipe is þe mare.
& we scullen þis don fain & driȝen his wille.
Forð wende þe reue & burh-men his iuere.
& ifunden Mærlin & his plaȝe-iueren mid him.
Mærlin heo nomen and his iuæren loȝen.
Þa þa Mærling wes ilad þa wes Dinabus ful glad.
e wende þat he ilad weore limen for to leosen.
ah al an-oðer set þe dom ær hit weoren al idon.
Nu wes Mærlinges moder wunder mere i-wurðen.
in ane haȝe munstre mu[n]chene ihaded.
Þider iwende Eli þe reue of Kair-merðin.
& nom him þa lafdie þer heo læi on munstre.
& uorð him gon ærne to þan kinge Uortigerne.
& muchel folc mid him & ladden þa nunne & Merlin.
Sone wes þat word cuð to Vortigernes kinges muð.
þat icumen wes Eli & brohte þa lauedi.
& Marling heore sone wes mid hire þer icumen.
Þa wes an liue Vortigerne bli[ð]e.
& þa læuedi aueng mid swiðe uæire læten.
& Mærlin he bitahte goden twælf cnihten.
þa weoren þan kinge holde & hine witen scolden.
Þa sæiden þe king Vortiger wið þa nunne he spilede þer
Gode læuedi sæi me sæl þe scal iwurðe.
whar weoren þu iboren Wha streonede þe to bearne.
Þæ andswarede þa nunne & hire fader nemnede.
Þriddendale þis lond stod a mines fader hond.
of þan londe he wes king cuð hit wes wide.
he wes ihaten Conaan cnihtene lauerd.
Þa answarede þe king swulc heo his cun weore.
406
her is Mærlin þi sune wha streonede hine.
Who wes him a folke for fader iholden.
Þa heng heo hire hæfued & heolde touward bræsten.
bi þan kinge heo sæt ful softe & ane lutle while þohte.
vmbe while heo spac & spilede wið þan kinge.
King ich þe wulle tellen for seolcuðe spellen.
Mi fader Conaan þe king luuede me þurh alle þing.
þa iwarð ich on vestme wunder ane fæir.
Þa ich wes an uore fiftene ȝere.
þa wunede ich on bure on wunsele mine.
maidene mid me wunder ane uæire.
þenne ich wæs on bedde iswaued mid soft mine slepen.
þen com biuoren þa fæireste þing þat wes iboren.
swulc hit weore a muchel cniht al of golde idiht.
Þis ich isæh on sweuene alche niht on slepe.
Þis þing glad me biuoren and glitene[de] on golde.
ofte hit me custe ofte hit me clupte.
ofte hit me to-bæh & eode me swiðe neh.
Þa ich an ænde me bisæh selcuð me þuhte þas.
mi mæte me wes læ[ð] mine limes uncuðe.
selcuð me þuhte what hit beon mihte.
Þa anȝæt ich on ænde þat ich was mid childe.
þa mi time com þisne cnaue ich hæfuede.
Nat ic on folde what his fader weoren.
ne wha hine biȝate inne weorlde-riche.
no whaðer hit weore unwiht þe on Godes halue idiht.
La swa ich ibedde are nat ich na-mare.
to suggen þe of mine sune hu he to worulde is icume.
Þe nunne beh hire hæfde adun & hire huȝe dihte.
þe king hine bi-þohte whæt he don mihte.
& droh him to ræde redȝiuen gode.
& heo him radden ræd mid þan bezste.
þat he of-sende Magan þat wes a selcuð mon.
He wes a wis clærc & cuðe of feole cræften.
he cuðe wel ræden he cuðe feor læden.
he cuðe of þan crafte þe wuneð i þan lufte.
he cuðe tellen of ælche leod-spelle.
Magan com to hirede þar þe king wunede.
408
Hail seo þu & sund Vortigerne þe king.
Ich æm icumen to þe cuð me þine iwille.
Þa andswærede þe king & talde al þan clærke.
hu þa nunne hafde i-sæid & axede hine þer of ræd.
ord fram þan ende al he him talde.
Þa sæide Magan Ich con ful wel her-on.
Þer wunieð in þan lufte feole cunne wihte.
þa þer scullen bilæfuen þat Domes-dæi cume liðen.
Summe heo beoð aðele & summe heo uuel wurcheð.
Þer-on is swiðe muchel cun þa cumeð imong monnen.
heo beoð ihaten ful iwis incubii demones.
Ne doð heo noht muchel scaðe bute hokerieð þan folke.
monine mon o[n] sweuene ofte heo swencheð
& monienne hende wimmon þurh heore cræfte kenneð anan.
& monies godes monnes child heo bicharreð þurh wigeling.
& þus wes Marlin biȝeten & iboren of his moder.
& þus hit is al igan quað þe clærc Magan.
þa sæide Marling. to seolue þan kinge.
King þine men me habbeoð inumen & ich æm to þe icumen.
& ich iwiten wulle what beon þi wille.
& for wulche þinge ich æm ibroht to kinge.
Þa spilede þe king mid [c]wikere speche.
Mærlin þu ært hider icumen þu nært nanes monnes sune.
Swiðe þe longeð after laðe spelle.
Iwhiten þu wult þa uore nu þu hit scalt ihere.
Ich habbe bigunnen a weorc mid grund-liche stre[n]gðe.
þe haueð mine gærsume wel swiðe binume.
fif þusend men wurcheð þer-on.
Ich habbe lim & stan on leode nis betere nan.
na in nare leode weorcmen al swa gode.
Al þat heo leggeoð a dæi to soðe ich hit sugge mæi.
ær dæi amarwen al hit bið dune.
ælc stan from oðer iualled to þan grunde.
Nu suggeð mine wise and mine witie men.
þat ȝif ich nime þi blod ut of þire breoste
& minne wal wurche & do to mine lime.
þenne mai he stonde to þere worlde longe.
410
Þis ihærde Mærlin & bælh on his mode.
& þas word sæide wrað þeh he weore.
Nulle hit nauere God seolf þe gumenene is lauerd.
þat þi castel stonde for mine heorte blode.
ne nauere þi stan wal stille ne ligge.
For alle þine witien beo swiðe swikele.
i sæi[ð] læssinge bi-foren þæ seolue.
þat þu scalt afinde a þisses dæies ferste.
for þis sæde Ioram þe is mi fulle ifa.
þa tiðende me þuncheð game ich wes iscæpen him to bone.
Let cumen biuoren Ioram þine witie.
& alle his iuere forð-rihtes here.
þa þeos lesinge talden þan kinge.
& ȝif ich þe sugge soðe mine worde.
of þine walle & whi he adun falleð.
and mid soðe hit bitelle þat heore talen [s]inde lese.
ȝef me heore hæfden ȝif ich þi wærc hæle.
Þa andswarede þe king mid quickere steuene.
Swa me helpe min hond þis forwærde ich þe halde.
To þan kinge was ibroht Ioram þe witie.
& seofue of his iueren alle heo weoren uæie
Marline gromede & he grimliche spæc.
Sæie me Ioram leod-swike lað me on heorten.
whi falleð þes wal uolden to grunde.
Sæie me w[hæ] hit vælleð þat þe wal reoseð.
What mai man uinden at þere dic-grunde.
Ioram wes stille ne cuðe he noht tellen.
Þa seide Merlin þas word King hald me for-ward.
Let deluen þas dich seouen uoten deopere.
Heo scullen uinden ænne stan wunder ane ueire.
he is ueir & brad volke to bi-halden.
Þa dich wes idoluen seoue vet depre.
þa uunden heo anan þer-rihtes þene stan.
Þa sæide Mærlin þas word King hald me forward.
Sæie me Ioram monne me la[ð]est
& sæie þisse kinge. wulches cunnes þinges
vnder þissen stane. staðel habbeoð inumen.
Ioram wes stille ne cuðe he noht telle.
412
Doh a-wai þisne stan þat water ȝe findeð a-nan.
Heo duden a-wæi þene stan at-foren þan kinge anon.
þat water heo funden þa sæide Merlin.
Æxe me Ioram þe is mi fulle ifa.
umben ane stunde suggen þe of þan grunde.
what wuneð i þan watere wintres & summeres.
Þe king. axede Ioram ah ne cuðe he nowiht þer-on.
Þa ȝet sæide Mærlin þas word King hald me foreward.
Let alæten þis wæter & wei weorpen.
Þer wunieð i þan grunde tweien draken stronge.
Þe an is a norð half þe oðer a suð half.
þe o[ð]er is milc-whit ælche deore unnilich.
þe oðer ræd alse blod wurmen alre baldest.
Ælche middernihte heo big[i]nneð to fihten.
[and þurh hire fihte] feollen þine wurckes
þa eorðe gon to-rusien & þi wal to-reosen.
þurh swulche wundre þi wal is afallen.
þa iwrað i þissen flode & noht for mine blode.
Þis wæter wes al ilæde þes kinges men weoren glæde.
muchel wes þa blisse biuoren þan leod-kinge.
& sone þer-after sari heo weoren.
ær þe dæi come to ende heo iherden tiðinde.
Þa þa water wes al ilædden & þe put wes ilær.
þa comen ut þas tweien draken muchel dunen makeden.
& fuhten grimliche dun i þere dich.
Ne isæh nauere na cniht nan ladluker fiht.
fluȝen of heore muðe fures leomen.
Þis isah þe leod-king grimme heore lates.
Þa wes he awundred on þissere wurlde-riche.
what weore þis tacninge þa he isah þer on grunde.
& hu Mærlin hit wuste þat nan oðer mon nuste.
Ærest wes þe white buuen & seoððen he wes bi-neoðen.
& þe drake ræde for-wundede hine to dæðe.
and æiðer wende to his hole ne isæh heom seoððe na mon iboren.
Þus ferden þeos þing þat isah Vortigerne þe king.
and alle þe weoren mid him luueden swiðe Mærlin.
& þe king hatede Ioram & his hæfed him binam.
& his seouene iueren þe mid him weoren þære.
To telde eode þe king & mid him lædde Mærlin.
414
& ich þe ȝiuen wulle al þat þu ȝirnest.
of mine londe of seoluere & of golde.
He wende þurh Mærlin þat lond al iwinnen.
ah al oðer hit wende ær comen þes daies ende.
Þus fræinede þe king his leofe freond Merlin.
Sæie me nu Merlin monnen me leofuest.
what bitacnieð þa draken þe þene dune makeden.
þe stan & þat water & þat wunderliche fæht.
Sæie me ȝif þi wil is whæt bitacneð al þis.
& seoððen þu most me ræden hu ich scal me læden.
& hu ich mai biwinne kinedom minne.
of Hengest mines wiues fader þe swiðe me hæfð i-hærmed.
Þa andswarede Merlin þane kinge þe spac wið him.
King þu ært unwis & vnwiter a ræde.
Þu fræinest of þan draken þe þene dune makeden.
& whæt tacne[ð] heore fiht & heore feond-liche gripen.
Heo tacneð kinges þa sunde to cumene.
& heore fiht & heore uare & heore uæi uolc.
Ah ȝif þu weore swa wis mon & swa witter a þoncke.
þat þv fræinedest me of feole þine sorȝen.
of þire mucle kare þa þe is to cumene.
ich þe wolde suggen of sorȝe þine.
Þa quað Vortiger þe king Leofue freond Merling.
sæie me of þan þinge þe me to cumen sonden.
Bluðeliche quad Mærlin baldere stefne.
ich þe wulle suggen ah æuere hit wule þe reouwen.
King king bi-siȝ þe Sorȝen þe bið ȝeueðe
of Costantines cunne his bern þu aqualdest
Þu lettest slæn Costanz. þe wes king a þis lond
þu lettest þine Peohtes hine ladliche biswiken.
þer-uore þu ibidest alre baluwene mæst.
Seoððen þu tuȝen uuenon þe uncuðe leoden.
Saxes to londe þer-uore þu wurðest to sconde.
Nu beoð of Brutaine beornes ariued.
hit his Aurilien & Vther nu þu ært þær-of war.
Heo cumeð to-mærȝen fuliwis i þis lond at Tottenæs.
ich do þe wel to witene mid seouen hundred scipene.
& nu heo inne sæ seilieð biliue.
418
Þu hauest heom muchel uuel idon and nu þu most þat lað on-fon.
þu hauest a ba halue bone þe þe þencheð.
þine ifan þe biuoren & þine ifeond bæften.
Ah flih flih þinne wæi & burh þine life.
& fleo þider þe þu fleo heo þe wulleð after teon.
Ambrosie Aurilien he hæue[ð] ærest þisne kinedo[m].
ah he þurh atterne drench dæð scal iþolien.
& seoððen scal Vther Pendragon habben þesne kinedom.
ah þi cun hine scal mid attere aquellen.
ah ær he dæd þolie he scæl dune makien.
Vther scal habben ænne sune of Cornwaille he scal cumen.
þat beoð a wilde bar iburstled mid stele.
Þe bar scal for-bærnen hæhȝe þa burhȝes.
he scal alle þa swiken swenien mid eiȝe.
he scal al þi riche cun mid witen aquellen.
he bið swiðe oht mon & aðele an þonke.
heonenæ into Rome rixleð þeos ilke.
scal he alle his feond fallen to grunde.
Soð ich habbe þe isæid ah nis þe na þe softre.
ah flih mid þine verde þine iuon þe cumeð to herede.
Þa aswac worden Merlin þe wise.
& þe king lette blawen þreottene bemen.
& forð mid his ferde feo[n]dliche swiðe.
Nes þer uorð-rihtes bute uirst of ane nihte.
þat comen þa broðere beien to-some.
to sæ-stronde ful iwis at Dertene-muðe i Totenas.
Þis iherden Bruttes & weoren bliðe ful iwis.
Heo droȝen ut of þan wuden & of þan wulderne.
bi sixti & bi sixti & bi seouen hundred.
bi þrit[ti] & bi þritti & bi feole þusend.
Þa heo comen to-somne ful sel hit heo þuhte.
Þa broðeren to þissen ærde brohten vnimete verde.
& her comen heom bi-uoren balde þas Bruttes.
vnimete uolc al hit wræ[h] þa wolde.
þæ ær weoren ȝeond wudes wunderliche to-dreued.
þurh þene muchelne æie and þurh þe muclen ærmðe.
& þurh þene mucle hærm þa Hengest heom wrohte.
& hafde alle heore hæfd-men mid cniuen amurðerd.
mid sæxen to-snæ[ðd]e snelle þe þeines.
Bruttes heolden husting mid heȝe wis-dome.
heo nomen Aurilien þene ældre bro[ð]er a-nan.
inne hæȝe hustinge and heouen hine to kinge.
Þa weoren Bruttes mid blisse auulled.
bliðe an mode þæ ær weoren murne.
Comen þas tiðende to Vortigerne þan kinge.
þat Aurilien wes icoren and to kinge iheouen.
Þa wes Vortiger wa & æft him wes wurse.
Vortiger uerde ver to ane castle.
Genoire hæhte hæh an ane munte.
Cloard hæhte þe munt and Hærgin hahte þat lond.
on-væst Wæie þe is a water hende.
Vortigernes men nomen al þat heo neh comen.
heo nomen wepnen & mete a moni are wise.
to þan castle heo brohten swa muchel swa heo rohten.
þat heo inoh hafden þeh hit lutel hulpe.
Aurilien & Vther weoren of Vortigerne war.
whær he wes uppen Cloward biclused in castlen.
Heo letten blawen bemen bonnien heore uerde.
volc unimete of moni ane londe.
ferden to Genoire þær læi Vortigerne.
King. wes wið-uten king wes wið-innen.
cnihtes þer fuhten mid feond-liche ræsen.
æuerælc god mon gurede hine seolfuen.
Þa heo iseȝen þat heo siȝen næfden.
þa to wude wenden wunder muche uerde.
Heo uelden þæne wude adun & droȝen to þan castle.
& fulden al þæ dic þe wes wunder ane deop.
F[u]r heo in sende on æuer-ælche ende.
& cleopeden to Vortiger Nu þu scalt þe warmen þer.
for þu sloȝe Costanz þe wes king of þis lond.
& seoððe Costantin his sune Nu is Aurilie icumen.
& Vther his broðer þa þe balu sendeð
Þe wind wæht þat fur þat hit wunderliche. born.
þe castel gon to bernen bures þer s[w]ælden.
feollen þa hallen floȝen to grunde.
Ne mihten þer na cniht aȝeines þe fure makien fiht.
þat fur eode ouer-al & barnde hus & barnde wal.
& þe king Vortigerne þer-inne he gon to berne.
al hit for-swælde þat þer-inne wunede.
Þus ændede þer mid muchele ærme Vortiger.
Þa hafde al þat lond Aurilie an his hond.
Þer wes þe aðele eorl Aldolf ihaten.
he wes of Gloucestre cnihten alre glæuest.
þær Aurilie i þan ærde makede hine stiwærd.
Þa hæfde Aurilien & Vther his bro[ð]er.
heore ifan auelde & weoren þer-fore þe bliðere.
Þis iherden Hengest cnihten alre strengest.
þa wes he auæred feond-liche swi[ð]e.
He fusde his ferde & flæh tou-ward Scotten.
& Aurilie þe king æfter him uerde an hiȝinge.
& Hengest þuhte þat he walde mid al his mon-uerde.
ȝif me on-sohte him fleon in-to Scotte.
þat he mihte mid wiȝele þanene at-winden.
ȝif he ne mihte i þan londe uor Aurilie at-sto[n]de.
Aurilie ferde uorð & droh his folc riht norð.
mid alle his imihte fulle seouen nihte.
Bruttes weoren balde & rehten ouer walde.
þa hafde Aurilien vnimete uerde.
he funde west lond leoden of-slæȝene.
chiriches fur-barnde Bruttes for-swæled.
Þa sæide Aurilie þe king Bruttene deorling.
Ȝif ich mot ibiden þat ich aȝæn ride.
& hit wulle Drihte þe scop þes daȝes lihte.
þat ich mote mid isunde biȝite mine ikunde.
chirchen ich wulle arære & God ich wulle hæren.
ich wulle alche cnihte ȝeuen his irihte.
& auer-ælche beorne þan ælden and þan ȝungen
ich wulle milden wurðen.
ȝif Godd me wule ivnnæ min æðel to biwinnen.
To Hengeste comen tidende of Aurilie þan kinge.
þu hauest a ba halue bone þe þe þencheð.
þine ifan þe biuoren & þine ifeond bæften.
Ah flih flih þinne wæi & burh þine life.
& fleo þider þe þu fleo heo þe wulleð after teon.
Ambrosie Aurilien he hæue[ð] ærest þisne kinedo[m].
ah he þurh atterne drench dæð scal iþolien.
& seoððen scal Vther Pendragon habben þesne kinedom.
ah þi cun hine scal mid attere aquellen.
ah ær he dæd þolie he scæl dune makien.
Vther scal habben ænne sune of Cornwaille he scal cumen.
þat beoð a wilde bar iburstled mid stele.
Þe bar scal for-bærnen hæhȝe þa burhȝes.
he scal alle þa swiken swenien mid eiȝe.
he scal al þi riche cun mid witen aquellen.
he bið swiðe oht mon & aðele an þonke.
heonenæ into Rome rixleð þeos ilke.
scal he alle his feond fallen to grunde.
Soð ich habbe þe isæid ah nis þe na þe softre.
ah flih mid þine verde þine iuon þe cumeð to herede.
Þa aswac worden Merlin þe wise.
& þe king lette blawen þreottene bemen.
& forð mid his ferde feo[n]dliche swiðe.
Nes þer uorð-rihtes bute uirst of ane nihte.
þat comen þa broðere beien to-some.
to sæ-stronde ful iwis at Dertene-muðe i Totenas.
Þis iherden Bruttes & weoren bliðe ful iwis.
Heo droȝen ut of þan wuden & of þan wulderne.
bi sixti & bi sixti & bi seouen hundred.
bi þrit[ti] & bi þritti & bi feole þusend.
Þa heo comen to-somne ful sel hit heo þuhte.
Þa broðeren to þissen ærde brohten vnimete verde.
& her comen heom bi-uoren balde þas Bruttes.
vnimete uolc al hit wræ[h] þa wolde.
þæ ær weoren ȝeond wudes wunderliche to-dreued.
þurh þene muchelne æie and þurh þe muclen ærmðe.
& þurh þene mucle hærm þa Hengest heom wrohte.
& hafde alle heore hæfd-men mid cniuen amurðerd.
420
Bruttes heolden husting mid heȝe wis-dome.
heo nomen Aurilien þene ældre bro[ð]er a-nan.
inne hæȝe hustinge and heouen hine to kinge.
Þa weoren Bruttes mid blisse auulled.
bliðe an mode þæ ær weoren murne.
Comen þas tiðende to Vortigerne þan kinge.
þat Aurilien wes icoren and to kinge iheouen.
Þa wes Vortiger wa & æft him wes wurse.
Vortiger uerde ver to ane castle.
Genoire hæhte hæh an ane munte.
Cloard hæhte þe munt and Hærgin hahte þat lond.
on-væst Wæie þe is a water hende.
Vortigernes men nomen al þat heo neh comen.
heo nomen wepnen & mete a moni are wise.
to þan castle heo brohten swa muchel swa heo rohten.
þat heo inoh hafden þeh hit lutel hulpe.
Aurilien & Vther weoren of Vortigerne war.
whær he wes uppen Cloward biclused in castlen.
Heo letten blawen bemen bonnien heore uerde.
volc unimete of moni ane londe.
ferden to Genoire þær læi Vortigerne.
King. wes wið-uten king wes wið-innen.
cnihtes þer fuhten mid feond-liche ræsen.
æuerælc god mon gurede hine seolfuen.
Þa heo iseȝen þat heo siȝen næfden.
þa to wude wenden wunder muche uerde.
Heo uelden þæne wude adun & droȝen to þan castle.
& fulden al þæ dic þe wes wunder ane deop.
F[u]r heo in sende on æuer-ælche ende.
& cleopeden to Vortiger Nu þu scalt þe warmen þer.
for þu sloȝe Costanz þe wes king of þis lond.
& seoððe Costantin his sune Nu is Aurilie icumen.
& Vther his broðer þa þe balu sendeð
Þe wind wæht þat fur þat hit wunderliche. born.
þe castel gon to bernen bures þer s[w]ælden.
feollen þa hallen floȝen to grunde.
Ne mihten þer na cniht aȝeines þe fure makien fiht.
þat fur eode ouer-al & barnde hus & barnde wal.
422
al hit for-swælde þat þer-inne wunede.
Þus ændede þer mid muchele ærme Vortiger.
Þa hafde al þat lond Aurilie an his hond.
Þer wes þe aðele eorl Aldolf ihaten.
he wes of Gloucestre cnihten alre glæuest.
þær Aurilie i þan ærde makede hine stiwærd.
Þa hæfde Aurilien & Vther his bro[ð]er.
heore ifan auelde & weoren þer-fore þe bliðere.
Þis iherden Hengest cnihten alre strengest.
þa wes he auæred feond-liche swi[ð]e.
He fusde his ferde & flæh tou-ward Scotten.
& Aurilie þe king æfter him uerde an hiȝinge.
& Hengest þuhte þat he walde mid al his mon-uerde.
ȝif me on-sohte him fleon in-to Scotte.
þat he mihte mid wiȝele þanene at-winden.
ȝif he ne mihte i þan londe uor Aurilie at-sto[n]de.
Aurilie ferde uorð & droh his folc riht norð.
mid alle his imihte fulle seouen nihte.
Bruttes weoren balde & rehten ouer walde.
þa hafde Aurilien vnimete uerde.
he funde west lond leoden of-slæȝene.
chiriches fur-barnde Bruttes for-swæled.
Þa sæide Aurilie þe king Bruttene deorling.
Ȝif ich mot ibiden þat ich aȝæn ride.
& hit wulle Drihte þe scop þes daȝes lihte.
þat ich mote mid isunde biȝite mine ikunde.
chirchen ich wulle arære & God ich wulle hæren.
ich wulle alche cnihte ȝeuen his irihte.
& auer-ælche beorne þan ælden and þan ȝungen
ich wulle milden wurðen.
ȝif Godd me wule ivnnæ min æðel to biwinnen.
To Hengeste comen tidende of Aurilie þan kinge.
Þa spac Hengest cnihten alre swikelest.
Hærcneð nu mi men monscipe eou is ȝiueðe.
her cumeð Aurilie & Vther his broðer eke.
heo bringeð swiðe muchel folc ah alle heo beoð fæie.
For vn-wis is þe king swa beoð his cnihtes.
& a cnaue is his broðer þe an alse þe oðer.
þer-fore maȝen Bruttes beon muchele þe vnbaldur.
þenne þat hæfd is unwræst þe hælp is þæ wurse.
& wel ȝe hit maȝen imunen þat ich wulle mæinen.
betere beoð ure fifti þænne heore fif hundred.
þat heo feole siðen i-fonded habbeoð.
seoððen heo an londe fondeden leoden.
For cuð hit is wide of ure wiðer-deden.
þat we beoð kempen icud mid þan bezsten.
We scullen aȝen heom stonden & driuen heom of londen.
and walden þas riche after ure i-wille.
Þus bælde Hængest cnihten alre hændest.
balde his ferde þer heo wes an felde.
ah oðer weies hi[t] was idiht ær come seouen niht.
Forð comen þa tiðinde to Aurilie þan kinge.
whær Hengest wunede buuen are munede.
Aurilien hafde to iueren þritti þusend rideren
bal[d]ere Brutten þe heore beot makeden.
& æc he hafde Walisce wunder ane monie.
Þa lette he his cnihtes dæies & nihtes.
æuere beon iwepned alse heo to wiȝe scolden.
for auere he care hafde of heðene uolke.
Þa iherde Hengest þat Aurilien wes on-uast.
nom he his ferde & fusde him to-ȝaines.
Þa wes Aurilie wær þat Hengest wolde cumen þær.
he uærde in ane velde wel i-wepned under scelde.
nom he forð-rihtes ten þusend. cnihtes.
þa weoren bezst iboren & of his ferde coren.
& setten heom a þan felde a-uoten under scelde.
Ten þusend Walisce he to wude sende.
ten þusend Scottes he sende bi-halues.
þe hæðene to imete bi stiȝen & bi straten.
him-seolf he nom his eorles & his aðele kempes.
& his holdeste men þa he hæfde an londe.
& makede his sceld-trume swulc hit weoren an hær wude.
Fif þusend þer riden þa sculden al þis folc biwiten.
Þa cleopede Aldolf eorl of Gloucestre.
Ȝif hit me on Drihte þe alle domes waldeð.
þat ich mote ibide þat Hængest cume riden.
þa is a þissen londe swa longe atstonde.
& biswac mine leofe freondes mid longe his sæxes.
bisiden Amberesburi mid ærmliche witen.
Ah ȝif ich mihte of þan eorlen þat aðel me bi-winnen.
þenne mihte ich suggen soð quides mine.
þat me hafde Godd seolf godes iunnen.
ȝif ich mine i-fan fallen to grunde. anan.
& wræken mi deore cun þat heo habbeoð ilæid adun.
Vn-neæðe wes þis spel isæid to þan ende.
þa iseȝen heo Hængest halden ouer dune.
Mid vnimete ferden feond-liche heo fusden.
to-somne heo comen & feond-liche heo sloȝen
þer þa ræȝe men to-gæderen heom ræsden.
helmes gunnen gullen cnihtes þer feollen.
stel eode wið þan ban balu þer wes riue.
urnen inne strete stremes of blode.
faȝeden þa feldes & þat gras falewede.
Þa iseh Hængest þat his help trukede.
þa hald he fram fæhte & bi-halues flæh.
& his folc after fusde bi-liue.
Þa Cristine liðen after & heom on læiden.
& cleopeden Crist Godes sone beon heom a fultume.
& þe heðene leoden æc lude cleopeden.
Ure godd Teruagant whi trukest þu us an hond.
Þa Hengest isæh þa hæðene ibuȝene
& þa Cristine men cumen heom an-ufene.
þa fleh Henges þurh & þurh þat he com to Kunigges-burh.
i þare burh he wende burh to brukene.
& þe king Aurilien after wende anan.
& clepede to his leoden ludere stæuene.
Ærneð æuere vorð & vorð Hengest is ifaren norð.
& heo him after buȝen þat heo to burhȝe comen.
Þa isæh Hengest & his sune al þa uerde heom after cumen.
þa sæide Hengest cnihten alre wraðest.
Nulle ich na mare fleon ah nu ich wulle fihten.
& mi sune Octa & his wed-broðer Ebissa.
& al mi mon-uerde sturieð eouwer wepnen.
& fare we heom to-ȝænes & makien feond-slæhtes.
& ȝif we hom ne falleð þænne beon we fæie.
ilæid on felde & freonde bidælde.
Hengest bah a þene wald & bilæfde al his teld.
& makede his sceld-trume al of his hæðene gumen.
Þa com Aurilie þe king & moni þusend mid him.
and bigunnen þer oðer fæht þe wes feond-liche stærc.
þer wes moni græt dunt idæld i þan compe.
þer weoren þa Cristine wel neh ouer-cumene.
Þa comen þer uaren fif þusend rideren.
þa Aurilie hafde an horse to fihten.
heo smiten a þan hæðene þat heo adun helden.
þer wes feht swiðe stor eornest ful sturne.
I þan fæhte com þe eorl Aldolf of Glouce[t]re.
& ifunde Hengest cnihten for-cuððest.
whar he feond-liche faht & þa Cristine feolde.
Aldolf his gode sweord adroh & uppen Hengest sloh.
& Hengest warp þene sceld biuoren & ælles weoren his lif forloren.
& Aldolf smat i þene sceld þat he atwa to-scænde.
& Hengest him leop to swulc hit a liun weore.
& smat an Aldolfes helm þat he atwa to-feol.
Þa heowen heo mid sweorde þa swipen weoren grimme.
fur flæh of stele ofte & wel ilome.
Vnder are stunde þa leop Aldolf to [grunde].
& isæh him Gorlois þat wæs a kene gume ful iwis.
of Cornwale he wes eorl he wes widene cuð.
Þa wes þæ beorn Aldolf muchele þe balder.
& hæf hæhȝe his sweord & lette hit adun swippen.
& smat Hengest a þan hond þat he forlette his brond.
[an] hiȝinge hine igrap mid grimme his læchen.
bi þere burne hode þa wes an his hafde.
& mid muchelere strengðe hine adun swipte.
and seoððe he hine up bræid swulc he hine to-breken wolde.
& mid ærmen hine bisprædde & forð hine lædde.
Nu wes Hengest inumen þurh Aldolf þene æhte gume.
Þæ cleope[de] Aldolf þene eorl of Gloucestre
Hengest n[i]s þe noht swa murie swa þe wes bi Ambresburie.
þer þu þa sæxes droȝen and Bruttes of-sloȝen.
mid muchele swike-dome þu mi cun sloȝe.
Nu þu scalt læn leosen & losie þine freonden.
mid reoliche witen an worlde for-wurðen.
Hengest eode stille ne isæh he help nenne.
Aldolf hine ladde to his leod-kinge.
& grætte þene leod-king mid leofliche worden.
Hail seo þu Aurilien aðeles cunnes.
her ich bringe þe biuoren þe wes þines cunnes bone.
Hengest þene heðene þe hærm us hafueð iuræ[mm]ed.
Godd hit me iuðe þat ich hine igripen habben.
Nu ich hine ȝiue þe uor monne leofuest ært þu me.
& [l]et þine hired-childeren pleien mid þissen hunde.
scotien mid heore flan & his cun scenden anan.
Þa andswarede þe king quicliche steuene
Edi seo þu Aldolf. eorlene aðelest.
þu ært me leof al swa mi lif leoden þu scalt beon alder.
Þer me nom Hengest and þer me bond Hengest.
þer wes þa Hengest cnihten alre ȝeomerest.
Þis feht wes ouer-cumen & þa hæðene fluȝen.
Þa iseh Octa þat his fader wes ful wa.
& Ebissa his wed-broðer buȝen heom to-gadere.
& fluȝen in-to Eouuerwic mid ærmðen inoȝe.
& greiðeden walles to-halden þa halles.
Summe þa hæðene to þan wude iwenden.
þær þat ganninde folc læiden heom to grunde.
Þa wes Aurilian þe king iquemed wel þurh alle þing.
he wende in-to Cuninges-burh mid his driht-folke.
& þankede Drihten swulchere mihten.
Þreo dæies & þreo niht þe king wunede þar-riht.
to lechinien þa wunden of leofenen his cnihten.
& baðien on burȝe heore wærie ban.
Þa þe þridde dæi com & þat folc hafde imaked non.
þa lette þe king blawen & beonnede his eorles.
þa heo comen to hustinge to Aurilie þan kinge.
Þa heo to-gadere comen þe king heom axede sone.
whæt heo him radde þat his richemen weoren.
a wulchere witen Hengest scolde for-wurðen.
& hu he mihte bezst wreoken his leofueste freondes.
þe an-fest Amberes-buri leien bi-buride.
Þa stod up Ældadus & wið þene king he spac þus.
to-wardes Gode he was god he wes an hali biscop.
Aldolf eorles broðer nefde he nenne oðer.
Lauerd king lust nu me what ic wullen tellen þe.
Ich wulle makien þene dom hu he scal beon fordon.
for he is on leode monnen us laðest.
& haue[ð] ure kun of-slæȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
and he is an hæðene hund helle he scal isechen.
þer he scal sinke for his swike-dome.
Lauerd king hærcne me wat ich þe wulle tællen.
A king wes in Ierusalem Saul wes ihaten.
þe wes in hæðenesse king of muchele mæhte.
Agag wes ihaten Ierusalem he hatede.
he wes king of þe Amalæh þe Wurse him wes ful nieh.
auere he hatede Ierusalem mid hærmen þan mesten.
nolde he neouere heom ȝiuen grið ah auere he heom stod wið.
he heom barnde he heom sloh he dude heom sorȝen inoh.
Hit ilomp in ane time þat þe sunne gon to scine.
þa sat Agag þe king inne his hæh sættele.
meinde his fæie blod & muneȝede hine to fusen.
He cleopede his cnihtes anan uorð-rihtes.
Swiðe to eouwer steden & forð we scullen riden.
we sculleð bærnen & slæn al ibuten Ierusalem.
Forð wende þe king & muche ferde mid him.
þat lond heo gunne þurh-ærnen & þa tunes fur-bernen.
Þat iseȝen þa men þe wuneden inne Ierusalem.
& heo heom to-ȝeines cnihtes & sweines.
& fuhten wið þene king & mid fæhte hine ouer-comen.
& al his folc sloȝen & Agag heo king nomen.
& swa heo mid him comen to Saul þan kinge.
Þa wes Saul þe king bliðe þurh alle þing.
þe king axeden ræd at his riche a-nan.
whæðer he mihte him bet don oðer slæn oðer an-hon.
Þa leop up Samuel a witiȝe of Israel.
he wes swiðe hali mon hæh touward Drihten.
nuste na mon i þan dæȝen swa heh mon an Godes laȝen.
Samuel nom Agag þene king & lædde hine a þan cheping.
& lette hine swiðe sterke to ane stake binde.
& nom mid his riht hond ænne dure-wurðe brond.
& þus cleopede him on Samuel þe gode mon.
Þu hattes Agag þe king nu þu ært an ærming.
nu þu scalt fon þat læn þat þu for-ferdest Ierusalem.
þat þu hauest þas hæȝe burh swa swiðe for-worht.
& monienne godne mon islæȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
swa ich ibide are ne scalt þu nauer-mare.
Samuel þat sweord an-hof & hærdeliche adun sloh.
& al to-swadde þene king in Ierusalemus chepping.
& þa stucchen tarueden wide ȝeond þa straten.
þus tok Samuel on and swa þu aȝest Hengest don.
Þis iherde Aldolf þe eorl of Glocetere.
touward Hengest he leop swulc hit a liun weore.
and i-grap hine bi þan toppe & hine æfter him halede.
& ladde hine þurh & þurh & þurh-ut Cuninges-burh.
& wið-uten þere burhȝe he hine lette binden.
Aldolf his swored adroh & Hengestes hafd of-sloh.
& þe king hine nom forð-rihtes for he wes swa oht cniht.
& læide hine in eorðe after heðene laȝen.
& bad for þere sæule þat hire neuere sæl neore.
& nu Aurilie þe king lette beode husting.
& lætte blawen bemen & bonnien his ferde.
folc þer wes sellic & ferden riht to Euerwic.
& biclusden þer wið-innen Octa mid his monnen.
þe king lette deluen ænne dich al abuten Eouerwic.
þat ne mihte þer na man neoðer ute no i[n] gan.
Þæt isæh Octa þer-fore him wes wa.
& his hæðene folc þe he hafde an burȝe.
heo nomen heom to ræde what heo don mæhten.
& þus spac Octa wið his iuere Ebissa.
No[u] ich habben me biþoht wh[a]t ich don wulle.
Ich and mine cnihtes scullen forð-rihtes.
in ure bare brechen gan ut of burȝen.
ræmen a mine swore ænne rake-teȝe.
& cumen to þan kinge his mildce biddinde.
Ælles we beoð alle dæde buten we fulien þissen ræde.
Alle heo duden swa swa heom radde Octa.
duden of claðes kare-fulle cnihtes.
& eoden ut of burhȝe blaðe þeines.
tweiene & tweiene twenti hundred.
þis bi-heold Aurilien aðelest kingen.
seolcuð him þuhte of þan nakede cnihten.
To-somne comen þa ferde þat læi ȝeond þan ærde.
i-seȝen Octa cumen þat wes Hengest sune.
He bar an his honde ænne rake-teȝe. longe.
he com to þan kinge & bi-uoren his hære-dringe.
he feol uppen uolde þas kinges fæt isohte.
& þas word seide þa Hengestes sune Octa.
Imilze mi lauerd king þurh þene milde Godd.
for luue of God al-mihten haue milce of mine cnihten.
for alle ure heðene-scipe hæne is iwurðen.
laȝen & ure leoden for laðe we beoð Drihten.
for us is itruked an hond Appollin & Teruagant.
Woden & Mercurius Iubiter & Saturnus.
Venus & Didon Frea & Mamilon.
& alle ure laue nu us sunde laðe.
ah we wulleð ileuen in leofen þine Drihten.
for al hit trukeð us an hond þat we to temden.
We ȝeorne[ð] þine are nu and auere-mare.
ȝif þu me wult grið[i]en and þu me wult fr[i]ðien.
we þe wulleð to teon & þine holde men beon.
luuien þine leoden & þine laȝen halden.
Ȝif þu þet [n]ulle do þine iwille.
whaðer-swa þu wult don þa us slan þa us an-hon.
& þe king wes mild-heorte & heold hine stille.
he bi-heold a riht hond he bi-heold a lift hond.
wulc of wiisen ærest spæken wolden.
Alle heo weoren stille & swiȝeden mid stæuen
nes þer nan swa hæh mon þat durste word sciren.
& æuere læie Octa æt þes kinges foten swa.
alle his cnihtes leien him biæften.
Þa spac Aldadus þe gode biscop & seide þus.
Æuere his wæs & a hit bið & ȝet hit us bi-houeð.
þene we milze ȝeorneð þat we milze habben.
wurðe he is milze þe wurðe-liche heo biddeð.
& þu seolf læuerd king leoden þu ært ælder.
i-milze þu Octa & his iueren al-swa.
ȝif heo wulleð Cristindom mid gode lefuen vnder-fon.
for ȝet hit mai ilimpen i summere leoden.
þat heo maȝen Drihten duȝeðliche hærien.
Nu stont al þis kine-lond a þire aȝere hond.
Bitec heom enne stude þer þe bið iqueme.
& nim of heom ȝisles swulche þu wult ȝirnen.
& let heom wel halden in irene benden.
finden þan ȝislen mete & clað finden al þat heom bið leof.
& þenne miht þu wel halden þis mon-cun i þine londe.
& let heom tilien þat lond & libben bi heore tilæhðe.
Ȝif hit seoððen ilimppeð sone þer-after.
þat heo trukieð an hond treouðen to halden.
& wakieð mid wærke & þe wiðer haldeð.
nu ich þe demen þene dom whæt þu miht seoððen don.
Let riden heom to ræh-liche swiðe.
& let heom alle for-don spillen & æc an-hon.
Þis ich þe deme Drihten hit ihere.
Þa andswarede þe king quickere stefne.
Al swa ich wulle don swa þu hauest idemed.
Þus spac þe kingþa Aris up Octa.
þu scalt swiðe wel don vnder-uoh Cristindom.
Þer wes iuulȝed Octa & his iueren al-swa.
and alle his cnihtes i þan stude uorð-rihtes.
Heo nomen heore ȝisles & ȝeuen þan kinge.
þreo & fifti children heo bitæhten þan kinge.
& þe king heom sende bi-siden Scotlonde.
aðes heo sworen swiken þat heo nalden.
Þe king bi-tahte [heom an] hond sixti hidene lond
þer-on heo wuneden wel feole wintren.
Þe king wes inne Eouerwic aðele him þuhte.
he nom his sonden & sende ȝeond his londe.
hæhte his biscopes his boc-ilærede men.
eorles & þeines cumen him to-ȝeines.
to Aurilie þan kinge to muchele hustinge.
Hit i-wærð sone þat heo gadere comen.
Þe king his folc grætte mid fæire his worden
he wilcumede eorles he wilcumede beornes.
& þa biscopes & þa boc-ilærede men.
Ich eou wulle suggen mid soðe worden.
whi ich eou æfter sende & for wulche þingen.
Her ich aȝeuen ælche cnihten is cunden & his rihten.
& æuerælche eorle & æuerælche beorne.
þat he mæi biwinnen bruken hit mid wunnen.
& ælche monnen bi his life ich hate grið luuien.
Ich hæten eou wurchen & bulden þa chirchen.
bellen leten ringen Godes lof singen.
heren mid ure mihten leofe ure Drihten.
ælche mon bi his mæhte halden sibbe & sæhten.
læten tilien þat lond nu hit is al a mire hond.
Þa þ[i]s dom wes isæid alle heo leofden þisne ræd.
Þe king heom ȝef leoue þenne to liðe.
ælc uærde heomward swa heom bezst þuhte.
Seouen niht fulle þe king læi þer stille.
& seoððen he gon liðe in-to Lundenne.
to gladien þat burh-folc þat ofte weoren bisie.
He letten stronge walles he lette bulden halles.
& rihte al þa workes þe ær weore to-brokene.
& aȝef heom alle þa laȝen þe stoden bi heore ælderne dæȝen.
he makede þer reuen þan uolke to reden.
& þenenen he gon wenden riht to Winchæstre.
þer he lette wurcchen [halles & chirchen]
þer him þuhte swiðe muri seoððen he uerde to Ambres-buri.
to þan leerstowe of leofuen his freonden.
þa Hengest mid cniuen þer aquald hæfuede.
He lette axien anan men þat cuðen hæuwen stan.
& æc gode wurhten þe mid æxe cuðe wurchen.
he þohte wurche þer a werc wunder ane ueire.
þat a sculde ilasten þa while men l[i]ueden.
Þa wes inne Kaerlium a biscop þe hahte Tremoriun.
he wes swiðe wis mon inne weorld-richen.
mid þan kinge he wes ouenan þæ walde.
& þus Tremorien Godes dring spæc þer wið þene king.
Lust nu me Aurilien what ich þe wulle cuðen.
& ich þe wullen suggen sælest alre ræden.
ȝif þu hine wult luuien æft he þe likeð.
We habbeoð ænne witeȝe Mærlin is ihaten.
Ȝif æi mon hine mihte ifinden. uppe þissere wælden.
& to þe ibringen þurh æies cunnes þinge.
& þu his iwille driȝen woldest
he þe wolde runen. selest ræden.
hu þu mihtest þis weorc makien strong & sterk.
þet a mihte ilæsten þa while men leoueden.
Þa andswarede þe king þas wordes him weoren iqueme.
Leoue freond Tremoriun al þis ich wulle don.
Þe king sende his sonde ȝeond al his kine-londe.
and bad æuerælcne mon axien after Mærlin.
& ȝif me hine mihten ifinden bringen hine to þan kinge.
he him wolde ȝifuen lond boðe seoluer & gold.
& a weorl-richen driȝen his iwille.
Þa sonden gunnen riden widen & siden.
summe heo uerden riht norð & summe heo uerden suð forð.
summe heo uerden riht æst & summe heo uerden riht west.
summe heo uerden a-nan þat heo comen to Alæban.
þat is a wælle inne Wælsce londe.
Þe walle he lufode & ofte hine þer-inne. baðede.
þa cnihtes hine funde þer he sat bi þan stronden.
Sone swa hine i[m]etten fæire heo hine igrætten.
& þus him to forð-rihtes sæiden þa tweien cnihtes.
Hail seo þu Mærlin monnene wisest.
Bi us þe gon græten þat is a god-ful king.
Aurilian ihaten að[el]est alre kingen.
stont al þis muchele lond in Aurilies kinges hond.
faire he þe bisecheð þat þu him to buȝe.
& he þe wule ȝiue lond boðe seluer & gold.
ȝif þu an riche ræde wulle þan kinge.
Mærlin andswerede þa þæt cnihten wes ful wa.
Ne recche ich noht his londes his seoluer no his goldes.
no his claðes no his hors miseolf ich habbe inowe.
Þa sat he stille longe ane stunde.
þas cnihtes weoren afæred þat he fleon wolde.
Þa hit alles up brac hit wes god þat he spæc.
Ȝit beoð tweiene cnihtes icumen her-rihtes
ȝurstendæi ær none ich wuste þat ȝe comen
& ȝif ich swa walde ne mihte ȝe me finden.
Ȝe bringeð me gretinge from Aurilie þan kinge.
Ich cneou his cnihtes ær he come to londe.
& ich icneou þene oðer Vther his broðer.
ic icneou beien ær heo iboren weoren.
þæh ich nauer nouþer mid eȝen ne iseȝe.
Ah walawa walawa þat hit is idiht swa.
þat þe leodene king leng ne mot l[i]uien.
Ah nu ich wulle fusen & beon eouwer ifere.
to þan kinge ich faren wulle & driȝen his iwille.
Forð ferde Mærlin & þa cnihtes wið him.
swa longe þat heo comen to þan leod-kinge.
Komen to þan kinge wil-tidende.
næuer ær an his liue nes þe king swa bliðe.
for næuere nanes monnes cume þe him to come.
Þe king to his stede & ut him gon ride.
& alle his cnihtes mid him to wulcumen Mærlin.
Þe king hine imette & fære hine igratte.
he hine iclupte he hine custe.
he hine cuð-læhte
Muchel wes þe murhȝe i þan mon-uerede
al for Marlines cume. þe nes nanes monnes sune
Wale þat an worlde næs nan witie.
þat auere wuste here whes sune he weore.
buten Drihten ane þe wlæt al clane.
þe king læ[d]de to bure Mærlin þe wes deore.
he hine fræinien gon mid fæire his worden anan
þat he dude him to vnder-stonde of þan weorldes ȝeongen.
& of al þan ȝeren þat to cumen weoren.
for hit weoren him swiðe iwil þat he þerof wuste.
Mærlin andswerede þa & to þan kinge seide swa.
O Aurilie þe king þu fræinest me a sellic þing.
loke þat þu na mare swulc þing ne iscire
For mi gæst is bæl iwis þa a mire breoste is.
and ȝef ich a-mong monnen ȝelp wolde makien.
mid glad-scipe mid gomene mid god-fulle worden.
mi gast hine iwarðeð & wirð stille.
& binimeð me min wit & mine wise word for-dut.
þenne weore ich dumbe of æuer-ælche dome.
Ah bilef swulche þinges quæd Mærlin to þan kingen.
for whan-swa cumeð neode to auer-æi þeode.
& mon me mid milde-scipe wulle me bisechen.
& ich mid mine iwille mote wunien stille.
þenne mæi ich suggen hu hit seoððen scal iwurðen.
Ah ich þe wulle ræden of nexte þire neoden.
& sugen þe her-riht what þu hauest an heorten.
A ueld is bi Amberes-buri þe is brad & swiðe muri.
þer wes mid cniuen þi cun idon of liuen.
þer wes moni bald Brut biswiken to þan deðe.
& þenchest þene stude mid wurðcipe igraten.
mid sælcuðe wærcken wurðien þa dæde.
þat þer scal stonden to þere worlde longe.
Ah nauest þu neuere nenne mon þe cunne awiht þe[r]-on.
þe cunne wærc makien þe nauere nulle trukien.
Ah ic þe wulle ræden to swulchere neode.
for ich what a wærc mid wundere bi-stonde.
for þat weorc stondeð inne Irlonde.
Hit is a swiðe sellic þing
þat weorc is of stane swulc ne beoð oðer nane.
swa wid swa is weorlde-riche nis nan weorc his iliche.
þa stanes beo[ð] muchele & mahten heo habbeoð.
þa men þe beoð un-hal heo fareð to þan stane.
& heo wasceð þene stan & þer-mide baðieð heore ban.
umbe lutle stu[n]de heo wurðeð al isunde.
Ah þe stanes beoð muchele & uni[m]ete græte.
for nis nauere na mon iboren i nauere nare burhȝe.
þe mihte mid strengðe þa stanes þenne bringe.
Þa andswarede þe king Mærlin þu sæist sællic þing.
þe nauere nan iboren mon ne maie heom bringgen þenne.
no mid nare strengðe of þan stude lade.
hu mihte ich heom þenne heom bringen þeonne.
Þa andswerede Mærlin þan kinge þat spac wið him.
Ȝuse ȝuse lauerd king hit wes ȝare iqueðen.
þat betere is liste þene ufel strenðe.
for mid liste me mai ihalden þat strengðe ne mai iwalden.
Ah somne þine uerde & far to þan ærde.
& þu mid þe lede gode monne uerde.
& ich wulle mid þe þi monscipe bið þe mære.
Ær þu aȝæn wende þine iwille þu scalt habben.
& þat weorc þu scalt bringen mid þe to þissen londe.
& swa þu hit scalt leden to þere lich-raste.
& wurðien þene stude þer þine wines liggeð.
& þu seolf scalt þer-in þine ban resten.
þenne þi lif endeð þer þu scalt resten.
Þus seiden Mærlin & seoððen he sæt stille.
al-se þeh he wolde of worlden iwiten.
Þe king hine lette bringen into ane fære bure.
& wunien þer-inne æfter his iwille
Aurilie þe king lette beoden husting.
of alle þan londe þa stod an his honde.
he bad him ræde to swulchere neode.
and heo him wel rædden riche his beornes.
þat he dude þene ræd þat Mærlin him hauede is[æd].
Ah heo nælden leden þene king ut of þis londe.
ah heo curen heom to ældre Vther þene gode.
& fif-tene þusend cnihten fæire i-wepned.
baldere Brutten þa þider sculde buȝen.
Þa þas ferde wes al ȝaru þa bigunnen heo to faren.
mid alle þan bezste scrippen þæ bi þære sæ stoden.
& ferden swa longe þat heo comen to Irlonde.
& þa hauene nomen þæ cnihtes wel idone.
heo eoden uppen sæ-strond & biheolden Irlonde.
Þa spæc Mærlin & spilede mid worden
I-seo ȝe nu ohte men. þene muchelne hul
þe hul swa swiðe hæh þere weolcne he is ful neh.
þat is þat seolliche þing hit hatte þere Eotinde Ring.
elches weorkes unniliche hit com of Aufrike.
Slæð eower teldes ȝeond al þas feldes.
Her we scullen ræsten to þreom dæȝen uirsten.
i þan feorðe dæiȝe we scullen heonne fusen.
touward þan hulle þer is ure iwille.
Ah we scullen us ær baðien & bonnien ure beornes.
græiðien ure wepnen for wel heo us bi-houeð.
Þus hit bi-læfde & þer læie þa ferde.
Þeo ahte Irlond a king þat wes swiðe strong.
he hæhte Gillomaurus gomenen he wes lauerd.
him comen þa tiðende þat Brutes weoren an londe.
he lette beoden ferde ȝeond alle Irlondes ærde.
& he gon þretien swiðe þat al he wolde heom to-driue.
þa þat word him com to þat Brutes wolden þer don.
& comen to þan anes to fæchen þa stanes.
þa þe king Gillomar makede mucchel hoker & scarn.
& seide þat heo weoren sotten iueren.
þat ouer sæ brade þider weoren iliðene.
to sechen þer stanes ase in heore londe neoren nane.
Hærcneð nu mi men monscipe eou is ȝiueðe.
her cumeð Aurilie & Vther his broðer eke.
heo bringeð swiðe muchel folc ah alle heo beoð fæie.
For vn-wis is þe king swa beoð his cnihtes.
& a cnaue is his broðer þe an alse þe oðer.
424
þenne þat hæfd is unwræst þe hælp is þæ wurse.
& wel ȝe hit maȝen imunen þat ich wulle mæinen.
betere beoð ure fifti þænne heore fif hundred.
þat heo feole siðen i-fonded habbeoð.
seoððen heo an londe fondeden leoden.
For cuð hit is wide of ure wiðer-deden.
þat we beoð kempen icud mid þan bezsten.
We scullen aȝen heom stonden & driuen heom of londen.
and walden þas riche after ure i-wille.
Þus bælde Hængest cnihten alre hændest.
balde his ferde þer heo wes an felde.
ah oðer weies hi[t] was idiht ær come seouen niht.
Forð comen þa tiðinde to Aurilie þan kinge.
whær Hengest wunede buuen are munede.
Aurilien hafde to iueren þritti þusend rideren
bal[d]ere Brutten þe heore beot makeden.
& æc he hafde Walisce wunder ane monie.
Þa lette he his cnihtes dæies & nihtes.
æuere beon iwepned alse heo to wiȝe scolden.
for auere he care hafde of heðene uolke.
Þa iherde Hengest þat Aurilien wes on-uast.
nom he his ferde & fusde him to-ȝaines.
Þa wes Aurilie wær þat Hengest wolde cumen þær.
he uærde in ane velde wel i-wepned under scelde.
nom he forð-rihtes ten þusend. cnihtes.
þa weoren bezst iboren & of his ferde coren.
& setten heom a þan felde a-uoten under scelde.
Ten þusend Walisce he to wude sende.
ten þusend Scottes he sende bi-halues.
þe hæðene to imete bi stiȝen & bi straten.
him-seolf he nom his eorles & his aðele kempes.
& his holdeste men þa he hæfde an londe.
& makede his sceld-trume swulc hit weoren an hær wude.
Fif þusend þer riden þa sculden al þis folc biwiten.
Þa cleopede Aldolf eorl of Gloucestre.
Ȝif hit me on Drihte þe alle domes waldeð.
þat ich mote ibide þat Hængest cume riden.
þa is a þissen londe swa longe atstonde.
426
bisiden Amberesburi mid ærmliche witen.
Ah ȝif ich mihte of þan eorlen þat aðel me bi-winnen.
þenne mihte ich suggen soð quides mine.
þat me hafde Godd seolf godes iunnen.
ȝif ich mine i-fan fallen to grunde. anan.
& wræken mi deore cun þat heo habbeoð ilæid adun.
Vn-neæðe wes þis spel isæid to þan ende.
þa iseȝen heo Hængest halden ouer dune.
Mid vnimete ferden feond-liche heo fusden.
to-somne heo comen & feond-liche heo sloȝen
þer þa ræȝe men to-gæderen heom ræsden.
helmes gunnen gullen cnihtes þer feollen.
stel eode wið þan ban balu þer wes riue.
urnen inne strete stremes of blode.
faȝeden þa feldes & þat gras falewede.
Þa iseh Hængest þat his help trukede.
þa hald he fram fæhte & bi-halues flæh.
& his folc after fusde bi-liue.
Þa Cristine liðen after & heom on læiden.
& cleopeden Crist Godes sone beon heom a fultume.
& þe heðene leoden æc lude cleopeden.
Ure godd Teruagant whi trukest þu us an hond.
Þa Hengest isæh þa hæðene ibuȝene
& þa Cristine men cumen heom an-ufene.
þa fleh Henges þurh & þurh þat he com to Kunigges-burh.
i þare burh he wende burh to brukene.
& þe king Aurilien after wende anan.
& clepede to his leoden ludere stæuene.
Ærneð æuere vorð & vorð Hengest is ifaren norð.
& heo him after buȝen þat heo to burhȝe comen.
Þa isæh Hengest & his sune al þa uerde heom after cumen.
þa sæide Hengest cnihten alre wraðest.
Nulle ich na mare fleon ah nu ich wulle fihten.
& mi sune Octa & his wed-broðer Ebissa.
& al mi mon-uerde sturieð eouwer wepnen.
& fare we heom to-ȝænes & makien feond-slæhtes.
& ȝif we hom ne falleð þænne beon we fæie.
ilæid on felde & freonde bidælde.
Hengest bah a þene wald & bilæfde al his teld.
428
Þa com Aurilie þe king & moni þusend mid him.
and bigunnen þer oðer fæht þe wes feond-liche stærc.
þer wes moni græt dunt idæld i þan compe.
þer weoren þa Cristine wel neh ouer-cumene.
Þa comen þer uaren fif þusend rideren.
þa Aurilie hafde an horse to fihten.
heo smiten a þan hæðene þat heo adun helden.
þer wes feht swiðe stor eornest ful sturne.
I þan fæhte com þe eorl Aldolf of Glouce[t]re.
& ifunde Hengest cnihten for-cuððest.
whar he feond-liche faht & þa Cristine feolde.
Aldolf his gode sweord adroh & uppen Hengest sloh.
& Hengest warp þene sceld biuoren & ælles weoren his lif forloren.
& Aldolf smat i þene sceld þat he atwa to-scænde.
& Hengest him leop to swulc hit a liun weore.
& smat an Aldolfes helm þat he atwa to-feol.
Þa heowen heo mid sweorde þa swipen weoren grimme.
fur flæh of stele ofte & wel ilome.
Vnder are stunde þa leop Aldolf to [grunde].
& isæh him Gorlois þat wæs a kene gume ful iwis.
of Cornwale he wes eorl he wes widene cuð.
Þa wes þæ beorn Aldolf muchele þe balder.
& hæf hæhȝe his sweord & lette hit adun swippen.
& smat Hengest a þan hond þat he forlette his brond.
[an] hiȝinge hine igrap mid grimme his læchen.
bi þere burne hode þa wes an his hafde.
& mid muchelere strengðe hine adun swipte.
and seoððe he hine up bræid swulc he hine to-breken wolde.
& mid ærmen hine bisprædde & forð hine lædde.
Nu wes Hengest inumen þurh Aldolf þene æhte gume.
Þæ cleope[de] Aldolf þene eorl of Gloucestre
Hengest n[i]s þe noht swa murie swa þe wes bi Ambresburie.
þer þu þa sæxes droȝen and Bruttes of-sloȝen.
mid muchele swike-dome þu mi cun sloȝe.
Nu þu scalt læn leosen & losie þine freonden.
mid reoliche witen an worlde for-wurðen.
Hengest eode stille ne isæh he help nenne.
430
& grætte þene leod-king mid leofliche worden.
Hail seo þu Aurilien aðeles cunnes.
her ich bringe þe biuoren þe wes þines cunnes bone.
Hengest þene heðene þe hærm us hafueð iuræ[mm]ed.
Godd hit me iuðe þat ich hine igripen habben.
Nu ich hine ȝiue þe uor monne leofuest ært þu me.
& [l]et þine hired-childeren pleien mid þissen hunde.
scotien mid heore flan & his cun scenden anan.
Þa andswarede þe king quicliche steuene
Edi seo þu Aldolf. eorlene aðelest.
þu ært me leof al swa mi lif leoden þu scalt beon alder.
Þer me nom Hengest and þer me bond Hengest.
þer wes þa Hengest cnihten alre ȝeomerest.
Þis feht wes ouer-cumen & þa hæðene fluȝen.
Þa iseh Octa þat his fader wes ful wa.
& Ebissa his wed-broðer buȝen heom to-gadere.
& fluȝen in-to Eouuerwic mid ærmðen inoȝe.
& greiðeden walles to-halden þa halles.
Summe þa hæðene to þan wude iwenden.
þær þat ganninde folc læiden heom to grunde.
Þa wes Aurilian þe king iquemed wel þurh alle þing.
he wende in-to Cuninges-burh mid his driht-folke.
& þankede Drihten swulchere mihten.
Þreo dæies & þreo niht þe king wunede þar-riht.
to lechinien þa wunden of leofenen his cnihten.
& baðien on burȝe heore wærie ban.
Þa þe þridde dæi com & þat folc hafde imaked non.
þa lette þe king blawen & beonnede his eorles.
þa heo comen to hustinge to Aurilie þan kinge.
Þa heo to-gadere comen þe king heom axede sone.
whæt heo him radde þat his richemen weoren.
a wulchere witen Hengest scolde for-wurðen.
& hu he mihte bezst wreoken his leofueste freondes.
þe an-fest Amberes-buri leien bi-buride.
Þa stod up Ældadus & wið þene king he spac þus.
to-wardes Gode he was god he wes an hali biscop.
Aldolf eorles broðer nefde he nenne oðer.
432
Ich wulle makien þene dom hu he scal beon fordon.
for he is on leode monnen us laðest.
& haue[ð] ure kun of-slæȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
and he is an hæðene hund helle he scal isechen.
þer he scal sinke for his swike-dome.
Lauerd king hærcne me wat ich þe wulle tællen.
A king wes in Ierusalem Saul wes ihaten.
þe wes in hæðenesse king of muchele mæhte.
Agag wes ihaten Ierusalem he hatede.
he wes king of þe Amalæh þe Wurse him wes ful nieh.
auere he hatede Ierusalem mid hærmen þan mesten.
nolde he neouere heom ȝiuen grið ah auere he heom stod wið.
he heom barnde he heom sloh he dude heom sorȝen inoh.
Hit ilomp in ane time þat þe sunne gon to scine.
þa sat Agag þe king inne his hæh sættele.
meinde his fæie blod & muneȝede hine to fusen.
He cleopede his cnihtes anan uorð-rihtes.
Swiðe to eouwer steden & forð we scullen riden.
we sculleð bærnen & slæn al ibuten Ierusalem.
Forð wende þe king & muche ferde mid him.
þat lond heo gunne þurh-ærnen & þa tunes fur-bernen.
Þat iseȝen þa men þe wuneden inne Ierusalem.
& heo heom to-ȝeines cnihtes & sweines.
& fuhten wið þene king & mid fæhte hine ouer-comen.
& al his folc sloȝen & Agag heo king nomen.
& swa heo mid him comen to Saul þan kinge.
Þa wes Saul þe king bliðe þurh alle þing.
þe king axeden ræd at his riche a-nan.
whæðer he mihte him bet don oðer slæn oðer an-hon.
Þa leop up Samuel a witiȝe of Israel.
he wes swiðe hali mon hæh touward Drihten.
nuste na mon i þan dæȝen swa heh mon an Godes laȝen.
Samuel nom Agag þene king & lædde hine a þan cheping.
& lette hine swiðe sterke to ane stake binde.
& nom mid his riht hond ænne dure-wurðe brond.
& þus cleopede him on Samuel þe gode mon.
Þu hattes Agag þe king nu þu ært an ærming.
434
þat þu hauest þas hæȝe burh swa swiðe for-worht.
& monienne godne mon islæȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
swa ich ibide are ne scalt þu nauer-mare.
Samuel þat sweord an-hof & hærdeliche adun sloh.
& al to-swadde þene king in Ierusalemus chepping.
& þa stucchen tarueden wide ȝeond þa straten.
þus tok Samuel on and swa þu aȝest Hengest don.
Þis iherde Aldolf þe eorl of Glocetere.
touward Hengest he leop swulc hit a liun weore.
and i-grap hine bi þan toppe & hine æfter him halede.
& ladde hine þurh & þurh & þurh-ut Cuninges-burh.
& wið-uten þere burhȝe he hine lette binden.
Aldolf his swored adroh & Hengestes hafd of-sloh.
& þe king hine nom forð-rihtes for he wes swa oht cniht.
& læide hine in eorðe after heðene laȝen.
& bad for þere sæule þat hire neuere sæl neore.
& nu Aurilie þe king lette beode husting.
& lætte blawen bemen & bonnien his ferde.
folc þer wes sellic & ferden riht to Euerwic.
& biclusden þer wið-innen Octa mid his monnen.
þe king lette deluen ænne dich al abuten Eouerwic.
þat ne mihte þer na man neoðer ute no i[n] gan.
Þæt isæh Octa þer-fore him wes wa.
& his hæðene folc þe he hafde an burȝe.
heo nomen heom to ræde what heo don mæhten.
& þus spac Octa wið his iuere Ebissa.
No[u] ich habben me biþoht wh[a]t ich don wulle.
Ich and mine cnihtes scullen forð-rihtes.
in ure bare brechen gan ut of burȝen.
ræmen a mine swore ænne rake-teȝe.
& cumen to þan kinge his mildce biddinde.
Ælles we beoð alle dæde buten we fulien þissen ræde.
Alle heo duden swa swa heom radde Octa.
duden of claðes kare-fulle cnihtes.
& eoden ut of burhȝe blaðe þeines.
tweiene & tweiene twenti hundred.
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seolcuð him þuhte of þan nakede cnihten.
To-somne comen þa ferde þat læi ȝeond þan ærde.
i-seȝen Octa cumen þat wes Hengest sune.
He bar an his honde ænne rake-teȝe. longe.
he com to þan kinge & bi-uoren his hære-dringe.
he feol uppen uolde þas kinges fæt isohte.
& þas word seide þa Hengestes sune Octa.
Imilze mi lauerd king þurh þene milde Godd.
for luue of God al-mihten haue milce of mine cnihten.
for alle ure heðene-scipe hæne is iwurðen.
laȝen & ure leoden for laðe we beoð Drihten.
for us is itruked an hond Appollin & Teruagant.
Woden & Mercurius Iubiter & Saturnus.
Venus & Didon Frea & Mamilon.
& alle ure laue nu us sunde laðe.
ah we wulleð ileuen in leofen þine Drihten.
for al hit trukeð us an hond þat we to temden.
We ȝeorne[ð] þine are nu and auere-mare.
ȝif þu me wult grið[i]en and þu me wult fr[i]ðien.
we þe wulleð to teon & þine holde men beon.
luuien þine leoden & þine laȝen halden.
Ȝif þu þet [n]ulle do þine iwille.
whaðer-swa þu wult don þa us slan þa us an-hon.
& þe king wes mild-heorte & heold hine stille.
he bi-heold a riht hond he bi-heold a lift hond.
wulc of wiisen ærest spæken wolden.
Alle heo weoren stille & swiȝeden mid stæuen
nes þer nan swa hæh mon þat durste word sciren.
& æuere læie Octa æt þes kinges foten swa.
alle his cnihtes leien him biæften.
Þa spac Aldadus þe gode biscop & seide þus.
Æuere his wæs & a hit bið & ȝet hit us bi-houeð.
þene we milze ȝeorneð þat we milze habben.
wurðe he is milze þe wurðe-liche heo biddeð.
& þu seolf læuerd king leoden þu ært ælder.
i-milze þu Octa & his iueren al-swa.
ȝif heo wulleð Cristindom mid gode lefuen vnder-fon.
for ȝet hit mai ilimpen i summere leoden.
438
Nu stont al þis kine-lond a þire aȝere hond.
Bitec heom enne stude þer þe bið iqueme.
& nim of heom ȝisles swulche þu wult ȝirnen.
& let heom wel halden in irene benden.
finden þan ȝislen mete & clað finden al þat heom bið leof.
& þenne miht þu wel halden þis mon-cun i þine londe.
& let heom tilien þat lond & libben bi heore tilæhðe.
Ȝif hit seoððen ilimppeð sone þer-after.
þat heo trukieð an hond treouðen to halden.
& wakieð mid wærke & þe wiðer haldeð.
nu ich þe demen þene dom whæt þu miht seoððen don.
Let riden heom to ræh-liche swiðe.
& let heom alle for-don spillen & æc an-hon.
Þis ich þe deme Drihten hit ihere.
Þa andswarede þe king quickere stefne.
Al swa ich wulle don swa þu hauest idemed.
Þus spac þe kingþa Aris up Octa.
þu scalt swiðe wel don vnder-uoh Cristindom.
Þer wes iuulȝed Octa & his iueren al-swa.
and alle his cnihtes i þan stude uorð-rihtes.
Heo nomen heore ȝisles & ȝeuen þan kinge.
þreo & fifti children heo bitæhten þan kinge.
& þe king heom sende bi-siden Scotlonde.
aðes heo sworen swiken þat heo nalden.
Þe king bi-tahte [heom an] hond sixti hidene lond
þer-on heo wuneden wel feole wintren.
Þe king wes inne Eouerwic aðele him þuhte.
he nom his sonden & sende ȝeond his londe.
hæhte his biscopes his boc-ilærede men.
eorles & þeines cumen him to-ȝeines.
to Aurilie þan kinge to muchele hustinge.
Hit i-wærð sone þat heo gadere comen.
Þe king his folc grætte mid fæire his worden
he wilcumede eorles he wilcumede beornes.
& þa biscopes & þa boc-ilærede men.
Ich eou wulle suggen mid soðe worden.
whi ich eou æfter sende & for wulche þingen.
440
& æuerælche eorle & æuerælche beorne.
þat he mæi biwinnen bruken hit mid wunnen.
& ælche monnen bi his life ich hate grið luuien.
Ich hæten eou wurchen & bulden þa chirchen.
bellen leten ringen Godes lof singen.
heren mid ure mihten leofe ure Drihten.
ælche mon bi his mæhte halden sibbe & sæhten.
læten tilien þat lond nu hit is al a mire hond.
Þa þ[i]s dom wes isæid alle heo leofden þisne ræd.
Þe king heom ȝef leoue þenne to liðe.
ælc uærde heomward swa heom bezst þuhte.
Seouen niht fulle þe king læi þer stille.
& seoððen he gon liðe in-to Lundenne.
to gladien þat burh-folc þat ofte weoren bisie.
He letten stronge walles he lette bulden halles.
& rihte al þa workes þe ær weore to-brokene.
& aȝef heom alle þa laȝen þe stoden bi heore ælderne dæȝen.
he makede þer reuen þan uolke to reden.
& þenenen he gon wenden riht to Winchæstre.
þer he lette wurcchen [halles & chirchen]
þer him þuhte swiðe muri seoððen he uerde to Ambres-buri.
to þan leerstowe of leofuen his freonden.
þa Hengest mid cniuen þer aquald hæfuede.
He lette axien anan men þat cuðen hæuwen stan.
& æc gode wurhten þe mid æxe cuðe wurchen.
he þohte wurche þer a werc wunder ane ueire.
þat a sculde ilasten þa while men l[i]ueden.
Þa wes inne Kaerlium a biscop þe hahte Tremoriun.
he wes swiðe wis mon inne weorld-richen.
mid þan kinge he wes ouenan þæ walde.
& þus Tremorien Godes dring spæc þer wið þene king.
Lust nu me Aurilien what ich þe wulle cuðen.
& ich þe wullen suggen sælest alre ræden.
ȝif þu hine wult luuien æft he þe likeð.
We habbeoð ænne witeȝe Mærlin is ihaten.
Ȝif æi mon hine mihte ifinden. uppe þissere wælden.
& to þe ibringen þurh æies cunnes þinge.
& þu his iwille driȝen woldest
442
hu þu mihtest þis weorc makien strong & sterk.
þet a mihte ilæsten þa while men leoueden.
Þa andswarede þe king þas wordes him weoren iqueme.
Leoue freond Tremoriun al þis ich wulle don.
Þe king sende his sonde ȝeond al his kine-londe.
and bad æuerælcne mon axien after Mærlin.
& ȝif me hine mihten ifinden bringen hine to þan kinge.
he him wolde ȝifuen lond boðe seoluer & gold.
& a weorl-richen driȝen his iwille.
Þa sonden gunnen riden widen & siden.
summe heo uerden riht norð & summe heo uerden suð forð.
summe heo uerden riht æst & summe heo uerden riht west.
summe heo uerden a-nan þat heo comen to Alæban.
þat is a wælle inne Wælsce londe.
Þe walle he lufode & ofte hine þer-inne. baðede.
þa cnihtes hine funde þer he sat bi þan stronden.
Sone swa hine i[m]etten fæire heo hine igrætten.
& þus him to forð-rihtes sæiden þa tweien cnihtes.
Hail seo þu Mærlin monnene wisest.
Bi us þe gon græten þat is a god-ful king.
Aurilian ihaten að[el]est alre kingen.
stont al þis muchele lond in Aurilies kinges hond.
faire he þe bisecheð þat þu him to buȝe.
& he þe wule ȝiue lond boðe seluer & gold.
ȝif þu an riche ræde wulle þan kinge.
Mærlin andswerede þa þæt cnihten wes ful wa.
Ne recche ich noht his londes his seoluer no his goldes.
no his claðes no his hors miseolf ich habbe inowe.
Þa sat he stille longe ane stunde.
þas cnihtes weoren afæred þat he fleon wolde.
Þa hit alles up brac hit wes god þat he spæc.
Ȝit beoð tweiene cnihtes icumen her-rihtes
ȝurstendæi ær none ich wuste þat ȝe comen
& ȝif ich swa walde ne mihte ȝe me finden.
Ȝe bringeð me gretinge from Aurilie þan kinge.
Ich cneou his cnihtes ær he come to londe.
444
ic icneou beien ær heo iboren weoren.
þæh ich nauer nouþer mid eȝen ne iseȝe.
Ah walawa walawa þat hit is idiht swa.
þat þe leodene king leng ne mot l[i]uien.
Ah nu ich wulle fusen & beon eouwer ifere.
to þan kinge ich faren wulle & driȝen his iwille.
Forð ferde Mærlin & þa cnihtes wið him.
swa longe þat heo comen to þan leod-kinge.
Komen to þan kinge wil-tidende.
næuer ær an his liue nes þe king swa bliðe.
for næuere nanes monnes cume þe him to come.
Þe king to his stede & ut him gon ride.
& alle his cnihtes mid him to wulcumen Mærlin.
Þe king hine imette & fære hine igratte.
he hine iclupte he hine custe.
he hine cuð-læhte
Muchel wes þe murhȝe i þan mon-uerede
al for Marlines cume. þe nes nanes monnes sune
Wale þat an worlde næs nan witie.
þat auere wuste here whes sune he weore.
buten Drihten ane þe wlæt al clane.
þe king læ[d]de to bure Mærlin þe wes deore.
he hine fræinien gon mid fæire his worden anan
þat he dude him to vnder-stonde of þan weorldes ȝeongen.
& of al þan ȝeren þat to cumen weoren.
for hit weoren him swiðe iwil þat he þerof wuste.
Mærlin andswerede þa & to þan kinge seide swa.
O Aurilie þe king þu fræinest me a sellic þing.
loke þat þu na mare swulc þing ne iscire
For mi gæst is bæl iwis þa a mire breoste is.
and ȝef ich a-mong monnen ȝelp wolde makien.
mid glad-scipe mid gomene mid god-fulle worden.
mi gast hine iwarðeð & wirð stille.
& binimeð me min wit & mine wise word for-dut.
þenne weore ich dumbe of æuer-ælche dome.
Ah bilef swulche þinges quæd Mærlin to þan kingen.
for whan-swa cumeð neode to auer-æi þeode.
446
& ich mid mine iwille mote wunien stille.
þenne mæi ich suggen hu hit seoððen scal iwurðen.
Ah ich þe wulle ræden of nexte þire neoden.
& sugen þe her-riht what þu hauest an heorten.
A ueld is bi Amberes-buri þe is brad & swiðe muri.
þer wes mid cniuen þi cun idon of liuen.
þer wes moni bald Brut biswiken to þan deðe.
& þenchest þene stude mid wurðcipe igraten.
mid sælcuðe wærcken wurðien þa dæde.
þat þer scal stonden to þere worlde longe.
Ah nauest þu neuere nenne mon þe cunne awiht þe[r]-on.
þe cunne wærc makien þe nauere nulle trukien.
Ah ic þe wulle ræden to swulchere neode.
for ich what a wærc mid wundere bi-stonde.
for þat weorc stondeð inne Irlonde.
Hit is a swiðe sellic þing
þat weorc is of stane swulc ne beoð oðer nane.
swa wid swa is weorlde-riche nis nan weorc his iliche.
þa stanes beo[ð] muchele & mahten heo habbeoð.
þa men þe beoð un-hal heo fareð to þan stane.
& heo wasceð þene stan & þer-mide baðieð heore ban.
umbe lutle stu[n]de heo wurðeð al isunde.
Ah þe stanes beoð muchele & uni[m]ete græte.
for nis nauere na mon iboren i nauere nare burhȝe.
þe mihte mid strengðe þa stanes þenne bringe.
Þa andswarede þe king Mærlin þu sæist sællic þing.
þe nauere nan iboren mon ne maie heom bringgen þenne.
no mid nare strengðe of þan stude lade.
hu mihte ich heom þenne heom bringen þeonne.
Þa andswerede Mærlin þan kinge þat spac wið him.
Ȝuse ȝuse lauerd king hit wes ȝare iqueðen.
þat betere is liste þene ufel strenðe.
for mid liste me mai ihalden þat strengðe ne mai iwalden.
Ah somne þine uerde & far to þan ærde.
& þu mid þe lede gode monne uerde.
& ich wulle mid þe þi monscipe bið þe mære.
Ær þu aȝæn wende þine iwille þu scalt habben.
448
& swa þu hit scalt leden to þere lich-raste.
& wurðien þene stude þer þine wines liggeð.
& þu seolf scalt þer-in þine ban resten.
þenne þi lif endeð þer þu scalt resten.
Þus seiden Mærlin & seoððen he sæt stille.
al-se þeh he wolde of worlden iwiten.
Þe king hine lette bringen into ane fære bure.
& wunien þer-inne æfter his iwille
Aurilie þe king lette beoden husting.
of alle þan londe þa stod an his honde.
he bad him ræde to swulchere neode.
and heo him wel rædden riche his beornes.
þat he dude þene ræd þat Mærlin him hauede is[æd].
Ah heo nælden leden þene king ut of þis londe.
ah heo curen heom to ældre Vther þene gode.
& fif-tene þusend cnihten fæire i-wepned.
baldere Brutten þa þider sculde buȝen.
Þa þas ferde wes al ȝaru þa bigunnen heo to faren.
mid alle þan bezste scrippen þæ bi þære sæ stoden.
& ferden swa longe þat heo comen to Irlonde.
& þa hauene nomen þæ cnihtes wel idone.
heo eoden uppen sæ-strond & biheolden Irlonde.
Þa spæc Mærlin & spilede mid worden
I-seo ȝe nu ohte men. þene muchelne hul
þe hul swa swiðe hæh þere weolcne he is ful neh.
þat is þat seolliche þing hit hatte þere Eotinde Ring.
elches weorkes unniliche hit com of Aufrike.
Slæð eower teldes ȝeond al þas feldes.
Her we scullen ræsten to þreom dæȝen uirsten.
i þan feorðe dæiȝe we scullen heonne fusen.
touward þan hulle þer is ure iwille.
Ah we scullen us ær baðien & bonnien ure beornes.
græiðien ure wepnen for wel heo us bi-houeð.
Þus hit bi-læfde & þer læie þa ferde.
Þeo ahte Irlond a king þat wes swiðe strong.
he hæhte Gillomaurus gomenen he wes lauerd.
him comen þa tiðende þat Brutes weoren an londe.
he lette beoden ferde ȝeond alle Irlondes ærde.
450
þa þat word him com to þat Brutes wolden þer don.
& comen to þan anes to fæchen þa stanes.
þa þe king Gillomar makede mucchel hoker & scarn.
& seide þat heo weoren sotten iueren.
þat ouer sæ brade þider weoren iliðene.
to sechen þer stanes ase in heore londe neoren nane.
and swor a Seint Brændan Ne scullen heo læden ænne stan.
ah for þan stanen heo scullen ibiden alre baluwenen mæst.
heore blod ȝeoten ut of heore buken.
& swa me scal heom tachen stanes to sæchen.
& seoððen ich wulle buȝen in-to Brut-londe.
& suggen þan king Aurilie þat mine stanes ich wullen werien.
& buten þe king beon stille & don mine iwille.
ich wulle in his londe mid fæhte at-[ston]den.
maken him weste paðes & wildernes monie.
widewen i-noȝe heore weres scullen deȝe.
Þus þe vnwise king plaȝede mid worden.
ah al an oðer hit iwærð oðer he iwende.
Ȝaru wes hes ferde & forð heo gon fusen.
swa longe þat heo comen þer læien Brutes on.
To-gaderen heo comen & hærd-liche on-sloȝen.
& fuhten feond-liche feollen þa fæie.
Þa Irisce weoren bare & Bruttes iburnede.
þa Irisce fullen & wriȝen al þa feldes.
& þe king Gillomar gon him to fleonne þar,
& flæh forð-rihtes mid twenti of his cnihtes.
in-to ænne muchele wude wurðscipen biræiued.
wes his Irisce uolc mid stele iualled.
Þus wes þe king iscænd & þus he endede his ȝelp.
& þus to wude ferde & lette his folc fællen.
Þa Bruttes biheolden þa dede ȝeond þan vælden.
seouen þusend þer leien liues bidæled.
Bruttes ȝeond þan uælden ferden to heore telden.
& heore gode wepnen wurðliche bihoȝeden.
& þer heo gunnen ræsten al-se Merlin heom radde.
I þan feorðe dæie þa gunnen heo fusen.
& ferden to þan hulle iwæpned wel alle.
þer stod þat seolkuð werc muchel & swiðe sterc.
Cnihtes eoden up-ward cnihtes eoden dun-ward.
cnihtes eoden abuten & ȝeorne biheolden.
iseȝen þer on londe sellic werc stonden.
þer weoren a þusend cnihtes mid wepnen wel idihten.
and alle þa [o]ðer to iwiten biwusten wel heore scipen.
Þa spæc Merlin & spileden mid þan cnihten.
Cnihtes ȝe beoð stronge þas stanes beoð græte. & longe
ȝe mote neh gon & neodliche heom fon on.
ȝe mote uaste heom wriðen mid strongen sæil-rapen.
scuuen & hebben mid hæȝere strenðe.
treon græte & longe þat beon swiðe stronge.
& gað to ane stane ȝe alle glæne.
and cumeð mid stre[n]gðe ȝif ȝe hine maȝen sturien.
Wel wuste Merlin hu hit sculde iwurðen.
Þa cnihtes to-stepen mid muchelere strengðe.
heo swunken ful swiðe ah næfden heo syȝe.
þat heo auer æine stan sturien mahten.
Merlin biheold Vther þe was þe kinges broðer.
& þas word sæide Merlin þe witeȝe.
Vther tih þe aȝan & bonne þine cnihtes.
& stondeð al abuten & ȝeorne bi-haldeð.
& beoð alle stille þat na man þer ne sturie.
ær ich sugge eou nu anan hu we scullen fon on.
Vther droh hine abac & bonnede his cnihtes.
þat ne bilafden þer nane aneoweste þan stane.
al swa feor swa a mon mihte werpen ænne stan.
& Mærlin eode abuten & ȝeornen gon bihalden.
þrie he eode abuten. wið-innen & wið-uten.
& sturede his tunge al-se he bede sunge.
þus Merlin dude þer þat cleopede he Vðær.
Vther com swiðe & alle þine cnihtes mid þe.
& winneð þas stanes alle ne scullen ȝe læuen nænne.
for nu ȝe maȝen heom h[e]bben swulche veðerene balles.
& swa ȝe sculleð heom mid ræde to ure scipen lede.
Þeos stanes heo ladden swa Merlin heom radde.
& duden heom in heore scipen & seileden uorð to iwiten.
& swa heo gunnen wenden in-to þissen londe.
& ladden heom in ann velde þe is wunder ane brad.
he is brad & swiðe muri on-uæst Ambres-burie.
þer Hengest biswæc Bruttes mid sæxen.
Mærlin heom gon ræren alse heo stoden ærer.
swa næuer nan o[ð]er mon þene craft ne cuðe don.
ne næuer ær þer bi-foren nes na mon swa wis iboren.
þat cuðe þet weorc rihten & þa stanes dihten.
þat tidende com to þan kinge. i þan norð ende
of Merlines fore. & of Vthæres his broðer
þat heo weoren mid isunde i-cumen to þissen londe.
& þat þat worc wes al idiht & iset up-riht.
Þe king wes an breoste wunder ane bliðe.
& lette beode hustinge swa wid swa wes al his lond.
þat al his folc swa swiðe muri come to Amberes-buri.
al his drihtliche uolc to White-sune-dæie.
Þider com Aurilie þe king & al his folc mid him.
a Whiten-sunen-dæie he þer wærf makede.
al-se ich þe wulle telle a þisse boc-spelle.
Weoren a þan walde teldes itælded.
in þan brade uelde niȝe þusend teldes.
Al þan Whitensunendæi þe king a þan uelde læi.
ah for þan stanen heo scullen ibiden alre baluwenen mæst.
heore blod ȝeoten ut of heore buken.
& swa me scal heom tachen stanes to sæchen.
& seoððen ich wulle buȝen in-to Brut-londe.
& suggen þan king Aurilie þat mine stanes ich wullen werien.
& buten þe king beon stille & don mine iwille.
ich wulle in his londe mid fæhte at-[ston]den.
maken him weste paðes & wildernes monie.
widewen i-noȝe heore weres scullen deȝe.
Þus þe vnwise king plaȝede mid worden.
ah al an oðer hit iwærð oðer he iwende.
Ȝaru wes hes ferde & forð heo gon fusen.
swa longe þat heo comen þer læien Brutes on.
To-gaderen heo comen & hærd-liche on-sloȝen.
& fuhten feond-liche feollen þa fæie.
Þa Irisce weoren bare & Bruttes iburnede.
þa Irisce fullen & wriȝen al þa feldes.
& þe king Gillomar gon him to fleonne þar,
& flæh forð-rihtes mid twenti of his cnihtes.
in-to ænne muchele wude wurðscipen biræiued.
wes his Irisce uolc mid stele iualled.
Þus wes þe king iscænd & þus he endede his ȝelp.
& þus to wude ferde & lette his folc fællen.
Þa Bruttes biheolden þa dede ȝeond þan vælden.
seouen þusend þer leien liues bidæled.
Bruttes ȝeond þan uælden ferden to heore telden.
& heore gode wepnen wurðliche bihoȝeden.
& þer heo gunnen ræsten al-se Merlin heom radde.
I þan feorðe dæie þa gunnen heo fusen.
& ferden to þan hulle iwæpned wel alle.
452
Cnihtes eoden up-ward cnihtes eoden dun-ward.
cnihtes eoden abuten & ȝeorne biheolden.
iseȝen þer on londe sellic werc stonden.
þer weoren a þusend cnihtes mid wepnen wel idihten.
and alle þa [o]ðer to iwiten biwusten wel heore scipen.
Þa spæc Merlin & spileden mid þan cnihten.
Cnihtes ȝe beoð stronge þas stanes beoð græte. & longe
ȝe mote neh gon & neodliche heom fon on.
ȝe mote uaste heom wriðen mid strongen sæil-rapen.
scuuen & hebben mid hæȝere strenðe.
treon græte & longe þat beon swiðe stronge.
& gað to ane stane ȝe alle glæne.
and cumeð mid stre[n]gðe ȝif ȝe hine maȝen sturien.
Wel wuste Merlin hu hit sculde iwurðen.
Þa cnihtes to-stepen mid muchelere strengðe.
heo swunken ful swiðe ah næfden heo syȝe.
þat heo auer æine stan sturien mahten.
Merlin biheold Vther þe was þe kinges broðer.
& þas word sæide Merlin þe witeȝe.
Vther tih þe aȝan & bonne þine cnihtes.
& stondeð al abuten & ȝeorne bi-haldeð.
& beoð alle stille þat na man þer ne sturie.
ær ich sugge eou nu anan hu we scullen fon on.
Vther droh hine abac & bonnede his cnihtes.
þat ne bilafden þer nane aneoweste þan stane.
al swa feor swa a mon mihte werpen ænne stan.
& Mærlin eode abuten & ȝeornen gon bihalden.
þrie he eode abuten. wið-innen & wið-uten.
& sturede his tunge al-se he bede sunge.
þus Merlin dude þer þat cleopede he Vðær.
Vther com swiðe & alle þine cnihtes mid þe.
& winneð þas stanes alle ne scullen ȝe læuen nænne.
for nu ȝe maȝen heom h[e]bben swulche veðerene balles.
& swa ȝe sculleð heom mid ræde to ure scipen lede.
Þeos stanes heo ladden swa Merlin heom radde.
& duden heom in heore scipen & seileden uorð to iwiten.
& swa heo gunnen wenden in-to þissen londe.
& ladden heom in ann velde þe is wunder ane brad.
454
þer Hengest biswæc Bruttes mid sæxen.
Mærlin heom gon ræren alse heo stoden ærer.
swa næuer nan o[ð]er mon þene craft ne cuðe don.
ne næuer ær þer bi-foren nes na mon swa wis iboren.
þat cuðe þet weorc rihten & þa stanes dihten.
þat tidende com to þan kinge. i þan norð ende
of Merlines fore. & of Vthæres his broðer
þat heo weoren mid isunde i-cumen to þissen londe.
& þat þat worc wes al idiht & iset up-riht.
Þe king wes an breoste wunder ane bliðe.
& lette beode hustinge swa wid swa wes al his lond.
þat al his folc swa swiðe muri come to Amberes-buri.
al his drihtliche uolc to White-sune-dæie.
Þider com Aurilie þe king & al his folc mid him.
a Whiten-sunen-dæie he þer wærf makede.
al-se ich þe wulle telle a þisse boc-spelle.
Weoren a þan walde teldes itælded.
in þan brade uelde niȝe þusend teldes.
Al þan Whitensunendæi þe king a þan uelde læi.
hæt halȝien þe stude þe hæhte Stanhenge.
Þreo dæies fulle wunede þe king stille.
i þan þridde dæie heȝe wurðede his duȝeðe.
he makede tweie biscopes wunder ane gode.
Seint Dubriz to Kaerliun to Eouuerwic. Seint Samson.
beien heo iwurðen hali & mid Gode haȝe.
I þan feorðe dæie duȝeðen to-dælden.
and swa ane stunde hit stod a þan ilken.
Þa ȝet þer wes a luðer gume Passent Vortigernes sune.
wes þe ilke Passent in-to Wælisc londe iwent.
and þer a þen ilke daȝen wes bicumen ut-laȝe.
Ah ne durste he noht longe wunien þer for Aurilie & for Vther.
ah he biȝet scipen gode & ferde bi sæ-flode.
in-to Alemaine he uerde mid fif hundred monnen.
& þer he biwon muchel uolc & makeden scip-ferde.
& for swa longe þat he com to þisse londe.
in-to þere Humbre þer he hærmes worhte.
Ah ne durste he noht longe i þan ænde at-stonde.
Þe kin[g] ferde þider-ward & Passent fleh aweiward.
æfter sæ swa longe þat he com to Irlonde.
Sone he þer funde þene king of þan londe.
his heorte wes swiðe sær he grette þene king Gillomar.
Hail seo þu Gillomar gumene ælder
ich æm to þe icume ich wes Vortigernes sune.
mi fader wes Brutlondes king he luuede þe þurh alle þing.
& ȝif þu woldest to-ȝere beon þider min iuare.
swa wit sculden ispæcken & minne fader wel wreken.
& wel wreken þi folc þat Vther her qualde.
& þi sel-cuðe wærc þat heo heonne droȝen.
& æc ich iherde suggen þer ic ferde inne sæ.
þat þe king Aurilien seoc is iwurðen.
& lið inne Winchæstre a bedde ful faste.
Þu miht ileue me inoh for þis is witerliche soð.
Passent & Gillomar makeden heore for-ward þar.
aðes heo sworen monie & unifohȝe.
þat heo wolden al þis lond sætten on hæore tweire hond.
þe aðes weoren isworene ah æft heo weoren for-lorene.
Þe king gadere[de] ferde wide ȝeond his ærde.
to þere sæ beoð iwende Gillomar & Passen.
in-to þan scipen eoden & forð heom letten gliden.
Forð heo wenden biliue þat heo comen to Meniue.
þat wes a þan time tun swiðe hende.
þat mon nu iwitterli clepeð Seint Deouwi.
Þer heo nomen hauene mid heȝere blisse.
Scipen eoden a þat strond cnihtes eoden. a þat lond.
Þa sæide Passent touward Gillomar he went.
Seie me king Gillomar nu we beoð icumen her.
Nu ich sette þe an hond halfendæl þis kinelon[d].
for is of Winchastre icume to me anes cnihtes sune.
& sæið me swulne ræd þat Aurilie wule beon dæd.
þat ufel is under his ribben þat ne mæi he noh[t] libben.
Her wit scullen wel wreken unker wine-mæies.
biwinnen his wunseles swa us bið alre selest.
To þan kinge com þat word in-to Winchæstre.
þat Passent & Gillomar weoren mid ferde icumen hær.
Þe king cleopede Vther þe wes his leoue broðer.
Vther be[d] uerde ȝeond al þissen ærde.
& far to ure feonden and drif heom of ærde.
oðer þu heom fusen oðer þu heom feolle.
Ich wolde faren æc. ȝif ich neore swa seoc.
ah ȝif ich mai beon feore ich þe cumen after sone.
Al dude Uðer swa þe king him sæide þer.
& Passen at Seint Deowi sorȝen iworhte þer-bi.
and þe king Gillomar muchel sorȝe he dude þær.
Brutlond heo þurh-arnden hærȝede & barden.
& Vther i þissen ærde sumnede his ferde.
& hit wes longe uirst. ær he mihte fusen a-riht.
& Passent West Walisc lond set an his aȝere hond.
Hit wes an ane dæie his duȝeðe weoren bliðe.
þer com faren Appas feondes hine væ[re]den
To Passent he quað þus Cum hidere to us.
Ich þe wulle telle of ane wil-spalle.
Ich was at Winchæstre at þine wiðer-iwinnen.
þer lið þe king seoc & sorh-ful an heorten.
What scal beon mi mede ȝif ic þider ride.
& ich þe swa iqueme þat ich hine aquele
þa andswarede Passen and toward Appase went.
Ich bi-hate þe todæi an hundred pund. for ic mæi.
ȝif þu me iquemest þat þu hine aquelle.
Treoðen he plihten þesne swike-dom to dihten.
Appas eode to bure & þesne balu mæinde.
he wes an hæðene gume ut of Sax-londe i-cume.
Muneckes claðes he nom an he scar his crune ufenen.
he nom him tweien iueren & forð he gon fusen.
& wende anan rihte in-to Winchæstre.
swulc hit weore an hali mon þe hæðene deouel
He wende to þan burhȝate þer þe king on bure lai.
& gratte þene dure-ward Godes grætinge.
& bad hine an hiȝinge gan in to þan kinge.
& suggen him to soðe þat Vther his broðer.
hæfde him þider i-send seolne læche.
þene bezste læche þe wunede an æi londe.
þe auer-ælcne sucne mon of ufele bringen con.
Þus læh þe laðe mon leodene kinge.
for Uther wes ifaren forð mid his ferde.
no nauer Vther hine ne isæh ne þider hine i-sende.
& þe king wende þat hit weore soð & ilefde him inoh.
Wha wolde wene þat he swike weore.
for an his bare liche he weorede ane burne.
þer-ufenen he hæfde ane lad-liche here.
& seoð[ð]en ane cule of ane blake claðe.
iblæcched he hæfede his licame swulc ismitte of cole.
He cneolede to þan kingge his spæche wes ful milde.
Hail seo þu Aurilien aðelest alre kingen.
Hider me sende Vther þe is þin aȝen broðer.
& ich al for Godes luue æm to þe her icume.
for ich þe wulle helen & al hal makien.
for Cristes leofe Godes sune ne ræche ich nane garsume.
no mede of londe ne of seoluere no of golde.
ah ælche seocken ich hit do for luue of mine Drihtene.
Þis iherde þe king hit wes him swiðe iqueme.
ah whar is æuere æi mon a þisse middel-ærde.
þe þis wolde wenen þat he swiken weore.
He nom his glæs-fat anan & þe king mæh þer-on.
Anne while after þan þat glæs-fat an honden nom.
& sceoweden hit forð-rihttes biforen þas kinges cnihtes.
& þus sæide anan Appas þe haðene mon
Ȝif ȝe me wulleð ileuen ær to-marwen eue.
þes king scal beon al hal ihaled an his willen.
Þa weoren bliðe alle þa weoren i bure.
Appas eoden in ænne bur & þat balu mæinde.
& dude þer-to atter þa scamoiene hatte.
& com ut forð-rihtes imong þa burh-cnihtes.
& þan kinge he gon dæle muchel canele.
& gingiuere & licoriz he hom lefliche ȝef.
alle heo nomen þat lac & he heom alle bi-swac.
Þeos swike feol a cneowe at-foren þan leod-kinge.
& þus saide him to Lauerd nu þu scalt a-fon.
of þissen drinchen ane dæle þat scal beon þin hale.
& þe king up drong & þer þat atter he dronc.
Anan swa he hafde idrunke þe leche hine adun læide.
Þus seide Appas to þan bur-cnihtes.
Wreoð nu wel þene king þat he ligge a swæting.
for ich sugge eou þurh alle þing al hal beoð aure king.
& ich wulle to mine inne and speken wið mine monnen.
& to þere mid-nihte ich cume forð-rihtes.
mid oðer lache-crafte þa sculleð beon him liðe.
Forð wende þe swike þe king læi on sweuete.
Appas to his inne & spec wið his monnen.
mid stilleliche rune bistal of þan tune.
To þere mid-nihte þa sende þa burh-cnihtes.
sixe of heore monne to Appases inne.
heo wenden hine to finden and longi hine to þan kinge.
þa wes he ifloȝen & feondes hine uæreden.
Þa men aȝein comen þer þe king wunede.
& cudden i þan bure of Appases fore.
Þa mihte me iseon sorȝen inoȝe beon.
cnihtes feollen a-dun & ȝirnden heore dæðes.
Þer wes muchel waning heortne graning.
þer wes moni reolic spel þer wes gumene iȝel.
Heo leopen to þan bedde & þene king hedden.
þa ȝet he lai on sweouete & on muchele swate.
Þæ cnihtes mid weope þene king awehten.
& heo him to cleopeden mid mildere steuene.
Lauerd hu mid þe hu beoð þine beo[r]ste.
For nu is ure læche ifaren buten laue.
iliðen ut of hirede for hæne us bilæued.
Þe king heom ȝ[a]f andsware Al ic æm to-swollen.
& þer nis nan o[ð]er ræd nu nan ich wurðe dæd.
& ich bidde forð-rihtes ȝe beoð mine cnihtes.
þat ȝe græten Vther þe is min aȝe broðer.
& biddeð hine halden mi lond an on-walde.
Godd seolf þurh alle þing lete hine beon god king.
& hateð hine beon kene & æiwær riht deme.
wærcche uolke for fæder hænen to frouere.
þenne maie he halde lond an on-walde.
& nu to-dai þenne ich beo dæd nimeð alle anne ræd.
& leteð me i-lenge riht to Stanhenge.
þer lið muchel of mine cunne þurh Sæxen a-qualde.
& of-sende[ð] biscopes and boc-ilarede men.
mi gold and mi seoluer dele[ð] for mire saule.
& leggeð me an æst ænde inne Stan-henge.
Næs þer nan oðer ræd þer iwar[ð] þe king dæd.
& al swa his men duden swa þe king demde.
Inne Wæles wes Vther and her-of næs naðing war.
neuere þurh nare liste her-of naþing nuste.
naðeles he hafede mid him þene witeȝe Merlin.
Aȝeineden þere uerde þe icumen wes to ærde.
Vther lai inne Wales in anne wilderne.
& fundede to uarene wið Passent to fehten.
Þa a þan auen-time þe mone gon to scine.
wel neh al swa brihte swa þe sunne-lihte.
Þa isehȝen heo feorre ænne sel-cuðe sterre.
he wes brad he wes muchel he wes unimete.
of him comen leomen igast-liche scinen.
þe steorre is ihate a Latin comete.
Com of þan steore a leome swiðe sturne.
at þeos leomen ende wes a drake hende.
of þes draken muðe leomen comen inohȝe.
Ah tweien þer weoren muchele þere oðere vnimete.
þe an droh touward France þe oðer touward Irlonde.
Þe leome þe toward France droh he wes briht vnifoh.
to Mu[n]t Giu wæs iseȝen þa seolcuðe takne.
þe leome þa strehte west-riht a seouen bæmen wes idiht.
Þis isah Vðer ah nas he noht her-of war.
sær him wes an heorte & seolliche a-uæred.
swa wes al þat muchele folc þat wes in þere uerde.
Vðer cleopede Merlin & bad hine cume to him.
& þus seide him to mid swiðe softe worden.
Mæ[r]lin Merlin leoue freond fonde þi-seoluen.
& sæie us of þan tacne þe we i-sæȝen habbeoð.
for nat ich on worlde riche to whan hit scal i-wurðen.
buten þu us raden aȝæn we moten riden.
Mærlin sæt him stille longe ane stunde.
swulc he mid sweuene swunke ful swiðe.
Heo seiden þe hit iseȝen mid heore aȝen æȝen.
þat ofte he hine wende swulc hit a wurem weore.
Late he gon awakien þa gon he to quakien.
& þas word seide Merlin þa witeȝe.
Wæilawæi wæilawæi a þissere worlde-riche.
muchel is þa sorȝe þe isiȝen is to londe.
Whær ært þu Vther Siten me biuoren her.
& ich þe wulle suggen of sorȝen inoȝen.
Dæd is Aurilie kingene aðelest.
swa is þe oðer Costanz þi broðer.
þe Uortigerne biswac mid his swike-dome.
Nu haueð Vortigernes cun Aurilien aquald.
nu þu ært al ane of aðele þine cunne.
Ah ne hope þu to ræde of heom þat liggeð dede.
ah þenc of þe seoluen seolðen þe beoð ȝiueþe.
for selde he aswint þe to him-seolue þencheð.
þv scalt wurðen god king & gumenene lauerd.
& þu to þere mid-nihte wepne þine cnihtes.
þat we i þan morȝen-liht mæȝen come forð-riht.
forn at Meneue þer þu sca[l]t fihten.
ær þu þenne wende sclæht þu scalt makien.
þu scalt beien slæ þer Passent and Gillomar.
& monie þusend of þan gumen þat beoð mid heom hider icumen.
Þat taken of þan steorre þe we isaȝen swa feorre.
soð hit is Uðer leof þat tacnede þines broðer dæd.
Biuoren þa steorre wes þædrake elcches wurmes vnimake.
þat taken wes a þire half þat weore þu Uðer þi-seolf.
þu scalt habben þis lond & þin æie beon muchel & strong.
Swulche toknen beoð un-cuðe of þas draken muðe.
eoden tweien leomen wunder ane lihte.
Þe an strehte feor soð ut ouer France.
þat is an æiȝes-ful sune þat of þine licame scal cume.
þe scal moni kine-lond mid compe biwinne.
& an ende he scal rede moniane þeode.
Þe oðer leome þe strahte west wunder ane lihte.
þat bið a dohter þa þe bið swiðe deore.
Þe leome gon striden a ueire seoue strengen.
þat beo[ð] seouen uæire sunen þe of þine dohter sculleð cumen.
þe scullen moni kine-lond biȝiten to heore aȝere hond.
heo sculleð beon wel stronge a water & a londe.
Nu þu hauest of me ihærde þe wule halpen.
swiðe uorð-rihtes far to þine fihte.
& Merlin gon to slume swulc he wolde slæpen.
Vp aras Vðer nu he wes wis & war.
& hæhte his cnihtes to horse forð-rihtes.
& hæhte heom biliue faren to Meneue.
& alle heore fare græiðen alle heo scullen fehten.
I þan flokke biforen he hafde cnihtes wel icoren.
seouen þusend cnihte ohte men & wihte.
Hafde he amidde cnihtes wel bihedde.
oðer seoue þusend selere þeinen.
Hæ hede bæfte ohtere cnihten.
ahtene þusen ohtere kempen.
& of ganninde uolke swa feole þusend
þat a nane spelle. ne mihte heom na mon tellen.
Forð heo wenden biliue þat heo comen to Meneue.
Þer isah Gillomar whar him com Vther.
& hæhde his cnihtes to wepne forð-rihtes.
& heo to biliue & gripen heore cniues.
& of mid here breches seolcuðe weoren heore leches.
& igripen an heore hond heore. speren longe.
hengen an heore æxle mucle wi-æxe.
Þa sæide Gillomar þe king a swiðe seol-lic þing.
Her cumeð Vðer Aurilies bro[ð]er.
he wule bidden mi grið & noht fehten me wið.
Þa formeste beoð his sweines Faren we heom to-ȝeines
Ne þurfen ȝe nauere rehchen þah ȝe slæn þa wrecchen.
For ȝif Vther Costantines sune wulle her mi mon bicume.
& Passente aȝeuen his fader richen.
ich hine wullen griðien & latten hine liuien.
& inne fæire benden læden hine to mine londe.
Þe king wordede þus þa while him a-lomp wurs.
Weoren Vtheres cnihtes at þan tune forð-rihtes.
leiden fur a þene tun. & fehten biliue.
mid sweorden heom to rakeden and þa Irisce weoren nakede.
Þa iseȝen Irisce men þat Brutten wes an eornest.
feond-liche heo fuhten and neoðeles heo feollen.
heo cleopeden on heore king Whar ært þu niðing.
whi nult þu hider wenden þu lezst us her scenden.
and Passent þin ifere i-sih us fallen here.
cumeð us to halpe mid hahȝere strengðe.
Þis iherde Gillomar þer-foren wes his heorte sær.
mid his Irisce cnihten he com to þan fihte.
and Passend vorð mid him beien heo weoren uæie.
Þa iseh Vðer þat icumen wes þer Gillomar.
to him he gon riden and smat hine i þere side.
þat þat spere þurh-rade & þa heorte to-glad.
Hiȝendliche he hine biwe[n]t & of-toc Passent.
and þas word sæide Vther þe sele.
Passent þu scalt abiden her cumeð Vther riden.
He smat hine uuenen þat hæued þat he adun halde.
and þat sweord putte in his muð swulc mete him wes uncuð.
þat þe ord of þan sworde wod in þere eorðe.
Þa sæide Vther Passent liȝ nu þer.
Nu þu hauest Brutlond al bi-tald to þire hond.
Swa þe is nu i-ræd þer-on þu ært ded.
wikien ȝe scullen here þu and Gillomar þin ifere.
& brukeð wel Brutlond for nu ic hit bitæche inc an hond.
þat ȝit maȝen to-ȝere mid us wunien here.
Ne þurue ȝe nauere adrede wha eou scullen feden.
Þus sæide V[ð]er and seoððe he arnde þer.
and drof Irisce men ȝeond wateres and ȝeond fenes.
and sloh al þa uerde þe mid Passent commen to ærde.
Summe to þere sæ iwiten & leoppen in heore scipen.
mid wederen & mid wateren þær heo forferden.
Þus heo ispædden her Passent and Gillomar.
Nu wes þis feht idon and Vther aȝen com.
and forð-rihtes wende into Winchæstre.
In are brade strete he igon mete.
þreo cnihtes & heore sweines cumen him to-ȝeines.
A-nan swa heo ine i-mette fæire heo hine igrætten.
Hail seo þu Vther þeos æðeles beo[ð] þin æȝen.
Ded is Aurilie kingene aðelest.
he þe haueð iset an hond al his kinewurðe lond.
he bad þe beon a sele & þenchen on his saule.
Þa weop Vðer wunder ane swiðe.
Vðer wende forð-riht in-to Winchæstre.
þa weoren him biforen wið-uten þere burȝe.
alle þa burh-men mid reouliche iberen.
Sone swa heo hine iseȝen heo him to sæiden.
Vther þin are nu & æuere-mare.
Ure king we habbeoð ilore wa is us þer-fore.
Þu weore his broðer nafde he nænne oðer.
no he nefde nenne sune þe mihte king bicumen.
Ah [n]i[m] þu þene kine-halm he is þe icunde.
& we þe wulleð helpen & halden for lauerd.
mid wapnen & mid æhten and al ure mihte.
Þis iherde Vðer he wes wis & he wes war.
þat þer næs cost nan o[ð]er seoððen dæd wes his broðer.
He nom þenne kine-helm þe him bicom swiðe wel.
and he wurðliche iwarð him to kinge.
& heold gode laȝe and his folc lufede.
Imong þat he king wæs & his wikenares chæs.
Merlin him æt-wende nuste he nauere whidere.
no nauere a worlde-riche to whan he bicome.
Wa wes þan kinge swa wes al his duȝeðe.
and alle his hird-men þer-uore murnende weoren.
Þe king lette riden widen & siden.
he bad gold & gersume ælche farinde gume.
wha-swa mihte finde Merlin an londe.
þer-to he læide muchel lof ah ne herde he him nawhit of.
Þa biðohte Vther whæt Mærlin him sæide ær.
in þan here-ȝeonge inne Walisc londe.
þer heo iseȝen þene drake ælches wurmes vnimake.
and he þohte of þan tacnen þe Merlin him tahte.
Þe king wes swiðe særi and sorhful an heorte.
for ne les he næuere leouere mon seoððen he wes an liuen.
neouere nenne oðer ne Aurilie his broðer.
Þe king lette wurchen tweien imaken. tweien guldene draken.
al for Mærlines l[u]ue swa swiðe he wilnede his cume.
Þa þe draken ȝaru weoren þe oðer wes iuere.
whar-swa he an ærde ladde hi[s] ferde.
he wes his here-mærke in auer-ælche happe.
þene oðerne he wurð-liche ȝæf in-to Winchæstre.
into þan biscop-stole þer he stude haldeð.
Þer-to he ȝef his gode spere þer-mid me sculde þene drake bere.
þenne me scolde hali-dom beren to processiun.
Þis iseȝen Bruttes þas draken þa weoren imaked þus.
æuer seo[ðð]en heo cleopeden Vther þe to hermærke þene drake bar.
þene nome heo him laiden on þet wes Vðer Pendragon.
Pendragun an Brutisc Draken-hefd. an Englisc.
Nu wes Vther god king ah of Merlin nefde he na þing.
Þis word iherde Octa þer he norð wunede.
& Ebissa his wed-broðer and Osa þe oðer.
þa Aurilien sende þider & sette heom þer on his griðe.
and bi-tahte heom an honde sixti hiden of londe.
Octa iherden ful iwis al hu hit ifaren wes.
of Aurilies dæðe & of Vtheres kinedome.
Octa him to cleopede his cun þe wes aneoste.
nomen heom to ræde of heore alde dede.
þat heo wolden bi heore liue Cristin-dom bilaue.
Heo heolden husti[n]g & hæðene bicomen.
þa comen þer to-gadere of Hengestes cunne
fif & sixti hundred of heðene monnen.
Sone wes þat word cuð an ȝeond þan londe icud.
þat Octa Hengestes sune wes hæðene bicume.
& þas ilke gumen alle þa Aurilien igriðed hæfuede.
Octa sende his sonde in-to Walisce londe.
after þan Irisce þe Vðer æt-urnen.
and after þan Alemainen þe weoren awei idraȝene.
