University of Virginia Library

[The First Part.]

It ffell sometimes in the Land of Beame,
there dwelled a Lord within that realme,
the greatest he was of renowne
eccept the King that ware the crowne;
thé called him to name Erle Bragas;
he marryed a ladye was fayre of face;
they had noe Child but a daughter younge,
in the world was none soe fayre thing:
They called that Ladye winglanye;
husband wold she neuer haue none,
Neither for gold nor yett for good,
nor for noe highnese of his blood,
without he would with swords dent
win euery battell where he went.
soe there were many in that Realme rich,
but they cold find but few such,
for the Erle rydeth with such a route
of Lords & knights hardye & stout.
there was in that same time
a curtoous knight called Sir Grime;
& of Garwicke Lord was hee;
he was a wise man and a wittye.
soe there was in that same place
a young Knight men called Egace,
but his name was Sir Eger,
for he was but a poore bachlour,
for his elder brother was liuande,
& gouerned all his fathers Land.
Egar was large of blood & bone,
but broad Lands had hee none,
but euermore he wan the honour
through worshipp of his bright armour;
& for loue that he was soe well taught,
euer he Iusted & hee fought;
& because he was soe well proued,
the Erles daughter shee him Loued.
they Ladye granted her good will,
her father sented there soone till,
he was glad that shee wold,
that shee wold in hart fold
for to take vntill her fere
a baru[n] or else a bacheleere.
these Knights Sir Egar & Sir Grime,
they were fellowes good & fine;
they were nothing sib of blood,
but they were sworne Bretheren good;
they keeped a chamber together att home;
better loue Loved there never none.
Vpon a time Egar he wold forth fare
to win him worshippe, as he did ere,
wherby that he might praysed bee
aboue all knights of high degree.
soe hee came home vpon a night,
sore wounded, & ill was he dight:
his kniffe was forth, his sheath was gone,
his scaberd by his thigh was done,
a truncheon of a speare hee bore,
& other weapons he bare noe more.
on his bed side he sett him downe,
he siked sore, & fell in swoone.
Sir Grime of Garwicke shortlye rose,
& ran to Sir Egar, and said, “alas,
for thee, Egar, my hart is woe
that euer I were soe farr thee froe!
for when wee parted att yonder yate
thou was a mightye man, & milde of state;
& well thou seemed, soe god me speede,
to proue thy manhood on a steede;
& now thou art both pale and greene,
& in strong battell thou hast beene;
thou hast beene in strong battell,
it was neuer litle that made thee fayle.”
“Now as it hath behappned mee,
god, let it neuer behappen thee
Nor noe other curteous Knight
that euer goeth to the feild to fight,
for to win worshipp as I haue done!
I haue bought it deare & lost it soone!
for other Lords haue biddn att home,
& saued their bodyes forth of shame,
& kepeed their manhood faire & cleane!
well broked my loue before mine eyen,
& I am hurt & wounded sore,
& manhood is lost for euer-more.”
then said Grime to Sir Egar,
“ye greeue you more then meete were;
for that man was neuer soe well cladd,
nor yett soe doughtye in armes dread,
but in battell place he may be distayned.
why shold his manhood be reproued,
or his Ladye or his loue repine?”
then said Egar, “lett be, Sir Grime!
for fairer armour then I had,
was neuer Cristian Knight in cladd;
I had a body that seemed well to doe,
& weapons that well longed therto;
well I trusted my Noble steed,
soe that I did my good rich weed;
& well I trusted my Noble brand;
the best of all I trusted my hart & my hand!
I heard tell of a venterous Knight
that kept a fforbidden countrye bath day & night,
& a fresh Iland by the sea
where castles were with towers hye.
ouer the riuer were ryding frythes 2,
& soone I chose to the one of tho;
in short while had I rydden
in that Land that was fforbidden,
but I heard mouing in the greete
as itt had beene of a steeds feete.
My horsse gladedd with that cheere,
cast vp his head & was a steere,
he groped together as he wold haue runen:
I hearkned when more din had comen;
I looked on the way nye before,
& see a Knight come on a sowre;
red was his sheild, red was his speare,
& all of fresh gold shone his geere;
&, by the death that I must thole,
my steed seemed to his but a fole;
his speare that was both great & long,
faire on his brest he cold itt honge;
& I mine in my rest can folde.
I gaue my horsse what head he wold,
our steeds brought vs together soone:
alas, that meeting I may mone!
ffor through coate armour & acton,
through brest plate & Habergion,
through all my armour lesse & more,
Cleane through the body he me bore;
& I still in my sadle sate,
my good spere on his brest I brake.
the 2d time he came againe,
he fayled of me, & my steede he has slaine.
then I gott vpp deliuerlye,
not halfe soe soone as need had I;
I thought to haue wrocken my steeds bane,
but that great outrage my selfe hath tane;
I drew a sword of Mettle bright,
& egerlye I sought vnto that Knight;
I stroke at him with all my maine,
I failed of him, & his steed has slaine.
when hee see that itt was soe,
to counter on ffoote he was full throe;
hee drew a sword, a worthy weapon;
the first dint that on me did happen,
throug all my armour, lesse and more,
7 inches into the sholder he me shore;
& I hitt him with whole pith
aboue the girdle, that he groned with,
& with that stroke I cold him lett
whiles another shortlye on him I sett,
& well I wott I had him gotten,
but with that stroke my sword was broken.
then I drew a kniffe,—I had noe other,
the which I had of my owne borne brother,—
& he another out of sheath hath tane,
& neere hand together are we gone:
first he wounded me in the face;
my eyen were safe, that was my grace;
then I hitt him vpon the head,
that in his helme my blade I leade.
god! lett neuer Knight soe woe be gon
as I was when all my false weapons were done!
yett with the haft that was left in my hand,
fast vpon his face I dange
that the blood sprang out from vnder the steele:
he lost some teeth, that wott I weele.
