 | Otuel and Roland |  |
A morwe er it were day-lyȝt
and er the sonne schon bryȝt
Charlys to chyrche ȝede,
To by-seche god almyȝt
ffor roulond, that noble knyȝt,
To helpe hym at nede,
With alle the dussypers,
and the abbot of seynt Omeres,
In ryme as y rede.
The abbot song the masse
with ful moche mekenesse
And bad roulond that god schulde hym spede.
and er the sonne schon bryȝt
Charlys to chyrche ȝede,
To by-seche god almyȝt
ffor roulond, that noble knyȝt,
To helpe hym at nede,
With alle the dussypers,
and the abbot of seynt Omeres,
In ryme as y rede.
The abbot song the masse
with ful moche mekenesse
And bad roulond that god schulde hym spede.
Kyng charlys brouȝt a basyn
with fflorens of gold fyn,
And ȝede to the offryng.
That he wan of a sarsin
In the lond of appolyn
with-oute eny lesyng.
Charlys offrede the basyn al,
And roulond offred dorundal
[OMITTED]n to honouryng.
[OMITTED]en pound of florens, y vndyrstonde.
[OMITTED] Dorundale, that good bronde,
[OMITTED] yn ȝaf charlys, the kyng.
with fflorens of gold fyn,
And ȝede to the offryng.
That he wan of a sarsin
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with-oute eny lesyng.
Charlys offrede the basyn al,
And roulond offred dorundal
[OMITTED]n to honouryng.
[OMITTED]en pound of florens, y vndyrstonde.
[OMITTED] Dorundale, that good bronde,
[OMITTED] yn ȝaf charlys, the kyng.
[OMITTED] whenne the masse was don euerydel,
[OMITTED] com the sarsin otuel
[OMITTED] [s]ay al in hyȝyng:
“[OMITTED] ys roulond? he ys nouȝt lel!
[OMITTED] trouth nys neuer a del!
[OMITTED] deth of hys endynge.
[OMITTED] ale ȝesterday there he stode,
[OMITTED] was lete blod,
[OMITTED] wenyng,
[OMITTED] ouȝ so by-hyd,
[OMITTED] [s]chal out be kyd,
[OMITTED] [o]nge dwellyng.”
[OMITTED] com the sarsin otuel
[OMITTED] [s]ay al in hyȝyng:
“[OMITTED] ys roulond? he ys nouȝt lel!
[OMITTED] trouth nys neuer a del!
[OMITTED] deth of hys endynge.
[OMITTED] ale ȝesterday there he stode,
[OMITTED] was lete blod,
[OMITTED] wenyng,
[OMITTED] ouȝ so by-hyd,
[OMITTED] [s]chal out be kyd,
[OMITTED] [o]nge dwellyng.”
[OMITTED] kneled in a schapel
[OMITTED] e sarsin Otuel,
what bost he gan blowe.
he ȝede to hym with hert lel,
And sayde: “dogge, thou lyst by seynt mychel,
And that schal thou ben knowe!
ffor y was neuer pale ne wan,
ffor sarsin ne for no man,
so god my soule owe.”
Tho charlys, the conquerour,
Comandyd to euery dussyper
To arme roulond a-rowe.
The dussypers euerychone
ȝede to arme roulond a-none,
Alle with-oute fayle.
On hym an haketoun thay gonne done
Ouer hys hauberk that bryȝt schon,
That ryche was of mayle.
And it made y-wys
That was whylom denys prentys
Off a trewe entayle.
Estre of langares, that was lel,
brouȝt hym an helm off steel
fful strong to a-ssayle.
[OMITTED] e sarsin Otuel,
what bost he gan blowe.
he ȝede to hym with hert lel,
And sayde: “dogge, thou lyst by seynt mychel,
And that schal thou ben knowe!
ffor y was neuer pale ne wan,
ffor sarsin ne for no man,
so god my soule owe.”
