The Legend of the Holy Grail its Sources, Character and Development, by Dorothy Kempe. The introduction to, and Part V of, Herry Lovelich's verse "History of the Holy Grail," |
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 | The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
THE HISTORY OF THE HOLY GRAIL.
93
CHAPTER XI.
100
Him hol to Maken In non degre;
But helthe Aȝen to him Most gon
Be him that him it leide vppon;
And elles but he wele him hele sende,
Be vs get he non In non Ende.”
Thanne Axede him the king Anon tho
‘Howgh Aȝens the Egipciens he scholde do;
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In what Manere it myhte him Availle.’
Thanne the devel him Answerid ful sone,
“Þere-Offen Answere mown we ȝeven þe none:
Tyl that goddis Man be Owt past,
Of vs An Answere non thow hast.”
Thanne spak Josephes there Anon Ryht,
“I Conioure the be the vertu of God Almyht,
And be the myht Also Of the Trenite,
That the sothe here thou schewe to me.”
And the devel him Answerid Agein
“That he ne Cowde not In Certein;
Of thing that was to Come, he Cowde not telle,
What Aventure so that him Euere befelle.”
CHAPTER XII.
102
And In the mene while Of this talking
Cometh A messenger tho to the king,
And knelid to-forn him vppon kis kne:
“Sire kyng, newe tydinges I bringe to þe
That ben bothe Evel and perylous,
Of Tholomes king so dispetous;
Into thi lond now Entred he Is,
And with him gret strengthe with-owten Mis;
And Oriable thi Cite they han take,
And Abowtes In-virown thei don wrake,
That so the Contre distroied is be him
Into the Castel Of valachim.
For On hors-bak with him don Ride
Twenty thousend be his side,
And On foote Also there ben
Fourti thowsend Men harneysed Clen;
And ȝif that Castel he mown haue,
Nothing Of thi lond wil he save;
Ne thens wil he non fote gon
Til they ben ȝolden Euerichon;
[Fo]r that Is now the stre gest hold
[In] thi lond be Manye a fold.
And ȝit his Avow Made he there
(That Alle his Meyne gan it to here)
That Owt Of that Contre wold he not pas
Tyl he were Crowned king In sarras,”—
Whiche that was the Chef Cite
Of king Eualach his lond, I telle the.—
Cometh A messenger tho to the king,
And knelid to-forn him vppon kis kne:
“Sire kyng, newe tydinges I bringe to þe
That ben bothe Evel and perylous,
Of Tholomes king so dispetous;
Into thi lond now Entred he Is,
And with him gret strengthe with-owten Mis;
And Oriable thi Cite they han take,
And Abowtes In-virown thei don wrake,
That so the Contre distroied is be him
Into the Castel Of valachim.
For On hors-bak with him don Ride
Twenty thousend be his side,
And On foote Also there ben
Fourti thowsend Men harneysed Clen;
And ȝif that Castel he mown haue,
Nothing Of thi lond wil he save;
Ne thens wil he non fote gon
Til they ben ȝolden Euerichon;
[Fo]r that Is now the stre gest hold
[In] thi lond be Manye a fold.
And ȝit his Avow Made he there
(That Alle his Meyne gan it to here)
That Owt Of that Contre wold he not pas
Tyl he were Crowned king In sarras,”—
Whiche that was the Chef Cite
Of king Eualach his lond, I telle the.—
And whanne the king herde him thus sein,
Sore he him Abaschte In Certein;
And ȝit the more Abascht was he pleinli
For the wordis that Iosephes spak Openli,
‘That thre dayes & thre Nyht
In his Enemyes daunger to be Owtriht,
And that to the prikke Of deth he schold be browht;’
And this Euere was In Eualache thowht;
But for þat he was A man Of so gret prowesse,
He made non semblaunt Of non distresse,
But Aȝens herte he made good Chere,
[S]eenge Alle tho that there were,
[A]nd swor Anon be his Creaunce,
‘That what so him Euere happede be chaunce,
ȝif At that sege he myhte him fynde,
He wold don him Remeve be som kynde.’
Sore he him Abaschte In Certein;
And ȝit the more Abascht was he pleinli
For the wordis that Iosephes spak Openli,
‘That thre dayes & thre Nyht
In his Enemyes daunger to be Owtriht,
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And this Euere was In Eualache thowht;
But for þat he was A man Of so gret prowesse,
He made non semblaunt Of non distresse,
But Aȝens herte he made good Chere,
[S]eenge Alle tho that there were,
[A]nd swor Anon be his Creaunce,
‘That what so him Euere happede be chaunce,
ȝif At that sege he myhte him fynde,
He wold don him Remeve be som kynde.’
Anon his sonde he dide to sende
Ouer Al tho, Into Euerich ende,
To Alle tho that Of him took Ony fe,
‘Anon with him that thei scholden be,
And On the Morwe to ben Gadering
Atte Castel Of Tarabe with-owten Taryenge,’
That twenty Miles from sarras Is,
And fro valachim Sixtene, More ne Mis,
Where As Tholomes Atte Sege was.
Thus Abowten sent Eualach Into Everi plas;
Thus Abowtes be his sel he sente,
‘That Eche man scholde don his Ente[nte],
That weren weldy Armes to bere,
Aȝens here Enemyes to fensen hem there.
And ho that Aȝens his Comandementis were,
What so he be that it doth there,
His lordschepe from him wil he take,
And but Ryht A povre Man him Make.’
Ouer Al tho, Into Euerich ende,
To Alle tho that Of him took Ony fe,
‘Anon with him that thei scholden be,
And On the Morwe to ben Gadering
Atte Castel Of Tarabe with-owten Taryenge,’
That twenty Miles from sarras Is,
And fro valachim Sixtene, More ne Mis,
Where As Tholomes Atte Sege was.
Thus Abowten sent Eualach Into Everi plas;
Thus Abowtes be his sel he sente,
‘That Eche man scholde don his Ente[nte],
That weren weldy Armes to bere,
Aȝens here Enemyes to fensen hem there.
And ho that Aȝens his Comandementis were,
What so he be that it doth there,
His lordschepe from him wil he take,
And but Ryht A povre Man him Make.’
And On the Morwe the king gan to remeve,
And Iosephes to him Cam to taken his leve;
“Sire kyng, hennes thou gynnest to Go,
But thow ne wost what forto do;
For thou ne Art seker to Comen Agein,
But there forto dyen In Certein.
But thus My God sente Onto the
Be me his Servaunt, As thou myht se,
‘That thow scholdest Remembren the wel
Of whom thow Come Everydel,
And of what Maner kynde & of lynage
Thow Art I-Come to this high parage.
But thou supposist that noman it knowe;
But I Can the tellen Al be Rowe.
Be the grace Of my God Almyht
I schal the telle, I the A-plyht;
For Conceil may þere non heled be
From him that Sit In Maieste.
Thow were born In fravnce lond,
As the holi gost me doth vndirstond,
In A Old Cite Of fraunce, As I wene,
That Miaux is Called there bedene;
And there thow were A pore Mannes sone,
That to Maken schon was thanne his wone;
And this Owghtest thow to knowen ful wel,
For thow it hast Sein this Everydel.
For whanne Augustus Cesar Emperour was
Of Rome xxxij ȝer; In that plas
He wende king Of Alle kinges haue ben;
And so it him thowhte that it was sen;
But Crist of Marie was born
In his tyme, that I Rehersed beforn,
That tho king Of Alle kynges was
Thorwgh the world In Every plas.
And whanne here-Offen herde Augustus Cesar
Be hise Clerkis that weren bothe wis & war,
Thanne he gan to wexen Gretly In dowte
Lest Of his Empire to putten him Owte,
And that Al the Contre Of Rome Abowte,
To that lord scholden worschepen & dowte.
Thanne Niste he Not what forto don,
But Abowtes Al Rome he sente Anon;
Thorwgh Owt Al that Contre
Anon his Messengeres sente he,
‘That Euery man & womman Also
To him A peny scholde ȝelden tho,
As In Manere Of A knowelechinge,
As In weye Of-Soiettis to here kynge.
And, bencheson that Fraunce was thanne
Of Anothir Maner kende Of Manne,
To hem he sente In this Manere
As, Sire, I the schal now tellen here:
An hundred knyhtes be trews Aftir he sente,
And Aftir An hundred knyhtes dowghtren presente,
That Maidenis scholde ben Everichon,—
And thus his Messages Gonne forth to gon,—
And An hundred knave children Al In fere,
Not passeng the Age thanne of fyve ȝere,
But Rathere lasse thanne Ony More;
That time this was his Comaundement thore.
And Iosephes to him Cam to taken his leve;
“Sire kyng, hennes thou gynnest to Go,
But thow ne wost what forto do;
For thou ne Art seker to Comen Agein,
But there forto dyen In Certein.
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Be me his Servaunt, As thou myht se,
‘That thow scholdest Remembren the wel
Of whom thow Come Everydel,
And of what Maner kynde & of lynage
Thow Art I-Come to this high parage.
But thou supposist that noman it knowe;
But I Can the tellen Al be Rowe.
Be the grace Of my God Almyht
I schal the telle, I the A-plyht;
For Conceil may þere non heled be
From him that Sit In Maieste.
Thow were born In fravnce lond,
As the holi gost me doth vndirstond,
In A Old Cite Of fraunce, As I wene,
That Miaux is Called there bedene;
And there thow were A pore Mannes sone,
That to Maken schon was thanne his wone;
And this Owghtest thow to knowen ful wel,
For thow it hast Sein this Everydel.
For whanne Augustus Cesar Emperour was
Of Rome xxxij ȝer; In that plas
He wende king Of Alle kinges haue ben;
And so it him thowhte that it was sen;
But Crist of Marie was born
In his tyme, that I Rehersed beforn,
That tho king Of Alle kynges was
Thorwgh the world In Every plas.
And whanne here-Offen herde Augustus Cesar
Be hise Clerkis that weren bothe wis & war,
Thanne he gan to wexen Gretly In dowte
Lest Of his Empire to putten him Owte,
And that Al the Contre Of Rome Abowte,
To that lord scholden worschepen & dowte.
Thanne Niste he Not what forto don,
But Abowtes Al Rome he sente Anon;
105
Anon his Messengeres sente he,
‘That Euery man & womman Also
To him A peny scholde ȝelden tho,
As In Manere Of A knowelechinge,
As In weye Of-Soiettis to here kynge.
And, bencheson that Fraunce was thanne
Of Anothir Maner kende Of Manne,
To hem he sente In this Manere
As, Sire, I the schal now tellen here:
An hundred knyhtes be trews Aftir he sente,
And Aftir An hundred knyhtes dowghtren presente,
That Maidenis scholde ben Everichon,—
And thus his Messages Gonne forth to gon,—
And An hundred knave children Al In fere,
Not passeng the Age thanne of fyve ȝere,
But Rathere lasse thanne Ony More;
That time this was his Comaundement thore.
And whanne these tydinges weren Comen Into fraunce,
Mochel they Merveilled thanne Of this Chaunce;
And thanne Chosen they In Euery Cite
Be lot, As that time here hap myhte be.
So thanne it happed, As I telle now the,
That Owt Of Miaux that Cite,
That tweyne Maydenes Chosen weren for sothe,
And that An Erlis dowghtren weren thei bothe
Hos Name was Erl Of Siuayn,
That lord of Miaux was, & Of the Contre Certain.
And whanne the lot on hem þus gan falle,
Thanne mosten thei forth nedis with Alle;
And vppon the, tho, fyl the tother lot,
Where þou myhtest ben Excused not,
For thow were At the Age Of fyve ȝer,
And Also these Maidenis bothe briht & Cler;
That so wit these Maydenes forth were þou led,
As to-fore I haue here now to the Seid.
And whanne that to Rome ȝe weren I-Come,
The peple Abowtes ȝow Cam On A throme,
And ȝow gonnen faste to beholde:
ȝe hadden tho Of Bewte so Manifolde.
And whanne thow were comen to twenty ȝere,
Thanne bothe Maidenes deyden Ryht there;
For the ton ne lyved After the tothir
But thre Monthes, It was non Othir.
Mochel they Merveilled thanne Of this Chaunce;
And thanne Chosen they In Euery Cite
Be lot, As that time here hap myhte be.
So thanne it happed, As I telle now the,
That Owt Of Miaux that Cite,
That tweyne Maydenes Chosen weren for sothe,
And that An Erlis dowghtren weren thei bothe
Hos Name was Erl Of Siuayn,
That lord of Miaux was, & Of the Contre Certain.
And whanne the lot on hem þus gan falle,
Thanne mosten thei forth nedis with Alle;
And vppon the, tho, fyl the tother lot,
Where þou myhtest ben Excused not,
For thow were At the Age Of fyve ȝer,
And Also these Maidenis bothe briht & Cler;
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As to-fore I haue here now to the Seid.
And whanne that to Rome ȝe weren I-Come,
The peple Abowtes ȝow Cam On A throme,
And ȝow gonnen faste to beholde:
ȝe hadden tho Of Bewte so Manifolde.
And whanne thow were comen to twenty ȝere,
Thanne bothe Maidenes deyden Ryht there;
For the ton ne lyved After the tothir
But thre Monthes, It was non Othir.
Thanne Aftyr, the took Tiberius Sesar,
That Aftir Augustus was emperour thar,
And the hadde tho Ryht In gret Cherte,
And to An Erl the sente for thi bewte—
Erl Felys he hyghte Of Svlie,—
To him were thow lad In hie:
And whanne that thow to him were browht,
Ful mochel thow were Euere In his thowht,
For the ful dere to him he held;
And After ful Evele didest thou him ȝeld.
For it befil that vppon A day
His Eldest sone & thou wenten to play,
That so In Anger ȝe fillen tho bothe,
That there thow slowe his sone forsothe.
And whanne thou haddes thus him slo,
Thanne to Tholomes gonne thou go,
That Of babiloyne thilke time king was,
And werre he held Aȝens Olifernus;
For Olifernus king was riht tho with-outen d[owte]
There As now thow Art Of Al the Contre Abowte.
And Anon As thow to him were gon,
There A knyht he made the Anon;
And so moche love thanne he Caste to the,
That Amonge Al his Ost he ȝaf the powste;
And Aboven Alle Othere he ȝaf the powere,
Ouer Alle his Ost to Gouernen there,
For that thow were Of so gret prowesse
Of Manhod, & ful Of hardinesse,
So that On his Enemys Avenged he was,
And hem distroiede In that plas.
And thanne to the ȝaf he that lond,
And there holich put it Into thin hond.
That Aftir Augustus was emperour thar,
And the hadde tho Ryht In gret Cherte,
And to An Erl the sente for thi bewte—
Erl Felys he hyghte Of Svlie,—
To him were thow lad In hie:
And whanne that thow to him were browht,
Ful mochel thow were Euere In his thowht,
For the ful dere to him he held;
And After ful Evele didest thou him ȝeld.
For it befil that vppon A day
His Eldest sone & thou wenten to play,
That so In Anger ȝe fillen tho bothe,
That there thow slowe his sone forsothe.
And whanne thou haddes thus him slo,
Thanne to Tholomes gonne thou go,
That Of babiloyne thilke time king was,
And werre he held Aȝens Olifernus;
For Olifernus king was riht tho with-outen d[owte]
There As now thow Art Of Al the Contre Abowte.
And Anon As thow to him were gon,
There A knyht he made the Anon;
And so moche love thanne he Caste to the,
That Amonge Al his Ost he ȝaf the powste;
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Ouer Alle his Ost to Gouernen there,
For that thow were Of so gret prowesse
Of Manhod, & ful Of hardinesse,
So that On his Enemys Avenged he was,
And hem distroiede In that plas.
And thanne to the ȝaf he that lond,
And there holich put it Into thin hond.
Now myhtest [thou] knowen & vndyrstonde,
That I knowe whennes & of what londe
That thou were bothen bigeten & born,—
Lik As I haue the Rehersed beforn,—
And from so gret povert to hy dignete;
Remembre the wel what I telle the;
And therfore the sente to sein be me
The grete God of Al Cristiente,
That Of thi self thow schost han Minde;
And thowgh þat vnder, þou hast men of gret kynde,
And Moche peple In bataille þe Abowte,
In herte scholdest thou not be prowte;
For thi lyges, they nothing ben,
But As A wardein hem to besen;
And therfore haue thou this In Mende,
For but As On Man thow Art Of kende,
And As sone deyen thow schal
As the porest Man doth Ouer-al;
Therfore scholdest thow be powre & Mek,
And vppon thi Creatour beleven Ek,
That Into this world þe made forth go,
For with-Owten him thow myht not do;
And ȝif thou like not him for thi kyng to holde,
Owt Of thi regne þou gost Ryht Mani-folde:
For wel may he be Clepid A kyng,
That Endeles lasteth euere his Reyneng;
This is Crist Goddis sone Of hevene,
That Into þe Maide Alyhte be thaungelis stevene.
For Alle Mennes hertes he doth knowe,
And Alle here thowghtes vppon A rowe;
& þat the schal putten Into thin Enemyes hond,
And Aftir the deliueren, thou vndirstond;
For that ther nys non lord neþer God but he
To whom Ony honour longeth to be.
Wherfore, as Only On god & Almyhty,
Thow Owest him to worschepyn al Only;
For bothe this torment & this Noysance
He the now sendeth, for his Creaunce
Thow hast Refused, & Ek his lore
That he in Avicion hath schewed before.”
That I knowe whennes & of what londe
That thou were bothen bigeten & born,—
Lik As I haue the Rehersed beforn,—
And from so gret povert to hy dignete;
Remembre the wel what I telle the;
And therfore the sente to sein be me
The grete God of Al Cristiente,
That Of thi self thow schost han Minde;
And thowgh þat vnder, þou hast men of gret kynde,
And Moche peple In bataille þe Abowte,
In herte scholdest thou not be prowte;
For thi lyges, they nothing ben,
But As A wardein hem to besen;
And therfore haue thou this In Mende,
For but As On Man thow Art Of kende,
And As sone deyen thow schal
As the porest Man doth Ouer-al;
Therfore scholdest thow be powre & Mek,
And vppon thi Creatour beleven Ek,
That Into this world þe made forth go,
For with-Owten him thow myht not do;
And ȝif thou like not him for thi kyng to holde,
Owt Of thi regne þou gost Ryht Mani-folde:
For wel may he be Clepid A kyng,
That Endeles lasteth euere his Reyneng;
This is Crist Goddis sone Of hevene,
That Into þe Maide Alyhte be thaungelis stevene.
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And Alle here thowghtes vppon A rowe;
& þat the schal putten Into thin Enemyes hond,
And Aftir the deliueren, thou vndirstond;
For that ther nys non lord neþer God but he
To whom Ony honour longeth to be.
Wherfore, as Only On god & Almyhty,
Thow Owest him to worschepyn al Only;
For bothe this torment & this Noysance
He the now sendeth, for his Creaunce
Thow hast Refused, & Ek his lore
That he in Avicion hath schewed before.”
Thanne seide king Eualach Anon Agein,
“Maister Iosephes, I preie þe telle me plein
What that Avisioun was forto Mene,
That thou it woldest declaren me Clene.”
“Certes,” quod Iosephes, “nay how so befalle,
Tyl thow haue broken thy Mawmettis alle,
And that in theke high lord to hauen ful Creaunce
That the May deliueren from Alle Noysaunce.
And Alle lyveng thing enstablisched Is,
Wheche that þe heyest king is of blys.”
“[B]e my Creance,” quod Eualach tho,
“This Bataylle myn herte goth sore vnto;
And bothe ȝoure fadyr & Ek ȝe
Of Riht good Conceyl behygten me;
ȝyf that I wolde On ȝow beleve,
ȝe seiden Ryht wel that I scholde preve
Be wheche victorie of myne Enemys to have,
And Aftir my deth my sowle to save.”
“Certein, Sire,” quod Iosephes tho,
“That Conceil I the ȝaf, & ȝit Mo,
ȝif thow wilt On him beleven stedfastly,
And him worschepen As Almyhty.
And ȝif thow wilt not don As I the teche,
Be war lest god wele taken wreche;
And but thow him worschepe As me þou seest,
In body & sowle distroyed thou beest
Of him that Of Alle thinges Is domes man;
The helpen & socoure ful wel he Can.”
“Maister Iosephes, I preie þe telle me plein
What that Avisioun was forto Mene,
That thou it woldest declaren me Clene.”
“Certes,” quod Iosephes, “nay how so befalle,
Tyl thow haue broken thy Mawmettis alle,
And that in theke high lord to hauen ful Creaunce
That the May deliueren from Alle Noysaunce.
And Alle lyveng thing enstablisched Is,
Wheche that þe heyest king is of blys.”
“[B]e my Creance,” quod Eualach tho,
“This Bataylle myn herte goth sore vnto;
And bothe ȝoure fadyr & Ek ȝe
Of Riht good Conceyl behygten me;
ȝyf that I wolde On ȝow beleve,
ȝe seiden Ryht wel that I scholde preve
Be wheche victorie of myne Enemys to have,
And Aftir my deth my sowle to save.”
“Certein, Sire,” quod Iosephes tho,
“That Conceil I the ȝaf, & ȝit Mo,
ȝif thow wilt On him beleven stedfastly,
And him worschepen As Almyhty.
And ȝif thow wilt not don As I the teche,
Be war lest god wele taken wreche;
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In body & sowle distroyed thou beest
Of him that Of Alle thinges Is domes man;
The helpen & socoure ful wel he Can.”
“Now Certein,” quod this Eualach þe king,
“And ȝe wolden ȝeven me swich conseilling
That Of Myn Enemyes victorie to haue,
And therto my lif that he wolde save,—
On him Onliche I wolde beleve,
And Al my Creaunce I wele Repreve.”
“And ȝe wolden ȝeven me swich conseilling
That Of Myn Enemyes victorie to haue,
And therto my lif that he wolde save,—
On him Onliche I wolde beleve,
And Al my Creaunce I wele Repreve.”
Thanne spak Anon Iosephes to the kyng:
“Now herkeneth, Sire, to my talkyng.
Do bringe now thi scheld to-fore me,
And Anothir Maner thing schalt thow se.”
And whanne this scheld to-fore Iosephes was,
Anon he Comanded In that plas
A lytel pece thanne Of cloth so red
To-fore him be browht Into that sted.
And the kyng Anon with þat biddinge
A pece Of Red Silk he dyde him bringe,
And kutte there-offe two peces Anon
In the sihte of hem Echon,—
Eche pece A Fote of lengthe was,—
Wher-offen A Crois he made In that plas,
And takked it vppon the kynges scheld,
Wherwith he Rod thanne Into þe feld.
And whanne thus he hadde don,
To kyng Eualach thanne spak he Anon:
“Syxt thow now this signe that I haue Mad?”
“ȝe forsothe,” thanne kyng Eualach Said.
“Certes,” quod Iosephes, “I telle it the,
What Manere Of Man so Evere he be,
And he wele stedfastli belevene On this,
Were he neuere in so moche sorwe Oþer distres,
That he ne schal Anon deliuered be
Of Alle Manere deseisse And Aduersite.
And therfore, honoure thou this, I Charge the,
In worsche[pe] Of him that deyde On tre;
And whanne that thou Art In gret Nede,
Loke Of helpe & socour that thow him bede,
And that thow sey In this Manere
As I the Schal now Rehersen here,
‘O thow god that deydest vppon the Crois,
Of me, Synnere, here thow my vois;
And On the signe Of this thow suffredest ded
Vppon the tre In thin Manhed,
So graunt me Of victorie the grace,
And to thi beleve therto hauen space,
And that thy man that I Moot be
Er that this world departe from Me.’
And ȝif thow this fulliche wilt beleve,
Thanne A trewe man schalt þou me preve;
For thanne In bataille schalt thow not dye,
But bothe to geten Worschepe & victorie.
And now that thus I haue the told,
To gon to bataille thow myht be bold,
For from deth thi waraunt this schal be,
And from Alle presonementis, I telle it the.
ȝit not-withstonding, not forthan
That Tholomes, this Crwel Man,
In distresse schal he putten the
Thre dayes and thre Niht Sekerle,
For so be me sente the to seye
That Myhtful god & verraye.
And wete thow wel, ȝif thow beleve On this,
Thow Schalt neuere thanne don Amys;
For to the schal it ben Redempcioun,
And to the devel sorwe & distruccioun.”
Thanne seide he to Iosephes Agein
These wordes tho In Certein,
“Iosephes, that thou woldest now preyen for me
To kyng of Cristene In Eche degre,
Me to helpe, and Euere me to save;
And trewly his Creaunce wil I have,
ȝif it be As now thow behotest Me,
Trewe Cristen Man thanne wil I be,
Of thyn hond to Resceyven In this plas
ȝif Euere I Come Aȝen Into Sarras.”
“Now herkeneth, Sire, to my talkyng.
Do bringe now thi scheld to-fore me,
And Anothir Maner thing schalt thow se.”
And whanne this scheld to-fore Iosephes was,
Anon he Comanded In that plas
A lytel pece thanne Of cloth so red
To-fore him be browht Into that sted.
And the kyng Anon with þat biddinge
A pece Of Red Silk he dyde him bringe,
And kutte there-offe two peces Anon
In the sihte of hem Echon,—
Eche pece A Fote of lengthe was,—
Wher-offen A Crois he made In that plas,
And takked it vppon the kynges scheld,
Wherwith he Rod thanne Into þe feld.
And whanne thus he hadde don,
To kyng Eualach thanne spak he Anon:
“Syxt thow now this signe that I haue Mad?”
“ȝe forsothe,” thanne kyng Eualach Said.
“Certes,” quod Iosephes, “I telle it the,
What Manere Of Man so Evere he be,
And he wele stedfastli belevene On this,
Were he neuere in so moche sorwe Oþer distres,
110
Of Alle Manere deseisse And Aduersite.
And therfore, honoure thou this, I Charge the,
In worsche[pe] Of him that deyde On tre;
And whanne that thou Art In gret Nede,
Loke Of helpe & socour that thow him bede,
And that thow sey In this Manere
As I the Schal now Rehersen here,
‘O thow god that deydest vppon the Crois,
Of me, Synnere, here thow my vois;
And On the signe Of this thow suffredest ded
Vppon the tre In thin Manhed,
So graunt me Of victorie the grace,
And to thi beleve therto hauen space,
And that thy man that I Moot be
Er that this world departe from Me.’
And ȝif thow this fulliche wilt beleve,
Thanne A trewe man schalt þou me preve;
For thanne In bataille schalt thow not dye,
But bothe to geten Worschepe & victorie.
And now that thus I haue the told,
To gon to bataille thow myht be bold,
For from deth thi waraunt this schal be,
And from Alle presonementis, I telle it the.
ȝit not-withstonding, not forthan
That Tholomes, this Crwel Man,
In distresse schal he putten the
Thre dayes and thre Niht Sekerle,
For so be me sente the to seye
That Myhtful god & verraye.
And wete thow wel, ȝif thow beleve On this,
Thow Schalt neuere thanne don Amys;
For to the schal it ben Redempcioun,
And to the devel sorwe & distruccioun.”
Thanne seide he to Iosephes Agein
These wordes tho In Certein,
111
To kyng of Cristene In Eche degre,
Me to helpe, and Euere me to save;
And trewly his Creaunce wil I have,
ȝif it be As now thow behotest Me,
Trewe Cristen Man thanne wil I be,
Of thyn hond to Resceyven In this plas
ȝif Euere I Come Aȝen Into Sarras.”
And thanne An Old Serjaunt he gan to Calle,
And there him Comaunded Amonges hem Alle,
‘The Cristene to kepen with ful gret honour,
With-Owten Ony Angwysch Other labour;
And that Iosephes haue his Comaundement,
Of Alle Manere thinges wit good Entent.
And there him Comaunded Amonges hem Alle,
‘The Cristene to kepen with ful gret honour,
With-Owten Ony Angwysch Other labour;
And that Iosephes haue his Comaundement,
Of Alle Manere thinges wit good Entent.
Thanne took the kyng his leve Ryht there
Of Iosephes & Of his Compenie In fere,
With Ryht A gret Compenye Of knyhtes
And Mochel Other peple tho Anon Ryhtes,
And Evene to the Cite Of Tarabel
They token the Ryht weie Eueridel,
And there Abod he fully vj dayes,
As the Storie Of this book vs sayes.
And be the tyme the Sixe dayes were gon,
So moche peple Of his Owne hadde he sein non,
What Of So manie knyhtes & barown
Hadde he not Sein At Anof In his town;
But be the tyme that heyghte dayes were gon,
Mochel peple to him Cam Anon.
Thanne Owt Of Tarabel thei gonne Ride
To-ward valachin At that same Tyde,
Where that Tholomes beseged the Castel
That kyng Eualach tho lovede ful wel,
For him Self there-Offen Fowndur he was,
And there it let Setten In that plas.
For it was On of the Strengest pyl
That Euere Man Sawgh in Ony Exyl;
For it Myhte neuere I-wonnë be
But Only thorwgh Enfamyne, I telle it the.
Where-vppon A ȝate on þat Castel was thore,
From the plein Erthe A stones Cast & More;
And vndir wheche ȝate Ran there
Ryht A wondir dyspetous Ryvere;
And that Rever, As brod it was
As the schot Of An Arwe In eche A plas,
So that ȝate Asailled ne Myhte not ben
Of hem with-Owte, As men Myht sen,
But It were Only be An Navye,
Thane Coude that neuere hem stroye
For schot, And Cast Owt of that Castel,
It was devised so wondirly wel.
And no Mo ȝat[es] weren there-vppon
Where that [Ma]n Mihte Owht owt gon,
But A litel g[ate] In A Corner
That there-vppon was devised ther.
And Of plein Erthe to-forn þat gate was,
For two Chariettes to Meten On In þat plas,
The whiche but xxx pas was Of lengthe;
For it was A pyl Of ful riht gret strengthe.
But Alle the strengthis Of this to discryve,
It were to long, be my lyve;
Therfore to passen Over In schort Matere
Of declareng Of this Castel I wile now here:
And In this place king Eualach this Castel made
For the strengest plot In þe world þat he hadde.
Of Iosephes & Of his Compenie In fere,
With Ryht A gret Compenye Of knyhtes
And Mochel Other peple tho Anon Ryhtes,
And Evene to the Cite Of Tarabel
They token the Ryht weie Eueridel,
And there Abod he fully vj dayes,
As the Storie Of this book vs sayes.
And be the tyme the Sixe dayes were gon,
So moche peple Of his Owne hadde he sein non,
What Of So manie knyhtes & barown
Hadde he not Sein At Anof In his town;
But be the tyme that heyghte dayes were gon,
Mochel peple to him Cam Anon.
Thanne Owt Of Tarabel thei gonne Ride
To-ward valachin At that same Tyde,
Where that Tholomes beseged the Castel
That kyng Eualach tho lovede ful wel,
For him Self there-Offen Fowndur he was,
And there it let Setten In that plas.
112
That Euere Man Sawgh in Ony Exyl;
For it Myhte neuere I-wonnë be
But Only thorwgh Enfamyne, I telle it the.
Where-vppon A ȝate on þat Castel was thore,
From the plein Erthe A stones Cast & More;
And vndir wheche ȝate Ran there
Ryht A wondir dyspetous Ryvere;
And that Rever, As brod it was
As the schot Of An Arwe In eche A plas,
So that ȝate Asailled ne Myhte not ben
Of hem with-Owte, As men Myht sen,
But It were Only be An Navye,
Thane Coude that neuere hem stroye
For schot, And Cast Owt of that Castel,
It was devised so wondirly wel.
And no Mo ȝat[es] weren there-vppon
Where that [Ma]n Mihte Owht owt gon,
But A litel g[ate] In A Corner
That there-vppon was devised ther.
And Of plein Erthe to-forn þat gate was,
For two Chariettes to Meten On In þat plas,
The whiche but xxx pas was Of lengthe;
For it was A pyl Of ful riht gret strengthe.
But Alle the strengthis Of this to discryve,
It were to long, be my lyve;
113
Of declareng Of this Castel I wile now here:
And In this place king Eualach this Castel made
For the strengest plot In þe world þat he hadde.
Now whanne kyng Eualach thus Redy was,
Forth Took he his Iorne In that plas,
And Entrede Into A ful fair Forest;
Thus he Comandede bothe lest & Mest,
And Comanded Alle his Men there Anon riht
Hem Redy to Armen forto fyht,
For he hadde Sent forth A spye
In that Morwening thanne ful Erlye,
To Aspien Tholomes & his Ost
There that they lien with so gret bost.
And whanne the Spie Cam Agein,
He tolde kyng Eualach thanne In certein
‘That In the Ost It was dyneng tyme,
Fore it was ny noon, And passed þe pryme.’
Thanne weren this Meyne Al Redy Anon,
And Owt Of that Forest gonne they gon,
And Entrede thanne In-to A gret valey.
Thanne whanne vppon the hil Comen they,
They Syen Alle the Ost Of Tholome,
How that they leyen In Al Manere degre;
And Also Al the Castel Of valachin
Where that his Meyne weren with-In.
But whanne this Ost Gan hem Aspye,
“Tresown! tresown!” thei gonne to Crye;
And Anon to Armes they ronne ful faste,
For Of here lyves they weren Agaste;
But fewe of hem there ne ben
That they weren Redy Armed Clen,
For Evere they hadden A supposenge
That kyng Eualach wolde for Ony thinge
That Sege Remeven ȝif he myhte;
And that he it wolde don he susposid ful rihte.
Forth Took he his Iorne In that plas,
And Entrede Into A ful fair Forest;
Thus he Comandede bothe lest & Mest,
And Comanded Alle his Men there Anon riht
Hem Redy to Armen forto fyht,
For he hadde Sent forth A spye
In that Morwening thanne ful Erlye,
To Aspien Tholomes & his Ost
There that they lien with so gret bost.
And whanne the Spie Cam Agein,
He tolde kyng Eualach thanne In certein
‘That In the Ost It was dyneng tyme,
Fore it was ny noon, And passed þe pryme.’
Thanne weren this Meyne Al Redy Anon,
And Owt Of that Forest gonne they gon,
And Entrede thanne In-to A gret valey.
Thanne whanne vppon the hil Comen they,
They Syen Alle the Ost Of Tholome,
How that they leyen In Al Manere degre;
And Also Al the Castel Of valachin
Where that his Meyne weren with-In.
114
“Tresown! tresown!” thei gonne to Crye;
And Anon to Armes they ronne ful faste,
For Of here lyves they weren Agaste;
But fewe of hem there ne ben
That they weren Redy Armed Clen,
For Evere they hadden A supposenge
That kyng Eualach wolde for Ony thinge
That Sege Remeven ȝif he myhte;
And that he it wolde don he susposid ful rihte.
Thanne kyng Eualach his men In that tyde
To-ward this Ost Faste gonne they Ride,—
More vigeryousely neuere Reden Men
Into non place thanne they diden then,—
And Tholomes men that On foote were,
Eualach his men here hors Slowen there;
So thanne, bothe parties On foote thei be;
There grete Manslawghtre Men Miht se,
How that Eualache men Tholomes men slowe,
For ther was Sorwe & grynteng of teth Inowe,
So that Of bothe partyes ded there been
Bet than Fiftene thowsend, As men miht seen;
And there manye Of his men lost Eualach:
And whanne this he sawgh, he torned his bak;
Thanne he & his Meyne that On lyve were,
Toward A Castel fledden tho there,
Wheche Name Of that Castel was,
IClepid was ‘Comes’ In Every plas,—
And thedir ful faste gonnen they hye,
He & his Meine ful Sekerlye;
That from theke bataille no more it Nas
But As twey Miles In that plas,
So that Tholomes Chased him so faste
That it wax nyht thanne Attë laste;
Wherthorwgh Manye Of hise Men
Loste this Tholome In the Chas then;
For tho that fledden knewen ful wel
The next weye to Comes Castel,
Wherthorwgh Eualach his men goten socour sone,
And Tholome In that Chas lost Manione;
So that Tholomes, bencheson Of the Nyht,
From that Chas departid Anon Ryht,
And to his loggeng homward he wente.
To-ward this Ost Faste gonne they Ride,—
More vigeryousely neuere Reden Men
Into non place thanne they diden then,—
And Tholomes men that On foote were,
Eualach his men here hors Slowen there;
So thanne, bothe parties On foote thei be;
There grete Manslawghtre Men Miht se,
How that Eualache men Tholomes men slowe,
For ther was Sorwe & grynteng of teth Inowe,
So that Of bothe partyes ded there been
Bet than Fiftene thowsend, As men miht seen;
And there manye Of his men lost Eualach:
And whanne this he sawgh, he torned his bak;
Thanne he & his Meyne that On lyve were,
Toward A Castel fledden tho there,
Wheche Name Of that Castel was,
IClepid was ‘Comes’ In Every plas,—
And thedir ful faste gonnen they hye,
He & his Meine ful Sekerlye;
That from theke bataille no more it Nas
But As twey Miles In that plas,
So that Tholomes Chased him so faste
That it wax nyht thanne Attë laste;
115
Loste this Tholome In the Chas then;
For tho that fledden knewen ful wel
The next weye to Comes Castel,
Wherthorwgh Eualach his men goten socour sone,
And Tholome In that Chas lost Manione;
So that Tholomes, bencheson Of the Nyht,
From that Chas departid Anon Ryht,
And to his loggeng homward he wente.
And whanne that he Cam þere present,
There Al his harneis beleft þer was,
It was Clene I-spoilled Owt of that plas
Be the while Of Eualach men
That In the Castel of valachin weren then,
That, whiles the bataille & þe Chas dyde laste,
Eualach his men the harneys browht In faste;
For they that In þe Castel were,
With Tholomes men so fowhten þere,
And put hem Alle to discomfiture
That þere the harneys kepte þat Owre.
And whanne this Tholomes Resorted Aȝen,
And Alle his harneys dispoilled Clen,
His tentis and his pavylons to-broke,
And whanne this Tholome þer-onne gan loke,
Ful mochel deseisse he took In herte
For theke dispit, It was so smerte;
And thanne A gret Oth swor he there Anon,
‘That he scholde neuere from þat Castel gon,
Thowgh he scholde lesen half his Meyne,
Tyl that they wyth-ynne Enfamyned be.’
There Al his harneis beleft þer was,
It was Clene I-spoilled Owt of that plas
Be the while Of Eualach men
That In the Castel of valachin weren then,
That, whiles the bataille & þe Chas dyde laste,
Eualach his men the harneys browht In faste;
For they that In þe Castel were,
With Tholomes men so fowhten þere,
And put hem Alle to discomfiture
That þere the harneys kepte þat Owre.
And whanne this Tholomes Resorted Aȝen,
And Alle his harneys dispoilled Clen,
His tentis and his pavylons to-broke,
And whanne this Tholome þer-onne gan loke,
Ful mochel deseisse he took In herte
For theke dispit, It was so smerte;
And thanne A gret Oth swor he there Anon,
‘That he scholde neuere from þat Castel gon,
Thowgh he scholde lesen half his Meyne,
Tyl that they wyth-ynne Enfamyned be.’
And there Abod he Al that Nyht
In sweche loggeng As he geten Myht.
In sweche loggeng As he geten Myht.
And whanne the spring Of day was Comen,
To him there Cam A spie Anon
That him tolde tho newe tydinge,
Al Of kyng Eualache beenge,
“Syre Tholome,” seide this Spie tho,
“So good tydinges Cam neuere man vnto
As now Sire Tholomes Is Comenge to the,
But ȝif it thorwgh sinne distroied be.”
“Now sey me, Bewfys,” quod Tholome,
“What maner Of tydinges mown tho be.”
“Sire Tholome,” Seyde the spie Anon,
“Kyng Eualach Is Into A castel gon
But with A fewe Of his Meyne,
There schalt thow him hauen, Sire, sekerle,
And thanne, Ended thi bataille it is;
That I seye, it is trewe with-owten Mis.”
“Sey me,” quod Tholomes, “thou belamy,
How knowest thou this so Certeinly?”
“For On him Only I hadde A spie
That sawh him entren þe Castel sekerlye;
For At the ȝates so longe Abod he there,
Er he myht Entren In Oni Manere,
The space Of Ryht A long Mile,
So Abod þerowte A gret while.”
Quod Tholomes “In peine of thi lif lesinge
Loke thou bringe me non fals tydinge;
And yf thou do, with-Owten More
[Delay,] deth schalt thow Suffren therfore.”
“[Sir]e, ȝif it be not so As I haue the told,
[D]es-membre thow me, Sire, Manifold.”
To him there Cam A spie Anon
116
Al Of kyng Eualache beenge,
“Syre Tholome,” seide this Spie tho,
“So good tydinges Cam neuere man vnto
As now Sire Tholomes Is Comenge to the,
But ȝif it thorwgh sinne distroied be.”
“Now sey me, Bewfys,” quod Tholome,
“What maner Of tydinges mown tho be.”
“Sire Tholome,” Seyde the spie Anon,
“Kyng Eualach Is Into A castel gon
But with A fewe Of his Meyne,
There schalt thow him hauen, Sire, sekerle,
And thanne, Ended thi bataille it is;
That I seye, it is trewe with-owten Mis.”
“Sey me,” quod Tholomes, “thou belamy,
How knowest thou this so Certeinly?”
“For On him Only I hadde A spie
That sawh him entren þe Castel sekerlye;
For At the ȝates so longe Abod he there,
Er he myht Entren In Oni Manere,
The space Of Ryht A long Mile,
So Abod þerowte A gret while.”
Quod Tholomes “In peine of thi lif lesinge
Loke thou bringe me non fals tydinge;
And yf thou do, with-Owten More
[Delay,] deth schalt thow Suffren therfore.”
“[Sir]e, ȝif it be not so As I haue the told,
[D]es-membre thow me, Sire, Manifold.”
Anon Tholomes his knyhtes gan calle,
And told hem what Aventure gan be-falle,
And how that Eualach In A Castel was
But with A litel Meine In that plas;
Wherfore to besegen that Castel he wolde be-gynne
With half his Meyne, neþer more ne Mynne;
And the tother halvendel schold leven stille
At valachin, for the drede Of More ille,
That was him left to kepen there
A litel bettere thanne they diden Ere.
That so this Ordenaunce thus he Made,
Where-Offen his Meyne weren ful glade.
And told hem what Aventure gan be-falle,
And how that Eualach In A Castel was
But with A litel Meine In that plas;
117
With half his Meyne, neþer more ne Mynne;
And the tother halvendel schold leven stille
At valachin, for the drede Of More ille,
That was him left to kepen there
A litel bettere thanne they diden Ere.
That so this Ordenaunce thus he Made,
Where-Offen his Meyne weren ful glade.
Thanne his styward to Clepen gan he fonde,
That hyghte vabus As I vndirstonde,
And Comaunded him there Anon Ryht,
‘As that he was A gentyl knyht,
The Remenaunt Of his Men to kepen stille,
Lest that Ellis to hem Miht Comen som ille;’
“So schalt thow kepen there with the
Of knyhtes and Seriauntes half my Mene.”
That hyghte vabus As I vndirstonde,
And Comaunded him there Anon Ryht,
‘As that he was A gentyl knyht,
The Remenaunt Of his Men to kepen stille,
Lest that Ellis to hem Miht Comen som ille;’
“So schalt thow kepen there with the
Of knyhtes and Seriauntes half my Mene.”
Thanne his Steward vabus Anon
His Comaundement was Redy to don,
And kept there Stille half his Meyne,
As wel Footmen As Othere there to be;
And Tholomes the Remnaunt with him ladde
Into that place As the Spie him badde;
And So Rod he forth Al the Nyhte,
For he wolde have ben Aforn day-lyhte
At the Castel that hyht Comes,
There he Supposid kyng Eualach was.
His Comaundement was Redy to don,
And kept there Stille half his Meyne,
As wel Footmen As Othere there to be;
And Tholomes the Remnaunt with him ladde
Into that place As the Spie him badde;
And So Rod he forth Al the Nyhte,
For he wolde have ben Aforn day-lyhte
At the Castel that hyht Comes,
There he Supposid kyng Eualach was.
118
CHAPTER XIII.
Now leven we Alle Of Tholomes,
And that At this tyme Of him we ses;
And Of kyng Eualach let vs now speke,
That On his Enemyes wold him Awreke,
And that Into the Castel Of Come was gon
Hym forto socoure from his Fon;
So that An Old Seriaunt he Callid Anon,
And bad that he Anon Scholde gon
Owt Of that Castel Riden, forto Aspie
Where that Tholomes were there Nye,
Other to valachin Aȝen that he was gon
With his Meyne thedir Euerichon.
And that At this tyme Of him we ses;
And Of kyng Eualach let vs now speke,
That On his Enemyes wold him Awreke,
119
Hym forto socoure from his Fon;
So that An Old Seriaunt he Callid Anon,
And bad that he Anon Scholde gon
Owt Of that Castel Riden, forto Aspie
Where that Tholomes were there Nye,
Other to valachin Aȝen that he was gon
With his Meyne thedir Euerichon.
Thanne this Seriaunt tho forth gan Ryde,
And sewed Tholomes In that tyde
Evene to valachin Castel tho,
There As newe tydinges herde he Mo,
‘That the Meynie Of valachyn Castel
Hadde born hem ful wondirly wel,
That In the tyme Of the chas
Alle Tholomes harneis Itrised was.’
And Anon To Eualach he Retorned Agein,
And of these tydinges tolde him ful plein,
And Of the pray his Men hadden take;
Where-of Eualach gret Ioye gan Make,
And swoor thanne be his Creaunce,
‘That, what so behapped him in Oni Chaunce,
With him hond be hond wolde he fyhte,
And vppon him to preven his Myhte;
That, ryht Anon As his men sembled were,
From that Sege he scholde him Rere,
That so hastely neuere kyng I-Rered was
From non sege I non maner plas.’
And sewed Tholomes In that tyde
Evene to valachin Castel tho,
There As newe tydinges herde he Mo,
‘That the Meynie Of valachyn Castel
Hadde born hem ful wondirly wel,
That In the tyme Of the chas
Alle Tholomes harneis Itrised was.’
And Anon To Eualach he Retorned Agein,
And of these tydinges tolde him ful plein,
And Of the pray his Men hadden take;
Where-of Eualach gret Ioye gan Make,
And swoor thanne be his Creaunce,
‘That, what so behapped him in Oni Chaunce,
With him hond be hond wolde he fyhte,
And vppon him to preven his Myhte;
That, ryht Anon As his men sembled were,
From that Sege he scholde him Rere,
That so hastely neuere kyng I-Rered was
From non sege I non maner plas.’
Owt Of that Castel thanne gan he gon
From thens thre Milës Ryht Anon,
And with him sevene hundred knyhtes & seriauns
That Alle worthy men weren & vaylauns;
And On foote Nyne hundred ther were
Of Ryht bolde men & hardy there;
So that from the Castel weren they gon
Fyve Miles er that day Cam hem vppon.
From thens thre Milës Ryht Anon,
And with him sevene hundred knyhtes & seriauns
That Alle worthy men weren & vaylauns;
And On foote Nyne hundred ther were
Of Ryht bolde men & hardy there;
120
Fyve Miles er that day Cam hem vppon.
And In the Mene while that thei thus gonne gon,
On A palfrey Cam prekynge A messengere Anon
Al so Swiftly As the hors myht him bere;
Kyng Eualach he sowhte Everi-where;
And thanne with the kyng mette he Anon,
Thanne thus his Arende he gan to don:
“Sire,” he seide, “my lady the qweene gr[e]teth þe wel,
And thus the sente to seyne Eche del
As this lettre doth Spesephie,
Where-with sche bad me faste to hye.”
Anon king Eualach this lettres took,
And hem Radde, & not forsook,
And there In his lettre tho he radde
‘That his Qweene On him faste gradde,
And, As Euere sche his Soiet myhte be,
Owt Of the Castel Of Come þat he wolde Te,
For Tholomes that Crwel kyng
There-Abowtes wil leyn his Seieng.’
And whanne this lettre thus he hadde rad,
To him forto Come the Messenger he bad,
& of these tydinges Abassched was he,
How that this knowlechinge to hire myhte be;
And to that Messenger he seide Anon
“How wyste sche that I Into Comë was gon?”
“Sire,” quod the Messenger witterly,
“I ne Can not ȝow tellen Certeinly;
But An Old Man In Sarras is there
That Of Certein thinges doth here lere,
That Maister Of Cristene Called Is he;
A wondirful Man he semeth to be;
And whanne sche hath with him spoke,
Sche wepeth As thow hire herte were broke;
And thanne Cleped sche me forth Anon,
That this Message were sone don,
And that A palfrey I scholde be-stride
Also faste As I Myhte preken Other Ryde.”
On A palfrey Cam prekynge A messengere Anon
Al so Swiftly As the hors myht him bere;
Kyng Eualach he sowhte Everi-where;
And thanne with the kyng mette he Anon,
Thanne thus his Arende he gan to don:
“Sire,” he seide, “my lady the qweene gr[e]teth þe wel,
And thus the sente to seyne Eche del
As this lettre doth Spesephie,
Where-with sche bad me faste to hye.”
Anon king Eualach this lettres took,
And hem Radde, & not forsook,
And there In his lettre tho he radde
‘That his Qweene On him faste gradde,
And, As Euere sche his Soiet myhte be,
Owt Of the Castel Of Come þat he wolde Te,
For Tholomes that Crwel kyng
There-Abowtes wil leyn his Seieng.’
And whanne this lettre thus he hadde rad,
To him forto Come the Messenger he bad,
& of these tydinges Abassched was he,
How that this knowlechinge to hire myhte be;
And to that Messenger he seide Anon
“How wyste sche that I Into Comë was gon?”
“Sire,” quod the Messenger witterly,
“I ne Can not ȝow tellen Certeinly;
But An Old Man In Sarras is there
That Of Certein thinges doth here lere,
That Maister Of Cristene Called Is he;
A wondirful Man he semeth to be;
And whanne sche hath with him spoke,
Sche wepeth As thow hire herte were broke;
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That this Message were sone don,
And that A palfrey I scholde be-stride
Also faste As I Myhte preken Other Ryde.”
Thanne kyng Eualach clepid his knyhtes Anone,
And there told hem Of this Merveil sone,
‘That Iosephes Cowde tellen of his discomfiture
The wheche be-fil In that same Oure;
And that he his qweene these tydynges schold telle,
How that thike day it him befelle;
And how Into the Castel Of Come he was fledde,
And tholomes Me to besegen In that stede.’
And there told hem Of this Merveil sone,
‘That Iosephes Cowde tellen of his discomfiture
The wheche be-fil In that same Oure;
And that he his qweene these tydynges schold telle,
How that thike day it him befelle;
And how Into the Castel Of Come he was fledde,
And tholomes Me to besegen In that stede.’
And thus As they gonnen forto talke,
Aftyr theke Rowte Cam A seriaunt walke,
Faste preking vppon A destrere
Also hastely As he myhte Ryden there,
Prekynge with A bowe In his hond,—
And thus he seide, As I vndirstond,—
“And [they] be me Sente to ȝow gretynge
That in ȝoure Castel of Come ben dwellenge,
‘That ȝe scholden Governe ȝow wel & wysly,
And Owt Of Tholomes weye to kepen ȝow pleinly;
For he is now At Comes Castel,
& hath beseged it now Every del,
For he hopeth ȝow with-Inne to take,
And there ȝow to don bothe tene & wrake;
And there with him Is half his Meyne;
Al the Remnaunt, At valachin they be.’”
Aftyr theke Rowte Cam A seriaunt walke,
Faste preking vppon A destrere
Also hastely As he myhte Ryden there,
Prekynge with A bowe In his hond,—
And thus he seide, As I vndirstond,—
“And [they] be me Sente to ȝow gretynge
That in ȝoure Castel of Come ben dwellenge,
‘That ȝe scholden Governe ȝow wel & wysly,
And Owt Of Tholomes weye to kepen ȝow pleinly;
For he is now At Comes Castel,
& hath beseged it now Every del,
For he hopeth ȝow with-Inne to take,
And there ȝow to don bothe tene & wrake;
And there with him Is half his Meyne;
Al the Remnaunt, At valachin they be.’”
And whanne king Eualach herd this word,
Thus thanne dide he be his Owne Acord;
There Cleped he bothe knyhtes & bachelere,
And told hem Of that Merveil there;
‘For there nas non thing Seid ne don
That theke Iosephes ne wiste it Anon,
For ther nas neuere tonge So Certein
That Of his dedis Cowde tellen it plein;’
“And Alle thing As he to me gan telle,
What Aventure Me be-Felle;
And now mown ȝe knowe the sothe here,
That Tholomes Come besegeth there,
Lik As my Qwene dide me to vndirstonde
Be A lettre I-wreten Of hire honde.”
Thus thanne dide he be his Owne Acord;
There Cleped he bothe knyhtes & bachelere,
And told hem Of that Merveil there;
‘For there nas non thing Seid ne don
That theke Iosephes ne wiste it Anon,
For ther nas neuere tonge So Certein
That Of his dedis Cowde tellen it plein;’
122
What Aventure Me be-Felle;
And now mown ȝe knowe the sothe here,
That Tholomes Come besegeth there,
Lik As my Qwene dide me to vndirstonde
Be A lettre I-wreten Of hire honde.”
Thanne kyng Eualach torned his way
Streyht to Sarras that Ilke same day.
And whanne he with his Rowte hadde Riden two Mile,
His Meyne gan to beholden with-Inne A while,
They Sawen Comen Isswe Owt Of A forest
A fair Meyne, And Armed with the best,
What On hors And Of Footmen
Fowre thousend weren I-Rekened then.
And whanne this peple that gan Aspie,
To here lord they it tolde In hye;
And whanne he that Meyne loked vppon,
His Meyne he Comaunded to Armes Anon;
And As king Eualach In Ordenaunce was there,
Owt of þe oþer Ost Cam On A destrer,
Also faste As the hors Myht Gon
Toward kyng Eualach he prekede Anon,
And vp his helm there he Caste,
And toward him Eualach prekid wel faste;
And whanne that Eualach this knyht beheld
Bothe vndir his helm & vndir his scheld,
Thanne was it his Owne wyvës brothir
That of Men he lovede passing Al Othir,—
“Sire Eualach, it was Certefied to me
That Al discomfyt scholdest thou be,
And that Tholomes, Of Babiloyne kyng,
Abowtes Come hath there leid Asegeng;
Thus me sente to seine my soster þe qweene
That ful mochel sorwe hath, As I wene,
And preide me, for Alle loves that euere were
Be-twene soster And brothir dere,
ȝow to Avengen vppon ȝoure foon
Be Alle the power that I myht don.
And this Is now my Comenge,
I sey ȝow, Sire, with-Owten lesynge,
That So As hastely As I Myhte Ride
To ȝow Am I Comen At this Tide;
But it is better thanne I wende it hadde be,
For I wende In Come to han sein the.”
Streyht to Sarras that Ilke same day.
And whanne he with his Rowte hadde Riden two Mile,
His Meyne gan to beholden with-Inne A while,
They Sawen Comen Isswe Owt Of A forest
A fair Meyne, And Armed with the best,
What On hors And Of Footmen
Fowre thousend weren I-Rekened then.
And whanne this peple that gan Aspie,
To here lord they it tolde In hye;
And whanne he that Meyne loked vppon,
His Meyne he Comaunded to Armes Anon;
And As king Eualach In Ordenaunce was there,
Owt of þe oþer Ost Cam On A destrer,
Also faste As the hors Myht Gon
Toward kyng Eualach he prekede Anon,
And vp his helm there he Caste,
And toward him Eualach prekid wel faste;
And whanne that Eualach this knyht beheld
Bothe vndir his helm & vndir his scheld,
Thanne was it his Owne wyvës brothir
That of Men he lovede passing Al Othir,—
“Sire Eualach, it was Certefied to me
That Al discomfyt scholdest thou be,
And that Tholomes, Of Babiloyne kyng,
Abowtes Come hath there leid Asegeng;
Thus me sente to seine my soster þe qweene
That ful mochel sorwe hath, As I wene,
And preide me, for Alle loves that euere were
Be-twene soster And brothir dere,
123
Be Alle the power that I myht don.
And this Is now my Comenge,
I sey ȝow, Sire, with-Owten lesynge,
That So As hastely As I Myhte Ride
To ȝow Am I Comen At this Tide;
But it is better thanne I wende it hadde be,
For I wende In Come to han sein the.”
Thanne kyng Eualach him thanked sone
Of the grete kendenesse that he hadde done;
But ȝit he him preide ful hertly,
‘That he wolde Abyden him by
Forto Avengen him Of his foon,
And til that his Iorne were doon;’
“For there may no man fully knowe
What Frendes he hath In Ony Rowe,
But Euere At Nede A man May se
What men that welen his Frendës be;
But he that doth In this gret nede
Me forto helpen hym so to spede,
Me thinketh Amonges Al erthly thing
It is A trewe brotheris doyng;
For ȝe knowen wel that I haue be
I-Chaced from places two Oþer thre,
Where-Offen I preie ȝow, In my gret nede,
Me to helpen with wit & dede,
And helpe to defenden ȝoure sostres lond
That I haue longe kept In Myn hond,
And Of My schame Avengëd to be,
Now goode brother I preye to the;
And dowble Amendis I schal ȝow Make,
Aftyr that the Angwisch that ȝe for my sake
Scholen soffren with-inne these viij dayes,
I schal it ȝow ȝelden be Mani wayes;
And ȝif Euere I Mowe rekeuere to sarras,
I schal ȝow hyghly qwyten Er that ȝe pas,
And that In ȝowre howshold it schal be sene,
And Amonges Alle ȝoure baronage be-dene.”
Of the grete kendenesse that he hadde done;
But ȝit he him preide ful hertly,
‘That he wolde Abyden him by
Forto Avengen him Of his foon,
And til that his Iorne were doon;’
“For there may no man fully knowe
What Frendes he hath In Ony Rowe,
But Euere At Nede A man May se
What men that welen his Frendës be;
But he that doth In this gret nede
Me forto helpen hym so to spede,
Me thinketh Amonges Al erthly thing
It is A trewe brotheris doyng;
For ȝe knowen wel that I haue be
I-Chaced from places two Oþer thre,
Where-Offen I preie ȝow, In my gret nede,
Me to helpen with wit & dede,
And helpe to defenden ȝoure sostres lond
That I haue longe kept In Myn hond,
And Of My schame Avengëd to be,
Now goode brother I preye to the;
And dowble Amendis I schal ȝow Make,
Aftyr that the Angwisch that ȝe for my sake
Scholen soffren with-inne these viij dayes,
I schal it ȝow ȝelden be Mani wayes;
And ȝif Euere I Mowe rekeuere to sarras,
I schal ȝow hyghly qwyten Er that ȝe pas,
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And Amonges Alle ȝoure baronage be-dene.”
“ȝe, I schal ȝow tellen what ȝe scholen do,
To ȝowre Cite Of Arkauz scholen we go,
And there we scholen Abiden A stownde
Tyl Mo Of ȝoure peple to ȝow Comen sownde;
For it is the beste Cite Of ȝoure lond,
And best vitailled, As I vndirstond;
And there ȝoure Meine Abyden scholen ȝe
Til that to ȝow Alle Comen they be,
And Also there scholen we sonnere knowe
Alle the tydinges vppon A rowe
Thanne And we weren At Sarras Cite:
Sire, this is best, As thinketh to Me.”
To ȝowre Cite Of Arkauz scholen we go,
And there we scholen Abiden A stownde
Tyl Mo Of ȝoure peple to ȝow Comen sownde;
For it is the beste Cite Of ȝoure lond,
And best vitailled, As I vndirstond;
And there ȝoure Meine Abyden scholen ȝe
Til that to ȝow Alle Comen they be,
And Also there scholen we sonnere knowe
Alle the tydinges vppon A rowe
Thanne And we weren At Sarras Cite:
Sire, this is best, As thinketh to Me.”
Kyng Eualach held wel with this Conseille,
And to Orkauz they Reden with-Owten faille,
And Alle here Meine with hem wente
Into that Cyte there presente;
But It was fer passed the Noon
Er they weren Entred Everichoon.
And to Orkauz they Reden with-Owten faille,
And Alle here Meine with hem wente
Into that Cyte there presente;
But It was fer passed the Noon
Er they weren Entred Everichoon.
Thanne kyng Eualach Abowtes gan sende
Aftyr his barowns Into Euery Ende,
‘That ho that howghte him Ony worldly honour
Scholde Comen to helpen him In that stour.’
And the Messengeres diden wel here Arende þat tyme;
For On the Morwe, Er it was pryme,
To Orkauz Comen Of the kynges Retenw
Ful xvij thowsend, As I telle it ȝow,
What On hors-bak and On foote,
So manie þer were wel I woote,
With-Owten tho that king Eualach hadde,
And with-owten þo that Seraphe with him ladde.
And whanne that kyng Eualach this Meine hadde,
Thanne was he bothe Ioyful And Gladde,
And thanne to Come he Coveyted Forto gon,
There forto han Met with Tholome Anon
Thanne to him Answerid his knyhtes sone,
“It were non wisdoom ȝit thedir forto gone,
For to Meten with kyng Tholome,
Sire, tyl that thow haue here more Meyne;
But let vs here Abyde thre dayes Or fowre,
And be that tyme Getest thow More socowre;
And thus tyl thow thi power have,
With him Mihtest þou not fyhten, And be save.”
And so be the Conseil Of his barouns Certein
Anon to that Cite he tornede Agein.
Aftyr his barowns Into Euery Ende,
‘That ho that howghte him Ony worldly honour
Scholde Comen to helpen him In that stour.’
And the Messengeres diden wel here Arende þat tyme;
For On the Morwe, Er it was pryme,
To Orkauz Comen Of the kynges Retenw
Ful xvij thowsend, As I telle it ȝow,
What On hors-bak and On foote,
So manie þer were wel I woote,
With-Owten tho that king Eualach hadde,
And with-owten þo that Seraphe with him ladde.
And whanne that kyng Eualach this Meine hadde,
Thanne was he bothe Ioyful And Gladde,
And thanne to Come he Coveyted Forto gon,
There forto han Met with Tholome Anon
125
“It were non wisdoom ȝit thedir forto gone,
For to Meten with kyng Tholome,
Sire, tyl that thow haue here more Meyne;
But let vs here Abyde thre dayes Or fowre,
And be that tyme Getest thow More socowre;
And thus tyl thow thi power have,
With him Mihtest þou not fyhten, And be save.”
And so be the Conseil Of his barouns Certein
Anon to that Cite he tornede Agein.
And be the tyme that it was lyht Of day,
“Treson! treson!” thei gonnen Crien in fay.
Thanne wente the kyng In-to the towr An hy,
And there sawgh he Tholomes host pleinly;
And Anon, “As Armez” they gonnen to Crie,
That Every man to harneys wente hastelye.
And whanne he say that þe Cite beseged was
Oueral Abowtes In Euerich A plas,
Mochel was the Mone that there he Made,
And Also gret Anger & thowht he hade
For his Men that to him scholden gon,
Lest they were taken there Euerichon
Presoneres with hem that weren with-Owte;
And here-Offen Eualach hadde gret dowte.
Thanne kyng Eualach Comanded Anon
His Men to Armure thanne Euerichon,
‘And that Owt Of that Cite they scholden go
Also vigorowsly As Evere Men Myhten do,
That Neuere so vigerous issw Myhte be
Nevere Owt Of Castel ne Of Cite.’
“Treson! treson!” thei gonnen Crien in fay.
Thanne wente the kyng In-to the towr An hy,
And there sawgh he Tholomes host pleinly;
And Anon, “As Armez” they gonnen to Crie,
That Every man to harneys wente hastelye.
And whanne he say that þe Cite beseged was
Oueral Abowtes In Euerich A plas,
Mochel was the Mone that there he Made,
And Also gret Anger & thowht he hade
For his Men that to him scholden gon,
Lest they were taken there Euerichon
Presoneres with hem that weren with-Owte;
And here-Offen Eualach hadde gret dowte.
Thanne kyng Eualach Comanded Anon
His Men to Armure thanne Euerichon,
‘And that Owt Of that Cite they scholden go
Also vigorowsly As Evere Men Myhten do,
That Neuere so vigerous issw Myhte be
Nevere Owt Of Castel ne Of Cite.’
Thanne Clepid he forth An Old knyht there
That to him was bothe ful leef & dere,
And ȝaf him charge with that Cite
‘It wisly to kepen In Alle degre,
That aftyr whanne he were Owt gon,
And with him his Meine Everichon,
That no Man In thedir scholde Entren Agein—
Were it Erl, knyht, baroun, Other sweyn,—
For non kende ne for non Entent,
But ȝif it be thorwgh myn Comandement.’
That to him was bothe ful leef & dere,
And ȝaf him charge with that Cite
‘It wisly to kepen In Alle degre,
That aftyr whanne he were Owt gon,
And with him his Meine Everichon,
126
Were it Erl, knyht, baroun, Other sweyn,—
For non kende ne for non Entent,
But ȝif it be thorwgh myn Comandement.’
And thus thanne Owt gonne they pase
Owt Of that Cyte A ful wilde Rase,—
For so wilde Rasyng was neuere lyown
As they thanne Isswed Owt of that town,—
So that to-Fore Owt Of that town wente
Seraphe and the kyng presente,
The wheche the ferste bataille hadde,
And On Tholomes Men ful lowde thei gradde,
And vppon hem they gonnen so faste to Ride
For with hem was non Abide Abyde; [sic]
But with speris faste to-gederis they schoke,
That scheldes & hawberkis Al to-broke,
That they fillen down In the feld,
So wel they Gonne there hem beweld;
And Also here highe hors that here sadeles bere,
Down On the grownde weren throwe þere;
So that thanne king Tholomes Men
The wers hadden, Er they wenten then.
For whanne they Comen Owt of þat Cite
Swich A gret And lusty Meyne,—
For they not wist that be the Fourthe del
Hadde not there ben, they supposed wel,—
Where-Offe Abascht wondir sore they were
Of that Rowte that isswede there,
And the surere they wende han be ful sekerly,
For twies discomfited him hadden they.
But there, At the Ferste Assemble,
Mochel peple lost this kyng Tholome:
Ful al the Nyht to-Fore I-Reden they hadde,
And Non Restë non Of hem Nadde,
Where[with] alle distempred they were,
And that was Sene vppon hem there.
And Eualach Men Alle Restë took,
For Alle Nyht they slepten, & not ne wook;
Wherfore On hem It was tho Sene,
For they weren bothe fers and kene.
Owt Of that Cyte A ful wilde Rase,—
For so wilde Rasyng was neuere lyown
As they thanne Isswed Owt of that town,—
So that to-Fore Owt Of that town wente
Seraphe and the kyng presente,
The wheche the ferste bataille hadde,
And On Tholomes Men ful lowde thei gradde,
And vppon hem they gonnen so faste to Ride
For with hem was non Abide Abyde; [sic]
But with speris faste to-gederis they schoke,
That scheldes & hawberkis Al to-broke,
That they fillen down In the feld,
So wel they Gonne there hem beweld;
And Also here highe hors that here sadeles bere,
Down On the grownde weren throwe þere;
So that thanne king Tholomes Men
The wers hadden, Er they wenten then.
For whanne they Comen Owt of þat Cite
Swich A gret And lusty Meyne,—
For they not wist that be the Fourthe del
Hadde not there ben, they supposed wel,—
Where-Offe Abascht wondir sore they were
Of that Rowte that isswede there,
And the surere they wende han be ful sekerly,
For twies discomfited him hadden they.
But there, At the Ferste Assemble,
Mochel peple lost this kyng Tholome:
Ful al the Nyht to-Fore I-Reden they hadde,
And Non Restë non Of hem Nadde,
Where[with] alle distempred they were,
And that was Sene vppon hem there.
127
For Alle Nyht they slepten, & not ne wook;
Wherfore On hem It was tho Sene,
For they weren bothe fers and kene.
Mani Merveilles wrowhten Eualache Men;
But As for On Man, he dyde sweche ten;
For was there neuere Man Of his Old Age
That half so ful was tho Of Corage.
And Also was Sire Seraphë,
That A worthi werrour hath Euere be;
For he there bar him so wel that day,
That so Moche worschepe he bar Away,
That Of his lyve, In Alle his dayes,
So Mochel worschepe men Of him sayes;
And Also Aftir whanne he was ded,
Of him Men bothë spoken & Red.
But As for On Man, he dyde sweche ten;
For was there neuere Man Of his Old Age
That half so ful was tho Of Corage.
And Also was Sire Seraphë,
That A worthi werrour hath Euere be;
For he there bar him so wel that day,
That so Moche worschepe he bar Away,
That Of his lyve, In Alle his dayes,
So Mochel worschepe men Of him sayes;
And Also Aftir whanne he was ded,
Of him Men bothë spoken & Red.
But Mochel deseisse suffrede Tholomes Men,—
And ȝit, Aȝens Eualache On Man hadden thei ten,—
So that they Tornede here bak Anon,
And from hem ward faste gonne to gon;
Thanne Sewede faste Euelach the kyng,
And so dyde Seraphe In that Chasing;
And there they Sewed hem thanne so faste
Into A ful streit passage Atte laste,
Whiche was An hy Roche Of ston,
The moste perilows þat man Mihte bi gon:—
For the Roche In him self was so hy,
More than fowre bowschote trewely,
And Into the Ryht side it laste Evene ryht
Down to the water Of Orkauz, I the plyht;
And the lefte partie it Ran Evene west,
Into Babyloigne that Riuere wente ful prest.
And [by] Alle that Roche passage was non
But On, that ful streit was there-vppon,
Whiche was non largere In non wise
Thanne As ten Men, As I Cowde devise,
There Afront myht passen therby,
So streyt was that passage trewly;—
And Into that passage the men Of Eualach
Sewed tholomes Men that Torned the bak;
And there was sched so mochel blood
That On bothe Sydes it Ran Into the flood,
And so Mochel blood vppon that Roche lay
That ȝit the Colour is sene Into this day,
And for slawhtre Of peple þere so manifold
‘The Roche Of blood’ Into this day is told;
For At that Entre they fowhten so sore
That men weren there slain Mani A score;
And As they mihte, they biden that stour
Til that hem Cam Ony more socour,
So that the grettere partie weren forth paste
Thorw gret distresse Atte laste;
So that Mochel peple was there slayn
Of bothe parties there In Certain.
And for that bataille þere so sore was Of distres,
“The blody Roche” Evere is cleped with-outen les.
And beȝonde this Chas Chased thei were
Be-ȝonde that passage two milës there;
Onhorsed weren Manie Of tholomes Men tho,
And faste On Foote there gonne they to go,
And Eualache Men hem Sewede ful faste
On horsbak whiles that Chas wolde laste.
Thanne here Eyen vpe they Caste,
& sien there Tholome Comen Atte laste,
That Comeng was tho to the segeward.
And ȝit, Aȝens Eualache On Man hadden thei ten,—
So that they Tornede here bak Anon,
And from hem ward faste gonne to gon;
Thanne Sewede faste Euelach the kyng,
And so dyde Seraphe In that Chasing;
And there they Sewed hem thanne so faste
Into A ful streit passage Atte laste,
Whiche was An hy Roche Of ston,
The moste perilows þat man Mihte bi gon:—
For the Roche In him self was so hy,
More than fowre bowschote trewely,
And Into the Ryht side it laste Evene ryht
Down to the water Of Orkauz, I the plyht;
And the lefte partie it Ran Evene west,
Into Babyloigne that Riuere wente ful prest.
And [by] Alle that Roche passage was non
But On, that ful streit was there-vppon,
Whiche was non largere In non wise
Thanne As ten Men, As I Cowde devise,
128
So streyt was that passage trewly;—
And Into that passage the men Of Eualach
Sewed tholomes Men that Torned the bak;
And there was sched so mochel blood
That On bothe Sydes it Ran Into the flood,
And so Mochel blood vppon that Roche lay
That ȝit the Colour is sene Into this day,
And for slawhtre Of peple þere so manifold
‘The Roche Of blood’ Into this day is told;
For At that Entre they fowhten so sore
That men weren there slain Mani A score;
And As they mihte, they biden that stour
Til that hem Cam Ony more socour,
So that the grettere partie weren forth paste
Thorw gret distresse Atte laste;
So that Mochel peple was there slayn
Of bothe parties there In Certain.
And for that bataille þere so sore was Of distres,
“The blody Roche” Evere is cleped with-outen les.
And beȝonde this Chas Chased thei were
Be-ȝonde that passage two milës there;
Onhorsed weren Manie Of tholomes Men tho,
And faste On Foote there gonne they to go,
And Eualache Men hem Sewede ful faste
On horsbak whiles that Chas wolde laste.
Thanne here Eyen vpe they Caste,
& sien there Tholome Comen Atte laste,
That Comeng was tho to the segeward.
Now he begynneth bataille strong & hard;
For he sente his Men there forth to-forn,
Weneng to him non of hem to han lorn,—
For he wende that Of Men so gret plente
With-Inne the Cite Of Orkauz hadden not be.
And whanne Tholome his mes-men he sawh so fle,
And Also Men vn-Armed with him hadde he,
Anon Comanded he In hye,
‘The Armure Of the hurt men hastelye
Of hem to taken, and hem þer-with dyhte,
That they myhten ben Redy forto fyhte.’
Thanne this Tholomes ferst gan owt Ryde
Afore Al the pres At that Tyde,
And Axede his men that fled tho were,
‘What Manere Of thing that thei sien there;’
And they him Answerid tho sone Anon,
And tolde him Al how it gan gon,
‘That In Orkauz they fownden Eualach king,
And there with him A gret gadering,’
“That So Manie werrours we wenden not han be
In Al his lond, Sire kyng, Certeinle;
And there, At A ryht streit passage,
On thi men dide he mochel Damage,
For so Manie men ther ben ded
That no man kan nombre In þat sted.”
“What, how goth this?” thanne quod Tholome,
“Is Eualach isswed owt Of that Cite?”
“ȝe sire,” quod they, “—be Owre lewte,
And that Ryht sone scholen ȝe se,—
Prekyng vppon his destrer,
And with him Al his power;
As so faste As he may hye,
Here he foleweth vs faste bye.”
And whanne Tholome herde Al this,
Fol sore Abaisched he was I-wys,
And his Meyne Comanded to stondyn stille,
For to herkenen what was tho his wille,—
He preyde hem holy Alle in this degre
‘That Neuere non Of hem ne scholden fle,
What Aventure that henge Ouer here hed,
Tyl that to-Forn hem they sien him ded.’
“Sire,” quod they, “thanne were late to fle,
And thow to-forn vs slayn there be.”
“Lordynges,” quod Tholome, “I schal this day
ȝow helpen & Socoure what that I May;
Not-withstonding myn hy parage,
And þerto two & thrytty winter of age,
ȝit stormes and batailles haue I seen
As Manye As somme that here now been;
And therfore, As that ȝe loven ȝoure bodily honour,
So beth Of goode herte now In this stoure.”
For he sente his Men there forth to-forn,
Weneng to him non of hem to han lorn,—
For he wende that Of Men so gret plente
With-Inne the Cite Of Orkauz hadden not be.
And whanne Tholome his mes-men he sawh so fle,
And Also Men vn-Armed with him hadde he,
129
‘The Armure Of the hurt men hastelye
Of hem to taken, and hem þer-with dyhte,
That they myhten ben Redy forto fyhte.’
Thanne this Tholomes ferst gan owt Ryde
Afore Al the pres At that Tyde,
And Axede his men that fled tho were,
‘What Manere Of thing that thei sien there;’
And they him Answerid tho sone Anon,
And tolde him Al how it gan gon,
‘That In Orkauz they fownden Eualach king,
And there with him A gret gadering,’
“That So Manie werrours we wenden not han be
In Al his lond, Sire kyng, Certeinle;
And there, At A ryht streit passage,
On thi men dide he mochel Damage,
For so Manie men ther ben ded
That no man kan nombre In þat sted.”
“What, how goth this?” thanne quod Tholome,
“Is Eualach isswed owt Of that Cite?”
“ȝe sire,” quod they, “—be Owre lewte,
And that Ryht sone scholen ȝe se,—
Prekyng vppon his destrer,
And with him Al his power;
As so faste As he may hye,
Here he foleweth vs faste bye.”
And whanne Tholome herde Al this,
Fol sore Abaisched he was I-wys,
And his Meyne Comanded to stondyn stille,
For to herkenen what was tho his wille,—
He preyde hem holy Alle in this degre
‘That Neuere non Of hem ne scholden fle,
What Aventure that henge Ouer here hed,
Tyl that to-Forn hem they sien him ded.’
“Sire,” quod they, “thanne were late to fle,
And thow to-forn vs slayn there be.”
130
ȝow helpen & Socoure what that I May;
Not-withstonding myn hy parage,
And þerto two & thrytty winter of age,
ȝit stormes and batailles haue I seen
As Manye As somme that here now been;
And therfore, As that ȝe loven ȝoure bodily honour,
So beth Of goode herte now In this stoure.”
And whanne Eualach this gan to beholde,
He him bethowhte In Manifolde
What was the Cawse Of the Restreyneng
Of the Meyne of Tholomes the kyng.
Thanne thowhte he As A wis werrour
That Abyden hadde Mani An hard stour,
‘That Sum gret Strengthe Of peple þere was
Aȝens him Comeng Into that plas.’
That king Eualach his barons dide Calle,
And hem tolde what Aventures myht befalle,
‘And how that kyng Tholomes was there ny,
With Ryht a strong Meyne þere faste by.’
So thanne hol to gederis thanne wente they tho,
Tyl that they ny Tholomes Ost were Comen to:
Into tweyne bowe-drawhtes lengthe,
So Fer Assembled Eualach & Al his strengthe.
He him bethowhte In Manifolde
What was the Cawse Of the Restreyneng
Of the Meyne of Tholomes the kyng.
Thanne thowhte he As A wis werrour
That Abyden hadde Mani An hard stour,
‘That Sum gret Strengthe Of peple þere was
Aȝens him Comeng Into that plas.’
That king Eualach his barons dide Calle,
And hem tolde what Aventures myht befalle,
‘And how that kyng Tholomes was there ny,
With Ryht a strong Meyne þere faste by.’
So thanne hol to gederis thanne wente they tho,
Tyl that they ny Tholomes Ost were Comen to:
Into tweyne bowe-drawhtes lengthe,
So Fer Assembled Eualach & Al his strengthe.
And thanne there Eualach devised Anon
His Meyne Into fowre batailles to be don,
Of the wheche the ferste bataille be-took he
To that ful worthy werrour Sire Seraphe,
That So worthily hadde him ferst born,
Lyk As I haue ȝow rehersed here-beforn.
And his Steward, that An hardy man was,
The seconde bataille hadde In that plas;
And to Anothir Old worthi werrour
þe thridde bataille he betook In that strowr,
Hos Name was Cleped Archymedes,
As I ȝow here telle with-Owten les;
And him Self the Fourthe bataille hadde,
That In theke tyme so wel koundeed & ladde.
His Meyne Into fowre batailles to be don,
Of the wheche the ferste bataille be-took he
To that ful worthy werrour Sire Seraphe,
That So worthily hadde him ferst born,
Lyk As I haue ȝow rehersed here-beforn.
And his Steward, that An hardy man was,
The seconde bataille hadde In that plas;
And to Anothir Old worthi werrour
þe thridde bataille he betook In that strowr,
Hos Name was Cleped Archymedes,
As I ȝow here telle with-Owten les;
131
That In theke tyme so wel koundeed & ladde.
And whanne thus his batailles diuysed weren Alle,
An Old knyht to him thanne gan he Calle,
That was bothe ful trewe & hardy,
That Ieconyas was Cleped trewly;
And to him thanne for riht gret trost
The passage he be-tok, As nedis he most,
In keping it to deliuere to On Man,
So moche Of werre wel Cowde he than,
That non Of Tholomes men þere paste,
Ne non Other, for non haste.
And Also there Charged him he
That he scholde taken kepe to that Cite,
“For there-Inne I lefte but fewe Meyne
It forto kepen, As I telle the,—
Not passeng Of Men Six score
Be þe grete hundred, lasse ne more,—
And An Old knyht here wardein to be,
Sire Iekonyas, As I telle it the;
And therfore that non passe be thin hond,
That Cyte to don Schame Oþer schond.”
That Iekonyas tho forth him wente,
His lordis Comaundement to don presente.
An Old knyht to him thanne gan he Calle,
That was bothe ful trewe & hardy,
That Ieconyas was Cleped trewly;
And to him thanne for riht gret trost
The passage he be-tok, As nedis he most,
In keping it to deliuere to On Man,
So moche Of werre wel Cowde he than,
That non Of Tholomes men þere paste,
Ne non Other, for non haste.
And Also there Charged him he
That he scholde taken kepe to that Cite,
“For there-Inne I lefte but fewe Meyne
It forto kepen, As I telle the,—
Not passeng Of Men Six score
Be þe grete hundred, lasse ne more,—
And An Old knyht here wardein to be,
Sire Iekonyas, As I telle it the;
And therfore that non passe be thin hond,
That Cyte to don Schame Oþer schond.”
That Iekonyas tho forth him wente,
His lordis Comaundement to don presente.
And whanne Tholome Al this beheld,
That Eualach Enbatailled him In the feeld,
Thanne Anon he Ordeyned viij batailles
Of his Meyne with-Owten Failles,
Of the wheche tweyn þe ferst Ordeyned were
Vppon the steward to Assemblen there;
And the Secund bataille devised he
Vppon Eualachs Nevev forto be,—
The wheche hyht Archemedes
A worthy Man In stour & pres,
For the thridde bataille hadde he In honde
Of Eualach, As I vndirstonde;—
And I my self In the vijthe bataille wil be
Vppon Eualach that Is so fre;
And the Rereward schal be the viijthe bataille,
Vppon Seraphe with-Owten Faille,
That worthy Conqwerour Evere he was,
Therfore he dred him In that plas.
And ȝit kepte Tholome to his Availles,
In his Refrescheng, twey batailles,
That vppon Eualach Scholden Come
Aftyr that the gret storm were done.
That Eualach Enbatailled him In the feeld,
Thanne Anon he Ordeyned viij batailles
Of his Meyne with-Owten Failles,
Of the wheche tweyn þe ferst Ordeyned were
Vppon the steward to Assemblen there;
And the Secund bataille devised he
Vppon Eualachs Nevev forto be,—
The wheche hyht Archemedes
A worthy Man In stour & pres,
For the thridde bataille hadde he In honde
Of Eualach, As I vndirstonde;—
132
Vppon Eualach that Is so fre;
And the Rereward schal be the viijthe bataille,
Vppon Seraphe with-Owten Faille,
That worthy Conqwerour Evere he was,
Therfore he dred him In that plas.
And ȝit kepte Tholome to his Availles,
In his Refrescheng, twey batailles,
That vppon Eualach Scholden Come
Aftyr that the gret storm were done.
And so to-gedere Faste they Ronne,
And this storm tho they be-gonne,
Vppon Ech of Eualache, bataylles two,
And thus to-gedere they gonnen go.
Thanne sawgh Tholomes In that plase
That more Meyne Of his ther was
That In that feld gan there gon,
Ten Men of his Aȝens Eualache On.
Thus bothe batailles devised weren there
In Maner As I ȝow haue Reherced Ere,
Bothe On the ton Syde An vppon the tothir,
So that vnder hem bothe was there fair fothir;
So that Eualach hadde in eche bataille, I wene,
Ten thowsend and thre hundred men bedene,
What On hors and Ek On Foote,
So Manye he hadde I wel woote;
And In Eche Of Tholomes batailles were
Sixtene thowsend, As it Reherseth here;
And ȝit Manie Of his Men weren lost to-Fore
At theke streite passage, As I tolde ȝow Ore.
And this storm tho they be-gonne,
Vppon Ech of Eualache, bataylles two,
And thus to-gedere they gonnen go.
Thanne sawgh Tholomes In that plase
That more Meyne Of his ther was
That In that feld gan there gon,
Ten Men of his Aȝens Eualache On.
Thus bothe batailles devised weren there
In Maner As I ȝow haue Reherced Ere,
Bothe On the ton Syde An vppon the tothir,
So that vnder hem bothe was there fair fothir;
So that Eualach hadde in eche bataille, I wene,
Ten thowsend and thre hundred men bedene,
What On hors and Ek On Foote,
So Manye he hadde I wel woote;
133
Sixtene thowsend, As it Reherseth here;
And ȝit Manie Of his Men weren lost to-Fore
At theke streite passage, As I tolde ȝow Ore.
Now Eualach his knyhtes Calleth,
Of what manere Aventure that him befallith;
He Clepeth forth lord, dwk, Erl, and bachelere,
And Al his peple that was there:
“Lo, sires!” he seide, “worthi men ȝe be,
And Mochel han knowen Of Chyvalre;
ȝonder Tholome hath Ten Aȝens Oure On,
And [ȝit] hopen we Ryht wel to don,
& therfore Of good Comfort let vs now be;
And thenketh what wrong he doth ȝow & me;
Into My lond to Entren with-Owten leve,
Me thinketh he doth me gret Repreve;
Therfore, And ȝe ben goode men this day,
Ful wel his Mede Qwyten me May,
And the victorie Of the bataille this day to have,
And therto More worschepe thanne we conne krave;
& þerto the Egipcien neuere schal ȝow Abyde
In bataylle, neþer In feld, At non Tyde.
And this I preie ȝow Enterly,
That ȝe wolden strong & Myhtly
Tweyne the ferste schowres Oþer thre;
And be that tyme here haste schal past be,
And thanne fresch scholen ȝe be to fyht
Whanne they han lost Al here Myht,
And thus discomfite hem Schole we
In this Manere, As ȝe mown Se.
Now behold what worschepe it were
Hem to discomfite In this Manere!
And beholdeth now, As ȝe Mown se,
What Meyne that he hath more thanne we.
I not what I schal sein More trewelye;
ȝe knowen bothe worschepe & velonye;
And therfore I Conceille ȝow Echon,
That for drede Of deth nothing ȝe don,
Nethir for presonement In no weye,
That ȝow Myht Torne to velonye,
Ne that Aftir be vs Oure Children reproved be,
Whanne Owt Of this world passed ben we.”
Of what manere Aventure that him befallith;
He Clepeth forth lord, dwk, Erl, and bachelere,
And Al his peple that was there:
“Lo, sires!” he seide, “worthi men ȝe be,
And Mochel han knowen Of Chyvalre;
ȝonder Tholome hath Ten Aȝens Oure On,
And [ȝit] hopen we Ryht wel to don,
& therfore Of good Comfort let vs now be;
And thenketh what wrong he doth ȝow & me;
Into My lond to Entren with-Owten leve,
Me thinketh he doth me gret Repreve;
Therfore, And ȝe ben goode men this day,
Ful wel his Mede Qwyten me May,
And the victorie Of the bataille this day to have,
And therto More worschepe thanne we conne krave;
& þerto the Egipcien neuere schal ȝow Abyde
In bataylle, neþer In feld, At non Tyde.
And this I preie ȝow Enterly,
That ȝe wolden strong & Myhtly
Tweyne the ferste schowres Oþer thre;
And be that tyme here haste schal past be,
And thanne fresch scholen ȝe be to fyht
Whanne they han lost Al here Myht,
And thus discomfite hem Schole we
In this Manere, As ȝe mown Se.
Now behold what worschepe it were
Hem to discomfite In this Manere!
134
What Meyne that he hath more thanne we.
I not what I schal sein More trewelye;
ȝe knowen bothe worschepe & velonye;
And therfore I Conceille ȝow Echon,
That for drede Of deth nothing ȝe don,
Nethir for presonement In no weye,
That ȝow Myht Torne to velonye,
Ne that Aftir be vs Oure Children reproved be,
Whanne Owt Of this world passed ben we.”
And whanne that he thus hadde told his tale,
He Sawgh twey batailles comen In A vale,
That weren Redy to the Assemblyng.
Anon Seraphe was ware Of þat thing,
And Aȝens hem faste gan he to Ryde
As so faste As the hors Myht gon þat tyde;
And Owt he sprang As fyr Offe brond,
With a boystous Tool In his hond,
Tyl that Aproched they weren so Ner
As the Mowntaunce Of A bowedrawht þer.
To-gederis Faste tho they Ronne,
And there they newe game be-gonne;
Eche, Other down there threw wel faste,
An Many On bothe sides to therthe were caste.
And Eualach kyng be-held Al this,
That In the Rere-warde was I-wis,
And hadde ful gret Rowthe & pyte
That for him his brother distroied schold be,
Other be slayn, Other taken presoner;
Ful moche Sorwe In herte hadde he ther,
And with his herte he sighed wel sore,
And with his Eyen wepte he thore;
Thanne his helm vp he Caste tho,
& bothe scheld & spere gan from him do,
And down he Enclynede Of his destrere,
& In this Maner seide As ȝe mown here:
“Alas, that I so Cursed A kaytyf,
That for me my broþer scholde lesen his lyf!
Alas, how schold it I qwyten to the,
Thowh my lyf thy gwerdon scholde be!
For this kendenesse that þou dost for Me,
I ne hadde neuere good to qwiten it to the;
Therfore it is seid ful trewelye
That In trewe herte was neuere trecherye.
Now mote the kepen, Seraphe, Every-where,
That Lord that I the Signe bere Of here!
And ȝif he be verray god, As they tellen me,
Into his Governaunce holich I betake the,
Thy body from peryl & schame to kepen
In Alle places where-so ȝe ben,
And þat to þe heyest worschepe ȝow bringe,
That Evere hadde Man On Erthe levynge.”
He Sawgh twey batailles comen In A vale,
That weren Redy to the Assemblyng.
Anon Seraphe was ware Of þat thing,
And Aȝens hem faste gan he to Ryde
As so faste As the hors Myht gon þat tyde;
And Owt he sprang As fyr Offe brond,
With a boystous Tool In his hond,
Tyl that Aproched they weren so Ner
As the Mowntaunce Of A bowedrawht þer.
To-gederis Faste tho they Ronne,
And there they newe game be-gonne;
Eche, Other down there threw wel faste,
An Many On bothe sides to therthe were caste.
And Eualach kyng be-held Al this,
That In the Rere-warde was I-wis,
And hadde ful gret Rowthe & pyte
That for him his brother distroied schold be,
Other be slayn, Other taken presoner;
Ful moche Sorwe In herte hadde he ther,
And with his herte he sighed wel sore,
And with his Eyen wepte he thore;
Thanne his helm vp he Caste tho,
& bothe scheld & spere gan from him do,
And down he Enclynede Of his destrere,
& In this Maner seide As ȝe mown here:
135
That for me my broþer scholde lesen his lyf!
Alas, how schold it I qwyten to the,
Thowh my lyf thy gwerdon scholde be!
For this kendenesse that þou dost for Me,
I ne hadde neuere good to qwiten it to the;
Therfore it is seid ful trewelye
That In trewe herte was neuere trecherye.
Now mote the kepen, Seraphe, Every-where,
That Lord that I the Signe bere Of here!
And ȝif he be verray god, As they tellen me,
Into his Governaunce holich I betake the,
Thy body from peryl & schame to kepen
In Alle places where-so ȝe ben,
And þat to þe heyest worschepe ȝow bringe,
That Evere hadde Man On Erthe levynge.”
Now beholde here and se
How ful Of Mercy & Of pyte
That is the blisful king of hevene,
How sone he herde the Synful stevene!
Lo! for that so hertely he made his preiere,
How sone that the goode lord gan him here,
And grauntid him Al his hol Entent;
The wheche was þere Anon sene verement;
For Aftir tyme that Eualach hadde thus preid,—
As that to-Fore ȝe han herd me Seid,—
Aftirward, dureng that bataille,
Alle Maner Of men that him gonne Asaille,
To grownde wenten thei Everichon,
And his Enemyes Of him hadde power non,
Ne non dedly wownde þat day Cam him to,
For Owht þat his Enemyes Cowden do;
For that day gat he So mochel worldly honour,
That Alle þat him beheld In that stour
Sien neuere swich Anothir worldly man
To smyten the strokes that he smot than,
So that they seide Al In fere,
‘That Eualach were scomfyt ȝif he ne were,
And bothe his worschepe & his lond
That day hadde be Reft Owt Of his hond.’
How ful Of Mercy & Of pyte
That is the blisful king of hevene,
How sone he herde the Synful stevene!
Lo! for that so hertely he made his preiere,
How sone that the goode lord gan him here,
And grauntid him Al his hol Entent;
The wheche was þere Anon sene verement;
For Aftir tyme that Eualach hadde thus preid,—
As that to-Fore ȝe han herd me Seid,—
Aftirward, dureng that bataille,
Alle Maner Of men that him gonne Asaille,
To grownde wenten thei Everichon,
And his Enemyes Of him hadde power non,
Ne non dedly wownde þat day Cam him to,
For Owht þat his Enemyes Cowden do;
For that day gat he So mochel worldly honour,
That Alle þat him beheld In that stour
Sien neuere swich Anothir worldly man
To smyten the strokes that he smot than,
136
‘That Eualach were scomfyt ȝif he ne were,
And bothe his worschepe & his lond
That day hadde be Reft Owt Of his hond.’
But Go we now to the Ryhte weye,
And herkene how Seraphës gan to pleye:
Whanne the tweye batailles On him were set,
They wenden han put him to gret thret,
For so many speris broken there was,
That It semed to Alle þo in theke plas
That Al A forest hadde borsten In sunder,
So hidous was the Noise, & so ful of wonder;
And whanne here speris thus to-broken were,
Here swerdis they pulden Owt Al in fere,
Here knyves and here Gesarmes bothe,
And grete Axes Also forsothe,
And Othir wepenis Mani On Mo.
And thus Aȝens Seraphe gonne they to go,
There forto preven here Maistrye
Vp-On Seraphe with-Owten lye;
That so gret Occision Of Men there was
Ifeld to Grounde Annon In that plas
With the hydous wepenis that weren there,
For so wondirful strokes were neuer sein Ere,
What vppon helmes, & vppon scheldes,
And vppon hawberkes that flowen into feldes,
So that it semed there A gret Mownteyn
Of hors & Men that there weren Slayn,
And Of here wepenis that lyen hem by;
So wonderful sihte it was tho trewly
That no tonge ne Myhte it thanne telle,
But Only he that Alle thing gan spelle,
Of whom that Cometh Alle Connenge
From begynneng Into the Endenge.
And herkene how Seraphës gan to pleye:
Whanne the tweye batailles On him were set,
They wenden han put him to gret thret,
For so many speris broken there was,
That It semed to Alle þo in theke plas
That Al A forest hadde borsten In sunder,
So hidous was the Noise, & so ful of wonder;
And whanne here speris thus to-broken were,
Here swerdis they pulden Owt Al in fere,
Here knyves and here Gesarmes bothe,
And grete Axes Also forsothe,
And Othir wepenis Mani On Mo.
And thus Aȝens Seraphe gonne they to go,
There forto preven here Maistrye
Vp-On Seraphe with-Owten lye;
That so gret Occision Of Men there was
Ifeld to Grounde Annon In that plas
With the hydous wepenis that weren there,
For so wondirful strokes were neuer sein Ere,
What vppon helmes, & vppon scheldes,
And vppon hawberkes that flowen into feldes,
So that it semed there A gret Mownteyn
Of hors & Men that there weren Slayn,
And Of here wepenis that lyen hem by;
So wonderful sihte it was tho trewly
That no tonge ne Myhte it thanne telle,
But Only he that Alle thing gan spelle,
Of whom that Cometh Alle Connenge
From begynneng Into the Endenge.
And now scholen ȝe heren More In Eche degre
How that Aftir it fyl Of this Semble:
Ful wondirfulli wel diden Seraphes Men
Whanne Into that Semble they entred then;
But Of the prowesse and the worthi dede,
Of the hardynesse And Of the Manhede
That Seraphe dide with his Owne hond,
It is ful hard to Ony man forto vndirstond;
And Of the Merveilles that be him wrowht was,
Weren neuere Of Man Sein In non plas;
For A gret Ax took he betwenen both his honde,
Where-with he wrowghte ful Mochel schonde,
Whiche that was trenchaunt Scharpe & Merveillous,
Riht A merveillous tool & an hidous,
And therto him self was A large Man,
With grete thyes, As I discryven kan,
And in the Scholdres bothe strong & large,
Where-vppon he scholde beren his targe,
With grete stepe Eyen In his hed Also,
And strongliche boned he was therto,
With smale handes And fyngres longe,
And therto gret strengthe Euere Amonge;
So that A merveillous siht it was to se
Him thus On horsbak, As thinketh Me,
And A good hors that him bar,
Whanne Into that semble he prekid thar,
So that he Ferde lik A man ful Of prowesse
Whanne that his scheld he threw down in that presse,
And his hors bridel he fastened Ful wel,
And gan to sterin him with his Ax Of Stel,
So that theke day ne Failled he nowht
That Allë tho to Grownde he browht
That to-forn him stoden In his weye,
Wherfore Of him they hadden gret Eye;
Somme, the hed from the body he smot;
Somme, the Armes; somme þe scholdres, foot-hot;
And somme the legges, And somme þe body On sondir,
And somme he so Claf As Strok Of thondir;
And Manie hors Slowgh he ded In the feld,
And be him Many knyht ded vndir his scheld,
And Many A footman he slowh that stownde,
And Manie Of here hors he browhte to Grownde,
That so Manie Merveilles wrowhte he that day
That Into this tyme ȝit of him speken we May;
Of his Manhod & his Chevalrye
It were I-nowgh An herowde to discrye,
But To him self It was vnknowenge
Of his Owne Merveillous werkynge,
For he supposed not withInne him selve
That he hadde the Myht Of ten Men Oþer twelve;
For þe prowesse that he dyde, ne knew he nowht.
Lo what for him he wrowht that him bowht!
And he thowht ful litel that be Eualache preyer
Was tho prowesse that he hadde there,
The wheche was A man bothe Ioyful & Glad,
And Alle his knyhtes thanne beholden he bad
The prowesse Of this Seraphë,
And Of the Merveilles that did he,
And of the world he was the worthiest knyht
As that day tho semede be his fyht;
For Tholomes Men he made to fle,
And of hem Slowgh ful gret plente.
How that Aftir it fyl Of this Semble:
137
Whanne Into that Semble they entred then;
But Of the prowesse and the worthi dede,
Of the hardynesse And Of the Manhede
That Seraphe dide with his Owne hond,
It is ful hard to Ony man forto vndirstond;
And Of the Merveilles that be him wrowht was,
Weren neuere Of Man Sein In non plas;
For A gret Ax took he betwenen both his honde,
Where-with he wrowghte ful Mochel schonde,
Whiche that was trenchaunt Scharpe & Merveillous,
Riht A merveillous tool & an hidous,
And therto him self was A large Man,
With grete thyes, As I discryven kan,
And in the Scholdres bothe strong & large,
Where-vppon he scholde beren his targe,
With grete stepe Eyen In his hed Also,
And strongliche boned he was therto,
With smale handes And fyngres longe,
And therto gret strengthe Euere Amonge;
So that A merveillous siht it was to se
Him thus On horsbak, As thinketh Me,
And A good hors that him bar,
Whanne Into that semble he prekid thar,
So that he Ferde lik A man ful Of prowesse
Whanne that his scheld he threw down in that presse,
And his hors bridel he fastened Ful wel,
And gan to sterin him with his Ax Of Stel,
So that theke day ne Failled he nowht
That Allë tho to Grownde he browht
That to-forn him stoden In his weye,
Wherfore Of him they hadden gret Eye;
Somme, the hed from the body he smot;
Somme, the Armes; somme þe scholdres, foot-hot;
138
And somme he so Claf As Strok Of thondir;
And Manie hors Slowgh he ded In the feld,
And be him Many knyht ded vndir his scheld,
And Many A footman he slowh that stownde,
And Manie Of here hors he browhte to Grownde,
That so Manie Merveilles wrowhte he that day
That Into this tyme ȝit of him speken we May;
Of his Manhod & his Chevalrye
It were I-nowgh An herowde to discrye,
But To him self It was vnknowenge
Of his Owne Merveillous werkynge,
For he supposed not withInne him selve
That he hadde the Myht Of ten Men Oþer twelve;
For þe prowesse that he dyde, ne knew he nowht.
Lo what for him he wrowht that him bowht!
And he thowht ful litel that be Eualache preyer
Was tho prowesse that he hadde there,
The wheche was A man bothe Ioyful & Glad,
And Alle his knyhtes thanne beholden he bad
The prowesse Of this Seraphë,
And Of the Merveilles that did he,
And of the world he was the worthiest knyht
As that day tho semede be his fyht;
For Tholomes Men he made to fle,
And of hem Slowgh ful gret plente.
And whanne Tholomes beheld this Cas,
And how þat his Men losten here plas,
Thanne gret sorwe & schame he hadde;
Anon the secund bataille he gon forth badde.
And whanne Seraphes Sawgh hem Comen Ny,
With hem he thowhte to Meten Sadly;
Anon he seide to his knyhtës bolde,
‘That stedfaste to-Gederis scholde they hem holde;
And that A good stert they scholden Abyde,
And leten hem Come vppon hem Ride.’
So that they Comen In gret haste A-down
Abowtes Seraphes Men In-virown,
And On hem broken they here lawnces faste,
And ȝit remeved not Seraphes Men til At þe laste;
And here scheldes they leiden faste vppon,
And ȝit stooden they stille As Ony ston,
And rested hem stille In that place
Til they Sien the tyme whanne nede was;
And thanne Atte the laste they torned Again,
So that Many A man was there slayn,
Where-Offen was gret breth Of hors men,
But scars On Of Seraphes Aȝens of Tholomes ten,
The wheche that discomfited were,
And In that feeld lyen still there.
But Atte laste þe two fresch batailles
Seraphes Men ful sore Asaylles,
And strokes On hem leide ful sore,
So that they myht Suffren no More,
But torned here bak And gonnen to fle,
And forsoken the grownd of Seraphë.
And how þat his Men losten here plas,
Thanne gret sorwe & schame he hadde;
Anon the secund bataille he gon forth badde.
And whanne Seraphes Sawgh hem Comen Ny,
With hem he thowhte to Meten Sadly;
Anon he seide to his knyhtës bolde,
‘That stedfaste to-Gederis scholde they hem holde;
139
And leten hem Come vppon hem Ride.’
So that they Comen In gret haste A-down
Abowtes Seraphes Men In-virown,
And On hem broken they here lawnces faste,
And ȝit remeved not Seraphes Men til At þe laste;
And here scheldes they leiden faste vppon,
And ȝit stooden they stille As Ony ston,
And rested hem stille In that place
Til they Sien the tyme whanne nede was;
And thanne Atte the laste they torned Again,
So that Many A man was there slayn,
Where-Offen was gret breth Of hors men,
But scars On Of Seraphes Aȝens of Tholomes ten,
The wheche that discomfited were,
And In that feeld lyen still there.
But Atte laste þe two fresch batailles
Seraphes Men ful sore Asaylles,
And strokes On hem leide ful sore,
So that they myht Suffren no More,
But torned here bak And gonnen to fle,
And forsoken the grownd of Seraphë.
And whanne Seraphe gan this beholde,
Seraphe gan hem Ascrie Mani-folde;
ȝit Seraphe left not for than,
But Torned Aȝen As A worthi Man,
And his Ax in his hondys he bar,
And Manie Of hem þer-with slowghe thar;
He to-Clef bothe habiriown & hawberk,
And Amonges hem Made A sory werk:
Here helmes he to-Clef A-two,
Here Scheldis he Alto-schatered Also,
Here hedis he Clef Into the teth,—
Thus hem he serveth that Aȝens him beth,—
So that non Man his dyntes Myhte Abyde
They weren so Merveillous At that tyde.
Seraphe gan hem Ascrie Mani-folde;
ȝit Seraphe left not for than,
But Torned Aȝen As A worthi Man,
And his Ax in his hondys he bar,
And Manie Of hem þer-with slowghe thar;
He to-Clef bothe habiriown & hawberk,
And Amonges hem Made A sory werk:
Here helmes he to-Clef A-two,
Here Scheldis he Alto-schatered Also,
Here hedis he Clef Into the teth,—
Thus hem he serveth that Aȝens him beth,—
So that non Man his dyntes Myhte Abyde
They weren so Merveillous At that tyde.
140
And whanne kyng Eualach steward this beheld,
That to seraphe were Comen two batailles In þe feeld,
And how freschly they fowhten him Agein,
Where-Offen he was A-drad Certein—
For non Er sawgh Eualache Steward
Ony Nede To gon to him ward,
And Seraphe to socouren In that plas—
To him ward Rod he A ful gret pas.
“Now Certein,” quod this Steward,
“With Seraphe it stond so hard
That Al the world him helpe ne may,
So mochel peple vppon him lay;
And ȝif I Ony lengere Abyde,
He nis but ded At this Tyde;”
And Anon with that word there
He prekede forth On his destrere,
And Al his Meyne holyche with him;
There began Anon bataille ful Grym;
And to the tweyne batailles Comen they Anon,
That vppon kyng Eualach scholde hauen gon.
And whanne they sy þe steward thus Comenge,
Aȝens hem tho batailles Comen prekynge
Lik As the tothere diden before
To Seraphe, whereby thei han lore
Mochel Of Tholomes Meyne,
That be Seraphe Slayn there be,
“Now,” quod Eualach, “God, for thy Myht,
So spede Seraphe that Gentyl knyht!”
Thanne this Steward, to his lordis seid he,
“Lokeþ stedfastly that to-Gederis ȝe be;
For ȝif we these two batailles mown breke,
I hope Of Tholome kyng to ben Awreke;
For I ne thenke neuere Er to blynne
Til that I kyng Tholomes bataille be with-Inne;
And there I thenke him forto sle,
Ryht Among Al his Owne Meyne.”
So wenten thei forth be that Ordenaunce
To knowen how that myht ben here Chaunce,
And fulfilden his Comaundement,
And Redin forth with riht good Entent.
But that schowr was As scharpe As A dart,
For there many Mo weren On Tholomes part
Thanne On the Stewardis Serly;
Therfore was that stour ful Stordy;
But ȝit Comen they neuere so faste vppon,
That the stewardis Men Aȝens hem gonne gon,
Til that to-gederis they weren Met
The lengthe of A Gleyve with-owten let;
but Euere the Steward let hem pase
Tyl that with CCC knyhtes Entred he wase—
And somwhat Mo Of his Meyne—
With-Inne Tholomes bataille Entred he,
That Fyve thowsend hadde he with him
Of noble knyhtes both stowt & Grym.
And whanne thus to-Gederis weren they Met,
Many A sterne st[r]ok there was Set
Be-twenen bothë partyes there,
So that Of Tholomes lost Manie þer were
As thowh they hadden falle In-to the se,
So mani Of Tholomes Men lost there be.
That to seraphe were Comen two batailles In þe feeld,
And how freschly they fowhten him Agein,
Where-Offen he was A-drad Certein—
For non Er sawgh Eualache Steward
Ony Nede To gon to him ward,
And Seraphe to socouren In that plas—
To him ward Rod he A ful gret pas.
“Now Certein,” quod this Steward,
“With Seraphe it stond so hard
That Al the world him helpe ne may,
So mochel peple vppon him lay;
And ȝif I Ony lengere Abyde,
He nis but ded At this Tyde;”
And Anon with that word there
He prekede forth On his destrere,
And Al his Meyne holyche with him;
There began Anon bataille ful Grym;
And to the tweyne batailles Comen they Anon,
That vppon kyng Eualach scholde hauen gon.
And whanne they sy þe steward thus Comenge,
Aȝens hem tho batailles Comen prekynge
Lik As the tothere diden before
To Seraphe, whereby thei han lore
Mochel Of Tholomes Meyne,
That be Seraphe Slayn there be,
“Now,” quod Eualach, “God, for thy Myht,
So spede Seraphe that Gentyl knyht!”
Thanne this Steward, to his lordis seid he,
“Lokeþ stedfastly that to-Gederis ȝe be;
For ȝif we these two batailles mown breke,
I hope Of Tholome kyng to ben Awreke;
For I ne thenke neuere Er to blynne
Til that I kyng Tholomes bataille be with-Inne;
And there I thenke him forto sle,
Ryht Among Al his Owne Meyne.”
141
To knowen how that myht ben here Chaunce,
And fulfilden his Comaundement,
And Redin forth with riht good Entent.
But that schowr was As scharpe As A dart,
For there many Mo weren On Tholomes part
Thanne On the Stewardis Serly;
Therfore was that stour ful Stordy;
But ȝit Comen they neuere so faste vppon,
That the stewardis Men Aȝens hem gonne gon,
Til that to-gederis they weren Met
The lengthe of A Gleyve with-owten let;
but Euere the Steward let hem pase
Tyl that with CCC knyhtes Entred he wase—
And somwhat Mo Of his Meyne—
With-Inne Tholomes bataille Entred he,
That Fyve thowsend hadde he with him
Of noble knyhtes both stowt & Grym.
And whanne thus to-Gederis weren they Met,
Many A sterne st[r]ok there was Set
Be-twenen bothë partyes there,
So that Of Tholomes lost Manie þer were
As thowh they hadden falle In-to the se,
So mani Of Tholomes Men lost there be.
So that forth prekyd the steward In þat pres
Evene Ryht to Tholome; er wolde he not ses.
And Amonges his Men him smot he so,
That down to the erthe he gan to Go,
This kyng Tholome, both hors & Man,
Thus to therthe the steward smot him than;
And there he Trosted him forto han Slayn,
Where-Offen the Steward was ful fayn,
And At the Erthe tho stille him held,
And wend han slayn him vndir his scheld.
Thanne Cam þere On Of Tholomes knyhtes,
That Myhti & strong was In fyhtes,
And smot this Steward, there he lay
Vppon Tholome his lord In fay.
Betwene bothe scholdres he him thorwh smot,
As he On Tholome lay tho foot-hot;
So þat Anon this steward Torned Agein,
And so that knyht smot In Certein,
And vppon Tholome he made him to falle,
That Anon tho Creaunt he Gan to Calle;
And that Sawgh the stewardes Meyne,
And faste to him there gonne they fle,
This Tholome to han kept Oþer han Slayn;
This was here purpos thanne In Certayn.
And Tholomes Men that gonnen Aspie,
And to here lord they gonne faste hie,
Him forto deliueren from his Fon,
Also Faste As they Mihten gon.
Evene Ryht to Tholome; er wolde he not ses.
And Amonges his Men him smot he so,
That down to the erthe he gan to Go,
This kyng Tholome, both hors & Man,
Thus to therthe the steward smot him than;
And there he Trosted him forto han Slayn,
Where-Offen the Steward was ful fayn,
And At the Erthe tho stille him held,
And wend han slayn him vndir his scheld.
Thanne Cam þere On Of Tholomes knyhtes,
That Myhti & strong was In fyhtes,
142
Vppon Tholome his lord In fay.
Betwene bothe scholdres he him thorwh smot,
As he On Tholome lay tho foot-hot;
So þat Anon this steward Torned Agein,
And so that knyht smot In Certein,
And vppon Tholome he made him to falle,
That Anon tho Creaunt he Gan to Calle;
And that Sawgh the stewardes Meyne,
And faste to him there gonne they fle,
This Tholome to han kept Oþer han Slayn;
This was here purpos thanne In Certayn.
And Tholomes Men that gonnen Aspie,
And to here lord they gonne faste hie,
Him forto deliueren from his Fon,
Also Faste As they Mihten gon.
And whanne king eualach this Melle gan beholde,
Ful sone his herte be-gan to Colde;
And whanne that he Sawgh this Mellë
In thre diuers places thus thanne to be,
How that the peple Of Seraphee
With fourre bataylles fowghten hee,
And Of the Meyne Of his Stewarde
That with tweyne batailles fowhten wel harde,
And Also for his Stewardis body,
He was ful of Sorwen Sekerly,
That Aȝens Tholomeres bataille
Whiche that he gan so sore to Asaille;
So Eualach Comanded his nevew tho
The stewardis Men Socour forto do,
“And I his Body now wele Socoure,
Oþer with him to deyen In that schowre.”
Ful sone his herte be-gan to Colde;
And whanne that he Sawgh this Mellë
In thre diuers places thus thanne to be,
How that the peple Of Seraphee
With fourre bataylles fowghten hee,
And Of the Meyne Of his Stewarde
That with tweyne batailles fowhten wel harde,
And Also for his Stewardis body,
He was ful of Sorwen Sekerly,
That Aȝens Tholomeres bataille
Whiche that he gan so sore to Asaille;
So Eualach Comanded his nevew tho
The stewardis Men Socour forto do,
“And I his Body now wele Socoure,
Oþer with him to deyen In that schowre.”
Anon bothe these batailles gonnen Owt Glide
As Sparkles owt Of fyr doth Ony tyde,
And vppon here Enemyes they gonne to go,
Kyng Eualach and Archemedes Also;
Wheche Archemedes tho semblen be-gan
Forto Refreschen there the stewardis Men.
Thanne wolden þese batailles non longere Abyde,
But to here lord Tholome tho gonnen thei Glyde;
For thei flowen to him tho ful faste,
So Archymedes Men On hem gonnen thraste;
So fledde they to here lord for socour,
For the grete Angwich Of that stour.
As Sparkles owt Of fyr doth Ony tyde,
And vppon here Enemyes they gonne to go,
Kyng Eualach and Archemedes Also;
143
Forto Refreschen there the stewardis Men.
Thanne wolden þese batailles non longere Abyde,
But to here lord Tholome tho gonnen thei Glyde;
For thei flowen to him tho ful faste,
So Archymedes Men On hem gonnen thraste;
So fledde they to here lord for socour,
For the grete Angwich Of that stour.
And Eualach—that to Tholome was gone,
His Steward forto don socour sone,—
He saugh, & stood, & there beheld,
How, with as grete Mases As they myht weld,
On his Steward [they] leiden strokes Mani-folde,
That pite & Rowthe it was to be-holde,
With here Mases Coronaled with Stel,—
And Al this beheld Eualach ful wel,—
And Thre wowndes On his body were,
That Tholomes Foot-men hadde ȝoven hem there;
For so with Arwes was he hyrt,
Wheche hyrt tho Mihte he not Astyrt.
And whanne Eualach thus Saugh him be-stad,
And Amonges hem thanne forth So there lad,
And therto his Meyne So wownded were,
That Sore Agresyd was he there,
So that Anon he gan forth to Ryde,
And Alle his knyhtes be his syde;
And Er that he to his Steward Myht wynne,
Fowl betrapped so was he hem with-Inne,
They him hadde taken As presonere,
And with hem forth gonne leden there.
And whanne that he Cam In-to the plase
There As his Steward so Taken wase,
His helm Of taken they hadde,
And to-forn Tholomes they him ladde,
And to the Erthe there they hem Caste.
And thanne Cam forth Tholome Atte laste;
Anon he drowgh his Sword So Feer,
The stewardis hed to han smeten Of ther;
For Erthly Man was non leveng In londe
That so moche he hated, ne wolde schonde.
And whanne that Tholomez scholde han smeten Of his hed,
And he myht han had leyser In that sted,
He Sawgh kyng Eualach So faste Comenge
That he was let Of his purposinge;
And whanne he Sawh þat it myht not be so,
Thanne Otherwise he gan forto do,
Vnder his hawberk In-lawnced he
Thorwgh the body, And that was pyte.
His Steward forto don socour sone,—
He saugh, & stood, & there beheld,
How, with as grete Mases As they myht weld,
On his Steward [they] leiden strokes Mani-folde,
That pite & Rowthe it was to be-holde,
With here Mases Coronaled with Stel,—
And Al this beheld Eualach ful wel,—
And Thre wowndes On his body were,
That Tholomes Foot-men hadde ȝoven hem there;
For so with Arwes was he hyrt,
Wheche hyrt tho Mihte he not Astyrt.
And whanne Eualach thus Saugh him be-stad,
And Amonges hem thanne forth So there lad,
And therto his Meyne So wownded were,
That Sore Agresyd was he there,
So that Anon he gan forth to Ryde,
And Alle his knyhtes be his syde;
And Er that he to his Steward Myht wynne,
Fowl betrapped so was he hem with-Inne,
They him hadde taken As presonere,
And with hem forth gonne leden there.
And whanne that he Cam In-to the plase
There As his Steward so Taken wase,
His helm Of taken they hadde,
And to-forn Tholomes they him ladde,
144
And thanne Cam forth Tholome Atte laste;
Anon he drowgh his Sword So Feer,
The stewardis hed to han smeten Of ther;
For Erthly Man was non leveng In londe
That so moche he hated, ne wolde schonde.
And whanne that Tholomez scholde han smeten Of his hed,
And he myht han had leyser In that sted,
He Sawgh kyng Eualach So faste Comenge
That he was let Of his purposinge;
And whanne he Sawh þat it myht not be so,
Thanne Otherwise he gan forto do,
Vnder his hawberk In-lawnced he
Thorwgh the body, And that was pyte.
And whanne he hadde So I-do,
Anon to his hors tho gan he to go;
And Aȝens kyng Eualach gan he Ryde,
And Eualach Aȝens him with gret pryde;
And so sore there to-gederis they Mette,
& There so sore strokes Ech On Other sette.
That bothe here scheldes [flowe] Into þe feld,
And Ech Of hem bad Other ȝeld.
And whanne to-broken weren here lawnces,
Thanne Aftyr behappid many harde Chaunces;
Thanne On foote gonne they Alyghte,
And there began A wondir strong Fyghte;
Thanne gonnen they there A scharp Schowr
That was Angwyschschows & ful Of dolowr,
So that Mochel peple was there ded,
Of Men And Ek hors In that sted.
And Evere kyng Eualach enforsed him faste
Thorwgh Tholomes pres Forto han paste
Into the place there that his Steward lay,
ȝif he myhte it Recovere that day;
But Euere they putten him of with gret strengthe
That Entren he ne Myhte In brede ne lengthe,
Tyl bothe batailles weren discomfit that tyde,
That Ferst Archemedes [aȝens] gan to Ryde.
And whanne this Bataille discomfit was
Thorwgh Eualache Meyne In that plas,
And flowen to here lord Tholome,
And After Of Eualache Meyne gret plente,
& whanne that Tholome Sawgh thus his Ost
Ouer-throwen & Slayn with gret bost,
And Eualache Men After hem purswen tho,—
Ful Mochel sorwe In his herte gan to go;
Thanne Tholomes his Men gan to Ascrye
With A lowd voys, And Ryht An hye,
“On Eualache Men torneth ȝe Aȝen,
And vppon him proveth that ȝe men ben!”
And So Torned they the hedes Of here hors
Thanne Aȝens here Enemyes with gret fors;
And they On foote schotten faste
Wit venymed Arwes whiles they wolde laste,
So that Manye hors there they Slowe,
And moche Othir peple In that Rowe;
Ful hard & strong was the Mellë,
& Mochel peple lost In Eche degre,
Of bothe partyes there Mani On
To the deth on bothe sides were they don,
But Only Of Eualache Meyne
There was persched gret plente.
Anon to his hors tho gan he to go;
And Aȝens kyng Eualach gan he Ryde,
And Eualach Aȝens him with gret pryde;
And so sore there to-gederis they Mette,
& There so sore strokes Ech On Other sette.
That bothe here scheldes [flowe] Into þe feld,
And Ech Of hem bad Other ȝeld.
And whanne to-broken weren here lawnces,
Thanne Aftyr behappid many harde Chaunces;
Thanne On foote gonne they Alyghte,
And there began A wondir strong Fyghte;
Thanne gonnen they there A scharp Schowr
That was Angwyschschows & ful Of dolowr,
So that Mochel peple was there ded,
Of Men And Ek hors In that sted.
And Evere kyng Eualach enforsed him faste
Thorwgh Tholomes pres Forto han paste
Into the place there that his Steward lay,
ȝif he myhte it Recovere that day;
But Euere they putten him of with gret strengthe
That Entren he ne Myhte In brede ne lengthe,
145
That Ferst Archemedes [aȝens] gan to Ryde.
And whanne this Bataille discomfit was
Thorwgh Eualache Meyne In that plas,
And flowen to here lord Tholome,
And After Of Eualache Meyne gret plente,
& whanne that Tholome Sawgh thus his Ost
Ouer-throwen & Slayn with gret bost,
And Eualache Men After hem purswen tho,—
Ful Mochel sorwe In his herte gan to go;
Thanne Tholomes his Men gan to Ascrye
With A lowd voys, And Ryht An hye,
“On Eualache Men torneth ȝe Aȝen,
And vppon him proveth that ȝe men ben!”
And So Torned they the hedes Of here hors
Thanne Aȝens here Enemyes with gret fors;
And they On foote schotten faste
Wit venymed Arwes whiles they wolde laste,
So that Manye hors there they Slowe,
And moche Othir peple In that Rowe;
Ful hard & strong was the Mellë,
& Mochel peple lost In Eche degre,
Of bothe partyes there Mani On
To the deth on bothe sides were they don,
But Only Of Eualache Meyne
There was persched gret plente.
Thanne whanne Tholome gan beholde
That he hadde the bettere be manifolde,
Anon A Massage tho he Owt sente
To him that the viijthe bataille kepte presente,
‘That In non wise Asemblen Scholde he,
Tyl that Comaundement he hadde of Me,’
Thus to him he sente Anon ful Ryf,
Non Other wyse to don, In peyne Of his [l]if.
That he hadde the bettere be manifolde,
Anon A Massage tho he Owt sente
To him that the viijthe bataille kepte presente,
‘That In non wise Asemblen Scholde he,
Tyl that Comaundement he hadde of Me,’
Thus to him he sente Anon ful Ryf,
Non Other wyse to don, In peyne Of his [l]if.
146
CHAPTER XIV. SERAPHE'S DEEDS, AND THE END OF THE BATTLE.
147
Now lete vs Speken Of Seraphë,
Of his worthinesse, & Of his Meyne
That ȝit with fowre batailles don fyhte,
And kepen here Owne As men Of Myhte;
For As it is put Into Memorye
For On Of the most wondir Storye
That Euere was Rad In Ony book,
Owther In Storye, As Men Cowden look,
For so lytel A peple & so vigerous
Aȝens so Manye & so therto dispetous;
For ther myhte neuere Man hem with-stonde
Whiles they hadden Ony wepone On honde,
So that Seraphes Men On horse & Foote
Heelden Tholomes Men wondir hote.
Of his worthinesse, & Of his Meyne
That ȝit with fowre batailles don fyhte,
And kepen here Owne As men Of Myhte;
For As it is put Into Memorye
For On Of the most wondir Storye
That Euere was Rad In Ony book,
Owther In Storye, As Men Cowden look,
For so lytel A peple & so vigerous
Aȝens so Manye & so therto dispetous;
For ther myhte neuere Man hem with-stonde
Whiles they hadden Ony wepone On honde,
So that Seraphes Men On horse & Foote
Heelden Tholomes Men wondir hote.
But that storm ne dured neuer han Myhte,
Ne hadde ben thorgwh Seraphes Fyhte;
For So mochel prowesse was neuere In Man—
As for the Meyne that he hadde than—
As was In him Seyn that day there,
For so they seiden that At þe stowr were.
For so worthy A knyht In non plase
Neuere to-forn there sein wase;
For his plase wolde he not forgo,
That he and his Feleschepe hadde taken hem to;
Alle Made he here bakkes forto bende,
And Of here lyves browht hem to Ende
That In his weye Gonnen forto stonde.
With his Ax he wrowhte hem Mochel schonde;
For here hedes he smot Of Faste,
Here scheldis & hawberkes Alto-braste,
And leyd hem ded there In the feeld,
Many A knyht there vndir his Scheld;
Helmes, hawberkes, & ventaylles Also,
Alle to the Grownde he dyde hem go;
Legges & Armes Of smot he there,
And thus mochel peple slowgh In diuers Manere,
That his Ax he bathede In Mennes blood
From the point to the hylt, there As he stood;
And Al this Of him Suffred this Meyne
þat Aȝens him fowhten, & weren with Tholome.
Ne hadde ben thorgwh Seraphes Fyhte;
For So mochel prowesse was neuere In Man—
As for the Meyne that he hadde than—
As was In him Seyn that day there,
For so they seiden that At þe stowr were.
For so worthy A knyht In non plase
Neuere to-forn there sein wase;
For his plase wolde he not forgo,
That he and his Feleschepe hadde taken hem to;
Alle Made he here bakkes forto bende,
And Of here lyves browht hem to Ende
That In his weye Gonnen forto stonde.
With his Ax he wrowhte hem Mochel schonde;
For here hedes he smot Of Faste,
Here scheldis & hawberkes Alto-braste,
And leyd hem ded there In the feeld,
Many A knyht there vndir his Scheld;
148
Alle to the Grownde he dyde hem go;
Legges & Armes Of smot he there,
And thus mochel peple slowgh In diuers Manere,
That his Ax he bathede In Mennes blood
From the point to the hylt, there As he stood;
And Al this Of him Suffred this Meyne
þat Aȝens him fowhten, & weren with Tholome.
For þat day ne myhten they distroyen his powere
For non thing that they Cowden don there;
But Al that day heeld him In On degre;
And not wery[er] thanne Semed he
Thanne he was whanne he gan ferst to fyht,
Nether no More he lakked his Myhte,—
Of wheche him self vndirstonding he took,
As tellith the storye Of this book;—
[For] wery Of his Armure was he not thore,
[N]o more thanne he was In the Morneng before,
[A]nd As fresch he was Evere Forto fyhte
As In the Morwneng he was, I the plyhte,
And As vigerows he was Onne forto se
As thowgh non thing to-forn him hadde be.
And there As his Men ful wery they were,
& Al forfowghten In that place there,
He hem Comforted with Al his Myht,
And Of Al that stowr he ne took but lyht,
And hem Reqwered ful vegerously
That be him they scholden Abyden by,
For As mochel grace In him was Alone
As In Alle here bodyes Every-Chone;
For, ne hadde Only the myht Of him ne be,
Clene hadde ben lost Al his Meyne;
For Elles myhten they neuere han kept þat plase,
For the Multitude Of [tho] that Aȝens hem wase;
But from Seraphe they fledden Euerichon—
Alle Tholomes Meyne be On And be On,—
And thus dured Seraphe Al that day
Til it was past fer noon tho In fay.
For non thing that they Cowden don there;
But Al that day heeld him In On degre;
And not wery[er] thanne Semed he
Thanne he was whanne he gan ferst to fyht,
Nether no More he lakked his Myhte,—
Of wheche him self vndirstonding he took,
As tellith the storye Of this book;—
[For] wery Of his Armure was he not thore,
[N]o more thanne he was In the Morneng before,
[A]nd As fresch he was Evere Forto fyhte
As In the Morwneng he was, I the plyhte,
And As vigerows he was Onne forto se
As thowgh non thing to-forn him hadde be.
And there As his Men ful wery they were,
& Al forfowghten In that place there,
He hem Comforted with Al his Myht,
And Of Al that stowr he ne took but lyht,
And hem Reqwered ful vegerously
That be him they scholden Abyden by,
For As mochel grace In him was Alone
As In Alle here bodyes Every-Chone;
For, ne hadde Only the myht Of him ne be,
Clene hadde ben lost Al his Meyne;
For Elles myhten they neuere han kept þat plase,
For the Multitude Of [tho] that Aȝens hem wase;
But from Seraphe they fledden Euerichon—
Alle Tholomes Meyne be On And be On,—
149
Til it was past fer noon tho In fay.
Thanne gan there A Messenger forth to gon
To kyng Tholome, there he was Anon,
And seide to him In this Manere,
“Sire, A wondirful knyht Is now there,
That Al this day hath kept the Iorrnë
Aȝens thy fowre batailles, Sire Tholome;
And ȝit discomfit Neuere they been
In non thing that we Conne seen,
And Euere Aȝens On Of his knyhtes
There ben tweyne Of Owre Owtryhtes
And Mo Sire, ȝif I Scholde Say,
Thanne I Cowde Certeinly Rekene parfay;
And, Sire Tholome, As I the now seye,
They ne doren not Comen In Seraphës weye.”
To kyng Tholome, there he was Anon,
And seide to him In this Manere,
“Sire, A wondirful knyht Is now there,
That Al this day hath kept the Iorrnë
Aȝens thy fowre batailles, Sire Tholome;
And ȝit discomfit Neuere they been
In non thing that we Conne seen,
And Euere Aȝens On Of his knyhtes
There ben tweyne Of Owre Owtryhtes
And Mo Sire, ȝif I Scholde Say,
Thanne I Cowde Certeinly Rekene parfay;
And, Sire Tholome, As I the now seye,
They ne doren not Comen In Seraphës weye.”
Whanne Tholome herde here-Offen tho telle,
Wel Mochel wonder In his herte tho Felle,
What Merveillous knyht that it scholde be
That so Mochel hadde Of powste:
“Go Faste now,” quod thanne Tholome,
“To Manarcus, My brothir so fre,
And Seye that I sent him gretyng,
Him Forto hyen Ouer Alle thing
With Al the bataille that is with him,
That he Come Adown Also sterne & Grim,
And that Of his bataille [he] ne leve not On,
But with him bringen thedir Euerichon,
And, as vigorously & with As gret prowesse
As Euere Entred men Into Ony presse,
That he On that Entren Anon,
And As moche distroccioun As he may don,
That he ne spare for non thing,
But with that knyht to haue Meting.”
Wel Mochel wonder In his herte tho Felle,
What Merveillous knyht that it scholde be
That so Mochel hadde Of powste:
“Go Faste now,” quod thanne Tholome,
“To Manarcus, My brothir so fre,
And Seye that I sent him gretyng,
Him Forto hyen Ouer Alle thing
With Al the bataille that is with him,
That he Come Adown Also sterne & Grim,
And that Of his bataille [he] ne leve not On,
But with him bringen thedir Euerichon,
And, as vigorously & with As gret prowesse
As Euere Entred men Into Ony presse,
That he On that Entren Anon,
And As moche distroccioun As he may don,
That he ne spare for non thing,
But with that knyht to haue Meting.”
And whanne Manarcus here-Offen herde telle,
That with that worth knyht he scholde Melle,
[I]n herte he was bothe glad & blithe,
And Tholome thanked ful Mani A sithe.
That with that worth knyht he scholde Melle,
150
And Tholome thanked ful Mani A sithe.
That tyme Anon was Manarcus Redy,
And Alle his Meyne that weren him by;
And so faste they Comen vppon,
With dyvers wepenis Manion,
And there Maden they here Assembling
[V]ppon Seraphe, that wery was Of Fyhting.
And Alle his Meyne that weren him by;
And so faste they Comen vppon,
With dyvers wepenis Manion,
And there Maden they here Assembling
[V]ppon Seraphe, that wery was Of Fyhting.
Now be-gan there A myschefful stour
That was Angwisschous And Ful Of dolowr;
For Seraphe, Scars there he hadde
Twenty thowsend Men that he with him ladde,
And Manarcus browhte with him
Fowrty thowsend bothe Stowte & Grym,
And In his Rerewarde thowsendes fiftene
Of faire harneissed Men, wel piked & Clene;
And Seraphes Meyne, So wery they were,
And so forfowhten toforetymes there,
That non lengere ne Myhten they fyhte,
But Torned here bakkës þere Anon Ryhte.
That was Angwisschous And Ful Of dolowr;
For Seraphe, Scars there he hadde
Twenty thowsend Men that he with him ladde,
And Manarcus browhte with him
Fowrty thowsend bothe Stowte & Grym,
And In his Rerewarde thowsendes fiftene
Of faire harneissed Men, wel piked & Clene;
And Seraphes Meyne, So wery they were,
And so forfowhten toforetymes there,
That non lengere ne Myhten they fyhte,
But Torned here bakkës þere Anon Ryhte.
And whanne Seraphë that beheeld,
His Meyne As-scomfited In the feld,
Ful tendirly thanne there wepte he tho,
And mochel Morneng & sorwe he Made þerto:
“Alas!” quod he, “what is now myn Aventure,
For nedis I most Abyden this schowre,
And my Meyne thus from Me go!
Now what Is best for me to do?
For non Other helpe here Nys Certein,
But be taken, Oþer ded, vppon this pleyn!”
And At that word his Ax he took In honde,
His Meyne to Rescrye, ȝif he myhte fonde;
But so Fer weren they I-fled than,
That tornen Aȝen wolde they for non Man;
And so fer wenten they Evene streyht Anon
To the passage Of the blody Roch Of ston.
His Meyne As-scomfited In the feld,
Ful tendirly thanne there wepte he tho,
And mochel Morneng & sorwe he Made þerto:
“Alas!” quod he, “what is now myn Aventure,
For nedis I most Abyden this schowre,
And my Meyne thus from Me go!
Now what Is best for me to do?
For non Other helpe here Nys Certein,
But be taken, Oþer ded, vppon this pleyn!”
And At that word his Ax he took In honde,
His Meyne to Rescrye, ȝif he myhte fonde;
But so Fer weren they I-fled than,
That tornen Aȝen wolde they for non Man;
151
To the passage Of the blody Roch Of ston.
And whanne Alle this beheld tho Seraphë
And that it thanne Myhte non Othirwise be,
His hors hed he torned tho Ageyn,
And with him but Enlevene knyhtes Certein.
And there As was the thykkest pres,
He with his knyhtes Entrede, & wolde not ses.
And so it happede, As he gan forth Ryde,
He mette Manarkus At that Tyde;
In the Midde weye As he gan go,
To-Gederes they metten bothe two;
And there left [he] vpe his Ax tho Anon,
And to this Manarcus he gan to gon;
There his hed he Clef down Ryht
Evene to the Scholdres, I the plyht,
That ded he fyl down there Anon,
That Alle his Meyne It Syen Echon.
And Alle that Evere Cam in his weye,
Of hem spared he non tho Certeinlye,
But Other to the deth he wownded was,
Othere Elles dismembred In that plas;
For nethir hors ne man ne scaped him non,
That Alle to therthe they wenten Anon.
And that it thanne Myhte non Othirwise be,
His hors hed he torned tho Ageyn,
And with him but Enlevene knyhtes Certein.
And there As was the thykkest pres,
He with his knyhtes Entrede, & wolde not ses.
And so it happede, As he gan forth Ryde,
He mette Manarkus At that Tyde;
In the Midde weye As he gan go,
To-Gederes they metten bothe two;
And there left [he] vpe his Ax tho Anon,
And to this Manarcus he gan to gon;
There his hed he Clef down Ryht
Evene to the Scholdres, I the plyht,
That ded he fyl down there Anon,
That Alle his Meyne It Syen Echon.
And Alle that Evere Cam in his weye,
Of hem spared he non tho Certeinlye,
But Other to the deth he wownded was,
Othere Elles dismembred In that plas;
For nethir hors ne man ne scaped him non,
That Alle to therthe they wenten Anon.
And whanne Manarcus men this beheld,—
That here Cheventein was slayn In the feld,
And Of here felawes ded Also,—
Ful Mochel Morneng thanne Maden they tho,
And Setten vp tho An huge Cry
That Into Eualache Ost was herd Clerly,
There As he fawght with Tholome.
Ful wel Al this Cry tho herde he;
But ȝit ne knew tho not Seraphë
Whom he hadde slayn, ne what was he.
And whanne so Mochel sorwe they gan to Make,
Thanne gan his herte tho forto Awake,
And forth he prekede Into that pres,
And with him his knyhtes, & wolde not ses;
And there here grownd he made hem forsake,
And Manye Of hem Slowgh, and dyde moche wrake.
And whanne Manarcus bataille say
That but twelve Of hem weren parfay,
For ful sore thanne Aschamed they were
That they Of so fewe scholden han fere,
And Anon vppon him Retorned Aȝen,
That bothe doel and gret pete it was to sen;
And ful vegorously On him they sette,
So that with stronge Strokes they Mette
That his hors vndir him was Slayn,
And therto vij Of his knyhtes In Certayn.
Thanne weren there left but fowre & he,
Whiche was gret doel thanne forto se.
That here Cheventein was slayn In the feld,
And Of here felawes ded Also,—
Ful Mochel Morneng thanne Maden they tho,
And Setten vp tho An huge Cry
That Into Eualache Ost was herd Clerly,
There As he fawght with Tholome.
Ful wel Al this Cry tho herde he;
But ȝit ne knew tho not Seraphë
Whom he hadde slayn, ne what was he.
And whanne so Mochel sorwe they gan to Make,
Thanne gan his herte tho forto Awake,
152
And with him his knyhtes, & wolde not ses;
And there here grownd he made hem forsake,
And Manye Of hem Slowgh, and dyde moche wrake.
And whanne Manarcus bataille say
That but twelve Of hem weren parfay,
For ful sore thanne Aschamed they were
That they Of so fewe scholden han fere,
And Anon vppon him Retorned Aȝen,
That bothe doel and gret pete it was to sen;
And ful vegorously On him they sette,
So that with stronge Strokes they Mette
That his hors vndir him was Slayn,
And therto vij Of his knyhtes In Certayn.
Thanne weren there left but fowre & he,
Whiche was gret doel thanne forto se.
Now Is seraphe In the place On foote Alone,
But foure of his knyhtes, him self þe fy[ft] he persone.
And manye Merveilles there wrowht Seraphë,
As here-Aftyr Me heren tellen schole ȝe:
He slowgh down Ryht bothe hors & Men,
Helmes and hawberkis to-kraked he then;
Bothe knyhtes and bacheleris vppon A rowe,
In that Feld he gan hem down throwe;
Bothe palettes & scheldes he to-Craked Asondir,
That Among So moche Multitude it was gret wondir
That he And his fowre knyhtes dyden there,
So that grete hepes Of dede Men there were,
Of dede hors and wepene that there lay,
So Mochel Moordre Of peple was that day.
But foure of his knyhtes, him self þe fy[ft] he persone.
And manye Merveilles there wrowht Seraphë,
As here-Aftyr Me heren tellen schole ȝe:
He slowgh down Ryht bothe hors & Men,
Helmes and hawberkis to-kraked he then;
Bothe knyhtes and bacheleris vppon A rowe,
In that Feld he gan hem down throwe;
Bothe palettes & scheldes he to-Craked Asondir,
That Among So moche Multitude it was gret wondir
That he And his fowre knyhtes dyden there,
So that grete hepes Of dede Men there were,
Of dede hors and wepene that there lay,
So Mochel Moordre Of peple was that day.
And whanne his Fowre knyhtes this beheld,
That he was so Manful In the feld,
On they leyden, & Fowhten ful faste,
Til alle foure weren slayn Atte laste;
Thanne was there non Other boote
But that Nedys Seraphe besteren him Mote;
And whanne that his felawes he sawgh ded,
Thanne Cowde he non Other Red,
But vppon bothen his feet stood ther,
And beheld the hepes that Abowten him were;
Ek Also he loked ȝit ferthere Abowte,
And Al Abowtes him was A ful gret Rowte.
That he was so Manful In the feld,
On they leyden, & Fowhten ful faste,
Til alle foure weren slayn Atte laste;
Thanne was there non Other boote
But that Nedys Seraphe besteren him Mote;
153
Thanne Cowde he non Other Red,
But vppon bothen his feet stood ther,
And beheld the hepes that Abowten him were;
Ek Also he loked ȝit ferthere Abowte,
And Al Abowtes him was A ful gret Rowte.
Anon his Ax the[n] took he On honde,
Ryht forth Into the pres tho gan he fonde,
And to A knyht there gan he to glyde
That Many speris hadde Cast In that tyde,
But ȝit Manie mo hadde he forto Caste;
But Seraphe him lette tho Atte laste;
Seraphe Anon there Mette him with his Ax,
But Neuere, Aftir that, ful litel he wax,
For the Ryht Arm he smot Of Clene
Thorwgh hawberk and haberiown, þer was it sene,
That down to the brest the strok tho wente,
And the Arm Into the Feel[de] þere fley presente;
His scheld from him Also smot he there;
As thowgh that the body Asondir were,
His herte Owt Of his body ther fyl,
And he In the Feeld ded there-tyl.
And whanne the Remnaunt behelden him tho,
That sweche Merveilles he gan to do,
Non Of hem ne was So hardy
To Entren his place, ne Comen him Ny;
And that ded mannes hors he took Anon,
And lyhtly Into the sadel he gan to gon,
As thowgh him hadde Eylyd non thing,
Ne non point Of Al his Armeng.
And whanne On hors that he was set,
Thanne hadde he gret lust to Fyhten bet,
And there his body putte In bawndoun,
To the tothere peple ful mochel distroccioun;
And forth Into the pres he wente;
There Nas non that he myhte hente,
That here Armes from the body he smot tho,
Here hedës Offe, here lemes Also;
Here helmes, here harberions, he barst On sondir,
He[re] Scheldes, here speris, that it was wondir,
So that he drof hem forth In his weye
Til to the Roch they Come, As this doth seye,
Where As was the streyte passage;
Thanne weren there take, bothe bacheler & page,
And As fele As the keperes wolde have
Of that Roch, and wolde hem save.
And whanne tho that behinden were
At the Roch [sien] here felaws slayn there,
And the Remnant presoners take,
Thanne Amonges hem was moche wrake.
Ryht forth Into the pres tho gan he fonde,
And to A knyht there gan he to glyde
That Many speris hadde Cast In that tyde,
But ȝit Manie mo hadde he forto Caste;
But Seraphe him lette tho Atte laste;
Seraphe Anon there Mette him with his Ax,
But Neuere, Aftir that, ful litel he wax,
For the Ryht Arm he smot Of Clene
Thorwgh hawberk and haberiown, þer was it sene,
That down to the brest the strok tho wente,
And the Arm Into the Feel[de] þere fley presente;
His scheld from him Also smot he there;
As thowgh that the body Asondir were,
His herte Owt Of his body ther fyl,
And he In the Feeld ded there-tyl.
And whanne the Remnaunt behelden him tho,
That sweche Merveilles he gan to do,
Non Of hem ne was So hardy
To Entren his place, ne Comen him Ny;
And that ded mannes hors he took Anon,
And lyhtly Into the sadel he gan to gon,
As thowgh him hadde Eylyd non thing,
Ne non point Of Al his Armeng.
And whanne On hors that he was set,
Thanne hadde he gret lust to Fyhten bet,
And there his body putte In bawndoun,
To the tothere peple ful mochel distroccioun;
And forth Into the pres he wente;
There Nas non that he myhte hente,
154
Here hedës Offe, here lemes Also;
Here helmes, here harberions, he barst On sondir,
He[re] Scheldes, here speris, that it was wondir,
So that he drof hem forth In his weye
Til to the Roch they Come, As this doth seye,
Where As was the streyte passage;
Thanne weren there take, bothe bacheler & page,
And As fele As the keperes wolde have
Of that Roch, and wolde hem save.
And whanne tho that behinden were
At the Roch [sien] here felaws slayn there,
And the Remnant presoners take,
Thanne Amonges hem was moche wrake.
And whanne they Seyen Al this fare,
That Eualach swich knyhtes hadde thare,
Ful Irowsly torned they Into that pres,
And for nothing ne wolden they ses
Tyl that to Seraphe the Comen Agayn,
And vndir him his hors has Slayn;
& Er that he Myht Relevyn Aȝen tho,
Two hundred hors Ouer him gonne go,
Ouer his Body there In that plase,
So that Ny ded forsothe he was,
So that he lay Stille In swownyng
The Spas Of tweyne bowe-drawhtes schetyng;
And thanne wenden they he hadde be ded,
For whom they Moornede In that sted,
For that he was So worthi A knyht,
And there so wel hadde born him In fyht,
That they ne hadde taken him presonere
ȝif that his lif Myht have be saved there.
That Eualach swich knyhtes hadde thare,
Ful Irowsly torned they Into that pres,
And for nothing ne wolden they ses
Tyl that to Seraphe the Comen Agayn,
And vndir him his hors has Slayn;
& Er that he Myht Relevyn Aȝen tho,
Two hundred hors Ouer him gonne go,
Ouer his Body there In that plase,
So that Ny ded forsothe he was,
So that he lay Stille In swownyng
The Spas Of tweyne bowe-drawhtes schetyng;
And thanne wenden they he hadde be ded,
For whom they Moornede In that sted,
For that he was So worthi A knyht,
And there so wel hadde born him In fyht,
That they ne hadde taken him presonere
ȝif that his lif Myht have be saved there.
Alle this while lay Seraphe In Swowneng
Whiles these knyhtes weren thus In talkyng;
And whanne Of his Swowneng tho he Awook,
Anon there Into A Sadel he Schook;
His Ax Anon On honde took he,
Swich merveilles werkyng þat wondir was to se.
He Mette A knyht Anon hastely there,
Of whom he ne hadde but lytel fere;
With his Ax he Rewardid him tho,
That his left Arm Into the feld gan go.
Thanne Anothir there him Mette Redily,
And Seraphe to him was ful hasty,
& there so him hitte vppon the hed
That his body he toclaf In that sted,
Evene to his Sadelis Arsown,
That he In the Feld fyl ded Adown.
Thanne theke hors be the bridel he took,
And his ferst hors tho he forsook;
His Foot In the sterope Anon he sette,
& sprang Into þe sadel, & not ne lette;
ȝit, As forbrosed As he was,
He prekyd forth Into that plas.
And whanne tho knyhtes behelden, Echone
That beforn tymes for him Made Mone,
That he was On horsbak Ageyn,
Thanne Amonges hem gonnen they seyn,
And Ech Of hem to Othir gan Schewe
That wondirful Merveille On A rowe,
For they wenden tho In Certein
Owt Of that place neuere to recoueren Agein.
Whiles these knyhtes weren thus In talkyng;
And whanne Of his Swowneng tho he Awook,
Anon there Into A Sadel he Schook;
155
Swich merveilles werkyng þat wondir was to se.
He Mette A knyht Anon hastely there,
Of whom he ne hadde but lytel fere;
With his Ax he Rewardid him tho,
That his left Arm Into the feld gan go.
Thanne Anothir there him Mette Redily,
And Seraphe to him was ful hasty,
& there so him hitte vppon the hed
That his body he toclaf In that sted,
Evene to his Sadelis Arsown,
That he In the Feld fyl ded Adown.
Thanne theke hors be the bridel he took,
And his ferst hors tho he forsook;
His Foot In the sterope Anon he sette,
& sprang Into þe sadel, & not ne lette;
ȝit, As forbrosed As he was,
He prekyd forth Into that plas.
And whanne tho knyhtes behelden, Echone
That beforn tymes for him Made Mone,
That he was On horsbak Ageyn,
Thanne Amonges hem gonnen they seyn,
And Ech Of hem to Othir gan Schewe
That wondirful Merveille On A rowe,
For they wenden tho In Certein
Owt Of that place neuere to recoueren Agein.
Anon forth he gan him dresse
To the grettest maister of þat presse;
And with his Ax to him he Ran;
Vppon the helm he smot him than
That he fyl down there In the plas,
So Of that strok Astoned he was.
To the grettest maister of þat presse;
And with his Ax to him he Ran;
Vppon the helm he smot him than
That he fyl down there In the plas,
So Of that strok Astoned he was.
Thanne Arwes to him gonne they schete,
And Manye Speris that weren grete,
So that with An Arwe they him tho smot,
That Evene thorw the Scholdere it bot,
That the schaft thorwgh him gan go
Ful halfendel the Schaft & Mo.
And whanne he Felte þat so hurt he was,
Ful [vr]sably he Rod Into that plas,
And him Sterede As he ferst began;
But he was hurt Of Mani A man;
Bothe with Arwes and with Speris
They diden hym ful many gret deris,
And to the Erthe there down him threwe,
And his hors vndir him they Slewe.
And whanne that he Sawgh he myht not Abide,
Vp In that pres he Recouerid that Tyde,
And Felte that he hadde non dedly wounde;
Anon vp he Stirte In that Stownde,
And Anothir hors he sawh where stood;
There Anon vp into the Sadel he ȝood,—
Wheche hors was bothe Fre and kende,—
Evene streyht toward Eualache þe wey gan wende,
That him Ofte he bemente ful sore,
In his herte neuere Man leveng More,
That so lefte he Neuere with-Owten les
Til that he Cam Into the grettest pres,
Eualaches Signe there Forto have sein;
But Aftyr him they gonnen preken Certein,
And him forbarred they the weye there
That he Eualach Mihte not Comen Nere.
And that Sien tho the Men of Seraphë;
Anon towarde him they gonne faste fle;
Towardis Tholomes Ost gonne they gon,
And there Merveilles they wrowhten Anon;
And so hardelich they fowhten, & so sure,
That On bothe sides was gret discomfiture
Bothe Of Tholomes Men & Eualachs þe kyng;
Many weren there dede, bothe Old & ȝing,
But Amonges hem kyng Eualach was lost,
That they ne wiste Into what Cost;—
For Tholome kepte him Owt Of that rowte
More thanne tweyne boweschotes with-Owte.
And Manye Speris that weren grete,
So that with An Arwe they him tho smot,
That Evene thorw the Scholdere it bot,
156
Ful halfendel the Schaft & Mo.
And whanne he Felte þat so hurt he was,
Ful [vr]sably he Rod Into that plas,
And him Sterede As he ferst began;
But he was hurt Of Mani A man;
Bothe with Arwes and with Speris
They diden hym ful many gret deris,
And to the Erthe there down him threwe,
And his hors vndir him they Slewe.
And whanne that he Sawgh he myht not Abide,
Vp In that pres he Recouerid that Tyde,
And Felte that he hadde non dedly wounde;
Anon vp he Stirte In that Stownde,
And Anothir hors he sawh where stood;
There Anon vp into the Sadel he ȝood,—
Wheche hors was bothe Fre and kende,—
Evene streyht toward Eualache þe wey gan wende,
That him Ofte he bemente ful sore,
In his herte neuere Man leveng More,
That so lefte he Neuere with-Owten les
Til that he Cam Into the grettest pres,
Eualaches Signe there Forto have sein;
But Aftyr him they gonnen preken Certein,
And him forbarred they the weye there
That he Eualach Mihte not Comen Nere.
And that Sien tho the Men of Seraphë;
Anon towarde him they gonne faste fle;
Towardis Tholomes Ost gonne they gon,
And there Merveilles they wrowhten Anon;
And so hardelich they fowhten, & so sure,
That On bothe sides was gret discomfiture
Bothe Of Tholomes Men & Eualachs þe kyng;
Many weren there dede, bothe Old & ȝing,
But Amonges hem kyng Eualach was lost,
That they ne wiste Into what Cost;—
157
More thanne tweyne boweschotes with-Owte.
And whanne Seraphe there-Offen herde,
Into that gret pres tho forth he Ferde,
And there Sawgh he where Eualach lay,
And his swerd On honde drawen parfay;
For his hors vndir him was there ded,
Whiche was to Eualach A sorweful Red.
And Sixty knyhtes hym gonne Reskewe,
There Aȝenst .v. hundrid they fowhten Al newe,
So that they kyng Eualach Rescwed Agein
With here grete Escryes tho In Certein;
And On horsbak sone was he Set;
Thanne there Anon with his Enemyes he Met.
And whanne they that him to-foren took,
On him behelden, & Connen to look,
Thanne On Eualach they sormownted Aȝene
Ful Irowsleche there Alle be-dene;
And Eualach his Ax there took On honde,
And departed with hem þat Abowtes him gon stonde,
So that anon there he was betrapped
Amonges two thowsend, As it tho happed,
That so the Syht Of him his Meyne lost there,
And ne kowde not weten In what place ne where.
Into that gret pres tho forth he Ferde,
And there Sawgh he where Eualach lay,
And his swerd On honde drawen parfay;
For his hors vndir him was there ded,
Whiche was to Eualach A sorweful Red.
And Sixty knyhtes hym gonne Reskewe,
There Aȝenst .v. hundrid they fowhten Al newe,
So that they kyng Eualach Rescwed Agein
With here grete Escryes tho In Certein;
And On horsbak sone was he Set;
Thanne there Anon with his Enemyes he Met.
And whanne they that him to-foren took,
On him behelden, & Connen to look,
Thanne On Eualach they sormownted Aȝene
Ful Irowsleche there Alle be-dene;
And Eualach his Ax there took On honde,
And departed with hem þat Abowtes him gon stonde,
So that anon there he was betrapped
Amonges two thowsend, As it tho happed,
That so the Syht Of him his Meyne lost there,
And ne kowde not weten In what place ne where.
And whanne Seraphe Saw he myht him [not] finde,
Al his Meyne he lefte him there behinde,
There prekyng forth Into that pres
That for non Of hem wolde he not Ses,
For ded Rathere wolde he han be
Thanne owt of that bataille forto Fle;
Tyl king Eualach hadde he Fownde,
He nolde neuere parten from that Grownde;
For him to lesen In that Manere tho
He ne wolde, And Othirwise Myht it go;
But the strengthe Abowtes him was
So Merveillous there In Many A plas,
That him Neghen not he ne Myhte,
Nethir Of him to hauen non Syhte,
For the Melle & the peple there was so strong,
That Enduren Seraphe ne myht not long.
And thus As Seraphe was Evere Abowte
To han broken the scheltrom Of that Rowte,
And Euere they him withstoden than,
ȝit Neueretheles Slowgh Seraphe Mani A man;
But Eualach was vppon the tothir Syde
Betrapped ful sore In that Tyde,
For hvrt he was thorw his body
With thre Gleyvës Sekerly;
And him presoner hadde taken Tholome,
And be the brydel forth him ladde he;—
ȝit what with strif, & what with Othir,
Euere Eualachs men fowghten A gret fothir;—
So that At the laste this Tholome,
With xv knyhtes Of his Meyne,
So Ferden they with kyng Eualach
That they tobrosed him bothe body & bak,
So wery that they weren forfowghte,
That no more defenden hem ne Mowghte
And so Eualach tho forth they ladde
As that kyng Tholome hem badde,
That so was he forbrosed and forbete
That Of his lif he nowht ne leete.
So that the blood Ran Owt At his Mowth
& At his Eren, that was Selcowth;
For so Mochel blood he hadde there loste
That In what plase he was he ne woste;
His woundes tho hadden So Sore I-bled,
That In that place he was Ny ded.
And so from his Meyne they him drowe
Ful fer thens Into A lowe,
And him there ladden Into A woode
That there besidës tho hem Stoode,
And Ek his felawes him beside,
That with him were taken In that Tyde;
And to this woode hem ladde Euerichon
There Forto Onarmen hem Alle Anon;
For ȝit Armed weren they Alle,
That So Manye Men they dyden down falle.
Al his Meyne he lefte him there behinde,
There prekyng forth Into that pres
That for non Of hem wolde he not Ses,
For ded Rathere wolde he han be
Thanne owt of that bataille forto Fle;
Tyl king Eualach hadde he Fownde,
He nolde neuere parten from that Grownde;
158
He ne wolde, And Othirwise Myht it go;
But the strengthe Abowtes him was
So Merveillous there In Many A plas,
That him Neghen not he ne Myhte,
Nethir Of him to hauen non Syhte,
For the Melle & the peple there was so strong,
That Enduren Seraphe ne myht not long.
And thus As Seraphe was Evere Abowte
To han broken the scheltrom Of that Rowte,
And Euere they him withstoden than,
ȝit Neueretheles Slowgh Seraphe Mani A man;
But Eualach was vppon the tothir Syde
Betrapped ful sore In that Tyde,
For hvrt he was thorw his body
With thre Gleyvës Sekerly;
And him presoner hadde taken Tholome,
And be the brydel forth him ladde he;—
ȝit what with strif, & what with Othir,
Euere Eualachs men fowghten A gret fothir;—
So that At the laste this Tholome,
With xv knyhtes Of his Meyne,
So Ferden they with kyng Eualach
That they tobrosed him bothe body & bak,
So wery that they weren forfowghte,
That no more defenden hem ne Mowghte
And so Eualach tho forth they ladde
As that kyng Tholome hem badde,
That so was he forbrosed and forbete
That Of his lif he nowht ne leete.
So that the blood Ran Owt At his Mowth
& At his Eren, that was Selcowth;
For so Mochel blood he hadde there loste
That In what plase he was he ne woste;
His woundes tho hadden So Sore I-bled,
That In that place he was Ny ded.
159
Ful fer thens Into A lowe,
And him there ladden Into A woode
That there besidës tho hem Stoode,
And Ek his felawes him beside,
That with him were taken In that Tyde;
And to this woode hem ladde Euerichon
There Forto Onarmen hem Alle Anon;
For ȝit Armed weren they Alle,
That So Manye Men they dyden down falle.
And whanne Eualach Sawgh þis grete Mischef,
That he was fallen Into so gret Repref,
And Euere with-oute Recoueringe to be,
Thanne Moche Sorwe & Mone Made he.
Whanne Eualach to the woode Aproche be-gan,
Thanne wax he A wondir Sory Man,
And Caste his Eyen vppon his Scheld,
And the vigowr Of the Cros þere he beheld,
That In his Scheld there was it set;
And Euere þe holy Signe he beheld bet,
That so longe there he be-held
Vppon the Rede Crois In his Scheld;
So longe beheld he that Crois thanne,
That In theke Crois he Sawgh þe forme of A Manne
Vppon that same Crois Crucified to be,—
Thus In that Crois him thowghte Sawgh he,—
And Feet & hondis him thowghte Also,
That vppon A Red blood Ronne they tho.
That he was fallen Into so gret Repref,
And Euere with-oute Recoueringe to be,
Thanne Moche Sorwe & Mone Made he.
Whanne Eualach to the woode Aproche be-gan,
Thanne wax he A wondir Sory Man,
And Caste his Eyen vppon his Scheld,
And the vigowr Of the Cros þere he beheld,
That In his Scheld there was it set;
And Euere þe holy Signe he beheld bet,
That so longe there he be-held
Vppon the Rede Crois In his Scheld;
So longe beheld he that Crois thanne,
That In theke Crois he Sawgh þe forme of A Manne
Vppon that same Crois Crucified to be,—
Thus In that Crois him thowghte Sawgh he,—
And Feet & hondis him thowghte Also,
That vppon A Red blood Ronne they tho.
And whanne Eualach this Sawgh In his Scheld,
And these Merveilles there he beheld,
Thanne gan he Forto Syghen wel Sore,
And ȝit to wepen wel Mochel More;
& bothe with Mowth & herte tho he thowghte,
But for febilte myhte he speke nowghte,
“O verray God that Sittest In Maieste,
As it is told,—On God & persones thre—
Of whiche I bere the Signe Of his passioun!
So, Goode lord, take me to savacioun,
That I Moot Resceyven ȝowre Creaunce,
And In Stedfast beleve, with-Owten variawnce,
Thin holy name Forto proclame,
That thow Art most Sothfast God Of Name,
And Most Mihtful god In Alle degre,
And non god ne lord but Only Euere ȝe!
So Save me, Goode lord, In this grete schowr,
From Angwich, deth, and Alle dolowr!”
And these Merveilles there he beheld,
Thanne gan he Forto Syghen wel Sore,
And ȝit to wepen wel Mochel More;
& bothe with Mowth & herte tho he thowghte,
But for febilte myhte he speke nowghte,
160
As it is told,—On God & persones thre—
Of whiche I bere the Signe Of his passioun!
So, Goode lord, take me to savacioun,
That I Moot Resceyven ȝowre Creaunce,
And In Stedfast beleve, with-Owten variawnce,
Thin holy name Forto proclame,
That thow Art most Sothfast God Of Name,
And Most Mihtful god In Alle degre,
And non god ne lord but Only Euere ȝe!
So Save me, Goode lord, In this grete schowr,
From Angwich, deth, and Alle dolowr!”
And whanne this woord he hadde I-seyd,
Abowtes him he lokede In A breyd;
And he Sawgh Comen Owt Of that forest
A semly knyht there, araied with the best,
And Clene Armed from Tope to the too,
There thus Ryaly gan he Owt Go,
And Abowte his Nekke heng A whyt scheld
Whiche that was seyn Ouer Al that Feeld—
In whiche Scheld was A Crois so Red,
In Signe Of him that Suffrede ded;
Therto his hors As whit As the Lylye Flowr,
And he A worthy knyht and of gret valowr;
In his Scheld a spere ful Redylich leyd,
With Alle hem to Meten, As it Is Seyd.
And whanne þe knyht his hors with his Spores he took,
On hym Tholomes Meyne ganne forto look,
And to Tholome kyng he Cam ful sone,
And him Torned Agein there Anone;
Toward the Cite Of Orkauz tho
This white knyht ladde Tholome tho,
And towardis tholomes Ost they wente;
But Tholome knew not here Entente.
Abowtes him he lokede In A breyd;
And he Sawgh Comen Owt Of that forest
A semly knyht there, araied with the best,
And Clene Armed from Tope to the too,
There thus Ryaly gan he Owt Go,
And Abowte his Nekke heng A whyt scheld
Whiche that was seyn Ouer Al that Feeld—
In whiche Scheld was A Crois so Red,
In Signe Of him that Suffrede ded;
Therto his hors As whit As the Lylye Flowr,
And he A worthy knyht and of gret valowr;
In his Scheld a spere ful Redylich leyd,
With Alle hem to Meten, As it Is Seyd.
And whanne þe knyht his hors with his Spores he took,
On hym Tholomes Meyne ganne forto look,
And to Tholome kyng he Cam ful sone,
And him Torned Agein there Anone;
Toward the Cite Of Orkauz tho
This white knyht ladde Tholome tho,
And towardis tholomes Ost they wente;
But Tholome knew not here Entente.
161
And Euere Saraphes fawht strong & harde
Aȝens Tholomes kyng his Rerewarde,
So þat Alle that Evere Aȝens him fowghte
Wondred that he So duren þere Mowghte;
And Atte laste Eualachs signe he gan to Ascrye
With A wondirful voys & Ryht An hye,
That bothe Eualach & Tholome it herde
Into that plase how that it þo Ferde.
And thanne Seide kyng Tholome Anon,
“Let vs Ordeyne oure Meyne, & fast hennes gon,
For discryed now alle we been
Thorgwh this Chasing, As I kan seen.”
Thanne destreris with spores gonne they prikke,
And Amongis that Chasing Redyn ful thykke,
And the white knyht Rood Anon
To Tholome As faste As he Cowde gon;
And this white knyht Tholome be þe bridel ladde,
That non Of his Meyne no powere ne hadde
Hym Aȝen forto Restreyne.
But Evere wende Tholome In Certeine
That the Forest Al day to-Forn hym was,
Tyl that to the streyt of the Roch hee Comen be Cas;—
But there say no man that white knyht,
Saufe Only Eualach, In his Syht.—
Aȝens Tholomes kyng his Rerewarde,
So þat Alle that Evere Aȝens him fowghte
Wondred that he So duren þere Mowghte;
And Atte laste Eualachs signe he gan to Ascrye
With A wondirful voys & Ryht An hye,
That bothe Eualach & Tholome it herde
Into that plase how that it þo Ferde.
And thanne Seide kyng Tholome Anon,
“Let vs Ordeyne oure Meyne, & fast hennes gon,
For discryed now alle we been
Thorgwh this Chasing, As I kan seen.”
Thanne destreris with spores gonne they prikke,
And Amongis that Chasing Redyn ful thykke,
And the white knyht Rood Anon
To Tholome As faste As he Cowde gon;
And this white knyht Tholome be þe bridel ladde,
That non Of his Meyne no powere ne hadde
Hym Aȝen forto Restreyne.
But Evere wende Tholome In Certeine
That the Forest Al day to-Forn hym was,
Tyl that to the streyt of the Roch hee Comen be Cas;—
But there say no man that white knyht,
Saufe Only Eualach, In his Syht.—
And whanne they comen to that Streit passage
There As to-Forn was don So Moche Rage,
Tho that theke time the passage kepte,
Ful sore For Eualach han they wepte;
And whan they him In this Maner sy him gon,
They leten hym thorwgh passe riht Anon.
But it was wondirful In there syht,
The werkyng Of this white knyht;
And [whanne] this passage weren they past,
In the Middis Of that Feld Anon In hast
There this white knyht lefte Tholome,
That but fewe Of his Meine him Miht se,
And gan wel fast Alowd To Crye,
“Goth to now, Goth to, And þat In hye.”
There As to-Forn was don So Moche Rage,
Tho that theke time the passage kepte,
Ful sore For Eualach han they wepte;
And whan they him In this Maner sy him gon,
They leten hym thorwgh passe riht Anon.
But it was wondirful In there syht,
The werkyng Of this white knyht;
And [whanne] this passage weren they past,
In the Middis Of that Feld Anon In hast
162
That but fewe Of his Meine him Miht se,
And gan wel fast Alowd To Crye,
“Goth to now, Goth to, And þat In hye.”
And whanne this Cry herde Tholome,
He gan to baschen, and al his Meyne,
And to him he Ran A ful gret Cowrs,
& that knyht Tholome gan vn-hors,
And down to therthe there him Caste
Bothe hors & Man, Er he thens paste.
He gan to baschen, and al his Meyne,
And to him he Ran A ful gret Cowrs,
& that knyht Tholome gan vn-hors,
And down to therthe there him Caste
Bothe hors & Man, Er he thens paste.
Whanne that Eualach tho this beheld,
How that Tholome was feld In the feld,
Tho Owt his swerd he drowgh Anon,
And to-ward this Tholome gonne to gon.
And whanne they that the passage kepte
Syen this, thanne Anon forth they lepte
To king Eualach here Owne Lord,
There Alle Anon Redy At On word,
And after with lawnces gonnen they Chase
To tholomes Men tho In that plase,
And Anon with here Speris down hem Caste,
Tholomes Men in þat plase þere Atte laste,
Everichon, Sauf Only Enlevene,—
Which was the moste wondir vndir þe hevene
How that they In theke feld Come
That To-fortyme Atte forest weren Al some.—
And whanne they seyen thei scholde thus be take,
Thanne Amonges hem there was mochel wrake;
Not-withstondyng ȝit Aȝen they fowhte
Also longe As that they there Mowhte;
But here defens here Angwisch Miht not Slake,
For it was Goddis wille they scholden be take.
How that Tholome was feld In the feld,
Tho Owt his swerd he drowgh Anon,
And to-ward this Tholome gonne to gon.
And whanne they that the passage kepte
Syen this, thanne Anon forth they lepte
To king Eualach here Owne Lord,
There Alle Anon Redy At On word,
And after with lawnces gonnen they Chase
To tholomes Men tho In that plase,
And Anon with here Speris down hem Caste,
Tholomes Men in þat plase þere Atte laste,
Everichon, Sauf Only Enlevene,—
Which was the moste wondir vndir þe hevene
How that they In theke feld Come
That To-fortyme Atte forest weren Al some.—
And whanne they seyen thei scholde thus be take,
Thanne Amonges hem there was mochel wrake;
Not-withstondyng ȝit Aȝen they fowhte
Also longe As that they there Mowhte;
But here defens here Angwisch Miht not Slake,
For it was Goddis wille they scholden be take.
And Eualach vppon this king Tholome
There lay, As alle his Men Mihte Se,
Wheche the white knyht hadde down throwe;
Kyng Eualach him kepte tho ful lowe;
And therto I-Maymed Manye Of his Men,
And ȝit Aȝens Eualachs On hadde he ten.
Thanne this Tholome heeld vpe his swerd Anon,
And to kyng Eualach homage gan he don,
And there he be-Cam his presonere,
And therto Al his Meyne In fere.
There lay, As alle his Men Mihte Se,
Wheche the white knyht hadde down throwe;
Kyng Eualach him kepte tho ful lowe;
163
And ȝit Aȝens Eualachs On hadde he ten.
Thanne this Tholome heeld vpe his swerd Anon,
And to kyng Eualach homage gan he don,
And there he be-Cam his presonere,
And therto Al his Meyne In fere.
Whanne Tholome to Eualach hadde mad fiaunce,
Thanne Iekonias Clepid he, with-Owten variaunce,
That the blody Roche hadde In keping;
And him he Comaunded Ouer Alle thinge,
‘To taken Anon this kyng Tholome,
Hym forto leden to Orkaus Cyte,’
“And worschepfully that thow him kepe there
As A worthi kyng In Alle Manere.”
That thus thanne be Ieconyas
Kyng Tholome Into this Cite I-lad he was.
And king eualach Abod stille In the feld
Til Alle tholomes gonne hem ȝeld;
And euere As he took his Meyne,
He dide hem leden to Orcaus Cite.
Thanne Iekonias Clepid he, with-Owten variaunce,
That the blody Roche hadde In keping;
And him he Comaunded Ouer Alle thinge,
‘To taken Anon this kyng Tholome,
Hym forto leden to Orkaus Cyte,’
“And worschepfully that thow him kepe there
As A worthi kyng In Alle Manere.”
That thus thanne be Ieconyas
Kyng Tholome Into this Cite I-lad he was.
And king eualach Abod stille In the feld
Til Alle tholomes gonne hem ȝeld;
And euere As he took his Meyne,
He dide hem leden to Orcaus Cite.
And whanne that Alle Itaken they were
[T]hat Of Tholomes Men weren there,
He gan to Resorte to that bataylle
[T]here Seraphe fawht with-Owten Faille;
And with him ȝit ladde he there Mo,
Alle that the passage kepte tho,
Sauf Only An hundred Of his Men
That Ful Fresch to Fyhten were they then.
And whanne they weren past that passage,
Anon the whyte knyht was to-forn here visage,
And In his hond that knyht bar A banere
Of Eualachs Armes, Evene Riht there.
And Anon As they sien Sire Seraphë,
To that bataille thanne faste prekid he,
There As Seraphe manie Merveilles wrowhte,
That In-possible swiche Merueilles don Mowhte,
That Euere the body Of On Manne
Scholdë don that he dide thanne.
[T]hat Of Tholomes Men weren there,
He gan to Resorte to that bataylle
[T]here Seraphe fawht with-Owten Faille;
And with him ȝit ladde he there Mo,
Alle that the passage kepte tho,
Sauf Only An hundred Of his Men
That Ful Fresch to Fyhten were they then.
And whanne they weren past that passage,
Anon the whyte knyht was to-forn here visage,
And In his hond that knyht bar A banere
Of Eualachs Armes, Evene Riht there.
And Anon As they sien Sire Seraphë,
To that bataille thanne faste prekid he,
There As Seraphe manie Merveilles wrowhte,
That In-possible swiche Merueilles don Mowhte,
164
Scholdë don that he dide thanne.
Anon this white knyht prekid Into þat pres,
And for non thing ne wolde he Ses
Til that To Seraphe he gan gon,
Where as he Sawh sevene knyhtes Anon
That Abowtes Seraphe there stoode,
And On him leyden as they weren wode;
Tweyne be the brydel hym þere heeld,
Tweyne be the helm to maken him ȝeeld;
And tweyne Aȝens the herte leide hym vppon
Wit hevy Maces Of Irne As hard As ston,
So that his Flesch they Alto-Rente
With here Mases there presente.
And whanne the white knyht þis beheld,
Ful sore he prekyde In that Feeld
To On Of hem that Seraphe heeld;
And him thorwgh the body he bar vndir his scheld,
That ded he was Anon ryht thare;
And thus sone to Anoþer gan he fare,
& with his swerd smot Of his hed
þat of it fley, and he lay ded,
Amyddes the Feld there it lay.
And thanne to the tothere he wente In fay,
And Made hem to dyen vppon his poynt,
And Made here bodyes In Evele Ioynt,
So that they forsoken this Seraphë
That from here lyves gonnen they fle.
And for non thing ne wolde he Ses
Til that To Seraphe he gan gon,
Where as he Sawh sevene knyhtes Anon
That Abowtes Seraphe there stoode,
And On him leyden as they weren wode;
Tweyne be the brydel hym þere heeld,
Tweyne be the helm to maken him ȝeeld;
And tweyne Aȝens the herte leide hym vppon
Wit hevy Maces Of Irne As hard As ston,
So that his Flesch they Alto-Rente
With here Mases there presente.
And whanne the white knyht þis beheld,
Ful sore he prekyde In that Feeld
To On Of hem that Seraphe heeld;
And him thorwgh the body he bar vndir his scheld,
That ded he was Anon ryht thare;
And thus sone to Anoþer gan he fare,
& with his swerd smot Of his hed
þat of it fley, and he lay ded,
Amyddes the Feld there it lay.
And thanne to the tothere he wente In fay,
And Made hem to dyen vppon his poynt,
And Made here bodyes In Evele Ioynt,
So that they forsoken this Seraphë
That from here lyves gonnen they fle.
And whanne these Other two þat him held
Be his helm there In the Feeld,
On Of hem drowgh Owt A lite knyf,
And wolde han be-Reved Seraphe his lif,
Forto han smeten him AMiddes the Fase
Thorwh the Oylettes of his helm In that plase.
But Ouercomen so was tho Seraphë
That Comfort with him Myhte non be,
For he was Ouercomen so with his blood
So it was Merveille that [he] vpe stood,
For, On hors, power hadde he non to sitte,
Ne Of that stede there Onys to flytte;
But for febelte that he Inne was,
Ouer the hors nekke he bowede In that plas,
That power vp to Sitte non hadde he,
So that Of his purpos Failled his Eneme.
Be his helm there In the Feeld,
On Of hem drowgh Owt A lite knyf,
And wolde han be-Reved Seraphe his lif,
Forto han smeten him AMiddes the Fase
Thorwh the Oylettes of his helm In that plase.
But Ouercomen so was tho Seraphë
That Comfort with him Myhte non be,
165
So it was Merveille that [he] vpe stood,
For, On hors, power hadde he non to sitte,
Ne Of that stede there Onys to flytte;
But for febelte that he Inne was,
Ouer the hors nekke he bowede In that plas,
That power vp to Sitte non hadde he,
So that Of his purpos Failled his Eneme.
And thus gan In Swownenge seraphe to falle
Amonges his Enemyes bothe gret & smalle;
So that they faillede, his Enemyes, tho,
Of the harm that they him wolde han do.
And Anon As that this kyng Eualach
Sawgh Sire Seraphe In Al this wrak,
To him ward ful faste he gan to Ride
Forto supporten him at that Tyde;
For sekir he wende that he ded hadde been,
And Neuere On lyve him forto have seen.
Thanne wit A sorweful herte he gan to Crye
Ful Petowsly, and that Ryht hye,
“A wrechche! to longe now have I be,
That thus have lost now Sire Seraphe!”
Amonges his Enemyes bothe gret & smalle;
So that they faillede, his Enemyes, tho,
Of the harm that they him wolde han do.
And Anon As that this kyng Eualach
Sawgh Sire Seraphe In Al this wrak,
To him ward ful faste he gan to Ride
Forto supporten him at that Tyde;
For sekir he wende that he ded hadde been,
And Neuere On lyve him forto have seen.
Thanne wit A sorweful herte he gan to Crye
Ful Petowsly, and that Ryht hye,
“A wrechche! to longe now have I be,
That thus have lost now Sire Seraphe!”
And thanne Anon there with this word
Prekyd the white knyht be his Owne Acord,
And Susteyned Seraphe from fallynge,
That theke tyme there was In Swownenge.
And whanne Of his swownenge that he Awook,
Thanne ful mochel Mone to him he took,
For he ne wiste where that he was,
In what stede, ne In what plas;
For wende he tho ful Sekerly
To han ben In the hondis Of his Enemy.
Prekyd the white knyht be his Owne Acord,
And Susteyned Seraphe from fallynge,
That theke tyme there was In Swownenge.
And whanne Of his swownenge that he Awook,
Thanne ful mochel Mone to him he took,
For he ne wiste where that he was,
In what stede, ne In what plas;
For wende he tho ful Sekerly
To han ben In the hondis Of his Enemy.
And Eualach bar him ful worthily tho,
For Into the pres forth gan he go,
And Mette there with A worthi knyht
Wich that was Scomfit Anon In fyht,
And kyng Eualach to the Erthe him Caste,
And hym from his hors Anon he wraste,
And Cawht it In his hond there Anon;
Therewith toward Seraphe he gan to gon:
“Haue now here, my dere Freend,” seide he,
“This litel present now Of Me,
For thow bowhtest Neuere so dere A thing
From begynne[n]g In-to the Endyng.”
For Into the pres forth gan he go,
And Mette there with A worthi knyht
Wich that was Scomfit Anon In fyht,
166
And hym from his hors Anon he wraste,
And Cawht it In his hond there Anon;
Therewith toward Seraphe he gan to gon:
“Haue now here, my dere Freend,” seide he,
“This litel present now Of Me,
For thow bowhtest Neuere so dere A thing
From begynne[n]g In-to the Endyng.”
Whanne that Seraphe this gan beholde,
In his herte he Ioyede ful Mani-folde,
That Alle his Sorwes forȝat he there
Whiche that his Enemyes dyden him Ere;
And vp Into the sadel he sprang Anon,
As Fresch & As lusty In flesch & In bon,
And As lusty was there forto fyhte,
And therto him thowhte As of Strong Mihte,
As that he was Ony tyme be-Forn;
But thanne his Ax hadde he lorn.
Thanne seide he, “Certes, And I hadde my Ax On honde,
There scholde no man Aȝens Me stonde.”
In his herte he Ioyede ful Mani-folde,
That Alle his Sorwes forȝat he there
Whiche that his Enemyes dyden him Ere;
And vp Into the sadel he sprang Anon,
As Fresch & As lusty In flesch & In bon,
And As lusty was there forto fyhte,
And therto him thowhte As of Strong Mihte,
As that he was Ony tyme be-Forn;
But thanne his Ax hadde he lorn.
Thanne seide he, “Certes, And I hadde my Ax On honde,
There scholde no man Aȝens Me stonde.”
Thanne Anon Cam forth the white knyht,
And seide, “here is On, Al Redy dyht;
And lo, Sere, by me it Is the sent
From that God Lord Omnipotent.”
And whanne Seraphe this felt In his hond,
Thanne gan he wel Forto vndirstond
That lyhgtere and more hondsom it was
Thanne his Owen to-foren In that plas;
There-by wyst he, whanne he Cam Owt Of swowne,
That theke Ax Ferst was not his Owne.
So thanne Ryden they In-to that pres,
And for non Men ne wolden they ses;
And Eualach On Tholomes hors Rod,
So that with him was there non Abod.
And seide, “here is On, Al Redy dyht;
And lo, Sere, by me it Is the sent
From that God Lord Omnipotent.”
And whanne Seraphe this felt In his hond,
Thanne gan he wel Forto vndirstond
That lyhgtere and more hondsom it was
Thanne his Owen to-foren In that plas;
There-by wyst he, whanne he Cam Owt Of swowne,
That theke Ax Ferst was not his Owne.
So thanne Ryden they In-to that pres,
And for non Men ne wolden they ses;
And Eualach On Tholomes hors Rod,
So that with him was there non Abod.
167
And whanne Al this beheld Tholomes Meyne,
Amonges hem was sorwe ful gret plente,
Be Encheson that Eualach ferst they sye,
With Tholome In warde, hem faste bye,
And now Eualach On Tholomes hors doth Ryde;
Wherfore they maden sorwe that Tyde;
And therto Nabure, Tholomes Steward,
Kyng Eualach hadde taken In ward.
ȝit More, this Eualach, with-Inne A throwe,
With An horn he gan to blowe,
And Made his Meyne to Resemble Aȝen;
And tho that weren left, Retornede ful Cleen.
Amonges hem was sorwe ful gret plente,
Be Encheson that Eualach ferst they sye,
With Tholome In warde, hem faste bye,
And now Eualach On Tholomes hors doth Ryde;
Wherfore they maden sorwe that Tyde;
And therto Nabure, Tholomes Steward,
Kyng Eualach hadde taken In ward.
ȝit More, this Eualach, with-Inne A throwe,
With An horn he gan to blowe,
And Made his Meyne to Resemble Aȝen;
And tho that weren left, Retornede ful Cleen.
Thanne Aftir, whanne Assembled weren they Alle,
His signe he hem Schewed as gan befalle,
Whiche was fastenid vppon his scheld—
To his Meyne he it Schewede In that Feeld.
Thanne his Meyne On two batailles he sette,
And with Tholomes Meyne sone they Mette;
And Comanded and preide tho to Seraphë
“That whanne he hym Sawgh in þe Moste Mellë,
That Seraphe In the Rere-ward scholde Falle
On tholomes Men, And On hem there Calle,
And with his Bataille to preven his Myht,
As he was bothe worthi and gentil knyht.”
His signe he hem Schewed as gan befalle,
Whiche was fastenid vppon his scheld—
To his Meyne he it Schewede In that Feeld.
Thanne his Meyne On two batailles he sette,
And with Tholomes Meyne sone they Mette;
And Comanded and preide tho to Seraphë
“That whanne he hym Sawgh in þe Moste Mellë,
That Seraphe In the Rere-ward scholde Falle
On tholomes Men, And On hem there Calle,
And with his Bataille to preven his Myht,
As he was bothe worthi and gentil knyht.”
Thanne Gonnen they to preken here destreris
As vaylaunt knyhtes, bothe worthi & Ferss,
And Evere the white knyht to-forn hem was
With the baner On honde In that plas,
And his swerd with the tothir hond I-drawe,
With wheche Manye A man was Slawe.
Thanne gan kyng Eualach lowde forto Crie
“As Armes! knyht bacheler, and belamye!
For now hath kyng Tholome lost his Men Alle,
Swich Aventure Is now to him befalle!
For Of hem Schal Skapyn not On,
For Al the Myht that they konne don.”
And whanne this herden Tholomes Meyne,
They Niste what to done In non degre,
But hem thowhte hit scholde be trewe,
For Eualach hadde Chongid his hors newe,
For On Tholomes hors thanne Rod he,
As Alle his Men there Myhte thanne se;
Thanne the dredë that they hadde
Was, lest Tholome to presoun hadden be ladde,
Owther ellis In the Feld there Slayn;
Of wheche Of these they weren no Certayn.
Kyng Eualachs Men Amonges hem thraste,
That Of theke pres but fewe there paste—
Whiche that weren kyng Tholomes Men—
Oþer taken Oþer Slayn Er they wente then;
And lik As Men that Amased were,
In that plase So stooden they there.
As vaylaunt knyhtes, bothe worthi & Ferss,
And Evere the white knyht to-forn hem was
With the baner On honde In that plas,
And his swerd with the tothir hond I-drawe,
With wheche Manye A man was Slawe.
Thanne gan kyng Eualach lowde forto Crie
“As Armes! knyht bacheler, and belamye!
For now hath kyng Tholome lost his Men Alle,
Swich Aventure Is now to him befalle!
For Of hem Schal Skapyn not On,
For Al the Myht that they konne don.”
168
They Niste what to done In non degre,
But hem thowhte hit scholde be trewe,
For Eualach hadde Chongid his hors newe,
For On Tholomes hors thanne Rod he,
As Alle his Men there Myhte thanne se;
Thanne the dredë that they hadde
Was, lest Tholome to presoun hadden be ladde,
Owther ellis In the Feld there Slayn;
Of wheche Of these they weren no Certayn.
Kyng Eualachs Men Amonges hem thraste,
That Of theke pres but fewe there paste—
Whiche that weren kyng Tholomes Men—
Oþer taken Oþer Slayn Er they wente then;
And lik As Men that Amased were,
In that plase So stooden they there.
And whanne Seraphe beheld this bekering,
Non lengere he ne Abod For non thing,
And Tholomes Men Closed Al with-Inne,
So þat from hem myhten they not twynne;
So that Angwisschously Ascryed they were,
And slayn, takyn, & Maymed, Many weren there;
For In distresse & Sorewe weren they Alle tho,
For here lord & Governours weren Alle Ago,
And they ne wiste whedir to Springe,
For In theke Contre knew they non thinge;
And wel Askapen Myht they not there,
For On Eche Syde here Enemyes were;—
So that it semeth ‘there the hed is Gon,
The Membres Fayllen thanne Everichon,’—
For there say neuere Man So fayr A begynneng
As hadde kyng Tholome, ne so fow[l] An Endyng;
For vj dowble Meyne hadde kyng Tholome
Thanne kyng Eualach In Every degre.
Non lengere he ne Abod For non thing,
And Tholomes Men Closed Al with-Inne,
So þat from hem myhten they not twynne;
So that Angwisschously Ascryed they were,
And slayn, takyn, & Maymed, Many weren there;
For In distresse & Sorewe weren they Alle tho,
For here lord & Governours weren Alle Ago,
And they ne wiste whedir to Springe,
For In theke Contre knew they non thinge;
And wel Askapen Myht they not there,
For On Eche Syde here Enemyes were;—
So that it semeth ‘there the hed is Gon,
The Membres Fayllen thanne Everichon,’—
For there say neuere Man So fayr A begynneng
As hadde kyng Tholome, ne so fow[l] An Endyng;
For vj dowble Meyne hadde kyng Tholome
Thanne kyng Eualach In Every degre.
There wondirly wel dyde Sire Seraphë,
And so dide king Eualach with his Meynë,
That Neuere Man that was Of his Age
I trowe hadde neuere So Mochel Corage;
And the white knyht there bar him so
That Neuere Erthly man mo Merveilles myht do;
For In that Feeld Scheldes he schatered,
And Speris & helmes Alto-Claterid,
Knyhtes & hors he slowh down riht,
Hedis, Armes, and legges In that fyht,
That non man hym there Askapen ne Myhte,
So vigerows and fel he was In fyhte,
That thus be his Chevalrie & knyhthod
He hem In-gaderede As he Rod,
And browhte hem to Eualach þe kyng,
And to-ward the passage, with-Owten lettyng.
And so dide king Eualach with his Meynë,
169
I trowe hadde neuere So Mochel Corage;
And the white knyht there bar him so
That Neuere Erthly man mo Merveilles myht do;
For In that Feeld Scheldes he schatered,
And Speris & helmes Alto-Claterid,
Knyhtes & hors he slowh down riht,
Hedis, Armes, and legges In that fyht,
That non man hym there Askapen ne Myhte,
So vigerows and fel he was In fyhte,
That thus be his Chevalrie & knyhthod
He hem In-gaderede As he Rod,
And browhte hem to Eualach þe kyng,
And to-ward the passage, with-Owten lettyng.
Whanne kyng Tholomes men had Aspied
That thus Sore they weren Anoyed,
To that streit passage gonne they drawe
Where-Offen that weren ful fawe,
And wenden that non Man hadde þere be,
The passage to han kept In non degre,
And wenden forto A Recouered þat passage,
That Eualach, for Al his Owtrage,
Ne scholde not han past be theke weye,—
This was here Entent tho Sekerlye,—
Where-thorgwh þe Cite he Schold not have,
Where tholome & his Meyne weren ful save;
For An hundred men myht han kept þat pas
From Al the world, so strong it was;
For non mo On front myhte Entren ther
But ten men At Ones, As I seyde Er;
For they wenden tho ful wel
þat there Eualache keperis hadde left non del;
And so As men that weren wery for-fowhte,
Vpe to the Roche wenten As they mowhte,
For there Supposed they forto han Reste.
But it fil not hem for the beste,
For whanne they that kepten the pas
Syen to that Roche so manye gonnen tras,
Hem thowhte Mo thanne Ml there were,
And At þe Roch but .C. that it kepte there;
And whanne they sien Men kepen the pas,
Thanne newe sorwe to hem Comen was;
And Aȝenward they wolde han gon,
But there-Inne Socour was there non.
For tho that On hem folwed so faste,
And they Atte pas schotten Atte laste,
So that they slowen & token Of that Rowte
As Manie As weren hem Abowte;
Thanne was there Mad so gret dolowr
That neuere was sein swich A stowr;
For so moche blood was In that plas
More thanne Owher Euere seyn was;
For Men, hors, and scheldis, that In þe blood lye,
For multitude of blood no man hem sye.
That thus Sore they weren Anoyed,
To that streit passage gonne they drawe
Where-Offen that weren ful fawe,
And wenden that non Man hadde þere be,
The passage to han kept In non degre,
And wenden forto A Recouered þat passage,
That Eualach, for Al his Owtrage,
Ne scholde not han past be theke weye,—
This was here Entent tho Sekerlye,—
Where-thorgwh þe Cite he Schold not have,
Where tholome & his Meyne weren ful save;
For An hundred men myht han kept þat pas
From Al the world, so strong it was;
For non mo On front myhte Entren ther
But ten men At Ones, As I seyde Er;
For they wenden tho ful wel
þat there Eualache keperis hadde left non del;
And so As men that weren wery for-fowhte,
Vpe to the Roche wenten As they mowhte,
For there Supposed they forto han Reste.
But it fil not hem for the beste,
170
Syen to that Roche so manye gonnen tras,
Hem thowhte Mo thanne Ml there were,
And At þe Roch but .C. that it kepte there;
And whanne they sien Men kepen the pas,
Thanne newe sorwe to hem Comen was;
And Aȝenward they wolde han gon,
But there-Inne Socour was there non.
For tho that On hem folwed so faste,
And they Atte pas schotten Atte laste,
So that they slowen & token Of that Rowte
As Manie As weren hem Abowte;
Thanne was there Mad so gret dolowr
That neuere was sein swich A stowr;
For so moche blood was In that plas
More thanne Owher Euere seyn was;
For Men, hors, and scheldis, that In þe blood lye,
For multitude of blood no man hem sye.
And there was beten On Narbus,
Þat steward was to king Tholemus,
And there to Eualach him ȝald Anon,
So he him wolden saven body & bon;
And there his swerd vp gan to ȝelde
To kyng Eualach In that felde.
But Eualach him ne wolde not save
For non thing that he Cowde Crave;
But his hors dismembred he Anon,
And also him he wolde han slon.
And he tho knelid Anon þere down
That he myhte be taken to Raunsown;
“Nai,” quod Eualach, “that schal not be;
Swich Mercy getist thow non Of me;
For my steward haven ȝe Slayn,
& so schal I the here In Certeyn;
Therefore the Chonge it is ful hard,
For I wele haven steward for steward.”
And his Armure he dide Of Caste,
His hed to han smeten Of atte laste.
And thanne Cam forth Sire Seraphë:
“A, Sire! what thinken to done ȝe?
ȝif ȝoure steward ded now be,
Tholome hath lost, Sire, swich thre;
And his Owne brother so dere,
That he loved As mochel there
As ȝe ȝowre Steward trewly;
Therefore, Sire, On þis man haveth Mercy;
Fo[r] I him Slowgh with Myn hond,
Sire, I do ȝow to vndirstond;
Therfore, sire, I preie to þe
That Of this Man thow have pite.”
So þat there gentil Sire Seraphë
This man Savede, As ȝe mown se.
Þat steward was to king Tholemus,
And there to Eualach him ȝald Anon,
So he him wolden saven body & bon;
And there his swerd vp gan to ȝelde
To kyng Eualach In that felde.
But Eualach him ne wolde not save
For non thing that he Cowde Crave;
But his hors dismembred he Anon,
And also him he wolde han slon.
And he tho knelid Anon þere down
That he myhte be taken to Raunsown;
“Nai,” quod Eualach, “that schal not be;
Swich Mercy getist thow non Of me;
For my steward haven ȝe Slayn,
& so schal I the here In Certeyn;
Therefore the Chonge it is ful hard,
For I wele haven steward for steward.”
171
His hed to han smeten Of atte laste.
And thanne Cam forth Sire Seraphë:
“A, Sire! what thinken to done ȝe?
ȝif ȝoure steward ded now be,
Tholome hath lost, Sire, swich thre;
And his Owne brother so dere,
That he loved As mochel there
As ȝe ȝowre Steward trewly;
Therefore, Sire, On þis man haveth Mercy;
Fo[r] I him Slowgh with Myn hond,
Sire, I do ȝow to vndirstond;
Therfore, sire, I preie to þe
That Of this Man thow have pite.”
So þat there gentil Sire Seraphë
This man Savede, As ȝe mown se.
Ful Mochel & gret was the discomfiture
As that tyme be-happed be Aventure;
And the Nyht drowgh On ful faste,
For the day It was Ny paste;
Whiche was ful deseysy to Eualachs Men,
But ȝit Atte hardest not for then,
For so Manye thei slowen And token that tyde
Atte passage Of the ‘Roche Of blood’ beside,
That Of hem ne pasten not þere Away
Two thousend, what hurt & hol that day,
That Tholomes Men ne distroied Echon—
So þat tyme with Eualach the grace gan gon,—
Of wheche at the begynneng were
Sixty thowsend wel harneised there.
And thus the Egipcian, be goddis Myht,
At theke tyme weren distroyed be fyht.
As that tyme be-happed be Aventure;
And the Nyht drowgh On ful faste,
For the day It was Ny paste;
Whiche was ful deseysy to Eualachs Men,
But ȝit Atte hardest not for then,
For so Manye thei slowen And token that tyde
Atte passage Of the ‘Roche Of blood’ beside,
That Of hem ne pasten not þere Away
Two thousend, what hurt & hol that day,
That Tholomes Men ne distroied Echon—
So þat tyme with Eualach the grace gan gon,—
Of wheche at the begynneng were
Sixty thowsend wel harneised there.
And thus the Egipcian, be goddis Myht,
At theke tyme weren distroyed be fyht.
Thanne to Orcaus ward wente Eualach,—
Alle the Egipciens to Mochel wrak,—
And with him Alle his Meyne
That At theke tyme hadde he,
For þere nas no Man Of Non degre
That thorwgh theke bataille holpen was he;
Bothe duk, knyht, and bachelere,
Alle weren Encresid that weren there,
ȝe, And also bothe ȝomen and page;
For Alle here lyves hadden they Gage.
Alle the Egipciens to Mochel wrak,—
And with him Alle his Meyne
That At theke tyme hadde he,
172
That thorwgh theke bataille holpen was he;
Bothe duk, knyht, and bachelere,
Alle weren Encresid that weren there,
ȝe, And also bothe ȝomen and page;
For Alle here lyves hadden they Gage.
And whanne Eualach Into the Cite Entred was,
So Manie presoners he fond In that plas,
And Of here Maistres that with hem were,
That non Spas was to walken In there,
Nether On hors, nethir On Foote;
But Owt Aȝen Nedys he Moote;
And aforn the Cite he let pichchen Anon
Alle his pavilouns there thanne Everichon,
In A fair plase that was so pleyn
To-forn that Cite tho In Certein;
And there al that Niht herberwed he,
And with him al his Meyne.
So Manie presoners he fond In that plas,
And Of here Maistres that with hem were,
That non Spas was to walken In there,
Nether On hors, nethir On Foote;
But Owt Aȝen Nedys he Moote;
And aforn the Cite he let pichchen Anon
Alle his pavilouns there thanne Everichon,
In A fair plase that was so pleyn
To-forn that Cite tho In Certein;
And there al that Niht herberwed he,
And with him al his Meyne.
CHAPTER XV.
173
Now let vs beleven Of kyng Eualach,
And Firthere Into this Mater now let vs walk,
And Of these Cristene Speke we bedene
That In Sarras ben, Sixty & Fyftene,
Lik As vs tellith the Storye
Of Eualachs wif here Sekerlye,
That A wondir fair womman sche was,
And ful worschepful In Every plas,
And ‘Sarracynte’ was that qwenes Name,
A worschepful lady, and Of Noble Fame.
And whanne that Eualach with his Ost forth wente,
So moche Mone sche Made, sche was Ny Schente,
For Eualach, that was Most In hire Mynde
Of al Erthly thing, and that was kynde.
Therfore sche sente For Iosephe Anon,
To weten how that the Cause scholde gon,
In As Mochel As that Er he seide
‘That hire lord scholde han Abreide,
And þerto thre dayes & thre Nyhtes to be
Vndir his Enemyes powste,
And that to the Prikke of deth thorwgh Tholome
He scholde ben browht,’—thus seyde he—
‘And ȝif it scholde Ony lengere laste
Thān̄ne thre dayes & thre Nyhtes weren paste.’
And this was the Cawse Certeinle
That sche for Iosephe sente, I telle it the.
And Firthere Into this Mater now let vs walk,
And Of these Cristene Speke we bedene
That In Sarras ben, Sixty & Fyftene,
Lik As vs tellith the Storye
Of Eualachs wif here Sekerlye,
That A wondir fair womman sche was,
And ful worschepful In Every plas,
And ‘Sarracynte’ was that qwenes Name,
A worschepful lady, and Of Noble Fame.
And whanne that Eualach with his Ost forth wente,
So moche Mone sche Made, sche was Ny Schente,
For Eualach, that was Most In hire Mynde
Of al Erthly thing, and that was kynde.
Therfore sche sente For Iosephe Anon,
To weten how that the Cause scholde gon,
In As Mochel As that Er he seide
‘That hire lord scholde han Abreide,
And þerto thre dayes & thre Nyhtes to be
Vndir his Enemyes powste,
174
He scholde ben browht,’—thus seyde he—
‘And ȝif it scholde Ony lengere laste
Thān̄ne thre dayes & thre Nyhtes weren paste.’
And this was the Cawse Certeinle
That sche for Iosephe sente, I telle it the.
Thanne Iosephe to-Fore hire Gan gon,
And with him his sone Ryht Anon;
Thanne sche him Axed there In haste,
“Whether the Iorne with hire lord were paste;
And how he spedde In the bataille,”
Hire forto telle sche preyde not Faille.
Thanne to Sarracinte spak Iosephe Certeinle
“Thus sente the to seine the kyng Of Cristene (be Me,)
That Of Alle thing knoweth the begynneng,
And demen schal Atte laste Endyng,
And Of Al this world Saviour Is he
Sekerly, As I telle it the.
And For As Mochel as these Erthly kynges
Ne welen non knowen In here werkynges,
Nethir Resceyven My Creaunce,
I schal hem sende ful hard chaunse;
For Into bataille I wele hem do,
And there here Enemyes scholen hem slo;
And here londis ȝeven wile I
In-to the hondes of strawngeris sothfastly.
For I wele that they knowen Me
As fore here Souereyn lord god In Al d[eg]re,
Nethir Of non Othir kyng to holde,
But Only Of Me, In Manye Folde;
For bothe to prowde and Ek to Felowns,
I schal hem sende Manie distrucciouns;
Thus be my Spyrit I schal hem sende,
And In this degre I wele hem schende;
And therfore the Grete I wyle down take;
And þe Feble & powre, lordis wil I Make;
More-Over, kynges flesch ȝoven schal be
To Fowles Of Raveyne, that Abowten fle
Forto Finden Sum Careyne:
Thus schal it ben In Certeine.
And the bodyes that Of pore Men scolen be
Worthily I-byried In Eche degre;
For the Ryhte weyes alle they knowe,
And my Comandementis they welen bowe
Wit good herte And good Entenciowne,
This welen they Resceyven with good devociown.”
And with him his sone Ryht Anon;
Thanne sche him Axed there In haste,
“Whether the Iorne with hire lord were paste;
And how he spedde In the bataille,”
Hire forto telle sche preyde not Faille.
Thanne to Sarracinte spak Iosephe Certeinle
“Thus sente the to seine the kyng Of Cristene (be Me,)
That Of Alle thing knoweth the begynneng,
And demen schal Atte laste Endyng,
And Of Al this world Saviour Is he
Sekerly, As I telle it the.
And For As Mochel as these Erthly kynges
Ne welen non knowen In here werkynges,
Nethir Resceyven My Creaunce,
I schal hem sende ful hard chaunse;
For Into bataille I wele hem do,
And there here Enemyes scholen hem slo;
And here londis ȝeven wile I
In-to the hondes of strawngeris sothfastly.
For I wele that they knowen Me
As fore here Souereyn lord god In Al d[eg]re,
Nethir Of non Othir kyng to holde,
But Only Of Me, In Manye Folde;
For bothe to prowde and Ek to Felowns,
I schal hem sende Manie distrucciouns;
Thus be my Spyrit I schal hem sende,
And In this degre I wele hem schende;
175
And þe Feble & powre, lordis wil I Make;
More-Over, kynges flesch ȝoven schal be
To Fowles Of Raveyne, that Abowten fle
Forto Finden Sum Careyne:
Thus schal it ben In Certeine.
And the bodyes that Of pore Men scolen be
Worthily I-byried In Eche degre;
For the Ryhte weyes alle they knowe,
And my Comandementis they welen bowe
Wit good herte And good Entenciowne,
This welen they Resceyven with good devociown.”
And whanne Iosephe this tale hadde told,
Sarracinte gan to wepen Mani-fold,
And preyde bothe Iosephe & his sone,
For Eualach to here god to bydden som bone,
‘That Eualach with worschepe Myhte retornen Aȝen,
That sche with hire Eyen it Myhte Ones Sen,
And forto be turned to the Ryhtful Creaunce,
That the god Of Crystene wolde senden him swich chaunse.’
“And I hope thanne Tornen wold he,
Aftir, A good Man for Euere to be.”
Sarracinte gan to wepen Mani-fold,
And preyde bothe Iosephe & his sone,
For Eualach to here god to bydden som bone,
‘That Eualach with worschepe Myhte retornen Aȝen,
That sche with hire Eyen it Myhte Ones Sen,
And forto be turned to the Ryhtful Creaunce,
That the god Of Crystene wolde senden him swich chaunse.’
“And I hope thanne Tornen wold he,
Aftir, A good Man for Euere to be.”
Thanne Iosephes Ganne hire Answere,
‘How there-Offen the Certeyn knew sche there;’
And sche Answerid Iosephes Agein:
“Of that Surawn̄ce Am I, In Certein.”
“How there-offen, dame, Sure Mihtest thow be,
Whanne thou beleves on ymages of ston & tre;
For they mowen nethir meven ne stonde,
Ne hem to helpen haven thei nethir leg ne honde,
And In Iesu Crist he wil not beleve,—
How Myhtest thow thanne this preve—
That is lord Of Alle Cristiente,
As I schal here-After declaren to the.”
‘How there-Offen the Certeyn knew sche there;’
And sche Answerid Iosephes Agein:
“Of that Surawn̄ce Am I, In Certein.”
“How there-offen, dame, Sure Mihtest thow be,
Whanne thou beleves on ymages of ston & tre;
For they mowen nethir meven ne stonde,
Ne hem to helpen haven thei nethir leg ne honde,
And In Iesu Crist he wil not beleve,—
How Myhtest thow thanne this preve—
That is lord Of Alle Cristiente,
As I schal here-After declaren to the.”
176
Thanne Axede sche him Ryht Anon
The pointes Of Cristendom forto Ondon.
Thanne Iosephes began Anon forto telle
The Creavnse of þe Trenite, and þereof gan spelle;
And the qweene behel[de] him faste,
And Axede ‘what he hyhte’ Atte laste.
Thanne Answerid he ‘that he Cristened was
And I-Clepid “Iosephes” In that plas;
And there-Offen Is there non Man
That Me that Name bereven kan.’
The pointes Of Cristendom forto Ondon.
Thanne Iosephes began Anon forto telle
The Creavnse of þe Trenite, and þereof gan spelle;
And the qweene behel[de] him faste,
And Axede ‘what he hyhte’ Atte laste.
Thanne Answerid he ‘that he Cristened was
And I-Clepid “Iosephes” In that plas;
And there-Offen Is there non Man
That Me that Name bereven kan.’
Thanne Comanded the qweene Anon
Alle hire Owne Meyne from hire to gon.
And Anon Alle the poyntes Of the Trenite
To Iosephes sche gan to declaren Certeinle,
So that there was non Clerk levynge
That there-Inne scholde han schewed more konnenge;
So ferforth that Iosephes Merveillen began
That so moche wit myht ben In womman,
And where sche hadde this konnenge Cawht,
Oþer what Maner Of Man that it here tawht.
Alle hire Owne Meyne from hire to gon.
And Anon Alle the poyntes Of the Trenite
To Iosephes sche gan to declaren Certeinle,
So that there was non Clerk levynge
That there-Inne scholde han schewed more konnenge;
So ferforth that Iosephes Merveillen began
That so moche wit myht ben In womman,
And where sche hadde this konnenge Cawht,
Oþer what Maner Of Man that it here tawht.
Thanne Answered this Qweene Agein,
“Ful ten ȝer My Modir In Certein
Fulliche & hol was In this Creaunce,—
As I the telle Iosephes—with-Owten variaunce,
And ȝit My Fadir there-offen Neuere wiste,
Ne non Of his lyne, thow Mihtest wel Tryste,
Saufe Onliche Mine Owne Modir and I;
I Sey the Iosephes ful Certeinly,
My Modir, duchesse Of Orbery was,
As In thike tyme happed be Cas,
Whiche that good womman was, & trewe,
And therto worschepful & Of good thewe;
My Fadyr was Crwel and dispetows,
And therto Angry & Riht Malicious;
And So it behappede with-Owten Mo,
That Ouer hens Sevene & twenti winter Ago,
That In Owre Contre An holy man there was
In An Ermytage, As god ȝaf him gras,
That Moche dide for goddis Sake,
And God for him Manie Merveilles gan Make,
And his Name ‘Salustine’ Gonne they Calle;
In him Manie vertwes gonne there falle.
So thanne My Modir hadde An Infirmite—
Certeinly Iosephes as I telle the—
That theke tyme xix Monthes hadde holde,
Sche was In sorwe and wo Manie-Folde,
That hire Colowr and blood was Al ago,
So Ful sche was Of peyne and wo,
And Alle hire Membres weren wasted Eke,
And þerto sche was ful feble & syke.
“Ful ten ȝer My Modir In Certein
Fulliche & hol was In this Creaunce,—
As I the telle Iosephes—with-Owten variaunce,
And ȝit My Fadir there-offen Neuere wiste,
Ne non Of his lyne, thow Mihtest wel Tryste,
Saufe Onliche Mine Owne Modir and I;
I Sey the Iosephes ful Certeinly,
My Modir, duchesse Of Orbery was,
As In thike tyme happed be Cas,
Whiche that good womman was, & trewe,
And therto worschepful & Of good thewe;
My Fadyr was Crwel and dispetows,
And therto Angry & Riht Malicious;
And So it behappede with-Owten Mo,
That Ouer hens Sevene & twenti winter Ago,
177
In An Ermytage, As god ȝaf him gras,
That Moche dide for goddis Sake,
And God for him Manie Merveilles gan Make,
And his Name ‘Salustine’ Gonne they Calle;
In him Manie vertwes gonne there falle.
So thanne My Modir hadde An Infirmite—
Certeinly Iosephes as I telle the—
That theke tyme xix Monthes hadde holde,
Sche was In sorwe and wo Manie-Folde,
That hire Colowr and blood was Al ago,
So Ful sche was Of peyne and wo,
And Alle hire Membres weren wasted Eke,
And þerto sche was ful feble & syke.
So herde sche tellen Of this good Man,
What Merveilles that God wrowht In him than,
And thowhte with him sche wolde Gon speke,
And somwhat Of hire herte to him breke,
To tellen him Of hire Infirmite,
Ȝif Ony Socour there-offen Mihte be;
For sonnere sche hopede to ben ded
Thanne to live to tornen In that sted.
What Merveilles that God wrowht In him than,
And thowhte with him sche wolde Gon speke,
And somwhat Of hire herte to him breke,
To tellen him Of hire Infirmite,
Ȝif Ony Socour there-offen Mihte be;
For sonnere sche hopede to ben ded
Thanne to live to tornen In that sted.
Whanne þat tofore this good man sche gan to gon,
Down On hire knees sche Fyl Anon,
And there down sche fil to his feet,
And preide him Of Socour Also skeet.
Tho this good Man On here there loked faste,
And Seide, “O womman, womman, Atte laste
Wherto Of helpe Axest thow Me,
That hast Swich An Infirmyte?
Certes thou Art,” quod this good Man,
“Dedlich, and þerto Sinful womman;
And I dedlich Am Also,
And therto Sinful with-Owten Mo;
For seker I non power ne have,
Nethir Man ne womman forto save,
But Onliche it is Crist & god Above
That hem doth Save that him welen love.”
Down On hire knees sche Fyl Anon,
And there down sche fil to his feet,
And preide him Of Socour Also skeet.
Tho this good Man On here there loked faste,
And Seide, “O womman, womman, Atte laste
Wherto Of helpe Axest thow Me,
That hast Swich An Infirmyte?
Certes thou Art,” quod this good Man,
“Dedlich, and þerto Sinful womman;
And I dedlich Am Also,
And therto Sinful with-Owten Mo;
178
Nethir Man ne womman forto save,
But Onliche it is Crist & god Above
That hem doth Save that him welen love.”
Thanne Answerid my modir “Certeinle,
Good sire, so preye thy lord for me
That he wolde taken Me to his grace,
And helthe to sende me In this place.”
Thus thanne scheide sche in alle thing
To this goode man ful sore weping,
“For I hope thi God ne wile not werne þe
Ony thing that thow Axest Certeinle.”
“Dame, til to Morwe this May not be,
Certeinli I telle it the.”
“Sire, thanne schal I Comen Agein,
And tresowr I-nowh to bringen Certein,
ȝif that he me now helpen wolde,
Tresowr I-nowh Of Siluer & Golde.”
Thanne answerid this good man tho:
“Of thin Tresowr wile he non, Lo,
But Only Of trewe herte Repentance,
And stedfast beleve & ful Creaunce.”
Good sire, so preye thy lord for me
That he wolde taken Me to his grace,
And helthe to sende me In this place.”
Thus thanne scheide sche in alle thing
To this goode man ful sore weping,
“For I hope thi God ne wile not werne þe
Ony thing that thow Axest Certeinle.”
“Dame, til to Morwe this May not be,
Certeinli I telle it the.”
“Sire, thanne schal I Comen Agein,
And tresowr I-nowh to bringen Certein,
ȝif that he me now helpen wolde,
Tresowr I-nowh Of Siluer & Golde.”
Thanne answerid this good man tho:
“Of thin Tresowr wile he non, Lo,
But Only Of trewe herte Repentance,
And stedfast beleve & ful Creaunce.”
And tho spak sche with good semblawnt
To him that was goddis seriawnt,
“What thing On Erthe thow bidde me do,
I schal it fulfille for peyne Other wo,
And he wele me helpen Of thys Maledye
That doth me now so gret Anoye.”
Thanne Answerid this goodman agein,
“And thow wilt fulliche beleven Certein
In Iesu Crist, that verray lord,
I schal behoten the hele at On word;
Er that thow Owt of this plase wende,
Thow schalt ben helid with-Owten Ende.”
To him that was goddis seriawnt,
“What thing On Erthe thow bidde me do,
I schal it fulfille for peyne Other wo,
And he wele me helpen Of thys Maledye
That doth me now so gret Anoye.”
Thanne Answerid this goodman agein,
“And thow wilt fulliche beleven Certein
In Iesu Crist, that verray lord,
I schal behoten the hele at On word;
Er that thow Owt of this plase wende,
Thow schalt ben helid with-Owten Ende.”
Thanne to his Feet sche knelid A-down,
And hem kiste with good devociown,
“Sire! ȝif that hele he wel me sende,
On him wile I beleven with-Owten Ende.”
Thanne seide to hire this good Man,
“ȝif stedfastli wilt þou beleve,” quod he þan,
“Anon Riht helyd schalt thow be
Of thin Maladie Certeinle;
For hele Is there non so sone
As In god beleve, hos wil it done.”
Thanne seide my modir Anon Ageyn,
“Sire! I beleve it fully In Certein,
That Onliche verray God Is he
That me schal helpen Of myn Infirmite.”
179
“Sire! ȝif that hele he wel me sende,
On him wile I beleven with-Owten Ende.”
Thanne seide to hire this good Man,
“ȝif stedfastli wilt þou beleve,” quod he þan,
“Anon Riht helyd schalt thow be
Of thin Maladie Certeinle;
For hele Is there non so sone
As In god beleve, hos wil it done.”
Thanne seide my modir Anon Ageyn,
“Sire! I beleve it fully In Certein,
That Onliche verray God Is he
That me schal helpen Of myn Infirmite.”
And Anon this Goode Man took
In his hond Anon A litel book,
And there-vppon ful faste gan Rede
[Al so faste as he cowde spede,]
In A Corner al be him Selve;
There preide he God and thapostelis twelve,
‘That God wolde sende his Mercy & Grase
To that Synful womman In that plase,
And to keveren here Of that Maladye
That xviij ȝer Contenwelye
Here hadde holden In that degre,
Goode lord, þat koverid myhte sche now be.’
In his hond Anon A litel book,
And there-vppon ful faste gan Rede
[Al so faste as he cowde spede,]
In A Corner al be him Selve;
There preide he God and thapostelis twelve,
‘That God wolde sende his Mercy & Grase
To that Synful womman In that plase,
And to keveren here Of that Maladye
That xviij ȝer Contenwelye
Here hadde holden In that degre,
Goode lord, þat koverid myhte sche now be.’
And whanne his preyere thus hadde he do,
Anon to My Modir he Cam sone tho,
Thus Seyenge to hire, “Aryse vp here
Also hol As Evere thow Er were,
In the Name of the Fadir, Sone, & holigost,
Wiche that Is Of Myhtes Evere Most!”
Thanne felte My Moder there Anon,
That As hol sche was In flesch and bon
As Evere Ony tyme sche was before,
Sethen sche was Of hire Modir I-bore;
And the strengthe Of hire Membres Anon
Sche hadde Aȝen there tho Everichon.
Anon to My Modir he Cam sone tho,
Thus Seyenge to hire, “Aryse vp here
Also hol As Evere thow Er were,
In the Name of the Fadir, Sone, & holigost,
Wiche that Is Of Myhtes Evere Most!”
Thanne felte My Moder there Anon,
That As hol sche was In flesch and bon
As Evere Ony tyme sche was before,
Sethen sche was Of hire Modir I-bore;
180
Sche hadde Aȝen there tho Everichon.
Anon whanne sche felte this riht tho,
That helthe Aȝen was Comen hire to,
“Now May I sen,” sche seide, “verrailly,
That thi lord Is Strong & ful Myhti
That me hath helyd of My gret Maladye.
For it hath me Cost Certeinlye
More thanne xv thowsend besaunz,
This Maladie wit-Owten variaunz,
& ȝit neuere be non Of hem hele myhte I have;
But þou, blessed lord, now dost me Save.”
That helthe Aȝen was Comen hire to,
“Now May I sen,” sche seide, “verrailly,
That thi lord Is Strong & ful Myhti
That me hath helyd of My gret Maladye.
For it hath me Cost Certeinlye
More thanne xv thowsend besaunz,
This Maladie wit-Owten variaunz,
& ȝit neuere be non Of hem hele myhte I have;
But þou, blessed lord, now dost me Save.”
Thanne seide to hire this Good man Anon,
“Baptesme to Resceiuen er ȝe hens now gon.”
And thanne sche Axede him ful sone,
‘What that baptesme Mihte done.’
And [he] hire Answered Sone Agein,
“It Is thyn hol Savacioun In Certein.”
Thanne Answerid sche with good wille,
“I wile it Resceyven bothe Mekly & stille.”
Thanne the Goode Man hire Cristened Anon there
In his Name that was Of Most powere,
Whiche Is Fadir, and sone, And holy gost,
On God and thre persones, Of myhtes Most;
And thus My Modyr there he Cristened Anon.
“Baptesme to Resceiuen er ȝe hens now gon.”
And thanne sche Axede him ful sone,
‘What that baptesme Mihte done.’
And [he] hire Answered Sone Agein,
“It Is thyn hol Savacioun In Certein.”
Thanne Answerid sche with good wille,
“I wile it Resceyven bothe Mekly & stille.”
Thanne the Goode Man hire Cristened Anon there
In his Name that was Of Most powere,
Whiche Is Fadir, and sone, And holy gost,
On God and thre persones, Of myhtes Most;
And thus My Modyr there he Cristened Anon.
Thanne Owt Of the Chambre sche come gon
There As I Abod with-Owten the dore,
And Al Owre Meyne In the Flore;
So my Modir took me be the hond,
And with hire to gon I myhte not withstond,
And thus me to-forn the good man browhte,
That I ne wiste what I seyn Mowhte;
“My swete dowghter, Com now hider to Me,
Now koverid I am Of Myn Infirmite;
Þerfore, swete dowhter, I wolde that þou wost don
As I schal the here Comaunden Anon.”
Thanne Answerid I with herte qwakynge,
“Modir, I wele don Alle ȝowre biddinge;”
So that I hadde gret wondir tho
What my Modir wolde with me do.
“Faire swete dowghter, I wolde that ȝe
Wolde worschepen him that myn Infirmite
Me hol hath Mad, and taken clene Away;
So, swete dowghter, so worschepe þat man þis day.”
And I wende sche hadde ment that Old Man,
And therfore I ne dorste not Sekerly than;
And My Modir Axede me “wherfore?”
“For Certein he hath A long berd, & An hore;
And Euere whanne I lokede vppon his berd,
Sekir, Modir, I scholde ben Aferd.”
There As I Abod with-Owten the dore,
And Al Owre Meyne In the Flore;
So my Modir took me be the hond,
And with hire to gon I myhte not withstond,
And thus me to-forn the good man browhte,
That I ne wiste what I seyn Mowhte;
“My swete dowghter, Com now hider to Me,
Now koverid I am Of Myn Infirmite;
Þerfore, swete dowhter, I wolde that þou wost don
As I schal the here Comaunden Anon.”
181
“Modir, I wele don Alle ȝowre biddinge;”
So that I hadde gret wondir tho
What my Modir wolde with me do.
“Faire swete dowghter, I wolde that ȝe
Wolde worschepen him that myn Infirmite
Me hol hath Mad, and taken clene Away;
So, swete dowghter, so worschepe þat man þis day.”
And I wende sche hadde ment that Old Man,
And therfore I ne dorste not Sekerly than;
And My Modir Axede me “wherfore?”
“For Certein he hath A long berd, & An hore;
And Euere whanne I lokede vppon his berd,
Sekir, Modir, I scholde ben Aferd.”
Thanne Anon lowgh this good Old Man
For that I Seyde Of him than,
“Nay, faire dowghter, it Nam not I
That thi Modir Speketh Of trewely;
But Anoþer it Is, that is ful Of Bewte
And Of Alle goodnesse In Eche degre.”
And I axed him, “where that he was,
ȝif I myht Owht sen him In this plas;
And, ȝif he fairere thanne my broþer be,
Him I wele loven In Alle degre;
For my brothir, so fair he Is,
That of bewte hath he non pere I-wis.”
For that I Seyde Of him than,
“Nay, faire dowghter, it Nam not I
That thi Modir Speketh Of trewely;
But Anoþer it Is, that is ful Of Bewte
And Of Alle goodnesse In Eche degre.”
And I axed him, “where that he was,
ȝif I myht Owht sen him In this plas;
And, ȝif he fairere thanne my broþer be,
Him I wele loven In Alle degre;
For my brothir, so fair he Is,
That of bewte hath he non pere I-wis.”
And whanne to him thus hadde I told,
To speken to Me he was ful bold:
“With-Inne A litel while here schalt þou Se
Him Of whom þat I speke to the,
Whiche is Fairere thanne thi brothir Is
In Alle degres, and In More blis
Oþer thanne thy brothir Evere thow sye,
Owther Euere thow schalt with thin Eye.”
And Anon As this word hadde he Seid,
A wondir Clerte toforn me was leyd
Sodeynly there In that Chapel;
Many wondirful swetnesse Aforn me fyl,
And the hows So ful there-Offen was,
And therto swich delicasie In that plas.
To speken to Me he was ful bold:
“With-Inne A litel while here schalt þou Se
Him Of whom þat I speke to the,
Whiche is Fairere thanne thi brothir Is
In Alle degres, and In More blis
Oþer thanne thy brothir Evere thow sye,
Owther Euere thow schalt with thin Eye.”
182
A wondir Clerte toforn me was leyd
Sodeynly there In that Chapel;
Many wondirful swetnesse Aforn me fyl,
And the hows So ful there-Offen was,
And therto swich delicasie In that plas.
Amyddis þat liht & swetnesse þer gan forth gon
The fairest Creature Of flesch & bon,
The Clerest and the fairest persone
That Evere Ony erthly Eye myhte loken vppone.
This Man gan holden In his Ryht hond
The Signe Of A red Cross, I vndirstond,
And bothe his Eyen Me thowhte ferden there
Also Cleer brennenge As Ony Fere.
And thus A whille Stood he thore;
Where-Offen I was Abasched wel sore,
Of the wondris that I On him gan beholde;
Wherfore myn herte wax wondir Colde,
For On him non More thanne Mihte I loke,
So that for drede myn hertë qwoke,
But to the Erthe I fil plat Adown
As thowh I hadde ben In A swon;
Thanne the Ermyt took me be þe honde,
And Made me vp be him stonde;
Of wheche Sihte hadde I gret Merveilleng;
And sauf my Modir & thermit Saw I non thing.
The fairest Creature Of flesch & bon,
The Clerest and the fairest persone
That Evere Ony erthly Eye myhte loken vppone.
This Man gan holden In his Ryht hond
The Signe Of A red Cross, I vndirstond,
And bothe his Eyen Me thowhte ferden there
Also Cleer brennenge As Ony Fere.
And thus A whille Stood he thore;
Where-Offen I was Abasched wel sore,
Of the wondris that I On him gan beholde;
Wherfore myn herte wax wondir Colde,
For On him non More thanne Mihte I loke,
So that for drede myn hertë qwoke,
But to the Erthe I fil plat Adown
As thowh I hadde ben In A swon;
Thanne the Ermyt took me be þe honde,
And Made me vp be him stonde;
Of wheche Sihte hadde I gret Merveilleng;
And sauf my Modir & thermit Saw I non thing.
Thanne this good man Seide to Me,
“Now, my faire dowhter, how thinketh the?”
And thanne I Answerid so Ageyn,
“This Mannes Creaunce I wele resceyven fayn.”
And Anon there he Cristenede Me
In the holë Name Of the Trenite;
So þat aftir he told vs, but not be-forn,
‘How þat Iesus Crist was Conceyved & born
Of An holy virgine, Modir & Maide,
As be Old tyme the prophetis saide;
And how þat On þe Cros he gan to dye,
Man To beien from endles felonye;
And how þe thridde day he Ros Ageyne,
And deliuered his frendis from Endeles peyne;
Thanne Aftir, with the xlthe day,
Streyht to hevene he wente his way;
And the xj day Aftir, with-Owten fantem,
He sente to his dissiples, Into Ierusalem,
His holy gost, Anon there Ryht,
In liknesse of flawmes of fir so briht;
& told hem Also how that they scholde
His bodi sacren to ȝong and Olde,
As he hem tawhte At his sene,
The[r] Alle his apostelis weren Clene
The Niht to-fore he suffrede passiown;’
And thus tolde vs thermyt, Al & som.
“Now, my faire dowhter, how thinketh the?”
And thanne I Answerid so Ageyn,
“This Mannes Creaunce I wele resceyven fayn.”
And Anon there he Cristenede Me
In the holë Name Of the Trenite;
So þat aftir he told vs, but not be-forn,
‘How þat Iesus Crist was Conceyved & born
183
As be Old tyme the prophetis saide;
And how þat On þe Cros he gan to dye,
Man To beien from endles felonye;
And how þe thridde day he Ros Ageyne,
And deliuered his frendis from Endeles peyne;
Thanne Aftir, with the xlthe day,
Streyht to hevene he wente his way;
And the xj day Aftir, with-Owten fantem,
He sente to his dissiples, Into Ierusalem,
His holy gost, Anon there Ryht,
In liknesse of flawmes of fir so briht;
& told hem Also how that they scholde
His bodi sacren to ȝong and Olde,
As he hem tawhte At his sene,
The[r] Alle his apostelis weren Clene
The Niht to-fore he suffrede passiown;’
And thus tolde vs thermyt, Al & som.
Thanne whanne this to vs hadde he told,
To that Awter he wente ful bold,
And there made he þat holy Sacrament
With hy devocioun and good Entent;
And to my Modir there it tho took,
And sche it Resceyvede, & not forsook.
Thanne After to me he Cam Anon,
And In My Mowth he wold han it don;
Thanne thus to me he gan to seyn:
‘That I scholde beleven Certein,
That theke same body it was
The wheche In the virgine took his plas.’
Where that thanne I taried Anon Ryht,
That to beleven hadde I non Myht;
So thanne thowhte me Anon In My siht,
That it was theke Selve Faire wyht
Wheche In the Chapel I sawgh to-fore,
That I was Offen Abascht ful sore.
Thanne seide I to him Anon there,
“Sire, I beleve As thow seidest Ere.”
So that from him we departed Anon,
Homward In Oure weye forto gon.
Thanne charged he vs In Alle wise,
‘That we scholde don non More S[a]crifise:’
“To þese fals ymages of tre ne ston,
Be no weye Sacrifise Make ȝe non.”
And thanne we Answerid him Ageyn,
‘That On God wolde we beleven Certeyn,
And Comfort and Ioye Of him to have,
And that At Owre Endeng he wele vs save.’
In this Maner Ferst Of Iesu Cristes lawe
Thus lerned we, & there-Offen weren fawe.
To that Awter he wente ful bold,
And there made he þat holy Sacrament
With hy devocioun and good Entent;
And to my Modir there it tho took,
And sche it Resceyvede, & not forsook.
Thanne After to me he Cam Anon,
And In My Mowth he wold han it don;
Thanne thus to me he gan to seyn:
‘That I scholde beleven Certein,
That theke same body it was
The wheche In the virgine took his plas.’