þa weoren to wude iwende þe while men sloh Passent.
and huden heom wel iwhar þe while men sloh Gillomar.
Þat folc ut of wude teh & touward Scotlonde beh.
Auer þer comen ma & ma and ferden toward Octa.
þa heo to-somme weoren iwende þa weoren þer þritti þusend.
wið-uten þa wifmen of Hengestes cunnen.
Heo nomen heore uerde & gunnen to farene.
& setten al an heore hond biȝeonden þere Humbre. lond
& þat leoden þer heo gunnen liðen.
ferde þer wes sellic and wenden riht to Eouerwic.
and an ælche side þa burh gunnen biride
& þa burh bilæien hæðene leoden.
and nomen hit al to heore honde forð into Scot-londe.
al þat heo iseȝen heo talden heore aȝen.
Ah Vðeres cnihtes þa weoren i þan castle.
wereden þene tun wið-innen þat ne mihten heo næuere binnen.
ne iherde mon in nane stude lute men þat swa wel duden.
Swa sone swa Vðer of þissen þingen iwarð war.
færde he bad stronge ȝeond al his kinelonde.
and he swiðe hiȝend-liche ferde touward Eouer-wic.
ferde uorð-riht anan þer him læi Octa.
Octa and his ferde fusde heom to-ȝeines.
wuruen heom to-gadere mid grimmere strengðe.
heowen hardliche hælmes gullen.
falewede feldes of fæie blode.
& þa heðene saulen helle isohten.
Þa þes dæies ende bicom þa wes hit swa ufel idon.
þat þat hæðene uolc þa ufere hond hafeden.
& mid muchelere strengðe sturmden þa Bruttes.
and driuen heom to ane munte þæ wes unimete stor.
& Vðer mid his monnen teh to þan munte.
and hæuede iloren in fihte leofe his cnihtes.
fulle seouen hundred his hælp wes þa wurse.
Þe munt hæhte Dunian þe Vther wes ufenan.
wes þe munt þurh-wexen mid ane wude feiren.
Þe king wes þer wið-innen mid swiðe feole monnen.
& Octa hine bi-læi mid hæðene monnen niht and dæi.
bilæi hine al abuten Wa wes þan Brutten.
wa wes þan kinge Vðer þat he nes ær wær.
þat he nefde an londe bet vnder-stonde.
Ofte heo eoden to ræde of swucchere neode.
hu heo mihten ouer-cumen Octa Hengestes sune.
Þer wes an eorl Gorlois ocht mon ful-iwis.
cniht he wes wel idon he wes Vðeres mon.
eorl of Cornwaille cuð he wes wide.
he wes swiðe wis mon of alle þinge wel idon.
To him saide Vðer særi an heorten.
Hail seo þu Gorlois gumenene lauerd.
Þu ært min aȝe mon & swiðe wel ich þe on.
þu ært cniht wel idon muchel is þi wis-dom.
alle mine leoden ich don in þine ræden.
& alle we sculle wurchen after þine i-wille.
Þa heng his breowen a-dun þe king Vther Pendragun.
and stod him ful stille & bad Gorlois suggen his iwille.
Þa andswarede Gorlois he wes hende ful iwis.
Sæie me Vther Pendragun whi halst þu þin hafed adun.
nast þu þat Godd ane is betere þene we al clæne.
He mai wham-swa he wule wurðcipe bitachen.
Bihate we him on liue þat we him nulleð liȝe.
& leten we us ræden of ure misdeden.
Ælc mon forð-riht of alle his sunnen nimen scrift.
ælc mon scriuen oðer swulc hit weoren his broðer.
& æuer-ælc god cniht nime on him muchel scrift.
& Godde we scullen bihaten ure sunnen to beten.
& to þere mid-nihte ȝarkien us to fihten.
þeos hæðene hundes tælleð us al ibunden.
Octa Hengestes sunæ weneð þat we beon alle inumen.
heo liggeð i þissen felden i-hæled in heore telden.
heo beoð swiðe werie iboren heore wepnen.
nu nan heo sculleð slumen & seoððen slæpen.
of us nabbeoð heo nane kare þat we aȝen heom wulleð faren.
To þere mid-nihte we sculleð forð-rihtes.
swiðelicche stille adun of þissen hulle.
na wurðe cniht swa wod þat he scire æi word.
ne nauer nan hæleð þat he horn blawe.
Ac we scullen steppen heom to swa we stelen wolden.
ær heo wurðen iware we scullen heom amær[r]e.
we scullen heom to teon & tidende tellen.
and æuerælc ocht mon sterkliche heom legge on.
and swa we scullen of londe driuen vnicunde.
and mid mihte of ure Drihten bi-tellen ure irihten.
Al þas ferde idude swa Gorlois heom hauede ibede.
Ælc mon for[ð]-rihte dude hine vnder scrifte.
bi-hehten god to donne and þat ufel to for-gonne.
To þere mid-nihte wepnede heom cnihtes.
and auoremeste uerde adun Vðer Pendragun.
and his cnihtes alle swiðe-liche stille.
and smiten i þa waldes i-mong alle þa teldes.
and sloȝen þa hæðene mid hæhȝere strenðe.
fluȝen ȝeond þan feldes falewe lockes.
Uolken hit wes ærmest heo droȝen heore þermes.
mid muchele vnisunde heo feollen to þan grunde.
Þer wes forð-riht inume Octa Hengestes sune.
& his wedbroðer Ebissa & his iuere Ossa.
Þe king heom lette binden mid irene bænde.
and bi-tahte heom sixti cnihten þe gode weoren to fihten.
ufennen þan walden uaste to halden.
& he seolf draf him forð and muchel dune makede.
& Gorlois þe hende uorð an oðer ende.
& alle heore cnihtes æuere forð-rihtes.
adun-rihtes sloȝen al þat heo neh comen.
Summe heo crupen to þan wude an heore bare cneowen.
heo weoren amærȝe volken alre ærmest.
Octa wes ibunden & ilad to Lunden.
and Ebissa & Ossa nes heom nauere al swa wa.
Þis feh[t] wes idon & þe king wende forð.
in-to Norð-humbre mid hæȝere blisse.
& seoð[ð]en to Scot-londe & sette hit al an his aȝere hond.
He sette grið he sette frið þat ælc mon mihte faren wið.
from londe to londe þeh he bere gold an honde.
of grið he dude swulc þing þat ne mihte næuer ær na king.
from þan ilke time þat Bruttes comen her liðen.
And seoððen vmbe stunde he ferde to Lunden.
he wes þere an Æstre mid aðele his uolke.
bliðe wes þe Lundenes tun for Vthere Pendragun.
He sende his sonde ȝeond al his kinelonde.
he bæd þa eorles he bæd þa cheorles.
he bæd þa biscopes þa boc-ilærede men.
þat heo comen to Lunden to Vðer þan kingen.
in-to Lundenes tun to Vðer Pendragun.
Riche men sone to Lundene comen.
heo brohten wif heo brohten child swa hehte Vther þe king.
Mid muchele godnæsse þe king iherde mæsse.
& Gorlois þe eorl of Cornwale & mid him cnihtes uale.
muche blisse wes i þan tun mid Vðer kinge Pendragun.
Þa þe mæsse wes isungen to halle heo þrungen.
bemen heo bleowen bordes heo brædden.
al þat folc æt & dronc & blisse heom wes imong.
Þer sæt Vðer þe king an his hæh setle.
forn aȝan him Gorlois hende cniht ful iwis.
þe eorl of Cornwale mid aðele his wife.
Þa heo weoren alle iseten eorles to heore mete.
þe king sende his sonde to Igærne þere hende.
Gorlois eorles wif wifmone alre hendest.
Ofte he hire lokede on & leitede mid eȝene.
ofte he his birles sende fron to hire borde.
ofte he hire loh to & makede hire letes.
and [heo] hine leofliche biheold ah inæt whær heo hine luuede.
Næs þe king noht swa wis ne swa ȝære-witele.
þat imong his duȝepe his þoht cuðe dernen.
Swa longe þe king þis him droh þat Gorlois iwærð him wrað.
& him gromede swiðe wið þene king for his wife.
Þe eorl & his cnihtes arisen forð-rihtes.
& forð mid þan wife cnihtes swiðe whraðe.
Vther king þis isah & here-fore særi wes.
& nom him forð-rihtes twælf wise cnihtes.
& sende after Gorlois gumenene ældere.
and beden hine an hiȝinge cumen to þan kinge.
& don þan kinge god riht & beon icnowen of his pliht.
þat he ha[f]de þene king iscend & from his borde wes iwende.
he and his cnihtes mid muchele vn-rihte.
for þe king him wæs glad wið & for he hailede in his wif.
& ȝif he nalde aȝein cumen & his gult beon icnawen
þe king him wold after and don al his mahten.
binimen him al his lond and his seoluer & his gold.
Þis iherde Gorlois gumenene lauer[d].
& he and-sware ȝaf eorlene wraðest.
Næi swa me helpe Drihte þa iscop þas daȝes lihte.
nulle ich nauere aȝæn cumen no his grið ȝirnen.
ne scal he neuere on liue. me scende of mine wife.
& suggeð Vðer kinge at Tintaieol he mai me finden.
ȝif he þ[i]der wule ride þer ich him wulle abiden.
and þer he scal habbe hærd gome. & mucle weorldes scome.
Forð wende þe eorl ire on his mode.
he wes wærð wið þene king wunder ane swiðe.
and þretede Vther þene king and alle his þeines. mid him.
ah he nuste whæt com seoððe sone þer-æfter.
Þe eorl anan wende in-to Cornwaille.
he hafde þer tweie castles biclused swiðe uaste.
þæ castles aðele weore of his eoldrene istreon.
To Tintaieol he sende his leofmon þa wes hende.
Ygerne ihaten wifene aðelest.
and heo biclusde uæste inne þan castle.
Ygerne wes særi & sorh-ful an heorte.
þat swa moni mon for hire sculden habben þer lure.
Þe eorl sende sonde ȝeond al Brutlonde.
and bæd alcne ohte gome þat he him sculde to cume.
for gold and for seolure & for oðere ȝiuen gode.
þat heo ful sone to Tintaieole comen.
& his aȝene cnihtes comen forð-rihtes.
Þa heo to-gædere weoren sele þeines.
þa hafde he fulle fiftene þusend.
& heo Tintaieol faste bitunden.
Uppen þere sæ-stronde Tintaieol stondeð.
he is mid sæ-cliuen faste biclused.
þat ne bið he biwunne þurh nanes cunnes monnen.
bute ȝif hunger cumen þer an-vnder.
Þe eorl uerde þenne mid seouen þusend monnen.
& wende to ane oðere castle and bic[lu]sde hi[ne] ful uæste.
and bilefde his wif in Tintaieol mid ten þusend monnen.
For ne þurue þa cnihtes dæies na nihtes.
buten biwiten þat castelȝat & careles liggen. slæpen.
and þe eorl wuste þene oðer & mid him his a[ȝen] broðer.
Þis iherde Vther þe king wes swiðe steorc.
þat Gorlois his eorl his ferde hafde igadere[d].
and wolde halde weorre mid muchelere wraððe.
Þe king bad his ferde ȝeond al þissen ærde.
& ȝeond al þan londe þa stoden an his honde.
monies kinnes leoden liðen heom to-gæderes.
and comen to Lundene to þan leod-kinge.
Ut of Lundene tun ferde Vðer Pendragun.
he & his cnihtes. ferde uorð-rihtes.
swa longe þat heo comen into Cornwæille.
& ouer þat water heo tueoȝen þat hatten Tambreis.
riht to þan castle þer heo Gorlois wusten.
Mid muchelere læðe þene castel heo bilæien.
ofte heo to-ræsden mid ræȝere strengðe.
to-somne heo leopen leoden þer feollen.
Fulle seouen nihte þe king mid his cnihten
bilæi þene castel his men þer hafeden sorȝen.
ne miste he of þan eorle naþing iwinnen.
and alle þa seouen nihte ilaste þat selliche feoht.
Þa iseh Vðer king þat him ne spedde naðing.
ofte he hine biþohte whæt he don mahte.
for Ygærne him wes swa leof æfne alse his aȝen lif.
and Gorlois him wes on leoden monnen alre læðest.
& ælches weies him wes wa. a þissere weorlde-riche.
for he ne mihte beon wurðe na-þing of his wille.
Þa wes mid þan kinge an ald mon swuðe hende.
he wes a swiðe riche þein and ræh on ælche dome.
he wes ihaten Vlfin muche wisdom wes mid him.
Þe king bræid up his chin and bisah an Vlfin.
swiðe he murnede his mod wes iderued.
Þa quað Vðer Pendragun to Ulfin þan cnihte.
Ulfin ræd me sumne ræd oðer ich beo ful raðe dæde.
swa swiðe me longeð þat ne mai i noht libben.
after þere faire Ygærne Þis word halt me derne.
for Ulfin þe leoue aðele þine lare.
lude & stille don ich heom wulle.
Þa andswarede Ulfin þan kinge þet spac wið him.
Nu ihere ich muche seollic ænne king suggen.
Þu luuest Ygærne and halst hit swa deorne
þe wifmon is þe to leof & hire lauerd al to lað.
his lond þu forbernest & hine blæð wurchest.
and þrattest hine to slænne & his cun to for-donne.
Wenest þu mid swulche hærme to biȝeten Ygærne.
þenne heo sculde don swa ne deð na wif-man.
mid æie vnimete halden luue swete.
Ah ȝif þu luuest Ygærne þu sculdest hit halden derne.
and senden hire sone of seoluere and of golde.
& luuien hire mid liste & mid leofliche bihæste.
Þa ȝet hit weore a wene whar þu heo mihtes aȝe.
for Ygærne is wel idon a swiðe treowe wimmon.
swa wes hire moder & ma of þan kunne.
To soðe ich þe suggen leofest alre kinge.
þat oðere weies þu most ag[i]nnen ȝif þu hire wult awinnen.
For ȝursten-dæi me com to an æremite wel idon.
& swor bi his chinne þat he wuste Merlin.
whar he ælche nihte resteð vnder lufte.
and ofte he him spæc wið & spelles him talde.
& ȝif we mihte Merlin mid liste biwinnen.
þenne mihtest þu þine iwille allunge biwinne.
Þa wes Vðer Pendragun þa softer an his mode.
& ȝ[a]f and-sware red Vlfin þu hauest wel isæd.
Ich þe ȝiue an honde þritti solh of londe.
þat þu Merlin biwinne & don mine iwille.
Vlfin ȝeond þat folc wende & sohte al þa uerde.
& he vmbe stunde þene æremite f[u]nde.
and an hiȝinge brohte hine to þan kinge.
and þe king him sette an hond seouen sulȝene lond.
ȝif he mihte bringen Merlin to þan kinge.
Þe æremite gon wende in þene west ænde.
to ane wilderne to ane wude muchele.
þer he iwune[d] hafde. wel feole wintre.
and Merlin swiðe ofte þer-inne sohte.
Sone þe armite com in þa ifunde he Mærlin.
vnder ane treo stonden and sære him gon longen.
þene æremite he isæh cume alse while wes his iwune.
he orn him to-ȝænes beiene heo uæineden þas.
heo clupten heo custen and cuð-liche speken.
Þa sæide Merlin muchel wisdom wes mid him.
Sæie þu mi leofe freond wi naldest þu me suggen.
þurh nanes cunnes þinge þat þu wældest to þan kinge.
Ah ful ȝare ich hit wuste anan swa ich þe miste.
þat þu icumen weore to Vðere kinge.
and what þe king þe wið spæc and of his londe þe bæd.
þat þu me sculdest bringe to Vðer kinge.
And Vlfin þe sohte & to þan kinge brohte.
& Vðer Pendragun. forð-rihtes anan.
sette him an honde þritti solh of londe.
& he sætte þe an honde seoue sulhȝene lond.
Vther i[s] of-longed æfter Ygærne þere hende.
wunder ane swiðe after Gorloises wiue.
Ah longe is æuere þat ne cummeð nauere.
þat he heo biwinne bute þurh mine ginne.
for nis na wimmon treowere in þissere worlde-riche.
& neoðe-les he scal aȝe þa hende Ygærne
on hir he scal streonen þat scal wide sturien.
he scal streonien hire on ænne swiðe sellichne mon.
Longe beoð æuere dæd ne bið he næuere.
þe wile þe þis world stænt ilæsten scal is worð-munt.
and scal inne Rome walden þa þæines.
Al him scal abuȝe þat wuneð inne Bruttene.
of him scullen gleomen godliche singen.
of his breosten scullen æten aðele scopes.
scullen of his blode beornes beon drunke.
of his eȝene scullen fleon furene gleden.
ælc finger an his hond scarp stelene brond.
scullen stan walles biuoren him to-fallen.
beornes scullen rusien reosen heore mærken.
Þus he scal wel longe liðen ȝeond londen.
leoden biwinnen & his laȝen sette
Þis beoð þa tacnen of þan sune. þe cumeð of U[ðe]re Pendragune.
and of Ygærne Þes speche is ful derne.
for ȝet næt hit neoðer. Ygærne no Uðer.
þat of Vðere Pendragune scal arisen swilc a sune.
for ȝet he beoð unstreoned þa sturieð al þa þeoden.
Ah Lauered quað Merlin nu hit is iwille þin.
þat forð I scal fusen. to uerde þas kinges
þi word ich wulle heren. and nu ich wulle wende
and faren ich wulle for þire lufe to Vthere Pendragune.
and habben þu scalt þat lond þat he þe sette an hond.
Þus heo þa ispecken þæ æremite gon to weopen.
deorliche he hine custe þer heo gunnen dælen.
Merlin ferde riht suð þat lond him wæs ful cuð.
forð-riht he fusde to þes kinges ferde.
Sone swa Vðer hine isæh swa he him to-ȝeines bæh.
& þus quað V[ð]er Pendragune Mærlin þu ært wilcume.
Her ich sette þe an honde al þene ræd of mine londe.
and þat þu me ræde to muchere neode.
Vther him talde al þat he walde.
& hu Ygærne him wes on leoden wimmo[n]nen leofest.
and Gorlois hire lauerd mo[n]nenen alre laðest.
& buten ich habbe þinne ræd ful raðe þu isihst me dæad.
Þreo dæies fulle wunede þe king stille.
i þan þridde dæie heȝe wurðede his duȝeðe.
he makede tweie biscopes wunder ane gode.
Seint Dubriz to Kaerliun to Eouuerwic. Seint Samson.
beien heo iwurðen hali & mid Gode haȝe.
I þan feorðe dæie duȝeðen to-dælden.
and swa ane stunde hit stod a þan ilken.
Þa ȝet þer wes a luðer gume Passent Vortigernes sune.
wes þe ilke Passent in-to Wælisc londe iwent.
and þer a þen ilke daȝen wes bicumen ut-laȝe.
Ah ne durste he noht longe wunien þer for Aurilie & for Vther.
ah he biȝet scipen gode & ferde bi sæ-flode.
in-to Alemaine he uerde mid fif hundred monnen.
& þer he biwon muchel uolc & makeden scip-ferde.
& for swa longe þat he com to þisse londe.
in-to þere Humbre þer he hærmes worhte.
456
Þe kin[g] ferde þider-ward & Passent fleh aweiward.
æfter sæ swa longe þat he com to Irlonde.
Sone he þer funde þene king of þan londe.
his heorte wes swiðe sær he grette þene king Gillomar.
Hail seo þu Gillomar gumene ælder
ich æm to þe icume ich wes Vortigernes sune.
mi fader wes Brutlondes king he luuede þe þurh alle þing.
& ȝif þu woldest to-ȝere beon þider min iuare.
swa wit sculden ispæcken & minne fader wel wreken.
& wel wreken þi folc þat Vther her qualde.
& þi sel-cuðe wærc þat heo heonne droȝen.
& æc ich iherde suggen þer ic ferde inne sæ.
þat þe king Aurilien seoc is iwurðen.
& lið inne Winchæstre a bedde ful faste.
Þu miht ileue me inoh for þis is witerliche soð.
Passent & Gillomar makeden heore for-ward þar.
aðes heo sworen monie & unifohȝe.
þat heo wolden al þis lond sætten on hæore tweire hond.
þe aðes weoren isworene ah æft heo weoren for-lorene.
Þe king gadere[de] ferde wide ȝeond his ærde.
to þere sæ beoð iwende Gillomar & Passen.
in-to þan scipen eoden & forð heom letten gliden.
Forð heo wenden biliue þat heo comen to Meniue.
þat wes a þan time tun swiðe hende.
þat mon nu iwitterli clepeð Seint Deouwi.
Þer heo nomen hauene mid heȝere blisse.
Scipen eoden a þat strond cnihtes eoden. a þat lond.
Þa sæide Passent touward Gillomar he went.
Seie me king Gillomar nu we beoð icumen her.
Nu ich sette þe an hond halfendæl þis kinelon[d].
for is of Winchastre icume to me anes cnihtes sune.
& sæið me swulne ræd þat Aurilie wule beon dæd.
þat ufel is under his ribben þat ne mæi he noh[t] libben.
Her wit scullen wel wreken unker wine-mæies.
biwinnen his wunseles swa us bið alre selest.
To þan kinge com þat word in-to Winchæstre.
þat Passent & Gillomar weoren mid ferde icumen hær.
458
Vther be[d] uerde ȝeond al þissen ærde.
& far to ure feonden and drif heom of ærde.
oðer þu heom fusen oðer þu heom feolle.
Ich wolde faren æc. ȝif ich neore swa seoc.
ah ȝif ich mai beon feore ich þe cumen after sone.
Al dude Uðer swa þe king him sæide þer.
& Passen at Seint Deowi sorȝen iworhte þer-bi.
and þe king Gillomar muchel sorȝe he dude þær.
Brutlond heo þurh-arnden hærȝede & barden.
& Vther i þissen ærde sumnede his ferde.
& hit wes longe uirst. ær he mihte fusen a-riht.
& Passent West Walisc lond set an his aȝere hond.
Hit wes an ane dæie his duȝeðe weoren bliðe.
þer com faren Appas feondes hine væ[re]den
To Passent he quað þus Cum hidere to us.
Ich þe wulle telle of ane wil-spalle.
Ich was at Winchæstre at þine wiðer-iwinnen.
þer lið þe king seoc & sorh-ful an heorten.
What scal beon mi mede ȝif ic þider ride.
& ich þe swa iqueme þat ich hine aquele
þa andswarede Passen and toward Appase went.
Ich bi-hate þe todæi an hundred pund. for ic mæi.
ȝif þu me iquemest þat þu hine aquelle.
Treoðen he plihten þesne swike-dom to dihten.
Appas eode to bure & þesne balu mæinde.
he wes an hæðene gume ut of Sax-londe i-cume.
Muneckes claðes he nom an he scar his crune ufenen.
he nom him tweien iueren & forð he gon fusen.
& wende anan rihte in-to Winchæstre.
swulc hit weore an hali mon þe hæðene deouel
He wende to þan burhȝate þer þe king on bure lai.
& gratte þene dure-ward Godes grætinge.
& bad hine an hiȝinge gan in to þan kinge.
& suggen him to soðe þat Vther his broðer.
hæfde him þider i-send seolne læche.
þene bezste læche þe wunede an æi londe.
þe auer-ælcne sucne mon of ufele bringen con.
460
for Uther wes ifaren forð mid his ferde.
no nauer Vther hine ne isæh ne þider hine i-sende.
& þe king wende þat hit weore soð & ilefde him inoh.
Wha wolde wene þat he swike weore.
for an his bare liche he weorede ane burne.
þer-ufenen he hæfde ane lad-liche here.
& seoð[ð]en ane cule of ane blake claðe.
iblæcched he hæfede his licame swulc ismitte of cole.
He cneolede to þan kingge his spæche wes ful milde.
Hail seo þu Aurilien aðelest alre kingen.
Hider me sende Vther þe is þin aȝen broðer.
& ich al for Godes luue æm to þe her icume.
for ich þe wulle helen & al hal makien.
for Cristes leofe Godes sune ne ræche ich nane garsume.
no mede of londe ne of seoluere no of golde.
ah ælche seocken ich hit do for luue of mine Drihtene.
Þis iherde þe king hit wes him swiðe iqueme.
ah whar is æuere æi mon a þisse middel-ærde.
þe þis wolde wenen þat he swiken weore.
He nom his glæs-fat anan & þe king mæh þer-on.
Anne while after þan þat glæs-fat an honden nom.
& sceoweden hit forð-rihttes biforen þas kinges cnihtes.
& þus sæide anan Appas þe haðene mon
Ȝif ȝe me wulleð ileuen ær to-marwen eue.
þes king scal beon al hal ihaled an his willen.
Þa weoren bliðe alle þa weoren i bure.
Appas eoden in ænne bur & þat balu mæinde.
& dude þer-to atter þa scamoiene hatte.
& com ut forð-rihtes imong þa burh-cnihtes.
& þan kinge he gon dæle muchel canele.
& gingiuere & licoriz he hom lefliche ȝef.
alle heo nomen þat lac & he heom alle bi-swac.
Þeos swike feol a cneowe at-foren þan leod-kinge.
& þus saide him to Lauerd nu þu scalt a-fon.
of þissen drinchen ane dæle þat scal beon þin hale.
& þe king up drong & þer þat atter he dronc.
Anan swa he hafde idrunke þe leche hine adun læide.
Þus seide Appas to þan bur-cnihtes.
462
for ich sugge eou þurh alle þing al hal beoð aure king.
& ich wulle to mine inne and speken wið mine monnen.
& to þere mid-nihte ich cume forð-rihtes.
mid oðer lache-crafte þa sculleð beon him liðe.
Forð wende þe swike þe king læi on sweuete.
Appas to his inne & spec wið his monnen.
mid stilleliche rune bistal of þan tune.
To þere mid-nihte þa sende þa burh-cnihtes.
sixe of heore monne to Appases inne.
heo wenden hine to finden and longi hine to þan kinge.
þa wes he ifloȝen & feondes hine uæreden.
Þa men aȝein comen þer þe king wunede.
& cudden i þan bure of Appases fore.
Þa mihte me iseon sorȝen inoȝe beon.
cnihtes feollen a-dun & ȝirnden heore dæðes.
Þer wes muchel waning heortne graning.
þer wes moni reolic spel þer wes gumene iȝel.
Heo leopen to þan bedde & þene king hedden.
þa ȝet he lai on sweouete & on muchele swate.
Þæ cnihtes mid weope þene king awehten.
& heo him to cleopeden mid mildere steuene.
Lauerd hu mid þe hu beoð þine beo[r]ste.
For nu is ure læche ifaren buten laue.
iliðen ut of hirede for hæne us bilæued.
Þe king heom ȝ[a]f andsware Al ic æm to-swollen.
& þer nis nan o[ð]er ræd nu nan ich wurðe dæd.
& ich bidde forð-rihtes ȝe beoð mine cnihtes.
þat ȝe græten Vther þe is min aȝe broðer.
& biddeð hine halden mi lond an on-walde.
Godd seolf þurh alle þing lete hine beon god king.
& hateð hine beon kene & æiwær riht deme.
wærcche uolke for fæder hænen to frouere.
þenne maie he halde lond an on-walde.
& nu to-dai þenne ich beo dæd nimeð alle anne ræd.
& leteð me i-lenge riht to Stanhenge.
þer lið muchel of mine cunne þurh Sæxen a-qualde.
& of-sende[ð] biscopes and boc-ilarede men.
464
& leggeð me an æst ænde inne Stan-henge.
Næs þer nan oðer ræd þer iwar[ð] þe king dæd.
& al swa his men duden swa þe king demde.
Inne Wæles wes Vther and her-of næs naðing war.
neuere þurh nare liste her-of naþing nuste.
naðeles he hafede mid him þene witeȝe Merlin.
Aȝeineden þere uerde þe icumen wes to ærde.
Vther lai inne Wales in anne wilderne.
& fundede to uarene wið Passent to fehten.
Þa a þan auen-time þe mone gon to scine.
wel neh al swa brihte swa þe sunne-lihte.
Þa isehȝen heo feorre ænne sel-cuðe sterre.
he wes brad he wes muchel he wes unimete.
of him comen leomen igast-liche scinen.
þe steorre is ihate a Latin comete.
Com of þan steore a leome swiðe sturne.
at þeos leomen ende wes a drake hende.
of þes draken muðe leomen comen inohȝe.
Ah tweien þer weoren muchele þere oðere vnimete.
þe an droh touward France þe oðer touward Irlonde.
Þe leome þe toward France droh he wes briht vnifoh.
to Mu[n]t Giu wæs iseȝen þa seolcuðe takne.
þe leome þa strehte west-riht a seouen bæmen wes idiht.
Þis isah Vðer ah nas he noht her-of war.
sær him wes an heorte & seolliche a-uæred.
swa wes al þat muchele folc þat wes in þere uerde.
Vðer cleopede Merlin & bad hine cume to him.
& þus seide him to mid swiðe softe worden.
Mæ[r]lin Merlin leoue freond fonde þi-seoluen.
& sæie us of þan tacne þe we i-sæȝen habbeoð.
for nat ich on worlde riche to whan hit scal i-wurðen.
buten þu us raden aȝæn we moten riden.
Mærlin sæt him stille longe ane stunde.
swulc he mid sweuene swunke ful swiðe.
Heo seiden þe hit iseȝen mid heore aȝen æȝen.
þat ofte he hine wende swulc hit a wurem weore.
Late he gon awakien þa gon he to quakien.
466
Wæilawæi wæilawæi a þissere worlde-riche.
muchel is þa sorȝe þe isiȝen is to londe.
Whær ært þu Vther Siten me biuoren her.
& ich þe wulle suggen of sorȝen inoȝen.
Dæd is Aurilie kingene aðelest.
swa is þe oðer Costanz þi broðer.
þe Uortigerne biswac mid his swike-dome.
Nu haueð Vortigernes cun Aurilien aquald.
nu þu ært al ane of aðele þine cunne.
Ah ne hope þu to ræde of heom þat liggeð dede.
ah þenc of þe seoluen seolðen þe beoð ȝiueþe.
for selde he aswint þe to him-seolue þencheð.
þv scalt wurðen god king & gumenene lauerd.
& þu to þere mid-nihte wepne þine cnihtes.
þat we i þan morȝen-liht mæȝen come forð-riht.
forn at Meneue þer þu sca[l]t fihten.
ær þu þenne wende sclæht þu scalt makien.
þu scalt beien slæ þer Passent and Gillomar.
& monie þusend of þan gumen þat beoð mid heom hider icumen.
Þat taken of þan steorre þe we isaȝen swa feorre.
soð hit is Uðer leof þat tacnede þines broðer dæd.
Biuoren þa steorre wes þædrake elcches wurmes vnimake.
þat taken wes a þire half þat weore þu Uðer þi-seolf.
þu scalt habben þis lond & þin æie beon muchel & strong.
Swulche toknen beoð un-cuðe of þas draken muðe.
eoden tweien leomen wunder ane lihte.
Þe an strehte feor soð ut ouer France.
þat is an æiȝes-ful sune þat of þine licame scal cume.
þe scal moni kine-lond mid compe biwinne.
& an ende he scal rede moniane þeode.
Þe oðer leome þe strahte west wunder ane lihte.
þat bið a dohter þa þe bið swiðe deore.
Þe leome gon striden a ueire seoue strengen.
þat beo[ð] seouen uæire sunen þe of þine dohter sculleð cumen.
þe scullen moni kine-lond biȝiten to heore aȝere hond.
heo sculleð beon wel stronge a water & a londe.
Nu þu hauest of me ihærde þe wule halpen.
swiðe uorð-rihtes far to þine fihte.
468
Vp aras Vðer nu he wes wis & war.
& hæhte his cnihtes to horse forð-rihtes.
& hæhte heom biliue faren to Meneue.
& alle heore fare græiðen alle heo scullen fehten.
I þan flokke biforen he hafde cnihtes wel icoren.
seouen þusend cnihte ohte men & wihte.
Hafde he amidde cnihtes wel bihedde.
oðer seoue þusend selere þeinen.
Hæ hede bæfte ohtere cnihten.
ahtene þusen ohtere kempen.
& of ganninde uolke swa feole þusend
þat a nane spelle. ne mihte heom na mon tellen.
Forð heo wenden biliue þat heo comen to Meneue.
Þer isah Gillomar whar him com Vther.
& hæhde his cnihtes to wepne forð-rihtes.
& heo to biliue & gripen heore cniues.
& of mid here breches seolcuðe weoren heore leches.
& igripen an heore hond heore. speren longe.
hengen an heore æxle mucle wi-æxe.
Þa sæide Gillomar þe king a swiðe seol-lic þing.
Her cumeð Vðer Aurilies bro[ð]er.
he wule bidden mi grið & noht fehten me wið.
Þa formeste beoð his sweines Faren we heom to-ȝeines
Ne þurfen ȝe nauere rehchen þah ȝe slæn þa wrecchen.
For ȝif Vther Costantines sune wulle her mi mon bicume.
& Passente aȝeuen his fader richen.
ich hine wullen griðien & latten hine liuien.
& inne fæire benden læden hine to mine londe.
Þe king wordede þus þa while him a-lomp wurs.
Weoren Vtheres cnihtes at þan tune forð-rihtes.
leiden fur a þene tun. & fehten biliue.
mid sweorden heom to rakeden and þa Irisce weoren nakede.
Þa iseȝen Irisce men þat Brutten wes an eornest.
feond-liche heo fuhten and neoðeles heo feollen.
heo cleopeden on heore king Whar ært þu niðing.
whi nult þu hider wenden þu lezst us her scenden.
and Passent þin ifere i-sih us fallen here.
470
Þis iherde Gillomar þer-foren wes his heorte sær.
mid his Irisce cnihten he com to þan fihte.
and Passend vorð mid him beien heo weoren uæie.
Þa iseh Vðer þat icumen wes þer Gillomar.
to him he gon riden and smat hine i þere side.
þat þat spere þurh-rade & þa heorte to-glad.
Hiȝendliche he hine biwe[n]t & of-toc Passent.
and þas word sæide Vther þe sele.
Passent þu scalt abiden her cumeð Vther riden.
He smat hine uuenen þat hæued þat he adun halde.
and þat sweord putte in his muð swulc mete him wes uncuð.
þat þe ord of þan sworde wod in þere eorðe.
Þa sæide Vther Passent liȝ nu þer.
Nu þu hauest Brutlond al bi-tald to þire hond.
Swa þe is nu i-ræd þer-on þu ært ded.
wikien ȝe scullen here þu and Gillomar þin ifere.
& brukeð wel Brutlond for nu ic hit bitæche inc an hond.
þat ȝit maȝen to-ȝere mid us wunien here.
Ne þurue ȝe nauere adrede wha eou scullen feden.
Þus sæide V[ð]er and seoððe he arnde þer.
and drof Irisce men ȝeond wateres and ȝeond fenes.
and sloh al þa uerde þe mid Passent commen to ærde.
Summe to þere sæ iwiten & leoppen in heore scipen.
mid wederen & mid wateren þær heo forferden.
Þus heo ispædden her Passent and Gillomar.
Nu wes þis feht idon and Vther aȝen com.
and forð-rihtes wende into Winchæstre.
In are brade strete he igon mete.
þreo cnihtes & heore sweines cumen him to-ȝeines.
A-nan swa heo ine i-mette fæire heo hine igrætten.
Hail seo þu Vther þeos æðeles beo[ð] þin æȝen.
Ded is Aurilie kingene aðelest.
he þe haueð iset an hond al his kinewurðe lond.
he bad þe beon a sele & þenchen on his saule.
Þa weop Vðer wunder ane swiðe.
Vðer wende forð-riht in-to Winchæstre.
þa weoren him biforen wið-uten þere burȝe.
alle þa burh-men mid reouliche iberen.
472
Vther þin are nu & æuere-mare.
Ure king we habbeoð ilore wa is us þer-fore.
Þu weore his broðer nafde he nænne oðer.
no he nefde nenne sune þe mihte king bicumen.
Ah [n]i[m] þu þene kine-halm he is þe icunde.
& we þe wulleð helpen & halden for lauerd.
mid wapnen & mid æhten and al ure mihte.
Þis iherde Vðer he wes wis & he wes war.
þat þer næs cost nan o[ð]er seoððen dæd wes his broðer.
He nom þenne kine-helm þe him bicom swiðe wel.
and he wurðliche iwarð him to kinge.
& heold gode laȝe and his folc lufede.
Imong þat he king wæs & his wikenares chæs.
Merlin him æt-wende nuste he nauere whidere.
no nauere a worlde-riche to whan he bicome.
Wa wes þan kinge swa wes al his duȝeðe.
and alle his hird-men þer-uore murnende weoren.
Þe king lette riden widen & siden.
he bad gold & gersume ælche farinde gume.
wha-swa mihte finde Merlin an londe.
þer-to he læide muchel lof ah ne herde he him nawhit of.
Þa biðohte Vther whæt Mærlin him sæide ær.
in þan here-ȝeonge inne Walisc londe.
þer heo iseȝen þene drake ælches wurmes vnimake.
and he þohte of þan tacnen þe Merlin him tahte.
Þe king wes swiðe særi and sorhful an heorte.
for ne les he næuere leouere mon seoððen he wes an liuen.
neouere nenne oðer ne Aurilie his broðer.
Þe king lette wurchen tweien imaken. tweien guldene draken.
al for Mærlines l[u]ue swa swiðe he wilnede his cume.
Þa þe draken ȝaru weoren þe oðer wes iuere.
whar-swa he an ærde ladde hi[s] ferde.
he wes his here-mærke in auer-ælche happe.
þene oðerne he wurð-liche ȝæf in-to Winchæstre.
into þan biscop-stole þer he stude haldeð.
Þer-to he ȝef his gode spere þer-mid me sculde þene drake bere.
þenne me scolde hali-dom beren to processiun.
474
æuer seo[ðð]en heo cleopeden Vther þe to hermærke þene drake bar.
þene nome heo him laiden on þet wes Vðer Pendragon.
Pendragun an Brutisc Draken-hefd. an Englisc.
Nu wes Vther god king ah of Merlin nefde he na þing.
Þis word iherde Octa þer he norð wunede.
& Ebissa his wed-broðer and Osa þe oðer.
þa Aurilien sende þider & sette heom þer on his griðe.
and bi-tahte heom an honde sixti hiden of londe.
Octa iherden ful iwis al hu hit ifaren wes.
of Aurilies dæðe & of Vtheres kinedome.
Octa him to cleopede his cun þe wes aneoste.
nomen heom to ræde of heore alde dede.
þat heo wolden bi heore liue Cristin-dom bilaue.
Heo heolden husti[n]g & hæðene bicomen.
þa comen þer to-gadere of Hengestes cunne
fif & sixti hundred of heðene monnen.
Sone wes þat word cuð an ȝeond þan londe icud.
þat Octa Hengestes sune wes hæðene bicume.
& þas ilke gumen alle þa Aurilien igriðed hæfuede.
Octa sende his sonde in-to Walisce londe.
after þan Irisce þe Vðer æt-urnen.
and after þan Alemainen þe weoren awei idraȝene.
þa weoren to wude iwende þe while men sloh Passent.
and huden heom wel iwhar þe while men sloh Gillomar.
Þat folc ut of wude teh & touward Scotlonde beh.
Auer þer comen ma & ma and ferden toward Octa.
þa heo to-somme weoren iwende þa weoren þer þritti þusend.
wið-uten þa wifmen of Hengestes cunnen.
Heo nomen heore uerde & gunnen to farene.
& setten al an heore hond biȝeonden þere Humbre. lond
& þat leoden þer heo gunnen liðen.
ferde þer wes sellic and wenden riht to Eouerwic.
and an ælche side þa burh gunnen biride
& þa burh bilæien hæðene leoden.
and nomen hit al to heore honde forð into Scot-londe.
al þat heo iseȝen heo talden heore aȝen.
Ah Vðeres cnihtes þa weoren i þan castle.
476
ne iherde mon in nane stude lute men þat swa wel duden.
Swa sone swa Vðer of þissen þingen iwarð war.
færde he bad stronge ȝeond al his kinelonde.
and he swiðe hiȝend-liche ferde touward Eouer-wic.
ferde uorð-riht anan þer him læi Octa.
Octa and his ferde fusde heom to-ȝeines.
wuruen heom to-gadere mid grimmere strengðe.
heowen hardliche hælmes gullen.
falewede feldes of fæie blode.
& þa heðene saulen helle isohten.
Þa þes dæies ende bicom þa wes hit swa ufel idon.
þat þat hæðene uolc þa ufere hond hafeden.
& mid muchelere strengðe sturmden þa Bruttes.
and driuen heom to ane munte þæ wes unimete stor.
& Vðer mid his monnen teh to þan munte.
and hæuede iloren in fihte leofe his cnihtes.
fulle seouen hundred his hælp wes þa wurse.
Þe munt hæhte Dunian þe Vther wes ufenan.
wes þe munt þurh-wexen mid ane wude feiren.
Þe king wes þer wið-innen mid swiðe feole monnen.
& Octa hine bi-læi mid hæðene monnen niht and dæi.
bilæi hine al abuten Wa wes þan Brutten.
wa wes þan kinge Vðer þat he nes ær wær.
þat he nefde an londe bet vnder-stonde.
Ofte heo eoden to ræde of swucchere neode.
hu heo mihten ouer-cumen Octa Hengestes sune.
Þer wes an eorl Gorlois ocht mon ful-iwis.
cniht he wes wel idon he wes Vðeres mon.
eorl of Cornwaille cuð he wes wide.
he wes swiðe wis mon of alle þinge wel idon.
To him saide Vðer særi an heorten.
Hail seo þu Gorlois gumenene lauerd.
Þu ært min aȝe mon & swiðe wel ich þe on.
þu ært cniht wel idon muchel is þi wis-dom.
alle mine leoden ich don in þine ræden.
& alle we sculle wurchen after þine i-wille.
Þa heng his breowen a-dun þe king Vther Pendragun.
478
Þa andswarede Gorlois he wes hende ful iwis.
Sæie me Vther Pendragun whi halst þu þin hafed adun.
nast þu þat Godd ane is betere þene we al clæne.
He mai wham-swa he wule wurðcipe bitachen.
Bihate we him on liue þat we him nulleð liȝe.
& leten we us ræden of ure misdeden.
Ælc mon forð-riht of alle his sunnen nimen scrift.
ælc mon scriuen oðer swulc hit weoren his broðer.
& æuer-ælc god cniht nime on him muchel scrift.
& Godde we scullen bihaten ure sunnen to beten.
& to þere mid-nihte ȝarkien us to fihten.
þeos hæðene hundes tælleð us al ibunden.
Octa Hengestes sunæ weneð þat we beon alle inumen.
heo liggeð i þissen felden i-hæled in heore telden.
heo beoð swiðe werie iboren heore wepnen.
nu nan heo sculleð slumen & seoððen slæpen.
of us nabbeoð heo nane kare þat we aȝen heom wulleð faren.
To þere mid-nihte we sculleð forð-rihtes.
swiðelicche stille adun of þissen hulle.
na wurðe cniht swa wod þat he scire æi word.
ne nauer nan hæleð þat he horn blawe.
Ac we scullen steppen heom to swa we stelen wolden.
ær heo wurðen iware we scullen heom amær[r]e.
we scullen heom to teon & tidende tellen.
and æuerælc ocht mon sterkliche heom legge on.
and swa we scullen of londe driuen vnicunde.
and mid mihte of ure Drihten bi-tellen ure irihten.
Al þas ferde idude swa Gorlois heom hauede ibede.
Ælc mon for[ð]-rihte dude hine vnder scrifte.
bi-hehten god to donne and þat ufel to for-gonne.
To þere mid-nihte wepnede heom cnihtes.
and auoremeste uerde adun Vðer Pendragun.
and his cnihtes alle swiðe-liche stille.
and smiten i þa waldes i-mong alle þa teldes.
and sloȝen þa hæðene mid hæhȝere strenðe.
fluȝen ȝeond þan feldes falewe lockes.
Uolken hit wes ærmest heo droȝen heore þermes.
480
Þer wes forð-riht inume Octa Hengestes sune.
& his wedbroðer Ebissa & his iuere Ossa.
Þe king heom lette binden mid irene bænde.
and bi-tahte heom sixti cnihten þe gode weoren to fihten.
ufennen þan walden uaste to halden.
& he seolf draf him forð and muchel dune makede.
& Gorlois þe hende uorð an oðer ende.
& alle heore cnihtes æuere forð-rihtes.
adun-rihtes sloȝen al þat heo neh comen.
Summe heo crupen to þan wude an heore bare cneowen.
heo weoren amærȝe volken alre ærmest.
Octa wes ibunden & ilad to Lunden.
and Ebissa & Ossa nes heom nauere al swa wa.
Þis feh[t] wes idon & þe king wende forð.
in-to Norð-humbre mid hæȝere blisse.
& seoð[ð]en to Scot-londe & sette hit al an his aȝere hond.
He sette grið he sette frið þat ælc mon mihte faren wið.
from londe to londe þeh he bere gold an honde.
of grið he dude swulc þing þat ne mihte næuer ær na king.
from þan ilke time þat Bruttes comen her liðen.
And seoððen vmbe stunde he ferde to Lunden.
he wes þere an Æstre mid aðele his uolke.
bliðe wes þe Lundenes tun for Vthere Pendragun.
He sende his sonde ȝeond al his kinelonde.
he bæd þa eorles he bæd þa cheorles.
he bæd þa biscopes þa boc-ilærede men.
þat heo comen to Lunden to Vðer þan kingen.
in-to Lundenes tun to Vðer Pendragun.
Riche men sone to Lundene comen.
heo brohten wif heo brohten child swa hehte Vther þe king.
Mid muchele godnæsse þe king iherde mæsse.
& Gorlois þe eorl of Cornwale & mid him cnihtes uale.
muche blisse wes i þan tun mid Vðer kinge Pendragun.
Þa þe mæsse wes isungen to halle heo þrungen.
bemen heo bleowen bordes heo brædden.
al þat folc æt & dronc & blisse heom wes imong.
Þer sæt Vðer þe king an his hæh setle.
forn aȝan him Gorlois hende cniht ful iwis.
482
Þa heo weoren alle iseten eorles to heore mete.
þe king sende his sonde to Igærne þere hende.
Gorlois eorles wif wifmone alre hendest.
Ofte he hire lokede on & leitede mid eȝene.
ofte he his birles sende fron to hire borde.
ofte he hire loh to & makede hire letes.
and [heo] hine leofliche biheold ah inæt whær heo hine luuede.
Næs þe king noht swa wis ne swa ȝære-witele.
þat imong his duȝepe his þoht cuðe dernen.
Swa longe þe king þis him droh þat Gorlois iwærð him wrað.
& him gromede swiðe wið þene king for his wife.
Þe eorl & his cnihtes arisen forð-rihtes.
& forð mid þan wife cnihtes swiðe whraðe.
Vther king þis isah & here-fore særi wes.
& nom him forð-rihtes twælf wise cnihtes.
& sende after Gorlois gumenene ældere.
and beden hine an hiȝinge cumen to þan kinge.
& don þan kinge god riht & beon icnowen of his pliht.
þat he ha[f]de þene king iscend & from his borde wes iwende.
he and his cnihtes mid muchele vn-rihte.
for þe king him wæs glad wið & for he hailede in his wif.
& ȝif he nalde aȝein cumen & his gult beon icnawen
þe king him wold after and don al his mahten.
binimen him al his lond and his seoluer & his gold.
Þis iherde Gorlois gumenene lauer[d].
& he and-sware ȝaf eorlene wraðest.
Næi swa me helpe Drihte þa iscop þas daȝes lihte.
nulle ich nauere aȝæn cumen no his grið ȝirnen.
ne scal he neuere on liue. me scende of mine wife.
& suggeð Vðer kinge at Tintaieol he mai me finden.
ȝif he þ[i]der wule ride þer ich him wulle abiden.
and þer he scal habbe hærd gome. & mucle weorldes scome.
Forð wende þe eorl ire on his mode.
he wes wærð wið þene king wunder ane swiðe.
and þretede Vther þene king and alle his þeines. mid him.
ah he nuste whæt com seoððe sone þer-æfter.
Þe eorl anan wende in-to Cornwaille.
484
þæ castles aðele weore of his eoldrene istreon.
To Tintaieol he sende his leofmon þa wes hende.
Ygerne ihaten wifene aðelest.
and heo biclusde uæste inne þan castle.
Ygerne wes særi & sorh-ful an heorte.
þat swa moni mon for hire sculden habben þer lure.
Þe eorl sende sonde ȝeond al Brutlonde.
and bæd alcne ohte gome þat he him sculde to cume.
for gold and for seolure & for oðere ȝiuen gode.
þat heo ful sone to Tintaieole comen.
& his aȝene cnihtes comen forð-rihtes.
Þa heo to-gædere weoren sele þeines.
þa hafde he fulle fiftene þusend.
& heo Tintaieol faste bitunden.
Uppen þere sæ-stronde Tintaieol stondeð.
he is mid sæ-cliuen faste biclused.
þat ne bið he biwunne þurh nanes cunnes monnen.
bute ȝif hunger cumen þer an-vnder.
Þe eorl uerde þenne mid seouen þusend monnen.
& wende to ane oðere castle and bic[lu]sde hi[ne] ful uæste.
and bilefde his wif in Tintaieol mid ten þusend monnen.
For ne þurue þa cnihtes dæies na nihtes.
buten biwiten þat castelȝat & careles liggen. slæpen.
and þe eorl wuste þene oðer & mid him his a[ȝen] broðer.
Þis iherde Vther þe king wes swiðe steorc.
þat Gorlois his eorl his ferde hafde igadere[d].
and wolde halde weorre mid muchelere wraððe.
Þe king bad his ferde ȝeond al þissen ærde.
& ȝeond al þan londe þa stoden an his honde.
monies kinnes leoden liðen heom to-gæderes.
and comen to Lundene to þan leod-kinge.
Ut of Lundene tun ferde Vðer Pendragun.
he & his cnihtes. ferde uorð-rihtes.
swa longe þat heo comen into Cornwæille.
& ouer þat water heo tueoȝen þat hatten Tambreis.
riht to þan castle þer heo Gorlois wusten.
486
ofte heo to-ræsden mid ræȝere strengðe.
to-somne heo leopen leoden þer feollen.
Fulle seouen nihte þe king mid his cnihten
bilæi þene castel his men þer hafeden sorȝen.
ne miste he of þan eorle naþing iwinnen.
and alle þa seouen nihte ilaste þat selliche feoht.
Þa iseh Vðer king þat him ne spedde naðing.
ofte he hine biþohte whæt he don mahte.
for Ygærne him wes swa leof æfne alse his aȝen lif.
and Gorlois him wes on leoden monnen alre læðest.
& ælches weies him wes wa. a þissere weorlde-riche.
for he ne mihte beon wurðe na-þing of his wille.
Þa wes mid þan kinge an ald mon swuðe hende.
he wes a swiðe riche þein and ræh on ælche dome.
he wes ihaten Vlfin muche wisdom wes mid him.
Þe king bræid up his chin and bisah an Vlfin.
swiðe he murnede his mod wes iderued.
Þa quað Vðer Pendragun to Ulfin þan cnihte.
Ulfin ræd me sumne ræd oðer ich beo ful raðe dæde.
swa swiðe me longeð þat ne mai i noht libben.
after þere faire Ygærne Þis word halt me derne.
for Ulfin þe leoue aðele þine lare.
lude & stille don ich heom wulle.
Þa andswarede Ulfin þan kinge þet spac wið him.
Nu ihere ich muche seollic ænne king suggen.
Þu luuest Ygærne and halst hit swa deorne
þe wifmon is þe to leof & hire lauerd al to lað.
his lond þu forbernest & hine blæð wurchest.
and þrattest hine to slænne & his cun to for-donne.
Wenest þu mid swulche hærme to biȝeten Ygærne.
þenne heo sculde don swa ne deð na wif-man.
mid æie vnimete halden luue swete.
Ah ȝif þu luuest Ygærne þu sculdest hit halden derne.
and senden hire sone of seoluere and of golde.
& luuien hire mid liste & mid leofliche bihæste.
Þa ȝet hit weore a wene whar þu heo mihtes aȝe.
for Ygærne is wel idon a swiðe treowe wimmon.
swa wes hire moder & ma of þan kunne.
To soðe ich þe suggen leofest alre kinge.
488
For ȝursten-dæi me com to an æremite wel idon.
& swor bi his chinne þat he wuste Merlin.
whar he ælche nihte resteð vnder lufte.
and ofte he him spæc wið & spelles him talde.
& ȝif we mihte Merlin mid liste biwinnen.
þenne mihtest þu þine iwille allunge biwinne.
Þa wes Vðer Pendragun þa softer an his mode.
& ȝ[a]f and-sware red Vlfin þu hauest wel isæd.
Ich þe ȝiue an honde þritti solh of londe.
þat þu Merlin biwinne & don mine iwille.
Vlfin ȝeond þat folc wende & sohte al þa uerde.
& he vmbe stunde þene æremite f[u]nde.
and an hiȝinge brohte hine to þan kinge.
and þe king him sette an hond seouen sulȝene lond.
ȝif he mihte bringen Merlin to þan kinge.
Þe æremite gon wende in þene west ænde.
to ane wilderne to ane wude muchele.
þer he iwune[d] hafde. wel feole wintre.
and Merlin swiðe ofte þer-inne sohte.
Sone þe armite com in þa ifunde he Mærlin.
vnder ane treo stonden and sære him gon longen.
þene æremite he isæh cume alse while wes his iwune.
he orn him to-ȝænes beiene heo uæineden þas.
heo clupten heo custen and cuð-liche speken.
Þa sæide Merlin muchel wisdom wes mid him.
Sæie þu mi leofe freond wi naldest þu me suggen.
þurh nanes cunnes þinge þat þu wældest to þan kinge.
Ah ful ȝare ich hit wuste anan swa ich þe miste.
þat þu icumen weore to Vðere kinge.
and what þe king þe wið spæc and of his londe þe bæd.
þat þu me sculdest bringe to Vðer kinge.
And Vlfin þe sohte & to þan kinge brohte.
& Vðer Pendragun. forð-rihtes anan.
sette him an honde þritti solh of londe.
& he sætte þe an honde seoue sulhȝene lond.
Vther i[s] of-longed æfter Ygærne þere hende.
wunder ane swiðe after Gorloises wiue.
490
þat he heo biwinne bute þurh mine ginne.
for nis na wimmon treowere in þissere worlde-riche.
& neoðe-les he scal aȝe þa hende Ygærne
on hir he scal streonen þat scal wide sturien.
he scal streonien hire on ænne swiðe sellichne mon.
Longe beoð æuere dæd ne bið he næuere.
þe wile þe þis world stænt ilæsten scal is worð-munt.
and scal inne Rome walden þa þæines.
Al him scal abuȝe þat wuneð inne Bruttene.
of him scullen gleomen godliche singen.
of his breosten scullen æten aðele scopes.
scullen of his blode beornes beon drunke.
of his eȝene scullen fleon furene gleden.
ælc finger an his hond scarp stelene brond.
scullen stan walles biuoren him to-fallen.
beornes scullen rusien reosen heore mærken.
Þus he scal wel longe liðen ȝeond londen.
leoden biwinnen & his laȝen sette
Þis beoð þa tacnen of þan sune. þe cumeð of U[ðe]re Pendragune.
and of Ygærne Þes speche is ful derne.
for ȝet næt hit neoðer. Ygærne no Uðer.
þat of Vðere Pendragune scal arisen swilc a sune.
for ȝet he beoð unstreoned þa sturieð al þa þeoden.
Ah Lauered quað Merlin nu hit is iwille þin.
þat forð I scal fusen. to uerde þas kinges
þi word ich wulle heren. and nu ich wulle wende
and faren ich wulle for þire lufe to Vthere Pendragune.
and habben þu scalt þat lond þat he þe sette an hond.
Þus heo þa ispecken þæ æremite gon to weopen.
deorliche he hine custe þer heo gunnen dælen.
Merlin ferde riht suð þat lond him wæs ful cuð.
forð-riht he fusde to þes kinges ferde.
Sone swa Vðer hine isæh swa he him to-ȝeines bæh.
& þus quað V[ð]er Pendragune Mærlin þu ært wilcume.
Her ich sette þe an honde al þene ræd of mine londe.
and þat þu me ræde to muchere neode.
Vther him talde al þat he walde.
492
and Gorlois hire lauerd mo[n]nenen alre laðest.
& buten ich habbe þinne ræd ful raðe þu isihst me dæad.
Þa andswerede Merlin Let nu cume in Vlfin.
& bitæc him an honde þritti sulȝene lond.
& bi-tæc þan æremite þat þu him bihete.
for nulle ich aȝæn na lond neouðer [seoluer na gold].
for ich am on rade. rihchest alre monnen.
& ȝif ich wilne æhte þenne wursede ich on crafte.
Ah al þin iwille wel scal iwurðen.
for ich con swulcne leche-craft þe leof þe scal iwurðen.
þat al scullen þine [ch]eres iwurðen swulc þas eorles.
þi speche þi dede i-mong þere duȝeðe.
þine hors & þine iwe[d]e & al swa þu scalt ride.
þenne Ygæ[r]ne þe scal iseon a mode hire scal wel beon.
heo lið inne Tintaieol uaste bituned.
Nis nan cniht swa wel iboren of nane londe icoren.
þe mi[d] strengðe of Tintaieol þe ȝeten mihten un-tunen.
buten he weoren ibirsted mid hungere & mid þurste.
Þat is þat soðe þat ich þe sugge wulle.
þurh alle þinge þu scalt beon swulc þu eorl weore.
& ich wulle beon iwil del swulc him is Brutael.
þat is a cniht swiðe herd he is þeos eorles stiward.
Iurdan is his bur-cniht he is swiðe wel idiht.
Ich wulle makien anan Ulfin swulc is Iurdan.
Þenne bist þu lauer[d] & ich Brutael þi stiward.
& Ulfin Iurdan þi bur-cniht & we scullen faren nu to-niht.
faren þu scalt bi ræde wuder-swa ich þe læde.
Scullen nu to-nihte half hundred cnihten.
mid speren and mid scelden beon abuten þine telden
þat nauere nan qui[k] mon ne cumen þer aneosten.
& ȝif þer auer-æi mon cume þat his hæued him beon bi-numen.
for þa cnihtes scullen suggen selen þine beornen.
þat þu ært ilete blod. and restest þe on bædde.
Þas þingges forð-rihte þus weoren idihte.
Forð ferde þe king næs hit cuð na-þing.
and ferden forð mid him Vlfin & Merlin.
he tuȝen riht þen wæi þa in-to Tintaieol læi.
heo comen to þas castles ȝæte. & cuð-liche cleopeden.
Vndo þis ȝæt-essel þe eorl is icumen here.
Gorlois þe læuerd & Britael his stiward.
and Iurdan þe burcniht we habbeoð ifaren al niht.
Þe ȝæte-ward hit cudde ouer-al & cnihtes urnen uppen wal.
and speken wið Gorlois and hine icneowen mid iwis.
Þa cnihtes weoren swi[ð]e whæte and wefden up þa castles ȝæte.
& letten hine binnen fare þa læsse wes þa heore care.
heo wenden mid iwisse to habben muchel blisse.
Þa hædden heo mid ginne Merlin þer wið-inne.
& heo[lden] Vðer þene king wið-inne heore walding.
and ledde þer mid him his gode þein Ulfin.
Þis tidinde com biliue in to þan wife.
þæt hire læuerd wes icumen and mid him his þreo gumen.
Vt com Ygærne forð to þan eorle.
and þas word seide mid wunsume wurde.
Wil-cume læuerd monne me leofest.
& wilcume Iurdan and Britael is a[l]swa.
Beo ȝe mid isunde to-dæled from þan kinge.
Þa quæð Vðer ful iwis swulc hit weore Gorlois.
Muchel þat mon-kun þæt is mid Vther Pendragun.
and ich æm bi nihte bi-stole from þan fihte.
for æfter þe ic wes of-longed wifmonne þu ært me leofuest.
Buð in-to bure & let mi bed makien.
and ich me wulle ræsten to þissere nihte uirste.
& alle dai to-mærwe to blissien mire duȝeðe.
Ygærne beh to bure & lætte bed him makien.
wes þat kine-wurðe bed al mid palle ouer-bræd.
Þe king hit wel bihedde & eode to his bedde.
and Ygærne læi adun bi Uðere Pendragun.
Nu wende Ygerne ful iwis þat hit weoren Gorlois.
þurh neuere nænes cunnes þing no icneou heo Vðer þene king.
Þe king hire wende to swa wapmon sculde to wimmon do.
& hæfde him to done wið leofuest wimmonne.
& he streonede hire on ænne selcuðne mon.
kingen alre kenest þæ æuere com to monnen.
& he wes on ærde Ærður ihaten.
Nuste noht Ygerne wha læie on hire ærme.
for æuere heo wende ful iwis þat it weoren þe eorl Gorlois.
Næs þer na mære uirst buten þat hit wes dæi-liht.
þer forð-rihtes vnderȝeten þa cnihtes.
þat þe king wes iuaren ut of þere uærde.
Þa sæiden þa cnihtes soð þæh hit neoren
þat þe king wes ifloȝen mid ærhþen afeolled.
ah al hit wes lessinge þat heo seiden bi þan kinge.
her-of heo heolden muchel run uppen V[ð]er Pendragun.
Þa seiden þa eorles & þa hæhste beornes.
Nu þenne hit wat Gorlois hu hit iuaren is.
þat ure king is ifaren & his ferde bilæiued.
he wule forð-rihtes wepni his cnihtes.
and ut he wule to fihten & feollen us to grunden.
mid woden his þeines muchel wæl makien.
þenne weore us beteren þat we iboren neoren.
Ah leten we blawen bemen & bonnien ure uerde.
& Cador þe kene scal beren þas kinges marke.
hæbben haȝe þene drake bi-foren þissere duȝeðe.
and faren to þan castle mid kene ure folke.
and þe eorl Aldolf scal beon ure aldre.
& we him scullen here swulc hit þe king weoren.
& swa we s[c]ullen mid rihte wið Gorlois fihten.
and ȝif he us wule speken wið & ȝernen þis kinges grið.
setten sæhtnusse mid æðen soð-fæste.
þenne maȝen we mid wurð-scipen heonene iwenden.
þenne nabbeoð ure æfterlinges nane up-breidinges.
þat we for ærhscipe heonene at-ærnden.
Al þat leodliche folc bilufde þesne ilke ræd.
Bemen heo bleowen. bonneden uærden.
up heo hafden þene drake ælches mærken vnimake.
þer wes moni bald scalc þe sceld weiden on sculdre.
moni þein kene & wenden to þan castle.
Gorlois wes wið-innen mid kene his monnen.
he lette blawen beomen & bonnien his ferden.
leopen an steden cnihtes gunnen riden.
Þæs cnihtes weoren swiðe wate & wenden ut at þan ȝate.
to-somne heo comen sone fastliche heo on-sloȝen.
feolle fæie men uolden isohten.
þer wes muche blod-gute balu wes on folke.
imong þan fihte ful iwis mon sloh þene eorl Gorlois.
Þa gunnen his men fleon & þa oðere after teon.
heo comen to þan castle and binnen heo þrasten.
Sone hit comen binnen ba twa þa uerden.
þer ileste þat fiht þurh þene dæi-liht.
ær þe dai weore al a-sceken wes þe castel biȝeten.
næs þer nan swa wracche swein þat he nes a wel god þein.
Comen þa tidinde in-to Tintageol an hiȝende.
forð into þan castle. þer Vðer wes inne.
þat islaȝen wes ful iwis þe eorl heore læuerd Gorlois.
& alle his here-gumen and his castel inumen.
Þis iherde þe king þer he læi an skentting.
& leop ut of bure swulc hit an liun weore.
Þa quað þe king Vðer of þissen tiðende he wes wær.
Beoð stille beoð stille cnihtes inne halle.
here ich æm ful iwis eore læuerd Gorlois.
and Iurdan mi bur-ward and Brutael mi stiward.
Ich & þas tweie cnihtes leopen ut of þan fihte.
and hider in we beoð idraȝen neore we noht þere islaȝen.
Ah nu ich wulle fusen & sumnien mine ferde.
and ich & mine cnihtes scullen al bi nihte.
faren in ænne tun and imeten Vðer Pendragun.
and buten he of sæhnesse speken ich wulle me wu[r]ðliche awrake.
& ȝe þesne castel bi-cluseð swiðe uaste.
and hateð me Ygerne þat heo noht ne murne.
Nu ich fare forð-riht habbeoð alle gode niht.
Bi-foren ferde Merlin & þe þein Vlfin.
& seoððen Uðer Pendragun ut of Tintageolestun.
æuere heo uerden alle niht þat hit wes dæi-liht.
Þa com he to þan ærde þer læi his ferde.
Merlin hafde a þene king his wlite iset þurh alle þing.
þa icneowen cnihtes heore kinelauerd.
þer wes moni oht Brut mid blissen a-feolled.
þa weoren inne Bruttene blissen inoȝe.
hornes þer bleowen gleomen g[unn]en. gleowen.
glad æuer-ælch cniht al mid pælle bi-þæht.
Þreo dæies wes þe king wuniende þere.
& þan feorðe dæie to Tintaieol he wende.
He sende to þan castle his selest þeines.
& grætte Ygærne wifuene aðelest
& sende hire taken whæt heo i bedde speken.
hehte heo þat heo aȝeuen þene castel biliue.
þer nes nan oðer ræd for hire lauerd wes dæd.
Ȝet wende Ygærne þat hit soð weoren
þat þe dæde eorl i-soht hafede his duȝeðe.
and al heo ilæfde þat hit læs weore.
þat þe king Vðer æuere weoren icumen her.
Cnihtes eoden to ræde cnihtes eoden to rune.
radden þat heo nalden þene castel lengere halden.
heore brugge heo duden adun & bitahte hine Vðer Pendragun.
Þa stod al þis kine-lond æft an Vtheres hond.
Þer Vðer þe king nom Ygærne to quene.
Ygærne wes mid childe bi Vðer kinge.
al þurh Merlines wiȝel ær heo biwedded weore.
Þe time com þe wes icoren þa wes Arður iboren.
Sone swa he com an eorðe aluen hine iuengen.
heo bigolen þat child mid galdere swiðe stronge.
heo ȝeuen him mihte to beon bezst alre cnihten.
heo ȝeuen him an-oðer þing þat he scolde beon riche king.
heo ȝiuen him þat þridde þat he scolde longe libben.
heo ȝifen him þat kine-bern custen swiðe gode.
þat he wes mete-custi of alle quike monnen.
þis þe alue him þef and al swa þat child iþæh.
Æfter Arður wes iboren þeo ædie burde
heo wes ihaten Æne. þat ædien maiden.
& seoððen heo nom Loð þe Leones ahte.
heo wæs inne Loeneis leodene læfdi.
Longe l[i]uede Vðer mid muchelere blisse her.
mid gode griðe mid gode friðe freo on kine-dome.
Þa þe he wes ald mon þa com him ufel on.
þat vfel hine læide adun seoc wes Vðer Pendragun.
swa he wes here seoc seoue ȝere.
Þa iwurðen Bruttes swiðe [un]balded.
heo duden ofte unwræste al for æie-leste.
Þe ȝet læi ibunden in þe quarterne of Lunden.
Octa Hengestes sune þa at Eouerwic wes inume.
and his iueren Ebissa & his o[ð]er Ossa.
Heom biuusten twælf cnihtes dæies and nihtes.
þa weoren weri of-læien inne Lundenne.
Octa iherde suggen of seoc-nesse þas kinges.
& spac wið þa wardes-men þe hine witen scolden.
Hærcneð me nu cnihtes þat ich eou wulle cuðen.
We liggeð here i Lundene uaste ibunden
and ȝe monienne longne dæi ouer us ilæien habbeoð.
Bettere us weoren to libben inne Sexlonde.
mid muchele richedome þene þus reouliche here
& bitæc him an honde þritti sulȝene lond.
& bi-tæc þan æremite þat þu him bihete.
for nulle ich aȝæn na lond neouðer [seoluer na gold].
for ich am on rade. rihchest alre monnen.
& ȝif ich wilne æhte þenne wursede ich on crafte.
Ah al þin iwille wel scal iwurðen.
for ich con swulcne leche-craft þe leof þe scal iwurðen.
þat al scullen þine [ch]eres iwurðen swulc þas eorles.
þi speche þi dede i-mong þere duȝeðe.
þine hors & þine iwe[d]e & al swa þu scalt ride.
þenne Ygæ[r]ne þe scal iseon a mode hire scal wel beon.
heo lið inne Tintaieol uaste bituned.
Nis nan cniht swa wel iboren of nane londe icoren.
þe mi[d] strengðe of Tintaieol þe ȝeten mihten un-tunen.
buten he weoren ibirsted mid hungere & mid þurste.
Þat is þat soðe þat ich þe sugge wulle.
þurh alle þinge þu scalt beon swulc þu eorl weore.
& ich wulle beon iwil del swulc him is Brutael.
þat is a cniht swiðe herd he is þeos eorles stiward.
Iurdan is his bur-cniht he is swiðe wel idiht.
Ich wulle makien anan Ulfin swulc is Iurdan.
Þenne bist þu lauer[d] & ich Brutael þi stiward.
& Ulfin Iurdan þi bur-cniht & we scullen faren nu to-niht.
faren þu scalt bi ræde wuder-swa ich þe læde.
Scullen nu to-nihte half hundred cnihten.
mid speren and mid scelden beon abuten þine telden
þat nauere nan qui[k] mon ne cumen þer aneosten.
& ȝif þer auer-æi mon cume þat his hæued him beon bi-numen.
for þa cnihtes scullen suggen selen þine beornen.
þat þu ært ilete blod. and restest þe on bædde.
Þas þingges forð-rihte þus weoren idihte.
Forð ferde þe king næs hit cuð na-þing.
494
he tuȝen riht þen wæi þa in-to Tintaieol læi.
heo comen to þas castles ȝæte. & cuð-liche cleopeden.
Vndo þis ȝæt-essel þe eorl is icumen here.
Gorlois þe læuerd & Britael his stiward.
and Iurdan þe burcniht we habbeoð ifaren al niht.
Þe ȝæte-ward hit cudde ouer-al & cnihtes urnen uppen wal.
and speken wið Gorlois and hine icneowen mid iwis.
Þa cnihtes weoren swi[ð]e whæte and wefden up þa castles ȝæte.
& letten hine binnen fare þa læsse wes þa heore care.
heo wenden mid iwisse to habben muchel blisse.
Þa hædden heo mid ginne Merlin þer wið-inne.
& heo[lden] Vðer þene king wið-inne heore walding.
and ledde þer mid him his gode þein Ulfin.
Þis tidinde com biliue in to þan wife.
þæt hire læuerd wes icumen and mid him his þreo gumen.
Vt com Ygærne forð to þan eorle.
and þas word seide mid wunsume wurde.
Wil-cume læuerd monne me leofest.
& wilcume Iurdan and Britael is a[l]swa.
Beo ȝe mid isunde to-dæled from þan kinge.
Þa quæð Vðer ful iwis swulc hit weore Gorlois.
Muchel þat mon-kun þæt is mid Vther Pendragun.
and ich æm bi nihte bi-stole from þan fihte.
for æfter þe ic wes of-longed wifmonne þu ært me leofuest.
Buð in-to bure & let mi bed makien.
and ich me wulle ræsten to þissere nihte uirste.
& alle dai to-mærwe to blissien mire duȝeðe.
Ygærne beh to bure & lætte bed him makien.
wes þat kine-wurðe bed al mid palle ouer-bræd.
Þe king hit wel bihedde & eode to his bedde.
and Ygærne læi adun bi Uðere Pendragun.
Nu wende Ygerne ful iwis þat hit weoren Gorlois.
þurh neuere nænes cunnes þing no icneou heo Vðer þene king.
Þe king hire wende to swa wapmon sculde to wimmon do.
& hæfde him to done wið leofuest wimmonne.
& he streonede hire on ænne selcuðne mon.
kingen alre kenest þæ æuere com to monnen.
& he wes on ærde Ærður ihaten.
496
for æuere heo wende ful iwis þat it weoren þe eorl Gorlois.
Næs þer na mære uirst buten þat hit wes dæi-liht.
þer forð-rihtes vnderȝeten þa cnihtes.
þat þe king wes iuaren ut of þere uærde.
Þa sæiden þa cnihtes soð þæh hit neoren
þat þe king wes ifloȝen mid ærhþen afeolled.
ah al hit wes lessinge þat heo seiden bi þan kinge.
her-of heo heolden muchel run uppen V[ð]er Pendragun.
Þa seiden þa eorles & þa hæhste beornes.
Nu þenne hit wat Gorlois hu hit iuaren is.
þat ure king is ifaren & his ferde bilæiued.
he wule forð-rihtes wepni his cnihtes.
and ut he wule to fihten & feollen us to grunden.
mid woden his þeines muchel wæl makien.
þenne weore us beteren þat we iboren neoren.
Ah leten we blawen bemen & bonnien ure uerde.
& Cador þe kene scal beren þas kinges marke.
hæbben haȝe þene drake bi-foren þissere duȝeðe.
and faren to þan castle mid kene ure folke.
and þe eorl Aldolf scal beon ure aldre.
& we him scullen here swulc hit þe king weoren.
& swa we s[c]ullen mid rihte wið Gorlois fihten.
and ȝif he us wule speken wið & ȝernen þis kinges grið.
setten sæhtnusse mid æðen soð-fæste.
þenne maȝen we mid wurð-scipen heonene iwenden.
þenne nabbeoð ure æfterlinges nane up-breidinges.
þat we for ærhscipe heonene at-ærnden.
Al þat leodliche folc bilufde þesne ilke ræd.
Bemen heo bleowen. bonneden uærden.
up heo hafden þene drake ælches mærken vnimake.
þer wes moni bald scalc þe sceld weiden on sculdre.
moni þein kene & wenden to þan castle.
Gorlois wes wið-innen mid kene his monnen.
he lette blawen beomen & bonnien his ferden.
leopen an steden cnihtes gunnen riden.
Þæs cnihtes weoren swiðe wate & wenden ut at þan ȝate.
to-somne heo comen sone fastliche heo on-sloȝen.
feolle fæie men uolden isohten.
498
imong þan fihte ful iwis mon sloh þene eorl Gorlois.
Þa gunnen his men fleon & þa oðere after teon.
heo comen to þan castle and binnen heo þrasten.
Sone hit comen binnen ba twa þa uerden.
þer ileste þat fiht þurh þene dæi-liht.
ær þe dai weore al a-sceken wes þe castel biȝeten.
næs þer nan swa wracche swein þat he nes a wel god þein.
Comen þa tidinde in-to Tintageol an hiȝende.
forð into þan castle. þer Vðer wes inne.
þat islaȝen wes ful iwis þe eorl heore læuerd Gorlois.
& alle his here-gumen and his castel inumen.
Þis iherde þe king þer he læi an skentting.
& leop ut of bure swulc hit an liun weore.
Þa quað þe king Vðer of þissen tiðende he wes wær.
Beoð stille beoð stille cnihtes inne halle.
here ich æm ful iwis eore læuerd Gorlois.
and Iurdan mi bur-ward and Brutael mi stiward.
Ich & þas tweie cnihtes leopen ut of þan fihte.
and hider in we beoð idraȝen neore we noht þere islaȝen.
Ah nu ich wulle fusen & sumnien mine ferde.
and ich & mine cnihtes scullen al bi nihte.
faren in ænne tun and imeten Vðer Pendragun.
and buten he of sæhnesse speken ich wulle me wu[r]ðliche awrake.
& ȝe þesne castel bi-cluseð swiðe uaste.
and hateð me Ygerne þat heo noht ne murne.
Nu ich fare forð-riht habbeoð alle gode niht.
Bi-foren ferde Merlin & þe þein Vlfin.
& seoððen Uðer Pendragun ut of Tintageolestun.
æuere heo uerden alle niht þat hit wes dæi-liht.
Þa com he to þan ærde þer læi his ferde.
Merlin hafde a þene king his wlite iset þurh alle þing.
þa icneowen cnihtes heore kinelauerd.
þer wes moni oht Brut mid blissen a-feolled.
þa weoren inne Bruttene blissen inoȝe.
hornes þer bleowen gleomen g[unn]en. gleowen.
glad æuer-ælch cniht al mid pælle bi-þæht.
Þreo dæies wes þe king wuniende þere.
& þan feorðe dæie to Tintaieol he wende.
500
& grætte Ygærne wifuene aðelest
& sende hire taken whæt heo i bedde speken.
hehte heo þat heo aȝeuen þene castel biliue.
þer nes nan oðer ræd for hire lauerd wes dæd.
Ȝet wende Ygærne þat hit soð weoren
þat þe dæde eorl i-soht hafede his duȝeðe.
and al heo ilæfde þat hit læs weore.
þat þe king Vðer æuere weoren icumen her.
Cnihtes eoden to ræde cnihtes eoden to rune.
radden þat heo nalden þene castel lengere halden.
heore brugge heo duden adun & bitahte hine Vðer Pendragun.
Þa stod al þis kine-lond æft an Vtheres hond.
Þer Vðer þe king nom Ygærne to quene.
Ygærne wes mid childe bi Vðer kinge.
al þurh Merlines wiȝel ær heo biwedded weore.
Þe time com þe wes icoren þa wes Arður iboren.
Sone swa he com an eorðe aluen hine iuengen.
heo bigolen þat child mid galdere swiðe stronge.
heo ȝeuen him mihte to beon bezst alre cnihten.
heo ȝeuen him an-oðer þing þat he scolde beon riche king.
heo ȝiuen him þat þridde þat he scolde longe libben.
heo ȝifen him þat kine-bern custen swiðe gode.
þat he wes mete-custi of alle quike monnen.
þis þe alue him þef and al swa þat child iþæh.
Æfter Arður wes iboren þeo ædie burde
heo wes ihaten Æne. þat ædien maiden.
& seoððen heo nom Loð þe Leones ahte.
heo wæs inne Loeneis leodene læfdi.
Longe l[i]uede Vðer mid muchelere blisse her.
mid gode griðe mid gode friðe freo on kine-dome.
Þa þe he wes ald mon þa com him ufel on.
þat vfel hine læide adun seoc wes Vðer Pendragun.
swa he wes here seoc seoue ȝere.
Þa iwurðen Bruttes swiðe [un]balded.
heo duden ofte unwræste al for æie-leste.
Þe ȝet læi ibunden in þe quarterne of Lunden.
Octa Hengestes sune þa at Eouerwic wes inume.
502
Heom biuusten twælf cnihtes dæies and nihtes.
þa weoren weri of-læien inne Lundenne.
Octa iherde suggen of seoc-nesse þas kinges.
& spac wið þa wardes-men þe hine witen scolden.
Hærcneð me nu cnihtes þat ich eou wulle cuðen.
We liggeð here i Lundene uaste ibunden
and ȝe monienne longne dæi ouer us ilæien habbeoð.
Bettere us weoren to libben inne Sexlonde.
mid muchele richedome þene þus reouliche here
& ȝif ȝe wolden iwurðen & don mine iwille.
ich eou wolden ȝiuen lond muchel seoluer & gold.
þat a ȝe mihten riche rixlien in þan londe.
and eoure lif libben swa eou bið alre leofuest.
For no biden ȝe nauere ȝiuen gode of Vðer kinge.
for nu ful raðe he bið dæd and his duȝeðen al bilæueð.
þenne nabben ȝe nouðer þat an no þat o[ð]er.
Ah biðenche eou ohte men & doð us eoure mildze on.
& þencheð whæt eou weoren leof ȝif ȝe þus ibunden leien.
& mihten in eouwer londe libben inne winne.
Swiðe ofte Octa wið þæs cnihtes spac swa.
Cnihtes gunnen runen cnihtes gunnen ræden.
to Octa heo seiden ful stille We scullen don þine iwille.
Aðes heo sworen swiken þat heo nalden.
Hit wæs in ane nihte þat þe wind wende rihte.
forð i-wenden cnihtes to þere mid-nihte.
and ledden uorð Octa & Ebissa & Ossa.
after þere Temese tuhten forð in-to þere sæ.
forð heo iwenden into Sæx-londen.
Heore cun heom com aȝeines mid mucle flockes.
heo liðen ȝeond þan leoden swa heom wes alre leofuest.
me heom bi-tahte lond me ȝæf heom seoluer & gold.
Octa hine bi[ð]ohte whæt he don mahte.
he þohten hider wenden & wræken his fader wunden.
Ferden heo biȝæten of folke vnimete.
to þere sa heo wenden mid muchele þrætte.
to Scotlonde heo comen
sone heo fusden alond. and mid fure hit igrætten
Sæxes weoren ræie. Scottes heo sloȝen
mid fure heo adun læiden. [þri]tti hundred tunes
Scottes heo sloȝen moni and unifoȝen.
Comen þa tidende to Vðer kinge.
Vðer wes swiðe wa & wunderliche ihærmed.
and senden into Loæines to leofen his freonden.
and grette Lot his aðum & hehte hine beon an sund.
& hahte hine nimen an his hond al his kine-wurðe lond.
chihtes and freomen and freo-liche heom halden.
& leden heom to ferde swa laȝen beoð an ærde.
& he hæhte his cnihtes leoue beon hærsume Loðe.
mid leofliche læten swulc he weoren leodene king.
For Lot wes swiðe god cniht, & hafde ihalden moni fiht.
and he wes mete-custi æuer-alche monne.
he bi-tahten him þa warde of alle þissen ærde.
Octa heold muche vnfrið & Lot faht him ofte wið.
& ofte he ahte biȝæt & ofte he heom losede.
Bruttes hafden muchel mode & vni-mete prute.
& weoren æie-lese for þas kinges alde.
and lætten swiðe hokerliche of Lote þan eorle.
and duden swiðe vnwraste alle his haste.
and weoren alle twi-ræde heore teone wes þa mare.
Þis wes isæid sone seocken þan kinge.
þat his hæȝe men Lot al for-hoȝeden.
Nu ich þe wulle tellen a þissen boc-spællen.
hv Vðer þe king uu[nd]ede hine seolven.
He sæide þat he wolde wende to his ferde.
and mid his eȝene iseon wæ þer wolde wel don.
He lette makien þere gode horse-bere.
& letten beoden uerde ȝeond al his kine-ærde.
þat ælc mon bi his liue comen to him swiðe.
bi heore liue & bi heore leme. to wræken þas kinges scome.
& ȝif þær is æi gume þæt nulle hiȝenliche cume.
ich wulle hine hiȝenliche fordon oðer slæn oðer an-hon.
Alle ful sone to hirede heo comen.
no durste þær bilæuen na þæ uatte no þe læne.
Þe king forð-rihtes nom alle his cnihtes.
& ferde him anan to þan tune of [V]er[o]lam.
abuten Uerolames tun com him V[ð]er Pendragun.
Octa wes wið-innen mid alle his monnen.
Þa wes Verolam a swiðe kine-wurðe hom.
Seint Alban wes þe[r] islæȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
Þe burh wes seoððe for-uaren & muchel folc þer wes islæȝen.
Vðer lai wið-uten & Octa wið-innen.
Vðeres ferde fusde to wale.
ræsden to feondliche þeines riche.
ne mihte heo of þan walle ænne stan falle.
no mid nare strengðe þene wal amærre.
Wælle bliðe wes þæ Hangestes sune Octa.
þa he isæh Bruttes buȝen from walle
& sorh-ful wenden. aȝæin to heore telden.
Þa sæide Octa to his iueren Ebissa.
Her is icumen to [Vero]lam V[ð]er þe lome mon.
& wulle wið us here fihten in his bære.
he wænde mid his crucche us a-dun þrucche.
Ah to-mærȝe wæne hit dæi buð duȝeðe scal arisen.
& oppenien ure castel-ȝæten. þas riche we s[c]ullen al biȝeten.
ne scullen we nauære here liggen. for ane lom me monne.
Ut we scullen riden uppen ure steden. goden.
and to Uðere fusen. & his folc fællen.
for alle heo beoð fæie þat hider beoð iridenen.
and nimen þene lome mon and leggen in ure benden.
and halden þene wræcche a þat he for-wurðe.
& sa me scal lacnien his leomes þat beoð sare.
and his ban rihten mid bite[r]e stelen.
Þus him ispac Octa wið his iuere Ebissa.
ah al hit iwrað oðer þene heo iwenden.
A-marȝe þa hit daȝede duren heo un-tunden.
up aras Octa Ebissa & Ossa.
and hehten heore cnihtes ȝarkien heom to fihte.
vndon her brade ȝæten burȝen un-tunen
Octa him ut ræd & muche folc him after glæd.
mid balden his beornen þer he bælu funden.
Vðer him þis isæh þat Octa heom to bæh.
& þohten his ferde feolen to grunde.
Þa cleopede Uðer mid quickere stefene þer.
Wær beo ȝe Bruttes balde mine þeines.
Nu is icumen þe ilke dæi þe Drihten us helpen mai.
þat Octa scal ifinden þat he þrættede me to binden.
Iþenche[ð] on eoure aldren hu gode heo weoren to fehten
Iþenche[ð] þene wurð-scipe þat ich eou habbe wel biwiten.
ne læten ȝe næuere þas hæðene bruken eoure hames.
þæs ilke awedde hundes walden eouwere londes.
And ich wullen bidden Drihten þat scop þæs dæies lihten.
& alle þaie halȝen þa an hæfene hæhȝe sitteð.
þat [ich] on þissen felde mote beon ifroured.
Nu fuseð heom to swiðe fulste eou Drihten.
þe al-waldinde God bi-witen mine þeines.
Cnihtes gunnen riden gæres gunnen gliden.
breken bræde speren brusleden sceldes.
helmes þer scenden scalkes feollen.
Þe Bruttes weoren balde & bisie to fihten.
& þa hæðene hundes hælden to grunde.
Þer wes islaȝen Octa Ebissa & Ossa.
þer seouen-tene þusend siȝen into helle.
feole þer at-wenden touward þan norð enden.
Al þene dæi-lihte Vðeres cnihtes.
sloȝen and nomen al þat heo neh comen.
þa hit wes eauen þa wes hit al biwunnen.
Þa sunggen hired-men mid hæȝere strengðe.
& þæs word sæiden inne murie heore songen.
Her is V[ð]er Pendragun icume to Verolames tun
& he hæfueð idubbed swa Octa & Ebissa & Ossa.
& itah heom a londen laȝen swiðe stronge.
þat men maȝen tellen heore cun to spelle.
and þer-of wurchen songes inne Sæx-londe.
Þa wes Vðer bliðe & igladed swuðe.
and spac wið his duȝeðe þe deore him wes an heorte.
& þas word sæide Vðer þe alde.
Sexisce men me habbeo[ð] for hene ihalden.
mine unhæle me at-witen mid heore hoker-worden.
for ich wes here ilad inne horse-bere.
& sæiden þat ich wes ded and mi duȝeðe aswunden.
And nu is muchel sellic. isiȝen to þissere riche
þat nu haueð þeos dede king þas quiken aqualden.
& summe he heom flæmde uorð mid þan wedere.
Nu iwurðen her-after Drihttenes wille.
Fluȝen Sæxisce men feondliche swiðe.
þe weoren bihalues ihalden from þan fihte.
forð heo gunnen scriðen into Scotlonde.
and nomen heom to kinge Colgrim þene hende.
He wes Hængestes mæie & monnen him leofuest.
and Octa hine lufede þæ while þe he leouede.
Weoren þa Saxisce men swiðe iswunten.
& iscriðen heom to-somne into Scot-londe.
& Colgrim þene hende heo makeden to kinge.
& sumneden færde wide ȝeond þan ærde.
and sæiden þat heo wolden mid heore wiðer-craften.
inne Winchastre tun quellen Vðer Pendragun.
Wa la wa þat hit sculde iwurðen swa.
Nu sæiden Saxisce men in heore som-runen
Nime we six cnihtes wise men and wihte.
hæweres witere & senden we to hirede.
læten heom uorð liðen an almes-monnes wisen.
& wunien an hirede mid heȝe þan kinge.
and æuer-ælche dæie þurh-gon al þa duȝeðe.
and gan to þas kinges dale swulc heo weoren vn-hale.
& imong þan wracchen harcnien ȝeorne.
ȝif mon mihte mid crafte a dæi oðer a nihte.
inne Winchæstres tun cumen to V[ð]er Pendragun.
& mid morð-spelle þene king aquellen.
þenne weoren heore iwil allunge iwurden.
þenne weoren heo care-læse of Costantines cunne.
Nu wenden forð þa cnihtes al bi dæies lihten
on ælmes-monnes claðes. cnihtes for-cuðest.
to þas kinges hirede þer heo hærm wrohten.
Heo eoden to þære dale swulc heo weoren un-hale.
& hærcneden ȝeornen of þas kinges hærme.
hu me þæne king mihte to dæðe idihte.
Þa imetten heo enne cniht from þan kinge he com riht.
he wes Vðeres mæi & monnen him leofuest.
Þas swiken þer heo sæten on-longen þere streten.
cleopeden to þan cnihte mid cu[ð]liche worden.
Lauerd we beoð wracche men a þissere weorlde-riche.
while we weoren on londe for gode men iholden.
a þat Sæxisce men setten us a-dune.
& al bi-ræiueden us & ure æhten binomen us.
Nu we beden singeð for Vðer kinge.
ælche dæie on a mæl ure mete trukeð.
ne cumeð nauere inne ure disc neoðer flæs ma no fisc.
no nanes cunnes drænc buten water scenc.
buten water clæne for þi we beoð þus læne.
Þis iherde þe cniht aȝæn he eode forð-riht.
& com to þan kinge þer he lai on bure.
& seide to þan kinge. Lauerd beo þu on sunde.
her-ute sitteð six men iliche on heouwen
alle heo beoð iferen iscrudde mid heren.
While heo weoren a þissere worlde-richen.
god-fulle þeines mid goden a-feolled.
nu habbeoð Sæxisce men isæt hom to grunden.
þat heo beoð on weorlde for wracchen i-halden.
no raccheoð heo to borde bu[t]en bræd ane.
no to heore drencches bute water scenches.
Þus heo leodeð heore lif inne þire leode.
& heore beoden biddeð þat Godd þe lete longe libben.
Þa quað V[ð]er þe king Let heom cumen hider in.
ich heom wulle scruden & ich heom wulle ueden.
for mines Drihtenes lufe þa wille þa ich liuie.
Comen into bure beornes þa swikele.
þe king heom lette feden þæ king heom lette scruden.
& nihtes hom læiden. ælc on his bedde.
and ælc on his halue heoȝede ȝeorne.
hu heo mihten þene king mid morðe aquellen.
ah ne mihten heo þurh naþing aquellen Vðer þene king.
ne þurh nane crafte cumen to him ne [m]ahten.
Þa iwærd hit in ane time þe ræin him gon rine.
þa cleopede þer a læche þer he læi on bure.
to ane bur-cnihte and hahte hine forð-rihtes.
irne to þere welle þe wes on-væst þere halle.
and setten þe[r]e ænne ohte swain to biwiten heo wið ræin.
For þe king ne mai on duȝeðe bruken nanes drenches.
buten cald welles stræm þat him is ique[m]e.
þat is to his ufele aðelest alre drencche.
Þas speche uorð-rihtes iherden þas six cnihtes.
to harme heo weoren wiþte and ut wenden bi nihte.
forð to þere welle. þer ho hærm wrohten
Vt heo droȝen sone amppullen scone.
i-fulled mid attere weten alre bitterest.
six amppullen fulle heo ȝeoten i þan welle.
þa wes þa welle anan al mid attre bi-gon.
Þa weoren ful bliðe þæ swiken on heore liue.
& forð heo iwenden ne dursten heo þer bilæfen.
Þa comen þer forð-rihtes tweien bur-cnihtes.
heo beren on heore honde twæie bollen of golde.
Heo comen to þare welle and heore bollen feolde.
aȝæin heo gunnen wende to Vðer þan kinge.
forð in-to þan bure þer he læi on bedde.
Hail seo þu Vðer nu we beoð icumen her.
and we habbeoð þe ibroht þat þu ær bedde.
cæld welle water bruc hit on wunne.
Vp aras þe seocke king & sat on his bedde.
of þan watere he dronc & sone he gon sweten.
his heorte gon to wakien his neb bigon to blakien.
his wombe gon to swellen þe king gon to swelten.
Næs þer nan oðer ræd þer wes Vðer king dæd.
alle heo iwurðen dede þat drunken of þan watere.
Þa þat hired isah þat sorhȝen of þan kinge.
& of þas kinges monnen þe mid attre weoren for-done.
þa wenden to þere welle cnihtes þe weoren snælle.
& þa welle for-duden mid derfulle swincche.
mid eorðe & mid stanen stepne hul makeden.
Þa nomen þa duȝeðe þene king dede.
vnimete uolc & forð hine uereden.
stið-i-modede men in to Stanhengen.
& hine þer bureden bi leofen his broðer.
side bi side beiene heo þer liggeð.
Þa com hit al to-gadere þat hæhst wes on londe.
eorles & beornes & boc-ilarede men.
heo comen to Lundene to muchelere hustinge.
Nomen heom to rade þeines riche.
þat heo wolden ouer sæ. senden sonde
in-to Bruttainne after bezst alre ȝeoȝeðe.
þa a þissere weorlden-riche a þan dæȝen weore.
Ærður ihaten bezst alre cnihten.
and suggen þat he cumen sone to his kinedome.
for dæd him wes Vðer al-swa Aurilien wes ær.
and Vðer Pendragune nefde nenne oðerne sune.
þat mihte after his daȝen halden Bruttes to laȝe.
mid wurð-scipe halden & þisne kinedom walden.
For ȝæt weoren in þissen londe Sæxes at-stonden.
Colgrim þe kene and moni þusend of his iueren.
þa ofte ure Bruttes makeden hufele burstes.
Bruttes ful sone þreo biscopes nomen.
and ridæres seouene ræiȝe on wisdome.
forð heo gunnen buȝen in-to Bruttaine.
& heo ful sone to Ærðure comen.
Hail seo þu Arður aðelest cnihten.
Vðer þe græten þa he sculde iwiten.
& bæd þat þu sculdest a Brutten þe seoluen.
halden laȝen rihte & hælpen þine folke.
and witen þisne kinedom. swa god king sculden don.
þine feond flæmen & driuen heom of londen.
& he bad þe to fultume þene milde Godes sune.
þat þu mostes wel don & þat lond of Godde a-fon.
for dæd is Vðer Pendragun & þu ært Ærður his sune.
& dæd is þe oðer Aurilien his broðer.
Þus heo gunnen tellen & Arður sæt ful stille.
ænne stunde he wes blac and on heuwe swiðe wak.
ane while he wes reod and reousede on heorte.
Þa hit alles up brac hit wes god þat he spac.
þus him sæide þer-riht Arður þe aðele cniht.
Lauerd Crist Godes sune beon us nu a fultume.
þat ich mote on life Goddes laȝen halden.
Fif-tene ȝere wes Ar[ð]ur ald þa þis tiðende him wes itald.
& alle heo weoren wel bitoȝen for he wes swiðe iðoȝe.
Ærður forð-rihtes cleopede his cnihtes.
& hæhte æuer-ælcne mon bonnien his weppnen.
& heore hors sadelie hiȝendliche swiðe.
for he wolde buȝe to þissere Brutene.
To þere sæ wenden sele þeines.
at Mihæles Munte mid muchelere uerede.
þa sæ heo sætten a þat strond at Suð-ham-tune heo comen alond.
Forð him gon ride Arður þe riche.
riht to Selechæstre þer him sel þuhte.
þer wes Bruttene weored baldeliche isomned.
Muchel wes þa blisse þa Arður com to burhȝe.
þer wes bemene blæst & swiðe glade beornes.
þer heo houen to kinge Arður þene ȝunge.
Þa þe Arður wes king hærne nu seollic þing.
he wes mete-custi ælche quike monne.
cniht mid þan bezste w[u]nder ane kene.
he wes þan ȝungen for fader þan alden for frouer.
and wið þan vnwise w[u]nder ane sturnne.
woh him wes wunder lað. and þat rihte a leof
Ælc of his birlen & of his bur-þæinen.
& his ber-cnihtes gold beren an honden.
to ruggen and to bedde iscrud mid gode webbe,
Nefde he neuere nænne coc þat he nes keppe swi[ð]e god.
neuær nanes cnihtes swein þat he næs bald þein.
Þe king heold al his hired mid hæȝere blise.
& mid swulche þinges he ouer-com alle kinges.
mid ræhȝere strengðe & mid riche-dome.
swulche weoren his custes þat al uolc hit wuste.
Nu wes Arður god king his hired hine lufede.
æc hit wes cuð wide of his kine-dome.
Þe king huld i Lundene ane muchele hustinge.
þer-to weoren ilaðede his leond-cnihtes alle.
riche men and hæne to hæȝen þan king.
Þa þe hit wes al icume uolc vnimete.
vp a-ræs Arður aðelest kingen.
& lette bringen him biforen halidomes wel icoren.
þer-to gon cneoli þe king sume þrie.
nuste noht his duȝeðe what he deme wolde.
Arður heold up his riht hond ænne að he þer swor
þat næuere bi his liue for nanes monnes lære.
ne sculden inne Brutene Sæxes wurðen bliðe.
londes beon wurðen no wurð-scipe bruke.
ah he heom wolde flemen for heo weoren iuæid wið him.
sloȝen Vðer Pendragune þe wes Costa[n]ces sune.
swa heo duden þene o[ð]er Aurilien his broðer.
for þi heo weoren on londe laðest alre uolke.
Arður. forð-rihtes nom his wise cnihtes.
weore heom lef. weore heom lað alle heo sworen þene að.
trouliche þat heo wolden mid Arðure halden.
& wreken þene king Vðer þat Sæxes aqualden her.
Arður his writen sende wide ȝeond his londe.
after alle þan cnihten þe he biȝiten mihte.
þat heo ful sone to þan kinge comen.
& he heom wolde on londe leofliche at-halden.
scipien heom mid londe mid seoluere & mid golde.
Forð þe king ferde mid vnimete uerde.
folc he ledde sællic & ferde riht to Eouerwic.
Þer he læi ane niht amærwe he ferde forð-riht.
þer he wuste Colgrim & his iueren mid him.
S[eo]ððen Octa wes of-slaȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
þe wes Hengestes sune vt of Sæxlonde icumen.
Colgrim wes þe hæhst mon þat ut of Sax-londe com.
after Hengeste & Horse his broðer.
& Octa & Ossa and heore iuere Ebissa.
Heold a þan ilke dæȝen Colgrim Sæxes to laȝen.
ladde & radde mid ræȝere strengðe.
muchel wes þat moncun þat ferde mid Colgrim.
Colgrim iherde tidende of Arðu[r]e þan kinge.
þat he touward him com and wolde him vfel don.
Colgrim hine biþohte whæt he don mahte.
& bonnede his uerde ȝeond al þan norð ærde.
Þer liðen to-somne alle Scotleode.
Peohtes & Sæxes siȝen heom to-gæderes.
& moniennes cunnes men uuleden Colgrimen.
Forð he gon fusen mid vnimete verde.
to-ȝaines Arðure aðelest kingen.
he þohte to quellen þe king on his þeoden.
& his folc ual[l]en. uolden to grunden.
& setten al þis kine-lond an his aȝere hond.
& fallen to þan grunde Arður þene ȝunge.
Forð wende Colgrim & his ferde mid him.
& wende mid his ferde þat he com to ane watere.
þat water is ihaten Duglas duȝeðen hit aquel[d]e
þer com Arður him a-ȝein. ȝaru mid his fehte.
in ane brade forde þa ferden heom imetten.
fastliche on-sloȝen snelle heore ke[m]pen.
feollen þa uæie uolden to grunde.
Þer wes muchel blod-gute balu þer wes riue.
brustlede scæftes beornes þer ueollen.
þat isæh Arður on mode him wes unneðe.
Arður hine biðohte whæt he don mahte.
& t[eh] hine a-bac-ward in enne uald brade.
Þa wenden his feond þat he flæn walde.
þa wes glad Colgrim and al his ferde mid him.
heo wenden þat Arður mid arhðe weore afallæd þere.
& tuȝen ouer þat water alse heo wode weoren.
Þa Arður þat isah þat Colgrim him wes swa neh.
& heo weoren beien bihalues þan wateren.
þus seide Arður aðelest kingen.
Iseo ȝe mine Bruttes here us bi[h]alfues.
ure iuan uulle Crist heom a-ualle.
Colgrim þene stronge ut of Sæx-londe.
His cun i þisse londe ure ælderne a-qualden.
ah nu is þe dæi icumen þe Drihten haueð idemed.
þat he scal þat lif leosen & leosien his freonden.
oðer we sculle dæde beon ne muȝe we hine quic iseon.
Scullen Sæxisce men sorȝen ibiden.
& we wreken wurhliche ure wine-maies.
Vp bræid Arður his sceld foren to his breosten.
& he gon to rusien swa þe runie wulf.
þenne he cumeð of holte bi-honged mid snawe.
and þencheð to biten swulc deor swa him likeð.
Arður þa cleopede to leofe his cnihten.
For[ð] we biliue þeines ohte.
alle some[d] heom to alle we sculleð wel don.
& heo uorð hælden swa þe hæȝe wude.
þenne wind wode. weieð hine mid mæine.
Fluȝen ouer þe woldes. þritti þusend sceldes.
& smiten a Colgrimes cnihtes þat þa eorðe aȝæn quehte.
Breken braden speren brustleden sceldes.
feollen Sæxisce men folden to grunden.
Þat isah Colgrim þer-uore wa wes him.
þe alre hendeste mon þe ut of Sexlonde com.
Colgrim gon to flænne feondliche swiðe.
& his hors hine bar mid hæhȝere strengðe.
ouer þat water deope & scelde hine wið dæðe.
Saxes gunnen sinken sorȝe heom wes ȝiueðe.
Arður wende his speres ord and for-stod heom þene uord.
þer adruncke Sexes fulle seoue þusend.
Summe heo gunnen wondrien swa doð þe wilde cron.
i þan mor-uenne þenne his floc is awemmed.
& him halde[ð] after hauekes swifte.
hundes in þan reode mid reouðe hine imeteð.
þenne nis him neouðer god. no þat lond no þat flod.
hauekes hine smiteð hundes hine biteð.
þenne bið þe kinewurðe foȝel fæie on his siðe.
Colgrim ouer feldes flæh him biliues.
þat he com to Eouerwic riden swiðe sellic.
he wenden into burȝe & faste heo biclusde.
hafuede he binnen ten þusend monnen.
burh-men mid þa bezste þe him bihalues weoren.
Arður halde after mid þritti þusend cnihten.
& ferde riht to Eouerwic. mid folke swiðe sellic.
and bi-læi Colgrim þe weorrede aȝæin him.
Seouen niht þer biuoren wes suð-ward ifaren.
Baldolf þe hende broðer Colgrimes.
and lai bi þare sæ-brimme & abad Childrichen.
Childric wes i þan daȝen cæiser of riche laȝen.
inne Alemaine þat aðel wes his aȝene.
Þa i-herde Baldolf þer he bi sæ lai.
þat Arður hafde inne Eouerwic Colgrim biclused.
Baldolf hæfde ibonned seouen þusend monnen.
baldere beornnen þe bi sæ leien.
heo nomen heom to ræden þat aȝæin heo wolden riden.
and bi-læuen Childric & faren in-to Eouerwic.
& fehten wi[ð] Arðure & aquellen al his duȝeðe.
Baldolf swor on his grome þat he wolde beon Ar[ð]ures bone.
& bruken al þas riche mid Colgrime his broðere.
Nolde Baldolf abide þan keisere Childriche.
ah þenne he ferde uorð and droh him forð-rihtes nor[ð].
from dæie to dæie mid baldre duȝeðe.
þat he com in ane wude in ane wilderne.
from Ar[ð]ures ferde fulle seoue milen.
He hafde iþohte bi nihten mid seouen þusend cnihten.
to riden uppen Arður ær þe king wore war.
and his folc afeollen & hine seolf aquelle.
Ah al hit oðer iwarð oðer he iwende.
for Baldolf hafede on hirede ænne cniht Bruttiscne.
he wes Arðures mæi Maurin ihaten.
Maurin bi-halues to þan wude halde.
þurh wude & þurh feldes þat he com to Arðures teldes.
and þus seide sone to Arður kinge.
Hail seo þu Arður kingene aðelest.
ich æm hidere icume ich æm of þine cunne.
Her is Baldulf icumen mid swiðe hærde hære-gumen.
& þencheð in þissere nihte to slæn þe & þine cnihtes.
to wracken his broðer þe swiðe is vnbalded.
ah Godd him scal for-wrænen þurh his muchele mihten
& send nu uorð Cador þene eorl of Cornwaile.
and mid him ohte cnihtes gode and wihte.
fulle seoue hundred selere þeines.
& ich heom wulle ræden & ich hom wulle leden.
hu heo muwen Baldulf slæn al-se enne wulf.
Forð ferde Cador & alle þas cnihtes.
þat heo comen bihalues þer Baldulf lai on comele.
heo him to helden on ælchere haluen.
heo sloȝen heo nomen al þat heo aneh comen.
þer weoren aqualde niȝen hundred alle italde.
Baldulf wes bi-halues igan him aburhȝe[n].
& þurh þa wilderne flæh feondliche swiðe.
and hafde his men leofe mid reouðe bilæfued.
& fleh him swa feor norð þat he com swa uorð
þer Arður lai in uolde. mid richen his ferde
al a-buten Eouerwic. king swiðe seollic
Colgrim wes wi-innen. mid Sæxisce monnen.
Baldulf hine biþohte what he don mihte.
mid wulches cunnes ginne he mihte cumen binnen.
in-to þere burhȝe to Colgrime his broðere
þe wes him on liue leofest alre monne.
Baldulf lette striken to þan bare lichen.
his bærd and his chinne & makede hine to crosse.
he lette sceren half his hæfd and nom him ane harpe an hond.
ich eou wolden ȝiuen lond muchel seoluer & gold.
þat a ȝe mihten riche rixlien in þan londe.
and eoure lif libben swa eou bið alre leofuest.
For no biden ȝe nauere ȝiuen gode of Vðer kinge.
for nu ful raðe he bið dæd and his duȝeðen al bilæueð.
þenne nabben ȝe nouðer þat an no þat o[ð]er.
Ah biðenche eou ohte men & doð us eoure mildze on.
& þencheð whæt eou weoren leof ȝif ȝe þus ibunden leien.
& mihten in eouwer londe libben inne winne.
Swiðe ofte Octa wið þæs cnihtes spac swa.
Cnihtes gunnen runen cnihtes gunnen ræden.
to Octa heo seiden ful stille We scullen don þine iwille.
Aðes heo sworen swiken þat heo nalden.
Hit wæs in ane nihte þat þe wind wende rihte.
forð i-wenden cnihtes to þere mid-nihte.
and ledden uorð Octa & Ebissa & Ossa.
after þere Temese tuhten forð in-to þere sæ.
forð heo iwenden into Sæx-londen.
Heore cun heom com aȝeines mid mucle flockes.
heo liðen ȝeond þan leoden swa heom wes alre leofuest.
me heom bi-tahte lond me ȝæf heom seoluer & gold.
Octa hine bi[ð]ohte whæt he don mahte.
he þohten hider wenden & wræken his fader wunden.
Ferden heo biȝæten of folke vnimete.
to þere sa heo wenden mid muchele þrætte.
to Scotlonde heo comen
sone heo fusden alond. and mid fure hit igrætten
504
mid fure heo adun læiden. [þri]tti hundred tunes
Scottes heo sloȝen moni and unifoȝen.
Comen þa tidende to Vðer kinge.
Vðer wes swiðe wa & wunderliche ihærmed.
and senden into Loæines to leofen his freonden.
and grette Lot his aðum & hehte hine beon an sund.
& hahte hine nimen an his hond al his kine-wurðe lond.
chihtes and freomen and freo-liche heom halden.
& leden heom to ferde swa laȝen beoð an ærde.
& he hæhte his cnihtes leoue beon hærsume Loðe.
mid leofliche læten swulc he weoren leodene king.
For Lot wes swiðe god cniht, & hafde ihalden moni fiht.
and he wes mete-custi æuer-alche monne.
he bi-tahten him þa warde of alle þissen ærde.
Octa heold muche vnfrið & Lot faht him ofte wið.
& ofte he ahte biȝæt & ofte he heom losede.
Bruttes hafden muchel mode & vni-mete prute.
& weoren æie-lese for þas kinges alde.
and lætten swiðe hokerliche of Lote þan eorle.
and duden swiðe vnwraste alle his haste.
and weoren alle twi-ræde heore teone wes þa mare.
Þis wes isæid sone seocken þan kinge.
þat his hæȝe men Lot al for-hoȝeden.
Nu ich þe wulle tellen a þissen boc-spællen.
hv Vðer þe king uu[nd]ede hine seolven.
He sæide þat he wolde wende to his ferde.
and mid his eȝene iseon wæ þer wolde wel don.
He lette makien þere gode horse-bere.
& letten beoden uerde ȝeond al his kine-ærde.
þat ælc mon bi his liue comen to him swiðe.
bi heore liue & bi heore leme. to wræken þas kinges scome.
& ȝif þær is æi gume þæt nulle hiȝenliche cume.
ich wulle hine hiȝenliche fordon oðer slæn oðer an-hon.
Alle ful sone to hirede heo comen.
no durste þær bilæuen na þæ uatte no þe læne.
Þe king forð-rihtes nom alle his cnihtes.
& ferde him anan to þan tune of [V]er[o]lam.
506
Octa wes wið-innen mid alle his monnen.
Þa wes Verolam a swiðe kine-wurðe hom.
Seint Alban wes þe[r] islæȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
Þe burh wes seoððe for-uaren & muchel folc þer wes islæȝen.
Vðer lai wið-uten & Octa wið-innen.
Vðeres ferde fusde to wale.
ræsden to feondliche þeines riche.
ne mihte heo of þan walle ænne stan falle.
no mid nare strengðe þene wal amærre.
Wælle bliðe wes þæ Hangestes sune Octa.
þa he isæh Bruttes buȝen from walle
& sorh-ful wenden. aȝæin to heore telden.
Þa sæide Octa to his iueren Ebissa.
Her is icumen to [Vero]lam V[ð]er þe lome mon.
& wulle wið us here fihten in his bære.
he wænde mid his crucche us a-dun þrucche.
Ah to-mærȝe wæne hit dæi buð duȝeðe scal arisen.
& oppenien ure castel-ȝæten. þas riche we s[c]ullen al biȝeten.
ne scullen we nauære here liggen. for ane lom me monne.
Ut we scullen riden uppen ure steden. goden.
and to Uðere fusen. & his folc fællen.
for alle heo beoð fæie þat hider beoð iridenen.
and nimen þene lome mon and leggen in ure benden.
and halden þene wræcche a þat he for-wurðe.
& sa me scal lacnien his leomes þat beoð sare.
and his ban rihten mid bite[r]e stelen.
Þus him ispac Octa wið his iuere Ebissa.
ah al hit iwrað oðer þene heo iwenden.