Tho charlys, the conquerour,
Comandyd to euery dussyper
To arme roulond a-rowe.
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ȝede to arme roulond a-none,
Alle with-oute fayle.
On hym an haketoun thay gonne done
Ouer hys hauberk that bryȝt schon,
That ryche was of mayle.
And it made y-wys
That was whylom denys prentys
Off a trewe entayle.
Estre of langares, that was lel,
brouȝt hym an helm off steel
fful strong to a-ssayle.
The helm was grene as glas.
Tha[t] whylome auȝt galyas,
And sythe kyng barbatyan.
hym gert in that plas
with dorundale that good was,
That he by-fore wanne.
Duk reyner hym brouȝt a schyld,
A fayrer myȝt haue be non in feld,
And that wel many a man telle can,
with a lyon there-Inne raumpande.
That whylome aught a geante,
That was a douȝty man.
Tha[t] whylome auȝt galyas,
And sythe kyng barbatyan.
hym gert in that plas
with dorundale that good was,
That he by-fore wanne.
Duk reyner hym brouȝt a schyld,
A fayrer myȝt haue be non in feld,
And that wel many a man telle can,
with a lyon there-Inne raumpande.
That whylome aught a geante,
That was a douȝty man.
Tho olyuer hym brouȝt a spere,
As good as any man myȝt bere
In feld to batayle,
kyng, knyȝt, or any ryder
Myȝt it ful wel were
hys enymye to assayle.
The duk terry sette a-none
The spores that of gold schone,
ffor-sothe with-oute fayle.
Oger hym brouȝt hys stede,
As good as any man myȝt lede,—
hyt was wonne in hongery.
hit ne bar neuer knyȝt at nede,
But he schulde wel spede,
And wynne the maystery.
The sadyl was wel dere worth,—
The beste a-bouen erthe,
That eny man myȝt a-speye.
Roulond in-to the sadel sprong,
And rod hym to charlys, the kyng,
hys mercy for to crye.
As good as any man myȝt bere
In feld to batayle,
kyng, knyȝt, or any ryder
Myȝt it ful wel were
hys enymye to assayle.
The duk terry sette a-none
The spores that of gold schone,
ffor-sothe with-oute fayle.
69
As good as any man myȝt lede,—
hyt was wonne in hongery.
hit ne bar neuer knyȝt at nede,
But he schulde wel spede,
And wynne the maystery.
The sadyl was wel dere worth,—
The beste a-bouen erthe,
That eny man myȝt a-speye.
Roulond in-to the sadel sprong,
And rod hym to charlys, the kyng,
hys mercy for to crye.
kyng charlys hef up hys hond,
And blessyd hys co-syn roulond
And at hym leue he tok.
And in-to the medewe he gan ryde.
There ran a water by that syde,
That was a wel dep brok.
And blessyd hys co-syn roulond
And at hym leue he tok.
And in-to the medewe he gan ryde.
There ran a water by that syde,
That was a wel dep brok.
That on leire y-cleped ys,
And that other somme, y-wys,
Also sayth the bok sure.
A-none com Otuel to the kyng,
And by-souȝt hym in hyyng
That he hym lente armur.
Spere and schyld atte by-gynnyng,
helm, hauberk, and other thyng,
That myȝt dyntes endure.
kyng charlys called belysent,
hys douȝter, so fayre and gent,
Curtayse, cler, and pure.
“Douȝter, tak to the messanger
Into thy chaumber ryȝt now here
And arme hym wel and sure!”
And that other somme, y-wys,
Also sayth the bok sure.
A-none com Otuel to the kyng,
And by-souȝt hym in hyyng
That he hym lente armur.
Spere and schyld atte by-gynnyng,
helm, hauberk, and other thyng,
That myȝt dyntes endure.
kyng charlys called belysent,
hys douȝter, so fayre and gent,
Curtayse, cler, and pure.