Where that thanne I taried Anon Ryht,
That to beleven hadde I non Myht;
So thanne thowhte me Anon In My siht,
That it was theke Selve Faire wyht
Wheche In the Chapel I sawgh to-fore,
That I was Offen Abascht ful sore.
184
“Sire, I beleve As thow seidest Ere.”
So that from him we departed Anon,
Homward In Oure weye forto gon.
Thanne charged he vs In Alle wise,
‘That we scholde don non More S[a]crifise:’
“To þese fals ymages of tre ne ston,
Be no weye Sacrifise Make ȝe non.”
And thanne we Answerid him Ageyn,
‘That On God wolde we beleven Certeyn,
And Comfort and Ioye Of him to have,
And that At Owre Endeng he wele vs save.’
In this Maner Ferst Of Iesu Cristes lawe
Thus lerned we, & there-Offen weren fawe.
And whanne that we weren comen to Orbery,
Thanne herden we A wondir Noise, & a gret Cry,
Of A savage wilde beste
That was broken Owt of a foreste;
And Al the Contre it gan to chase,
It Forto distroyen In som plase;
For it was so dyvers A beste of kynde,
That þere hadde non Man wit ne Mynde
To tellen what thike beste was
That they Chaced In theke plas;
For that beste was so dispetous,
So feers And so Angwischous,
That he distroiede theke Contre,
An Ete schepe & Children In Eche degre;
Men & hors he gan to distroye,
And to wommen with Childe he dyde gret Anoye.
Thanne herden we A wondir Noise, & a gret Cry,
Of A savage wilde beste
That was broken Owt of a foreste;
And Al the Contre it gan to chase,
It Forto distroyen In som plase;
For it was so dyvers A beste of kynde,
That þere hadde non Man wit ne Mynde
To tellen what thike beste was
That they Chaced In theke plas;
For that beste was so dispetous,
So feers And so Angwischous,
That he distroiede theke Contre,
An Ete schepe & Children In Eche degre;
Men & hors he gan to distroye,
And to wommen with Childe he dyde gret Anoye.
The same tyme þat we from þis good man gonne gon,
Theke tyme fel this Chawnce Anon,
That the peple Gonnen to gaderen faste,
And my brothir In that pres forth paste,—
That so fair and so hardy he was,—
With hem he forth wente In that plas,
And A good hors there he be-strod,
And wel Armed he was, & non lengere Abod,—
As behoved A ȝong knyht Forto were,
For A litel to-fore knyht was he mad þere,—
For there dorste non Man that beste Chase,
But he were Armed In that plase;
For the beste was wondirful In that stede,
For thre hornes hadde [he] In his hede,
That So trenchaunt An scharpe were,
Scharpere than swerd, knyf, Oþer spere,—
For they wolden perschen bothe Irne & steel
Thow it were wrowht neuere so wel,—
Wheche beste mi brother gan to chase
Aforn Alle the men þat weren In that plase,
So that In tweyne plases he it smot
With A scharpe swerd that wel bot;
And fowre hors he Slowgh vndir hym,
The beste, it was so spetous & grym.
And whanne this beste Chased was So sore,
To the Forest he wente Alle hem before,
As it was Sekerely thus Me told,—
For I was not there it to behold,—
And my brothir Aftir him prekede faste,
To the Forest he Entrede atte laste:
And sethen that to theke Forest he wente,
And Folewede the beste there presente,
Sethen was there Neuere Man ne womman
That Of him Ony tydinges tellen kan,
Ne Neuere Sethen In-to this day
We ne herden neuere Of him tydinges In fay.
Theke tyme fel this Chawnce Anon,
That the peple Gonnen to gaderen faste,
And my brothir In that pres forth paste,—
That so fair and so hardy he was,—
With hem he forth wente In that plas,
185
And wel Armed he was, & non lengere Abod,—
As behoved A ȝong knyht Forto were,
For A litel to-fore knyht was he mad þere,—
For there dorste non Man that beste Chase,
But he were Armed In that plase;
For the beste was wondirful In that stede,
For thre hornes hadde [he] In his hede,
That So trenchaunt An scharpe were,
Scharpere than swerd, knyf, Oþer spere,—
For they wolden perschen bothe Irne & steel
Thow it were wrowht neuere so wel,—
Wheche beste mi brother gan to chase
Aforn Alle the men þat weren In that plase,
So that In tweyne plases he it smot
With A scharpe swerd that wel bot;
And fowre hors he Slowgh vndir hym,
The beste, it was so spetous & grym.
And whanne this beste Chased was So sore,
To the Forest he wente Alle hem before,
As it was Sekerely thus Me told,—
For I was not there it to behold,—
And my brothir Aftir him prekede faste,
To the Forest he Entrede atte laste:
And sethen that to theke Forest he wente,
And Folewede the beste there presente,
Sethen was there Neuere Man ne womman
That Of him Ony tydinges tellen kan,
Ne Neuere Sethen In-to this day
We ne herden neuere Of him tydinges In fay.
Thanne seide my Modir Anon to Me,
“Behold, dowhter, here now and se
How that þe Ermyt, this holy Man,
That schal befallen, tellen he Can.”
So that I held him with Crist prevë,
For that he Seide I scholde neuere se
My brothir, as it fil be Cas,
So fair as him as in the Chapel was;
And therfore ful soth seide he,
For aftir that day I mihte him neuere se.
And we so with Cristes passioun enspired were,
That Al his deth forgoten we there,
For the grete Ioye, And Oure Creawnce
That we hadde Resceyved to his plesaunce;
Whiche Creaunce my Modir kepte ful wel,
And Neuere aspied was non del
Into the day and tyme Of hire deth,
That sche scholde dyen, & ȝeven upe the breth.
“Behold, dowhter, here now and se
How that þe Ermyt, this holy Man,
That schal befallen, tellen he Can.”
So that I held him with Crist prevë,
For that he Seide I scholde neuere se
186
So fair as him as in the Chapel was;
And therfore ful soth seide he,
For aftir that day I mihte him neuere se.
And we so with Cristes passioun enspired were,
That Al his deth forgoten we there,
For the grete Ioye, And Oure Creawnce
That we hadde Resceyved to his plesaunce;
Whiche Creaunce my Modir kepte ful wel,
And Neuere aspied was non del
Into the day and tyme Of hire deth,
That sche scholde dyen, & ȝeven upe the breth.
Thanne Comaunded sche there Ryht Anon
That Alle the peple Owt Of þe chambre schold gon,
Sauf Onliche Alone sche and I;
This was hire Comandement trewly.
And whanne they weren al Owte I-gon,
Sche bad me Schette the dore Anon;
And whanne to hire that I was Comen Agein,
Thanne seide sche to me In Certein,
‘That owt Of this world that Nyht scholde sche go,’
Thus sche me tolde with-Owten Mo,
“Now, faire dowhter, go ȝe now Into tho wones
There As lyn Alle myn precious stones,
And Also A whit Booyst and A Ryng,
And that loke ȝe bringen me Ouer alle thynȝ
Whanne that this to hire I hadde I-browht,
Thanne vpe sche hire dressid As sche Mowht,
And On hire knees sche dressid hire down
To-forn hire bed In Orisown,
And there gan sche to wepen ful sore,
In Sighenges, and bunching On brest wel more.
And whanne In this Contenaunce longe hadde sche be,
Aftir the boist Anon sche Axede Of Me;
Thanne Axede sche water to hire hond,
Hem to waschen, As I Cowde vndirstonde.
And whanne hire hondis I-waschen were,
The boist Anon sche Opened there;
Owt of that boist there Isswed Anon
Owre holy Saviour bothe In flesch and bon,
In forme Of bred there In hire Syht,—
For so was the wil Of god Almyht,—
And with Manie teres and sore sighenge
There Resceived sche that holy thinge.
And whanne that thus hadde sche doon,
Thanne seide sche to Me Anon,
“Now that I have Resceived my saviour,
I am sekir From Alle deseises & dolour—
From the devel and Alle My Fon,—
And I am Seker to hevene to gon,
For I have Resceived of Alle Siknesse þe boote,
And helthe of alle Angwicsch, boþe Crop & Roote.
Lo! dowhter, this boist kepen thow schal
In A ful prevë plase with-al,
And that It Come In non Mannes hond
But In thin, I do the to vndirstond.
For this that I have Resceyved here,
Is Oure Saviour here & elles-where;
For On God In thre persones it is,
And thre persones In On God I-wis;
And loke ȝe that this ȝe kepen riht wel,
And loke þat ȝe wraththen þat God neuere A del;
Loke that ȝe taken this holy In Remembraunse,
And thinketh Algate vppon this Chaunse;
Thenke ȝe how he Cam Into this word,
And In Mannes kende here dweld be his owne Acord,
And alle thing suffrede as dyde Man,
Sauf Only Of synne neuere knewe he þan,
Where-offen that he was Evere klene,
& neuere þerwith spottid, with-Owten wene.
Loke that ȝe have Euere this In Mynde,
How good that lord was, & how kynde,
That for vs he suffrede ded,
Mannes sowle to beyen from þe qwed;
And loke that Al this In Memorie ȝe haue
In ȝowre herte, And ȝe wil be save,
And that Every day In ȝowre Compeni he be.
Now, goode swete dowhter, so thinketh On me!
For, sethen that I Crestened was,
Everiday I him worschepid In this plas,
& Euery day in my Compenie mi saviour I hadde,
Therwhilles was I of non man Adradde;
But, swete dowhter, this wot I wel,
That here-Offen knew ȝe nevere A del;
For I it kepte In previte,—
The Cawse why I schal telle þe,—
For ȝif thow haddest deid In this world er I,
Thow schost it han Resceyved trewly;
But sethen I deien schal to-Forn the,
I have it Resceyved, As thow myht se.
And therfore, Anon As I am ded,
To the holy man þou go, Into that sted
Where we resceyved Oure holy Creaunce,
And telleth him Of Al this chavnce,
And preieth that holy blessid Man,
My sowle In Comendacion to haven than,
That Only Goddis Seriawnt Is,
For me to preyen to the kyng [of] blis.
And, swete dowhter, thow to him go,
And for Ony thing that thow this do,
Loke that ȝe taken Of him ȝoure saviour
That ȝow schal saven In Everi stour,
So that Owt Of this world neuere ȝe passe
But ȝe him han to-forn ȝowre fase,
To Resceiuen ȝoure euere-lasting savement;
For I wot wel þat he wele, with good Entent,
ȝow it taken In this degre,
And ȝe it him Axen for Charite.
That Alle the peple Owt Of þe chambre schold gon,
Sauf Onliche Alone sche and I;
This was hire Comandement trewly.
And whanne they weren al Owte I-gon,
Sche bad me Schette the dore Anon;
And whanne to hire that I was Comen Agein,
Thanne seide sche to me In Certein,
‘That owt Of this world that Nyht scholde sche go,’
Thus sche me tolde with-Owten Mo,
“Now, faire dowhter, go ȝe now Into tho wones
There As lyn Alle myn precious stones,
And Also A whit Booyst and A Ryng,
And that loke ȝe bringen me Ouer alle thynȝ
Whanne that this to hire I hadde I-browht,
Thanne vpe sche hire dressid As sche Mowht,
And On hire knees sche dressid hire down
To-forn hire bed In Orisown,
And there gan sche to wepen ful sore,
In Sighenges, and bunching On brest wel more.
And whanne In this Contenaunce longe hadde sche be,
Aftir the boist Anon sche Axede Of Me;
187
Hem to waschen, As I Cowde vndirstonde.
And whanne hire hondis I-waschen were,
The boist Anon sche Opened there;
Owt of that boist there Isswed Anon
Owre holy Saviour bothe In flesch and bon,
In forme Of bred there In hire Syht,—
For so was the wil Of god Almyht,—
And with Manie teres and sore sighenge
There Resceived sche that holy thinge.
And whanne that thus hadde sche doon,
Thanne seide sche to Me Anon,
“Now that I have Resceived my saviour,
I am sekir From Alle deseises & dolour—
From the devel and Alle My Fon,—
And I am Seker to hevene to gon,
For I have Resceived of Alle Siknesse þe boote,
And helthe of alle Angwicsch, boþe Crop & Roote.
Lo! dowhter, this boist kepen thow schal
In A ful prevë plase with-al,
And that It Come In non Mannes hond
But In thin, I do the to vndirstond.
For this that I have Resceyved here,
Is Oure Saviour here & elles-where;
For On God In thre persones it is,
And thre persones In On God I-wis;
And loke ȝe that this ȝe kepen riht wel,
And loke þat ȝe wraththen þat God neuere A del;
Loke that ȝe taken this holy In Remembraunse,
And thinketh Algate vppon this Chaunse;
Thenke ȝe how he Cam Into this word,
And In Mannes kende here dweld be his owne Acord,
And alle thing suffrede as dyde Man,
Sauf Only Of synne neuere knewe he þan,
188
& neuere þerwith spottid, with-Owten wene.
Loke that ȝe have Euere this In Mynde,
How good that lord was, & how kynde,
That for vs he suffrede ded,
Mannes sowle to beyen from þe qwed;
And loke that Al this In Memorie ȝe haue
In ȝowre herte, And ȝe wil be save,
And that Every day In ȝowre Compeni he be.
Now, goode swete dowhter, so thinketh On me!
For, sethen that I Crestened was,
Everiday I him worschepid In this plas,
& Euery day in my Compenie mi saviour I hadde,
Therwhilles was I of non man Adradde;
But, swete dowhter, this wot I wel,
That here-Offen knew ȝe nevere A del;
For I it kepte In previte,—
The Cawse why I schal telle þe,—
For ȝif thow haddest deid In this world er I,
Thow schost it han Resceyved trewly;
But sethen I deien schal to-Forn the,
I have it Resceyved, As thow myht se.
And therfore, Anon As I am ded,
To the holy man þou go, Into that sted
Where we resceyved Oure holy Creaunce,
And telleth him Of Al this chavnce,
And preieth that holy blessid Man,
My sowle In Comendacion to haven than,
That Only Goddis Seriawnt Is,
For me to preyen to the kyng [of] blis.
And, swete dowhter, thow to him go,
And for Ony thing that thow this do,
Loke that ȝe taken Of him ȝoure saviour
That ȝow schal saven In Everi stour,
So that Owt Of this world neuere ȝe passe
But ȝe him han to-forn ȝowre fase,
189
For I wot wel þat he wele, with good Entent,
ȝow it taken In this degre,
And ȝe it him Axen for Charite.
“And whanne that to ȝow he hath it take,
Loke ȝe that An Onest place þerfore ȝe make,
ȝowre Saviour to kepen Inne deyntele,
In A worschepful place & A preve,
So that from Alle leveng Creature
ȝe mown it kepen bothe sauf & sure;
And this white boist take with the,—
For he him self ȝaf it to Me,—
And Into this boist thanne putteth Anon
Swich thing as he wele there-Inne don.
And whanne ȝe haven it In ȝowre keping,
Loketh that Everi day, Ouer Alle thing,
That to this holy Boyst þat ȝe go,
And ȝoure devocions doth therto
With weping & with sore syghenge,
With bonching On brest, and Repentinge
Of alle the sinnes that ȝe hauen I-do,
With high Contricioun, dowhter, Euere-Mo;
And he wolde sende ȝow swich grace & powere,
Neuere Oþer God to worschepen here,
But Only him that Is ȝowre saviour,
Wheche schal ȝow kepen In Every stour.”
Loke ȝe that An Onest place þerfore ȝe make,
ȝowre Saviour to kepen Inne deyntele,
In A worschepful place & A preve,
So that from Alle leveng Creature
ȝe mown it kepen bothe sauf & sure;
And this white boist take with the,—
For he him self ȝaf it to Me,—
And Into this boist thanne putteth Anon
Swich thing as he wele there-Inne don.
And whanne ȝe haven it In ȝowre keping,
Loketh that Everi day, Ouer Alle thing,
That to this holy Boyst þat ȝe go,
And ȝoure devocions doth therto
With weping & with sore syghenge,
With bonching On brest, and Repentinge
Of alle the sinnes that ȝe hauen I-do,
With high Contricioun, dowhter, Euere-Mo;
And he wolde sende ȝow swich grace & powere,
Neuere Oþer God to worschepen here,
But Only him that Is ȝowre saviour,
Wheche schal ȝow kepen In Every stour.”
Lo, Sire, thus My Modir tawhte tho Me
How I scholde me governe in eche degre,
Lik as this storie doth me now telle,
And as ȝe me heren to ȝow now spelle:
Swich thing as to my sowle profitable scholde be,
Alle sweche Manere thinges my Moder told me;
And alle thing þat scholde don me Noysaunce,
Hem scholde I flen for Ony Chawn̄ce.
How I scholde me governe in eche degre,
Lik as this storie doth me now telle,
And as ȝe me heren to ȝow now spelle:
Swich thing as to my sowle profitable scholde be,
Alle sweche Manere thinges my Moder told me;
And alle thing þat scholde don me Noysaunce,
Hem scholde I flen for Ony Chawn̄ce.
And whanne these wordis weren spoken Echon,
Sche bad me Opene the chambre dore Anon;
Thanne Comen In the gentil wommen Alle,
As to A dwchesse gan to befalle;
And thanne Rowned sche In Myn Ere,
And Axed me, “whom I sawgh there,
Abowtes hire bed Ony Man stondynge;”
Where-Offen I Merveylled Ouer alle thinge.
Thanne saw I there the same Man
That to-forn tyme In the Chapel saw I than;
And my Modir he held be the hond,
And to-forn hire bed there gan he stond.
And whanne the same I sawh there
That the Ermyt In þe Chapel schewed me Ere,
Neuere so sore abasched I was
As I was tho In that same plas.
And thanne my Modir Axed me tho,
“What that I sawh to-Forn me go?”
Thanne I hire tolde it was Owre Saviour;
And sche him dide ful gret honour:
More-Ouer sche seide, “blessid mot he be
That Into this Erthe wil discende to me;
Now wot I wel that I schal go
With him to blisse for Euere Mo.
Now, goode swete dowghter, Er that I go,
Kysseth me er that we now departen Atwo,
For to god I schal Comaunden ȝow here;
And therfore, dowhter, loke þat In Alle Manere
That ȝe don lik As I have ȝow tawht,
And pleynly that ȝe forȝeten it nowht;
For this lord with him wile leden Me
Into A plase þat is ful Of prosperite,
And þerto ful of Ioye and delicasie.”
Sche bad me Opene the chambre dore Anon;
190
As to A dwchesse gan to befalle;
And thanne Rowned sche In Myn Ere,
And Axed me, “whom I sawgh there,
Abowtes hire bed Ony Man stondynge;”
Where-Offen I Merveylled Ouer alle thinge.
Thanne saw I there the same Man
That to-forn tyme In the Chapel saw I than;
And my Modir he held be the hond,
And to-forn hire bed there gan he stond.
And whanne the same I sawh there
That the Ermyt In þe Chapel schewed me Ere,
Neuere so sore abasched I was
As I was tho In that same plas.
And thanne my Modir Axed me tho,
“What that I sawh to-Forn me go?”
Thanne I hire tolde it was Owre Saviour;
And sche him dide ful gret honour:
More-Ouer sche seide, “blessid mot he be
That Into this Erthe wil discende to me;
Now wot I wel that I schal go
With him to blisse for Euere Mo.
Now, goode swete dowghter, Er that I go,
Kysseth me er that we now departen Atwo,
For to god I schal Comaunden ȝow here;
And therfore, dowhter, loke þat In Alle Manere
That ȝe don lik As I have ȝow tawht,
And pleynly that ȝe forȝeten it nowht;
For this lord with him wile leden Me
Into A plase þat is ful Of prosperite,
And þerto ful of Ioye and delicasie.”
Thus told me my Modir Sekerlye;
And with this word, Sire, Certeinly
Departid the Sperit Owt Of hire body.
& anon I fulfilled hire Comaundement,
And to that holy man I wente with good entent;
There he me tho took My saviour Anon Riht,
My God, my Lord, & þerto man most Of Miht.
And whanne he to me hadde longe I-spoke,
And wel of this world to me his herte I-broke,
Thanne schewed he me þe knoweng of þe trenite,
And how þat In this world I schold Governe Me,
& Comaunded me to Fadir & Sone & holigost,
Whiche that Is lord Of Mihtës Most,
And preide me that I scholde Retournen tho
Into the plase Aȝen that I Cam fro;
For non lengere ne speken to Me he Myhte,
So feble he was tho as to My Syhte.
And with this word, Sire, Certeinly
Departid the Sperit Owt Of hire body.
& anon I fulfilled hire Comaundement,
And to that holy man I wente with good entent;
191
My God, my Lord, & þerto man most Of Miht.
And whanne he to me hadde longe I-spoke,
And wel of this world to me his herte I-broke,
Thanne schewed he me þe knoweng of þe trenite,
And how þat In this world I schold Governe Me,
& Comaunded me to Fadir & Sone & holigost,
Whiche that Is lord Of Mihtës Most,
And preide me that I scholde Retournen tho
Into the plase Aȝen that I Cam fro;
For non lengere ne speken to Me he Myhte,
So feble he was tho as to My Syhte.
And whanne Owt Of his Ermytage I was gon,
A wondirful swete Noise thanne herde I Anon,
And my white boyst I held In Myn hond:
To heren this Noise ful stille gan I stond;
And Me thowghte tho As In My Syht
In that song, thre On that Chapel gonnen A-liht.
And whanne from that Chapel that I was gon
The spase of half A myle, thanne Mette I Anon
A man that was Clothed In a Robe Of blak,
That was bothe Megre and pale with-Owten lak;
Ful whit and long was his berd and her—
Of the man that I tho Mette thanne ther,—
& swich Abit me thowhte he hadde
As the man In Chapel was In Cladde,—
So sone was torned his Clothing
That me Merveilled In Alle thing;—
And so faste and Sore tho gan he to gon
That he was Al On Swot þere Anon.
And Anon As he loked On Me
He wepte ful sore with gret pite,
And thus he seide Anon to Me thore,
“A! Cristene womman, thow hastest Sore;
For þou were neuere so sone past from þat good Man,
That his Sperit Owt Of his body wente than.”
A wondirful swete Noise thanne herde I Anon,
And my white boyst I held In Myn hond:
To heren this Noise ful stille gan I stond;
And Me thowghte tho As In My Syht
In that song, thre On that Chapel gonnen A-liht.
And whanne from that Chapel that I was gon
The spase of half A myle, thanne Mette I Anon
A man that was Clothed In a Robe Of blak,
That was bothe Megre and pale with-Owten lak;
Ful whit and long was his berd and her—
Of the man that I tho Mette thanne ther,—
& swich Abit me thowhte he hadde
As the man In Chapel was In Cladde,—
So sone was torned his Clothing
That me Merveilled In Alle thing;—
And so faste and Sore tho gan he to gon
That he was Al On Swot þere Anon.
And Anon As he loked On Me
He wepte ful sore with gret pite,
And thus he seide Anon to Me thore,
“A! Cristene womman, thow hastest Sore;
For þou were neuere so sone past from þat good Man,
That his Sperit Owt Of his body wente than.”
192
And whanne that Cristene he gan me to Calle,
Anon Of my palfrey I gan down falle,
And Mekliche I axede him Anon,
‘Whens he Cam, and whedir he scholde gon.’
Thanne he me Answerid there Anon Ryht:
Quod he, “I Am the Seriawnt Of god Almyht;
For ȝow ful sore I desire now to se,
For bothe to-gederis Aȝen scholen we—
As be the Schewyng Of the holy gost—
Bothe Aȝen to-gederis gon we Most;
For Owt of this world his sowle is past;
Therfore thedyr Go we In hast.”
And I him Answerid, “Sire, For Certein
From him Ryht now Cam I ful pleyn,
And On lyve Sire lefte I him there,
But þat with siknesse he was Charged sore.”
“How may this ben, faire dowhter,” seide he,
“Whanne thow herdest þat Melodie and Aungeles thre,
How In that Chapel they gonnen to A-lihte,
And boren his Sowle to-forn God AlMihte:”
Anon Of my palfrey I gan down falle,
And Mekliche I axede him Anon,
‘Whens he Cam, and whedir he scholde gon.’
Thanne he me Answerid there Anon Ryht:
Quod he, “I Am the Seriawnt Of god Almyht;
For ȝow ful sore I desire now to se,
For bothe to-gederis Aȝen scholen we—
As be the Schewyng Of the holy gost—
Bothe Aȝen to-gederis gon we Most;
For Owt of this world his sowle is past;
Therfore thedyr Go we In hast.”
And I him Answerid, “Sire, For Certein
From him Ryht now Cam I ful pleyn,
And On lyve Sire lefte I him there,
But þat with siknesse he was Charged sore.”
“How may this ben, faire dowhter,” seide he,
“Whanne thow herdest þat Melodie and Aungeles thre,
How In that Chapel they gonnen to A-lihte,
And boren his Sowle to-forn God AlMihte:”
And whanne this he tolde to Me,
Thanne wepte I ful gret plente,
And Cleped I My men to Me Anon,
Wheche þat with me þedir gonne gon,—
For In hem bothe I trosted ful wel,
For Of myn Norture weren they Eueridel,
And therto On Of hem My Cosin was,
And A Clene Maiden, and ful of Gras,—
That so Alle thre we Retorned Agein
Aȝen to thermitage tho In Certein.
And whanne that thedir we Comen Agein,
The good man was to god past In Certein:
And whanne this goode Man saw him þere lye,
Anon he wepte tho ful tendirlie,
And vppon that dede body fil a-down,
And there lay he ful longe In swown.
Thanne wepte I ful gret plente,
And Cleped I My men to Me Anon,
Wheche þat with me þedir gonne gon,—
For In hem bothe I trosted ful wel,
For Of myn Norture weren they Eueridel,
And therto On Of hem My Cosin was,
And A Clene Maiden, and ful of Gras,—
That so Alle thre we Retorned Agein
Aȝen to thermitage tho In Certein.
And whanne that thedir we Comen Agein,
The good man was to god past In Certein:
193
Anon he wepte tho ful tendirlie,
And vppon that dede body fil a-down,
And there lay he ful longe In swown.
Thus whanne there longe hadde he leyn,
Vp he Ros thanne In Certein,
And behinde the Awter gan he gon,
And thens with him browhte he Anon
Sweche maner Of Instrumens, As thowht me,
That A pyt with, Mad scholde be.
Thanne tofore the Awter gan he stonde;
A pit þere forto Maken thanne gan he fonde,
That the ded body there-Inne Moot Reste:
Thus this pyt Made he with the beste.
Whanne this pit thus Ended was,
He lift vp his hand Anon In that plas,
And with the signe of þe Cros þe body blessed he,
Er Into the pit It pvt schold be,
And þat body took be the hed anon,
Into that pit for to have don,
And Me the Feet he bad taken tho,
Into the pyt forto have do;
“A! Sire!” quod I, and to him Seide,
“It were not worthi On him hond þat I leide,
For I am Synful womman,
And On this Craft non thing I ne kan,
Nethir to towchen So holy A body;
Trewly, Sire, I nam not worthy.”
“A! leve soster, whi sey ȝe so here?
A more holy thing with ȝow ȝe bere
Thanne Evere was this holy body;
Therfore taketh the feet ful softly.”
Thanne wiste I wel that he was an holy man,
That So prevy thinges Cowde tellen than.
Thanne took I the body be the Feet,
And he be the hed, and down it leet
Into that pyt there thanne Anon,—
That holy body, bothe flesch and bon;—
And thanne with Erthe he keuered it sone,
And seid there Ouer what was to done.
Vp he Ros thanne In Certein,
And behinde the Awter gan he gon,
And thens with him browhte he Anon
Sweche maner Of Instrumens, As thowht me,
That A pyt with, Mad scholde be.
Thanne tofore the Awter gan he stonde;
A pit þere forto Maken thanne gan he fonde,
That the ded body there-Inne Moot Reste:
Thus this pyt Made he with the beste.
Whanne this pit thus Ended was,
He lift vp his hand Anon In that plas,
And with the signe of þe Cros þe body blessed he,
Er Into the pit It pvt schold be,
And þat body took be the hed anon,
Into that pit for to have don,
And Me the Feet he bad taken tho,
Into the pyt forto have do;
“A! Sire!” quod I, and to him Seide,
“It were not worthi On him hond þat I leide,
For I am Synful womman,
And On this Craft non thing I ne kan,
Nethir to towchen So holy A body;
Trewly, Sire, I nam not worthy.”
“A! leve soster, whi sey ȝe so here?
A more holy thing with ȝow ȝe bere
Thanne Evere was this holy body;
Therfore taketh the feet ful softly.”
Thanne wiste I wel that he was an holy man,
That So prevy thinges Cowde tellen than.
Thanne took I the body be the Feet,
And he be the hed, and down it leet
194
That holy body, bothe flesch and bon;—
And thanne with Erthe he keuered it sone,
And seid there Ouer what was to done.
Thanne of Iesu Crist spak he to Me
In Mani Maners & In dyvers degre,
And Aposed me Of my saviour.
And Of my two seriawntes In þat stour,
Thanne seide [he] to vs ful wondirfully,
[“How dore] ȝe ben so bold, Other So hardy,
Swiche tweyne Seriawntes with ȝow to bringe,
That with-Inne this holy plase Scholden haven non Entringe?
For ȝe Scholden not Entren here with-Inne,
That liven In wrechednesse and In synne,
And worschepen the devel bothe day & Nyht,
And him ȝe Serven, that fowlë wyht.”
In Mani Maners & In dyvers degre,
And Aposed me Of my saviour.
And Of my two seriawntes In þat stour,
Thanne seide [he] to vs ful wondirfully,
[“How dore] ȝe ben so bold, Other So hardy,
Swiche tweyne Seriawntes with ȝow to bringe,
That with-Inne this holy plase Scholden haven non Entringe?
For ȝe Scholden not Entren here with-Inne,
That liven In wrechednesse and In synne,
And worschepen the devel bothe day & Nyht,
And him ȝe Serven, that fowlë wyht.”
There sweche wordis to vs Spak he Anon,
That to his Feet we fillen Echon.
Thanne preyde iche him with riht good wille,
The Ryht Creaunce On hem to fulfille,
And Cristendom that they myhten take
In worschepe Of that Goode lordis sake,
For non lengere that they myhten dwelle
In Servise Of the devel Of helle.
And whanne that he hem herde þere makes so,
Riht Anon water than fette he tho,
And Anon hem Cristeneden with-Owten bost
In the Name Of the fadir & sone & holi gost;
And he hem preide ful tentifly
That Creaunce to kepe ful worthily,
And that ymages so fals Evere to dispise,
That So fals ben In Al Manere wise.
And he me preide hem forto kenne,
That they myhten becomen good Cristene Menne;
And there to God he Comanded vs,
And we him to swete Iesus,
For thens owt of þat plase wolde he Neuere go,
But there wolde dwellen for Evere Mo.
That to his Feet we fillen Echon.
Thanne preyde iche him with riht good wille,
The Ryht Creaunce On hem to fulfille,
And Cristendom that they myhten take
In worschepe Of that Goode lordis sake,
For non lengere that they myhten dwelle
In Servise Of the devel Of helle.
And whanne that he hem herde þere makes so,
Riht Anon water than fette he tho,
And Anon hem Cristeneden with-Owten bost
In the Name Of the fadir & sone & holi gost;
And he hem preide ful tentifly
That Creaunce to kepe ful worthily,
And that ymages so fals Evere to dispise,
That So fals ben In Al Manere wise.
And he me preide hem forto kenne,
That they myhten becomen good Cristene Menne;
195
And we him to swete Iesus,
For thens owt of þat plase wolde he Neuere go,
But there wolde dwellen for Evere Mo.
And God for him wrowhte In that plase
Mani Faire Miracles In litel spase;
But I ne Cowde weten ȝit what was his Name,
Of him that was so good Of fame;
And ȝit God graunted me that faire grase,
That I At his Owne beryeng wase
In the same Maner As I at the tothir was Er,
Riht so [I] beried him bothe Faire & Cler;
And from that day ȝit hider-to
I have belevid In God ȝit Euere Mo.”
Mani Faire Miracles In litel spase;
But I ne Cowde weten ȝit what was his Name,
Of him that was so good Of fame;
And ȝit God graunted me that faire grase,
That I At his Owne beryeng wase
In the same Maner As I at the tothir was Er,
Riht so [I] beried him bothe Faire & Cler;
And from that day ȝit hider-to
I have belevid In God ȝit Euere Mo.”
And Iosephes Abod Alle hire Answere
Evene to the Ende that sche seide þere,
And hire Answerid ful sone tho,
“Sey me, dame, how myhtest þou don so,
A Cristene woman þat thow schost be,
And dost not þere-aftir In non degre,
And that thow him worschepest nowht,
That so dere In this world the bowht?”
“Sertes, sire,” thanne Answerid sche,
“My lord Is so spetows and so Angre,
That Everi day I moste Awaiten Myn Owr
Whanne I May worschepen my saviowr;
For, And Ony thing he Mihte Aspien with me
That him scholde misplese In Ony degre,
Anon he wolde me Confownde,
And distroyen me Into the harde grownde;
But now I hope Oure lord wil to him se,
In the Ryht beleve that he mot be;
And I the preie, that Art Goddis Seriawnt,
Him from bodily deth that he wolde grawnt,
And him hom In worschepe forto bringe,
And [in] his Creawne to Maken his Endenge;
& ȝif this Ones I Mihte knowe,
There nis non Creature, neþer hy ne lowe,
In this world schold me disseise,
So mochel myn herte it scholde plese;
But Evere, Iosephes, I drede me sore
Of þe wordis that ȝe han seide before,
That thre dayes & thre Nyht
His Enemy Of him scholde han Myht.”
“That is ful soth,” quod Iosephes thanne,
“For there nys non Erthly Manne
That his word ne may with-seye,
Ne his Comandement, In non weye.”
“Sire! ȝit ȝe Mown don this for me,
To preien to that God In Maieste,
That he wolde schewen ȝow with-Owten faille
How my lord hath sped In his bataille.”
Evene to the Ende that sche seide þere,
And hire Answerid ful sone tho,
“Sey me, dame, how myhtest þou don so,
A Cristene woman þat thow schost be,
And dost not þere-aftir In non degre,
And that thow him worschepest nowht,
That so dere In this world the bowht?”
“Sertes, sire,” thanne Answerid sche,
“My lord Is so spetows and so Angre,
That Everi day I moste Awaiten Myn Owr
Whanne I May worschepen my saviowr;
For, And Ony thing he Mihte Aspien with me
That him scholde misplese In Ony degre,
Anon he wolde me Confownde,
And distroyen me Into the harde grownde;
But now I hope Oure lord wil to him se,
In the Ryht beleve that he mot be;
And I the preie, that Art Goddis Seriawnt,
Him from bodily deth that he wolde grawnt,
And him hom In worschepe forto bringe,
And [in] his Creawne to Maken his Endenge;
196
There nis non Creature, neþer hy ne lowe,
In this world schold me disseise,
So mochel myn herte it scholde plese;
But Evere, Iosephes, I drede me sore
Of þe wordis that ȝe han seide before,
That thre dayes & thre Nyht
His Enemy Of him scholde han Myht.”
“That is ful soth,” quod Iosephes thanne,
“For there nys non Erthly Manne
That his word ne may with-seye,
Ne his Comandement, In non weye.”
“Sire! ȝit ȝe Mown don this for me,
To preien to that God In Maieste,
That he wolde schewen ȝow with-Owten faille
How my lord hath sped In his bataille.”
So longe that lady preide Iosephes tho,
That Everi point he told hire to;
And how he hadde I-sped from day to day,
There Al the sothe he gan here Say.
That Everi point he told hire to;
And how he hadde I-sped from day to day,
There Al the sothe he gan here Say.
CHAPTER XVI.
197
Thus Iosephes and his Compenie,
In Sarras weren they Sekerlye,
Worthily I-served Of that Qweene
That Sarracinte was Clepid be-dene.
And As thus In talkinge they were,
To Sarracinte goode tydinges told he þere,
‘That to Orcauz hire lord was Come,
And with him A ful gret throme;’
And tolde hire of the white knyht,
How graciously he bar him In fyht;
But No man Cowde tellen what he was,
Of Alle hem that weren In that plas;
And ȝit the king wolde han wist ful fayn
What he hadde ben In Certain,
And Merveilled Sore Alle that Nyht,
& lay and thowhte Of that white knyht;
And so dide Also Sire Seraphe,
For he ne wiste where becomen was he,
And seiden ‘that Glad scholden thei neuere be,
Til of him they knewen som Certeinte.’
And thus Al that Niht Spoken they two
Of the white knyht, and Of no Mo,
Wheche he lovede Ouer Alle thing,
And be him gat he Conqwering;
And thus leften they not Of talkyng
Til bothe weren Fallen in sleping,
For Wery of fyhteng Alle they Were,
And Al here Compeni þat with hem was there.
In Sarras weren they Sekerlye,
Worthily I-served Of that Qweene
That Sarracinte was Clepid be-dene.
And As thus In talkinge they were,
To Sarracinte goode tydinges told he þere,
‘That to Orcauz hire lord was Come,
And with him A ful gret throme;’
And tolde hire of the white knyht,
How graciously he bar him In fyht;
But No man Cowde tellen what he was,
Of Alle hem that weren In that plas;
And ȝit the king wolde han wist ful fayn
What he hadde ben In Certain,
And Merveilled Sore Alle that Nyht,
& lay and thowhte Of that white knyht;
And so dide Also Sire Seraphe,
For he ne wiste where becomen was he,
And seiden ‘that Glad scholden thei neuere be,
Til of him they knewen som Certeinte.’
And thus Al that Niht Spoken they two
Of the white knyht, and Of no Mo,
Wheche he lovede Ouer Alle thing,
And be him gat he Conqwering;
And thus leften they not Of talkyng
Til bothe weren Fallen in sleping,
For Wery of fyhteng Alle they Were,
And Al here Compeni þat with hem was there.
198
Erly on the Morwe, whanne þe kyng Aros,
Streyht Into Orcauz thanne he Gos
For to speken With tholome the kyng,
And to knowen & sen of his governyng.
And whanne Tholome Eualach Say Com,
To his Feet he Fil Anon þere A-down,
For ful gret drede hadde Tholome
That kyng Eualach Wolde don him sle.
Thanne king Eualach took him be the honde,
And made him vp-Riht forto stonde,
Be Encheson that A kyng he was,
And Most Of worschepe In that plas.
Thanne Anon kyng Tholome
Clepid forth [his] knihtes & his Meyne,
And bad hem down fallen to here lord,
And him Worschepen with on Acord.
Streyht Into Orcauz thanne he Gos
For to speken With tholome the kyng,
And to knowen & sen of his governyng.
And whanne Tholome Eualach Say Com,
To his Feet he Fil Anon þere A-down,
For ful gret drede hadde Tholome
That kyng Eualach Wolde don him sle.
Thanne king Eualach took him be the honde,
And made him vp-Riht forto stonde,
Be Encheson that A kyng he was,
And Most Of worschepe In that plas.
Thanne Anon kyng Tholome
Clepid forth [his] knihtes & his Meyne,
And bad hem down fallen to here lord,
And him Worschepen with on Acord.
Whanne they hadden thus Alle I-do,
Kyng Eualach from hem gan to go,
And toward Sarras gan forto Ryde,
He & his Meyne be his Side,
And with hym Sire Seraphe he ladde,
That Manye A gret wounde there hadde;
And thanne seide Sire Seraphë,
‘That hom Into his Owne Contre wolde he,
Where that he Scholde more Esed ben
Thanne In Sarras, As he tho Cowde sen.’
Thanne seide king Eualach to him tho,
“Sire, with me to Sarras Scholen ȝe go,
And there grete Merveilles scholen ȝe se,
Of the moste wondirful Man that may be,
That tolde me how that it schold be-falle
Of my bataille, begynneng and Alle.”
And thanne Answerid Sire Seraphe,
‘That gladliche theke Man wold he se.’
So that bothe Sire Seraphe & þe kyng,
To Sarras Comen with Owten lettyng;
And Alle the tothere Meyne,
Eche tornede to his Contre,
As the king hem ȝaf license
Forto gon from his precense.
Kyng Eualach from hem gan to go,
And toward Sarras gan forto Ryde,
He & his Meyne be his Side,
And with hym Sire Seraphe he ladde,
That Manye A gret wounde there hadde;
And thanne seide Sire Seraphë,
‘That hom Into his Owne Contre wolde he,
Where that he Scholde more Esed ben
Thanne In Sarras, As he tho Cowde sen.’
Thanne seide king Eualach to him tho,
“Sire, with me to Sarras Scholen ȝe go,
And there grete Merveilles scholen ȝe se,
Of the moste wondirful Man that may be,
That tolde me how that it schold be-falle
Of my bataille, begynneng and Alle.”
And thanne Answerid Sire Seraphe,
‘That gladliche theke Man wold he se.’
199
To Sarras Comen with Owten lettyng;
And Alle the tothere Meyne,
Eche tornede to his Contre,
As the king hem ȝaf license
Forto gon from his precense.
And whanne the king to Sarras was Gone,
With gret Ioye þe Qweene him Mette Anone,
And Also hire dere brother Sire Seraphe,
Of hym gret Ioye Made tho sche,
And so dide Al that Cite tho,
Gret Ioye Made Of hem two;
For they Supposed In Certein,
To that Cite Neuere to have Comen Ageyn.
And Anon As the kyng On-horsed was,
After the Cristenmen he Axede In þat plas;
And the qwene, that wolde not vndirstonde;
But ȝit Anon the kyng Sente his sonde
To Seken thanne Iosephe & his Meyne,
“For, dame, it Is Al trewe that he tolde me.”
And whanne the qweene him herde so sayn,
Thanne In herte was sche bothe Ioyful & fayn,
And sente to seken Iosephe anon
Also faste As they myhten gon.
And Anon As Evere the king saw Iosepe,
Ryht Anon to him he gan forto lepe,
And seide ‘that he was the beste welcomed Man
Thanne Evere was Oni prophete,’ he seide than.
And be him he made him to sittin A-down;
And thanne to Seraphe seide he this Resown,—
That Sik vppon A Cowche he lay,
As was hurt vppon the Formere day,—
“I sey to ȝow now, brother Sire Seraphe,
That be this Man I have Conqwest & my degre,
Whiche that I wele that ȝe knowe,
And Al my peple vppon A rowe.”
“Nay, sire,” quod Iosephe thanne,
“It Miht neuere Comen be Erthly Manne,
But be him In whom thow hast Creaunce;
He hath the sent Al this good Chaunce.”
Thanne Axede Sire Seraphe Anon thanne,
“What Manere of powere hath that Manne
That he is of so gret powste;
I preie the, Belamy, telle thow me.”
With gret Ioye þe Qweene him Mette Anone,
And Also hire dere brother Sire Seraphe,
Of hym gret Ioye Made tho sche,
And so dide Al that Cite tho,
Gret Ioye Made Of hem two;
For they Supposed In Certein,
To that Cite Neuere to have Comen Ageyn.
And Anon As the kyng On-horsed was,
After the Cristenmen he Axede In þat plas;
And the qwene, that wolde not vndirstonde;
But ȝit Anon the kyng Sente his sonde
To Seken thanne Iosephe & his Meyne,
“For, dame, it Is Al trewe that he tolde me.”
And whanne the qweene him herde so sayn,
Thanne In herte was sche bothe Ioyful & fayn,
And sente to seken Iosephe anon
Also faste As they myhten gon.
And Anon As Evere the king saw Iosepe,
Ryht Anon to him he gan forto lepe,
And seide ‘that he was the beste welcomed Man
Thanne Evere was Oni prophete,’ he seide than.
And be him he made him to sittin A-down;
And thanne to Seraphe seide he this Resown,—
That Sik vppon A Cowche he lay,
As was hurt vppon the Formere day,—
200
That be this Man I have Conqwest & my degre,
Whiche that I wele that ȝe knowe,
And Al my peple vppon A rowe.”
“Nay, sire,” quod Iosephe thanne,
“It Miht neuere Comen be Erthly Manne,
But be him In whom thow hast Creaunce;
He hath the sent Al this good Chaunce.”
Thanne Axede Sire Seraphe Anon thanne,
“What Manere of powere hath that Manne
That he is of so gret powste;
I preie the, Belamy, telle thow me.”
Thanne Answerid tho Iosephe Ageyn:
“I Schal þe Sein, Seraphe, In Certeyn;
And what he sente the to seyne by me,
I schal the now tellen, Sire Seraphë.
This lord that kyng Of Cristene Is,
Be his Mowth he seide to Me I-wis,
That he was the Same Man
That from Sevene knyhtes deliuered þe than
Whanne atte the prikke of deth þou were I-browht:
Seraphe, thorwh thy Myht wos it Nowht.
And ȝif thow Supposist that Al thi Chevalrye
Come of thy self,—Nay, Certeinlye.
And ȝif thow beleve now so,
Al it is Folye þat thow dost do.
But knowe thow wel, Sire, for Certeine,
That whanne Eualach the saw In sorwe and peine,
And there he Made his preiere Anon
To þat lord of whom he bar signe vppon,
“That, as his dere broþer, the In bataille scholde defende
From peril of deth, & to þe victorie to sende.”
And whanne Iosephes thus tho hadde I-seid,
Thanne Seraphe, that vppon A Cowche was leid,
Of his wordis ful sore Abasched he was,
Of wheche no man knew tho in that plas.
And Seide thanne Anon king Eualach tho,
“Certes, dere brother, It was Ryht So.”
“I Schal þe Sein, Seraphe, In Certeyn;
And what he sente the to seyne by me,
I schal the now tellen, Sire Seraphë.
This lord that kyng Of Cristene Is,
Be his Mowth he seide to Me I-wis,
That he was the Same Man
That from Sevene knyhtes deliuered þe than
Whanne atte the prikke of deth þou were I-browht:
Seraphe, thorwh thy Myht wos it Nowht.
And ȝif thow Supposist that Al thi Chevalrye
Come of thy self,—Nay, Certeinlye.
And ȝif thow beleve now so,
Al it is Folye þat thow dost do.
But knowe thow wel, Sire, for Certeine,
That whanne Eualach the saw In sorwe and peine,
And there he Made his preiere Anon
To þat lord of whom he bar signe vppon,
“That, as his dere broþer, the In bataille scholde defende
From peril of deth, & to þe victorie to sende.”
And whanne Iosephes thus tho hadde I-seid,
Thanne Seraphe, that vppon A Cowche was leid,
Of his wordis ful sore Abasched he was,
Of wheche no man knew tho in that plas.
201
“Certes, dere brother, It was Ryht So.”
Thanne Axede Iosephes the Signe Anon
Of þe Cros þat he hadde In his scheld doon;
And whanne this scheld was vndon,
The signe of the Crois they behelden Anon;
And there anon it semed there In Al here siht
A wondirful Red Cros, & Merveillously dyht;
And vppon that Crois hem thowhte they sie
A man In manere on þat cros was Crucifie.
In the Mene whille þat this Sihte was,
happed A man to comen Into that plas;
And Iosephes him Clepide there Anon,
For his Arm Ny from his body was gon;
“Certes,” quod Iosephe, “this lord is of so gret powere,
That thin sore putte to him here,
As heil & sownd thanne schalt thow be
As euer is Oni Man In Cristiente.”
And this Man dide Anon As he him bad,
And Riht Anon there his hele he had.
Thanne alle the hurte men þat weren present
Seiden it was don be Enchauntement;
And his Arm be-Cam As hol Anon
As was fisch that bar A bon.
Of þe Cros þat he hadde In his scheld doon;
And whanne this scheld was vndon,
The signe of the Crois they behelden Anon;
And there anon it semed there In Al here siht
A wondirful Red Cros, & Merveillously dyht;
And vppon that Crois hem thowhte they sie
A man In manere on þat cros was Crucifie.
In the Mene whille þat this Sihte was,
happed A man to comen Into that plas;
And Iosephes him Clepide there Anon,
For his Arm Ny from his body was gon;
“Certes,” quod Iosephe, “this lord is of so gret powere,
That thin sore putte to him here,
As heil & sownd thanne schalt thow be
As euer is Oni Man In Cristiente.”
And this Man dide Anon As he him bad,
And Riht Anon there his hele he had.
Thanne alle the hurte men þat weren present
Seiden it was don be Enchauntement;
And his Arm be-Cam As hol Anon
As was fisch that bar A bon.
ȝit a grettere Merveille was in that plas,
Of the Cros that In the Scheld tho was:
It vansched Awey there tho sodeinly
That neuere man ne wiste whedir ne whi,
So that it was neuere More Sein
In that Scheld Aftir Certein.
Of this thing Alle Sore abasched they were
That in theke plase þat tyme weren there.
Of the Cros that In the Scheld tho was:
It vansched Awey there tho sodeinly
That neuere man ne wiste whedir ne whi,
So that it was neuere More Sein
In that Scheld Aftir Certein.
Of this thing Alle Sore abasched they were
That in theke plase þat tyme weren there.
And whanne Seraphe this gan beholde,
Non lengere thanne Abiden he wolde,
But Anon Cristened he wolde be,
& On him to beleve, In Eche degre,
That hath so moche strengthe & power,
Sike Men Forto keveren there.
And he him there dressed vppe al so skeet,
And fyl adown Anon to Iosephes Feet;
There Axede he Ioseph, for charite,
Anon A Cristene man that he Mihte be.
“In the name of þe Fadir, sone, & holigost,
Whiche that Is lord of Mihtës Most,
I the cristene,” quod Ioseph thanne,
“And loke þat thou be true cristenne Manne.”
In his Cristendom, his Name chonched he,
And Clepid him ‘Nasciens,’ that men myhte se.
Non lengere thanne Abiden he wolde,
202
& On him to beleve, In Eche degre,
That hath so moche strengthe & power,
Sike Men Forto keveren there.
And he him there dressed vppe al so skeet,
And fyl adown Anon to Iosephes Feet;
There Axede he Ioseph, for charite,
Anon A Cristene man that he Mihte be.
“In the name of þe Fadir, sone, & holigost,
Whiche that Is lord of Mihtës Most,
I the cristene,” quod Ioseph thanne,
“And loke þat thou be true cristenne Manne.”
In his Cristendom, his Name chonched he,
And Clepid him ‘Nasciens,’ that men myhte se.
And Anon As he tho Cristened was,
Swich A Clerte On him fil In þat plas,
Seenge to hem that stood Abowte,
Of diuers meine a ful gret Rowte,
And hem besemede ful verrayly
That alle his Clothes weren taken Awey;
Hem thowhte they sien A brennenge brond of fer
Into his Mowth how it Entrede ther.
Thanne herden they there A wondir vois anon,
That thus to hem seide þere Everichon:
“The last of þe ferst hath taken Away
Alle filthhedis this ilke day.
Be his Owne stedfaste Creavnce
Him is be-happed this ilke Chaunce.”
And whanne this vois tho was past,
Thanne vppe him Stirte Seraphe In hast;
And Felt him Self As heyl & qwerte,
And as hol A man In body & herte.
Swich A Clerte On him fil In þat plas,
Seenge to hem that stood Abowte,
Of diuers meine a ful gret Rowte,
And hem besemede ful verrayly
That alle his Clothes weren taken Awey;
Hem thowhte they sien A brennenge brond of fer
Into his Mowth how it Entrede ther.
Thanne herden they there A wondir vois anon,
That thus to hem seide þere Everichon:
“The last of þe ferst hath taken Away
Alle filthhedis this ilke day.
Be his Owne stedfaste Creavnce
Him is be-happed this ilke Chaunce.”
And whanne this vois tho was past,
Thanne vppe him Stirte Seraphe In hast;
And Felt him Self As heyl & qwerte,
And as hol A man In body & herte.
And Anon fulfillid there he was
With the holi gost tho In that plas;
And thanne be-spak sire Nasciens:
“The holi gost is in my presens,
That Me Certefyeth Of Myn Creavnce,
& how that I schal leven with-owten variaunce;
That to Owre mete ne gon not we
With hondes vnwaschen In non degre;
And him there worschepen scholen we thanne,
That Most Worthy Lord that becam Manne.”
With the holi gost tho In that plas;
And thanne be-spak sire Nasciens:
“The holi gost is in my presens,
203
& how that I schal leven with-owten variaunce;
That to Owre mete ne gon not we
With hondes vnwaschen In non degre;
And him there worschepen scholen we thanne,
That Most Worthy Lord that becam Manne.”
And behold what God Schewed to Eualach tho
For the grete Affiaunce he hadde him vnto,
That Tholome theke same Owr
Owt of this world was past with dolowr.
And thus him Schewed the holy gost
That Evere Is lord Of Myhtes Most.
So longe thanne there Spak Sire Nasciens,
Of goddis Myht and of his presens,
That king Eualach Ran Cristened to be;
And Also that Man In the same degre
Whiche that his Arm was ny Offe go,
To Cristendom faste Ran he tho.
And Anon As that they Cristened were,
Here Names In here Forehed were wreten þere;
Eualach to ‘Mordraynes’ Torned was,
And the hurt Man to ‘Clamacides;’
Thus bothe here Names I-torned they were
Be strengthe and vertw Of baptism there,
As banarers Of that hye kyng
The wheche hem browhte to baptising.
For the grete Affiaunce he hadde him vnto,
That Tholome theke same Owr
Owt of this world was past with dolowr.
And thus him Schewed the holy gost
That Evere Is lord Of Myhtes Most.
So longe thanne there Spak Sire Nasciens,
Of goddis Myht and of his presens,
That king Eualach Ran Cristened to be;
And Also that Man In the same degre
Whiche that his Arm was ny Offe go,
To Cristendom faste Ran he tho.
And Anon As that they Cristened were,
Here Names In here Forehed were wreten þere;
Eualach to ‘Mordraynes’ Torned was,
And the hurt Man to ‘Clamacides;’
Thus bothe here Names I-torned they were
Be strengthe and vertw Of baptism there,
As banarers Of that hye kyng
The wheche hem browhte to baptising.
Thanne seide Sire Mordrains to his qwene,
‘That sche scholde Comen, Cristened to bene;’
Thanne Answerid [sche] to hire lord Anon,
“That it Were Nethir Skele ne Reson:
For on body, twyes baptised forto be,
Sire, it were non Resoun, So thinketh Me.”
Thanne Axede hire the kyng Anon
How that this Cause Mihte thus gon.
“Sire,” sche seide thanne, “Certeinlye
xxvij wynter Agon it is fullye
That I Crestened womman haue be,
Sire kyng, forsothe As I telle the.”
And the kyng Axede here how it was.
Anon sche him tolde Al the Cas:
Evene As sche to Iosephe tolde,
Sche him Rehersid þere Manifolde,
And seid the holy man that hire Cristened þere,
Here Name Nolde chonge In non Manere,
“But seid to Me In his talkyng,
‘Thy Name ‘ful of faith’ Is signefieng.’.”
And whanne that they thus Cristened were,
Alle the Remnaunt that weren there
Comen Alle ful faste Rennenge
Forto Resceyven there baptisenge;
And Iosephes took A basyn with water Anon,
And Amongs hem Faste he gan to gon;
There Anon he Made hem Alle knelynge,
And there ȝaf he to hem Baptisenge,
And vppon here hedis water threw he Abowte,
Vppon that Meyne In theke grete Rowte,
Where As was v hundred thowsend & Mo,
In that same plase Cristened be tho
In the Name of the fadir & Sone & holigost,
Wheche that Is lord of Myhtës Most.
‘That sche scholde Comen, Cristened to bene;’
Thanne Answerid [sche] to hire lord Anon,
“That it Were Nethir Skele ne Reson:
For on body, twyes baptised forto be,
Sire, it were non Resoun, So thinketh Me.”
Thanne Axede hire the kyng Anon
How that this Cause Mihte thus gon.
“Sire,” sche seide thanne, “Certeinlye
xxvij wynter Agon it is fullye
204
Sire kyng, forsothe As I telle the.”
And the kyng Axede here how it was.
Anon sche him tolde Al the Cas:
Evene As sche to Iosephe tolde,
Sche him Rehersid þere Manifolde,
And seid the holy man that hire Cristened þere,
Here Name Nolde chonge In non Manere,
“But seid to Me In his talkyng,
‘Thy Name ‘ful of faith’ Is signefieng.’.”
And whanne that they thus Cristened were,
Alle the Remnaunt that weren there
Comen Alle ful faste Rennenge
Forto Resceyven there baptisenge;
And Iosephes took A basyn with water Anon,
And Amongs hem Faste he gan to gon;
There Anon he Made hem Alle knelynge,
And there ȝaf he to hem Baptisenge,
And vppon here hedis water threw he Abowte,
Vppon that Meyne In theke grete Rowte,
Where As was v hundred thowsend & Mo,
In that same plase Cristened be tho
In the Name of the fadir & Sone & holigost,
Wheche that Is lord of Myhtës Most.
Thanne On the Morwe Nasciens wolde gon
Into Furthere Contres Anon,
And Ioseph with him wolde he have,
The Contre to saunctefie & to save.
But Ioseph him tho Answerid Anon,
“That Owt of Sarras wold he not gon
Til the ymages weren broken Echone,
And the temples Sanctified er he þens wold gone,
As Oure lord him Comaunded be his mowth presente;”
& so he dide, Er he thens wente.
Into Furthere Contres Anon,
And Ioseph with him wolde he have,
The Contre to saunctefie & to save.
But Ioseph him tho Answerid Anon,
“That Owt of Sarras wold he not gon
Til the ymages weren broken Echone,
And the temples Sanctified er he þens wold gone,
As Oure lord him Comaunded be his mowth presente;”
& so he dide, Er he thens wente.
205
And whanne Alle this peple thus hadde he wonne,
And Goddis ful Creaunce there begonne,
Thanne Abowtes In Virown Al that Contre
The peple to torne, thanne so labowred he.
Whanne that Sarras to Cristendom was browht,
Ful mochel Ioye was In his thowht.
And Goddis ful Creaunce there begonne,
Thanne Abowtes In Virown Al that Contre
The peple to torne, thanne so labowred he.
Whanne that Sarras to Cristendom was browht,
Ful mochel Ioye was In his thowht.
Thanne Alle tho gan he with him take
That Owt of Ierusalem weren his Make,
Except Only persones thanne thre—
That he lefte with the Arche forto be,
And that holy disch that was there-Inne,
It savely to kepen from More Oþer Mynne;—
Whiche On of hem ‘Enacore’ gonne they Calle,
The tother ‘Manasses,’ As tho gan falle;
The thridde was clepid ‘Lwcan,’
Thike same Tyme of Every man,
That Ioseph took the Arch In kepinge
To his purpos, As to A man of best levenge.
That Owt of Ierusalem weren his Make,
Except Only persones thanne thre—
That he lefte with the Arche forto be,
And that holy disch that was there-Inne,
It savely to kepen from More Oþer Mynne;—
Whiche On of hem ‘Enacore’ gonne they Calle,
The tother ‘Manasses,’ As tho gan falle;
The thridde was clepid ‘Lwcan,’
Thike same Tyme of Every man,
That Ioseph took the Arch In kepinge
To his purpos, As to A man of best levenge.
And thus these thre leften there
To kepen this holy Arch In this Manere;
And Alle the tothere gonnen forth to gon,
Cristes Name to sanctefien Anon,
And the peple to ȝeven baptiseng;
And this was alle here labowreng.
But of hem At theke time was non there
But that the holigost in hem spak Every where,
And Alle Maner of langage thanne dide hem have;
Where-thorwh the peple that they myhten save.
And with-owten Iosephe and his sone
Weren lxxij that to-gederis dide wone.
To kepen this holy Arch In this Manere;
And Alle the tothere gonnen forth to gon,
Cristes Name to sanctefien Anon,
And the peple to ȝeven baptiseng;
And this was alle here labowreng.
But of hem At theke time was non there
But that the holigost in hem spak Every where,
And Alle Maner of langage thanne dide hem have;
Where-thorwh the peple that they myhten save.
And with-owten Iosephe and his sone
Weren lxxij that to-gederis dide wone.
Thanne Iosephe to Orcauz gan to gon,
And there Into the temple he Entred Anon,
And In ful gret thowht there was he,
But Evere his herte was vppon the Trenite.
And his letherne Gyrdel tho took he anon,
And to An ymage there Gan he to gon,
That stood In the temple vppon the chief Awter,
And him Anon Coniowred there.
And the devel there Anon forth Ryht
Owt of the ymage isswed In Al here siht.
And whanne that Owt of the ymage he was gon,
Ioseph thanne took his Girdel Anon,
And Abowte his Nekke he Made it fast,
And it drowgh to-Fore the king In hast;
So In þat Manere he drow it thorwgh the Cite
That Al the peple there him Mihte thanne se.
And there Into the temple he Entred Anon,
And In ful gret thowht there was he,
But Evere his herte was vppon the Trenite.
And his letherne Gyrdel tho took he anon,
And to An ymage there Gan he to gon,
206
And him Anon Coniowred there.
And the devel there Anon forth Ryht
Owt of the ymage isswed In Al here siht.
And whanne that Owt of the ymage he was gon,
Ioseph thanne took his Girdel Anon,
And Abowte his Nekke he Made it fast,
And it drowgh to-Fore the king In hast;
So In þat Manere he drow it thorwgh the Cite
That Al the peple there him Mihte thanne se.
Thanne Axede him Nasciens Anon Riht there,
“Whi that so sore Iustefyed he were?”
Thanne Iosephe to him Sone Agein:
“In time Comeng thow schalt weten Certein.”
Thanne Axed Iosephe of þe devel A-forn hem Alle þere,
‘Why he hadde so ferd with kyng Tholomere,’
“And whi thow Madist him so to fallen A-down
Atte the wyndowe of þe towr to his Confucioun?”
Thanne spak the devel to Ioseph tho Certeinle:
“Goddes Seriawnt, A while that þou wost lesen Me,
And I schal to the tellen Anon Ryht
Of kyng Tholomer, þat þou clepist A knyht.”
Thanne Iosephe his Girdil tho gan to vndon
From the schrewes Nekke there Anon,
And so wente he forth there Al Abowte.
And Ioseph him Comanded Among Al that Rowte
‘That Openly the sothe to tellen there,
How it So happed Of kyng Tholomere.’
Thanne Answerid that schrewe sone him Ageyn,
And seide, “Ioseph, I knowe it wel for Certeyn
What Merveilles that God hath for the wrowht;
[OMITTED]
For In Sarras there God wrowhte fore the,
The Man that was Mayned, þere hol forto be;
Thorwh Signe of the Crois that he towched there,
Anon was he Mad bothe hol & Fere;
Also there Cristenedest thow kyng Eualach,
That Alle Oure lawe there gan he Forsak;
And so I supposed thow wost han don here,
To Cristendom han browht kyng Tholomere.
And for I suppesid that thow wost don so,
In liknesse of Man I gan to hym go,
And told him there a newe tyding,
‘That on the Morwe, Sire Eualach the kyng
Wolde him don bothe hangen & drawe,
And him to bringe Owt of his lif dawe.’
Thanne whanne thus I hadde hym told,
Anon his herte gan to wexen ful cold,
And he me preide him forto helpe.
There thus Of My Self I gan to ȝelpe,
For I tolde him, ‘Certeinle
I Cowde him helpe in Al degre;
And Owt of þat Castel Forto gon,
I him Wolde helpe Riht Anon.’
Thanne torned I Me In semblaunce of a Grifown,
Owt of that towr him to helpen A-down;
And vppon my bak I Made him Sitten there,
Til that he Owt of that Cite were;
And whanne On My bak I-set was he,
I let him falle, & to-breste on pecis thre.”
“Whi that so sore Iustefyed he were?”
Thanne Iosephe to him Sone Agein:
“In time Comeng thow schalt weten Certein.”
Thanne Axed Iosephe of þe devel A-forn hem Alle þere,
‘Why he hadde so ferd with kyng Tholomere,’
“And whi thow Madist him so to fallen A-down
Atte the wyndowe of þe towr to his Confucioun?”
Thanne spak the devel to Ioseph tho Certeinle:
“Goddes Seriawnt, A while that þou wost lesen Me,
And I schal to the tellen Anon Ryht
Of kyng Tholomer, þat þou clepist A knyht.”
Thanne Iosephe his Girdil tho gan to vndon
From the schrewes Nekke there Anon,
And so wente he forth there Al Abowte.
And Ioseph him Comanded Among Al that Rowte
‘That Openly the sothe to tellen there,
How it So happed Of kyng Tholomere.’
Thanne Answerid that schrewe sone him Ageyn,
And seide, “Ioseph, I knowe it wel for Certeyn
What Merveilles that God hath for the wrowht;
[OMITTED]
For In Sarras there God wrowhte fore the,
The Man that was Mayned, þere hol forto be;
207
Anon was he Mad bothe hol & Fere;
Also there Cristenedest thow kyng Eualach,
That Alle Oure lawe there gan he Forsak;
And so I supposed thow wost han don here,
To Cristendom han browht kyng Tholomere.
And for I suppesid that thow wost don so,
In liknesse of Man I gan to hym go,
And told him there a newe tyding,
‘That on the Morwe, Sire Eualach the kyng
Wolde him don bothe hangen & drawe,
And him to bringe Owt of his lif dawe.’
Thanne whanne thus I hadde hym told,
Anon his herte gan to wexen ful cold,
And he me preide him forto helpe.
There thus Of My Self I gan to ȝelpe,
For I tolde him, ‘Certeinle
I Cowde him helpe in Al degre;
And Owt of þat Castel Forto gon,
I him Wolde helpe Riht Anon.’
Thanne torned I Me In semblaunce of a Grifown,
Owt of that towr him to helpen A-down;
And vppon my bak I Made him Sitten there,
Til that he Owt of that Cite were;
And whanne On My bak I-set was he,
I let him falle, & to-breste on pecis thre.”
Thanne Ioseph Aȝen took þat schrewe Anon Riht,
And bond him Aȝen In Alle Mennes Siht,
And him so ladde thorwgh Al the Cite
That al the peple him Mihte there Se,
And seide, “ȝe Caytives, now, Everichon,
Here Is ȝoure god that ȝe beleven vppon.”
Thanne Axede him Ioseph In that plas,
In what Manere that he Clepid was.
Thanne the schrewe Answerid him Ageyn,
“Aselabas, My name is Clepid In Certein;
And, Ioseph, I telle the what is Myn Offis:
Men thorwgh false tales to bringen In to vis;
And thorwh my fals tydynge
Thus bringe I hem to schort Endenge.”
And whanne the peple herden Al this Ado,
On him there wondrede Mani-on tho;
To Cristeneng Alle ronnen they Riht faste,
As longe as that It Myhte laste;
And Iosephe was Euere Redy Anon,
And there hem Baptised Everichon.
Thanne Iosephe Coniowred the devel Anon,
And Owt Of his bondes let him gon,
That he Scholde Neuere Noyen Man ne womman
That the signe Of the holy Cros hadde vppon.
And bond him Aȝen In Alle Mennes Siht,
And him so ladde thorwgh Al the Cite
That al the peple him Mihte there Se,
And seide, “ȝe Caytives, now, Everichon,
Here Is ȝoure god that ȝe beleven vppon.”
Thanne Axede him Ioseph In that plas,
In what Manere that he Clepid was.
Thanne the schrewe Answerid him Ageyn,
“Aselabas, My name is Clepid In Certein;
208
Men thorwgh false tales to bringen In to vis;
And thorwh my fals tydynge
Thus bringe I hem to schort Endenge.”
And whanne the peple herden Al this Ado,
On him there wondrede Mani-on tho;
To Cristeneng Alle ronnen they Riht faste,
As longe as that It Myhte laste;
And Iosephe was Euere Redy Anon,
And there hem Baptised Everichon.
Thanne Iosephe Coniowred the devel Anon,
And Owt Of his bondes let him gon,
That he Scholde Neuere Noyen Man ne womman
That the signe Of the holy Cros hadde vppon.
Thanne Anon the kyng let the banes Crye
Thorwhe Al his lond ful Certeinlye,
That Al his lond Cristendom Scholde take,
Only For Iesus Cristes Sake;
And alle tho that wolde not Cristened ben,
Anon Owt his lond that [they] Scholde fleen,
And neuere thedir Inne to Retornen Agein;
This was this Comandement Certein.
And whanne this cry was thus don,
To Cristeneng wente there Mani On;
But Mochel peple ȝit tho there were
That Owt of theke Cite fledden there;
For thé ne wolden not Chongen here lay,
Mochel of that peple thens wente that day.
And whanne Ioseph beheld al this,
Ful mochel mone he Made I-wis.
Thanne spak the devel to Ioseph tho,
“Behold what Venyaunce I wil now do,
For tho that Cristened wold not han had,
Owt At the ȝates the devel hem lad,
Of whom deyden sodeinly Manion
[As Owt of þe ȝates they wolde han gon;]
And somme the devel hurte wondir sore,
And Owt of here wittes ȝit Mani More.
Alle the Remnaunt that Asckapen Mihte,
Ronnen to Ioseph there Anon Ryhte,
There that the Miscreawntes Cristened be.
And whanne this Merveille Iosephe sawh he,
Thedirward faste wente he Anon—
Also Faste he hyede As he myht gon.—
And aboven the dede bodyes saw he þere Sitte
The devel that Owt of þe Cite Made hem flytte.
“A! thow Cursid gost,” quod Ioseph tho,
“Whi hast thow this veniaunce thus do?
And to this, ho that Comanded the,
Telle me, thow devel, er thow hens fle.”
Thanne the devel Answerid him Agein,
“Be Cristes Comaundement In Certein.”
“Tho[u] lyest Falsly,” quod Ioseph tho,
“His Comaundement was it Nevere so.”
And Ioseph to him ward faste gan gon,
Him forto han taken & bownden Anon;
In his Girdel, as he to-foren was,
Forto han bownden him In that plas.
And as Ioseph loked him tho Abowte,
In his herte he hadde gret dowte;
An Aungel to-Form him Sawh he there
With a merveillews contenaunce In þis manere,
For his vesage As brenneng Fyr it was
To him there semeng, neþer more ne las.
Ful sore abascht was he þer-offen tho,
That he ne wiste what he myhte do,
And wondred what it schold signefie,
Thaungel that loked so vegerowslye.
And in this Mene whille of thinkenge,
Thaungel with a spere he dide him stinge;
In tho to the hipe, to the harde bon,
This Angel him stang there Anon,
And there lefte he the spere and þe hed
Stille In his hype In that Sted:
“Lo, Iosephe, this is to Signefie
For hem thou leftest Oncristened Sekerlye;
Therfore this thy mark Schal be,
& it Contenuwe schal with the.”
Thanne thaungel thens gan to gon,
And Ioseph drowgh ow[t] þe spere schaft anon;
But the hed In his hype lefte þere stille,
For that was only goddis wille;
But it Greved him but litel thing,
For it was only Goddis warneng;
But the blood Cowde he staunchen In non wise,
But every day newe it gan forto Reprise,
As longe as with-Inne was the hed,
Thus it bledde In Every sted.
But thaungel bad him non Merveille have:
“That God wold han saved, wile he save,”
As in tyme Comeng ȝe scholen here
In this same storie, and ȝe welen lere.
Thorwhe Al his lond ful Certeinlye,
That Al his lond Cristendom Scholde take,
Only For Iesus Cristes Sake;
And alle tho that wolde not Cristened ben,
Anon Owt his lond that [they] Scholde fleen,
And neuere thedir Inne to Retornen Agein;
This was this Comandement Certein.
And whanne this cry was thus don,
To Cristeneng wente there Mani On;
But Mochel peple ȝit tho there were
That Owt of theke Cite fledden there;
For thé ne wolden not Chongen here lay,
Mochel of that peple thens wente that day.
And whanne Ioseph beheld al this,
Ful mochel mone he Made I-wis.
Thanne spak the devel to Ioseph tho,
“Behold what Venyaunce I wil now do,
For tho that Cristened wold not han had,
Owt At the ȝates the devel hem lad,
Of whom deyden sodeinly Manion
[As Owt of þe ȝates they wolde han gon;]
209
And Owt of here wittes ȝit Mani More.
Alle the Remnaunt that Asckapen Mihte,
Ronnen to Ioseph there Anon Ryhte,
There that the Miscreawntes Cristened be.
And whanne this Merveille Iosephe sawh he,
Thedirward faste wente he Anon—
Also Faste he hyede As he myht gon.—
And aboven the dede bodyes saw he þere Sitte
The devel that Owt of þe Cite Made hem flytte.
“A! thow Cursid gost,” quod Ioseph tho,
“Whi hast thow this veniaunce thus do?
And to this, ho that Comanded the,
Telle me, thow devel, er thow hens fle.”
Thanne the devel Answerid him Agein,
“Be Cristes Comaundement In Certein.”
“Tho[u] lyest Falsly,” quod Ioseph tho,
“His Comaundement was it Nevere so.”
And Ioseph to him ward faste gan gon,
Him forto han taken & bownden Anon;
In his Girdel, as he to-foren was,
Forto han bownden him In that plas.
And as Ioseph loked him tho Abowte,
In his herte he hadde gret dowte;
An Aungel to-Form him Sawh he there
With a merveillews contenaunce In þis manere,
For his vesage As brenneng Fyr it was
To him there semeng, neþer more ne las.
Ful sore abascht was he þer-offen tho,
That he ne wiste what he myhte do,
And wondred what it schold signefie,
Thaungel that loked so vegerowslye.
And in this Mene whille of thinkenge,
Thaungel with a spere he dide him stinge;
In tho to the hipe, to the harde bon,
This Angel him stang there Anon,
210
Stille In his hype In that Sted:
“Lo, Iosephe, this is to Signefie
For hem thou leftest Oncristened Sekerlye;
Therfore this thy mark Schal be,
& it Contenuwe schal with the.”
Thanne thaungel thens gan to gon,
And Ioseph drowgh ow[t] þe spere schaft anon;
But the hed In his hype lefte þere stille,
For that was only goddis wille;
But it Greved him but litel thing,
For it was only Goddis warneng;
But the blood Cowde he staunchen In non wise,
But every day newe it gan forto Reprise,
As longe as with-Inne was the hed,
Thus it bledde In Every sted.
But thaungel bad him non Merveille have:
“That God wold han saved, wile he save,”
As in tyme Comeng ȝe scholen here
In this same storie, and ȝe welen lere.
Thanne Ioseph walked forth Anon,
And his Menie with him Everichon;
And of his wounde hadde he non gret dolowr,
But he was in gret drede of Oure saviour.
Thanne here-Offen Merveilled gretly the kyng,
What that this be In to Signefieng.
Thanne seide Iosephe to him Anon there,
“Of this, Merveille ȝe not In non Manere;
Sire, it is, I telle the now Ryht,
The peple to bringe Owt of the develes Miht.”
Thanne whanne þe peple him so herde speken þere,
Ful Ioyful they weren that Cristened were;
And alle that vncristened weren to,
To Cristendom faste gonne they go.
Thus Ioseph wrowhte at Orcau[z] Cite;
Sekerlych there baptised he gret Meyne;
And his felawes there weren with hem,
That they browhten owt of Ierusalem.
So that Crist there so faire for him wrowhte,
That alle the peple of Orcaus to Cristendom he browhte,
And with-Inne thre dayes Everichon.
Thus Goddis wille fulfild he Anon,
So that lefte there nethir gret ne smal
That to goddis lawe [ne] weren torned al.
And what be the holy wordis that he þere spak,
And be the holi gost with-Owten lak,
Mochel peple of the Contre tornede he,
Goode Men & Cristened Forto be:
And alle the ymages that In the temples were,
He dide brenne & to-brast Every where:
Al thus wrowhte Ioseph In that Contre,
In the temples and to the peiple, where-so went he;
And Into the Contre of Nascien,
He made hem alle tho Cristene Men.
And his Menie with him Everichon;
And of his wounde hadde he non gret dolowr,
But he was in gret drede of Oure saviour.
Thanne here-Offen Merveilled gretly the kyng,
What that this be In to Signefieng.
Thanne seide Iosephe to him Anon there,
“Of this, Merveille ȝe not In non Manere;
Sire, it is, I telle the now Ryht,
The peple to bringe Owt of the develes Miht.”
Thanne whanne þe peple him so herde speken þere,
Ful Ioyful they weren that Cristened were;
And alle that vncristened weren to,
To Cristendom faste gonne they go.
Thus Ioseph wrowhte at Orcau[z] Cite;
Sekerlych there baptised he gret Meyne;
211
That they browhten owt of Ierusalem.
So that Crist there so faire for him wrowhte,
That alle the peple of Orcaus to Cristendom he browhte,
And with-Inne thre dayes Everichon.
Thus Goddis wille fulfild he Anon,
So that lefte there nethir gret ne smal
That to goddis lawe [ne] weren torned al.
And what be the holy wordis that he þere spak,
And be the holi gost with-Owten lak,
Mochel peple of the Contre tornede he,
Goode Men & Cristened Forto be:
And alle the ymages that In the temples were,
He dide brenne & to-brast Every where:
Al thus wrowhte Ioseph In that Contre,
In the temples and to the peiple, where-so went he;
And Into the Contre of Nascien,
He made hem alle tho Cristene Men.
And thanne Aȝen to sarras Ioseph gan to go,
And Nasciens with him tho Cam Also;
For Ioiful In herte was he thanne,
For he Converted there Manie A manne,
And fulfilled goddis Comandement,
The wheche was holy his Entent.
Thanne Ioseph of his feleschepe þere ches ful sone,
And bisschopee hem Ordred there Anone,
And sente hem Abowte Into Eche Contre,
Goddis lawe forto prechen ful openle.
Somme of hem dwelde In Nasciens lond,
And somme In Mordrayns, As I vndirstond,
Whiche was a lord of gret Seignourie,
And Mochel peple hadde In his baillye;
So that Ioseph ches Owt thre & thrytty,
And Sixtene with him left pleynly.
The wheche xxxiij, bischopes gan he to Make
In forme lik As god him Ordre Gan take;
And Also the xvj that with him were,
Bisschopes he Made anon Riht there;
And Al Abowtes the Contre they wente,
Only to fulfillen goddis Entente.
And Nasciens with him tho Cam Also;
For Ioiful In herte was he thanne,
For he Converted there Manie A manne,
And fulfilled goddis Comandement,
The wheche was holy his Entent.
Thanne Ioseph of his feleschepe þere ches ful sone,
And bisschopee hem Ordred there Anone,
And sente hem Abowte Into Eche Contre,
Goddis lawe forto prechen ful openle.
Somme of hem dwelde In Nasciens lond,
And somme In Mordrayns, As I vndirstond,
Whiche was a lord of gret Seignourie,
And Mochel peple hadde In his baillye;
So that Ioseph ches Owt thre & thrytty,
And Sixtene with him left pleynly.
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In forme lik As god him Ordre Gan take;
And Also the xvj that with him were,
Bisschopes he Made anon Riht there;
And Al Abowtes the Contre they wente,
Only to fulfillen goddis Entente.
And whanne Alle the Contre was Cristened abowte,
And in Euery Cite A bisschope with-Owten dowte,
And deliuered hem from the develis chaunce,
And hem fullich browhte Into Goddis Creawnce,
Be supportacion Of these goode Men,
Kyng Mordrayns And Of Sire Nascien,
Thens wente thanne Iosephe Ryht Anon,
And his Meyne with him gan to gon
To seken where these holy Ermytes lyen,
And Of here good lyvenge forto Aspien,
Where-Offen they preiden Oure lord, of grace,
Therto forto haven bothe lif and spase,
And that here Names he Mihte knowe
Er he thens paste Ony throwe.
Thanne fonde he there A lytel lyveret
Where-Inne that these names weren set;
And the Meritez that god gan for hem do,
In that litel leveret he fond Ryht tho.
The Ferste liueret thus gan it sein:
‘Here lith Salustes In certein,
Wheche that was Goddis trewe Seriawnt,
Of whom the lif Of him Makeþ semblawnt,
That xxxvi wynter hermyt hadde he be,
And that neuere worldly viaunde sawh he
That Euere was mad with mannis hond,’—
Thus this liueret doth vs to vndirstond—
‘But Erbes & Rotes that In Erthe were;
Thus lyved he xxxvi ful ȝere.’
And in Euery Cite A bisschope with-Owten dowte,
And deliuered hem from the develis chaunce,
And hem fullich browhte Into Goddis Creawnce,
Be supportacion Of these goode Men,
Kyng Mordrayns And Of Sire Nascien,
Thens wente thanne Iosephe Ryht Anon,
And his Meyne with him gan to gon
To seken where these holy Ermytes lyen,
And Of here good lyvenge forto Aspien,
Where-Offen they preiden Oure lord, of grace,
Therto forto haven bothe lif and spase,
And that here Names he Mihte knowe
Er he thens paste Ony throwe.
Thanne fonde he there A lytel lyveret
Where-Inne that these names weren set;
And the Meritez that god gan for hem do,
In that litel leveret he fond Ryht tho.
The Ferste liueret thus gan it sein:
‘Here lith Salustes In certein,
Wheche that was Goddis trewe Seriawnt,
Of whom the lif Of him Makeþ semblawnt,
That xxxvi wynter hermyt hadde he be,
And that neuere worldly viaunde sawh he
That Euere was mad with mannis hond,’—
Thus this liueret doth vs to vndirstond—
‘But Erbes & Rotes that In Erthe were;
Thus lyved he xxxvi ful ȝere.’
213
And furthermore I-wreten þere was:
‘Here lith Ermonies In this plas;’
And thus his lif gan for to telle,
‘That xxx wynter & viij Monthes snelle
Sethen that ferst Ermyt becam he’—
As In this liueret here mown ȝe se—
‘That Neuere Othir clothing he hadde
But swich as ferst to his Ermitage he ladde,
Nethir In hosinge, nethir I schon,
Ne non Othir thing On him to doon.
Othir viaunde hadde he non verament,
But Everiday swich As God him Sente;’—
And of Tasse he was born;
The toþer In bedlem, þat I Rehersed beforn.
‘Here lith Ermonies In this plas;’
And thus his lif gan for to telle,
‘That xxx wynter & viij Monthes snelle
Sethen that ferst Ermyt becam he’—
As In this liueret here mown ȝe se—
‘That Neuere Othir clothing he hadde
But swich as ferst to his Ermitage he ladde,
Nethir In hosinge, nethir I schon,
Ne non Othir thing On him to doon.
Othir viaunde hadde he non verament,
But Everiday swich As God him Sente;’—
And of Tasse he was born;
The toþer In bedlem, þat I Rehersed beforn.
And whanne Iosephe gan this to vndirstonde,
Vpe hem took he with his honde,
And bar hem Into the Cite of Sarras,
Where-offen Many a man Glad þere was.
Thanne Nascien preide Ioseph tho,
That with him to Orbery wolde he Go,
And that On Of hem that he myhte have,—
Holy hermoine thermit he gan to Crave,—
Where that worthily his Body beried he,
And a Ryal Chirche Mad there be;
And In Sarras Cite ful Certeinly
He let Reren a Chirche ful solempnely,
And In eche of these Chirches two
Twelfe prestes he dide there do,
For the bisschope Of nethir plase there
Mihte not Suffisen, so moche peple were.
The Ermyt At Sarras, the Eldest they gonne Calle,
And the ȝongest at Orbery, thus seiden thei Alle.
Thus thanne Joseph worscheped there
Bothe Citez with holy bodyes in fere,
Where as they grete Myracles do
Everi day dureng ȝit hidirto.
Thus the Contre Of Sarras & Nascien
Weren Clene becomen Cristene men.
Vpe hem took he with his honde,
And bar hem Into the Cite of Sarras,
Where-offen Many a man Glad þere was.
Thanne Nascien preide Ioseph tho,
That with him to Orbery wolde he Go,
And that On Of hem that he myhte have,—
Holy hermoine thermit he gan to Crave,—
Where that worthily his Body beried he,
And a Ryal Chirche Mad there be;
And In Sarras Cite ful Certeinly
He let Reren a Chirche ful solempnely,
And In eche of these Chirches two
Twelfe prestes he dide there do,
For the bisschope Of nethir plase there
Mihte not Suffisen, so moche peple were.
The Ermyt At Sarras, the Eldest they gonne Calle,
And the ȝongest at Orbery, thus seiden thei Alle.
214
Bothe Citez with holy bodyes in fere,
Where as they grete Myracles do
Everi day dureng ȝit hidirto.
Thus the Contre Of Sarras & Nascien
Weren Clene becomen Cristene men.
CHAPTER XVII.
Thanne seide the kyng and Nascien tho,
‘That with Ioseph thanne wolde they go,
To seen where that they made here preiere:
Thus seiden the king & Nascien there.
Anon thanne Ioseph with-Owten lettenge
To the Arch hem browhte, & made non tarienge,
And schewede there to the kyng
In the Arch there ful precious thing:
And there the king beheld In that plas
The vestements that Ioseph Sacred with was
Bisschop of Cristes Owne hond;
And Also the Chayere he Say there stond,
Whiche Chaier he preisede wondirly faste,
And there-offen he seide thanne atte last,
‘That It was of Alle the Ryalest Sittyng than
That Evere Ordeyned was for Erthly man.’
‘That with Ioseph thanne wolde they go,
To seen where that they made here preiere:
Thus seiden the king & Nascien there.
215
To the Arch hem browhte, & made non tarienge,
And schewede there to the kyng
In the Arch there ful precious thing:
And there the king beheld In that plas
The vestements that Ioseph Sacred with was
Bisschop of Cristes Owne hond;
And Also the Chayere he Say there stond,
Whiche Chaier he preisede wondirly faste,
And there-offen he seide thanne atte last,
‘That It was of Alle the Ryalest Sittyng than
That Evere Ordeyned was for Erthly man.’
Thanne Ioseph schewed hem the holy disch Anon,
Where-Inne that Sank Ryal was I-don.
And whanne that Nasciens loked ther vppon,
Ful passeng gret Ioye hadde [he] Anon,
And seide, ‘Of Alle the sihtes þat Euere ȝit he say,
Liked him neuere non so moche In-to þat day;’
Ne neuere so Ioyful was he of siht,
As that tyme was Nascien, I the plyht.
Now hadde he holy his Entent:
That he desired to sen, was þere present.
“Now wot I wel that fulfild it is in me,
Sire, A thing that I now schal tellen the:
For whanne I was A ȝong Sqwyer,
An gret hert I chasede wilde wher.
Whanne I hadde lost the Noyse of myn howndes,
And Also Alle my men with-Inne fewe stowndes,
Thanne In gret thowht there I stod;
And þere was non man that with me bod,
Ne Abowhtes me non Man Saw I tho
That Ony word I myhte speken vnto.
And as thus I In this thowht was,
To me a vois Cam In that plas,
‘Seraphe! merveille thow not so,
For ȝit thi thowht ne may comen the to,
Tyl thow mo Merveilles schalt se with-al,
And Also thing that is Clepid seint Graal.’
And therfore now wot I ful well
That this [is] Seint Graal Everidel;
Now know I wel that my pensifnesse
Is fulfilled with Alle Goodnesse.”
Where-Inne that Sank Ryal was I-don.
And whanne that Nasciens loked ther vppon,
Ful passeng gret Ioye hadde [he] Anon,
And seide, ‘Of Alle the sihtes þat Euere ȝit he say,
Liked him neuere non so moche In-to þat day;’
Ne neuere so Ioyful was he of siht,
As that tyme was Nascien, I the plyht.
Now hadde he holy his Entent:
That he desired to sen, was þere present.
“Now wot I wel that fulfild it is in me,
Sire, A thing that I now schal tellen the:
For whanne I was A ȝong Sqwyer,
An gret hert I chasede wilde wher.
Whanne I hadde lost the Noyse of myn howndes,
And Also Alle my men with-Inne fewe stowndes,
Thanne In gret thowht there I stod;
And þere was non man that with me bod,
Ne Abowhtes me non Man Saw I tho
That Ony word I myhte speken vnto.
And as thus I In this thowht was,
To me a vois Cam In that plas,
‘Seraphe! merveille thow not so,
For ȝit thi thowht ne may comen the to,
216
And Also thing that is Clepid seint Graal.’
And therfore now wot I ful well
That this [is] Seint Graal Everidel;
Now know I wel that my pensifnesse
Is fulfilled with Alle Goodnesse.”
ȝit thowht More Sire Nasciens than,
And that tyme wrowhte As non wis man,
But there lefte he vp the plateyne Anon
That vppon this glorious vessel was don;
And whanne with-Inne he gan to looke,
He him withdrowh, & for drede he qwooke.
And thanne the kyng Axede him Anon,
“Sire Nascien, what han ȝe at the Arch don?”
“Sire,” quod he there Anon Ryht tho,
“He is a fool that don wele as I have do,
To knowen the Secrees of his Saviour,
Him forto Greven In ony Owr.”
“Why,” quod thanne kyng Mordreins tho,
“Haven ȝe now Iesu Crist I-Greved so?”
“Be my feyth, Sire,” quod Sire Nasciens,
“I knowe wel I have offendid ȝit Goddis presens,
For that I have sein so moche be Owtraye
That non Erthly Man ne Owhte to have saye.”
And that tyme wrowhte As non wis man,
But there lefte he vp the plateyne Anon
That vppon this glorious vessel was don;
And whanne with-Inne he gan to looke,
He him withdrowh, & for drede he qwooke.
And thanne the kyng Axede him Anon,
“Sire Nascien, what han ȝe at the Arch don?”
“Sire,” quod he there Anon Ryht tho,
“He is a fool that don wele as I have do,
To knowen the Secrees of his Saviour,
Him forto Greven In ony Owr.”
“Why,” quod thanne kyng Mordreins tho,
“Haven ȝe now Iesu Crist I-Greved so?”
“Be my feyth, Sire,” quod Sire Nasciens,
“I knowe wel I have offendid ȝit Goddis presens,
For that I have sein so moche be Owtraye
That non Erthly Man ne Owhte to have saye.”
Thanne Axede the kyng, Ioseph Anon,
How that this Cawse Mihte Gon;
And thanne Answerid Nasciens Agein,
“Come thens, Ioseph, now In Certein;
Beholde it Not, I preie now to the,
That semblawnce that was schewed to Me,
Where-thorwgh that I have now lost my sight
Be the Ordenaunce of God Almyht,
Whiche that I schal neuere Recoveren Aȝen
Til the spere-hed Owt of thin hype be clen,
Where-with the Aungel At Orcauz Cite
With that Spere there smot the.”
Thanne Ioseph tho him heeld ful stille,
Al holy to fulfillen tho Goddis wille.
How that this Cawse Mihte Gon;
And thanne Answerid Nasciens Agein,
“Come thens, Ioseph, now In Certein;
Beholde it Not, I preie now to the,
That semblawnce that was schewed to Me,
Where-thorwgh that I have now lost my sight
Be the Ordenaunce of God Almyht,
Whiche that I schal neuere Recoveren Aȝen
Til the spere-hed Owt of thin hype be clen,
Where-with the Aungel At Orcauz Cite
With that Spere there smot the.”
217
Al holy to fulfillen tho Goddis wille.
Thanne Anon Gan kyng Mordreyns
There faste Enqweren Of Sire Nasciens,
‘What Manere of thing that he had Seye;’
Hym it to schewen he preide Openlye.
Quod Nasciens, “I haue sein so moche thing
That þere-Offen to tellen it is non Endyng,
Ne non tonge kan It now discrie,
I sey to the, Sire Kyng, Certeinlie.
I have sein,” quod tho sire Nasciens,
“Of Alle Manere of wykkednesse the defens;
[Of alle Boldnesse] I have Seyn the begynneng,
Of Alle wittes the Fowndyng,
I have sein the begynneng of Religeown
And Of Alle Bowntes, bothe Al & som,
And the poyntes of Alle Gentrye,
And a Merveil Of alle Merveilles Certeinlye.”
There faste Enqweren Of Sire Nasciens,
‘What Manere of thing that he had Seye;’
Hym it to schewen he preide Openlye.
Quod Nasciens, “I haue sein so moche thing
That þere-Offen to tellen it is non Endyng,
Ne non tonge kan It now discrie,
I sey to the, Sire Kyng, Certeinlie.
I have sein,” quod tho sire Nasciens,
“Of Alle Manere of wykkednesse the defens;
[Of alle Boldnesse] I have Seyn the begynneng,
Of Alle wittes the Fowndyng,
I have sein the begynneng of Religeown
And Of Alle Bowntes, bothe Al & som,
And the poyntes of Alle Gentrye,
And a Merveil Of alle Merveilles Certeinlye.”
Aftir this word thanne Anon
They weren Abaschet thanne Everichon.
The kyng of him thanne Enqwered there
‘How his siht was lost, And In what Manere.’
And Sire Nasciens Answerid him Agein,
“I wot Neuere, Sire, for Certein,
But for that I lokede on þat swete thing
That but fewe owhten to don lyvyng,
The wheche a merveille of alle Merveilles is,
Sire king, I the Seye with-owten Mys.”
Thanne Enqwered [he] Of Nasciens Ageyn
What that Merveille scholde ben pleyn:
“Sire,” quod Nasciens, “ thow gest non other Of Me,
Siker, Sire, An Also In Certeinte,
For Erthly tonge Is there non On lyve
That Cowde tho Merveilles wel discryve.”
They weren Abaschet thanne Everichon.
The kyng of him thanne Enqwered there
‘How his siht was lost, And In what Manere.’
And Sire Nasciens Answerid him Agein,
“I wot Neuere, Sire, for Certein,
But for that I lokede on þat swete thing
That but fewe owhten to don lyvyng,
The wheche a merveille of alle Merveilles is,
Sire king, I the Seye with-owten Mys.”
Thanne Enqwered [he] Of Nasciens Ageyn
What that Merveille scholde ben pleyn:
“Sire,” quod Nasciens, “ thow gest non other Of Me,
Siker, Sire, An Also In Certeinte,
218
That Cowde tho Merveilles wel discryve.”
And whanne thus to-fore the Arch hadde þei ben,
Ioseph In gret thowht was, as they myhten sen;
And thus sone A vois there gan to Crye,
That Al the peple it herde Sekerlye,—
With in that Arch the vois it was,
That thus there Sownede In that plas,—
“My grete veniaunce & my gret discipline,
With my strengthe to ȝow it schal propine.”
Ioseph In gret thowht was, as they myhten sen;
And thus sone A vois there gan to Crye,
That Al the peple it herde Sekerlye,—
With in that Arch the vois it was,
That thus there Sownede In that plas,—
“My grete veniaunce & my gret discipline,
With my strengthe to ȝow it schal propine.”
And thus sone as this vois was gon,
An Aungel Owt Of the Arch þere isswed Anon,
And Al In whit I-Clothed was he,
In A ful fayr Robe Certeinle;
And In his hond he heeld that lawnce þer
Where-with that Iosep was smeten Er.
That lawnce, In sihte of Kyng and qwene,
The Awngel to Ioseph it bar bedene,
And there put it Into the same plase
There As to Fore tymes I-hurt he wase.
And whanne the Awngel drow owt þe lawnce Agein,
The hed thanne folwede In Certein;
And the Awngel took A boist with Oynement Anon,
And to that wownde gan he gon,
And it Anoynt ful Softely
With that Oynement ful tendirly;
And thanne the hed on the lawnce he putte Aȝen,
Where-from Ran down blood ful Clen;
Wheche blood the Awngel In the boist putte,
And there-Inne ful worthily he it schytte,
And with the same blood Anoynted Iosephs wounde
And Sire Nasciens Eyen, In that stownde.
Thus sone as Cleer his Eyen were
As Evere Ony tyme weren they Ere.
An Aungel Owt Of the Arch þere isswed Anon,
And Al In whit I-Clothed was he,
In A ful fayr Robe Certeinle;
And In his hond he heeld that lawnce þer
Where-with that Iosep was smeten Er.
That lawnce, In sihte of Kyng and qwene,
The Awngel to Ioseph it bar bedene,
And there put it Into the same plase
There As to Fore tymes I-hurt he wase.
And whanne the Awngel drow owt þe lawnce Agein,
The hed thanne folwede In Certein;
And the Awngel took A boist with Oynement Anon,
And to that wownde gan he gon,
And it Anoynt ful Softely
With that Oynement ful tendirly;
And thanne the hed on the lawnce he putte Aȝen,
Where-from Ran down blood ful Clen;
Wheche blood the Awngel In the boist putte,
And there-Inne ful worthily he it schytte,
And with the same blood Anoynted Iosephs wounde
And Sire Nasciens Eyen, In that stownde.
Thus sone as Cleer his Eyen were
As Evere Ony tyme weren they Ere.
219
Thanne Axede Nasciens to Ioseph In hye
‘What that lawnce Mihte Signefye.’
Thanne Ioseph him Answerid Ageyn:
“It signefieth, Nasciens, In Certein,
Of the grete merveilles that scholen befalle
Openly to ȝowre Syhtës Alle;
For sweche merveilles as ȝe scholen sen,
And sweche Merveilles as to ȝow schol schewed ben,
To Cristes verray knyhtes discouered schal be;
Whanne that tyme Cometh, this scholen ȝe se;
For Erthly knyhtes, hevenly scholen been,
That with ȝowre Eyen this scholen ȝe seen;
Of wheche schal Neuere Man tellen þe Certeinte
Tyl it be fallen In Eche degre.
And ȝif thow wilt here-Offen haven som knowyng,
Tak kepe of this lawnce atte begynneng,
And whanne this lawnce gynneth to blede
Dropes Of Blood In Ony stede,
Thanne Aftir Sone scholen ȝe sen there
Of the Merveilles that I Rehersed ȝowe Ere;
And Aftir that Merveille Is Agon,
Blood on the lawnce Schole ȝe neuere sen non;
Thanne Scholen ȝe sen of diuers Aventure
Riht Merveillous, I the Ensure,
Be the signeficacioun Of this lawnce,
That Al the Contre schal ben In dowtawnce;
And thanne scholen ȝe haven knowleching
Of Sank Ryal, & Many An Othir thinge.
For the Secretis of Seint Graal,
That Somme men it Clepin ‘sanc Ryal,’
There may non dedlych Man there Se
But I alone, As I telle the;
For so Mochel Of Bownte it is,
And there-Inne so mochel worthynes,
That it is likyng wondirly wel,
And to the world schal ben Every del,
As thike that is ful Of Bownte,
And of prowesses ful gret plente;
For he moste ben ful of Charite,
Of Religiown, & also of Chastite,
That wit the lawnce Smetyn schal be
As thow me here Sye to-Fore the,
And that schal there Neuere Man be non
But the Kyng, I telle it the Alon;
For he Schal be the laste Man
That there-with schal be smeten than,
Ryht In A wondir-ful Manere,
As Afterward ȝe scholen here;
But a Merveillous lawnce it schal be
Where-with he schal be smeten, as i telle the.
‘What that lawnce Mihte Signefye.’
Thanne Ioseph him Answerid Ageyn:
“It signefieth, Nasciens, In Certein,
Of the grete merveilles that scholen befalle
Openly to ȝowre Syhtës Alle;
For sweche merveilles as ȝe scholen sen,
And sweche Merveilles as to ȝow schol schewed ben,
To Cristes verray knyhtes discouered schal be;
Whanne that tyme Cometh, this scholen ȝe se;
For Erthly knyhtes, hevenly scholen been,
That with ȝowre Eyen this scholen ȝe seen;
Of wheche schal Neuere Man tellen þe Certeinte
Tyl it be fallen In Eche degre.
And ȝif thow wilt here-Offen haven som knowyng,
Tak kepe of this lawnce atte begynneng,
And whanne this lawnce gynneth to blede
Dropes Of Blood In Ony stede,
Thanne Aftir Sone scholen ȝe sen there
Of the Merveilles that I Rehersed ȝowe Ere;
And Aftir that Merveille Is Agon,
Blood on the lawnce Schole ȝe neuere sen non;
Thanne Scholen ȝe sen of diuers Aventure
Riht Merveillous, I the Ensure,
Be the signeficacioun Of this lawnce,
That Al the Contre schal ben In dowtawnce;
And thanne scholen ȝe haven knowleching
Of Sank Ryal, & Many An Othir thinge.
For the Secretis of Seint Graal,
That Somme men it Clepin ‘sanc Ryal,’
There may non dedlych Man there Se
But I alone, As I telle the;
For so Mochel Of Bownte it is,
And there-Inne so mochel worthynes,
That it is likyng wondirly wel,
And to the world schal ben Every del,
220
And of prowesses ful gret plente;
For he moste ben ful of Charite,
Of Religiown, & also of Chastite,
That wit the lawnce Smetyn schal be
As thow me here Sye to-Fore the,
And that schal there Neuere Man be non
But the Kyng, I telle it the Alon;
For he Schal be the laste Man
That there-with schal be smeten than,
Ryht In A wondir-ful Manere,
As Afterward ȝe scholen here;
But a Merveillous lawnce it schal be
Where-with he schal be smeten, as i telle the.
“For these Merveilles schal no Man se
But he be Ful of Alle Bownte;
Wheche schal ben the laste man
That Evere of this ligne schal be than.
And lik as to Nasciens ferst publisched was,
So schal he be the laste In Ony plas
That the Merveilles of the Sank Rial schal se.
Thus be þe Crwcified kyng it is certefied Me:
‘Therefore bothe begynneng And Endeng
Of My Merveilles they scholen haven knowleching;
And on hem to, my veniaunce shal I Caste,
That they two scholen knowen Me Atte laste,
And Of My strok Me witnesse to bere,
That I to the herte wasse stonge with A spere,
Thorw wheche strok & oþere, þe fals Iewes certeinli
On the Crois Me Slowen, hangeng On hy.’
& knowe thow wel, Ioseph, with-owten dowtaunce,
That as longe as thow hast born this lawnce,
So long scholen the Merveillez duren to thende
Into that londe where I schal the sende.”
But he be Ful of Alle Bownte;
Wheche schal ben the laste man
That Evere of this ligne schal be than.
And lik as to Nasciens ferst publisched was,
So schal he be the laste In Ony plas
That the Merveilles of the Sank Rial schal se.
Thus be þe Crwcified kyng it is certefied Me:
‘Therefore bothe begynneng And Endeng
Of My Merveilles they scholen haven knowleching;
And on hem to, my veniaunce shal I Caste,
That they two scholen knowen Me Atte laste,
And Of My strok Me witnesse to bere,
That I to the herte wasse stonge with A spere,
Thorw wheche strok & oþere, þe fals Iewes certeinli
On the Crois Me Slowen, hangeng On hy.’
& knowe thow wel, Ioseph, with-owten dowtaunce,
That as longe as thow hast born this lawnce,
So long scholen the Merveillez duren to thende
Into that londe where I schal the sende.”
Thanne the Aungel torned Aȝen Anon;
But Abasched weren they Everichon,
For they ne hadden not non Cler knowlichenge,
Sauf Only of Nasciens Certifienge.
Thanne Ioseph Rekened tho riht Anon
How longe seth þe lawnce was In him don,
So that it was xii dayes fully
That the lawnce hadde he born Certeinly.
But Abasched weren they Everichon,
221
Sauf Only of Nasciens Certifienge.
Thanne Ioseph Rekened tho riht Anon
How longe seth þe lawnce was In him don,
So that it was xii dayes fully
That the lawnce hadde he born Certeinly.
Thanne Anon wente kyng Mordreyns,
And to his paleys ladde alle Cristiens,
Sauf Only thre that leften Of that hep,
The wheche Abyde there with Joseph.
And to his paleys ladde alle Cristiens,
Sauf Only thre that leften Of that hep,
The wheche Abyde there with Joseph.
Thanne clepid the kyng, Joseph anon,
Or Ony Fote Furthere wolde he gon,
‘That of theke A-visiowns he wolde him Schewe,
That In his chambre he saw Al on Rewe,’
“The Nyht to-Fore I wente to Bataille,
What thing it was that Me Gan so to saille,
Neuertheles ȝit wot I of som what how it ferde,
But I wolde that Nascien of ȝowre mowth it herde.”
Or Ony Fote Furthere wolde he gon,
‘That of theke A-visiowns he wolde him Schewe,
That In his chambre he saw Al on Rewe,’
“The Nyht to-Fore I wente to Bataille,
What thing it was that Me Gan so to saille,
Neuertheles ȝit wot I of som what how it ferde,
But I wolde that Nascien of ȝowre mowth it herde.”
Thanne of these Merveilles Ioseph gan telle;
Aforn Mordreyns and Nasciens he gan to spelle:
“Sire king! ferst In thi Chombre there þou Sye
Thre Trees that weren wondirly hye,
Alle iij of on gretnesse, And of on lengthe,
And of on heythe, & of on strengthe;
And thike that hadde the Fowle bark vppon,
That signefied verray Goddis sone;
The tothere tweyne Signefied, I tellet the,
The Fadir And the holigost In Trenite;
And the peple that vndir the Tre was,
The begynneng of þe world it was;
The tweyne that partid from hem thanne,
Was Adam & Eve the ferste Manne,
That to helle wenten down Ryht
After here deth, I the plyht,
And Alle the Remnawnt þat fillen In tho:
So dyden they Tyl God on the Cros was do.
Aforn Mordreyns and Nasciens he gan to spelle:
“Sire king! ferst In thi Chombre there þou Sye
Thre Trees that weren wondirly hye,
Alle iij of on gretnesse, And of on lengthe,
And of on heythe, & of on strengthe;
And thike that hadde the Fowle bark vppon,
That signefied verray Goddis sone;
The tothere tweyne Signefied, I tellet the,
The Fadir And the holigost In Trenite;
And the peple that vndir the Tre was,
The begynneng of þe world it was;
The tweyne that partid from hem thanne,
Was Adam & Eve the ferste Manne,
That to helle wenten down Ryht
After here deth, I the plyht,
And Alle the Remnawnt þat fillen In tho:
So dyden they Tyl God on the Cros was do.
222
“And tho that the brawnches gonnen forto hewe,
It weren the Fals Iewes vppon A rewe,
That persched bothe his hondes & Feet,
And non hol stiche On him they leet.
And whanne the Tre Fyl A-down,
Alle the Bark there lefte In virown;
The body that was the Bark with-Inne,
In-to þe dich it fil, and nold not blynne,
Where alle the peple fil In be-fore,
And Elles hadden Al the peple be lore;
And whanne A while there hadde he been,
Owt of that diche he Cam Aȝen,
And Into his bark Aȝen tornede he sone,
For wel he wiste what was to done;
And so Cler be-Cam that Tre withal,
As Evere dyde ony berylle Othir Cristal.
It weren the Fals Iewes vppon A rewe,
That persched bothe his hondes & Feet,
And non hol stiche On him they leet.
And whanne the Tre Fyl A-down,
Alle the Bark there lefte In virown;
The body that was the Bark with-Inne,
In-to þe dich it fil, and nold not blynne,
Where alle the peple fil In be-fore,
And Elles hadden Al the peple be lore;
And whanne A while there hadde he been,
Owt of that diche he Cam Aȝen,
And Into his bark Aȝen tornede he sone,
For wel he wiste what was to done;
And so Cler be-Cam that Tre withal,
As Evere dyde ony berylle Othir Cristal.
“Of Alle this thing the Signefiawnce
I schal ȝow declaren with-Owten variaunce:
Whanne the holigost from the Body was gon,
The Body In the Sepulcre was leid Anon;
As A thing that ded tho was,
So lay the Body in that plas;
And therwhiles was the Sowle In helle,
The Fendes bost al forto felle;
And his beloved thanne Everichon,
Owt thens with him he browhte Anon;
And thanne whanne thus hadde he I-do,
Into the Sepulcre the spirit gan go,
Al so Clere And Al so Bryht
As Evere the Godhede was In Syht.
I schal ȝow declaren with-Owten variaunce:
Whanne the holigost from the Body was gon,
The Body In the Sepulcre was leid Anon;
As A thing that ded tho was,
So lay the Body in that plas;
And therwhiles was the Sowle In helle,
The Fendes bost al forto felle;
And his beloved thanne Everichon,
Owt thens with him he browhte Anon;
And thanne whanne thus hadde he I-do,
Into the Sepulcre the spirit gan go,
Al so Clere And Al so Bryht
As Evere the Godhede was In Syht.
“And the peple that heng vppon the brawnches,
Signefied the sowles where-offen he wolde not stawnche,
But hem forth Browhte Everichon,
And Of his welbeloved he left non On;
And the leves of that Tre don Signefie
The Membres of God, I sey the Certeynlye.
Signefied the sowles where-offen he wolde not stawnche,
But hem forth Browhte Everichon,
And Of his welbeloved he left non On;
And the leves of that Tre don Signefie
The Membres of God, I sey the Certeynlye.
223
“And be these thre trees Vndirstonde thow wel
The blessed Trenite Everidel,
Fadir & Sone & holy gost,
iij. persones, & but On god Of Mihtes Most.
But on Godhed & but on deyete
Signefien tho persones thre;
So Is On god I thre persones,
And but on deyete In tho wones;
Ne nethir Of hem More thanne othere Is,
Nethir strengere ne feblere with-Owten Mys.”
The blessed Trenite Everidel,
Fadir & Sone & holy gost,
iij. persones, & but On god Of Mihtes Most.
But on Godhed & but on deyete
Signefien tho persones thre;
So Is On god I thre persones,
And but on deyete In tho wones;
Ne nethir Of hem More thanne othere Is,
Nethir strengere ne feblere with-Owten Mys.”
“Joseph,” seyde thanne the kyng Anon,
“These vndirstonde Ich wel Everichon;
But now Riht fain wolde I wete of the,
What þe Signifiaunce of theke thre wordis mown be.”
“Ful gladly Sire,” quod Joseph tho,
“Theke thre wordis I schal the undo;—
The Ferste that ‘Formere’ wreten Is there,
Betokeneth the Fadir In this Manere,
For he Formed Ferst Alle thing
From begynneng Into the Endyng.
And, For the persone of the sone Into Erthe Alyhte,
To saven Mankende thorwgh his Owne Mihte,
There-fore to þe sone belongeth the savacion of Man,
Thus Redely is it, As I the tellen Can;
And for the Cause that it is so,
He Calleth him ‘Saviour’ with-owten Mo.
And, for the holigost discendid Adown
At pentecost to the disciples In virown,
For to Clensen, And forto Maken Clene,
And hem Forto Enflawmen Al bedene;
And, for alle pvrifiments be-longen to þe holigost,
Therfore as ‘Clensere’ it signefiet, As it nedis Most.
Now the lettrure of these persones thre,
I haue declared, As ȝe Mown se,
That but On deyete And On pvsaunce
Hauen they thre with-Owten variaunce.”
“These vndirstonde Ich wel Everichon;
But now Riht fain wolde I wete of the,
What þe Signifiaunce of theke thre wordis mown be.”
“Ful gladly Sire,” quod Joseph tho,
“Theke thre wordis I schal the undo;—
The Ferste that ‘Formere’ wreten Is there,
Betokeneth the Fadir In this Manere,
For he Formed Ferst Alle thing
From begynneng Into the Endyng.
And, For the persone of the sone Into Erthe Alyhte,
To saven Mankende thorwgh his Owne Mihte,
There-fore to þe sone belongeth the savacion of Man,
Thus Redely is it, As I the tellen Can;
And for the Cause that it is so,
He Calleth him ‘Saviour’ with-owten Mo.
And, for the holigost discendid Adown
At pentecost to the disciples In virown,
For to Clensen, And forto Maken Clene,
And hem Forto Enflawmen Al bedene;
And, for alle pvrifiments be-longen to þe holigost,
Therfore as ‘Clensere’ it signefiet, As it nedis Most.
Now the lettrure of these persones thre,
I haue declared, As ȝe Mown se,
That but On deyete And On pvsaunce
Hauen they thre with-Owten variaunce.”
224
“Now vndirstonde I this Riht wel,
From gynneng to Endeng Everidel;
But of More,” quod the kyng,
“Thow most don me vndirstonding;
What that chambre doth signefie,
That with Min Eyen I saw so verralie,
That I wende Neuere to-forn theke day
Into Swich An hows non Man ne entren May.”
“A! Sire,” quod Ioseph thanne Anon,
“þat wele I declaren Er I hens gon;
For that I wolde with Al my myht
In stedfast beleve to bringen the ryht.
Thike Child that In the Chambre was,
And to-forn the Isswede In that plas
With-Owten Ony wal oþer dore brekynge,
Thus it is to thin & to oure Alther vndirstondinge;
It signefieth only Goddis Sone,
That In the Maydeins wombe dide wone,
Where as he In alihte, & Owt he cam
Be his Owne Miht as God & Man;
And lik as he owt of þat Chambre isswed to fore þe,
So dide he owt of the virgenite,
And neuere hire Maidenhot was put Away,
Nether to-forn ne After, As I the say.”
“Thanne telle me, Ioseph,” quod the kyng tho,
“What was that child that Into þe Chambre entred so!”
“Sire kyng, that Child was the holigost,
On God of Mihtes Most,
That Into that chambre Entred thanne,
In the savacioun of Alle kynde of Manne.
From gynneng to Endeng Everidel;
But of More,” quod the kyng,
“Thow most don me vndirstonding;
What that chambre doth signefie,
That with Min Eyen I saw so verralie,
That I wende Neuere to-forn theke day
Into Swich An hows non Man ne entren May.”
“A! Sire,” quod Ioseph thanne Anon,
“þat wele I declaren Er I hens gon;
For that I wolde with Al my myht
In stedfast beleve to bringen the ryht.
Thike Child that In the Chambre was,
And to-forn the Isswede In that plas
With-Owten Ony wal oþer dore brekynge,
Thus it is to thin & to oure Alther vndirstondinge;
It signefieth only Goddis Sone,
That In the Maydeins wombe dide wone,
Where as he In alihte, & Owt he cam
Be his Owne Miht as God & Man;
And lik as he owt of þat Chambre isswed to fore þe,
So dide he owt of the virgenite,
And neuere hire Maidenhot was put Away,
Nether to-forn ne After, As I the say.”
“Thanne telle me, Ioseph,” quod the kyng tho,
“What was that child that Into þe Chambre entred so!”
“Sire kyng, that Child was the holigost,
On God of Mihtes Most,
That Into that chambre Entred thanne,
In the savacioun of Alle kynde of Manne.
“There-fore sendeth the to Sein be Me
That highe lord God þat is In Maieste,
‘That thow schost Anon putten Away
Thike fals simylitude þat thow hast kept Mani day,
And that thow do hem brennen Anon Riht
Openly In Al the peplis siht;
That semblawnce that so longe þou hast had In kepinge,
Thow Schalt it don brenne Ouer Alle thinge.’
Where thow hast don fowl dedly Synne,
In tho pointes that thow hast Trespaced Inne,
The holigost wele þat it be declared Openly,
Thi Falsnesse And thin fowle foly,
That Alle the world it Mowen knowe,
Of thi meyne, bothe hyghe and lowe.”
That highe lord God þat is In Maieste,
‘That thow schost Anon putten Away
Thike fals simylitude þat thow hast kept Mani day,
And that thow do hem brennen Anon Riht
Openly In Al the peplis siht;
225
Thow Schalt it don brenne Ouer Alle thinge.’
Where thow hast don fowl dedly Synne,
In tho pointes that thow hast Trespaced Inne,
The holigost wele þat it be declared Openly,
Thi Falsnesse And thin fowle foly,
That Alle the world it Mowen knowe,
Of thi meyne, bothe hyghe and lowe.”
This Semblaunce that I have spoken of here,
Lesteneth to Me, and ȝe Mown lere;
What maner of semblaunce that worschepe he,
ȝe scholen Mown bothe heren and se.
He hadde don him Mad A fair ymage
In forme Of a woman of high parage,—
And A fairere ymage ne Mihte non ben
Of tre ne ston I-Man, As men Mihten sen,—
And with hire the king lay Euery oþer nyht;
And thereto In Ryal Robes sche was diht,
And In al so Riche & worthi Aray
As ony man Cowde devyne oþer say;
And a chambre for hire he let Ordeyne,
The most Merveillous that men herd of seyne,
That non Man Cowde knowen the openinge,
Nethir thentre ne Owt-Goyng.
Lesteneth to Me, and ȝe Mown lere;
What maner of semblaunce that worschepe he,
ȝe scholen Mown bothe heren and se.
He hadde don him Mad A fair ymage
In forme Of a woman of high parage,—
And A fairere ymage ne Mihte non ben
Of tre ne ston I-Man, As men Mihten sen,—
And with hire the king lay Euery oþer nyht;
And thereto In Ryal Robes sche was diht,
And In al so Riche & worthi Aray
As ony man Cowde devyne oþer say;
And a chambre for hire he let Ordeyne,
The most Merveillous that men herd of seyne,
That non Man Cowde knowen the openinge,
Nethir thentre ne Owt-Goyng.
Thanne Anon Clepid he forth Sire Nascien
And his qwene, to-Foren him to Comen then,
And seide ‘that he wolde hem Alle Schewe
His fals leveng, with-Inne A threwe,
That so longe he hadde kept And lad.’
And his qwene, to-Foren him to Comen then,
And seide ‘that he wolde hem Alle Schewe
His fals leveng, with-Inne A threwe,
That so longe he hadde kept And lad.’
Anon his Meyne he Comanded, & bad,
‘A gret Feer Forto Maken Anon
In his paleys, Amongis hem Echon;’
And whanne þat feer was brennenge briht,
Anon he Comaunded hem Owt of his Siht
And Owt of the Paleys Forto gon,
Alle his Meyne Everichon,
So that In his Compenye ne left not there
But Ioseph, & Nasciens, & his qweene in fere.
‘A gret Feer Forto Maken Anon
In his paleys, Amongis hem Echon;’
And whanne þat feer was brennenge briht,
Anon he Comaunded hem Owt of his Siht
And Owt of the Paleys Forto gon,
Alle his Meyne Everichon,
226
But Ioseph, & Nasciens, & his qweene in fere.
Thanne the kyng ladde hem forth Anon
To a sotyl hows was mad of Marbre ston,
And Alle of divers Colowres it was,
Ful seteli I-wrowht In that plas,
And the Schettynge was Mad so previly
That non Man Miht it knowen Apertly,
With a sotil barre with Inne I-wrowht,
That non man thentre ne knewe nowht.
And whanne the kyng it Opene scholde,
A sotyl Ernen keye In his hond gan holde,
The wheche the Iointours he gan vnschitte,
So wel of that For-knew he itte.
And thus thei Entreden Everichon
There that ymage was Riht Anon,
Where that disloyalte & synne he hadde I-do
With that ymage þat In the hows was so.
To a sotyl hows was mad of Marbre ston,
And Alle of divers Colowres it was,
Ful seteli I-wrowht In that plas,
And the Schettynge was Mad so previly
That non Man Miht it knowen Apertly,
With a sotil barre with Inne I-wrowht,
That non man thentre ne knewe nowht.
And whanne the kyng it Opene scholde,
A sotyl Ernen keye In his hond gan holde,
The wheche the Iointours he gan vnschitte,
So wel of that For-knew he itte.
And thus thei Entreden Everichon
There that ymage was Riht Anon,
Where that disloyalte & synne he hadde I-do
With that ymage þat In the hows was so.
And that ymage Took he there Anon Ryht,
And Into that Fyr he let it to ben dyht,
And alle the Riche Robes Also
That vppon thike ymage weren I-do,
Evene thus dide he In alle mennes Siht
Thike Ymage to don brennen ful briht.
“O,” quod the kyng, “goode lord God, moche is þi Miht,
That me Sendest grace nowe In thi Siht
My fals levenge forto Forsake,
And Only to thi servise me take!”
And there alle his Synne he forsook,
And Onlyche to goddis servise him took.
And Into that Fyr he let it to ben dyht,
And alle the Riche Robes Also
That vppon thike ymage weren I-do,
Evene thus dide he In alle mennes Siht
Thike Ymage to don brennen ful briht.
“O,” quod the kyng, “goode lord God, moche is þi Miht,
That me Sendest grace nowe In thi Siht
My fals levenge forto Forsake,
And Only to thi servise me take!”
And there alle his Synne he forsook,
And Onlyche to goddis servise him took.
Thanne merveilled Alle that Meyne
What theke semblawnce myht be,
For there-offen herden they Neuere speken be-fore
Of non Man that Evere ȝit was I-bore.
Alle this was thorwgh Iosephes techinge,
Him self and Al his Rem In good lif to bringe,
Thorwgh the Comandement of Oure lord;
Thus was the semblaunce brend at on word.
What theke semblawnce myht be,
For there-offen herden they Neuere speken be-fore
Of non Man that Evere ȝit was I-bore.
Alle this was thorwgh Iosephes techinge,
Him self and Al his Rem In good lif to bringe,
227
Thus was the semblaunce brend at on word.
And whanne Ioseph hadde Alle this I-do,
And thike ymage dide brenne þere Also,
And al the lond browht In good beleve,
From Sarras ward he gan to meve,
And took his leve at kyng and knyht,
At Nasciens, and Of that qweene so briht.
Thanne the kyng, the qwene, & Sire Nascien,
Cowndied Ioseph A gret weye then,
And Alle that weren In his Compenye
Forth with Ioseph thei gonnen hem Gye,
Wheche that A gret Meine it was,
That to Iosephe Seiden In thike plas,
‘That ȝif Ioseph wolde In here Compenie go,
From him departen wolde they neuere mo.’
And thike ymage dide brenne þere Also,
And al the lond browht In good beleve,
From Sarras ward he gan to meve,
And took his leve at kyng and knyht,
At Nasciens, and Of that qweene so briht.
Thanne the kyng, the qwene, & Sire Nascien,
Cowndied Ioseph A gret weye then,
And Alle that weren In his Compenye
Forth with Ioseph thei gonnen hem Gye,
Wheche that A gret Meine it was,
That to Iosephe Seiden In thike plas,
‘That ȝif Ioseph wolde In here Compenie go,
From him departen wolde they neuere mo.’
And Ioseph Resceived hem Everichon
That In his Compenye gonnen to gon,
So As be nombre it was I-Rekened to me
Two hundred & Sevene of theke Meyne.
And so of the kyng his leve there he took,
And Alle the Compenie that he not forsook,
& Charged þe kyng, ‘holi chirche to sosteyne,
And Neuere to his fals levenge to tornen Ageyne;
More-Ouer, to kepen Cristes lawes,
My techeng, And þerto Alle my sawes.’
That In his Compenye gonnen to gon,
So As be nombre it was I-Rekened to me
Two hundred & Sevene of theke Meyne.
And so of the kyng his leve there he took,
And Alle the Compenie that he not forsook,
& Charged þe kyng, ‘holi chirche to sosteyne,
And Neuere to his fals levenge to tornen Ageyne;
More-Ouer, to kepen Cristes lawes,
My techeng, And þerto Alle my sawes.’
Thus departed the kyng and they tho
With wepinges, syghenges, & Manion mo;
For hem thowghte forloren they were,
Whanne Iosephe departed from hem there,
As ȝe scholen heren here Aftirward,
What happes & Chaunses befillen hem hard.
And whanne that Ioseph forth wente,
Into what Contre he ne wiste veramente,
But As be Goddis Comandement
He it Fulfillede tho verayment.
With wepinges, syghenges, & Manion mo;
For hem thowghte forloren they were,
Whanne Iosephe departed from hem there,
As ȝe scholen heren here Aftirward,
What happes & Chaunses befillen hem hard.
And whanne that Ioseph forth wente,
Into what Contre he ne wiste veramente,
But As be Goddis Comandement
He it Fulfillede tho verayment.
228
CHAPTER XVIII.
Now goth forth Ioseph & his Compenye
Be Goddis Comandement Certeinlye,
But Alle here Iornes devisen I ne kan,—
It were to moche for Ony On Man—
Nethir here herebegage, ne here vyaunde;
But nothing hem lakked, I vndirstonde.
Be Goddis Comandement Certeinlye,
But Alle here Iornes devisen I ne kan,—
It were to moche for Ony On Man—
Nethir here herebegage, ne here vyaunde;
But nothing hem lakked, I vndirstonde.
Now from Ioseph A while let vs twynne
And of kyng Mordreins we Moste be-gynne,
And of the Compenie that Is in Sarras Cite,
That Ioseph there lefte of his Meyne.
Thus begynneth this storie forto telle
What Aventure king Mordreins Aftir befelle.
And of kyng Mordreins we Moste be-gynne,
And of the Compenie that Is in Sarras Cite,
That Ioseph there lefte of his Meyne.
Thus begynneth this storie forto telle
What Aventure king Mordreins Aftir befelle.
In bedde as he lay vppon A Nyht,
In his slepe was there wondirly afryht;
And there A gret dreme Cam him vppon,
As after scholen ȝe heren Everichon.
In this wonderful dreme riht longe he lay,
Til that it was ny liht of the day,
And with his Eyen So sore he wepte,
And Evere he lay & faste Slepte,
In Sighenges and In Storbelings sore,
Al Evere thus he ferde More & More;
So that þe qwene, that by him lay,
To hire herte it was a ful gret fray;
But Sche myhte not Enqweren for non thing
Of him what Amownted this Metyng,
For sche dorste not Aȝens his wille
Hym there-Offen freyne, for good ne ylle;
For he was bothe feers & Crwel,
Therfore sche ne dorste him Aȝen neuere a del.
In his slepe was there wondirly afryht;
229
As after scholen ȝe heren Everichon.
In this wonderful dreme riht longe he lay,
Til that it was ny liht of the day,
And with his Eyen So sore he wepte,
And Evere he lay & faste Slepte,
In Sighenges and In Storbelings sore,
Al Evere thus he ferde More & More;
So that þe qwene, that by him lay,
To hire herte it was a ful gret fray;
But Sche myhte not Enqweren for non thing
Of him what Amownted this Metyng,
For sche dorste not Aȝens his wille
Hym there-Offen freyne, for good ne ylle;
For he was bothe feers & Crwel,
Therfore sche ne dorste him Aȝen neuere a del.
Thus Abod the kyng In this trowble Owt riht
Til it was passed middes of the nyht;
And thanne In a softe Sleepe fil he,
For werinesse of travaille he hadde Inne be;
And thus In dremeng thowhte he,
‘That he was In Sarras, þat faire Cite,
And there In his Cowrt that was so Riche
And so worthi, that non was liche.
To that Cowrt him thowghte comen there
Manye lordis & ladyes Of gret powere,
That weren Arayed & Rialy dyht,—
So Ryal Saw he Neuere In his siht;
And to Mete Seten they Alle,
As to kyng, lordes, & ladyes, don befalle.
Him thowhte At his mete þere that he sat;
His mowht he opened, A morsel puttyng In þere-at;
Him thowghte A thondir blast gan gon,
That Morsel owt of his hand it smot Anon;
An the Crowne that was vppon his hed,
To the Erthe it Caste In that sted;
And whanne he stowpede the Crowne to take,
A boistous wynd there gan to wake;
Hym thowghte he was born Into A straunge place
A fer wey thennes, & þere was a long space.
And ȝit him thowhte there wel More,
That A liown & A lioness to him Comen thore;
Everi day the lyown mete to him browghte,
And the lionesse Awey it Cawhte,
Sauf scarsly half his lyvenge
That the liown dide him bringe.
And Atte laste him thowghte Agein,
That non lengere he wolde it soffren in sertein;
And with his fist smot so the lyonesse
That sche dide him no More distresse.
Til it was passed middes of the nyht;
And thanne In a softe Sleepe fil he,
For werinesse of travaille he hadde Inne be;
And thus In dremeng thowhte he,
‘That he was In Sarras, þat faire Cite,
And there In his Cowrt that was so Riche
And so worthi, that non was liche.
To that Cowrt him thowghte comen there
Manye lordis & ladyes Of gret powere,
That weren Arayed & Rialy dyht,—
So Ryal Saw he Neuere In his siht;
And to Mete Seten they Alle,
As to kyng, lordes, & ladyes, don befalle.
Him thowhte At his mete þere that he sat;
His mowht he opened, A morsel puttyng In þere-at;
Him thowghte A thondir blast gan gon,
That Morsel owt of his hand it smot Anon;
An the Crowne that was vppon his hed,
To the Erthe it Caste In that sted;
230
A boistous wynd there gan to wake;
Hym thowghte he was born Into A straunge place
A fer wey thennes, & þere was a long space.
And ȝit him thowhte there wel More,
That A liown & A lioness to him Comen thore;
Everi day the lyown mete to him browghte,
And the lionesse Awey it Cawhte,
Sauf scarsly half his lyvenge
That the liown dide him bringe.
And Atte laste him thowghte Agein,
That non lengere he wolde it soffren in sertein;
And with his fist smot so the lyonesse
That sche dide him no More distresse.
‘Thanne him thowghte his Crowne he fond;
And vp he took it þere In his hond,
And set it Aȝen vppon his hed;
Thus thowghte him there In that sted.
But it was Chonged thanne wondirly,
The stones of that Crowne Certeinly;
For the stones weren so preciowse to his eye,
That neuere non So precious stones he sye.
And vp he took it þere In his hond,
And set it Aȝen vppon his hed;
Thus thowghte him there In that sted.
But it was Chonged thanne wondirly,
The stones of that Crowne Certeinly;
For the stones weren so preciowse to his eye,
That neuere non So precious stones he sye.
‘And whanne on his hed it was set Aȝein,
Thanne Cam his Nevew, Nasciens sone, Certein;
Him thowhte that An Egle him there bar
Ryht Fer with-Inne the Se thar;
Ful fer Into a stravnge contre
His Nevew him thowghte þere bar he;
And there the Egle lefte him a-down
Ryht fer Into a strawnge Regiown.
And whanne he was there set In þat plase,
The peple that In the Contre wase,
To him alle they knelid a down
In that plase Abowtes In-virown;
And whanne thus alle they hadden don,
To him so Enclyned Everichon,
And gret Ioie of him they made,
And of him weren they wondir glade.
Thanne Cam his Nevew, Nasciens sone, Certein;
Him thowhte that An Egle him there bar
Ryht Fer with-Inne the Se thar;
Ful fer Into a stravnge contre
His Nevew him thowghte þere bar he;
And there the Egle lefte him a-down
Ryht fer Into a strawnge Regiown.
And whanne he was there set In þat plase,
The peple that In the Contre wase,
To him alle they knelid a down
In that plase Abowtes In-virown;
And whanne thus alle they hadden don,
To him so Enclyned Everichon,
231
And of him weren they wondir glade.
‘Thanne thowghte him that veraillye
That he Sawgh with his bodilich Eye
A gret Flood Owt of his body Gon;
Of wheche flood becomen there Nyne Anon,
Where-Offen the viij Reveres were
Of on clernesse, of on depthe & bred, him þowghte þere;
But the laste flood that there was,
Most deppest, Most Trowblest, semed In that plas;
The water was as fowl As Ony chanel,
Riht hydows Therto, & ful stordy Ech del;
Thus Evene ferd it Atte the begynneng:
But in the Middis was thanne Anothir thing,
For the water Also Cler was there
As ony preciouse stones Owghere,
Not-with-stonding it was boystows & scharpe
As here to-Foren ȝe herden Me Carpe;
And ȝit In the Ende was it in A-nothir Manere,—
ȝif ȝe welen lestene ȝe scholen here;—
For it was More Cleer An hundred fold
Thanne here to-fore ȝe han herd me told,
And More Fairere thanne In the Middes it was,
And as swete to drinken In ony plas;
And so delicious it was to drinke,
That More delicious Cowde non Man thenke;
In wheche Ende the Cowrs was so softe,
þat there-offen was non Noise on lofte.
ȝit more him thowghte þat he Sawgh tho
A Fair Man that From the hevene gan go;
And as he lokede, him thowghte, An hy
In his hondis he Sawgh the verray Crucyfi;
And to a lake he Gan to Gon;
His hondes & Feet he weesch there-Inne Anon;
And thre of the floodis wheche þat were
Departid from the Nynthe there;
Into Alle thre he Entrede, wete þou wel,
Hondes, feet, and body he weesch Eche del.’
That he Sawgh with his bodilich Eye
A gret Flood Owt of his body Gon;
Of wheche flood becomen there Nyne Anon,
Where-Offen the viij Reveres were
Of on clernesse, of on depthe & bred, him þowghte þere;
But the laste flood that there was,
Most deppest, Most Trowblest, semed In that plas;
The water was as fowl As Ony chanel,
Riht hydows Therto, & ful stordy Ech del;
Thus Evene ferd it Atte the begynneng:
But in the Middis was thanne Anothir thing,
For the water Also Cler was there
As ony preciouse stones Owghere,
Not-with-stonding it was boystows & scharpe
As here to-Foren ȝe herden Me Carpe;
And ȝit In the Ende was it in A-nothir Manere,—
ȝif ȝe welen lestene ȝe scholen here;—
For it was More Cleer An hundred fold
Thanne here to-fore ȝe han herd me told,
And More Fairere thanne In the Middes it was,
And as swete to drinken In ony plas;
And so delicious it was to drinke,
That More delicious Cowde non Man thenke;
In wheche Ende the Cowrs was so softe,
þat there-offen was non Noise on lofte.
ȝit more him thowghte þat he Sawgh tho
A Fair Man that From the hevene gan go;
And as he lokede, him thowghte, An hy
In his hondis he Sawgh the verray Crucyfi;
And to a lake he Gan to Gon;
His hondes & Feet he weesch there-Inne Anon;
And thre of the floodis wheche þat were
Departid from the Nynthe there;
232
Hondes, feet, and body he weesch Eche del.’
This Avicioun & this dremenge
Sawgh the kyng In his Slepinge,
Wheche that lasted Ny to the day,
Lik As this Storye vs now doth say.
Thanne A-wook this kyng Anon,
And Remembred him of these viciouns Echon,
Where-offen Abasched ful sore he was,
Of that wonderful A[nd] merveillous Cas.
Sawgh the kyng In his Slepinge,
Wheche that lasted Ny to the day,
Lik As this Storye vs now doth say.
Thanne A-wook this kyng Anon,
And Remembred him of these viciouns Echon,
Where-offen Abasched ful sore he was,
Of that wonderful A[nd] merveillous Cas.
And the qweene that beheeld his fare,
In hire herte hadde sche ful gret Care,
How sche Myhte Owght knowen of the lif
Why that hire lord was so thanne pensyf.
Anon As sche myhte parceyven the day,
Vpe sche Ros, And to hire brother took the way,
Sore wepinge & sore Syghenge,
With gret sorwe & lawmentinge,
And so Cam to Nasciens hire brotheris bed,
And down be him sat In thike sted.
Anon Ryht vpe this Nasciens Rawghte,
His Soster there In his armes he Cawghte,
And hire A-Freyned with Al his herte,
‘Why that sche hadde So manye peynes smerte.’
Thanne tolde sche him of hire lord the kyng
That Al Niht hadde ben In sweche Morneng,
And the Cause for why sche ne wiste,
“Therfore, dere brothir, as I the tryste,
Lest he myhte falle In som dispeireng,
Now, swete dere brothir, for Ony thing
That ȝe wolden of him Enqwere
For what Cawse he hadde Al his fere,
And for Iesus love hevene kyng,
For whom we hauen taken Cristeneng,
That ȝe wolden streyht to him gon,
And a boone Axen Of hym þere Anon,
‘That he wolde graunten ȝow ȝowre Askyng,
What so Evere it be, of Alle thing,’
And whanne þat he hath graunted to ȝow þat boone,
Thanne that ȝe wolden Axen him ful sone
‘Why that he Ferde So that Nyht,
& why In his sleepe he was so afryht;’
For I ne desire so sore non thing
As there Offen to haven som knoweng.”
In hire herte hadde sche ful gret Care,
How sche Myhte Owght knowen of the lif
Why that hire lord was so thanne pensyf.
Anon As sche myhte parceyven the day,
Vpe sche Ros, And to hire brother took the way,
Sore wepinge & sore Syghenge,
With gret sorwe & lawmentinge,
And so Cam to Nasciens hire brotheris bed,
And down be him sat In thike sted.
Anon Ryht vpe this Nasciens Rawghte,
His Soster there In his armes he Cawghte,
And hire A-Freyned with Al his herte,
‘Why that sche hadde So manye peynes smerte.’
Thanne tolde sche him of hire lord the kyng
That Al Niht hadde ben In sweche Morneng,
And the Cause for why sche ne wiste,
“Therfore, dere brothir, as I the tryste,
Lest he myhte falle In som dispeireng,
Now, swete dere brothir, for Ony thing
That ȝe wolden of him Enqwere
For what Cawse he hadde Al his fere,
And for Iesus love hevene kyng,
For whom we hauen taken Cristeneng,
That ȝe wolden streyht to him gon,
And a boone Axen Of hym þere Anon,
233
What so Evere it be, of Alle thing,’
And whanne þat he hath graunted to ȝow þat boone,
Thanne that ȝe wolden Axen him ful sone
‘Why that he Ferde So that Nyht,
& why In his sleepe he was so afryht;’
For I ne desire so sore non thing
As there Offen to haven som knoweng.”
Thanne Ros him vpe this Nasciens Anon,
And to the kynges chambre gan to gon;
And be that tyme he comen thedir was,
The kyng was Resen in that plas;
And Nasciens him grette þere Anon riht,
And seide, “Sire! as thow art bothe kyng & knyht,
One bone, sire kyng, þat thow grawnte me
With-Owten lettynge Owthir Adversite.”
Thanne þe king Answerid him Agein,
“Dere brothe[r], ȝe knowen wel In Certein,
That nothing wheche Is In Myn bandown
That Al Redy schal been at ȝowre peticiown.”
And whanne Naciens vndirstood al this,
That be his Creawnse he wolde not Mis,
But fulfillen his bone Al hol & pleyn,
Thanne to him thus seide he In Certein,
‘No more for his boone wolde he Crave,
But knowliching of his pensifnesse to have;
Why Al that Nyht he ferde tho so,
This wolde I wete Er that I go.’
And whanne the kyng herde him thus seye,
Thanne wiste he wel his qweene gan him be-wreye,
So that Anon Ryht to Sire Nasciens
He tolde his trowblynge with-owten Offens,
And told him clene his Aviciowun,
And of his Nevew Al & som;
“But ȝit neuertheles not for than
I ne have not ȝow told how it began;
For of this ȝifte that ȝe han Axed me,
Riht ful vntrewe to ȝow have I be;
For I swor to ȝow with-Inne þe viij day,
Whanne ȝe token for me that iornay,
I scholde ȝow so worthily qwiten Ageyn
Thal al ȝoure baronage scholde it knowen Certein.
Where-offen vntrewe to ȝow I am,
And thus this pensifnesse On me it Cam.
Fortheremore, As by my qweene I lay,
I bethowghte me how Mani A day
That I hadde leyn In fowl sinne,
The fowlest þat Man Myhte leven Inne;
And myn Consciense me gan to Repreve
Of myn fals levenge & Of myn beleve.
And as I lay thus, & me be-thowghte
ȝif to Ony Man I hadde behyght Owghte;
And I ne Cowde not thenken, sauf Only to þe,
To whom that I haue so longe vntrewe be;
And for wheche thing is most myn hevynesse
That bringeth myn herte In al this distresse.
For there nis now no man lyvenge
That I am so moche bownden to In Alle thinge,
Ne that so moche that I haue trespaced vnto,
As to ȝowre persone now that I have I-do.
And what this vntrowthe it is to mene,
I schal ȝow tellen ful wel & Clene.
And to the kynges chambre gan to gon;
And be that tyme he comen thedir was,
The kyng was Resen in that plas;
And Nasciens him grette þere Anon riht,
And seide, “Sire! as thow art bothe kyng & knyht,
One bone, sire kyng, þat thow grawnte me
With-Owten lettynge Owthir Adversite.”
Thanne þe king Answerid him Agein,
“Dere brothe[r], ȝe knowen wel In Certein,
That nothing wheche Is In Myn bandown
That Al Redy schal been at ȝowre peticiown.”
And whanne Naciens vndirstood al this,
That be his Creawnse he wolde not Mis,
But fulfillen his bone Al hol & pleyn,
Thanne to him thus seide he In Certein,
‘No more for his boone wolde he Crave,
But knowliching of his pensifnesse to have;
Why Al that Nyht he ferde tho so,
This wolde I wete Er that I go.’
And whanne the kyng herde him thus seye,
Thanne wiste he wel his qweene gan him be-wreye,
So that Anon Ryht to Sire Nasciens
He tolde his trowblynge with-owten Offens,
And told him clene his Aviciowun,
And of his Nevew Al & som;
“But ȝit neuertheles not for than
I ne have not ȝow told how it began;
234
Riht ful vntrewe to ȝow have I be;
For I swor to ȝow with-Inne þe viij day,
Whanne ȝe token for me that iornay,
I scholde ȝow so worthily qwiten Ageyn
Thal al ȝoure baronage scholde it knowen Certein.
Where-offen vntrewe to ȝow I am,
And thus this pensifnesse On me it Cam.
Fortheremore, As by my qweene I lay,
I bethowghte me how Mani A day
That I hadde leyn In fowl sinne,
The fowlest þat Man Myhte leven Inne;
And myn Consciense me gan to Repreve
Of myn fals levenge & Of myn beleve.
And as I lay thus, & me be-thowghte
ȝif to Ony Man I hadde behyght Owghte;
And I ne Cowde not thenken, sauf Only to þe,
To whom that I haue so longe vntrewe be;
And for wheche thing is most myn hevynesse
That bringeth myn herte In al this distresse.
For there nis now no man lyvenge
That I am so moche bownden to In Alle thinge,
Ne that so moche that I haue trespaced vnto,
As to ȝowre persone now that I have I-do.
And what this vntrowthe it is to mene,
I schal ȝow tellen ful wel & Clene.
It is ful trewe, As ȝe don vndirstonde,
Whanne I was discomfyt be myn Enemyes honde
At Tarabel, As ȝe wel knowe,
Where as ȝe Comen with-Inne A throwe
Aȝens Myn Enemyes to socowren there,
Of whom þat I hadde Riht gret Fere,
Whanne to the Castel of Come þat I was gon,—
That tyme Oþer Socour hadde I non;—
Thanne Comen ȝe prekynge with ȝowre Meyne
In Socowringe, fortheringe, & helpinge of me;
Thanne behyghte I ȝow tho In Certein,
‘That ȝif euere to Sarras I Myhte Rekeueren Agein
In worschepe & In prosperite;
With-Innen .viij. dayes aftir Certeinle,
I scholde ȝow so worthily Gwerdone thanne,
That bettere gwerdoned nas neuere Manne;’
Where-offen the schame is Fallen On Me
Only, Sire, & not vppon the.
And for Cawse of this grete thowght,
Into this Avicioun thus was I browght,
As I have told ȝow, bothe Crope & Roote;
But the signefiawnce, how to knowen, I ne woote;
Now sethen that Ioseph is hennes gon,
Man me to declaren now know I non;
For, And he were here now present,
He cowde me declaren Al the hole Entent;”
And for this Cause was he in gret thowht,
To what Ende this viciown scholde be browht.
Whanne I was discomfyt be myn Enemyes honde
At Tarabel, As ȝe wel knowe,
Where as ȝe Comen with-Inne A throwe
Aȝens Myn Enemyes to socowren there,
Of whom þat I hadde Riht gret Fere,
Whanne to the Castel of Come þat I was gon,—
That tyme Oþer Socour hadde I non;—
Thanne Comen ȝe prekynge with ȝowre Meyne
In Socowringe, fortheringe, & helpinge of me;
235
‘That ȝif euere to Sarras I Myhte Rekeueren Agein
In worschepe & In prosperite;
With-Innen .viij. dayes aftir Certeinle,
I scholde ȝow so worthily Gwerdone thanne,
That bettere gwerdoned nas neuere Manne;’
Where-offen the schame is Fallen On Me
Only, Sire, & not vppon the.
And for Cawse of this grete thowght,
Into this Avicioun thus was I browght,
As I have told ȝow, bothe Crope & Roote;
But the signefiawnce, how to knowen, I ne woote;
Now sethen that Ioseph is hennes gon,
Man me to declaren now know I non;
For, And he were here now present,
He cowde me declaren Al the hole Entent;”
And for this Cause was he in gret thowht,
To what Ende this viciown scholde be browht.
And thanne be-spak tho Sire Nasciens,
That thike tyme was In the kynges presens,
“For, sire, this viciown May Signefie
That ȝe scholen In-to Anothir Seignorie;
But ȝe neten whanne, ne what day,
That this sodeynly behappen ȝow May.
For, lik As ȝe han chonged ȝoure lif,
So scholen ȝe ȝowre Regne with-owten strif;
For Every Evel wil & wikked Cownsaille,
Eche man Owghte Forsaken Sawn faille,
And Ellis diden we Contrariously
To Owre newe feith ful Sekerly,
Into hos Creaunse we han vs bownde
Bothe body and Sowle In this stownde.
Where-fore, As of ȝoure Aviciown, now semeth me,
To non Evel may it torne In non degre.
But I rede ȝow that ȝe now do,
Counseil Of holy Chirche to Clepen ȝow to,
Wheche that Ioseph left In his stede,
Good Counseil there-Offen ȝow now to hede.
For ȝe knowen wel be vndirstondyng,
That Ioseph Comanded ȝow Ouer Alle thing
‘Holy Chirche to kepen an Susteyne,
And In Every nede to hem scholde ȝe Compleyne,
That Nedy were to sowle oþer to body;’
Thus Comanded he ȝow, ȝe weten wel sothly.”
That thike tyme was In the kynges presens,
“For, sire, this viciown May Signefie
That ȝe scholen In-to Anothir Seignorie;
But ȝe neten whanne, ne what day,
That this sodeynly behappen ȝow May.
For, lik As ȝe han chonged ȝoure lif,
So scholen ȝe ȝowre Regne with-owten strif;
For Every Evel wil & wikked Cownsaille,
Eche man Owghte Forsaken Sawn faille,
And Ellis diden we Contrariously
To Owre newe feith ful Sekerly,
Into hos Creaunse we han vs bownde
Bothe body and Sowle In this stownde.
Where-fore, As of ȝoure Aviciown, now semeth me,
To non Evel may it torne In non degre.
But I rede ȝow that ȝe now do,
Counseil Of holy Chirche to Clepen ȝow to,
236
Good Counseil there-Offen ȝow now to hede.
For ȝe knowen wel be vndirstondyng,
That Ioseph Comanded ȝow Ouer Alle thing
‘Holy Chirche to kepen an Susteyne,
And In Every nede to hem scholde ȝe Compleyne,
That Nedy were to sowle oþer to body;’
Thus Comanded he ȝow, ȝe weten wel sothly.”
And whanne Nasciens this wordis had seid þo,
Anon bothe to-Gederis thanne gonnen they go
To the paleys Anon Of Spiritwelte—
As to-forn Rehersid han ȝe herd Me—
That Enstablyscht & Ordeyned weren Echone,
Holy Goddis Servise there-Inne to done;
So that there herden they goddis Servise,
And Afterward that Glorious Sacrifise,
As Ioseph hem Comaunded before,
In what maner to Swen Cristes lore,
And Every day for the More part Comowned to be;
Thus Comanded Ioseph tho Certeynle.
And whanne this Servise was Al I-don,
To-forn him he Comanded to Comen Anon
Alle the provostis of holy Chirche,
And of hem took Counseil how he scholde wirche,
And told hem Clerly Al his Avicioun,
How that he dremede, Al and som.
But Of hem was there not On tho
That theke Avisiown Cowde him vndo;
For they Seyden him Certeinly,
‘That there ne Cowde non Man but God Only
That Avicioon to declaren In Ony place,
Sawfe Only God thorgh his grete grace.’
And whanne the kyng & Nasciens herden of this,
Anon thens they wenten with Owten Mys.
Anon bothe to-Gederis thanne gonnen they go
To the paleys Anon Of Spiritwelte—
As to-forn Rehersid han ȝe herd Me—
That Enstablyscht & Ordeyned weren Echone,
Holy Goddis Servise there-Inne to done;
So that there herden they goddis Servise,
And Afterward that Glorious Sacrifise,
As Ioseph hem Comaunded before,
In what maner to Swen Cristes lore,
And Every day for the More part Comowned to be;
Thus Comanded Ioseph tho Certeynle.
And whanne this Servise was Al I-don,
To-forn him he Comanded to Comen Anon
Alle the provostis of holy Chirche,
And of hem took Counseil how he scholde wirche,
And told hem Clerly Al his Avicioun,
How that he dremede, Al and som.
But Of hem was there not On tho
That theke Avisiown Cowde him vndo;
For they Seyden him Certeinly,
‘That there ne Cowde non Man but God Only
That Avicioon to declaren In Ony place,
Sawfe Only God thorgh his grete grace.’
And whanne the kyng & Nasciens herden of this,
Anon thens they wenten with Owten Mys.
Thanne wente the kyng & Nasciens forth bothe
More hevyere thanne Er they weren forsothe,
And [seide] that neuere In Ese they scholde bene
Tyl here-Offen they hadden vndirstonding clene;
And thus pensif to the paleys Aȝen gonne they gone,
They two togederis, right Alle alone;
And there they Rested hem bothe that stownde
To-Gederis On A Cowche vppon the grownde,
And non More Feleschepe but they two.
More hevyere thanne Er they weren forsothe,
237
Tyl here-Offen they hadden vndirstonding clene;
And thus pensif to the paleys Aȝen gonne they gone,
They two togederis, right Alle alone;
And there they Rested hem bothe that stownde
To-Gederis On A Cowche vppon the grownde,
And non More Feleschepe but they two.
Thanne felten they Anon Merveilles Mo,
How that Al the paleys Clene Alto-schook,
Sawfe þe Sovereyn vowtis, As they Gonne look;
And thanne loked they furthermore;
Hem thowghte Al to-scheverid it was thore.
And In Every Chene hem thowghte they sye
Ful of brenneng brondis ful wittirlye.
Thanne so hydows A noise there be-gan,
As it was semeng to hem bothe than
That the Endeng of þe world hadde be come,
And that it hadde ben the day of dome;
So that Alle the wyndowes & walles to-brook,
So Merveillously tho this Noise Ontook.
Also hem thowghte the paleis schold han down falle,
And there Sonken Into the Ottrest walle.
And Amongs Alle this Merveillous thing,
There Cam On hem the wondrest dirkeneng,
That hem thowghte here sighte was gon Certein,
And that it neuere to Recouerin Ageyn.
How that Al the paleys Clene Alto-schook,
Sawfe þe Sovereyn vowtis, As they Gonne look;
And thanne loked they furthermore;
Hem thowghte Al to-scheverid it was thore.
And In Every Chene hem thowghte they sye
Ful of brenneng brondis ful wittirlye.
Thanne so hydows A noise there be-gan,
As it was semeng to hem bothe than
That the Endeng of þe world hadde be come,
And that it hadde ben the day of dome;
So that Alle the wyndowes & walles to-brook,
So Merveillously tho this Noise Ontook.
Also hem thowghte the paleis schold han down falle,
And there Sonken Into the Ottrest walle.
And Amongs Alle this Merveillous thing,
There Cam On hem the wondrest dirkeneng,
That hem thowghte here sighte was gon Certein,
And that it neuere to Recouerin Ageyn.
And non Men Of that Cite Certeinly
Theke Merveilles sien, neþer herden, but they
That with-Inne the paleis were;
And herden they, ne sien, no more there
But Onliche Of that gret thondringe,
Where-Offen they hadden gret Merveillenge.
And Othir thinges syen they nowht;
But, As hem semede In here thowht,
A fewe sparkelis At the Openynge
Of the Paleys wyndowes, they Syen Comenge;
And ȝit they Abaschten ful sore of this,
What it Myhte Amow[n]ten, with-Owten Mis.
Theke Merveilles sien, neþer herden, but they
That with-Inne the paleis were;
And herden they, ne sien, no more there
But Onliche Of that gret thondringe,
Where-Offen they hadden gret Merveillenge.
And Othir thinges syen they nowht;
But, As hem semede In here thowht,
A fewe sparkelis At the Openynge
Of the Paleys wyndowes, they Syen Comenge;
238
What it Myhte Amow[n]ten, with-Owten Mis.
And As the kyng & Nasciens lien In this trawunce
ȝit herden they A more wondirful Chawnce.
Hem thowghte they herde the Sown of An horn
That neuere they herden there beforn;
And the sown was so wondirful & so hy,
That ouer al the world they supposed trewly
The Noise Of that horn myht hauen ben herde,
So wondirfully that noise tho þere Ferde.
ȝit herden they A more wondirful Chawnce.
Hem thowghte they herde the Sown of An horn
That neuere they herden there beforn;
And the sown was so wondirful & so hy,
That ouer al the world they supposed trewly
The Noise Of that horn myht hauen ben herde,
So wondirfully that noise tho þere Ferde.
Thanne Anon A vois there Gan to Crie,
“Here is begynneng of drede Certeinlye.”
And whanne this Nois they herde thus seyn,
Evene plat A down they fillen ful pleyn,
Lik bothe dede As they hadde þere been;
Non lif In hem non Mihte Seen.
Thanne was the prophecie fulfild tho
That be Olde dayes was knowen to Mo,
Wheche þat seith, ‘Two scholen liggen In a bed,
On be taken, þe toþer leven stille In that sted.’
“Here is begynneng of drede Certeinlye.”
And whanne this Nois they herde thus seyn,
Evene plat A down they fillen ful pleyn,
Lik bothe dede As they hadde þere been;
Non lif In hem non Mihte Seen.
Thanne was the prophecie fulfild tho
That be Olde dayes was knowen to Mo,
Wheche þat seith, ‘Two scholen liggen In a bed,
On be taken, þe toþer leven stille In that sted.’
Thus sone the kyng Owt of his bed was bore
Seventene Iornes, be Goddis Myht thore.
And it was wel the thridde Oure of the day
Whanne to the kyng was Al this Affray;
And whanne the holy gost hym left ful sone,
It was the hy Owre Of None.
Seventene Iornes, be Goddis Myht thore.
And it was wel the thridde Oure of the day
Whanne to the kyng was Al this Affray;
And whanne the holy gost hym left ful sone,
It was the hy Owre Of None.
But of him talketh now non lengere this storie;
But to the qweene & Nascien Mosten we hye,
That bothe weren beleft In sarras,
As woful peple In that same plas.
But to the qweene & Nascien Mosten we hye,
That bothe weren beleft In sarras,
As woful peple In that same plas.
239
CHAPTER XIX.
Lo thus tellith this Story now here,
How Nasciens And the kyng, In A bed they were,
And how that the kyng was born Away,
And stille In Swowneng this Nasciens lay;
And swich A Moreyne As In that paleis was,
Was Neuere Sein In non plas;
And In the Cite Was herd no More
But the thondir & þe sown of the trompe thore.
How Nasciens And the kyng, In A bed they were,
And how that the kyng was born Away,
And stille In Swowneng this Nasciens lay;
And swich A Moreyne As In that paleis was,
Was Neuere Sein In non plas;
And In the Cite Was herd no More
But the thondir & þe sown of the trompe thore.
Thanne it happed In this Mene tyme—
The tyde Of þe day Was Owr Of pryme—
That the qwene gan forto gon,
A faire Chirche Werk to beholden Anon,
That In Worschepe Of Oure lady begonnen was there;
And that chirche to sen wente sche In this Manere.
And whanne thorwgh that paleys sche gan to goon,
A wondirful Syhte Sawgh sche þere Anon,—
Alle the Seriawntes lyen there plat adown
Ful dedlich & pale Al In virown;
And sche wende On Slepe þat alle hadde ben tho,
So that Furthermore sche gan to Go;
Thanne Fonde sche Alle the knyhtes & Sqwiere,
In that Same Manere they lyen tho there.
Thanne Merveilled the qwene mochel of this,
What it scholde Amownten with-Owten Mis;
Anon Somme of hem sche gan to Calle,
But thei mihten neþer heren ne sen, so gan it fal,
For nethir hadden þei wit ne Memorye
Of non worldly thing thanne Certeynlye.
And whanne sche say, that not sche Myhte
Of hem nethir haven word ne syhte,
Thanne with A gret Cowrs torned sche Anon,
And to the kynges Chambre gan to gon.
The tyde Of þe day Was Owr Of pryme—
That the qwene gan forto gon,
A faire Chirche Werk to beholden Anon,
That In Worschepe Of Oure lady begonnen was there;
And that chirche to sen wente sche In this Manere.
And whanne thorwgh that paleys sche gan to goon,
A wondirful Syhte Sawgh sche þere Anon,—
Alle the Seriawntes lyen there plat adown
Ful dedlich & pale Al In virown;
And sche wende On Slepe þat alle hadde ben tho,
So that Furthermore sche gan to Go;
Thanne Fonde sche Alle the knyhtes & Sqwiere,
In that Same Manere they lyen tho there.
Thanne Merveilled the qwene mochel of this,
What it scholde Amownten with-Owten Mis;
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But thei mihten neþer heren ne sen, so gan it fal,
For nethir hadden þei wit ne Memorye
Of non worldly thing thanne Certeynlye.
And whanne sche say, that not sche Myhte
Of hem nethir haven word ne syhte,
Thanne with A gret Cowrs torned sche Anon,
And to the kynges Chambre gan to gon.
And whanne sche was Inne Atte Chambre dore,
There, Merveylles Gan sche beholden More;
Sche beheld hire brother sire Nascien
Sat In his bed wepinge than,
Owt of wheche bed Mordreins the kyng
Was vpe lefte with Owten lesing;
And þere Nasciens Made gret sorwe & Mone,
As him thowhte nedis he most done
For the Noise and þe voys that he herde,
That he ne wiste In what maner it Ferde.
There, Merveylles Gan sche beholden More;
Sche beheld hire brother sire Nascien
Sat In his bed wepinge than,
Owt of wheche bed Mordreins the kyng
Was vpe lefte with Owten lesing;
And þere Nasciens Made gret sorwe & Mone,
As him thowhte nedis he most done
For the Noise and þe voys that he herde,
That he ne wiste In what maner it Ferde.
And whanne the qweene þis began beholde,
Anon hire herte gan wexen Colde;
And sore tremeling & qwakyng than,
To sire Nasciens bed Anon sche Ran,
And wend that som wikked Sperit be chawnse
Hadd hem put Owt Of here Ryhtful Creaunce;
And to hire brother sche Ran In haste,
And him Embracen sche gan ful faste,
& the Cawse of him Axede, why it was
That he So wepe there In that plas.
Anon hire herte gan wexen Colde;
And sore tremeling & qwakyng than,
To sire Nasciens bed Anon sche Ran,
And wend that som wikked Sperit be chawnse
Hadd hem put Owt Of here Ryhtful Creaunce;
And to hire brother sche Ran In haste,
And him Embracen sche gan ful faste,
& the Cawse of him Axede, why it was
That he So wepe there In that plas.
Thanne gan he wepe wondirly Sore,
Fastere and hardere than he dide before.
Thanne þe qweene gan lowde to Crye
With a lowd vois ful petowslye,
And Swowneng to the Erthe fyl sche there.
Thanne sire Nasciens Gan hire to Chere,
And brased hire In his Armes two,
And hire there kyste & Cherede tho.
“A, swete soster!” he gan to Say,
“What may ȝow be to Maken this fray?”
And whanne sche Aros Of hire Swowneng;
Thanne Axede sche of þat Merveilleng;
With Sorewful herte & hevy Chere
Sche gan Axen where hire lord were.
Fastere and hardere than he dide before.
Thanne þe qweene gan lowde to Crye
With a lowd vois ful petowslye,
And Swowneng to the Erthe fyl sche there.
Thanne sire Nasciens Gan hire to Chere,
And brased hire In his Armes two,
And hire there kyste & Cherede tho.
241
“What may ȝow be to Maken this fray?”
And whanne sche Aros Of hire Swowneng;
Thanne Axede sche of þat Merveilleng;
With Sorewful herte & hevy Chere
Sche gan Axen where hire lord were.
And whanne Nasciens this vndirstood,
Ful Clene thanne Nasciens Chonged his mood,
That he ne Mihte non word tho speke,
So him thowhte his herte wolde breke;
As faste the water Ran from his Eeyen Adown,
As it hadde ben pored vppon his Crown.
Ful Clene thanne Nasciens Chonged his mood,
That he ne Mihte non word tho speke,
So him thowhte his herte wolde breke;
As faste the water Ran from his Eeyen Adown,
As it hadde ben pored vppon his Crown.
Whanne the qweene Say him so taken vppon,
Sche Axede what he hadde with hire lord doon;
Thanne gan sche forto Swownen ageyn
In that place there Certein Certein,
And wende Owt of hire wit sche scholde han gon,
Swich Sorwe sche Made, & so gret Mon.
Whanne Of hire Swowneng sche A-wook,
Sche qwaked, sche trembled, sche wepe, sche schook,
And with a deolful vois sche gan to Crye,
“Swete Brother Nasciens!” Certeinlye
Evene thus As A wood womman
In this Gyse took sche vppon,
And euere Aftir hire lord gan to Crie
With deolful vois, & wonderli hye.
Sche Axede what he hadde with hire lord doon;
Thanne gan sche forto Swownen ageyn
In that place there Certein Certein,
And wende Owt of hire wit sche scholde han gon,
Swich Sorwe sche Made, & so gret Mon.
Whanne Of hire Swowneng sche A-wook,
Sche qwaked, sche trembled, sche wepe, sche schook,
And with a deolful vois sche gan to Crye,
“Swete Brother Nasciens!” Certeinlye
Evene thus As A wood womman
In this Gyse took sche vppon,
And euere Aftir hire lord gan to Crie
With deolful vois, & wonderli hye.
And whanne Nasciens hire tolde Al the verite,
Thanne weping & morneng myhten men þere se,
And how the kyng from him was taken there,
And forth born, & In what Manere:
But Into what place þat he was I-bore,
Nasciens ne Cowde not tellen there.
Whanne Nasciens this word hadde I-seyd,
Thanne was there manie A deolful breid,
And Owthes & Cry was In that halle,
That bothe Men & wommen In swowneng gonne falle.
And swich Sorwe þe qweene there Made,
That Erthly thing myhte hire non Glade.
Thanne weping & morneng myhten men þere se,
And how the kyng from him was taken there,
And forth born, & In what Manere:
But Into what place þat he was I-bore,
Nasciens ne Cowde not tellen there.
Whanne Nasciens this word hadde I-seyd,
Thanne was there manie A deolful breid,
And Owthes & Cry was In that halle,
That bothe Men & wommen In swowneng gonne falle.
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That Erthly thing myhte hire non Glade.
Thanne Cam Nasciens to hire Agein,
And In his Armes he hire embraced ful pleyn,
And hire Comforted In this degre,
“Now, goode dere Soster, lesteneth to Me;
The kyng he is bothe Sawf & Sownde
As we ben here In this Stownde,
And bothen heyl In Sowle and In body,
I Sey ȝow, Sostir, now, Certeynly.
This knowe I wel be that tydynge
That the voys to vs gan bringe.”
Thanne Axede Sche Nasciens with-Owten lak,
‘Ho it myhte be that to him tho spak.’
Thanne Nasciens hire Answerid Ageyn,
And seide it was Cristes Messenger Certein
So gret Sorwe & Mone Made þe qweene,
That for non Erthly man Seced myhte bene.
And In his Armes he hire embraced ful pleyn,
And hire Comforted In this degre,
“Now, goode dere Soster, lesteneth to Me;
The kyng he is bothe Sawf & Sownde
As we ben here In this Stownde,
And bothen heyl In Sowle and In body,
I Sey ȝow, Sostir, now, Certeynly.
This knowe I wel be that tydynge
That the voys to vs gan bringe.”
Thanne Axede Sche Nasciens with-Owten lak,
‘Ho it myhte be that to him tho spak.’
Thanne Nasciens hire Answerid Ageyn,
And seide it was Cristes Messenger Certein
So gret Sorwe & Mone Made þe qweene,
That for non Erthly man Seced myhte bene.
Thus sone this tydinge Gan forto springe
Ouer Al the Contre with-Owten lettynge,
How that the kyng thus was I-lore,
And how sodeynly he was A-Wey I-bore.
Ouer Al the Contre with-Owten lettynge,
How that the kyng thus was I-lore,
And how sodeynly he was A-Wey I-bore.
Thanne the baronage to-gederis Comen Anon,
And of this Conseilleden what they myht don,
And how the kyng Awey thus Scholde fare;
Where-Offen they hadde ful gret Care
So Amonges Alle Othere there was On
That longe with the kyng hadde Igon,—
A malicious knyht In Alle Manere,
His name Was clepid Sire Calaphere—
For he was so Crwel, & so Felowns,
So fals, so Cvrsid, so wikked of Condiciouns,
That in dedly herte ne Myhte Synke
So moche Tretorye forto thenke,
As that Cursed Calaphere
In his herte Imagyned there:
For there he seide ful Openlye tho,
‘That be treson Nasciens the king dide slo,
For he wolde hauen þe Rem In gouerninge,’—
This was Openly his talkynge—
‘For In that place weren there no Mo
Sauf Only the kyng & sire Nasciens tho;
How myht it thanne Otherwise be,
But that Sire Nasciens dide him sle?’
Thanne Answerid the baronage Aȝen,
‘That it is ful lyk thus forto ben.’
Thanne tooken they here Conseyl Anon,
That Into Strong warde he scholde be don,
Til that they knewen In word & dede tho
Whethir the kyng lyvede, oþer how it myhte go.
And to this Conseil thanne Everychon
Sworen alle to holden there Anon;
And thus Of Nasciens demed they there,
That þe kyng hadde Mordred, but þei niste where.
And of this Conseilleden what they myht don,
And how the kyng Awey thus Scholde fare;
Where-Offen they hadde ful gret Care
So Amonges Alle Othere there was On
That longe with the kyng hadde Igon,—
A malicious knyht In Alle Manere,
His name Was clepid Sire Calaphere—
For he was so Crwel, & so Felowns,
So fals, so Cvrsid, so wikked of Condiciouns,
That in dedly herte ne Myhte Synke
So moche Tretorye forto thenke,
As that Cursed Calaphere
In his herte Imagyned there:
243
‘That be treson Nasciens the king dide slo,
For he wolde hauen þe Rem In gouerninge,’—
This was Openly his talkynge—
‘For In that place weren there no Mo
Sauf Only the kyng & sire Nasciens tho;
How myht it thanne Otherwise be,
But that Sire Nasciens dide him sle?’
Thanne Answerid the baronage Aȝen,
‘That it is ful lyk thus forto ben.’
Thanne tooken they here Conseyl Anon,
That Into Strong warde he scholde be don,
Til that they knewen In word & dede tho
Whethir the kyng lyvede, oþer how it myhte go.
And to this Conseil thanne Everychon
Sworen alle to holden there Anon;
And thus Of Nasciens demed they there,
That þe kyng hadde Mordred, but þei niste where.
And thus to Cowrt they Comen Anon,
Alle these barowns Everichon,
And fownden Sire Nasciens & the qweene
Makenge gret sorwe Al bedene,
That Neuere Man that was lyvenge
Herde neuere half so moche weymentinge;
And this was the thridde day
Aftyr the kyng was Ravischt Away.
Thanne thus to þe qweene gonnen they gone,
And of this Aventure Enqwerid Anone.
Alle these barowns Everichon,
And fownden Sire Nasciens & the qweene
Makenge gret sorwe Al bedene,
That Neuere Man that was lyvenge
Herde neuere half so moche weymentinge;
And this was the thridde day
Aftyr the kyng was Ravischt Away.
Thanne thus to þe qweene gonnen they gone,
And of this Aventure Enqwerid Anone.
Thanne Anon Nasciens gan forto telle
Alle the Mater, how it tho befelle;
Bothe lik as he hadde herd & sein,
He gan hem tellen In Certein;
And Also of the kynges Swevenynge,
What he Mette In his dremenge.
Thus to Nasciens they weren Enqweringe,
& of Al thing he ȝaf hem Answeringe,
And seide to hem ful Sekerliche tho,
‘That In the Chambre Neren but they two
Whanne this Chaunce there gan to falle;’
And thus he tolde Amongs hem Alle.
Thanne Anon there they him tooke,
And Grevously On him gonnen to loke.
And sire Nasciens hem Axede tho,
‘Why with him they Ferden so.’
Thanne they Answerede, & forth him ladde,
‘That suspecion to him Of the kyng they hadde.’
And thus In preson thanne they him Caste,
& Sesid Alle his londis Atte laste.
Thanne senten they Abowtes here & there,
To don seken the kyng Every Where.
Alle the Mater, how it tho befelle;
Bothe lik as he hadde herd & sein,
He gan hem tellen In Certein;
And Also of the kynges Swevenynge,
What he Mette In his dremenge.
Thus to Nasciens they weren Enqweringe,
& of Al thing he ȝaf hem Answeringe,
244
‘That In the Chambre Neren but they two
Whanne this Chaunce there gan to falle;’
And thus he tolde Amongs hem Alle.
Thanne Anon there they him tooke,
And Grevously On him gonnen to loke.
And sire Nasciens hem Axede tho,
‘Why with him they Ferden so.’
Thanne they Answerede, & forth him ladde,
‘That suspecion to him Of the kyng they hadde.’
And thus In preson thanne they him Caste,
& Sesid Alle his londis Atte laste.
Thanne senten they Abowtes here & there,
To don seken the kyng Every Where.
Thus Nasciens In preson suffrede mani hard schowr,
Be conceil of Calapher, þat fals Tretowr.—
This Calafer made good semblaunce
As a man Of good Creawnce,
But fals he was In dede & thowght,
For Cristene manne was he nowht;
For whanne Cristened he schold han be,
Ful faste Awey he gan to fle,
For he ne hateth non Creature
So moche As Cristene, I the Enswre;—
So that he Cam to þe barouns Agein,
And hem thus Conceilled In Certein,
‘That Into the tyme that they myhten knowe
Begynneng And Endeng Vppon A rowe,
Nasciens In presown scholde Abyde:’
Swich Conseil ȝaf that tretour this tyde.
And thus be the Counseil Of fals Calaphere,
Nasciens In presown kepten thei there,
That him & his londis bothe, they hadde
In here Award, bothe good & badde.
Be conceil of Calapher, þat fals Tretowr.—
This Calafer made good semblaunce
As a man Of good Creawnce,
But fals he was In dede & thowght,
For Cristene manne was he nowht;
For whanne Cristened he schold han be,
Ful faste Awey he gan to fle,
For he ne hateth non Creature
So moche As Cristene, I the Enswre;—
So that he Cam to þe barouns Agein,
And hem thus Conceilled In Certein,
‘That Into the tyme that they myhten knowe
Begynneng And Endeng Vppon A rowe,
Nasciens In presown scholde Abyde:’
Swich Conseil ȝaf that tretour this tyde.
And thus be the Counseil Of fals Calaphere,
Nasciens In presown kepten thei there,
That him & his londis bothe, they hadde
In here Award, bothe good & badde.
And whanne þe qweene beheeld Al this,
ȝhe thowhte In hire herte it wente Amys,
That hire lord thus was Agon,
And þerto hire broþer In presoun don.
It is non nede to tellen the Mone
That þe qweene þere made ful sone,
For there nas non Erthly thing—
Aftir hire lord that was the kyng—
That so moche was In hire herte,
As of hire brothir his peynes smerte.
Ful fain wolde thanne this gode qwene,
That hire brothir Owt Of preson hadde bene;
But sche was tho A lone womman,
And ful litel Reed of this sche kan;
To stryven Aȝens hire Baronye,
Sche ne hadde non strengthe Certeinlie.
ȝhe thowhte In hire herte it wente Amys,
245
And þerto hire broþer In presoun don.
It is non nede to tellen the Mone
That þe qweene þere made ful sone,
For there nas non Erthly thing—
Aftir hire lord that was the kyng—
That so moche was In hire herte,
As of hire brothir his peynes smerte.
Ful fain wolde thanne this gode qwene,
That hire brothir Owt Of preson hadde bene;
But sche was tho A lone womman,
And ful litel Reed of this sche kan;
To stryven Aȝens hire Baronye,
Sche ne hadde non strengthe Certeinlie.
And Evere was Nasciens In preson strong,
And tempted he was with the devel Among
Forto forsaken there his trewe Creawnse;
But he ne wolde, for non Maner Of Chawnse,
Forsaken his god for non peyne;
But Euere to his God he gan Compleyne,
And Cride Merci For his grete Synne,
Of þe wikkednesse that he hadde lyved Inne:
“For moche more thanne this deservid I have;
Where-fore, goode lord Iesus, thow me save!
For A gret Fool trewly I was,
Thy secrees to sen In that holy plas,
Wich that non Man scholde han seyn there,
But ȝif Clene Of Synne I-clensid he were;
And so, goode lord, ne was not I;
Where-fore, Iesus, I crie the Mercy!”
And in this holy Entenciown
Stille belefte Nascien In presown,
In gret Angwisch & gret Anoye,
Thus lyvede Nasciens, As I ȝow seye;
Bothe be nyht and Ek be day
In this Angwisch thus Nasciens lay;
And Evere Cried God Of Mercy
That he hadde leved so Folily.
And tempted he was with the devel Among
Forto forsaken there his trewe Creawnse;
But he ne wolde, for non Maner Of Chawnse,
Forsaken his god for non peyne;
But Euere to his God he gan Compleyne,
And Cride Merci For his grete Synne,
Of þe wikkednesse that he hadde lyved Inne:
“For moche more thanne this deservid I have;
Where-fore, goode lord Iesus, thow me save!
For A gret Fool trewly I was,
Thy secrees to sen In that holy plas,
Wich that non Man scholde han seyn there,
But ȝif Clene Of Synne I-clensid he were;
And so, goode lord, ne was not I;
Where-fore, Iesus, I crie the Mercy!”
And in this holy Entenciown
Stille belefte Nascien In presown,
In gret Angwisch & gret Anoye,
Thus lyvede Nasciens, As I ȝow seye;
Bothe be nyht and Ek be day
In this Angwisch thus Nasciens lay;
246
That he hadde leved so Folily.
And now torneth this Storie Ageyn
To kyng Mordreins now In Certein,
The wheche lest þat he ded hadde be;
And thus is he In A Roch with-Inne the se.
To kyng Mordreins now In Certein,
The wheche lest þat he ded hadde be;
And thus is he In A Roch with-Inne the se.
CHAPTER XX.
Now here be-gynneth kyng Mordreins Storie,
that vppon a Roche In the se is Certeinlye;
that Owt of his Regiown xvii. Iornees was,
With-Inne the se In A perilous plas.
that vppon a Roche In the se is Certeinlye;
that Owt of his Regiown xvii. Iornees was,
With-Inne the se In A perilous plas.
Abowtes the Owr of Noon it was tho
whanne the holigoost In þat Roche put him tho;
And there the holigost Schewed him thanne
Al so mochel richesse as evere Sawgh Manne;
And whanne vppon this Roche he was alyht,
In his herte he was wondirly Afryght.
Whanne Abowtes vppon the Roche he lookede tho,
And beheld how Into A straunge Contre he was I-do,
Where-Offen he thowghte tho In his herte
Neuere that deseisse forto Asterte;
And there-fore but litel wondir it were
Thowgh Sore Abasched were he there,
For ȝit hadde he non ful knoweng
That In the paleys he hadde of his swevenynge;
And Evere he Merveilled In his thowht
How that he thedir was tho browht,
And In him Self hadde gret Merveillinge
Ho that thedir dide him tho bringe.
And thus longe he gan to beholde,
That Al his herte gan wexen Colde,
For non thing he ne Sawh abowtes hym
But the wilde Se, bothe Stowt & Grym,
And no more lond there ne was
Thanne þere the Roche stood In that spas.
whanne the holigoost In þat Roche put him tho;
And there the holigost Schewed him thanne
Al so mochel richesse as evere Sawgh Manne;
247
In his herte he was wondirly Afryght.
Whanne Abowtes vppon the Roche he lookede tho,
And beheld how Into A straunge Contre he was I-do,
Where-Offen he thowghte tho In his herte
Neuere that deseisse forto Asterte;
And there-fore but litel wondir it were
Thowgh Sore Abasched were he there,
For ȝit hadde he non ful knoweng
That In the paleys he hadde of his swevenynge;
And Evere he Merveilled In his thowht
How that he thedir was tho browht,
And In him Self hadde gret Merveillinge
Ho that thedir dide him tho bringe.
And thus longe he gan to beholde,
That Al his herte gan wexen Colde,
For non thing he ne Sawh abowtes hym
But the wilde Se, bothe Stowt & Grym,
And no more lond there ne was
Thanne þere the Roche stood In that spas.
This Roche stont A-Middes the se,
Al this Storie now telleth to Me,
Evene from Scotlond the Ryhte weye
Into Babiloyne, As I the Seye,
And from Erlond the weye Also
Streyht to babyloyne it doth go.
And So hygh the Roche is there,
That Ouer the Se I[s] sein Every where;
And to Wales there Mihte he se,
And Into Spayne Into that partee;
So hygh is the Roche In that stounde
That kyng Mordreins there haþ I-fownde,
For it is On of the most heyest plase
That In Ony Se Evere ȝit sein wase;
And this yl So wastful Is,
That of non Maner viaunde there-Inne þere nys,
Ne non Erthe that is Mevable,
But Al Clene Roche hard & stable;
Except þe space Of A mannes hond,
In þat place Is there non Erable lond;
And Elles Into the harde Se,
Clenë Roche As it May be.
And for that Roche Is so perilows,
So hygh, so straunge, & so Merveillous,
That “the Roche perilows”is the Name,
For it is of So perilous A fame.
Al this Storie now telleth to Me,
Evene from Scotlond the Ryhte weye
Into Babiloyne, As I the Seye,
And from Erlond the weye Also
Streyht to babyloyne it doth go.
And So hygh the Roche is there,
That Ouer the Se I[s] sein Every where;
And to Wales there Mihte he se,
And Into Spayne Into that partee;
So hygh is the Roche In that stounde
That kyng Mordreins there haþ I-fownde,
For it is On of the most heyest plase
That In Ony Se Evere ȝit sein wase;
And this yl So wastful Is,
That of non Maner viaunde there-Inne þere nys,
248
But Al Clene Roche hard & stable;
Except þe space Of A mannes hond,
In þat place Is there non Erable lond;
And Elles Into the harde Se,
Clenë Roche As it May be.
And for that Roche Is so perilows,
So hygh, so straunge, & so Merveillous,
That “the Roche perilows”is the Name,
For it is of So perilous A fame.
Vppon wheche roche sumtyme was diht
A Certein habitacle with gret Miht,
That A lerrers of the Se hyt Made,
And Fowcairs to his name he hade.
This lerrers was of so passing Mesure,
And of so gret strengthe, I the Ensure,
That non Man his gretnesse Cowde discrie,
Ne his strengthe to haven In Memorie;
So that In this Roche, for certein,
His habitacle he made ful pleyn;
That So with Verray strengthe & Myht,
In that Roche his hows gan he dyht;
A large hostel for twenty Men,
Thus he gan Areyened than;
But In that Roche lay not he,
But In A galeye In the Se,—
He, & hise felawes Also,—
Vppon the Se felonie to do.
And Oþer whiles In Certein
Vppon that Roche they wolden ful plein,
A ful gret feer wolden they make,
Here pray there-with forto take;
So that it semede to Ony Marchawnt
That thekë plas dide Owht hawnt,
That Som Resteng place it hadde be;
But here distroction it was, As ȝe mown Se;
For Aȝens that Roch they hurtelid so sore,
That Alle to-borsten weren they thore;
Thanne Owt of here galeyes gonne they go—
These thevis that this falshed hadden do,—
And tooken bothe þere Man & good
That persched was there In theke flood:
And In this Manere distroied this lerrers
Mani A Marchaunt & Mariners.
A Certein habitacle with gret Miht,
That A lerrers of the Se hyt Made,
And Fowcairs to his name he hade.
This lerrers was of so passing Mesure,
And of so gret strengthe, I the Ensure,
That non Man his gretnesse Cowde discrie,
Ne his strengthe to haven In Memorie;
So that In this Roche, for certein,
His habitacle he made ful pleyn;
That So with Verray strengthe & Myht,
In that Roche his hows gan he dyht;
A large hostel for twenty Men,
Thus he gan Areyened than;
But In that Roche lay not he,
But In A galeye In the Se,—
He, & hise felawes Also,—
Vppon the Se felonie to do.
And Oþer whiles In Certein
Vppon that Roche they wolden ful plein,
A ful gret feer wolden they make,
Here pray there-with forto take;
249
That thekë plas dide Owht hawnt,
That Som Resteng place it hadde be;
But here distroction it was, As ȝe mown Se;
For Aȝens that Roch they hurtelid so sore,
That Alle to-borsten weren they thore;
Thanne Owt of here galeyes gonne they go—
These thevis that this falshed hadden do,—
And tooken bothe þere Man & good
That persched was there In theke flood:
And In this Manere distroied this lerrers
Mani A Marchaunt & Mariners.
Thanne be-fil A wondir Cas,
That On, Grete Pompees, that Emperour was
Of Romeyns, As happed that day,
Of Alle these Merveilles herde he say,
As Owt of grece he seilede tho,
Toward Cecyle he gan to go.
And thus As he seillede Abowte,
And took many Garisouns, bothe strong & stowte,
That Abowtes be the Se stoode
In Ony place be þe salt Floode;
Thus Cam he toward babyloyne,
And thidirward of this thef herde he seyne.
That On, Grete Pompees, that Emperour was
Of Romeyns, As happed that day,
Of Alle these Merveilles herde he say,
As Owt of grece he seilede tho,
Toward Cecyle he gan to go.
And thus As he seillede Abowte,
And took many Garisouns, bothe strong & stowte,
That Abowtes be the Se stoode
In Ony place be þe salt Floode;
Thus Cam he toward babyloyne,
And thidirward of this thef herde he seyne.
Thanne seide this pompee with-Owten faille,
‘That theke strong theef ȝe scholen asaille.’
And thus to his peple gan he Seyn,
“We scholen him Asayen In Certeyn.”
Anon there Redily dide he dyhte
A riht strong galeie, & Of gret Myhte,
And put it ful of good vitaille,
And Of goode knyhtes, that thef to Asaille.
‘That theke strong theef ȝe scholen asaille.’
And thus to his peple gan he Seyn,
“We scholen him Asayen In Certeyn.”
Anon there Redily dide he dyhte
A riht strong galeie, & Of gret Myhte,
And put it ful of good vitaille,
And Of goode knyhtes, that thef to Asaille.
Anon whanne this was Redely dyht,
The Se he took Anon there Riht.
And fowrty goode knyhtes be ordeyned there,
And twenty grete grapelis of Erne þere were,
The Galeyes to the Schipe forto holde,—
Of yrne weren Mad bothe strong & bolde;—
And thus they gonnen to seylen Anon
As faste to the Roche as they myhte gon,
Bothe be day & Eke be Nyht,
Tyl of a hard roche they hadden a syght.
The Se he took Anon there Riht.
And fowrty goode knyhtes be ordeyned there,
And twenty grete grapelis of Erne þere were,
250
Of yrne weren Mad bothe strong & bolde;—
And thus they gonnen to seylen Anon
As faste to the Roche as they myhte gon,
Bothe be day & Eke be Nyht,
Tyl of a hard roche they hadden a syght.
And whanne the Roche they gonne to Aspie,
It to Aprochen they Seiled ful Nye;
And whanne faste by they weren gon,
Heren Ancres they Casten þere Anon,
Forto Abyden there that Nyht,
Til of the Roche they myhte han better Syht.
And whanne þe Nyht was wel Apast,
To-ward the Roche they Comen In hast;
As Ny As a man Mihte Casten A ston,
Thus Ny to the Roche Gonne they gon.
It to Aprochen they Seiled ful Nye;
And whanne faste by they weren gon,
Heren Ancres they Casten þere Anon,
Forto Abyden there that Nyht,
Til of the Roche they myhte han better Syht.
And whanne þe Nyht was wel Apast,
To-ward the Roche they Comen In hast;
As Ny As a man Mihte Casten A ston,
Thus Ny to the Roche Gonne they gon.
And whanne these thevis gonnen Aspie,
Redeliche they Raped hem, & In hye.
But þe maister Mariner that was with pompee,
Of that Roch knew Al the Sotelte;
And þere As the feer the thevis gonne Make,
That partie of the Roche wolde he not take,
But be Anothir side they wente,
þere As they fownden presente
A strong galeye, that there lay
Be-twene þe Roch & hem, þe sothe to say;
And they Comen with so gret A wille
That there mani men gonnen to spille,
And fillen down Into þe Se,
Of Men & good, ful gret plente.
Redeliche they Raped hem, & In hye.
But þe maister Mariner that was with pompee,
Of that Roch knew Al the Sotelte;
And þere As the feer the thevis gonne Make,
That partie of the Roche wolde he not take,
But be Anothir side they wente,
þere As they fownden presente
A strong galeye, that there lay
Be-twene þe Roch & hem, þe sothe to say;
And they Comen with so gret A wille
That there mani men gonnen to spille,
And fillen down Into þe Se,
Of Men & good, ful gret plente.
Thanne they that In þe toþere galeyes were,
Wenden the grete schipe hadde persched þere;
So was there tho A ful hard stowr
Betwene these Felowns and the Emperour.
And wanne they sien it gan so to go,
The Emperour to withstonde non power hadden tho,
Be litel and litel they Gonne to gon,
Til that þe Roche they Entred Anon.
Wenden the grete schipe hadde persched þere;
So was there tho A ful hard stowr
Betwene these Felowns and the Emperour.
And wanne they sien it gan so to go,
The Emperour to withstonde non power hadden tho,
251
Til that þe Roche they Entred Anon.
And whanne pompee gan this to Aspie,
Ful lowde he gan hem to discrye,
And swoor that he wolde don his Miht,
Of tho theves to ben Avenged Ariht.
And whanne the thevis this vndirstood,
Non lengere there they ne Abood,
But to the heithe of the Roche Sekerlye,
Ful faste these thevis gonnen hem hye;
And After hem xxx knyhtes goode,
That departed Owt of that floode;
So with-Owten, thritty there were,
And with-Inne, xix theves In fere;
For alle the Remnaunt of þese theves tho
Weren slayn, And In-to the Se I-do.
Ful lowde he gan hem to discrye,
And swoor that he wolde don his Miht,
Of tho theves to ben Avenged Ariht.
And whanne the thevis this vndirstood,
Non lengere there they ne Abood,
But to the heithe of the Roche Sekerlye,
Ful faste these thevis gonnen hem hye;
And After hem xxx knyhtes goode,
That departed Owt of that floode;
So with-Owten, thritty there were,
And with-Inne, xix theves In fere;
For alle the Remnaunt of þese theves tho
Weren slayn, And In-to the Se I-do.
And whanne this Sawt began to gynne,
These theves wrowhten A corsid gynne;
They Rolled down I that plas
A qwarter Of a galeye þat broken was,
That hevy & boistous it was to be-holde;
And down it Cam with strengthe manifolde,
And fil Anon down Into the Se,
Where-with xi. of Pompees knyhtes slow he,
Where-offen pompee hadde so gret Care,
Anon him Self to the Roche gan fare,
And swoor ‘that he hadde levere to dye,
But avenged he Were there Otterlye,
That there so falsly hadde slain his knyhtes
At thike same tyme with here fyhtes.’
These theves wrowhten A corsid gynne;
They Rolled down I that plas
A qwarter Of a galeye þat broken was,
That hevy & boistous it was to be-holde;
And down it Cam with strengthe manifolde,
And fil Anon down Into the Se,
Where-with xi. of Pompees knyhtes slow he,
Where-offen pompee hadde so gret Care,
Anon him Self to the Roche gan fare,
And swoor ‘that he hadde levere to dye,
But avenged he Were there Otterlye,
That there so falsly hadde slain his knyhtes
At thike same tyme with here fyhtes.’
Thanne On of his knythes there Anon,
That say In what peryl that he wolde gon,
And Conseilled him “forto Abyde
Til it were more to the day tyde,
And I schal ȝow Certefien Everidel
How On these theves to ben Avenged wel;
Thanne scholen ȝe non men lese,
Ne putten ȝowre self Into non gret deseisse.”
Thanne Pompee Axede him Anon,
In What Manere that it Mihte gon.
“Sire, of this sawt ȝe scholen A while reste;
I hope it schal be for ȝoure beste.”
That say In what peryl that he wolde gon,
And Conseilled him “forto Abyde
Til it were more to the day tyde,
And I schal ȝow Certefien Everidel
How On these theves to ben Avenged wel;
252
Ne putten ȝowre self Into non gret deseisse.”
Thanne Pompee Axede him Anon,
In What Manere that it Mihte gon.
“Sire, of this sawt ȝe scholen A while reste;
I hope it schal be for ȝoure beste.”
But Evere they maden sorwe & wo,
For hise goode knyhtes weren slayn so.
He forto lesen so mani goode knihtes
For A fewe theves In tho fyhtes,
Ful gret schame to him he thowhte it was,
His knyhtes so to lesen In theke Cas.
And On the Morwe whanne it was day lyht,
And Pompee of that Roch hadde A syht,
So strong A thing say he neuere non
As thike Roche that he loked vppon;
‘And non wondir it hadde ben,’ seide he Anon,
‘Thowgh his knyhtes hadde ben slayn Echon.’
For hise goode knyhtes weren slayn so.
He forto lesen so mani goode knihtes
For A fewe theves In tho fyhtes,
Ful gret schame to him he thowhte it was,
His knyhtes so to lesen In theke Cas.
And On the Morwe whanne it was day lyht,
And Pompee of that Roch hadde A syht,
So strong A thing say he neuere non
As thike Roche that he loked vppon;
‘And non wondir it hadde ben,’ seide he Anon,
‘Thowgh his knyhtes hadde ben slayn Echon.’
Thanne of his knyhtes he Axede Counsaille,
ȝif to that Roche they Cowden Owght Availle;
But non Of hem that was there
Cowde him Counseillen In non Manere;
For they seiden to him Certeinle
But ȝif be Enfamyne it wolde not be.
ȝif to that Roche they Cowden Owght Availle;
But non Of hem that was there
Cowde him Counseillen In non Manere;
For they seiden to him Certeinle
But ȝif be Enfamyne it wolde not be.
Whanne þe kyng of hem hadde non Oþer chere,
He be-thowghte him In Another Manere,
That hem he wolde distroyen Anon
Be Angwisch Of fyr þere Euerychon.
He be-thowghte him In Another Manere,
That hem he wolde distroyen Anon
Be Angwisch Of fyr þere Euerychon.
Anon A gret fere he let there dyhte
Of Olde schepes And Galeyes, þat brenden so bryhte,
That At theke Roche persched hadde been,
As all the peple there Myhte it seen;
So that this feer there brende so longe tho,
That Alle the smolder Into þat kave gan go;
For that feer to stawnchen hadden they non miht,
But Euere this feer brende ful lyht.
And they benethe gonne hem defende
With Arwes & stones that they gonnen vp sende;
And they Aboven defensed hem thore
With speris & cleyves wondirly Sore.
Of Olde schepes And Galeyes, þat brenden so bryhte,
That At theke Roche persched hadde been,
As all the peple there Myhte it seen;
So that this feer there brende so longe tho,
That Alle the smolder Into þat kave gan go;
253
But Euere this feer brende ful lyht.
And they benethe gonne hem defende
With Arwes & stones that they gonnen vp sende;
And they Aboven defensed hem thore
With speris & cleyves wondirly Sore.
And whanne this feer gan brennen so briht,
The thevis tooken fresch water Anon riht—
Where-Offen they hadden Som plente tho—
And In-to that Feer they gonnen it do;
Thanne Alle the smoke & þe flawme, I þe plyht,
Into that Cave wente there Anon Ryht,
And they benethe schetten ful sore,
And stones vp threw with Engynes thore,
So that they slowen fowre of the felowns
That hadden don sweche distroctiouns.
And whanne these thevis Syen this,
Aȝen to þe Cave þey wenten with-Owten Mys;
But þere weren they not wel at Ese,
So Evel this Feer it dide hem plese.
And whanne they seyen it Miht not be,
Alle Anon Owt of that kave gonnen they fle,
And with Alle here myht And strengthe ther
They purposed to stawnchen this feer.
And thanne these knyhtes to hem Ronne,
And there sore begeringe they begonne;
And the Felowns hem defendid sore,
As they that Maymed & Greved wore.
The thevis tooken fresch water Anon riht—
Where-Offen they hadden Som plente tho—
And In-to that Feer they gonnen it do;
Thanne Alle the smoke & þe flawme, I þe plyht,
Into that Cave wente there Anon Ryht,
And they benethe schetten ful sore,
And stones vp threw with Engynes thore,
So that they slowen fowre of the felowns
That hadden don sweche distroctiouns.
And whanne these thevis Syen this,
Aȝen to þe Cave þey wenten with-Owten Mys;
But þere weren they not wel at Ese,
So Evel this Feer it dide hem plese.
And whanne they seyen it Miht not be,
Alle Anon Owt of that kave gonnen they fle,
And with Alle here myht And strengthe ther
They purposed to stawnchen this feer.
And thanne these knyhtes to hem Ronne,
And there sore begeringe they begonne;
And the Felowns hem defendid sore,
As they that Maymed & Greved wore.
And whanne this pompee gan this beholde,
For deol his herte gan wexen ful Colde;
And to that Rooch he hentred Anon,
To-ward þe feer, As faste As he Cowde Gon.
Anon Aȝen to the Cave they gonnen to Ronne,
For non lengere nolden they blynne;
And Pompe After hem tho sewede faste—
For to hem hadde he ful gret haste—
Where that he of hem Slow there fyve;
Thanne leften there but xiiii On lyve;
To wheche they benethen schotten ful sore,
& Manie of hem horten thore,
So that Pompe him-self hurt with hem was
In thre stedis In that Same plas.
And whanne that this beheld Pompees knyghtes,
That he was so vegorous In fyhtes,
Vppe to the Roche they gonnen to wynne,
To sosteine here Lord Aȝens hem with-Inne;
So that pompee ful Sore gan fyhte,
And drof these Felouns Into the Cave Anon Ryht,
And putten hem Alle to Mischef,
Thike lerrers, that Errawnt thef.
For deol his herte gan wexen ful Colde;
And to that Rooch he hentred Anon,
To-ward þe feer, As faste As he Cowde Gon.
Anon Aȝen to the Cave they gonnen to Ronne,
For non lengere nolden they blynne;
254
For to hem hadde he ful gret haste—
Where that he of hem Slow there fyve;
Thanne leften there but xiiii On lyve;
To wheche they benethen schotten ful sore,
& Manie of hem horten thore,
So that Pompe him-self hurt with hem was
In thre stedis In that Same plas.
And whanne that this beheld Pompees knyghtes,
That he was so vegorous In fyhtes,
Vppe to the Roche they gonnen to wynne,
To sosteine here Lord Aȝens hem with-Inne;
So that pompee ful Sore gan fyhte,
And drof these Felouns Into the Cave Anon Ryht,
And putten hem Alle to Mischef,
Thike lerrers, that Errawnt thef.
And whanne this lerrers bethowhte him tho
That they xiiij Of On Man dispised weren so,
Owt they Comen Al On Abrest;
And this lerrers On pompees Faste threst,
And took pompees be bothe scholdres tho,
There In that Fer him forto hauen do;
But he myhte not Allyng for his knyhtes,
But down Fillen they bothe Anon Ryhtes.
But Pompee there in Swowneng lay,
And bothen Armes of lerrers borsten, in fay.
Thanne they benethe Gonnen this beholde,
And to here Lord Ronne Manifolde,
And to the Schip they him gan bere,
And In a Cowche they leyden hem there.
That they xiiij Of On Man dispised weren so,
Owt they Comen Al On Abrest;
And this lerrers On pompees Faste threst,
And took pompees be bothe scholdres tho,
There In that Fer him forto hauen do;
But he myhte not Allyng for his knyhtes,
But down Fillen they bothe Anon Ryhtes.
But Pompee there in Swowneng lay,
And bothen Armes of lerrers borsten, in fay.
Thanne they benethe Gonnen this beholde,
And to here Lord Ronne Manifolde,
And to the Schip they him gan bere,
And In a Cowche they leyden hem there.
Thanne token they thys fals lerrers,
And him kepte As A thef So fers.
And Alle this whille fowghten the knyhtes
Vppon the Roche, and slowgh down Ryhtes.
And him kepte As A thef So fers.
And Alle this whille fowghten the knyhtes
Vppon the Roche, and slowgh down Ryhtes.
And In this mene whille Of fyhgteng,
Awook Pompee Owt Of his swowneng,
Where-offen his Meyne ful glad they were,
Whanne that he was Recouered there.
Thanne Merveilled Pompe wondir sore
How that In the Schipe he Cam thore;
Thanne his Meyne gan him to telle,
In what Maner and how þat he felle.
Awook Pompee Owt Of his swowneng,
255
Whanne that he was Recouered there.
Thanne Merveilled Pompe wondir sore
How that In the Schipe he Cam thore;
Thanne his Meyne gan him to telle,
In what Maner and how þat he felle.
Thanne this pompee vp Ros Anon,
And Aȝen to that Roche gan he to gon
With a ful good strong Spere In honde,
Where-with he wrowhte þe theves schonde
And to that Cave he Entred Again,
And there with-Inne he hath hem Slayn,
And there threw hem Into the Se,
The Fysches Mete Al forto be.
And Aȝen to that Roche gan he to gon
With a ful good strong Spere In honde,
Where-with he wrowhte þe theves schonde
And to that Cave he Entred Again,
And there with-Inne he hath hem Slayn,
And there threw hem Into the Se,
The Fysches Mete Al forto be.
Thanne Cam he to the Schipe Again,
Where-Offen his Meyne was ful fayn.
Thanne Comanded he to taken this lerrers,
That was a theef So strong and fers,
To bersten bothen his thyes and Ek his bak,
And Into the se Casten him with-Owten lak,
Thus deliuered thanne Sire pompee
That Roche Of felowns, As I telle the.
Where-Offen his Meyne was ful fayn.
Thanne Comanded he to taken this lerrers,
That was a theef So strong and fers,
To bersten bothen his thyes and Ek his bak,
And Into the se Casten him with-Owten lak,
Thus deliuered thanne Sire pompee
That Roche Of felowns, As I telle the.
And to Rome seilled he streyht Agein,
As I telle ȝow now for certein;
And from Rome to Jerusalem he wente,
Where that he stablede his hors presente
In the holy temple Of Owre lord.
As I telle ȝow now for certein;
And from Rome to Jerusalem he wente,
Where that he stablede his hors presente
In the holy temple Of Owre lord.
Thanne to him Cam seint Petir At On word,
And seide to hym In this Manere:
“Pompee, thow forsakest thi maneres here,
And dost moche wers thanne dide lerrers,—
That was a felown bothe strong and fers,—
Thy stable thus here forto Make
The heyest hows, that for goddis Sake
Was mad to don Inne his Servise.
Now thow þat hows gynnest to dispise,
Wherfore I may wel liknen the
To Forcaus, that felown sire, perde.”
And seide to hym In this Manere:
“Pompee, thow forsakest thi maneres here,
And dost moche wers thanne dide lerrers,—
That was a felown bothe strong and fers,—
Thy stable thus here forto Make
The heyest hows, that for goddis Sake
Was mad to don Inne his Servise.
Now thow þat hows gynnest to dispise,
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To Forcaus, that felown sire, perde.”
Thanne from Jerusalem þis pompe wente,
And charged Al his Men wit goode Ente[nte],
‘They scholden neuere Of this forcaus speke,
In what maner On him he was A-wreke;
For to him hadde it ben gret velonie,
Vppon A thef to han set his hol Navye;’
For it was On of the grettest prowesse
That Evere dide þe Emperowr In Ony distresse.
And charged Al his Men wit goode Ente[nte],
‘They scholden neuere Of this forcaus speke,
In what maner On him he was A-wreke;
For to him hadde it ben gret velonie,
Vppon A thef to han set his hol Navye;’
For it was On of the grettest prowesse
That Evere dide þe Emperowr In Ony distresse.
CHAPTER XXI.
Now Of this Emperour let we now be,
And Aȝen to this kyng now torne we,
That into this Roche Is now I-browht,
And In what Maner ne Wot he nowht.
And there sit he In pensifnesse & In deseise,
& With him non thing þat may him plese;
And faste Abowtes he loked him there,
But hevene & the se he ne sawh nowhere
Ne non sustenance there ne was,
But Al disolat In that same plas;
Also, dwelling was there non,
But hydows & sterne that Roch of ston;
And On þat Rock was there non weye
But A path that to þe Cave wenten sothlye.
Thanne loked he vppon the tothir side;
He ne sawh non Comfort In that tyde,
But dirkenesse & hard Roche there.
Thanne set he him down with hevy Chere,
And be-gan to sighen ful sore,
To wepen & wringen ȝit wel more.
Thanne Anon thowghte he In his herte—
Whiche thowght him myhte not Asterte—
That Owre lord him hadde forgeten Clene,
That he there so Was browht In tene.
And Aȝen to this kyng now torne we,
That into this Roche Is now I-browht,
And In what Maner ne Wot he nowht.
And there sit he In pensifnesse & In deseise,
& With him non thing þat may him plese;
And faste Abowtes he loked him there,
But hevene & the se he ne sawh nowhere
Ne non sustenance there ne was,
But Al disolat In that same plas;
257
But hydows & sterne that Roch of ston;
And On þat Rock was there non weye
But A path that to þe Cave wenten sothlye.
Thanne loked he vppon the tothir side;
He ne sawh non Comfort In that tyde,
But dirkenesse & hard Roche there.
Thanne set he him down with hevy Chere,
And be-gan to sighen ful sore,
To wepen & wringen ȝit wel more.
Thanne Anon thowghte he In his herte—
Whiche thowght him myhte not Asterte—
That Owre lord him hadde forgeten Clene,
That he there so Was browht In tene.
And thus as he was In this morneng,
The water Of his Eyen Cam renneng:
Him thowghte þat the wawes of þe se,
A wondirful Noise Maden hee;
And as he lokede tho him Abowte,
He saw Come seilling A schipe wel stowte;
The wheche schipe was ful of Bewte,
And A wondir fair Man there-Inne to be,
That to-forn In the schipe him thowhte he was,
Sitteng Al-gate In that same plas;
And toward that Roche he drow ful faste,
Til that to the Roche he Cam Atte laste.
The schipe, Al Of Silver it was,
The Naylles Of gold In that plas;
And In Middis Of that schipe was there
A fair Crois In that Manere.
The water Of his Eyen Cam renneng:
Him thowghte þat the wawes of þe se,
A wondirful Noise Maden hee;
And as he lokede tho him Abowte,
He saw Come seilling A schipe wel stowte;
The wheche schipe was ful of Bewte,
And A wondir fair Man there-Inne to be,
That to-forn In the schipe him thowhte he was,
Sitteng Al-gate In that same plas;
And toward that Roche he drow ful faste,
Til that to the Roche he Cam Atte laste.
The schipe, Al Of Silver it was,
The Naylles Of gold In that plas;
And In Middis Of that schipe was there
A fair Crois In that Manere.
And whanne this schip to þe Roche gan Aplye,
Alle the swete savours him thowhte sekerly
That Evere weren groweng In Oni plas,
Him thowhte that In theke schipe tho was.
And whanne the Crois he gan to Aspie,
Anon In his herte he thowhte In hye,
That non wikked thing ne myhte be
In plas þere the Cros was Certeinle.
Owt of the schipe Cam this faire man tho,
And the kyng Aȝens him gan go:
“Sire,” he seide, “welcome ȝe be
Into this plase now Certeinle!”
And with that he knelid a-down,
“Welcome Sire, hidir, Of Renown!”
Thanne Axede this fair Man Certeinle,
“Sire, Of what Contre now be ȝe?”
Thanne Answerid the kyng, & seide tho,
“A Cristen Man, Sire, I am here, lo.”
Thanne Axede him this goode man tho,
‘In what Maner he gan thedir to go.’
Thanne Answerid the kyng Ageyn,
“Sire, I wot Neuere now In Certein.”
Alle the swete savours him thowhte sekerly
That Evere weren groweng In Oni plas,
Him thowhte that In theke schipe tho was.
And whanne the Crois he gan to Aspie,
Anon In his herte he thowhte In hye,
258
In plas þere the Cros was Certeinle.
Owt of the schipe Cam this faire man tho,
And the kyng Aȝens him gan go:
“Sire,” he seide, “welcome ȝe be
Into this plase now Certeinle!”
And with that he knelid a-down,
“Welcome Sire, hidir, Of Renown!”
Thanne Axede this fair Man Certeinle,
“Sire, Of what Contre now be ȝe?”
Thanne Answerid the kyng, & seide tho,
“A Cristen Man, Sire, I am here, lo.”
Thanne Axede him this goode man tho,
‘In what Maner he gan thedir to go.’
Thanne Answerid the kyng Ageyn,
“Sire, I wot Neuere now In Certein.”
Thanne the king Axede him ful snelle,
Whens þat he was, he Wold him telle.
Thanne Answerid the goodman him Agein,
“Sire, A Crafty Man I am Certein,
That nowher non swich Is, in non Contre,
So sotel A man As ȝe here now Se;
For sweche Craftes As I kan do,
Of Alle men In Erthe konnen it no mo.”
Thanne Axede the kyng Of him there,
‘What Maner thinges tho Craftes were.’
He seide, “that Owther fowl man Oþer fowl womman,
Into Grete bewte he cowde torne than;
Also A fool, A Wis man kan I Make;
A pore Man, gret Richesse to take;
And a low Man kan I Maken hye,
I seie the, Sire, Certeinlie.”
“Now Certes, Sire,” tho quod the kyng,
“This may wel ben A Wondirful werkyng:
Now, worthi Sire, And it ȝowre plesing wolde be,
ȝowre Name that ȝe wolden tellen me.”
“Sire, Gladly, Er I hennes wil gon,
My name to tellen the Anon,—
‘ On & Al Only ’ it is Mi Name,
Sire, I the seie with-owten blame.”
Whens þat he was, he Wold him telle.
Thanne Answerid the goodman him Agein,
“Sire, A Crafty Man I am Certein,
That nowher non swich Is, in non Contre,
So sotel A man As ȝe here now Se;
For sweche Craftes As I kan do,
Of Alle men In Erthe konnen it no mo.”
Thanne Axede the kyng Of him there,
‘What Maner thinges tho Craftes were.’
He seide, “that Owther fowl man Oþer fowl womman,
Into Grete bewte he cowde torne than;
Also A fool, A Wis man kan I Make;
A pore Man, gret Richesse to take;
And a low Man kan I Maken hye,
I seie the, Sire, Certeinlie.”
“Now Certes, Sire,” tho quod the kyng,
“This may wel ben A Wondirful werkyng:
Now, worthi Sire, And it ȝowre plesing wolde be,
ȝowre Name that ȝe wolden tellen me.”
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My name to tellen the Anon,—
‘ On & Al Only ’ it is Mi Name,
Sire, I the seie with-owten blame.”
Thanne quod the king, “sire, Certeinly
That is a Fair Name, and A ful hy.
Sire,” quod the king with mylde vois,
“Me semeth, as be the signe Of þe Crois
That ȝe haven In ȝowre Compenie here,
That to Jesus Crist Affiawnce ȝe bere.”
“That is soth,” quod this good man tho,
“For with-Owten him non goodnesse May be do;
And ho þat the signe Of the Crois In his Compeni have,
From Alle perilles he may ben Save.
Therfore be war, I rede now to the,
That what peple so Evere thou se,
But ȝif the signe of þe Cros be hem Among,
With hem thow talke, I Rede, not long.”
Ful Mochel spak this goodman tho
To the kyng that In the Roche was I-do;
Sweche wordis Of Comfort to him he spak,
That Alle his hevynesse he gan to forsak;
Nethir Of Mete ne drinke he ne thowhte;
In so mochel Joye this good man him browhte.
That is a Fair Name, and A ful hy.
Sire,” quod the king with mylde vois,
“Me semeth, as be the signe Of þe Crois
That ȝe haven In ȝowre Compenie here,
That to Jesus Crist Affiawnce ȝe bere.”
“That is soth,” quod this good man tho,
“For with-Owten him non goodnesse May be do;
And ho þat the signe Of the Crois In his Compeni have,
From Alle perilles he may ben Save.
Therfore be war, I rede now to the,
That what peple so Evere thou se,
But ȝif the signe of þe Cros be hem Among,
With hem thow talke, I Rede, not long.”
Ful Mochel spak this goodman tho
To the kyng that In the Roche was I-do;
Sweche wordis Of Comfort to him he spak,
That Alle his hevynesse he gan to forsak;
Nethir Of Mete ne drinke he ne thowhte;
In so mochel Joye this good man him browhte.
Thanne Axede him the kyng tho,
‘In what Maner he scholde do,
And whethir he scholde þere long Abyde,
Owther thens to Gon with-In schort tyde.’
“Ne seist thow,” quod this good man Ageyn,
“That thow belevest In God Certeyn?”
“ȝe forsothe, Sire,” quod the Kyng,
“And that I do Ouer Alle thing,
Only & Al In him I beleve,
Of wheche schal non man me Repreve.”
‘In what Maner he scholde do,
And whethir he scholde þere long Abyde,
Owther thens to Gon with-In schort tyde.’
“Ne seist thow,” quod this good man Ageyn,
“That thow belevest In God Certeyn?”
“ȝe forsothe, Sire,” quod the Kyng,
“And that I do Ouer Alle thing,
Only & Al In him I beleve,
Of wheche schal non man me Repreve.”
“Sethen thanne that thow dost so,”
Quod the good man Aȝen to him tho,
“Ful Sekir thanne Mihtest þou be,
That he ne wel Not Forȝeten the,
Ne non that In him hath Remembraunce,
In what degre he be, Other In what stawnse,
In sekir, sere king, I telle it to the,
That God ne wil not forȝeten the;
And therto, what thing þat thow wilt Crave.
Sekir to be, thow myht it have.
Sire, tak thow al this for verite,
Al that Euere now I haue told to the;
For who that In God doth putten his Creaunce,
Him may not faille with-Owten variance,
That he ne schal haue, At his nede,
Of Alle thing that he wele him bede;
For man hath he In so gret Cherte,
Of non thing so moche, I telle it the.
Therefore man, On him to taken non thing I rede,
But swich thing As God him bede;
And ȝif A man In him Self to Moche thenke,
And with distorbilons Maketh his herte to swenke,
So myhte he fallen I[n] disperaunce;
Swich a thing myhte ben his Chaunce.”
“Now, good sire,” quod the King tho,
“May I thanne Only to God trosten vnto,
Of alle thing that me nedith to have,
Other what thing that I wele krave;
And that God wele thenken On Me,
Trowe ȝe, sere, that this wil be?”
“A, sire,” quod this goode man tho,
“Lo, now In disperaunce þou Art I-do,
That thenkest & seist As thow dost here,
In-to A fowl disperawnce þou fallest there.
Therefore I rede the, Ouer Alle thing,
That Into bettere Conseille þin herte þou bring,
And Ouer Alle thing I rede the,
Thin mynde thou sette vppon þe Trenite;
And have Minde how Salamon the kyng
To his Sone Evere ȝaf teching,
‘That Evere God to worschepe scholde he,
In what maner place that so Evere he be:
Thanne dar the dredyn Of non thing:’
Thus ȝaf Sampson to his son lerneng.”
Quod the good man Aȝen to him tho,
260
That he ne wel Not Forȝeten the,
Ne non that In him hath Remembraunce,
In what degre he be, Other In what stawnse,
In sekir, sere king, I telle it to the,
That God ne wil not forȝeten the;
And therto, what thing þat thow wilt Crave.
Sekir to be, thow myht it have.
Sire, tak thow al this for verite,
Al that Euere now I haue told to the;
For who that In God doth putten his Creaunce,
Him may not faille with-Owten variance,
That he ne schal haue, At his nede,
Of Alle thing that he wele him bede;
For man hath he In so gret Cherte,
Of non thing so moche, I telle it the.
Therefore man, On him to taken non thing I rede,
But swich thing As God him bede;
And ȝif A man In him Self to Moche thenke,
And with distorbilons Maketh his herte to swenke,
So myhte he fallen I[n] disperaunce;
Swich a thing myhte ben his Chaunce.”
“Now, good sire,” quod the King tho,
“May I thanne Only to God trosten vnto,
Of alle thing that me nedith to have,
Other what thing that I wele krave;
And that God wele thenken On Me,
Trowe ȝe, sere, that this wil be?”
“A, sire,” quod this goode man tho,
“Lo, now In disperaunce þou Art I-do,
That thenkest & seist As thow dost here,
In-to A fowl disperawnce þou fallest there.
Therefore I rede the, Ouer Alle thing,
That Into bettere Conseille þin herte þou bring,
And Ouer Alle thing I rede the,
Thin mynde thou sette vppon þe Trenite;
261
To his Sone Evere ȝaf teching,
‘That Evere God to worschepe scholde he,
In what maner place that so Evere he be:
Thanne dar the dredyn Of non thing:’
Thus ȝaf Sampson to his son lerneng.”
In the mene whille that this good Man
Of the Schipe to the kyng Spak than,
The kyng so Ioyful Of his worrdis was,
As he hem herkenid In that plas,
So that he fyl In a gret stodye tho,
And Merveilled how this thing myhte go,
And whethir It were In A dremenge,
Owther where that he was slepinge.
And thus A long tyme he him thowhte
In what maner that he thedir was browhte,
Of wheche he Cowde knowen non Certeinte
Of this Mater ȝit In non manere degre.
Of the Schipe to the kyng Spak than,
The kyng so Ioyful Of his worrdis was,
As he hem herkenid In that plas,
So that he fyl In a gret stodye tho,
And Merveilled how this thing myhte go,
And whethir It were In A dremenge,
Owther where that he was slepinge.
And thus A long tyme he him thowhte
In what maner that he thedir was browhte,
Of wheche he Cowde knowen non Certeinte
Of this Mater ȝit In non manere degre.
And whanne Owt of this thowht he gan to gon,
To his kende Memorie he Cam Anon,
And abowtes him he lokede wel faste,
But he ne Cowde weten how he Awey paste,
For Nethir Of Schipe ne Man he Say,
Whech that to him Aperid that day.
To his kende Memorie he Cam Anon,
And abowtes him he lokede wel faste,
But he ne Cowde weten how he Awey paste,
For Nethir Of Schipe ne Man he Say,
Whech that to him Aperid that day.
And whanne bothe Schipe & man was Agon,
Into A gret Morneng he fyl Anon;
But In his herte he thowghte ful Certeinlye
That thike man From God kam An hye;
For he wiste wel be the Signe of the Crois
That it was Only be goddis voys;
For And he hadde been A dedly man,
He Cowde not han Spoken As he dide than.
And Also he wiste Ful Sekerly,
He Cowde not han gon Awey so previly
ȝyf Erthlich Man he hadde I-ben,
Other wise he scholde han him seen;
Wherfore his herte was moche the more
On god In Al his werkis thore.
Into A gret Morneng he fyl Anon;
But In his herte he thowghte ful Certeinlye
That thike man From God kam An hye;
For he wiste wel be the Signe of the Crois
That it was Only be goddis voys;
For And he hadde been A dedly man,
He Cowde not han Spoken As he dide than.
And Also he wiste Ful Sekerly,
He Cowde not han gon Awey so previly
ȝyf Erthlich Man he hadde I-ben,
Other wise he scholde han him seen;
262
On god In Al his werkis thore.
Ful longe In this thowght þe kyng Abod;
Other whiles he sat, & Oþer whiles he stood.
He gan to loken vppon the lefte partye,
And thus Sone he gan to Aspie,
He Sawh where Cam a schip Anon
Toward the Roche Forto gon;
That Schipe was wondirly faire A-dyht,
As him thowhte to his Syht;
And þer nas non thing Abowte,
But Rialy keuered with-Inne & with-Owte:
Into the harde wawes Of the Se
That Schipe was keuered ful Certeinle;
But nethir Man ne womman Cowde he se,
That Schip to Governe In non degre.
And At the Roche it Aryved Anon
Also swithe as it Myhte gon.
Other whiles he sat, & Oþer whiles he stood.
He gan to loken vppon the lefte partye,
And thus Sone he gan to Aspie,
He Sawh where Cam a schip Anon
Toward the Roche Forto gon;
That Schipe was wondirly faire A-dyht,
As him thowhte to his Syht;
And þer nas non thing Abowte,
But Rialy keuered with-Inne & with-Owte:
Into the harde wawes Of the Se
That Schipe was keuered ful Certeinle;
But nethir Man ne womman Cowde he se,
That Schip to Governe In non degre.
And At the Roche it Aryved Anon
Also swithe as it Myhte gon.
And whanne the king gan this beholde,
He merueilled þer-offen Mani folde,
What thike Schipe Miht signefie,
That to the Roche so faste gan hie,
And what maner of thing it sowhte there,
That thedir Cam In swich Manere;
And Evere this Schipe he beheld there,
And of the Aray Alle the manere.
He merueilled þer-offen Mani folde,
What thike Schipe Miht signefie,
That to the Roche so faste gan hie,
And what maner of thing it sowhte there,
That thedir Cam In swich Manere;
And Evere this Schipe he beheld there,
And of the Aray Alle the manere.
Thanne sawh he there isswen Anon
The fairest womman that of feet myht gon:
Thanne the kyng Abaisched he was
Of thike Merveille In that plas;
Neuertheles ȝit he seide, “Welcome ȝe be
Faire womman, Into this Contre.”
Thanne Answerid sche Agein,
“And ȝe ben welcome, Sire, Certein,
As man that I most desire to se
Of Alle men levenge, I telle it the.
Eualach,” seide this lady tho,
“Al my lyve ȝit hider-to,
So gret lust I haue to speken with the,
And now Am I glad I may the se;
And now thow Art in this plase here,
With the to speken I schal haue leysere;
I schal the lede, and thow wilt gon with me,
Into þe fairest place that euer man May se.”
“Now Certes, dame,” quod the kyng,
“I merveille me mochel Of myn hider Comeng,
For I not ho that hedir me browhte,
Ne nethir sen him neuere I ne mowhte,
Ne neuere hennes ne wil I go,
That til Aȝen he me wil Comen to,
That me In to this place browhte;
Oþer wise cam It not In to My thowhte.”
“Be my trowthe, sire,” quod sche thanne,
“ȝit spekist thow As A trewe Manne,
For I the browhte Into this plase,
To speken with the, for I wolde han space;
And be me hens schalt thow go,
And be non Other, troste wel therto.
And ȝif thow wilt not forsaken my Compenye,
I schal the bringen to hygh seignourie,
And maken the Lord Ouer Al my lond,
Which that I holde In Min honde.”
The fairest womman that of feet myht gon:
Thanne the kyng Abaisched he was
Of thike Merveille In that plas;
Neuertheles ȝit he seide, “Welcome ȝe be
Faire womman, Into this Contre.”
Thanne Answerid sche Agein,
“And ȝe ben welcome, Sire, Certein,
As man that I most desire to se
Of Alle men levenge, I telle it the.
263
“Al my lyve ȝit hider-to,
So gret lust I haue to speken with the,
And now Am I glad I may the se;
And now thow Art in this plase here,
With the to speken I schal haue leysere;
I schal the lede, and thow wilt gon with me,
Into þe fairest place that euer man May se.”
“Now Certes, dame,” quod the kyng,
“I merveille me mochel Of myn hider Comeng,
For I not ho that hedir me browhte,
Ne nethir sen him neuere I ne mowhte,
Ne neuere hennes ne wil I go,
That til Aȝen he me wil Comen to,
That me In to this place browhte;
Oþer wise cam It not In to My thowhte.”
“Be my trowthe, sire,” quod sche thanne,
“ȝit spekist thow As A trewe Manne,
For I the browhte Into this plase,
To speken with the, for I wolde han space;
And be me hens schalt thow go,
And be non Other, troste wel therto.
And ȝif thow wilt not forsaken my Compenye,
I schal the bringen to hygh seignourie,
And maken the Lord Ouer Al my lond,
Which that I holde In Min honde.”
“Dame,” quod the Kyng to hire Agayn,
“Of this wolde I weten ful fayn,
What myht ȝe han forto do
Az now ȝe sein me vnto.”
“Be my feith,” quod sche, “Sire,” Again,
“Of that power I Am Certein,
To beren A body where þat my liking Is,
And thens him to fetten with-Owten Mis.”
“Of this wolde I weten ful fayn,
What myht ȝe han forto do
Az now ȝe sein me vnto.”
“Be my feith,” quod sche, “Sire,” Again,
“Of that power I Am Certein,
To beren A body where þat my liking Is,
And thens him to fetten with-Owten Mis.”
“Dame, I vndirstond thy talkyng;
But a man of a more wondirful werkyng
Have I herd Sein Certein there is,
That kan don moche more than this,
For he kan Maken of Fowle men faire;
Of Folis, wise men & debonaire;
And Pore Men, to ben Riche In Ech degre:
This Man A Maister, me thinketh, is he;
And this May non Man don, Certeinle,
But ȝif þe signe of þe holy Cros with him be.”
“A! Eualach,” quod this womman thanne,
“Thow Art A fool, & non wis Manne!
Thow Art desceiued In thy beleve;
And that Anon I wele the preve.
For As longe As thou holdest this Creaunce
Of wheche thow hast Mad variawnce,
In pes ne Reste Schat thow neuere be
Whiles that beleve Is In the;
For thou knowest not ȝit the Endyng
Of thi Sorewe, nether the begynneng;
For thi Brothir, Sire Seraphe,
In thi paleis lith in ful hard degre,
That it Asckapen neuere schal he,
But ȝif it the more wondir be.”
“A! dame,” quod the kyng Anon,
“How mown ȝe knowen swich thing be don?”
“For,” quod sche, “I knowe this As wel
As thi selven Everidel,
How thow were left Owt of thi bed,
& he A-bod stille In that sted.”
But a man of a more wondirful werkyng
264
That kan don moche more than this,
For he kan Maken of Fowle men faire;
Of Folis, wise men & debonaire;
And Pore Men, to ben Riche In Ech degre:
This Man A Maister, me thinketh, is he;
And this May non Man don, Certeinle,
But ȝif þe signe of þe holy Cros with him be.”
“A! Eualach,” quod this womman thanne,
“Thow Art A fool, & non wis Manne!
Thow Art desceiued In thy beleve;
And that Anon I wele the preve.
For As longe As thou holdest this Creaunce
Of wheche thow hast Mad variawnce,
In pes ne Reste Schat thow neuere be
Whiles that beleve Is In the;
For thou knowest not ȝit the Endyng
Of thi Sorewe, nether the begynneng;
For thi Brothir, Sire Seraphe,
In thi paleis lith in ful hard degre,
That it Asckapen neuere schal he,
But ȝif it the more wondir be.”
“A! dame,” quod the kyng Anon,
“How mown ȝe knowen swich thing be don?”
“For,” quod sche, “I knowe this As wel
As thi selven Everidel,
How thow were left Owt of thi bed,
& he A-bod stille In that sted.”
Thanne the kyng Abasched him sore
For þe wordes he herde thore,
And was Aferd lest his brother scholde die,
For tokenis that sche seide so Certeinlye.
Thanne King Eualach Anon with-Alle
Nygh In wanhope hadde I-falle,
And wende that God had him forgote,
So this womman Made him tho dote.
For þe wordes he herde thore,
And was Aferd lest his brother scholde die,
For tokenis that sche seide so Certeinlye.
Thanne King Eualach Anon with-Alle
Nygh In wanhope hadde I-falle,
And wende that God had him forgote,
So this womman Made him tho dote.
265
Thanne seide this womman to him tho:
“Eualach, and thow my wille wilt do,
I schal the setten Aȝen In-to thi lond,
And Al welthes bringen Into thin hond.
For wete thow, Eualach, In Certein,
Owt of this plase gost þou not heyn,
But ȝif it be Onlich by me,
Owt of this plase schalt þou neuere fle;
And here schalt thow Enfamyned be,
And many mo wondris ȝit schalt þou se;
For ȝif thow longe here Abyde,
Thy wittes schalt þou lesen þis tyde.
And ȝif that thou wilt gon with me,
A gret lord schal I Maken the;
And ȝif thow wilt here lengere dwelle,
Thow schalt be lost, bothe flesch & felle.”
“Eualach, and thow my wille wilt do,
I schal the setten Aȝen In-to thi lond,
And Al welthes bringen Into thin hond.
For wete thow, Eualach, In Certein,
Owt of this plase gost þou not heyn,
But ȝif it be Onlich by me,
Owt of this plase schalt þou neuere fle;
And here schalt thow Enfamyned be,
And many mo wondris ȝit schalt þou se;
For ȝif thow longe here Abyde,
Thy wittes schalt þou lesen þis tyde.
And ȝif that thou wilt gon with me,
A gret lord schal I Maken the;
And ȝif thow wilt here lengere dwelle,
Thow schalt be lost, bothe flesch & felle.”
CHAPTER XXII.