My Habergion that was of Millaine fine,—
first my fathers and then was mine,
& itt had beene in many a thrust,
& neuer a naile of itt wold burst;—
my acton was of Paris worke,
saued me noe more than did my sarke,
for his sword was of Noble steele,
he strake hard—and it lasted weele—
through all my armour more & lesse,
and neuer ceaced but in the fleshe.
then, sore foughten, I waxed wearye,
for blood as drye as any tree;
I fought soe long, I ffell in swoone,
till betweene his hands I fell downe.
when I came to my-selfe, my steed was away;
I looked on the Land where he lay;
my steed lay slaine a litle me froe,
& his head backe striken in tow
then I was ware of a runing strand,
& thither I crope on foot & hand,
& from my eyen I washt the blood;—
all was away shold have done me good;—
then I looked on my right hand;
my litle fingar was lackand.
then I went further on the greene
where more strong battells hadden beene;
a slaine Knight & spoyled lay,
his litle fingar was away;
& by that Knight I might well see
that one man had delt both with him & me.
then of a sadled horsse I gatt a sight,
& by him lay a slaine Knight;
his steede was both good & fine,
but not halfe soe good as mine.
all that day did I ryde
till itt was in the euen tide;
the Moone shone fayre, the starres cast light;
then of a castle I gott a sight,
of a Castle & of a towne,
& by an arbour side I light downe;
& there I saw fast me by
The fairest bower that euer saw I.
a little while I tarryed there,
and a lady came forth of a fresh Arbor;
shee came forth of that garden greene,
& in that bower faine wold haue beene;
shee was cladd in scarlett redd,
& all of fresh gold shone her heade,
her rud was red as rose in raine,
a fairer creature was neuer seene.
me-thought her coming did me good,
& straight upon my feete I stoode.
“Good Sir,” quoth shee, “what causes you here to lenge?
for ye had meetter of great easmend;
& heere beside is a castle wight,
& there be leeches of great sleight,
cuning men with for to deale,
& wonderous good happ haue for to heale;
& there is the gentlest Lady att will
that euer man came in misery till;
therfore I councell you thither to wend,
for yee had neede of a great easmend.”
“Lady,” said Egar, “as itt be-happened mee,
I irke to come in any companye.
I beseeche you, Lady faire and sweete,
helpe that I were sounded with one sleepe,
& some Easment for me and my hackney.”
“Sir,” sayd shee, “I will doe the best I may.
Sir, sith I am first that with you mett,
I wold your neede were the better bett.”
then a faire maid, shee tooke my steede,
& into a stable shee did him leade,
& into a chamber both faire & light
I was led betweene 2 Ladyes bright.
all my bloodye armour of me was done,
the Lady searched my wounds full soone,
shee gaue me drinke for to restore,
for neere hand was I bled before;
there was neuer alle nor wine
came to mee in soe good a time;
a siluer bason she cammanded soone,
& warme water therin to be done;
the Ladye Loue-some vnde[r] line,
with her white hands shee did wash mine,
& when shee saw my right hand bare,
alas! my shame is much the more!
the gloue was whole, the hand was nomen,
therby shee might well see I was ouercomen;
& shee perceiued that I thought shame;
therfore shee would not aske me my name,
nor att that word shee sayd noe more,
but all good easments I had there.
then till a bed I was brought;
I sleeped neuer halfe soe soft;
the Ladye fayre of Hew & hyde,
shee sate downe by the bedside;
shee a laid a souter vpon her knee,
theron she plaid full louesomlye,
& yett for all her sweet playinge,
oftimes shee had full still mourninge;
& her 2 maydens sweetlye sange,
& oft thé weeped, & their hands wrange;
but I heard neuer soe sweet playinge,
& euer amongst, soe sore siking.
in the night shee came to me oft,
& asked me whether I wold ought;
but alwayes I said her Nay
till it drew neerr to the breake of day;
then all my bloodye tents out shee drew,
againe shee tented my wounds anew:
wott yee well itt was noe threede,
the tents that into my wounds yeede,
they were neither of lake nor Line,
but they were silke both good & fine;
twise the tenting of my wounds
cost that Ladye 20 pounds,
without spices and salues that did me ease,
& drinkes that did my body well please;
& then shee gaue me drinke in a horne;
neuer since the time that I was borne
such a draught I neuer gatt;
with her hand shee held me after thatt.
the drinke shee gaue mee was grasse greene;
soone in my wounds itt was seene;
the blood was away, the drinke was there,
& all was soft that erst was sore;
& methought I was able to run and stand,
& to haue taken a new battell in hand;
the birds sange in the greene Arbor,
I gate on foote and was on steere.
the Ladye came to me where I lay,
these were the words shee to me did say,
“I rede you tarry a day or towe
till you be in better plight to goe;”
but I longed soe sore to be at home
that I would needlye take leaue to gone.
shee gaue me 2 shirts of raines in fere,
put them next my body; I haue them here;
& my owne shee did abone,
& my bloudye armour on me hath done,
saue my heauy habergion; shee was afrayd
lest they wold haue mad my wounds to bleede;
that Ladye with her milke white hand,
to the rason of my saddell shee it bound
with 2 bottels of rich wine,
& therof haue I liued euer sinne.
I sayd, “a! deare good Madam, how may this be?
the coningest leeche in this land be yee;
for all my wounds lesse or more,
of them I feele noe kind of sore
as I had neuer beene wounded with sword nor speare,
nor neuer weapon had done mee deere.”
“wold god,” said shee, “that itt were soe!
but I know well for a day or 2
froe that loue make you once agast,
your oyntments may noe longer last.
sith you will not abyde with mee,
lett your Ladye in your countrye
doe to your wounds as I wold haue done;
then they will soft and heale full soone.”
one thing did my hart great greeffe,
I had nothing that Ladye to giue;
but my golden beades forth I drew,
that were of fine gold fresh and new.
shee wold not receiue them at my hand,
but on her bedside I lett them liggand;
I tooke leaue of that Ladye bright,
& homewards rid both day & Night.