“Douȝter, tak to the messanger
Into thy chaumber ryȝt now here
And arme hym wel and sure!”
The mayde hym answared with hert lel,
“Y schal hym arme swythe wel,
As ȝe han me bede.”
Sche toke laumbr de monble,
And mayde resonet de rowenele,
To fette forth hys wede.
Sche went to the kynges cheste,
And tok armur of the beste
That eny knyȝt myȝt lede,
And gan to arme that hethen knyȝt,
That in batayle ne in fyȝt
Off no man hym ne drede.
“Y schal hym arme swythe wel,
70
Sche toke laumbr de monble,
And mayde resonet de rowenele,
To fette forth hys wede.
Sche went to the kynges cheste,
And tok armur of the beste
That eny knyȝt myȝt lede,
And gan to arme that hethen knyȝt,
That in batayle ne in fyȝt
Off no man hym ne drede.
ffyrst an haketon of fyn styl,
And an hauberk y-wrouȝt ful wel,
She dude on that knyȝt.
May-de Rosynet de Rowenel
An helme brouȝt to syre Otuel,
And on hys heued hyt dyȝte.
The helme was Riche for the nonys,
Off syluer, gold, and precious stones,
that schone ful bryȝtt.
Tho belysent hym gyrde
with Cursins hys gode swerde,
that felon was in fyȝt.
And an hauberk y-wrouȝt ful wel,
She dude on that knyȝt.
May-de Rosynet de Rowenel
An helme brouȝt to syre Otuel,
And on hys heued hyt dyȝte.
The helme was Riche for the nonys,
Off syluer, gold, and precious stones,
that schone ful bryȝtt.
Tho belysent hym gyrde
with Cursins hys gode swerde,
that felon was in fyȝt.
tho burde belysent hym brouȝt
A schylde,—no bettyr myȝt be wrouȝt,
for-sothe with-oute fable.
hyt was so wel y-wrouȝt,
that none myȝt bettyr be thouȝt,
with thre sarisins heuedys of sabyl.
In syȝte of hys schylde to lede,
thay brouȝten to hym mygrades stede
Out of the kyngys stable.
Anon the stede wyst wel,
that hys Maystyr Otuel
schuld to Batayle.
the mayde rosenet de Rouenel,
Thoo spores settyn hym, good & lel,
wyth-outen ony fable.
the sarisin spronge in-to the sadyl anone,
And preked the stede & let hym gone,
that was of fayre entayle.
Aȝen to belysent he rode:
the mayde stode & abode,
that was of hye parayle.
A schylde,—no bettyr myȝt be wrouȝt,
for-sothe with-oute fable.
hyt was so wel y-wrouȝt,
that none myȝt bettyr be thouȝt,
with thre sarisins heuedys of sabyl.
In syȝte of hys schylde to lede,
thay brouȝten to hym mygrades stede
Out of the kyngys stable.
71
that hys Maystyr Otuel
schuld to Batayle.
the mayde rosenet de Rouenel,
Thoo spores settyn hym, good & lel,
wyth-outen ony fable.
the sarisin spronge in-to the sadyl anone,
And preked the stede & let hym gone,
that was of fayre entayle.
Aȝen to belysent he rode:
the mayde stode & abode,
that was of hye parayle.
“Damysel, gramercy!” sayde Otuel
“Myn armure ys good & lel,
by that y se in syȝt.
And that schal Rouland fynde wel,
with my swerde y-ground of stel,
that y am a man of myȝt.”
“Syre Otuel,” quod that mayd smale,
“I rede the that thou kepe fro dorundale,—
for Rowland ys a man ful wyȝt.
and but thou kepe wel thyne heued,
Ellys hyt worthe sone a-stoned,
fful longe ere hyt be nyȝt.
“Myn armure ys good & lel,
by that y se in syȝt.
And that schal Rouland fynde wel,
with my swerde y-ground of stel,
that y am a man of myȝt.”