266
Thanne sat this kyng in gret stodying,
And thowhte what to don of al this thing;
Whethir with that lady he scholde go,
That sche seide so wel him louede tho,
And therto so ful of Sapiense,
Lyk As sche wede In his presense.
And thowhte what to don of al this thing;
Whethir with that lady he scholde go,
That sche seide so wel him louede tho,
And therto so ful of Sapiense,
Lyk As sche wede In his presense.
Thanne Eualach Clepid this womman tho,
And Axede hire ‘ȝif sche Cowde Owht do
To tellen him In what plase þat he were;
And how fer from his londis there.’
“ȝe,” quod this womman tho Anon Riht,
“Al this schal I the tellen Astyht.
Of port peryl this Roche bereth the name,
A perilows Roch, And Of gret Fame;
And Owt of thy kyngdom Art thow here
xvii. dayes Iornees, Al In fere;
For A gret Iorne for A schipe it were,
In a Monthe & .ix. dayes from thens to ben here.
So that there schalt thow neuere haue dwellynge
But ȝif so be that I thedyr þe bringe.”
Thanne Abasched was he mochel more
Thanne he was Ony tym be-fore,
That he was so fer from his kingdom
I-browht In-to A straunge Regiown:
Thanne In gret thowht sat this kyng,
And þere made mochel Morneng.
And Axede hire ‘ȝif sche Cowde Owht do
To tellen him In what plase þat he were;
And how fer from his londis there.’
“ȝe,” quod this womman tho Anon Riht,
“Al this schal I the tellen Astyht.
Of port peryl this Roche bereth the name,
A perilows Roch, And Of gret Fame;
And Owt of thy kyngdom Art thow here
xvii. dayes Iornees, Al In fere;
For A gret Iorne for A schipe it were,
In a Monthe & .ix. dayes from thens to ben here.
So that there schalt thow neuere haue dwellynge
But ȝif so be that I thedyr þe bringe.”
Thanne Abasched was he mochel more
Thanne he was Ony tym be-fore,
That he was so fer from his kingdom
I-browht In-to A straunge Regiown:
Thanne In gret thowht sat this kyng,
And þere made mochel Morneng.
Thanne seide this womman to him tho,
“Sire Eualach, wherto thenken ȝe so?
ȝif ȝe wilen don Aftir My biddinge,
Into a ful delitable plase I schal the bringe;
And ȝif thow wilt not don as I the seye,
Many wondir happes schalt þou han In feye;
And so Manie Combrawnces scholen Comen to þe,
That with-Inne ful schort tyme schalt þou se,
So þat þou wost ben hid in þe most Caytifes plase
That Evere On Erthe ȝit Mad wase.”
“Sire Eualach, wherto thenken ȝe so?
ȝif ȝe wilen don Aftir My biddinge,
Into a ful delitable plase I schal the bringe;
And ȝif thow wilt not don as I the seye,
Many wondir happes schalt þou han In feye;
And so Manie Combrawnces scholen Comen to þe,
That with-Inne ful schort tyme schalt þou se,
267
That Evere On Erthe ȝit Mad wase.”
Thanne the kyng Abasched him sore,
That to hire wordis mihte he speke no more.
And whanne sche say þat it wolde not be,
That Answere mihte non Getten sche,
Sche torned hire Schipe, and Gan to go
Streyht Aȝen Into the highe se tho.
Thanne Anon the king Cast vp his hed,
And saw where sche seillede In that sted
Fer Amyddis the grete throwenge se,
Where that grete Merveilles Anon say he;—
The grettest tempest him thowte was there,
And the Moste wondirful that was o-where;
So that him thowghte þat Al the Se
Ouer Al the world schold han be;
And In Middis Of that tempest,
There was the Schipe Althermest.
Thus Sone there Cam A wyndes blast,
And that Schipe there Ouer Cast.
And As the kyng On þe Roch there sat,
With his Eyen he beheld Al that,
And wondred mochel In his thowht
What schipe it was that the womman browht.
That to hire wordis mihte he speke no more.
And whanne sche say þat it wolde not be,
That Answere mihte non Getten sche,
Sche torned hire Schipe, and Gan to go
Streyht Aȝen Into the highe se tho.
Thanne Anon the king Cast vp his hed,
And saw where sche seillede In that sted
Fer Amyddis the grete throwenge se,
Where that grete Merveilles Anon say he;—
The grettest tempest him thowte was there,
And the Moste wondirful that was o-where;
So that him thowghte þat Al the Se
Ouer Al the world schold han be;
And In Middis Of that tempest,
There was the Schipe Althermest.
Thus Sone there Cam A wyndes blast,
And that Schipe there Ouer Cast.
And As the kyng On þe Roch there sat,
With his Eyen he beheld Al that,
And wondred mochel In his thowht
What schipe it was that the womman browht.
Thanne this kyng bethowhte him tho,
That Of him self it was Evel I-do
That he ne hadde Enqwered what sche hadde be,
& what hire Name was, & Of what Contre;
For he here supposed neuere to se,
Therfore here Name haven knowen wolde he.
Thanne of hire wordes sore he thowghte,
How that In Reste he scholde be nowhte
As long as he held that Creaunse;
Ful Often he thowghte vppon this Chaunce;
And For sorwe of this tydinge
He ne wiste to don non thing.
Thanne gan he to Remembren him Anon
How worthily he was wont to Gon,
Of his Richesse, & Of his honoure,
And On his lordschepis In that stowur;
And sethen he thowhte thanne Aȝen
In what persecucioun he hadde ben
Sethen Cristen Man that he was,
What he hadde Suffred In diuers plas;
And thus In disperawnce he gan to falle
Tyl Aȝens the Niht Sore with Alle.
That Of him self it was Evel I-do
That he ne hadde Enqwered what sche hadde be,
& what hire Name was, & Of what Contre;
For he here supposed neuere to se,
Therfore here Name haven knowen wolde he.
Thanne of hire wordes sore he thowghte,
How that In Reste he scholde be nowhte
As long as he held that Creaunse;
Ful Often he thowghte vppon this Chaunce;
And For sorwe of this tydinge
He ne wiste to don non thing.
268
How worthily he was wont to Gon,
Of his Richesse, & Of his honoure,
And On his lordschepis In that stowur;
And sethen he thowhte thanne Aȝen
In what persecucioun he hadde ben
Sethen Cristen Man that he was,
What he hadde Suffred In diuers plas;
And thus In disperawnce he gan to falle
Tyl Aȝens the Niht Sore with Alle.
Thanne he bethowhte him Anon,
How that Ony wyse he myhte don;
For the Roche was A wastable plase,
And non Resteng there-Inne Nas.
Thanne fond the king the grees there riht
That to thike Cave wente ful streiht,
Whiche was bothe ful dirk & blak,
& hidows On to looken with many A lak;
For long tyme was it past be-fore
That Evere Ony levyng man was thore.
And to hym self he gan to seye,
“Sekerly, with-Owten wile I not lye,
But entren I wiele Into this Cave,
There-Inne Min herberwe forto have.”
And the ferste foot that with-Inne he sette,
Plat to the Grownd he was smette;
For him thowhte that On with two hondis him took,
And Evene to therthe there him schook.
And thus lay the king In swowneng In þis Manere
Thorwgh the Fal that he hadde there.
And whanne of his swowneng he A-wook,
Vppon the Entre Of the Cave he gan to look;
And thus As he In this thowht gan dwelle,
A wondirful tempest there befelle,
That him thowghte the wawes of þe se
Into the hevene wolden fle,
And Al to-berste bothe lond & ston:
Thus him thowghte there Ryht Anon.
How that Ony wyse he myhte don;
For the Roche was A wastable plase,
And non Resteng there-Inne Nas.
Thanne fond the king the grees there riht
That to thike Cave wente ful streiht,
Whiche was bothe ful dirk & blak,
& hidows On to looken with many A lak;
For long tyme was it past be-fore
That Evere Ony levyng man was thore.
And to hym self he gan to seye,
“Sekerly, with-Owten wile I not lye,
But entren I wiele Into this Cave,
There-Inne Min herberwe forto have.”
And the ferste foot that with-Inne he sette,
Plat to the Grownd he was smette;
For him thowhte that On with two hondis him took,
And Evene to therthe there him schook.
And thus lay the king In swowneng In þis Manere
Thorwgh the Fal that he hadde there.
And whanne of his swowneng he A-wook,
Vppon the Entre Of the Cave he gan to look;
And thus As he In this thowht gan dwelle,
A wondirful tempest there befelle,
That him thowghte the wawes of þe se
Into the hevene wolden fle,
269
Thus him thowghte there Ryht Anon.
Thanne Cam there so grete A dirknesse
That browhte him in moche distresse,
That him self he ne myhte not se
No more thanne In A pit he hadde I-be.
And whanne Of alle thinge he hadde lost þe siht,
And þat non thing he sen ne myht,
More Abasched thanne he tho was,
Was neuere Man ȝit In non plas;
But Aftir this gret drede Anon,
Good Comfort to him was sent ful son.
And whanne In this dirknesse he hadde longe be,
And for drede lost bothe wit & Memore,
He ne wiste for drede what to do,
And In this thowht longe Abod he so.
And al the nyht lay this kyng
As In Maner he hadde ben In Sowneng,
That from him Self he was ful Clene,
For On him non Otherwise ne was it sene.
That browhte him in moche distresse,
That him self he ne myhte not se
No more thanne In A pit he hadde I-be.
And whanne Of alle thinge he hadde lost þe siht,
And þat non thing he sen ne myht,
More Abasched thanne he tho was,
Was neuere Man ȝit In non plas;
But Aftir this gret drede Anon,
Good Comfort to him was sent ful son.
And whanne In this dirknesse he hadde longe be,
And for drede lost bothe wit & Memore,
He ne wiste for drede what to do,
And In this thowht longe Abod he so.
And al the nyht lay this kyng
As In Maner he hadde ben In Sowneng,
That from him Self he was ful Clene,
For On him non Otherwise ne was it sene.
And whanne that it was goddis wille,
The Clernesse Of day there to fulfille,
And the bemes of the sonne Bryht
Into Alle the Erthe it schon ful lyht,
The kyng that vppon the Grees lay
To-fore the Cave dore, As I the Say,
Vppon his Face the sonne þere schon,
Where-with he A-wook Ryht Anon,
And his Eyen Open he gan to Caste,
And Abowtes him he loked ful faste;
And whanne that the Se he loked vppon,
And Ek the Roch that he lay There on,
He lefte vpe his Riht hond An hy,
And the Signe of the Crois made devoutly.
The Clernesse Of day there to fulfille,
And the bemes of the sonne Bryht
Into Alle the Erthe it schon ful lyht,
The kyng that vppon the Grees lay
To-fore the Cave dore, As I the Say,
Vppon his Face the sonne þere schon,
Where-with he A-wook Ryht Anon,
And his Eyen Open he gan to Caste,
And Abowtes him he loked ful faste;
And whanne that the Se he loked vppon,
And Ek the Roch that he lay There on,
He lefte vpe his Riht hond An hy,
And the Signe of the Crois made devoutly.
Thanne Cam he to his Mynde Agein
As he to-forn was Al In Certein,
And kneling, to God made his preyere
In this Maner As ȝe scholen here:
“O thow swete lord God Almyhty,
That Comfort And Ese dost to Alle Sory,
And me hast deliuered of Manie gret distresse,
Of Mani Aventures, & Of Mani heveynesse;
And Of Mani hevynesses which weren Comenge,
Thow me deliueredest, thow Glorious kynge!
O goode lord god, I am thi Creature
To whom thow hast ben ful deboneure,
And to me hast Schewed gret Mercy,
To Me, lord, that ne Am no thing worthi;
And my Sowle to helle Scholde han went,
Ne hadde ben thy Mercy, God lord Omnipotent;
And thy Mercy from helle it gan to withdrawe,
And browhtest it Into the Cristene lawe;
So, goode lord, me kepe & defende,
And Euere thy Grace that thow me Sende;
And that the devel ne tempte not me,
Whom I haue forsaken, & Only taken me to the;
Whose werkis & him I have forsake,
And to thy mercy Onlich, lord, I me betake.”
As he to-forn was Al In Certein,
270
In this Maner As ȝe scholen here:
“O thow swete lord God Almyhty,
That Comfort And Ese dost to Alle Sory,
And me hast deliuered of Manie gret distresse,
Of Mani Aventures, & Of Mani heveynesse;
And Of Mani hevynesses which weren Comenge,
Thow me deliueredest, thow Glorious kynge!
O goode lord god, I am thi Creature
To whom thow hast ben ful deboneure,
And to me hast Schewed gret Mercy,
To Me, lord, that ne Am no thing worthi;
And my Sowle to helle Scholde han went,
Ne hadde ben thy Mercy, God lord Omnipotent;
And thy Mercy from helle it gan to withdrawe,
And browhtest it Into the Cristene lawe;
So, goode lord, me kepe & defende,
And Euere thy Grace that thow me Sende;
And that the devel ne tempte not me,
Whom I haue forsaken, & Only taken me to the;
Whose werkis & him I have forsake,
And to thy mercy Onlich, lord, I me betake.”
Whanne he thus his preyere hadde I-do,
Ful faste Abowte him loked he tho.
Owt Of the Est he Saw Comen thore
The fair Schip that he say þe day before,
Where-Inne that was the goode man
That of so mochel goodnesse to him spak than.
And whanne he Saw that it was he,
Ful glad and blithe he gan forto be,
And alle his Sorewes forȝat he thanne,
For Joye to speken with this good Manne.
Thanne ful faste he gan to Crie
Of Alle his trespas there to god Mercye.
And whanne he Say the Schipe to the Roche gon,
Evere to the foot of the Roch he Cam Anon,
And Into that Schipe he lokede there,
And Say there-Inne thinges of diuers Manere,
Bothe Richesse, Jowelles, & vitaille Also,
That to Ony lyveng Man belonged to.
Ful faste Abowte him loked he tho.
Owt Of the Est he Saw Comen thore
The fair Schip that he say þe day before,
Where-Inne that was the goode man
That of so mochel goodnesse to him spak than.
And whanne he Saw that it was he,
Ful glad and blithe he gan forto be,
And alle his Sorewes forȝat he thanne,
For Joye to speken with this good Manne.
Thanne ful faste he gan to Crie
Of Alle his trespas there to god Mercye.
And whanne he Say the Schipe to the Roche gon,
Evere to the foot of the Roch he Cam Anon,
271
And Say there-Inne thinges of diuers Manere,
Bothe Richesse, Jowelles, & vitaille Also,
That to Ony lyveng Man belonged to.
And whanne the Same good man he Say,
That to him hadde spoken the formere day,
And seide, “Sire, Ryht welcome ȝe be
Into this Roche ful Certeinle!”
Thanne this goodman Owt of þe schipe wente
Vp to the Roche tho, veramente,
And Axed the kyng how he dide fare
Sithen þe tyme that he was thare.
“Forsothe, sire,” quod the king tho,
“I Was neuere so ful of Sorwe & Wo
As that, Goode sire, I have I-be,
Sethen the tyme ȝe partid from me.”
That to him hadde spoken the formere day,
And seide, “Sire, Ryht welcome ȝe be
Into this Roche ful Certeinle!”
Thanne this goodman Owt of þe schipe wente
Vp to the Roche tho, veramente,
And Axed the kyng how he dide fare
Sithen þe tyme that he was thare.
“Forsothe, sire,” quod the king tho,
“I Was neuere so ful of Sorwe & Wo
As that, Goode sire, I have I-be,
Sethen the tyme ȝe partid from me.”
Thanne gan he him forto telle
What Aventures that him befelle,
And Of that Fairre wommans Comeng,
And of mani Anothir Aventures thing.
Thanne Answerid him tho this good Man
With a smyleng Chere Anon than:
“O thow Man ful litel of beleve,
Ful litel thing May the Greve.
And thou stedfast In beleve wost be,
þer nys non thing that myhte Greven the;
For And thow wost thenken on hem þat the bowht,
Troste thow wel, he forgeteth the nowht;
And ȝif thow Attenden wilt to his Servise,
He nele the forgeten In non wise;
As dauid seith In the Sawter book—
Hos wele there aftir there-Inne look—
‘Owre lord is Redy In Alle wise
To hem that hym Clepen In his Servise.’
In this loke thow have stedfast Creaunce,
And thanne schalt thow, with-Owten variaunce,
[Have al] where vppon thin herte wil thenke,
Redy to the, whethir þou wake Oþer wynke.
And thowgh A whille that here thow be
Here In preson, As thow Miht Se,
Abasche the not for thy beyng;
Ful wel hens he wyl the bringe,
And qwiten the A hundred fold More
Thanne for him dist thow Owht fore;
And more Gwerdoun schalt thow have
Thanne Evere thin herte kan thenken oþer krave,
As witnesseth david the prophete,
Where As he Seith these wordes swete,
‘God vnbindeth that is I-bownde,
& of here peynes hem loseth In a stownde;
For God, the hurte men he keuereth sone,
And þe wikked to goodnesse torneth Anone,
Oure God, þe Ryhtwos loveth Ryht Wel,
The Orphanees he gouerneth Ech del.’
What Aventures that him befelle,
And Of that Fairre wommans Comeng,
And of mani Anothir Aventures thing.
Thanne Answerid him tho this good Man
With a smyleng Chere Anon than:
“O thow Man ful litel of beleve,
Ful litel thing May the Greve.
And thou stedfast In beleve wost be,
þer nys non thing that myhte Greven the;
For And thow wost thenken on hem þat the bowht,
Troste thow wel, he forgeteth the nowht;
And ȝif thow Attenden wilt to his Servise,
He nele the forgeten In non wise;
As dauid seith In the Sawter book—
Hos wele there aftir there-Inne look—
‘Owre lord is Redy In Alle wise
To hem that hym Clepen In his Servise.’
In this loke thow have stedfast Creaunce,
And thanne schalt thow, with-Owten variaunce,
272
Redy to the, whethir þou wake Oþer wynke.
And thowgh A whille that here thow be
Here In preson, As thow Miht Se,
Abasche the not for thy beyng;
Ful wel hens he wyl the bringe,
And qwiten the A hundred fold More
Thanne for him dist thow Owht fore;
And more Gwerdoun schalt thow have
Thanne Evere thin herte kan thenken oþer krave,
As witnesseth david the prophete,
Where As he Seith these wordes swete,
‘God vnbindeth that is I-bownde,
& of here peynes hem loseth In a stownde;
For God, the hurte men he keuereth sone,
And þe wikked to goodnesse torneth Anone,
Oure God, þe Ryhtwos loveth Ryht Wel,
The Orphanees he gouerneth Ech del.’
“This Owhtest thow to have In knowenge,
And holych In thy sperit Remembringe:
And thow In thyn herte that þou Synne,
It Cometh on of him self More ne mynne,
But On Of thy flesches frelte;
Here-offen Sekyr Myhtest þou be;
For the Flesch, dedlich it is,
And so thin herte sekerly It Nis;
For thin herte, it is speritwel,
And speritwel thing to don Ech del;
For thine herte is thing of speritwelte
The goode from Evel to knowen, I telle the.
And this is Only hise Mesteere,
þerfore ‘the Sihte of þe sowle’ he is cleped there;
Thus sendeth the goode lord Above,
‘Sihte of sowle’ to hem that him love,
That dedly thinges wile forsake,
& Only to his Conseil hem take;
Ful seker of welthe mown they be,
And Owt of al Maner Aduersite;
For thus witnesseth the profecie
Of holy prophetis that don not lye.
[It is ful trewe] with-owten lesing,
[He that] In Synne is dwellyng,
In ful strong preson he is I-Caste
Whiles that he In Synne doth laste,
For thanne he is bownden In strong peine
With the develis Combrauns, in Certeine.
And ȝif Owt Of preson he wil ben vnbownde,
To the welle of Cownseil he moste In a stownde,
The wheche is openly now Confessiown,
That is to the devel Riht fowl Confuciown;
“Anon Of presown he is vnbownde
Thorwgh Confesciown that ilke stownde;
Thanne the develis Cownseil forsaketh he,
And alle þe werkes that to him longen to be.
And holych In thy sperit Remembringe:
And thow In thyn herte that þou Synne,
It Cometh on of him self More ne mynne,
But On Of thy flesches frelte;
Here-offen Sekyr Myhtest þou be;
For the Flesch, dedlich it is,
And so thin herte sekerly It Nis;
For thin herte, it is speritwel,
273
For thine herte is thing of speritwelte
The goode from Evel to knowen, I telle the.
And this is Only hise Mesteere,
þerfore ‘the Sihte of þe sowle’ he is cleped there;
Thus sendeth the goode lord Above,
‘Sihte of sowle’ to hem that him love,
That dedly thinges wile forsake,
& Only to his Conseil hem take;
Ful seker of welthe mown they be,
And Owt of al Maner Aduersite;
For thus witnesseth the profecie
Of holy prophetis that don not lye.
[It is ful trewe] with-owten lesing,
[He that] In Synne is dwellyng,
In ful strong preson he is I-Caste
Whiles that he In Synne doth laste,
For thanne he is bownden In strong peine
With the develis Combrauns, in Certeine.
And ȝif Owt Of preson he wil ben vnbownde,
To the welle of Cownseil he moste In a stownde,
The wheche is openly now Confessiown,
That is to the devel Riht fowl Confuciown;
“Anon Of presown he is vnbownde
Thorwgh Confesciown that ilke stownde;
Thanne the develis Cownseil forsaketh he,
And alle þe werkes that to him longen to be.
And In this Manere wele oure Saviour
His Servauntes bringen owt of dolowr,
And Owt of presown thus hem bringe
That to-fore the devel hadde In Chalenginge;
And thus the Brosed, hol doth he Make,
That Ony thing wele don for his sake.
For Manie Men In this world there be,
That Maymed In here Membres ben Sekerle,
And so harde here Membres ben hurt Echon,
That On non foote ne mowen they Gon;
And sweche Men forsothe they be,
That the Membres of the sowle han lost Sikerle,
And þe Swetnesse of þe herte with-drawe
Be worldly lustes they they han hem slawe;
But Otherwise scholden they do,
As I schal the seye, now herkene me to,
What the swetnesse of the sowle it is,
Ful delitable thing, & ful Of blis.
His Servauntes bringen owt of dolowr,
And Owt of presown thus hem bringe
That to-fore the devel hadde In Chalenginge;
And thus the Brosed, hol doth he Make,
That Ony thing wele don for his sake.
For Manie Men In this world there be,
That Maymed In here Membres ben Sekerle,
274
That On non foote ne mowen they Gon;
And sweche Men forsothe they be,
That the Membres of the sowle han lost Sikerle,
And þe Swetnesse of þe herte with-drawe
Be worldly lustes they they han hem slawe;
But Otherwise scholden they do,
As I schal the seye, now herkene me to,
What the swetnesse of the sowle it is,
Ful delitable thing, & ful Of blis.
“The membres of the sowle these bene:
Swetnesse of herte Is On ful schene,
Good Religiows, with pyte,
Lowliche reuerence to God, & divinite
Innocense, & ful therto of Mercye:
These ben the Membres of þe sawle sekerlye;
For the sowle, sosteined here-bi et is.
Swetnesse of herte Is On ful schene,
Good Religiows, with pyte,
Lowliche reuerence to God, & divinite
Innocense, & ful therto of Mercye:
These ben the Membres of þe sawle sekerlye;
For the sowle, sosteined here-bi et is.
“And what sowle that of these Membres don Mis,
It may not wel Governed thanne be,
For these ben the hondes & feet sekerle
That to Mannes Sowle belongen Echon,
And elles May it nethir Meven ne gon;
For Anon As the sowle þese membres hath gete,
Thanne to the body it is dressed ful swete;
Ful wel is that body At Reste & Ese
That with the membres of þe sowle can him plese
Lo thus Redesteth God of hevene
Hem that him loven woth Milde stevene.”
It may not wel Governed thanne be,
For these ben the hondes & feet sekerle
That to Mannes Sowle belongen Echon,
And elles May it nethir Meven ne gon;
For Anon As the sowle þese membres hath gete,
Thanne to the body it is dressed ful swete;
Ful wel is that body At Reste & Ese
That with the membres of þe sowle can him plese
Lo thus Redesteth God of hevene
Hem that him loven woth Milde stevene.”
Sweche wordis, & Other Mo,
The goode Man of þe schipe the kyng spak vnto,
And Comforted the king moche In this Manere
With tho wordes þat he to him Spak there.
The goode Man of þe schipe the kyng spak vnto,
And Comforted the king moche In this Manere
With tho wordes þat he to him Spak there.
275
Thanne the kyng this good man gan to refreine,
And Axede him of that faire womman Certaine,
That with him was the formere day,
And with hire him wolde han had Away.
Anon the goode man him Answerid thanne:
“Ful wel know I that ilke wommanne
That to the Semede so fair and Riche,
And In alle the world the thowhte non swich;
ȝit, whanne sche was In Myn howshold,
Fairere sche was be an hundred fold,
And bettere At Ese, thanne sche now Is,
And moche more In welthe, with-Owten mis.
And whanne sche An-hawnsed so was
In that ilke delitable plas,
And whanne Myn hows thus was I-Mad,
And sche alle delicasies there-Inne sche had,
Anon In herte took sche gret pryde—
So ful of welthe sche was that tyde—
And Anon thowhte that sche lady wolde han be,
As I was Lord In myn Owne Sovereinte,
And that of hire I scholde haven non powste,
But heyere than I sche thowhte þer to be;
For so mochel bewte was hire tho vppon,
That Erthly man was there neuere non
That Into hire face myght haven a siht;
So fair sche was, so Cler, & so briht.
And Axede him of that faire womman Certaine,
That with him was the formere day,
And with hire him wolde han had Away.
Anon the goode man him Answerid thanne:
“Ful wel know I that ilke wommanne
That to the Semede so fair and Riche,
And In alle the world the thowhte non swich;
ȝit, whanne sche was In Myn howshold,
Fairere sche was be an hundred fold,
And bettere At Ese, thanne sche now Is,
And moche more In welthe, with-Owten mis.
And whanne sche An-hawnsed so was
In that ilke delitable plas,
And whanne Myn hows thus was I-Mad,
And sche alle delicasies there-Inne sche had,
Anon In herte took sche gret pryde—
So ful of welthe sche was that tyde—
And Anon thowhte that sche lady wolde han be,
As I was Lord In myn Owne Sovereinte,
And that of hire I scholde haven non powste,
But heyere than I sche thowhte þer to be;
For so mochel bewte was hire tho vppon,
That Erthly man was there neuere non
That Into hire face myght haven a siht;
So fair sche was, so Cler, & so briht.
“And whanne that I knew Al hire thowht—
As that from me is hid ryht nowht—
And that to me sche thowhte swiche felonye,
That in thike plase non lengere myht I hire drye;
But threw hire owt of myn hows Anon,
Into A wers plase that sche scholde gon,
Where that non thing so wel At Ese
Sche ne Is not, ne neiþer that doth hire plese,
Ne so gret bewte hath sche now non
As that tyme was hire vppon.
As that from me is hid ryht nowht—
And that to me sche thowhte swiche felonye,
That in thike plase non lengere myht I hire drye;
But threw hire owt of myn hows Anon,
Into A wers plase that sche scholde gon,
Where that non thing so wel At Ese
Sche ne Is not, ne neiþer that doth hire plese,
Ne so gret bewte hath sche now non
As that tyme was hire vppon.
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“And from that tyme ȝit hidirto,
Alle hire Miht and power hath sche do,
Me to wraththen what sche May;
The wheche is hire labour bothe i Nyht & day.
And for that sche sawh that I Cam to the,
The to visite & Comforte In this degre,
It was the Cawse Of hire Comenge,
Owt of this plase the forto brenge,
And Al hire wyl thanne to fulfille,—
Thus ful of wikkednesse sche is, & ille,—
And to don the forsaken thi Creatour
That the Supported & holpen In Mani a stowr.
Therfore As longe As to thi Saviour thow kepist þe,
And from him ne Flechest in non Manere degre,
There ne schal non Manere thing the faille
That to thi body Or Sowle May Availle,
That to the it schal Anon I-grawntid be
Ful Sekerley, Sere, As I tellet the.”
Alle hire Miht and power hath sche do,
Me to wraththen what sche May;
The wheche is hire labour bothe i Nyht & day.
And for that sche sawh that I Cam to the,
The to visite & Comforte In this degre,
It was the Cawse Of hire Comenge,
Owt of this plase the forto brenge,
And Al hire wyl thanne to fulfille,—
Thus ful of wikkednesse sche is, & ille,—
And to don the forsaken thi Creatour
That the Supported & holpen In Mani a stowr.
Therfore As longe As to thi Saviour thow kepist þe,
And from him ne Flechest in non Manere degre,
There ne schal non Manere thing the faille
That to thi body Or Sowle May Availle,
That to the it schal Anon I-grawntid be
Ful Sekerley, Sere, As I tellet the.”
CHAPTER XXIII.
277
Thus In this Manere spak this good Manne
Ful long with the king In þe Roche thanne,
And with so Manie wordes swete
Thus tawhte him the develes lore to lete.
And the kyng Alle his tales wel Abod,
& ful wel hem likede, & stille he stod,
For so Wel him liked his Talkyng,
That it was ful Ioyful to the kyng.
Ful long with the king In þe Roche thanne,
And with so Manie wordes swete
Thus tawhte him the develes lore to lete.
And the kyng Alle his tales wel Abod,
& ful wel hem likede, & stille he stod,
For so Wel him liked his Talkyng,
That it was ful Ioyful to the kyng.
Thanne this Goodman took him be the hond,
And be his Name him Cleped, I vndirstond,
That he took be his Crestenenge,
Sire Mordreins, that was ferst Eualach þe kynge.
And be his Name him Cleped, I vndirstond,
That he took be his Crestenenge,
Sire Mordreins, that was ferst Eualach þe kynge.
Thanne Axede this goode Man there Anon,
‘ȝif he hadde Ony honger him vppon.’
Thanne the kyng Answerid Anon there
With faire wordes In this Manere,
‘That ȝif In his Compenie he wolde Abyde,
And not from him gon At that tyde,
Al his hevynesse he Scholde Forgete,
And bothe hunger & thurst scholde he lete.’
‘ȝif he hadde Ony honger him vppon.’
Thanne the kyng Answerid Anon there
With faire wordes In this Manere,
‘That ȝif In his Compenie he wolde Abyde,
And not from him gon At that tyde,
Al his hevynesse he Scholde Forgete,
And bothe hunger & thurst scholde he lete.’
Anon be the hond he gan him lede
Down to the Schipe In that stede,
And there him schewed Alle Maner Of Richesse
Of Mete, & Of drink gret pletevousnesse,
That Ony herte On kowde bethenke,
In that Schipe was Of mete & drinke.
Thanne seide to þe king this good man Anon,
“Lo! Alle these deintes In thi wil wile I don,
To taken there-Offen what Euere thou liste,
To Eten & drinken Al Of the beste;
And At thi wille Al this Schal be
In this Manere, as I telle it the.”
And whanne þe kyng Al this Merveille beheld,
With Alle deyntes Anon he was ful fyld,
That hunger ne thorst ne felte he Non,
Thanne streyht from his Mete he hadde gon.
Down to the Schipe In that stede,
And there him schewed Alle Maner Of Richesse
278
That Ony herte On kowde bethenke,
In that Schipe was Of mete & drinke.
Thanne seide to þe king this good man Anon,
“Lo! Alle these deintes In thi wil wile I don,
To taken there-Offen what Euere thou liste,
To Eten & drinken Al Of the beste;
And At thi wille Al this Schal be
In this Manere, as I telle it the.”
And whanne þe kyng Al this Merveille beheld,
With Alle deyntes Anon he was ful fyld,
That hunger ne thorst ne felte he Non,
Thanne streyht from his Mete he hadde gon.
ȝit More seide the kyng to this good man tho,
“Sire, I wele ȝe wete that it be So,—
That with ȝowre wordis that ben so swete,
& Of þe Sihte of this drinke & Mete
Wheche that ben In this present plase,
That In this Schipe Schewed þou me has,—
That Sihte So fulfilleth Me,
And maketh me ful Of delicase,
That to Eten ne drinken have I non lust;
For so Mochel In thy wordis I trust.
And sethen ȝe sein that ȝe knowe
Alle Mennes thowhtes vppon A rowe,
Thanne knowen ȝe Myn with-Owten faille;
Wherfore I preye ȝow Of good Cownsaille.”
“Sire, I wele ȝe wete that it be So,—
That with ȝowre wordis that ben so swete,
& Of þe Sihte of this drinke & Mete
Wheche that ben In this present plase,
That In this Schipe Schewed þou me has,—
That Sihte So fulfilleth Me,
And maketh me ful Of delicase,
That to Eten ne drinken have I non lust;
For so Mochel In thy wordis I trust.
And sethen ȝe sein that ȝe knowe
Alle Mennes thowhtes vppon A rowe,
Thanne knowen ȝe Myn with-Owten faille;
Wherfore I preye ȝow Of good Cownsaille.”
Than Answerid this good Man Anon,
“Thy thowhtes I knowe Wel Echon;
Thow thenkest On Nascien, thy brother dere,
That the Womman tolde the of here.
For him wele I not Forgete, neþer vpe ne down;
Thow schalt him Seen In A-visiown
Decende from the hevene Adown ful Rathe,
And In the Nynthe Flood he schal him bathe,
That largere and deppere it is to Seye,
Thanne the toþere viij. ben In feye.”
“Thy thowhtes I knowe Wel Echon;
Thow thenkest On Nascien, thy brother dere,
That the Womman tolde the of here.
For him wele I not Forgete, neþer vpe ne down;
Thow schalt him Seen In A-visiown
Decende from the hevene Adown ful Rathe,
279
That largere and deppere it is to Seye,
Thanne the toþere viij. ben In feye.”
And whanne the kyng herd him Sein so,
Ful sore Abasched was he thanne tho,
And Merveilled mochel what this Man were
That sweche wordes Spak to him there,
How that he Scholde haven knowenge
Of Sweche A Maner Strawnge thinge.
There-by he thowghte Certeinly
That he was non Man to ben dedly;
But so bold dorste he not thanne ben thore
Of him to Enqweren there Ony More.
Ful sore Abasched was he thanne tho,
And Merveilled mochel what this Man were
That sweche wordes Spak to him there,
How that he Scholde haven knowenge
Of Sweche A Maner Strawnge thinge.
There-by he thowghte Certeinly
That he was non Man to ben dedly;
But so bold dorste he not thanne ben thore
Of him to Enqweren there Ony More.
And whanne he hadde Avised him In this Manere,
Anon him preide, And gan to Enqwere,
“That he wolde tellen him Alle & Som
The Signefiawnce Of his Avisiown,
And that ȝe Wolden, for god Almyht,
It me declaren now Anon Riht;
For I have Ful longe In gret thowht be,
What signefiaunce it Mihte ben to Me.”
Thanne Answerid this good Man Agein,
“That schalt thow neuere weten In Certein
Into the tyme & Into that day
That this viande owt Of this plase the bringe away.
And thanne Schalt thow knowen [the certeinte]
What that thy vicioun doth signefe,
Al from begynneng to the Ende;
Thanne schalt thow knowen how it schal wende.
Anon him preide, And gan to Enqwere,
“That he wolde tellen him Alle & Som
The Signefiawnce Of his Avisiown,
And that ȝe Wolden, for god Almyht,
It me declaren now Anon Riht;
For I have Ful longe In gret thowht be,
What signefiaunce it Mihte ben to Me.”
Thanne Answerid this good Man Agein,
“That schalt thow neuere weten In Certein
Into the tyme & Into that day
That this viande owt Of this plase the bringe away.
And thanne Schalt thow knowen [the certeinte]
What that thy vicioun doth signefe,
Al from begynneng to the Ende;
Thanne schalt thow knowen how it schal wende.
“And be this I Chastise the wel,
But from hens-forward, neuere Adel,
What Maner Merveilles that Euere thow se,
Loke that abasched no more thow be.
ȝit Merveilles here-Aftir schalt thou se,
As the vois In thy paleys told to the
Whanne Nasciens and thow On bedde were,
Vppon on Cowche liggeng there,
Where that ȝe fillen In Swownenge
For gret drede of that Noise herenge;
Where As the vois Seide In this manere,
‘Of more dredes & Merveilles scholen ȝe here
Thanne Euere ȝe diden to-fore this day:’
And thus the vois to ȝow gan Say.
Wheche is the wille of goddis sone,
That Alle these thinges scholen ben done,
And that here-After he wele Schewe
Swiche Merveilles vppon A rewe,—
To hem that him liketh ful wel,
They scholen hem sen Every del,—
The wheche, Alle Othere Merveille scholen pase
That Euere ȝit to forn tyme of ȝow sein wase;
And ȝif þou wilt In trewe Creaunce the holde,
And In herte stedfast stable and bolde;
What so euere hens-forward that thow se,
Ful wel from þe devel þou myht kepen the,
And more Stedfast to be In thi Creaunce,
What so befalle the In Ony Chawunce.
And hens-forward ȝif Oni Aventure Come to the
Be man Other womman, what so he be,
That faire Casten the forto deceyve,
Loke In Alle weye from hem thow weyve,
That nethir for ȝiftes ne for beheste,
Loke þou ne troste to leste ne meste;
Nethir for fair speche, ne Glosing,
From thi Creatour Make þou non parting.
But from hens-forward, neuere Adel,
280
Loke that abasched no more thow be.
ȝit Merveilles here-Aftir schalt thou se,
As the vois In thy paleys told to the
Whanne Nasciens and thow On bedde were,
Vppon on Cowche liggeng there,
Where that ȝe fillen In Swownenge
For gret drede of that Noise herenge;
Where As the vois Seide In this manere,
‘Of more dredes & Merveilles scholen ȝe here
Thanne Euere ȝe diden to-fore this day:’
And thus the vois to ȝow gan Say.
Wheche is the wille of goddis sone,
That Alle these thinges scholen ben done,
And that here-After he wele Schewe
Swiche Merveilles vppon A rewe,—
To hem that him liketh ful wel,
They scholen hem sen Every del,—
The wheche, Alle Othere Merveille scholen pase
That Euere ȝit to forn tyme of ȝow sein wase;
And ȝif þou wilt In trewe Creaunce the holde,
And In herte stedfast stable and bolde;
What so euere hens-forward that thow se,
Ful wel from þe devel þou myht kepen the,
And more Stedfast to be In thi Creaunce,
What so befalle the In Ony Chawunce.
And hens-forward ȝif Oni Aventure Come to the
Be man Other womman, what so he be,
That faire Casten the forto deceyve,
Loke In Alle weye from hem thow weyve,
That nethir for ȝiftes ne for beheste,
Loke þou ne troste to leste ne meste;
Nethir for fair speche, ne Glosing,
From thi Creatour Make þou non parting.
“And loke that thow have Evere In thy Mynde
The dede of Adam þi form fadir be kynde,
How that be the devel deceyved he was,
And owt of paradis Cast, þat blessid plas;
For he fulfilled the devellis wylle
Be Counseil of his wif, wheche was ylle.
The dede of Adam þi form fadir be kynde,
281
And owt of paradis Cast, þat blessid plas;
For he fulfilled the devellis wylle
Be Counseil of his wif, wheche was ylle.
“And loke that thow have this In Remembrawnce,
What so the behappe In Oni Chaunce;
And therby myhtest thow knowen ful wel
Alle Manere of Cownseilles Everidel,
Whethir it be for good Oþer for ille,
Oþer the forto save, Owther forto spille.
What so the behappe In Oni Chaunce;
And therby myhtest thow knowen ful wel
Alle Manere of Cownseilles Everidel,
Whethir it be for good Oþer for ille,
Oþer the forto save, Owther forto spille.
“And for thow scholdest knowen Alle thing
That scholde ben to thi lordes plesing,
Therfore schalt thow leven non Cownsaille
That to his wille scholde dis-Availle;
And thowh they the behoten ȝiftes & Richesse,
Be war, putte not þe in distresse
Forto don Aȝens his plesinge;
Be war þere-offen Ouer Alle thinge.
And bethenke the Alwey In thy Mynde,
That Erthly ȝiftes ben not so kynde
As ben the ȝiftes Of hevenly good,
Hos that it wel vndirstood;
For Erthely ȝiftes ben freel & Mevable,
& hevenely ben stedfast & Euere durable.
And loke thow that now hens-forward,
Of these ȝiftes that thow take good Award,
And thow take not On ȝifte for Anothir,
Be war ther-Offen for Ony Othir;
Sethen thow knowest whiche ther be,
The goode thou take, the Evele thow fle.
And be this, Alle wikked temptaciouns
From the Scholen passen, and trebulaciouns;
And to Evere lastyng Consail þou schalt be take,
And be browht from wo & wrake.”
That scholde ben to thi lordes plesing,
Therfore schalt thow leven non Cownsaille
That to his wille scholde dis-Availle;
And thowh they the behoten ȝiftes & Richesse,
Be war, putte not þe in distresse
Forto don Aȝens his plesinge;
Be war þere-offen Ouer Alle thinge.
And bethenke the Alwey In thy Mynde,
That Erthly ȝiftes ben not so kynde
As ben the ȝiftes Of hevenly good,
Hos that it wel vndirstood;
For Erthely ȝiftes ben freel & Mevable,
& hevenely ben stedfast & Euere durable.
And loke thow that now hens-forward,
Of these ȝiftes that thow take good Award,
And thow take not On ȝifte for Anothir,
Be war ther-Offen for Ony Othir;
Sethen thow knowest whiche ther be,
The goode thou take, the Evele thow fle.
And be this, Alle wikked temptaciouns
From the Scholen passen, and trebulaciouns;
And to Evere lastyng Consail þou schalt be take,
And be browht from wo & wrake.”
And there Ryht thus In this Manere
This goode Man of the schipe to hym spak there;
Ful Mochel his wordis liked him tho,
And to gret prophit torned hym Also.
This goode Man of the schipe to hym spak there;
282
And to gret prophit torned hym Also.
Thanne Atte laste-Axede hym the kyng,
‘How long In that Roche scholde ben his dwellyng.’
Thanne Answerid the good man A-gayn,
“In this Roche Schalt thow byden Certain
Tyl that the devel Owt the take be þe left hond,
And the Roche to forsake, thou it vndirstond;
For Erst Owt Of this Roche shalt þou not fle;
And of Al this, Sekir Mihtest now thow be.”
Thanne was the kyng Abasched ful sore,
Of the wordis that he thanne spak thore:
That the devel Owt Of the Roche him scholde brynge:
It was to him tho An hevy tydynge;
Thannece to the Erthe he fil Anon,
And ful gret Morneng him fil vppon.
And In this Mene whille tho
This good man to the schipe gan go.
‘How long In that Roche scholde ben his dwellyng.’
Thanne Answerid the good man A-gayn,
“In this Roche Schalt thow byden Certain
Tyl that the devel Owt the take be þe left hond,
And the Roche to forsake, thou it vndirstond;
For Erst Owt Of this Roche shalt þou not fle;
And of Al this, Sekir Mihtest now thow be.”
Thanne was the kyng Abasched ful sore,
Of the wordis that he thanne spak thore:
That the devel Owt Of the Roche him scholde brynge:
It was to him tho An hevy tydynge;
Thannece to the Erthe he fil Anon,
And ful gret Morneng him fil vppon.
And In this Mene whille tho
This good man to the schipe gan go.
Anon As he Owt of his thowht Awook.
Vp gan he stonde, and Abowtes him look,
And Nethir Man ne Schipe Sawh he,
As fer As he loked Into the Se;
For In the same Maner As he to-fore wente,
Riht so dide he tho to his Entente.
Vp gan he stonde, and Abowtes him look,
And Nethir Man ne Schipe Sawh he,
As fer As he loked Into the Se;
For In the same Maner As he to-fore wente,
Riht so dide he tho to his Entente.
Thanne this kyng Merveilled wondir sore
What Manere Of Man that this were
That so him Certefyed Of Alle thing,
As wel Of begynneng As Of the Endyng.
Thanne ful sore him self he gan to blame,
That he ne hadde Enqwered his Name,
And Enserched what he hadde be,
Owther God, Owther Man In Ony degre;
Evere vppon this point ful sore he thowhte,
That theke Man to knowen Myhte he Nowhte.
ȝit Anothir thing him Rewede sore tho,
Whanne that this good man was Ago,
That he ne hadde Enqwerid of him there,
ȝif he scholde han lyved In that Manere,
Tyl that to him he hadde Comen Ageine,’
And this of him forgat he to Refreine.
What Manere Of Man that this were
That so him Certefyed Of Alle thing,
As wel Of begynneng As Of the Endyng.
Thanne ful sore him self he gan to blame,
That he ne hadde Enqwered his Name,
And Enserched what he hadde be,
Owther God, Owther Man In Ony degre;
Evere vppon this point ful sore he thowhte,
That theke Man to knowen Myhte he Nowhte.
ȝit Anothir thing him Rewede sore tho,
Whanne that this good man was Ago,
283
ȝif he scholde han lyved In that Manere,
Tyl that to him he hadde Comen Ageine,’
And this of him forgat he to Refreine.
Al thus the kyng longe to him Self spak,
Til Atte laste he herde A gret Noise with-owten lak,
Cryeng of wawes Of the se;
But ful gretly he Merveilled what it myhte be.
Thanne he gan him to dressen Anone
Vpward, & Into the Se he loked ful sone,
And westward him thowhte Cam seilyng þere
The same schipe, & In the selve Manere,
That the faire womman Cam In to-fore,
Where-Offen Abasched he was ful sore;
For he him dradde sore, as he stoode,
That sche ne Cam for none Goode.
Til Atte laste he herde A gret Noise with-owten lak,
Cryeng of wawes Of the se;
But ful gretly he Merveilled what it myhte be.
Thanne he gan him to dressen Anone
Vpward, & Into the Se he loked ful sone,
And westward him thowhte Cam seilyng þere
The same schipe, & In the selve Manere,
That the faire womman Cam In to-fore,
Where-Offen Abasched he was ful sore;
For he him dradde sore, as he stoode,
That sche ne Cam for none Goode.
Thanne to God preyde he ful faste,
His sowle forto kepen, so was he Agaste;
What so Evere become Of his flesch
He ne Rowhte, wheþer hard Oþer Nesch.
And thus In his preieres was he stedfast
Al the while thar It Myht last,
That of his goode purpos not left schold he be;
Thus preide he to God In Maieste.
His sowle forto kepen, so was he Agaste;
What so Evere become Of his flesch
He ne Rowhte, wheþer hard Oþer Nesch.
And thus In his preieres was he stedfast
Al the while thar It Myht last,
That of his goode purpos not left schold he be;
Thus preide he to God In Maieste.
And whanne his Orisown thus was I-do,
Into the Est Anon he torned him tho,
And there Anon Made he his devociown—
In Minde of Ierusalem, that worthy town
Where-Inne thei gonnen Crist Crucifye,
That blessid body, the Sone Of Marye,—
Owt Of his Caytyvite him forto bringe,
& deliueraunce of the womman that was Comenge.
Into the Est Anon he torned him tho,
And there Anon Made he his devociown—
In Minde of Ierusalem, that worthy town
Where-Inne thei gonnen Crist Crucifye,
That blessid body, the Sone Of Marye,—
Owt Of his Caytyvite him forto bringe,
& deliueraunce of the womman that was Comenge.
With this Cam þe Schipe to þe Roche Anon
Also faste As it Myhte gon,
Also & as Riche As it was Ere;
Thus there him thowhte In Alle Manere.
And whanne to the Roche Aryved sche was,
Owt of þe schipe sche Cometh a ful gret pas;
But the king ȝaf hire þere non Greting,
Ne non Word to hire spak At here Comeng.
And whanne sche Sawh þat he wolde not speke,
Anon there sche gan to him Reke,
And gan him Axen ‘how he hadde fare
Sethen the tyme sche was last thare.’
Anon he seide, ‘sche ne hadde not to do
Of no thing him to Refreinen so;’
And Oþer Answere tho hadde sche non;
Ches whethir sche wolde Abyden Oþer gon.
Also faste As it Myhte gon,
Also & as Riche As it was Ere;
Thus there him thowhte In Alle Manere.
284
Owt of þe schipe sche Cometh a ful gret pas;
But the king ȝaf hire þere non Greting,
Ne non Word to hire spak At here Comeng.
And whanne sche Sawh þat he wolde not speke,
Anon there sche gan to him Reke,
And gan him Axen ‘how he hadde fare
Sethen the tyme sche was last thare.’
Anon he seide, ‘sche ne hadde not to do
Of no thing him to Refreinen so;’
And Oþer Answere tho hadde sche non;
Ches whethir sche wolde Abyden Oþer gon.
And whanne sche him herde thus Answere,
Anon to lawhen be-gan sche there:
“Kyng Eualach,” sche seide, “I se by the,
Thow hast lost bothe mynde & Memore;
For sethen that thou took this CreAunce,
The hath behapped ful Mochel Noisaunce,
Ful Mochel sorwe and trebulaciown,
And ȝit Mochel More is the forto Com,
And ȝit there-offen ȝevest þou neuere Adel,
But, As me Semeth, it liketh the wel
As Ony worschepe þat Evere haddest þou,
And as moche it were for thy prow.
Neuertheles thanne, I kan the telle
Tydinges newe, bothe fresch & snelle,
That I have sein with bothe Myn Eyen;
For it is ful soth I schal the seyen.
Streyht from sarras I come to the;
That I schal Sein, thow myht leven me;
For wete thow wel Ful Certeinle,
That ded Is thi goode frend Seraphe;
For Neuere schalt thow him se with Eye,
Neþer Saracynte thy qwene, Certeinlie.”
Anon to lawhen be-gan sche there:
“Kyng Eualach,” sche seide, “I se by the,
Thow hast lost bothe mynde & Memore;
For sethen that thou took this CreAunce,
The hath behapped ful Mochel Noisaunce,
Ful Mochel sorwe and trebulaciown,
And ȝit Mochel More is the forto Com,
And ȝit there-offen ȝevest þou neuere Adel,
But, As me Semeth, it liketh the wel
As Ony worschepe þat Evere haddest þou,
And as moche it were for thy prow.
Neuertheles thanne, I kan the telle
Tydinges newe, bothe fresch & snelle,
That I have sein with bothe Myn Eyen;
For it is ful soth I schal the seyen.
Streyht from sarras I come to the;
That I schal Sein, thow myht leven me;
For wete thow wel Ful Certeinle,
That ded Is thi goode frend Seraphe;
For Neuere schalt thow him se with Eye,
Neþer Saracynte thy qwene, Certeinlie.”
Whanne that the kyng thus herde here seyn,
Anon fowle Astoned was he tho Certein;
But ȝit Neuertheles he ne leved it Nowht,
So Mochel On Jesus Crist was his thowht;
But for the grete love þat he hadde to his wif
And to his brothir, with-Owten Strif,
That Cawsed him moche more mone to Make
For his Qweene & sire Nasciens Sake.
But for Owht that sche Cowde sein him to,
Owt [from] that Roche Nolde he not Go.
Anon fowle Astoned was he tho Certein;
285
So Mochel On Jesus Crist was his thowht;
But for the grete love þat he hadde to his wif
And to his brothir, with-Owten Strif,
That Cawsed him moche more mone to Make
For his Qweene & sire Nasciens Sake.
But for Owht that sche Cowde sein him to,
Owt [from] that Roche Nolde he not Go.
And whanne sche Saw that with non falsnesse
Him Ouercome ne bringen In distresse,
Sche bad him ‘Come sen the Riche thinge
That In that schipe sche dide him bringe.’
Thanne to hire seide the kyng Ageyn,
þat “In the Schipe I ne wele not Comen Certein,
Ne for non thing that thow kanst do,
Owt from this Roch I wele nowht go.”
Thanne Onkeuered sche the schipe In haste,
And preide him loken Atte laste.
Thanne the kyng loked In for the Nones,
Where-Inne he sawh many preciows stones,
As that him thowhte there to his Eye,
And mochel Other Richesse Sekerlye.
“Lo, kyng Eualach, thow wenest that I be
For non goodnesse I-comen to the;
But ful wel mystest thow weten & knowe,
That Al this Richesse þat here Is On A rowe
May Not Comen from non Evel plase,—
For ful mochel Ioie there is, there this wase,—
And ȝif thow wilt with me now go,
Owther My Cownseil Assentyn vnto,
Al this Richesse schalt thow have,
And ȝit Mochel more ȝif þou wilt Crave.”
Him Ouercome ne bringen In distresse,
Sche bad him ‘Come sen the Riche thinge
That In that schipe sche dide him bringe.’
Thanne to hire seide the kyng Ageyn,
þat “In the Schipe I ne wele not Comen Certein,
Ne for non thing that thow kanst do,
Owt from this Roch I wele nowht go.”
Thanne Onkeuered sche the schipe In haste,
And preide him loken Atte laste.
Thanne the kyng loked In for the Nones,
Where-Inne he sawh many preciows stones,
As that him thowhte there to his Eye,
And mochel Other Richesse Sekerlye.
“Lo, kyng Eualach, thow wenest that I be
For non goodnesse I-comen to the;
But ful wel mystest thow weten & knowe,
That Al this Richesse þat here Is On A rowe
May Not Comen from non Evel plase,—
For ful mochel Ioie there is, there this wase,—
And ȝif thow wilt with me now go,
Owther My Cownseil Assentyn vnto,
Al this Richesse schalt thow have,
And ȝit Mochel more ȝif þou wilt Crave.”
Lo Al this Counseil ȝaf this wommanne
To this kyng Eualach there thanne;
But for alle hire wordis & hire faire promyse,
Thens wold he not Gon In non wyse;
And ȝit ful moche distorbeled he was
For his qweene & Seraphe In that plas.
To this kyng Eualach there thanne;
But for alle hire wordis & hire faire promyse,
Thens wold he not Gon In non wyse;
286
For his qweene & Seraphe In that plas.
And whanne sche beheld him Atte laste,
That In his Creaunce he was so stedfaste,
So whanne that Eualach sche Cald him there,
For that Name he wolde not Answere;
For, he seide, the devel he hadde forsake,
And Onlych to God be baptem him take;
Thanne Gan sche to lawghen Eft sone,
And seide, “Eualach, litel hast thou to done;
For be that Name, I the now Say,
Worschepe and Conqwest hast þou geten mani day;
But be that whiche now thow hast to Name,
Ne Gote thow neuere but thowht, sorewe, & schame.”
That In his Creaunce he was so stedfaste,
So whanne that Eualach sche Cald him there,
For that Name he wolde not Answere;
For, he seide, the devel he hadde forsake,
And Onlych to God be baptem him take;
Thanne Gan sche to lawghen Eft sone,
And seide, “Eualach, litel hast thou to done;
For be that Name, I the now Say,
Worschepe and Conqwest hast þou geten mani day;
But be that whiche now thow hast to Name,
Ne Gote thow neuere but thowht, sorewe, & schame.”
Ful longe it lasted, this temptacioun
Toward this kyng with gret tribulaciown,
That so sche him Reproved of his distresse,
Of his Angwisch, & of his porenesse.
And Euere Answerid this kyng Agein,
Onlich Of goddis myht tho In Certein,
And Also of Goddis Rihtful Creaunce,
“Whiche that I wil holden with-Owten variaunce;
And for Alle the ȝiftes & the beheste,
Neþer for Alle the Richesse, lest ne Meste,
Ne schal me tornen Owt Of my thowht
From him that me dere hath bowht.”
Whanne þat sche sawgh that in non degre
Owt Of that Roche to don him fle,
Nethir for ȝiftes ne non qweintise,
Ne for non thing þat sche Cowde devise,
Thanne Anon to þe Schipe sche torned Agein.
As to fore tymes sche dide ful pleyn.
Toward this kyng with gret tribulaciown,
That so sche him Reproved of his distresse,
Of his Angwisch, & of his porenesse.
And Euere Answerid this kyng Agein,
Onlich Of goddis myht tho In Certein,
And Also of Goddis Rihtful Creaunce,
“Whiche that I wil holden with-Owten variaunce;
And for Alle the ȝiftes & the beheste,
Neþer for Alle the Richesse, lest ne Meste,
Ne schal me tornen Owt Of my thowht
From him that me dere hath bowht.”
Whanne þat sche sawgh that in non degre
Owt Of that Roche to don him fle,
Nethir for ȝiftes ne non qweintise,
Ne for non thing þat sche Cowde devise,
Thanne Anon to þe Schipe sche torned Agein.
As to fore tymes sche dide ful pleyn.
Anon Riht thanne As sche was Gon,
A fowl strong tempest there Ros Anon,
Riht As fowl & hidows it was thore
As it was the tother day there before.
A fowl strong tempest there Ros Anon,
Riht As fowl & hidows it was thore
As it was the tother day there before.
287
Thanne here-Offen Merveilled þe kyng Anon
How that this womman was so gon,
And that Al the Richesse hadde him browht,
Whethir that it were Owht Oþer nowht,
And that In schort while sche hadde I-be
At Sarras, & to him I-comen thedir Aȝe,
“The wheche xvij dayes iourne scholde be
As to forn tymes sche told it to Me.”
How that this womman was so gon,
And that Al the Richesse hadde him browht,
Whethir that it were Owht Oþer nowht,
And that In schort while sche hadde I-be
At Sarras, & to him I-comen thedir Aȝe,
“The wheche xvij dayes iourne scholde be
As to forn tymes sche told it to Me.”
And whanne this tempest he Sawh thus fare,
In his herte he hadde ful Mochel care;
And so gret dirknesse fil him vpon,
That sihte there myhte he sen non,
But ȝif it were tyme of lyghteneng
That to him Cam beforn the thondring;
And Evere this tempest trowbled faste,
That seker, Euere he wende it wold han laste.
In his herte he hadde ful Mochel care;
And so gret dirknesse fil him vpon,
That sihte there myhte he sen non,
But ȝif it were tyme of lyghteneng
That to him Cam beforn the thondring;
And Evere this tempest trowbled faste,
That seker, Euere he wende it wold han laste.
And whiles he was In this thenkyng,
Him thowhte he herde A wondir sowneng
Wheche that scholde Comen from An hy.
As tho him thowhte ful trewely;
So, what for ferd & for that sown
Streiht to the Erthe he fyl Adown,
That he ne myht steren foot ne hond,
Nethir non lyme where-Onne to stonde,
But that Onne this, with his hondis two,
To the Greces of the Roche he Cleved tho.
Him thowhte he herde A wondir sowneng
Wheche that scholde Comen from An hy.
As tho him thowhte ful trewely;
So, what for ferd & for that sown
Streiht to the Erthe he fyl Adown,
That he ne myht steren foot ne hond,
Nethir non lyme where-Onne to stonde,
But that Onne this, with his hondis two,
To the Greces of the Roche he Cleved tho.
And whiles that he lay In this degre,
Anon A thondir Clape Cam there fle,
That Al the heyest partye of that Roche Anon
Into the se-botme gan forto gon,
So that there lefte but a litel spase
The kyng Onne to Reste þat there wase;
And the Remnaunt that was smeten Away,
Was neuere more sein Into this day.
Anon the kyng for drede fil there A-down,
Ful longe there liggeng In a swown.
Anon A thondir Clape Cam there fle,
That Al the heyest partye of that Roche Anon
Into the se-botme gan forto gon,
So that there lefte but a litel spase
The kyng Onne to Reste þat there wase;
And the Remnaunt that was smeten Away,
Was neuere more sein Into this day.
Anon the kyng for drede fil there A-down,
288
Whanne Owt of his swowneng Awaked was he
Thorgwh the Comforteng Of the Maiestie,
Al the tempest was Ouer gon,
That noise ne thondring herde he non;
Therto the See, In pesible stat it was,
That to fore tyme was hidows in þat plas,
So that of tempest herd he neuere A del,
Wheche to forn times he herde ful wel.
Thorgwh the Comforteng Of the Maiestie,
Al the tempest was Ouer gon,
That noise ne thondring herde he non;
Therto the See, In pesible stat it was,
That to fore tyme was hidows in þat plas,
So that of tempest herd he neuere A del,
Wheche to forn times he herde ful wel.
Thanne Abowtes him loked he ful faste,
And the Roche he Missede atte laste,
Whiche þat was the heyest partye;
Thanne In his herte hadde he gret Anoye,
And In his Mynde was gretly Abascht,
How that Roche was so de-dascht.
And the Roche he Missede atte laste,
Whiche þat was the heyest partye;
Thanne In his herte hadde he gret Anoye,
And In his Mynde was gretly Abascht,
How that Roche was so de-dascht.
Thanne Anon gan he forto Make
The signe Of the Crois, for Owre lordis sake;
Bothe vppon his hed and vppon his body
He made the Signe of God Almyghty,
And besowhte God, for his special grace,
Him to Comforte & kepen, In that place,
In Riht wit, Mynde, & Memorye;
Thus this kyng tho to God gan Crye.
The signe Of the Crois, for Owre lordis sake;
Bothe vppon his hed and vppon his body
He made the Signe of God Almyghty,
And besowhte God, for his special grace,
Him to Comforte & kepen, In that place,
In Riht wit, Mynde, & Memorye;
Thus this kyng tho to God gan Crye.
And whanne thus his preieres he hadde I-do,
A wondirful lust thanne Cam him to,
That he moste slepen Nedelye,
As here vs telleth this storye;
So that On the Roche there he slepte,
Vppon swich A spas As him was lefte;
And whanne Of his slepe þat he A-wook,
Swich An hunger there him took,
That him thowghte ded forto be,
But ȝif of Mete he hadde plente.
And whanne thus longe ne had mad his Mone
To him Self there Al Alone
Of his Misaise and hunger ful strong,
So þat lyven him thowghte myhte he not long:
And as Abowtes him he lokede there,
He say, him thowghte, In a qweynt Manere,
Ligeng vppon A grees Of ston,
A wondir blak lof there Anon;
And whanne this lof beheld he tho,
A wondir strong pas he gan forto go
To-ward thike lof, [it] for to take,
Lik As gret hunger it gan to Make.
A wondirful lust thanne Cam him to,
That he moste slepen Nedelye,
As here vs telleth this storye;
So that On the Roche there he slepte,
Vppon swich A spas As him was lefte;
And whanne Of his slepe þat he A-wook,
Swich An hunger there him took,
That him thowghte ded forto be,
But ȝif of Mete he hadde plente.
And whanne thus longe ne had mad his Mone
To him Self there Al Alone
Of his Misaise and hunger ful strong,
So þat lyven him thowghte myhte he not long:
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He say, him thowghte, In a qweynt Manere,
Ligeng vppon A grees Of ston,
A wondir blak lof there Anon;
And whanne this lof beheld he tho,
A wondir strong pas he gan forto go
To-ward thike lof, [it] for to take,
Lik As gret hunger it gan to Make.
And whanne he hadde it In his hond,
It forto breken tho gan he fond;
But therto hadde he no Miht;
But al hol to his Mowth Anon riht
He it there putte, to han biten vppon;
And therto his Mowth he Openede Anon.
It forto breken tho gan he fond;
But therto hadde he no Miht;
But al hol to his Mowth Anon riht
He it there putte, to han biten vppon;
And therto his Mowth he Openede Anon.
And In the Mene whille him thowghte he herde
A wondirful noise, and qweyntely Ferde,
As thowgh Alle the fowles of the Eyr
To him ward they gonnen Repeire;
For wheche gret drede In that Manere
Anon his hed he lefte vp there;
And to him there Cam discending Adown
A merveillous fowl with a wondirful sown;
For so wondirful he was, & so divers,
That neuere to forn tyme tonge Cowde Rehers;
The hed of him was as blak As pich,
Ne non Othir Colowr was it lich;
And therto, bothe his Eyen & his teeth,
As brennenge Fir forsothe they beth;
But the schape Of his hed, it was
Lik An Orible dragon In that plas,
And therto two hornes In his hed;
It was A wondirful sihte In that sted:
Also A ful long nekke like to a dragown;
A wondirful brid, & of a qweynte faciown;
His brest lik a lyown Schapen was there;
His feet like an Egle In A qweynte Manere;
And from þe Joyntes Of his feet to þe scholdres vpriht.
Wondirful wynges, & swyft to flyht,—
As swift they weren In alle thing
As to-forn the thondir is the lyhgtenyng—
And therto As hard As Ony steel,
As scharpe As A Rasowr bytyng ful wel;
Therto his fetheris white weren Also,
As scharpe as storm Of hail therto;
And whanne that scharply he fyl A-down,
This ilke brid made A wondirful sown.
A wondirful noise, and qweyntely Ferde,
As thowgh Alle the fowles of the Eyr
To him ward they gonnen Repeire;
For wheche gret drede In that Manere
Anon his hed he lefte vp there;
And to him there Cam discending Adown
A merveillous fowl with a wondirful sown;
For so wondirful he was, & so divers,
That neuere to forn tyme tonge Cowde Rehers;
The hed of him was as blak As pich,
Ne non Othir Colowr was it lich;
And therto, bothe his Eyen & his teeth,
As brennenge Fir forsothe they beth;
But the schape Of his hed, it was
Lik An Orible dragon In that plas,
And therto two hornes In his hed;
It was A wondirful sihte In that sted:
Also A ful long nekke like to a dragown;
A wondirful brid, & of a qweynte faciown;
His brest lik a lyown Schapen was there;
His feet like an Egle In A qweynte Manere;
290
Wondirful wynges, & swyft to flyht,—
As swift they weren In alle thing
As to-forn the thondir is the lyhgtenyng—
And therto As hard As Ony steel,
As scharpe As A Rasowr bytyng ful wel;
Therto his fetheris white weren Also,
As scharpe as storm Of hail therto;
And whanne that scharply he fyl A-down,
This ilke brid made A wondirful sown.
And therto the bek of his hed that was there,
It was as scharpe As Ony spere,
And Also brennenge, vppon forto se,
As lyghteneng that to-fore þe thondir doth fle.
It was as scharpe As Ony spere,
And Also brennenge, vppon forto se,
As lyghteneng that to-fore þe thondir doth fle.
Uppon this Maner, lik As ȝe here,
Was this brid On this Manere,
As Recordeth here the devyn storye
That to vs hath put In Memorye;
So that this Bryd ne fleeth be non weye,
But that alle briddis & bestes of hym haven Eye;
Be whom, þe Saviour Of al this world
In this brid scheweth, be his Owen Acord,
Bothe his miht & Ek his drede;
And alle Creatures of hym took hede;
For that brid is so dowted, I telle it the,
That be what weye that Evere he fle,
Bothe brid & beste they don him fle,
Lik as be figiure I schal Schewen to þe:
Behold, how þat derknesse to forn þe sonne doth fle,
Riht so Alle briddes & bestes, I telle it the,
So fleen the sihte Of this brid, lo,
That to forn tymes I declared ȝow so.
Was this brid On this Manere,
As Recordeth here the devyn storye
That to vs hath put In Memorye;
So that this Bryd ne fleeth be non weye,
But that alle briddis & bestes of hym haven Eye;
Be whom, þe Saviour Of al this world
In this brid scheweth, be his Owen Acord,
Bothe his miht & Ek his drede;
And alle Creatures of hym took hede;
For that brid is so dowted, I telle it the,
That be what weye that Evere he fle,
Bothe brid & beste they don him fle,
Lik as be figiure I schal Schewen to þe:
Behold, how þat derknesse to forn þe sonne doth fle,
Riht so Alle briddes & bestes, I telle it the,
So fleen the sihte Of this brid, lo,
That to forn tymes I declared ȝow so.
And of swich kynde this brid it is,
That As thre to-gederes with-Owten Mis—
As the Scripture Recordith now here—
That As thre Oueral he flikth In fere,
Lik as he that of a womman was born
With-Owten compeine of Man, As I have rehersed beforn;
And whanne Redy to ben born they be,
Of A wondirful kynde this storie scheweth to me;
For so Cold they been In Alle thing there,
That non wiht duren it May In non Manere,
Sawfe Only the modir of the same,
Wihche is a brid of a Merveillous fame;
For whanne this long suffred hath sche,
And non lengere with that Cold may sche be,
Hire Eyren sche leveth, & taketh hire flyht
Into a fer Contre there Anon Ryht,
Where that sche hopeth forto fynde
A precious ston of Merveillous kynde,
Wheche In the vale of Ebron is at alle dayes,
Of a wondirful kynde, as the storye sayes;
For Of his owne kynde he is so hot,
That non man therwith him self dar frot
Til it gynne Chawfe Of his Owne kynde,
Thus fareth theke ston So good & hende.
For there as Cold is, it loketh pale,
As kynde telleth vs be Olde tale;
And whanne Cold thing A-chawfed is Owht,
Anon to Red Colowr it is I-browht;
And thus be frotyng Of that ston,
It be-Cometh Red as Ony Blood Anon.
That As thre to-gederes with-Owten Mis—
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That As thre Oueral he flikth In fere,
Lik as he that of a womman was born
With-Owten compeine of Man, As I have rehersed beforn;
And whanne Redy to ben born they be,
Of A wondirful kynde this storie scheweth to me;
For so Cold they been In Alle thing there,
That non wiht duren it May In non Manere,
Sawfe Only the modir of the same,
Wihche is a brid of a Merveillous fame;
For whanne this long suffred hath sche,
And non lengere with that Cold may sche be,
Hire Eyren sche leveth, & taketh hire flyht
Into a fer Contre there Anon Ryht,
Where that sche hopeth forto fynde
A precious ston of Merveillous kynde,
Wheche In the vale of Ebron is at alle dayes,
Of a wondirful kynde, as the storye sayes;
For Of his owne kynde he is so hot,
That non man therwith him self dar frot
Til it gynne Chawfe Of his Owne kynde,
Thus fareth theke ston So good & hende.
For there as Cold is, it loketh pale,
As kynde telleth vs be Olde tale;
And whanne Cold thing A-chawfed is Owht,
Anon to Red Colowr it is I-browht;
292
It be-Cometh Red as Ony Blood Anon.
And whanne this brid this ston hath fownde,
Therwith sche hire Chafeth In that stownde;
And litel & litel sche schawfeth hire so,
Til that hire Cold be ful nygh Ago.
And ȝit In hire beek sche taketh it thore,
And hire self doth chawfe ȝit wel more;
And ȝit sche thinketh ful litel there
For the grete Cold þat sche soffred Ere;
And whanne that hete sche feleth plente,
Aȝen to hire Eyren thanne doth sche fle.
Therwith sche hire Chafeth In that stownde;
And litel & litel sche schawfeth hire so,
Til that hire Cold be ful nygh Ago.
And ȝit In hire beek sche taketh it thore,
And hire self doth chawfe ȝit wel more;
And ȝit sche thinketh ful litel there
For the grete Cold þat sche soffred Ere;
And whanne that hete sche feleth plente,
Aȝen to hire Eyren thanne doth sche fle.
Whanne that In place sche cometh there
As to forn tymes hire Eyren were,
So hot sche semeth to been with-Inne,
That Al hire body on fyr doth brenne,
That hire Self helpen sche ne May,
So hot sche is with-Inne, þe sothe to say;
And therfore thanne weneth sche
That hire Eyren Alle I-brend scholde be,
So that sche withdraweth hire there fro,
And with hire body not neigheth hem tho,
But þat A good spas from hire nest,
As hire self it liketh hire best;
So þat be the hete of hire body so fer fro,
Hire briddes sche bringeth forth Alle þo,
That for Cold scholden Ellis dye:
This is here kynde ful Certeinlie.
As to forn tymes hire Eyren were,
So hot sche semeth to been with-Inne,
That Al hire body on fyr doth brenne,
That hire Self helpen sche ne May,
So hot sche is with-Inne, þe sothe to say;
And therfore thanne weneth sche
That hire Eyren Alle I-brend scholde be,
So that sche withdraweth hire there fro,
And with hire body not neigheth hem tho,
But þat A good spas from hire nest,
As hire self it liketh hire best;
So þat be the hete of hire body so fer fro,
Hire briddes sche bringeth forth Alle þo,
That for Cold scholden Ellis dye:
This is here kynde ful Certeinlie.
And thus, thorwgh Chawfyng of this ston,
The Modir to powdir is brend Anon.
The Modir to powdir is brend Anon.
And whanne hire briddes thus browht forth be,
Abowtes the Asches of hire Modir gonne they fle,
And there-Offen taken here sustenawnce
That was theke tyme to here plesaunce,
Tyl that they haven bothe lif & membres:
Thus Eten they of here Moder Syndres.
Abowtes the Asches of hire Modir gonne they fle,
And there-Offen taken here sustenawnce
That was theke tyme to here plesaunce,
Tyl that they haven bothe lif & membres:
Thus Eten they of here Moder Syndres.
293
And whanne Alle they ben Eton Echon,
The Syndres Of here Modir, & not þeroffen left on.
Anon So prowde they wexen Alle thre,
That prowdere briddes ne Mown neuere be;
Thanne Comen the tweyne that males be,
That neither Other may suffre In non degre;
And whanne here ful strengthe fully they have,
Eche of hem Of þe thridde, Maistrie doth Crave,
To han the femele At his owne wille;
Thus to Othir forseth him vntille,
So that Anon, thorwgh gret pride,
The ton the tothir Sleth that tyde.
Scipilions, is Clepid this brid,
As thus In this storie it is red.
The Syndres Of here Modir, & not þeroffen left on.
Anon So prowde they wexen Alle thre,
That prowdere briddes ne Mown neuere be;
Thanne Comen the tweyne that males be,
That neither Other may suffre In non degre;
And whanne here ful strengthe fully they have,
Eche of hem Of þe thridde, Maistrie doth Crave,
To han the femele At his owne wille;
Thus to Othir forseth him vntille,
So that Anon, thorwgh gret pride,
The ton the tothir Sleth that tyde.
Scipilions, is Clepid this brid,
As thus In this storie it is red.
Swich was the brid that decendid þere
Down to the kyng In this Manere,
And smot the lof Owt Of his hond,
That to his mowth to putten gan he fond;
And Into the see he threw it there,
Riht fer In a Merveillows Manere.
Down to the kyng In this Manere,
And smot the lof Owt Of his hond,
That to his mowth to putten gan he fond;
And Into the see he threw it there,
Riht fer In a Merveillows Manere.
And whanne he hadde so I-do,
He took his flyht, & fleygh him fro;
And Aftirwardis he torned Ageyn,
And the kyng to the Erthe was fallen pleyn;
And with his Ryht wynge he smot him so
That his Clothes & his Skyn he barst vnto,
And from the haterel In to the foot,
Into the harde flesh that strok it bot;
And thanne this brid took forth his flyht
From that kyng Anon Tho Ryht.
He took his flyht, & fleygh him fro;
And Aftirwardis he torned Ageyn,
And the kyng to the Erthe was fallen pleyn;
And with his Ryht wynge he smot him so
That his Clothes & his Skyn he barst vnto,
And from the haterel In to the foot,
Into the harde flesh that strok it bot;
And thanne this brid took forth his flyht
From that kyng Anon Tho Ryht.
294
And þe kyng In swowneng at the Erthe lay,
For drede & sorwe of that grete Afray,
Tyl that the day was Nygh Agon,
And the Nyht faste Entrede vppon.
For drede & sorwe of that grete Afray,
Tyl that the day was Nygh Agon,
And the Nyht faste Entrede vppon.
And whanne he was waked of his swowneng,
Ful feint & feble he was In alle thing,
That of the grete hunger he hadde to fore,
Whiche that him Greved so sore,
Thowgh Alle worldly mete thanne had he sein,
There-Offen to Ete he ne mythe Certein.
Ful feint & feble he was In alle thing,
That of the grete hunger he hadde to fore,
Whiche that him Greved so sore,
Thowgh Alle worldly mete thanne had he sein,
There-Offen to Ete he ne mythe Certein.
And thus Abod he Al that Nyht
Tyl on the Morwe it was day lyht;
And whanne the day be-gan to dawe,
Thanne þeroffen was this kyng ful fawe.
Thanne he bethowghte him In his mynde
Of that brid so Merveillous of kynde,
That his lof so hadde Casten Away.
Many thankynges to God he ȝaf that day,
And seide, “lord God, I-worscheped thow be,
That from Alle these sorwes hast deliuered me,
& wilt that I do bigge my synne
Ere than I Owt Of this world twynne;
For swiche wordis Of solace ȝe han me sent,
That Of hunger have I lost myn talent,
Sowfe Only hunger Of sowle to susteyne;
Therfore, lord, I me to the Compleyne.
Now knowe I wel that this Maner thing
To me hidir Cam for non forthering,
But me to deceyven be weye of Richesse,
Be ȝiftes, Owther be fayr promesse;
And þerfore schal I neuere, In tyme comenge,
My Mowth to Opene for non Swich thing,
Thowgh the body Scholde suffren ded
Rathere thanne to Eten Ony bred,
But ȝif it be, lord, thorwgh thy sonde,
Ony to handelyn with Myn honde;
Ne neuere Owt of this Roch wele I gone,
But evere here dwellen Alone,
Tyl that, lord, thy wille It be,
Owt of this Roche to taken Me.”
Tyl on the Morwe it was day lyht;
And whanne the day be-gan to dawe,
Thanne þeroffen was this kyng ful fawe.
Thanne he bethowghte him In his mynde
Of that brid so Merveillous of kynde,
That his lof so hadde Casten Away.
Many thankynges to God he ȝaf that day,
And seide, “lord God, I-worscheped thow be,
That from Alle these sorwes hast deliuered me,
& wilt that I do bigge my synne
Ere than I Owt Of this world twynne;
For swiche wordis Of solace ȝe han me sent,
That Of hunger have I lost myn talent,
Sowfe Only hunger Of sowle to susteyne;
Therfore, lord, I me to the Compleyne.
Now knowe I wel that this Maner thing
To me hidir Cam for non forthering,
But me to deceyven be weye of Richesse,
Be ȝiftes, Owther be fayr promesse;
And þerfore schal I neuere, In tyme comenge,
My Mowth to Opene for non Swich thing,
Thowgh the body Scholde suffren ded
Rathere thanne to Eten Ony bred,
But ȝif it be, lord, thorwgh thy sonde,
Ony to handelyn with Myn honde;
295
But evere here dwellen Alone,
Tyl that, lord, thy wille It be,
Owt of this Roche to taken Me.”
And thus vi dayes beleft the kyng
In that Roche, with-Owten lesyng;
And Eche Of these dayes Cam this good man,
And him comforted As he wel kan:
Thanne swed the womman After, Eche day,
Of him to fonde to geten hire pray.
In that Roche, with-Owten lesyng;
And Eche Of these dayes Cam this good man,
And him comforted As he wel kan:
Thanne swed the womman After, Eche day,
Of him to fonde to geten hire pray.
This Man Euere him tolde wordis Of Comfort
As Often As to him he gan Resort,
And Euere spak the womman of Noysaunce
To hym, And Euere Of distorbaunce.
And whanne it was Comen to þe seventhe day,
This good man to him Cam with-Owten delay,
And thus to him seide there in haste,
“Thin Owr of deliueraunce Aprocheth faste,
ȝif thow wilt hennes-forward
The kepen from temptaciou[n]s hard
Of the devel, whiche he wil Asaye
In many weyes the to be-traye.”
As Often As to him he gan Resort,
And Euere spak the womman of Noysaunce
To hym, And Euere Of distorbaunce.
And whanne it was Comen to þe seventhe day,
This good man to him Cam with-Owten delay,
And thus to him seide there in haste,
“Thin Owr of deliueraunce Aprocheth faste,
ȝif thow wilt hennes-forward
The kepen from temptaciou[n]s hard
Of the devel, whiche he wil Asaye
In many weyes the to be-traye.”
Thanne Axede him the kyng ‘In what Manere
From him he myhte defenden him there.’
Thanne seide Aȝen this goodman tho,
“Wrath-the not thy God, what so thow do,
And Owt Of this Roch deliuered schalt þou be
With-Inne schort tyme Certeinle;
But ȝit Manye dredes schalt thou se
Er that owt of þis Roche taken thow be.”
From him he myhte defenden him there.’
Thanne seide Aȝen this goodman tho,
“Wrath-the not thy God, what so thow do,
And Owt Of this Roch deliuered schalt þou be
With-Inne schort tyme Certeinle;
But ȝit Manye dredes schalt thou se
Er that owt of þis Roche taken thow be.”
Thanne thus partid this good man Away;
The kyng there lefte, sothe to say.
Ful glad & Joyful he was In herte,
That non thing ne myhte him smerte,
And thowhte, ‘thowgh that he schold dye,
Owt Of that Roche wolde he not hye,
But Rathere ded there he wolde be,
Thanne Owt of that Roche forto fle.’
The kyng there lefte, sothe to say.
Ful glad & Joyful he was In herte,
That non thing ne myhte him smerte,
And thowhte, ‘thowgh that he schold dye,
Owt Of that Roche wolde he not hye,
296
Thanne Owt of that Roche forto fle.’
Thus longe In this thowht gan he dwelle,
That Aftir tyme So it be-felle
He loked ful fer Into the See:
A fair Schipe Cam þere seylleng, thowht he;
bothe gret & Riche him thowghte it was;
bote neþer man ne womman In that plas
that Schipe to Governe, nethir to Gye,
thus him thowhte ful Certeinlye.
That Aftir tyme So it be-felle
He loked ful fer Into the See:
A fair Schipe Cam þere seylleng, thowht he;
bothe gret & Riche him thowghte it was;
bote neþer man ne womman In that plas
that Schipe to Governe, nethir to Gye,
thus him thowhte ful Certeinlye.
and whanne longe it hadde so go
In the hyghe See bothe to & fro,
atte laste towardis the Roche he drowgh
A ful gret speed, & faste I-nowgh.
In the hyghe See bothe to & fro,
atte laste towardis the Roche he drowgh
A ful gret speed, & faste I-nowgh.
and thus sone began there In the see
wondirful tempestes þere Anon to be,
So hidous & so Angwischous in eche Manere,
that so hidows tempest saw he neuere ere.
this tempest this Schipe to the Roche browhte,
that it scholde Alto-breken him thowghte;
It snew, & haillede, & thondrede faste,
So that þere was manie A bitter blaste,
So that it Semede that Al the firmament
On peces hadden borsten verament;
For he wende the Ende Of þe world þat day had be;
thus thowghte the kyng thanne ful sekerle.
wondirful tempestes þere Anon to be,
So hidous & so Angwischous in eche Manere,
that so hidows tempest saw he neuere ere.
this tempest this Schipe to the Roche browhte,
that it scholde Alto-breken him thowghte;
It snew, & haillede, & thondrede faste,
So that þere was manie A bitter blaste,
So that it Semede that Al the firmament
On peces hadden borsten verament;
For he wende the Ende Of þe world þat day had be;
thus thowghte the kyng thanne ful sekerle.
And the kyng in þat Roche had non sted
Where that he Myhte hyden In his hed,
For the part Of the Cave was blowen Away
Into the See, As ȝe han herd me Say.
And this faire Schipe beheld he thanne;
but he say nethir Man ne wommanne.
and so thikke Abowtes him Cam the thondring,
and Many A wondirful lyghteneng,
that Neuere he wende to asckapen thenne,
so wondirfully þe lyghtenyng gan to brenne;
thus Suffrede the kyng Al that tempest,
whiche After it torned him for the best;
Al this was disseisse to his herte,
for he soffred peynes Many & smerte;
but for alle the peynes he suffrede tho,
to the Schipe from the Roche wolde he not go.
Where that he Myhte hyden In his hed,
For the part Of the Cave was blowen Away
Into the See, As ȝe han herd me Say.
And this faire Schipe beheld he thanne;
but he say nethir Man ne wommanne.
and so thikke Abowtes him Cam the thondring,
and Many A wondirful lyghteneng,
that Neuere he wende to asckapen thenne,
so wondirfully þe lyghtenyng gan to brenne;
297
whiche After it torned him for the best;
Al this was disseisse to his herte,
for he soffred peynes Many & smerte;
but for alle the peynes he suffrede tho,
to the Schipe from the Roche wolde he not go.
And whanne this tempest hadde longe be,
thanne Atte laste gan stillen the See,
and the wedir to Cleren faire,
and the sonne to Schewen vppon the Ayre;
and whanne he sawgh the wedir thus slake,
Ful gret Ioye he gan tho to Make.
thanne Atte laste gan stillen the See,
and the wedir to Cleren faire,
and the sonne to Schewen vppon the Ayre;
and whanne he sawgh the wedir thus slake,
Ful gret Ioye he gan tho to Make.
thanne the Sonne there vppon him Schon,
and thanne the kyng lokid vp Anon,
and sawh his Clothes Al to-Rent,
where-Offen he Merveilled verament.
and thanne the kyng lokid vp Anon,
and sawh his Clothes Al to-Rent,
where-Offen he Merveilled verament.
and thanne so sore the Sonne chawfed him þere,
that he wende Al the Roche hadde ben on fere,
and that the sonne scholde han brend Alle thing,
Of this world to han Mad An Endeng.
and al was don for this Skele tho,
ȝif þe kyng Into the Schipe wolde han go,
Ferst for Cold, and sethen for hete;
but for nethir the kyng þe Roch wolde not lete;
for Rathere ded there wolde he han be,
thanne his lord to wraththen In Ony degre;
Oþer that from þe Roche he wolde gon,
Rathere the deth to suffren Anon.
that he wende Al the Roche hadde ben on fere,
and that the sonne scholde han brend Alle thing,
Of this world to han Mad An Endeng.
and al was don for this Skele tho,
ȝif þe kyng Into the Schipe wolde han go,
Ferst for Cold, and sethen for hete;
but for nethir the kyng þe Roch wolde not lete;
for Rathere ded there wolde he han be,
thanne his lord to wraththen In Ony degre;
Oþer that from þe Roche he wolde gon,
Rathere the deth to suffren Anon.
and thus In this Angwisch longe bod he there,
and In swowneng fyl In hard manere;
and so longe lay he Stille As A ston,
That wit, syghte, ne Mynde, haddë non.
And whanne that he of swowneng A-wook,
For drede & sorewe ful sore he qwook,
and lift vpe his hed, and beheld ful faste
ȝif that strong hete ȝit dide Owht laste.
and In swowneng fyl In hard manere;
and so longe lay he Stille As A ston,
That wit, syghte, ne Mynde, haddë non.
And whanne that he of swowneng A-wook,
For drede & sorewe ful sore he qwook,
and lift vpe his hed, and beheld ful faste
ȝif that strong hete ȝit dide Owht laste.
298
and Whanne he sawh the day þat mesurable was,
and but Mesurable hete In that plas,
As betwenes noon & hevesong scholde be,
bothe glad & Ioyful thanne was he;
thanne Asaied he Anon vpe forto stonde,
For the vanite In his hed that hadde ben longe;
And whanne þat he gan vpe forto dresse,
In hed, body, ne Membres, felt he non Siknesse.
and but Mesurable hete In that plas,
As betwenes noon & hevesong scholde be,
bothe glad & Ioyful thanne was he;
thanne Asaied he Anon vpe forto stonde,
For the vanite In his hed that hadde ben longe;
And whanne þat he gan vpe forto dresse,
In hed, body, ne Membres, felt he non Siknesse.
thanne stood he vp On his feet,
and there abowtes him loked ful sket,
and Merveilled Of the grete Aventours
That he hadde there suffred Of dolours;
and Of Alle this thanne felte he Ryht nowht,
Where-Offen he Merveillede In his thowht;
and Otherwhille he thowghte A dremenge to be,
and Otherwhilles he thowhte it for Certeinte,
and Otherwhilles he Cowde Remembren him wel
Of the Aventures thanne Everidel.
and there abowtes him loked ful sket,
and Merveilled Of the grete Aventours
That he hadde there suffred Of dolours;
and Of Alle this thanne felte he Ryht nowht,
Where-Offen he Merveillede In his thowht;
and Otherwhille he thowghte A dremenge to be,
and Otherwhilles he thowhte it for Certeinte,
and Otherwhilles he Cowde Remembren him wel
Of the Aventures thanne Everidel.
CHAPTER XXIV.
[_]
There is no break in the English MS, but it goes straight on with the new subject of Celidoyne in prison, p. 309. The copier of it must have left out a column or page of his original.
299
Thanne thowghte the kyng al In his herte
Of Manie trebulacions & of peynes smerte;
that the day was past, & wax to Eve,
thanne the kyng ful sore gan him Meve.
Of Manie trebulacions & of peynes smerte;
that the day was past, & wax to Eve,
thanne the kyng ful sore gan him Meve.
Anon thanne lokede he fer Into the See;
A fair schipe fast seillyng Comen sawgh he,
therto so Richely arayed him thowhte it was,
but he nyste Of his Comeng what was þe cas,
for so Riche A schipe, him thowghte, sawgh he neuere non
To fore tymes On non water nethir Seylen ne gon.
A fair schipe fast seillyng Comen sawgh he,
therto so Richely arayed him thowhte it was,
but he nyste Of his Comeng what was þe cas,
for so Riche A schipe, him thowghte, sawgh he neuere non
To fore tymes On non water nethir Seylen ne gon.
and whanne the Schipe Aproched him ny,
Anon Into þat Schipe he lokede An hy,
and Sawgh where that hengen scheldes two;
In þe forcastel Of the Schipe they weren I-do,
Where-Inne was A towr ful Rialy I-dyht,
As semed þat tyme to the kyng In Syht;
On wheche towr, As I vndirstonde,
bothe scheldes to-gederis diden they honge;
Of wheche the ton scheld was his,
the tother Nasciens wit-Owten Mys:
thus him thowghte wondirly Sore,
but Evere he Merveilled how they Comen thore.
Anon Into þat Schipe he lokede An hy,
and Sawgh where that hengen scheldes two;
In þe forcastel Of the Schipe they weren I-do,
Where-Inne was A towr ful Rialy I-dyht,
As semed þat tyme to the kyng In Syht;
On wheche towr, As I vndirstonde,
bothe scheldes to-gederis diden they honge;
Of wheche the ton scheld was his,
the tother Nasciens wit-Owten Mys:
thus him thowghte wondirly Sore,
but Evere he Merveilled how they Comen thore.
And whiles that he stood In this thowght,
to þe Roche this Schip Anon was browght:
and as it was to that Roche Comenge,
Of An hors he herde A wonderful Neyenge,
and so bonchede & ferde with his feet
that it thowghte the schipe to bersten In þat fleet.
Anon the kyng gan to herkene this Neyeng,
and Merveilled ful Mochel of that thing;
For that hors he knew there Anon
whanne he him herd so taken vppon,
And wiste wel that it was the same hors
that from kyng Tholome he gat At Orcaus,
Whiche that In the bataille he wan there;
And the same hors he wende it were,
what be Neyenge and Other fare,
The same hors he wende hadde ben thare.
And thus wondred he mochel In his thowght,
how hors & scheldes thedir weren browght.
to þe Roche this Schip Anon was browght:
and as it was to that Roche Comenge,
Of An hors he herde A wonderful Neyenge,
and so bonchede & ferde with his feet
that it thowghte the schipe to bersten In þat fleet.
Anon the kyng gan to herkene this Neyeng,
and Merveilled ful Mochel of that thing;
For that hors he knew there Anon
whanne he him herd so taken vppon,
300
that from kyng Tholome he gat At Orcaus,
Whiche that In the bataille he wan there;
And the same hors he wende it were,
what be Neyenge and Other fare,
The same hors he wende hadde ben thare.
And thus wondred he mochel In his thowght,
how hors & scheldes thedir weren browght.
thanne to the Roche it Aplyede Anon;
and tho to the schipward the kyng gan gon,
To beholden what peple and what Meyne
In that Schipe that he Cowde se.
and whanne that he gan there-Inne to beholde,
he Sawgh Mochel peple, & Mani-folde.
and tho to the schipward the kyng gan gon,
To beholden what peple and what Meyne
In that Schipe that he Cowde se.
and whanne that he gan there-Inne to beholde,
he Sawgh Mochel peple, & Mani-folde.
And Owt Of that schipe there isswed Anon
As In Maner Of a knyht, and to him gan gon;
and whanne that he gan the kyng to Aprochen Ny,
the kyng him beheld ful witterly;
hym thowghte that be his persone & figure
an hygh Old knyght of his, I the Ensure,
that Brothir to his steward schold han be,
that Slayn was at Orcaws ful sekerle.
As In Maner Of a knyht, and to him gan gon;
and whanne that he gan the kyng to Aprochen Ny,
the kyng him beheld ful witterly;
hym thowghte that be his persone & figure
an hygh Old knyght of his, I the Ensure,
that Brothir to his steward schold han be,
that Slayn was at Orcaws ful sekerle.
and whanne this knyht to the kyng gan gon,
he him grette with hevy Chere Anon;
and the kyng Ran to him ful faste,
and thanne him Axede atte laste,
‘Why that so Sore Abasched he was;
he scholde him tellen Al the Cas.’
“A, sire,” Anon quod this kniht tho,
“For the hevy tydinges ȝow Comen vnto!”
“Sey me,” quod the kyng, “what May it be,
Belamy, I preie the that thow telle it to me.”
“Certes, Sire,” quod this knyht Anon,
“the beste friend þat ȝe hadden is now Agon,
the wheche is Nasciens, ȝowre brother dere,
that In this Schipe he lith ded here.”
he him grette with hevy Chere Anon;
and the kyng Ran to him ful faste,
and thanne him Axede atte laste,
‘Why that so Sore Abasched he was;
he scholde him tellen Al the Cas.’
“A, sire,” Anon quod this kniht tho,
“For the hevy tydinges ȝow Comen vnto!”
“Sey me,” quod the kyng, “what May it be,
Belamy, I preie the that thow telle it to me.”
“Certes, Sire,” quod this knyht Anon,
“the beste friend þat ȝe hadden is now Agon,
the wheche is Nasciens, ȝowre brother dere,
that In this Schipe he lith ded here.”
301
and whanne the kyng herde him thus telle,
Anon In swowneng to the Erthe he felle;
and Whanne þat he of his swowneng a-Wook,
Abowtes him faste he gan to look,
and axede his brothir forto Se,
if that Sekerly he ded there be;
And Evere Criede lik a wood man;
So for his brother ferde he than.
The knyht to the kyng gan him dresse,
that him hadde browht In this distresse,
and the kyng took þere be the left hond,
to þe schipward to leden he gan to fond;
So that the kyng Niste what he dede,
So ful of sorewe he was In that stede.
Anon In swowneng to the Erthe he felle;
and Whanne þat he of his swowneng a-Wook,
Abowtes him faste he gan to look,
and axede his brothir forto Se,
if that Sekerly he ded there be;
And Evere Criede lik a wood man;
So for his brother ferde he than.
The knyht to the kyng gan him dresse,
that him hadde browht In this distresse,
and the kyng took þere be the left hond,
to þe schipward to leden he gan to fond;
So that the kyng Niste what he dede,
So ful of sorewe he was In that stede.
and whanne the kyng þe schipe was with-Inne,
he Ran to the bere, & nolde not blynne,
and the Cloth anon vp he Caste,—
to beholden that body hadde he gret haste;—
There Anon thanne Sawgh he there
his brother Nasciens, As that it were,
be face, semblawnce, & body Also,
as whanne on lyve þat he dide go.
thanne Anon fyl he down In swowneng there,
hardere thanne euere to-fore dide he Ere,
that Neuere to Asckapen wende þan he,
but Certein ded forto han be.
he Ran to the bere, & nolde not blynne,
and the Cloth anon vp he Caste,—
to beholden that body hadde he gret haste;—
There Anon thanne Sawgh he there
his brother Nasciens, As that it were,
be face, semblawnce, & body Also,
as whanne on lyve þat he dide go.
thanne Anon fyl he down In swowneng there,
hardere thanne euere to-fore dide he Ere,
that Neuere to Asckapen wende þan he,
but Certein ded forto han be.
Whanne he was waked of his Swowneng,
Of this hadde he gret Merveilleng,
And thowhte to axen of this knyht there
how this myhte happen, & In what Manere.
and whanne he loked Abowtes him tho;
Ful fer from the Roche thanne was he tho;
thanne for sorwe he fyl down Anon
In swowneng, ded as Ony ston;
to-fore that bere so lay he there
ded In swowneng In this Manere.
Of this hadde he gret Merveilleng,
And thowhte to axen of this knyht there
how this myhte happen, & In what Manere.
and whanne he loked Abowtes him tho;
Ful fer from the Roche thanne was he tho;
thanne for sorwe he fyl down Anon
In swowneng, ded as Ony ston;
to-fore that bere so lay he there
ded In swowneng In this Manere.
302
and whanne of his swowneng þat he Wok,
Anon vp his Riht hond he took,
And the Signe of the Crois he Made Anon;
thanne thus sone Alle weren they Agon,
that nethir bere, hors, ne Man,
In that schipe cowde he Se than.
and thanne gan he to wepen ful sore,
And Morneng & wringeng he made wel More,
“A! Merciful God In Maiestie,
Now Wot I wel that I have Greved the.”
Anon vp his Riht hond he took,
And the Signe of the Crois he Made Anon;
thanne thus sone Alle weren they Agon,
that nethir bere, hors, ne Man,
In that schipe cowde he Se than.
and thanne gan he to wepen ful sore,
And Morneng & wringeng he made wel More,
“A! Merciful God In Maiestie,
Now Wot I wel that I have Greved the.”
and Whanne he hadde thus I-Spoke,
Forth Into the See he gan to loke;
there sawgh he to-forn hym Comen Anon
the goode man that In the Schipe gan gon,
wheche that him Comforted Often Sithe,
and with his goode wordis Made him blithe.
and whanne he sawgh him In that Manere,
Wel ful he was Of Sorwe & Fere:
“A, sire!” quod he, “I am deserved Sekerly
Of that ȝe boden me to kepen trewly;
For ful Certeinly ȝe tolden Me Ere,
that the devel In this Manere
Me scholde Owt taken be þe left hond,
As thow didst me to vndirstond.”
Forth Into the See he gan to loke;
there sawgh he to-forn hym Comen Anon
the goode man that In the Schipe gan gon,
wheche that him Comforted Often Sithe,
and with his goode wordis Made him blithe.
and whanne he sawgh him In that Manere,
Wel ful he was Of Sorwe & Fere:
“A, sire!” quod he, “I am deserved Sekerly
Of that ȝe boden me to kepen trewly;
For ful Certeinly ȝe tolden Me Ere,
that the devel In this Manere
Me scholde Owt taken be þe left hond,
As thow didst me to vndirstond.”
anon gan he for to wepen tho:
And whanne this good man say him do so,
he seide, “Sire kyng, wepe thow no More;
he hath the tempted Often tymes sore,
but here-Aftir the behoveth Eft-sone
To taken good keepe that Is to done.”
And whanne this good man say him do so,
he seide, “Sire kyng, wepe thow no More;
he hath the tempted Often tymes sore,
but here-Aftir the behoveth Eft-sone
To taken good keepe that Is to done.”
Thanne seide the kyng to this good man tho,
“Now, goode sire, telle me what I schal do;
and as thow knowest Alle thing,
So wisse me Of begynneng & Endeng,
And how that I schal Governen Me;
For Goddis love, Sire, this preie I the.”
thanne this good [man] seide to him Aȝe,
“ȝit manie spitful Merveilles schalt þou se;
and Eten Ne drynken schalt þou neuere Mor
til thy brothir Nasciens Come the before,
As Cristen Man, and qwyk levenge;
Now take þou this for newe tydynge
And whanne thou sixt him In that degre,
thanne After, thy leveraunce Sone schal be.
“Now, goode sire, telle me what I schal do;
and as thow knowest Alle thing,
So wisse me Of begynneng & Endeng,
And how that I schal Governen Me;
For Goddis love, Sire, this preie I the.”
303
“ȝit manie spitful Merveilles schalt þou se;
and Eten Ne drynken schalt þou neuere Mor
til thy brothir Nasciens Come the before,
As Cristen Man, and qwyk levenge;
Now take þou this for newe tydynge
And whanne thou sixt him In that degre,
thanne After, thy leveraunce Sone schal be.
“For wete þou wel ful Certeinle,
It was the devel that was with the,
that told the how that Nasciens was ded,
and that ȝaf the Swich Conceyl & Red;
For he is Redy, In feld & In town,
Goddis schep to don distrocciown.
It was the devel that was with the,
that told the how that Nasciens was ded,
and that ȝaf the Swich Conceyl & Red;
For he is Redy, In feld & In town,
Goddis schep to don distrocciown.
“and the devel it was Also
that In thin Avisiown Cam þe to;
the Mete that þe lyown þe browghte,
be it Awey bar, & lefte the Nowghte.
and ȝit I wele that þou knowe More Also,
that it was the devel that Cam the to
In liknesse Of A womman,
and sweche wordes to þe spak than;
Also the devel ful Sekir was he
that Owt of the Roche he browhte þe.
that In thin Avisiown Cam þe to;
the Mete that þe lyown þe browghte,
be it Awey bar, & lefte the Nowghte.
and ȝit I wele that þou knowe More Also,
that it was the devel that Cam the to
In liknesse Of A womman,
and sweche wordes to þe spak than;
Also the devel ful Sekir was he
that Owt of the Roche he browhte þe.
“Therfore hens forward I warne the,
that bothe wisere & warere þat thou be;
For swich thinges here-After schalt þou se,
that to Endeles deth wolden bringen the,
ȝif thou the bettir wit ne have,
thy body [&] thi sowle forto save.’
that bothe wisere & warere þat thou be;
For swich thinges here-After schalt þou se,
that to Endeles deth wolden bringen the,
ȝif thou the bettir wit ne have,
thy body [&] thi sowle forto save.’
and non More to hym he gan to Say,
but with that word he partid A-way,
that he ne wiste where he becom
Owt of his syhte, bothe Al & som.
and thus in the Schipe Alone lefte he,
Floteringe Amyddes the hye Se.
the wynd him blew, now here, & now there;
thus Nyht and day he ferde In fere,
that Resting plase ne fond he non,
til On the Morwe it was passed noon.
but with that word he partid A-way,
that he ne wiste where he becom
Owt of his syhte, bothe Al & som.
and thus in the Schipe Alone lefte he,
Floteringe Amyddes the hye Se.
304
thus Nyht and day he ferde In fere,
that Resting plase ne fond he non,
til On the Morwe it was passed noon.
thanne the kynge vpe him dressed tho,
And to-ward the forschipe he gan to go,
and loke ful fer Into the See;
A man there Comeng him thowghte say he,
that Of leveng Schold he be bothe good and hye, [OMITTED]
And to-ward the forschipe he gan to go,
and loke ful fer Into the See;
A man there Comeng him thowghte say he,
that Of leveng Schold he be bothe good and hye, [OMITTED]
307
CHAPTER XXV.
309
and this Child, had Calefere In prisown þere
Fal xvii dayes In that Manere.
So it be-happed, that the Sevententhe Nyht
As he there sat, I telle the Ryht,
Vppon his Cowche to Slombren hym list,—
he was so hevy, what to don he Nyst,—
and as he was In his Slombrenge,
hym thowghte he hadde a wondir Metenge,
So that hym þouhte An hond there was,
that be bothen Armes him held In that plas;
and, As A man that Slepte ful sore,
the hond he wolde han put Awey thore;
and the Same hond him Cawht Ageyn,
And Aȝen In his Slepe he it voided ful pleyn.
Fal xvii dayes In that Manere.
So it be-happed, that the Sevententhe Nyht
As he there sat, I telle the Ryht,
Vppon his Cowche to Slombren hym list,—
he was so hevy, what to don he Nyst,—
and as he was In his Slombrenge,
hym thowghte he hadde a wondir Metenge,
So that hym þouhte An hond there was,
that be bothen Armes him held In that plas;
and, As A man that Slepte ful sore,
the hond he wolde han put Awey thore;
and the Same hond him Cawht Ageyn,
And Aȝen In his Slepe he it voided ful pleyn.
thanne thowghte him that the hond tho
alle his Chenes to-barst vnto,
Mochel mawgre Of him that there lay,
Where-Offen he hadde A ful gret fray.
alle his Chenes to-barst vnto,
Mochel mawgre Of him that there lay,
Where-Offen he hadde A ful gret fray.
and whanne he felte that it was so,
Nethir Cryen ne speke ne myhte he tho;
thanne Abasched was he ful sore
Of the noyse that he herde thore.
and whanne that vpe he gan him dresse,
and felte him Self Owt of distresse,
hyse hondes & Feet he gan drawen him to,
and Felte vnbownde that he was tho,
and that Alle his Chenes to-forn him lye;
thanne thanked he god ful Solempnie.
Nethir Cryen ne speke ne myhte he tho;
thanne Abasched was he ful sore
Of the noyse that he herde thore.
and whanne that vpe he gan him dresse,
and felte him Self Owt of distresse,
hyse hondes & Feet he gan drawen him to,
and Felte vnbownde that he was tho,
and that Alle his Chenes to-forn him lye;
thanne thanked he god ful Solempnie.
Whanne he was Comen to the presown dore,
That ful blak and dirk it was to fore,
there Cam Owt tho A schyneng lyht,
as thowh it were of A lyghtenyng so briht;
thanne loked he Aboven his hed,
And him thowghte he sawgh In þat sted,
Owt of the hevene there Aperid An hy
A fair whit hond, hym thowhte Trewly,
Whiche that him bar, as him thowhte,
and Owt of that preson there him browhte
Sowfe: the arm, Red as feer it was,
as thike tyme him thowhte In that plas,
Whiche hond him took by his her,
and Owt of that presown bar him ther;
and the sleve lokede as be semblaunse
As Red as fir with-Owten variaunce;
but nonthing Ellis ne Myhte he Se,
but Onlyche the hond there Sekerle,
Sowf be the Arm, him thowghte, I-voluped was
the semblaunce of a body In that plas;
but the body Openly ne was not sein,
As I sey ȝow In Certein;
and In this manere sawh Nasciens tho
hond and body to-Gederis bothe two.
That ful blak and dirk it was to fore,
there Cam Owt tho A schyneng lyht,
as thowh it were of A lyghtenyng so briht;
thanne loked he Aboven his hed,
And him thowghte he sawgh In þat sted,
310
A fair whit hond, hym thowhte Trewly,
Whiche that him bar, as him thowhte,
and Owt of that preson there him browhte
Sowfe: the arm, Red as feer it was,
as thike tyme him thowhte In that plas,
Whiche hond him took by his her,
and Owt of that presown bar him ther;
and the sleve lokede as be semblaunse
As Red as fir with-Owten variaunce;
but nonthing Ellis ne Myhte he Se,
but Onlyche the hond there Sekerle,
Sowf be the Arm, him thowghte, I-voluped was
the semblaunce of a body In that plas;
but the body Openly ne was not sein,
As I sey ȝow In Certein;
and In this manere sawh Nasciens tho
hond and body to-Gederis bothe two.
And whanne that Aboven the Erthe he was there,
that the Erthe he felte in non Manere,
Wondirly Abasched he was Certeinlye,
that what to done he Ne wiste trewlye.
and thus the hand On lofte it bar him thar,
that he ne wiste whedir-ward ne whar,
Wheche that greved him Nothing,
Nethir hire ne there In non thing;
Nethir be the beryng Of his her,
It Greved him ryht nowher.
that the Erthe he felte in non Manere,
Wondirly Abasched he was Certeinlye,
that what to done he Ne wiste trewlye.
and thus the hand On lofte it bar him thar,
that he ne wiste whedir-ward ne whar,
Wheche that greved him Nothing,
Nethir hire ne there In non thing;
Nethir be the beryng Of his her,
It Greved him ryht nowher.
and whanne In the Eir he was so hye,
that Onne-the to þe preson he myhte sen trwlye,
þane lad him forth this hond In hye—
lik as this storie doth vs to vndirstond fullye—
tyl he Cam to-fore Calafer,
In his bed as he lay Sleping ther.
that Onne-the to þe preson he myhte sen trwlye,
þane lad him forth this hond In hye—
lik as this storie doth vs to vndirstond fullye—
tyl he Cam to-fore Calafer,
In his bed as he lay Sleping ther.
and whanne to the dore that he gan gon,
Aȝens him it Opened there Anon,
bothe dore posterne, and Ek the gate,
and Owt this hond lad him there-Ate;
and Euere to fore the hond wente,
& he it folwede with good Entente
til the Maister Gate that he was past,
Whiche gate gan to Chirken In hast,
as though A man hadde ben there
That Owt hadde stalked for drede & Fere.
Whanne Nasciens was thens A stones cast,
Aȝen he lokede Anon In hast;
anon him thowghte there In his Mynde
that Al On fyre It was him behinde.
Aȝens him it Opened there Anon,
311
and Owt this hond lad him there-Ate;
and Euere to fore the hond wente,
& he it folwede with good Entente
til the Maister Gate that he was past,
Whiche gate gan to Chirken In hast,
as though A man hadde ben there
That Owt hadde stalked for drede & Fere.
Whanne Nasciens was thens A stones cast,
Aȝen he lokede Anon In hast;
anon him thowghte there In his Mynde
that Al On fyre It was him behinde.
and whanne the peple Of the plase
Aspiden that it On Fire wase,
Gret Noise they maden, and deolful Cry,
Wherwith Calafer Awook Sekerly,
and Open he fond bothe dore & Gate,
As Nasciens was gon Owt there-Ate,
anon thanne to the presown dore he wente,
that Al Open there was veramente;
Wondirly abasched thanne was he tho,
that vndir hevene he Niste what to do.
On Of his Seriawntes he Cleped Anon,
and bad him Into þe presown to Gon;
and whanne þe presown he was with-Inne,
Of Nasciens ne sawh he neþer more ne Mynne;
and whanne Calafer herde tellen Of this,
Owt Of his wit he was with-Owten Mis,
and so gret Sorwe he gan to Make,
that Neuere Man gan so On take.
Aspiden that it On Fire wase,
Gret Noise they maden, and deolful Cry,
Wherwith Calafer Awook Sekerly,
and Open he fond bothe dore & Gate,
As Nasciens was gon Owt there-Ate,
anon thanne to the presown dore he wente,
that Al Open there was veramente;
Wondirly abasched thanne was he tho,
that vndir hevene he Niste what to do.
On Of his Seriawntes he Cleped Anon,
and bad him Into þe presown to Gon;
and whanne þe presown he was with-Inne,
Of Nasciens ne sawh he neþer more ne Mynne;
and whanne Calafer herde tellen Of this,
Owt Of his wit he was with-Owten Mis,
and so gret Sorwe he gan to Make,
that Neuere Man gan so On take.
thanne was browght to him An hors there,
and Into the Sadel sprang Calafere,
With a scharpe Swerd On honde;
and Al his Meyne that there gonne stonde,
hem he Charged Aftir to hye,
Euery Man be his weys sekerlye;
So that a path there fond he Anon,
And In-to that path gan he to gon,
& Evere was the hond Schineng to-fore,—
a Wondirful liht As him thouhte thore;—
the nyht, Pesible and fair it was,
Ne A softere Nyht neuere there Nas.
and Into the Sadel sprang Calafere,
With a scharpe Swerd On honde;
and Al his Meyne that there gonne stonde,
hem he Charged Aftir to hye,
Euery Man be his weys sekerlye;
312
And In-to that path gan he to gon,
& Evere was the hond Schineng to-fore,—
a Wondirful liht As him thouhte thore;—
the nyht, Pesible and fair it was,
Ne A softere Nyht neuere there Nas.
his hors he prekid wondirly faste,
& loked forth to forn hem atte laste,
and saugh where that Nasciens wente,
for him he knew ful wel veramente,
as he him Often to forne hadde sein,
him thouhte it was he In Certein.
& loked forth to forn hem atte laste,
and saugh where that Nasciens wente,
for him he knew ful wel veramente,
as he him Often to forne hadde sein,
him thouhte it was he In Certein.
and whanne Nasciens Say him come thanne,
Anon wax Nasciens A ful sory Manne;
but Evere the hond him held ful faste,
And him Ouer spradde there In haste,
that Openly thowght tho Nascien
the body to the hond Sawh he then;
and so faste him thowhte it took him ther,
that Neuere Erthly tonge Cowde telle Er;
For it Was Of so Merveillous Clarte tho,
so ful of brihgtenesse, & hot Schineng therto,
that In the hattest day Of the ȝer
þe sonne not so briht is as the body was ther.
Not be An hundred part Of Clernesse;
this putte Nasciens In Moche sekernesse.
but Natheles ful wondirfulli sore Adrad he was,
that he fyl In Swowneng In that plas,
So that nethir he ne saw ne felte non thing,
So sore was this Nasciens In Swowneng.
Anon wax Nasciens A ful sory Manne;
but Evere the hond him held ful faste,
And him Ouer spradde there In haste,
that Openly thowght tho Nascien
the body to the hond Sawh he then;
and so faste him thowhte it took him ther,
that Neuere Erthly tonge Cowde telle Er;
For it Was Of so Merveillous Clarte tho,
so ful of brihgtenesse, & hot Schineng therto,
that In the hattest day Of the ȝer
þe sonne not so briht is as the body was ther.
Not be An hundred part Of Clernesse;
this putte Nasciens In Moche sekernesse.
but Natheles ful wondirfulli sore Adrad he was,
that he fyl In Swowneng In that plas,
So that nethir he ne saw ne felte non thing,
So sore was this Nasciens In Swowneng.
thanne prekid ful faste this Calafere,
and loked Abowtes bothe here and there,
and In plase where þat he say Nasciens;
But tho was not he In his presens;
and Evere Abowtes he loked faste,
and Nothing he ne Say til at the laste,
that Alle the weye & al the plas
there As him thowhte that Nasciens was,
him thowhte it was On flawmeng fer,—
As him thouhte that tymes Calafer;—
And the Arm that was voluped In Cloth so Red,
him thowhte it brenneng fer In that sted,
that so wondirly Sore Abasched he was,
that for Alle the world he ne dorste In that plas
Not Ones Owt of his Sadil Alyhte,
bat down I swowneng he fyl anon Ryht.
For Of this Merveille so Sore Abascht he was,
That ded I swowneng lay he In that plas.
and loked Abowtes bothe here and there,
and In plase where þat he say Nasciens;
But tho was not he In his presens;
and Evere Abowtes he loked faste,
and Nothing he ne Say til at the laste,
313
there As him thowhte that Nasciens was,
him thowhte it was On flawmeng fer,—
As him thouhte that tymes Calafer;—
And the Arm that was voluped In Cloth so Red,
him thowhte it brenneng fer In that sted,
that so wondirly Sore Abasched he was,
that for Alle the world he ne dorste In that plas
Not Ones Owt of his Sadil Alyhte,
bat down I swowneng he fyl anon Ryht.
For Of this Merveille so Sore Abascht he was,
That ded I swowneng lay he In that plas.
thus lay Calafer long In Swownenge,
and homward his hors ful faste Rennenge
From the place that he Cam fro,
A gret pas homward gan he to go.
And whanne that the peple of the howshold
this hors thus Comenge Gonne beholde,
And here lord was left behinde;
this was gret wondir In here Mynde,
and Siker wenden here lord hadde ben ded,
be Comeng Of the hors In that Sted.
and whanne it Was On the Morwe lyht of day,
Eche man Of his Meyne wente his way
For to seken hem with here powere,
ȝif Ony Of hem myhte him fynden there;
but they ne Cowde weten In non Manere
What weye that took this Calafere.
and homward his hors ful faste Rennenge
From the place that he Cam fro,
A gret pas homward gan he to go.
And whanne that the peple of the howshold
this hors thus Comenge Gonne beholde,
And here lord was left behinde;
this was gret wondir In here Mynde,
and Siker wenden here lord hadde ben ded,
be Comeng Of the hors In that Sted.
and whanne it Was On the Morwe lyht of day,
Eche man Of his Meyne wente his way
For to seken hem with here powere,
ȝif Ony Of hem myhte him fynden there;
but they ne Cowde weten In non Manere
What weye that took this Calafere.
but it happed, As they sowhten boþe to & fro,
that somme of hem there gonne to go
Into the weye there that he lay;
Whiche was to hem A gret Afray,
Whanne they syen here Lord þere ded,
To Alle here syghtes In that sted;
There they gonnen him vp dressen Anon,
but foot On to stonde hadde he neuere On;
thow A man scholde han smeten Of his hed,
he ne myhte meven non lyme In that sted.
that somme of hem there gonne to go
Into the weye there that he lay;
Whiche was to hem A gret Afray,
Whanne they syen here Lord þere ded,
To Alle here syghtes In that sted;
There they gonnen him vp dressen Anon,
but foot On to stonde hadde he neuere On;
314
he ne myhte meven non lyme In that sted.
and than behelden they In his face,
And On the Riht side þere was a space,
As it were the forme Of An hond
that him hadde towched, I vndirstond;
And On the lefte side hem þouhte they sye
the forme Of A foot wel Sekerly,
that Ioyned to the hond it was,
Wondirfully Red In that plas,
As Owt Of the Forneys Comen flawmes of fire;
So thowht hem the Markes of Calafere;
but Only the Mark that Of the foot was,
As blak As pich was In that plas:
and his Nose, as ys it was Cold;
Al thus his Meine On him gonne behold.
For whanne he was Comen to his Ostel,
and Adawed he was Eche del,
he cowde wel tellen Of Al thing,
Where-Offen he hadde gret Merveillyng.
And On the Riht side þere was a space,
As it were the forme Of An hond
that him hadde towched, I vndirstond;
And On the lefte side hem þouhte they sye
the forme Of A foot wel Sekerly,
that Ioyned to the hond it was,
Wondirfully Red In that plas,
As Owt Of the Forneys Comen flawmes of fire;
So thowht hem the Markes of Calafere;
but Only the Mark that Of the foot was,
As blak As pich was In that plas:
and his Nose, as ys it was Cold;
Al thus his Meine On him gonne behold.
For whanne he was Comen to his Ostel,
and Adawed he was Eche del,
he cowde wel tellen Of Al thing,
Where-Offen he hadde gret Merveillyng.
and whanne they him fownde In this Manere,
they gonne him dresse hom forto bere,
but In gret drede they weren Echon
that membre ne Meven Myhte he non—
Nether Eye to Opene, ne mowth to speke;
lo! thus god On him Nasciens gan wreke;—
but Sekir they wende he hadde ben ded,
For Of him ne Cowden they non Oþer Red.
And thus they boren him In this Manere
hom to his plase with drede & fere,
that neuere spak word be Al the weye,
neþer Eye ne Opened Certeinlye,
Ne Nethir foot ne hond myhte to him drawe;
this was to hem A wonderful Sawe.
they gonne him dresse hom forto bere,
but In gret drede they weren Echon
that membre ne Meven Myhte he non—
Nether Eye to Opene, ne mowth to speke;
lo! thus god On him Nasciens gan wreke;—
but Sekir they wende he hadde ben ded,
For Of him ne Cowden they non Oþer Red.
And thus they boren him In this Manere
hom to his plase with drede & fere,
that neuere spak word be Al the weye,
neþer Eye ne Opened Certeinlye,
Ne Nethir foot ne hond myhte to him drawe;
this was to hem A wonderful Sawe.
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and whanne to his hows with him they Come,
Wif, Child, & his Meyne Al & some,
Abowtes him gannen to drawen wel faste,
and Alle Of him weren sore Agaste,
that ded In the plase he hadde I-be,
Ne non Othir thing Of him ne Cowde they se;
So that In A bed they dyden him leye
Al so Eselye As they Cowde Certeinlye;
and alle, gret Mone Abowtes him they made,
For there nas non that Oþer cowde glade.
Wif, Child, & his Meyne Al & some,
Abowtes him gannen to drawen wel faste,
and Alle Of him weren sore Agaste,
that ded In the plase he hadde I-be,
Ne non Othir thing Of him ne Cowde they se;
So that In A bed they dyden him leye
Al so Eselye As they Cowde Certeinlye;
and alle, gret Mone Abowtes him they made,
For there nas non that Oþer cowde glade.
And whanne it was abowtes the Noun,
Wondirly to Cryen he gan þere Anon;
and his wif to him Ran ful faste,
as a womman that hadde gret haste,
and wondirly Sore Afrayed ȝhe was
Of his noise sche herde In that plas.
And whanne he of his swowneng Awook,
he Opened his Eyen, & gan vpe to look;
and abowtes him thanne he loked pure faste,
and water bad bringen At the laste,
Forto qwenchen that fer so stronge
that In his fase hadde brend so longe.
thanne Ronnen forth his Seriawntes Anon,
And Aftir water they gonne to gon,
And Casten it On bothe Sides Of his face
To quenchyn þe fyr in þat place.
thanne it semed to hem Euerichon
that thike side was brent In to þe bon;
And the bon, As whit it lay
Lik as doth Chalk In þe Clay;
And the flesch that was þere Abowte,
It semed ful Rosted with Owten dowte.
Wondirly to Cryen he gan þere Anon;
and his wif to him Ran ful faste,
as a womman that hadde gret haste,
and wondirly Sore Afrayed ȝhe was
Of his noise sche herde In that plas.
And whanne he of his swowneng Awook,
he Opened his Eyen, & gan vpe to look;
and abowtes him thanne he loked pure faste,
and water bad bringen At the laste,
Forto qwenchen that fer so stronge
that In his fase hadde brend so longe.
thanne Ronnen forth his Seriawntes Anon,
And Aftir water they gonne to gon,
And Casten it On bothe Sides Of his face
To quenchyn þe fyr in þat place.
thanne it semed to hem Euerichon
that thike side was brent In to þe bon;
And the bon, As whit it lay
Lik as doth Chalk In þe Clay;
And the flesch that was þere Abowte,
It semed ful Rosted with Owten dowte.
316
And thanne the lefte Side they gonne beholde,
wheche þat was bothe blak & Colde,
Of wheche he myhte suffren non towcheng
For non good Of Erthly thing;
and whanne þe water On that side they gonne to caste,
A wondirful Cry he made atte laste,
& with that he fyl In Swowneng,
So that Of lif of him hadde non man supposing,
but that fully ded he hadde I-be
Euere with-Owten Ony Recouere.
wheche þat was bothe blak & Colde,
Of wheche he myhte suffren non towcheng
For non good Of Erthly thing;
and whanne þe water On that side they gonne to caste,
A wondirful Cry he made atte laste,
& with that he fyl In Swowneng,
So that Of lif of him hadde non man supposing,
but that fully ded he hadde I-be
Euere with-Owten Ony Recouere.
and whanne Of swowneng he Cam Agayn,
his Eyen Opened he thanne Certein,
and seide, & pleynede him wel More,
and seide that deth negheden him wel sore.
thanne gan he to wrathen Anon,
And seide, “schal I deyen thus son,
that thus am fallen In Maledye,
and neuere In better poynt I was trewlye
to han lyved be ȝeres and be day;
and now I trowe I passe my way;”
thanne Cursed he the tyme that he was bore,
that In Swich manere Scholde deyen thore.
his Eyen Opened he thanne Certein,
and seide, & pleynede him wel More,
and seide that deth negheden him wel sore.
thanne gan he to wrathen Anon,
And seide, “schal I deyen thus son,
that thus am fallen In Maledye,
and neuere In better poynt I was trewlye
to han lyved be ȝeres and be day;
and now I trowe I passe my way;”
thanne Cursed he the tyme that he was bore,
that In Swich manere Scholde deyen thore.
thanne whanne he was Awaked wondirly wel,
after Nasciens Enqwered he Every del.
thanne they Of his howshold ful Snelle
Of him non tydinges ne Cowden they telle,
Nethir tokene ne Signe In non degre;
and thus him they tolde thanne Certeinlie.
and whanne that he herde this tyding,
Anon he fil Aȝen there tho In swowneng.
after Nasciens Enqwered he Every del.
thanne they Of his howshold ful Snelle
Of him non tydinges ne Cowden they telle,
Nethir tokene ne Signe In non degre;
and thus him they tolde thanne Certeinlie.
and whanne that he herde this tyding,
Anon he fil Aȝen there tho In swowneng.
and whanne Of his swowneng Awook he þere,
he Comaunded Anon þat In Alle Manere
Anon Nasciens sone to-foren him bringe,
and he scholde tellen him newe tydinge.
And whanne to forn him this Child gan gon,
Thanne seide this Calafer to him Anon,
‘That On him he wolde Avenged be,
For his fader from him wente In that degre;
and for his deseisse he Suffred therfore,
On hym Avenged he wolde ben thore.’
he Comaunded Anon þat In Alle Manere
Anon Nasciens sone to-foren him bringe,
and he scholde tellen him newe tydinge.
And whanne to forn him this Child gan gon,
Thanne seide this Calafer to him Anon,
317
For his fader from him wente In that degre;
and for his deseisse he Suffred therfore,
On hym Avenged he wolde ben thore.’
thanne Comanded Sire Calafere
that Child Anon forto Slen there.
thanne fil down Calaferes wif Anon,
and preyde him this thing not forto don;
“and ȝif Algates ȝe welen him Sle,
In presoun stille so let him be,
and Rathere hym Enfamyne there,
thanne him to slen In this Manere.”
that Child Anon forto Slen there.
thanne fil down Calaferes wif Anon,
and preyde him this thing not forto don;
“and ȝif Algates ȝe welen him Sle,
In presoun stille so let him be,
and Rathere hym Enfamyne there,
thanne him to slen In this Manere.”
And he that was ful Of Coruptioun
as Ony tigre, Other wilde lyown,
Owther Ony Other Savage beste
that han non Resoun, neþer lest ne meste,
‘but algates On him Avenged wolde he be,
thowh that him self there scholde [him] Sle.’
as Ony tigre, Other wilde lyown,
Owther Ony Other Savage beste
that han non Resoun, neþer lest ne meste,
‘but algates On him Avenged wolde he be,
thowh that him self there scholde [him] Sle.’
thanne Cleped he his Seriawntes Anon þere,
And Comaunded þat In to þe towr they scholde him bere
In his bed; Al so sik as that he was,
he wolde be born In to that hye plas;
and he Comanded Aftir him to bringe
Nasciens Sone with-Owten tarienge.
and they fulfilden his Comandement;
him they vpe boren verament;
and Aftyr hym, Celidoyne, Nasciens sone,
For hym they maden ful gret Mone.
And Comaunded þat In to þe towr they scholde him bere
In his bed; Al so sik as that he was,
he wolde be born In to that hye plas;
and he Comanded Aftir him to bringe
Nasciens Sone with-Owten tarienge.
and they fulfilden his Comandement;
him they vpe boren verament;
and Aftyr hym, Celidoyne, Nasciens sone,
For hym they maden ful gret Mone.
and whanne this Celydoine was vpe I-browht,
Calafer, this Terant, for-gat it nowht
there that Child forto spille,
Wit venamous herte & Evel wille.
thanne Anon his seriawntes he gan to Calle,
And Comanded the Child to throwen ouer the walle,
that with his Eyen he myhte it sen,
For sekir non Othirwise ne scholde it ben.
Calafer, this Terant, for-gat it nowht
there that Child forto spille,
Wit venamous herte & Evel wille.
thanne Anon his seriawntes he gan to Calle,
And Comanded the Child to throwen ouer the walle,
that with his Eyen he myhte it sen,
For sekir non Othirwise ne scholde it ben.
318
Wherfore deol & Sorwe they maden Echon
For that dede that they scholden don;
but they ne dorste not Offenden his Comaundement,
but Anon it fulfilde there present.
they token vpe this Child Anon,
And leften him Above Alle þe werk Of ston;
and whanne Calafer him Sawh so hye,
down him to Caste he bad hem hye;
Anon his biddeng fulfil they there,
and threwen him down In here Manere;
thanne this tyraunt gan vp to Rise
To sen this Child taken his I-wise,—
So ful he was Of Crwelte
As Evere Ony tyraunt myht be;—
And whanne þe Child was Middis his fallynge,
Alle Aftir him loked with-Owten tarienge,
and wende that to þe Erthe he schold haue gon,
and his lemes to-borsten Everichon;
but Anon As that they lokeden Owte,
they sien ix. hondes that child Comen Abowte,
that lik As Snow they weren so whit—
Whiche to soimme Of hem was gret delyt;—
and this Child they henten Anon
In this Maner tho Everichon,
two hondes to the Ryht Arm they wente,
and tweyne to þe left Arm veramente,
tweyne to the left leg, & tweyne to þe Ryhte,
and On to hed Openly In here syhte;
And In this Manere these Nyne hondis
browhte Celidoyne Ow[t] Of Califeris bondis
With-Owten Ony Of the Erthe towching:
this was to Calafer gret Merveillyng;
and Evere he lay and beheld ful faste
tyl that the Child was fer from him paste;
and whanne this beheld Sire Calafere,
that this Child was boren so fer,
For sorwe he fil In swowneng Anon.
For that dede that they scholden don;
but they ne dorste not Offenden his Comaundement,
but Anon it fulfilde there present.
they token vpe this Child Anon,
And leften him Above Alle þe werk Of ston;
and whanne Calafer him Sawh so hye,
down him to Caste he bad hem hye;
Anon his biddeng fulfil they there,
and threwen him down In here Manere;
thanne this tyraunt gan vp to Rise
To sen this Child taken his I-wise,—
So ful he was Of Crwelte
As Evere Ony tyraunt myht be;—
And whanne þe Child was Middis his fallynge,
Alle Aftir him loked with-Owten tarienge,
and wende that to þe Erthe he schold haue gon,
and his lemes to-borsten Everichon;
but Anon As that they lokeden Owte,
they sien ix. hondes that child Comen Abowte,
that lik As Snow they weren so whit—
Whiche to soimme Of hem was gret delyt;—
and this Child they henten Anon
In this Maner tho Everichon,
two hondes to the Ryht Arm they wente,
and tweyne to þe left Arm veramente,
tweyne to the left leg, & tweyne to þe Ryhte,
and On to hed Openly In here syhte;
And In this Manere these Nyne hondis
browhte Celidoyne Ow[t] Of Califeris bondis
With-Owten Ony Of the Erthe towching:
this was to Calafer gret Merveillyng;
and Evere he lay and beheld ful faste
tyl that the Child was fer from him paste;
and whanne this beheld Sire Calafere,
that this Child was boren so fer,
319
thanne Owt Of that towr Gan þer gon,
of wondirful dirknesse gret plente,
that non Of hem Mihte Oþer there se;
and aftir this dirknesse there spak A voysse,
that Alle they herden A wondirful Noisse,
that ‘to him whiche was Goddis Enemy,
veniawnce to him scholde Neyhen ful ny.’
of wondirful dirknesse gret plente,
that non Of hem Mihte Oþer there se;
and aftir this dirknesse there spak A voysse,
that Alle they herden A wondirful Noisse,
that ‘to him whiche was Goddis Enemy,
veniawnce to him scholde Neyhen ful ny.’
and Anon As this word was seide there,
Ful wondirfol Noise, & In dredful Manere.
It Gan to thondren & lyhtene ful faste,
that semed Al the Eyr scholde to-berste,
and that it were ful domesday;
thus weren they Alle In gret Afray,
So that Alle the Meyne that weren there
Forsoken here lord Calafere
that stille lay swowneng In that tour;
hym they forsoken with mochel dolour.
Ful wondirfol Noise, & In dredful Manere.
It Gan to thondren & lyhtene ful faste,
that semed Al the Eyr scholde to-berste,
and that it were ful domesday;
thus weren they Alle In gret Afray,
So that Alle the Meyne that weren there
Forsoken here lord Calafere
that stille lay swowneng In that tour;
hym they forsoken with mochel dolour.
And Anon As from him they weren I-went,
A Fyr from hevene Com there present,
and Of that towr hit smot the left partie
down Into the Middes ful Sekerlye,
In whiche partie that lay Sire Calafere.
So veniablely was he Slayn there,
that Er to the Erthe he Cam A-down,
the pecis of his body fledden In-virown,
and non of his Other Meyne
hadden non harm In non degre,
Sawf Only for drede In here syht,
that In here hertes they weren Afryht;
for Cristened thei weren Everichon,
and Chosen his plesaunse to don,
and to the Trenite they hadden hem take,
And forsaken Alle the develis so blake.
A Fyr from hevene Com there present,
and Of that towr hit smot the left partie
down Into the Middes ful Sekerlye,
In whiche partie that lay Sire Calafere.
So veniablely was he Slayn there,
that Er to the Erthe he Cam A-down,
the pecis of his body fledden In-virown,
and non of his Other Meyne
hadden non harm In non degre,
Sawf Only for drede In here syht,
that In here hertes they weren Afryht;
for Cristened thei weren Everichon,
and Chosen his plesaunse to don,
and to the Trenite they hadden hem take,
And forsaken Alle the develis so blake.
behold what God wile for his man do!
him kepen from Evel for Evere Mo!
him kepen from Evel for Evere Mo!
320
And thus, now As ȝe han herd here told,
paste this Calafer, that was So bold,
From worldly lif to Evere-lastyng peyne,
As this storie thus doth vs to seyne.
paste this Calafer, that was So bold,
From worldly lif to Evere-lastyng peyne,
As this storie thus doth vs to seyne.
and thus sone thorw al the Contre
this word gan Springe Certeinle,
how that Nasciens Owt of preson was gon—
Where-Offen weren glad ful Manion,—
And Of his Sone Also there,
how that he Aschaped, & in what Manere.
this word gan Springe Certeinle,
how that Nasciens Owt of preson was gon—
Where-Offen weren glad ful Manion,—
And Of his Sone Also there,
how that he Aschaped, & in what Manere.
And whanne Saracynte herde Of this tydyng,
Ful Ioyful sche was In Alle thing,
And beleved it ful Certeinlye
that it was thorwh goddis Mercye,
and thorwh him they weren vnbownde
Where so Evere they weren that ilke stownde;
Wel wiste sche be Crist it Was I-don,
Alle these poyntes thanne Everichon.
Ful Ioyful sche was In Alle thing,
And beleved it ful Certeinlye
that it was thorwh goddis Mercye,
and thorwh him they weren vnbownde
Where so Evere they weren that ilke stownde;
Wel wiste sche be Crist it Was I-don,
Alle these poyntes thanne Everichon.
thanne Alle the Barowns that Of þe Rem were,
To Sarras to qwene Saracynte Comen there,
Whanne they wisten the trewthe Of deliueraunce,
That Nasciens was happed Swich A chaunce,
and Of the veniaunce Of Calafere
That God Sodeinly On him took there;
thanne thus they dowted hem Everychon,
lest God veniaunce hem Wolde senden vppon,
For here fals Wil and Concentyng,
Of Nasciens & his sones presoneng.
To Sarras to qwene Saracynte Comen there,
Whanne they wisten the trewthe Of deliueraunce,
That Nasciens was happed Swich A chaunce,
and Of the veniaunce Of Calafere
That God Sodeinly On him took there;
thanne thus they dowted hem Everychon,
lest God veniaunce hem Wolde senden vppon,
For here fals Wil and Concentyng,
Of Nasciens & his sones presoneng.
thanne Comen Alle to the qweene Anon,
and Criden hire Mercy Everichon,
that hire Brother En-prisoned so was
be here Consentyn In that plas;
And seyden ‘þat it was Only Al & som,
Only be Calaferis ymaginacioun;
Wherfor, God hath veniaunce on him take
Openly, As we knowen, for Nasciens sake.’
and for they Syen that God Of his Myht
hadde schewed swich miracle to Alle Mennes siht,
there-fore Mercy they gonne to Crye
To qwene Saracynte ful lowlye:
“Now, goode lady, ȝoure brother don seken ȝe,
In what Contre that So Evere he be,
And we scholen putten vs In his Mercy—
bothe Owre bodyes, & Owre Good pleynly,—
With vs to done At his plesaunce,
To what presown, or to what Noisaunce.”
and Criden hire Mercy Everichon,
that hire Brother En-prisoned so was
be here Consentyn In that plas;
And seyden ‘þat it was Only Al & som,
Only be Calaferis ymaginacioun;
Wherfor, God hath veniaunce on him take
Openly, As we knowen, for Nasciens sake.’
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hadde schewed swich miracle to Alle Mennes siht,
there-fore Mercy they gonne to Crye
To qwene Saracynte ful lowlye:
“Now, goode lady, ȝoure brother don seken ȝe,
In what Contre that So Evere he be,
And we scholen putten vs In his Mercy—
bothe Owre bodyes, & Owre Good pleynly,—
With vs to done At his plesaunce,
To what presown, or to what Noisaunce.”
and whanne qwene Saracinte herde hem thus seye,
Wel gladed hire herte was Certeinlye.
Anon sent sche Messangeris fyve,
And Charged hem Alle vppon here lyve,
And took hem I-nowh of gold & Fee,
& Charged hem to Serchen In Eche Contre,
Al so longe As Good & hors wolde Endure,
To sechen hire Brothir sche made hem Ensure;
And for non man Schold han hem In Suspescioun,
lettres Enseled with Good Entencioun,
Enseled vndir hire Owne Sel,
the bettere men hem to knowen & leven wel;
And In that lettre dide sche don wryte
As wel as that sche Cowde Endyte,
Of hire lordis Avicion Certefyenge,
þat he hadde the Niht to-foren his goynge.
Wel gladed hire herte was Certeinlye.
Anon sent sche Messangeris fyve,
And Charged hem Alle vppon here lyve,
And took hem I-nowh of gold & Fee,
& Charged hem to Serchen In Eche Contre,
Al so longe As Good & hors wolde Endure,
To sechen hire Brothir sche made hem Ensure;
And for non man Schold han hem In Suspescioun,
lettres Enseled with Good Entencioun,
Enseled vndir hire Owne Sel,
the bettere men hem to knowen & leven wel;
And In that lettre dide sche don wryte
As wel as that sche Cowde Endyte,
Of hire lordis Avicion Certefyenge,
þat he hadde the Niht to-foren his goynge.
thus the Messengeris here leve took,
that Iorne to done, & it not forsook;
Forto fulfillen hire Comaundement,
Alle forth they wenten with good entent.
that Iorne to done, & it not forsook;
Forto fulfillen hire Comaundement,
Alle forth they wenten with good entent.
Now Mosten we leven A while this storye,
And to Anothir Storye We Mosten hye,
Whiche that Certefieth Of Nasciens Wif,
That leveth In Wo, bothe Sorwe & stryf.
And to Anothir Storye We Mosten hye,
Whiche that Certefieth Of Nasciens Wif,
That leveth In Wo, bothe Sorwe & stryf.
322
CHAPTER XXVI.
Thus this Storie forthere gynneth procede,
that whanne Nasciens to preson gon they lede,
and his sone there-Inne with him I-do,
Whiche was to him bothe peyne & wo,
And al his lond I-sesid it was tho;
and his wif Owt put Of Euery plas also,
that an hy born womman was, & of good lyvenge,
and therto here fadir was a kynge.
that whanne Nasciens to preson gon they lede,
and his sone there-Inne with him I-do,
Whiche was to him bothe peyne & wo,
And al his lond I-sesid it was tho;
and his wif Owt put Of Euery plas also,
that an hy born womman was, & of good lyvenge,
and therto here fadir was a kynge.
this lady was So ful Of bewte,
For a fairere womman Myhte non man se,
for thus Of hire telleth the Storye,
that more bewte hadde sche Sekerlye
thanne Alle the wommen Erthly born
that Evere Ony Man Sawh leveng beforn;
And to these bewtes sche hadde bownte,
Corteys and gentil In Alle Maner degre;
lowlich to Every Creature,
and large to God, I the Ensure;
and Aȝens hire lord & Soverein
debonewre & ful trewe Certein,
and Chaste Evere In his Absence,
bothe humble & Mek In his presence;
therto sche him louede aboven al erthly thyng;
Non wondir thowh this lady made Morneng;
For so gret sorwe & morneng sche Made,
that non Man ne Myhte hire herte glade.
For a fairere womman Myhte non man se,
for thus Of hire telleth the Storye,
that more bewte hadde sche Sekerlye
thanne Alle the wommen Erthly born
that Evere Ony Man Sawh leveng beforn;
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Corteys and gentil In Alle Maner degre;
lowlich to Every Creature,
and large to God, I the Ensure;
and Aȝens hire lord & Soverein
debonewre & ful trewe Certein,
and Chaste Evere In his Absence,
bothe humble & Mek In his presence;
therto sche him louede aboven al erthly thyng;
Non wondir thowh this lady made Morneng;
For so gret sorwe & morneng sche Made,
that non Man ne Myhte hire herte glade.
thus was the Condisciown Of this lady fre,
as ȝe han herde Rehersed here be me;
and this ladyes Name was Flegentyne,
A ful worthy lady, and A benyngne.
Wetes wel, whanne sche hadde knowenge þo
that hire lord was In presown I-do,
Ful gret sorwe sche took to herte,
And Manie peynes sche hadde, & smerte.
as ȝe han herde Rehersed here be me;
and this ladyes Name was Flegentyne,
A ful worthy lady, and A benyngne.
Wetes wel, whanne sche hadde knowenge þo
that hire lord was In presown I-do,
Ful gret sorwe sche took to herte,
And Manie peynes sche hadde, & smerte.
and In the moste Sorwe that sche was Inne,
This false Calafer ne wolde not blynne,
but putten hire Owt Of alle hire londis,
and be-Refte Clene Ow[t] of hire hondis.
This false Calafer ne wolde not blynne,
but putten hire Owt Of alle hire londis,
and be-Refte Clene Ow[t] of hire hondis.
thanne was this lady At Orbery tho,
In ful mochel deseisse sche was do;
and thedir here Iorne tho sche Mad,
Weneng hire lord Owt Of prison han had;
but Euere Calaferis Conseyl was presente,
and for nothing thereto wolde assente,
As this Storie here After doth telle
Al to-gederes how it be-felle.
In ful mochel deseisse sche was do;
and thedir here Iorne tho sche Mad,
Weneng hire lord Owt Of prison han had;
but Euere Calaferis Conseyl was presente,
and for nothing thereto wolde assente,
As this Storie here After doth telle
Al to-gederes how it be-felle.
and whanne þis goode lady say it was so,
That husbonde Child & lond was a-go,
thanne was sche In passinge Mornyng
Whanne sche herde tellen Al this tydyng;
Thanne wiste sche neuere what forto do;
but to An hygh good levere sche drowh here vnto,
An old vauasour, A ful gentil knyht
that Inne sche trosted with Alle hire Myht,
For norre he was to hire sone so dere,
that him tauht bothe norture & Manere,
and sche hadde him Encresed Also,
From poverte In to worschepe I-do
And him ȝoven to-forn that Owr
Manie Iowelis of gret honoure;
Wherfore In him gan sche hire Affye
Aboven Alle Other tho Sekerlye.
thanne flegentyne to thys vauasour wente,
A sorweful womman, and ful dolente.
That husbonde Child & lond was a-go,
thanne was sche In passinge Mornyng
Whanne sche herde tellen Al this tydyng;
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but to An hygh good levere sche drowh here vnto,
An old vauasour, A ful gentil knyht
that Inne sche trosted with Alle hire Myht,
For norre he was to hire sone so dere,
that him tauht bothe norture & Manere,
and sche hadde him Encresed Also,
From poverte In to worschepe I-do
And him ȝoven to-forn that Owr
Manie Iowelis of gret honoure;
Wherfore In him gan sche hire Affye
Aboven Alle Other tho Sekerlye.
thanne flegentyne to thys vauasour wente,
A sorweful womman, and ful dolente.
and whanne this vauasour gan hire Aspie,
that it was his lady Certeinlye,
Anon with herte, body, & thowht,
he thanked God þat thedir hire browht,
And Resceyved hire ful worthily,
As his lady & soverein ful debonerly,
With herte, Body, & Al his good tho,
At hire Comandement to ben I-do.
but Evere this lady hadde In herte
hire lorde, hire sone, that dide here smerte,
Wheche sche lovede Ouer Alle thing,
So that to hire myhte Comen non Comforteng.
that it was his lady Certeinlye,
Anon with herte, body, & thowht,
he thanked God þat thedir hire browht,
And Resceyved hire ful worthily,
As his lady & soverein ful debonerly,
With herte, Body, & Al his good tho,
At hire Comandement to ben I-do.
but Evere this lady hadde In herte
hire lorde, hire sone, that dide here smerte,
Wheche sche lovede Ouer Alle thing,
So that to hire myhte Comen non Comforteng.
Thanne the qweene Sarracynte, hire soster dere,
To flegentyne sente In this Manere,
and preide here, ‘for Alle Gentelnesse,
For sosterhed, & for Alle kendenesse,
and In slakyng Of hire peyne & wo,
that sche wolde Comen hire vnto,
that Ech of hem Other myhte Comforte,
and Ech In here Angwisch to Other Resorte.’
To flegentyne sente In this Manere,
and preide here, ‘for Alle Gentelnesse,
For sosterhed, & for Alle kendenesse,
and In slakyng Of hire peyne & wo,
that sche wolde Comen hire vnto,
that Ech of hem Other myhte Comforte,
and Ech In here Angwisch to Other Resorte.’
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thanne Flegentyne thanked here of hire message,
as womman that was of high parage,
and hire preide ‘þat sche sholde not with hire mysplese,
For to here it ne were nethir Comfort ne Ese;
Sethen þat with hire lord sche hadde Ioye & honour,
It is worthi be hire selves to suffre peyne & dolour;
For I ne Am not to good therto,
For my lord to suffren boþe sorwe & wo;’
and In this Manere sche sente to Say
To qwene Saracynte this ilke day.
as womman that was of high parage,
and hire preide ‘þat sche sholde not with hire mysplese,
For to here it ne were nethir Comfort ne Ese;
Sethen þat with hire lord sche hadde Ioye & honour,
It is worthi be hire selves to suffre peyne & dolour;
For I ne Am not to good therto,
For my lord to suffren boþe sorwe & wo;’
and In this Manere sche sente to Say
To qwene Saracynte this ilke day.
and whanne the qwene herde of this tydynge,
that Flegentyne wold Comen for non thinge,
Sche wente hire Self, In hire persone,
that lady to bringen Owt of hire Mone,
So that this Sarracynte wente forto seke
this duchesse Flegentyne that was so meke.
that Flegentyne wold Comen for non thinge,
Sche wente hire Self, In hire persone,
that lady to bringen Owt of hire Mone,
So that this Sarracynte wente forto seke
this duchesse Flegentyne that was so meke.
and whanne to-Gederis Metten these ladyes trewe,
thanne gan Alle here sorwes Renewe;
to Grownde bothe In Swowneng fille,
that non Of hem Myhte speken Other vntille;
For so gret sorewe they Maden bothe,
that to þe peple Abowtes it was ful lothe;
For Grettere Sorwe Sawgh neuere Manne
than be-twene the two ladyes was thanne;
Ful mochel was the Cry & the weping,
that be-twene hem two was, & þe Morneng;
And longe it was Er they myhten Speke,
Oþer Ony word Eiþer myhte Owt-Breke.
thanne gan Alle here sorwes Renewe;
to Grownde bothe In Swowneng fille,
that non Of hem Myhte speken Other vntille;
For so gret sorewe they Maden bothe,
that to þe peple Abowtes it was ful lothe;
For Grettere Sorwe Sawgh neuere Manne
than be-twene the two ladyes was thanne;
Ful mochel was the Cry & the weping,
that be-twene hem two was, & þe Morneng;
And longe it was Er they myhten Speke,
Oþer Ony word Eiþer myhte Owt-Breke.
ȝit Atte laste this qweene Sarracynte
Of hire Morneng Som what gan to stynte,
And, As a wis womman and a Redy,
To this dwchesse sche spak ful gentelly,
And hire sche peyned In Alle thing
To Restreynen hire from weping,
And spak ful goodly to this dwchesse,
hire to bringen Owt Of hire distresse;
and In the Ende sche preide hire So
that sche wold with hire Go,
“And swich Comfort I wolde ȝow make,
For my dere brothir ȝoure lordis sake
that we ben so mochel bownden to;
ȝif ony Comfort to ȝow Cowde I do.”
Of hire Morneng Som what gan to stynte,
And, As a wis womman and a Redy,
To this dwchesse sche spak ful gentelly,
And hire sche peyned In Alle thing
To Restreynen hire from weping,
And spak ful goodly to this dwchesse,
hire to bringen Owt Of hire distresse;
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that sche wold with hire Go,
“And swich Comfort I wolde ȝow make,
For my dere brothir ȝoure lordis sake
that we ben so mochel bownden to;
ȝif ony Comfort to ȝow Cowde I do.”
but this duchesse, this lady fre,
Nolde therto Assente In non degre,
and Excused here ful ladyly,
“that In non Othir felischipe trewly
thanne In that vauasour, that Olde knyht,
sche nolde not Comen be day ne be nyht;
and Ek to hire were it worschepe non
From that vauasour forto goon,
For my Compenye he Nele forsake,
Ne I ne may his, Anothir to take;
For In his Compenye have I be
Sethen myn Exil was put to Me,
and In his Compenie I wele Abide
Tyl to my ducherie Aȝen I Come som tyde.
For, goode lady, moche lasse deseisse Suffre I here,
thanne In ȝowre Compenye ȝif I were,
For nether Of vs Other Myhte se
But Owre sorwe Aȝen renewed scholde be,
Ne nethir Of vs Of Oure lordis to speke,
the Sorwe wolde maken Owre hertes breke;
to heren Ony thing Of here deseisse,
In Alle thinges it scholde vs Misplese;
and therfore, Myn Owne lady & Soster so dere,
haueth me Excused In this Manere.”
Nolde therto Assente In non degre,
and Excused here ful ladyly,
“that In non Othir felischipe trewly
thanne In that vauasour, that Olde knyht,
sche nolde not Comen be day ne be nyht;
and Ek to hire were it worschepe non
From that vauasour forto goon,
For my Compenye he Nele forsake,
Ne I ne may his, Anothir to take;
For In his Compenye have I be
Sethen myn Exil was put to Me,
and In his Compenie I wele Abide
Tyl to my ducherie Aȝen I Come som tyde.
For, goode lady, moche lasse deseisse Suffre I here,
thanne In ȝowre Compenye ȝif I were,
For nether Of vs Other Myhte se
But Owre sorwe Aȝen renewed scholde be,
Ne nethir Of vs Of Oure lordis to speke,
the Sorwe wolde maken Owre hertes breke;
to heren Ony thing Of here deseisse,
In Alle thinges it scholde vs Misplese;
and therfore, Myn Owne lady & Soster so dere,
haueth me Excused In this Manere.”
Ful Mochel hevynesse & sorwe made this qweenne
Whanne that sche Sawh it wold not bene,
and that the vauasour sche nolde forsake,
Ful mochel sorewe sche gan to Make,
and that sche nolde for non preyere
With hire forth gon In non Manere.
And whanne non Other wise thanne Myhte it go,
homwardes aȝen thanne torned sche tho;
and to hire Self sche Made gret Mone
that þe duchesse non Otherwise wolde done.
Whanne that sche Sawh it wold not bene,
and that the vauasour sche nolde forsake,
Ful mochel sorewe sche gan to Make,
and that sche nolde for non preyere
With hire forth gon In non Manere.
327
homwardes aȝen thanne torned sche tho;
and to hire Self sche Made gret Mone
that þe duchesse non Otherwise wolde done.
And Every day thus ferde this qweene,
that sorwen & Weping made bedene;
and thus ferde sche ful Manye A day,
that Man ne womman hire Comforten may;
And Evere beleft this duchesse stille
With the vauasour, As it was hire wille,
And Evere hire Sorwe was lich newe,
So good sche was, & Of love so trewe,
that Neuere man ne non womman
In that digre myhte Comforten hire than,
til that it fyl vppon A day
that tydynges to hire Comen verray,
that Nasciens, hire lord So fre,
Owt of prisoun was skaped Certeinlie.
that sorwen & Weping made bedene;
and thus ferde sche ful Manye A day,
that Man ne womman hire Comforten may;
And Evere beleft this duchesse stille
With the vauasour, As it was hire wille,
And Evere hire Sorwe was lich newe,
So good sche was, & Of love so trewe,
that Neuere man ne non womman
In that digre myhte Comforten hire than,
til that it fyl vppon A day
that tydynges to hire Comen verray,
that Nasciens, hire lord So fre,
Owt of prisoun was skaped Certeinlie.
and whanne Of this tydinges herde sche telle,
Somme Comfort In hire herte befelle,
and better Semblaunce sche gan to Make,
that hire lord Owt of preson was take;
And also that hire Sone so dere
Was Asckaped In that Manere.
So it be-fyl that the seventhe Nyht
After that Nasciens owt of presown was dyht,
And as In hire bed that Niht sche lay,—
and hadde not slept ful mani A day,
What For gret Mone & for Weping,—
at the last sche fyl In A slombering,
So, what for weping & werynesse,
hire herte hadde longe ben In distresse.
Somme Comfort In hire herte befelle,
and better Semblaunce sche gan to Make,
that hire lord Owt of preson was take;
And also that hire Sone so dere
Was Asckaped In that Manere.
So it be-fyl that the seventhe Nyht
After that Nasciens owt of presown was dyht,
And as In hire bed that Niht sche lay,—
and hadde not slept ful mani A day,
What For gret Mone & for Weping,—
at the last sche fyl In A slombering,
So, what for weping & werynesse,
hire herte hadde longe ben In distresse.
And as sche lay In hire Slombering,
Sche thowghte sche hadde A Merveillous Metyng;
Sche thouhte sche Say In hire Avisiown
Nasciens hire lord, bothe hol & sown,
stonding to fore hire bed there,
that to hire Seide In this Manere:
“Swete soster, sixt thow not Me
that thus here stonde to fore the?
Into a fer Contre I am I-browht,
thorw him that vs alle hath bowht,
Into a place fer be weste,
there that goode lord liketh beste;
wheche plase & weche Contre
he hath me Ordeyned In forto be,
and there my seed forth forto bringe,
hym to worschepe & honourenge.”
Sche thowghte sche hadde A Merveillous Metyng;
328
Nasciens hire lord, bothe hol & sown,
stonding to fore hire bed there,
that to hire Seide In this Manere:
“Swete soster, sixt thow not Me
that thus here stonde to fore the?
Into a fer Contre I am I-browht,
thorw him that vs alle hath bowht,
Into a place fer be weste,
there that goode lord liketh beste;
wheche plase & weche Contre
he hath me Ordeyned In forto be,
and there my seed forth forto bringe,
hym to worschepe & honourenge.”
and On the Morwen whanne sche Awook,
Gret merveil Of this Avisioun sche Took;
and In as moche As sche hadde non ful knoweng
Of that Avisions Signefieng,
the firste werke sche dide tho,
To holi chirche sche gan to go,
there forto heren Goddis Servise,
As Everi day it was hire Gyse.
And whanne Alle the Servise was I-do,
Anon to A provost sche gan to Go,
And told him Of hire A-visiown,
how þat it was, Al & sown,
And preide that provost, for Charite,
For hire to preyen to the Trenite,
‘that he wolde senden hire som Tokeneng
Of that Avisiouns Signefieng.’
Gret merveil Of this Avisioun sche Took;
and In as moche As sche hadde non ful knoweng
Of that Avisions Signefieng,
the firste werke sche dide tho,
To holi chirche sche gan to go,
there forto heren Goddis Servise,
As Everi day it was hire Gyse.
And whanne Alle the Servise was I-do,
Anon to A provost sche gan to Go,
And told him Of hire A-visiown,
how þat it was, Al & sown,
And preide that provost, for Charite,
For hire to preyen to the Trenite,
‘that he wolde senden hire som Tokeneng
Of that Avisiouns Signefieng.’
And thus sone sche torned Ageyn
To [the] vauasours hows In Certein,
that hire Comforteth As he Can,
For to hire he was A ful trewe man.
thanne this ladi this vauasour In Cownseil Gan to Calle,
and him tolde how that hire it gan be-falle
In hire Avisiown this Othir Niht;
Al him sche tolde Euene Owtriht.
thanne Answered this vauasour to hire Ageyn,
“that theke Avisiown in Certein—
be the helpe of God and the holy Roode—
Scholde here torne to worschepe & goode;
Neuertheles, lady, vndirstonde ȝe Me,
that I wele ben Redy in Eche degre
to fulfillen ȝoure Comaundement
In alle degrees, And ȝoure Entent.”
To [the] vauasours hows In Certein,
that hire Comforteth As he Can,
For to hire he was A ful trewe man.
329
and him tolde how that hire it gan be-falle
In hire Avisiown this Othir Niht;
Al him sche tolde Euene Owtriht.
thanne Answered this vauasour to hire Ageyn,
“that theke Avisiown in Certein—
be the helpe of God and the holy Roode—
Scholde here torne to worschepe & goode;
Neuertheles, lady, vndirstonde ȝe Me,
that I wele ben Redy in Eche degre
to fulfillen ȝoure Comaundement
In alle degrees, And ȝoure Entent.”
and whanne the lady herde of his benyngnete,
In Alle things that so profred he,
For Ioye In herte sche gan to wepe,
that of hire he took so gret kepe;
thanne Answerid sche, “with herte & wille,
And myn preceptis thow wilt fulfille,
the behoveth with me forto go
Into what plase that I preie ȝow to.”
In Alle things that so profred he,
For Ioye In herte sche gan to wepe,
that of hire he took so gret kepe;
thanne Answerid sche, “with herte & wille,
And myn preceptis thow wilt fulfille,
the behoveth with me forto go
Into what plase that I preie ȝow to.”
thanne Answerid this vauasowr Ageyn
to that worschepful duchesse: “Certein,
ȝe ne Connen not Seyn, ne Comaunden me,
that I nel fulfille In eche degre
Evere As ȝowre Owne pore Bedeman.”
And thus to hire the vauasour Seide than,
“And what Compenye that sche wele have,
I schal ȝow gete to bringen ȝow Save.”
to that worschepful duchesse: “Certein,
ȝe ne Connen not Seyn, ne Comaunden me,
that I nel fulfille In eche degre
Evere As ȝowre Owne pore Bedeman.”
And thus to hire the vauasour Seide than,
“And what Compenye that sche wele have,
I schal ȝow gete to bringen ȝow Save.”
thanne Answered the lady tho,
“that Compenye wele I no mo
but Only ȝoure Owne Sengle persone;
We tweyne to gederis to gon Alone;
For I wolde kepen it So prevyle
That non lyveng man wiste but I & ȝe.”
“that Compenye wele I no mo
but Only ȝoure Owne Sengle persone;
We tweyne to gederis to gon Alone;
For I wolde kepen it So prevyle
That non lyveng man wiste but I & ȝe.”
330
Thanne Answerid this vauasowr:
“lady, I desire ȝowre Grete honour;
I wele ȝow telle now my Cownsaille,
ȝif Owht to ȝowre wit it May Avaylle,
Myn Eldest Sone with vs schal go,
ȝif ȝe thinken best that it be so,
and stonden vs In ȝomannes Servise,
In what degre that ȝe welen him devise.
And wete ȝe wel, that In Certeyne
he wolde Suffren As moche peyne
As Ony man here myhte Endure,
ȝow to plese, I ȝow Ensure;
but, lady, take ȝe this speche in non swich degre,
In Ony thing that I scholde wraththen the,
but that I wele ben Redy bothe Nyht & day
To don thing that ȝow plesen May,
And for ȝow to suffren peynes & Owtrage
As Ony man May don Of My Age.
But, worschepful lady, vndirstonde ȝe me,
that it Fallet nouht for ȝowre degre,
With-Owten A servaunt forto gone
Into Ony plase, ȝe & I Alone.
and ȝif with-Owten Servaunt þat we go,
And Ony mysaventure Come ȝow to,
Goode lady, how scholde I ȝowe be-welde,
that Am an Old man, & smeten Into Elde?
and whanne we Comen Into Ony straunge Contre,
and Ony mys-Aventure befalle to Me,
thanne my Sone May don vs bothe Ese,
lady, bothen ȝow & Me to plese.
and how so it stonde In Ony Other degre,
ȝoure Man & Servaunt I wil ben sekerle;
And my sone schal ben Owre Servaunt,
lady, ȝif ȝoure herte Mowe þerto grawnt;
and I as non knyht ne wil not be,
but as ȝoure Servaunt In Eche degre;
For what deseisse that I Suffre may,
for ȝow I wele don Every day.
Now that ȝe han herd myn Entent,
Of ȝow now wolde I weten present
how that ȝe thinken be this Cownsaille,
ȝif it Ony thing to ȝow may Availle;
for, lady, ful fain weten I wolde,
ȝif that to this Cownseil ȝe wolden holde.”
“lady, I desire ȝowre Grete honour;
I wele ȝow telle now my Cownsaille,
ȝif Owht to ȝowre wit it May Avaylle,
Myn Eldest Sone with vs schal go,
ȝif ȝe thinken best that it be so,
and stonden vs In ȝomannes Servise,
In what degre that ȝe welen him devise.
And wete ȝe wel, that In Certeyne
he wolde Suffren As moche peyne
As Ony man here myhte Endure,
ȝow to plese, I ȝow Ensure;
but, lady, take ȝe this speche in non swich degre,
In Ony thing that I scholde wraththen the,
but that I wele ben Redy bothe Nyht & day
To don thing that ȝow plesen May,
And for ȝow to suffren peynes & Owtrage
As Ony man May don Of My Age.
But, worschepful lady, vndirstonde ȝe me,
that it Fallet nouht for ȝowre degre,
With-Owten A servaunt forto gone
Into Ony plase, ȝe & I Alone.
and ȝif with-Owten Servaunt þat we go,
And Ony mysaventure Come ȝow to,
Goode lady, how scholde I ȝowe be-welde,
that Am an Old man, & smeten Into Elde?
and whanne we Comen Into Ony straunge Contre,
and Ony mys-Aventure befalle to Me,
thanne my Sone May don vs bothe Ese,
lady, bothen ȝow & Me to plese.
and how so it stonde In Ony Other degre,
ȝoure Man & Servaunt I wil ben sekerle;
And my sone schal ben Owre Servaunt,
lady, ȝif ȝoure herte Mowe þerto grawnt;
and I as non knyht ne wil not be,
but as ȝoure Servaunt In Eche degre;
331
for ȝow I wele don Every day.
Now that ȝe han herd myn Entent,
Of ȝow now wolde I weten present
how that ȝe thinken be this Cownsaille,
ȝif it Ony thing to ȝow may Availle;
for, lady, ful fain weten I wolde,
ȝif that to this Cownseil ȝe wolden holde.”
thanne Consented that lady ful wel
To this knyhtes Cownsail Everidel.
To this knyhtes Cownsail Everidel.
Thanne bespak this lady Anon,
“Sire knyht, I wold that we weren gon;
For In Ioye schal I neuere ben Sekerlye
tyl that my lord I se with bodily Eye,
therfore this viage now wele I go,
ȝif God his wille with me wile do;
but I ne wolde for non worldly good
that Non Creature it vndirstood,
but Onliche thi self, thi sone, and I,
Of this purposeng now trewely.”
“lady,” Seide this vauasour thanne,
“that ther nys leveng non Erthly Manne
that more gladly this viage wil vndirtake
thanne I wele, for my lordis Sake;
and this Cownseil to ȝow I wolde han seid be-fore,
but that Of on thing me dredde ful sore,
that me ȝe wolde not haven In Compenye,
And this I dredde ful Sekerlye.”
“Sire knyht, I wold that we weren gon;
For In Ioye schal I neuere ben Sekerlye
tyl that my lord I se with bodily Eye,
therfore this viage now wele I go,
ȝif God his wille with me wile do;
but I ne wolde for non worldly good
that Non Creature it vndirstood,
but Onliche thi self, thi sone, and I,
Of this purposeng now trewely.”
“lady,” Seide this vauasour thanne,
“that ther nys leveng non Erthly Manne
that more gladly this viage wil vndirtake
thanne I wele, for my lordis Sake;
and this Cownseil to ȝow I wolde han seid be-fore,
but that Of on thing me dredde ful sore,
that me ȝe wolde not haven In Compenye,
And this I dredde ful Sekerlye.”
thanne preide Anon this lady so fre,
that Anon Redy he wold be,
And him Silver & Gold to Ordeyne,
And what sche myhte sche wolde hire peyne,
For bothen pore & Naked was sche Mad;
that Of Al hire good but litel sche had.’
Neuertheles this Olde gentyl knyht,
To his power dide Al his Miht,
and purveied him Of Gold & Of tresowr,
and of Mani A Iewel of gret valowr;
For At that tyme more hadde he
Thanne Nasciens and flegentyne Certeinle.
Of this the vauasowr dide Moche thing,
be Encheson Of hire sones Norscheng.
that Anon Redy he wold be,
And him Silver & Gold to Ordeyne,
And what sche myhte sche wolde hire peyne,
For bothen pore & Naked was sche Mad;
that Of Al hire good but litel sche had.’
Neuertheles this Olde gentyl knyht,
To his power dide Al his Miht,
332
and of Mani A Iewel of gret valowr;
For At that tyme more hadde he
Thanne Nasciens and flegentyne Certeinle.
Of this the vauasowr dide Moche thing,
be Encheson Of hire sones Norscheng.
And On the Morwe whanne it gan dawe,
this goode lady was ful fawe;
anon to Chirche sche gan to Gon,
As hire Olde Custom was to don;
And whiles that sche At Chirche was,
this vauasour to his wif told the Cas,—
how that his lady wolde go
to visite qweene sarracynte tho,—
So that here Sadelys he did Owt take,
and here hors Redy forto make;
and as sone as sche from Chirche gan gon,
to here hors they wenten Anon,
bothe the lady and the vauasour,
And Ek his sone In that stowr—
hos Name was Clepyd helycaors,
A semly persone Of Membris & Cors;—
and his Fadir Carsopines hyhte;
An Awnciel Man, and A vaillaunt knyhte.
this goode lady was ful fawe;
anon to Chirche sche gan to Gon,
As hire Olde Custom was to don;
And whiles that sche At Chirche was,
this vauasour to his wif told the Cas,—
how that his lady wolde go
to visite qweene sarracynte tho,—
So that here Sadelys he did Owt take,
and here hors Redy forto make;
and as sone as sche from Chirche gan gon,
to here hors they wenten Anon,
bothe the lady and the vauasour,
And Ek his sone In that stowr—
hos Name was Clepyd helycaors,
A semly persone Of Membris & Cors;—
and his Fadir Carsopines hyhte;
An Awnciel Man, and A vaillaunt knyhte.
Thus this lady took leve tho
At the vauasours wif, & forth gan go;
So dide hire howsbonde & hire sone In fere,
and wenten forth with Meri Chere;
But this vauasour wolde not In non wise
to his wif discoueren his Servise,
and that he Scholde non ferthere Go
but to Sarras, to the qweene tho,
For Flegentyne hire wolde Se,
What Maner of Comfort with hire myht be;
For non Othirwise ne dorste he do,
For his lady Comaunded him so.
thus sone iiij hors weren browght forth there,
And Anon they thre weren horsid In fere,
and the fourthe hors the Somer bar,
the weche wherto was Ordeined thar,
that was Charched with diuers Mone,
With hem to have In Eche Contre.
At the vauasours wif, & forth gan go;
So dide hire howsbonde & hire sone In fere,
and wenten forth with Meri Chere;
But this vauasour wolde not In non wise
to his wif discoueren his Servise,
and that he Scholde non ferthere Go
but to Sarras, to the qweene tho,
333
What Maner of Comfort with hire myht be;
For non Othirwise ne dorste he do,
For his lady Comaunded him so.
thus sone iiij hors weren browght forth there,
And Anon they thre weren horsid In fere,
and the fourthe hors the Somer bar,
the weche wherto was Ordeined thar,
that was Charched with diuers Mone,
With hem to have In Eche Contre.
And whanne Owt Of that town they paste,
Streiht to Sarras they torned Atte laste;—
and thus dide the vauasour tho,
For they scholden Sen hem toward sarras go;—
and that weye helden they ful Ryht
til they weren A Mile Owt of þe peples Siht.
thanne bespak this vauasowr tho,
and seide, “lady, how wele ȝe now go
For to Seken My lord & ȝoure,
Whiche that is Man Of honoure;
For I suppose In Min Mynde,
ȝe ne weten in what Contre him to fynde;
and Sethen that ȝe knowen non Certeinte
In what Contre that he Scholde be,
So Mosten we Seken be Aventure
In what Contre to fynden him Sure.”
Streiht to Sarras they torned Atte laste;—
and thus dide the vauasour tho,
For they scholden Sen hem toward sarras go;—
and that weye helden they ful Ryht
til they weren A Mile Owt of þe peples Siht.
thanne bespak this vauasowr tho,
and seide, “lady, how wele ȝe now go
For to Seken My lord & ȝoure,
Whiche that is Man Of honoure;
For I suppose In Min Mynde,
ȝe ne weten in what Contre him to fynde;
and Sethen that ȝe knowen non Certeinte
In what Contre that he Scholde be,
So Mosten we Seken be Aventure
In what Contre to fynden him Sure.”
“For sothe,” quod the lady Ageyn,
‘In' wot neuere Into what Contre Certein
Sikerly him forto fynde—
My worthy lord So Goode & kynde;—
but In As Moche As that he tolde Me
‘that westward Algates Scholde he be,’
(thus thowhte me In Myn Avisiown
that he Seide Al & Som;)
Wherfore westward, I telle it the,
My herte falleth Most he Scholde be.”
thanne torned they Aweye On þe Ryht hond,
And thus sone a water there they fond;
Anon ful sone that water they paste,
That toward Orbery Ran In gret haste,
Whiche water ‘Arecuse’ was Cleped tho,
that to Orbery wardis wente tho.
So longe they Reden til it was Eve,
For the sonne hire lyht began to leve,
thanne was sche At hire owne londis Ende,
thike gentil lady so good & hende.
And there here In they token Anon,
In a Rial plase of lym & of ston
that next the Castel of Emelianz stood,
that marched next to þe dwchie On þat flood.
‘In' wot neuere Into what Contre Certein
Sikerly him forto fynde—
My worthy lord So Goode & kynde;—
but In As Moche As that he tolde Me
‘that westward Algates Scholde he be,’
(thus thowhte me In Myn Avisiown
that he Seide Al & Som;)
334
My herte falleth Most he Scholde be.”
thanne torned they Aweye On þe Ryht hond,
And thus sone a water there they fond;
Anon ful sone that water they paste,
That toward Orbery Ran In gret haste,
Whiche water ‘Arecuse’ was Cleped tho,
that to Orbery wardis wente tho.
So longe they Reden til it was Eve,
For the sonne hire lyht began to leve,
thanne was sche At hire owne londis Ende,
thike gentil lady so good & hende.
And there here In they token Anon,
In a Rial plase of lym & of ston
that next the Castel of Emelianz stood,
that marched next to þe dwchie On þat flood.
And On the Morewe ful Erly sche Ros,
And In hire weye forth sche gos,
For that Aparceyved sche ne wolde not be,
for sche was there at Swich poverte;
and sche dide it be good Resoun,
For Al that Contre there In-virown,
they weren Saradynes Everichon,
and hatede alle Cristene be On & On;
and Ek hem Of Orberi & Of Sarras
these Saradines hatede In Every plas.
thanne past they forth owt of that contre tho,
And Into Calamyne they gonne to go.
And In hire weye forth sche gos,
For that Aparceyved sche ne wolde not be,
for sche was there at Swich poverte;
and sche dide it be good Resoun,
For Al that Contre there In-virown,
they weren Saradynes Everichon,
and hatede alle Cristene be On & On;
and Ek hem Of Orberi & Of Sarras
these Saradines hatede In Every plas.
335
And Into Calamyne they gonne to go.
Now Of this dwchesse here leveth this storie;
And to the Messageres we Mosten hye,
that Sire Nasciens Sowghten Every where,
In Eche Contre, both fer & Nere;
but ful longe it is, I vndirstonde,
Er that these Messengeres Sire Nasciens fonde;
And how Nasciens fond his ȝonge sone
that with him in presown was done;
wherfore, of Al Erthly thing,
For his wif & him was his Morneng.
And to the Messageres we Mosten hye,
that Sire Nasciens Sowghten Every where,
In Eche Contre, both fer & Nere;
but ful longe it is, I vndirstonde,
Er that these Messengeres Sire Nasciens fonde;
And how Nasciens fond his ȝonge sone
that with him in presown was done;
wherfore, of Al Erthly thing,
For his wif & him was his Morneng.
CHAPTER XXVII.
336
Now this Storye ginneth forth to telle,
Of Nasciens how that tho befelle,
that how the hond him hadde I-bore
thens As Calafer was forlore.
Of Nasciens how that tho befelle,
that how the hond him hadde I-bore
thens As Calafer was forlore.
thanne the hond Sire Nasciens Bar
Into A ful straunge Contre thar;
Whiche Contre was A Merveillous plas;
For An yl In the west Se it was,
that xiij Iornes it was of lengthe
thens As Nasciens was In þe presown of strengthe.
that yl was Of sweche a fame,
For ‘yl Torneawnt’ was the name;
For be Ryht Resown it is So,
for Oþer whiles it Torneth bothe to & fro;
but In As moche as that the Cause why
Of his Torneng nis not knowen verayly—
Of Alle tho þat there of don speken, Other Rede,
they ne knowen it not In word ne In dede,—
therfore Resoun & sckele it were
that this Storye Rehersed [it] here;
for, Of Eche thing that is Of dowte,
he it Reherseth Er he passe Owte,
and bringeth it to Clere vndirstondyng
to Every Mannes wit, bothe Old & ȝong,
As ȝe Scholen here In tyme Comeng
how this storie declareth Every thing.
Into this yl Sire Nasciens the hond bar,
& him In Swowneng be-left thar,
As man that hadde lost bothe wit & Memorie,
For þe wondirful sightes that he to fore sye;
For he ne wiste Certeinlye
Where he was, ne in what partye.
Into A ful straunge Contre thar;
Whiche Contre was A Merveillous plas;
For An yl In the west Se it was,
337
thens As Nasciens was In þe presown of strengthe.
that yl was Of sweche a fame,
For ‘yl Torneawnt’ was the name;
For be Ryht Resown it is So,
for Oþer whiles it Torneth bothe to & fro;
but In As moche as that the Cause why
Of his Torneng nis not knowen verayly—
Of Alle tho þat there of don speken, Other Rede,
they ne knowen it not In word ne In dede,—
therfore Resoun & sckele it were
that this Storye Rehersed [it] here;
for, Of Eche thing that is Of dowte,
he it Reherseth Er he passe Owte,
and bringeth it to Clere vndirstondyng
to Every Mannes wit, bothe Old & ȝong,
As ȝe Scholen here In tyme Comeng
how this storie declareth Every thing.
341
& him In Swowneng be-left thar,
As man that hadde lost bothe wit & Memorie,
For þe wondirful sightes that he to fore sye;
For he ne wiste Certeinlye
Where he was, ne in what partye.
Anon the hond thens departid thanne,
And Nasciens there lay as a ded Manne;
And whanne Of his Swowneng þere Awook,
he lift vp his Eyen, and Abowtes gan to look;
it Nas non nede him to Refreyne
Whethir he were Abascht Certeine,
but Evere his herte stedfast was
In his Creaunce, swich was his gras.
For Al the drede he hadde Suffred be-fore,
ȝit God him wolde Asayen wel more;
For him weren Comeng Many tormensse,
ȝit wolde he neuere to his God Offensse,
Nether for Ioye neȝer for ille,
but Euere In his Creawnce belefte Stille,
And Evere In his torment stedfast was
As was Iob In Every plas,
that In his lif hadde So moche Richesse,
So Moche welthe & worthynesse,
and ȝit suffred he with herte & Minde,—
As A Man that was to God ful kynde,—
poverte, Misseise, and Ek distresse,
Angwich, temptacions, & Siknesse,
And in poverte vppon a dong hil lay;
ȝit herde þere neuere Man Into this day
that neuere with his Mowth he seide Amys,
Ne Grochched Aȝens his Creatour I-wis.
And lik In the same Manere tho
Suffrede Nasciens bothe Angwisch & wo;
With goode wille & debonowre herte
Suffrede he many Angwisches smerte,
and neuere to his God made he grochchenge,
Nethir for tormentis ne non Othir thinge.
And thus to him Self he gan to Speke,
And to him self his herte gan breke,
And seide, “lord I thanket to the
Of alle the deseisse thow sendest Me,
For moche more, worthy I am to have,
My Sowle ȝif I scholde Ony wise save.”
And Nasciens there lay as a ded Manne;
And whanne Of his Swowneng þere Awook,
he lift vp his Eyen, and Abowtes gan to look;
it Nas non nede him to Refreyne
Whethir he were Abascht Certeine,
but Evere his herte stedfast was
In his Creaunce, swich was his gras.
For Al the drede he hadde Suffred be-fore,
ȝit God him wolde Asayen wel more;
For him weren Comeng Many tormensse,
ȝit wolde he neuere to his God Offensse,
Nether for Ioye neȝer for ille,
but Euere In his Creawnce belefte Stille,
And Evere In his torment stedfast was
As was Iob In Every plas,
that In his lif hadde So moche Richesse,
So Moche welthe & worthynesse,
and ȝit suffred he with herte & Minde,—
As A Man that was to God ful kynde,—
poverte, Misseise, and Ek distresse,
Angwich, temptacions, & Siknesse,
And in poverte vppon a dong hil lay;
ȝit herde þere neuere Man Into this day
that neuere with his Mowth he seide Amys,
Ne Grochched Aȝens his Creatour I-wis.
And lik In the same Manere tho
Suffrede Nasciens bothe Angwisch & wo;
With goode wille & debonowre herte
342
and neuere to his God made he grochchenge,
Nethir for tormentis ne non Othir thinge.
And thus to him Self he gan to Speke,
And to him self his herte gan breke,
And seide, “lord I thanket to the
Of alle the deseisse thow sendest Me,
For moche more, worthy I am to have,
My Sowle ȝif I scholde Ony wise save.”
And whanne to this yl he was I-browht
he loked Abowtes him, & Say Ryht nowht
but the Eir, the yl, and the See;
In ful gret Merveyl thanne was he;
for how that thedir he was I-gon,
In what Manere ne wiste he non;
And Abowtes him he loked pure faste,
& Al that yl was barein & ful waste,
and so stronge passeng hete there,
that he ne myht it Endure In non Manere.
thanne wiste he neuere In what partye
Of that yl how he myht this hete drie;
but Euere hadde In Remembraunce
Of his thedir Comeng, & Of that Chaunce,
and of Celidoine his ȝongest sone
þat with him In preson was done,
Which that was mochel In his Mynde,
That Gentyl Child, that was so kynde.
For-brosed weren his honden & Armes to;
his legges, his feet, wrowhten him moche wo;
his Reynes Oken, his Ribbes they gnowe,
So that Of tormentis he hadde I-nowe;
To the Erthe Anon he leide him thanne,
As A ful wery and A-brosed Manne
that a passing lust hadde forto Slepe,
hof that to his Angwisch took kepe.
he loked Abowtes him, & Say Ryht nowht
but the Eir, the yl, and the See;
In ful gret Merveyl thanne was he;
for how that thedir he was I-gon,
In what Manere ne wiste he non;
And Abowtes him he loked pure faste,
& Al that yl was barein & ful waste,
and so stronge passeng hete there,
that he ne myht it Endure In non Manere.
thanne wiste he neuere In what partye
Of that yl how he myht this hete drie;
but Euere hadde In Remembraunce
Of his thedir Comeng, & Of that Chaunce,
and of Celidoine his ȝongest sone
þat with him In preson was done,
Which that was mochel In his Mynde,
That Gentyl Child, that was so kynde.
For-brosed weren his honden & Armes to;
his legges, his feet, wrowhten him moche wo;
his Reynes Oken, his Ribbes they gnowe,
So that Of tormentis he hadde I-nowe;
To the Erthe Anon he leide him thanne,
As A ful wery and A-brosed Manne
that a passing lust hadde forto Slepe,
hof that to his Angwisch took kepe.
thanne down he him leide, As it is told,
In A partie Of the yl that was most Cold;
For ful hot somer it was with-Owten let,
the Nynthe day Of þe kalendes of Juignet.
thanne his Ryht hond he left vpe there,
and Made the signe of the Crois In good Manere,
In the Name Of the trenite,
On God & persones thre,
That it scholde ben his protectour
In alle degrees aȝens the fals deceyvour,
Whiche is the devel, In Alle wise,
Man to deseyven In dyvers Gyse,
that to goddis beleve hath Ony lust,
him forto tempten he desireth most.
343
For ful hot somer it was with-Owten let,
the Nynthe day Of þe kalendes of Juignet.
thanne his Ryht hond he left vpe there,
and Made the signe of the Crois In good Manere,
In the Name Of the trenite,
On God & persones thre,
That it scholde ben his protectour
In alle degrees aȝens the fals deceyvour,
Whiche is the devel, In Alle wise,
Man to deseyven In dyvers Gyse,
that to goddis beleve hath Ony lust,
him forto tempten he desireth most.
thanne thus this Nasciens to slepen be-gan,
as for Angwichs & a wery Man,
that to Slepen he hadde gret lust,
and there him down lay As he durst;
and the Mone Schon bothe fair & Cler
vppon Nasciens that Alone lay there,
that so ful wel & longe slept he tho
as A man that gret Nede hadde therto.
Thus slept Nasciens Al that Nyht
Til on the Morwen it was day lyht,
Where that In Avisioun him thowhte he sye
Merveillous thinges ful Sekerlye:
as for Angwichs & a wery Man,
that to Slepen he hadde gret lust,
and there him down lay As he durst;
and the Mone Schon bothe fair & Cler
vppon Nasciens that Alone lay there,
that so ful wel & longe slept he tho
as A man that gret Nede hadde therto.
Thus slept Nasciens Al that Nyht
Til on the Morwen it was day lyht,
Where that In Avisioun him thowhte he sye
Merveillous thinges ful Sekerlye:
him thowhte he sawh gret plente
White briddes Abowtes him to be.
And whanne that these briddes he gan beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Manifolde,
for somme Of hem flowen wondir hye,
and somme wondir lowe Certeinlye,
and the tothir partye Of hem tho
From the Erthe ne myhte not go,
ne flen nowher from the grounde;
Where offen he Merveilled that stownde.
thanne Comen there tweyne of þe grettest of Alle,
and down to the Erthe Gonne they falle;
At his two feet they descendyd Adown there,
And Into the Eyr they him gonnen bere.
White briddes Abowtes him to be.
And whanne that these briddes he gan beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Manifolde,
for somme Of hem flowen wondir hye,
and somme wondir lowe Certeinlye,
and the tothir partye Of hem tho
From the Erthe ne myhte not go,
ne flen nowher from the grounde;
344
thanne Comen there tweyne of þe grettest of Alle,
and down to the Erthe Gonne they falle;
At his two feet they descendyd Adown there,
And Into the Eyr they him gonnen bere.
thanne whanne he was In the Eir An hy,
they seiden, “Nasciens, fle forth boldly.”
they seiden, “Nasciens, fle forth boldly.”
thanne Nasciens him self be-gan to beholde;
tho hadde he wenges that lyhtly wolde folde
and Aplyen to his flyht thanne therto;
him thowhte he was ful Ioly tho;
Al whit him thowhte his wenges were,
and that lightliche he myht fleen there.
tho hadde he wenges that lyhtly wolde folde
and Aplyen to his flyht thanne therto;
him thowhte he was ful Ioly tho;
Al whit him thowhte his wenges were,
and that lightliche he myht fleen there.
thanne thus Sone him thowhte Anon
that these grete briddes weren Agon;
tho that Maden him forto fle so liht,
from him weren past Owt Of his siht.
that these grete briddes weren Agon;
tho that Maden him forto fle so liht,
from him weren past Owt Of his siht.
thanne to Nasciens Aȝen thei gonne Restore,
And to him these briddes Seiden thore,
And boden him ‘ȝeven hem Som Mete,
Swiche good As he Cowde Gete.’
thanne Answerid this Nasciens Aȝen tho,
“What Mete Welen ȝe that I gete ȝow to,
And I Wele fulfillen it to my power
What So Evere it be, Oþer fer other nere.”
And to him these briddes Seiden thore,
And boden him ‘ȝeven hem Som Mete,
Swiche good As he Cowde Gete.’
thanne Answerid this Nasciens Aȝen tho,
“What Mete Welen ȝe that I gete ȝow to,
And I Wele fulfillen it to my power
What So Evere it be, Oþer fer other nere.”
thanne Answerid the briddis Ageyn,
“that neuere fulfilled scholen we ben Certein,
Ne Neuere Replet with non Mete
that thow myht ȝeven vs forto Ete,
but thine Owne herte Only
vs on to Fede now Certeinly.”
Anon he drowgh Owt his Owne herte,
and the brid it ȝaf, and nold it not Asterte.
“that neuere fulfilled scholen we ben Certein,
Ne Neuere Replet with non Mete
that thow myht ȝeven vs forto Ete,
but thine Owne herte Only
vs on to Fede now Certeinly.”
Anon he drowgh Owt his Owne herte,
and the brid it ȝaf, and nold it not Asterte.
Anon the Brid Resceyved it Ioyfully,
& therwith flew ful fer An hy
With ful gret Ioye & melodye;
And thus he Seide In his langage,
As A brid for his kynde singeth In a kage:
“Now Am I fulfild,” seide this brid,
“Of this herte As it is be-tyd;
For now I have browht this thing with me
That non Wiht knoweth Certeinle;
For it is but A litel thing
that the grete lyown hath Offe knoweng,
Wheche alle Erthly bestes With Membre & body
Vndir him ther kepeth he Certeinly.
and Whanne he hath Ouercomen hem Everichon,
—thus thowghte Nasciens that he gan don—
And Alle vndir his feet put hem tho,
ȝit him thowhte he ne hadde not do,
but In to the hevene he wolde than fle
With that he hadde thanne Sekerle.
thanne him thowhte that his flyht took he,
and that Abouen Alle Mownteynes gan to fle,
Ek the wawes of the Se, and the depnesse,
And the hevene Entred with-Owten distresse.”
& therwith flew ful fer An hy
With ful gret Ioye & melodye;
345
As A brid for his kynde singeth In a kage:
“Now Am I fulfild,” seide this brid,
“Of this herte As it is be-tyd;
For now I have browht this thing with me
That non Wiht knoweth Certeinle;
For it is but A litel thing
that the grete lyown hath Offe knoweng,
Wheche alle Erthly bestes With Membre & body
Vndir him ther kepeth he Certeinly.
and Whanne he hath Ouercomen hem Everichon,
—thus thowghte Nasciens that he gan don—
And Alle vndir his feet put hem tho,
ȝit him thowhte he ne hadde not do,
but In to the hevene he wolde than fle
With that he hadde thanne Sekerle.
thanne him thowhte that his flyht took he,
and that Abouen Alle Mownteynes gan to fle,
Ek the wawes of the Se, and the depnesse,
And the hevene Entred with-Owten distresse.”
And thus him thowhte thanne Nascien,
That to him the Brid Seide Certein.
Thus sone his Avisiown gan to Enden tho,
And Al Anon wakenge he Abreide Also.
That to him the Brid Seide Certein.
Thus sone his Avisiown gan to Enden tho,
And Al Anon wakenge he Abreide Also.
Thanne wonderfully In his wakynge
he Felte the yl Anon Tremblynge
Aftyr the towr of the firmament;
thus him thowhte that tyme present.
thanne Merveilled Nasciens full wondirfully
Of Meving Of þe yl ful trewely;
and Ek Abascht Sore he was
Of that Merveil In that plas.
he Felte the yl Anon Tremblynge
Aftyr the towr of the firmament;
thus him thowhte that tyme present.
thanne Merveilled Nasciens full wondirfully
Of Meving Of þe yl ful trewely;
and Ek Abascht Sore he was
Of that Merveil In that plas.
thanne gan he to liften vpe his hed,
and loked Abowtes In that sted;
And As he gan loken bothe two and fro,
A wondirful bataille than herde he tho;
As him Semed, In the botme Of the Se
That ilke Batayle scholde be
So wondirful & so gret it was,
that him thowhte the yl In that plas
Scholde han Sonken In to the netheres[t] pyt
that Evere was Ordeyned, Oþer Mad ȝit;
For so Angwischhous was that stour,
So ful of tempest And Of doloure,
that for the grettest herted Erthly Man
In his herte scholde had drede than;
For there nas non partie Of that yl tho,
that It ne qwakede and schok Also
As dide Ony lef vppon A tre
that with the wynd Mevede sekerle:
be the depthe of the see and strenkthe it was,
And be strengthe of þe Ademawnt In þat plas;
For be Comanding Of the firmament
that yl thanne turnede it verament,
Of wheche One partye he was witholde,
it vnknowenge to alle men vndyr molde;
but the Ademawnt hadde but litel degre
Aȝens the Eyr, ful Sekerle;
For the Ademaunt hath no More strengthe
Aȝens the Eyr, In brede ne lengthe,
Thanne A lytel praty fownteyne
Aȝens Al the grete See In Certeyne.
So that be strengthe of þe Ademaunt Certeinle
Restreyneng of Mevyng of the yl ne Miht not be;
but of the firmament it hadde Alle his Myht,
The Mevyng Of the yl, I sey ȝow Ryht.
and loked Abowtes In that sted;
And As he gan loken bothe two and fro,
A wondirful bataille than herde he tho;
346
That ilke Batayle scholde be
So wondirful & so gret it was,
that him thowhte the yl In that plas
Scholde han Sonken In to the netheres[t] pyt
that Evere was Ordeyned, Oþer Mad ȝit;
For so Angwischhous was that stour,
So ful of tempest And Of doloure,
that for the grettest herted Erthly Man
In his herte scholde had drede than;
For there nas non partie Of that yl tho,
that It ne qwakede and schok Also
As dide Ony lef vppon A tre
that with the wynd Mevede sekerle:
be the depthe of the see and strenkthe it was,
And be strengthe of þe Ademawnt In þat plas;
For be Comanding Of the firmament
that yl thanne turnede it verament,
Of wheche One partye he was witholde,
it vnknowenge to alle men vndyr molde;
but the Ademawnt hadde but litel degre
Aȝens the Eyr, ful Sekerle;
For the Ademaunt hath no More strengthe
Aȝens the Eyr, In brede ne lengthe,
Thanne A lytel praty fownteyne
Aȝens Al the grete See In Certeyne.
So that be strengthe of þe Ademaunt Certeinle
Restreyneng of Mevyng of the yl ne Miht not be;
but of the firmament it hadde Alle his Myht,
The Mevyng Of the yl, I sey ȝow Ryht.
Now So gret was this Melle
betwene the Ademaunt & þe Eir sekerle,
that there the yl Into the Se gan lawnce,
Whiche thowhte hym thanne A wondir Chaunse,
So that the water Encresid so hye
Into the heyghthe of the yl Sekerlye,
So that him thowhte he hadde grettere Cold
thanne hete before tymes, be Manifold.
betwene the Ademaunt & þe Eir sekerle,
that there the yl Into the Se gan lawnce,
347
So that the water Encresid so hye
Into the heyghthe of the yl Sekerlye,
So that him thowhte he hadde grettere Cold
thanne hete before tymes, be Manifold.
and whanne the yl thus Remeved was
Ferre Into the See be this Cas,
Ful litel and litel it with-drowgh tho
Tyl the strengthe of the Ademant was Ago,
And til he was In his Owne stede Ageyn
bothe of heyghthe & brede In Certein.
Whanne Nasciens Felt & Sy al this thing,
Ful Mochel he hadde ther-off Merveillyng;
But he ne Cowde Aperceyven why
that the yl So mevede tho trewly.
Ferre Into the See be this Cas,
Ful litel and litel it with-drowgh tho
Tyl the strengthe of the Ademant was Ago,
And til he was In his Owne stede Ageyn
bothe of heyghthe & brede In Certein.
Whanne Nasciens Felt & Sy al this thing,
Ful Mochel he hadde ther-off Merveillyng;
But he ne Cowde Aperceyven why
that the yl So mevede tho trewly.
thanne Anon Nasciens vp-dressed him tho,
And the yl Aȝen gan tremblen Also;
Anon he beheld A-bowtes wel faste,
& þe ton hed of the yl down bowed Atte laste,
and the toþer hed gan to Rysen þere An hy;
thus thowhte him to his sihte Certeinly.
and ȝit this yl not ful litel it was,
For with-Inne it Self it hadde A gret spas,
For foureskore Miles it was Abowte,
and Sevene & fyfty in length with-Owten dowte;
but Rathere More that yl was there
thanne lasse In Ony other Manere;
For it is the Gyse Of this Storye,
In non Manere Of wyse forto lye.
And the yl Aȝen gan tremblen Also;
Anon he beheld A-bowtes wel faste,
& þe ton hed of the yl down bowed Atte laste,
and the toþer hed gan to Rysen þere An hy;
thus thowhte him to his sihte Certeinly.
and ȝit this yl not ful litel it was,
For with-Inne it Self it hadde A gret spas,
For foureskore Miles it was Abowte,
and Sevene & fyfty in length with-Owten dowte;
but Rathere More that yl was there
thanne lasse In Ony other Manere;
For it is the Gyse Of this Storye,
In non Manere Of wyse forto lye.
Ful plein this Storye putteth In Mynde,
that Al the Certeinte of Sank Ryal is hard to fynde
for ony Man that Evere of womman was born,
As I haue ȝow Often Rehersed beforn;
For that holy storye that to therthe Anexed was,
as Scheweth the Mowth Of trowþe In this plas,
Which is Jesus Crist, Goddis sone,
that for vs on the Roode was done;
For In him Neuere falsnesse was fownde,
Ne neuere non Errour In non stownde.
For ther Neuere was Creature so hardy
that dorste with-sein this holy story,
Whiche Crist him self with his Owne hond
It wrot vs forto don to vndirstond.
that Al the Certeinte of Sank Ryal is hard to fynde
for ony Man that Evere of womman was born,
As I haue ȝow Often Rehersed beforn;
For that holy storye that to therthe Anexed was,
as Scheweth the Mowth Of trowþe In this plas,
Which is Jesus Crist, Goddis sone,
348
For In him Neuere falsnesse was fownde,
Ne neuere non Errour In non stownde.
For ther Neuere was Creature so hardy
that dorste with-sein this holy story,
Whiche Crist him self with his Owne hond
It wrot vs forto don to vndirstond.
And therfore to more worschepe it scholde be take
thanne for Ony Othir Mannes Sake,
For we ne Radden neuere In non storye
that Crist him Self wrot Sekerly
to forn his passiown In Ony stede
but In two, As we don Rede,
Whanne to Moises he wrot the lawe,
and him it be-took be þe Olde dawe.
thanne for Ony Othir Mannes Sake,
For we ne Radden neuere In non storye
that Crist him Self wrot Sekerly
to forn his passiown In Ony stede
but In two, As we don Rede,
Whanne to Moises he wrot the lawe,
and him it be-took be þe Olde dawe.
the Secund was whanne þe Jewes certeinly
a womman hadden take In Avowtry;
For to proven On hire his dom Anon,
With hire to-fore Jesus Gonne they gon;
him forto tempten In this wise,
to him they hire browhte to haven I-wise.
thanne Crist to the Erthe Enclyned presente,
and wrot In the Erthe Er he furthere wente
With his fynger Evene Ryht there,
As Recordeth the Story thus here;
For Crist that tyme ful wel it wiste,
al here Entent, and Al here liste;
Only to Asayen what he wolde do,
the Iewes this womman browht him vnto.
thanne Crist to hem tho seide Ageyn,
“be-holdeth now here what this doth seyn;
Whiche that is Giltles Of ȝow Alle,
the Ferste ston on hire let falle.”
and In this Manere Crist told hem here Sawe
Forto fulfillen here Olde lawe
that Moises hem tawhte be tho dayes,—
As this holy Storye to vs here Seyes,—
‘ȝif that a womman do Ony Avowtrye
And with Ony Other man ligge Onlye
thanne be hire Owne husbonde,—
thus was the lawe In that londe,—
that Anon I-stoned scholde sche be,
Alle swiche that weren taken In Avowtre.
a womman hadden take In Avowtry;
For to proven On hire his dom Anon,
With hire to-fore Jesus Gonne they gon;
him forto tempten In this wise,
to him they hire browhte to haven I-wise.
thanne Crist to the Erthe Enclyned presente,
and wrot In the Erthe Er he furthere wente
With his fynger Evene Ryht there,
As Recordeth the Story thus here;
For Crist that tyme ful wel it wiste,
al here Entent, and Al here liste;
Only to Asayen what he wolde do,
the Iewes this womman browht him vnto.
thanne Crist to hem tho seide Ageyn,
“be-holdeth now here what this doth seyn;
Whiche that is Giltles Of ȝow Alle,
the Ferste ston on hire let falle.”
349
Forto fulfillen here Olde lawe
that Moises hem tawhte be tho dayes,—
As this holy Storye to vs here Seyes,—
‘ȝif that a womman do Ony Avowtrye
And with Ony Other man ligge Onlye
thanne be hire Owne husbonde,—
thus was the lawe In that londe,—
that Anon I-stoned scholde sche be,
Alle swiche that weren taken In Avowtre.
þerfore Crist wiste thanne ful wel
Alle here thowhtes Every del,
That to hym Comen they For tempteng,
and Elles Seker for non Other thing;
Therfore Schewed Crist hem In that degre
Alle here Owne Siynnes there Openle,
And Ek Schewed hem there In that Scripture
Alle the lignage Of man, I the Ensure;
how that of so gret fowlnesse & vilete
that Man was of Mad, there gonnen they se;
For tho wordis hadden this Mevynge
holiche as heire to Owre vndirstondynge.
For thus be-began this Scripture to Seye
Al Openly there to the Jewes Eye,
“har, Erthe! why Art thow so hardye & so fre
The Erthe to Acvsen In Ony degre?”
this is so mochel here forto seyne,
‘O thow Man that of filthe art Mad Certeine.
As of so foul dong & Slym of Clay,
that darst Owther be nyht Oþer day;
Why darst thow ben of sweche mevynge—
Whanne thi self hast forfeted in Alle thinge—
For to susteyne & to holde these dedis ille
Wheche In alle degrees thow dost fulfille?’
Alle here thowhtes Every del,
That to hym Comen they For tempteng,
and Elles Seker for non Other thing;
Therfore Schewed Crist hem In that degre
Alle here Owne Siynnes there Openle,
And Ek Schewed hem there In that Scripture
Alle the lignage Of man, I the Ensure;
how that of so gret fowlnesse & vilete
that Man was of Mad, there gonnen they se;
For tho wordis hadden this Mevynge
holiche as heire to Owre vndirstondynge.
For thus be-began this Scripture to Seye
Al Openly there to the Jewes Eye,
“har, Erthe! why Art thow so hardye & so fre
The Erthe to Acvsen In Ony degre?”
this is so mochel here forto seyne,
‘O thow Man that of filthe art Mad Certeine.
As of so foul dong & Slym of Clay,
that darst Owther be nyht Oþer day;
Why darst thow ben of sweche mevynge—
Whanne thi self hast forfeted in Alle thinge—
For to susteyne & to holde these dedis ille
Wheche In alle degrees thow dost fulfille?’
350
lo, in these two places ful sekerlye
We fynden that the sone of Marye—
To forn that he wente to his passion,
and that he vppon the Crois was don—
thus Wrot Al this storie doth Rede,
and now here In non Other stede.
We fynden that the sone of Marye—
To forn that he wente to his passion,
and that he vppon the Crois was don—
thus Wrot Al this storie doth Rede,
and now here In non Other stede.
but what Clerk is there So hardye,
that dar sein, Other proven Openlye,
That God, Sethen his vp-Rysinge,
In Ony plase Made Ony wrytynge
Sauf Only this blessid Storye
Of Seint Graal ful Sekerlye,
Whiche that is Clepid ‘the Sank Ryal’
Of kyng, lord, bacheler, boþe gret & small;
ho dar Sein the Contrarie Of this?—
Non Erthly man forsothe I-wis,—
Nethir be non devyn Awtorite
the Contrarie proven In non degre.
And ȝif he Conne Aleggen Ony Oþer wyse
In Ony degre As for his Repryse,
For A leseng it moste be taken Certeine,
Of Alle Swich that it don Sosteyne.
that dar sein, Other proven Openlye,
That God, Sethen his vp-Rysinge,
In Ony plase Made Ony wrytynge
Sauf Only this blessid Storye
Of Seint Graal ful Sekerlye,
Whiche that is Clepid ‘the Sank Ryal’
Of kyng, lord, bacheler, boþe gret & small;
ho dar Sein the Contrarie Of this?—
Non Erthly man forsothe I-wis,—
Nethir be non devyn Awtorite
the Contrarie proven In non degre.
And ȝif he Conne Aleggen Ony Oþer wyse
In Ony degre As for his Repryse,
For A leseng it moste be taken Certeine,
Of Alle Swich that it don Sosteyne.
thanne thus May I ful boldly Seyn:
that Oþerwise beleven, they lyen ful pleyn,
but that God with his Owne hond
this Storye doth vs forto vndirstond,
Sethen that he lefte the dedlich flesch here,
and In hevenly Maieste was Clothed withowten pere.
that Oþerwise beleven, they lyen ful pleyn,
but that God with his Owne hond
this Storye doth vs forto vndirstond,
Sethen that he lefte the dedlich flesch here,
and In hevenly Maieste was Clothed withowten pere.
351
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Now bothe Resown & Ryht it is
Aȝen to the Storye to tornen with-Owten Mis,
And to this yl to tornen Anon Agein,
That so brood & so longe Is In Certein;
And ȝit it to vs Scheweth Apressly,
the declarenge Of this holy Storye,
That Nasciens was In the laste Ende,
that Gentyl dwk so good & kende.
Towardis the west partye of the see
This ful trewe dwk thanne was he;
but ȝit the see not So nygh he was,
that be-twene hem was a ful gret spas,
the Mowntawnce Of Sevene Miles bedene,
and An half Mile, with-Owten wene.
Aȝen to the Storye to tornen with-Owten Mis,
And to this yl to tornen Anon Agein,
That so brood & so longe Is In Certein;
352
the declarenge Of this holy Storye,
That Nasciens was In the laste Ende,
that Gentyl dwk so good & kende.
Towardis the west partye of the see
This ful trewe dwk thanne was he;
but ȝit the see not So nygh he was,
that be-twene hem was a ful gret spas,
the Mowntawnce Of Sevene Miles bedene,
and An half Mile, with-Owten wene.
Whanne Nasciens the day Gan to dawe,
thanne Of that Sihte he was ful fawe,
And that he myhte haven Ony knowenge
Of what partie of the see he was, with-Owten varienge;
And for As Mochel as the day is more Comfortable
thanne is the Nyht, with-Owten Ony fable,
For Evere hadde he In ful hopinge,
Be the day to hauen had som Comfortynge.
thanne Of that Sihte he was ful fawe,
And that he myhte haven Ony knowenge
Of what partie of the see he was, with-Owten varienge;
And for As Mochel as the day is more Comfortable
thanne is the Nyht, with-Owten Ony fable,
For Evere hadde he In ful hopinge,
Be the day to hauen had som Comfortynge.
and with this, Nasciens, In-to the Est he knelid adown,
and there Anon to God Made his Orisown,
Preyeng to Jesus that was Maryes sone,
(As Other God than him ne knew he none)
‘that he Wolde of his gret Mercye,—
—lik As he was On Only god verraylye,
And that non Other god neuere Nas but he,
Most Myhtful god In Maieste,
In whiche On Only god beleved he,
thre persones, but on God in vnite,—
that Swich Counseil he wolde him sende,
helthe to his Sowle, his lif to Amende.’
And whanne thus his preyere he hadde I-do,
The Signe Of the holy Cros On him made he tho,
and Also he Made it In his face,
the strengere to be thorwh goddis grace.
and there Anon to God Made his Orisown,
Preyeng to Jesus that was Maryes sone,
(As Other God than him ne knew he none)
‘that he Wolde of his gret Mercye,—
—lik As he was On Only god verraylye,
And that non Other god neuere Nas but he,
Most Myhtful god In Maieste,
In whiche On Only god beleved he,
thre persones, but on God in vnite,—
that Swich Counseil he wolde him sende,
helthe to his Sowle, his lif to Amende.’
And whanne thus his preyere he hadde I-do,
The Signe Of the holy Cros On him made he tho,
and Also he Made it In his face,
the strengere to be thorwh goddis grace.
353
and whanne he hadde thus I-do,
to the nexte party of þe Se wente he tho;
& whanne he hadde gon the spas of half a Myle,
Into the See he gan loken with-Inne A while;
A lytel thing him thowhte he say Comen there,
No More thanne A swan As thowh it were,
That streyht to the yl it gan Aplye—
As this Storye vs scheweth ful sekerlye;—
to the same Ende that he Inne was,
thedir it Appliede, As happed be Cas.
to the nexte party of þe Se wente he tho;
& whanne he hadde gon the spas of half a Myle,
Into the See he gan loken with-Inne A while;
A lytel thing him thowhte he say Comen there,
No More thanne A swan As thowh it were,
That streyht to the yl it gan Aplye—
As this Storye vs scheweth ful sekerlye;—
to the same Ende that he Inne was,
thedir it Appliede, As happed be Cas.
and whanne he Saw it So faste Comenge,
Euere the grettere it wax, to his semenge;
but thanne mihte he not ful wel go;
For so forbrosed his feet weren tho
with the Chenes Of his presownenge,
that to Walken hadde he non likynge:
and Anothir Skele there was also,
that he nas neuere Mochel wont forto go.
ȝit wente he forth with ful gret peyne,
And Aftir that thing he loked A-geyne
Wheche that he beheld In the Morwenyng,
that to-ward the yl Cam flotering;
and thanne parceyved he Sone In haste,
That A fair Schipe it was Atte laste,
the wheche was [so] wondirly fair & Riche,
That In Al this world him thowhte non swiche.
Euere the grettere it wax, to his semenge;
but thanne mihte he not ful wel go;
For so forbrosed his feet weren tho
with the Chenes Of his presownenge,
that to Walken hadde he non likynge:
and Anothir Skele there was also,
that he nas neuere Mochel wont forto go.
ȝit wente he forth with ful gret peyne,
And Aftir that thing he loked A-geyne
Wheche that he beheld In the Morwenyng,
that to-ward the yl Cam flotering;
and thanne parceyved he Sone In haste,
That A fair Schipe it was Atte laste,
the wheche was [so] wondirly fair & Riche,
That In Al this world him thowhte non swiche.
And whanne this Schipe he gan be-holde,
In his herte he Ioyede ful Manyfolde,
And peyned him faste thanne forto go
To wardis the See, As he myhte tho;
So that With gret peyne & Angwisch Also
Atte laste to this Schipe Cam he to.
And whanne thedir he was Comen ful Ryht,
Ful wery he was, and hadde non Myht.
Thanne sawh he that bothe his feet In fere,
Alle for hete for-sckorchid were,
and Ek for-Rent they weren Also,
For the lytel weye that he hadde go;
So that Er thike vij miles hadde he gon,
It was Of the day the tyde Of Noon;
thanne was he bothe feynt, wery, & fastynge,
and Al distrowbled for his Travaillynge.
In his herte he Ioyede ful Manyfolde,
And peyned him faste thanne forto go
To wardis the See, As he myhte tho;
So that With gret peyne & Angwisch Also
Atte laste to this Schipe Cam he to.
And whanne thedir he was Comen ful Ryht,
Ful wery he was, and hadde non Myht.
Thanne sawh he that bothe his feet In fere,
Alle for hete for-sckorchid were,
354
For the lytel weye that he hadde go;
So that Er thike vij miles hadde he gon,
It was Of the day the tyde Of Noon;
thanne was he bothe feynt, wery, & fastynge,
and Al distrowbled for his Travaillynge.
Anon thanne loked he A lytel beside
Vppon the Ryht half of him In that tyde,
thanne Sawh he A Schipe A-Ryde
Evene fast by him Also blyve;
thanne thowhte him it was the same thing
that Al day hadde he Sein to his Supposing;
So to-wardis that Schipe he torned Anon
Also faste As that he Cowde Gon.
Vppon the Ryht half of him In that tyde,
thanne Sawh he A Schipe A-Ryde
Evene fast by him Also blyve;
thanne thowhte him it was the same thing
that Al day hadde he Sein to his Supposing;
So to-wardis that Schipe he torned Anon
Also faste As that he Cowde Gon.
the Schipe, So Riche & So fair it was,
And Merveillede how that It Cam In to þat plas.
And whanne he be-gan thus it longe to beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Many folde;
And Mochel More Merveil thanne hadde he,
For Nethir Man ne womman ne cowde he se
that Schip with-Inne to warde Oþer Gye:
thus telleth this Storie ful Openlye.
And Merveillede how that It Cam In to þat plas.
And whanne he be-gan thus it longe to beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Many folde;
And Mochel More Merveil thanne hadde he,
For Nethir Man ne womman ne cowde he se
that Schip with-Inne to warde Oþer Gye:
thus telleth this Storie ful Openlye.
thanne gan he him drawen Neer & Neere,
Til that to the Schipe he was Come there;
and In han Entred ful fayn wold he,
ȝif Ony Mon there-Inne mihte he Se,
and forto proven the trewthe there
Of that Bewte In Alle Manere,
ȝif with-Inne it were As fayre Owt Ryht,
As with-Owten it was there to his syht.
Til that to the Schipe he was Come there;
and In han Entred ful fayn wold he,
ȝif Ony Mon there-Inne mihte he Se,
and forto proven the trewthe there
Of that Bewte In Alle Manere,
ȝif with-Inne it were As fayre Owt Ryht,
As with-Owten it was there to his syht.
Anon As In-to the Schip Entren Wold he,
In that for-schip he Sawh ful Sekerle
lettres Of Gold, I vndirstonde,
that As Writeng it was of Caldee londe,
that As pitous word they gonne to Speke.
thanne Nasciens Ner to the Schip gan Reke;
For that Word there so dowtable was
To Ony man that Entren wolde Into þat plas.
Lo, these wordis seide the Scripture
as I the schal Schewe, I the Ensure,
“thow that wilt with-Inne me Entren here,
loke thou be stedfast In alle manere,
And that thou ful of feyth algates be;
For with-Innes me nis thing non but feith sekerle;
therfore I Rede, devise the ful wel
that thow be Clene Everydel,
and stedfast In feith & In Creaunce,
Oþer elles the be-happeth Som Meschaunce.
For stedfast feith, Creaunce it is;
and Anon As thow thy Creaunce dost mis
In Ony partie Or In Ony degre,
I the forsaken Schal ful Sekerle,
that Of me Sostenaunce shalt þou non have,
Neþer non helpe, thowh thou Crye and Crave,
but I schal the faillen In thyn most nede,
and leten the fallen with-Owten drede,
So that thou schalt I-lost thanne be
For fawt of beleve, And thow it fle.”
In that for-schip he Sawh ful Sekerle
lettres Of Gold, I vndirstonde,
that As Writeng it was of Caldee londe,
that As pitous word they gonne to Speke.
thanne Nasciens Ner to the Schip gan Reke;
355
To Ony man that Entren wolde Into þat plas.
Lo, these wordis seide the Scripture
as I the schal Schewe, I the Ensure,
“thow that wilt with-Inne me Entren here,
loke thou be stedfast In alle manere,
And that thou ful of feyth algates be;
For with-Innes me nis thing non but feith sekerle;
therfore I Rede, devise the ful wel
that thow be Clene Everydel,
and stedfast In feith & In Creaunce,
Oþer elles the be-happeth Som Meschaunce.
For stedfast feith, Creaunce it is;
and Anon As thow thy Creaunce dost mis
In Ony partie Or In Ony degre,
I the forsaken Schal ful Sekerle,
that Of me Sostenaunce shalt þou non have,
Neþer non helpe, thowh thou Crye and Crave,
but I schal the faillen In thyn most nede,
and leten the fallen with-Owten drede,
So that thou schalt I-lost thanne be
For fawt of beleve, And thow it fle.”
thanne with-stood this Nasciens In that stede,
and these lettres of gold he gan forto Rede;
and whanne he hadde longe him bethowht
how that Schipe thedir was I-browht,
Into the Schipe he wolde han gon,
but that word him Stoned Anon
that was so dowtful & Charchable,
For they Weren Wordis Of non fable.
and whanne In this thowht he hadde longe I-be,
Other wyse he gan tho him be-se,
and him bethowht In Other Manere
How that he Scholde Governe him there.
and these lettres of gold he gan forto Rede;
and whanne he hadde longe him bethowht
how that Schipe thedir was I-browht,
Into the Schipe he wolde han gon,
but that word him Stoned Anon
that was so dowtful & Charchable,
For they Weren Wordis Of non fable.
and whanne In this thowht he hadde longe I-be,
Other wyse he gan tho him be-se,
and him bethowht In Other Manere
How that he Scholde Governe him there.
Thanne In this manere thus gan he Seyn:
“O goode lord God, of Alle thinges Sovereign,
the wordis Of this Schipe Seith here,
that but feyth nys there-Inne in non manere;
and ȝif these lettres now trewe here be,
thanne wot I wel ful certeinle
that this Schipe be ȝow hedir Is I-sent;
this knowe I wel thanne verament.
And ȝif only it be Comen from ȝow,
thanne In My Creaunce knowe I now
that non Evel thing there-Inne May be,
Ne Contrariowsness In non degre
that scholde Aȝens ȝoure glorious Name
ben Reprof, velenie, Oþer elles schame.
but, lord, I beleve In ȝow ful feithfully;
wheche Creawnce I took ful devoutly
Of thin One Seriaw[n]t so dere,
That þou wost ben worschepid & beleved In alle manere;
And In Stedfast beleve, the Ay worschepinge,
I schal In Entren for Ony thinge.
For who that Is In thi stedfast beleve,
From Alle Misaventures it doth him Meve,
and Saueth him, and Ek Alle tho
that In thy beleve stedfast go;
In what Maner peryl that so he be,
thi beleve him saveth Sekerle.”
356
the wordis Of this Schipe Seith here,
that but feyth nys there-Inne in non manere;
and ȝif these lettres now trewe here be,
thanne wot I wel ful certeinle
that this Schipe be ȝow hedir Is I-sent;
this knowe I wel thanne verament.
And ȝif only it be Comen from ȝow,
thanne In My Creaunce knowe I now
that non Evel thing there-Inne May be,
Ne Contrariowsness In non degre
that scholde Aȝens ȝoure glorious Name
ben Reprof, velenie, Oþer elles schame.
but, lord, I beleve In ȝow ful feithfully;
wheche Creawnce I took ful devoutly
Of thin One Seriaw[n]t so dere,
That þou wost ben worschepid & beleved In alle manere;
And In Stedfast beleve, the Ay worschepinge,
I schal In Entren for Ony thinge.
For who that Is In thi stedfast beleve,
From Alle Misaventures it doth him Meve,
and Saueth him, and Ek Alle tho
that In thy beleve stedfast go;
In what Maner peryl that so he be,
thi beleve him saveth Sekerle.”
thus sone Sire Nasciens left vp his hond,
and made the signe of Holy Cros, I vndirstond,
And Entred In to the Schip Anon
Also Faste As he myhte Gon.
And whanne that Entred he was with-Inne,
Fast loked he Abowtes, and nolde not blynne;
In Alle parties loked he ful faste;
And so faste he loked Atte laste,
So that him thowhte In non Maner of Se
A fairere Schipe ne Myhte be;
And thus to him Selve he gan to seyn,
‘That So fair a schip he Sawh neuere Certein,’
Ne so ful of Bewte neþer of Richesse
Sawh he neuere to fore As that, I Gesse,
As that Same was to his Avis,
for of Alle Schepis it bar the pris.
and made the signe of Holy Cros, I vndirstond,
And Entred In to the Schip Anon
Also Faste As he myhte Gon.
And whanne that Entred he was with-Inne,
Fast loked he Abowtes, and nolde not blynne;
In Alle parties loked he ful faste;
And so faste he loked Atte laste,
So that him thowhte In non Maner of Se
A fairere Schipe ne Myhte be;
357
‘That So fair a schip he Sawh neuere Certein,’
Ne so ful of Bewte neþer of Richesse
Sawh he neuere to fore As that, I Gesse,
As that Same was to his Avis,
for of Alle Schepis it bar the pris.
And whanne Alle the Corners he hadde Serched Abowte,
Aboven and benethen, with-Owten dowte,
thanne to þe bowk of þe schipe gan he gon,
and there atte laste he fond Anon;
he beheld Where heng A Cloth of Whit;
it was ful plesaunt to his delyt;
and lik A Cowrtyn him thowhte it was,
that was hanged In that plas.
Aboven and benethen, with-Owten dowte,
thanne to þe bowk of þe schipe gan he gon,
and there atte laste he fond Anon;
he beheld Where heng A Cloth of Whit;
it was ful plesaunt to his delyt;
and lik A Cowrtyn him thowhte it was,
that was hanged In that plas.
thanne Anon lefte he vp this Courtyn In haste;
there-vndir, a faire bed he fond atte laste,
the Wheche the fairest & þe Richest bed it was
that euere to fore he Saw In Ony plas;
and at the hed of the Same bed
was A Crowne of gold In that sted;
and at the beddis feet Sekerliche
A swerd there was, bothe faire & Riche,
Wheche vppon the bed it lay Ouerthwert,
Al this, Sire Nasciens, it Sawh Apert—
Whiche that Owt of þe Skawberk was drawe
half A fote & an handful, thus seith this Sawe.
this swerd was of diuers facioun Sekerlye,
as here Witnesseth this holy Storye,
For the pomel was of swich A ston
That Colours it hadde Manyon,
As Manye As on the Erthe myhte be
To his Sihte there weren vpon, sikerle;
and Ech Of the Colours hadde a Clerte,
and Ech Clerte A vertu, as þat storie scheweth me,
Where As this Storie doth declare
Of Mani mo thinges whanne he Cometh thare.
there-vndir, a faire bed he fond atte laste,
the Wheche the fairest & þe Richest bed it was
that euere to fore he Saw In Ony plas;
and at the hed of the Same bed
was A Crowne of gold In that sted;
and at the beddis feet Sekerliche
A swerd there was, bothe faire & Riche,
Wheche vppon the bed it lay Ouerthwert,
Al this, Sire Nasciens, it Sawh Apert—
Whiche that Owt of þe Skawberk was drawe
half A fote & an handful, thus seith this Sawe.
this swerd was of diuers facioun Sekerlye,
as here Witnesseth this holy Storye,
For the pomel was of swich A ston
That Colours it hadde Manyon,
As Manye As on the Erthe myhte be
To his Sihte there weren vpon, sikerle;
and Ech Of the Colours hadde a Clerte,
and Ech Clerte A vertu, as þat storie scheweth me,
Where As this Storie doth declare
358
thanne to the handyl Of this swerd,
there nas non swich In Middillerd;
For tweyne Skales it hadde, with-Inne the hond,
Of two diuers bestes, as I vndirstond;
the ton sckale was In Maner of A Serpent,
that In Caldiens lond was most present
thanne In Ony Oþer lond Certein;
there was his hawntyng I telle ȝow pleyn.
and ‘papagast’ was this Serpentis Name,
Whiche was a Serpent of A wondirful fame.
For this is the kynde of that Serpent,
What man that A bone of his hath verament,
him Nedeth neuere non Other hete,
Nethir of sonne, ne of travaille, to don him swete;
but that Evere In Mesurable hete he schal be;
this vertw hath his bon ful Sekerle,
Whereoffen the ton sckale of the handele it is,
As I haue ȝow told with-Owten Mys.
there nas non swich In Middillerd;
For tweyne Skales it hadde, with-Inne the hond,
Of two diuers bestes, as I vndirstond;
the ton sckale was In Maner of A Serpent,
that In Caldiens lond was most present
thanne In Ony Oþer lond Certein;
there was his hawntyng I telle ȝow pleyn.
and ‘papagast’ was this Serpentis Name,
Whiche was a Serpent of A wondirful fame.
For this is the kynde of that Serpent,
What man that A bone of his hath verament,
him Nedeth neuere non Other hete,
Nethir of sonne, ne of travaille, to don him swete;
but that Evere In Mesurable hete he schal be;
this vertw hath his bon ful Sekerle,
Whereoffen the ton sckale of the handele it is,
As I haue ȝow told with-Owten Mys.
The tothir Skale is Of A fysch of the Se,
That In Ewfrate most wont is forto be;
And In Othir water Is it non,
but only In Ewfrate Al Alon.
‘Tortenavs’ is the Name Of this fysch,
As we it Mown Sownen In Englysch.
And his bones of these strengthe ben,
As Me declaren here schole ȝe sen;
For As long As Ony man it hath On honde—
I do ȝow ful wel forto vndirstonde—
that nethir of ioye ne of sorwe schal he have In Mende,
but onlich Of that bon, swich is the kende;
and whanne Owt his hond it is I-don,
To his kende Memorie Cometh he Anon
As Owhte forto ben In A kendly man.
Lo, swich A vertu this bon hath than!
behold what vertw Is In these bones tweyne,
Where offen the handele is Mad In Certeine!
That In Ewfrate most wont is forto be;
And In Othir water Is it non,
but only In Ewfrate Al Alon.
‘Tortenavs’ is the Name Of this fysch,
As we it Mown Sownen In Englysch.
And his bones of these strengthe ben,
As Me declaren here schole ȝe sen;
For As long As Ony man it hath On honde—
I do ȝow ful wel forto vndirstonde—
that nethir of ioye ne of sorwe schal he have In Mende,
but onlich Of that bon, swich is the kende;
and whanne Owt his hond it is I-don,
To his kende Memorie Cometh he Anon
As Owhte forto ben In A kendly man.
Lo, swich A vertu this bon hath than!
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Where offen the handele is Mad In Certeine!
Wheche handele & sckales, I-keuered it was
With A Riche Red Cloth In that plas,
I-set wel ful of lettres Of Gold,
(As he myhte there pleynly behold,)
Wheche that Spoken In this degre
ful Openly, As he myht wel Se;
“I am Merveillous to beholde On A rowe,
And ȝit moche more Merveillous I Am to knowe;
For me Schal neuere man taken On honde—
As I do the Forto vndirstonde,—
be his hand neuere So large & gret,
Me schal he not drawen, I the behet;
Ne non Man that is Erthly levenge,
but Onlich On Man with-Ovten varienge.
And he Schal ben the most worthiest,
the Most Able, & the Most best,
that Euere was him before,
And schal passen Alle þat is bore,
Of prowesse and of konnenge,
Of alle tho that to-forn him weren levenge,
Oþer Evere Scholen ben In tyme Comenge;
Swich Schal his strengthe ben & his konnenge.”
and thus the lettres of the handelyng spak
To this Sire Nasciens with-Owten lak.
With A Riche Red Cloth In that plas,
I-set wel ful of lettres Of Gold,
(As he myhte there pleynly behold,)
Wheche that Spoken In this degre
ful Openly, As he myht wel Se;
“I am Merveillous to beholde On A rowe,
And ȝit moche more Merveillous I Am to knowe;
For me Schal neuere man taken On honde—
As I do the Forto vndirstonde,—
be his hand neuere So large & gret,
Me schal he not drawen, I the behet;
Ne non Man that is Erthly levenge,
but Onlich On Man with-Ovten varienge.
And he Schal ben the most worthiest,
the Most Able, & the Most best,
that Euere was him before,
And schal passen Alle þat is bore,
Of prowesse and of konnenge,
Of alle tho that to-forn him weren levenge,
Oþer Evere Scholen ben In tyme Comenge;
Swich Schal his strengthe ben & his konnenge.”
and thus the lettres of the handelyng spak
To this Sire Nasciens with-Owten lak.
and whanne Sire Nasciens beheld al this,
Ful Sore he was Astoned with-Owten Mis;
and Merveilled ful Mochel In his thowht
In what Manere these lettres weren wrowht;
And what they weren forto Mene,
In his herte he Merveilled be-dene.
thanne beheld he the blad of þe swerd
that so drawen lay, As to-fore ȝe han herd;
And there-vppon loked he wonder faste,
And Rede lettre he Aspide þat Onne atte laste,
Wheche weren As Red as Any Blood;
thus him thowhte þere As he stood.
Ful Sore he was Astoned with-Owten Mis;
and Merveilled ful Mochel In his thowht
In what Manere these lettres weren wrowht;
And what they weren forto Mene,
In his herte he Merveilled be-dene.
thanne beheld he the blad of þe swerd
that so drawen lay, As to-fore ȝe han herd;
And there-vppon loked he wonder faste,
And Rede lettre he Aspide þat Onne atte laste,
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thus him thowhte þere As he stood.
thanne took he this swerd A lytel Ner,
And gan to Reden tho lettres In this Maner;
thanne Rad he how this Resown Mente
As I schal ȝow declaren here presente:
It seide that “Neuere man Scholde ben hardy
Me Owt forto drawen ful Sekerly,
but better thanne Anothir he Mowe fyhte,
and more hardiere, & more Of mihte;
And hos Otherwise drawe it In ony sted,
he schal ben the ferst that schal be ded.”
(and this proved wel Schal ben,
As aftir In this Storie here scholen ȝe sen.)
and whanne Nasciens these lettres hadde Red,
he Merveilled him Mochel In that Sted,
Most Of Ony Othir thinge
that he Sawh sethen the begynneng.