I fared full well all that while
till I came home within 2 mile;
then all my wounds wrought att once
as kniues had beene beaten thorrow my bones;
out of my sadle I fell that fraye;
when I came to my selfe, my steed was away
thus haue I beene in this ffarr countrye,
such a venterous Knight mett with mee.
Men called him Sir Gray Steele;
I assayed him, & he ffended weele.

[The Second Part.]

Then spake Grime to Sir Egar
with soft words & faire,
“that man was neuer soe wise nor worthye,
nor yet soe cuning proued in clergye,
nor soe doughtye of hart nor hand,
nor yett so bigg in stowre to stand,
but in such companye he may put in
but he is as like to loose as win;
& euer I bade you to keepe you weele
out of the companye of Sir Gray Steele,
for he is called by command
the best Knight in any Land.
sith the Matter is chanced soe,
wee will take the wayes of choice 2:
from your loue and laydye Lained this shalbee;
shee shall know nothing of our priuitye.”
but litle wist Egar nor Sir Grime
where the lady was that same time;
for the Lady that Egars loue was,
her chamber was within a little space;
of Sir Egar shee soe sore thought
that shee lay wakened, and sleeped nought.
a scarlett Mantle hath shee tane,
to Grimes chamber is shee gone;
shee heard them att a priuie dain;
shee stayd with-out, & came not in.
when shee heard that Egars body was in distresse,
shee loued his body mickle the worse.
words this lady wold not say,
but turned her backe & went awaye,
yet soe priuilye shee is not gone
but Grime perceived that there was one;
an vnfolded window opened hee,
& saw the way-gate of that Ladye.
“what is that?” said Egar, “maketh that dinn?”
Grime sayd, “my spanyell hound wold come in.”
to his fellow Sir Egar he said noe more,
but he repented that she came there.
Gryme hath gotten that same night
Leeches that beene of great sleight,
coning men with for to deale,
that had good happ wounds to heale.
yett Long ere day word is gone
that Egar the Knight is comen home,
& hath moe wounds with sword & kniffe
then had euer man that bare liffe:
17 wounds hee hath tane,
7 beene thorrow his body ran;
the Leeches cold doe him noe remede,
but all said “Egar wold be dead.”
In the morning the Erle & the countesse,
to Grymes chamber can thé passe;
the Erle said, “how doth Sir Egar the Knight?”
then answered Grime both wise and wight:
“he doth, my Lord, as you may see.”
“alas!” said the Erle, “how may this bee?”
Grime answered him hastilye,
“my Lord, I shall tell you gentleye:
& vncoth Land he happened in,
where townes where both few & thinn;
giffe he rode neuer soe fast,
7 dayes the wildernesse did last.
he heard tell of a venterous Knight
that kept a forbbidden countrye day & night,
& a mile by the salt sea,
castles fayre & towers hye;
On the other side a fayre strand,
a faire fforrest on the other hand,
on the one side run a fresh riuere,
there might noe man nighe him nere;
for he that ouer that riuer shold ryde,
strange aventures shold abyde;
hee shold either fight or flee,
or a weed in that Land leaue shold hee;
the wedd that he shold leaue in this land
shold be the litle ffingar of his right hand;
& or he knew himselfe to slowe,
his litle fingar he wold not forgoe.
boldlye Egar gaue him battell tho;
his helme and his hawberckes he tooke him fro,
soe did he his sword & his spere
& much more of his golden gayre;
& homewards as he rode apace
thorrow the wylde forrest & the wyldenesse,
he thought to haue scaped withouten Lett.
then 15 theeves with Egar Mett;
they thought Egar for to have him sloe,
his gold and his good to haue tooke him froe:
thrise through them with a spere he ran,
7 he slew, and the master man,
yett had hee scaped for all that dread;
they shott att him, & slew his steed;
hee found a steed when they were gone,
wheron Sir Egar is come home;
for if Sir Egar dye this day,
farwell flower of Knight-hoode for euer & aye!”
then the Erle proferred 40li: in Land
for a Leeche that wold take Egar in hand.
9 dayes were comen & gone
or any Leeche wold Egar vndertane;
it was 9 dayes and some deale more
or his ladye wold come there;
& att the coming of that fayre Ladye,
her words they were both strange & drye:
shee saies, “how doth that wounded Knight?”
then answered Gryme both wise & wight,
“he doth, Madam, as yee may see.”
“in faith,” said the Lady. “thats litle pittye:
he might full well haue bidden att home;
worshipp in that Land gatt he none;
he gaue a ffingar to lett him gange,
the next time he will offer vp the whole hand.”
Gryme was euer wont to gange
in councell with the ladye to stand,
& euer told Egar a fayre tale
till the Knight Sir Egar was whole;
for & her want & will had beene to him lenging,
it wold have letted him of his mending.
soe long the Leeches delt with Sir Egar
till he might stoutlye goe & stirr;
till itt once beffell vppon a day
Gryme thought the Ladye to assaye
whether shee loued Sir Egar his brother
as well as euer shee did before:
Grime said, “Madame, by godds might,
Egar will take a new battell with yonder Knight;
he is to sore wounded yett for to gone;
itt were worshipp to cause him to abyde at home,
for he will doe more for you then mee.”
then answered that fayre Lady,
“all that while that Egar was the Knight
that wan the degree in euery fight,
for his sake verelye
Manye a better I haue put by;
therfor I will not bidd him ryde,
nor att home I will not bid him abyde,
Nor of his Marriage I haue Nothing adoe;
I wott not, Gryme, what thou saist therto.”
Gryme turned his backe of the Ladye faire,
& went againe to his brother Sir Egar,
sett him downe on his bed side,
& talked these words in that tyde:
“Egar,” he said, “thou & I are brethren sworne,
I loued neuer better brother borne;
betwixt vs tow let vs make some cast,
& find to make our formen fast,
for of our enemies wee stand in dread,
& wee Lye sleeping in our bedd.”
Egar said, “what mistrust haue yee with mee?
for this 7 monthes if I here bee,
shall neuer a man take my matter in hand
till I bee able to auenge my-selfe in Land.”