A-marȝe þa hit daȝede duren heo un-tunden.
up aras Octa Ebissa & Ossa.
and hehten heore cnihtes ȝarkien heom to fihte.
vndon her brade ȝæten burȝen un-tunen
Octa him ut ræd & muche folc him after glæd.
mid balden his beornen þer he bælu funden.
Vðer him þis isæh þat Octa heom to bæh.
& þohten his ferde feolen to grunde.
508
Wær beo ȝe Bruttes balde mine þeines.
Nu is icumen þe ilke dæi þe Drihten us helpen mai.
þat Octa scal ifinden þat he þrættede me to binden.
Iþenche[ð] on eoure aldren hu gode heo weoren to fehten
Iþenche[ð] þene wurð-scipe þat ich eou habbe wel biwiten.
ne læten ȝe næuere þas hæðene bruken eoure hames.
þæs ilke awedde hundes walden eouwere londes.
And ich wullen bidden Drihten þat scop þæs dæies lihten.
& alle þaie halȝen þa an hæfene hæhȝe sitteð.
þat [ich] on þissen felde mote beon ifroured.
Nu fuseð heom to swiðe fulste eou Drihten.
þe al-waldinde God bi-witen mine þeines.
Cnihtes gunnen riden gæres gunnen gliden.
breken bræde speren brusleden sceldes.
helmes þer scenden scalkes feollen.
Þe Bruttes weoren balde & bisie to fihten.
& þa hæðene hundes hælden to grunde.
Þer wes islaȝen Octa Ebissa & Ossa.
þer seouen-tene þusend siȝen into helle.
feole þer at-wenden touward þan norð enden.
Al þene dæi-lihte Vðeres cnihtes.
sloȝen and nomen al þat heo neh comen.
þa hit wes eauen þa wes hit al biwunnen.
Þa sunggen hired-men mid hæȝere strengðe.
& þæs word sæiden inne murie heore songen.
Her is V[ð]er Pendragun icume to Verolames tun
& he hæfueð idubbed swa Octa & Ebissa & Ossa.
& itah heom a londen laȝen swiðe stronge.
þat men maȝen tellen heore cun to spelle.
and þer-of wurchen songes inne Sæx-londe.
Þa wes Vðer bliðe & igladed swuðe.
and spac wið his duȝeðe þe deore him wes an heorte.
& þas word sæide Vðer þe alde.
Sexisce men me habbeo[ð] for hene ihalden.
mine unhæle me at-witen mid heore hoker-worden.
for ich wes here ilad inne horse-bere.
& sæiden þat ich wes ded and mi duȝeðe aswunden.
510
þat nu haueð þeos dede king þas quiken aqualden.
& summe he heom flæmde uorð mid þan wedere.
Nu iwurðen her-after Drihttenes wille.
Fluȝen Sæxisce men feondliche swiðe.
þe weoren bihalues ihalden from þan fihte.
forð heo gunnen scriðen into Scotlonde.
and nomen heom to kinge Colgrim þene hende.
He wes Hængestes mæie & monnen him leofuest.
and Octa hine lufede þæ while þe he leouede.
Weoren þa Saxisce men swiðe iswunten.
& iscriðen heom to-somne into Scot-londe.
& Colgrim þene hende heo makeden to kinge.
& sumneden færde wide ȝeond þan ærde.
and sæiden þat heo wolden mid heore wiðer-craften.
inne Winchastre tun quellen Vðer Pendragun.
Wa la wa þat hit sculde iwurðen swa.
Nu sæiden Saxisce men in heore som-runen
Nime we six cnihtes wise men and wihte.
hæweres witere & senden we to hirede.
læten heom uorð liðen an almes-monnes wisen.
& wunien an hirede mid heȝe þan kinge.
and æuer-ælche dæie þurh-gon al þa duȝeðe.
and gan to þas kinges dale swulc heo weoren vn-hale.
& imong þan wracchen harcnien ȝeorne.
ȝif mon mihte mid crafte a dæi oðer a nihte.
inne Winchæstres tun cumen to V[ð]er Pendragun.
& mid morð-spelle þene king aquellen.
þenne weoren heore iwil allunge iwurden.
þenne weoren heo care-læse of Costantines cunne.
Nu wenden forð þa cnihtes al bi dæies lihten
on ælmes-monnes claðes. cnihtes for-cuðest.
to þas kinges hirede þer heo hærm wrohten.
Heo eoden to þære dale swulc heo weoren un-hale.
& hærcneden ȝeornen of þas kinges hærme.
hu me þæne king mihte to dæðe idihte.
Þa imetten heo enne cniht from þan kinge he com riht.
he wes Vðeres mæi & monnen him leofuest.
Þas swiken þer heo sæten on-longen þere streten.
512
Lauerd we beoð wracche men a þissere weorlde-riche.
while we weoren on londe for gode men iholden.
a þat Sæxisce men setten us a-dune.
& al bi-ræiueden us & ure æhten binomen us.
Nu we beden singeð for Vðer kinge.
ælche dæie on a mæl ure mete trukeð.
ne cumeð nauere inne ure disc neoðer flæs ma no fisc.
no nanes cunnes drænc buten water scenc.
buten water clæne for þi we beoð þus læne.
Þis iherde þe cniht aȝæn he eode forð-riht.
& com to þan kinge þer he lai on bure.
& seide to þan kinge. Lauerd beo þu on sunde.
her-ute sitteð six men iliche on heouwen
alle heo beoð iferen iscrudde mid heren.
While heo weoren a þissere worlde-richen.
god-fulle þeines mid goden a-feolled.
nu habbeoð Sæxisce men isæt hom to grunden.
þat heo beoð on weorlde for wracchen i-halden.
no raccheoð heo to borde bu[t]en bræd ane.
no to heore drencches bute water scenches.
Þus heo leodeð heore lif inne þire leode.
& heore beoden biddeð þat Godd þe lete longe libben.
Þa quað V[ð]er þe king Let heom cumen hider in.
ich heom wulle scruden & ich heom wulle ueden.
for mines Drihtenes lufe þa wille þa ich liuie.
Comen into bure beornes þa swikele.
þe king heom lette feden þæ king heom lette scruden.
& nihtes hom læiden. ælc on his bedde.
and ælc on his halue heoȝede ȝeorne.
hu heo mihten þene king mid morðe aquellen.
ah ne mihten heo þurh naþing aquellen Vðer þene king.
ne þurh nane crafte cumen to him ne [m]ahten.
Þa iwærd hit in ane time þe ræin him gon rine.
þa cleopede þer a læche þer he læi on bure.
to ane bur-cnihte and hahte hine forð-rihtes.
514
and setten þe[r]e ænne ohte swain to biwiten heo wið ræin.
For þe king ne mai on duȝeðe bruken nanes drenches.
buten cald welles stræm þat him is ique[m]e.
þat is to his ufele aðelest alre drencche.
Þas speche uorð-rihtes iherden þas six cnihtes.
to harme heo weoren wiþte and ut wenden bi nihte.
forð to þere welle. þer ho hærm wrohten
Vt heo droȝen sone amppullen scone.
i-fulled mid attere weten alre bitterest.
six amppullen fulle heo ȝeoten i þan welle.
þa wes þa welle anan al mid attre bi-gon.
Þa weoren ful bliðe þæ swiken on heore liue.
& forð heo iwenden ne dursten heo þer bilæfen.
Þa comen þer forð-rihtes tweien bur-cnihtes.
heo beren on heore honde twæie bollen of golde.
Heo comen to þare welle and heore bollen feolde.
aȝæin heo gunnen wende to Vðer þan kinge.
forð in-to þan bure þer he læi on bedde.
Hail seo þu Vðer nu we beoð icumen her.
and we habbeoð þe ibroht þat þu ær bedde.
cæld welle water bruc hit on wunne.
Vp aras þe seocke king & sat on his bedde.
of þan watere he dronc & sone he gon sweten.
his heorte gon to wakien his neb bigon to blakien.
his wombe gon to swellen þe king gon to swelten.
Næs þer nan oðer ræd þer wes Vðer king dæd.
alle heo iwurðen dede þat drunken of þan watere.
Þa þat hired isah þat sorhȝen of þan kinge.
& of þas kinges monnen þe mid attre weoren for-done.
þa wenden to þere welle cnihtes þe weoren snælle.
& þa welle for-duden mid derfulle swincche.
mid eorðe & mid stanen stepne hul makeden.
Þa nomen þa duȝeðe þene king dede.
vnimete uolc & forð hine uereden.
stið-i-modede men in to Stanhengen.
& hine þer bureden bi leofen his broðer.
side bi side beiene heo þer liggeð.
Þa com hit al to-gadere þat hæhst wes on londe.
516
heo comen to Lundene to muchelere hustinge.
Nomen heom to rade þeines riche.
þat heo wolden ouer sæ. senden sonde
in-to Bruttainne after bezst alre ȝeoȝeðe.
þa a þissere weorlden-riche a þan dæȝen weore.
Ærður ihaten bezst alre cnihten.
and suggen þat he cumen sone to his kinedome.
for dæd him wes Vðer al-swa Aurilien wes ær.
and Vðer Pendragune nefde nenne oðerne sune.
þat mihte after his daȝen halden Bruttes to laȝe.
mid wurð-scipe halden & þisne kinedom walden.
For ȝæt weoren in þissen londe Sæxes at-stonden.
Colgrim þe kene and moni þusend of his iueren.
þa ofte ure Bruttes makeden hufele burstes.
Bruttes ful sone þreo biscopes nomen.
and ridæres seouene ræiȝe on wisdome.
forð heo gunnen buȝen in-to Bruttaine.
& heo ful sone to Ærðure comen.
Hail seo þu Arður aðelest cnihten.
Vðer þe græten þa he sculde iwiten.
& bæd þat þu sculdest a Brutten þe seoluen.
halden laȝen rihte & hælpen þine folke.
and witen þisne kinedom. swa god king sculden don.
þine feond flæmen & driuen heom of londen.
& he bad þe to fultume þene milde Godes sune.
þat þu mostes wel don & þat lond of Godde a-fon.
for dæd is Vðer Pendragun & þu ært Ærður his sune.
& dæd is þe oðer Aurilien his broðer.
Þus heo gunnen tellen & Arður sæt ful stille.
ænne stunde he wes blac and on heuwe swiðe wak.
ane while he wes reod and reousede on heorte.
Þa hit alles up brac hit wes god þat he spac.
þus him sæide þer-riht Arður þe aðele cniht.
Lauerd Crist Godes sune beon us nu a fultume.
þat ich mote on life Goddes laȝen halden.
Fif-tene ȝere wes Ar[ð]ur ald þa þis tiðende him wes itald.
& alle heo weoren wel bitoȝen for he wes swiðe iðoȝe.
Ærður forð-rihtes cleopede his cnihtes.
518
& heore hors sadelie hiȝendliche swiðe.
for he wolde buȝe to þissere Brutene.
To þere sæ wenden sele þeines.
at Mihæles Munte mid muchelere uerede.
þa sæ heo sætten a þat strond at Suð-ham-tune heo comen alond.
Forð him gon ride Arður þe riche.
riht to Selechæstre þer him sel þuhte.
þer wes Bruttene weored baldeliche isomned.
Muchel wes þa blisse þa Arður com to burhȝe.
þer wes bemene blæst & swiðe glade beornes.
þer heo houen to kinge Arður þene ȝunge.
Þa þe Arður wes king hærne nu seollic þing.
he wes mete-custi ælche quike monne.
cniht mid þan bezste w[u]nder ane kene.
he wes þan ȝungen for fader þan alden for frouer.
and wið þan vnwise w[u]nder ane sturnne.
woh him wes wunder lað. and þat rihte a leof
Ælc of his birlen & of his bur-þæinen.
& his ber-cnihtes gold beren an honden.
to ruggen and to bedde iscrud mid gode webbe,
Nefde he neuere nænne coc þat he nes keppe swi[ð]e god.
neuær nanes cnihtes swein þat he næs bald þein.
Þe king heold al his hired mid hæȝere blise.
& mid swulche þinges he ouer-com alle kinges.
mid ræhȝere strengðe & mid riche-dome.
swulche weoren his custes þat al uolc hit wuste.
Nu wes Arður god king his hired hine lufede.
æc hit wes cuð wide of his kine-dome.
Þe king huld i Lundene ane muchele hustinge.
þer-to weoren ilaðede his leond-cnihtes alle.
riche men and hæne to hæȝen þan king.
Þa þe hit wes al icume uolc vnimete.
vp a-ræs Arður aðelest kingen.
& lette bringen him biforen halidomes wel icoren.
þer-to gon cneoli þe king sume þrie.
nuste noht his duȝeðe what he deme wolde.
Arður heold up his riht hond ænne að he þer swor
þat næuere bi his liue for nanes monnes lære.
520
londes beon wurðen no wurð-scipe bruke.
ah he heom wolde flemen for heo weoren iuæid wið him.
sloȝen Vðer Pendragune þe wes Costa[n]ces sune.
swa heo duden þene o[ð]er Aurilien his broðer.
for þi heo weoren on londe laðest alre uolke.
Arður. forð-rihtes nom his wise cnihtes.
weore heom lef. weore heom lað alle heo sworen þene að.
trouliche þat heo wolden mid Arðure halden.
& wreken þene king Vðer þat Sæxes aqualden her.
Arður his writen sende wide ȝeond his londe.
after alle þan cnihten þe he biȝiten mihte.
þat heo ful sone to þan kinge comen.
& he heom wolde on londe leofliche at-halden.
scipien heom mid londe mid seoluere & mid golde.
Forð þe king ferde mid vnimete uerde.
folc he ledde sællic & ferde riht to Eouerwic.
Þer he læi ane niht amærwe he ferde forð-riht.
þer he wuste Colgrim & his iueren mid him.
S[eo]ððen Octa wes of-slaȝen & idon of lif-dæȝen.
þe wes Hengestes sune vt of Sæxlonde icumen.
Colgrim wes þe hæhst mon þat ut of Sax-londe com.
after Hengeste & Horse his broðer.
& Octa & Ossa and heore iuere Ebissa.
Heold a þan ilke dæȝen Colgrim Sæxes to laȝen.
ladde & radde mid ræȝere strengðe.
muchel wes þat moncun þat ferde mid Colgrim.
Colgrim iherde tidende of Arðu[r]e þan kinge.
þat he touward him com and wolde him vfel don.
Colgrim hine biþohte whæt he don mahte.
& bonnede his uerde ȝeond al þan norð ærde.
Þer liðen to-somne alle Scotleode.
Peohtes & Sæxes siȝen heom to-gæderes.
& moniennes cunnes men uuleden Colgrimen.
Forð he gon fusen mid vnimete verde.
to-ȝaines Arðure aðelest kingen.
he þohte to quellen þe king on his þeoden.
& his folc ual[l]en. uolden to grunden.
522
& fallen to þan grunde Arður þene ȝunge.
Forð wende Colgrim & his ferde mid him.
& wende mid his ferde þat he com to ane watere.
þat water is ihaten Duglas duȝeðen hit aquel[d]e
þer com Arður him a-ȝein. ȝaru mid his fehte.
in ane brade forde þa ferden heom imetten.
fastliche on-sloȝen snelle heore ke[m]pen.
feollen þa uæie uolden to grunde.
Þer wes muchel blod-gute balu þer wes riue.
brustlede scæftes beornes þer ueollen.
þat isæh Arður on mode him wes unneðe.
Arður hine biðohte whæt he don mahte.
& t[eh] hine a-bac-ward in enne uald brade.
Þa wenden his feond þat he flæn walde.
þa wes glad Colgrim and al his ferde mid him.
heo wenden þat Arður mid arhðe weore afallæd þere.
& tuȝen ouer þat water alse heo wode weoren.
Þa Arður þat isah þat Colgrim him wes swa neh.
& heo weoren beien bihalues þan wateren.
þus seide Arður aðelest kingen.
Iseo ȝe mine Bruttes here us bi[h]alfues.
ure iuan uulle Crist heom a-ualle.
Colgrim þene stronge ut of Sæx-londe.
His cun i þisse londe ure ælderne a-qualden.
ah nu is þe dæi icumen þe Drihten haueð idemed.
þat he scal þat lif leosen & leosien his freonden.
oðer we sculle dæde beon ne muȝe we hine quic iseon.
Scullen Sæxisce men sorȝen ibiden.
& we wreken wurhliche ure wine-maies.
Vp bræid Arður his sceld foren to his breosten.
& he gon to rusien swa þe runie wulf.
þenne he cumeð of holte bi-honged mid snawe.
and þencheð to biten swulc deor swa him likeð.
Arður þa cleopede to leofe his cnihten.
For[ð] we biliue þeines ohte.
alle some[d] heom to alle we sculleð wel don.
524
þenne wind wode. weieð hine mid mæine.
Fluȝen ouer þe woldes. þritti þusend sceldes.
& smiten a Colgrimes cnihtes þat þa eorðe aȝæn quehte.
Breken braden speren brustleden sceldes.
feollen Sæxisce men folden to grunden.
Þat isah Colgrim þer-uore wa wes him.
þe alre hendeste mon þe ut of Sexlonde com.
Colgrim gon to flænne feondliche swiðe.
& his hors hine bar mid hæhȝere strengðe.
ouer þat water deope & scelde hine wið dæðe.
Saxes gunnen sinken sorȝe heom wes ȝiueðe.
Arður wende his speres ord and for-stod heom þene uord.
þer adruncke Sexes fulle seoue þusend.
Summe heo gunnen wondrien swa doð þe wilde cron.
i þan mor-uenne þenne his floc is awemmed.
& him halde[ð] after hauekes swifte.
hundes in þan reode mid reouðe hine imeteð.
þenne nis him neouðer god. no þat lond no þat flod.
hauekes hine smiteð hundes hine biteð.
þenne bið þe kinewurðe foȝel fæie on his siðe.
Colgrim ouer feldes flæh him biliues.
þat he com to Eouerwic riden swiðe sellic.
he wenden into burȝe & faste heo biclusde.
hafuede he binnen ten þusend monnen.
burh-men mid þa bezste þe him bihalues weoren.
Arður halde after mid þritti þusend cnihten.
& ferde riht to Eouerwic. mid folke swiðe sellic.
and bi-læi Colgrim þe weorrede aȝæin him.
Seouen niht þer biuoren wes suð-ward ifaren.
Baldolf þe hende broðer Colgrimes.
and lai bi þare sæ-brimme & abad Childrichen.
Childric wes i þan daȝen cæiser of riche laȝen.
inne Alemaine þat aðel wes his aȝene.
Þa i-herde Baldolf þer he bi sæ lai.
þat Arður hafde inne Eouerwic Colgrim biclused.
Baldolf hæfde ibonned seouen þusend monnen.
baldere beornnen þe bi sæ leien.
heo nomen heom to ræden þat aȝæin heo wolden riden.
526
& fehten wi[ð] Arðure & aquellen al his duȝeðe.
Baldolf swor on his grome þat he wolde beon Ar[ð]ures bone.
& bruken al þas riche mid Colgrime his broðere.
Nolde Baldolf abide þan keisere Childriche.
ah þenne he ferde uorð and droh him forð-rihtes nor[ð].
from dæie to dæie mid baldre duȝeðe.
þat he com in ane wude in ane wilderne.
from Ar[ð]ures ferde fulle seoue milen.
He hafde iþohte bi nihten mid seouen þusend cnihten.
to riden uppen Arður ær þe king wore war.
and his folc afeollen & hine seolf aquelle.
Ah al hit oðer iwarð oðer he iwende.
for Baldolf hafede on hirede ænne cniht Bruttiscne.
he wes Arðures mæi Maurin ihaten.
Maurin bi-halues to þan wude halde.
þurh wude & þurh feldes þat he com to Arðures teldes.
and þus seide sone to Arður kinge.
Hail seo þu Arður kingene aðelest.
ich æm hidere icume ich æm of þine cunne.
Her is Baldulf icumen mid swiðe hærde hære-gumen.
& þencheð in þissere nihte to slæn þe & þine cnihtes.
to wracken his broðer þe swiðe is vnbalded.
ah Godd him scal for-wrænen þurh his muchele mihten
& send nu uorð Cador þene eorl of Cornwaile.
and mid him ohte cnihtes gode and wihte.
fulle seoue hundred selere þeines.
& ich heom wulle ræden & ich hom wulle leden.
hu heo muwen Baldulf slæn al-se enne wulf.
Forð ferde Cador & alle þas cnihtes.
þat heo comen bihalues þer Baldulf lai on comele.
heo him to helden on ælchere haluen.
heo sloȝen heo nomen al þat heo aneh comen.
þer weoren aqualde niȝen hundred alle italde.
Baldulf wes bi-halues igan him aburhȝe[n].
& þurh þa wilderne flæh feondliche swiðe.
and hafde his men leofe mid reouðe bilæfued.
528
þer Arður lai in uolde. mid richen his ferde
al a-buten Eouerwic. king swiðe seollic
Colgrim wes wi-innen. mid Sæxisce monnen.
Baldulf hine biþohte what he don mihte.
mid wulches cunnes ginne he mihte cumen binnen.
in-to þere burhȝe to Colgrime his broðere
þe wes him on liue leofest alre monne.
Baldulf lette striken to þan bare lichen.
his bærd and his chinne & makede hine to crosse.
he lette sceren half his hæfd and nom him ane harpe an hond.
He cuðen harpien wel an his child-haden.
& mid his harpe he ferde to þas kinges hirede.
& gon þær to gleowien & muche gome to makien.
Ofte me hine smæt mid smærte ȝerden.
ofte me hine culde swa me deð crosce.
ælc mon þe hine imette mid bismare hine igratte.
swa nauere na mon nuste of Baldulfes custe.
buten hit weore crosse icumen to þan hirede.
Swa he eode longe up-ward swa longe he eode a-dun-ward.
þæt heo weoren warre þe weoren þær wið-innen.
þat hit wes Baldulf Colgrimes broðer.
Heo wurpen ut enne rap & Baldulf hine faste igrap.
and brudden up Baldolf þat he binnen com.
mid swulches cunnes ginnes Baldulf com wið-innen.
Þa wes bliðen Colgrim and alle his cnihtes mid him.
and swiðe heo gunnen þrattien Arður þene king.
Arður bihalues wes & þis gomen isæh.
and wraðde hine sulfne wunderliche swiðe.
and hæhte anan wepnien al his wunliche uolc.
he þohte þe burhȝe mid strengðe to biwinnen.
Alse Arður wolde to þan walle ræse.
þa com þer riden Patric þe ricche mon.
Þat wes a Scottisc, þein. scone an his londen
& þus clupien a-gon. to þan kinge anan.
Hail seo þu Arður aðelest Brutten.
Ich þe wulle tellen neouwe tidende
of þan kæisere Childriche þan wode & þan richen.
þan strongen & þan balden He is inne Scottlonde.
ihælde to are hafene & hames for-berneð.
and waldeð al ure lond after his ahȝere hond.
He haueð uerde wel idoneð al þa strengðe of Rome.
he sæið mid his ȝelpe þenne me him win scenccheð.
þat þu ne dærst in nare [st]ude his ræsses abiden.
no on uelde no on wude no nauere nane stude.
& ȝif þu him abidest he þe wule binden.
quellen þine leoden and þi lond aȝen.
Ofte wes Arðure wa nauere wurse þene þa.
and he droh hine a-bac bihalues þere burȝe.
clupede to ræde cnihtes to neode.
beornes and eorles & þa hali biscopes.
& bad þat heo him radden hu he mihte on richen.
mid his mon-weorede his monscipe halden.
& fehten wið Childriche þan stronge & þan richen.
þa hider wolde liðe to helpen Colgrime.
Þa andswarede Bruttes þa þere weoren bihalues
Faren we riht to Lundene. and lete hine liðen after.
& ȝif he cumeð riden sorȝe he scal ibiden.
he seolf and his ferde fæie scal iwurðen.
Arður al bilufeden þat radden his leoden.
forða he gon liðen þat he to Lundene com.
Colgrim wes in Eouerwic & þær abad him Childric.
Chilric gon wende ȝeon þan norð ende.
& nom on honde muchæl dal of londe.
Al Scot-þeode he ȝaf his ane þeine.
& al Norð-humberlond he sette his broðer an hond.
Galeweoie & Orcaneie he ȝaf his ane eorle.
him-seolf he nom from Humbre þat lond into Lundene.
Ne þohte he nauere-mare of Arður habben are.
buten he wolden his mon bicume Arður Vðeres sune.
Arður wes in Lundene mid alle Brutleoden.
he bed his ferde ȝeond alle þissen ærde.
þat æuer-ælc mon þe him god vðen.
ræðe & ful sone to Lundene comen.
Þa wes Ænglene lond mid ærmþe of-fulled.
her wes wop & her wes rop. and reouðen vniuoȝe.
muchel hunger & hæte at æuer-ælche monnes ȝete.
Arður sende ouer sæ sele tweie cnihtes.
to Hoele his mæie þe wes him leofest monnen.
þe ahte Bruttaine cniht mid þan bezste.
and bad hine ful sone þat he hider come.
liðen to londe leoden to helpen.
for Chældrich hafde an honde muchel of þissen londe.
and Colgrim & Baldulf him to iboȝen weoren.
and þohten Arður þene king driuen ut of cuððen.
binimen him his icunde and his kineriche.
þenne were his cun iscend mid scome-liche witen.
heore wurð-scipe iloren a þissere worlde-richen.
þenne weoren þan kingge betere þat he iboren neore.
Þis iherde Howel þa hahste of Brutaine.
& he cleopien agon his sele cnihtes anan.
& bæd heom to horse hiȝenliche swiðe.
& faren into France to þan freo cnihten.
& seide heom þat heo comen raðe & ful sone.
to Mihæles Munte mid muchere strenðe.
alle þa þe wolden of seoluere & of golde.
wurh-scipe iwinne a þissere weorlde-richen.
To Peito he sende sele his þeines.
& summe touward Flandres feondliche swiðe.
and to Turuine tweie þer wenden.
& into Gascuinne cnihtes æc gode.
& hahten heom mid maine touward Mihhæles Munte.
& ær heo eoden to ulode heo sculden habbeon ȝiuen gode.
þat heo mihte þa bliðere buȝen from heore ærde.
& mid Howele þan hende cumen to þissen londe.
to helpen Arðure aðelest kingen.
Þreottene dæies i-gon weoren seoððen þa beoden commen þære.
þa halden h[eo] to sæ swa hahȝel deh from wolcne.
twa hundred scipene þer weoren wel biwitene.
me feolden heom mid folke and heo forð wenden.
wind stod & þat weder after heore wille.
and heo at Hamtone halden to londe.
Up leoppen of scipe wode scalkkes.
beren to londe halmes & burnen.
mid spæres & mid sceldes heo wriȝen al þa feldes.
Þer wes moni bald Brut þat beot wes aræred.
heo beoteden swiðe bi heore quiken liue.
þat heo wolden igræten Cheldric þene richen.
þene [balde] kæisere mid muchele harme þere.
And ȝif he nolde awæi fleon & touward Alemaine teon.
and he wolde on londe mid fehte atstonden.
mid balde his beornen beorkes abiden
here heo sculde bilauen þat heom weore alre l[eof]est.
hafden and heore honden & heore white halmes.
& swa heo scullen on londen losien heore freonden.
hælden into hælle. hæðene hundes.
Arður wes i Lundene aðelest kingen.
& iherde suggen suðere spellen.
þat was icumen to londe Howel þe stronge.
to Hamtune forð-rihtes mid þritti þusen cnihten.
& mid vnimete uolke þat wolleȝede þan kinge.
Arður him to-ȝaines bah mid hæhȝere blisse.
mid muchelere mon-weorede to-ȝæines his mæie.
To-somne heo comen blisse wes on hirede
custen & clupten & cuðliche speken.
& anan forð-rihtes somneden heore cnihtes.
Þa weoren þer to-somne sele twa ferden.
Howel sculde dihten þritti þusend cnihten.
& Arður hafde an londe feouwerti þusend an honde.
Forð-rihtes he wenden touward þan norð ænde.
toward Lincolne þe Cheldric þe kaisere bilai.
Ah he heo þa ȝæte nefde noht biwunnen.
for þer weoren wið-innen seoue þusen monnen.
ohte men and wihte dæies and nihtes.
Arður mid his ferde fusde touward burȝe.
& Arður for-bæd his cnihtes dæies & nihtes.
þat heo liðen stille swulc heo stelen wolden.
liðen ouer leoden & luden bilefden.
hornes & bemen alle weoren bilafde.
Arður nom enne cniht þe wes oht mon and wiht.
& sende hine to Lincolne to leuen his monnen.
& he heom to soðe sæide mid muðe.
þat cumen wolde Arður aðelest kingen.
to þere middernihte & mid him moni god cniht.
& ȝe wið-inne þenne beoð eou iwarre.
þat þenne ȝe i-hereð þene dune þat ȝe ȝæten untunen.
and fuse[ð] ut of burȝe & eoure feo[n]d felleð.
& smiteð a Cheldrichen þan strongen & þan richen.
and we heom sculleð tellen Bruttisse spelles.
Hit was to þere middel-niht þe mone scæn suð-riht.
Arður mid his ferde fusde to burh.
þat folc wes swa stille swa heo stelen wolden.
forð heo comen liðen þat heo iseiȝen Lincolne.
Þus him cleopien agon Arður þe kene mon.
Whar beo ȝe mine cnihtes mine hære-kemppen.
Iseo ȝe þa teldes þer Childrich lið i ueldes.
Colgrim & Baldulf mid baldere strengðe.
þat Alemainisce uolc þat us hæfeð ihærmed.
& þat Sæxisce uolc þat sorȝen us bihateð.
þat alle habbeoð aqualde þa hæhste of mine cunne.
Constanz and Co[n]stantin & Vðer þe wes fader min.
and Auriliæn Ambrosie mines fader broðer.
& moni þusend monnen of aðele mine cunne.
Uten we heom to liðe and to grunde leggen.
and wreken wruð-liche ure cun & heore riche.
and alle some[d] forð-riht nu ride æuer-alc god cniht.
Arður gon to riden þa ferde gon gliden.
swulc al þa eorðe wolde for-bærnen.
and smiten i þa ueldes i-mong Childriches teldes.
Þæt wes þæ æreste mon þe þer cleopien agon.
Arður þe heȝe gume þe wes Vðeres sune.
kenliche & lude swa bicumeð kinge.
Nu fulste us Marie Goddes milde moder.
and ich ibidde hire sune þat he us beon a fultume.
Æfne þan wordes turnden heo heore ordes.
stikeden & sloȝen al þat heo neh comen.
And cnihtes ut of burhȝe buȝen heom to-ȝæines.
ȝif heo fluȝen to burȝen þer heo for-wur[d]en.
ȝif heo floȝen to þa wude. þer hi heom forduden.
comen þer heo comen æuere heo heom sloȝen.
Nis hit a nare boc idiht þat æuere weore æi fiht.
inne þissere Bruttene þat balu weore swa riue.
for volken him wes ærmest þat æuere com to ærde.
þer wes muchel blod-gute balu wes on folke.
dæð þer wes rife þe eorðe þer dunede.
Childrich þe kæisere hæfede ænne castel here.
a Lincolnes felde þer he læi wið-innen.
þe wes neouwen iworht & swiðe wel biwust.
& þere weoren mid him Baldulf & Colgrim.
and iseȝen þat heore uolc fæie-sih worhten.
& heo forð-riht anon on mid heore burnen.
and fluȝen ut of castle kenscipe bidaled.
and fluȝen forð-riht anan to þe wude of Calidon.
Heo hafden to i-feren seouen þusend rideren.
and ho bilafden of-slaȝen & idon of lif-daȝen.
feowerti þusu[n]de i-feolled to þan grunde.
Alemainisce men mid ær[m]ðe for-demed.
and þa Sexisce men ibroht to þan gru[n]den.
Þa isæh Arður aðelest kingen.
þat Childrich wes i-floȝen in-to Calidonie. itoȝen.
and Colgrim & Baldulf mid him iboȝen weoren.
in-to þan haȝe wude in-to þan hæȝe holme.
& Arður bæh after mid sixti þusend cnihten.
Bruttene leoden þene wude al bileien.
and an are halfe hine feolden fulle seoue milen.
treo uppen oðer treo-liche faste.
an oðer halue he hine bilai mid his leod-ferde.
þreo daȝes & þreo niht þat wes heom muchel pliht.
Þa isæh Colgrim alse he læi þer-in.
þat þer wes buten mete scarp hunger & hete.
ne heom no heore horsen hælp nefde nenne.
And þus cleopede Colgrim to þan kaisere.
Sæie me lauerd Childric soðere worden.
for whulches cunnes þinge ligge we þus here.
Whi nulle we ut faren & bonnien ure ferden.
and biginnen fehtes wið Arður & wið his cnihtes.
for betere us is on londe mid mon-scipe to liggen.
þene we þus here for hungere to-wurðen.
iswenche[ð] us sære folke to scare.
Oðer we sendeð wið and wið and ȝeornen Arðures grið.
and bidden þus his milce & ȝisles him bitechen.
& wurchen freond-scipe wið þan freo kinge.
Þis iherde Childric þer he læi wið-inne dic.
and he andswarede wið ærm-liche stefene.
Ȝif hit wulle Baldulf þe is þin aȝe broðer.
and ma of ure iferen þe mid us sunden here.
þat we bidden Ar[ð]ures grið & sahtnesse him wurchen wið.
after æuwer wille don ich hit wulle.
For Arður is swiðe hæh mon ihalden on leoden.
leof alle his monnen & of kine-wurðe cunne.
al of kingen icume he wes Vðeres sune.
& of[t] hit ilimpeð a ueole cunne þeoden.
þer gode cnihtes cumeð to sturne fihte.
þat heo ærest biȝiteð after heo hit leoseð.
& al swa us to-ȝere is i-l[u]mpen here.
& æft us bet ilimppeð ȝif we moten liuien.
Sone forð-rihtes andswareden þa cnihtes.
Alle us biluuie[ð] þisne ræd for þu hafest wel isæid.
Heo nomen twælf cnihtes & senden forð-rihtes.
þer he wes on telde bi þas wudes ende.
þe an cleopeden anan mid quickere stefne.
Lauerd Arður þi grið we wolden speken þe wið.
hider þe kaisere us sent Childric ihaten.
& Colgrim & Baldulf beien to-somne.
Nu and æuere-mare heo bidde[ð] þine ære.
þine men heo wulleð bicumen & þine mon-scipe hæȝen.
& heo wulleð ȝiuen þe ȝisles inowe.
& halden þe for lauer[d] swa þe beoð alre leofest.
ȝif heo moten liðe heonene mid liue.
into heore leoden & lað-spæl bringen.
For her we habbeo[ð] ifunden feole cunne sorȝen.
at Lincolne bilæued leofe ure mæies.
sixti þusend monnen þa þer beoð of-slæȝene.
& ȝif hit þe weore wille an heorte
þat we mosten ouer sæ winden mid seile.
nulle we nauere-mare. æft cumen here.
for her we habbeo[ð] for-loren leoue ure mæies.
swa longe swa bi[ð] æuere. her ne cume we næuere.
Þa loh Arður ludere stefene.
Iþonked wurðe Drihtene þe alle domes waldeð.
þat Childric þe stronge is sad of mine londe.
Mi lond he hafeð to-dæled al his duȝeðe cnihtes.
me seoluen he þohte driuen ut of mire leoden.
halden me for hæne & habben mine riche.
& mi cun ai for-uaren mi uolc al fordemed.
Ah of him bið iwurðen swa bið of þan voxe.
þenne he bið baldest ufen-an þan walde.
& hafeð his fulle ploȝe & fuȝeles inoȝe.
for wild-scipe climbið and cluden iseche[ð].
i þan wilderne holȝes him wurcheð.
Faren wha-swa auere fare naueð he næuere nænne kare.
he weneð to beon of duȝeðe baldest alre deoren.
Þenne siȝeð him to segges vnder beorȝen.
mid hornen mid hunden mid haȝere stefenen.
hunten þar talieð hundes þer galieð.
þene vox driueð ȝeond dales & ȝeond dunes.
he ulih to þan holme & his hol isecheð.
i þan uirste ænde. i þan holle wendeð.
þenne is þe balde uox blissen al bideled.
& mon him to-delueð on ælchere heluen.
þenne beoð þer for-cuðest deoren alre pruttest.
Swa wes Childriche þan strongen & þan riche.
he þohten al mi kine-lond setten an his aȝere hond.
ah nu ich habbe hine idriuen to þan bare dæðe.
whæðer-swa ich wulle don oðer slæn oðer a-hon.
Nu ich wulle ȝifen him grið & leten hine me specken wið.
nulle ich hine slæ no ahon ah his bode ich wulle fon.
ȝisles ich wulle habben of hæxten his monnen.
hors & heore wepnen. ær heo heonne wenden.
and swa heo scullen wræcchen to heoren scipen liðen.
sæilien ouer sæ to sele heore londe.
& þer wir[ð]-liche wunien on riche.
and tellen tidende of Arðure kinge.
hu ich heom habbe i-freoied for mines fader saule
& for mine freo-dome ifrouered þa wræcchen.
Her wes Arður þe king aðelen bidæled.
nes þer nan swa rehȝ mon þe him durste ræden.
þet him of-þuhte sære sone þer-after.
Childric com of comela to Arðure þan kinge.
& he his mon þer bi-com mid his cnihten alle.
Feouwer and twenti ȝisles Childric þer bitæhte.
alle heo weoren icorene and hæhȝe men iborenne.
heo bi-tahten heore hors and heore burnen.
scaftes & sceldes & longe heore sweordes.
al heo bi-læfden þat heo þer hæfden.
Forð heo gunnen siȝen þat heo to sæ comen.
þer heore scipen gode bi þere sæ stoden.
Wind stod on wille weder swiðe murie.
he scufen from þan stronde scipen grete & longe.
þat lond heo al bilæfden & liðen after vðen.
þat nænne siht of londe iseon heo ne mahten.
Þat water wes stille after heore iwille.
heo letten to-somne sæiles gliden.
bord wið borden beornes þer spileden.
sæiden þat heo wolden eft to þissen londe
& wreken wur[ð]liche heore wine-mæies.
& westen Arðures lond & leoden aquellen.
and castles biwinnen & wilgomen wurchen.
Swa heo liðen after sæ efne al swa longe.
þat heo commen bitwiȝe Ænglelonde & Normandie.
heo wenden heore lofes & liðen toward londe.
þat heo comen ful iwis to Derte-muðe at Totteneis.
mid muchelere blisse heo buȝen to þan londe.
Sone swa heo a lond comen þat folc heo a-sloȝen.
þa cheorles heo uloȝen þa tileden þa eorðen.
heo hengen þa cnihtes þa biwusten þa londes.
alle þa gode wiues heo stikeden mid cnifes.
alle þa maidene heo mid morðe aqualden.
and þaie ilærede men heo læiden on gleden.
Alle þa heorede-cnauen mid clibben heo a-qualden.
heo velledden þa castles þat lond heo a-wæsten.
þa chirechen heo for-barnden baluw wes on folke.
þa sukende children heo adrenten inne wateren.
Þat orf þat heo nomen al heo sloȝen.
to heore inne ladden and suden and bradden.
al heo hit nomen þat heo neh comen.
Alle dæi heo sungen of Ar[ð]ure þan kinge.
and sæiden þat heo haueden hames biwunnen.
þæ scolden heom i-halden in heore on-walden.
& þer heo wolden wunien wintres & sumeres.
and ȝif Arður weoren swa kene þat he cumen wolde
to fihten wið Childrichen þan strongen & þan richen.
heo wolden of his rugge makien ane brugge.
and nimen þa ban alle of aðele þan kinge.
and teien heom to-gadere mid guldene teȝen.
and leggen i þare halle-dure þer æch mon sculde uorð faren.
to wurð-scipe Chil[dri]che þan strongen & þan riche.
Þis wes al heore gome for Arðures kinges sceome.
ah al hit iwrað on oðer sone þer-after.
heore ȝelp & heore gome ilomp heom-seoluen to scame.
& swa deð wel iwære þe mon þe swa ibereð.
Childric þe kaisere biwon. al þat he lokede on.
he nom Sumer-sete & he nom Dorsete.
and al Deuene-scire þat volc al for-ferde.
and he Wiltun-scire mid wiðere igrætte.
he nom alle þa londes in-to þære sæ-stronde.
Þa æt þan laste þa lette heo blawen.
hornes & bemen & bonnien his ferden.
& forð he wolde buȝen & Baðen al biliggen.
and æc Bristouwe abuten birouwen.
Þis was heore ibeot ær heo to Baðe comen.
To Baðe com þe kæisere & bilæi þene castel þere.
& þa men wið-innen oht-liche agunnen.
stepen uppen stanene wal wel iwepned ouer-al.
& wereden þa riche wið þan stronge Childriche.
Þer lai þe kaisere & Colgrim his iuere.
& Baldulf his broðer & moni an-oðer.
Arður wes bi norðe and noht her-of nuste.
ferde ȝeond al Scot-lond & sette hit an his aȝere hond.
Orcaneie & Galeweie Man and Murene.
and alle þa londes þe þer-to læien.
Arður hit wende to iwislichen þinge.
þat Childric iliðen weore to his aȝene londe.
and þat he nauere-mære nolde cumen here.
Þa comen þa tidende to Arthure kinge.
þat Childric þa kæisere icumen wes to londen.
and i þan suð ende sorȝen þer worhten.
þa Arður seide aðelest kingen.
Wala-wa walawa þat ich sparede mine iua.
þat ich nauede on holte mid hungere hine ad[r]efed.
oðer mid sweorde al hine to-swu[n]gen.
Nu he me ȝilt mede for mire god dede.
ah swa me hælpen Drihten þæ scop þæs dæies lihten.
þer-fore he scal ibiden bitterest alre baluwen.
harde gomenes his bone ich wulle iwurðen.
Colgrim & Baldulf beiene ich wulle aquellen.
& al heore duȝeðe dæð scal iðolien.
Ȝif hit wule ivnnen Waldende hæfnen.
ich wulle wurðliche wreken alle his wiðer-deden.
ȝif me mot ilasten þat lif a mire breosten.
& hit wulle me iunne. þat i-scop mone & sunne.
ne scal nauere Childric æft me bi-charren.
Nu cleopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Whar beo ȝe mine cnihtes ohte men & wiðte.
To horse to horse haleðes gode.
and we sculle[ð] buȝen touward Baðe swiðe.
Leteð up fusen heȝe forken.
& bringeð her þa ȝæsles biforen ure cnihtes.
and heo scullen hongien on hæȝe treowen.
Þer he lette fordon feouwer & twe[n]ti childerren.
Alemainisce men of swi[ð]e heȝe cunnen.
Þa comen tidende to Arðure þan kinge.
þat seoc wes Howel his mæi þer-fore he wes sari.
i Clud ligginde & þer he hine bilæfde.
Hiȝenliche swiðe forð he gon liðe.
þat he bihalues Ba[ð]e beh to ane uelde.
þer he alihte & his cnihtes alle.
and on mid heore burnen beornes sturne.
& he a fif dæle dælde his ferde.
Þa he hafde al iset and al hit isemed.
þa dude he on his burne ibroide of stele.
þe makede on aluisc smið mid aðelen his crafte.
he wes ihaten Wygar þe Witeȝe wurhte.
His sconken he helede mid hosen of stele.
Calibeorne his sweor[d] he sweinde bi his side.
hit wes iworht in Aualun mid wiȝele-fulle craften.
Halm he set on hafde hæh of stele.
þer-on wes moni ȝim-ston al mid golde bi-gon.
he wes V[ð]eres þas aðelen kinges.
he wes ihaten Goswhit ælchen oðere vnilic.
He heng an his sweore ænne sceld deore.
his nome wes on Bruttisc Pridwen ihaten.
þer wes innen igrauen mid rede golde stauen.
an on-licnes deore of Drihtenes moder.
His spere he nom an honde þa Ron wes ihaten.
Þa he hafden al his i-weden þa leop he on his steden.
Þa he mihte bihalden þa bihalues stoden.
þene uæireste cniht þe verde scolde leden.
ne isæh næuere na man selere cniht nenne.
þene him wes Arður aðelest cunnes.
Þa cleopede Arður ludere stæfne.
Lou war her biforen us heðene hundes
þe sloȝen ure alderen mid luðere heore craften.
and heo us beoð on londe læðest alre þinge.
Nu fusen we hom to & stærcliche heom leggen on.
& wræken wunder-liche ure cun & ure riche.
& wreken þene muchele scome þat heo us i-scend habbeoð.
þat heo ouer vðen comen to Derte-muðen.
& alle heo beoð for-sworene & alle heo beoð for-lorene.
heo beoð for-demed alle mid Drihttenes fulste.
Fuse we nu forð-ward uaste to-somne.
æfne al swa softe swa we nan ufel ne þohten.
and þenne we heom cumeð to mi-seolf ic wullen on-fon.
an alre freomeste þat fiht ich wulle big[i]nnen.
Nu we scullen riden. and ouer lond gliden.
and na man bi his liue lude ne wurchen.
ah faren fæstliche Drihten us fulsten.
Þa riden agon Arður þe riche mon.
beh ouer wælde & Baðe wolde isechen.
Þa tidende com to Childriche þan strongen & þan richen.
þat Arður mid ferde com al ȝaru to fihte.
Childric & his ohte men leopen heom to horsen.
igripen heore wepnen heo wusten heom ifæied.
Þis isæh Arður aðelest kinge.
isæh he ænne. hæðene eorl. hælden him to-ȝeines.
mid seouen hundred. cnihten al ȝærewe to fihten.
Þe orl him-seolf ferde bi-foren al his genge.
& Arður him-seolf arnde bi-uoren al his ferde.
Arður þe ræie Ron nom an honde.
he stræhte scaft stærcne stiðimoden king.
his hors he lette irnen þat þa eorðe dunede.
Sceld he braid on breosten þe king wes abolȝen.
he smat Borel þene eorl þurh-ut þa breosten.
þat þæ heorte to-chan and þe king cleopede anan.
Þe formeste is fæie nu fulsten us Drihte.
and þa hefen-liche quene þa Drihten akende.
Þa cleopede Arður aðelest kinge.
Nu heom to nu heom to þat formest is wel idon.
Bruttes hom leiden on swa me scal a luðere don.
heo bittere swipen ȝefuen mid axes & mid sweordes
Þer feolle Cheldriches men fulle twa þusend.
swa neuere Arður ne les næuere ænne of his.
þer weoren Sæxisce men folken alre ærmest.
& þa Alemainisce men ȝeomerest alre leoden.
Arður mid his sweorde fæie-scipe wurhte.
al þat he smat to hit wes sone for-don.
Al wæs þe king abolȝen swa bið þe wilde bar.
þenne he i þan mæste monie [swin] imeteð.
Þis isæh Childric & gon him to charren.
& beh him ouer Auene to burȝen him-seoluen.
and Arður him læc to swa hit a liun weoren.
& fusde heom to flode monie þer weoren fæie.
þer sunken to þan grunde fif & twenti hundred.
þa al wes Auene stram mid stele ibrugged.
Cheldric ouer þat wate[r] flæh mid fif-tene hundred cnihten.
þohte forð siðen & ouer sæ liðen.
Arður isæh Colgrim climben to munten.
buȝen to þan hulle þa ouer Baðen stondeð.
& Baldulf beh him after. mid seoue þusend cnihtes.
heo þohten i þan hulle hæhliche at-stonden.
weorien heom mid wepnen & Arður awæmmen.
Þa isæh Arður aðelest kingen.
whar Colgrim at-stod & æc stal wrohte.
þa clupede þe king kenliche lude.
Balde mine þeines buhȝeð to þan hulles.
For ȝerstendæi wes Colgrim monnen alre kennest.
nu him is al swa þere gat þer he þene hul wat.
hæh uppen hulle fehteð mid hornen.
þenne come[ð] þe wlf wilde touward hire winden.
Þeh þe wulf beon ane buten ælc imane.
& þer weoren in ane loken. fif hundred gaten.
þe wulf heom to iwiteð and alle heom abiteð.
Swa ich wulle nu to-dæi Colgrim. al fordemen.
ich am wulf & he is gat. þe gume scal beon fæie.
Þa ȝet c[l]eopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Ȝurstendæi wes Baldulf cnihten alre baldest.
nu he stant on hulle & Auene bi-haldeð.
hu ligeð i þan stræme stelene fisces.
mid sweorde bi-georede heore sund is awemmed.
heore scalen wleoteð swulc gold-faȝe sceldes.
þer fleoteð heore spiten swulc hit spæren weoren.
Þis beoð seolcuðe þing isiȝen to þissen londe.
swulche deor an hulle swulche fisces in wælle.
Ȝurstendæi wes þe kaisere kennest alre kingen.
nu he is bicumen hunte & hornes him fulieð.
flihð ouer bradne wæld beorkeð his hundes.
he hafeð bihalues Baðen his huntinge bilæfued.
freom his deore he flicð & we hit scullen fallen.
and his balde ibeot to nohte ibringen.
and swa we scullen bruken rihte bi-ȝæten
Efne þan worde þa þe king seide.
he bræid hæȝe his sceld forn to his breosten
he igrap his spere longe his hors he gon spurie.
Neh al swa swi[ðe] swa þe fuȝel fliȝeð.
fuleden þan kinge fif and twenti þusend.
whitere monnen wode under wepnen.
hælden to hulle mid hæhȝere strengðe.
and uppen Colgrime smiten mid swiðe smærte biten
And Colgrim heom þer hente and feolde þa Bruttes to grunde.
i þan uormeste ræse fulle fif hundred.
Þat isæh Arður aðelest kingen
and wrað him iwræððed wunder ane swiðe.
and þus cleopien a-gon Arður þe hæhȝe man.
War beo ȝe Bruttes. balde mine beornes.
Her stondeð us biuoren vre ifan alle icoren.
gumen mine gode legge we heom to grunde.
Arður igrap his sweord riht & he smat ænne Sexise cniht.
þat þat sweord þat wes swa god æt þan toþen at-stod.
& he smat enne oðer þat wes þas cnihtes broðer
þat his halm & his hæfd halden to grunde.
þene þridde dunt he sone ȝaf & enne cniht atwa clæf.
Þa weoren Bruttes swiðe ibalded.
& leiden o þan Sæxen læȝen swi[ðe] stronge.
mid heore speren longe and mid sweoreden swiðe stronge.
Sexes þer uullen & fæie-sih makeden.
bi hundred bi hundred hælden to þan grunde.
bi þusund & bi þusend þer feollen æuere in þene grund.
Þa iseh Colgrim wær Arður com tou-ward him.
ne mihte Colgrim for þan wæle fleon a nare side.
þer fæht Baldulf bi-siden his broðer.
Þa cleopede Arður ludere stefne.
Her ich cume Colgrim to cuððen wit scullen ræchen.
nu wit scullen þis lond dalen swa þe bið alre laððest
Æfne þan worde þa þe king sæide.
his brode swærd he up ahof and hærdliche adun sloh.
and smat Colgrimes hælm þat he a-midde to-clæf.
and þere burne hod þat hit at þe breoste at-stod.
And he sweinde touward Baldulfe mid his swiðren honde.
& swipte þat hæfued of forð mid þan helme.
Þa loh Arður þe aðele king.
and þus ȝeddien agon mid gomenfulle worden.
Lien nu þere Colgrim þu were i-clumben haȝe
and Baldulf þi bro[ð]er lið bi þire side.
nu ich al þis kine-lond sette an eower ahȝere hond.
dales & dunes & al mi drihtliche uolc.
Þu clumbe a þissen hulle wunder ane hæȝe
swulc þu woldest to hæuene nu þu scalt to hælle.
þer þu miht kenne muche of þine cunne.
And gret þu þer Hengest þe cnihten wes faȝerest.
Ebissa & Ossa. Octa & of þine cunne ma
and bide heom þer wunie wintres & sumeres.
& we scullen on londe libben in blisse.
bidden for eower saulen þat sel ne wurðen heom nauære.
& scullen her æuwer ban biside Baðe ligen.
Arður þe king cleopede Cador þene kene.
of Cornwale he wes eorl þe cniht wes swiðe kene.
Hercne me Cador þu ært min aȝe cun.
Nu is Childric iuloȝen & awæi-ward itohȝen.
he þencheð mid isunde aȝen cumen liðen.
Ah nim of mire uerde fif þusend monnen.
& fareð forð-rihtes bi dæie & bi nihte.
þat þu cumme to þare sæ bi-foren Childriche.
and al þat þu miht biwinnen bruc hit on wunnen.
& ȝif þu miht þene kaisere ufele a-quellen þere.
ich þe ȝifue to mede al Doresete.
Al swa þe aðele king þas word hafede isæid.
Cador sprong to horse swa spærc him doh of fure.
fulle seoue þusend fuleden þan eorle.
Cador þe kene & muchel of his cunne.
wenden ouer woldes & ouer wildernes.
ouer dales & ouer dunes ouer deope wateres.
Cador cuðe þene wæi þe toward his cunde læi.
an oueste he wende fuliwis riht to-ward Toteneis.
dæies & nihtes he com þere forð-rihtes.
swa neuere Childric nuste of his cume nane custe.
Cador com to cuððe bi-uoren Childriche.
and lette him fusen biforen al þas londes folc.
cheorles ful ȝepe mid clubben swiðe græte
mid spæren and mid græte waȝen to þan ane icoren.
and duden heom alle clane into þan scipen grunde.
& hæhte heom þere lutie wel þat Childric of heom neore war.
& þenne his folc come & in wolden climben.
heore botten i-gripen and ohtliche on smiten.
mid heore waȝen & mid heore speren murðren Childriches heren.
Al duden þa cheorles swa Cador heom tæhte.
To þan scipen wenden wiðer-fulle cheorles.
in æuer-ælche scipe o[ð]er half hundred.
And Cador þe kene bæh in toward ane wude hæh.
fif mile from þan stude þær stoden. þa scipen.
and hudde hine on wille wunder ane stille.
Childric com sone ouer wald liðen.
walde to þan scipen [f]leon and fusen of londen.
Sone swa Cador isæh þat wes þe kene eorl.
þat Childric wes an eorðen bitweonen him and þan cheorlen.
þa clupede Cador ludere stefne.
Wær beo ȝe cnihtes ohte men & wihte.
I-þenche[ð] what Ar[ð]ur þe is ure aðele king.
at Baðen us bi-sohte ær we wenden from hirede.
Leou war fuseð Childric & fleon wule of londe.
and þencheð to Alemaine þer beoð his ældren.
and wule bi-ȝiten ferde and æft cumen hidere.
and wule faren hider in and þencheð awræken Colgrim.
and Baldulf his broðer þæ bi Baðen resteð.
Ah no abide he næuere þære dæȝen ne scal he no ȝif we maȝen.
Æfne þere spæche þa spac þe eorl riche.
and on-uest he gon riden þe reh wes on moden.
halden ut of wude-scaȝe scalkes swiðe kene.
and after Cheldriche þan strongen & þan richen.
Cheldriches cnihtes bi-sehȝen heom baften.
isehȝen ouer wolden winden heore-mærken.
winnien ouer ueldes fif þusend sceldes.
Þa iwærð Childric chær-ful an heorten.
and þas word sæide þe riche kaisere.
Þis is Arður þe king þe alle us wule aquellen.
fleo we nu biliue & in-to scipen fusen.
and liðen forð mid watere ne recchen we nauere wudere.
Þa Childric þe kaisere þas word hæuede isæid.
þa gon he to fleonne feondliche swiðe.
& Cador þe kene com him after sone.
Childric and his cnihtes to scipe comen forð-rihtes.
heo wenden þa scipen stronge to scuuen from þan londe.
Þæ cheorles mid heore botten weoren þer wið-innen.
þa botten heo up heouen & adun-riht sloȝen.
þer wes sone i-slaȝen moni cniht mid heore wahȝen.
wið heore pic-forcken heo ualden heom to grunden.
Cador & his cnihtes sloȝen heom baften.
Þa isah Childric þat heom ilomp liðerlic.
þa al his folc mucle to þan grunde.
Nu i-sæh he þer bi[h]alues ænne swiðe mare hul.
þat water tið þer-under þat Teine is ihaten.
þa hulle ihaten Teinnewic þider-ward flæh Childric.
swa swiðe swa he mihte mid feouwer & twenti cnihten.
Þa isæh Cador hu hit þa uerde þer.
þat þe kaisere flæh & touwarde þæ hulle tæh.
and Cador him after swa swiðe swa he mahte.
and him to tuhte & hine of-toc sone.
Þa saide Cador þe eorl swiðe kene.
Abid abid Childric ich wulle þe ȝefen Teinewic.
Cador his sweord an-hof and he Childric of-sloh.
Monie þe þer fluȝen to þan watere heo tuhȝen.
inne Teine þan watere þer heo for-wurðen.
al Cador acwælde þat he quic funde.
and summe heo crupen in-to þan wude and alle he heom þer fordude.
Þa Cador heom haueden alle ouercumen and æc al þat lond inumen.
he sette grit swiðe god þat þer-after longe stod.
þeh ælc mon beere an honde behȝes of golde.
ne durste nauere gume nan oðerne ufele igreten
Arður wes forð iwende in-to Scotlonden
for Howel lai inne Clud faste biclused.
Hafden Scottes hine bi-læien mid luðere heore craften.
and ȝif Ar[ð]ur neore þe ra[ð]er icumen þenne weoren Houwel inumen.
and al his folc þer islaȝen and idon of lif-daȝen.
Ah Arður com sone mid selere strengðe.
and Scottes to fleonne feor of þan ærde.
in-to Muræine mid mucle mon-weorede.
And Cador com to Scotlonde þer he Arður ifunde.
Arður and Cador into Clud ferden
& funden þer Howel mid hahȝere blisse an sel.
of his seocnesse isund wes iwurðen.
muchel wes þa blisse þæ þa wes in burȝe.
Scottes weoren inne Mureine and þer þeohten wunien.
& mid bolde heore worden heore beot makeden.
and sæiden þat heo wolden þa riche walden
and Arður þer abiden mid baldere strenðe
for ne durste nauere Arður for his life come þer.
Þa iherde Ar[ð]ur ærhðen bi-dæle[d].
whæt Scottes hafden isæid mid heore hux-worden.
þa sæide Arður aðelest kingen.
Whær ært þu Howel hæhst of mine cunne.
and Cador þe kene ut of Cornwaile.
Leteð blæwen bemen & bonnien ure ferden.
& to þere mid-nihte we sculleð faren forð-riht.
toward Mureine ure mon-scipe to bi-tellen.
Ȝif hit wule Drihte þe scop þæs daȝes lihten.
we heom sculle tellen sorh-fulle spelles.
heore ȝælp fellen & heom-seolue a-quellen.
To þere mid-nihte Arður aras forð-riht.
hornes me gon blawen mid hahȝere stafnen.
cnihtes gunnen arisen and ræhȝe word speken
Mid muche mon-weorede in-to Mureine.
forð gunnen wræsten þreottene þusend.
a feormeste flocke feondliche kene men.
Seoððen com Cador þe eorl of Cornwæille.
mid seouentene þusen selere þeinen.
Seoððen com Heowel mid his kemppen swiðe wel.
mid an and twenti þusen mid aðelere kempen.
Seoððen com Arður aðelest kingen.
mid seouen & twenti þusend siȝen heom after-ward.
sceldes þer cliseden lihten hit gon dæȝen.
Þat word com to Scotten þær þar heo wuneden.
hu Ar[ð]ur þe king com touward heore londe.
feond-liche swiðe mid vnimite folke.
Þa weoren ærhest þat ær weoren baldest.
and gunnen to fleonnen feondliche swiðe.
into þan watere þer wunderes beoð inoȝe.
Þat is a seolcuð mere iset a middel-ærde.
mid fenne & mid ræode mid watere swiðe bræde.
mid fiscen & mid feoȝelen mid uniuele þingen.
Þat water is unimete brade nikeres þer ba[ð]ieð inne.
þer is æluene ploȝe in atteliche pole.
Sixti æit-londes beo[ð] i þan watere longe.
in ælc of þan æit-londe is a clude hæh and strong.
þer næstieð arnes & oðere græte uoȝeles.
Þe ærnes habbeoð ane laȝe bi æuer-ælches kinges dahȝen.
whænne-swa æe ferde fundeð to þan ærde.
þeonne fleoð þa fuȝeles feor i þan lufte.
moni hundred þusen & muchel feoht makieð.
Þenne is þat folc buten wene þat reouðe heom is to cumene.
of summes cunnes leoden þe þat lond wulleð i-sechen.
Tweien dæȝes oðer þreo þus scal þis taken beo.
ær unkuðe men to þan londe liðen.
Ȝet þer is sellic to suggen of þan watere.
þer walleð of þan mæren a moniare siden.
of dalen & of dunen & of bæcchen deopen.
sixti wateres alle þer isomned.
swa neuere ut of þan mære na man no uindeð.
þat þer ut wenden buten an an ænde.
an imet-liche broc þe of þan mere ualleð.
& swiðe isemeliche in-to sæ wendeð.
Þa Scottes weoren to-deled mid muclen vni-selen.
ȝeond þa monie munten þa i þan watere weoren.
Arður biseohte scipen & gon heom to wenden.
& sloh þer vniuoȝe moni and inoȝe.
& moni þusend þer wes dæd for heom trukede ælc bræd.
Arður þe aðele was an æst side
Howel þe sele wes a suð hal[u]e.
& Cador þe kene bi norðen heom biwusten.
and his smale uolc he setten alle bi weste. siden.
Þa weoren Scottes ihalden for sottes.
þer heo leien ȝeond þa cliues faste bi-cluse[d]
þer weoren sixti þusend mid sorreȝe for-farene.
Þa wes Irlondes king icume in-to hafene.
twalf milen from Arðure þer he lai mid ferde.
Scotten to hælpen Howel to for-farene.
Þ[is] iherden Arður aðelest kinge
& nom his ane ferde. & þider-ward fusden
& funde þene king Gillomar þe icumen wes to londe þar.
Arður him faht wið & nolde him ȝiuen na grið.
and feolde Irisce men feond-liche to gru[n]den.
And Gillomar mid twalf scipen teh from þan londe.
& ferde to Irlonde mid harme swiðe stronge.
And Arður a þan londe sloh al þat he uunde.
and seoððen he wende to þan mere þer he his mæi lette.
Howel þene hende hahst of Brutlonde.
wið-uten Arðure aðelest kingen.
Arður Howel uunde þer he wes bi hauene.
bi þan mere brade þer he abiden hafde.
Þa fainede swiðe folc an hirede.
of Arðures cume & of aðele his dede.
þer wes Arður for[ð]-riht twei dæies & twa niht.
Scottes leie ȝeond clude moni þusend dede.
mid hungere for-uarene folkene alre ærmest.
I þan þridde dæiȝe faire hit gon daȝiȝen.
þa tuȝen touward hirede alle þat weoren ihadded.
& þreo biscopes wise a boke wel ilæred.
preostes & muneckes vnimete monie.
canones þer comen. monie & wel idone.
mid alle þan halidomen þa hahst an londe weoren.
and ȝeornden Arðures grið & his aðmeden.
Þider þa wifes comen þa i þan londen. wuneden.
heo wæiden in hære ærmen heore children ærmen.
heo weopen on Arðure wunder ane swiðe.
and heore uæx fæire wælden to volde.
curuen heore lockes & þer niðer læiden.
to þas kinges foten bi-foren al his duȝeðen.
nailes to heore nebbe þat æfter hit bledde.
Neh þan alle clæne nakede heo weoren.
sorhliche heo gunnen clupien to Arðure þan kinge.
and summe þus iseiden þer heo on sið weoren.
King we beoð on ærde ærmest alre uolke.
we ȝeorneð þine milzce þurh þæne milde Godd.
Þu hauest a þisse londe ure leoden aslæȝen.
mid hungere & mid hete mid feole cunne hærmen.
mid wapnen mid wæteren mid feole wan-siðen.
vre children imaked faderlese & frofre bidæled.
Þu ært Cristine mon & we al-swa sunden.
Sæxisce men beoð hæðe[ne] hundes.
Heo comen to þisse londe and þis folc here a-qualden.
ȝif we heom hereden þat was for ure hermen.
for we nefden nænne mon þe us wið heom mihten griðien.
Heo us duden swiðe wa & þu us dest al swa.
þa heðene us hatieð & þe Cristine us sari makieð.
Wær scullen we bicumen queðen þa wif to þan kinge.
A-ȝef us ȝet þa quicke men þa liggeð ȝeond þas cluden.
and ȝif þu ȝiuest milze þisse moncunnen.
þi mon-scipe bið þa mare nu and æuere-mære.
Lauer[d] Arður ure king leoðe vre benden.
Þu hafust al þis lond inomen & al þis folc ouercumen.
We beoð under uote a þe is al þa bote.
Þis iherde Arður aðelest kingen.
þesne wop & þesne rop & reouðen vniuoȝe.
þa toc he to ræde. and reosede on heorte.
he uunde on his ræde to don þat heo hine beden
he ȝæf heom lif. he ȝef heom lumen & heore lond to halden.
He lette blæwen bemen and þa Scottes bæcnien.
& heo ut of cluden to þan scipen comen.
an aueræchen siden siȝen touwar[d] londe.
Heo weoren swiðe iharmede mid scærpen þan hungre.
aðes heo sworen swiken þat nalden.
and heo þa iȝefuen ȝisles þan kingen.
and alle ful sone þas kinges men bi-comen.
& seoððen heo gunnen fusen þat folc þer to-delden.
ælc mon to þan ende þer he wes wuniende.
and Arður þer grið sette god mid þan bezste.
Whær ært þu Howel mi mæi monne me leofest.
isixst þu þisne muchelne mære þer Scottes beoð amærred.
isihst þu þas hæhȝe treon and sihst þu þas ærnes teon.
Inne þisse uenne is fisc unimete.
Isihst þu þas æit-londes þe ȝeond þas watere stondeð.
Seollic þuhte Howel of swulchere isihðe.
and wonddrede wide bi þan watere flode.
and þus þer cleopede Howel hæhes cunnes.
Seoððen ich wes mon iboren of mire moder bosme.
no isah ich a none londe þus seolcu[ð]e þinges.
swa ich here biuoren me mid æȝenen bihælde.
Wundreden Bruttes wunder ane swiðe.
Þa cleope[de] Arður aðelest kingen.
Howel min aȝe mæi monnen me leofest.
lust mire worden of mucle mære wunder.
þat ic þe wulle tellen. of soðe mine spellen.
Bi þisse mære enden þer þis water wendeð.
is an lutel wiht mære monnen to wundre.
He is end-longe feouwer & sixti munden.
he is imeten a bræde fif & twenti foten.
fif foten he is deop alfene hine dulfen.
Feower-noked he is and þer-inne is feower kunnes fisc.
and ælc fisc an his ende þer he his cun findeð.
ne mai þer nan to oðere buten al swa tacheð his icunde.
Nes næuer nan mon iboren ne of swa wise crafte icoren.
no libbe he swa longe þe maȝen hit vnder-stonde.
what letteð þene fisc to uleoten to þan oðere.
for nis þer noht bitwenen buten water clæne.
Þa ȝet cleopede Ar[ð]ur aðelest kingen.
Howel i þissen londes ænde neh þere sæ-stronde.
is a mære swiðe muchel þat water is un-fæle.
and whænne þa sæ vledeð swulc heo wulle aweden.
and falleð inne þene mære vnimete swiðe.
no bið næuere þæ mere on watere þa mare.
Ah þenne þa sæ falleð in and scen warð þa uolden.
and heo bið al inne in alden hire denne
þenne swelleð þe mære and swærkeð þa vðen.
vðen þer leppeoð ut vnimete grete.
fleoð ut a þat lond þat leoden agriseð an hond.
Ȝif þer cumeð æi mon þat noht ne cunne þer-on.
þat seollic to iseonne bi þere sæ-stronde.
ȝif he his neb wendeð touwærd þan mære.
ne beo he noht swa loh iboren ful wel he beoð iborȝen.
þat water him glit bisiden and þe mon þer wuneð softe.
after his iwille he wuneð þer uul stille
þat no bið he for þan watere naððing idracched.
Þa sæide Howel hæh mon of Brutten.
Nu ic ihere tellen seolcuðe spellen.
& seollic is þe lauerd þat al hit isette.
Þa cleopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Blaweð mine hornes mid hæȝere stæfne.
and suggeð mine cnihtes þat ic fare forð-rihte.
Bemen þer blewen hornes þer stureden.
blisse wes an hirede mid bisie þan kinge.
for ælc wes ifreoured & ferde to-ward his ærd.
And þe king for-bæd heom bi heore bare liuen.
þat na mon on worlde swa wod no iwurðe.
no swa ær-witte gume þat his grið bræke.
and ȝif hit dude æi mon. he sculden dom ðolien.
Æfne þan worde fusde þa uærde.
þer su[n]gen beornes seolcuðe leoðes.
of Ar[ð]ure þan kinge & of his. here-þringen.
and sæiden on songe. to þisse worlde longe.
neo[re] neuere-mære swulc king ase Arður þurh alle þing.
king no kæisere in næuere nare kuððe.
Arður forð to Eouuerwic mid folke swiðe seollic.
and wunede þer wiken sixe mid muchelere wunne.
Þa burh-walles weoren to-broken & to-fallen.
þat Childric al for-barnden & þa hallen alle clæne.
Þa cleopede þe king Piram. ænne preost mæren.
he wes swiðe wis mon and witful on bocken.
Piram þu ært min aȝe preost þe æð þe scal iwur[ð]en.
Þe king nom ane rode hali and swiðe gode.
and [bi-tok] Piram an hond and þer-mid swiðe muchel lond.
and þene ærchebiscopes staf þer he Piram aȝaf.
Ær wes Piram preost god nu he is ærchebiscop.
Þa hæhte hine Arður aðelest kingen.
þat he rærde churechen. & þa songes rihten.
and Goddes folc biwusten & fæire heom dihtten.
And he hæhte alle cnihtes demen rihte domes.
and þa eorðe-tilien teon to heore cræften.
& æuerælcne gume oðerne i-græten.
& wulc mon swa wurs dude þene þe king hafde iboden
he wolde hine ifusen. to ane bare walme.
& ȝif hit weore læð mon he sculde hongie for þon.
Þa ȝet cleope[de] Arður aðelest kingen.
hæhte þat alc mon þe his lond hafde for-gan
mid wulches cunnes wite swa he bi-wæiued weore.
þat he aȝain come ful raðe & ful sone.
þe riche & þe laȝe and hefde æft his aȝen.
bute he weore swa fule biwite þat he weore lauerd-swike.
oðer touward his lauer[d] man-swore þene þe king demde for-lore.
Þer come þreo ibroðeren þe weore kiniborne.
Lot & Angel & Vrien welle hwulche þreo men.
Þeos here-þringes þreo comen to þan ki[n]ge.
& setten an heore cneowen biforen þan kæisere.
Hal seo þu Arður aðelest kingen
and þi duȝeðe mid þe a mote heo wel beo.
We sundeð þreo broðeren iboren of kingen.
is al ure icunde lond i-gan ut of ure hond.
for habbeoð hæðene men us hene imakede.
and iwæst us al Leonæis Scotlond & Muræf
& we biddeð þe for Godes luue þat þu us beo fultume.
and for þire mucle wurð-scipe þat þu us wurðe milde.
aȝif us ure icunde lond and we þe sculleð luuien.
hælden þe for lauer[d] an ælche leod-wisen.
Þis iherde Arður aðelest king.
hu þeos þreo cnihtes fæire hine bisohten.
reousede on heorte & he reordien gan.
and þas word sæide selest alre kinge.
Vrien bi-cum mi mon þu scalt to Muræiue aȝæn.
þer-of þu scalt beon icleoped king of þan londe.
& hæh an mine hirede mid þine mon-weorede.
And Angele ich sette an hond al to-gædere Scotlond.
habbe hit an honde and beon king of þan londe.
from þan fader to þan sune. þer-of þu scalt mi mon bi-cumen.
And þu Lot mi leofe freond Godd þe wurðe liðe.
þu hauest mine suster to wiue þæ bet þe scal iwur[ð]e.
Ich þe ȝifue Loenæis þat is a lond faier.
and ich wulle le[g]gen þer-to londes swiðe gode.
biside þere Humbre wurð an hundred punden.
For mi fader Vðer þe while þe he wes king here.
lufede wel his dohter. þe wes his bæd iþohte.
& heo is mi suster & haueð sunen tweien.
þeo me beoð on londe children alre leofest.
Þus spæc Ar[ð]ur þe king þa wes Wolwain lute child.
swa ves þe oðer Modræd his broðer.
Wale þat Moddræd wes ibore muchel hærm com þer-fore.
Ar[ð]ur for to Lundene & mid him his leoden.
he heold inne londe ane muchele hustinge.
and sette alle þa laȝen þat stoden bi his ælderne daȝen.
alle þa laȝen gode þe her ær stoden.
he sette grið he sette frið and alle freodomes.
Þenene he for to Cornwale to Cadores riche.
he funde þer a mæide vnimete fæier.
Wes þas mæidenes moder of Romanisce mannen.
Cadores maȝe & þat maide him bi-tahte.
& he heo fæire a-feng. and softe heo fedde.
Heo wes of heȝe cunne of Romanisce monnen.
næs in nane londe maide nan swa hende.
of specche & of dede and of tuhtle swiðe gode.
heo wes ihaten Wenhauer wif-monne hendest.
Arður heo nom to wife & luuede heo wunder swiðe.
þis maiden he gon wedde and nom heo to his bedde.
Arður wes i Cornwale al þene winter þere.
and al for Wenhæuere lufe wimmonne him leofuest.
Þa þe winter wes agan and sumer com þer anan.
Arður hine biþohte whæt he don mahte.
þat his folc gode aswunden ne læie þere.
He ferde to Æxchæstræn to þan mid-festen.
& heold þer his hustinge of hehȝen his folke.
& seide þat he wolde in-to Irlonde.
wenden al þat kine-lond to his æhȝere hond.
buten þe king Gillomar to him raþer come ær.
and mid listen him speken wið & ȝirnde Arðures grið.
he wolde westen his lond and luðere him gon an hond.
mid fure mid stele streit gomen wurchen
& þat lond-folc aslæn þe wolde stonden him aȝein.
Æfne þan worde þa þe king sæide
þa andswarede þat folc fæire þan kinge.
Lauuerd king hald þi word we beoð alle ȝarewe.
to ganne & to ride oueral to þire neode.
Þer wes moni bald Brut þe hafde beres leches.
heouen up heore bruwen i-burst an heore þonke.
Wenden touwarde innen cnihtes mid heore monnen.
heo ruokeden burnen bonneden helmes.
heo wipeden hors leoue mid linnene claðe.
heo sceren heo scoiden scalkes balde weoren.
sum scæft horn sum scaft ban. sum ȝarked stelene flan.
sum makde þwonges gode & swiðe strong.
summe beoveden speren & beonneden sceldes.
Arður letten beoden ȝeond al his kine-þeoden.
þat æuerælc god cniht to him come forð-riht.
and euerælc oht mon comen forð-riht anan.
& wa-swa bilæfden his leomen he sculde leosen.
& wha-swa come glad-liche he sculden wurðe riche.
Seouen niht uppen Æstre þa men hafden iuast.
þa comen alle þa cnihtes. to scipen for[ð]-rihtes.
wind heom stod an honde þe scaf heom to Irlonde.
Arður a þet lond ferde and þa leoden a-merden.
muchel uolc he asloȝ orf he nom vniuoh.
& æuere he hæhte ælcne mon chireche-grið halden.
Þet tidinde com to þan kinge. þe lauerd wes of þan londe
þat þer wes icu[m]en Arður and ærmþen iwrohte þer.
He sumnede al his leoden ȝeond his kine-londe.
and his Irisce uolc fusden to fehte.
to-ȝæines Arðure þan aðele kinge.
Arður & his cnihtes. heom wepnede forð-rihtes.
& foren heom to-ȝeines folc vnimete.
Arðures men weoren mid wepnen al bi-þehte
Þa Irisce men weoren nakede neh þan.
mid speren & mid axen & mid swiðe scærpe sæxen.
Arðures men letten fleon vnimete flan.
and merden Irisc folc & hit swiðe ualden.
ne mæhten heo iþolien þurh nanes cunnes þingen.
ah fluȝen awai [on] siðe swiðe uæle þusend.
and Gillomar þe king flah & awæ-wardes teh.
and Arður him after and þene king ikahte.
he nom bi þan honde þene king of þan londe.
Arður þe hæȝe herbeorwe isohte.
an his mode him wes þa æðe þat Gillomar him wes swa neh.
Nu dude Arður aðelest kingen.
swiðe muche freond-scipe at-foren al his folke.
he lette þene king scrude mid ælchere prude.
and æc bi Arðure sat and æc mid him-seolue æt.
mid Arðure he win dronc þat him wes mucheles unðonc.
Naðeles þa he isah þat Arður wes swiðe glad.
þa cleopede Gillomar an his horte him wes sær.
Lauerd Arður þi grið ȝef me leomen & ȝif me lif.
ich wulle þi mon bicumen & biteche þe mine þreo sunen.
mine sunen deore to don al þine iwille.
& ȝet ich wulle mare ȝif þu me wult ȝefen ære.
ich wulle þe bi-tache ȝisles swiðe rich.
children sume sixti hæȝe & swiðe mæhti.
Ȝet ich wulle mære ȝif þu me ȝifuest ære.
ælche ȝere of mine londe. seouen þusend punde.
& senden heom to þine londe & sixti mark of golde.
& ȝet ich wulle mare ȝif þu wult me ȝifuen are.
alle þa steden mid alle heore iweden.
þa hæuekes & þa hundes & hehȝe mine mahmes.
ich bitache þe to honde of al mine londe.
And þenne þu hauest þis idon ich wulle nimen. halidom.
of seint Columkille þe dude Godes iwille.
& seint Brændenes hæfed þe Godd seolf haleȝede.
& seinte Bride riht fot þe hali is & swiðe god.
& halidomes inoȝe þe comen ut of Rome
& swerien þe to soðe swiken þe þat ich nulle.
ah ich þe wulle luuien and halden þe for lauerd
halden þe for hahne king & mi-seolf beon þin vnderling.
Þis iherde Arður aðelest king
& he gan lihȝen luddere steftne.
& he gon andswerie mid ædmode worden.
Beo nu glad Gillomar ne beo þin heorte noht sær.
for þv ært a wis mon þa bet þe scal iwurðen.
for æuere me æhte wisne mon wurðliche igreten.
for þine wis-dome no scal þe noht þa wurse.
muchel þu me beodest þe scal beon þa betere.
Her forð-rihtes bi-foren al mine cnihtes.
forȝiuen þe amare al þæ haluen-dæle.
of golde & of gærsume ah þu scalt mi mon bicumen.
and half þat gauel sende ælche ȝere to mi[n]e londe.
Halfe þa steden & halfe þa iweden.
halue þa hauekes & halue þa hundes.
þæ þu me beodest. ich wulle þe bi-lefen
ah ich wulle habben. þire hæhre monne children
þeo heom beoð alre leofuest. ich heom mai þe bet ileouen
& swa þu scalt wunien in wurðscipe þire.
a þine kine-dome i þine rihte icunden.
& ic þe wulle ȝeuen to þat ne scal þe king woh don.
buten he hit abugge mid his bare rugge.
Þeo hit sæide Arður aðelest kingen.
Þa hafden he an hond al to-somne Irlond.
& þe king his mon bicumen and bitæht him his þreo seonen.
Þa spæc Ærður to sele his cnihten.
Faren to His-lond & nimen we hit to ure honde.
Ferde þer fusde. & com to Islonde.
Ælcus þe king wes ihaten hæh mon of þan ærd.
he iherde þa tidende of Arðure þan kinge.
he dude al so wis mon & wende toȝeines him anan.
anan forð-rihtes mid sixtene cnihtes
he bar on his honde ænne mucle ȝeord of golde.
Sone swa he Arður isæh swa he on his cneowen bæh
& þas wor[d] him iquað. þe king wes afæred
Wulcume sire Arður wilcume lauerd.
Her ich biteche þe an hond al to-gadere Islond.
þu scal beon min hæhȝe king and ich wul beon þin under-ling.
Ich þe wullen heren swa mon scal don his hærren.
& ich wulle þi mon bicumen & bitæche þe minne leofue sune.
Esscol is ihaten and þu hine scalt iæðelien.
to cnihte hine dubben alse þin aȝene mon.
His moder ich habbe to wife þas kinges dohter of Rusie.
And æc ælche ȝere ȝiuen þe wulle æhte.
seoue þusend punde of seoluere and of golde.
& to æuer-ælche ræde beon ȝæru to þire neode.
Þis ich wullen þe swerien uppen mine sweorden
þe halidom is a þere hilte þe hexste of þisse londe.
likien swa me liken nulle ich þe nauere swiken.
Þis iherde Ar[ð]ur aðlest kingen.
Arður wes wunsum þer he hafde his iwillen.
& he wes wod sturne wið his wið his wiðer-iwinnen.
Arður þa liðe word iherde of þan leod-kinge.
al þat he ȝirnde al he him ȝette.
Ȝi[s]les and aðes and alle his ibodes.
Þa iherde suggen soðere worden.
þe king of Orcaneie vnimete kene.
Gonwais wes ihate haeðene ke[m]pe.
þat Arður king wolde cume to his londe.
mid muchele scip-ferde fusen to leoden.
Gonwais him uerde to-ȝæines mid wisen his þeines.
and sette Arðure an hond al Orcaneies lond.
and twa and þritti æit-lond þe þider in liggeð.
and his mon-radene mid muchelere mensce.
And he him hafde a uoreward biforen al his duȝeðe.
ælche ȝere to iwiten fulle sixti scipen.
mid his aȝere costninge bringen heom to Londenne.
ifulled to iwisse mid gode sæ-fisce.
Þis for-ward he iuaste and ȝisles he funde.
and aðes he swor gode. swiken þa[t] he nolde
& seoððen he lefe nom. & forð he gon liðen
Lauerd haue wel godne dæi. ich wulle cumen wenne ich mai.
for nu þu art mi lauerd leouest alre kingen.
Þa Ar[ð]ur hafde þis idon þa ȝet he wolde mare afon.
he nom his writen gode and senden to Gutlonde.
and grætte þe king Doldanim and hehte hine sone comen to him.
& mid his harpe he ferde to þas kinges hirede.
& gon þær to gleowien & muche gome to makien.
Ofte me hine smæt mid smærte ȝerden.
ofte me hine culde swa me deð crosce.
ælc mon þe hine imette mid bismare hine igratte.
swa nauere na mon nuste of Baldulfes custe.
buten hit weore crosse icumen to þan hirede.
Swa he eode longe up-ward swa longe he eode a-dun-ward.
þæt heo weoren warre þe weoren þær wið-innen.
þat hit wes Baldulf Colgrimes broðer.
Heo wurpen ut enne rap & Baldulf hine faste igrap.
and brudden up Baldolf þat he binnen com.
mid swulches cunnes ginnes Baldulf com wið-innen.
Þa wes bliðen Colgrim and alle his cnihtes mid him.
and swiðe heo gunnen þrattien Arður þene king.
Arður bihalues wes & þis gomen isæh.
and wraðde hine sulfne wunderliche swiðe.
and hæhte anan wepnien al his wunliche uolc.
he þohte þe burhȝe mid strengðe to biwinnen.
Alse Arður wolde to þan walle ræse.
þa com þer riden Patric þe ricche mon.
Þat wes a Scottisc, þein. scone an his londen
& þus clupien a-gon. to þan kinge anan.
Hail seo þu Arður aðelest Brutten.
530
of þan kæisere Childriche þan wode & þan richen.
þan strongen & þan balden He is inne Scottlonde.
ihælde to are hafene & hames for-berneð.
and waldeð al ure lond after his ahȝere hond.
He haueð uerde wel idoneð al þa strengðe of Rome.
he sæið mid his ȝelpe þenne me him win scenccheð.
þat þu ne dærst in nare [st]ude his ræsses abiden.
no on uelde no on wude no nauere nane stude.
& ȝif þu him abidest he þe wule binden.
quellen þine leoden and þi lond aȝen.
Ofte wes Arðure wa nauere wurse þene þa.
and he droh hine a-bac bihalues þere burȝe.
clupede to ræde cnihtes to neode.
beornes and eorles & þa hali biscopes.
& bad þat heo him radden hu he mihte on richen.
mid his mon-weorede his monscipe halden.
& fehten wið Childriche þan stronge & þan richen.
þa hider wolde liðe to helpen Colgrime.
Þa andswarede Bruttes þa þere weoren bihalues
Faren we riht to Lundene. and lete hine liðen after.
& ȝif he cumeð riden sorȝe he scal ibiden.
he seolf and his ferde fæie scal iwurðen.
Arður al bilufeden þat radden his leoden.
forða he gon liðen þat he to Lundene com.
Colgrim wes in Eouerwic & þær abad him Childric.
Chilric gon wende ȝeon þan norð ende.
& nom on honde muchæl dal of londe.
Al Scot-þeode he ȝaf his ane þeine.
& al Norð-humberlond he sette his broðer an hond.
Galeweoie & Orcaneie he ȝaf his ane eorle.
him-seolf he nom from Humbre þat lond into Lundene.
Ne þohte he nauere-mare of Arður habben are.
buten he wolden his mon bicume Arður Vðeres sune.
Arður wes in Lundene mid alle Brutleoden.
he bed his ferde ȝeond alle þissen ærde.
þat æuer-ælc mon þe him god vðen.
ræðe & ful sone to Lundene comen.
Þa wes Ænglene lond mid ærmþe of-fulled.
her wes wop & her wes rop. and reouðen vniuoȝe.
532
Arður sende ouer sæ sele tweie cnihtes.
to Hoele his mæie þe wes him leofest monnen.
þe ahte Bruttaine cniht mid þan bezste.
and bad hine ful sone þat he hider come.
liðen to londe leoden to helpen.
for Chældrich hafde an honde muchel of þissen londe.
and Colgrim & Baldulf him to iboȝen weoren.
and þohten Arður þene king driuen ut of cuððen.
binimen him his icunde and his kineriche.
þenne were his cun iscend mid scome-liche witen.
heore wurð-scipe iloren a þissere worlde-richen.
þenne weoren þan kingge betere þat he iboren neore.
Þis iherde Howel þa hahste of Brutaine.
& he cleopien agon his sele cnihtes anan.
& bæd heom to horse hiȝenliche swiðe.
& faren into France to þan freo cnihten.
& seide heom þat heo comen raðe & ful sone.
to Mihæles Munte mid muchere strenðe.
alle þa þe wolden of seoluere & of golde.
wurh-scipe iwinne a þissere weorlde-richen.
To Peito he sende sele his þeines.
& summe touward Flandres feondliche swiðe.
and to Turuine tweie þer wenden.
& into Gascuinne cnihtes æc gode.
& hahten heom mid maine touward Mihhæles Munte.
& ær heo eoden to ulode heo sculden habbeon ȝiuen gode.
þat heo mihte þa bliðere buȝen from heore ærde.
& mid Howele þan hende cumen to þissen londe.
to helpen Arðure aðelest kingen.
Þreottene dæies i-gon weoren seoððen þa beoden commen þære.
þa halden h[eo] to sæ swa hahȝel deh from wolcne.
twa hundred scipene þer weoren wel biwitene.
me feolden heom mid folke and heo forð wenden.
wind stod & þat weder after heore wille.
and heo at Hamtone halden to londe.
Up leoppen of scipe wode scalkkes.
534
mid spæres & mid sceldes heo wriȝen al þa feldes.
Þer wes moni bald Brut þat beot wes aræred.
heo beoteden swiðe bi heore quiken liue.
þat heo wolden igræten Cheldric þene richen.
þene [balde] kæisere mid muchele harme þere.
And ȝif he nolde awæi fleon & touward Alemaine teon.
and he wolde on londe mid fehte atstonden.
mid balde his beornen beorkes abiden
here heo sculde bilauen þat heom weore alre l[eof]est.
hafden and heore honden & heore white halmes.
& swa heo scullen on londen losien heore freonden.
hælden into hælle. hæðene hundes.
Arður wes i Lundene aðelest kingen.
& iherde suggen suðere spellen.
þat was icumen to londe Howel þe stronge.
to Hamtune forð-rihtes mid þritti þusen cnihten.
& mid vnimete uolke þat wolleȝede þan kinge.
Arður him to-ȝaines bah mid hæhȝere blisse.
mid muchelere mon-weorede to-ȝæines his mæie.
To-somne heo comen blisse wes on hirede
custen & clupten & cuðliche speken.
& anan forð-rihtes somneden heore cnihtes.
Þa weoren þer to-somne sele twa ferden.
Howel sculde dihten þritti þusend cnihten.
& Arður hafde an londe feouwerti þusend an honde.
Forð-rihtes he wenden touward þan norð ænde.
toward Lincolne þe Cheldric þe kaisere bilai.
Ah he heo þa ȝæte nefde noht biwunnen.
for þer weoren wið-innen seoue þusen monnen.
ohte men and wihte dæies and nihtes.
Arður mid his ferde fusde touward burȝe.
& Arður for-bæd his cnihtes dæies & nihtes.
þat heo liðen stille swulc heo stelen wolden.
liðen ouer leoden & luden bilefden.
hornes & bemen alle weoren bilafde.
Arður nom enne cniht þe wes oht mon and wiht.
& sende hine to Lincolne to leuen his monnen.
536
þat cumen wolde Arður aðelest kingen.
to þere middernihte & mid him moni god cniht.
& ȝe wið-inne þenne beoð eou iwarre.
þat þenne ȝe i-hereð þene dune þat ȝe ȝæten untunen.
and fuse[ð] ut of burȝe & eoure feo[n]d felleð.
& smiteð a Cheldrichen þan strongen & þan richen.
and we heom sculleð tellen Bruttisse spelles.
Hit was to þere middel-niht þe mone scæn suð-riht.
Arður mid his ferde fusde to burh.
þat folc wes swa stille swa heo stelen wolden.
forð heo comen liðen þat heo iseiȝen Lincolne.
Þus him cleopien agon Arður þe kene mon.
Whar beo ȝe mine cnihtes mine hære-kemppen.
Iseo ȝe þa teldes þer Childrich lið i ueldes.
Colgrim & Baldulf mid baldere strengðe.
þat Alemainisce uolc þat us hæfeð ihærmed.
& þat Sæxisce uolc þat sorȝen us bihateð.
þat alle habbeoð aqualde þa hæhste of mine cunne.
Constanz and Co[n]stantin & Vðer þe wes fader min.
and Auriliæn Ambrosie mines fader broðer.
& moni þusend monnen of aðele mine cunne.
Uten we heom to liðe and to grunde leggen.
and wreken wruð-liche ure cun & heore riche.
and alle some[d] forð-riht nu ride æuer-alc god cniht.
Arður gon to riden þa ferde gon gliden.
swulc al þa eorðe wolde for-bærnen.
and smiten i þa ueldes i-mong Childriches teldes.
Þæt wes þæ æreste mon þe þer cleopien agon.
Arður þe heȝe gume þe wes Vðeres sune.
kenliche & lude swa bicumeð kinge.
Nu fulste us Marie Goddes milde moder.
and ich ibidde hire sune þat he us beon a fultume.
Æfne þan wordes turnden heo heore ordes.
stikeden & sloȝen al þat heo neh comen.
And cnihtes ut of burhȝe buȝen heom to-ȝæines.
ȝif heo fluȝen to burȝen þer heo for-wur[d]en.
ȝif heo floȝen to þa wude. þer hi heom forduden.
538
Nis hit a nare boc idiht þat æuere weore æi fiht.
inne þissere Bruttene þat balu weore swa riue.
for volken him wes ærmest þat æuere com to ærde.
þer wes muchel blod-gute balu wes on folke.
dæð þer wes rife þe eorðe þer dunede.
Childrich þe kæisere hæfede ænne castel here.
a Lincolnes felde þer he læi wið-innen.
þe wes neouwen iworht & swiðe wel biwust.
& þere weoren mid him Baldulf & Colgrim.
and iseȝen þat heore uolc fæie-sih worhten.
& heo forð-riht anon on mid heore burnen.
and fluȝen ut of castle kenscipe bidaled.
and fluȝen forð-riht anan to þe wude of Calidon.
Heo hafden to i-feren seouen þusend rideren.
and ho bilafden of-slaȝen & idon of lif-daȝen.
feowerti þusu[n]de i-feolled to þan grunde.
Alemainisce men mid ær[m]ðe for-demed.
and þa Sexisce men ibroht to þan gru[n]den.
Þa isæh Arður aðelest kingen.
þat Childrich wes i-floȝen in-to Calidonie. itoȝen.
and Colgrim & Baldulf mid him iboȝen weoren.
in-to þan haȝe wude in-to þan hæȝe holme.
& Arður bæh after mid sixti þusend cnihten.
Bruttene leoden þene wude al bileien.
and an are halfe hine feolden fulle seoue milen.
treo uppen oðer treo-liche faste.
an oðer halue he hine bilai mid his leod-ferde.
þreo daȝes & þreo niht þat wes heom muchel pliht.
Þa isæh Colgrim alse he læi þer-in.
þat þer wes buten mete scarp hunger & hete.
ne heom no heore horsen hælp nefde nenne.
And þus cleopede Colgrim to þan kaisere.
Sæie me lauerd Childric soðere worden.
for whulches cunnes þinge ligge we þus here.
Whi nulle we ut faren & bonnien ure ferden.
540
for betere us is on londe mid mon-scipe to liggen.
þene we þus here for hungere to-wurðen.
iswenche[ð] us sære folke to scare.
Oðer we sendeð wið and wið and ȝeornen Arðures grið.
and bidden þus his milce & ȝisles him bitechen.
& wurchen freond-scipe wið þan freo kinge.
Þis iherde Childric þer he læi wið-inne dic.
and he andswarede wið ærm-liche stefene.
Ȝif hit wulle Baldulf þe is þin aȝe broðer.
and ma of ure iferen þe mid us sunden here.
þat we bidden Ar[ð]ures grið & sahtnesse him wurchen wið.
after æuwer wille don ich hit wulle.
For Arður is swiðe hæh mon ihalden on leoden.
leof alle his monnen & of kine-wurðe cunne.
al of kingen icume he wes Vðeres sune.
& of[t] hit ilimpeð a ueole cunne þeoden.
þer gode cnihtes cumeð to sturne fihte.
þat heo ærest biȝiteð after heo hit leoseð.
& al swa us to-ȝere is i-l[u]mpen here.
& æft us bet ilimppeð ȝif we moten liuien.
Sone forð-rihtes andswareden þa cnihtes.
Alle us biluuie[ð] þisne ræd for þu hafest wel isæid.
Heo nomen twælf cnihtes & senden forð-rihtes.
þer he wes on telde bi þas wudes ende.
þe an cleopeden anan mid quickere stefne.
Lauerd Arður þi grið we wolden speken þe wið.
hider þe kaisere us sent Childric ihaten.
& Colgrim & Baldulf beien to-somne.
Nu and æuere-mare heo bidde[ð] þine ære.
þine men heo wulleð bicumen & þine mon-scipe hæȝen.
& heo wulleð ȝiuen þe ȝisles inowe.
& halden þe for lauer[d] swa þe beoð alre leofest.
ȝif heo moten liðe heonene mid liue.
into heore leoden & lað-spæl bringen.
For her we habbeo[ð] ifunden feole cunne sorȝen.
at Lincolne bilæued leofe ure mæies.
542
& ȝif hit þe weore wille an heorte
þat we mosten ouer sæ winden mid seile.
nulle we nauere-mare. æft cumen here.
for her we habbeo[ð] for-loren leoue ure mæies.
swa longe swa bi[ð] æuere. her ne cume we næuere.
Þa loh Arður ludere stefene.
Iþonked wurðe Drihtene þe alle domes waldeð.
þat Childric þe stronge is sad of mine londe.
Mi lond he hafeð to-dæled al his duȝeðe cnihtes.
me seoluen he þohte driuen ut of mire leoden.
halden me for hæne & habben mine riche.
& mi cun ai for-uaren mi uolc al fordemed.
Ah of him bið iwurðen swa bið of þan voxe.
þenne he bið baldest ufen-an þan walde.
& hafeð his fulle ploȝe & fuȝeles inoȝe.
for wild-scipe climbið and cluden iseche[ð].
i þan wilderne holȝes him wurcheð.
Faren wha-swa auere fare naueð he næuere nænne kare.
he weneð to beon of duȝeðe baldest alre deoren.
Þenne siȝeð him to segges vnder beorȝen.
mid hornen mid hunden mid haȝere stefenen.
hunten þar talieð hundes þer galieð.
þene vox driueð ȝeond dales & ȝeond dunes.
he ulih to þan holme & his hol isecheð.
i þan uirste ænde. i þan holle wendeð.
þenne is þe balde uox blissen al bideled.
& mon him to-delueð on ælchere heluen.
þenne beoð þer for-cuðest deoren alre pruttest.
Swa wes Childriche þan strongen & þan riche.
he þohten al mi kine-lond setten an his aȝere hond.
ah nu ich habbe hine idriuen to þan bare dæðe.
whæðer-swa ich wulle don oðer slæn oðer a-hon.
Nu ich wulle ȝifen him grið & leten hine me specken wið.
nulle ich hine slæ no ahon ah his bode ich wulle fon.
ȝisles ich wulle habben of hæxten his monnen.
hors & heore wepnen. ær heo heonne wenden.
and swa heo scullen wræcchen to heoren scipen liðen.
544
& þer wir[ð]-liche wunien on riche.
and tellen tidende of Arðure kinge.
hu ich heom habbe i-freoied for mines fader saule
& for mine freo-dome ifrouered þa wræcchen.
Her wes Arður þe king aðelen bidæled.
nes þer nan swa rehȝ mon þe him durste ræden.
þet him of-þuhte sære sone þer-after.
Childric com of comela to Arðure þan kinge.
& he his mon þer bi-com mid his cnihten alle.
Feouwer and twenti ȝisles Childric þer bitæhte.
alle heo weoren icorene and hæhȝe men iborenne.
heo bi-tahten heore hors and heore burnen.
scaftes & sceldes & longe heore sweordes.
al heo bi-læfden þat heo þer hæfden.
Forð heo gunnen siȝen þat heo to sæ comen.
þer heore scipen gode bi þere sæ stoden.
Wind stod on wille weder swiðe murie.
he scufen from þan stronde scipen grete & longe.
þat lond heo al bilæfden & liðen after vðen.
þat nænne siht of londe iseon heo ne mahten.
Þat water wes stille after heore iwille.
heo letten to-somne sæiles gliden.
bord wið borden beornes þer spileden.
sæiden þat heo wolden eft to þissen londe
& wreken wur[ð]liche heore wine-mæies.
& westen Arðures lond & leoden aquellen.
and castles biwinnen & wilgomen wurchen.
Swa heo liðen after sæ efne al swa longe.
þat heo commen bitwiȝe Ænglelonde & Normandie.
heo wenden heore lofes & liðen toward londe.
þat heo comen ful iwis to Derte-muðe at Totteneis.
mid muchelere blisse heo buȝen to þan londe.
Sone swa heo a lond comen þat folc heo a-sloȝen.
þa cheorles heo uloȝen þa tileden þa eorðen.
heo hengen þa cnihtes þa biwusten þa londes.
alle þa gode wiues heo stikeden mid cnifes.
alle þa maidene heo mid morðe aqualden.
546
Alle þa heorede-cnauen mid clibben heo a-qualden.
heo velledden þa castles þat lond heo a-wæsten.
þa chirechen heo for-barnden baluw wes on folke.
þa sukende children heo adrenten inne wateren.
Þat orf þat heo nomen al heo sloȝen.
to heore inne ladden and suden and bradden.
al heo hit nomen þat heo neh comen.
Alle dæi heo sungen of Ar[ð]ure þan kinge.
and sæiden þat heo haueden hames biwunnen.
þæ scolden heom i-halden in heore on-walden.
& þer heo wolden wunien wintres & sumeres.
and ȝif Arður weoren swa kene þat he cumen wolde
to fihten wið Childrichen þan strongen & þan richen.
heo wolden of his rugge makien ane brugge.
and nimen þa ban alle of aðele þan kinge.
and teien heom to-gadere mid guldene teȝen.
and leggen i þare halle-dure þer æch mon sculde uorð faren.
to wurð-scipe Chil[dri]che þan strongen & þan riche.
Þis wes al heore gome for Arðures kinges sceome.
ah al hit iwrað on oðer sone þer-after.
heore ȝelp & heore gome ilomp heom-seoluen to scame.
& swa deð wel iwære þe mon þe swa ibereð.
Childric þe kaisere biwon. al þat he lokede on.
he nom Sumer-sete & he nom Dorsete.
and al Deuene-scire þat volc al for-ferde.
and he Wiltun-scire mid wiðere igrætte.
he nom alle þa londes in-to þære sæ-stronde.
Þa æt þan laste þa lette heo blawen.
hornes & bemen & bonnien his ferden.
& forð he wolde buȝen & Baðen al biliggen.
and æc Bristouwe abuten birouwen.
Þis was heore ibeot ær heo to Baðe comen.
To Baðe com þe kæisere & bilæi þene castel þere.
& þa men wið-innen oht-liche agunnen.
stepen uppen stanene wal wel iwepned ouer-al.
& wereden þa riche wið þan stronge Childriche.
Þer lai þe kaisere & Colgrim his iuere.
548
Arður wes bi norðe and noht her-of nuste.
ferde ȝeond al Scot-lond & sette hit an his aȝere hond.
Orcaneie & Galeweie Man and Murene.
and alle þa londes þe þer-to læien.
Arður hit wende to iwislichen þinge.
þat Childric iliðen weore to his aȝene londe.
and þat he nauere-mære nolde cumen here.
Þa comen þa tidende to Arthure kinge.
þat Childric þa kæisere icumen wes to londen.
and i þan suð ende sorȝen þer worhten.
þa Arður seide aðelest kingen.
Wala-wa walawa þat ich sparede mine iua.
þat ich nauede on holte mid hungere hine ad[r]efed.
oðer mid sweorde al hine to-swu[n]gen.
Nu he me ȝilt mede for mire god dede.
ah swa me hælpen Drihten þæ scop þæs dæies lihten.
þer-fore he scal ibiden bitterest alre baluwen.
harde gomenes his bone ich wulle iwurðen.
Colgrim & Baldulf beiene ich wulle aquellen.
& al heore duȝeðe dæð scal iðolien.
Ȝif hit wule ivnnen Waldende hæfnen.
ich wulle wurðliche wreken alle his wiðer-deden.
ȝif me mot ilasten þat lif a mire breosten.
& hit wulle me iunne. þat i-scop mone & sunne.
ne scal nauere Childric æft me bi-charren.
Nu cleopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Whar beo ȝe mine cnihtes ohte men & wiðte.
To horse to horse haleðes gode.
and we sculle[ð] buȝen touward Baðe swiðe.
Leteð up fusen heȝe forken.
& bringeð her þa ȝæsles biforen ure cnihtes.
and heo scullen hongien on hæȝe treowen.
Þer he lette fordon feouwer & twe[n]ti childerren.
Alemainisce men of swi[ð]e heȝe cunnen.
Þa comen tidende to Arðure þan kinge.
þat seoc wes Howel his mæi þer-fore he wes sari.
550
Hiȝenliche swiðe forð he gon liðe.
þat he bihalues Ba[ð]e beh to ane uelde.
þer he alihte & his cnihtes alle.
and on mid heore burnen beornes sturne.
& he a fif dæle dælde his ferde.
Þa he hafde al iset and al hit isemed.
þa dude he on his burne ibroide of stele.
þe makede on aluisc smið mid aðelen his crafte.
he wes ihaten Wygar þe Witeȝe wurhte.
His sconken he helede mid hosen of stele.
Calibeorne his sweor[d] he sweinde bi his side.
hit wes iworht in Aualun mid wiȝele-fulle craften.
Halm he set on hafde hæh of stele.
þer-on wes moni ȝim-ston al mid golde bi-gon.
he wes V[ð]eres þas aðelen kinges.
he wes ihaten Goswhit ælchen oðere vnilic.
He heng an his sweore ænne sceld deore.
his nome wes on Bruttisc Pridwen ihaten.
þer wes innen igrauen mid rede golde stauen.
an on-licnes deore of Drihtenes moder.
His spere he nom an honde þa Ron wes ihaten.
Þa he hafden al his i-weden þa leop he on his steden.
Þa he mihte bihalden þa bihalues stoden.
þene uæireste cniht þe verde scolde leden.
ne isæh næuere na man selere cniht nenne.
þene him wes Arður aðelest cunnes.
Þa cleopede Arður ludere stæfne.
Lou war her biforen us heðene hundes
þe sloȝen ure alderen mid luðere heore craften.
and heo us beoð on londe læðest alre þinge.
Nu fusen we hom to & stærcliche heom leggen on.
& wræken wunder-liche ure cun & ure riche.
& wreken þene muchele scome þat heo us i-scend habbeoð.
þat heo ouer vðen comen to Derte-muðen.
& alle heo beoð for-sworene & alle heo beoð for-lorene.
heo beoð for-demed alle mid Drihttenes fulste.
552
æfne al swa softe swa we nan ufel ne þohten.
and þenne we heom cumeð to mi-seolf ic wullen on-fon.
an alre freomeste þat fiht ich wulle big[i]nnen.
Nu we scullen riden. and ouer lond gliden.
and na man bi his liue lude ne wurchen.
ah faren fæstliche Drihten us fulsten.
Þa riden agon Arður þe riche mon.
beh ouer wælde & Baðe wolde isechen.
Þa tidende com to Childriche þan strongen & þan richen.
þat Arður mid ferde com al ȝaru to fihte.
Childric & his ohte men leopen heom to horsen.
igripen heore wepnen heo wusten heom ifæied.
Þis isæh Arður aðelest kinge.
isæh he ænne. hæðene eorl. hælden him to-ȝeines.
mid seouen hundred. cnihten al ȝærewe to fihten.
Þe orl him-seolf ferde bi-foren al his genge.
& Arður him-seolf arnde bi-uoren al his ferde.
Arður þe ræie Ron nom an honde.
he stræhte scaft stærcne stiðimoden king.
his hors he lette irnen þat þa eorðe dunede.
Sceld he braid on breosten þe king wes abolȝen.
he smat Borel þene eorl þurh-ut þa breosten.
þat þæ heorte to-chan and þe king cleopede anan.
Þe formeste is fæie nu fulsten us Drihte.
and þa hefen-liche quene þa Drihten akende.
Þa cleopede Arður aðelest kinge.
Nu heom to nu heom to þat formest is wel idon.
Bruttes hom leiden on swa me scal a luðere don.
heo bittere swipen ȝefuen mid axes & mid sweordes
Þer feolle Cheldriches men fulle twa þusend.
swa neuere Arður ne les næuere ænne of his.
þer weoren Sæxisce men folken alre ærmest.
& þa Alemainisce men ȝeomerest alre leoden.
Arður mid his sweorde fæie-scipe wurhte.
al þat he smat to hit wes sone for-don.
Al wæs þe king abolȝen swa bið þe wilde bar.
þenne he i þan mæste monie [swin] imeteð.
554
& beh him ouer Auene to burȝen him-seoluen.
and Arður him læc to swa hit a liun weoren.
& fusde heom to flode monie þer weoren fæie.
þer sunken to þan grunde fif & twenti hundred.
þa al wes Auene stram mid stele ibrugged.
Cheldric ouer þat wate[r] flæh mid fif-tene hundred cnihten.
þohte forð siðen & ouer sæ liðen.
Arður isæh Colgrim climben to munten.
buȝen to þan hulle þa ouer Baðen stondeð.
& Baldulf beh him after. mid seoue þusend cnihtes.
heo þohten i þan hulle hæhliche at-stonden.
weorien heom mid wepnen & Arður awæmmen.
Þa isæh Arður aðelest kingen.
whar Colgrim at-stod & æc stal wrohte.
þa clupede þe king kenliche lude.
Balde mine þeines buhȝeð to þan hulles.
For ȝerstendæi wes Colgrim monnen alre kennest.
nu him is al swa þere gat þer he þene hul wat.
hæh uppen hulle fehteð mid hornen.
þenne come[ð] þe wlf wilde touward hire winden.
Þeh þe wulf beon ane buten ælc imane.
& þer weoren in ane loken. fif hundred gaten.
þe wulf heom to iwiteð and alle heom abiteð.
Swa ich wulle nu to-dæi Colgrim. al fordemen.
ich am wulf & he is gat. þe gume scal beon fæie.
Þa ȝet c[l]eopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Ȝurstendæi wes Baldulf cnihten alre baldest.
nu he stant on hulle & Auene bi-haldeð.
hu ligeð i þan stræme stelene fisces.
mid sweorde bi-georede heore sund is awemmed.
heore scalen wleoteð swulc gold-faȝe sceldes.
þer fleoteð heore spiten swulc hit spæren weoren.
Þis beoð seolcuðe þing isiȝen to þissen londe.
swulche deor an hulle swulche fisces in wælle.
Ȝurstendæi wes þe kaisere kennest alre kingen.
nu he is bicumen hunte & hornes him fulieð.
556
he hafeð bihalues Baðen his huntinge bilæfued.
freom his deore he flicð & we hit scullen fallen.
and his balde ibeot to nohte ibringen.
and swa we scullen bruken rihte bi-ȝæten
Efne þan worde þa þe king seide.
he bræid hæȝe his sceld forn to his breosten
he igrap his spere longe his hors he gon spurie.
Neh al swa swi[ðe] swa þe fuȝel fliȝeð.
fuleden þan kinge fif and twenti þusend.
whitere monnen wode under wepnen.
hælden to hulle mid hæhȝere strengðe.
and uppen Colgrime smiten mid swiðe smærte biten
And Colgrim heom þer hente and feolde þa Bruttes to grunde.
i þan uormeste ræse fulle fif hundred.
Þat isæh Arður aðelest kingen
and wrað him iwræððed wunder ane swiðe.
and þus cleopien a-gon Arður þe hæhȝe man.
War beo ȝe Bruttes. balde mine beornes.
Her stondeð us biuoren vre ifan alle icoren.
gumen mine gode legge we heom to grunde.
Arður igrap his sweord riht & he smat ænne Sexise cniht.
þat þat sweord þat wes swa god æt þan toþen at-stod.
& he smat enne oðer þat wes þas cnihtes broðer
þat his halm & his hæfd halden to grunde.
þene þridde dunt he sone ȝaf & enne cniht atwa clæf.
Þa weoren Bruttes swiðe ibalded.
& leiden o þan Sæxen læȝen swi[ðe] stronge.
mid heore speren longe and mid sweoreden swiðe stronge.
Sexes þer uullen & fæie-sih makeden.
bi hundred bi hundred hælden to þan grunde.
bi þusund & bi þusend þer feollen æuere in þene grund.
Þa iseh Colgrim wær Arður com tou-ward him.
ne mihte Colgrim for þan wæle fleon a nare side.
þer fæht Baldulf bi-siden his broðer.
Þa cleopede Arður ludere stefne.
Her ich cume Colgrim to cuððen wit scullen ræchen.
nu wit scullen þis lond dalen swa þe bið alre laððest
558
his brode swærd he up ahof and hærdliche adun sloh.
and smat Colgrimes hælm þat he a-midde to-clæf.
and þere burne hod þat hit at þe breoste at-stod.