And It was on of þe thinges most In his talent,
that Swerd owt to drawen verament,
and Owt of the Sckavberk it forto se,
to knowen what Meneng It Myhte be;
For the lettres that it seide with-Owte,
ȝaf Nasciens Most Talent with-Owten dowte.
And gan to Reden tho lettres In this Maner;
thanne Rad he how this Resown Mente
As I schal ȝow declaren here presente:
It seide that “Neuere man Scholde ben hardy
Me Owt forto drawen ful Sekerly,
but better thanne Anothir he Mowe fyhte,
and more hardiere, & more Of mihte;
And hos Otherwise drawe it In ony sted,
he schal ben the ferst that schal be ded.”
(and this proved wel Schal ben,
As aftir In this Storie here scholen ȝe sen.)
and whanne Nasciens these lettres hadde Red,
he Merveilled him Mochel In that Sted,
Most Of Ony Othir thinge
that he Sawh sethen the begynneng.
And It was on of þe thinges most In his talent,
that Swerd owt to drawen verament,
and Owt of the Sckavberk it forto se,
to knowen what Meneng It Myhte be;
For the lettres that it seide with-Owte,
ȝaf Nasciens Most Talent with-Owten dowte.
thanne Nasciens beheld the Sckawberk tho,
that for Merveille he Niste what to do;
And for Al that he Cowde be-holde,
Benethen, Oþer Aboven, In Ony folde,
and ȝit Nethir In herte, Mynde, ne thowht,
he ne Cowde not weten where-offen it was wrowht;
but wel he wiste it was Al so Red,
and As Ony Red Rose In that sted;
Where-aboven weren lettres of gold,
As he gan there to be-hold;
Euere On Of Gold, Anothir Of Asure;
thus weren they set, I the Ensure.
And A thowsend braunches on this schawberk were,
(Whiche was so Riche, As I Rehersed ȝow Ere,)
that issweden Owt from that Onle,
that Most Merveillous thing it was to se;
For Of so fowl Mater they were,
and therto So powre In þat plase there,
And as of spittynges and Caytyvetes,
Of febelnesses, of filthes, in many degres,
that bothe be Semblaunt & Countenaunce
It was to hym gret dowtaunce:
For An Our the swerd it myhte not Sosteine,
So feble it was, him thowhte Certeine.
that for Merveille he Niste what to do;
And for Al that he Cowde be-holde,
Benethen, Oþer Aboven, In Ony folde,
and ȝit Nethir In herte, Mynde, ne thowht,
he ne Cowde not weten where-offen it was wrowht;
but wel he wiste it was Al so Red,
and As Ony Red Rose In that sted;
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As he gan there to be-hold;
Euere On Of Gold, Anothir Of Asure;
thus weren they set, I the Ensure.
And A thowsend braunches on this schawberk were,
(Whiche was so Riche, As I Rehersed ȝow Ere,)
that issweden Owt from that Onle,
that Most Merveillous thing it was to se;
For Of so fowl Mater they were,
and therto So powre In þat plase there,
And as of spittynges and Caytyvetes,
Of febelnesses, of filthes, in many degres,
that bothe be Semblaunt & Countenaunce
It was to hym gret dowtaunce:
For An Our the swerd it myhte not Sosteine,
So feble it was, him thowhte Certeine.
And the lettres that On sckawberke were,
In this Maner Seiden they there;
“hos that Me vppon him doth bere,
Ful Sewr he Schal ben Euery where;
And more hardy therto schal he be
thanne Ony Oþer man In his degre.
ȝif he bere me In that Manere
as the lettres Of þe swerd Rehersed Ere.
For what man that Abowtes him bereth Me,
he ne schal neuere ben schamed In non degre
as longe as with these braw[n]ches he is gert,
and that On his body I hange Ouerthwert.
but that neuere non be so hardy
that the Raunges that here ben to don Awey;
for him schal happen Manie Misaventure
And Manye Evel dedes, I the Ensure,
that he, ne non Man levenge,
Of him schal tellen non Amendynge;
Ne behoten neuere schal be to Man
So hard as to him Schal be than
that now Is, ne that Neuere schal be,
but ȝif In sauf Ostag he be Sekerle;
And ȝit him be-hoveth to ben Osteyed
In the Manere as here Is seide,
Wheche sholde ben be A wommannes hond,
bothe kynges dowhter & qweene, I vndirstond.
this womman be þe Riht name schal clepen this swerd,
and Me by my Name Openly & Apert;
For neuere to-foren In-to that day
Non Creature be oure riht name Clepen ne may.”
In this Maner Seiden they there;
“hos that Me vppon him doth bere,
Ful Sewr he Schal ben Euery where;
And more hardy therto schal he be
thanne Ony Oþer man In his degre.
ȝif he bere me In that Manere
as the lettres Of þe swerd Rehersed Ere.
For what man that Abowtes him bereth Me,
he ne schal neuere ben schamed In non degre
as longe as with these braw[n]ches he is gert,
and that On his body I hange Ouerthwert.
but that neuere non be so hardy
that the Raunges that here ben to don Awey;
for him schal happen Manie Misaventure
And Manye Evel dedes, I the Ensure,
that he, ne non Man levenge,
Of him schal tellen non Amendynge;
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So hard as to him Schal be than
that now Is, ne that Neuere schal be,
but ȝif In sauf Ostag he be Sekerle;
And ȝit him be-hoveth to ben Osteyed
In the Manere as here Is seide,
Wheche sholde ben be A wommannes hond,
bothe kynges dowhter & qweene, I vndirstond.
this womman be þe Riht name schal clepen this swerd,
and Me by my Name Openly & Apert;
For neuere to-foren In-to that day
Non Creature be oure riht name Clepen ne may.”
Ful longe this Nasciens this Skawberk gan beholde,
and in his herte he Merveilled ful Manifolde.
& whanne thus In the Schip he hadde loked Abowte
On Alle partyes with-Inne & with-Owte;
but neuere so soft ne Cowde he gon,
that Al the bed be-gan to qwaken Anon
from the ton Ende to þe toþer, In that plas;
In this Manere this bed So qwakyng it was.
And whanne he tornede, & it be-held,
For discomfort he ne Myhte hym weld;
For to him it semede tho As Red As blood;
and þervppon wondirful lettres there stood,
that As Ony Cole so blak they were,
the Resoun that was I-weten there;
Wheche lettres Seiden In that Stede,
As that tyme I Cowde hem Rede:
“hos that Me preiseth most here,
Most Schal I him fynde In Oþer Manere,
So that In gret Nede blamed schal he not be
In non wise, As I telle it the.
and to hym to whom I scholde ben Most debonayre,
To him with most Anger I wele Repeire:
Which schal be-happe but Ony[s], Sekerly,
As I the telle here now Openly:
For with-Owten faille so moste it be
At that tyme Onys ful Sikerle.”
Swiche wordis seide the lettrure there
that on þe swerd weren wreten In that manere.
and in his herte he Merveilled ful Manifolde.
& whanne thus In the Schip he hadde loked Abowte
On Alle partyes with-Inne & with-Owte;
but neuere so soft ne Cowde he gon,
that Al the bed be-gan to qwaken Anon
from the ton Ende to þe toþer, In that plas;
In this Manere this bed So qwakyng it was.
And whanne he tornede, & it be-held,
For discomfort he ne Myhte hym weld;
For to him it semede tho As Red As blood;
and þervppon wondirful lettres there stood,
that As Ony Cole so blak they were,
the Resoun that was I-weten there;
Wheche lettres Seiden In that Stede,
As that tyme I Cowde hem Rede:
“hos that Me preiseth most here,
Most Schal I him fynde In Oþer Manere,
So that In gret Nede blamed schal he not be
In non wise, As I telle it the.
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To him with most Anger I wele Repeire:
Which schal be-happe but Ony[s], Sekerly,
As I the telle here now Openly:
For with-Owten faille so moste it be
At that tyme Onys ful Sikerle.”
Swiche wordis seide the lettrure there
that on þe swerd weren wreten In that manere.
and the Skavberk he be-held Agein:
than merveilled he gretly In Certein,
For that partye was non Othir I-liche,
but to his Sihte As blak As Ony pich;
thanne Abasched he was ful Sore,
that he ne wiste what to sein no More,
For he ne Cowde demen of what kynde,
Ne nether to purposen In his Mynde;
but As him thowhte there be Resoun,
Aftir A maner of tre was the facioun;
and Oþer whille him thowhte þat it was
Of lether I-mad In that plas,
but he ne Cowde devise In non degre
Of what Maner Of Beste it Myhte be;
Anothir tyme him thouhte Of yrne it was,
Owthir of sum Oþer Metal In that plas:
Thus wolde he han declared it be him selve;
but ȝit Cowde he not putten the Ex In þe helve.
than merveilled he gretly In Certein,
For that partye was non Othir I-liche,
but to his Sihte As blak As Ony pich;
thanne Abasched he was ful Sore,
that he ne wiste what to sein no More,
For he ne Cowde demen of what kynde,
Ne nether to purposen In his Mynde;
but As him thowhte there be Resoun,
Aftir A maner of tre was the facioun;
and Oþer whille him thowhte þat it was
Of lether I-mad In that plas,
but he ne Cowde devise In non degre
Of what Maner Of Beste it Myhte be;
Anothir tyme him thouhte Of yrne it was,
Owthir of sum Oþer Metal In that plas:
Thus wolde he han declared it be him selve;
but ȝit Cowde he not putten the Ex In þe helve.
Thus doth Nasciens with gret Entencioun;
but Ay he is In ful gret Trebulacioun,
For the Skawberk to haven Offe knowenge,
but he ne Cowde for non manere thinge,
Oþer Whille to On thing In Certeinte,
And þerwhille to Anothir; but it wolde not be.
thus nethir the swerd hondel, ne pomel,
Ne Cowde he declaren Neuere A del;
Where-Offen the swerd I-forged was,
And whens it Cam, & from what plas,
Ne ho that the Swerd schold thedir bringe,
he ne cowde not weten for non thinge;
Nether the strengthe of that schethe þere
he ne Cowde declaren it In non Manere,
Ne not devisen of what kynd it was
he ne Cowde for non Maner of Cas,
Neþer of the grete Merveilles that ben comenge
In diuers Reawmes with-Owten varyenge;
And of the grete Breteyne Also,
What Merveilles that schal Comen hire to:
Of Alle these thinges that to forn Rehersed be,
this Storye ȝit declareth not Sekerle.
but Ay he is In ful gret Trebulacioun,
For the Skawberk to haven Offe knowenge,
but he ne Cowde for non manere thinge,
Oþer Whille to On thing In Certeinte,
And þerwhille to Anothir; but it wolde not be.
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Ne Cowde he declaren Neuere A del;
Where-Offen the swerd I-forged was,
And whens it Cam, & from what plas,
Ne ho that the Swerd schold thedir bringe,
he ne cowde not weten for non thinge;
Nether the strengthe of that schethe þere
he ne Cowde declaren it In non Manere,
Ne not devisen of what kynd it was
he ne Cowde for non Maner of Cas,
Neþer of the grete Merveilles that ben comenge
In diuers Reawmes with-Owten varyenge;
And of the grete Breteyne Also,
What Merveilles that schal Comen hire to:
Of Alle these thinges that to forn Rehersed be,
this Storye ȝit declareth not Sekerle.
but whanne that tyme Cometh therto,
That declareng of þe swerd we scholen gon to;
Thanne schal that swerd be knowen ful wel,
And the propre Name there Offen Everidel,
And the lettres that vppon the schethe be,
thanne scholen they ben knowen Openle.
For whanne that Cometh bothe tyme & day,
Al this schal ben declared sauns delay,
the kynde of the Swerd, and schethe also,
And Alle the vertwes that longen therto.
thanne Openly I-schewed scholen they be,
Lik as this holy Storie telleth Certeinle.
That declareng of þe swerd we scholen gon to;
Thanne schal that swerd be knowen ful wel,
And the propre Name there Offen Everidel,
And the lettres that vppon the schethe be,
thanne scholen they ben knowen Openle.
For whanne that Cometh bothe tyme & day,
Al this schal ben declared sauns delay,
the kynde of the Swerd, and schethe also,
And Alle the vertwes that longen therto.
thanne Openly I-schewed scholen they be,
Lik as this holy Storie telleth Certeinle.
Now beleveth this Storye here
Of the Swerd and the schethe, In this Manere;
and Speketh here of Anothir Entent
that Oppon the Bed was verament:
A spyndele was there schoten forth Ryht
thorwh the bordis Of the bed, I the plyht;
and Anothir Spyndele Ouerthwert was þere do,
that bothen to-Gederis metten they tho;
and bothe Spindelis, As long they were
As lengthe & brede of þe bed Everywhere.
And to the hed Of the two spyndelis certein
Anoþer spyndele was Ioyned, I sey ȝow pleyn;
Of these thre, ful Mochel there is to schewe,
Of manie diuers poyntes vppon A Rewe.
Of the Swerd and the schethe, In this Manere;
and Speketh here of Anothir Entent
that Oppon the Bed was verament:
A spyndele was there schoten forth Ryht
thorwh the bordis Of the bed, I the plyht;
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that bothen to-Gederis metten they tho;
and bothe Spindelis, As long they were
As lengthe & brede of þe bed Everywhere.
And to the hed Of the two spyndelis certein
Anoþer spyndele was Ioyned, I sey ȝow pleyn;
Of these thre, ful Mochel there is to schewe,
Of manie diuers poyntes vppon A Rewe.
but now this Storye telleth here,
that the ferste spyndle was In Alle Manere,
was Also whit As ony snow snewenge;
And the laste was as Red as blood bledenge;
And the ouerth-wert that Aboven was,
lik to An Emerawde In that plas;
As Grene As An Emeraude it was there
To his Syhte In Al Manere:
Of these thre Colowres Sekerlye
Weren these iij spindelis trewelye,
that with-owten Naturel peyntyng were,
but Offe here Owne kynde Alle there;
For nether be Erthly man ne wommane
thedyr ne weren they now browht thanne.
that the ferste spyndle was In Alle Manere,
was Also whit As ony snow snewenge;
And the laste was as Red as blood bledenge;
And the ouerth-wert that Aboven was,
lik to An Emerawde In that plas;
As Grene As An Emeraude it was there
To his Syhte In Al Manere:
Of these thre Colowres Sekerlye
Weren these iij spindelis trewelye,
that with-owten Naturel peyntyng were,
but Offe here Owne kynde Alle there;
For nether be Erthly man ne wommane
thedyr ne weren they now browht thanne.
And for As mochel as to the peple it is dowtaunce,
but declareng þere-onne be with-owten variaunce,
And but þere-offen they knewen more vndirstondeng,
Elles wolden they holden it for A gabbyng,
There-fore here turneth this Storye,
and of Anothir thing Maketh Memorye
that is ful swete forto here,
bothe forto lestene & ek to lere;
And In tyme Comeng, this Storye
the thre spyndelis schal declaren Openlye,
And Of the Schipe Al the knowlechinge,
Alle this Scholen ȝe knowen In tyme Comenge.
but declareng þere-onne be with-owten variaunce,
And but þere-offen they knewen more vndirstondeng,
Elles wolden they holden it for A gabbyng,
There-fore here turneth this Storye,
and of Anothir thing Maketh Memorye
that is ful swete forto here,
bothe forto lestene & ek to lere;
And In tyme Comeng, this Storye
the thre spyndelis schal declaren Openlye,
And Of the Schipe Al the knowlechinge,
Alle this Scholen ȝe knowen In tyme Comenge.
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CHAPTER XXIX.
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Thus be Aventure As gan be-falle,
that Eve the ferst womman of Alle,
that the ferst Synne Evere wrowhte,
wherthorwh mankynde was browht to Nowhte
be the Cownseyl Of the moste dedly Enemy,
wheche was the devel, ful Sekerly,
that Envie hadde to Mankynde Anon
For he In paradis was So I-don.
that Eve the ferst womman of Alle,
that the ferst Synne Evere wrowhte,
wherthorwh mankynde was browht to Nowhte
368
wheche was the devel, ful Sekerly,
that Envie hadde to Mankynde Anon
For he In paradis was So I-don.
Thanne bethowhte him the devel In haste
how he myhte hem of paradis Owt Caste,
that dide he Al hys fowl konnenge,
Adam & Eve Owt of paradis to bringe,
And fondede to Eve there forto gon,
To Maken here to Eten of that tre Anon
which sche was forboden Ouer all thing
Only of that tre the Neygheng,
Wheche sche was forboden of hire Creatoure,
that tre forto Neyghen In non Oure.
to wheche tre the devel hire tempted faste,
tyl that Eve A branch kawhte Atte laste,
and there-Offen An Apelle Anon sche took,
and there-Onne sche gan ful faste to look;
thanne there Offen sche bot anon,
and faste to hire spowse ward sche gan to gon,
and Conceilled him there-Offen to Ete,
& that for non thing he scholde it lete.
So Adam Ete that Appel Anon,
To his grete peyne, and Owre distroccioun.
Whanne Eve had him taken this appel, I vndirstond,
ȝit lefte the braunch Stille In hire hond;
but it was Aȝens hire knowenge
that the braunch In hire hond was Abydinge.
how he myhte hem of paradis Owt Caste,
that dide he Al hys fowl konnenge,
Adam & Eve Owt of paradis to bringe,
And fondede to Eve there forto gon,
To Maken here to Eten of that tre Anon
which sche was forboden Ouer all thing
Only of that tre the Neygheng,
Wheche sche was forboden of hire Creatoure,
that tre forto Neyghen In non Oure.
to wheche tre the devel hire tempted faste,
tyl that Eve A branch kawhte Atte laste,
and there-Offen An Apelle Anon sche took,
and there-Onne sche gan ful faste to look;
thanne there Offen sche bot anon,
and faste to hire spowse ward sche gan to gon,
and Conceilled him there-Offen to Ete,
& that for non thing he scholde it lete.
So Adam Ete that Appel Anon,
To his grete peyne, and Owre distroccioun.
Whanne Eve had him taken this appel, I vndirstond,
ȝit lefte the braunch Stille In hire hond;
but it was Aȝens hire knowenge
that the braunch In hire hond was Abydinge.
thanne whanne they hadden Eten of this tre—
Wheche dedly froyt wel clepid May be,
For there thorwgh dedlich becam he tho,
and alle that Euere Aftir from him gonnen go;—
thanne knew they wel that Naked they were;
to-forn hem thowhte Spiritwel In Alle Manere,
For they weren formed to Everelasting lif;
but that fowle Synne browhte vs Alle In Strif.
Wheche dedly froyt wel clepid May be,
For there thorwgh dedlich becam he tho,
and alle that Euere Aftir from him gonnen go;—
369
to-forn hem thowhte Spiritwel In Alle Manere,
For they weren formed to Everelasting lif;
but that fowle Synne browhte vs Alle In Strif.
And whanne hem Self they gonne beholde,
Aschamed they weren ful Many folde;
For Al Naked knewen they þat they were,
And Aschamed Ech Of Oþer Membres was there;
& with here hondis they kouerided hem tho;
So dyde there Eve thanne Also,
And the braunch Euere stille In hire hond,
but that Cowde sche not tho vndirstond.
Aschamed they weren ful Many folde;
For Al Naked knewen they þat they were,
And Aschamed Ech Of Oþer Membres was there;
& with here hondis they kouerided hem tho;
So dyde there Eve thanne Also,
And the braunch Euere stille In hire hond,
but that Cowde sche not tho vndirstond.
Thanne he whiche Alle thowhtes doth knowe,
To hem Cam there In A throwe,
and knew here Synneng Everydel,
Wheche was to hem A sory Mel.
There ferst Adam he gan to Calle,
that him thowhte most Resoun of Alle
that Ferst Chalanged that he were,
thanne the womman In Ony Manere;
For the womman is of so feble Complexioun
that of Mannes Rib was mad, As Axeth Resoun,
and that Obeischawnt scholde be to Man;
Wherfore Crist ferst clepid Adam than.
To hem Cam there In A throwe,
and knew here Synneng Everydel,
Wheche was to hem A sory Mel.
There ferst Adam he gan to Calle,
that him thowhte most Resoun of Alle
that Ferst Chalanged that he were,
thanne the womman In Ony Manere;
For the womman is of so feble Complexioun
that of Mannes Rib was mad, As Axeth Resoun,
and that Obeischawnt scholde be to Man;
Wherfore Crist ferst clepid Adam than.
And whanne god hadde Reproved him of his synne,
thanne to him he seide, & nolde not blynne,
“thy bred In Swetyng shalt thow Ete;
thy liflode with travaille shalt thou gete;
And for thi wif In feleschepe with the was tho,
With the, compenie to be, schal she go;”
and Seide to hire, “that In Sorwe & gret drede
hire lif in Erthe Scholde sche lede,
And In gret peyne to beren hire pariture;
Of this Eve thow schalt ben Seure.”
thanne to him he seide, & nolde not blynne,
“thy bred In Swetyng shalt thow Ete;
thy liflode with travaille shalt thou gete;
And for thi wif In feleschepe with the was tho,
With the, compenie to be, schal she go;”
and Seide to hire, “that In Sorwe & gret drede
hire lif in Erthe Scholde sche lede,
And In gret peyne to beren hire pariture;
370
thanne Owt of paradys weren they bothe Caste,
And be An Aungel owt dreven Atte laste,
Wheche is clepid ‘paradys of delyt,’
there-offen weren they sone bothe qwyt;
And Evere, As þat I vndirstond,
held stille Eve þe braunch In hire hond,
and ne left it neuere for non thing;
And ȝit was it not be hire wetyng.
And be An Aungel owt dreven Atte laste,
Wheche is clepid ‘paradys of delyt,’
there-offen weren they sone bothe qwyt;
And Evere, As þat I vndirstond,
held stille Eve þe braunch In hire hond,
and ne left it neuere for non thing;
And ȝit was it not be hire wetyng.
thanne Atte laste sche gan beholde
Vppon this Braunch ful Manifolde,
and Evere lich Grene it was,
As ferst sche it polde Owt of þe plas.
Anon wiste sche thanne certeinly
that they hadden Synned tho dedly,
and that it was cawse of here disheritaunce;
Wherfore that braunch kept sche In remembraunce,
and that she wolde it putten In swich A plase
Often tymes to sen it, In hire fase,
there-offen forto haven ful Remembryng
that sche was Cause of here disherytyng.
Vppon this Braunch ful Manifolde,
and Evere lich Grene it was,
As ferst sche it polde Owt of þe plas.
Anon wiste sche thanne certeinly
that they hadden Synned tho dedly,
and that it was cawse of here disheritaunce;
Wherfore that braunch kept sche In remembraunce,
and that she wolde it putten In swich A plase
Often tymes to sen it, In hire fase,
there-offen forto haven ful Remembryng
that sche was Cause of here disherytyng.
thanne bethowhte sche hire on this Manere,
that nothing had sche to putten it In there,
Nethir huchche ne non Oþer thing,
For that tyme was non swich In Makyng;
So thanne this braunch took sche Anon Ryhte,
And there In the Erthe Anon sche it pyhte.
thanne seide sche ‘þat often scholde sche it sen,
For In hire face Ay scholde it ben.’
that nothing had sche to putten it In there,
Nethir huchche ne non Oþer thing,
For that tyme was non swich In Makyng;
So thanne this braunch took sche Anon Ryhte,
And there In the Erthe Anon sche it pyhte.
thanne seide sche ‘þat often scholde sche it sen,
For In hire face Ay scholde it ben.’
And whanne this Braunch In the Erthe don was,
Anon it wax, & Roted be goddis gras.
This brawnch that Eve the ferste Synnere
Owt of paradys browht with here there,
Signefied ful Mochel gladnesse
In tyme Comeng, And Ek lyhtnesse.
And ȝit al this tyme was Eve
A Clene Maide, As this storie doth preve;
And thanne sche seide “dismaie ȝow nouht;
for they out of Oure Eritage we ben browht,
ȝit for Evere han we it not lost,
but therto Aȝen Restoren we most.”
Anon it wax, & Roted be goddis gras.
This brawnch that Eve the ferste Synnere
Owt of paradys browht with here there,
Signefied ful Mochel gladnesse
In tyme Comeng, And Ek lyhtnesse.
And ȝit al this tyme was Eve
371
And thanne sche seide “dismaie ȝow nouht;
for they out of Oure Eritage we ben browht,
ȝit for Evere han we it not lost,
but therto Aȝen Restoren we most.”
And ȝif ȝe welen E[n]qweren of this storie
What the Cause was, & the Skele ‘whye
that Man the Braunche Owt of paradis not bar,
As wel as the womman dide tho thar,
Sethen that man is Of heighere degre
than is the Woman ful Sekerle;’
To this answerith this Storye,
and seith ‘that to þe Man It belongeth not trewlye,
but Al only to the womman
that Owt of paradis brouht it than:
It signefieth that þe womman Owt it browhte,
that be womman the world was brouht to nowhte;
and be A womman Restored schal it be;
wheche signefiet be þe blessed virgine Maree.’
What the Cause was, & the Skele ‘whye
that Man the Braunche Owt of paradis not bar,
As wel as the womman dide tho thar,
Sethen that man is Of heighere degre
than is the Woman ful Sekerle;’
To this answerith this Storye,
and seith ‘that to þe Man It belongeth not trewlye,
but Al only to the womman
that Owt of paradis brouht it than:
It signefieth that þe womman Owt it browhte,
that be womman the world was brouht to nowhte;
and be A womman Restored schal it be;
wheche signefiet be þe blessed virgine Maree.’
Lo Now torneth the Storye here ful pleyn
to groweng of this braunch Anon here ageyn;
and how it Molteplyed So hugely
that a gret tre it wax trewly,
and gan to brawnchen & schadwen ful fere;
and this was with-Inne riht fewe ȝere.
bothe braunches, leves, and bark, as I telle ȝow,
Was Also whit As ony snow;
Whiche that signefyeth virgenite,
that this vertu hath ful Sekerle,
a mannes body it kepeth Clene,
and the sowle whit al be-dene.
For In as moche as that þe tre whit was,
It signefieth virginite in that plas;
For virgine sche was whanne sche it sette;
thus Recordeth the Storye with-Owten lette;
for ȝit At that tyme clene virgine sche was
from Alle thowhtes of lecherie In that plas.
to groweng of this braunch Anon here ageyn;
and how it Molteplyed So hugely
that a gret tre it wax trewly,
and gan to brawnchen & schadwen ful fere;
and this was with-Inne riht fewe ȝere.
bothe braunches, leves, and bark, as I telle ȝow,
Was Also whit As ony snow;
Whiche that signefyeth virgenite,
that this vertu hath ful Sekerle,
a mannes body it kepeth Clene,
and the sowle whit al be-dene.
For In as moche as that þe tre whit was,
It signefieth virginite in that plas;
372
thus Recordeth the Storye with-Owten lette;
for ȝit At that tyme clene virgine sche was
from Alle thowhtes of lecherie In that plas.
but Maydenhod and virginite
Ne ben not bothe In on degre;
but gret defferense betwene hem Is,
as ȝe scholen heren with-Owten Mis.
For Maydenhod In non degre
Nis not lik to virginite;
and I schal ȝow telle the Resown why;
For Maydenhod is In this maner trewly,
that felte neuere man fleschly,
neþer In weye of lecherie lay hire by.
but virginite is An heighere thing,
And More vertwos to thin vndirstondyng:
For bothe Man & Womman that virgines be,
Ne thowhte neuere Amys In non degre
of Bodily lust to ony luxure:
this is virginite bothe good & pure.
Ne ben not bothe In on degre;
but gret defferense betwene hem Is,
as ȝe scholen heren with-Owten Mis.
For Maydenhod In non degre
Nis not lik to virginite;
and I schal ȝow telle the Resown why;
For Maydenhod is In this maner trewly,
that felte neuere man fleschly,
neþer In weye of lecherie lay hire by.
but virginite is An heighere thing,
And More vertwos to thin vndirstondyng:
For bothe Man & Womman that virgines be,
Ne thowhte neuere Amys In non degre
of Bodily lust to ony luxure:
this is virginite bothe good & pure.
and thus was Eve In Clene virginite
Whanne Owt Of paradis Cast was sche;
and ȝit the same Our sche plaunted this braunch,
Virginite with-Inne here was ful staunch.
but Aftir Crist Comanded to Adam Anon
that ‘to his wif there scholde he gon,
and here to knowen there fleschly,
As Man And Womman Scholde trewely’;
thanne loste sche Anon virginite
thorw desireng of lust, sekerle.
and whanne Adam & Eve thus hadden I-do,
and fleschly to-Gederis knewen they tho,
thenne Maden they bothe ful Mochel Mornenge
Vndir this tre, bothe lementacion & wepinge.
Whanne Owt Of paradis Cast was sche;
and ȝit the same Our sche plaunted this braunch,
Virginite with-Inne here was ful staunch.
but Aftir Crist Comanded to Adam Anon
that ‘to his wif there scholde he gon,
and here to knowen there fleschly,
As Man And Womman Scholde trewely’;
thanne loste sche Anon virginite
thorw desireng of lust, sekerle.
and whanne Adam & Eve thus hadden I-do,
and fleschly to-Gederis knewen they tho,
thenne Maden they bothe ful Mochel Mornenge
373
and whanne that Adam In his herte gan devise
his Exyleng Owt of paradise,
Ful hevy Chere Ech other gan to Make,
And Eche was Sory for Otheris Sake.
thanne Seide Eve to Adam tho,
“Sire, ne merveille ȝe not so gretly so;
For non wondir it nys In non Manere
thowh Owre trespas [we] Remembren here;
For ther may non Abiden vndir this tre—
thowh glad & Joyful that he be,—
but ȝif In Moroneng he parte Away;—
Sire, it were wondir, I ȝow Say;—
For the tre of deth this May wel be,
as Myn herte Remembreth now me,
whiche tre that we resten vndir,
Vs Maketh so hevy, it nis non wondire.”
his Exyleng Owt of paradise,
Ful hevy Chere Ech other gan to Make,
And Eche was Sory for Otheris Sake.
thanne Seide Eve to Adam tho,
“Sire, ne merveille ȝe not so gretly so;
For non wondir it nys In non Manere
thowh Owre trespas [we] Remembren here;
For ther may non Abiden vndir this tre—
thowh glad & Joyful that he be,—
but ȝif In Moroneng he parte Away;—
Sire, it were wondir, I ȝow Say;—
For the tre of deth this May wel be,
as Myn herte Remembreth now me,
whiche tre that we resten vndir,
Vs Maketh so hevy, it nis non wondire.”
Anon As sche hadde this word I-spoke,
Abowtes hem faste they gonne to loke;
A vois than herden they with here Ere,
That In this Manere to hem Seide there;
“Sey, ȝe Caytives, why demen ȝe so
Ech Otheris deth, as ȝe now do?
Ne deme ȝe no more in swich degre
Of disperaunce, I warne ȝow Certeinle;
but Comforte ȝow In All wise
Ech oþer, As ȝe best Connen devise;
For the lif Is to ȝow moche Nerre Iustly
thanne Ony deth Certeinly.”
Thus Spak the vois to hem riht tho;
thanne mochel Comfort they token hem to.
Abowtes hem faste they gonne to loke;
A vois than herden they with here Ere,
That In this Manere to hem Seide there;
“Sey, ȝe Caytives, why demen ȝe so
Ech Otheris deth, as ȝe now do?
Ne deme ȝe no more in swich degre
Of disperaunce, I warne ȝow Certeinle;
but Comforte ȝow In All wise
Ech oþer, As ȝe best Connen devise;
For the lif Is to ȝow moche Nerre Iustly
thanne Ony deth Certeinly.”
Thus Spak the vois to hem riht tho;
thanne mochel Comfort they token hem to.
thanne Aftirward Clepid they that tre
‘the tre of lyf,’ ful Sikerle;
For the goode Comforte þat þere-ondir hadden they there,
‘the tre of lif’ they clepid it Every where.
and for the Ioye they hadden of this tre,
Many brawnches they plauntid þere-offen Sekerlye;
and As sone As it was Set In the grownde,
bothe it took & Roted with-Inne A stownde;
and In Alle degre it kepte the Colowr,
As it was the wyl Of Oure Savyowr.
‘the tre of lyf,’ ful Sikerle;
For the goode Comforte þat þere-ondir hadden they there,
‘the tre of lif’ they clepid it Every where.
and for the Ioye they hadden of this tre,
374
and As sone As it was Set In the grownde,
bothe it took & Roted with-Inne A stownde;
and In Alle degre it kepte the Colowr,
As it was the wyl Of Oure Savyowr.
than often tymes it be-happed So,
that vndir theke tre gonnen they go,
hem forto Resten ful often Sithe,
whiche Mad hem bothe glad & blythe.
So that it happid vppon a day,
that Adam with Eve with-Owten delay
Seten to-gederis bothe tweyne,—
thus þis holy Storie Reporteth Certeine,
that vppon A fryday it happede so
that vndir theke tre bothe gonnen they go,—
and longe there gonne they hem Reste
til A vois there Cam þat Sowned be Este,
Whiche vois Seide to hem verraily,
‘that Adam his wif Scholde knowen fleschly.’
that vndir theke tre gonnen they go,
hem forto Resten ful often Sithe,
whiche Mad hem bothe glad & blythe.
So that it happid vppon a day,
that Adam with Eve with-Owten delay
Seten to-gederis bothe tweyne,—
thus þis holy Storie Reporteth Certeine,
that vppon A fryday it happede so
that vndir theke tre bothe gonnen they go,—
and longe there gonne they hem Reste
til A vois there Cam þat Sowned be Este,
Whiche vois Seide to hem verraily,
‘that Adam his wif Scholde knowen fleschly.’
thanne So Achamed bothe they were,
Swich Manere of thing forto don there,
that Nethir of hem On Othir dorst loke
that dede to don, so seith this boke;
For as sore Aschamed þe Man was there
As the womman In Alle Manere,
For they Nesten thanne In non degre
how here Lordis Comaundement sckapen scholden hee;
and for be encheson of þe ferst trespas,
they dradden hem of here lordis Gras;
and so Rewfully Ech on Oþer loked than
For gret schame, bothe man & womman.
Swich Manere of thing forto don there,
that Nethir of hem On Othir dorst loke
that dede to don, so seith this boke;
For as sore Aschamed þe Man was there
As the womman In Alle Manere,
For they Nesten thanne In non degre
how here Lordis Comaundement sckapen scholden hee;
and for be encheson of þe ferst trespas,
they dradden hem of here lordis Gras;
and so Rewfully Ech on Oþer loked than
For gret schame, bothe man & womman.
thanne beheld Iesus, Owre worthy lord,
here Schamefullest & drede be here Owun Acord,
that God In hem Anon hadde gret pite
For here Schamfastnesse In that degre;
And, for his wille distorbeled ne schold not be,
For hem he disposede ful worthile,
that be hem two the lygne of Man
the tenthe Order of Awngelis Restore scholde than,
that Owt of hevene weren Cast Adown
for pride Into helle, that lowe doniown.
And therfore Aȝens here schame Comfort he sent
to hem bothe there Anon presente;
and, Al here Schame-fastnesse forto hyde,
In Maner of A Nyht God sent hem that tyde,
that So Mirk it was with hem there
that non myhte Other sen In non Manere.
here Schamefullest & drede be here Owun Acord,
that God In hem Anon hadde gret pite
For here Schamfastnesse In that degre;
375
For hem he disposede ful worthile,
that be hem two the lygne of Man
the tenthe Order of Awngelis Restore scholde than,
that Owt of hevene weren Cast Adown
for pride Into helle, that lowe doniown.
And therfore Aȝens here schame Comfort he sent
to hem bothe there Anon presente;
and, Al here Schame-fastnesse forto hyde,
In Maner of A Nyht God sent hem that tyde,
that So Mirk it was with hem there
that non myhte Other sen In non Manere.
thanne Abasched weren they wondir Sore
how þat so sodeinly that dirknesse Cam thore.
thus sone the ton the tother gan to Callen tho,
and to-Gyderis they felten thanne bothe two
there with-Owten sighte Of Ony day,
thus to-gederis knewen they with-owten delay.
For it behoveth that Alle thing be do
Aftir goddis wille; he wele þat it be So;
and that tyme Ech Other fleschly gan to knowe,
Only goddys Comandement forto Avowe;
So that there, thorwh here Comownenge,
Seed forth browhte to here Synnes Aleggynge.
For there thoruhe hem bothe was conceyved than
Whiche that me Clepid Abel, that Rihtwis man,
and the ferste man that to his god dide worthy Servise,
him to worschepen & plesen In Alle wyse.
In this Manere was Abel vnder the tre of lyf
be-geten of Adam, Conceyved of his wif;
Wheche was don vppon a fryday,
As this Storye thus doth here Say.
how þat so sodeinly that dirknesse Cam thore.
thus sone the ton the tother gan to Callen tho,
and to-Gyderis they felten thanne bothe two
there with-Owten sighte Of Ony day,
thus to-gederis knewen they with-owten delay.
For it behoveth that Alle thing be do
Aftir goddis wille; he wele þat it be So;
and that tyme Ech Other fleschly gan to knowe,
Only goddys Comandement forto Avowe;
So that there, thorwh here Comownenge,
Seed forth browhte to here Synnes Aleggynge.
For there thoruhe hem bothe was conceyved than
Whiche that me Clepid Abel, that Rihtwis man,
and the ferste man that to his god dide worthy Servise,
him to worschepen & plesen In Alle wyse.
In this Manere was Abel vnder the tre of lyf
be-geten of Adam, Conceyved of his wif;
Wheche was don vppon a fryday,
As this Storye thus doth here Say.
thanne there behelden they bothe Anon
that thus sone this dirknesse was gon;
thanne knewen they wel ful verraylly,
that God it dyde ful specyaly
Forto hyden here Schame-fastnesse,
Where-thorwgh they weren bothe In distresse.
that thus sone this dirknesse was gon;
thanne knewen they wel ful verraylly,
376
Forto hyden here Schame-fastnesse,
Where-thorwgh they weren bothe In distresse.
and Anon A gret Merveille to hem þere was,
that God there schewede In that plas;
For As grene be-Cam þe tre In that stede
As Evere dyde Gras In ony Mede;
And so diden Alle that Out of þat tre gonne gon,
Aftyr that Adam and Eve so hadden I-don;
bothen bark, bowh, Ek lef, and tre,
From whit to Grene I-torned they be.
that God there schewede In that plas;
For As grene be-Cam þe tre In that stede
As Evere dyde Gras In ony Mede;
And so diden Alle that Out of þat tre gonne gon,
Aftyr that Adam and Eve so hadden I-don;
bothen bark, bowh, Ek lef, and tre,
From whit to Grene I-torned they be.
thanne Anon Aftyr Evene Ryht There
This tre flowres & froyt began to bere;
and whiles þat Tre & braunches weren white Echon,
thanne nethir flowres ne froyt ne bar it non;
but Aftir that it was woxen Grene,
It bar bothe flowres & froyt Alle be-dene.
For the whitnesse of theke tre
Only betokeneth virginite;
but whanne Virginite was Agon,
thanne be-Cam þis tre Grene Anon;
Wheche that signefieth þe seed of Manne
that vnder thike tre was Conserved thanne,
that Chast and trewe was to his Creatour,
and In Alle tymes dyde him honour;
and the froyt of that tre doth Signefie
that Evere he was Religious Sothfastlye.
This tre flowres & froyt began to bere;
and whiles þat Tre & braunches weren white Echon,
thanne nethir flowres ne froyt ne bar it non;
but Aftir that it was woxen Grene,
It bar bothe flowres & froyt Alle be-dene.
For the whitnesse of theke tre
Only betokeneth virginite;
but whanne Virginite was Agon,
thanne be-Cam þis tre Grene Anon;
Wheche that signefieth þe seed of Manne
that vnder thike tre was Conserved thanne,
that Chast and trewe was to his Creatour,
and In Alle tymes dyde him honour;
and the froyt of that tre doth Signefie
that Evere he was Religious Sothfastlye.
Thus Contenued ful longe this Tre there,
So that Evere was grene, & In on Manere,
tyl that Abel was woxen wel of Age,
and to his god did moche Servage;
And Euere deboneure to his Creatour he was,
ȝeldenge him that his was In Every plas,
As wel of tithes, As of Offrenge;
thus to his god dide he worschepinge;
and of the best thing that his were,
he offrede to God In Ech Manere.
but Cayn his brothir ne dide not so;
For Evere of his werste took he tho,
and to God there-Offen made his Offring,
Swich as that to Cayn was fowlest thing.
Lo, and God to hym sente As gret plente
As to his brother Abel; thus þe storie scheweth me.
So that Evere was grene, & In on Manere,
tyl that Abel was woxen wel of Age,
and to his god did moche Servage;
And Euere deboneure to his Creatour he was,
ȝeldenge him that his was In Every plas,
As wel of tithes, As of Offrenge;
thus to his god dide he worschepinge;
and of the best thing that his were,
377
but Cayn his brothir ne dide not so;
For Evere of his werste took he tho,
and to God there-Offen made his Offring,
Swich as that to Cayn was fowlest thing.
Lo, and God to hym sente As gret plente
As to his brother Abel; thus þe storie scheweth me.
So whanne they comen bothe In-to the plase
that for Sacrefyenge be God Ordeyned was;
and for to maken there here offrenge,
bothe Cayn & Abel weren thedyr Comenge,
lyk as it was be Goddis Comandement
Thedir Comen they bothe verament.
that for Sacrefyenge be God Ordeyned was;
and for to maken there here offrenge,
bothe Cayn & Abel weren thedyr Comenge,
lyk as it was be Goddis Comandement
Thedir Comen they bothe verament.
and whanne Abel his Sacrefyse gan to do,
Streyht vp-ward to hevene thanne gan it go;
but Cayines Offreng In that Stede,
the fwme spred Abowtes al the Mede,
Which was bothe blak, fowl, & stynkkenge;
thus was the Maner of Cayines Offrenge.
and thike that of abelis offring was,
was Cler & swete smellyng In that plas.
Streyht vp-ward to hevene thanne gan it go;
but Cayines Offreng In that Stede,
the fwme spred Abowtes al the Mede,
Which was bothe blak, fowl, & stynkkenge;
thus was the Maner of Cayines Offrenge.
and thike that of abelis offring was,
was Cler & swete smellyng In that plas.
and whanne Cayin beheld this Manere,
that abelis Offreng Resceived was so there
passinge his In alle degre,
therto gret Envye Anon had he,
and gret wraththe Aȝens his brothir took,
that God Abelis Resceyvede, and his forsook.
thanne Cayin bethouhte him sone Anon
In what wyse Abel he myht vengen him on:
thanne to him Self he seide tho,
‘that Sekerly his brothir wolde he slo,
So best on Abel avenged Myhte he be;’
thus thowhte Cayin In his Memore.
that abelis Offreng Resceived was so there
passinge his In alle degre,
therto gret Envye Anon had he,
and gret wraththe Aȝens his brothir took,
that God Abelis Resceyvede, and his forsook.
thanne Cayin bethouhte him sone Anon
In what wyse Abel he myht vengen him on:
thanne to him Self he seide tho,
‘that Sekerly his brothir wolde he slo,
So best on Abel avenged Myhte he be;’
thus thowhte Cayin In his Memore.
Thus bar longe Cayin this fowl Envye
to his brothir abel Gyltleslye;
ȝit perceyved abel neuere Chere ne Contenaunce
that Cayin him thouhte Ony Grevaunce.
So longe Cayin helede this haterede
In his herte, that ilke fowle stede,
tyl that it happed vppon a day
that Abel gan to walken, as I ȝow say;
For Owt of his fadris Syhte tho
Gan this abel thanne forto go,
tyl that he Cam to the tre of lif,
For there wenten his schepe with-owten strif.
the day gan wexen hot ful faste,
and of the sonne strong hete In haste,
So that strong [hete] not suffren myhte he,
but wente to schadwen him vndir that tre;
So that gret lust Cam him þere vppon
that Nedis moste he Slepen anon,
and so vndir this tre he gan him leye—
as now that me ȝe heren Seye,—
and to slomberen he gan there Anon.
to his brothir abel Gyltleslye;
ȝit perceyved abel neuere Chere ne Contenaunce
378
So longe Cayin helede this haterede
In his herte, that ilke fowle stede,
tyl that it happed vppon a day
that Abel gan to walken, as I ȝow say;
For Owt of his fadris Syhte tho
Gan this abel thanne forto go,
tyl that he Cam to the tre of lif,
For there wenten his schepe with-owten strif.
the day gan wexen hot ful faste,
and of the sonne strong hete In haste,
So that strong [hete] not suffren myhte he,
but wente to schadwen him vndir that tre;
So that gret lust Cam him þere vppon
that Nedis moste he Slepen anon,
and so vndir this tre he gan him leye—
as now that me ȝe heren Seye,—
and to slomberen he gan there Anon.
thanne Gan Cayin forth to gon,
that longe hadde thowht þis felonye:
there abel his brothir he gan aspye.
thanne beheld Cayin þat selve day
Where abel his broþer vndir þe tre lay,
and faste hin hyede forto sle,
& wende Aparceyved it schold not han be.
but Abel ful wel sawh him comen tho,
& vp him dressed, and Aȝens him gan go,—
For he him lovede wondirly wel
as it was þere sene Everidel;—
and seide, “welcome, my brother dere,
I am ful glad we ben In fere:”
and Evene In this manere of gretyng
spak Abel to Cayin At here Metyng.
Anon this Cayin there to him Ran,
and A op-Courbed knyf he drowh out than,
and vndir the pappe smot him Anon
Also fer as the knyf wolde gon.
that longe hadde thowht þis felonye:
there abel his brothir he gan aspye.
thanne beheld Cayin þat selve day
Where abel his broþer vndir þe tre lay,
and faste hin hyede forto sle,
& wende Aparceyved it schold not han be.
but Abel ful wel sawh him comen tho,
& vp him dressed, and Aȝens him gan go,—
For he him lovede wondirly wel
as it was þere sene Everidel;—
and seide, “welcome, my brother dere,
I am ful glad we ben In fere:”
and Evene In this manere of gretyng
spak Abel to Cayin At here Metyng.
Anon this Cayin there to him Ran,
and A op-Courbed knyf he drowh out than,
and vndir the pappe smot him Anon
379
and thus abel Anon ded was there
Of his vntrewe brotheris hond In þis manere.
lo, In the same stede that he Conceyved was
Of his Modir, In that plas
Suffrede he his deth with vnriht,
As was be the Suffraunce of god Almyht.
And Evene lik In the same Manere
as on the Fryday he was begeten there,
Lik So vppon a fryday be Cayin was he ded,
as this holy storye Recordith In this sted.
Of his vntrewe brotheris hond In þis manere.
lo, In the same stede that he Conceyved was
Of his Modir, In that plas
Suffrede he his deth with vnriht,
As was be the Suffraunce of god Almyht.
And Evene lik In the same Manere
as on the Fryday he was begeten there,
Lik So vppon a fryday be Cayin was he ded,
as this holy storye Recordith In this sted.
Lo, whanne þat abel suffrede deth be trasown,
In Al thys World ne weren but thre men In-virown!
behold how that the deth of Rihtwas Abel
Is likned to Cristes deth Everydel!
Be Cayin signefyed was Iwdas,
the falsest Tretour that Evere was.
For lik As Cayin his brothir gan to heylle,
So dide Iudas to Crist Sawn faille;
So that these tweyne dethes Acorden wel
As be fals tresown Everydel;
and As Abel vppon A fryday was slayn,
So be tresown was Iesus In Certayn.
So that Iudas In alle Manere
To Cayin Is likned Everywhere;
For Iudas hadde non Maner Enchesown
To don his lord to þat distroctiown,
For to him myhte he han non haterede
For Owht that Jesus dyde In Ony dede;
and for he say neuere In him but goodnesse,
ther-fore was he ful Of Irfulnesse;
For it is þe Condisciown Of A cursed Man
To haten A good Man, what that he Can.
and Of the tresown þat Cayin to his brothir hath do,
Spekith Jesus Crist, and of Many Mo,
be kyng davy In the Sawter book—
ho that there-after wile there-Inne look;—
That A dredful word now speketh there
that thus Seith, and In this Manere,
‘thow purposist, & seist fals felonye
to thy brothir, & seist al trechorye;
and to thin Owne Modris sone
swich tretories thou dost As is thy wone;
Wherfore I schal the Chastise,
and the pvnschen In hard wise.’
and thus In the Sawter schole ȝe it fynde
of dauid his enditenge, kyng good & kynde.
In Al thys World ne weren but thre men In-virown!
behold how that the deth of Rihtwas Abel
Is likned to Cristes deth Everydel!
Be Cayin signefyed was Iwdas,
the falsest Tretour that Evere was.
For lik As Cayin his brothir gan to heylle,
So dide Iudas to Crist Sawn faille;
So that these tweyne dethes Acorden wel
As be fals tresown Everydel;
and As Abel vppon A fryday was slayn,
So be tresown was Iesus In Certayn.
So that Iudas In alle Manere
To Cayin Is likned Everywhere;
For Iudas hadde non Maner Enchesown
To don his lord to þat distroctiown,
For to him myhte he han non haterede
For Owht that Jesus dyde In Ony dede;
and for he say neuere In him but goodnesse,
ther-fore was he ful Of Irfulnesse;
For it is þe Condisciown Of A cursed Man
To haten A good Man, what that he Can.
and Of the tresown þat Cayin to his brothir hath do,
Spekith Jesus Crist, and of Many Mo,
be kyng davy In the Sawter book—
380
That A dredful word now speketh there
that thus Seith, and In this Manere,
‘thow purposist, & seist fals felonye
to thy brothir, & seist al trechorye;
and to thin Owne Modris sone
swich tretories thou dost As is thy wone;
Wherfore I schal the Chastise,
and the pvnschen In hard wise.’
and thus In the Sawter schole ȝe it fynde
of dauid his enditenge, kyng good & kynde.
thanne oure lord, Cayin gan to Calle
Aftir this dede thus was befalle,
and seide, “Kayin, where is thy brother Abel,
that to the trespased neuere A del?”
Whanne that kayin vndirstood Al this,
that he hadde So fowle don Amys,
and that so gret tresoun he hadde I-wrowht,
Anon it tornede than In his thowht,
and kouered Abel with the leves of þe tre
That Aspyd ne schold not than be.
thanne Axede him Owre lord Ageyn,
“Cayin, where is thy brothir, sey me pleyn.”
thanne Kayin Answerid Aȝen Anone,
“With him have I not for to done;
For I ne haue hym not In kepinge,
Neþer of him I ne Can tellen non tydynge.”
thanne Answerid Oure lord to hym ful sone,
“that fowle dede that thow hast done,
and slayn thyn Brothir So falslye,
Aforn Me veniaunce his blood doth Crye.
therfore Acursed schalt thow be
thorwh-Owt Alle the Erthe ful sikerle,
and the Erthe, A-corsed I wel it be do,
that thy brotheris blood hath Resceyved so.”
thus Crist the Erthe Cursed there;
but not the tre In non Manere
Where-vndir that Abel was ded,
he it not Cursede In non sted.
Aftir this dede thus was befalle,
and seide, “Kayin, where is thy brother Abel,
that to the trespased neuere A del?”
Whanne that kayin vndirstood Al this,
that he hadde So fowle don Amys,
and that so gret tresoun he hadde I-wrowht,
Anon it tornede than In his thowht,
and kouered Abel with the leves of þe tre
That Aspyd ne schold not than be.
thanne Axede him Owre lord Ageyn,
“Cayin, where is thy brothir, sey me pleyn.”
thanne Kayin Answerid Aȝen Anone,
“With him have I not for to done;
For I ne haue hym not In kepinge,
Neþer of him I ne Can tellen non tydynge.”
thanne Answerid Oure lord to hym ful sone,
“that fowle dede that thow hast done,
and slayn thyn Brothir So falslye,
Aforn Me veniaunce his blood doth Crye.
therfore Acursed schalt thow be
thorwh-Owt Alle the Erthe ful sikerle,
and the Erthe, A-corsed I wel it be do,
that thy brotheris blood hath Resceyved so.”
thus Crist the Erthe Cursed there;
381
Where-vndir that Abel was ded,
he it not Cursede In non sted.
but A wondir Merveille of that tre
Wondirly befel, hos myhte it se:
For Anon As Abel there-vndir was Slayn,
his Grene Colour it torned Anon Certayn,
And becam As Red as ony blood,
that same tre, there as it stood,
In remembranse Of hym that ded was there,
holy Abel In swich A Manere.
and alle his plawntes that Abowtes him were,
deyden Anon In Schort Manere;
but that tre Grew so Merveillously,
that the fayrest tre it be-Cam trewly
that Evere man Myhte beholde with Eye;
So ful of Bewte this tre was Sekerlye,
Ne Neuere chonged ne peyred nowht there
Sethen Abel was þer-vndir ded, In non Manere,
Saufe that flowr ne froyt ne bar it neuere non
Sethen there-vndir that fowle dede was don.
Wondirly befel, hos myhte it se:
For Anon As Abel there-vndir was Slayn,
his Grene Colour it torned Anon Certayn,
And becam As Red as ony blood,
that same tre, there as it stood,
In remembranse Of hym that ded was there,
holy Abel In swich A Manere.
and alle his plawntes that Abowtes him were,
deyden Anon In Schort Manere;
but that tre Grew so Merveillously,
that the fayrest tre it be-Cam trewly
that Evere man Myhte beholde with Eye;
So ful of Bewte this tre was Sekerlye,
Ne Neuere chonged ne peyred nowht there
Sethen Abel was þer-vndir ded, In non Manere,
Saufe that flowr ne froyt ne bar it neuere non
Sethen there-vndir that fowle dede was don.
but tho that of him weren I-set to-forn,
bothe flowres and froit of hem ben born;
and so these Trees gonnen to Multiplye,
and the world Encresid ful plentevouslye,
So alle that of Adam & Eve Comen tho,
To that tre ful Moche Reuerence they do;
and Eche of hem Other doth telle
In what Manere that it befelle,
‘That how here ferste Modir it plaw[n]ted there,
and how thedir it cam, & In what Manere;
and they Scholden Restoren agayn
here ferste Eritage In Certeyn,
Where-Owt here ferste Modir was Cast,
but Aȝen we scholen it haven Atte laste.’
bothe flowres and froit of hem ben born;
and so these Trees gonnen to Multiplye,
and the world Encresid ful plentevouslye,
So alle that of Adam & Eve Comen tho,
To that tre ful Moche Reuerence they do;
and Eche of hem Other doth telle
In what Manere that it befelle,
‘That how here ferste Modir it plaw[n]ted there,
and how thedir it cam, & In what Manere;
and they Scholden Restoren agayn
here ferste Eritage In Certeyn,
Where-Owt here ferste Modir was Cast,
but Aȝen we scholen it haven Atte laste.’
and whanne they weren In Ony disseise,
That Ony thing here hertes dide Misplese,
and Anon to þat blessed tre they wente,
here Conceil to taken veramente;
whanne that to theke tre they Comen Anon,
Comforted they weren thanne Everichon;
and Sethen they Clepeden it ‘þe tre of Consaile
And the Tre of Comfort’ with-Owten faile.
This tre Grew & wex ful faste,
and alle that Euere of him Comen Atte laste,
bothe that weren of þe Grene tre,
and Also of the white Certeinle,
So that the peple Sore Merveilleden tho
how that they Endured & woxen so;
and Evere kepten they that Same Bewte
Tyl that God sente the flood of Noe,
Where-thorwgh Alle wikkyd peple than
Weren distroied, As I tellen ȝow kan,
So that on lyve lefte non sikerle
but Noe & his wif & here Compene.
For it was Goddis wille tho
that the world distroyed scholde be so,
Sauf only hem that god trewe fond
Aforn Alle Othere, I vndirstond;
and be hem the world Restored Schold be,
that to-forn tyme was lost In swiche degre.
382
and Anon to þat blessed tre they wente,
here Conceil to taken veramente;
whanne that to theke tre they Comen Anon,
Comforted they weren thanne Everichon;
and Sethen they Clepeden it ‘þe tre of Consaile
And the Tre of Comfort’ with-Owten faile.
This tre Grew & wex ful faste,
and alle that Euere of him Comen Atte laste,
bothe that weren of þe Grene tre,
and Also of the white Certeinle,
So that the peple Sore Merveilleden tho
how that they Endured & woxen so;
and Evere kepten they that Same Bewte
Tyl that God sente the flood of Noe,
Where-thorwgh Alle wikkyd peple than
Weren distroied, As I tellen ȝow kan,
So that on lyve lefte non sikerle
but Noe & his wif & here Compene.
For it was Goddis wille tho
that the world distroyed scholde be so,
Sauf only hem that god trewe fond
Aforn Alle Othere, I vndirstond;
and be hem the world Restored Schold be,
that to-forn tyme was lost In swiche degre.
but wete ȝe wel for Certeyn,
thowh tho trees to here kynde comen Ageyn,
ȝit boren they neuere Aftyr so kendly
As to fore tymes they dyden vtterly,
that they ne losten Clene þe Savoure
Of here ferst froit, & the Odowre,
thorwh the water that so bitter was,
that ouerkeuered the world In Every plas;
Sauf Only thike Selve tre of lyf
and þe braunches þat þere-of comen, whiche sette Adams wif,
of Bewte, froit, ne of Colour,
ne weren not Chonged In non Oure;
For witnesseth they that hem Sye—
these trees ful openly to here Eye,—
For trees of lif I-cleped they were
of hem that hem Sien In all Manere;
For of deth dredden they In non degre
whiles there-offen they hadden In here compene.
thowh tho trees to here kynde comen Ageyn,
ȝit boren they neuere Aftyr so kendly
As to fore tymes they dyden vtterly,
that they ne losten Clene þe Savoure
Of here ferst froit, & the Odowre,
thorwh the water that so bitter was,
that ouerkeuered the world In Every plas;
Sauf Only thike Selve tre of lyf
and þe braunches þat þere-of comen, whiche sette Adams wif,
383
ne weren not Chonged In non Oure;
For witnesseth they that hem Sye—
these trees ful openly to here Eye,—
For trees of lif I-cleped they were
of hem that hem Sien In all Manere;
For of deth dredden they In non degre
whiles there-offen they hadden In here compene.
CHAPTER XXX.
384
Thus longe durede this ilke tre,
Of Colour, of Savour, and of Bewte,
Tyl that Salamon Regnede than
Aftir king david his fadir, þat holy Man.
Of Colour, of Savour, and of Bewte,
Tyl that Salamon Regnede than
Aftir king david his fadir, þat holy Man.
To wheche Salamon Only Crist Sente
Manie passing konnenges aftir hese Entente;
he sente him more wit & discressiown In his lyve
Thanne ony wit of Erthly man cowde discrive;
For of Alle Scienses he was konnenge,
Where-offen the peple hadd merveillynge.
For he was konnenge In precious stones,
and knew al here vertwes for the nones;
and the strengthe of herbes he knew also,
And what ther-with he myhte wel do.
he knew the Cors of the firmament,
And of alle the sterres þere-onne, verament,
So that there nas neuere non Erthly man
That non discressiovn to him ne kan;
ȝit Neuertheles, be bewte of a womman
Ouertaken and disceyved was he than,
So that he wrowhte Aȝens Goddis wille,
that of Sum thinges he dide ful Ille.
This womman that with Salamon was,
be-thowhte hire in Many diuers Cas
hym to disceyve, and beȝondis him go,
with Alle the deceites sche Cowde do.
Where-offen ful lytel wondir it is;
For there nys non Man that lyveth I-wys
that offen Owhten forto Merveille,
aȝens A wommans wile with-Owten faille;
For there sche putteth hire Engyn & hire Entent,
that wit of non liveng Man verament
Schal hire withstonde of hire Concettyng:
tak kepe of þe ferst womman that Evere was lyveng.
Manie passing konnenges aftir hese Entente;
he sente him more wit & discressiown In his lyve
Thanne ony wit of Erthly man cowde discrive;
For of Alle Scienses he was konnenge,
Where-offen the peple hadd merveillynge.
385
and knew al here vertwes for the nones;
and the strengthe of herbes he knew also,
And what ther-with he myhte wel do.
he knew the Cors of the firmament,
And of alle the sterres þere-onne, verament,
So that there nas neuere non Erthly man
That non discressiovn to him ne kan;
ȝit Neuertheles, be bewte of a womman
Ouertaken and disceyved was he than,
So that he wrowhte Aȝens Goddis wille,
that of Sum thinges he dide ful Ille.
This womman that with Salamon was,
be-thowhte hire in Many diuers Cas
hym to disceyve, and beȝondis him go,
with Alle the deceites sche Cowde do.
Where-offen ful lytel wondir it is;
For there nys non Man that lyveth I-wys
that offen Owhten forto Merveille,
aȝens A wommans wile with-Owten faille;
For there sche putteth hire Engyn & hire Entent,
that wit of non liveng Man verament
Schal hire withstonde of hire Concettyng:
tak kepe of þe ferst womman that Evere was lyveng.
Whanne Salamon Sawh that in non degre
To withstonden hire Engyn It nolde not be—
Where-offen he gan to Merveillen Anon,
and wax Right wroth, and forth gan gon—
thanne Anon his book he spak
that to him was with-Owten lak,
Wheche that ‘parables’ he Calde the Name,
To him A book of ful gret fame:
“With this Book I have Sircvit þe world Abowte,
that there is non Erthly Man with-Owten dowte
that to serchen Abowtes the woerld In-virown,
Onnethes there-Inne to fynde, be good Resown,
On good womman to his Supposing.”
To withstonden hire Engyn It nolde not be—
Where-offen he gan to Merveillen Anon,
and wax Right wroth, and forth gan gon—
thanne Anon his book he spak
that to him was with-Owten lak,
Wheche that ‘parables’ he Calde the Name,
To him A book of ful gret fame:
“With this Book I have Sircvit þe world Abowte,
that there is non Erthly Man with-Owten dowte
that to serchen Abowtes the woerld In-virown,
Onnethes there-Inne to fynde, be good Resown,
386
And thus Seide he for A wondir thing,
For he ne Cowde In non Manere
From wyles of his wif to kepen him there;
So that he Merveilled In Alle degre
That so Manie wyles In A womman scholde be,
so that he gan dispisen hem ful faste,
and of hem [seide] mochel Evel Atte laste,
And of Speritwel thinges neuere they Come,
but Of Enmyte Al & some.
As vppon A nyht In his bed he lay,
thvs to him self he gan to say,—
Ful thowhtful he was & ful Mornenge,
that thus to him self he made pleynenge,—
“thow man Caytyf, ful of disseise,
why nisse ther non thing that the May plese?
Why Merveillest thow so Moche of wommans wile,
that the hass distorbled with-Inne A while,
and In Sorwe and Errour hath put the?
Tak An Ensample, and here now se;
For Oure ferste Moder lefte neuere hire Engyn,
For owht that Adam cowde devyne,
Tyl that owt of Paradis sche was cast,
Thike delitable place thanne atte last,
bothe Into Sorwe and In-to distresse,
From Ioye, Mirthe, and gladsomnesse;
So that alle whiche of hire Owt gonnen gon,
In peyne And Sorwe they leven Echon,
and here bred they Eten with swot & peyn,
And In Caytyvete they lyven certeine.”
For he ne Cowde In non Manere
From wyles of his wif to kepen him there;
So that he Merveilled In Alle degre
That so Manie wyles In A womman scholde be,
so that he gan dispisen hem ful faste,
and of hem [seide] mochel Evel Atte laste,
And of Speritwel thinges neuere they Come,
but Of Enmyte Al & some.
As vppon A nyht In his bed he lay,
thvs to him self he gan to say,—
Ful thowhtful he was & ful Mornenge,
that thus to him self he made pleynenge,—
“thow man Caytyf, ful of disseise,
why nisse ther non thing that the May plese?
Why Merveillest thow so Moche of wommans wile,
that the hass distorbled with-Inne A while,
and In Sorwe and Errour hath put the?
Tak An Ensample, and here now se;
For Oure ferste Moder lefte neuere hire Engyn,
For owht that Adam cowde devyne,
Tyl that owt of Paradis sche was cast,
Thike delitable place thanne atte last,
bothe Into Sorwe and In-to distresse,
From Ioye, Mirthe, and gladsomnesse;
So that alle whiche of hire Owt gonnen gon,
In peyne And Sorwe they leven Echon,
and here bred they Eten with swot & peyn,
And In Caytyvete they lyven certeine.”
And whanne longe In this thowht salamon lay,
A voys to him spak that he herde verray;
“Why hast thow thus womMan dispised here
In Manie wises & In riht fowl Manere?
for thouhe be womman Cam ferst to Man disseise,
Of here Anothir Schal come, this world to plese,
and bothe Ioye & mirthe bringen mochel more
than Euere Mankynde was grevid before;
and thus be woman Amendid schal be,
that to foren tymes to womman was put to velone;
and this womman schal Comen Of thy kynde.”
A voys to him spak that he herde verray;
“Why hast thow thus womMan dispised here
In Manie wises & In riht fowl Manere?
for thouhe be womman Cam ferst to Man disseise,
Of here Anothir Schal come, this world to plese,
387
than Euere Mankynde was grevid before;
and thus be woman Amendid schal be,
that to foren tymes to womman was put to velone;
and this womman schal Comen Of thy kynde.”
Anon thanne Salamon Cast In his Mynde,
that A fool & vnwis that he was,
wommen to blamen In Ony plas.
thanne anon he bethowhte him of Sotylte,
and Sowhte the scriptures In Eche degre,
And Also Alle the devyn Secres
that he Cowde fynde In Ony degres;
and Atte laste so longe he Sowhte
Til to his wit that it was browhte,
So that he fond and knew Riht wel
the Comeng of the virgine Eueridel,
and that the Sone of god Almyht
Into þat blessed vessel scholde Alyht.
that A fool & vnwis that he was,
wommen to blamen In Ony plas.
thanne anon he bethowhte him of Sotylte,
and Sowhte the scriptures In Eche degre,
And Also Alle the devyn Secres
that he Cowde fynde In Ony degres;
and Atte laste so longe he Sowhte
Til to his wit that it was browhte,
So that he fond and knew Riht wel
the Comeng of the virgine Eueridel,
and that the Sone of god Almyht
Into þat blessed vessel scholde Alyht.
And thus that Scripture put him In Mende
Of that blessid virgine so good & kende,
that the froit þat of hire Owt scholde gon,
So gret blessednesse with him scholde comen anon,
and Mani More double of swetnesse
thanne be oure ferst Modir cam bitternesse;
Wherefore the ton, ‘Modyr,’ Cleped scholde be,
and the tothir Clepid scholde be the ‘See.’
thanne stodyed Salamon from day to day,
Of this blessed Maiden to knowen more verray,
ȝif that A Modir that Maide scholde be,
and Comen of his lyne, thus merveilled he.
thanne was he glad In Alle Manere
that of his Awncestris swich A spring scholde comen þere,
And thus longe he thowhte on this thing,
tyl Atte laste on A Nyht, In his Metyng,
To him from An hy Cam the devyne Answere
Into his Chambre, In bedde as he lay there;
“Salamon, On thing I telle now the,
that allynges of thy schal sche not be,
Ne not fully the Ende of þe lignage,
but the Ende of Anothir knyhtes of herere parage,
that schal passen of bownte & of lif
Alle Othere Knyhtes, with-owten strif,
that Evere to-forn him ȝit were,
Oþer after hym scholen comen, oþer griues bere.
So mochel schal he hem passen In alle degre
Asse the sone the Mone doth, Sikerle;
For whanne the Mone schineth most briht,
ȝit passith it, the Sonne, be Many fold lyht;
lik so this knyht al othere schal pase;
and as dide Ioswe In Ony place,
that past alle other In Chevalrye,
So schal þis knyht passen Ioswe Al oþer sekerley,
and ȝit Ioswe was told the beste knyht
that of al þe world was, & most of Myht.”
Of that blessid virgine so good & kende,
that the froit þat of hire Owt scholde gon,
So gret blessednesse with him scholde comen anon,
and Mani More double of swetnesse
thanne be oure ferst Modir cam bitternesse;
Wherefore the ton, ‘Modyr,’ Cleped scholde be,
and the tothir Clepid scholde be the ‘See.’
thanne stodyed Salamon from day to day,
Of this blessed Maiden to knowen more verray,
ȝif that A Modir that Maide scholde be,
and Comen of his lyne, thus merveilled he.
thanne was he glad In Alle Manere
that of his Awncestris swich A spring scholde comen þere,
388
tyl Atte laste on A Nyht, In his Metyng,
To him from An hy Cam the devyne Answere
Into his Chambre, In bedde as he lay there;
“Salamon, On thing I telle now the,
that allynges of thy schal sche not be,
Ne not fully the Ende of þe lignage,
but the Ende of Anothir knyhtes of herere parage,
that schal passen of bownte & of lif
Alle Othere Knyhtes, with-owten strif,
that Evere to-forn him ȝit were,
Oþer after hym scholen comen, oþer griues bere.
So mochel schal he hem passen In alle degre
Asse the sone the Mone doth, Sikerle;
For whanne the Mone schineth most briht,
ȝit passith it, the Sonne, be Many fold lyht;
lik so this knyht al othere schal pase;
and as dide Ioswe In Ony place,
that past alle other In Chevalrye,
So schal þis knyht passen Ioswe Al oþer sekerley,
and ȝit Ioswe was told the beste knyht
that of al þe world was, & most of Myht.”
and whanne he this thor vndirstod,
that of his ligne schold Comen a knyht so good,
Ful Mochel Ioye was in his herte tho,
And Aȝen to his bookis thanne gan he go,
And knew wel, & sawh be vndirstonding,
þat him scholde he not sen, ne Abyden his comenge;
For it was ful long tyme therto,
lik as that his bookes Schewed him tho:
“Now, Certes, this A wondir thing to me,
that So long tyme to-forn his perturite
how I scholde knowen of his birthe,
that to this world Schal bringen bothe Ioye & Mirthe,
As I haue here In vndirstondyng;
but ȝit is to me A ful straunge thing,
for from this day ȝit thedir to,
It is two thowsende ȝer & mo.”
that of his ligne schold Comen a knyht so good,
Ful Mochel Ioye was in his herte tho,
And Aȝen to his bookis thanne gan he go,
And knew wel, & sawh be vndirstonding,
þat him scholde he not sen, ne Abyden his comenge;
For it was ful long tyme therto,
lik as that his bookes Schewed him tho:
“Now, Certes, this A wondir thing to me,
that So long tyme to-forn his perturite
how I scholde knowen of his birthe,
that to this world Schal bringen bothe Ioye & Mirthe,
As I haue here In vndirstondyng;
389
for from this day ȝit thedir to,
It is two thowsende ȝer & mo.”
Ful longe thowhte Solamon of this thing,
Tyl his wif it Aspyde, Atte last Endyng,
how that he was fallen In his thowht,
Where-offen Comfort fond he Ryht nowht,
So that he was wondirly Evel at Ese,
he Niste non thing that myht him plese;
thanne hadde his wif gret drede Anon
that som Manere Evel he wolde hire don;
So that it happed vppon An Niht tho
that In bedde they lyen bothe two;
and whanne hyre tyme sche sawh forto speke,
thanne to hym sche gan Owt-breke,
And Anon sche gan hym forto Conioure tho,
For alle the loves betwexen hem two,
that he hire would trewly telle
how of his pensifnesse it be-felle.
Tyl his wif it Aspyde, Atte last Endyng,
how that he was fallen In his thowht,
Where-offen Comfort fond he Ryht nowht,
So that he was wondirly Evel at Ese,
he Niste non thing that myht him plese;
thanne hadde his wif gret drede Anon
that som Manere Evel he wolde hire don;
So that it happed vppon An Niht tho
that In bedde they lyen bothe two;
and whanne hyre tyme sche sawh forto speke,
thanne to hym sche gan Owt-breke,
And Anon sche gan hym forto Conioure tho,
For alle the loves betwexen hem two,
that he hire would trewly telle
how of his pensifnesse it be-felle.
and Salamon, that knew passingly wel
Of hire Coniettyng Every del,
Wyste wel that ther Nas non herte levenge
that Cowde So Mochel of Coniettynge,
that, And sche knew of his Menynge,
Anon to the Ende Sche wolde it bringe;
therfore than Anon thouhte Salamon
how that best this Game myhte Gon,
For Al the Certeinte tellen he Nolde,
What After there Offen fallen scholde.
Of hire Coniettyng Every del,
Wyste wel that ther Nas non herte levenge
that Cowde So Mochel of Coniettynge,
that, And sche knew of his Menynge,
Anon to the Ende Sche wolde it bringe;
therfore than Anon thouhte Salamon
how that best this Game myhte Gon,
For Al the Certeinte tellen he Nolde,
What After there Offen fallen scholde.
thanne discouered he his pensifnesse
To his wif, & al his hertes distresse,
Of that he hadde So longe I-thowht,
To what Ende it scholde be browht.
“Certes, Sire,” quod his wif tho,
“Of this Mater ȝit Can I not do;
but with-Inne schort tyme, to My supposinge,
To A good Ende we scholen it brynge.”
To his wif, & al his hertes distresse,
Of that he hadde So longe I-thowht,
To what Ende it scholde be browht.
390
“Of this Mater ȝit Can I not do;
but with-Inne schort tyme, to My supposinge,
To A good Ende we scholen it brynge.”
So it happede that the thridde Nyht
To-Gederis they weren, as I the plyht,
“Sire,” sche seide, “I the now certefye
Of this knyht ful Certeinlye,
That schal ben of thy laste lyne;
To my wit it doth now propyne
how that ȝe scholen knowen the verite
Of Al his Comeng, In Eche degre.”
“Now Sothly,” quod Salamon the kyng,
“this me pleseth Ouer alle thing.”
To-Gederis they weren, as I the plyht,
“Sire,” sche seide, “I the now certefye
Of this knyht ful Certeinlye,
That schal ben of thy laste lyne;
To my wit it doth now propyne
how that ȝe scholen knowen the verite
Of Al his Comeng, In Eche degre.”
“Now Sothly,” quod Salamon the kyng,
“this me pleseth Ouer alle thing.”
“Now ful Gladly I wele ȝow Schewe
holy myn Entent vppon A rewe:
Wel faste Sendeth ȝoure Messengeres Anon
thorwh-Owt ȝoure Rem Everichon,
And Alle the Carponteris that they mown fynde,
that to ȝow they hem bringe In Ony Kynde;
And whanne they ben Alle to-gederis I-browht,
A Certein thing ȝe scholen hauen wrowht;
And Chargeth hem In Alle wise
Trewly to don here Servise,
And swich a schipe ȝow forto Ordeyne
Of sweche tre that it may the self susteyne,
And that of water it may haven non fere,
Ne Of non thing In non Manere,
That it Mow laste foure thousend ȝer,
Where so Euere it go, Oþer fer Or ner.
And In the mene while this Schipe they make,
To Another purpos I wele me take,
For to Aparaille Other thinges therto,
Swich As behoveth there-Inne to do,
As ȝe scholen Afterward bothe heren & knowe
Al myn hol purpos vppon A rowe.”
holy myn Entent vppon A rewe:
Wel faste Sendeth ȝoure Messengeres Anon
thorwh-Owt ȝoure Rem Everichon,
And Alle the Carponteris that they mown fynde,
that to ȝow they hem bringe In Ony Kynde;
And whanne they ben Alle to-gederis I-browht,
A Certein thing ȝe scholen hauen wrowht;
And Chargeth hem In Alle wise
Trewly to don here Servise,
And swich a schipe ȝow forto Ordeyne
Of sweche tre that it may the self susteyne,
And that of water it may haven non fere,
Ne Of non thing In non Manere,
That it Mow laste foure thousend ȝer,
Where so Euere it go, Oþer fer Or ner.
And In the mene while this Schipe they make,
To Another purpos I wele me take,
For to Aparaille Other thinges therto,
391
As ȝe scholen Afterward bothe heren & knowe
Al myn hol purpos vppon A rowe.”
And Salomon it levede tho ful wel,
And there Aȝens spak Neuere Adel;
but Suffrede hire wille Al that nyht,
Tyl on the Morwe it was day lyht.
And there Aȝens spak Neuere Adel;
but Suffrede hire wille Al that nyht,
Tyl on the Morwe it was day lyht.
On the Morwe Anon as the day gan Ryse,
he Comaunded his Messengeris In Alle wise
Into Every partye forto gon,
Carponters him to bryngen Anon.
So that with-Inne a fewe dayes
these Messengeris Sowhten Many wayes,
and Carponters to the kyng Anon they browhte,
to weten ȝif that with hem he wolde Owhte.
he Comaunded his Messengeris In Alle wise
Into Every partye forto gon,
Carponters him to bryngen Anon.
So that with-Inne a fewe dayes
these Messengeris Sowhten Many wayes,
and Carponters to the kyng Anon they browhte,
to weten ȝif that with hem he wolde Owhte.
and whanne these Carpenteris weren semblid Echone,
To hem the kyng Aperede wel sone,
& hem Comanded there riht Anon
‘a schip forto maken they Scholde gon,
So Strong, so Myhty, In Alle manere of gyse,
of swich tre As they Cowde devyse,
that for water ne Rokkes ne persen scholde
With-Inne iiij M ȝeres,’ thus the kyng wolde.
thanne Answered the Carponters Agayn,
‘his wille to fulfulle they wolde ben fayn,
To alle here powere & to Alle here Myht
they wolden don that Schipe to dyht.’
So that to werke they wenten Al In fere,
that the Schipe was Mad with-Inne half A ȝere.
To hem the kyng Aperede wel sone,
& hem Comanded there riht Anon
‘a schip forto maken they Scholde gon,
So Strong, so Myhty, In Alle manere of gyse,
of swich tre As they Cowde devyse,
that for water ne Rokkes ne persen scholde
With-Inne iiij M ȝeres,’ thus the kyng wolde.
thanne Answered the Carponters Agayn,
‘his wille to fulfulle they wolde ben fayn,
To alle here powere & to Alle here Myht
they wolden don that Schipe to dyht.’
So that to werke they wenten Al In fere,
that the Schipe was Mad with-Inne half A ȝere.
And whanne it was fulliche I-browhte to An ende,
Thanne that lady to Salamon gan wende,
That thike Schip first dide begynne
thorgh hire qweyntise and hire Jenne;
“Sire,” sche seide, “and it be so As ȝe me telle,
that In tyme Comeng swich A Cas be-felle,
and that swich A thing scholde there be,
So worthy A knyht, and Of so ny degre
that In bowunte alle knyhtes scholde passen Echone
As don bemes of þe sonne passith liht of the Mone,
And Alle hem that Euere to forn him were,
Oþer after hym scholen Comen Armes to bere,
It were bothe my Cownseille & my wit,—
And ȝe wolden Owht concentyn to It,
and as be good Resown As thenkith Me,
Sethen this worthy knyht Of ȝoure ligne schal be,—
that ȝe som Manere Of precious Armure
Whiche is bothen passing good & sure,
(So that ȝow he may haven In remembraunce,
What so Evere Aftir happe be chaunce,)
Scholen ȝe Ordeyne & Arayen Aȝens his Comenge
Of hym that ȝe hauen so gret Merveillynge,
and that the Armure be passinge Merveillous In all degre
As he schal passen Alle Oþer knyhtes In dignete.”
“Sey,” quod Salamon, “what Armure it schal be;
and ȝif it be Covenable that I may se,
I schal it ordeine thanne Anon Riht,
And Into that Schipe it schal be diht.”
Thanne that lady to Salamon gan wende,
That thike Schip first dide begynne
thorgh hire qweyntise and hire Jenne;
“Sire,” sche seide, “and it be so As ȝe me telle,
that In tyme Comeng swich A Cas be-felle,
392
So worthy A knyht, and Of so ny degre
that In bowunte alle knyhtes scholde passen Echone
As don bemes of þe sonne passith liht of the Mone,
And Alle hem that Euere to forn him were,
Oþer after hym scholen Comen Armes to bere,
It were bothe my Cownseille & my wit,—
And ȝe wolden Owht concentyn to It,
and as be good Resown As thenkith Me,
Sethen this worthy knyht Of ȝoure ligne schal be,—
that ȝe som Manere Of precious Armure
Whiche is bothen passing good & sure,
(So that ȝow he may haven In remembraunce,
What so Evere Aftir happe be chaunce,)
Scholen ȝe Ordeyne & Arayen Aȝens his Comenge
Of hym that ȝe hauen so gret Merveillynge,
and that the Armure be passinge Merveillous In all degre
As he schal passen Alle Oþer knyhtes In dignete.”
“Sey,” quod Salamon, “what Armure it schal be;
and ȝif it be Covenable that I may se,
I schal it ordeine thanne Anon Riht,
And Into that Schipe it schal be diht.”
thanne Seide this lady Anon Ageyn,
“Sire, I schal ȝow tellen now In Certein
On Of the Most Sufficiaunt Armure
that I knowe, as I ȝow Ensure.
the holy temple wheche ȝe han don Mad
In the worschepe of oure lord In this sted,
In wheche temple the beste Armure is on
that Euere On knyht here was I-don;
It is the swerd of thy fadir, kyng davy,
that there-Inne hangeth ful Sekerly;
For it is On the Richest thing
That Evere Abowtes heng ony kyng,
the most Merveillous that Evere forged was,
the Most disgiest In Ony plas,
the Scharpest & the Moste trenchaund
that Evere Ony Knyht took on hand;—
taketh that, & Maketh Ordenaunce
For that swerd with-owten ony variAunce,
And Ordeyneth bothe for hondele & point,
To Setten Every thing In his Ioynt;
And Aftir for the blad ȝe ordeynen Also
As ȝow thinketh best forto do.
and ȝe that han of Alle herbes the knoweng,
and of Alle precyous stones the konnenge,
And the kynde of Alle thinges therto
that be-longeth ony konnenge to,
Ordeyneth, for the point, of precious stones,
And that they ben Sotely Ioyned for þe Nones,
So that non Erthly Man Aftir this day
In non wise hem departen ne May,
but þat they Supposen In Alle thing
that it Nis but On ston In beenge.
and thanne to the pomel Ordeynen ȝe
As precious A ston & Merveillous As it may be,
That non so vertwos, so merveillo[u]s, ne so riche,
Of Alle Other stones be non him liche:
and thanne A schethe that ȝe ordeyne,
tha merveillous blad forto susteyne.
and whanne Alle this ȝe han I-wrowht,
thanne wile I werken As cometh In My thowht,
and Ranges I wele Maken therto,
Sweche As me liketh there-Inne to do.”
thanne he that was wisest of Al degre,
And most vertwes In herbis & stones Knew he,—
passing Ony oþer Creature
Most Connenge he was, I the Ensure,—
Owt of that temple the swerd they browhte,
the wheche kyng davy his fadyr owhte,
and that they helden as Riche and As worthy
As Ony thing þat In þe temple was Sekerly.
“Sire, I schal ȝow tellen now In Certein
On Of the Most Sufficiaunt Armure
that I knowe, as I ȝow Ensure.
the holy temple wheche ȝe han don Mad
In the worschepe of oure lord In this sted,
In wheche temple the beste Armure is on
that Euere On knyht here was I-don;
It is the swerd of thy fadir, kyng davy,
that there-Inne hangeth ful Sekerly;
For it is On the Richest thing
That Evere Abowtes heng ony kyng,
the most Merveillous that Evere forged was,
393
the Scharpest & the Moste trenchaund
that Evere Ony Knyht took on hand;—
taketh that, & Maketh Ordenaunce
For that swerd with-owten ony variAunce,
And Ordeyneth bothe for hondele & point,
To Setten Every thing In his Ioynt;
And Aftir for the blad ȝe ordeynen Also
As ȝow thinketh best forto do.
and ȝe that han of Alle herbes the knoweng,
and of Alle precyous stones the konnenge,
And the kynde of Alle thinges therto
that be-longeth ony konnenge to,
Ordeyneth, for the point, of precious stones,
And that they ben Sotely Ioyned for þe Nones,
So that non Erthly Man Aftir this day
In non wise hem departen ne May,
but þat they Supposen In Alle thing
that it Nis but On ston In beenge.
and thanne to the pomel Ordeynen ȝe
As precious A ston & Merveillous As it may be,
That non so vertwos, so merveillo[u]s, ne so riche,
Of Alle Other stones be non him liche:
and thanne A schethe that ȝe ordeyne,
tha merveillous blad forto susteyne.
and whanne Alle this ȝe han I-wrowht,
thanne wile I werken As cometh In My thowht,
and Ranges I wele Maken therto,
Sweche As me liketh there-Inne to do.”
thanne he that was wisest of Al degre,
And most vertwes In herbis & stones Knew he,—
passing Ony oþer Creature
Most Connenge he was, I the Ensure,—
Owt of that temple the swerd they browhte,
the wheche kyng davy his fadyr owhte,
394
As Ony thing þat In þe temple was Sekerly.
and thanne wrowhte he Al Aftir hire Avys
With precious stones of gret delys;
but Onliche to the pomel An hy
he putte but on ston Sekerly,
Whiche of Alle Manere Colowrs it was
that Ony Man Cowde thenken In Ony plas.
And thanne Al his hol Entent
the schethe to Maken, he dide verament,
Where Inne that this swerd schold be;
Ful Coriously his wittes thanne Cast he.
but where offen the schethe þat he made there,
declaret not ȝit this storie here;
For it schal ben non gret Mestier
the schethe ȝit to declaren In non Manere;
but the pomel Made he so Ryaly
As here vs doth telle this Story.
With precious stones of gret delys;
but Onliche to the pomel An hy
he putte but on ston Sekerly,
Whiche of Alle Manere Colowrs it was
that Ony Man Cowde thenken In Ony plas.
And thanne Al his hol Entent
the schethe to Maken, he dide verament,
Where Inne that this swerd schold be;
Ful Coriously his wittes thanne Cast he.
but where offen the schethe þat he made there,
declaret not ȝit this storie here;
For it schal ben non gret Mestier
the schethe ȝit to declaren In non Manere;
but the pomel Made he so Ryaly
As here vs doth telle this Story.
And whanne this swerd thus garnysched was,
and be his devis wrowht In that plas,
thanne the Swerd Into the Schethe he pytte,
and ful fast be gan to beholden Itte,
bothe the schethe and Ek the swerd;
Swich anothir nas there In Middlelerd.
and be his devis wrowht In that plas,
thanne the Swerd Into the Schethe he pytte,
and ful fast be gan to beholden Itte,
bothe the schethe and Ek the swerd;
Swich anothir nas there In Middlelerd.
and whanne he Sawh it Aparaylled So Richely,
In Al the world hym thowhte non So worthy
That for Erthly man Euere was Mad;
thus In his herte to him Self he seid,
“that there nas Neuere non knyht born
In Al this world here be-forn
that for hym swich a Swerd was diht,
Ne non So Riche to non Mannes siht,
ne non so vertwos In Al degre
As that is this swerd, as semeth me.”
In Al the world hym thowhte non So worthy
That for Erthly man Euere was Mad;
thus In his herte to him Self he seid,
“that there nas Neuere non knyht born
In Al this world here be-forn
that for hym swich a Swerd was diht,
Ne non So Riche to non Mannes siht,
ne non so vertwos In Al degre
As that is this swerd, as semeth me.”
Thanne of on thing desired he ful sore,
Of Alle his desir not mochelis More,
‘that Neuere Man theke swerd scholde drawe,
For lust, for drede, nether for Awe,
but him Repentyn Scholde Ryht Sore,
Sauf only he that it was Mad Fore,
What Manere of Knyht So Evere it be,
that non it drawe, but ȝif it be he.’
thanne to hym Cam A vois with-Owten lak—
the Same vois that to fore tymes to him spak—
“Salamon, Of this that þou hast Axed before,
Schal non man it drawe, but hym Repente sore,
but ȝif it be the Same persone
for whom this Mater thou hast I-done,
and for whom this swerd is dyht;
It non Man to drawen schal hauen non myht.”
Of Alle his desir not mochelis More,
395
For lust, for drede, nether for Awe,
but him Repentyn Scholde Ryht Sore,
Sauf only he that it was Mad Fore,
What Manere of Knyht So Evere it be,
that non it drawe, but ȝif it be he.’
thanne to hym Cam A vois with-Owten lak—
the Same vois that to fore tymes to him spak—
“Salamon, Of this that þou hast Axed before,
Schal non man it drawe, but hym Repente sore,
but ȝif it be the Same persone
for whom this Mater thou hast I-done,
and for whom this swerd is dyht;
It non Man to drawen schal hauen non myht.”
And whanne that Salamon herde this,
thanne was his herte In Ioye & blys;
and Anon let wryten with his hond
dyvers lettres, as I vndirstond;
and, as this Storye doth devyse,
he let Ordeyne Rawnges In his Gyse,
And to the schethe he gan hem Ordeyne
Also Ryaly as he Cowde Certeyne:
but so wolde not his wif
In non wyse be here lyf;
but so fowle Raunges, & so Spytable,—
that to so Ryal A thing ne weren not able—
his wif Ordeynede forto do,
that non thing weren Able therto,
As fer forth as Salamon Cowde seyne,
Not An Owr thike swerd to susteyne.
“What?” quod Salamon to his wyf tho,
“how thenke ȝe now here forto do,
To putten So fowl A thing In Abvcioun
To So Riche A thing with-Owten Comparison?”
“ȝe, forsothe,” thanne quod sche,
“At this tyme it schal non Oþerwyse be,
Sowf onliche, and it be goddis plesyng,
That so May happen In tyme Comeng,
That A damysele it Chaungen Schal there,
And Tornen hem Into Anothir Manere,
So Faire and so Riche, that wondir schal be
Ony Erthly Man to beholden Certeinle.
and so be this swerd there scholen ȝe knowe
the werkys of two wommen with-Inne A throwe;
For lik as ȝe don me to vndirstonde
That A Mayden schal comen In to this londe
Forto A-Mendyn Al the grete wronge
That oure form Modir dyde A forn ful longe,
Ryht So schal the Same Maiden Certeynlye
Amendyn In tyme Comeng Al my folye,
the fowle Raunges that I have the swerd put to,
Fvl Riche & worthy for hem wele sche þere do.”
Of these wordis thanne hadde Salamon
In his herte gret wondir Anon,
Where sche hadde that wit An discresciown
him forto tellen So straunge A resown.
thanne was his herte In Ioye & blys;
and Anon let wryten with his hond
dyvers lettres, as I vndirstond;
and, as this Storye doth devyse,
he let Ordeyne Rawnges In his Gyse,
And to the schethe he gan hem Ordeyne
Also Ryaly as he Cowde Certeyne:
but so wolde not his wif
In non wyse be here lyf;
but so fowle Raunges, & so Spytable,—
that to so Ryal A thing ne weren not able—
his wif Ordeynede forto do,
that non thing weren Able therto,
As fer forth as Salamon Cowde seyne,
Not An Owr thike swerd to susteyne.
“What?” quod Salamon to his wyf tho,
“how thenke ȝe now here forto do,
To putten So fowl A thing In Abvcioun
396
“ȝe, forsothe,” thanne quod sche,
“At this tyme it schal non Oþerwyse be,
Sowf onliche, and it be goddis plesyng,
That so May happen In tyme Comeng,
That A damysele it Chaungen Schal there,
And Tornen hem Into Anothir Manere,
So Faire and so Riche, that wondir schal be
Ony Erthly Man to beholden Certeinle.
and so be this swerd there scholen ȝe knowe
the werkys of two wommen with-Inne A throwe;
For lik as ȝe don me to vndirstonde
That A Mayden schal comen In to this londe
Forto A-Mendyn Al the grete wronge
That oure form Modir dyde A forn ful longe,
Ryht So schal the Same Maiden Certeynlye
Amendyn In tyme Comeng Al my folye,
the fowle Raunges that I have the swerd put to,
Fvl Riche & worthy for hem wele sche þere do.”
Of these wordis thanne hadde Salamon
In his herte gret wondir Anon,
Where sche hadde that wit An discresciown
him forto tellen So straunge A resown.
Whanne the Schipe was Mad In this manere,
And I-Couered, as the Storye telleth here,
In the Schipe was mad a bed of Tre,
Wondirfully devised, I telle the;
and Ouerthwert ouer the beddis feet
lay this Ryal swerd, I the be-heet:
And Aboven, vppon the beddes hed,
A Crowne of Gold stood In that sted,
that Manie ȝeris to-fore his fadir kyng davy
that Crowne hadde werid ful worschepfully;
wiche Crowne Salamon put In to that plase,
Sethen that knyht neuere non So worthy wase
As he of whos ligne scholde Comen that mayde,
As to forn tymes his Bokys had hym Sayde;
And on non Man So wel, hym thowht, levenge,
Myht ben be-stowed So worthy A thynge.
And I-Couered, as the Storye telleth here,
In the Schipe was mad a bed of Tre,
Wondirfully devised, I telle the;
and Ouerthwert ouer the beddis feet
lay this Ryal swerd, I the be-heet:
And Aboven, vppon the beddes hed,
A Crowne of Gold stood In that sted,
that Manie ȝeris to-fore his fadir kyng davy
that Crowne hadde werid ful worschepfully;
wiche Crowne Salamon put In to that plase,
Sethen that knyht neuere non So worthy wase
As he of whos ligne scholde Comen that mayde,
397
And on non Man So wel, hym thowht, levenge,
Myht ben be-stowed So worthy A thynge.
And whanne the lady thus hadde Seyn him do,
“ȝit,” sche Seide, “vs behoueth now thinges mo:
For ȝit to this Schip there failleth Somthing
That there-Inne Moste ben with-owten faillyng.”
“ȝit,” sche Seide, “vs behoueth now thinges mo:
For ȝit to this Schip there failleth Somthing
That there-Inne Moste ben with-owten faillyng.”
And these Carponters sche took Anon,
And to the Tre of lyf they gonne to gon,
vndir wheche tre Abel was Slayn,
As the Storye to forn Reherseth Certein.
thanne Seyde sche to hire lord tho,
“Sire, to this tre now moot we Go,
And to the Tothir that of hem Come,—
the Cause I schal tellen ȝow Al & Some,—
Off wheche on Is Red, Anothir is whit,
The thrydde is grene, A tre of delyt:
Of these take ȝe now springes thre,
Whit, Red, & Grene, lik as they be,
Whiche the bed Scholen Envirown Abowte,
As I schal ȝow tellen with-Owten dowte.”
And to the Tre of lyf they gonne to gon,
vndir wheche tre Abel was Slayn,
As the Storye to forn Reherseth Certein.
thanne Seyde sche to hire lord tho,
“Sire, to this tre now moot we Go,
And to the Tothir that of hem Come,—
the Cause I schal tellen ȝow Al & Some,—
Off wheche on Is Red, Anothir is whit,
The thrydde is grene, A tre of delyt:
Of these take ȝe now springes thre,
Whit, Red, & Grene, lik as they be,
Whiche the bed Scholen Envirown Abowte,
As I schal ȝow tellen with-Owten dowte.”
thanne Answerid the Carponteris tho,
‘that the Tre of lyf wolden not they gon to,
For neuere to fore, as they Cowden vndirstond,
Ne was it persched with Mannes hond.’
thanne Answerid this qwene Anon,
“but ȝif that ȝe my Comandement wil don,
ȝe scholen ben blamed Al In hye,
I-Seye ȝow, Seres, now ful Certeynlye.”
‘that the Tre of lyf wolden not they gon to,
For neuere to fore, as they Cowden vndirstond,
Ne was it persched with Mannes hond.’
thanne Answerid this qwene Anon,
“but ȝif that ȝe my Comandement wil don,
ȝe scholen ben blamed Al In hye,
I-Seye ȝow, Seres, now ful Certeynlye.”
Thanne they fulfilden here Comandement
holiche Aftyr the ladyes Entent;
and they dradden hem ful Soryly,
For neuere to fore hadde Man Comen ther Ny.
but ful sore Abascht they weren Atte begynnenge,
For so fresch blood owt of þe tre gan sprynge,
As of A Mannes Arm it hadde be
that hadde ben of smeten Sekerle
In bataille, oþer In tornement,
Lik As it semede to here Entent.
holiche Aftyr the ladyes Entent;
and they dradden hem ful Soryly,
For neuere to fore hadde Man Comen ther Ny.
398
For so fresch blood owt of þe tre gan sprynge,
As of A Mannes Arm it hadde be
that hadde ben of smeten Sekerle
In bataille, oþer In tornement,
Lik As it semede to here Entent.
and thanne weren they Abascht so sore,
that there-Onne wolden they werken no more,
and so leften they Alle here werkynge
that they diden Atte the begynnenge,
and Repentyd hem ful Sore
that they wrouhten after the ladyes lore.
But sche wolde it suffren In non wyse
but that sche wolde haven hire owne Gyse;
and whanne they knewen hire Entent,
holiche they fulfilden hire Comaundement.
that there-Onne wolden they werken no more,
and so leften they Alle here werkynge
that they diden Atte the begynnenge,
and Repentyd hem ful Sore
that they wrouhten after the ladyes lore.
But sche wolde it suffren In non wyse
but that sche wolde haven hire owne Gyse;
and whanne they knewen hire Entent,
holiche they fulfilden hire Comaundement.
And whanne these thre brawnches weren I-browht
To þe Schipe, to fulfillen the ladyes thowht,
ȝit ful Sorye they weren therto
here ladyes wille thanne forto do.
To þe Schipe, to fulfillen the ladyes thowht,
ȝit ful Sorye they weren therto
here ladyes wille thanne forto do.
thanne devised the lady how it scholde be
of alle tho Braunches In Eche degre,
On be Fore, the tothir be hynde,
the thridde Ouerthwert, As Cam to hire Mynde;
So that the bed ouer sprad was there
with these thre trees In this Manere.
of alle tho Braunches In Eche degre,
On be Fore, the tothir be hynde,
the thridde Ouerthwert, As Cam to hire Mynde;
So that the bed ouer sprad was there
with these thre trees In this Manere.
behold now of this merveillous werkyng,
What it was thanne to Signefieng!
For it was to a gret Signefyaunce;
As this Storye schal schewen with-owten variaunce.
What it was thanne to Signefieng!
For it was to a gret Signefyaunce;
As this Storye schal schewen with-owten variaunce.
And whanne sche hadde So I-do,
Thanne to Salamon gan sche to go,
“Now beholdeth these spyndelis thre
that vppon this bed to forn ȝow be!
Now herkeneth to me what I schal seye:
these Schal Neuere Man Sen ful Certeinlye
But ȝif Abelys deth he schal haven In Mynde,
That Man that so Just was, and to God So kynde.”
And whiles they spoken of this Matere,
Anon to hem Comen tydynges there,
that tho whiche the Branches hadden Atamed,
Aungeles they weren, that weren not blamed.
Thanne to Salamon gan sche to go,
“Now beholdeth these spyndelis thre
that vppon this bed to forn ȝow be!
Now herkeneth to me what I schal seye:
these Schal Neuere Man Sen ful Certeinlye
399
That Man that so Just was, and to God So kynde.”
And whiles they spoken of this Matere,
Anon to hem Comen tydynges there,
that tho whiche the Branches hadden Atamed,
Aungeles they weren, that weren not blamed.
Thanne be-thowhte ful Mochel Salamon
Of Manye thinges that he wolde don;
And ȝit to his wif he Seyde Ryht nouht
Of Al that Euere thike tyme he thouht.
Thanne Anon Salamon be-gan to write,
and with his wittes it gan to Endite,
A lettre In the Schipe forto be set tho,
In what plase he myhte best it do.
And this was the be-gynneng of his Resoun,
As ȝe scholen now heren, bothe Al & soun:
‘Behold, thou Knyht, (what I schal Seye;
Of on thing I warne the Alweye,)
That schalt ben Ende of Myn lynage,
As I am Certefyed, and of So worthy Corage.
Evere be thow war of wommens Engyne;
And Also of Many thinges they welen propyne,
loke that thow be wis, & kepe the wel,
and of hem be war thou Everey del,
and that thow leve hem In non wise,
For ȝif thou do, thou lesist thin Aprise;
Ne Neuere prowesse ne non Chevalrye
Schal I the waraunten Certeinlie,
but it torne Reprof to the;
thus Sente the to Seyne Salamon be Me:
And of hym Remembraunce thow took,
Whanne that thow lokist vppon this book.”
Thys was the begynneng of his writ there,
Whiche Salamon wrot In this Manere;
For of logres that worthy Knyht
Whiche that Into this Schip scholde be dyht,
Wrot Salamon this qwestion Sekerly,
and Into the Schipe it putte trewly.
And now of Forein londes scholen ȝe here,
As the storye of Sank Ryal Reherseth In diuers manere.
And After he Wrot the verite
Of his wif there In Alle degre,
how his wif this Schipe gan to Ordeyne,
And Al that Richesse there-Inne put Certeyne,
bothe the Bed, & spyndelis Also
that overthwert the bed weren I-do,
of whiche on was whit, Anothir was Rede,
And the thridde was grene In that stede;
and alle colowred of here kynde they were,
As of the Tres they weren taken Ere.
and whanne this writ was thus I-do,
At the beddes hed he leyde it tho;
vndir the Crowne there As it was,
There he it putte In that Same plas.
Of Manye thinges that he wolde don;
And ȝit to his wif he Seyde Ryht nouht
Of Al that Euere thike tyme he thouht.
Thanne Anon Salamon be-gan to write,
and with his wittes it gan to Endite,
A lettre In the Schipe forto be set tho,
In what plase he myhte best it do.
And this was the be-gynneng of his Resoun,
As ȝe scholen now heren, bothe Al & soun:
‘Behold, thou Knyht, (what I schal Seye;
Of on thing I warne the Alweye,)
That schalt ben Ende of Myn lynage,
As I am Certefyed, and of So worthy Corage.
Evere be thow war of wommens Engyne;
And Also of Many thinges they welen propyne,
loke that thow be wis, & kepe the wel,
and of hem be war thou Everey del,
and that thow leve hem In non wise,
For ȝif thou do, thou lesist thin Aprise;
Ne Neuere prowesse ne non Chevalrye
Schal I the waraunten Certeinlie,
but it torne Reprof to the;
thus Sente the to Seyne Salamon be Me:
And of hym Remembraunce thow took,
Whanne that thow lokist vppon this book.”
Thys was the begynneng of his writ there,
400
For of logres that worthy Knyht
Whiche that Into this Schip scholde be dyht,
Wrot Salamon this qwestion Sekerly,
and Into the Schipe it putte trewly.
And now of Forein londes scholen ȝe here,
As the storye of Sank Ryal Reherseth In diuers manere.
And After he Wrot the verite
Of his wif there In Alle degre,
how his wif this Schipe gan to Ordeyne,
And Al that Richesse there-Inne put Certeyne,
bothe the Bed, & spyndelis Also
that overthwert the bed weren I-do,
of whiche on was whit, Anothir was Rede,
And the thridde was grene In that stede;
and alle colowred of here kynde they were,
As of the Tres they weren taken Ere.
and whanne this writ was thus I-do,
At the beddes hed he leyde it tho;
vndir the Crowne there As it was,
There he it putte In that Same plas.
And whanne this Schipe thus was I-dyht,
Into the Se he it putte Anon Ryht.
Into the Se he it putte Anon Ryht.
thanne to his wif he Seide Anon,
“Lo, dame, now Al this thing [is] don,
and Into the Se I have it pyt,
Neuere weneng more forto Sen it;
Ne I not neuere to knowen of his Comenge,
of theke worthy Knyht þat me Is put in Mynde.”
“ȝis Certein, Sire,” quod his wif thanne
“Som veryfieng Schole ȝe han of that Manne;
Charge ȝe ȝoure Meyne Anon Ryht
That ȝowre pavylowns ben Redy dyht,
And be the se Syde that ȝe don hem Sette,
And for non thyng that ȝe ne lette
That ȝe And I and somme of oure Meyne
With-Inne the tentes to-gideres Mown be,
And there to Abyden and to dwelle,
To seen what this Schipe may be-falle.”
“Lo, dame, now Al this thing [is] don,
and Into the Se I have it pyt,
Neuere weneng more forto Sen it;
Ne I not neuere to knowen of his Comenge,
of theke worthy Knyht þat me Is put in Mynde.”
“ȝis Certein, Sire,” quod his wif thanne
“Som veryfieng Schole ȝe han of that Manne;
Charge ȝe ȝoure Meyne Anon Ryht
401
And be the se Syde that ȝe don hem Sette,
And for non thyng that ȝe ne lette
That ȝe And I and somme of oure Meyne
With-Inne the tentes to-gideres Mown be,
And there to Abyden and to dwelle,
To seen what this Schipe may be-falle.”
Thanne this Salamon Anon Ryht
Comanded his pavilowns to ben dyht,
And to ben Set faste vppon the Se Syde,
with-Inne wheche he myhte abyde,
his wif, & with hem A prevy Meyne:
thus he Comanded that It scholde be.
And anon his comandement was I-do,
that he and his wif to-gederis Also
there-Inne Slepten Every Nyht,
and with hem here Meyne ful ryht.
Comanded his pavilowns to ben dyht,
And to ben Set faste vppon the Se Syde,
with-Inne wheche he myhte abyde,
his wif, & with hem A prevy Meyne:
thus he Comanded that It scholde be.
And anon his comandement was I-do,
that he and his wif to-gederis Also
there-Inne Slepten Every Nyht,
and with hem here Meyne ful ryht.
So vppon A tyme As there-Inne they lay,
As this Storye here doth Say,
As it be-happede Abowtes Mydnyht,
In his Sleep he Sawh a wondir siht:
that there Cam from the hevene An hy
A man, & of Aungeles A gret Company
that certein Instrwmentis with hem browhte;
but what Maner they weren, he knew hem nowhte,
Ne he ne wiste In non maner degre
What Man it was that In that Compeyne
that with the Angelis Cam down there,
he ne Cowde him knowen In non Manere.
And Alle Into the Schipe they descendid Anon,
Ech After Oþer there-Inne Gan gon;
thanne to the water gonne they Reche,
And ther-with dyden as I schal the teche:
and Into that schip it Cast Abowte
Into alle parties, with-Owten dowte,
Seyeng there In this Manere
To his Aviciown, as he myhte here:
“This Schipe is the Signefiaunce
Of Myn Newe hows with-Owten variaunce.”
As this Storye here doth Say,
As it be-happede Abowtes Mydnyht,
In his Sleep he Sawh a wondir siht:
that there Cam from the hevene An hy
A man, & of Aungeles A gret Company
that certein Instrwmentis with hem browhte;
but what Maner they weren, he knew hem nowhte,
Ne he ne wiste In non maner degre
What Man it was that In that Compeyne
that with the Angelis Cam down there,
he ne Cowde him knowen In non Manere.
And Alle Into the Schipe they descendid Anon,
Ech After Oþer there-Inne Gan gon;
thanne to the water gonne they Reche,
And ther-with dyden as I schal the teche:
and Into that schip it Cast Abowte
Into alle parties, with-Owten dowte,
402
To his Aviciown, as he myhte here:
“This Schipe is the Signefiaunce
Of Myn Newe hows with-Owten variaunce.”
and thanne this old Man gan forth to gon
to the bordis of þe forschipe there Anon,
And bad on of his Compeny to write
Sweche lettres as he wolde Endyte.
And whanne these lettres weren I-wrete,
thus gonne they sein, And thow wilt wete:
“a passing fool thanne schal he be
that this comaundement passeth In ony degre.”
to the bordis of þe forschipe there Anon,
And bad on of his Compeny to write
Sweche lettres as he wolde Endyte.
And whanne these lettres weren I-wrete,
thus gonne they sein, And thow wilt wete:
“a passing fool thanne schal he be
that this comaundement passeth In ony degre.”
this beheld Salamon In his Aviciown,
What this Comaundement spak Al & Som;
and þerto it was so worthily I-wreten & dyht,
So that there Cowde non Erthely wyht
discryve the bewte of that Scripture
that so wondirful was, I the Ensure.
What this Comaundement spak Al & Som;
and þerto it was so worthily I-wreten & dyht,
So that there Cowde non Erthely wyht
discryve the bewte of that Scripture
that so wondirful was, I the Ensure.
And al swich wondir he hadde In his Slepinge,
So that atte laste he barst In wakynge,
And there his Eyen he Openede Anon,
And to-wardis the schip he lokede ful son;
And there Openly Sawh he than
the Same Compenye with the olde Man
that In his Sleep he Sawh to fore;
Alle thike hole Compenye him thowhte thore.
thanne to hem wolde he han Spoken tho,
but non power hadde he therto;
he wold han Clepid hem In his Gyse;
but power hadde he non forto Rise.
thanne wolde he han Clepid hem þat to-fore him lay,
but therto power hadde he non be no way,
For he ne myht nethir Meve ne Speke,
Ne with On word ne Myhte Owt breke.
So that atte laste he barst In wakynge,
And there his Eyen he Openede Anon,
And to-wardis the schip he lokede ful son;
And there Openly Sawh he than
the Same Compenye with the olde Man
that In his Sleep he Sawh to fore;
Alle thike hole Compenye him thowhte thore.
thanne to hem wolde he han Spoken tho,
but non power hadde he therto;
he wold han Clepid hem In his Gyse;
but power hadde he non forto Rise.
thanne wolde he han Clepid hem þat to-fore him lay,
but therto power hadde he non be no way,
For he ne myht nethir Meve ne Speke,
Ne with On word ne Myhte Owt breke.
thanne thowhte him that a voys Seide tho,
“Salamon, thy desir is fulfyld and do;
For the Knyht that the Ende of thy lyne schal be,
In to this Schip schal Entren ful Sekerle,
And this swerd schal he have In honde
that þou hast Aparailled; this thow vndirstonde.
and here-offen schalt þou knowen the verite,
that non schal Entren, but ȝif it be he.”
403
For the Knyht that the Ende of thy lyne schal be,
In to this Schip schal Entren ful Sekerle,
And this swerd schal he have In honde
that þou hast Aparailled; this thow vndirstonde.
and here-offen schalt þou knowen the verite,
that non schal Entren, but ȝif it be he.”
And thanne After this word anon,
Owt [of] this Schip this Compenye gan gon,
that Salamon ne wiste witterlie
Where they becomen tho Serteynlye.
and whanne he hadde power forto speke,
thanne to his Meyne he gan to reke,
And to the Schipe he Cam Anon
Also faste As he Cowde gon.
and whanne the Schipe he wolde han Entred ther,
A voys to hym Seyde In this Maner,
“Salamon, I the Rede that thow with-drawe,
and that thou werke Aftyr my Sawe;
for ȝif thou Into the Schipe Entre otterly,
Thou schalt ben persched Sothfastly.
but loke the Schipe that thow lete go,
To Swich place As it is ordeyned to,
And where that fortune so wele it bringe;
Forto manie strounge Contres is his goynge,
wheche that hens ful longe they ben,
As In tyme Comenge Oþer Men scholen sen.”
Owt [of] this Schip this Compenye gan gon,
that Salamon ne wiste witterlie
Where they becomen tho Serteynlye.
and whanne he hadde power forto speke,
thanne to his Meyne he gan to reke,
And to the Schipe he Cam Anon
Also faste As he Cowde gon.
and whanne the Schipe he wolde han Entred ther,
A voys to hym Seyde In this Maner,
“Salamon, I the Rede that thow with-drawe,
and that thou werke Aftyr my Sawe;
for ȝif thou Into the Schipe Entre otterly,
Thou schalt ben persched Sothfastly.
but loke the Schipe that thow lete go,
To Swich place As it is ordeyned to,
And where that fortune so wele it bringe;
Forto manie strounge Contres is his goynge,
wheche that hens ful longe they ben,
As In tyme Comenge Oþer Men scholen sen.”
Thanne there Salamon with-drowh him Anon,
And from that Schip faste gan to gon,
And beheld the lettres wreten vppon the bord,
that In this Maner they speken Every word:
“Thow Man that Entren wilt with-Inne Me,
be war that ful of Feyth that thow be;
For In Me is, if non thing Ellis,
but only feith, (As the Storye tellis,)
and Riht-ful Creaunce, as I telle the.
þerfore be war, hoso entre with-Inne Me,
that he have bothe feith & Creaunce
stedfastly, with-owten variaunce.
and ȝif thow blenche from ony of tho,
be war, from the than Schal I go,
And the forsaken In alle degre,
And Nethir Sustenaunce ne helpe getest þou non of me;
In what place that so Evere thou be,
Sodeynly schal I forsaken the.”
And from that Schip faste gan to gon,
And beheld the lettres wreten vppon the bord,
that In this Maner they speken Every word:
“Thow Man that Entren wilt with-Inne Me,
be war that ful of Feyth that thow be;
For In Me is, if non thing Ellis,
404
and Riht-ful Creaunce, as I telle the.
þerfore be war, hoso entre with-Inne Me,
that he have bothe feith & Creaunce
stedfastly, with-owten variaunce.
and ȝif thow blenche from ony of tho,
be war, from the than Schal I go,
And the forsaken In alle degre,
And Nethir Sustenaunce ne helpe getest þou non of me;
In what place that so Evere thou be,
Sodeynly schal I forsaken the.”
and whanne Salamon Radde this Scripture,
at that Schip myht he non lengere Endure,
and Seyde ‘that to Entren, he nas not worthy,
Into non Swich place Serteinly.’
thanne Comaunded he his Men Anon
Forth Into the Se that Schipe to don,
So that it paste ful ferre from hem þo
that Owt of here Syhte it gan to go,
that Nethir Salamon ne his wyf
Non lengere it Syen, with-Owten strif.
at that Schip myht he non lengere Endure,
and Seyde ‘that to Entren, he nas not worthy,
Into non Swich place Serteinly.’
thanne Comaunded he his Men Anon
Forth Into the Se that Schipe to don,
So that it paste ful ferre from hem þo
that Owt of here Syhte it gan to go,
that Nethir Salamon ne his wyf
Non lengere it Syen, with-Owten strif.
Now leveth this storie here anon,
And to Nasciens now let vs gon,
that longe hathe ben In Tornaunt Yl,
As thowh it were in Maner of an Exyl.
And to Nasciens now let vs gon,
that longe hathe ben In Tornaunt Yl,
As thowh it were in Maner of an Exyl.
CHAPTER XXXI.
405
Now schewith forth this Storye
[How] that Nasciens ful Sekerlye
[Beh]eld tho spyndelis that on þe bed lye,
[And] tho thre Tres ful Sekerlye
that Colowred weren of here Owne kynde,
where-Offen he Merveilled Sore In his Mynde;
With wheche Bransches the Bed was spred
bothe Enlonges And Ouerthwert, as it is Seid,
[How] that Nasciens ful Sekerlye
[Beh]eld tho spyndelis that on þe bed lye,
[And] tho thre Tres ful Sekerlye
that Colowred weren of here Owne kynde,
where-Offen he Merveilled Sore In his Mynde;
With wheche Bransches the Bed was spred
bothe Enlonges And Ouerthwert, as it is Seid,
And Evere this Nasciens beheld hem faste,
And Merveilled In his Mynde Atte laste
Whethir of the[r] Owne kynde it scholde be,
Oþer depeynted with Colours ful Sekerle;
Ne stedfastliche he ne cowde not beleve,
Ne with Alle his wyttes ne Cowde not preve,
how that So I-Colowred they were,
Oþer I-peynted In Othir Manere.
And Merveilled In his Mynde Atte laste
Whethir of the[r] Owne kynde it scholde be,
Oþer depeynted with Colours ful Sekerle;
Ne stedfastliche he ne cowde not beleve,
Ne with Alle his wyttes ne Cowde not preve,
how that So I-Colowred they were,
Oþer I-peynted In Othir Manere.
thanne Anon A word to hym Self gan he say,
Whiche Sore him Repentyd that same day,
“be my trowthe,” quod Nasciens tho ful pleyn,
“Of this bed I not what I schal Seyn,
For I ne Can not demyn In My Memorye
but that this bed is Mad Al be trechorye,
And be falsnesse, and be Engyn,
thus thowhte me tho In hertë Myn.”
Whiche Sore him Repentyd that same day,
406
“Of this bed I not what I schal Seyn,
For I ne Can not demyn In My Memorye
but that this bed is Mad Al be trechorye,
And be falsnesse, and be Engyn,
thus thowhte me tho In hertë Myn.”
And Anon As he hadde Seide this werd,
he gan to beholde vppon the Schippes bord,
and Sawh how that It Clef A-two,
So that Into the Se thanne fyl he tho,
And there Anon I-dreynt was he ful Ny,
Ne hadde goddis helpe han ben Sekerly.
he gan to beholde vppon the Schippes bord,
and Sawh how that It Clef A-two,
So that Into the Se thanne fyl he tho,
And there Anon I-dreynt was he ful Ny,
Ne hadde goddis helpe han ben Sekerly.
And whanne In the water thus was he,
Sore Abascht he was ful sekerle;
For he Niste whethir he slepe oþer wook,
So Sodeynly the watir him took.
and thus Sone he loked him Abowte,
And Sauf Of the Schipe that he was Owte,
Beholdynge to-wardis the yl Anon;
Thedirward ful faste he swam ful son,
tyl Atte laste he Recouerede this yl
Where that he ferst was In Exil.
Sore Abascht he was ful sekerle;
For he Niste whethir he slepe oþer wook,
So Sodeynly the watir him took.
and thus Sone he loked him Abowte,
And Sauf Of the Schipe that he was Owte,
Beholdynge to-wardis the yl Anon;
Thedirward ful faste he swam ful son,
tyl Atte laste he Recouerede this yl
Where that he ferst was In Exil.
And whanne the yl Recouered he hadde,
Ryht ful gret Ioye thanne he Made,
And loked Aftyr this Schip Anon,
And Aftyr tho lettres Everychon
that Seiden In this Manere vtterlye,
‘In Me Nis but Only feith Certeinlye.’
Ryht ful gret Ioye thanne he Made,
And loked Aftyr this Schip Anon,
And Aftyr tho lettres Everychon
that Seiden In this Manere vtterlye,
‘In Me Nis but Only feith Certeinlye.’
And whanne he beheld this Scripture so,
he wiste wel In Synne he was fallen tho
be Miscreaunce & Misbeleve.
þerfore Anon to him Self he gan to Repreve,
And thus to him Self he gan to Seyn,
“Ow thou Man of litel beleve In Certein,
Why were thow Se Ethe for to tornen here,
And of Misbeleve to ben On this Manere.
Of that Schipe that thow were Inne,
O fals belevere, why wost þou from it twynne?
Why Art thou Of Misbeleve & Miscreaunce,
Sethen god the hath Schewed be Many chaunce,
And be Many Merveilles In that Schipe Also:
A! fals Cristen Creature, why wost þou so do?”
he wiste wel In Synne he was fallen tho
be Miscreaunce & Misbeleve.
þerfore Anon to him Self he gan to Repreve,
And thus to him Self he gan to Seyn,
“Ow thou Man of litel beleve In Certein,
Why were thow Se Ethe for to tornen here,
And of Misbeleve to ben On this Manere.
407
O fals belevere, why wost þou from it twynne?
Why Art thou Of Misbeleve & Miscreaunce,
Sethen god the hath Schewed be Many chaunce,
And be Many Merveilles In that Schipe Also:
A! fals Cristen Creature, why wost þou so do?”
Thanne there to god Cryde he Mercye
With Sorye herte & weping Eye,
‘That God wolde for-ȝeven his Misdede,
And Evere him to Socoure In his Nede;
And that wroth with him he wolde not be,
but on hym to haven Mercy & pite;
And that for his newe Miscreance,
God On him scholde schewe non veniaunce.’
And thus vppon the yl stood Nasciens there
Al the live long day In this Manere.
With Sorye herte & weping Eye,
‘That God wolde for-ȝeven his Misdede,
And Evere him to Socoure In his Nede;
And that wroth with him he wolde not be,
but on hym to haven Mercy & pite;
And that for his newe Miscreance,
God On him scholde schewe non veniaunce.’
And thus vppon the yl stood Nasciens there
Al the live long day In this Manere.
And whanne to the Eveward it gan to drawe,
And the lyht with-drawen, as be Old Sawe,
And that the Sonne hadde lost his lyht,
It wax to dymmen & to becomen to Nyht;
thanne Made Nasciens his preyere
With good herte & In devout Manere;
and whanne he hadde So I-do,
down he hym leyde Anon Ryht tho;
And there he Slepte Al that Nyht
Tyl On the Morwen it was day lyht.
And the lyht with-drawen, as be Old Sawe,
And that the Sonne hadde lost his lyht,
It wax to dymmen & to becomen to Nyht;
thanne Made Nasciens his preyere
With good herte & In devout Manere;
and whanne he hadde So I-do,
down he hym leyde Anon Ryht tho;
And there he Slepte Al that Nyht
Tyl On the Morwen it was day lyht.
vppon the morwe, whanne it was day,
and that the Sonne it Schewede verray,
thanne Nasciens his Eyen Opened Anon,
And Abowtes hym he gan loken ful son,
And Into the See he lokede ful Stedfastlye,
Aftyr that Schipe there ful witterlye
that he hadde seyn the day to fore,
ȝif Owht thanne he Myht sen it there;
but Nethir Fer Nethir Nye
he Cowde it non sen Certeinlye.
and that the Sonne it Schewede verray,
thanne Nasciens his Eyen Opened Anon,
And Abowtes hym he gan loken ful son,
And Into the See he lokede ful Stedfastlye,
Aftyr that Schipe there ful witterlye
that he hadde seyn the day to fore,
ȝif Owht thanne he Myht sen it there;
but Nethir Fer Nethir Nye
he Cowde it non sen Certeinlye.
408
and whanne that he Sawhe it wold not be
that he ne myht it sen In non partë,
thanne wondirly Sore Abaschet he was,
So þat he left vpe his hond In that plas,
and On hym he Made the Signe of the Crois,
thus Cryeng to god with Milde voys:
“Now, Jesu Crist, for thy grete pite,
and for thy Mercy that is so large & fre,
that Me Owt of Calaferis daungere
Into this place hast Browht me here,
Wheche that was My Moste Enemy
that Evere ȝit hadde ich here worldly;
and Sethen, lord, that thou hast don so,
From alle Oþer Enemyes kepe me now fro,
that me Asailleth Every day,
Me to deceyven, ȝif that he May,
With his False conspuracye;
Now, goode lord, from him þou me gye;
And defende me, lord, As A Champiown,
From the wiles of that fals Felown,
That I mot kepen Euere for thy sake
Thike Iowel whiche thou distime betake,
Whiche is my Sowle, In Eche degre
It to Kepen, lord, power graunt thow Me.
And ȝif therto I ne haue neþer Strengthe ne powere,
Now, goode lord, that thow Supporte me here,
And that Euere My sowle that thou Kepe,
Whethir that Evere I wake Oþer Slepe.
For I Knowe wel In Myn Memorie,
that ȝif that fals thef Owht me Aspye,
Ȝif I Owht be blenched from holy Chirche,
thanne his Maistres On Me wile he wirche,
And Me to strangelyn ȝif he May,
That ȝit so feble am In the newe fay;
therfore Euere, lord, defende thou me,
Tyl More Stedfast that In beleve there I be.”
that he ne myht it sen In non partë,
thanne wondirly Sore Abaschet he was,
So þat he left vpe his hond In that plas,
and On hym he Made the Signe of the Crois,
thus Cryeng to god with Milde voys:
“Now, Jesu Crist, for thy grete pite,
and for thy Mercy that is so large & fre,
that Me Owt of Calaferis daungere
Into this place hast Browht me here,
Wheche that was My Moste Enemy
that Evere ȝit hadde ich here worldly;
and Sethen, lord, that thou hast don so,
From alle Oþer Enemyes kepe me now fro,
that me Asailleth Every day,
Me to deceyven, ȝif that he May,
With his False conspuracye;
Now, goode lord, from him þou me gye;
And defende me, lord, As A Champiown,
From the wiles of that fals Felown,
That I mot kepen Euere for thy sake
Thike Iowel whiche thou distime betake,
Whiche is my Sowle, In Eche degre
It to Kepen, lord, power graunt thow Me.
And ȝif therto I ne haue neþer Strengthe ne powere,
Now, goode lord, that thow Supporte me here,
And that Euere My sowle that thou Kepe,
Whethir that Evere I wake Oþer Slepe.
For I Knowe wel In Myn Memorie,
that ȝif that fals thef Owht me Aspye,
Ȝif I Owht be blenched from holy Chirche,
thanne his Maistres On Me wile he wirche,
And Me to strangelyn ȝif he May,
That ȝit so feble am In the newe fay;
therfore Euere, lord, defende thou me,
Tyl More Stedfast that In beleve there I be.”
409
Whiles Nasciens Made thus his preyere,
Euere towardes the See loked he there,
Evene plat Est, ȝif he myhte Aspye
Ony Schipe Owther fer other Nye.
And Atte laste he loked So fere
Tyl A schipe him thowhte he sawh comen there,
And there-Inne A Man of Ryht gret Age,
As him Semed be his visage;
And streith it Cam to that yl
there Nasciens was Inne In Exyl;
And So Nyhe to the yl there Gan it gon,
two spereschaft lengthe there anon;
but Non ner it ne kam there,
nethir not ne wolde In non Manere:
So Riche thike litel vessel was,
That Sire Nasciens thowhte In non plas—
Nether vppon the lond ne vppon the See—
So Riche A vessel that Myhte han be;
For with-owten it was Set so ful of precious stones,
Every bord ful thikke for the Nonis,
So that Nasciens wende ful Sekerly
that Alle worldly princes, ful Certeynly,
Ne hadden of precious stones so gret plente
lik As In that Schipe there gan he to se;
And ȝit was that Schipe In Other degre
Anoured with diuers Iowellis Certeinle.
Euere towardes the See loked he there,
Evene plat Est, ȝif he myhte Aspye
Ony Schipe Owther fer other Nye.
And Atte laste he loked So fere
Tyl A schipe him thowhte he sawh comen there,
And there-Inne A Man of Ryht gret Age,
As him Semed be his visage;
And streith it Cam to that yl
there Nasciens was Inne In Exyl;
And So Nyhe to the yl there Gan it gon,
two spereschaft lengthe there anon;
but Non ner it ne kam there,
nethir not ne wolde In non Manere:
So Riche thike litel vessel was,
That Sire Nasciens thowhte In non plas—
Nether vppon the lond ne vppon the See—
So Riche A vessel that Myhte han be;
For with-owten it was Set so ful of precious stones,
Every bord ful thikke for the Nonis,
So that Nasciens wende ful Sekerly
that Alle worldly princes, ful Certeynly,
Ne hadden of precious stones so gret plente
lik As In that Schipe there gan he to se;
And ȝit was that Schipe In Other degre
Anoured with diuers Iowellis Certeinle.
thanne beheld Nasciens this Schipe on bothe side,
And Alle the Ietes sauf xij In that Tyde,
Alle they weren Echon of Sylver fyn tho,
And the poyntes with fyn gold I-garnesched weren Also,
that was Also Cler Schynenge
As the sonne vppon the water whanne it is Glemerynge;
And to forn, As scharpe And trenchaunt they were
As Evere was knyf Owther Ony spere.
And Alle the Ietes sauf xij In that Tyde,
Alle they weren Echon of Sylver fyn tho,
And the poyntes with fyn gold I-garnesched weren Also,
that was Also Cler Schynenge
As the sonne vppon the water whanne it is Glemerynge;
And to forn, As scharpe And trenchaunt they were
410
Whanne Nasciens Sawh this good Man fast by,
and beheld that he wolde Comen No Ny,
Nasciens to-ward hym gan to dresse,
With him to speken In Sekernesse.
thanne seide Nasciens, “Sire, welcome ȝe be!”
“Graunt Mercye, Sire,” quod this good man Sekerle
and beheld that he wolde Comen No Ny,
Nasciens to-ward hym gan to dresse,
With him to speken In Sekernesse.
thanne seide Nasciens, “Sire, welcome ȝe be!”
“Graunt Mercye, Sire,” quod this good man Sekerle
thanne Axede This good Man Nasciens Anon,
“how that Into this Contre Gonnen ȝe to gon,
that Is so fer from Every Man?”
thus Axede he of Nasciens than.
“how that Into this Contre Gonnen ȝe to gon,
that Is so fer from Every Man?”
thus Axede he of Nasciens than.
“Now Certes, faire Sire,” quod Nasciens tho,
“I ne wot Into this yl how I come to;
but wel I wot It was be goddis wille
That this yl I Cam vntille;
And bothe thorwh his grace and his Myht
that me deliuerede from that Crwel Knyht,
Owt Of his presown, Sire Calafer,
Where that I was In Riht gret danger.”
“I ne wot Into this yl how I come to;
but wel I wot It was be goddis wille
That this yl I Cam vntille;
And bothe thorwh his grace and his Myht
that me deliuerede from that Crwel Knyht,
Owt Of his presown, Sire Calafer,
Where that I was In Riht gret danger.”
“ȝe, Sire, Of Calafer have thou non drede,
For he is ded on Ryht Evel dede
Al so wykkedly As man Myhte deye,
I telle the, Nasciens, now Certeinlye.”
“ha, goode swete Sire,” quod Nasciens tho,
“Is this trewe that ȝe seyn me vnto?
And how myhten ȝe haven thereoffen knowenge,
this were to Me A Merveillous thinge.”
“ȝif, Sire, Sekerely,” this good man seyde,
“this day I sawhe whanne that he deyde.”
For he is ded on Ryht Evel dede
Al so wykkedly As man Myhte deye,
I telle the, Nasciens, now Certeinlye.”
“ha, goode swete Sire,” quod Nasciens tho,
“Is this trewe that ȝe seyn me vnto?
And how myhten ȝe haven thereoffen knowenge,
this were to Me A Merveillous thinge.”
“ȝif, Sire, Sekerely,” this good man seyde,
“this day I sawhe whanne that he deyde.”
“And this be Soth, Sire, that ȝe me Seye,
And ȝe An Erthly Man Certeinlye,
It may not Acorden, In non degre,
That I so fer from folk scholde be
as ȝe diden me ferst to vndirstonde
that I was so fer Owt of londe;
And ȝit is it not past Matyn tyme,
Neþer no wher ny the Owr of pryme,
And ȝe so faste scholde han gon,
For Erthly man myht neuere don it non.”
And ȝe An Erthly Man Certeinlye,
It may not Acorden, In non degre,
That I so fer from folk scholde be
as ȝe diden me ferst to vndirstonde
that I was so fer Owt of londe;
And ȝit is it not past Matyn tyme,
411
And ȝe so faste scholde han gon,
For Erthly man myht neuere don it non.”
“Now I the Sey,” quod this goode Man tho,
“I sawh hym ded with-Owten Mo.
And ȝit Art thou from thyn Owne Contre
Ferthere thanne that thow wenest to be;
And ȝif thow wilt not Me leven of this,
Sore Schal the Repenten with-owten mis,
Al so Sore As thow dydest Ere,
Whanne In the Schipe thou spoke thike wordys there,
thorwh wheche Into the water þou wentest Anon,
& þere to hauen deid, wistest þou non Othir won.”
“I sawh hym ded with-Owten Mo.
And ȝit Art thou from thyn Owne Contre
Ferthere thanne that thow wenest to be;
And ȝif thow wilt not Me leven of this,
Sore Schal the Repenten with-owten mis,
Al so Sore As thow dydest Ere,
Whanne In the Schipe thou spoke thike wordys there,
thorwh wheche Into the water þou wentest Anon,
& þere to hauen deid, wistest þou non Othir won.”
Whanne Nasciens vndirstood hym tho
That he So Merveillously Spak him vnto,
and Remembred him In swich Manere
Of þe wordis that he In the Schipe spak there,
Whiche that non man vndirstondyn ne Myhte,
but Only God thorwh his Insihte,
Thanne supposid he Aboven Alle thing
that from God it Cam, theke discouereng,
And that God hadde discouered hym tho
To thike olde Man that to hym Cam so,
And that to hym was he sent In Comfortynge,
Somme goode tydynges him forto brynge.
That he So Merveillously Spak him vnto,
and Remembred him In swich Manere
Of þe wordis that he In the Schipe spak there,
Whiche that non man vndirstondyn ne Myhte,
but Only God thorwh his Insihte,
Thanne supposid he Aboven Alle thing
that from God it Cam, theke discouereng,
And that God hadde discouered hym tho
To thike olde Man that to hym Cam so,
And that to hym was he sent In Comfortynge,
Somme goode tydynges him forto brynge.
thanne to this good Man Seid Nasciens Agein,
“Sire, I leve ȝow ful wel In Certein;
Of Alle thinges that ȝe me Seye
I beleve ȝow wel Certeinlye;
but of that Schipe that wente fro Me,
Sire, konne ȝe there offen owht tellen Me,
ȝif It Euere Owht schold Comen Agein
Into on[y] place there I am Certein,
and ȝif Evere Ony More I schal it se
In ony place where so that I be.”
“Sire, I leve ȝow ful wel In Certein;
Of Alle thinges that ȝe me Seye
I beleve ȝow wel Certeinlye;
but of that Schipe that wente fro Me,
Sire, konne ȝe there offen owht tellen Me,
ȝif It Euere Owht schold Comen Agein
Into on[y] place there I am Certein,
and ȝif Evere Ony More I schal it se
In ony place where so that I be.”
412
“ȝe, thou schalt it sen,” quod this good Man,
“Better Arayed thanne Euere was it than;
For it groweth & wexeth Every day
Bettere thanne other with-owten delay,
And so it schal whiles the world doth Endure,
Sekerly, Sire Nasciens, I the Enswre.”
“Sire,” quod Nasciens to that good Manne,
“that Schipe that Every day Encresseth thanne,
It Nis non Schipe As Othere be.”
“thou seist soth,” quod this goodman, “ful sekerle;
but Of A schipe it is the Semblawnce,
And of the highe god A gred demonstraunce
that he wolde hedir it to the Sende;
but of his signefiaunce thou schalt knowen þe Ende,
and Otherwise thanne A schipe thou schalt it calle
In tyme Comeng, So May be-falle.”
“Certes, Sire,” quod Nisciens tho,
“I beleve wel that ȝe sein me vnto;
And therfore, sire, I preye ȝow for charite,
The Signefyaunce that ȝe tellen me.”
“I schal the tellen with Ryht good chere,”
quod this Good Man Anon Ryht there.
“Better Arayed thanne Euere was it than;
For it groweth & wexeth Every day
Bettere thanne other with-owten delay,
And so it schal whiles the world doth Endure,
Sekerly, Sire Nasciens, I the Enswre.”
“Sire,” quod Nasciens to that good Manne,
“that Schipe that Every day Encresseth thanne,
It Nis non Schipe As Othere be.”
“thou seist soth,” quod this goodman, “ful sekerle;
but Of A schipe it is the Semblawnce,
And of the highe god A gred demonstraunce
that he wolde hedir it to the Sende;
but of his signefiaunce thou schalt knowen þe Ende,
and Otherwise thanne A schipe thou schalt it calle
In tyme Comeng, So May be-falle.”
“Certes, Sire,” quod Nisciens tho,
“I beleve wel that ȝe sein me vnto;
And therfore, sire, I preye ȝow for charite,
The Signefyaunce that ȝe tellen me.”
“I schal the tellen with Ryht good chere,”
quod this Good Man Anon Ryht there.
“The Schipe that thow here Sye, Sikerle
It signefieth holy Chirche, Siker thow be,
whiche that is the most delitable thing
In Al this world with-owten varyeng;
and lik As the schipe hadde non thing with-Inne
bote feith & Creaunce, neþer more ne Mynne,—
As vppon the bordys Rehersid the scripture,—
Ryht so fareth holy Chirche, I the Enswre,
that bothe feith and trowthe, as I the say,
In holy Chirche it is from day to day;
And of these two thinges ferst Sekerly
holy Chirche was fowndid, I telle the pleynly.
It signefieth holy Chirche, Siker thow be,
whiche that is the most delitable thing
In Al this world with-owten varyeng;
and lik As the schipe hadde non thing with-Inne
bote feith & Creaunce, neþer more ne Mynne,—
As vppon the bordys Rehersid the scripture,—
Ryht so fareth holy Chirche, I the Enswre,
that bothe feith and trowthe, as I the say,
In holy Chirche it is from day to day;
And of these two thinges ferst Sekerly
holy Chirche was fowndid, I telle the pleynly.
“And the Brefis that on the schipe weren set,
Signefieth holy Scripture with-owten let,
wheche defendith that non Man schold Entren there
but he be stedfast In feith In Alle Manere;
Riht so defendith the same Scripture,
Non man holichirche to Entren but he be pure,
And of Synne I-clensed that he be,
[By] confescioun Of mowthe ful Openle
And with herte-ful Repentaunce,
And to God to ben stedfast In Creaunce,
& there-offen Mevable that he ne be,
As is the paynym In Eche degre,
That wile Tornen with Everey wynd;
For swech is Evere the paynyms kynd.
But the Cristene owht not forto don so;
but As A myhty Bole they scholden do,
that is Sekir of Fote And of fundement,
whanne that he is asaylled of his Enymyes present;
Ryht so stedfastlych In Alle Manere
Scholde Evere Cristen Man lyven here;
And stedfastly beleven In holichirche,
And there-Inne Alle goode werkys to wirche,
Forto defenden hem with strengthe & Myht
Aȝens that Enemy that, bothe day & nyht,
doth what he Can hem forto withdrawe
bothe from god & from holy Chirche lawe.
And therfore I Rede now Every Man
to fownden him In the fadir, what that he kan,
the wheche is Crist, Goddis Sone of hevene,
that Into therthe discended with Mylde stevene.
Signefieth holy Scripture with-owten let,
413
but he be stedfast In feith In Alle Manere;
Riht so defendith the same Scripture,
Non man holichirche to Entren but he be pure,
And of Synne I-clensed that he be,
[By] confescioun Of mowthe ful Openle
And with herte-ful Repentaunce,
And to God to ben stedfast In Creaunce,
& there-offen Mevable that he ne be,
As is the paynym In Eche degre,
That wile Tornen with Everey wynd;
For swech is Evere the paynyms kynd.
But the Cristene owht not forto don so;
but As A myhty Bole they scholden do,
that is Sekir of Fote And of fundement,
whanne that he is asaylled of his Enymyes present;
Ryht so stedfastlych In Alle Manere
Scholde Evere Cristen Man lyven here;
And stedfastly beleven In holichirche,
And there-Inne Alle goode werkys to wirche,
Forto defenden hem with strengthe & Myht
Aȝens that Enemy that, bothe day & nyht,
doth what he Can hem forto withdrawe
bothe from god & from holy Chirche lawe.
And therfore I Rede now Every Man
to fownden him In the fadir, what that he kan,
the wheche is Crist, Goddis Sone of hevene,
that Into therthe discended with Mylde stevene.
“And lik As the Schipe, Ordeyned it was
thorwh the See to Gon In Every plas,
And with-Owten peryl to Comen to londe;
So Is holy Chirche, as þat I vndirstonde,
For to Susteyne the Cristene In this world here,
That they ne perschen not In non Manere.
thorwh the See to Gon In Every plas,
And with-Owten peryl to Comen to londe;
So Is holy Chirche, as þat I vndirstonde,
For to Susteyne the Cristene In this world here,
That they ne perschen not In non Manere.
“be the Schipe vndirstonde thow holy Chirche;
And be the See, the world, ȝif þou wilt wirche.
And lyk As the Schipe thorwgh the See
Saveth the Men that there Inne be
From Alle Maneres perilles of here Body,
lik So doth holy Chirche ful trewely;
Evere Goddis Servauntes doth he kepe,
whethir that they waken other Slepe,
From Alle Maner of dedly Synne,
That Non Schal Entren hem with-Inne.
And be the See, the world, ȝif þou wilt wirche.
414
Saveth the Men that there Inne be
From Alle Maneres perilles of here Body,
lik So doth holy Chirche ful trewely;
Evere Goddis Servauntes doth he kepe,
whethir that they waken other Slepe,
From Alle Maner of dedly Synne,
That Non Schal Entren hem with-Inne.
For holy Chirche povrgeth Also Clene
Alle Manere of goddis Servauntes bedene,
lik As the Gold Resceyveth his Clernesse
be Sevene weyes In Sekernesse,
Wheche that Maken hym to Schyne So bryht
Aboven Alle Oþer Metales that ben more lyht;
And lik As the Sonne passeth the sterre,
So doth gold Alle Metales bothe Ny & ferre.
Alle Manere of goddis Servauntes bedene,
lik As the Gold Resceyveth his Clernesse
be Sevene weyes In Sekernesse,
Wheche that Maken hym to Schyne So bryht
Aboven Alle Oþer Metales that ben more lyht;
And lik As the Sonne passeth the sterre,
So doth gold Alle Metales bothe Ny & ferre.
“Now of the Schip I haue the told the signifiaunce;
And now of the bed I wele with-Owten variaunce.
the Bed Signefyeth In Certein
the holy table, I sey the ful pleyn,
where that Every day Goddis sone of hevene
Is Onne I-Sacred with ful Mylde Stevene;
Where that the wyn Is I-torned blood Red,
And the bred to verray flesch In that Sted,
be the vertu of the holy wordys there
that the blessed man Seyth In his Manere.
So be this Schalt thou vndirstonde
the cros that Crist was on Crucified In Ivrie londe,
Where onne I-Sacred that he was,
and Made Redempcioun In that plas,
Mannes Sowle to byen from helle,—
The develis powste forto felle,—
Whiche Every day to forn his ded
Wenten to helle, that fowlë Sted.
And now of the bed I wele with-Owten variaunce.
the Bed Signefyeth In Certein
the holy table, I sey the ful pleyn,
where that Every day Goddis sone of hevene
Is Onne I-Sacred with ful Mylde Stevene;
Where that the wyn Is I-torned blood Red,
And the bred to verray flesch In that Sted,
be the vertu of the holy wordys there
that the blessed man Seyth In his Manere.
So be this Schalt thou vndirstonde
the cros that Crist was on Crucified In Ivrie londe,
Where onne I-Sacred that he was,
and Made Redempcioun In that plas,
Mannes Sowle to byen from helle,—
The develis powste forto felle,—
Whiche Every day to forn his ded
Wenten to helle, that fowlë Sted.
“Also ȝit myhtest thou vndirstondyn More
be the Bed what it is to Signefye thore,
A thing that Mad is on forto Reste
Whanne Crist had Suffred deth, As hym liked beste.
For Evere Aftir Strong Travaille
Behoveth A man to Resten Sawn faylle:
Riht so Schalt thou vndirstonde,
that aftir that god hadde suffred schonde,
Rest that Crist took As hym list
In what place so him liked best.
be the Bed what it is to Signefye thore,
415
Whanne Crist had Suffred deth, As hym liked beste.
For Evere Aftir Strong Travaille
Behoveth A man to Resten Sawn faylle:
Riht so Schalt thou vndirstonde,
that aftir that god hadde suffred schonde,
Rest that Crist took As hym list
In what place so him liked best.
“Now haue I the told the signefiaunce
Of Schipe & bed with-owten variaunce.
Now of the thre Spyndelis wil y fonde,
Owther braunches, whethir ȝe welen vndirstonde;—
For, with-Owten gret Tokenyng,
Abowtes that bed Envirownenge
was not don, wel myhtes thou wete,
As I schal the Openly declaren itte,—
Of wheche on was whit, Anoþer was Red,
the thridde was grene In that Sted:
what the Signefyaunce is of these thre,
Schortely I wele it declaren to the.
Of Schipe & bed with-owten variaunce.
Now of the thre Spyndelis wil y fonde,
Owther braunches, whethir ȝe welen vndirstonde;—
For, with-Owten gret Tokenyng,
Abowtes that bed Envirownenge
was not don, wel myhtes thou wete,
As I schal the Openly declaren itte,—
Of wheche on was whit, Anoþer was Red,
the thridde was grene In that Sted:
what the Signefyaunce is of these thre,
Schortely I wele it declaren to the.
“Ferst, be the whit thou schalt vndirstonde,
Whanne Crist Cam ferst In to Erthly londe,
he Cam Only In virgenite,
And Into the blessid virgine so Entred he;
And hire virginite ne dide Neuere schende,
but Clene virgine Abideth with-owten Ende.
For Into hire bosom he Entred As Clos
As A ȝate is schet þer that no man In gos;
And As holyche he Isswede Ageyn,
And Euere the ȝate clos schyt In Certein.
So this betokeneth virginite
In Alle degres, As thou myht se.
Whanne Crist Cam ferst In to Erthly londe,
he Cam Only In virgenite,
And Into the blessid virgine so Entred he;
And hire virginite ne dide Neuere schende,
but Clene virgine Abideth with-owten Ende.
For Into hire bosom he Entred As Clos
As A ȝate is schet þer that no man In gos;
And As holyche he Isswede Ageyn,
And Euere the ȝate clos schyt In Certein.
So this betokeneth virginite
In Alle degres, As thou myht se.
“The Rede braunch that vppon that bed lay,
which of his owne kynde is profay,
therby schalt thou vndirstonden charite,
In Crist that So lowliche wolde be,
that bowed his body to passiown,
For Mannes Sowle to maken Redempcioun.
behold, swich lownesse he schewed þere!
and the grettest ȝifte for man In ony Manere
ȝaf Crist there! his Owne Body,
the wheche that is lyf Euere lastyngly.
lo, hire Charite myhtest þou vndirstonde,
whanne that In dedly flesch he hym wond
In the welle of Charite and of pite;
lo, thus dyde Crist for love of the!
which of his owne kynde is profay,
therby schalt thou vndirstonden charite,
416
that bowed his body to passiown,
For Mannes Sowle to maken Redempcioun.
behold, swich lownesse he schewed þere!
and the grettest ȝifte for man In ony Manere
ȝaf Crist there! his Owne Body,
the wheche that is lyf Euere lastyngly.
lo, hire Charite myhtest þou vndirstonde,
whanne that In dedly flesch he hym wond
In the welle of Charite and of pite;
lo, thus dyde Crist for love of the!
“Be the tothir Spyndele that grene was,
wheche On the bed was In that plas,
that to An EMeraude I-figured it Is,—
The wheche that to paciense with-owten Mys
Is the Semblaunce Of that ston,
As men it knowen ful Manyon;
the wheche Emeraude is Evere Grene,
lik so is paciense with Owten wene;
the wheche may neuere ben taken Away
For non deseisse, I dar wel Say,
Nethir for non Maner Adversite,
ȝif In A Cristen Mannes herte I-grounded it be.
For be pacyense schalt thow han victorye,
And with paciense discomfit thyn Enemye;
For there as paciense I-herberwed he ys,
There is Evere victorye with Owten Mys.
wheche On the bed was In that plas,
that to An EMeraude I-figured it Is,—
The wheche that to paciense with-owten Mys
Is the Semblaunce Of that ston,
As men it knowen ful Manyon;
the wheche Emeraude is Evere Grene,
lik so is paciense with Owten wene;
the wheche may neuere ben taken Away
For non deseisse, I dar wel Say,
Nethir for non Maner Adversite,
ȝif In A Cristen Mannes herte I-grounded it be.
For be pacyense schalt thow han victorye,
And with paciense discomfit thyn Enemye;
For there as paciense I-herberwed he ys,
There is Evere victorye with Owten Mys.
For thouhe thy Enemy be neuere So wood,
and these thre thou wel vndirstood,
And kepe hem Sadly In thin herte,—
thanne schal thyn Enemy neuere the Asterte,—
Whiche is ferst virgynite,
Meknesse, and thanne Charite;
And with these thre Certeinlye
was the bed I-couerid sothfastlye,
Whiche the verray Cros doth Signefye,
On wheche that Crist gan vpon deye;
For whanne On the Cros he suffred ded,
Alle these thre weren In his Manhed;
For As holy writ it doth Certefye,
with-Owten these thre was he not Sekerlye;
For these three vertwes weren with him there
whanne he suffrede deth In Alle Manere;
So with virgynyte, Charite and pacyense,”
[He conquerd Death, and bought us bliss intense.]
and these thre thou wel vndirstood,
And kepe hem Sadly In thin herte,—
thanne schal thyn Enemy neuere the Asterte,—
Whiche is ferst virgynite,
Meknesse, and thanne Charite;
And with these thre Certeinlye
was the bed I-couerid sothfastlye,
Whiche the verray Cros doth Signefye,
417
For whanne On the Cros he suffred ded,
Alle these thre weren In his Manhed;
For As holy writ it doth Certefye,
with-Owten these thre was he not Sekerlye;
For these three vertwes weren with him there
whanne he suffrede deth In Alle Manere;
So with virgynyte, Charite and pacyense,”
[He conquerd Death, and bought us bliss intense.]
In this Mene while that this good Man
Of Alle these thinges to Nasciens spak than,
and told hym Al the Signefiaunce
of Schipe and bed with-owten variaunce,
that plesed to Nasciens So wondirly wel
Al that this Man Seide Everydel;
For so swete and so delicat his wordis were,
that Nasciens fil on Slepe ryht there,
And Evere him thowhte, As he lay,
that this good man to hym talked Alway.
Of Alle these thinges to Nasciens spak than,
and told hym Al the Signefiaunce
of Schipe and bed with-owten variaunce,
that plesed to Nasciens So wondirly wel
Al that this Man Seide Everydel;
For so swete and so delicat his wordis were,
that Nasciens fil on Slepe ryht there,
And Evere him thowhte, As he lay,
that this good man to hym talked Alway.
And whanne that he whiche In the vessel was,
Sawh Nasciens On Slepe In that plas,
thanne thens Anon he gan to hye,
And with-Inne A litel while Sekerlye
he was thennes A gret Iorne,
Ful fer Abrod Into the Se.
Sawh Nasciens On Slepe In that plas,
thanne thens Anon he gan to hye,
And with-Inne A litel while Sekerlye
he was thennes A gret Iorne,
Ful fer Abrod Into the Se.
Whanne this good man was forth gon,
And Nasciens Slept stille as a ston,
In his sleep he thowhte, be his Entent,
that to forn him Cam a gret Serpent,
And him Asaillede wonder faste,
Tyl that he hurt hym Atte laste,
And smot hym sore vndir the lefte syde.
And sore he defensed him At that tyde;
but his defens Myhte ful litel Avaylle,
Tyl atte the laste thanne saun faille
there Can a Werm of lytel powere,
In Socoureng of Nasciens there.
And Nasciens Slept stille as a ston,
In his sleep he thowhte, be his Entent,
that to forn him Cam a gret Serpent,
And him Asaillede wonder faste,
Tyl that he hurt hym Atte laste,
And smot hym sore vndir the lefte syde.
And sore he defensed him At that tyde;
418
Tyl atte the laste thanne saun faille
there Can a Werm of lytel powere,
In Socoureng of Nasciens there.
And whanne þe serpent Sawh þat werm comen tho,
From Nasciens he fledde him fro,
wich Cam to him for Socourenge,
thanne In this Serpent was non longere Abydynge.
Thus thowhte Nasciens In his Slepinge.
From Nasciens he fledde him fro,
wich Cam to him for Socourenge,
thanne In this Serpent was non longere Abydynge.
Thus thowhte Nasciens In his Slepinge.
And whanne he Awok, with-owten varyenge
he was Abascht, And wende Sekerly
þat with the Serpent he hadde fowhten Certeinly;
and fully Awaked thanne was he,
thanne wiste he wel ful Sekerle
that verrayly Aslepe he was
thorwh the Swete wordes þat In that plas
that the goode man Seide to him tho,
whiche In the vessel was Ago,
that he ne Cowde be non-were Aspye
In Al the See, nether fer ne Nye.
he was Abascht, And wende Sekerly
þat with the Serpent he hadde fowhten Certeinly;
and fully Awaked thanne was he,
thanne wiste he wel ful Sekerle
that verrayly Aslepe he was
thorwh the Swete wordes þat In that plas
that the goode man Seide to him tho,
whiche In the vessel was Ago,
that he ne Cowde be non-were Aspye
In Al the See, nether fer ne Nye.
thanne to hym Self he gan to Compleyne,
And thus to hym Self he gan to seyne,
‘that he was bothe A fool & A Caytyf
that In sweche degre hath led his lif,
So that In his Slepe was taken Away
Al that the goodman to hym gan say,
And ful lytel of wit thanne was he
that this forȝat In Alle degre,
Of Alle the wordis of this good Man
that In the yl to hym seide he than,
And In his Sleepe it was from him gon,
Onne this word Cowde he tellen non.’
And thus to hym Self he gan to seyne,
‘that he was bothe A fool & A Caytyf
that In sweche degre hath led his lif,
So that In his Slepe was taken Away
Al that the goodman to hym gan say,
And ful lytel of wit thanne was he
that this forȝat In Alle degre,
Of Alle the wordis of this good Man
that In the yl to hym seide he than,
And In his Sleepe it was from him gon,
Onne this word Cowde he tellen non.’
but leve we now of his talkynge,
And Celidoyne his sone let vs forth bringe,
And tellen forth of his Storye,
That to him be-fil ful Certeinlie.
And Celidoyne his sone let vs forth bringe,
And tellen forth of his Storye,
That to him be-fil ful Certeinlie.
419
CHAPTER XXXII.
420
Now here declareth in this partye,
how that the Nyne hondis Sekerlye
delyverid Celydeyne Owt of dawngere
From alle the veniaunce of Calafere;
With Inne Schort tyme, Er he Cowde knowe,
Ful fer from his Contre was he throwe
Into the Se ful Apertlye;
Al hol x. Iornes ful Sekerlye
And half A Iorne,—As Seith the book,—
there was he left, ho-so wile it look,
be the wil of the Maister Above,
that on Celidoyne gan preven his love,
and lefte him there In An Yle
besides that his fadir was In Exyle;
properly from his fadir fyve Iorne
this Celydoyne was left ful sekerle.
how that the Nyne hondis Sekerlye
delyverid Celydeyne Owt of dawngere
From alle the veniaunce of Calafere;
With Inne Schort tyme, Er he Cowde knowe,
Ful fer from his Contre was he throwe
Into the Se ful Apertlye;
Al hol x. Iornes ful Sekerlye
And half A Iorne,—As Seith the book,—
there was he left, ho-so wile it look,
be the wil of the Maister Above,
that on Celidoyne gan preven his love,
and lefte him there In An Yle
besides that his fadir was In Exyle;
properly from his fadir fyve Iorne
this Celydoyne was left ful sekerle.
and whanne In this yl he was there,
Amyddes In the See he wiste neuere where,
and therto A Child but of ȝong Age—
vii. ȝere v. Monthes—and þerto fair of visage,
& therto Closed In A wondir place;
In the Same plase þere that he wase,
vppon the ton side A wylde forest
Walkyng wel ful of Raveynous beste;
the tothyr was the Open see,
Where as litel Comfort thanne Sawh he
but hyghe Rokkes & wateres wilde;
this was feble Comfort for A Childe:
but ȝif he hadde had þe More Compenye,
To A child it was ful gret Anoye.
Amyddes In the See he wiste neuere where,
and therto A Child but of ȝong Age—
vii. ȝere v. Monthes—and þerto fair of visage,
421
In the Same plase þere that he wase,
vppon the ton side A wylde forest
Walkyng wel ful of Raveynous beste;
the tothyr was the Open see,
Where as litel Comfort thanne Sawh he
but hyghe Rokkes & wateres wilde;
this was feble Comfort for A Childe:
but ȝif he hadde had þe More Compenye,
To A child it was ful gret Anoye.
Anon As thus In this yl he was,
The wedyr gan chongen In that plas,
To dyrkene, & to Reyne it gan ful faste,
And to lyhtene and thondren thanne Atte laste;
And So Oribly ferde that trowbelynge,
that semede An Ende Al the world to bryinge.
The wedyr gan chongen In that plas,
To dyrkene, & to Reyne it gan ful faste,
And to lyhtene and thondren thanne Atte laste;
And So Oribly ferde that trowbelynge,
that semede An Ende Al the world to bryinge.
thanne this Child of tendir Age
Sawgh that the See was So savage
And So spetous onne forto loke,
that for drede his herte tho quoke
lest that the wawes Of the se
Scholde han Comen þere he hadde be;
And so vpe Into the yl he drowh him faste,
& In a Rokke he Aspyde Atte laste
Where it was Cloven In part Asondir,
And thedir In he wente for ferd of thondir
Also sore Abasched As he Myhte be;
And Evere to wardis the see loked he.
Sawgh that the See was So savage
And So spetous onne forto loke,
that for drede his herte tho quoke
lest that the wawes Of the se
Scholde han Comen þere he hadde be;
And so vpe Into the yl he drowh him faste,
& In a Rokke he Aspyde Atte laste
Where it was Cloven In part Asondir,
And thedir In he wente for ferd of thondir
Also sore Abasched As he Myhte be;
And Evere to wardis the see loked he.
So longe atte laste loked he there
Tyl him thowhte, As be his Manere,
he sawh where Comen, As to his Eye,
Schepis with Meyne tho Sekerlye,
So that the wawes of the Se
To that yl hem drof ful Sikerle.
thanne they Criden þat with-Inne were,
“Save vs, oþer we schole perschen here.”
Tyl him thowhte, As be his Manere,
he sawh where Comen, As to his Eye,
Schepis with Meyne tho Sekerlye,
So that the wawes of the Se
To that yl hem drof ful Sikerle.
thanne they Criden þat with-Inne were,
“Save vs, oþer we schole perschen here.”
422
And whilles they Criden, & Maden this fare.
Tweyn Schepis to þat yl A-Ryved there;
To the Same Roche there Celydoyne was,
Comen bothe Schepis, As was here gras.
And whanne that they weren Aryved there,
thanne Cam þere forth An Old Marynere
that Knew more thanne Ony Othir
Of Al that Compenye Among þat fothir;
And thus he Seyde ful sore wepinge,
With deolful Noise and Sore Cryenge:
“Sire,” he seide, “this ys A wondir Chaunce,
that of Oure lyves we weren In dowtaunce;
and now is mochel wers than it was Er,
For we ben In A grettere daunger;
For here Nys non thyng but wilde beste
That vs schal devouren, bothe Mest & leste,
and Serpentes bolde, and dragouns wilde,
that don devowren bothe Man and Childe.”
Tweyn Schepis to þat yl A-Ryved there;
To the Same Roche there Celydoyne was,
Comen bothe Schepis, As was here gras.
And whanne that they weren Aryved there,
thanne Cam þere forth An Old Marynere
that Knew more thanne Ony Othir
Of Al that Compenye Among þat fothir;
And thus he Seyde ful sore wepinge,
With deolful Noise and Sore Cryenge:
“Sire,” he seide, “this ys A wondir Chaunce,
that of Oure lyves we weren In dowtaunce;
and now is mochel wers than it was Er,
For we ben In A grettere daunger;
For here Nys non thyng but wilde beste
That vs schal devouren, bothe Mest & leste,
and Serpentes bolde, and dragouns wilde,
that don devowren bothe Man and Childe.”
thanne sterte there forth An Old Knyht,
And Spak to the Maister with Al his Myht;
“Maister,” he seide, “have thow non fere,
Whiles that fyve hundred knyhtes ben here;
Of the bestes we scholen not drede,
So mochel we trosten In Owre Manhede.”
And Spak to the Maister with Al his Myht;
“Maister,” he seide, “have thow non fere,
Whiles that fyve hundred knyhtes ben here;
Of the bestes we scholen not drede,
So mochel we trosten In Owre Manhede.”
And In the Mene whille þat thus gonnen talke,
Celydoyne to hem ward gan forto walke,
and Supposed that Cristene they hadde ben,
but paynemes they weren Alle beden,
and born of the lond of percye,—
thus weren they Alle ful Sekerlye—
And wenten toward the Ost of Syrre,
that Kyng Samwelis brothir had slayn Sekerle,
for that with his wif he hym fond
dishonestly, Aȝens lawe of lond.
Celydoyne to hem ward gan forto walke,
and Supposed that Cristene they hadde ben,
but paynemes they weren Alle beden,
and born of the lond of percye,—
thus weren they Alle ful Sekerlye—
And wenten toward the Ost of Syrre,
that Kyng Samwelis brothir had slayn Sekerle,
for that with his wif he hym fond
dishonestly, Aȝens lawe of lond.
423
So happed, that Amongs this Compenye
was thike tyme the kyng Of percye,
Which that was ȝong man, bothe faire & lel;
his Name was Clepid there Kyng Label;
which was A knyht bothe stalworthe and worthy,
And vppon his Enemyes ful Crwel & hardy;
but In Al the world So mochel hatred he than
As he dyde the trewe Cristene Man.
was thike tyme the kyng Of percye,
Which that was ȝong man, bothe faire & lel;
his Name was Clepid there Kyng Label;
which was A knyht bothe stalworthe and worthy,
And vppon his Enemyes ful Crwel & hardy;
but In Al the world So mochel hatred he than
As he dyde the trewe Cristene Man.
And whanne to this Roche Aryved they were,
Anon kyng Label Comanded there—
Whanne he Sawh þe wedyr was Ouerpast,
And it Gan to Cleren Atte last,—
he Charged that his pavylouns weren pyht,
For there wolde he Resten Al Nyht.
Anon they fulfilden his Comaundement,
And pyhten his pavylouns þere present.
Anon kyng Label Comanded there—
Whanne he Sawh þe wedyr was Ouerpast,
And it Gan to Cleren Atte last,—
he Charged that his pavylouns weren pyht,
For there wolde he Resten Al Nyht.
Anon they fulfilden his Comaundement,
And pyhten his pavylouns þere present.
And whiles they weren Abowten here harneys,
Celydoyne Cometh down In to that pres,
And hem Grette In his Manere,
And Axed of what Contre þat they were.
And they that of him hadde wondir tho,
Merveylled what Contre that he Cam fro,
And thus him Answerid Certeinlye,
‘that they weren of the lond of percye:’
And so they token this Child Anon,
And to Kyng Label they gonne to gon.
Celydoyne Cometh down In to that pres,
And hem Grette In his Manere,
And Axed of what Contre þat they were.
And they that of him hadde wondir tho,
Merveylled what Contre that he Cam fro,
And thus him Answerid Certeinlye,
‘that they weren of the lond of percye:’
And so they token this Child Anon,
And to Kyng Label they gonne to gon.
thanne whanne Kyng label hym behelde
So faire A Child, and of so ȝong Elde,
And therto Clothed So Richely,
In his herte he hadde gret ferly,
And thowhte he was Comen of gentyl Kynde,
for this Ran Euere In kyng Labelis Mynde.
And that Child ful gret Chere he Made,
And fayn he was that Child to glade,
& sore desired he forto knowe
the Childes kenrede vppon A rowe;
So that this Child he gan to freyne,
And gan to Axen thanne Certeyne
Of what Contre that he was.
So faire A Child, and of so ȝong Elde,
And therto Clothed So Richely,
In his herte he hadde gret ferly,
And thowhte he was Comen of gentyl Kynde,
for this Ran Euere In kyng Labelis Mynde.
And that Child ful gret Chere he Made,
And fayn he was that Child to glade,
424
the Childes kenrede vppon A rowe;
So that this Child he gan to freyne,
And gan to Axen thanne Certeyne
Of what Contre that he was.
And thanne þat child so ful of gras,
that Cowde more In his degre
thanne ony oþer Child ful Sekerle,
Told hym Evene the Rihte weye
Of Al his Kynrede ful Sekerlye,
& told hym Ek More ouer therto
that his fadir newe Cristened was tho,
And Al the lond Abowtes In-virown,
“And, sire, Cristened I am with-owten More sermown,
& Cristendom I took Certeinie
Of the hyghe bischope Of Cristiente,
the wheche hyght Iosepe, I vndirstonde,
that Crist Sacrid bisschope with his owun honde.”
that Cowde more In his degre
thanne ony oþer Child ful Sekerle,
Told hym Evene the Rihte weye
Of Al his Kynrede ful Sekerlye,
& told hym Ek More ouer therto
that his fadir newe Cristened was tho,
And Al the lond Abowtes In-virown,
“And, sire, Cristened I am with-owten More sermown,
& Cristendom I took Certeinie
Of the hyghe bischope Of Cristiente,
the wheche hyght Iosepe, I vndirstonde,
that Crist Sacrid bisschope with his owun honde.”
Whanne kyng Label herde of this tydyng,
With-Inne him Self he made Mochel Mornyng,
For he knew kyng Eualach ful wel,
And of his prowesse tho Everydel
that Eualach dyde with his Owne hond;
thus dide he Celidoyne to vndirstond;
“Also, Celidoyne, ful Certeinly
I knowe thy fadir As A knyht worthy;
Wherfore me Repenteth In Myn herte,
For these tydynges don me smerte,
that they ben torned to the wikked fay,
And han forsaken here Owne lay;
and Also thy Self, with gret folye,
thy feith hast forsaken vtterlye,
therfore with me schalt thow go,
to Asayen what I kan don the to;
And ȝit schalt thow tellen Me
how that thou Come Into this Contre,
Into So savage and so wilde A plase,
there as Neuere to foren tymes Man I-wase.”
With-Inne him Self he made Mochel Mornyng,
For he knew kyng Eualach ful wel,
And of his prowesse tho Everydel
that Eualach dyde with his Owne hond;
thus dide he Celidoyne to vndirstond;
“Also, Celidoyne, ful Certeinly
I knowe thy fadir As A knyht worthy;
Wherfore me Repenteth In Myn herte,
For these tydynges don me smerte,
that they ben torned to the wikked fay,
And han forsaken here Owne lay;
and Also thy Self, with gret folye,
thy feith hast forsaken vtterlye,
therfore with me schalt thow go,
to Asayen what I kan don the to;
And ȝit schalt thow tellen Me
how that thou Come Into this Contre,
425
there as Neuere to foren tymes Man I-wase.”
And Celydoyne hym tolde Anon,
‘how that he Owt of presown was gon,
Owt of the hows of Calafere
that My fadyr & I In presown were,
and how bothe they weren Owt past
thorwh Cristes Myht, and that In hast.’
‘how that he Owt of presown was gon,
Owt of the hows of Calafere
that My fadyr & I In presown were,
and how bothe they weren Owt past
thorwh Cristes Myht, and that In hast.’
“And whanne Calafer sawh that it was so
that my Fadir owt of presown was go,
thanne Comanded Calafere Anon
that An hy Into þe towr I scholde gon;
and there, of his hy Crwelte,
Of that hye towr down Caste he Me.
but Iesus Crist, of his goodnesse,
Wold me not weten In swich distresse;
But be his Mynestres there Anon
I was deliuered from Alle my fon.
and whanne I was In myn fallyng,
they me Resceyved with-owten taryenge,
and Into this plase they me browhte;
but Sekerly I ne sawh hem nowhte.
Wherfore, Iesus Crist, graunt Mercye,
that so me deliueredest from myn Enemye!”
that my Fadir owt of presown was go,
thanne Comanded Calafere Anon
that An hy Into þe towr I scholde gon;
and there, of his hy Crwelte,
Of that hye towr down Caste he Me.
but Iesus Crist, of his goodnesse,
Wold me not weten In swich distresse;
But be his Mynestres there Anon
I was deliuered from Alle my fon.
and whanne I was In myn fallyng,
they me Resceyved with-owten taryenge,
and Into this plase they me browhte;
but Sekerly I ne sawh hem nowhte.
Wherfore, Iesus Crist, graunt Mercye,
that so me deliueredest from myn Enemye!”
Whanne the kyng herde Al this Mevyng,
With-Inne him Self he Made gret Morneng,
and seide tho to his Compenye,
“Of this Child I Merveille now Certeinlye.”
thanne Seide his Cownseil to hym tho,
“Maketh hym A Knyht, we reden ȝow so,
For that, sire, is the manere
Of Cristen peple Everiwhere;
For An Awnter vs thenketh In oure Mynde,
that A fairere Child schole ȝe neuere fynde.”
there the kyng him made knyht Anon tho,
Supposing Of his feith to putten hym fro.
With-Inne him Self he Made gret Morneng,
and seide tho to his Compenye,
“Of this Child I Merveille now Certeinlye.”
thanne Seide his Cownseil to hym tho,
“Maketh hym A Knyht, we reden ȝow so,
For that, sire, is the manere
Of Cristen peple Everiwhere;
For An Awnter vs thenketh In oure Mynde,
that A fairere Child schole ȝe neuere fynde.”
there the kyng him made knyht Anon tho,
Supposing Of his feith to putten hym fro.
426
That Nyht the Kyng Ordeynede so,
that wachche Abowtes hym scholde be do;
And Celidoyne he worscheped there ouer Alle thing,
& Al Nyht be hym lay As his derlyng.
that wachche Abowtes hym scholde be do;
And Celidoyne he worscheped there ouer Alle thing,
& Al Nyht be hym lay As his derlyng.
tho whanne the Child on Slepe was,
ȝit slepte not the Kyng, As happed be Cas,
but Axede Of his Conseil there Anon,
‘What were best with that Child to don,
that thus hath Taken Cristiente,
And his Owne lay forsaketh he.’
“ȝif I Cowde don him it forsake,
My dowhter his wif thanne wolde I Make;
For I knowe ful wel In My Mynde
that he is Comen of ful gentyl kynde,
So that he may not faille In non wyse;
he Moste ben A knyht Of worthy Aprise;
So thanne my dowhter schal he have,
And Al my Rem bothe Sownd & save.”
ȝit slepte not the Kyng, As happed be Cas,
but Axede Of his Conseil there Anon,
‘What were best with that Child to don,
that thus hath Taken Cristiente,
And his Owne lay forsaketh he.’
“ȝif I Cowde don him it forsake,
My dowhter his wif thanne wolde I Make;
For I knowe ful wel In My Mynde
that he is Comen of ful gentyl kynde,
So that he may not faille In non wyse;
he Moste ben A knyht Of worthy Aprise;
So thanne my dowhter schal he have,
And Al my Rem bothe Sownd & save.”
Thanne Aftyr the kyng was leyd Anon,
And Every Man to his wachche gan gon,
the kyng On Slepe be-fyl Anone;
And thus sone hym Cam vision vppone.
And Every Man to his wachche gan gon,
the kyng On Slepe be-fyl Anone;
And thus sone hym Cam vision vppone.
hym thowhte that In A medewe he was,
Whiche was large & Grene In that plas;
And In that Medewe A fair Tre there was tho,
And Many diuers flowres Owt of it Gonnen go,
that Envirownd this Tre Al Abowte,
And ful of flowres it heng with-owte,
As it Axeth the kende After A tre;
And this Manere wise thus thouht he.
Whiche tre the kyng beheld ful faste,
And þer-Offen Merveilled Atte laste
how this tre Swiche flowres scholde bere,
Wher-offen he Merveilled In his Manere.
And besides this Tre Cam Owt A Serpent,
that there flawmes of fyr out Caste verament,
and wasted this faire tre Anon,
And Alle the flowres þere Everichon:
thanne Anon After, I the plyht,
Al this was past Owt of the kynges syht.
Whiche was large & Grene In that plas;
And In that Medewe A fair Tre there was tho,
And Many diuers flowres Owt of it Gonnen go,
that Envirownd this Tre Al Abowte,
And ful of flowres it heng with-owte,
As it Axeth the kende After A tre;
And this Manere wise thus thouht he.
Whiche tre the kyng beheld ful faste,
427
how this tre Swiche flowres scholde bere,
Wher-offen he Merveilled In his Manere.
And besides this Tre Cam Owt A Serpent,
that there flawmes of fyr out Caste verament,
and wasted this faire tre Anon,
And Alle the flowres þere Everichon:
thanne Anon After, I the plyht,
Al this was past Owt of the kynges syht.
Thanne on the Morewe whanne it was day,
the wachche to hym Cam with-owten delay,
And tolden hym how they hadden that Nyht
Taken A lyown with ryht gret myht,
So that they thowhten, As I vndirstond,
That lyown to leden Into here Owne lond.
Thann to Celydoyne tooken they þe way,
And A-wooken the Child there he lay;
for ful sore On slepe was he,
that Al nyht to fore In thowht had be
For his fadir Sire Nasciens,
That he ne hadde ben In his presens.
the wachche to hym Cam with-owten delay,
And tolden hym how they hadden that Nyht
Taken A lyown with ryht gret myht,
So that they thowhten, As I vndirstond,
That lyown to leden Into here Owne lond.
Thann to Celydoyne tooken they þe way,
And A-wooken the Child there he lay;
for ful sore On slepe was he,
that Al nyht to fore In thowht had be
For his fadir Sire Nasciens,
That he ne hadde ben In his presens.
And whanne he was Clothed Anon tho,
To the kyng Anon was he browht to;
thanne the kyng him took be the hond,
And sette hym At his feet, I vndirstond.
thanne Comanded he there anon
that Alle his Conseille to forn him scholde gon.
And the wysest of Alle his Meyne,
to forn hym they sembled ful sekerle.
To the kyng Anon was he browht to;
thanne the kyng him took be the hond,
And sette hym At his feet, I vndirstond.
thanne Comanded he there anon
that Alle his Conseille to forn him scholde gon.
And the wysest of Alle his Meyne,
to forn hym they sembled ful sekerle.
And whanne they weren sembled Everichon,
To hem the kyng thanne seide Anon:
“Lordynges,” quod the kyng tho,
“A wondir avicioun this Nyht Cam me to;
Wherfore In Ese neuere schal I be
tyl there-Offen I knowne the Certeynte,
And wherto that it Tornen May,
In herte schal I neuere ben glad parfay.
& this is the Cause that I for ȝow sente,
ȝif Ony of ȝow be ȝoure Entente
Cowde me declaren the verite,
& what signefiaunce þat this myhte be.”
So þat he declared to hem his Avisiown,
Of Al that he hadde Sein, hol & som;
And Aftir, hem preide Everichon
here Avis to schewen þer-offen Anon.
To hem the kyng thanne seide Anon:
“Lordynges,” quod the kyng tho,
“A wondir avicioun this Nyht Cam me to;
Wherfore In Ese neuere schal I be
tyl there-Offen I knowne the Certeynte,
And wherto that it Tornen May,
428
& this is the Cause that I for ȝow sente,
ȝif Ony of ȝow be ȝoure Entente
Cowde me declaren the verite,
& what signefiaunce þat this myhte be.”
So þat he declared to hem his Avisiown,
Of Al that he hadde Sein, hol & som;
And Aftir, hem preide Everichon
here Avis to schewen þer-offen Anon.
thanne these Men thowhte hem be-twene,
What Maner of thing it scholde Mene;
but they ne Cowden for non thing
bryngen that vicyown to An Endyng.
And so they seiden to þe kyng Anon,
‘that non Exposiscioun Cowde they don.’
thanne the Kyng Abascht hym sore,
& seide, “somwhat it tokeneth, with-owten More.”
“Sire,” they Seiden verament,
“We konne non oþer knowen in owre Entent.”
What Maner of thing it scholde Mene;
but they ne Cowden for non thing
bryngen that vicyown to An Endyng.
And so they seiden to þe kyng Anon,
‘that non Exposiscioun Cowde they don.’
thanne the Kyng Abascht hym sore,
& seide, “somwhat it tokeneth, with-owten More.”
“Sire,” they Seiden verament,
“We konne non oþer knowen in owre Entent.”
Whanne that the Child wheche þere sat
Atte the kynges feet, undirstood Al that
Whiche the kyng hadde Schewed to his Meyne,
there-offen to han knowen the verite,
this Child him dressed vp Anon,
& on his feet stood to forn hem Echon,
[OMITTED]
And forto speken wolde he wonden for non,
But spak so lowde to the kyng
that þere offen þe peple hadde Merveillyng:
“Kyng label, I se wel now here
that thy Conseil ne Can in non Manere
the declaren the verite;
but, sire kyng, I schal schowen it to the,
lik as the grete Maister Above,
Whos Servaunt I am, & whom I love,
Me hath schewed In My Mynde,
the goode lord that is so kende.
Atte the kynges feet, undirstood Al that
Whiche the kyng hadde Schewed to his Meyne,
there-offen to han knowen the verite,
this Child him dressed vp Anon,
& on his feet stood to forn hem Echon,
[OMITTED]
And forto speken wolde he wonden for non,
But spak so lowde to the kyng
that þere offen þe peple hadde Merveillyng:
“Kyng label, I se wel now here
that thy Conseil ne Can in non Manere
the declaren the verite;
but, sire kyng, I schal schowen it to the,
lik as the grete Maister Above,
Whos Servaunt I am, & whom I love,
Me hath schewed In My Mynde,
429
“thou sie In thyn Avisiown
A grene Medwe, Alle & som,
& þere-Inne was A fair Tre
þat with flowres Envirownd was he;
And Aftyr thou sye A Serpent,
wherthorw Alle the floures weren schent.
A grene Medwe, Alle & som,
& þere-Inne was A fair Tre
þat with flowres Envirownd was he;
And Aftyr thou sye A Serpent,
wherthorw Alle the floures weren schent.
“Now schal I tellen the my Resown
As Cometh to myn ȝonge discressioun,
For I nam but ȝong, and litel of wyt,
So gret A thing to declaren It.
but wete þou wel In Certeyn,
that þe holigost fulfilleth pleyn
Alle his Servauntes Everychon;
& so be his Miht I schal the it vndon.
As Cometh to myn ȝonge discressioun,
For I nam but ȝong, and litel of wyt,
So gret A thing to declaren It.
but wete þou wel In Certeyn,
that þe holigost fulfilleth pleyn
Alle his Servauntes Everychon;
& so be his Miht I schal the it vndon.
“The medewe that was so fair & Grene,
signefieth the world ful of treye & tene;
and ȝit is likenge to alle tho
that there-Inne Abyden & go,
an tho þat there-Inne ben wel at Ese,
And Namliche to synneris it doth hem plese
that lyn Evere In gret dedly synne,
To hem þe world is plesyng neþer more ne Mynne;
For thus they wenen, with-owten Mo,
That the world scholde neuere hem fro,
and that Evere In strengthe scholde they be,
and the world with hem laste ful Sikerle;
& thus they hopen Algates to dwelle
In Ioye & blisse, as I ȝow telle.
signefieth the world ful of treye & tene;
and ȝit is likenge to alle tho
that there-Inne Abyden & go,
an tho þat there-Inne ben wel at Ese,
And Namliche to synneris it doth hem plese
that lyn Evere In gret dedly synne,
To hem þe world is plesyng neþer more ne Mynne;
For thus they wenen, with-owten Mo,
That the world scholde neuere hem fro,
and that Evere In strengthe scholde they be,
and the world with hem laste ful Sikerle;
& thus they hopen Algates to dwelle
In Ioye & blisse, as I ȝow telle.
“but ho so wele vndirstonde the verite,
I schal declaren, and ȝe welen herkenen Me;
and Oþer wise it is in signefiaunce here,
for the Medwe fareth In this manere:
On þe Morwe it is grene, & ful of flowres
that fair is to Syhte, & swete of Odours;
and At Even, be hete of the Sonne,
Forskorchid & drye to-gederis ben Ronne:
Ryht so fareth Mankynde Anon
Whanne the Sowle from the body is gon,
to this Medwe may likned I-be,
as to foren tymes I schew to the.
I schal declaren, and ȝe welen herkenen Me;
and Oþer wise it is in signefiaunce here,
for the Medwe fareth In this manere:
On þe Morwe it is grene, & ful of flowres
that fair is to Syhte, & swete of Odours;
and At Even, be hete of the Sonne,
430
Ryht so fareth Mankynde Anon
Whanne the Sowle from the body is gon,
to this Medwe may likned I-be,
as to foren tymes I schew to the.
“and what this tre doth signefie,
Whiche is of feble Nature Sekerlye,
Signefieth be mannes persone here,
That Is so poure In Alle Manere,
and is Comen of so poure kynde,
ȝif thou wilt here-offen taken Mynde;
and of so gret Freelnesse & Caytyvete
here offen cometh Man, As thou myht se:
this day A man he Is, to Morwen Is he non:
& so it schal fare be vs now Everichon.
but sekerly, kyng label, to this Tre
At this tyme I lykne now the.
Whiche is of feble Nature Sekerlye,
Signefieth be mannes persone here,
That Is so poure In Alle Manere,
and is Comen of so poure kynde,
ȝif thou wilt here-offen taken Mynde;
and of so gret Freelnesse & Caytyvete
here offen cometh Man, As thou myht se:
this day A man he Is, to Morwen Is he non:
& so it schal fare be vs now Everichon.
but sekerly, kyng label, to this Tre
At this tyme I lykne now the.
“and of the flowres that þere Abowtes be,
be-thenk with-Inne thi self, and be-hold & se;
but And thou wilt herkene to me,
of A blessid flowr I schal tellen the,
that Neuere defaded for non thing,
whiche is þe virgine Modyr of þe glorous kyng,
That bar god & Man, Owre Savyour,
whiche is Marye modir & Maide, þat blessid flour.
this flour, non thing Apeyren it May,
from þe begynneng Into domesday;
and there as Oþer flowres boþe dryen & fade,
this flowr is Evere bothe Ioyful & glade.
be-thenk with-Inne thi self, and be-hold & se;
but And thou wilt herkene to me,
of A blessid flowr I schal tellen the,
that Neuere defaded for non thing,
whiche is þe virgine Modyr of þe glorous kyng,
That bar god & Man, Owre Savyour,
whiche is Marye modir & Maide, þat blessid flour.
this flour, non thing Apeyren it May,
from þe begynneng Into domesday;
and there as Oþer flowres boþe dryen & fade,
this flowr is Evere bothe Ioyful & glade.
“but of this flour that is bothe bryht & Cler,
In thyn Avicion haddist þou non warneng ther;
For that flowr fareth In non degre
As the flowres that weren schewed to the.
The flowres that Fadyn so Every day,
Abowtes the, Sire, they ben In fay.
And wilt thow knowen, sire, what they be?
Anon, Sire, I schal here declaren hem the:
The ton flowr is bownte, ful Sekerly;
The secund prowesse; the thrydde is Cortesy;
and Manye other vertwes ben The Abowte,
Mo thanne Anoþer man hath, sawnz dowte,
And bettere Norture In Alle degre
thanne Manye Oþer ben Sekerle;
For As manie vertwes thou hast, with-Owt n variaunce,
As Euere hadde Man that is ful of Mescreaunce;
And therto thou Art bothe fair & semly;
but not to god, I sey ȝow pleynly,
but onliche to that fals & strong Enemy
that Alle dayes of thy lyve thou woschepist only.
For so manye vertwes In the ben
As Evere In Miscreaunce A man may sen;
Wherfore it is gret Rowthe & pyte
that so gracious vertwes In Miscreaunt schold be.
431
For that flowr fareth In non degre
As the flowres that weren schewed to the.
The flowres that Fadyn so Every day,
Abowtes the, Sire, they ben In fay.
And wilt thow knowen, sire, what they be?
Anon, Sire, I schal here declaren hem the:
The ton flowr is bownte, ful Sekerly;
The secund prowesse; the thrydde is Cortesy;
and Manye other vertwes ben The Abowte,
Mo thanne Anoþer man hath, sawnz dowte,
And bettere Norture In Alle degre
thanne Manye Oþer ben Sekerle;
For As manie vertwes thou hast, with-Owt n variaunce,
As Euere hadde Man that is ful of Mescreaunce;
And therto thou Art bothe fair & semly;
but not to god, I sey ȝow pleynly,
but onliche to that fals & strong Enemy
that Alle dayes of thy lyve thou woschepist only.
For so manye vertwes In the ben
As Evere In Miscreaunce A man may sen;
Wherfore it is gret Rowthe & pyte
that so gracious vertwes In Miscreaunt schold be.
“Now schal I the declaren Every del
—and thow wilt vndirstondyn Me wel—
What signefieth that Ilke tre,
and the floures that þere-Abowtes be;
and the hepe of Erthe that is therby,
As schal I the declaren ful Openly.
—and thow wilt vndirstondyn Me wel—
What signefieth that Ilke tre,
and the floures that þere-Abowtes be;
and the hepe of Erthe that is therby,
As schal I the declaren ful Openly.
“that hepe, it is to vndirstonde,
that mankynde In ony londe
be fild so ful of dedly Synne,
of filthes of wrechchednesse, hem Alle with Inne
and Every day they hepen More and More,
& gaderen hepe vppon hepe, þat doth hem sore,
be wrechchednesse & Many Othir thing,
Everyday to here Owne hyndring,
and greven sore here Creatour,
Whiche that they Owten don honour;
And they welen not Amenden hem for non thing,
For speche neþer for Manassyng.
432
be fild so ful of dedly Synne,
of filthes of wrechchednesse, hem Alle with Inne
and Every day they hepen More and More,
& gaderen hepe vppon hepe, þat doth hem sore,
be wrechchednesse & Many Othir thing,
Everyday to here Owne hyndring,
and greven sore here Creatour,
Whiche that they Owten don honour;
And they welen not Amenden hem for non thing,
For speche neþer for Manassyng.
“and this hepe, sire, Is with-Innen the,
and from thy birthe Euere hath be;
For sethen of thy modyr that þou were bore,
didest thou Nevere good, lasse ne more,
but Euere Contrarye thy Creatour
thou hast him wraththed In Every Our;
and thus hast þou gaderid with-Inne the,
hepe vppon hepe ful Sekerle,
and Every day Synne vppon synne,
and of this lif noldest þou not blynne;
thanne thus be thin Aviciown
thou Art the same, bothe Alle & som.
and from thy birthe Euere hath be;
For sethen of thy modyr that þou were bore,
didest thou Nevere good, lasse ne more,
but Euere Contrarye thy Creatour
thou hast him wraththed In Every Our;
and thus hast þou gaderid with-Inne the,
hepe vppon hepe ful Sekerle,
and Every day Synne vppon synne,
and of this lif noldest þou not blynne;
thanne thus be thin Aviciown
thou Art the same, bothe Alle & som.
“Now of this Serpent I schal the telle,
and thou wilt lestene me vntylle:
the serpent, the deth of þe sowle doth signefye,
Of Man that In this world lyveth bodily,
and In the world hath passeng delyt,
Where-offen neuere that he wolden ben qwyt;
and for non warneng ne wil not he
Tornen to the Ioye that is lastyngle:
and for they welen not don so,
to Endeles deth therfore they go.
of thyn Avicioun this is the signefiaunce,
as me scheweth the holy gost with-Owten variaunce.
and thou wilt lestene me vntylle:
the serpent, the deth of þe sowle doth signefye,
Of Man that In this world lyveth bodily,
and In the world hath passeng delyt,
Where-offen neuere that he wolden ben qwyt;
and for non warneng ne wil not he
Tornen to the Ioye that is lastyngle:
and for they welen not don so,
to Endeles deth therfore they go.
of thyn Avicioun this is the signefiaunce,
433
“and for þat in me thou schalt han more Affyaunce,
I schal the tellen of a more dowtaunce,
of swich A thing As thou hast don
longe tymes hens, & fern Agon,
and thou hast evere In supposing
that þer-offen knoweth non Erthly thing
but thou Alone, ful Certeinle;
but þou art desceyved, I telle it the;
For he that knoweth Alle thing,
Me hath it put in vndirstondyng.”
I schal the tellen of a more dowtaunce,
of swich A thing As thou hast don
longe tymes hens, & fern Agon,
and thou hast evere In supposing
that þer-offen knoweth non Erthly thing
but thou Alone, ful Certeinle;
but þou art desceyved, I telle it the;
For he that knoweth Alle thing,
Me hath it put in vndirstondyng.”
Whanne the kyng herd him thus seye,
Al Red he was for schame Sekerlye:
“Sey on,” quod the kyng tho Anon,
“What is that thing whiche I have don,
that thou seyst non knoweth but I:
Sey on what it is now, belamy.”
Al Red he was for schame Sekerlye:
“Sey on,” quod the kyng tho Anon,
“What is that thing whiche I have don,
that thou seyst non knoweth but I:
Sey on what it is now, belamy.”
“Sire,” quod Celydoynes tho,
“that schal I anon gladliche do:
And thou wilt, Aforn Al thyn Meyne,
Owther thou wilt Ellis, In prevyte.
For As I haue be ful supposing
of Enformeng of þat glorious kyng,
the prikkes of deth doth signefie
the serpent, I sey the ful sekerlye.”
“that schal I anon gladliche do:
And thou wilt, Aforn Al thyn Meyne,
Owther thou wilt Ellis, In prevyte.
For As I haue be ful supposing
of Enformeng of þat glorious kyng,
the prikkes of deth doth signefie
the serpent, I sey the ful sekerlye.”
“Schal I thanne dyen?” quod the kyng.
“ȝe, with-Inne fowre dayes, with-owten varyeng,
Owt of this world schalt thou pace;
but whedir thou Nost, ne Into what place.
and therfore loke what Conseille thow wilt have,
ȝif that thou thenke thy Sowle to save;
and loke that thou now leve Me,
For thing that I schal tellen to the.”
“ȝe, with-Inne fowre dayes, with-owten varyeng,
Owt of this world schalt thou pace;
but whedir thou Nost, ne Into what place.
and therfore loke what Conseille thow wilt have,
ȝif that thou thenke thy Sowle to save;
and loke that thou now leve Me,
For thing that I schal tellen to the.”
434
thanne this kyng took hym on Syde,
to weten what he mente At that tyde.
to weten what he mente At that tyde.
“Sire kyng, warneng I ȝeve to the,
Anon that Cristene Man that thou be;
And thus Sente the forto Say,
the hyghe Maister that is god verray;
And be this Tokene he sente to the,
that non thing to him Is preve:
how that thou, the ferst day of May,
thin Owne Soster thou slowe In fay,
For Cause sche wolde not suffren the
with hire bodyly to done Synne and foolee.
And whanne þou Sye sche wold not don so,
And thy folye Concentyn therto,
Anon thou smotest of here hed,
& Into the se threw it In that sted;
Anon the bodi Aftir thou threw Also;
this Movrdre didest thou with-owten Mo.
And to this wendest þou ful Sekerle
that non Man hadde ben preve;
but he that is Aboven Alle thing,
Of this Made me to haven vndirstondyng:
therfore, lord, worschepid Mot thou be,
that sweche thing openly schewest to Me!”
Anon that Cristene Man that thou be;
And thus Sente the forto Say,
the hyghe Maister that is god verray;
And be this Tokene he sente to the,
that non thing to him Is preve:
how that thou, the ferst day of May,
thin Owne Soster thou slowe In fay,
For Cause sche wolde not suffren the
with hire bodyly to done Synne and foolee.
And whanne þou Sye sche wold not don so,
And thy folye Concentyn therto,
Anon thou smotest of here hed,
& Into the se threw it In that sted;
Anon the bodi Aftir thou threw Also;
this Movrdre didest thou with-owten Mo.
And to this wendest þou ful Sekerle
that non Man hadde ben preve;
but he that is Aboven Alle thing,
Of this Made me to haven vndirstondyng:
therfore, lord, worschepid Mot thou be,
that sweche thing openly schewest to Me!”
Whanne the Kyng herde hym tho speken so,
“Merveilles thou hast me told,” quod þe kyng tho,
“For there nys non Man Erthly levenge
that I supposid coude telle me this thinge;
And of Myn Avicioun hast þou me told
verray trowthes be many fold,
And so openly as thou hast declared it to me
Cowde non Erthly man don Certeinle.”
“Merveilles thou hast me told,” quod þe kyng tho,
“For there nys non Man Erthly levenge
that I supposid coude telle me this thinge;
And of Myn Avicioun hast þou me told
verray trowthes be many fold,
And so openly as thou hast declared it to me
Cowde non Erthly man don Certeinle.”
thanne he Comaunded his Meyne ful sone
his bed to Maken, for þerto wolde he gone,
For distempred A lytel he was,
So he hem tolde In that plas
they fulfilden Anon his byddyng
In Alle Maner wise, to plesen the kyng;
And thanne Comaunded he his barouns Anon,
Good warde of þat child to setten vppon.
thanne they Answeryd hym Anon,
And seide his Comaundement scholde be don.
his bed to Maken, for þerto wolde he gone,
For distempred A lytel he was,
So he hem tolde In that plas
435
In Alle Maner wise, to plesen the kyng;
And thanne Comaunded he his barouns Anon,
Good warde of þat child to setten vppon.
thanne they Answeryd hym Anon,
And seide his Comaundement scholde be don.
To his Cowche wente the kyng thanne,
Also hevy As Ony Erthly Manne,
And warned his Barouns Everichon,
‘that Nyhe hym Comen scholde neuere on;
Whethir he be freend other kynnes man,
Ny hym Scholde Comen non Maner of Man.’
So that they kouered the kynges pavyloun,
that of non wyht he scholde heren þe sown,
and Also that alle Maner of Clerte
From that kyng defended scholde be.
Also hevy As Ony Erthly Manne,
And warned his Barouns Everichon,
‘that Nyhe hym Comen scholde neuere on;
Whethir he be freend other kynnes man,
Ny hym Scholde Comen non Maner of Man.’
So that they kouered the kynges pavyloun,
that of non wyht he scholde heren þe sown,
and Also that alle Maner of Clerte
From that kyng defended scholde be.
The Kyng on his Cowche was leyd Anone,
And to hym Self he Made ful gret Mone
For the wordes that Child Celidoyne
to hym hadde there seid In Certeyne.
thanne gan he to wepen wondirly Sore,
With wryngeng of hondis, & ȝit Mochel more,
that the water of his Eyen Ran by hym Adown,
Al Abowtes his body there In virown;
And thus to his persone he gan Compleyne
of Manye Caytyvetes tho In Certeyne:
And to hym Self he Made ful gret Mone
For the wordes that Child Celidoyne
to hym hadde there seid In Certeyne.
thanne gan he to wepen wondirly Sore,
With wryngeng of hondis, & ȝit Mochel more,
that the water of his Eyen Ran by hym Adown,
Al Abowtes his body there In virown;
And thus to his persone he gan Compleyne
of Manye Caytyvetes tho In Certeyne:
“Ow thou now ful powre Caytyf,
With owten Counseil, & Cursid Of lyf,
that Neuere ne woldest Counseilled be
to non good lyveng, In non Maner degre,
that the myhte Counseille thy sowle to save;
Swich Maner Counseille wost thou not have!
Now, fals Caytyf, here schalt thou deye
As the porest man In the world trewlye.
With owten Counseil, & Cursid Of lyf,
that Neuere ne woldest Counseilled be
to non good lyveng, In non Maner degre,
that the myhte Counseille thy sowle to save;
Swich Maner Counseille wost thou not have!
Now, fals Caytyf, here schalt thou deye
As the porest man In the world trewlye.
“Whedir schalt þou go, thou Cursed Caytyf,
Whanne from thy body Is past thy lyf?
What, trowest thou, Caytyf & wrechche Also,
thy Crowne to have whanne þou dost go,
Owther thy Septre In thyn hond?
What, wenest þou to ben kyng of a lond,
And to haven lordschepe As thou hast here,
And therto so moche welthe In Alle Manere?
A, thou Caytevous kyng In Alle Manere,
With Owten Cownseil that the konne lere!
Now atte ferste myhtest thou knowe
that þou hast non Conseille, neþer hy ne lowe.
A, kyng and Caytyf Also,
With owten Ioye Art thou Euere Mo.
For this that me clepeth the prykke of deth,
Whanne that Eche man schal lesen his breth,
thanne forsaken Me bothe Modir & wyf,
And Alle the peple that Evere boren lyf;
For there kan non of hem Alle
tellen what Aventures me schal be-falle
Whanne owt of this world that I schal gon,
What Aventures me scholen fallen vppon;
Whethir Riche other powre that I schal be,
Owther A man of lowere degre,
Owther At Ese, Other At non Ese.
Whanne from thy body Is past thy lyf?
436
thy Crowne to have whanne þou dost go,
Owther thy Septre In thyn hond?
What, wenest þou to ben kyng of a lond,
And to haven lordschepe As thou hast here,
And therto so moche welthe In Alle Manere?
A, thou Caytevous kyng In Alle Manere,
With Owten Cownseil that the konne lere!
Now atte ferste myhtest thou knowe
that þou hast non Conseille, neþer hy ne lowe.
A, kyng and Caytyf Also,
With owten Ioye Art thou Euere Mo.
For this that me clepeth the prykke of deth,
Whanne that Eche man schal lesen his breth,
thanne forsaken Me bothe Modir & wyf,
And Alle the peple that Evere boren lyf;
For there kan non of hem Alle
tellen what Aventures me schal be-falle
Whanne owt of this world that I schal gon,
What Aventures me scholen fallen vppon;
Whethir Riche other powre that I schal be,
Owther A man of lowere degre,
Owther At Ese, Other At non Ese.
“O caytevous kyng, ho schal the þere plese?
O thou wrechche and Ek Caytevous kyng,
that hast here So gret A gaderyng,
And so Manye worschepis As thou hast here!
O, powre wrechche, what schalt þou han Ellis where?
And whanne hens that thou schalt go,
thow nost whether to Ioye oþer elles to wo.
Now, Caytevous kyng, Remembre the wel
Of Alle thy lyveng Everydel;
And ȝit, powre Creature, whiles þou Art here,
Conseille the bettere, and In Other Manere;
For At thine choys now shal it be,
Whethyr to Ioye oþer to peyne þat thou wilt fle,
Whanne Owt of this world thou schalt pace,
thow wost neuer Into what Manere of place.
O thou wrechche and Ek Caytevous kyng,
that hast here So gret A gaderyng,
And so Manye worschepis As thou hast here!
O, powre wrechche, what schalt þou han Ellis where?
And whanne hens that thou schalt go,
thow nost whether to Ioye oþer elles to wo.
Now, Caytevous kyng, Remembre the wel
Of Alle thy lyveng Everydel;
And ȝit, powre Creature, whiles þou Art here,
Conseille the bettere, and In Other Manere;
For At thine choys now shal it be,
Whethyr to Ioye oþer to peyne þat thou wilt fle,
437
thow wost neuer Into what Manere of place.
“For of this worldys Ioye Inowh haue I,
As mochel As Ony Erthly man trewly
that Evere of myn Age was born—
As I have Rehersed here beforn—
But for As Mochel As that I have knowenge
that this worldis Ioye nys but sorwe & mornenge,
And that In Morneng schal ben the Ende,
Alle sweche as I am Euere forto schende,
thanne knowe I wel that In Every Owr
the Ioye of this world Nys but dolowr,
Wraththe, Envye, and wrechchednesse;
this hath me thus browht In distresse.
thus thanne be my self now may I knowe,
that Alle my Ioyes to sorwe ben torned On A rowe.
As mochel As Ony Erthly man trewly
that Evere of myn Age was born—
As I have Rehersed here beforn—
But for As Mochel As that I have knowenge
that this worldis Ioye nys but sorwe & mornenge,
And that In Morneng schal ben the Ende,
Alle sweche as I am Euere forto schende,
thanne knowe I wel that In Every Owr
the Ioye of this world Nys but dolowr,
Wraththe, Envye, and wrechchednesse;
this hath me thus browht In distresse.
thus thanne be my self now may I knowe,
that Alle my Ioyes to sorwe ben torned On A rowe.
“A, kyng Caytyf, whanne thou hennest dost go,
And Into what place þou Nost, ne whedyr to,
And whethir that sorwe schole Euere hauen Endynge,
Owther Ellis Endelesly to ben lastynge!
O most vnworthy wrechche that Evere was,
Now þe Ende of thy lif Aprocheth In this plas,
And the begynneng of thy Sorwe & Care
Now hast thou fownden Every whare.
Now bethenke the, the moste wrechche þat euere was born,
why ne wost thou knowen this here beforn?
For he that knoweth Alle Manere of thing,
Of hym it is to me ful gret Reprovyng;
and he that knoweth Alle thing that is Comenge,
and that to me hath now sent this warnenge,
Whethir þat I wele Chesen Ioye other peyne,
he hath me warned now In Certeyne.”
And Into what place þou Nost, ne whedyr to,
And whethir that sorwe schole Euere hauen Endynge,
Owther Ellis Endelesly to ben lastynge!
O most vnworthy wrechche that Evere was,
Now þe Ende of thy lif Aprocheth In this plas,
And the begynneng of thy Sorwe & Care
Now hast thou fownden Every whare.
Now bethenke the, the moste wrechche þat euere was born,
why ne wost thou knowen this here beforn?
For he that knoweth Alle Manere of thing,
Of hym it is to me ful gret Reprovyng;
and he that knoweth Alle thing that is Comenge,
and that to me hath now sent this warnenge,
Whethir þat I wele Chesen Ioye other peyne,
he hath me warned now In Certeyne.”
And thus In sweche maneres, & In Mornenge,
the kyng there fyl tho On Slepinge;
Al be-wept lik As he there was,
he fil on slepe In that plas.
the kyng there fyl tho On Slepinge;
Al be-wept lik As he there was,
he fil on slepe In that plas.
438
CHAPTER XXXIII.
439
And Anon As In Slepe he was falle,
A wondir Aviciown he hadde with-alle;
that he Entred In to An hy weye
Whiche was brod & large ful Sekerlye,
And so with men it was vsed to fore,
Where-offen he Merveilled wondir sore;
Where As mochel peple there was
hawntynge that weye and that plas,
that þere non Man Mihte Entren ne gon
but that be felouns thei were taken Anon,
And In presown Anon I-do,
and alle here good Itaken hem fro.
A wondir Aviciown he hadde with-alle;
that he Entred In to An hy weye
Whiche was brod & large ful Sekerlye,
And so with men it was vsed to fore,
Where-offen he Merveilled wondir sore;
Where As mochel peple there was
hawntynge that weye and that plas,
440
but that be felouns thei were taken Anon,
And In presown Anon I-do,
and alle here good Itaken hem fro.
Whanne he was Entred Into this weye,
A man by hym sauwh he faste bye,
Whiche semed A man of gret honour,
A semly persone, & ful of Favour,
And seide ‘he wolde beren me Compenye,
tyl that weye I were past ful Sekerlye.’
So that togederys gonnen they gon;
the goodman to fore þe kyng folwed son;
And Euere hadde the kyng gret drede
how In that weye he scholde spede.
And As he loked hym there Abowte,
he Sawh of thevys A ful gret Rowte,
So þat þe kynges drede dyde Evere laste
Tyl that theke weye he were paste;
For þer the thevys token there Every Man
That they Myhten leyn hond vppon.
A man by hym sauwh he faste bye,
Whiche semed A man of gret honour,
A semly persone, & ful of Favour,
And seide ‘he wolde beren me Compenye,
tyl that weye I were past ful Sekerlye.’
So that togederys gonnen they gon;
the goodman to fore þe kyng folwed son;
And Euere hadde the kyng gret drede
how In that weye he scholde spede.
And As he loked hym there Abowte,
he Sawh of thevys A ful gret Rowte,
So þat þe kynges drede dyde Evere laste
Tyl that theke weye he were paste;
For þer the thevys token there Every Man
That they Myhten leyn hond vppon.
And whanne In this weye long hadde he gon,
Abowtes hym he lokede thanne Anon,
And that man thanne sawh he nowht,
the whiche theke weye hadde him browht.
Abowtes hym he lokede thanne Anon,
And that man thanne sawh he nowht,
the whiche theke weye hadde him browht.
thanne In to A lytel path there Entred he,
The moste delytable that Evere myhte be,
and ful of trees froyt berenge,
Al grene, & ful of flowres, to his semenge.
And whanne he was Entred Into this plas,
A wondirful vois him thouhte ther was,
“Cometh & wascheth, ȝe pleple Echon,
And to ȝoure Mete thanne schole ȝe gon
Aboven In that hye Cyte;
For þer þe tables Al redy they be,
and swete Metes for ȝow I-dyht;
thus sente ȝow to seyne the lord most of myht.”
The moste delytable that Evere myhte be,
and ful of trees froyt berenge,
Al grene, & ful of flowres, to his semenge.
And whanne he was Entred Into this plas,
A wondirful vois him thouhte ther was,
“Cometh & wascheth, ȝe pleple Echon,
And to ȝoure Mete thanne schole ȝe gon
Aboven In that hye Cyte;
For þer þe tables Al redy they be,
and swete Metes for ȝow I-dyht;
thus sente ȝow to seyne the lord most of myht.”
441
The kyng, that desired sore to knowen of this,
Whethir his sorwe scholde han Ony Ende I-wys;
And As he wolde han Enqwered of hem tho,
Faste to forn hym thanne Gonnen they go;
and so folwede he faste Certayne
tyl that he Cam to An hy Mowntayne,
the heyest that Evere say he to fore
From the tyme that he was bore;
On whiche Mountayn was A welle,
The fairest that Evere he herde of telle;
and there they weschen Everychon
that to þe Mete In that Cite scholde gon;
but the kyng, wysch there not he,
but Aftir that Compenye faste gan he fle.
Whethir his sorwe scholde han Ony Ende I-wys;
And As he wolde han Enqwered of hem tho,
Faste to forn hym thanne Gonnen they go;
and so folwede he faste Certayne
tyl that he Cam to An hy Mowntayne,
the heyest that Evere say he to fore
From the tyme that he was bore;
On whiche Mountayn was A welle,
The fairest that Evere he herde of telle;
and there they weschen Everychon
that to þe Mete In that Cite scholde gon;
but the kyng, wysch there not he,
but Aftir that Compenye faste gan he fle.
And whanne to the gates they comen Echon,
Of that Cyte, they Entred Anon;
Alle that Evere hadde waschen Atte welle
To that Cite weren welcomed ful snelle,
Where As gret Ioye they hadden there
In Manye A worschepful diuers Manere.
Of that Cyte, they Entred Anon;
Alle that Evere hadde waschen Atte welle
To that Cite weren welcomed ful snelle,
Where As gret Ioye they hadden there
In Manye A worschepful diuers Manere.
Thanne the kyng Anon Entren wolde he,
but therto hadde non Maner of powste.
thanne Axede he of the porter Anon,
‘Why that In to the halle he ne myhte gon.’
thanne Answerid the porter Aȝeyn,
“for þou wost not waschen thin hondys In Certein
At the welle, As Other han don,
þerfore here-Inne schalt þou not gon.
For non Man, but ȝif he Clene be,
Into this halle Entreth not he.”
but therto hadde non Maner of powste.
thanne Axede he of the porter Anon,
‘Why that In to the halle he ne myhte gon.’
thanne Answerid the porter Aȝeyn,
“for þou wost not waschen thin hondys In Certein
At the welle, As Other han don,
þerfore here-Inne schalt þou not gon.
For non Man, but ȝif he Clene be,
Into this halle Entreth not he.”
And the kyng, that ful of sorwe was,
Atte A weket loked In to that plas,
and sawh his soster that he hadde slayn,
Atte the hygh table Sitten Certein,
And with A chapelet vppon hire hed,
ful of precious stones In that sted;
And him thouhte hire neuere so fair Er
be A thousendfold As sche was ther.
And whanne sche sawh he beheld hire so,
Sche seide, “go, wasche the As we han do,
And þanne schalt þou with vs atte Mete be,
And ben I-servid with alle deynte.”
Atte A weket loked In to that plas,
and sawh his soster that he hadde slayn,
Atte the hygh table Sitten Certein,
And with A chapelet vppon hire hed,
ful of precious stones In that sted;
442
be A thousendfold As sche was ther.
And whanne sche sawh he beheld hire so,
Sche seide, “go, wasche the As we han do,
And þanne schalt þou with vs atte Mete be,
And ben I-servid with alle deynte.”
Whanne the kyng beheld Al this Manere,
That he ne myhte not ben Resceyved there,
Anon his weye he turnede Ageyn
that same weye that he cam Certein;
but wardeyn thanne hadde he non,
whanne thoruh this medwe he scholde gon.
That he ne myhte not ben Resceyved there,
Anon his weye he turnede Ageyn
that same weye that he cam Certein;
but wardeyn thanne hadde he non,
whanne thoruh this medwe he scholde gon.
thanne Cam this peple there Anon,
and vppon hym leyden hond Echon,
that of his deth neuere was he so sore Aferd
Sethen he Cam In-to Middillerd.
thanne he Axed hem Everichon,
‘Why they leyden hond hym vppon.’
“For we welen so, I telle it the;
For thou Art Al oure In Every degre,
And with vs now schalt thou go,
In to what place we welen leden þe to.”
“thanne drowen they me forth Anon
be the her & be þe hondes, & forth gonne gon;
and be the feet they drowen me faste
to An hows In A valeye Atte laste,
the whiche was wastful & wilde;
and In that hows, Meyne that was vn-Mylde,
For it was so fowl, so hydous, forto be-holde,
that Erthely man was neuere so bolde
that hous to Entren to discrye,
It was so ful of filthe and velonye.
and wondir blak it was therto,
Ful of wepinges & Cryenges as it myhte go:”
and Al this the kyng In Avisioun Say,
that for drede he deyde nygh that day.
and vppon hym leyden hond Echon,
that of his deth neuere was he so sore Aferd
Sethen he Cam In-to Middillerd.
thanne he Axed hem Everichon,
‘Why they leyden hond hym vppon.’
“For we welen so, I telle it the;
For thou Art Al oure In Every degre,
And with vs now schalt thou go,
In to what place we welen leden þe to.”
“thanne drowen they me forth Anon
be the her & be þe hondes, & forth gonne gon;
and be the feet they drowen me faste
to An hows In A valeye Atte laste,
the whiche was wastful & wilde;
and In that hows, Meyne that was vn-Mylde,
For it was so fowl, so hydous, forto be-holde,
that Erthely man was neuere so bolde
that hous to Entren to discrye,
It was so ful of filthe and velonye.
and wondir blak it was therto,
Ful of wepinges & Cryenges as it myhte go:”
and Al this the kyng In Avisioun Say,
that for drede he deyde nygh that day.
443
And whanne him thouhte In his Aviciown
that Into þat hous they wolden han throwen him down,
And for drede Anon wook he there,
And wondirly Cryde, & in An hy Manere,
And Seyde, “help now, I nam but ded
but ȝif ich have Ony other Red.”
And thus Cryde he with so An hy A voys
that he Made Riht A wondirful Noys,
So that Alle his lordis and Baronye
herden how wondirly that he gan to Crye,
And to hym Ronnen they Alle Anon
Forto weten what so he wolde don.
that Into þat hous they wolden han throwen him down,
And for drede Anon wook he there,
And wondirly Cryde, & in An hy Manere,
And Seyde, “help now, I nam but ded
but ȝif ich have Ony other Red.”
And thus Cryde he with so An hy A voys
that he Made Riht A wondirful Noys,
So that Alle his lordis and Baronye
herden how wondirly that he gan to Crye,
And to hym Ronnen they Alle Anon
Forto weten what so he wolde don.
there fownden they him In his bed liggenge,
As A Man that Made wel Mochel Mornenge,—
Neuere Man So mochel Made to here mynde,—
which stoned hem Alle In here Kynde,
For Al day Merye they hadden ben.
But whanne the kyng thus gonne they sen,
Astoned fowle weren they alle,
What of this Mater Myhte befalle.
As A Man that Made wel Mochel Mornenge,—
Neuere Man So mochel Made to here mynde,—
which stoned hem Alle In here Kynde,
For Al day Merye they hadden ben.
But whanne the kyng thus gonne they sen,
Astoned fowle weren they alle,
What of this Mater Myhte befalle.
Thanne tweyne that with him weren most preve,
To hym they Comen ful Softele,
and seiden, “Sire, what may ȝow Aylle,
Oþer what Manere thing dyde ȝow Asaille,”
For they knewen, be his Cryenge,
that he was Aferd In his dremenge.
To hym they Comen ful Softele,
and seiden, “Sire, what may ȝow Aylle,
Oþer what Manere thing dyde ȝow Asaille,”
For they knewen, be his Cryenge,
that he was Aferd In his dremenge.
thanne seide he to hem Anon there
That thike tyme Abowtes him were,
‘That there Say Neuere Erthly man
So Merveillous Syhtes as he Sawh than;’
“where-fore I schal neuere blithe be
Tyl there offen I knowe the Certeinte.
Now to fore me bring forth Celidoyne,
That myn Other Avision declared Certeine;
and ȝif of this he telle me As verraylly
As he of the tother dyde trewly,
what thing he wele Comanden me to
At his Owne wille, I wyle it now do.”
That thike tyme Abowtes him were,
‘That there Say Neuere Erthly man
So Merveillous Syhtes as he Sawh than;’
“where-fore I schal neuere blithe be
Tyl there offen I knowe the Certeinte.
Now to fore me bring forth Celidoyne,
That myn Other Avision declared Certeine;
and ȝif of this he telle me As verraylly
As he of the tother dyde trewly,
444
At his Owne wille, I wyle it now do.”
So to this child thanne gonnen they go,
that I[n] A pavilown On slepe was tho;
And him A-woken ful tendirlye,
For that to the kyng he Moste hye.
and the Child him dressed vp Anon,
And to forn the kyng thanne Gan he gon.
that I[n] A pavilown On slepe was tho;
And him A-woken ful tendirlye,
For that to the kyng he Moste hye.
and the Child him dressed vp Anon,
And to forn the kyng thanne Gan he gon.
& whanne the kyng on þe child gan looke,
Gret Comfort thanne to him he tooke;
“Now, Maister,” quod the kyng thanne,
“As I holde the, most wysest manne
that euere Sawh I of thin Age,
And that born Is of so hygh parage,
I preye ȝow that ȝe wolden tellen me
Of that I schal ȝow schewen, the Certeinte.”
Gret Comfort thanne to him he tooke;
“Now, Maister,” quod the kyng thanne,
“As I holde the, most wysest manne
that euere Sawh I of thin Age,
And that born Is of so hygh parage,
I preye ȝow that ȝe wolden tellen me
Of that I schal ȝow schewen, the Certeinte.”
“Sire,” quod Celidoyne, “I wele ful gladly;
but not be myn owne wit, sire, trewly,
but As I am Enformed of the Maister Above,
Whiche that thou Owhtest wel forto love.
and for thow wost not leven his word be me,
There-fore sore blamed schalt thou be.
For whanne thou Come to that Cite
Which In thy Slepe was schewed to the,
ȝif that thow wylt Entren there,
Thou Most don As I schal the lere;
And but thou wilt Aftir me don so,
To Endeles dirknesse elles schalt thou go,
To that dirk hous, ful of teres & sorwe,
Endelesly to dwelle, þat no man schal the borwe.”
but not be myn owne wit, sire, trewly,
but As I am Enformed of the Maister Above,
Whiche that thou Owhtest wel forto love.
and for thow wost not leven his word be me,
There-fore sore blamed schalt thou be.
For whanne thou Come to that Cite
Which In thy Slepe was schewed to the,
ȝif that thow wylt Entren there,
Thou Most don As I schal the lere;
And but thou wilt Aftir me don so,
To Endeles dirknesse elles schalt thou go,
To that dirk hous, ful of teres & sorwe,
Endelesly to dwelle, þat no man schal the borwe.”
And whanne the kyng herd hym speken so,
On knes Aforn hym down fyl he tho,
& seide, “Al that Evere thou seyst me here,
I knowe it verrayly In Eche Manere,
And that thou Art hy with god Above,
I knowe ful wel he doth the love,
So what that Evere tho[u] Comandest Me,
I schal it fulfyllen ful Certeinle.
For thou hast told me verraillye
That In myn Avicion I sawh Certeynlye.”
On knes Aforn hym down fyl he tho,
& seide, “Al that Evere thou seyst me here,
I knowe it verrayly In Eche Manere,
And that thou Art hy with god Above,
I knowe ful wel he doth the love,
445
I schal it fulfyllen ful Certeinle.
For thou hast told me verraillye
That In myn Avicion I sawh Certeynlye.”
“ȝe,” quod Celidoyne Anon ryht tho,
“ȝit More schal I tellen the Er that I go:
I schal the schewen the Signefiaunce
Of Al thin Avicion with-owten variaunce,
So that the bettere thou schalt me leve,
For that swiche thinges I schal þe preve:—
“ȝit More schal I tellen the Er that I go:
I schal the schewen the Signefiaunce
Of Al thin Avicion with-owten variaunce,
So that the bettere thou schalt me leve,
For that swiche thinges I schal þe preve:—
“The grete weye that thou there Sye,
Signefieth the old lawe Sekerly,
Where that so gret peple to forn han gon
As thou hast herd tellen of Many on;
and swich As grete Maistres were,
And wolde not vndirstondin þe peple to lere,
but let hem Gon to Alle wrechchednesse,
to filthes, and synne, And vnkendenesse,
So that Every day that Cursede Enemy
To hym hem draweth by and by,
And Casteth hem In to helle anon,—
As wel good as bad thedir wenten Echon,—
lo this Enemy is to Signefye,
that be the weyes lyn so aparttly
For to taken hem that passen therby,
this signefieth the devel ful trewly.
Signefieth the old lawe Sekerly,
Where that so gret peple to forn han gon
As thou hast herd tellen of Many on;
and swich As grete Maistres were,
And wolde not vndirstondin þe peple to lere,
but let hem Gon to Alle wrechchednesse,
to filthes, and synne, And vnkendenesse,
So that Every day that Cursede Enemy
To hym hem draweth by and by,
And Casteth hem In to helle anon,—
As wel good as bad thedir wenten Echon,—
lo this Enemy is to Signefye,
that be the weyes lyn so aparttly
For to taken hem that passen therby,
this signefieth the devel ful trewly.
“Now [be] this weye that thou hast Seyn,
‘the olde lawe’ vndirstonde thou ful pleyn;
and be the Robberis that ben there,
vndirstonde thou the devel In Ech Manere;
And be the faire Man that with the wente,
vndirstonde thou Crist veramente;
There God Of the hadde pyte,
And In that dredful weye Governed the,
So that thyn Enemyes hadden non power
In Non wyse forto Neyhen the there.
For of him Ones haddest thou pyte,
there fore so hath he now of the;
And wistest thou neuere what pete was
thike tyme In that same plas.
‘the olde lawe’ vndirstonde thou ful pleyn;
and be the Robberis that ben there,
vndirstonde thou the devel In Ech Manere;
And be the faire Man that with the wente,
vndirstonde thou Crist veramente;
There God Of the hadde pyte,
And In that dredful weye Governed the,
So that thyn Enemyes hadden non power
In Non wyse forto Neyhen the there.
446
there fore so hath he now of the;
And wistest thou neuere what pete was
thike tyme In that same plas.
“Now haue I told the Al In fere
Of that faire Man, In this Manere,
that In that weye Cowndered the
Among Alle tho thevys ful Sekerle;
ȝit A Nothir Resoun I schal the Schewe
To forn Al this peple vppon A rewe,
be the grete weye that is so wyde
I schal the declaren At this tyde.
Of that faire Man, In this Manere,
that In that weye Cowndered the
Among Alle tho thevys ful Sekerle;
ȝit A Nothir Resoun I schal the Schewe
To forn Al this peple vppon A rewe,
be the grete weye that is so wyde
I schal the declaren At this tyde.
“thou sixt wel whanne A schipe is with-Inne,
And to the Se goth, and may not blynne,
And hath nethir Maister ne Governour
That schipe to Steren In that stowr;
And whanne fer into the Se Is he go,
and with the wynd beten bothe to & fro,
Tyl Amyddes the see that he be,
that brod & large Is Onne to se,
there Nis non Man that him Socoure May,
Sauf Only God that is verray;
This Owhtest thow to vnrdirstondyn here
Of the weye of Synneris In this Manere.
And to the Se goth, and may not blynne,
And hath nethir Maister ne Governour
That schipe to Steren In that stowr;
And whanne fer into the Se Is he go,
and with the wynd beten bothe to & fro,
Tyl Amyddes the see that he be,
that brod & large Is Onne to se,
there Nis non Man that him Socoure May,
Sauf Only God that is verray;
This Owhtest thow to vnrdirstondyn here
Of the weye of Synneris In this Manere.
“For Anon As A Cristen man In Ony weye
Forsaketh his Creatour, Serteinlye
thanne hath he broken this weye Anon
that thou Sie Alle the folk Inne gon;
thanne taken they bothe leve & lycense
Forto folwen the develis precense,
And thanne scholen they haven Compenye
that weye to gon ful Sekerlye,
and here flessches lust to fulfille,
and leven the goode wey, & taken the ylle
Aftir the develys Cownsaille,
that Nothing may hem A-vaylle.
And In this weye, Sire kyng label,
hast thou longe gon, thou wost ful wel;
but now at this Manere of Comenge,
And thow wilt, thou schalt hauen Comfortynge
Of him that the best helpen he May,
[He] Schal the Owt Bringe this selve day.
Forsaketh his Creatour, Serteinlye
thanne hath he broken this weye Anon
that thou Sie Alle the folk Inne gon;
thanne taken they bothe leve & lycense
Forto folwen the develis precense,
And thanne scholen they haven Compenye
that weye to gon ful Sekerlye,
and here flessches lust to fulfille,
and leven the goode wey, & taken the ylle
Aftir the develys Cownsaille,
that Nothing may hem A-vaylle.
447
hast thou longe gon, thou wost ful wel;
but now at this Manere of Comenge,
And thow wilt, thou schalt hauen Comfortynge
Of him that the best helpen he May,
[He] Schal the Owt Bringe this selve day.
“ȝit schal I more to the here declare
Of the grene weye that thou sye thare:
‘The newe lawe’ it doth Signefye,
that Everiday Encresith certeinlye.
And the streite weye that was there,
Signefieth of hem that there Inne were,
[they] hadden [no] leve forth there to gon,
that Goddis Comaundement fulfilden Echon,
And of holy chirche Also thanne,
In þat wey wente swich maner of Manne.
Of the grene weye that thou sye thare:
‘The newe lawe’ it doth Signefye,
that Everiday Encresith certeinlye.
And the streite weye that was there,
Signefieth of hem that there Inne were,
[they] hadden [no] leve forth there to gon,
that Goddis Comaundement fulfilden Echon,
And of holy chirche Also thanne,
In þat wey wente swich maner of Manne.
“lo, this Goddis Comandement Is,
that non Child of holy chirche Iwys
Scholde Erren Aȝens his Creatour
be non manere of wise, for non dolour,
Ne nethir to don non dedly Synne,
Ne vsen non Coveitise neþer more ne Mynne;
And forsaken Envye Also therto,
ȝif Aftir god & trowthe thou wilt do;
Ne be non thouht to fallen In to synne,
but Evere the Ryht weye hold the with-Inne.
that non Child of holy chirche Iwys
Scholde Erren Aȝens his Creatour
be non manere of wise, for non dolour,
Ne nethir to don non dedly Synne,
Ne vsen non Coveitise neþer more ne Mynne;
And forsaken Envye Also therto,
ȝif Aftir god & trowthe thou wilt do;
Ne be non thouht to fallen In to synne,
but Evere the Ryht weye hold the with-Inne.
“The Trees that be that grene weye stoden Abowte,
‘pastours of holy Chirche’ it signefien withowten dowte,
that Alle Abowtes the world don gon,
The holy vangelye forto vndon.
‘pastours of holy Chirche’ it signefien withowten dowte,
that Alle Abowtes the world don gon,
The holy vangelye forto vndon.
“The vois that thou herdest Clepen there,
Signefieth ‘goddis Mercy’ In Eche Manere,
that Clepith Synneris that Synne han forsake,
And Iust that to his Servise han hem take,
And behotyth hem Al Manere of delicasye
That to ony Mannes wyt May Applye.
Signefieth ‘goddis Mercy’ In Eche Manere,
that Clepith Synneris that Synne han forsake,
And Iust that to his Servise han hem take,
And behotyth hem Al Manere of delicasye
That to ony Mannes wyt May Applye.
448
Be that welle, vndirstonde thou here,
Whiche In that Mowntayne thou sye there,
that is to Signefye Euere ‘god Alone,’
That Aboven Sitteth In his trone,
the wheche is the heyest lord & kyng,
and heyghest he is ouer Alle Maner thing;
Which is sene be his Bownte,
And be many Miracles In diuers degre
Whiche he wrowhte In this world here;
For ouer Alle Erthly men he hadde powere,
And Aboven Alle Other heyest is he,
lik As þat Mowntayn Aboven oþer semed þe to be:
and lik As that Mowntayn Aboven therthe was,
So Is God heyghest In Every plas.
Whiche In that Mowntayne thou sye there,
that is to Signefye Euere ‘god Alone,’
That Aboven Sitteth In his trone,
the wheche is the heyest lord & kyng,
and heyghest he is ouer Alle Maner thing;
Which is sene be his Bownte,
And be many Miracles In diuers degre
Whiche he wrowhte In this world here;
For ouer Alle Erthly men he hadde powere,
And Aboven Alle Other heyest is he,
lik As þat Mowntayn Aboven oþer semed þe to be:
and lik As that Mowntayn Aboven therthe was,
So Is God heyghest In Every plas.
“& for that Cause the welle Icleped It is
‘The vnctioun of Baptesme’ with-owten Mis,
Wheche was be goddis Ordenaunce,
And God it fulfilde to his plesaunce,
There sye thow god In Maieste
that toward this welle browhte the.