A kinder Knight then Gryme was one,
was neuer bredd of blood nor bone:
“methinke you be displeased with mee,
& that is not your part for to bee,
for sith the last time that ye came home,
I haue knowen priuie messengers come & gone
betwixt your Ladye & Erle Olyes,
a Noble Knight that doughtye is,
of better blood borne then euer were wee,
& halfe more liuings then such other 3.”
then Egar vp his armes sprang,
& ffast together his hands dange,
with still mourning & siking sore
saith, “alas! my loue & my Ladye fayre,
what haue I done to make you rothe
that was euer leeue, & now soe Lothe?”
Gryme had of him great pittye,
“brother,” he said, “be councelled by mee;
if you will doe after my counsaile,
peradventure it will greatly prevaile:
another thing, my liffe I dare Lay
that yee shall wed that Ladye within this monthes day.”
“how now?” quoth Egar, “how may that bee?”
“peace!” said Gryme, “& I shall tell thee:
I haue a brother that men call Palyas,
a noble squier & worthye is,
he is welbeloued within this court
of all the Lords round about;
wee will him call to our councell,
peradventur he will vs prevayle;
& I my selfe will make me sicke at home
till a certen space be comen & gone,
& that such a disease hath taken mee
that I may noe man heare nor noe man see.
Palyas my brother shall keepe you att home,
& I my selfe will to that battell gone,
& I shall feitch Gray-steeles right hand,
or I shall leaue another fingar in that Land.”

[The Third Part.]

They called Pallyas to their councell,
& he assented soone withouten fayle,
for he loued Sir Egar both Euen & morne
as well as he did Gryme his brother borne.
“& iff you will to this battell goe,
yee had neede of good councell betwene
Gryme, if thou wilt fight with Sir Gray-steele,
thou had neede of weapons that stand wold weele;
for weapons may be both fresh & new,
fikle, false, & full vntrue;
when a weapon faileth when a man hath need,
all the worse then may hee speede;
And all I say by Sir Egar,
where was a better Knight knowen any where?
when his weapon faild him att most need,
all the worse then did he speede.”
Palyas said, “there was somtimes in this countrye,
Egar, your vnckle Sir Egranye,
& when that Egramye was liuand
he had the guiding of a noble brand,
the name of itt was called Erkyin;
well were that man had it in keeping!
first when that sword was rought,
to King ffundus it was brought
full far beyond the greekes sea,
for a Iewell of high degree.
when the King departed this world hence,
he left it with the younge prince;
& some sayd that Egramye
shold loue that ladye in priuitye;
he desired the sword in borrowing;
the King deceased at that time;
& when that Egrame was liuande,
he had the guiding of that noble brand;
that man was neuer of a woman borne,
durst abyde the winde his face beforne.
the Ladyes dwelling is heere nye;
shee saith, ‘there is noe man that sword shall see
till her owne sonne be att age & land,
& able to welde his fathers brande.’”
Grime sayd, “I will goe thither to-morrow at day
to borrow that sword if that I may.”
on the morrow when the sun shone bright,
to Egrames Ladie went Grime the Knight;
kindley he halcht that ladye faire:
she saith, “how doth my Cozin Sir Egar?”
“hee will forth, maddam, with all his might
to take a new battell on yonder Knight;
he prayeth you to lend him his vnckeles brand,
& there he hath sent you the deeds of his land,
& all mine I will leaue with you in pawne
that your sword shall safelye come againe.”
soe he desired that sword soe bright
that shee was loth to with-say that Knight;
then shee feitched him forth that Noble brand,
& receiued the deeds of both their lands;
she said, “there was noe fault with Egeking,
but for want of grace and gouerninge;
for want of grace & good gouerninge
may loose a Kingdome & a King,
for there is neither Lin nor light
that Egeking my sword meeteth with,
but gladlye it will through itt gone,
that biting sword, vnto the bone;
but I wold not for both your Lands
that Egeking came in a cowards hands.”
& yett was faine Sir Gryme the Knight:
to Egar he went againe that night;
Pallyas he said, “I read you be councelled by mee,
& take some gifts to that faire Ladye,
to that Ladye faire & bright
that Lodged Sir Egar soe well the first night.”
“the best tokens,” said Sir Egar,
beene her sarkes of raines; I haue them here.”
he tooke broches & beads in that stonde,
& other Iewells worth 40li:
& to reward that fayre Ladye,
& thanke her of her curtesie.
“wherby,” sayd Gryme, “shall I her know
amongst other Ladyes that stands on a row?”
“I shall tell you tokens,” sayd Sir Egar,
Wherby you may know that Ladye faire:
shee hath on her nose, betweene he[r] eyen,
like to the Mountenance of a pin;
& that [hew] is red, & the other is white,
there is noe other Ladye her like,
for shee is the gentlest of hart & will
that euer man came vntill.”
Early on the other day
theese 2 knights did them array:
into a window Sir Egar yeede,
bookes of Romans for to reede
that all the court might him heare.
the Knight was armed & on steere;
he came downe into the hall,
& tooke his leaue both of great & small.
the Erle tooke Egars hand in his fist,
the countesse comlye cold him Kisse;
his oune lady stood there by,
shee wold bere the Knight noe companye:
he sayd, “ffarwell my Lady faire!”
shee sayd, “god keepe you better then he did ere!”
& all that euer stoode her by,
did Marueill her answer was soe dry.
he went to the chamber or he wold blin;
Sir Gryme came forth as he went in,
Stepped into the stirropp that stiffe were in warr,
& Palyas his brother wrought him a spere.
then wold he noe longer abyde,
but towards Gray-steele can he ryde.
to the walls went winglaine, that Lady faire,
for to see the waygate of her loue Sir Egar;
& Gryme the spurres spared not; soe weele
to the steeds sides he let them feele,
his horsse bouted forth with Noble cheere,
he spowted forward as he had beene a deere
till he was passed out of her sight.
to Grymes chamber went that Ladye bright:
yett long time or shee came there
Palyas had warned Sir Egar,
drawen double curtaines in that place
that noe man of Sir Egar noe knowledg hath.