And he sweinde touward Baldulfe mid his swiðren honde.
& swipte þat hæfued of forð mid þan helme.
Þa loh Arður þe aðele king.
and þus ȝeddien agon mid gomenfulle worden.
Lien nu þere Colgrim þu were i-clumben haȝe
and Baldulf þi bro[ð]er lið bi þire side.
nu ich al þis kine-lond sette an eower ahȝere hond.
dales & dunes & al mi drihtliche uolc.
Þu clumbe a þissen hulle wunder ane hæȝe
swulc þu woldest to hæuene nu þu scalt to hælle.
þer þu miht kenne muche of þine cunne.
And gret þu þer Hengest þe cnihten wes faȝerest.
Ebissa & Ossa. Octa & of þine cunne ma
and bide heom þer wunie wintres & sumeres.
& we scullen on londe libben in blisse.
bidden for eower saulen þat sel ne wurðen heom nauære.
& scullen her æuwer ban biside Baðe ligen.
Arður þe king cleopede Cador þene kene.
of Cornwale he wes eorl þe cniht wes swiðe kene.
Hercne me Cador þu ært min aȝe cun.
Nu is Childric iuloȝen & awæi-ward itohȝen.
he þencheð mid isunde aȝen cumen liðen.
Ah nim of mire uerde fif þusend monnen.
& fareð forð-rihtes bi dæie & bi nihte.
þat þu cumme to þare sæ bi-foren Childriche.
and al þat þu miht biwinnen bruc hit on wunnen.
& ȝif þu miht þene kaisere ufele a-quellen þere.
ich þe ȝifue to mede al Doresete.
Al swa þe aðele king þas word hafede isæid.
Cador sprong to horse swa spærc him doh of fure.
fulle seoue þusend fuleden þan eorle.
Cador þe kene & muchel of his cunne.
wenden ouer woldes & ouer wildernes.
560
Cador cuðe þene wæi þe toward his cunde læi.
an oueste he wende fuliwis riht to-ward Toteneis.
dæies & nihtes he com þere forð-rihtes.
swa neuere Childric nuste of his cume nane custe.
Cador com to cuððe bi-uoren Childriche.
and lette him fusen biforen al þas londes folc.
cheorles ful ȝepe mid clubben swiðe græte
mid spæren and mid græte waȝen to þan ane icoren.
and duden heom alle clane into þan scipen grunde.
& hæhte heom þere lutie wel þat Childric of heom neore war.
& þenne his folc come & in wolden climben.
heore botten i-gripen and ohtliche on smiten.
mid heore waȝen & mid heore speren murðren Childriches heren.
Al duden þa cheorles swa Cador heom tæhte.
To þan scipen wenden wiðer-fulle cheorles.
in æuer-ælche scipe o[ð]er half hundred.
And Cador þe kene bæh in toward ane wude hæh.
fif mile from þan stude þær stoden. þa scipen.
and hudde hine on wille wunder ane stille.
Childric com sone ouer wald liðen.
walde to þan scipen [f]leon and fusen of londen.
Sone swa Cador isæh þat wes þe kene eorl.
þat Childric wes an eorðen bitweonen him and þan cheorlen.
þa clupede Cador ludere stefne.
Wær beo ȝe cnihtes ohte men & wihte.
I-þenche[ð] what Ar[ð]ur þe is ure aðele king.
at Baðen us bi-sohte ær we wenden from hirede.
Leou war fuseð Childric & fleon wule of londe.
and þencheð to Alemaine þer beoð his ældren.
and wule bi-ȝiten ferde and æft cumen hidere.
and wule faren hider in and þencheð awræken Colgrim.
and Baldulf his broðer þæ bi Baðen resteð.
Ah no abide he næuere þære dæȝen ne scal he no ȝif we maȝen.
Æfne þere spæche þa spac þe eorl riche.
and on-uest he gon riden þe reh wes on moden.
562
and after Cheldriche þan strongen & þan richen.
Cheldriches cnihtes bi-sehȝen heom baften.
isehȝen ouer wolden winden heore-mærken.
winnien ouer ueldes fif þusend sceldes.
Þa iwærð Childric chær-ful an heorten.
and þas word sæide þe riche kaisere.
Þis is Arður þe king þe alle us wule aquellen.
fleo we nu biliue & in-to scipen fusen.
and liðen forð mid watere ne recchen we nauere wudere.
Þa Childric þe kaisere þas word hæuede isæid.
þa gon he to fleonne feondliche swiðe.
& Cador þe kene com him after sone.
Childric and his cnihtes to scipe comen forð-rihtes.
heo wenden þa scipen stronge to scuuen from þan londe.
Þæ cheorles mid heore botten weoren þer wið-innen.
þa botten heo up heouen & adun-riht sloȝen.
þer wes sone i-slaȝen moni cniht mid heore wahȝen.
wið heore pic-forcken heo ualden heom to grunden.
Cador & his cnihtes sloȝen heom baften.
Þa isah Childric þat heom ilomp liðerlic.
þa al his folc mucle to þan grunde.
Nu i-sæh he þer bi[h]alues ænne swiðe mare hul.
þat water tið þer-under þat Teine is ihaten.
þa hulle ihaten Teinnewic þider-ward flæh Childric.
swa swiðe swa he mihte mid feouwer & twenti cnihten.
Þa isæh Cador hu hit þa uerde þer.
þat þe kaisere flæh & touwarde þæ hulle tæh.
and Cador him after swa swiðe swa he mahte.
and him to tuhte & hine of-toc sone.
Þa saide Cador þe eorl swiðe kene.
Abid abid Childric ich wulle þe ȝefen Teinewic.
Cador his sweord an-hof and he Childric of-sloh.
Monie þe þer fluȝen to þan watere heo tuhȝen.
inne Teine þan watere þer heo for-wurðen.
al Cador acwælde þat he quic funde.
and summe heo crupen in-to þan wude and alle he heom þer fordude.
Þa Cador heom haueden alle ouercumen and æc al þat lond inumen.
564
þeh ælc mon beere an honde behȝes of golde.
ne durste nauere gume nan oðerne ufele igreten
Arður wes forð iwende in-to Scotlonden
for Howel lai inne Clud faste biclused.
Hafden Scottes hine bi-læien mid luðere heore craften.
and ȝif Ar[ð]ur neore þe ra[ð]er icumen þenne weoren Houwel inumen.
and al his folc þer islaȝen and idon of lif-daȝen.
Ah Arður com sone mid selere strengðe.
and Scottes to fleonne feor of þan ærde.
in-to Muræine mid mucle mon-weorede.
And Cador com to Scotlonde þer he Arður ifunde.
Arður and Cador into Clud ferden
& funden þer Howel mid hahȝere blisse an sel.
of his seocnesse isund wes iwurðen.
muchel wes þa blisse þæ þa wes in burȝe.
Scottes weoren inne Mureine and þer þeohten wunien.
& mid bolde heore worden heore beot makeden.
and sæiden þat heo wolden þa riche walden
and Arður þer abiden mid baldere strenðe
for ne durste nauere Arður for his life come þer.
Þa iherde Ar[ð]ur ærhðen bi-dæle[d].
whæt Scottes hafden isæid mid heore hux-worden.
þa sæide Arður aðelest kingen.
Whær ært þu Howel hæhst of mine cunne.
and Cador þe kene ut of Cornwaile.
Leteð blæwen bemen & bonnien ure ferden.
& to þere mid-nihte we sculleð faren forð-riht.
toward Mureine ure mon-scipe to bi-tellen.
Ȝif hit wule Drihte þe scop þæs daȝes lihten.
we heom sculle tellen sorh-fulle spelles.
heore ȝælp fellen & heom-seolue a-quellen.
To þere mid-nihte Arður aras forð-riht.
hornes me gon blawen mid hahȝere stafnen.
cnihtes gunnen arisen and ræhȝe word speken
Mid muche mon-weorede in-to Mureine.
566
a feormeste flocke feondliche kene men.
Seoððen com Cador þe eorl of Cornwæille.
mid seouentene þusen selere þeinen.
Seoððen com Heowel mid his kemppen swiðe wel.
mid an and twenti þusen mid aðelere kempen.
Seoððen com Arður aðelest kingen.
mid seouen & twenti þusend siȝen heom after-ward.
sceldes þer cliseden lihten hit gon dæȝen.
Þat word com to Scotten þær þar heo wuneden.
hu Ar[ð]ur þe king com touward heore londe.
feond-liche swiðe mid vnimite folke.
Þa weoren ærhest þat ær weoren baldest.
and gunnen to fleonnen feondliche swiðe.
into þan watere þer wunderes beoð inoȝe.
Þat is a seolcuð mere iset a middel-ærde.
mid fenne & mid ræode mid watere swiðe bræde.
mid fiscen & mid feoȝelen mid uniuele þingen.
Þat water is unimete brade nikeres þer ba[ð]ieð inne.
þer is æluene ploȝe in atteliche pole.
Sixti æit-londes beo[ð] i þan watere longe.
in ælc of þan æit-londe is a clude hæh and strong.
þer næstieð arnes & oðere græte uoȝeles.
Þe ærnes habbeoð ane laȝe bi æuer-ælches kinges dahȝen.
whænne-swa æe ferde fundeð to þan ærde.
þeonne fleoð þa fuȝeles feor i þan lufte.
moni hundred þusen & muchel feoht makieð.
Þenne is þat folc buten wene þat reouðe heom is to cumene.
of summes cunnes leoden þe þat lond wulleð i-sechen.
Tweien dæȝes oðer þreo þus scal þis taken beo.
ær unkuðe men to þan londe liðen.
Ȝet þer is sellic to suggen of þan watere.
þer walleð of þan mæren a moniare siden.
of dalen & of dunen & of bæcchen deopen.
sixti wateres alle þer isomned.
swa neuere ut of þan mære na man no uindeð.
þat þer ut wenden buten an an ænde.
an imet-liche broc þe of þan mere ualleð.
568
Þa Scottes weoren to-deled mid muclen vni-selen.
ȝeond þa monie munten þa i þan watere weoren.
Arður biseohte scipen & gon heom to wenden.
& sloh þer vniuoȝe moni and inoȝe.
& moni þusend þer wes dæd for heom trukede ælc bræd.
Arður þe aðele was an æst side
Howel þe sele wes a suð hal[u]e.
& Cador þe kene bi norðen heom biwusten.
and his smale uolc he setten alle bi weste. siden.
Þa weoren Scottes ihalden for sottes.
þer heo leien ȝeond þa cliues faste bi-cluse[d]
þer weoren sixti þusend mid sorreȝe for-farene.
Þa wes Irlondes king icume in-to hafene.
twalf milen from Arðure þer he lai mid ferde.
Scotten to hælpen Howel to for-farene.
Þ[is] iherden Arður aðelest kinge
& nom his ane ferde. & þider-ward fusden
& funde þene king Gillomar þe icumen wes to londe þar.
Arður him faht wið & nolde him ȝiuen na grið.
and feolde Irisce men feond-liche to gru[n]den.
And Gillomar mid twalf scipen teh from þan londe.
& ferde to Irlonde mid harme swiðe stronge.
And Arður a þan londe sloh al þat he uunde.
and seoððen he wende to þan mere þer he his mæi lette.
Howel þene hende hahst of Brutlonde.
wið-uten Arðure aðelest kingen.
Arður Howel uunde þer he wes bi hauene.
bi þan mere brade þer he abiden hafde.
Þa fainede swiðe folc an hirede.
of Arðures cume & of aðele his dede.
þer wes Arður for[ð]-riht twei dæies & twa niht.
Scottes leie ȝeond clude moni þusend dede.
mid hungere for-uarene folkene alre ærmest.
I þan þridde dæiȝe faire hit gon daȝiȝen.
þa tuȝen touward hirede alle þat weoren ihadded.
& þreo biscopes wise a boke wel ilæred.
570
canones þer comen. monie & wel idone.
mid alle þan halidomen þa hahst an londe weoren.
and ȝeornden Arðures grið & his aðmeden.
Þider þa wifes comen þa i þan londen. wuneden.
heo wæiden in hære ærmen heore children ærmen.
heo weopen on Arðure wunder ane swiðe.
and heore uæx fæire wælden to volde.
curuen heore lockes & þer niðer læiden.
to þas kinges foten bi-foren al his duȝeðen.
nailes to heore nebbe þat æfter hit bledde.
Neh þan alle clæne nakede heo weoren.
sorhliche heo gunnen clupien to Arðure þan kinge.
and summe þus iseiden þer heo on sið weoren.
King we beoð on ærde ærmest alre uolke.
we ȝeorneð þine milzce þurh þæne milde Godd.
Þu hauest a þisse londe ure leoden aslæȝen.
mid hungere & mid hete mid feole cunne hærmen.
mid wapnen mid wæteren mid feole wan-siðen.
vre children imaked faderlese & frofre bidæled.
Þu ært Cristine mon & we al-swa sunden.
Sæxisce men beoð hæðe[ne] hundes.
Heo comen to þisse londe and þis folc here a-qualden.
ȝif we heom hereden þat was for ure hermen.
for we nefden nænne mon þe us wið heom mihten griðien.
Heo us duden swiðe wa & þu us dest al swa.
þa heðene us hatieð & þe Cristine us sari makieð.
Wær scullen we bicumen queðen þa wif to þan kinge.
A-ȝef us ȝet þa quicke men þa liggeð ȝeond þas cluden.
and ȝif þu ȝiuest milze þisse moncunnen.
þi mon-scipe bið þa mare nu and æuere-mære.
Lauer[d] Arður ure king leoðe vre benden.
Þu hafust al þis lond inomen & al þis folc ouercumen.
We beoð under uote a þe is al þa bote.
Þis iherde Arður aðelest kingen.
þesne wop & þesne rop & reouðen vniuoȝe.
þa toc he to ræde. and reosede on heorte.
he uunde on his ræde to don þat heo hine beden
572
He lette blæwen bemen and þa Scottes bæcnien.
& heo ut of cluden to þan scipen comen.
an aueræchen siden siȝen touwar[d] londe.
Heo weoren swiðe iharmede mid scærpen þan hungre.
aðes heo sworen swiken þat nalden.
and heo þa iȝefuen ȝisles þan kingen.
and alle ful sone þas kinges men bi-comen.
& seoððen heo gunnen fusen þat folc þer to-delden.
ælc mon to þan ende þer he wes wuniende.
and Arður þer grið sette god mid þan bezste.
Whær ært þu Howel mi mæi monne me leofest.
isixst þu þisne muchelne mære þer Scottes beoð amærred.
isihst þu þas hæhȝe treon and sihst þu þas ærnes teon.
Inne þisse uenne is fisc unimete.
Isihst þu þas æit-londes þe ȝeond þas watere stondeð.
Seollic þuhte Howel of swulchere isihðe.
and wonddrede wide bi þan watere flode.
and þus þer cleopede Howel hæhes cunnes.
Seoððen ich wes mon iboren of mire moder bosme.
no isah ich a none londe þus seolcu[ð]e þinges.
swa ich here biuoren me mid æȝenen bihælde.
Wundreden Bruttes wunder ane swiðe.
Þa cleope[de] Arður aðelest kingen.
Howel min aȝe mæi monnen me leofest.
lust mire worden of mucle mære wunder.
þat ic þe wulle tellen. of soðe mine spellen.
Bi þisse mære enden þer þis water wendeð.
is an lutel wiht mære monnen to wundre.
He is end-longe feouwer & sixti munden.
he is imeten a bræde fif & twenti foten.
fif foten he is deop alfene hine dulfen.
Feower-noked he is and þer-inne is feower kunnes fisc.
and ælc fisc an his ende þer he his cun findeð.
ne mai þer nan to oðere buten al swa tacheð his icunde.
Nes næuer nan mon iboren ne of swa wise crafte icoren.
no libbe he swa longe þe maȝen hit vnder-stonde.
what letteð þene fisc to uleoten to þan oðere.
for nis þer noht bitwenen buten water clæne.
574
Howel i þissen londes ænde neh þere sæ-stronde.
is a mære swiðe muchel þat water is un-fæle.
and whænne þa sæ vledeð swulc heo wulle aweden.
and falleð inne þene mære vnimete swiðe.
no bið næuere þæ mere on watere þa mare.
Ah þenne þa sæ falleð in and scen warð þa uolden.
and heo bið al inne in alden hire denne
þenne swelleð þe mære and swærkeð þa vðen.
vðen þer leppeoð ut vnimete grete.
fleoð ut a þat lond þat leoden agriseð an hond.
Ȝif þer cumeð æi mon þat noht ne cunne þer-on.
þat seollic to iseonne bi þere sæ-stronde.
ȝif he his neb wendeð touwærd þan mære.
ne beo he noht swa loh iboren ful wel he beoð iborȝen.
þat water him glit bisiden and þe mon þer wuneð softe.
after his iwille he wuneð þer uul stille
þat no bið he for þan watere naððing idracched.
Þa sæide Howel hæh mon of Brutten.
Nu ic ihere tellen seolcuðe spellen.
& seollic is þe lauerd þat al hit isette.
Þa cleopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Blaweð mine hornes mid hæȝere stæfne.
and suggeð mine cnihtes þat ic fare forð-rihte.
Bemen þer blewen hornes þer stureden.
blisse wes an hirede mid bisie þan kinge.
for ælc wes ifreoured & ferde to-ward his ærd.
And þe king for-bæd heom bi heore bare liuen.
þat na mon on worlde swa wod no iwurðe.
no swa ær-witte gume þat his grið bræke.
and ȝif hit dude æi mon. he sculden dom ðolien.
Æfne þan worde fusde þa uærde.
þer su[n]gen beornes seolcuðe leoðes.
of Ar[ð]ure þan kinge & of his. here-þringen.
and sæiden on songe. to þisse worlde longe.
neo[re] neuere-mære swulc king ase Arður þurh alle þing.
king no kæisere in næuere nare kuððe.
Arður forð to Eouuerwic mid folke swiðe seollic.
and wunede þer wiken sixe mid muchelere wunne.
576
þat Childric al for-barnden & þa hallen alle clæne.
Þa cleopede þe king Piram. ænne preost mæren.
he wes swiðe wis mon and witful on bocken.
Piram þu ært min aȝe preost þe æð þe scal iwur[ð]en.
Þe king nom ane rode hali and swiðe gode.
and [bi-tok] Piram an hond and þer-mid swiðe muchel lond.
and þene ærchebiscopes staf þer he Piram aȝaf.
Ær wes Piram preost god nu he is ærchebiscop.
Þa hæhte hine Arður aðelest kingen.
þat he rærde churechen. & þa songes rihten.
and Goddes folc biwusten & fæire heom dihtten.
And he hæhte alle cnihtes demen rihte domes.
and þa eorðe-tilien teon to heore cræften.
& æuerælcne gume oðerne i-græten.
& wulc mon swa wurs dude þene þe king hafde iboden
he wolde hine ifusen. to ane bare walme.
& ȝif hit weore læð mon he sculde hongie for þon.
Þa ȝet cleope[de] Arður aðelest kingen.
hæhte þat alc mon þe his lond hafde for-gan
mid wulches cunnes wite swa he bi-wæiued weore.
þat he aȝain come ful raðe & ful sone.
þe riche & þe laȝe and hefde æft his aȝen.
bute he weore swa fule biwite þat he weore lauerd-swike.
oðer touward his lauer[d] man-swore þene þe king demde for-lore.
Þer come þreo ibroðeren þe weore kiniborne.
Lot & Angel & Vrien welle hwulche þreo men.
Þeos here-þringes þreo comen to þan ki[n]ge.
& setten an heore cneowen biforen þan kæisere.
Hal seo þu Arður aðelest kingen
and þi duȝeðe mid þe a mote heo wel beo.
We sundeð þreo broðeren iboren of kingen.
is al ure icunde lond i-gan ut of ure hond.
for habbeoð hæðene men us hene imakede.
and iwæst us al Leonæis Scotlond & Muræf
& we biddeð þe for Godes luue þat þu us beo fultume.
and for þire mucle wurð-scipe þat þu us wurðe milde.
aȝif us ure icunde lond and we þe sculleð luuien.
578
Þis iherde Arður aðelest king.
hu þeos þreo cnihtes fæire hine bisohten.
reousede on heorte & he reordien gan.
and þas word sæide selest alre kinge.
Vrien bi-cum mi mon þu scalt to Muræiue aȝæn.
þer-of þu scalt beon icleoped king of þan londe.
& hæh an mine hirede mid þine mon-weorede.
And Angele ich sette an hond al to-gædere Scotlond.
habbe hit an honde and beon king of þan londe.
from þan fader to þan sune. þer-of þu scalt mi mon bi-cumen.
And þu Lot mi leofe freond Godd þe wurðe liðe.
þu hauest mine suster to wiue þæ bet þe scal iwur[ð]e.
Ich þe ȝifue Loenæis þat is a lond faier.
and ich wulle le[g]gen þer-to londes swiðe gode.
biside þere Humbre wurð an hundred punden.
For mi fader Vðer þe while þe he wes king here.
lufede wel his dohter. þe wes his bæd iþohte.
& heo is mi suster & haueð sunen tweien.
þeo me beoð on londe children alre leofest.
Þus spæc Ar[ð]ur þe king þa wes Wolwain lute child.
swa ves þe oðer Modræd his broðer.
Wale þat Moddræd wes ibore muchel hærm com þer-fore.
Ar[ð]ur for to Lundene & mid him his leoden.
he heold inne londe ane muchele hustinge.
and sette alle þa laȝen þat stoden bi his ælderne daȝen.
alle þa laȝen gode þe her ær stoden.
he sette grið he sette frið and alle freodomes.
Þenene he for to Cornwale to Cadores riche.
he funde þer a mæide vnimete fæier.
Wes þas mæidenes moder of Romanisce mannen.
Cadores maȝe & þat maide him bi-tahte.
& he heo fæire a-feng. and softe heo fedde.
Heo wes of heȝe cunne of Romanisce monnen.
næs in nane londe maide nan swa hende.
of specche & of dede and of tuhtle swiðe gode.
580
Arður heo nom to wife & luuede heo wunder swiðe.
þis maiden he gon wedde and nom heo to his bedde.
Arður wes i Cornwale al þene winter þere.
and al for Wenhæuere lufe wimmonne him leofuest.
Þa þe winter wes agan and sumer com þer anan.
Arður hine biþohte whæt he don mahte.
þat his folc gode aswunden ne læie þere.
He ferde to Æxchæstræn to þan mid-festen.
& heold þer his hustinge of hehȝen his folke.
& seide þat he wolde in-to Irlonde.
wenden al þat kine-lond to his æhȝere hond.
buten þe king Gillomar to him raþer come ær.
and mid listen him speken wið & ȝirnde Arðures grið.
he wolde westen his lond and luðere him gon an hond.
mid fure mid stele streit gomen wurchen
& þat lond-folc aslæn þe wolde stonden him aȝein.
Æfne þan worde þa þe king sæide
þa andswarede þat folc fæire þan kinge.
Lauuerd king hald þi word we beoð alle ȝarewe.
to ganne & to ride oueral to þire neode.
Þer wes moni bald Brut þe hafde beres leches.
heouen up heore bruwen i-burst an heore þonke.
Wenden touwarde innen cnihtes mid heore monnen.
heo ruokeden burnen bonneden helmes.
heo wipeden hors leoue mid linnene claðe.
heo sceren heo scoiden scalkes balde weoren.
sum scæft horn sum scaft ban. sum ȝarked stelene flan.
sum makde þwonges gode & swiðe strong.
summe beoveden speren & beonneden sceldes.
Arður letten beoden ȝeond al his kine-þeoden.
þat æuerælc god cniht to him come forð-riht.
and euerælc oht mon comen forð-riht anan.
& wa-swa bilæfden his leomen he sculde leosen.
& wha-swa come glad-liche he sculden wurðe riche.
Seouen niht uppen Æstre þa men hafden iuast.
þa comen alle þa cnihtes. to scipen for[ð]-rihtes.
wind heom stod an honde þe scaf heom to Irlonde.
582
muchel uolc he asloȝ orf he nom vniuoh.
& æuere he hæhte ælcne mon chireche-grið halden.
Þet tidinde com to þan kinge. þe lauerd wes of þan londe
þat þer wes icu[m]en Arður and ærmþen iwrohte þer.
He sumnede al his leoden ȝeond his kine-londe.
and his Irisce uolc fusden to fehte.
to-ȝæines Arðure þan aðele kinge.
Arður & his cnihtes. heom wepnede forð-rihtes.
& foren heom to-ȝeines folc vnimete.
Arðures men weoren mid wepnen al bi-þehte
Þa Irisce men weoren nakede neh þan.
mid speren & mid axen & mid swiðe scærpe sæxen.
Arðures men letten fleon vnimete flan.
and merden Irisc folc & hit swiðe ualden.
ne mæhten heo iþolien þurh nanes cunnes þingen.
ah fluȝen awai [on] siðe swiðe uæle þusend.
and Gillomar þe king flah & awæ-wardes teh.
and Arður him after and þene king ikahte.
he nom bi þan honde þene king of þan londe.
Arður þe hæȝe herbeorwe isohte.
an his mode him wes þa æðe þat Gillomar him wes swa neh.
Nu dude Arður aðelest kingen.
swiðe muche freond-scipe at-foren al his folke.
he lette þene king scrude mid ælchere prude.
and æc bi Arðure sat and æc mid him-seolue æt.
mid Arðure he win dronc þat him wes mucheles unðonc.
Naðeles þa he isah þat Arður wes swiðe glad.
þa cleopede Gillomar an his horte him wes sær.
Lauerd Arður þi grið ȝef me leomen & ȝif me lif.
ich wulle þi mon bicumen & biteche þe mine þreo sunen.
mine sunen deore to don al þine iwille.
& ȝet ich wulle mare ȝif þu me wult ȝefen ære.
ich wulle þe bi-tache ȝisles swiðe rich.
children sume sixti hæȝe & swiðe mæhti.
Ȝet ich wulle mære ȝif þu me ȝifuest ære.
ælche ȝere of mine londe. seouen þusend punde.
584
& ȝet ich wulle mare ȝif þu wult me ȝifuen are.
alle þa steden mid alle heore iweden.
þa hæuekes & þa hundes & hehȝe mine mahmes.
ich bitache þe to honde of al mine londe.
And þenne þu hauest þis idon ich wulle nimen. halidom.
of seint Columkille þe dude Godes iwille.
& seint Brændenes hæfed þe Godd seolf haleȝede.
& seinte Bride riht fot þe hali is & swiðe god.
& halidomes inoȝe þe comen ut of Rome
& swerien þe to soðe swiken þe þat ich nulle.
ah ich þe wulle luuien and halden þe for lauerd
halden þe for hahne king & mi-seolf beon þin vnderling.
Þis iherde Arður aðelest king
& he gan lihȝen luddere steftne.
& he gon andswerie mid ædmode worden.
Beo nu glad Gillomar ne beo þin heorte noht sær.
for þv ært a wis mon þa bet þe scal iwurðen.
for æuere me æhte wisne mon wurðliche igreten.
for þine wis-dome no scal þe noht þa wurse.
muchel þu me beodest þe scal beon þa betere.
Her forð-rihtes bi-foren al mine cnihtes.
forȝiuen þe amare al þæ haluen-dæle.
of golde & of gærsume ah þu scalt mi mon bicumen.
and half þat gauel sende ælche ȝere to mi[n]e londe.
Halfe þa steden & halfe þa iweden.
halue þa hauekes & halue þa hundes.
þæ þu me beodest. ich wulle þe bi-lefen
ah ich wulle habben. þire hæhre monne children
þeo heom beoð alre leofuest. ich heom mai þe bet ileouen
& swa þu scalt wunien in wurðscipe þire.
a þine kine-dome i þine rihte icunden.
& ic þe wulle ȝeuen to þat ne scal þe king woh don.
buten he hit abugge mid his bare rugge.
Þeo hit sæide Arður aðelest kingen.
Þa hafden he an hond al to-somne Irlond.
& þe king his mon bicumen and bitæht him his þreo seonen.
Þa spæc Ærður to sele his cnihten.
Faren to His-lond & nimen we hit to ure honde.
586
Ælcus þe king wes ihaten hæh mon of þan ærd.
he iherde þa tidende of Arðure þan kinge.
he dude al so wis mon & wende toȝeines him anan.
anan forð-rihtes mid sixtene cnihtes
he bar on his honde ænne mucle ȝeord of golde.
Sone swa he Arður isæh swa he on his cneowen bæh
& þas wor[d] him iquað. þe king wes afæred
Wulcume sire Arður wilcume lauerd.
Her ich biteche þe an hond al to-gadere Islond.
þu scal beon min hæhȝe king and ich wul beon þin under-ling.
Ich þe wullen heren swa mon scal don his hærren.
& ich wulle þi mon bicumen & bitæche þe minne leofue sune.
Esscol is ihaten and þu hine scalt iæðelien.
to cnihte hine dubben alse þin aȝene mon.
His moder ich habbe to wife þas kinges dohter of Rusie.
And æc ælche ȝere ȝiuen þe wulle æhte.
seoue þusend punde of seoluere and of golde.
& to æuer-ælche ræde beon ȝæru to þire neode.
Þis ich wullen þe swerien uppen mine sweorden
þe halidom is a þere hilte þe hexste of þisse londe.
likien swa me liken nulle ich þe nauere swiken.
Þis iherde Ar[ð]ur aðlest kingen.
Arður wes wunsum þer he hafde his iwillen.
& he wes wod sturne wið his wið his wiðer-iwinnen.
Arður þa liðe word iherde of þan leod-kinge.
al þat he ȝirnde al he him ȝette.
Ȝi[s]les and aðes and alle his ibodes.
Þa iherde suggen soðere worden.
þe king of Orcaneie vnimete kene.
Gonwais wes ihate haeðene ke[m]pe.
þat Arður king wolde cume to his londe.
mid muchele scip-ferde fusen to leoden.
Gonwais him uerde to-ȝæines mid wisen his þeines.
and sette Arðure an hond al Orcaneies lond.
and twa and þritti æit-lond þe þider in liggeð.
and his mon-radene mid muchelere mensce.
588
ælche ȝere to iwiten fulle sixti scipen.
mid his aȝere costninge bringen heom to Londenne.
ifulled to iwisse mid gode sæ-fisce.
Þis for-ward he iuaste and ȝisles he funde.
and aðes he swor gode. swiken þa[t] he nolde
& seoððen he lefe nom. & forð he gon liðen
Lauerd haue wel godne dæi. ich wulle cumen wenne ich mai.
for nu þu art mi lauerd leouest alre kingen.
Þa Ar[ð]ur hafde þis idon þa ȝet he wolde mare afon.
he nom his writen gode and senden to Gutlonde.
and grætte þe king Doldanim and hehte hine sone comen to him.
& him-seolf his mon bicume and bringen him his tweien sunen.
And ȝif þu þat nulle do þat þu wulle.
Ich þe wulle sende sixtene þusend.
heȝe here-kempen to mucle þine harmen.
scullen þi lond wasten and þiire leoden aslan.
and þat lond setten swa heom bezst þincheð.
and þe seoluen binden & to me bringen.
Þis iherde þe king þræt þas kaiseres.
& he on uaste iueng fæiere his iweden.
hundes & hafekes & his gode horsses.
muchel seoluer muchel gold his tweien sunen an his hond.
And forð he gon wenden to Arðure þan kingen.
and þas word sæide Doldanim þe sele.
Hail seo þu Ar[ð]ur aðelest kingen.
Her ich bringe tweiene mine sunen beiene.
heore moder is kinges istreon quene heo is min aȝene.
Ich tache þe mine leofen sunen mi-seolf ich wulle þi mon bicumen.
ich heo biȝat mid ræflac ut of Rusie.
And ic wulle sende gauel of mine londe.
æuer-ælche ȝere to ȝiueles þingen.
ich wulle senden þe in-to Lundene. seouen þusend punden
Þat ic wulle swerien. þat nulle ich næuere swiken.
ah here ich wulle þi mon bicomen þi mon-scipe is þa mare.
swiken nulle ich nauere swa longe swa beoð auere.
Arður nom his sonde & sende to Winent-londe.
to Rumareð þan kinge and hehte him cuðen an hiȝinge.
þat he hæfde in his hond Brut-lond & Scot-lond.
Gutlond & Irlond. Orcaneie & Islond
He hæhte Rumareð. cumen and bringen him his ældeste sune.
& ȝif he þat nolde he wolde hine driuen of londe.
and ȝif he mihte afon he wolde hine slæn oðer an-hon.
and his lond al for-don his leoden for-demen.
Þis iherde Rumared þe riche king of Winete.
swiðe he wes afered al swa þa oðere weoren arer.
laðe him weoren þa tidende from Arðure þan kinge.
Noðeles þe king Rumareð hercnede rædes.
he nom his ældeste sune and sele twælf eorles.
& ferde to Arðure þan kinge aðele.
and set æt his foten and feire hine gon greten.
Hail seo þu Arður aðelest Brutten.
Ich hatten Rumareð þe king of Winet-londe.
i-noh ich habbe iherd kenne of ken-scipe þine.
þat þu ært widen i-cuð kingen alre kennest.
Þu hauest moni kine-lond biȝiten al to þire hond.
nis na king an londe þe þe maȝen stonde.
king ne na kaisere in nauere nane compe.
of al þat þu biȝinnest þu dest þine iwille.
Her ich æm to þe icume and broht þe mine aldeste sune.
her ich sette þe an hond me seoluen and mi kine-lond
and minne sune leofe and mine leoden alle.
wif & mine weden and alle mine wunnen.
wið þat þu me griðie wið þine grim ræsen.
And beo þu min hæhȝe king and ich wulle beon þin under-ling.
and senden þe to honde fif hundred pund of golde.
þas ȝeuen ich finde þe wulle æue[r]-alche ȝere
Al Arður him ȝette þat þe king ȝirde.
and seoððen he heolde runen wið sele his þeinen.
& seide þat he wolde aȝæin to þisse londe.
and iseon Wenhaiuer þe wuneliche quene.
Bemen he lette blawen & bonnien his ferden.
and to scipen wenden wunder bliðe. þeines.
Wind heom stod on willen weder alse heo wolden.
bliðe heo weoren alle for þi up heo comen at Grimesbi.
Þat iherden sone þa hæhste of þissen londe.
and to þære quene com tidende of Arðure þan kinge.
þat he wes isund icumen & his folc on selen.
Þa weoren inne Bruttene blissen inoȝe.
Her wes fiðelinge and song her wes harpinge imong.
pipen & bemen. murie þer sungen.
Scopes þer sungen of Arðure þan kingen.
& of þan muchele wurð-scipe þe he iwunnen hafeden.
folc com to hirede of feole cunne þeode.
widen and siden folc wes on selen.
Al þat Arður isæh al hit him to bæh.
riche men and pouere swa þe haȝel ualleð.
nes þer nan swa wræcche Brut þat he nes awælȝed.
Her mon mai arede of Arðure þan king.
hu he twelf ȝere seoðen wuneden here.
inne griðe & inne friðe in alle uæȝernesse.
Na man him ne faht wið no he ne makede nan un-frið.
ne mihte nauere nan man bi-þenchen of blissen.
þat weoren in æi þeode. mare þan i þisse.
ne mihte nauere mon-cunne nan swa muchel wunne.
swa wes mid Arðure & mid his folke here.
Ich mai sugge hu hit iwarð wunder þæh hit þunche.
Hit wes in ane ȝeol-dæie þat Arður in Lundene lai.
þa weoren him to i-cumen of alle his kinerichen.
of Brutlonde of Scotlonde of Irlonde of Islonde.
and of al þan londe þe Arður hæfede an honde.
alle þa hæxte þeines mid horsen & mid sweines.
Þer weoren seouen kingene sunes mid seouen hundred cnihten icumen.
wið-uten þan hired þe herede Arðure.
Ælc hafede an heorte leches heȝe.
and lette þat he weore betere þan his iuere.
Þat folc wes of feole londe þer wes muchel onde.
for þe an hine talde hæh þe oðer muche herre.
Þa bleou mon þa bemen & þa bordes bradden.
water me brohte an uloren mid guldene læflen.
seoððen claðes soften al of white seolke.
Þa sat Arður adun & bi him Wenhauer þa quene.
seoððen sete þa eorles and þer-after þa beornes.
seoððen þa cnihtes al swa mon heom dihte.
Þa heȝe iborne þene mete beoren.
æfne forð-rihten þa to þan cnihten.
þa tou-ward þan þæinen þa touward þan sweinen.
þa touward þan bermonnen forð at þan borden.
Þa duȝeðe wærð iwraððed duntes þer weoren riue.
ærest þa laues heo weorpen þa while þa heo ilæsten.
and þa bollen seoluerne mid wine iuulled.
& seo[ðð]en þa uustes uusden to sweoren.
Þa leop þer forð a ȝung mon þe ut of Winet-londe com.
he wes iȝefen Arðure to halden to ȝisle.
he wes Rumarettes sune þas kinges of Winette.
Þus seide þe cniht þere to Arðure kinge.
Lauerd Arður buh raðe into þine bure.
and þi quene mid þe & þine mæies cuðe
& we þis comp scullen to-delen wið þas uncuðe kempen.
Æfne þan worde he leop to þan borde.
þer leien þa cniues bi-foren þan leod-kinge.
þreo cnifes he igrap and mid þan anæ he smat.
i þere swere þe cniht þe ærest bi-gon þat ilke fiht.
þat his hefued i þene flor hælde to grunde.
Sone he sloh ænne oðer þes ilke þeines broðer.
ær þa sweordes comen seouene he afelde.
Þer wes fæht swiðe græt ælc mon oðer smat.
þer wes muchel blod-gute balu wes an hirede.
Þa com þe king buȝen ut of his buren.
mid him an hundred beornen mid helmen & mid burnen.
ælc bar an his riht hond whit stelene bro[n]d.
Þa cleopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Sitteð sitteð swiðe elc mon bi his liue.
and wa-swa þat nulle don he scal for-demed beon.
Nimeð me þene ilke mon þa þis feht ærst bigon.
& doð wiððe an his sweore & draȝeð hine to ane more.
& doð hine in an ley uen þer he scal liggen.
and nimeð al his nexte cun þa ȝe maȝen iuinden.
and swengeð of þa hafden mid breoden eouwer sweorden.
Þa wifmen þa ȝe maȝen ifinden of his nexten cunden.
kerueð of hire neose & heore wlite ga to lose.
and swa ich wulle al for-don þat cun þat he of com.
And ȝif ich auere-mare seoððen ihere.
þat æi of mine hirede of heȝe na of loȝe.
of þissen ilke slehte æft sake are[re].
ne sculde him neoðer gon fore gold ne na gærsume.
hæh hors no hære scrud þat he ne sculde beon ded.
oðer mid horsen to-draȝen þat is elches swiken laȝen.
Bringeð þene halidom and ich wulle swerien þer-on.
swa ȝe scullen cnihtes þe weoren at þissen fihte.
eorles & beornes þat ȝe hit breken nulleð.
Ærst sweor Arður aðelest kingen.
seoððen sworen eorles seoððen sweoren beornes.
seoððen sweoren þeines seoððen sweoren sweines.
þat heo nauere-mare þe sake nulde arere.
Me nom alle þa dede & to leirstowe heom. ladden.
Seoððen me bleou bemen mid swiðe murie dremen.
weoren him leof weoren him læ[ð] elc þer feng water & clæ[ð].
& seoððen adun seten sæhte to borden.
al for Arðure æiȝe. aðelest kingen
Birles þer þurngen gleomen þer sungen.
harpen gunnen dremen duȝeðe wes on selen.
Þus fulle seoueniht wes þan hirede idiht.
Seoððen hit seið in þere tale þe king ferde to Cornwale.
þer him com to anan þat wæs a crafti weorc-mon.
and þene king imette and feiere hine grætte.
Hail seo þu Arður aðelest kinge.
Ich æm þin aȝe mon moni lond ich habbe þurh-gan.
ich con of treo-wrekes wunder feole craftes.
Ich iherde suggen bi-ȝeonde sæ neowe tidende.
þat þine cnihtes at þine borde gunnen fihte.
a midewinteres dæi moni þer feollen.
for heore mucchele mode morð-gomen wrohten.
and for heore hehȝe cunne ælc wolde beon wið-inne.
Ah ich þe wulle wurche a bord swiðe hende.
þat þer maȝen sitten to sixtene hundred & ma.
al turn abuten þat nan ne beon wið-uten.
wið-uten and wið-inne. mon to-ȝæines monne.
Whenne þu wult riden wið þe þu miht hit leden.
and setten hit whar þu wulle after þine i-wille.
and ne dert þu nauere adrede to þere worlde longen.
þat æuere æ[ni]e modi cniht. at þine borde makie fiht.
for þer scal þe hehȝe beon æfne þan loȝe.
Timber me lete biwinnen. and þat beord bi-ginnen.
to feouwer wikene uirste þat wrec wes iuorðed.
To ane heȝe dæie þat hired wes isomned.
and Arður himseolf beh sone to þan borde.
and hehte alle his cnihtes to þan borde forð-rihtes.
Þo alle weoren iseten cnihtes to heore mete.
þa spæc ælc wið oðer alse hit weore his broðer.
alle heo seten a-buten nes þer nan wið-uten.
Æuere ælches cunnes cniht þere wes swiðe wel idiht.
alle heo weoren bi ane þa hehȝe & þa laȝe.
ne mihten þer nan ȝelpen for oðere kunnes scenchen.
oðer his iueren þe at þan beorde weoren.
Þis wes þat ilke bord þat Bruttes of ȝelpeð.
and sugeð feole cunne lesinge bi Arðure þan kinge
Swa deð auer-alc mon þe oðer luuien con.
ȝif he is him to leof þenne wule he liȝen.
and suggen on him wurð-scipe mare þenne he beon wurðe.
ne beo he no swa luðer mon þat his freond him wel ne on.
Æft ȝif on uolke feond-scipe arereð.
an æuer-æi time bitweone twon monnen.
me con bi þan læðe lasinge suggen.
þeh he weore þe bezste mon þe æuere æt at borde.
þe mon þe him weore lað him cuðe. last finden.
Ne al soh ne al les þat leod-scopes singeð.
ah þis is þat soððe bi Arðure þan kinge.
Nes næuer ar swulc king swa duhti þurh alle þing.
for þat soðe stod a þan writen hu hit is iwurðen.
ord from þan ænden of Ar[ð]ure þan kinge.
no mare no lasse buten alse his laȝen weoren.
Ah Bruttes hine luueden swiðe & ofte him on liȝeð.
and suggeð feole þinges bi Arðure þan kinge.
þat næuere nes i-wurðen a þissere weorlde-richen.
inoh he mai suggen þe soð wule uremmen.
seolcuðe þinges bi Arðure kinge.
Þa wes Arður. swiðe heh his hired swiðe hende.
þat nas na cniht wel itald no of his tuhlen swiðe bald.
inne Wales no in Ænglelond inne Scot[lond] no in Irlond.
in Normandie no inne France inne Flandres no inne Denemarc.
no in nauere none londe þe a þeos halfe Mungiu stondeð.
þet weoren ihalde god cniht no his deden itald oht.
bute he cuðe of Ar[ð]ure & of aðelen his hirede.
his wepnen and his weden & his hors-leden.
suggen and singen of Arðure þan ginge.
and of his hired-cnihten and of heȝe heore mihten.
and of heore riche-dome and hu wel hit heom bicomen.
Þenne weore he wilcume a þissere weorlde-richen.
come þer he come and þeh he weore i Rome.
al þat iherde of Ar[ð]ure telle.
heom þuhte muchel seollic of selen þan kinge.
And swa hit wes iuuren iboded ær he iboren weoren.
swa him sæide Merlin þe witeȝe wes mære.
þat a king sculde cume of Vðere Pendragune.
þat gleomen sculden wurchen burd of þas ki[n]ges breosten.
and þer-to sitten scopes swiðe sele.
and eten heore wullen ær heo þenne fusden.
and winscenches ut teon of þeos kinges tungen.
and drinken & dreomen daies & nihtes.
þis gomen heom sculde i-lasten to þere weorlde longe.
And ȝet him seide Marlin mare þat wes to comene.
þat al þat he lokede on to foten him sculde buȝen.
Þa ȝet him sæide Mærlin a sellic þe wes mare.
þat sculde beon unimete care of þas kinges forð-fare.
and of þas kinges ende nulle hit na Brut ileue.
buten hit beon þe leste dæð at þan muchele dome.
þenne ure Drihte demeð alle uolke.
Ælles ne cunne we demen of Arðures deðen.
for he seolf sæide to sele his Brutten.
suð inne Cornwale þer Walwain wes for-faren.
and him-seolf wes for-wunded wunder ane swiðe.
þat he uaren wolde. into Aualune.
in-to þan æit-londe to Argante þere hende.
for heo sculde mid haleweie helen his wunden.
and þenne he weore al hal he wolde sone. come heom.
Þis ilefde Bruttes þet he wule cumen þus.
& lokieð a whenne he cume to his londe.
swa he heom bihahte ar he heonne wende.
Arður wes an weorlde wis king and riche.
god mon and grið-ful his gumen hine luueden.
Cnihtes he hafede prute and græte on heore mode.
& speken to þan kinge of seollichen þinge.
and þus þat hired cleopede to heȝe þan kinge.
Lauerd Arður faren we to Francene riche.
and iwinnen al þat lond to þire aȝere hond.
flemen alle þa Freinscen. heore king feollen.
alle þa castles bonien and setten heom to mid Brutten.
& rixlien a þere riche mid rehȝere strengðe.
Þa andswarede Arður aðelest kingen.
Eouwer wille ich wulle don ah ær ich wulle to Norweien
and ich wulle mid me leden Lot minne oðem.
he is Wælwaynes fader þa ich wel luuie.
For beoð icumen of Norweiȝe niwe tidende.
þat Sichelin king þer is ded his duȝeðen bileued.
& hæ hafeð al his kineriche bi-queðe her Loððe.
For þe king is al bidæled sune & eke dohteren.
and Lot is his suster sune þe bet him scal iwurðe.
for ich hine wulle in Norwæȝe neowe king makien.
and hine wæl lere to witeȝen wel þa leoden.
And þenne ich þus habbe idon ich wullen seoððen cumen ham.
and ȝarkien mine ferde & faren into France.
and ȝif þe king me stont wið and nulle ȝeornen mi grið.
ich hine wulle mid fehte fallen to þan grunde.
Arður lette blawen hornes and bemen.
and lette beoden to sæ Bruttes swiðe balde.
Scipen he hæfde gode bi þere sæ-flode.
fiftene hundred fusden from londe.
and fluȝen after þere sæ swulc heo fluht hafden.
& buhȝen in-to Norwæȝen mid baldere strengðen.
Sone swa heo comen hafne heo nomen.
mid muchelere strengðe stepen a þa riche.
Arður senden his sonde wide ȝeond þan londe.
& hæhte heom cumen sone and Lot habben to kinge.
& ȝif heo þat nolden alle heom he wolde a-slan.
Þa nomen heore sonden eorles Norenissce.
and senden to þan kingen and hahten hine aȝain wenden
& ȝif þu nult aȝæin faren sorhȝen þu scalt habben & kare.
for longe bið auere þat ne iwurð næuere.
þat we uncuðne mon to kinge scullen hæbben.
For ȝif Sikelin is forð-faren her beoð oðere icoren.
þe we maȝen bi vre iwille hæbben to kinge.
& þis is þat soðe nis þer nan oðer.
oðer far þe awæiward and wend þe riht hamward.
oðer to-dæi a seoueniht þu scalt habben græt fiht.
Þa eorles Norenissce. nomen heom to ræde
þat king heo wolden habben of seoluen heore cunden.
for al Sikelines quiden sotscipe heo heolden.
And swa longe. swa beoð æuere ne scal hit stonde næuere.
ah we scullen nimen Riculf þe is swiðe riche eorl.
and hebben hine to kinge þis is us iqueme.
and sumnen ure ferde ȝeond al þissen ærde.
and faren to Arðure & flemmen hine mid fehte.
& Lot we scullen fusen and flemen of londen.
oðer we mid fehten sculleð hine fallen.
Heo nome Riculfe þene eorl of Norene.
and hefuen hine to kinge þeh hit neore him noht icunde.
and sumneden uerde ȝeond Nornisce ærde.
And Arður an his ende ȝuond þat lond gon wende.
þat londe he þurh-arnde burhȝes he uor-barnde.
æhte he nom inoh muche moncun he þer of-sloh.
And Riculf him gon riden to-ȝæines Arðure anan.
to-gædere heo fusden and veht heo bigunnen.
Bruttes buȝen heom to balu þer wes riue.
Luken vt of scaþe sweordes longe.
hefden fluȝen a þene uelde faluwede nebbes.
beorn aȝein beorne scaft sette an breoste.
burnen þer breken Bruttes bisie weoren.
brustleden sceldes scalkes þer ueolen.
& swa al þene dæi-liht i-laste þis muchele fiht
ferden heo æst ferden heo west. þer Noreine wes þa wurse
ferden heo suð ferden heo norð þe Norrene þer feollen.
Bruttes weoren balde þa Noreine heo a-qualden.
Noreinisce men þer feollen fif and twenti þusend.
and Riculf king þer wes of-slaȝen and idon of lif-dæȝen.
lutel þer eode to læue of þan leod-folke.
wulc-swa hafuede þat wracche lif ȝirde Arðures grið.
Ar[ð]ur bisæh a Lot þe leof him wes swiðe.
and þus him c[l]eopien agon Arður þe riche mon.
Lot wend hider to me þu art mi wine deore.
Her ich þe biteche al þas kineriche.
of me þu scalt halden and habben me to munde.
Þa wes Walwain þider icumen Lottes ældeste sune.
of Rome from þan Pape þe Supplice wes ihate.
þa longe him wes dihte and makede hine to cnihte.
Wælle wel wes hit bitoȝen þat Walwain wes to monne iboren.
for Walwæin wes ful aðelmod an ælche þeouwe he wes god.
he wes mete-custi and cniht mid þan bezste.
Al Arðures hired wes swiðe ifurðed.
for Walwaine þan kene þe icumen wes to hirede.
and for his fader Lote þe iloten wes to kinge.
Þa spac Arður him wið and hehte hine halden god grið.
and hehte hine luuien his griðfulle leoden.
& þa grið nolden halden fallen heom to grunde.
Þa ȝet c[l]eopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Whær beo ȝe mine Bruttes fareð nu forð-rihtes.
ȝarkieð bi þan flode mine scipen gode.
Al duden þa cnihtes swa Arður heom hæhte.
Þa þa scipen weoren ȝaru Arður gon to sæ faren.
mid him he [n]o[m] his cnihtes his Norenissce þeines.
and balden his Bruttes and bah forð mid vðes.
and þe duhtie king com to Dene[m]arke.
he lette slæn teldes wide ȝeond þa feldes.
bemen he lette blawen and his cume bodien.
Þa wes inne Denemarke a king of mucle mæhte.
Æscil wes ihate hext ouer Denene.
he isah þat Ar[ð]ur bi-won al þat him wes on willen.
Æscil king hine bi-þohte whæt he don mahte.
lað him wes to leosen leouen his leoden.
He isah þat [mid] strengðe stonden he ne mahte.
aȝain Arðure mid nauere nane compe.
He sende gretinge to Arðure kinge.
hundes & hauekes & swiðe gode horsses.
seoluer and ræd gold mid ræh-fulle worden.
& ȝet dude mare Æscil þe mære.
he sende to þan hæxten of Arðures hireden.
and bad heom. arndien him to hæhȝen þan kingen.
þat he moste his mon bicumen & to ȝisle bitæchen his sune.
and ælche ȝere him senden gauel of his londe.
ænne bæt mid isunde from breorde to grunde.
of golde & of gæ[r]sume & of godliche pallen.
and seoððen he wolde swerien swiken þat he nalden.
Þis i[h]erden Arður aðlest kingen.
þat Æscil Denene king wolde beon his vnderling.
buten ælche [f]ihte he and alle his cnihtes.
Þa iwrað iaðeled Arður þe riche.
and þus andswærede mid aðmode worden.
Wel wurðe þan monne þe mid wisdome
biwineð him grið & frið & freond-scipe to halden.
Þenne he isiht þet he bið mid strengðe ibunden.
iȝarked al to leosen leofue his richen.
mid liste he mot leoðien luðe his bendes.
Arður hehte þene king cume and bringen his aldeste sune.
and he swa dude sone þe king of Denemarke.
Arðures iwille sone he gon fulle.
to-somne heo comen and sæhten iwurðen.
Þa ȝet cleopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Faren ich wulle to France mid muchele mire ferde.
ich wulle habben of Noreweie niȝe þusend cnihtes.
& of Denemarke ich wulle leden niȝe þusend of þan leoden.
and of Orkaneie enleuen hundred.
and of Mureinen þreo þuseond monnen.
and of Galeweien fif þusend of þan leoden.
and of Irlonde elleuen þusend.
and of Brutaine mine cnihtes balde.
scullen þræsten bi-foren me þritti þusunde.
and of Gutlonde ich wulle leden ten þuseond of þan leoden.
and of Frislonde fif þusend monnen.
and of Brutaine Howel þene balde.
and mid swulche uolke France ich wulle i-sechen.
And swa ich ibiden Godes ære ȝet ich wulle haten mare.
þat of alle þan londen þat stondeð a mire honden.
ich haten ælcne ohtne mon þe his wepnen beren con.
alse he wule liuien and his lumen habben.
þat he faren wið me to fehten wið Frolle.
þat is Francene king fæie he scal iwurðe.
He wes iboren i Rome of Romanisce cunne.
Forð ferde Arður þat he com to Flandres.
þat lond he gon biwinnen and sette hit mid his monnen.
and seo[ð]ðe he beh þanene in-to [Buluine]
[and al] Buluines lond. nom hit to his aȝere hond
and seoððen he nom þene wæi þe in touward France læi.
Þa bed he his bod allen his beornen.
for þær heo uoren þat na wiht heo ne nomen.
buten he mid rihte hit biȝiten mihte.
mid rihte chepinge i þas kinges hirede.
Þat iher[de] Frolle þer he wes inne France.
of Arðures i-spede and of alle his deden.
and hu al bi-wonne þat he lokede on.
and al hit him to beh þat he mid eȝene isah.
þa wes þe king Frolle laðliche of-fered.
A þere ilke worlde. þa þis wes iwurðen.
wes Francene lond Gualle ihaten.
and Frolle wes from Rome ifaren in-to France.
and ælche. ȝere sende gauel of þan londe.
ten hundred punde of seoluer and of golde.
Nu i-herde Frolle þe ældere wes of France.
of þere lond-sorȝe þe Arður dude an londe.
Sonde he sende sone an uest touward Rome.
and hehte Romanisce folc reden heom bi-tweonen.
hu feole þusend cnihten heo þider wolden senden.
þat he æð mihte wið Arðure uihte.
and ulemen of londe Arður þene stronge.
Cnihtes gunnen riden vt of Rom-leoden.
fif and twenti þusend ferden touward France.
Þis iherde Frolle mid muchele his ferde.
þat þe Romanisce uolc riden touward londe.
Frolle & his ferde heom to-ȝeines ferde.
þa heo comen to-somne kene men and wihte.
of alle þan ærde vnimete uerde.
Þæt iherde Arður aðelest kingen.
& sumnede his ferde and heom to-ȝaines wende.
Ah næs næuere king nan þa quic wes an eorðen.
þa eouere ær an uolde swulc folc a-walde.
for of alle þan kine-londe þe Arður hafuede an honde
forð he ladde mid him alle þa kenneste men.
þat nuste he neuere on weorlde hu feole þusend, þer weoren.
Sone swa heo comen to-somne Arður & Frolle.
harliche heo igrætten al þat heo imette.
Cnihtes swiðe stronge igripen speren longe.
and ræsden heom to-gædere mid ræhȝere strengðe.
Alle dæi þer weore duntes swiðe riue.
folc feol to uolden and fæie-sið worhten.
græmende segges gras-bæd isohten.
gullen þa helmes ȝeoumereden eorles.
sceldes þær scenden scalkes gunnen reosen
Þa cleopede Ar[ð]ur aðelest kingen.
Whar beo ȝe mine Bruttes balde mine þaines.
Þe dæi him forð ȝeongeð þis folc us aȝein stondeð.
Lette we heom to gliden scærpe gares inoȝe.
& techen heom to riden þene wæi touward Romen.
Æfne þan worde þe Ar[ð]ur iseide.
he sprong forð an stede swa sparc de[ð] of fure.
Him weore fuliende fifti þusende.
hærde here-kempen hælden to fihte.
smiten uppen Frolle þær he wes on ulocke.
and brohten hine of fleme mid muclen his folke.
þer Ar[ð]ur of-sloh muchel uolc and vniuoh.
Þa fleh in-to Parise Frolle þe riche.
and þa ȝeten tunden mid teonen inoȝe.
and þa word seide sorhful an heorte.
Leouere me. weore þat ich iboren neore.
Þa weoren inne Paris plihtliche spelles ful iwis.
sorhfulle iberen burhmen gunnen beouien.
walles heo gunnen rihten þa ȝæten heo gunnen dihten.
mete heo nomen al þat heo neh comen.
an ælchere halue heo heolden to burȝe.
heo uerden þider alle þe heolden mid Frolle.
Þat iherde Arður aðelest kingen.
þat inne Paris wunede Frolle mid unimete uerde.
and seiden þat he wolde wið Arðure stonden.
To Paris ferde Arður ærhðe bi-deled.
and bi-læi þa walles and are[r]de his teldes.
a feower halue he heo bi-lai fouwer wiken and enne dæi.
Auared weoren þa leden þa þere weoren wið-innen.
þa burh wes wið-innen afulled mid monnen
and æten sone þene mete þe þer wes isomned.
Þa feouwer wiken weoren aȝonged þa Arður wes þær atstonden.
þæ wes inne burȝe vni-mete sorȝe.
mid wræcche þan falke þe leie þer an hungre.
þer wes wop þe[r] wes rop and reou[ð]en vniuohȝe.
Heo cleopeden to Frolle and beden hine frið wurchen.
Arðures mon bi-cumen and his mon-scipe bruken.
and þene kinedom halden of Arðure þan kenen.
and no lete noht þat wræcche uolk uor-faren al mid hungre.
Þa andswarede Frolle freo he wes an heorte.
Nai swa me helpe God þæ alle domes awalt.
ne scal ich nauere his mon bicume no he mi kine-lauerd.
mi-seolf ich wulle fihte a Gode is al þat rihte.
Þa ȝet cleopede Frolle freo mon an heorte.
Næi swa me helpe Drihten þe scop þas dæies lihten.
nulle ic nauere-mare ȝirnen Arðures ære.
ah fehten ich wulle buten ælche cnihte.
licame wið licame biforen mine leoden.
hond aȝain honde wið Arðure kinge.
Whaðer unkere swa beoð þere wakere sone he bið þe laðere.
wahðer vnkere swa þer ma luuien his freonden he bið þe leouere.
and wha[ð]er unkere þe mæi of oðere þat betere biwinne.
habben al þis oðeres lond and sette hit an his aȝere hond.
Þis ic wulle ȝirne ȝif Arður hit wule ȝetten.
and þis ich wulle swerien uppen mine sweorden.
and ȝisles ich wulle finden þreo kingene sunen.
þat ich þis forward wulle fast-liche halden.
þat nulle ich hit liȝen bi mine quike liuen.
For leouere me is to liggen bi-fore mine leoden
þan ich iseo an uolde for-faren heom mid hungre.
For we habbeoð mid fehte ure cnihtes uor-farene.
scalkes auælled fifti þusende.
and moni ænne gode wifmon i-whorht to bleðere widewe.
moni child fader-læs and frouere bidaled.
and nu þis folc mid hungre wunderliche ihærmede.
For-þi hit is betere bi-twixen unke seoluen.
to-dælen and to-dihten þis kine-lond mid fihte.
and habbe hit þa betere and bruken hit on wunne.
Frolle nom twalf cnihtes mid þissen worden forð-rihtes.
and sende heom an sonde. to Arðure kinge.
& iwuste ȝif he wolde þis fore-warde halde.
and mid his aȝere hond bi-telen þat kine-lond.
oðer uore-liggen his leoden to harmen.
and ȝif he hit bi-talden hafde hit on an onwalde.
Þat iherde Arður aðelest kingen.
næs he neuere swa bliðe ær an his liue.
for him likede tidende from Frolle þan kinge.
and þas word seide Arður þe sele.
Wel saið Frolle þe king is of France.
betere is þat wit tweie bitelen þas riche.
þene þer beon of-slaȝene ure þeines snelle.
Þis fore-ward ich bi-luuie bi-fore mine leoden.
to ane isette dæie to don þat he beodeð.
þat scal beon tomarȝen biforen unker monnen.
þat fehten wit scullen unc seoluen & falle þe for-cuðere.
And whaðer unker þe geð abake & þis feoht wulle for-sake.
beon he in ælche londe iqueðe for ane sconde.
þenne mæie me singe of ane swulche kinge.
þe his beot haueð imaked and his cniht-scipe for-saken.
Þæt iherde Frolle þe king wes of France.
þat Arður fehten wolden him-seolf buten cnihte.
Strong mon wes Frolle and sterc mon on mode.
and his beot imaked hafde bi-foren al his duȝeðe.
and [h]e ne mihte for scome muchelen scenden hine seoluen.
bi-læuen his balde ibeot þat he i burh hafde iseid.
Sæide þat he sæide to soðe he hit wende.
þat Arður hit wolde for-saken and nawiht to þan fehte taken.
for ȝif hit wuste Frolle þe king wes ane France.
þat Arður him ȝetten wolde þat he iȝirnd hafde.
don he hit nolde for a scip ful of golde.
Neoðeles wes Frolle to fihte swi[ð]e kene.
muche cniht & strong mon and modi on heorten.
and sæide þat he wolde. þene dæi halde.
in þan æit-londe þe mid watere is bi-ȝeonge.
Þat æit-lond stondeð ful iwis inne þere burh of Paris.
Þer ich wulle mid fehte bi-tele mine irihte.
mid scelden and mid cnihtes iwede.
nu to-marȝen bið þe dæi habben þe hit biȝiten mæi.
Comen þa tiðende to Arðure þan kinge.
þat Frolle wolde mid fæhte France bitellen.
næs he næuere swa bliðe ær an his liue.
and he lehȝen agon ludere stæfnenen.
and þas word seide Arður þe kene.
Nu ich wat þat Frolle wið me wulle fihte.
to-marȝe in þan dæie alse he seolf demde.
i þan ait-londe þat mid watere is bistonde.
for hit bicumeð kinge þat his word stonde.
Leteð blawen bemen and bodien mine monnen.
þat æuer-ælc god mon to-niht wakien for þon.
and bidden ure Drihten þe alle domes awalt.
þat he me iscilde wið Frolle þene wilde.
and mid his riht honde witeȝe me wið sconde.
And ȝif ich mæi þis kinelond biȝiten to mire aȝere hon[d].
auere-ælche ærmen mon þe æð scal iwurðen.
and wurchen ic wulle muchel Godes wille.
Nu me uulsten þer-to þe alle þing mai wel idon.
þe heȝe heuene-liche king stonde me an helping.
for ich hine luuien wulle þa while þe ich liuie.
Þer wes al longe niht songes and ca[n]del-liht.
hæhliche sungen clarckes hali Godes salmes.
Þa hit dæi we[s] amarȝen duȝeðe gunne sturien.
his wæpnen he nom an honden Arður þe stronge.
warp he an his rugge a ræf swiðe deore.
ænne cheisil scurte & ænne pallene curtel.
ænne burne swiðe deore ibroiden of stele.
Sette he an hefde ænne helm godne.
to his side he swende his sweorde Caliburne.
his sconken he helede mid hosen of stele.
and duden on his uoten spuren swiðe gode.
Þe king mid his weden leop on his stede.
me him to rehte anne scelde gode.
he wes al clane of olifantes bane.
Me salde him an honde. enne scaft stronge.
þer wes a þan ænde a spære swiðe hende.
hit wes imaked i Kairmeðin [bi] a smið þe hehte Griffin.
hit ahte Vðer þe wes ær king her.
Þa þe iwepned wes þe rahȝe þa gon he to uarene.
he mihte þa bi-halde þe þer bihalfues weore.
þene king richne rehliche riden.
seo[ð]ðen þis weorlde wes a-stald nes hit no-whar itald.
þat æuere ai mon swa hende wunden uppen horse.
swa him wes Arður sune Vðeres.
Riden after þan kinge balde here-ðringes.
a þen feoremeste flocke feouwerti hundred.
heȝe here-kempen bihonged mid stelen.
baldere Brutten bisie mid wepnen.
After þan fusden fifti hundred.
þeo Wælwain ladde þe wæs a wæl-kempe.
Seoððen þer gunnen ut siȝen sixti þusende.
Bruttes swiðe balde þat wes þa bac-warde.
Þer wes þe king Angel þer wes Lot and Urien.
þer wes Vrienes sune Ywæin ihaten.
þer wes Kæi and Beduer and biwusten þa uerde þer.
þer wes þe king Howel hah mon of Brut-lond.
Cador þer wes æc þe kene wes on flocke.
þer wes of Irlonde Gillomar þe stron[g].
þer wes Gonwais þe king Orka[nei]es deorling.
þer wes Doldamin þe kene ut of Gut-londe.
And ȝif þu þat nulle do þat þu wulle.
Ich þe wulle sende sixtene þusend.
heȝe here-kempen to mucle þine harmen.
scullen þi lond wasten and þiire leoden aslan.
and þat lond setten swa heom bezst þincheð.
and þe seoluen binden & to me bringen.
Þis iherde þe king þræt þas kaiseres.
& he on uaste iueng fæiere his iweden.
hundes & hafekes & his gode horsses.
muchel seoluer muchel gold his tweien sunen an his hond.
And forð he gon wenden to Arðure þan kingen.
and þas word sæide Doldanim þe sele.
Hail seo þu Ar[ð]ur aðelest kingen.
Her ich bringe tweiene mine sunen beiene.
heore moder is kinges istreon quene heo is min aȝene.
Ich tache þe mine leofen sunen mi-seolf ich wulle þi mon bicumen.
ich heo biȝat mid ræflac ut of Rusie.
And ic wulle sende gauel of mine londe.
æuer-ælche ȝere to ȝiueles þingen.
ich wulle senden þe in-to Lundene. seouen þusend punden
Þat ic wulle swerien. þat nulle ich næuere swiken.
ah here ich wulle þi mon bicomen þi mon-scipe is þa mare.
590
Arður nom his sonde & sende to Winent-londe.
to Rumareð þan kinge and hehte him cuðen an hiȝinge.
þat he hæfde in his hond Brut-lond & Scot-lond.
Gutlond & Irlond. Orcaneie & Islond
He hæhte Rumareð. cumen and bringen him his ældeste sune.
& ȝif he þat nolde he wolde hine driuen of londe.
and ȝif he mihte afon he wolde hine slæn oðer an-hon.
and his lond al for-don his leoden for-demen.
Þis iherde Rumared þe riche king of Winete.
swiðe he wes afered al swa þa oðere weoren arer.
laðe him weoren þa tidende from Arðure þan kinge.
Noðeles þe king Rumareð hercnede rædes.
he nom his ældeste sune and sele twælf eorles.
& ferde to Arðure þan kinge aðele.
and set æt his foten and feire hine gon greten.
Hail seo þu Arður aðelest Brutten.
Ich hatten Rumareð þe king of Winet-londe.
i-noh ich habbe iherd kenne of ken-scipe þine.
þat þu ært widen i-cuð kingen alre kennest.
Þu hauest moni kine-lond biȝiten al to þire hond.
nis na king an londe þe þe maȝen stonde.
king ne na kaisere in nauere nane compe.
of al þat þu biȝinnest þu dest þine iwille.
Her ich æm to þe icume and broht þe mine aldeste sune.
her ich sette þe an hond me seoluen and mi kine-lond
and minne sune leofe and mine leoden alle.
wif & mine weden and alle mine wunnen.
wið þat þu me griðie wið þine grim ræsen.
And beo þu min hæhȝe king and ich wulle beon þin under-ling.
and senden þe to honde fif hundred pund of golde.
þas ȝeuen ich finde þe wulle æue[r]-alche ȝere
Al Arður him ȝette þat þe king ȝirde.
and seoððen he heolde runen wið sele his þeinen.
& seide þat he wolde aȝæin to þisse londe.
and iseon Wenhaiuer þe wuneliche quene.
Bemen he lette blawen & bonnien his ferden.
and to scipen wenden wunder bliðe. þeines.
Wind heom stod on willen weder alse heo wolden.
592
Þat iherden sone þa hæhste of þissen londe.
and to þære quene com tidende of Arðure þan kinge.
þat he wes isund icumen & his folc on selen.
Þa weoren inne Bruttene blissen inoȝe.
Her wes fiðelinge and song her wes harpinge imong.
pipen & bemen. murie þer sungen.
Scopes þer sungen of Arðure þan kingen.
& of þan muchele wurð-scipe þe he iwunnen hafeden.
folc com to hirede of feole cunne þeode.
widen and siden folc wes on selen.
Al þat Arður isæh al hit him to bæh.
riche men and pouere swa þe haȝel ualleð.
nes þer nan swa wræcche Brut þat he nes awælȝed.
Her mon mai arede of Arðure þan king.
hu he twelf ȝere seoðen wuneden here.
inne griðe & inne friðe in alle uæȝernesse.
Na man him ne faht wið no he ne makede nan un-frið.
ne mihte nauere nan man bi-þenchen of blissen.
þat weoren in æi þeode. mare þan i þisse.
ne mihte nauere mon-cunne nan swa muchel wunne.
swa wes mid Arðure & mid his folke here.
Ich mai sugge hu hit iwarð wunder þæh hit þunche.
Hit wes in ane ȝeol-dæie þat Arður in Lundene lai.
þa weoren him to i-cumen of alle his kinerichen.
of Brutlonde of Scotlonde of Irlonde of Islonde.
and of al þan londe þe Arður hæfede an honde.
alle þa hæxte þeines mid horsen & mid sweines.
Þer weoren seouen kingene sunes mid seouen hundred cnihten icumen.
wið-uten þan hired þe herede Arðure.
Ælc hafede an heorte leches heȝe.
and lette þat he weore betere þan his iuere.
Þat folc wes of feole londe þer wes muchel onde.
for þe an hine talde hæh þe oðer muche herre.
Þa bleou mon þa bemen & þa bordes bradden.
water me brohte an uloren mid guldene læflen.
seoððen claðes soften al of white seolke.
Þa sat Arður adun & bi him Wenhauer þa quene.
594
seoððen þa cnihtes al swa mon heom dihte.
Þa heȝe iborne þene mete beoren.
æfne forð-rihten þa to þan cnihten.
þa tou-ward þan þæinen þa touward þan sweinen.
þa touward þan bermonnen forð at þan borden.
Þa duȝeðe wærð iwraððed duntes þer weoren riue.
ærest þa laues heo weorpen þa while þa heo ilæsten.
and þa bollen seoluerne mid wine iuulled.
& seo[ðð]en þa uustes uusden to sweoren.
Þa leop þer forð a ȝung mon þe ut of Winet-londe com.
he wes iȝefen Arðure to halden to ȝisle.
he wes Rumarettes sune þas kinges of Winette.
Þus seide þe cniht þere to Arðure kinge.
Lauerd Arður buh raðe into þine bure.
and þi quene mid þe & þine mæies cuðe
& we þis comp scullen to-delen wið þas uncuðe kempen.
Æfne þan worde he leop to þan borde.
þer leien þa cniues bi-foren þan leod-kinge.
þreo cnifes he igrap and mid þan anæ he smat.
i þere swere þe cniht þe ærest bi-gon þat ilke fiht.
þat his hefued i þene flor hælde to grunde.
Sone he sloh ænne oðer þes ilke þeines broðer.
ær þa sweordes comen seouene he afelde.
Þer wes fæht swiðe græt ælc mon oðer smat.
þer wes muchel blod-gute balu wes an hirede.
Þa com þe king buȝen ut of his buren.
mid him an hundred beornen mid helmen & mid burnen.
ælc bar an his riht hond whit stelene bro[n]d.
Þa cleopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Sitteð sitteð swiðe elc mon bi his liue.
and wa-swa þat nulle don he scal for-demed beon.
Nimeð me þene ilke mon þa þis feht ærst bigon.
& doð wiððe an his sweore & draȝeð hine to ane more.
& doð hine in an ley uen þer he scal liggen.
and nimeð al his nexte cun þa ȝe maȝen iuinden.
and swengeð of þa hafden mid breoden eouwer sweorden.
Þa wifmen þa ȝe maȝen ifinden of his nexten cunden.
596
and swa ich wulle al for-don þat cun þat he of com.
And ȝif ich auere-mare seoððen ihere.
þat æi of mine hirede of heȝe na of loȝe.
of þissen ilke slehte æft sake are[re].
ne sculde him neoðer gon fore gold ne na gærsume.
hæh hors no hære scrud þat he ne sculde beon ded.
oðer mid horsen to-draȝen þat is elches swiken laȝen.
Bringeð þene halidom and ich wulle swerien þer-on.
swa ȝe scullen cnihtes þe weoren at þissen fihte.
eorles & beornes þat ȝe hit breken nulleð.
Ærst sweor Arður aðelest kingen.
seoððen sworen eorles seoððen sweoren beornes.
seoððen sweoren þeines seoððen sweoren sweines.
þat heo nauere-mare þe sake nulde arere.
Me nom alle þa dede & to leirstowe heom. ladden.
Seoððen me bleou bemen mid swiðe murie dremen.
weoren him leof weoren him læ[ð] elc þer feng water & clæ[ð].
& seoððen adun seten sæhte to borden.
al for Arðure æiȝe. aðelest kingen
Birles þer þurngen gleomen þer sungen.
harpen gunnen dremen duȝeðe wes on selen.
Þus fulle seoueniht wes þan hirede idiht.
Seoððen hit seið in þere tale þe king ferde to Cornwale.
þer him com to anan þat wæs a crafti weorc-mon.
and þene king imette and feiere hine grætte.
Hail seo þu Arður aðelest kinge.
Ich æm þin aȝe mon moni lond ich habbe þurh-gan.
ich con of treo-wrekes wunder feole craftes.
Ich iherde suggen bi-ȝeonde sæ neowe tidende.
þat þine cnihtes at þine borde gunnen fihte.
a midewinteres dæi moni þer feollen.
for heore mucchele mode morð-gomen wrohten.
and for heore hehȝe cunne ælc wolde beon wið-inne.
Ah ich þe wulle wurche a bord swiðe hende.
þat þer maȝen sitten to sixtene hundred & ma.
al turn abuten þat nan ne beon wið-uten.
wið-uten and wið-inne. mon to-ȝæines monne.
598
and setten hit whar þu wulle after þine i-wille.
and ne dert þu nauere adrede to þere worlde longen.
þat æuere æ[ni]e modi cniht. at þine borde makie fiht.
for þer scal þe hehȝe beon æfne þan loȝe.
Timber me lete biwinnen. and þat beord bi-ginnen.
to feouwer wikene uirste þat wrec wes iuorðed.
To ane heȝe dæie þat hired wes isomned.
and Arður himseolf beh sone to þan borde.
and hehte alle his cnihtes to þan borde forð-rihtes.
Þo alle weoren iseten cnihtes to heore mete.
þa spæc ælc wið oðer alse hit weore his broðer.
alle heo seten a-buten nes þer nan wið-uten.
Æuere ælches cunnes cniht þere wes swiðe wel idiht.
alle heo weoren bi ane þa hehȝe & þa laȝe.
ne mihten þer nan ȝelpen for oðere kunnes scenchen.
oðer his iueren þe at þan beorde weoren.
Þis wes þat ilke bord þat Bruttes of ȝelpeð.
and sugeð feole cunne lesinge bi Arðure þan kinge
Swa deð auer-alc mon þe oðer luuien con.
ȝif he is him to leof þenne wule he liȝen.
and suggen on him wurð-scipe mare þenne he beon wurðe.
ne beo he no swa luðer mon þat his freond him wel ne on.
Æft ȝif on uolke feond-scipe arereð.
an æuer-æi time bitweone twon monnen.
me con bi þan læðe lasinge suggen.
þeh he weore þe bezste mon þe æuere æt at borde.
þe mon þe him weore lað him cuðe. last finden.
Ne al soh ne al les þat leod-scopes singeð.
ah þis is þat soððe bi Arðure þan kinge.
Nes næuer ar swulc king swa duhti þurh alle þing.
for þat soðe stod a þan writen hu hit is iwurðen.
ord from þan ænden of Ar[ð]ure þan kinge.
no mare no lasse buten alse his laȝen weoren.
Ah Bruttes hine luueden swiðe & ofte him on liȝeð.
and suggeð feole þinges bi Arðure þan kinge.
þat næuere nes i-wurðen a þissere weorlde-richen.
600
seolcuðe þinges bi Arðure kinge.
Þa wes Arður. swiðe heh his hired swiðe hende.
þat nas na cniht wel itald no of his tuhlen swiðe bald.
inne Wales no in Ænglelond inne Scot[lond] no in Irlond.
in Normandie no inne France inne Flandres no inne Denemarc.
no in nauere none londe þe a þeos halfe Mungiu stondeð.
þet weoren ihalde god cniht no his deden itald oht.
bute he cuðe of Ar[ð]ure & of aðelen his hirede.
his wepnen and his weden & his hors-leden.
suggen and singen of Arðure þan ginge.
and of his hired-cnihten and of heȝe heore mihten.
and of heore riche-dome and hu wel hit heom bicomen.
Þenne weore he wilcume a þissere weorlde-richen.
come þer he come and þeh he weore i Rome.
al þat iherde of Ar[ð]ure telle.
heom þuhte muchel seollic of selen þan kinge.
And swa hit wes iuuren iboded ær he iboren weoren.
swa him sæide Merlin þe witeȝe wes mære.
þat a king sculde cume of Vðere Pendragune.
þat gleomen sculden wurchen burd of þas ki[n]ges breosten.
and þer-to sitten scopes swiðe sele.
and eten heore wullen ær heo þenne fusden.
and winscenches ut teon of þeos kinges tungen.
and drinken & dreomen daies & nihtes.
þis gomen heom sculde i-lasten to þere weorlde longe.
And ȝet him seide Marlin mare þat wes to comene.
þat al þat he lokede on to foten him sculde buȝen.
Þa ȝet him sæide Mærlin a sellic þe wes mare.
þat sculde beon unimete care of þas kinges forð-fare.
and of þas kinges ende nulle hit na Brut ileue.
buten hit beon þe leste dæð at þan muchele dome.
þenne ure Drihte demeð alle uolke.
Ælles ne cunne we demen of Arðures deðen.
for he seolf sæide to sele his Brutten.
suð inne Cornwale þer Walwain wes for-faren.
and him-seolf wes for-wunded wunder ane swiðe.
602
in-to þan æit-londe to Argante þere hende.
for heo sculde mid haleweie helen his wunden.
and þenne he weore al hal he wolde sone. come heom.
Þis ilefde Bruttes þet he wule cumen þus.
& lokieð a whenne he cume to his londe.
swa he heom bihahte ar he heonne wende.
Arður wes an weorlde wis king and riche.
god mon and grið-ful his gumen hine luueden.
Cnihtes he hafede prute and græte on heore mode.
& speken to þan kinge of seollichen þinge.
and þus þat hired cleopede to heȝe þan kinge.
Lauerd Arður faren we to Francene riche.
and iwinnen al þat lond to þire aȝere hond.
flemen alle þa Freinscen. heore king feollen.
alle þa castles bonien and setten heom to mid Brutten.
& rixlien a þere riche mid rehȝere strengðe.
Þa andswarede Arður aðelest kingen.
Eouwer wille ich wulle don ah ær ich wulle to Norweien
and ich wulle mid me leden Lot minne oðem.
he is Wælwaynes fader þa ich wel luuie.
For beoð icumen of Norweiȝe niwe tidende.
þat Sichelin king þer is ded his duȝeðen bileued.
& hæ hafeð al his kineriche bi-queðe her Loððe.
For þe king is al bidæled sune & eke dohteren.
and Lot is his suster sune þe bet him scal iwurðe.
for ich hine wulle in Norwæȝe neowe king makien.
and hine wæl lere to witeȝen wel þa leoden.
And þenne ich þus habbe idon ich wullen seoððen cumen ham.
and ȝarkien mine ferde & faren into France.
and ȝif þe king me stont wið and nulle ȝeornen mi grið.
ich hine wulle mid fehte fallen to þan grunde.
Arður lette blawen hornes and bemen.
and lette beoden to sæ Bruttes swiðe balde.
Scipen he hæfde gode bi þere sæ-flode.
fiftene hundred fusden from londe.
and fluȝen after þere sæ swulc heo fluht hafden.
& buhȝen in-to Norwæȝen mid baldere strengðen.
Sone swa heo comen hafne heo nomen.
604
Arður senden his sonde wide ȝeond þan londe.
& hæhte heom cumen sone and Lot habben to kinge.
& ȝif heo þat nolden alle heom he wolde a-slan.
Þa nomen heore sonden eorles Norenissce.
and senden to þan kingen and hahten hine aȝain wenden
& ȝif þu nult aȝæin faren sorhȝen þu scalt habben & kare.
for longe bið auere þat ne iwurð næuere.
þat we uncuðne mon to kinge scullen hæbben.
For ȝif Sikelin is forð-faren her beoð oðere icoren.
þe we maȝen bi vre iwille hæbben to kinge.
& þis is þat soðe nis þer nan oðer.
oðer far þe awæiward and wend þe riht hamward.
oðer to-dæi a seoueniht þu scalt habben græt fiht.
Þa eorles Norenissce. nomen heom to ræde
þat king heo wolden habben of seoluen heore cunden.
for al Sikelines quiden sotscipe heo heolden.
And swa longe. swa beoð æuere ne scal hit stonde næuere.
ah we scullen nimen Riculf þe is swiðe riche eorl.
and hebben hine to kinge þis is us iqueme.
and sumnen ure ferde ȝeond al þissen ærde.
and faren to Arðure & flemmen hine mid fehte.
& Lot we scullen fusen and flemen of londen.
oðer we mid fehten sculleð hine fallen.
Heo nome Riculfe þene eorl of Norene.
and hefuen hine to kinge þeh hit neore him noht icunde.
and sumneden uerde ȝeond Nornisce ærde.
And Arður an his ende ȝuond þat lond gon wende.
þat londe he þurh-arnde burhȝes he uor-barnde.
æhte he nom inoh muche moncun he þer of-sloh.
And Riculf him gon riden to-ȝæines Arðure anan.
to-gædere heo fusden and veht heo bigunnen.
Bruttes buȝen heom to balu þer wes riue.
Luken vt of scaþe sweordes longe.
hefden fluȝen a þene uelde faluwede nebbes.
beorn aȝein beorne scaft sette an breoste.
burnen þer breken Bruttes bisie weoren.
brustleden sceldes scalkes þer ueolen.
606
ferden heo æst ferden heo west. þer Noreine wes þa wurse
ferden heo suð ferden heo norð þe Norrene þer feollen.
Bruttes weoren balde þa Noreine heo a-qualden.
Noreinisce men þer feollen fif and twenti þusend.
and Riculf king þer wes of-slaȝen and idon of lif-dæȝen.
lutel þer eode to læue of þan leod-folke.
wulc-swa hafuede þat wracche lif ȝirde Arðures grið.
Ar[ð]ur bisæh a Lot þe leof him wes swiðe.
and þus him c[l]eopien agon Arður þe riche mon.
Lot wend hider to me þu art mi wine deore.
Her ich þe biteche al þas kineriche.
of me þu scalt halden and habben me to munde.
Þa wes Walwain þider icumen Lottes ældeste sune.
of Rome from þan Pape þe Supplice wes ihate.
þa longe him wes dihte and makede hine to cnihte.
Wælle wel wes hit bitoȝen þat Walwain wes to monne iboren.
for Walwæin wes ful aðelmod an ælche þeouwe he wes god.
he wes mete-custi and cniht mid þan bezste.
Al Arðures hired wes swiðe ifurðed.
for Walwaine þan kene þe icumen wes to hirede.
and for his fader Lote þe iloten wes to kinge.
Þa spac Arður him wið and hehte hine halden god grið.
and hehte hine luuien his griðfulle leoden.
& þa grið nolden halden fallen heom to grunde.
Þa ȝet c[l]eopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Whær beo ȝe mine Bruttes fareð nu forð-rihtes.
ȝarkieð bi þan flode mine scipen gode.
Al duden þa cnihtes swa Arður heom hæhte.
Þa þa scipen weoren ȝaru Arður gon to sæ faren.
mid him he [n]o[m] his cnihtes his Norenissce þeines.
and balden his Bruttes and bah forð mid vðes.
and þe duhtie king com to Dene[m]arke.
he lette slæn teldes wide ȝeond þa feldes.
bemen he lette blawen and his cume bodien.
Þa wes inne Denemarke a king of mucle mæhte.
Æscil wes ihate hext ouer Denene.
he isah þat Ar[ð]ur bi-won al þat him wes on willen.
608
lað him wes to leosen leouen his leoden.
He isah þat [mid] strengðe stonden he ne mahte.
aȝain Arðure mid nauere nane compe.
He sende gretinge to Arðure kinge.
hundes & hauekes & swiðe gode horsses.
seoluer and ræd gold mid ræh-fulle worden.
& ȝet dude mare Æscil þe mære.
he sende to þan hæxten of Arðures hireden.
and bad heom. arndien him to hæhȝen þan kingen.
þat he moste his mon bicumen & to ȝisle bitæchen his sune.
and ælche ȝere him senden gauel of his londe.
ænne bæt mid isunde from breorde to grunde.
of golde & of gæ[r]sume & of godliche pallen.
and seoððen he wolde swerien swiken þat he nalden.
Þis i[h]erden Arður aðlest kingen.
þat Æscil Denene king wolde beon his vnderling.
buten ælche [f]ihte he and alle his cnihtes.
Þa iwrað iaðeled Arður þe riche.
and þus andswærede mid aðmode worden.
Wel wurðe þan monne þe mid wisdome
biwineð him grið & frið & freond-scipe to halden.
Þenne he isiht þet he bið mid strengðe ibunden.
iȝarked al to leosen leofue his richen.
mid liste he mot leoðien luðe his bendes.
Arður hehte þene king cume and bringen his aldeste sune.
and he swa dude sone þe king of Denemarke.
Arðures iwille sone he gon fulle.
to-somne heo comen and sæhten iwurðen.
Þa ȝet cleopede Arður aðelest kingen.
Faren ich wulle to France mid muchele mire ferde.
ich wulle habben of Noreweie niȝe þusend cnihtes.
& of Denemarke ich wulle leden niȝe þusend of þan leoden.
and of Orkaneie enleuen hundred.
and of Mureinen þreo þuseond monnen.
and of Galeweien fif þusend of þan leoden.
and of Irlonde elleuen þusend.
and of Brutaine mine cnihtes balde.
610
and of Gutlonde ich wulle leden ten þuseond of þan leoden.
and of Frislonde fif þusend monnen.
and of Brutaine Howel þene balde.
and mid swulche uolke France ich wulle i-sechen.
And swa ich ibiden Godes ære ȝet ich wulle haten mare.
þat of alle þan londen þat stondeð a mire honden.
ich haten ælcne ohtne mon þe his wepnen beren con.
alse he wule liuien and his lumen habben.
þat he faren wið me to fehten wið Frolle.
þat is Francene king fæie he scal iwurðe.
He wes iboren i Rome of Romanisce cunne.
Forð ferde Arður þat he com to Flandres.
þat lond he gon biwinnen and sette hit mid his monnen.
and seo[ð]ðe he beh þanene in-to [Buluine]
[and al] Buluines lond. nom hit to his aȝere hond
and seoððen he nom þene wæi þe in touward France læi.
Þa bed he his bod allen his beornen.
for þær heo uoren þat na wiht heo ne nomen.
buten he mid rihte hit biȝiten mihte.
mid rihte chepinge i þas kinges hirede.
Þat iher[de] Frolle þer he wes inne France.
of Arðures i-spede and of alle his deden.
and hu al bi-wonne þat he lokede on.
and al hit him to beh þat he mid eȝene isah.
þa wes þe king Frolle laðliche of-fered.
A þere ilke worlde. þa þis wes iwurðen.
wes Francene lond Gualle ihaten.
and Frolle wes from Rome ifaren in-to France.
and ælche. ȝere sende gauel of þan londe.
ten hundred punde of seoluer and of golde.
Nu i-herde Frolle þe ældere wes of France.
of þere lond-sorȝe þe Arður dude an londe.
Sonde he sende sone an uest touward Rome.
and hehte Romanisce folc reden heom bi-tweonen.
hu feole þusend cnihten heo þider wolden senden.
þat he æð mihte wið Arðure uihte.
and ulemen of londe Arður þene stronge.
612
fif and twenti þusend ferden touward France.
Þis iherde Frolle mid muchele his ferde.
þat þe Romanisce uolc riden touward londe.
Frolle & his ferde heom to-ȝeines ferde.
þa heo comen to-somne kene men and wihte.
of alle þan ærde vnimete uerde.
Þæt iherde Arður aðelest kingen.
& sumnede his ferde and heom to-ȝaines wende.
Ah næs næuere king nan þa quic wes an eorðen.
þa eouere ær an uolde swulc folc a-walde.
for of alle þan kine-londe þe Arður hafuede an honde
forð he ladde mid him alle þa kenneste men.
þat nuste he neuere on weorlde hu feole þusend, þer weoren.
Sone swa heo comen to-somne Arður & Frolle.
harliche heo igrætten al þat heo imette.
Cnihtes swiðe stronge igripen speren longe.
and ræsden heom to-gædere mid ræhȝere strengðe.
Alle dæi þer weore duntes swiðe riue.
folc feol to uolden and fæie-sið worhten.
græmende segges gras-bæd isohten.
gullen þa helmes ȝeoumereden eorles.
sceldes þær scenden scalkes gunnen reosen
Þa cleopede Ar[ð]ur aðelest kingen.
Whar beo ȝe mine Bruttes balde mine þaines.
Þe dæi him forð ȝeongeð þis folc us aȝein stondeð.
Lette we heom to gliden scærpe gares inoȝe.
& techen heom to riden þene wæi touward Romen.
Æfne þan worde þe Ar[ð]ur iseide.
he sprong forð an stede swa sparc de[ð] of fure.
Him weore fuliende fifti þusende.
hærde here-kempen hælden to fihte.
smiten uppen Frolle þær he wes on ulocke.
and brohten hine of fleme mid muclen his folke.
þer Ar[ð]ur of-sloh muchel uolc and vniuoh.
Þa fleh in-to Parise Frolle þe riche.
and þa ȝeten tunden mid teonen inoȝe.
and þa word seide sorhful an heorte.
614
Þa weoren inne Paris plihtliche spelles ful iwis.
sorhfulle iberen burhmen gunnen beouien.
walles heo gunnen rihten þa ȝæten heo gunnen dihten.
mete heo nomen al þat heo neh comen.
an ælchere halue heo heolden to burȝe.
heo uerden þider alle þe heolden mid Frolle.
Þat iherde Arður aðelest kingen.
þat inne Paris wunede Frolle mid unimete uerde.
and seiden þat he wolde wið Arðure stonden.
To Paris ferde Arður ærhðe bi-deled.
and bi-læi þa walles and are[r]de his teldes.
a feower halue he heo bi-lai fouwer wiken and enne dæi.
Auared weoren þa leden þa þere weoren wið-innen.
þa burh wes wið-innen afulled mid monnen
and æten sone þene mete þe þer wes isomned.
Þa feouwer wiken weoren aȝonged þa Arður wes þær atstonden.
þæ wes inne burȝe vni-mete sorȝe.
mid wræcche þan falke þe leie þer an hungre.
þer wes wop þe[r] wes rop and reou[ð]en vniuohȝe.
Heo cleopeden to Frolle and beden hine frið wurchen.
Arðures mon bi-cumen and his mon-scipe bruken.
and þene kinedom halden of Arðure þan kenen.
and no lete noht þat wræcche uolk uor-faren al mid hungre.
Þa andswarede Frolle freo he wes an heorte.
Nai swa me helpe God þæ alle domes awalt.
ne scal ich nauere his mon bicume no he mi kine-lauerd.
mi-seolf ich wulle fihte a Gode is al þat rihte.
Þa ȝet cleopede Frolle freo mon an heorte.
Næi swa me helpe Drihten þe scop þas dæies lihten.
nulle ic nauere-mare ȝirnen Arðures ære.
ah fehten ich wulle buten ælche cnihte.
licame wið licame biforen mine leoden.
hond aȝain honde wið Arðure kinge.
Whaðer unkere swa beoð þere wakere sone he bið þe laðere.
wahðer vnkere swa þer ma luuien his freonden he bið þe leouere.
and wha[ð]er unkere þe mæi of oðere þat betere biwinne.
616
Þis ic wulle ȝirne ȝif Arður hit wule ȝetten.
and þis ich wulle swerien uppen mine sweorden.
and ȝisles ich wulle finden þreo kingene sunen.
þat ich þis forward wulle fast-liche halden.
þat nulle ich hit liȝen bi mine quike liuen.
For leouere me is to liggen bi-fore mine leoden
þan ich iseo an uolde for-faren heom mid hungre.
For we habbeoð mid fehte ure cnihtes uor-farene.
scalkes auælled fifti þusende.
and moni ænne gode wifmon i-whorht to bleðere widewe.
moni child fader-læs and frouere bidaled.
and nu þis folc mid hungre wunderliche ihærmede.
For-þi hit is betere bi-twixen unke seoluen.
to-dælen and to-dihten þis kine-lond mid fihte.
and habbe hit þa betere and bruken hit on wunne.
Frolle nom twalf cnihtes mid þissen worden forð-rihtes.
and sende heom an sonde. to Arðure kinge.
& iwuste ȝif he wolde þis fore-warde halde.
and mid his aȝere hond bi-telen þat kine-lond.
oðer uore-liggen his leoden to harmen.
and ȝif he hit bi-talden hafde hit on an onwalde.
Þat iherde Arður aðelest kingen.
næs he neuere swa bliðe ær an his liue.
for him likede tidende from Frolle þan kinge.
and þas word seide Arður þe sele.
Wel saið Frolle þe king is of France.
betere is þat wit tweie bitelen þas riche.
þene þer beon of-slaȝene ure þeines snelle.
Þis fore-ward ich bi-luuie bi-fore mine leoden.
to ane isette dæie to don þat he beodeð.
þat scal beon tomarȝen biforen unker monnen.
þat fehten wit scullen unc seoluen & falle þe for-cuðere.
And whaðer unker þe geð abake & þis feoht wulle for-sake.
beon he in ælche londe iqueðe for ane sconde.
þenne mæie me singe of ane swulche kinge.
þe his beot haueð imaked and his cniht-scipe for-saken.
Þæt iherde Frolle þe king wes of France.
618
Strong mon wes Frolle and sterc mon on mode.
and his beot imaked hafde bi-foren al his duȝeðe.
and [h]e ne mihte for scome muchelen scenden hine seoluen.
bi-læuen his balde ibeot þat he i burh hafde iseid.
Sæide þat he sæide to soðe he hit wende.
þat Arður hit wolde for-saken and nawiht to þan fehte taken.
for ȝif hit wuste Frolle þe king wes ane France.
þat Arður him ȝetten wolde þat he iȝirnd hafde.
don he hit nolde for a scip ful of golde.
Neoðeles wes Frolle to fihte swi[ð]e kene.
muche cniht & strong mon and modi on heorten.
and sæide þat he wolde. þene dæi halde.
in þan æit-londe þe mid watere is bi-ȝeonge.
Þat æit-lond stondeð ful iwis inne þere burh of Paris.
Þer ich wulle mid fehte bi-tele mine irihte.
mid scelden and mid cnihtes iwede.
nu to-marȝen bið þe dæi habben þe hit biȝiten mæi.
Comen þa tiðende to Arðure þan kinge.
þat Frolle wolde mid fæhte France bitellen.
næs he næuere swa bliðe ær an his liue.
and he lehȝen agon ludere stæfnenen.
and þas word seide Arður þe kene.
Nu ich wat þat Frolle wið me wulle fihte.
to-marȝe in þan dæie alse he seolf demde.
i þan ait-londe þat mid watere is bistonde.
for hit bicumeð kinge þat his word stonde.
Leteð blawen bemen and bodien mine monnen.
þat æuer-ælc god mon to-niht wakien for þon.
and bidden ure Drihten þe alle domes awalt.
þat he me iscilde wið Frolle þene wilde.
and mid his riht honde witeȝe me wið sconde.
And ȝif ich mæi þis kinelond biȝiten to mire aȝere hon[d].
auere-ælche ærmen mon þe æð scal iwurðen.
and wurchen ic wulle muchel Godes wille.
Nu me uulsten þer-to þe alle þing mai wel idon.
þe heȝe heuene-liche king stonde me an helping.
for ich hine luuien wulle þa while þe ich liuie.
Þer wes al longe niht songes and ca[n]del-liht.
620
Þa hit dæi we[s] amarȝen duȝeðe gunne sturien.
his wæpnen he nom an honden Arður þe stronge.
warp he an his rugge a ræf swiðe deore.
ænne cheisil scurte & ænne pallene curtel.
ænne burne swiðe deore ibroiden of stele.
Sette he an hefde ænne helm godne.
to his side he swende his sweorde Caliburne.
his sconken he helede mid hosen of stele.
and duden on his uoten spuren swiðe gode.
Þe king mid his weden leop on his stede.
me him to rehte anne scelde gode.
he wes al clane of olifantes bane.
Me salde him an honde. enne scaft stronge.
þer wes a þan ænde a spære swiðe hende.
hit wes imaked i Kairmeðin [bi] a smið þe hehte Griffin.
hit ahte Vðer þe wes ær king her.
Þa þe iwepned wes þe rahȝe þa gon he to uarene.
he mihte þa bi-halde þe þer bihalfues weore.
þene king richne rehliche riden.
seo[ð]ðen þis weorlde wes a-stald nes hit no-whar itald.
þat æuere ai mon swa hende wunden uppen horse.
swa him wes Arður sune Vðeres.
Riden after þan kinge balde here-ðringes.
a þen feoremeste flocke feouwerti hundred.
heȝe here-kempen bihonged mid stelen.
baldere Brutten bisie mid wepnen.
After þan fusden fifti hundred.
þeo Wælwain ladde þe wæs a wæl-kempe.
Seoððen þer gunnen ut siȝen sixti þusende.
Bruttes swiðe balde þat wes þa bac-warde.
Þer wes þe king Angel þer wes Lot and Urien.
þer wes Vrienes sune Ywæin ihaten.
þer wes Kæi and Beduer and biwusten þa uerde þer.
þer wes þe king Howel hah mon of Brut-lond.
Cador þer wes æc þe kene wes on flocke.
þer wes of Irlonde Gillomar þe stron[g].
þer wes Gonwais þe king Orka[nei]es deorling.
622
þer wes Escil þe king Denemarkes deorling.
Folc þer wes afoten swa feole þusend monnen.
þat nas nauere na swa wit-ful mon a þissere weorlde-richen.
a nauere nane spelle þat mihte þa þusend telle.
bute he hauede mid rihte wisdom of Drihtene.
oðer he hafde mid him þat him hafde Mærlin.
Arður forð gon liðe mid vnimete folke.
þat he com fuliwis into þere burh of Paris.
a west halue þan watere mid mucle his genge.
An æst hælf wes Frolle mid mucchelere ferde.
Ȝaru to þan fehte biforen his cnihtes alle.
Arður nom ænne bat godne & bæh þer an inne.
mid scelde mid stede and mid alle his iwede.
and he þat scip stronge scaf from þan londe.
and stop uppen þat æit-lond and ladde his stede an his hond.
his men þe hine þer brohte alse þe king hehte.
leten þene bat buȝen forð mid þan vðen.
Frolle into scipe ferde þe king wes unuele.
þat he auere þohte wið Arðure to fehte.
Ferde to þan æite mid aðele his wepnen.
uppen þan æit he stop & his stede him after droh.
þeo men þe hine þer brohten alse þe king hehte.
lette þene bat fusen forð mid þan vðen.
and þa kinges tweien ane þer wuneden.
Þa me mihte bihalden þe þer bihalues weoren.
folc a þan uolde feondliche adredde.
heo clumben uppen hallen heo clumben uppen wallen.
heo clumben uppen bures heo clumben uppe tures.
þat comp to bihalden of þan tweom kingen.
Arðures men beden mid muchele æðmoden.
Godd þene gode and þa hali his moder.
þat heore lauerd þere siȝe moste habben.
and þa oðere eke bede for heore kinge.
Arður stop a stel boȝe and leop an his blancke.
and Frolle mid his i-wede leop on his steden.
þe an an his ænde. a þan æit-londe.
and þæ oðer an his ænde i þan æit-londe.
heo quehten heore scaftes kine-wurðe cnihtes.
heo græneden heore steden gode cnihtes heo weoren.
Næs he næuere ifunde a næuere nane londe.
nan swa wiht-ful mon þat hit wuste ær þan.
whæðer of þan kingen ouer-cumen sculde liggen.
for beien heo weoren cnihtes kene ohte men and wihte.
muchele men on mihte and a maine swiðe stronge
Heo muneȝeden heore steden. and tosomne gunnen riden
fusden feondliche. þat fur him sprong after
Arður smat Frolle mid feond-stronge maine
uppen þene sceld hehȝe
and þe stede þe wes god leop ut i þe ulod.
Arður ut mid his sweorde balu wes a þan orde.
and puinden uppen Frolle þer he wes an ulode.
ær heore comp weore icumen to þan ænde.
Ah Frolle mid honde igræp his spere longe.
and kept Arður anan alse he aneoust com.
and þene stede balde smat i þere breoste.
þat þat spere þurh raf and Arður adun draf.
Þa aras þe mon-drem þat þe uolde dunede a-ȝen.
aqueðen þa weolcne for reme of þan uolke.
Þær Bruttes wolden ouer water buȝen.
ȝif Arður up ne sturte sterc-liche sone.
and igræp his sceld godne ileired mid golde.
and to-ȝaines Frolle mid feondliche lechen.
breid bi-foren breosten godne sceld brade.
And Frolle him to fusden mid his feond-ræse.
and his sweord up ahof and a-dun-riht sloh.
and smat an Arðures sceld. þat he wond a þene feld.
þe helm an his hæuede and his hereburne.
gon to falsie foren an his hafde.
& he wunde afeng feouwer unchene long.
heo ne þuhte him noht sær for heo næs na mare.
þat blod orn a-dun ouer al his breoste.
Arður wes abolȝe swiðe an his heorte.
and his sweord Caliburne swipte mid maine
and smat Frolle uppen þæne hælm þat he atwa helden.
þurh-ut þere burne hod þat hit at his breoste at-stod.
Þa feol Frolle folde to grunde.
uppen þan gras-bedde his gost he bi-læfde.
Þa Bruttes lohȝen ludere stefuene.
and leoden to fleonen feondliche swiðe.
Ar[ð]ur þe riche wende to londe.
and þus cleopien agon aðelest kingen.
Whær ært þu Walwain monne me leofest.
Heot þas Rom-wæren alle mid griðen liðen heonne.
ælc mon bruke his ham swulc Godd hit him on.
hat ælcne mon halde grið uppen leome & uppen lif.
and ich hit wulle dihten to-dæi a seouennihte.
hat þis folc þenne liðen al to-somne.
and cumen to me seoluen. þæ bet heom scal i-wur[ð]en.
Heo scullen me mon-radene mid mo[n]scipe fremmen.
and ich heom wulle holden a mine on-wolden.
and setten i leode laȝen swiðe gode.
For nu scullen Romanisce laȝen to þan gru[n]de reosen.
þa iuurn here stoden mid Frolle.
þe lið on æite of-slaȝen and idon of lif-daȝen.
Her-after ful sone scal his cun of Rome.
heren tidinge of Arðure þan kinge.
for ich heom wulle wið speken and Rome walles to-breken.
& munegie heom hu king Belin Bruttes ladde þider in.
and iwon him þa londes alle þat stondeð into Rome.
Arður beh to þan ȝæte forn at þere burȝe.
comen wit-fulle men þe þa burh biwusten.
and Arður letten binnen mid alle his monnen.
bitahten him halles bitahten him castles.
bitahten him ful iwis al þa burh of Paris.
þer wes muchel blissce mid Brutisce uolke.
Þe dæi sæh to burhȝe þe Arður iset hafde.
com al þa mon-weorede and his men bicomen.
Arður nom his duȝeðe and atwa heom to-dalde.
and þa haluendæle Howele bitætte.
and hehte hine uaren sone mid muchele þere uerde.
mid Brutisce monnen londes iwinnen.
Howel dude al swa alse Arður hine hehte.
he biwon Barri and alle þa londes þer-bi.
Angou and Turuine Aluerne and Gascunne.
and þa hafuenes alle þe herden to þan londes.
Guitard þe duc hæhte þe Peytouwe ahte.
he nolde buȝen Howele ah heold to-ȝæines him æuere.
nolde he ȝirnen na grið ah Howel him faht wið.
ofte he uolc ualde and ofte he ulem makede.
Howel al þat lond weste & of-sloh þa leode.
Þa isæh Guitard þe i Peitou wes lauerd.
þat alle his leoden him to lose eoden.
wið Howele he grið makede mid al his mon-weorede.
and bicom Arðures mon þas aðele kingen.
Arður him warð liðe and luuede hine swiðe.
& hehte hine his lond bruken for he him bæh to foten.
þa hafde Howel hæhliche agunnen.
Arður hafde France and freoliche heo sette.
he nom þa his ferde and wende ȝeond þan ærde.
to Burguine he wende and sette hit an his honde.
and seo[ð]ðen he gon liðen in-to Loherne.
and alle þa londes sette him-seolue an honde.
al þat Arður isæh al hit him to bæh.
and seoððen he wende ful iwis aȝain ham to Paris.
Þa hafde Arður France mid gode griðe astalde.
i-set and isemed þat sel was an þeoden.
þa hehte he þa cnihtes alden þa he hafde ȝare at-halden.
þat heo to þan kinge comen and heore læn a-fængen.
for heo feole ȝeren hafden i-bon his iueren.
Summen he ȝæf lond summen seoluer and gold.
summen he ȝæf castles summen he ȝaf claðes
hehte heom uaren an wunne and beten heore sunnen.
for-bed heom to berne wap[n]en for ælde heom eode ouenan.
and hehte heom luuien swiðe Godd in þissen liue.
þat he an ende ful iwis ȝefen heom his paradis.
þæt heo mosten bruken blisse mid ænglen.
Alle þa cnihtes alde foren to heore londe.
and þa ȝunge bilæfden mid leouen heore kingen.
Alle þa niȝen ȝere Arður wuneden þere.
niȝen ȝere he heold France freoliche on honde.
and seoððen na lengere þat lond he ne walde.
Ah þa while þe þat kinelond stod an Ar[ð]ures hond.
þinges seolcuðe siȝen to þere þeode.
monienne mod-fulne mon Arður makede milde.
and monienne hehne mon he helde to his foten.
Hit wes an ane Æsttere þat men hafden iuaste
þat Arður an Æstere dæi hafde his aðele men at-somne.
al þat hæhste mon-cun þat herden in-to Francen.
& of alle þan londen þe þider in læien.
Þer he ȝette his cnihten alle heore irihten.
elc ane he ȝef æhte alse he iærned hafde.
Þus him iquað Arður aðelest kingen.
Kæi bisih þe hiderward þu ært min haxte stiward.
her ich Angou ȝiue þe for þire wel-dede.
and alle þa irihte þe þide[r] in beoð idihte.
Cneole me to Beduer þu art min hexte birle her.
þa while þa ich beo an liue luuien ich þe wulle.
her ich ȝiue þe Neustrie aneuste mire riche.
Þa hehte Neustrie þat nu hatte Normandie.
Þe ilke tweien eorles weoren Ar[ð]ures deore men.
at rede and at rune an æuer-ælche tune.
Þa ȝet him seide Arður aðelest kingen.
Wend þe hider Howel-din þu ært mi mon and mi cun.
haue þu Bulune and bruc his on wunne.
Cumme ner Borel þu art cniht wis and war.
her ich þene Mans þe mid monscipe bitæche.
and bruc þu his on wunne for þire wel-dede.
Þus Arður þe king delde his driht-liche londes.
after heore iwurhte for he heom þuhte wurðe.
Þa weoren bliðe spelles in Arðures hallen.
þer wes harepinge and song þe[r] weoren blissen imong.
Þa Æstre wes aȝonge and Aueril eode of tune.
and þat gras was riue and þat water wes liðe.
and men gunnen spilien þat wes Mæi at tune.
Arður nom his folc feire and to þere sæ uerde.
and lette bonien his scipen wel mid þan bezsten.
& ferde to þissen londe and up com at Londen.
up he com at Lundene leoden to blissen.
Al hit wes bliðe þat hine isæh mid eȝen.
sone heo gunnen singe of Arðure þan kinge.
and of þere wurð-scipe muchele þe he iwunne hafde.
Þer custe uader þene sune and seide to him wel-cume.
dohter þa moder broðer þene oðer.
suster custe suster þa softere heom wes an heorten.
A monie hundred studen stoden bi þan weie.
folc fraini[n]ge of feole cunne þingen.
and cnihtes heom talden of heore on-walden.
and heore ȝeolp makeden of muchele biȝeten.
Ne mihte na mon suggen nære he na swa hende. mon.
of halue þan blissen þa weoren mid þan Brutten.
Ælc ferde an his neode ȝeond þas kine-þeode.
from burhȝe to burhȝe mid blissen uniuoȝe.
and þus hit ane stu[n]de stod a þan ilke.
blisse wes on Brutene mid balde þan kinge.
Þa Æstre wes aȝeonge and sumer com to londe.
þa nom Arður his red wið r[i]che his monnen.
þat he wolde inne Karliun bere his crune him on.
and a White-sune-dæi his folc þer isomnie.
A þen ilke daȝen men gunnen demen.
þat nes i nane londe burh nan swa hende.
na swa wide cuð swa Karliun bi Uske.
buten hit weoren þa burh riche þe Rome is ihaten.
Þa ȝet wes mid þan kinge moni mon an londe.
þat quidde þa burh of Karlion ricchere þene Rome.
and þat Uske weore selest alre wateren.
Medewes þer weoren brade bihalues þere burhȝe.
þer wes fisc þer wes fuȝel and fæier-nesse inoȝe.
þer wes wude and wilde deor wunder ane monie.
þer wes al þa murhðe þe æi mon mihte of þenche.
Ah nauer seoððen Arður þider bæh þa burh seoððe no iþæh.
no nauere ne mæi bi-twene þis and Domes-dæi.
Summe bokes suggeð to iwisse þat þa burh wes biwucched.
and þæt is wel isene soð þat hit sunde.
I þære burh weoren twa munstres swiðe mære.
þat an munstre wes of Seint Aaron þer-inne wes muchel halidom.
þat oðer of þan martir Seint Iuliæn þe heh is mid Drihten.
þer weoren nunnen wel idon moni heh iboren wifmon.