‘The vnctioun of Baptesme’ with-owten Mis,
Wheche was be goddis Ordenaunce,
And God it fulfilde to his plesaunce,
There sye thow god In Maieste
that toward this welle browhte the.
“And that Cyte that So fair & swete was,
vndirstonde thou ‘paradys’ In this plas,
Where that god Maketh his hyghe feste
To alle his beloved, bothe leste and Meste.
vndirstonde thou ‘paradys’ In this plas,
Where that god Maketh his hyghe feste
To alle his beloved, bothe leste and Meste.
“And vndirstonde thou here-by Also,
that whanne In Atte gates thou myhtest not go,
For thou Nost waschschen In non Manere
Atte welle, As other diden there,—
þerfore it signefieth In this degre
That Goddis Seriaunt ne myht þou not be,
Nethir non Child of holy Chirche,
but ȝif Oþerwise that þou wilt wirche,
And that I-Cristened that thou be,’
ȝif thow wilt Ony of these festes se.
that whanne In Atte gates thou myhtest not go,
For thou Nost waschschen In non Manere
Atte welle, As other diden there,—
þerfore it signefieth In this degre
That Goddis Seriaunt ne myht þou not be,
Nethir non Child of holy Chirche,
but ȝif Oþerwise that þou wilt wirche,
And that I-Cristened that thou be,’
ȝif thow wilt Ony of these festes se.
“And for the bettere þou scholdest han me increaunce,
Al this I the telle with-owten Enqweraunce.
And þen so longe In swevenyng thou hast be,
In schort processe I haue declared it to the;
And there fore leve me ȝif thou wilt,
And but ȝif þou do, thou schalt be spilt.
449
And þen so longe In swevenyng thou hast be,
In schort processe I haue declared it to the;
And there fore leve me ȝif thou wilt,
And but ȝif þou do, thou schalt be spilt.
“Al this, Sie thow, kyng Label,
In thyn Avicioun Everydel,
Whiche thou woldest neuere to man discure,
for þou wendist that neuere Creature
Of non Manere Erthly londe
Cowde it the don to vndirstonde:
but As the hyghe Maister Enformed hath me,
I haue the told In Eche degre.
In thyn Avicioun Everydel,
Whiche thou woldest neuere to man discure,
for þou wendist that neuere Creature
Of non Manere Erthly londe
Cowde it the don to vndirstonde:
but As the hyghe Maister Enformed hath me,
I haue the told In Eche degre.
“Be the wastful lawndes, haue vndirstondyng
‘Thy wykked werkys’ In Alle thing
that thou hast don Al thy lyve
Sethen thou were born In wo & stryve.
therfore Cristened loke that thou be,
ȝif thou wilt ben holpen In Ony degre.
‘Thy wykked werkys’ In Alle thing
that thou hast don Al thy lyve
Sethen thou were born In wo & stryve.
therfore Cristened loke that thou be,
ȝif thou wilt ben holpen In Ony degre.
450
“Now forthermore I schal the telle,
that dirk blak hows signefyeth ‘helle’;
To wheche place Al Miscreaunt
Atte the day of dom schal ben here haunt;
To whiche Ostel that Is so blak,
At that dom Gost thow with-owten lak;
but ȝif it In this world thou it Amende,
Ellis thedir gost thou with-owten Ende:
And so In this world myht thou don here
To blisse to Comen, that hath non pere.”
that dirk blak hows signefyeth ‘helle’;
To wheche place Al Miscreaunt
Atte the day of dom schal ben here haunt;
To whiche Ostel that Is so blak,
At that dom Gost thow with-owten lak;
but ȝif it In this world thou it Amende,
Ellis thedir gost thou with-owten Ende:
And so In this world myht thou don here
To blisse to Comen, that hath non pere.”
“Now, Certes,” quod kyng label tho,
“Merveillously hast þou this vndo.
And ȝit more merveillous is that lord
that to the hath discouered Every word;
And but he were Myhtiere thanne oþer be,
this Mihte he Neuere han schewed to the.
Where fore to him only I me take,
And Alle myn Olde werkes I forsake;
And what that Evere ȝe Comanden me to,
At ȝoure byddyng I wele it do.”
“Merveillously hast þou this vndo.
And ȝit more merveillous is that lord
that to the hath discouered Every word;
And but he were Myhtiere thanne oþer be,
this Mihte he Neuere han schewed to the.
451
And Alle myn Olde werkes I forsake;
And what that Evere ȝe Comanden me to,
At ȝoure byddyng I wele it do.”
“thanne schal I tellen þe,” Celidoyne gan say,
“thus me hath Schewed the Maister varray,
hos Seriawnt I am ful prest,
that here besides In this forest
dwelleth An holy Ermyt, and of good lif,
and þerto A prest with-owten stryf.
Go we to hym streyht Anon,
Cristendom to don the vppon,
that I have to the Spoken of to fore,
forto Entren In to that Cite thore,
To that hygh worthy feste,
In paradis to dwellen with lest & meste.”
“Certes,” quod the kyng tho,
“Al this I am Redy forto do.”
“thus me hath Schewed the Maister varray,
hos Seriawnt I am ful prest,
that here besides In this forest
dwelleth An holy Ermyt, and of good lif,
and þerto A prest with-owten stryf.
Go we to hym streyht Anon,
Cristendom to don the vppon,
that I have to the Spoken of to fore,
forto Entren In to that Cite thore,
To that hygh worthy feste,
In paradis to dwellen with lest & meste.”
“Certes,” quod the kyng tho,
“Al this I am Redy forto do.”
Thanne Axede this kyng Anon Ryht
Of duk, Erl, barown, And knyht,
ȝif they wolden Conceillen him þerto,
this Manere thing Al forto do.
“For weteth wel In Certayn,
that In Myn herte I schal neuere be fayn
Tyl I-Cristened that I be,
As Celidoyne here Enformeth Me.”
Of duk, Erl, barown, And knyht,
ȝif they wolden Conceillen him þerto,
this Manere thing Al forto do.
“For weteth wel In Certayn,
that In Myn herte I schal neuere be fayn
Tyl I-Cristened that I be,
As Celidoyne here Enformeth Me.”
thanne Answered they him Aȝeyn,
‘that wold they neuere In Certein
Ne not departen from here lay,
No more thanne here fadres be Olde day.’
“leve, sire kyng,” quod Celidoyne tho,
“For Aȝens here wil it schal not be do.”
‘that wold they neuere In Certein
Ne not departen from here lay,
No more thanne here fadres be Olde day.’
“leve, sire kyng,” quod Celidoyne tho,
452
Thanne Celidoyne this kyng vnclothed Anon,
and powre Clothes dyde hym vppon;
‘For he ne wolde In non Manere
that so to forn him he Come there
In non Maner of swich Aray
that signefieth to pride in Ony way,’
“but As In lownesse And In humylite
So to forn him Comen scholen ȝe.”
and powre Clothes dyde hym vppon;
‘For he ne wolde In non Manere
that so to forn him he Come there
In non Maner of swich Aray
that signefieth to pride in Ony way,’
“but As In lownesse And In humylite
So to forn him Comen scholen ȝe.”
Anon the kyng dyde his Comandement,
And with hym wente with good Entent.
And from here pavilouns they partyd Anon,
& forth thorwgh the forest gonne they gon,
That so forth to Gederis wenten they faste,
tyl Into A gret valey they comen Atte laste;
And so longe to-Gyveris they wente,
Tyl that the day was Al I-spente;
So that it happed hem be Grace
That to thermyt they comen In þat place,
And Clepeden At his dore Anon,
and thus sone he gan it vndon.
And with hym wente with good Entent.
And from here pavilouns they partyd Anon,
& forth thorwgh the forest gonne they gon,
That so forth to Gederis wenten they faste,
tyl Into A gret valey they comen Atte laste;
And so longe to-Gyveris they wente,
Tyl that the day was Al I-spente;
So that it happed hem be Grace
That to thermyt they comen In þat place,
And Clepeden At his dore Anon,
and thus sone he gan it vndon.
thanne ful gret Merveille þis hermyt hadde,
What maner of thing thedyr hem ladde,
And what they sowhten In that straunge place,
thike peple that thedir Comen wase;
For fully A mounthe to forn that day,
Neuere Man ne womman ne child he ne say.
What maner of thing thedyr hem ladde,
And what they sowhten In that straunge place,
thike peple that thedir Comen wase;
For fully A mounthe to forn that day,
Neuere Man ne womman ne child he ne say.
And whanne the dore was thus vndon,
Celidoyne Entred thanne In Anon,
and beknew that Cristened he was,
Whiche was to thermyt A Ioyful Cas;
So Ech of hem Othir Embracen began,
and An hundred Sithes they kisten than.
“Faire sone,” quod this Ermyt tho,
“Into Manye stronge place schalt þou go,
And goddis Pyler thow ȝchalt ben,
To helpe forto vndirsette Al cristen.”
Celidoyne Entred thanne In Anon,
and beknew that Cristened he was,
Whiche was to thermyt A Ioyful Cas;
453
and An hundred Sithes they kisten than.
“Faire sone,” quod this Ermyt tho,
“Into Manye stronge place schalt þou go,
And goddis Pyler thow ȝchalt ben,
To helpe forto vndirsette Al cristen.”
thanne Celidoyne [spak] Anon Ageyn,
And told him Al the Cas In Certein,
Also Al the cause of here Comenge,
this kyng to Cristendom forto bringe.
thann hadde this Goodman gret Ioye of this,
that he scholde A sowle wynnen to blis,
and seide that he wolde with good wille
on þe Morwen here Axeng to fulfille.
And told him Al the Cas In Certein,
Also Al the cause of here Comenge,
this kyng to Cristendom forto bringe.
thann hadde this Goodman gret Ioye of this,
that he scholde A sowle wynnen to blis,
and seide that he wolde with good wille
on þe Morwen here Axeng to fulfille.
Alle that Nyht hadden they here talkyng,
that to alle holynesse was belongeng;
So that Al Nyht this good man Gan hem preche,
And of holy mennes lyves he gan hem teche,
that for Crist Suffrede Tormentis harde,
And to the Blisse of hevene wenten Aftirwarde;
So that Evere the kyng for Ioye he wepe,
That of Al theke Nyht he ne slepe.
that to alle holynesse was belongeng;
454
And of holy mennes lyves he gan hem teche,
455
And to the Blisse of hevene wenten Aftirwarde;
So that Evere the kyng for Ioye he wepe,
That of Al theke Nyht he ne slepe.
Vppon the Morwen, whanne it was lyht,
Thermyt his Matynes seide Anon Ryht;
and whanne his Matynes weren I-do,
A fair ston ful Redy Made he tho,
And there with water he gan it fille.
thanne Anon the kyng he Clepid him Tylle,
& made him don Of his Clothes Anon,
And there Into that ston forto gon.
Anon there ȝaf he hym ful Crystenynge
holich after holy Chirches werkynge.
Whanne the kyng thus Cristened was there,
his Name nolde he Chonge In non Manere;
For of fairenesse it hadde Semblaunce,
Wherfore þere offen nolde he maken non variaunce.
Thermyt his Matynes seide Anon Ryht;
and whanne his Matynes weren I-do,
A fair ston ful Redy Made he tho,
And there with water he gan it fille.
thanne Anon the kyng he Clepid him Tylle,
& made him don Of his Clothes Anon,
And there Into that ston forto gon.
Anon there ȝaf he hym ful Crystenynge
holich after holy Chirches werkynge.
Whanne the kyng thus Cristened was there,
his Name nolde he Chonge In non Manere;
For of fairenesse it hadde Semblaunce,
Wherfore þere offen nolde he maken non variaunce.
Whanne this Good Man hym Cristened haddē so,
Anon hem gan he forth Clepen tho
that with hym Comen In Compenye,
And Axede hem there Anon In hye,
‘ȝif that they wolden Cristened be
lik here lord was, As sche myhte se,’
thanne Answerid they Anon Ageyn,
‘that wolde they Neuere don In Certein;
For they wolden Neuere Chongen here lay
That here Fadris helden to forn here day.’
Anon hem gan he forth Clepen tho
that with hym Comen In Compenye,
And Axede hem there Anon In hye,
‘ȝif that they wolden Cristened be
lik here lord was, As sche myhte se,’
thanne Answerid they Anon Ageyn,
‘that wolde they Neuere don In Certein;
For they wolden Neuere Chongen here lay
That here Fadris helden to forn here day.’
thanne this goodman Ryht Anon
A whit Robe the kyng dide vppon,
holiche be thermytes Ordenaunce;
Swich was thanne the kynges Chaunce.
A whit Robe the kyng dide vppon,
holiche be thermytes Ordenaunce;
Swich was thanne the kynges Chaunce.
thanne Seide the kyng to Celidoyne tho,
“Faire child, þou hast me browht Owt of wo;
For I am becomen So heyl A man
that non Erthly tonge tellen ne kan.
For me semeth now In My syht,
that I am At theke Cyte so bryht
where that I say the grete feste
Of manye peple, bothe lest & Meste,
Where As I was put Away Anon Ryht,
that Into the halle Entren I ne Myht,
For that I wysch not In Certeyne
Atte the welle vppon the Mownteyne.”
“Faire child, þou hast me browht Owt of wo;
For I am becomen So heyl A man
that non Erthly tonge tellen ne kan.
456
that I am At theke Cyte so bryht
where that I say the grete feste
Of manye peple, bothe lest & Meste,
Where As I was put Away Anon Ryht,
that Into the halle Entren I ne Myht,
For that I wysch not In Certeyne
Atte the welle vppon the Mownteyne.”
Thanne seide the kyng to his Compenye
that thedir with hym Comen Certeinlye,
“Lordynges, that In Myn Compenye han be,
and In Travaille and In Adversite,
and welen not beren me Compenye
Now at this tyme feythfullye
there As I am In a Ioyful lyf,
And ȝe dwellen stille In wo & stryf;
holiche Alle I ȝow forsake,
And to this lif I wele me take;
For with ȝow schal I neuere go
Into the Cuntre that I Cam fro.”
that thedir with hym Comen Certeinlye,
“Lordynges, that In Myn Compenye han be,
and In Travaille and In Adversite,
and welen not beren me Compenye
Now at this tyme feythfullye
there As I am In a Ioyful lyf,
And ȝe dwellen stille In wo & stryf;
holiche Alle I ȝow forsake,
And to this lif I wele me take;
For with ȝow schal I neuere go
Into the Cuntre that I Cam fro.”
And whanne they herde the kyng thus seyn,
Alle ful wooful they weren In Certeyin,
And seiden that they hadden lost Alle here pray,
Whanne that the kyng hadde Torned his lay.
So that Owt of this hows they wenten Anon,
And to-Gederis to Conseil gonne they gon,
And Axeden how that they Scholden do,
that thus the kyng was parted hem fro.
thanne Answered Anothir there,
“What Nedith vs lengere to Abyden here?
for his lay wile he not forsake,
that he hath now hym to I-take,
but of hym that Conseil ȝaf therto,
Loke what with hym welen ȝe do.”
Alle ful wooful they weren In Certeyin,
And seiden that they hadden lost Alle here pray,
Whanne that the kyng hadde Torned his lay.
So that Owt of this hows they wenten Anon,
And to-Gederis to Conseil gonne they gon,
And Axeden how that they Scholden do,
that thus the kyng was parted hem fro.
thanne Answered Anothir there,
“What Nedith vs lengere to Abyden here?
for his lay wile he not forsake,
that he hath now hym to I-take,
but of hym that Conseil ȝaf therto,
Loke what with hym welen ȝe do.”
457
thanne wēntēn they Into thermytage,
And token Celidoyne with wilde Rage.
And whethir that he wolde oþer Non,
with hem that Child Moste Nedis gon.
And the kyng defended hem faste;
Not withstondyng ȝit forth they paste.
thanne seide Celidoyne to the kyng,
“Sire, for me Make ȝe No Morneng.
Sire, of on thyng I warne now the:
stylle with this good man that thou be,
whiche schal the ȝeven good Consaille
That to thy Sowle schal Availle.
And whedir so Evere thy Men Me lede,
Of hem Certein haue I non drede,
For he that I worschepe and Serve,
From alle perylles he wele me swerve.”
And token Celidoyne with wilde Rage.
And whethir that he wolde oþer Non,
with hem that Child Moste Nedis gon.
And the kyng defended hem faste;
Not withstondyng ȝit forth they paste.
thanne seide Celidoyne to the kyng,
“Sire, for me Make ȝe No Morneng.
Sire, of on thyng I warne now the:
stylle with this good man that thou be,
whiche schal the ȝeven good Consaille
That to thy Sowle schal Availle.
And whedir so Evere thy Men Me lede,
Of hem Certein haue I non drede,
For he that I worschepe and Serve,
From alle perylles he wele me swerve.”
And so, be Celidoynes Cownsaylle,
the kyng left Stylle with-owten faille,
and on the Morwe with Mylde stevenne
he deyde, and wente to the blisse of hevenne.
As God wolde haven it, so was it don,
For hens to blisse gan he gon.
and sethen for hym Crist Meracle wrowhte
vppon Mochel peple that there hym Sowhte.
the kyng left Stylle with-owten faille,
and on the Morwe with Mylde stevenne
he deyde, and wente to the blisse of hevenne.
As God wolde haven it, so was it don,
For hens to blisse gan he gon.
and sethen for hym Crist Meracle wrowhte
vppon Mochel peple that there hym Sowhte.
And thowgh this Mater and Oþere longe not to þis storye,
ȝit he that this book Made hath put it in Memorye
Forto Maken A Cler Notysyng,
And forto declaren so Everithing
More Openly to mannes Mynde,
Al the mater the bettere to bryngen to an Ende:
thus Alle thinges doth he putten In Memorye,
he that ferst Made this holy Storye.
ȝit he that this book Made hath put it in Memorye
Forto Maken A Cler Notysyng,
And forto declaren so Everithing
More Openly to mannes Mynde,
Al the mater the bettere to bryngen to an Ende:
thus Alle thinges doth he putten In Memorye,
he that ferst Made this holy Storye.
458
CHAPTER XXXIV.
459
Thanne passeth forth this storye with-Al
that is Cleped of Som Men “Seynt Graal,”
also the “Sank Ryal” I-Clepid it is
Of Mochel peple with Owten mys;
It telleth how that kyng Labelys Men,
Forth with hem Celidoyne ladden him then,
And to here pavilouns Anon hym browhte,
And there hym to slen thus they thowhte.
that is Cleped of Som Men “Seynt Graal,”
also the “Sank Ryal” I-Clepid it is
Of Mochel peple with Owten mys;
It telleth how that kyng Labelys Men,
Forth with hem Celidoyne ladden him then,
And to here pavilouns Anon hym browhte,
And there hym to slen thus they thowhte.
whanne that this tydynges was spred Abrod
thorwgh-owt the ost of here lord,
‘that he was becomen Cristene Man,’
Ful Mochel Sorwe Maden thei than;
As alle here kyn ded hadden be,
Swich sorwe they Made As they myhten se.
thorwgh-owt the ost of here lord,
‘that he was becomen Cristene Man,’
Ful Mochel Sorwe Maden thei than;
As alle here kyn ded hadden be,
Swich sorwe they Made As they myhten se.
thanne seiden they, “we haven that persone here
that vs hath browht In Al this dwere;
We scholene hym Caste forto Slen
From this Roche Er we gon hen,
And on hym we scholen Avenged be
for that he hath don, ful Sekerle.”
thanne Answerede som Oþere Anon,
“that ful ȝong he was to deth to gon;
but Oþer-wise Avenged wilen we be,
And ȝit hym Scholen we not Sle.”
that vs hath browht In Al this dwere;
We scholene hym Caste forto Slen
From this Roche Er we gon hen,
And on hym we scholen Avenged be
for that he hath don, ful Sekerle.”
thanne Answerede som Oþere Anon,
“that ful ȝong he was to deth to gon;
but Oþer-wise Avenged wilen we be,
And ȝit hym Scholen we not Sle.”
On Many tormentis they hem be-thouhte,
how that he Myhte to deth be browhte.
thanne spak A knyht, and seide ful wel,
that Any kynnesman was to kyng label,
“I schal ȝow Certefyen Anon Ryht
how that ȝe scholen to deth hym dyht,
And vppon hym to leyn non hond.
Lesteneth to Me, And vndirstond;
Taketh on of ȝowre Fesselis Anon,
the lest ȝe han Amonges Echon,
And thedir Inne lete ȝe the Child go;
And the lyown putteth hym vnto,
With-owten ony Othir thyng
that hym Mihte to londe bryng;
And ȝif he ne deye not so,
Ellis may þere neuere thing Cristen man slo;
And this schal I feithfully beleve,
for the trewthe scholen ȝe sone preve;
for whanne the lyown An hungred is,
And that his vyande doth he Mys,
thanne ful wildely schal he devoure
This child, hym with forto Socovre;
and thus Avenged on him scholen ȝe be,
As I haue ȝow Schewed ful Certeinle.”
how that he Myhte to deth be browhte.
thanne spak A knyht, and seide ful wel,
that Any kynnesman was to kyng label,
460
how that ȝe scholen to deth hym dyht,
And vppon hym to leyn non hond.
Lesteneth to Me, And vndirstond;
Taketh on of ȝowre Fesselis Anon,
the lest ȝe han Amonges Echon,
And thedir Inne lete ȝe the Child go;
And the lyown putteth hym vnto,
With-owten ony Othir thyng
that hym Mihte to londe bryng;
And ȝif he ne deye not so,
Ellis may þere neuere thing Cristen man slo;
And this schal I feithfully beleve,
for the trewthe scholen ȝe sone preve;
for whanne the lyown An hungred is,
And that his vyande doth he Mys,
thanne ful wildely schal he devoure
This child, hym with forto Socovre;
and thus Avenged on him scholen ȝe be,
As I haue ȝow Schewed ful Certeinle.”
thanne token they Celidoyne Anon,
& In A ful lytel bot was he don,
and the lyown was put hym to.
& In A ful lytel bot was he don,
and the lyown was put hym to.
Whanne Celidoyne Say it scholde be so,
that theke wilde beste with hym scholde be,
þat so wood an spetows was In Eche degre,
he left vp his hond thanne there Anon,
And þe Signe of the Crois he made hym vppon,
And him there be-took he to god Almyht,
that he hym Scholde save bothe day & Nyht.
that theke wilde beste with hym scholde be,
þat so wood an spetows was In Eche degre,
he left vp his hond thanne there Anon,
And þe Signe of the Crois he made hym vppon,
And him there be-took he to god Almyht,
that he hym Scholde save bothe day & Nyht.
So thanne they putten hym Into the Se.
thanne Celidoyne Aȝenward torned he,
and spak to that Compenye tho
that swich felonye hadde hym I-do,
“ȝe Men ful Cursed, and therto pervert,
Enemyes of Crist, Sore schal ȝow smert!
ȝe wenen to slen me In this Manere.
but oþer-wise, I troste be my lord so der,
I schal it Ascapen Ryht ful wel,
and ȝe scholen perschen Everydel,—
For there-offen sekir Mown ȝe be—
Anon As ȝe Entren In to the see;
For In Perse scholen ȝe neuere Comen Aȝeyn,
Whens kyng Label ȝow browhte, In Certeyn.”
thanne Celidoyne Aȝenward torned he,
and spak to that Compenye tho
that swich felonye hadde hym I-do,
“ȝe Men ful Cursed, and therto pervert,
Enemyes of Crist, Sore schal ȝow smert!
461
but oþer-wise, I troste be my lord so der,
I schal it Ascapen Ryht ful wel,
and ȝe scholen perschen Everydel,—
For there-offen sekir Mown ȝe be—
Anon As ȝe Entren In to the see;
For In Perse scholen ȝe neuere Comen Aȝeyn,
Whens kyng Label ȝow browhte, In Certeyn.”
Thus sone blew the wynd ful sore,
that fer Into the se the vessel wente thore,
So that with-Inne A lytel stownde
they ne Myhte hym se, that stoden vppon the grownde.
So that thre dayes to-gideris they were,
Celidoyne & the lyown In this Manere,
With-Owten harm, oþer ony deseisse,
So wel the lyown Celidoyne dide plese.
The fowrthe day it happed so,
A-middis the se, As he was tho,
The fayre schipe he sawh Anon,
Where-Inne this Ryal swerd was don;
So that it happede, As be grace,
that this bot Cam there this schipe wace;
and whanne this bot to þe schipebord was falle,
thanne beheld Selidoyne these lettres Alle,
and vndirstood hem there Everichon,
that so Into the Schip he hentrede Anon.
that fer Into the se the vessel wente thore,
So that with-Inne A lytel stownde
they ne Myhte hym se, that stoden vppon the grownde.
So that thre dayes to-gideris they were,
Celidoyne & the lyown In this Manere,
With-Owten harm, oþer ony deseisse,
So wel the lyown Celidoyne dide plese.
The fowrthe day it happed so,
A-middis the se, As he was tho,
The fayre schipe he sawh Anon,
Where-Inne this Ryal swerd was don;
So that it happede, As be grace,
that this bot Cam there this schipe wace;
and whanne this bot to þe schipebord was falle,
thanne beheld Selidoyne these lettres Alle,
and vndirstood hem there Everichon,
that so Into the Schip he hentrede Anon.
and whanne that he was the Schipe with-Inne,
he Sawh there Many A wondirful gynne;
for there fond he the bed, And the Crowne Also,
and the fowre branches that there-Onne weren do;
Alle these behelde he wondirly faste,
Til it drowh to Nyht than̄ Atte laste;
and so wel it liked hym this Syhte,
that he was Sory it drowh so Ny the Nyht:
So Atte laste Nyht was it tho,
that ouer Al the world the schadewe gan go.
he Sawh there Many A wondirful gynne;
for there fond he the bed, And the Crowne Also,
and the fowre branches that there-Onne weren do;
Alle these behelde he wondirly faste,
462
and so wel it liked hym this Syhte,
that he was Sory it drowh so Ny the Nyht:
So Atte laste Nyht was it tho,
that ouer Al the world the schadewe gan go.
Thanne Cam he to the Schippes boord ful sone,
and ouer Al the Se he looked Anone:
he ne Cowde Neyther sen bot ne lyown
Whiche weren put to his distrocciown;
Wherfore Sory was he tho,
For Mochel comfort þe beste dede hym to.
thanne loked he bothe vp & down
Al Abowtes the Se In-virown,
And non qwarter he ne Cowde Aspie
Nethir lyown ne bot, ful Sekerlye.
And whanne he sawh In Alle degre
that Nowher In the water he ne Cowde hem se,
Aȝen Into the Schipe he gan to lepe,
And there vppon A bord he fil On Slepe,
What for travaille and werynesse,
and that In the See he hadde distresse.
and ouer Al the Se he looked Anone:
he ne Cowde Neyther sen bot ne lyown
Whiche weren put to his distrocciown;
Wherfore Sory was he tho,
For Mochel comfort þe beste dede hym to.
thanne loked he bothe vp & down
Al Abowtes the Se In-virown,
And non qwarter he ne Cowde Aspie
Nethir lyown ne bot, ful Sekerlye.
And whanne he sawh In Alle degre
that Nowher In the water he ne Cowde hem se,
Aȝen Into the Schipe he gan to lepe,
And there vppon A bord he fil On Slepe,
What for travaille and werynesse,
and that In the See he hadde distresse.
Thus Al Nyht Slepte ȝonge Celydoyne
tyl on the Morwe day lyht Certayne:
and whanne the day gan forto sprynge,
Thanne happede Celidoyne In wakenenge,
and to the Schippis bord he cam Anone,
And Into the See he lookede thus sone;
thanne was he A-Ryved to forn An yl
Whiche was A wondir Merveillous straunge pyl.
tyl on the Morwe day lyht Certayne:
and whanne the day gan forto sprynge,
Thanne happede Celidoyne In wakenenge,
and to the Schippis bord he cam Anone,
And Into the See he lookede thus sone;
thanne was he A-Ryved to forn An yl
Whiche was A wondir Merveillous straunge pyl.
And As he Into that yle beheld there,
he Sawh A man In a Merveillous Manere
vppon that yl lay There Slepynge:
Where offen he hadde gret Merveillynge:
And whanne verayly he wiste it was A man,
Owt of that Schipe Anon wente he than,
And hym beheld wondirly Sore,
And Evere the longere More & More.
Atte laste so Nygh he gan to gon,
that he knew it was his fadir Anon
that hyhte Sire Nasciens be Name,
A worthy knyht, and of Noble fame;
Where-offen Anon gret Ioye he hadde,
that thorwgh God to his fadyr so was hadde.
And so be hym A-wook ful swetely,
And his Eyen he vpe Caste ful softely:
thanne whanne he sawh his sone it was,
Ful gret Ioye he Made In that plas;
And vp he stirte thanne riht Anon,
And abowtes his Nekke his Armes he leide son,
& him Clipte & kyste An hundred Sithe,
So Ioyful he was, so glad and So blithe,
that bothe for Ioye & pytë he wepte
vppon that yl there he hadde Slepte.
he Sawh A man In a Merveillous Manere
vppon that yl lay There Slepynge:
Where offen he hadde gret Merveillynge:
And whanne verayly he wiste it was A man,
Owt of that Schipe Anon wente he than,
And hym beheld wondirly Sore,
463
Atte laste so Nygh he gan to gon,
that he knew it was his fadir Anon
that hyhte Sire Nasciens be Name,
A worthy knyht, and of Noble fame;
Where-offen Anon gret Ioye he hadde,
that thorwgh God to his fadyr so was hadde.
And so be hym A-wook ful swetely,
And his Eyen he vpe Caste ful softely:
thanne whanne he sawh his sone it was,
Ful gret Ioye he Made In that plas;
And vp he stirte thanne riht Anon,
And abowtes his Nekke his Armes he leide son,
& him Clipte & kyste An hundred Sithe,
So Ioyful he was, so glad and So blithe,
that bothe for Ioye & pytë he wepte
vppon that yl there he hadde Slepte.
“Now, swete sone,” quod Nasciens tho,
“how to this yl Cowdest thou Go,
that from Alle the peple it is so fer,
and Nethir lond ne place Abowtes nowher?”
“lo, fadyr, In this Schip hider gan I gon,
that to forn ȝow lith be the roch of ston.”
thanne Nasciens be-held the schipe ful sore,
and knew wel he hadde I-seyn it be-fore.
“how to this yl Cowdest thou Go,
that from Alle the peple it is so fer,
and Nethir lond ne place Abowtes nowher?”
“lo, fadyr, In this Schip hider gan I gon,
that to forn ȝow lith be the roch of ston.”
thanne Nasciens be-held the schipe ful sore,
and knew wel he hadde I-seyn it be-fore.
Thanne gret Ioye Maden they there,
the Fadir to the sone In dyvers Manere,
And the Sone to the fadir, Aftyr his Myht;
there was gret Ioye I ȝow plyht.
So the fadir the Sone gan forto frayne,
And Axede of hym In Certeine
‘how he Askapede, and I what manere,
Owt of the presoun of Calafere.’
the Fadir to the sone In dyvers Manere,
And the Sone to the fadir, Aftyr his Myht;
there was gret Ioye I ȝow plyht.
So the fadir the Sone gan forto frayne,
And Axede of hym In Certeine
‘how he Askapede, and I what manere,
Owt of the presoun of Calafere.’
thanne tolde he his fadir Anon,
“how that he owt of presown gan gon,
and I-born In to An yl of the Se,
Wondirly fer from Eche Contre;
At wheche yl be tempest and be storm
Aryved kyng label me be-forn,
With a gret part of his Chevalrye
thedir weren they dreven Certeinlye.”
“how that he owt of presown gan gon,
and I-born In to An yl of the Se,
464
At wheche yl be tempest and be storm
Aryved kyng label me be-forn,
With a gret part of his Chevalrye
thedir weren they dreven Certeinlye.”
thanne tolde he his Fadir Also
Of kyng labelis Aviciouns, that cam him to
be the Revelacioun of the holy gost—
Whiche is lord of mihtes Most,—
be wheche Revelacion And declarenge
Kyng label Cam to Cristenynge.
Thanne tolde he his Fadir More Also,
what Aventures that hym Comen to,
Sethen to-gederis last they were
Ful harde In presoun with Calafere.
thanne blessede Nasciens the trenite,
that swich Comfort let hym tho þere se,
and thanked god Ouer Alle thyng
that hem hadde browht to so good Endyng.
Of kyng labelis Aviciouns, that cam him to
be the Revelacioun of the holy gost—
Whiche is lord of mihtes Most,—
be wheche Revelacion And declarenge
Kyng label Cam to Cristenynge.
Thanne tolde he his Fadir More Also,
what Aventures that hym Comen to,
Sethen to-gederis last they were
Ful harde In presoun with Calafere.
thanne blessede Nasciens the trenite,
that swich Comfort let hym tho þere se,
and thanked god Ouer Alle thyng
that hem hadde browht to so good Endyng.
thanne from this yl they wenten Anon,
And Into the Schipe they gonne to gon;
And they weren there-Into, þe owr Of Tyers.
thanne Cam there A wynd ful fyers,
And blew Into that schipe there Anon
that fer Into the See the schipe gan gon,
So that from the Roche the schipe gan pase,
passeng In-to þe Se A ful gret Spase.
thanne loked forth Nasciens Anon there
Forto weten where that they were,
And he ne Cowde nowher abowtes hym se
Nethire lond, neþer yl, In Non degre;
thanne thanked he god ful hyghly,
and seide his preyers ful devoutly;
So As he Cowde In his Manere,
ful devoutly his preyeres seide he there.
And Into the Schipe they gonne to gon;
And they weren there-Into, þe owr Of Tyers.
thanne Cam there A wynd ful fyers,
And blew Into that schipe there Anon
that fer Into the See the schipe gan gon,
So that from the Roche the schipe gan pase,
passeng In-to þe Se A ful gret Spase.
thanne loked forth Nasciens Anon there
Forto weten where that they were,
And he ne Cowde nowher abowtes hym se
Nethire lond, neþer yl, In Non degre;
thanne thanked he god ful hyghly,
and seide his preyers ful devoutly;
So As he Cowde In his Manere,
ful devoutly his preyeres seide he there.
Thus thre dayes the tempest lastede there,
and In drede of here deth In Eche Manere;
And Swich A storm Endurede vppon the se,
that Nygh here deth hem thowhte to be;
And they wayted Every Owr
Whanne þe schipe schold han sonke be þat stoure.
And so the fowrthe day at Nyht
the wedyr stawnched, thorwh goddis Myht,
And At the Cleryng of the day
the wedyr ful Milde and softe he say,
Where-offen Glad & Ioyful bothe they were,
Whanne they it syen In swich Manere;
for to forn tymes it ferde So
that to the deth they wenden han go.
465
And Swich A storm Endurede vppon the se,
that Nygh here deth hem thowhte to be;
And they wayted Every Owr
Whanne þe schipe schold han sonke be þat stoure.
And so the fowrthe day at Nyht
the wedyr stawnched, thorwh goddis Myht,
And At the Cleryng of the day
the wedyr ful Milde and softe he say,
Where-offen Glad & Ioyful bothe they were,
Whanne they it syen In swich Manere;
for to forn tymes it ferde So
that to the deth they wenden han go.
and whanne the day wax bothen lyht & Cler
that they myhten sen Every wher,
They syen A schip In the See
Towardis hem Cam ful gret Iorne;
thanne seide Celidoyne to his fadir “Certeinle
here Comen tydynges, what so they be;
God graunte Grace that they ben Goode,
that Comen to vs vppon this salt floode.’
So longe beheld they the Schipe tho
tyl Atte laste it Aproched hem to,
And so Nygh to-gederes gonne they be,
Tyl that Eyther with-Inne myhte Oþer se.
Nasciens to the schippes bord gan to gon,
And Into the tothir schipe beheld Anon,
And sawh where that kyng Mordrayn
Ful pensifly there sat In Certayn;
& Evere Abod he goddis grace,
for he ne wiste whedir to go, ne Into what place.
466
They syen A schip In the See
467
thanne seide Celidoyne to his fadir “Certeinle
here Comen tydynges, what so they be;
God graunte Grace that they ben Goode,
that Comen to vs vppon this salt floode.’
So longe beheld they the Schipe tho
tyl Atte laste it Aproched hem to,
And so Nygh to-gederes gonne they be,
Tyl that Eyther with-Inne myhte Oþer se.
Nasciens to the schippes bord gan to gon,
And Into the tothir schipe beheld Anon,
And sawh where that kyng Mordrayn
Ful pensifly there sat In Certayn;
& Evere Abod he goddis grace,
for he ne wiste whedir to go, ne Into what place.
And whanne Sire Nasciens kyng Mordrayns say,
ful lowde he Cryde In his lay,
and seide, “Sere, God Reste with ȝow!
Ryht welcome ȝe ben here to vs now.”
And the kyng owt of his thowht Abreide,
And to sire Nasciens he wolde han seide,
but for Ioye he wepte so sore
that on word ne myhte he speken thore;
but with-Owten ony word he gan to springe
Into Nasciens Schip, with-Owten lesynge,
and Abowtes Nasciens Nekke his Arm he Caste,
And An hundred Sithes he kiste him faste;
“A, Myn Owne brothir So leef and dere,
I am ful Ioyful I se ȝow here!
a, leve brothir, how haven ȝe fare
Sethen that I lefte ȝow In wo & Care,
and sethen we two departed Asondir
Where-As was tempest & ful gret thondyr?
and how that ȝe Comen In to this Contre,
Now, dere brother, telle ȝe Me.”
ful lowde he Cryde In his lay,
and seide, “Sere, God Reste with ȝow!
Ryht welcome ȝe ben here to vs now.”
And the kyng owt of his thowht Abreide,
And to sire Nasciens he wolde han seide,
but for Ioye he wepte so sore
that on word ne myhte he speken thore;
but with-Owten ony word he gan to springe
Into Nasciens Schip, with-Owten lesynge,
and Abowtes Nasciens Nekke his Arm he Caste,
And An hundred Sithes he kiste him faste;
“A, Myn Owne brothir So leef and dere,
I am ful Ioyful I se ȝow here!
a, leve brothir, how haven ȝe fare
Sethen that I lefte ȝow In wo & Care,
and sethen we two departed Asondir
Where-As was tempest & ful gret thondyr?
and how that ȝe Comen In to this Contre,
Now, dere brother, telle ȝe Me.”
Thanne Nasciens, that was so ful of Ioye
hym thowhte he ne hadde non Maner A-Noye,
Tolde kyng Mordrains of his Aventure,
how it be him Ferde, I the Enswre,
And how he was tempested bothe here & there,
And therto In the presown of Calafer,—
“For ȝowre baronage seide In Certayn
that with-owten dowte I hadde ȝow slayn,”—
And that Certein dayes in presown he was;
but Atte laste, thorwgh goddis Gras,
Fer Into the west was he browht,
But Into what place ne wiste he nowht,
but In An yl there he was,
fer from Every man In that plas;
For habitacioun was non there,
but wildernesse Abowtes Eches where,
So that it was the moste hydows place
that Evere Cristen man put In wase;
And ȝit was he Evere ful sory
that the Name he ne knew trewly:
and ȝit At Alle tymes thowhte hym tho
That the yl him tornede bothe two & fro,
bothe Every day and Every Nyht,
thus Openly it Tornede In his Syht.
468
Tolde kyng Mordrains of his Aventure,
how it be him Ferde, I the Enswre,
And how he was tempested bothe here & there,
And therto In the presown of Calafer,—
“For ȝowre baronage seide In Certayn
that with-owten dowte I hadde ȝow slayn,”—
And that Certein dayes in presown he was;
but Atte laste, thorwgh goddis Gras,
Fer Into the west was he browht,
But Into what place ne wiste he nowht,
but In An yl there he was,
fer from Every man In that plas;
For habitacioun was non there,
but wildernesse Abowtes Eches where,
So that it was the moste hydows place
that Evere Cristen man put In wase;
And ȝit was he Evere ful sory
that the Name he ne knew trewly:
and ȝit At Alle tymes thowhte hym tho
That the yl him tornede bothe two & fro,
bothe Every day and Every Nyht,
thus Openly it Tornede In his Syht.
And ȝit Aftir More he gan hym telle,
Of that Schip, how it befelle,
and how that there-Inne he entred was,
And how he fyl owt In that plas
but thorwh on word that he spak,
For In his Creaunce þere was a lak;
and tolde he him the Signefyaunce
Of Anothir Schip with-Owten variaunce,
and of An old Man that there-Inne was,
and how his wordes hym plesed In that plas,
So that on slepe fyl he there
be his wordis In dyvers Manere.
Of that Schip, how it befelle,
and how that there-Inne he entred was,
And how he fyl owt In that plas
but thorwh on word that he spak,
For In his Creaunce þere was a lak;
and tolde he him the Signefyaunce
Of Anothir Schip with-Owten variaunce,
and of An old Man that there-Inne was,
and how his wordes hym plesed In that plas,
So that on slepe fyl he there
be his wordis In dyvers Manere.
Sethen Aftyr he hym tolde
of þe Schipe & the Man so bolde,
that Nevere sethen he hym Sye,
Nethir fer ne faste Bye.
Thanne tolde him Nasciens ȝit wel More
of Mo trebulacions he hadde suffred before,
Where offen the kyng Merveillede tho,
And to Nasciens thanne spak he vnto.
469
that Nevere sethen he hym Sye,
Nethir fer ne faste Bye.
Thanne tolde him Nasciens ȝit wel More
of Mo trebulacions he hadde suffred before,
Where offen the kyng Merveillede tho,
And to Nasciens thanne spak he vnto.
“Sire kyng,” thanne quod Nasciens tho,
“Of this swerd scholen ȝe heren Merveilles Mo,
that for non Evel thing ne brosed he nowht,
but As goddis Scharpnesse it is in myn thowht.”
thanne Axede the kyng the swerd forto se,
That to hym was Merveillous In Al degre.
And whanne the kyng had it long beholde,
In his herte he Merveillede Mani folde,
And seide to Sire Nasciens there,
“this is the most merveille that euere sawh I Ere,
The Richeste and the fairest Also
That Into Ony place myhte be do.”
“Of this swerd scholen ȝe heren Merveilles Mo,
that for non Evel thing ne brosed he nowht,
but As goddis Scharpnesse it is in myn thowht.”
thanne Axede the kyng the swerd forto se,
That to hym was Merveillous In Al degre.
And whanne the kyng had it long beholde,
In his herte he Merveillede Mani folde,
And seide to Sire Nasciens there,
“this is the most merveille that euere sawh I Ere,
The Richeste and the fairest Also
That Into Ony place myhte be do.”
Thanne took the kyng this swerd on hond,
And stille there-with he gan to stonde;
In the ton hond the swerd, the toþer the pomel,
And hem departyd Every del.
And A wondir Aventure behappede tho,
that Aȝen to Gederis Anon gonnen they go;
And so faste to-gederis weren they Ioynt,
that Neuere sethenes In non poynt
Neuere departed Asonder they were
For non Man that lyf beere.
And stille there-with he gan to stonde;
In the ton hond the swerd, the toþer the pomel,
And hem departyd Every del.
And A wondir Aventure behappede tho,
that Aȝen to Gederis Anon gonnen they go;
And so faste to-gederis weren they Ioynt,
that Neuere sethenes In non poynt
Neuere departed Asonder they were
For non Man that lyf beere.
Now, be my trowthe, Ouer Alle thing
Many Merveilles werketh hevene kyng,
Whanne so lyhtly that it broken was,
And so lyhtly Al hol [becam] In that plas;
And so lyhtly Into þe schethe it Cam,
thens As kyng Mordrayns drowh it than
Many Merveilles werketh hevene kyng,
Whanne so lyhtly that it broken was,
And so lyhtly Al hol [becam] In that plas;
470
thens As kyng Mordrayns drowh it than
And whanne Alle this they hadden don,
A wondirful Scry they herden Anon,
As thowh it were A Manere of thondir,
Where-Offen Alle hadden they gret wondir,
“Owt of the schipe, Cristen Man, thou go,
lest gret Synne falle the vnto.”
Anon As the kyng this word herde,
Into his owne Schip he Aȝen ferde,
And So dide Celidoyne also;
But Nasciens behynde lefte tho.
A wondirful Scry they herden Anon,
As thowh it were A Manere of thondir,
Where-Offen Alle hadden they gret wondir,
“Owt of the schipe, Cristen Man, thou go,
lest gret Synne falle the vnto.”
Anon As the kyng this word herde,
Into his owne Schip he Aȝen ferde,
And So dide Celidoyne also;
But Nasciens behynde lefte tho.
they Nere So sone Into the schipe gon,
that A swerd to hym Cam Anon,
Al fer brennenge As hym thowhte,
—but he niste ho that it browhte—
that thorwh the left Scholdere it smot,
& gret wounde Made, so sore it bot;
So that In the Schipe he fyl Adown,
As thowgh it were In Manere of A swown.
thanne herde he there, him thouhte presente,
On that to hym Spak there veramente,
—but that he ne knew not his Menyng,
Neþer what it was to vndirstondyng;
but as him thowhte In this Manere
that the Menyng of the vois was there,—
“this veniance now is sent to the
For draweng of þe swerd, & were not worthë;
therfore Otterly I rede the
Anothir tyme that þou war be
to Erren Aȝens thy Creatour,
Thy Makere, and Ek thi saviour.”
the kyng Som-what this vndirstood,
and so dyde Sire Nasciens In his Mood,
but of that strok he was stoned so sore,
that plat down to the grownd fyl he thore;
thanne forth wente they hym forto A-wake,
and of his swowneng hym vt forto take.
that A swerd to hym Cam Anon,
Al fer brennenge As hym thowhte,
—but he niste ho that it browhte—
that thorwh the left Scholdere it smot,
& gret wounde Made, so sore it bot;
So that In the Schipe he fyl Adown,
As thowgh it were In Manere of A swown.
thanne herde he there, him thouhte presente,
On that to hym Spak there veramente,
—but that he ne knew not his Menyng,
Neþer what it was to vndirstondyng;
but as him thowhte In this Manere
that the Menyng of the vois was there,—
“this veniance now is sent to the
For draweng of þe swerd, & were not worthë;
therfore Otterly I rede the
Anothir tyme that þou war be
to Erren Aȝens thy Creatour,
Thy Makere, and Ek thi saviour.”
the kyng Som-what this vndirstood,
and so dyde Sire Nasciens In his Mood,
but of that strok he was stoned so sore,
that plat down to the grownd fyl he thore;
471
and of his swowneng hym vt forto take.
and whanne of his swowneng Awaked he was,
he loked Abowtes In that plas,
And say hem for hym wepin than;
thanne In his herte Merveillen he gan,
“A, why wepen ȝe so now for me?
For now Mowen ȝe wel knowen & se
that owre lord halt me A knyht
that he wele Chastise thorwh his Miht,
and maken Me knowliche of My sinne,
And of the wikkednesse þat I haue lyved Inne.
Wherfore, thankynges now I him do,
that this Chastisyng sente me vnto;
and As my fadir I worschepe hym Anon,
For he me Chastiseth As his sone.”
he loked Abowtes In that plas,
And say hem for hym wepin than;
thanne In his herte Merveillen he gan,
“A, why wepen ȝe so now for me?
For now Mowen ȝe wel knowen & se
that owre lord halt me A knyht
that he wele Chastise thorwh his Miht,
and maken Me knowliche of My sinne,
And of the wikkednesse þat I haue lyved Inne.
Wherfore, thankynges now I him do,
that this Chastisyng sente me vnto;
and As my fadir I worschepe hym Anon,
For he me Chastiseth As his sone.”
Whanne these wordis he hadde seid there,
but Evere he was of stedfast chere,
As A man ful of paciens & humilite,
As lik As desesed of the strok was he,
that Suffred Angwichs & mochel peyne,
and ȝet but litel ne wolde he seyne.
but Evere he was of stedfast chere,
As A man ful of paciens & humilite,
As lik As desesed of the strok was he,
that Suffred Angwichs & mochel peyne,
and ȝet but litel ne wolde he seyne.
Thus fowre dayes and fowre Nyht
In the Schipe they weren, I the plyht,
that wedir ne wynd ne was there non,
Forthere Into the se to gon.
In the Schipe they weren, I the plyht,
that wedir ne wynd ne was there non,
Forthere Into the se to gon.
But now leveth this Storye here, as ȝe mown se,
And torneth to the messengeris where so they be,
that Nasciens to seken they weren sent,
but Into what Contre, they Niste verament.
And torneth to the messengeris where so they be,
that Nasciens to seken they weren sent,
but Into what Contre, they Niste verament.
END OF VOL. I.
1
CHAPTER XXXV. THE ADVENTURES OF THE MESSENGERS WHO GO TO SEEK NASCIENS.
2
Now telleth here this Storye Anon,
Whanne the fyve Messengeris weren gon
From the qweene, sire Nasciens to seke
—That Gentyl knyht So good & Meke,—
Somtyme towardis they Reden faste,
And somtime bakwardis they prekyd In haste,
for they ne Cowde knowen non Certeinte
In what Contre that he scholde be,
Ne neuere tydynges of hym herden telle,
In what Manere to hym befelle;
Where offen they weren Abascht ful sore
that of hym Cowden they heren no More.
Whanne the fyve Messengeris weren gon
From the qweene, sire Nasciens to seke
—That Gentyl knyht So good & Meke,—
Somtyme towardis they Reden faste,
And somtime bakwardis they prekyd In haste,
for they ne Cowde knowen non Certeinte
In what Contre that he scholde be,
Ne neuere tydynges of hym herden telle,
In what Manere to hym befelle;
Where offen they weren Abascht ful sore
that of hym Cowden they heren no More.
and whanne longe they hadden Reden so
In diuers londis bothe to & fro,
thorwh Alle payneme & othir Contre
where they Supposid him forto han be;
and thus sowhten they bothe fer & Ner,
but of hym herden they nowher.
And ful fer they weren Owt of here Contre,
Wherfore Alle ful Sory they be.
In diuers londis bothe to & fro,
thorwh Alle payneme & othir Contre
where they Supposid him forto han be;
and thus sowhten they bothe fer & Ner,
but of hym herden they nowher.
And ful fer they weren Owt of here Contre,
Wherfore Alle ful Sory they be.
So that it happid vppon A Nyht
that Into A Cite thei Comen ful Ryht
whiche that was In paynem londe,
As I do ȝow to vndirstonde;
And happed they Comen to an old vauasour
that kepte An Ost, & was A Man of honour.
and whanne they hadde Supped Echon,
this good man Axede of hem Anon
Of what Contre and whens they were,
And what thing that they Sowhten there.
thanne Answerid the Messengers to hym Agein,
“Of Sarras we ben Alle In Certein,
And thus Riden Abowte In Eche Contre
A knyht to fynden, ȝif it wolde be,
That is Iclepid Sire Nasciens
A worthy man & of gret defens,
that most wondirfully was lost
that Evere ȝit man wiste be ony Cost.”
that Into A Cite thei Comen ful Ryht
whiche that was In paynem londe,
As I do ȝow to vndirstonde;
3
that kepte An Ost, & was A Man of honour.
and whanne they hadde Supped Echon,
this good man Axede of hem Anon
Of what Contre and whens they were,
And what thing that they Sowhten there.
thanne Answerid the Messengers to hym Agein,
“Of Sarras we ben Alle In Certein,
And thus Riden Abowte In Eche Contre
A knyht to fynden, ȝif it wolde be,
That is Iclepid Sire Nasciens
A worthy man & of gret defens,
that most wondirfully was lost
that Evere ȝit man wiste be ony Cost.”
“What,” quod here Ost Aȝen tho,
“ȝe ben Cristened, so mot I go.”
Thanne he Answerid sone Ageyn,
“that is Soth, Sire, now in Certein.”
“haw thanne So hardy dorste ȝe be
Forto Comen Into this Contre,
Sethen that ȝe knowen with-owten dowte
that ȝe ben dedly hated Al A-bowte
that ben Contrarye to Owre lay:
Merveille it is to me how ȝe lyven this day.”
“ȝe ben Cristened, so mot I go.”
Thanne he Answerid sone Ageyn,
“that is Soth, Sire, now in Certein.”
“haw thanne So hardy dorste ȝe be
Forto Comen Into this Contre,
Sethen that ȝe knowen with-owten dowte
that ȝe ben dedly hated Al A-bowte
that ben Contrarye to Owre lay:
Merveille it is to me how ȝe lyven this day.”
“Sire,” seide On Of the Messengeris tho,
“Angwisch of wedering Made vs hider to go;
be wheche wederyng Oure lord is gon,
and of vs ne weten where to fynde hym non.
For we nete whethir Among paynems he be,
Owther Ellis Among the Cristiente;
therfore Supposing to fynden hym here,
hider we ben comen In this Manere.”
“thanne,” quod here ost to hem Ageyn,
“ȝe don gret folye here In Certeyn;
For it May Repenten ȝow ful sore,
And don ȝow Angwisch ful Moche More.”
thanne to hym Seiden they Everichon
‘that they Ne wiste non Othirwise to don.’
“Angwisch of wedering Made vs hider to go;
be wheche wederyng Oure lord is gon,
and of vs ne weten where to fynde hym non.
For we nete whethir Among paynems he be,
Owther Ellis Among the Cristiente;
therfore Supposing to fynden hym here,
hider we ben comen In this Manere.”
“thanne,” quod here ost to hem Ageyn,
“ȝe don gret folye here In Certeyn;
For it May Repenten ȝow ful sore,
And don ȝow Angwisch ful Moche More.”
4
‘that they Ne wiste non Othirwise to don.’
That Nyht weren they Served ful worschepfully
with Spices and with Alle delicasy,
For In that lond is gret plente
of Alle Manere of spices of deynte;
and So wel Iserved hadden they ne be
Sethen they departyd of here Contre.
thanne Axeden the Messengers of here ost there,
‘In what Manere of Contre that they were.’
thanne seide here Ost to hem Anon,
“In the Contre of Egipt ȝe ben Echon;
and the Name of this Cyte
Is Clepd Tosquean, vndirstonde now ȝe.
In whiche Same Tosquean Cyte
was born bothe fadir & Modir, As I telle the,
of that goode holy womman
that is Clepid Mary Egipcian.”
with Spices and with Alle delicasy,
For In that lond is gret plente
of Alle Manere of spices of deynte;
and So wel Iserved hadden they ne be
Sethen they departyd of here Contre.
thanne Axeden the Messengers of here ost there,
‘In what Manere of Contre that they were.’
thanne seide here Ost to hem Anon,
“In the Contre of Egipt ȝe ben Echon;
and the Name of this Cyte
Is Clepd Tosquean, vndirstonde now ȝe.
In whiche Same Tosquean Cyte
was born bothe fadir & Modir, As I telle the,
of that goode holy womman
that is Clepid Mary Egipcian.”
As they lyen In here bed that Nyht,
To the ȝongest of the fyve In his slepe was diht
So that he Say A Certein Avycioun,—
‘that Josephe of Armathie to forn him gan gon,’
“and Axede of Me what I sowht there.
and I him Answerid In My Manere,
‘Sire, I seke my lord Nasciens with-owten delay,
that hath be Missed ful many a day.’
‘What?’ quod Josephe, ‘that Man so hende,
hopest thou him In this Contre to fynde?’
‘Sire, trewly I not,’ quod this Messenger,
‘And therfore we seken hym fer & Ner.’
‘In this Contre,’ quod Josephes tho,
‘thow schat hym not fynde nethir to ne fro.
but A-Rys and go with Me,
And I schal schewen the where þat he be.’
To the ȝongest of the fyve In his slepe was diht
So that he Say A Certein Avycioun,—
‘that Josephe of Armathie to forn him gan gon,’
“and Axede of Me what I sowht there.
and I him Answerid In My Manere,
‘Sire, I seke my lord Nasciens with-owten delay,
that hath be Missed ful many a day.’
‘What?’ quod Josephe, ‘that Man so hende,
hopest thou him In this Contre to fynde?’
‘Sire, trewly I not,’ quod this Messenger,
‘And therfore we seken hym fer & Ner.’
‘In this Contre,’ quod Josephes tho,
‘thow schat hym not fynde nethir to ne fro.
but A-Rys and go with Me,
And I schal schewen the where þat he be.’
Thanne wente Iosephes forth to-fore,
And this Messenger folwede faste thore.
So longe to gederis they wenten In fere
Tyl Atte laste vppon A Mownteyn Comen they there,
And it was the heyest that Evere Men say;
thus hym Semede with-owten delay.
and whanne Aboven that they were,
An heyghere place ȝit Syen they there,
where Onne they myhten wel sen & knowe
Alle thinges vndir hem, it was so lowe,
and Al the See, and that there Inne was,
bothe Schepis & barges In that plas.
And this Messenger folwede faste thore.
5
Tyl Atte laste vppon A Mownteyn Comen they there,
And it was the heyest that Evere Men say;
thus hym Semede with-owten delay.
and whanne Aboven that they were,
An heyghere place ȝit Syen they there,
where Onne they myhten wel sen & knowe
Alle thinges vndir hem, it was so lowe,
and Al the See, and that there Inne was,
bothe Schepis & barges In that plas.
“Thanne Axed me Ioseph In his Manere,
‘What Manere of thing Sixt thou here?’
‘Alle the Erthe now, Sire, here I Se,
Where Inne the peple En-Abited be;
And alle the Sees I se Al-so
that Schepis or barges Inne Mown go.’”
thanne Ioseph gan hym to schewe
A gret Schipe with-Inne A threwe,
That fer from hym was In the Se
To-ward Grece, As he tolde Me.
“thanne Ioseph to Me ward drow Nerre,
‘Sixt thow ȝone schipe that is so ferre?’
‘ȝe, Sire, ful wel that Schipe I se,
that is so fer Into ȝone Contre.’
‘lo, In ȝone Schipe, As I telle the,
Is thy lord with his Compene.’”
‘What Manere of thing Sixt thou here?’
‘Alle the Erthe now, Sire, here I Se,
Where Inne the peple En-Abited be;
And alle the Sees I se Al-so
that Schepis or barges Inne Mown go.’”
thanne Ioseph gan hym to schewe
A gret Schipe with-Inne A threwe,
That fer from hym was In the Se
To-ward Grece, As he tolde Me.
“thanne Ioseph to Me ward drow Nerre,
‘Sixt thow ȝone schipe that is so ferre?’
‘ȝe, Sire, ful wel that Schipe I se,
that is so fer Into ȝone Contre.’
‘lo, In ȝone Schipe, As I telle the,
Is thy lord with his Compene.’”
and thus Sone they weren parted Asondir,
Where offen the messenger hadde gret wondir;
For he ne wiste whedir he gan to gon,
So Sodeynly he partyd from hym Anon.
Where offen the messenger hadde gret wondir;
For he ne wiste whedir he gan to gon,
So Sodeynly he partyd from hym Anon.
Vppon the morwe whanne Rysen they were,
and Al Redy forto Riden forth there,
& weren I-past Owt of that Cyte,
thanne this ȝonge Man to his felawes talked he,
and tolde hem verrayly with Al his Myht
whiche A vicioun he hadde that Nyht.
thanne Anon they Axeden him what it was;
and he hem gan tellen Alle the Cas.
Whanne they herden him Speken: In this degre,
‘It was A fair Aventure,’ they seiden Certeinle,
‘that Owre lord hem Nolde for-ȝeten In non Manere,
Sethen that here Lord they Sowhten So there;
and Ek be Ioseph they hadden warnenge,
Into what partyes they scholde gon Sekynge.’
and Al Redy forto Riden forth there,
& weren I-past Owt of that Cyte,
thanne this ȝonge Man to his felawes talked he,
and tolde hem verrayly with Al his Myht
whiche A vicioun he hadde that Nyht.
6
and he hem gan tellen Alle the Cas.
Whanne they herden him Speken: In this degre,
‘It was A fair Aventure,’ they seiden Certeinle,
‘that Owre lord hem Nolde for-ȝeten In non Manere,
Sethen that here Lord they Sowhten So there;
and Ek be Ioseph they hadden warnenge,
Into what partyes they scholde gon Sekynge.’
thanne seiden alle be on Asent,
‘that Evene to þe se to gon was here Entent,
And there forto geten hem A schip Anon,
And so forth Into the Se wolde they gon,
The See to Envirowne be day & be Nyht
ȝif that here lord Nasciens fynden they myht.’
‘that Evene to þe se to gon was here Entent,
And there forto geten hem A schip Anon,
And so forth Into the Se wolde they gon,
The See to Envirowne be day & be Nyht
ȝif that here lord Nasciens fynden they myht.’
But ȝit Er they from here Ost wente,
he hem Counseilled veramente
‘that they ne Scholden In non degre
be knowen that they weren of Cristiente;’
“and ȝif ȝe don oþer wise thanne I ȝow seye,
ȝe scholen ben Alle dede ful certeynlye;
and þerfore As y conseille ȝow, loke that ȝe do
In Alle þe places where so ȝe go.”
thei seiden þerto they wolden don here Myht:
thanne forth they wenten Anon Ryht.
he hem Counseilled veramente
‘that they ne Scholden In non degre
be knowen that they weren of Cristiente;’
“and ȝif ȝe don oþer wise thanne I ȝow seye,
ȝe scholen ben Alle dede ful certeynlye;
and þerfore As y conseille ȝow, loke that ȝe do
In Alle þe places where so ȝe go.”
thei seiden þerto they wolden don here Myht:
thanne forth they wenten Anon Ryht.
Thus parted the Messengeris from that Cyte thore
As ȝe herden me tellen here before,
and hem dressede towardis the See
Also faste As they Myhten flee,
And Redyn Al day with gret peyne
In An Owtraious Contre Certeyne.
for it was so hot in that Contre,
that Alle Naked, Men wenten, I telle the;
for there the Monthe of August, so hot it is,
hattere thanne oþer Monthis with-owten Mis.
As ȝe herden me tellen here before,
and hem dressede towardis the See
Also faste As they Myhten flee,
And Redyn Al day with gret peyne
In An Owtraious Contre Certeyne.
for it was so hot in that Contre,
that Alle Naked, Men wenten, I telle the;
for there the Monthe of August, so hot it is,
hattere thanne oþer Monthis with-owten Mis.
that same day the hete was [so] Strong
that On Of here felawes deide hem Among
For thurst That he took tho there;
and thus he deide In this Manere.
and of Egypt the Chief Cite
they hym beryede ful worschepfulle,
Where-offen Alisawndre is the Name,
A worthy Cyte, and of a gret fame.
that On Of here felawes deide hem Among
7
and thus he deide In this Manere.
and of Egypt the Chief Cite
they hym beryede ful worschepfulle,
Where-offen Alisawndre is the Name,
A worthy Cyte, and of a gret fame.
And the Secunde day there After Anon,
Tho that weren left gonnen forth to gon,
and helden forth here Iorne
Tyl that they Comen to the See,
And there fownden they A schipe ful sone
That evene streyht to the lond was gone,
the wheche Schipe hadde with-Innes him there
Two hundred Men ded In qweynt Manere.
Tho that weren left gonnen forth to gon,
and helden forth here Iorne
Tyl that they Comen to the See,
And there fownden they A schipe ful sone
That evene streyht to the lond was gone,
the wheche Schipe hadde with-Innes him there
Two hundred Men ded In qweynt Manere.
And Into that Schip they Entrede Anon,
the fowre Messengeris Everichon,
and Syen the Manere of this Aray,
Where offen they weren Abascht In fay.
thanne loked they A lytel hem beside,
and behelden vndir A planke that tyde,
They syen where that a fair lady lay,
(As this Storie vs doth here Say,)
and drowen hire owt of that place
To Sen what Maner of womman it wace.
thanne þe messengeres Refreyned hire then
Of the deth of Alle these men,
and why they weren Slayn, & In what Manere,
of hire wolden they weten there.
the fowre Messengeris Everichon,
and Syen the Manere of this Aray,
Where offen they weren Abascht In fay.
thanne loked they A lytel hem beside,
and behelden vndir A planke that tyde,
They syen where that a fair lady lay,
(As this Storie vs doth here Say,)
and drowen hire owt of that place
To Sen what Maner of womman it wace.
thanne þe messengeres Refreyned hire then
Of the deth of Alle these men,
and why they weren Slayn, & In what Manere,
of hire wolden they weten there.
thanne Ryht Anon Answerid sche,
“ȝif that ȝe welen Ensuren to Me
that ȝe welen don Me non bodyly ded,
I schal ȝow tellen In this Sted.”
And they hire Enswrede Ryht Anon,
‘that hire peticiown scholde be don;
Nethir non thing to hire don scholde be
that hire scholde Misplece In ony degre.’
“thanne schal I tellen ȝow Al the Cas
how they weren ded here In this plas.
“ȝif that ȝe welen Ensuren to Me
that ȝe welen don Me non bodyly ded,
I schal ȝow tellen In this Sted.”
And they hire Enswrede Ryht Anon,
‘that hire peticiown scholde be don;
Nethir non thing to hire don scholde be
that hire scholde Misplece In ony degre.’
8
how they weren ded here In this plas.
“Vndir-stondeth, the men that here ded be,
they weren Alle of label Cite;
And Alle weren they kyng Labelys Men,
that was my fadyr, As y wel ken.
and thus it happede, as I ȝow telle,
that kyng Melohaus how with him befelle,
that he wolde Into Surrye go
his Eldest sone forto Sen tho,
that was put Into thike partye
For to Norture, I sey ȝow Sekerlye.
and whanne he was Entred Into þe Se,
and with hym A fayr Compeyne,
thanne Cam þe kyng of Sarre In þat sted,
that him hated Evene to the ded,
So that he sente gret Chyvalre
Into the middes of the See,
And Into the Schepis they Entred Anon,
And on Owre [men] Gonnen to gon,
that they weren fayn to a Roche to fle
that stood In Myddis of the See,
Where vppon was a Castel
that was bothe fayr, swete, & lel.
they weren Alle of label Cite;
And Alle weren they kyng Labelys Men,
that was my fadyr, As y wel ken.
and thus it happede, as I ȝow telle,
that kyng Melohaus how with him befelle,
that he wolde Into Surrye go
his Eldest sone forto Sen tho,
that was put Into thike partye
For to Norture, I sey ȝow Sekerlye.
and whanne he was Entred Into þe Se,
and with hym A fayr Compeyne,
thanne Cam þe kyng of Sarre In þat sted,
that him hated Evene to the ded,
So that he sente gret Chyvalre
Into the middes of the See,
And Into the Schepis they Entred Anon,
And on Owre [men] Gonnen to gon,
that they weren fayn to a Roche to fle
that stood In Myddis of the See,
Where vppon was a Castel
that was bothe fayr, swete, & lel.
“Thus thanne Semblede bothe Meyne
To-Gederis Amyddis the hye See,
that so there to-Gederis they fowhte
that Men Merveilles Sen there Mowhte,
ȝo that with Inne the Owr of A day
A thowsend Men there ded I say,
For there nas non of hem than
but ȝif he were holden A passyng Man,
and A worthy knyht of his hond,
As I do ȝow to vndirstond;
So that there with-owten faille
My fadir was Slayn In bataylle,
And Alle the Remnaunt beheded were
lik In the forme As ȝe sen here;
So that there Scaped non persone
Sauf only, Sires, I Alone.
and Siker ded there hadde I be
but that A maiden they fownden me,
and a feble persone of Stature:
this was the Cause, I ȝow Enswre,
that me my lif they leten have;
so from hem wente I tho save,
And lefte here with this Compeyne
that ded ȝe sen In this degre.
Now have I ȝow told the Certeinte
of that ȝe me han Axed ful sekerle.”
To-Gederis Amyddis the hye See,
that so there to-Gederis they fowhte
that Men Merveilles Sen there Mowhte,
ȝo that with Inne the Owr of A day
A thowsend Men there ded I say,
For there nas non of hem than
but ȝif he were holden A passyng Man,
and A worthy knyht of his hond,
As I do ȝow to vndirstond;
So that there with-owten faille
My fadir was Slayn In bataylle,
9
lik In the forme As ȝe sen here;
So that there Scaped non persone
Sauf only, Sires, I Alone.
and Siker ded there hadde I be
but that A maiden they fownden me,
and a feble persone of Stature:
this was the Cause, I ȝow Enswre,
that me my lif they leten have;
so from hem wente I tho save,
And lefte here with this Compeyne
that ded ȝe sen In this degre.
Now have I ȝow told the Certeinte
of that ȝe me han Axed ful sekerle.”
they seiden the bataylle, þat soth it was,
For it was wel sene In that plas,
So that verray tokenys they myhten se
with Inne the Schipe bord Certeinle.
For it was wel sene In that plas,
So that verray tokenys they myhten se
with Inne the Schipe bord Certeinle.
Thanne token they Conceil Al In fere
how with that Schipe they myhten don there;
For ȝif so to haven it Into the Se,
Alle here Confucioun it Myhte be.
thanne Answered on of the fowre tho,
“hereth myn Avis what me thenketh þerto:
these men that here now ded be,
Owre semblaunce they han, As ȝe mown se;
therfore In worscheping of Owre Creatoure
We scholen hem don Som Maner Onoure;
and here bodyes we scholen berren here,
that non wilde beste ne have non powere
on hem to feden In non manere degre;
For swich As they weren, so ben we;
Al thowh that Christened not they were,
ȝit Owre semblaunce han they, As we sen here.
And whanne this schipe I-clensed it Is,
thanne Moste we gon with-owten Mys,
And Geten vs Owher A Marynere
that Into þe Se myhte Governe vs here,
and Gyden vs aftyr Goddis wille,
Whethir he wele vs saven oþer Spille:
this is my Counseil that ȝe do.”
“Forsothe we A-senten wel therto.”
how with that Schipe they myhten don there;
For ȝif so to haven it Into the Se,
Alle here Confucioun it Myhte be.
thanne Answered on of the fowre tho,
“hereth myn Avis what me thenketh þerto:
these men that here now ded be,
Owre semblaunce they han, As ȝe mown se;
therfore In worscheping of Owre Creatoure
We scholen hem don Som Maner Onoure;
and here bodyes we scholen berren here,
that non wilde beste ne have non powere
on hem to feden In non manere degre;
For swich As they weren, so ben we;
Al thowh that Christened not they were,
ȝit Owre semblaunce han they, As we sen here.
And whanne this schipe I-clensed it Is,
thanne Moste we gon with-owten Mys,
10
that Into þe Se myhte Governe vs here,
and Gyden vs aftyr Goddis wille,
Whethir he wele vs saven oþer Spille:
this is my Counseil that ȝe do.”
“Forsothe we A-senten wel therto.”
Thanne wenten they Into swich A partye
Where as helpe to haven Sekerlye.
and whanne with the peple they weren present,
they behyhten hem with ful good Entent
what manere of gwerdon that they wolden have
Forto helpen this peple weren Grave.
Where as helpe to haven Sekerlye.
and whanne with the peple they weren present,
they behyhten hem with ful good Entent
what manere of gwerdon that they wolden have
Forto helpen this peple weren Grave.
So sore they travailled Alle the day,
And Every Man dyde what he may,
tyl alle these Bodyes Everichon
with-Innen the Erthe weren they don;
Evene faste by the se syde
they leften tho Bodyes forto Abyde.
And In the Roche there Al this was,
they leten lettres don Graven In that plas
that In Grw weren In this Manere,
‘kyng Labelis Men Liggen here
that they of Grace han thus Slayn:
here lyn they Berred In Certayn
bothe for Rewthe and Ek pyte
that swich semblaunce hadden they, lik as han we
The messengeris that Nasciens Sowhte,
In this Manere han they wrowhte.’
And Every Man dyde what he may,
tyl alle these Bodyes Everichon
with-Innen the Erthe weren they don;
Evene faste by the se syde
they leften tho Bodyes forto Abyde.
And In the Roche there Al this was,
they leten lettres don Graven In that plas
that In Grw weren In this Manere,
‘kyng Labelis Men Liggen here
that they of Grace han thus Slayn:
here lyn they Berred In Certayn
bothe for Rewthe and Ek pyte
that swich semblaunce hadden they, lik as han we
The messengeris that Nasciens Sowhte,
In this Manere han they wrowhte.’
And whanne they hadden thus I-do,
Thanne Axede they of the damysele tho
‘What sche wolde don, & In what Manere,
and hou sche thowhte to Governen hire there.
“Seres, I wot Nevere Certeinle,
I am So fer Owt of my Contre,
Nethir here know I non Man,
Nethir of here Maneris nowht I ne kan,
Nethir non thing they welen don for me;
þerfore Aftir ȝoure Cownseil now wele I be,
For of my self Cownseil have I non,
and therto I not what forto don.”
Thanne Axede they of the damysele tho
‘What sche wolde don, & In what Manere,
and hou sche thowhte to Governen hire there.
“Seres, I wot Nevere Certeinle,
I am So fer Owt of my Contre,
Nethir here know I non Man,
Nethir of here Maneris nowht I ne kan,
11
þerfore Aftir ȝoure Cownseil now wele I be,
For of my self Cownseil have I non,
and therto I not what forto don.”
thanne wepte this damysele wondirly Sore,
that on word me myhten sche speken no More.
thanne of hire, pite hadden they with-owten faille,
And token hem to Gederis In Cownsaylle:
‘best it weren,’ they seiden tho,
‘that thike damysele with hem scholde go
til they hadden here lord Ifownde,
ȝif it wolde happen In Oure stownde,
and thanne Cristene hire forto don;’
herto they Assented Everychon.
Thanne seiden they to this Mayden Alle
Wheche A cas Amongs hem was befalle,
that with hem Scholde sche go
And hire wille were to don so.
that on word me myhten sche speken no More.
thanne of hire, pite hadden they with-owten faille,
And token hem to Gederis In Cownsaylle:
‘best it weren,’ they seiden tho,
‘that thike damysele with hem scholde go
til they hadden here lord Ifownde,
ȝif it wolde happen In Oure stownde,
and thanne Cristene hire forto don;’
herto they Assented Everychon.
Thanne seiden they to this Mayden Alle
Wheche A cas Amongs hem was befalle,
that with hem Scholde sche go
And hire wille were to don so.
thanne seide this Maiden Anon Ageyn,
“that wyle I gladlich In Certeyn,
On this Condiscion, that ȝe ne wille
Non velenie A-wayten me vntylle.”
and they Answerid, “Nay, ful Sekerly
that to defenden with myht of Body.”
“that wyle I gladlich In Certeyn,
On this Condiscion, that ȝe ne wille
Non velenie A-wayten me vntylle.”
and they Answerid, “Nay, ful Sekerly
that to defenden with myht of Body.”
thanne fil sche down to here feet,
And wepte for Ioye Also Skeet,
And seyde ‘that sche wolde with-owten variaunce
Onlich ben at here Governaunce:
thanne to hire seiden they Alle In fere
hire forto Sosteyne At here powere.
And wepte for Ioye Also Skeet,
And seyde ‘that sche wolde with-owten variaunce
Onlich ben at here Governaunce:
thanne to hire seiden they Alle In fere
hire forto Sosteyne At here powere.
thanne spoken they forto have
A Man that the Schipe Cowde governe & save,
but nowher non Mihten they fynde;
Where[for] sory weren they In here Mynde.
A Man that the Schipe Cowde governe & save,
but nowher non Mihten they fynde;
Where[for] sory weren they In here Mynde.
That Evenyng to þe schipe they gonnen Ordeyne
Alle Manere of viandes, hem to susteyne.
And whanne the Nyht was Comen vpponne,
Alle fyve to the Schipe gonne to Gon,
And lyen with-Inne the schippes bord
there to Resten hem, At On word:
And Evere was the seyl vp an hy,
As it to the Roche Aryvede Sekerly.
Alle Manere of viandes, hem to susteyne.
12
Alle fyve to the Schipe gonne to Gon,
And lyen with-Inne the schippes bord
there to Resten hem, At On word:
And Evere was the seyl vp an hy,
As it to the Roche Aryvede Sekerly.
And so it happede Abowtes Midnyht
A wynd there Ros of ful gret Myht,
and blew the Schip Into the See
ful mochel ferthere than they wenden han be;
and whanne they wenden han ben At the Ryvage,
With-Inne the See they weren A fer passage;
and whanne they loked hem Abowte,
In the depe Se weren they with owten dowte.
A wynd there Ros of ful gret Myht,
and blew the Schip Into the See
ful mochel ferthere than they wenden han be;
and whanne they wenden han ben At the Ryvage,
With-Inne the See they weren A fer passage;
and whanne they loked hem Abowte,
In the depe Se weren they with owten dowte.
Thanne weren they Abasched ful Sore
whanne Amongs the wawes weren they thore;
and Nethir Mayster ne Governour
hem forto Socouren In that Stoure;
and the See not pesible, but boistous, was,
So þat ful sore they dredden hem In þat plas.
and thorwh the tempest that was there,
the Seyl to-brast In many A manere
And fyl fer from hem In to the Se.
thanne ful sore Abascht weren Alle he,
And for-possed with wawes weren they there,
So that of here lyves they hadden gret fere.
whanne Amongs the wawes weren they thore;
and Nethir Mayster ne Governour
hem forto Socouren In that Stoure;
and the See not pesible, but boistous, was,
So þat ful sore they dredden hem In þat plas.
and thorwh the tempest that was there,
the Seyl to-brast In many A manere
And fyl fer from hem In to the Se.
thanne ful sore Abascht weren Alle he,
And for-possed with wawes weren they there,
So that of here lyves they hadden gret fere.
In this Angwisch, and In this dolour,
thre dayes weren they In this stour
With owten Mete Oþer Ony drynk;
this was to hem A ful hevy thing.
And with Inne these thre dayes, so fer weren they browht
with-Inne the hye Se, that they wyste nowht;
And ȝit demed they In Al here peyne
that from Egipt they weren fer Certeyne;
and so they weren, with-owten lettyng,
ferthere thanne they Cowden han knoweng;
For the Schipe wente Evere to fore the wynd
Swiftere than þe Rakke In þe Eyr be kynd,
and so fer drof hem In to the Se
that they ne wiste In to whiche contre.
thre dayes weren they In this stour
With owten Mete Oþer Ony drynk;
this was to hem A ful hevy thing.
And with Inne these thre dayes, so fer weren they browht
with-Inne the hye Se, that they wyste nowht;
And ȝit demed they In Al here peyne
that from Egipt they weren fer Certeyne;
and so they weren, with-owten lettyng,
ferthere thanne they Cowden han knoweng;
13
Swiftere than þe Rakke In þe Eyr be kynd,
and so fer drof hem In to the Se
that they ne wiste In to whiche contre.
The fowrthe day, the Owr of pryme,
hem be-happed An hard Chaunce that tyme,
and fowle Acombred Alle they were,
For to A passing gret Roch they proched wel Nere;
and the wynd ful harde thedir hem sore drof
that the Schip on fowre partyes to-Rof;
In which of somme Of tho fowre partyes
tweyne weren dreint with-owten lyes,
And the damysele floterid In the see,
Oþer Socoure kowde non there sche.
hem be-happed An hard Chaunce that tyme,
and fowle Acombred Alle they were,
For to A passing gret Roch they proched wel Nere;
and the wynd ful harde thedir hem sore drof
that the Schip on fowre partyes to-Rof;
In which of somme Of tho fowre partyes
tweyne weren dreint with-owten lyes,
And the damysele floterid In the see,
Oþer Socoure kowde non there sche.
And whanne sche beheld that tweyne saved were,
Ful lowde to hem than Cride sche there,
And preide hem sweteliche In hire Manere
‘For love of here God that they lovede so dere,
Of whom they helden the newe lay,
that they wolden hire Socouren that day.’
Ful lowde to hem than Cride sche there,
And preide hem sweteliche In hire Manere
‘For love of here God that they lovede so dere,
Of whom they helden the newe lay,
that they wolden hire Socouren that day.’
thanne beheld on of the Messengerres two,
and gret pite hadde on this damysele tho,
and took vppe his hond & him gan to blesse,
And In to the Se he gan hym dresse.
tho betook he hym to God Almyht,
Anon to that damysele he gan hym dyht,
So that with myht and strengthe of hem two
Aȝen to the Roche wonnen they tho.
and gret pite hadde on this damysele tho,
and took vppe his hond & him gan to blesse,
And In to the Se he gan hym dresse.
tho betook he hym to God Almyht,
Anon to that damysele he gan hym dyht,
So that with myht and strengthe of hem two
Aȝen to the Roche wonnen they tho.
Whanne to the Roche they weren I-gon,
they thanked Iesus, Maryes sone, Anon,
that hem hadde Saved from peryl & wo,
So Ny here deth As they weren tho.
they thanked Iesus, Maryes sone, Anon,
that hem hadde Saved from peryl & wo,
So Ny here deth As they weren tho.
In this Manere tweyne of the Messengeres
Weren perschid for fawt of Maryneris
as they wenten to sechen Nasciens here lord,—
thus weren they persched At on word,—
And tweyne leften with that damysele;
but the ne hadden neyther to mete ne to Mele,
For Alle here vyaunde In to the Se fylle,
As here to fore ȝe herden Me telle.
thanne ful sore Abasched they were
that non Maner of viaunde hadden they there;
And therto fer In A straunge Contre,
And fer from peple disolat to be,
that In that yl was there vyaunde non
to sellen, neþer growenge on Erthe ne ston.
And this was on of the moste thing
that hem browhte Into so Mochel Morneng,
For thens supposid they neuere to han gon
but ȝif it be thoruh [grace] Of Only god Alon.
& so In goddis gouernaunce they putten hem Echon,
To don with hem what he wolde don;
And knelyng, Cryden hym Mercye
with weping and teris ful tendirlye;
and Cryden to him In this Manere,
“Now, goode lord, thow Socoure vs here,
that we ne fallen In non desperaunce
thorwh the fals Enemyes Chawnce;
but kepe vs lord In thin Servyse,
that þe fals Enemy of vs Cachche non prise.”
Weren perschid for fawt of Maryneris
as they wenten to sechen Nasciens here lord,—
thus weren they persched At on word,—
14
but the ne hadden neyther to mete ne to Mele,
For Alle here vyaunde In to the Se fylle,
As here to fore ȝe herden Me telle.
thanne ful sore Abasched they were
that non Maner of viaunde hadden they there;
And therto fer In A straunge Contre,
And fer from peple disolat to be,
that In that yl was there vyaunde non
to sellen, neþer growenge on Erthe ne ston.
And this was on of the moste thing
that hem browhte Into so Mochel Morneng,
For thens supposid they neuere to han gon
but ȝif it be thoruh [grace] Of Only god Alon.
& so In goddis gouernaunce they putten hem Echon,
To don with hem what he wolde don;
And knelyng, Cryden hym Mercye
with weping and teris ful tendirlye;
and Cryden to him In this Manere,
“Now, goode lord, thow Socoure vs here,
that we ne fallen In non desperaunce
thorwh the fals Enemyes Chawnce;
but kepe vs lord In thin Servyse,
that þe fals Enemy of vs Cachche non prise.”
Sweche wordis & swiche preyeris
Oftyn tymes hadden these messengeris;
and Evere this damysele wepte ful sore,
and Cursid the tyme that sche Cam thore,
From Evel to werse to ben browht,
Euere thus Compleyned sche In hire thouht.
And there they hyre Comforted Anon
Also Mochel As they Cowden don,
And seiden ‘that God wolde socour hem sende
Er Comen Owht fowe dayes to the Ende;’
“and therfore, damysele, wepe ȝe no more,
For ȝowre Morneng doth vs moche sore.”
Oftyn tymes hadden these messengeris;
and Evere this damysele wepte ful sore,
and Cursid the tyme that sche Cam thore,
From Evel to werse to ben browht,
Euere thus Compleyned sche In hire thouht.
And there they hyre Comforted Anon
Also Mochel As they Cowden don,
And seiden ‘that God wolde socour hem sende
Er Comen Owht fowe dayes to the Ende;’
“and therfore, damysele, wepe ȝe no more,
For ȝowre Morneng doth vs moche sore.”
15
Thanne Axede sche hem of here Creaunce,
And they hire tolde with-owten variaunce
how that be Iosephe of Barthamye
they it Resceyveden ful trewelye,
And be Al holy Chirches lawe,
Of wheche Creawnce they weren ful fawe.
thanne tolden they hyre In Eche degre
What powere [Crist hadde,] & what dignete,
and how that socouren he wolde his frend,
And from peryles to-bringen him to good End.
“For who that In hym hath Affyaunce,
he wele hym kepen with-owten variaunce;
and from Alle perylles, I the Enswre,
hym delyveren, as Seith the holy scripture.”
And they hire tolde with-owten variaunce
how that be Iosephe of Barthamye
they it Resceyveden ful trewelye,
And be Al holy Chirches lawe,
Of wheche Creawnce they weren ful fawe.
thanne tolden they hyre In Eche degre
What powere [Crist hadde,] & what dignete,
and how that socouren he wolde his frend,
And from peryles to-bringen him to good End.
“For who that In hym hath Affyaunce,
he wele hym kepen with-owten variaunce;
and from Alle perylles, I the Enswre,
hym delyveren, as Seith the holy scripture.”
“In feith,” quod this damysele tho,
“ȝif ȝowre lord sweche Merveilles May do
as ȝe me now tellen here,
on hym wil I trosten In Alle Manere.
ȝif he owt of this peryl vs now brynge,
and to vs wil owht sende In Socourynge,
And therto A-sckapen from Al this fere,
I hym promyse In Alle Manere
From this day forward his Servaunt to be,
And hym to Serven In Alle Manere degre.”
“ȝif ȝowre lord sweche Merveilles May do
as ȝe me now tellen here,
on hym wil I trosten In Alle Manere.
ȝif he owt of this peryl vs now brynge,
and to vs wil owht sende In Socourynge,
And therto A-sckapen from Al this fere,
I hym promyse In Alle Manere
From this day forward his Servaunt to be,
And hym to Serven In Alle Manere degre.”
“Ha, damysele,” quod they Anon,
“Now weten we wel Everychon
that with-owten dowte ful Sekerly
we scholen haven Socour Ryht hastely
Al other wyse thanne he wolde han do
Sethen ȝoure promys ȝe han mad so.”
“Now weten we wel Everychon
that with-owten dowte ful Sekerly
we scholen haven Socour Ryht hastely
Al other wyse thanne he wolde han do
Sethen ȝoure promys ȝe han mad so.”
In this Manere leften they Alle thre
In ful grete thowht ful Sekerle;
For they hadden Neuere be wont þerto,
to suffren swich Angwisch As they hadden tho.
and whanne the Nyht Gan Comen faste,
Abowtes In the yl they loked Atte laste,
and Aspiden Ryht Anon there
An old wal of ston In A qweynte Manere,
that somtyme of an hows it was,
and with gret pride I-mad In that plas;
but be Old tyme it was down throwe,
but A parcel lefte there vppon a Rowe
that there vndir Myhten wel Reste
Sixe persones, other fyve Atte leste.
In ful grete thowht ful Sekerle;
For they hadden Neuere be wont þerto,
to suffren swich Angwisch As they hadden tho.
and whanne the Nyht Gan Comen faste,
Abowtes In the yl they loked Atte laste,
16
An old wal of ston In A qweynte Manere,
that somtyme of an hows it was,
and with gret pride I-mad In that plas;
but be Old tyme it was down throwe,
but A parcel lefte there vppon a Rowe
that there vndir Myhten wel Reste
Sixe persones, other fyve Atte leste.
thanne to thike partyes wenten they anon
be here wittes thanne Everichon,
and seide ‘that bettere it was þere to Abyde
vndir that wal thanne be the see syde,
In the Schadewe forto kepen hem,
thanne forto liggen be the strem.’
and there Abyden they Al that Nyht
Tyl on þe Morwen it was day lyht.
be here wittes thanne Everichon,
and seide ‘that bettere it was þere to Abyde
vndir that wal thanne be the see syde,
In the Schadewe forto kepen hem,
thanne forto liggen be the strem.’
and there Abyden they Al that Nyht
Tyl on þe Morwen it was day lyht.
On the Morwen Erely, whanne it was day,
Ful faste here preyeres thanne gonne they say,
‘That God for his pyte & grete Mercy
hem Som Comfort Scholde sende hastely.’
thanne seiden they that they wolden gon
to sen what howseng was In that ston.
and whanne in this Roch they wenten an hy,
they behelden Abowtes ful Inwardly:
thanne Anothir wal syen they there,
As thowh of Marbel wrowht it were,
And A lytel hows there vppon,
—thus hem thowhte, and thedir gonne gon,—
Whiche was som tyme Richelych dyht
As that it Semed to here Syht,
that hem thowhte so Riche myhte non be
So sotely Mad In that Contre.
Ful faste here preyeres thanne gonne they say,
‘That God for his pyte & grete Mercy
hem Som Comfort Scholde sende hastely.’
thanne seiden they that they wolden gon
to sen what howseng was In that ston.
and whanne in this Roch they wenten an hy,
they behelden Abowtes ful Inwardly:
thanne Anothir wal syen they there,
As thowh of Marbel wrowht it were,
And A lytel hows there vppon,
—thus hem thowhte, and thedir gonne gon,—
Whiche was som tyme Richelych dyht
As that it Semed to here Syht,
that hem thowhte so Riche myhte non be
So sotely Mad In that Contre.
and In they Entrede, & vpe they wente,
the Messengeres and þe damysele veramente.
and whanne they be-helden Al A-bowte,
thanne Sien they there with-Owten dowte
An hostel that som tyme was Rialy dyht,
As thowh it hadde ben for þe most Man of Myht
Arayed lik A Ryal Manere,
Somtyme On lord to han dwelled In there.
the Messengeres and þe damysele veramente.
and whanne they be-helden Al A-bowte,
thanne Sien they there with-Owten dowte
17
As thowh it hadde ben for þe most Man of Myht
Arayed lik A Ryal Manere,
Somtyme On lord to han dwelled In there.
For there-Inne stoden peleris of Marbil stones,
Ful Rialy I-wrowht for the Nones;
And thre-qwarterid they weren Of Gold & Asure
and Of Silver, be gret Maistrye, I the Ensure,
As thowh it hadde ben wrowht be Enchauntement,
So Rialy it was there present.
And with-Innen Atte the Ende of þat hows
They Syen A bed ful Merveillows,
the Richest and the moste Avenaunt
That Evere Man Say, As I vndirstond.
And the fowre postes that it vp Bare,
Of Bryht Schyneng gold weren they there,
And Of precyous stones they weren ful pyht,
And therto ful Rialy weren they dyht
that moche peple it Myhte han Seyn,
So Merveillously it was wrowht In Certein:
For they wenden it hadde ben In dremeng
Whanne they syen Al this Riche thyng.
Ful Rialy I-wrowht for the Nones;
And thre-qwarterid they weren Of Gold & Asure
and Of Silver, be gret Maistrye, I the Ensure,
As thowh it hadde ben wrowht be Enchauntement,
So Rialy it was there present.
And with-Innen Atte the Ende of þat hows
They Syen A bed ful Merveillows,
the Richest and the moste Avenaunt
That Evere Man Say, As I vndirstond.
And the fowre postes that it vp Bare,
Of Bryht Schyneng gold weren they there,
And Of precyous stones they weren ful pyht,
And therto ful Rialy weren they dyht
that moche peple it Myhte han Seyn,
So Merveillously it was wrowht In Certein:
For they wenden it hadde ben In dremeng
Whanne they syen Al this Riche thyng.
Aboven this bed, A tombe there was,
Ful fayr, ful Riche, þer In that plas;
And therto so Merveillously it was wrowht
that Alle they Merveilleden In here thowht;
for it was so delitable In here Syhte tho
That mochel Comfort it dede hem do.
Where-vppon lettres of grw weren wreten there
that thus Seyden, and In this Manere,
‘here lith ypocras, the beste Fesiscian
That Evere Sawh lyvenge Ony man,
that be Cawtel of his wyves Red,
Sodeynly he was browht to his ded:
and Into this place was he browht trewlye
Be Antonye the kyng of percye.’
Ful fayr, ful Riche, þer In that plas;
And therto so Merveillously it was wrowht
that Alle they Merveilleden In here thowht;
for it was so delitable In here Syhte tho
That mochel Comfort it dede hem do.
Where-vppon lettres of grw weren wreten there
that thus Seyden, and In this Manere,
‘here lith ypocras, the beste Fesiscian
That Evere Sawh lyvenge Ony man,
that be Cawtel of his wyves Red,
Sodeynly he was browht to his ded:
and Into this place was he browht trewlye
Be Antonye the kyng of percye.’
18
Whanne the Messengeris these lettres gonne beholde,
They gonnen to Reden hem Mani folde,
and longe Of hym to-gyderes they spoke,
And seiden that he was A wys man On boke.
They gonnen to Reden hem Mani folde,
and longe Of hym to-gyderes they spoke,
And seiden that he was A wys man On boke.
ful faste they behelden this hows Abowte
From the ton Ende to the tothir with-owten dowte,
And so Manye Riche thinge syen they there
that Evere to-forn syen they In Ony Manere;
For Maner was þer Neuere so Ryaly dyht
that Cowde Comprehende to Mannes Myht.
For Of Al the world hem thowhte it was þe richest place
That Evere Erthly man In browht wase;
and the Richesse that there they fownde
Miht non man tellen that wenten On grownde.
From the ton Ende to the tothir with-owten dowte,
And so Manye Riche thinge syen they there
that Evere to-forn syen they In Ony Manere;
For Maner was þer Neuere so Ryaly dyht
that Cowde Comprehende to Mannes Myht.
For Of Al the world hem thowhte it was þe richest place
That Evere Erthly man In browht wase;
and the Richesse that there they fownde
Miht non man tellen that wenten On grownde.
But now leveth here this storye
Ony more of this hows to speken sekerlye,
Whiche that ypocras dyde don Make
Onlich There for his Owne Sake,
and for his Maner he let it dyht,
For he was A man Mochel Of Myht;
And Enstored ful wel it was
Of Manye Richesse In that plas;
Whiche hows is Now Al forfare,
but ȝit Al that Richesse leften thare.
Ony more of this hows to speken sekerlye,
Whiche that ypocras dyde don Make
Onlich There for his Owne Sake,
and for his Maner he let it dyht,
For he was A man Mochel Of Myht;
And Enstored ful wel it was
Of Manye Richesse In that plas;
Whiche hows is Now Al forfare,
but ȝit Al that Richesse leften thare.
CHAPTER XXXVI. THE HISTORY OF THE PHYSICIAN YPOCRAS.
20
Ful trewly Recordeth here this Storye
Of the worthynesse of ypocras Sekerlye,
For the worthiest Fecyscian that was
Evere Acompted In Ony plas;
For of that Scyense More Coude he
that ony Man leveng In Cristiente;
but [for] On thyng that he dyde At Rome,
Reproved he was be Clergies dome;—
For the worthiest Clerk he was told,
Passenge Al Erthly men Many fold;—
And what Aventure that hym befylle,
I schal ȝow schewe, & herkene me vntylle.
Of the worthynesse of ypocras Sekerlye,
For the worthiest Fecyscian that was
Evere Acompted In Ony plas;
For of that Scyense More Coude he
that ony Man leveng In Cristiente;
but [for] On thyng that he dyde At Rome,
Reproved he was be Clergies dome;—
For the worthiest Clerk he was told,
Passenge Al Erthly men Many fold;—
And what Aventure that hym befylle,
I schal ȝow schewe, & herkene me vntylle.
This was the trowthe and the veryte:
Whanne Augustus Cesar Emperour was he,
The same Our that ypocras to Rome Cam,
Mochel Morneng & Sorwe Made Every Man
As thowh here Fadrys hadden ben ded
To forn hem lyggeng In that Sted.
thanne ypocras Abascht hym wondir sore
Of the Morneng that he Sawh thore,
So that he preyde A lytel Child
that to forn hym was bothe Meke and Myld,
that he wolde tellen hym the Cawse why
Wherfore the peple there was so sory.
“Now, Certes,” quod this Child thanne,
“Why that thus Mornen Alle these Menne,—
It was for A Nevew of the Emperour
(Whiche was A persone of gret honour)
that ful longe Syk hath be,
and now they seyn that ded Is he:
and therto he was so fayr and so good
That Every man hym lovede with his Mood.
And this is the Enchesown Sekerlye
Alle the hevynesse of þe peple trewelye.”
“and where is the Body,” quod ypocras tho.
“Sire, In the Emperowres halle it is I-do.”
Whanne Augustus Cesar Emperour was he,
The same Our that ypocras to Rome Cam,
Mochel Morneng & Sorwe Made Every Man
As thowh here Fadrys hadden ben ded
To forn hem lyggeng In that Sted.
thanne ypocras Abascht hym wondir sore
Of the Morneng that he Sawh thore,
So that he preyde A lytel Child
that to forn hym was bothe Meke and Myld,
that he wolde tellen hym the Cawse why
Wherfore the peple there was so sory.
“Now, Certes,” quod this Child thanne,
“Why that thus Mornen Alle these Menne,—
21
(Whiche was A persone of gret honour)
that ful longe Syk hath be,
and now they seyn that ded Is he:
and therto he was so fayr and so good
That Every man hym lovede with his Mood.
And this is the Enchesown Sekerlye
Alle the hevynesse of þe peple trewelye.”
“and where is the Body,” quod ypocras tho.
“Sire, In the Emperowres halle it is I-do.”
And whanne this word tho he herde,
Toward themperoures halle faste he ferde;
And ȝif Ony breth In his body be founde,
he hopede hym to A-Reren that ilke stownde,
and Onlyche to helthe to bryngen hym Aȝen—
that Alle the peple there it scholde sen—
Be his Medicyn And his Craft;
thus wolde he don Er that he laft.
Thanne to the paleys gan he gon,
And to that he presede Anon;
but so mochel peple there was,
Onnethis he myhte Entren In to þe plas.
Toward themperoures halle faste he ferde;
And ȝif Ony breth In his body be founde,
he hopede hym to A-Reren that ilke stownde,
and Onlyche to helthe to bryngen hym Aȝen—
that Alle the peple there it scholde sen—
Be his Medicyn And his Craft;
thus wolde he don Er that he laft.
Thanne to the paleys gan he gon,
And to that he presede Anon;
but so mochel peple there was,
Onnethis he myhte Entren In to þe plas.
and whanne he was Comen to the Cors,
Anon he tasted with gret fors
In what partie he myhte fynden Ony lyf:
Thys Merveilled themperowr and his wyf.
Anon as he there thus hadde I-do,
lyf In his Body thanne felte he tho;
And Gan to Openen his Mowth Anon,
And þe Iews Of An Erbe he gan þere-Inne don,
That of so gret vertu was there,
Of his Siknesse he dide him Arere,
And there he A-Ros with strengthe & Myht
Openly there In Alle Mennes Syht,
Also hol and Also Sownd
As Evere he Was In Ony stownd.
Anon he tasted with gret fors
In what partie he myhte fynden Ony lyf:
Thys Merveilled themperowr and his wyf.
Anon as he there thus hadde I-do,
lyf In his Body thanne felte he tho;
And Gan to Openen his Mowth Anon,
And þe Iews Of An Erbe he gan þere-Inne don,
That of so gret vertu was there,
Of his Siknesse he dide him Arere,
And there he A-Ros with strengthe & Myht
Openly there In Alle Mennes Syht,
Also hol and Also Sownd
As Evere he Was In Ony stownd.
22
And whanne he hadde thus I-do,
the Emperesse to hym gan to go,
and Seide, “Sire, ful wel thou be!
A glad womman hast thou Maked me!
What Manere of Gwerdon that þou wilt Crave,
Ful Sekerly, Sere, ȝe scholen it have.”
thanne Axede the Emperesse what he hyhte.
he Seyde “ypocras, lady,” Anon Ryhte.
“Now know I wel be ȝoure Connenge
that ȝe ben the worthyest fecyscyan levenge:
A Man from deth to lyve Aȝen Arere,
Thus dyde Neuere feciscyan, I trowe, Ere.
Therefore þe Moste worschepe I schal the do
that Evere to Feciscian was don vnto.”
the Emperesse to hym gan to go,
and Seide, “Sire, ful wel thou be!
A glad womman hast thou Maked me!
What Manere of Gwerdon that þou wilt Crave,
Ful Sekerly, Sere, ȝe scholen it have.”
thanne Axede the Emperesse what he hyhte.
he Seyde “ypocras, lady,” Anon Ryhte.
“Now know I wel be ȝoure Connenge
that ȝe ben the worthyest fecyscyan levenge:
A Man from deth to lyve Aȝen Arere,
Thus dyde Neuere feciscyan, I trowe, Ere.
Therefore þe Moste worschepe I schal the do
that Evere to Feciscian was don vnto.”
An Ymage of Gold Anon let sche Make,
Ryaliche I-dyht, for ypocras his sake.
And Another ymage thanne let sche maken tho
Aftyr that Child þat from Siknesse he rerid so.
And theke ymages bothe In fere
In the heȝghest place of Rome set weren they there,
So that hos Evere Comen, Other wente,
thike ymages myhten they Sen veramente;
and Aboven thike ymages two
A Ryal Tabernacle Made sche tho,
that non Reyn ne scholde Comen therny,
So wel was it Made, and So Sotely.
And Aboven ypocras themperesse lettres let do,
That In this Manere wyse Seyden tho:
‘Lo, this ymage is ypocras,
‘the worthiest Phelesophre þat Evere was,
‘that In Rome Arerid In Certeine
‘A man to lyve Owt of gret peyne
‘that ful Ny Was to Augustus Cesar,
‘hos ymage stont by him thar.’
and whanne this was Al I-do,
thanne seyde th' emperesse Anon tho,
‘that For non Manere In no degre
thike ymages Remeved scholde be.’
thanne seiden they to themperesse Anon
‘that hire Comandement scholde be don.’
Ryaliche I-dyht, for ypocras his sake.
And Another ymage thanne let sche maken tho
Aftyr that Child þat from Siknesse he rerid so.
And theke ymages bothe In fere
In the heȝghest place of Rome set weren they there,
So that hos Evere Comen, Other wente,
thike ymages myhten they Sen veramente;
and Aboven thike ymages two
A Ryal Tabernacle Made sche tho,
that non Reyn ne scholde Comen therny,
So wel was it Made, and So Sotely.
And Aboven ypocras themperesse lettres let do,
That In this Manere wyse Seyden tho:
‘Lo, this ymage is ypocras,
‘the worthiest Phelesophre þat Evere was,
‘that In Rome Arerid In Certeine
‘A man to lyve Owt of gret peyne
‘that ful Ny Was to Augustus Cesar,
‘hos ymage stont by him thar.’
and whanne this was Al I-do,
thanne seyde th' emperesse Anon tho,
23
thike ymages Remeved scholde be.’
thanne seiden they to themperesse Anon
‘that hire Comandement scholde be don.’
Anon Mochel made Offen was he tho
Abowtes Al Rome where he dyde go,
So that Manye Sike Men Keuered he
as he Abowtes wente In Eche Contre,
So that for his grete konnenge
they Cleped hym half A god with-Owten lesynge,
And the moste Sovereyn of Alle Clergye,
Thus they hym Clepyd ful Certeinlye:
And As Moche worschepe to his fygure gonnen they do
As to Ony of here goddis dyden they tho.
And so scholden they han don for Evere More,
Ne hadde on thyng At Rome behapped thore:
What it was, I schal now telle,
Swich An Aventure hym befelle.
Abowtes Al Rome where he dyde go,
So that Manye Sike Men Keuered he
as he Abowtes wente In Eche Contre,
So that for his grete konnenge
they Cleped hym half A god with-Owten lesynge,
And the moste Sovereyn of Alle Clergye,
Thus they hym Clepyd ful Certeinlye:
And As Moche worschepe to his fygure gonnen they do
As to Ony of here goddis dyden they tho.
And so scholden they han don for Evere More,
Ne hadde on thyng At Rome behapped thore:
What it was, I schal now telle,
Swich An Aventure hym befelle.
Thike tyme whanne ypocras At Rome was,
and worschepyd he was In Every plas,
It happed so there be Aventure
that A fair lady, I the Ensure,
Of the partyes of Galele,
to the Emperour thedir Cam sche.
Sche was holden the fairest womman
That Ony creature discryven Cowde than,
And Also Ryaliche sche was A-dyht
As belonged to swich A lady of Myht.
and worschepyd he was In Every plas,
It happed so there be Aventure
that A fair lady, I the Ensure,
Of the partyes of Galele,
to the Emperour thedir Cam sche.
Sche was holden the fairest womman
That Ony creature discryven Cowde than,
And Also Ryaliche sche was A-dyht
As belonged to swich A lady of Myht.
Whanne this Emperesse Say this lady bryht,
Of hire sche Axede Anon Ryht
‘Whens sche Cam, & of what kende.’
And sche hire Answerid As good & hende:
Sche seide that ‘Sche was Comen of hy degre,
Of kynges and qwene ful Certeinle.’
Thanne ladyes and damyselis sche Comanded hire there,
hire to don Servyse In alle Manere,
as that belonged to hyre Astat,
hire forto worschepen bothe Erly & lat.
Of hire sche Axede Anon Ryht
‘Whens sche Cam, & of what kende.’
And sche hire Answerid As good & hende:
Sche seide that ‘Sche was Comen of hy degre,
Of kynges and qwene ful Certeinle.’
Thanne ladyes and damyselis sche Comanded hire there,
hire to don Servyse In alle Manere,
24
hire forto worschepen bothe Erly & lat.
and whanne fulliche A monthe hadde sche þere be,
thanne Atte laste these ymages beheld sche,
And Anon Axede with-Owten taryenge
‘What theke ymages weren to signefyeng.’
thanne tolden they hyre with-Inne a whyle;
And Anon this lady Gan forto smyle,
and seide, ‘that phelesophre was not bore,
From deth to lyve A man to Reren thore:’
“for I dar wel seyn with-Inne a schort day
hym A Fool to preven, So scholen ȝe say;
For of this that ȝe sein to me here,
It may not be trewe In non Manere;
Ne neuere beleven it In my thowht
For non Man that Evere was wrowht.”
thanne Atte laste these ymages beheld sche,
And Anon Axede with-Owten taryenge
‘What theke ymages weren to signefyeng.’
thanne tolden they hyre with-Inne a whyle;
And Anon this lady Gan forto smyle,
and seide, ‘that phelesophre was not bore,
From deth to lyve A man to Reren thore:’
“for I dar wel seyn with-Inne a schort day
hym A Fool to preven, So scholen ȝe say;
For of this that ȝe sein to me here,
It may not be trewe In non Manere;
Ne neuere beleven it In my thowht
For non Man that Evere was wrowht.”
This tale was told to forn themperowr,
that thus be ypocras was seid dishonour;
So that it was spoken bothe to & fro
Tyl atte laste ypocras þere-offen herde tho;
Where offen he hadde ful gret disdeyn,
As I ȝow Seye now In Certeyn,
And seide ‘þat he scholde neuere glad ne be
tyl that damysele he myhte se,
that hym A fool wolde make.’
thanne themperour this word gan take,
And seyde that to forn him scholde sche be.
“Whanne, sire,” quod ypocras, “I preye the?”
“In the temple to morwe, Atte Owr of pryme,
thanne scholen we Meten Al In good tyme.”
that thus be ypocras was seid dishonour;
So that it was spoken bothe to & fro
Tyl atte laste ypocras þere-offen herde tho;
Where offen he hadde ful gret disdeyn,
As I ȝow Seye now In Certeyn,
And seide ‘þat he scholde neuere glad ne be
tyl that damysele he myhte se,
that hym A fool wolde make.’
thanne themperour this word gan take,
And seyde that to forn him scholde sche be.
“Whanne, sire,” quod ypocras, “I preye the?”
“In the temple to morwe, Atte Owr of pryme,
thanne scholen we Meten Al In good tyme.”
Al Nyht lay ypocras, and thowhte
how that this thing Ony weye ben Mowhte;
and On þe Morwe, Er the Owr of pryme,
ypocras at the temple was be tyme.
how that this thing Ony weye ben Mowhte;
and On þe Morwe, Er the Owr of pryme,
ypocras at the temple was be tyme.
thanne Cam þere thedyr this lady gent
With A gret Compenyei Of ladyes present,
And Axede ‘wheche was Ypocras,
of Alle the Meyne þat there was.’
And sche beheld hym wondirly sore
A-forn Alle the wommen that weren thore;
and ypocras was A fair ȝong Man;
thus beheld sche In hym than.
And ypocras of hire, good Reward took tho,
More thanne of Alle Remnant þat with hire gonne go;
For sche hadde the moste passyng Bewte
Aforn Alle womman that Evere Sawh he,
Whiche Made hym falle In foly thowht
that hym there-Owt no man Myht bringe nowht;
and ȝit Into Anothir place wente he
hire bettere to beholde, ȝif it wolde be.
And the More that he hire beheld tho,
the More Angwich his herte Cam vnto;
that So Sore he fyl In a folye thowht,
So þat hym selve helpen Myhte he nowht.
With A gret Compenyei Of ladyes present,
25
of Alle the Meyne þat there was.’
And sche beheld hym wondirly sore
A-forn Alle the wommen that weren thore;
and ypocras was A fair ȝong Man;
thus beheld sche In hym than.
And ypocras of hire, good Reward took tho,
More thanne of Alle Remnant þat with hire gonne go;
For sche hadde the moste passyng Bewte
Aforn Alle womman that Evere Sawh he,
Whiche Made hym falle In foly thowht
that hym there-Owt no man Myht bringe nowht;
and ȝit Into Anothir place wente he
hire bettere to beholde, ȝif it wolde be.
And the More that he hire beheld tho,
the More Angwich his herte Cam vnto;
that So Sore he fyl In a folye thowht,
So þat hym selve helpen Myhte he nowht.
Whanne this lady was from the temple gon,
Ypocras homward he torned Anon,
And becam So Syk And Evel At Ese
So that þere myhte nothing hym plese.
So sore lovede ypocras this fair ladye,
That Clene browht was he In A letargye
For that his wyl he ne Myhte not have,
And for schame he dorst it not Crave.
that so harde & so syk he lay,
that Othere Feciscians wenden Eche day
that Sekyr ded he Scholde han be;
but they knew not fulliche his Malade.
So that th' emperour Cam to his plas
To weten howh þat it with hym was;
and so dyde the qwene, & ladyes mo.
Ypocras homward he torned Anon,
And becam So Syk And Evel At Ese
So that þere myhte nothing hym plese.
So sore lovede ypocras this fair ladye,
That Clene browht was he In A letargye
For that his wyl he ne Myhte not have,
And for schame he dorst it not Crave.
that so harde & so syk he lay,
that Othere Feciscians wenden Eche day
that Sekyr ded he Scholde han be;
but they knew not fulliche his Malade.
So that th' emperour Cam to his plas
To weten howh þat it with hym was;
and so dyde the qwene, & ladyes mo.
And Amongs Alle, this lady gan forth go,
for whom that he was so Evel At Ese.
and whanne he hire say, his herte gan to plese:
thanne In his herte hadde he gret thowht
howh this Mater Abowtes Scholde ben browht,
So that he made hem voiden Everichon
Except this lady Only Alon,
and tolde hire his herte ful pleyn,
‘how, for hire, ded scholde he ben In Certeyn
but ȝif hire love he Myhte have,
For Othirwise Mihte he not be save.’
for whom that he was so Evel At Ese.
and whanne he hire say, his herte gan to plese:
26
howh this Mater Abowtes Scholde ben browht,
So that he made hem voiden Everichon
Except this lady Only Alon,
and tolde hire his herte ful pleyn,
‘how, for hire, ded scholde he ben In Certeyn
but ȝif hire love he Myhte have,
For Othirwise Mihte he not be save.’
“Whanne that sche hadde herd Al his Compleynt,
Thanne hire wordys Gan sche to peynt,
As sche that thouhte thorwh a fals wyle
holyche ypocras forto be-gyle;
and swiche wordis ȝaf hym tho
that Into A strengere letargye Mad hym to go,
“Now, Certes, sire ypocras,” quod sche,
“So worthy A man as that ȝe be,
that Only wolde for My sake
Swich diseyse to ȝow now take,
Whiche fayn I wolde Amended were
be me, and I wyste In Ony Manere.
For ȝe Conne Not loven Me so wel
That I do to ȝow Aȝen Everydel;
but I ne may not In non Manere wyse
ȝowre wil to fulfille be non Gyse;
For so gret warde is set On Me
that I ne may not Comen withouten gret Meyne;
and Ek with-Owten leve of the Emperour
I ne may nowher gon, day ne Owr;
but Rathere than deyen ȝe scholde for me,
At ȝowre owne wille wolde I be;
For gret pite it were of ȝoure ded,
Forto Many A Man ȝe don good Red.”
Thanne hire wordys Gan sche to peynt,
As sche that thouhte thorwh a fals wyle
holyche ypocras forto be-gyle;
and swiche wordis ȝaf hym tho
that Into A strengere letargye Mad hym to go,
“Now, Certes, sire ypocras,” quod sche,
“So worthy A man as that ȝe be,
that Only wolde for My sake
Swich diseyse to ȝow now take,
Whiche fayn I wolde Amended were
be me, and I wyste In Ony Manere.
For ȝe Conne Not loven Me so wel
That I do to ȝow Aȝen Everydel;
but I ne may not In non Manere wyse
ȝowre wil to fulfille be non Gyse;
For so gret warde is set On Me
that I ne may not Comen withouten gret Meyne;
and Ek with-Owten leve of the Emperour
I ne may nowher gon, day ne Owr;
but Rathere than deyen ȝe scholde for me,
At ȝowre owne wille wolde I be;
For gret pite it were of ȝoure ded,
Forto Many A Man ȝe don good Red.”
Whanne ypocras herde hire wordis tho,
that this lady Concentyn wolde hym vnto,
gret Ioye to his herte was tho dyht
Whanne sche hym kyste with Al hire Myht;
Supposyng to ypocras with herte goodlye;
but Al was falshod and Trecherye.
that this lady Concentyn wolde hym vnto,
gret Ioye to his herte was tho dyht
Whanne sche hym kyste with Al hire Myht;
27
but Al was falshod and Trecherye.
Lo, behold, the same day tho
Whanne this lady from hym was go,
vp of his Cowche he gan to Ryse,
& to hym took Comfort In oþerwyse,
And to the Cowrt he gan to go.
bothe ladyes & gentel wommen Aȝens hym comen tho,
and gret Ioye of hym Alle they Made;
but there nas non that Myhte hym glade
Sauf only that lady So fre
Wheche falsly mente In Al degre;
Sche made hym loken vpe to the towr
vppon whiche that was hire Bowr,
and schewed hym where heng A-down be þe wal
A strong Corde and A long with-Al.
“lo, sire,” quod this lady thanne,
“Now Mown ȝe ben A Merye Manne;
For In ȝone towr ȝondir an hy
Is the kynges sone of Babyloyne trewly,
and there In presown Is he do;
and be that Corde his mete Cometh hym to,
In a vessel is I-knyt therby
to hym it is vpe drawen trewely,
and therfore now I schal ȝow say
A noble while this Selvë day:
the Corde and the vessel down schal I lete,
and þere-Inne þat ȝe dressen ȝow ful Mete,
an vp to Me I schal ȝow drawe,—
this sey I to ȝow In prevy sawe;—
thanne prevyly Mown ȝe with me speke,
and Al ȝowre herte thanne to me breke;
and whanne the day gynneth to neyghen Nye,
down scholen we ȝow leten þat non Man schal Aspye,
and thus mown ȝe often Sithes do.”
Whanne this lady from hym was go,
vp of his Cowche he gan to Ryse,
& to hym took Comfort In oþerwyse,
And to the Cowrt he gan to go.
bothe ladyes & gentel wommen Aȝens hym comen tho,
and gret Ioye of hym Alle they Made;
but there nas non that Myhte hym glade
Sauf only that lady So fre
Wheche falsly mente In Al degre;
Sche made hym loken vpe to the towr
vppon whiche that was hire Bowr,
and schewed hym where heng A-down be þe wal
A strong Corde and A long with-Al.
“lo, sire,” quod this lady thanne,
“Now Mown ȝe ben A Merye Manne;
For In ȝone towr ȝondir an hy
Is the kynges sone of Babyloyne trewly,
and there In presown Is he do;
and be that Corde his mete Cometh hym to,
In a vessel is I-knyt therby
to hym it is vpe drawen trewely,
and therfore now I schal ȝow say
A noble while this Selvë day:
the Corde and the vessel down schal I lete,
and þere-Inne þat ȝe dressen ȝow ful Mete,
an vp to Me I schal ȝow drawe,—
this sey I to ȝow In prevy sawe;—
thanne prevyly Mown ȝe with me speke,
and Al ȝowre herte thanne to me breke;
and whanne the day gynneth to neyghen Nye,
down scholen we ȝow leten þat non Man schal Aspye,
and thus mown ȝe often Sithes do.”
thanne ypocras concented wel therto.
28
That same day this ypocras
at themperours table Iset he was,
and there disported hym al that day
As a man that In letargye lay.
and whanne it drowhe toward þe Nyht,
To his hows his men wolden hym han dyht;
he hym Excused As hym thowhte beste,
and seide that Al Nyht he wolde þere Reste;
and for he was not wel at Ese,
his Men weren fayn hym forto plese,
and Ordeyned hym A chambre of honour
there as the lady was to forn that tour.
at themperours table Iset he was,
and there disported hym al that day
As a man that In letargye lay.
and whanne it drowhe toward þe Nyht,
To his hows his men wolden hym han dyht;
he hym Excused As hym thowhte beste,
and seide that Al Nyht he wolde þere Reste;
and for he was not wel at Ese,
his Men weren fayn hym forto plese,
and Ordeyned hym A chambre of honour
there as the lady was to forn that tour.
and whanne his Meyne weren leyd Echon,
Owt of his chambre gan he to gon,
and beheld that the lady was Redy
at that towr ful Certeynly,
and let there the Corde down to gon
Into the Erthe there Riht Anon.
and Riht Anon this Ypocras tho
a strong vessel he fastenid therto,
and sette hym self there with-Inne,—
Now here was toward A schrewed gynne!—
and to that lady he made A signe,
and they vpe hym drowh with gret pyne,
this lady and hire Owne Cosyn
be whom was wrowht this fals Engyn.
Owt of his chambre gan he to gon,
and beheld that the lady was Redy
at that towr ful Certeynly,
and let there the Corde down to gon
Into the Erthe there Riht Anon.
and Riht Anon this Ypocras tho
a strong vessel he fastenid therto,
and sette hym self there with-Inne,—
Now here was toward A schrewed gynne!—
and to that lady he made A signe,
and they vpe hym drowh with gret pyne,
this lady and hire Owne Cosyn
be whom was wrowht this fals Engyn.
and whanne thys was drawen ny vpe An hy,
the Corde they fastened ful Craftyly
that heyhere ne lowhere ne myhte he gon,
but there heng Ypocras Al A lon.
thanne seide this lady to ypocras Anon
“let se what ȝoure phelesophie Can don
Owther vpe to brynge, outher down Agayn;
ȝe scholen it now preven In Certein.”
the Corde they fastened ful Craftyly
that heyhere ne lowhere ne myhte he gon,
but there heng Ypocras Al A lon.
thanne seide this lady to ypocras Anon
“let se what ȝoure phelesophie Can don
Owther vpe to brynge, outher down Agayn;
ȝe scholen it now preven In Certein.”
And whanne that ypocras beheld Al this
that thus sche hadde hym deceyved I-wys,
he ne wiste what forto do,
Nethir howh down þat he myhte go;
for ȝif to the Erthe he fyl A down,
thanne were it fully his Confuciown:
So Al Nyht thus Ypocras lefte there
ful sore I-Angred In divers Manere.
And on the Morwe whanne it was day,
themperesse Owt At the ȝate toke hire way
hire to disporte and forto pleye
(as I sey ȝow now certeynlye)
and with hire a gret Meyne,
but of Al this ȝit wiste not sche.
that thus sche hadde hym deceyved I-wys,
29
Nethir howh down þat he myhte go;
for ȝif to the Erthe he fyl A down,
thanne were it fully his Confuciown:
So Al Nyht thus Ypocras lefte there
ful sore I-Angred In divers Manere.
And on the Morwe whanne it was day,
themperesse Owt At the ȝate toke hire way
hire to disporte and forto pleye
(as I sey ȝow now certeynlye)
and with hire a gret Meyne,
but of Al this ȝit wiste not sche.
and whanne the peple of Rome town
Erly vp Rysen al In vyrown,
And beheld to this towr An hy,
thanne sien they there ful veraylly
A man that there heng In a vessel—
they myhten him sen Everydel,—
and they supposide Everychon
that be themperours Comaundement was it don,
and supposid that it hadde be sum Malfetour
that was for-Iogged vppon that towr;
So that non of themperowrs Men
Nygh that vessel dorste Comen then.
Erly vp Rysen al In vyrown,
And beheld to this towr An hy,
thanne sien they there ful veraylly
A man that there heng In a vessel—
they myhten him sen Everydel,—
and they supposide Everychon
that be themperours Comaundement was it don,
and supposid that it hadde be sum Malfetour
that was for-Iogged vppon that towr;
So that non of themperowrs Men
Nygh that vessel dorste Comen then.
thanne so ful of schame this Ypocras was
that Men so vppon him wondrid In that plas,
So that word dorste he speken non
To the peple that hym loked vppon,
and Evere wende the peple Everichon
that themperour it hadde I-don,
and for-Iuged hym to his ded
be asent of alle the Cowrtes Red.
Thus Alle the leve longe day
Ypocras there heng with-owten delay.
that Men so vppon him wondrid In that plas,
So that word dorste he speken non
To the peple that hym loked vppon,
and Evere wende the peple Everichon
that themperour it hadde I-don,
and for-Iuged hym to his ded
be asent of alle the Cowrtes Red.
Thus Alle the leve longe day
Ypocras there heng with-owten delay.
and at Even whanne themperour Cam hom
and his Meyne Everychon,
And whanne that he was down Alyht,
Of that vessel he hadde Anon A syht,
And Axede ‘who that there-Inne was.’
“Sire,” they Seiden, “it is ypocras
whom ȝe han don so Mochel honour,
and now he hangeth vppon ȝone tour.
and, Sire, we ne weten what he hath Misdo
that vppon ȝone towr is fordemed so.”
“let him down,” quod the Emperour anon,
“and I wile wete how this doth gon;
And ȝif Othere felesophres this han do,
with-owten My leven hym demen so,
they scholen forthenken it Everychon
So that of hem Schal Skapen Neuere on.”
and his Meyne Everychon,
30
Of that vessel he hadde Anon A syht,
And Axede ‘who that there-Inne was.’
“Sire,” they Seiden, “it is ypocras
whom ȝe han don so Mochel honour,
and now he hangeth vppon ȝone tour.
and, Sire, we ne weten what he hath Misdo
that vppon ȝone towr is fordemed so.”
“let him down,” quod the Emperour anon,
“and I wile wete how this doth gon;
And ȝif Othere felesophres this han do,
with-owten My leven hym demen so,
they scholen forthenken it Everychon
So that of hem Schal Skapen Neuere on.”
So wenten they Into the towr Anon,
The Emperours Comaundement forto don,
and leten hym down ful Softelye.
thanne themperour Axede hym In hye;
but for non thyng that he Cowde seyn,
Ypocras Nolde hym tellen In Certein,
“wel Sire,” thanne quod the Emperour,
“Sethen I may not Knowen of ȝoure langour
[OMITTED]
[then] themperour forth wente Anon,
and Into his Chambre gan to gon.
thanne Anon The Emperour tho
Comanded the Ymages to ben broken en two
Whiche þat there he Made for Ypocras
and for his Nevew In that plas;
but ȝit to-broken ne hadden they not ben
Ne hadde þe damyseles speche ben as I wen.
The Emperours Comaundement forto don,
and leten hym down ful Softelye.
thanne themperour Axede hym In hye;
but for non thyng that he Cowde seyn,
Ypocras Nolde hym tellen In Certein,
“wel Sire,” thanne quod the Emperour,
“Sethen I may not Knowen of ȝoure langour
[OMITTED]
[then] themperour forth wente Anon,
and Into his Chambre gan to gon.
thanne Anon The Emperour tho
Comanded the Ymages to ben broken en two
Whiche þat there he Made for Ypocras
and for his Nevew In that plas;
but ȝit to-broken ne hadden they not ben
Ne hadde þe damyseles speche ben as I wen.
Thus dwelled ypocras In Rome Stylle,
and Every man was fayn to fulfillen his wille,
Tyl atte laste vppon A day
that a knyht to Rome Cam perfay
Forto sen there the Emperowr,
Whiche that was A man of gret honour.
and whanne this knyht hadde I-Ete,
Anon with the Emperowr gan he Mete;
And themperour Axede hym Anon
‘Owt of what Contre he was gon.’
and the knyht hym Answerid ful softely
“Sire, from Ierusalem ful trewely;
And ȝit Sire More Certeynle
I have ben In þe lond of Galele.”
“what tydynges, Sire, bryngen ȝe thenne,
that ȝe welen vs tellen lik as ȝe kenne.”
“Sire, I schal ȝow tellen the Moste Merveillous thyng
that Evere was herd of Ony Man leveng.”
“what Merveilles ben they,” quod themperour tho:
and Every man was fayn to fulfillen his wille,
Tyl atte laste vppon A day
that a knyht to Rome Cam perfay
31
Whiche that was A man of gret honour.
and whanne this knyht hadde I-Ete,
Anon with the Emperowr gan he Mete;
And themperour Axede hym Anon
‘Owt of what Contre he was gon.’
and the knyht hym Answerid ful softely
“Sire, from Ierusalem ful trewely;
And ȝit Sire More Certeynle
I have ben In þe lond of Galele.”
“what tydynges, Sire, bryngen ȝe thenne,
that ȝe welen vs tellen lik as ȝe kenne.”
“Sire, I schal ȝow tellen the Moste Merveillous thyng
that Evere was herd of Ony Man leveng.”
“what Merveilles ben they,” quod themperour tho:
“Sire, I schal ȝow telle er that I go.
A pore Man there is In that Contre
that manye wondir Merveilles werketh he,
For he is of so gret strengthe and Myht
that blynde men he maketh to sen ful bryht;
the dombe to speke, the lame forto go,
the woode man he Maketh tame Also,
the def to heren, the dede vpe Ryse:
Al thus doth he, sire, In Merveillous wyse.”
“Alle these,” quod ypocras Anon tho,
“As wel as he I schal hem alle do.”
“Nay Sikerly, sire,” quod the knyht,
“that schal neuere lyn In ȝoure Myht;
For a man blynd born doth he Maken se,
and, sire, grettere thinges I telle it the;
For laȝarus that was there ded—
thre dayes & thre Nyht he lay In þat sted—
and Owt of his tombe he dyde hym gon
to forn Alle the peple there Anon,
And this doth he be his Owne Myht
And by his wordis Openly In Mennys siht.”
A pore Man there is In that Contre
that manye wondir Merveilles werketh he,
For he is of so gret strengthe and Myht
that blynde men he maketh to sen ful bryht;
the dombe to speke, the lame forto go,
the woode man he Maketh tame Also,
the def to heren, the dede vpe Ryse:
Al thus doth he, sire, In Merveillous wyse.”
“Alle these,” quod ypocras Anon tho,
“As wel as he I schal hem alle do.”
“Nay Sikerly, sire,” quod the knyht,
“that schal neuere lyn In ȝoure Myht;
For a man blynd born doth he Maken se,
and, sire, grettere thinges I telle it the;
For laȝarus that was there ded—
thre dayes & thre Nyht he lay In þat sted—
and Owt of his tombe he dyde hym gon
to forn Alle the peple there Anon,
And this doth he be his Owne Myht
And by his wordis Openly In Mennys siht.”
32
“Thanne,” quod ypocras, “sethen it is so
that so manye Merveilles he Can do,
he passeth alle Erthly Creature
Of Clennesse of wit so good & pure;
I hym wile gon Forto Se
And he be Swich as ȝe tellen Me.”
“Sire Knyht,” quod themperour than,
“What is his Name tellen me thou kan?”
“ȝe Sekerly, Sire,” quod the knyht,
“Iesus of Naȝareth his Name is Ryht,
and they holden hym A verray prophete,
Certeynly, Sire, As I ȝow here be-hete.”
“Now Certes,” quod Ypocras tho,
“Streyht to Galyle now wil I go,
to knowen of his wit & his powere
ȝif that it be as ȝe seyn now here,
and there the sothe schal I knowe
Of hym & of me, with-Inne A throwe.
and ȝif he konne don More thanne I,
I wele ben his disciple trewely;
and ȝif I Conne don More thanne he,
Myn discyple I wele that he be.”
that so manye Merveilles he Can do,
he passeth alle Erthly Creature
Of Clennesse of wit so good & pure;
I hym wile gon Forto Se
And he be Swich as ȝe tellen Me.”
“Sire Knyht,” quod themperour than,
“What is his Name tellen me thou kan?”
“ȝe Sekerly, Sire,” quod the knyht,
“Iesus of Naȝareth his Name is Ryht,
and they holden hym A verray prophete,
Certeynly, Sire, As I ȝow here be-hete.”
“Now Certes,” quod Ypocras tho,
“Streyht to Galyle now wil I go,
to knowen of his wit & his powere
ȝif that it be as ȝe seyn now here,
and there the sothe schal I knowe
Of hym & of me, with-Inne A throwe.
and ȝif he konne don More thanne I,
I wele ben his disciple trewely;
and ȝif I Conne don More thanne he,
Myn discyple I wele that he be.”
and for this same Enchesowne
wente Ypocras owt of Rome,
and with hym A ful gret Meyne,
Tyl that he Cam vnto the See.
and whanne to the see they weren I-gon,
the kyng of perse there fownden they Anon
with gret Compenye of Chevalrye,
but Moche Mone they Maden trewelye,
and it was only for the kynges Awntonyes sone
that Owt of this world they wenden hadde ben gone.
wente Ypocras owt of Rome,
and with hym A ful gret Meyne,
Tyl that he Cam vnto the See.
and whanne to the see they weren I-gon,
the kyng of perse there fownden they Anon
with gret Compenye of Chevalrye,
but Moche Mone they Maden trewelye,
and it was only for the kynges Awntonyes sone
that Owt of this world they wenden hadde ben gone.
whanne Ypocras beheld al this Matere,
Of his Mule he Alyht A-down there,
and dressed hym Into that partye
where that theke Cors lay Sekerlye;
and In gret sorwe fond he there the kynge,
and Alle his Meyne ful sore Mornenge.
and whanne this body he hadde beholde,
Anon the Clothes he dyde On-folde,
And took there A letwarye ful good
that thike Maladye there with-stood,
and Into his Mouth he putte [it] Anon.
And Er he Evere thens gan gon,
With A lowd voys the Child gan to Crye
that Al the peple it herde Sekerlye.
thanne Ronne they Alle Abowtes Ypocras,
and seiden that this A fair Miracle was.
Of his Mule he Alyht A-down there,
and dressed hym Into that partye
where that theke Cors lay Sekerlye;
33
and Alle his Meyne ful sore Mornenge.
and whanne this body he hadde beholde,
Anon the Clothes he dyde On-folde,
And took there A letwarye ful good
that thike Maladye there with-stood,
and Into his Mouth he putte [it] Anon.
And Er he Evere thens gan gon,
With A lowd voys the Child gan to Crye
that Al the peple it herde Sekerlye.
thanne Ronne they Alle Abowtes Ypocras,
and seiden that this A fair Miracle was.
Thanne seide Ypocras to the kyng,
“and þou wilt graunten me my ferste Askyng,
be to-Morwen thi sone schal hol be
In Al degres, As thow Schalt se.”
thanne swor the kyng be his Creaunce Anon
‘that Alle his peticions scholden ben don.’
So thanne wrowht this Ypocras
that on the Morewen the Child Al hol it was.
thanne seide the peple there Abowte
that he to god Aperede with-Owten dowte.
“and þou wilt graunten me my ferste Askyng,
be to-Morwen thi sone schal hol be
In Al degres, As thow Schalt se.”
thanne swor the kyng be his Creaunce Anon
‘that Alle his peticions scholden ben don.’
So thanne wrowht this Ypocras
that on the Morewen the Child Al hol it was.
thanne seide the peple there Abowte
that he to god Aperede with-Owten dowte.
thanne there Abod he ful longe In londe
with the kyng Of perse, as I vndirstonde,
Tyl Atte laste be the kynges wille
the kyng ȝaf his dowhter hym vntylle;
And there Mad he ful Ryal Maryage
As longed to A lady Of hyre parage,
and As gret worschepe, I vndirstond,
as he hadde ben kyng of Ony lond,
with the kyng Of perse, as I vndirstonde,
Tyl Atte laste be the kynges wille
the kyng ȝaf his dowhter hym vntylle;
And there Mad he ful Ryal Maryage
As longed to A lady Of hyre parage,
and As gret worschepe, I vndirstond,
as he hadde ben kyng of Ony lond,
Thanne Sente ypocras forth anon
Messengeris As faste As they Cowde gon
Aftyr his fadir & Moder Certeyn tho
With his Oþer frendis to Comen vnto,
Forto Axen hem Consaille
Into what Contre it myht best Avaylle
that he myhte beste herberwed to be,
Into Most temperable place Abowtes þe see,
Owther In ony yl that were delitable
be þe see oþer be lond with-owten fable.
thanne A Maister Schipman gan forth to gon,
And told hym of An yl In the Se Anon
that More temperable than Othere it was,
Fer be west, and In what plas.
Messengeris As faste As they Cowde gon
Aftyr his fadir & Moder Certeyn tho
With his Oþer frendis to Comen vnto,
Forto Axen hem Consaille
Into what Contre it myht best Avaylle
34
Into Most temperable place Abowtes þe see,
Owther In ony yl that were delitable
be þe see oþer be lond with-owten fable.
thanne A Maister Schipman gan forth to gon,
And told hym of An yl In the Se Anon
that More temperable than Othere it was,
Fer be west, and In what plas.
Thanne Schepyd ypocras Al his good Anon,
And thedirward gan faste forto gon,
and with him his frendes & his wif Also,
To this same Yl Alle gonnen they to go.
and whanne Sawf that he was there,
his wyf, his frendes, and Al his good In fere,
and Alle Sauf weren thedyr gon,
Ful Mochel Ioye they Maden Anon.
thanne werkmen let he Ordeynen Anon,
And Made A Castel Of lym & ston;
and with-Inne that Castel An halle he Made,
þere-Inne his frendes forto glade;
the dore there-offen it was red goold,
As Any Man there it Myhte be-hoold,
and ful I-pyht with precyous stones;
And Ek the pyler with-Inne for þe Nones
was of Marbyl, I-kouered with gold & Asure
ful Richely wrowht, I ȝow Ensure.
And thedirward gan faste forto gon,
and with him his frendes & his wif Also,
To this same Yl Alle gonnen they to go.
and whanne Sawf that he was there,
his wyf, his frendes, and Al his good In fere,
and Alle Sauf weren thedyr gon,
Ful Mochel Ioye they Maden Anon.
thanne werkmen let he Ordeynen Anon,
And Made A Castel Of lym & ston;
and with-Inne that Castel An halle he Made,
þere-Inne his frendes forto glade;
the dore there-offen it was red goold,
As Any Man there it Myhte be-hoold,
and ful I-pyht with precyous stones;
And Ek the pyler with-Inne for þe Nones
was of Marbyl, I-kouered with gold & Asure
ful Richely wrowht, I ȝow Ensure.
and there-Inne A bed he let dyhte,
the Moste wondirful that Ony man Myhte;
For there weren In so manye stones of vertwe
whiche that weren bothe good & trewe;
For Ony man that Syk þer onne lith, Sekerlye
he Schal be keuered of Alle Maladye.
Lo this hows made ypocras be this Enchesoun,
That his wyf scholde don hym non distroccioun,
Nethir be poysown ne be non venym,
that non Maladye Scholde Comen to hym.
the Moste wondirful that Ony man Myhte;
For there weren In so manye stones of vertwe
whiche that weren bothe good & trewe;
For Ony man that Syk þer onne lith, Sekerlye
he Schal be keuered of Alle Maladye.
Lo this hows made ypocras be this Enchesoun,
That his wyf scholde don hym non distroccioun,
35
that non Maladye Scholde Comen to hym.
ȝit Also More there let he tho Make
A Cowpe to drynken In for his Owne Sake,
that ȝif Ony poysown there Inne were don,
Al the Strengthe it scholde lesen Anon.
A Cowpe to drynken In for his Owne Sake,
that ȝif Ony poysown there Inne were don,
Al the Strengthe it scholde lesen Anon.
but Evere his wyf was prowd In herte,
And of hire hosbonde sche hadde gret smerte,
For that sche was so hygh I-bore,
And sche thowhte On hym sche was but lore;
Therfore sche hated hym ful dedly,
and purposed hym to Slen Al prevyly.
Ful strong poysown sche gan to Make,
Only Al for hire lordis Sake,
and took bred, & In the poysown it putte,
And took A dogge for to Eten Itte,
So that the dogge thanne deyde Anon,
and ded lay Stylle As ony Ston.
And of hire hosbonde sche hadde gret smerte,
For that sche was so hygh I-bore,
And sche thowhte On hym sche was but lore;
Therfore sche hated hym ful dedly,
and purposed hym to Slen Al prevyly.
Ful strong poysown sche gan to Make,
Only Al for hire lordis Sake,
and took bred, & In the poysown it putte,
And took A dogge for to Eten Itte,
So that the dogge thanne deyde Anon,
and ded lay Stylle As ony Ston.
And whanne his wyf hadde prevyd Al thys,
thanne was hire herte ful of Blys;
And took it to hire lord Ypocras
As he At his Sopere was,
And In his Cowpe was it put tho:
but Al the strengthe Anon was Ago.
thanne ypocras took þe Cowpe Anon
and drank þeroffen Amongs hem Echon,
but þere offen hadde he non disseise;
Wherfore his wyf gan there to mysplese,
And took the Cuppe In hire hond Anon,
and Ryht faste gan loken there vppon.
thanne Axed Sire Ypocras Anon there
‘Why sche it beheld In Swich Manere.’
“Sire, for it is So Riche A thyng,
therfore I have þer offen so gret Merveilleng.”
“Certes, dame,” quod Ypocras tho,
“In Al this world ben Swiche no mo;
For what poysown þat there-Inne be done,
It leseth al the strengthe Ryht Anone,
For Neuere Man schal Empeyred be,
That here-Offen drynketh, Siker mown ȝe be.”
thanne was hire herte ful of Blys;
And took it to hire lord Ypocras
As he At his Sopere was,
And In his Cowpe was it put tho:
but Al the strengthe Anon was Ago.
thanne ypocras took þe Cowpe Anon
and drank þeroffen Amongs hem Echon,
but þere offen hadde he non disseise;
Wherfore his wyf gan there to mysplese,
And took the Cuppe In hire hond Anon,
and Ryht faste gan loken there vppon.
thanne Axed Sire Ypocras Anon there
‘Why sche it beheld In Swich Manere.’
“Sire, for it is So Riche A thyng,
therfore I have þer offen so gret Merveilleng.”
“Certes, dame,” quod Ypocras tho,
“In Al this world ben Swiche no mo;
36
It leseth al the strengthe Ryht Anone,
For Neuere Man schal Empeyred be,
That here-Offen drynketh, Siker mown ȝe be.”
And whanne sche beheld Al this Cas,
how that he from deth A-sckaped was;
wherfore sche Made ful gret Morneng
that hire Craft ne hadde non Oþer werkyng;
For As longe As he the Cowpe hadde with-owten faille,
wel wyste sche hire werkyng nolde not Availle.
So that sche Aspyde vppon A day
whanne non of hire Meyne was In þe way,
And Caste this Cowpe In to See
Also fer As sche myht don it fle.
and whanne ypocras his Cowpe dyde Mysse,
thanne was his herte In gret distresse;
and faste he Axede ‘where it was don,’
but of hem Alle ne wyste neuere on.
how that he from deth A-sckaped was;
wherfore sche Made ful gret Morneng
that hire Craft ne hadde non Oþer werkyng;
For As longe As he the Cowpe hadde with-owten faille,
wel wyste sche hire werkyng nolde not Availle.
So that sche Aspyde vppon A day
whanne non of hire Meyne was In þe way,
And Caste this Cowpe In to See
Also fer As sche myht don it fle.
and whanne ypocras his Cowpe dyde Mysse,
thanne was his herte In gret distresse;
and faste he Axede ‘where it was don,’
but of hem Alle ne wyste neuere on.
“So Aftyr it happed vppon A day
that ypocras In his Chambere wyndowe lay,
and his wyf be hym Also
Lyggeng And talkyng, bothe two.
And As he loked toward the grownde,
he Sawh A wylde Sowe In that stownde;
“dame,” he seide, “sy ȝe this beste here
that walketh benethe In this Manere?”
“ȝe, Sire,” sche seide ful Sekerly,
“ȝwhat Meneth that beste, I ȝow prey?”
“dame,” he Seide, “I schal the telle:
that beste wolde now Ony man qwelle
that there-offen Ete, it is so vnkynde,
And þerto so hot as I have In Mynde.”
“Now, is that trewe, Sire,” thanne quod sche.
“ȝe, dame,” he seide thanne, “ful Sykerlye.”
that ypocras In his Chambere wyndowe lay,
and his wyf be hym Also
Lyggeng And talkyng, bothe two.
And As he loked toward the grownde,
he Sawh A wylde Sowe In that stownde;
“dame,” he seide, “sy ȝe this beste here
that walketh benethe In this Manere?”
“ȝe, Sire,” sche seide ful Sekerly,
“ȝwhat Meneth that beste, I ȝow prey?”
“dame,” he Seide, “I schal the telle:
that beste wolde now Ony man qwelle
that there-offen Ete, it is so vnkynde,
And þerto so hot as I have In Mynde.”
“Now, is that trewe, Sire,” thanne quod sche.
“ȝe, dame,” he seide thanne, “ful Sykerlye.”
Anon A-down sche gan hire to dresse,
and to hire Cook wente with Owten Misse.
“Sixt thou,” sche seide, “this beste here
that walkyth thus In this Manere?”
“ȝe, lady,” he Seyde “that wel I do.”
“thanne faste Anon that thou hym slo,
and that to Sopere that he be dyht,
for my lord it loveth with Al his Myht.”
and to hire Cook wente with Owten Misse.
37
that walkyth thus In this Manere?”
“ȝe, lady,” he Seyde “that wel I do.”
“thanne faste Anon that thou hym slo,
and that to Sopere that he be dyht,
for my lord it loveth with Al his Myht.”
Anon he dyde hire Comandement,
and to the Soper was born present.
and whanne ypocras þeroffen hadde Ete,
Ful faste for peyne he gan to swete,
and seide, “dame, I may not be save
but ȝif of the water that I have
That this flesch was Soden Inne.
dame, I Am ded, neþer more ne Mynne.”
thanne Cowntenaunce Made sche Anon
That the water Al a wey was don.
Thanne Anon the Cook let he Calle,
Of þe water to geten hym, what myhte be falle,
“Owther bringe me there it is Cast,
Outher ellis I deye, And that In hast.”
and to the Soper was born present.
and whanne ypocras þeroffen hadde Ete,
Ful faste for peyne he gan to swete,
and seide, “dame, I may not be save
but ȝif of the water that I have
That this flesch was Soden Inne.
dame, I Am ded, neþer more ne Mynne.”
thanne Cowntenaunce Made sche Anon
That the water Al a wey was don.
Thanne Anon the Cook let he Calle,
Of þe water to geten hym, what myhte be falle,
“Owther bringe me there it is Cast,
Outher ellis I deye, And that In hast.”
thanne to thike place was he browht,
but of the water ne myhte he geten nowht.
And whanne Ipocras say that it was so,
And that Al the water was A-go,
“dame,” he seide, “thow hast me Slayn
Ful falsly here In Certayn.
for that man Is born In non londe
(As In My with I vndirstonde)
that Kan be war of wommens wyle,
So ful they ben of qweyntise & Gyle.”
thus falsly was here Ypocras ded
thorwh his wyves false Red.
but of the water ne myhte he geten nowht.
And whanne Ipocras say that it was so,
And that Al the water was A-go,
“dame,” he seide, “thow hast me Slayn
Ful falsly here In Certayn.
for that man Is born In non londe
(As In My with I vndirstonde)
that Kan be war of wommens wyle,
So ful they ben of qweyntise & Gyle.”
thus falsly was here Ypocras ded
thorwh his wyves false Red.
Thanne his frendis there Anon
leten write vppon his tombe ston,
In what Manere that he was ded
Thorwh his false wyves Red;
whiche tombe was so Ryaly dyht,
that neuere myht Comprehende In Mannes Miht
Swich Anothir tombe to Make
As there was don for Ypocras sake.
leten write vppon his tombe ston,
In what Manere that he was ded
Thorwh his false wyves Red;
38
that neuere myht Comprehende In Mannes Miht
Swich Anothir tombe to Make
As there was don for Ypocras sake.
thanne the Kyng of Babyloyne Cam tho,
& gret distroccion gan there do;
and thus In this Maner As I ȝow say
Swich Richesse was þere be thike day,
and swich Strengthe & swich Bewte
As here to fore ȝe han herd seyn me.
& gret distroccion gan there do;
and thus In this Maner As I ȝow say
Swich Richesse was þere be thike day,
and swich Strengthe & swich Bewte
As here to fore ȝe han herd seyn me.
CHAPTER XXXVII. OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE TWO MESSENGERS AND THE DAMSEL; AND OF THEIR MEETING WITH MORDREYNS, NASCIENS, AND CELIDOYNE.
39
Now procedith forthere this Storye,
and Openly scheweth to Owre Memorye
of the Messengeris, And the damysele
That with hem was, bothe fayr and lele.
and Openly scheweth to Owre Memorye
of the Messengeris, And the damysele
That with hem was, bothe fayr and lele.
whanne Ypocras hous they hadden longe beholde,
bothe his tombe and the bed Manyfolde,
and there knewen they be the scrypture
In what Maner his deth he gan to Endure,
be the fals Coniettyng Of his wyf
that so falsly Reved hym his lyf,
where-offen they spoken ful pleyn,
And seiden that sche was fals in Certeyn;
For Aȝens A wykked wommans wyle
May there non Man withstonden non while.
bothe his tombe and the bed Manyfolde,
and there knewen they be the scrypture
In what Maner his deth he gan to Endure,
be the fals Coniettyng Of his wyf
that so falsly Reved hym his lyf,
40
And seiden that sche was fals in Certeyn;
For Aȝens A wykked wommans wyle
May there non Man withstonden non while.
And whanne thus Alle they hadden do,
Vp to the heygthe of the Roch wenten they tho;
this was Abowtes the Owr of Mydday
that Alle these thinges thus they say.
thanne gonnen they loken Into the se
Al Abowtes there In Eche parte,
ȝif Owther Schipe Other Galey myhten they sen there
that hem Myhten Comforten In Ony Manere.
And thus Alday Abiden they On the Roche An hy,
As peple that was sore Abascht & ful sory,
For nowher Syen they non Comfort
that to hem be Ony Weye dide Resort.
Atte laste Cam the Nyht vppon tho
that they ne myhten sen whider to go;
And bare weren they of Al Maner of chere,
For mete ne drynk hadden they non there;
And Also ful ferre from Eche Contre
Wherby thei myhten sosteyned be,
For Other grace there knew they non
but there Ryht forto dyen Anon,
But ȝif it be bi helpe of þe holy gost,
Elles supposen they there to ben lost.
Vp to the heygthe of the Roch wenten they tho;
this was Abowtes the Owr of Mydday
that Alle these thinges thus they say.
thanne gonnen they loken Into the se
Al Abowtes there In Eche parte,
ȝif Owther Schipe Other Galey myhten they sen there
that hem Myhten Comforten In Ony Manere.
And thus Alday Abiden they On the Roche An hy,
As peple that was sore Abascht & ful sory,
For nowher Syen they non Comfort
that to hem be Ony Weye dide Resort.
Atte laste Cam the Nyht vppon tho
that they ne myhten sen whider to go;
And bare weren they of Al Maner of chere,
For mete ne drynk hadden they non there;
And Also ful ferre from Eche Contre
Wherby thei myhten sosteyned be,
For Other grace there knew they non
but there Ryht forto dyen Anon,
But ȝif it be bi helpe of þe holy gost,
Elles supposen they there to ben lost.
The damysele that ȝong was, & tendre of Age,
Of hy kyn born, and of gret parage,
wel faste sche gan hire to Compleyne,
and thus to the Messengeris Gan sche seyne,
“Lordynges, ȝe taken non kep Of Me
that thus In distresse Am, as ȝe moune se,
And thus to my deth han ȝe me browht;
For In ȝow Comfort fynde I Ryht nowht,
Nethyr be thyke god that ȝe Serve,
Owt of owre peynes ne doth not swerve;
and but ȝif oþer Cownseil ȝe conne me seyn,
for honger here schal I deyen In Certeyn,
Evene to forn ȝow, In ȝowre syht,
here schal I deyen Anon ful Ryht;
For it is thre dayes ful Agon
that Mete ne drynk hadde I non.”
Of hy kyn born, and of gret parage,
wel faste sche gan hire to Compleyne,
and thus to the Messengeris Gan sche seyne,
“Lordynges, ȝe taken non kep Of Me
that thus In distresse Am, as ȝe moune se,
And thus to my deth han ȝe me browht;
For In ȝow Comfort fynde I Ryht nowht,
Nethyr be thyke god that ȝe Serve,
Owt of owre peynes ne doth not swerve;
41
for honger here schal I deyen In Certeyn,
Evene to forn ȝow, In ȝowre syht,
here schal I deyen Anon ful Ryht;
For it is thre dayes ful Agon
that Mete ne drynk hadde I non.”
And whanne they herde hire thus to maken hire Mone,
Certeynly they Nyste what forto done;
but they Answeryd Anon Agayn,
and seyden, “damysele, In Certayn
beleveth the Makyng of ȝowre Mone,
For Oþerwyse ȝe Mosten done;
bothe with ȝoure herte & ȝoure Mowthe
ȝe mosten don As we seyn nowthe,
Clepeth to hym that Of Alle Comfort he is,
That of ȝowre peynes he may ȝow lys.”
thanne seide the damysele Anon tho,
“there is non Man leveng myht suffren so,
half so gret peyne As I do here,
there-fore helpe wolde I han In som Manere;
Of what side that Evere it be
I ne Rowhte, and helpe were Comen to Me.”
Certeynly they Nyste what forto done;
but they Answeryd Anon Agayn,
and seyden, “damysele, In Certayn
beleveth the Makyng of ȝowre Mone,
For Oþerwyse ȝe Mosten done;
bothe with ȝoure herte & ȝoure Mowthe
ȝe mosten don As we seyn nowthe,
Clepeth to hym that Of Alle Comfort he is,
That of ȝowre peynes he may ȝow lys.”
thanne seide the damysele Anon tho,
“there is non Man leveng myht suffren so,
half so gret peyne As I do here,
there-fore helpe wolde I han In som Manere;
Of what side that Evere it be
I ne Rowhte, and helpe were Comen to Me.”
And whiles thei weren thus In talkyng,
Into the See weren they beholdyng,
where they Syen A gret flawme of fyr,
And Al the see brenning hem thowhte there;
Ek Al the see On gret tempest was,
lyk As the devel hadde ben In that plas.
thanne seide On of the Messengeris two
“Sy ȝe now Owht that I here do,
Methinketh the Se On fyre it is,
And As bryht fer it brenneth I-wys.”
“In the name of Cryst,” quod this Othir tho,
In ȝone fyr A schipe me semeth doth go,
And that gret peple with-Inne there is,
As me Semeth with-owten Mys;
and ȝit me Semeth More verralye
that faste hiderward the schip doth hye.”
“Now, par ma fey,” quod this damysele tho,
“Som Maner tydynges Comen Us Unto.”
Into the See weren they beholdyng,
where they Syen A gret flawme of fyr,
And Al the see brenning hem thowhte there;
Ek Al the see On gret tempest was,
lyk As the devel hadde ben In that plas.
thanne seide On of the Messengeris two
“Sy ȝe now Owht that I here do,
Methinketh the Se On fyre it is,
And As bryht fer it brenneth I-wys.”
“In the name of Cryst,” quod this Othir tho,
In ȝone fyr A schipe me semeth doth go,
And that gret peple with-Inne there is,
As me Semeth with-owten Mys;
42
that faste hiderward the schip doth hye.”
“Now, par ma fey,” quod this damysele tho,
“Som Maner tydynges Comen Us Unto.”
Thanne Anon In this Mene while,
Not fulliche the space of half A Myle,
the schipe Al flawmeng to þe Roche Cam
wheche that these thre persones weren vppon.
and whanne they syen it was so Ny,
down Of the Roche they dyden hem hy;
“Lordynges,” quod this damysele tho,
“down to this schipe now let vs go,
And to beholden what it may be,
for this is the same that we gonne se.”
down Of the Roche thanne Comen they Anon,
And thus sone al the flawme was Owt don
that in thike schipe was to fore,
Al was A-qweynt whanne they comen thore.
And whanne to the Roches poynt they weren gon,
A Schipe they fownden there riht Anon,
And with-Innen A man of dispetous stature,
And lothly to beholde, I ȝow Ensure;
Ful gret and large be was therto,
And therto As blak As Ony Scho,
And his Eyen brenneng In his hed
As thowh it were flawmes of fir so Red.
Not fulliche the space of half A Myle,
the schipe Al flawmeng to þe Roche Cam
wheche that these thre persones weren vppon.
and whanne they syen it was so Ny,
down Of the Roche they dyden hem hy;
“Lordynges,” quod this damysele tho,
“down to this schipe now let vs go,
And to beholden what it may be,
for this is the same that we gonne se.”
down Of the Roche thanne Comen they Anon,
And thus sone al the flawme was Owt don
that in thike schipe was to fore,
Al was A-qweynt whanne they comen thore.
And whanne to the Roches poynt they weren gon,
A Schipe they fownden there riht Anon,
And with-Innen A man of dispetous stature,
And lothly to beholde, I ȝow Ensure;
Ful gret and large be was therto,
And therto As blak As Ony Scho,
And his Eyen brenneng In his hed
As thowh it were flawmes of fir so Red.
and whanne this damysele he gan beholde,
he hire grette many folde;
and sche ȝald hym his gretyng Agayn,
and so dyden the Messengeris In Certein;
but of him ful sore Abascht they were,
For that he loked so spetously there.
Thanne Axede he of hem there
‘how thider they Comen, and In what Manere,
that so fer from þe peple it was,
And Ek from the lond In Eche A plas.’
thanne Answerid that damysele Anon,
“be persecucioun, hider ben we Gon;
and for hunger & thurst here scholen we deye
but ȝif we han Socour hastelye,
Owther hens that we Mown go,
And som socour Come vs vnto.”
thanne seide this Man to hem there,
“hider Am I Comen In that Manere
ȝow to bryngen Owt of this wrake,
ȝif that so be homage ȝe welen me make.”
he hire grette many folde;
and sche ȝald hym his gretyng Agayn,
and so dyden the Messengeris In Certein;
but of him ful sore Abascht they were,
For that he loked so spetously there.
Thanne Axede he of hem there
‘how thider they Comen, and In what Manere,
that so fer from þe peple it was,
And Ek from the lond In Eche A plas.’
43
“be persecucioun, hider ben we Gon;
and for hunger & thurst here scholen we deye
but ȝif we han Socour hastelye,
Owther hens that we Mown go,
And som socour Come vs vnto.”
thanne seide this Man to hem there,
“hider Am I Comen In that Manere
ȝow to bryngen Owt of this wrake,
ȝif that so be homage ȝe welen me make.”
And whanne these Messengeris herden tho
That of homage he spak hem vnto,
Forto becomen his lige men,
where-offen sore they Merveilled then,
And Axeden what Manere man þat he were
that of hem homage Axede there,
“for homage to ȝow scholen we non do
tyl we weten whens ȝe Comen fro.”
“I Am A man Of fer Contre,
but My lordschepe is In lond & In see,
that the moste peple Of this world
Onylich Obeyen to my word,
And holden me for here Sovereyn lord,
Of strenkthe, of myht, be here owne Acord;
for there Nis no Mannes lordschepe lyvenge
that lasteth So fer In Al Maner of thinge;
And therto I am of so gret powste,
that non thing is don On lond ne see
but Anon that I it do knowe,
Alle swiche thinges vppon A rowe;
Now haven ȝe herd Every del
Of my power, & what I kan don wel.”
That of homage he spak hem vnto,
Forto becomen his lige men,
where-offen sore they Merveilled then,
And Axeden what Manere man þat he were
that of hem homage Axede there,
“for homage to ȝow scholen we non do
tyl we weten whens ȝe Comen fro.”
“I Am A man Of fer Contre,
but My lordschepe is In lond & In see,
that the moste peple Of this world
Onylich Obeyen to my word,
And holden me for here Sovereyn lord,
Of strenkthe, of myht, be here owne Acord;
for there Nis no Mannes lordschepe lyvenge
that lasteth So fer In Al Maner of thinge;
And therto I am of so gret powste,
that non thing is don On lond ne see
but Anon that I it do knowe,
Alle swiche thinges vppon A rowe;
Now haven ȝe herd Every del
Of my power, & what I kan don wel.”
“Sire,” quod these Messengeris tho,
“And it be As ȝe seyn vs vnto,
we knowen wel þat there is non man lyvynge
that hath A qwarter so Mochel Of konnenge,
Sauf only oure lord Cryst, goddis sone,
that In al the world pere hath he none;
but now of on thing to ȝow scholen we spelle,
what is ȝowre Name, that ȝe vs now telle.”
“My name Gladliche now wyl I say;
‘The wise Serpent' men me clepen Eche day.”
“Now Certes,” quod thanne this Messengere,
“It is þe most Merveillous Name þat euere herdeich Ere.”
thanne seide this Man Aȝen tho,
“Hyder Am I now ȝow comen vnto,
of ȝoure diseise owt forto brynge
ȝif ȝe welen don me homagynge,
And Into my Schipe ȝow for to take,
And bringen ȝow owt of Al this wrake.”
“Now Certes,” quod this damysele tho,
“ȝowre Cowntenaunce, ȝowre Chere, doth me gret wo,
That I Am so Aferd ful Sekerlye
To Comen In ȝowre Compenye;
for Rathere here we scholen Abyde,
And here Suffren deth At this tyde,
And ȝit more grettere distorbaunce
thanne to vs come ȝit be Ony chaunce,
Rathere thanne hens we scholen go
Tyl God vs sende tydynge Mo.”
“And it be As ȝe seyn vs vnto,
we knowen wel þat there is non man lyvynge
that hath A qwarter so Mochel Of konnenge,
44
that In al the world pere hath he none;
but now of on thing to ȝow scholen we spelle,
what is ȝowre Name, that ȝe vs now telle.”
“My name Gladliche now wyl I say;
‘The wise Serpent' men me clepen Eche day.”
“Now Certes,” quod thanne this Messengere,
“It is þe most Merveillous Name þat euere herdeich Ere.”
thanne seide this Man Aȝen tho,
“Hyder Am I now ȝow comen vnto,
of ȝoure diseise owt forto brynge
ȝif ȝe welen don me homagynge,
And Into my Schipe ȝow for to take,
And bringen ȝow owt of Al this wrake.”
“Now Certes,” quod this damysele tho,
“ȝowre Cowntenaunce, ȝowre Chere, doth me gret wo,
That I Am so Aferd ful Sekerlye
To Comen In ȝowre Compenye;
for Rathere here we scholen Abyde,
And here Suffren deth At this tyde,
And ȝit more grettere distorbaunce
thanne to vs come ȝit be Ony chaunce,
Rathere thanne hens we scholen go
Tyl God vs sende tydynge Mo.”
Whanne this Man vndirstood this tho,
that thus this damysele spak hym vnto,
he Answerid here In dispit Ageyn,
And thus to hire seide anon ful pleyn:
“ha! thou womman, bothen fool and kaytyf,
that Rekkest now so litel of thy lyf!
ha, dispitful Creature,
Vnhappy Aȝens al good Aventure!
What Eyleth the now In this Nede
thine Owne lif forto forbede?
for it is semeng here now to me
that bettere, Evel than good, louest þou sekirle.
Nedis mostest thou ben A womman,
that ne lovest not ho þat the helpen kan;
and here thou Chesest thyn distroccioun,
And only Refusest here thyn savacioun:
Now from ȝow wile I gon,
And leven ȝow here Al Alon,
Where As ȝe scholen for honger deye,
And In Myseise ful vtterlye;
For aftyr this tyme Neuere non
ȝow to Refreschen hider schal gon,
Wherfor ȝe scholen Repenten ful sore
that ȝe ne welen don Aftyr my lore;
but ȝoure Repentyng ful late schal be,
Sethen ȝe welen not Trosten on My seignoure;
and þerfore As Caytyves scholen ȝe dye,
As schal this Caytyf womman here sodeinlie.
For at the prykke of deth ben ȝe now here;
ȝe scholen it not sckapen In non Manere
but that fer hunger Scholen ȝe deye,
and vppon this Roche lyn openlye,
and the fowles ȝowre flesch scholen Ete,
For Other Sepulture non ȝe gete.”
that thus this damysele spak hym vnto,
he Answerid here In dispit Ageyn,
And thus to hire seide anon ful pleyn:
“ha! thou womman, bothen fool and kaytyf,
that Rekkest now so litel of thy lyf!
ha, dispitful Creature,
Vnhappy Aȝens al good Aventure!
What Eyleth the now In this Nede
thine Owne lif forto forbede?
for it is semeng here now to me
that bettere, Evel than good, louest þou sekirle.
45
that ne lovest not ho þat the helpen kan;
and here thou Chesest thyn distroccioun,
And only Refusest here thyn savacioun:
Now from ȝow wile I gon,
And leven ȝow here Al Alon,
Where As ȝe scholen for honger deye,
And In Myseise ful vtterlye;
For aftyr this tyme Neuere non
ȝow to Refreschen hider schal gon,
Wherfor ȝe scholen Repenten ful sore
that ȝe ne welen don Aftyr my lore;
but ȝoure Repentyng ful late schal be,
Sethen ȝe welen not Trosten on My seignoure;
and þerfore As Caytyves scholen ȝe dye,
As schal this Caytyf womman here sodeinlie.
For at the prykke of deth ben ȝe now here;
ȝe scholen it not sckapen In non Manere
but that fer hunger Scholen ȝe deye,
and vppon this Roche lyn openlye,
and the fowles ȝowre flesch scholen Ete,
For Other Sepulture non ȝe gete.”
“Now, Sire,” quod a Messenger Anon,
“wel weten we þat to this Roche of ston
ȝe comen hydir vs forto Socoure,
And therto A man of welthe & of honoure;
but In Certein we hadden levere to deye
thanne forto gon In ȝoure Compenye;
ȝoure persone and Contenaunce it is so hydows,
And ȝoure lokynge and wordis ben so dispetows;
For only, Sire, Confownded we ben
Of the wordis that ȝe to vs here seyn,
that here nedis Mosten we dye
For Miseise & honger Otterlye;
And, for thy Compenye that we forsake,
therfore to Mercy wilt þou vs not take:
but Only In his Mercy we vs assye
that is Jesus the sone of Marye,
And to his Mercy only we vs take,
For his Servauntes Nele he neuere forsake,
but vs to Comforten In this straunge place
there As non Creature Many day ne wase.”
“wel weten we þat to this Roche of ston
ȝe comen hydir vs forto Socoure,
And therto A man of welthe & of honoure;
but In Certein we hadden levere to deye
thanne forto gon In ȝoure Compenye;
ȝoure persone and Contenaunce it is so hydows,
And ȝoure lokynge and wordis ben so dispetows;
For only, Sire, Confownded we ben
Of the wordis that ȝe to vs here seyn,
that here nedis Mosten we dye
For Miseise & honger Otterlye;
And, for thy Compenye that we forsake,
therfore to Mercy wilt þou vs not take:
46
that is Jesus the sone of Marye,
And to his Mercy only we vs take,
For his Servauntes Nele he neuere forsake,
but vs to Comforten In this straunge place
there As non Creature Many day ne wase.”
And whanne this Man herde here Answere,
that to hym they wolden not concentyn there,
Nethir graunten non of his Axkynge,
Anon thens Made he his departynge,
And took forth Riht In to the se
there As to Fore tyme he hadde I-be.
that to hym they wolden not concentyn there,
Nethir graunten non of his Axkynge,
Anon thens Made he his departynge,
And took forth Riht In to the se
there As to Fore tyme he hadde I-be.
whanne they In the Roch syen al this,
hem thouhte the Game wente Al Amys;
thanne syen they to forn the schipe there,
Grettere tempestes In divers Manere
be Many fold thanne to forn it was,
where offen they bascheden In that plas.
For hem thowhte Al the see A fyre hadde I-be,
So thouhte it to hem tho ful Sekirle;
And Also In the Se tho they herde
A wondirful Noyse, and merveillously ferde,
as thouhe it hadde ben A Noyse of helle,
So gan it to Cryen And to ȝelle;
where-offen gret drede they hadden Echon,
And the Signe of the Croys they maden Anon,
whiche to hem was gret Comfort
the sonnere to Joye to ben Resort.
hem thouhte the Game wente Al Amys;
thanne syen they to forn the schipe there,
Grettere tempestes In divers Manere
be Many fold thanne to forn it was,
where offen they bascheden In that plas.
For hem thowhte Al the see A fyre hadde I-be,
So thouhte it to hem tho ful Sekirle;
And Also In the Se tho they herde
A wondirful Noyse, and merveillously ferde,
as thouhe it hadde ben A Noyse of helle,
So gan it to Cryen And to ȝelle;
where-offen gret drede they hadden Echon,
And the Signe of the Croys they maden Anon,
whiche to hem was gret Comfort
the sonnere to Joye to ben Resort.
and whanne they hadden thus longe loked there,
they ne Cowde Aspyen In non Manere,
Nethir In the Se Fer ne Ny
As they cowden Aspyen trewely;
thanne from the See with-drowen they tho,
and Aȝen vp to the Roch Gonne they go;
To the hows where-As dwelde ypocras,
Aȝen they wenten In to that plas,
And there they seten hem to Reste
Evene As hem thre hym liked beiste,
and gonnen they to talken Anon
Of hym þat from the Roche was gon:
“be my trowthe,” quod the damysele thanne,
“I was Neuere so sore Aferd of Manne.
And, weteth wel, lordynges, In Certeyn,
that nethir honger ne thurst haue I pleyn,
but from me it is Al now A-go,
that there offen ne fele I now no Mo.”
Thanne seiden the tothir Messengers Ageyn,
“It was non Erthly Man In Certeyn,
but that it was owre dedly Enemy
that vs hyder Cam forto Aspye,
And vs to putten owt of Ryhtful Creaunce,
ȝif he it Cowde han don be his fals variaunce.”
they ne Cowde Aspyen In non Manere,
Nethir In the Se Fer ne Ny
As they cowden Aspyen trewely;
thanne from the See with-drowen they tho,
and Aȝen vp to the Roch Gonne they go;
To the hows where-As dwelde ypocras,
Aȝen they wenten In to that plas,
47
Evene As hem thre hym liked beiste,
and gonnen they to talken Anon
Of hym þat from the Roche was gon:
“be my trowthe,” quod the damysele thanne,
“I was Neuere so sore Aferd of Manne.
And, weteth wel, lordynges, In Certeyn,
that nethir honger ne thurst haue I pleyn,
but from me it is Al now A-go,
that there offen ne fele I now no Mo.”
Thanne seiden the tothir Messengers Ageyn,
“It was non Erthly Man In Certeyn,
but that it was owre dedly Enemy
that vs hyder Cam forto Aspye,
And vs to putten owt of Ryhtful Creaunce,
ȝif he it Cowde han don be his fals variaunce.”
whanne they hadden long Spoken of this thing,
Thanne fillen they Alle In Slepyng,
what for travaille and for werynesse,
and what for deseise and gret distresse.
and whanne On Slepe that they were,
Non power hadden they to waken there;
what for fastyng and for febelte,
they weren so Ouercomen In Eche degre.
Thanne fillen they Alle In Slepyng,
what for travaille and for werynesse,
and what for deseise and gret distresse.
and whanne On Slepe that they were,
Non power hadden they to waken there;
what for fastyng and for febelte,
they weren so Ouercomen In Eche degre.
So vppon the Morwen, whanne it was day,
and the Sonne schon, As Eche Man Say,
on hem the Sonne gan forto Schine
there As they lyen thike same tyme,
and þerto the sonne so hot Schon there
vppon here faces that Naked were,
So that for the gret hete Anon
there they wakened Everichon.
and whanne Awaked fulliche they were,
To Cryst they Maden here preyere,
whiche that was kyng of alle kynges,
to hym they maden there here Offrynges
with wepyng and with terys Sore,
Evere Axeng Crist ‘Mercy and Ore,
that he wolde, Of his specyal grace,
Som Comfort to senden hem In that place
where As that they weren In gret peryl,
fer with-Inne the See In that Exyl.’
and the Sonne schon, As Eche Man Say,
on hem the Sonne gan forto Schine
there As they lyen thike same tyme,
and þerto the sonne so hot Schon there
vppon here faces that Naked were,
So that for the gret hete Anon
there they wakened Everichon.
and whanne Awaked fulliche they were,
To Cryst they Maden here preyere,
whiche that was kyng of alle kynges,
to hym they maden there here Offrynges
48
Evere Axeng Crist ‘Mercy and Ore,
that he wolde, Of his specyal grace,
Som Comfort to senden hem In that place
where As that they weren In gret peryl,
fer with-Inne the See In that Exyl.’
And whanne they hadden thus I-don,
Into the Se they loked þere Anon;
thanne Sien where that Cam In the See
A Fair litel vessel, As thowhten thanne he,
And Evene to the Roches Poynt
that vessel was Comen, and therto Ioynt;
And this was Abowtes the Owr of pryme
whanne this they Aspiden thike tyme;
and In the vessel was A fair Old Man,
As thei that tyme behelden than.
“Now, behold,” quod the Messenger tho,
“I hope goode tydynges ben Comen vs to,
For here is Aryved An Old Man
that som Comfort tellen vs kan.”
Into the Se they loked þere Anon;
thanne Sien where that Cam In the See
A Fair litel vessel, As thowhten thanne he,
And Evene to the Roches Poynt
that vessel was Comen, and therto Ioynt;
And this was Abowtes the Owr of pryme
whanne this they Aspiden thike tyme;
and In the vessel was A fair Old Man,
As thei that tyme behelden than.
“Now, behold,” quod the Messenger tho,
“I hope goode tydynges ben Comen vs to,
For here is Aryved An Old Man
that som Comfort tellen vs kan.”
thanne Of the Roch down gonne they go,
and this good Man Comen they vnto;
thanne whanne they gonne this good man Aspye,
An Old Awncyel Man he was Otterlye;
but ȝit Al this not withstondyng
he was a fair Man with Owten lesyng.
And Anon As they hym Sye,
they hym gretten ful Curteislye;
And he hem ȝald here Gretyng
Ryht ful Onestly and ful plesyng,
and hem Axede Ryht Anon
‘how Into þat place they weren gon.’
And they hym Answeryd Anon Ryht,
‘that be adversite thedir weren they dyht,
Fer from Men, and from vytaille,
that In poynt Of deth they weren saunȝ faille;
For but ȝif god do hem Som socour,
we ben not Able to lyven On Owr;
And ȝif he wele to vs his Counseyl sende,
thanne ben we seker of An Ende,
that we scholen Asckapen heyl & Sownd
As Evere we wenten on Ony grownd.’
and this good Man Comen they vnto;
thanne whanne they gonne this good man Aspye,
An Old Awncyel Man he was Otterlye;
but ȝit Al this not withstondyng
he was a fair Man with Owten lesyng.
And Anon As they hym Sye,
they hym gretten ful Curteislye;
And he hem ȝald here Gretyng
Ryht ful Onestly and ful plesyng,
and hem Axede Ryht Anon
‘how Into þat place they weren gon.’
And they hym Answeryd Anon Ryht,
‘that be adversite thedir weren they dyht,
Fer from Men, and from vytaille,
that In poynt Of deth they weren saunȝ faille;
49
we ben not Able to lyven On Owr;
And ȝif he wele to vs his Counseyl sende,
thanne ben we seker of An Ende,
that we scholen Asckapen heyl & Sownd
As Evere we wenten on Ony grownd.’
Whanne the goode man herde hem thus seyn,
“Forsothe, sires,” quod he, “and In Certeyn
And ȝe holden Alwey this Creawnce
Stedfastly with-owten variaunce,
Owt of this yl I schal ȝow don brynge
ȝif ȝe In ȝowre feyth han non varyenge;
For trosteth me wel verraylye,
that he wil not ȝow forȝeten sekerlye;
Ne non that hym don Ony Servyse
he wil not forȝeten In non wyse.”
“Forsothe, sires,” quod he, “and In Certeyn
And ȝe holden Alwey this Creawnce
Stedfastly with-owten variaunce,
Owt of this yl I schal ȝow don brynge
ȝif ȝe In ȝowre feyth han non varyenge;
For trosteth me wel verraylye,
that he wil not ȝow forȝeten sekerlye;
Ne non that hym don Ony Servyse
he wil not forȝeten In non wyse.”
“Ha, Sire,” quod this damysele tho,
“I beleve þat trowthe ȝe sein me vnto;
but, sire, and we longe dwellen here,
we scholen thanne dyen Al In fere;
For Sekir, oþer sustenaunce haven we non
but the Eyr, the See, and Roch Of ston.”
“ȝe, damysele,” quod this goode Man,
“ȝit have thou non drede not for than;
For forȝeten scholen ȝe not be
And ȝe welen han hym In Memore,
that non Maner of thing ne wil forgete,
Nethir his Servauntes he Wil not lete.”
“I beleve þat trowthe ȝe sein me vnto;
but, sire, and we longe dwellen here,
we scholen thanne dyen Al In fere;
For Sekir, oþer sustenaunce haven we non
but the Eyr, the See, and Roch Of ston.”
“ȝe, damysele,” quod this goode Man,
“ȝit have thou non drede not for than;
For forȝeten scholen ȝe not be
And ȝe welen han hym In Memore,
that non Maner of thing ne wil forgete,
Nethir his Servauntes he Wil not lete.”
“Now, swete Sire,” quod on of these men tho,
“So telle vs on thyng Er that ȝe go.”
“let se, sey on,” quod this good Man,
“And I schal tellen what that I kan.”
“So telle vs on thyng Er that ȝe go.”
“let se, sey on,” quod this good Man,
“And I schal tellen what that I kan.”
“Sire, Abowtes the hygh Mydnyht
here hadden we a wondirful syht:
To vs here Cam A Merveillous wyht,
and seide ‘that he was a Man of Myht.’
and seide that for vs I-Comen he was,
vs for to bryngen Owt of this plas,
and vs to Saven from Alle peryl,
And Sownd to bryngen vs owt of þis Exyl,
& therto A man Of gret power,
and that his lordschepe lasted bothe fer & ner;
More Ouer therto, A wondirful Name,
‘The wyse Serpent,’ A Man of fame;
therto he was the leythest Man
that on Creature Myhte loke vppon;
And for that Cause we desiren wel sore
To weten what Man that it wore.”
here hadden we a wondirful syht:
To vs here Cam A Merveillous wyht,
and seide ‘that he was a Man of Myht.’
50
vs for to bryngen Owt of this plas,
and vs to Saven from Alle peryl,
And Sownd to bryngen vs owt of þis Exyl,
& therto A man Of gret power,
and that his lordschepe lasted bothe fer & ner;
More Ouer therto, A wondirful Name,
‘The wyse Serpent,’ A Man of fame;
therto he was the leythest Man
that on Creature Myhte loke vppon;
And for that Cause we desiren wel sore
To weten what Man that it wore.”
“Of hym I kan ȝow ful wel telle,
And of his Condiciouns I kan ȝow spelle:
vndirstondith what I schal Seye:
It is Mannes disceyvour Sekerlye;
And with his coniettyng & his falsnesse
Al day men bryngeth he In distresse;
that han goddis semblaunce & his kynde,
hem forto Spillen, that is his Mynde.
but, Seris, ȝit More I schal ȝow telle,
It was the verray Serpent of helle
that Cam forto vysyten here ȝow,
and seide that he cam for ȝowre prow;
but feythfully now trosteth to Me,
And ȝe In his vessel hadde I-be,
In-to the Se he scholde ȝow han Cast,
And there ȝow drenched Anon In hast;
For ȝe wenden A schipe that it hadde be,
but it nas not So ful Sekerle;
but Anothir schrewed Enemy it was,
On of his Mynestres In that plas,
where vppon that Enemy Rod
Also longe As here with ȝow Abod;
therefore, and with hym hadden ȝe gon,
ȝe hadde ben persched Everychon;
For he is of so fals beheste
—As wel to the leste as to the Meste—
For ȝow Into peynes scholde he han browht,
For oþer Socour Cowde he don ȝow nowht.
Now I have ȝow told In Al degre
Of that Enemy, & what is he;
therfore beth war In Alle Manere
ȝif ony More he Come to vysiten ȝow here;
And beth war þat he disceyve ȝow nowht,
Ne for non thing chonge not ȝowre thowht.”
And of his Condiciouns I kan ȝow spelle:
vndirstondith what I schal Seye:
It is Mannes disceyvour Sekerlye;
And with his coniettyng & his falsnesse
Al day men bryngeth he In distresse;
that han goddis semblaunce & his kynde,
hem forto Spillen, that is his Mynde.
but, Seris, ȝit More I schal ȝow telle,
It was the verray Serpent of helle
that Cam forto vysyten here ȝow,
and seide that he cam for ȝowre prow;
but feythfully now trosteth to Me,
And ȝe In his vessel hadde I-be,
In-to the Se he scholde ȝow han Cast,
And there ȝow drenched Anon In hast;
For ȝe wenden A schipe that it hadde be,
but it nas not So ful Sekerle;
but Anothir schrewed Enemy it was,
On of his Mynestres In that plas,
where vppon that Enemy Rod
Also longe As here with ȝow Abod;
therefore, and with hym hadden ȝe gon,
ȝe hadde ben persched Everychon;
51
—As wel to the leste as to the Meste—
For ȝow Into peynes scholde he han browht,
For oþer Socour Cowde he don ȝow nowht.
Now I have ȝow told In Al degre
Of that Enemy, & what is he;
therfore beth war In Alle Manere
ȝif ony More he Come to vysiten ȝow here;
And beth war þat he disceyve ȝow nowht,
Ne for non thing chonge not ȝowre thowht.”
“Ha, Sire, ȝit,” quod this damysele tho,
“Telleth me on thing Er that ȝe go.”
“Gladlich, Sey on,” quod this good Man,
“I schal ȝow telle Al that I kan.”
“Sire, owt of this Roche scholde we Euere go,
Owther ony Man to helpen vs Comen vnto.”
“ȝe,” quod this good man ryht Anon,
“Owt of this Roche scholen ȝe gon,
and here not longe forto Abyde
ȝif ȝe ben stedfast In Eche tyde,
and defenden ȝow from þe ferst Enemy
That to ȝow wile Comen wel Sotely;
but beth Alweye of stedfast creaunce
Inne hym that is non variaunce,
And he hens will thanne ȝow brynge
ȝif ȝe dwellyn stille In good levenge.”
“Telleth me on thing Er that ȝe go.”
“Gladlich, Sey on,” quod this good Man,
“I schal ȝow telle Al that I kan.”
“Sire, owt of this Roche scholde we Euere go,
Owther ony Man to helpen vs Comen vnto.”
“ȝe,” quod this good man ryht Anon,
“Owt of this Roche scholen ȝe gon,
and here not longe forto Abyde
ȝif ȝe ben stedfast In Eche tyde,
and defenden ȝow from þe ferst Enemy
That to ȝow wile Comen wel Sotely;
but beth Alweye of stedfast creaunce
Inne hym that is non variaunce,
And he hens will thanne ȝow brynge
ȝif ȝe dwellyn stille In good levenge.”
Anon As he this word hadde Seyd,
he was Agon with-Inne A breyd,
that Nether hym ne his vessel
Ne Cowden they Sen neuere a del;
but the grettest swetnesse that Evere was,
with hem there lefte In that plas,
As thowh Alle worldly Spycerye
Amongs hem hadde ben trewelye.
he was Agon with-Inne A breyd,
that Nether hym ne his vessel
Ne Cowden they Sen neuere a del;
but the grettest swetnesse that Evere was,
with hem there lefte In that plas,
As thowh Alle worldly Spycerye
Amongs hem hadde ben trewelye.
Than gonne they to-gederis to speken Anon
Of the good man that from hem was gon,
And seiden that greth Comforted they were
thorwh the goode wordis that he spak there.
“In feith,” quod the damysele tho,
“Alle my Sorwe and kare it is a-go;
and Of on thing I do ȝow behete,
Thowgh In Al this world were there non Mete,
So with his wordis fulfild I am
that he to me seide whanne he Cam;
For Anon as I loked hym vppon,
Myn hunger and thurst was A-gon,
and Al my deseise tho Everydel;
And þerfore I beleve Ryht wel
that this Is he of whom ȝe spelle,
Jesus Crist, kyng of Erthe and helle,
Other Elles On of his Seriaunȝe
that hider Cam vs to Avaunce.”
Of the good man that from hem was gon,
52
thorwh the goode wordis that he spak there.
“In feith,” quod the damysele tho,
“Alle my Sorwe and kare it is a-go;
and Of on thing I do ȝow behete,
Thowgh In Al this world were there non Mete,
So with his wordis fulfild I am
that he to me seide whanne he Cam;
For Anon as I loked hym vppon,
Myn hunger and thurst was A-gon,
and Al my deseise tho Everydel;
And þerfore I beleve Ryht wel
that this Is he of whom ȝe spelle,
Jesus Crist, kyng of Erthe and helle,
Other Elles On of his Seriaunȝe
that hider Cam vs to Avaunce.”
thanne seiden the Messengeris tho,
“they ne wiste how it myhte go,
but that it were goddis sonde
To Maken hem fre that weren bonde;
For now, aftyr this grete drede,
Comfort we han In this Stede;
and as Mochel as of the ferste we weren Agast,
this good man vs hath comforted In hast.”
“they ne wiste how it myhte go,
but that it were goddis sonde
To Maken hem fre that weren bonde;
For now, aftyr this grete drede,
Comfort we han In this Stede;
and as Mochel as of the ferste we weren Agast,
this good man vs hath comforted In hast.”
Thus Al that dai they gonne to speke
Of thike good Man So lowly & Meke,
and seiden hem was happed good Aventure
Of tho tydynges that weren so sure;
So that Al day Abyden they there
Tyl it gan to dirken Everywhere.
and whanne to the Even it was comen Ageyn,
Aȝen vpe to þe Roche they wenten Certeyn,
and wenten Aȝen to the same place
There As Ipocras I-beryed wace:
So there Alle thre they gonnen hem Reste
In swich place as that hem liked beste.
So whanne it was abowtes Midnyht,
the Messengeres Slepten, I the plyht;
but the damysele Al wakyng was
At theke tyme, so was hire gras;
For Evere sche lay, & hire bethowhte
how þat Alle this thing ben Mowhte
As towching here deliueraunce,
In what Manere schold ben here chaunce.
Of thike good Man So lowly & Meke,
and seiden hem was happed good Aventure
Of tho tydynges that weren so sure;
So that Al day Abyden they there
Tyl it gan to dirken Everywhere.
and whanne to the Even it was comen Ageyn,
Aȝen vpe to þe Roche they wenten Certeyn,
and wenten Aȝen to the same place
There As Ipocras I-beryed wace:
So there Alle thre they gonnen hem Reste
In swich place as that hem liked beste.
53
the Messengeres Slepten, I the plyht;
but the damysele Al wakyng was
At theke tyme, so was hire gras;
For Evere sche lay, & hire bethowhte
how þat Alle this thing ben Mowhte
As towching here deliueraunce,
In what Manere schold ben here chaunce.
& as sche thus In thenkenge þere lay,
hire þowhte sche herde A wondir fray
And A wondir despetows Cry,
so þat sche was A-ferd ful Sekerly,
for sche thowhte þat Cry was hire Ner.
and Anon vpward sche dressede here ther,
and heyere on þe Roche gan sche to go,
Forto weten ho there was tho;
For owther man owþer wommanne
It was that so ferde thanne.
hire þowhte sche herde A wondir fray
And A wondir despetows Cry,
so þat sche was A-ferd ful Sekerly,
for sche thowhte þat Cry was hire Ner.
and Anon vpward sche dressede here ther,
and heyere on þe Roche gan sche to go,
Forto weten ho there was tho;
For owther man owþer wommanne
It was that so ferde thanne.
and whanne vppon the Roch sche was An hy,
thanne say sche Atte Roches banke trewly
wondir gret lyht þere In the see,
where-offen sche wondred what it myhte be.
And whanne sche hadde thus I-do,
and to the Messengeris gan sche to go,
and faste vppon hem sche gan to Calle,
and tolde hem what Aventure was befalle,
‘how that to hem was comen there
Wondir gret lyht In qweynte Manere;’
thanne down of the Roch wenten they Alle thre
Forto weten what it myhte be.
thanne say sche Atte Roches banke trewly
wondir gret lyht þere In the see,
where-offen sche wondred what it myhte be.
And whanne sche hadde thus I-do,
and to the Messengeris gan sche to go,
and faste vppon hem sche gan to Calle,
and tolde hem what Aventure was befalle,
‘how that to hem was comen there
Wondir gret lyht In qweynte Manere;’
thanne down of the Roch wenten they Alle thre
Forto weten what it myhte be.
and whanne down they weren comen Echon,
A wondir fair schip behelden they Anon,
and In Maner as of Manye torches lyht,
—Al thus it Semede there to here siht,—
and ful of Richesse hem thouhte it was,
The worthiest that myhte ben In ony plas;
and there Inne was A fayr damysele
that to hem semede bothe swete & lele;
And gret lust they hadden hire to beholde,
To hem semed sche so fair Many folde.
And whanne they hire Gonnen to Se,
Anon they hire gretten Alle thre;
And sche hem ȝald here gretyng tho
In swich A Manere As sche cowde do.
A wondir fair schip behelden they Anon,
and In Maner as of Manye torches lyht,
—Al thus it Semede there to here siht,—
and ful of Richesse hem thouhte it was,
The worthiest that myhte ben In ony plas;
54
that to hem semede bothe swete & lele;
And gret lust they hadden hire to beholde,
To hem semed sche so fair Many folde.
And whanne they hire Gonnen to Se,
Anon they hire gretten Alle thre;
And sche hem ȝald here gretyng tho
In swich A Manere As sche cowde do.
thanne Axede sche of hem Anon,
‘how In to that place that they weren gon.’
thanne answerid they sone A-geyn,
‘be wondirful Aventures, In Certeyn;
and here Abiden Nedis we Mote
til som Aventure come, Oþer som bote.’
“Certes,” quod the damysele of þe schipe tho,
“hard Aventure is Comenge ȝow to,
For hens be ȝe neuere lik to gon
In helthe of body, of flesch, ne bon;
for ȝe ben so fer from Eche Contre,
Supposing to non Man that here ȝe be;
but Neuertheles ȝit not for than
(In as moche that ȝe han semblaunce of Man,)
of ȝow I haue now ful gret pyte;
and ȝif ȝe welen, ȝe scholen gon with Me,
and Into Sauf place with me scholen ȝe go
ȝif myn Comandement welen ȝe do;
and I wele Axen ȝow non Other thing
but as Alle men to me don þat ben lyveng.”
and they seiden that ‘with good wille
hire Comandement wolden they fulfille
ȝif it to hem semede thing Resonable,
and that to hem it Myhte ben profitable.
‘how In to that place that they weren gon.’
thanne answerid they sone A-geyn,
‘be wondirful Aventures, In Certeyn;
and here Abiden Nedis we Mote
til som Aventure come, Oþer som bote.’
“Certes,” quod the damysele of þe schipe tho,
“hard Aventure is Comenge ȝow to,
For hens be ȝe neuere lik to gon
In helthe of body, of flesch, ne bon;
for ȝe ben so fer from Eche Contre,
Supposing to non Man that here ȝe be;
but Neuertheles ȝit not for than
(In as moche that ȝe han semblaunce of Man,)
of ȝow I haue now ful gret pyte;
and ȝif ȝe welen, ȝe scholen gon with Me,
and Into Sauf place with me scholen ȝe go
ȝif myn Comandement welen ȝe do;
and I wele Axen ȝow non Other thing
but as Alle men to me don þat ben lyveng.”
and they seiden that ‘with good wille
hire Comandement wolden they fulfille
ȝif it to hem semede thing Resonable,
and that to hem it Myhte ben profitable.
thanne spak þe damysele of the schip Anon,
“I schal ȝow tellen what ȝe scholen don:
But ferst I do you to vndirstonde
that I am Lady of Atenys Londe,
And Myn is holiche al that Contre—
bothe Castel & town, lond & See—
so that I knowe wel In Myn Entent,
that In Al this world here present
Nes non so Riche Man ne womman,
Sekerly, As Reherse the now i Can.
therto I am the wisest Creature
that In this world is, I the Ensure;
For Alle thing that In the world is don,
I hit knowe thanne Riht Anon;
And ȝif Ony peple In Angwisch be,
I hem Owt brynge ful Certeinle;
and whanne they ben In peryl of ded,
thanne I hem socoure In that sted;
thus Alle that Evere that homage will me do,
Riht Anon Socour I sende hem to.
This thing I sey to ȝow now here,—
ȝif ȝe welen don In this Manere,
And homage here me forto don,
In to my schipe I schal ȝow taken Anon,
and leden ȝow thanne In-to swich A place
that is ful of ioye and ful of grace.”
“I schal ȝow tellen what ȝe scholen don:
But ferst I do you to vndirstonde
that I am Lady of Atenys Londe,
55
bothe Castel & town, lond & See—
so that I knowe wel In Myn Entent,
that In Al this world here present
Nes non so Riche Man ne womman,
Sekerly, As Reherse the now i Can.
therto I am the wisest Creature
that In this world is, I the Ensure;
For Alle thing that In the world is don,
I hit knowe thanne Riht Anon;
And ȝif Ony peple In Angwisch be,
I hem Owt brynge ful Certeinle;
and whanne they ben In peryl of ded,
thanne I hem socoure In that sted;
thus Alle that Evere that homage will me do,
Riht Anon Socour I sende hem to.
This thing I sey to ȝow now here,—
ȝif ȝe welen don In this Manere,
And homage here me forto don,
In to my schipe I schal ȝow taken Anon,
and leden ȝow thanne In-to swich A place
that is ful of ioye and ful of grace.”
and whanne they herden hire thus speke,
Eche to oþer here hertes gonnen breke,
and Axeden Cownceyl of this thyng,
what were best fore here leveng.
“be my trowthe,” quod the ton Messengere,
“And it be As sche telleth vs here,
and therto and sche be of oure lay,
we scholen hire worschepen this ylke day;
and with here thanne wele we go
Into what Contre she wele leden vs to;
but ȝif of Anothir lay that sche be,
we wilen hire forsaken Sekerle;
for owre Creaunce sche wolde don vs to reneye,
and to beleven On hire fals feye;”
for that was the most thing In here thowht,
that here Creaunce forsaken wolden they nowht.
Eche to oþer here hertes gonnen breke,
and Axeden Cownceyl of this thyng,
what were best fore here leveng.
“be my trowthe,” quod the ton Messengere,
“And it be As sche telleth vs here,
and therto and sche be of oure lay,
we scholen hire worschepen this ylke day;
and with here thanne wele we go
Into what Contre she wele leden vs to;
but ȝif of Anothir lay that sche be,
we wilen hire forsaken Sekerle;
for owre Creaunce sche wolde don vs to reneye,
and to beleven On hire fals feye;”
56
that here Creaunce forsaken wolden they nowht.
thanne Axeden they hire In the schipe thanne,
“Of what Creawnce ben ȝe,” seiden they, “wommanne,
and what with vs ȝe wolden don,
and we to ȝoure homage consenten Anon?”
“that schal I ȝow seyn with-Inne wordis fewe,
Al myn purpos vppon A rewe:
Ferst I schal ȝow tellen At this tyme
that I am Ryht A worthy Paynyme,
The Richest that is In Al that lond,
As I do ȝow here to vndirstond;
and ȝif that homage ȝe welen me do,
with me Into þat Contre scholen ȝe go.”
“In feyth, damysele,” quod the ton Messengere,
“sethen we knowen so mochel of ȝow here,
that ȝe be not of Oure Creaunce,
we ȝow forsaken with Owten variaunce;
also we forsaken ȝoure Compenye,
For ȝe mowun not socouren vs trewlye.”
“Of what Creawnce ben ȝe,” seiden they, “wommanne,
and what with vs ȝe wolden don,
and we to ȝoure homage consenten Anon?”
“that schal I ȝow seyn with-Inne wordis fewe,
Al myn purpos vppon A rewe:
Ferst I schal ȝow tellen At this tyme
that I am Ryht A worthy Paynyme,
The Richest that is In Al that lond,
As I do ȝow here to vndirstond;
and ȝif that homage ȝe welen me do,
with me Into þat Contre scholen ȝe go.”
“In feyth, damysele,” quod the ton Messengere,
“sethen we knowen so mochel of ȝow here,
that ȝe be not of Oure Creaunce,
we ȝow forsaken with Owten variaunce;
also we forsaken ȝoure Compenye,
For ȝe mowun not socouren vs trewlye.”
“Thanne,” quod þe damysele of þe schipe tho,
ȝif it so be that I from ȝow go,
Neuere geten ȝe helpe ne Socour
ȝow to bryngen owt of this langour;
For ȝe ben so fer from Eche contre,
that here for honger scholen deyen ȝe.”
ȝif it so be that I from ȝow go,
Neuere geten ȝe helpe ne Socour
ȝow to bryngen owt of this langour;
For ȝe ben so fer from Eche contre,
that here for honger scholen deyen ȝe.”
thanne answered they Anon Ageyn,
“that lever they hadden to deyen certeyn
thanne to gon In hire compenye;
here only god to wraththen Sekerlye,
hos lawe & hos Creaunce
we welen kepen with Owten variaunce.”
“that lever they hadden to deyen certeyn
thanne to gon In hire compenye;
here only god to wraththen Sekerlye,
hos lawe & hos Creaunce
we welen kepen with Owten variaunce.”
“O, Cursed kaytyves,” quod this damysele tho,
“what Ese doth ȝowre Creaunce ȝow to,
Oþer the Cristendom that ȝe han take?
For sethen han ȝe ben In wo & wrake;
and sethen ȝe leften ȝoure ferst lay
ȝe han had Sorwen Inowh Eche day,
and In peyne & travaille han ȝe be,
and so scholen ȝe Contenwen sikerle.”
“Of travaylle,” quod the ton Messengere,
“we taken non charge, non of vs here;
For of Travaille Ensample han we
Of Iesus that be-Cam Man Erthle,
For he was nevere with owten travaille
vs Aȝen to biggen Saunȝ faille;
for he travailled tyl he was ded,
Man-kynde to byen from the qwed.
Therefore, ȝif we his Servauntes wilen be,
thanne neþer of peyne ne travaille ne rekken we;
In this world to suffren Alle Manere distresse,
In hevene forto haven Joye that is Endelesse;
And for this cause damysele, Sekerly,
vs ne Rekketh to travaylle bodyly;
for travaille owre lord scheweth to vs,
whiche that is Maryes sone, Jesus.”
“what Ese doth ȝowre Creaunce ȝow to,
Oþer the Cristendom that ȝe han take?
For sethen han ȝe ben In wo & wrake;
57
ȝe han had Sorwen Inowh Eche day,
and In peyne & travaille han ȝe be,
and so scholen ȝe Contenwen sikerle.”
“Of travaylle,” quod the ton Messengere,
“we taken non charge, non of vs here;
For of Travaille Ensample han we
Of Iesus that be-Cam Man Erthle,
For he was nevere with owten travaille
vs Aȝen to biggen Saunȝ faille;
for he travailled tyl he was ded,
Man-kynde to byen from the qwed.
Therefore, ȝif we his Servauntes wilen be,
thanne neþer of peyne ne travaille ne rekken we;
In this world to suffren Alle Manere distresse,
In hevene forto haven Joye that is Endelesse;
And for this cause damysele, Sekerly,
vs ne Rekketh to travaylle bodyly;
for travaille owre lord scheweth to vs,
whiche that is Maryes sone, Jesus.”
And whanne sche herde hem thus Answere,
Anon to wraththen sche gan hire there;
“ȝe cursed Caytyves, now wel I se
that In sorwe it liketh ȝow forto be
More thanne In Ese, Other In Reste,
thus semeth Me it liketh ȝow beste;
therfore hens now wyle I go,
And leven ȝow here In peyne & wo,
For of non man here geten ȝe socour,
So scholen ȝe deyen In wo and langour;
and thanne the bryddes of the Eyr
To ȝoure bodyes scholen repeyr.”
Anon to wraththen sche gan hire there;
“ȝe cursed Caytyves, now wel I se
that In sorwe it liketh ȝow forto be
More thanne In Ese, Other In Reste,
thus semeth Me it liketh ȝow beste;
therfore hens now wyle I go,
And leven ȝow here In peyne & wo,
For of non man here geten ȝe socour,
So scholen ȝe deyen In wo and langour;
and thanne the bryddes of the Eyr
To ȝoure bodyes scholen repeyr.”
So wente sche thens thanne Anon,
and forth Into the see gan sche gon,
and they Aftir hire lokeden there,
but sche was vansched I qweynt Manere.
Thanne Anon torned they vp Ageyn
To ypocras hows In Certeyn,
And there slepten Alle thre with owten dowte
Tyl on the Morwe they myhten sen hem Abowte.
and forth Into the see gan sche gon,
and they Aftir hire lokeden there,
but sche was vansched I qweynt Manere.
58
To ypocras hows In Certeyn,
And there slepten Alle thre with owten dowte
Tyl on the Morwe they myhten sen hem Abowte.
and on the Morwe, whan it was pryme,
they Awoken Alle thre thanne In good tyme,
and thanne vpwardis they gonnen hem dresce,
and In god they putten here Sekernesse,
knelyng a-down vppon here kne
Into the Estward ful Sekerle;
and there they Maden here preyere
To Jesus Cryst so leef an dere,
‘that he wolde of his grete Mercy
hem Comfort to senden hastely,
and that he wolde not hem forgete
there to dyen for fawt of Mete;
but As the fadyr Socoureth the child,
so do ȝe vs, goode lord, bothe mek & myld.’
they Awoken Alle thre thanne In good tyme,
and thanne vpwardis they gonnen hem dresce,
and In god they putten here Sekernesse,
knelyng a-down vppon here kne
Into the Estward ful Sekerle;
and there they Maden here preyere
To Jesus Cryst so leef an dere,
‘that he wolde of his grete Mercy
hem Comfort to senden hastely,
and that he wolde not hem forgete
there to dyen for fawt of Mete;
but As the fadyr Socoureth the child,
so do ȝe vs, goode lord, bothe mek & myld.’
and whanne they hadden Mad here preyere,
Estward Aȝens the sonne lokeden they there
Ful fer Abrod Into the Se;
A lytel thing there thowhte thanne syen hee,
but from hem It was so fer
that they ne Cowde knowen In non Maner
What it was, ne what it Myhte be,
Til Abowtes Midday Sekerle;
be that tyme it was to hem comen so ny,
that they hadden knoweng sekerly
that a lytel vessel thanne it was,
whiche thedir was comen In to þat plas,
and to the Roche there it dyde Applye;
and they hem down hyede ful hastelye
forto Sen what thing it were
And what thing þer Inne was there.
Estward Aȝens the sonne lokeden they there
Ful fer Abrod Into the Se;
A lytel thing there thowhte thanne syen hee,
but from hem It was so fer
that they ne Cowde knowen In non Maner
What it was, ne what it Myhte be,
Til Abowtes Midday Sekerle;
be that tyme it was to hem comen so ny,
that they hadden knoweng sekerly
that a lytel vessel thanne it was,
whiche thedir was comen In to þat plas,
and to the Roche there it dyde Applye;
and they hem down hyede ful hastelye
forto Sen what thing it were
And what thing þer Inne was there.
and whanne they weren tho comen Adown,
Abowtes hem they loked In-virown,
And behelden this vessel Every del;
and there Inne An Old man bothe fair & lel;
and with hym browhte In Compenye
A lyown that loked ful Egerlye,—
and it was the same lyown
that to fore tyme was with Celidoine,
and Also the Same vessel
That celidoyne in wente Every del.
and whanne they behelden this trewly,
Eche on other lokede ful ferfully;
For gret wonder they hadden tho
how that faire man with þe lyown dorste go.
Abowtes hem they loked In-virown,
59
and there Inne An Old man bothe fair & lel;
and with hym browhte In Compenye
A lyown that loked ful Egerlye,—
and it was the same lyown
that to fore tyme was with Celidoine,
and Also the Same vessel
That celidoyne in wente Every del.
and whanne they behelden this trewly,
Eche on other lokede ful ferfully;
For gret wonder they hadden tho
how that faire man with þe lyown dorste go.
thanne Axede hem this olde Man Anon,
‘how they Into that contre weren gon.’
they hym Answerid Anon a-geyn,
‘that be goddis wille it was, Certeyn;
and whanne that Goddis wille it were,
Owt of that Roche scholden they gon there.”
“Certein,” quod this old Man tho,
“And ȝe with me welen now go
In this vessel with this lyown,
I schal ȝow socoure Al & Som.
For his love that ȝe Calangen ȝoure lord
I schal ȝow socowren At on word,
and ȝow leden Into Swich A place
(thorwh helpe & thoruh goddis grase)
there as kyng Mordreins scholen ȝe fynde,
and sire Nasciens that knyht so kynde,
for whom ȝe forsoken ȝoure Own londe,
hym forto seken, As I vndirstond.”
‘how they Into that contre weren gon.’
they hym Answerid Anon a-geyn,
‘that be goddis wille it was, Certeyn;
and whanne that Goddis wille it were,
Owt of that Roche scholden they gon there.”
“Certein,” quod this old Man tho,
“And ȝe with me welen now go
In this vessel with this lyown,
I schal ȝow socoure Al & Som.
For his love that ȝe Calangen ȝoure lord
I schal ȝow socowren At on word,
and ȝow leden Into Swich A place
(thorwh helpe & thoruh goddis grase)
there as kyng Mordreins scholen ȝe fynde,
and sire Nasciens that knyht so kynde,
for whom ȝe forsoken ȝoure Own londe,
hym forto seken, As I vndirstond.”
whanne this word thanne they herde,
As Ioyful Men thanne they ferde:
“A, Sire, now knowen we Ryht wel
that bothe Owre lord & ȝowre ȝe knowen Eche del.
Now, goode sire, that ȝe welen vs telle
In what Maner with owre lordis befelle,
sethen ȝe knowen where they be;
Now, good sire, that ȝe wolen telle Me
whethir that they ben hol & Sownd,
oþer owht lyveng Aboven the grownd.”
As Ioyful Men thanne they ferde:
“A, Sire, now knowen we Ryht wel
that bothe Owre lord & ȝowre ȝe knowen Eche del.
Now, goode sire, that ȝe welen vs telle
In what Maner with owre lordis befelle,
60
Now, good sire, that ȝe wolen telle Me
whethir that they ben hol & Sownd,
oþer owht lyveng Aboven the grownd.”
“I am swich a Man As ȝe se,
but I trowe þat ȝe knowen not Me;
for I am other Wyse than ȝe suppose here,
A Man Merveillous In other Manere;
For I kan tellen ȝow Every del
how with ȝoure lordis it stont ful wel.
the Kyng Mordreyns and Nascyens now be
In a schipe A Myddis of the See;
And ȝif that Evere ȝe welen hem speke,
Into this vessel thanne Mosten ȝe Reke,
And I ȝow Sekerlye schal Cowndeye
Tyl that ȝe to hem comen trewelye.”
“Syre, there offen we thanken ȝow hyly,
with Alle Owre hertes ful stedfastly.”
“this to ȝow thus schal I do,”
Seide this good man to hem tho.
but I trowe þat ȝe knowen not Me;
for I am other Wyse than ȝe suppose here,
A Man Merveillous In other Manere;
For I kan tellen ȝow Every del
how with ȝoure lordis it stont ful wel.
the Kyng Mordreyns and Nascyens now be
In a schipe A Myddis of the See;
And ȝif that Evere ȝe welen hem speke,
Into this vessel thanne Mosten ȝe Reke,
And I ȝow Sekerlye schal Cowndeye
Tyl that ȝe to hem comen trewelye.”
“Syre, there offen we thanken ȝow hyly,
with Alle Owre hertes ful stedfastly.”
“this to ȝow thus schal I do,”
Seide this good man to hem tho.
“thanne Entren, Sire, gladly scholde we,
but ȝif for drede of the lyown it be,
which is so gret & so Merveylous,
And to Owre lokyng so dispetous.”
“Thanne Sekerly, now Semeth me,
but ȝif from this Roch that ȝe fle,
I suppose that ȝe don gret folye;
For no More Into this partye
Schal neuere man Comen ȝow to socoure,
Nether ȝow to bryngen owt of langoure;
Therfore wolde I with good wille
that ȝe this vessel Entred vntylle,
and in this Roche that ȝe leven me.
and ful wel weteth In Certeinte
that I have don More than this
For Man to fore tyme with-owten Mis:
Now Entreth here Into my plas Anon,
and for ȝow Into the Roche shal I gon.”
but ȝif for drede of the lyown it be,
which is so gret & so Merveylous,
And to Owre lokyng so dispetous.”
“Thanne Sekerly, now Semeth me,
but ȝif from this Roch that ȝe fle,
I suppose that ȝe don gret folye;
For no More Into this partye
Schal neuere man Comen ȝow to socoure,
Nether ȝow to bryngen owt of langoure;
Therfore wolde I with good wille
that ȝe this vessel Entred vntylle,
and in this Roche that ȝe leven me.
and ful wel weteth In Certeinte
that I have don More than this
For Man to fore tyme with-owten Mis:
61
and for ȝow Into the Roche shal I gon.”
Thanne Cam this good man Owt of þe vessel,
and þe Messengeris Entred faire & wel;
and with hem there that faire May
that Only god worschepyd Every day.
and þe Messengeris Entred faire & wel;
and with hem there that faire May
that Only god worschepyd Every day.
Thanne seide this goodman to that Mayde
Ful swete wordis; & thus he sayde,
“Mayden, ȝif thou hast lost A kyng,
And thy fadyr thorwh his begetyng;
Althouh that he were here Kyng Erthly,
Now hast þou to þi fadyr A kyng that is hevenly,
whiche that is kyng of alle kyngge,
and owt of Alle Sorwes þe to brynge,
and Ek Owt of the develis powste
where Inne þat thow hast longe I-be.”
“Sire,” quod this Maide, “this schal I do,
and Into port salw thou wilt bryngen me to.”
thus Into the vessel Entred they Echon,
And this good man to the Roch gan gon.
Ful swete wordis; & thus he sayde,
“Mayden, ȝif thou hast lost A kyng,
And thy fadyr thorwh his begetyng;
Althouh that he were here Kyng Erthly,
Now hast þou to þi fadyr A kyng that is hevenly,
whiche that is kyng of alle kyngge,
and owt of Alle Sorwes þe to brynge,
and Ek Owt of the develis powste
where Inne þat thow hast longe I-be.”
“Sire,” quod this Maide, “this schal I do,
and Into port salw thou wilt bryngen me to.”
thus Into the vessel Entred they Echon,
And this good man to the Roch gan gon.
So thanne Cam þere bothe wynd & wedrynge,
and fer Into the See it gan hem brynge;
ȝo that with Inne a lytel while
they syen Neþer Roch, lond, ne ylle.
Thus Al that day and Al that Nyht
To forn þe wynd they seileden owt Ryht,
For there flewh neuere so swyftly bryd
As thyke tyde was hem betyd;
and Ek the secunde day Also,
And the Nyht folwenge Ek þerto.
and fer Into the See it gan hem brynge;
ȝo that with Inne a lytel while
they syen Neþer Roch, lond, ne ylle.
Thus Al that day and Al that Nyht
To forn þe wynd they seileden owt Ryht,
For there flewh neuere so swyftly bryd
As thyke tyde was hem betyd;
and Ek the secunde day Also,
And the Nyht folwenge Ek þerto.
and vpon the Morwe, the Owre pryme,
They loked forth Into the see be tyme;
and thanne In the See gonne they to kenne
the same schipe that weren In these Menne:
Mordrayns, Nasciens, and Celidoyne in fere,
Alle In that Schipe weren they there.
And whanne to-gederis they weren so Ny
that Eche Myhte Other knowen trewly,
Faste to-gederis tho they grette
Whanne bothe Schepis to gederis weren Mette.
And whanne they weren Entred Echon,
Ful faste to-gederis Ronnen they Anon,
And Eche gan Other forto Embrace,
and Faste to kyssen In that place.
They loked forth Into the see be tyme;
and thanne In the See gonne they to kenne
the same schipe that weren In these Menne:
Mordrayns, Nasciens, and Celidoyne in fere,
Alle In that Schipe weren they there.
62
that Eche Myhte Other knowen trewly,
Faste to-gederis tho they grette
Whanne bothe Schepis to gederis weren Mette.
And whanne they weren Entred Echon,
Ful faste to-gederis Ronnen they Anon,
And Eche gan Other forto Embrace,
and Faste to kyssen In that place.
thanne Anon as that Entred they were,
Bothen Messengeris and the damysele there,
the lytel vessel wente with þe lyown as faste Away
As Evere flew swalwe In the someris day;
So that with-Inne A lytel throwe
Nethir vessel, ne lyow[n], myhten they knowe.
Thanne Axede Nasciens Of the Messengeris tho
what Cawsed hem from home forto go.
Thanne tolden they hym Al In fere,
‘In what manere that they persched were,
and how on a Roch they Aryven that stownde
where As Ypocras tombe they fownde;
and they wenden to han ben ded,
Ne hadde an Olde Man ne ben In þat sted,
That Neuere to fore we ne hym Syen, ne knewe;
So sore vppon vs thanne gan he to Rewe,
That owt Of the Roch he dyde vs gon,
and there he for vs lefte Al Alon.
and ȝit seide he that More for man hadde he do
Thanne At that tyme to vs dyde he tho:
ȝit More tolde he vs In Certeyn
where that we scholden fynden ȝow pleyn,
Alle thre In On Schipe In Compenye,
Alle heyl & Sownd ful Sekerlye.’
Bothen Messengeris and the damysele there,
the lytel vessel wente with þe lyown as faste Away
As Evere flew swalwe In the someris day;
So that with-Inne A lytel throwe
Nethir vessel, ne lyow[n], myhten they knowe.
Thanne Axede Nasciens Of the Messengeris tho
what Cawsed hem from home forto go.
Thanne tolden they hym Al In fere,
‘In what manere that they persched were,
and how on a Roch they Aryven that stownde
where As Ypocras tombe they fownde;
and they wenden to han ben ded,
Ne hadde an Olde Man ne ben In þat sted,
That Neuere to fore we ne hym Syen, ne knewe;
So sore vppon vs thanne gan he to Rewe,
That owt Of the Roch he dyde vs gon,
and there he for vs lefte Al Alon.
and ȝit seide he that More for man hadde he do
Thanne At that tyme to vs dyde he tho:
ȝit More tolde he vs In Certeyn
where that we scholden fynden ȝow pleyn,
Alle thre In On Schipe In Compenye,
Alle heyl & Sownd ful Sekerlye.’
“Now sothly,” quod sire Nasciens tho,
“wel wiste þat good man what he hadde to do;
And to vs ful welcome ȝe be,
For we ben glad of ȝoure Compenye:
Lo, Sethen that Alle departyd we were
Into dyvers londes Every where,
And to fulfillen his Comandement
Now Altogederis we ben present.
Lo, this is the grete lord Above,
That vs hath schewed so moche love;
let vs hym thanken with Alle oure Myht,
That Glorious Lord, As it is Ryht.”
“wel wiste þat good man what he hadde to do;
And to vs ful welcome ȝe be,
For we ben glad of ȝoure Compenye:
63
Into dyvers londes Every where,
And to fulfillen his Comandement
Now Altogederis we ben present.
Lo, this is the grete lord Above,
That vs hath schewed so moche love;
let vs hym thanken with Alle oure Myht,
That Glorious Lord, As it is Ryht.”
Thanne Axede he Of the damysele tho,
‘Owt of what Contre that sche cam fro,
And how with the Messengeris she gan to Mete.’
Al sche hym tolde Er sche wolde lete,
and of what lond sche was I-bore,
and hos dowhter, As I Rehersed before.
‘Owt of what Contre that sche cam fro,
And how with the Messengeris she gan to Mete.’
Al sche hym tolde Er sche wolde lete,
and of what lond sche was I-bore,
and hos dowhter, As I Rehersed before.
Thanne gan Nasciens forto Refreyne
Of thike Messengeris In Certeyne
Of his Soster and Of his wyf,
whethir they hadden helthe and lyf.
thanne Answerid the Messengeris tho,
“Sire, In good hele ben they bothe two;
But Abasched sore they be,
For of ȝow they ne haven non Certeynte.”
“ha, worthy Lord,” quod Mordrayns the kyng,
“It were to Me a Joyful tydyng
and I wyste how fer In the Se I were,
Owther Ny Ony lond In Ony Manere.”
“ȝe, Sire,” quod Nasciens to the Kyng,
“Therefore Make ȝe non Morneng;
For be his wille it Moste ben do
As hit hath ben Al hiderto;
and whanne it is plesing to God Oure Kynge,
Into Owre Owne Contre he wele vs brynge;
Therfore to hym let vs now preye,
and leven that Mater that we of seye.”
Of thike Messengeris In Certeyne
Of his Soster and Of his wyf,
whethir they hadden helthe and lyf.
thanne Answerid the Messengeris tho,
“Sire, In good hele ben they bothe two;
But Abasched sore they be,
For of ȝow they ne haven non Certeynte.”
“ha, worthy Lord,” quod Mordrayns the kyng,
“It were to Me a Joyful tydyng
and I wyste how fer In the Se I were,
Owther Ny Ony lond In Ony Manere.”
“ȝe, Sire,” quod Nasciens to the Kyng,
“Therefore Make ȝe non Morneng;
For be his wille it Moste ben do
As hit hath ben Al hiderto;
and whanne it is plesing to God Oure Kynge,
Into Owre Owne Contre he wele vs brynge;
Therfore to hym let vs now preye,
and leven that Mater that we of seye.”
Thus to-gederis God his Servauntes browhte,
that Nethir of Other ne wiste nowhte;
For Into diuers Contres departed they were,
and, lo, thoruhe his Miht, Aȝen to-Gederis weren they þere.
that Nethir of Other ne wiste nowhte;
64
and, lo, thoruhe his Miht, Aȝen to-Gederis weren they þere.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
65
Thus twey nyhtes to-gederis Abyden they,
As here Reherseth now this Story,
And vppon the thridde Nyht
The Mone be-gan to schynen wel bryht,
and the See bothe Mek and stable it was,
and with the wynd they seileden A fair pas.
and Abowtes the hye Myd Nyht,
Of a fair Castel they hadden a syht,
of wheche the name, Barne I-clepid it was,
That Mordrayns sone Owhte In that plas,
In the Ottrest partye of his Owne lond
Toward the see, as I vndirstond.
As here Reherseth now this Story,
And vppon the thridde Nyht
The Mone be-gan to schynen wel bryht,
and the See bothe Mek and stable it was,
and with the wynd they seileden A fair pas.
and Abowtes the hye Myd Nyht,
Of a fair Castel they hadden a syht,
of wheche the name, Barne I-clepid it was,
That Mordrayns sone Owhte In that plas,
In the Ottrest partye of his Owne lond
Toward the see, as I vndirstond.
And whanne so Nygh that they were,
and that Castel they knewen wel there,
They blesseden the Kyng of hevene Anon,
And worschepis they ȝeven hym Everichon,
‘that he hem thedir browhte In Savfte
From Alle Maner perylles In Eche degre;
And that they hadden desired so sore,
to the lond thanne that they comen thore,
So that they ne failleden In non degre,
but Evene to port salw tho comen hee.’
and that Castel they knewen wel there,
They blesseden the Kyng of hevene Anon,
And worschepis they ȝeven hym Everichon,
‘that he hem thedir browhte In Savfte
From Alle Maner perylles In Eche degre;
And that they hadden desired so sore,
to the lond thanne that they comen thore,
So that they ne failleden In non degre,
but Evene to port salw tho comen hee.’
Thanne After hem they loked Ageyn,
and they syen vppon the se Comen ful pleyn
In Manere of A prest I-clothed In whit,
tho As hem Semede, swich was his Abyt;
And Al drye to hem he Cam vppon the see,
As Alle they it syen ful verraylle;
and as faste vppon the see wente he
As Evere fowl with wenges Myhte fle,
So that the Schip he Overtook Anon
where As Inne they weren Everichon,
Thanne In goddis Name he hem grette,
and they hym thanked, and not ne lette;
but Alle Abasched sore weren they there,
Lest that it here Enemy tho were
hem forto bryngen Owt of here creaunce,
whiche browhte here hertes inne gret dowtaunce.
and they syen vppon the se Comen ful pleyn
In Manere of A prest I-clothed In whit,
tho As hem Semede, swich was his Abyt;
And Al drye to hem he Cam vppon the see,
As Alle they it syen ful verraylle;
and as faste vppon the see wente he
As Evere fowl with wenges Myhte fle,
So that the Schip he Overtook Anon
where As Inne they weren Everichon,
Thanne In goddis Name he hem grette,
and they hym thanked, and not ne lette;
but Alle Abasched sore weren they there,
Lest that it here Enemy tho were
66
whiche browhte here hertes inne gret dowtaunce.
Thanne be-spak this good Man tho,
“Lordynges, Abasche ȝow not So,
For As fore non Evel I Come to ȝow,
but bothe for ȝowre profyt and ȝowre prow.”
Thanne seide this man to Nasciens tho,
“Be the grete Maister I am Sente the vnto,
There as thou art hurt be thy desert,
The hol to Maken Openly & Apert;
and therfore Anon Aproche þou hider to Me,
For by me hol now schalt thou be.”
“Lordynges, Abasche ȝow not So,
For As fore non Evel I Come to ȝow,
but bothe for ȝowre profyt and ȝowre prow.”
Thanne seide this man to Nasciens tho,
“Be the grete Maister I am Sente the vnto,
There as thou art hurt be thy desert,
The hol to Maken Openly & Apert;
and therfore Anon Aproche þou hider to Me,
For by me hol now schalt thou be.”
whanne that Nascyens herde hym thus seye,
Anon to the Schippys bord he gan to Aplye,
and knelyd down Anon vppon his kne
To hym be whom he scholde keuered be.
Anon this Man lifte vpe his hond,
and the signe of the Croys Made, As I vndirstond,
And there Sire Nasciens he gan to blesse;
and Al hol he was In Sekernesse
As Evere he was Ony tyme before,
heillere and lyhtere thanne thowhte hym thore.
Anon to the Schippys bord he gan to Aplye,
and knelyd down Anon vppon his kne
To hym be whom he scholde keuered be.
Anon this Man lifte vpe his hond,
and the signe of the Croys Made, As I vndirstond,
And there Sire Nasciens he gan to blesse;
and Al hol he was In Sekernesse
As Evere he was Ony tyme before,
heillere and lyhtere thanne thowhte hym thore.
“ARys vp, Nasciens,” quod this good Man,
“and worschepe thy god In what thou kan.”
whanne Nasciens knew that he hol was
Be the signacle of þe Man In that plas,
Thanne knelid Nasciens tho down Ageyn,
And to this goodman thus gan to seyn,
“Ha: thou holy Man & holy persone,
Now for Charite telle me here Anone
how thou Mihtest gon vppon the See
That there Confownded not weren ȝe.”
“Nasciens,” quod this good Man tho,
“That schal I tellen the Er that I go.
wete thou wel that I am he
Of whom that thow In thy Maister Cyte
A Chirche of hym that thou dost Make;
hider to the Come I now for his sake;
and thus the grete Maister sente me to the
That thin helthe I scholde be,
And from Adversite the to defende,
And that to goddis Comandementes þou Attende;
ȝif þou wilt his love haven In Ony wyse,
that thou do non fals Sacrefice.
herkene to me now, I the Rede,
what Maner of thing I shal the bede,
that from this tyme forward wele he kepen the
From Alle Aventures, ful syker thou be.
For Al so strong he is therto
As vppon the See to Maken Me go,
And vppon þe wete Se to Maken my weye
with-Owten Confowndyng, As I the seye.
So lyhtly schal Iosepe of Barithmathie,
and Josephes the ferste Cristen bischope sekerlye,
and with hym his peple Also,
Alle Bare On the Se scholen they go;
with-owten Schipe owther Ony Oþer thyng
Into Grete Breteigne Crist doth hem bryng.
For it is the grete lordis wille,
Of his ligne Breteyne to fulfille.”
“and worschepe thy god In what thou kan.”
whanne Nasciens knew that he hol was
Be the signacle of þe Man In that plas,
Thanne knelid Nasciens tho down Ageyn,
And to this goodman thus gan to seyn,
“Ha: thou holy Man & holy persone,
Now for Charite telle me here Anone
how thou Mihtest gon vppon the See
That there Confownded not weren ȝe.”
“Nasciens,” quod this good Man tho,
“That schal I tellen the Er that I go.
wete thou wel that I am he
Of whom that thow In thy Maister Cyte
67
hider to the Come I now for his sake;
and thus the grete Maister sente me to the
That thin helthe I scholde be,
And from Adversite the to defende,
And that to goddis Comandementes þou Attende;
ȝif þou wilt his love haven In Ony wyse,
that thou do non fals Sacrefice.
herkene to me now, I the Rede,
what Maner of thing I shal the bede,
that from this tyme forward wele he kepen the
From Alle Aventures, ful syker thou be.
For Al so strong he is therto
As vppon the See to Maken Me go,
And vppon þe wete Se to Maken my weye
with-Owten Confowndyng, As I the seye.
So lyhtly schal Iosepe of Barithmathie,
and Josephes the ferste Cristen bischope sekerlye,
and with hym his peple Also,
Alle Bare On the Se scholen they go;
with-owten Schipe owther Ony Oþer thyng
Into Grete Breteigne Crist doth hem bryng.
For it is the grete lordis wille,
Of his ligne Breteyne to fulfille.”
And whiles they Spoken thus In fere,
They Syen A vessel In the se Comen there,
And towardis hem it cam ful faste
Til bord on bord hit Cam Atte laste,
And to-Gederis they smeten so sore
that they wenden han persched thore;
but with-Inne non thing there nas
That they cowden Aspien In that plas.
They Syen A vessel In the se Comen there,
And towardis hem it cam ful faste
Til bord on bord hit Cam Atte laste,
And to-Gederis they smeten so sore
that they wenden han persched thore;
but with-Inne non thing there nas
That they cowden Aspien In that plas.
thanne bespak this good Man Certeyne
Anon Ryht there to Celidoyne,
“Now, faire child, ARys vpe here,
and In this Schipe that thou were;
and go As Aventure wil the lede:
do, faire Child, now as I the bede;
For thus the sente to seyne be Me
the grete lord inne maieste,
which that deleuered [the] from Calafere,
Owt of his presown and his powere.”
Anon Ryht there to Celidoyne,
“Now, faire child, ARys vpe here,
and In this Schipe that thou were;
68
do, faire Child, now as I the bede;
For thus the sente to seyne be Me
the grete lord inne maieste,
which that deleuered [the] from Calafere,
Owt of his presown and his powere.”
Anon As this Child herd hym seyn so,
Owt of the grete Schipe he gan to go
In to that lytel vessel Anon,
And betawht hem God Everichon.
And thus sone As he Entred he was,
As Swiftly As sonne Entreth thoruh glas
I-past he was Owt of here Syht,
that they non lengere sen hym ne Myht.
Owt of the grete Schipe he gan to go
In to that lytel vessel Anon,
And betawht hem God Everichon.
And thus sone As he Entred he was,
As Swiftly As sonne Entreth thoruh glas
I-past he was Owt of here Syht,
that they non lengere sen hym ne Myht.
thanne whanne Nasciens beheld Al this,
For so Abasched he was Iwis,
Thanne seide this good man to Nasciens there
“Abasche the not, Sire, In non Manere,
For thy sone here-Aftir Schalt thou se
bothe heyl and qwert In alle degre;
In that lond that god hath behoten the & thyne,
There schalt thou hym Sen ful wel afyne.
Now forth to thy contre that thou go,
To thy wyf and to thy Meyne Al-so;
For this is goddis Comandement
that I the Seye now verrament.”