Palyas was full of curtesie,
& sett a chaire for that faire Ladye:
shee said, “at the walls, Palyas, I haue beene there
to see the ryding forth of Sir Egar;
he rydeth feircely out of the towne
as he were a wild Lyon.
alas! hee may make great boast & shoure
when there is noe man him before;
but when there is man to man, & steed to steede,
to proue his manhood, then were it neede!”
oftentimes Egar both cruell & keene
for her in strong battells oft hath beene,
& oftentimes had put himselfe in warr;
& lay & heard her lowte him like a knaue:
he wist not how he might him wrecke,
but cast vp his armes, & thought to speake.
& Palyas was perceiued of that,
& by the sholders he him gatt;
he held him downe both sad & sore,
that he lay still & sturrd noe more.
Palyas was full of curtesie,
& thus answered that faire ladye;
he said, “Maddame, by gods might,
Egar is knowne for the Noblest Knight
That euer was borne in the land of Beame,
& most worshipp hath woon to that Relme!
that was well proued in heathenesse
when the King of Beame did thither passe;
soe did the Lords of this countrye,
& alsoe your father, that Erle soe free.
there came a sowdan to a hill,
that many christen men had done ill,
the name of him was Gornordine,
that many a christen man had put to pine;
& he becalled any cristen Knight,
or any 5 that with him wold fight.
500 Knights were there that day,
& all to that battell they saydden nay.
Egar thought on you att home,
& stale to that battell all alone;
they fought together, as I heard tell,
on a mountaine top till Gornordine fell.
60 Hethen were in a busment neere,
& all brake out vpon Sir Egar:
or any reshcew came to him then,
he had kild Gornordine & other ten.
then was he rescewed by a Noble Knight
that euer was proued both hardye & wight,
the name of him was Kay of Kaynes,
a Northeren Knight I trow he is;
there were but Egar & other ten,
& thé killed 60 or more of the heathen men;
thus they reschewd the Noble Egar,
& brought him to the host, as you shall hear.
the King of Beame in that stage
offered Sir Egar his daughter in Marryage;
yet that gentle Knight wold not doe soe,
he loued you best [that] now be his foe.
you be his foe, he knowes that nowe
when he standeth in dread, I know.”
the Lady was soe wrath with Palyas,
shee tooke her leaue & forth shee goth.
Now lett vs leaue chyding att home,
& speake of Sir Gryme that is to the battell gone.

[The Fourth Part.]

All the wildernesse that there bee,
Grime rode it in dayes 3;
he mett a squier by the way;
with fayre words Grime can to him say,
“Sir,” he said, “who is Lord of this countrye?”
the squier answered him gentlye,
“It is a lord most worthyest in waine,
Erle Gares is his name.”
Grime sayd, “how highteth that lords heyre?”
he sayd, “he hath none but a daughter fayre.”
Gryme saith, “who hath that Ladye wedd?”
the Knight sayd, “shee neuer came in mans bedd;
but Sir Attelston, a hardye Knight,
marryed that Lady fayre & bright;
for he gaue battell, that wott I weele,
vpon a day to Sir Gray-Steele:
a harder battell then there was done tho,
was neuer betwixt Knights 2;
but Gray-steele killed Sir Attelstone,
a bolder Knight was neuer none.
Erle Gares sonne & his heyre,—
in all the world was none more goodlyere,—
he was soe sorry Attelstone was dead,
he thought to quitt gray-steele his meede;
boldlye he gaue him battell vpon a day,
ther-for many a man sayd well-away!
& there thé both ended att this bane
as many another Knight hath done;
ffor I haue wist that tyrant with his hands 2
kill a 100 Knights and some deale moe;
shamfulye hath driuen them to dead
withouten succour or any remed.”
for all the words he spake in that time,
nothing it feared the Knight Sir Grime.
Gryme sayd, “how ffarr haue wee to that citye
whereas that Ladyes dwelling doth bee?”
the Knight said “but miles 2;
the one of them I will with you goe.”
they talked together gentlye
till he had brought Grime to that citye.
att a burgesse house his ine he hath tane;
to Seeke the Ladye Sir Grime is gone;
then he went into a garden greene
where he saw many Ladyes sheene;
amongst them all he knew her there
by the tokens of Sir Eger.
Egar was hurt vnder the eare;
an oyntment Gryme had drawen there;
he held the gloue still on his hand
where Egers fingars was lackand;
& when that knight came her nye,
he kneeled downe vpon his knee,
& thanked her with humble cheere
“sith the last time, madam, that I was heere.”
“Sir,” said shee, “excused you must hold mee;
thus avised, I did you neuer see.”
then hee gaue her the shirts of raines in that stond
and other Iewells worth 40li:,
& thus rewarded that fayre Ladye,
& thanked her of her curtesie.
“Now Sir,” sayd shee, “soe haue I blisse:
how fareth the Knight that sent me this?”
“I doe, Madam, as yee see now,
therof I thanke great god and you.”
“why Sir,” said shee, “but is it yee
that in such great perill here did bee?
I am glad to see you so sound in sight.”
hastilye shee rose & kist that Knight.
Gryme Looke vpon that Ladye faire:
soe faire a creature saw I neuer ere;
for shee was cladd in scarlett redd,
& all of fresh gold shone her head;
her rud was red as rose in raine,
a fairer creature was neuer seene.
as many men in a matter full nice,—
but all men in louing shall neuer be wise,—
his mind on her was soe sett
that all other matters he qu[i]te forgett;
& as thé stood thus talkeand,
shee stale the gloue besids his hand.
when shee saw his right hand bare,
softly shee said to him there,
“Sir,” said shee, “it was noe marueill though you hidd your hond!
for such Leeches in this Land are none!
there is noe Leeche in all this land
can sett a fingar to a hand,
to be as well & as faire
as neuer weapon had done it deere!
but game and bourd Let goe together;
scorning I can well conssider!
it was neuer that Knights commandement
noe scorne hither to mee to send!