“Syre Otuel,” quod that mayd smale,
“I rede the that thou kepe fro dorundale,—
for Rowland ys a man ful wyȝt.
and but thou kepe wel thyne heued,
Ellys hyt worthe sone a-stoned,
fful longe ere hyt be nyȝt.
“Ac thyke lorde that best may,
fro schame schylde the to-day,
ȝyf yt be hys wylle!”
Otuel went forthe hys way
Into the medewe as hyt lay.
Rowlond he thouȝt to spylle.
kyng Charlys, the conquerour,
went vp into hys toure,
An gan to crye schrylle.
“Now, lordyngys al,” he sayde,
“Gothe nowe fast oute of the mede,
that noman come hem tylle!”
fro schame schylde the to-day,
ȝyf yt be hys wylle!”
Otuel went forthe hys way
Into the medewe as hyt lay.
Rowlond he thouȝt to spylle.
kyng Charlys, the conquerour,
went vp into hys toure,
An gan to crye schrylle.
72
“Gothe nowe fast oute of the mede,
that noman come hem tylle!”
And the knyȝtes with sperys tho
smyten her horsys and let hem go,
as men of moche myȝt.
In the felde to fyȝt thay were tho,
for eythyr was other foe.
that was a sely syȝt.
the gonne to ryden with grete Ravndoun.
Eyther to bere other adown,
with strengthe and fyȝt.
The speres were scharp and gode,
And thoruȝ the schyldes they wode,
Into here bryny bryȝt.
smyten her horsys and let hem go,
as men of moche myȝt.
In the felde to fyȝt thay were tho,
for eythyr was other foe.
that was a sely syȝt.
the gonne to ryden with grete Ravndoun.
Eyther to bere other adown,
with strengthe and fyȝt.
The speres were scharp and gode,
And thoruȝ the schyldes they wode,
Into here bryny bryȝt.
y-perced was eyther scheld,
That the speres al to-schyuered,
That were so gret and long.
Of here stedys they fellyn adoun,
So dude eyther gomphanoun.
No game was hem a-mong.
Tho sone thay wyste that thay were sounde.
And neyther of hem hadden wounde,
A-none a-ȝeyn to hors they sprong:
fful faste they gonne to-gedyr smyte,
fful sterne strokys and stryte,
The fyr ther-after out sprong.
That the speres al to-schyuered,
That were so gret and long.
Of here stedys they fellyn adoun,
So dude eyther gomphanoun.
No game was hem a-mong.
Tho sone thay wyste that thay were sounde.
And neyther of hem hadden wounde,
A-none a-ȝeyn to hors they sprong:
fful faste they gonne to-gedyr smyte,
fful sterne strokys and stryte,
The fyr ther-after out sprong.
“Now,” quod belysent, “y am sure,
That good and trewe ys Otuels armure,—
The sothe y se euery dele.
To god y make my prayer,
As he hys lord & brouȝt ous dere,
lene hym to spede wel.”
The knyȝtes eft to-gyder gonne ryde,
And fouȝten as they were wode,
With good hert and lel.
Duk roulond with dorundale,
he ȝaf strokys many and fele,
And spared neuer a del.
That good and trewe ys Otuels armure,—
The sothe y se euery dele.
To god y make my prayer,
As he hys lord & brouȝt ous dere,
73
The knyȝtes eft to-gyder gonne ryde,
And fouȝten as they were wode,
With good hert and lel.
Duk roulond with dorundale,
he ȝaf strokys many and fele,
And spared neuer a del.
Roulond with dorundale so fel,
A sterne stroke ȝaf Otuel
Vppon the helm so schene,
that god, and stonys, & crystall,
To-brokyn and in-to the feeld fel,
To wetyn and nouȝt to wene.
hys honde he with-drowe aplyȝt,
And smote a dynte of muche myȝt,
that thay myȝten it sene.
the hors by-fore the knyȝt,
by the schuldrys anone ryȝt,
he smote on the grene.