For so Abasched he was Iwis,
Thanne seide this good man to Nasciens there
“Abasche the not, Sire, In non Manere,
For thy sone here-Aftir Schalt thou se
bothe heyl and qwert In alle degre;
In that lond that god hath behoten the & thyne,
There schalt thou hym Sen ful wel afyne.
Now forth to thy contre that thou go,
To thy wyf and to thy Meyne Al-so;
For this is goddis Comandement
that I the Seye now verrament.”
Thanne this goodman Anon from hem paste
that they ne wiste where he be-Cam In haste;
and thus sone Alle Sawf Aryved they were
vndir the Castel gate tho there,
so Ny, that Alle tho þat weren In the Castel
Myht han herd hem wondirly well
But that Alle On Slepe they were,
So that kyng Mordreins Cride lowde there,
and Seyde, “Opene ȝe the ȝates Anon,
and leteth ȝoure lordes here Inne to gon.”
that they ne wiste where he be-Cam In haste;
and thus sone Alle Sawf Aryved they were
vndir the Castel gate tho there,
so Ny, that Alle tho þat weren In the Castel
Myht han herd hem wondirly well
But that Alle On Slepe they were,
So that kyng Mordreins Cride lowde there,
and Seyde, “Opene ȝe the ȝates Anon,
and leteth ȝoure lordes here Inne to gon.”
69
thanne they with-Inne Rysen vp ful faste,
And to the walles Ronnen in gret haste,
And Seiden, “sires, ho ben ȝe there
that Into this Castel wold Entren here?”
So longe the kyng to hem Spak,
That they hym Knewe with-Owten lak
that it was here Owne Kyng;
And faste bothe torches & tortys weren In lyhteng,
and with As gret Ioye Resceyved here kyng
As It hadde be God to here plesyng.
that Nyht gret worschepe the Kyng they don,
Al that Meyne Everychon,
For gret love that to hym they hadde
and ful sore for him weren they Adradde.
and whanne it was the day lyht,
Messengeres faste prekid, ho so gon Miht,
Abowtes In eche contre Rydynge,
Of the kyng & Nasciens to beren tydynge.
And to the walles Ronnen in gret haste,
And Seiden, “sires, ho ben ȝe there
that Into this Castel wold Entren here?”
So longe the kyng to hem Spak,
That they hym Knewe with-Owten lak
that it was here Owne Kyng;
And faste bothe torches & tortys weren In lyhteng,
and with As gret Ioye Resceyved here kyng
As It hadde be God to here plesyng.
that Nyht gret worschepe the Kyng they don,
Al that Meyne Everychon,
For gret love that to hym they hadde
and ful sore for him weren they Adradde.
and whanne it was the day lyht,
Messengeres faste prekid, ho so gon Miht,
Abowtes In eche contre Rydynge,
Of the kyng & Nasciens to beren tydynge.
whanne the Barouns of that Contre
of Kyng Mordreyns knew Certeinte,
To that Castel prykeden they ful faste,
ful Manye Barowns, and In gret haste;
For Ioye the wepyng they maden there,
I trowe that neuere man say Ere;
there was bothe Mirthe, Ioye, & gret feste,
amonges tho barowns bothe lest and Meste.
and with-Inne the Seventhe day
to that Castel Cam the qwene In fay;
and so gret Ioye of hire lord hadde sche thanne,
and of hire brothir that worthy Manne,
that non wyht with mowthe tellen ne Can
the Ioye that Made thike goode womman.
of Kyng Mordreyns knew Certeinte,
To that Castel prykeden they ful faste,
ful Manye Barowns, and In gret haste;
For Ioye the wepyng they maden there,
I trowe that neuere man say Ere;
there was bothe Mirthe, Ioye, & gret feste,
amonges tho barowns bothe lest and Meste.
and with-Inne the Seventhe day
to that Castel Cam the qwene In fay;
and so gret Ioye of hire lord hadde sche thanne,
and of hire brothir that worthy Manne,
that non wyht with mowthe tellen ne Can
the Ioye that Made thike goode womman.
and whanne that Nasciens to Reste was gon,
thanne herde he tellen Ryht Anon
that his wyf owt of þat Rem was past,
hym forto seken with ful gret hast.
thanne Messengeris sente he forth Anon,
hos[o] myhte fastere Ryden Other gon,
and not to stynten tyl sche were fownde,
where so they walked be ony grownde.
So that the Messengeres forth they wente;
and schortly to bryngen it to oure Entente,
Into the Rem of Meotyde
they Reden Er they wolden Abyde,
and with this lady Metten they thore;
Ful Ioyful and glad weren they therfore.
and whanne of hire lord þat sche herde telle
that heyl he was I flesch & felle,
Anon sche Retorned hom Ageyn
as I ȝow telle here now In Certeyn.
thanne herde he tellen Ryht Anon
that his wyf owt of þat Rem was past,
hym forto seken with ful gret hast.
70
hos[o] myhte fastere Ryden Other gon,
and not to stynten tyl sche were fownde,
where so they walked be ony grownde.
So that the Messengeres forth they wente;
and schortly to bryngen it to oure Entente,
Into the Rem of Meotyde
they Reden Er they wolden Abyde,
and with this lady Metten they thore;
Ful Ioyful and glad weren they therfore.
and whanne of hire lord þat sche herde telle
that heyl he was I flesch & felle,
Anon sche Retorned hom Ageyn
as I ȝow telle here now In Certeyn.
and whanne sche was Entred Into Kyng Mordrayns lond—
As this storie doth ȝow to vndirstond,—
thanne fond sche hire lord, & Mordrayns þe kyng,
In þe Cite of Sarras with-Owten lesyng:
thanne Of the Ioye that was hem be-twene,
No Man tho Cowde tellen, as I wene.
but whanne hire sone sche sawh not there,
Thanne wondirfully Chonged sche hire chere;
but thanne thorugh the Kyng & hire lorde
they to hem Maden hire Acorde,
and tolden hire of Merveilles In ech degre,—
how that with Celidoyne it scholde be,
and what Aventures hym befelle,
Al this they tolden the lady vntylle.
As this storie doth ȝow to vndirstond,—
thanne fond sche hire lord, & Mordrayns þe kyng,
In þe Cite of Sarras with-Owten lesyng:
thanne Of the Ioye that was hem be-twene,
No Man tho Cowde tellen, as I wene.
but whanne hire sone sche sawh not there,
Thanne wondirfully Chonged sche hire chere;
but thanne thorugh the Kyng & hire lorde
they to hem Maden hire Acorde,
and tolden hire of Merveilles In ech degre,—
how that with Celidoyne it scholde be,
and what Aventures hym befelle,
Al this they tolden the lady vntylle.
That same day that they to Sarras wente,
Kyng labelis dowhter was cristened presente;
In the worschep of god & þe qwene Mordrayn,
There was sche Cristened In Certeyn
be the handes of Petro that was thanne
I-Cownted for Ryht an holy Manne;
And Ek Ioseps kynnes-man for sothe he was,
a blessed man holden In that plas;
whiche damysele was sethen ful sekerlye
Celidoynes wif, as seith now this storye
. . that myn sire Robert Boroun here
From latyn Into frensch translated this Matere,
Next Aftyr that holy Ermyt
that god him Self hadde taken It.
Kyng labelis dowhter was cristened presente;
In the worschep of god & þe qwene Mordrayn,
There was sche Cristened In Certeyn
be the handes of Petro that was thanne
I-Cownted for Ryht an holy Manne;
And Ek Ioseps kynnes-man for sothe he was,
a blessed man holden In that plas;
71
Celidoynes wif, as seith now this storye
. . that myn sire Robert Boroun here
From latyn Into frensch translated this Matere,
Next Aftyr that holy Ermyt
that god him Self hadde taken It.
Ful gret Merveille Among these ladyes was
Of that fair Aventure, and Of that Gras,
that so be Goddis helpe this socour
badden browht here lordis Owt of langour.
ȝit not-with-stondyng for this fair Aventure,
Neuer the prowdere weren they, I the Enswre;
Ne the More bobaunce hadden In herte,
but to God ȝoven preysenges, and not A-sterte,
For that socour he hadde hem sent
here lordis to sen with Eyen present.
Of that fair Aventure, and Of that Gras,
that so be Goddis helpe this socour
badden browht here lordis Owt of langour.
ȝit not-with-stondyng for this fair Aventure,
Neuer the prowdere weren they, I the Enswre;
Ne the More bobaunce hadden In herte,
but to God ȝoven preysenges, and not A-sterte,
For that socour he hadde hem sent
here lordis to sen with Eyen present.
Thanne ful fer senten they Abowte
To seken Iosephe with-owten dowte,
For they supposeden sekerlye
that Celidoyne with him was Otterlye,
but for non Man that Evere they sente
herden they non tydynges veramente,
and that Greved hem ful sore
that of hym herden they no more.
Thanne seiden they tho hem betwene
Sethen that they syen it wolde not bene,
‘bettere it were Iosephe to seke,
whiche that is A Man bothe good & Meke,
that he better Comfort wolde vs telle
thanne ȝit Of hym Ony befelle.’
To seken Iosephe with-owten dowte,
For they supposeden sekerlye
that Celidoyne with him was Otterlye,
but for non Man that Evere they sente
herden they non tydynges veramente,
and that Greved hem ful sore
that of hym herden they no more.
Thanne seiden they tho hem betwene
Sethen that they syen it wolde not bene,
‘bettere it were Iosephe to seke,
whiche that is A Man bothe good & Meke,
that he better Comfort wolde vs telle
thanne ȝit Of hym Ony befelle.’
thus weren they Algates ful of thowht
For þat of Celidoyne herden they nowht:
Thanne thus In pensifnesse fil Nasciens tho,
where-thorwh in-to Mal Ese he made hym go,
that bothe he lefte his drynk & his Mete,
and Al that to the Body scholde ben Seete;
So that he thowhte vppon non Othir thing,
but that Evere to god he ȝaf gretyng,
and besowhte God for his grete pyte
‘that he myhte have Scheweng In som degre
where that Iosephe of Armathye,
Owther Celydoyne, to fynden Otterlye.’
“And ȝit More, Lord, I the beseche,
with ful faire wordis & myldë speche,
that Owt Of this world [thou] let me not gon
Tyl Into þat lond passen we Mown,
as it is don me to vndirstonde
that ȝit schal I passen Into strange londe,
whiche that Multeplied scholde be
Al holiche Of Myn Meyne.”
For þat of Celidoyne herden they nowht:
Thanne thus In pensifnesse fil Nasciens tho,
where-thorwh in-to Mal Ese he made hym go,
that bothe he lefte his drynk & his Mete,
and Al that to the Body scholde ben Seete;
72
but that Evere to god he ȝaf gretyng,
and besowhte God for his grete pyte
‘that he myhte have Scheweng In som degre
where that Iosephe of Armathye,
Owther Celydoyne, to fynden Otterlye.’
“And ȝit More, Lord, I the beseche,
with ful faire wordis & myldë speche,
that Owt Of this world [thou] let me not gon
Tyl Into þat lond passen we Mown,
as it is don me to vndirstonde
that ȝit schal I passen Into strange londe,
whiche that Multeplied scholde be
Al holiche Of Myn Meyne.”
thanne flegentyne, Nasciens wyf,
Tolde hire lord, with-Owten stryf,
Of a certein Aviciown Anon
that to hire In slepe gan to gon,
‘that they Anon Into that lond scholde fare
whiche with hem fulfild scholde ben thare.’
Tolde hire lord, with-Owten stryf,
Of a certein Aviciown Anon
that to hire In slepe gan to gon,
‘that they Anon Into that lond scholde fare
whiche with hem fulfild scholde ben thare.’
Lo, this preyere Nasciens Made Every day,
and Ek be Nyht As he In bedde lay.
So longe he preyde, and In Eche Owr,
þat Atte laste to hym sente Owre saviour.
On Even[in]g As he In his bed lay;
A wondir Avicyown hym thowhte he say:—
that In his Chambre A gret Clerte was,
and Ek A voys he herde In that plas—
wher-with he Awook Anon there—
that to him seide in this Manere:
“ARis vp Nasciens, now Anon Ryht,
And faste towardis the see the dyht,
where thou schalt fynde A schipe Anon;
and þer-Inne faste Entre thow Anon;
and what Euere thou se, haue þou non dowte
what Manere of thing be the Abowte;
& thedir the riht wey schal it leden the
Of thike that thou desirest to se;
And sone tydynges schalt thow knowe
Of alle thy peticiouns vppon A rowe.”
and Ek be Nyht As he In bedde lay.
So longe he preyde, and In Eche Owr,
þat Atte laste to hym sente Owre saviour.
On Even[in]g As he In his bed lay;
A wondir Avicyown hym thowhte he say:—
that In his Chambre A gret Clerte was,
and Ek A voys he herde In that plas—
wher-with he Awook Anon there—
that to him seide in this Manere:
“ARis vp Nasciens, now Anon Ryht,
And faste towardis the see the dyht,
where thou schalt fynde A schipe Anon;
and þer-Inne faste Entre thow Anon;
and what Euere thou se, haue þou non dowte
what Manere of thing be the Abowte;
73
Of thike that thou desirest to se;
And sone tydynges schalt thow knowe
Of alle thy peticiouns vppon A rowe.”
whanne this Clerte non lengere dide last,
and that the vois from hym was past,
Owt of his bed he aros Anon tho,
and thankynges to god thanne dide he do,
‘that God, of hise gret Cortesye,
had hym certefyed so openlye
that Aftir Celidoyne he scholde go
Into a fer strange lond tho,
Forto pubplysche that Contre
that ful of myscreawntes now be.’
and that the vois from hym was past,
Owt of his bed he aros Anon tho,
and thankynges to god thanne dide he do,
‘that God, of hise gret Cortesye,
had hym certefyed so openlye
that Aftir Celidoyne he scholde go
Into a fer strange lond tho,
Forto pubplysche that Contre
that ful of myscreawntes now be.’
thus sone he Clothed hym Anon,
And to his Stable he gan to gon,
And took A good hors And A strong,
And there Into the sadel sone he sprong,
So that Neuere man the wysere was
whedir he wente, ne Into what plas,
Ne non man hym Aparceyven Myhte
whether he wente be day oþer be nyhte.
And to his Stable he gan to gon,
And took A good hors And A strong,
And there Into the sadel sone he sprong,
So that Neuere man the wysere was
whedir he wente, ne Into what plas,
Ne non man hym Aparceyven Myhte
whether he wente be day oþer be nyhte.
vppon the Morwe, whanne it was day,
the lady Awook there that sche lay,
and Missid hire lord that lay hire by.
Anon sette sche vpe a sorweful Cry,
so that al hire peple hire Cam Abowte,
And for here weren they In gret dowte,
and Axeden what they myhten do:
So that Anon Acordid they tho
‘that Eche man scholde gon be his Contre;
for fer from hem Myhte he not be,
sethen the tyme he wente his way.’
Thus Amonges hem they gonne to say.
the lady Awook there that sche lay,
and Missid hire lord that lay hire by.
Anon sette sche vpe a sorweful Cry,
so that al hire peple hire Cam Abowte,
And for here weren they In gret dowte,
and Axeden what they myhten do:
So that Anon Acordid they tho
‘that Eche man scholde gon be his Contre;
for fer from hem Myhte he not be,
sethen the tyme he wente his way.’
Thus Amonges hem they gonne to say.
thanne Eche man took hors Anon,
and Eche man his partye gan to gon,
and seiden ‘ȝif they myhten hym Mete,
his Compenye they wolden not lete,
but him to bryngen hom A-geyn;’
thus seide Eche man In Certeyn.
and Eche man his partye gan to gon,
74
his Compenye they wolden not lete,
but him to bryngen hom A-geyn;’
thus seide Eche man In Certeyn.
So On that was of that Compenye,
In his weye faste gan he hye,
and loked forth to-forn hym tho,
and Aspide where Nasciens hadde go
be the Naylles of his hors feet;
thanne thike weye wolde he not leet.
In his weye faste gan he hye,
and loked forth to-forn hym tho,
and Aspide where Nasciens hadde go
be the Naylles of his hors feet;
thanne thike weye wolde he not leet.
and he that hem thus gan to Aspye,
his Name was Nabor ful sekerlye;
whiche was A gret knyht, & A strong,
and In Servage hadde ben long,
and Also In gret Caytyvete;
but sire Nasciens for Rewthe & pyte
hym bowhte of A kyng Of ynde,
For he seide he was Comen Of kynges kynde;
but trewly Nabor ne was not so;
for A veleynes sone was he tho,
and I-comen of A schrewed streen
lik as he schewed, seker ȝe ben:
and an old knyht he was therto,
Sixty ȝer & ten with-Owten Mo;
and therto he was the most felonows Man
and Most Crewel þat In the world levede than
his Name was Nabor ful sekerlye;
whiche was A gret knyht, & A strong,
and In Servage hadde ben long,
and Also In gret Caytyvete;
but sire Nasciens for Rewthe & pyte
hym bowhte of A kyng Of ynde,
For he seide he was Comen Of kynges kynde;
but trewly Nabor ne was not so;
for A veleynes sone was he tho,
and I-comen of A schrewed streen
lik as he schewed, seker ȝe ben:
and an old knyht he was therto,
Sixty ȝer & ten with-Owten Mo;
and therto he was the most felonows Man
and Most Crewel þat In the world levede than
And whanne he hadde fownden this Redy weye
That Nasciens forth Rod ful sekerlye,
Thanne Rood he faste In his Iorne
Al so harde As that hors Mihte fle
whiles he myhten have the day lyht,
that of his lord he myhte haven a syht.
And so faste he gan to Ryde,
that Sixty myles & ten he Rod þat tyde,
and so Rod he In ful gret haste
Tyl his wit from him was Ny paste,
And Also he hadde I-lost the syht
Of Nasciens hors feet, as I the plyht.
That Nasciens forth Rod ful sekerlye,
Thanne Rood he faste In his Iorne
Al so harde As that hors Mihte fle
whiles he myhten have the day lyht,
that of his lord he myhte haven a syht.
And so faste he gan to Ryde,
that Sixty myles & ten he Rod þat tyde,
and so Rod he In ful gret haste
Tyl his wit from him was Ny paste,
75
Of Nasciens hors feet, as I the plyht.
and whanne it was Abowtes Evesong,
at þe foot of A Mow[n]teyn þat was hyh & long,
there mette he with a sarraȝyn thanne,
and Axed hym ȝif he Saw Ony Manne,
A knyht Rydyng al Alone;
thus hym this Nabor axede sone.
and he Answerid Anon ageyn
and seide “Nay, sire, In Certeyn
this day sawh I Man neuer on
On hors here Ryden, but on Alon
that with Fereyn, the stowte Ieaunt,
I saw hyn fyhten, as I vndirstond:
And whether he be knyht Oþer bachelere,
Seker, sire, I not In non Manere.”
at þe foot of A Mow[n]teyn þat was hyh & long,
there mette he with a sarraȝyn thanne,
and Axed hym ȝif he Saw Ony Manne,
A knyht Rydyng al Alone;
thus hym this Nabor axede sone.
and he Answerid Anon ageyn
and seide “Nay, sire, In Certeyn
this day sawh I Man neuer on
On hors here Ryden, but on Alon
that with Fereyn, the stowte Ieaunt,
I saw hyn fyhten, as I vndirstond:
And whether he be knyht Oþer bachelere,
Seker, sire, I not In non Manere.”
And whanne this word he vndirstood,
thanne with the Sarrezyn non lengere he bod,
but prikede fast forth In his weye
As faste As the hors Myht gon In feye;
and thanne forth ferthere he gan to pace;
thanne þere he beheld to-forn his face
A sore Melle Of tweyne ful felownesly.
thanne thidirward faste he gan hym hy,
and so longe hadde they fowhten In this Manere
So þat for febelnesse they fillen bothe there,
and the ton vppon the tothir he lay.
So longe hadden they fowhten þat day
that Onnethis there brethen they myhte,
So wery they weren there bothen of fyhte.
thanne with the Sarrezyn non lengere he bod,
but prikede fast forth In his weye
As faste As the hors Myht gon In feye;
and thanne forth ferthere he gan to pace;
thanne þere he beheld to-forn his face
A sore Melle Of tweyne ful felownesly.
thanne thidirward faste he gan hym hy,
and so longe hadde they fowhten In this Manere
So þat for febelnesse they fillen bothe there,
and the ton vppon the tothir he lay.
So longe hadden they fowhten þat day
that Onnethis there brethen they myhte,
So wery they weren there bothen of fyhte.
whanne that Nabor his lord tho say
vndir the Ieawnt there he lay,
ȝit abasched he was ful sore,
al-thowgh An hardy man he wore,
and there drow Owt his swerd Anon,
and to hem ward faste he gan to gon;
thanne Of his hors he A-lyhte Certeyne,
And there it fastened Anon be the Reyne,
And on his feet Cam A gret pas
To hem bothe þere the Melle it was.
and whanne the Ieaunt sawgh On Comen there,
with a swerd drawen In Swich A manere,
thanne vp Arysen Anon wolde he;
but for Nasciens it Myhte not be,
that anon knew Nabor be sight;
he held thanne þe Ieaunt with Al his Myht,
that vp from hym he myhte not Aryse
for owht þe Ieaunt Cowde don In non wyse.
thanne Nabor smot this Ieaunt So,
that his hed he Clef Evene vntwo
down Into the harde teth,
So þat he lost bothe wit and breth.
Anon sire Nasciens Ros vpe thanne,
As lyht, as Ioyful, as ony Manne,
and thankede God In Many Manere
Of that socour he sente hym there.
vndir the Ieawnt there he lay,
ȝit abasched he was ful sore,
al-thowgh An hardy man he wore,
and there drow Owt his swerd Anon,
and to hem ward faste he gan to gon;
76
And there it fastened Anon be the Reyne,
And on his feet Cam A gret pas
To hem bothe þere the Melle it was.
and whanne the Ieaunt sawgh On Comen there,
with a swerd drawen In Swich A manere,
thanne vp Arysen Anon wolde he;
but for Nasciens it Myhte not be,
that anon knew Nabor be sight;
he held thanne þe Ieaunt with Al his Myht,
that vp from hym he myhte not Aryse
for owht þe Ieaunt Cowde don In non wyse.
thanne Nabor smot this Ieaunt So,
that his hed he Clef Evene vntwo
down Into the harde teth,
So þat he lost bothe wit and breth.
Anon sire Nasciens Ros vpe thanne,
As lyht, as Ioyful, as ony Manne,
and thankede God In Many Manere
Of that socour he sente hym there.
whanne Nabor say his lord hol & sownd,
and that he stood vppon the grownd,
“Sire,” he seide, “God, worschepid thou be,
That from peryl Of deth hath deliuered the.
Now for all the Servise that I have ȝow do,
hom ward Aȝen that ȝe wolden go,
and Elles Sire In Certayn
Non of ȝoure Meyne schal Nevere be fayn,
Nethir In Ioye, nethir in Reste,
and therfore, sire, me semeth beste,
and also for my lady ȝoure wyf
that lyveth In peynë, wo, and stryf,
Ne neuere Joye may Comen In hire herte,
but Evere to lyven In peynes smerte,
but ȝif ȝe homward tornen agayn,
Sertes, sire, schal she neuere be fayn;
and Elles demen Alle Mosten we,
that ȝe ben ded In som hard degre.”
and that he stood vppon the grownd,
“Sire,” he seide, “God, worschepid thou be,
That from peryl Of deth hath deliuered the.
Now for all the Servise that I have ȝow do,
hom ward Aȝen that ȝe wolden go,
and Elles Sire In Certayn
Non of ȝoure Meyne schal Nevere be fayn,
Nethir In Ioye, nethir in Reste,
and therfore, sire, me semeth beste,
and also for my lady ȝoure wyf
that lyveth In peynë, wo, and stryf,
Ne neuere Joye may Comen In hire herte,
but Evere to lyven In peynes smerte,
but ȝif ȝe homward tornen agayn,
Sertes, sire, schal she neuere be fayn;
77
that ȝe ben ded In som hard degre.”
“Now, Nabor, myn Owne swete frend,
that to me hast been bothe good and kend,—
wete thou wel, Nabor, In Certeyn,
that hom-ward schal I neuere tornen Ageyn
til I have seyn that I Come fore;
there-fore, Nabor, preye me no more;
For Sekir, Nabor, In this degre,
It nys non nede forto preyen me.”
“No, Sire, quod Nabor, Anon tho;
and whanne from My compenye I gan to go,
that ȝow wenten to seken Abowte,
Eche of vs Ensurede with-owten dowte
that which of vs ȝow myhte fynde,
hom Aȝen to Rotorne be ony kynde.
and now sethen that I have ȝow fownde
heil & sownd vppon this grownde,
hom Aȝen with me scholen ȝe gon,
Certes, sire, whethir ȝe wele Oþer non.”
that to me hast been bothe good and kend,—
wete thou wel, Nabor, In Certeyn,
that hom-ward schal I neuere tornen Ageyn
til I have seyn that I Come fore;
there-fore, Nabor, preye me no more;
For Sekir, Nabor, In this degre,
It nys non nede forto preyen me.”
“No, Sire, quod Nabor, Anon tho;
and whanne from My compenye I gan to go,
that ȝow wenten to seken Abowte,
Eche of vs Ensurede with-owten dowte
that which of vs ȝow myhte fynde,
hom Aȝen to Rotorne be ony kynde.
and now sethen that I have ȝow fownde
heil & sownd vppon this grownde,
hom Aȝen with me scholen ȝe gon,
Certes, sire, whethir ȝe wele Oþer non.”
“Now, Certes, quod Nasciens to Nabor tho,
I trowe, power hast thow non therto.”
“That I have, quod Nabor to Nasciens Ageyn,
Owther Ellis we schole fyhten In Certeyn.”
“What, quod Nasciens to hym thanne,
I wende that thow were My Manne;
and ȝif tho scholdest fyhten with me,
Me thynketh, Nabor, it myhte not wel be.”
“be my trowthe, quod Nabor, tho,
and that Sekerly Schal I do;
For my trowthe breken I Nylle,
Only ȝowre wil to fulfille.”
“Now trewely, quod Sire Nasciens,
that bataille were Of grete Offens,
and Ek Egal it Myhte not be
be non thing, as besemeth me;
For thou art bothe fresch and lyht,
and I am A man wery Of fyht;
And Ek Armed thou art therto,
and In non wyse nam I not so.
Therto my lige Man I vndirstond,
and ȝit I made þe knyht with myn hond;
and therfore hand schost thou non leyn On Me,
as me now semeth, In non degre.”
“I schal, quod Nabor, be my fay;
Aȝen with me schalt þou gon this day;
Whethir that thow wilt, Owther non,
Aȝen with me schalt thou gon.”
“Nay, be the grace of god, quod Nasciens tho,
For non power that thou kanst do.”
I trowe, power hast thow non therto.”
“That I have, quod Nabor to Nasciens Ageyn,
Owther Ellis we schole fyhten In Certeyn.”
“What, quod Nasciens to hym thanne,
I wende that thow were My Manne;
and ȝif tho scholdest fyhten with me,
Me thynketh, Nabor, it myhte not wel be.”
“be my trowthe, quod Nabor, tho,
and that Sekerly Schal I do;
For my trowthe breken I Nylle,
Only ȝowre wil to fulfille.”
“Now trewely, quod Sire Nasciens,
that bataille were Of grete Offens,
and Ek Egal it Myhte not be
be non thing, as besemeth me;
78
and I am A man wery Of fyht;
And Ek Armed thou art therto,
and In non wyse nam I not so.
Therto my lige Man I vndirstond,
and ȝit I made þe knyht with myn hond;
and therfore hand schost thou non leyn On Me,
as me now semeth, In non degre.”
“I schal, quod Nabor, be my fay;
Aȝen with me schalt þou gon this day;
Whethir that thow wilt, Owther non,
Aȝen with me schalt thou gon.”
“Nay, be the grace of god, quod Nasciens tho,
For non power that thou kanst do.”
Thanne Nasciens his weye gan to take,
and faste to the Seward gan he schake;
thanne this Nabor to-forn hym gan prese,
and of his weye there Made hym Sese,
and be the ton arm hym held ageyn,
That forthere myhte he not In Certeyn.
“A, quod Nasciens, and thow with strengthe me holde!
I trowe þat thou be not so bolde
To letten at this tyme My Iorne
Of thing that I desire to Se.”
and faste to the Seward gan he schake;
thanne this Nabor to-forn hym gan prese,
and of his weye there Made hym Sese,
and be the ton arm hym held ageyn,
That forthere myhte he not In Certeyn.
“A, quod Nasciens, and thow with strengthe me holde!
I trowe þat thou be not so bolde
To letten at this tyme My Iorne
Of thing that I desire to Se.”
Thanne held this Nabor so faste hym there
that he ne myhte Ascapen In non Manere,
For he was bothen feynt and wery
Of þe Bataille Of the Ieawnt trewely,
so that non power he hadde hym to withstonde,
So faste he held hym be the honde.
And this Felown and vntrewe man,
so sore he drowgh On his lord than,
that to the grownd he made hym to falle;
Anon In swowneng fyl he with-alle,
and to-barst bothen vysage & his forehed,
that the blood Ran Owt In that sted;
so sore he Astoned tho was
Of that fallyng In that plas.
and this veleyn ne hadde non pyte
Of his lord In non manere degre,
For he was ful Of schrewednesse,
Of vntrowthe, and of al wykkednesse.
that he ne myhte Ascapen In non Manere,
For he was bothen feynt and wery
Of þe Bataille Of the Ieawnt trewely,
so that non power he hadde hym to withstonde,
So faste he held hym be the honde.
And this Felown and vntrewe man,
so sore he drowgh On his lord than,
that to the grownd he made hym to falle;
Anon In swowneng fyl he with-alle,
and to-barst bothen vysage & his forehed,
that the blood Ran Owt In that sted;
79
Of that fallyng In that plas.
and this veleyn ne hadde non pyte
Of his lord In non manere degre,
For he was ful Of schrewednesse,
Of vntrowthe, and of al wykkednesse.
Whanne Nasciens Of his swowneng Awaked was tho,
thanne this fals Nabor Cryde hym vnto,
‘that trewly he scholde hym Slen Anon,
but ȝif homwardis he wolde gon.’
and Nasciens so woful was tho
For tweyne thynges with-Owten Mo:
On, for that he wolde him ledyn Ageyn,
which Aȝens his wille was pleyn;
And ȝif that Aȝen he tornede so,
thanne his Comandement myhte he not do.
quod Nasciens, “and thou wilt, þou myht me sle,
For Aȝen wile I not In non degre.”
“Certeynly,” quod this Nabor tho,
“And but thow wilt, I schal the slo.
For now Onlyche alle thy Meyne,
For the maken sorwe and pyte;
and Ek thy frendis Everichon,
For the they maken passing Mon.
And therfore now, so god helpe Me,
but ȝif thow wilt Comen, I schal slen the.”
“Sle me,” quod Nasciens, “thanne In this sted,
and I wele forȝeven the my ded.”
thanne this fals Nabor Cryde hym vnto,
‘that trewly he scholde hym Slen Anon,
but ȝif homwardis he wolde gon.’
and Nasciens so woful was tho
For tweyne thynges with-Owten Mo:
On, for that he wolde him ledyn Ageyn,
which Aȝens his wille was pleyn;
And ȝif that Aȝen he tornede so,
thanne his Comandement myhte he not do.
quod Nasciens, “and thou wilt, þou myht me sle,
For Aȝen wile I not In non degre.”
“Certeynly,” quod this Nabor tho,
“And but thow wilt, I schal the slo.
For now Onlyche alle thy Meyne,
For the maken sorwe and pyte;
and Ek thy frendis Everichon,
For the they maken passing Mon.
And therfore now, so god helpe Me,
but ȝif thow wilt Comen, I schal slen the.”
“Sle me,” quod Nasciens, “thanne In this sted,
and I wele forȝeven the my ded.”
Thanne this Nabor drowh his swerd ful hastely,
And gan it holden there vp An hy,
For to han Cloven his hed In sondir,
Where-Offen Sire Nasciens hadde wondir.
and whanne Nasciens say þe swerd An hy,
he left vpe his hond to God almyhty,
and seide, “lord, save me thou here
From this false thevis powere.”
And Anon as he hadde Mad his preyere
this Nabor Anon ded fyl down there,
and his swerd Ryht In his hond,
as the storye vs doth to vndirstond.
And gan it holden there vp An hy,
For to han Cloven his hed In sondir,
Where-Offen Sire Nasciens hadde wondir.
and whanne Nasciens say þe swerd An hy,
he left vpe his hond to God almyhty,
and seide, “lord, save me thou here
From this false thevis powere.”
80
this Nabor Anon ded fyl down there,
and his swerd Ryht In his hond,
as the storye vs doth to vndirstond.
Whanne Nasciens beheld that Merveil there,
bothe sory and glad he was In his Manere:
Glad, for he was asckaped so;
And Ek sory, for his deth tho;
For In his herte he demed ful sore
That his sowle ne was but lore.
bothe sory and glad he was In his Manere:
Glad, for he was asckaped so;
And Ek sory, for his deth tho;
For In his herte he demed ful sore
That his sowle ne was but lore.
thanne loked Nasciens toward the see,
And beheld where Cam a gret Compeyne
On hors bak faste prekynge;
and to hym wardis they weren Comenge;
And al abowtes he loked hym there,
where he myhte hym hyden In Ony Manere;
for gret drede thanne hadde he tho,
that Aȝen with hem scholde he go.
And whiles he lokede where hym to hyde,
vppon him they Comen In that tyde;
and gret ioye they maden Everichon
whanne they here lord syen there gon.
For his lige Men weren they Echon,
That hym sowhten there anon;
and Of his a Castel hadden In kepyng,
and goode men they weren, and trewe lovenge;
And also newe Cristened weren they alle
For love of Nasciens, so gan befalle.
and whanne that Ech Of hem say Oþer,
they Ioyed to-gederis as Brother and brothire;
and for the gret love that was hem betwene,
Ful Often they kysten al be-dene.
And beheld where Cam a gret Compeyne
On hors bak faste prekynge;
and to hym wardis they weren Comenge;
And al abowtes he loked hym there,
where he myhte hym hyden In Ony Manere;
for gret drede thanne hadde he tho,
that Aȝen with hem scholde he go.
And whiles he lokede where hym to hyde,
vppon him they Comen In that tyde;
and gret ioye they maden Everichon
whanne they here lord syen there gon.
For his lige Men weren they Echon,
That hym sowhten there anon;
and Of his a Castel hadden In kepyng,
and goode men they weren, and trewe lovenge;
And also newe Cristened weren they alle
For love of Nasciens, so gan befalle.
and whanne that Ech Of hem say Oþer,
they Ioyed to-gederis as Brother and brothire;
and for the gret love that was hem betwene,
Ful Often they kysten al be-dene.
This lord that was Of tarabel
Axede Of Nasciens Everydel
‘how that Nabor so was ded,
that toforn hem lay in that sted.’
Thanne Nasciens took hym On side Anon,
and tolde hym Onliche how it gan gon,
and how that he wolde han hym Slayn:
“but oure lord it nolde suffren In Certayn,
but swich veniaunce took As ȝe mown se,
and thus ded is he In this degre;
wheche forthenketh me ful sore,
and Oþerwise goddis wille it wore:
For I telle ȝow myn Entent,
It is good to kepen goddes commaundement.”
“Now, trewly,” quod this lord of Tarabel,
“Me Semeth this veniawnce to hym Cam wel,
For, Ma fey, wers ne myhte be not do
Thanne to his lige to werken so;
and forto Slen his owne lord,
Therto myhte I Neuere Acord.”
Axede Of Nasciens Everydel
‘how that Nabor so was ded,
that toforn hem lay in that sted.’
81
and tolde hym Onliche how it gan gon,
and how that he wolde han hym Slayn:
“but oure lord it nolde suffren In Certayn,
but swich veniaunce took As ȝe mown se,
and thus ded is he In this degre;
wheche forthenketh me ful sore,
and Oþerwise goddis wille it wore:
For I telle ȝow myn Entent,
It is good to kepen goddes commaundement.”
“Now, trewly,” quod this lord of Tarabel,
“Me Semeth this veniawnce to hym Cam wel,
For, Ma fey, wers ne myhte be not do
Thanne to his lige to werken so;
and forto Slen his owne lord,
Therto myhte I Neuere Acord.”
And whiles they stoden thus In fere,
And talked to-gedere Of this Matere,
A vois betwenes hem herden they there,
that thus there seide In this Manere,
“A, thou Man Of Tarabel!
Enemy to Crist! þat knowest þou wel;
And fals Cristene Man Ek therto!
For thou thyn Owne fadir didest slo.
Why demest thou this Man here
Wers than thy self In Ony Manere?
For thou wost haven thy Fadris lond,
thou hym slowh, I do the vndirstond.
therefore gret veniaunce schal Comen to the,
that Al the world therby war schal be.”
And talked to-gedere Of this Matere,
A vois betwenes hem herden they there,
that thus there seide In this Manere,
“A, thou Man Of Tarabel!
Enemy to Crist! þat knowest þou wel;
And fals Cristene Man Ek therto!
For thou thyn Owne fadir didest slo.
Why demest thou this Man here
Wers than thy self In Ony Manere?
For thou wost haven thy Fadris lond,
thou hym slowh, I do the vndirstond.
therefore gret veniaunce schal Comen to the,
that Al the world therby war schal be.”
And Anon as this vois was gon,
the wedir gan chongen Riht Anon,
and so dirk Amonges hem it be-cam to be,
That non Of hem ne Myhte Othere se.
thanne Amonges hem Cam A strok Of thondir,
Where-Offen the peple hadde [so] gret wondir
that to the Erthe they fillen Echon,
that vppon here feet myhte stonden neuer on,
but lyen As thow they hadden ben dede,
Everychon In that Stede.
and whanne that they Of here swowneng Awook,
Of here lord thanne kepe they took;
and fownden where that he ded lay,
as Alle that Meyne there it say,
Smeten to the ded with that thondir;
and so as he stank, it was gret wondir:
For there Mihte no man hym Comen Ny,
So fowle he stank there Certeynly.
the wedir gan chongen Riht Anon,
and so dirk Amonges hem it be-cam to be,
That non Of hem ne Myhte Othere se.
thanne Amonges hem Cam A strok Of thondir,
Where-Offen the peple hadde [so] gret wondir
82
that vppon here feet myhte stonden neuer on,
but lyen As thow they hadden ben dede,
Everychon In that Stede.
and whanne that they Of here swowneng Awook,
Of here lord thanne kepe they took;
and fownden where that he ded lay,
as Alle that Meyne there it say,
Smeten to the ded with that thondir;
and so as he stank, it was gret wondir:
For there Mihte no man hym Comen Ny,
So fowle he stank there Certeynly.
And whanne this Meyne sawhe that it was so,
They Cryden, & Maden ful Mochel wo,
lementaciown, and gret weylyng,
that A Myle Me Myhte heren here Morneng.
And, whiles they Maden this lementacioun,
To hem þere cam A man of Religiown;
And al whit was his vesture,
that he Inne Cam, I the ensure.
and whanne he say Nasciens there,
As a sory man, and In gret fere,
and, for best he knew Nasciens tho,
anon to hym gan he to go,
And Axede Of Nasciens Everydel
How that Aventure there befel.
thanne Nasciens Certefyed hym Anon
Al the Mater, ho it was doon.
“Forsothe,” quod this good Man,
“this is A Merveillous Mater than,
For Of swich anothir Neuere I herde,
Sethen I Cam Into Middelerde!
Now god On here sowles Mercy have,
and his wille be hem to save.”
They Cryden, & Maden ful Mochel wo,
lementaciown, and gret weylyng,
that A Myle Me Myhte heren here Morneng.
And, whiles they Maden this lementacioun,
To hem þere cam A man of Religiown;
And al whit was his vesture,
that he Inne Cam, I the ensure.
and whanne he say Nasciens there,
As a sory man, and In gret fere,
and, for best he knew Nasciens tho,
anon to hym gan he to go,
And Axede Of Nasciens Everydel
How that Aventure there befel.
thanne Nasciens Certefyed hym Anon
Al the Mater, ho it was doon.
“Forsothe,” quod this good Man,
“this is A Merveillous Mater than,
For Of swich anothir Neuere I herde,
Sethen I Cam Into Middelerde!
Now god On here sowles Mercy have,
and his wille be hem to save.”
“Now, goode sire,” quod Nasciens tho,
“that Cownceyl ȝe wolden ȝeven me vnto,
whethir In holy Erthe here bodyes to grave,
Owthir in Other place to Maken hem save.”
“I schal ȝow seyn,” quod this good Man,
“Swich Conseyl as I therto Can.
ȝe knowen it Cam be goddes veniaunce;
therfore were it good that this chaunce
thorwgh-Owt al the world were knowe,
bothe Amongis hye & lowe;
that Ensample therby they mown take,
Eche man from wikkednesse to Aslake.
And therefore here, be my Cownsaylle,
we scholen hem beryen with-Owten faille;
And wryten vppon here bodyes here
In what Manere that ded they were;
So that Evere In Remembrawnce
May be knowen here Mischaunce
the bettere to Every Cristene Man
That the lettres Reden wel Can:
And thus me semeth best þat ȝe do,”
quod this goodman to Nasciens tho.
“that Cownceyl ȝe wolden ȝeven me vnto,
83
Owthir in Other place to Maken hem save.”
“I schal ȝow seyn,” quod this good Man,
“Swich Conseyl as I therto Can.
ȝe knowen it Cam be goddes veniaunce;
therfore were it good that this chaunce
thorwgh-Owt al the world were knowe,
bothe Amongis hye & lowe;
that Ensample therby they mown take,
Eche man from wikkednesse to Aslake.
And therefore here, be my Cownsaylle,
we scholen hem beryen with-Owten faille;
And wryten vppon here bodyes here
In what Manere that ded they were;
So that Evere In Remembrawnce
May be knowen here Mischaunce
the bettere to Every Cristene Man
That the lettres Reden wel Can:
And thus me semeth best þat ȝe do,”
quod this goodman to Nasciens tho.
Thanne Answerid Sire Nasciens þere Anon,
and seide, “seker, it scholde be don.”
thanne Clepide forth Sire Nasciens there,
the Meyne þat with the lord of tarabel were,
“Now, lordynges, I preye ȝow Everichon
that these Bodyes Into the Erthe ȝe don;
On body Of this [side] Of the weye,
Anoþer On þe toþer side that ȝe leye;
and Amyddes hem bothe this Ieawnt,
that here with me bataille gan hawnt.
and whanne In the Erthe ȝe han hem do,
To Beyllye, My Castel, that ȝe go,
and sey to Flegentyne, My dwchesse,
that for me sche make non distresse;
but that sche do here forto Make
Thre tombes for these Mennes sake;
And On Every tombe let hire don write
Swich Mater As ȝe han herd vs Endite,
that A Remembraunce it Mote be
To Alle the Men Of Cristyente.”
and seide, “seker, it scholde be don.”
thanne Clepide forth Sire Nasciens there,
the Meyne þat with the lord of tarabel were,
“Now, lordynges, I preye ȝow Everichon
that these Bodyes Into the Erthe ȝe don;
On body Of this [side] Of the weye,
Anoþer On þe toþer side that ȝe leye;
and Amyddes hem bothe this Ieawnt,
that here with me bataille gan hawnt.
and whanne In the Erthe ȝe han hem do,
To Beyllye, My Castel, that ȝe go,
and sey to Flegentyne, My dwchesse,
that for me sche make non distresse;
but that sche do here forto Make
Thre tombes for these Mennes sake;
84
Swich Mater As ȝe han herd vs Endite,
that A Remembraunce it Mote be
To Alle the Men Of Cristyente.”
They seiden his Comandement scholde be do;
and these bodyes Into the Erthe they putten tho,
With Many Teres And sore Wepynge,
and all Nyht weren they there dwellynge.
and these bodyes Into the Erthe they putten tho,
With Many Teres And sore Wepynge,
and all Nyht weren they there dwellynge.
CHAPTER XXXIX. OF NASCIENS'S FURTHER ADVENTURES, AND HIS GENEALOGY.
85
Thanne Nasciens Anon, with-Owten dowte,
Chos the beste hors Of that Rowte,
And Into the Sadel he sprang Anon,
and hastede Faste that he were gon,
and told hem of the Ieawnt Every del,
In what Manere & how it befel:
whiche that the storye not telleth here,
but here-Aftir it schal schewen ȝow more Clere.
Chos the beste hors Of that Rowte,
And Into the Sadel he sprang Anon,
and hastede Faste that he were gon,
and told hem of the Ieawnt Every del,
In what Manere & how it befel:
whiche that the storye not telleth here,
but here-Aftir it schal schewen ȝow more Clere.
Thanne whanne On horsbak that he was set,
his weye he took, and non lengere ne let;
but Al so faste As the hors myhte gon,
Towardis the se he wente Anon,
Whedir as he cam be the spring of day,
And A fair schipe anon there he say;
The same schipe it was In Certeynte
where-Inne to fore tymes he hadde be,
that the bed and the swerd Inne þere was,
wich that him thowhte a delitable plas.
And to-forn that schip sawh he
The fairest damysele that myhte be,
and the beste Arayed In vesture
that Evere he say, I the Ensure.
his weye he took, and non lengere ne let;
but Al so faste As the hors myhte gon,
Towardis the se he wente Anon,
Whedir as he cam be the spring of day,
And A fair schipe anon there he say;
The same schipe it was In Certeynte
where-Inne to fore tymes he hadde be,
that the bed and the swerd Inne þere was,
wich that him thowhte a delitable plas.
And to-forn that schip sawh he
The fairest damysele that myhte be,
and the beste Arayed In vesture
that Evere he say, I the Ensure.
And whanne she say Nasciens Comen there,
Anon sche hym grette with fair Chere,
and vp aȝens hym gan to stonde,
& to hym forto speke gan sche fonde,
and seide, “Welcome, thou goddis knyht,
The beste that Euere was In Ony fyht!
Ha! Gentyl knyht, I preye the nowe,
For the feith that thou to þi lord dost owe,
That On thing thou wost don for me
which shal the not Costen In non degre.”
“Gladliche, quod sire Nasciens tho,
If it lye In My powere for to do.”
“That myhtest þou, quod this damysele, Anon Ryht,
ȝif that thou be A gentyl knyht.”
“Telle me thanne, quod Nasciens Anon,
and to my power I schal it don.”
“Gladly, quod sche, and thou woldest it do.
Into this schipe wold I go,
And I ne may Entren for werynesse;
For travaille and for gret distresse;
therfore Into þe schipe thow wost me bere;
now, gentil knyht, I preye the here.”
“That gladly schal I do, quod the knyht,
and It lye In my powere and Myht.”
And In his Armes he took hire tho,
and toward the Schipe gan he go.
Anon sche hym grette with fair Chere,
and vp aȝens hym gan to stonde,
& to hym forto speke gan sche fonde,
and seide, “Welcome, thou goddis knyht,
The beste that Euere was In Ony fyht!
Ha! Gentyl knyht, I preye the nowe,
For the feith that thou to þi lord dost owe,
That On thing thou wost don for me
which shal the not Costen In non degre.”
“Gladliche, quod sire Nasciens tho,
If it lye In My powere for to do.”
86
ȝif that thou be A gentyl knyht.”
“Telle me thanne, quod Nasciens Anon,
and to my power I schal it don.”
“Gladly, quod sche, and thou woldest it do.
Into this schipe wold I go,
And I ne may Entren for werynesse;
For travaille and for gret distresse;
therfore Into þe schipe thow wost me bere;
now, gentil knyht, I preye the here.”
“That gladly schal I do, quod the knyht,
and It lye In my powere and Myht.”
And In his Armes he took hire tho,
and toward the Schipe gan he go.
& Whanne that Inne he wolde han gon,
the schipe from londe it wente Anon;
and Evere the fastere to the schipe he wente,
The ferthere it was to his Entente.
Where-offen he Merveilled ful gretly,
& left that damysele Adown Anon In hy;
and merveilled Mochel Of that thing
that it so ferde In his werkyng.
for so sore Abasched was he tho,
That he ne wyste what forto do;
and left vp Anon his Ryht hond,
and the signe of the Cros Made, I vndirstond.
and whanne he hadde don In this Manere,
Abowtes hym faste lokede he there,
and sawh hire chonge with-Owten Misse
hire forme Into A schrewes liknesse,
lik as sche was In Certeinte,
A fowl fend in alle degre.
the schipe from londe it wente Anon;
and Evere the fastere to the schipe he wente,
The ferthere it was to his Entente.
Where-offen he Merveilled ful gretly,
& left that damysele Adown Anon In hy;
and merveilled Mochel Of that thing
that it so ferde In his werkyng.
for so sore Abasched was he tho,
That he ne wyste what forto do;
and left vp Anon his Ryht hond,
and the signe of the Cros Made, I vndirstond.
and whanne he hadde don In this Manere,
Abowtes hym faste lokede he there,
and sawh hire chonge with-Owten Misse
hire forme Into A schrewes liknesse,
lik as sche was In Certeinte,
A fowl fend in alle degre.
And whanne he gan þis beholde,
Ful faste his herte gan to Colde,
and blessed hym Evere lengere the More,
So that Of hire he was bascht ful sore.
“Ha! thou fals traytour, goddis Enemy,
Me wost thou han deceyved falsly
In the forme Of A womman here,
and art A fowl devel In Eche Manere!
but, fals thief, it schal not be:
for to god and holy chirche I betake me.”
and thus he betook hym to god Anon,
and Into the Schipe he gan to gon.
Ful faste his herte gan to Colde,
and blessed hym Evere lengere the More,
So that Of hire he was bascht ful sore.
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Me wost thou han deceyved falsly
In the forme Of A womman here,
and art A fowl devel In Eche Manere!
but, fals thief, it schal not be:
for to god and holy chirche I betake me.”
and thus he betook hym to god Anon,
and Into the Schipe he gan to gon.
Whanne Into the Schipe I-Entred he was,
he loked abowtes hym In that plas.
there non thing Elles Cowde he se,
but Only his hors, in non degre;
but An Orible Noise there he herde,
For, lyk As helles Mowth it Ferde.
And as develis they ferden Echon—
and that wiste he ful wel Anon—
that weren Abowtes him forto take;
but Evere On hym the Cros gan he make,
and his preyeris he gan forto seye,
And Ek his Orysouns thanne ful tentyslye.
and as he Made thanne his preyere,
down In Slepyng Fyl he there;
what for drede, and what for travaille,
There slept he with-Owten faille:
For ful A gret nede he hadde therto,
that hadde I-ben In swich travaille and wo.
he loked abowtes hym In that plas.
there non thing Elles Cowde he se,
but Only his hors, in non degre;
but An Orible Noise there he herde,
For, lyk As helles Mowth it Ferde.
And as develis they ferden Echon—
and that wiste he ful wel Anon—
that weren Abowtes him forto take;
but Evere On hym the Cros gan he make,
and his preyeris he gan forto seye,
And Ek his Orysouns thanne ful tentyslye.
and as he Made thanne his preyere,
down In Slepyng Fyl he there;
what for drede, and what for travaille,
There slept he with-Owten faille:
For ful A gret nede he hadde therto,
that hadde I-ben In swich travaille and wo.
Anon as he On slepe there was,
A viciown ther Cam him to, be goddis gras;
him thowhte he saw A man I-Clothid in Red,
that to forn hym stood In that Sted.
And Nasciens him Axede Anon Ryht there
What he was, In fair Manere.
he Seyde, “I am Swich A man,
that what thou hast don, tellen I Can;
and Ek what the is forto Come
I Can the tellen, Al and Some.”
Thanne Axede hym Nasciens Riht Anone,
“Where that was Celidoyne his sone.”
he seide, “that he was In the same lond
that hym was promysed to, I vndirstond,
Forto Encresen and Multeplye.”
“A, quod Nasciens, ho is there In his Compenye?”
“In his Compenye hath he there
Them that Maken hym Ryht gret Chere.
And Amonges hem Is be holden A lord,
I sey the, Nasciens, at On word.”
A viciown ther Cam him to, be goddis gras;
him thowhte he saw A man I-Clothid in Red,
that to forn hym stood In that Sted.
And Nasciens him Axede Anon Ryht there
What he was, In fair Manere.
he Seyde, “I am Swich A man,
that what thou hast don, tellen I Can;
and Ek what the is forto Come
I Can the tellen, Al and Some.”
88
“Where that was Celidoyne his sone.”
he seide, “that he was In the same lond
that hym was promysed to, I vndirstond,
Forto Encresen and Multeplye.”
“A, quod Nasciens, ho is there In his Compenye?”
“In his Compenye hath he there
Them that Maken hym Ryht gret Chere.
And Amonges hem Is be holden A lord,
I sey the, Nasciens, at On word.”
Thanne Axede Nasciens Of hym Eftsone
“Whedyr that Iosephe and Iosephes weren gone,
and tho þat with hym wente Owt of Sarras,
and owt of Manye Anothyr plas.”
thanne answerid this goodman Anon,
“that Iosep Ouer the see was gon,
with-Owten Ony schipe vppon that See,
Into Anothir lond, where that he
and Alle hise scholen there dwelle,
that Contre with newe peple to fulfille
whiche that is grauntyd to ȝow, and hem
that hym with komen Owt Ierusalem.”
“Whedyr that Iosephe and Iosephes weren gone,
and tho þat with hym wente Owt of Sarras,
and owt of Manye Anothyr plas.”
thanne answerid this goodman Anon,
“that Iosep Ouer the see was gon,
with-Owten Ony schipe vppon that See,
Into Anothir lond, where that he
and Alle hise scholen there dwelle,
that Contre with newe peple to fulfille
whiche that is grauntyd to ȝow, and hem
that hym with komen Owt Ierusalem.”
“Ha, goode Sire, quod Nasciens tho,
Sethen ȝe knowen what is to do,
Wolde ȝe tellen me On thing In Certein:
ȝif Evere to Myn Owne Contre to gon Ageyn.”
thanne Answerid this good Mon tho,
“Into thin Owne Contre schalt thou neuere go
but ȝif it be Onlych In dremenge;
tak thou this for a sykyr Tydynge.
Neþer this vessel never the Mo
Into thi Contre ne schal not go,
but hire stille dwellen In this Contre,
Tyl that Of Sarras al the Meyne,
And with hem that vessel to bryngen hol and Al,
Wheche that kepten the seint Graal.
and Aforn that tyme, In Certein,
This ylke Schipe schal not gon heyn.
and ȝit thedir it is In alle degre
thre hundred ȝer, As I telle it the.”
“Ha! goode Sire, quod Nascien thanne,
Of my lygne ho schal ben the laste Manne?”
“that schalt thow weten Ryht hastely,
To the I-schewed ful Openly.”
Sethen ȝe knowen what is to do,
Wolde ȝe tellen me On thing In Certein:
ȝif Evere to Myn Owne Contre to gon Ageyn.”
thanne Answerid this good Mon tho,
“Into thin Owne Contre schalt thou neuere go
but ȝif it be Onlych In dremenge;
tak thou this for a sykyr Tydynge.
Neþer this vessel never the Mo
Into thi Contre ne schal not go,
but hire stille dwellen In this Contre,
Tyl that Of Sarras al the Meyne,
And with hem that vessel to bryngen hol and Al,
Wheche that kepten the seint Graal.
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This ylke Schipe schal not gon heyn.
and ȝit thedir it is In alle degre
thre hundred ȝer, As I telle it the.”
“Ha! goode Sire, quod Nascien thanne,
Of my lygne ho schal ben the laste Manne?”
“that schalt thow weten Ryht hastely,
To the I-schewed ful Openly.”
Thanne paste forth this good man with-Owten tarienge,
and lefte there Nasciens ful sore Slepynge;
as A man that sore fortravaylled was,
[he] lay Stylle Sleping In that plas.
ȝit thowhte Aȝen Sire Nasciens tho,
that Aȝen this goodman to hym Cam to,
and that A lytel wryt he hym browhte,
and In his hond it putte, as he him thowhte,
& seide, “behold now this Scripture here,
Thanne Of thy lyne thou schalt here,
but not Of hem that thou ferst Come,
For Otherwise Schalt thou knowen the dome;
For it is Of hem that Of the Comen schal,
as this wryt schal Schewen the Al.”
Thanne with this he partyd Away.
and lefte there Nasciens ful sore Slepynge;
as A man that sore fortravaylled was,
[he] lay Stylle Sleping In that plas.
ȝit thowhte Aȝen Sire Nasciens tho,
that Aȝen this goodman to hym Cam to,
and that A lytel wryt he hym browhte,
and In his hond it putte, as he him thowhte,
& seide, “behold now this Scripture here,
Thanne Of thy lyne thou schalt here,
but not Of hem that thou ferst Come,
For Otherwise Schalt thou knowen the dome;
For it is Of hem that Of the Comen schal,
as this wryt schal Schewen the Al.”
Thanne with this he partyd Away.
thus sone him thouhte that Celidoyne he say,
and with him broughte On aftyr Anothir,
Nyne persones vppon A fothir.
and In the gyse Of kynges they were,
Alle Sawf the heyhtthe In his Manere,—
and he lik the kynde Of An hownd was,
For diuers Skelis In that plas.
Therto he was so feble & so pore,
that non power he ne hadde to stonden thore.
The ferste to Celidoine knelide tho,
the second, þe thridde, þe fourthe diden al so;
the fyfthe, þe Sixthe, the Seventhe Ek,
to hym they knelyd ful lowly & Mek;
and the heytthe and the Ninthe, In here dregre,
thus Alle to Celidoyne kneleden hee.
Of whiche On was In forme of A lyown,
but that On his hed he ne hadde non Corown.
Whanne that out of this World scholde he go,—
Al this him thowhte Sire Nasciens tho,—
and that alle the world to him gan Compleyne;
Al thus demyd Nasciens In Certeyne:
whiles On slepe In the Schipe he lay,
Al this him thowghte verrayly he say.
and with him broughte On aftyr Anothir,
Nyne persones vppon A fothir.
and In the gyse Of kynges they were,
Alle Sawf the heyhtthe In his Manere,—
and he lik the kynde Of An hownd was,
For diuers Skelis In that plas.
Therto he was so feble & so pore,
that non power he ne hadde to stonden thore.
The ferste to Celidoine knelide tho,
the second, þe thridde, þe fourthe diden al so;
the fyfthe, þe Sixthe, the Seventhe Ek,
to hym they knelyd ful lowly & Mek;
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thus Alle to Celidoyne kneleden hee.
Of whiche On was In forme of A lyown,
but that On his hed he ne hadde non Corown.
Whanne that out of this World scholde he go,—
Al this him thowhte Sire Nasciens tho,—
and that alle the world to him gan Compleyne;
Al thus demyd Nasciens In Certeyne:
whiles On slepe In the Schipe he lay,
Al this him thowghte verrayly he say.
thanne Abowtes the Our of Noon,
Sire Nasciens gan waken there Anon,
where as he Anon Redely the writ þere fonde,
Ful faire I-Closed there In his honde,
whiche the goodman dyde him take;
Redely he it fonde whanne he gan wake.
than Whanne Redelich he gan it be-holde,
þanne ioyede he In his herte Manie folde,
And wiste wel that Fable was it non
whanne he say the writ In his hond I-don;
and thankyd his god with herte & Mende,
that to hym he wolde ben so hende,
hym Alle swiche thinges forto schewe
In demonstraunce vppon A rewe;
For wel he wiste be goddes wille was it do,
Al that thing that he sawgh tho.
Sire Nasciens gan waken there Anon,
where as he Anon Redely the writ þere fonde,
Ful faire I-Closed there In his honde,
whiche the goodman dyde him take;
Redely he it fonde whanne he gan wake.
than Whanne Redelich he gan it be-holde,
þanne ioyede he In his herte Manie folde,
And wiste wel that Fable was it non
whanne he say the writ In his hond I-don;
and thankyd his god with herte & Mende,
that to hym he wolde ben so hende,
hym Alle swiche thinges forto schewe
In demonstraunce vppon A rewe;
For wel he wiste be goddes wille was it do,
Al that thing that he sawgh tho.
Thanne Opened he that wryt Anon,
And Many Merveilles þere behelde he son,
that In Ebrw I-wreten weren there,
and in lattyn, In dyvers Manere;
And Openly it Tolde of goddis knyhtes,
& of his Ministres Anon there Ryhtes.
The ferst, that Nasciens scholde be,
the Seconde, Celidoyne, as I telle the.
“and the ferste that of Celidoyne schal isswe,
schal ben A kyng ful good and trewe:
hos Name schal be kyng Narpus,
A ful worthy knyht, and an Awntrvs.
the secund, Nasciens schal ben his Name,
A worthy knyht, and of good fame.
the thridde, Elyen the grete, scholen they Calle,
A worthy man amonges hem alle,
and therto Religows Of lyf,
And Corowne schal beren with-Owten stryf.
The fowrthe, Ysayes, Clepid schal be;
The fyfthe Ionaanz, as ȝe mown se,
that schal ben A knyht good & hardy,
and holy chirche vp to beren stedfastly.
the Sixthe, lawnceloz, Inamed ful ryht,
A worthy man, & Mochel Of Myht,
And therto I-Crowned schal he be
In Erthe and In hevene ful Sekerle;
For In hym herberwed bothe there is
bothe pyte & Charite with-Owten Mys.
the seventhe, Bavs, scholen we Clepe;
& of him schal Comen with-Owten lette
The Eyhtthe, [that] schal ben lawncelot In Certayne,
whiche that suffren schal both travaylle and payne
More thanne Ony toforn hym han I-do,
Owther Aftyr hym Scholen Comen Also.
This the kynde Of An hownd schal have,
Tyl at his laste Ende to Maken him save.
And Many Merveilles þere behelde he son,
that In Ebrw I-wreten weren there,
and in lattyn, In dyvers Manere;
And Openly it Tolde of goddis knyhtes,
& of his Ministres Anon there Ryhtes.
The ferst, that Nasciens scholde be,
the Seconde, Celidoyne, as I telle the.
“and the ferste that of Celidoyne schal isswe,
schal ben A kyng ful good and trewe:
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A ful worthy knyht, and an Awntrvs.
the secund, Nasciens schal ben his Name,
A worthy knyht, and of good fame.
the thridde, Elyen the grete, scholen they Calle,
A worthy man amonges hem alle,
and therto Religows Of lyf,
And Corowne schal beren with-Owten stryf.
The fowrthe, Ysayes, Clepid schal be;
The fyfthe Ionaanz, as ȝe mown se,
that schal ben A knyht good & hardy,
and holy chirche vp to beren stedfastly.
the Sixthe, lawnceloz, Inamed ful ryht,
A worthy man, & Mochel Of Myht,
And therto I-Crowned schal he be
In Erthe and In hevene ful Sekerle;
For In hym herberwed bothe there is
bothe pyte & Charite with-Owten Mys.
the seventhe, Bavs, scholen we Clepe;
& of him schal Comen with-Owten lette
The Eyhtthe, [that] schal ben lawncelot In Certayne,
whiche that suffren schal both travaylle and payne
More thanne Ony toforn hym han I-do,
Owther Aftyr hym Scholen Comen Also.
This the kynde Of An hownd schal have,
Tyl at his laste Ende to Maken him save.
Of hym Schal the Nynthe thanne Come,
that is likned to a flood al & some,
that Trowbled As A kanel schal be,
and thikke atte Begynneng, I telle it the;
but In the Midwardis It schal be More Cler
than to-forn it is In alle Manere;
And in the Ende, and thow wilt knowe,
A hundred fold dowble, vppon a Rowe,
More fairere, More Cleer, & More swete,
thanne In Ony place to-forn, I the behete;
and so swete to drynken It is Also,
that wondir it is to wetene withowten Mo;
So that A Man thynketh ful trewele
that fulfild Of þe swetnesse may he not be.
and In that flood schal I bathen Me
From top to the too ful Sekerle;
and this same Man schal ben A kyng,
And his Name Galath In vndirstondyng.
For he schal passen Of Bownte
Alle that Evere to-forn hym han be,
Oþer alle that Evere scholen hym sewe,
he schal hem passen: hold me for trewe.
this Man schal Enden alle Aventure
In that lond, I the here Ensure,
and Aftir my wil he schal it do,
thus I the telle with-Owten Mo.”
that is likned to a flood al & some,
that Trowbled As A kanel schal be,
and thikke atte Begynneng, I telle it the;
but In the Midwardis It schal be More Cler
than to-forn it is In alle Manere;
And in the Ende, and thow wilt knowe,
A hundred fold dowble, vppon a Rowe,
More fairere, More Cleer, & More swete,
thanne In Ony place to-forn, I the behete;
92
that wondir it is to wetene withowten Mo;
So that A Man thynketh ful trewele
that fulfild Of þe swetnesse may he not be.
and In that flood schal I bathen Me
From top to the too ful Sekerle;
and this same Man schal ben A kyng,
And his Name Galath In vndirstondyng.
For he schal passen Of Bownte
Alle that Evere to-forn hym han be,
Oþer alle that Evere scholen hym sewe,
he schal hem passen: hold me for trewe.
this Man schal Enden alle Aventure
In that lond, I the here Ensure,
and Aftir my wil he schal it do,
thus I the telle with-Owten Mo.”
Al this was wreten In thike lyveret,
the wheche In Nasciens hond was set.
and whanne he hadde loked Everydel,
From Ende to Ende as Cowde ful wel,
and beheld the Ende Of his lyne,
and whiche that to hym scholde propyne
Aftyr the Schewyng Of this good Man,
he hit beholdeth lik as he Can;
And that Galaaz it scholde be,
Ful Of Meknesse and of bownte,
Of knyhthod & of Chevalrye,
Of Conqwest and Of Victorye;
“and this Man the Ende of thy lyne schal be,
as I the telle ful Certeynle.”
the wheche In Nasciens hond was set.
and whanne he hadde loked Everydel,
From Ende to Ende as Cowde ful wel,
and beheld the Ende Of his lyne,
and whiche that to hym scholde propyne
Aftyr the Schewyng Of this good Man,
he hit beholdeth lik as he Can;
And that Galaaz it scholde be,
Ful Of Meknesse and of bownte,
Of knyhthod & of Chevalrye,
Of Conqwest and Of Victorye;
“and this Man the Ende of thy lyne schal be,
as I the telle ful Certeynle.”
thanne for Ioye Gan he to wepe,
whanne he was Awaked Of his slepe,
and thankyd God with good Creawnce,
For schewyng to hym of þat demonstraunce;
For gret Ioye he hadde to be-holde
the wryt In his hond ful Manyfolde;
and there it to be-holde was his Entent,
whiles the day with hym was present,
Fore Of Alle day he ne Myhte hym Restreyne
but that writ to beholden In certeyne;
For gladdere he was Of that Syhte
Thanne Alle the world to han had In his Myhte,
Of that Ilke same prophesye
whiche that hym was schewed sekerlye;
For he wiste wel with-Owten dowte
that it scholde be trewe Al Abowte,
lyk as he Fond in that Rolette,
whiche that In his hond was sette.
whanne he was Awaked Of his slepe,
and thankyd God with good Creawnce,
For schewyng to hym of þat demonstraunce;
For gret Ioye he hadde to be-holde
the wryt In his hond ful Manyfolde;
93
whiles the day with hym was present,
Fore Of Alle day he ne Myhte hym Restreyne
but that writ to beholden In certeyne;
For gladdere he was Of that Syhte
Thanne Alle the world to han had In his Myhte,
Of that Ilke same prophesye
whiche that hym was schewed sekerlye;
For he wiste wel with-Owten dowte
that it scholde be trewe Al Abowte,
lyk as he Fond in that Rolette,
whiche that In his hond was sette.
And whanne so longe he hadde loked there On,
Tyl that the day was Al A-gon,
that he Cowde knowen non lettrwre,
So dirk it was, I the Ensure;
and whanne that lettrure Cowde he knowen non,
Into his Bosom he it putte Anon,
And Aȝens his brest he gan it to leye
with Al His Mynde ful Enterelye;
And as Faste he gan that writ to hym folde,
as the Child of the Modir doth to þe pappes holde
bothe for pyte and Ek for love,
thus dyde he for the good lord above.
Thanne gan he his preyeris forto seye,
and ek his Orysouns ful devoutlye,
‘that god of his Mercy & pyte
In his Servise Meynteyned to be,
as the fadir wil kepen the sone,
So me, good lord, bringe to thy wone.’
Tyl that the day was Al A-gon,
that he Cowde knowen non lettrwre,
So dirk it was, I the Ensure;
and whanne that lettrure Cowde he knowen non,
Into his Bosom he it putte Anon,
And Aȝens his brest he gan it to leye
with Al His Mynde ful Enterelye;
And as Faste he gan that writ to hym folde,
as the Child of the Modir doth to þe pappes holde
bothe for pyte and Ek for love,
thus dyde he for the good lord above.
Thanne gan he his preyeris forto seye,
and ek his Orysouns ful devoutlye,
‘that god of his Mercy & pyte
In his Servise Meynteyned to be,
as the fadir wil kepen the sone,
So me, good lord, bringe to thy wone.’
And whanne he hadde mad his preyere,
To the Schippes bord gan he go there;
and al that leve longe Nyht
Into the Se he loked forth Ryht,
where that he fyl In a gret thowht,
whiche from hym ne myhte askapen nowht,
be Encheson þat the Eyhtthe of his lyne there
Scholde ben Chonged In Swich Manere,
As to the forme Of An hownd
whiche that goth vppon the grownd,
and the tothere the forme Of A lyown,
“this is to Me Ryht A Wondir Avyciown.”
and ȝit gan he to thynken More
why the nynthe to A lyown was not likned thore,
but to A flood that In begynneng was
Trowble and thikke In Every plas,
and In the Endyng bothe Cler & swete,
For to Every mannys drynkeng it was Mete.
To the Schippes bord gan he go there;
and al that leve longe Nyht
Into the Se he loked forth Ryht,
where that he fyl In a gret thowht,
whiche from hym ne myhte askapen nowht,
94
Scholde ben Chonged In Swich Manere,
As to the forme Of An hownd
whiche that goth vppon the grownd,
and the tothere the forme Of A lyown,
“this is to Me Ryht A Wondir Avyciown.”
and ȝit gan he to thynken More
why the nynthe to A lyown was not likned thore,
but to A flood that In begynneng was
Trowble and thikke In Every plas,
and In the Endyng bothe Cler & swete,
For to Every mannys drynkeng it was Mete.
vppon the wheche ful sore he thowhte,
and Into gret pe[n]sifnesse þere it hym browhte,
that Of al Nyht non Sleepe he ne slepte,
but Evere his writ ful wel he kepte;
and Al Nyht he lokede Into the se
vppon the Schippes bord ful Certeinle.
and Into gret pe[n]sifnesse þere it hym browhte,
that Of al Nyht non Sleepe he ne slepte,
but Evere his writ ful wel he kepte;
and Al Nyht he lokede Into the se
vppon the Schippes bord ful Certeinle.
thanne whanne he say the day to Sprynge,
To hym it was a Ioyful tydynge;
Thanne vp his hondis he gan to holde,
and thankid his lord ful Manyfolde,
and preide to god, In his Manere,
‘Of Certeyn thinges hym wisse & lere,
whiche that his herte desireth gretly
It forto knowen more Openly,
why that On Of his lyne scholde be
likned to An hownd,’ “this Merveilleth me,
and A nothir to a flood
whiche atte begynneng is trowble, I vndirstood,
and In the Endyng so swete it is
and so Merveillous, with-Owten Mis:
þerfore at Ese schal I neuere be
tyl that here-Offen I knowe þe Certeynte.”
To hym it was a Ioyful tydynge;
Thanne vp his hondis he gan to holde,
and thankid his lord ful Manyfolde,
and preide to god, In his Manere,
‘Of Certeyn thinges hym wisse & lere,
whiche that his herte desireth gretly
It forto knowen more Openly,
why that On Of his lyne scholde be
likned to An hownd,’ “this Merveilleth me,
and A nothir to a flood
whiche atte begynneng is trowble, I vndirstood,
and In the Endyng so swete it is
and so Merveillous, with-Owten Mis:
þerfore at Ese schal I neuere be
tyl that here-Offen I knowe þe Certeynte.”
Whanne thus his preyere he hadde I-do,
Aȝen the wryt he took him vnto,
and there-Onne faste he loked Anon
that Alle his lust was Awey gon;
For nethir to drinken ne to Ete
hadde he non lust, wel ȝe wete;
but Evere to loken vppon his wryt,
that was þe moste thing Of his delyt.
Aȝen the wryt he took him vnto,
95
that Alle his lust was Awey gon;
For nethir to drinken ne to Ete
hadde he non lust, wel ȝe wete;
but Evere to loken vppon his wryt,
that was þe moste thing Of his delyt.
and whanne it drowh to-ward the Noon,
Est Into the Se he lokede Anon,
and say A schipe Come seyleng faste
Towardis hym In ful gret haste;
and Atte laste it Aproched so Ny,
tyl bord On bord they weren sekerly.
and thanne ful faste beheld he there
Both vp & down In his Manere,
and non lyves body there-Inne he say;
but Euer he supposede as he lay,
that with-Owten Man ne was it nowht
that thike schipe there to hym browht;
so that his Owne schipe forsook he Anon,
and Into the tothir he gan forto gon,
and loked Abowtes In Every Corner
ȝif Ony man he [myht] fynden there.
Est Into the Se he lokede Anon,
and say A schipe Come seyleng faste
Towardis hym In ful gret haste;
and Atte laste it Aproched so Ny,
tyl bord On bord they weren sekerly.
and thanne ful faste beheld he there
Both vp & down In his Manere,
and non lyves body there-Inne he say;
but Euer he supposede as he lay,
that with-Owten Man ne was it nowht
that thike schipe there to hym browht;
so that his Owne schipe forsook he Anon,
and Into the tothir he gan forto gon,
and loked Abowtes In Every Corner
ȝif Ony man he [myht] fynden there.
And Atte laste A man there he fond,
as this storye doth ȝow forto vndirstond,
whiche was Ryht An Old Man,
that Governour Of thike schip was than;
whiche Man lay there In Restyng
In manere As thowgh he were In Slepyng.
and whanne that Nasciens to hym gan gon,
Vpe he Caste his Eyen there anon;
“What sekest thou, quod this good man, here?”
“A, sire, I wolde witen ȝif that On slepe ȝe were.”
“What is that to the?” quod this good Man,
“Wheþer I slepe Or wake,” quod he to Nasciens than;
“For this is not the ferste Owr
That thou hast don Me moche more langour;
but this schal I now forȝeven it the;
be war Eftsones thow greve not Me.”
as this storye doth ȝow forto vndirstond,
whiche was Ryht An Old Man,
that Governour Of thike schip was than;
whiche Man lay there In Restyng
In manere As thowgh he were In Slepyng.
and whanne that Nasciens to hym gan gon,
Vpe he Caste his Eyen there anon;
“What sekest thou, quod this good man, here?”
“A, sire, I wolde witen ȝif that On slepe ȝe were.”
“What is that to the?” quod this good Man,
“Wheþer I slepe Or wake,” quod he to Nasciens than;
“For this is not the ferste Owr
That thou hast don Me moche more langour;
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be war Eftsones thow greve not Me.”
“A, swete sire, Anon quod Nasciens tho,
In what place haue I owht ȝow misdo?
Siker, and I it wiste In Ony degre,
gret Amendis wolde I Maken the;
after myn symple powere Certein,
ȝow, sire, Agreen I wolde ful pleyn.”
“Wel, quod this good man that was present,
Of thy good wille I holde in Contempt.”
thanne this good man Refreyned hym tho,
‘whens he was, & whedir he wolde go?’
And Nasciens hym tolde al the veryte
Of his trowble and his Adversite.
And whanne Nasciens hadde told hym Al this,
thanne Axede he Of hym with-Owten Mys,
‘Of what Contre that he was.’
In what place haue I owht ȝow misdo?
Siker, and I it wiste In Ony degre,
gret Amendis wolde I Maken the;
after myn symple powere Certein,
ȝow, sire, Agreen I wolde ful pleyn.”
“Wel, quod this good man that was present,
Of thy good wille I holde in Contempt.”
thanne this good man Refreyned hym tho,
‘whens he was, & whedir he wolde go?’
And Nasciens hym tolde al the veryte
Of his trowble and his Adversite.
And whanne Nasciens hadde told hym Al this,
thanne Axede he Of hym with-Owten Mys,
‘Of what Contre that he was.’
the goodman him answered In that plas,
“I am Of swich a Contre
that thou neuere Inne Come sekerle,
ne Neuere ne schalt in non Manere
whiles that thou lyvest here.
but of the writ þat thow hast in honde,
loke that thou wel vndirstonde.”
“that schal I, quod Nasciens, with good wille,
For þat myn herte wel mochel falleth vntylle;
For whiles that I there-Onne don thinke
I ne have non lust neþer to Eten ne drynke.
but Of ij thinges fayn wold I knowe
(ȝif I Myhte with-Inne A throwe,)
whiche Myn herte myhte gretly Ese,
And I wiste ȝow Not to mysplese;”
and tolde the goodman Every del,
lik as vppon his herte it lay ful wel.
“I am Of swich a Contre
that thou neuere Inne Come sekerle,
ne Neuere ne schalt in non Manere
whiles that thou lyvest here.
but of the writ þat thow hast in honde,
loke that thou wel vndirstonde.”
“that schal I, quod Nasciens, with good wille,
For þat myn herte wel mochel falleth vntylle;
For whiles that I there-Onne don thinke
I ne have non lust neþer to Eten ne drynke.
but Of ij thinges fayn wold I knowe
(ȝif I Myhte with-Inne A throwe,)
whiche Myn herte myhte gretly Ese,
And I wiste ȝow Not to mysplese;”
and tolde the goodman Every del,
lik as vppon his herte it lay ful wel.
Anon this good man beheld him tho,
and seide, “sire Nasciens, what thenkest þou do
For to knowen thy lordis prevyte,
which In non wyse ne scholde be.
For he is a gret fool with-Owten les,
that desireth to knowen his lordis secres
More thanne he Owhte forto do:
be war, sire Nasciens, do þou not so.”
“Now trewely, Sire, quod Nasciens Ageyn,
ȝe sein ful soth, Sire, In Certein.”
“For this Cause syre Nasciens, I telle it the,
that the wysere Evere scholdest thou be,
and Also no More to ben so vnkonneng
Of thy lordis secrees to han knoweng;
Sethen that god Of his gret pete,
Of his specyal grace and debonewryte,
Hath the schewed be demonstraunce
Of alle the lynes Every chawnche,
how they scholen happe, and what to be;
and ȝit me thinketh it pleseth not the,
but Evere desirest from day to day
hit forto knowen More verray,
whiche that Non thing Oweth to the,
Sethen that thou art Erthly & Mortalite.
Wherfore it May Neuere schewed be
To non dedly Man In non Manere degre,
but ȝif it be Only be Revelaciown
thorwgh the holigost In publicaciowun.
and seide, “sire Nasciens, what thenkest þou do
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which In non wyse ne scholde be.
For he is a gret fool with-Owten les,
that desireth to knowen his lordis secres
More thanne he Owhte forto do:
be war, sire Nasciens, do þou not so.”
“Now trewely, Sire, quod Nasciens Ageyn,
ȝe sein ful soth, Sire, In Certein.”
“For this Cause syre Nasciens, I telle it the,
that the wysere Evere scholdest thou be,
and Also no More to ben so vnkonneng
Of thy lordis secrees to han knoweng;
Sethen that god Of his gret pete,
Of his specyal grace and debonewryte,
Hath the schewed be demonstraunce
Of alle the lynes Every chawnche,
how they scholen happe, and what to be;
and ȝit me thinketh it pleseth not the,
but Evere desirest from day to day
hit forto knowen More verray,
whiche that Non thing Oweth to the,
Sethen that thou art Erthly & Mortalite.
Wherfore it May Neuere schewed be
To non dedly Man In non Manere degre,
but ȝif it be Only be Revelaciown
thorwgh the holigost In publicaciowun.
“Behold how Owre lord In Alle Manere
Of his grete godnesse hath schewed þe here
As Mochel as Eny Creature Cowde devise!
and ȝit kanst þou not leven In Non Maner wyse,
but Evere forto Enqweren More & More.
be war lest it greve the ful sore;
For there-by Myhtest thow Ryht wel sone
Geten his haterede, And that Anone.”
Of his grete godnesse hath schewed þe here
As Mochel as Eny Creature Cowde devise!
and ȝit kanst þou not leven In Non Maner wyse,
but Evere forto Enqweren More & More.
be war lest it greve the ful sore;
For there-by Myhtest thow Ryht wel sone
Geten his haterede, And that Anone.”
Whanne Nasciens vndirstood Al this Resown,
thanne knew he wel be his Owne Enchesown
that he was A synnere ful grette,
and that Of his Synne he ne Cowde not lete;
and to the goodman Seide In this Manere,
“Now, good Sere, haueth me Excused here,
For it Nis non Merveille Of Myn Axynge
In that I am A synnere In Alle thynge;
and wot Neuere what I Axen Schal
that scholde me Availle, partye and Al;
and knoweth wel þat synneres In Al degre
knowen not what they Axen Certeynle,
Nethir Aftyr God neþer aftyr Resown;
therfore haueth me now In Excusaciown.”
thanne knew he wel be his Owne Enchesown
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and that Of his Synne he ne Cowde not lete;
and to the goodman Seide In this Manere,
“Now, good Sere, haueth me Excused here,
For it Nis non Merveille Of Myn Axynge
In that I am A synnere In Alle thynge;
and wot Neuere what I Axen Schal
that scholde me Availle, partye and Al;
and knoweth wel þat synneres In Al degre
knowen not what they Axen Certeynle,
Nethir Aftyr God neþer aftyr Resown;
therfore haueth me now In Excusaciown.”
“Wherfore, quod the goode man thanne,
desirest thou to knowen the lyne Of Manne
that Scholen fallen Of thy degre,
thowgh likenesse Of an hownd þat it be,
and the Nynthe I-lykned to a flood,
lyk as here-to-fore thow vndirstood?”
“Sire, and I knew this, quod Nasciens tho,
thanne Al my sorwe were Clene Ago.”
“ȝe, quod this goodman to hym Ageyn,
Thanne schal I the it tellen In Certeyn.
desirest thou to knowen the lyne Of Manne
that Scholen fallen Of thy degre,
thowgh likenesse Of an hownd þat it be,
and the Nynthe I-lykned to a flood,
lyk as here-to-fore thow vndirstood?”
“Sire, and I knew this, quod Nasciens tho,
thanne Al my sorwe were Clene Ago.”
“ȝe, quod this goodman to hym Ageyn,
Thanne schal I the it tellen In Certeyn.
“Thyke that Of the lyown han Sygnefyaunce,
loke that thou take it In ful Remembrawnce—
and Ek of Owre lordis Owne Schewyng,—
that they Scholen ben good In here leveng,
And Of feyth bothe pyler and fundement,
and þerto Of Clene lyf In al here Entent.
& for Of Clene lyf that they scholen be,
The lyown they signefie In Eche degre
Be Manye Resowns, As I schal the Schewe:
herkene hem now, here vppon A rowe.
For lyk As the lyown Ouer Alle Other bestes
Is chef lord, and þerto hath alle his hestes,
and putteth hem vndir his Subiecciown,
Riht so doth the wyse Man be alle Manere Of Resown,—
he wil not In synne lyhtly falle,
thowghe þat be Entysment the devel to hym Calle,
and ȝif it happe as be Mys-Aventure
that In dedly synne he falle, I the enswre,
ȝit he hopeth Into the Otterest degre
thorwgh Celastial thinges saved forto be;
and that be the holigostes Myht
From synne to kepen hym bothe day and nyht;
And be Goddis Myht thens Owt to A-Ryse,
lyk as the lyown of Alle bestes hath the pryse:
and thus the goode Man doth hym Restreyne
Every day from Synne Certeyne
thorwgh his strengthe and thorwgh his Myht,
Of the holygost, I telle the ful Ryht.
loke that thou take it In ful Remembrawnce—
and Ek of Owre lordis Owne Schewyng,—
that they Scholen ben good In here leveng,
And Of feyth bothe pyler and fundement,
and þerto Of Clene lyf In al here Entent.
& for Of Clene lyf that they scholen be,
The lyown they signefie In Eche degre
Be Manye Resowns, As I schal the Schewe:
herkene hem now, here vppon A rowe.
For lyk As the lyown Ouer Alle Other bestes
Is chef lord, and þerto hath alle his hestes,
and putteth hem vndir his Subiecciown,
Riht so doth the wyse Man be alle Manere Of Resown,—
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thowghe þat be Entysment the devel to hym Calle,
and ȝif it happe as be Mys-Aventure
that In dedly synne he falle, I the enswre,
ȝit he hopeth Into the Otterest degre
thorwgh Celastial thinges saved forto be;
and that be the holigostes Myht
From synne to kepen hym bothe day and nyht;
And be Goddis Myht thens Owt to A-Ryse,
lyk as the lyown of Alle bestes hath the pryse:
and thus the goode Man doth hym Restreyne
Every day from Synne Certeyne
thorwgh his strengthe and thorwgh his Myht,
Of the holygost, I telle the ful Ryht.
“The tothir that to an hownd I-lykned Is,
Signefyeth A Synnere with-Owten Mys,
that for hunger Renneth to his vyawnde,—
as I do the now forto vndirstonde,—
So doth the Synnere thorwgh temptaciowun
Of the develys quentyse and ymagynaciown,
that In synne whanne he is falle,
Evere the devel to hym doth Calle,
That he ne hath non strenkthe to Ryse
lyk as the lyown hath, In non wyse;
For, And he witte how fowl Synne were,
and how bytter In Eche Manere,
and what bytternesse that is there-Inne,
I trowe that he wolde beleven Of synne;
For thanne scholde he knowen Eche Del
The fylthnesse of Alle Synnes ful wel.
lo, thus to A flood and to A lyown
thy ligne is lykned be good Resown.
Signefyeth A Synnere with-Owten Mys,
that for hunger Renneth to his vyawnde,—
as I do the now forto vndirstonde,—
So doth the Synnere thorwgh temptaciowun
Of the develys quentyse and ymagynaciown,
that In synne whanne he is falle,
Evere the devel to hym doth Calle,
That he ne hath non strenkthe to Ryse
lyk as the lyown hath, In non wyse;
For, And he witte how fowl Synne were,
and how bytter In Eche Manere,
and what bytternesse that is there-Inne,
I trowe that he wolde beleven Of synne;
For thanne scholde he knowen Eche Del
The fylthnesse of Alle Synnes ful wel.
lo, thus to A flood and to A lyown
thy ligne is lykned be good Resown.
“And how the Nynthe is likned Certeynle
To A gret Flood,—here hast thou now se,
that In the begynneng trowble & thikke it is,
and swete In the Endeng with-Owten Mys.
To A gret Flood,—here hast thou now se,
that In the begynneng trowble & thikke it is,
and swete In the Endeng with-Owten Mys.
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“Be enchosown that the flood trowbled schal be,
and thikke atte begynneng In Alle degre,
It is for he was begeten In Synne,
be Engendrwre, nethir More ne Mynne;
and that Mulyer not born he was,
but be lust Of lecherye In Certeine plas;
and not be holy Chirches ymagynacioun,
but Onlyche be fowl fornycaciowun,
and In Othir dedly Synne Also;
therfore his birthe In begynneng, foul it is, lo,
and trowbled As Is a thykke Revere.
and thikke atte begynneng In Alle degre,
It is for he was begeten In Synne,
be Engendrwre, nethir More ne Mynne;
and that Mulyer not born he was,
but be lust Of lecherye In Certeine plas;
and not be holy Chirches ymagynacioun,
but Onlyche be fowl fornycaciowun,
and In Othir dedly Synne Also;
therfore his birthe In begynneng, foul it is, lo,
and trowbled As Is a thykke Revere.
“but as In the Midwardis, vndirstonde þou here,
that whanne he Cam to his Middyl Age,
he wax A man bothe sad and Sage,
and ful Of prowesse and Chevalrye,
Therto Myhty man, Strong and hardye.
That is ȝit now More for to seyn:
Of Chevalrye he schal passen Alle his fadris pleyn,
bothe of Erthly prowesse,
Of bownte, and Of alle godnesse.
For a virgyne Evere schal he be
alle dayes Of his lyve Certeinle;
And the Ende Of him More Merveillous schal be
thanne Of Ony Oþer Man Certeynle;
For Of Condiscions he schal han non pere
Of non Erthly Man lyvenge here.
For he A More gracious Man schal ben
thanne Evere was Ony Of his stren.
Now have I told the Al the hole decent
Of Alle thy lyne, Sire, verament.”
that whanne he Cam to his Middyl Age,
he wax A man bothe sad and Sage,
and ful Of prowesse and Chevalrye,
Therto Myhty man, Strong and hardye.
That is ȝit now More for to seyn:
Of Chevalrye he schal passen Alle his fadris pleyn,
bothe of Erthly prowesse,
Of bownte, and Of alle godnesse.
For a virgyne Evere schal he be
alle dayes Of his lyve Certeinle;
And the Ende Of him More Merveillous schal be
thanne Of Ony Oþer Man Certeynle;
For Of Condiscions he schal han non pere
Of non Erthly Man lyvenge here.
For he A More gracious Man schal ben
thanne Evere was Ony Of his stren.
Now have I told the Al the hole decent
Of Alle thy lyne, Sire, verament.”
And whanne these wordes he hadde I-told,
Nasciens faste gon to be-hold,
And he ne wyste In non degre
where this Man becam Certeynle.
And whanne Nasciens sawgh al this,
thanne thanked he þe kyng Of blys,
and wiste wel þat it was goddis Ordinaunce
that him sente Swich manere of chaunce,
and þat he hadde verray knowenge
Of that he was to fore In stodyenge.
Nasciens faste gon to be-hold,
And he ne wyste In non degre
where this Man becam Certeynle.
And whanne Nasciens sawgh al this,
thanne thanked he þe kyng Of blys,
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that him sente Swich manere of chaunce,
and þat he hadde verray knowenge
Of that he was to fore In stodyenge.
Now scholen we tornen here Owre storye,
and to Flegentyn, Nasciens wyf, scholen we hye.
and to Flegentyn, Nasciens wyf, scholen we hye.
CHAPTER XL. OF FLEGENTYNE'S MEEKNESS, AND HOW SHE HAS THE THREE TOMBS BUILT AND CARVED.
Whanne that Nasciens from his Castel was go,
Thanne Flegentyne his wyf made mochel wo
that he nowgher myhte ben fownde,
Nethir fer, nethir Nygh, In non stownde:
thanne left sche stylle ful of Morneng,
Of Sorwe, and of lewmentyng,
as sche that hire lord loved Sovereinly
Aboven Alle Creatures þat weren Erthly;
and ȝit Neuere for non temptacioun
hire herte was Neuere In Mwtacyoun;
but Evere As A womman good & Clene
hire persecucions suffred, As I wene;
And Evere thanked God Of hire trebulacioun,
Of hire deseisse and hire persecuciown,
and Evere As A womman ful Of Meknesse
Sche hire kepte In Al hire distresse;
and thowgh In Ioye Oþer In sorwe sche were,
For hire lord sche preyde In hire Manere,
and for here ȝonge sone Also,
That God hem kepe from peyne & wo,
and that here Sowlis Myhte Comen to blysse;
Of this preyere dide sche not Misse.
And thus Morned sche Everyday tho
For that hyre lord was so Ago,
and wisten Neuere whider becomen they were,
Into non place, Nethyr Fer ne Nere.
Thanne Flegentyne his wyf made mochel wo
that he nowgher myhte ben fownde,
Nethir fer, nethir Nygh, In non stownde:
thanne left sche stylle ful of Morneng,
Of Sorwe, and of lewmentyng,
as sche that hire lord loved Sovereinly
Aboven Alle Creatures þat weren Erthly;
and ȝit Neuere for non temptacioun
hire herte was Neuere In Mwtacyoun;
but Evere As A womman good & Clene
hire persecucions suffred, As I wene;
102
Of hire deseisse and hire persecuciown,
and Evere As A womman ful Of Meknesse
Sche hire kepte In Al hire distresse;
and thowgh In Ioye Oþer In sorwe sche were,
For hire lord sche preyde In hire Manere,
and for here ȝonge sone Also,
That God hem kepe from peyne & wo,
and that here Sowlis Myhte Comen to blysse;
Of this preyere dide sche not Misse.
And thus Morned sche Everyday tho
For that hyre lord was so Ago,
and wisten Neuere whider becomen they were,
Into non place, Nethyr Fer ne Nere.
and whanne it was toward the Nyht,
and Men Of Sarras Comen hom ful Ryht,
and non tydynges ne Cowden telle
Of hire lord in non wise how it befelle,
thanne Moche sorrere Abasched sche was,
More thanne to-fore In Ony Oþer plas.
thanne grettere sorwe hadde sche with-owten variaunce
Othirwyse thanne sche made Offen Semblaunce;
and thus Al þat Nyht In sorwe sche lay
Tyl uppon þe Morwen it was lyht Of day.
and Men Of Sarras Comen hom ful Ryht,
and non tydynges ne Cowden telle
Of hire lord in non wise how it befelle,
thanne Moche sorrere Abasched sche was,
More thanne to-fore In Ony Oþer plas.
thanne grettere sorwe hadde sche with-owten variaunce
Othirwyse thanne sche made Offen Semblaunce;
and thus Al þat Nyht In sorwe sche lay
Tyl uppon þe Morwen it was lyht Of day.
On the Morwe Erly, whanne it was lyht,
toward the Chirche this lady took hire way Ryht,
wheche that hire lord Sire Nasciens
Of Godis Modir hadde mad it In reuerens.
toward the Chirche this lady took hire way Ryht,
wheche that hire lord Sire Nasciens
Of Godis Modir hadde mad it In reuerens.
Thanne Comen the Men of tarabel
To Flegentyne, that lady so lel,
and seide that “ȝowre lorde sente ȝow gretyng
Of good love Aboven Alle thing,”
and tolden hire Only how þat it was—
as that they Syen In thike plas,—
Of Tarabel the grete lord,
and of Nabor, At On Word,
And Of the grete Ieawnt Also,
how þat of hem thre it happede tho.
To Flegentyne, that lady so lel,
and seide that “ȝowre lorde sente ȝow gretyng
Of good love Aboven Alle thing,”
and tolden hire Only how þat it was—
as that they Syen In thike plas,—
Of Tarabel the grete lord,
and of Nabor, At On Word,
103
how þat of hem thre it happede tho.
Whanne that sche vndirstood Al this tale,
how that hire lord was browht In bale,
and how Saved he was be goddis Mercy,
thanne thydirward faste she gan hyre hy,
And took with hire bothe Silvir & Gold
To fulfille that hire lord wold.
and to that Mowntayng wente Anon
there that hire lord the bataille hadde don,
And Aftir werkmen sente sche faste
Tho thre tombes to Maken In haste;
lyk as hire lord devysed hem hadde,
The werkmen faste sche maken badde:
So that with-Inne thre Month of day
they weren Redy dyht; and sche wente hire way.
For tho tombes so hy let sche þere Make
that Al the world þeroffe Ensample to take,
And sche let wryten On Every ston
the Cause of here deyeng Anon.
And to Every tombe sche ȝaf A name,
“the tombes of Iuggement” with-owten blame;
and these tombes stonden In the Entre
be-twene Tarabel and babiloine Sikerle.
how that hire lord was browht In bale,
and how Saved he was be goddis Mercy,
thanne thydirward faste she gan hyre hy,
And took with hire bothe Silvir & Gold
To fulfille that hire lord wold.
and to that Mowntayng wente Anon
there that hire lord the bataille hadde don,
And Aftir werkmen sente sche faste
Tho thre tombes to Maken In haste;
lyk as hire lord devysed hem hadde,
The werkmen faste sche maken badde:
So that with-Inne thre Month of day
they weren Redy dyht; and sche wente hire way.
For tho tombes so hy let sche þere Make
that Al the world þeroffe Ensample to take,
And sche let wryten On Every ston
the Cause of here deyeng Anon.
And to Every tombe sche ȝaf A name,
“the tombes of Iuggement” with-owten blame;
and these tombes stonden In the Entre
be-twene Tarabel and babiloine Sikerle.
So that hom aȝen Is sche now gon,
To Belyl hire Castel Of lym & ston,
and there sche Casteth for to Abyde,
And thens to Romowne At no Tyde
tyl that sche have tydynges Of hire lord,
Owther from hym Som Certeyn Word,
Owther Ellis that sche wente be Aventure,
Ellis wolde sche not thens gon, I the Ensure.
To Belyl hire Castel Of lym & ston,
and there sche Casteth for to Abyde,
And thens to Romowne At no Tyde
tyl that sche have tydynges Of hire lord,
Owther from hym Som Certeyn Word,
Owther Ellis that sche wente be Aventure,
Ellis wolde sche not thens gon, I the Ensure.
Thus this lady In hire Castel stille Abod,
As A good womman ful Of hevenynesse & Mod,
From to-forn Cristemasse Feste
Into past Esterne Atte leste.
and In this Mene while Cam Rydyng—
That goode lady Into Comfortyng—
bothe kyng Mordreyns and his qwene
Sarracynte, that lady be-dene;
and gladliche with hem hire wold han had,
and to Sarras with hem hire wold han lad,
but sche ne wolde for non thing
To Sarras gon with the kyng
tyl that sche haue verray knowlechinge
Of hire lord, more verray tydynge.
As A good womman ful Of hevenynesse & Mod,
From to-forn Cristemasse Feste
Into past Esterne Atte leste.
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That goode lady Into Comfortyng—
bothe kyng Mordreyns and his qwene
Sarracynte, that lady be-dene;
and gladliche with hem hire wold han had,
and to Sarras with hem hire wold han lad,
but sche ne wolde for non thing
To Sarras gon with the kyng
tyl that sche haue verray knowlechinge
Of hire lord, more verray tydynge.
but now leveth this storye here
Of kyng Mordrains and the lady In fere,
and bothe Of Nasciens & Celidoyne,
And of al that lyne there in certeyne,
And Aȝen Torneth to Iosephe, and Iosephes his sone,
& to Alle that Feleschepe that with hym gone.
Of kyng Mordrains and the lady In fere,
and bothe Of Nasciens & Celidoyne,
And of al that lyne there in certeyne,
And Aȝen Torneth to Iosephe, and Iosephes his sone,
& to Alle that Feleschepe that with hym gone.
CHAPTER XLI. HOW JOSEPH AND HIS COMPANIONS CROSS OVER TO BRITAIN ON JOSEPHES'S SHIRT.
105
Now telleth here this Story Anon,
That aftir Josephe from Sarras was gon,
So that betwene hym and his Compenye
Manye Jornes wenten they Sekerlye
tyl they weren past the flowm Of Ewfrate,
And Manye Othir Jornes bothe Erly and late.
And as they wenten, Mochel folk they fownde
that hem Arested In that stownde;
but Evere god deliuered hem Anon
bothe Owt Of Castel and Owt of ston;
So that Nyhtes thanne Manyon
In Wodes weren they logged Echon,
and In Every mannes loggenge
Alle Manere Of vyande bothe of Mete and drink;
what that here hertes Cowden Axen Oþer Crave,
with-Owten dowte Anon they it have.
That aftir Josephe from Sarras was gon,
So that betwene hym and his Compenye
Manye Jornes wenten they Sekerlye
tyl they weren past the flowm Of Ewfrate,
And Manye Othir Jornes bothe Erly and late.
And as they wenten, Mochel folk they fownde
that hem Arested In that stownde;
but Evere god deliuered hem Anon
bothe Owt Of Castel and Owt of ston;
So that Nyhtes thanne Manyon
In Wodes weren they logged Echon,
and In Every mannes loggenge
Alle Manere Of vyande bothe of Mete and drink;
what that here hertes Cowden Axen Oþer Crave,
with-Owten dowte Anon they it have.
that Nyht lay Josephe with his wyf,
A Noble woman to God, and Clene Of lyf;
For Of Alle wommen that thike tyme were,
Of hire degre hadde sche non pere.
Thanne descendid A vois there Anon,
and to Josephe there spak thus son,
and seide “that the grete Maister þe word sent
thy wyf fleschly to knowen In good Entente;
This Niht Only that thou so do,
For it is goddis will that it be so.
So that here thorwgh the seed Of the
this lond may Repleynsched be:
and ȝif that it be a knave Chyld,
Galaaz thou him Clepe, bothe mek and Myld,
For thus Commandeth the grete lord
that Alle thing Ordeyneth be his Owne Acord.”
A Noble woman to God, and Clene Of lyf;
For Of Alle wommen that thike tyme were,
Of hire degre hadde sche non pere.
Thanne descendid A vois there Anon,
and to Josephe there spak thus son,
and seide “that the grete Maister þe word sent
thy wyf fleschly to knowen In good Entente;
This Niht Only that thou so do,
For it is goddis will that it be so.
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this lond may Repleynsched be:
and ȝif that it be a knave Chyld,
Galaaz thou him Clepe, bothe mek and Myld,
For thus Commandeth the grete lord
that Alle thing Ordeyneth be his Owne Acord.”
thanne Answerid Josephe there riht Anon,
“I am Redy his Comandement to don,
but that I am so Feble and so Old
that I not how this thing ben schold.”
quod this voys, “dismaye the non thing,
For thus Moste it be with-Owten varyeng.”
“I am Redy his Comandement to don,
but that I am so Feble and so Old
that I not how this thing ben schold.”
quod this voys, “dismaye the non thing,
For thus Moste it be with-Owten varyeng.”
his wyf, Josephe knew that Nyht,
and begat Galaaz thorwgh goddis Myht,
whiche was A good man, and Clene of lif,
and the peple kepte from Mochel stryf;
and therto A worthy knyht he was,
which was fulfild be goddis gras.
and begat Galaaz thorwgh goddis Myht,
whiche was A good man, and Clene of lif,
and the peple kepte from Mochel stryf;
and therto A worthy knyht he was,
which was fulfild be goddis gras.
So On the Morwe, whanne it was day,
Josephe and his Meyne tooken here way
there that holy arche it was,
And Maden here preyeres In þat plas;
Afore that holy vessel Alle knelynge,
they preiden there ful sore wepinge
And besowhten Oure lord Of good Cowndyt
Ouer that Se to passen ful qwyt
Into the lond that was behoten hem,
To Alle here Children, and to here stren.
Josephe and his Meyne tooken here way
there that holy arche it was,
And Maden here preyeres In þat plas;
Afore that holy vessel Alle knelynge,
they preiden there ful sore wepinge
And besowhten Oure lord Of good Cowndyt
Ouer that Se to passen ful qwyt
Into the lond that was behoten hem,
To Alle here Children, and to here stren.
Thanne whanne here preyers they hadden I-do,
Towardis the Se thanne Gonne they go,
And this be-fyl vppon a satirday
that be-Nyhgted they weren In fay.
and whanne they weren Come to the see,
Nethir Galeye ne Schipe ne fownden they sekerle
where-Inne they myhten Over see gon.
thanne Maden they mone Everichon;
and for Sorwe and fol lewmentyng
they borsten Alle In Sore wepyng,
and preyden Owre lord Of his Socour
hem forto senden In that langowr;
and for his Mercye & his pyte
Sawf to bryngen hem Over the See.
and with this they Comen wepyng ful sore
alle to Josephes the Bischope thore,
“A, Sire bischope, how scholen we do?
Ouer this Se mown we not Go,
For here is nethir schipe ne Galeye
That we mown Ouer In gon trewelye;
Wherfore we mosten Abyden stille here
But ȝe konne tellen vs Ony bettyr Chere.
Wherefore, Sire, we preyen now the
that thou wost tellen vs som Certeinte,
whethir that we scholen here stylle Abyde,
Owther Ouer the see goon At this tyde
Into the lond that is ȝoven to vs
Be the Specyal grace Of swete Iesus,
that the Remnaunt Of Oure weyes myhte we go
Oure lordis wille to fulfillen Al so.”
Towardis the Se thanne Gonne they go,
And this be-fyl vppon a satirday
that be-Nyhgted they weren In fay.
and whanne they weren Come to the see,
Nethir Galeye ne Schipe ne fownden they sekerle
where-Inne they myhten Over see gon.
thanne Maden they mone Everichon;
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they borsten Alle In Sore wepyng,
and preyden Owre lord Of his Socour
hem forto senden In that langowr;
and for his Mercye & his pyte
Sawf to bryngen hem Over the See.
and with this they Comen wepyng ful sore
alle to Josephes the Bischope thore,
“A, Sire bischope, how scholen we do?
Ouer this Se mown we not Go,
For here is nethir schipe ne Galeye
That we mown Ouer In gon trewelye;
Wherfore we mosten Abyden stille here
But ȝe konne tellen vs Ony bettyr Chere.
Wherefore, Sire, we preyen now the
that thou wost tellen vs som Certeinte,
whethir that we scholen here stylle Abyde,
Owther Ouer the see goon At this tyde
Into the lond that is ȝoven to vs
Be the Specyal grace Of swete Iesus,
that the Remnaunt Of Oure weyes myhte we go
Oure lordis wille to fulfillen Al so.”
Whanne Josephe sawh hem Maken this Mone,
Gret pite he hadde Of hem Everichone
that they here Contre and good hadden forsake,
and Only to Goddis Servise hem take;
and Ek that Of his kynne they were,
bothe lordis and ladyes that weren there.
Gret pite he hadde Of hem Everichone
that they here Contre and good hadden forsake,
and Only to Goddis Servise hem take;
and Ek that Of his kynne they were,
bothe lordis and ladyes that weren there.
And Anon he seide these wordis Milde,
“Dismaye ȝow not, neþer lord lady ne Childe,
For he that hath Counveyed vs In Every weye,
Ouer this See he wele vs now Conveye.
But alle, at this tyme, Cowndeye not he wele;
and why, I schal tellen yow the Skele.
For whanne ȝe Comen Owt Of ȝoure lond,
As I do ȝow here to vndirstond,
And forsoken Al Worldly Ese,
Onliche that goode lord for to plese,
and him behighten good Servise to do
As the Child to þe fadir, with-Owten Mo;
And that Synne scholden ȝe don non
From that tyme forward where so ȝe gon,
lik As ȝe dyden there be-fore
with ȝoure wyves whanne ȝe weren thore:
and he ȝow behighte with-Owten drede
he wolde ȝow socoure In al ȝoure Nede;
and where-Onne ȝoure herte would thenke,
ȝe scholde it hauen, bothe Mete and drynke;
and Also delyveren ȝow wolde he
From alle Noysaunce and al adversite:
And Alle thing that he hath ȝow behyht,
he hath it parfo[r]med with strengthe & myht.
For ȝit me semeth that ȝe axeden nevere thing
but that Anon that ȝe hadden ȝowre Askyng.
and as Often as that Arest hauen ȝe ben,
he hath ȝow deliuered both faire & Clen.
Thus hath he ȝolden to ȝow his beheste,
To Man womman and Child, both lest and Meste.
“Dismaye ȝow not, neþer lord lady ne Childe,
For he that hath Counveyed vs In Every weye,
Ouer this See he wele vs now Conveye.
But alle, at this tyme, Cowndeye not he wele;
and why, I schal tellen yow the Skele.
For whanne ȝe Comen Owt Of ȝoure lond,
As I do ȝow here to vndirstond,
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Onliche that goode lord for to plese,
and him behighten good Servise to do
As the Child to þe fadir, with-Owten Mo;
And that Synne scholden ȝe don non
From that tyme forward where so ȝe gon,
lik As ȝe dyden there be-fore
with ȝoure wyves whanne ȝe weren thore:
and he ȝow behighte with-Owten drede
he wolde ȝow socoure In al ȝoure Nede;
and where-Onne ȝoure herte would thenke,
ȝe scholde it hauen, bothe Mete and drynke;
and Also delyveren ȝow wolde he
From alle Noysaunce and al adversite:
And Alle thing that he hath ȝow behyht,
he hath it parfo[r]med with strengthe & myht.
For ȝit me semeth that ȝe axeden nevere thing
but that Anon that ȝe hadden ȝowre Askyng.
and as Often as that Arest hauen ȝe ben,
he hath ȝow deliuered both faire & Clen.
Thus hath he ȝolden to ȝow his beheste,
To Man womman and Child, both lest and Meste.
“But ful Evel Aqwyt hym han ȝe
For his kendenesse, As ȝe scholen Se:
Herkeneth me now what I schal say.
For his kendenesse, As ȝe scholen Se:
Herkeneth me now what I schal say.
“Whanne he to ȝow spak ȝisterday
Atte Entre Of the forest here
That Agas is Clepid In Old Manere,
and there he warned ȝou genneraly
In Chastete to kepen ȝow Only,
and Clene In body and In herte,
that non vnclennesse ȝow Asterte;
Ne not with ȝowre wyves forto Melle
but be his leve, As I ȝow Spelle;
and this promyse Maden ȝe,
As ȝe wel knowen Certeynle:
Now, behold how ȝe han this holden,
ȝowre promyses lik as ȝe tolden!
For the More part Of this Compenye,
ȝe knowen ȝowre wyves In luxvrye!
And Somme there ben that Repenten ful sore
that Owt Of here Contre Comen they thore;
and so Entasted Alle ȝe been,
Somme Of lecherye that is vnclen,
And Somme Of his Contre the Repentaunce
why they Owt Comen be Ony Chaunce,
and Sory they ben In alle degre
here hertes to sette In Swich parfyte.
Atte Entre Of the forest here
That Agas is Clepid In Old Manere,
and there he warned ȝou genneraly
In Chastete to kepen ȝow Only,
and Clene In body and In herte,
that non vnclennesse ȝow Asterte;
Ne not with ȝowre wyves forto Melle
but be his leve, As I ȝow Spelle;
and this promyse Maden ȝe,
As ȝe wel knowen Certeynle:
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ȝowre promyses lik as ȝe tolden!
For the More part Of this Compenye,
ȝe knowen ȝowre wyves In luxvrye!
And Somme there ben that Repenten ful sore
that Owt Of here Contre Comen they thore;
and so Entasted Alle ȝe been,
Somme Of lecherye that is vnclen,
And Somme Of his Contre the Repentaunce
why they Owt Comen be Ony Chaunce,
and Sory they ben In alle degre
here hertes to sette In Swich parfyte.
“But the tothere that Oþerwise han do,
here hertes to god Contenwed Euere mo,
and ȝit Into this day dwellyn they So,—
Al so hot brenneng Evere In Charyte, lo,
as Ony licour In vessel boylled May be,
Thus dwellen they In love and In Charite;
and ben fulfild with the holy gost,
the wheche that is lord Of myhtes most;
For they han kept hem In Chastete
Attyr Goddis byddyng In Eche degre,
And In Chastete han they kept here lyf
Aftyr goddis comandement with-Owten stryf,—
These, trewely, scholen passen the See
with Owten Schipe oþer galeye In Ony degre;
and the See hem Susteyne schal also,
and there-Over Clene forto go.
For with venym Enfect be they not trewelye,
Neþer with fylthe Entachched, ne with non velonye;
These with-Owten Schipe Scholen go
Over the See with-Owten Mo,
thorwgh feyth, beleve, and stedfast Creaunce
that In hem is fownden with-Owten variaunce.
here hertes to god Contenwed Euere mo,
and ȝit Into this day dwellyn they So,—
Al so hot brenneng Evere In Charyte, lo,
as Ony licour In vessel boylled May be,
Thus dwellen they In love and In Charite;
and ben fulfild with the holy gost,
the wheche that is lord Of myhtes most;
For they han kept hem In Chastete
Attyr Goddis byddyng In Eche degre,
And In Chastete han they kept here lyf
Aftyr goddis comandement with-Owten stryf,—
These, trewely, scholen passen the See
with Owten Schipe oþer galeye In Ony degre;
and the See hem Susteyne schal also,
and there-Over Clene forto go.
For with venym Enfect be they not trewelye,
Neþer with fylthe Entachched, ne with non velonye;
These with-Owten Schipe Scholen go
Over the See with-Owten Mo,
thorwgh feyth, beleve, and stedfast Creaunce
that In hem is fownden with-Owten variaunce.
“But ȝe that ben fallen in Synne,
ȝe ben not Able to Entren the Se with-Inne
But ȝif ȝe han Owther Schipe oþer Galeye
That ȝow Ouer May bryngen Sauflye.
and wele ȝe now heren the Cause why?
I schal it ȝow tellen ful Openly;
that we from ȝow scholen departen here,
I schal it ȝow Schewen More Openly and Clere.
For Oure lord desyreth In non degre
The deth of A Synnere, what so he be;
but that he lyve and Amenden his lif
Forto lyven In Clennesse with-Owten stryf.
ȝe ben not Able to Entren the Se with-Inne
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That ȝow Ouer May bryngen Sauflye.
and wele ȝe now heren the Cause why?
I schal it ȝow tellen ful Openly;
that we from ȝow scholen departen here,
I schal it ȝow Schewen More Openly and Clere.
For Oure lord desyreth In non degre
The deth of A Synnere, what so he be;
but that he lyve and Amenden his lif
Forto lyven In Clennesse with-Owten stryf.
“This thing to ȝow now have I told,
ȝowre owne folyes to knowen Manyfold,
Of that ȝe han Mistaken ȝow Ony Owr
I forfetyng Aȝens ȝoure Creatowr,
Neþer neuere Repented ȝow Into this day
Of ȝoure Evele dedis, as I ȝow Say.”
ȝowre owne folyes to knowen Manyfold,
Of that ȝe han Mistaken ȝow Ony Owr
I forfetyng Aȝens ȝoure Creatowr,
Neþer neuere Repented ȝow Into this day
Of ȝoure Evele dedis, as I ȝow Say.”
Thanne they that Cowpable were,
herde Josephe Speken In this Manere,
and hem So Acusede Of here trespas,
Ful mochel Sorwe Maden they In that plas,
and begannen so gret deol forto Make
So that for Sorwe they gonne to qwake,
that neuere grettere Sorwe Men say
To-forn that tyme Into that day;
and Cryden In here Owne Conciense,
“A, Creature vnkende, why wostest þou Offense?
and Of this Condicioun Cursed peple we ben
Ful two hundred & Sixty, as that I wen.”
herde Josephe Speken In this Manere,
and hem So Acusede Of here trespas,
Ful mochel Sorwe Maden they In that plas,
and begannen so gret deol forto Make
So that for Sorwe they gonne to qwake,
that neuere grettere Sorwe Men say
To-forn that tyme Into that day;
and Cryden In here Owne Conciense,
“A, Creature vnkende, why wostest þou Offense?
and Of this Condicioun Cursed peple we ben
Ful two hundred & Sixty, as that I wen.”
And Of hem that not Acwsed were,
To Iosephes the[y] Rennen al In fere,
and to-forn hym they kneleden Everychon,
and thanne thus to hym they seiden Anon—
“Now, swete Sere Josephes, how may this be
that we scholen passen here Ouer the see?”
thanne he hem Answerede Ryht Anon
“Here Over this See now scholen ȝe gon.”
and vppon that Compenye was Certeinly
Two hundred persones and ful Fyfty,
and the Moste part Of Alle tho,
kynnes folk to Iosephes weren Also.
To Iosephes the[y] Rennen al In fere,
and to-forn hym they kneleden Everychon,
and thanne thus to hym they seiden Anon—
“Now, swete Sere Josephes, how may this be
that we scholen passen here Ouer the see?”
thanne he hem Answerede Ryht Anon
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and vppon that Compenye was Certeinly
Two hundred persones and ful Fyfty,
and the Moste part Of Alle tho,
kynnes folk to Iosephes weren Also.
That Nyht it was bothe fair and stille,
and the See pesible At here Owne wille
with-Owten tempest Owther distresse;
and þe Mone schon In alle hire bryhtnesse,
Also bryht as In Averylle,
thus it schon bothe fair & stille:
and this was the Satyrday Certeinly
Aforn Esterne day ful trewly.
and the See pesible At here Owne wille
with-Owten tempest Owther distresse;
and þe Mone schon In alle hire bryhtnesse,
Also bryht as In Averylle,
thus it schon bothe fair & stille:
and this was the Satyrday Certeinly
Aforn Esterne day ful trewly.
And tho Iosephes to his fadir then Cam Anon
And hym kyste to-forn hem Echon,
& so On Aftyr Anothir there
As his Owne bretheren In Eche Manere;
So Iosephes hem kyste Everychon,
Alle his Compenye be On and On;
and to hem he seyde In the same degre
As to his Fadir he dyde thanne Certeinle,
“Sweth ȝe me now Everychon
In the Same weye that I schal gon.”
And hym kyste to-forn hem Echon,
& so On Aftyr Anothir there
As his Owne bretheren In Eche Manere;
So Iosephes hem kyste Everychon,
Alle his Compenye be On and On;
and to hem he seyde In the same degre
As to his Fadir he dyde thanne Certeinle,
“Sweth ȝe me now Everychon
In the Same weye that I schal gon.”
thanne Iosephes the See wolde han Entred Anone
but that A voys to hym there Cam thus sone,
and Seide, “Iosephes, Entre thou not here,
but werke thou In Other Manere.
Ferst putte to-forn the Everichon
that thou kystest here Anon,
and Setten here feet vppon the se—
For Alle I-Saved scholen they be,
As it is pleynly the be-hote,
Over Al Sawf scholen they gon On fote;
For Alle Sewr Scholen they be
vppon the See to Gon ful Certeinle,
and Over this see scholen they pase
Er the day schewe In Ony plase.”
but that A voys to hym there Cam thus sone,
and Seide, “Iosephes, Entre thou not here,
but werke thou In Other Manere.
Ferst putte to-forn the Everichon
that thou kystest here Anon,
and Setten here feet vppon the se—
For Alle I-Saved scholen they be,
As it is pleynly the be-hote,
Over Al Sawf scholen they gon On fote;
For Alle Sewr Scholen they be
vppon the See to Gon ful Certeinle,
and Over this see scholen they pase
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As the vois to Iosephe[s] Spak, in the same Manere
Riht so forth his peple Cleped he there;
and theym that the holy vessel bore,
Into the Se he dide hem gon thore,
“For the vertw Of this Fessel
ȝow schal Cowndyen faire and wel.”
and thus vppon the see they wenten Anon
with-Owten drede thanne Everychon,
that so vppon that water wenten they there
As thowgh vppon the drye grownd they were;
and with hem boren they In Compenye
the holy vessel, with-Owten lye,
the wheche they Cleped seint Graal
Owthir Oþerwyse it is I-Clepid þe sank Ryal.
Riht so forth his peple Cleped he there;
and theym that the holy vessel bore,
Into the Se he dide hem gon thore,
“For the vertw Of this Fessel
ȝow schal Cowndyen faire and wel.”
and thus vppon the see they wenten Anon
with-Owten drede thanne Everychon,
that so vppon that water wenten they there
As thowgh vppon the drye grownd they were;
and with hem boren they In Compenye
the holy vessel, with-Owten lye,
the wheche they Cleped seint Graal
Owthir Oþerwyse it is I-Clepid þe sank Ryal.
And whanne Iosephes beheld Al this
that On þe water the[y] wenten with-Owten Mys,
thanne dide he Of his Schirte there,
and Clothed him In Anothir Manere,
and spradde that Schirte vppon the see
As thowgh that it pleyn lond hadde I-be,
and Seide to his fadir there Anon
his feet that Schirte to setten vppon.
that On þe water the[y] wenten with-Owten Mys,
thanne dide he Of his Schirte there,
and Clothed him In Anothir Manere,
and spradde that Schirte vppon the see
As thowgh that it pleyn lond hadde I-be,
and Seide to his fadir there Anon
his feet that Schirte to setten vppon.
Thanne cleped he forth An Old Man
that Iosephes ful Cosyn was than,
and twelfe Sones he hadde Also;
but the fadris Name was Clepyd Dro:
and he his feet sette vpon the Scherte,
and as Iosephe to-forn him hadde sette.
thanne Aftyr this Iosephes gan to Calle
An hundred and Fyfty forth with Alle;
and alle vppon the Scherte Entred Anon,
And there vppon the See they stoden Echon.
that Iosephes ful Cosyn was than,
and twelfe Sones he hadde Also;
but the fadris Name was Clepyd Dro:
and he his feet sette vpon the Scherte,
and as Iosephe to-forn him hadde sette.
thanne Aftyr this Iosephes gan to Calle
An hundred and Fyfty forth with Alle;
and alle vppon the Scherte Entred Anon,
And there vppon the See they stoden Echon.
Thanne Josephes bothe Schirte and water gan blesse,
And Anon God gan it for to Redresse,
and wax moche largere hem vntylle,
and it fer Abrod spradde Aftyr goddis wylle!
behold what Meracle god there wrowhte
For his peple that he hadde I-bowhte!
that for An hundred and persones Fyfty
Vppon that schirte Alle weren they trewely!
Except Only persones tweyne
whiche weren not worthy In Certeyne,
the whiche was bothe the fadir & þe sone
that ne hadden not ful wel I-kept here Wone;
the Fadris Name, ‘Symenx’ it was,
that whanne he scholde Entren In that plas,
Into the water they sonken there Anon
As thowgh it hadde ben Owther led Oþer ston.
And Anon God gan it for to Redresse,
and wax moche largere hem vntylle,
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behold what Meracle god there wrowhte
For his peple that he hadde I-bowhte!
that for An hundred and persones Fyfty
Vppon that schirte Alle weren they trewely!
Except Only persones tweyne
whiche weren not worthy In Certeyne,
the whiche was bothe the fadir & þe sone
that ne hadden not ful wel I-kept here Wone;
the Fadris Name, ‘Symenx’ it was,
that whanne he scholde Entren In that plas,
Into the water they sonken there Anon
As thowgh it hadde ben Owther led Oþer ston.
And whanne Josephes beheld thanne this,
“ȝe han don ful Evele with-Owten Mis.
Now here the werkes don wel schewe
what feith In ȝow was In þis throwe.”
And whanne that Into the water weren they Sonke,
with Alle here strengthes thanne they Swonke
tyl that Aboven the water they were.
Thanne they that vppon the lond weren left there,
Faste they Ronne hem to Socoure,
And to þe lond hem pulde In that Oure.
“ȝe han don ful Evele with-Owten Mis.
Now here the werkes don wel schewe
what feith In ȝow was In þis throwe.”
And whanne that Into the water weren they Sonke,
with Alle here strengthes thanne they Swonke
tyl that Aboven the water they were.
Thanne they that vppon the lond weren left there,
Faste they Ronne hem to Socoure,
And to þe lond hem pulde In that Oure.
and Josephes held his scherte be the Sleve
that So In to the Water he dyde hem Meve,
and Comaunded hem alle to God Al-Myht,
that so be goddis governaunce forth wenten they ryht;
So that it happed hem bothe faire and wel
That vppon the Morwe they Aryvede Ech del,
and Into grete Breteyne they Entred Anon
Al that Compenye thanne Everychon;
And Syen bothe the lond and Contre there,
That Alle fulfyld with Sarrasines were,
and Manye Othere Miscreaunce,
so happid that tyme was here Chaunce.
that So In to the Water he dyde hem Meve,
and Comaunded hem alle to God Al-Myht,
that so be goddis governaunce forth wenten they ryht;
So that it happed hem bothe faire and wel
That vppon the Morwe they Aryvede Ech del,
and Into grete Breteyne they Entred Anon
Al that Compenye thanne Everychon;
And Syen bothe the lond and Contre there,
That Alle fulfyld with Sarrasines were,
and Manye Othere Miscreaunce,
so happid that tyme was here Chaunce.
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Whanne that Alle Aryved they were,
Josephes Anon Reuersed hym there,
and vppon his knes he knelide A-down,
and to God there he Made his Orisown,
and ȝald hym graces & thankynges Al so
Of the Miracle that he for hem hadde I-do.
Josephes Anon Reuersed hym there,
and vppon his knes he knelide A-down,
and to God there he Made his Orisown,
and ȝald hym graces & thankynges Al so
Of the Miracle that he for hem hadde I-do.
Thanne Josephes drowh hym somwhat Afer
From his Felawes, and wolde Comen non ner,
and his preyeres gon faste forto Make
For his Othere felawes sake
with wepyng and with teres grete,
For hem that beȝonde the Se he lete,
that God hem Sauf Scholde brynge
Into here feleschepe with-owten blemschenge.
And whanne his preyeres he hadde I-do,
A vois to hym Anon Cam tho,
And seide, “Iosephes, thy preyere
Of god it is herd In good Manere;
For to the Scholen they Comen sauf & sownd
there that thow stondist, vppon this grownd.
For this lond is behoten to the
And to hem þat thou hast In compeyne,
Forto Multeplyen this lond here
with Oþere peple thanne þere-Inne were;
And therfore thou Most speden the faste,
Goddis Name to pvblysshe In haste;
For wete þou wel, thou Mostest here travaille
Tyl goddis lawe be knowen with-Owten faille,
Over Al Abowtes In this lond,
and for non thyng that thow wond.”
From his Felawes, and wolde Comen non ner,
and his preyeres gon faste forto Make
For his Othere felawes sake
with wepyng and with teres grete,
For hem that beȝonde the Se he lete,
that God hem Sauf Scholde brynge
Into here feleschepe with-owten blemschenge.
And whanne his preyeres he hadde I-do,
A vois to hym Anon Cam tho,
And seide, “Iosephes, thy preyere
Of god it is herd In good Manere;
For to the Scholen they Comen sauf & sownd
there that thow stondist, vppon this grownd.
For this lond is behoten to the
And to hem þat thou hast In compeyne,
Forto Multeplyen this lond here
with Oþere peple thanne þere-Inne were;
And therfore thou Most speden the faste,
Goddis Name to pvblysshe In haste;
For wete þou wel, thou Mostest here travaille
Tyl goddis lawe be knowen with-Owten faille,
Over Al Abowtes In this lond,
and for non thyng that thow wond.”
Whanne Iosephes herde this vois thus seyn,
thanne from the Erthe he Ros In Certein,
And looked vpward to the hevene,
And Seide, “lord with Mylde stevene
behold thy Servaunt Al Redy here
thy wil to fulfille Every where.”
thanne from the Erthe he Ros In Certein,
And looked vpward to the hevene,
And Seide, “lord with Mylde stevene
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thy wil to fulfille Every where.”
Thanne Josephes tornede Anon Ageyn
Toward his fadir & his frendis In Certeyn,
and seide, “lordynges, herkeneth to Me;
Tydynges I schal tellen ȝow now Certeynle.
this is the lond ful sothfastly
that to vs is behoten, and Owre Compeny,
the wheche with Othere plauntes Edified moste be
thanne it is now for Certeynle.
For as the lawe Of Miscreaunce,
It is bothe fals and Eke variaunce;
therfore Moste Goddis lawe here
Stedfastly ben vp-holden In Ony Manere;
and þerfore In þis lond that lawe Roten welen we,
and the Rootes of þe fals lawe breken sekerle.”
Toward his fadir & his frendis In Certeyn,
and seide, “lordynges, herkeneth to Me;
Tydynges I schal tellen ȝow now Certeynle.
this is the lond ful sothfastly
that to vs is behoten, and Owre Compeny,
the wheche with Othere plauntes Edified moste be
thanne it is now for Certeynle.
For as the lawe Of Miscreaunce,
It is bothe fals and Eke variaunce;
therfore Moste Goddis lawe here
Stedfastly ben vp-holden In Ony Manere;
and þerfore In þis lond that lawe Roten welen we,
and the Rootes of þe fals lawe breken sekerle.”
Thanne answerid they Alle Anon
that to-forn Iosephes stoden Echon,
“lo! Sire, behold al Redy ben we here
with Owre hertes and bodyes al In fere
To don Al ȝowre Comandement,
lo, vs alle here, Sire, present!
For here ben we Redy Everychon,
Goddis lawe to Reren Aȝens owre fon;
and the lawe Of the verray Crucyfye,
we scholen it vp-holden to lyve Oþer dye:
there-fore Comande vs what we scholen done,
and it schal be sped thus sone,
To Owre poweris and Owre Myht
Goddis lawe to holden upryht.”
that to-forn Iosephes stoden Echon,
“lo! Sire, behold al Redy ben we here
with Owre hertes and bodyes al In fere
To don Al ȝowre Comandement,
lo, vs alle here, Sire, present!
For here ben we Redy Everychon,
Goddis lawe to Reren Aȝens owre fon;
and the lawe Of the verray Crucyfye,
we scholen it vp-holden to lyve Oþer dye:
there-fore Comande vs what we scholen done,
and it schal be sped thus sone,
To Owre poweris and Owre Myht
Goddis lawe to holden upryht.”
Thanne answerid Iosephe[s] to hem Ageyn,
“ȝit Schal I Abyden In Certeyn
Tyl that we han Of Owre felawes som tyding,
ȝif God Of his grace hyder wyle hem bryng
that On þe tothir syde Of the see now be,
that God hem kepe for his grete pete.”
“ȝit Schal I Abyden In Certeyn
Tyl that we han Of Owre felawes som tyding,
ȝif God Of his grace hyder wyle hem bryng
that On þe tothir syde Of the see now be,
that God hem kepe for his grete pete.”
116
Now leveth here this storye
Of Iosephes and Of Al his Compenye,
and Retorneth to Nasciens Ageyn,
and Ek to Celydoyne In Certeyn.
Of Iosephes and Of Al his Compenye,
and Retorneth to Nasciens Ageyn,
and Ek to Celydoyne In Certeyn.
CHAPTER XLII. NASCIENS, AND THE SINNERS OF JOSEPH'S COMPANY, LAND IN BRITAIN, MEET JOSEPH, AND THEN CELIDOYNE.
117
Now this storye telleth here
Of the Godman and Nasciens In fere,
how that Nasciens þis writ gan beholde,
and there-Onne loked ful Many folde;
and how this goodman was thanne Ago
From Nasciens, and how he ne wiste tho.
Of the Godman and Nasciens In fere,
how that Nasciens þis writ gan beholde,
and there-Onne loked ful Many folde;
and how this goodman was thanne Ago
From Nasciens, and how he ne wiste tho.
Nasciens, that was bothe Ioyful and glad,
On his writ faste loked that he had;
and to that Schippes bord he Cam Anon,
and Into his Owne Schipe he gan to gon,
where As was the Bed so Riche,
and the swerd þat In þe world ne was non swiche,
And no man Abowtes hym nowher he say,
but Only that Richesse that to-forn hym lay;
wherethorwh In his herte he gan to glade
Of the Goode wordis that þe good man seid hade;
and thanne Abowtes hym he lokede tho,
and Sawh non wyht Comeng to ne fro,
Ne nethir man ne womman that he myhte to speke.
Thanne Aȝen to his wryt he gan to Reke
Tyl that the Nyht it Cam hym vppon;
thanne down to sleepe he leyd hym Anon.
On his writ faste loked that he had;
and to that Schippes bord he Cam Anon,
and Into his Owne Schipe he gan to gon,
where As was the Bed so Riche,
and the swerd þat In þe world ne was non swiche,
And no man Abowtes hym nowher he say,
but Only that Richesse that to-forn hym lay;
wherethorwh In his herte he gan to glade
Of the Goode wordis that þe good man seid hade;
and thanne Abowtes hym he lokede tho,
and Sawh non wyht Comeng to ne fro,
Ne nethir man ne womman that he myhte to speke.
Thanne Aȝen to his wryt he gan to Reke
Tyl that the Nyht it Cam hym vppon;
thanne down to sleepe he leyd hym Anon.
thanne hym thowhte As long as he In slepe lay
That this goodman Aȝen to hym Cam In Fay,
and took that writ Owt Of his hond,—
thus gan he tho forto vndirstond,—
and seide to him thus In Certeyn,
“this writ gettest thou Neuere ageyn:
tyl that Owt of this world schalt þou go,
this writ Aȝen Cometh the neuere vnto;
and Owt Of this schipe gost þou not In non degre
Tyl the day of the Resurectioun ful sekerle,
and thanne schalt þou A-Ryven Anon
Into þe lond there as Is Celidoyne thy son;
and with þe A-Ryven scholen Also
the Synneris that with Iosephes ne myghten not go.”
Al this Sawgh Nasciens In his slepinge,
where-Offen he hadde gret Merveillynge.
That this goodman Aȝen to hym Cam In Fay,
and took that writ Owt Of his hond,—
thus gan he tho forto vndirstond,—
and seide to him thus In Certeyn,
“this writ gettest thou Neuere ageyn:
tyl that Owt of this world schalt þou go,
this writ Aȝen Cometh the neuere vnto;
and Owt Of this schipe gost þou not In non degre
Tyl the day of the Resurectioun ful sekerle,
and thanne schalt þou A-Ryven Anon
Into þe lond there as Is Celidoyne thy son;
and with þe A-Ryven scholen Also
the Synneris that with Iosephes ne myghten not go.”
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where-Offen he hadde gret Merveillynge.
Vppon the Morwen whanne it was day lyht,
vp Ros thanne this Nasciens Anon Riht,
and bethowghte hym Of his Aviciown
That he hadde seyn, bothe Alle and som.
Thanne aftir his wryt loked he there,
and he it Cowde fynde In non Manere;
and ȝit loked he bothe vpe and down
Al Abowtes that Schipe In vyrown.
& whanne he Cowde fynden In non wyse,
thanne gan his herte ful sore to Agryse;
thanne woste he wel that thike good Man
thike wryt from hym hadde taken than,
where-Offen Abasched ful sore he was
that his wryt was so gon In that plas;
but he hopede that it was be goddis Ordenaunce,
wherfore he was the lasse In dowtaunce,
So that he Comforted hym the More
thorwgh the Avyciown that he hadde thore.
vp Ros thanne this Nasciens Anon Riht,
and bethowghte hym Of his Aviciown
That he hadde seyn, bothe Alle and som.
Thanne aftir his wryt loked he there,
and he it Cowde fynde In non Manere;
and ȝit loked he bothe vpe and down
Al Abowtes that Schipe In vyrown.
& whanne he Cowde fynden In non wyse,
thanne gan his herte ful sore to Agryse;
thanne woste he wel that thike good Man
thike wryt from hym hadde taken than,
where-Offen Abasched ful sore he was
that his wryt was so gon In that plas;
but he hopede that it was be goddis Ordenaunce,
wherfore he was the lasse In dowtaunce,
So that he Comforted hym the More
thorwgh the Avyciown that he hadde thore.
It behapped hym so the same day
That In the see a schipe he say,
(and Cam from Cordres that Cyte,)
where-Inne was a gret Compene,
An Amyrawnt, and with hym bothe princes & knyhtes
and many Oþer peple Redy to fyhtes;
& Into Grece ward they were,
vppon kyng Salarnande to werren there.
and whanne sire Nasciens thei gonne to se,
thanne Merveilled Alle this Compene,
and, for aftir hem he was formably,
with hem In here schipe they wolden han had trewly;
but Nasciens Nolde In non degre
Comen in here Compeyne.
That In the see a schipe he say,
(and Cam from Cordres that Cyte,)
where-Inne was a gret Compene,
An Amyrawnt, and with hym bothe princes & knyhtes
and many Oþer peple Redy to fyhtes;
& Into Grece ward they were,
vppon kyng Salarnande to werren there.
and whanne sire Nasciens thei gonne to se,
thanne Merveilled Alle this Compene,
and, for aftir hem he was formably,
with hem In here schipe they wolden han had trewly;
but Nasciens Nolde In non degre
Comen in here Compeyne.
And whanne they syen he Wolde not so,
they seiden he was a fool with-Owten Mo,
and that they sien neuere so Nise A man
as þis veray fool Nasciens was than;
So that to hym þanne for Routhe & pyte
Of here vyandes thanne ȝoven hee;
and so from hym thanne gonne they gon,
and Of hym spoken Many On,
that they Syen nevere to fore
A man In a schipe Alone to gon Ore.
they seiden he was a fool with-Owten Mo,
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as þis veray fool Nasciens was than;
So that to hym þanne for Routhe & pyte
Of here vyandes thanne ȝoven hee;
and so from hym thanne gonne they gon,
and Of hym spoken Many On,
that they Syen nevere to fore
A man In a schipe Alone to gon Ore.
And Nasciens that In the se was Abrod,
Vpp and down labowred as wolde þe goode lord;
Now wente forward here A whille,
and now Wente bakwardis Many A myle,
and Into Manye A dyvers Contre
that schipe A-Ryved ful Sekerle;
and Often Arest wit Miscreans,
but Euere god delyuered him be chauns.
and atte laste the schipe took In to þe see,
Estward Into A port thanne wente he;
and Abowtes high Midnyht
he fyl On slepe Anon Ryht;
and his schipe to lond it wente,
And ȝit wook he not veramente.
Vpp and down labowred as wolde þe goode lord;
Now wente forward here A whille,
and now Wente bakwardis Many A myle,
and Into Manye A dyvers Contre
that schipe A-Ryved ful Sekerle;
and Often Arest wit Miscreans,
but Euere god delyuered him be chauns.
and atte laste the schipe took In to þe see,
Estward Into A port thanne wente he;
and Abowtes high Midnyht
he fyl On slepe Anon Ryht;
and his schipe to lond it wente,
And ȝit wook he not veramente.
But now declareth this storye
at what yl be A-Ryved Sekerlye—
at the devyseng Of Seynt Graal
whiche that this Storye declareth Al,—
It telleth that he Aryved Evene ryht þere
In the same place as Iosephes felischepe were,
where as they Abyden wel longe
that for synne þe wolde not hem fonge.
at what yl be A-Ryved Sekerlye—
at the devyseng Of Seynt Graal
whiche that this Storye declareth Al,—
It telleth that he Aryved Evene ryht þere
In the same place as Iosephes felischepe were,
where as they Abyden wel longe
that for synne þe wolde not hem fonge.
And whanne the Schipe to the lond was gon,
To hem A voys there Cam Anon,
“Into this Schipe Entrith Alle ȝe,
and Ouer the Se Cowndyed scholen ȝe be
Into the lond that is to ȝow behote,
there-Inne to Gryffen Many A Rote.
for, be war þat ȝe don non More Synne
From this day forward but þat ȝe blynne.
and ȝif ȝe don In Ony degre,
bothe body & sowle distroyed ȝe be.”
To hem A voys there Cam Anon,
“Into this Schipe Entrith Alle ȝe,
and Ouer the Se Cowndyed scholen ȝe be
Into the lond that is to ȝow behote,
there-Inne to Gryffen Many A Rote.
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From this day forward but þat ȝe blynne.
and ȝif ȝe don In Ony degre,
bothe body & sowle distroyed ȝe be.”
And whanne they herde that þe vois thus spak tho,
anon they answereden with-Owten Mo,
“lord, thyn Owne Men Alle we be
From this day forward now Sekerle,
In Swich a Manere as be non weye
thy Comandement not breken feithfullye.”
anon they answereden with-Owten Mo,
“lord, thyn Owne Men Alle we be
From this day forward now Sekerle,
In Swich a Manere as be non weye
thy Comandement not breken feithfullye.”
and ȝit A bonet In þe schip there was
that was not set On In that plas;
and whanne the bonet was Onne I-don,
thanne God sente hem wynd Ryht Anon,
So that with-Inne A schort while
they Cowden Nethir Sen lond ne yle,
So fer they weren in the Se.
thanne betoken they hem Alle to þe Trenyte,
and preyden god for his gret Mercye
“that to theke Contre he wolde don hem Aplye
where that Iosephes and Owre felawes be;
Now gracious lord, for thy grete pyte.”
that was not set On In that plas;
and whanne the bonet was Onne I-don,
thanne God sente hem wynd Ryht Anon,
So that with-Inne A schort while
they Cowden Nethir Sen lond ne yle,
So fer they weren in the Se.
thanne betoken they hem Alle to þe Trenyte,
and preyden god for his gret Mercye
“that to theke Contre he wolde don hem Aplye
where that Iosephes and Owre felawes be;
Now gracious lord, for thy grete pyte.”
And whiles thus they weren In here prey[er]e
Into A partye Of the Schipe loked they there,
and Syen Nasciens where that he lay,
that hadde not waked Of Al that day
For non noyse that they Alle Made,
Where-Offen Merveille alle they bade.
and whanne they gonnen hym thus Aspye,
Abowtes hym faste they Ronne Sekerlye,
& thus they spoken Amonges hem Echon,
“whethir schole we Awaken hym Other non.”
thanne Answerid Anon somme ageyn,
“Awake we him now here In Certein.”
Anon On leyde his hond vppon Nasciens his hed,
and there Awook hym In that sted.
& Anon whanne he Awaked was,
he blessid hym Often In that plas,
And Merveilled Mochel In his thowht
how that Meyne to hym was browht;
For whanne to Slepe he leyde hym þat Nyht,
with-Innen his Schipe ne was non wyht.
Into A partye Of the Schipe loked they there,
and Syen Nasciens where that he lay,
that hadde not waked Of Al that day
For non noyse that they Alle Made,
Where-Offen Merveille alle they bade.
and whanne they gonnen hym thus Aspye,
Abowtes hym faste they Ronne Sekerlye,
& thus they spoken Amonges hem Echon,
“whethir schole we Awaken hym Other non.”
thanne Answerid Anon somme ageyn,
“Awake we him now here In Certein.”
Anon On leyde his hond vppon Nasciens his hed,
and there Awook hym In that sted.
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he blessid hym Often In that plas,
And Merveilled Mochel In his thowht
how that Meyne to hym was browht;
For whanne to Slepe he leyde hym þat Nyht,
with-Innen his Schipe ne was non wyht.
thanne vp Anon he gan hym to dresse,
Amonges hem alle In Sothfastnesse,
As A Man that was ful sore Afrayed,
and Of his wittes thanne Alle dismayed,
and hem grette there Everychon.
thanne After, he Axede Of hem Anon
‘Whens that they Comen In to that plas,
For with-Inne schort while non with him Nas.’
Thanne answerid they hym Anon Ageyn,
‘that somme Of Ierusalem weren Certeyn,
And somme Of galile & Of Other plase;
Swich was þe Compenye þat there wase;
and from here londis thus ben they go,
and from here Richesse Clene Also,
be his Comandement that is kyng of kinges—
Wheche is Iesus Crist, lord Ouer al thynges—
For Into A lond that we scholde go
that vs he hath behoten for Evere Mo,
To vs and to Oure Eyres In fere:’
In this Maner tolden they Nasciens there.
Amonges hem alle In Sothfastnesse,
As A Man that was ful sore Afrayed,
and Of his wittes thanne Alle dismayed,
and hem grette there Everychon.
thanne After, he Axede Of hem Anon
‘Whens that they Comen In to that plas,
For with-Inne schort while non with him Nas.’
Thanne answerid they hym Anon Ageyn,
‘that somme Of Ierusalem weren Certeyn,
And somme Of galile & Of Other plase;
Swich was þe Compenye þat there wase;
and from here londis thus ben they go,
and from here Richesse Clene Also,
be his Comandement that is kyng of kinges—
Wheche is Iesus Crist, lord Ouer al thynges—
For Into A lond that we scholde go
that vs he hath behoten for Evere Mo,
To vs and to Oure Eyres In fere:’
In this Maner tolden they Nasciens there.
And whiles they talkyd of this Matere,
Sire Nasciens thanne beheld Every where,
and Amonges hem alle he sawh a knyht
that to fore tymes he knew ful riht,
as him thowhte be his semblaunce
at that tyme with-Owten varyaunce.
Sire Nasciens thanne beheld Every where,
and Amonges hem alle he sawh a knyht
that to fore tymes he knew ful riht,
as him thowhte be his semblaunce
at that tyme with-Owten varyaunce.
thanne wiste he þat it was Clamarides
that hurt was In bataylle amonges þe pres,
and Anon his boote he hadde
thorugh þe Crois þat Mordrayns In his scheld ladde,
whiche Cros In his scheld to bataille he bar
whanne with kyng Tholome fawht he thar.
that hurt was In bataylle amonges þe pres,
and Anon his boote he hadde
thorugh þe Crois þat Mordrayns In his scheld ladde,
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whanne with kyng Tholome fawht he thar.
Thanne whanne that this Nasciens knew veraily
that it was Clamacides properly,
Non lengere Abyden thanne he ne Myhte,
but hym be his propre Name clepid Anon Ryhte,
and seide “Clamacides, Art thou not he
that Sumtyme heldist lordschepe Of Me?”
and whanne Clamacides herde On clepen hym be name,
he Merveilled thanne gretly Of that fame,
and Aspide that it was Sire Nasciens.
thanne Anon cam he to his presens,
and wiste wel it was his Owne lord,
an (sic) he his knyht be his Owne acord.
thanne to hym he Ran ful faste,
and abowten his Nekke his Armes he Caste,
and hym kyste for Ioye and pyte,
Sore wepyng that Alle men myhten it se,
and seide “Sire, what Aventure may this be
that thus In this Contre ben now ȝe,
And how to me ȝe Comen here,
Fayn wolde I weten, & what Manere.”
“And Namly ȝe, sire Clamacides,
how that ȝe Comen in this pres.”
“Certes, quod Clamacides tho,
Sethen that Iosephes Owre bischope gan forth go
and his fadyr Iosephe with his Compene,
whanne from Sarras they wente sekerle,
thanne left y al my worldly Catel
and swed him forth Everydel,
Iosephs (sic) and his Compenye,
Tyl to the Se we Comen trewlye;
and there Al this Compenye lefte for synne,
Man, Womman, and Child, bothe More & Mynne;
and told hym how þat Iosephes past Ouer the se
Clene be Myracle Certeinle;
and so leften we there behynde
Tyl God vppon vs wolde han som Mende.
and thus, god worschepid mot he be,
Into this Schipe ben Entred we;
For the Moste desire we have,
and we Of god dorsten it Crave,
to Come to Iosephes Oure bischop dere,
To his Fadyr, an to oure Compenye In fere.”
that it was Clamacides properly,
Non lengere Abyden thanne he ne Myhte,
but hym be his propre Name clepid Anon Ryhte,
and seide “Clamacides, Art thou not he
that Sumtyme heldist lordschepe Of Me?”
and whanne Clamacides herde On clepen hym be name,
he Merveilled thanne gretly Of that fame,
and Aspide that it was Sire Nasciens.
thanne Anon cam he to his presens,
and wiste wel it was his Owne lord,
an (sic) he his knyht be his Owne acord.
thanne to hym he Ran ful faste,
and abowten his Nekke his Armes he Caste,
and hym kyste for Ioye and pyte,
Sore wepyng that Alle men myhten it se,
and seide “Sire, what Aventure may this be
that thus In this Contre ben now ȝe,
And how to me ȝe Comen here,
Fayn wolde I weten, & what Manere.”
“And Namly ȝe, sire Clamacides,
how that ȝe Comen in this pres.”
“Certes, quod Clamacides tho,
Sethen that Iosephes Owre bischope gan forth go
and his fadyr Iosephe with his Compene,
whanne from Sarras they wente sekerle,
thanne left y al my worldly Catel
and swed him forth Everydel,
Iosephs (sic) and his Compenye,
Tyl to the Se we Comen trewlye;
and there Al this Compenye lefte for synne,
Man, Womman, and Child, bothe More & Mynne;
and told hym how þat Iosephes past Ouer the se
Clene be Myracle Certeinle;
123
Tyl God vppon vs wolde han som Mende.
and thus, god worschepid mot he be,
Into this Schipe ben Entred we;
For the Moste desire we have,
and we Of god dorsten it Crave,
to Come to Iosephes Oure bischop dere,
To his Fadyr, an to oure Compenye In fere.”
“telle me thanne, quod Nasciens anon,
Is ȝowre feleschepe wit Iosephes gon?”
“ȝe, forsothe, Sire, Sikerly,
And so ben we Of his Compeny;
but for Owre Synnes that we han don,
In his feleschepe Myhte we not Gon.
Now have I ȝow told Al In fere
Of Owre beenge & Of Owre Manere;
and, good Sire, that ȝe wolden vs telle
how þat ȝe sethen of Sarras gonnen Owte dwelle;
and how that ȝe han fare there ȝe han be,
Now, goode Sire, that ȝe welen tellen Me.”
Is ȝowre feleschepe wit Iosephes gon?”
“ȝe, forsothe, Sire, Sikerly,
And so ben we Of his Compeny;
but for Owre Synnes that we han don,
In his feleschepe Myhte we not Gon.
Now have I ȝow told Al In fere
Of Owre beenge & Of Owre Manere;
and, good Sire, that ȝe wolden vs telle
how þat ȝe sethen of Sarras gonnen Owte dwelle;
and how that ȝe han fare there ȝe han be,
Now, goode Sire, that ȝe welen tellen Me.”
And Nasciens to hym gan to Reporte
In to whiche diuers Contre he gan Resorte,
and More he wele whanne he hath space,
ȝif Evere to Iosephes to Comen have I grace.
In to whiche diuers Contre he gan Resorte,
and More he wele whanne he hath space,
ȝif Evere to Iosephes to Comen have I grace.
Thanne alle that Evere weren In the Schipe tho,
Gret Ioye to Nasciens thanne gonne they do,
and hym kysten Al vppon A rewe,
and Nasciens hem aȝen with-In A threwe;
thus dured that Ioye þat day & that Nyht
Tyl vppon the Morwe it was day lyht.
and On þe Morwe whanne it was lyht day
Alle gonnen thei knelen, and forto pray
“that God here Synnes wolde forȝeten Echon,
and to his Mercye hem take be On & On,
And bringe hem Into the same place
there Iosephes is, Lord, thorwgh þi grace,
And Oure Othir Feleschepe Also,
good lord, that we myhte Comen hem to.”
Gret Ioye to Nasciens thanne gonne they do,
and hym kysten Al vppon A rewe,
and Nasciens hem aȝen with-In A threwe;
thus dured that Ioye þat day & that Nyht
Tyl vppon the Morwe it was day lyht.
and On þe Morwe whanne it was lyht day
Alle gonnen thei knelen, and forto pray
“that God here Synnes wolde forȝeten Echon,
and to his Mercye hem take be On & On,
And bringe hem Into the same place
there Iosephes is, Lord, thorwgh þi grace,
124
good lord, that we myhte Comen hem to.”
And thus dwelled hee In this preyere
Tyl pryme Of the day Al In fere.
and whanne they hadden thus I-do,
they gonnen hem blessen Everichon tho
with the Signe Of the holy Crois,
they thanked Iesus with mylde voys,
and forth they gonnen to loken Anon,
And Aspyden the lond Evene thus son;
and faste be the water syde
they syen moche peple þere Abyde;
but they Nisten what they were
tyl Somwhat that they Comen Nere.
Tyl pryme Of the day Al In fere.
and whanne they hadden thus I-do,
they gonnen hem blessen Everichon tho
with the Signe Of the holy Crois,
they thanked Iesus with mylde voys,
and forth they gonnen to loken Anon,
And Aspyden the lond Evene thus son;
and faste be the water syde
they syen moche peple þere Abyde;
but they Nisten what they were
tyl Somwhat that they Comen Nere.
and whanne they syen the lond verayly,
thanne hadde they bothe Ioye and pley,
And Evere thankeden Goddis sonde
that he hem Gyede towardis the londe.
and whanne the schipe to the lond was Comen so Ny
that they Syen here felawes Openly,
thanne so gret Ioye was hem Among
that non Erthly man cowde tellen with tong;
& whanne they that On þe water side were,
knewen that here felawes weren there,
Ful lowde to hem they gonne to Crye,
and seide “welcometh” Al An hye
Al so lowde as they myhte Crye,
“Welcometh” quod Iosephes ful Sekerlye.
thanne hadde they bothe Ioye and pley,
And Evere thankeden Goddis sonde
that he hem Gyede towardis the londe.
and whanne the schipe to the lond was Comen so Ny
that they Syen here felawes Openly,
thanne so gret Ioye was hem Among
that non Erthly man cowde tellen with tong;
& whanne they that On þe water side were,
knewen that here felawes weren there,
Ful lowde to hem they gonne to Crye,
and seide “welcometh” Al An hye
Al so lowde as they myhte Crye,
“Welcometh” quod Iosephes ful Sekerlye.
Thus the Schipe there Cam to londe,
and Every man Owt gan to fonde.
thanne Eche man Oþer gan to Embrace,
and for Ioye they kysten In that place,
and wepten for Ioye and for pete
As they Alle here frendis ded hadde be.
and Every man Owt gan to fonde.
thanne Eche man Oþer gan to Embrace,
and for Ioye they kysten In that place,
and wepten for Ioye and for pete
As they Alle here frendis ded hadde be.
Anon as that Nasciens Iosephes Say,
Towardis him he took the way,
And Of hym took knowleching,
and ful Onestly Made hym gretyng.
thanne Iosephes Made hym ful gret Chere,
and was Ryht Ioyful that he was there.
thanne Iosephes Gan hym forto Refreyne
Of his fare, and Of kyng Mordreyne;
For Iosephes forȝat hym non thyng,
so mochel he hadde hem In Chersyng.
Towardis him he took the way,
125
and ful Onestly Made hym gretyng.
thanne Iosephes Made hym ful gret Chere,
and was Ryht Ioyful that he was there.
thanne Iosephes Gan hym forto Refreyne
Of his fare, and Of kyng Mordreyne;
For Iosephes forȝat hym non thyng,
so mochel he hadde hem In Chersyng.
Thanne tolde hym Nasciens Al In fere
what Aventure hadde behapped hym there
Sethen the tyme ȝe from vs wente,
what hem hadde happed veramente;
and how that god for hem hadde wrowht,
& how Into diuers places that they weren brouht.
So al day vppon the brynke Abyden they there,
bothe Iosephes and Alle þat with hym were,
and thankede God there Everychon
That hem thedyr Sawfly browhte so sone.
what Aventure hadde behapped hym there
Sethen the tyme ȝe from vs wente,
what hem hadde happed veramente;
and how that god for hem hadde wrowht,
& how Into diuers places that they weren brouht.
So al day vppon the brynke Abyden they there,
bothe Iosephes and Alle þat with hym were,
and thankede God there Everychon
That hem thedyr Sawfly browhte so sone.
That day ne Eten they non vyawnde,
but Resceyved here Saviour, as I vndirstonde,
vppon the Table Of seynt Graal,
Other in oþer wyse Clepid sank Ryal.
but Resceyved here Saviour, as I vndirstonde,
vppon the Table Of seynt Graal,
Other in oþer wyse Clepid sank Ryal.
vppon the Morwe Alle Repleynsched they were
with swich vyaunde as they desired there,
and the thridde day Ek Also
what thing they wolden desiren tho.
thus fowre dayes Abyden they there
vppon the Se side In this Manere.
the Fyfthe day they gonnen to remeve,
and walkid Al day tyl that it was Eve;
& atte laste they Entreden In to A forest,
bothe Olde & ȝong, & lest & Mest:
And al day and al Nyht Meteles they were,
whiche gret diseisse dyde hem there.
with swich vyaunde as they desired there,
and the thridde day Ek Also
what thing they wolden desiren tho.
thus fowre dayes Abyden they there
vppon the Se side In this Manere.
the Fyfthe day they gonnen to remeve,
and walkid Al day tyl that it was Eve;
& atte laste they Entreden In to A forest,
bothe Olde & ȝong, & lest & Mest:
And al day and al Nyht Meteles they were,
whiche gret diseisse dyde hem there.
vppon the Morwe an Aventure befelle;
the storye wele that I it telle.
thus Al that day gonne they go
Fastyng with peyne and with wo,
tyl it was Abowtes Mydday,
An Old Womman there they say
that In An Ovene book hire bred,
and twelfe loves sche hadde In þat sted;
but In soth they weren but smale
Forto Maken there-Offen Ony tale.
and thus they that forhungred were,
thike .xij. loves they Bowhten there;
wherfore Amonges hem they streven faste,
and gret Noyse they maden Atte laste,
& acorden they myhten not In non weye
Of these .xij. loves Certeynlye;
For On hongred they weren Manyon,
And but .xij. loves amonges hem Echon,
where as weren fyve hundred persones
Of Men & wommen Alle þere At Ones;
that so gret stryf amonges hem was,
Eche Oþer wold han slayn In that plas
ȝif they ne hadde I-stilled be.
the storye wele that I it telle.
126
Fastyng with peyne and with wo,
tyl it was Abowtes Mydday,
An Old Womman there they say
that In An Ovene book hire bred,
and twelfe loves sche hadde In þat sted;
but In soth they weren but smale
Forto Maken there-Offen Ony tale.
and thus they that forhungred were,
thike .xij. loves they Bowhten there;
wherfore Amonges hem they streven faste,
and gret Noyse they maden Atte laste,
& acorden they myhten not In non weye
Of these .xij. loves Certeynlye;
For On hongred they weren Manyon,
And but .xij. loves amonges hem Echon,
where as weren fyve hundred persones
Of Men & wommen Alle þere At Ones;
that so gret stryf amonges hem was,
Eche Oþer wold han slayn In that plas
ȝif they ne hadde I-stilled be.
thanne faste to Iosephes gonne they fle,
and seiden, “Certein, with-Owten faille,
Sire, but ȝif ȝe potten þerto Consaille,
Eche man Oþer wil now sle
For A lytel bred, sire, sikerle.”
“Nay, Certes, quod Iosephes tho,
For bred is it Not, how so it go;
but it is for here Owne Synne
that þe fals Enemy hath tempted hem Inne.”
thanne seyde Iosephe to his sone Anon
‘that to þe peple he moste gon,
and stillen hem In that they Cowde Oþer Myhte;
For A lytel bred they gynnen to fyhte.’
and seiden, “Certein, with-Owten faille,
Sire, but ȝif ȝe potten þerto Consaille,
Eche man Oþer wil now sle
For A lytel bred, sire, sikerle.”
“Nay, Certes, quod Iosephes tho,
For bred is it Not, how so it go;
but it is for here Owne Synne
that þe fals Enemy hath tempted hem Inne.”
thanne seyde Iosephe to his sone Anon
‘that to þe peple he moste gon,
and stillen hem In that they Cowde Oþer Myhte;
For A lytel bred they gynnen to fyhte.’
Thanne Iosephes Cam to hem Anon,
and Maden hem to Sytten Everychon;
and so they dyden Al In fere
vppon that Grownd seten down there.
and Iosephes took these loves hym selve,
and hem Brak Anon there Allë twelve,
And Everich lof he brak On thre,
And In the holy disch thanne putte it he.
and Maden hem to Sytten Everychon;
127
vppon that Grownd seten down there.
and Iosephes took these loves hym selve,
and hem Brak Anon there Allë twelve,
And Everich lof he brak On thre,
And In the holy disch thanne putte it he.
there god thanne schewede his Miracle Anon
On þe bred þat In the holy vessel was don.
thanne was this bred aforn hem leyd
(as Iosephes hadde Comanded and seid,)
To-forn the fyve hundred persones
that on tweyne sides seten In tho wones,
halfdendel here, and halfendel there;
thus to-forn hem was it leid In this Manere.
and so mochel plente they hadden Of Mete
that Nowher Ny they myhten it Ete,
but there hem lefte so gret plente
that þeroffen they Merveilled ful sekerle;
and ȝit there leften, as hem thowhte,
More thanne þe .xij. loves that they bowhte.
On þe bred þat In the holy vessel was don.
thanne was this bred aforn hem leyd
(as Iosephes hadde Comanded and seid,)
To-forn the fyve hundred persones
that on tweyne sides seten In tho wones,
halfdendel here, and halfendel there;
thus to-forn hem was it leid In this Manere.
and so mochel plente they hadden Of Mete
that Nowher Ny they myhten it Ete,
but there hem lefte so gret plente
that þeroffen they Merveilled ful sekerle;
and ȝit there leften, as hem thowhte,
More thanne þe .xij. loves that they bowhte.
Swich Miracles god schewede there
For the Synneres that with Iosephes were,
whiche that weren In dedly synne;
lo, ȝit God Of his goodnesse ne wolde not blynne!
this Miracle In grete Breteyne was do
abowtes þe Midday with-Owten Mo;
whiche day to hem it was ful gret Ese,
For þe peple ful wel it dide thanne plese.
For the Synneres that with Iosephes were,
whiche that weren In dedly synne;
lo, ȝit God Of his goodnesse ne wolde not blynne!
this Miracle In grete Breteyne was do
abowtes þe Midday with-Owten Mo;
whiche day to hem it was ful gret Ese,
For þe peple ful wel it dide thanne plese.
And whanne they hadden Eten thus Everichon,
Iosephes gan hem for to prechen Anon,
and schewed hem the poyntes Of the gospel,
and to hem declared it bothe faire and wel;
And seyden hem that it was for Synne,
theke Errowr that they weren fallen Inne,
and Ek thorwgh the develis power,
be hos Entyseng ȝe trespaced Er.
“Me Merveylleth gretly of ȝoure werkyng
whanne Evere more ȝe hadden Alle ȝoure Askyng,
as wel as ȝoure felawes ȝowre desire,
and ȝit fillen ȝe In the develis powere;
and that myhten ȝe ful wel now se
whanne Ouer the Se ȝe Myhten not gon with me;
that Causede ȝoure felawes Everychon
Ouer the see with Me to gon,
b'enchesoun to god of here goode Servyse;
And as wikkedly diden ȝe In ȝoure gyse.”
Sweche wordis Iosephes to hem seide,
and Often Sithes to fore hem it leide;
and thus he hem tawhte wel forto do
that Aftyr his werkyng they Scholden levene so;
but ȝit hadden they a lettyng
that they ne Cowden don but litel good thing;
For In hem was wounden with Inne,
Fowr venym that Made hem to Synne.
Iosephes gan hem for to prechen Anon,
and schewed hem the poyntes Of the gospel,
and to hem declared it bothe faire and wel;
And seyden hem that it was for Synne,
theke Errowr that they weren fallen Inne,
and Ek thorwgh the develis power,
be hos Entyseng ȝe trespaced Er.
128
whanne Evere more ȝe hadden Alle ȝoure Askyng,
as wel as ȝoure felawes ȝowre desire,
and ȝit fillen ȝe In the develis powere;
and that myhten ȝe ful wel now se
whanne Ouer the Se ȝe Myhten not gon with me;
that Causede ȝoure felawes Everychon
Ouer the see with Me to gon,
b'enchesoun to god of here goode Servyse;
And as wikkedly diden ȝe In ȝoure gyse.”
Sweche wordis Iosephes to hem seide,
and Often Sithes to fore hem it leide;
and thus he hem tawhte wel forto do
that Aftyr his werkyng they Scholden levene so;
but ȝit hadden they a lettyng
that they ne Cowden don but litel good thing;
For In hem was wounden with Inne,
Fowr venym that Made hem to Synne.
That Nyht Iosephs and his Compenye,
In A wode they lyen ful Sekerlye;
And vppon the Morwe, whanne it was day,
To that holy vessel token they here way
there as was the Seynt Graal,
Owther Oþer wise it Clepid the sank Ryal.
And there Maden they Orysowns
with goode herte and high devociouns;
and whanne that thus they hadden I-do,
Thanne here weye Chosen they tho;
and thus they wenten al that tyme
tyl that it was the Owr Of pryme.
In A wode they lyen ful Sekerlye;
And vppon the Morwe, whanne it was day,
To that holy vessel token they here way
there as was the Seynt Graal,
Owther Oþer wise it Clepid the sank Ryal.
And there Maden they Orysowns
with goode herte and high devociouns;
and whanne that thus they hadden I-do,
Thanne here weye Chosen they tho;
and thus they wenten al that tyme
tyl that it was the Owr Of pryme.
thanne behelden they Anon there fast bye,
and A Castel aspiden they ful hastelye
That to the Sarazines belonged there,
as aftirward they dyden Enqwere;
whiche Castel was Cleped Galafort,
and A qweynte Cros hadden vppon the port,
where-Offen they Merveyllede Everichon
Swich A Cros there-Onne was don.
For they supposede In Alle that lond
Non swiche Signe have ben, I vndirstond;
For but paynemys they wenden it hadde be.
Thanne seyde Iosephes ful Sekerle
“Into this Castel Entren We here;
For here is a signe Of goddis powere.”
and A Castel aspiden they ful hastelye
That to the Sarazines belonged there,
as aftirward they dyden Enqwere;
whiche Castel was Cleped Galafort,
and A qweynte Cros hadden vppon the port,
129
Swich A Cros there-Onne was don.
For they supposede In Alle that lond
Non swiche Signe have ben, I vndirstond;
For but paynemys they wenden it hadde be.
Thanne seyde Iosephes ful Sekerle
“Into this Castel Entren We here;
For here is a signe Of goddis powere.”
Thanne thus forth gonne they to gon
Alle Barefoted there Everichon.
and whanne they Nerre hadden Entred the weye,
the Castel fair semede to here Eye;
and bothe it was strong and fair to Syht,
and therto A place Of ful strong Myht.
but ȝit On Neuer nethir syde
Nethir Man ne womman ne syen that tyde.
Wherfore they Merveillede wondirly sore
that non peple ne syen they thore;
thanne seiden they In here Manere
‘that for hem God hadde Ordeyned þat Castel there.’
thanne Entrede they Into that Castel Anon,
but Man ne womman Syen they Non.
Alle Barefoted there Everichon.
and whanne they Nerre hadden Entred the weye,
the Castel fair semede to here Eye;
and bothe it was strong and fair to Syht,
and therto A place Of ful strong Myht.
but ȝit On Neuer nethir syde
Nethir Man ne womman ne syen that tyde.
Wherfore they Merveillede wondirly sore
that non peple ne syen they thore;
thanne seiden they In here Manere
‘that for hem God hadde Ordeyned þat Castel there.’
thanne Entrede they Into that Castel Anon,
but Man ne womman Syen they Non.
and whanne Into the Myddis they weren gon,
they stoden stille and herkened Anon,
and hem thowghte as to here heryng
that they herden A gret Noyse Of spekyng;
Of mochel peple, Where so they were,
Gret Noyse hem thoughte they herden there.
Thanne forthere gonne they to gon;
Into a fairre halle Entrede they Anon,
where that they fownden Everydel
Alle the meyne of that Castel,
and Alle the wise Clerkis Of that Contre,
that best Sarrazines lawe Cowden hee;
And the dwk of þat plase was there present
at that grete Semble verament;
the whiche semble Ordeyned he
Alle Aȝens Celidoyne ful Sikerle;
which dwk was bothe Riche & fort,
his Name was Clepid Gaanort.
Thus he to Celidoyne he hadde behyht:
“ȝif that he Cowde, Owther preven Myht,
that Cristen lawe paste the Sarrazyn,
thanne wil I pleynly beleven In thyn,
and anon I-Cristened wil I be,
Celidoyne, for love Of the.”
they stoden stille and herkened Anon,
and hem thowghte as to here heryng
that they herden A gret Noyse Of spekyng;
Of mochel peple, Where so they were,
Gret Noyse hem thoughte they herden there.
Thanne forthere gonne they to gon;
Into a fairre halle Entrede they Anon,
where that they fownden Everydel
Alle the meyne of that Castel,
and Alle the wise Clerkis Of that Contre,
that best Sarrazines lawe Cowden hee;
And the dwk of þat plase was there present
at that grete Semble verament;
130
Alle Aȝens Celidoyne ful Sikerle;
which dwk was bothe Riche & fort,
his Name was Clepid Gaanort.
Thus he to Celidoyne he hadde behyht:
“ȝif that he Cowde, Owther preven Myht,
that Cristen lawe paste the Sarrazyn,
thanne wil I pleynly beleven In thyn,
and anon I-Cristened wil I be,
Celidoyne, for love Of the.”
this Cavsede Celidoyne to ben þere Redy
Aȝens tho Sarrazynes ful apertly.
ȝit Celidoyne In that place
to hem so spak thorwh goddis grace,
that they wisten neuere what to Answere,
Swiche qwestions he put hem there.
and Celidoyne held hem so hote thanne
that they ne wiste what to sein, non Manne.
Thanne anon be the lordis preyere
tyl On þe Morwe Celidoyne ȝaf hem day there;
and ȝif that Celidoyne Cowde not thanne preve,
he scholde ben distroyed long Er Eve,
and ȝif the Sarrazines benethe weren Ido,
they scholde ben Confownded for Evere Mo.
Aȝens tho Sarrazynes ful apertly.
ȝit Celidoyne In that place
to hem so spak thorwh goddis grace,
that they wisten neuere what to Answere,
Swiche qwestions he put hem there.
and Celidoyne held hem so hote thanne
that they ne wiste what to sein, non Manne.
Thanne anon be the lordis preyere
tyl On þe Morwe Celidoyne ȝaf hem day there;
and ȝif that Celidoyne Cowde not thanne preve,
he scholde ben distroyed long Er Eve,
and ȝif the Sarrazines benethe weren Ido,
they scholde ben Confownded for Evere Mo.
Thanne thus departed they Everichon,
and Eche man to his Ostel hom gan he gon.
thanne Abowtes hem loked They faste
On Iosephes and his Compenie In haste;
& how bare foted they wente,
and how Evel vestured þere presente;
wherfore they Merveilleden Everichon
that swich peple Amonges hem gan to gon.
and Eche man to his Ostel hom gan he gon.
thanne Abowtes hem loked They faste
On Iosephes and his Compenie In haste;
& how bare foted they wente,
and how Evel vestured þere presente;
wherfore they Merveilleden Everichon
that swich peple Amonges hem gan to gon.
Whanne Nasciens beheld Celidoyne tho,
that with the dewk gan forth to go,
thanne gret Ioye he hadde In herte,
and Anon to his sone he sterte,
and took him In his Armës two,
and Often tymes he kyste him tho,
and wepte for Ioye and for pyte
Whanne that his sone there say he.
And whanne that the Remnaunt syen this,
Eche Aftyr Othir Celydoyne gan to kys.
that with the dewk gan forth to go,
thanne gret Ioye he hadde In herte,
and Anon to his sone he sterte,
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and Often tymes he kyste him tho,
and wepte for Ioye and for pyte
Whanne that his sone there say he.
And whanne that the Remnaunt syen this,
Eche Aftyr Othir Celydoyne gan to kys.
Thanne that beheld this Dewk Gaanort
that they to Celidoyne thus gonnen Resort,
where-Offen he Merveyllede wondir sore
what Maner Of peple that they wore.
and whanne they hadden So Ido,
Anon the Dewk Clepid Celidoyne tho,
And Axed hym what the Compenye were
That so gret Joye he Made to there.
that they to Celidoyne thus gonnen Resort,
where-Offen he Merveyllede wondir sore
what Maner Of peple that they wore.
and whanne they hadden So Ido,
Anon the Dewk Clepid Celidoyne tho,
And Axed hym what the Compenye were
That so gret Joye he Made to there.
Thanne to that Dewk Answeryd Celidoyne,
“Sire, this is my Fadyr Certeyne;”
and schewed hym to Nasciens þere Anon ryht;
“and, sire, this is the pastour Of god Almyht,
and Eke the vpholdere Of holichirche,
that Many goode wirkes doth wirche,
and Alle the tothere, holy peple ben,
the wheche gon barfot, as ȝe mowun sen.
ȝit neuertheles, Sire, I telle it the,
Riche peple they weren In here Contre,
And Al that han forsaken Only
For the love Of god Almyhty,
that as porely clothed In this world went he
as don this peple that ȝe now here se.
Now wot I wel with-Owten Dowte
That ȝoure Clergye, alle the Rowte,
Ful Clene Schal Confownded ben
Toforn ȝow, Sire, As ȝe scholen sen;
For to-forn this high persone here
they scholen not doren lyen In non Manere.”
“Sire, this is my Fadyr Certeyne;”
and schewed hym to Nasciens þere Anon ryht;
“and, sire, this is the pastour Of god Almyht,
and Eke the vpholdere Of holichirche,
that Many goode wirkes doth wirche,
and Alle the tothere, holy peple ben,
the wheche gon barfot, as ȝe mowun sen.
ȝit neuertheles, Sire, I telle it the,
Riche peple they weren In here Contre,
And Al that han forsaken Only
For the love Of god Almyhty,
that as porely clothed In this world went he
as don this peple that ȝe now here se.
Now wot I wel with-Owten Dowte
That ȝoure Clergye, alle the Rowte,
Ful Clene Schal Confownded ben
Toforn ȝow, Sire, As ȝe scholen sen;
For to-forn this high persone here
they scholen not doren lyen In non Manere.”
“Celidoyne, quod this dewk tho,
Sethen thou hen knowest so,
lede hem vp Into my paleys Anon;
and that good Chere my meyne hem don,
and that they ben Esed with the beste,
and that Richely they ben browht to Reste;
and to Morwe Atte pryme Of day
With the to the halle they Comen here way.
and Of On thing thou me Entende;
but ȝif þe maister of ȝoure lawe Can him defende,
Swich Iewyse On hym Schal I do
that it schal be spoken Of for Evere Mo.”
thanne Comaunded his seriawntes anon
the Cristene men to herberwen Echon;
and so they weren Alle ful Richely,
And therto Ifed with alle delicasy.
And thus Resceyved alle they were
For the love Of Celidoyne there,
and hadde Alle thing that they wolden have,
Owther what here hertes Cowde Crave.
Sethen thou hen knowest so,
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and that good Chere my meyne hem don,
and that they ben Esed with the beste,
and that Richely they ben browht to Reste;
and to Morwe Atte pryme Of day
With the to the halle they Comen here way.
and Of On thing thou me Entende;
but ȝif þe maister of ȝoure lawe Can him defende,
Swich Iewyse On hym Schal I do
that it schal be spoken Of for Evere Mo.”
thanne Comaunded his seriawntes anon
the Cristene men to herberwen Echon;
and so they weren Alle ful Richely,
And therto Ifed with alle delicasy.
And thus Resceyved alle they were
For the love Of Celidoyne there,
and hadde Alle thing that they wolden have,
Owther what here hertes Cowde Crave.
that Nyht Celidoyne be his fadir lay,
and thus to Celidoyne gan he say;
he Axede him In what Manere
that Into that Contre Cam he there;
and he him tolde ful Sekerly
that his vessel him thedir browhte trewly.
thanne quod Nasciens Aȝen tho
“how longe is that now Ago?”
thanne seide Celidoyne to his fadir Ageyn,
“Fowre Monthis & More, Sire, In Certein.”
“And where han ȝe dwellid sethen Algate?”
“Sire, In a forest with An Ermit boþe Erly & late,
whiche is a man Of ful holy lyf;
there he me kepte with-Owten Stryf,
and gladlich wolde heren Every day
Of the Cristene lawe what I wold say,
In dispiseng of sarrazines lawe,
whiche thing to hym was ful fawe.”
and thus Al Nyht spoken they in fere
Of Manye Aventures to-gederis there.
and thus to Celidoyne gan he say;
he Axede him In what Manere
that Into that Contre Cam he there;
and he him tolde ful Sekerly
that his vessel him thedir browhte trewly.
thanne quod Nasciens Aȝen tho
“how longe is that now Ago?”
thanne seide Celidoyne to his fadir Ageyn,
“Fowre Monthis & More, Sire, In Certein.”
“And where han ȝe dwellid sethen Algate?”
“Sire, In a forest with An Ermit boþe Erly & late,
whiche is a man Of ful holy lyf;
there he me kepte with-Owten Stryf,
and gladlich wolde heren Every day
Of the Cristene lawe what I wold say,
In dispiseng of sarrazines lawe,
whiche thing to hym was ful fawe.”
133
Of Manye Aventures to-gederis there.
Now of this Mater leveth this storye,
And to Dewk Gaanort let vs now hye.
And to Dewk Gaanort let vs now hye.
CHAPTER XLIII. OF DUKE GAANORT'S VISIONS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION.
134
Now tellith this storie furthermore
how dewk Gaanort to his bed went thore,
and Merveillede Gretly In his thowght
Of the wowndres that Celidoyne wrowht,
the wheche was Evere day be day:
thus thouhte þe dewk as he lay;
that so atte laste he fyl In slepynge,
and þer-Inne he fyl In a gret dremenge.
how dewk Gaanort to his bed went thore,
and Merveillede Gretly In his thowght
Of the wowndres that Celidoyne wrowht,
the wheche was Evere day be day:
thus thouhte þe dewk as he lay;
that so atte laste he fyl In slepynge,
and þer-Inne he fyl In a gret dremenge.
hym thowhte that a Cler water say he,
On þe fareste that myhte be,
whiche, gret wil he hadde to be-holde,
and þere-Onne loked manyfolde.
he say where that a peple gan gon,—
Alle white weren they Everichon,—
and forth alle gonnen they pase;
but he wist neuere Into what plase.
thanne aftir ȝit there say he More:
vppon Somme that weren thore,
decended Adown a foul gret Mist,
that Alle blak becomen they, wel he wyst,
and I-fylthed there Everichon,
al so manye as there gonne gon:
and the tothere chonged neuere here Colour
For non maner thing Of that stour.
and thanne beheld he atte laste
how the fylthed In to A blak valey paste,
where they were taken Everichon;
and þere Abyden, whethir they wolde oþer non,
And þe tothere Ouere the water they wente
bothe fair an Clene, with good Entente.
On þe fareste that myhte be,
whiche, gret wil he hadde to be-holde,
and þere-Onne loked manyfolde.
he say where that a peple gan gon,—
Alle white weren they Everichon,—
and forth alle gonnen they pase;
but he wist neuere Into what plase.
thanne aftir ȝit there say he More:
vppon Somme that weren thore,
decended Adown a foul gret Mist,
that Alle blak becomen they, wel he wyst,
and I-fylthed there Everichon,
al so manye as there gonne gon:
and the tothere chonged neuere here Colour
For non maner thing Of that stour.
and thanne beheld he atte laste
how the fylthed In to A blak valey paste,
where they were taken Everichon;
and þere Abyden, whethir they wolde oþer non,
And þe tothere Ouere the water they wente
bothe fair an Clene, with good Entente.
Al this say the dewk In his Slepyng,
where-Offen he Merveillede In his wakyng,
that Of al that Niht he myhte Slepen no more,
but lay stille, and On this Mater thowhte sore
that he Sawgh In Aviciown
to him was schewed be Relevaciown.
where-Offen he Merveillede In his wakyng,
135
but lay stille, and On this Mater thowhte sore
that he Sawgh In Aviciown
to him was schewed be Relevaciown.
vppon the Morwen, whanne it was day,
vp he Ros, and forth wente his way,
and Comanded there Ryht Anon
that alle the Maistres to-Forn hym scholde gon.
and whanne they weren Comen alle In fere,
Anon his Aviciown he told hem there,
and there-Offen wolde knowe þe signefiaunce,
what it betokened with-Owten variaunce.
and they Answerid him Ageyn
that they Cowden not tellen In Certein;
but of the Cristene Asken Scholen ȝe,
ȝif they Owht Connen it tellen sekerle.
vp he Ros, and forth wente his way,
and Comanded there Ryht Anon
that alle the Maistres to-Forn hym scholde gon.
and whanne they weren Comen alle In fere,
Anon his Aviciown he told hem there,
and there-Offen wolde knowe þe signefiaunce,
what it betokened with-Owten variaunce.
and they Answerid him Ageyn
that they Cowden not tellen In Certein;
but of the Cristene Asken Scholen ȝe,
ȝif they Owht Connen it tellen sekerle.
thus sone the Cristene weren Aftyr sent
to-forn the dewk to Comen present,
and so forth they Comen with good wille,
the dewkis Comandement to fulfille,
and Comen forth In Symple Aray
to-forn the peple that hem say,
and seten down vppon the grownde
atte the dewkes Fet that stownde.
thus sone the dewk told hem his dremeng,
where-Offen he preyde hem of alle Oþer thing
there-Offen to knowen the verite,
what Signefiaunce it Myhte be.
to-forn the dewk to Comen present,
and so forth they Comen with good wille,
the dewkis Comandement to fulfille,
and Comen forth In Symple Aray
to-forn the peple that hem say,
and seten down vppon the grownde
atte the dewkes Fet that stownde.
thus sone the dewk told hem his dremeng,
where-Offen he preyde hem of alle Oþer thing
there-Offen to knowen the verite,
what Signefiaunce it Myhte be.
Thanne dressed hym Josephes vp Anon,
and spak that they herden Everichon.
“Gaanort, dewk, I schal the Schewe
the Signeficaciouns vppon A rewe.”
“And I schal it Abyde, quod the dewk thanne,
and so schal here now Every Manne;
For I desire ful gretly here
the sothe so knowen al In fere.”
and spak that they herden Everichon.
“Gaanort, dewk, I schal the Schewe
the Signeficaciouns vppon A rewe.”
“And I schal it Abyde, quod the dewk thanne,
and so schal here now Every Manne;
For I desire ful gretly here
the sothe so knowen al In fere.”
136
Thanne torned hym Iosephs riht Anon
Toward his Compenye Everychon,
and seide to hem with-Owten lettynge,
“This Owhte for ȝow to ben Chastysinge;
And this belongeth to ȝow properly.
And wele ȝe sen, I schal tellen ȝow why,
how the flood that this dewk Say
In his slepyng As he lay,
Signefieth fulliche the Cristendom
that ȝe han taken Alle and Som,
wherethorwgh I-Clensed that ȝe be
From Alle Synnes and vylone.
For Al so sone as ȝe Cristened were,
Alle ȝoure Olde Synnes forsoken ȝe there:
and also I-puryfyed weren ȝe Clene
Of ȝowre Synnes Alle be-dene.
But sethen that we Owt of oure Contre gonne gon,
Into this Contre to Comen Everychon
that Oure lord hath behoten vs here,
To vs and to alle Oure lygne In fere;
but that On somme Of Owre partye
the dirknesse is fallen sekerlye,
wherethorwh ȝe be comen bothe fowl & blak,
and the fals Enemy of whom I to-fore spak
ȝow hath browht Into dedly Synne,
the wheche that ȝe be Ronnen Inne.
and the Synne whiche þat ȝe han do,
It is Riht fowl with-Owten Mo;
and that was Sene attë See
whanne that ȝe myhten not passen with Me,
wherfore that drede Owhte ȝe to have,
ȝif that ȝoure sowles scholen ben save.
Toward his Compenye Everychon,
and seide to hem with-Owten lettynge,
“This Owhte for ȝow to ben Chastysinge;
And this belongeth to ȝow properly.
And wele ȝe sen, I schal tellen ȝow why,
how the flood that this dewk Say
In his slepyng As he lay,
Signefieth fulliche the Cristendom
that ȝe han taken Alle and Som,
wherethorwgh I-Clensed that ȝe be
From Alle Synnes and vylone.
For Al so sone as ȝe Cristened were,
Alle ȝoure Olde Synnes forsoken ȝe there:
and also I-puryfyed weren ȝe Clene
Of ȝowre Synnes Alle be-dene.
But sethen that we Owt of oure Contre gonne gon,
Into this Contre to Comen Everychon
that Oure lord hath behoten vs here,
To vs and to alle Oure lygne In fere;
but that On somme Of Owre partye
the dirknesse is fallen sekerlye,
wherethorwh ȝe be comen bothe fowl & blak,
and the fals Enemy of whom I to-fore spak
ȝow hath browht Into dedly Synne,
the wheche that ȝe be Ronnen Inne.
and the Synne whiche þat ȝe han do,
It is Riht fowl with-Owten Mo;
and that was Sene attë See
whanne that ȝe myhten not passen with Me,
wherfore that drede Owhte ȝe to have,
ȝif that ȝoure sowles scholen ben save.
“This dirke valey, and this depe,
that this dewk say In his slepe,
sygnefieth with-Owten Ony more liknesse
the valey Of helle, where as is distresse;
whennes that neuere man schal pase,
and he be Entred, for þere is non grase.
In wheche valey somme leften there,
And somme forth pasten In fair Manere,
whiche that weren good men and trewe,
lyhtly they pasten vppon a Rewe.”
that this dewk say In his slepe,
sygnefieth with-Owten Ony more liknesse
the valey Of helle, where as is distresse;
137
and he be Entred, for þere is non grase.
In wheche valey somme leften there,
And somme forth pasten In fair Manere,
whiche that weren good men and trewe,
lyhtly they pasten vppon a Rewe.”
And whanne thus he hadde Ido,
thanne dewk Gaanort Axede he tho
how him thowhte be his Expowneng,
ȝif that it liked hym Ony thyng.
“Certes, quod the dewk thanne,
I holde ȝoure wordis as A trewe Manne;
And that ȝe han Seyd, it plesith Me,
how that Evere there-Offen it be.
For it doth ne more good trewely
thanne Ony thing that I haue herd Certeinly.”
thanne dewk Gaanort Axede he tho
how him thowhte be his Expowneng,
ȝif that it liked hym Ony thyng.
“Certes, quod the dewk thanne,
I holde ȝoure wordis as A trewe Manne;
And that ȝe han Seyd, it plesith Me,
how that Evere there-Offen it be.
For it doth ne more good trewely
thanne Ony thing that I haue herd Certeinly.”
Thanne spak the dewk to þe Maistres Anon
Of the Sarazines lawe Everychon;
And Seide, “lordynges, ȝe mosten here speke,
And vppon Celidoyne to ben Awreke
Of thike that þe Cristene don Calle
Marye, the virgine Modir of Alle-
Myhty God In-Maieste,
how swich A lord Iborn Myht be,
Mayden after, as sche was to fore,
Ere that hire child was Conceyved & bore.
Now wolde I sen to-forn me here
how ȝe konne beren ȝow In this Matere;
And the Cristene Confownded to be,
whiche that ful wel scholde plesen me.”
Of the Sarazines lawe Everychon;
And Seide, “lordynges, ȝe mosten here speke,
And vppon Celidoyne to ben Awreke
Of thike that þe Cristene don Calle
Marye, the virgine Modir of Alle-
Myhty God In-Maieste,
how swich A lord Iborn Myht be,
Mayden after, as sche was to fore,
Ere that hire child was Conceyved & bore.
Now wolde I sen to-forn me here
how ȝe konne beren ȝow In this Matere;
And the Cristene Confownded to be,
whiche that ful wel scholde plesen me.”
Whanne that thus he hadde Iseid,
thanne stirte vp A mayster In a breyd,—
the grettest Maister Of alle the lond
Of Phelosophie, as I vndirstond;—
and thus this Maister him vpe gan dresse
Towardis Iosephes, and gan to reherse.
thanne Iosephes to him seide there,
“Be War, Lucans, what thou seyst here,”
(For Lucans was the phelesophres Name,
Of Sarrazynes lawe A man of fame),
“loke thou make here non lesyng
On Marye, þe Modir Of hevene kyng.
and ȝif thou do now, In Certeyne
thou schalt Repenten In Every veyne
Er that thou part hens trewelye,
Amonges here Alle this Compenye.”
thanne stirte vp A mayster In a breyd,—
the grettest Maister Of alle the lond
Of Phelosophie, as I vndirstond;—
and thus this Maister him vpe gan dresse
Towardis Iosephes, and gan to reherse.
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“Be War, Lucans, what thou seyst here,”
(For Lucans was the phelesophres Name,
Of Sarrazynes lawe A man of fame),
“loke thou make here non lesyng
On Marye, þe Modir Of hevene kyng.
and ȝif thou do now, In Certeyne
thou schalt Repenten In Every veyne
Er that thou part hens trewelye,
Amonges here Alle this Compenye.”
“I ne schal no thing Seyn, quod this lwcan,
but As Openly it is knowen to Every man;
For I telle the, Iosephes, ful Certeynly,
was neuere Child In wommannes body
with-Owten Mannes knowlechinge,
and gret peyne In the Berynge.”
but As Openly it is knowen to Every man;
For I telle the, Iosephes, ful Certeynly,
was neuere Child In wommannes body
with-Owten Mannes knowlechinge,
and gret peyne In the Berynge.”
“In the Name of God, quod Iosephes tho,
Now hast thou Mad A leseng Oþer two.
Now, that gloreous Mayde, specyaly I pray,
Aȝens whom thow hast witnessed this day,—
as verraylly as sche Maiden Is
To-forn and aftyr, with-Owten Mys,
And for Child beryng neuere defowlid was,
but Evere Clene virgine be Goddis gras,—
So as verrayly as sche clene virgine Is,
thow have non more power to speken Amys
Aȝens hire In non Manere degre,
and that þou hast seid, it sone mot be.”
Now hast thou Mad A leseng Oþer two.
Now, that gloreous Mayde, specyaly I pray,
Aȝens whom thow hast witnessed this day,—
as verraylly as sche Maiden Is
To-forn and aftyr, with-Owten Mys,
And for Child beryng neuere defowlid was,
but Evere Clene virgine be Goddis gras,—
So as verrayly as sche clene virgine Is,
thow have non more power to speken Amys
Aȝens hire In non Manere degre,
and that þou hast seid, it sone mot be.”
Anon as Iosephes this word hadde spoke,
this lucans Gan Roren In his throte,
and made therto þe fowlest Cryeng,
as thowh it hadde ben a develes belewyng;
and drowh Owt his tonge with hondis
that brende, him thowhte, as feres brondes,
and pulde it Owt Of his hed,
and Sethen fyl down there stark ded,
so that neuere Man Mihte Of him stere
hond, leg, ne foot, In non Manere.
this lucans Gan Roren In his throte,
and made therto þe fowlest Cryeng,
as thowh it hadde ben a develes belewyng;
and drowh Owt his tonge with hondis
that brende, him thowhte, as feres brondes,
and pulde it Owt Of his hed,
and Sethen fyl down there stark ded,
139
hond, leg, ne foot, In non Manere.
Whanne this dewk beheld this tho,
he ne wyste what to don for wo,
and myhte not Abyden his Orible Cry,
but Owt Of his paleys hadde hym trewely.
thanne to Iosephes spak he Anon,
“Maister, Aftir the now will I don,
For I ne wot what I May say
Of My Selven this Ilke day;
but ȝif thou me wilt tellen here
Of hire virginite In Alle Manere,
how that Clene virgine ȝe myhte be,
To-forn and Aftyr, In Alle degre—
and ȝif this þou Conne seyn with-Owten faille,
I wele Clene werken Aftyr thin Cownsaille.”
“Now, Certes, Sire, quod Iosephes tho,
this schal I the tellen Er that I go.
he ne wyste what to don for wo,
and myhte not Abyden his Orible Cry,
but Owt Of his paleys hadde hym trewely.
thanne to Iosephes spak he Anon,
“Maister, Aftir the now will I don,
For I ne wot what I May say
Of My Selven this Ilke day;
but ȝif thou me wilt tellen here
Of hire virginite In Alle Manere,
how that Clene virgine ȝe myhte be,
To-forn and Aftyr, In Alle degre—
and ȝif this þou Conne seyn with-Owten faille,
I wele Clene werken Aftyr thin Cownsaille.”
“Now, Certes, Sire, quod Iosephes tho,
this schal I the tellen Er that I go.
“whanne thow were A child here be-forn,
Thanne was I neyther begeten ne born,
Ne Sethen Aftyr that ful longe
that thou wondris Sye ful stronge,
whiche that Neuere thou dist discure
To non Creature, I the ensure;
For the grettest drede haddist þou tho
that Sethen thou haddest, oþer to or fro;
and ȝit it Is In thin Remembraunce
Of that Merveil and Of that Chaunce.”
Thanne was I neyther begeten ne born,
Ne Sethen Aftyr that ful longe
that thou wondris Sye ful stronge,
whiche that Neuere thou dist discure
To non Creature, I the ensure;
For the grettest drede haddist þou tho
that Sethen thou haddest, oþer to or fro;
and ȝit it Is In thin Remembraunce
Of that Merveil and Of that Chaunce.”
Aftyr this word Anon thanne
the Dewk gan lawhen On Every Manne.
thanne Iosephes Axede hym there
“Why lawhe ȝe, Sire, In swich Manere?”
“I lawhe, quod this dewk, Certeinly,
For þat ȝe maken fables so Openly,
and seyn that I Abasched was,
which I nas nevere In non plas.
but, Iosephes, ȝe maken a fable here,
that ȝe sein thyke tyme born ȝe nere;
a-forn ȝoure birthe to knowen Certeinle,
this wolde I weten how this myhte be.”
the Dewk gan lawhen On Every Manne.
thanne Iosephes Axede hym there
“Why lawhe ȝe, Sire, In swich Manere?”
“I lawhe, quod this dewk, Certeinly,
For þat ȝe maken fables so Openly,
and seyn that I Abasched was,
which I nas nevere In non plas.
140
that ȝe sein thyke tyme born ȝe nere;
a-forn ȝoure birthe to knowen Certeinle,
this wolde I weten how this myhte be.”
“Now, Certein, Sire, quod Josephs tho,
Alle this thing May wel be do;
For he that Of Alle poyntes hath knowenge,
To me hath discouered this ylke thinge;
and but Of Alle thinges he were wis,
Elles Of konnenge hadde he not þe pris;
but Alle Maner thinges knoweth he,
that this hath discoveryd to Me.
and ȝit tolded (sic) thow it Neuere to non Man,
and ȝit to the tellen I it kan,
In Every poynt Ryht As it was,
Openly, Sire, now here In this plas.
Alle this thing May wel be do;
For he that Of Alle poyntes hath knowenge,
To me hath discouered this ylke thinge;
and but Of Alle thinges he were wis,
Elles Of konnenge hadde he not þe pris;
but Alle Maner thinges knoweth he,
that this hath discoveryd to Me.
and ȝit tolded (sic) thow it Neuere to non Man,
and ȝit to the tellen I it kan,
In Every poynt Ryht As it was,
Openly, Sire, now here In this plas.
“Ferst, Sire kyng, I schal tellen it the
That thou were boren In Galele,
And A pore herdeman thy fadir was;
And there keptest thou bestes In that plas.
Anon as thou were foure ȝeres Old,
Forto kepen the bestes he made þe bold,
So that it happed ones In the Monthe Of May,
as thou keptest thy bestes vppon A day
In A feld that was Clepyd Tarsis,—
and vppon a tewsday it was I-wis—
that vndir A Roser thou wentest there
To schonen the hete In alle Manere.
And whanne there-vndir I-set thou were,
A fair flowr-delys Sye thow there,
Ful hy and ful fayr Abowtes the;
For swich Anothir dist thou neuere se.
And whanne thou haddest beholden it longe,
from that there Cam A Roser ful stronge,—
thus thowhte the there In this Syht,—
As on tre Owt Of Anothir scholde Alyht.
This Roser hadde Mani Roses vppon,
but of Bewte was there Neuere On;
and faste thou gonne to beholde
why so fowle they weren in Every folde.
thanne Semed the that Owt of the delys,
A rose Owt sprang Of Riht gret pris,
that Alle the tothere Roses Over spredde,
and down to the Erthe there hem ledde,
and fillen Alle down pore and Anoyows,
thus thowhte þe, vndir that Rose so gloryows.
That thou were boren In Galele,
And A pore herdeman thy fadir was;
And there keptest thou bestes In that plas.
Anon as thou were foure ȝeres Old,
Forto kepen the bestes he made þe bold,
So that it happed ones In the Monthe Of May,
as thou keptest thy bestes vppon A day
In A feld that was Clepyd Tarsis,—
and vppon a tewsday it was I-wis—
that vndir A Roser thou wentest there
To schonen the hete In alle Manere.
And whanne there-vndir I-set thou were,
A fair flowr-delys Sye thow there,
Ful hy and ful fayr Abowtes the;
For swich Anothir dist thou neuere se.
And whanne thou haddest beholden it longe,
from that there Cam A Roser ful stronge,—
thus thowhte the there In this Syht,—
As on tre Owt Of Anothir scholde Alyht.
141
but of Bewte was there Neuere On;
and faste thou gonne to beholde
why so fowle they weren in Every folde.
thanne Semed the that Owt of the delys,
A rose Owt sprang Of Riht gret pris,
that Alle the tothere Roses Over spredde,
and down to the Erthe there hem ledde,
and fillen Alle down pore and Anoyows,
thus thowhte þe, vndir that Rose so gloryows.
“And whanne Alle they weren fallen Adown,
That non lefte there Abydyng In-virown,
thanne Sye thou On that isswed Owt there,
the fairest Rose that Evere Sye thou Ere,
And Most Merveillous there to Syht,
the wheche Rose þere Abod .ix. dayes Owtriht,
and Everich day it Grew ful Sore,
bothe Fairere and grettere, More & More:
That so gret Merveille Of non flowr
haddest thou Neuere to-forn that Owr,
For Swich A Rose sie thow neuere Er
In non Contre nether Ny ne Fer.
And Every day thider gonne thou gon
that Rose to beholden Anon,
That nethir beste ne non Othir thing
To that faire Rose scholde don hyndreng:
this wost thou wel, Sire, now, Everydel
that I the telle, thou knowest ful wel.
and Evere As Clos that Rose it was
As Any botown In ony plas;
And here-Offen Abasched wondirly thou were
That it Nevere Opened I non Manere.
so that it behapped vppon A day
As thow thon there vndir that Roser lay,
Of A wilde swyn thow were wondid sore
thoruh thin hype, that thou were ny lore;
and so syk thou were, swich was thy gras,
that Remeven thou ne Mihtest Owt of þat plas.
And whanne it was Abowtes Midday,
that Rose beheldest þou as thou þere lay,
and thou sye that Moche Reddere it was,
be an hundred fold than Ony In that plas,
and Grettere and largere it was also
thanne An hundred of þe toþere, as þe thouhte tho.
and thus as thou haddest here-Of Merveyllyng,
thou beheldest Owt Of that Rose Goyng
A Certein thing, what so It was;
but thou Nistest nowht be non Cas.
but I telle the nowe in Alle degre,
the forme Of A man it hadde sekerle;
And ȝit the Rose Openede neuere the More,
but al Clos and Ioynt Evere was it thore,
bothe to-forn and Aftir Also:
this knowest thou wel that it dide do.
and whanne the fegure þat there-Owt gan gon,
A whyle vppon the Erthe went Alon,
thus sone Cam forth a ful gret serpent
that him wolde han devoured verament.
Neuertheless ȝit to-gederis they fowhte
so þat þe serpent was slayn and brouht to nowhte;
and thanne Anon to þe flowres he Ran
that weren so fowle & fallen than;
hem he took vpe thanne Everychon,
and with hym bar þereforth Anon.
That non lefte there Abydyng In-virown,
thanne Sye thou On that isswed Owt there,
the fairest Rose that Evere Sye thou Ere,
And Most Merveillous there to Syht,
the wheche Rose þere Abod .ix. dayes Owtriht,
and Everich day it Grew ful Sore,
bothe Fairere and grettere, More & More:
That so gret Merveille Of non flowr
haddest thou Neuere to-forn that Owr,
For Swich A Rose sie thow neuere Er
In non Contre nether Ny ne Fer.
And Every day thider gonne thou gon
that Rose to beholden Anon,
That nethir beste ne non Othir thing
To that faire Rose scholde don hyndreng:
this wost thou wel, Sire, now, Everydel
that I the telle, thou knowest ful wel.
and Evere As Clos that Rose it was
As Any botown In ony plas;
And here-Offen Abasched wondirly thou were
That it Nevere Opened I non Manere.
so that it behapped vppon A day
As thow thon there vndir that Roser lay,
Of A wilde swyn thow were wondid sore
thoruh thin hype, that thou were ny lore;
142
that Remeven thou ne Mihtest Owt of þat plas.
And whanne it was Abowtes Midday,
that Rose beheldest þou as thou þere lay,
and thou sye that Moche Reddere it was,
be an hundred fold than Ony In that plas,
and Grettere and largere it was also
thanne An hundred of þe toþere, as þe thouhte tho.
and thus as thou haddest here-Of Merveyllyng,
thou beheldest Owt Of that Rose Goyng
A Certein thing, what so It was;
but thou Nistest nowht be non Cas.
but I telle the nowe in Alle degre,
the forme Of A man it hadde sekerle;
And ȝit the Rose Openede neuere the More,
but al Clos and Ioynt Evere was it thore,
bothe to-forn and Aftir Also:
this knowest thou wel that it dide do.
and whanne the fegure þat there-Owt gan gon,
A whyle vppon the Erthe went Alon,
thus sone Cam forth a ful gret serpent
that him wolde han devoured verament.
Neuertheless ȝit to-gederis they fowhte
so þat þe serpent was slayn and brouht to nowhte;
and thanne Anon to þe flowres he Ran
that weren so fowle & fallen than;
hem he took vpe thanne Everychon,
and with hym bar þereforth Anon.
And whanne Alle this haddist þou seyn,
vppon thyn wounde haddest þou non Mende Certeyn,
but vpe thou Ryse, and bethowhtest the
Whethir it were soth Oþer vanite.
thanne gonne thou forth forto gon
to beholde that faire Rose Anon,
For to sen what were þere with-Inne,
and Er woldest thou for Nothing blynne.
So wentest thou forth to that Roser,
and Anon therto thou kneledist ther,
and kystest that Rose ful Swetely;
thanne thus sone Al hol were thou sekerly,
And Of thy wownde feltest þou non deseyse,
so Mochel that Roser gan the plese,
an fulfild þou were Of so gret swetnesse,
So that neuere Erthly man More ne lasse
hadde neuere, the thowhte, so gret plente
Of Swich swetnesse In non degre.
vppon thyn wounde haddest þou non Mende Certeyn,
but vpe thou Ryse, and bethowhtest the
Whethir it were soth Oþer vanite.
thanne gonne thou forth forto gon
to beholde that faire Rose Anon,
For to sen what were þere with-Inne,
143
So wentest thou forth to that Roser,
and Anon therto thou kneledist ther,
and kystest that Rose ful Swetely;
thanne thus sone Al hol were thou sekerly,
And Of thy wownde feltest þou non deseyse,
so Mochel that Roser gan the plese,
an fulfild þou were Of so gret swetnesse,
So that neuere Erthly man More ne lasse
hadde neuere, the thowhte, so gret plente
Of Swich swetnesse In non degre.
thanne In thin hond took thou this Rose,
and be thy power woldest it vnclose;
but Anon to-forn the decended there
A man as thowgh it were In flawmes Of fere;
And sodeynly to-forn the, As thou thowht,
this Man from hevene to the was browht,
and to the Seyde there ful Openly,
that the signefiaunce there-Of trewly
Ne scholdest thou not knowen be non chawnce,
For thou were not Of his Creaunce;
And so Of this word Abascht sore þou were
that In to this day þou nost what to don for fere.
and be thy power woldest it vnclose;
but Anon to-forn the decended there
A man as thowgh it were In flawmes Of fere;
And sodeynly to-forn the, As thou thowht,
this Man from hevene to the was browht,
and to the Seyde there ful Openly,
that the signefiaunce there-Of trewly
Ne scholdest thou not knowen be non chawnce,
For thou were not Of his Creaunce;
And so Of this word Abascht sore þou were
that In to this day þou nost what to don for fere.
“Now have I the told Every word,
as I trowe thou wilt to Me Acord,
what thou didest at the Age Of fyve ȝer
In that Contre whiles thou were ther.”
as I trowe thou wilt to Me Acord,
what thou didest at the Age Of fyve ȝer
In that Contre whiles thou were ther.”
And whanne the dewk these wordes gan here,
how Iosephes hadde seyd In swich Manere,
Anon Of his place be gan down to gon
Amonges his Meyne þere Everichon,
And knelid Adown vppon his kne,
and seide, “goddis Mynestre, worscheped þou be.
Now knowe I wel, that Every word
It is ful trewe þat thou hast me told;
Now wot I wel that thou Art he,
the wisest man Of this world ful sekerle.
Now, for thike lord that thou levest vppon,
So telle me þe signefiaunce Of Everichon:
For Certes Of Alle worldly thing
So mochel to knowen have I desireng;
therfore, sire, now preye I the,
So tellen me þeroffen the verite.”
how Iosephes hadde seyd In swich Manere,
Anon Of his place be gan down to gon
Amonges his Meyne þere Everichon,
And knelid Adown vppon his kne,
and seide, “goddis Mynestre, worscheped þou be.
Now knowe I wel, that Every word
It is ful trewe þat thou hast me told;
Now wot I wel that thou Art he,
144
Now, for thike lord that thou levest vppon,
So telle me þe signefiaunce Of Everichon:
For Certes Of Alle worldly thing
So mochel to knowen have I desireng;
therfore, sire, now preye I the,
So tellen me þeroffen the verite.”
“Dewk Gaanort, quod Iosephes tho,
I schal the telle Er that I go;
but be war Of that I schal tellen the;
but thow it worschepe In Alle degre,
wete thou Riht wel with-Owten More
that þou the schalt Repenten ful sore,
Sorrere thanne Evere didest þou Of Ony thing;
but thou now worschepe here myn seyeng.
I schal the telle Er that I go;
but be war Of that I schal tellen the;
but thow it worschepe In Alle degre,
wete thou Riht wel with-Owten More
that þou the schalt Repenten ful sore,
Sorrere thanne Evere didest þou Of Ony thing;
but thou now worschepe here myn seyeng.
“Herkene now, and I schal the Say
the signefiawnce, this Ilke day,
bothe Of the flowr delys and the Roser:
Of Al these thinges I schal tellen the her.
the signefiawnce, this Ilke day,
bothe Of the flowr delys and the Roser:
Of Al these thinges I schal tellen the her.
“The delys that to-foren the Roser thou sye,
It signefyeth Eve, oure form Modir, sekerlye,
that Of Al this world was the begynneng,
and Of Oure lyne the ferste forth bryngeng;
and thoruh the synne that there don was
In Paradys, that delitable plas,
wherby Alle Synne and wrechednesse
vs and Ek Owre hath browht In distresse.
thanne Cam there A dew from hevene Adown
and watered that Roser Al In-virown;
For there as the delis, be Inobedience
Fyl In Synne, and dide gret Offence;—
be the Roses vndirstonde schalt þou here
the holy prophetes that to-fore Crist were,
that Comen Alle Of Oure ferste Rote,
whiche was Eve, as I the behote,
that Into helle they wenten Echon
After here dethes, ful gret won.
For they weren fowle & vnclene,
and for synne thider wente, wel myhtest þou wene.
It signefyeth Eve, oure form Modir, sekerlye,
that Of Al this world was the begynneng,
and Of Oure lyne the ferste forth bryngeng;
and thoruh the synne that there don was
In Paradys, that delitable plas,
wherby Alle Synne and wrechednesse
vs and Ek Owre hath browht In distresse.
thanne Cam there A dew from hevene Adown
and watered that Roser Al In-virown;
For there as the delis, be Inobedience
Fyl In Synne, and dide gret Offence;—
be the Roses vndirstonde schalt þou here
the holy prophetes that to-fore Crist were,
that Comen Alle Of Oure ferste Rote,
whiche was Eve, as I the behote,
145
After here dethes, ful gret won.
For they weren fowle & vnclene,
and for synne thider wente, wel myhtest þou wene.
& be the Roser, vndirstonden schalt thou
the world Only, as I telle the now;
to wheche Roser men gon ful faste
the flowres to pullen In gret hast.
So fareth this world with-Owten More
to hem that to hit Enclyne so sore:
the world to hem it is so delytable,
they connen not it leven with-Owten Fable;
þerfore to helle they fallen Adown,
alle swich peple In-virown
that hem delyten In wor[l]dly thinges here,
and hevenely thinges leven In Alle Manere,
and forsaken hevenlych heritage,
& to worldly thinges hem take, boþe lord and page.
wel Mown they for folis Itold be,
and vnwitty & Madde, ful sekerle,
that leveth to taken A precious ston,
and Amongis the swyn to putten it Anon:
for More they loven wrechchednesse
Thanne hevenely thing, Oþer Ony goodnesse.
the world Only, as I telle the now;
to wheche Roser men gon ful faste
the flowres to pullen In gret hast.
So fareth this world with-Owten More
to hem that to hit Enclyne so sore:
the world to hem it is so delytable,
they connen not it leven with-Owten Fable;
þerfore to helle they fallen Adown,
alle swich peple In-virown
that hem delyten In wor[l]dly thinges here,
and hevenely thinges leven In Alle Manere,
and forsaken hevenlych heritage,
& to worldly thinges hem take, boþe lord and page.
wel Mown they for folis Itold be,
and vnwitty & Madde, ful sekerle,
that leveth to taken A precious ston,
and Amongis the swyn to putten it Anon:
for More they loven wrechchednesse
Thanne hevenely thing, Oþer Ony goodnesse.
“Be the Roses that fillen adown,
thou schalt vndirstonden Al & Som,—
tho that fillen down Of that Rosere,
that So feble and Anentisched were:—
For prophetes and good Men thou it take,
That mochel good diden for goddis sake,
that, thorugh synne of Oure ferst modir here,
To helle they wenten alle In fere
aftyr here deth and departysown,
and stille Abyden there In that presown
Tyl that the flowr Of Alle floures
Gan Owt to springe for Owre socours;
the wheche is Oure lady seint Marye,
that is virgyne and Maiden ful trewelye,
and Of Alle wommen hath moste Bownte.
where-thorwh, sire, As I telle it the,
that God In þat virgine dide Alyhte
as sonne that schineth thorwgh glas so bryht;
and hire virginite neuere put Away,
and so Owte he wente, the sothe to say.
And Evere is this hire virgynyte
As Clos as þe Rose In Eche degre,
that so As sotely Owt he wente
as þat be Entred by his Owne Entente;
so at the byrthe as clene virgine sche was
as At hire Conceyveng, thorwh goddis gras;
and thus Evere aftyr and to-fore,
Clene virgine for Evere Abod sche thore,
lyk As the Rose that thou there sye,
Evere Clos On the Roser with thin Eye.
thou schalt vndirstonden Al & Som,—
tho that fillen down Of that Rosere,
that So feble and Anentisched were:—
For prophetes and good Men thou it take,
That mochel good diden for goddis sake,
that, thorugh synne of Oure ferst modir here,
To helle they wenten alle In fere
aftyr here deth and departysown,
and stille Abyden there In that presown
Tyl that the flowr Of Alle floures
Gan Owt to springe for Owre socours;
146
that is virgyne and Maiden ful trewelye,
and Of Alle wommen hath moste Bownte.
where-thorwh, sire, As I telle it the,
that God In þat virgine dide Alyhte
as sonne that schineth thorwgh glas so bryht;
and hire virginite neuere put Away,
and so Owte he wente, the sothe to say.
And Evere is this hire virgynyte
As Clos as þe Rose In Eche degre,
that so As sotely Owt he wente
as þat be Entred by his Owne Entente;
so at the byrthe as clene virgine sche was
as At hire Conceyveng, thorwh goddis gras;
and thus Evere aftyr and to-fore,
Clene virgine for Evere Abod sche thore,
lyk As the Rose that thou there sye,
Evere Clos On the Roser with thin Eye.
“Whanne Into this Erthe that he was bore—
as thou sye owt of þat Rose Isswen thore—
thanne dwelled he here, kyng Of kynges,
and In xxxij wynter dide Many thinges;
and so longe abod he here
In povert and In gret Misere,
so that the Enemy supposede wel
A dedly Man he hadde ben Everidel;
and thryes he gan hym forto Asaye
be diuers weyes In On daye;
but Evere he fond hym so hard & Clene
that he ne wyste what he dyde mene.
thanne whanne he say he Cowde not spede,
Thanne On the Crois Crist Suffred dede;
there wende he hym forto han Gete,
but his pray there dide he forlete:
For In as Moche as God he was,
he Ros Aȝen thorwgh his Owne Gras,
and wente to that fowle presown,
and deliuered his frendis Everichon.
This was he that thou Sye verraylye
Owt of the Rose Isswen to-fore thyn Eye;
and fawht with that fowle Serpent,
wiche was þe fals Enemy verament,
and ladde his frendes to hevene blisse.
Lo, the Signeficaciown of þat Rose it isse.
as thou sye owt of þat Rose Isswen thore—
thanne dwelled he here, kyng Of kynges,
and In xxxij wynter dide Many thinges;
and so longe abod he here
In povert and In gret Misere,
so that the Enemy supposede wel
A dedly Man he hadde ben Everidel;
and thryes he gan hym forto Asaye
be diuers weyes In On daye;
but Evere he fond hym so hard & Clene
that he ne wyste what he dyde mene.
thanne whanne he say he Cowde not spede,
Thanne On the Crois Crist Suffred dede;
there wende he hym forto han Gete,
but his pray there dide he forlete:
For In as Moche as God he was,
he Ros Aȝen thorwgh his Owne Gras,
147
and deliuered his frendis Everichon.
This was he that thou Sye verraylye
Owt of the Rose Isswen to-fore thyn Eye;
and fawht with that fowle Serpent,
wiche was þe fals Enemy verament,
and ladde his frendes to hevene blisse.
Lo, the Signeficaciown of þat Rose it isse.
“Oþer ellis vnderstonde thou Myht here,
that god, þe serpent Ouercam In þis Manere
be his deth vppon the Croys ful ryht,
thus Ouercam he the devel Owtryht.
For be that deth he hym Ouercam,
and purchaced lif to Every Cristen Man.
that god, þe serpent Ouercam In þis Manere
be his deth vppon the Croys ful ryht,
thus Ouercam he the devel Owtryht.
For be that deth he hym Ouercam,
and purchaced lif to Every Cristen Man.
“And thus, In this Maner degre,
bor was Iesus Of Mare,
that Evere is, & was, a blessed virgine;
And Al Ioint & Clos In Al manere tyme
As was the Rose, I telle it the,
but Alle Oþer Opened ben Sekerle;
and Of this thing Mihtest þou ben Sure,
That Evere was sche virgine good & pure.
bor was Iesus Of Mare,
that Evere is, & was, a blessed virgine;
And Al Ioint & Clos In Al manere tyme
As was the Rose, I telle it the,
but Alle Oþer Opened ben Sekerle;
and Of this thing Mihtest þou ben Sure,
That Evere was sche virgine good & pure.
“This is the virgine, and thou wylt Wete,
That thou worschepedest Neuere ȝyte.
and wilt þou wyte why worschepen hire þou ne May?
For thou ne Art not ful waschen In Fay,
In the Swete flood, Owther In the wawe
that baptesme Is Clepid be the newe lawe.
Now haue I the told, dewk Gaanore,
Of that thou Axedest me to fore;
what I haue the seid now, telle þou Me,
how thou likest therby In Alle degre.”
That thou worschepedest Neuere ȝyte.
and wilt þou wyte why worschepen hire þou ne May?
For thou ne Art not ful waschen In Fay,
In the Swete flood, Owther In the wawe
that baptesme Is Clepid be the newe lawe.
Now haue I the told, dewk Gaanore,
Of that thou Axedest me to fore;
what I haue the seid now, telle þou Me,
how thou likest therby In Alle degre.”
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CHAPTER XLIV. OF THE CONVERSION OF DUKE GAANORT AND HIS PEOPLE.
“Now, Certes,” quod this Dewk thanne,
“In Al this lond Nys þere non So wys Manne,
Non Manere Of Clerk Of phelesophye,
that thou ne scholdest hem Alle distroye;
So that In gret Ioye thou hast me put Inne,
whiche from myn herte ne schal neuere twynne.
and now I haue so fulleche knoweng
So that I desire neuere non Othir thing.”
“In Al this lond Nys þere non So wys Manne,
Non Manere Of Clerk Of phelesophye,
that thou ne scholdest hem Alle distroye;
So that In gret Ioye thou hast me put Inne,
whiche from myn herte ne schal neuere twynne.
149
So that I desire neuere non Othir thing.”
thanne torned he toward his Clerkis Anon,
and thus to hem seide Everichon,
“wyle ȝe not seyn that this virgine Marye
whiche that Conceyved so prevylye,
and bar Iesus Crist that holy prophete,
That bothe virgyne and Mayden is ȝete;
Is sche not Mayden bothe After and to-fore,
As this goode Man vs techeth In lore?”
and thus to hem seide Everichon,
“wyle ȝe not seyn that this virgine Marye
whiche that Conceyved so prevylye,
and bar Iesus Crist that holy prophete,
That bothe virgyne and Mayden is ȝete;
Is sche not Mayden bothe After and to-fore,
As this goode Man vs techeth In lore?”
“Sire, quothen they Alle Everichon,
there Aȝens ne seyn we not On.
For Apertly It was Schewed to ȝow
As he toforn vs telleth here now;
wherefore Alle we trowen it ful wel
that he hath seid here Everydel.
and loke ȝe don Ek, Sire, the same,
and Elles trewly ȝe ben to blame;
and þut to ȝoure lawe no more soiet þat ȝe be,
but Only to the lawe Of Cristyente.
therfore bethenke ȝe what ȝe welen do,
For ȝoure lawe we forsaken for Euere Mo;
Fo[r] nethir for wraththe ne for stryf
we scholen Neuere dureng Oure lyf
but Only On god worschepen Ay,
the wheche is Jesus Crist, God verray.”
there Aȝens ne seyn we not On.
For Apertly It was Schewed to ȝow
As he toforn vs telleth here now;
wherefore Alle we trowen it ful wel
that he hath seid here Everydel.
and loke ȝe don Ek, Sire, the same,
and Elles trewly ȝe ben to blame;
and þut to ȝoure lawe no more soiet þat ȝe be,
but Only to the lawe Of Cristyente.
therfore bethenke ȝe what ȝe welen do,
For ȝoure lawe we forsaken for Euere Mo;
Fo[r] nethir for wraththe ne for stryf
we scholen Neuere dureng Oure lyf
but Only On god worschepen Ay,
the wheche is Jesus Crist, God verray.”
Thanne kneled they down Everichon
To Josephes feet there Anon,
and preyden hym Alle Of Cristenenge,
And Ek Of that holy watres waschenge.
Anon As he thus herde hem Seyn,
he bad hem Rysen vp A-Geyn:
Ek he wepte for Ioye and for pyte,
So gret Mirthe in herte thanne hadde he;
and graunted hem there here Askyng,
the holy water Of Cresteneng.
To Josephes feet there Anon,
and preyden hym Alle Of Cristenenge,
And Ek Of that holy watres waschenge.
Anon As he thus herde hem Seyn,
he bad hem Rysen vp A-Geyn:
Ek he wepte for Ioye and for pyte,
So gret Mirthe in herte thanne hadde he;
and graunted hem there here Askyng,
the holy water Of Cresteneng.
150
Thanne spak he to Dewk Gaanor,
And to hym thus seide Ryht thor,
“Faire Sire Gaanor, quod Iosephes Anon,
wilt thou do As thi Clerkes here don,
and As the Maistres don Of thy lawe;
For Of Cristendom they ben Ryht fawe?”
“Sire,” quod the dewk to Iosephes thanne,
“thowgh they forsaken it Every Manne,
Onliche Of baptesme I the beseke,
that Art goddis Mynestre good and Meke;
for though of hem Cristened ben neuere On,
Of Baptesme I praye the, Sire, now Anon.”
And to hym thus seide Ryht thor,
“Faire Sire Gaanor, quod Iosephes Anon,
wilt thou do As thi Clerkes here don,
and As the Maistres don Of thy lawe;
For Of Cristendom they ben Ryht fawe?”
“Sire,” quod the dewk to Iosephes thanne,
“thowgh they forsaken it Every Manne,
Onliche Of baptesme I the beseke,
that Art goddis Mynestre good and Meke;
for though of hem Cristened ben neuere On,
Of Baptesme I praye the, Sire, now Anon.”
At that tyme was there An huge Cry
Thorwgh Al that paleys ful trewely,
that Iosephes they hadden Greved So,
they Niste for Mone what to do,
but preiden hym Of Baptesme Everichon
Al so faste As they Myhten Rennen Oþer gon.
And whanne Iosephes Al this beheld there,
he made gret Ioye In his Manere,
and Comanded there A prest Anon
water to putten In a ston,
and blessed it with his Owne hond,
as I do ȝow to vndirstond,
and Cristened there-Inne dewk Gaanor,
And After Alle that Evere Comen thor,
Bothe Child, Man, and Womman,
that Baptesme Of hym preide than;
So that longe Er it was Noon
A thowsand he Cristened Everichon.
Thorwgh Al that paleys ful trewely,
that Iosephes they hadden Greved So,
they Niste for Mone what to do,
but preiden hym Of Baptesme Everichon
Al so faste As they Myhten Rennen Oþer gon.
And whanne Iosephes Al this beheld there,
he made gret Ioye In his Manere,
and Comanded there A prest Anon
water to putten In a ston,
and blessed it with his Owne hond,
as I do ȝow to vndirstond,
and Cristened there-Inne dewk Gaanor,
And After Alle that Evere Comen thor,
Bothe Child, Man, and Womman,
that Baptesme Of hym preide than;
So that longe Er it was Noon
A thowsand he Cristened Everichon.
and whanne that the Even Comen was,
This dewk there putte Owt Of his plas
Alle tho that Cristened wolde not be,
Owt Of his paleys he dyde hem fle,
and Alle his Meyne I-Cristened they were,
Sawf an hundred and Fyfty there.
(The dewk wolde neuere chongen his name,
For that it was Of Ryht gret fame,
And Ek his Fadyr I-Clepyd was so,
þerfore non Oþerwise Nolde Iosephes do.)
This dewk there putte Owt Of his plas
Alle tho that Cristened wolde not be,
Owt Of his paleys he dyde hem fle,
and Alle his Meyne I-Cristened they were,
Sawf an hundred and Fyfty there.
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For that it was Of Ryht gret fame,
And Ek his Fadyr I-Clepyd was so,
þerfore non Oþerwise Nolde Iosephes do.)
Anon he Comanded to Alle tho
Owt Of his lond thanne forto go.
and they Answeryd hem vntylle
that they wolden it don with good wille.
Thanne wenten they Owt Of þe Castel
To the water side ful faire and wel:
and there fownden they A schipe Anon,
and there-Inne Maryneris Manyon;
and thike Schip they Entred ful sone,
And Into the See Gonnen they Gone,
preyenge to the Chef Marynere
Into A Nothir lond to leden hem there.
Owt Of his lond thanne forto go.
and they Answeryd hem vntylle
that they wolden it don with good wille.
Thanne wenten they Owt Of þe Castel
To the water side ful faire and wel:
and there fownden they A schipe Anon,
and there-Inne Maryneris Manyon;
and thike Schip they Entred ful sone,
And Into the See Gonnen they Gone,
preyenge to the Chef Marynere
Into A Nothir lond to leden hem there.
And whanne Entred weren they Everychon,
And from the lond that they weren Gon,
A gret wynd Anon Gan there Aryse
Owt Of Mesure In Alle Wyse;
and the Schipe torned vp so down there
So that Alle Anon Idrenched they were,
Alle that Evere Resceyved not Crystyente,
bothen they and Maryneris, I-drenched they be.
that Nyht the dewk gret Ioye he Made,
and Iosephes and his felawes Made ful glade;
and al Nyht spoken Of þat Compenye
that from hem parted so velenoslye.
And from the lond that they weren Gon,
A gret wynd Anon Gan there Aryse
Owt Of Mesure In Alle Wyse;
and the Schipe torned vp so down there
So that Alle Anon Idrenched they were,
Alle that Evere Resceyved not Crystyente,
bothen they and Maryneris, I-drenched they be.
that Nyht the dewk gret Ioye he Made,
and Iosephes and his felawes Made ful glade;
and al Nyht spoken Of þat Compenye
that from hem parted so velenoslye.
The dewk, Of Iosephes Asked thanne,
“Good Sire, what schal fallen Of þese Menne?”
“I schal ȝow tellen, quod Iosephes tho,
Of that peple how it schal go:
to Morwen schole ȝe hem Alle Se
To londe ARyven In A queynte degre,
whiche to ȝow schal ben gret verefiaunce
and gret fulfillenge to ȝoure Creaunce:
and grettere wondir syen ȝe neuere Non
thanne ȝe scholen to Morwe Of hem Echon.”
Of which dewk Gaanor abascht hym sore,
and gladly of Iosephes wolde weten More,
but he durst not, lest he wolde hym greve,
þerfore no more to hym wolde he Meve.
So wente the dewk to his Reste that Nyht,
And Abod there whiles it was day lyht.
“Good Sire, what schal fallen Of þese Menne?”
“I schal ȝow tellen, quod Iosephes tho,
Of that peple how it schal go:
to Morwen schole ȝe hem Alle Se
To londe ARyven In A queynte degre,
whiche to ȝow schal ben gret verefiaunce
and gret fulfillenge to ȝoure Creaunce:
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thanne ȝe scholen to Morwe Of hem Echon.”
Of which dewk Gaanor abascht hym sore,
and gladly of Iosephes wolde weten More,
but he durst not, lest he wolde hym greve,
þerfore no more to hym wolde he Meve.
So wente the dewk to his Reste that Nyht,
And Abod there whiles it was day lyht.
Vppon the Morwe, Whanne it Was Day,
there Comen tydynges with-Owten delay
To this Dewk Sire Gaanore,
Of A Messenger cam renneng thore;
where-Offen Abasched he was non del,
For he supposede Of non thing but wel.
there Cam A ȝoman ful faste Rennenge,
And browhte þe dewk Merveillous tydynge.
“What ben tho, quod the dewk thanne,
telle me here Anon, thou ȝomanne.”