If thou be comen to scorne mee,
ffull soone I can scorne thee.”
before, shee was mild of state,
Now is shee high and full of hate!
& of all the Iewells that he hath brought,
shee curset them to the ground, & wold them naught.
Grime was neuer soe sore in all his day;
he wist neuer a word what he shold say;
& as shee was to the chamber passand,
Grime tooke that Ladye by the hand,
saith, “I beseech you, lady free,
a word or 2 to hearken mee,
&—soe helpe me god & holy dame!—
I shall tell you how all this matter was done:
the knight that was heere, he was my brother,
& hee thought me more abler then any other
for to take that matter in hand:
he loueth a ladye within his land;
if not in euery fight he win the gree,
of his loue forsaken must he bee.”
shee sayd, “yee seeme a gentle Knight,
that answereth a ladye with soe much right.”
the Iewells the mayden hath vpp tane,
& shee & the Knight to chamber are gone.
shee sent vnto that burgesse place
a mayden that was faire of face;
what cost soeuer his steede did take,
twice double shee wold it make.
a rich supper there was dight,
& shortlye sett before that Knight.
Meate nor drinke none wold hee,
he was soe enamored of that fayre Ladye.
he longed sore to [bee] a bedd,
& to a chamber shee him Led,
& all his armour of was done,
& in his bed he was layd soone.
the Ladye louesome of hew & hyde
sett her downe by his bedside,
shee layd a sowter vpon her knee,
& theron shee playd full loue-somlye,
& her 2 mayds full sweetlye sang,
& euer they wept, & range their hands.
then Spake Gryme to that Ladye fayre:
“of one thing, Madam, I have great Marueile,
for I heard neuer soe sweet playinge,
& ofentetimes soe sore weepinge.”
shee commanded her sowter to be taken her froe,
& sore shee wrange her hands 2:
“Sir,” shee sayd, “I must neuer be weele
till I be auenged on Sir Gray-steele,
for he slew my brother, my fathers heyre,
& alsoe my owne Lord both fresh & fayre;
for Sir Attelstone shold me haue wedd,
but I came neuer in his bedd;
he gaue a battell, that wott I weele,
vpon a day to Sir Gray-steele.
a harder battell then was done thoe,
was neuer betweene Knights 2;
Gray-Steele killed Attelstone;
therfor many a Knight made great moane.
then my brother that was my fathers heyre—
in all the world was none more goodlyer—
he was soe sorry for my husband indeed,
he thought to have quitt Gray-steele his Meede:
boldlye he gaue him battell vpon a day;
therfore many a man sayd wellaway!
And there they both ended att that bone
as many another Knight hath done;
for I haue wist that tyrant with his hands 2
to haue a killed a 100 Knights & moe,
& shamefully driuen them to dead
with-outen succour or any remedeye.
& if thou be comen to fight with that Knight,
Iesu defend thee in thy right!
there is noe woman aliue that knoweth so weele
as I doe of the Condicions of Sir Gray-steele,
for euerye houre from Midnight till noone,
eche hower he increaseth the strenght of a man;
& euery houer from Noone till Midnight,
euery hower he bateth the strenght of a Knight.
looke thou make thy first counter like a Knight,
& enter into his armour bright;
looke boldlye vpon him thou breake thy spere
as a manfull Knight in warr;
then light downe rudlye for thy best boote;
the tyrant is better on horsbacke then on foote;
presse stiflye vpon him in that stoure
as a Knight will thinke on his paramoure;
but I will not bid yee thinke on me,
but thinke on your ladye whersoeuer shee bee;
& let not that tyrant, if that he wold,
lett you of that couenant that Ladye to holde.”
then shee tooke leaue of that gentle Knight;
to her chamber shee is gone with her maidens bright.
Sir Gryme longed sore for the day;
the Ostler soone can him arraye,
he armed the Knight & brought him his steede,
& he gaue him red gold for his meede.
a rich brea[k]fast there was dight,
& shortlye sett before that Knight,
but meate nor drinke none wold hee
but a cuppe of wine & soppes 3.
he tooke leaue of that Ladye cleare,
& rydeth towards the fresh riuer.

[The Fifth Part.]

Early in that May morning,
merrely when the burds can sing,
the throstlecocke, the Nightingale,
the laueracke & the wild woodhall,
the rookes risen in euery riuer,
the birds made a blissfull bere;
It was a heauenly Melodye
pro a Knight that did a louer bee,
on the one side to heare the small birds singing,
on the other side the flowers springing.
then drew forth of the dales the dun deere,
the sun it shone both fresh & cleere,
Phebus gott vp with his golden beames,
ouer all the land soe light it gleames;
hee looked vpon the other side,
see parkes & palaces of Mickle pryde,
with 7 townes by the salt sea
with castles fayre & towers hyee.
ouer the riuer were ryding places 2,
& soone Grime chose to the one of tho;
& then he wold noe longer abyde,
but into Gray-steeles Land can he ryde;
& yett was feared Sir Gryme the Knight
lest he wold haue tarryed him till night;
but, god wott, he had noe cause to doe soe;
for Gray-steele had ouer-waches 2.
they went & told their Master anon right,
“into your Land is comen a Knight,
and 3st he hath rydden about the plaine,
And now is he bowne to turne home againe.”