Þe biscop-stole wes at Sein[t] Aaron. þer wes moni sel mon
canunes þer weoren þe cuð weoren widen.
þer wes moni god clarc þe wel cuðe a leore.
muchel heo ferden mid þan crafte to lokien in þan leofte.
to lokien i þan steorren nehȝe and feorren.
þe craft is ihate Astronomie.
Wel ofte heo þan kinge seide of feole þinge.
heo cudden him on leoden what him sculde ilimpen
Swulc wes þe burh of Karliun. þer wes muchel ricche-dom
þer wes muchel blisse mid bisie þan kinge.
Þe king nom his sonde and sende ȝeond his londe.
hæhte cumen eorles hehte cumen beornes.
hehte cumen kinges and æc here-ðringes.
hehte cumen biscoppes hehte cumen cnihtes.
hahte alle þa freo-men þa [e]uere weoren an londe.
bi heore life hehte heom beon a White-sune-dæi at Kærleon.
Cnihtes gunnen riden vnimete whiden.
riden touward Kairliun of feole cunne londen.
To þan White-sunedæie þer com þe king Angel.
king of Scotlonde mid sceone his folke.
moni wes þe faire mon þe folȝede þan kingen.
Of Mureiue king Vrien and his fæire sune Ywæin.
Stater king of Suð Wales and Cadwaðlan king of Norð Wales.
Cador eorl of Cornwale. þa þe king luuede.
Moruið of Glouchæstre Maurin of Winchastre.
Gurguint eorl of Herford and Beof eorl of Oxeuord.
Gursal þe balde from Baðe þer com ride.
Vrgent of Chastre Ionatas of Dorchestre.
Ærnald of Salesburi and Kinmarc of Cantuareburi.
Balien of Silechæstre Wigein of Leirchæstre.
Argal eorl of Warwic mid folk swiðe sellic.
Dunwale Apries sune and Kegein. Elauðes sune.
Kineus þer wes Coittes sune & Cradoc Catelles sune.
Ædlein Cledaukes sune Grimarc Kinmarkes sune.
Run Margoitt & Netan Clofard Kincar. and Aikan.
Kerin Neton. and Peredur. Madoc. Traher and Elidur
Þis weoren Arðures aðele eorles.
and þa haxte þeines ohte of alle þissere þeode.
wið-uten þan beornen of Arðures borden.
þa na man ne mihte ikennen ne al þat folc inemnen.
Þa weoren ærchebiscopes þreo inne þissere þeode.
inne Lunden and in Eouuerwic and inne Karliun Sein[t] Dubric.
he wes swiðe hali mon þurh alle þinge wel idon.
To Lundene læi þe ærchebiscop-stol þe to Cantwareburi wes seo[ð]ðe idon.
seo[ð]ðe Engliscemen þis lond heom iwunnen.
To tellen þat folc of Kairliun ne mihte hit na mon idon.
Þer wes Gillomar þe king Irisce monnen deorling.
Maluerus king of Islonde Doldanet king. of Gutlonde.
Kin[g] Kailin of Frislonde Æscil king of Denelonde.
Þer wes Loð þe kene þe king wes bi Norðe.
and Gonwæis Orcanaeie king ut-laȝen deor-ling.
Þider com þe wilde þe eorl of Builuine.
Læȝer wes ihaten and his leoden mid him.
of Flandres þe eorl Howeldin of Chæ[r]tres þe eorl Cherin.
Þeos ferede mid him al þat Frensce moncun.
twalf eorles swiðe ræihe þe rixleden ouer France.
Guitart eorl of Peiters Kæi þe orl of Angers.
Beduwear eorl of Normandie þat lond hehte þa Neustrie.
of þe Mans com þe eorl Borel of Brutaine þe eorl Howel
Howel eorl wes freo mon and faire weoren his iwede.
and al þat folc Frensce bihongen weoren feire.
i-wepned wel alle and hors ho hafden uatte.
Þer weoren bisides fiftene biscopes.
Nes na cniht ne na swein ne oht mon þat weore þein.
from þa porz of Spaine to þan tune of Alemaine.
þat þider i-comen nere ȝif he iboden weore.
al for Arðures æie aðeles cunnes.
Þa al þis hired wes icumen ælc king mid his folke.
þer me mihte bihalde þe þer bi-halues weore.
moni seolcu[ð]ne mon þe isiȝen wes to burhȝen.
and feole cunne tiðende mid Arðure þan kinge.
Þer wes moni sellic clað þer wes moni cniht wrað.
þer weoren herberȝe hæh-liche awurðe.
þer þa innes weoren mid strengðe biwunnen.
þer weoren on uelden moni þusend telden.
þer com spic and water and aten vnimete.
ne mai hit na mon suggen on his tale of þan win and of þan ale.
þer com hey þer com gras þer com al þat god was.
Þa al þis folc isomned was at sele þan kingge.
þa com þe White-sune-dæi alse Drihten hine sende.
þa comen þa biscopes alle biuoren heore kinge.
and þa ærchebiscopes þreo biuroren Arðure.
and þene kine-helm nome þa him wes icunde.
and setten uppen his hafde mid heȝere blisse.
swa heo hine gunnen lede al mid Godes rede.
Seint Dubris eoden biuoren he wes Criste icoren.
þe ærche-biscop of Lundene eode an his riht honden.
and bi his luft side. þe [ilke] of Eouerwike
Fiftene biscopes biuoren of feole londen icoren.
heo weoren bi-hangen alle mid palle swiðe balde
þe weoren alle ibrusted. mid barninge golde.
Þer feouwer kinges eoden biuoren þan kaiseren.
heo weȝe[den] on heore honde feouwer sweord of golde
Þus hehte þa an þe wes a swiðe duhti mon.
þat wes Cador þe king Ar[ð]ures deorling.
þe oðer of Scotlonde sweord he weide an honde.
& þe king of Norð Walles & þe king of Suð Wales.
and þus heo gunnen leden þe king to chirechen.
þeo biscopes gunnen singe. biuoren þan leod-kinge
bemen þer bleowen bellen þer ringeden.
cnihtes gunnen riden wifmen forð gliden.
To iwissen hit is isaid and soð hit is ifunden.
þat no isah no mon nauer ær mid eorðliche monne her.
half swa hahne ricche-dom a nauer nane hepen.
swa mid Arðure was aðeles cunnes.
Into chirchen bi-com Arður þe riche mon.
Dubriz þe arche-biscop Drihten him wes ful god.
of Rome he wes legat and of þan hirede prelat.
he song þa hali masse biuoren þan leod-kinge.
Comen mid þere quene wifmen wel idone.
þere richchere monne wif alle þe wunede on londe.
and þere hehere monnen dohtere þa quene hafden isohte.
al swa þa quene hafde ihate bi hire fulle wite.
I þere chireche i þere s[u]ð halue sat Arður þe king him-seolf.
bi þere norð side Wenhæiuer þa quene.
Þer comen hire bi-foren feouwer quenen i-coren.
ælc bar on luft honde enne beh of rede gold.
& þreo snau-wh[i]te culueren se[t]ten an heore sculderen.
þæt weoren þa feouwer quenen þere cnihte wifen.
þa beren an heore heonden þe feouwer sweordes of golde.
bi-uoren Arðure aðelest kingen.
Moni mæide child. wes þere mid mære þere quene.
þær wes moni pal hende on faire þan uolke.
of monies cunnes londe þer wes muchel onde.
for ælc wende to beon betere þene oðer.
Feole cnihtes anan comen to þere chirechen
summe for guðinge summe for þan kinge.
summe to bihalden þa wifmen þat weoren balde.
Songes þer weoren murie þa ilaste swiðe longe.
ich weone ȝif hit weore ilast seoue ȝere.
þa ȝet heo weolden mare þe þer-at weoren.
Þa þe masse wes isungen of chircchen heo ðrunge.
þe king mid his folke to his mete uerde.
mid mucle his duȝeðe drem wes on hirede.
Þa quene an oðer halue hire hereberwe isohte.
heo hafde of wif-monne wunder ane monien.
Þa þe king wes isete mid his monnen to his mete.
to þan kinge com þæ biscop Seind Dubriz þe wes swa god.
and nom of his hafde his kine-hælm hæhne.
for þan mucle golde þe king hine beren nalde.
& dude enne lasse crune on þas kinges hafde.
and seoððen he gon do a þere quene al swo.
Inne Troie þis wes laȝe bi heore ælderne daȝe.
þa Bruttes of come þe weoren wel idone.
alle þa wepmen at heore mete seten.
sundi bi heom-seoluen þat heom þuhte wel idon.
and al swa þa wifmen heore i-wune hafden.
Þa þe king wes isete mid alle his duȝeðe. to his mete.
eorles and beornes at borde þas kinges.
þe stiward com steppen þe Kæy wes ihaten.
hæxt cniht on londe vnder þan kinge.
of alle þan hæpe of Arðures hirede.
Kay hehte him biuoren moni hæh mon icoren.
þer weoren a þusen[d] cnihtes bald wunder wel i-talde.
þat þeineden þan kingen & his here-ðringen.
ælc cniht hafde pal on and mid golde bigon.
and alle heore uingeres iriuen mid gold ringes.
Þas beorn þa sunde from kuchene to þan kinge.
An oðer half wes Beduer þas kinges hæȝe birle.
mid him weoren eorlene sunen of aðele cunne iboren.
and þere hehȝe cnihtene sunen þa þider weoren icu[m]en.
seouen kingene sunen þat mid him quehten.
Bedeuer a-uormest eode mid guldene bolle.
after him a þusend þrasten to hirede.
mid alle þas cunnes drenche þe me cuðe on biðenche.
And þa quene an hire ende wifmen swi[ð]e hende.
a þusend hire eode biuoren. riche men and wel icoren.
to þæinen þere quene and þa[i] þat mid hire weoren.
Nes he næuere i-boren of nane cnihte icoren.
i-læred no læwed a nauere nare. leode.
þe cuðe him i-telle an æies cunnes spelle.
of halue þan riche-dome þe wes inne Kairliune.
of seoluere and of golde and gode iweden.
of hehȝe iborene monnen þa inne hirede wuneden.
of horsen and of hafueken of hunden to deoren.
and of riche iweden þa a þan hirede weoren.
& of alle þan folke þe wuneden þer on folde.
wes þisses londes folk leodene hendest itald.
& al swa þa wimmen wunliche on heowen.
and hah-lukest iscrudde & alre bezst itoȝene.
For heo hafden on iqueðen alle bi heore quike liue.
þat heo wolden of ane heowen heore claðes habben.
Sum hafde whit sum hafden ræd sum hafde god grene æc.
and alches cunnes fah clað heom wes wunder ane lað.
& elche untuhtle heo talden vn-wurðe.
Þa hafde Ænglene ard þat alre bezste here-word.
and þis leodisce uolc æc leofuest þan kinge.
Þa wifmen hehȝe iborene þa wuneden a þissen londe.
hafden iqueðen alle on heore quides soðe.
þat nan lauerd taken nolde inne þissere leode.
næuer nænne cniht neore he noht swa wel idiht.
bute he icostned weoren þrie inne compe.
& his oht-scipen icudde & i-fonded hine seolue.
balde-liche he mitte þenne ȝirnen him brude.
For þere ilke tuhtle cnihtes weoren ohte.
þa wif-men wel idone and þa betere biwitene.
þa weoren i Brutene blissen inoȝe
Þa þe king iȝeten hafde. and al his mon-weorede.
þa buȝen of burhȝe þeines swiðe balde.
alle þa kinges and heore hereþringes
alle þa biscopes and alle þa clærckes.
alle þa eorles and alle þa beornes.
alle þa þeines alle þa sweines
feire iscrudde helde ȝeond felde.
Summe heo gunnen ærnen summe heo gunnen urnen.
summe heo gunnen lepen summe heo gunnen sceoten.
summe heo wræstleden and wiðer-gome makeden.
summe heo on uelde pleouweden vnder scelde.
summe heo driuen balles wide ȝeond þa feldes.
Monianes kunnes gomen þer heo gunnen driuen.
& wha-swa mihte iwinne wurðsciþe of his gomene.
hine me ladde mid songe at-foren þan leod-kinge.
and þe king for his gomene ȝæf him ȝeuen gode.
Alle þa quene þe icumen weoren þere.
and alle þa lafdies leoneden ȝeond walles.
to bihalden þa duȝeðen and þat folc plæie.
Þis ilæste þreo dæȝes swulc gomes & swulc plæȝes.
Þa a þan ueorðe dæie þe king gon to spekene.
and aȝæf his gode cnihten al heore rihten.
he ȝef seoluer he ȝæf gold he ȝef hors he ȝef lond.
castles & claðes eke his monnen he ique[m]de.
þer wes moni bald Brut biuoren Arðure.
Nu comen to þan kinge neouwe tidinde.
Arður þe ba[l]de king sat at ane borde.
biuoren him seten kinges and feole here-ðringes.
biscopes and clærekes and swiðe ohte cnihtes.
Þer comen in-to halle spelles seol-cuðe.
þer comen twalf þeines ohte mid palle bi-þehte.
hæȝe here-kempen hehȝe men on wepne.
ælc hafde on heonde grætne ring of golde.
and mid æne bende of golde ælc hafde his hæfd biuonge.
Æuer tweie and tweie tuhte to-somne.
ælc mid his honde heold his iuere.
and gliden ouer ulore biuoren Arðure.
swa longe þat heo comen bi-uoren Arðure. þan leod-kinge.
Heo grætten Arður anan mid aðelen heore worden.
Hal seo þu Arður king Bruttene deorling.
and hal seo þi duȝeðe and al þi driht-liche uolc.
We sunden twælf cnihtes i-cumen her forð-rihtes.
riche and wel idone we sundeð of Rome
Hider we sunden. icumene from ure kaisere.
Luces is ihaten þe waldoð Rome-leoden.
he hahte us hider wende to Arðure þan kinge.
and þe hat græten mid his grim worden.
& sæið þat he awundred is wunder ane swiðe.
whar þu þat mod nime a þisse middenerde.
þat þu derst of Rome wið-suggen æi dome.
oðer hebben up þin eȝen aȝein ure ældren.
and wha hit þe durre ræden þat þu swa reh ært. iwurðen.
þat þu þrattien darst domes walden.
Luces þene kaisere. hexst of quicke monnen.
Þu haldest al þi kine-lond a þire aȝere hond.
and nult noht þene kaisere of londe ihere.
of þan ilke londe þe Iulius hafde an honde.
þa inne iuurn daȝæn biwon hit mid fehten.
and þu hit hauest at-holde a þire an-wolde.
mid balden þine cnihten binimest us ure irihten.
Ah sæi us Arður sone and word send to Rome.
we sculleð bere þin ærde to Luces ure kaisere.
ȝif þu wult icnawen þat he is king ouer þe.
and þu his mon bicumen wulle and hine for lauerd icnawen.
and don riht þan kaisere of Frolle þan kinge.
þat þu mid woȝe at Paris a-sloȝe.
& nu haldest al his lond mid unrihte a þire hond.
Ȝif þu i þissen twælf wiken temest to þan rihten.
and þu wult of Rome þolien æi dome.
þenne miht þu libben imong þine leoden.
And ȝif þu swa nult don þu scalt wursen vnder-fon.
þe kaisere wule her cumen swa king scal to his aȝen.
king swiðe kene and nimen þe mid strengðe.
ibunden þe lede biuoren Rom-leoden.
þenne most þu þolien þat þu ærst for-hoȝedest.
Æfne þisse worden Bruttes buȝen from borden.
þer wes Ar[ð]ures hird hehliche awraððed.
and muchene að sworen uppen mære ure Drihten.
þat alle heo dede weoren þa þeos arunde beden
mid horsen al to-draȝene. dæð heo sculden þolie
Þer heo buȝen to Bruttes swiðe wraðe.
luken heom bi uaxe and laiden heom to grunde.
þer weoren men Romanisce reouliche atoȝene.
ȝif Arður ne leope to swulc hit a liun weore.
and þas word seide wisest alre Brutten.
Bilæueð bilaueð swiðe þas cnihtes on liue.
ne sceollen heo on mine hirede nenne harm þolien.
heo beoð hider iriden ut of Rom-leoden.
swa heore lauerd heom hehte Luces is ihaten.
Ælc mon mot liðen þer his lauerd hine hateð gan.
nah na man demen erendes-mon to dæðen.
bute he weoren swa ufele biwiten. þet he weore lauerd-swike.
Ah sitteð adun stille cnihtes inne halle.
and ich me biræde wulle of swulchere neode.
wulc word heo scullen aȝen beren to Luces þan kaiseren.
Þa seten adun alle þa duȝeðe on heore benche.
and þa luding alæid biuoren þan leod-kinge.
Þa stod Arður him up a[ð]elest kingen
and he cleopede him to seouen sune kinges.
eorles and beornes & þa þe weoren baldest.
and alle þa wiseste men þa wuneden a þen folke.
wenden in-to ane huse þe wes biclused faste.
an ald stanene weorc stiðe men hit wurhten.
þer men gunnen rune his red-ȝeuen wise.
wulc andswere he ȝiuen wolde Luces þan kaisere.
Þa iboȝen weoren alle beornes to benche.
þa wes hit al stille þat wuneden inne halle.
þer wes vnimete æie mid mære þan kinge.
ne durste þer na man speken leste þe king hit wolde awreken.
Þa stod þer up Cador þe eorl swiðe riche ær.
and þas word sæide bifore þan riche kinge.
Ich þonkie mine Drihte þat scop þes dæies lihte.
þisses dæies ibiden þa to hirede is iboȝen.
and þissere tidinge þe icumen is to ure kinge.
þat we ne þuruen na mare aswunden liggen here.
For idelnesse is luðer on ælchere þeode.
for idelnesse makeð mon his mon-scipe leose.
ydel-nesse makeð cnihte for-leosen his irihte.
idelnesse græiðeð feole uuele craften.
idel-nesse makeð leosen feole þusend monnen.
þurh eðeliche dede lute men wel spedeð.
For ȝare we habbeoð stille ileien ure wurð-scipe is þa lasse.
ah nu ic þo[n]kie Drihtne þæ scop þas daȝes lihte.
þat Romanisce leoden sunden swa ræie.
& heore beot makieð to cumen to ure burhȝes.
ure king binden and to Rome hine bringen.
Ah ȝif hit is soð þat men saið alse segges hit telleð.
þat Romanisce leoden sunden swa ræȝe.
and sunden swa balde and swa balu-fulle.
þat heo wulleð nu liðen in-to ure londen.
we heom scullen ȝarekien ȝeomere spelles.
heore ræ-scipe scal heom-seoluen to reouþe iwurðen.
For nauere ne lufede ich longe grið inne mine londe.
for þurh griðe we beoð ibunden and wel neh al a-swunden.
Þat iherde Walwain þe wes Ar[ð]ures mæi.
and wraððede hine wið Cador swi[ð]e þa þas word kende.
and þus andswærede Walwain þe sele.
Cador þu ært a riche mon þine ræddes ne beo[ð] noht idon.
for god is grið and god is frið þe freoliche þer haldeð wið.
and Godd sulf hit makede þurh his Godd-cunde.
for grið makeð godne mon gode workes wurchen.
for alle monnen bið þa bet þat lond bið þa murgre.
Þa iherde Arður þat flit of þissen eorlen.
and þus spac þe riche wið raȝen his folke.
Sitte adun swiðe mine cnihte alle.
and ælc bi his lifen luste mine worden
Al hit wes stille þat wunede inne halle
Þa spak þe king balde to riche his folke.
Mine eorles mine beornes balde mine þeines.
mine duhti men mine freond deoren
þurh eou ich habbe biwunnen vnder þere sunnen.
þat ich æm swiðe riche mon reh wið mine feonden.
gold ich habbe and gærsume gumenen ich æm ælder.
no biwan ich hit noht ane ah dude we alle clæene.
To moni feohte ich habbe eou ilad. and æuere ȝet weoren wel irad.
swa þat feole kine-londes stondeð a mine honde.
ȝe beoð gode cnihtes ohte men and wihte.
þat ich habbe iuonded i wel feole londen.
Þa ȝet him spac Arður aðelest kingen.
Nu ȝe habbeoð iherd hæȝe mine þeines
what Romanisce men redeð heom bi-twenen.
and wulc word heo sendeð us here into ure londe.
mid write & mid worde wið grætere wræððe.
Nu we mote bi-ðenchen hu we ure þeoden.
and ure muchele wurð-scipe mid rihte maȝen bi-witeȝen.
wið þis riche moncun wið þas Rome-leoden.
and andsware heom senden mid aðelen ure worden.
mid mucle wisdome vre writ senden to Rome.
& i-witen at þan kæisere for whan he us ofcunnen.
for whan he us mid þrætte & mid hokere igræteð.
Swiðe sære me gromeð & vni[m]ete me scomeð.
þat he at-wit us ure luren þat we ifeorn habbeoð forloren.
Heo suggeð þat Iulius Cesar hit biwon. mid compe i fehten.
Mid strengðe and mid fehte me deð feole vnrihte.
for Cesar i-sohte Bruttene mid baldere strengðe
no mihte Bruttes wið him heore lond werien.
ah mid stre[n]ðe heo eoden an hond and bitahten him al heore lond.
and þer-after sone alle his men bicome.
Sum ure cun heo hadden i-slaȝen and sum mid horsen to-draȝen.
summe heo ladde ibunden ut of þissen londen.
and þ[i]s lond biwunne mid unrihte and mid sunnen.
& nu axeð mid icunde gauel of þissen londe.
Al swa we maȝen don ȝef we hit don wulleð.
þurh rihte icunde of Beline kinge.
and of Brennen his broðer þan duc of Burgunne.
Þeos weoren ure ældre þa we beoð of icumene.
þeos bilæie Rome and þa riche al bi-wunnen.
& biuoren Rome þere stronge heore ȝisles an-henge.
and seoððen heo nomen al þat lond and setten hit an heore aȝere hond.
and þus we mid rihte ahten Rome us biriden.
Nu ich wulle leten Belin and Brenne bilæuen.
and speken of þan kaisere Costantin þan stronge.
he wes Helene sune al of Brutten icume.
he biwon Rome and þa riche a-welde
Lete we nu of Costantin þe Rome iwon al to him.
and speken of Maximiæn þat was a swiðe stro[n]g mon.
he wes king of Brutene he biwon France.
Maximien þe stronge Rome he nom an honde.
and Alemaine he biwon eke mid wunder muchele strengðe.
and al from Romayne into Normandie.
And þeos weoren mine ælderen mine aððele uore-genglen.
and ahten alle þa leoden þa into Rome leien.
and þurh swuche dome ich ahte to biȝeten Rome.
Heo ȝirneð me an honde gauel of mine londe.
al swa ic wille of Rome ȝif ich ræd habbe.
Ich wilnie a mine þonke to walden al Rome.
and he wilneð me in Brutene to binde swiðe uaste
and slæn mine Bruttes mid his balu-reses.
Ah ȝif hit on mi Drihten þe scop dæiȝes and nihtten.
he scal his balde ibeot sære abuggen.
& his Rom-leoden þer-fore scullen reosen.
and ic wulle ræh beon þer he nu rixleð on.
Wunieð nu stille alle ic wulle suggen mine iwille.
ne scal hit na man oðer i-don ah hit scal stonden þer-on.
He wilneð al and ich wilni al þæt wit beiene aȝæð.
habben hit nu and aȝe þe hit æð mæȝen iwinne.
for nu we scullen cunne. wham hit Godd unne.
Þus spac þe balde þe Brutene hafde an onwalde.
þat was Arður þe king Bruttene deorling
Setten his kempen and his quides lusten.
summe heo sæten stille mucle ane stunde.
summe heo muche runen ræhten heom bitweonen.
summe hit þuhte heom god summe hit mengden heore mod.
Þa heo hafden longe i-lustned þan kinge.
þa spac Howel þe hende hah mon of Brutene.
and his quides ræhte. bi-uoren raien þan kinge.
Lauerd king hercne me alse ich ær dude þe.
Þu hafest i-sæid word soðe selehðe þe beoð ȝifðe.
Hit wes ȝare iqueðen þat we nu sculleð cuðen.
i þan iuurn ȝere þat nu is ifunden here.
Sibeli hit sæide hire quides weoren soðe.
and sette hit on bocke uolke to bisne.
þat þreo k[ing]es sculden buȝen ut of Brut-londe.
þa biwinnen sculden Rome and al þa riche.
and alle þa londes þe [þ]er-to liggeð.
Þe uorme wes Belin þat wes a Brittisc king.
þe oðer wes Costantin þe king wes on Brutene.
þu scalt beon þe þridde þe Rome scal habben.
And ȝif þu hit wult bi-ginnen þu hit scalt biwinnen.
and ich wulle þer-to helpe. mid haȝere strenðe
ich wulle ouer sæ sende. to selen mine þeinen.
to balden mine Brutten. þa bet we scullen fusen.
Ich wulle haten alle þa aðele of Bruttainne.
bi leomen and bi heore liue ȝeond alle mine londe.
þat heo beon ȝarewe sone mid þe uaren to Rome.
Mi lond ich wulle sette to wedde for [s]eoluere.
and alle þe æhten of mine londe for seoluere and for golde.
and swa we scullen uaren to Rome & slan Luces þene kaisere.
& bi-tellen þine irihten. I þe lede ten þusend cnihtes.
Þus Howel spilede hext of Brutaine.
Þa þe Howel iseid hafde þat him sel þuhte.
þa spæc Angel þe king Scotlondes deorling.
and stod uppen ane boncke & beien his broðeren.
þat was Lot and Vrien tweie swiðe aðele men.
Þus Angel þe ki[n]g seide to Arðure þan kene.
Læuerd Arður ich sugge þe þurh soðe quides mine.
þat ilke þat Howel haf[eþ] ispeken ne scal hit na man a-wreken.
ah we hit scullen ilæsten bi ure quicke liuen.
And lauerd Arður þe hæhȝe lust me ane stunde.
c[l]eope þe to ræde þine eorles riche.
and alle þa hæxte þa beoð in þine hirede.
& bide heom þe suggen mid soðen heore worden.
whæt heo þe wulleð fulste þine iuan to for-donne.
Ich þe leden wulle cnihtes of mire leode.
þreo þusend kempen ohte alle i-corene.
ten þusend men auote to uehte swiðe gode.
and fare we to Rome and iwinnen þa riche.
Ful swiðe us mæi scomien and ful swiðe us mai gromien.
þat heo sculle senden sonden after gauele to ure londe.
Ah swa us helpe Drihte þæ scop þas daȝes lihte.
heo hit scullen abugge mid heore bare liue.
For þenne we habbeoð Rome and alle þa riche.
we scullen nimen þa londes þa þer-to liggeð.
Peoile and Alemaine. Lumbardie & Brutaine.
France & Normandie þa hit hæhte Neustrie.
and swa we sculleð meðegie heore mod vnimete.
Þa þe king isaid hafde þa andswarede alle.
Iniðered wurðe þe ilke mon þe þer-to nule helpen.
mid ahten and mid wepnen and mid alle his imihten.
Þa wes Arðures hired sturneliche awraððed.
cnihtes an-burste weoren þat alle heo gunnen biuien.
Þa Arður iherd hafde his hired iberen.
þa cleopien agon þe king wes abolȝen.
Sitteð adun stille cnihtes inne halle.
and ich eou wulle telle what ich don wulle.
Mine writen ich wulle maken þa wel beon idihte.
and sende þan kæisere modes sorȝe and muchel kare.
and ich wulle ful sone faren into Rome.
Nulle ich þider na gauel bringe ah þane kaiser ich wulle binden.
and seoððen ich wullen hine an-hon and al þat lond ich wulle uordon.
and foruaren þa cnihtes alle þe aȝein me stondeð i fehte.
Arður his writ nom an honden mid wiðer-fulle worden.
and þan beornen hit bi-tahte þæ þa ærnde hafde ibrohte.
and seoððe he lette heom scruden mid ælchere pruden.
mid þan hæxte scrude þa he hafde on bure.
and hehte heom faren sone to Luces of Rome.
and he cumen after wolde swa raðe swa he mihte.
Þas twælfe heore wai ferden tou-ward heore londen.
mid seolure and mid golde
cnihtes swa iscrudde. no þurh al swa wel idihte
þus Arður heom dihte. al for heore worde.
Þas twalf cnihtes foren þat heo to Rome comen.
heo gretten heore kaisere heore kine-lauerd.
Hail seo þu Luces þu art hæxt ouer us.
We woren at þan raȝe at Ar[ð]ure þan kinge.
we habbeoð writen ibroht þe word swiðe grate.
Arður is þe kenneste mon þat we æuere lokeden on.
and he is wunder riche and his þeines beoð balde.
þer is æuer-ælc swein swulc he cniht weore.
þer is æuer-ælc swein swulc he weore riche þein.
þer beoð þa cnihtes swulc hit weoren kinges.
mete þer is vnimete & men swiðe balde.
and þa ueieȝereste wifmen þa wunieð on liuen.
and him-seolf Arður þe balde uæiȝerest ouer alle.
Bi us he sende word þe þat he wule to þisse londe.
na gauel he nule bringen ah þe seoluen he wule binden.
and seoðð he wule þe an-hon and þis lond al for-don.
and Alemaine Lunbardie Burguine France. and Normandie
Folc þer wes afoten swa feole þusend monnen.
þat nas nauere na swa wit-ful mon a þissere weorlde-richen.
a nauere nane spelle þat mihte þa þusend telle.
bute he hauede mid rihte wisdom of Drihtene.
oðer he hafde mid him þat him hafde Mærlin.
Arður forð gon liðe mid vnimete folke.
þat he com fuliwis into þere burh of Paris.
a west halue þan watere mid mucle his genge.
An æst hælf wes Frolle mid mucchelere ferde.
Ȝaru to þan fehte biforen his cnihtes alle.
Arður nom ænne bat godne & bæh þer an inne.
mid scelde mid stede and mid alle his iwede.
and he þat scip stronge scaf from þan londe.
and stop uppen þat æit-lond and ladde his stede an his hond.
his men þe hine þer brohte alse þe king hehte.
leten þene bat buȝen forð mid þan vðen.
Frolle into scipe ferde þe king wes unuele.
þat he auere þohte wið Arðure to fehte.
Ferde to þan æite mid aðele his wepnen.
uppen þan æit he stop & his stede him after droh.
þeo men þe hine þer brohten alse þe king hehte.
lette þene bat fusen forð mid þan vðen.
and þa kinges tweien ane þer wuneden.
Þa me mihte bihalden þe þer bihalues weoren.
folc a þan uolde feondliche adredde.
heo clumben uppen hallen heo clumben uppen wallen.
heo clumben uppen bures heo clumben uppe tures.
þat comp to bihalden of þan tweom kingen.
Arðures men beden mid muchele æðmoden.
Godd þene gode and þa hali his moder.
þat heore lauerd þere siȝe moste habben.
and þa oðere eke bede for heore kinge.
Arður stop a stel boȝe and leop an his blancke.
and Frolle mid his i-wede leop on his steden.
þe an an his ænde. a þan æit-londe.
624
heo quehten heore scaftes kine-wurðe cnihtes.
heo græneden heore steden gode cnihtes heo weoren.
Næs he næuere ifunde a næuere nane londe.
nan swa wiht-ful mon þat hit wuste ær þan.
whæðer of þan kingen ouer-cumen sculde liggen.
for beien heo weoren cnihtes kene ohte men and wihte.
muchele men on mihte and a maine swiðe stronge
Heo muneȝeden heore steden. and tosomne gunnen riden
fusden feondliche. þat fur him sprong after
Arður smat Frolle mid feond-stronge maine
uppen þene sceld hehȝe
and þe stede þe wes god leop ut i þe ulod.
Arður ut mid his sweorde balu wes a þan orde.
and puinden uppen Frolle þer he wes an ulode.
ær heore comp weore icumen to þan ænde.
Ah Frolle mid honde igræp his spere longe.
and kept Arður anan alse he aneoust com.
and þene stede balde smat i þere breoste.
þat þat spere þurh raf and Arður adun draf.
Þa aras þe mon-drem þat þe uolde dunede a-ȝen.
aqueðen þa weolcne for reme of þan uolke.
Þær Bruttes wolden ouer water buȝen.
ȝif Arður up ne sturte sterc-liche sone.
and igræp his sceld godne ileired mid golde.
and to-ȝaines Frolle mid feondliche lechen.
breid bi-foren breosten godne sceld brade.
And Frolle him to fusden mid his feond-ræse.
and his sweord up ahof and a-dun-riht sloh.
and smat an Arðures sceld. þat he wond a þene feld.
þe helm an his hæuede and his hereburne.
gon to falsie foren an his hafde.
& he wunde afeng feouwer unchene long.
heo ne þuhte him noht sær for heo næs na mare.
þat blod orn a-dun ouer al his breoste.
Arður wes abolȝe swiðe an his heorte.
and his sweord Caliburne swipte mid maine
and smat Frolle uppen þæne hælm þat he atwa helden.
626
Þa feol Frolle folde to grunde.
uppen þan gras-bedde his gost he bi-læfde.
Þa Bruttes lohȝen ludere stefuene.
and leoden to fleonen feondliche swiðe.
Ar[ð]ur þe riche wende to londe.
and þus cleopien agon aðelest kingen.
Whær ært þu Walwain monne me leofest.
Heot þas Rom-wæren alle mid griðen liðen heonne.
ælc mon bruke his ham swulc Godd hit him on.
hat ælcne mon halde grið uppen leome & uppen lif.
and ich hit wulle dihten to-dæi a seouennihte.
hat þis folc þenne liðen al to-somne.
and cumen to me seoluen. þæ bet heom scal i-wur[ð]en.
Heo scullen me mon-radene mid mo[n]scipe fremmen.
and ich heom wulle holden a mine on-wolden.
and setten i leode laȝen swiðe gode.
For nu scullen Romanisce laȝen to þan gru[n]de reosen.
þa iuurn here stoden mid Frolle.
þe lið on æite of-slaȝen and idon of lif-daȝen.
Her-after ful sone scal his cun of Rome.
heren tidinge of Arðure þan kinge.
for ich heom wulle wið speken and Rome walles to-breken.
& munegie heom hu king Belin Bruttes ladde þider in.
and iwon him þa londes alle þat stondeð into Rome.
Arður beh to þan ȝæte forn at þere burȝe.
comen wit-fulle men þe þa burh biwusten.
and Arður letten binnen mid alle his monnen.
bitahten him halles bitahten him castles.
bitahten him ful iwis al þa burh of Paris.
þer wes muchel blissce mid Brutisce uolke.
Þe dæi sæh to burhȝe þe Arður iset hafde.
com al þa mon-weorede and his men bicomen.
Arður nom his duȝeðe and atwa heom to-dalde.
and þa haluendæle Howele bitætte.
and hehte hine uaren sone mid muchele þere uerde.
mid Brutisce monnen londes iwinnen.
Howel dude al swa alse Arður hine hehte.
he biwon Barri and alle þa londes þer-bi.
628
and þa hafuenes alle þe herden to þan londes.
Guitard þe duc hæhte þe Peytouwe ahte.
he nolde buȝen Howele ah heold to-ȝæines him æuere.
nolde he ȝirnen na grið ah Howel him faht wið.
ofte he uolc ualde and ofte he ulem makede.
Howel al þat lond weste & of-sloh þa leode.
Þa isæh Guitard þe i Peitou wes lauerd.
þat alle his leoden him to lose eoden.
wið Howele he grið makede mid al his mon-weorede.
and bicom Arðures mon þas aðele kingen.
Arður him warð liðe and luuede hine swiðe.
& hehte hine his lond bruken for he him bæh to foten.
þa hafde Howel hæhliche agunnen.
Arður hafde France and freoliche heo sette.
he nom þa his ferde and wende ȝeond þan ærde.
to Burguine he wende and sette hit an his honde.
and seo[ð]ðen he gon liðen in-to Loherne.
and alle þa londes sette him-seolue an honde.
al þat Arður isæh al hit him to bæh.
and seoððen he wende ful iwis aȝain ham to Paris.
Þa hafde Arður France mid gode griðe astalde.
i-set and isemed þat sel was an þeoden.
þa hehte he þa cnihtes alden þa he hafde ȝare at-halden.
þat heo to þan kinge comen and heore læn a-fængen.
for heo feole ȝeren hafden i-bon his iueren.
Summen he ȝæf lond summen seoluer and gold.
summen he ȝæf castles summen he ȝaf claðes
hehte heom uaren an wunne and beten heore sunnen.
for-bed heom to berne wap[n]en for ælde heom eode ouenan.
and hehte heom luuien swiðe Godd in þissen liue.
þat he an ende ful iwis ȝefen heom his paradis.
þæt heo mosten bruken blisse mid ænglen.
Alle þa cnihtes alde foren to heore londe.
and þa ȝunge bilæfden mid leouen heore kingen.
Alle þa niȝen ȝere Arður wuneden þere.
niȝen ȝere he heold France freoliche on honde.
and seoððen na lengere þat lond he ne walde.
630
þinges seolcuðe siȝen to þere þeode.
monienne mod-fulne mon Arður makede milde.
and monienne hehne mon he helde to his foten.
Hit wes an ane Æsttere þat men hafden iuaste
þat Arður an Æstere dæi hafde his aðele men at-somne.
al þat hæhste mon-cun þat herden in-to Francen.
& of alle þan londen þe þider in læien.
Þer he ȝette his cnihten alle heore irihten.
elc ane he ȝef æhte alse he iærned hafde.
Þus him iquað Arður aðelest kingen.
Kæi bisih þe hiderward þu ært min haxte stiward.
her ich Angou ȝiue þe for þire wel-dede.
and alle þa irihte þe þide[r] in beoð idihte.
Cneole me to Beduer þu art min hexte birle her.
þa while þa ich beo an liue luuien ich þe wulle.
her ich ȝiue þe Neustrie aneuste mire riche.
Þa hehte Neustrie þat nu hatte Normandie.
Þe ilke tweien eorles weoren Ar[ð]ures deore men.
at rede and at rune an æuer-ælche tune.
Þa ȝet him seide Arður aðelest kingen.
Wend þe hider Howel-din þu ært mi mon and mi cun.
haue þu Bulune and bruc his on wunne.
Cumme ner Borel þu art cniht wis and war.
her ich þene Mans þe mid monscipe bitæche.
and bruc þu his on wunne for þire wel-dede.
Þus Arður þe king delde his driht-liche londes.
after heore iwurhte for he heom þuhte wurðe.
Þa weoren bliðe spelles in Arðures hallen.
þer wes harepinge and song þe[r] weoren blissen imong.
Þa Æstre wes aȝonge and Aueril eode of tune.
and þat gras was riue and þat water wes liðe.
and men gunnen spilien þat wes Mæi at tune.
Arður nom his folc feire and to þere sæ uerde.
and lette bonien his scipen wel mid þan bezsten.
& ferde to þissen londe and up com at Londen.
up he com at Lundene leoden to blissen.
632
sone heo gunnen singe of Arðure þan kinge.
and of þere wurð-scipe muchele þe he iwunne hafde.
Þer custe uader þene sune and seide to him wel-cume.
dohter þa moder broðer þene oðer.
suster custe suster þa softere heom wes an heorten.
A monie hundred studen stoden bi þan weie.
folc fraini[n]ge of feole cunne þingen.
and cnihtes heom talden of heore on-walden.
and heore ȝeolp makeden of muchele biȝeten.
Ne mihte na mon suggen nære he na swa hende. mon.
of halue þan blissen þa weoren mid þan Brutten.
Ælc ferde an his neode ȝeond þas kine-þeode.
from burhȝe to burhȝe mid blissen uniuoȝe.
and þus hit ane stu[n]de stod a þan ilke.
blisse wes on Brutene mid balde þan kinge.
Þa Æstre wes aȝeonge and sumer com to londe.
þa nom Arður his red wið r[i]che his monnen.
þat he wolde inne Karliun bere his crune him on.
and a White-sune-dæi his folc þer isomnie.
A þen ilke daȝen men gunnen demen.
þat nes i nane londe burh nan swa hende.
na swa wide cuð swa Karliun bi Uske.
buten hit weoren þa burh riche þe Rome is ihaten.
Þa ȝet wes mid þan kinge moni mon an londe.
þat quidde þa burh of Karlion ricchere þene Rome.
and þat Uske weore selest alre wateren.
Medewes þer weoren brade bihalues þere burhȝe.
þer wes fisc þer wes fuȝel and fæier-nesse inoȝe.
þer wes wude and wilde deor wunder ane monie.
þer wes al þa murhðe þe æi mon mihte of þenche.
Ah nauer seoððen Arður þider bæh þa burh seoððe no iþæh.
no nauere ne mæi bi-twene þis and Domes-dæi.
Summe bokes suggeð to iwisse þat þa burh wes biwucched.
and þæt is wel isene soð þat hit sunde.
I þære burh weoren twa munstres swiðe mære.
þat an munstre wes of Seint Aaron þer-inne wes muchel halidom.
þat oðer of þan martir Seint Iuliæn þe heh is mid Drihten.
634
Þe biscop-stole wes at Sein[t] Aaron. þer wes moni sel mon
canunes þer weoren þe cuð weoren widen.
þer wes moni god clarc þe wel cuðe a leore.
muchel heo ferden mid þan crafte to lokien in þan leofte.
to lokien i þan steorren nehȝe and feorren.
þe craft is ihate Astronomie.
Wel ofte heo þan kinge seide of feole þinge.
heo cudden him on leoden what him sculde ilimpen
Swulc wes þe burh of Karliun. þer wes muchel ricche-dom
þer wes muchel blisse mid bisie þan kinge.
Þe king nom his sonde and sende ȝeond his londe.
hæhte cumen eorles hehte cumen beornes.
hehte cumen kinges and æc here-ðringes.
hehte cumen biscoppes hehte cumen cnihtes.
hahte alle þa freo-men þa [e]uere weoren an londe.
bi heore life hehte heom beon a White-sune-dæi at Kærleon.
Cnihtes gunnen riden vnimete whiden.
riden touward Kairliun of feole cunne londen.
To þan White-sunedæie þer com þe king Angel.
king of Scotlonde mid sceone his folke.
moni wes þe faire mon þe folȝede þan kingen.
Of Mureiue king Vrien and his fæire sune Ywæin.
Stater king of Suð Wales and Cadwaðlan king of Norð Wales.
Cador eorl of Cornwale. þa þe king luuede.
Moruið of Glouchæstre Maurin of Winchastre.
Gurguint eorl of Herford and Beof eorl of Oxeuord.
Gursal þe balde from Baðe þer com ride.
Vrgent of Chastre Ionatas of Dorchestre.
Ærnald of Salesburi and Kinmarc of Cantuareburi.
Balien of Silechæstre Wigein of Leirchæstre.
Argal eorl of Warwic mid folk swiðe sellic.
Dunwale Apries sune and Kegein. Elauðes sune.
Kineus þer wes Coittes sune & Cradoc Catelles sune.
Ædlein Cledaukes sune Grimarc Kinmarkes sune.
Run Margoitt & Netan Clofard Kincar. and Aikan.
636
Þis weoren Arðures aðele eorles.
and þa haxte þeines ohte of alle þissere þeode.
wið-uten þan beornen of Arðures borden.
þa na man ne mihte ikennen ne al þat folc inemnen.
Þa weoren ærchebiscopes þreo inne þissere þeode.
inne Lunden and in Eouuerwic and inne Karliun Sein[t] Dubric.
he wes swiðe hali mon þurh alle þinge wel idon.
To Lundene læi þe ærchebiscop-stol þe to Cantwareburi wes seo[ð]ðe idon.
seo[ð]ðe Engliscemen þis lond heom iwunnen.
To tellen þat folc of Kairliun ne mihte hit na mon idon.
Þer wes Gillomar þe king Irisce monnen deorling.
Maluerus king of Islonde Doldanet king. of Gutlonde.
Kin[g] Kailin of Frislonde Æscil king of Denelonde.
Þer wes Loð þe kene þe king wes bi Norðe.
and Gonwæis Orcanaeie king ut-laȝen deor-ling.
Þider com þe wilde þe eorl of Builuine.
Læȝer wes ihaten and his leoden mid him.
of Flandres þe eorl Howeldin of Chæ[r]tres þe eorl Cherin.
Þeos ferede mid him al þat Frensce moncun.
twalf eorles swiðe ræihe þe rixleden ouer France.
Guitart eorl of Peiters Kæi þe orl of Angers.
Beduwear eorl of Normandie þat lond hehte þa Neustrie.
of þe Mans com þe eorl Borel of Brutaine þe eorl Howel
Howel eorl wes freo mon and faire weoren his iwede.
and al þat folc Frensce bihongen weoren feire.
i-wepned wel alle and hors ho hafden uatte.
Þer weoren bisides fiftene biscopes.
Nes na cniht ne na swein ne oht mon þat weore þein.
from þa porz of Spaine to þan tune of Alemaine.
þat þider i-comen nere ȝif he iboden weore.
al for Arðures æie aðeles cunnes.
Þa al þis hired wes icumen ælc king mid his folke.
þer me mihte bihalde þe þer bi-halues weore.
638
and feole cunne tiðende mid Arðure þan kinge.
Þer wes moni sellic clað þer wes moni cniht wrað.
þer weoren herberȝe hæh-liche awurðe.
þer þa innes weoren mid strengðe biwunnen.
þer weoren on uelden moni þusend telden.
þer com spic and water and aten vnimete.
ne mai hit na mon suggen on his tale of þan win and of þan ale.
þer com hey þer com gras þer com al þat god was.
Þa al þis folc isomned was at sele þan kingge.
þa com þe White-sune-dæi alse Drihten hine sende.
þa comen þa biscopes alle biuoren heore kinge.
and þa ærchebiscopes þreo biuroren Arðure.
and þene kine-helm nome þa him wes icunde.
and setten uppen his hafde mid heȝere blisse.
swa heo hine gunnen lede al mid Godes rede.
Seint Dubris eoden biuoren he wes Criste icoren.
þe ærche-biscop of Lundene eode an his riht honden.
and bi his luft side. þe [ilke] of Eouerwike
Fiftene biscopes biuoren of feole londen icoren.
heo weoren bi-hangen alle mid palle swiðe balde
þe weoren alle ibrusted. mid barninge golde.
Þer feouwer kinges eoden biuoren þan kaiseren.
heo weȝe[den] on heore honde feouwer sweord of golde
Þus hehte þa an þe wes a swiðe duhti mon.
þat wes Cador þe king Ar[ð]ures deorling.
þe oðer of Scotlonde sweord he weide an honde.
& þe king of Norð Walles & þe king of Suð Wales.
and þus heo gunnen leden þe king to chirechen.
þeo biscopes gunnen singe. biuoren þan leod-kinge
bemen þer bleowen bellen þer ringeden.
cnihtes gunnen riden wifmen forð gliden.
To iwissen hit is isaid and soð hit is ifunden.
þat no isah no mon nauer ær mid eorðliche monne her.
half swa hahne ricche-dom a nauer nane hepen.
swa mid Arðure was aðeles cunnes.
Into chirchen bi-com Arður þe riche mon.
640
of Rome he wes legat and of þan hirede prelat.
he song þa hali masse biuoren þan leod-kinge.
Comen mid þere quene wifmen wel idone.
þere richchere monne wif alle þe wunede on londe.
and þere hehere monnen dohtere þa quene hafden isohte.
al swa þa quene hafde ihate bi hire fulle wite.
I þere chireche i þere s[u]ð halue sat Arður þe king him-seolf.
bi þere norð side Wenhæiuer þa quene.
Þer comen hire bi-foren feouwer quenen i-coren.
ælc bar on luft honde enne beh of rede gold.
& þreo snau-wh[i]te culueren se[t]ten an heore sculderen.
þæt weoren þa feouwer quenen þere cnihte wifen.
þa beren an heore heonden þe feouwer sweordes of golde.
bi-uoren Arðure aðelest kingen.
Moni mæide child. wes þere mid mære þere quene.
þær wes moni pal hende on faire þan uolke.
of monies cunnes londe þer wes muchel onde.
for ælc wende to beon betere þene oðer.
Feole cnihtes anan comen to þere chirechen
summe for guðinge summe for þan kinge.
summe to bihalden þa wifmen þat weoren balde.
Songes þer weoren murie þa ilaste swiðe longe.
ich weone ȝif hit weore ilast seoue ȝere.
þa ȝet heo weolden mare þe þer-at weoren.
Þa þe masse wes isungen of chircchen heo ðrunge.
þe king mid his folke to his mete uerde.
mid mucle his duȝeðe drem wes on hirede.
Þa quene an oðer halue hire hereberwe isohte.
heo hafde of wif-monne wunder ane monien.
Þa þe king wes isete mid his monnen to his mete.
to þan kinge com þæ biscop Seind Dubriz þe wes swa god.
and nom of his hafde his kine-hælm hæhne.
for þan mucle golde þe king hine beren nalde.
& dude enne lasse crune on þas kinges hafde.
and seoððen he gon do a þere quene al swo.
Inne Troie þis wes laȝe bi heore ælderne daȝe.
642
alle þa wepmen at heore mete seten.
sundi bi heom-seoluen þat heom þuhte wel idon.
and al swa þa wifmen heore i-wune hafden.
Þa þe king wes isete mid alle his duȝeðe. to his mete.
eorles and beornes at borde þas kinges.
þe stiward com steppen þe Kæy wes ihaten.
hæxt cniht on londe vnder þan kinge.
of alle þan hæpe of Arðures hirede.
Kay hehte him biuoren moni hæh mon icoren.
þer weoren a þusen[d] cnihtes bald wunder wel i-talde.
þat þeineden þan kingen & his here-ðringen.
ælc cniht hafde pal on and mid golde bigon.
and alle heore uingeres iriuen mid gold ringes.
Þas beorn þa sunde from kuchene to þan kinge.
An oðer half wes Beduer þas kinges hæȝe birle.
mid him weoren eorlene sunen of aðele cunne iboren.
and þere hehȝe cnihtene sunen þa þider weoren icu[m]en.
seouen kingene sunen þat mid him quehten.
Bedeuer a-uormest eode mid guldene bolle.
after him a þusend þrasten to hirede.
mid alle þas cunnes drenche þe me cuðe on biðenche.
And þa quene an hire ende wifmen swi[ð]e hende.
a þusend hire eode biuoren. riche men and wel icoren.
to þæinen þere quene and þa[i] þat mid hire weoren.
Nes he næuere i-boren of nane cnihte icoren.
i-læred no læwed a nauere nare. leode.
þe cuðe him i-telle an æies cunnes spelle.
of halue þan riche-dome þe wes inne Kairliune.
of seoluere and of golde and gode iweden.
of hehȝe iborene monnen þa inne hirede wuneden.
of horsen and of hafueken of hunden to deoren.
and of riche iweden þa a þan hirede weoren.
& of alle þan folke þe wuneden þer on folde.
wes þisses londes folk leodene hendest itald.
& al swa þa wimmen wunliche on heowen.
and hah-lukest iscrudde & alre bezst itoȝene.
For heo hafden on iqueðen alle bi heore quike liue.
644
Sum hafde whit sum hafden ræd sum hafde god grene æc.
and alches cunnes fah clað heom wes wunder ane lað.
& elche untuhtle heo talden vn-wurðe.
Þa hafde Ænglene ard þat alre bezste here-word.
and þis leodisce uolc æc leofuest þan kinge.
Þa wifmen hehȝe iborene þa wuneden a þissen londe.
hafden iqueðen alle on heore quides soðe.
þat nan lauerd taken nolde inne þissere leode.
næuer nænne cniht neore he noht swa wel idiht.
bute he icostned weoren þrie inne compe.
& his oht-scipen icudde & i-fonded hine seolue.
balde-liche he mitte þenne ȝirnen him brude.
For þere ilke tuhtle cnihtes weoren ohte.
þa wif-men wel idone and þa betere biwitene.
þa weoren i Brutene blissen inoȝe
Þa þe king iȝeten hafde. and al his mon-weorede.
þa buȝen of burhȝe þeines swiðe balde.
alle þa kinges and heore hereþringes
alle þa biscopes and alle þa clærckes.
alle þa eorles and alle þa beornes.
alle þa þeines alle þa sweines
feire iscrudde helde ȝeond felde.
Summe heo gunnen ærnen summe heo gunnen urnen.
summe heo gunnen lepen summe heo gunnen sceoten.
summe heo wræstleden and wiðer-gome makeden.
summe heo on uelde pleouweden vnder scelde.
summe heo driuen balles wide ȝeond þa feldes.
Monianes kunnes gomen þer heo gunnen driuen.
& wha-swa mihte iwinne wurðsciþe of his gomene.
hine me ladde mid songe at-foren þan leod-kinge.
and þe king for his gomene ȝæf him ȝeuen gode.
Alle þa quene þe icumen weoren þere.
and alle þa lafdies leoneden ȝeond walles.
to bihalden þa duȝeðen and þat folc plæie.
Þis ilæste þreo dæȝes swulc gomes & swulc plæȝes.
Þa a þan ueorðe dæie þe king gon to spekene.
and aȝæf his gode cnihten al heore rihten.
he ȝef seoluer he ȝæf gold he ȝef hors he ȝef lond.
castles & claðes eke his monnen he ique[m]de.
646
Nu comen to þan kinge neouwe tidinde.
Arður þe ba[l]de king sat at ane borde.
biuoren him seten kinges and feole here-ðringes.
biscopes and clærekes and swiðe ohte cnihtes.
Þer comen in-to halle spelles seol-cuðe.
þer comen twalf þeines ohte mid palle bi-þehte.
hæȝe here-kempen hehȝe men on wepne.
ælc hafde on heonde grætne ring of golde.
and mid æne bende of golde ælc hafde his hæfd biuonge.
Æuer tweie and tweie tuhte to-somne.
ælc mid his honde heold his iuere.
and gliden ouer ulore biuoren Arðure.
swa longe þat heo comen bi-uoren Arðure. þan leod-kinge.
Heo grætten Arður anan mid aðelen heore worden.
Hal seo þu Arður king Bruttene deorling.
and hal seo þi duȝeðe and al þi driht-liche uolc.
We sunden twælf cnihtes i-cumen her forð-rihtes.
riche and wel idone we sundeð of Rome
Hider we sunden. icumene from ure kaisere.
Luces is ihaten þe waldoð Rome-leoden.
he hahte us hider wende to Arðure þan kinge.
and þe hat græten mid his grim worden.
& sæið þat he awundred is wunder ane swiðe.
whar þu þat mod nime a þisse middenerde.
þat þu derst of Rome wið-suggen æi dome.
oðer hebben up þin eȝen aȝein ure ældren.
and wha hit þe durre ræden þat þu swa reh ært. iwurðen.
þat þu þrattien darst domes walden.
Luces þene kaisere. hexst of quicke monnen.
Þu haldest al þi kine-lond a þire aȝere hond.
and nult noht þene kaisere of londe ihere.
of þan ilke londe þe Iulius hafde an honde.
þa inne iuurn daȝæn biwon hit mid fehten.
and þu hit hauest at-holde a þire an-wolde.
mid balden þine cnihten binimest us ure irihten.
Ah sæi us Arður sone and word send to Rome.
we sculleð bere þin ærde to Luces ure kaisere.
ȝif þu wult icnawen þat he is king ouer þe.
648
and don riht þan kaisere of Frolle þan kinge.
þat þu mid woȝe at Paris a-sloȝe.
& nu haldest al his lond mid unrihte a þire hond.
Ȝif þu i þissen twælf wiken temest to þan rihten.
and þu wult of Rome þolien æi dome.
þenne miht þu libben imong þine leoden.
And ȝif þu swa nult don þu scalt wursen vnder-fon.
þe kaisere wule her cumen swa king scal to his aȝen.
king swiðe kene and nimen þe mid strengðe.
ibunden þe lede biuoren Rom-leoden.
þenne most þu þolien þat þu ærst for-hoȝedest.
Æfne þisse worden Bruttes buȝen from borden.
þer wes Ar[ð]ures hird hehliche awraððed.
and muchene að sworen uppen mære ure Drihten.
þat alle heo dede weoren þa þeos arunde beden
mid horsen al to-draȝene. dæð heo sculden þolie
Þer heo buȝen to Bruttes swiðe wraðe.
luken heom bi uaxe and laiden heom to grunde.
þer weoren men Romanisce reouliche atoȝene.
ȝif Arður ne leope to swulc hit a liun weore.
and þas word seide wisest alre Brutten.
Bilæueð bilaueð swiðe þas cnihtes on liue.
ne sceollen heo on mine hirede nenne harm þolien.
heo beoð hider iriden ut of Rom-leoden.
swa heore lauerd heom hehte Luces is ihaten.
Ælc mon mot liðen þer his lauerd hine hateð gan.
nah na man demen erendes-mon to dæðen.
bute he weoren swa ufele biwiten. þet he weore lauerd-swike.
Ah sitteð adun stille cnihtes inne halle.
and ich me biræde wulle of swulchere neode.
wulc word heo scullen aȝen beren to Luces þan kaiseren.
Þa seten adun alle þa duȝeðe on heore benche.
and þa luding alæid biuoren þan leod-kinge.
Þa stod Arður him up a[ð]elest kingen
and he cleopede him to seouen sune kinges.
eorles and beornes & þa þe weoren baldest.
and alle þa wiseste men þa wuneden a þen folke.
650
an ald stanene weorc stiðe men hit wurhten.
þer men gunnen rune his red-ȝeuen wise.
wulc andswere he ȝiuen wolde Luces þan kaisere.
Þa iboȝen weoren alle beornes to benche.
þa wes hit al stille þat wuneden inne halle.
þer wes vnimete æie mid mære þan kinge.
ne durste þer na man speken leste þe king hit wolde awreken.
Þa stod þer up Cador þe eorl swiðe riche ær.
and þas word sæide bifore þan riche kinge.
Ich þonkie mine Drihte þat scop þes dæies lihte.
þisses dæies ibiden þa to hirede is iboȝen.
and þissere tidinge þe icumen is to ure kinge.
þat we ne þuruen na mare aswunden liggen here.
For idelnesse is luðer on ælchere þeode.
for idelnesse makeð mon his mon-scipe leose.
ydel-nesse makeð cnihte for-leosen his irihte.
idelnesse græiðeð feole uuele craften.
idel-nesse makeð leosen feole þusend monnen.
þurh eðeliche dede lute men wel spedeð.
For ȝare we habbeoð stille ileien ure wurð-scipe is þa lasse.
ah nu ic þo[n]kie Drihtne þæ scop þas daȝes lihte.
þat Romanisce leoden sunden swa ræie.
& heore beot makieð to cumen to ure burhȝes.
ure king binden and to Rome hine bringen.
Ah ȝif hit is soð þat men saið alse segges hit telleð.
þat Romanisce leoden sunden swa ræȝe.
and sunden swa balde and swa balu-fulle.
þat heo wulleð nu liðen in-to ure londen.
we heom scullen ȝarekien ȝeomere spelles.
heore ræ-scipe scal heom-seoluen to reouþe iwurðen.
For nauere ne lufede ich longe grið inne mine londe.
for þurh griðe we beoð ibunden and wel neh al a-swunden.
Þat iherde Walwain þe wes Ar[ð]ures mæi.
and wraððede hine wið Cador swi[ð]e þa þas word kende.
and þus andswærede Walwain þe sele.
Cador þu ært a riche mon þine ræddes ne beo[ð] noht idon.
for god is grið and god is frið þe freoliche þer haldeð wið.
652
for grið makeð godne mon gode workes wurchen.
for alle monnen bið þa bet þat lond bið þa murgre.
Þa iherde Arður þat flit of þissen eorlen.
and þus spac þe riche wið raȝen his folke.
Sitte adun swiðe mine cnihte alle.
and ælc bi his lifen luste mine worden
Al hit wes stille þat wunede inne halle
Þa spak þe king balde to riche his folke.
Mine eorles mine beornes balde mine þeines.
mine duhti men mine freond deoren
þurh eou ich habbe biwunnen vnder þere sunnen.
þat ich æm swiðe riche mon reh wið mine feonden.
gold ich habbe and gærsume gumenen ich æm ælder.
no biwan ich hit noht ane ah dude we alle clæene.
To moni feohte ich habbe eou ilad. and æuere ȝet weoren wel irad.
swa þat feole kine-londes stondeð a mine honde.
ȝe beoð gode cnihtes ohte men and wihte.
þat ich habbe iuonded i wel feole londen.
Þa ȝet him spac Arður aðelest kingen.
Nu ȝe habbeoð iherd hæȝe mine þeines
what Romanisce men redeð heom bi-twenen.
and wulc word heo sendeð us here into ure londe.
mid write & mid worde wið grætere wræððe.
Nu we mote bi-ðenchen hu we ure þeoden.
and ure muchele wurð-scipe mid rihte maȝen bi-witeȝen.
wið þis riche moncun wið þas Rome-leoden.
and andsware heom senden mid aðelen ure worden.
mid mucle wisdome vre writ senden to Rome.
& i-witen at þan kæisere for whan he us ofcunnen.
for whan he us mid þrætte & mid hokere igræteð.
Swiðe sære me gromeð & vni[m]ete me scomeð.
þat he at-wit us ure luren þat we ifeorn habbeoð forloren.
Heo suggeð þat Iulius Cesar hit biwon. mid compe i fehten.
Mid strengðe and mid fehte me deð feole vnrihte.
for Cesar i-sohte Bruttene mid baldere strengðe
no mihte Bruttes wið him heore lond werien.
ah mid stre[n]ðe heo eoden an hond and bitahten him al heore lond.
654
Sum ure cun heo hadden i-slaȝen and sum mid horsen to-draȝen.
summe heo ladde ibunden ut of þissen londen.
and þ[i]s lond biwunne mid unrihte and mid sunnen.
& nu axeð mid icunde gauel of þissen londe.
Al swa we maȝen don ȝef we hit don wulleð.
þurh rihte icunde of Beline kinge.
and of Brennen his broðer þan duc of Burgunne.
Þeos weoren ure ældre þa we beoð of icumene.
þeos bilæie Rome and þa riche al bi-wunnen.
& biuoren Rome þere stronge heore ȝisles an-henge.
and seoððen heo nomen al þat lond and setten hit an heore aȝere hond.
and þus we mid rihte ahten Rome us biriden.
Nu ich wulle leten Belin and Brenne bilæuen.
and speken of þan kaisere Costantin þan stronge.
he wes Helene sune al of Brutten icume.
he biwon Rome and þa riche a-welde
Lete we nu of Costantin þe Rome iwon al to him.
and speken of Maximiæn þat was a swiðe stro[n]g mon.
he wes king of Brutene he biwon France.
Maximien þe stronge Rome he nom an honde.
and Alemaine he biwon eke mid wunder muchele strengðe.
and al from Romayne into Normandie.
And þeos weoren mine ælderen mine aððele uore-genglen.
and ahten alle þa leoden þa into Rome leien.
and þurh swuche dome ich ahte to biȝeten Rome.
Heo ȝirneð me an honde gauel of mine londe.
al swa ic wille of Rome ȝif ich ræd habbe.
Ich wilnie a mine þonke to walden al Rome.
and he wilneð me in Brutene to binde swiðe uaste
and slæn mine Bruttes mid his balu-reses.
Ah ȝif hit on mi Drihten þe scop dæiȝes and nihtten.
he scal his balde ibeot sære abuggen.
& his Rom-leoden þer-fore scullen reosen.
and ic wulle ræh beon þer he nu rixleð on.
Wunieð nu stille alle ic wulle suggen mine iwille.
ne scal hit na man oðer i-don ah hit scal stonden þer-on.
656
habben hit nu and aȝe þe hit æð mæȝen iwinne.
for nu we scullen cunne. wham hit Godd unne.
Þus spac þe balde þe Brutene hafde an onwalde.
þat was Arður þe king Bruttene deorling
Setten his kempen and his quides lusten.
summe heo sæten stille mucle ane stunde.
summe heo muche runen ræhten heom bitweonen.
summe hit þuhte heom god summe hit mengden heore mod.
Þa heo hafden longe i-lustned þan kinge.
þa spac Howel þe hende hah mon of Brutene.
and his quides ræhte. bi-uoren raien þan kinge.
Lauerd king hercne me alse ich ær dude þe.
Þu hafest i-sæid word soðe selehðe þe beoð ȝifðe.
Hit wes ȝare iqueðen þat we nu sculleð cuðen.
i þan iuurn ȝere þat nu is ifunden here.
Sibeli hit sæide hire quides weoren soðe.
and sette hit on bocke uolke to bisne.
þat þreo k[ing]es sculden buȝen ut of Brut-londe.
þa biwinnen sculden Rome and al þa riche.
and alle þa londes þe [þ]er-to liggeð.
Þe uorme wes Belin þat wes a Brittisc king.
þe oðer wes Costantin þe king wes on Brutene.
þu scalt beon þe þridde þe Rome scal habben.
And ȝif þu hit wult bi-ginnen þu hit scalt biwinnen.
and ich wulle þer-to helpe. mid haȝere strenðe
ich wulle ouer sæ sende. to selen mine þeinen.
to balden mine Brutten. þa bet we scullen fusen.
Ich wulle haten alle þa aðele of Bruttainne.
bi leomen and bi heore liue ȝeond alle mine londe.
þat heo beon ȝarewe sone mid þe uaren to Rome.
Mi lond ich wulle sette to wedde for [s]eoluere.
and alle þe æhten of mine londe for seoluere and for golde.
and swa we scullen uaren to Rome & slan Luces þene kaisere.
& bi-tellen þine irihten. I þe lede ten þusend cnihtes.
Þus Howel spilede hext of Brutaine.
Þa þe Howel iseid hafde þat him sel þuhte.
þa spæc Angel þe king Scotlondes deorling.
and stod uppen ane boncke & beien his broðeren.
658
Þus Angel þe ki[n]g seide to Arðure þan kene.
Læuerd Arður ich sugge þe þurh soðe quides mine.
þat ilke þat Howel haf[eþ] ispeken ne scal hit na man a-wreken.
ah we hit scullen ilæsten bi ure quicke liuen.
And lauerd Arður þe hæhȝe lust me ane stunde.
c[l]eope þe to ræde þine eorles riche.
and alle þa hæxte þa beoð in þine hirede.
& bide heom þe suggen mid soðen heore worden.
whæt heo þe wulleð fulste þine iuan to for-donne.
Ich þe leden wulle cnihtes of mire leode.
þreo þusend kempen ohte alle i-corene.
ten þusend men auote to uehte swiðe gode.
and fare we to Rome and iwinnen þa riche.
Ful swiðe us mæi scomien and ful swiðe us mai gromien.
þat heo sculle senden sonden after gauele to ure londe.
Ah swa us helpe Drihte þæ scop þas daȝes lihte.
heo hit scullen abugge mid heore bare liue.
For þenne we habbeoð Rome and alle þa riche.
we scullen nimen þa londes þa þer-to liggeð.
Peoile and Alemaine. Lumbardie & Brutaine.
France & Normandie þa hit hæhte Neustrie.
and swa we sculleð meðegie heore mod vnimete.
Þa þe king isaid hafde þa andswarede alle.
Iniðered wurðe þe ilke mon þe þer-to nule helpen.
mid ahten and mid wepnen and mid alle his imihten.
Þa wes Arðures hired sturneliche awraððed.
cnihtes an-burste weoren þat alle heo gunnen biuien.
Þa Arður iherd hafde his hired iberen.
þa cleopien agon þe king wes abolȝen.
Sitteð adun stille cnihtes inne halle.
and ich eou wulle telle what ich don wulle.
Mine writen ich wulle maken þa wel beon idihte.
and sende þan kæisere modes sorȝe and muchel kare.
and ich wulle ful sone faren into Rome.
Nulle ich þider na gauel bringe ah þane kaiser ich wulle binden.
and seoððen ich wullen hine an-hon and al þat lond ich wulle uordon.
660
Arður his writ nom an honden mid wiðer-fulle worden.
and þan beornen hit bi-tahte þæ þa ærnde hafde ibrohte.
and seoððe he lette heom scruden mid ælchere pruden.
mid þan hæxte scrude þa he hafde on bure.
and hehte heom faren sone to Luces of Rome.
and he cumen after wolde swa raðe swa he mihte.
Þas twælfe heore wai ferden tou-ward heore londen.
mid seolure and mid golde
cnihtes swa iscrudde. no þurh al swa wel idihte
þus Arður heom dihte. al for heore worde.
Þas twalf cnihtes foren þat heo to Rome comen.
heo gretten heore kaisere heore kine-lauerd.
Hail seo þu Luces þu art hæxt ouer us.
We woren at þan raȝe at Ar[ð]ure þan kinge.
we habbeoð writen ibroht þe word swiðe grate.
Arður is þe kenneste mon þat we æuere lokeden on.
and he is wunder riche and his þeines beoð balde.
þer is æuer-ælc swein swulc he cniht weore.
þer is æuer-ælc swein swulc he weore riche þein.
þer beoð þa cnihtes swulc hit weoren kinges.
mete þer is vnimete & men swiðe balde.
and þa ueieȝereste wifmen þa wunieð on liuen.
and him-seolf Arður þe balde uæiȝerest ouer alle.
Bi us he sende word þe þat he wule to þisse londe.
na gauel he nule bringen ah þe seoluen he wule binden.
and seoðð he wule þe an-hon and þis lond al for-don.
and Alemaine Lunbardie Burguine France. and Normandie
Frolle he sloh is iua. swa he wulle us alle do.
and ahnien him ane þa we aȝen alle clane.
Her-to he wule leden kinges eorles & here-þringes.
And her we habbeoð an honden writen þat he sende.
þe þe quiddieð what he wule don þenne he cumeð hider on.
Þa þæ ærnde wes iseid. þæ kaisere wes ful særi mon.
& astured weoren Rom-weren alle. mid sterclichere wræððe
Ofte heo eoden to ræde. ofte heo heolden rune
ær heom mihte iwurðen. waht heo don wolde.
Noðeles a þan ende enne ræd heo ifunden.
þat was þurh þa senaturs þa þet sinað heolden.
þan kaisere heo radden þat he write runen
and sende his sonde ȝeond feole kinelonde.
and hehte heom cume sone alle to Rome.
of euer-ælche londe þe heom oht lufeden.
and alle þa wulleð mid fehte biȝiten lond oðer ahte.
Folc þer com sone to þere burh of Rome.
swa muchel swa þer neuere ærer na mon no isumnede.
Heo seiden þat heo wolden ouer Munt Giu iwenden.
and wið Arðure fehten whar-swa heo hine ifunden.
and Arður slæn oðer an-hon and his hired al for-don.
and ahnien þan kaisere Arðures riche.
Þe æreste king þe þer com he wes swiðe kene. mon.
Epistrod king of Grece Ethion duc of Boece.
þer com mid mucle wiȝe Irtac king of Turckie.
Pandras king of Egipte of Crete þe king Ipolitte.
of Syrie þe king Euander of Frigie þe duc Teucer.
of Babilone Mæptisas of Spaine þe kaisere Meodras.
of Medie þe king Boccus of Libie þe king Sexstorius.
of Bittunie Pollidices of Iturie þe king Sexes.
Ofustesar king of Aufrike nes þer na king his ilike.
mid him com moni Aufrican of Ethiope he brohte þa bleomen.
Þa seolue Romleoden liðen heom to-somne.
þat weoren at nexte of Rome þa hexte.
Marces Lucas and Catel. Cocta Gaius & Metel.
þis weoren þa sixe þe þat senaht al biwusten.
Þa þis folc isomned wes of feole cunne londes.
þa sette þe kaisere arimen al þæne here.
Þa weoren þer riht italde to fihte swi[ð]e balde.
feouwer hundred þusende cnihtes a þan hæpe.
mid wepnen. and mid horsen swa bihoueð to cnihten.
Nes he neuere iboren i nauere nane burȝe.
þat mihte þat folc tellen þat þer eoden a-uoten.
Auormest heruestes dæie uorð heo gunnen sturien.
auer riht þene wæi þet touward Munt Giu lai.
Lete we nu ane while þeos ferde bilæue.
and speke we of Arðure aðelest kinge.
þa þe he bisoht hafde his þeines sele.
and ælc wes ham iuare þer he lond hafde.
And raðe a-ȝæin comen cnihtes to hireden.
mid wepnen wel idihten þurh allen heore mihte.
of Scotlond of Irlond of Gutlond of Islond.
of Noreine of Denene of Orcaneie of Maneie.
of þan ilke londen beoð an hundred þusende.
iwepnede þeines ohte on heore londes wise.
Neoren hit noht cnihtes no þes wæies idihte.
ah hit weoren men þa kenlukeste þa æi mon ikende
mid mucle wiaxen mid longe saxen.
Of Normandie of Angou of Brutaine of Peitou.
of Flandres of Bulunne of Loherne of Luueine.
comen an hundred þusende to þas kinges. hirede.
cnihtes mid þan bezsten þurh-costned mid wepnen.
Þer comen þa twalf iueren þa France sculden heren.
twelf þusend cnihtes heo brohten forð-rihtes.
and of þissen londe Arður nom an honde.
fifti þusend cnihtes kene and ohte men to fihte.
Howel of Brutaine cnihtes mid þan bezste.
ten þusend la[d]de of his leod-folke.
Of ganninde monnen þa heo forð wenden.
þurh nane cunnes spelle ne cuðe heom na mon telle.
Arður þa hehte aðelest kinge.
to ane isette time þat folc isomnien
bi heore bare lifen. at Barbe-fleote
& þer he wolde gædere. sele his þede.
Þis lond he bi-tahte ane sel-cuðe cnihte.
he wes Walwainnes broðer næs þer nan oðer.
Moddred wes ihaten forcuðest monnen.
treouðe nefde he nane to nauer nane monne.
he wes Arðures mæi of aðelen his cunne.
ah cniht he wes wunder god. & he hafde swiðe muchel mod.
Arðures suster sune to þere quene wes his iwune.
þat wæs ufele idon his æme he dude swike-do[m].
Ah al hit wes stille in hirede and in halle.
for na man hit ne wende. þat hit sculde iwurðe.
ah men to soðe i-wenden for Walwain wes his broðer.
þe alre treoweste gume þe tuhte to þan hirede.
þurh Walwain. wes Modræd monnen þa leouere.
and Arður þe kene ful wel him iquemde.
He nom al his kinelond & sette hit Moddræd an hond.
and Wenhauer his quene wurðlukest wiuen.
þa þe in þissere leode wunede an londe.
Arður bi-tahte al þat he ahte.
Moddrade and þere quene þat heom was ique[m]e.
Þat was ufele idon þat heo iboren weoren.
þis lond heo for-radden mid ræuðen uniuoȝen.
and a þan ænden heom-seoluen þe Wurse gon i-scenden.
þat heo þer for-leoseden lif and heore saulen.
and æuer seoððe laðen in auer-ælche londe.
þat nauer na man nalde sel bede beoden for heore saule.
for þan swike-dome þat he dude Ar[ð]ure his æme.
Al þat Arður ahte he Moddrede bitahte.
lond and his leoden & leofen his quene.
and seððen he nom his ferde of folken swiðe hende.
and ferde ful sone touward Suð-hamtune.
Þer comen seilien sone ȝeond þa sæ wide.
scipes uniuoȝe to þas kinges folke.
þe king þat folc beide ȝeond þa scipen longe.
bi þusend & bi þusend to þan scipen þrasten.
þe uader weop a þene sune suster a þene broðer.
moder a þa dohter þa þa duȝeðe sturede.
Weder stod on wille wind wex an honde
ankeres heo up droȝen drem wes on uolken.
Wunden in-to widen sæ þeines wunder bliðe.
scipen þer forð þrungen gleo-men þer sungen.
seiles þer tuhten rapes þer rehtten.
wederen alre selest and þa sæ sweuede.
For þere soft-nesse Ar[ð]ur gon to slæpen.
Alse þe king slepte a sweuen him imette.
feorlic wes þat sweouen. þene king hit auerde
þa þe king him awoc swiðe he wes idræcched.
and granen agon ludere stefenen.
Næs þer nan swa þriste cniht under Criste.
þat durste þene king fræine of his fare-coste.
ær þe king him-seolf speke and spilede wið his beornen þere.
and þus Ar[ð]ur him seide þa he awoc of slæpe.
Lauerd Drihten Crist domes waldende.
midelarde mund monnen froure.
þurh þine að-mode wil walden ænglen.
let þu mi sweuen to selþen iturnen.
Þa spac Angel þe king. Scottene deorling.
Lauer[d] sæi us þi sweuen seleȝehðe us beo ȝeueðe.
Bluðeliche quað þe king to blisse hit iwurðe.
Þer ich lai a sweuete agan ich forto slepe.
me þuhte þat in þere weolcne com an wunderlic deor.
æst in þan leofte ladlic an sehte.
wið leite mid storme. sturn-liche wende.
nis in nare leode nan swa lad-lic beore.
Þa com þer westene winden mid þan weolcnen.
a berninge drake bur[ȝes he] suel[de]
mid his feure he lihte. al þis lond-riche
me þuhte a mire sihȝeðe. þat þa sæ gon to berne
of leite & of fure. þa þe drake ferede
Þes drake and beore. beien to-somne.
radliche sone to-gadere heo come
heo smiten heom to-gaderen mid feondliche ræsen.
[f]loȝen of heore hæȝene swulc fur-burondes.
Ofte wes þe drake buuen and eft seoððen bineoþen.
neoðeles a þan ænde heȝen he gon wende.
and he flah dun-rihte mid feond-liche ræsen.
and þene beore he ismat. þat he to þere eorðe iwhat.
and he þer þene beore of-sloh and hine lim-mele to-droh.
Þa þat feht wes ido þe drake aȝen wende.
Þis sweuen me imette þer ich lai and slapte.
Biscopes þis iherden & boc-ilærede men.
þis iheorden eorles þis iherden beornes.
ælc bi his witte wisdom sæiden.
þis sweuen aræhten
Ne durste þer na cniht to ufele ræcchen na wiht.
leoste he sculden leosen his leomen þat weoren him deore.
Forð heo gunnen liðen an eouste bilife.
wind heom stod on wille selest alre wedere.
heo hæfden al þat heom wes neod to londen heo comen at Barbe-fleot.
To Barbe-fleot at Costentin þer com muchel moncun in.
of alle þan londe þa Arður hafde an honde.
Swa sone swa heo mihten ut of scipe heom rehten.
þe king his folc hehte herberwe isechen.
an badien þe king wolde þat his folc come
Nes he þere buten ane niht þa com him to an hende cniht.
he talde tidinge Arðure þan kinge.
he seide þat þer wes icumen a scaðe liðe.
of westward Spaine wel [d]reori feond
and inne Brutaine. bisi wes to harme
bi þere sæ-side. þet lond he weste wide
nu hit hatte Munt Seint Michel þat lond ewelde. iwidel.
Lauerd king queð þe cniht to soðe ich þe cuðe her-riht.
he hafueð inome þine maȝe mid hahliche strenðe.
heȝe wimmon i-boren Howeles dohter icoren.
Eleine wes ihaten aðelest maidenen.
To þan munte he heo uerede aðelest maidene
nu fulle feowertene niht þe feond heo hafueð ihalden þer-riht.
nute we on liue þeh he heo nabbe to wife.
Alle he makeð him to mete þa men þa he i-gripeð.
ruðeren hors & þa scep gæt and þa swin eke.
al þis lond he wule for-fare buten þu afeollen ure kare.
lond and þas leode a þe is ure neode.
Ȝet þe cniht seide to þan uolc-kinge.
I-sihst þu lauerd þe munt and þene wude muchele.
þer wuneð þe scaðe inne þa scendeð þas leode.
We habbeð wið him iuohten wel feole siðen.
bi sæ & bi londe þes leoden he amærde.
ure scipen he aseingde þat folc he al adrente.
þeo þat feuhten a þan londe þeo he adun leide.
we habbeoð idriuen þat swa longe þat we hine læteð ane.
faren heu swa he wule after iwille him
þis lond-cnihtes ne durren wið him mare na fehten.
Arður þis iherde aðelest alre kinge.
he cleopede him to. þene eorl Kæi þe wes his stiward and his mæi.
Beduer eke to him he cleopede. he wes þes kinges birle.
He hæhte heom forð-riht beon al war to midder-niht.
mid alle heore wepne to wenden wið þan kinge.
þat na mon under Criste of heore uare nuste.
buten Arður þe king and þa tweien cnihtes mid him.
and heore sweines sixe ohte men and wihte.
and þe cniht þe radde hit þan king. heom ladde.
To þere mid-nihte þa men weoren aslepe.
Arður forð him wende aðelest alre kinge.
Bi-foren rad heore lo[n]d-cniht þat hit was dæiliht
heo lihten of heore steden and rihten heore i-weden.
Þa iseȝen heo nawiht feorren a muchel fur smokien.
uppen ane hulle mid sæ-ulode bi-uallen.
and an-oðer hul þer wes swiðe heh þæ sæ hine bifledde. ful neh.
þer-uuen-on heo i-seȝen a fur þat wes muchel and swiðe stor.
Þæ cnihtes þa tweoneden to whaþere heo faren mihten.
þet þe eotend war neore of þeos kinges fore.
Þa nom him to rede Arður þe ræȝe.
þat heo sculden somed faren aneosten þan ane furen.
and ȝif hine þer funden a-quellen hine to deðen.
Forð þe king wende þat he com aneuste.
noht he þer ne funde. bute a muchel fur þer berninde.
Arður eode abute & his cnihtes bi his siden.
na whit heo ne funden quikes uppen wolden.
buten þat fur muchele and ban vnimete.
bi atlinge heom þuhte þritti uoðere.
Arður þa nuste. nenne red godne
& bi-gon him to spekene. to Beduer his eorle.
Beduer far biliue a-dun of þissen hulle.
and wend þe ouer þat water deope mid allen þine iwede
and mid wisdome wend to þan fure.
and bi-halues þe iga and bi-hald ȝeorne.
ȝif þu miht a-finden oht of þan feonden.
And ȝif þu hine miht of-ȝiten on aiȝes cunnes wisen.
wend adun stille þat cume to þan watere.
& seien me þer sone what þu i-seȝen habbe.
and ȝif hit ilimpeð swa þat þu liðen to þan fure.
& þe feond þe of-ȝite and þu to fuse.
hafe mine godne horn þe al mid golde is ibon.
and blawe hine mid maine swa mon scal for neode.
and fus þe to þan feonde and bigin to fihten.
& we þe scullen fusen to swa we hit swiðest maȝen don.
And ȝif þu hine i-findest aneouste þan fure
and þu al un-aȝeten aȝein miht iwende.
þenne for-beode ich þe bi þine bare life.
þat þu nauere wið þene scucke feht no biginne.
Beduer iherde what his lauerd him seide.
his wepnen he on him dude and forð him iwende.
and up a-stæh þene munt þe is uni-mete.
He bar an his honde ænne gære swiðe stronge.
ænne sceld an his rugge i-rust al mid golde.
hælm an his hafde hehne of stele.
his bodi wes bifeong mid fæire are burne.
he hafde bi his side enne brond al of stele.
and forð he gon steppen stið imainede eorl.
þat he com fusen an neouste þan furen.
and he under ane treo gon him at-stonden.
Þa iherde he wepen wunder ane swiðen.
wepen and weinen and wanliche iberen.
Þa þe cniht wende þat hit þe eotend weoren.
and he an-bursten agon swulc weore a wilde bar.
and forȝæt sone þat his lauerd him sæide.
His sceld he bræid on breoste his spere he igrap faste.
and an neoste gon fuse touward þan fure.
he wende to finden þene feond sturne.
þat he fehten mihte and fondien hine seolue.
Þa fond he þer ane quene quecchen mid hafde.
heor-lockede wif weop for hire wei-sið.
wanede hire siðes þat heo wæs on liues
þat set bi þan fure mid reolichen ibere.
& sæt & bi-heold æuere ænne burinæsse.
and hire ȝeddes sæide ȝeomere stefne.
Wale Eleine wale deore maide.
wale þat ich þe uedde þat ich þe uostredde.
wale þat þæ wald-scaðe here þe haueð þus for-uare.
wale þat ich wes iboren mine leomen he haueð to-broken.
Þa bi-sæh þat wif abuten whar þe eotend come buȝen.
bi-seh a þene eorl Beduer þa icumen wes þer.
Þa sæide þat wif here þer heo sæt bi fure.
Whæt ært þu fære whit eært þu angel eært cnih[t].
beoð þine feðer-heomen ihaneked mid golden.
Ȝif þu ært of heuene þu miht isund faren heonene.
and ȝif þu ært eorðlic cniht ærm þu iwurðest forð-riht.
For nu anan cumeð þe scaðe þe alle þine leomen wule to-draȝen.
þeh þu weore stel al he þe awalt iwildel.
He uerde to Brutaine to að[el]est alre bolde
to Howeles castle hæh mon inne Brutene.
þa ȝaten alle he to-brac and binnen he gon wende.
He nom þare halle wah and helden hine to grunde.
þæs bures dure he warp adun þat heo to-barst a uiuen.
he funde i þan buren fæirest alre bruden.
Eleinen wes ihaten aðelest kunnen.
Howeles dohter hæh mon of Brutene.
Arðures maȝe of swiðe heȝe cunne.
Ich wes hire uoster-moder and feire heo uostredde.
Þer þe eotend unc ifeng forð mid him-seoluen.
fiftene mile
into þisse wilde wude. hider to þissen ilke stude
þus he us diste to-dæi a seouen nihte.
Sone swa he hider com swa he þat maide inom.
he wolde mon-radene habben wið þan maidene.
Ælde næfde heo na mare buten fihtene ȝere.
ne mihte þat maiden his mone i-þolien.
anan swa he lai hire mide hire lif heo losede sone.
& her he heo bi-burede burden alre hendest.
Eleine min aȝen uoster Howelles dohter.
Þa [h]e hafde þis idon swa me seoluen inom.
a uolden he me laiden and lai mid me seoluen.
nu hafeð he mine ban alle lad-liche a-brokene.
mine leomen al to-leðed. mi lif me is a-laðed.
Nu ich habbe þe itald hu we beoð her ihæd.
flih nu swiðe lest he þe ifinde.
for ȝif he cumeð a-bolȝen mid his balu-ræsen.
nes he neuere iboren þe maȝen stonden þe biuoren.
Efne þissen worden þa þat wif seide.
Beduer heo gon hirten mid hende-liche worden.
Leofe moder ich æm mon and cniht æm wel idon.
and ich þe wule suggen þurh soðe mine worden.
næs nan kempen i-boren of nauer nare burden.
þat mon ne mæi mid strenðe stupen hine to grunde.
& hire þe ane alde wifmon swiðe lutle beoð þine mæhten.
Ah hafuen nu swiðe godne dæi and ich wulle faren minne wæi.
Adun him ferde Beduer to his duȝeðe-kinge.
and talde him hu he hafde kare and hu he hafde al ifare.
and what þat wif alde of þan maidene him talde.
and hu þe eotend ælche dæi bi þan alde wiue lai.
Þer heo heom bi-twenen heolden heore runen.
hu heo mihten taken on þat þe scucke weore fordon.
Þeo while com þe eoten[de] faren and fusden to hi[s] fure.
he bar uppen his rugge burðene grete.
þat weore twælf swine iteied to-somne
mid wiðen swiðe grete, y-wriðen al to-gadere
Adun he warp þa dede swin & him-seolf sæt þer-bi.
his fur he beten a-gon & muchele treowen læiden on.
þa six swin he to-droh & euere he to þan wiue loh.
& sone umbe while he lai bi þan wife.
ah he nuste noht þan tidende þat comen to his wife-þinge.
He droh ut his gleden his flæsce he gon breden
and þa six swin he gon æten alle ær he arise of selde.
al biwaled on axen wanliche weoren þa sonden.
and seoððen he gon ræmien and raxlede swiðe.
& adun lai bi þan fure & his leomen strahte.
Lete we nu þene eotend bi-lafuen and atlien to þan kinge.
Arður at þan watere his wapnen nom an honde.
& þe eorl Beduer god cnih[t] wis and war.
and þe þridde wes Kæi þes kinges stiward & his mæi.
Ouer þan watere heo comen iwepned mid þan bezsten.
& stiȝen up þan hulle mid allen heore maine.
þat heo comen fusen a-neuste þan furen.
þer þe eotende lai and slæp & þa quene sæt and weop.
Arður hine teh bi-siden his iferen.
for-bad heom bi heore leomen & bi heore bare liuen.
þat nan neoren swa kene þat heom neh comen.
buten he iseȝen þat hit ned weoren
Beduer at-stod him þere and Kæi his iuere.
Arður gon stepe vorð stið-imoded kempe.
þat he com to þan ulette þer þe feond lai and slæpte.
Æuere wes Arður ærhðe bideled.
þet wes sutel þer-on sellic þah hit þunche.
for Arður mihte þere þene eotende al to-hæuwe.
slan þene scucke þer he lai & slapte.
Þa nolde Arður on slepen na wiht hine areppen.
leste he an uferre daȝe up-bræid iherde.
Þa cleopede Arður anan aðelest kingen.
Aris aris feond-scaðe to þine fæie-siðe.
nu wit scullen delen þene dæd of mire maȝen.
Ær þe king hæfde þæs ful isæide.
þe eotend up a-sturte & igrap his mucle clubbe.
and wende mid þan dunten Arður al to-driuen.
ah Arður bræid heȝe his sceld buuen his hælme.
and þe eotend smat þer-an-ouenan þat al he gon to-scenen
And Arður him swende to an hiȝende mid his sweorde.
and þen chin him of-swipte mid alle þan cheuele.
and sturte him biaften ane treo þe þer stod aneouste.
and þe eotend smat after biliue & noht hine ne hutte.
ah he þat treo smat þat al his clubbe to-draf.
And Arður aneouste þat treo bieorn abute.
and swa Arður & þe scucke biurnen hit þreie a-buten.
Þa wes þe eotend heui swiðe. and Ar[ð]ur wes swiftre
& of-toc þene eotend. and up ahof his gode brond
and þat þih him of-smat & eotend adun wæt.
And Arður at-stod and biheold. þa gon to spekene þe ueond.
Lauerd lauerd ȝef me grið wha is þat me fihteð wið.
Ne wende ich þat na man a þissere weorlde-richen.
me mihte þus lehtliche a-leggen mid fehte.
bute hit Arður weore aðelest alre Brutte.
and neoðeles næs ich nauere of Ar[ð]ure a-færed sære.
Þa him sæide Ar[ð]ur aðelest kingen.
Ich æm Arður þe king Bruttene deorling.
Tel me of þine cunne and whar beo heore beonste.
and wha þe weore on uolde fader oðer moder. ihalde.
and of wulche londe þu art iliðen hidere.
and whi þu mine maȝe a-ualled hafuest mid morðe.
Þa andswarede þe feond þer he læi and biheold.
Al þis ich wulle don and þine treoðe under-fon.
wið þat þu me lete liuien and mine leomen hælen.
Arður hine iwræððede wunder ane swiðe.
and he Beduer cleopede balde his kempe.
Ga aneouste Beduer and hefd him binim her.
& fere hit forð mid þe adun of þisse munte.
Beduer aneouste com & his hæfued him binom
& swa heo þeonene ferden. adun to heore iferen.
[Þa sat þe king adun] and hine gon to resten.
and þas word seide Arður þe sele.
No uæht ich nauere [u]eh[t] non uppen þissere uolden.
buten þa ich sloh þene king Riun uppen þan munte of Rauinite.
Seoððen heo uorð wenden & to þere uerde comen.
þa þe þat hafd iseȝe sellic heom þuhte.
whar weore under heuene swulc hafed ikenned.
Howel of Brutaine beh to þan kinge.
and þe king him seide al of þan maidene.
Þa wes Howel sari & sorhful an heorte for-þi.
and nom al his feren and ferde to þan munte.
þer þat Brutisce maide bibured læi on eorðe.
He lette þer areren sone ane chireche swiðe faire.
a Seinte Marie nomen Drihtenes moder.
& seoððen he ȝæf nome þan hulle ær he þonne wende.
and hehte hine Æleine Tunbel nu hit hæhte Munt Seint Myhhel.
Þa wes Arðures hired sellich isomned.
of Irlonde & of Scotlonde þider weoren iscriðene.
Þa lette þe king blauwen bemen an hireden.
& wenden of Brutaine bisie men & kene.
þurh-ut Normandie þæ hehte þa Neustrie.
heo uerden þurh-ut France and folc heom after ferde.
heo buȝen ut of Fra[n]ce into Burguine.
His hauwæres þer comen and heolden his iferen.
& cudde þan kinge þer i þare cuððe.
þat Luces þe kaisere and al his Romanisce here.
þider-ward heo comen fromward heore þeoden
& swa heo wolden fusen in touwward France.
and al þat bi-winnen and seoððen wenden hidere.
& Bruttes alle aquellen quicke þer heo heom funde.
and Arður þene kene ibunde lede to Rome.
Þa wes abolȝen baldest alre kingen.
and hehte a þan feldes slen alle his teldes.
and þer he wikien wolde þat he þat soðe wuste.
whær he minte þene kæisere iwisliche kepen.
Þat water hehte Albe þer lai þe king balde.
An wis cniht þer com ride to þas kinges uerde.
þe wes al for-wunded & his folc afelled swiðe.
hafden Romanisce men al his lond bi-ræiued him.
He talde þan kinge neouwe tiðende.
whar lai þe kaisere and al his Romanisce here.
& whær he hine mihte iwinde ȝif he hine wolde wi[ð] him fihten.
oðer grið makien wið Romanisce monnen.
Ah lauerd Arður quað þe cniht ich þe wulle cuðen her-riht.
þat betere þe is freondscipe to habben þene for to fihten.
for aȝan þine tweie heo habbeoð twælue.
swa feole kinges swa feole here-dringes.
Nis he in nare kuððe þe hit þe maȝe icu[ð]ðe.
for alle þan uolke þe uulieð þan kinge.
wið-uten þan Rom-leoden of his aȝere þeoden.
and wið-ute þan uolke þe ȝirneð þas kinges are.
Þa þe talen weoren alle italde & Arður heo hafden under-stonde.
þa cleopede þe king forð-rihtes his deoreste cnihtes.
& radden heom bitwenen enne castel to areren.
on-uast þan wateren þe Albe wes ihaten.
On ane swiðe feiere stude itimbred he wes ful sone.
þer feng moni hond to an hiȝende he wes ido.
for ȝif Arður mis-ferde þenne he come to fihte.
oðer his uolc ueolle oðer setten to fleonne.
þenne þohte he to at-stonden at þan castle stronge.
Þa cleopede he eorles tweie aðele men and wise.
heȝe men icunned þan kinge swiðe deore.
þæ an wes of Chartres and hehte Gerin. muchel wisdom wunede mid him.
þe oðer hehte Beof of Oxene-uord welle wide sprong þas eorles word.
Þe ȝet þe king cleopede Walwæin. þe wes his deoreste mæi.
for Walwain cuðe Romanisc Walwain cuðe Bruttisc.
he wes iued inne Rome wel feole wintre.
Þe king nom þas þreo cnihtes hende and to þan kaisere heom sende.
and hehte hine mid his ferde faren aȝæin to Rome.
& þat he næuere into France his ferde no ladde.
And ȝif þu þider wendest and þine ferde ledest.
þu scalt beon under-uonge to þine uæie-siðe.
For France is min aȝen and ich heo mid fehte biwon.
and ȝif þu nult bilauen þat þider nult liðen.
fare wit to uihte and falle þe uor-cuðere.
and lete we þat folc wræcche wunien an ære.
While Rom-leoden iwunnen þa þeoden.
and seoððen heo þa þeoden mid fehte for-loseden.
and ich heo mid feohte bi-won and mid fehte wule halden.
Forð þa cnihtes wenden godliche kempen.
þat [weoren] Gerin & Beof þe hende and Walwain þe balde.
iburned and ihelmed an hæȝen heore steden.
and ælc weiede an sculdre sceld swiðe godne.
heo beren on heore honde gares swiðe stronge.
Forð heo gunnen ride riche men from hirede.
muchel of þere duȝeðe þe mid Arðure wunede.
mid Walwaine eoden and æð-mod-liche hine beden.
þat he wið Rom-leode summe sake arerde.
þat we maȝen mid fehte fondien us seolue.
for hit is feole ȝere þat heore þrættes comen here.
and heore beot makieð þat heo us wulle bihafdi.
Nu is hit muchel leod-scome ȝif hit scal þus a-ligge.
bute þer sum sake beo ær we iwurðe sæhte.
scaftes to-brokene brunies to-torne.
sceldes to-scened scalkes to-heouwen.
sweordes ibaðede i blode þan rede
Forð þa eorles wenden þurh æne wude muchelen.
and mærcoden enne wæi þe ouer anne munte læi.
þat heo bi-comen sone to þan uolke of Rome.
wurðliche iwepned wunden an horsen.
Þer me mihte bi-halden þe mon þe bi-halues weore.
moni þusenden þrasten ut of telden.
al to bi-halden þeos þreo cnihtes balde.
and bi-heolden heore steden and bi-heolden heore iweden.
& hercnede tidende from Arðure þan kinge.
and a-neouste forð-rihtes fræinede þa cnihtes.
and ȝif þe king heom i-send hæfde to þan kaisere.
to speken þan kæisere wið and to ȝirnen his grið.
Ah for nauer nare speche þas þreo eorles riche.
nolden abiden ær heo comen riden.
forn to þas teldes deoren þer-inne wes þe kaisere.
Adun heo gunnen lihten & bitahten hore steden
and swa heo iwepned mid alle wenden in-to telde.
forn to þan kaisere þe Luces we[s] ihate.
Þer he sæt an his bedde heore ærnde heo him cudde.
ælc his saȝe sæide swa him sel þuhte.
& hehten hine wenden aȝæin to his londen.
þat he nauere mid un-friðe France no isohte.
Þa while þa þeos eorles þreo seiden heore erende.
a-set þe kaisere swulc he akimed weore.
and andsware nauer nan no aȝæf þissen eorlen.
ah he lustnede ȝeorne luðer on his þohte.
Þa an-bælh Walwain swulc an iburst þein
and þas word sæide Walwain þe kene.
Luces þe riche þu ært kæisere of Rome.
we beoð Arðures men aðelest Brutten.
He sent þe his sonde wið-uten gretinge.
he hat þe faren to Rome þa riche is þin aȝen.
let hine halden France þe he biwon mid fehte.
and hald þu richen and þine Rom-leoden.
While þine aldren France ieoden.
mid fehte heo þer biwunnen unimete wunnen
swa ane while heo þer l[i]ueden and seoðen heo hit leoseden.
mid fehte Ar[ð]ur hit biwon and he hit wule walden.
He is ure lauerd we beoð his leod-kempen.
He us hæhte suggen soð to þe seoluen.
ȝif þu nult aȝen buȝen þ[i] bone he wule iwurðen.
and ȝif þu nult aȝen wenden ah iwurðien þin iwillen.
and þu wult þat kinelond bi-tellen to þire hond.
nu to-morȝen is þe dæi haue ȝif þu biȝete mæi
Þæ andswarede þe kaisere mid grættere wræððe
Nulle ich noht aȝæin faren ah France ich wulle bi-tellen.
mine ældren hit heolden and ich hit wulle habben.
Ah ȝif he wolde bi-cumen mi mon & for lauerd me icnawen.
& treouliche me heren & me for hærre halden.
griðien ich him wulle & his gumen alle.
and lete halde Brut-lond þæ Iulius hafde in his hond.
& oðere londes monie þe Iulius hafde an honde.
þat he naueð nane rihte to þæ riche þæh he walde.
þa he scal alle leose. buten he leoð makie.
Þa andswarede Walwain þæ wes Arðures mæi.
Belin & Brenne beiȝene þa ibroðere.
Brut-lond heo ahten and France heo biwunnen.
and seoððen heo uerden sone and biȝeten Rome.
and þer heo wuneden seoððe wel feole ȝere.
Þa þis wes al iuare þa wes Brennes kæisere.
and walde Rom-leoden and alle þa þeoden.
And Rome is ure icunde þa þu haldest an honde.
and ȝif we mote libben we hit wulleð habben.
beute ȝif þu wulle icnawen beo þat Arður is king ouer þe.
and ælche ȝere him senden gæuel of þine londen.
and ȝif gæst him a leoð þu miht libben þa eð.
Þa sæt bi þan kaisere a cniht of his cunne.
Quencelin ihaten hæh mon inne Rome.
Þes cniht andswarede biuoren þan kaisere.
& þus him seide þe cniht was unisele.
Cnihtes fareð eou aȝæin and cuðeð eower kinge.
[Bruttes beoþ bolde] a[c] heo beoð unwræste italde.
for æuere heo ȝelp makieð heore monscipe is luttel.
Mare he þohte to suggen þa Walwain bræid to sweorden.
and smat hine ufenen þat hafde þat he atweo hælde.
& he hiȝenliche anan heolde to his horsen.
and heo up leopen mid grimliche lechen.
and þas word seide Walwain þe sele.
Swa me helpe þe ilke lauerd þe scop þes daȝes lihte.
ȝif æuer-aie is swa kene of eouwer moncunne.
þat us after kenne ich hine wulle aquelle
he scal beo to-swungen mid brade mine sweorden.
Efne þare ilke tale þa cleopede þe kaisere.
Haldeð heom haldeð alle heo sculleð heongien.
heȝe uppen treouwe oðer mid horsen beon to-draȝene.
Efne þissere sæȝe þa þe kaisere seide.
þe eorles gunnen riden & spureden heore steden.
heo scæken on heore honden speren swiðe stronge.
beren bi-foren breosten brade heore sceldes.
Aneouste gunnen ride eorles ræȝe.
and æuere þæ kaisere lude gon cleopie.
Nimeð heom slæh heom. i-scend heo us habbeoð.
Þer me mihte ihere þe þer bihalues weore.
clupien þusende of þan þeod-folke.
Hider hider wepnen Wende we heom æfter.
Hider ure sceldes þe scalkes atwendeð.
Sone heom after wenden iwepnede kempen.
þer sixe þer seouene þer æhte þer niȝene.
And æuere þa eorles arnde biliues.
and æuere umbe stunde biseȝen heom bi-hinde.
and euere þa cnihtes of Rome after biliue come.
And þer com aneouste alre swiðest ærne.
& euere cleopede kenlich swiðe.
Wendeð a-ȝæin cnihtes and werieð eo mid fihtes.
Hit is eo muchel scome þat ȝe wulleð at-sceken.
Walwain icneo þene reme of þan Romanisce men
he wende his stede & to him gon ride.
& smat hine þurh mid þan spere. swa he ispited weore.
& bræid to him þat spere þe gume iwat sone.
& þæs word kende Walwain þe kene.
Cniht þu ride to swiðe betere þe weore at Rome.
Marcel hehte þe cniht heȝere monnen.
Þa Walwain i-sæh þat he to grunde bæh.
sone his sweord he ut abræid & smat of Marcele þat hefd.
and þas word sæide Walwain þe sele.
Marcel far to helle & tel heom þer spelles.
and wune þer to-ȝere mid Quencelien þin ifere.
and haldeð þer unker rune betere inc weoren inne Rome.
for þus we eou scullen techen ure Bruttisce speche.
Gerin isæh hu hit ferde hu þe Romanisce lai þer dune
and his hors muneȝede and ænne o[ð]erne imette.
and smat hine þurh-ut mid his spere and þas word spilede
Rid nu swa Romain and reos þe to hellen.
and þus we scullen grundien ȝif Godd us wule fulsten.
Nis noht wurð þratte buten þer beo dede æ[c]
Bos isæh þe ohte mon hu his iueren hafden idon.
& his hors wende wunder ane swiðe.
and mid alle his mitte teh to ane cnihte.
& smat hine buuen þan scelde þat to-barst his gode burne.
& þurh-ut þene sweore þe swælt ful sone.
And þus þe eorl cleopien agon kenliche on his feren.
Bruttes us wulleð scenden ȝif we heonne wendeð.
bute we bet aginnen. ær we heonene iwenden.
Efne þere speche þe þe eorl [k]ende.
heo bi-wenden heom sone wunder ane swiðe.
and ælc his sweord swiðe adroh and ælc his Rumain of-sloh.
& seoððen heore hors wenden & heore wæi heolden.
And þæ Romanisce men riden eouere after heom.
ofte heo heom on smiten ofte heo heom at-witen
ofte heo sæiden heom [t]o Abuggen ȝe scullen þa dede.
ah ne mihten heo þurh nane þinge heore nenne adun bringe.
no nenne hærm þer don heom i þan wiðer-happen.
Ah æuere umbe whilen þe eorles aȝain wenden.
and ær heo to-twemden þe wurse wes Rom-leoden.
Þus heo iuerden fiftene milen.
þat heo comen to ane stude vnder ane ueire wude.
on-uast þan castle þer Arður lei uaste.
Þreo milen þer-from to þan wuden þrungen
niȝe þusende þe Arður þider senden.
baldere Brutten þe bezst þat lond cneowen.
heo wolden wite þat soðe of Walwain þan kene.
and of his iueren hu heo iuaren weoren.
whaðer heo liue weoren þa heo bi wæie læien.
Þæs cnihtes siȝen þurh þene wude wunder ane softe.
uppen ane hullen and ȝeorne biheolden.
Heo letten alle þa horsmen i þan wude alihten.
and rihten heore i-wepnen and alle heore iweden.
buten an hundred monnen þe þer sculden bi-halden.
ȝif heo on-ȝiten mihten þurh æies cunnes þingen.
Þa iseȝen heo feorren in ane uelde muchelen.
þreo cnihtes ærnen mid allen heore mainen.
After þan þreom cnihten þritti þer comen.
after þan þrittie heo iseȝen þreo þusende.
þer-after comen þrasten þritti þusen anan.
Romanisce leoden mid ræue bihonged.
And þa eorles bi-uoren heom aneuste at-arnden.
euere þene rihte wæi þe touward þan wude lai.
þer heore iueren wel ihudde weoren.
Þa eorles ærden to þan wuden þa Romanisce after riden.
þa Bruttes to-ræsden on heore iræste steden.
and smiten to a-uorenon and feollen an hundred anan.
Þa wenden Rom-leoden þat Arður come riden.
and weoren afered feondliche swiðe. and Bruttes after heom
and sloȝen of þan folke. fiften hundred
Þa com heom to fulste of heore aȝe uolke.
þa Arður þider hafde isend sixtene þusund.
baldere Brutten mid burnen bihonged.
Þa com þer ride þat was an eorl riche.
Petreius ihate heh mon of Rome.
mid six þusend kempen þan Romanisce to helpen.
& mid muchelere strengðe. leopen to þan Brutten.
and lut þer-of nomen ah monie heo of-sloȝen.
Bruttes to wude hælden þe oðere after wenden.
and þa Bruttes auoten uaste aȝæin stoden.
and þa Romanisce men fuhten ridende.
and Bruttes heom to heolden & heore hors sloȝen.
& moni þer nomen & in þene wude droȝen.
Þa iwarð Petreius wrað þat his wes þa wurse þer.
and he mid his uerde from þan wude wende.
and Bruttes heom to buȝen and bi-æften heom sloȝen.
Þa Bruttes weoren ut of wude iȝein to þan felde.
þa atstoden Rom-leoden mid ræȝe strenȝe.
Þa bi-gon þat muchele fiht þer ueollen eorlles & moni god cnih[t].
þer ueollen a dæi fiften þusend.
aðelere monnen ær hit weore æfen.
Þer he finden mihte þe his main wolde fondien.
hond aȝan honde strongne aȝein str[onge].
sceld aȝein scelde scalkes þer ueollen.
Vrnen þa streten mid blode-stræmen.
leien ȝeond þan ueldes gold-faȝe sceldes.
al þene dæi longe heo heolden þat feht stronge.
Petreius an his halue his folc heold to-somne.
þa iwræð sone þat Bruttes hafden þat wurse.
Þat isæh þe eorl heȝe of Oxeneuorde.
Beof wæs ihæten hæh Bruttisc mon.
þat a nare wisen ne mihte hit i-wurðen.
þat Bruttes ne mosten reosen buten heo ræd haueden.
Þa eorl þa cleopede cnihtes aðele.
of þan alre bezsten of alle þan Brutten.
and of þan kennesten þe þer quike weoren.
and tuhte hine ut a þan felde aneouste þere ferde.
and þus him iseide an heorte him wes unneðe.
Cnihtes hercnieð nu to me Drihten us helpe.
we beoð hidere icumen and þis feht habbeoð under-numen.
buten Arðures rede þe is ure hexte.
ȝif us oht ilimpeð we him þa bet likieð.
and ȝif us ilimpeð uuelen. he us wule hatien.
Ah ȝif ȝe wulleð minne ræd þenne ride we al glad.
We beoð þreo hundred cnihtes ihelmede þeines.
ohte men and kene aðele iborene.
Cuðeð eouwer cniht-scipe we beoð of are cu[ð]ðe.
Rideð þenne ich ride and fulieð mine rede.
Alle haldeð him to to þan cnihte þa ich do.
ne nime ȝe nenne stede no nanes cnihtes iwede.
ah æuer-ælc god cniht slæn æuere adun-riht.
Æfne þan worde þe þe cniht sæide. of Oxene-uorde.
to his iueren bisiden þa gon he to riden
æfne al swa swiðe swa hund þene heort driueð.
and his iueren after mid allen heore mahten.
þurh-ut þene muchele uehte al þa cniht-weorede.
fluen an heore steden uolc heo þere aqualden.
Wo wæs heom iboren þa i þan weie heom weoren biuoren.
for alle heo hit to-treden mid horsen & mid steden.
and swa aneouste heo iwenden and Petreium iuengen
Beo[f] him bi-arnde and mid ærmen bi-clupte.
& bræid hine of his stede & to eorðe hine istræhte.
he wuste him bihalues balde his cnihte.
Bruttes adun sloȝen Petreius heo droȝen.
and þa Rom-leoden ræhliche fuhten.
and a þan laste ne mihte mon wite. wha oðerne smite.
þer wes muchel blod-gute balu wes on compe.
Þa isæh Walwain þer he wes bihaluen.
mid seouen hundred cnihten þider he gon hælden.
in his wæiȝe þat he funde al he hit aqualde.
and ridende igrap Petreiun on richen his steden.
and ladde uorð Petreiun læð þeh hit weore him.
þat heo to þan wude comen þer heo wel wusten.
sikerliche to halden þene riche mon of Rome.
and æft ut a þene ueld wenden and bi-gonnen to fehten.
Þer me iseon mihte sorȝen inoȝe.
sceldes scenen scalkes fallen.
halmes to-hælden hæhȝe men to-swelten.
blodie ueldes falewede nebbes.
Bruttes heom to-ræsden þa fluȝen Rom-leoden.
Bruttes heom sloȝen and monie heo quic. nomen.
and þe dæi-ende þæ wa wes Rom-leoden [þ]a.
Þa bond men uaste kempen Romanisce.
and lædden heom to þan wude biuoren Walwaine.
heom biwakeden a þere nihte. twenti hundred cnihten.
Þa hit dai wes amarȝen duȝeðe gon sturie.
forð heo gunnen liðe. to heore kine-lauerde
and swulc lac him brohte þat leof him wes to habben.
Þa spac Arður him þus Wulcume Petreius.
Nu ic þe wulle teche. Bruttisce spæche.