A sterne stroke ȝaf Otuel
Vppon the helm so schene,
that god, and stonys, & crystall,
To-brokyn and in-to the feeld fel,
To wetyn and nouȝt to wene.
hys honde he with-drowe aplyȝt,
And smote a dynte of muche myȝt,
that thay myȝten it sene.
the hors by-fore the knyȝt,
by the schuldrys anone ryȝt,
he smote on the grene.
Otuel fyl to grounde,
And felt hym hole and sounde,
and sayd to Rouland in dede:—
“ȝut am y hole and sounde,
and thou worse than ony hounde,—
so Mahoun me spede!
thou hast don grete vylonye,
wenne thou sparest my bodye,
And hast slayn my stede!
And er we departe at-to,
y schall do the moche wo,
and do thy sydes to blede!”
And felt hym hole and sounde,
and sayd to Rouland in dede:—
“ȝut am y hole and sounde,
and thou worse than ony hounde,—
so Mahoun me spede!
thou hast don grete vylonye,
wenne thou sparest my bodye,
And hast slayn my stede!
And er we departe at-to,
y schall do the moche wo,
and do thy sydes to blede!”
Anon syr Otuel with hys honde,
A strok ȝaf syr Roulande,
a ful styrne dynt of myȝt.
he for-carfe, y vnderstande,
A grete pese with hys honde,
of hys hauberk ful ryȝt.
the stede, he carf euen ato
by-twene the schuldrys anone ryȝt tho,
Euen in-to the erthe ryght.
Roulond fel to the grounde,
but he ne hadde no wounde,
he thonkyd god almyȝt.
A strok ȝaf syr Roulande,
74
he for-carfe, y vnderstande,
A grete pese with hys honde,
of hys hauberk ful ryȝt.
the stede, he carf euen ato
by-twene the schuldrys anone ryȝt tho,
Euen in-to the erthe ryght.
Roulond fel to the grounde,
but he ne hadde no wounde,
he thonkyd god almyȝt.
tho was Rouland sore agramyd,
was he neuer so sore a-schamed,
by-fore in no batayle.
Eft they fouȝten in samen,
ne was ther no chyldys game,
so harde gan eythyr othyr assayle.
the medewe quok of her dynt,
the fyr out sprang as spark of flynt,
Oute of helme, hauberk, and mayle.
tho Roulond hastylyche a-none
Drouke to hym wel good wone
of strokys with-outen fayle.
was he neuer so sore a-schamed,
by-fore in no batayle.
Eft they fouȝten in samen,
ne was ther no chyldys game,
so harde gan eythyr othyr assayle.
the medewe quok of her dynt,
the fyr out sprang as spark of flynt,
Oute of helme, hauberk, and mayle.
tho Roulond hastylyche a-none
Drouke to hym wel good wone
of strokys with-outen fayle.
Quod belysent to the kyng tho,
“thy batayle worthe sone y-do,
by that y se in syȝt.
the swete worchyth hem to wo,
that here hertys bothe to
bene astonyed of fyȝt.”
kyng Charlys felle doun on knees tho,
And an orysoun to god he gan tho,
that ys in heuyn hyȝt,
that he sende pes hem by-[t]wene,
and the sarisin to be cristene.
as he ys ful of myȝt.
“thy batayle worthe sone y-do,
by that y se in syȝt.
the swete worchyth hem to wo,
that here hertys bothe to
bene astonyed of fyȝt.”
kyng Charlys felle doun on knees tho,
And an orysoun to god he gan tho,
that ys in heuyn hyȝt,
that he sende pes hem by-[t]wene,
75
as he ys ful of myȝt.
Roulond to Otuel tho sayd,
“Sarisin, do by my Rede,
and leue on god almyȝt!