“Nay,” sayd Gray-steele, “by St. John!
this one yeere he shall not goe home,
but he shall either fight or flee,
or a wed in this land leaue shall hee.”
they brought him red sheeld & red spere,
& all of fresh gold shone his geere;
his brest plate was purpelye pight,
his helmett itt shone with gold soe bright,
his shankes full seemlye shone,
was sett with gold & precious stone,
his armes with plate & splents dight
were sett with gold & siluer bright;
with his sheelde on his brest him beforne,
theron was a dragon & a vnicorne;
on the other side a beare & a wyld bore,
in the Middest a ramping Lyon that wold byt[e] sore;
about his necke withouten fayle
a gorgett rought with rich Mayle,
with his helme sett on his head soe hye;
a mase of gold full royallye,
on the top stoode a Carbunckle bright,
it shone as Moone doth in the night;
his sadle with selcamoure was sett,
with barrs of gold richlye frett;
his petrill was of silke of Inde,
his steed was of a furley kinde,
with raines of silke raught to his hand,
with bells of gold theratt ringand.
he stepped into his stirropp well armed in war,
a Knight kneeled & raught him a spere;
& then wold he noe longer abyde,
but straight to Sir Grime cold he ryde.
when Grime was ware of Gray-steele,
through comfort his hart came to him weele;
he sayd, “thou wounded my brother Sir Egar!
that deed, traytor, thou shall buy full sore.”
Gray-steele answered neuer a word,
but came on Sir Grime as he was woode;
they smoten their steeds with spurres bright,
& ran together with all their might;
but Gray-steele came on Sir Grime
like a lyon in his woodest time;
soe did Grime vpon Sir Gray-steele,
& attilde him a dint that bote full weele;
thorrow all his armour lesse & more,
cleane thorrow the body he him bore,
that all his girthers burst in sunder;
the Knight & salle & all came vnder.
through the strenght of Gryime & his steede
he smote downe Gray-steele, & ouer him yeede;
& well perceiued Gray-steele then
that he was macht with a Noble man.
then young grime start out of stray,
& from his stirrops he light that day;
he thought on that Ladye yore,
how shee had taught him to doe before;
he shooke out his sword Egeking;
the other mett him manffully without leasing;
Grime sought him on one side
& raught him a wound full wyde;
a 100d: Mailes he shore assunder,
& all the stuffe that was there vnder;
throughout all his armour bright,
5 inch into the sholder, the sword light.
but Gray-steele neuer with noe man mett
that 2 such dints did on him sett;
then thought Gray-steele, that warryour wight,
to quitt Sir Grime that Noble Knight:
He hytt him on the helme on hye
that the fire as flynt out can flye;
or euer he cold handle Egeking againe,
3 doughtye dints he sett on him certaine
that almost Sir Gryme was slaine,
the least of them might haue beene a mans bane.
thus these Noble burnes in battele
hacked & hewed with Swords of Mettle.
through rich many & myny plee
the red blood blemished both their blee.
Sir Grime was learned in his child-hood
full Noblye to handle a sworde;
with an arkward stroke ffull slee
he hitt Sir Gray-Steele on the knee;
if he were neuer soe wight of hand,
on the one foote he might but stand:
“thou wounded my brorther Sir Egar;
that deed thou shalt abuy full sore!”
then answered Gray-steele, that warryour wight,
“wherefore vpbraydest thou me with that Knight?”
“for he neuer went by watter nor Lande,
but he was as good as [t]he both of hart & hand;
& hee had beene weaponed as well as I
he had beene worth both thee & mee.”
he hitt Sir Gryme on the cainell bone;
a quarter of his sheeled away his gone;
the other he claue in tow
that it ffell into the feyld soe far him froe;
his Noble sword Egeking
went from him without Leasing.
but Grime was wight upon the land,
he followed fast after & gatt his brand;
but on Gray-Steele had had his other foote
to haue holpen him in neede and boote,
I cold not thinke how Gryme the Knight
shold haue comen againe to that Ladye bright.
when he had gotten againe Ege-king,
fell were the dints he sett on him;
with an arkeward stroke full sore
through Liuer & longs Gray-steele he bore.
Gray-Steele went walling woode
when his sydes fomed of his harts blood;
then perceiued the Knight Sir Grime
that Gray-Steele was in poynt of time.
Grime sayd, “yeeld thee, Sir Gray-steele,
for thou can neuer doe soe weele.”
the other said, “thou mayst lightlye lye;
that man shall I neuer see;
that man was neuer of woman borne
shall make me yeelde, one man to one.”
he was soe angry att Grimes words
that both his hands he sett on his sword,
& with all his strenght that was in him Leade,
he sett itt on Sir Grimes heade
that such a stroke he neuer gate,
nor noe Knight that was his mate.
he thought his head roue assunder,
his necke cracked that was vnder,
his eares brushed out of blood.
the Knight stackered with that stroke, & stoode,
for & he & had once fallen to the ground,
the Lady had neuer seene him sound.
thus they fought together fell & sore
the space of a mile and somthing more.
Gray-steele bled withouten fayle,
his visage waxed pan and wale;
Grime att his gorgett he gate a gripe,
& fast he followed in after itt,
& backward to the ground he him bare;
he let him neuer recouer more;
his brest-plate from him he cast,
& thrise to the hart he him thrust:
thus vngracious deeds without mending
can neuer scape without an ill endinge.
all this I say by Sir Gray-Steele,
for fortune had led him long and weele;
I haue wist that Knight with his hands tow
slay 100 Knights and moe,
shamefullye driuen them to dead
without succour or any remed;
& he lyeth slaine with a poore Knight
& for his sworne brother came to fight.
then Gryme looked by him soone;
they steeds were fighting, as they had done;
in sonder he parted the steeds 2;
to Graysteeles sadle can he goe;
he right the Girthes, & sadled the steed,
& againe to the dead body he yeede,
& pulled forth his Noble Brand,
& smote of Sir Gray-steeles hande:
“My brother left a fingar in this land with thee,
therfore thy whole hand shall he see.”
hee looked vp to the castle of stone,
& see Ladyes manye a one
wringing, & wayling, & riuing there heare,
striking, & crying with voices full cleere.
wight men, they wold not blin,
horsse & harnesse pro to win:
it was euer Sir Gray-steeles desiring
that for his death shold be made noe chalishing.