“be my trowthe, Sire, quod he tho,
vndir this Castel As I gan to go,
lyn there Al that peple ded
that hens departyd Owt Of this sted,
whiche that wolde not I-Cristened be;
ȝonder, Alle ded, ȝe Mown hem se.”
there Comen tydynges with-Owten delay
To this Dewk Sire Gaanore,
Of A Messenger cam renneng thore;
where-Offen Abasched he was non del,
For he supposede Of non thing but wel.
there Cam A ȝoman ful faste Rennenge,
And browhte þe dewk Merveillous tydynge.
“What ben tho, quod the dewk thanne,
telle me here Anon, thou ȝomanne.”
“be my trowthe, Sire, quod he tho,
vndir this Castel As I gan to go,
lyn there Al that peple ded
that hens departyd Owt Of this sted,
whiche that wolde not I-Cristened be;
ȝonder, Alle ded, ȝe Mown hem se.”
and Whanne þe dewk herde here-offen telle,
Owt Of his Castel he Cam ful snelle
Forto knowen whethir this soth were,
Owther A lesyng Itold hym there.
And whanne that he Cam to þe se side,
Manye Of his Meyne he fond þere that tyde
to beholden this Merveille there
that was befallen In this Manere.
and whanne the dewk it gan beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Many folde
Of so moche peple Ipersched to be.
thanne þere Of his Meyne Anon Axed he
‘What Manere Of peple that it was?’
thanne seide A knyht In that plas,
“It ben they that wolden not Cristened be
that here lyn ded As ȝe Mown se;
and forsothe, sire deuk, I haue herd telle
that An hundred and fyfty þere ben full snelle.”
Owt Of his Castel he Cam ful snelle
Forto knowen whethir this soth were,
Owther A lesyng Itold hym there.
And whanne that he Cam to þe se side,
Manye Of his Meyne he fond þere that tyde
to beholden this Merveille there
that was befallen In this Manere.
and whanne the dewk it gan beholde,
In his herte he Merveilled Many folde
Of so moche peple Ipersched to be.
thanne þere Of his Meyne Anon Axed he
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thanne seide A knyht In that plas,
“It ben they that wolden not Cristened be
that here lyn ded As ȝe Mown se;
and forsothe, sire deuk, I haue herd telle
that An hundred and fyfty þere ben full snelle.”
“Now, serche Abowtes, quod the dewk thanne,
ȝif ȝe fynde here So Manye A Manne.”
thanne dyden they the dewkes Comandement,
and there they fownden hem Alle present—
An hundred and Fyfty Everichon
liggen alle there vppon harde ston;
and with hem was fownden A Marynere,
And An Ore In hond there.
ȝif ȝe fynde here So Manye A Manne.”
thanne dyden they the dewkes Comandement,
and there they fownden hem Alle present—
An hundred and Fyfty Everichon
liggen alle there vppon harde ston;
and with hem was fownden A Marynere,
And An Ore In hond there.
For this Merveille ful trewely
the dewk sent aftyr Iosephes hastely.
thanne thedyr Cam Iosephes Anon,
and his Compenye with hym Everichon.
thanne Axede the dewk Of Iosephes þere
Of that Aventure, how it were.
thanne quod Iosephes “Certeinle
It is behapped as it scholde be;
For thou schalt neuere sen synful Man
that the fals Enemy serven Can,
but ȝif he qwite hem thus here Mede
As to hem he hath don In this stede.
For whanne he hath served him al his Age,
be he Neuere Of so hy parage,—
And whanne he weneth Aboven to be,
thanne Cometh the fals Enemy ful sekerle,
And hem so sleth In dedly synne,
and sleth bothe body & sowle with-Inne.”
the dewk sent aftyr Iosephes hastely.
thanne thedyr Cam Iosephes Anon,
and his Compenye with hym Everichon.
thanne Axede the dewk Of Iosephes þere
Of that Aventure, how it were.
thanne quod Iosephes “Certeinle
It is behapped as it scholde be;
For thou schalt neuere sen synful Man
that the fals Enemy serven Can,
but ȝif he qwite hem thus here Mede
As to hem he hath don In this stede.
For whanne he hath served him al his Age,
be he Neuere Of so hy parage,—
And whanne he weneth Aboven to be,
thanne Cometh the fals Enemy ful sekerle,
And hem so sleth In dedly synne,
and sleth bothe body & sowle with-Inne.”
“Sire Iosephes, quod the dewk thenne,
what scholen we don with Alle these Menne.”
“Sire, quod Iosephes, I schal ȝow say.
Into this Erthe here let putte hem this day,
Evene be the banke faste by;
and Over hem do make A towr ful hy,
So that with-Inne the tour Alle Icolen they be,
here bodyes Iberyed ful sekerle;
And whanne the towr performed Is,
thanne schal it be Clepid with-Owten Mys,
“the towr Of Merveilles” schal be þe Name,
for, thorwgh alle breteyng, þat schal ben þe fame.
what scholen we don with Alle these Menne.”
“Sire, quod Iosephes, I schal ȝow say.
Into this Erthe here let putte hem this day,
154
and Over hem do make A towr ful hy,
So that with-Inne the tour Alle Icolen they be,
here bodyes Iberyed ful sekerle;
And whanne the towr performed Is,
thanne schal it be Clepid with-Owten Mys,
“the towr Of Merveilles” schal be þe Name,
for, thorwgh alle breteyng, þat schal ben þe fame.
“In this lond that is called breteyngne,
Arthowr A Kyng schal ben Certeygne,
the moste worthy and vaillawnt knyht,
and the Most Merveillous In Ony fyht.
and In that tyme here schal befalle
Many Merveilles wondirful with Alle
be the strok Of On swerd Only,
that Al the world þere-Offen schal speken trewly;
wheche Merveylles scholen Enduren here
In this lond fulliche fowrtene ȝere;
and this Merveille schal algates laste
til þe laste Of Nasciens lyne Come In haste.
Of the Merveilles I haue ȝow told
þat þere scholen ben wrowht Many fold;
For knyght In Arthures Cowrt ne schal non be
thus Iustes Other bataille Asketh sekerle,
that as a good a knyht here schal he fynde
Owt Of this towr to Entren be kende;
And thowgh that Neuere so Manye Assemblen here,
Owt Of this tour scholen Comen In fere
Man for Man with hem to fyhte;
and ȝit schal non Man knowen Aryhte
whens they Comen In Non degre,
tyl these Aventures be On persone I-Ended be,
and for this specyal Cause Only
‘the towr of Merveilles’ we schole Callen It properly.
Arthowr A Kyng schal ben Certeygne,
the moste worthy and vaillawnt knyht,
and the Most Merveillous In Ony fyht.
and In that tyme here schal befalle
Many Merveilles wondirful with Alle
be the strok Of On swerd Only,
that Al the world þere-Offen schal speken trewly;
wheche Merveylles scholen Enduren here
In this lond fulliche fowrtene ȝere;
and this Merveille schal algates laste
til þe laste Of Nasciens lyne Come In haste.
Of the Merveilles I haue ȝow told
þat þere scholen ben wrowht Many fold;
For knyght In Arthures Cowrt ne schal non be
thus Iustes Other bataille Asketh sekerle,
that as a good a knyht here schal he fynde
Owt Of this towr to Entren be kende;
And thowgh that Neuere so Manye Assemblen here,
Owt Of this tour scholen Comen In fere
Man for Man with hem to fyhte;
and ȝit schal non Man knowen Aryhte
whens they Comen In Non degre,
tyl these Aventures be On persone I-Ended be,
and for this specyal Cause Only
‘the towr of Merveilles’ we schole Callen It properly.
155
“Now doth beryn these Men Anon,
and do Make this towr of lym & ston;
For Alle thing þat I have ȝow told,
ȝe scholen fynden it trewe In Eche fold.”
and do Make this towr of lym & ston;
For Alle thing þat I have ȝow told,
ȝe scholen fynden it trewe In Eche fold.”
the dewk let beryen these Men Anon,
and let Ordeynen faste lym and ston,
both Masouns and Carpenteris sent After faste,
So that the towr were made In haste;
And whanne that towr Redy was dyht,
“the towr of Merveilles” Anon it hight;
the wheche Name longe dide laste,
Tyl that lawncelot thedir Cam In haste
and it dide breken In pecys A-down,
Al that towr Onlich In virown,
is Of Arthures hows the storye
It doth declaren More Openlye.
and let Ordeynen faste lym and ston,
both Masouns and Carpenteris sent After faste,
So that the towr were made In haste;
And whanne that towr Redy was dyht,
“the towr of Merveilles” Anon it hight;
the wheche Name longe dide laste,
Tyl that lawncelot thedir Cam In haste
and it dide breken In pecys A-down,
Al that towr Onlich In virown,
is Of Arthures hows the storye
It doth declaren More Openlye.
and whiles this towr was in Makyng,
þe dewk a fair Chirche hadde In Reryng
In a fair place Of his Castel
which this dewk loved ful wel.
þeke Chirche there Arerid it was
In þe worschepe Of Marye ful Of gras.
þe dewk a fair Chirche hadde In Reryng
In a fair place Of his Castel
which this dewk loved ful wel.
þeke Chirche there Arerid it was
In þe worschepe Of Marye ful Of gras.
and whiles this Chirche was In reryng,
Iosephes Modris tyme was Comeng
that hire Child sche scholde bere
In that Castel Evene riht there;
and whanne the Child Iborn it was,
A fair knave Child In that plas,
where-Offen gret Ioye there they made,
and Alle the Court they weren ful glade,
and Named that Child Galaas Anon;
where-fore gret feste þey maden Echon;
and for that Child In that Castel was bore,
“Galaas the fort” they Calden hym thore.
Iosephes Modris tyme was Comeng
that hire Child sche scholde bere
In that Castel Evene riht there;
and whanne the Child Iborn it was,
A fair knave Child In that plas,
where-Offen gret Ioye there they made,
and Alle the Court they weren ful glade,
and Named that Child Galaas Anon;
where-fore gret feste þey maden Echon;
and for that Child In that Castel was bore,
“Galaas the fort” they Calden hym thore.
Whanne they that In virown the Castel were,
Wysten how that With the Dewk It stood there,
and that he was torned to Cristendom,
and al his Meyne bothe hol & som,
and gonnen to Grosschen Everichon,
& there to hym Sent Massage Anon
‘that werren they wolden vppon hym þere,
and distroyen his londis Every where.’
Wysten how that With the Dewk It stood there,
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and al his Meyne bothe hol & som,
and gonnen to Grosschen Everichon,
& there to hym Sent Massage Anon
‘that werren they wolden vppon hym þere,
and distroyen his londis Every where.’
Anon he Answerid þe Messengeris Ageyn,
and seide, ‘his lond he wolde kepen Certeyn
al so longe as that he Myhte,
For sarazines lawe he hadde forsaken Owtrihte,
and to that lawe wolde he neuere tormen Aȝen
Schortly thowh they wolde hym Slen.’
whanne they herden his Answere,
tho that Messengeris weren there
wenten to the kyng of Northhumberlond,
And dide hym Al this to vndirstond,—
‘that dewk Gaanor hadde deservid wel
his lond to lesen Everidel;
for he hadde forsaken paynem lawe
and to Cristendom he dide hym drawe.’
and seide, ‘his lond he wolde kepen Certeyn
al so longe as that he Myhte,
For sarazines lawe he hadde forsaken Owtrihte,
and to that lawe wolde he neuere tormen Aȝen
Schortly thowh they wolde hym Slen.’
whanne they herden his Answere,
tho that Messengeris weren there
wenten to the kyng of Northhumberlond,
And dide hym Al this to vndirstond,—
‘that dewk Gaanor hadde deservid wel
his lond to lesen Everidel;
for he hadde forsaken paynem lawe
and to Cristendom he dide hym drawe.’
Whanne the kyng of Northhumberlond herde this,
he was Ryht wroth with-Owten Mys;
For the kyng knew þe Dewk so wel
hard Of herte As Evere was stel,
and the worthyest knyht In Al bretayne;
this wiste wel the kyng, he was certayne.
thanne took he Cownseil of his barown,
Of that cause what is best to don:
“Sire, after hym Anon doth sende,
that he to ȝow Come, & not Offende;
and ȝif he ne Come not At ȝowre sonde,
thanne Mown ȝe hym Sle, & don him schonde;
And Elles taketh ȝoure Ost ful Clene
& werreth On him Al be-dene,
so mown ȝe slen him, and þe Cristene Also
that hym Made this forto do;
thanne scholen the Cristene In non degre
In this Lond not I-Reryd be.”
he was Ryht wroth with-Owten Mys;
For the kyng knew þe Dewk so wel
hard Of herte As Evere was stel,
and the worthyest knyht In Al bretayne;
this wiste wel the kyng, he was certayne.
thanne took he Cownseil of his barown,
Of that cause what is best to don:
“Sire, after hym Anon doth sende,
that he to ȝow Come, & not Offende;
and ȝif he ne Come not At ȝowre sonde,
thanne Mown ȝe hym Sle, & don him schonde;
And Elles taketh ȝoure Ost ful Clene
& werreth On him Al be-dene,
so mown ȝe slen him, and þe Cristene Also
that hym Made this forto do;
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In this Lond not I-Reryd be.”
Anon the kyng dyde After here Red,
and sente forth Messageris In that sted,
and ‘Comanded hym As his lige Man
Anon to hym he scholde Comen than
For to speken with hym there,
that he ne leve it In non Manere;
and ȝif that he This withstonde,
that he Nele Comen At Myn sonde,
Schortly he schal Confownded be,
he and alle hise ful Certeynle.’
and sente forth Messageris In that sted,
and ‘Comanded hym As his lige Man
Anon to hym he scholde Comen than
For to speken with hym there,
that he ne leve it In non Manere;
and ȝif that he This withstonde,
that he Nele Comen At Myn sonde,
Schortly he schal Confownded be,
he and alle hise ful Certeynle.’
whanne the dewk herde this tydyng,
To hym it was A gret Affrayeng;
For he knew the kyng Myhty was
Of londis, Of Body, In Every plas.
So thanne to Iosephes he Cam Anon,
And Axede Cownseil what to don.
“I schal ȝow say, quod Josephes tho,
In this thing what is best to do:
Anon that ȝe sende hym to seyne,
‘that his Man ȝe ben not certeyne;
For Owt Of his Subiection ȝe ben,
and Owt of alle his lordschepis ful Clen;
and Only I-set In the seignorie
Of Iesus Crist the sone Of Marye,
hos lordschepe that ȝe welen holde
For Ony Man, be he Neuere so bolde.’
For, knoweth wel, Sire dewk, In Certein,
That Owre Lord ȝow schal socouren ful pleyn,
and Of him to haven the victorye
Of tho Miscreawntes Sekerlye;
And thowgh algates ȝe scholden deye,
bettere myhten ȝe Neuere Certeinlye
thanne vppon the Enemy Of Iesu Crist,
Sire Dewk, herto thou myht wel tryst:
For werse thanne howndes, Siker they ben,
al the Compenye, as ȝe scholen wel sen.
this is my Counsaille that ȝe do,
and god honouren Evere Mo.
and but ȝe welen don Aftir Me,
holichirches child art þou not sekerle,
but A wykked servaunt to god Only
but þou Riht thus do vtterly.”
“And I wele seker, quod the dewk thanne;
him schal I serven for Ony Manne.”
To hym it was A gret Affrayeng;
For he knew the kyng Myhty was
Of londis, Of Body, In Every plas.
So thanne to Iosephes he Cam Anon,
And Axede Cownseil what to don.
“I schal ȝow say, quod Josephes tho,
In this thing what is best to do:
Anon that ȝe sende hym to seyne,
‘that his Man ȝe ben not certeyne;
For Owt Of his Subiection ȝe ben,
and Owt of alle his lordschepis ful Clen;
and Only I-set In the seignorie
Of Iesus Crist the sone Of Marye,
hos lordschepe that ȝe welen holde
For Ony Man, be he Neuere so bolde.’
For, knoweth wel, Sire dewk, In Certein,
That Owre Lord ȝow schal socouren ful pleyn,
and Of him to haven the victorye
Of tho Miscreawntes Sekerlye;
And thowgh algates ȝe scholden deye,
bettere myhten ȝe Neuere Certeinlye
thanne vppon the Enemy Of Iesu Crist,
Sire Dewk, herto thou myht wel tryst:
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al the Compenye, as ȝe scholen wel sen.
this is my Counsaille that ȝe do,
and god honouren Evere Mo.
and but ȝe welen don Aftir Me,
holichirches child art þou not sekerle,
but A wykked servaunt to god Only
but þou Riht thus do vtterly.”
“And I wele seker, quod the dewk thanne;
him schal I serven for Ony Manne.”
Thanne Cam he to þe Messengers Of þe kyng,
and of here bode ȝaf hem Answeryng:
“ȝe mown seÿn (sic) the kyng vnto,
‘with hym to speke will I not go;
but ȝif he wil Owht In Ony degre,
so lete hym Comen an speken with Me;
For as longe as he A paynem Is,
For hym I wele don nowht I-wis.’”
and of here bode ȝaf hem Answeryng:
“ȝe mown seÿn (sic) the kyng vnto,
‘with hym to speke will I not go;
but ȝif he wil Owht In Ony degre,
so lete hym Comen an speken with Me;
For as longe as he A paynem Is,
For hym I wele don nowht I-wis.’”
“how goth this, quod þe Messengeris tho,
that ȝe to ȝoure lord ne welen not go,
sethen ȝe holden Of hym ȝoure lond,
as it is don vs to vndirstond.”
“that I do Not, with-Owten lettenge,
but Only Of Iesus, hevene kinge;
Of hym I holde Al my lond,
as I do ȝow to vndirstond;
and for his love, sires, Only,
I haue forsaken Alle Oþere seignory.”
“In feyth, quod the Messageris Ageyn,
ȝe mown be sewr and Certein
that to-forn this Castel scholen ȝe se
to ȝow many A strong Eneme.”
“ȝe, quod þe dewk to hem ful sone,
thowgh they myn Enemyes ben Everichone,
So that God Onlich my frend he be,
Of hem haue I non drede sekerle.”
that ȝe to ȝoure lord ne welen not go,
sethen ȝe holden Of hym ȝoure lond,
as it is don vs to vndirstond.”
“that I do Not, with-Owten lettenge,
but Only Of Iesus, hevene kinge;
Of hym I holde Al my lond,
as I do ȝow to vndirstond;
and for his love, sires, Only,
I haue forsaken Alle Oþere seignory.”
“In feyth, quod the Messageris Ageyn,
ȝe mown be sewr and Certein
that to-forn this Castel scholen ȝe se
to ȝow many A strong Eneme.”
“ȝe, quod þe dewk to hem ful sone,
thowgh they myn Enemyes ben Everichone,
So that God Onlich my frend he be,
Of hem haue I non drede sekerle.”
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Thus departyd the messengeres Anon,
and toward here lord forth they gon,
& tolde him Evene word for word
that the dewk to hym wolde not Acord.
thanne sente he Messengeris Anon In hie
Abowtes Al his lond bothe fer & Nye,
‘that his Meyne to hym scholde Comen there
In here beste aray In alle Manere,
To A place that is I-Cleped ‘soose,’
whiche was þat tyme A fair Cyte.
and toward here lord forth they gon,
& tolde him Evene word for word
that the dewk to hym wolde not Acord.
thanne sente he Messengeris Anon In hie
Abowtes Al his lond bothe fer & Nye,
‘that his Meyne to hym scholde Comen there
In here beste aray In alle Manere,
To A place that is I-Cleped ‘soose,’
whiche was þat tyme A fair Cyte.
So be the day that he hem sette,
At that Cyte Alle they mette;
so þat the kyng Isswed Anon
Owt of that Cyte, and his Meyne Echon,—
what On hors bak, & what On foote,
bet than fyve thousend, wel I wote.—
so that his Iorne he took wel faste
Tyl to humber water he Cam Atte laste,
and Entrede Into A priorye,
he and Al his Compenye.
At that Cyte Alle they mette;
so þat the kyng Isswed Anon
Owt of that Cyte, and his Meyne Echon,—
what On hors bak, & what On foote,
bet than fyve thousend, wel I wote.—
so that his Iorne he took wel faste
Tyl to humber water he Cam Atte laste,
and Entrede Into A priorye,
he and Al his Compenye.
The same dai Comen they to-forn þe Castel,
& with hym his Meyne Everydel;
but Iosephs In that Castel not ne was,
but at Anothir besides In that plas.
Half A dayes Iorne thenne,
whiche ‘Caleph’ was Clepid of many Menne.
& with hym his Meyne Everydel;
but Iosephs In that Castel not ne was,
but at Anothir besides In that plas.
Half A dayes Iorne thenne,
whiche ‘Caleph’ was Clepid of many Menne.
Whanne the dewk sawh þe kyng so þere,
he was afrayed In diuers Manere
as A man that neuere beseged was
to-forn that tyme In non Maner of plas;
For Evere to fore tymes hadde he be
the worthiest knyht ful sekerle
Of Al the world with-Owten drede;
For dowte hadde he neuere In non stede.
The Castel with-Inne wel Ordeyned was
Of Men of strengthes In Every plas;
For Anon As the Cristene herden telle
that the kyng was so fers & felle,
and that he wolde werre begynne;
there-fore bethowhten they with-Inne,
were it werre, Other were it pes,
they wolde ben seker Neuertheles;
and More siker with-Inne they were
thanne with-Owten ȝif they hadde ben þere.
And the Castel In hym self ful strong it was,
whiche to hem was Comfort In that plas;
and the Cristene with Al here Myht
Stoffed that Castel bothe day and Nyht
to here power, what Myhte Availle
To that Castel with-Owten faille:
and this was On Of þe thinges Most
þat the dewk hym Comforted Aȝens þe Ost.
he was afrayed In diuers Manere
as A man that neuere beseged was
to-forn that tyme In non Maner of plas;
For Evere to fore tymes hadde he be
the worthiest knyht ful sekerle
Of Al the world with-Owten drede;
For dowte hadde he neuere In non stede.
The Castel with-Inne wel Ordeyned was
Of Men of strengthes In Every plas;
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that the kyng was so fers & felle,
and that he wolde werre begynne;
there-fore bethowhten they with-Inne,
were it werre, Other were it pes,
they wolde ben seker Neuertheles;
and More siker with-Inne they were
thanne with-Owten ȝif they hadde ben þere.
And the Castel In hym self ful strong it was,
whiche to hem was Comfort In that plas;
and the Cristene with Al here Myht
Stoffed that Castel bothe day and Nyht
to here power, what Myhte Availle
To that Castel with-Owten faille:
and this was On Of þe thinges Most
þat the dewk hym Comforted Aȝens þe Ost.
Whanne the kyng was Comen to-fore þat Castel,
he gan to loggen bothe faire & wel,
Supposing to hym In Alle Manere
that they with-Inne wolde not Isswen there.
The dewk in his Castel lay
and loked Atte wyndowe, as I ȝow say,
and lay in ful gret pensifnesse
As A Man that was In distresse.
& as In his thowht he lay there tho,
Sire Nasciens to-forn hym say he go,
Of whom he hadde herd gret Chevalrye
Of Conqwestes, Of batailles, Of victorye.
thanne seide the dewk to hym Anon,
“Sire, Of this Mater how scholen we don?
beholde Goddis Enemyes, this peple here,
how they loggen vs Al In fere,
And Goddis Enemyes Everychon!
what is best þat we with hem don?
hem to disloggen In this plas,
It were best thorwh goddis gras.
he gan to loggen bothe faire & wel,
Supposing to hym In Alle Manere
that they with-Inne wolde not Isswen there.
The dewk in his Castel lay
and loked Atte wyndowe, as I ȝow say,
and lay in ful gret pensifnesse
As A Man that was In distresse.
& as In his thowht he lay there tho,
Sire Nasciens to-forn hym say he go,
Of whom he hadde herd gret Chevalrye
Of Conqwestes, Of batailles, Of victorye.
thanne seide the dewk to hym Anon,
“Sire, Of this Mater how scholen we don?
beholde Goddis Enemyes, this peple here,
how they loggen vs Al In fere,
And Goddis Enemyes Everychon!
what is best þat we with hem don?
hem to disloggen In this plas,
It were best thorwh goddis gras.
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“Nay, Sire dewk, quod Nasciens tho,
For Otherwyse we scholen now do.”
“Now Certes, quod the dewk Ageyn,
aftyr ȝow wele I werken In certeyn.”
“thanne don ȝe ȝoure Men Armen Anon,
and to assemblen Everichon
Er fulliche logged that they be,
the More Ese to vs, Sire, ful Sikerle.
And for that I hope now trewely
we scholen hem fynden most besy,
And wers I-purveyed in Eche degre
thanne here Aftyr that they scholen be;
For now Cometh nothing In here thowht
that we hens Owt scholde Isswen Owht:
And therfore, sire, now Ryht Anon
On Goddis Enemyes now let vs gon
In Iesus Name, the sone Of Marye,
that vs wele defenden ful trewelye,
Oure warawunt and Oure Governour,
that vs wele Save In Every stour.
And ȝit More, sere, with-owten faylle,
And we dyen In this Bataylle,
to hevene bliss thanne scholen we go
thorw Martirdom for Evere Mo;
and ȝif that we han victorye,
Endles worschepe Sekerlye.”
For Otherwyse we scholen now do.”
“Now Certes, quod the dewk Ageyn,
aftyr ȝow wele I werken In certeyn.”
“thanne don ȝe ȝoure Men Armen Anon,
and to assemblen Everichon
Er fulliche logged that they be,
the More Ese to vs, Sire, ful Sikerle.
And for that I hope now trewely
we scholen hem fynden most besy,
And wers I-purveyed in Eche degre
thanne here Aftyr that they scholen be;
For now Cometh nothing In here thowht
that we hens Owt scholde Isswen Owht:
And therfore, sire, now Ryht Anon
On Goddis Enemyes now let vs gon
In Iesus Name, the sone Of Marye,
that vs wele defenden ful trewelye,
Oure warawunt and Oure Governour,
that vs wele Save In Every stour.
And ȝit More, sere, with-owten faylle,
And we dyen In this Bataylle,
to hevene bliss thanne scholen we go
thorw Martirdom for Evere Mo;
and ȝif that we han victorye,
Endles worschepe Sekerlye.”
Whanne the dewk this word herde,
thanne As A Ioyful Man he Ferde,
and Anon In his paleys let Crye
“As Armes, As Armes” faste in hye.
thanne Every man In his degre
hym to Armen wente besile;
and so to the Dewk they browhten Anon
ArMure to putten hym vppon,
and Ek to Sire Nasciens Also,
what thing that hym belonged vnto.
whanne the Dewk and Nasciens In fere
bothe weren Armed ful sewrly there,
Into the Cowrt they Comen Anon,
And to here hors there gonne they gon;
And Owt they tooken the Ryhte weye
Atte the Castel gate ful pleynlye.
thanne As A Ioyful Man he Ferde,
and Anon In his paleys let Crye
“As Armes, As Armes” faste in hye.
thanne Every man In his degre
hym to Armen wente besile;
and so to the Dewk they browhten Anon
ArMure to putten hym vppon,
and Ek to Sire Nasciens Also,
what thing that hym belonged vnto.
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bothe weren Armed ful sewrly there,
Into the Cowrt they Comen Anon,
And to here hors there gonne they gon;
And Owt they tooken the Ryhte weye
Atte the Castel gate ful pleynlye.
And whanne the Dewk to þe gate gan gon,
he Comanded the kepere Anon
that Open the gate scholde be,
his Meyne to Isswen with here Compene;
So that the dewk Isswed Anon Ryht,
and aftir, his Meyne with here Myht
al so sweftly as they Cowden gon,
And aftyr Nasciens wente Anon;
And Evere Vppon the dewk he sewede faste
with his Meyne In Ryht gret haste.
he Comanded the kepere Anon
that Open the gate scholde be,
his Meyne to Isswen with here Compene;
So that the dewk Isswed Anon Ryht,
and aftir, his Meyne with here Myht
al so sweftly as they Cowden gon,
And aftyr Nasciens wente Anon;
And Evere Vppon the dewk he sewede faste
with his Meyne In Ryht gret haste.
And whanne they weren Owt I-gon,
they prekyd here hors thanne Everichon
Al so faste As they myhten Renne,
On goddis Enemyes wolde they not blynne;
And so sodeynly On hem they gonne gon,
For of hem kepe token they non,
for þat they weren Abowtes loggeng,
And token kep Of non Oþer thyng;
for they supposeden Certeinly
þat they wolden not han Isswed so sodeynly.
they prekyd here hors thanne Everichon
Al so faste As they myhten Renne,
On goddis Enemyes wolde they not blynne;
And so sodeynly On hem they gonne gon,
For of hem kepe token they non,
for þat they weren Abowtes loggeng,
And token kep Of non Oþer thyng;
for they supposeden Certeinly
þat they wolden not han Isswed so sodeynly.
thanne On hem sodeynly they Come,
and beeten & slowen Manyone,
so that with-Inne A lytel space
two hundred weren slayn In þat place;
And the toþere knyhtes þat after hem gonne gon,
they gonnen so wel to fyhten Anon
that Manye they slowen Of Northhumberlond,
as this storye doth vs to vndirstond.
thanne be-gan the Styr Anon,
and thorwh Al the Ost it gan to gon,
what Of dede Men and wounded boþe
the Noyse was wonderfully forsothe.
and beeten & slowen Manyone,
so that with-Inne A lytel space
two hundred weren slayn In þat place;
And the toþere knyhtes þat after hem gonne gon,
they gonnen so wel to fyhten Anon
that Manye they slowen Of Northhumberlond,
as this storye doth vs to vndirstond.
thanne be-gan the Styr Anon,
and thorwh Al the Ost it gan to gon,
163
the Noyse was wonderfully forsothe.
thanne whanne this Cry they herden Echon,
To here Armure they Ronnen anon;
and the kyng hym selve with-Owten lak
Caste An hawberk vppon his bak,
and his helm vppon his hed,
And hyede hym faste In to þat stede;
So dyden Alle tho that with him were;
For drede Of deth they Entred there.
To here Armure they Ronnen anon;
and the kyng hym selve with-Owten lak
Caste An hawberk vppon his bak,
and his helm vppon his hed,
And hyede hym faste In to þat stede;
So dyden Alle tho that with him were;
For drede Of deth they Entred there.
Thanne the kyng Al Redy was,
and Ek his Meyne In that plas;
“Seweth me, he seyde, Echon;
for On Owre Enemyes welen we gon.
And ȝif that I Mete dewk Gaanor,
Non Cristendom schal hym Saven thor
þat I ne schal slen hym þere Anon.”
and Ek his Meyne In that plas;
“Seweth me, he seyde, Echon;
for On Owre Enemyes welen we gon.
And ȝif that I Mete dewk Gaanor,
Non Cristendom schal hym Saven thor
þat I ne schal slen hym þere Anon.”
and so forth faste he gan to gon,
And Entred Into the Cristene pres,
& for non Man Nolde he not Ses.
Ful grete strokes gan he ȝeven there,
with Al his Myht and his powere;
So paste the kyng with his strenkthe
Into the bataylle In brede & lengthe;
There As he Sawh thikkest pres,
thedyr he wente with-Owten les;
And beheld to-fore hym there
how Nasciens hym bar, and In what Manere,
and sweche socoures As he there Made,
where-Offen gret Merveille this kyng hade.
So that Nasciens On bothe sides fawht he,
that þe peple fledde that hym gonnen se;
for In what place that Nasciens gan gon
Among tho paynemes Many On,
that he Ne Rod thorwgh hem ful bolde,
whethir the paynemis wolde Oþer Nolde;
And swiche Strokis ȝaf he there,
that they ne wisten whethir it were
thorwh his Owne Myht And strenkthe,
Owther be goddis grace In brede & lengthe;
For there ne was hawberk ne helm Non
that his swerd thorwgh bot In to the bon.
And swiche Merveilles there he wrowhte
that Eche Man Merveilled In his thowhte;
So that no man In al that Rowte
dorst hym Abyde, swich was here dowte.
And Entred Into the Cristene pres,
& for non Man Nolde he not Ses.
Ful grete strokes gan he ȝeven there,
with Al his Myht and his powere;
So paste the kyng with his strenkthe
Into the bataylle In brede & lengthe;
There As he Sawh thikkest pres,
thedyr he wente with-Owten les;
And beheld to-fore hym there
how Nasciens hym bar, and In what Manere,
and sweche socoures As he there Made,
where-Offen gret Merveille this kyng hade.
So that Nasciens On bothe sides fawht he,
that þe peple fledde that hym gonnen se;
for In what place that Nasciens gan gon
Among tho paynemes Many On,
that he Ne Rod thorwgh hem ful bolde,
whethir the paynemis wolde Oþer Nolde;
164
that they ne wisten whethir it were
thorwh his Owne Myht And strenkthe,
Owther be goddis grace In brede & lengthe;
For there ne was hawberk ne helm Non
that his swerd thorwgh bot In to the bon.
And swiche Merveilles there he wrowhte
that Eche Man Merveilled In his thowhte;
So that no man In al that Rowte
dorst hym Abyde, swich was here dowte.
And whanne the kyng Al this be-held,
that Nasciens So Ferde In that Feld,
he seide he was non Erthly Man,
but As A devel So fawht he than;
and Nasciens, that Every Renge he sowhte
In that bataille, and not Of hem Rowhte;
For he ne dredde for non Man,
were he Neuere so hardy than.
that Nasciens So Ferde In that Feld,
he seide he was non Erthly Man,
but As A devel So fawht he than;
and Nasciens, that Every Renge he sowhte
In that bataille, and not Of hem Rowhte;
For he ne dredde for non Man,
were he Neuere so hardy than.
thus Evere fyhteng vp & down he Rod,
So that No man there hym withstood;
And Atte laste he Mette with the kyng:
and whanne he knew hym be his Armeng,
And ok what harmes that he bar,
To him faste thanne Rod he thar.
So that No man there hym withstood;
And Atte laste he Mette with the kyng:
and whanne he knew hym be his Armeng,
And ok what harmes that he bar,
To him faste thanne Rod he thar.
Thus Nolde Sire Nasciens him refuse,
but faste towardis hym gan he to Muse,
And vppon hym sette his hors hed,
And towardis him prikyde In that sted.
thanne sone to hym Aproched he was,
And lefte vpe his swerd In that plas
For to han smeten therwith the kyng;
For In Nasciens Nas non Abydyng.
and whanne the kyng this beheld
That he so fawht In the feld,
and sawh his swerd Aboven his hed,
Anon he fledde In that sted
Also faste As he Myhte Ryde,
& Nasciens Aftir hym In that tyde;
So that his strok he ne Myhte restreyne,
but that his hors he smot so sore Certeyne
that his Chyne he smot In sonder.
the hors down fyl, it was non wondir,
and the kyng was þere sone Alyht,
& Sire Nasciens kythed On hym his Myht;
and vppon his helm he smot hym so
that On bothe knes the kyng fyl tho;
for non power he ne hadde to Ryse,
So nyghe was he to his Iwyse.
but faste towardis hym gan he to Muse,
And vppon hym sette his hors hed,
And towardis him prikyde In that sted.
thanne sone to hym Aproched he was,
And lefte vpe his swerd In that plas
For to han smeten therwith the kyng;
For In Nasciens Nas non Abydyng.
and whanne the kyng this beheld
That he so fawht In the feld,
and sawh his swerd Aboven his hed,
Anon he fledde In that sted
165
& Nasciens Aftir hym In that tyde;
So that his strok he ne Myhte restreyne,
but that his hors he smot so sore Certeyne
that his Chyne he smot In sonder.
the hors down fyl, it was non wondir,
and the kyng was þere sone Alyht,
& Sire Nasciens kythed On hym his Myht;
and vppon his helm he smot hym so
that On bothe knes the kyng fyl tho;
for non power he ne hadde to Ryse,
So nyghe was he to his Iwyse.
and whan Nasciens beheld Al this Cas,
that he there In Swowneng was,
he took the kyng be the helm Anon
Er he wolde Ony ferthere gon,
and took it Of Anon Of his hed,
So that Open he lay In that sted.
and whanne he hym Sawgh In this Manere,
and hym to slen In his powere,
ȝif he ne wolde Mercy Crye,
hym wolde he slen ful sekerlye.
“ȝelde the, sire kyng, ful Certeynle,
Other Ellis In feyth I schal the Sle
be the helpe Of Goddis Myht,
but þou the ȝelde Anon Ryht.”
“Sle me thanne, quod this kyng,
For I have levere with-Owten faillyng
A paynem To dien In this place,
thanne Cristene to be, and haue grace.”
that he there In Swowneng was,
he took the kyng be the helm Anon
Er he wolde Ony ferthere gon,
and took it Of Anon Of his hed,
So that Open he lay In that sted.
and whanne he hym Sawgh In this Manere,
and hym to slen In his powere,
ȝif he ne wolde Mercy Crye,
hym wolde he slen ful sekerlye.
“ȝelde the, sire kyng, ful Certeynle,
Other Ellis In feyth I schal the Sle
be the helpe Of Goddis Myht,
but þou the ȝelde Anon Ryht.”
“Sle me thanne, quod this kyng,
For I have levere with-Owten faillyng
A paynem To dien In this place,
thanne Cristene to be, and haue grace.”
Whanne Nasciens him herde thus tho seyn,
Anon his swerd he took Certein,
and smot Of there his hed,
Evene from the scholdres, In that sted.
And his hors Anon Aȝen he took
Mawgre his Enemyes, As seith the book;
and thanne began to fyhten ful sore,
Mochel hardere than he dide to fore:
thus that Bataille ne dide not blynne,
what of hem with-Owten & what Of hem with-Inne.
So that with-Inne A whille there
A thowsend Atte Erthe they were,
what dede & wounded In that plas,
As it there happed be goddis Gras.
ȝit Moche more peple there was
Of hem with-Owten In that plas;
Many mo thanne Of hem with-Inne,
but ȝit Of fyhteng wolden they not blynne.
Anon his swerd he took Certein,
and smot Of there his hed,
Evene from the scholdres, In that sted.
And his hors Anon Aȝen he took
Mawgre his Enemyes, As seith the book;
166
Mochel hardere than he dide to fore:
thus that Bataille ne dide not blynne,
what of hem with-Owten & what Of hem with-Inne.
So that with-Inne A whille there
A thowsend Atte Erthe they were,
what dede & wounded In that plas,
As it there happed be goddis Gras.
ȝit Moche more peple there was
Of hem with-Owten In that plas;
Many mo thanne Of hem with-Inne,
but ȝit Of fyhteng wolden they not blynne.
but al so sone As the kynges Meyne
Aspiden that here lord ded was he,
and that with-Owten Governour they were;
thanne sore Abasched weren they there,
And aftir that Owr hadden they non Myht
Forto defenden hem In that fyht;
but torned the bak thanne Everychon,
and towardis humbre they fledden Anon;
and Manye Of hem that fledden there,
Ful wel Iharneysed tho they were,
but they Of þe Castel Of Galafort thanne
Seweden Aftyr Every Manne,
So that At the wateris banke Anon
they were Confownded Everychon.
and þerfore ȝe Mown wel vndirstonde
Of so Merveillous A bataille In non londe,
but Only it were thorwh goddis Grace
that hem þerto graunted both Myht & space.
Aspiden that here lord ded was he,
and that with-Owten Governour they were;
thanne sore Abasched weren they there,
And aftir that Owr hadden they non Myht
Forto defenden hem In that fyht;
but torned the bak thanne Everychon,
and towardis humbre they fledden Anon;
and Manye Of hem that fledden there,
Ful wel Iharneysed tho they were,
but they Of þe Castel Of Galafort thanne
Seweden Aftyr Every Manne,
So that At the wateris banke Anon
they were Confownded Everychon.
and þerfore ȝe Mown wel vndirstonde
Of so Merveillous A bataille In non londe,
but Only it were thorwh goddis Grace
that hem þerto graunted both Myht & space.
Whanne here Enemyes so Ouercomen were,
Anon here loggen brenden they there,
And seiden pleynly Anon thenne,
that here good wolden they brenne;
for Of here good wolden they non,
but þere it brende Amonges hem Echon.
thus hadden the Cristene victorie
Of the Sarazines ful sekerlye,
In the Erthe Of grete bretaygne,
this I sey ȝow In Certeyne.
Anon here loggen brenden they there,
And seiden pleynly Anon thenne,
that here good wolden they brenne;
for Of here good wolden they non,
but þere it brende Amonges hem Echon.
167
Of the Sarazines ful sekerlye,
In the Erthe Of grete bretaygne,
this I sey ȝow In Certeyne.
thanne seide these Cristene Everichon,
that ‘be hem this bataille was Neuere don,
but Onliche, they wisten, be goddis Myht
that hem hadde sosteyned In here fyht.’
thanne was this a gret Afermeng
To here Creaunce with-Owten letteng;
Thanne knewen they wel ful verrayly
That He Was Lord God Al Myhty;
so that to God weren they ful Meke,
ful stedfast Of feith, and debonere Eke;
For the grete victore he hadde hem sent,
here thankynge they ȝoven to god verament.
that ‘be hem this bataille was Neuere don,
but Onliche, they wisten, be goddis Myht
that hem hadde sosteyned In here fyht.’
thanne was this a gret Afermeng
To here Creaunce with-Owten letteng;
Thanne knewen they wel ful verrayly
That He Was Lord God Al Myhty;
so that to God weren they ful Meke,
ful stedfast Of feith, and debonere Eke;
For the grete victore he hadde hem sent,
here thankynge they ȝoven to god verament.
Now leveth the storye here Anon Ryht
Of Alle these Meyne, I ȝow plyht,
And Torneth to Josephes now Ageyn,
as I schal ȝow declaren In Certeyn.
Of Alle these Meyne, I ȝow plyht,
And Torneth to Josephes now Ageyn,
as I schal ȝow declaren In Certeyn.
CHAPTER XLV. HOW JOSEPHES WAS IMPRISOND, AND HOW MORDREINS ARRIVD IN GREAT BRITAIN.
168
whanne Iosephes Owt of Galafort was gon,
and his Fadir with hym wente Anon,
and An hundred and fifty of his Meyne
wente forth with hym In Compene;
but forto kepen Ioseps wif,
lefte Nasciens Meyne with-owten stryf,
and Celidoynes, and of his kyn Oþer Also,
Ioseps wyf tenden vnto.
and his Fadir with hym wente Anon,
and An hundred and fifty of his Meyne
wente forth with hym In Compene;
but forto kepen Ioseps wif,
lefte Nasciens Meyne with-owten stryf,
and Celidoynes, and of his kyn Oþer Also,
Ioseps wyf tenden vnto.
Thus Iosephes from galafort wente,
and the holy disch with hym presente;
Thus wente he On Every partye
the peple to preche Seckerlye,
Tyl to North wales þat he was gon,
and his compenye Everychon:
whiche same tyme kyng was there
king Crwdelx, ful fel In Eche Manere,
and An vntrewe paynem Evere he was,
For In his persone was there non Gras.
and the holy disch with hym presente;
Thus wente he On Every partye
the peple to preche Seckerlye,
Tyl to North wales þat he was gon,
and his compenye Everychon:
whiche same tyme kyng was there
king Crwdelx, ful fel In Eche Manere,
169
For In his persone was there non Gras.
and whanne that he herde telle
that Into his lond weren Comen ful snelle
Meyne that weren not Of his lay,
but cristened they weren, they gonne hym say,
and with him browhten An holy vessel,
that ful of grace was Every del;
but the kyng let this for leseng there,
for he ne troweded In non Manere,
but Seide that ‘thevis that they were,
whiche Into his lond weren Entre[d] in fere;’
and comanded that Riht Anon
to-forn hym they scholden be browht Echon;
So that to Cowrt weren they browht Alle,
To forn the kyng Into his halle.
that Into his lond weren Comen ful snelle
Meyne that weren not Of his lay,
but cristened they weren, they gonne hym say,
and with him browhten An holy vessel,
that ful of grace was Every del;
but the kyng let this for leseng there,
for he ne troweded In non Manere,
but Seide that ‘thevis that they were,
whiche Into his lond weren Entre[d] in fere;’
and comanded that Riht Anon
to-forn hym they scholden be browht Echon;
So that to Cowrt weren they browht Alle,
To forn the kyng Into his halle.
Whanne the kyng this Compenye þere say,
To forn hym Comen In so powre Aray,
barefoted, and In pore Clothenge,—
and whanne hem he Sawh so Comenge,
“This peple, he seide ful Schortly,
Nis non thing Forto tellen by,”
but there hem Comanded to presown,
Iosephes and this Meyne Echon.
“And fowrty Dayes there sc[h]olden they be
with-owten Mete, Oþer drynk, ful Sekerle,
and that No Man scholde ben so hardy
In Al that tyme to Comen hem Ny;
For that I wolde gladliche knowe
ȝif they myhten leven Ony throwe,
and whethir here lord hem feden scholde,
Oȝer the vessel that they so holy it holde;
For In that place scholen they Abyde
Everych Owr In to that Tyde,
And thanne þe sothe schal I se,
ȝif Alle here Seyenges trewe be;
For, be the lord that I On beleve,
In this wise I schal hem preve,
For Other vyawnde geten they non,
but they it gete owt Of the harde ston.”
To forn hym Comen In so powre Aray,
barefoted, and In pore Clothenge,—
and whanne hem he Sawh so Comenge,
“This peple, he seide ful Schortly,
Nis non thing Forto tellen by,”
but there hem Comanded to presown,
Iosephes and this Meyne Echon.
“And fowrty Dayes there sc[h]olden they be
with-owten Mete, Oþer drynk, ful Sekerle,
and that No Man scholde ben so hardy
In Al that tyme to Comen hem Ny;
For that I wolde gladliche knowe
ȝif they myhten leven Ony throwe,
and whethir here lord hem feden scholde,
Oȝer the vessel that they so holy it holde;
For In that place scholen they Abyde
Everych Owr In to that Tyde,
And thanne þe sothe schal I se,
ȝif Alle here Seyenges trewe be;
170
In this wise I schal hem preve,
For Other vyawnde geten they non,
but they it gete owt Of the harde ston.”
Thus there Comaunded this fals paynem
Only forto distroyen hem,
And forto bryngen hem to paynem lay,
And to forsaken Crestene, ȝif þat he may;
but for non thing they Nolden it do,
For non thing he dyde hem to.
And the Ferste Nyht Anon
Iesus to hem sone gan gon,
and Comforted hem In Alle degre,
“and þat dismayed Nothing ȝe be;
For what thing that ȝoure herte wile Crave,
Axeth it Redelich, and ȝe scholen it have;
and, thowgh that ȝe Abyden here,
dismaye ȝow not In non Manere,
For with-Inne schort tyme I schal ȝow sende
socoure that hym schal brynge to ende,
and distroyen that fals hownd and Alle his
þat ȝow In prisown putte with-Owten Mys;
and alle that ȝow Tornementis do,
they scholen ben browht In sorwe & wo.”
In this Manere tolde hem the voys that Nyht,
Wherthorwh they weren boþe Ioyful & lyht;
and In more Ioye they weren Also
For the tydynges they herden tho.
Only forto distroyen hem,
And forto bryngen hem to paynem lay,
And to forsaken Crestene, ȝif þat he may;
but for non thing they Nolden it do,
For non thing he dyde hem to.
And the Ferste Nyht Anon
Iesus to hem sone gan gon,
and Comforted hem In Alle degre,
“and þat dismayed Nothing ȝe be;
For what thing that ȝoure herte wile Crave,
Axeth it Redelich, and ȝe scholen it have;
and, thowgh that ȝe Abyden here,
dismaye ȝow not In non Manere,
For with-Inne schort tyme I schal ȝow sende
socoure that hym schal brynge to ende,
and distroyen that fals hownd and Alle his
þat ȝow In prisown putte with-Owten Mys;
and alle that ȝow Tornementis do,
they scholen ben browht In sorwe & wo.”
In this Manere tolde hem the voys that Nyht,
Wherthorwh they weren boþe Ioyful & lyht;
and In more Ioye they weren Also
For the tydynges they herden tho.
That same Nyht kyng Mordrayn
In his bed At Sarras lay Certeyn,
bothe his wyf and he In fere,
And of Josephes and Nasciens spoken there,
And In here hertes hadden gret Merveillynge
that Of hem ne herden they non tydynge,
Nethir Of Celidoyne ne his Compenye,
where-Offen they Merveilleden trewelye.
For ful fayn wolde the kyng han knowe
how with hem It stood vppon A rowe,
In his bed At Sarras lay Certeyn,
bothe his wyf and he In fere,
And of Josephes and Nasciens spoken there,
And In here hertes hadden gret Merveillynge
that Of hem ne herden they non tydynge,
Nethir Of Celidoyne ne his Compenye,
where-Offen they Merveilleden trewelye.
171
how with hem It stood vppon A rowe,
thus sone On slepe there fyl the kyng;—
him thowhte he sawh to forn him Comeng
Oure lord ful Angwischous and Al to-Rent,
And al newe wowndid to his Entent,
And vppon the Crois Crwcyfyed Ageyn,
bothe hondis & fet I-naylled In Certeyn.
and whanne the kyng this gan beholde,
he wepte and Syhede Many folde,
“ha! lord, ho this thyng hath þow I-do?”
And he Answerid Anon Ryht tho,
“kyng Crwdelx, Of North gales kyng,
Me hath thus put to Crwcyfyeng;
forto hym it sufficeth no thing
Of my ferste Crwcyfyeng;
but newe he Crwcyfieth me Ageyn,
As thou myht Sen with thin Eyen pleyn.
Arys vp faste Anon now here,
And loke thine ArMure Every where,
And take thy wyf Onliche with the,
and Nasciens wif In thy Compene,
and the dowhter of kyng label,
whiche Maiden thow knowest ful wel,
and hyeth ȝow faste to the see,
And there I-scheped that ȝe be;
For Into Grete breteygne thou schalt go,
there to Avengen me vppon My fo,
On kyng Crwdelx, that me tormentyth sore.
Anon kyng Mordrayns Answerid thore,
‘that ryht gladliche he wolde it do
to Avengen his lord vppon his fo.’
him thowhte he sawh to forn him Comeng
Oure lord ful Angwischous and Al to-Rent,
And al newe wowndid to his Entent,
And vppon the Crois Crwcyfyed Ageyn,
bothe hondis & fet I-naylled In Certeyn.
and whanne the kyng this gan beholde,
he wepte and Syhede Many folde,
“ha! lord, ho this thyng hath þow I-do?”
And he Answerid Anon Ryht tho,
“kyng Crwdelx, Of North gales kyng,
Me hath thus put to Crwcyfyeng;
forto hym it sufficeth no thing
Of my ferste Crwcyfyeng;
but newe he Crwcyfieth me Ageyn,
As thou myht Sen with thin Eyen pleyn.
Arys vp faste Anon now here,
And loke thine ArMure Every where,
And take thy wyf Onliche with the,
and Nasciens wif In thy Compene,
and the dowhter of kyng label,
whiche Maiden thow knowest ful wel,
and hyeth ȝow faste to the see,
And there I-scheped that ȝe be;
For Into Grete breteygne thou schalt go,
there to Avengen me vppon My fo,
On kyng Crwdelx, that me tormentyth sore.
Anon kyng Mordrayns Answerid thore,
‘that ryht gladliche he wolde it do
to Avengen his lord vppon his fo.’
On the Morwen, whanne he vp Ros,
hastely to Chirche thanne he Gos,
As A man bothe Ioyful & Gladde
For þeke Aviciown I-sein he hadde;
there herde he Matynes & Masse bothe;
thanne Calde he to hym the provost forsothe,
And told hym his Avyciown
Alto-gederis, bothe hol & som.
thanne whanne he hadde seid Everidel,
Anon that provost Answerid ful wel,
“Sire,” he seide, Make ȝe non taryeng,
but faste Somowneth ȝoure Ost to gadering,
and that ȝe hyen ȝow In Alle wyse
to Avengen Crist of his Mal Eyse,
For it is the fairest demonstraunce
that Evere ȝow happed In Ony chaunce.”
hastely to Chirche thanne he Gos,
As A man bothe Ioyful & Gladde
For þeke Aviciown I-sein he hadde;
172
thanne Calde he to hym the provost forsothe,
And told hym his Avyciown
Alto-gederis, bothe hol & som.
thanne whanne he hadde seid Everidel,
Anon that provost Answerid ful wel,
“Sire,” he seide, Make ȝe non taryeng,
but faste Somowneth ȝoure Ost to gadering,
and that ȝe hyen ȝow In Alle wyse
to Avengen Crist of his Mal Eyse,
For it is the fairest demonstraunce
that Evere ȝow happed In Ony chaunce.”
the kyng ful wel beleved þe provost thenne,
& Aftyr Nasciens wif he sente be his Menne,
& Aftyr the dowhter Of kyng label,
which for a Maide he knew ful wel,
and aftyr al his Meyne both fer & Ny
That to hym Alle they Comen In hy,
Eche Man Arayed In his beste wyse,
with swich harneis As he cowde best devise;
and thus to hym they hyeden Anon
his Comandement forto don,
And to hym they comen In to Sarras,
To that Cyte As his wille was;
Eche Man In his beste Aray,
To-forn him they Mostred þere þat day.
& Aftyr Nasciens wif he sente be his Menne,
& Aftyr the dowhter Of kyng label,
which for a Maide he knew ful wel,
and aftyr al his Meyne both fer & Ny
That to hym Alle they Comen In hy,
Eche Man Arayed In his beste wyse,
with swich harneis As he cowde best devise;
and thus to hym they hyeden Anon
his Comandement forto don,
And to hym they comen In to Sarras,
To that Cyte As his wille was;
Eche Man In his beste Aray,
To-forn him they Mostred þere þat day.
and whanne Nasciens wif þedir was gon,
the kyng here took In Cownseyl Anon,
And hire there tolde In Confesciown
Al the hol Mater Of his Aviciown,
“Wherefore that I knowe ful wel
that it is Goddis wyl Everydel
that ȝe with vs thedir scholen go,
and kyng labelis dowhter with vs Also,
and Also My wyf the qweene;
So þat Al my lond I shal leven bedene
To Aganore that ful trewe knyht,
It forto kepen with Al his Myht.
And ȝif that Neuere we comen Ageyn,
Nothir we ne Owre Eyres In Certeyn,
thanne I wile that the lond his be,
As next of my kyn ful sekerle.
And ȝif we Retorne hider Ageyn,
Agen In pocesciown to ben ful pleyn,
And as fre owre owne, the sothe to say,
lyk as it now is this same day.”
the kyng here took In Cownseyl Anon,
And hire there tolde In Confesciown
Al the hol Mater Of his Aviciown,
“Wherefore that I knowe ful wel
that it is Goddis wyl Everydel
that ȝe with vs thedir scholen go,
and kyng labelis dowhter with vs Also,
and Also My wyf the qweene;
So þat Al my lond I shal leven bedene
173
It forto kepen with Al his Myht.
And ȝif that Neuere we comen Ageyn,
Nothir we ne Owre Eyres In Certeyn,
thanne I wile that the lond his be,
As next of my kyn ful sekerle.
And ȝif we Retorne hider Ageyn,
Agen In pocesciown to ben ful pleyn,
And as fre owre owne, the sothe to say,
lyk as it now is this same day.”
And Evene as the Kyng had I-seyd tho,
his comandement he hyhte be do,
And sente Anon Aftyr his peple there
that behinde hym scholde leven In Ony Manere,
‘That they scholden Alle To Aganore
Ful sewrte and feith to Maken thore,
and hym to holden As for here lord.’
Thus made he hem Alle ensuren At on word,
“and ȝif it happede In Ony degre
That this Aganore dissesid be,
Oþer while Riden for to Osteye,
that ȝe hym helpe be Ony weye,
As ȝe wolden don ȝowre lige lord,
And þat ȝe ben Alle Of this Acord.
Fortheremore, ȝif that I deye,
Oþer Retornen neuere Aȝen Otterlye,
thanne wyle I that ȝe Crownen kyng
Sire Aganore, Ouer Alle thing;
of my lond & my Contre
I wile þat Aganore after me Kyng be;
for I knowe not In Al this lond,
As far As I can vndirstond,
Non man so worthy A Kyng to be
As Aganore is In Al degre.”
thus Maden they Surawnce Everichon,
as Manye as to-fore Mordreyn gonnen gon.
his comandement he hyhte be do,
And sente Anon Aftyr his peple there
that behinde hym scholde leven In Ony Manere,
‘That they scholden Alle To Aganore
Ful sewrte and feith to Maken thore,
and hym to holden As for here lord.’
Thus made he hem Alle ensuren At on word,
“and ȝif it happede In Ony degre
That this Aganore dissesid be,
Oþer while Riden for to Osteye,
that ȝe hym helpe be Ony weye,
As ȝe wolden don ȝowre lige lord,
And þat ȝe ben Alle Of this Acord.
Fortheremore, ȝif that I deye,
Oþer Retornen neuere Aȝen Otterlye,
thanne wyle I that ȝe Crownen kyng
Sire Aganore, Ouer Alle thing;
of my lond & my Contre
I wile þat Aganore after me Kyng be;
for I knowe not In Al this lond,
As far As I can vndirstond,
Non man so worthy A Kyng to be
As Aganore is In Al degre.”
thus Maden they Surawnce Everichon,
as Manye as to-fore Mordreyn gonnen gon.
174
Vppon the Morwen Aftyr Sewenge,
Eche Man to Sarras Cam to his Kynge;
And so thens departyd they sone,
& with hym thre hundred barowns Everichone,
with-Owten sqwyeris and oþer Meyne,
And with-Owten footmen ful sekerle.
Eche Man to Sarras Cam to his Kynge;
And so thens departyd they sone,
& with hym thre hundred barowns Everichone,
with-Owten sqwyeris and oþer Meyne,
And with-Owten footmen ful sekerle.
whanne that Owt Of þe Cyte weren they gon
king Mordreins and [his] feleschepe Echon,
and whanne that A myle he was past,
To Aganor he seide þere Anon in hast,
“ȝe behoven to tornen Ageyn,
For I have forȝeten In Certeyn
Princepaly my white Scheld,
of wheche I hadde nede In þe feld
whanne that I fawht with Tholome
Kyng Of Egipcyans, ful Sekerle.
For theke scheld In non Manere degre
I ne schal not leven behynden Me,
For Everyday that Scheld moste I se
In Remembraunce Of my victorye,
And of that hye Crwcyfyed kyng
that of myn Enemyes ȝaf me conqweryng.”
king Mordreins and [his] feleschepe Echon,
and whanne that A myle he was past,
To Aganor he seide þere Anon in hast,
“ȝe behoven to tornen Ageyn,
For I have forȝeten In Certeyn
Princepaly my white Scheld,
of wheche I hadde nede In þe feld
whanne that I fawht with Tholome
Kyng Of Egipcyans, ful Sekerle.
For theke scheld In non Manere degre
I ne schal not leven behynden Me,
For Everyday that Scheld moste I se
In Remembraunce Of my victorye,
And of that hye Crwcyfyed kyng
that of myn Enemyes ȝaf me conqweryng.”
Anon A sqwyer tornede Ageyn
For þe kynges scheld In Certeyn
that In his chombre þe kyng forgat.
the sqwyer forth Rod Anon with that,
And that scheld browhte to the kyng
with Owten Ony long taryeng.
So whanne the kyng the scheld þere say,
he Made bothe Mirthe, Ioye, and play,
And Into the schipe he dide it do
that hym Selve scholde In Go.
Also his qweene and Nasciens wyf,
and kyng labelis dowter, with-Owten stryf.
thanne of the peple was þere sore wepyng,
Gret lementaciown, and Mochel Morneng.
For þe kynges scheld In Certeyn
that In his chombre þe kyng forgat.
the sqwyer forth Rod Anon with that,
And that scheld browhte to the kyng
with Owten Ony long taryeng.
So whanne the kyng the scheld þere say,
he Made bothe Mirthe, Ioye, and play,
And Into the schipe he dide it do
that hym Selve scholde In Go.
Also his qweene and Nasciens wyf,
and kyng labelis dowter, with-Owten stryf.
thanne of the peple was þere sore wepyng,
Gret lementaciown, and Mochel Morneng.
175
whanne the kyng from his Meyne was gon,
and Entred the See there anon,
and the Seyl was vp I-drawe,
where-Offen his Meyne weren ful fawe,
and the Maister Marynere
Governaunce vppon hym took þere,
And putte Every Man to his degre,
In what Servise that they scholde be;
So that with-Inne A lytel space,
As God of his myht wolde graunten hem grace,
So fer they weren from the lond,
with-Inne A whille, as I vndirstond,
That Non Lond Ne Cowden they Aspye,
Nethyr Fer ne faste bye;
and whanne they weren A Middes the Se,
The Tempest A-Ros ful spetowsle,
So gret and therto so merveillous,
So dredful and Ek so boystous,
that Alle they wenden persched han be,
So boistows was the storm ful sekerle.
and Entred the See there anon,
and the Seyl was vp I-drawe,
where-Offen his Meyne weren ful fawe,
and the Maister Marynere
Governaunce vppon hym took þere,
And putte Every Man to his degre,
In what Servise that they scholde be;
So that with-Inne A lytel space,
As God of his myht wolde graunten hem grace,
So fer they weren from the lond,
with-Inne A whille, as I vndirstond,
That Non Lond Ne Cowden they Aspye,
Nethyr Fer ne faste bye;
and whanne they weren A Middes the Se,
The Tempest A-Ros ful spetowsle,
So gret and therto so merveillous,
So dredful and Ek so boystous,
that Alle they wenden persched han be,
So boistows was the storm ful sekerle.
The tempest was so fowl and strong
to the kyng and his peple Among,
that In sweche peryl Alle they were,
So that they wenden han persched there.
they Wepten, and sorweden, and Maden gret Cry,
and besowhten god of his Mercy,
and seiden “lord, and thi wille it be,
let vs not deyen here In this degre,
but Respite vs, lord, for thy Mercy,
that of Owre Misdedis Openly
we Axen the Mown Forȝevenesse
Of oure Gyltes & oure wrechednesse;
And Sese this tempest And this Torment
That we ben now Inne, lord, present,
and that we Mowen forth Savely gon
Thedyr As thou hast vs Ordeyned Echon.”
to the kyng and his peple Among,
that In sweche peryl Alle they were,
So that they wenden han persched there.
they Wepten, and sorweden, and Maden gret Cry,
and besowhten god of his Mercy,
and seiden “lord, and thi wille it be,
let vs not deyen here In this degre,
but Respite vs, lord, for thy Mercy,
that of Owre Misdedis Openly
we Axen the Mown Forȝevenesse
Of oure Gyltes & oure wrechednesse;
And Sese this tempest And this Torment
That we ben now Inne, lord, present,
and that we Mowen forth Savely gon
Thedyr As thou hast vs Ordeyned Echon.”
176
In the Mene whille they Maden here preyere
To God and to his Modyr So dere.
thanne Aperyd there A voys Anon,
that they it herden þere Everichon,
“voide the Enemy from ȝow In haste,
Owt of ȝowre Schipe that he were paste,
oþer Elles perschen scholen ȝe Alle,
Swich a Cas is ȝow befalle.”
To God and to his Modyr So dere.
thanne Aperyd there A voys Anon,
that they it herden þere Everichon,
“voide the Enemy from ȝow In haste,
Owt of ȝowre Schipe that he were paste,
oþer Elles perschen scholen ȝe Alle,
Swich a Cas is ȝow befalle.”
Whanne the kyng this vois so herde,
Anon As a Ferful Man he ferde,
and knew wel that the Enemy herberwed was
with-Innen his schipe, swich was his Gras;
but, for he Cowde not parceyven ho it were,
Anon holy water thanne took he there,
And Abowtes the Schipe he it Caste,
Over Al Abowtes in gret haste.
And As he wente Abowtes Castynge
the holy water for here vortherynge,
In a chambre he herde faste hym by
An hydows Noyse and A wondyrful Cry,
that wondirfully þere-Offen Abascht he was
Of the noyse he herde In that plas.
And thus sone they seyen there Anon
The Enemy Owt Of the Chambre gon
In liknesse of a damysele
that hadde Fetures Many & fele,
and A lyveng man with hire sche bar,
As hem thowhte that they Syen thare,
And Seyde, hereng there hem Alle,
“this Is Myn be lot I-falle,
And þerfore I take hym forth with Me
As Myn Owne servaunt ful sekerle.”
Anon As a Ferful Man he ferde,
and knew wel that the Enemy herberwed was
with-Innen his schipe, swich was his Gras;
but, for he Cowde not parceyven ho it were,
Anon holy water thanne took he there,
And Abowtes the Schipe he it Caste,
Over Al Abowtes in gret haste.
And As he wente Abowtes Castynge
the holy water for here vortherynge,
In a chambre he herde faste hym by
An hydows Noyse and A wondyrful Cry,
that wondirfully þere-Offen Abascht he was
Of the noyse he herde In that plas.
And thus sone they seyen there Anon
The Enemy Owt Of the Chambre gon
In liknesse of a damysele
that hadde Fetures Many & fele,
and A lyveng man with hire sche bar,
As hem thowhte that they Syen thare,
And Seyde, hereng there hem Alle,
“this Is Myn be lot I-falle,
And þerfore I take hym forth with Me
As Myn Owne servaunt ful sekerle.”
Thus sone weren they so fer I-past,
that the Syhte of hem hadden they lost;
Of wheche thing they weren Abascht Everichon,
that Of hem ne speken Cowde neuere On.
Thanne clepid the king A preest hastely,
An Old Man that was hym faste By,
And bad hym Entren the Chambre Anon,
Of wheche the Enemy was owt Gon;
“For I wot wel that the Enemy it was
That Isswed here owt of this plas.”
that the Syhte of hem hadden they lost;
Of wheche thing they weren Abascht Everichon,
that Of hem ne speken Cowde neuere On.
177
An Old Man that was hym faste By,
And bad hym Entren the Chambre Anon,
Of wheche the Enemy was owt Gon;
“For I wot wel that the Enemy it was
That Isswed here owt of this plas.”
Thanne the Goode Man took haliwater Anon,
and his stole, and gan forth to gon,
And Entred In to the Chambre there,
And the kyng him folwede ful Nere.
thanne there so stenkenge A savour was
that they ne Cowden Entren Into that plas
but ȝif here hertes scholden han to-broke,
so Mochel stench In that Chambre was loke.
thanne began this goodman there
holy water to Casten Every where,
but they ne fownden non Maner of thyng.
and his stole, and gan forth to gon,
And Entred In to the Chambre there,
And the kyng him folwede ful Nere.
thanne there so stenkenge A savour was
that they ne Cowden Entren Into that plas
but ȝif here hertes scholden han to-broke,
so Mochel stench In that Chambre was loke.
thanne began this goodman there
holy water to Casten Every where,
but they ne fownden non Maner of thyng.
thanne Axede Anon Mordrayns the kyng
Of hem that Abowte hym were,
“ȝif that Ony Man they lakkede þere,
Owther knyht Owthe sqwyere,
Owthe[r] Ony Oþer persone In Ony Manere.”
thanne Abowtes hem loked they Anon,
And þe Capteyn Of kome þanne was Agon.
thanne seide the kyng “ful Certeynle,
It is Ryht now grete Merveil to Me
but the Enemy hym haue forth bore
that with-Inne vs was herberwed to fore.”
Of hem that Abowte hym were,
“ȝif that Ony Man they lakkede þere,
Owther knyht Owthe sqwyere,
Owthe[r] Ony Oþer persone In Ony Manere.”
thanne Abowtes hem loked they Anon,
And þe Capteyn Of kome þanne was Agon.
thanne seide the kyng “ful Certeynle,
It is Ryht now grete Merveil to Me
but the Enemy hym haue forth bore
that with-Inne vs was herberwed to fore.”
Whiles they weren Of spekyng Of this Matere,
A lady to þe kyng Anon spak there:
“Sire, ful gret Merveil Mow ȝe have
Of þat holy Ermyt, So god me Save,
that ȝe hider browhte with ȝow,
how that so sore he slepith now,
that neuere ne waketh for non tempest
Of Al this storm, Mest ne lest.
And I wolde that to hym ȝe go
to weten how this tempest myhte be do;
For whanne this Enemy was Agon,
In Al the See tempest was there non.
A lady to þe kyng Anon spak there:
“Sire, ful gret Merveil Mow ȝe have
Of þat holy Ermyt, So god me Save,
that ȝe hider browhte with ȝow,
how that so sore he slepith now,
that neuere ne waketh for non tempest
Of Al this storm, Mest ne lest.
178
to weten how this tempest myhte be do;
For whanne this Enemy was Agon,
In Al the See tempest was there non.
thanne wente forth the kyng ful faste:
This Goodman he fond thanne Atte laste
Evere Slepenge In On degre,
and ful sore wepynge Euere lay he
as they he hadde ben ful wakynge,
So sore he wepte In his Slepynge.
This Goodman he fond thanne Atte laste
Evere Slepenge In On degre,
and ful sore wepynge Euere lay he
as they he hadde ben ful wakynge,
So sore he wepte In his Slepynge.
Whanne the kyng Sawh hym slepen so sore,
he Made A signe that Abowtes hym wore,
“Awaketh hym, he seide ful softely,
and by hym Abydeth stedfastly.”
and thus he seide In his wakyng,
“ha! thow Enemy, thow fowle thyng,
why hast thou here boren Away
Owt Of Oure schip A man this day?”
thanne Made he moche More Morneng
þanne Ony tyme to fore, and More wepyng;
and Evere Abod the kyng still there
to knowen Of this good Mannes Manere.
And so long þe kyng Abod In that plas
that þe goodman ful Awaked was,
and Nevertheles not for than
the water In his Eyen stille was than.
“Ha! sire!” quod he to the kyng thanne,
Why loketh On Me here so Many A Manne?”
“For sothe, sire,” quod the kyng Ageyn,
“We han ȝow beholden here In Certayn;
For ȝe han slept so stedfastly,
And we In torment, sorwe, and Cry:
and ȝit woken ȝe neuere for non thyng,
for tempest, sorwe, ne Cryeng;
and In ȝowre slepyng so gonnen ȝe speke
þat for sorwe we wenden Oure hertes to breke.”
he Made A signe that Abowtes hym wore,
“Awaketh hym, he seide ful softely,
and by hym Abydeth stedfastly.”
and thus he seide In his wakyng,
“ha! thow Enemy, thow fowle thyng,
why hast thou here boren Away
Owt Of Oure schip A man this day?”
thanne Made he moche More Morneng
þanne Ony tyme to fore, and More wepyng;
and Evere Abod the kyng still there
to knowen Of this good Mannes Manere.
And so long þe kyng Abod In that plas
that þe goodman ful Awaked was,
and Nevertheles not for than
the water In his Eyen stille was than.
“Ha! sire!” quod he to the kyng thanne,
Why loketh On Me here so Many A Manne?”
“For sothe, sire,” quod the kyng Ageyn,
“We han ȝow beholden here In Certayn;
For ȝe han slept so stedfastly,
And we In torment, sorwe, and Cry:
and ȝit woken ȝe neuere for non thyng,
for tempest, sorwe, ne Cryeng;
and In ȝowre slepyng so gonnen ȝe speke
þat for sorwe we wenden Oure hertes to breke.”
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Thanne seide this Good Man to the kyng,
“Certes, Sire, there-Offen is non Merveillyng;
For In My sleping, as I lay stylle,
I sawh a thing that liked me Ille.”
“What may that be,” quod the kyng.
“Sire, I schal ȝow say with-Owten taryeng.
“Certes, Sire, there-Offen is non Merveillyng;
For In My sleping, as I lay stylle,
I sawh a thing that liked me Ille.”
“What may that be,” quod the kyng.
“Sire, I schal ȝow say with-Owten taryeng.
“Sire, In Myn Slepyng here I say
On Of ȝowre knyhtes this Selve day,
wheche I trowe it be Of Come ȝoure Capteyn,
that Is ȝowre Castel In Certeyn.
and how there-Offen it is betyd,
ȝe scholen wel heren, and ȝe Abyd.
he lovede so sore the lady Nascien
hot paramours, As I say ȝow pleyn,
and Neuere his Wille Myhte he haue
For non thing that he Cowde Crave;
and Evere Abowtes here faste he lay,
but he ne myhte spreden be non way.
and whanne the Enemy gan this Aspye,
Towardis him faste Gan he to hye
In liknesse Of that lady Gent
wheche Flegentyne hyhte verament,
and seide ‘And thow wost becomen My Man,
thy wyl wold I fulfillen than;
what that Evere that thow wilt do,
ȝowre wille to haue whanne ȝe liken so.’
On Of ȝowre knyhtes this Selve day,
wheche I trowe it be Of Come ȝoure Capteyn,
that Is ȝowre Castel In Certeyn.
and how there-Offen it is betyd,
ȝe scholen wel heren, and ȝe Abyd.
he lovede so sore the lady Nascien
hot paramours, As I say ȝow pleyn,
and Neuere his Wille Myhte he haue
For non thing that he Cowde Crave;
and Evere Abowtes here faste he lay,
but he ne myhte spreden be non way.
and whanne the Enemy gan this Aspye,
Towardis him faste Gan he to hye
In liknesse Of that lady Gent
wheche Flegentyne hyhte verament,
and seide ‘And thow wost becomen My Man,
thy wyl wold I fulfillen than;
what that Evere that thow wilt do,
ȝowre wille to haue whanne ȝe liken so.’
“thanne he hire Man becam Anone,
and his saviour forsook thus sone;
and Sethen that tyme In-to this day
hath he ben hire Man verray,
Into this Owr Of Midday ful Ryht
that I thus here Slepte In ȝowre Syht.
So that it behappede now this Cas
That this Captein In his Chombre was:
thanne Aperede there to hym Anone
the Enemy In lyknesse Of hire thus sone,
whiche he wende hadde ben Nasciens wyf,
whom that he lovede with Alle his lyf;
and as thing On Erthe he lovede so sore,
Neþer Of Alle thyng he desired More
thanne with hire to don Folye;
and thus sone he gan to here Aplye,
And to hire he Ran with A ful gret ber,
and his Caytyve lecherie fulfilde ther,
where-thorwh this gret tempest sekerlye,
here-Offen it Cam, As ȝe sien with Eye.
and his saviour forsook thus sone;
and Sethen that tyme In-to this day
hath he ben hire Man verray,
Into this Owr Of Midday ful Ryht
that I thus here Slepte In ȝowre Syht.
So that it behappede now this Cas
That this Captein In his Chombre was:
thanne Aperede there to hym Anone
the Enemy In lyknesse Of hire thus sone,
180
whom that he lovede with Alle his lyf;
and as thing On Erthe he lovede so sore,
Neþer Of Alle thyng he desired More
thanne with hire to don Folye;
and thus sone he gan to here Aplye,
And to hire he Ran with A ful gret ber,
and his Caytyve lecherie fulfilde ther,
where-thorwh this gret tempest sekerlye,
here-Offen it Cam, As ȝe sien with Eye.
“Whanne this Caytyf thus hadde I-do,
Into hire Owne forme thanne torned sche hire tho,
and seide that she wolde him with hire bere
Evene As hire Owne Man whiche was there.
thanne so gret drede hadde this knyht,
whanne he be-held that fowle wyht,
That Nethir On God neþer On holichirche
he ne Cowde not thenken, ne non good wirche;
lo! thus Sore disceyved he was,
thorwh drede and sorwen In that plas.
So the Enemy hym there took vpe Anon
In hys Nekke, and with him gan gon
like As ȝe both herde and Sye;
So In My slepe dede I witterlye,
As it tho plesede the goode lord,
he it me schewed be his Owne Acord.
“And whanne I sawh the Enemy the knyht so bere,
thanne wepte I sore, As ȝe syen here,
And Into the tyme that I waked was
I ne hadde neuere Reste In this plas,
Ne ȝit ne have for sorwe and drede
whanne I say the Enemy the knyht so lede;
For In myn herte I sorwe ful sore
That the Devel thorwh sweche deseyt thore,
And thorwgh swich Misaventure,
boþe lost body & sowle, I the Enswre.
and this is the Cawse Certeynlye
that I slept here so stedfastlye
whiles that the tempest dured here,
thus Slept I In this Manere;
and thus hath the Enemy deceyved that knyht:
Wherefore, gracious lord, of thy Myht,
and it, Goode lord, thy wille it be,
So On his Sowle thow have pyte.”
Into hire Owne forme thanne torned sche hire tho,
and seide that she wolde him with hire bere
Evene As hire Owne Man whiche was there.
thanne so gret drede hadde this knyht,
whanne he be-held that fowle wyht,
That Nethir On God neþer On holichirche
he ne Cowde not thenken, ne non good wirche;
lo! thus Sore disceyved he was,
thorwh drede and sorwen In that plas.
So the Enemy hym there took vpe Anon
In hys Nekke, and with him gan gon
like As ȝe both herde and Sye;
So In My slepe dede I witterlye,
As it tho plesede the goode lord,
he it me schewed be his Owne Acord.
“And whanne I sawh the Enemy the knyht so bere,
thanne wepte I sore, As ȝe syen here,
And Into the tyme that I waked was
I ne hadde neuere Reste In this plas,
Ne ȝit ne have for sorwe and drede
whanne I say the Enemy the knyht so lede;
For In myn herte I sorwe ful sore
That the Devel thorwh sweche deseyt thore,
And thorwgh swich Misaventure,
boþe lost body & sowle, I the Enswre.
181
that I slept here so stedfastlye
whiles that the tempest dured here,
thus Slept I In this Manere;
and thus hath the Enemy deceyved that knyht:
Wherefore, gracious lord, of thy Myht,
and it, Goode lord, thy wille it be,
So On his Sowle thow have pyte.”
This Aventure Anon Abowten schewed was
To Nasciens wif, & Oþere In that plas
that thike tyme with-Inne þe schipe were,
the bettere from Synne to kepen hem þere
and bettere serven here Creatour,
and hym better worschepen & honour.
To Nasciens wif, & Oþere In that plas
that thike tyme with-Inne þe schipe were,
the bettere from Synne to kepen hem þere
and bettere serven here Creatour,
and hym better worschepen & honour.
thus the schipe In the se gan to go
On day & Oþer, bothe two & Fro
as the wynd it Gan to blowe,
tyl at the laste with-Inne A throwe
They Aryveden In gret breteyne
At the Castel Of Caleph In Certeyne,
whiche that Next to North gales was
Of Al that Rem In that plas.
On day & Oþer, bothe two & Fro
as the wynd it Gan to blowe,
tyl at the laste with-Inne A throwe
They Aryveden In gret breteyne
At the Castel Of Caleph In Certeyne,
whiche that Next to North gales was
Of Al that Rem In that plas.
whanne they weren Arevyn Echon,
here Osteyowrs they maden forth gon,
and Maden Redy here pavylowns,
here hors, here Armures, here Akatowns;
& whiles thus besy they weren In Certayne,
they lokeden Aȝens A Mowntaygne,
they syen where that Comen two knyhtes
On horsbak I-armed Evene Owt Ryhtes,
and hem fayllede non thing, I vndirstonde,
Sawf that non Glayves hadden they On honde.
and whanne they seyen the knyhtes Comen prikyng so sore,
Aȝens hem they dresseden Anon thore,
vppon here destreris forto Ride,
with tho knyhtes to Meten that tyde.
here Osteyowrs they maden forth gon,
and Maden Redy here pavylowns,
here hors, here Armures, here Akatowns;
& whiles thus besy they weren In Certayne,
they lokeden Aȝens A Mowntaygne,
they syen where that Comen two knyhtes
On horsbak I-armed Evene Owt Ryhtes,
and hem fayllede non thing, I vndirstonde,
Sawf that non Glayves hadden they On honde.
and whanne they seyen the knyhtes Comen prikyng so sore,
Aȝens hem they dresseden Anon thore,
vppon here destreris forto Ride,
with tho knyhtes to Meten that tyde.
182
thanne Axeden they the knyhtes Anon
‘what they weren, & whedir they wolde gon.’
“Sire,” quod these knyhtes, “Cristened we be.”
“Now, goode Sire, quod they, whennes be ȝe?”
thanne Answerid kyng Mordrayn,
“And we ben Cristened, Sire, In Certayn,
And In baptesme Cleped I was
kyng Mordrayn, kyng of Sarras.”
‘what they weren, & whedir they wolde gon.’
“Sire,” quod these knyhtes, “Cristened we be.”
“Now, goode Sire, quod they, whennes be ȝe?”
thanne Answerid kyng Mordrayn,
“And we ben Cristened, Sire, In Certayn,
And In baptesme Cleped I was
kyng Mordrayn, kyng of Sarras.”
Thanne Anon Adown they Alyhte,
bothe the kyng and Eke the knyhte,
and seiden, “Sire kyng, welcomen ȝe be
Ful sekerly Into this Contre;
For In Many A place we ȝow han sowht
ȝif we myhte happen to sen ȝow owht.”
Anon the kyng seide to hem Ageyn,
“Now, leve Sires, whens Comen ȝe pleyn?”
“Sire Nasciens knyhtes forsothe we be,
that hider Comen to Meten with the.”
“Me forto Meten?” quod the kyng thanne,
“how was there war Offen Ony Manne?”
“Sikerly, sire kyng, quod the knyhtes tho,
here-Offen wisten we longes A-go;
For it is past Sixe dayes In Certeyn
Sethen my lord told vs ful pleyn,
that this day, Oþer to Morwen with-Owten faille,
Into this same port scholde ȝe ful saylle.”
bothe the kyng and Eke the knyhte,
and seiden, “Sire kyng, welcomen ȝe be
Ful sekerly Into this Contre;
For In Many A place we ȝow han sowht
ȝif we myhte happen to sen ȝow owht.”
Anon the kyng seide to hem Ageyn,
“Now, leve Sires, whens Comen ȝe pleyn?”
“Sire Nasciens knyhtes forsothe we be,
that hider Comen to Meten with the.”
“Me forto Meten?” quod the kyng thanne,
“how was there war Offen Ony Manne?”
“Sikerly, sire kyng, quod the knyhtes tho,
here-Offen wisten we longes A-go;
For it is past Sixe dayes In Certeyn
Sethen my lord told vs ful pleyn,
that this day, Oþer to Morwen with-Owten faille,
Into this same port scholde ȝe ful saylle.”
thanne spak the kyng with milde speche,
“doth Of ȝoure helmes, I ȝow beseche.”
And whanne that here vesages weren Overt,
he knew hem Openly thanne Apert.
Thanne was the ton Clamacydes,—
Of wheche this storye Aforn doth Rehers,—
and the tothir knyht hyhte sir Naron,
whiche was bothe kyng and qwenes sone,
and therto A worthy knyht,
As Often hadde ben proved In fyht.
“doth Of ȝoure helmes, I ȝow beseche.”
And whanne that here vesages weren Overt,
he knew hem Openly thanne Apert.
Thanne was the ton Clamacydes,—
Of wheche this storye Aforn doth Rehers,—
and the tothir knyht hyhte sir Naron,
whiche was bothe kyng and qwenes sone,
and therto A worthy knyht,
As Often hadde ben proved In fyht.
183
Thanne dide the kyng Of his helm Anon,
And On fote with hem gan to gon,
For the grete Ioye that there was
Cowde non Man devysen In non plas.
And the kyng hem kyste ful Often sithe
whethir they wolde oþer nolde, he was so blythe;
and as gret Ioye Of hem Made trewely
As he hadde begeten them with his body.
And On fote with hem gan to gon,
For the grete Ioye that there was
Cowde non Man devysen In non plas.
And the kyng hem kyste ful Often sithe
whethir they wolde oþer nolde, he was so blythe;
and as gret Ioye Of hem Made trewely
As he hadde begeten them with his body.
Whanne the knyhtes þat at þe see side were,
behelden the Ioye that the kyng Made there
to hem that he with Mette so,
where-Offen Mochel they Merveillede tho,
that the knyhtes wenten forth bedene
to weten what this thing Scholde Mene.
and whanne Ech Oþer gan forto beholde,
thanne was þere Ioye ful Manyfolde,
Ful Mochel More thanne was be-fore.
behelden the Ioye that the kyng Made there
to hem that he with Mette so,
where-Offen Mochel they Merveillede tho,
that the knyhtes wenten forth bedene
to weten what this thing Scholde Mene.
and whanne Ech Oþer gan forto beholde,
thanne was þere Ioye ful Manyfolde,
Ful Mochel More thanne was be-fore.
but whanne Flegentyne herde tellen thore
that they weren hire lordis knyhtes,
thanne to hem sche Ran Anon Ryhtes,
and hem there kiste ful Often Sythe,
So glad sche was, so Ioyful and blythe,
that Neuere herte Of non womman
Of so Mochel Ioye Cowde tellen than.
thanne Axede sche aftir Celidoyne hire sone,
ȝif Owht they wiste where he was be-Come.
that they weren hire lordis knyhtes,
thanne to hem sche Ran Anon Ryhtes,
and hem there kiste ful Often Sythe,
So glad sche was, so Ioyful and blythe,
that Neuere herte Of non womman
Of so Mochel Ioye Cowde tellen than.
thanne Axede sche aftir Celidoyne hire sone,
ȝif Owht they wiste where he was be-Come.
“Certes, lady, they Seiden Ageyn,
ȝe scholen hem Sen ful sone Certeyn,
both ȝowre sone and Ek My lord,
Al heyl and qwert, At On word;
For he him Ordeyneth with his Compenye
hedirward as faste As he kan hye.
For he knew wel In ful Certeyn,
this day Oþer to Morwen to Meten ȝow pleyn:
and there-fore hens scholen ȝe not Gon
Til he ȝow here visite Everichon.”
ȝe scholen hem Sen ful sone Certeyn,
both ȝowre sone and Ek My lord,
Al heyl and qwert, At On word;
For he him Ordeyneth with his Compenye
hedirward as faste As he kan hye.
For he knew wel In ful Certeyn,
this day Oþer to Morwen to Meten ȝow pleyn:
and there-fore hens scholen ȝe not Gon
Til he ȝow here visite Everichon.”
184
Of wheche tydinges the king was glad,
And Anon his Ostoyours he bad
‘that his pavylouns Alle pyht they were
In a faire Medwe besides there,
Evene faste be the see side,
that sire Nasciens þere he myhte Abyde;
And Also that herberwed he myhte be,
Sire Nasciens and al his Compenye,
and with hym Dewk Gaanor
that with him thedir Cam thor.
And Anon diden the kynges Comandement
Alle his Meyne With good Entent:
For so ful of Ioye they weren sekerlye
So that for Ioye hem thowhte they flye.
And as they weren thus In werkyng,
They Syen where Nasciens was Comeng
Down of An hy Mowntaygne,
and with him a gret Compenye In Certaygne.
And Anon his Ostoyours he bad
‘that his pavylouns Alle pyht they were
In a faire Medwe besides there,
Evene faste be the see side,
that sire Nasciens þere he myhte Abyde;
And Also that herberwed he myhte be,
Sire Nasciens and al his Compenye,
and with hym Dewk Gaanor
that with him thedir Cam thor.
And Anon diden the kynges Comandement
Alle his Meyne With good Entent:
For so ful of Ioye they weren sekerlye
So that for Ioye hem thowhte they flye.
And as they weren thus In werkyng,
They Syen where Nasciens was Comeng
Down of An hy Mowntaygne,
and with him a gret Compenye In Certaygne.
Whanne the kyng that gan Aspye,
Anon he horsed hym ful sekerlye
And hise knyhtes Everichon,
& Faste Aȝens this Nasciens gonne they gon;
Al so faste As they myhten Ride,
Eche Man his hors prekede At that Tyde.
thanne to-gederis Gonnen they Mete,
and ful Often they kisten ful swete,
and wepten for Ioye bothe harde & sore
Alle the Compenye that there wore.
But of the teres and of the Wepyng
that the dewchesse Made Ouer Alle thyng
whanne hire lord & hire Child sche say,
for Ioye sche swowned ten sithes that day;
so Everichon wenden þat there was,
for Ioye sche wolde han deid In that plas:
ful gret Ioye was that Nyht
that þe kyng made of Nasciens, I plyht.
Anon he horsed hym ful sekerlye
And hise knyhtes Everichon,
& Faste Aȝens this Nasciens gonne they gon;
Al so faste As they myhten Ride,
Eche Man his hors prekede At that Tyde.
thanne to-gederis Gonnen they Mete,
and ful Often they kisten ful swete,
and wepten for Ioye bothe harde & sore
Alle the Compenye that there wore.
But of the teres and of the Wepyng
that the dewchesse Made Ouer Alle thyng
whanne hire lord & hire Child sche say,
for Ioye sche swowned ten sithes that day;
so Everichon wenden þat there was,
for Ioye sche wolde han deid In that plas:
ful gret Ioye was that Nyht
that þe kyng made of Nasciens, I plyht.
185
and whanne they hadden sowped Al In fere,
as to sweche Lordis belonged there,
thanne þe kyng Axed Of Nasciens Certeyne
how he fond his sone Celydoyngne.
and he told hym Al In fere
“how In the Castel Of Galafort he fond hym there
dispwteng Aȝens the Sarrasynes
Maistres Of the lawe, tho wethirwynes;
but how that he thedir tho Cam,
ȝit Enqwered he not Of non Man;
but with this dewk I hym fond,
As I do ȝow to vndirstond.”
as to sweche Lordis belonged there,
thanne þe kyng Axed Of Nasciens Certeyne
how he fond his sone Celydoyngne.
and he told hym Al In fere
“how In the Castel Of Galafort he fond hym there
dispwteng Aȝens the Sarrasynes
Maistres Of the lawe, tho wethirwynes;
but how that he thedir tho Cam,
ȝit Enqwered he not Of non Man;
but with this dewk I hym fond,
As I do ȝow to vndirstond.”
Thanne Axede the kyng Of Celidoyne Anon,
how Into that Contre he gan gon.
“I schal ȝow tellen, quod Celidoyne than,
how that I Cam to this good Man,
and ȝe welen lestene and herkene to Me,
and Ek Al ȝoure hole Compeyne.
how Into that Contre he gan gon.
“I schal ȝow tellen, quod Celidoyne than,
how that I Cam to this good Man,
and ȝe welen lestene and herkene to Me,
and Ek Al ȝoure hole Compeyne.
“Certeyn, from ȝow whanne I gan gon
Into that vessel to-forn ȝow Echon,
he tolde me that the same Nyht
Cristes peple Ouer the Se wente Ryht
drye vppon here feet As On the grownde,
As I telle ȝow this Ilke Stownde,
So paste I long thorwh the See,
day and Other, with-Owten Compene
Of Ony worldly Erthliche thyng
sauf A brid that browhte me my lyveng:
Every day Ones with-Owten les
that brid to Me so gan pres.
thus wente I forth bothe day & Nyht,
tyl it liked Oure lord Of his grete Myht
that at þe laste I Cam to Galafort,
and to that Castel I gan Resort;
but I hadde ferst longe ben In þe se
Aftir goddis wille, as it scholde be.
“Whanne þe schipe was Comen to the lond,
A man to me Anon there gan fond,
‘Go thou Owt Of this Schipe here;’
but I hym not knew In non Manere,
So that Owt Of þe schip I wente Anon,
his Comandement Only for to don;
and me thowhte he was A good Man,
For to-wardis the Castel wente he than.
and whanne to the Entre that he gan go,
Anon his fynger took he tho,
And vppon the ȝate A Cros he Made,
where-Offen gret Merveille thanne I hade;
for the Cros becam blod Red
vpon the ȝate In that sted.
thanne seide this Man to Me trewlye,
“wost þou what this doth signefye?”
“Nay, sire, forsothe, thanne quod I,
I knowe not þe Signefyaunce trewly.”
“thanne vndirstonde thou Ryht wel
that I have thus Markyd this Castel
Aftir the Signe Of holychirche,
For they with-Inne so scholen werche
Ferst of Ony In this Contre
holy chirche to worschepen In Eche degre.
And vndirstonde that this Cros here
Ne schal not faille In non Manere,
But hem Availlen It schal Algate
that it beholden, bothe Erly and late,
and therto ne scholen haven non sodeyn deth
that it doth worschepen, and be the gate geth;
and to the lord Of the Castel
he may ben Sure to faren ful wel.
Into that vessel to-forn ȝow Echon,
he tolde me that the same Nyht
Cristes peple Ouer the Se wente Ryht
drye vppon here feet As On the grownde,
As I telle ȝow this Ilke Stownde,
So paste I long thorwh the See,
day and Other, with-Owten Compene
Of Ony worldly Erthliche thyng
sauf A brid that browhte me my lyveng:
Every day Ones with-Owten les
that brid to Me so gan pres.
thus wente I forth bothe day & Nyht,
tyl it liked Oure lord Of his grete Myht
that at þe laste I Cam to Galafort,
and to that Castel I gan Resort;
but I hadde ferst longe ben In þe se
Aftir goddis wille, as it scholde be.
186
A man to me Anon there gan fond,
‘Go thou Owt Of this Schipe here;’
but I hym not knew In non Manere,
So that Owt Of þe schip I wente Anon,
his Comandement Only for to don;
and me thowhte he was A good Man,
For to-wardis the Castel wente he than.
and whanne to the Entre that he gan go,
Anon his fynger took he tho,
And vppon the ȝate A Cros he Made,
where-Offen gret Merveille thanne I hade;
for the Cros becam blod Red
vpon the ȝate In that sted.
thanne seide this Man to Me trewlye,
“wost þou what this doth signefye?”
“Nay, sire, forsothe, thanne quod I,
I knowe not þe Signefyaunce trewly.”
“thanne vndirstonde thou Ryht wel
that I have thus Markyd this Castel
Aftir the Signe Of holychirche,
For they with-Inne so scholen werche
Ferst of Ony In this Contre
holy chirche to worschepen In Eche degre.
And vndirstonde that this Cros here
Ne schal not faille In non Manere,
But hem Availlen It schal Algate
that it beholden, bothe Erly and late,
and therto ne scholen haven non sodeyn deth
that it doth worschepen, and be the gate geth;
and to the lord Of the Castel
he may ben Sure to faren ful wel.
“Thus the goode Man tolde Me
that Cros there Made ful Sekerle.
thanne be the hond he took me Anon,
and In At the ȝate he Made Me gon,
and browht Me Into the Castel fer with-Inne,
and tyl Into A gardyne I Cam, he wolde not blynne,
the wheche vndir the hyghe towr was;
and there A welle was In that plas,
whiche was ful delitable and fayr to se,
and swete and delicious In Alle degre;
And there fownden the dewk Gaanor,
In whom the Enemy hadde Entred thor
The same day In the Morwenynge,
and browht hym in gret temptynge,
and bereft hym Clene his Mynde,
to Maken hym don thyng that was vnkynde;
For his Eldest Sone there took he Anon,
And In that welle wolde han drenched hym son.
whanne the goode Man beheld Al this,
That so fowle wolde han don Amys,
he bereft the Child Owt Of his hond,
and blew In his Face, as I vndirstond.
thanne thus sone he Cam to his wyt Ageyn,
As I ȝow sey, Sires, now In Certeyn.
that Cros there Made ful Sekerle.
thanne be the hond he took me Anon,
and In At the ȝate he Made Me gon,
187
and tyl Into A gardyne I Cam, he wolde not blynne,
the wheche vndir the hyghe towr was;
and there A welle was In that plas,
whiche was ful delitable and fayr to se,
and swete and delicious In Alle degre;
And there fownden the dewk Gaanor,
In whom the Enemy hadde Entred thor
The same day In the Morwenynge,
and browht hym in gret temptynge,
and bereft hym Clene his Mynde,
to Maken hym don thyng that was vnkynde;
For his Eldest Sone there took he Anon,
And In that welle wolde han drenched hym son.
whanne the goode Man beheld Al this,
That so fowle wolde han don Amys,
he bereft the Child Owt Of his hond,
and blew In his Face, as I vndirstond.
thanne thus sone he Cam to his wyt Ageyn,
As I ȝow sey, Sires, now In Certeyn.
“thanne this Goodman Riht Anon,
Er he ferthere thens wolde he gon,
he spreynte that welle Alle abowte,
and the Child there-Inne wesch with-Owten dowte;
and whanne he hadde thanne thus I-do,
thanne þe Child In Clothes he lappede tho,
and seide to dewk Gaanor, “there,
behold this Child that thow sixt here
Is now browht Owt Of the develis servage
whiles he is A Child of ȝong Age,
For Cristendom he hath Resceyved here;
therfore I Charge the In Alle Manere,
that now from this day forward,
Of Celydoyne and hym thou take good Garde.
and troste the wel Now In Certeyn
that I wolde not leven the, Celydoyn,
but for to bryngen the Only in Creawnce,
And thy Creatour to knowe with-Owten Variaunce”
Er he ferthere thens wolde he gon,
he spreynte that welle Alle abowte,
and the Child there-Inne wesch with-Owten dowte;
and whanne he hadde thanne thus I-do,
thanne þe Child In Clothes he lappede tho,
and seide to dewk Gaanor, “there,
behold this Child that thow sixt here
Is now browht Owt Of the develis servage
whiles he is A Child of ȝong Age,
For Cristendom he hath Resceyved here;
therfore I Charge the In Alle Manere,
that now from this day forward,
Of Celydoyne and hym thou take good Garde.
and troste the wel Now In Certeyn
that I wolde not leven the, Celydoyn,
188
And thy Creatour to knowe with-Owten Variaunce”
“thus Cristened the Child þe good Man there,
And Me to Gaanor be-took Al in fere:
thus dide this Goode Man, with-Owten dowte,
that the Croys On the ȝate Mad with-Owte.
and sethen that tyme ȝit hiderto
he ne wolde Neyther Gon to ne fro
but ȝif he hadde Me In Compenye,
So mochel Evere Aftyr he gan In me Affye.
Thanne Everyday I gan hym Schewe
The poyntes Of beleve vppon A rewe,
and ful knowlechinge and verite
Of the Ryht beleve ful Sekerle,
and Of Cristendom Everydel
As I haue herd told be holy Gospel.
And Me to Gaanor be-took Al in fere:
thus dide this Goode Man, with-Owten dowte,
that the Croys On the ȝate Mad with-Owte.
and sethen that tyme ȝit hiderto
he ne wolde Neyther Gon to ne fro
but ȝif he hadde Me In Compenye,
So mochel Evere Aftyr he gan In me Affye.
Thanne Everyday I gan hym Schewe
The poyntes Of beleve vppon A rewe,
and ful knowlechinge and verite
Of the Ryht beleve ful Sekerle,
and Of Cristendom Everydel
As I haue herd told be holy Gospel.
“Thanne seide dewk Gaanor Anon to Me,
That In gret Ese scholde he Neuere be
Tyl he knewe the sothe verray
whiche were to holden the better lay,
whethir the Cristene lawe, Oþer Sarazine;
thus faste In his wittes he gan devyne.
Thanne Made he there A gret Semble
Of Alle the Maistres Of Sarrasene,
what they Cowden seyn to Cristen lawe,
Owther it depreven In Ony Sawe.
And Thus Maden We Manye Asemble
for that same Cause ful Sekerle;
and tyl it happed vppon A day
that theke dispetison ȝe Comen & say.
That In gret Ese scholde he Neuere be
Tyl he knewe the sothe verray
whiche were to holden the better lay,
whethir the Cristene lawe, Oþer Sarazine;
thus faste In his wittes he gan devyne.
Thanne Made he there A gret Semble
Of Alle the Maistres Of Sarrasene,
what they Cowden seyn to Cristen lawe,
Owther it depreven In Ony Sawe.
And Thus Maden We Manye Asemble
for that same Cause ful Sekerle;
and tyl it happed vppon A day
that theke dispetison ȝe Comen & say.
“Now haue I told yow Al my destene,
In what Manere it hath happed with me
Sethen the tyme I parted ȝow fro,
How that Into this castel I gan go.
Now telleth me, And it ȝow plese,
Of ȝoure Aventures & Of ȝoure Ese.”
In what Manere it hath happed with me
Sethen the tyme I parted ȝow fro,
How that Into this castel I gan go.
Now telleth me, And it ȝow plese,
Of ȝoure Aventures & Of ȝoure Ese.”
189
Thanne began the kyng to preye
To Sire Nasciens that he scholde seye
what Aventures that hym come to,
Sethen the tyme he wente hem fro.
“Sire, be ȝowre leve, quod Nasciens thanne,
I schal it Neuere tellen it to non Manne,
but ȝif it In Confesciown be;
sweche thinges ben Many þer-Offen sekerle;
but Of A Ieawnt I schal ȝow telle,
swich A Cas with hym Me beFelle,
Of wheche there ben In the Mowntayn
Thre Grete towris I-mad Certayn:
this, quod Nasciens, I kan wel telle,
Alle the Cas how it be-Felle;
This is the sothe as I ȝow say:
To Sire Nasciens that he scholde seye
what Aventures that hym come to,
Sethen the tyme he wente hem fro.
“Sire, be ȝowre leve, quod Nasciens thanne,
I schal it Neuere tellen it to non Manne,
but ȝif it In Confesciown be;
sweche thinges ben Many þer-Offen sekerle;
but Of A Ieawnt I schal ȝow telle,
swich A Cas with hym Me beFelle,
Of wheche there ben In the Mowntayn
Thre Grete towris I-mad Certayn:
this, quod Nasciens, I kan wel telle,
Alle the Cas how it be-Felle;
This is the sothe as I ȝow say:
“whanne from Belik I Rod the ferste day,
and to the Mowntayn whanne I was gon,
thanne with this Ieawnt I Mette Anon
that lay there and Abod his pray,
as it was his Custom Every day,
that from A port Cam Of the se,
weyfareng men to wayten sekerle;
and hem wolde he slen Anon,
Owther to his presown with him scholden gon.
and Anon As he me Sawh Comen there,
he me Gan to Assaillen In his Manere.
and to the Mowntayn whanne I was gon,
thanne with this Ieawnt I Mette Anon
that lay there and Abod his pray,
as it was his Custom Every day,
that from A port Cam Of the se,
weyfareng men to wayten sekerle;
and hem wolde he slen Anon,
Owther to his presown with him scholden gon.
and Anon As he me Sawh Comen there,
he me Gan to Assaillen In his Manere.
Thus lasted longe that ilke Melle
be-twene hym & Me full Sekerle,
tyl that I was so forfowhte
That non lengere stonden I Mowhte.
Thanne Cam Nabor, that was my knyht,
and fond me there So wery In fyht,
that me Cam forto seken there,
and Slowh the Ieaw[n]t In Esy Manere;
and aftyr wolde he me han Slayn,
For with him I wolde not tornen Agayn;
but Owre lord it Suffren Nolde,
that me there so slen he scholde;
but thorwh that grete lordis Myht,
he fyl ded at my feet Anon ryht.”
and After he tolde hym Everydel
Of the deth Of the lord of Tarabel,
how that with thondir I-slayn he was,
and how that ded he lay In that plas.
but of Alle his Othere aventure
he nolde not tellen, I ȝow Enswre,
For non thing they Cowden do,
tyl there-Offen that he knew Mo.
be-twene hym & Me full Sekerle,
tyl that I was so forfowhte
That non lengere stonden I Mowhte.
Thanne Cam Nabor, that was my knyht,
and fond me there So wery In fyht,
that me Cam forto seken there,
and Slowh the Ieaw[n]t In Esy Manere;
and aftyr wolde he me han Slayn,
For with him I wolde not tornen Agayn;
190
that me there so slen he scholde;
but thorwh that grete lordis Myht,
he fyl ded at my feet Anon ryht.”
and After he tolde hym Everydel
Of the deth Of the lord of Tarabel,
how that with thondir I-slayn he was,
and how that ded he lay In that plas.
but of Alle his Othere aventure
he nolde not tellen, I ȝow Enswre,
For non thing they Cowden do,
tyl there-Offen that he knew Mo.
CHAPTER XLVI. HOW MORDREINS DELIVERS JOSEPHES, IS STRUCK BLIND, AND TURNS HERMIT; AND HOW CELIDOYNE IS MARRIED.
191
Thus spoken they longe of this Matere,
and Gret Comfort to hem it was there
that hem god schewede so his Myht,
that departed weren Many A Nyht,
And so sodeynly to-Gederis I-Comen Alle,
Gret Ioye Amonges hem was be-falle.
and Gret Comfort to hem it was there
that hem god schewede so his Myht,
that departed weren Many A Nyht,
And so sodeynly to-Gederis I-Comen Alle,
Gret Ioye Amonges hem was be-falle.
Thanne Axede the kyng After Iosephes Anon,
Into what partyes that he was gon.
thanne ansswerede Nasciens to hym ful sone,
& seide, kyng Crwdelx hadde hem in preson done.
thanne answerid kyng Mordrayns Agayn,
that vppon him wolde he werren ful pleyn,
And distroyen bothe Rente And lond,
and Al that Evere he kepith In hond,
but ȝif he deliuere Owt Of preson
Iosephs and His Meyne Echon.”
and to this they Cordeden Alle,
what so Evere there-Offen myhte befalle.
Into what partyes that he was gon.
thanne ansswerede Nasciens to hym ful sone,
& seide, kyng Crwdelx hadde hem in preson done.
thanne answerid kyng Mordrayns Agayn,
that vppon him wolde he werren ful pleyn,
And distroyen bothe Rente And lond,
and Al that Evere he kepith In hond,
but ȝif he deliuere Owt Of preson
Iosephs and His Meyne Echon.”
and to this they Cordeden Alle,
what so Evere there-Offen myhte befalle.
vppon the Morwen, whanne it was day,
he Comanden his payylouns to ben taken Away,
And Comanded his Ost Anon
to Maken hem Redy Everichon;
and so Ryden they forth In Compenye
Tyl to Northgales Comen they Sekerlye.
he Comanden his payylouns to ben taken Away,
And Comanded his Ost Anon
to Maken hem Redy Everichon;
and so Ryden they forth In Compenye
Tyl to Northgales Comen they Sekerlye.
thanne sente he to kyng Crwdelx In haste,
‘that the Crestene he deliuerede faste,
wheche he kepte In his preson
with-Owten Skele Other Ony Reson;
and, but my biddyng he do, Certeyne
It schal hym Greven In Every veyne,
Other I schal hym putten In swich a place,
thens Owt to Comen schal he neuere han grace.”
‘that the Crestene he deliuerede faste,
wheche he kepte In his preson
with-Owten Skele Other Ony Reson;
and, but my biddyng he do, Certeyne
It schal hym Greven In Every veyne,
Other I schal hym putten In swich a place,
thens Owt to Comen schal he neuere han grace.”
192
whanne these Messengers forth weren gon,
and to kyng Crwdelx Comen thus son,
and tolden him Clene his Message,
which took he In pryde and In Rage,
‘and Nolde ryht nowht don for his sonde,
but Charged hym to gon Owt Of his londe.’
and to kyng Crwdelx Comen thus son,
and tolden him Clene his Message,
which took he In pryde and In Rage,
‘and Nolde ryht nowht don for his sonde,
but Charged hym to gon Owt Of his londe.’
whanne kyng Mordrayns here-Offen herde telle
that kyng Crwdelx was so fekel and felle,
Anon kyng Mordrayns gan to Owtraye,
and Al the Contre gan for to Afraye,
and brend bothe Castel and town,
& there dide he mochel distrocciown.
that kyng Crwdelx was so fekel and felle,
Anon kyng Mordrayns gan to Owtraye,
and Al the Contre gan for to Afraye,
and brend bothe Castel and town,
& there dide he mochel distrocciown.
whanne kyng Crwdelx herde Of this,
that kyng Mordrains dide so mochel Amys,
after Alle his peple thanne sente he þere
Into Alle Contres bothe fer & Nere,
that to hym they scholden Come faste
to the Cyte Of legwetone In haste.
and whanne thedir Assembled they were,
be Acomptes .v. thousend w[e]ren there,
what On horsbak and On foote,
as here kyng dide hem boote.
and On the Morwe atte Owr Of pryme
he him buskede forth betyme
vppon the Cristene forto Ryde,
So he hym Ordeynede At that tyde.
that kyng Mordrains dide so mochel Amys,
after Alle his peple thanne sente he þere
Into Alle Contres bothe fer & Nere,
that to hym they scholden Come faste
to the Cyte Of legwetone In haste.
and whanne thedir Assembled they were,
be Acomptes .v. thousend w[e]ren there,
what On horsbak and On foote,
as here kyng dide hem boote.
and On the Morwe atte Owr Of pryme
he him buskede forth betyme
vppon the Cristene forto Ryde,
So he hym Ordeynede At that tyde.
and whanne they weren Owt Of þe Cite
the Mowntawnce Of half here Iorne,
thanne Cam A paynem to þe kyng Anon,
“Siker vs behoveth Everychon
to vs forto taken Oure Armure,
and þat Every man In him self be sure.
Lo, behold the peple Of Cristiente,
how faste On vs the gynnen comen fle,
A thowsend On ward here Mown ȝe se,
Of Men wel harneyse[d] In Alle degre.”
the Mowntawnce Of half here Iorne,
thanne Cam A paynem to þe kyng Anon,
“Siker vs behoveth Everychon
to vs forto taken Oure Armure,
and þat Every man In him self be sure.
Lo, behold the peple Of Cristiente,
how faste On vs the gynnen comen fle,
A thowsend On ward here Mown ȝe se,
Of Men wel harneyse[d] In Alle degre.”
193
Whanne these tydynges to kyng Crwdelx Come,
It was past pryme to-wardis the None;
and anon he axede A paynem ful Certeinle
what peple there was Of Cristiente.
“ȝe, sire, trewly, quod the Messenger,
Of Cristene is Gret peple ther.”
anon the kyng to Armure wente,
and Ordeyned his batailles veramente,
and to Euerich Ordeyned A governour,
whiche him thowhte nedful In that stour.
and In the Ordeyneng Of his bataille,
the Cristene Of A Mowntayn discended sauns faille,
harneysed Clene In Alle degre:
this behelden the Paynemis sekerle,
and sire Nasciens here ledere was,
A worthy knyht, and ful of Gras.
It was past pryme to-wardis the None;
and anon he axede A paynem ful Certeinle
what peple there was Of Cristiente.
“ȝe, sire, trewly, quod the Messenger,
Of Cristene is Gret peple ther.”
anon the kyng to Armure wente,
and Ordeyned his batailles veramente,
and to Euerich Ordeyned A governour,
whiche him thowhte nedful In that stour.
and In the Ordeyneng Of his bataille,
the Cristene Of A Mowntayn discended sauns faille,
harneysed Clene In Alle degre:
this behelden the Paynemis sekerle,
and sire Nasciens here ledere was,
A worthy knyht, and ful of Gras.
whanne bothe batailles Asembled were,
Atte Erthe was feld Many paynem there,
And a gret Cry Anon there Was
Of bothe Ostes In that plas.
There A man Merveilles Of Armes Miht se,
Of sire Nasciens In Many degre,
And Also Of þe dewk Gaanor;
So Manie Merveilles wrowhten they thor,
that wondir it was forto se
Of tho two worthi knyhtes sikerle.
Atte Erthe was feld Many paynem there,
And a gret Cry Anon there Was
Of bothe Ostes In that plas.
There A man Merveilles Of Armes Miht se,
Of sire Nasciens In Many degre,
And Also Of þe dewk Gaanor;
So Manie Merveilles wrowhten they thor,
that wondir it was forto se
Of tho two worthi knyhtes sikerle.
Thus tho two Batailles I-sembled were,
as to-forn ȝe herden rehersen here:
there slowen they paynemis Manion,
that lyen there as dede As ston.
thanne Entrede In to bataille kyng Mordrayn,
with Many A knyht and Many A swayn;
and so On bothe Sides fawht he sore,
and tawht the Sarraȝines Of Cristene lore,
& swiche stowte strokes ȝaf he Abowte,
that Many paynem he Made to lowte.
as to-forn ȝe herden rehersen here:
there slowen they paynemis Manion,
that lyen there as dede As ston.
thanne Entrede In to bataille kyng Mordrayn,
with Many A knyht and Many A swayn;
and so On bothe Sides fawht he sore,
and tawht the Sarraȝines Of Cristene lore,
& swiche stowte strokes ȝaf he Abowte,
that Many paynem he Made to lowte.
194
thanne kyng Crwdelx beheld Al this,
hym thouhte that pley wente Al Amys;
thanne kyng Crwdelx gan hym to discrye,
And Comanded his Men Anon In hye,
“werre ȝe faste vppon this Man;
And that he ne skape ȝif ȝe kan,
but him ȝe sle, & saveth hym Me
that he not Askape In non degre.”
hym thouhte that pley wente Al Amys;
thanne kyng Crwdelx gan hym to discrye,
And Comanded his Men Anon In hye,
“werre ȝe faste vppon this Man;
And that he ne skape ȝif ȝe kan,
but him ȝe sle, & saveth hym Me
that he not Askape In non degre.”
Whanne they herden here lord sein so,
Aȝens kyng Mordrains Gonne they go,
and what with swerdes and with spere
they hunten kyng Mordrayns ful sore there,
and so Manye woundes On hym he bar,
that Merveylle was they ne hadde slayn him thar;
and Evere he defended him As A man
So Merveillously, that it was wondir than
that Evere Ony man Of his Age
Scholde haven half so moche Corage;
ȝit Sekerly slayn scholde he han be
Ne hadde dewk Gaanor ben Sekerle,
that thedir Cam be Aventure,
to Rescu goddis knyht, I the Ensure.
Aȝens kyng Mordrains Gonne they go,
and what with swerdes and with spere
they hunten kyng Mordrayns ful sore there,
and so Manye woundes On hym he bar,
that Merveylle was they ne hadde slayn him thar;
and Evere he defended him As A man
So Merveillously, that it was wondir than
that Evere Ony man Of his Age
Scholde haven half so moche Corage;
ȝit Sekerly slayn scholde he han be
Ne hadde dewk Gaanor ben Sekerle,
that thedir Cam be Aventure,
to Rescu goddis knyht, I the Ensure.
And whanne that he say kyng Mordrayn
On the Erthe liggen In Certeyn,
and vnder-nethen here hors feet,
Into that part he prekede Also skeet,
and his swerd On lefte he lyft vpe there,
& Mette with kyng Crwdelx In Evel Manere;
so he smot hym On his helm An hy,
and sore hym wowndid & bitterly,
that Owt Of his Sadel he fel ful son,
and Rescu hadde non oþer for hem Echon;
but Atte Grownde As A ded Man lay,
which was to hym A sory play.
On the Erthe liggen In Certeyn,
and vnder-nethen here hors feet,
Into that part he prekede Also skeet,
and his swerd On lefte he lyft vpe there,
& Mette with kyng Crwdelx In Evel Manere;
so he smot hym On his helm An hy,
and sore hym wowndid & bitterly,
that Owt Of his Sadel he fel ful son,
and Rescu hadde non oþer for hem Echon;
but Atte Grownde As A ded Man lay,
which was to hym A sory play.
and whiles the dewk Gaanor fawht so,
Sire Nasciens In to that part gan go;
There As kyng Mordrayns was holden down,
Amonges hem he prekede As A fers lyown,
and disparpoilled that Meyne Anon.
Into that pres he gan forth gon,
and On bothe Sides leide On so faste,
that Made the fir owt of here Eyen breste.
Sire Nasciens In to that part gan go;
195
Amonges hem he prekede As A fers lyown,
and disparpoilled that Meyne Anon.
Into that pres he gan forth gon,
and On bothe Sides leide On so faste,
that Made the fir owt of here Eyen breste.
and whanne they of North gales gonne be-holde
that here Lord At the Erthe lay Colde,
and wownded Evene to the ded,
and Myht not Remwen owt of þat sted,
thanne dismayed weren they Everychon,
and to here hors they fledden Anon,
and homwardis gonnen to flen wel faste,
whanne Owt Of þat Ost they myhten breste.
that here Lord At the Erthe lay Colde,
and wownded Evene to the ded,
and Myht not Remwen owt of þat sted,
thanne dismayed weren they Everychon,
and to here hors they fledden Anon,
and homwardis gonnen to flen wel faste,
whanne Owt Of þat Ost they myhten breste.
And thus As ȝe han herd now here,
They of Northgales Scomfited were.
thanne whanne kyng Mordrains sawh hem fle,
Thanne Riht Anon Comanded he
That Of hem scholde Asckape not On,
but Into the Cyte After hem Gon,
and that with-Inne with hem ȝe be,
what so befalle In Ony degre.
They of Northgales Scomfited were.
thanne whanne kyng Mordrains sawh hem fle,
Thanne Riht Anon Comanded he
That Of hem scholde Asckape not On,
but Into the Cyte After hem Gon,
and that with-Inne with hem ȝe be,
what so befalle In Ony degre.
they fulfilden the kynges Comandement,
and aftir they preken verament,
Tel they Comen to that Cyte,
and In with hem Entrede Certeynle,
So that there Amyddes the stretes,
Of paynemis they Maden ful gret hepes,
that non Man non grownd ne myhte Sen there,
but Al keverid with blood Every where;
For there was so gret Mortalyte,
and Of paynemis ded so gret plente,
For so sore that day they fowhte,
that of miscreaunt ne paynem they ne Rowhte;
but long Er that it was Eve that day
Neþer paynem ne Miscreant þere lefte In fay,
but dede they weren Everychon,
That on lyve ne lefte not On.
and aftir they preken verament,
Tel they Comen to that Cyte,
and In with hem Entrede Certeynle,
So that there Amyddes the stretes,
Of paynemis they Maden ful gret hepes,
that non Man non grownd ne myhte Sen there,
but Al keverid with blood Every where;
For there was so gret Mortalyte,
and Of paynemis ded so gret plente,
For so sore that day they fowhte,
that of miscreaunt ne paynem they ne Rowhte;
but long Er that it was Eve that day
Neþer paynem ne Miscreant þere lefte In fay,
196
That on lyve ne lefte not On.
At Even whanne Mordrayns Cam to his Ostel,
his Meyne that he trosted ful wel
Seiden, “Of ȝoure Age was neuere Man non
that swiche Merveilles myhte werken As ȝe han don.”
thanne seide to hem the kyng agayn,
“It was neuere I, lordinges, In Certeyn;
For he that alle strengthes ben herberwed Inne,
Me hath deliuered from Paynemis Gynne;
and ȝif ȝe supposen it In Me trewelye,
Sekyr the thinken On me folye.”
thanne On-armed they hym Anon,
And On hym fownden wowndes Manion,
So that Abascht the weren ful sore;
So many woundes he hadde thore.
Thanne gonnen they Axen Of his Chere,
and how that he felte his herte there,
he seide that harm felte he Non
Of As Many woundes As hym weren vppon.
his Meyne that he trosted ful wel
Seiden, “Of ȝoure Age was neuere Man non
that swiche Merveilles myhte werken As ȝe han don.”
thanne seide to hem the kyng agayn,
“It was neuere I, lordinges, In Certeyn;
For he that alle strengthes ben herberwed Inne,
Me hath deliuered from Paynemis Gynne;
and ȝif ȝe supposen it In Me trewelye,
Sekyr the thinken On me folye.”
thanne On-armed they hym Anon,
And On hym fownden wowndes Manion,
So that Abascht the weren ful sore;
So many woundes he hadde thore.
Thanne gonnen they Axen Of his Chere,
and how that he felte his herte there,
he seide that harm felte he Non
Of As Many woundes As hym weren vppon.
Thanne took he Iosephs Owt of preson Anon,
and with hym his feleschepe Everychon.
whanne Iosephes was Comen to þe paleys,
Aȝens hym the kyng Ran & wolde not ses,
and for gret Ioye Often hym kyste,
for wel he loved him, and that he wyste.
thanne Iosephes Axede hym Anon
what Made him Into tho partyes gon,
and the kyng hym took On Syde
Fer from his Meyne At that tyde,
and tolde him Al his Aviciown
that be Nyht he hadde In Sarras town;
“this, Of My Cawse was the comenge,
I sey ȝow, Iosephes, with owten lesenge.”
“how is It thanne Of Crwdelx the kyng
that vs putte In to presowneng?”
“Sire,” quod kyng Mordrayns to hym Agayn,
“This day In bataille was he slayn;”
and told hym Of Al the victorye
That God hadde sent hem sekerlye.
thanne seide Iosephes to hym ful sone,
“Lo, Sire, how the goode lord kan done,
how goodly he schewet his powere
Amonges the Cristene that so fewe were,
Aȝens þe kyng of Northgales to han victore,
and he In bataylle to be slayn sekerlye.”
and with hym his feleschepe Everychon.
whanne Iosephes was Comen to þe paleys,
Aȝens hym the kyng Ran & wolde not ses,
and for gret Ioye Often hym kyste,
for wel he loved him, and that he wyste.
thanne Iosephes Axede hym Anon
what Made him Into tho partyes gon,
and the kyng hym took On Syde
Fer from his Meyne At that tyde,
and tolde him Al his Aviciown
that be Nyht he hadde In Sarras town;
“this, Of My Cawse was the comenge,
I sey ȝow, Iosephes, with owten lesenge.”
“how is It thanne Of Crwdelx the kyng
that vs putte In to presowneng?”
197
“This day In bataille was he slayn;”
and told hym Of Al the victorye
That God hadde sent hem sekerlye.
thanne seide Iosephes to hym ful sone,
“Lo, Sire, how the goode lord kan done,
how goodly he schewet his powere
Amonges the Cristene that so fewe were,
Aȝens þe kyng of Northgales to han victore,
and he In bataylle to be slayn sekerlye.”
that Nyht In the Cite weren Esed Everichon,
Alle the Cristene be On and be On;
And vppon the Morwen they Resen alle,
And on knes there gonne they falle
To-fore the table of Seynt Graal;
there Maden they here preyeris, boþe gret and smal,
And thankede Owre lord god of his Seignourie
Of that he hadde sent hem victorye,
And of the Conqwest of Northgales kyng:
thus to god maden they here thankyng.
Alle the Cristene be On and be On;
And vppon the Morwen they Resen alle,
And on knes there gonne they falle
To-fore the table of Seynt Graal;
there Maden they here preyeris, boþe gret and smal,
And thankede Owre lord god of his Seignourie
Of that he hadde sent hem victorye,
And of the Conqwest of Northgales kyng:
thus to god maden they here thankyng.
and Iosephes, that of the Cristene, Maister was,
him gan to Reversen In that plas,
and to-fore the holy vessel he wente
To sein his Masse there presente,
As he was wont with devocyown
with Manye an holy Orysown.
thanne kyng Mordrayns, þat longe desired hadde he
Apertly the Seint Gral forto se
þif it Ony wyse ben Myhte,
the Nerre he dressed hym to haven A syhte,
Nerrere than he scholde han do,
& Anon A vois Amongs hem cam tho
That Openly seide to the kyng,
“Go thou non ferthere for non thyng;”
but ȝit Cowde þere neuere tonge telle,
Ne herte Nethir thinken ne spelle,
the gladnesse and þe desir Sekerle
that blessed Seint Graal for to se;
So that he drow hym Ner and Ner,
whiche Sore him Aftyr for-thowhte ther;
and thus sone there discendid On
that his syhte benam hym Anon,
and Ek his power and his Myht Also,
that myht hadde he neyther to stonden ne go,
Ne Onnethis Ony membre to Meve;
lo, what he dyde his God to greve.
him gan to Reversen In that plas,
and to-fore the holy vessel he wente
To sein his Masse there presente,
As he was wont with devocyown
with Manye an holy Orysown.
thanne kyng Mordrayns, þat longe desired hadde he
Apertly the Seint Gral forto se
þif it Ony wyse ben Myhte,
the Nerre he dressed hym to haven A syhte,
Nerrere than he scholde han do,
& Anon A vois Amongs hem cam tho
That Openly seide to the kyng,
“Go thou non ferthere for non thyng;”
but ȝit Cowde þere neuere tonge telle,
Ne herte Nethir thinken ne spelle,
198
that blessed Seint Graal for to se;
So that he drow hym Ner and Ner,
whiche Sore him Aftyr for-thowhte ther;
and thus sone there discendid On
that his syhte benam hym Anon,
and Ek his power and his Myht Also,
that myht hadde he neyther to stonden ne go,
Ne Onnethis Ony membre to Meve;
lo, what he dyde his God to greve.
whanne he Sawh Oure lord Avenged so be
On hym for his trespas there Openle,
For he hadde broken his Comandement
A-forn Alle the peple; he seide present,
“A, Iesu Crist, ful swete lord,
thou hast me Schewed thorwh thy word
that A fool I am thorugh my trespas!
A, swete lord, I beseche the Of gras!
and, good lord, that thou hast me sent,
It pleseth me ful wel In myn Entent.
Now, worthy Iesus, lord of gret Renown,
that ȝe wolden graunten me for my Gerdown
For my symple and powre Servyse,
that I ne deye not In non wyse
Tyl that þe goode knyht of þe Nynthe degre
Of Sire Nasciens that I Myht se,
whiche þe Merveilles of Seint Graal schal do,
that I mowe sen hym to-foren me go,
that I myhte hym boþe Clippe & kisse,
And that were mochel of my worldly blisse.”
On hym for his trespas there Openle,
For he hadde broken his Comandement
A-forn Alle the peple; he seide present,
“A, Iesu Crist, ful swete lord,
thou hast me Schewed thorwh thy word
that A fool I am thorugh my trespas!
A, swete lord, I beseche the Of gras!
and, good lord, that thou hast me sent,
It pleseth me ful wel In myn Entent.
Now, worthy Iesus, lord of gret Renown,
that ȝe wolden graunten me for my Gerdown
For my symple and powre Servyse,
that I ne deye not In non wyse
Tyl that þe goode knyht of þe Nynthe degre
Of Sire Nasciens that I Myht se,
whiche þe Merveilles of Seint Graal schal do,
that I mowe sen hym to-foren me go,
that I myhte hym boþe Clippe & kisse,
And that were mochel of my worldly blisse.”
whanne the kyng hadde mad this preyere,
Anon A vois he gan there here,
And seide: “dismaye the not, sire kyng,
For God hath herd thin Askyng,
and thy wil fulfild schal be
Of þat thou desirest ful Sekerle.
For deyen schalt þou nowher here
Tyl that knyht to-foren the Apere;
and what tyme he Cometh to the,
thy sihte Aȝen schal ȝolden be
that thou schalt se ful Openly
Alle Manere Of thing ȝat is the by;
Ek thanne Of thy woundes heled schalt þou be,
and not to foren, sire kyng, Sekerle.”
thus the vois to hym seide there,
and him thus be-hyte In this Manere,
that theke knyht he scholde se
whiche that so moche desired he.
and as Only the vois there Mente,
It were foure persone veramente,
Of Iosephes and his fadir Iosephe,
Nasciens and Celidoyne An hepe.
Anon A vois he gan there here,
And seide: “dismaye the not, sire kyng,
For God hath herd thin Askyng,
and thy wil fulfild schal be
Of þat thou desirest ful Sekerle.
199
Tyl that knyht to-foren the Apere;
and what tyme he Cometh to the,
thy sihte Aȝen schal ȝolden be
that thou schalt se ful Openly
Alle Manere Of thing ȝat is the by;
Ek thanne Of thy woundes heled schalt þou be,
and not to foren, sire kyng, Sekerle.”
thus the vois to hym seide there,
and him thus be-hyte In this Manere,
that theke knyht he scholde se
whiche that so moche desired he.
and as Only the vois there Mente,
It were foure persone veramente,
Of Iosephes and his fadir Iosephe,
Nasciens and Celidoyne An hepe.
And whanne the servise Was Al I-do,
the holy vessel they worschepeden Alle tho;
and whanne they hadden so I-don,
To kyng Mordrayns they Comen Anon,
and axeden how it stood with hym
Of Alle hise woundis so sore & Grym.
thanne he Answerid hem Anon,
“Certes, he seide, my sihte is gon,
and Al my power Is me bereved
that Onnethe may I steren membre ne heved,
For þe grete Forfet that I haue do
sethen to this place that I gan go,
For that I desirede forto se
thing that nowht belonged to me,
therefore this veniawnce here sekerly
On me Oure lord hath taken Openly.
And I to ȝow here now make surawnce
that there nas neuere thing so mochel to my plesaunce
as that is now this sonde ful sikerle;
For now wel seker here may I be
that me Oure lord for his Child doth holde,
that Of My sinnes me Chastiseth Manyfolde.”
the holy vessel they worschepeden Alle tho;
and whanne they hadden so I-don,
To kyng Mordrayns they Comen Anon,
and axeden how it stood with hym
Of Alle hise woundis so sore & Grym.
thanne he Answerid hem Anon,
“Certes, he seide, my sihte is gon,
and Al my power Is me bereved
that Onnethe may I steren membre ne heved,
For þe grete Forfet that I haue do
sethen to this place that I gan go,
For that I desirede forto se
thing that nowht belonged to me,
therefore this veniawnce here sekerly
On me Oure lord hath taken Openly.
And I to ȝow here now make surawnce
that there nas neuere thing so mochel to my plesaunce
as that is now this sonde ful sikerle;
For now wel seker here may I be
200
that Of My sinnes me Chastiseth Manyfolde.”
Thanne Gonne they wepen Alle In fere
For the repentaunce the kyng hadde there;
thanne axeden they him what he wolde do.
he seide ‘that to Galafort thanne wolde he go,
For he wolde maken that Maryage
Of Celidoyne and þe Maiden Of high parage,
which was the kynges dowhter label,
An Onest Mayden, and I love hire wel;
for this is be Goddis Ordenance
that it thus scholde be with-Owten variaunce;’
and that liked hem Alle ful wel to do;
Thanne forth to galafort gonne they go.
For the repentaunce the kyng hadde there;
thanne axeden they him what he wolde do.
he seide ‘that to Galafort thanne wolde he go,
For he wolde maken that Maryage
Of Celidoyne and þe Maiden Of high parage,
which was the kynges dowhter label,
An Onest Mayden, and I love hire wel;
for this is be Goddis Ordenance
that it thus scholde be with-Owten variaunce;’
and that liked hem Alle ful wel to do;
Thanne forth to galafort gonne they go.
Anon whanne that Sarracynte the qwene
knew how it stod al be-dene,
Gret sorwe & deol þere gan sche Make
Anon Ryht for hyre lordis Sake,
and so diden al the Baronage
that Ouer weren Comen at þat passage;
For the kyng so hadde lost his syht,
and therto Of Alle his Membres the Myht;
so diden Nasciens & dewk Gaanore,
For his deseise wepten they ful sore.
and In Middes Of Al here Morneng
they browhten An hors to the kyng,
And An horsbak Setten hym there;
but power to sitten hadde he In non Maner.
and whanne the Barowns behelden this Syht,
that On horsbak to Sitten hadde he non Miht,
A lyter they maden there Anon
that the kyng mihte forth Inne gon,
and Evene thus In this Manere
the kyng to Galafort ladden they there.
knew how it stod al be-dene,
Gret sorwe & deol þere gan sche Make
Anon Ryht for hyre lordis Sake,
and so diden al the Baronage
that Ouer weren Comen at þat passage;
For the kyng so hadde lost his syht,
and therto Of Alle his Membres the Myht;
so diden Nasciens & dewk Gaanore,
For his deseise wepten they ful sore.
and In Middes Of Al here Morneng
they browhten An hors to the kyng,
And An horsbak Setten hym there;
but power to sitten hadde he In non Maner.
and whanne the Barowns behelden this Syht,
that On horsbak to Sitten hadde he non Miht,
A lyter they maden there Anon
that the kyng mihte forth Inne gon,
and Evene thus In this Manere
the kyng to Galafort ladden they there.
that Same day, Schortly to telle,
Celidoine to this maide was wedded ful snelle
whiche was the dowhter Of kyng label,
and ȝoven hem p[o]cesciowns Manye & fel,
and sesid hem Into North gales lond,
kyng of that Rem As I vndirstond;
So that .viij. dayes lasted this Mariage
Of tho two Children Of high parage,
and ful gret Ioye there was to se;
but not so mochel as there scholde han be
as ȝif the kyng hadde ben In hele;
Of Iustes ne pleyes nowher ny so fele.
Celidoine to this maide was wedded ful snelle
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and ȝoven hem p[o]cesciowns Manye & fel,
and sesid hem Into North gales lond,
kyng of that Rem As I vndirstond;
So that .viij. dayes lasted this Mariage
Of tho two Children Of high parage,
and ful gret Ioye there was to se;
but not so mochel as there scholde han be
as ȝif the kyng hadde ben In hele;
Of Iustes ne pleyes nowher ny so fele.
and whanne this Mariage An Ended was,
As there it happede thorwgh goddis gras,
whanne tyme Cam, As god it wolde,
an Eir they Engendreden bothe faire & bolde,
which A myhty man was In tyme Comenge,
and Of A foreyn lond he was Mad kynge,
and Aftyr his Graunt-fadyr to fore,
Nasciens was he Clepyd thore,
lik As be the devyn Schewenge
was browht to Nasciens In his slepynge,
lyk As he sawh In that wryt there
which was hym browht In preve Manere.
As there it happede thorwgh goddis gras,
whanne tyme Cam, As god it wolde,
an Eir they Engendreden bothe faire & bolde,
which A myhty man was In tyme Comenge,
and Of A foreyn lond he was Mad kynge,
and Aftyr his Graunt-fadyr to fore,
Nasciens was he Clepyd thore,
lik As be the devyn Schewenge
was browht to Nasciens In his slepynge,
lyk As he sawh In that wryt there
which was hym browht In preve Manere.
whanne this Maryage was Al I-do,
thanne seide kyng Mordrains to his barowns tho,
that non lengere with hem wolde he dwelle.
“what is thanne, Sire, to don, ȝowre wille?”
“that Schal I sein here riht Anon
to ȝow lordynges now Everychon;
and aftir Iosephes that ȝe sende
that me may Conseillen Into good Ende.”
thanne seide kyng Mordrains to his barowns tho,
that non lengere with hem wolde he dwelle.
“what is thanne, Sire, to don, ȝowre wille?”
“that Schal I sein here riht Anon
to ȝow lordynges now Everychon;
and aftir Iosephes that ȝe sende
that me may Conseillen Into good Ende.”
thanne to Iosephes gonne they gon,
& preiden hym to Come to þe kyng Anon;
and he forth Cam with-Owten taryenge
to weten the wyl Of Mordrains the kynge.
and whanne þe kyng hym herde there,
he him Axede In this Manere,
“Sire, of Cownsail I wolde ȝow pray
what is best to don In Ony way,
for I wolde that ȝe wolden Conseillen Me
Where I myht ben In place preve,
Awey from this peple here
that scholen ben trowbled In diuers Manere,
whiche that were gret Noysaunce to Me
Amonges hem thanne forto be,
for to me scholde it not elles do
but Angwisch, peyne, & Mochel wo.”
& preiden hym to Come to þe kyng Anon;
and he forth Cam with-Owten taryenge
to weten the wyl Of Mordrains the kynge.
and whanne þe kyng hym herde there,
he him Axede In this Manere,
202
what is best to don In Ony way,
for I wolde that ȝe wolden Conseillen Me
Where I myht ben In place preve,
Awey from this peple here
that scholen ben trowbled In diuers Manere,
whiche that were gret Noysaunce to Me
Amonges hem thanne forto be,
for to me scholde it not elles do
but Angwisch, peyne, & Mochel wo.”
“Sire, quod Iosephes to hym Ageyn,
Of this Cownseil I wele ȝeven ȝow fayn;
For besides in this forest here
An hermyt newliche is herberwed there,
which is A Man bothe holy and Able,
and with him to be, for ȝow it were Covenable.”
whanne the kyng this word herde,
ful joyfully thanne he ferde,
and to Iosephes seide thanne certeinle,
“Sire, my pastour, I wot wel ȝe be,
that my sowle schal defende from my fon;
Now, good Sire, lede me thedir Anon
where I may Enden my Servise
to my lord god, that high Iustice,
Is As mochel as that I may
with my tonge him serven from day to day;
For of Alle myn Othere myhtes and powere
ful clene hath he me berefte here.
lord, I-worschepid mot thou be
Of Al that Evere thou hast sent Me;
and whanne thy wille is, me to Restore
to myn Syhte As I hadde to fore.”
Of this Cownseil I wele ȝeven ȝow fayn;
For besides in this forest here
An hermyt newliche is herberwed there,
which is A Man bothe holy and Able,
and with him to be, for ȝow it were Covenable.”
whanne the kyng this word herde,
ful joyfully thanne he ferde,
and to Iosephes seide thanne certeinle,
“Sire, my pastour, I wot wel ȝe be,
that my sowle schal defende from my fon;
Now, good Sire, lede me thedir Anon
where I may Enden my Servise
to my lord god, that high Iustice,
Is As mochel as that I may
with my tonge him serven from day to day;
For of Alle myn Othere myhtes and powere
ful clene hath he me berefte here.
lord, I-worschepid mot thou be
Of Al that Evere thou hast sent Me;
and whanne thy wille is, me to Restore
to myn Syhte As I hadde to fore.”
Thus ful longe spak kyng Mordrayn
To Alle his barowns In Certein,
and took leve of dewk and knyht;
for on the Morwen he wolde forth Riht.
and to hem he seide Everichon,
“be me taketh Ensample Alle Anon,
that ȝe offenden not ȝowre Creatour
be day, ne be nyht, neþer In non Owr;
and ȝif ȝe don As I ȝow say,
than seker mown ȝe ben Everyday,
Into what partie where so ȝe gon,
ȝe scholen han victorye of ȝoure fon.
And ȝif In ony peryl that ȝe be,
he wele ȝow deliuere ful sekerle;
and as Of Sarracynte, my qweene & wyf,
which that I holde a ful good womman Of lyf,
I ȝow alle preie ful hertyle
that to hire good kep taken ye,
and hire to don worschepe In Alle Manere
As to ȝowre worldly lady here;
For therto ben ȝe bownden Echon
be the legaunce ȝe han me don.
and ȝe, sire Nasciens, my brothir dere,
that Of Alle othere to me most chere,
I ȝow herteliche now beseche
for my wyf, with mylde speche,
whiche that your Owne Soster Is,
that be non wyse sche fare Amys;
and þat ȝe loven hire wel & hertyly
As A good womman and a worthy;
and ȝif Evere ȝe lovede me,
so loveth hire In Alle degre;
and that ȝe welen kepen In worschepinge
My scheld, þe which I with me gan bringe;
wheche scheld, as ȝe wel knowe,
In bataille I bar ful Many A throwe,
and specyaly that ilke day
whanne Tholome we token In fay;
and loketh that this scheld ȝe kepen as trewly
as ȝoure herte with-Inne ȝoure body;
for ho so Evere In bataille it bere,
he schal have vittorie Every where;
and for this cause, brothir sire Nascien,
I ȝow it betake A-forn Alle Oþer men,
For ȝit In tyme Comeng scholen ȝe se,
Many myracles þerby wrowht scholen be.”
To Alle his barowns In Certein,
and took leve of dewk and knyht;
for on the Morwen he wolde forth Riht.
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“be me taketh Ensample Alle Anon,
that ȝe offenden not ȝowre Creatour
be day, ne be nyht, neþer In non Owr;
and ȝif ȝe don As I ȝow say,
than seker mown ȝe ben Everyday,
Into what partie where so ȝe gon,
ȝe scholen han victorye of ȝoure fon.
And ȝif In ony peryl that ȝe be,
he wele ȝow deliuere ful sekerle;
and as Of Sarracynte, my qweene & wyf,
which that I holde a ful good womman Of lyf,
I ȝow alle preie ful hertyle
that to hire good kep taken ye,
and hire to don worschepe In Alle Manere
As to ȝowre worldly lady here;
For therto ben ȝe bownden Echon
be the legaunce ȝe han me don.
and ȝe, sire Nasciens, my brothir dere,
that Of Alle othere to me most chere,
I ȝow herteliche now beseche
for my wyf, with mylde speche,
whiche that your Owne Soster Is,
that be non wyse sche fare Amys;
and þat ȝe loven hire wel & hertyly
As A good womman and a worthy;
and ȝif Evere ȝe lovede me,
so loveth hire In Alle degre;
and that ȝe welen kepen In worschepinge
My scheld, þe which I with me gan bringe;
wheche scheld, as ȝe wel knowe,
In bataille I bar ful Many A throwe,
and specyaly that ilke day
whanne Tholome we token In fay;
and loketh that this scheld ȝe kepen as trewly
as ȝoure herte with-Inne ȝoure body;
204
he schal have vittorie Every where;
and for this cause, brothir sire Nascien,
I ȝow it betake A-forn Alle Oþer men,
For ȝit In tyme Comeng scholen ȝe se,
Many myracles þerby wrowht scholen be.”
And In this Manere Mordrains the kyng,
his wif and his scheld betook In keping
To sire Nasciens, his brothir dere,
and remwed on þe Morwe, Alle In fere,
To the Ermytage, to that good man
of whiche that Iosephes to him spak than;
so that for love of kyng Mordrayn,
with-Inne schort whille þere In Certayn,
A fair Abbey I-mad there was,
and a ful gret, In that plas;
so I-fowndid was it there
with white Monkes in faire Manere;
For Often sethen Entrid was þe kyng,
thedir to him cam Many A lordyng,
and manye of his barowns Also,
with him to dwellen for Evere mo;
so that in theke Abbey dwellede stille þe kyng
Al so longe As he was blynd,
Tyl that Galas to forn was bore,
(Of wheche we spoken of here-to-fore,
whiche scholde comen of Nasciens lygne,
the Nynthe, as ȝe herden Of told to fore tyme,)
which that A worthy knyht scholde be,
& to þat Abbey Mordrains scholde comen to se;
and ek to visiten, as it seith here,
the story of Sank Ryal In this Manere;
and also as myn sire Robert of Borron,
Whiche that this storie Al & som
Owt Of the latyn In to the frensch torned he,
be holy chirches Comandement sekerle;
and as holy chirche Afermeth Also,
how longe king Mordrains lyvede þere tho,
Two hundred ȝer & More Aftir sire Nascien,
As this holy storye Reporteth then,
Tyl that Cam the Nynthe persone yn londe
Of Nasciens kynde, now ȝe vndirstonde,
of wheche that Galaaz was his Name,
a ful worthy knyht, And of gret fame.
his wif and his scheld betook In keping
To sire Nasciens, his brothir dere,
and remwed on þe Morwe, Alle In fere,
To the Ermytage, to that good man
of whiche that Iosephes to him spak than;
so that for love of kyng Mordrayn,
with-Inne schort whille þere In Certayn,
A fair Abbey I-mad there was,
and a ful gret, In that plas;
so I-fowndid was it there
with white Monkes in faire Manere;
For Often sethen Entrid was þe kyng,
thedir to him cam Many A lordyng,
and manye of his barowns Also,
with him to dwellen for Evere mo;
so that in theke Abbey dwellede stille þe kyng
Al so longe As he was blynd,
Tyl that Galas to forn was bore,
(Of wheche we spoken of here-to-fore,
whiche scholde comen of Nasciens lygne,
the Nynthe, as ȝe herden Of told to fore tyme,)
which that A worthy knyht scholde be,
& to þat Abbey Mordrains scholde comen to se;
and ek to visiten, as it seith here,
the story of Sank Ryal In this Manere;
and also as myn sire Robert of Borron,
Whiche that this storie Al & som
Owt Of the latyn In to the frensch torned he,
be holy chirches Comandement sekerle;
205
how longe king Mordrains lyvede þere tho,
Two hundred ȝer & More Aftir sire Nascien,
As this holy storye Reporteth then,
Tyl that Cam the Nynthe persone yn londe
Of Nasciens kynde, now ȝe vndirstonde,
of wheche that Galaaz was his Name,
a ful worthy knyht, And of gret fame.
Thus lefte the king In that Abbey,
And Nasciens In Galafort Sekerly
dwellyng with dewk Gaanor,
and mochel Cristene peple with hem thor,
bothen of dewkes and of Chevalrye,
and of worthy men a gret Compenye,
that weren ful Redy for to fyhten
For the love of Crist god Almyhten,
Aȝens the Miscreantz bataille to bede
where so they weren In Ony stede.
And Nasciens In Galafort Sekerly
dwellyng with dewk Gaanor,
and mochel Cristene peple with hem thor,
bothen of dewkes and of Chevalrye,
and of worthy men a gret Compenye,
that weren ful Redy for to fyhten
For the love of Crist god Almyhten,
Aȝens the Miscreantz bataille to bede
where so they weren In Ony stede.
CHAPTER XLVII. OF JOSEPHES IN CAMELOT, AND OF KING AGRESTES'S TREACHERY AND DEATH.
206
whanne Iosephes say þat Mordrains þe kyng
was I-browht to his dwellyng,
And Nasciens belefte with Gaanor
that Of Galafort was dewk thor,
than Iosephes departed thenne In hye,
and with him his Compenye
and Of his kynnes men Also,
Abowtes In the Contre forto go,
the holy Ewangelye forto preche,
and the peple, Of Christendom to teche.
anon from Galafort gonne they go
& at Nasciens and þe qwene here leve token tho,
and At Alle Othere knyhtes In fere.
was I-browht to his dwellyng,
And Nasciens belefte with Gaanor
that Of Galafort was dewk thor,
than Iosephes departed thenne In hye,
and with him his Compenye
and Of his kynnes men Also,
Abowtes In the Contre forto go,
the holy Ewangelye forto preche,
and the peple, Of Christendom to teche.
anon from Galafort gonne they go
& at Nasciens and þe qwene here leve token tho,
and At Alle Othere knyhtes In fere.
thanne forth here weye wenten they there
Into Manye A stronge Contre,
to prechen the peple ful certeinle.
thanne to a Cyte they comen, God wot,
which was tho Clepid kaAmalot;
and this the Richest Cite was
Of Alle breteygne In Ony plas,
and Ek it was of sweche bownte
that Alle kinges weren crowned þere Sekerle,
whiche that weren of paynem londe,
In þat Cite As I vndirstonde,
For it was more had In worschepinge
thanne ony oþer Cite with-owten lesynge.
Into Manye A stronge Contre,
to prechen the peple ful certeinle.
thanne to a Cyte they comen, God wot,
which was tho Clepid kaAmalot;
and this the Richest Cite was
Of Alle breteygne In Ony plas,
and Ek it was of sweche bownte
that Alle kinges weren crowned þere Sekerle,
whiche that weren of paynem londe,
In þat Cite As I vndirstonde,
For it was more had In worschepinge
thanne ony oþer Cite with-owten lesynge.
In wheche tyme whanne Cristene thedir come,—
Iosephes and his Compenye Alle & some,—
there was A lord, And Ek was he kyng,
the moste fers Man In this world levyng,
and his Riht Name was with-Owten les
properly there was he Clepid Agrestes;
and whanne Iosephes was Entred there,
& his Compenye with him Alle In fere,
ful faste gan he preche ful sekerlye
the Name & þe power of God Almyhtye.
And thike tyme Abowtes kamaAlot þere Nere
but Miscreawntes Every where,
That, so as Goddis wille it was,
thike day Convertyd was In þat plas
A thowsend & Fyfty Sarrazines
that to fore tyme weren wethir-wynes,
and Torned to the Cristene lay,
& forsoken Sarrazines for Evere & ay,
and Al here false Miscreaunce
that to fore they kepten with Mischaunce.
Iosephes and his Compenye Alle & some,—
207
the moste fers Man In this world levyng,
and his Riht Name was with-Owten les
properly there was he Clepid Agrestes;
and whanne Iosephes was Entred there,
& his Compenye with him Alle In fere,
ful faste gan he preche ful sekerlye
the Name & þe power of God Almyhtye.
And thike tyme Abowtes kamaAlot þere Nere
but Miscreawntes Every where,
That, so as Goddis wille it was,
thike day Convertyd was In þat plas
A thowsend & Fyfty Sarrazines
that to fore tyme weren wethir-wynes,
and Torned to the Cristene lay,
& forsoken Sarrazines for Evere & ay,
and Al here false Miscreaunce
that to fore they kepten with Mischaunce.
whanne that this kyng Agrestes
beheld his peple with so gret pres,
and that so Manye Convertyd were,
where-Offen ful Sorweful was he there;
þerfore so gret sorwe thanne took he,
that to Mannes herte non grettere myhte be,
For he was the falsest Creature
That In this world lyvede, I the Ensure.
Thanne thus bethowhte hym this fals kyng
of a fals tresown Anon be Coniectyng,
and thus to him self he gan to say,
“how may I best werken this ilke day?
For so mochel peple I-torned there Is
From my lawe now with-Owten Mys,
that I ne wot how to do,
so manye of hem ben now Ago;
For Of hem ben More than we,
therfore Cristened now wil I be
In semblaunce and In significaciown,
Cristened to ben be fals Assumylaciown.”
beheld his peple with so gret pres,
and that so Manye Convertyd were,
where-Offen ful Sorweful was he there;
þerfore so gret sorwe thanne took he,
that to Mannes herte non grettere myhte be,
For he was the falsest Creature
That In this world lyvede, I the Ensure.
Thanne thus bethowhte hym this fals kyng
of a fals tresown Anon be Coniectyng,
and thus to him self he gan to say,
“how may I best werken this ilke day?
For so mochel peple I-torned there Is
From my lawe now with-Owten Mys,
that I ne wot how to do,
so manye of hem ben now Ago;
For Of hem ben More than we,
therfore Cristened now wil I be
208
Cristened to ben be fals Assumylaciown.”
and whanne þat Iosephes thens was gon,
thanne supposide he sone Anon—
what be preyere and Manasynge—
his peple Aȝen to his lay to brynge,
& what for drede Of deth and veniaunce
to bringen hem to here ferste Creaunce.
thanne supposide he sone Anon—
what be preyere and Manasynge—
his peple Aȝen to his lay to brynge,
& what for drede Of deth and veniaunce
to bringen hem to here ferste Creaunce.
And thus On the Morwe I-crystened he was
Of Iosephes In that Same plas,
In distroction Of his Owne lif
To Endles peyne with-Owten stryf.
thanne ful glad was the peple tho,
For In goodnesse they wenden he hadde it do,
and wenden he had ben trewe Cristen Man;
but Al for falsnesse was It than,
and As A fals Crestene Aperid he there,
The peple to disceyven Everywhere,
For the devel was Closed In his herte
that from hym nolde neuere asterte,
and lette hym from Alle dedis goode,
& torned hym from God þat deyde On Roode;
So that the peple Cowde not Aspye
his Falsnesse nethir his trechorrye;
that ȝit so b'encheson Of the kyng Anon
thorwgh þe lond weren Cristened Everychon.
Of Iosephes In that Same plas,
In distroction Of his Owne lif
To Endles peyne with-Owten stryf.
thanne ful glad was the peple tho,
For In goodnesse they wenden he hadde it do,
and wenden he had ben trewe Cristen Man;
but Al for falsnesse was It than,
and As A fals Crestene Aperid he there,
The peple to disceyven Everywhere,
For the devel was Closed In his herte
that from hym nolde neuere asterte,
and lette hym from Alle dedis goode,
& torned hym from God þat deyde On Roode;
So that the peple Cowde not Aspye
his Falsnesse nethir his trechorrye;
that ȝit so b'encheson Of the kyng Anon
thorwgh þe lond weren Cristened Everychon.
thus Iosephes .viij. dayes Abod there
Til Al that Cite I-Cristened they were,
and Of his Cosynes he lefte there twelve:
So that thens he wente hym selve,
and Charged theke .xij. Alle In fere
the peple Of Cite to Enformen there,
and to techen hem In Swich degre
that In hem the devel non more Entren scholde he,
hem forto torne to here Olde lay:
thus bad he hem prechen Every day.
Til Al that Cite I-Cristened they were,
and Of his Cosynes he lefte there twelve:
So that thens he wente hym selve,
and Charged theke .xij. Alle In fere
the peple Of Cite to Enformen there,
and to techen hem In Swich degre
that In hem the devel non more Entren scholde he,
hem forto torne to here Olde lay:
thus bad he hem prechen Every day.
209
And whanne thens whanne he was gon,
Iosephes & his fadyr & his Meyne Echon
Into the partye of scotland Sekerlye;
thanne this Agrestes, ful of Envye,
vppon a fryday ful Sekerle
Sente Abowtes Al his Contre
For Alle the grettest of his lond,
that faste to hym scholden they fond.
For so mochel he knew Of hem Anon,
that fals Cristene weren they Everychon.
Iosephes & his fadyr & his Meyne Echon
Into the partye of scotland Sekerlye;
thanne this Agrestes, ful of Envye,
vppon a fryday ful Sekerle
Sente Abowtes Al his Contre
For Alle the grettest of his lond,
that faste to hym scholden they fond.
For so mochel he knew Of hem Anon,
that fals Cristene weren they Everychon.
thanne whanne they weren Comen with-Owten faille,
to hem he discurede his Cownsaille.
thanne was þere On that Landoyne hyhte,
A ful fals man, & Of gret Myhte,
And to hym thus seide this Agrestes
“ȝe mosten me helpen In My deses.”
“Sire, quod this Landoyne thanne,
þe knowen I am ȝoure Owne Manne,
þerfore to me seith what Evere ȝow liste,
For Onlych to me Mown ȝe Triste;
and, be It wisdom, Other be it folye,
I Schal It don, Sire, sekirlye.”
to hem he discurede his Cownsaille.
thanne was þere On that Landoyne hyhte,
A ful fals man, & Of gret Myhte,
And to hym thus seide this Agrestes
“ȝe mosten me helpen In My deses.”
“Sire, quod this Landoyne thanne,
þe knowen I am ȝoure Owne Manne,
þerfore to me seith what Evere ȝow liste,
For Onlych to me Mown ȝe Triste;
and, be It wisdom, Other be it folye,
I Schal It don, Sire, sekirlye.”
Thanne seyde the kyng to hym Ageyn,
“My purpos schal I tellen ȝow pleyn,
and what I thenke forto don
Of myne liges now Everichon,
Only to Maken hem tornen Ageyn
to Owre ferst lawe, Sire, In Certeyn.
for the lawe þat I have Resceyved nowe,
In manye partyes it doth me Rewe,
but I hate it More now Certeinly
thanne Ony Worldly thing trewely;
and for I se wel that it stont so
that my peple I may not Ouergo
with-Owten strenkthe Of myn baronye,
þerfore Aftir ȝow sente I In hye.
thus werken wile I ful previle,
And senden Aftir this Meyne
Into My Chambre be On And On,
thus prevyly Alle scholen they gon;
And there A Cros scholen we Make
Onlyche for the Cristene sake;
and wheche Of hem hit worschepe do,
be-twixen vs we scholen hem slo;
and tho that welen forsaken hyt,
Of here dethes scholen they gon qwyt.”
“My purpos schal I tellen ȝow pleyn,
and what I thenke forto don
Of myne liges now Everichon,
Only to Maken hem tornen Ageyn
to Owre ferst lawe, Sire, In Certeyn.
for the lawe þat I have Resceyved nowe,
In manye partyes it doth me Rewe,
but I hate it More now Certeinly
thanne Ony Worldly thing trewely;
and for I se wel that it stont so
that my peple I may not Ouergo
with-Owten strenkthe Of myn baronye,
þerfore Aftir ȝow sente I In hye.
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And senden Aftir this Meyne
Into My Chambre be On And On,
thus prevyly Alle scholen they gon;
And there A Cros scholen we Make
Onlyche for the Cristene sake;
and wheche Of hem hit worschepe do,
be-twixen vs we scholen hem slo;
and tho that welen forsaken hyt,
Of here dethes scholen they gon qwyt.”
herto Acordede landoyne Anon,
“Sire, ȝoure wille schal be don,
For I Acorde to ȝowre Cownsaille;
and, sire, I trowe it schal Availle.”
“Sire, ȝoure wille schal be don,
For I Acorde to ȝowre Cownsaille;
and, sire, I trowe it schal Availle.”
Anon they senten ful Certeinle
Aftyr the grete Men Of that Contre,
and thus, be here fals purposing,
tho that to hem not wolden ben Assentyng,
beheveded On Aftyr Anothir,
As wel the soster as the brother,
thus tyl Manye they hadden Ouergon
Of goddis peple ful gret won;
& Manye Oþere that weren but of tendre Age
Tooken Aȝen to here ferste homage,
for drede of deth, to here ferste miscre Aunce;
this was to hem A fowl Meschaunce.
Aftyr the grete Men Of that Contre,
and thus, be here fals purposing,
tho that to hem not wolden ben Assentyng,
beheveded On Aftyr Anothir,
As wel the soster as the brother,
thus tyl Manye they hadden Ouergon
Of goddis peple ful gret won;
& Manye Oþere that weren but of tendre Age
Tooken Aȝen to here ferste homage,
for drede of deth, to here ferste miscre Aunce;
this was to hem A fowl Meschaunce.
and whanne the kyng thus hadde Ido,
the xij goodemen thanne took he tho
which weren Of Iosephes kynrede,
and towardis þe deth he dyde hem lede,
and seide to hem pleynly Anon,
‘that ded scholden they ben Everychon;
but ȝif here Goddis worschepen they wolde,
distroyen he wolde hem bothe ȝonge and Olde.’
the xij goodemen thanne took he tho
which weren Of Iosephes kynrede,
and towardis þe deth he dyde hem lede,
and seide to hem pleynly Anon,
‘that ded scholden they ben Everychon;
but ȝif here Goddis worschepen they wolde,
distroyen he wolde hem bothe ȝonge and Olde.’
thanne they Answerid him Ageyn,
‘that wolden they neuere don In Certeyn;
for drede Of deth, neþer Of othir thing,
Neuere wolden they forsaken hevene kyng.’
and whanne the kyng herde here talkynge,
Anon with-Owten More taryenge
he dispoilede hem Everichon,
and hors Comanded to bryngen Anon,
and hem drowh thoruh that Cyte
atte hors Ars ful sekerle,
To A Cros that Josephes Ordeyned there
At the Entre of the Cyte In his Manere;
and took On Of hem þere Ryht Anon,
& to that Cros bond him thus son,
and with grete Malles Of Irne tho
Mochel sorwe he dyde hym do;
and so there beten hym vppon þe heved
that On þe Cros Al his Brayn beleved:
And thus I-Martered Alle xij they were
At thyke selve Cros Evene Ryht there.
So that It happede, With Here blood
and with here brayn that there stood,
the Cros Everowned was Abowte,
that it to be-holden it was gret dowte;
So that the Cros be-Cam Al Red
Of þe blood [þat] was sched In that sted.
‘that wolden they neuere don In Certeyn;
211
Neuere wolden they forsaken hevene kyng.’
and whanne the kyng herde here talkynge,
Anon with-Owten More taryenge
he dispoilede hem Everichon,
and hors Comanded to bryngen Anon,
and hem drowh thoruh that Cyte
atte hors Ars ful sekerle,
To A Cros that Josephes Ordeyned there
At the Entre of the Cyte In his Manere;
and took On Of hem þere Ryht Anon,
& to that Cros bond him thus son,
and with grete Malles Of Irne tho
Mochel sorwe he dyde hym do;
and so there beten hym vppon þe heved
that On þe Cros Al his Brayn beleved:
And thus I-Martered Alle xij they were
At thyke selve Cros Evene Ryht there.
So that It happede, With Here blood
and with here brayn that there stood,
the Cros Everowned was Abowte,
that it to be-holden it was gret dowte;
So that the Cros be-Cam Al Red
Of þe blood [þat] was sched In that sted.
thanne the kyng Agreed he was
Of the veniawnce In that plas.
thanne to the Cyte he Entred Agayn,
and Of tre he fond a Cros ful pleyn;
thanne Camanded (sic) he Ryht Anon
that Cros Awey forto be don,
and ben drawen thorwgh þat Cyte
bothe Openliche And Ek preve.
Of the veniawnce In that plas.
thanne to the Cyte he Entred Agayn,
and Of tre he fond a Cros ful pleyn;
thanne Camanded (sic) he Ryht Anon
that Cros Awey forto be don,
and ben drawen thorwgh þat Cyte
bothe Openliche And Ek preve.
and thus sone As this was don,
Owt Of his wyt he wente Anon,
And On his hondis he gan to frete,
and þere A ȝong Child gan he meete,
wheche same Child he strangelede Anon,
and Ek his Owne wyf there-Aftyr son;
Ek his Owne brothir he slowh Also.
thanne forth In the Cyte gan he to go
Cryeng and belwenge As A fend,
For that the Cristene he dide thus schend,
and Evene In Middes Of that Cyte,
In ful gret myschef þere deide he.
Owt Of his wyt he wente Anon,
And On his hondis he gan to frete,
and þere A ȝong Child gan he meete,
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and Ek his Owne wyf there-Aftyr son;
Ek his Owne brothir he slowh Also.
thanne forth In the Cyte gan he to go
Cryeng and belwenge As A fend,
For that the Cristene he dide thus schend,
and Evene In Middes Of that Cyte,
In ful gret myschef þere deide he.
Of this Manere Of deyenge
hadde þe peple gret Merveillynge,
and senten after Iosephes In gret haste,
‘that to hem he scholde hyen hym faste,
For Nede they hadden Of Cownsaille,
what thing þat myhte hem best Availle.’
hadde þe peple gret Merveillynge,
and senten after Iosephes In gret haste,
‘that to hem he scholde hyen hym faste,
For Nede they hadden Of Cownsaille,
what thing þat myhte hem best Availle.’
whanne Josephes here-Offen herde telle,
Faste þedirward hyede he hym snelle
with wepyng Of teres, And sorwe of herte,
with strong Angwisch, and sorwes smerte,
Alle xij Martires be berrede there
with hevy herte and hevy Chere,
To-forn the same Cros Al in fere
there As his Cosines I-Martired were.
and that same Cros Abod stille Red
Many wyntres Aftyr In that sted;
for there Crist so gret Miracles wrowhte
for theke Martires þat hevene so bowhte,
thike Cros chonged nevere the Colowr,
but Algates Red In Everich Owr,
In remembraunce Of the martires twelve
that suffrede deth for god hym selve;
and that was the Cause, I sey ȝow pleyn,
that þe Rede Cros was it Called In Certeyn;
and thus it dured Evere Mo
Tyl kyng Arthowr gan forth to go,
and that the Ende Of Sank Ryal
fulliche be Ended with gret and smal.
Faste þedirward hyede he hym snelle
with wepyng Of teres, And sorwe of herte,
with strong Angwisch, and sorwes smerte,
Alle xij Martires be berrede there
with hevy herte and hevy Chere,
To-forn the same Cros Al in fere
there As his Cosines I-Martired were.
and that same Cros Abod stille Red
Many wyntres Aftyr In that sted;
for there Crist so gret Miracles wrowhte
for theke Martires þat hevene so bowhte,
thike Cros chonged nevere the Colowr,
but Algates Red In Everich Owr,
In remembraunce Of the martires twelve
that suffrede deth for god hym selve;
and that was the Cause, I sey ȝow pleyn,
that þe Rede Cros was it Called In Certeyn;
and thus it dured Evere Mo
Tyl kyng Arthowr gan forth to go,
and that the Ende Of Sank Ryal
fulliche be Ended with gret and smal.
213
Whanne Iosephes had thus I-do,
and I-beryed the Martyres tho,
Anon he Ordeynede In Alle haste,
and Comaunded the Cristen Al so faste,
Alle the temples to breken Adown
that In þat Cyte weren In-virown,
and the ymages to breken Everichon
that þere weren Mad Of tre other ston;
and al that Evere belonged to paynem lawe,
Anon riht he dide hem down drawe;
And In Middis Of that Cyte there
A chirche Of seint stevene he dide Arere.
and I-beryed the Martyres tho,
Anon he Ordeynede In Alle haste,
and Comaunded the Cristen Al so faste,
Alle the temples to breken Adown
that In þat Cyte weren In-virown,
and the ymages to breken Everichon
that þere weren Mad Of tre other ston;
and al that Evere belonged to paynem lawe,
Anon riht he dide hem down drawe;
And In Middis Of that Cyte there
A chirche Of seint stevene he dide Arere.
and whanne the Chirche I-Rerid was,
and the peple I-stablisched In that plas,
and to Cristene lawe I-browht Agayn,
thanne wente he thens In Certayn.
and the peple I-stablisched In that plas,
and to Cristene lawe I-browht Agayn,
thanne wente he thens In Certayn.
CHAPTER XLVIII. OF MOYS'S PRESUMPTION AND ITS PUNISHMENT; AND OF BRONS AND HIS SONS, AND ALEYN THE GROS.
214
whanne Owt Of þat Contre he was gon,
and his Compenye with him Echon,
In to A place he Cam pleynly,
And On hyhte Bron wente hym by,
a good Man, & An holy lyvere,
algates with Iosephes wente þere.
So happede it vpon a Fryday
as to-gederis they wente be þe way,
and happede that theke day bothe In fere
at the table of seint Graal seten there,
but betwene hem two sekerly
was a gret spas left Openly,
the spas Of A Mannes sytteng
betwene hem with-Owten fayllyng;
and Amyddis the table was this spas,
where-Offen they merveilleden In þat plas.
and his Compenye with him Echon,
In to A place he Cam pleynly,
And On hyhte Bron wente hym by,
a good Man, & An holy lyvere,
algates with Iosephes wente þere.
So happede it vpon a Fryday
as to-gederis they wente be þe way,
and happede that theke day bothe In fere
at the table of seint Graal seten there,
but betwene hem two sekerly
was a gret spas left Openly,
the spas Of A Mannes sytteng
betwene hem with-Owten fayllyng;
and Amyddis the table was this spas,
where-Offen they merveilleden In þat plas.
thanne was þere On þat highte Peers,
Cosyn to Iosephes, thus gan Rehers,
“Sire, why ne Clepen ȝe som Man here
that In that place myhte sitten there?
For so streite here, sire, we Sitte,
and Other goode men At Owre Mete,
In distresse And In Mal Ese,
and þat voide place myhte vs plese.”
Cosyn to Iosephes, thus gan Rehers,
“Sire, why ne Clepen ȝe som Man here
that In that place myhte sitten there?
For so streite here, sire, we Sitte,
and Other goode men At Owre Mete,
In distresse And In Mal Ese,
and þat voide place myhte vs plese.”
“Peers, quod Iosephes thanne Agayn,
This place, I schal telle the In Certayn,
Is Ordeyned here for non Man
that here I knowe Oþer Aspie kan;
but it is don for signefyance,
Peers, I the telle with-Owten variAunce,
whanne that Iesus his Sene Made
Among his disciples to Maken hem glade,
and In the Middes Sat he there,
þat signefieth that this Is voide here;
and but þe holyere man he be þat I konne wit,
Elles schal there non Man here syt.”
This place, I schal telle the In Certayn,
215
that here I knowe Oþer Aspie kan;
but it is don for signefyance,
Peers, I the telle with-Owten variAunce,
whanne that Iesus his Sene Made
Among his disciples to Maken hem glade,
and In the Middes Sat he there,
þat signefieth that this Is voide here;
and but þe holyere man he be þat I konne wit,
Elles schal there non Man here syt.”
Tho that At thike table were,
these wordis to presomcioun token there;
and tho that weren dwellyng In synne,
After here Mete ne Cowden not blynne,
but Ay talkeden Of this Mater,
and seiden ‘it was fable, In here Maner,
and that A lesyng Iosephes had I-mad;’
thus with-Owten faille they seid:
“for As Esely A man Myht sitten there
as In Ony place with-Owten fere,
Nethir non more peryl scholde he have
thanne In Anoþer place, but sitten as save.”
these wordis to presomcioun token there;
and tho that weren dwellyng In synne,
After here Mete ne Cowden not blynne,
but Ay talkeden Of this Mater,
and seiden ‘it was fable, In here Maner,
and that A lesyng Iosephes had I-mad;’
thus with-Owten faille they seid:
“for As Esely A man Myht sitten there
as In Ony place with-Owten fere,
Nethir non more peryl scholde he have
thanne In Anoþer place, but sitten as save.”
To this word Assentyd ful foure & twenty
that of Iersualem weren Only,
Of wheche, tweyne gret spekeris were,
that Symon and Moys weren Cleped þere,
& seiden, “lordynges, howe semeth ȝow here
Of Oure bischope that thus vs doth lere,
that thike place voide scholde be
In signefiaunce Of An hy degre,
And that folye it is to sitten there
but ȝif a passing holy man he were;
how thinkyth ȝow be this qwestiown?
Ys it Owther trowthe, Owther Ony Resown?
For he seith it is folye gret,
Ony man to sitten In that set.”
“Now, Certes, quod the tothir tho,
It is ful lik for to ben so,
Rathere a leseng than Owht Elles,
thus vs thenketh, as he spellis.
but Is it not for the beste
that we ȝit not breken Iosephes heste,
Ne non Man forto Sitten there
tyl we knowen more Of his Manere?”
that of Iersualem weren Only,
Of wheche, tweyne gret spekeris were,
that Symon and Moys weren Cleped þere,
& seiden, “lordynges, howe semeth ȝow here
Of Oure bischope that thus vs doth lere,
that thike place voide scholde be
In signefiaunce Of An hy degre,
And that folye it is to sitten there
but ȝif a passing holy man he were;
how thinkyth ȝow be this qwestiown?
Ys it Owther trowthe, Owther Ony Resown?
For he seith it is folye gret,
216
“Now, Certes, quod the tothir tho,
It is ful lik for to ben so,
Rathere a leseng than Owht Elles,
thus vs thenketh, as he spellis.
but Is it not for the beste
that we ȝit not breken Iosephes heste,
Ne non Man forto Sitten there
tyl we knowen more Of his Manere?”
“In the Name Of god, quod Moys thanne,
And ȝe welen hym preye not-for-thanne
that to Morwe I myhte sitten there,
I wele It don with Ryht good Chere.”
“Now, certein, quod these Othere tho,
And we wisten ȝe wolden don so,
we wolden him preien with good wille,
to weten what he wile sein vs tylle.”
so to Iosephes they Comen Anon,
and preiden him faire Everichon,
& seiden “A man we han Amonges vs here
that Is worthi to sytten there;
wherefore we preien ȝow for Cherite,
and for Al Oure worschepe sekerle,
that him ȝe wolden let sitten there
To Morwen, sire, At his dynere.”
And ȝe welen hym preye not-for-thanne
that to Morwe I myhte sitten there,
I wele It don with Ryht good Chere.”
“Now, certein, quod these Othere tho,
And we wisten ȝe wolden don so,
we wolden him preien with good wille,
to weten what he wile sein vs tylle.”
so to Iosephes they Comen Anon,
and preiden him faire Everichon,
& seiden “A man we han Amonges vs here
that Is worthi to sytten there;
wherefore we preien ȝow for Cherite,
and for Al Oure worschepe sekerle,
that him ȝe wolden let sitten there
To Morwen, sire, At his dynere.”
thanne Iosephes Axede hem Anon
“ȝif that Amonges ȝow be swich On
that desireth forto sytten there,
and is not worthy In non Manere?”
“ȝis, forsothe, they seiden Alle,
swich grace Amonges vs is befalle:
Moys it is, sire, sekerly,
ȝoure Owne Cosin and Oure, sothly.”
“A, quod Iosephes, how may this be?
what tyme Nether his fadir ne he
Ouer the se myhte not vs sewe,
but leften behinde Al the rewe
Among the tothere that hadden Misdo,
that for sinne with vs myht not go?
and now ȝe sein that he is so good a man,
and worthy is to sytten there than!
I May it not leven In non degre
that so holy A man he scholde be,
but that it so plese to Oure lord
Of A wikked man to Maken A good.”
“ȝif that Amonges ȝow be swich On
that desireth forto sytten there,
and is not worthy In non Manere?”
“ȝis, forsothe, they seiden Alle,
swich grace Amonges vs is befalle:
Moys it is, sire, sekerly,
ȝoure Owne Cosin and Oure, sothly.”
“A, quod Iosephes, how may this be?
what tyme Nether his fadir ne he
217
but leften behinde Al the rewe
Among the tothere that hadden Misdo,
that for sinne with vs myht not go?
and now ȝe sein that he is so good a man,
and worthy is to sytten there than!
I May it not leven In non degre
that so holy A man he scholde be,
but that it so plese to Oure lord
Of A wikked man to Maken A good.”
“Sire, what liketh ȝow forto sein so?
we knowen him worthy with-Owten Mo
to sitten In that same place,
ȝif it so be ȝe ȝiven him grace;
and þerfore we preien ȝow Euerychon
that In that place he myhte sitte Alon:
and þere schole ȝe preven goddis wille,
whethir that he be goodman Oþer ille.”
“I wele wel, quod Iosephes tho,
that Goddis wille were fully do;
but I ne kan trowen for non thing
that he scholde ben so good Of leveng;
ȝit neuertheles suffren wele I
that he sitte there trewely.”
And they him thankede Everichon,
and forth to Moys they wenten Anon,
& þere Al to-gederis tolden hym It,
how In þe voide place he scholde syt.
thanne he seide ‘he wolde it do,
And þat riht fayn he was þerto.’
we knowen him worthy with-Owten Mo
to sitten In that same place,
ȝif it so be ȝe ȝiven him grace;
and þerfore we preien ȝow Euerychon
that In that place he myhte sitte Alon:
and þere schole ȝe preven goddis wille,
whethir that he be goodman Oþer ille.”
“I wele wel, quod Iosephes tho,
that Goddis wille were fully do;
but I ne kan trowen for non thing
that he scholde ben so good Of leveng;
ȝit neuertheles suffren wele I
that he sitte there trewely.”
And they him thankede Everichon,
and forth to Moys they wenten Anon,
& þere Al to-gederis tolden hym It,
how In þe voide place he scholde syt.
thanne he seide ‘he wolde it do,
And þat riht fayn he was þerto.’
Thus Al that Nyht Spoken they no More
tyl On the Morwen at Midday thore.
thanne Comen they to Moys, his felawes Echon,
and seiden “Moys, now mown ȝe gon,
and sitten as ȝe hyhten ȝisterday,
& Ek as to vs alle ȝe gonnen say.”
tyl On the Morwen at Midday thore.
thanne Comen they to Moys, his felawes Echon,
and seiden “Moys, now mown ȝe gon,
and sitten as ȝe hyhten ȝisterday,
& Ek as to vs alle ȝe gonnen say.”
218
thanne Mois seide he wolde it don;
and to that part he wente Anon
where that Iosephes & bron seten In fere,
and thus to Iosephes he seide there;
with so pytows chere to hem he wente,
Semenge a good man As be his Entente.
and to that part he wente Anon
where that Iosephes & bron seten In fere,
and thus to Iosephes he seide there;
with so pytows chere to hem he wente,
Semenge a good man As be his Entente.
thanne to him quod Iosephes there,
“loke be non weye thou sytte not here
but ȝif thou knowe þe Man worthy,
Oþer ellis it schal þe Repenten trewly.
For troste the, Moys, now In Certeyn,
that here non synnere may sitten pleyn;
for this place doth signefie
the place Of goddis sene sekerlye,
þerfore, be war, Er þou here Sitte,
that þou best worthy thi self wyte
Of Alle this general Compenye;
and ellis here to sitten, it were folye,
and ȝif Oþer wise with the it be,
I drede þou wilt ben lost Certeinle.”
“loke be non weye thou sytte not here
but ȝif thou knowe þe Man worthy,
Oþer ellis it schal þe Repenten trewly.
For troste the, Moys, now In Certeyn,
that here non synnere may sitten pleyn;
for this place doth signefie
the place Of goddis sene sekerlye,
þerfore, be war, Er þou here Sitte,
that þou best worthy thi self wyte
Of Alle this general Compenye;
and ellis here to sitten, it were folye,
and ȝif Oþer wise with the it be,
I drede þou wilt ben lost Certeinle.”
Whanne that Mois this word herd,
as A man afrayed, riht so he ferde;
ȝit neuertheles he Answerid Ageyn,
‘that worthy he was þere to sitten Certeyn,
and þerto he trosted In his degre
þat Owre lord god not wroth wolde be.’
“Come forth anon, quod Iosephes thanne,
and sit dowun here as a worthy Manne;
& ȝif it so be as thou dost schewe,
we scholen it knowen sone Al this rewe.”
as A man afrayed, riht so he ferde;
ȝit neuertheles he Answerid Ageyn,
‘that worthy he was þere to sitten Certeyn,
and þerto he trosted In his degre
þat Owre lord god not wroth wolde be.’
“Come forth anon, quod Iosephes thanne,
and sit dowun here as a worthy Manne;
& ȝif it so be as thou dost schewe,
we scholen it knowen sone Al this rewe.”
þanne Came forth Mois Anon;
betwene Iosephes & bron he gan to gon,
And þer adoun he gan to sitte;
but ful sone he repented itte.
Moys hadde not longe I-seten there,
that from hevene Cometh In A wonder Manere
Sevene hondis, to Alle here syht,
Eche brenneng as brond so bryht;
but the bodyes that weren Of tho
they mihte not se for what to do,
but this alle they behelden ful wel,
how fir and flambes they Casten Echedel
vppon Moys there that he sat,
there Alle the peple sawh wel that;
And þat as lihtly he brende there
as a drye busch whanne it is On fere.
and vp him lifte tho handes Anon,
& with him In to þe eyr gonne they gon
Al so brenneng as he was,
and boren him Into a ful fer plas.
betwene Iosephes & bron he gan to gon,
And þer adoun he gan to sitte;
but ful sone he repented itte.
Moys hadde not longe I-seten there,
that from hevene Cometh In A wonder Manere
219
Eche brenneng as brond so bryht;
but the bodyes that weren Of tho
they mihte not se for what to do,
but this alle they behelden ful wel,
how fir and flambes they Casten Echedel
vppon Moys there that he sat,
there Alle the peple sawh wel that;
And þat as lihtly he brende there
as a drye busch whanne it is On fere.
and vp him lifte tho handes Anon,
& with him In to þe eyr gonne they gon
Al so brenneng as he was,
and boren him Into a ful fer plas.
whanne they that at thike table were,
Syen the hondes Awey hym bere,
they weren Abasched Everichon,
and to Iosephes they seiden Anon,
“A, sire Iosephes, now knowen we wel
that þou seist trowthe Everidel.
For a gret synne it is to do,
that Sege to Neyhen Ony mo;
For we knowen non Man worthy here
In that place to sitten there.
Now, goode sire, and it be ȝowre wille,
whedir that he is, ȝe wolden vs telle;
and whethir he saved Other dampned be,
that ȝe wolden vs tellen for Charite.”
Syen the hondes Awey hym bere,
they weren Abasched Everichon,
and to Iosephes they seiden Anon,
“A, sire Iosephes, now knowen we wel
that þou seist trowthe Everidel.
For a gret synne it is to do,
that Sege to Neyhen Ony mo;
For we knowen non Man worthy here
In that place to sitten there.
Now, goode sire, and it be ȝowre wille,
whedir that he is, ȝe wolden vs telle;
and whethir he saved Other dampned be,
that ȝe wolden vs tellen for Charite.”
“here-Offen Certein scholen ȝe be
whanne tyme Cometh Sekerle,
ȝe scholen him sen where þat he Is,
Apertly to ȝowre Eyen with-Owten Mys;
thanne scholen ȝe knowen In Certeyn
whethir he be In Ioye Other peyn.”
Aftyr this they wolden no More
Of that Mater Axen Josephes thore;
for Alle Abasched ful sore they were
Of that Syhte they Syen there.
whanne tyme Cometh Sekerle,
ȝe scholen him sen where þat he Is,
Apertly to ȝowre Eyen with-Owten Mys;
thanne scholen ȝe knowen In Certeyn
whethir he be In Ioye Other peyn.”
Aftyr this they wolden no More
Of that Mater Axen Josephes thore;
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Of that Syhte they Syen there.
and whanne I-Eten they hadden Echon,
thanne seide Bron to Iosephes Anon,
“Sire, Of thing that I schal Axen the,
I preie ȝow þat ȝe welen Conseillen Me.”
“Seith on, Bron, quod Iosephes thanne,
and I wele Cownseillen ȝow As I kanne.”
“Sire, .xij. sones I haue, quod he,
that alle ȝoure Cosines seker they be;
Do hem Comen to-fore ȝow Echon,
and thanne axeth hem be On and On
what Maner Of Men that they welen be,
Owther wedded men, Owther speritwalte.”
“this schal I wel don, quod Iosephes thanne:”
So let he sende Aftyr Every Manne.
thanne seide Bron to Iosephes Anon,
“Sire, Of thing that I schal Axen the,
I preie ȝow þat ȝe welen Conseillen Me.”
“Seith on, Bron, quod Iosephes thanne,
and I wele Cownseillen ȝow As I kanne.”
“Sire, .xij. sones I haue, quod he,
that alle ȝoure Cosines seker they be;
Do hem Comen to-fore ȝow Echon,
and thanne axeth hem be On and On
what Maner Of Men that they welen be,
Owther wedded men, Owther speritwalte.”
“this schal I wel don, quod Iosephes thanne:”
So let he sende Aftyr Every Manne.
whanne to-forn him, Iosephes, weren Comen Echon,
thanne he E[n]qwered Of Ech be his On,
‘what Maner Of Man he wolde be.’
So þat .xj. Acorded Into On degre,
‘that wedded wolden they ben Alle,
what Aventure so that hem be-falle;’
but the .xij. brother Answerid not so,
For ‘Oþerwise he thowhte to do,
and that Neuere wedded wolde he be,
but Al his lyf Chast virgine sekerle;
and Alle dayes tyl he gan to sterve,
that holy vessel wolde he Serve.’
This Ches that brother, as I ȝow telle;
lo, what grace that hym befelle!
and his xj bretherin I-wedded to be,
for that Chosen they ful Sekerle.
thanne he E[n]qwered Of Ech be his On,
‘what Maner Of Man he wolde be.’
So þat .xj. Acorded Into On degre,
‘that wedded wolden they ben Alle,
what Aventure so that hem be-falle;’
but the .xij. brother Answerid not so,
For ‘Oþerwise he thowhte to do,
and that Neuere wedded wolde he be,
but Al his lyf Chast virgine sekerle;
and Alle dayes tyl he gan to sterve,
that holy vessel wolde he Serve.’
This Ches that brother, as I ȝow telle;
lo, what grace that hym befelle!
and his xj bretherin I-wedded to be,
for that Chosen they ful Sekerle.
And whanne Iosephes beheld this On brothir,
what he hadde Chosen Aforn Alle the tothir,
he gan him to Clippen and to kysse
ful Often sithes with-Owten Misse,
and to the xj seide he thanne,
“Of ȝow han Chosen Ech Manne
that A wif wedden wele he.
ȝe scholen it haven ful sekerle,
For I schal Maryen ȝow Everichon,
Swiche as ȝe desire here Anon;
and God grawnte ȝow grace þat ȝe so do,
trewe wedlok to kepen for Evere Mo.”
what he hadde Chosen Aforn Alle the tothir,
he gan him to Clippen and to kysse
ful Often sithes with-Owten Misse,
221
“Of ȝow han Chosen Ech Manne
that A wif wedden wele he.
ȝe scholen it haven ful sekerle,
For I schal Maryen ȝow Everichon,
Swiche as ȝe desire here Anon;
and God grawnte ȝow grace þat ȝe so do,
trewe wedlok to kepen for Evere Mo.”
To the xijthe brother seide he there,
“Tweyn thinges han ȝe chosen here:
the ferste, to kepen virginite;
þe secund, A Servaunt Axen ȝe to be,
Forto Serven this holy vessel
which that is here, Seint graal.
On Of these I graunte ȝow wel;
þe Grete god þe toþer ȝow gr[a]unte Ech del,
That ȝe Alle dayes Of ȝowre Lyve That Mown be,
and him Only worschepen In alle degre;
and that ȝowre flesch ne tempted be,
To non Maner lust Of lecherye,
but that ȝe flen alle maner of fole;
therto preyeth God Enterlye.
and for that ȝe han Chosen virginite,
and Mynestre to þ holy vessel to be,
Of On thing I sey ȝow In Certeyn,
Aftyr my deth scholen ȝe ful pleyn
the lordschepe Of that vessel have,
It forto kepen bothe sownd and save.
and whanne Owt Of this world þat ȝe scholen go,
loke ȝe thanne to whom ȝe deliueren it to,
that he be A man ful Of grace
& ful Of Goodnesse In Eche place.
this ȝifte, my frend, ȝeve I to the,
For that thow Axest virginite.”
“Tweyn thinges han ȝe chosen here:
the ferste, to kepen virginite;
þe secund, A Servaunt Axen ȝe to be,
Forto Serven this holy vessel
which that is here, Seint graal.
On Of these I graunte ȝow wel;
þe Grete god þe toþer ȝow gr[a]unte Ech del,
That ȝe Alle dayes Of ȝowre Lyve That Mown be,
and him Only worschepen In alle degre;
and that ȝowre flesch ne tempted be,
To non Maner lust Of lecherye,
but that ȝe flen alle maner of fole;
therto preyeth God Enterlye.
and for that ȝe han Chosen virginite,
and Mynestre to þ holy vessel to be,
Of On thing I sey ȝow In Certeyn,
Aftyr my deth scholen ȝe ful pleyn
the lordschepe Of that vessel have,
It forto kepen bothe sownd and save.
and whanne Owt Of this world þat ȝe scholen go,
loke ȝe thanne to whom ȝe deliueren it to,
that he be A man ful Of grace
& ful Of Goodnesse In Eche place.
this ȝifte, my frend, ȝeve I to the,
For that thow Axest virginite.”
and þere Anon he knelide A-down,
and thankid Iosephes with good devociown,
there anon ful sore wepynge
as he to-forn him was knelynge;
So that after the deth Of Iosephe
the holy vessel dide he kepe.
thanne Iosephes to his bretherin retourned Anon,
and hem Maryede Everichon,
Eche man Aftyr his Owne wille,
thus here Mariages he gan fulfille.
and thankid Iosephes with good devociown,
222
as he to-forn him was knelynge;
So that after the deth Of Iosephe
the holy vessel dide he kepe.
thanne Iosephes to his bretherin retourned Anon,
and hem Maryede Everichon,
Eche man Aftyr his Owne wille,
thus here Mariages he gan fulfille.
Whanne that Iosephes thus hadde I-do,
forthere Into breteygne thanne gan he go,
and with him his Compenye,
Into swich place as god wolde him gye.
and non day þere was þat he forth wente
that his Compenye Encresede veramente,
Som day be xx, and some day be Mo:
barefot Aftyr hym gonnen they to go,
and forsoken here Richesses Everichon,
and forth with Iosephes gonne they gon.
for ȝit Cam he neuere In non plase
but þat be him gret peple I-torned wase,
and hem Cast Owt Of Miscreaunce
be his wordis, swich was his chawnce;
and be the vertv Of the holy gost,
whiche þat is lord Of myhtes Most,
The strengest paynem þat Evere was,
he dide him torne be goddis gras,
So þat, thoruh his goode preching,
Euery day his Compenye was Encresing.
forthere Into breteygne thanne gan he go,
and with him his Compenye,
Into swich place as god wolde him gye.
and non day þere was þat he forth wente
that his Compenye Encresede veramente,
Som day be xx, and some day be Mo:
barefot Aftyr hym gonnen they to go,
and forsoken here Richesses Everichon,
and forth with Iosephes gonne they gon.
for ȝit Cam he neuere In non plase
but þat be him gret peple I-torned wase,
and hem Cast Owt Of Miscreaunce
be his wordis, swich was his chawnce;
and be the vertv Of the holy gost,
whiche þat is lord Of myhtes Most,
The strengest paynem þat Evere was,
he dide him torne be goddis gras,
So þat, thoruh his goode preching,
Euery day his Compenye was Encresing.
Vpon a day as they forth wente,
In a wastable Contre veramente,
where that was scars of vyaunde,
as this storie doth vs vndirstonde:
and vndirstondeth ȝe now verament,
that Al the Compenye that with him went,
Ne weren not worthy Sufficed to be
Of the holy vessel Sekerle;
but Manye of hem þat with him wente
weren holy lyveris, and Of good Entente;
and Oþer that leveden In lecherye,
and In Oþer dedly synne witterlye,
& that here lyf nolde Chongen there
For Sermown ne for non preyere,
but lyveden aftyr lust of here body,
wheche torned hem to gret foly.
In a wastable Contre veramente,
where that was scars of vyaunde,
as this storie doth vs vndirstonde:
and vndirstondeth ȝe now verament,
that Al the Compenye that with him went,
Ne weren not worthy Sufficed to be
Of the holy vessel Sekerle;
223
weren holy lyveris, and Of good Entente;
and Oþer that leveden In lecherye,
and In Oþer dedly synne witterlye,
& that here lyf nolde Chongen there
For Sermown ne for non preyere,
but lyveden aftyr lust of here body,
wheche torned hem to gret foly.
Thyke day, whanne they Entred were
Into the valey that I Rehersed Ere,
whanne Into the Middis that they weren gon,
A gret stanke fo Wnden they Anon,
And At the hed of thike stang
they fownden A vessel As they gonne gang,
And A Net þer-Inne, fysch forto take:
thus wrowhte Only god ȝit for here sake;
and whanne that they to the stang weren gon,
they Casten Of here Clothes riht Anon
For the strong hete that there was,
As theke day happede be Cas.
thanne be-gan Iosephes his servise Anon
As he was wont forto don,
and with him Othere Of his Compenye
that goode lyveris weren trewlye.
and tho that to thike Servise vsed not were,
here preyeres they seiden Amonges hem there,
and preiden to god, for his grete grace,
hem forto bringen Into swich a place
where they myhte haven here sostenaunce
For here leveng, and to his plesaunce.
Into the valey that I Rehersed Ere,
whanne Into the Middis that they weren gon,
A gret stanke fo Wnden they Anon,
And At the hed of thike stang
they fownden A vessel As they gonne gang,
And A Net þer-Inne, fysch forto take:
thus wrowhte Only god ȝit for here sake;
and whanne that they to the stang weren gon,
they Casten Of here Clothes riht Anon
For the strong hete that there was,
As theke day happede be Cas.
thanne be-gan Iosephes his servise Anon
As he was wont forto don,
and with him Othere Of his Compenye
that goode lyveris weren trewlye.
and tho that to thike Servise vsed not were,
here preyeres they seiden Amonges hem there,
and preiden to god, for his grete grace,
hem forto bringen Into swich a place
where they myhte haven here sostenaunce
For here leveng, and to his plesaunce.
Theke day Alle the Cristene were
In Worschepinge Of the holy vessel there;
and whanne they hadden don what they wolde,
Anon they Seten vppon that Molde,
and spredden Abrod vppon here knees
Towaylles and Empty dowbleris,
as men that wolden here fast breke,
down In that Medwe þere they sete;
For Othere tables weren there non
but þat weren mad Of flesch and bon.
and whanne A-down that they weren set,
Thanne Cam On peers with-Owten let,
that Cosin there to Iosephes was,
and browhte seint Graal Into þat plas;
and so þat be vertw of thike holy vessel
Al the table was fulfeld wel
Of Alle Manere Of vyawnde
that herte cowde thenke Oþer vndirstonde.
thus there As Alle these good men sete,
Fulfylled they were with Alle Manere of Mete;
but in place as the Synneris were,
Non Multiplicacion was not there;
Of theke forseid holy vessel
Fulfild weren they neuere A del;
So ne wiste the Synneris what to do,
For non vyaunde ne hadden they tho.
In Worschepinge Of the holy vessel there;
and whanne they hadden don what they wolde,
Anon they Seten vppon that Molde,
and spredden Abrod vppon here knees
Towaylles and Empty dowbleris,
224
down In that Medwe þere they sete;
For Othere tables weren there non
but þat weren mad Of flesch and bon.
and whanne A-down that they weren set,
Thanne Cam On peers with-Owten let,
that Cosin there to Iosephes was,
and browhte seint Graal Into þat plas;
and so þat be vertw of thike holy vessel
Al the table was fulfeld wel
Of Alle Manere Of vyawnde
that herte cowde thenke Oþer vndirstonde.
thus there As Alle these good men sete,
Fulfylled they were with Alle Manere of Mete;
but in place as the Synneris were,
Non Multiplicacion was not there;
Of theke forseid holy vessel
Fulfild weren they neuere A del;
So ne wiste the Synneris what to do,
For non vyaunde ne hadden they tho.
Aftyr Mete, whanne vpe Resen they were,
The synful to Iosephes Comen there,
and seiden “sire, what scholen we do?
but ȝif ȝe ȝowre Cownseyl putten vs to,
Elles ben we ful Evele be-gon,
For nethir mete ne drynk haue we non;
therfore for vs mosten ȝe preye,
that we for hunger here ne deye;
For the vessel vs repleynscheth not here,
þerfore ȝe mosten In Other Manere.”
The synful to Iosephes Comen there,
and seiden “sire, what scholen we do?
but ȝif ȝe ȝowre Cownseyl putten vs to,
Elles ben we ful Evele be-gon,
For nethir mete ne drynk haue we non;
therfore for vs mosten ȝe preye,
that we for hunger here ne deye;
For the vessel vs repleynscheth not here,
þerfore ȝe mosten In Other Manere.”
thanne Answerid Iosephes to hem Ageyn,
“Now Mown ȝe knowen In Certeyn
that ȝowre God han ȝe forsake;
and whiles that ȝe to God diden take,
thanne was he to ȝow[re] fadyr ful kynde
whiles that ȝe him hadden In Mynde,
and sethen that stepchildren that ȝe ben,
he hath þow forȝeten ful Clen.
Now þerfore Ensample mown ȝe take;
It Nis not Good hym to forsake.
And ȝif stylle With Hym Wolde ȝe han be,
Non thing ȝow scholde han lakked Sekerle;
and ȝit not-withstondyng Al this,
I schal ȝow Cownsayllen with-Owten Mys,
b'encheson that ȝe han non Relevyng
at this tyme here In Etyng.”
“Now Mown ȝe knowen In Certeyn
that ȝowre God han ȝe forsake;
and whiles that ȝe to God diden take,
thanne was he to ȝow[re] fadyr ful kynde
whiles that ȝe him hadden In Mynde,
225
he hath þow forȝeten ful Clen.
Now þerfore Ensample mown ȝe take;
It Nis not Good hym to forsake.
And ȝif stylle With Hym Wolde ȝe han be,
Non thing ȝow scholde han lakked Sekerle;
and ȝit not-withstondyng Al this,
I schal ȝow Cownsayllen with-Owten Mys,
b'encheson that ȝe han non Relevyng
at this tyme here In Etyng.”
Thanne Anon Iosephes gan forth Calle
the xijthe sone of Bron, as gan befalle,
wheche he hadde Chosen to the seint Graal,
where-Offen Maister he made hem with Al;
whos Name was Cleped Aleyn the Gros,
A ful holy man, And Of gret loos;
(but ȝit this was not that Aleyn
That of Celidoyne discended pleyn;
for that Aleyn, kyng Crowned he was,
and so was this Neuere In non plas.)
the xijthe sone of Bron, as gan befalle,
wheche he hadde Chosen to the seint Graal,
where-Offen Maister he made hem with Al;
whos Name was Cleped Aleyn the Gros,
A ful holy man, And Of gret loos;
(but ȝit this was not that Aleyn
That of Celidoyne discended pleyn;
for that Aleyn, kyng Crowned he was,
and so was this Neuere In non plas.)
Whanne þis Aleyn to-fore Iosephes gan gon,
to hym he seide to-forn hem Echon,
“Alayn,—that Of this world shalt be
the Moste gracious Man Of thy degre,—
Go thou to this stange Anon;
and Into that vessel that ȝe gon,
& take the Net that ȝe finden there;
Into þe water it Caste In ȝowre Manere,
and taketh fisch for this Meyne,
wherby sosteyned that they Mown be.”
to hym he seide to-forn hem Echon,
“Alayn,—that Of this world shalt be
the Moste gracious Man Of thy degre,—
Go thou to this stange Anon;
and Into that vessel that ȝe gon,
& take the Net that ȝe finden there;
Into þe water it Caste In ȝowre Manere,
and taketh fisch for this Meyne,
wherby sosteyned that they Mown be.”
This Child dide his Comaundement,
and to þe water wente with good Entent,
and Into the stangne the Net þere Caste,
and to londe drow yt Atte laste.
Whanne they that stooden vpon þe lond,
And there Abyden Goddis sond,
the Net to þe lond they drowen wel faste,
and there-Inne to loken hadden they haste;
and but On fysch fownden they Sekerly,
but it was ful gret trewely.
and they boden him ‘Asayen Eft sone
ȝif Ony bettere he myhte done;
For the tenthe part Of theke Meyne
with that fisch suffised not scholde be.’
and he seide þat he wolde no More
Into that stangne Comen thore.
and to þe water wente with good Entent,
and Into the stangne the Net þere Caste,
and to londe drow yt Atte laste.
Whanne they that stooden vpon þe lond,
And there Abyden Goddis sond,
226
and there-Inne to loken hadden they haste;
and but On fysch fownden they Sekerly,
but it was ful gret trewely.
and they boden him ‘Asayen Eft sone
ȝif Ony bettere he myhte done;
For the tenthe part Of theke Meyne
with that fisch suffised not scholde be.’
and he seide þat he wolde no More
Into that stangne Comen thore.
This fysch began he to Cutten Anon,
and Into Certein pecis it don;
Ek there soden Anon it was,
and Comaunded hem sitten In þat plas.
thanne so diden they Ryht Anon
lik as they hadden Mester Echon.
thanne Iosephes seide to Aleyn tho,
“Wost þou not now what þou schalt do?
Departe this fisch As I schal þe telle;
vppon here table thou do it ful snelle;
At Ech Ende thou sette A Mes,
At the Myddes Anothir, & not thou ses.
thanne preye to God ful devoutly,
that he wolde Of his grete Mercy
for the schewen grace In this Manere
to tho Synful that weren there;
that thoruh thi preiere fulfild myht be
thike sinful peple thoruh his pyte,
as thou his servaunt wylt Evere be
to þe holy seint Graal In alle degre.”
and Into Certein pecis it don;
Ek there soden Anon it was,
and Comaunded hem sitten In þat plas.
thanne so diden they Ryht Anon
lik as they hadden Mester Echon.
thanne Iosephes seide to Aleyn tho,
“Wost þou not now what þou schalt do?
Departe this fisch As I schal þe telle;
vppon here table thou do it ful snelle;
At Ech Ende thou sette A Mes,
At the Myddes Anothir, & not thou ses.
thanne preye to God ful devoutly,
that he wolde Of his grete Mercy
for the schewen grace In this Manere
to tho Synful that weren there;
that thoruh thi preiere fulfild myht be
thike sinful peple thoruh his pyte,
as thou his servaunt wylt Evere be
to þe holy seint Graal In alle degre.”
Thanne began Aleyn forto preye
with teres and with wepyng Of Eye
Aforn the holy vessel A ful gret spas,
Evere beseching God Of his Gras.
Whanne he hadde I-don his preyere,
thanne Iosephes Comaundement fulfild he þere,
and sette this fysch In thre partye
Oppon the Cloth ful Sekerlye.
with teres and with wepyng Of Eye
Aforn the holy vessel A ful gret spas,
Evere beseching God Of his Gras.
Whanne he hadde I-don his preyere,
thanne Iosephes Comaundement fulfild he þere,
227
Oppon the Cloth ful Sekerlye.
thanne þere Owre lord wrowhte Miracles Anon
for Aleyn his chosyn, Amonges hem Echon.
that with that fysch fulfild they were,
Al the hole Compenye that was there,
as they Al the world Of Mete
to hem be Ordenaunce hadde ben gete;
and lefte there ful gret plente
Of Relef of that fisch ful sekerle.
for Aleyn his chosyn, Amonges hem Echon.
that with that fysch fulfild they were,
Al the hole Compenye that was there,
as they Al the world Of Mete
to hem be Ordenaunce hadde ben gete;
and lefte there ful gret plente
Of Relef of that fisch ful sekerle.
thanne to aleyn token they Ageyn
the leveng Of that fisch In Certeyn;
and there-with ȝoven him A name
Of wheche Evere After he hadde þe fame;
For Evere after I-Cleped was he
“Aleyn the Riche Fischere” sekerle;
and so Cleped they him Everychon,
Alle þo þat with þe holy vessel gonne gon.
and from that day aftyre for Ony thing
It was Clepid “aleynes stagne” with-Owten lesing.
the leveng Of that fisch In Certeyn;
and there-with ȝoven him A name
Of wheche Evere After he hadde þe fame;
For Evere after I-Cleped was he
“Aleyn the Riche Fischere” sekerle;
and so Cleped they him Everychon,
Alle þo þat with þe holy vessel gonne gon.
and from that day aftyre for Ony thing
It was Clepid “aleynes stagne” with-Owten lesing.
thanne so gret Ioye Amonges hem they made,
that be Aleyn they weren so glade
that non tonge ne Cowden it telle,
Nether Of here Ioye halfendel Cowde spelle.
that be Aleyn they weren so glade
that non tonge ne Cowden it telle,
Nether Of here Ioye halfendel Cowde spelle.
CHAPTER XLIX. OF JOSEPH'S ADVENTURES, AND HOW HE BRINGS A DEAD MAN BACK TO LIFE.
228
Whiles they spoken Of this Mattere,
Iosephe to his sone Iosephes seide there,
“Swich a talent Is comen to Me
that I moste gon Into Anothir Contre,
thedyr As God me wele lede,
and there I hope ful wel to spede;
and to ȝow schal I Retornen ageyn
as hastely as I may, In Certayn.”
Iosephe to his sone Iosephes seide there,
“Swich a talent Is comen to Me
that I moste gon Into Anothir Contre,
thedyr As God me wele lede,
and there I hope ful wel to spede;
and to ȝow schal I Retornen ageyn
as hastely as I may, In Certayn.”
Thanne Iosephe from hem departed Anon,
and his weye forth gan he to gon,
as it happede vppon A fryday
To the forest Of Brooklond he took þe way.
and as he walkede In that forest
he say A sarrazin that was ful prest;
vppon An hy hors he gan ryde,
And Salwed Iosephe that ylke tyde.
and his weye forth gan he to gon,
as it happede vppon A fryday
To the forest Of Brooklond he took þe way.
and as he walkede In that forest
he say A sarrazin that was ful prest;
vppon An hy hors he gan ryde,
And Salwed Iosephe that ylke tyde.
& a while to-gederis they hadden gon,
thanne Axede the Sarrazin Of Iosephe Anon
‘Of what Contre that he was,
and where he was born, and what plas.’
“Sire, I Am Of Armathie, In Certein,
and thus I walk In Many A pleyn.”
“how Come þou here,” quod þe Sarrazin thanne.
“Sire, be hym that mochel good kanne,
that ladde the Children of Israel
thorw þe Rede se bothe drye & wel:
he Into this Contre hath me browht,
whiche þat knoweth Eche Mannes thouht.”
“What Maner Of Mester Man Art thou?”
“Sire, I am A leche, I telle ȝow now.”
“A leche,” quod the Sarrazin tho,
“Canst þou Ony leche-craft do?”
“ȝe, sire, quod Iosephe In Certein;
I can helen Alle woundes pleyn.”
“thanne with me schalt þou gon this tyde
vnto my Castel here besyde;
there haue I A brothir bothe sik & sore,
that sore I-wondid lith he thore,
and al this ȝer there hath Sik I-be
Of A wounde In his hed sekerle.
ȝit Cowde I neuere fynde leche Non
That him Ony Recur Cowde don.”
“In the Name of god, quod Iosephe tho,
and he aftir me wil do,
and beleven that I wyl say,
he schal ben holpen with-Inne schort day:
Onlych thorwh my goddis Myht
I schal hym keueren Anon Ryht.”
“Of wheche god? quod the Sarrazine;
we han foure Goddis, bothe goode & fyne,
Mahownd and TErmagaunt, goddis so fin;
Anothir hihte Iubiter and Appolyn,
and non Of these him helpe Conne do;
How Cowdest þou thanne helpen him so,
and be wheche God Of Alle these fowre
Cowdest þou my brothir don socowre.”
“be non Of these fowre, quod Iosephe tho,
Cowde I neuere thy brothir Socowr do;
for here myht may nowht availle
him to helpen with-Owten faille;
and þerfore disceyved art þou wel Clene
ȝif Ony socour In hem thou wene.”
“That am I not, quod the Sarrazin, certeinly,
For they ben Goddis Endelesly.”
thanne Axede the Sarrazin Of Iosephe Anon
‘Of what Contre that he was,
and where he was born, and what plas.’
“Sire, I Am Of Armathie, In Certein,
and thus I walk In Many A pleyn.”
229
“Sire, be hym that mochel good kanne,
that ladde the Children of Israel
thorw þe Rede se bothe drye & wel:
he Into this Contre hath me browht,
whiche þat knoweth Eche Mannes thouht.”
“What Maner Of Mester Man Art thou?”
“Sire, I am A leche, I telle ȝow now.”
“A leche,” quod the Sarrazin tho,
“Canst þou Ony leche-craft do?”
“ȝe, sire, quod Iosephe In Certein;
I can helen Alle woundes pleyn.”
“thanne with me schalt þou gon this tyde
vnto my Castel here besyde;
there haue I A brothir bothe sik & sore,
that sore I-wondid lith he thore,
and al this ȝer there hath Sik I-be
Of A wounde In his hed sekerle.
ȝit Cowde I neuere fynde leche Non
That him Ony Recur Cowde don.”
“In the Name of god, quod Iosephe tho,
and he aftir me wil do,
and beleven that I wyl say,
he schal ben holpen with-Inne schort day:
Onlych thorwh my goddis Myht
I schal hym keueren Anon Ryht.”
“Of wheche god? quod the Sarrazine;
we han foure Goddis, bothe goode & fyne,
Mahownd and TErmagaunt, goddis so fin;
Anothir hihte Iubiter and Appolyn,
and non Of these him helpe Conne do;
How Cowdest þou thanne helpen him so,
and be wheche God Of Alle these fowre
Cowdest þou my brothir don socowre.”
“be non Of these fowre, quod Iosephe tho,
Cowde I neuere thy brothir Socowr do;
230
him to helpen with-Owten faille;
and þerfore disceyved art þou wel Clene
ȝif Ony socour In hem thou wene.”
“That am I not, quod the Sarrazin, certeinly,
For they ben Goddis Endelesly.”
Whanne Iosephe herde the Sarrazine so speke,
Anon to hym thanne he gan Reke,
and seide “wheche goddis ben now tho
that sweche Maistries Connen do?
thi Goddis ben Mad with Mannes hand,
I do the wel to vndirstand:
Non more power hauen they Ouer the
thanne thow Ouer hem, ful sekerle.”
“ȝis, quod þe Sarrazin, In Certein
My goddis ben Of power ful pleyn,
Not Only be here Owne fegure,
but after hem þat ben Mad, I the Enswre;
For I wot wel the ymages Mown not do,
but they wheche aftir they ben Mad so
Mown helpe and Socouren Every Man,
Sikerly, Sere, I telle the Can,
So Every God aftyr his ymage
Socoureth the peple that ben Of Age.”
Anon to hym thanne he gan Reke,
and seide “wheche goddis ben now tho
that sweche Maistries Connen do?
thi Goddis ben Mad with Mannes hand,
I do the wel to vndirstand:
Non more power hauen they Ouer the
thanne thow Ouer hem, ful sekerle.”
“ȝis, quod þe Sarrazin, In Certein
My goddis ben Of power ful pleyn,
Not Only be here Owne fegure,
but after hem þat ben Mad, I the Enswre;
For I wot wel the ymages Mown not do,
but they wheche aftir they ben Mad so
Mown helpe and Socouren Every Man,
Sikerly, Sere, I telle the Can,
So Every God aftyr his ymage
Socoureth the peple that ben Of Age.”
“In the Name of God, quod Iosephe tho,
and with the to thy Castel do me go,
I schal the schewen al and som
that Alle they han power non,
Nethir to Meven neþer to Go,
Ne thy broþer to helpe neuer the mo;
and therfore deseyved ful Clene Art thou
that so in hem belevest now.”
“Wel Anon, quod the Sarrazyn thanne,
be myn hed, As I am A trewe Manne,
and thou hast mad me Ony lyenge,
thou schalt be ded with-Owten taryeng.”
and with the to thy Castel do me go,
I schal the schewen al and som
that Alle they han power non,
Nethir to Meven neþer to Go,
Ne thy broþer to helpe neuer the mo;
and therfore deseyved ful Clene Art thou
that so in hem belevest now.”
“Wel Anon, quod the Sarrazyn thanne,
be myn hed, As I am A trewe Manne,
and thou hast mad me Ony lyenge,
thou schalt be ded with-Owten taryeng.”
231
Thus to-gederis forth they wente
al that Morwenyng veramente
til It were the Owr Of þe Midday.
Atte the laste that Castel he say;
ful hye vppon A Mownteyn
that Castel þere stood In Certeyn;
‘the Castel Of Roch’ I-Called it was,
ful wel walled In Every plas,
and therto þe diches depe Inowh,
deppere Abowtes A Castel neuere man ne sawh.
al that Morwenyng veramente
til It were the Owr Of þe Midday.
Atte the laste that Castel he say;
ful hye vppon A Mownteyn
that Castel þere stood In Certeyn;
‘the Castel Of Roch’ I-Called it was,
ful wel walled In Every plas,
and therto þe diches depe Inowh,
deppere Abowtes A Castel neuere man ne sawh.
whanne Iosephe and the Sarrazin Entred were,
Anon A wylde lyown Metten they there,
and to that Sarrazin he went Anone,
and Of his hors pulde him thus sone,
and there him strangeleden with-Owten dowte
For Alle his Meyne that stood Abowte.
and whanne they Syen here lord so ded,
Mochel sorwe they Maden in that sted.
Anon A wylde lyown Metten they there,
and to that Sarrazin he went Anone,
and Of his hors pulde him thus sone,
and there him strangeleden with-Owten dowte
For Alle his Meyne that stood Abowte.
and whanne they Syen here lord so ded,
Mochel sorwe they Maden in that sted.
thanne tooken they Iosephe there Anon,
and to preson ladden hym thus son,
and þerto his handes Ibownden him behynde:
thus diden the Sarrazines so fals & vnkynde.
and Anon the false Stewarde
with his swerd smot Iosephe ful harde
Into the thygh a ful gret wownde,
that his swerd to-brak In that stownde;
So that half þe swerd lefte In his thygh,
the wheche to-broken was þere trewly.
Thus with Iosephe ferden they there
wel falsly In here Manere.
and to preson ladden hym thus son,
and þerto his handes Ibownden him behynde:
thus diden the Sarrazines so fals & vnkynde.
and Anon the false Stewarde
with his swerd smot Iosephe ful harde
Into the thygh a ful gret wownde,
that his swerd to-brak In that stownde;
So that half þe swerd lefte In his thygh,
the wheche to-broken was þere trewly.
Thus with Iosephe ferden they there
wel falsly In here Manere.
thanne seide Iosephe to hem tho,
“Sires, why faren ȝe with me so?”
“For we ne haven non Other Encheson,”
thus they seiden to him Echon.
“and whedir thinken ȝe me to lede?”
“Into A place þere thou shalt be dede.”
“Sires, why faren ȝe with me so?”
“For we ne haven non Other Encheson,”
thus they seiden to him Echon.
“and whedir thinken ȝe me to lede?”
“Into A place þere thou shalt be dede.”
232
“Ha, Sires, quod Iosephe tho,
whanne In presown ȝe han me do,
Alle the sike Of the Castel bringeth to Me,
And I schal hem helen ful sekerle.”
“what Artow thanne, quod they, A leche?”
“ȝe, Sire, he seide with schort speche,
I schal hem helen full Certeynle
ȝif that they welen beleven On Me.”
thanne browhten they þere lordis broþer In þat sted,
that sore was wownded In the hed,
that non leche to-foren helen Myhte.
and whanne that he Cam In Iosepis (sic) Syhte,
thanne Axede him Iosephe riht anon,
how fern his hurt was Agon.
he seide ‘more thanne An hol ȝer;’
thus gan he tellen to Iosephe ther;
“and ȝif that ȝe to me Conne do socowr,
I schal ȝow Maken A man Of gret honour.”
whanne In presown ȝe han me do,
Alle the sike Of the Castel bringeth to Me,
And I schal hem helen ful sekerle.”
“what Artow thanne, quod they, A leche?”
“ȝe, Sire, he seide with schort speche,
I schal hem helen full Certeynle
ȝif that they welen beleven On Me.”
thanne browhten they þere lordis broþer In þat sted,
that sore was wownded In the hed,
that non leche to-foren helen Myhte.
and whanne that he Cam In Iosepis (sic) Syhte,
thanne Axede him Iosephe riht anon,
how fern his hurt was Agon.
he seide ‘more thanne An hol ȝer;’
thus gan he tellen to Iosephe ther;
“and ȝif that ȝe to me Conne do socowr,
I schal ȝow Maken A man Of gret honour.”
thanne Iosephe gan to lawhen Anon
Afore the sarrazines Everichon,
“how myhtest þou A Riche man Maken Me?
thou Nart but pore In alle degre.”
“ȝis, that I haue, quod the sarrazin Agein,
plente Of gold & Sulver In Certeyn;
and therto Manye stones ful precious,
and manye Riche Clothes, and delicious.”
“Nay, quod Iosephe, this Richesse is nowht,
and that schalt þou wel knowen In thy thowht;
For I wolde weten now Of the,
thowh thou haue Richesse so gret plente,
and ley it to-forn the both tope an taille,
& let se what it can the Avaylle.”
“Certes, quod the Sarrazin ful snelle,
þer-Offen soth thou dost me telle.”
“thar myhtest þou se, quod Iosephe thanne,
that thou Nart but A pore Manne,
For In this world Is tresour non swich
that Maketh A man half so Riche
As doth helthe, I telle it the;
how thinketh þe, sire, telle þou Me?
for Sethen that be Richesse hele might þou not have,
therfore aftir helthe that thou do Crave.”
“that wolde I fayn, quod the Sarrazin tho,
and I wyste how Evere to do.”
“In the Name Of God, quod Iosephe thanne,
I wele the techen now as [I] Canne.”
“Telle me how, quod the Sarrazin,
and I wele it don wel and fyn.”
“ȝif thou wilt On god beleve,
To Alle helthe thanne schalt þou preve.”
“In God, quod the Sarrazin Agein,
I beleve ful wel In Certeyn,
and Not Only Oppon On lord,
but On Alle my Goddis with On Acord.”
“In fowre goddis, quod Iosephe ful hastile;
whiche foure ben tho, telle thou me?”
“that schal I do, quod the Sarrazin Agein,
Mahownd and Iubiter Certein,
Appolyn And Ek Termagawnt,
these fowre Goddis holiche ich hawnt.”
Afore the sarrazines Everichon,
“how myhtest þou A Riche man Maken Me?
thou Nart but pore In alle degre.”
“ȝis, that I haue, quod the sarrazin Agein,
plente Of gold & Sulver In Certeyn;
and therto Manye stones ful precious,
and manye Riche Clothes, and delicious.”
“Nay, quod Iosephe, this Richesse is nowht,
and that schalt þou wel knowen In thy thowht;
For I wolde weten now Of the,
thowh thou haue Richesse so gret plente,
and ley it to-forn the both tope an taille,
& let se what it can the Avaylle.”
“Certes, quod the Sarrazin ful snelle,
þer-Offen soth thou dost me telle.”
“thar myhtest þou se, quod Iosephe thanne,
that thou Nart but A pore Manne,
233
that Maketh A man half so Riche
As doth helthe, I telle it the;
how thinketh þe, sire, telle þou Me?
for Sethen that be Richesse hele might þou not have,
therfore aftir helthe that thou do Crave.”
“that wolde I fayn, quod the Sarrazin tho,
and I wyste how Evere to do.”
“In the Name Of God, quod Iosephe thanne,
I wele the techen now as [I] Canne.”
“Telle me how, quod the Sarrazin,
and I wele it don wel and fyn.”
“ȝif thou wilt On god beleve,
To Alle helthe thanne schalt þou preve.”
“In God, quod the Sarrazin Agein,
I beleve ful wel In Certeyn,
and Not Only Oppon On lord,
but On Alle my Goddis with On Acord.”
“In fowre goddis, quod Iosephe ful hastile;
whiche foure ben tho, telle thou me?”
“that schal I do, quod the Sarrazin Agein,
Mahownd and Iubiter Certein,
Appolyn And Ek Termagawnt,
these fowre Goddis holiche ich hawnt.”
Anon Iosephe to him spak thanne,
and seid, “thou art the more Folisch Manne;
For these goddis that þou belevest vppon,
Nether helthe ne bote mown don the non,
Neþer to non Oþer Creature,
ful sekerly I the Ensure,
And that schal I proven the here Anon.”
“let se,” quod þe Sarrazin, that it were don.”
“Take ȝe that dede body Anon,
and tofore ȝoure Goddis ȝe him don;
and ȝif that to lyve he rere him Ageyn
thanne ben they myhty In Certein;
and ȝif that they Mown not don so,
Elles ben they false for Evere mo,
and thou to blame for thy beleve.
haveth do; let se Anon this ȝe preve.”
“Trewly, quod þe Sarrazin thanne,
that herde I neuere speken Of non Manne;
that Ony God myhte do,
from deth to lyve a man bringen so;
ȝit Neuertheles Asayen scholen we
to fulfillen thy wil ful Sekerle.”
and seid, “thou art the more Folisch Manne;
For these goddis that þou belevest vppon,
Nether helthe ne bote mown don the non,
Neþer to non Oþer Creature,
ful sekerly I the Ensure,
And that schal I proven the here Anon.”
“let se,” quod þe Sarrazin, that it were don.”
“Take ȝe that dede body Anon,
and tofore ȝoure Goddis ȝe him don;
and ȝif that to lyve he rere him Ageyn
thanne ben they myhty In Certein;
234
Elles ben they false for Evere mo,
and thou to blame for thy beleve.
haveth do; let se Anon this ȝe preve.”
“Trewly, quod þe Sarrazin thanne,
that herde I neuere speken Of non Manne;
that Ony God myhte do,
from deth to lyve a man bringen so;
ȝit Neuertheles Asayen scholen we
to fulfillen thy wil ful Sekerle.”
Thanne let this Sarrazin Iosephe vnbynde
his hondis that bownden weren behinde,
but Of his hurt non thing he ne wyste
that þe steward him hadde so thryste
Into the hype with his swerd,
where-Offen he was non thing Aferd.
and whanne the Sarrazines thus hadden I-do,
here lord to-forn here goddis [they] browht tho;
Everichon they knelede A down,
and preiden to Iubiter And Mahown.
his hondis that bownden weren behinde,
but Of his hurt non thing he ne wyste
that þe steward him hadde so thryste
Into the hype with his swerd,
where-Offen he was non thing Aferd.
and whanne the Sarrazines thus hadden I-do,
here lord to-forn here goddis [they] browht tho;
Everichon they knelede A down,
and preiden to Iubiter And Mahown.
whanne thus longe hadden they preid there
and Of his lif weren neuere the Nere,
thanne Iosephe Gan hem Ascrien Anon,
“ha! ȝe Cursed peple Everychon!
why worschepen ȝe so this Mawmetrye
that nowht ne may Availlen Sekerlye?
weten ȝe not wel they mown not Go,
Ne speken ne Meven Neuere the Mo;
behold how fairre this ded Man here
Riseth ther vpe for Alle ȝoure preyere!”
and Of his lif weren neuere the Nere,
thanne Iosephe Gan hem Ascrien Anon,
“ha! ȝe Cursed peple Everychon!
why worschepen ȝe so this Mawmetrye
that nowht ne may Availlen Sekerlye?
weten ȝe not wel they mown not Go,
Ne speken ne Meven Neuere the Mo;
behold how fairre this ded Man here
Riseth ther vpe for Alle ȝoure preyere!”
Thanne Iosephe knelid þere down Anone,
And there to God he Made his bone,
“A thou Iesus God, ful myhty lord,
that hider me sentest be thin Owne Acord
thin holy Name forto declare
In Eche Contre and Every whare
Now, lord, herteliche I the preie
Openly forto declaren thy feye,
That thou Woldest here, lord, sche Wen thy Myht
Openly here In these paynemes siht,
this Caytevous peple that deceyved ben
thorwgh mysbeleve, lord, As ȝe wel sen.”
Thanne Anon Iosephe the Erthe gan kysse,
and vpwardis he dide hem dresse,
and seide, “lordinges, beholde ȝe here
Of ȝowre Goddis here the powere,
and here strenkthes Anon Ryht,
For they ben nethyr of power ne Myht.”
And there to God he Made his bone,
“A thou Iesus God, ful myhty lord,
that hider me sentest be thin Owne Acord
thin holy Name forto declare
In Eche Contre and Every whare
235
Openly forto declaren thy feye,
That thou Woldest here, lord, sche Wen thy Myht
Openly here In these paynemes siht,
this Caytevous peple that deceyved ben
thorwgh mysbeleve, lord, As ȝe wel sen.”
Thanne Anon Iosephe the Erthe gan kysse,
and vpwardis he dide hem dresse,
and seide, “lordinges, beholde ȝe here
Of ȝowre Goddis here the powere,
and here strenkthes Anon Ryht,
For they ben nethyr of power ne Myht.”
thus sone with-Inne A lytel spas
Iesus Crist þere schewede his gras;
for þere the hevene Openede Anon,
and As sparkelis Of fyr þere Owt gonne gon,
and þe Erthe be-gan to qwake,
and Al the firmament to wexen blake;
So that the Sarrazines Everichon
wenden to han deid there Anon.
thanne Cam there thondir & lyhteneng A-down,
and brenden Alle tho ymages In virown;
and ek hem On smale peces to-brak,
& so they stonken with-owten lak,
that alle they thowhten ded they were
For þe grete stench they felten there;
Except Iosephe there Only,
Alle ouercomen they weren Sekerly.
And whanne they were comen to memorie Ageyn,
Thanne Iosephe In this Maner gan seyn,
“Now the sothe here mown ȝe se,
what myhtes ȝoure goddis han sekerle,
For there Nis non may helpen Othir,
Nethir non Of Al this fothyr;
and lik As brend here they be,
So scholen ȝe Alle ful sekerle;
but ȝif ȝe tornen ȝowre CreAunce,
Elles to ȝow schal Comen Mischaunce.”
Iesus Crist þere schewede his gras;
for þere the hevene Openede Anon,
and As sparkelis Of fyr þere Owt gonne gon,
and þe Erthe be-gan to qwake,
and Al the firmament to wexen blake;
So that the Sarrazines Everichon
wenden to han deid there Anon.
thanne Cam there thondir & lyhteneng A-down,
and brenden Alle tho ymages In virown;
and ek hem On smale peces to-brak,
& so they stonken with-owten lak,
that alle they thowhten ded they were
For þe grete stench they felten there;
Except Iosephe there Only,
Alle ouercomen they weren Sekerly.
And whanne they were comen to memorie Ageyn,
Thanne Iosephe In this Maner gan seyn,
“Now the sothe here mown ȝe se,
what myhtes ȝoure goddis han sekerle,
For there Nis non may helpen Othir,
Nethir non Of Al this fothyr;
and lik As brend here they be,
So scholen ȝe Alle ful sekerle;
236
Elles to ȝow schal Comen Mischaunce.”
Thanne seide he that hurt was,
to Iosephe, there in that plas,
“Sire, he seide, how hyhtest thou?”
“Sire, quod he, Iosephe am I clepid now.”
“what, art þou not a sarrazin thanne?”
“No, quod Iosephe, I am A Cristene manne,
and beleve On fadir, sone, and holy gost,
wheche is but On god of mytes most.”
“thanne, quod this Mathegrans þe sarrazin, tho,
In thre Goddis thou belevest Also?”
“Nay, quod Iosephe, that may not be,
For but On god they ben Alle thre;
And þerto so myhty and so ful of powste
that the dede to lyve Areren welen he,
and ek, Alle tho that false be,
Trewe he kan maken hem sekerle;
and there Nis sinnere non so gret
that he ne wile hem Clensen As sket,
and As myhty god he wile him preve,
To Alle tho that On him beleve;
for wel mown ȝe sen be ȝoure goddis here,
that he is lord Of so gret powere.”
“Sertes, quod Mathegrans thanne,
Sire, I hold the for a trewe Manne,
and ȝif he my brothir to lif wele bringe,
I sey ȝou, Iosephe, with-owten lesinge,
I schal neuere On Oþer god beleve,
but Only On him, and þou this preve.”
to Iosephe, there in that plas,
“Sire, he seide, how hyhtest thou?”
“Sire, quod he, Iosephe am I clepid now.”
“what, art þou not a sarrazin thanne?”
“No, quod Iosephe, I am A Cristene manne,
and beleve On fadir, sone, and holy gost,
wheche is but On god of mytes most.”
“thanne, quod this Mathegrans þe sarrazin, tho,
In thre Goddis thou belevest Also?”