And to the kyng y woll the lede,
And he woll ȝeue the to mede,
hys douȝtyr so bryȝt:
And thou, and I, & Oliuer
Mowen wende to-gedyr in fere
In-to batayle and in-to fyȝt.
ne schulle we fynde in no londe
None that schall vs withstonde,—
neythyr kyng ne knyȝt.
“Sarisin, do by my Rede,
and leue on god almyȝt!
And to the kyng y woll the lede,
And he woll ȝeue the to mede,
hys douȝtyr so bryȝt:
And thou, and I, & Oliuer
Mowen wende to-gedyr in fere
In-to batayle and in-to fyȝt.
ne schulle we fynde in no londe
None that schall vs withstonde,—
neythyr kyng ne knyȝt.
Quod Otuel, “so mote y the,
that ne schalt-ou neuer se
to for-sake Mahoun,
ne turmegaunt, that ys so fre,
ne Iouyn, the goddys thre,
that beth goddys of grete renown.
By that I haue y-ment,
Erst y schall ȝeue the a dynt
with Cursins, my fauchoun!”
Erste to-gedyr they smyten a-plyȝt,
Eythyr of hem was so lyȝt,
and wode as eny lyoun.
that ne schalt-ou neuer se
to for-sake Mahoun,
ne turmegaunt, that ys so fre,
ne Iouyn, the goddys thre,
that beth goddys of grete renown.
By that I haue y-ment,
Erst y schall ȝeue the a dynt
with Cursins, my fauchoun!”
Erste to-gedyr they smyten a-plyȝt,
Eythyr of hem was so lyȝt,
and wode as eny lyoun.
Duk Roulond, the gode knyȝt,
smote a dynt of moche myȝt
anone to the paynym:
ther-of the sarisin hadde a syȝt
and that strok he flye a-plyȝt
that hyt fel by-syde hym.
the hauberk fro the schuldyr bone,
Rouland carf yt down anone,—
that was a stroke ful grym.
“Allas,” he sayde, “unworthy in hape!”
for ther ne fel out no blodys drepe
Out there at none lym.
smote a dynt of moche myȝt
anone to the paynym:
ther-of the sarisin hadde a syȝt
and that strok he flye a-plyȝt
that hyt fel by-syde hym.
76
Rouland carf yt down anone,—
that was a stroke ful grym.
“Allas,” he sayde, “unworthy in hape!”
for ther ne fel out no blodys drepe
Out there at none lym.
the frenche cryed a-non ryȝt,
“Nowe ouercome ys thys fyȝt,
thoruȝe helpe of god & marye!”
At lyte they knewe that hethyn knyȝt,—
by god that thys world had dyȝt!—
ne nothyng of hys felonye.
Roulond on the helme he smote,
with Cursins that bytter bote,
A strok with grete enuye.
ȝyf the swerde ne hadde y-weuyd,
Rouland hys lyf ther hadde leuyd,
And Otuel wonne the Maystrye.
“Nowe ouercome ys thys fyȝt,
thoruȝe helpe of god & marye!”
At lyte they knewe that hethyn knyȝt,—
by god that thys world had dyȝt!—
ne nothyng of hys felonye.
Roulond on the helme he smote,
with Cursins that bytter bote,
A strok with grete enuye.
ȝyf the swerde ne hadde y-weuyd,
Rouland hys lyf ther hadde leuyd,
And Otuel wonne the Maystrye.
tho was Rouland swythe wo,
that he ne myȝt that sarsin slo,
that was so ful of pryde.
the sarisin smote efte so
hys hauberk euene a-to
Euene a-longe by the syde.
the frenche seyen that all,
And to Ihesu cryst they gonne calle,
and alle to god, helpe they cryede.
with that ther come a coluyr bryȝt,
that fro heuene tho lyȝt
In that ilke tyde.
that he ne myȝt that sarsin slo,
that was so ful of pryde.
the sarisin smote efte so
hys hauberk euene a-to
Euene a-longe by the syde.
the frenche seyen that all,
And to Ihesu cryst they gonne calle,
and alle to god, helpe they cryede.
with that ther come a coluyr bryȝt,
that fro heuene tho lyȝt
In that ilke tyde.
the holy gost thoruȝ here alder prayer
a-lyȝt apon that sarisin there
thoruȝ goddys holy myȝt.
tho sayd the messanger,
“leue Roulond, come me ner,
y haue for-lorne my fyȝt.