Grime leapt on Sir Gray-steeles steed,
his owne by the bridle he cold him leade,
& he rode towards the fresh riuer,
there was noe man durst nye him nere;
yett it was an howre within the night
before he came againe to that Ladye bright.
he rode strayght to the burgesse dore,
the ostler mett him on the flore:
“O Master!” he sayd, “now is come that Knight
that went hence when the day was light;
he hath brought with him Sir Gray-steeles steede,
& much more of his golden weede;
he hath brought with him his chaine of gold—
his sadle harnes is fayre to behold,—
with other more of his golden geere;
in all this land there is none such to were.”
then to the dore fast cold they hye,
bold men & yeamanrye.
the Burgesse asked the Knight
whether he wold lodg with him all night.
Grime sayd, “to lye in a strange Land—
& here is a strong Castle att hand—
methinke itt were a great follye;
I wott not who is my freind or my enemye.”
hee tooke the hand, & the gloue of gold soe gay;
to the Ladyes chamber he tooke the way
att supper where shee was sett,
but neuer a Morsel might shee eate:
“a!” shee sayd, “now I thinke on that Knight
that went from me when the day was light!
yesternight to the chamber I him Ledd;
this night Gray-steele hath made his bed!
alas! he is foule lost on him!
that is much pittye for all his kine!
for he is large of blood & bone,
& goodlye nurture lacketh he none;
& he his fayre in armes to fold,
He is worth to her his waight in gold;
woe is me, for his loue in his countrye!
shee may thinke longe or she him see!”
with that she thought on her Lord Attelstone
that they water out of her eyen ran.
with that Grime knocked att the chamber dore,
& a maiden stoode ther on the flore;
“O Madam!” shee said, “now is come that Knight
that went hence when the day was light.”
& hastilye from the bord she rise,
& kissed him 20 sithe:
“how haue you farren on your Iourney?”
“full well, my loue,” Sir Grime did say,
“for I haue taken such a surtye on yonder Knight
that pore men in his country may haue right;
Merchants may both buy and sell
within the lands where they doe dwell.”
he gaue her the hand & the gloue gay,
& sayd, “lay vp this till itt be day.”
shee tooke the gloue att him,
but shee wist not that they hand was in;
& as they stoode still on the ground,
the hand fell out ther in that stond,
& when shee looked on that hand
that had slaine her brother and her husband,
noe marueill though her hart did grisse,
the red blood in her face did rise:
it was red rowed for to see,
with fingars more then other three;
on euerye fingar a gay gold ring,
a precious stone or a goodly thing;
& yet shee hath it vp tane
& put into the gloue againe,
& vnto a coffer did shee goe,
& vnlocked lockes one or 2.
a rich supper there was dight
& sett before that worthye Knight,
but meate nor drinke he might none;
he was soe furbrished, body and bone,
he longed sore to be a bedd.
& to a chamber shee him Ledd,
& all his armour of was done,
& the Lady searched his wounds soone.
the Ladye was neuer soe soe sounde
when shee saw hee had no death wound;
for euer thought that fayre Ladye
his wedded wife that shee shold bee.
& when shee had this done,
to her owne chamber shee went soone;
she tooke out the hand & the gloue of gold;
to her fathers hall shee sayd shee wold,
att supper when he was sett,
& many Lords withouten lett.
& when shee came into the hall,
finely shee halched on them all:
“I can tell you tydings, father, will like you weelle;
slaine is your enemye Sir Gray-steelee.”
then they laughed all ffull hastilye,
said, “Maddam, it seemeth to be a lye:
that man was neuer borne of a woman
cold neuer kill Gray-steele, one man to one.”
she cast out the hand and the gloue of gold;
all had Marueill did it behold,
for it was red rowed for to see,
with fingars more then other 3,
& on euerye fingar a fine gold ring,
a precious stone or a goodlye thing.
the Erle sayd, “daughter, wher dwelleth that Knight?”
Then answered that Ladye both faire [&] bright,
& sayth, “father, his name I cannott myn,
but he was borne in the Land of Beame;
he is large of blood & bone,
& goodlye Nurture lacketh none;
he is faire in armes to fold,
he is worth his waight in gold;
but he rydeth in the morning when it is day.”
“that I sett gods forbott,” the Erle can say,
“for I wold [not] for a ioooli:
of florences red & rounde,
vnrewarded of me that he shold goe
that soe manfully hath uenged mee on my foe.”
Earlye on the other day
Sir Gryme radylye can him array;
& as hee was his leaue takeand,
the erle came att his hand;
& when the Erle came him nye,
Sir Gryme sett him on his knee,
& thanked him with humble cheerre
for the great refreshing he had there.
the Erle tooke Gryme by the hand,
& said, “gentle Knight, doe thou vpp stand!
& as thou art a warriour wight,
tarry with me this day & this night.”
“my Lord,” hee said, “I am at your will;
all your comanndement to fulfill.”
then a squier tooke the steeds tow,
& to a stable then can he goe;
the Erle tooke Gryme by the hand,
to the pallace thé yode Leadand;
a rich dinner ther men might see,
of Meate & drinke was great plentye;
the certaine sooth If I shold say,
he was meate fellow for the Ladye gay.
& when the dinner was all done,
the Erle tooke Grime into a chamber soone,
& spurred him gentlye,
“Sir, beene you marryed in your countrye?”
Grime answered him hastilye,
“I had neuer wiffe nor yett Ladye:
I tell you truly, by Saint John,
I had neuer wiffe nor yett Lemman.”
the Erle sayd, “I am glad indeed,
for all the better here may you speede;
for I haue a daughter that is my heyre
of all my Lands, that is soe faire;
& if thou wilt wed that Ladye free,
with all my hart I will giue her thee.”
great thankes Gryme to him can make;
saith, “I loue her to well to forsake!”
and afore the Erle & Bishopps 3
Gryime handfasted that faire Ladye.
the day of Marryage itt was sett,
that Gryme shold come againe without Let.
the Erle feitched him in that stonde
2 robes was worth 400li:
they were all beaten gold begon;—
he gaue Egar the better when he came home.—
he tooke Leaue of the Erle & the Ladye,
& rydes home into his countrye.