Þu ȝulpe biforen þan kaisere þat þu me woldest aquellen.
Nimen mine castles alle and mine kine-riche.
and muchel þe sæl iwurðen of þat þu wilnedest to habben.
Ich wulle bitachen þe ful iwis minne castel inne Paris.
and þer þu scalt wunien swa þe beoð alre leoþest.
ne scalt þu nauere. mare þi lif þenne lede.
Arþur þa cnihtes nom þe þer iuongen weoren.
þreo hundred rideres he nom eke anan.
þe alle weoren iueren
cnihtes swiðe ohte and kene men to uihte.
and hæhte heom amorȝen monliche arisen.
bi[n]den Romanisce men mid stronge rake-tehȝen.
and lede Petreius to þere borh of Paris.
Feouwer eorles he hæhte forð heom ibringen.
Cador Borel Beduer and Richer.
he hehte heom beon iueren þat heo siker weoren.
and cumen aȝain sone to heore kine-lauerde.
Þis wes al þus ispeken ah hit wes sone under-ȝeten.
Hæwæres foren ȝeond þas kinges ferden.
& iherden suggen soðere worden.
wuder Arður wolde senden þæ cnihtes. þe he haf[de] i benden.
and þa hauweres forð-rihte wenden uorð bi nihte.
þat heo comen sone to þan kaisere of Rome.
and talden al heore tale hu þas feouwer eorles sculden uare.
and forð lede Petreius to þære burh of Paris.
and al heo talden þene wæi þe intowardes Parise læi.
and whar me heom kepen mihte in ane slade deopen.
and biraiuien of heom Petreiun þene riche mon.
& þa feouwer eorles ileggen & fasten heom binden.
Luces þis iherden þe kaiser of Rome.
and he leopt to wepne swulc hit a liun weore.
and ten þusend hehte kempen iþoȝene.
to horse & to wepnen aneouste foren wenden
He cleopede Sextorius of Libie he wes king of Turkie dux.
he sende after Euander þe of Babiloine wes icumen þer.
he cleopede to þan senaturs Bal Catel Carrius.
þeos weoren alle kine-borne & þeos weoren alle icoren.
aneouste to riden and Petreium aredden.
Anan swa hit was euen forð heo iwenden.
heom ladden twelue of þan leod-folke.
þa swiðe warre weoren and þa weiȝes cuðen.
Þa riden Rom-leoden riseden burnen.
quahten on hafden helmes heȝen.
seldes on rugge ræȝe Rom-leoden.
Heo ferden alle nihte neodliche swiðe.
þet heo comen in þe wai þa in-to Parise lei.
þa weoren heo biuoren and Bruttes biaften.
Ah wale þat hit nuste Cador þe kene.
þat þa Rom-leoden heom for-riden hafueden.
Heo comen in ænne wude on ænne swiðe faire stude.
in ane dale deope diȝelen bihælues.
sweoren heom bitwænen þat þer heo wolden kepen.
Þer heo leien stille ane lutle stunde.
& hit agon daiȝen and deor gunnen waȝeȝen.
Þa comen Arðures men quecchen after streten.
riht þene ilke wæi þer þe oðer uerde læi.
heo riden singinge segges weoren bli[ð]e.
Neoþeles Cador wes þer swiðe wis & swiðe war.
he and Borel þe eorl riche buȝen heom to-gæderes.
& nomen heom bitweonen fif hundred cnihtes.
and biuoren wenden iwepnede kempen.
Richer and Beduer wenden heom bafte þer.
and þa cnihtes fereden þa heo iuongen hafden.
Petreium and his iueren þa iwunne weoren.
Þa heo comen riden uppen Rom-leoden
& Rom-leoden ræsden to mid ræȝere strengðen.
and smiten a þan Brutten mid swiðe bite[r]e duntes.
breken Bruttene trume balu wes on folke.
þe wude brastlien gon. beornes þer feollen.
Bruttes heom wið-stoden and stærcliche heom weoreden.
Þat iherde Richer & þe eorl Beduer.
hu heore i-ueren heom b[i]uoren fuhten.
Petreiun heo nomen & heore inume allen.
and mid þreo hu[n]dred sweinen in-to wude senden.
And heom-seolue fusden to-ward heore ifæren.
and smiten a Rom-leoden mid raȝere strengðen.
þer wes moni dunt iȝeuen and moni mon þer wes islaȝen.
Þa underȝæt Euander þe heðene king wes swiðe war.
þat heore uolc gon waxen and Bruttes gunnen wonien.
and buȝen heom to-somne his cnihtes seleste.
and uuenon þan Brutten swulc heo heom wolden abiten.
Bruttes wokeden þa & heore wes þat wurse
heo sloȝen heo nomen al þat heo neh comen.
Wa wes Brutten þere buten Arðure.
heore helþ wes to lutel þere at heȝere neode.
Þer wes Borel of-slaȝen and idon of lif-daȝen.
Euander king hine aqualde mid luðere his crafte.
and þreo Bruttes eke heȝe men iborene.
Þer islaȝen weoren þreo hundred of heore iueren.
and monie quike nomen & narwe heom ibunden.
þa nusten heo godne ræd nanne for alle heo wenden beon dede.
neoþeles heo fuhten swa ohtliche swa heo mahte.
Þa wes ut ifaren from Arðures ferden.
þæ king of Peytouwe har mon iblowen
Guitard he hehte Gascunne he ahte.
he hæfde to iueren fif hundred rideren.
þreo hundred scuhten kene men to uehten.
and seouen hundred auoten þa fuse weoren to harmen
Heo weoren ifaren into þan londe fodder to biwinnen.
æiþer uodder and mete to læden to heore ferde.
Þa luden heo iherden of þan Rom-leoden.
heore deden heo bi-lafden and þiderward gunnen liðen.
stið-imodede men & swifte slauþe bidæled.
þat heo comen sone an-neouste þan fehte.
Guitard and his cnihtes þer-riht forð-rihtes.
igrippen heore sceldes swiðe balde cnihtes.
and alle þa scutten scuuen heom bisides.
and þa men auoten to gunnen fusen
and alle somed smiten on mid smarten heore dunten.
At þan uorme smællen Romaniscen veollen.
fiftene hundred folden to grunden
þer wes islæȝen Euander þe king wes ful sturne. ær.
Catellus of Rome forȝæt his domes þære.
Þæ astalden þer flem þat ær staðel heolden.
þa rugges to-wenden & fluȝen Rom-leoden.
Bruttes heom after buȝen & mid baluwe heom. igrætten
and swa monie heo þer nomen and swa monie heo þer sloȝen.
þat no mihte Bruttene uerde bi-ueolen na-mare.
And þa Romanisce men þe þer at-faren mihten.
at-arnede ful sone to þan kaisere.
and talden him tidende of Arðure þan kinge.
for heo wenden to soðe þat Arður þider comen.
þer wes auared swiðe þe kaisere & his ferde.
þe Bruttes islaȝen hafden þat heom sel þuhten.
aȝein-ward heo buȝen þa mid baldere biȝete.
and to þan stude wenden aȝæin þer þat feht hafde ibeon.
and bureden þa deden and þa quike gunnen forð leden.
And senden after Petreiun þæ heo ær nomen.
& after his iueren þæ ær inumen weoren.
and senden heom alle fuliwis into þære burȝe of Paris.
and þreo castles fulden and faste heom biclusden.
after Arðures heste aðelest kingen.
Alle Brut-leoden luueden Arðuren.
alle heom stod him æie to þat wuneden a þan ærde.
swa dude þan kaisere of Ærðure he hafde muchele kare.
and alle Rom-leoden of Arðure weoren a-færde.
Þa wæs mid soðe ifunde þat Mærlin sæide whilen.
þat sculden for Ar[ð]ure Rome ifullen afure.
and þa wal of stanen quakien and fallen.
Þas ilke tacni[n]ge sculde beon of Luces þan kæiseren.
& of þan senature þa mid him come of Rome
and of þan seoluen wisen þæ þer gunnen resen.
þat Merlin i furn-daȝen seide al heo hit funden þere.
swa heo duden ære. and seoððen wel iwhare
ær Arður iboren weore. Merlin al hit bodede
Þe kaisere i-herde suggen soðere worden.
hu his men weoren inu[m]en and hu his folc æc of-slaȝen.
Þa weoren inne his ferde feole-valde sorȝe.
summe mænden heore freond summe þrætteden heore ueond.
summe bonneden wepnen balu heom wes ȝeueðe.
Þa iseh Luces þat luðere him ilimped wæs
for ælche dæi he losede of his leod-folke.
ah he herm iuredde his heȝe men he losede.
He iwærð afered þa wunder ane swiðe.
and nom him to ræde & to som-rune.
þat he wolde to Æust mid alle his iuerde.
forð bi Lengres he wolde uare of Arðure he hafde muchele kare.
Arður hafde his hauwares. an hirede þas kaiseres
and sone duden him to witen whuder he wolde wenden.
Ar[ð]ur lette sone somnien his ferde.
stilleliche bi nihte his cnihtes seleste.
and forð þe king wende mid sele his folke.
An his riht honde he lette Lengres stonde.
and i þæne wæi biforen ferde þe Luces faren wolde.
Þa he com in ane dale vnder ane dune.
þer he gon at-stonden kennest alre kingen.
þat dale is mid soðe Sosie ihaten.
Arður þer adun lihte and hæhte al his duȝeðe
and ahnien him ane þa we aȝen alle clane.
Her-to he wule leden kinges eorles & here-þringes.
And her we habbeoð an honden writen þat he sende.
þe þe quiddieð what he wule don þenne he cumeð hider on.
Þa þæ ærnde wes iseid. þæ kaisere wes ful særi mon.
& astured weoren Rom-weren alle. mid sterclichere wræððe
Ofte heo eoden to ræde. ofte heo heolden rune
ær heom mihte iwurðen. waht heo don wolde.
662
þat was þurh þa senaturs þa þet sinað heolden.
þan kaisere heo radden þat he write runen
and sende his sonde ȝeond feole kinelonde.
and hehte heom cume sone alle to Rome.
of euer-ælche londe þe heom oht lufeden.
and alle þa wulleð mid fehte biȝiten lond oðer ahte.
Folc þer com sone to þere burh of Rome.
swa muchel swa þer neuere ærer na mon no isumnede.
Heo seiden þat heo wolden ouer Munt Giu iwenden.
and wið Arðure fehten whar-swa heo hine ifunden.
and Arður slæn oðer an-hon and his hired al for-don.
and ahnien þan kaisere Arðures riche.
Þe æreste king þe þer com he wes swiðe kene. mon.
Epistrod king of Grece Ethion duc of Boece.
þer com mid mucle wiȝe Irtac king of Turckie.
Pandras king of Egipte of Crete þe king Ipolitte.
of Syrie þe king Euander of Frigie þe duc Teucer.
of Babilone Mæptisas of Spaine þe kaisere Meodras.
of Medie þe king Boccus of Libie þe king Sexstorius.
of Bittunie Pollidices of Iturie þe king Sexes.
Ofustesar king of Aufrike nes þer na king his ilike.
mid him com moni Aufrican of Ethiope he brohte þa bleomen.
Þa seolue Romleoden liðen heom to-somne.
þat weoren at nexte of Rome þa hexte.
Marces Lucas and Catel. Cocta Gaius & Metel.
þis weoren þa sixe þe þat senaht al biwusten.
Þa þis folc isomned wes of feole cunne londes.
þa sette þe kaisere arimen al þæne here.
Þa weoren þer riht italde to fihte swi[ð]e balde.
feouwer hundred þusende cnihtes a þan hæpe.
mid wepnen. and mid horsen swa bihoueð to cnihten.
Nes he neuere iboren i nauere nane burȝe.
þat mihte þat folc tellen þat þer eoden a-uoten.
Auormest heruestes dæie uorð heo gunnen sturien.
auer riht þene wæi þet touward Munt Giu lai.
Lete we nu ane while þeos ferde bilæue.
and speke we of Arðure aðelest kinge.
664
and ælc wes ham iuare þer he lond hafde.
And raðe a-ȝæin comen cnihtes to hireden.
mid wepnen wel idihten þurh allen heore mihte.
of Scotlond of Irlond of Gutlond of Islond.
of Noreine of Denene of Orcaneie of Maneie.
of þan ilke londen beoð an hundred þusende.
iwepnede þeines ohte on heore londes wise.
Neoren hit noht cnihtes no þes wæies idihte.
ah hit weoren men þa kenlukeste þa æi mon ikende
mid mucle wiaxen mid longe saxen.
Of Normandie of Angou of Brutaine of Peitou.
of Flandres of Bulunne of Loherne of Luueine.
comen an hundred þusende to þas kinges. hirede.
cnihtes mid þan bezsten þurh-costned mid wepnen.
Þer comen þa twalf iueren þa France sculden heren.
twelf þusend cnihtes heo brohten forð-rihtes.
and of þissen londe Arður nom an honde.
fifti þusend cnihtes kene and ohte men to fihte.
Howel of Brutaine cnihtes mid þan bezste.
ten þusend la[d]de of his leod-folke.
Of ganninde monnen þa heo forð wenden.
þurh nane cunnes spelle ne cuðe heom na mon telle.
Arður þa hehte aðelest kinge.
to ane isette time þat folc isomnien
bi heore bare lifen. at Barbe-fleote
& þer he wolde gædere. sele his þede.
Þis lond he bi-tahte ane sel-cuðe cnihte.
he wes Walwainnes broðer næs þer nan oðer.
Moddred wes ihaten forcuðest monnen.
treouðe nefde he nane to nauer nane monne.
he wes Arðures mæi of aðelen his cunne.
ah cniht he wes wunder god. & he hafde swiðe muchel mod.
Arðures suster sune to þere quene wes his iwune.
þat wæs ufele idon his æme he dude swike-do[m].
Ah al hit wes stille in hirede and in halle.
for na man hit ne wende. þat hit sculde iwurðe.
666
þe alre treoweste gume þe tuhte to þan hirede.
þurh Walwain. wes Modræd monnen þa leouere.
and Arður þe kene ful wel him iquemde.
He nom al his kinelond & sette hit Moddræd an hond.
and Wenhauer his quene wurðlukest wiuen.
þa þe in þissere leode wunede an londe.
Arður bi-tahte al þat he ahte.
Moddrade and þere quene þat heom was ique[m]e.
Þat was ufele idon þat heo iboren weoren.
þis lond heo for-radden mid ræuðen uniuoȝen.
and a þan ænden heom-seoluen þe Wurse gon i-scenden.
þat heo þer for-leoseden lif and heore saulen.
and æuer seoððe laðen in auer-ælche londe.
þat nauer na man nalde sel bede beoden for heore saule.
for þan swike-dome þat he dude Ar[ð]ure his æme.
Al þat Arður ahte he Moddrede bitahte.
lond and his leoden & leofen his quene.
and seððen he nom his ferde of folken swiðe hende.
and ferde ful sone touward Suð-hamtune.
Þer comen seilien sone ȝeond þa sæ wide.
scipes uniuoȝe to þas kinges folke.
þe king þat folc beide ȝeond þa scipen longe.
bi þusend & bi þusend to þan scipen þrasten.
þe uader weop a þene sune suster a þene broðer.
moder a þa dohter þa þa duȝeðe sturede.
Weder stod on wille wind wex an honde
ankeres heo up droȝen drem wes on uolken.
Wunden in-to widen sæ þeines wunder bliðe.
scipen þer forð þrungen gleo-men þer sungen.
seiles þer tuhten rapes þer rehtten.
wederen alre selest and þa sæ sweuede.
For þere soft-nesse Ar[ð]ur gon to slæpen.
Alse þe king slepte a sweuen him imette.
feorlic wes þat sweouen. þene king hit auerde
þa þe king him awoc swiðe he wes idræcched.
and granen agon ludere stefenen.
Næs þer nan swa þriste cniht under Criste.
668
ær þe king him-seolf speke and spilede wið his beornen þere.
and þus Ar[ð]ur him seide þa he awoc of slæpe.
Lauerd Drihten Crist domes waldende.
midelarde mund monnen froure.
þurh þine að-mode wil walden ænglen.
let þu mi sweuen to selþen iturnen.
Þa spac Angel þe king. Scottene deorling.
Lauer[d] sæi us þi sweuen seleȝehðe us beo ȝeueðe.
Bluðeliche quað þe king to blisse hit iwurðe.
Þer ich lai a sweuete agan ich forto slepe.
me þuhte þat in þere weolcne com an wunderlic deor.
æst in þan leofte ladlic an sehte.
wið leite mid storme. sturn-liche wende.
nis in nare leode nan swa lad-lic beore.
Þa com þer westene winden mid þan weolcnen.
a berninge drake bur[ȝes he] suel[de]
mid his feure he lihte. al þis lond-riche
me þuhte a mire sihȝeðe. þat þa sæ gon to berne
of leite & of fure. þa þe drake ferede
Þes drake and beore. beien to-somne.
radliche sone to-gadere heo come
heo smiten heom to-gaderen mid feondliche ræsen.
[f]loȝen of heore hæȝene swulc fur-burondes.
Ofte wes þe drake buuen and eft seoððen bineoþen.
neoðeles a þan ænde heȝen he gon wende.
and he flah dun-rihte mid feond-liche ræsen.
and þene beore he ismat. þat he to þere eorðe iwhat.
and he þer þene beore of-sloh and hine lim-mele to-droh.
Þa þat feht wes ido þe drake aȝen wende.
Þis sweuen me imette þer ich lai and slapte.
Biscopes þis iherden & boc-ilærede men.
þis iheorden eorles þis iherden beornes.
ælc bi his witte wisdom sæiden.
þis sweuen aræhten
Ne durste þer na cniht to ufele ræcchen na wiht.
leoste he sculden leosen his leomen þat weoren him deore.
670
wind heom stod on wille selest alre wedere.
heo hæfden al þat heom wes neod to londen heo comen at Barbe-fleot.
To Barbe-fleot at Costentin þer com muchel moncun in.
of alle þan londe þa Arður hafde an honde.
Swa sone swa heo mihten ut of scipe heom rehten.
þe king his folc hehte herberwe isechen.
an badien þe king wolde þat his folc come
Nes he þere buten ane niht þa com him to an hende cniht.
he talde tidinge Arðure þan kinge.
he seide þat þer wes icumen a scaðe liðe.
of westward Spaine wel [d]reori feond
and inne Brutaine. bisi wes to harme
bi þere sæ-side. þet lond he weste wide
nu hit hatte Munt Seint Michel þat lond ewelde. iwidel.
Lauerd king queð þe cniht to soðe ich þe cuðe her-riht.
he hafueð inome þine maȝe mid hahliche strenðe.
heȝe wimmon i-boren Howeles dohter icoren.
Eleine wes ihaten aðelest maidenen.
To þan munte he heo uerede aðelest maidene
nu fulle feowertene niht þe feond heo hafueð ihalden þer-riht.
nute we on liue þeh he heo nabbe to wife.
Alle he makeð him to mete þa men þa he i-gripeð.
ruðeren hors & þa scep gæt and þa swin eke.
al þis lond he wule for-fare buten þu afeollen ure kare.
lond and þas leode a þe is ure neode.
Ȝet þe cniht seide to þan uolc-kinge.
I-sihst þu lauerd þe munt and þene wude muchele.
þer wuneð þe scaðe inne þa scendeð þas leode.
We habbeð wið him iuohten wel feole siðen.
bi sæ & bi londe þes leoden he amærde.
ure scipen he aseingde þat folc he al adrente.
þeo þat feuhten a þan londe þeo he adun leide.
we habbeoð idriuen þat swa longe þat we hine læteð ane.
faren heu swa he wule after iwille him
þis lond-cnihtes ne durren wið him mare na fehten.
Arður þis iherde aðelest alre kinge.
672
Beduer eke to him he cleopede. he wes þes kinges birle.
He hæhte heom forð-riht beon al war to midder-niht.
mid alle heore wepne to wenden wið þan kinge.
þat na mon under Criste of heore uare nuste.
buten Arður þe king and þa tweien cnihtes mid him.
and heore sweines sixe ohte men and wihte.
and þe cniht þe radde hit þan king. heom ladde.
To þere mid-nihte þa men weoren aslepe.
Arður forð him wende aðelest alre kinge.
Bi-foren rad heore lo[n]d-cniht þat hit was dæiliht
heo lihten of heore steden and rihten heore i-weden.
Þa iseȝen heo nawiht feorren a muchel fur smokien.
uppen ane hulle mid sæ-ulode bi-uallen.
and an-oðer hul þer wes swiðe heh þæ sæ hine bifledde. ful neh.
þer-uuen-on heo i-seȝen a fur þat wes muchel and swiðe stor.
Þæ cnihtes þa tweoneden to whaþere heo faren mihten.
þet þe eotend war neore of þeos kinges fore.
Þa nom him to rede Arður þe ræȝe.
þat heo sculden somed faren aneosten þan ane furen.
and ȝif hine þer funden a-quellen hine to deðen.
Forð þe king wende þat he com aneuste.
noht he þer ne funde. bute a muchel fur þer berninde.
Arður eode abute & his cnihtes bi his siden.
na whit heo ne funden quikes uppen wolden.
buten þat fur muchele and ban vnimete.
bi atlinge heom þuhte þritti uoðere.
Arður þa nuste. nenne red godne
& bi-gon him to spekene. to Beduer his eorle.
Beduer far biliue a-dun of þissen hulle.
and wend þe ouer þat water deope mid allen þine iwede
and mid wisdome wend to þan fure.
and bi-halues þe iga and bi-hald ȝeorne.
ȝif þu miht a-finden oht of þan feonden.
And ȝif þu hine miht of-ȝiten on aiȝes cunnes wisen.
wend adun stille þat cume to þan watere.
& seien me þer sone what þu i-seȝen habbe.
and ȝif hit ilimpeð swa þat þu liðen to þan fure.
674
hafe mine godne horn þe al mid golde is ibon.
and blawe hine mid maine swa mon scal for neode.
and fus þe to þan feonde and bigin to fihten.
& we þe scullen fusen to swa we hit swiðest maȝen don.
And ȝif þu hine i-findest aneouste þan fure
and þu al un-aȝeten aȝein miht iwende.
þenne for-beode ich þe bi þine bare life.
þat þu nauere wið þene scucke feht no biginne.
Beduer iherde what his lauerd him seide.
his wepnen he on him dude and forð him iwende.
and up a-stæh þene munt þe is uni-mete.
He bar an his honde ænne gære swiðe stronge.
ænne sceld an his rugge i-rust al mid golde.
hælm an his hafde hehne of stele.
his bodi wes bifeong mid fæire are burne.
he hafde bi his side enne brond al of stele.
and forð he gon steppen stið imainede eorl.
þat he com fusen an neouste þan furen.
and he under ane treo gon him at-stonden.
Þa iherde he wepen wunder ane swiðen.
wepen and weinen and wanliche iberen.
Þa þe cniht wende þat hit þe eotend weoren.
and he an-bursten agon swulc weore a wilde bar.
and forȝæt sone þat his lauerd him sæide.
His sceld he bræid on breoste his spere he igrap faste.
and an neoste gon fuse touward þan fure.
he wende to finden þene feond sturne.
þat he fehten mihte and fondien hine seolue.
Þa fond he þer ane quene quecchen mid hafde.
heor-lockede wif weop for hire wei-sið.
wanede hire siðes þat heo wæs on liues
þat set bi þan fure mid reolichen ibere.
& sæt & bi-heold æuere ænne burinæsse.
and hire ȝeddes sæide ȝeomere stefne.
Wale Eleine wale deore maide.
wale þat ich þe uedde þat ich þe uostredde.
wale þat þæ wald-scaðe here þe haueð þus for-uare.
676
Þa bi-sæh þat wif abuten whar þe eotend come buȝen.
bi-seh a þene eorl Beduer þa icumen wes þer.
Þa sæide þat wif here þer heo sæt bi fure.
Whæt ært þu fære whit eært þu angel eært cnih[t].
beoð þine feðer-heomen ihaneked mid golden.
Ȝif þu ært of heuene þu miht isund faren heonene.
and ȝif þu ært eorðlic cniht ærm þu iwurðest forð-riht.
For nu anan cumeð þe scaðe þe alle þine leomen wule to-draȝen.
þeh þu weore stel al he þe awalt iwildel.
He uerde to Brutaine to að[el]est alre bolde
to Howeles castle hæh mon inne Brutene.
þa ȝaten alle he to-brac and binnen he gon wende.
He nom þare halle wah and helden hine to grunde.
þæs bures dure he warp adun þat heo to-barst a uiuen.
he funde i þan buren fæirest alre bruden.
Eleinen wes ihaten aðelest kunnen.
Howeles dohter hæh mon of Brutene.
Arðures maȝe of swiðe heȝe cunne.
Ich wes hire uoster-moder and feire heo uostredde.
Þer þe eotend unc ifeng forð mid him-seoluen.
fiftene mile
into þisse wilde wude. hider to þissen ilke stude
þus he us diste to-dæi a seouen nihte.
Sone swa he hider com swa he þat maide inom.
he wolde mon-radene habben wið þan maidene.
Ælde næfde heo na mare buten fihtene ȝere.
ne mihte þat maiden his mone i-þolien.
anan swa he lai hire mide hire lif heo losede sone.
& her he heo bi-burede burden alre hendest.
Eleine min aȝen uoster Howelles dohter.
Þa [h]e hafde þis idon swa me seoluen inom.
a uolden he me laiden and lai mid me seoluen.
nu hafeð he mine ban alle lad-liche a-brokene.
mine leomen al to-leðed. mi lif me is a-laðed.
Nu ich habbe þe itald hu we beoð her ihæd.
flih nu swiðe lest he þe ifinde.
for ȝif he cumeð a-bolȝen mid his balu-ræsen.
678
Efne þissen worden þa þat wif seide.
Beduer heo gon hirten mid hende-liche worden.
Leofe moder ich æm mon and cniht æm wel idon.
and ich þe wule suggen þurh soðe mine worden.
næs nan kempen i-boren of nauer nare burden.
þat mon ne mæi mid strenðe stupen hine to grunde.
& hire þe ane alde wifmon swiðe lutle beoð þine mæhten.
Ah hafuen nu swiðe godne dæi and ich wulle faren minne wæi.
Adun him ferde Beduer to his duȝeðe-kinge.
and talde him hu he hafde kare and hu he hafde al ifare.
and what þat wif alde of þan maidene him talde.
and hu þe eotend ælche dæi bi þan alde wiue lai.
Þer heo heom bi-twenen heolden heore runen.
hu heo mihten taken on þat þe scucke weore fordon.
Þeo while com þe eoten[de] faren and fusden to hi[s] fure.
he bar uppen his rugge burðene grete.
þat weore twælf swine iteied to-somne
mid wiðen swiðe grete, y-wriðen al to-gadere
Adun he warp þa dede swin & him-seolf sæt þer-bi.
his fur he beten a-gon & muchele treowen læiden on.
þa six swin he to-droh & euere he to þan wiue loh.
& sone umbe while he lai bi þan wife.
ah he nuste noht þan tidende þat comen to his wife-þinge.
He droh ut his gleden his flæsce he gon breden
and þa six swin he gon æten alle ær he arise of selde.
al biwaled on axen wanliche weoren þa sonden.
and seoððen he gon ræmien and raxlede swiðe.
& adun lai bi þan fure & his leomen strahte.
Lete we nu þene eotend bi-lafuen and atlien to þan kinge.
Arður at þan watere his wapnen nom an honde.
& þe eorl Beduer god cnih[t] wis and war.
and þe þridde wes Kæi þes kinges stiward & his mæi.
Ouer þan watere heo comen iwepned mid þan bezsten.
& stiȝen up þan hulle mid allen heore maine.
þat heo comen fusen a-neuste þan furen.
680
Arður hine teh bi-siden his iferen.
for-bad heom bi heore leomen & bi heore bare liuen.
þat nan neoren swa kene þat heom neh comen.
buten he iseȝen þat hit ned weoren
Beduer at-stod him þere and Kæi his iuere.
Arður gon stepe vorð stið-imoded kempe.
þat he com to þan ulette þer þe feond lai and slæpte.
Æuere wes Arður ærhðe bideled.
þet wes sutel þer-on sellic þah hit þunche.
for Arður mihte þere þene eotende al to-hæuwe.
slan þene scucke þer he lai & slapte.
Þa nolde Arður on slepen na wiht hine areppen.
leste he an uferre daȝe up-bræid iherde.
Þa cleopede Arður anan aðelest kingen.
Aris aris feond-scaðe to þine fæie-siðe.
nu wit scullen delen þene dæd of mire maȝen.
Ær þe king hæfde þæs ful isæide.
þe eotend up a-sturte & igrap his mucle clubbe.
and wende mid þan dunten Arður al to-driuen.
ah Arður bræid heȝe his sceld buuen his hælme.
and þe eotend smat þer-an-ouenan þat al he gon to-scenen
And Arður him swende to an hiȝende mid his sweorde.
and þen chin him of-swipte mid alle þan cheuele.
and sturte him biaften ane treo þe þer stod aneouste.
and þe eotend smat after biliue & noht hine ne hutte.
ah he þat treo smat þat al his clubbe to-draf.
And Arður aneouste þat treo bieorn abute.
and swa Arður & þe scucke biurnen hit þreie a-buten.
Þa wes þe eotend heui swiðe. and Ar[ð]ur wes swiftre
& of-toc þene eotend. and up ahof his gode brond
and þat þih him of-smat & eotend adun wæt.
And Arður at-stod and biheold. þa gon to spekene þe ueond.
Lauerd lauerd ȝef me grið wha is þat me fihteð wið.
Ne wende ich þat na man a þissere weorlde-richen.
me mihte þus lehtliche a-leggen mid fehte.
bute hit Arður weore aðelest alre Brutte.
682
Þa him sæide Ar[ð]ur aðelest kingen.
Ich æm Arður þe king Bruttene deorling.
Tel me of þine cunne and whar beo heore beonste.
and wha þe weore on uolde fader oðer moder. ihalde.
and of wulche londe þu art iliðen hidere.
and whi þu mine maȝe a-ualled hafuest mid morðe.
Þa andswarede þe feond þer he læi and biheold.
Al þis ich wulle don and þine treoðe under-fon.
wið þat þu me lete liuien and mine leomen hælen.
Arður hine iwræððede wunder ane swiðe.
and he Beduer cleopede balde his kempe.
Ga aneouste Beduer and hefd him binim her.
& fere hit forð mid þe adun of þisse munte.
Beduer aneouste com & his hæfued him binom
& swa heo þeonene ferden. adun to heore iferen.
[Þa sat þe king adun] and hine gon to resten.
and þas word seide Arður þe sele.
No uæht ich nauere [u]eh[t] non uppen þissere uolden.
buten þa ich sloh þene king Riun uppen þan munte of Rauinite.
Seoððen heo uorð wenden & to þere uerde comen.
þa þe þat hafd iseȝe sellic heom þuhte.
whar weore under heuene swulc hafed ikenned.
Howel of Brutaine beh to þan kinge.
and þe king him seide al of þan maidene.
Þa wes Howel sari & sorhful an heorte for-þi.
and nom al his feren and ferde to þan munte.
þer þat Brutisce maide bibured læi on eorðe.
He lette þer areren sone ane chireche swiðe faire.
a Seinte Marie nomen Drihtenes moder.
& seoððen he ȝæf nome þan hulle ær he þonne wende.
and hehte hine Æleine Tunbel nu hit hæhte Munt Seint Myhhel.
Þa wes Arðures hired sellich isomned.
of Irlonde & of Scotlonde þider weoren iscriðene.
Þa lette þe king blauwen bemen an hireden.
& wenden of Brutaine bisie men & kene.
þurh-ut Normandie þæ hehte þa Neustrie.
684
heo buȝen ut of Fra[n]ce into Burguine.
His hauwæres þer comen and heolden his iferen.
& cudde þan kinge þer i þare cuððe.
þat Luces þe kaisere and al his Romanisce here.
þider-ward heo comen fromward heore þeoden
& swa heo wolden fusen in touwward France.
and al þat bi-winnen and seoððen wenden hidere.
& Bruttes alle aquellen quicke þer heo heom funde.
and Arður þene kene ibunde lede to Rome.
Þa wes abolȝen baldest alre kingen.
and hehte a þan feldes slen alle his teldes.
and þer he wikien wolde þat he þat soðe wuste.
whær he minte þene kæisere iwisliche kepen.
Þat water hehte Albe þer lai þe king balde.
An wis cniht þer com ride to þas kinges uerde.
þe wes al for-wunded & his folc afelled swiðe.
hafden Romanisce men al his lond bi-ræiued him.
He talde þan kinge neouwe tiðende.
whar lai þe kaisere and al his Romanisce here.
& whær he hine mihte iwinde ȝif he hine wolde wi[ð] him fihten.
oðer grið makien wið Romanisce monnen.
Ah lauerd Arður quað þe cniht ich þe wulle cuðen her-riht.
þat betere þe is freondscipe to habben þene for to fihten.
for aȝan þine tweie heo habbeoð twælue.
swa feole kinges swa feole here-dringes.
Nis he in nare kuððe þe hit þe maȝe icu[ð]ðe.
for alle þan uolke þe uulieð þan kinge.
wið-uten þan Rom-leoden of his aȝere þeoden.
and wið-ute þan uolke þe ȝirneð þas kinges are.
Þa þe talen weoren alle italde & Arður heo hafden under-stonde.
þa cleopede þe king forð-rihtes his deoreste cnihtes.
& radden heom bitwenen enne castel to areren.
on-uast þan wateren þe Albe wes ihaten.
On ane swiðe feiere stude itimbred he wes ful sone.
þer feng moni hond to an hiȝende he wes ido.
for ȝif Arður mis-ferde þenne he come to fihte.
oðer his uolc ueolle oðer setten to fleonne.
686
Þa cleopede he eorles tweie aðele men and wise.
heȝe men icunned þan kinge swiðe deore.
þæ an wes of Chartres and hehte Gerin. muchel wisdom wunede mid him.
þe oðer hehte Beof of Oxene-uord welle wide sprong þas eorles word.
Þe ȝet þe king cleopede Walwæin. þe wes his deoreste mæi.
for Walwain cuðe Romanisc Walwain cuðe Bruttisc.
he wes iued inne Rome wel feole wintre.
Þe king nom þas þreo cnihtes hende and to þan kaisere heom sende.
and hehte hine mid his ferde faren aȝæin to Rome.
& þat he næuere into France his ferde no ladde.
And ȝif þu þider wendest and þine ferde ledest.
þu scalt beon under-uonge to þine uæie-siðe.
For France is min aȝen and ich heo mid fehte biwon.
and ȝif þu nult bilauen þat þider nult liðen.
fare wit to uihte and falle þe uor-cuðere.
and lete we þat folc wræcche wunien an ære.
While Rom-leoden iwunnen þa þeoden.
and seoððen heo þa þeoden mid fehte for-loseden.
and ich heo mid feohte bi-won and mid fehte wule halden.
Forð þa cnihtes wenden godliche kempen.
þat [weoren] Gerin & Beof þe hende and Walwain þe balde.
iburned and ihelmed an hæȝen heore steden.
and ælc weiede an sculdre sceld swiðe godne.
heo beren on heore honde gares swiðe stronge.
Forð heo gunnen ride riche men from hirede.
muchel of þere duȝeðe þe mid Arðure wunede.
mid Walwaine eoden and æð-mod-liche hine beden.
þat he wið Rom-leode summe sake arerde.
þat we maȝen mid fehte fondien us seolue.
for hit is feole ȝere þat heore þrættes comen here.
and heore beot makieð þat heo us wulle bihafdi.
Nu is hit muchel leod-scome ȝif hit scal þus a-ligge.
bute þer sum sake beo ær we iwurðe sæhte.
scaftes to-brokene brunies to-torne.
sceldes to-scened scalkes to-heouwen.
sweordes ibaðede i blode þan rede
688
and mærcoden enne wæi þe ouer anne munte læi.
þat heo bi-comen sone to þan uolke of Rome.
wurðliche iwepned wunden an horsen.
Þer me mihte bi-halden þe mon þe bi-halues weore.
moni þusenden þrasten ut of telden.
al to bi-halden þeos þreo cnihtes balde.
and bi-heolden heore steden and bi-heolden heore iweden.
& hercnede tidende from Arðure þan kinge.
and a-neouste forð-rihtes fræinede þa cnihtes.
and ȝif þe king heom i-send hæfde to þan kaisere.
to speken þan kæisere wið and to ȝirnen his grið.
Ah for nauer nare speche þas þreo eorles riche.
nolden abiden ær heo comen riden.
forn to þas teldes deoren þer-inne wes þe kaisere.
Adun heo gunnen lihten & bitahten hore steden
and swa heo iwepned mid alle wenden in-to telde.
forn to þan kaisere þe Luces we[s] ihate.
Þer he sæt an his bedde heore ærnde heo him cudde.
ælc his saȝe sæide swa him sel þuhte.
& hehten hine wenden aȝæin to his londen.
þat he nauere mid un-friðe France no isohte.
Þa while þa þeos eorles þreo seiden heore erende.
a-set þe kaisere swulc he akimed weore.
and andsware nauer nan no aȝæf þissen eorlen.
ah he lustnede ȝeorne luðer on his þohte.
Þa an-bælh Walwain swulc an iburst þein
and þas word sæide Walwain þe kene.
Luces þe riche þu ært kæisere of Rome.
we beoð Arðures men aðelest Brutten.
He sent þe his sonde wið-uten gretinge.
he hat þe faren to Rome þa riche is þin aȝen.
let hine halden France þe he biwon mid fehte.
and hald þu richen and þine Rom-leoden.
While þine aldren France ieoden.
mid fehte heo þer biwunnen unimete wunnen
swa ane while heo þer l[i]ueden and seoðen heo hit leoseden.
690
He is ure lauerd we beoð his leod-kempen.
He us hæhte suggen soð to þe seoluen.
ȝif þu nult aȝen buȝen þ[i] bone he wule iwurðen.
and ȝif þu nult aȝen wenden ah iwurðien þin iwillen.
and þu wult þat kinelond bi-tellen to þire hond.
nu to-morȝen is þe dæi haue ȝif þu biȝete mæi
Þæ andswarede þe kaisere mid grættere wræððe
Nulle ich noht aȝæin faren ah France ich wulle bi-tellen.
mine ældren hit heolden and ich hit wulle habben.
Ah ȝif he wolde bi-cumen mi mon & for lauerd me icnawen.
& treouliche me heren & me for hærre halden.
griðien ich him wulle & his gumen alle.
and lete halde Brut-lond þæ Iulius hafde in his hond.
& oðere londes monie þe Iulius hafde an honde.
þat he naueð nane rihte to þæ riche þæh he walde.
þa he scal alle leose. buten he leoð makie.
Þa andswarede Walwain þæ wes Arðures mæi.
Belin & Brenne beiȝene þa ibroðere.
Brut-lond heo ahten and France heo biwunnen.
and seoððen heo uerden sone and biȝeten Rome.
and þer heo wuneden seoððe wel feole ȝere.
Þa þis wes al iuare þa wes Brennes kæisere.
and walde Rom-leoden and alle þa þeoden.
And Rome is ure icunde þa þu haldest an honde.
and ȝif we mote libben we hit wulleð habben.
beute ȝif þu wulle icnawen beo þat Arður is king ouer þe.
and ælche ȝere him senden gæuel of þine londen.
and ȝif gæst him a leoð þu miht libben þa eð.
Þa sæt bi þan kaisere a cniht of his cunne.
Quencelin ihaten hæh mon inne Rome.
Þes cniht andswarede biuoren þan kaisere.
& þus him seide þe cniht was unisele.
Cnihtes fareð eou aȝæin and cuðeð eower kinge.
[Bruttes beoþ bolde] a[c] heo beoð unwræste italde.
for æuere heo ȝelp makieð heore monscipe is luttel.
Mare he þohte to suggen þa Walwain bræid to sweorden.
and smat hine ufenen þat hafde þat he atweo hælde.
692
and heo up leopen mid grimliche lechen.
and þas word seide Walwain þe sele.
Swa me helpe þe ilke lauerd þe scop þes daȝes lihte.
ȝif æuer-aie is swa kene of eouwer moncunne.
þat us after kenne ich hine wulle aquelle
he scal beo to-swungen mid brade mine sweorden.
Efne þare ilke tale þa cleopede þe kaisere.
Haldeð heom haldeð alle heo sculleð heongien.
heȝe uppen treouwe oðer mid horsen beon to-draȝene.
Efne þissere sæȝe þa þe kaisere seide.
þe eorles gunnen riden & spureden heore steden.
heo scæken on heore honden speren swiðe stronge.
beren bi-foren breosten brade heore sceldes.
Aneouste gunnen ride eorles ræȝe.
and æuere þæ kaisere lude gon cleopie.
Nimeð heom slæh heom. i-scend heo us habbeoð.
Þer me mihte ihere þe þer bihalues weore.
clupien þusende of þan þeod-folke.
Hider hider wepnen Wende we heom æfter.
Hider ure sceldes þe scalkes atwendeð.
Sone heom after wenden iwepnede kempen.
þer sixe þer seouene þer æhte þer niȝene.
And æuere þa eorles arnde biliues.
and æuere umbe stunde biseȝen heom bi-hinde.
and euere þa cnihtes of Rome after biliue come.
And þer com aneouste alre swiðest ærne.
& euere cleopede kenlich swiðe.
Wendeð a-ȝæin cnihtes and werieð eo mid fihtes.
Hit is eo muchel scome þat ȝe wulleð at-sceken.
Walwain icneo þene reme of þan Romanisce men
he wende his stede & to him gon ride.
& smat hine þurh mid þan spere. swa he ispited weore.
& bræid to him þat spere þe gume iwat sone.
& þæs word kende Walwain þe kene.
Cniht þu ride to swiðe betere þe weore at Rome.
Marcel hehte þe cniht heȝere monnen.
Þa Walwain i-sæh þat he to grunde bæh.
694
and þas word sæide Walwain þe sele.
Marcel far to helle & tel heom þer spelles.
and wune þer to-ȝere mid Quencelien þin ifere.
and haldeð þer unker rune betere inc weoren inne Rome.
for þus we eou scullen techen ure Bruttisce speche.
Gerin isæh hu hit ferde hu þe Romanisce lai þer dune
and his hors muneȝede and ænne o[ð]erne imette.
and smat hine þurh-ut mid his spere and þas word spilede
Rid nu swa Romain and reos þe to hellen.
and þus we scullen grundien ȝif Godd us wule fulsten.
Nis noht wurð þratte buten þer beo dede æ[c]
Bos isæh þe ohte mon hu his iueren hafden idon.
& his hors wende wunder ane swiðe.
and mid alle his mitte teh to ane cnihte.
& smat hine buuen þan scelde þat to-barst his gode burne.
& þurh-ut þene sweore þe swælt ful sone.
And þus þe eorl cleopien agon kenliche on his feren.
Bruttes us wulleð scenden ȝif we heonne wendeð.
bute we bet aginnen. ær we heonene iwenden.
Efne þere speche þe þe eorl [k]ende.
heo bi-wenden heom sone wunder ane swiðe.
and ælc his sweord swiðe adroh and ælc his Rumain of-sloh.
& seoððen heore hors wenden & heore wæi heolden.
And þæ Romanisce men riden eouere after heom.
ofte heo heom on smiten ofte heo heom at-witen
ofte heo sæiden heom [t]o Abuggen ȝe scullen þa dede.
ah ne mihten heo þurh nane þinge heore nenne adun bringe.
no nenne hærm þer don heom i þan wiðer-happen.
Ah æuere umbe whilen þe eorles aȝain wenden.
and ær heo to-twemden þe wurse wes Rom-leoden.
Þus heo iuerden fiftene milen.
þat heo comen to ane stude vnder ane ueire wude.
on-uast þan castle þer Arður lei uaste.
Þreo milen þer-from to þan wuden þrungen
niȝe þusende þe Arður þider senden.
baldere Brutten þe bezst þat lond cneowen.
heo wolden wite þat soðe of Walwain þan kene.
696
whaðer heo liue weoren þa heo bi wæie læien.
Þæs cnihtes siȝen þurh þene wude wunder ane softe.
uppen ane hullen and ȝeorne biheolden.
Heo letten alle þa horsmen i þan wude alihten.
and rihten heore i-wepnen and alle heore iweden.
buten an hundred monnen þe þer sculden bi-halden.
ȝif heo on-ȝiten mihten þurh æies cunnes þingen.
Þa iseȝen heo feorren in ane uelde muchelen.
þreo cnihtes ærnen mid allen heore mainen.
After þan þreom cnihten þritti þer comen.
after þan þrittie heo iseȝen þreo þusende.
þer-after comen þrasten þritti þusen anan.
Romanisce leoden mid ræue bihonged.
And þa eorles bi-uoren heom aneuste at-arnden.
euere þene rihte wæi þe touward þan wude lai.
þer heore iueren wel ihudde weoren.
Þa eorles ærden to þan wuden þa Romanisce after riden.
þa Bruttes to-ræsden on heore iræste steden.
and smiten to a-uorenon and feollen an hundred anan.
Þa wenden Rom-leoden þat Arður come riden.
and weoren afered feondliche swiðe. and Bruttes after heom
and sloȝen of þan folke. fiften hundred
Þa com heom to fulste of heore aȝe uolke.
þa Arður þider hafde isend sixtene þusund.
baldere Brutten mid burnen bihonged.
Þa com þer ride þat was an eorl riche.
Petreius ihate heh mon of Rome.
mid six þusend kempen þan Romanisce to helpen.
& mid muchelere strengðe. leopen to þan Brutten.
and lut þer-of nomen ah monie heo of-sloȝen.
Bruttes to wude hælden þe oðere after wenden.
and þa Bruttes auoten uaste aȝæin stoden.
and þa Romanisce men fuhten ridende.
and Bruttes heom to heolden & heore hors sloȝen.
& moni þer nomen & in þene wude droȝen.
698
and he mid his uerde from þan wude wende.
and Bruttes heom to buȝen and bi-æften heom sloȝen.
Þa Bruttes weoren ut of wude iȝein to þan felde.
þa atstoden Rom-leoden mid ræȝe strenȝe.
Þa bi-gon þat muchele fiht þer ueollen eorlles & moni god cnih[t].
þer ueollen a dæi fiften þusend.
aðelere monnen ær hit weore æfen.
Þer he finden mihte þe his main wolde fondien.
hond aȝan honde strongne aȝein str[onge].
sceld aȝein scelde scalkes þer ueollen.
Vrnen þa streten mid blode-stræmen.
leien ȝeond þan ueldes gold-faȝe sceldes.
al þene dæi longe heo heolden þat feht stronge.
Petreius an his halue his folc heold to-somne.
þa iwræð sone þat Bruttes hafden þat wurse.
Þat isæh þe eorl heȝe of Oxeneuorde.
Beof wæs ihæten hæh Bruttisc mon.
þat a nare wisen ne mihte hit i-wurðen.
þat Bruttes ne mosten reosen buten heo ræd haueden.
Þa eorl þa cleopede cnihtes aðele.
of þan alre bezsten of alle þan Brutten.
and of þan kennesten þe þer quike weoren.
and tuhte hine ut a þan felde aneouste þere ferde.
and þus him iseide an heorte him wes unneðe.
Cnihtes hercnieð nu to me Drihten us helpe.
we beoð hidere icumen and þis feht habbeoð under-numen.
buten Arðures rede þe is ure hexte.
ȝif us oht ilimpeð we him þa bet likieð.
and ȝif us ilimpeð uuelen. he us wule hatien.
Ah ȝif ȝe wulleð minne ræd þenne ride we al glad.
We beoð þreo hundred cnihtes ihelmede þeines.
700
Cuðeð eouwer cniht-scipe we beoð of are cu[ð]ðe.
Rideð þenne ich ride and fulieð mine rede.
Alle haldeð him to to þan cnihte þa ich do.
ne nime ȝe nenne stede no nanes cnihtes iwede.
ah æuer-ælc god cniht slæn æuere adun-riht.
Æfne þan worde þe þe cniht sæide. of Oxene-uorde.
to his iueren bisiden þa gon he to riden
æfne al swa swiðe swa hund þene heort driueð.
and his iueren after mid allen heore mahten.
þurh-ut þene muchele uehte al þa cniht-weorede.
fluen an heore steden uolc heo þere aqualden.
Wo wæs heom iboren þa i þan weie heom weoren biuoren.
for alle heo hit to-treden mid horsen & mid steden.
and swa aneouste heo iwenden and Petreium iuengen
Beo[f] him bi-arnde and mid ærmen bi-clupte.
& bræid hine of his stede & to eorðe hine istræhte.
he wuste him bihalues balde his cnihte.
Bruttes adun sloȝen Petreius heo droȝen.
and þa Rom-leoden ræhliche fuhten.
and a þan laste ne mihte mon wite. wha oðerne smite.
þer wes muchel blod-gute balu wes on compe.
Þa isæh Walwain þer he wes bihaluen.
mid seouen hundred cnihten þider he gon hælden.
in his wæiȝe þat he funde al he hit aqualde.
and ridende igrap Petreiun on richen his steden.
and ladde uorð Petreiun læð þeh hit weore him.
þat heo to þan wude comen þer heo wel wusten.
sikerliche to halden þene riche mon of Rome.
and æft ut a þene ueld wenden and bi-gonnen to fehten.
Þer me iseon mihte sorȝen inoȝe.
sceldes scenen scalkes fallen.
halmes to-hælden hæhȝe men to-swelten.
blodie ueldes falewede nebbes.
Bruttes heom to-ræsden þa fluȝen Rom-leoden.
Bruttes heom sloȝen and monie heo quic. nomen.
and þe dæi-ende þæ wa wes Rom-leoden [þ]a.
Þa bond men uaste kempen Romanisce.
and lædden heom to þan wude biuoren Walwaine.
702
Þa hit dai wes amarȝen duȝeðe gon sturie.
forð heo gunnen liðe. to heore kine-lauerde
and swulc lac him brohte þat leof him wes to habben.
Þa spac Arður him þus Wulcume Petreius.
Nu ic þe wulle teche. Bruttisce spæche.
Þu ȝulpe biforen þan kaisere þat þu me woldest aquellen.
Nimen mine castles alle and mine kine-riche.
and muchel þe sæl iwurðen of þat þu wilnedest to habben.
Ich wulle bitachen þe ful iwis minne castel inne Paris.
and þer þu scalt wunien swa þe beoð alre leoþest.
ne scalt þu nauere. mare þi lif þenne lede.
Arþur þa cnihtes nom þe þer iuongen weoren.
þreo hundred rideres he nom eke anan.
þe alle weoren iueren
cnihtes swiðe ohte and kene men to uihte.
and hæhte heom amorȝen monliche arisen.
bi[n]den Romanisce men mid stronge rake-tehȝen.
and lede Petreius to þere borh of Paris.
Feouwer eorles he hæhte forð heom ibringen.
Cador Borel Beduer and Richer.
he hehte heom beon iueren þat heo siker weoren.
and cumen aȝain sone to heore kine-lauerde.
Þis wes al þus ispeken ah hit wes sone under-ȝeten.
Hæwæres foren ȝeond þas kinges ferden.
& iherden suggen soðere worden.
wuder Arður wolde senden þæ cnihtes. þe he haf[de] i benden.
and þa hauweres forð-rihte wenden uorð bi nihte.
þat heo comen sone to þan kaisere of Rome.
and talden al heore tale hu þas feouwer eorles sculden uare.
and forð lede Petreius to þære burh of Paris.
and al heo talden þene wæi þe intowardes Parise læi.
and whar me heom kepen mihte in ane slade deopen.
and biraiuien of heom Petreiun þene riche mon.
& þa feouwer eorles ileggen & fasten heom binden.
Luces þis iherden þe kaiser of Rome.
704
and ten þusend hehte kempen iþoȝene.
to horse & to wepnen aneouste foren wenden
He cleopede Sextorius of Libie he wes king of Turkie dux.
he sende after Euander þe of Babiloine wes icumen þer.
he cleopede to þan senaturs Bal Catel Carrius.
þeos weoren alle kine-borne & þeos weoren alle icoren.
aneouste to riden and Petreium aredden.
Anan swa hit was euen forð heo iwenden.
heom ladden twelue of þan leod-folke.
þa swiðe warre weoren and þa weiȝes cuðen.
Þa riden Rom-leoden riseden burnen.
quahten on hafden helmes heȝen.
seldes on rugge ræȝe Rom-leoden.
Heo ferden alle nihte neodliche swiðe.
þet heo comen in þe wai þa in-to Parise lei.
þa weoren heo biuoren and Bruttes biaften.
Ah wale þat hit nuste Cador þe kene.
þat þa Rom-leoden heom for-riden hafueden.
Heo comen in ænne wude on ænne swiðe faire stude.
in ane dale deope diȝelen bihælues.
sweoren heom bitwænen þat þer heo wolden kepen.
Þer heo leien stille ane lutle stunde.
& hit agon daiȝen and deor gunnen waȝeȝen.
Þa comen Arðures men quecchen after streten.
riht þene ilke wæi þer þe oðer uerde læi.
heo riden singinge segges weoren bli[ð]e.
Neoþeles Cador wes þer swiðe wis & swiðe war.
he and Borel þe eorl riche buȝen heom to-gæderes.
& nomen heom bitweonen fif hundred cnihtes.
and biuoren wenden iwepnede kempen.
Richer and Beduer wenden heom bafte þer.
and þa cnihtes fereden þa heo iuongen hafden.
Petreium and his iueren þa iwunne weoren.
Þa heo comen riden uppen Rom-leoden
& Rom-leoden ræsden to mid ræȝere strengðen.
and smiten a þan Brutten mid swiðe bite[r]e duntes.
706
þe wude brastlien gon. beornes þer feollen.
Bruttes heom wið-stoden and stærcliche heom weoreden.
Þat iherde Richer & þe eorl Beduer.
hu heore i-ueren heom b[i]uoren fuhten.
Petreiun heo nomen & heore inume allen.
and mid þreo hu[n]dred sweinen in-to wude senden.
And heom-seolue fusden to-ward heore ifæren.
and smiten a Rom-leoden mid raȝere strengðen.
þer wes moni dunt iȝeuen and moni mon þer wes islaȝen.
Þa underȝæt Euander þe heðene king wes swiðe war.
þat heore uolc gon waxen and Bruttes gunnen wonien.
and buȝen heom to-somne his cnihtes seleste.
and uuenon þan Brutten swulc heo heom wolden abiten.
Bruttes wokeden þa & heore wes þat wurse
heo sloȝen heo nomen al þat heo neh comen.
Wa wes Brutten þere buten Arðure.
heore helþ wes to lutel þere at heȝere neode.
Þer wes Borel of-slaȝen and idon of lif-daȝen.
Euander king hine aqualde mid luðere his crafte.
and þreo Bruttes eke heȝe men iborene.
Þer islaȝen weoren þreo hundred of heore iueren.
and monie quike nomen & narwe heom ibunden.
þa nusten heo godne ræd nanne for alle heo wenden beon dede.
neoþeles heo fuhten swa ohtliche swa heo mahte.
Þa wes ut ifaren from Arðures ferden.
þæ king of Peytouwe har mon iblowen
Guitard he hehte Gascunne he ahte.
he hæfde to iueren fif hundred rideren.
þreo hundred scuhten kene men to uehten.
and seouen hundred auoten þa fuse weoren to harmen
Heo weoren ifaren into þan londe fodder to biwinnen.
æiþer uodder and mete to læden to heore ferde.
Þa luden heo iherden of þan Rom-leoden.
heore deden heo bi-lafden and þiderward gunnen liðen.
stið-imodede men & swifte slauþe bidæled.
þat heo comen sone an-neouste þan fehte.
708
igrippen heore sceldes swiðe balde cnihtes.
and alle þa scutten scuuen heom bisides.
and þa men auoten to gunnen fusen
and alle somed smiten on mid smarten heore dunten.
At þan uorme smællen Romaniscen veollen.
fiftene hundred folden to grunden
þer wes islæȝen Euander þe king wes ful sturne. ær.
Catellus of Rome forȝæt his domes þære.
Þæ astalden þer flem þat ær staðel heolden.
þa rugges to-wenden & fluȝen Rom-leoden.
Bruttes heom after buȝen & mid baluwe heom. igrætten
and swa monie heo þer nomen and swa monie heo þer sloȝen.
þat no mihte Bruttene uerde bi-ueolen na-mare.
And þa Romanisce men þe þer at-faren mihten.
at-arnede ful sone to þan kaisere.
and talden him tidende of Arðure þan kinge.
for heo wenden to soðe þat Arður þider comen.
þer wes auared swiðe þe kaisere & his ferde.
þe Bruttes islaȝen hafden þat heom sel þuhten.
aȝein-ward heo buȝen þa mid baldere biȝete.
and to þan stude wenden aȝæin þer þat feht hafde ibeon.
and bureden þa deden and þa quike gunnen forð leden.
And senden after Petreiun þæ heo ær nomen.
& after his iueren þæ ær inumen weoren.
and senden heom alle fuliwis into þære burȝe of Paris.
and þreo castles fulden and faste heom biclusden.
after Arðures heste aðelest kingen.
Alle Brut-leoden luueden Arðuren.
alle heom stod him æie to þat wuneden a þan ærde.
swa dude þan kaisere of Ærðure he hafde muchele kare.
and alle Rom-leoden of Arðure weoren a-færde.
Þa wæs mid soðe ifunde þat Mærlin sæide whilen.
þat sculden for Ar[ð]ure Rome ifullen afure.
and þa wal of stanen quakien and fallen.
Þas ilke tacni[n]ge sculde beon of Luces þan kæiseren.
710
and of þan seoluen wisen þæ þer gunnen resen.
þat Merlin i furn-daȝen seide al heo hit funden þere.
swa heo duden ære. and seoððen wel iwhare
ær Arður iboren weore. Merlin al hit bodede
Þe kaisere i-herde suggen soðere worden.
hu his men weoren inu[m]en and hu his folc æc of-slaȝen.
Þa weoren inne his ferde feole-valde sorȝe.
summe mænden heore freond summe þrætteden heore ueond.
summe bonneden wepnen balu heom wes ȝeueðe.
Þa iseh Luces þat luðere him ilimped wæs
for ælche dæi he losede of his leod-folke.
ah he herm iuredde his heȝe men he losede.
He iwærð afered þa wunder ane swiðe.
and nom him to ræde & to som-rune.
þat he wolde to Æust mid alle his iuerde.
forð bi Lengres he wolde uare of Arðure he hafde muchele kare.
Arður hafde his hauwares. an hirede þas kaiseres
and sone duden him to witen whuder he wolde wenden.
Ar[ð]ur lette sone somnien his ferde.
stilleliche bi nihte his cnihtes seleste.
and forð þe king wende mid sele his folke.
An his riht honde he lette Lengres stonde.
and i þæne wæi biforen ferde þe Luces faren wolde.
Þa he com in ane dale vnder ane dune.
þer he gon at-stonden kennest alre kingen.
þat dale is mid soðe Sosie ihaten.
Arður þer adun lihte and hæhte al his duȝeðe
græðien heom to fihte swa scolden cnihtes ohte.
þat whenne Rom-leoden þer comen riden.
þat heo uengen heom on swa ohte cnihtes sculden don.
Alle þa sweines & þa un-wræ[st]e þeines.
& of þan smale uolke feole þusunde.
þe king heom sette in ane hulle mid feole here-marken.
þat he dude for ȝepscipe þer-of he ȝelpen þohte.
al swa hit i-warð seoððe þer-after ful sone.
Arður ten þusend nom of aðelen his cnihten.
sende a riht honde mid raue bihonge.
he lette oðere ten þusende an his lift honde.
ten þusend biuoren ten þusend biæften.
mid heom-seoluen heo heolden sixtene þusund.
bi-halues he sende in-to ane wude hende.
seouentene þusend selere cnihten.
wel iwepnede men þene wude to bi-witteȝen.
þat heo mihte þider uare ȝif him neod weore.
Þa wes inne Gloucestre an eorl mid þan bezste.
Moruið wes ihate mon swiðe kene.
him he bi-tahte þene wude & þa ferde.
And ȝif hit ilimpeð swa wule þe liuiende Godd.
þat heo ouer-cumen beon and biginnen to fleon.
setteð heom after mid allen æouwer mahten.
and al þat ȝe of-take maȝen doh hit of lif-daȝen.
þa uatte & þa lene þa riche and þa hene.
For no beo in nauer nare leode no in none leode.
cnihtes al swa sele swa beoð mid me seolue.
cnihtes al swa ræȝe cnihtes al swa riche.
cnihtes al swa stronge in nauer ane londe.
Ȝe beoð under Criste cnihten alre kennest.
and ich æm rihchest alre kinge. vnder Gode seolue
do we wel þas dede. Godd us wel spede
Cnihtes þa andswarede. stille-liche under lufte
Alle we scullen wel don. and alle we scullen to-uon.
Niðing wurðe þe cniht þe ne cuðe his mahten her-riht.
Þa sænde heo a ba siden al þa men auoten.
þa lette he sette up þene drake heremærken unimake.
bi-tæhte hine ane kinge þe wel hine cuðe halde.
Angel kinge of Scotlonde þa uormeste uerde heold an honde.
Cador þe eorl of Cornwaille þa uerde heold baften.
Bo[f] hafde ane þe eorl of Oxen-uorde.
Þe eorl of Chæstre Gerin þa ueorðe uerde heold mid him.
Þa uerden uppen þere dune heold Escil king þe Denisce.
Lot heold þa ane þe leof was þan kinge.
Howel of Brutaine heold ane oðere.
Walwain þe kene wes bi þan kinge.
Kai wuste ane stiward wæs þas kinges.
Beduer ane oðer þe wes þes kinges birle.
Þe eorl of Flandres Howeldin ane uerde hefde mid him.
Ane muchele uerde hefde Gui[t]ard þe king of Gascunnes ærd.
Wigein eorl of Leicestre and Ionatan eorl of Dorchestre.
heo wusten þa twa uerden þe þer weoren auoten.
Þe eorl of Chastre Curselein and eorl of Baðe þe hehte Urgein.
ho bi-wusten ba þa uerden þa weoren þær auoten.
þeos sculden a twa haluen halden to þan uehte.
to þissen twam eorlen þa ohte cnihtes weoren.
hafden Arður treouðe þe eorles weoren treowe.
þa weoren alle þa uerden isette alse Arður sel þuhte.
þa cleopede him to þe king of Brutaine.
his redȝiuen alle þa ræiȝest weoren to dome.
& þus seide Arður anan to aðelen his monnen.
Hercneð nu tou-wardes me mine wines deore.
iræsed ȝe habbeoð tweien to Romanis monnen.
and twien heo beoð ouer-cumen and islaȝen and inumen.
for heo al mid wronge wilneden of ure londe.
and min heorte seið me þurh ure Drihten hehne.
þat ȝet heo scullen beon ouer-cumen baðe islæȝen and inumen.
Ȝe habbeoð ouer-cumen Noreine ȝe habbeoð ouercume Denene.
Scotlond & Irlond al iwunen to eouwer heond.
Normandie and France bi-wunnen mid fehte.
Þreo & þritti kine-lond ich halde a mire aȝere hond.
þæ ȝe hit under sunnen habbeoð me bi-wunnen.
And þis beoð þa for-cuðeste men of alle quike monnen.
hæðene leode Godd heo seondeð laðe.
ure Drihten heo bi-læueð and to Mahune heo tuhteð.
& Luces þe kæisere of Godd seolf naueð nane care.
þat hafueð to iueren haðene hundes.
Goddes wiðer-iwinnen we heom scullen awelden.
leggen heom to grunde and us seoluen beon isunde.
mid Drihtenes willen þe waldeð alle deden.
Þa andswatede eorles þare Alle we beoð ȝarewe.
to libben and to liggen mid leouen vre kingen.
Þa þas ferde wes al idiht þa wes hit dai-liht.
Luces at Lengeres boȝede & al his Rom-leode.
he hehte his men blawen his guldene bemen.
bonnien his ferden forð he wolde riden.
from Lengres to Auste swa læi his weie rihte.
Forð gunnen riden Romanisce leoden.
þat heo ane mile comen neh Arðure.
Þa iherde Rom-leoden ræȝen tiðenden.
iseȝen alle þa dales alle þa dunes.
alle þa hulles mid helmes biþahte.
heȝe hare-marken hæleðes heom heolden.
sixti þusende þrauwen mid winde.
sceldes blikien burnen scinen.
palles gold-faȝe gumen swiðe sturne.
steden lepen sturede þa eorðe.
Þe keiser isah þæne king fare þer he was bi wude-scaȝe.
he Luces þa sæide þæ lauerd of Rome.
& spac wi[ð] his monnen lud[e]r[e] stefnen.
What beoð þeos ut-laȝen þa þisne wei us habbeoð for-uaren.
Nime we ure wepnen & heom to wenden.
heo sculleð beon islaȝene and summe quic iulaȝene.
alle heo sculle beon dede mid wite fordemde.
Efne þan worden heo iuengen heore wepnen.
Þa heo i-gæred weoren mid gode heore wepnen.
þa spac Luces sone þæ lauerd of Rome.
Biliue we heom to alle we scullen wel do.
Þer weoren icumen mid him fif & twenti kingen.
heðene uolc alle þa heolden of Rome.
eorles and dukes eke of æstene weorlde.
Lauerdinges quæd Luces þa Mahun eou beo liðe.
Ȝe beoð kinges riche & hereð into Rome.
Rome is mi rihte rihcchest alre burȝe.
and ich ah hæxst to beon of alle quike monnen.
Ȝe iseoð her on uolden þa ure ifan sunden.
heo þencheð to rixlien heȝe ouer ure riche.
halden us for hænen heom-seoluen riche iwurðen.
Ah we heom scullen forbeoden mid baldere strengðen.
for ure cun hæxst was of alle quike monnen.
and alle þa lond biwinnen þa heo on lokeden.
and into Brutlonde ferde Iulius þe stronge.
and bi-won him to hondes feole kine-londes
Nu wolden ure under-lingges beon ouer us kingges.
ah heo hit scullen a-buggen mid heore bare ruggen.
no scullen heo nauere liðen aȝæin to Brutaine.
Æfne þan worde þa sturede þa uerde.
bi þusend & bi þusende heo þrunggen to-somne.
ælc king of his folke ȝarkede ferde.
Þa hit al was iset & ferden isemed.
þa weoren þar-riht italde fulle fiftene ferden.
twein kinges þere æuere weoren ifere.
feouwer eorles and a duc dihten heom to-gadere.
and þe kæisere him-seolf mid ten þusend kempen.
Þa gon þat folc sturien þa eo[r]ðen gon to dunien.
bemen þer bleowen bonneden ferden.
hornes þer aqueðen mid hæhȝere stefnen.
sixti þusende bleowen to-somne.
Ma þer aqueðen of Arðures iueren.
þene sixti þusende segges mid horne.
þa wolcne gon to dunien þa eo[r]ðe gon to biuien.
To-somne heo heolden swulc heouene wolde uallen.
ærst heo lette fleon to feond-liche swiðe.
flan al swa þicke swa þe snau adun ualleð.
stanes heo letten seoððen sturnliche winden.
seoððen speren chrakeden sceldes brastleden.
helmes to-helden heȝe men uellen.
burnen to-breken blod ut ȝeoten.
ueldes falewe wurðen feollen here-mærken.
Wondrede ȝeond þat wald iwundede cnihtes ouer-al.
sixti hundred þar weoren to-tredene mid horsen.
beornes þer swelten blodes at-urnen.
stræhten after stretes blodie stremes.
balu wes on uolke þe burst wes vnimete.
Swa al swa suggeð writen þæ witeȝen idihten.
þat wes þat þridde mæste uiht þe auere wes here idiht.
þeo at þan laste nuste nan kempe.
whæm he sculde slæn on and wham he sculde sparien.
for no icneou na man oðer þere for vnimete blode.
Þa hæf þat fiht of þan studen þer heo ær fuhten.
and bigunnen arumðe ræsen to-somne.
and neouwe ueht bi-gunnen narewe iþrungen.
þer weoren Romleoden reouliche iladde.
Þa comen þer kinges þreo of hæðene londe.
of Ethi[o]pe wes þe an þe oðer wes an Aufrican.
þe þridde wes of Libie of hæðene leode.
Heo comen to þere uerde a þere æst ænde.
& þene sceld-trume breken þe Bruttes þer heolden.
and anan fælden fiftene hundred.
baldere þeinen of Arðures. þeoden.
þa wenden Bruttes sone to þa rugges.
Þa comen þer riden tweien eorles kene.
þat was Beduer and Kæi Arðures birle and his mæi.
heore Bruttes heo isehȝen mid bronden to-hawen.
Þer iwurðen to-bursten eorles swiðe balden.
mid ten þusend cnihten hælden to þan uihten
amidden þan þrunge þer heo þihkest weoren.
and sloȝen Rom-leoden reouliche swiðen.
& ȝeond þan uehte wenden after heore iwillen.
Þa weoren heo to þriste and to ufele heom biwusten.
wala wa wala wa þat heo neoren war þa.
þat heo ne cuðen bi-witen heom wið heore wiðer-iwinnen.
for heo weoren to kene & to ær-wene.
and to swiðe fuhten and to ueor wenden.
and spradden to wide ȝeond þat feht brade.
Þa com þe king of Mede þe muchele & þe brade.
heðene here-þrihng þer he hærm wrohte.
he ladde to iueren twenti þusend rideren.
he heold on his honde ænne gare swiðe stronge.
Þene gare he uorð strahte mid strongen his maine.
and smat þene eorl Beduer forn a þan breoste
þat þa burne to-barst sone biuoren and bihinde.
an-opened wes his breoste þa blod com forð luke.
Þer feol Beduer anan de[d] uppen uolden.
þer wes sarinesse sorreȝen inoȝe.
Þer Kai funde Beduer ded liggen him þer.
& Kai þat lich wolde leden mid him-seolue.
mid twenti hundred cnihten he hælde þer a-buten.
and feondliche feuhten & falden Rom-leoden.
& of Medie þer sloȝen moni hundred monnen
þat ueht wes strong swiðe and heo weoren þer to longe.
Þa com þer liðen ladlic king an.
mid sixti þusend monnen sele of his londen.
Setor þe kene. þe com him from Libie.
Þer þe king stronge wi[ð] Kæi him gon fehte.
and for-wundede Kai swiðe inne strongen þan fehte.
to þan bare deðe reou-lich wes þa dede.
His cnihtes þer-rihte hine ladden of þan uihte.
mid muchelere strengðe þurh þat feht stræhten.
Wa wes Arðure kinge for þa tidinge.
Þæt iseh þe riche þein Ridwaðelan wes ihaten.
Beduerres suster sune of heȝe Bruttes he wes icume.
þat Boccus mid his spere stronge Bedver hafde istunge.
Wa wæs him on liue þa his æm wes an deðe.
for he of alle monnen mæst hine lufede.
He cleopede of his cunne cnihtes swiðe gode.
& of þan alre leofeste þe he on liue wuste.
fif hundred bi tale fusden to-somne.
Riwaððlan þa sæide riche mon of Bruttene.
Cnihtes ȝe beoð of mine cunne cumeð hidere to me
and wreke we Beduer min æm þa bezst wes of ure cunne.
þa Buccus hafd of-stungen mid his spere strongen.
Fuse we alle to-somne & ure i-fan feollen
Æfne þan worde forð he iwende
and alle mid him anan aðele his i-ueren.
and Buccus þene king icneowen þer he was i compen.
mid his spere and mid his scelde monine king he aqu[a]lde.
Riwadðlan braid ut his sweord sone and him to sweinde
and smat þane king a þene helm þat he a twa to-ueol.
and æc þere burne hod þat hit at þe toðen at-stod.
and þe heðene king hælde to grunde.
& his fule saule sæh in-to helle.
Riwærdðlan þa seide ræh he was on mode.
Boccus nu þu hafst aboht Beduer þu sloȝe.
and þi saule scal to-ȝere beon þas wurse iuere.
Æfne þan worde swulc hit þe wind weore.
he þraste to þan fihte swa þode doð on felde.
þenne he þat dust heȝe aȝiueð from þere eorðe.
al swa Riwadðlan ræsde to his feonden.
Al heo hit sloȝen þat heo aneh comen.
þe while þe heo mihte walden heoren kine-wurðe wepnen.
neouren in al þan fihte cnihtes nane betere.
þe while þat heom ilaste þat lif on heore breoste.
Boccus þene king heo of-sloȝen and a þusend of his cnihten.
Þa wes Beduer awræken wel mid þan bezsten.
Þer wes an oht eorl aðeles cunnes.
Leir wes ihaten lauerd of Buluine.
he isæh i þan fihte enne ueond fusen.
þat on admirail of Babiloine he wes ældere.
muchel uolc he aualde uolde to grunde.
And þe eorl þat bihædde an heorte him was unneðe.
he bræid an his breoste ænne sceld bradne.
and he igrap an his hond a sper þat wes swiðe strong.
& his hors muneȝeden mid alle his imaine.
and þene admiral hitte mid smærten ane dunte.
vnder þere breoste þat þa burne gon to berste.
þat him þer bæfte þat sper þurh-ræhte.
fulle ane ueðme þe ueond feol to grunde.
Þat isah sone þeos admirale sone
Gecron is ihate. and his spere grap anan
and smat Leir þene eorl sære. a þa lift side
þurh-ut þa heorte. þe eorl adun halde.
Walwain þat bihedde þer he wes on uehte
and he hine iwraðede wunder ane swiðe.
þat isæh Howel hæh mon of Brutten.
and he þider halde mid fif-tene hundred monnen
herde here-ke[m]pen. mid Howele fusden.
and Walwain heom uuenon swiðe stið-imoded mon.
he hefde to iferen fif and twenti hundred
baldere Brutten. þa bigunnen heo to fehten
Þer weoren Rom-leoden reouliche. iledde.
Howel heom kepte Walwain heom imette.
þer wes wunderlic grure þa welcnen aqueðen.
þa eorðe gunnen to buuien. stanes þer bursten
urnen stremes of blode. of æmen þan folke.
þat wel wes unimete. þa weoren Bruttes werie
Kinard þe eorle of Strugul bilefde þene king Howel.
& inom mid him Labius Rimarc & Boclouius.
Þis weoren þa keneste men þat æi king ahte.
þeos weoren on mon-cunne eorles main stronge.
Heo nalden for heore mucle mode. fulien Howele þan gode.
ah bi heom-seoluen heo sloȝen alle þe heo neh come.
Þat isæh a riche mon of þan Rom-leoden.
hu Kinard þe kene heore uolc þer aqualde.
and þe cniht gon him alihten of leofuen his steden.
and nom him on his honde a spere imaked of stele.
& bi-walede hine a blode & bi-halues him eode.
þat he com a þan ende þer fæht Kinard þe stronge.
Kinardes burne he up ahof and he þene eorl þer of-sloh.
Þa ȝeiden lude alle Rom-leode.
and buȝen to þan Brutten & heore trume breken.
& feollen here-marken uolc adun helden.
sceldes þer scenden scalkes. þer feollen.
þer ueollen to grunde fiftene þusende.
baldere Brutten balu þer wes riue.
Swa ilaste longe þat uiht swiðe stronge.
Walwain gon ȝeonge ȝeond þat wæl muchele.
and somnede his cnihtes alle þer he heom funde i fihte.
Aneouste þer com ride Howel þe riche.
heo somneden heore beire uolc anon & forð heo gunnen fusen.
and riden to Rom-leoden. mid raȝere wraððen.
& fastliche heom to buȝen and breken þere Freinsce trumen.
And Walwain forð-rihte þer he ifunde
Luces þene kaiser. leouien under scelde.
& Walwain him to sweinde mid þe stelene sweorde.
and þe kaisere hine þat [g]om[e] wes swi[ðe] sturne.
sceld aȝein scelden sciuren þer wunden.
sweord aȝein sweorde sweinde wel ilome.
fur fleh of þe stelen þa ueond weoren abolȝen.
Þer wes viht swiðe strong stureden al þa ferden.
þe kaisere wende Walwain to scende
þat he miht an uuere daȝe ȝelpen uor þere deden.
Ah Bruttes him þrungen to þræfliche swiðe
& þa Romanisce men arudden heore kæiseren.
and heo to-somne heolde swulc heouene wolde ualle.
Alle þene dai-liht heo heolden seoððen þat fiht.
ane lutle stunde ær þe sunne eode to grunde.
Arður þa cleopede aðelest alre kinge.
Nu we heom to alle mine cnihtes ohte.
& Godd seolf us fulste ure feond to afallene.
Æfne þan worden þa bleou men þa bemen.
fiftene þusend anan þraste to blauwen.
hornes and bemen þa eorðe gon beouien.
for þan vnimete blase for þan mucle ibeote.
Romleoden wenden rug to þan feohten.
feollen here-marken heȝe men swulten.
fluȝen þa þe mihten þa ueie þær feollen.
Muchel mon-slæht wes þere ne mihte hit na man tellen.
þat whenne Rom-leoden þer comen riden.
þat heo uengen heom on swa ohte cnihtes sculden don.
Alle þa sweines & þa un-wræ[st]e þeines.
& of þan smale uolke feole þusunde.
þe king heom sette in ane hulle mid feole here-marken.
þat he dude for ȝepscipe þer-of he ȝelpen þohte.
al swa hit i-warð seoððe þer-after ful sone.
712
sende a riht honde mid raue bihonge.
he lette oðere ten þusende an his lift honde.
ten þusend biuoren ten þusend biæften.
mid heom-seoluen heo heolden sixtene þusund.
bi-halues he sende in-to ane wude hende.
seouentene þusend selere cnihten.
wel iwepnede men þene wude to bi-witteȝen.
þat heo mihte þider uare ȝif him neod weore.
Þa wes inne Gloucestre an eorl mid þan bezste.
Moruið wes ihate mon swiðe kene.
him he bi-tahte þene wude & þa ferde.
And ȝif hit ilimpeð swa wule þe liuiende Godd.
þat heo ouer-cumen beon and biginnen to fleon.
setteð heom after mid allen æouwer mahten.
and al þat ȝe of-take maȝen doh hit of lif-daȝen.
þa uatte & þa lene þa riche and þa hene.
For no beo in nauer nare leode no in none leode.
cnihtes al swa sele swa beoð mid me seolue.
cnihtes al swa ræȝe cnihtes al swa riche.
cnihtes al swa stronge in nauer ane londe.
Ȝe beoð under Criste cnihten alre kennest.
and ich æm rihchest alre kinge. vnder Gode seolue
do we wel þas dede. Godd us wel spede
Cnihtes þa andswarede. stille-liche under lufte
Alle we scullen wel don. and alle we scullen to-uon.
Niðing wurðe þe cniht þe ne cuðe his mahten her-riht.
Þa sænde heo a ba siden al þa men auoten.
þa lette he sette up þene drake heremærken unimake.
bi-tæhte hine ane kinge þe wel hine cuðe halde.
Angel kinge of Scotlonde þa uormeste uerde heold an honde.
Cador þe eorl of Cornwaille þa uerde heold baften.
Bo[f] hafde ane þe eorl of Oxen-uorde.
Þe eorl of Chæstre Gerin þa ueorðe uerde heold mid him.
Þa uerden uppen þere dune heold Escil king þe Denisce.
Lot heold þa ane þe leof was þan kinge.
Howel of Brutaine heold ane oðere.
714
Kai wuste ane stiward wæs þas kinges.
Beduer ane oðer þe wes þes kinges birle.
Þe eorl of Flandres Howeldin ane uerde hefde mid him.
Ane muchele uerde hefde Gui[t]ard þe king of Gascunnes ærd.
Wigein eorl of Leicestre and Ionatan eorl of Dorchestre.
heo wusten þa twa uerden þe þer weoren auoten.
Þe eorl of Chastre Curselein and eorl of Baðe þe hehte Urgein.
ho bi-wusten ba þa uerden þa weoren þær auoten.
þeos sculden a twa haluen halden to þan uehte.
to þissen twam eorlen þa ohte cnihtes weoren.
hafden Arður treouðe þe eorles weoren treowe.
þa weoren alle þa uerden isette alse Arður sel þuhte.
þa cleopede him to þe king of Brutaine.
his redȝiuen alle þa ræiȝest weoren to dome.
& þus seide Arður anan to aðelen his monnen.
Hercneð nu tou-wardes me mine wines deore.
iræsed ȝe habbeoð tweien to Romanis monnen.
and twien heo beoð ouer-cumen and islaȝen and inumen.
for heo al mid wronge wilneden of ure londe.
and min heorte seið me þurh ure Drihten hehne.
þat ȝet heo scullen beon ouer-cumen baðe islæȝen and inumen.
Ȝe habbeoð ouer-cumen Noreine ȝe habbeoð ouercume Denene.
Scotlond & Irlond al iwunen to eouwer heond.
Normandie and France bi-wunnen mid fehte.
Þreo & þritti kine-lond ich halde a mire aȝere hond.
þæ ȝe hit under sunnen habbeoð me bi-wunnen.
And þis beoð þa for-cuðeste men of alle quike monnen.
hæðene leode Godd heo seondeð laðe.
ure Drihten heo bi-læueð and to Mahune heo tuhteð.
& Luces þe kæisere of Godd seolf naueð nane care.
þat hafueð to iueren haðene hundes.
Goddes wiðer-iwinnen we heom scullen awelden.
leggen heom to grunde and us seoluen beon isunde.
mid Drihtenes willen þe waldeð alle deden.
Þa andswatede eorles þare Alle we beoð ȝarewe.
to libben and to liggen mid leouen vre kingen.
Þa þas ferde wes al idiht þa wes hit dai-liht.
Luces at Lengeres boȝede & al his Rom-leode.
716
bonnien his ferden forð he wolde riden.
from Lengres to Auste swa læi his weie rihte.
Forð gunnen riden Romanisce leoden.
þat heo ane mile comen neh Arðure.
Þa iherde Rom-leoden ræȝen tiðenden.
iseȝen alle þa dales alle þa dunes.
alle þa hulles mid helmes biþahte.
heȝe hare-marken hæleðes heom heolden.
sixti þusende þrauwen mid winde.
sceldes blikien burnen scinen.
palles gold-faȝe gumen swiðe sturne.
steden lepen sturede þa eorðe.
Þe keiser isah þæne king fare þer he was bi wude-scaȝe.
he Luces þa sæide þæ lauerd of Rome.
& spac wi[ð] his monnen lud[e]r[e] stefnen.
What beoð þeos ut-laȝen þa þisne wei us habbeoð for-uaren.
Nime we ure wepnen & heom to wenden.
heo sculleð beon islaȝene and summe quic iulaȝene.
alle heo sculle beon dede mid wite fordemde.
Efne þan worden heo iuengen heore wepnen.
Þa heo i-gæred weoren mid gode heore wepnen.
þa spac Luces sone þæ lauerd of Rome.
Biliue we heom to alle we scullen wel do.
Þer weoren icumen mid him fif & twenti kingen.
heðene uolc alle þa heolden of Rome.
eorles and dukes eke of æstene weorlde.
Lauerdinges quæd Luces þa Mahun eou beo liðe.
Ȝe beoð kinges riche & hereð into Rome.
Rome is mi rihte rihcchest alre burȝe.
and ich ah hæxst to beon of alle quike monnen.
Ȝe iseoð her on uolden þa ure ifan sunden.
heo þencheð to rixlien heȝe ouer ure riche.
halden us for hænen heom-seoluen riche iwurðen.
Ah we heom scullen forbeoden mid baldere strengðen.
for ure cun hæxst was of alle quike monnen.
and alle þa lond biwinnen þa heo on lokeden.
and into Brutlonde ferde Iulius þe stronge.
and bi-won him to hondes feole kine-londes
718
ah heo hit scullen a-buggen mid heore bare ruggen.
no scullen heo nauere liðen aȝæin to Brutaine.
Æfne þan worde þa sturede þa uerde.
bi þusend & bi þusende heo þrunggen to-somne.
ælc king of his folke ȝarkede ferde.
Þa hit al was iset & ferden isemed.
þa weoren þar-riht italde fulle fiftene ferden.
twein kinges þere æuere weoren ifere.
feouwer eorles and a duc dihten heom to-gadere.
and þe kæisere him-seolf mid ten þusend kempen.
Þa gon þat folc sturien þa eo[r]ðen gon to dunien.
bemen þer bleowen bonneden ferden.
hornes þer aqueðen mid hæhȝere stefnen.
sixti þusende bleowen to-somne.
Ma þer aqueðen of Arðures iueren.
þene sixti þusende segges mid horne.
þa wolcne gon to dunien þa eo[r]ðe gon to biuien.
To-somne heo heolden swulc heouene wolde uallen.
ærst heo lette fleon to feond-liche swiðe.
flan al swa þicke swa þe snau adun ualleð.
stanes heo letten seoððen sturnliche winden.
seoððen speren chrakeden sceldes brastleden.
helmes to-helden heȝe men uellen.
burnen to-breken blod ut ȝeoten.
ueldes falewe wurðen feollen here-mærken.
Wondrede ȝeond þat wald iwundede cnihtes ouer-al.
sixti hundred þar weoren to-tredene mid horsen.
beornes þer swelten blodes at-urnen.
stræhten after stretes blodie stremes.
balu wes on uolke þe burst wes vnimete.
Swa al swa suggeð writen þæ witeȝen idihten.
þat wes þat þridde mæste uiht þe auere wes here idiht.
þeo at þan laste nuste nan kempe.
whæm he sculde slæn on and wham he sculde sparien.
for no icneou na man oðer þere for vnimete blode.
720
and bigunnen arumðe ræsen to-somne.
and neouwe ueht bi-gunnen narewe iþrungen.
þer weoren Romleoden reouliche iladde.
Þa comen þer kinges þreo of hæðene londe.
of Ethi[o]pe wes þe an þe oðer wes an Aufrican.
þe þridde wes of Libie of hæðene leode.
Heo comen to þere uerde a þere æst ænde.
& þene sceld-trume breken þe Bruttes þer heolden.
and anan fælden fiftene hundred.
baldere þeinen of Arðures. þeoden.
þa wenden Bruttes sone to þa rugges.
Þa comen þer riden tweien eorles kene.
þat was Beduer and Kæi Arðures birle and his mæi.
heore Bruttes heo isehȝen mid bronden to-hawen.
Þer iwurðen to-bursten eorles swiðe balden.
mid ten þusend cnihten hælden to þan uihten
amidden þan þrunge þer heo þihkest weoren.
and sloȝen Rom-leoden reouliche swiðen.
& ȝeond þan uehte wenden after heore iwillen.
Þa weoren heo to þriste and to ufele heom biwusten.
wala wa wala wa þat heo neoren war þa.
þat heo ne cuðen bi-witen heom wið heore wiðer-iwinnen.
for heo weoren to kene & to ær-wene.
and to swiðe fuhten and to ueor wenden.
and spradden to wide ȝeond þat feht brade.
Þa com þe king of Mede þe muchele & þe brade.
heðene here-þrihng þer he hærm wrohte.
he ladde to iueren twenti þusend rideren.
he heold on his honde ænne gare swiðe stronge.
Þene gare he uorð strahte mid strongen his maine.
and smat þene eorl Beduer forn a þan breoste
þat þa burne to-barst sone biuoren and bihinde.
an-opened wes his breoste þa blod com forð luke.
Þer feol Beduer anan de[d] uppen uolden.
þer wes sarinesse sorreȝen inoȝe.
Þer Kai funde Beduer ded liggen him þer.
722
mid twenti hundred cnihten he hælde þer a-buten.
and feondliche feuhten & falden Rom-leoden.
& of Medie þer sloȝen moni hundred monnen
þat ueht wes strong swiðe and heo weoren þer to longe.
Þa com þer liðen ladlic king an.
mid sixti þusend monnen sele of his londen.
Setor þe kene. þe com him from Libie.
Þer þe king stronge wi[ð] Kæi him gon fehte.
and for-wundede Kai swiðe inne strongen þan fehte.
to þan bare deðe reou-lich wes þa dede.
His cnihtes þer-rihte hine ladden of þan uihte.
mid muchelere strengðe þurh þat feht stræhten.
Wa wes Arðure kinge for þa tidinge.
Þæt iseh þe riche þein Ridwaðelan wes ihaten.
Beduerres suster sune of heȝe Bruttes he wes icume.
þat Boccus mid his spere stronge Bedver hafde istunge.
Wa wæs him on liue þa his æm wes an deðe.
for he of alle monnen mæst hine lufede.
He cleopede of his cunne cnihtes swiðe gode.
& of þan alre leofeste þe he on liue wuste.
fif hundred bi tale fusden to-somne.
Riwaððlan þa sæide riche mon of Bruttene.
Cnihtes ȝe beoð of mine cunne cumeð hidere to me
and wreke we Beduer min æm þa bezst wes of ure cunne.
þa Buccus hafd of-stungen mid his spere strongen.
Fuse we alle to-somne & ure i-fan feollen
Æfne þan worde forð he iwende
and alle mid him anan aðele his i-ueren.
and Buccus þene king icneowen þer he was i compen.
mid his spere and mid his scelde monine king he aqu[a]lde.
Riwadðlan braid ut his sweord sone and him to sweinde
and smat þane king a þene helm þat he a twa to-ueol.
and æc þere burne hod þat hit at þe toðen at-stod.
and þe heðene king hælde to grunde.
& his fule saule sæh in-to helle.
Riwærdðlan þa seide ræh he was on mode.
724
and þi saule scal to-ȝere beon þas wurse iuere.
Æfne þan worde swulc hit þe wind weore.
he þraste to þan fihte swa þode doð on felde.
þenne he þat dust heȝe aȝiueð from þere eorðe.
al swa Riwadðlan ræsde to his feonden.
Al heo hit sloȝen þat heo aneh comen.
þe while þe heo mihte walden heoren kine-wurðe wepnen.
neouren in al þan fihte cnihtes nane betere.
þe while þat heom ilaste þat lif on heore breoste.
Boccus þene king heo of-sloȝen and a þusend of his cnihten.
Þa wes Beduer awræken wel mid þan bezsten.
Þer wes an oht eorl aðeles cunnes.
Leir wes ihaten lauerd of Buluine.
he isæh i þan fihte enne ueond fusen.
þat on admirail of Babiloine he wes ældere.
muchel uolc he aualde uolde to grunde.
And þe eorl þat bihædde an heorte him was unneðe.
he bræid an his breoste ænne sceld bradne.
and he igrap an his hond a sper þat wes swiðe strong.
& his hors muneȝeden mid alle his imaine.
and þene admiral hitte mid smærten ane dunte.
vnder þere breoste þat þa burne gon to berste.
þat him þer bæfte þat sper þurh-ræhte.
fulle ane ueðme þe ueond feol to grunde.
Þat isah sone þeos admirale sone
Gecron is ihate. and his spere grap anan
and smat Leir þene eorl sære. a þa lift side
þurh-ut þa heorte. þe eorl adun halde.
Walwain þat bihedde þer he wes on uehte
and he hine iwraðede wunder ane swiðe.
þat isæh Howel hæh mon of Brutten.
and he þider halde mid fif-tene hundred monnen
herde here-ke[m]pen. mid Howele fusden.
and Walwain heom uuenon swiðe stið-imoded mon.
he hefde to iferen fif and twenti hundred
726
Þer weoren Rom-leoden reouliche. iledde.
Howel heom kepte Walwain heom imette.
þer wes wunderlic grure þa welcnen aqueðen.
þa eorðe gunnen to buuien. stanes þer bursten
urnen stremes of blode. of æmen þan folke.
þat wel wes unimete. þa weoren Bruttes werie
Kinard þe eorle of Strugul bilefde þene king Howel.
& inom mid him Labius Rimarc & Boclouius.
Þis weoren þa keneste men þat æi king ahte.
þeos weoren on mon-cunne eorles main stronge.
Heo nalden for heore mucle mode. fulien Howele þan gode.
ah bi heom-seoluen heo sloȝen alle þe heo neh come.
Þat isæh a riche mon of þan Rom-leoden.
hu Kinard þe kene heore uolc þer aqualde.
and þe cniht gon him alihten of leofuen his steden.
and nom him on his honde a spere imaked of stele.
& bi-walede hine a blode & bi-halues him eode.
þat he com a þan ende þer fæht Kinard þe stronge.
Kinardes burne he up ahof and he þene eorl þer of-sloh.
Þa ȝeiden lude alle Rom-leode.
and buȝen to þan Brutten & heore trume breken.
& feollen here-marken uolc adun helden.
sceldes þer scenden scalkes. þer feollen.
þer ueollen to grunde fiftene þusende.
baldere Brutten balu þer wes riue.
Swa ilaste longe þat uiht swiðe stronge.
Walwain gon ȝeonge ȝeond þat wæl muchele.
and somnede his cnihtes alle þer he heom funde i fihte.
Aneouste þer com ride Howel þe riche.
heo somneden heore beire uolc anon & forð heo gunnen fusen.
and riden to Rom-leoden. mid raȝere wraððen.
& fastliche heom to buȝen and breken þere Freinsce trumen.
And Walwain forð-rihte þer he ifunde
Luces þene kaiser. leouien under scelde.
& Walwain him to sweinde mid þe stelene sweorde.
and þe kaisere hine þat [g]om[e] wes swi[ðe] sturne.
728
sweord aȝein sweorde sweinde wel ilome.
fur fleh of þe stelen þa ueond weoren abolȝen.
Þer wes viht swiðe strong stureden al þa ferden.
þe kaisere wende Walwain to scende
þat he miht an uuere daȝe ȝelpen uor þere deden.
Ah Bruttes him þrungen to þræfliche swiðe
& þa Romanisce men arudden heore kæiseren.
and heo to-somne heolde swulc heouene wolde ualle.
Alle þene dai-liht heo heolden seoððen þat fiht.
ane lutle stunde ær þe sunne eode to grunde.
Arður þa cleopede aðelest alre kinge.
Nu we heom to alle mine cnihtes ohte.
& Godd seolf us fulste ure feond to afallene.
Æfne þan worden þa bleou men þa bemen.
fiftene þusend anan þraste to blauwen.
hornes and bemen þa eorðe gon beouien.
for þan vnimete blase for þan mucle ibeote.
Romleoden wenden rug to þan feohten.
feollen here-marken heȝe men swulten.
fluȝen þa þe mihten þa ueie þær feollen.
Muchel mon-slæht wes þere ne mihte hit na man tellen.
hu feole hundred monnen to-heouwen þer weoren.
i þan mucle þrunge i þan mon-slæhte.
Wes þe kaisere of-slæȝen a seolcuðe wisen.
þat nuste hit nauer seoðen na mon to sugen.
of nauer nare cuð[ð]e wha þene kaisere qualde.
Bute þa þet feht was al idon and þat folc wes al iblissed.
þa funde men þene kaisere of-stungen mid ane spere.
Word com to Arðure þer he wes on telde.
þat þe kaisere wes of-slaȝen and i-don of lif-dæȝen.
Arður lette slæn an teld a-midden ænne bradne ueld.
& þider i-beren lette Luces þene kaisere.
and lette hine bitillen mid gold-faȝe pallen.
and bi-witen hine þer lette þreo daȝes fulle.
þe while he wurchen lette an werc swi[ðe]riche.
ane cheste longe and wreon heo al mid golde.
And lette leggen þer-inne Luces of Rome.
þat wes a swiðe duhti mon þa while his daȝes ilasten.
Þa ȝet dude Arður mære aðelest alre Brutte.
Arður asechen lette alle þa riche.
kinges and eorles and þa riccheste beornes.
þa i þan fehte weoren i-slaȝen and idon of lif-dæȝen.
he lette heom burien mid baldere pruten.
Buten þreo kinges he beren lette. Luces þan kaisere.
and lette makien beren riche and swiðe maren.
and lette heom sone senden to Rome
and grette Rom-weren alle mid græten ane huxe.
and seide þat he heom sende þat gauel of his londe.
and efte wold heom al-swa senden heom gretinge ma.
ȝif heo ȝirnen wolden of Arðures golden.
and þer-after wulle sone riden into Rome.
and tellen heom tiðinge of Brutlondes kinge.
and Rome walles rihten þe ȝare weoren to-fallen.
And swa ich wulle awelden þe wode Rom-leoden.
Al þis ȝelp wes idel i-do for eoðer weis hit eode.
al oðer hit itidde þe leoden he bilæfden.
al þurh Modred is mæin for-cuðest alle monnen
A þan muchele fihte Arður of his cnihtes losede
fif and twenti þusend. a uolden to-havwen
of Brutten swiðe balde biræued at liue
Kæi wes forwunded seore wunder a swiðe.
to Kinun he wes ilad and sone þer-after he wes ded.
bi-bured he wes þere bi-halue þan castle.
i-mong heremiten. þat wæs þe riche mon
Kæi hehte þe eorl. Kinun þe castel.
Arður ȝæf him þene tun and he þer-to tumde
and sette þer þene nome. after him-seoluen.
for Keises dæðe Kain he hit hehte.
nu and auere mare swa hit hehte þere.
Seoððen Beðuer wes islæȝen and i-don of lif-dahȝen.
Arður hine beren lette to Bæios his castle.
and biburied he wes þere inne þere burȝe.
wið-uten þan suð ȝæte in eorðe me hine sette.
Howeldin iulut wes forð into Flandres.
and alle his bezste cnihtes þer flutten uorð-rihtes.
in-to þan eorldomen þenne heo þer comen.
and alle þa dede in eorðe me heom leide.
inne Teruane heo liggeoð alle clane.
Leir þene eorl me ladde in-to Buluine.
& Arður þer-æfter seoððe wunede in ane londe.
inne Burguine. þer him bezst þuhte
Þat lond he al biwuste. and alle þe castles sette.
and seide þat he wolde him-seolue þat lond holde.
And seoððen he his beot makede a sumere þat he wolde.
faren into Rome & ahnien al þa riche.
and beon him-seolf kaisere þe Luces wuneden ære.
And monie of Rom-leoden wolden þat hit swa eoden.
for heo weoren a-dradde to heore bare deðe.
þat monie þer awæi fluȝen and heore castles bibuȝen.
and monie sende sonde to Arðure þan stronge.
and monie him speken wið & ȝirnden Arðures grið.
and summe heo wolde aȝein Arðure halden.
and halden wið him Rome. & weren þa leode.
And neoðeles heo auered weoren for heore uæie-siðen.
þat nusten heo under Criste nenne ræd godne.
Þa wes hit itimed þere þat Merlin saide while.
þat Rom-walles sculden aȝein Ar[ð]ure to-uallen.
þat was agan þære bi þan kaisere.
þa ueol þer-inne fehte mid fifti þusund monne.
ruren þer to grunde riche Rom-leoden.
Þa Arðour wende to soðe to aȝen al Rome.
& wunede inne Burguine richest alre kinge.
Þa com þer in are tiden an oht mon riden.
and brohte tidinge Arðure þan kinge.
from Moddrede his suster sune Arðure he wes wilcume.
for he wende þat he brohte boden swiðe gode.
Arður lai alle longe niht and spac wið þene ȝeonge cniht.
swa nauer nulde he him sugge soð hu hit ferde.
Þa hit wes dæi a marȝen and duȝeðe gon sturien.
Arður þa up aras and strehte his ærmes.
he aras up and adun sat swulc he weore swiðe seoc.
Þa axede hine an uæir cniht Lauerd hu hauest þu iuaren to-niht.
Arður þa andswarede a mode him wes uneðe.
To-niht a mine slepe þer ich læi on bure.
me imætte a sweuen þer-uore ich ful sari æm.
Me imette þat mon me hof uppen are halle.
þa halle ich gon bi-striden swulc ich wolde riden.
alle þa lond þa ich ah alle ich þer ouer sah.
and Walwain sat biuoren me mi sweord he bar an honde.
þa com Moddred faren þere mid unimete uolke.
he bar an his honde ane wiax stronge.
he bigon to hewene hardliche swiðe.
and þa postes for-heou alle þa heolden up þa halle.
Þer ich iseh Wenheuer eke wimmonnen leofuest me.
al þere muche halle rof mid hire honden heo to-droh.
Þa halle gon to hælden and ich hæld to grunden.
þat mi riht ærm to-brac þa seide Modred Haue þat.
Adun ueol þa halle & Walwain gon to ualle.
and feol a þere eorðe his ærmes brekeen beine.
& ich igrap mi sweord leofe mid mire leoft honde.
and smæt of Modred is hafd þat hit wond a þene ueld.
And þa quene ich al to-snaðde mid deore mine sweorede.
and seo[ð]ðen ich heo adu[n] sette. in ane swarte putte.
and al mi uolc riche sette to fleme.
þat nuste ich under Criste whar heo bicumen weoren.
Buten mi-seolf ich gon atstonden uppen ane wolden.
& ich þer wondrien agon wide ȝeond þan moren.
þer ich isah gripes. and grisliche fuȝeles.
Þa com an guldene leo liðen ouer dune.
deoren swiðe hende. þa ure Drihten make[de].
Þa leo me orn foren to and iueng me bi þan midle.
& forð hire gun ȝeongen & to þere sæ wende.
And ich isæh þæ vðen i þere sæ driuen.
and þe leo i þan ulode iwende wið me seolue.
Þa wit i sæ comen þa vðen me hire binomen.
com þer an fisc liðe and fereden me to londe.
þa wes ich al wet & weri of sorȝen and seoc.
þa gon ich i-wakien swiðe ich gon to quakien.
Þa gon ich to biuien swulc ich al fur burne.
And swa ich habbe al niht of mine sweuene swiðe iþoht.
for ich what to iwisse agan is al mi blisse.
for a to mine liue sorȝen ich mot driȝe.
wale þat ich nabbe here Wenhauer mine quene.
Þa andswarede þe cniht Lauerd þu hauest un-riht.
ne sculde me nauere sweuen mid sorȝen arecchen.
þu ært þe riccheste mon þa rixleoð on londen.
and þe alre wiseste þe wuneð under weolcne.
Ȝif hit weore ilu[m]pe swa nulle hit ure Drihte
þat Modred þire suster sune hafde þine quene inume.
and al þi kine-liche lond isæt an his aȝere hond.
þe þu him bitahtest þa þu to Rome þohtest.
and he hafde al þpus ido mid his swike-dome.
þe ȝet þu mihtest þe awreken wurð-liche mid wepnen.
& æft þi lond halden and walden þine leoden.
and þine feond fallen þe þe ufel unnen.
and slæn heom alle clane þet þer no bilauen nane.
Arður þa andswarede. aðelest alre kinge.
Longe bið æuere þat no wene ich nauere.
þat æuere Moddred mi mæi
wolde me biswiken. for alle mine richen.
no Wenhauer mi quene wakien on þonke.
nulleð hit biginne for nane weorld-monne.
Æfne þan worde forð-riht þa andswarede þe cniht.
Ich sugge þe soð leofe king for ich æm þin vnder-ling.
þus hafeð Modred idon þine quene he hafeð ifon.
and þi wun-liche lond isæt an his aȝere hond.
he is king & heo is que[ne] of þine kume nis na wene.
for no weneð heo nauere to soðe þat þu cumen aȝain from Rome.
Ich æm þin aȝen mon & iseh þisne swike-dom.
and ich æm icumen to þe seoluen soð þe to suggen.
Min hafued beo to wedde þat isæid ich þe habbe.
soð buten lese of leofen þire quene.
& of Modrede þire suster sune hu he hafueð Brut-lond þe binume,
Þa sæt hit al stille in Arðures halle.
þa wes þer særinæsse mid sele þan kinge.
þa weoren Bruttisce men swiðe vnbalde uor þæn.
Þa umbe stunde stefne þer sturede.
wide me mihte iheren Brutten iberen.
and gunne to tellen a feole cunne spellen.
hu heo wolden for-deme Modred & þa quene.
and al þat mon-cun for-don þe mid Modred heolden.
Arður þa cleopede hendest alre Brutte.
Sitte[ð] a-dun stille cnihtes inne halle.
and ich eou telle wulle spelles vncuðe.
Nu to-mærȝe þenne hit dæi bið & Drihten hine sende.
forð ich wulle buȝe in to-ward Bruttaine.
and Moddred ich wulle s[l]an & þa quen for-berne.
and alle ich wulle for-don þa biluueden þen swike-dom.
And her ich bileofuen wulle me leofuest monne.
Howel minne leofue mæi hexst of mine cunne.
and half mine uerde ich bilæfuen a þissen ærde.
to halden al þis kine-lond þa ich habbe a mire hond.
& þenne þas þing. beoð alle idone aȝan ich wulle to Rome.
& mi wunliche lond bitæche Walwaine mine mæie.
and iuorþe mi beot seo[ð]ðe bi mine bare life.
Scullen alle mine feond wæi-sið makeȝe.
Þa stod him up Walwain þat wes Arðures mæi.
and þas word saide þe eorl wes abolȝe.
Ældrihten Godd domes waldend.
al middel-ærdes mund whi is hit iwurðen.
þat mi broðer Modred þis morð hafueð itimbred.
Ah to-dæi ich at-sake hine here biuoren þissere duȝeðe.
and ich hine for-demen wulle mid Drihtenes wille.
mi-seolf ich wulle hine an-hon haxst alre warien.
þa quene ich wulle mid Goddes laȝe. al mid horsen to-draȝe.
For ne beo ich nauere bliðe þa wile a beoð aliue.
and þat ich habbe minne æm awræke mid þan bezste.
Bruttes þa andswarede mid baldere stefne.
Al ure wepnen sunden ȝarewe nu to-marȝen we scullen uaren.
A marȝen þat hit dæi wes & Drihten hine senden.
Arðu[r] uorð him wende mid aðelen his folke.
half he hit bilæfde & half hit forð ladde.
Forð he wende þurh þat lond þat he com to Whit-sond.
scipen he hæfde sone monie & wel idone.
ah feowertene niht fulle þere læi þa uerde.
þeos wederes abiden windes bi-delde.
Nu was sum for-cuð kempe in Arðures ferde.
anæn swa he demen iherde of Modredes [d]eðe
he nom his swein aneouste and sende to þissen londe.
and sende word Wenhaueren heou hit was iwurðen.
and hu Arður wes on uore mid muclere ferde.
and hu he wolde taken on & al hu he wolde don.
Þa quene com to Modred þat wæs hire leofuest monnes.
and talde him tidende of Arðure þan kinge.
hu he wolde taken an & al hu he wolde don.
Modræd nom his sonde and sende to Sex-lond.
after Childriche þe king wes swiðe riche.
and bæd hine cume to Brutaine þer-of he bruke sculde.
Modræd bad Childriche þene stronge & þene riche.
wide senden sonde a feouwer half Sex-londe.
and beoden þa cnihtes alle þat heo biȝeten mihte.
þat heo comen sone to þissen kinedo[m]e.
and he wolde Childriche ȝeouen of his riche.
al biȝeonde þere Humbre for he him scolde helpe.
to fihten wið his æme Arðuren kinge.
Childrich beh sone in-to Brutlonde.
Þa Modred hafde his ferde isomned of monnen.
þa weoren þere italde sixti þusende.
here-kempen harde of heðene uolke.
þa heo weoren icumen hidere for Ar[ð]ures hærme.
Modred to helpen forcuðest monnen.
Þa þe uerde wes isome of ælche mon-cunne.
þa heo weoren þer on hepe an hunddred þusende
heðene and cristene. mid Modrede kinge
Arður lai at Whit-sond feouwertene niht him þuhte to long.
and al Modred wuste wat Arður þær wolde
ælche dai him comen sonde. from þas kinges hirede
Þa ilomp hit an one time muchel rein him gon rine.
& þæ wind him gon wende. & stod of þan æst ende.
and Arður to scipe fusde mid alle his uerde.
and hehte þat his scip-men brohten hine to Romerel
þer he þohte up wende in-to þissen londe.
Þæ he to þere hauene com Moddred him wes auornon.
ase þe dæi gon lihte heo bigunnen to fihten
alle þene longe dæi moni mon þer ded læi.
summe hi fuhten a londe summe bi þan stronde.
summe heo letten ut of scipen scerpe garen scriþen.
Walwain bi-foren wende and þene wæi rumde.
& sloh þer a-neuste þeines elleouene
he sloh Childriches sune þe was þer mid his fader icume.
To reste eode þa sunne wæ wes þa monnen
þer wes Walwain a-slæȝe & idon of lif-daȝe.
þurh an eorl Sexisne særi wurðe his saule.
Þa wes Arður særi & sorhful an heorte for-þi.
& þas word bo[d]ede ricchest alre Brutte
Nu ich ileosed habbe mine sweines leofe
Ich wuste bi mine sweuene whæt sorȝen me weoren ȝeueðe.
i-slaȝen is Angel þe king þe wes min aȝen deorling.
& Walwaine mi suster sune wa is me þat ich was mon iboren.
Up nu of scipen biliue mine beornes ohte.
Æfne þan worde wenden to fihte.
sixti þusend anon selere kempen.
and breken Modredes trume and wel neh him-seolue wes inome.
Modred bi-gon to fleon & his folc after teon
fluȝen ueond-liche. feldes beoueden eke
ȝurren þa stanes. mid þan blod-stremes.
Þer weore al þat fiht i-don ah þat niht to raðe com.
ȝif þa niht neore islaȝen hi weoren alle.
Þe niht heom to-delde ȝeond slades & ȝeon dunen.
and Modred swa vorð com þat he wes at Lundene
Iherden þa burh-weren hu hit was il ifaren.
and warnden him inȝeong & alle his folke
Modred þeone wende to-ward Winchastre.
and heo hine under-uengen mid alle his monnen.
And Arður after wende mid alle his mahte.
þat he com to Winchestre mid muchelere uerde.
& þa burh al biræd & Modred þer-inne abeod.
Þa Modred i-sæh þat Arður him wes swa neh.
ofte he hine biþohte wæt he don mahte.
Þa a þere ilke niht he hehte his cnihtes alle.
mid alle heore iwepnen ut of burhȝe wenden.
and sæide þat he weolde mid fihte þer at-stonden.
He bi-hehte þere burȝe-were auer-mare freo laȝe.
wið þan þa heo him heolpen at heȝere neoden.
Þa hit wes dæi-liht ȝaru þa wes heore fiht
Arðr þat bi-hedde þe king wes abolȝe.
he lette bemen blawen and beonnen men to fihten.
he hehte alle his þeines & aðele his cnihte.
fon somed to fihten and his ueo[n]d auallen.
and þe burh alle for-don and þat burh-folc ahon
Heo to-gadere stopen and sturnliche fuhten.
Modred þa þohte what he don mihte.
& he dude þere alse he dude elles-whare.
swike-dom mid þan mæste for auere he dude unwraste.
he biswac his iueren biuoren Winchestren.
and lette him to cleopien his leofeste cnihtes. anan.
and his leoueste freond alle of allen his folke.
and bi-stal from þan fihte þe feond hine aȝe.
and þat folc gode lette al þer for-wurðe.
Fuhten alle dæi wenden þat heore lauerd þer læi.
and weore heom aneouste at muchelere neode.
Þa heold he þene wai þat tou-ward Hamtone lai.
and heolde touward hauene forcuðest hæleðe.
and nom alle þa scipen þa þer oht weore.
and þa steor-men alle to þan scipen neodde.
and ferden into Cornwalen forcuðest kingen a þan daȝen.