Mahoun & Iouyn, y wyl for-sake,
and to Ihesu crist y wyl me take,
to bene hys knyȝt.”
the sarisin threwe a-wey hys bronde,
and so dude Duk Roulond,
And kust hem a-non ryght.
a-lyȝt apon that sarisin there
thoruȝ goddys holy myȝt.
77
“leue Roulond, come me ner,
y haue for-lorne my fyȝt.
Mahoun & Iouyn, y wyl for-sake,
and to Ihesu crist y wyl me take,
to bene hys knyȝt.”
the sarisin threwe a-wey hys bronde,
and so dude Duk Roulond,
And kust hem a-non ryght.
And Charlys went thyder anone,
& so dud the barons echone,
that weren in that Cyte.
Quod Charlys, “how ys thys y-don?”
And Rouland sayd to hym anon,
“thys sarisin criston wyl be.
but thou most sese in hys hond
Belysent with muche londe,
thy douȝtyr, fayr & fre.”
tho sayd Charlys, the kynge,
“y am glad of thys tythyng,
that y hem so schal se.”
& so dud the barons echone,
that weren in that Cyte.
Quod Charlys, “how ys thys y-don?”
And Rouland sayd to hym anon,
“thys sarisin criston wyl be.
but thou most sese in hys hond
Belysent with muche londe,
thy douȝtyr, fayr & fre.”
tho sayd Charlys, the kynge,
“y am glad of thys tythyng,
that y hem so schal se.”
To chyrche they went a-non Ryȝt,
And Turpyn cristened that knyȝt,
that couthe goddys lawe.
the kyng toke her by the hond,
“douȝtyr,” he sayd, “to me thou vndyrstonde
nowe a lyte throwe.
thou schalt be weddyd to thys knyȝt.”
“syr,” sche sayd, “syker aplyȝt.
ther-of y am ful fawe.”
tho sayd Charlys to syr Otuel,
“thou schalt haue thys damysel
Ryȝt as for thyn awe.”
Quod Otuel, “ȝyf ȝe loue me wel,
ȝe ne dur drede neuer a del
Off Garcins grete power.”
the mayde ȝaf aȝen andswere:
“syr,” sche sayd, “haue thou no care,
by goddys moder dere!
y loue the more in hert myn
thanne y do my fadyr and al my kyn
that me to womman bere.”
And Turpyn cristened that knyȝt,
that couthe goddys lawe.
the kyng toke her by the hond,
“douȝtyr,” he sayd, “to me thou vndyrstonde
nowe a lyte throwe.
thou schalt be weddyd to thys knyȝt.”
“syr,” sche sayd, “syker aplyȝt.
ther-of y am ful fawe.”
tho sayd Charlys to syr Otuel,
“thou schalt haue thys damysel
Ryȝt as for thyn awe.”
78
ȝe ne dur drede neuer a del
Off Garcins grete power.”
the mayde ȝaf aȝen andswere:
“syr,” sche sayd, “haue thou no care,
by goddys moder dere!
y loue the more in hert myn
thanne y do my fadyr and al my kyn
that me to womman bere.”
Syr Otuel to the kyng sayde:
“thou most lede with the thys mayde
withouten eny vylonye,
with knyȝtys gode, douȝty in dede,
with schyld, & spere, & many a chylde,
ffere in-to lumbardye.
whenne thou hast that londe y-nome
and all the sarisins ouercom,
And y-slawe kynge Garcye,
thenne woll we be spousyd, y-wys,
and holde fest with Ioye & blysse
In the burugh of vtalye.”