And Arður Winchestre þa burh bilai wel faste
& al þat moncun of-sloh þer wes sorȝen inoh.
þa ȝeonge and þa alde. alle he aqualde.
Þa þat folc wes al ded þa burh al for-swelde.
þa lette he mid alle to-breken þa walles alle.
Þa wes hit itimed þere þat Merlin seide while.
Ærm wurðest þu Winchæstre þæ eorðe þe scal forswalȝe.
swa Merlin sæide þe witeȝe wes mære.
Þa quene læi inne Eouwerwic næs heo næuere swa sarlic.
þat wes Wenhauer þa quene særȝest wimmonne.
Heo iherde suggen soððere worden.
hu ofte Modred flah and hu Arður hine bibah.
Wa wes hire þere while þat heo wes on life.
Ut of Eouerwike bi nihte heo i-wende.
& touward Karliun tuhte swa swiðe swa heo mahte
i þan mucle þrunge i þan mon-slæhte.
Wes þe kaisere of-slæȝen a seolcuðe wisen.
þat nuste hit nauer seoðen na mon to sugen.
of nauer nare cuð[ð]e wha þene kaisere qualde.
Bute þa þet feht was al idon and þat folc wes al iblissed.
þa funde men þene kaisere of-stungen mid ane spere.
Word com to Arðure þer he wes on telde.
þat þe kaisere wes of-slaȝen and i-don of lif-dæȝen.
Arður lette slæn an teld a-midden ænne bradne ueld.
& þider i-beren lette Luces þene kaisere.
and lette hine bitillen mid gold-faȝe pallen.
and bi-witen hine þer lette þreo daȝes fulle.
þe while he wurchen lette an werc swi[ðe]riche.
730
And lette leggen þer-inne Luces of Rome.
þat wes a swiðe duhti mon þa while his daȝes ilasten.
Þa ȝet dude Arður mære aðelest alre Brutte.
Arður asechen lette alle þa riche.
kinges and eorles and þa riccheste beornes.
þa i þan fehte weoren i-slaȝen and idon of lif-dæȝen.
he lette heom burien mid baldere pruten.
Buten þreo kinges he beren lette. Luces þan kaisere.
and lette makien beren riche and swiðe maren.
and lette heom sone senden to Rome
and grette Rom-weren alle mid græten ane huxe.
and seide þat he heom sende þat gauel of his londe.
and efte wold heom al-swa senden heom gretinge ma.
ȝif heo ȝirnen wolden of Arðures golden.
and þer-after wulle sone riden into Rome.
and tellen heom tiðinge of Brutlondes kinge.
and Rome walles rihten þe ȝare weoren to-fallen.
And swa ich wulle awelden þe wode Rom-leoden.
Al þis ȝelp wes idel i-do for eoðer weis hit eode.
al oðer hit itidde þe leoden he bilæfden.
al þurh Modred is mæin for-cuðest alle monnen
A þan muchele fihte Arður of his cnihtes losede
fif and twenti þusend. a uolden to-havwen
of Brutten swiðe balde biræued at liue
Kæi wes forwunded seore wunder a swiðe.
to Kinun he wes ilad and sone þer-after he wes ded.
bi-bured he wes þere bi-halue þan castle.
i-mong heremiten. þat wæs þe riche mon
Kæi hehte þe eorl. Kinun þe castel.
Arður ȝæf him þene tun and he þer-to tumde
and sette þer þene nome. after him-seoluen.
for Keises dæðe Kain he hit hehte.
nu and auere mare swa hit hehte þere.
Seoððen Beðuer wes islæȝen and i-don of lif-dahȝen.
Arður hine beren lette to Bæios his castle.
and biburied he wes þere inne þere burȝe.
732
Howeldin iulut wes forð into Flandres.
and alle his bezste cnihtes þer flutten uorð-rihtes.
in-to þan eorldomen þenne heo þer comen.
and alle þa dede in eorðe me heom leide.
inne Teruane heo liggeoð alle clane.
Leir þene eorl me ladde in-to Buluine.
& Arður þer-æfter seoððe wunede in ane londe.
inne Burguine. þer him bezst þuhte
Þat lond he al biwuste. and alle þe castles sette.
and seide þat he wolde him-seolue þat lond holde.
And seoððen he his beot makede a sumere þat he wolde.
faren into Rome & ahnien al þa riche.
and beon him-seolf kaisere þe Luces wuneden ære.
And monie of Rom-leoden wolden þat hit swa eoden.
for heo weoren a-dradde to heore bare deðe.
þat monie þer awæi fluȝen and heore castles bibuȝen.
and monie sende sonde to Arðure þan stronge.
and monie him speken wið & ȝirnden Arðures grið.
and summe heo wolde aȝein Arðure halden.
and halden wið him Rome. & weren þa leode.
And neoðeles heo auered weoren for heore uæie-siðen.
þat nusten heo under Criste nenne ræd godne.
Þa wes hit itimed þere þat Merlin saide while.
þat Rom-walles sculden aȝein Ar[ð]ure to-uallen.
þat was agan þære bi þan kaisere.
þa ueol þer-inne fehte mid fifti þusund monne.
ruren þer to grunde riche Rom-leoden.
Þa Arðour wende to soðe to aȝen al Rome.
& wunede inne Burguine richest alre kinge.
Þa com þer in are tiden an oht mon riden.
and brohte tidinge Arðure þan kinge.
from Moddrede his suster sune Arðure he wes wilcume.
for he wende þat he brohte boden swiðe gode.
Arður lai alle longe niht and spac wið þene ȝeonge cniht.
swa nauer nulde he him sugge soð hu hit ferde.
Þa hit wes dæi a marȝen and duȝeðe gon sturien.
734
he aras up and adun sat swulc he weore swiðe seoc.
Þa axede hine an uæir cniht Lauerd hu hauest þu iuaren to-niht.
Arður þa andswarede a mode him wes uneðe.
To-niht a mine slepe þer ich læi on bure.
me imætte a sweuen þer-uore ich ful sari æm.
Me imette þat mon me hof uppen are halle.
þa halle ich gon bi-striden swulc ich wolde riden.
alle þa lond þa ich ah alle ich þer ouer sah.
and Walwain sat biuoren me mi sweord he bar an honde.
þa com Moddred faren þere mid unimete uolke.
he bar an his honde ane wiax stronge.
he bigon to hewene hardliche swiðe.
and þa postes for-heou alle þa heolden up þa halle.
Þer ich iseh Wenheuer eke wimmonnen leofuest me.
al þere muche halle rof mid hire honden heo to-droh.
Þa halle gon to hælden and ich hæld to grunden.
þat mi riht ærm to-brac þa seide Modred Haue þat.
Adun ueol þa halle & Walwain gon to ualle.
and feol a þere eorðe his ærmes brekeen beine.
& ich igrap mi sweord leofe mid mire leoft honde.
and smæt of Modred is hafd þat hit wond a þene ueld.
And þa quene ich al to-snaðde mid deore mine sweorede.
and seo[ð]ðen ich heo adu[n] sette. in ane swarte putte.
and al mi uolc riche sette to fleme.
þat nuste ich under Criste whar heo bicumen weoren.
Buten mi-seolf ich gon atstonden uppen ane wolden.
& ich þer wondrien agon wide ȝeond þan moren.
þer ich isah gripes. and grisliche fuȝeles.
Þa com an guldene leo liðen ouer dune.
deoren swiðe hende. þa ure Drihten make[de].
Þa leo me orn foren to and iueng me bi þan midle.
& forð hire gun ȝeongen & to þere sæ wende.
And ich isæh þæ vðen i þere sæ driuen.
and þe leo i þan ulode iwende wið me seolue.
Þa wit i sæ comen þa vðen me hire binomen.
736
þa wes ich al wet & weri of sorȝen and seoc.
þa gon ich i-wakien swiðe ich gon to quakien.
Þa gon ich to biuien swulc ich al fur burne.
And swa ich habbe al niht of mine sweuene swiðe iþoht.
for ich what to iwisse agan is al mi blisse.
for a to mine liue sorȝen ich mot driȝe.
wale þat ich nabbe here Wenhauer mine quene.
Þa andswarede þe cniht Lauerd þu hauest un-riht.
ne sculde me nauere sweuen mid sorȝen arecchen.
þu ært þe riccheste mon þa rixleoð on londen.
and þe alre wiseste þe wuneð under weolcne.
Ȝif hit weore ilu[m]pe swa nulle hit ure Drihte
þat Modred þire suster sune hafde þine quene inume.
and al þi kine-liche lond isæt an his aȝere hond.
þe þu him bitahtest þa þu to Rome þohtest.
and he hafde al þpus ido mid his swike-dome.
þe ȝet þu mihtest þe awreken wurð-liche mid wepnen.
& æft þi lond halden and walden þine leoden.
and þine feond fallen þe þe ufel unnen.
and slæn heom alle clane þet þer no bilauen nane.
Arður þa andswarede. aðelest alre kinge.
Longe bið æuere þat no wene ich nauere.
þat æuere Moddred mi mæi
wolde me biswiken. for alle mine richen.
no Wenhauer mi quene wakien on þonke.
nulleð hit biginne for nane weorld-monne.
Æfne þan worde forð-riht þa andswarede þe cniht.
Ich sugge þe soð leofe king for ich æm þin vnder-ling.
þus hafeð Modred idon þine quene he hafeð ifon.
and þi wun-liche lond isæt an his aȝere hond.
he is king & heo is que[ne] of þine kume nis na wene.
for no weneð heo nauere to soðe þat þu cumen aȝain from Rome.
Ich æm þin aȝen mon & iseh þisne swike-dom.
and ich æm icumen to þe seoluen soð þe to suggen.
Min hafued beo to wedde þat isæid ich þe habbe.
soð buten lese of leofen þire quene.
& of Modrede þire suster sune hu he hafueð Brut-lond þe binume,
738
þa wes þer særinæsse mid sele þan kinge.
þa weoren Bruttisce men swiðe vnbalde uor þæn.
Þa umbe stunde stefne þer sturede.
wide me mihte iheren Brutten iberen.
and gunne to tellen a feole cunne spellen.
hu heo wolden for-deme Modred & þa quene.
and al þat mon-cun for-don þe mid Modred heolden.
Arður þa cleopede hendest alre Brutte.
Sitte[ð] a-dun stille cnihtes inne halle.
and ich eou telle wulle spelles vncuðe.
Nu to-mærȝe þenne hit dæi bið & Drihten hine sende.
forð ich wulle buȝe in to-ward Bruttaine.
and Moddred ich wulle s[l]an & þa quen for-berne.
and alle ich wulle for-don þa biluueden þen swike-dom.
And her ich bileofuen wulle me leofuest monne.
Howel minne leofue mæi hexst of mine cunne.
and half mine uerde ich bilæfuen a þissen ærde.
to halden al þis kine-lond þa ich habbe a mire hond.
& þenne þas þing. beoð alle idone aȝan ich wulle to Rome.
& mi wunliche lond bitæche Walwaine mine mæie.
and iuorþe mi beot seo[ð]ðe bi mine bare life.
Scullen alle mine feond wæi-sið makeȝe.
Þa stod him up Walwain þat wes Arðures mæi.
and þas word saide þe eorl wes abolȝe.
Ældrihten Godd domes waldend.
al middel-ærdes mund whi is hit iwurðen.
þat mi broðer Modred þis morð hafueð itimbred.
Ah to-dæi ich at-sake hine here biuoren þissere duȝeðe.
and ich hine for-demen wulle mid Drihtenes wille.
mi-seolf ich wulle hine an-hon haxst alre warien.
þa quene ich wulle mid Goddes laȝe. al mid horsen to-draȝe.
For ne beo ich nauere bliðe þa wile a beoð aliue.
and þat ich habbe minne æm awræke mid þan bezste.
Bruttes þa andswarede mid baldere stefne.
Al ure wepnen sunden ȝarewe nu to-marȝen we scullen uaren.
A marȝen þat hit dæi wes & Drihten hine senden.
Arðu[r] uorð him wende mid aðelen his folke.
740
Forð he wende þurh þat lond þat he com to Whit-sond.
scipen he hæfde sone monie & wel idone.
ah feowertene niht fulle þere læi þa uerde.
þeos wederes abiden windes bi-delde.
Nu was sum for-cuð kempe in Arðures ferde.
anæn swa he demen iherde of Modredes [d]eðe
he nom his swein aneouste and sende to þissen londe.
and sende word Wenhaueren heou hit was iwurðen.
and hu Arður wes on uore mid muclere ferde.
and hu he wolde taken on & al hu he wolde don.
Þa quene com to Modred þat wæs hire leofuest monnes.
and talde him tidende of Arðure þan kinge.
hu he wolde taken an & al hu he wolde don.
Modræd nom his sonde and sende to Sex-lond.
after Childriche þe king wes swiðe riche.
and bæd hine cume to Brutaine þer-of he bruke sculde.
Modræd bad Childriche þene stronge & þene riche.
wide senden sonde a feouwer half Sex-londe.
and beoden þa cnihtes alle þat heo biȝeten mihte.
þat heo comen sone to þissen kinedo[m]e.
and he wolde Childriche ȝeouen of his riche.
al biȝeonde þere Humbre for he him scolde helpe.
to fihten wið his æme Arðuren kinge.
Childrich beh sone in-to Brutlonde.
Þa Modred hafde his ferde isomned of monnen.
þa weoren þere italde sixti þusende.
here-kempen harde of heðene uolke.
þa heo weoren icumen hidere for Ar[ð]ures hærme.
Modred to helpen forcuðest monnen.
Þa þe uerde wes isome of ælche mon-cunne.
þa heo weoren þer on hepe an hunddred þusende
heðene and cristene. mid Modrede kinge
Arður lai at Whit-sond feouwertene niht him þuhte to long.
and al Modred wuste wat Arður þær wolde
ælche dai him comen sonde. from þas kinges hirede
742
& þæ wind him gon wende. & stod of þan æst ende.
and Arður to scipe fusde mid alle his uerde.
and hehte þat his scip-men brohten hine to Romerel
þer he þohte up wende in-to þissen londe.
Þæ he to þere hauene com Moddred him wes auornon.
ase þe dæi gon lihte heo bigunnen to fihten
alle þene longe dæi moni mon þer ded læi.
summe hi fuhten a londe summe bi þan stronde.
summe heo letten ut of scipen scerpe garen scriþen.
Walwain bi-foren wende and þene wæi rumde.
& sloh þer a-neuste þeines elleouene
he sloh Childriches sune þe was þer mid his fader icume.
To reste eode þa sunne wæ wes þa monnen
þer wes Walwain a-slæȝe & idon of lif-daȝe.
þurh an eorl Sexisne særi wurðe his saule.
Þa wes Arður særi & sorhful an heorte for-þi.
& þas word bo[d]ede ricchest alre Brutte
Nu ich ileosed habbe mine sweines leofe
Ich wuste bi mine sweuene whæt sorȝen me weoren ȝeueðe.
i-slaȝen is Angel þe king þe wes min aȝen deorling.
& Walwaine mi suster sune wa is me þat ich was mon iboren.
Up nu of scipen biliue mine beornes ohte.
Æfne þan worde wenden to fihte.
sixti þusend anon selere kempen.
and breken Modredes trume and wel neh him-seolue wes inome.
Modred bi-gon to fleon & his folc after teon
fluȝen ueond-liche. feldes beoueden eke
ȝurren þa stanes. mid þan blod-stremes.
Þer weore al þat fiht i-don ah þat niht to raðe com.
ȝif þa niht neore islaȝen hi weoren alle.
Þe niht heom to-delde ȝeond slades & ȝeon dunen.
and Modred swa vorð com þat he wes at Lundene
Iherden þa burh-weren hu hit was il ifaren.
and warnden him inȝeong & alle his folke
Modred þeone wende to-ward Winchastre.
and heo hine under-uengen mid alle his monnen.
And Arður after wende mid alle his mahte.
744
& þa burh al biræd & Modred þer-inne abeod.
Þa Modred i-sæh þat Arður him wes swa neh.
ofte he hine biþohte wæt he don mahte.
Þa a þere ilke niht he hehte his cnihtes alle.
mid alle heore iwepnen ut of burhȝe wenden.
and sæide þat he weolde mid fihte þer at-stonden.
He bi-hehte þere burȝe-were auer-mare freo laȝe.
wið þan þa heo him heolpen at heȝere neoden.
Þa hit wes dæi-liht ȝaru þa wes heore fiht
Arðr þat bi-hedde þe king wes abolȝe.
he lette bemen blawen and beonnen men to fihten.
he hehte alle his þeines & aðele his cnihte.
fon somed to fihten and his ueo[n]d auallen.
and þe burh alle for-don and þat burh-folc ahon
Heo to-gadere stopen and sturnliche fuhten.
Modred þa þohte what he don mihte.
& he dude þere alse he dude elles-whare.
swike-dom mid þan mæste for auere he dude unwraste.
he biswac his iueren biuoren Winchestren.
and lette him to cleopien his leofeste cnihtes. anan.
and his leoueste freond alle of allen his folke.
and bi-stal from þan fihte þe feond hine aȝe.
and þat folc gode lette al þer for-wurðe.
Fuhten alle dæi wenden þat heore lauerd þer læi.
and weore heom aneouste at muchelere neode.
Þa heold he þene wai þat tou-ward Hamtone lai.
and heolde touward hauene forcuðest hæleðe.
and nom alle þa scipen þa þer oht weore.
and þa steor-men alle to þan scipen neodde.
and ferden into Cornwalen forcuðest kingen a þan daȝen.
And Arður Winchestre þa burh bilai wel faste
& al þat moncun of-sloh þer wes sorȝen inoh.
þa ȝeonge and þa alde. alle he aqualde.
Þa þat folc wes al ded þa burh al for-swelde.
þa lette he mid alle to-breken þa walles alle.
Þa wes hit itimed þere þat Merlin seide while.
746
swa Merlin sæide þe witeȝe wes mære.
Þa quene læi inne Eouwerwic næs heo næuere swa sarlic.
þat wes Wenhauer þa quene særȝest wimmonne.
Heo iherde suggen soððere worden.
hu ofte Modred flah and hu Arður hine bibah.
Wa wes hire þere while þat heo wes on life.
Ut of Eouerwike bi nihte heo i-wende.
& touward Karliun tuhte swa swiðe swa heo mahte
þider heo brohten bi nihte of hire cnihten tweiȝe.
and me hire hafd bi-wefde mid ane hali rifte.
and heo wes þer munechene kare-fullest wife.
Þa nusten men of þere quene war heo bicumen weore.
no feole ȝere seoððe nuste hit mon to soðe.
whaðer heo weore on deðe.
þa heo hire-seolf weore isunken in þe watere.
Modred wes i Cornwale & somnede cnihtes feole.
to Irlonde he sende a-neoste his sonde.
to Sex-londe he sende aneouste his sonde.
to Scotlonde he sende aneouste his sonde.
he hehten heom to cume alle anan þat wolde lond habben.
oðer seoluer oðer gold o[ð]er ahte o[ð]er lond.
on ælchere wisen he warnede hine seoluen.
swa deð ælc witer mon þa neode cumeð uuen-an.
Arður þat iherde. wraðest kinge
þat Modred wæs i Cornwale. mid muchele monweorede
& þer wolde abiden þat Arður come riden.
Arður sende sonde ȝeond al his kine-londe.
and to cumen alle hehte þat quic wes on londe.
þa to uihte oht weoren wepnen to beren.
and me hire hafd bi-wefde mid ane hali rifte.
and heo wes þer munechene kare-fullest wife.
Þa nusten men of þere quene war heo bicumen weore.
no feole ȝere seoððe nuste hit mon to soðe.
whaðer heo weore on deðe.
þa heo hire-seolf weore isunken in þe watere.
Modred wes i Cornwale & somnede cnihtes feole.
to Irlonde he sende a-neoste his sonde.
to Sex-londe he sende aneouste his sonde.
to Scotlonde he sende aneouste his sonde.
he hehten heom to cume alle anan þat wolde lond habben.
oðer seoluer oðer gold o[ð]er ahte o[ð]er lond.
on ælchere wisen he warnede hine seoluen.
swa deð ælc witer mon þa neode cumeð uuen-an.
Arður þat iherde. wraðest kinge
þat Modred wæs i Cornwale. mid muchele monweorede
& þer wolde abiden þat Arður come riden.
Arður sende sonde ȝeond al his kine-londe.
and to cumen alle hehte þat quic wes on londe.
þa to uihte oht weoren wepnen to beren.
and w[ha]-swa hit for-sete þat þe king hete.
þe king hine wolde a folden qui[c] al for-bernen.
Hit læc to-ward hirede folc vni-mete.
ridinde & ganninde swa þe rim falle[ð] adune.
Arður for to Cornwale mid uni[me]te ferde.
Modred þat iherde & him toȝeines heolde.
mid vnimete folke þer weore monie uæie.
Uppen þere Ta[m]bre heo tuhten to-gadere.
þe stude hatte Camelford euer-mare ilast þat ilke weorde.
And at Camelforde wes isomned sixti þusend.
& ma þusend þer-to Modred wes heore ælder
Þa þider-ward gon ride. Arður þe riche
mid unimete folke. uæie þah hit weore.
Uppe þere Tambre heo tuhte to-somne.
heuen here-marken. halden to-gadere
luken sweord longe. leiden o þe helmen
fur ut sprengen speren brastlien.
sceldes gonnen scanen scaftes to-breken.
þer faht al to-somne folc vnimete.
Tambre wes on flode mid vnimete blode.
mon i þan fihte non þer ne mihte ikenne nenne kempe.
no wha dude wurse no wha bet. swa þat wiðe wes imenged.
for ælc sloh adun-riht weore he swein weore he cniht.
Þer wes Modred of-slaȝe and idon of lif-daȝe.
in þan fihte
Þer weoren of-slaȝe alle þa snelle.
Ar[ð]ures hered-men. heȝe [and lowe]
and þa Bruttes alle of Arðures borde.
and alle his fosterlinges of feole kineriches.
And Arður forwunded mid wal-spere brade.
fiftene he hafde feondliche wunden.
mon mihte i þare laste twa glouen iþraste.
Þa nas þer na-mare i þan fehte to laue
of twa hundred þusend monnen. þa þer leien to-hauwen
buten Arður þe king ane & of his cnihtes tweien.
Arður wes for-wunded wunder ane swiðe.
þer to him com a cnaue þe wes of his cunne.
he wes Cadores sune þe eorles of Corwaile.
Constantin hehte þe cnaue he wes þan kinge deore.
Arður him lokede on þer he lai on folden.
and þas word seide mid sorhfulle heorte.
Costæntin þu art wilcume þu weore Cadores sone.
Ich þe bitache here mine kineriche.
and wite mine Bruttes a to þines lifes.
and hald heom alle þa laȝen þa habbeoð i-stonden a mine daȝen.
and alle þa laȝen gode þa bi Vðeres daȝen stode.
And ich wulle uaren to Aualun to uairest alre maidene.
to Argante þere quene aluen swiðe sceone.
& heo s[c]al mine wunden makien alle isunde.
al hal me makien mid haleweiȝe drenchen.
And seoðe ich cumen wulle. to mine kineriche.
and wunien mid Brutten mid muchelere wunne.
Æfne þan worden þer com of se wenden.
þat wes an sceort bat liðen sceouen mid vðen.
and twa wimmen þer-inne. wunderliche idihte
and heo nomen Arður anan and aneouste hine uereden.
and softe hine adun leiden & forð gunnen liðen.
Þa wes hit iwurðen þat Merlin seide whilen.
þat weore uni-mete care of Arðures forð-fare.
Bruttes ileueð ȝete þat he bon on liue.
and wunnien in Aualun mid fairest alre aluen.
and lokieð euere Bruttes ȝete whan Arður cumen liðe.
Nis nauer þe mon iboren of nauer nane burde icoren.
þe cunne of þan soðe of Arðure sugen mare.
Bute while wes an witeȝe Mærlin ihate.
he bodede mid worde his quiðes weoren soðe.
þat an Arður sculde ȝete cum Anglen to fulste.
Costantin þus leouede on londe & Bruttes hine lufede.
and swiðe deore heom he wes. and wrðeliche heo hine heolden
Nu hæfuede Modred sunen tweie. an maine swiðe stronge.
heo iseȝen hu hit ferde here of Ar[ð]ure þan kaisere.
and hu heore fader wes of-slaȝe & i-don of lif-daȝen.
& hu Bruttes to-dreued weoren mid feole cunne bursten.
Þa ilke tweie broðeren speken heom bi-tweohnen.
and somneden þa cnihtes alle selest þa heom þuhte.
þa weoren wide to-floȝen ut of þan wiðer-uehte.
and somneden uerde wide ȝeond þan arde.
and þuhten to slan Costantin and al his lond binimen him.
Þat iherde sugge Costantin þe king wes a-bolȝen
and sende his sonde wide ȝeond his londe.
and hirede hehte cume þan kingge to helpe.
Siȝen toward hirede ȝeonglinges snelle.
þritti þusend anan somned comen þrasten.
and þe king forð-rihtes makeden hom cnihtes.
Þa oðere cnihtes þer comen þa at þan fehte ar weoren.
þa hafde he to-somne sixti þusende.
Þat iherde bodien beien Moddredes sunen.
and nomen heom to rade and to som-rune.
þat þe an liðen wolde in-to Lundene.
and þe o[ð]er liðen wolde in-to Winchastre.
and þer heo wolden abiden þat þe king comen riden.
and wolden wið him fehten mid allen heore mehten.
A[h] þæ hit com to neode oðer weis hit eode.
Costantin gon liðe touward Lundenne.
Þat iherden bodien þeo þa burh biwusten.
hælden to-somne to heore hustinge.
heo nomen heom to rade and to som-rune.
þat heo wolden halden alle mid Costantin þan kinge.
and for-saken Modredes sune þæ þat morð wrohte
Modredes sune flah and in-to ane munestere teh.
And Constantin him after wende. and þer hine icæhte
þe king mid his sweorde þat hefd him of-swipte.
And þus þe king wordede wræð on his þonke
Liȝe þer þu laðe mon leof þu beo þan Sucke.
slæð heom aneouste al þat ȝe findeð þere.
mine wiðer-i-winnen weorpeð heom to grunden.
Þis slaht wes sone idon for moni mon þer wenden to.
Seoðen lette Costantin þe king wes on londe
blawen his bemen and bonnien his ferden.
and wende riht þene wai þe touward Winchæstre lai.
and forð ladde mid him þa Bruttes of Lundene.
and to Winchæstre comen and a-neouste binnen wenden.
Þat isæh Meleou þe wes Modredes sone.
and from his iueren cherde and fleh to are chirche.
and forð-riht anan wende forn to ane wefde.
Costantin braid ut his sweorde & þat hafde him of-swipte.
þat seint Anfibales weofd iwrað þer-of a blode.
and seoðen he lette slen alle Melaeoues men
Þeo wes Costantin king here of þessere kine-riche.
þa bigunnen blissen in Brutene to wunien.
her wæs grið her wes frið and freoȝ laȝen mid folke.
and ful wel heo[l]den þa ilke laȝen þat stoden on Arðures daȝen.
Ah þat ilke i-laste to lutele while.
for no ilast he buten feouwer ȝer his feond hine aqualde.
and his folc hine uerede in-to Stan-henge.
and þer hine leide bi leofen his aldren.
Seoððen wes Conan ihouen her to kinge.
þat wes þe for-cuðeste mon þet sunne here scean on.
Costantines suster sune his æm he biswac to deðe.
for he hefde rihte to þissere kine-riche.
Conan mid attere his æmes sune aqualde
He bigon un-frið. is men him fuhten wið.
and he gon sechien to his twam susteren.
alc burh i þan londe ferde al to sconde.
astured wes al þas þeode strong-liche swiðe.
Six ȝere ilaste þas særinesse on londe.
þa veol þe king of horse and fæi-sið makede.
wel wes al þis folke for his fæie-siðe.
Þa þis wes al ido þus þa i-warð king Uortiporus.
Þeo comen Sexisce men seilen to londe.
and muchelne harm wrohten biȝeonde þere Hunbren.
sloȝen & nomen al þat heo neh comen.
And Uortiporus þe hende sende after genge.
and ferede heom ouenon and feolde Sexisce men.
and monie þusend sente to þare se-grunde.
and þus he heom a-ferde and flemde of londe.
þat næuer seo[ð]ðen bi his daȝen ne lusten heom hider uaren.
His daȝes ilaste seuen ȝere and seoððen he deiȝede
And seo[ð]ðen nom þas riche Malgus þe reȝe.
þat was þe faireste mon wið-uten Adam & Absolon.
swa alse þe boc us suggeð þa æuere iboren weore.
Þes lette his hired dihte al wið o[h]te cnihten.
þuhten alle þes sweines swulche heo weoren þeines.
haueden alle his hired-cnafe ælches godes sweines laȝe.
Ne durste nauere nan vn-hende mon þas kinges hus isechen.
He biwun þa londes alle þa stoden him an honde.
Þa wes al þas Bruttene afeolled mid blisse.
þa bleden uorð comen ȝeond al þis kine-domen.
Þe king ne rohte of æhte ah al he hit ȝaf his cnihten.
no mihte no mon sugge of wundere na-mare.
þene wes mid þan kinge buten of ane þinge.
He luuede þane sunne þe lað is ure Drihtene.
þa wifmen heo for-soken to mare sunne heo token.
wapmon luuede wapmon wifmen heom laðe weoren.
swa þat monie þusende wenden of þissen lond.
wifmen swiðe feire ferden to oðere þeoden
for mucchel scome heo[m] þuhte þat wepmen heom ne rohte.
Þurh-ut alle cunnes þinge þis ilke wes a god kinge.
buten of þere sunne þat ich iseid habbe.
Þa com an of his cunne Carric wes ihaten.
and nom þisne kine-dom. and mid seorȝen wunede þer-on.
snel cniht wes Carric ah he nes noht iseli.
þat wes for un-leoden spilden al his þeoden.
Þeos king wes aðel Bruttisc mon hux and hoker me warp him on.
he for-lætte Carriches & Kinric hine cleopede.
and ȝet on feole bocken his nome me swa writeð.
Folc hine gunnen hænen folc hine gunne hatien.
and hoker loð sungen bi laðen þan kingen.
Þa bigon weorre ouer al þissen arde.
and Sexisce men sone. seileden to londe.
and herberȝe token a-neouweste bi-ȝeonde þere Humbre.
and þe king wæilien agon wide ȝeon þas þeoden.
læð he wes al folke þa him on lokede.
Þa wes in Aufrike a king swiðe riche.
he wes an Aufrican Anster ihaten.
he hafde sonen tweien snelle cnihtes beien.
Gurmund hehte þe eldere & Gerion hehte þe ȝeongere.
Þe alde king deȝede his daȝes weoren aȝeongen.
he bitahte his sune Gurmunde selen his riche.
Ah Gurmund hit for-hoȝede and habbe he heo nolde.
and þohte al oðer and ȝef heo his bro[ð]er.
and seiden þat he nolde aȝen nane riche.
bute he heo biwunne mid wepnen and mid monnen.
ah mid compe he wolde aȝen kineriche.
oðer nauermare nolde he habbe nane.
Gurmund was kempe i-costned on mæine.
and he wes þe strongeste mon þæ æi mon lokede on.
He bi-gon to sende ȝeond al þan londe.
in-to Babilonie in-to Macedonie.
in Turkie. in-to Persie.
in-to Nubie. in-to Arrabie.
& bad alle þe ȝeonglinges ȝeond þa hæðene londes.
þat heo heom biȝeten wurðliche wepnen.
and he heom forð-rihtes wolden makien cnihtes.
and seo[ð]ðen mid heom wenden and fonden whar he mihten.
mid strongen kempen biwinnen kineriche.
Hit halde touward Aufrike of feole kuneriche.
monies riches monnes sune monie haðene gume.
comen to Gurmunde þan hæðene þringe.
Þa þis ferde wes isomned and his folc arimed.
þa weoren þer italde cnihtes swiðe balde.
an hundred and sixti þusend freoliche iwapned.
wið-uten heore scutten þa biuoren scolden scuuen.
wið-uten þan craftmonnen þe comen to Gurmunde.
Forð heo iuusden vnimete uerden.
to þare se wenden þa heo wind hafden.
in-to scipe halden haðene kempen.
Seouentene þer foren þat kinges sunen weoren.
þer weoren twenti and æhten of eorlene streone.
suipten from londe seouen hundred scipene.
a formeste flocke wið-uten þa feoliende.
Forð flet mid vðe folc vnimete.
þa æit-londes allen þa heo biforen funden.
alle heo eoden an honde þan kinge Gurmunde.
moniane kinge he faht wið and alle heo ȝirnden his grið.
& alle þe londes he biwon þat he lokede on.
And þa a þan ende he com to Irlonde.
and þat lond he al biwon and aqualden þa leoden.
and wes icleoped king þere of þan kine-londe.
& seo[ð]ðen he gon wende in-to þissen londe.
seil heo droȝen to hune and comen to Suð-hamtune.
Þa wunede bi-ȝeonde þere Hunbre of Hengestes cunne.
in þan norð ende drenches sume sixe.
heo iherden tiðinde of Gurmund þan kinge.
ofte heo heom biþohte what heo don mihten.
hu heo mihten biswik[e]n Karic of his richen.
and Bruttes alle aquellen mid luðeren heore craften.
Sexisce men senden sonde to Karic þan king.
and seiden þat heo wolden wið hine grið i-wurchen
leofere heom weore to here Karic
þene Gurmunde. þan vncuðe kinge
ȝef he heom wolde gri[ð]ien þat heo mosten liuien.
& aȝeuen heom þat lond þat while Uortigerne þe king
Hengeste bitahte. þa he nom his dohter leoue
and heo him wolden senden gauel of þan londe.
halden hine for hehne king Karic heore deorling.
& þis heo him to-ȝeornden mid ȝislen to isoðien.
And Karic heom ilefde al heore leosinge.
and þis grið ȝette and dai heom sette.
Þa wes Karic biswiken al mid heore craften.
Karic auer seoðen Kine-ric he hehten.
al mid hoker-worden þe king heo for-husten
Karic ileouede to soðe Sexisce monne lare.
Vnder þan worden heo letten writ makien.
& senden heore sonden to Gurmunt þen kinge.
and þus þa word seiden þa a þan writ stoden
Hail seo þu Gurgmund hal seo þu heðene king.
heil seo þi duȝeðe hail þine drihtliche men.
We sunden men Sexisce selest of þan kunne.
þa Hengest of Sex-londe hider mid him brohte.
wunieð inne Brutaine bi norðe þere Humbre.
þu art heðene king we heðene kempen.
Karic is Cristine mon he is us lað forðan.
and ȝif þu wult al þis lond nimen to þire aȝere hond.
we wulleð mid þe uehten mid fullere strenðen.
and Caric of-slæn and alle his cnihtes flan
& setten al þis kine-lond a þire aȝere hond.
ȝif þu hit wult us a-ȝiuen we þe wulleð ȝelden.
sixti hundred punden to alches ȝeres firsten.
& we wulleð þine men bi-cumen to ȝislen sullen þe ure sunen.
And ȝif hit þi wille weore þat þu hider woldest wende.
þas forwarde makien and þas spechen uæstnien.
we wulleð ouer-al. atlien to þe seluen.
a watere and a londe halden þe uor kinge.
Þa bi-gon to spekene Gurmund þe kene.
Ȝarkieð mine scipen biliue forð ic wulle liðe.
Seiles heo up droȝen forð heo gunnen siȝen.
luken rapes longe. liðen forð mid uðen.
and swa heo gunnen wenden to Norð-humbre-londe.
and speken wið Sexisce men and sæhte i-wurðen.
and sworen þat heo wolden heore forward halden.
Þa weoren heo al an Gurmund and Sexesce men.
þa somneden heo uerde vnimete an ærde.
& ferde touward Karriche þan kinge of þissere riche.
and æuere heo sungen mid hokere of Kinriche þan kinge.
Caric his Bruttes gadere[de] and beide heom to-somne.
and him to wende al þat was on londe.
for rihtere neode nusten heo red betere.
Caric muchel folc hafde and ferde vnimete.
& ofte he com to compe to Gurmu[n]de kinge.
and ofte he him faht wið and neuere no ȝirde his grið.
and for heo hokerede him on he i-warð swiðe kene mon.
& ȝif he hafde genge efne wið Gurmunde.
Gurmund weore sone islaȝen his folc idon of lif-daȝen.
Ah æuere a þan ende wæx Gurmundes genge.
and æuere a þan ende feol Carriches genge.
Gurmund draf Carriche wide ȝeond þas riche.
and Carric at Cherinchestre biclusde hi[ne] ful faste.
and moni dæi þer biuoren he lette þider fusen.
al þat he hafde ihalden þat corn of þissen londe.
and þa walles fastnede wunder ane stronge.
Gurmund þet i-herde. and þider he gon ride.
and bi-læi Chirenchestre wið-utene swiðe faste.
And Gurmund al þis kinelond walde to his aȝere hond.
burȝes he for-barnde tunes he for-swelde.
Bruttes he aqualde balu wes on londe.
munekes he for-pinede on mani are wise.
þa riche wif he lette his hired-men makien to horen.
preostes he alle of-slæh alle þa chirchen he to-droh.
clærkes he aqualde alle þa he funde.
[e]che [child] he lette seoðe....
alle þa cnihtes. he lette hon forð-rihtes.
al þis lond for-ferde a ueole cunne wise.
Wulc wræcche folc swa mihte fleh ut of þeode.
su[m] to Wales wende sum to Cornwale.
sum in-to Neustrie þe hatte nu Normandie.
sum fleh bi-ȝeonden sæ in-to Bruttaine.
and gunnen wunien seoððe æn þet lond heht Armoriche.
& summe heo fluȝen to Irlonde for þan æie of Gurmunde.
and þer wuneden þeouwe inne þral-dome.
heo and al heore cun and her ne come nauere aȝen.
And þus losede Bruttes al þas kine-londes.
And Gurmund bilæi Chirenchestre abuten swiðe uaste.
and Caric wes wið-innen and moni of his monnen.
wa wæs þan leoden þe þa weoren on liuen.
Hit was in ane dæie þat Gurmund mid his duȝeðe.
dringes heðene riden a slatinge.
Þa com þer an gume riden to Gurmunde kingen.
he wes ihaten Isemberd inne France wes his ærd.
he wes Louweises sune þas kinges of þere þeode.
his fader hine hafuede ut idriuen. of al his kinerichen.
þat no moste he neouwar wunie on al his onwalde.
and he fleh to þissen londe to Gurmu[n]de kinge.
He hafde to iueren twa þusend rideren.
and Gurmunddes mon he bicom ne mihte he na wurse don.
for Crist seolue he for-soc and to þan Wursen he tohc.
and þer for[let]e he Cristindom and heðe-scipe nom him on.
And swa heo uoren beien mid mucle heore uerde.
and bi-leien Chirenchestre an elche halue wel faste.
Wel ofte Kariches men comen ut of burhȝen.
and ræsden an Gurmunde mid ræȝere strenðe.
and sloȝen of his folke feole þusende.
& senden heom to helle heðene hundes alle
Karic wes swiðe goud cniht and swiðe wel he heold his fiht.
and faste he heold Chirchestre mid strengðe þan mæste.
þat ne mihte Gurmund næuere mæren his ferde.
ar he lette heom mid ginnen biswiken wið-innen.
Gurmund castles makede abuten Chirenchestre.
þreo he bitahte þreom heðene cnihte.
him-seoluen he heol[d] þat ane. Isembard þat oðer
Gurmund makede ænne tur þer-inne he bulde ænne bur.
þer-inne he pleoȝede his plaȝen þa me luuede a þeon daȝen.
þer-inne he hafde his maumet þa he heold for his god.
Hit i-lomp on ane dæiȝe þat Gurmund mid his duȝeðe.
weoren swiðe bliðe and druncken of wine
Þa com þer an heðene mon a-waried wurðen he forþan.
and askede tidende Gurmunde þe kinge.
Seie me lauerd Gurmund þu art swiðe riche king.
heou longe wult þu beoȝie abuten þissere burȝe.
what wult þu ȝiuen me ȝif ich þe burh ȝiuen þe.
and al þat is wið-inne to don þine iwille.
þat noht no bið to leue al þu hit slat aȝe.
Þa andswarede Gurmund þe riche heðene king.
Ich ȝiue þe ane eorl-dom auere to aȝe.
wið þat þu a-neoste þe burh me bi-tache.
Þis for-ward wes imaked anan lut men hit wuste
Þa þes heðene cniht up aras forð-rit.
& nettes bi-sohte ibroiden swiðe narewe.
and þa tolen þer-to and cuht heom swiðe narewe.
þe biforen he gon ȝeoten draf and chaf and aten.
Þus he hit gon dihten. and sparewen þerto liht.
and he a þan uorme drahte swiðe monie he ilahte.
and he from þan grunde nom heom mid isunde.
þat alle heore whingen noht awemmed neoren.
Þa bi-sohte he nute-scalen and lette þe curneles ut draȝen.
& tinder nom and lette i þan scalen don.
& foren to þære nihte fur þer-on brohte.
and to þan sparewen uoten uaste heom icnutten.
Þeos he lette forð wenden swiðe ueole sparewen.
þa sparwen heore flut nomen & fluȝen to heore innen.
ȝeond þare burȝen þær heo ar wuneȝende weoren
i þan eouesen he grupen. swa heo duden in þen muȝen.
Anan swa þet fur wes hat swa þe sparewe innere crap.
þe wind com mid þere nihte and þat fur awehte.
and þa burh a feole studen gon hure to bernen.
an æst halue an west halue wa wes Brutten þere.
þenne heo wenden beon sikere and fluȝen in ane ende.
þenne aras þat fur anan bi-uoren and bi-hinden.
Gurmund lette blawen hornes & bemen.
fiften þusende þarsten to blase.
Bruttes for-burnen Bruttes gunnen irnen.
heo leopen ut of walle and me heom sloh alle.
Nes hit nohwhar iseid no a bocken irad.
þat æi folc swa feire swa for-fare weore
swa wes Caric and his genge. þe king wes of Bruttene.
Þa burh born alle niht þe brune wes vnimete.
þat feht wes sone idon þat fur heom eoden ouenon.
And Carrich king him isah þat he ouercume wæs.
þe king him gon crepen an heonden and a futen
swulc he mid un-sunde al uor-wunded weore.
and swa he swiðe stille bistal from his duȝeðe.
and west him gon wenden into þe Walsce londen.
& þas waiȝes he wende ut of þisse londe.
and nuste nauere na man whar Karic him bicom.
buten ænes an ane tide an cniht þer com ride.
& seide Gurmunde of Kariche tidende.
þat he in Irlonde somnede genge.
and wolde mid fehte æft faren hidere.
Ah nuste nauere na man to whan þe þret him bi-com.
And þus wes Chirenchestre and his londes aweste.
and Gurmund ihouen to kinge of al þisse kine-londe.
for þenne þe burh wes biwunnen mid swulcches cunnes ginnen.
[mi]d sparewen þat beren þat fur & sparewen heo forbarnden
And feole wintere seoððen þat folc þa þer wunede.
cleopeden heo Sparewenchestre in heore leod-spellen.
and ȝet hit dude summe men to imuȝen þe alde deden.
And þus wes þa riche burh mid reouðen for-demed.
and Gurmund wes on londe iheouen her to kinge.
and Gurmund wes an heðene mon and for-dude þane Cristindom.
Þa þis wes al þus ifare þæ wes her sorȝe and muchel care.
Gurmund falde þa munstres and an-heng alle þa munkes.
of cnihten he carf þe lippes of madenen þa tittes.
preostes he blende al þis folc he scende.
ælcne bilefued mon he lette bi-limien.
and þus he gon to taken on and fordude al þisne Cristindom.
And seoððen he uor to Lu[n]dene to ane muchele hustinge.
þider gunnen siȝe alle Sex-leode.
þa wuneden i þissen londe mid Gurmu[n]de kinge.
and his men bicome mo[n]ie and vniuoȝe.
heom heold for-ward and aȝef heom sone al þis ærd.
of him to heoldenne and habben hine for kinge.
And þe king hehte al pa[t] hine lufede.
þat whar-swa heo mihten finde Brutttes i þissen londe.
þat hine anan sloȝen oðer mid horsen to-droȝen.
buten he libben wolden his lif in þral-dome.
and for-saken Godes mæsse and luuien hæ[ð]enesse.
þenne moste he libben. þeou a þisse londe.
Bisiden Allemaine is a lond Angles ihaten.
ȝer weoren iborne þa ilke þe weorn icorne.
þa Gurmund an hond bitahte al þis kinelond.
alse he heom a forward hædde ȝif he hit biwunne.
Al his biheste he heom bilaste.
Of Englen heo comen and þer-of heo nomen nomen.
and letten heom cleopien ful iwis þat folc þat wes Ænglis.
& þis lond heo cleopeden Ængle-lond for hit wes al on heore honde.
Seo[ð]ðe ærest Bruttes bæhȝen to þissen londe
Brutaine hit wes ihaten of Brutten nom taken.
a þat þis folc com þa þisne nome. him bino[m].
And moniee of þan burȝen and monie of þan tunen.
and monie of þan londen. and of þan hamen
heo binomen heore namen al for Bruttene sceome
and nomen al þis lond and setten hit al an heore hond.
for Gurmund hit heom al ȝette & him-seolf aȝein wende.
Þa comen heo to Lundene to þan muchele hustinge.
and wolden ane king. makien to þissere kineriche.
Þa ne mihtte heom iwurðe. wha þis lond scolde aȝen
and to-wende mid alle a muchelere wraððe.
and fif kinges a-neouste. heo makeden in þisse londe.
And ælc nom of oðere al þat heo mihten.
ane while un-some and an oðere while isahte.
and þus heo wuneden here. an hundred and fif ȝere.
þat neuere com here Cristindom icud i þissen londe.
no belle i-rungen no masse isunge.
na ch[i]rche þer nes ihaleȝed. no child þer nes ifuleȝed
Þa wes inne Rome a pape of Godes dome
Gregori wes ihate. Godd seolf hine lufede
Þa wes hit in ane stunden þat þe pape wolde wenden.
þat he wolde [speden] an ane of his neoden.
Þa com he in are strete þat strahte to Rome.
þa isah he leden of Englisce leoden.
þreo swiðe fæire men faste ibunden.
heo scolden beon iseolde and þa paneȝes. weoren i-talde.
Þa fræinede þa pape an-an of feiȝere þan monnen.
whonnene heo weoren & hu heo þare comen.
and of wulche stronde heo istroned weoren.
Þæ andswarede þe an þat wes a swiðe fair mon.
We beoð heðene men & hider beoð iladde.
and we weoren ut isalde of Anglene londe.
and fulluht we to þe ȝeorneð. ȝef þu us wult ifreoiȝen.
Þa[t] seiden men Anglisce aðele iborene.
Þa reousede Gregori Godd hine luuede.
and þas andsware saide þe pape wes isele.
Iwis ȝe beo[ð] Ænglisce. englen ilicchest.
of alle þan folke þa wunieð uppen uolde.
eouwer cun is feȝerest of alle quike monnen.
Þe pape heom freinede of feole tidinde.
of laȝen and of londen. and of þissere leodene kinge
and heo him al seiden soð þat heo wusten.
and he heom ureoiȝen lette and fulluht on sette.
and charde aȝein sone eft into Rome.
Anne cardinal cleopede i-coren of his uolke.
Austin wes ihotæn aðelest clærken.
þe pape him seide in his som-rune.
Austin þu scalt wende mid soð-fæste þonke.
in-to Engle-londe to Æðelberte kinge.
& beode þer Godes godd-spel þe scal spede ful wel.
And ich þe feouwerti bi-tæche wel gode clærkes.
Nu to-marȝen bið þe dæi þa þu scalt do þe i þene wæi.
Forð ferde Austin and his clærkes mid him.
þat him wes ful iwil at Tanette he com hider in.
& swa he up is iwend þat he com into Kent.
Swa he uorð to Cantuare-buri þer him þuhte swiðe muri.
þer he funde Aðelbert þat king wes a þan ærd.
Aðelberde he talde tidende of þan heoueneliche kinge.
he seide him þat godd-spel and þe king him luste swiðe wel.
wel he þat lar-spel under-nom an-eouste he ȝirnde Cristindom,
Iuulȝed iwar[ð] A[ð]elberd king and al his duȝeðe mid him,
and anan he gon to wurche ane swiðe feire chirche.
a seinte Trinetðes nome wel wes þan kinge þeruore.
Þa iwende seint Austin vorð æst and west and suð and norð.
and seoððe þurh-ut Englelond. & turnde hit to Godes hond.
clærkes he lerde chirreches he arerde.
seoke men he helde þur Halindes mihte.
And swa he droh suð-ward þat he com to Dorchestre.
þer he funde þa wurste men þa on londe wuneden.
he talde heom Godes leore and duden him to scare.
he tahten heom Cristindom and heo grenneden him hon
Þer stod seint Austin. and his clærkes mid him.
and speken of Crist Godes sune al swa wes ær heore iwune.
þer heo iwurðen to to wraðere hele.
and nomen tailes of rehȝen
and hangede on his cape an elchere halue
and bi-halues urnen. and wurpen hine mid banen
and seoððe ȝeiden him on. mid ȝeomerliche stanen.
& swa heo hine gunnen sende an driuen hine ut of þan ende.
Seint Austin heo weoren lað and he iwrað swiðe wrað.
and he fif milen iwende from Dorchestre.
and com to ane munte. þe muchel wes & hende.
þer he lai on cneowe ibede and cleopede auere touward Gode.
þat he hine awreke a þan a-warriede uolke.
þa hine isend hafden mid heore scaðe deden.
Vre Drihte hine iherde in-to þere heouene.
and his wreche sende an wræstliche þan folke.
þa þe rihȝen tailes hangede a þan clarkes.
Þa tailes heom comen on. þer-uoren heo maȝen iteled beon.
Iscend wes þat mon-cun. muggles heo hafden.
and inne hirede ælches men cleopeð heom muglinges.
and euer-elc freo mon ful telleð heom on.
& Englisce freomen in uncuðe londen.
for þan ilke dede heo habbeoð neb rede.
and monies godes monnes sune in vncuðe londe.
þe nauere ne com þer neh. is icleoped cued
Austin him wunede vnder ane munede.
and his clarkes mid him eke. þeo comen of Rome
cleopede to Drihtene þe scop daȝes lihte.
særimod and sorhfulle heom sceomeden wel sære.
þat þat vni-wraste moncun heom iscend hafden.
Þa wolde he þer-after sone. wenden to Rome.
and menen to Gregorie þan holi appostolie.
hu Dorchestre-seten hine gunnen greten.
Al swa he wes al ȝa[r]eou & wolde his wei uaren.
a þere ilke nihte þa at-eoden him ure Drihte.
and nemnede him his. rihte nome welle uain wes he þer-uore.
Whæt þenchest þu Austin what þenchest þu leof min.
Woldest þu þus sone faren aȝein to Rome.
No scalt þu noht ȝete fusen of londe.
þu ært swiðe leof me and ich wulle wunien mid þe.
and þu scalt iræd-liche in-to hefne-riche.
heofne is þe al ȝaru þider scal þi saulen uaren.
Þus spac ure Drihten wið Austin his cnihten.
Þa þe Austin under-ȝæt. whæt ure Drihten hæden isæid.
and he isah ure Drihte þe þus him bihehte.
and ure Drihten waht to heofene and Austin a cneowe heolde.
adun to þere uolde þer he iseh ure Drihten stonde.
weopende he cleopede to heuenliche kinge.
ȝeorne he bad are to þan almihtie Gode.
ær he mid alle ueolle adun to þere uolde.
A þan ilke stude þer stod ure Drihten.
þer he pihte his stæf him-seolf he cneoulede þer neh.
and his iueren he seide lar-spel and hit likede him ful wel.
Þa he isaid hauede þa sæȝen of ure Drihten.
his staf he nom an honde & wolde to his inne ȝeonge.
Up he læc þene staf þat water þer-after leop.
Þe ueȝereste welles stræm þe irneð on uolden.
Ær nes þer na tun no wunende na man.
Sone uolc gadere[de] to Austin þan gode.
and al bi his læuen þider gunnen liðen.
and bi-gunnen þer to bulden bi þan watere þa was hende.
Moni mon þer uætte hele þene stude he cleopede Cernele.
cerno cernis þat is Latin ful i-wis.
cerno an Englisc leoden ich iseo swa hit is iqueðen.
el is Ebreowisc þat is Godd ful iwis.
þene tun he c[l]eopede Cernel ich iseo Drihten iwil-del.
to þissere weorlde longe þe nome þer scal stonde.
al-se hit is iqueðen after Godes leoden.
þene stude to iwurðien þer stod ure Drihten.
and his engles mid him þa he spac wið Austin.
Austin wende wide ȝeond Englene londe.
he fullehtede kingge and heore here-dringes.
he fullehtede eorles he fullehtede beornes.
he fullehtede Englisce men he fullehtede Sexisce men
and sette an Godes honde al þat was on londe.
Þa wes he ful bliðe-mod þat folc he hafde iblissed.
Norð in Engle-londe Bruttes hæfden an honde.
muchel del of londe and castles swiðe stronge.
Þa Bruttes nalden þan Enlisce buȝen.
imong heom munekes weoren muchelere weorede.
Seint Austin funde inne þisse londe.
seouen biscopes to iwisse singende masse.
and enne ærchebiscop þe at Karliun at-sto[d].
and at Bangor wes a munecclif mid muneken uni-uoȝe.
Dionot hæhte heore abbeod he wes of heȝe monnen.
he hæfden on seuen hepen sixtene hundred muneken.
and ȝet ma þer-to munekes swiðe balde.
and of Bruttisce streonen stiðe imodede men
Writen sende Austin. to þan seouen biscopen
and hehte heom comen sone and speken wið him-seolue.
& don him hersumnesse and þurh him singen masse.
for he hauede an honde þa hehnesse of þissen londe.
he was icleopped legat of þissen londe he wæs primat.
& þas þinges weoren idone þurh þene pape of Rome.
Þas biscopes reiȝe weoren and andswere aȝeuen.
Ne beo we na-wit under him þe is ihaten Austin.
ah we beo on londe heȝe men and stronge.
and habbeoð ure irihte of ure arche-biscpe.
þe wuneð inne Karliun godd clarc and wel idon
þa haueð his cantel-cape on. of Gregorie þan pape
and mid wurð-scipe mucle haldeð his wike.
For no scal hit nauere iwurðen a þissere worlde-richen.
þat we auere buȝen Austine þan uncuðen.
for he is ure fulle ifa & his iferen al-swa.
For Austin is iboȝen hidere in-to þissen londe.
and haueð i-fulleȝed þene king Cantuaren aðeling.
Aðelbert ihaten heh inne Anglene.
and he hafueð ifunden here hundes heðene.
þa comen of Sexlonde mid Gurmu[n]de þan kinge.
þeo he alle fullehteð and to Gode fuseoð.
þeo haldeoð ure kinelond mid unrihte on heore hond.
Cristine we beoð alle and of Cristine cunne.
and ure elderne swa weoren agan is þreo hundred ȝeren.
& heo beoð neowene icumen and Cristindom habbeoð under-numen.
and Austin heom fullehteð and to Gode fuseoð.
For þan we hine hatiȝen uulleð & heren h[ine nulleð]
nauere to ure liue. no scullen we him wurðen liðe.
Þæs tiðende come to Austine sone.
hu þe biscopes hine scenden & wulc andsweore him senden.
and hu Bruttisce clerekes him seiden hokeres.
Þa wes he sari-mod and sorh-ful an heorten.
and fuse him gon sone and ferde to þan kinge.
and mænde to [Aðel]berte þan kinge of Æst-Angle.
hu Bruttissce biscopes hine grætte mid huxes.
and hu heo uorhoȝeden to halden hine for herre.
Þe king hine iwraðede wunder ane sweðe.
and saide þat he wolde aquellen heom a londe.
and swe he dude seoððe þer-after ful sone.
Aðelbert wes inne Kintte king of þan londe.
þa hafde he enne mæi Æluric wes ihaten.
inne Norð-humberlonde fur-cuðest alre kinge.
he radde al þa redes þat dede weoren þa biscopes.
þat heo weoren alle of-slaȝen and i-don of lif-daȝen.
Nu nuste noht Bruttes þere þat balu heom wes ȝiueðe.
Aðelbert sende sonde wide ȝeond his londe.
Æluric sende so[n]de ȝeond Norh-humberlonde.
heo somneden uerde mucle on arde.
& wolden þa Bruttes al for-don þa clærkes fordemen.
Heo uoren to Leir-chæstre and þa burh bileien uaste.
heo wusten þer-inne Brochinal þat wæs a Bruttisc eorl.
cniht mid þan bezsten wunede inne Leir-chastre.
Bruchi[n]al ut wende and ȝarewede his ferde.
and wende him ut to uihtes wi[ð] Aðelbertes cnihtes.
and sone wes him ouer-cumen and alle his Bruttes weoren inumen.
& swa heo gunnen þrasten into Leirchæstren.
sloȝen & nomen al þat heo neh comen.
and seiden þat heo wolden in-to Wales wenden
& slæn al þa Bruttes þa þer weoren bihalues.
Æluric luuede murie inne Leir-chastre.
Vnder þan ilke þinge comen to Æluric þan kinge.
munekes and eremite & canunes white.
biscopes and clærckes and preostes mid Godes mærkes.
and feolen to his foten and his grið ȝeornden.
and beden hine for Godes leoue leten heom beon on londe.
and ho him wolden foren bidden to þan heȝen kingen
Þa andswarede for-cuðest kinge.
Lusteð nuðe alle whæt ich sugge wulle.
wendeð ut a þan felde mid eower mon-werede.
and ich eou wulle word senden hu hit scal iwurðen.
and mine ræd-ȝiuen reden me wulleð.
Vt wenden munekes & þa masse-preostes.
vt wenden clærkes vt wenden canones.
alle ut wenden þa þer icumen weoren.
þes kinges grið to wilnien for lufe of Godd seolfne.
Wið-uten þere burȝe an ane uelde brade.
wes isomned þat folc sone sorȝe heom wes ȝefðe.
Aluric nom to rede þeh na [m]a[n] hine ne bede.
þat he al þas wolde feollen to þan grunde.
He sende forð-rihtes fif hundred cnihtes.
and niȝen hundred mid heom balde men afoten.
mid mucle wi-axen a þene ueld wenden.
and [mid] unrihtes sloȝen al þat heo neh comen.
Heo ualden to grunde fiftene hundred.
and fife and sixti anan. selere monnen.
boc-ilerede men balu wes on uolken.
Þis sone wes itald wide & side.
Þa weoren on londe þreo heȝe men italde.
and al þa Bruttes anan halden to þan ilken.
Baldric þe kene eorl of Cornwale.
swa hehte þe an heh mon on londen.
he heold Deuene-scire al an his honde
alse þet water Desse wendeð into þere sæ.
Bruttes þat lond heolden wel swiðe longe.
a þat Aðestan þe stronge. þe king of þissen londe
heom binom þas londes alle. and drof heom ouer Tambre.
þat nauere heo þas kine-þeode seoððen no walde.
Inne Norð Wales wes a king Cadwan þe kene.
of Suð Wales Margadud monnen alre uæȝerest.
al þat lond sele into Sæuerne
from þan ufere ende þat wendeð in-to þare sæi.
Inne Maluerne aneouste Seuarne.
Margadud king wunede mid swiðe mucle uolke.
and Aðelstan him lað to þe king of þissere leode.
and heom heold swa harde & mid hærme heom igrette.
and dreof heom mid his wepnen ut ouer Weȝen.
and þat lond binom heom þat lið þer bi-twixen.
Seuerne and Weȝe no walden heo hit seo[ð]ðen.
Margadud & Baldric & Cadwan þe balde.
somneden ferde of folke unimete.
and foren uppen Aluriche þan kinge of Norð-humbre.
and hardliche wið him fuhten and his ferde felden.
Þer iwarð sone for-wunded ful sære.
þe king of Norð-humbre þat comp wes vnimete.
þer wes Baldric eorl anan mid bronden to-heouwen.
i þan compe þer ueollen ten þusend cnihten.
þurh steles biten baldere Brutten.
Anglisce & Sexisce seouentene þusend.
mid machen weoren to-heowen þa hep wes þa lassen.
Æluric him uorð heolde in-to Norð-humbre.
for-wunded swiðe sare sorhful wes his duȝeðe.
Comen i þissen londe to ane hustinge.
Cadwan and Margadud and heore mon-weorede.
buȝen uorh mid heom al Brut-leoden.
to Leirchestre foren and þa burh nomen.
Þa hehten heo an hiȝinge cumen to hus-tinge.
al þat wolde libben inne þissere leoden.
Þer comen Ænglisce þer comen Sexise.
þer heo makeden to kinge Cadwan þene kene.
al hit him aloðede þat he on lokede.
þa weoren Æluriches wunden inne Norhhumbre
alle iheled. ah þe helðe was neoðered.
for lurre of his monnen and for his leodene uallen.
Æluric iherde from þes kinges hirede.
feole tidende of Cadwane kinge.
þrattes unimete of alre laðest monne.
Æluric sende sonde into Scotlonde.
and into Norð londe þer he cnihtes mihte uinden.
and after al þan uolke þe þer cumen mihte.
and bad heom heore helpes to heȝere neodes.
Cadwan gadere[de] uerde ȝeond alle þissen ærde.
and al of Wælisce londe comen to his honden.
and heolde hine forð seoððen to-ward Norð-humbren.
Aluric þis iherden and him toȝæines wenden.
þat nas heom bi-tweounen buten bare twa milen.
fusden þa uerden swulc heo wolden uehten.
Þa isæȝen eorles. þa iseȝen beornes.
biscopes þa iseȝen and boc-ilarede. men.
ȝif heo to-gadere comen & mid wepnen on-sloȝen.
þat þær sculde ualle moni beor[n] fæie.
Ofte heo biþohten what heo don mahten.
heo setten grið heo sette frið to anes dæiȝes firste.
heo speken heom to-somne & spileden bitweonen.
þat heo wolden alle þa kinges sehtnie.
Þer iwurðen sahte þa kinges beie tweien.
sæhte and some heo custen wel ilome.
þas kinges wel ilomen mid luue heom icusten.
eorl custe oðer swulc hit weore his broðer.
sweines þer ploȝeden blisse wes mid þeinen.
Æluric wes king on londe bi norðen þere Humbre.
and Cadwan wes king sele a suð half þere Humbre.
blisse wes on hireden mid balden þat kingen.
Næs hit isæid næuere an sæȝe no on leoðe.
þat mare luue weore ifunden bi-tweone twei kingen.
for þat þe an hafden þat heo hafden beien.
þe an heold þene oðer deorluker þene bro[ð]er.
Beien heo wifes nomen ofte heo to-gadere comen.
þa þe wifes iwedded weoren on ane time to bedde heo eoden.
æiðer mid his lufe wende toward heore wife.
he streoneden tweien sunen beien an ane timen.
beien an ane dæie heo weoren afte iborne.
to-gadere heo weoren ibredde to-gadere heo weoren iuedde.
Þa children wuxen and wel iðoȝen.
wel wes heore aldren
For to uæstnen þa luuen of leofuen heore uæderen.
to-somne me heom tahte to-somne me heom tuhte.
beien heo wereden anes kunnes iweden.
al swa duden þa children swa ær duden þa aldren.
swa mouchel luue heolden þat sellic þuhte monnen.
And þus heo wuneden here wel feole ȝere.
þat þæ children weoren muchele iwaxen.
riden uppen steden and luueden cnihtes iweden.
heore maines heo uondeden wel ueole siðen
heore armes weore stronge heo breken scaftes longe.
mid longe sweorden heo smitten þa ȝifen smærte biten.
Heore uaderes þa comen mid mucle faȝernessen.
inne Bruttaine mid muclere blisse.
þa ȝet þat lond-riche hehte Armoriche.
þa ȝunge men me dubbede beiȝene to cnihte.
Wið an luttel ȝeren þa uaderes dede weoren.
and þa twa children weoren ihouen to ki[n]gen.
æiðer heold his i-cunden swa duden ær heore ældren.
Þæ wes inne Cantware-buri þa burh wes þa swiðe muri.
an ærche-biscop þe wes mon swiðe god.
he for-ba[d] þan kingen kine-helm to nimene
a þat hin-seolf comen and setten hine an heore hafden.
Þat bod wes ihalden a þas ærchebiscopes onwalden.
and Cadwadðal his lond haueden a þis hælue þere Humbre.
and Edwine al bi-ȝeonde touward þan norð ende.
kinges heo weoren ihouene & kinges isworene.
ah for-bode wes þa crune an ure Drihtenes nome.
Cadwalan þohte. þe wes Cadwanes sune.
ofte he hine bi-þohte what he don mahte.
seoððen heore faderes beiene forð weoren i-farene.
Næfde þa seht-nesse ilast buten seouen ȝere urist.
Cadwalan hefde castles swiðe monieȝe.
and þe riche-dom stod mære on Cadðwalanes hond.
Cadwaðlan gon liðe in-to Londene.
he sende men gode after þan erchebiscope.
and hehte ful sone þat he to Lundene come.
Þa he to Lundene com iqueme hit wes þan kingen.
þe king auoten eode to-ȝeines þan erche-biscope.
wið-uten his halle dure and sæide Þu art wilcume.
& leof-liche hine bihedde & lauerd hine cleopede.
He aȝaf ure Drihten ælchere irihten.
he spac of feire lære & al of Godes are.
his spechen weoren gode wið þan ærche-biscope.
Þe king hine bi-þohte feire & swiðe ofte.
þat he on his icunde king hine makede.
To ane isette dæiȝe. þat folc þær i-somnede.
þer mæCadwaðlan sone makede to kinge.
muchel wes þa blisse þat wæs in þære burȝe.
Of þisse uare-coste Adwine na-þing nuste.
a[h] sone swa he hit wiste wrað he wes an heorte.
and seide auere wið and wið Ich wulle makien un-frið.
and al ic wulle aquellen þat ich quike uinde.
of Cadwaðlanes uolke ualsest alre monne.
Uerde he go[n] gaderen of feole þusend monnen.
he hehde ituht to herie a þas half þære Humbre.
Eoden heom to ræde cnihtes swiðe gode.
alle þa wiseste men þa weore inne londe.
heo lerden Edwine king þe wes heore lauerd.
þat he sende his sonde to Cadwaðlane kinge.
& bisohte hine uæire alse his leofe broðe[r].
and for þere muchele luue þa heolde heore aldren.
þat hine letten king beon and his kine-halm avon.
and he wolde aȝein wenden heom to his folke
ouer þere Humbre. and grið þær halden
and ner æft a-ȝen teon. wið þan he moste king beon.
ihouen and ihalden þurh þene heȝe Godd.
and he wolden bi his liuen Cadwalain luuien.
and beon ȝaru to his neode an ælchere þeode.
Þis iherde Cadwalan þe king wes bi suððen.
and he andswerede mid aðelere speche
Nu ich iherd habbe [wordes wise
of Edwine his bisocne] þe is mi broðe[r] deore.
ich me bi-ræde wulle of swulchere neode.
and after ane lutel daȝen him andsware ȝeuen.
whaðer he hit wolde iunne oðer him for-beode.
hu swa his riche men ræden him wolden.
Þe dæi wes isæt a[h] lutel mon wes þe bet.
Þa þis al wes iwurðen þa comen heo to ane uorde.
Duglas þa water wes ihaten þer heo tou-wenden.
þer wes þa motinge bituxe þan twam kinge.
Ædwine bisohte mid alle þat he mahte.
þat Cadwalan him þolede kine-helm to beberene.
and he hine wolde luuien a to his liuen.
Riche men eoden to ræde of swulchere neode.
summe hit gonnen ræden summe to for-beoden.
summe þer heolden wel to summe nolden hit no.
Þa while þa cnihtes wise þa spechen sculden rihte.
þe king in are medewe alihte of his stede.
þan kinge luste slepe þa riche weoren at rede.
Com þer a bur-cniht.
he wes þes kinges suster sune Brien hehte his nome.
he nom his lauerdes hefd þe leof him wes on uolke.
in his bærm he hit læide & his lockes he to-scædde.
Þe king him gon to slæpen and Brien gon to wepen.
urnen þa teres uppen þes kinges leores.
and þe king awoc of slepen wete weoren his wongen.
he grapede an his nebbe he wende þat hit bledde.
and bisæh uppen Brien mid braden his lechen.
Þa isah he of Brien his teres ut luken.
sære gon þe kempe wepen ouer kinge.
Þa axede þe king anan Cadwalan ihaten.
Whæt is þe leofe mæi þat þu swa wepest to-dæi.
þu ært ihalden kene gume hauest þu nu quene þeouwes inume.
Sæiȝe me biliue hu þe beon on siðe.
Brien þa andswerede cniht mid þan bezste.
Nu we maȝen wepen [mi]d wanliche i-beren.
halden us for hæne þer we weoren heȝe.
Nu þu wult under-uon þat nauer ær nes idon.
tweien kinges halden kine-helmes on londen.
Nuðe we scullen wepen þæ ær richen weoren.
for wurðscipe ualleð adune þer wes ær wunne.
Cadwadlan þis iherde þe king wes on londe.
and iwærð him abolȝe bitter ane swiðe.
and a-neouste sende sonde to Edwine kinge.
and hehte hine hihȝenliche uaren of his riche.
For ne scal he nauere bi mine quiken liuen kine-helm broken.
and ȝif he hit wul auon ich hit wulle wernen.
and ic hine biræuien wulle at his baren liue.
& nimen al Norð-humberlond to mire aȝære hond.
and walden al his riche and he scal wurðen hene.
Þas tidende me brohten to Adwine kinge.
& he iwræð abolȝen wunder ane swiðe.
swa bið a bar wilde
þenne he bið in holte. bi-stonden mid hunden
and þas andsware kende. wraðest alre kingen.
Swa me helpen Drihten þa scop þas dæiȝes lihten.
and þa halidomes alle þa wunieð inne Rome
kine-helm ich wulle bruke & he hit scal abugge.
and þer-uore ibiden bitterest alre balewen.
he scal habben paþes weste and wildernesse inoȝe.
and moni mod-sorhȝe his monscipe scal ualle.
Al swa hit ilomp suððe þær-æfter ful sone.
Æiðer þratte oðer swiðe and þruste mid worde.
& swa heo to-delden dæd heo bi-hehten.
Ædwine wes kempe his men weoren kene.
Cadwaðlan wes cniht god and he hafde muchel mod.
Edwine wende ouer Humbre and Ca[d]waðlan to Lundene
þas kinges weoren wraðe. þa a-ræs þa weore
Heo riden and heo arnden. heo herȝede and heo barnde
heo sloȝen & heo nomen al þat heo neh comen.
wa wes þan beondes þa on londe wuneden.
Cadwalan wes inne Lundene and somnede his leoden.
wide he sende sonde ȝeond feole kine-londe.
he hafde on his ferde fifti þusende.
here-kempen heȝe to hermen swiðe kene.
Adwine bi norðe his writen nom aneouste.
and sende in to Denene
to Galwaðe & to Scot-lond. þat stod on Edwines hond.
he somnede uerde ȝeond. alle his ærde.
þat he isomned hafde sixti þusende.
cnihtes swiðe kene wode to uihte.
Cadwaðlan gon liðe ut of Lundenne.
touward Norð-humbre hærmes he wrohte.
he for ouer Humbre hiȝen-liche swiðe.
and bigon to westen þat lond þat stod on Edwines hond.
Þa wes Edwine king ærhðen bideled.
and he forð-rihtes spac wið his cnihtes.
Wurðe for niðing þe mon þe nule hine sturien.
habben bares heorte and remes brede.
cuðen þan kinge þat we quiken sunde.
He lette blawen bemen and bonnien his uerden.
forð he gon wende þat he com to þan ende.
þer þe king Cadwaðlan wunede on cumelan.
To-gadere gunnen resen þeines riche.
breken speren longe sceldes brastleden an honde.
heouwen heȝe helmes scænden þa brunies.
feollen ærm kempes æmteden sadeles.
drem wes on uolcke. þa eorðe gon to dunien
urnen þa brockes. of reden blodes.
feollen þa folckes falewede nebbes.
Bruttes gunnen breoðen balu wes on uolken.
Þus heo gunnen delen þene dæi longe.
riht to þan euening þa fleh Cadwalan þe king.
and Edwine him after gende mid allen his imihten.
Alle niht Cadwalan flah mid his cnihten.
nefden he of his ferde buten fif hundred cnihten.
heo fluȝen to Scotlonde sorhen heom com on honde.
And Edwine after an-non. mid fiftene þusend monnen.
baldere þeines heore beot wes iuorðed.
Fulede þere uerde folc unimete.
from dæiȝe to daȝe þene king heo gunnen driuen.
soð is on þan spellen heo þohten hine aquellen.
Cadwaddlan flæ[h] to þere sæ scipen he þer funde.
þa scipen heo gunnen hure mid ahten swiðe deore.
into Irlonde þa scipen gunnen wende.
hauene heo þer nomen isund þa scipen comen.
Þa ahte Irlond a king þat wes swiðe strong.
he hehte Gille Patric god king i þan rich.
he underfeng Cadwadlan faire mid his cossen.
and ȝaf him wickinge ȝeond Irlonde.
Lette we nu beon Cadwaðlan. and ga we to Edwine aȝan.
Edwine in þissen londe a-marden þas leoden.
burȝes he barnde castles he ualde.
his here wrohte on londe harmes vniuoȝe.
al Cadwaðlanes lond he walde to his aȝere hond
Þa comen hauweres to hirede þas kinges.
and seiden tidende Edwine kinge.
wa wrðe heom for þon þat heo iboren weore.
saȝen heo him sæiden of ane mæidenne.
þat wes Briennes suster hende ueirest wifmonne.
heo wunede i Winchæstre inne þan castle.
And Edwine mid his ferde þider-ward wende.
sone swa he þider com mid strenðe he heo nom.
ladden heo to Eouuerwic anan cnihtes swiðe wel idon.
to bure me ladde to þas kinges bedde.
Þe king dude vnwisdom þat he þat ilke maide nom.
for þe wifmon a wes þes ilke kinges iua.
Þa wunede i þan hirede an clarc þe com from Spaine.
Pelluz wes ihaten of heȝere laren.
feole craftes he cuðe þa he isah in þan lufte.
on sterren and on sunne and on þare sæ brade.
in-siht he cuðe a winde and a mone.
of þan uisce þer he wlæt and of wurmen þer heo crepe.
Cadwaðlan in Irlonde gadere[de] genge.
and to scipe flutte mid muchelre uerde.
Pelluz swiðe ueorre isah on þan sterre.
þat ferde cumen wolde uppen Ædwine kinge.
and Pelluz hine lerde
hu he þas leoden mihtte. alre bezst bi-witen
Ba bi londen and bi scipen. Cadwaðlan and his men
ofte gunnen fusen. to cumen to þissen londen.
biuoren wes æuere Edwine and þa hafne heom for-warnde.
þurh Pelluces lare ne mihten heo cumen here.
Wa wes Cadwalan þat he wes on liuen.
for he bigon þene swike-dom uppen his sweord-broðe[r]en.
and þer-uore him-self hafde hærm þene meste.
Cadwalan him to cleopede his bezste cnihtes alle.
and seide þat he wolde wende to Brutaine.
and þene king iseon þe Salemon wes ihaten.
an heorte him weore þe selere for heo weoren isibbe.
heo weoren of ane cunne þa kinges beiȝe tweien.
Bruttes heo weoren beine ah swiðe heo weoren un-balde.
Cadwaðlan to scipen com and seh forð mid uðen.
and seilede after vðe unsel him wes on mode.
to ane æit-londe heo bicomen þat stondeð bi Gernemuðe.
likede swa heom likede þer heo gunnen wikie.
þer heo abiden wederes for þe wind heom stod to-ȝæines.
Þa iwarð þe king þere isæcled ful swiðe.
and hafde þat uuel hate binumen hi[m] wes þa hele.
Þa niȝen dæȝes weoren aȝeong þe king wes swiðe un-strong.
þa wes he wræccheliche of-lust after deores flæsce.
Brien his mæi he cleopede and sone hit him cudde.
þat buten he hafde deores flasc anan dæd he moste þolien.
Ofte wes Briene wa and neouuere wurse þene þa.
hundes nom Brien and hired-men wel idon.
ȝeond wudes & ȝeond feldes heo uerden bi-lifes.
þurh nanes cunnes ginne no mihten heo deor iwinne.
nouþer heort no hinde no mihte heo nauere ifinde.
Þe king sende his sonde after Brien þa wes to longe.
Leof was þe king Briene wa wes him on liue.
Ofte he hine biðohte what he don mahte.
and biþohten him enne ræd seoððen he þohten him swi[ðe] god.
he igrap a nail-sax sel-liche kene. and wel iwhæt.
and feng him-seolue swa neh þat he nom his aȝe þeh
for unimete neode þer-of he makede brede.
he bredde heo an hiȝinge and brohte heo þan kinge.
Hail seo þu Cadwaðlan þu ært mi kine-lauerd.
ich habbe þe here i-broht breden alre deorest.
þat ich auere an æi borde beren bi-uoren kinge.
held me to and æt her-of sone þin hele heo scal iwurðen.
Þe king sæt on his bedde his beornes hine biheolde.
of þere brede he æt sone þer-after him wes þæ bet.
Þe king him gon to sweten þat ufel hine gon for-leten.
wið-innen þan fif niht þe king iwræð fere forð-riht.
swa næuer þe king nuste whæt he inoted hafde.
Þe king iwræð al uere his folc iwarð bliðe.
wind heom com on wille heo wunden up seiles to coppe.
scipen gunnen liðen leod-scopes sungen.
Ba weoren sehte sæ & þa sunne.
wind and þa wide se ba eke isome.
flod ferede þa scipen scopes þer sungen.
At Ridelæt he com alond þer wes blisse & muche song.
bitwixe Dinan & þere sæ ȝet hit is isene.
Sone swa he þer com feire he wes under-uon.
þa kinges weoren bliðe beiene to-gaderes.
þer wunede þe king al þene winter a skenting.
þer-after com leinten and dæȝes gunnen longen.
þer heo gunnen somnien scipen uniuoȝen.
folc unimete grunden an uolde
Þus dude Cadwalan and Peluz hit wuste a-nan.
þurh his dweomer-cræften þe wunede in þan lufte.
and al þat he auunde in þan lufte & bi þan grunde.
þurh ælches cunnes þing he warnede æuere Ædwine king.
and dude him al to witen of þare uerde & of þan scipen.
Cadwaðlan wes in Brutaine mid Salemone þan kinge.
þe wes his moddrie sune and muchel hine. lufede.
& þat iherde suggen wel feole siðen.
þat Pelluz þe hende þe com ut of Spaine.
warnede Edwine þene king æuer þurh alle þing.
of feole cunne þinge þat him weoren to cumene
Caðwaðlan þan gode. wa wes on mode.
and ofte spæc wið Brien þe wes his deoreste mon.
and nomen heom to rede and to som-rune.
þat alle þa while þe Pelluz weore alife.
no mihte Cadwaðlan comen to þissen londe.
mid nauer nare lisse þat Edwine hit nuste.
Brien bonnede his fare Brien hafde mucle care.
nom him an honde of seoluer and o golde
maðmes unimete moniare cunne.
nom he tunnen gode and þa æhte dude þer-inne.
To þære sæ he wende and seilede mid vðe.
he hafde on his uore wintunnen inoȝe.
on sæ and on londe his win he lette fonden.
and on alle wissen he toc him on swulc he weore a chepmon.
In he wende at Barbe-fleot and at Suð-hamtune up a-leop.
þer he ut draȝen lette win of his tunne.
and hendeliche hit delde alle þare duȝeðe.
þa him abuten weore riche and henen.
and alle luuede þene chapmon þa him lokede on.
V[m]be seouennihten he spac wið his cnihten.
alle weoren his iueren swulc heo chapmen weoren.
and eorð-hus heo hureden stið biwaled on eorðen.
heo cluseden þer wið-innen alle heore win-tunnen.
heo scupten heore lauerde ænne nome neowe.
heo hahten hine Kinebord ut of Spainisce ard.
He saiden þat he wenden wolde wide ȝeond þissen londe.
& fondien wher he mihte his win sullen on wille.
Forð he wende bi nihte. mid one of his cnihte.
forð he gon liðe in-to Lundene.
and aneouste gunnen wende on-fast Westmustre.
and fraineden tiðinde of Edwine kinge.
Sone men him talde soð þat heo funde.
þat þe king in Eouerwic wnede mid allen his folke.
mid muchere blisse men he hafde inoȝe.
Brien gon to farene uorð mid ane iuere.
ut of Lundene derneliche he liðede.
þene wæi touward Eouuerwike wrað on his mode.
Þa he iuaren hafde fulle seouen nihte.
þa imette he enne pilegrim pic bar an honde.
hiȝend-liche þe com from þas kingges hirede.
Brien hine gon fræine of his fare-coste.
þe pillegrim him talde al þat he wolde.
Wið him warfte Brien al his iweden
and æiþer gon liðe þider him to luste.
Brien enne smið funde þe wel cuðe smiðie.
and saide þat he wes pelegrim ah pic nefden he nan mid him.
þene þridde dæi þer bi-fore at his inne he wes forlore.
His fore-ward he makede þe smið gon to smiðeȝe
ane pic swiðe long swiðe muchel an swiðe strong.
sw[ið]e scarp wes þe pic þe staf wes swiðe sellic.
Þene staf he nom an honde and ferde ouer þan londe.
þat he com sone liðe to þas kinges hirede.
Brien eode upward Brian eode dun-ward.
ne mihte he iheren word of his suster nan.
no he uraini ne durste for þes kinges folke.
Þa hit wes dai a-marȝe þat Drihten hine sende.
þe king lette feden alle þa neode hafden.
alle þe blæðe þe wuneden on þe burȝe.
me heom hehtte on-neouste cume to þan castele.
bi þusend and bi þusunde þræsten gunnen binward
Brien wenden binne mid oðer wrecche monnen
his lætes weoren alle. swulc he lome weore.
alle his hateren weoren to-toren. nas he noht to þan iboren.
Þe an hine putte hider-ward and þe oðer hine putte ȝeond-ward.
uncuð him wes swiðe swulc craft on folcke.
his pic he heold bi-siden and sat imong þan oðeren.
Þe king him gon to þeinen mid alle his here-cnihten.
þæ quene bar to drinken & alle hire bur-lutlen.
Þa i-lomp hit seoððe þe[r]-after ful sone.
þat Galarne þat maiden com hire ȝeongen.
bolle heo hafde an honden þer-mide heo bar to dringen.
þa isæh heo Brien þer deore hire broð[er].
on wræcches monnes liche þeh he weoren riche.
Anan swa þat maiden hine i-sæh sone heo him to bæh.
and droh of hire uingre an of hire ringe.
and salde him an honde ænne ring of rede golde.
and þus sæide Galerne þat god-fulle maide.
Haue þis gold wræcche Godd þe wurðe milde.
and buȝe þe þer-mide hateren þat wið chele þe maȝen werien.
Þa wuste he to soðe þat his suster icneou hine.
& þas word seide Brien þe sele.
For-ȝelde hit þe Drihten þe sop þas daȝes lihten.
þat þu þissen lome monne ȝiue of þine golde.
Ymong þan wrecche uolke þat maiden heo hudde.
bitwxen twam wi[n]dewen þat maiden iwarð an selden.
and spæc wið hire broðren þa bet hire wes on heorten.
and talden him tiðende al of þas kinges hirede.
and heo him tahte Pelluz þene clarc þe com from Spæine
and he lokien agon in læðest alre monne.
Þa heo to-gadere hafden ispeken. sone heo gunen to-delen.
for nauer neoðer nalde for his æfne wiht of golde.
þat þe king hit wusten þat heo to-gaderen weoren.
for sone heo weoren for-don ba oðer of-slaȝen oðer an-hon.
Þat folc hafden alle iȝeten and arisen from heore seten.
dremeden drunkene men dune wes on folke.
Pelluz wes aneoste and ȝemde þene nap.
Brien him atlede to for he hafde him ful wa ido.
his pic he nom an honden & helede hine under capen.
swa longe he gon atlen þat he com him baften
and imong al þan þrunge þærsten him i þan ruge.
þat he brac ut bi-foren under his breosten.
And forð he bi-wafde þene pic he bilæfde.
and forð imong þan uolke þa wes he al fere.
and wende him a-neoste of þas kinges hirede.
æuere forð þene wæi suð-riht alse he læi.
Þa he þus hafde idon to Axcetre he bi-com.
þer he funde forð-rihtes monie of his cnihtes.
and frei[ne]den ȝeorne of his leod-kinge.
And Brien heom gon tellen þat wil-spelles weoren.
and seiden þat Cadwaðlan cumen wolde anan.
mid swa muchele uerde of feole cunne ærde.
þat ne durste Edwine king cumen to-ȝæines him naðing.
no in nauer nare burȝe ne durste he him ibide.
Þat iherde Deuene and þa men of Deorchestre.
and þan Cornwælscen wel heom wes on liuen.
Brien sende his s[o]nde ouer sæ to Brut-londe.
and dude þan kinge to witen aiðer bi worden and bi writen.
of alle his deden and þat Pelluz wes on deðen.
and bad hine an hihȝende comen to þissen londe.
& þe king duden swa swa swiðe swa he mæhte.
And Brien sende sonde in-to Suð-ham-tune.
and longien him to lette his maðmes leoue.
& alle þa beornes anan þe buȝen him to wolden.
comen aneouste in-to Exchæstre
and stið-imodede men þa burh gunnen walden.
Cadwalan þat iherde þe king wes ful bliðe.
and inne Brutaine bonnede ferde.
þat he þreo hundred hauede hæȝere scipene.
and al he hafden þer-to þat heom bihouede.
And þe king Salomon wide gon sende.
and forð he gon liðen mid his Brutleoden.
þat is to iwitene mid twa hundred scipene
to helpen his cunne Cadwaðlan kinge.
Weder stod an wille wind mid þan bezste.
heo rihten heore loues and up droȝen seiles.
liðen ouer sæ-stræm swa sel þuhte heom.
Þa comen he to Tottenes beien þa kinges
Selemon þe sele and Cadwalan þæ kene
þat lond-folc wes bliðe for heore leod-kinge.
Þa wes in Æst-londe a king þe hehte Penda.
he biwuste a þan daȝen þat folc of Merchene laȝen.
and he lufde Edwine Edwine lufde hine.
and euere he wolde reden Edwine to his neoden.
And Penda iherde suggen soðere worden.
þat Brien heold Exchestre biclused wið-innen. faste.
and þe king Penda. wide gon sende þa.
and sumede uerde. and forð him fusen
& wenden to Exchastre. mid vnimete genge
and bilæi uul faste þa burh of Exchestre.
Brien þe wihte mid twa hundred cnihte.
wes þer wið-innen and þa burh wereden.
Sone þa tidende icumen wes to þære hauene of Totenes.
to Caðwalane kinge hu Brien wes bi-þrungen.
he lette blawen bemen and bonnien his ferden.
& ferde æuere þene wæi þæ touward Exchestre lai.
and delde a þreo ulockes his duhtie cnihtes.
and þus cleopien a-gon þe king wes abolȝen.
Æuer-ælc god cniht faren heom to forð-riht.
for we beoð cnihtes gode. mid wepnen wel idihte
arude we Brien. þe is min ibore mon.
For ȝif heo nimeð Brien heo hine wulleð aquelen.
and seoð[ð]en heo wulleð hine a-hon and alle his i-feren for-don.
& us þer-after sone mid alle heore imæhte.
To heo gunnen riden gæres heo letten gliden.
breken bræde weiȝes brustleden scaftes.
gold-uaȝe sceldes scanden bilifes.
feollen þa cnihtes faleweden nebbes.
ȝeond þan feldes wide swulten men uæiȝe.
blod orn in þe weiȝe strames swiðe brade.
þer neoren eorles no wurðer þene cheorles.
Þer weoren þa of-slæȝene seouen þusend fulle.
Marcchisce monnen þa þer icumen weoren.
þa falden heo adune. heremarken uaȝe.
heo wurpen sceldes sone. dunede þa eorðe
Þa sette to fleme alre ȝeomerest folke.
and Cadwalan after heom mid allen his imahten.
& mid his aȝene honden nom þene king Pendan.
he wes Mærwales fader Mildburȝe alde-uader.
Pendan heo nomen and duden hine i benden.
wið-innen Excestre and biwusten hine wel faste.
Swa sellic hit ferde in alle þan uahte
þat nas Pendan þe king amarred nanes kunnes þing.
and Cadwalan hine biwuste wel þurh alle custe.
and fæire heo hine uedde and faire he eode to bedde.
Þa weoren agan seouen nih[t] þa nom Pendan enne cniht.
þe wes swiðe wis mon and wel cuðe speken
and cleopede hine to rade and seide him of his neode.
and ȝeorne hine bisohte for lufe of ure Drihte.
þat he speke wi[ð] Cadwalan þe wes his kine-lauerd.
þat he hine griðede þurh þene Godd heȝe.
and he wolde bi-cumen his mon his mon-scipe hæhȝen.
dæiȝes and nihtes he and al his cnihtes.
Þe cniht him forð wende to Cadwalane kinge.
þer he hine imette and fæire hine igrette.
and dude alse god mon sel him wurðe for þan.
for a is on treowe monnen treouðe ihalden.
[H]al s[eo] þu Cadwalan þu art mi kine-lauerd.
Þe ibundene king Penda hider me gon sende.
& ȝerneð þine ære nu and auere-mære.
and he wulle þi mon bi-cume and to ȝisle seollen þe his sune.
and of þe his kine-lond halden and for lauerd þe ikenne
& on ælchere þeode beon ȝaru to þine neode.
he wule beon þi mon icoren aȝein ælcne mon iboren.
Þa andswærien agon mid aðelen his worden
Cadwalan þe kene. þe king of Suð-londe.
Ȝif Penda wolde halde þat he me bi-hateð to don.
and bitechen me his sune his gold and his gærsume.
& treouwe mon auere beon & neouwar min herm iseon.
& likede swa him likede næue[re] me bi-swike.
ich me biræden wolde of swulchere neode.
Þer anan forð-riht andswarede þe gode cniht.
La swa ic auere mote iþeon ich wulle his an barh beon.
and habbeon to iueren an hondret rideren.
uppen alle ure londe uppen seoluer and uppen golde.
And swa ich bide are ȝet he wulle mare.
ane suster he haueð hende in þan æst ende.
nis nan feirure wifmon þa whit sunne scineð on.
þe king of France Leouwis ȝirneð hire ful iwis.
and he wulle hire to morȝeue þene Mans bitæchen.
and habben heo to quene þat mæiden Helene.
And ich suggen þe to soðe þæh ich þi bro[ð]er weore.
æuere þe is selere þi-sulf þat þu heo habbe.
þurh hire þu miht biwinnen lufe of hire cunnen.
and iwinnen al þi kine-lond to þire aȝere hond.
and wunien on londe and walde þine riche.
Þa andswarede Cadwalan þe king wes on londen.
Hit is on mine rede to don þat þu bede.
Ȝif þu miht under Criste þis forward me ileste.
ich þe ȝeuen to hure al Deuene-scire.
al for Heleine lufe hiȝendliche let heo cume.
Þe cniht him gon wende mid muchelere genge.
to þan castle of Deoure on þere sæ oure.
he nom þer Helene wunder-liche & fæire.
and forð he heo ladde in-to Wi[n]chæstre
þer wes muchel blisse burh-men weoren bliðe.
Þer þe king Cadwalan com him to-ȝeines heom.
he weddede þat mæiden & nom heo to his bedden.
þe[r] wes wif-ðing riche and vnimete blisse.
Þa hit wes dæi a-marȝen. & duȝeðe gunnen sturien.
& þe king iuæstned hafde alle his forwarde.
þa nom he muchele genge and after Penda sende.
þer he wes ful faste in þan castle of Æxchæstre.
and mid muche lufe hine hehte cumen to Lundenne.
Penda to Lundene com he wes aht-liche under-uon.
and Cadwalan þe kene mid lufe hine custe.
and Penda bicom his mon þer his monscipe wes þe mare.
þa weoren Lundenisce men bliðest arle leoden.
Þa wes hit seo[ð]ðe þer-after noht longe.
Cadwalan gan liðe wide ȝeond þis londe.
alle þa hine lufeden he heom gon griþien.
alle þa him heolden wið he bi-nom heore lif
and heore leoden and al þat heo leof hafden.
and hiȝend-liche gon wende tou-ward þere Humbre.
and gon þat lond westen mid hærmen þan mæsten.
Þat iherde Edwine and alle þat luueden hine.
swiðe heo gunnen dreden of Cadwalanes deden.
Edwine nom his sonde. and senden to Sex-londe.
he sende in-to Denene he sende in-to Noreine.
in-to Wellisce londe. in-to Scotlonde.
in-to Orcaneiȝe. in-to Galwaiȝe
in-to Is-londe. in-to Fris-londe.
in-to Gutlonde þer gumen weoren kene
he bed heom cumen sone mid wepnen wel idone.
to driuen ut þa Bruttes þe bisie weoren to harmes.
and þenne he Bruttes hæfden mid bronden to-hæuwen.
he wolde al þis kine-lond setten an heore hond.
bute þat he icleoped weore king of þan londe.
he wolde þere duȝeðen þis lond al to-dalen.
Ah he ful lutel wuste what ilomp seoððe.
Comen touward londe touward Edwine kinge.
bi sæ & bi londe feole cunne leoden.
þer comen seouen kinges and six sunen kinges.
seouentene eorles and sixti þusend beornnes.
Næs he boren nauere in nauer nare burhȝe.
þe mihte in æi spelle þat oðer uolc telle.
nas hit nauere isæid no on bocken irad
þat æuer ær weore æi swa muchel ferde.
æuere in Ængelonde þurh ænie king to-gadere.
Edwine gon to uarene mid mucle his ferde.
and Cadwalan after wende mid unimete folke.
Þe stude hehte Hæd-feld þer heo at-stoden. under scelde.
twelf milen is þe wald. þe is ihaten Heð-feld.
Edwine an his ende his teldes alle sette.
his marken & his mare and eke his mon-weorede.
and Cadwalan þe kene him com to-ȝaines sone.
þer fusden to-somne uerden unimete.
Heo fuhten feondliche feollen þa uaiȝe.
brokes þer urnen mid unimete stremen.
of bloden þan ræde þe balu wes unimete.
Helmes þer gullen beornes þer ueollen.
sceldes gunnen scenen scalkes gunnen swelten.
at þan forme rese fifti þusende.
baldere beornen heore beot wes þæ lasse.
Þer wes Edwines ferde ȝeoumerest alre uolke.
& Edwine him-seolf anan ærmest alre kingen.
þer wes Edwine of-slaȝen and his sunen tweien.
þer feollen seouen kinges and six sunen kinges.
his eorles his beornes his cnihtes his cheorles.
þer wes þe swein & þe cnaue beinen of are laȝe.
nefden heo nane are of þan lasse no of þan mare.
ah al þa ferde wes of-slaȝen and idon of lif-daȝen.
Of þan fehte fleh a gume Edwines ȝungeste sune.
wellen henden wes þe mon Osric ihaten.
nefde he to iueren b[u]ten an hundred rideren.
Þeos to wuden wenden and þer gunnen wunien.
and barnden Cadwalanes lond and eoden him luðere an hond.
& his folc sloȝen a feole cunnes wissen.
Þat iherde Cadwalan þe king wes on londen.
hu Osric Edwines sune dude ut-laȝen wune.
Cadwalan muchel uolc nom and lette heom to wuden gan.
and Osric heo funden & wið him fehten.
þer heo Osric sloȝen and alle his iueren.
Nu wes þe king Cadwalan bliðest alre kempen.
nu wes icleoped Cadwalan king ouer Anglen.
Penda wes king under him and ma þa iqueme weoren him.
Cadwalan aquald hefde of Edwines cunne.
al þat þer wes hende wið-uten ane monne.
he wes ihaten Oswald under Drihtene bald.
he wes of Edwines cunne & him leofuest monne.
& he wes hex monnen of Edwines cunnen.
Oswald nom on his hond al to-gadere Edwines lond.
eorles and kempen his men al bicomen.
me heold hine king hæhne biȝeonde þere Humbre.
þat iherde Cadwalan and þus quað to his eorlen.
Somnie we nu ferde ȝeond alle mine ærde.
nu ich mi lond habben bi-tald nu hauið hit Oswald.
ah þer-uore him scal ileoten bitterest alre baluwen.
For þan kinelond ich hine aquelle wulle.
and al his ferde fallen to grunde.
and al þat he of com ich hit wulle for-don.
and swa me scal-him tache to walden kineriche.
Aleggen ich wulle his muchele mod monnen he is me laðest.
Cadwalan somnede uerde mucle in þissen ærde.
& ferde touward þere Humbre ȝaru al to fehte.
Oswald þis iherde þas heȝes Godes icorne.
and nom him al his ferde þa hafde in his ærde.
and for-soc þat feht sone for-saken him weoren laðe.
and fe[r]de æuere forðward.
& Cadwalan him after wende ah of-taken he hine ne mahte.
Þa wes Cadwalan adred for wið Scotten he wes iuæid.
for he þat norðerne uolc hæuede ineouðered ful swiðe.
& nom him to rede of swulchere neode.
þat he aȝain wolde for þer he kare hafde.
and bi-teche Penda þe wes his under-kinge.
folc and his ferde to flemen of arde
Edwines mæi Oswald. and driuen hine of londe.
And al Cadwalan spede swa he ispeken hafde.
aȝæn he gon wende in-to þisse londe.
and in þan norð ende sette þene king Penda
to fleomen Oswalde ut of þissen londe.
Oswald þat iherde þat Cadwalan chærde.
and þer wunede Penda to driuen hine of londe.
þa was þæ king Oswald an his þonke swiðe bald.
and aȝæin him gon wende muchele his ferde.
to-ȝeines þan kinge Penda to fleomen hine þenne.
Penda hine bi-þohte swiken hu he mahte.
he sende to Oswalde þen norðerne kinge.
& seide þat he wolde sahtnesse wurche.
and timliche him speken wið & makeȝen sehtnesse and grið.
and beon saht and some swulc heo weoren broðeren.
and faren of þan ende to Cadwalane kinge
and leten þene king Oswald habben his riche. and his lond.
Þene dæi and þe stude heo setten sæhnesse to makien.
and þer-after ful sone heo cumen to-somne.
Oswald com muchel bi-foren he wes to Godes hond icoren.
þe studen hehte Houen-feld þer Oswald sette his teld.
he lette sone arere a muchel cros and mare.
and hehten al his ferde fallen on heore cneowen.
and bidden þane al-mihti Godd þurh his milde mihti mod.
þat he heom ȝiue mildze of heore misde[de].
and ȝif Penda þat grið breke þat ure Drihten hit awreke.
Þa weren iended þas beden þa com him Penda riden.
and word seide. swikelest alre kinge.
Oswald þu art wilcume wunne þe is ȝeueðe.
hafue þu al þi kine-lond a[h] nim þi seoluer and þi gold.
nim an hundred hunden nim an hundred haueken.
nim an hundred steden nim gold-fah i-wede.
and send þas gretinge to Cadwaðlan kinge.
and þus þu maht him wið makien þe saht-nesse and grið.
& ich wulle a þine stude beon þat þa lufe scal wel iþeon.
& ȝet ich þe suggen wulle ane sunder rune.
hu þu mihte fon on. þat hit ne buð nauere undon.
and cleope mid þe tweien þat þine treowe men beon beien.
& ich wulle tweien to me þa wel scullen reden.
Þa rad forð a þan felde falsest alre kinge.
and Oswald rad a þene feld næfde he sper ne nænne sceld.
Penda his sweord ut a-droh and he Oswald of-sloh.
þis wes Seint Oswald þe amurðered wes aquald.
and Penda gon to fleonne mid alle his ferde.
þat isehȝen forð-rihtes Oswaldes cnihtes.
and after heom setten mid allen heore mihten.
mucchel del heo sloȝen of þan mon-weorede.
and þe king Penda uneðe gon a-wende.
and neoðeles he at-ræd þe Seint Oswald biswac.
Penda com to þissen londe to Cadwaðlan kinge.
and talde al þan kinge hu he iuaren hafden.
Hit likede wel þan kinge buten for ane þinge.
hit of-þuhte him ful sone for þan swikedome.
Nu hafde Oswald þe a morðe wes aquald.
ænne ælpine broðer nes þer nan oðer.
he wes icleoped Oswi þe wes a swiðe duhti mon.
þa þringes norðerne makeden hine to kinge.
for wa wes heom on life for heore lauerdes deðe.
Oswi nom to his hond al his broðer kine-lond.
Oswi hafde emes sunen þe weoren swiðe prute gumen.
and ma of his cunne þa weoren mod-fulle.
heo hafden muchele onde to þan kine-londe.
and makeden mucchel un-frið and ofte fuhten him wið.
and þohten hine aquellen for his kine-londen.
Ah Oswi wes cniht sturne þat he þer cudde.
alle þa him beren onde he draf of þan londe.
hiȝendliche he heom quehte ouer þere Humbre.
þat nes þer nan to laue of þan þe him weoren laðe.
And heo gunnen wenden to þan kinge Pendan.
and menden heom to Pendan of Oswy þan kinge.
þat he heom idriuen ut hafde of al heore icunde.
and heo bi-sohten Penda þene king of Æst-londe
þat heom fulste Oswy to for-uarne.
and heo wolden bicumen his men and his mon-scipe heȝen.
ȝif he wolde Oswy [for]-don oðer slæn oðer a-hon.
Þa andswerede Penda þe king of Æst-londe.
At me nabbe ȝe nenne ræde for ich æm wið Oswi iuæid.
for ich Oswald aqualde wihteste alre kinge.
and Oswy his broðer is oht cniht and arð heorte na-wiht.
ȝif he me mihte cacchen he me wolde quellen.
Ah fareð to Cadwalane þe king is on londe
and ȝif he me wulle sende. þat folc of his londe.
vt of Corwale cnihtes icudde.
and of Walisce londe mid seolure and mid golde.
þenne wlle ich Oswy anan mid ærmðen igreten.
driuen hine of londe. leoden to sconde.
oðer slan hine mid egge laðest alle ginge.
Þas cnihtes gunnen wende to Cadwaðlane kinge.
To Cadwaðlane heo come mid falsæn dome.
þan kingen heo tolden al þat heo wolden.
Hit ilomp an ane time to þan White-sune-tide
þat þe king hehte of londen comen al to Lunden.
alle þe wolden his grið and wið þan kinge habben frið.
Þider comen kinges and æc here-þringes
þider comen eorles þider comen beornes.
biscpes þider comen and boc-ilerede men.
riche and hene þider heo comen alle.
alches cunnes leoden þa þene king lufeden.
& þe king a þan daiȝe his crune bar an hæfde.
þer wes muchel blisse mid balde þan kinge.
for þe king wes swiðe treowe mon his treouþe wel he iheold.
Þa þas leoden alle iliðen weoren to-somne.
þa stod him up Penda biuore Cadwaðlane kinge.
and þus he gon tellen on false his spellen.
Lauerd we beoð icumen alse þu hafdest i-queðen.
alle þine men iborne Englisce and Bruttisce.
eorles & beornes cnihtes & clærckes.
and we þine kinges þa beoð þine underlinges.
Ah Oswy seide æuere þat nulle he come nauere.
no þine heste iuorðen ah bi-hateð hærm to don.
Nert þu noht swa modi swa him is Oswy.
he for-hoȝeð ful iwis to isechen þine hiredes.
Ah ȝif þu wult me lenen & þine læue iunnen.
and þu me wulle fulsten and ferde bi-tæchen.
and swa muchel of þine garsume. god swa þe þunche
ich wulle uorð aneouste and faren ouer Humbre.
& Oswy þer makien ærmest alre kingen.
no scal he mid strenðe þene stude uinde.
þat ich hine nulle þe an hond sulle.
oðer quic oðer ded þat me þuncheð god ræd
& ȝif þu þis nult don þu scalt wurse under-fon.
for Oswy is a swulc mon þine scome he wulle don.
Þa andswarede Cadwalan þe kene.
Penda ich hit þe sugge ouer-al Oswy haueð for-wal
oðer he lið ibedde ibunden mid ufele.
oðer uncuðe leoden icumen beoð to his þeoden.
for nulle he nauere icnawen þat he nolde him to cumen.
þa ich hehte alle cumen mid griðe mid friðe. and mid lufe.
Ah Penda ga þider ut anan ich wulle wið mine eorlen
mine rune halden. and minne red finden
wheðer ich þe ȝetten wullen. þa þing þe þu bede.
and ich wulle after Oswine senden aðele mine sonde.
and haten hine hiȝindliche cumen to mine riche.
Þider ut eode Pe[n]da an eorl wes his iuere.
and Cadwaðlan wes þer-inne mid swiðe feole monne.
Þus him spac Cadwaðlan þe king wes of Englen.
Ȝe beoð mine men alle þa beoð a þisse mote.
and ȝe habbeoð alle iherd whæt Penda king hafueð iseid.
and hu he wulle taken on & Oswi king al fordon.
ȝif ic him lenen wulle mine leoden to vulste.
and ic wulle þat ȝe me reden of wlchere deden.
þa ich lete Oswi for-do þa ich lete hine cumen me to.
& ȝif he for mire sonde for-sakeð hider to cumene.
mine here ich lete seoððen hine hene makien.
Þa iwærð abolȝen a Welisc king in þe hepen.
he wes ihaten Margadud monnen wurðe him ȝeomerist
for æuere he Ænglisce men bi-hehte hærm þene meste.
Þus seide Mærgadud of Suð Wales he wes duc.
Her nu me Cadwaðlan whæt ich þe wulle cuðe.
Þu hauest þine willen iseid ah þis nis noht god red.
Hit is swiðe ȝare þat Bruttes comen here.
and mid him ure ældre þe Bruttes weoren aðele.
and þis lond ieoden Bruttisce leoden.
and longe hit walden after heore willen.
þa while þa hit wes on heore hond hit wes ihaten Brut-lond.
Nu nabbe we of þan londe buten þene west ende.
þa Bruttes hafden iwuned here wel feole wintre.
Þa comen Englisce men mid heore ufele craften.
heo weore wiȝel-fulle and þis lond al biwunne.
and biswiken heore lauerd sonen and alle his leoden.
& ȝiuenen heore kinge ane heðene quene.
þa comen of Sex-londe þa leoden us beoð laðe.
þurh þere quene ure cun aqualden here.
and swa habbeoð Englisce men ure icunden at-heolden.
þet we nauere seoððen bi-sechen hit no mihten.
Penda king is Englisc and Oswy al-swa ful iwis.
Let þu þa hundes hannen to-gaderes.
eiðer freten oðer swa hund deð his broðer.
and leten heore whelpes whæruen heom bi-sides.
elc oðer quelle þat þer nan quic no leue.
And ȝif Oswy cumeð bufen and þat feht maȝen ouer-cumen.
we him sculleð to luken and neouðer hine aleggen.
lond and his leoden and his laȝen uallen.
and ȝif Penda bið buuen & þat comp maȝen ouer-cumen.
þin aȝe mon is Penda mid alle his kine-londa.
Þenne hauest þu Englisc lond to þire aȝere hond.
and alle þine wurðscipe þus þu miht biwinnen.
& libben a þin lif swa þe arle leofest bið.
No findest þu nauer-mare mon þa þe durre haten on.
Þa andswarede a mon þe bald wes on hireden.
Lust nu me Cadwaðlan lust me ane stunden.
Nis þar nan betere red þene Margadud haueð ised.
& ȝif þat nult don þu scalt wurse afon.
& alle þine leoden þa later þu hafuest to neoden.
Efne þissere saȝe þa þe Brut sæide.
þa wes icleoped Penda & com into hirede.
and Cadwaðlan him ȝette al þat he wolde.
Þa wes Penda bliðe & igladed swiðe.
Penda & his cnihtes to horsen forð-rihtes.
and aneousten gunnen wenden toward Norh-humberlonden.
& Oswi iherden suggen þat Penda hine sohte.
& ȝarecode his ferden & fusde toȝæines Pendan.
faht heo bigunnen ræȝe heo weoren beien.
feondliche heo fuhten uæiden heo weoren.
vnimete feollen fæie men on folden.
Þa hit wes uppen non þa sunne gon to nipen.
þer wes Oswy of-slaȝen & idon of lif-daȝen.
& his sune & his æm & eorles sume uiuen.
þer weoren niȝe þusu[n]de ðringes norðerne.
islaȝen i þan dæiȝe þa duȝeðe wes þa lasse.
& þe king Penda sære wes iwunded þa.
& þonene gon wende æst to his londe.
Oswy hæfden ænne sune Osric wes his nome.
he wes ane stunde mid Cadwaðlane kinge.
in his h[i]rede iued & deorliche ifostred.
Osric bisohte Cadwalan swa mon scal his lauerde don.
þat he moste beon his mon & his fader lond habbeon.
Cadwaðlan him ȝet al þat he ȝirde.
he bitahte him an hond al his fader kine-lond.
hehte hine hit habben & halde mid wunne.
God king wes Cadwaðlan swa him wes icunden.
he wes king hire seouen and feouwerti ȝere.
Þa uerde he to Lunden to gladien þa leoden.
and heold ane metsunge mid þan uolke of Lundene.
he æt of ane uisce uret-liche swiðe.
ær þe uisc i-eten weore. i-uueled was þe ki[n]g.
seouen niht & enne dæi þe king a þan ufele læi.
nes þer nan oðer red seoððen wes þe king ded.
heo bureden hine in Lunden særi weoren þa leoden.
Enne sune hafde Cadwaðlan Cadwalader ihaten.
he wes Penda suster sune al of kingen icume.
þeos feng to his riche after his fader daiȝe.
Swiðe leoflic wes þe mon his leoden hine luueden.
he wes swiðe god cniht and swiðe sturne inne fiht.
æh an his daȝen ilompen reoðen on leoden.
Ærst aswond þat corn here ȝeond al þas kineriche.
þer-after hit wes swa deore & al folc gon to deȝen.
swa þat þu mihtes fare fulle seouen nihte.
þat no mihtest þu. þurh nene chep finde neouwer na bred.
an burȝe and on londe leoden weoren ȝeoumere.
no nan uolc on londe þat of-fingred nes sære.
Þa þat wes idriuuen longe ȝeond þas leoden.
þa com þer an-oðer sorȝe þer-after ful sone.
þat quale com on orue vnimete swiðe.
þer cheorl draf his sulȝe i-oxned swiðe fæire.
oðer while he brohte ham halue his oxen.
oðer brohte enne þe oðer no brohte nenne.
and swa hit on leode ilaste wel longe.
Þer-after sone sorȝen vnimete.
comen to folke ȝeond al þas kine-þeode.
uppen þan monen morð wes iwurðen.
quelen þa eorles quelen þa beornes.
quelen þa þeines quelen þa sweines.
quelen þa lareden quelen þa leouweden.
quelan þa ældren quelen þa ȝeongeren.
quelæn þa wifmen quelen þa wanclen.
þat no mihte on þan ende þat folc on þan londe.
burien þa dede swiðe heo gunnen deȝe.
þat ofte in þan putte þer me þene dede isette.
þer deiȝede þe quike uppen þen dede.
And swa hit ilomp wide ȝeond Ænglene þeode.
þat folc ut of londe flah on ælche ænde.
monie hundred tunen bi-læued weoren of monnen.
þat lut me uinde mihte men uaren ȝeond londe.
Wa wæs Cadwalader þe king wes on londe.
for scome he ne mihte fleon no for hærme her beon.
Neoðeles he hine biþohte hu he faren mahte.
he nom his maðmes alle and his m[e]n deore.
& bah suð ouer sæ. into Brutaine.
and nom þe[r] wickinge mid Alaine þan kinge.
þe wæs sune Salemonnes. þas sele kinges.
þe swiðe lufede Cadwaðlan þe while his daiȝes ilaste.
Þær Alæin þe king Cadwalader under-ueng.
& funde him in þan londe al þat he wolde.
þurh elleouen ȝere þe king wunede þere.
& elleouen ȝere þe sorhȝe wunede here.
þat wes hunger & hette nefede þat folc nenne mete.
& þe qualm muchele þe wes on moncunne.
Þat folc flah in-to wuden & wuneden in þe cluden.
leien in þa stan-graffen & liueden bi deoren.
heo l[i]ueden bi wuden heo l[i]feden bi wurten.
bi moren and bi rote nas þer nan oðer boten.
Þa elleue ȝer weoren on fast aȝeongen
þa sunne gon to scine þe rein bi-gon to rine.
þe qualm gon to stunte men gunnen to sturien.
ut of wude heo droȝen and wuneden in tunen.
Heo speken to-somne & spileden bi-tweonen.
and nomen heore sonde and sende in-to Sex-londe.
and cudden heore cunne of heore quale-siðe.
& hu heo ifaren hafden elleue ȝeren.
& hu þat ufel wes at-stunt & hu þa tunes ibuld.
and hu þer wes fæiȝer lond i-noh seoluer and gold.
& beden heom cumen swiðe hider to heore icunde.
for þa Bruttes þa ær weoren here æuere heo weren fleme.
no durste heo næuere mængen imong Englisce monnen.
no nawhit heo nusten of heore uare-costen
þat weoren heore sonden. isend to Sex-londen.
Þa heȝe Sexisce men iherden þas sonden.
þa fusden touward sæ fifti þusende.
baldere beornen mid scelden and mid burnen.
mid wifen and mid children to þissen londe wenden.
Mid þan formeste swipen her comen þreo hundred scipen
siȝen after seoððe sixti to-somne.
bi sixe bi seouene bi tene bi eolleue.
bi twelue bi twenti bi þritti bi feowerti.
Mid heom com Æðelstan þe æ[ð]ele ut of Sexen.
inne Lundene hine cruneden & houen hine to kingen.
Edward þe king þesne biȝat on are chiuese.
þis wes þe formeste Englisce mon þe al Ængle-lond biwon.
he wes icruned and ieled. þis lond wes al his aȝen.
and seoððen he wuneden here sixtene ȝere.
Hit ilomp inne frimdæȝen feor her bi-æften.
þat her wes an heh mon Inne wes ihaten.
Þe king wende to Rome to þan heȝe dome.
and he Peteres weofed þere wunliche isohte.
brohte þer to lake his maðmes leofe.
Þa ȝet he dude mare to Peteres are.
of æuer-elche huse þat hus-bonde wunede.
& his biweddede wif weore on þere ilke wike.
þe king enne peni ȝette to Peteres huse.
Inne wes þe uormeste mon þe Peteres peni bigon.
Þa Inne king wes him ded. and his laȝen weoren aleid.
þa a-feol þat feoh here fif and sixti ȝere.
a þet Aðelstan com liðen in-to þissen londen.
& hafden iwuned here fulle fiftene ȝere.
Þe king his fet custe and faire hine igrette.
& eft þat ilke feoh ȝete. þat Inne king dude ære.
& swa hit hafeð ist onde æuer seoððe a þisse londe.
Drihten wat hu longe þeo laȝen scullen ilæste.
þa tiden comen sone to Cadwaðlader kinge.
into Brutaine þer þar he wunede.
mid Alaine kinge þe wes of his cunne.
me dude him to under-stonde of al þisse londe.
hu Aðelstan her com liðen ut of Sex-londen.
and hu he al Angle-lond sette on his aȝere hond.
and hu he sette moting & hu he sette husting.
and hu he sette sciren and makede frið of deoren.
& hu he sette halimot & hu he sette hundred.
and þa nomen of þan tunen on Sexisce runen.
& ȝilden he gon rere mucle & swiðe mære.
& þa chirchen he gon dihten after Sexisce irihten.
and Sexis he gan kennen þa nomen of þan monnen.
and al me him talde þe tiden of þisse londe.
Wa wes Cadwaledere þat he wes on liue.
leofere him weore on deðe þeone quic on life.
særi wes his heorte and sorhful wes his duȝede.
Wið his freond he spac ofte
hu he faren mihte. and iw[i]nnen his rihte.
and wulchere wise he mihte wið Aðelstane fihte.
& i-winnen his cunde æft to his honde.
þa Aðestan and his cnihtes eke heolde mid unrihte.
Sume him radde to uehten summe wrið to wurchen.
þat he mosten of Aðelstan. halden his lond and beon his mon.
Vnder þissen uare-coste he sumnede ferde.
of alle þane monne þat he bi-ȝeten mihte.
& somnede alle þa scipen þa bi þare sæ fluten.
and þohte mid strengðe steppen to londe.
Þa þe ȝaru wes þa uerde & þas scipen ibone.
com þe win[d] suðerne. þa sæt an heore wille.
Þa sæide þe king Nu to scipe an hiȝing.
And þe king in-to chirche gon wenden Godes werk to worchen.
and masse þer iherden of mære ane preoste.
Þe king læi on cneouwen and cleopede to Crist[e].
& bed ure Drihten þe walt alle deden.
þat he from him-selue taken him sende.
ȝif hit weore iqueme þan heouenliche Deme.
wheðer he scolde liðen þe he scolde bi-lauen.
Þe while þe he spac touward Goden þa gon he to slepen.
þa gon he to slumme selehðe him wes ȝiueðe
of seoluen ure Drihten þe scop þis dæȝes lihte.
Þenne þe king imætte. a cneouwen he slepte.
þat him com bi-foren gon a wunder ane fair mon.
& þas word kende to Bruttene kinge.
A-wake Cadwalader Crist þe haueð deore.
and ȝarke þine uore and far swi[ð]e to Rome.
þu uindest ænne pape preost mid þan bezste.
he þe scal scriuen of þine weorld-lifen.
þat þine sunen alle scullen þe from falle.
and þu scalt wurðe clene al þurh Godes dome.
of alle þine misdede þurh mihte of ure Drihte.
And seo[ð]ðen þu scalt i-witen and faren to heofne-richen.
for no most þu nauere-mære Ængle-lond aȝe.
ah Alemainisce men Ænglen scullen aȝen.
and næuermære Bruttisce men bruken hit ne moten.
ær cume þe time þe iqueðen wes while.
þat Merlin þe witeȝe bodede mid worde.
Þenne sculle Bruttes sone buȝen to Rome
and draȝen ut þine banes alle of þene marme-stane.
and mid blissen heom uerien uorð mid heom-seoluen.
in seoluere and in golde in-to Brutlonde.
Þenne sculle Bruttes anan balde iwurðen.
al þat heo bi-ginneð to done iwurðeð after heore wille.
þenne scullen i Bruttene blissen wurðen riue.
wastmes and wederes sele after heore i-wille.
Þa awoc Cadwalader wu[n]der him þuhte.
strongliche he wes auæred ladliche of-furhte.
to wulche þinge hit iteon wolde þat him wes itacned þere
Ofte he lette runen ofte he lette ræde.
and seowede hit þan kinge þe wunede in þan londe.
þe inemned wes Alain Cadwalader nexte mæi.
Þe king sende his sonde ȝeond al his londe.
and lette beoden alle. þa bocares wise.
and talden heom þa tacni[n]ge of Cadwalader kinge.
Þær heo gunnen ræde þer heo gunnen rune.
& radden him to taken on al swa Godd him hafde itakned to don.
Þer he bi-lafde his scipen and his leode.
his wæi and his iwille He cleopede heom to stille.
Yuni and Iuore beiȝen heo weoren him deore.
Yuor wes his step-sune and Yuni his suster sune.
beien heo weoren him leofe beine heo weoren him deore.
heo weoren cnihtes beien and swiðe wel idihte.
Þus spac Cadwalader þe king wes of Bruttene.
Yuor and Yuni beiene ȝet senden of mine leode.
hercnieð mine lare. no scal hit eou reouwe nauere
Of heouene me beoð icume hiȝe Godes tacne.
þat ich scal faren to Rome to þan pape wel idone.
Þe pape hatte Sergius he weteð Peteres. hus.
me and mine wiue he scal bletseiȝen & scriue.
& þer we scullen ure daȝes ba driuen to þan ende.
longe bið auer no iseo ȝe me æft næuere.
Ah here ich bi-tache inc Walisc lond þat ȝet stond a mire hond.
and nimeð þas muchele uerde and fareð to þan londe.
and haldeð hit on wunne þa wile ȝe maȝen hit werie.
and ich inc halsi beien þurh þan heouen kinge.
þat unker æiðer oðer luuie swa his broðer.
and habbeoð þat lond auer-mære. tou æure liues ende.
& brukeð hit on wunne & eouwer bernen alle.
Yuni hit wes itacned me alse ȝe scullen nu i-seo.
for Merlin þe wise hit seide mid worde
al of mine for[ð]-fare & of mire unimete care.
and Sibillie þa wise a bocken hit isette.
þat ich scal iuullen mines Drihtes wille.
Alc faren nu his wæi and habbeoð alle godne dæi.
Cadwalader fusde þat he com to Rome.
þer he Sergius funde þene iselie pape.
he scraf Cadwalader þe king wes of Bruttenne.
Ne wunede þe king þer bute uifte half ȝere.
þa com him ufel on swa Godd hit wolde habben idon.
elleoue daȝes biforen Maiȝe he ferde of þisse liue.
and his saule sende to þan heouen-licche kinge.
His ban beoð iloken faste i guldene cheste.
and þer heo scullen wunie þat þa daȝes beon icumene.
þa Merlin ine iuurn daȝen vastnede mid worden.
Ga we nu to Yuni a-ȝan & to Iuore his wedde-broðere.
Heo somneden ferde wide ȝeond þan ærde.
forð heo gunnen fusen mid fif hundred scipenen.
nes hit nawit longe þat heo ne comen to Walisce londe.
Al þas Bruttes weoren to-driuen ȝeond cludes & ȝeond cliuenen.
ȝeond chirchen & ȝeond muneccliuen. ȝeond wudes & ȝeond liðen
Sone me heom saiden. þat isiȝen weoren to londe.
mid Iuore & Yuni ten siðen fifti.
scipen brade-fulle of Brutten swiðe balde.
Þæs Bruttes on ælc ende foren to Walisce londe.
and heore laȝen leofeden & heore leodene þæuwen.
and ȝet wunie[ð] þære swa heo doð auere-mære.
& Ænglisce kinges walden þas londes.
& Bruttes hit loseden þis lond and þas leoden
þat næuere seoððen mære kinges neoren here.
Þa ȝet ne com þæs ilke dæi beo heonne-uorð alse hit mæi.
i-wurðe þet iwurðe i-wurðe Godes wille.
þe king hine wolde a folden qui[c] al for-bernen.
Hit læc to-ward hirede folc vni-mete.
ridinde & ganninde swa þe rim falle[ð] adune.
748
Modred þat iherde & him toȝeines heolde.
mid vnimete folke þer weore monie uæie.
Uppen þere Ta[m]bre heo tuhten to-gadere.
þe stude hatte Camelford euer-mare ilast þat ilke weorde.
And at Camelforde wes isomned sixti þusend.
& ma þusend þer-to Modred wes heore ælder
Þa þider-ward gon ride. Arður þe riche
mid unimete folke. uæie þah hit weore.
Uppe þere Tambre heo tuhte to-somne.
heuen here-marken. halden to-gadere
luken sweord longe. leiden o þe helmen
fur ut sprengen speren brastlien.
sceldes gonnen scanen scaftes to-breken.
þer faht al to-somne folc vnimete.
Tambre wes on flode mid vnimete blode.
mon i þan fihte non þer ne mihte ikenne nenne kempe.
no wha dude wurse no wha bet. swa þat wiðe wes imenged.
for ælc sloh adun-riht weore he swein weore he cniht.
Þer wes Modred of-slaȝe and idon of lif-daȝe.
in þan fihte
Þer weoren of-slaȝe alle þa snelle.
Ar[ð]ures hered-men. heȝe [and lowe]
and þa Bruttes alle of Arðures borde.
and alle his fosterlinges of feole kineriches.
And Arður forwunded mid wal-spere brade.
fiftene he hafde feondliche wunden.
mon mihte i þare laste twa glouen iþraste.
Þa nas þer na-mare i þan fehte to laue
of twa hundred þusend monnen. þa þer leien to-hauwen
buten Arður þe king ane & of his cnihtes tweien.
Arður wes for-wunded wunder ane swiðe.
þer to him com a cnaue þe wes of his cunne.
he wes Cadores sune þe eorles of Corwaile.
Constantin hehte þe cnaue he wes þan kinge deore.
Arður him lokede on þer he lai on folden.
and þas word seide mid sorhfulle heorte.
750
Ich þe bitache here mine kineriche.
and wite mine Bruttes a to þines lifes.
and hald heom alle þa laȝen þa habbeoð i-stonden a mine daȝen.
and alle þa laȝen gode þa bi Vðeres daȝen stode.
And ich wulle uaren to Aualun to uairest alre maidene.
to Argante þere quene aluen swiðe sceone.
& heo s[c]al mine wunden makien alle isunde.
al hal me makien mid haleweiȝe drenchen.
And seoðe ich cumen wulle. to mine kineriche.
and wunien mid Brutten mid muchelere wunne.
Æfne þan worden þer com of se wenden.
þat wes an sceort bat liðen sceouen mid vðen.
and twa wimmen þer-inne. wunderliche idihte
and heo nomen Arður anan and aneouste hine uereden.
and softe hine adun leiden & forð gunnen liðen.
Þa wes hit iwurðen þat Merlin seide whilen.
þat weore uni-mete care of Arðures forð-fare.
Bruttes ileueð ȝete þat he bon on liue.
and wunnien in Aualun mid fairest alre aluen.
and lokieð euere Bruttes ȝete whan Arður cumen liðe.
Nis nauer þe mon iboren of nauer nane burde icoren.
þe cunne of þan soðe of Arðure sugen mare.
Bute while wes an witeȝe Mærlin ihate.
he bodede mid worde his quiðes weoren soðe.
þat an Arður sculde ȝete cum Anglen to fulste.
Costantin þus leouede on londe & Bruttes hine lufede.
and swiðe deore heom he wes. and wrðeliche heo hine heolden
Nu hæfuede Modred sunen tweie. an maine swiðe stronge.
heo iseȝen hu hit ferde here of Ar[ð]ure þan kaisere.
and hu heore fader wes of-slaȝe & i-don of lif-daȝen.
& hu Bruttes to-dreued weoren mid feole cunne bursten.
Þa ilke tweie broðeren speken heom bi-tweohnen.
and somneden þa cnihtes alle selest þa heom þuhte.
þa weoren wide to-floȝen ut of þan wiðer-uehte.
and somneden uerde wide ȝeond þan arde.
752
Þat iherde sugge Costantin þe king wes a-bolȝen
and sende his sonde wide ȝeond his londe.
and hirede hehte cume þan kingge to helpe.
Siȝen toward hirede ȝeonglinges snelle.
þritti þusend anan somned comen þrasten.
and þe king forð-rihtes makeden hom cnihtes.
Þa oðere cnihtes þer comen þa at þan fehte ar weoren.
þa hafde he to-somne sixti þusende.
Þat iherde bodien beien Moddredes sunen.
and nomen heom to rade and to som-rune.
þat þe an liðen wolde in-to Lundene.
and þe o[ð]er liðen wolde in-to Winchastre.
and þer heo wolden abiden þat þe king comen riden.
and wolden wið him fehten mid allen heore mehten.
A[h] þæ hit com to neode oðer weis hit eode.
Costantin gon liðe touward Lundenne.
Þat iherden bodien þeo þa burh biwusten.
hælden to-somne to heore hustinge.
heo nomen heom to rade and to som-rune.
þat heo wolden halden alle mid Costantin þan kinge.
and for-saken Modredes sune þæ þat morð wrohte
Modredes sune flah and in-to ane munestere teh.
And Constantin him after wende. and þer hine icæhte
þe king mid his sweorde þat hefd him of-swipte.
And þus þe king wordede wræð on his þonke
Liȝe þer þu laðe mon leof þu beo þan Sucke.
slæð heom aneouste al þat ȝe findeð þere.
mine wiðer-i-winnen weorpeð heom to grunden.
Þis slaht wes sone idon for moni mon þer wenden to.
Seoðen lette Costantin þe king wes on londe
blawen his bemen and bonnien his ferden.
and wende riht þene wai þe touward Winchæstre lai.
and forð ladde mid him þa Bruttes of Lundene.
and to Winchæstre comen and a-neouste binnen wenden.
Þat isæh Meleou þe wes Modredes sone.
754
and forð-riht anan wende forn to ane wefde.
Costantin braid ut his sweorde & þat hafde him of-swipte.
þat seint Anfibales weofd iwrað þer-of a blode.
and seoðen he lette slen alle Melaeoues men
Þeo wes Costantin king here of þessere kine-riche.
þa bigunnen blissen in Brutene to wunien.
her wæs grið her wes frið and freoȝ laȝen mid folke.
and ful wel heo[l]den þa ilke laȝen þat stoden on Arðures daȝen.
Ah þat ilke i-laste to lutele while.
for no ilast he buten feouwer ȝer his feond hine aqualde.
and his folc hine uerede in-to Stan-henge.
and þer hine leide bi leofen his aldren.
Seoððen wes Conan ihouen her to kinge.
þat wes þe for-cuðeste mon þet sunne here scean on.
Costantines suster sune his æm he biswac to deðe.
for he hefde rihte to þissere kine-riche.
Conan mid attere his æmes sune aqualde
He bigon un-frið. is men him fuhten wið.
and he gon sechien to his twam susteren.
alc burh i þan londe ferde al to sconde.
astured wes al þas þeode strong-liche swiðe.
Six ȝere ilaste þas særinesse on londe.
þa veol þe king of horse and fæi-sið makede.
wel wes al þis folke for his fæie-siðe.
Þa þis wes al ido þus þa i-warð king Uortiporus.
Þeo comen Sexisce men seilen to londe.
and muchelne harm wrohten biȝeonde þere Hunbren.
sloȝen & nomen al þat heo neh comen.
And Uortiporus þe hende sende after genge.
and ferede heom ouenon and feolde Sexisce men.
and monie þusend sente to þare se-grunde.
and þus he heom a-ferde and flemde of londe.
þat næuer seo[ð]ðen bi his daȝen ne lusten heom hider uaren.
756
And seo[ð]ðen nom þas riche Malgus þe reȝe.
þat was þe faireste mon wið-uten Adam & Absolon.
swa alse þe boc us suggeð þa æuere iboren weore.
Þes lette his hired dihte al wið o[h]te cnihten.
þuhten alle þes sweines swulche heo weoren þeines.
haueden alle his hired-cnafe ælches godes sweines laȝe.
Ne durste nauere nan vn-hende mon þas kinges hus isechen.
He biwun þa londes alle þa stoden him an honde.
Þa wes al þas Bruttene afeolled mid blisse.
þa bleden uorð comen ȝeond al þis kine-domen.
Þe king ne rohte of æhte ah al he hit ȝaf his cnihten.
no mihte no mon sugge of wundere na-mare.
þene wes mid þan kinge buten of ane þinge.
He luuede þane sunne þe lað is ure Drihtene.
þa wifmen heo for-soken to mare sunne heo token.
wapmon luuede wapmon wifmen heom laðe weoren.
swa þat monie þusende wenden of þissen lond.
wifmen swiðe feire ferden to oðere þeoden
for mucchel scome heo[m] þuhte þat wepmen heom ne rohte.
Þurh-ut alle cunnes þinge þis ilke wes a god kinge.
buten of þere sunne þat ich iseid habbe.
Þa com an of his cunne Carric wes ihaten.
and nom þisne kine-dom. and mid seorȝen wunede þer-on.
snel cniht wes Carric ah he nes noht iseli.
þat wes for un-leoden spilden al his þeoden.
Þeos king wes aðel Bruttisc mon hux and hoker me warp him on.
he for-lætte Carriches & Kinric hine cleopede.
and ȝet on feole bocken his nome me swa writeð.
Folc hine gunnen hænen folc hine gunne hatien.
and hoker loð sungen bi laðen þan kingen.
Þa bigon weorre ouer al þissen arde.
and Sexisce men sone. seileden to londe.
and herberȝe token a-neouweste bi-ȝeonde þere Humbre.
and þe king wæilien agon wide ȝeon þas þeoden.
læð he wes al folke þa him on lokede.
758
he wes an Aufrican Anster ihaten.
he hafde sonen tweien snelle cnihtes beien.
Gurmund hehte þe eldere & Gerion hehte þe ȝeongere.
Þe alde king deȝede his daȝes weoren aȝeongen.
he bitahte his sune Gurmunde selen his riche.
Ah Gurmund hit for-hoȝede and habbe he heo nolde.
and þohte al oðer and ȝef heo his bro[ð]er.
and seiden þat he nolde aȝen nane riche.
bute he heo biwunne mid wepnen and mid monnen.
ah mid compe he wolde aȝen kineriche.
oðer nauermare nolde he habbe nane.
Gurmund was kempe i-costned on mæine.
and he wes þe strongeste mon þæ æi mon lokede on.
He bi-gon to sende ȝeond al þan londe.
in-to Babilonie in-to Macedonie.
in Turkie. in-to Persie.
in-to Nubie. in-to Arrabie.
& bad alle þe ȝeonglinges ȝeond þa hæðene londes.
þat heo heom biȝeten wurðliche wepnen.
and he heom forð-rihtes wolden makien cnihtes.
and seo[ð]ðen mid heom wenden and fonden whar he mihten.
mid strongen kempen biwinnen kineriche.
Hit halde touward Aufrike of feole kuneriche.
monies riches monnes sune monie haðene gume.
comen to Gurmunde þan hæðene þringe.
Þa þis ferde wes isomned and his folc arimed.
þa weoren þer italde cnihtes swiðe balde.
an hundred and sixti þusend freoliche iwapned.
wið-uten heore scutten þa biuoren scolden scuuen.
wið-uten þan craftmonnen þe comen to Gurmunde.
Forð heo iuusden vnimete uerden.
to þare se wenden þa heo wind hafden.
in-to scipe halden haðene kempen.
Seouentene þer foren þat kinges sunen weoren.
þer weoren twenti and æhten of eorlene streone.
760
a formeste flocke wið-uten þa feoliende.
Forð flet mid vðe folc vnimete.
þa æit-londes allen þa heo biforen funden.
alle heo eoden an honde þan kinge Gurmunde.
moniane kinge he faht wið and alle heo ȝirnden his grið.
& alle þe londes he biwon þat he lokede on.
And þa a þan ende he com to Irlonde.
and þat lond he al biwon and aqualden þa leoden.
and wes icleoped king þere of þan kine-londe.
& seo[ð]ðen he gon wende in-to þissen londe.
seil heo droȝen to hune and comen to Suð-hamtune.
Þa wunede bi-ȝeonde þere Hunbre of Hengestes cunne.
in þan norð ende drenches sume sixe.
heo iherden tiðinde of Gurmund þan kinge.
ofte heo heom biþohte what heo don mihten.
hu heo mihten biswik[e]n Karic of his richen.
and Bruttes alle aquellen mid luðeren heore craften.
Sexisce men senden sonde to Karic þan king.
and seiden þat heo wolden wið hine grið i-wurchen
leofere heom weore to here Karic
þene Gurmunde. þan vncuðe kinge
ȝef he heom wolde gri[ð]ien þat heo mosten liuien.
& aȝeuen heom þat lond þat while Uortigerne þe king
Hengeste bitahte. þa he nom his dohter leoue
and heo him wolden senden gauel of þan londe.
halden hine for hehne king Karic heore deorling.
& þis heo him to-ȝeornden mid ȝislen to isoðien.
And Karic heom ilefde al heore leosinge.
and þis grið ȝette and dai heom sette.
Þa wes Karic biswiken al mid heore craften.
Karic auer seoðen Kine-ric he hehten.
al mid hoker-worden þe king heo for-husten
Karic ileouede to soðe Sexisce monne lare.
Vnder þan worden heo letten writ makien.
& senden heore sonden to Gurmunt þen kinge.
762
Hail seo þu Gurgmund hal seo þu heðene king.
heil seo þi duȝeðe hail þine drihtliche men.
We sunden men Sexisce selest of þan kunne.
þa Hengest of Sex-londe hider mid him brohte.
wunieð inne Brutaine bi norðe þere Humbre.
þu art heðene king we heðene kempen.
Karic is Cristine mon he is us lað forðan.
and ȝif þu wult al þis lond nimen to þire aȝere hond.
we wulleð mid þe uehten mid fullere strenðen.
and Caric of-slæn and alle his cnihtes flan
& setten al þis kine-lond a þire aȝere hond.
ȝif þu hit wult us a-ȝiuen we þe wulleð ȝelden.
sixti hundred punden to alches ȝeres firsten.
& we wulleð þine men bi-cumen to ȝislen sullen þe ure sunen.
And ȝif hit þi wille weore þat þu hider woldest wende.
þas forwarde makien and þas spechen uæstnien.
we wulleð ouer-al. atlien to þe seluen.
a watere and a londe halden þe uor kinge.
Þa bi-gon to spekene Gurmund þe kene.
Ȝarkieð mine scipen biliue forð ic wulle liðe.
Seiles heo up droȝen forð heo gunnen siȝen.
luken rapes longe. liðen forð mid uðen.
and swa heo gunnen wenden to Norð-humbre-londe.
and speken wið Sexisce men and sæhte i-wurðen.
and sworen þat heo wolden heore forward halden.
Þa weoren heo al an Gurmund and Sexesce men.
þa somneden heo uerde vnimete an ærde.
& ferde touward Karriche þan kinge of þissere riche.
and æuere heo sungen mid hokere of Kinriche þan kinge.
Caric his Bruttes gadere[de] and beide heom to-somne.
and him to wende al þat was on londe.
for rihtere neode nusten heo red betere.
Caric muchel folc hafde and ferde vnimete.
& ofte he com to compe to Gurmu[n]de kinge.
and ofte he him faht wið and neuere no ȝirde his grið.
and for heo hokerede him on he i-warð swiðe kene mon.
& ȝif he hafde genge efne wið Gurmunde.
Gurmund weore sone islaȝen his folc idon of lif-daȝen.
Ah æuere a þan ende wæx Gurmundes genge.
and æuere a þan ende feol Carriches genge.
Gurmund draf Carriche wide ȝeond þas riche.
764
and moni dæi þer biuoren he lette þider fusen.
al þat he hafde ihalden þat corn of þissen londe.
and þa walles fastnede wunder ane stronge.
Gurmund þet i-herde. and þider he gon ride.
and bi-læi Chirenchestre wið-utene swiðe faste.
And Gurmund al þis kinelond walde to his aȝere hond.
burȝes he for-barnde tunes he for-swelde.
Bruttes he aqualde balu wes on londe.
munekes he for-pinede on mani are wise.
þa riche wif he lette his hired-men makien to horen.
preostes he alle of-slæh alle þa chirchen he to-droh.
clærkes he aqualde alle þa he funde.
[e]che [child] he lette seoðe....
alle þa cnihtes. he lette hon forð-rihtes.
al þis lond for-ferde a ueole cunne wise.
Wulc wræcche folc swa mihte fleh ut of þeode.
su[m] to Wales wende sum to Cornwale.
sum in-to Neustrie þe hatte nu Normandie.
sum fleh bi-ȝeonden sæ in-to Bruttaine.
and gunnen wunien seoððe æn þet lond heht Armoriche.
& summe heo fluȝen to Irlonde for þan æie of Gurmunde.
and þer wuneden þeouwe inne þral-dome.
heo and al heore cun and her ne come nauere aȝen.
And þus losede Bruttes al þas kine-londes.
And Gurmund bilæi Chirenchestre abuten swiðe uaste.
and Caric wes wið-innen and moni of his monnen.
wa wæs þan leoden þe þa weoren on liuen.
Hit was in ane dæie þat Gurmund mid his duȝeðe.
dringes heðene riden a slatinge.
Þa com þer an gume riden to Gurmunde kingen.
he wes ihaten Isemberd inne France wes his ærd.
he wes Louweises sune þas kinges of þere þeode.
his fader hine hafuede ut idriuen. of al his kinerichen.
þat no moste he neouwar wunie on al his onwalde.
and he fleh to þissen londe to Gurmu[n]de kinge.
765
and Gurmunddes mon he bicom ne mihte he na wurse don.
for Crist seolue he for-soc and to þan Wursen he tohc.
and þer for[let]e he Cristindom and heðe-scipe nom him on.
And swa heo uoren beien mid mucle heore uerde.
and bi-leien Chirenchestre an elche halue wel faste.
Wel ofte Kariches men comen ut of burhȝen.
and ræsden an Gurmunde mid ræȝere strenðe.
and sloȝen of his folke feole þusende.
& senden heom to helle heðene hundes alle
Karic wes swiðe goud cniht and swiðe wel he heold his fiht.
and faste he heold Chirchestre mid strengðe þan mæste.
þat ne mihte Gurmund næuere mæren his ferde.
ar he lette heom mid ginnen biswiken wið-innen.
Gurmund castles makede abuten Chirenchestre.
þreo he bitahte þreom heðene cnihte.
him-seoluen he heol[d] þat ane. Isembard þat oðer
Gurmund makede ænne tur þer-inne he bulde ænne bur.
þer-inne he pleoȝede his plaȝen þa me luuede a þeon daȝen.
þer-inne he hafde his maumet þa he heold for his god.
Hit i-lomp on ane dæiȝe þat Gurmund mid his duȝeðe.
weoren swiðe bliðe and druncken of wine
Þa com þer an heðene mon a-waried wurðen he forþan.
and askede tidende Gurmunde þe kinge.
Seie me lauerd Gurmund þu art swiðe riche king.
heou longe wult þu beoȝie abuten þissere burȝe.
what wult þu ȝiuen me ȝif ich þe burh ȝiuen þe.
and al þat is wið-inne to don þine iwille.
þat noht no bið to leue al þu hit slat aȝe.
Þa andswarede Gurmund þe riche heðene king.
Ich ȝiue þe ane eorl-dom auere to aȝe.
wið þat þu a-neoste þe burh me bi-tache.
Þis for-ward wes imaked anan lut men hit wuste
Þa þes heðene cniht up aras forð-rit.
& nettes bi-sohte ibroiden swiðe narewe.
and þa tolen þer-to and cuht heom swiðe narewe.
þe biforen he gon ȝeoten draf and chaf and aten.
766
and he a þan uorme drahte swiðe monie he ilahte.
and he from þan grunde nom heom mid isunde.
þat alle heore whingen noht awemmed neoren.
Þa bi-sohte he nute-scalen and lette þe curneles ut draȝen.
& tinder nom and lette i þan scalen don.
& foren to þære nihte fur þer-on brohte.
and to þan sparewen uoten uaste heom icnutten.
Þeos he lette forð wenden swiðe ueole sparewen.
þa sparwen heore flut nomen & fluȝen to heore innen.
ȝeond þare burȝen þær heo ar wuneȝende weoren
i þan eouesen he grupen. swa heo duden in þen muȝen.
Anan swa þet fur wes hat swa þe sparewe innere crap.
þe wind com mid þere nihte and þat fur awehte.
and þa burh a feole studen gon hure to bernen.
an æst halue an west halue wa wes Brutten þere.
þenne heo wenden beon sikere and fluȝen in ane ende.
þenne aras þat fur anan bi-uoren and bi-hinden.
Gurmund lette blawen hornes & bemen.
fiften þusende þarsten to blase.
Bruttes for-burnen Bruttes gunnen irnen.
heo leopen ut of walle and me heom sloh alle.
Nes hit nohwhar iseid no a bocken irad.
þat æi folc swa feire swa for-fare weore
swa wes Caric and his genge. þe king wes of Bruttene.
Þa burh born alle niht þe brune wes vnimete.
þat feht wes sone idon þat fur heom eoden ouenon.
And Carrich king him isah þat he ouercume wæs.
þe king him gon crepen an heonden and a futen
swulc he mid un-sunde al uor-wunded weore.
and swa he swiðe stille bistal from his duȝeðe.
and west him gon wenden into þe Walsce londen.
& þas waiȝes he wende ut of þisse londe.
and nuste nauere na man whar Karic him bicom.
buten ænes an ane tide an cniht þer com ride.
767
þat he in Irlonde somnede genge.
and wolde mid fehte æft faren hidere.
Ah nuste nauere na man to whan þe þret him bi-com.
And þus wes Chirenchestre and his londes aweste.
and Gurmund ihouen to kinge of al þisse kine-londe.
for þenne þe burh wes biwunnen mid swulcches cunnes ginnen.
[mi]d sparewen þat beren þat fur & sparewen heo forbarnden
And feole wintere seoððen þat folc þa þer wunede.
cleopeden heo Sparewenchestre in heore leod-spellen.
and ȝet hit dude summe men to imuȝen þe alde deden.
And þus wes þa riche burh mid reouðen for-demed.
and Gurmund wes on londe iheouen her to kinge.
and Gurmund wes an heðene mon and for-dude þane Cristindom.
Þa þis wes al þus ifare þæ wes her sorȝe and muchel care.
Gurmund falde þa munstres and an-heng alle þa munkes.
of cnihten he carf þe lippes of madenen þa tittes.
preostes he blende al þis folc he scende.
ælcne bilefued mon he lette bi-limien.
and þus he gon to taken on and fordude al þisne Cristindom.
And seoððen he uor to Lu[n]dene to ane muchele hustinge.
þider gunnen siȝe alle Sex-leode.
þa wuneden i þissen londe mid Gurmu[n]de kinge.
and his men bicome mo[n]ie and vniuoȝe.
heom heold for-ward and aȝef heom sone al þis ærd.
of him to heoldenne and habben hine for kinge.
And þe king hehte al pa[t] hine lufede.
þat whar-swa heo mihten finde Brutttes i þissen londe.
þat hine anan sloȝen oðer mid horsen to-droȝen.
buten he libben wolden his lif in þral-dome.
and for-saken Godes mæsse and luuien hæ[ð]enesse.
þenne moste he libben. þeou a þisse londe.
Bisiden Allemaine is a lond Angles ihaten.
768
þa Gurmund an hond bitahte al þis kinelond.
alse he heom a forward hædde ȝif he hit biwunne.
Al his biheste he heom bilaste.
Of Englen heo comen and þer-of heo nomen nomen.
and letten heom cleopien ful iwis þat folc þat wes Ænglis.
& þis lond heo cleopeden Ængle-lond for hit wes al on heore honde.
Seo[ð]ðe ærest Bruttes bæhȝen to þissen londe
Brutaine hit wes ihaten of Brutten nom taken.
a þat þis folc com þa þisne nome. him bino[m].
And moniee of þan burȝen and monie of þan tunen.
and monie of þan londen. and of þan hamen
heo binomen heore namen al for Bruttene sceome
and nomen al þis lond and setten hit al an heore hond.
for Gurmund hit heom al ȝette & him-seolf aȝein wende.
Þa comen heo to Lundene to þan muchele hustinge.
and wolden ane king. makien to þissere kineriche.
Þa ne mihtte heom iwurðe. wha þis lond scolde aȝen
and to-wende mid alle a muchelere wraððe.
and fif kinges a-neouste. heo makeden in þisse londe.
And ælc nom of oðere al þat heo mihten.
ane while un-some and an oðere while isahte.
and þus heo wuneden here. an hundred and fif ȝere.
þat neuere com here Cristindom icud i þissen londe.
no belle i-rungen no masse isunge.
na ch[i]rche þer nes ihaleȝed. no child þer nes ifuleȝed
Þa wes inne Rome a pape of Godes dome
Gregori wes ihate. Godd seolf hine lufede
Þa wes hit in ane stunden þat þe pape wolde wenden.
þat he wolde [speden] an ane of his neoden.
Þa com he in are strete þat strahte to Rome.
þa isah he leden of Englisce leoden.
þreo swiðe fæire men faste ibunden.
770
Þa fræinede þa pape an-an of feiȝere þan monnen.
whonnene heo weoren & hu heo þare comen.
and of wulche stronde heo istroned weoren.
Þæ andswarede þe an þat wes a swiðe fair mon.
We beoð heðene men & hider beoð iladde.
and we weoren ut isalde of Anglene londe.
and fulluht we to þe ȝeorneð. ȝef þu us wult ifreoiȝen.
Þa[t] seiden men Anglisce aðele iborene.
Þa reousede Gregori Godd hine luuede.
and þas andsware saide þe pape wes isele.
Iwis ȝe beo[ð] Ænglisce. englen ilicchest.
of alle þan folke þa wunieð uppen uolde.
eouwer cun is feȝerest of alle quike monnen.
Þe pape heom freinede of feole tidinde.
of laȝen and of londen. and of þissere leodene kinge
and heo him al seiden soð þat heo wusten.
and he heom ureoiȝen lette and fulluht on sette.
and charde aȝein sone eft into Rome.
Anne cardinal cleopede i-coren of his uolke.
Austin wes ihotæn aðelest clærken.
þe pape him seide in his som-rune.
Austin þu scalt wende mid soð-fæste þonke.
in-to Engle-londe to Æðelberte kinge.
& beode þer Godes godd-spel þe scal spede ful wel.
And ich þe feouwerti bi-tæche wel gode clærkes.
Nu to-marȝen bið þe dæi þa þu scalt do þe i þene wæi.
Forð ferde Austin and his clærkes mid him.
þat him wes ful iwil at Tanette he com hider in.
& swa he up is iwend þat he com into Kent.
Swa he uorð to Cantuare-buri þer him þuhte swiðe muri.
þer he funde Aðelbert þat king wes a þan ærd.
Aðelberde he talde tidende of þan heoueneliche kinge.
he seide him þat godd-spel and þe king him luste swiðe wel.
wel he þat lar-spel under-nom an-eouste he ȝirnde Cristindom,
Iuulȝed iwar[ð] A[ð]elberd king and al his duȝeðe mid him,
772
a seinte Trinetðes nome wel wes þan kinge þeruore.
Þa iwende seint Austin vorð æst and west and suð and norð.
and seoððe þurh-ut Englelond. & turnde hit to Godes hond.
clærkes he lerde chirreches he arerde.
seoke men he helde þur Halindes mihte.
And swa he droh suð-ward þat he com to Dorchestre.
þer he funde þa wurste men þa on londe wuneden.
he talde heom Godes leore and duden him to scare.
he tahten heom Cristindom and heo grenneden him hon
Þer stod seint Austin. and his clærkes mid him.
and speken of Crist Godes sune al swa wes ær heore iwune.
þer heo iwurðen to to wraðere hele.
and nomen tailes of rehȝen
and hangede on his cape an elchere halue
and bi-halues urnen. and wurpen hine mid banen
and seoððe ȝeiden him on. mid ȝeomerliche stanen.
& swa heo hine gunnen sende an driuen hine ut of þan ende.
Seint Austin heo weoren lað and he iwrað swiðe wrað.
and he fif milen iwende from Dorchestre.
and com to ane munte. þe muchel wes & hende.
þer he lai on cneowe ibede and cleopede auere touward Gode.
þat he hine awreke a þan a-warriede uolke.
þa hine isend hafden mid heore scaðe deden.
Vre Drihte hine iherde in-to þere heouene.
and his wreche sende an wræstliche þan folke.
þa þe rihȝen tailes hangede a þan clarkes.
Þa tailes heom comen on. þer-uoren heo maȝen iteled beon.
Iscend wes þat mon-cun. muggles heo hafden.
and inne hirede ælches men cleopeð heom muglinges.
and euer-elc freo mon ful telleð heom on.
& Englisce freomen in uncuðe londen.
for þan ilke dede heo habbeoð neb rede.
and monies godes monnes sune in vncuðe londe.
þe nauere ne com þer neh. is icleoped cued
Austin him wunede vnder ane munede.
and his clarkes mid him eke. þeo comen of Rome
774
særimod and sorhfulle heom sceomeden wel sære.
þat þat vni-wraste moncun heom iscend hafden.
Þa wolde he þer-after sone. wenden to Rome.
and menen to Gregorie þan holi appostolie.
hu Dorchestre-seten hine gunnen greten.
Al swa he wes al ȝa[r]eou & wolde his wei uaren.
a þere ilke nihte þa at-eoden him ure Drihte.
and nemnede him his. rihte nome welle uain wes he þer-uore.
Whæt þenchest þu Austin what þenchest þu leof min.
Woldest þu þus sone faren aȝein to Rome.
No scalt þu noht ȝete fusen of londe.
þu ært swiðe leof me and ich wulle wunien mid þe.
and þu scalt iræd-liche in-to hefne-riche.
heofne is þe al ȝaru þider scal þi saulen uaren.
Þus spac ure Drihten wið Austin his cnihten.
Þa þe Austin under-ȝæt. whæt ure Drihten hæden isæid.
and he isah ure Drihte þe þus him bihehte.
and ure Drihten waht to heofene and Austin a cneowe heolde.
adun to þere uolde þer he iseh ure Drihten stonde.
weopende he cleopede to heuenliche kinge.
ȝeorne he bad are to þan almihtie Gode.
ær he mid alle ueolle adun to þere uolde.
A þan ilke stude þer stod ure Drihten.
þer he pihte his stæf him-seolf he cneoulede þer neh.
and his iueren he seide lar-spel and hit likede him ful wel.
Þa he isaid hauede þa sæȝen of ure Drihten.
his staf he nom an honde & wolde to his inne ȝeonge.
Up he læc þene staf þat water þer-after leop.
Þe ueȝereste welles stræm þe irneð on uolden.
Ær nes þer na tun no wunende na man.
Sone uolc gadere[de] to Austin þan gode.
and al bi his læuen þider gunnen liðen.
and bi-gunnen þer to bulden bi þan watere þa was hende.
Moni mon þer uætte hele þene stude he cleopede Cernele.
cerno cernis þat is Latin ful i-wis.
cerno an Englisc leoden ich iseo swa hit is iqueðen.
el is Ebreowisc þat is Godd ful iwis.
776
to þissere weorlde longe þe nome þer scal stonde.
al-se hit is iqueðen after Godes leoden.
þene stude to iwurðien þer stod ure Drihten.
and his engles mid him þa he spac wið Austin.
Austin wende wide ȝeond Englene londe.
he fullehtede kingge and heore here-dringes.
he fullehtede eorles he fullehtede beornes.
he fullehtede Englisce men he fullehtede Sexisce men
and sette an Godes honde al þat was on londe.
Þa wes he ful bliðe-mod þat folc he hafde iblissed.
Norð in Engle-londe Bruttes hæfden an honde.
muchel del of londe and castles swiðe stronge.
Þa Bruttes nalden þan Enlisce buȝen.
imong heom munekes weoren muchelere weorede.
Seint Austin funde inne þisse londe.
seouen biscopes to iwisse singende masse.
and enne ærchebiscop þe at Karliun at-sto[d].
and at Bangor wes a munecclif mid muneken uni-uoȝe.
Dionot hæhte heore abbeod he wes of heȝe monnen.
he hæfden on seuen hepen sixtene hundred muneken.
and ȝet ma þer-to munekes swiðe balde.
and of Bruttisce streonen stiðe imodede men
Writen sende Austin. to þan seouen biscopen
and hehte heom comen sone and speken wið him-seolue.
& don him hersumnesse and þurh him singen masse.
for he hauede an honde þa hehnesse of þissen londe.
he was icleopped legat of þissen londe he wæs primat.
& þas þinges weoren idone þurh þene pape of Rome.
Þas biscopes reiȝe weoren and andswere aȝeuen.
Ne beo we na-wit under him þe is ihaten Austin.
ah we beo on londe heȝe men and stronge.
and habbeoð ure irihte of ure arche-biscpe.
þe wuneð inne Karliun godd clarc and wel idon
þa haueð his cantel-cape on. of Gregorie þan pape
and mid wurð-scipe mucle haldeð his wike.
For no scal hit nauere iwurðen a þissere worlde-richen.
þat we auere buȝen Austine þan uncuðen.
778
For Austin is iboȝen hidere in-to þissen londe.
and haueð i-fulleȝed þene king Cantuaren aðeling.
Aðelbert ihaten heh inne Anglene.
and he hafueð ifunden here hundes heðene.
þa comen of Sexlonde mid Gurmu[n]de þan kinge.
þeo he alle fullehteð and to Gode fuseoð.
þeo haldeoð ure kinelond mid unrihte on heore hond.
Cristine we beoð alle and of Cristine cunne.
and ure elderne swa weoren agan is þreo hundred ȝeren.
& heo beoð neowene icumen and Cristindom habbeoð under-numen.
and Austin heom fullehteð and to Gode fuseoð.
For þan we hine hatiȝen uulleð & heren h[ine nulleð]
nauere to ure liue. no scullen we him wurðen liðe.
Þæs tiðende come to Austine sone.
hu þe biscopes hine scenden & wulc andsweore him senden.
and hu Bruttisce clerekes him seiden hokeres.
Þa wes he sari-mod and sorh-ful an heorten.
and fuse him gon sone and ferde to þan kinge.
and mænde to [Aðel]berte þan kinge of Æst-Angle.
hu Bruttissce biscopes hine grætte mid huxes.
and hu heo uorhoȝeden to halden hine for herre.
Þe king hine iwraðede wunder ane sweðe.
and saide þat he wolde aquellen heom a londe.
and swe he dude seoððe þer-after ful sone.
Aðelbert wes inne Kintte king of þan londe.
þa hafde he enne mæi Æluric wes ihaten.
inne Norð-humberlonde fur-cuðest alre kinge.
he radde al þa redes þat dede weoren þa biscopes.
þat heo weoren alle of-slaȝen and i-don of lif-daȝen.
Nu nuste noht Bruttes þere þat balu heom wes ȝiueðe.
Aðelbert sende sonde wide ȝeond his londe.
Æluric sende so[n]de ȝeond Norh-humberlonde.
heo somneden uerde mucle on arde.
& wolden þa Bruttes al for-don þa clærkes fordemen.
Heo uoren to Leir-chæstre and þa burh bileien uaste.
780
cniht mid þan bezsten wunede inne Leir-chastre.
Bruchi[n]al ut wende and ȝarewede his ferde.
and wende him ut to uihtes wi[ð] Aðelbertes cnihtes.
and sone wes him ouer-cumen and alle his Bruttes weoren inumen.
& swa heo gunnen þrasten into Leirchæstren.
sloȝen & nomen al þat heo neh comen.
and seiden þat heo wolden in-to Wales wenden
& slæn al þa Bruttes þa þer weoren bihalues.
Æluric luuede murie inne Leir-chastre.
Vnder þan ilke þinge comen to Æluric þan kinge.
munekes and eremite & canunes white.
biscopes and clærckes and preostes mid Godes mærkes.
and feolen to his foten and his grið ȝeornden.
and beden hine for Godes leoue leten heom beon on londe.
and ho him wolden foren bidden to þan heȝen kingen
Þa andswarede for-cuðest kinge.
Lusteð nuðe alle whæt ich sugge wulle.
wendeð ut a þan felde mid eower mon-werede.
and ich eou wulle word senden hu hit scal iwurðen.
and mine ræd-ȝiuen reden me wulleð.
Vt wenden munekes & þa masse-preostes.
vt wenden clærkes vt wenden canones.
alle ut wenden þa þer icumen weoren.
þes kinges grið to wilnien for lufe of Godd seolfne.
Wið-uten þere burȝe an ane uelde brade.
wes isomned þat folc sone sorȝe heom wes ȝefðe.
Aluric nom to rede þeh na [m]a[n] hine ne bede.
þat he al þas wolde feollen to þan grunde.
He sende forð-rihtes fif hundred cnihtes.
and niȝen hundred mid heom balde men afoten.
mid mucle wi-axen a þene ueld wenden.
and [mid] unrihtes sloȝen al þat heo neh comen.
Heo ualden to grunde fiftene hundred.
and fife and sixti anan. selere monnen.
boc-ilerede men balu wes on uolken.
782
Þa weoren on londe þreo heȝe men italde.
and al þa Bruttes anan halden to þan ilken.
Baldric þe kene eorl of Cornwale.
swa hehte þe an heh mon on londen.
he heold Deuene-scire al an his honde
alse þet water Desse wendeð into þere sæ.
Bruttes þat lond heolden wel swiðe longe.
a þat Aðestan þe stronge. þe king of þissen londe
heom binom þas londes alle. and drof heom ouer Tambre.
þat nauere heo þas kine-þeode seoððen no walde.
Inne Norð Wales wes a king Cadwan þe kene.
of Suð Wales Margadud monnen alre uæȝerest.
al þat lond sele into Sæuerne
from þan ufere ende þat wendeð in-to þare sæi.
Inne Maluerne aneouste Seuarne.
Margadud king wunede mid swiðe mucle uolke.
and Aðelstan him lað to þe king of þissere leode.
and heom heold swa harde & mid hærme heom igrette.
and dreof heom mid his wepnen ut ouer Weȝen.
and þat lond binom heom þat lið þer bi-twixen.
Seuerne and Weȝe no walden heo hit seo[ð]ðen.
Margadud & Baldric & Cadwan þe balde.
somneden ferde of folke unimete.
and foren uppen Aluriche þan kinge of Norð-humbre.
and hardliche wið him fuhten and his ferde felden.
Þer iwarð sone for-wunded ful sære.
þe king of Norð-humbre þat comp wes vnimete.
þer wes Baldric eorl anan mid bronden to-heouwen.
i þan compe þer ueollen ten þusend cnihten.
þurh steles biten baldere Brutten.
Anglisce & Sexisce seouentene þusend.
mid machen weoren to-heowen þa hep wes þa lassen.
Æluric him uorð heolde in-to Norð-humbre.
for-wunded swiðe sare sorhful wes his duȝeðe.
Comen i þissen londe to ane hustinge.
784
buȝen uorh mid heom al Brut-leoden.
to Leirchestre foren and þa burh nomen.
Þa hehten heo an hiȝinge cumen to hus-tinge.
al þat wolde libben inne þissere leoden.
Þer comen Ænglisce þer comen Sexise.
þer heo makeden to kinge Cadwan þene kene.
al hit him aloðede þat he on lokede.
þa weoren Æluriches wunden inne Norhhumbre
alle iheled. ah þe helðe was neoðered.
for lurre of his monnen and for his leodene uallen.
Æluric iherde from þes kinges hirede.
feole tidende of Cadwane kinge.
þrattes unimete of alre laðest monne.
Æluric sende sonde into Scotlonde.
and into Norð londe þer he cnihtes mihte uinden.
and after al þan uolke þe þer cumen mihte.
and bad heom heore helpes to heȝere neodes.
Cadwan gadere[de] uerde ȝeond alle þissen ærde.
and al of Wælisce londe comen to his honden.
and heolde hine forð seoððen to-ward Norð-humbren.
Aluric þis iherden and him toȝæines wenden.
þat nas heom bi-tweounen buten bare twa milen.
fusden þa uerden swulc heo wolden uehten.
Þa isæȝen eorles. þa iseȝen beornes.
biscopes þa iseȝen and boc-ilarede. men.
ȝif heo to-gadere comen & mid wepnen on-sloȝen.
þat þær sculde ualle moni beor[n] fæie.
Ofte heo biþohten what heo don mahten.
heo setten grið heo sette frið to anes dæiȝes firste.
heo speken heom to-somne & spileden bitweonen.
þat heo wolden alle þa kinges sehtnie.
Þer iwurðen sahte þa kinges beie tweien.
sæhte and some heo custen wel ilome.
þas kinges wel ilomen mid luue heom icusten.
eorl custe oðer swulc hit weore his broðer.
785
Æluric wes king on londe bi norðen þere Humbre.
and Cadwan wes king sele a suð half þere Humbre.
blisse wes on hireden mid balden þat kingen.
Næs hit isæid næuere an sæȝe no on leoðe.
þat mare luue weore ifunden bi-tweone twei kingen.
for þat þe an hafden þat heo hafden beien.
þe an heold þene oðer deorluker þene bro[ð]er.
Beien heo wifes nomen ofte heo to-gadere comen.
þa þe wifes iwedded weoren on ane time to bedde heo eoden.
æiðer mid his lufe wende toward heore wife.
he streoneden tweien sunen beien an ane timen.
beien an ane dæie heo weoren afte iborne.
to-gadere heo weoren ibredde to-gadere heo weoren iuedde.
Þa children wuxen and wel iðoȝen.
wel wes heore aldren
For to uæstnen þa luuen of leofuen heore uæderen.
to-somne me heom tahte to-somne me heom tuhte.
beien heo wereden anes kunnes iweden.
al swa duden þa children swa ær duden þa aldren.
swa mouchel luue heolden þat sellic þuhte monnen.
And þus heo wuneden here wel feole ȝere.
þat þæ children weoren muchele iwaxen.
riden uppen steden and luueden cnihtes iweden.
heore maines heo uondeden wel ueole siðen
heore armes weore stronge heo breken scaftes longe.
mid longe sweorden heo smitten þa ȝifen smærte biten.
Heore uaderes þa comen mid mucle faȝernessen.
inne Bruttaine mid muclere blisse.
þa ȝet þat lond-riche hehte Armoriche.
þa ȝunge men me dubbede beiȝene to cnihte.
Wið an luttel ȝeren þa uaderes dede weoren.
and þa twa children weoren ihouen to ki[n]gen.
æiðer heold his i-cunden swa duden ær heore ældren.
Þæ wes inne Cantware-buri þa burh wes þa swiðe muri.
an ærche-biscop þe wes mon swiðe god.
786
a þat hin-seolf comen and setten hine an heore hafden.
Þat bod wes ihalden a þas ærchebiscopes onwalden.
and Cadwadðal his lond haueden a þis hælue þere Humbre.
and Edwine al bi-ȝeonde touward þan norð ende.
kinges heo weoren ihouene & kinges isworene.
ah for-bode wes þa crune an ure Drihtenes nome.
Cadwalan þohte. þe wes Cadwanes sune.
ofte he hine bi-þohte what he don mahte.
seoððen heore faderes beiene forð weoren i-farene.
Næfde þa seht-nesse ilast buten seouen ȝere urist.
Cadwalan hefde castles swiðe monieȝe.
and þe riche-dom stod mære on Cadðwalanes hond.
Cadwaðlan gon liðe in-to Londene.
he sende men gode after þan erchebiscope.
and hehte ful sone þat he to Lundene come.
Þa he to Lundene com iqueme hit wes þan kingen.
þe king auoten eode to-ȝeines þan erche-biscope.
wið-uten his halle dure and sæide Þu art wilcume.
& leof-liche hine bihedde & lauerd hine cleopede.
He aȝaf ure Drihten ælchere irihten.
he spac of feire lære & al of Godes are.
his spechen weoren gode wið þan ærche-biscope.
Þe king hine bi-þohte feire & swiðe ofte.
þat he on his icunde king hine makede.
To ane isette dæiȝe. þat folc þær i-somnede.
þer mæCadwaðlan sone makede to kinge.
muchel wes þa blisse þat wæs in þære burȝe.
Of þisse uare-coste Adwine na-þing nuste.
a[h] sone swa he hit wiste wrað he wes an heorte.
and seide auere wið and wið Ich wulle makien un-frið.
and al ic wulle aquellen þat ich quike uinde.
of Cadwaðlanes uolke ualsest alre monne.
Uerde he go[n] gaderen of feole þusend monnen.
he hehde ituht to herie a þas half þære Humbre.
Eoden heom to ræde cnihtes swiðe gode.
alle þa wiseste men þa weore inne londe.
heo lerden Edwine king þe wes heore lauerd.
788
& bisohte hine uæire alse his leofe broðe[r].
and for þere muchele luue þa heolde heore aldren.
þat hine letten king beon and his kine-halm avon.
and he wolde aȝein wenden heom to his folke
ouer þere Humbre. and grið þær halden
and ner æft a-ȝen teon. wið þan he moste king beon.
ihouen and ihalden þurh þene heȝe Godd.
and he wolden bi his liuen Cadwalain luuien.
and beon ȝaru to his neode an ælchere þeode.
Þis iherde Cadwalan þe king wes bi suððen.
and he andswerede mid aðelere speche
Nu ich iherd habbe [wordes wise
of Edwine his bisocne] þe is mi broðe[r] deore.
ich me bi-ræde wulle of swulchere neode.
and after ane lutel daȝen him andsware ȝeuen.
whaðer he hit wolde iunne oðer him for-beode.
hu swa his riche men ræden him wolden.
Þe dæi wes isæt a[h] lutel mon wes þe bet.
Þa þis al wes iwurðen þa comen heo to ane uorde.
Duglas þa water wes ihaten þer heo tou-wenden.
þer wes þa motinge bituxe þan twam kinge.
Ædwine bisohte mid alle þat he mahte.
þat Cadwalan him þolede kine-helm to beberene.
and he hine wolde luuien a to his liuen.
Riche men eoden to ræde of swulchere neode.
summe hit gonnen ræden summe to for-beoden.
summe þer heolden wel to summe nolden hit no.
Þa while þa cnihtes wise þa spechen sculden rihte.
þe king in are medewe alihte of his stede.
þan kinge luste slepe þa riche weoren at rede.
Com þer a bur-cniht.
he wes þes kinges suster sune Brien hehte his nome.
he nom his lauerdes hefd þe leof him wes on uolke.
in his bærm he hit læide & his lockes he to-scædde.
Þe king him gon to slæpen and Brien gon to wepen.
790
and þe king awoc of slepen wete weoren his wongen.
he grapede an his nebbe he wende þat hit bledde.
and bisæh uppen Brien mid braden his lechen.
Þa isah he of Brien his teres ut luken.
sære gon þe kempe wepen ouer kinge.
Þa axede þe king anan Cadwalan ihaten.
Whæt is þe leofe mæi þat þu swa wepest to-dæi.
þu ært ihalden kene gume hauest þu nu quene þeouwes inume.
Sæiȝe me biliue hu þe beon on siðe.
Brien þa andswerede cniht mid þan bezste.
Nu we maȝen wepen [mi]d wanliche i-beren.
halden us for hæne þer we weoren heȝe.
Nu þu wult under-uon þat nauer ær nes idon.
tweien kinges halden kine-helmes on londen.
Nuðe we scullen wepen þæ ær richen weoren.
for wurðscipe ualleð adune þer wes ær wunne.
Cadwadlan þis iherde þe king wes on londe.
and iwærð him abolȝe bitter ane swiðe.
and a-neouste sende sonde to Edwine kinge.
and hehte hine hihȝenliche uaren of his riche.
For ne scal he nauere bi mine quiken liuen kine-helm broken.
and ȝif he hit wul auon ich hit wulle wernen.
and ic hine biræuien wulle at his baren liue.
& nimen al Norð-humberlond to mire aȝære hond.
and walden al his riche and he scal wurðen hene.
Þas tidende me brohten to Adwine kinge.
& he iwræð abolȝen wunder ane swiðe.
swa bið a bar wilde
þenne he bið in holte. bi-stonden mid hunden
and þas andsware kende. wraðest alre kingen.
Swa me helpen Drihten þa scop þas dæiȝes lihten.
and þa halidomes alle þa wunieð inne Rome
kine-helm ich wulle bruke & he hit scal abugge.
and þer-uore ibiden bitterest alre balewen.
he scal habben paþes weste and wildernesse inoȝe.
and moni mod-sorhȝe his monscipe scal ualle.
Al swa hit ilomp suððe þær-æfter ful sone.
Æiðer þratte oðer swiðe and þruste mid worde.
792
Ædwine wes kempe his men weoren kene.
Cadwaðlan wes cniht god and he hafde muchel mod.
Edwine wende ouer Humbre and Ca[d]waðlan to Lundene
þas kinges weoren wraðe. þa a-ræs þa weore
Heo riden and heo arnden. heo herȝede and heo barnde
heo sloȝen & heo nomen al þat heo neh comen.
wa wes þan beondes þa on londe wuneden.
Cadwalan wes inne Lundene and somnede his leoden.
wide he sende sonde ȝeond feole kine-londe.
he hafde on his ferde fifti þusende.
here-kempen heȝe to hermen swiðe kene.
Adwine bi norðe his writen nom aneouste.
and sende in to Denene
to Galwaðe & to Scot-lond. þat stod on Edwines hond.
he somnede uerde ȝeond. alle his ærde.
þat he isomned hafde sixti þusende.
cnihtes swiðe kene wode to uihte.
Cadwaðlan gon liðe ut of Lundenne.
touward Norð-humbre hærmes he wrohte.
he for ouer Humbre hiȝen-liche swiðe.
and bigon to westen þat lond þat stod on Edwines hond.
Þa wes Edwine king ærhðen bideled.
and he forð-rihtes spac wið his cnihtes.
Wurðe for niðing þe mon þe nule hine sturien.
habben bares heorte and remes brede.
cuðen þan kinge þat we quiken sunde.
He lette blawen bemen and bonnien his uerden.
forð he gon wende þat he com to þan ende.
þer þe king Cadwaðlan wunede on cumelan.
To-gadere gunnen resen þeines riche.
breken speren longe sceldes brastleden an honde.
heouwen heȝe helmes scænden þa brunies.
feollen ærm kempes æmteden sadeles.
drem wes on uolcke. þa eorðe gon to dunien
urnen þa brockes. of reden blodes.
feollen þa folckes falewede nebbes.
Bruttes gunnen breoðen balu wes on uolken.
794
riht to þan euening þa fleh Cadwalan þe king.
and Edwine him after gende mid allen his imihten.
Alle niht Cadwalan flah mid his cnihten.
nefden he of his ferde buten fif hundred cnihten.
heo fluȝen to Scotlonde sorhen heom com on honde.
And Edwine after an-non. mid fiftene þusend monnen.
baldere þeines heore beot wes iuorðed.
Fulede þere uerde folc unimete.
from dæiȝe to daȝe þene king heo gunnen driuen.
soð is on þan spellen heo þohten hine aquellen.
Cadwaddlan flæ[h] to þere sæ scipen he þer funde.
þa scipen heo gunnen hure mid ahten swiðe deore.
into Irlonde þa scipen gunnen wende.
hauene heo þer nomen isund þa scipen comen.
Þa ahte Irlond a king þat wes swiðe strong.
he hehte Gille Patric god king i þan rich.
he underfeng Cadwadlan faire mid his cossen.
and ȝaf him wickinge ȝeond Irlonde.
Lette we nu beon Cadwaðlan. and ga we to Edwine aȝan.
Edwine in þissen londe a-marden þas leoden.
burȝes he barnde castles he ualde.
his here wrohte on londe harmes vniuoȝe.
al Cadwaðlanes lond he walde to his aȝere hond
Þa comen hauweres to hirede þas kinges.
and seiden tidende Edwine kinge.
wa wrðe heom for þon þat heo iboren weore.
saȝen heo him sæiden of ane mæidenne.
þat wes Briennes suster hende ueirest wifmonne.
heo wunede i Winchæstre inne þan castle.
And Edwine mid his ferde þider-ward wende.
sone swa he þider com mid strenðe he heo nom.
ladden heo to Eouuerwic anan cnihtes swiðe wel idon.
to bure me ladde to þas kinges bedde.
Þe king dude vnwisdom þat he þat ilke maide nom.
for þe wifmon a wes þes ilke kinges iua.
Þa wunede i þan hirede an clarc þe com from Spaine.
796
feole craftes he cuðe þa he isah in þan lufte.
on sterren and on sunne and on þare sæ brade.
in-siht he cuðe a winde and a mone.
of þan uisce þer he wlæt and of wurmen þer heo crepe.
Cadwaðlan in Irlonde gadere[de] genge.
and to scipe flutte mid muchelre uerde.
Pelluz swiðe ueorre isah on þan sterre.
þat ferde cumen wolde uppen Ædwine kinge.
and Pelluz hine lerde
hu he þas leoden mihtte. alre bezst bi-witen
Ba bi londen and bi scipen. Cadwaðlan and his men
ofte gunnen fusen. to cumen to þissen londen.
biuoren wes æuere Edwine and þa hafne heom for-warnde.
þurh Pelluces lare ne mihten heo cumen here.
Wa wes Cadwalan þat he wes on liuen.
for he bigon þene swike-dom uppen his sweord-broðe[r]en.
and þer-uore him-self hafde hærm þene meste.
Cadwalan him to cleopede his bezste cnihtes alle.
and seide þat he wolde wende to Brutaine.
and þene king iseon þe Salemon wes ihaten.
an heorte him weore þe selere for heo weoren isibbe.
heo weoren of ane cunne þa kinges beiȝe tweien.
Bruttes heo weoren beine ah swiðe heo weoren un-balde.
Cadwaðlan to scipen com and seh forð mid uðen.
and seilede after vðe unsel him wes on mode.
to ane æit-londe heo bicomen þat stondeð bi Gernemuðe.
likede swa heom likede þer heo gunnen wikie.
þer heo abiden wederes for þe wind heom stod to-ȝæines.
Þa iwarð þe king þere isæcled ful swiðe.
and hafde þat uuel hate binumen hi[m] wes þa hele.
Þa niȝen dæȝes weoren aȝeong þe king wes swiðe un-strong.
þa wes he wræccheliche of-lust after deores flæsce.
Brien his mæi he cleopede and sone hit him cudde.
þat buten he hafde deores flasc anan dæd he moste þolien.
Ofte wes Briene wa and neouuere wurse þene þa.
798
ȝeond wudes & ȝeond feldes heo uerden bi-lifes.
þurh nanes cunnes ginne no mihten heo deor iwinne.
nouþer heort no hinde no mihte heo nauere ifinde.
Þe king sende his sonde after Brien þa wes to longe.
Leof was þe king Briene wa wes him on liue.
Ofte he hine biðohte what he don mahte.
and biþohten him enne ræd seoððen he þohten him swi[ðe] god.
he igrap a nail-sax sel-liche kene. and wel iwhæt.
and feng him-seolue swa neh þat he nom his aȝe þeh
for unimete neode þer-of he makede brede.
he bredde heo an hiȝinge and brohte heo þan kinge.
Hail seo þu Cadwaðlan þu ært mi kine-lauerd.
ich habbe þe here i-broht breden alre deorest.
þat ich auere an æi borde beren bi-uoren kinge.
held me to and æt her-of sone þin hele heo scal iwurðen.
Þe king sæt on his bedde his beornes hine biheolde.
of þere brede he æt sone þer-after him wes þæ bet.
Þe king him gon to sweten þat ufel hine gon for-leten.
wið-innen þan fif niht þe king iwræð fere forð-riht.
swa næuer þe king nuste whæt he inoted hafde.
Þe king iwræð al uere his folc iwarð bliðe.
wind heom com on wille heo wunden up seiles to coppe.
scipen gunnen liðen leod-scopes sungen.
Ba weoren sehte sæ & þa sunne.
wind and þa wide se ba eke isome.
flod ferede þa scipen scopes þer sungen.
At Ridelæt he com alond þer wes blisse & muche song.
bitwixe Dinan & þere sæ ȝet hit is isene.
Sone swa he þer com feire he wes under-uon.
þa kinges weoren bliðe beiene to-gaderes.
þer wunede þe king al þene winter a skenting.
þer-after com leinten and dæȝes gunnen longen.
þer heo gunnen somnien scipen uniuoȝen.
folc unimete grunden an uolde
Þus dude Cadwalan and Peluz hit wuste a-nan.
þurh his dweomer-cræften þe wunede in þan lufte.
800
þurh ælches cunnes þing he warnede æuere Ædwine king.
and dude him al to witen of þare uerde & of þan scipen.
Cadwaðlan wes in Brutaine mid Salemone þan kinge.
þe wes his moddrie sune and muchel hine. lufede.
& þat iherde suggen wel feole siðen.
þat Pelluz þe hende þe com ut of Spaine.
warnede Edwine þene king æuer þurh alle þing.
of feole cunne þinge þat him weoren to cumene
Caðwaðlan þan gode. wa wes on mode.
and ofte spæc wið Brien þe wes his deoreste mon.
and nomen heom to rede and to som-rune.
þat alle þa while þe Pelluz weore alife.
no mihte Cadwaðlan comen to þissen londe.
mid nauer nare lisse þat Edwine hit nuste.
Brien bonnede his fare Brien hafde mucle care.
nom him an honde of seoluer and o golde
maðmes unimete moniare cunne.
nom he tunnen gode and þa æhte dude þer-inne.
To þære sæ he wende and seilede mid vðe.
he hafde on his uore wintunnen inoȝe.
on sæ and on londe his win he lette fonden.
and on alle wissen he toc him on swulc he weore a chepmon.
In he wende at Barbe-fleot and at Suð-hamtune up a-leop.
þer he ut draȝen lette win of his tunne.
and hendeliche hit delde alle þare duȝeðe.
þa him abuten weore riche and henen.
and alle luuede þene chapmon þa him lokede on.
V[m]be seouennihten he spac wið his cnihten.
alle weoren his iueren swulc heo chapmen weoren.
and eorð-hus heo hureden stið biwaled on eorðen.
heo cluseden þer wið-innen alle heore win-tunnen.
heo scupten heore lauerde ænne nome neowe.
heo hahten hine Kinebord ut of Spainisce ard.
He saiden þat he wenden wolde wide ȝeond þissen londe.
& fondien wher he mihte his win sullen on wille.
Forð he wende bi nihte. mid one of his cnihte.
802
and aneouste gunnen wende on-fast Westmustre.
and fraineden tiðinde of Edwine kinge.
Sone men him talde soð þat heo funde.
þat þe king in Eouerwic wnede mid allen his folke.
mid muchere blisse men he hafde inoȝe.
Brien gon to farene uorð mid ane iuere.
ut of Lundene derneliche he liðede.
þene wæi touward Eouuerwike wrað on his mode.
Þa he iuaren hafde fulle seouen nihte.
þa imette he enne pilegrim pic bar an honde.
hiȝend-liche þe com from þas kingges hirede.
Brien hine gon fræine of his fare-coste.
þe pillegrim him talde al þat he wolde.
Wið him warfte Brien al his iweden
and æiþer gon liðe þider him to luste.
Brien enne smið funde þe wel cuðe smiðie.
and saide þat he wes pelegrim ah pic nefden he nan mid him.
þene þridde dæi þer bi-fore at his inne he wes forlore.
His fore-ward he makede þe smið gon to smiðeȝe
ane pic swiðe long swiðe muchel an swiðe strong.
sw[ið]e scarp wes þe pic þe staf wes swiðe sellic.
Þene staf he nom an honde and ferde ouer þan londe.
þat he com sone liðe to þas kinges hirede.
Brien eode upward Brian eode dun-ward.
ne mihte he iheren word of his suster nan.
no he uraini ne durste for þes kinges folke.
Þa hit wes dai a-marȝe þat Drihten hine sende.
þe king lette feden alle þa neode hafden.
alle þe blæðe þe wuneden on þe burȝe.
me heom hehtte on-neouste cume to þan castele.
bi þusend and bi þusunde þræsten gunnen binward
Brien wenden binne mid oðer wrecche monnen
his lætes weoren alle. swulc he lome weore.
alle his hateren weoren to-toren. nas he noht to þan iboren.
Þe an hine putte hider-ward and þe oðer hine putte ȝeond-ward.
uncuð him wes swiðe swulc craft on folcke.
his pic he heold bi-siden and sat imong þan oðeren.
804
þæ quene bar to drinken & alle hire bur-lutlen.
Þa i-lomp hit seoððe þe[r]-after ful sone.
þat Galarne þat maiden com hire ȝeongen.
bolle heo hafde an honden þer-mide heo bar to dringen.
þa isæh heo Brien þer deore hire broð[er].
on wræcches monnes liche þeh he weoren riche.
Anan swa þat maiden hine i-sæh sone heo him to bæh.
and droh of hire uingre an of hire ringe.
and salde him an honde ænne ring of rede golde.
and þus sæide Galerne þat god-fulle maide.
Haue þis gold wræcche Godd þe wurðe milde.
and buȝe þe þer-mide hateren þat wið chele þe maȝen werien.
Þa wuste he to soðe þat his suster icneou hine.
& þas word seide Brien þe sele.
For-ȝelde hit þe Drihten þe sop þas daȝes lihten.
þat þu þissen lome monne ȝiue of þine golde.
Ymong þan wrecche uolke þat maiden heo hudde.
bitwxen twam wi[n]dewen þat maiden iwarð an selden.
and spæc wið hire broðren þa bet hire wes on heorten.
and talden him tiðende al of þas kinges hirede.
and heo him tahte Pelluz þene clarc þe com from Spæine
and he lokien agon in læðest alre monne.
Þa heo to-gadere hafden ispeken. sone heo gunen to-delen.
for nauer neoðer nalde for his æfne wiht of golde.
þat þe king hit wusten þat heo to-gaderen weoren.
for sone heo weoren for-don ba oðer of-slaȝen oðer an-hon.
Þat folc hafden alle iȝeten and arisen from heore seten.
dremeden drunkene men dune wes on folke.
Pelluz wes aneoste and ȝemde þene nap.
Brien him atlede to for he hafde him ful wa ido.
his pic he nom an honden & helede hine under capen.
swa longe he gon atlen þat he com him baften
and imong al þan þrunge þærsten him i þan ruge.
þat he brac ut bi-foren under his breosten.
And forð he bi-wafde þene pic he bilæfde.
806
and wende him a-neoste of þas kinges hirede.
æuere forð þene wæi suð-riht alse he læi.
Þa he þus hafde idon to Axcetre he bi-com.
þer he funde forð-rihtes monie of his cnihtes.
and frei[ne]den ȝeorne of his leod-kinge.
And Brien heom gon tellen þat wil-spelles weoren.
and seiden þat Cadwaðlan cumen wolde anan.
mid swa muchele uerde of feole cunne ærde.
þat ne durste Edwine king cumen to-ȝæines him naðing.
no in nauer nare burȝe ne durste he him ibide.
Þat iherde Deuene and þa men of Deorchestre.
and þan Cornwælscen wel heom wes on liuen.
Brien sende his s[o]nde ouer sæ to Brut-londe.
and dude þan kinge to witen aiðer bi worden and bi writen.
of alle his deden and þat Pelluz wes on deðen.
and bad hine an hihȝende comen to þissen londe.
& þe king duden swa swa swiðe swa he mæhte.
And Brien sende sonde in-to Suð-ham-tune.
and longien him to lette his maðmes leoue.
& alle þa beornes anan þe buȝen him to wolden.
comen aneouste in-to Exchæstre
and stið-imodede men þa burh gunnen walden.
Cadwalan þat iherde þe king wes ful bliðe.
and inne Brutaine bonnede ferde.
þat he þreo hundred hauede hæȝere scipene.
and al he hafden þer-to þat heom bihouede.
And þe king Salomon wide gon sende.
and forð he gon liðen mid his Brutleoden.
þat is to iwitene mid twa hundred scipene
to helpen his cunne Cadwaðlan kinge.
Weder stod an wille wind mid þan bezste.
heo rihten heore loues and up droȝen seiles.
liðen ouer sæ-stræm swa sel þuhte heom.
Þa comen he to Tottenes beien þa kinges
Selemon þe sele and Cadwalan þæ kene
þat lond-folc wes bliðe for heore leod-kinge.
808
he biwuste a þan daȝen þat folc of Merchene laȝen.
and he lufde Edwine Edwine lufde hine.
and euere he wolde reden Edwine to his neoden.
And Penda iherde suggen soðere worden.
þat Brien heold Exchestre biclused wið-innen. faste.
and þe king Penda. wide gon sende þa.
and sumede uerde. and forð him fusen
& wenden to Exchastre. mid vnimete genge
and bilæi uul faste þa burh of Exchestre.
Brien þe wihte mid twa hundred cnihte.
wes þer wið-innen and þa burh wereden.
Sone þa tidende icumen wes to þære hauene of Totenes.
to Caðwalane kinge hu Brien wes bi-þrungen.
he lette blawen bemen and bonnien his ferden.
& ferde æuere þene wæi þæ touward Exchestre lai.
and delde a þreo ulockes his duhtie cnihtes.
and þus cleopien a-gon þe king wes abolȝen.
Æuer-ælc god cniht faren heom to forð-riht.
for we beoð cnihtes gode. mid wepnen wel idihte
arude we Brien. þe is min ibore mon.
For ȝif heo nimeð Brien heo hine wulleð aquelen.
and seoð[ð]en heo wulleð hine a-hon and alle his i-feren for-don.
& us þer-after sone mid alle heore imæhte.
To heo gunnen riden gæres heo letten gliden.
breken bræde weiȝes brustleden scaftes.
gold-uaȝe sceldes scanden bilifes.
feollen þa cnihtes faleweden nebbes.
ȝeond þan feldes wide swulten men uæiȝe.
blod orn in þe weiȝe strames swiðe brade.
þer neoren eorles no wurðer þene cheorles.
Þer weoren þa of-slæȝene seouen þusend fulle.
Marcchisce monnen þa þer icumen weoren.
þa falden heo adune. heremarken uaȝe.
810
Þa sette to fleme alre ȝeomerest folke.
and Cadwalan after heom mid allen his imahten.
& mid his aȝene honden nom þene king Pendan.
he wes Mærwales fader Mildburȝe alde-uader.
Pendan heo nomen and duden hine i benden.
wið-innen Excestre and biwusten hine wel faste.
Swa sellic hit ferde in alle þan uahte
þat nas Pendan þe king amarred nanes kunnes þing.
and Cadwalan hine biwuste wel þurh alle custe.
and fæire heo hine uedde and faire he eode to bedde.
Þa weoren agan seouen nih[t] þa nom Pendan enne cniht.
þe wes swiðe wis mon and wel cuðe speken
and cleopede hine to rade and seide him of his neode.
and ȝeorne hine bisohte for lufe of ure Drihte.
þat he speke wi[ð] Cadwalan þe wes his kine-lauerd.
þat he hine griðede þurh þene Godd heȝe.
and he wolde bi-cumen his mon his mon-scipe hæhȝen.
dæiȝes and nihtes he and al his cnihtes.
Þe cniht him forð wende to Cadwalane kinge.
þer he hine imette and fæire hine igrette.
and dude alse god mon sel him wurðe for þan.
for a is on treowe monnen treouðe ihalden.
[H]al s[eo] þu Cadwalan þu art mi kine-lauerd.
Þe ibundene king Penda hider me gon sende.
& ȝerneð þine ære nu and auere-mære.
and he wulle þi mon bi-cume and to ȝisle seollen þe his sune.
and of þe his kine-lond halden and for lauerd þe ikenne
& on ælchere þeode beon ȝaru to þine neode.
he wule beon þi mon icoren aȝein ælcne mon iboren.
Þa andswærien agon mid aðelen his worden
Cadwalan þe kene. þe king of Suð-londe.
Ȝif Penda wolde halde þat he me bi-hateð to don.
and bitechen me his sune his gold and his gærsume.
& treouwe mon auere beon & neouwar min herm iseon.
& likede swa him likede næue[re] me bi-swike.
ich me biræden wolde of swulchere neode.
Þer anan forð-riht andswarede þe gode cniht.
812
and habbeon to iueren an hondret rideren.
uppen alle ure londe uppen seoluer and uppen golde.
And swa ich bide are ȝet he wulle mare.
ane suster he haueð hende in þan æst ende.
nis nan feirure wifmon þa whit sunne scineð on.
þe king of France Leouwis ȝirneð hire ful iwis.
and he wulle hire to morȝeue þene Mans bitæchen.
and habben heo to quene þat mæiden Helene.
And ich suggen þe to soðe þæh ich þi bro[ð]er weore.
æuere þe is selere þi-sulf þat þu heo habbe.
þurh hire þu miht biwinnen lufe of hire cunnen.
and iwinnen al þi kine-lond to þire aȝere hond.
and wunien on londe and walde þine riche.
Þa andswarede Cadwalan þe king wes on londen.
Hit is on mine rede to don þat þu bede.
Ȝif þu miht under Criste þis forward me ileste.
ich þe ȝeuen to hure al Deuene-scire.
al for Heleine lufe hiȝendliche let heo cume.
Þe cniht him gon wende mid muchelere genge.
to þan castle of Deoure on þere sæ oure.
he nom þer Helene wunder-liche & fæire.
and forð he heo ladde in-to Wi[n]chæstre
þer wes muchel blisse burh-men weoren bliðe.
Þer þe king Cadwalan com him to-ȝeines heom.
he weddede þat mæiden & nom heo to his bedden.
þe[r] wes wif-ðing riche and vnimete blisse.
Þa hit wes dæi a-marȝen. & duȝeðe gunnen sturien.
& þe king iuæstned hafde alle his forwarde.
þa nom he muchele genge and after Penda sende.
þer he wes ful faste in þan castle of Æxchæstre.
and mid muche lufe hine hehte cumen to Lundenne.
Penda to Lundene com he wes aht-liche under-uon.
and Cadwalan þe kene mid lufe hine custe.
and Penda bicom his mon þer his monscipe wes þe mare.
þa weoren Lundenisce men bliðest arle leoden.
814
Cadwalan gan liðe wide ȝeond þis londe.
alle þa hine lufeden he heom gon griþien.
alle þa him heolden wið he bi-nom heore lif
and heore leoden and al þat heo leof hafden.
and hiȝend-liche gon wende tou-ward þere Humbre.
and gon þat lond westen mid hærmen þan mæsten.
Þat iherde Edwine and alle þat luueden hine.
swiðe heo gunnen dreden of Cadwalanes deden.
Edwine nom his sonde. and senden to Sex-londe.
he sende in-to Denene he sende in-to Noreine.
in-to Wellisce londe. in-to Scotlonde.
in-to Orcaneiȝe. in-to Galwaiȝe
in-to Is-londe. in-to Fris-londe.
in-to Gutlonde þer gumen weoren kene
he bed heom cumen sone mid wepnen wel idone.
to driuen ut þa Bruttes þe bisie weoren to harmes.
and þenne he Bruttes hæfden mid bronden to-hæuwen.
he wolde al þis kine-lond setten an heore hond.
bute þat he icleoped weore king of þan londe.
he wolde þere duȝeðen þis lond al to-dalen.
Ah he ful lutel wuste what ilomp seoððe.
Comen touward londe touward Edwine kinge.
bi sæ & bi londe feole cunne leoden.
þer comen seouen kinges and six sunen kinges.
seouentene eorles and sixti þusend beornnes.
Næs he boren nauere in nauer nare burhȝe.
þe mihte in æi spelle þat oðer uolc telle.
nas hit nauere isæid no on bocken irad
þat æuer ær weore æi swa muchel ferde.
æuere in Ængelonde þurh ænie king to-gadere.
Edwine gon to uarene mid mucle his ferde.
and Cadwalan after wende mid unimete folke.
Þe stude hehte Hæd-feld þer heo at-stoden. under scelde.
twelf milen is þe wald. þe is ihaten Heð-feld.
Edwine an his ende his teldes alle sette.
his marken & his mare and eke his mon-weorede.
and Cadwalan þe kene him com to-ȝaines sone.
816
Heo fuhten feondliche feollen þa uaiȝe.
brokes þer urnen mid unimete stremen.
of bloden þan ræde þe balu wes unimete.
Helmes þer gullen beornes þer ueollen.
sceldes gunnen scenen scalkes gunnen swelten.
at þan forme rese fifti þusende.
baldere beornen heore beot wes þæ lasse.
Þer wes Edwines ferde ȝeoumerest alre uolke.
& Edwine him-seolf anan ærmest alre kingen.
þer wes Edwine of-slaȝen and his sunen tweien.
þer feollen seouen kinges and six sunen kinges.
his eorles his beornes his cnihtes his cheorles.
þer wes þe swein & þe cnaue beinen of are laȝe.
nefden heo nane are of þan lasse no of þan mare.
ah al þa ferde wes of-slaȝen and idon of lif-daȝen.
Of þan fehte fleh a gume Edwines ȝungeste sune.
wellen henden wes þe mon Osric ihaten.
nefde he to iueren b[u]ten an hundred rideren.
Þeos to wuden wenden and þer gunnen wunien.
and barnden Cadwalanes lond and eoden him luðere an hond.
& his folc sloȝen a feole cunnes wissen.
Þat iherde Cadwalan þe king wes on londen.
hu Osric Edwines sune dude ut-laȝen wune.
Cadwalan muchel uolc nom and lette heom to wuden gan.
and Osric heo funden & wið him fehten.
þer heo Osric sloȝen and alle his iueren.
Nu wes þe king Cadwalan bliðest alre kempen.
nu wes icleoped Cadwalan king ouer Anglen.
Penda wes king under him and ma þa iqueme weoren him.
Cadwalan aquald hefde of Edwines cunne.
al þat þer wes hende wið-uten ane monne.
he wes ihaten Oswald under Drihtene bald.
he wes of Edwines cunne & him leofuest monne.
& he wes hex monnen of Edwines cunnen.
Oswald nom on his hond al to-gadere Edwines lond.
eorles and kempen his men al bicomen.
me heold hine king hæhne biȝeonde þere Humbre.
þat iherde Cadwalan and þus quað to his eorlen.
818
nu ich mi lond habben bi-tald nu hauið hit Oswald.
ah þer-uore him scal ileoten bitterest alre baluwen.
For þan kinelond ich hine aquelle wulle.
and al his ferde fallen to grunde.
and al þat he of com ich hit wulle for-don.
and swa me scal-him tache to walden kineriche.
Aleggen ich wulle his muchele mod monnen he is me laðest.
Cadwalan somnede uerde mucle in þissen ærde.
& ferde touward þere Humbre ȝaru al to fehte.
Oswald þis iherde þas heȝes Godes icorne.
and nom him al his ferde þa hafde in his ærde.
and for-soc þat feht sone for-saken him weoren laðe.
and fe[r]de æuere forðward.
& Cadwalan him after wende ah of-taken he hine ne mahte.
Þa wes Cadwalan adred for wið Scotten he wes iuæid.
for he þat norðerne uolc hæuede ineouðered ful swiðe.
& nom him to rede of swulchere neode.
þat he aȝain wolde for þer he kare hafde.
and bi-teche Penda þe wes his under-kinge.
folc and his ferde to flemen of arde
Edwines mæi Oswald. and driuen hine of londe.
And al Cadwalan spede swa he ispeken hafde.
aȝæn he gon wende in-to þisse londe.
and in þan norð ende sette þene king Penda
to fleomen Oswalde ut of þissen londe.
Oswald þat iherde þat Cadwalan chærde.
and þer wunede Penda to driuen hine of londe.
þa was þæ king Oswald an his þonke swiðe bald.
and aȝæin him gon wende muchele his ferde.
to-ȝeines þan kinge Penda to fleomen hine þenne.
Penda hine bi-þohte swiken hu he mahte.
he sende to Oswalde þen norðerne kinge.
& seide þat he wolde sahtnesse wurche.
and timliche him speken wið & makeȝen sehtnesse and grið.
819
and faren of þan ende to Cadwalane kinge
and leten þene king Oswald habben his riche. and his lond.
Þene dæi and þe stude heo setten sæhnesse to makien.
and þer-after ful sone heo cumen to-somne.
Oswald com muchel bi-foren he wes to Godes hond icoren.
þe studen hehte Houen-feld þer Oswald sette his teld.
he lette sone arere a muchel cros and mare.
and hehten al his ferde fallen on heore cneowen.
and bidden þane al-mihti Godd þurh his milde mihti mod.
þat he heom ȝiue mildze of heore misde[de].
and ȝif Penda þat grið breke þat ure Drihten hit awreke.
Þa weren iended þas beden þa com him Penda riden.
and word seide. swikelest alre kinge.
Oswald þu art wilcume wunne þe is ȝeueðe.
hafue þu al þi kine-lond a[h] nim þi seoluer and þi gold.
nim an hundred hunden nim an hundred haueken.
nim an hundred steden nim gold-fah i-wede.
and send þas gretinge to Cadwaðlan kinge.
and þus þu maht him wið makien þe saht-nesse and grið.
& ich wulle a þine stude beon þat þa lufe scal wel iþeon.
& ȝet ich þe suggen wulle ane sunder rune.
hu þu mihte fon on. þat hit ne buð nauere undon.
and cleope mid þe tweien þat þine treowe men beon beien.
& ich wulle tweien to me þa wel scullen reden.
Þa rad forð a þan felde falsest alre kinge.
and Oswald rad a þene feld næfde he sper ne nænne sceld.
Penda his sweord ut a-droh and he Oswald of-sloh.
þis wes Seint Oswald þe amurðered wes aquald.
and Penda gon to fleonne mid alle his ferde.
þat isehȝen forð-rihtes Oswaldes cnihtes.
and after heom setten mid allen heore mihten.
mucchel del heo sloȝen of þan mon-weorede.
and þe king Penda uneðe gon a-wende.
and neoðeles he at-ræd þe Seint Oswald biswac.
Penda com to þissen londe to Cadwaðlan kinge.
820
Hit likede wel þan kinge buten for ane þinge.
hit of-þuhte him ful sone for þan swikedome.
Nu hafde Oswald þe a morðe wes aquald.
ænne ælpine broðer nes þer nan oðer.
he wes icleoped Oswi þe wes a swiðe duhti mon.
þa þringes norðerne makeden hine to kinge.
for wa wes heom on life for heore lauerdes deðe.
Oswi nom to his hond al his broðer kine-lond.
Oswi hafde emes sunen þe weoren swiðe prute gumen.
and ma of his cunne þa weoren mod-fulle.
heo hafden muchele onde to þan kine-londe.
and makeden mucchel un-frið and ofte fuhten him wið.
and þohten hine aquellen for his kine-londen.
Ah Oswi wes cniht sturne þat he þer cudde.
alle þa him beren onde he draf of þan londe.
hiȝendliche he heom quehte ouer þere Humbre.
þat nes þer nan to laue of þan þe him weoren laðe.
And heo gunnen wenden to þan kinge Pendan.
and menden heom to Pendan of Oswy þan kinge.
þat he heom idriuen ut hafde of al heore icunde.
and heo bi-sohten Penda þene king of Æst-londe
þat heom fulste Oswy to for-uarne.
and heo wolden bicumen his men and his mon-scipe heȝen.
ȝif he wolde Oswy [for]-don oðer slæn oðer a-hon.
Þa andswerede Penda þe king of Æst-londe.
At me nabbe ȝe nenne ræde for ich æm wið Oswi iuæid.
for ich Oswald aqualde wihteste alre kinge.
and Oswy his broðer is oht cniht and arð heorte na-wiht.
ȝif he me mihte cacchen he me wolde quellen.
Ah fareð to Cadwalane þe king is on londe
and ȝif he me wulle sende. þat folc of his londe.
vt of Corwale cnihtes icudde.
and of Walisce londe mid seolure and mid golde.
þenne wlle ich Oswy anan mid ærmðen igreten.
driuen hine of londe. leoden to sconde.
oðer slan hine mid egge laðest alle ginge.
822
To Cadwaðlane heo come mid falsæn dome.
þan kingen heo tolden al þat heo wolden.
Hit ilomp an ane time to þan White-sune-tide
þat þe king hehte of londen comen al to Lunden.
alle þe wolden his grið and wið þan kinge habben frið.
Þider comen kinges and æc here-þringes
þider comen eorles þider comen beornes.
biscpes þider comen and boc-ilerede men.
riche and hene þider heo comen alle.
alches cunnes leoden þa þene king lufeden.
& þe king a þan daiȝe his crune bar an hæfde.
þer wes muchel blisse mid balde þan kinge.
for þe king wes swiðe treowe mon his treouþe wel he iheold.
Þa þas leoden alle iliðen weoren to-somne.
þa stod him up Penda biuore Cadwaðlane kinge.
and þus he gon tellen on false his spellen.
Lauerd we beoð icumen alse þu hafdest i-queðen.
alle þine men iborne Englisce and Bruttisce.
eorles & beornes cnihtes & clærckes.
and we þine kinges þa beoð þine underlinges.
Ah Oswy seide æuere þat nulle he come nauere.
no þine heste iuorðen ah bi-hateð hærm to don.
Nert þu noht swa modi swa him is Oswy.
he for-hoȝeð ful iwis to isechen þine hiredes.
Ah ȝif þu wult me lenen & þine læue iunnen.
and þu me wulle fulsten and ferde bi-tæchen.
and swa muchel of þine garsume. god swa þe þunche
ich wulle uorð aneouste and faren ouer Humbre.
& Oswy þer makien ærmest alre kingen.
no scal he mid strenðe þene stude uinde.
þat ich hine nulle þe an hond sulle.
oðer quic oðer ded þat me þuncheð god ræd
& ȝif þu þis nult don þu scalt wurse under-fon.
for Oswy is a swulc mon þine scome he wulle don.
Þa andswarede Cadwalan þe kene.
Penda ich hit þe sugge ouer-al Oswy haueð for-wal
oðer he lið ibedde ibunden mid ufele.
oðer uncuðe leoden icumen beoð to his þeoden.
824
þa ich hehte alle cumen mid griðe mid friðe. and mid lufe.
Ah Penda ga þider ut anan ich wulle wið mine eorlen
mine rune halden. and minne red finden
wheðer ich þe ȝetten wullen. þa þing þe þu bede.
and ich wulle after Oswine senden aðele mine sonde.
and haten hine hiȝindliche cumen to mine riche.
Þider ut eode Pe[n]da an eorl wes his iuere.
and Cadwaðlan wes þer-inne mid swiðe feole monne.
Þus him spac Cadwaðlan þe king wes of Englen.
Ȝe beoð mine men alle þa beoð a þisse mote.
and ȝe habbeoð alle iherd whæt Penda king hafueð iseid.
and hu he wulle taken on & Oswi king al fordon.
ȝif ic him lenen wulle mine leoden to vulste.
and ic wulle þat ȝe me reden of wlchere deden.
þa ich lete Oswi for-do þa ich lete hine cumen me to.
& ȝif he for mire sonde for-sakeð hider to cumene.
mine here ich lete seoððen hine hene makien.
Þa iwærð abolȝen a Welisc king in þe hepen.
he wes ihaten Margadud monnen wurðe him ȝeomerist
for æuere he Ænglisce men bi-hehte hærm þene meste.
Þus seide Mærgadud of Suð Wales he wes duc.
Her nu me Cadwaðlan whæt ich þe wulle cuðe.
Þu hauest þine willen iseid ah þis nis noht god red.
Hit is swiðe ȝare þat Bruttes comen here.
and mid him ure ældre þe Bruttes weoren aðele.
and þis lond ieoden Bruttisce leoden.
and longe hit walden after heore willen.
þa while þa hit wes on heore hond hit wes ihaten Brut-lond.
Nu nabbe we of þan londe buten þene west ende.
þa Bruttes hafden iwuned here wel feole wintre.
Þa comen Englisce men mid heore ufele craften.
heo weore wiȝel-fulle and þis lond al biwunne.
and biswiken heore lauerd sonen and alle his leoden.
& ȝiuenen heore kinge ane heðene quene.
þa comen of Sex-londe þa leoden us beoð laðe.
826
and swa habbeoð Englisce men ure icunden at-heolden.
þet we nauere seoððen bi-sechen hit no mihten.
Penda king is Englisc and Oswy al-swa ful iwis.
Let þu þa hundes hannen to-gaderes.
eiðer freten oðer swa hund deð his broðer.
and leten heore whelpes whæruen heom bi-sides.
elc oðer quelle þat þer nan quic no leue.
And ȝif Oswy cumeð bufen and þat feht maȝen ouer-cumen.
we him sculleð to luken and neouðer hine aleggen.
lond and his leoden and his laȝen uallen.
and ȝif Penda bið buuen & þat comp maȝen ouer-cumen.
þin aȝe mon is Penda mid alle his kine-londa.
Þenne hauest þu Englisc lond to þire aȝere hond.
and alle þine wurðscipe þus þu miht biwinnen.
& libben a þin lif swa þe arle leofest bið.
No findest þu nauer-mare mon þa þe durre haten on.
Þa andswarede a mon þe bald wes on hireden.
Lust nu me Cadwaðlan lust me ane stunden.
Nis þar nan betere red þene Margadud haueð ised.
& ȝif þat nult don þu scalt wurse afon.
& alle þine leoden þa later þu hafuest to neoden.
Efne þissere saȝe þa þe Brut sæide.
þa wes icleoped Penda & com into hirede.
and Cadwaðlan him ȝette al þat he wolde.
Þa wes Penda bliðe & igladed swiðe.
Penda & his cnihtes to horsen forð-rihtes.
and aneousten gunnen wenden toward Norh-humberlonden.
& Oswi iherden suggen þat Penda hine sohte.
& ȝarecode his ferden & fusde toȝæines Pendan.
faht heo bigunnen ræȝe heo weoren beien.
feondliche heo fuhten uæiden heo weoren.
vnimete feollen fæie men on folden.
Þa hit wes uppen non þa sunne gon to nipen.
þer wes Oswy of-slaȝen & idon of lif-daȝen.
& his sune & his æm & eorles sume uiuen.
þer weoren niȝe þusu[n]de ðringes norðerne.
827
& þe king Penda sære wes iwunded þa.
& þonene gon wende æst to his londe.
Oswy hæfden ænne sune Osric wes his nome.
he wes ane stunde mid Cadwaðlane kinge.
in his h[i]rede iued & deorliche ifostred.
Osric bisohte Cadwalan swa mon scal his lauerde don.
þat he moste beon his mon & his fader lond habbeon.
Cadwaðlan him ȝet al þat he ȝirde.
he bitahte him an hond al his fader kine-lond.
hehte hine hit habben & halde mid wunne.
God king wes Cadwaðlan swa him wes icunden.
he wes king hire seouen and feouwerti ȝere.
Þa uerde he to Lunden to gladien þa leoden.
and heold ane metsunge mid þan uolke of Lundene.
he æt of ane uisce uret-liche swiðe.
ær þe uisc i-eten weore. i-uueled was þe ki[n]g.
seouen niht & enne dæi þe king a þan ufele læi.
nes þer nan oðer red seoððen wes þe king ded.
heo bureden hine in Lunden særi weoren þa leoden.
Enne sune hafde Cadwaðlan Cadwalader ihaten.
he wes Penda suster sune al of kingen icume.
þeos feng to his riche after his fader daiȝe.
Swiðe leoflic wes þe mon his leoden hine luueden.
he wes swiðe god cniht and swiðe sturne inne fiht.
æh an his daȝen ilompen reoðen on leoden.
Ærst aswond þat corn here ȝeond al þas kineriche.
þer-after hit wes swa deore & al folc gon to deȝen.
swa þat þu mihtes fare fulle seouen nihte.
þat no mihtest þu. þurh nene chep finde neouwer na bred.
an burȝe and on londe leoden weoren ȝeoumere.
no nan uolc on londe þat of-fingred nes sære.
Þa þat wes idriuuen longe ȝeond þas leoden.
þa com þer an-oðer sorȝe þer-after ful sone.
þat quale com on orue vnimete swiðe.
þer cheorl draf his sulȝe i-oxned swiðe fæire.
oðer while he brohte ham halue his oxen.
828
and swa hit on leode ilaste wel longe.
Þer-after sone sorȝen vnimete.
comen to folke ȝeond al þas kine-þeode.
uppen þan monen morð wes iwurðen.
quelen þa eorles quelen þa beornes.
quelen þa þeines quelen þa sweines.
quelen þa lareden quelen þa leouweden.
quelan þa ældren quelen þa ȝeongeren.
quelæn þa wifmen quelen þa wanclen.
þat no mihte on þan ende þat folc on þan londe.
burien þa dede swiðe heo gunnen deȝe.
þat ofte in þan putte þer me þene dede isette.
þer deiȝede þe quike uppen þen dede.
And swa hit ilomp wide ȝeond Ænglene þeode.
þat folc ut of londe flah on ælche ænde.
monie hundred tunen bi-læued weoren of monnen.
þat lut me uinde mihte men uaren ȝeond londe.
Wa wæs Cadwalader þe king wes on londe.
for scome he ne mihte fleon no for hærme her beon.
Neoðeles he hine biþohte hu he faren mahte.
he nom his maðmes alle and his m[e]n deore.
& bah suð ouer sæ. into Brutaine.
and nom þe[r] wickinge mid Alaine þan kinge.
þe wæs sune Salemonnes. þas sele kinges.
þe swiðe lufede Cadwaðlan þe while his daiȝes ilaste.
Þær Alæin þe king Cadwalader under-ueng.
& funde him in þan londe al þat he wolde.
þurh elleouen ȝere þe king wunede þere.
& elleouen ȝere þe sorhȝe wunede here.
þat wes hunger & hette nefede þat folc nenne mete.
& þe qualm muchele þe wes on moncunne.
Þat folc flah in-to wuden & wuneden in þe cluden.
leien in þa stan-graffen & liueden bi deoren.
heo l[i]ueden bi wuden heo l[i]feden bi wurten.
bi moren and bi rote nas þer nan oðer boten.
Þa elleue ȝer weoren on fast aȝeongen
þa sunne gon to scine þe rein bi-gon to rine.
830
ut of wude heo droȝen and wuneden in tunen.
Heo speken to-somne & spileden bi-tweonen.
and nomen heore sonde and sende in-to Sex-londe.
and cudden heore cunne of heore quale-siðe.
& hu heo ifaren hafden elleue ȝeren.
& hu þat ufel wes at-stunt & hu þa tunes ibuld.
and hu þer wes fæiȝer lond i-noh seoluer and gold.
& beden heom cumen swiðe hider to heore icunde.
for þa Bruttes þa ær weoren here æuere heo weren fleme.
no durste heo næuere mængen imong Englisce monnen.
no nawhit heo nusten of heore uare-costen
þat weoren heore sonden. isend to Sex-londen.
Þa heȝe Sexisce men iherden þas sonden.
þa fusden touward sæ fifti þusende.
baldere beornen mid scelden and mid burnen.
mid wifen and mid children to þissen londe wenden.
Mid þan formeste swipen her comen þreo hundred scipen
siȝen after seoððe sixti to-somne.
bi sixe bi seouene bi tene bi eolleue.
bi twelue bi twenti bi þritti bi feowerti.
Mid heom com Æðelstan þe æ[ð]ele ut of Sexen.
inne Lundene hine cruneden & houen hine to kingen.
Edward þe king þesne biȝat on are chiuese.
þis wes þe formeste Englisce mon þe al Ængle-lond biwon.
he wes icruned and ieled. þis lond wes al his aȝen.
and seoððen he wuneden here sixtene ȝere.
Hit ilomp inne frimdæȝen feor her bi-æften.
þat her wes an heh mon Inne wes ihaten.
Þe king wende to Rome to þan heȝe dome.
and he Peteres weofed þere wunliche isohte.
brohte þer to lake his maðmes leofe.
Þa ȝet he dude mare to Peteres are.
832
& his biweddede wif weore on þere ilke wike.
þe king enne peni ȝette to Peteres huse.
Inne wes þe uormeste mon þe Peteres peni bigon.
Þa Inne king wes him ded. and his laȝen weoren aleid.
þa a-feol þat feoh here fif and sixti ȝere.
a þet Aðelstan com liðen in-to þissen londen.
& hafden iwuned here fulle fiftene ȝere.
Þe king his fet custe and faire hine igrette.
& eft þat ilke feoh ȝete. þat Inne king dude ære.
& swa hit hafeð ist onde æuer seoððe a þisse londe.
Drihten wat hu longe þeo laȝen scullen ilæste.
þa tiden comen sone to Cadwaðlader kinge.
into Brutaine þer þar he wunede.
mid Alaine kinge þe wes of his cunne.
me dude him to under-stonde of al þisse londe.
hu Aðelstan her com liðen ut of Sex-londen.
and hu he al Angle-lond sette on his aȝere hond.
and hu he sette moting & hu he sette husting.
and hu he sette sciren and makede frið of deoren.
& hu he sette halimot & hu he sette hundred.
and þa nomen of þan tunen on Sexisce runen.
& ȝilden he gon rere mucle & swiðe mære.
& þa chirchen he gon dihten after Sexisce irihten.
and Sexis he gan kennen þa nomen of þan monnen.
and al me him talde þe tiden of þisse londe.
Wa wes Cadwaledere þat he wes on liue.
leofere him weore on deðe þeone quic on life.
særi wes his heorte and sorhful wes his duȝede.
Wið his freond he spac ofte
hu he faren mihte. and iw[i]nnen his rihte.
and wulchere wise he mihte wið Aðelstane fihte.
& i-winnen his cunde æft to his honde.
þa Aðestan and his cnihtes eke heolde mid unrihte.
Sume him radde to uehten summe wrið to wurchen.
834
Vnder þissen uare-coste he sumnede ferde.
of alle þane monne þat he bi-ȝeten mihte.
& somnede alle þa scipen þa bi þare sæ fluten.
and þohte mid strengðe steppen to londe.
Þa þe ȝaru wes þa uerde & þas scipen ibone.
com þe win[d] suðerne. þa sæt an heore wille.
Þa sæide þe king Nu to scipe an hiȝing.
And þe king in-to chirche gon wenden Godes werk to worchen.
and masse þer iherden of mære ane preoste.
Þe king læi on cneouwen and cleopede to Crist[e].
& bed ure Drihten þe walt alle deden.
þat he from him-selue taken him sende.
ȝif hit weore iqueme þan heouenliche Deme.
wheðer he scolde liðen þe he scolde bi-lauen.
Þe while þe he spac touward Goden þa gon he to slepen.
þa gon he to slumme selehðe him wes ȝiueðe
of seoluen ure Drihten þe scop þis dæȝes lihte.
Þenne þe king imætte. a cneouwen he slepte.
þat him com bi-foren gon a wunder ane fair mon.
& þas word kende to Bruttene kinge.
A-wake Cadwalader Crist þe haueð deore.
and ȝarke þine uore and far swi[ð]e to Rome.
þu uindest ænne pape preost mid þan bezste.
he þe scal scriuen of þine weorld-lifen.
þat þine sunen alle scullen þe from falle.
and þu scalt wurðe clene al þurh Godes dome.
of alle þine misdede þurh mihte of ure Drihte.
And seo[ð]ðen þu scalt i-witen and faren to heofne-richen.
for no most þu nauere-mære Ængle-lond aȝe.
ah Alemainisce men Ænglen scullen aȝen.
and næuermære Bruttisce men bruken hit ne moten.
ær cume þe time þe iqueðen wes while.
þat Merlin þe witeȝe bodede mid worde.
Þenne sculle Bruttes sone buȝen to Rome
and draȝen ut þine banes alle of þene marme-stane.
and mid blissen heom uerien uorð mid heom-seoluen.
836
Þenne sculle Bruttes anan balde iwurðen.
al þat heo bi-ginneð to done iwurðeð after heore wille.
þenne scullen i Bruttene blissen wurðen riue.
wastmes and wederes sele after heore i-wille.
Þa awoc Cadwalader wu[n]der him þuhte.
strongliche he wes auæred ladliche of-furhte.
to wulche þinge hit iteon wolde þat him wes itacned þere
Ofte he lette runen ofte he lette ræde.
and seowede hit þan kinge þe wunede in þan londe.
þe inemned wes Alain Cadwalader nexte mæi.
Þe king sende his sonde ȝeond al his londe.
and lette beoden alle. þa bocares wise.
and talden heom þa tacni[n]ge of Cadwalader kinge.
Þær heo gunnen ræde þer heo gunnen rune.
& radden him to taken on al swa Godd him hafde itakned to don.
Þer he bi-lafde his scipen and his leode.
his wæi and his iwille He cleopede heom to stille.
Yuni and Iuore beiȝen heo weoren him deore.
Yuor wes his step-sune and Yuni his suster sune.
beien heo weoren him leofe beine heo weoren him deore.
heo weoren cnihtes beien and swiðe wel idihte.
Þus spac Cadwalader þe king wes of Bruttene.
Yuor and Yuni beiene ȝet senden of mine leode.
hercnieð mine lare. no scal hit eou reouwe nauere
Of heouene me beoð icume hiȝe Godes tacne.
þat ich scal faren to Rome to þan pape wel idone.
Þe pape hatte Sergius he weteð Peteres. hus.
me and mine wiue he scal bletseiȝen & scriue.
& þer we scullen ure daȝes ba driuen to þan ende.
longe bið auer no iseo ȝe me æft næuere.
Ah here ich bi-tache inc Walisc lond þat ȝet stond a mire hond.
and nimeð þas muchele uerde and fareð to þan londe.
and haldeð hit on wunne þa wile ȝe maȝen hit werie.
and ich inc halsi beien þurh þan heouen kinge.
þat unker æiðer oðer luuie swa his broðer.
838
& brukeð hit on wunne & eouwer bernen alle.
Yuni hit wes itacned me alse ȝe scullen nu i-seo.
for Merlin þe wise hit seide mid worde
al of mine for[ð]-fare & of mire unimete care.
and Sibillie þa wise a bocken hit isette.
þat ich scal iuullen mines Drihtes wille.
Alc faren nu his wæi and habbeoð alle godne dæi.
Cadwalader fusde þat he com to Rome.
þer he Sergius funde þene iselie pape.
he scraf Cadwalader þe king wes of Bruttenne.
Ne wunede þe king þer bute uifte half ȝere.
þa com him ufel on swa Godd hit wolde habben idon.
elleoue daȝes biforen Maiȝe he ferde of þisse liue.
and his saule sende to þan heouen-licche kinge.
His ban beoð iloken faste i guldene cheste.
and þer heo scullen wunie þat þa daȝes beon icumene.
þa Merlin ine iuurn daȝen vastnede mid worden.
Ga we nu to Yuni a-ȝan & to Iuore his wedde-broðere.
Heo somneden ferde wide ȝeond þan ærde.
forð heo gunnen fusen mid fif hundred scipenen.
nes hit nawit longe þat heo ne comen to Walisce londe.
Al þas Bruttes weoren to-driuen ȝeond cludes & ȝeond cliuenen.
ȝeond chirchen & ȝeond muneccliuen. ȝeond wudes & ȝeond liðen
Sone me heom saiden. þat isiȝen weoren to londe.
mid Iuore & Yuni ten siðen fifti.
scipen brade-fulle of Brutten swiðe balde.
Þæs Bruttes on ælc ende foren to Walisce londe.
and heore laȝen leofeden & heore leodene þæuwen.
and ȝet wunie[ð] þære swa heo doð auere-mære.
& Ænglisce kinges walden þas londes.
& Bruttes hit loseden þis lond and þas leoden
þat næuere seoððen mære kinges neoren here.
Þa ȝet ne com þæs ilke dæi beo heonne-uorð alse hit mæi.
i-wurðe þet iwurðe i-wurðe Godes wille.
| Layamon: Brut | |