“thou most lede with the thys mayde
withouten eny vylonye,
with knyȝtys gode, douȝty in dede,
with schyld, & spere, & many a chylde,
ffere in-to lumbardye.
whenne thou hast that londe y-nome
and all the sarisins ouercom,
And y-slawe kynge Garcye,
thenne woll we be spousyd, y-wys,
and holde fest with Ioye & blysse
In the burugh of vtalye.”
the kyng with hys knyȝtys alle
wenten to parys in-to hys halle
with moche melodye:
he held fest ryche and ryall,
for-sothe in the kyngys halle,
with myrthe and mynstrelsye.
At the fourtenyȝtys ende,
he asked ȝyf he wolde wende
forthe in-to Lumbardye,
or ellys byleue styl thare
tyl the wynter passed were,
and the wethyr were drye.
kyng Charlys of Seynt denys
In that same cyte of parys,
Somer he ther gan byde.
And whenne the fowlys songon on the rys,
the kyng sent aftyr knyȝtys of prys,
to a mownteyn gan he ryde.
for-sothe tho left the kyng,
and with hym many a gret lordyng
with Ladyes ful gret in pryde.
ther was Rowland, and Olyuer,
and syr Otuel, and Oger,—
In hert ys nouȝt to huyde,—
wenten to parys in-to hys halle
with moche melodye:
he held fest ryche and ryall,
for-sothe in the kyngys halle,
with myrthe and mynstrelsye.
At the fourtenyȝtys ende,
he asked ȝyf he wolde wende
forthe in-to Lumbardye,
or ellys byleue styl thare
tyl the wynter passed were,
and the wethyr were drye.
79
In that same cyte of parys,
Somer he ther gan byde.
And whenne the fowlys songon on the rys,
the kyng sent aftyr knyȝtys of prys,
to a mownteyn gan he ryde.
for-sothe tho left the kyng,
and with hym many a gret lordyng
with Ladyes ful gret in pryde.
ther was Rowland, and Olyuer,
and syr Otuel, and Oger,—
In hert ys nouȝt to huyde,—
Esteryche of langares, and syr turpyn,
Archel, Etus, & syr Geryn,
Nemes, and syr Reyner.
tho thay were in the kyngys Inne,
they say many a paynym,
Comyng with grete power,—
lemosyns, bretons, & lumbardye,
Bayons, Gaskoynes, & pycardye,—
of londys bothe ferre & ner,—
Prouynciales, & Almaynes,
that couthen wel fyȝt on the playnes,
normans, bothe stoute and fere.
Archel, Etus, & syr Geryn,
Nemes, and syr Reyner.
tho thay were in the kyngys Inne,
they say many a paynym,
Comyng with grete power,—
lemosyns, bretons, & lumbardye,
Bayons, Gaskoynes, & pycardye,—
of londys bothe ferre & ner,—
Prouynciales, & Almaynes,
that couthen wel fyȝt on the playnes,
normans, bothe stoute and fere.
Nowe here bygynnyth A batayle,
fful fel to founde samfayle,
Off thre goode dussypers,
Rowlond, Olyuer, and Oger,—
ffor-sothe, yt were knyȝtes sampyr,
y-preued in many contres!—
howe they slowe vndyr a forest,
kynges thre, that were full prest,
to fyȝt in mede, othyr in felde,
And the furthe kynge they toke,
As hyt ys fownd in the boke,
And slowen all that with hym helde.
fful fel to founde samfayle,
Off thre goode dussypers,
Rowlond, Olyuer, and Oger,—
ffor-sothe, yt were knyȝtes sampyr,
y-preued in many contres!—
howe they slowe vndyr a forest,
kynges thre, that were full prest,
80
And the furthe kynge they toke,
As hyt ys fownd in the boke,
And slowen all that with hym helde.
| Otuel and Roland | |