“Nay, quod Iosephe, that may not be,
For but On god they ben Alle thre;
And þerto so myhty and so ful of powste
that the dede to lyve Areren welen he,
and ek, Alle tho that false be,
Trewe he kan maken hem sekerle;
and there Nis sinnere non so gret
that he ne wile hem Clensen As sket,
and As myhty god he wile him preve,
To Alle tho that On him beleve;
for wel mown ȝe sen be ȝoure goddis here,
that he is lord Of so gret powere.”
“Sertes, quod Mathegrans thanne,
Sire, I hold the for a trewe Manne,
and ȝif he my brothir to lif wele bringe,
I sey ȝou, Iosephe, with-owten lesinge,
I schal neuere On Oþer god beleve,
but Only On him, and þou this preve.”
And whanne Iosephe herde him so say,
a ful glad Man he was that day;
Anon to the Erthe he knelyde Adown,
and there he made his Orysown:
“O thou God that Alle things wrowhte,
And Al this world thou Madest Of Nowhte,
The sonne, the Mone, and the fowre Elemens,
and Of A virgine to be born with-Owten Offens,
and Sethen On Croys I-don thow were,
and there-vppon I-stongen with a spere,
that so suffredist þou tormentes Manye & felle,
thy peple to beggen Owt Of helle;
and thanne from deth to lyve þou Ryse Ageyn
Of thin Owne Myht, Lord, In Certeyn:
So worththily, goode lorde, schewe Miracle here,
thorwgh thy myht this dede man to Arere,
that Al this peple here, lord, May se
thy werkyng and thin dignete.”
a ful glad Man he was that day;
Anon to the Erthe he knelyde Adown,
and there he made his Orysown:
“O thou God that Alle things wrowhte,
And Al this world thou Madest Of Nowhte,
237
and Of A virgine to be born with-Owten Offens,
and Sethen On Croys I-don thow were,
and there-vppon I-stongen with a spere,
that so suffredist þou tormentes Manye & felle,
thy peple to beggen Owt Of helle;
and thanne from deth to lyve þou Ryse Ageyn
Of thin Owne Myht, Lord, In Certeyn:
So worththily, goode lorde, schewe Miracle here,
thorwgh thy myht this dede man to Arere,
that Al this peple here, lord, May se
thy werkyng and thin dignete.”
Thanne Iosephe gan him vpe forto dresse,
and not longe After, with-Owten les,
the dede Aȝen to lyve he Ros,
and After to Iosephe Anon he gos,
and knelid A-down and kyste his feet
Aforn hem Alle, and not ne leet,
and seide to hym Aftyr his Owne lyst,
“welcome, seriawnt Of Iesu Crist,
that God Of the Croys thou took A-down,”
(thus he seide with A gret Sown,)
“that God Amonges vs the hath sent
vs for to Cristene verament,
to bryngen vs Owt of Endeles peyne,
therfore Art thou Comen In Certeyne.”
and not longe After, with-Owten les,
the dede Aȝen to lyve he Ros,
and After to Iosephe Anon he gos,
and knelid A-down and kyste his feet
Aforn hem Alle, and not ne leet,
and seide to hym Aftyr his Owne lyst,
“welcome, seriawnt Of Iesu Crist,
that God Of the Croys thou took A-down,”
(thus he seide with A gret Sown,)
“that God Amonges vs the hath sent
vs for to Cristene verament,
to bryngen vs Owt of Endeles peyne,
therfore Art thou Comen In Certeyne.”
whanne Iosephe sawh hym so Aryse,
he Made to God A worthy sacryfise,
and wepe for Ioye and for pyte,
that Alle the peple there myhte it se;
And seide to hem that Abowtes him were,
“Now mow ȝe wel knowen and sen here
that he is God Evere pereles,
and Of Alle bowntes he doth not ses.”
“Now forsothe, quod Mathegrans tho,
It Is ful trewe thou seist me to,
for Neuere hens forward I ne schal Certeyn
On non oþer God to beleven ful pleyn;
For now knowe I wel that my brothir Argon
from deth to lyve here he is I-gon
Onleche thorwh thy goddis powere;
For now knowe I God with-Owten pere.”
he Made to God A worthy sacryfise,
and wepe for Ioye and for pyte,
that Alle the peple there myhte it se;
And seide to hem that Abowtes him were,
“Now mow ȝe wel knowen and sen here
that he is God Evere pereles,
and Of Alle bowntes he doth not ses.”
“Now forsothe, quod Mathegrans tho,
It Is ful trewe thou seist me to,
238
On non oþer God to beleven ful pleyn;
For now knowe I wel that my brothir Argon
from deth to lyve here he is I-gon
Onleche thorwh thy goddis powere;
For now knowe I God with-Owten pere.”
Thanne Alle the Meyne that In þe Castel were,
anon to Iosephe On knes fillen there,
And with lowd voys Alle gonnen they Crye,
“lord Iosephe, On vs thou haue Mercye!
Of Oure Misbeleve And Miscreaunce,
Goode lord, On vs þou take non veniaunce,
and Neuere forward from this day
we scholen werken Aȝens thyn lay;
þerfore, good Iosephe, so wisse vs here,
and we it scholen fulfille In Alle Manere.”
Thus they of the Castel Everichon
weren there Christened forsothe Anon.
anon to Iosephe On knes fillen there,
And with lowd voys Alle gonnen they Crye,
“lord Iosephe, On vs thou haue Mercye!
Of Oure Misbeleve And Miscreaunce,
Goode lord, On vs þou take non veniaunce,
and Neuere forward from this day
we scholen werken Aȝens thyn lay;
þerfore, good Iosephe, so wisse vs here,
and we it scholen fulfille In Alle Manere.”
Thus they of the Castel Everichon
weren there Christened forsothe Anon.
whanne þe steward beheld Al this there,
that so hadde hurt Iosephe In swich Manere,
Openliche there he it be-knewe,
And ful sore þere-Offen gan he rewe,
And how the swerd In him broken was,
And the halfendel lefte In that plas,
& þe Remenaunt scholen ȝe þere fynde
In his hype with-Owten lesynge.
Thanne this Mathegrans Dyde serchen Anon,
and in his hype they it fownden thus son,
“A, Sire, quod Mathegrans, telle thou Me
how of this hort helid scholen ȝe be.”
“wel, quod Iosephe, be goddis help Certeinle;
but ferst of ȝoure wounde hely[d] Scholen ȝe be.”
that so hadde hurt Iosephe In swich Manere,
Openliche there he it be-knewe,
And ful sore þere-Offen gan he rewe,
And how the swerd In him broken was,
And the halfendel lefte In that plas,
& þe Remenaunt scholen ȝe þere fynde
In his hype with-Owten lesynge.
Thanne this Mathegrans Dyde serchen Anon,
and in his hype they it fownden thus son,
“A, Sire, quod Mathegrans, telle thou Me
how of this hort helid scholen ȝe be.”
“wel, quod Iosephe, be goddis help Certeinle;
but ferst of ȝoure wounde hely[d] Scholen ȝe be.”
thanne the Remenaunt of þe swerd he let bringen Anon,
and to Mathagrans wounde leide it thus son;
thanne thussone I-helid he was
Aforn that peple thoruh goddis Gras.
thanne leidde he þat swerd to his Owne wonde;
the poynt thus sone Owt Cam In A stownde,
More whittere, more fair, and More Cler
An hundred part thanne it was Er;
Not A drope Of Blood ne was there On,
and that they Syen Every-chon,
as thowh neuere In the flesch it hadde be,
where-offen the Merveilleden ful sekerle.
and to Mathagrans wounde leide it thus son;
thanne thussone I-helid he was
Aforn that peple thoruh goddis Gras.
239
the poynt thus sone Owt Cam In A stownde,
More whittere, more fair, and More Cler
An hundred part thanne it was Er;
Not A drope Of Blood ne was there On,
and that they Syen Every-chon,
as thowh neuere In the flesch it hadde be,
where-offen the Merveilleden ful sekerle.
Of this, gret wondir gonne they Make;
thanne Iosephe the swerd On honde gan take;
“ha! swerd, neuere Ioyned to-gederis schalt þou be,
tyl Into his hondis thou Come ful sekerle,
that the Aventures of the seint Graal
To An Ende schal bringen hem Al;
and As sone as he þe taketh on honde
to-gederis schalt þou Ioyne thoruh goddis sonde;
for this Ende that In My flesch was,
Tyl that tyme schal neuere Comen In plas.”
thanne Iosephe the swerd On honde gan take;
“ha! swerd, neuere Ioyned to-gederis schalt þou be,
tyl Into his hondis thou Come ful sekerle,
that the Aventures of the seint Graal
To An Ende schal bringen hem Al;
and As sone as he þe taketh on honde
to-gederis schalt þou Ioyne thoruh goddis sonde;
for this Ende that In My flesch was,
Tyl that tyme schal neuere Comen In plas.”
Thus Iosephe with the swerd there wrowhte;
and ful faste to him thanne they sowhte,
so that Cristened the weren Everichon
Al so faste renneng As they myhten gon.
And Agrons, viij dayes aftyr levede he
Among that peple ful Certeinle.
thanne whanne Iosephe scholde go,
the swerd he betook hem tho,
and they it kepte In Cherte,
and gret worschepe it dide that Meyne.
and ful faste to him thanne they sowhte,
so that Cristened the weren Everichon
Al so faste renneng As they myhten gon.
And Agrons, viij dayes aftyr levede he
Among that peple ful Certeinle.
thanne whanne Iosephe scholde go,
the swerd he betook hem tho,
and they it kepte In Cherte,
and gret worschepe it dide that Meyne.
CHAPTER L. OF JOSEPH'S FURTHER ADVENTURES; AND OF THE CRIMES OF CHANAAN AND SYMEN.
240
Thanne parted thens Iosephe Anon
Al so faste As he Cowude gon,
& In his Iorne forth wente sekerlye
there As he hopede to fynden his Compeny.
Al so faste As he Cowude gon,
241
there As he hopede to fynden his Compeny.
And so As that it him happede so tho
thoruh the forest of Darnantes gan he go;
and whanne thens owt that he was past,
To A gret water he cam In hast,
the wheche was bothe depe and brod;
there fond he his felawes þat þere Abod,
and In non wise Mihten Over pase
til he was Comen, swich was here grace,
that there Rested hem Everichon
to Abyden som passage Over to gon.
thoruh the forest of Darnantes gan he go;
and whanne thens owt that he was past,
To A gret water he cam In hast,
the wheche was bothe depe and brod;
there fond he his felawes þat þere Abod,
and In non wise Mihten Over pase
til he was Comen, swich was here grace,
that there Rested hem Everichon
to Abyden som passage Over to gon.
and whanne that Iosephe they gonne to se,
til Mochel Ioye Maden that Compene,
and Aȝens him they wenten Everichon
Al so faste As they Cowde gon.
“A, sire Iosephe, welcome ȝe be!
vs behoueth Conseil to taken Of the
whether we scholen this water pase,
Owther Abyden here In this place,
for here is Nethir schype ne galeye
that we mown In gon feithfullye;
and this water so depe and perylows Is,
that we it ne doren taken I-wys,
and owre Maister the Bischope here
Abideth ȝowre Comeng with-owten dwere;
And now that ȝe be Comen vs to,
Alle We hopen the bettyr Ouer to go.”
til Mochel Ioye Maden that Compene,
and Aȝens him they wenten Everichon
Al so faste As they Cowde gon.
“A, sire Iosephe, welcome ȝe be!
vs behoueth Conseil to taken Of the
whether we scholen this water pase,
Owther Abyden here In this place,
for here is Nethir schype ne galeye
that we mown In gon feithfullye;
and this water so depe and perylows Is,
that we it ne doren taken I-wys,
and owre Maister the Bischope here
Abideth ȝowre Comeng with-owten dwere;
And now that ȝe be Comen vs to,
Alle We hopen the bettyr Ouer to go.”
“ȝe, quod Iosephe to hem thanne,
I schal ȝow Conseillen Every Manne
to knelen A-down vppon his kne,
and preie to that lord In Maieste,
In worschepe Of whom hedir we be gon,
that he vs socowr wolde senden son,
and schewen vs here som Tokenenge,
Ouer this water vs forto brynge.”
I schal ȝow Conseillen Every Manne
to knelen A-down vppon his kne,
and preie to that lord In Maieste,
In worschepe Of whom hedir we be gon,
that he vs socowr wolde senden son,
and schewen vs here som Tokenenge,
Ouer this water vs forto brynge.”
242
Thanne thus Anon gonnen they do
As Iosephe there hadde tawht hem tho,
and þer Anon they knelede A-down,
And to God Maden here Orisown,
‘Over that water hem to bringe,
and þer-offen hem to sende som tokenenge.’
thus In here prei[er]es Abyden they there
from prime Into Midday Al In fere,
and Evere Abyden the sonde Of god Almyht.
So Atte laste hadden they An In syht,
that Owt of a lytel busch there beside,
Owt Syen they Comen At that tyde
A lytel hert that was snow whit,
a ful faire beste to here delyt,
& abowtes his Nekke A Chene Of goold,
and with him fowre lyowns gonnen they behold,
On be-hinde, Anothir him to-fore,
& on Eche side On, & so ladden him thore;
and as Cherly þe liowns this hert gonne kepe,
As the modir the Child lulleth On slepe.
thanne these bestes Aprochede hem Anon,
and thoruh the peple these liouns gonne gon,
with-Owten blemscheng Of Ony Man.
Anon there Iosephe thowhte than,
whanne the hert þe water say he take,
and the lyowns him folwed as hire Make,
thanne seide Iosephe to þe peple Anon
“Seweth ȝe me now Everychon,
And Alle Sawf scholen we be
that Ouer this watyr wile folowen Me.”
So that the water they Entred Anon,
and Alle Sawf Ouer gonne they gon,
Al so drye As vppon A Roche Of ston,
In so stedfast beleve the weren Echon.
thus pasten Alle that Compenye,
Except On ful Sekerlye,
thorwh verray grace and goddis powere,
Faire Al Ouer pasten they there.
As Iosephe there hadde tawht hem tho,
and þer Anon they knelede A-down,
And to God Maden here Orisown,
‘Over that water hem to bringe,
and þer-offen hem to sende som tokenenge.’
thus In here prei[er]es Abyden they there
from prime Into Midday Al In fere,
and Evere Abyden the sonde Of god Almyht.
So Atte laste hadden they An In syht,
that Owt of a lytel busch there beside,
Owt Syen they Comen At that tyde
A lytel hert that was snow whit,
a ful faire beste to here delyt,
& abowtes his Nekke A Chene Of goold,
and with him fowre lyowns gonnen they behold,
On be-hinde, Anothir him to-fore,
& on Eche side On, & so ladden him thore;
and as Cherly þe liowns this hert gonne kepe,
As the modir the Child lulleth On slepe.
thanne these bestes Aprochede hem Anon,
and thoruh the peple these liouns gonne gon,
with-Owten blemscheng Of Ony Man.
Anon there Iosephe thowhte than,
whanne the hert þe water say he take,
and the lyowns him folwed as hire Make,
thanne seide Iosephe to þe peple Anon
“Seweth ȝe me now Everychon,
And Alle Sawf scholen we be
that Ouer this watyr wile folowen Me.”
So that the water they Entred Anon,
and Alle Sawf Ouer gonne they gon,
Al so drye As vppon A Roche Of ston,
In so stedfast beleve the weren Echon.
thus pasten Alle that Compenye,
Except On ful Sekerlye,
243
Faire Al Ouer pasten they there.
Thus pasten they that water Every Man,
Except On that hyhte Chanaan;
and this Canaan that was thore,
Of Ierusalem he was I-bore,
and twelve bretheren hadde he,
that with Iosep pasten sikerle.
and whanne Ouer that water they weren gon,
and parceyved þat here brothir thanne Anon
was beleft On the tothir syde,
thanne Mochel mone they maden þat tyde,
and to Iosephe thanne faste gonne they go,
and hertely besowhten Iosephe tho;
“a, goode sere, that ȝe wolden vs telle
how this Aventure here befelle,
that owre brothir is vs behinde;
how may this be, and be what kynde?”
Except On that hyhte Chanaan;
and this Canaan that was thore,
Of Ierusalem he was I-bore,
and twelve bretheren hadde he,
that with Iosep pasten sikerle.
and whanne Ouer that water they weren gon,
and parceyved þat here brothir thanne Anon
was beleft On the tothir syde,
thanne Mochel mone they maden þat tyde,
and to Iosephe thanne faste gonne they go,
and hertely besowhten Iosephe tho;
“a, goode sere, that ȝe wolden vs telle
how this Aventure here befelle,
that owre brothir is vs behinde;
how may this be, and be what kynde?”
“wele ȝe weten the skele why,”
quod Iosephe to hem Certeinly;
“alle discharged Of synne ȝe be,
and so nys not he ful sekerle;
wherfore hym behoueth to Abyden there,
for with vs myhte he not Comen In non Manere;
and ȝif he hadde, I-sonken scholde he;
therefore best for him is there to be;
For ful gilty doth he hym knowe,
that he ne myhte not passen forth in this Rowe.”
quod Iosephe to hem Certeinly;
“alle discharged Of synne ȝe be,
and so nys not he ful sekerle;
wherfore hym behoueth to Abyden there,
for with vs myhte he not Comen In non Manere;
and ȝif he hadde, I-sonken scholde he;
therefore best for him is there to be;
For ful gilty doth he hym knowe,
that he ne myhte not passen forth in this Rowe.”
Thanne gonne the bretheren to wepen Echon,
and to Iosephe they maden Mochel Mon;
“ha, goode Sire, how scholen we do,
that Oure brothir ne myhte Comen vs to,
for he is [t]here In stronge Contre,
and fer from his frendes sekerle;
and he socour hath he Ryht non,
A, goode Iosep, how scholen we don?
And þerto ful fer from his Contre;
and we his bretheren ben Sikerle,
for hym loven we ful Enterly
As the flesch and blood of Oure Owne body;
therfore, goode Iosephe, for Charite,
helpeth that Ouer comen weren he;
Oþer elles for sorwe we scholen deye
certeinly, Iosephe, and In feye,
ȝif that we gon owt of this Contre
but ȝif that he In Owre feleschepe be.”
and to Iosephe they maden Mochel Mon;
“ha, goode Sire, how scholen we do,
that Oure brothir ne myhte Comen vs to,
for he is [t]here In stronge Contre,
and fer from his frendes sekerle;
and he socour hath he Ryht non,
A, goode Iosep, how scholen we don?
244
and we his bretheren ben Sikerle,
for hym loven we ful Enterly
As the flesch and blood of Oure Owne body;
therfore, goode Iosephe, for Charite,
helpeth that Ouer comen weren he;
Oþer elles for sorwe we scholen deye
certeinly, Iosephe, and In feye,
ȝif that we gon owt of this Contre
but ȝif that he In Owre feleschepe be.”
Thanne thus wepinge Alle they preide,
and thus to Iosephe Alle they seide.
of hem Iosephe hadde gret pyte there,
For þat Alle good men they were;
and ful Of prowesse Ek therto,
whanne that Ony thing scholde be do.
thanne seide Iosephe ful Curteislye,
“for ȝoure love I schal it don trewelye;
and ȝit trowe I bettere that he were,
& that to vs he Come not here;
and be hym more Evel may Comen vs to;
Neuertheles ȝoure wylle ȝit wile I do.”
and thus to Iosephe Alle they seide.
of hem Iosephe hadde gret pyte there,
For þat Alle good men they were;
and ful Of prowesse Ek therto,
whanne that Ony thing scholde be do.
thanne seide Iosephe ful Curteislye,
“for ȝoure love I schal it don trewelye;
and ȝit trowe I bettere that he were,
& that to vs he Come not here;
and be hym more Evel may Comen vs to;
Neuertheles ȝoure wylle ȝit wile I do.”
So that to the water Iosephe Aȝen wente
forto fullen here Entente,
and vnto the water he gan to go,
to þe tothir side that he cam fro;
And thanne to Chanaan seide he,
“Now thin Owne levyng here myhtest þou se;
and ȝif In as good lif thou haddest I-be
As thy brethren Aren Sekerle,
thanne haddest þou not beleft here
Sekerly, Kanaam, In non Manere.”
forto fullen here Entente,
and vnto the water he gan to go,
to þe tothir side that he cam fro;
And thanne to Chanaan seide he,
“Now thin Owne levyng here myhtest þou se;
and ȝif In as good lif thou haddest I-be
As thy brethren Aren Sekerle,
thanne haddest þou not beleft here
Sekerly, Kanaam, In non Manere.”
thanne took him Iosephe be the hond,
and thus seide, As I vndirstond,
“Come On, Chanaam, and sewe thou me,
and sawf and seker schalt thou be.”
and whanne to the brinke they weren gon,
thanne to Iosephe he seide Anon,
“this watir it is bothe depe and blak,
I ne dar not þer-Onne gon with-Owten lak;
with-Owten A schipe other A galeye,
lest I scholde perschen, Iosephe, In feye.”
“Certes, quod Iosephe to him Ageyn,
It nis non wondyr In Certein
thowh þou In this water deidest here,
Sethen thou Trostest non bettere In Goddis powere;
Therfore here schal I leven now the,
and to thin bretheren gon wile I Aȝe;
and Merveille þe not thouh þou longe here Abyde,
for here mythest þou dwellen A long tyde,
til fischeres here Comen seiling be the,
þe Over to bringen ful Certeinle.”
Thus In this Maner Iosephe gan forth to pase,
And Chanaam lefte stille In that place.
and thus seide, As I vndirstond,
“Come On, Chanaam, and sewe thou me,
and sawf and seker schalt thou be.”
245
thanne to Iosephe he seide Anon,
“this watir it is bothe depe and blak,
I ne dar not þer-Onne gon with-Owten lak;
with-Owten A schipe other A galeye,
lest I scholde perschen, Iosephe, In feye.”
“Certes, quod Iosephe to him Ageyn,
It nis non wondyr In Certein
thowh þou In this water deidest here,
Sethen thou Trostest non bettere In Goddis powere;
Therfore here schal I leven now the,
and to thin bretheren gon wile I Aȝe;
and Merveille þe not thouh þou longe here Abyde,
for here mythest þou dwellen A long tyde,
til fischeres here Comen seiling be the,
þe Over to bringen ful Certeinle.”
Thus In this Maner Iosephe gan forth to pase,
And Chanaam lefte stille In that place.
whanne his bretheren behelden Iosephe ther,
and sein not here brothir In non Maner,
thanne grettere morneng gonne they make
thanne ony tyme to forn for hys sake;
but here morneng but lytel while did laste
Aftyr that Iosephe they conne taste,
So that with Inne A whille After, sone
A fyschere vppon that water gan gone;
and whanne that Chanaam Sawh hem ther,
Anon to hem he clepid from fer,
And preyde hem In to here schipe forto take
him, forto veryen ouer that lake;
So that Ouer that water he wente,
And with his Compenye Mette veramente.
and whanne his bretherin gonnen him beholde,
they Maden Ioye ful Many folde,
for they loveden him ful wel
as bretheren Owhte Everydel,
For him lovede they Al so dere
as bretheren Owhten to loven In fere.
and sein not here brothir In non Maner,
thanne grettere morneng gonne they make
thanne ony tyme to forn for hys sake;
but here morneng but lytel while did laste
Aftyr that Iosephe they conne taste,
So that with Inne A whille After, sone
A fyschere vppon that water gan gone;
and whanne that Chanaam Sawh hem ther,
Anon to hem he clepid from fer,
And preyde hem In to here schipe forto take
him, forto veryen ouer that lake;
So that Ouer that water he wente,
And with his Compenye Mette veramente.
and whanne his bretherin gonnen him beholde,
they Maden Ioye ful Many folde,
for they loveden him ful wel
as bretheren Owhte Everydel,
246
as bretheren Owhten to loven In fere.
whanne that Iosephe Chanaam gan se,
“Chanaam, he seide, welcome ȝe be!
Chanaam, I kan the tellen tydynge:
they that the hider dide brynge,
they weren so wykked In Alle degre
that Alle Goodnesse from hem doth fle,
and þerto so sorwefully ben they be-gon,
and that schalt þou sen here Anon;
For Alle I-persched they scholen be,
that Al this peple here schal se;
and that schal ben here Gwerdown,
for here Over bringeng with good resown;
for they ben paynemes Mescreauns,
therefore hem schal happen ful wondir chauns,
for they wrowhten Aȝens Goddis wille,
hider the to bringe, I sey the tylle;
and, for his Comandement that they han broke,
In strong presoun they scholen ben stoke;
and hem Alle Swelwen schal the see,
bothe schipe and Man ful Sekerle,
and that schalt thou sone beholde
ȝif it be soth that I the tolde.”
“Chanaam, he seide, welcome ȝe be!
Chanaam, I kan the tellen tydynge:
they that the hider dide brynge,
they weren so wykked In Alle degre
that Alle Goodnesse from hem doth fle,
and þerto so sorwefully ben they be-gon,
and that schalt þou sen here Anon;
For Alle I-persched they scholen be,
that Al this peple here schal se;
and that schal ben here Gwerdown,
for here Over bringeng with good resown;
for they ben paynemes Mescreauns,
therefore hem schal happen ful wondir chauns,
for they wrowhten Aȝens Goddis wille,
hider the to bringe, I sey the tylle;
and, for his Comandement that they han broke,
In strong presoun they scholen ben stoke;
and hem Alle Swelwen schal the see,
bothe schipe and Man ful Sekerle,
and that schalt thou sone beholde
ȝif it be soth that I the tolde.”
Whanne Iosephe hadde told hem þis tale,
þer be-gan sorwen with-Owten bale;
For so gret A wynd þere Ros Anon,
and Ouer that water it wente ful son,
and Made þer-Inne Manye A ful gret wawe,
so þat Ech Ouer Oþer gan Ouerthrawe,
and dreinte this vessel there Anon,
so þat persched they weren Echon,
that Alle Iosepis Meyne þere beheld
lik as he behyhte hem In that feld.
þer be-gan sorwen with-Owten bale;
For so gret A wynd þere Ros Anon,
and Ouer that water it wente ful son,
and Made þer-Inne Manye A ful gret wawe,
so þat Ech Ouer Oþer gan Ouerthrawe,
and dreinte this vessel there Anon,
so þat persched they weren Echon,
that Alle Iosepis Meyne þere beheld
lik as he behyhte hem In that feld.
Whanne they Alle this wondir hadde sein,
To Iosephe they Comen Anon Certein,
and seiden, “sere, what scholen we do?
Scholen we now Ony ferthere go,
Oþer scholen we stille Abyden here?
ȝe, Sire, and we Al In fere.”
“Into A forest scholen we pase,
and þere scholen we sen, be goddis grace,
In what place that Moys is Inne,
As I behyht ȝow Er that I blynne.”
“Sire, quod they, scholen we thanne se
Moys Owre brothir, where þat he be?”
“ȝe, quod Iosephe, that scholen ȝe
Mois here sen In Alle degre.”
To Iosephe they Comen Anon Certein,
247
Scholen we now Ony ferthere go,
Oþer scholen we stille Abyden here?
ȝe, Sire, and we Al In fere.”
“Into A forest scholen we pase,
and þere scholen we sen, be goddis grace,
In what place that Moys is Inne,
As I behyht ȝow Er that I blynne.”
“Sire, quod they, scholen we thanne se
Moys Owre brothir, where þat he be?”
“ȝe, quod Iosephe, that scholen ȝe
Mois here sen In Alle degre.”
Thanne from that place wenten they Anon,
and toward the forest of darmandes they gonne gon.
Thanne Aleyn, that Fyschere Clepid was,
and Bron and Peers In that plas,
and faste to Iosephe gonne they gon,
And þere to him seiden thus Son,
“Sire, telleth vs for Charite
what signefiaunce þat this May be,
Of this hert and fowre lyown
þat thus here wenten With-Owten distroctiouns.”
“Sires, quod Iosephe to hem thanne,
I schal ȝow tellen As þat I Canne:
It is Of God the signefiaunce,
that to his disciples wile maken demonstraunce
For ȝe that In Synne hauen be,
and forsaken It Certeinle,
and ben I-Comen to A newe kende;
what I schal now sein, take ȝe In Mende,
why that In An hert he gan him schewe;
vndirstondeth my Resouns vppon A rewe.
and toward the forest of darmandes they gonne gon.
Thanne Aleyn, that Fyschere Clepid was,
and Bron and Peers In that plas,
and faste to Iosephe gonne they gon,
And þere to him seiden thus Son,
“Sire, telleth vs for Charite
what signefiaunce þat this May be,
Of this hert and fowre lyown
þat thus here wenten With-Owten distroctiouns.”
“Sires, quod Iosephe to hem thanne,
I schal ȝow tellen As þat I Canne:
It is Of God the signefiaunce,
that to his disciples wile maken demonstraunce
For ȝe that In Synne hauen be,
and forsaken It Certeinle,
and ben I-Comen to A newe kende;
what I schal now sein, take ȝe In Mende,
why that In An hert he gan him schewe;
vndirstondeth my Resouns vppon A rewe.
“Of an hert, the kynde Evere It is,
From Age to ȝongthe to tornen I-wis:
Ryht so dyde Iesu Crist;
From deth Aros, As ȝe wel wyst,
that Is God and verray prophete,
that On the Cros his lyf dyde lete.
and be his whitnesse, vndirstondeth ȝe
his Modris and his virgynyte,
whiche non Of hem Entachched was
with non Maner Synne In non plas.
and be his Chayne vndirstondeth ȝe,
that signefieth hvmylyte.
From Age to ȝongthe to tornen I-wis:
Ryht so dyde Iesu Crist;
From deth Aros, As ȝe wel wyst,
248
that On the Cros his lyf dyde lete.
and be his whitnesse, vndirstondeth ȝe
his Modris and his virgynyte,
whiche non Of hem Entachched was
with non Maner Synne In non plas.
and be his Chayne vndirstondeth ȝe,
that signefieth hvmylyte.
“and be þe fowre bestes In his Compenye,
the fowre Evangelistes signefyen sekerlye,
that Alle his werkis wreten Echon,
and Of his blessid Miracles Manyon
that here Amonges vs wrowhte he,
As thowh A dedly man he hadde be.
the fowre Evangelistes signefyen sekerlye,
that Alle his werkis wreten Echon,
and Of his blessid Miracles Manyon
that here Amonges vs wrowhte he,
As thowh A dedly man he hadde be.
“Thus be the white hert vndirstonde ȝe
Crist In his holy virginite;
and be the fowre bestes Also
the fowre Evangely[st]es þat with him gonnen go,
that these Ouer this water Owre Condyt hath be,
As Openly here Alle Mown ȝe se.
and as blessedly As he aperith to vs here,
As Angerly schal he In Anothir Manere
To tweyne persones In tyme Comenge,
be Arthures day that schal be kynge.
and whiche two that they scholde be;
On schal ben lawncelot ful sekerle;
And the tothir, Mordret schal ben his Name,
that schal ben A man Of a wondirful fame;
And Into that tyme In Certein
In this Semblaunce Aperen will he not Ageyn.”
Crist In his holy virginite;
and be the fowre bestes Also
the fowre Evangely[st]es þat with him gonnen go,
that these Ouer this water Owre Condyt hath be,
As Openly here Alle Mown ȝe se.
and as blessedly As he aperith to vs here,
As Angerly schal he In Anothir Manere
To tweyne persones In tyme Comenge,
be Arthures day that schal be kynge.
and whiche two that they scholde be;
On schal ben lawncelot ful sekerle;
And the tothir, Mordret schal ben his Name,
that schal ben A man Of a wondirful fame;
And Into that tyme In Certein
In this Semblaunce Aperen will he not Ageyn.”
Thus As they wenten forth Talkynge,
Into þe forest of Darnauntes began hem brynge;
and whanne with-Inne that they hadden gon
The space Of two Miles there Anon,
and Iosephe that Algates wente to fore,
Into A weye he tornede thore,
and him they Seweden Everichon
Al so faste As they Cowde Gon,
Tyl they Comen In to A gret Valey
where As A gret hows syen they.
And Whanne they Comen to that Entre,
Al Open the gate þere fownden he;
but Nethir Man ne womman syen they non
that In wolden hem letten forto gon.
Into þe forest of Darnauntes began hem brynge;
and whanne with-Inne that they hadden gon
The space Of two Miles there Anon,
and Iosephe that Algates wente to fore,
Into A weye he tornede thore,
249
Al so faste As they Cowde Gon,
Tyl they Comen In to A gret Valey
where As A gret hows syen they.
And Whanne they Comen to that Entre,
Al Open the gate þere fownden he;
but Nethir Man ne womman syen they non
that In wolden hem letten forto gon.
thanne forth Iosephe Innere wente,
And Al his Compenye veramente,
And In to An halle he gan gon,
þere him they foleweden Everichon.
thanne A gret fyr syen they there,
that As briht brende And as Clere
thowh Alle the bussches þere In Erthe hadde be
vppon A fyr I-set ful Sekerle.
And Al his Compenye veramente,
And In to An halle he gan gon,
þere him they foleweden Everichon.
thanne A gret fyr syen they there,
that As briht brende And as Clere
thowh Alle the bussches þere In Erthe hadde be
vppon A fyr I-set ful Sekerle.
And whanne this fyr that they Sye,
Thanne Axeden þei Iosephe In hye
‘what myhte signefie that ilke fyre.’
thus sone A vois thanne gonnen they here,
and so lowde it gan to Crye
that Alle they it herden Sekerlye,
“holy fadyr Iosephe, Goddis knyht,
Fulfild with the Grace Of god Almyht,
that thou woldist Onlyche preyen for me
To that good lord In Maieste,
Myn Angwisch that he wolde Aslake,
whiche I Am more worthy to take;
but ȝit þat he wolde Of his Mercye
My peyne to Aleggen In som partye.”
and the voys þat there thus spak,
Owt Of þe fer it Cam with-Owten lak.
Thanne Axeden þei Iosephe In hye
‘what myhte signefie that ilke fyre.’
thus sone A vois thanne gonnen they here,
and so lowde it gan to Crye
that Alle they it herden Sekerlye,
“holy fadyr Iosephe, Goddis knyht,
Fulfild with the Grace Of god Almyht,
that thou woldist Onlyche preyen for me
To that good lord In Maieste,
Myn Angwisch that he wolde Aslake,
whiche I Am more worthy to take;
but ȝit þat he wolde Of his Mercye
My peyne to Aleggen In som partye.”
and the voys þat there thus spak,
Owt Of þe fer it Cam with-Owten lak.
thanne seide Iosephe, “fain wold I preye
ȝif I wiste my lord not forto Anoye.”
“A, quod the vois, In Alle wyse
For me þat ȝe wolde preien In ȝoure Gyse;
& be ȝoure preiere my peyne I-legged schal be,
thus troste I, Iosephe, Certeinle.
ȝif I wiste my lord not forto Anoye.”
“A, quod the vois, In Alle wyse
For me þat ȝe wolde preien In ȝoure Gyse;
250
thus troste I, Iosephe, Certeinle.
“Do me to wetene,” quod Iosephe Ageyn,
“whethir þou schole to blisse Oþer to peyn,
Owþer Evere Mercy that þou hopest to have
Of thy Creatour that may the Save.”
“I ne have not don so gret Trespas
that I ne hope to haue bothe Mercy and gras:
For his Mercy, so gret It is
to Alle tho that don Amys,
and they repenten hem of hir Misdede,
Anon to Mercy he wele hem lede.
but now knowe I wel that thilke same se
that I Inne sat be presomtweste,
It Is that same sege to mene
where as God to his disciples Made his Sene;
And I As A fals Synnere
And dedlich man wolde sitten there;
wherefore On Me God took veniaunce
for myn desir & myn Mischaunce,
how from the table þat I was left,
And with Ministres Of helle from ȝow Reft,
that streyht with hem I scholde han gon
Into here depe donioun Anon.
“whethir þou schole to blisse Oþer to peyn,
Owþer Evere Mercy that þou hopest to have
Of thy Creatour that may the Save.”
“I ne have not don so gret Trespas
that I ne hope to haue bothe Mercy and gras:
For his Mercy, so gret It is
to Alle tho that don Amys,
and they repenten hem of hir Misdede,
Anon to Mercy he wele hem lede.
but now knowe I wel that thilke same se
that I Inne sat be presomtweste,
It Is that same sege to mene
where as God to his disciples Made his Sene;
And I As A fals Synnere
And dedlich man wolde sitten there;
wherefore On Me God took veniaunce
for myn desir & myn Mischaunce,
how from the table þat I was left,
And with Ministres Of helle from ȝow Reft,
that streyht with hem I scholde han gon
Into here depe donioun Anon.
“And whanne they Comen Ouer this forest,
happede An holy man Is here be west,
An holy Ermyt, & A Religious,
As he walkede Owt Of his hous,—
and xxxij wynter Ermyt here hath he be,
A ful holy man In Alle degre.—
And whanne he sawh hem me so bere,
Anon hem Alle he Coniowrede there
so that here they leten Me falle,
so faste thermyt On hem gan Calle,
and seide, ‘leve ȝe this Man that ȝe here bere,
For Ouer him haven ȝe non powere;
For he ne hath not ȝit so Mochel Misdo,
To Endles peyne forto go.
For ȝit Mercy schal he have,
And his Sowle schal ȝit be save.’
but this same fyr belefte with Me
In signefiaunce Of lecherye, As ȝe mown se;
and thus schal Abyden here
tyl there Come A knyht Of gret powere,
That the Aventures Of the seint Graal
To an Ende schal he bringen Al;
and hider fortvne schal bringen him to Me,
This Merveille here that he schal se;
and be the helpe Of that holy knyht,
Owt Of this fyr he schal be dyht.
And thus the Good man here me tolde,
For In that place Sitten I wolde.
whanne þe Enemyes herden him so speke,
Anon faste from Me gonnen they to Reke,
and leften me thus In this degre
In this same Manere As ȝe Mown se.”
happede An holy man Is here be west,
An holy Ermyt, & A Religious,
As he walkede Owt Of his hous,—
and xxxij wynter Ermyt here hath he be,
A ful holy man In Alle degre.—
And whanne he sawh hem me so bere,
Anon hem Alle he Coniowrede there
so that here they leten Me falle,
so faste thermyt On hem gan Calle,
and seide, ‘leve ȝe this Man that ȝe here bere,
For Ouer him haven ȝe non powere;
251
To Endles peyne forto go.
For ȝit Mercy schal he have,
And his Sowle schal ȝit be save.’
but this same fyr belefte with Me
In signefiaunce Of lecherye, As ȝe mown se;
and thus schal Abyden here
tyl there Come A knyht Of gret powere,
That the Aventures Of the seint Graal
To an Ende schal he bringen Al;
and hider fortvne schal bringen him to Me,
This Merveille here that he schal se;
and be the helpe Of that holy knyht,
Owt Of this fyr he schal be dyht.
And thus the Good man here me tolde,
For In that place Sitten I wolde.
whanne þe Enemyes herden him so speke,
Anon faste from Me gonnen they to Reke,
and leften me thus In this degre
In this same Manere As ȝe Mown se.”
Thanne bespak Alein the Gros Anon,
to him that In the fyr was thus son,
and thus seide, & In this Manere,
To him þat In the fyr was there:
“What Art thou that I there Se?
whethir Man Oþer womman, telle þou me,
that the Certein Myhte I knowe
Of Alle this thing vppon A rowe.”
“Ha! Ha! Aleyn, quod thanne the voys,
I am thy Nygh Cosin that is here, Moys,
That here In this fyr doth brenne
For the Sege that I sat Inne,
As ȝe Alle gonnen there Se;
there-fore this peyne is dyht to me;
and þerfore, Aleyn Cosin, I preye to þe
that thou wost to God preyen for Me,
for I knowe wel that ȝowre preyere,
Of God schal be herd, As lef and dere.”
to him that In the fyr was thus son,
and thus seide, & In this Manere,
To him þat In the fyr was there:
“What Art thou that I there Se?
whethir Man Oþer womman, telle þou me,
that the Certein Myhte I knowe
Of Alle this thing vppon A rowe.”
“Ha! Ha! Aleyn, quod thanne the voys,
I am thy Nygh Cosin that is here, Moys,
That here In this fyr doth brenne
For the Sege that I sat Inne,
As ȝe Alle gonnen there Se;
there-fore this peyne is dyht to me;
and þerfore, Aleyn Cosin, I preye to þe
that thou wost to God preyen for Me,
252
Of God schal be herd, As lef and dere.”
Whanne that Symen herde this word,
that faste be Iosephe thanne there stood,
with a lowd vois he gan to Crye,
and hym Axede there An hye,
“Art thou Mois that Art here,
that lyest & brenst here In this fere?”
“that I am, fadyr, Sekerly;
and ȝit wers hadde comen to my body
Ne hadde the holy preiere ne be
Of an holy Ermyt ful Sekerle;
and thus, fadyr Symen, with-Owten les,
To peyne hadde I gon Endles.
thus to ȝow And to Chanaan now I seye,
hens forward þe bettere to ben In feye;
For wete ȝe wel, that be Synne
and ȝe greven Owre lord there-Inne,
In Grettere peyne scholen ȝe dwelle
thanne I here fele In flesch Oþer felle.”
that faste be Iosephe thanne there stood,
with a lowd vois he gan to Crye,
and hym Axede there An hye,
“Art thou Mois that Art here,
that lyest & brenst here In this fere?”
“that I am, fadyr, Sekerly;
and ȝit wers hadde comen to my body
Ne hadde the holy preiere ne be
Of an holy Ermyt ful Sekerle;
and thus, fadyr Symen, with-Owten les,
To peyne hadde I gon Endles.
thus to ȝow And to Chanaan now I seye,
hens forward þe bettere to ben In feye;
For wete ȝe wel, that be Synne
and ȝe greven Owre lord there-Inne,
In Grettere peyne scholen ȝe dwelle
thanne I here fele In flesch Oþer felle.”
“Sone Moys, quod Symen tho,
In what Manere now may I do,
from peyne me to kepen In al degre?”
“Fadyr Symen, I schal tellen the:
with ȝow han ȝe A bodyly leche,
that Alle goodnesse he will ȝow teche;
with ȝow han ȝe that holy Bischope
that may ȝow Clensen from tayl to tope;
And ȝe wele werken After his lore,
Of peyne ne sorwe felen ȝe neuere More.”
In what Manere now may I do,
from peyne me to kepen In al degre?”
“Fadyr Symen, I schal tellen the:
with ȝow han ȝe A bodyly leche,
that Alle goodnesse he will ȝow teche;
with ȝow han ȝe that holy Bischope
that may ȝow Clensen from tayl to tope;
And ȝe wele werken After his lore,
Of peyne ne sorwe felen ȝe neuere More.”
In this Manere Whiles they gonne talke,
Iosephe and Aleyn forth gonnen walke,
and setten hem down vppon here kne,
and preiden to god In Maieste
‘For Moys that was In peyne and wo,
Forto Aslaken somme Of tho;
And that he wolde, for his gret pite,
his peyne Aleggen, And it wolde be.’
and whiles they maden here preiere,
they syen from hevene how it Cam þere
In semblaunce Of Ryht A gret Reyn,
and Into the fer it discended ful pleyn;
and a gret partye there-Offen it qweynte,
and halfendel the flawme fully Asteynte.
Iosephe and Aleyn forth gonnen walke,
and setten hem down vppon here kne,
and preiden to god In Maieste
‘For Moys that was In peyne and wo,
Forto Aslaken somme Of tho;
253
his peyne Aleggen, And it wolde be.’
and whiles they maden here preiere,
they syen from hevene how it Cam þere
In semblaunce Of Ryht A gret Reyn,
and Into the fer it discended ful pleyn;
and a gret partye there-Offen it qweynte,
and halfendel the flawme fully Asteynte.
And whanne that this thus was I-do,
A ful lowd voys Sette vp Moys tho
that Alle the Compenye it Myhte it here,
And thus there seide In his Manere,
“Ha! Iosephe, Resten Mown ȝe
Of ȝoure preyeris now sekerle,
for ȝe han don Me A gret leigaunce
Of my peynes with-Owten dowtaunce.
God ȝow qwyte, there I ne may!
My peynes han ȝe gretly lissid this day;
For now, me thinketh, gon Is my peyne
thorwh ȝoure goode preyeris In Certayne.”
thanne there-Offen Iosephe Glad was tho
that his peynes weren Aslaked so.
A ful lowd voys Sette vp Moys tho
that Alle the Compenye it Myhte it here,
And thus there seide In his Manere,
“Ha! Iosephe, Resten Mown ȝe
Of ȝoure preyeris now sekerle,
for ȝe han don Me A gret leigaunce
Of my peynes with-Owten dowtaunce.
God ȝow qwyte, there I ne may!
My peynes han ȝe gretly lissid this day;
For now, me thinketh, gon Is my peyne
thorwh ȝoure goode preyeris In Certayne.”
thanne there-Offen Iosephe Glad was tho
that his peynes weren Aslaked so.
Thanne spak Symen to his sone ther,
‘Sone Moys, how seist thou Of this fer?
schal it with the longe Endure?”
“Not so longe, Fadir, I the Ensure,
as I am worthy hit forto haue;
For I troste to god he wil me save,
For mere his pite and his Mercy,
Evere lasting scholde it ben trewly;
but Of his Mercy And Of his pyte
ȝit Oþerwise hath he Ordeyned for me,
and this Sorwe An Ende to brynge
thorwh an holy knyhtes Comenge,
hos Name schal be Clepid Galaas,
here me schal visiten In this plas,
and the Aventures Of þe seint Graal,
To An Ende bringen he schal;
and Alle the Aventures Of grete breteyne,
In him schal ben Ended In Certeyne.
and thanne slaken schal my dolour
That I am Inne here In this Owr.”
‘Sone Moys, how seist thou Of this fer?
schal it with the longe Endure?”
“Not so longe, Fadir, I the Ensure,
as I am worthy hit forto haue;
For I troste to god he wil me save,
For mere his pite and his Mercy,
Evere lasting scholde it ben trewly;
but Of his Mercy And Of his pyte
ȝit Oþerwise hath he Ordeyned for me,
and this Sorwe An Ende to brynge
thorwh an holy knyhtes Comenge,
hos Name schal be Clepid Galaas,
here me schal visiten In this plas,
254
To An Ende bringen he schal;
and Alle the Aventures Of grete breteyne,
In him schal ben Ended In Certeyne.
and thanne slaken schal my dolour
That I am Inne here In this Owr.”
thanne thus to Iosephe there spak he,
“A, goode holy Iosephe, for Charite
Abydeth ȝe non lengere In this place,
but Abowtes this Contre faste ȝe pace,
and precheth the name Of the Crucyfye,
for it is ful gret Nede trewelye;
For Al Abowtes In this Contre
but fals Mescreauntes þere ne be.
Now go ȝe forth this ilke tyde,
and In this place moste I Abyde
Tyl that be that holy Mannes bownte
Al this fyr Onlich Asteynt here be.”
“A, goode holy Iosephe, for Charite
Abydeth ȝe non lengere In this place,
but Abowtes this Contre faste ȝe pace,
and precheth the name Of the Crucyfye,
for it is ful gret Nede trewelye;
For Al Abowtes In this Contre
but fals Mescreauntes þere ne be.
Now go ȝe forth this ilke tyde,
and In this place moste I Abyde
Tyl that be that holy Mannes bownte
Al this fyr Onlich Asteynt here be.”
Thanne parted Iosephe thens Anon,
and his Compenye with him gonne gon;
and Mois there beleft stille,
and they forth wente be goddis wille
Al that day and Al that Nyht.
and On the Morwen, whiles it was lyht,
Owt Of þe forest gonnen they gon,
and into scotlond Entred Anon;
and ȝit thouh scotlond that it were,
It nas so Cald but for On Manere,
but for the kyng Elcose yclepyd he Was,
Whedir that they Entrede, and Into whiche plas;
and thike Nyht Alle I-herberwed they were
In A ful gret pleyn forsothe there.
and whanne to soper that they weren set,
with Alle delicasyes they weren Replet;
Of what Manere thing that herte wolde Crave,
Anon Rediliche they it there haue;
So that it is Merveil forto knowe
how þat Alle fulfild weren they vppon A rowe,
Except Chanaan & Symen,
hem lakkede grace Amonges Oþer Men,
So that thorwh þe holy vessel
Repleinsched weren they neuere A del,
that so In deseise was here Abydynge
two dayes And two Nyht with-Owten lesynge.
and his Compenye with him gonne gon;
and Mois there beleft stille,
and they forth wente be goddis wille
Al that day and Al that Nyht.
and On the Morwen, whiles it was lyht,
Owt Of þe forest gonnen they gon,
and into scotlond Entred Anon;
and ȝit thouh scotlond that it were,
It nas so Cald but for On Manere,
but for the kyng Elcose yclepyd he Was,
Whedir that they Entrede, and Into whiche plas;
and thike Nyht Alle I-herberwed they were
In A ful gret pleyn forsothe there.
and whanne to soper that they weren set,
with Alle delicasyes they weren Replet;
Of what Manere thing that herte wolde Crave,
Anon Rediliche they it there haue;
255
how þat Alle fulfild weren they vppon A rowe,
Except Chanaan & Symen,
hem lakkede grace Amonges Oþer Men,
So that thorwh þe holy vessel
Repleinsched weren they neuere A del,
that so In deseise was here Abydynge
two dayes And two Nyht with-Owten lesynge.
And whanne they Sien that they ne were
Not worthy here felischepe to Entren there,
So with-Inne hem self gonnen they Seye
with vegerous herte and gret Envye,
and spoken Of here mysaventure,
“It Cometh not be vs, I the Enswre,
but for Oure fadris Gilte to-fore,
That semede Cristene, & weren not thore;
there-fore for vs that Olde now be,
Falleth the veniaunce ful Sekerle.”
“In feith Anon, quod Symen thanne,
Peers that halt him so holy A manne
Evere to God In Semblaunce,
ȝit haue I lengere with-Owten variaunce—
thowh that he my ny Cosin be,
and Iosephis Also sekerle,
ȝit hath he nowhere travailled so ferre
As I haue don In Alle Manere;
Neþer neuere for god so moche dide he
As that I have don now sekerle;
and so trowe I that Al his Synne
vppon me is beleft, boþe more & Mynne;
So that trostily I beleve forsothe
that God for my gilte nys not wrothe.”
“Now Certes, quod Chanaan tho,
with my bretheryn it fareth Ryht so;
for here synne that thei diden here,
Oure bischope myht not sewen In non Manere,
So weren they gilty, and to blame,
So vppon me falleth the schame;
there-fore that ȝe wolden Conseillen me
what I schal don In Ony degre.”
Not worthy here felischepe to Entren there,
So with-Inne hem self gonnen they Seye
with vegerous herte and gret Envye,
and spoken Of here mysaventure,
“It Cometh not be vs, I the Enswre,
but for Oure fadris Gilte to-fore,
That semede Cristene, & weren not thore;
there-fore for vs that Olde now be,
Falleth the veniaunce ful Sekerle.”
“In feith Anon, quod Symen thanne,
Peers that halt him so holy A manne
Evere to God In Semblaunce,
ȝit haue I lengere with-Owten variaunce—
thowh that he my ny Cosin be,
and Iosephis Also sekerle,
ȝit hath he nowhere travailled so ferre
As I haue don In Alle Manere;
Neþer neuere for god so moche dide he
As that I have don now sekerle;
and so trowe I that Al his Synne
vppon me is beleft, boþe more & Mynne;
So that trostily I beleve forsothe
that God for my gilte nys not wrothe.”
“Now Certes, quod Chanaan tho,
with my bretheryn it fareth Ryht so;
for here synne that thei diden here,
Oure bischope myht not sewen In non Manere,
256
So vppon me falleth the schame;
there-fore that ȝe wolden Conseillen me
what I schal don In Ony degre.”
“Certes, quod Symen, wile ȝe now se,
vppon my Cosin peers avenged schal I be
Er to-Morwe that it be pryme,
that it schal be thowhte On A ful long tyme;
bothe here and Ellis where
It schal be thowhte On In Many Manere.”
“And I forsothe, quod Chanaam tho,
with my bretheren the same schal I do;
For tyl that I have so I-wrowht,
Of þe Seint Graal Gete I nowht,
nether non Maner Of Sustenaunce
tyl on hem þat I haue wrowht veniaunce.”
vppon my Cosin peers avenged schal I be
Er to-Morwe that it be pryme,
that it schal be thowhte On A ful long tyme;
bothe here and Ellis where
It schal be thowhte On In Many Manere.”
“And I forsothe, quod Chanaam tho,
with my bretheren the same schal I do;
For tyl that I have so I-wrowht,
Of þe Seint Graal Gete I nowht,
nether non Maner Of Sustenaunce
tyl on hem þat I haue wrowht veniaunce.”
Thus to-Gederis wrowhten they two,
whiche tornede hem After to mochel wo;
For In Wanhope weren they falle,
and Exempt from graces Alle
Othirwise thanne they weren wont:
thus it fyl hem In Every point;
for they gonnen werken so gret wreche
that Alle the world þere-Offen hadde speche,
and schal Into domesday,
Of here Felonyes Men scholen say.
whiche tornede hem After to mochel wo;
For In Wanhope weren they falle,
and Exempt from graces Alle
Othirwise thanne they weren wont:
thus it fyl hem In Every point;
for they gonnen werken so gret wreche
that Alle the world þere-Offen hadde speche,
and schal Into domesday,
Of here Felonyes Men scholen say.
At Even Whanne logged Alle they were
In A gret Medwe besides there,
Chanaam, In whom the devel Entred was,
Of his felonye Remembred In that plas;
he took his swerd bothe scharpe & kene,
and be þe Mone lyht þat schon so schene
he Aspide where his bretheren lay,
Alle xij, Sekerly and In fay.
and whanne that he sawh hem liggen so,
previliche to hem thanne gan he go,
and drowh Owt his swerd thus son,
and his Owne brothir he slowh Anon,
that so from On to Anothir
he slowh Alle .xij. In þat fothir.
and whanne he say that ded they were
alle xij, he lefte hem lyggeng there,
And wente forth thanne In his weye,
Symen to seken Certeinlye;
and whanne he hadde him I-fownde,
Of his dede he tolde him that stownde.
“Now hauen ȝe wrowht, quod symen tho,
lik As I Myself wyle now do;
For Of Peers so schal I venged be
that is My Cosin ful Sikerle.
Abyde me now here, quod Symen tho,
Tyl thal Aȝen I come the to.”
“thou schalt me fynde, quod Chanaam thanne,
vndir this Figge tre for Ony Manne.”
In A gret Medwe besides there,
Chanaam, In whom the devel Entred was,
Of his felonye Remembred In that plas;
he took his swerd bothe scharpe & kene,
and be þe Mone lyht þat schon so schene
he Aspide where his bretheren lay,
Alle xij, Sekerly and In fay.
and whanne that he sawh hem liggen so,
previliche to hem thanne gan he go,
257
and his Owne brothir he slowh Anon,
that so from On to Anothir
he slowh Alle .xij. In þat fothir.
and whanne he say that ded they were
alle xij, he lefte hem lyggeng there,
And wente forth thanne In his weye,
Symen to seken Certeinlye;
and whanne he hadde him I-fownde,
Of his dede he tolde him that stownde.
“Now hauen ȝe wrowht, quod symen tho,
lik As I Myself wyle now do;
For Of Peers so schal I venged be
that is My Cosin ful Sikerle.
Abyde me now here, quod Symen tho,
Tyl thal Aȝen I come the to.”
“thou schalt me fynde, quod Chanaam thanne,
vndir this Figge tre for Ony Manne.”
thanne wente Symen forth his way
Into þe place þere Iosephe lay;
For ful wel Supposede he
that faste be him peers scholde be:
and in his hond he bar A knyf
þerwith to Reven peers his lyf,
the wheche Envemyned was In that plas:
the blad A foote long it was,
so that knyf was forto dowte
For two skelis Al Abowte,
the ton was for the Envemynenge,
þe toþer for scharpnesse with-Owten levenge.
Into þe place þere Iosephe lay;
For ful wel Supposede he
that faste be him peers scholde be:
and in his hond he bar A knyf
þerwith to Reven peers his lyf,
the wheche Envemyned was In that plas:
the blad A foote long it was,
so that knyf was forto dowte
For two skelis Al Abowte,
the ton was for the Envemynenge,
þe toþer for scharpnesse with-Owten levenge.
Whanne Symen was Comen þere peers lay,
and verrayly In þat Compenye him say,
Anon he lefte there vpe his knyf
him to han Slayn with-Owten stryf;
but At that tyme hadde he non powere,
what for drede and what for fere;
but Into the Brest there he him smot
that ful sore In his body there bot.
For it ne was not Goddis wille
that so falsly he scholde him spille;
So that thorwh the scholdere it Cam thore
A large handful and wel More.
and whanne pers felte Al this
that so was hvrt with-Owten Mys,
Anon ful lowde he gan to Crye
“Ha! help, God, for now I deye.”
and verrayly In þat Compenye him say,
Anon he lefte there vpe his knyf
him to han Slayn with-Owten stryf;
but At that tyme hadde he non powere,
what for drede and what for fere;
258
that ful sore In his body there bot.
For it ne was not Goddis wille
that so falsly he scholde him spille;
So that thorwh the scholdere it Cam thore
A large handful and wel More.
and whanne pers felte Al this
that so was hvrt with-Owten Mys,
Anon ful lowde he gan to Crye
“Ha! help, God, for now I deye.”
thanne wook the peple Ryht Anon,
And to Peers þere gonne they gon,
And Axeden him ho hadde so I-do,
And he seide “Symen,” and no Mo.
So symen tooken they In that stede,
and to-foren Iosephe gonnen him lede,
and Axeden Iosephe what they scholden do
that In this Manere Peers dyde Slo.
And whiles Of this that they gonne speke,
A ful gret Compenye Cam there Reke,
that þe xij bretheryn hadden I-fownde,
The Whiche Weren slayn In that Sto Wnde;
and so gret deol they maden Certeinle
as thowh Al the world to-forn hem ded hadde be.
And to Peers þere gonne they gon,
And Axeden him ho hadde so I-do,
And he seide “Symen,” and no Mo.
So symen tooken they In that stede,
and to-foren Iosephe gonnen him lede,
and Axeden Iosephe what they scholden do
that In this Manere Peers dyde Slo.
And whiles Of this that they gonne speke,
A ful gret Compenye Cam there Reke,
that þe xij bretheryn hadden I-fownde,
The Whiche Weren slayn In that Sto Wnde;
and so gret deol they maden Certeinle
as thowh Al the world to-forn hem ded hadde be.
And whanne that Bron Sawh this Syht,
To Iosephe he wente Anon Ryht
Ful sore wepenge, and Makyng Mone,
“Sire, he seide, Cometh with me Anone,
and ȝe scholen sen the Rewfullest syht
that Evere ȝe syen, I schal ȝow plyht,
Of the xij bretheren Of Chanaan
that here lyn Slayn, Every Man;
and I ne wot ho hath it I-do,
where-fore, Sire, myn herte is wo.”
To Iosephe he wente Anon Ryht
Ful sore wepenge, and Makyng Mone,
“Sire, he seide, Cometh with me Anone,
and ȝe scholen sen the Rewfullest syht
that Evere ȝe syen, I schal ȝow plyht,
Of the xij bretheren Of Chanaan
that here lyn Slayn, Every Man;
and I ne wot ho hath it I-do,
where-fore, Sire, myn herte is wo.”
Whanne Iosephe thus him speke herde,
As A woful man thanne he ferde,
and thedirward wente he ful sone
to sen what thing þat þere was done.
whanne Into þat place he was Comen there
As Alle these xij bretheren ded they were,
thanne thus gan he to seyn,
“Ha! thou enemy, Of falsnesse ful pleyn,
why hast þou thus here now wrowht
with goddis peple that Gylted the nowht?
A, Mercy, lord, ful Evel haue I do to the
Of thike peple that thou be-took me,
that thus falsly here ben ded!
A, goode lord, Mercy now In this steed!”
As A woful man thanne he ferde,
259
to sen what thing þat þere was done.
whanne Into þat place he was Comen there
As Alle these xij bretheren ded they were,
thanne thus gan he to seyn,
“Ha! thou enemy, Of falsnesse ful pleyn,
why hast þou thus here now wrowht
with goddis peple that Gylted the nowht?
A, Mercy, lord, ful Evel haue I do to the
Of thike peple that thou be-took me,
that thus falsly here ben ded!
A, goode lord, Mercy now In this steed!”
thanne comanded he Symen Anon þere
to-forn him Comen In Ony Manere:
“Symen, quod Iosephe, ho hath this do?”
thanne Anon Answerid symen tho,
“Chanaam, here brothir, hath hem sleyn,
I sey now, sire Iosephe, In Certayn.”
“Where is he, quod Iosep thanne,
that Ilke false Cursede Manne?”
“Sire, he seide, vndir ȝone figge tre
þere wolde, he seide, Abyden Me.”
to-forn him Comen In Ony Manere:
“Symen, quod Iosephe, ho hath this do?”
thanne Anon Answerid symen tho,
“Chanaam, here brothir, hath hem sleyn,
I sey now, sire Iosephe, In Certayn.”
“Where is he, quod Iosep thanne,
that Ilke false Cursede Manne?”
“Sire, he seide, vndir ȝone figge tre
þere wolde, he seide, Abyden Me.”
thanne Comaunded Iosephe Anon
that thedir his Meyne scholde gon.
Anon forth wenten they verament
to fulfillen his Comandement,
and Comen to the figge tre;
þer fownden they Chanaam Sekerle,
and, whethir he wolde Owther non,
To-forn Iosephe they dyden him gon.
that thedir his Meyne scholde gon.
Anon forth wenten they verament
to fulfillen his Comandement,
and Comen to the figge tre;
þer fownden they Chanaam Sekerle,
and, whethir he wolde Owther non,
To-forn Iosephe they dyden him gon.
and whanne Iosephe gan him beholde,
he wepte and Syghede Many folde,
“Ha! Chanaam, why hast þou thus falsly do,
Thy xij bretheren thus forto slo,
that to the world weren goode Men
and worthy knyhtes Everychon?”
“and ȝif I haue thus hem Slayn,
Me Repenteth not In Certeyn.”
“What was thy Cause thou dydest so?”
“Sire, I schal telle the Er that I go.
this was pleinliche the Cause why:
for Often haue I sein Openly
More goodnesse God hath for hem wrouht
thanne for me which that he bowht;
for Every day Repleinsched they were,
Of the holy gost Alle in fere,
and I for hunger nygh ded was,
For Of þe seint Graal haue I non gras.”
“A, quod Iosephe, thou wikkede Manne,
Why dorstest thou don so thanne
sethen God hem lovede bettere than the;
how dorstest þou so don In Ony degre?
For it was the worste deede
that Euere Man dyde In Ony stede.
Wherfore I preye to Owre Saviour
That som tokenenge he wyl sende þis Owr
On the forto doon worldly veniaunce
For thyn fowl dede, And thin Mischaunce.”
he wepte and Syghede Many folde,
“Ha! Chanaam, why hast þou thus falsly do,
Thy xij bretheren thus forto slo,
that to the world weren goode Men
and worthy knyhtes Everychon?”
260
Me Repenteth not In Certeyn.”
“What was thy Cause thou dydest so?”
“Sire, I schal telle the Er that I go.
this was pleinliche the Cause why:
for Often haue I sein Openly
More goodnesse God hath for hem wrouht
thanne for me which that he bowht;
for Every day Repleinsched they were,
Of the holy gost Alle in fere,
and I for hunger nygh ded was,
For Of þe seint Graal haue I non gras.”
“A, quod Iosephe, thou wikkede Manne,
Why dorstest thou don so thanne
sethen God hem lovede bettere than the;
how dorstest þou so don In Ony degre?
For it was the worste deede
that Euere Man dyde In Ony stede.
Wherfore I preye to Owre Saviour
That som tokenenge he wyl sende þis Owr
On the forto doon worldly veniaunce
For thyn fowl dede, And thin Mischaunce.”
Thus sone A voys there Cam Anon
that they it vndirstoden Everychon,
“do ȝe be hem hard Iuggement
As ȝe mown Acorden be ȝoure Entent.
For the Iuggement Of the high devyne
wyle that hard Iuggement to hem propyne.”
And whanne that they this worde herde,
As in gret Ioye Alle they Ferde,
In that Oure lord to hem gan sende
how they scholde werken to the Ende,
and that they hadden deservyd to ben ded
thorwhe here fals werkyng In that Sted.
that they it vndirstoden Everychon,
“do ȝe be hem hard Iuggement
As ȝe mown Acorden be ȝoure Entent.
For the Iuggement Of the high devyne
wyle that hard Iuggement to hem propyne.”
And whanne that they this worde herde,
As in gret Ioye Alle they Ferde,
In that Oure lord to hem gan sende
how they scholde werken to the Ende,
and that they hadden deservyd to ben ded
thorwhe here fals werkyng In that Sted.
Anon whanne the day I-sprongen was,
and the Sonne schon In Every plas,
thanne seide Iosephs to his Compenye,
“Taketh ȝe these tweyne men hastelye,
and loketh that ȝe don hem to Iuggement
For here desert And here Entent.
For certein me Semeth In My wyt
that they han wel deservit It.”
thanne Seiden they to Iosephe Agein,
“Sire, moche bettere Conne ȝe In Certein
hym forto demen, thanne Connen we,
what Iuggement they scholden haue In Al degre.”
thanne quod Iosephe to hem thanne:
“I ne wil not Medlen Of these Menne;
but ȝe that worthy knyhtes hauen been,
and Many Aventures hauen ȝe seen,
and now goddis knyhtes been ȝe Alle,
demeth ȝe what of hem schal be-falle;
and that After the worldis Iuggement
that ȝe demen hem bothe After ȝoure Entent.”
and the Sonne schon In Every plas,
261
“Taketh ȝe these tweyne men hastelye,
and loketh that ȝe don hem to Iuggement
For here desert And here Entent.
For certein me Semeth In My wyt
that they han wel deservit It.”
thanne Seiden they to Iosephe Agein,
“Sire, moche bettere Conne ȝe In Certein
hym forto demen, thanne Connen we,
what Iuggement they scholden haue In Al degre.”
thanne quod Iosephe to hem thanne:
“I ne wil not Medlen Of these Menne;
but ȝe that worthy knyhtes hauen been,
and Many Aventures hauen ȝe seen,
and now goddis knyhtes been ȝe Alle,
demeth ȝe what of hem schal be-falle;
and that After the worldis Iuggement
that ȝe demen hem bothe After ȝoure Entent.”
And whanne they herden Iosephs thus sein,
thanne to Cownseyl wenten they ful pleyn,
and Eche Of Other Gan to Enqweren,
what best were to don Of theke Men there,
and what Iuggementes it Myhte be.
to putten hem to dethe, thus Spoken hee;
and whanne they weren Alle At On Acord,
They tolden it to Iosephs Every word.
thanne seide Iosephe to hem ful sone,
“Goth, doth thanne that ȝe han to done;
for I sey to ȝow, that As be Me
Nothing there-Offen distorbled schal be.”
thanne to Cownseyl wenten they ful pleyn,
and Eche Of Other Gan to Enqweren,
what best were to don Of theke Men there,
and what Iuggementes it Myhte be.
to putten hem to dethe, thus Spoken hee;
and whanne they weren Alle At On Acord,
They tolden it to Iosephs Every word.
thanne seide Iosephe to hem ful sone,
“Goth, doth thanne that ȝe han to done;
for I sey to ȝow, that As be Me
Nothing there-Offen distorbled schal be.”
thanne tooken they these Men Anon,
and ladden hem forth to-form hem Echon,
and bow[n]den here hondes hem behynde
As for men That fals weren and vnkynde,
and Comaunded that two pyttes Anon to Make
For theke tweyne vntrewe mennes sake.
and Anon they weren I-put there-Inne
both vp stondyng Evene to the Chynne.
and ladden hem forth to-form hem Echon,
and bow[n]den here hondes hem behynde
As for men That fals weren and vnkynde,
and Comaunded that two pyttes Anon to Make
262
and Anon they weren I-put there-Inne
both vp stondyng Evene to the Chynne.
and thanne behelden Alle they Anon
To-ward the Rem of Gales Echon,
and they Syen Come Fleyng In the Eyr,
and faste towardis hem they gonne Repeyr,
and lyk As tweyne briddes they Comen fleynge,
Tweyne men to-gederis Embraced, brennenge
as thowh it were In flawmes Of fyr so Red,
Swiftly they Comen In to that sted;
as it hadde ben A wyndes blast
These two Men thider Comen In hast.
And token Symev Openly In here syht,
And with hym forth token they here flyht;
In to the same Contre that they Comen fro
faste with hym gonnen they go;
but In to what place, telleth this storye,
No man Can seyn ne tellen Certeinlye;
Nethir my Maister Sire Roberd de borron
Of theke poynt ne telleth nethir skele ne resoun,
Ne Entermeteth him not In non degre
whider they him bare Certeinle.
but whanne that Cometh bothe tyme & spas,
More scholen ȝe heren Of this Cas
Openly declared to ȝoure Ere,
So that ȝe scholen it vndirstonden more Clere.
To-ward the Rem of Gales Echon,
and they Syen Come Fleyng In the Eyr,
and faste towardis hem they gonne Repeyr,
and lyk As tweyne briddes they Comen fleynge,
Tweyne men to-gederis Embraced, brennenge
as thowh it were In flawmes Of fyr so Red,
Swiftly they Comen In to that sted;
as it hadde ben A wyndes blast
These two Men thider Comen In hast.
And token Symev Openly In here syht,
And with hym forth token they here flyht;
In to the same Contre that they Comen fro
faste with hym gonnen they go;
but In to what place, telleth this storye,
No man Can seyn ne tellen Certeinlye;
Nethir my Maister Sire Roberd de borron
Of theke poynt ne telleth nethir skele ne resoun,
Ne Entermeteth him not In non degre
whider they him bare Certeinle.
but whanne that Cometh bothe tyme & spas,
More scholen ȝe heren Of this Cas
Openly declared to ȝoure Ere,
So that ȝe scholen it vndirstonden more Clere.
Now leveth Of Symen this Storye,
And to Chanaam storye doth he hye.
And to Chanaam storye doth he hye.
CHAPTER LI. OF THE FATE OF CHANAAN, AND OF PIERS'S WOUND.
263
Now hauen ȝe herd how that this Storye
Of Symev hath declared ful Openlye,
how forth Into the Eyr that he was bore
In Alle here Syhtes that there wore,
where-Offen Abasched they weren Echon,
that word Amonges hem was þere Non;
and after hym they lokede wel faste,
but with-Inne A schort while he was paste
ful Clene Owt Of Alle here Syht,
So that Of hym Sawh Neuere A wyht.
Of Symev hath declared ful Openlye,
how forth Into the Eyr that he was bore
In Alle here Syhtes that there wore,
where-Offen Abasched they weren Echon,
that word Amonges hem was þere Non;
and after hym they lokede wel faste,
but with-Inne A schort while he was paste
ful Clene Owt Of Alle here Syht,
So that Of hym Sawh Neuere A wyht.
And whanne Owt Of here Syhte that he was Gon,
Thanne to Chanaams pyt Comen they Anon,
and him thus sone putten there-Inne,
and him bedelven, and wolde not blynne,
and þerto his handis be-hinden him I-bownde
In þe pyt vp stonding At that stownde;
and the Erthe they beten Abowtes hym faste.
As thowgh that Evere it scholde han laste,
that so to the scholdres I-Closed was he,
and faste bedolven ful sekerle.
Thanne to Chanaams pyt Comen they Anon,
and him thus sone putten there-Inne,
and him bedelven, and wolde not blynne,
and þerto his handis be-hinden him I-bownde
In þe pyt vp stonding At that stownde;
and the Erthe they beten Abowtes hym faste.
As thowgh that Evere it scholde han laste,
264
and faste bedolven ful sekerle.
Whanne Chanaam thus Arayed was,
he wiste wel to deyen In that plas.
Of him selven he hadde ful gret pyte
In swich A maner that deyen scholde he,
and be-gan to wepen ful sore
for his mysdede he hadde don thore.
and whanne that Ioseps to-forn him gan gon,
To-wardes him his face he tornede Anon,
And thus to Ioseps he gan to Say,
Ful sore weping that Ilke day,
“holy fadyr Iosephe, herkene thou Me,
Of thing that I schal tellen the.
holy fadir! Synned I haue wel sore,
and gret penance to suffren there-fore;
For I haue fowle Mistaken Me
bothe Aȝenst my god and Aȝens the;
but ȝit so gret was neuere Synnere
that In this world was boren here,
but ȝif that Mercy he scholde haue
Of his God, and he wolde it crave
with stedfast herte, and his synnes sory,
thanne God On hym wile hauen Mercy;
and þerfore I beseche to god my Savyour
that is Medicyne to Alle dolour,
that he wolde, for his Rihtwos pyte
and for his large Mercy, to rewen On Me,—
as that bothe pyte and Ek Mercye
In him ben herberwed ful Ioyntlye,—
that he ne wolde for myn hygh falsnesse
My synnes to Repotten In this distresse:
but as lyhtly as A fadyr Eche Owr
wyle Rennen his sone forto Socowr,
So preye I to that worthy Lord now here
of Mercy and grace In Alle Manere,
and that he wolde not lesen Me,
Ne forsaken Myn Sowle for his pite
which that he bowhte with his precious blood
thorwh his hard deth vppon the Rood;
and As Of Mercy and pite he Is the Rote,
So to myn Synful Soule he do bote.
and thou fadir Iosephe, As I wel knowe
as for An holy Fadyr In Every throwe,
that thou wost so now preyen for me,
so þat thorwgh thy preiere the bettere myhte be,
that ȝif Euere Of synnere be hadde Mercye,
On me mercy to haue, to him now I Crye;
and thou for me, Iosephe, now preye Also,
so þat I be not dampned for Evere Mo!
and what peyne Oþer purgatorye that Euere it be
that to me he wil Ordeyne for Myn disloyalte,
I wele it Resceyven ful paciently,
and Only trosten In his gret Mercy,
So that at the day Of Iuggement
that I be nethir dampned ne schent,
but Meknesse to Me to schewen that day,
and deliueren Me from that spitous fray,
and not with the dampned forto dwelle,
whiche Euerelastyngly Schole ben In helle.”
he wiste wel to deyen In that plas.
Of him selven he hadde ful gret pyte
In swich A maner that deyen scholde he,
and be-gan to wepen ful sore
for his mysdede he hadde don thore.
and whanne that Ioseps to-forn him gan gon,
To-wardes him his face he tornede Anon,
And thus to Ioseps he gan to Say,
Ful sore weping that Ilke day,
“holy fadyr Iosephe, herkene thou Me,
Of thing that I schal tellen the.
holy fadir! Synned I haue wel sore,
and gret penance to suffren there-fore;
For I haue fowle Mistaken Me
bothe Aȝenst my god and Aȝens the;
but ȝit so gret was neuere Synnere
that In this world was boren here,
but ȝif that Mercy he scholde haue
Of his God, and he wolde it crave
with stedfast herte, and his synnes sory,
thanne God On hym wile hauen Mercy;
and þerfore I beseche to god my Savyour
that is Medicyne to Alle dolour,
that he wolde, for his Rihtwos pyte
and for his large Mercy, to rewen On Me,—
as that bothe pyte and Ek Mercye
In him ben herberwed ful Ioyntlye,—
that he ne wolde for myn hygh falsnesse
My synnes to Repotten In this distresse:
but as lyhtly as A fadyr Eche Owr
wyle Rennen his sone forto Socowr,
So preye I to that worthy Lord now here
of Mercy and grace In Alle Manere,
265
Ne forsaken Myn Sowle for his pite
which that he bowhte with his precious blood
thorwh his hard deth vppon the Rood;
and As Of Mercy and pite he Is the Rote,
So to myn Synful Soule he do bote.
and thou fadir Iosephe, As I wel knowe
as for An holy Fadyr In Every throwe,
that thou wost so now preyen for me,
so þat thorwgh thy preiere the bettere myhte be,
that ȝif Euere Of synnere be hadde Mercye,
On me mercy to haue, to him now I Crye;
and thou for me, Iosephe, now preye Also,
so þat I be not dampned for Evere Mo!
and what peyne Oþer purgatorye that Euere it be
that to me he wil Ordeyne for Myn disloyalte,
I wele it Resceyven ful paciently,
and Only trosten In his gret Mercy,
So that at the day Of Iuggement
that I be nethir dampned ne schent,
but Meknesse to Me to schewen that day,
and deliueren Me from that spitous fray,
and not with the dampned forto dwelle,
whiche Euerelastyngly Schole ben In helle.”
and whanne Alle this he hadde I-spoke,
thanne vppon the peple he gan to loke,
and hem ful faste be-gan to preye
with Sorweful herte and weping Eye,
and preide hem “In worschepe Of his Creatour
his handes to Onbynden In that Our,
that vpwardis to God he myhte hem holde,
And Of Mercy him preyen Manifolde
whiles that I haue here bothe lyf and space
To besechen god of his specyal grace;
and for the love of Iesus, ȝif so be-falle
that I here deye to-forn ȝow Alle
Er that ȝe passen from this Contre,
thanne that ȝe wolden beryen Me
Amyddis my bretheren Everichon
that I so falsely to hem haue don.
thanne vppon the peple he gan to loke,
and hem ful faste be-gan to preye
with Sorweful herte and weping Eye,
and preide hem “In worschepe Of his Creatour
his handes to Onbynden In that Our,
that vpwardis to God he myhte hem holde,
And Of Mercy him preyen Manifolde
whiles that I haue here bothe lyf and space
To besechen god of his specyal grace;
and for the love of Iesus, ȝif so be-falle
that I here deye to-forn ȝow Alle
266
thanne that ȝe wolden beryen Me
Amyddis my bretheren Everichon
that I so falsely to hem haue don.
“And welen ȝe now knowen the Cause why
that I ȝow preye here so hertely?
Is for this Cause, I telle ȝow Echon:
For As Manye as be this weye don gon,
for my bretheren welen they preyen thanne,
and for my Sowle Every Manne,
that God wolde forȝeven it Me
My worldly Giltes In Eche degre;
and to ȝow Alle I preye now here,
As to my bretherin bothe lef and dere,
that for me ȝe Wolden so preye
to that lord that Sit On hye,
‘On Me swich veniance to taken In this place,
that at the day Of dom I myhte han grace,
and forȝevenesse Of myn Misdede;’
Now, goode bretheren, for me thus that ȝe bede,
so that At the day of Iuggemens
It be forȝeten In his presens,
and that he wolde forȝeven it to me
that I haue wrowht so gret disloyalte.”
that I ȝow preye here so hertely?
Is for this Cause, I telle ȝow Echon:
For As Manye as be this weye don gon,
for my bretheren welen they preyen thanne,
and for my Sowle Every Manne,
that God wolde forȝeven it Me
My worldly Giltes In Eche degre;
and to ȝow Alle I preye now here,
As to my bretherin bothe lef and dere,
that for me ȝe Wolden so preye
to that lord that Sit On hye,
‘On Me swich veniance to taken In this place,
that at the day Of dom I myhte han grace,
and forȝevenesse Of myn Misdede;’
Now, goode bretheren, for me thus that ȝe bede,
so that At the day of Iuggemens
It be forȝeten In his presens,
and that he wolde forȝeven it to me
that I haue wrowht so gret disloyalte.”
Whanne he hadde Mad thus his preyere,
Alle his bretheryn that there were,
Of hym hadden ful gret pyte
For that so sore thanne wepte he,
and fulfilden Anon his Byddynge,
and vnbownden his handis aftir his Askynge;
& there Amyddis his bretherin twelve
they him begroven As he desired him-selve;
And On Eche brothir Aftyr his kynde
Of the beste ston that they Cowde fynde,
and Of Marbil they weren Echon
Also ferforth As thei mihten it don;
and vppon Chanaam, whanne he was ded,
they leyden An nothir In that sted,
and vppon Eche A ston was wreten the Name
Of the twelve bretheren there Alle In same;
& vppon Chanaam they wreten A scripture
Ryht In this Manere, I ȝow Enswre,
“here lyth Chanaam Of Ierusalem In Certain
that his twelve bretherin falsly hath Slayn;”
and Alle In that Cyte weren they bore,
As ȝe han me herd Rehersen before.
Alle his bretheryn that there were,
Of hym hadden ful gret pyte
For that so sore thanne wepte he,
and fulfilden Anon his Byddynge,
and vnbownden his handis aftir his Askynge;
& there Amyddis his bretherin twelve
they him begroven As he desired him-selve;
And On Eche brothir Aftyr his kynde
Of the beste ston that they Cowde fynde,
and Of Marbil they weren Echon
Also ferforth As thei mihten it don;
267
they leyden An nothir In that sted,
and vppon Eche A ston was wreten the Name
Of the twelve bretheren there Alle In same;
& vppon Chanaam they wreten A scripture
Ryht In this Manere, I ȝow Enswre,
“here lyth Chanaam Of Ierusalem In Certain
that his twelve bretherin falsly hath Slayn;”
and Alle In that Cyte weren they bore,
As ȝe han me herd Rehersen before.
And whanne they hadden thus I-do,
thanne of Iosephes Axeden they tho,
ȝif he wolde Owht remeven that Ilke day.
thanne Anon Iosephes to hem Seyde, “Nay,
but here scholen we dwellen Echon
Tyl that this day be Al Agon,
For A gret thing that Nedful Is,
that behoueth to be don with-Owten Mys.
thanne of Iosephes Axeden they tho,
ȝif he wolde Owht remeven that Ilke day.
thanne Anon Iosephes to hem Seyde, “Nay,
but here scholen we dwellen Echon
Tyl that this day be Al Agon,
For A gret thing that Nedful Is,
that behoueth to be don with-Owten Mys.
“Ful wel ȝe knowen, as ȝe mown sen,
that Alle these, worthy knyhtes han ben;
there-fore wile I that Ech Of hem haue
A signe here I-Mad vppon his grave,
In signefiaunce that knyhtes they were,
& this schal be don whiles we ben here.”
thanne Axeden they what syne it scholde be,
“On Eche tombe A swerd, he seide, Sekerle,
In signefiaunce Of hem that lyn there,
that In here dayes so worthy knyhtes were;
For Man schal non passen be this way
that theke swerdis scholen taken Away.”
thanne thus fulfild they his Comaundement
that he hem had there present.
that Alle these, worthy knyhtes han ben;
there-fore wile I that Ech Of hem haue
A signe here I-Mad vppon his grave,
In signefiaunce that knyhtes they were,
& this schal be don whiles we ben here.”
thanne Axeden they what syne it scholde be,
“On Eche tombe A swerd, he seide, Sekerle,
In signefiaunce Of hem that lyn there,
that In here dayes so worthy knyhtes were;
For Man schal non passen be this way
that theke swerdis scholen taken Away.”
thanne thus fulfild they his Comaundement
that he hem had there present.
That Nyht lyen they Alle In Certayn
there As the twelve bretheren weren slayn;
and there Amonges hem In that stownde
they gonnen to serchen peerses wounde;
and whanne they hadden wel loked there-One,
They seiden that helyd he scholde ben sone;
So þat to the wounde they putten As they stood
swich thing As hem thowhte scholde be good;
but there-Offen thanne deceyved they were,
For but litel kepe token they there
how that the wounde Envemyned was,
they Cowde it not Aspyen In that plas,
so that for th' envemyneng Of that wounde
they putten Non Medicyn that sto Wnde;
so that thei deden hym More harm than good
In that plyht tho As it there stood:
For Anon as they hadden Anoynt him so
with thing that Contrarye was therto,
thus sone his flesch be-gan to brenne,
So that mochel peyne suffrede he thenne;
and thanne more Angwisch hadde he thore
thanne Evere he suffrede Ony tyme before,
so that he wende Siker to han ben ded
For peyne that he suffrede In that sted.
there As the twelve bretheren weren slayn;
and there Amonges hem In that stownde
they gonnen to serchen peerses wounde;
268
They seiden that helyd he scholde ben sone;
So þat to the wounde they putten As they stood
swich thing As hem thowhte scholde be good;
but there-Offen thanne deceyved they were,
For but litel kepe token they there
how that the wounde Envemyned was,
they Cowde it not Aspyen In that plas,
so that for th' envemyneng Of that wounde
they putten Non Medicyn that sto Wnde;
so that thei deden hym More harm than good
In that plyht tho As it there stood:
For Anon as they hadden Anoynt him so
with thing that Contrarye was therto,
thus sone his flesch be-gan to brenne,
So that mochel peyne suffrede he thenne;
and thanne more Angwisch hadde he thore
thanne Evere he suffrede Ony tyme before,
so that he wende Siker to han ben ded
For peyne that he suffrede In that sted.
thanne to Iosephes Anon spak he,
“leve Sire, how may this now be?
these herbes don me but distresse,
I sey ȝow, Sire, In Sekernesse;
for I am Sykkere thanne I was before,
and Ek my wounde manyfold more sore.”
thanne Answerid Iosephes that was so hende,
and seide, “Piers, my swete frende;
I preie ȝow, dismaye ȝow non thing,
For Oure lord ȝow schal sende good Counseillyng,
and of ȝoure Syknesse Al hol to be,
I Sey ȝow, brother, ful sekerle.”
“leve Sire, how may this now be?
these herbes don me but distresse,
I sey ȝow, Sire, In Sekernesse;
for I am Sykkere thanne I was before,
and Ek my wounde manyfold more sore.”
thanne Answerid Iosephes that was so hende,
and seide, “Piers, my swete frende;
I preie ȝow, dismaye ȝow non thing,
For Oure lord ȝow schal sende good Counseillyng,
and of ȝoure Syknesse Al hol to be,
I Sey ȝow, brother, ful sekerle.”
Thus In this Maner Iosephes there
Coumforted piers In his Manere;
and, for dismayed he scholde not be,
Iosephes And Alle his Compeyne
that day and that Nyht Abyden stille
In Coumfortyng of Pers,—this was his wille,—
and Ek Also for that wery they were
For makeng Of theke tombes there;
So that Nyht token they here Reste
as Iosephes and his Compenie likede beste.
Coumforted piers In his Manere;
269
Iosephes And Alle his Compeyne
that day and that Nyht Abyden stille
In Coumfortyng of Pers,—this was his wille,—
and Ek Also for that wery they were
For makeng Of theke tombes there;
So that Nyht token they here Reste
as Iosephes and his Compenie likede beste.
vppon the morwen whanne they gonne Rise,
they wondrede Sore In here gyse;
whanne the tombes they gonne beholde,
In here hertes the merveilled many folde.
For On Eche A tombe they gonne to se
A swerd, And dounward the poynt sekerle,
which neuere Erthly hand there sette:
this was gret Merveil to here witte;
and vppon Chanaams tombe they sye
Gret fyr brenneng ful trewelye,
as drye busches they hadden I-be,
So lyht I-brende tho ful Sekerle.
they wondrede Sore In here gyse;
whanne the tombes they gonne beholde,
In here hertes the merveilled many folde.
For On Eche A tombe they gonne to se
A swerd, And dounward the poynt sekerle,
which neuere Erthly hand there sette:
this was gret Merveil to here witte;
and vppon Chanaams tombe they sye
Gret fyr brenneng ful trewelye,
as drye busches they hadden I-be,
So lyht I-brende tho ful Sekerle.
Whanne they beheld this Aventure,
they Axeden of Iosephes which hadde Cure
‘whethir this fyr scholde lasten longe,
Oþer Endelesly there stille to A-fonge.’
“I schal ȝou seyn, quod Iosephes thanne,
to Assoille ȝowre qwestiown lik As I kanne.
this Fyr Algates ne schal not brenne,
but Cesen it schal, but ȝe neten whenne,
For it ne May not ben now Anon
Tyl that A knyht here gynne to gon,
the wheche A synnere & luxorious schal be,
but ȝit schal he ben Of gret bownte,
passynge Al his Compenye,
As that I sey ȝow Certeynlye;
and here that knyht In his Comenge
Schal Asteynte this fyr with-Owten lesinge;
and not Only be his Owne grace,
but for that God wile schewen In eche place
To A Man worschepe Of Cheualrye,
thus Crist here wile don Sekerlye,
hos Name schal be Clepid Lawncelot,
I it ȝow telle, for ȝe ne wot;
and Of hym there schal sprynge
The beste knyht That Evere Was levynge,
to whom Oure lord schal schewen his Myht
More thanne to Ony Othir Erthly knyht;
For thorwh his Religious lyvenge
hym schal befalle ful Many A thenge;
For Alle the Aventures Of grete bretaynge
In that knyht Schal behappen In Certayngne
Passing Ony Othyr knyht,—
sweche Aventures to hym ben dyht,—
Hos Name, I telle ȝow, Galath schal be
In baptesme I-Cleped ful Sykerle.
whiche Galath deleveren schal Certayne
bothe Symev And Moys Owt Of peyne,
and Also Chanaam deliuered schal be
Owt Of his peyne, As I telle the;
And Alle these thinges scholen befalle
In kynges tyme þat Arthour men scholen Calle.”
they Axeden of Iosephes which hadde Cure
‘whethir this fyr scholde lasten longe,
Oþer Endelesly there stille to A-fonge.’
“I schal ȝou seyn, quod Iosephes thanne,
to Assoille ȝowre qwestiown lik As I kanne.
this Fyr Algates ne schal not brenne,
but Cesen it schal, but ȝe neten whenne,
For it ne May not ben now Anon
Tyl that A knyht here gynne to gon,
the wheche A synnere & luxorious schal be,
but ȝit schal he ben Of gret bownte,
passynge Al his Compenye,
As that I sey ȝow Certeynlye;
and here that knyht In his Comenge
Schal Asteynte this fyr with-Owten lesinge;
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but for that God wile schewen In eche place
To A Man worschepe Of Cheualrye,
thus Crist here wile don Sekerlye,
hos Name schal be Clepid Lawncelot,
I it ȝow telle, for ȝe ne wot;
and Of hym there schal sprynge
The beste knyht That Evere Was levynge,
to whom Oure lord schal schewen his Myht
More thanne to Ony Othir Erthly knyht;
For thorwh his Religious lyvenge
hym schal befalle ful Many A thenge;
For Alle the Aventures Of grete bretaynge
In that knyht Schal behappen In Certayngne
Passing Ony Othyr knyht,—
sweche Aventures to hym ben dyht,—
Hos Name, I telle ȝow, Galath schal be
In baptesme I-Cleped ful Sykerle.
whiche Galath deleveren schal Certayne
bothe Symev And Moys Owt Of peyne,
and Also Chanaam deliuered schal be
Owt Of his peyne, As I telle the;
And Alle these thinges scholen befalle
In kynges tyme þat Arthour men scholen Calle.”
Thus tolde Iosephes to his Compenye
Of Many diuers Merveilles that scholde be,
lyk as Crist to hym discouered hadde
As In that Contre his Feleschepe he ladde.
Of Many diuers Merveilles that scholde be,
lyk as Crist to hym discouered hadde
As In that Contre his Feleschepe he ladde.
this same day whanne he hadde thus seid,
his disciple Pers ful sik him leyd;
and Also Anothir Abod there stille
Fulliche be his Owne good wille,
whiche Pharans hyhte, and A preest was,
ful stille Abod he In that plas,
and there Alle dayes Of his lyve wolde he dwelle,
For Owht that Ony man Cowde to hym spelle,
where that A Chapel he gan to Arere,
Euery day his Masse to syngen there,
to preyen his lord, for his pyte,
On Chanaans Sowle to han Merce.
and thus dyde Pharans be his Owne Entent,
For that he sawh Chanaams there present
Of Sorewful herte and gret Repentaunce
that him behapped swich A myschaunce,
and be his lyve Repentyng here
Of his Misdedis tho Alle In fere.
his disciple Pers ful sik him leyd;
and Also Anothir Abod there stille
Fulliche be his Owne good wille,
whiche Pharans hyhte, and A preest was,
ful stille Abod he In that plas,
and there Alle dayes Of his lyve wolde he dwelle,
For Owht that Ony man Cowde to hym spelle,
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Euery day his Masse to syngen there,
to preyen his lord, for his pyte,
On Chanaans Sowle to han Merce.
and thus dyde Pharans be his Owne Entent,
For that he sawh Chanaams there present
Of Sorewful herte and gret Repentaunce
that him behapped swich A myschaunce,
and be his lyve Repentyng here
Of his Misdedis tho Alle In fere.
And thus belefte Pharans there behinde,
For that Chanaams Sowle he wolde hauen In Minde;
And Anon A Chapel he gan to Arere,
his Masse and preieris to seyn Inne there;
whiche Chapel, On Balaans let þere dyhte,
that In thike Contre was Man Of Myhte,
whiche Balaans Aftyr Convertyd was
thorwgh Pharans Counseil In that plas,
and Resceiued the Cristene lay,
and þere-Inne lyvede ful Many a day.
For that Chanaams Sowle he wolde hauen In Minde;
And Anon A Chapel he gan to Arere,
his Masse and preieris to seyn Inne there;
whiche Chapel, On Balaans let þere dyhte,
that In thike Contre was Man Of Myhte,
whiche Balaans Aftyr Convertyd was
thorwgh Pharans Counseil In that plas,
and Resceiued the Cristene lay,
and þere-Inne lyvede ful Many a day.
so that vppon the Morwe thei token here Iorne,
Iosephes, and with him Al his Compeyne,
Sauf Only Pharans belefte behynde,
and with this Piers that was so kynde
be Encheson that hurt he was,
and ne myhte not Meven Owt Of that plas;
For he ne mihte not sewen his Compenye,
So Syk and sor he was trewelye.
And thus beleften they bothe In-same,
Pharans and Piers with-Owten blame.
Iosephes, and with him Al his Compeyne,
Sauf Only Pharans belefte behynde,
and with this Piers that was so kynde
be Encheson that hurt he was,
and ne myhte not Meven Owt Of that plas;
For he ne mihte not sewen his Compenye,
So Syk and sor he was trewelye.
And thus beleften they bothe In-same,
Pharans and Piers with-Owten blame.
This piers, that hurt was so sore,
Everyday gan Apeyren More and More
that he wende Sykerly ded to han be,
for non Othir Rekewre treuly knew he,
that so with-Inne the thre ferste dayes
he was apeired In ful Many weyes;
So that this Pharans ne knew non boote
Of his wounde, nethir Cold ne hoote,
but Every day it wax werse than Oþer:
Thus thowghte Pharans Of Piers his brother.
and whanne Piers beheld Al this,
that Of his peynes he myhte hauen non lys,
thanne gan this Piers to wepen ful sore,
For pyte that of him self he hadde thore,
and that he Sawgh he schulde dye
For defawt Of leche-craft Sekerlye.
Everyday gan Apeyren More and More
that he wende Sykerly ded to han be,
for non Othir Rekewre treuly knew he,
that so with-Inne the thre ferste dayes
he was apeired In ful Many weyes;
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Of his wounde, nethir Cold ne hoote,
but Every day it wax werse than Oþer:
Thus thowghte Pharans Of Piers his brother.
and whanne Piers beheld Al this,
that Of his peynes he myhte hauen non lys,
thanne gan this Piers to wepen ful sore,
For pyte that of him self he hadde thore,
and that he Sawgh he schulde dye
For defawt Of leche-craft Sekerlye.
thanne seide Piers to Pharans tho,
“I se wel, brothir, it wele non Oþer wyse go,
For it is not his wille that may me save
that here myn helthe I scholde haue;
where-fore I preie ȝow, my brothir dere,
That to the nexte se ȝe beren me here,
and whanne to-gederis there that we be,
thanne Othir Cownseil vs May be se,
So that I schal not here Abyde,
but In to Anothir Contre me moste glyde;
For wel ȝe knowen, myn Owne brothir,
that Everyday I am wers than Othir.
“I se wel, brothir, it wele non Oþer wyse go,
For it is not his wille that may me save
that here myn helthe I scholde haue;
where-fore I preie ȝow, my brothir dere,
That to the nexte se ȝe beren me here,
and whanne to-gederis there that we be,
thanne Othir Cownseil vs May be se,
So that I schal not here Abyde,
but In to Anothir Contre me moste glyde;
For wel ȝe knowen, myn Owne brothir,
that Everyday I am wers than Othir.
Whanne Pharans herde thus his Mone,
For sorwe In herte he gan to grone,
and seide ‘to his power In Alle thinge,
that to the See he scholde hym bringe.’
so that Pharans purchased him that ilke day,
and vppon the Morwe, the sothe to say
that he hadde geten hym An Asse,
whiche that gret Ese to Pyers it wasse,
and sette me pers vppon his bak,
whiche was deseised with-Owten lak,
and so him ladde thanne to the See
Al so Esely As it Mihte tho be.
and whanne thedir they weren I-gon,
Man nethir beste sien they non,
but Onliche A vessel Rediliche I-dyht,
where-offen þe Seyl was vpe Ipyht,
and the vessel Al Redy forto go
In to what Contre it scholde tho.
For sorwe In herte he gan to grone,
and seide ‘to his power In Alle thinge,
that to the See he scholde hym bringe.’
so that Pharans purchased him that ilke day,
and vppon the Morwe, the sothe to say
that he hadde geten hym An Asse,
whiche that gret Ese to Pyers it wasse,
and sette me pers vppon his bak,
whiche was deseised with-Owten lak,
and so him ladde thanne to the See
Al so Esely As it Mihte tho be.
and whanne thedir they weren I-gon,
Man nethir beste sien they non,
273
where-offen þe Seyl was vpe Ipyht,
and the vessel Al Redy forto go
In to what Contre it scholde tho.
and whanne that Piers this vessel say,
he thankede God that ylke day,
For he thowhte wel In his Entent
that God for him thider hadde it sent.
thanne seide he to Pharans there,
“Tak me down, my brothir dere,
and putte me In to this vessel Anon,
and Into the See thanne let it Gon,
Into what partye Owther Ony Contre,
For Aftyr goddis wille it Mot be,
where that bote I hope to fynden trewlye
and keuering of myn grete Maladye.”
he thankede God that ylke day,
For he thowhte wel In his Entent
that God for him thider hadde it sent.
thanne seide he to Pharans there,
“Tak me down, my brothir dere,
and putte me In to this vessel Anon,
and Into the See thanne let it Gon,
Into what partye Owther Ony Contre,
For Aftyr goddis wille it Mot be,
where that bote I hope to fynden trewlye
and keuering of myn grete Maladye.”
Thanne gan Pharans to wepen ful sore,
and seide to Piers his brothir thore,
“wilen ȝe me thus leven A lone,
And be ȝoure selven In this vessel forth gone,
and vppon hape neuere Comen Ageyn,
and þerto with-Owten Compenye? it is In veyn!
And therto so syk As ȝe be!
Now Certein, brothir, it Merveilleth me!
and therfore, dere brother, I ȝow preye,
so let me with ȝow gon In this weye.”
“Putte me In the vessel, quod Piers Anon,
and whanne that ȝe han so I-don,
thanne schal I tellen ȝow myn Entent
of that ȝe Axen me here present.”
and seide to Piers his brothir thore,
“wilen ȝe me thus leven A lone,
And be ȝoure selven In this vessel forth gone,
and vppon hape neuere Comen Ageyn,
and þerto with-Owten Compenye? it is In veyn!
And therto so syk As ȝe be!
Now Certein, brothir, it Merveilleth me!
and therfore, dere brother, I ȝow preye,
so let me with ȝow gon In this weye.”
“Putte me In the vessel, quod Piers Anon,
and whanne that ȝe han so I-don,
thanne schal I tellen ȝow myn Entent
of that ȝe Axen me here present.”
Thanne Anon this Pharans thar,
Piers Into that vessel there bar;
and whanne that he hadde so I-do,
Anon Piers to pharans spak vnto:
“Now, goode dere pharans, and frend,
Owt of this vessel that ȝe Wend;
for ȝe hauen fulfild myn talent,
My wyl and Al myn hole Entent;
and hens Alone now schal I go,
And ȝe ȝoure Chapel Aȝen vnto,
So that eueriday ȝe mown for me preye
‘that God Into swiche place me Conveye,
and that into swiche contre Comen I mote,
Of my Maladye to hauen some bote.’
and ȝif ȝe my lord Iosephes seen Er I,
Comaunde me to hym ful hertyly,
and telleth him holiche In Alle degre
how that it stont now with Me,
and Nedis that I Moste thus do
ȝif that Ony hele me Come vnto;
For Onliche In god I me affye,
Myn helthe to fynden ful trewelye.”
Piers Into that vessel there bar;
and whanne that he hadde so I-do,
Anon Piers to pharans spak vnto:
“Now, goode dere pharans, and frend,
Owt of this vessel that ȝe Wend;
274
My wyl and Al myn hole Entent;
and hens Alone now schal I go,
And ȝe ȝoure Chapel Aȝen vnto,
So that eueriday ȝe mown for me preye
‘that God Into swiche place me Conveye,
and that into swiche contre Comen I mote,
Of my Maladye to hauen some bote.’
and ȝif ȝe my lord Iosephes seen Er I,
Comaunde me to hym ful hertyly,
and telleth him holiche In Alle degre
how that it stont now with Me,
and Nedis that I Moste thus do
ȝif that Ony hele me Come vnto;
For Onliche In god I me affye,
Myn helthe to fynden ful trewelye.”
And thus Pharans Owt of the schipe gan gon,
Ful sore wepinge thanne there Anon
For the grete pite that he hadde
Of piers that Into þe schipe he ladde.
and Ek Piers there wepte Also
whanne they departyd þere bothe two;
for piers In dowte was to deye;
so he supposid ful sekerlye.
thus Ech of Othir took here leve,
and betawhte god bothe morwe and Eve;
thus kysten they þere bothe In fere,
and Ech oþer Comanded to here preiere,
For Eche knew oþer thanne ful wel
As goode men to God Every del.
Ful sore wepinge thanne there Anon
For the grete pite that he hadde
Of piers that Into þe schipe he ladde.
and Ek Piers there wepte Also
whanne they departyd þere bothe two;
for piers In dowte was to deye;
so he supposid ful sekerlye.
thus Ech of Othir took here leve,
and betawhte god bothe morwe and Eve;
thus kysten they þere bothe In fere,
and Ech oþer Comanded to here preiere,
For Eche knew oþer thanne ful wel
As goode men to God Every del.
and whanne Pharans Owt tho wente,
Piers thanne wepte with good Entente;
and the wynd In the Seil was Anon,
and Into the See Made the Schipe gon;
& thus sone with-Inne A stownde,
There As Pharans stood On the grounde,
Nethir the vessel ne piers he ne say,
So fer Into the soe he wente that day.
and whanne that Pharans Myht Se no more,
vppon his Asse he wente vp thore,
and to his Chapel he wente Agayn,
ful sore weping In certayn
for that Piers so from him was gon,
& he dwelde þere stille thanne Anon.
Piers thanne wepte with good Entente;
and the wynd In the Seil was Anon,
and Into the See Made the Schipe gon;
& thus sone with-Inne A stownde,
There As Pharans stood On the grounde,
275
So fer Into the soe he wente that day.
and whanne that Pharans Myht Se no more,
vppon his Asse he wente vp thore,
and to his Chapel he wente Agayn,
ful sore weping In certayn
for that Piers so from him was gon,
& he dwelde þere stille thanne Anon.
Now leveth here Pharans storie,
& forth to Pers it doth hye,
to tellen of his Aventure
and of his helthe, I ȝow Ensure.
& forth to Pers it doth hye,
to tellen of his Aventure
and of his helthe, I ȝow Ensure.
CHAPTER LII. OF PIERS'S ADVENTURES. HOW HE IS CURED, AND BEATS KING ORCAWS, KILLS KING MARAHANS, MARRIES CAMYLLE, BEGETS HERLAWNT, AND IS BURID.
276
Now this storye doth forth procede
whedir that Cryst Piers gan lede:
whanne he was Comen In to the hye see,
As swyftly as Evere brid gan to fle
It drof the vessel forth, I ȝow plyht,
ful foure dayes and foure Nyht,
that nethir he ne drank ne Ete
but Ryht litel of Ony Mete.
Atte Fyfthe daye, Abowtes pryme,
For werynesse he slepte that tyme,
and for Angwisch that he hadde,
of his lyf ful sore him dradde;
For so Megre and feble he was
that he myhte not steren in that plas.
whedir that Cryst Piers gan lede:
277
As swyftly as Evere brid gan to fle
It drof the vessel forth, I ȝow plyht,
ful foure dayes and foure Nyht,
that nethir he ne drank ne Ete
but Ryht litel of Ony Mete.
Atte Fyfthe daye, Abowtes pryme,
For werynesse he slepte that tyme,
and for Angwisch that he hadde,
of his lyf ful sore him dradde;
For so Megre and feble he was
that he myhte not steren in that plas.
so þat it happed be Aventure
At A Castel he Aryved, I ȝow Ensure,
whiche that ful Of paynemis was,
and þe kynges name was Orcaws,
and he was On Of þe beste knyhtes
that In the world levede tho Ryhtes;
and he hadde ben In Ryht Creaunce,
he ne hadde had non felawe with-owten variaunce.
At A Castel he Aryved, I ȝow Ensure,
whiche that ful Of paynemis was,
and þe kynges name was Orcaws,
and he was On Of þe beste knyhtes
that In the world levede tho Ryhtes;
and he hadde ben In Ryht Creaunce,
he ne hadde had non felawe with-owten variaunce.
And whanne at the Castel Aryved he was,
thanne Cam walkyng this kynges dowhter Orcaws,
whiche was a damysele ful fair and gent,
and bar þe pris of Bewte verament;
Of Alle the Maydenis In that Contre
sche was the fairest, As I telle it the.
So As sche Cam disportyng toward þe see,
and hire Maidenis In hire Compeyne,
For Manye sche hadde that with hire wente,
hire to disporte Aftyr hire Entente;
and In here pleyeng As they weren that day
they Sien where þat this vessel lay,
and there so lowde they gonne to synge,
hire felawes and sche In here pleyenge,
that piers Awook there that he lay,
so Astoned he was Of that Afray.
thanne Cam walkyng this kynges dowhter Orcaws,
whiche was a damysele ful fair and gent,
and bar þe pris of Bewte verament;
Of Alle the Maydenis In that Contre
sche was the fairest, As I telle it the.
So As sche Cam disportyng toward þe see,
and hire Maidenis In hire Compeyne,
For Manye sche hadde that with hire wente,
hire to disporte Aftyr hire Entente;
and In here pleyeng As they weren that day
they Sien where þat this vessel lay,
and there so lowde they gonne to synge,
hire felawes and sche In here pleyenge,
that piers Awook there that he lay,
so Astoned he was Of that Afray.
278
and whanne the Maide to this vessel sowhte,
he was ful syk, thanne hire thowhte;
and whanne that sche beheld his wounde,
Anon to hire felawes sche seide that stownde,
“wile ȝe now sen the Cause why
that this man so sik is trewely?
It Nys not wondyr thowh he were ded
Of this wounde here In this sted,
and that me thenketh were gret pyte,
For a ful fair Man hath he be
whanne that he was In hele Of his body,
A ful semly persone, sche seide, trewely;
therfore wolde I that the Cristene Man,
which to my Fadris presoun Is tan,
that is a good leche In alle Manere,
To helen this Man I wolde he were here;
For him so Mochel I knowe,
that non Erthly man with-Inne þis throwe
Ne Can so sone don hym boote
As thike Cristene, so wel I wote.”
he was ful syk, thanne hire thowhte;
and whanne that sche beheld his wounde,
Anon to hire felawes sche seide that stownde,
“wile ȝe now sen the Cause why
that this man so sik is trewely?
It Nys not wondyr thowh he were ded
Of this wounde here In this sted,
and that me thenketh were gret pyte,
For a ful fair Man hath he be
whanne that he was In hele Of his body,
A ful semly persone, sche seide, trewely;
therfore wolde I that the Cristene Man,
which to my Fadris presoun Is tan,
that is a good leche In alle Manere,
To helen this Man I wolde he were here;
For him so Mochel I knowe,
that non Erthly man with-Inne þis throwe
Ne Can so sone don hym boote
As thike Cristene, so wel I wote.”
Thanne be this tyme Piers ful wakyng was,
and beheld tho damyselis In that plas,
the whiche so Richely weren Adyht,
And hire Compenye In his syht.
thanne Merveilled this piers wondirly sore
what Alle thike ladyes and damyseles wore.
& whanne this damysel sawh that Awaked he was,
Anon sche Axede hym In that plas
Of what Contre that he were.
thanne Piers hire Answeride Anon there,
“Of Ierusalem I am bore,
and am I-torned to Cristene lore,
and ful Syk and feble I am therto,
that I ne may neyther walkyn ne go;
wherefore gret nede Of Cownseil I haue,
ȝif Ony Man Cowde me helpe Oþer Saue,
and but ȝif the Sonnere it be,
For fawt Of helpe I deye Sykerle.”
and beheld tho damyselis In that plas,
the whiche so Richely weren Adyht,
And hire Compenye In his syht.
thanne Merveilled this piers wondirly sore
what Alle thike ladyes and damyseles wore.
& whanne this damysel sawh that Awaked he was,
Anon sche Axede hym In that plas
Of what Contre that he were.
thanne Piers hire Answeride Anon there,
“Of Ierusalem I am bore,
and am I-torned to Cristene lore,
and ful Syk and feble I am therto,
that I ne may neyther walkyn ne go;
wherefore gret nede Of Cownseil I haue,
ȝif Ony Man Cowde me helpe Oþer Saue,
279
For fawt Of helpe I deye Sykerle.”
thanne Axede him the damysele there
In what Manere I-Cristened they were,
“For sothe A Cristene Man I Am, quod he,
here Al so syk As ȝe me now se.”
“be ȝe A knyht,” quod this damysele, thanne.
“ȝe trewly, and therto A Cristene Manne.”
“Forsothe, quod this damysele tho,
thanne hath ȝoure vessel Evele I-go,
For In this place but paynemys ne be,
And non Cristene dwellyng In this Contre;
and therfore, And they knewen ȝow here,
& that A Cristene Man ȝe were,
Anon they wolden don ȝow to ded
with-Owten Ony Othir Red.
ȝit neuertheles, for that ȝe be
A man ful syk & In euel degre,
and Also that ȝe ben Alone,
& weten neuere whider ȝe ben gone,
Therfore Of ȝow I haue pyte
that som socour ȝe hadde, ȝif it myhte be,
ȝif previliche to Ony man þat I durst tryste,
So that my fadir not there of wiste.”
In what Manere I-Cristened they were,
“For sothe A Cristene Man I Am, quod he,
here Al so syk As ȝe me now se.”
“be ȝe A knyht,” quod this damysele, thanne.
“ȝe trewly, and therto A Cristene Manne.”
“Forsothe, quod this damysele tho,
thanne hath ȝoure vessel Evele I-go,
For In this place but paynemys ne be,
And non Cristene dwellyng In this Contre;
and therfore, And they knewen ȝow here,
& that A Cristene Man ȝe were,
Anon they wolden don ȝow to ded
with-Owten Ony Othir Red.
ȝit neuertheles, for that ȝe be
A man ful syk & In euel degre,
and Also that ȝe ben Alone,
& weten neuere whider ȝe ben gone,
Therfore Of ȝow I haue pyte
that som socour ȝe hadde, ȝif it myhte be,
ȝif previliche to Ony man þat I durst tryste,
So that my fadir not there of wiste.”
“damysele, quod Piers Anon thanne,
Conne þe Ony helpe Oþer Ony Manne
that me Cowde hele Of my Syknesse,
and me to helpen Owt Of my dystresse?”
“be my Creaunce, quod this Maiden Anon,
My Fadir hath A Cristene man In presoun,
that A good man Of his lawe he is,
and þerto of lechecraft he berith the pris;
and wel I wot, and he were here,
he scholde ȝow Maken bothe hol & fere
ȝif Euere Ony man it scholde do
be wyt Oþer Craft, As I beleve so.
and therefore In my Chambre I wolde ȝe were,
So that non body not were the Nere
but Only my damyseles that here been,
that thyke Cristene man mihte ȝow seen;
and, be myn hed, there scholde this Nyht
Som Oþer Counseylle to ȝow ben dyht,
For ȝif be Ony weye that it May be,
that goode Cristene man schal ȝow se.”
Conne þe Ony helpe Oþer Ony Manne
that me Cowde hele Of my Syknesse,
and me to helpen Owt Of my dystresse?”
“be my Creaunce, quod this Maiden Anon,
My Fadir hath A Cristene man In presoun,
that A good man Of his lawe he is,
and þerto of lechecraft he berith the pris;
and wel I wot, and he were here,
he scholde ȝow Maken bothe hol & fere
ȝif Euere Ony man it scholde do
be wyt Oþer Craft, As I beleve so.
280
So that non body not were the Nere
but Only my damyseles that here been,
that thyke Cristene man mihte ȝow seen;
and, be myn hed, there scholde this Nyht
Som Oþer Counseylle to ȝow ben dyht,
For ȝif be Ony weye that it May be,
that goode Cristene man schal ȝow se.”
“ha damysele, quod Piers Anon Ryht,
Now, for the love of God Almyht
and for ȝoure owne Cowrtesye
that I myhte speken with that man In hie,
And that ȝe wolden haven Rowthe on me,
And that Cristene man that I myhte Se.”
And whanne sche herd hym preyen so faire,
thanne to hire damyseles gan sche Repaire;
And Axede of hem this qwestiown,
“Of this Cristene Man what schole we don?
For Certes me thinketh it were wel I-do,
ȝif Ony hele that he myhte come to;
For a worthy knyht hath he be,
as me semeth be his degre.
and ȝif In helthe that he were,
A semeliere persone nowher Nere.”
Now, for the love of God Almyht
and for ȝoure owne Cowrtesye
that I myhte speken with that man In hie,
And that ȝe wolden haven Rowthe on me,
And that Cristene man that I myhte Se.”
And whanne sche herd hym preyen so faire,
thanne to hire damyseles gan sche Repaire;
And Axede of hem this qwestiown,
“Of this Cristene Man what schole we don?
For Certes me thinketh it were wel I-do,
ȝif Ony hele that he myhte come to;
For a worthy knyht hath he be,
as me semeth be his degre.
and ȝif In helthe that he were,
A semeliere persone nowher Nere.”
“Madame, quod hire damyseles On Rewe,
ȝif it be with ȝow as ȝe here schewe,
Of Rekewr schal he faillen non
ȝif ȝe Consenten As we schole don;
For wel to ȝoure Chambre ȝe mown hym have,
And thedyr hym bringe bothe so Wnd and save;
and ȝif ȝe wyl knowen In this stede,
down be this water we scholen him lede;
and so forth Into the Gardyn,
And thorwgh ȝowre praiel wel & fyn;
& so to ȝoure Chambre we scholen him lede,
Ful prevyliche thorwgh Al this stede.
and whanne we han thus I-do,
thanne mown ȝe hauen the Cristene ȝow to,
and Owt of preson him to brynge
Into ȝoure Chambre with-owten lesinge;
So that he may his wounde þere se,
that there-Offen hol he myhte be.”
“ȝe sein ful wel, quod this lady tho,
I wele wel that ȝe don so.”
ȝif it be with ȝow as ȝe here schewe,
Of Rekewr schal he faillen non
ȝif ȝe Consenten As we schole don;
For wel to ȝoure Chambre ȝe mown hym have,
And thedyr hym bringe bothe so Wnd and save;
and ȝif ȝe wyl knowen In this stede,
down be this water we scholen him lede;
and so forth Into the Gardyn,
And thorwgh ȝowre praiel wel & fyn;
& so to ȝoure Chambre we scholen him lede,
Ful prevyliche thorwgh Al this stede.
281
thanne mown ȝe hauen the Cristene ȝow to,
and Owt of preson him to brynge
Into ȝoure Chambre with-owten lesinge;
So that he may his wounde þere se,
that there-Offen hol he myhte be.”
“ȝe sein ful wel, quod this lady tho,
I wele wel that ȝe don so.”
thus sone these damyseles gonne to gon
Into this vessel thanne Anon,
and token this Piers full softely,
and with hem forth ladden ful prevyly;
thorwh the Gardyn Into the Chambre they wente,
and fulfilde here ladyes Entente.
Into this vessel thanne Anon,
and token this Piers full softely,
and with hem forth ladden ful prevyly;
thorwh the Gardyn Into the Chambre they wente,
and fulfilde here ladyes Entente.
And whanne thus they hadden I-do,
and to hire Chambre they weren Comen vnto,
For hym A Cowche they Maden ful prest,
where vppon As he Scholde Rest;
but for the Angwisch that he was Inne,
he ne hadde non Reste, neþer more ne Mynne.
thanne Axede hym this lady fre,
“Now, leve sire, how stont it with the?”
and to hire Chambre they weren Comen vnto,
For hym A Cowche they Maden ful prest,
where vppon As he Scholde Rest;
but for the Angwisch that he was Inne,
he ne hadde non Reste, neþer more ne Mynne.
thanne Axede hym this lady fre,
“Now, leve sire, how stont it with the?”
Thanne Answerid Piers In fair Manere,
“Now trewly I trowe to dyen riht here,
and neuere to Abyden to Morwen day,
Ful seker, damysele, As I ȝow say.”
and whanne sche herde him speken so thore,
thanne hadde sche more pite þanne sche hadde to fore,
and seide, “Sire, dismaye ȝow non thing!
ȝe scholen hauen helpe with-owten taryeng.”
“Now trewly I trowe to dyen riht here,
and neuere to Abyden to Morwen day,
Ful seker, damysele, As I ȝow say.”
and whanne sche herde him speken so thore,
thanne hadde sche more pite þanne sche hadde to fore,
and seide, “Sire, dismaye ȝow non thing!
ȝe scholen hauen helpe with-owten taryeng.”
Thanne sente sche to the presoun Anon
Al so prevyly As sche Mihte don,
And with Alle wyttes And hire gynne
To geten hym Owt that was with-Inne.
and whanne that owt sche hadde hym take,
For fere this Cristene began to qwake,
and seide, “damysele, what thinke ye do?
I trowe ȝe purposen me forto slo,
and Of my deth ȝe Mown not wynne,
þerfore it were bettere that ȝe blynne.”
And thus he seide for this Entent,
For þat he wende sche wolde han him schent.
“Nay, sire, þere-Offen haue thou non dowte,
but folwe thou me sethen þou Art Owte,
And Into my Chambre folwe thou Me,
and there the Cause schal I schewen the
why Owt Of preson I do the take;
It is Only for Anotheris sake.”
Al so prevyly As sche Mihte don,
And with Alle wyttes And hire gynne
To geten hym Owt that was with-Inne.
and whanne that owt sche hadde hym take,
For fere this Cristene began to qwake,
282
I trowe ȝe purposen me forto slo,
and Of my deth ȝe Mown not wynne,
þerfore it were bettere that ȝe blynne.”
And thus he seide for this Entent,
For þat he wende sche wolde han him schent.
“Nay, sire, þere-Offen haue thou non dowte,
but folwe thou me sethen þou Art Owte,
And Into my Chambre folwe thou Me,
and there the Cause schal I schewen the
why Owt Of preson I do the take;
It is Only for Anotheris sake.”
Thanne wente this damysele forth to-fore,
and the Cristene hire folwede thore;
And whanne Into þe Chambre they weren gon,
thus sone sche schewed hym Piers Anon
that so sik In his bed there lay;
& whanne this presoner tho him say,
Of him he hadde ful gret pite,
and so wolde Ony man In Cristiente.
“Now behold this Man In this stounde
that we be the see side here fownde!
and ȝif this Cristene Man helen ȝe Mown,
I schal deliueren ȝow Owt Of presown,
and senden ȝow bothe Into Anothir Contre
where þat ȝe desiren to be,
with As mochel Richesse As ȝe haue,
Owthir Ony Of ȝou Can Of me Crave,
To gon Into what partye that ȝow lyst;
and hereto ȝe Mown wel Tryst;
and thus wil I do As I telle it the,
For þe grete deseise that I In hym Se.”
and the Cristene hire folwede thore;
And whanne Into þe Chambre they weren gon,
thus sone sche schewed hym Piers Anon
that so sik In his bed there lay;
& whanne this presoner tho him say,
Of him he hadde ful gret pite,
and so wolde Ony man In Cristiente.
“Now behold this Man In this stounde
that we be the see side here fownde!
and ȝif this Cristene Man helen ȝe Mown,
I schal deliueren ȝow Owt Of presown,
and senden ȝow bothe Into Anothir Contre
where þat ȝe desiren to be,
with As mochel Richesse As ȝe haue,
Owthir Ony Of ȝou Can Of me Crave,
To gon Into what partye that ȝow lyst;
and hereto ȝe Mown wel Tryst;
and thus wil I do As I telle it the,
For þe grete deseise that I In hym Se.”
Whanne the presoner wist that Cristened he was,
he made ful gret Ioye thanne In that plas,
and Answerid to the damysele Anon,
‘that thike thing he would gladliche don;’
thanne Axede this presoner Of him þere Ryht,
how longe it was sethen he was so dyht.
thanne Answerid piers to hym Anon,
“It is sethen Sixtene dayes Agon,
and Every day it is wers than oþer,
I sei the trewly, my leve brothir,
and non socour ne kan I gete,
Ne neþer Appatyt to drinke ne mete,
whiche that Moche dismayeth Me
Ful sekerly, Sere, I telle it the.”
Thanne bespak Anon this presonere,
and to this damysele seide he there,
“I wolde, And ȝowre wille it were,
Into ȝoure Prayel ȝe boren him here,
and there bettere the wonde myhte I se
thanne In this Chambre In Alle degre.”
he made ful gret Ioye thanne In that plas,
and Answerid to the damysele Anon,
‘that thike thing he would gladliche don;’
283
how longe it was sethen he was so dyht.
thanne Answerid piers to hym Anon,
“It is sethen Sixtene dayes Agon,
and Every day it is wers than oþer,
I sei the trewly, my leve brothir,
and non socour ne kan I gete,
Ne neþer Appatyt to drinke ne mete,
whiche that Moche dismayeth Me
Ful sekerly, Sere, I telle it the.”
Thanne bespak Anon this presonere,
and to this damysele seide he there,
“I wolde, And ȝowre wille it were,
Into ȝoure Prayel ȝe boren him here,
and there bettere the wonde myhte I se
thanne In this Chambre In Alle degre.”
And Anon this lady thanne
dide beren Owt this Sike Manne
Into the Sonne, that he myhte knowe
Alle his Maladye In a throwe.
and whanne he beheld hym in that plas,
thanne Sawh he wel that Envemyned he was,
whiche was the Cause Certeinle
That lyhtlyche I-heled Myhte he not be,
Til that the vemyn owt were I-don.
dide beren Owt this Sike Manne
Into the Sonne, that he myhte knowe
Alle his Maladye In a throwe.
and whanne he beheld hym in that plas,
thanne Sawh he wel that Envemyned he was,
whiche was the Cause Certeinle
That lyhtlyche I-heled Myhte he not be,
Til that the vemyn owt were I-don.
than seide þis presoner to pers Anon,
“Frend, Envemyned ȝe ben ful sore,
þerfore ȝoure Angwich is moche the more,
and tyl that vemyn Owt be I-take
Ferst, ȝoure peyne May not Aslake;
And aftir the vemyn is Owte I-do,
Anon ryht helthe schal Comen ȝow to,
that with-Inne a monthe, be goddis grace,
Al hol to Maken ȝow In this place.”
“Frend, Envemyned ȝe ben ful sore,
þerfore ȝoure Angwich is moche the more,
and tyl that vemyn Owt be I-take
Ferst, ȝoure peyne May not Aslake;
And aftir the vemyn is Owte I-do,
Anon ryht helthe schal Comen ȝow to,
that with-Inne a monthe, be goddis grace,
Al hol to Maken ȝow In this place.”
thus sone there besowghte ful faste,
Aftir Swiche herbes In gret haste
the vemyn to drawen Owt Of that wounde,
And Aftyr to Maken him hol and sownde.
that so vppon him travailled this presoner
that with-Inne the Mounthe hol was he ther,
and to that lady ȝald hym Agayn
As hol and Clene In Certayn.
and this Piers, that was the fairest knyht
that Owt of Ierusalem wente In syht,
thanne his wit and bownte to him restored was
whanne helthe he hadde In that plas.
Aftir Swiche herbes In gret haste
284
And Aftyr to Maken him hol and sownde.
that so vppon him travailled this presoner
that with-Inne the Mounthe hol was he ther,
and to that lady ȝald hym Agayn
As hol and Clene In Certayn.
and this Piers, that was the fairest knyht
that Owt of Ierusalem wente In syht,
thanne his wit and bownte to him restored was
whanne helthe he hadde In that plas.
With-Inne this terme fil An Aventure
That kyng Marahans Of yreland, I ȝow ensure,
Cam to disporten him with kyng Orkaws,
In as mochel as that his Cosyn he was.
and his Eldest sone with him gan go,
that A lytel to-fore A knyht was Mad tho,
and þerto dowhty In his dede:
thus In storie here we Rede.
So that thike Nyht þere was gret feste
In that Castel to Mest and leste;
but it happede be A tretour boteler
that kyng Marahans sone poysoned he ther,
And At the table there he deyde Anon
At Soper ded As Ony ston.
That kyng Marahans Of yreland, I ȝow ensure,
Cam to disporten him with kyng Orkaws,
In as mochel as that his Cosyn he was.
and his Eldest sone with him gan go,
that A lytel to-fore A knyht was Mad tho,
and þerto dowhty In his dede:
thus In storie here we Rede.
So that thike Nyht þere was gret feste
In that Castel to Mest and leste;
but it happede be A tretour boteler
that kyng Marahans sone poysoned he ther,
And At the table there he deyde Anon
At Soper ded As Ony ston.
And whanne þe kyng beheld this there,
he wende kyng Orcaws Conseyl that it Were;
and thus sone wente he thenne
to the kyng of grete breteygne with his Menne,
wheche that tyme I-clepid was
Of bretaynge kyng lwce, In Every plas.
he wende kyng Orcaws Conseyl that it Were;
and thus sone wente he thenne
to the kyng of grete breteygne with his Menne,
wheche that tyme I-clepid was
Of bretaynge kyng lwce, In Every plas.
whanne kyng Marahans to forn hym was þere,
and him hadde Compleyned In dyvers Manere,
and Apechyd kyng Orkaws Of Treson,
For that he hadde poysoned his son,—
thus sone Orkaws After was sent
to Londone to Comen to parlement.
and, whanne Orkaws to Londone was gon,
kyng Marahans Of treson him Apechid Anon,
and Seide that [he] be fals Treson
In his Castel hadde poysoned his son.
Anon kyng Orkaws that gan denaye,
and seide the Contrarye to him in faye;
and In that qwarel his Gage he kaste,
hit to defende whil his lyf wold laste,
Owther be his persone, oþer be Anothir,
be som knyht, other be his brothir;
For with Marahan he ne kepte not fyhte,
For that he was so worthy A knyhte,
For Of paynemys he bar the prys,
As Aboven oþer flowres doth þe flowr delys.
and him hadde Compleyned In dyvers Manere,
and Apechyd kyng Orkaws Of Treson,
For that he hadde poysoned his son,—
thus sone Orkaws After was sent
to Londone to Comen to parlement.
285
kyng Marahans Of treson him Apechid Anon,
and Seide that [he] be fals Treson
In his Castel hadde poysoned his son.
Anon kyng Orkaws that gan denaye,
and seide the Contrarye to him in faye;
and In that qwarel his Gage he kaste,
hit to defende whil his lyf wold laste,
Owther be his persone, oþer be Anothir,
be som knyht, other be his brothir;
For with Marahan he ne kepte not fyhte,
For that he was so worthy A knyhte,
For Of paynemys he bar the prys,
As Aboven oþer flowres doth þe flowr delys.
Thus this bataylle Enioyned was,
and bothe fownden Ostages In that plas;
and the day Assigned was Also
Whanne that the Bataylle scholde be do.
and bothe fownden Ostages In that plas;
and the day Assigned was Also
Whanne that the Bataylle scholde be do.
thanne kyng Orkaws torned hom Ageyn,
and Aftyr his brothyr sente In Certein
that the bataylle for hym scholde don þat day.
his brothir him Answerid, and seide “Nay,
For ȝe knowen ful wel that kyng Marahans
Is þe moste worthiest knyht In Alle defens
that Entreth Into Ony bataylle,
þere-fore hym I Schal not Asaylle,
Nethir for stryf, Nethir for hete,
to-gederis In feld scholen we not mete,
his body and Myn to-Gederis In fere;
It schal not ben In non Manere.”
and Aftyr his brothyr sente In Certein
that the bataylle for hym scholde don þat day.
his brothir him Answerid, and seide “Nay,
For ȝe knowen ful wel that kyng Marahans
Is þe moste worthiest knyht In Alle defens
that Entreth Into Ony bataylle,
þere-fore hym I Schal not Asaylle,
Nethir for stryf, Nethir for hete,
to-gederis In feld scholen we not mete,
his body and Myn to-Gederis In fere;
It schal not ben In non Manere.”
Whanne kyng Orkaws this vndirstood,
thanne Anon began to Chongen his Mood
whanne that his brothir it hadde forsake,
and that the bataille he wolde not take.
Ful Mochel Mone thanne he Made,
that he som Oþir knyht ne hadde;
For so Often tymes Asayed had he
kyng Marahan In bataille & In Melle,
So that he knew wel be his dede
he was þe beste þat bestrod Ony steede,
and þerfore Nolde Orkaws In non degre
In bataylle him Meten Certeynle.
thanne Anon began to Chongen his Mood
whanne that his brothir it hadde forsake,
and that the bataille he wolde not take.
Ful Mochel Mone thanne he Made,
that he som Oþir knyht ne hadde;
286
kyng Marahan In bataille & In Melle,
So that he knew wel be his dede
he was þe beste þat bestrod Ony steede,
and þerfore Nolde Orkaws In non degre
In bataylle him Meten Certeynle.
thanne sente Orkaws Ryht Anon
Aftyr his barowns Everychon,
Forto preven the beste knyht
that for hym Myhte taken that fyht.
and this Orkaws þere feynede him Syk,
To knowen which of hem that was best lyk
that ylke bataille forto do
whanne þat to þe poynt they comen to.
And whanne they syen hym liggen In this Manere,
They Axede him what his wille were;
thanne seide he ‘that Agreved was he sore
Of tydynges that him Comen thore.’
and they Axeden him what tho schold be;
and he seide, “kyng Marahans Certeinle
hath sent a knyht In to this Lond,
As it is don me to vndirstond,
that with his Owne body he will holde fyhtes
Aȝens .xij. of the beste knyhtes
that with-Inne My Lond I May fynde;
and thus Is it to Me put In Mynde,
and forto preven this Ilke thyng
to ȝow haue I sent to ȝeven warneng,
and to Morwe At pryme this schal be;
þerfore, and ȝow lyst, telleth now me
ȝif that ȝe welen kepen that day;
Fore trewly, for Syknesse I ne May.
And wile ye now vndirstonden here
I sente for ȝow In this Manere;
and forto Fellen that knyhtes pride
For ȝow I sente now At this tyde,
that thike knyht ne schal not say,
but his felawe here to fynden Eche day.”
Aftyr his barowns Everychon,
Forto preven the beste knyht
that for hym Myhte taken that fyht.
and this Orkaws þere feynede him Syk,
To knowen which of hem that was best lyk
that ylke bataille forto do
whanne þat to þe poynt they comen to.
And whanne they syen hym liggen In this Manere,
They Axede him what his wille were;
thanne seide he ‘that Agreved was he sore
Of tydynges that him Comen thore.’
and they Axeden him what tho schold be;
and he seide, “kyng Marahans Certeinle
hath sent a knyht In to this Lond,
As it is don me to vndirstond,
that with his Owne body he will holde fyhtes
Aȝens .xij. of the beste knyhtes
that with-Inne My Lond I May fynde;
and thus Is it to Me put In Mynde,
and forto preven this Ilke thyng
to ȝow haue I sent to ȝeven warneng,
and to Morwe At pryme this schal be;
þerfore, and ȝow lyst, telleth now me
ȝif that ȝe welen kepen that day;
Fore trewly, for Syknesse I ne May.
And wile ye now vndirstonden here
I sente for ȝow In this Manere;
and forto Fellen that knyhtes pride
For ȝow I sente now At this tyde,
287
but his felawe here to fynden Eche day.”
And thus the kyng þere gan hem telle;
for there A lesyng he Feyned ful felle;
For straunge knyht In his Rem was non,
but he him self it wolde thanne don,
Amonges theke twelve to preven Anon
ȝif Ony Aȝens kyng Marahans dorste gon.
thanne Axeden they Anon Ageyn,
“Sere, be ȝe now here In Certeyn
that thike knyht to Morwen At pryme
At thike brygge wil Arere that tyme?”
“ȝe, quod the kyng thanne trewely,
there scholen ȝe hym Meten ful sekerly.”
“thanne, quod they, we scholen him Mete,
whethir he Ryde be weye Oþer strete,
So that ȝowre worschepe saved schal be,
and we schameles In Alle degre.”
for there A lesyng he Feyned ful felle;
For straunge knyht In his Rem was non,
but he him self it wolde thanne don,
Amonges theke twelve to preven Anon
ȝif Ony Aȝens kyng Marahans dorste gon.
thanne Axeden they Anon Ageyn,
“Sere, be ȝe now here In Certeyn
that thike knyht to Morwen At pryme
At thike brygge wil Arere that tyme?”
“ȝe, quod the kyng thanne trewely,
there scholen ȝe hym Meten ful sekerly.”
“thanne, quod they, we scholen him Mete,
whethir he Ryde be weye Oþer strete,
So that ȝowre worschepe saved schal be,
and we schameles In Alle degre.”
Thus sone these .xij. knyhtes departyd Away,
and hom to here Ostelis they wenten þat day;
and the kyng lefte Stille In his bed
Tyl It was Even In that same sted.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
he Clepyd his stewerd Anon Ryht,
“Go, fette me the moste straungest Armure,
the Moste beste and the most Sure,
For hennes to-Nyht now wyl I pace,
And to morwen At Even Aȝen In this place;
and ȝif that Ony man Axe After me,
Sey that deseised I am ful Certeinle.”
and hom to here Ostelis they wenten þat day;
and the kyng lefte Stille In his bed
Tyl It was Even In that same sted.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
he Clepyd his stewerd Anon Ryht,
“Go, fette me the moste straungest Armure,
the Moste beste and the most Sure,
For hennes to-Nyht now wyl I pace,
And to morwen At Even Aȝen In this place;
and ȝif that Ony man Axe After me,
Sey that deseised I am ful Certeinle.”
Thus the kyng Comanded þe styward þere,
and so he wrowhte Aftyr his Manere.
and whanne the day Aproched was,
the kyng him Armede In that plas,
and took his hors, & gan forth Ride
Into that brigge that Ilke tyde.
but Er thanne thens he wente,
he made the styward sweren presente
that he scholde discouere him to non Man,
what so Evere Of hym they Axeden than.
and so he wrowhte Aftyr his Manere.
and whanne the day Aproched was,
the kyng him Armede In that plas,
and took his hors, & gan forth Ride
Into that brigge that Ilke tyde.
288
he made the styward sweren presente
that he scholde discouere him to non Man,
what so Evere Of hym they Axeden than.
thanne so this kyng gan forth to Ryde,
forth to the Brygge At that tyde;
and ther Abod tyl the Owr Of pryme,
and was Non Comen at that tyme.
thanne alle xij knyhtes they Comen In-same,
Forto fulfillen that Ilke Game;
but Speris with hem Non they browhte,
For At Alle daye there sen they Mowhte
the Brigge with speris Envirowned Abowte,
the wheche that weren bothe gret and stowte,
Whiche that Cavsede Men Of the Contre there
Eche Other to Asayen In dyvers Manere.
forth to the Brygge At that tyde;
and ther Abod tyl the Owr Of pryme,
and was Non Comen at that tyme.
thanne alle xij knyhtes they Comen In-same,
Forto fulfillen that Ilke Game;
but Speris with hem Non they browhte,
For At Alle daye there sen they Mowhte
the Brigge with speris Envirowned Abowte,
the wheche that weren bothe gret and stowte,
Whiche that Cavsede Men Of the Contre there
Eche Other to Asayen In dyvers Manere.
Whanne these xij knyhtes there behelde
that þere was A knyht with spere and schelde
that Redy was to Iusten there,
Ech man hym Ordeyned In his Manere
Forto Iusten Aȝens that knyht,
Euery man there to preven his Myht;
and thus Ech Of hem A spere there took
as On the brigge were, and non forsook;
and the kyng him Cawhte Anothir,
and forth he prekede Amonges þat fothir;
& so he smot the ferste knyht,
and þere sore wounded him In þat fyht,
So that he hadde there dethes wounde,
Onnethe to Rysen Aftir þat stownde.
And whanne that thus down he was I-Cast,
To anothir knyht he prekyd In hast,
and him he wounded Al so sore,
lyk As he dide the tothir before;
and so the thrydde and þe fowrthe Also,
and thus Alle twelve he browhte to wo.
that þere was A knyht with spere and schelde
that Redy was to Iusten there,
Ech man hym Ordeyned In his Manere
Forto Iusten Aȝens that knyht,
Euery man there to preven his Myht;
and thus Ech Of hem A spere there took
as On the brigge were, and non forsook;
and the kyng him Cawhte Anothir,
and forth he prekede Amonges þat fothir;
& so he smot the ferste knyht,
and þere sore wounded him In þat fyht,
So that he hadde there dethes wounde,
Onnethe to Rysen Aftir þat stownde.
And whanne that thus down he was I-Cast,
To anothir knyht he prekyd In hast,
and him he wounded Al so sore,
lyk As he dide the tothir before;
and so the thrydde and þe fowrthe Also,
and thus Alle twelve he browhte to wo.
289
And whanne Alle xij I-scomfyt they were,
the kyng In this Maner to hem seide there,
“Sires, ȝe knowen presoneres ȝe be,
As be þe lawe Of this Contre;
and that with ȝow I May now do
As that to Armes belongen vnto.”
and they Answerid hym Ageyn,
“Sire, that is soth In Certeyn.”
“Thanne Comande I ȝow Everichon,
that ȝe Alle to kyng Orkaws gon,
and ȝeldeth to hym Alle ȝowre persones
On My behalve with-Inne his wones.
the kyng In this Maner to hem seide there,
“Sires, ȝe knowen presoneres ȝe be,
As be þe lawe Of this Contre;
and that with ȝow I May now do
As that to Armes belongen vnto.”
and they Answerid hym Ageyn,
“Sire, that is soth In Certeyn.”
“Thanne Comande I ȝow Everichon,
that ȝe Alle to kyng Orkaws gon,
and ȝeldeth to hym Alle ȝowre persones
On My behalve with-Inne his wones.
thanne Axede they hym what he hyhte.
“he knoweth me ful wel, I telle ȝow Ryhte,
but Of myn Name, it is not to ȝow;
for whanne he hereth Of this prow,
thanne wil he knowen me ful wel,
I ȝow seye As trewe As steel;
And that In Manye stormes I haue be
with him In bataylle ful Sykerle.”
thanne sworen they In here Entent
To Fulfillen his Comaundement,
But ful Of sorwe Alle they were
that they weren so discomfyt there
Of On knyht there In that plase:
Ful Moche Sorwe Amonge hem wase.
“he knoweth me ful wel, I telle ȝow Ryhte,
but Of myn Name, it is not to ȝow;
for whanne he hereth Of this prow,
thanne wil he knowen me ful wel,
I ȝow seye As trewe As steel;
And that In Manye stormes I haue be
with him In bataylle ful Sykerle.”
thanne sworen they In here Entent
To Fulfillen his Comaundement,
But ful Of sorwe Alle they were
that they weren so discomfyt there
Of On knyht there In that plase:
Ful Moche Sorwe Amonge hem wase.
Thanne departyd Anon the xij knyhtes
From that place there Anon Ryhtes;
and the kyng Entrede Into the forest
whanne that he say his tyme best,
and þere Alle day Abod he Sekerlye
For that non Man Scholde him Aspye.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
Toward his Castel he gan hym dyht,
And In A Gardyn vndir the towr
his steward hym Abood Every Owr.
and whanne he Cam to this Gardyn,
his steward him Resceyved wel & fyn,
and Resceyved his hors and his Armure,
And Aftyr to Chambre wente ful pure.
& whanne A while In Chambre he hadde I-be,
Anon to halle thanne wente he,
and Made Semblaunce As thowgh syk he were
To-forn Alle his Meyne þat was there.
Thanne his Meyne Aȝens hym gonne gon,
and hym worschepid Everichon,
and hym Axede ‘how that it were,
& why he was Of so hevy Chere.’
and he Answerid hem Ageyn,
“I Me strengthe with Al my Mayn
aȝens herte to Maken good Contenaunce,
So mochel Of Syknesse I haue dowtawnce.”
From that place there Anon Ryhtes;
and the kyng Entrede Into the forest
whanne that he say his tyme best,
and þere Alle day Abod he Sekerlye
For that non Man Scholde him Aspye.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
Toward his Castel he gan hym dyht,
And In A Gardyn vndir the towr
his steward hym Abood Every Owr.
290
his steward him Resceyved wel & fyn,
and Resceyved his hors and his Armure,
And Aftyr to Chambre wente ful pure.
& whanne A while In Chambre he hadde I-be,
Anon to halle thanne wente he,
and Made Semblaunce As thowgh syk he were
To-forn Alle his Meyne þat was there.
Thanne his Meyne Aȝens hym gonne gon,
and hym worschepid Everichon,
and hym Axede ‘how that it were,
& why he was Of so hevy Chere.’
and he Answerid hem Ageyn,
“I Me strengthe with Al my Mayn
aȝens herte to Maken good Contenaunce,
So mochel Of Syknesse I haue dowtawnce.”
And vppon the Morwe, at the Owr of pryme,
the xij knyhtes Comen In good tyme
that discomfyt Of hym were,
(but they it ne knewe In non Manere,)
and ȝolden hem to hym As presoneres
On a knyhtes behalve that was ful fers;
but they ne knewen not his Name,
For he was A man Of ful gret fame;
and tolden kyng Orkaws Al In fere
how thike knyht discomfyt hem there.
the xij knyhtes Comen In good tyme
that discomfyt Of hym were,
(but they it ne knewe In non Manere,)
and ȝolden hem to hym As presoneres
On a knyhtes behalve that was ful fers;
but they ne knewen not his Name,
For he was A man Of ful gret fame;
and tolden kyng Orkaws Al In fere
how thike knyht discomfyt hem there.
“Ha! quod kyng Orkaws thanne,
Now wot I wel that he Is A manne
that ȝow Alle hath taken As presoneres,
And to Me Represented now here.”
thanne Made he Semblaw[n]t As wroth he were,
but ȝit neuere the mo ne was he there;
and sente forth his Messengeris Anon
thorwh-Owt his Rem for to gon,
to warnen Alle his Chevalrye,
‘Atte brigge to Meten that knyht so hardye;
and ȝif Ony so hardy that there were
with that knyht to fyhten there,
what Maner Of good that he wolde Crave,
Anon Of kyng Orkaws he Scholde it have.’
Now wot I wel that he Is A manne
that ȝow Alle hath taken As presoneres,
And to Me Represented now here.”
thanne Made he Semblaw[n]t As wroth he were,
but ȝit neuere the mo ne was he there;
and sente forth his Messengeris Anon
thorwh-Owt his Rem for to gon,
to warnen Alle his Chevalrye,
‘Atte brigge to Meten that knyht so hardye;
291
with that knyht to fyhten there,
what Maner Of good that he wolde Crave,
Anon Of kyng Orkaws he Scholde it have.’
but they that to fore tymes I-beten were,
Alle here Goodes the kyng Sesyd there
As for On ȝer And On day,
thus kyng Orkaws hem gan to say.
and whanne that they that In the Contre were,
herden how þe xij knyhtes happeden there,
thanne In hem selve they hadden gret drede,
For they Niste neuere how to spede;
and ȝif discomfyt that they were,
here londis to lesen In swich maner there.
Alle here Goodes the kyng Sesyd there
As for On ȝer And On day,
thus kyng Orkaws hem gan to say.
and whanne that they that In the Contre were,
herden how þe xij knyhtes happeden there,
thanne In hem selve they hadden gret drede,
For they Niste neuere how to spede;
and ȝif discomfyt that they were,
here londis to lesen In swich maner there.
Whanne that Piers that with this lady was,
And Of his Maladye helyd In that plas,
thanne was he as ful Of pensifnesse
As whanne he was In his distresse.
thanne Axede the lady hym Ryht tho,
“Piers, what is ȝow to thenken so,
and what Cause that it may be,
I praye ȝow, Sere, now telleth Me;
and ȝif I mowe don ȝow Ony Ese,
Owther Ony thing that May ȝow plese,
anon Ryht it schal ben do,
þere-fore to suffren bothe peyne and wo.’
And Of his Maladye helyd In that plas,
thanne was he as ful Of pensifnesse
As whanne he was In his distresse.
thanne Axede the lady hym Ryht tho,
“Piers, what is ȝow to thenken so,
and what Cause that it may be,
I praye ȝow, Sere, now telleth Me;
and ȝif I mowe don ȝow Ony Ese,
Owther Ony thing that May ȝow plese,
anon Ryht it schal ben do,
þere-fore to suffren bothe peyne and wo.’
“A! faire lady, quod Piers Anon,
Ryht ful Esely ȝe myhte it don.”
“Seye On, quod this lady thanne,
and I schal don it, for Ony Manne.”
“thanne schal I ȝow tellen, quod piers trewly,
And ȝe me wil Enswren feythfully;
For it Cometh now In My Mynde
that ȝoure fadir sendeth Into Every Ende
Aftyr his knyhtes And Bachelere,
here worthynesse forto preven here;
And thike tyme have I sen,
and not fulliche fyve ȝeres they ben,
& swich A knyht were In Oure Contre,
wel sone Asayed scholde he be;
and ȝif that I hadde harneys and Gere,
For Alle the Men that Evere were
I[n] my persone Ryht Al Alone
To that knyht wolde I gone;
al thowgh I be In straunge Contre,
I scholde him Asaye, what so he be,
thowh he were the strengest Of this Molde,
And Abyden me he wolde:
but harneys have I In non Manere,
and þat Maketh me to Mornen so here.”
Ryht ful Esely ȝe myhte it don.”
“Seye On, quod this lady thanne,
and I schal don it, for Ony Manne.”
“thanne schal I ȝow tellen, quod piers trewly,
And ȝe me wil Enswren feythfully;
For it Cometh now In My Mynde
that ȝoure fadir sendeth Into Every Ende
Aftyr his knyhtes And Bachelere,
here worthynesse forto preven here;
292
and not fulliche fyve ȝeres they ben,
& swich A knyht were In Oure Contre,
wel sone Asayed scholde he be;
and ȝif that I hadde harneys and Gere,
For Alle the Men that Evere were
I[n] my persone Ryht Al Alone
To that knyht wolde I gone;
al thowgh I be In straunge Contre,
I scholde him Asaye, what so he be,
thowh he were the strengest Of this Molde,
And Abyden me he wolde:
but harneys have I In non Manere,
and þat Maketh me to Mornen so here.”
Whanne the kynges dowhter herde this,
sche Merveilled he spak Of so gret Aprys,
And that he wolde Iosten At that tyde
with hym that no Man dorste Abyde.
thanne seide to him this lady Anon,
“hors and harneys ȝe scholen haue son,
and longe Er Nyht Redy it schal be;
ann therefore, Piers, dismaye not the;
& þerto As Richely ȝe scholen ben dyht
As thowgh A kynges sone ȝe weren Owtryht;
but In feith, Sire, be the Cownseil Of Me,
Aȝens that knyht ȝe scholen not Te.”
“Now, faire lady, quod Pers tho,
that ȝe me han be-hote, brynge me vnto;
and Of me dismaye ȝow non thing,
for I troste holiche In hevene kyng.”
sche Merveilled he spak Of so gret Aprys,
And that he wolde Iosten At that tyde
with hym that no Man dorste Abyde.
thanne seide to him this lady Anon,
“hors and harneys ȝe scholen haue son,
and longe Er Nyht Redy it schal be;
ann therefore, Piers, dismaye not the;
& þerto As Richely ȝe scholen ben dyht
As thowgh A kynges sone ȝe weren Owtryht;
but In feith, Sire, be the Cownseil Of Me,
Aȝens that knyht ȝe scholen not Te.”
“Now, faire lady, quod Pers tho,
that ȝe me han be-hote, brynge me vnto;
and Of me dismaye ȝow non thing,
for I troste holiche In hevene kyng.”
and whanne they hadden spoken Of this Matere,
Anon from him sche wente there;
bothe hors and harneys him Ordeyned thus sone,
and Alle Oþer thing that was to done.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
The weye to the Brygge sche tawhte him Ryht.
thanne Of this lady his leve he took,
and On his weye forth faste he schook.
& whanne to þe brigge that he was Gon,
Into þat forest thanne wente he Anon,
there A While to taken his Reste
As that tyme þere it liked him beste;
and down he Alyhte Of his Rownsy,
& be his brydel hym teyde þere faste by,
and þere to pasture ȝif he wolde
Tyl þat day Aperede On Goddis Molde.
Anon from him sche wente there;
bothe hors and harneys him Ordeyned thus sone,
and Alle Oþer thing that was to done.
and whanne it was with-Inne the Nyht,
The weye to the Brygge sche tawhte him Ryht.
293
and On his weye forth faste he schook.
& whanne to þe brigge that he was Gon,
Into þat forest thanne wente he Anon,
there A While to taken his Reste
As that tyme þere it liked him beste;
and down he Alyhte Of his Rownsy,
& be his brydel hym teyde þere faste by,
and þere to pasture ȝif he wolde
Tyl þat day Aperede On Goddis Molde.
vppon the Morwen whanne it was day,
Piers toward his hors took the way,
and Made his hors Al Redy,
& his helm gan lasen ful Iostly;
and Abowte his Nekke he heng his scheld;
thanne Owt Of þe forest he took the feld.
whanne toward the brigge that he gan gon,
thanne kyng Orkaws Aspide he Anon
that thedir was Comen for theke Entent,
To Wyten ȝif there were Ony present
whiche that Aȝens him dorste Abyde:
this was his Comeng At that tyde.
Piers toward his hors took the way,
and Made his hors Al Redy,
& his helm gan lasen ful Iostly;
and Abowte his Nekke he heng his scheld;
thanne Owt Of þe forest he took the feld.
whanne toward the brigge that he gan gon,
thanne kyng Orkaws Aspide he Anon
that thedir was Comen for theke Entent,
To Wyten ȝif there were Ony present
whiche that Aȝens him dorste Abyde:
this was his Comeng At that tyde.
And whanne piers beheld him there,
he lyht Adown for Ony fere,
and tasted his harneis In that stede,
þat it scholde not faille whanne he hadd nede.
and whanne he say that Al siker it was,
To hors Aȝen he wente In that plas.
and to the brigge he cam Anon,
and Salwed the kyng As he scholde don.
Anon a spere On honde he took,
& towardis the kyng wel faste he schook,
and seide that Iusten Nedis he Moste:
the kyng him Answeryd that hym wel lyste.
he lyht Adown for Ony fere,
and tasted his harneis In that stede,
þat it scholde not faille whanne he hadd nede.
and whanne he say that Al siker it was,
To hors Aȝen he wente In that plas.
and to the brigge he cam Anon,
and Salwed the kyng As he scholde don.
Anon a spere On honde he took,
& towardis the kyng wel faste he schook,
and seide that Iusten Nedis he Moste:
the kyng him Answeryd that hym wel lyste.
So swyftly they Ronnen In that plas,
as faste as the howndes hertes don chas,
and so sore to-Gederis they Mette,
that here scheldes Into the feld weren smette,
So that there was Non geyn Char,
but bothe here whyte flesche persched thar;
so that bothe hadden they wowndis grete,
and ȝit Nethir Othir ne wolde not lete;
so that the kyng On Piers his spere to-brak,
and Piers Aȝen hym hitte with-Owten lak,
& bare him Owt Of his sadel Into the feeld
Ouer his hors Crowpere undir his Scheld;
and there so sore I-hurt he was,
Onnethis to Meven Owt Of that plas.
as faste as the howndes hertes don chas,
294
that here scheldes Into the feld weren smette,
So that there was Non geyn Char,
but bothe here whyte flesche persched thar;
so that bothe hadden they wowndis grete,
and ȝit Nethir Othir ne wolde not lete;
so that the kyng On Piers his spere to-brak,
and Piers Aȝen hym hitte with-Owten lak,
& bare him Owt Of his sadel Into the feeld
Ouer his hors Crowpere undir his Scheld;
and there so sore I-hurt he was,
Onnethis to Meven Owt Of that plas.
Whanne Piers atte therthe the kyng say,
Of his hors he Alyhte with-Owten delay,
and there drowh Owt his swerd Anon,
& towardis this kyng he gan to Gon;
so þat be thike tyme þe kyng Rekeuered was,
and On his feet stood In that plas,
Ful sore I-hurt, and ful of Angwyschs.
thanne to the kyng Piers seide thus,
“Sire knyht, ȝoure Iostyng lost han ȝe;
assayeth ȝif Ony bettere ȝe Mown ȝow byse,
and ȝif Ony thing that ȝe Mown wynne
with Ony Other Melle vs betwynne.”
Anon he drowh his swerd with good Entente,
And his scheld On honde he hente.
Of his hors he Alyhte with-Owten delay,
and there drowh Owt his swerd Anon,
& towardis this kyng he gan to Gon;
so þat be thike tyme þe kyng Rekeuered was,
and On his feet stood In that plas,
Ful sore I-hurt, and ful of Angwyschs.
thanne to the kyng Piers seide thus,
“Sire knyht, ȝoure Iostyng lost han ȝe;
assayeth ȝif Ony bettere ȝe Mown ȝow byse,
and ȝif Ony thing that ȝe Mown wynne
with Ony Other Melle vs betwynne.”
Anon he drowh his swerd with good Entente,
And his scheld On honde he hente.
whanne the kyng sawh þat he was Redy,
Faste to that Melle he gan hym hy,
and there his prowesse he schewede In his wyse
with Alle his strengthe In the beste Gyse,
so that with his swerd & with his scheld
he Entrede forth In to that Feld;
In the beste Maner that he Myhte,
thanne forth he wente Anon Ryhte.
Not-with-stondyng, sore hurt he was
to foren tyme In that same plas,
so þat moche more Nede thanne hadde he
Of Restyng thanne Of Ony Melle.
Faste to that Melle he gan hym hy,
and there his prowesse he schewede In his wyse
with Alle his strengthe In the beste Gyse,
so that with his swerd & with his scheld
he Entrede forth In to that Feld;
In the beste Maner that he Myhte,
thanne forth he wente Anon Ryhte.
Not-with-stondyng, sore hurt he was
to foren tyme In that same plas,
295
Of Restyng thanne Of Ony Melle.
thanne be-twixen hem began Melle ful strong
which that Amonges hem durede ful long,
and Ech Other sore hurten As they stood,
that Owt Of bothe here bodyes Ran plente Of blood;
so ful Of gret prowesse weren they bothe
that Eche Of Other Merveilled forsothe.
For the kyng supposede ful Certeynly
to han fowndyn non knyht so dowhty
that with him so longe Myhte Melle;
wherefore to him self he gan to spelle;
and Piers In that same Manere
Evene Of the kyng thowhte ryht ther;
For In non Rem he wende han fownde
so worthy A knyht Goyng on grownde.
but At the Ende Of that Mellë
the kyng non lengere myht duren sekerle,
For Evere this Piers was so ful Of prowesse
and browhte the kyng In gret distresse,
so that thorwgh Melle and thorwgh torneye
the kyng non lengere myhte stondyn In feye;
but there to-fore Piers he fyl Adown,
Ful sore syker I-hurt his body In-Vyrown;
So sore, that ȝif Ony Man him hadde I-seye
On hym he wolde han had pyte In feye.
which that Amonges hem durede ful long,
and Ech Other sore hurten As they stood,
that Owt Of bothe here bodyes Ran plente Of blood;
so ful Of gret prowesse weren they bothe
that Eche Of Other Merveilled forsothe.
For the kyng supposede ful Certeynly
to han fowndyn non knyht so dowhty
that with him so longe Myhte Melle;
wherefore to him self he gan to spelle;
and Piers In that same Manere
Evene Of the kyng thowhte ryht ther;
For In non Rem he wende han fownde
so worthy A knyht Goyng on grownde.
but At the Ende Of that Mellë
the kyng non lengere myht duren sekerle,
For Evere this Piers was so ful Of prowesse
and browhte the kyng In gret distresse,
so that thorwgh Melle and thorwgh torneye
the kyng non lengere myhte stondyn In feye;
but there to-fore Piers he fyl Adown,
Ful sore syker I-hurt his body In-Vyrown;
So sore, that ȝif Ony Man him hadde I-seye
On hym he wolde han had pyte In feye.
Anon thanne Piers, that Supposid nothing
that it hadde been Syre Orkaws the kyng,
to him wente a ful gret pas,
and puld Offen his helm In that plas,
and seide ‘he wolde him slen vppon that Molde
but ȝif that for Scomfyt he wolde hym holde.’
Anon the kyng his Eyen vp Caste,
and vppon Piers lokede Atte laste,
& seide “thou myhtest me slen ful wel,
For In thy power it is Eche del;”
“Now, be my trowthe, quod Piers tho,
but thou the ȝelde, I schal the slo;
and fulliche discomfyt holden the,
Other Ellis thy bane wyle I be.”
thanne quod the kyng, “Certeynlye,
Mochel lever hadde Ich here to dye
thanne to speken that schamful word,
Creaunt me ȝelde be myn Owne Acord;
For to A kyng it were the grettest schame,
the Moste Repref, and the Moste blame,
that Evere Ony Erthly kyngdom held,
So Schamful A word to sein In feld;
ȝit hadde [I] levere xiij Sithe deye
(ȝif so Often that I myhte In feye,)
that I, whiche have be so worthy A knyht,
So schamfully schulde sein thorwh ony fyht.”
that it hadde been Syre Orkaws the kyng,
to him wente a ful gret pas,
and puld Offen his helm In that plas,
and seide ‘he wolde him slen vppon that Molde
but ȝif that for Scomfyt he wolde hym holde.’
Anon the kyng his Eyen vp Caste,
and vppon Piers lokede Atte laste,
& seide “thou myhtest me slen ful wel,
For In thy power it is Eche del;”
296
but thou the ȝelde, I schal the slo;
and fulliche discomfyt holden the,
Other Ellis thy bane wyle I be.”
thanne quod the kyng, “Certeynlye,
Mochel lever hadde Ich here to dye
thanne to speken that schamful word,
Creaunt me ȝelde be myn Owne Acord;
For to A kyng it were the grettest schame,
the Moste Repref, and the Moste blame,
that Evere Ony Erthly kyngdom held,
So Schamful A word to sein In feld;
ȝit hadde [I] levere xiij Sithe deye
(ȝif so Often that I myhte In feye,)
that I, whiche have be so worthy A knyht,
So schamfully schulde sein thorwh ony fyht.”
Whanne Piers vndirstood that he
A kyng was Of so hy degre,
and wende he hadde ben A sengle knyht
that with hym there held swich fyht;
but whanne he Supposid that þe kyng he was,
Anon to him spak he In that plas,
and seide, “Sire, for Charite
so telle here what Man ȝe be;
For me thinketh as be ȝowre talkyng
that ȝe scholden ben A kyng”
“Certes, quod the kyng, sire knyht,
I am A kyng here In thy syht;
and, kyng Orkaws, it Is Myn Name,
In this lond A Man Of ryht gret fame.”
A kyng was Of so hy degre,
and wende he hadde ben A sengle knyht
that with hym there held swich fyht;
but whanne he Supposid that þe kyng he was,
Anon to him spak he In that plas,
and seide, “Sire, for Charite
so telle here what Man ȝe be;
For me thinketh as be ȝowre talkyng
that ȝe scholden ben A kyng”
“Certes, quod the kyng, sire knyht,
I am A kyng here In thy syht;
and, kyng Orkaws, it Is Myn Name,
In this lond A Man Of ryht gret fame.”
And whanne that Piers this vndirstood
that it was Orkaws þat lay so bathed in blood,
Anon Piers ful Of sorwe he was
that him so hadde Greved In þat plas,
So that he Nyste what forto do,
but his swerd he ȝald him vnto,
and seide “sire, I Crye the Mercye
Of that I haue don the gret Anoye.
wherfore, goode sire, forȝeveth it me
that I so moche haue trespaced Aȝens the;
And, lo, my swerd here to the I ȝelde,
And my body and lyf I putte In thi welde,
holich, Sire kyng, Into thy Bandom,
And At thyn Ordenance hol & som.”
that it was Orkaws þat lay so bathed in blood,
Anon Piers ful Of sorwe he was
that him so hadde Greved In þat plas,
So that he Nyste what forto do,
but his swerd he ȝald him vnto,
297
Of that I haue don the gret Anoye.
wherfore, goode sire, forȝeveth it me
that I so moche haue trespaced Aȝens the;
And, lo, my swerd here to the I ȝelde,
And my body and lyf I putte In thi welde,
holich, Sire kyng, Into thy Bandom,
And At thyn Ordenance hol & som.”
Whanne the kyng herde him so seyn,
and that to hym so Offrede him pleyn,
thanne seide the kyng to him tho,
“What art thou that doost here so,
that Of me hast here victorie,
And therto Mercy here me Crye;
For it is A ful gret Merveyl to Me,
the Conqwerour to þe scomfyt ȝolden to be.”
and that to hym so Offrede him pleyn,
thanne seide the kyng to him tho,
“What art thou that doost here so,
that Of me hast here victorie,
And therto Mercy here me Crye;
For it is A ful gret Merveyl to Me,
the Conqwerour to þe scomfyt ȝolden to be.”
“Sire, quod Piers Anon Ryht,
I am here to-forn ȝow bothe man and knyht,
and I-born hennes A fer Contre,
Of Ierusalem, that Grete Cyte;
And therto, sire Piers it is My Name,
and Cristene I am, and Of that fame;
but me befyl An Aventure,
Sire kyng, ful Sikerly I ȝow Ensure,
so that I Entrede Into ȝowre Castel
Not longes Agon, I wot ful wel;
and ful Evel I was wonded before,
which that did me ful Mochel sore.
but, thanked be God and ȝoure dowhter so dere,
Al Myn Rekeur hadde I there,
and thorwgh A Cristene that is ȝowre presoner
whiche that ȝe In preson kepen ther.
For siker I wende to han ben ded
Of my wonde þat I hadde In that sted;
but, Gromesty God and that good Man,
Al hel and fers he Made me than.
And whanne that hol that I was,
thanne herde I tellen In that plas
how that ȝe A bane dyde Crye
thorwgh-Owt ȝoure lond ful hastilye,
Atte the Brigge to Iusten with A knyht
that was A Man Of so Mochel Myht.
and Al so sone as that I Myhte
harneys geten Of ȝoure dowhter so bryhte,
I me hyder hiede ful sone;
but I ne wyste how it gan gone,
For siker I ne scholde han Comen here
and I hadde knowen In Ony Manere
that it hadde been ȝowre persone,
I scholde ȝow han lefft here Alone,
For the grete benefit that I haue
Of ȝoure dowhter, so Crist hire save;
and þerfore, that I haue don be vnknowenge,
Of forȝevenesse I preye ȝow, sire kynge.”
I am here to-forn ȝow bothe man and knyht,
and I-born hennes A fer Contre,
Of Ierusalem, that Grete Cyte;
And therto, sire Piers it is My Name,
and Cristene I am, and Of that fame;
but me befyl An Aventure,
Sire kyng, ful Sikerly I ȝow Ensure,
so that I Entrede Into ȝowre Castel
Not longes Agon, I wot ful wel;
and ful Evel I was wonded before,
which that did me ful Mochel sore.
but, thanked be God and ȝoure dowhter so dere,
Al Myn Rekeur hadde I there,
and thorwgh A Cristene that is ȝowre presoner
whiche that ȝe In preson kepen ther.
For siker I wende to han ben ded
Of my wonde þat I hadde In that sted;
but, Gromesty God and that good Man,
Al hel and fers he Made me than.
298
thanne herde I tellen In that plas
how that ȝe A bane dyde Crye
thorwgh-Owt ȝoure lond ful hastilye,
Atte the Brigge to Iusten with A knyht
that was A Man Of so Mochel Myht.
and Al so sone as that I Myhte
harneys geten Of ȝoure dowhter so bryhte,
I me hyder hiede ful sone;
but I ne wyste how it gan gone,
For siker I ne scholde han Comen here
and I hadde knowen In Ony Manere
that it hadde been ȝowre persone,
I scholde ȝow han lefft here Alone,
For the grete benefit that I haue
Of ȝoure dowhter, so Crist hire save;
and þerfore, that I haue don be vnknowenge,
Of forȝevenesse I preye ȝow, sire kynge.”
and the kyng him forȝaf with-Owten Faylle
So þat with Marahan he wolde taken bataille.
thanne seide Piers to þe kyng Ageyn,
“Forto haven ȝowre love I wile Certeyn
putten my lyf In Aventure
Aȝens kyng Marahan, I ȝow Ensure.”
Thanne the kyng gan him behete
Many Gwerdoins bothe goode & grete,
and what thing that he wolde Crave,
thowgh his kyngdom, that he wolde haue:
but that he wolde For non thing
that kyng Marahan hadde knoweng
that ȝif A Cristene Man he were,
thanne Marahan nolde fyhte with him there;
“for thanne myhte he Refusen with-Owten faille
with ȝow to fyhten In bataylle;
For that ȝe ben not Of this lay,
þerfore he may ȝow refusen In fay.”
Anon Piers the kyng Ensured he
That Neuere discoverid schold it be.
So þat with Marahan he wolde taken bataille.
thanne seide Piers to þe kyng Ageyn,
“Forto haven ȝowre love I wile Certeyn
putten my lyf In Aventure
Aȝens kyng Marahan, I ȝow Ensure.”
Thanne the kyng gan him behete
Many Gwerdoins bothe goode & grete,
and what thing that he wolde Crave,
thowgh his kyngdom, that he wolde haue:
but that he wolde For non thing
that kyng Marahan hadde knoweng
that ȝif A Cristene Man he were,
thanne Marahan nolde fyhte with him there;
“for thanne myhte he Refusen with-Owten faille
with ȝow to fyhten In bataylle;
For that ȝe ben not Of this lay,
þerfore he may ȝow refusen In fay.”
299
That Neuere discoverid schold it be.
Thanne putten they here swerdis bothe vpe in fere,
and vndyr that Brygge Rested hem there,
In a gret deseise there bothe two,
Tyl that the day was Al A-go.
and whanne It was with-Inne the Nyht,
To hors bak they wenten A-Non Ryht,
and to the Castel gonnen they to go
that they bothen ferst Comen fro,
Al so prevyly as that they Myhte,
that they scholde Comen In non Mannes syhte,
Neþer non Man knowen Of here Comenge,
Sauf Only the steward Of the kynge
that Abod vppon hise lord,
Lyk As It Was be here Owne Acord;
and Anon there lyhten they Adown,
bothe the kyng and Ek Perown;
and they Onharmed hem þere Anon.
and vndyr that Brygge Rested hem there,
In a gret deseise there bothe two,
Tyl that the day was Al A-go.
and whanne It was with-Inne the Nyht,
To hors bak they wenten A-Non Ryht,
and to the Castel gonnen they to go
that they bothen ferst Comen fro,
Al so prevyly as that they Myhte,
that they scholde Comen In non Mannes syhte,
Neþer non Man knowen Of here Comenge,
Sauf Only the steward Of the kynge
that Abod vppon hise lord,
Lyk As It Was be here Owne Acord;
and Anon there lyhten they Adown,
bothe the kyng and Ek Perown;
and they Onharmed hem þere Anon.
the kyng Aftyr his dowhter sente thus son;
and whanne to-forn him that sche was gon,
the kyng his dowhter Axede Anon,
“damysele, he seide, knowe ȝe this knyht?”
sche wolde it haue I-heled with Al hire Myht:
“Nay, faire dowhter, haue ȝe non drede,
ȝe nede not hym to helen for this dede;
wherfore, I preye ȝow, dowhter dere,
That ȝif Evere ȝe Maden him Ony good chere,
that An hundred fold bettere ȝe now do,
For he to Me Aqwyteth hym so:
For the beste knyht Of þe world Is he,
And this day in bataille hat Ouercomen Me;
And More-Ouer to Me hath he mad Surawnce
with Marahans to fyhten Into the Owtraunce.”
and whanne to-forn him that sche was gon,
the kyng his dowhter Axede Anon,
“damysele, he seide, knowe ȝe this knyht?”
sche wolde it haue I-heled with Al hire Myht:
“Nay, faire dowhter, haue ȝe non drede,
ȝe nede not hym to helen for this dede;
wherfore, I preye ȝow, dowhter dere,
That ȝif Evere ȝe Maden him Ony good chere,
that An hundred fold bettere ȝe now do,
For he to Me Aqwyteth hym so:
For the beste knyht Of þe world Is he,
And this day in bataille hat Ouercomen Me;
And More-Ouer to Me hath he mad Surawnce
with Marahans to fyhten Into the Owtraunce.”
thanne that damysele Made gret Ioyeng
whanne he had hire told that tydyng;
and ȝif Evere sche dide hym Servise to-fore,
Aftyr sche dyde An hundred part More.
whanne he had hire told that tydyng;
300
Aftyr sche dyde An hundred part More.
Thanne leches weren sent Aftyr Anon
Alle here woundes to serchen Echon,
For þere-Offen hadden they gret plente
Of grete and smale, As they myhten se.
and whanne the leches gan hem beholde,
and hem serched ful Many folde,
they boden hem Abasched Nothing to be,
For Al hol scholden they ben sykerle;
and with-Inne xvj dayes & xvj Nyht
they scholde ben bothe Ioly & lyht,
so þat Er the day Come Of Bataylle,
Al heyl to been with-Owten faille.
Alle here woundes to serchen Echon,
For þere-Offen hadden they gret plente
Of grete and smale, As they myhten se.
and whanne the leches gan hem beholde,
and hem serched ful Many folde,
they boden hem Abasched Nothing to be,
For Al hol scholden they ben sykerle;
and with-Inne xvj dayes & xvj Nyht
they scholde ben bothe Ioly & lyht,
so þat Er the day Come Of Bataylle,
Al heyl to been with-Owten faille.
Thus Cam Sire Piers In knowelechinge
with kyng Orkaws with-Owten lesynge,
and Eche A day I-Served with Riche deynte
As thowh Ryht A kyng he hadde I-be.
And whanne the day of Bataille Aproched Ny,
They gonnen hem Arayen ful hastyly,
and to horsbak they gonne hem dyhte
with A gret Compenye, I ȝow plyhte,
and to Londone they Gonnen to Ryde,
To kepen here day þere At that tyde.
with kyng Orkaws with-Owten lesynge,
and Eche A day I-Served with Riche deynte
As thowh Ryht A kyng he hadde I-be.
And whanne the day of Bataille Aproched Ny,
They gonnen hem Arayen ful hastyly,
and to horsbak they gonne hem dyhte
with A gret Compenye, I ȝow plyhte,
and to Londone they Gonnen to Ryde,
To kepen here day þere At that tyde.
& whanne to Londone that they weren Gon,
there fownden kyng Marahans Anon
In the Cowrt to-forn kyng lucye,
his Apel there forto Complye.
whanne kynge lwcye kyng Orkaws say,
he hym Anon Axede with-Owten delay,
‘ȝif that the bataylle he wolde Entren there,
Othir Anothir for hym, as was þe Manere.’
there fownden kyng Marahans Anon
In the Cowrt to-forn kyng lucye,
his Apel there forto Complye.
whanne kynge lwcye kyng Orkaws say,
he hym Anon Axede with-Owten delay,
‘ȝif that the bataylle he wolde Entren there,
Othir Anothir for hym, as was þe Manere.’
Thanne Sire Piers, that was so dowhty A knyht,
To-forn hem Alle he presede Anon Ryht,
and Aȝens kyng Marahans put his Gage—
As A worthy knyht ful Of Corage—
For kyng Orkaws to fyhten there,
and him defende with schel[d] and spere.
Anon kyng Lwcye bothe here Gages took
with Ryht good wille, & not forsook.
To-forn hem Alle he presede Anon Ryht,
and Aȝens kyng Marahans put his Gage—
As A worthy knyht ful Of Corage—
301
and him defende with schel[d] and spere.
Anon kyng Lwcye bothe here Gages took
with Ryht good wille, & not forsook.
Thanne they Of kyng Lucyes howshold
Comen to Enqweren be Manyfold
‘what he was that scholde Fyhte
Aȝens kyng Marahans þat was so wyhte;’
but non Man Of the kynges paleys there
Ne wisten not what Man Sire Piers were,
But that they seyden Amonges hem Alle
that he was A knyght Of kyng Orkaws halle.
“Now, Certein, quod Al that Compenye,
vs thinketh this knyht doth gret Folye,
Aȝens kyng Marahans þe bataylle to take,
that In Al this lond he ne hath non Make;
wherefore we supposen vtterlye
hym hadde ben bettere han left his Compenie.”
Thus telleden they of Perown there
that knewen ful lytel Of his Manere.
Comen to Enqweren be Manyfold
‘what he was that scholde Fyhte
Aȝens kyng Marahans þat was so wyhte;’
but non Man Of the kynges paleys there
Ne wisten not what Man Sire Piers were,
But that they seyden Amonges hem Alle
that he was A knyght Of kyng Orkaws halle.
“Now, Certein, quod Al that Compenye,
vs thinketh this knyht doth gret Folye,
Aȝens kyng Marahans þe bataylle to take,
that In Al this lond he ne hath non Make;
wherefore we supposen vtterlye
hym hadde ben bettere han left his Compenie.”
Thus telleden they of Perown there
that knewen ful lytel Of his Manere.
and whanne that Comen was the day of bataylle,
To-Gideris they sembleden with-Owten faylle,
So that there was be-twixen hem two
Many Crwel Strokes with peyne and Wo,
that Merveille it was forto beholde
the prowesse Of tho knyhtes so bolde;
and from it was pryme Of the day
they fowhten tyl it was past noon In fay;
For with gret prowesse & poyntes so fers
he gan him to defende from Sire Piers.
for whanne Marahans knew Of Pierses Myht,
he him defendyd with Many strong fyht;
but Atte laste Ende trewely
his defens ne vailled him not sekerly,
For Sire Piers hym slowhe there in the feeld,
and stille there lay ded vndir hys Scheld;
and there Sire Piers smot Of his hed,
& bar it to kyng lucye In that sted,
And seyde to hym In this Manere,
“Sire kyng, this dede haue I don here
to Aqwyten kyng Orkaws In this feeld
Of tresowne that Marahans him Apelyd.”
To-Gideris they sembleden with-Owten faylle,
So that there was be-twixen hem two
Many Crwel Strokes with peyne and Wo,
that Merveille it was forto beholde
the prowesse Of tho knyhtes so bolde;
and from it was pryme Of the day
they fowhten tyl it was past noon In fay;
For with gret prowesse & poyntes so fers
he gan him to defende from Sire Piers.
for whanne Marahans knew Of Pierses Myht,
he him defendyd with Many strong fyht;
but Atte laste Ende trewely
his defens ne vailled him not sekerly,
For Sire Piers hym slowhe there in the feeld,
and stille there lay ded vndir hys Scheld;
302
& bar it to kyng lucye In that sted,
And seyde to hym In this Manere,
“Sire kyng, this dede haue I don here
to Aqwyten kyng Orkaws In this feeld
Of tresowne that Marahans him Apelyd.”
“Certes, sire,” quod kyng lucye tho,
“Ful worthily here, Syre, hauen ȝe do,
and Aqwyt ȝow In Alle degre
As A knyht ful Of Chevalre,
and here to-Fore Alle My Baronye
ȝe han ȝow qwyt Ful dowhtylye;
And On the beste knyht ȝit ȝe be
that Evere Sawh I, Certeynle;
wherfore, And it were to ȝow non Noysaunce,
I wolde han som Of ȝowre Aqweyntawnce.”
“Sire kyng, Gladliche it May wel be
that Myn Aqweyntaunce haven scholen ȝe;
but In this Contre I ne schal not Abyde,
Sauf As lytel As I May this Tyde.”
“Ful worthily here, Syre, hauen ȝe do,
and Aqwyt ȝow In Alle degre
As A knyht ful Of Chevalre,
and here to-Fore Alle My Baronye
ȝe han ȝow qwyt Ful dowhtylye;
And On the beste knyht ȝit ȝe be
that Evere Sawh I, Certeynle;
wherfore, And it were to ȝow non Noysaunce,
I wolde han som Of ȝowre Aqweyntawnce.”
“Sire kyng, Gladliche it May wel be
that Myn Aqweyntaunce haven scholen ȝe;
but In this Contre I ne schal not Abyde,
Sauf As lytel As I May this Tyde.”
and whanne kyng Lucye say it wolde not be,
that he not wolde taryen In that Contre,
thanne kyng Orkaws took he Asyde,
And preide hym that Ilke tyde
“that Er viij dayes fulfillyd were,
At ȝoure Castel I schal speken him there,
For Mochel desire I now trewelye
to knowen som Of his Chevalrye;
and Ek Aqweynted with him to be,
I sey ȝow, kyng Orkaws, ful sekerle.”
thanne kyng Orkaws Answeryd As þe hende,
“Sire, I hope there schole ȝe hym fynde.”
that he not wolde taryen In that Contre,
thanne kyng Orkaws took he Asyde,
And preide hym that Ilke tyde
“that Er viij dayes fulfillyd were,
At ȝoure Castel I schal speken him there,
For Mochel desire I now trewelye
to knowen som Of his Chevalrye;
and Ek Aqweynted with him to be,
I sey ȝow, kyng Orkaws, ful sekerle.”
thanne kyng Orkaws Answeryd As þe hende,
“Sire, I hope there schole ȝe hym fynde.”
Thus from Londone they departyd Anon,
And to his Owne Castel Gan he to gon,
So that kyng Orkaws ful Ioyful was,
and Ek Alle his Meyne In that plas,
Of his Speed and Of his Iorne
that was I-don At Londone Cyte.
And whanne to his Castel that he Cam,
Aȝens hem tho wente Many A Man,
& Of Sire Piers Maden ful gret Ioye there
that he hadde born hym In swich Manere,
For they knewen wel In Certayn
That a worthy knyght he hadde I-slayn.
And to his Owne Castel Gan he to gon,
So that kyng Orkaws ful Ioyful was,
and Ek Alle his Meyne In that plas,
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that was I-don At Londone Cyte.
And whanne to his Castel that he Cam,
Aȝens hem tho wente Many A Man,
& Of Sire Piers Maden ful gret Ioye there
that he hadde born hym In swich Manere,
For they knewen wel In Certayn
That a worthy knyght he hadde I-slayn.
Whanne the thrydde day Was Agon,
thanne seide kyng Orkaws to Piers Anon,
“Sire Piers, ȝe han me don Good Servise,
And I Myhte it ȝow qwyten In Ony Gyse;
but Axeth Of Me what ȝe welen Crave,
and be my CreAwnce ȝe scholen it haue:
And ȝif it be In My powere,
what that Evere ȝe Axen here.”
“Sire, quod Piers Ageyn hym to,
Myn Askynge ȝe mown ful Esely do:
For non Good Of ȝowre ne wil I haue,
Nether Of non Richesse ne wil I Crave;
but On thing that ȝe wolde don for me
whiche schal profyten ȝow In Eche degre.”
thanne kyng Orkaws Answerid hym Ageyn
that he it wolde don In Certeyn.
thanne seide kyng Orkaws to Piers Anon,
“Sire Piers, ȝe han me don Good Servise,
And I Myhte it ȝow qwyten In Ony Gyse;
but Axeth Of Me what ȝe welen Crave,
and be my CreAwnce ȝe scholen it haue:
And ȝif it be In My powere,
what that Evere ȝe Axen here.”
“Sire, quod Piers Ageyn hym to,
Myn Askynge ȝe mown ful Esely do:
For non Good Of ȝowre ne wil I haue,
Nether Of non Richesse ne wil I Crave;
but On thing that ȝe wolde don for me
whiche schal profyten ȝow In Eche degre.”
thanne kyng Orkaws Answerid hym Ageyn
that he it wolde don In Certeyn.
“Now, Sire, non thing Ellis I Axe Of the,
but Cristene Man that thou wilt be,
and forsaken now thy fals lay
that thou hast worschepid Many A day;”
and be-gan him forto schewe
Of Cristes passiown with-Inne A throwe,
and the holy vangelye gan him vndo,
And Of Other poyntes Manye Mo;
so þat with-Inne two dayes Aftyr Sewynge
he browhte hem Alle to Cristenynge,
and Reneyeden the Sarasynes lay
that they hadden kept ful Many A day.
but Cristene Man that thou wilt be,
and forsaken now thy fals lay
that thou hast worschepid Many A day;”
and be-gan him forto schewe
Of Cristes passiown with-Inne A throwe,
and the holy vangelye gan him vndo,
And Of Other poyntes Manye Mo;
so þat with-Inne two dayes Aftyr Sewynge
he browhte hem Alle to Cristenynge,
and Reneyeden the Sarasynes lay
that they hadden kept ful Many A day.
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and there sente he Aftyr An Ermyt Anon,
and lete hem Cristenen there Everichon.
thanne the kyng that Orkaws I-Clepid was,
his Name was torned In that plas,
and ‘Lamet’ In baptesme Clepid was he,
And his dowhter ‘Camylle’ Certeynle.
thanne, for the love Of the kyng,
they Of the Contre Maden gret Beldyng,
And A Cyte they gonne to Make,
And ‘Orkanye’ It Clepyd for his sake.
and lete hem Cristenen there Everichon.
thanne the kyng that Orkaws I-Clepid was,
his Name was torned In that plas,
and ‘Lamet’ In baptesme Clepid was he,
And his dowhter ‘Camylle’ Certeynle.
thanne, for the love Of the kyng,
they Of the Contre Maden gret Beldyng,
And A Cyte they gonne to Make,
And ‘Orkanye’ It Clepyd for his sake.
Whanne that Cristened Alle they were
For the Moste part In that Rem there,
Thanne kyng Lamet seyde In his wyse
To Sire Piers, that knyht Of pryse,
“Now, Sire Piers, Myn Owne Frende
that to Me han ben so good & hende,
Now that I have Fulfild to the
Alle that Evere thow hast Axed Of Me,
therfore, Sire, herteliche I ȝow preye
that myn Request ȝe welen not denye.”
thanne seide sire Piers ful Sekirly,
‘that his Reqwest he ne schold deny
ȝif that It were In his powere
Ony thing that he myhte don there.’
For the Moste part In that Rem there,
Thanne kyng Lamet seyde In his wyse
To Sire Piers, that knyht Of pryse,
“Now, Sire Piers, Myn Owne Frende
that to Me han ben so good & hende,
Now that I have Fulfild to the
Alle that Evere thow hast Axed Of Me,
therfore, Sire, herteliche I ȝow preye
that myn Request ȝe welen not denye.”
thanne seide sire Piers ful Sekirly,
‘that his Reqwest he ne schold deny
ȝif that It were In his powere
Ony thing that he myhte don there.’
“I ȝow beseche thanne, quod the kyng,
that ȝe wolden fulfillen now myn Axyng:
My dowhter Camylle that ȝe wolden take
To ȝowre wyf, Sire, for my sake;
For sche is I-comen Of kyng & qwene,
and þerto A good womman with-Owten wene;
And I schal ȝow Sesen In Al Myn lond,
and Maken hem Buxom to ȝowre hond;
& ȝyf thus, Sire Piers, it Myhte be,
there nas neuere thing so Ioyful to Me
as ȝow tweyne to ben knyt In Maryage,
So worthy persones Of so hy parage.”
thanne him Answerid Sire piers ful stille,
“Sire, sethen ȝe han fulfyld My wille,
ȝowre Askyng gladliche, Sire, wile I do,
I Sey ȝow Sykerle with-Owten Mo.”
that ȝe wolden fulfillen now myn Axyng:
My dowhter Camylle that ȝe wolden take
To ȝowre wyf, Sire, for my sake;
For sche is I-comen Of kyng & qwene,
and þerto A good womman with-Owten wene;
And I schal ȝow Sesen In Al Myn lond,
and Maken hem Buxom to ȝowre hond;
& ȝyf thus, Sire Piers, it Myhte be,
there nas neuere thing so Ioyful to Me
as ȝow tweyne to ben knyt In Maryage,
So worthy persones Of so hy parage.”
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“Sire, sethen ȝe han fulfyld My wille,
ȝowre Askyng gladliche, Sire, wile I do,
I Sey ȝow Sykerle with-Owten Mo.”
Thanne the kyng thanked hym Often Sithe,
and Of that tydynge was Ioyful and blythe;
and thus sone he sente aftyr this Mayde
& tolde hire how this Gentyl knyht hadde saide,
So that Ensured thanne bothe they were,
And for the Mariages they Ordeyned there.
And happede that Aȝens the day Of weddynge
Thedyr was Comen Sire Lwcye the kynge,
and Merveillede that Alle I-Cristened weren there
In so schort tyme sethen to-gederis they were;
ȝit Neuertheles he desirede so Sore
To knowen Sire Piers And Of his lore,
and forto haven his Aqweyntawnce
he ne wolde not leven for Al this Chawnce.
and Of that tydynge was Ioyful and blythe;
and thus sone he sente aftyr this Mayde
& tolde hire how this Gentyl knyht hadde saide,
So that Ensured thanne bothe they were,
And for the Mariages they Ordeyned there.
And happede that Aȝens the day Of weddynge
Thedyr was Comen Sire Lwcye the kynge,
and Merveillede that Alle I-Cristened weren there
In so schort tyme sethen to-gederis they were;
ȝit Neuertheles he desirede so Sore
To knowen Sire Piers And Of his lore,
and forto haven his Aqweyntawnce
he ne wolde not leven for Al this Chawnce.
So that In the Cyte of Orkanye
was this Maryage ful Ryalye;
and there kyng Lwcye Abod viij dayes
Fulliche, As this Storye here Sayes,
To beren Sire Piers þere Compenye
that was so worthy In Chevalrye;
For the kyng him preisede so wel
Of Bewte & bounte Euerydel,
so that neuer wheche he Say
So Mochel him pleside be hys lay.
And Er the viij dayes I-past they were,
Sire Piers kyng Lwcye so preched there,
And Al his Compenye Ek therto
that thike tyme with hym comen tho,
& hem gan schewen Cristes lawe,
where-Offen kyng lwcye was ful fawe;
So that Cristened thanne wolde he be
be swych A Covenaunt As I schal tellen the,
with this, that Piers In Compenye
with kyng Lwcye wil holden Chevalrye;
And herto Swrawnce to þe kyng he Made,
where-Offen that Meyne weren ful glade;
and þat he wolde hym loven Aboven Alle Othir,
As love scholde ben be-twene brothir & brothir.
was this Maryage ful Ryalye;
and there kyng Lwcye Abod viij dayes
Fulliche, As this Storye here Sayes,
To beren Sire Piers þere Compenye
that was so worthy In Chevalrye;
For the kyng him preisede so wel
Of Bewte & bounte Euerydel,
so that neuer wheche he Say
So Mochel him pleside be hys lay.
And Er the viij dayes I-past they were,
Sire Piers kyng Lwcye so preched there,
And Al his Compenye Ek therto
that thike tyme with hym comen tho,
& hem gan schewen Cristes lawe,
where-Offen kyng lwcye was ful fawe;
So that Cristened thanne wolde he be
be swych A Covenaunt As I schal tellen the,
306
with kyng Lwcye wil holden Chevalrye;
And herto Swrawnce to þe kyng he Made,
where-Offen that Meyne weren ful glade;
and þat he wolde hym loven Aboven Alle Othir,
As love scholde ben be-twene brothir & brothir.
Thus kyng Lwcye there Cristened was
And his Meyne Also In that plas;
Thorwh the teching Of Sire Perown,
thus weren they Crestened Alle In-virown,
As witnesseth Sire Robert Borron here
that from latyn to Frensch translated this Matere.
and Ek the Olde Storye Recordeth Also
That In this Manere this was I-do;
And ȝit Neuertheles Brwtes Storye
Of Sire Piers ne Maketh non Memorye;
For it Is ful Syker, with-Owten dowte,
that he which In Romawnce this drow Owte,
he knew ful lytel Of Seynt Graal,
Owther Of the Storye Of Sank Ryal;
And therefore noman Merveille hym here
thowgh of Sire Piers he speketh not there;
but they ne Connen not hem Excuse,
Neuere owt Of this storye him to Refuse.
And his Meyne Also In that plas;
Thorwh the teching Of Sire Perown,
thus weren they Crestened Alle In-virown,
As witnesseth Sire Robert Borron here
that from latyn to Frensch translated this Matere.
and Ek the Olde Storye Recordeth Also
That In this Manere this was I-do;
And ȝit Neuertheles Brwtes Storye
Of Sire Piers ne Maketh non Memorye;
For it Is ful Syker, with-Owten dowte,
that he which In Romawnce this drow Owte,
he knew ful lytel Of Seynt Graal,
Owther Of the Storye Of Sank Ryal;
And therefore noman Merveille hym here
thowgh of Sire Piers he speketh not there;
but they ne Connen not hem Excuse,
Neuere owt Of this storye him to Refuse.
Ryht longe lyvede Sire Piers there
In worthinesse and strengthe, In diuers Manere;
and vppon his wyf there be-gat he
A worthy Eyr In Alle Maner degre;
And Herlawnt was that Childes Name,
A vayllawnt knyht, And Of gret Fame.
For whanne to harmes that he Cam,
he wax A worthy Chevalrows Man;
And whanne that Sire Piers ded was,
he Comaunded his Meyne In that plas
In Orkanye hym forto Entere,
In A Chirche Of Seynt Phelyp there;
that be his lyve he dyde Don Make
In Worschepe Of God And Seint Phelyppes sake;
and thus Entered there he was
with Mochel worschepe In that plas,
In worthinesse and strengthe, In diuers Manere;
and vppon his wyf there be-gat he
A worthy Eyr In Alle Maner degre;
And Herlawnt was that Childes Name,
A vayllawnt knyht, And Of gret Fame.
For whanne to harmes that he Cam,
he wax A worthy Chevalrows Man;
And whanne that Sire Piers ded was,
he Comaunded his Meyne In that plas
In Orkanye hym forto Entere,
In A Chirche Of Seynt Phelyp there;
307
In Worschepe Of God And Seint Phelyppes sake;
and thus Entered there he was
with Mochel worschepe In that plas,
and Aftyr his deth his sone harlan
the Regne Aftyr hym ReIoysched than,
and Anon kyng was Crowned there;
& þerto A good Man in Many Manere,
and wedded þe kynges dowhter Of Irland,
& On hire begat, As I vndirstond,
An Eyr that A kyng I-Crowned was,
A worthy knyht In Every plas,
hos Name was Callid Melyan,
that was A Chevalrows & A worthy Man.
the Regne Aftyr hym ReIoysched than,
and Anon kyng was Crowned there;
& þerto A good Man in Many Manere,
and wedded þe kynges dowhter Of Irland,
& On hire begat, As I vndirstond,
An Eyr that A kyng I-Crowned was,
A worthy knyht In Every plas,
hos Name was Callid Melyan,
that was A Chevalrows & A worthy Man.
and Of Melyan descended Anothir kyng,
A worthy Man In Alle thing
hos Name þat was Agristes,
A worthy Man In Every ples,
and þerto bothe wys and Redy;
and to his wyf A fayre lady,
A womman Gentyl & Of hy parage,
and þerto I-Comen Of gret lynage;
so that On hire begat an Eyr of fame,
kyng hedor Aftir was his name.
A worthy Man In Alle thing
hos Name þat was Agristes,
A worthy Man In Every ples,
and þerto bothe wys and Redy;
and to his wyf A fayre lady,
A womman Gentyl & Of hy parage,
and þerto I-Comen Of gret lynage;
so that On hire begat an Eyr of fame,
kyng hedor Aftir was his name.
and this hedor was On Of þe beste knyhtes
that Evere In Orkanye was In fyhtes,
& wedded þe kynges dowhter Of Northgales,
As In this Manere vs scheweth these tales;
And An Eyr On hire Engendred he
that Aftyr kyng was Of Orkane;
And kyng loot thanne was his Name,
A worthy Man & Of gret Fame;
& On Of kyng Arthures kyn weddede he,—
which was A man Of gret powste—
and sche was lady faire and gent.
& on hire he Engendrede verament
Foure sones ful trewelye,
As Recordith this Storye,—
Of wheche the ferste Gawneyns hyhte,
that was A worthy Man In fyhte,
but that luxoryows he was,
A gret vys In Every plas.
that Evere In Orkanye was In fyhtes,
& wedded þe kynges dowhter Of Northgales,
As In this Manere vs scheweth these tales;
And An Eyr On hire Engendred he
that Aftyr kyng was Of Orkane;
And kyng loot thanne was his Name,
A worthy Man & Of gret Fame;
& On Of kyng Arthures kyn weddede he,—
which was A man Of gret powste—
and sche was lady faire and gent.
& on hire he Engendrede verament
308
As Recordith this Storye,—
Of wheche the ferste Gawneyns hyhte,
that was A worthy Man In fyhte,
but that luxoryows he was,
A gret vys In Every plas.
The secund ne was not so worthy A knyht,
And Granayns be his Name he hyht,
and þerto A prowd Man was he,
but not to Comende for Chevalre.
And Granayns be his Name he hyht,
and þerto A prowd Man was he,
but not to Comende for Chevalre.
the thrydde brothir hyhte Gwerrehes,
A worthy Man In Every pres,
and longe Endurede In travaille;
but Atte laste with-Owten faille
Ful velenosly he was Slayn
be Boort Oþer lawncelot In Certeyn.
A worthy Man In Every pres,
and longe Endurede In travaille;
but Atte laste with-Owten faille
Ful velenosly he was Slayn
be Boort Oþer lawncelot In Certeyn.
The fowrthe brothir, was his Name
Gahenet, A man Of Fame.
this Gahenet was a worthy knyht,
bothe trewe and stedfast In Every fyht;
and this of the fowre bretheren wisest was,
this forseid Gahanet In every plas.
but ȝyt Cam he neuere to Gaweyn,
As this storye seyth Certein.
Gahenet, A man Of Fame.
this Gahenet was a worthy knyht,
bothe trewe and stedfast In Every fyht;
and this of the fowre bretheren wisest was,
this forseid Gahanet In every plas.
but ȝyt Cam he neuere to Gaweyn,
As this storye seyth Certein.
but thanne was there On Mordret,
that men Supposen hadde ben be-get
Be-twene kyng Loot and his wif;
but it was to-foren with-Owten stryf,
kyng Arthewr On his Soster Engendrid hym,
As Manye bokys it telleth In Rym;
For he wende the Maiden Of Yrland it hadde be,
whanne that to his Soster wente he.
and whanne that he knew Apertly
that with his Soster he hadde synned fleschly,
Thanne Repented they hem Wondir Sore
Of that dede they hadden don thore.
but this was Er he weddede Gonnore,
That A worthy lady was, and Of good lore.
that men Supposen hadde ben be-get
Be-twene kyng Loot and his wif;
but it was to-foren with-Owten stryf,
kyng Arthewr On his Soster Engendrid hym,
As Manye bokys it telleth In Rym;
For he wende the Maiden Of Yrland it hadde be,
whanne that to his Soster wente he.
309
that with his Soster he hadde synned fleschly,
Thanne Repented they hem Wondir Sore
Of that dede they hadden don thore.
but this was Er he weddede Gonnore,
That A worthy lady was, and Of good lore.
Now here Mown ȝe sen In Certeyn,
the Generacioun bothe hol and pleyn;
And how that Gaweyn Of þe lyne Cam
Of Iosephes Of Armathie, that Good Man;
and this Supposeth not the peple here;
but It is thus In Alle Manere.
the Generacioun bothe hol and pleyn;
And how that Gaweyn Of þe lyne Cam
Of Iosephes Of Armathie, that Good Man;
and this Supposeth not the peple here;
but It is thus In Alle Manere.
And now leveth here this Storye
& of Al this lyne ful Sekerlye,
and Only torneth to Iosephes Agayn
As here Aftyr ȝe scholen heren ful pleyn.
& of Al this lyne ful Sekerlye,
and Only torneth to Iosephes Agayn
As here Aftyr ȝe scholen heren ful pleyn.
CHAPTER LIII. OF JOSEPHES AGAIN, AND OF HIS YOUNGEST BROTHER GALAS.
310
Now forth this Storye gynneth to procede,
and to Othere Materis it wyle vs lede.
and to Othere Materis it wyle vs lede.
whanne that Iosephes departyd thenne
From Piers & Pharans, thike two goode Menne,
whiche pharans hadde In Governaunce,
thorwh happeng Of A lytel Mischaunce:
and whanne that Iosephes from hem was gon
And Ek his Compenye Everychon,
Ful Manye Iornes they wenten In fere,
and but wilde forest ne fownden they there,
& Ek wylde bestes In that plas,
where-Offen the lond repleynsched was;
and ful Mochel harm they gonnen do
To þe peple that wente bothe to & fro;
For that tyme Bretaygne Repleynsched not was
Toward scotland but In lytel plas:
and where that Evere Iosephes wente,
he prechid Goddis Name veramente;
and Euere where the Moste peple was,
Sorrest he prechede In that plas,
And wrowhte Only be goddis Myht,
and be the holy gost that was so bryht.
So that he Cam Neuere In non Contre,
but ȝif his wille Of the peple hadde he.
From Piers & Pharans, thike two goode Menne,
whiche pharans hadde In Governaunce,
thorwh happeng Of A lytel Mischaunce:
and whanne that Iosephes from hem was gon
And Ek his Compenye Everychon,
Ful Manye Iornes they wenten In fere,
and but wilde forest ne fownden they there,
& Ek wylde bestes In that plas,
where-Offen the lond repleynsched was;
and ful Mochel harm they gonnen do
To þe peple that wente bothe to & fro;
For that tyme Bretaygne Repleynsched not was
Toward scotland but In lytel plas:
and where that Evere Iosephes wente,
he prechid Goddis Name veramente;
and Euere where the Moste peple was,
Sorrest he prechede In that plas,
And wrowhte Only be goddis Myht,
and be the holy gost that was so bryht.
So that he Cam Neuere In non Contre,
but ȝif his wille Of the peple hadde he.
And thus wente Iosephes Al Abowte
Into straunge Contres, with-Owten dowte,
Into Scotlond, wales, & Into yrland,
and Into manye Oþer partyes, I vndirstand.
& whanne thus he hadde travailled In this Manere,
and departed his kynnes Men bothe here & there,
Forto Anhawncen there goddis Name
In Every Contre where that they Came,
that so Atte laste him took A talent
To Galafort to Gon thanne verament;
and whanne the Castel he Aprochid so Ny,
And saugh It wel Amendyd Sothfastly,
More dowble Ouer that It was
Sethen he departed from that plas;
but Merveille þer-Offen was but lytel there,
For he hadde ben thens Fyftene ȝere;
and Abowtes that Castel weren there dyht
Manye Abbeyes In worschepe Of God Almyht,
that Manye goode men hadden don Mad
Sethen Iosephes departed from that sted.
Into straunge Contres, with-Owten dowte,
Into Scotlond, wales, & Into yrland,
and Into manye Oþer partyes, I vndirstand.
311
and departed his kynnes Men bothe here & there,
Forto Anhawncen there goddis Name
In Every Contre where that they Came,
that so Atte laste him took A talent
To Galafort to Gon thanne verament;
and whanne the Castel he Aprochid so Ny,
And saugh It wel Amendyd Sothfastly,
More dowble Ouer that It was
Sethen he departed from that plas;
but Merveille þer-Offen was but lytel there,
For he hadde ben thens Fyftene ȝere;
and Abowtes that Castel weren there dyht
Manye Abbeyes In worschepe Of God Almyht,
that Manye goode men hadden don Mad
Sethen Iosephes departed from that sted.
And whanne he was come to galafort,
And Ek his Meyne thider gonne Resort,
be that tyme his Modyr I-beryed was
In An Abbey besides that plas,
that by the Castel was there,
worthily I-beryed and In fayr Manere;
but Galas that his brothir was,
whiche Iosephes lefte In that plas
but of ȝong Age At his departyng,
was A knyht Aforn his Aȝen Comeng,
the worthiest holden In Chyvalre
that was knowen In Ony Contre;
And Ordre Of knyht took this Galas
Of Nasciens that Stille Abod In that plas,
where-Offen Iosephes Merveilled sore
whanne his brothir A knyht that he say thore.
And Ek his Meyne thider gonne Resort,
be that tyme his Modyr I-beryed was
In An Abbey besides that plas,
that by the Castel was there,
worthily I-beryed and In fayr Manere;
but Galas that his brothir was,
whiche Iosephes lefte In that plas
but of ȝong Age At his departyng,
was A knyht Aforn his Aȝen Comeng,
the worthiest holden In Chyvalre
that was knowen In Ony Contre;
And Ordre Of knyht took this Galas
Of Nasciens that Stille Abod In that plas,
where-Offen Iosephes Merveilled sore
whanne his brothir A knyht that he say thore.
and whanne they of Galafort Iosephes sye,
Ful gret Ioye they Maden, and Melodye,
Of Iosephes and Ek of his fadyr Iosepe;
Aȝens hem þere Ronnen A ful gret hepe,
and to hem ful grete Festes made,
and to here Compenye, to Maken hem Glade;
For swich Ioye as Made dewk Gaanor
whanne Iosephes and his fadyr he sawh thor,
Neuere so gret Ioye half he Made
as that tyme he dyde, he was so glade;
For In herte to forn tyme ful sory he was
that Iosephes so longe was from þat plas.
Ful gret Ioye they Maden, and Melodye,
Of Iosephes and Ek of his fadyr Iosepe;
Aȝens hem þere Ronnen A ful gret hepe,
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and to here Compenye, to Maken hem Glade;
For swich Ioye as Made dewk Gaanor
whanne Iosephes and his fadyr he sawh thor,
Neuere so gret Ioye half he Made
as that tyme he dyde, he was so glade;
For In herte to forn tyme ful sory he was
that Iosephes so longe was from þat plas.
A while whanne that Iosep[he]s was rested there,
Of the Maners of his brothir he gan Enqwere;
and dewk Gaanor him Answerede Anon,
& seide, “swich A man As Galas was On,
Of body, Of prowesse, and of dede,
knew I neuere In non kyngrede.”
and whanne Iosephes of galas herde this,
thanne was his herte ful Of blis,
and to hym thanne Galas was ful dere,
and herteliche hym lovede In Alle Manere.
Of the Maners of his brothir he gan Enqwere;
and dewk Gaanor him Answerede Anon,
& seide, “swich A man As Galas was On,
Of body, Of prowesse, and of dede,
knew I neuere In non kyngrede.”
and whanne Iosephes of galas herde this,
thanne was his herte ful Of blis,
and to hym thanne Galas was ful dere,
and herteliche hym lovede In Alle Manere.
The ferste Mownthe þat Iosephes Cam to Galafort,
Thedyr Messengeris to him gonnen Resort,
and thedyr they browhten hym newe tydynge,
that sekerly ded was here kynge
Of the Rem of hotelise, that was tho Cald,
and After cleped Galeȝ, as now it is hald.
and bencheson that here kyng ded was,
to Iosephes they senten Into that plas,
and hym preyden ‘for his honowr
to Geten hem A lord and a Governour,
wheche that worthy here Crowne were forto bere
In defens Of here lond Every where;
for ȝif oure Rem with-Owten kyng be Ony while,
It Myhte sone thanne fallen Into Exylle.’
Thedyr Messengeris to him gonnen Resort,
and thedyr they browhten hym newe tydynge,
that sekerly ded was here kynge
Of the Rem of hotelise, that was tho Cald,
and After cleped Galeȝ, as now it is hald.
and bencheson that here kyng ded was,
to Iosephes they senten Into that plas,
and hym preyden ‘for his honowr
to Geten hem A lord and a Governour,
wheche that worthy here Crowne were forto bere
In defens Of here lond Every where;
for ȝif oure Rem with-Owten kyng be Ony while,
It Myhte sone thanne fallen Into Exylle.’
whanne Iosephes herde Of Al this Fare,
Anon dewk Gaanor to hym Clepid he thare,
and also dede he sire Nascien,
To taken Cownseyl of these two Men;
“For ȝif the Rem of hotelice with-owten kyng were,
It Were to the peple a ful gret dere,
and lyhtly Myht Tornen In to Exyl,
whiche were to the peple ful gret peryl.
wherfore In goddis Name I ȝow preye,
that trewe Conseil Of Ryht ȝe welen Me seye,
what Maner of Man that best worthy be
that Rem to governe In Alle degre,
and that the sothe ȝe welen me say,
In charge of ȝoure sowles at domesday.”
“Sire, quod dewk Gaanor and Nasciens thenne,
the sothe to Morwe we scholen ȝow kenne.”
Anon dewk Gaanor to hym Clepid he thare,
and also dede he sire Nascien,
To taken Cownseyl of these two Men;
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It Were to the peple a ful gret dere,
and lyhtly Myht Tornen In to Exyl,
whiche were to the peple ful gret peryl.
wherfore In goddis Name I ȝow preye,
that trewe Conseil Of Ryht ȝe welen Me seye,
what Maner of Man that best worthy be
that Rem to governe In Alle degre,
and that the sothe ȝe welen me say,
In charge of ȝoure sowles at domesday.”
“Sire, quod dewk Gaanor and Nasciens thenne,
the sothe to Morwe we scholen ȝow kenne.”
vppon the Morwen whanne it was day,
thus bothe to Iosephes gonnen they say,
“Sire, Of that ȝe gonnen vs to Refreyne,
vppon Oure sowles þe sothe we scholen ȝow seyne,
that In this Lond Man so worthy Is Non
Of worthynesse In chevalrye Of flesch ne bon.
Ne non so worthy A Rem In governaunce to have,
As Is Galas ȝowre brothir, so god vs save.
and therfore now doth ȝoure likynge,
For we holden hym best worthy to be A kynge.”
“wel, quod Iosephes, ȝit schal I Enqwere
of Other Men that ben not so Nere.”
thus bothe to Iosephes gonnen they say,
“Sire, Of that ȝe gonnen vs to Refreyne,
vppon Oure sowles þe sothe we scholen ȝow seyne,
that In this Lond Man so worthy Is Non
Of worthynesse In chevalrye Of flesch ne bon.
Ne non so worthy A Rem In governaunce to have,
As Is Galas ȝowre brothir, so god vs save.
and therfore now doth ȝoure likynge,
For we holden hym best worthy to be A kynge.”
“wel, quod Iosephes, ȝit schal I Enqwere
of Other Men that ben not so Nere.”
thanne sente Iosephes forth ryht Anon,
Aftyr twelve the wysest Of Al that won.
Anon to forn hym they Comen thus sone,
and to hem there spak he Al Alone;
lyk As he hadde Seyd to dewk Gaanore,
to these xij worthy men he seyde Ryht thore;
and Anon On styrte forth be-forn,
and seide they scholden hym Answeren vppon þe Morn.
Aftyr twelve the wysest Of Al that won.
Anon to forn hym they Comen thus sone,
and to hem there spak he Al Alone;
lyk As he hadde Seyd to dewk Gaanore,
to these xij worthy men he seyde Ryht thore;
and Anon On styrte forth be-forn,
and seide they scholden hym Answeren vppon þe Morn.
vppon the Morwen they Comen Alle twelve,
and Aftyr Gaanor they seyde the Selve,
and seiden that Non So worthy Nas
to ben A kyng, As was his brothir Galas.
and Aftyr Gaanor they seyde the Selve,
and seiden that Non So worthy Nas
to ben A kyng, As was his brothir Galas.
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thanne Iosephes, his brothir Gan he to Calle,
and thus to hym seide Aforn hem Alle,
“Brothir Galas, come hydyr to Me!
kyng Of the Rem of hotelyce schal I Maken the
be Cownseyl of these goode Men Certeyn,
For the grete goodnesse that Of ȝow they seyn;
For sekerly it Nys not don by Me
Althowh that ȝe my brothyr be;
but sethen that ȝe ben Of swich prowesse,
I am Ryht Ioyful In Sykernesse
that ȝe ben worthy to haven swich honour,
Of the Rem Of hotelyce to beren the flour.”
thanne knelede Galas down Anon,
And of Iosephes this ȝifte Resceyvede thus son.
and thus to hym seide Aforn hem Alle,
“Brothir Galas, come hydyr to Me!
kyng Of the Rem of hotelyce schal I Maken the
be Cownseyl of these goode Men Certeyn,
For the grete goodnesse that Of ȝow they seyn;
For sekerly it Nys not don by Me
Althowh that ȝe my brothyr be;
but sethen that ȝe ben Of swich prowesse,
I am Ryht Ioyful In Sykernesse
that ȝe ben worthy to haven swich honour,
Of the Rem Of hotelyce to beren the flour.”
thanne knelede Galas down Anon,
And of Iosephes this ȝifte Resceyvede thus son.
Thanne Aftyr Anon the thrydde day
Iosephes from Galafort took the way,
So dede Ek Sire Nasciens & dewk Gaanore,
And this ȝonge knyht Galas with hem Rod thore,
and with hem Also gret Chevalrye
To hotelyce Ryden In Compenye;
and Anon ful worthyly Resceyved they were
Of Alle the baronage that was there,
and ful gret Ioye Of hem they Made,
And ek Al the lond of hem weren glade.
So that it happede On whyt-sonday
that for this Galas was Mad gret Aray
Atte Moste worthiest & worschepful Cyte
Of Al hotelyce, As I telle the,
which that Palagre was Cleped thanne;
Thedir Resorted ful Many A Manne
For to sen the kynges Coronacyon,
Thedir they wenten with good devocion;
so that there A kyng I-sacred was Galaaȝ,
Of his Owne brothir Iosephes in that plas.
Iosephes from Galafort took the way,
So dede Ek Sire Nasciens & dewk Gaanore,
And this ȝonge knyht Galas with hem Rod thore,
and with hem Also gret Chevalrye
To hotelyce Ryden In Compenye;
and Anon ful worthyly Resceyved they were
Of Alle the baronage that was there,
and ful gret Ioye Of hem they Made,
And ek Al the lond of hem weren glade.
So that it happede On whyt-sonday
that for this Galas was Mad gret Aray
Atte Moste worthiest & worschepful Cyte
Of Al hotelyce, As I telle the,
which that Palagre was Cleped thanne;
Thedir Resorted ful Many A Manne
For to sen the kynges Coronacyon,
Thedir they wenten with good devocion;
so that there A kyng I-sacred was Galaaȝ,
Of his Owne brothir Iosephes in that plas.
Thus helden they there A worthy feste,
and weren ful welcome bothe Mest and leste;
So that Galaaz stille kyng dwelde there,
and hyghly beloved was Every where
Of dewks, Erles, & of Barown,
and Also of Alle his Regyown;
So that for his good beryng and his fame
The lond Euer Aftyr hym bar the Name;
For Aftyr the tyme that Galaaz was ded,
It is Evere clepyd Galez In that sted,
whiche Name Neuere Chongen schal
In this world whiche is Fynal.
and weren ful welcome bothe Mest and leste;
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and hyghly beloved was Every where
Of dewks, Erles, & of Barown,
and Also of Alle his Regyown;
So that for his good beryng and his fame
The lond Euer Aftyr hym bar the Name;
For Aftyr the tyme that Galaaz was ded,
It is Evere clepyd Galez In that sted,
whiche Name Neuere Chongen schal
In this world whiche is Fynal.
Thanne this Galaaz wedded A wyf,
A kynges dowhter with-Owten stryf,
and On hyre he be-gat, the sothe to say,
A sone that was kyng Aftyr his day;
and of that sone be Ryht Engendrwre
desendid kyng Vryens, I the Ensure,
that was ful of worthynesse
In kyng Arthures tyme, and of prowesse;
and a felawe was Of the Rownde-table,
As I ȝow here telle with-Owten fable,
and slayn was with kyng Arthowr In bataylle
vppon the pleyn Of Salysbery with-Owten faille,
where As kyng Mordret and kyng Arthowr
To-gederes hadden A ful gret Schowr;
And there Ryht kyng Mordret was slayn,
And kyng Arthour I-wownded ful sore Certayn.
A kynges dowhter with-Owten stryf,
and On hyre he be-gat, the sothe to say,
A sone that was kyng Aftyr his day;
and of that sone be Ryht Engendrwre
desendid kyng Vryens, I the Ensure,
that was ful of worthynesse
In kyng Arthures tyme, and of prowesse;
and a felawe was Of the Rownde-table,
As I ȝow here telle with-Owten fable,
and slayn was with kyng Arthowr In bataylle
vppon the pleyn Of Salysbery with-Owten faille,
where As kyng Mordret and kyng Arthowr
To-gederes hadden A ful gret Schowr;
And there Ryht kyng Mordret was slayn,
And kyng Arthour I-wownded ful sore Certayn.
vppon A day as Aftyr it befylle,
I schal ȝow Of kyng Galaaz telle,
that hadde I-Ryde Alle A day
In A wylde forest, the sothe to say,
tyl that It was Aȝens the Nght,
that Nethir of his Meyne ne Of howndis hadde he non syht;
and so dyrk it be-Cam Anon
that he ne wyste whedir to gon,
Ne Cowde not knowen his Owne weye,
Certeinly As I ȝow Seye.
so that Into A wast lawnde he happede there,
but non Manere Of weye sawhe he nowhere,
and thus travers he Rod tyl Myd Nyht
tyl atte laste he say A qweynte syht,
In a drye diche A ful gret Fyr:
thanne thedirward to drawen was his desyr.
and whanne he was Comen to that plas,
there hovede he, and Abod A ful gret spas,
and Merveillede what this fyr myhte be,
that so lyht brende In Alle degre.
I schal ȝow Of kyng Galaaz telle,
that hadde I-Ryde Alle A day
In A wylde forest, the sothe to say,
tyl that It was Aȝens the Nght,
that Nethir of his Meyne ne Of howndis hadde he non syht;
and so dyrk it be-Cam Anon
that he ne wyste whedir to gon,
Ne Cowde not knowen his Owne weye,
Certeinly As I ȝow Seye.
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but non Manere Of weye sawhe he nowhere,
and thus travers he Rod tyl Myd Nyht
tyl atte laste he say A qweynte syht,
In a drye diche A ful gret Fyr:
thanne thedirward to drawen was his desyr.
and whanne he was Comen to that plas,
there hovede he, and Abod A ful gret spas,
and Merveillede what this fyr myhte be,
that so lyht brende In Alle degre.
And whiles that Galaaz so hovede there,
he herde A voys As it Come from fere,
whiche that Seyde there to Galaaz,
“lo, here thy Nygh Cosyn In this plas,
that here In this torment do dwelle,
and hens ne May not, I the telle.”
he herde A voys As it Come from fere,
whiche that Seyde there to Galaaz,
“lo, here thy Nygh Cosyn In this plas,
that here In this torment do dwelle,
and hens ne May not, I the telle.”
whanne Galaaz herde hym Cosyn so Calle,
he Merveillede how that myhte befalle,
and hym Abaschet wondyr Sore
Of the voys that he herde thore,
And seyde to hym, “that thow telle Me,
wherby I May knowen In Ony degre
what Maner Of thing that thow Art,
And why to the delyvered Is this part
Of so gret Angwysch and torment,
As here with myn Eyen I se present;
whiche thing I desire ful sore to knowe,
Of Alle this tormentis vppon a Rowe.”
he Merveillede how that myhte befalle,
and hym Abaschet wondyr Sore
Of the voys that he herde thore,
And seyde to hym, “that thow telle Me,
wherby I May knowen In Ony degre
what Maner Of thing that thow Art,
And why to the delyvered Is this part
Of so gret Angwysch and torment,
As here with myn Eyen I se present;
whiche thing I desire ful sore to knowe,
Of Alle this tormentis vppon a Rowe.”
“I Am Symew, thyn Owne Cosyne,
that here now dwelleth In this pyne
Forto qwenchen My Mysdede
that I dede to Perown of Falshede,
the wheche Myn Owne Cosyn was
As thou hast to forn herd In Oþer plas,
and therfore non More I schal the Seye;
but, for his love þat On Cros Gan deye,
So that In Aleggeng Of my peyne,
do for me On thing that I schal seyne,
and fownde here som place of Religyown,
that with good herte and good devocyown
they Mown to Iesw for Me preyen,
here My peynes forto Aleggen.”
that here now dwelleth In this pyne
Forto qwenchen My Mysdede
that I dede to Perown of Falshede,
the wheche Myn Owne Cosyn was
As thou hast to forn herd In Oþer plas,
and therfore non More I schal the Seye;
but, for his love þat On Cros Gan deye,
317
do for me On thing that I schal seyne,
and fownde here som place of Religyown,
that with good herte and good devocyown
they Mown to Iesw for Me preyen,
here My peynes forto Aleggen.”
thanne Answeryde Galaaz, “Sykerle,
Symew, I have wel herd speken Of the;
but telle me now Symew my Axyng,
Schal this turment ben Euere duryng?”
“I schal the telle,” quod Symew tho,
“ȝif that this thing that thou wilt do.”
“I the graunte, quod Galaaz thanne,
Ryht As I Am A trewe Manne.
and ȝit for the I schal don More;
with Manye fayre Goodes I schal it store,
and þerto here don Maken A Riche Abbeye,
Trustylich, Symew, As I the Seye;
ȝit More-Over I schal preyen be my levynge,
that I, Aftyr this worldes departynge,
In that same Abbeye I-beryed to be,
For Mochel it ben Amendid be Me;
and that I hope schal don the Ese,
Aleggeng thy peyne, And Ek god to plese.”
Symew, I have wel herd speken Of the;
but telle me now Symew my Axyng,
Schal this turment ben Euere duryng?”
“I schal the telle,” quod Symew tho,
“ȝif that this thing that thou wilt do.”
“I the graunte, quod Galaaz thanne,
Ryht As I Am A trewe Manne.
and ȝit for the I schal don More;
with Manye fayre Goodes I schal it store,
and þerto here don Maken A Riche Abbeye,
Trustylich, Symew, As I the Seye;
ȝit More-Over I schal preyen be my levynge,
that I, Aftyr this worldes departynge,
In that same Abbeye I-beryed to be,
For Mochel it ben Amendid be Me;
and that I hope schal don the Ese,
Aleggeng thy peyne, And Ek god to plese.”
Anon thanne Symew be-gan to Crye,
And thanked Galaaz with voys ful hye.
Thanne Seyde Symew þere to Galaaz
whiche that hovede þere In that plas,
“vndirstondeth, Sire Galaaz, Ryht wel,
that this torment schal passen Every del
Al so sone As that A worthy knyht
that Aftyr the schal hoten ful Ryht
Cometh to vysiten this Ilke place;
God with hym schal senden his grace,
and In this diche stawnchen this feer,
that thou here Sixt brennen so Cleer;
and þat be Encheson Of On thing is this,
that neuere with luxvre he was brend Iwys;
and Into this lond Of his Entrynge,
Alle the poyntes of seint graal scholen hauen Endynge.”
And thanked Galaaz with voys ful hye.
Thanne Seyde Symew þere to Galaaz
whiche that hovede þere In that plas,
“vndirstondeth, Sire Galaaz, Ryht wel,
that this torment schal passen Every del
Al so sone As that A worthy knyht
that Aftyr the schal hoten ful Ryht
Cometh to vysiten this Ilke place;
God with hym schal senden his grace,
and In this diche stawnchen this feer,
that thou here Sixt brennen so Cleer;
318
that neuere with luxvre he was brend Iwys;
and Into this lond Of his Entrynge,
Alle the poyntes of seint graal scholen hauen Endynge.”
Thanne lefte Symew his talkynge,
And no More Spak to Galaaz the kynge;
And Alwey kyng Galaaz Gan hym Refreyne,
but neuere Aftyr word to hym wold he seyne.
And whanne þe kyng Sawh that he Nolde
to hym no More speken vppon that Molde,
In to his weye he tornede Ageyn
(As that tyme hym happede In Certeyn,)
where as he departyd the day to fore,
there As Al his Meyne hadden hym lore;
and there with his Meyne Mette he Anon,
that for hym hadden Mad ful gret Mon,
lest that som Misaventure
to hym hadde Comen, I the Ensure;
but whanne they syen hym wel At his Ese,
thanne In here hertis it dede hem plese.
And no More Spak to Galaaz the kynge;
And Alwey kyng Galaaz Gan hym Refreyne,
but neuere Aftyr word to hym wold he seyne.
And whanne þe kyng Sawh that he Nolde
to hym no More speken vppon that Molde,
In to his weye he tornede Ageyn
(As that tyme hym happede In Certeyn,)
where as he departyd the day to fore,
there As Al his Meyne hadden hym lore;
and there with his Meyne Mette he Anon,
that for hym hadden Mad ful gret Mon,
lest that som Misaventure
to hym hadde Comen, I the Ensure;
but whanne they syen hym wel At his Ese,
thanne In here hertis it dede hem plese.
vppon the Morwen, whanne it was day,
the kyng Abowtes sente be Every way
bothe Aftyr Masowns And Carpentere,
An hows Of Religiown to Fownden there
where As Symew to hym spak:
thus dede kyng Galaaz with-Owten lak,
and fownded An hows Of the Trenite,
And there-Inne Syxty Monkes serteinle,
and therto fownded hem with good Inowhe,
Of londes and Rentes, Oxen And plowhe,
So that they hadden Suffysawnt levynge
for Alle Cristen Sowles to preyen & synge.
And Al so sone As kyng Galaaz was ded,
he let hym beryen In that same sted;
And with hym Al his Armure,
And Also his helm, & his swerd, I the Ensure;
& þere In A Riche grave hym pytte,
For that non Man scholden Remeven Itte
to Fore tymes that lawncelot the lake
thedyr come, þat body vp to take,
that with gret peyne it scholde Remeve.
the kyng Abowtes sente be Every way
bothe Aftyr Masowns And Carpentere,
An hows Of Religiown to Fownden there
where As Symew to hym spak:
thus dede kyng Galaaz with-Owten lak,
and fownded An hows Of the Trenite,
And there-Inne Syxty Monkes serteinle,
and therto fownded hem with good Inowhe,
Of londes and Rentes, Oxen And plowhe,
So that they hadden Suffysawnt levynge
for Alle Cristen Sowles to preyen & synge.
And Al so sone As kyng Galaaz was ded,
he let hym beryen In that same sted;
And with hym Al his Armure,
And Also his helm, & his swerd, I the Ensure;
319
For that non Man scholden Remeven Itte
to Fore tymes that lawncelot the lake
thedyr come, þat body vp to take,
that with gret peyne it scholde Remeve.
lo here of Galaaz the storye doth leve,
and telleth now of Iosephe,
how that he departyd from that hepe,
From Iosephes, and from his brothir Galaaz,
And tornede Aȝen In to Anothir plas.
and telleth now of Iosephe,
how that he departyd from that hepe,
From Iosephes, and from his brothir Galaaz,
And tornede Aȝen In to Anothir plas.
CHAPTER LIV. HOW JOSEPH DIED, AND JOSEPHES ‘PASTE TO GOD IN A BLESID TYME.’
Thanne procedyth forth this storye,
and telleth how þat to Galafort Iosephes gan hye,
to speken with kyng Mordreyns verament
that often tymes hadde for hym sent,
whom ful gret desir he hadde to se,
As I ȝow seye ful Certeynle.
and telleth how þat to Galafort Iosephes gan hye,
to speken with kyng Mordreyns verament
that often tymes hadde for hym sent,
whom ful gret desir he hadde to se,
As I ȝow seye ful Certeynle.
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In this Mene while deyde Iosephe his fadyr dere,
and was Entered In a fair Manere
In Engelond, As seith this storye,
In an Abbey Of the Croys, As it Maketh Memorye.
wherfore Iosephes sore discomforted was,
For his fadyr was beryed In that plas,
For ful gret love was hem be-twene,
As Evere be-twene fadyr & sone Men Myhte sene.
And Iosephes Ryht ful feble was tho,
that vnnethis for Syknesse Myhte he go,
what for fastyng and for travaylle
Onnethis Myhte he gon Sawn faille;
And so Al deseysy & ful Syk he wente
To Sen kyng Mordreyns veramente,
In the same Abbey wheche he let Make,
and let It fownden for his Owne sake.
and was Entered In a fair Manere
In Engelond, As seith this storye,
In an Abbey Of the Croys, As it Maketh Memorye.
wherfore Iosephes sore discomforted was,
For his fadyr was beryed In that plas,
For ful gret love was hem be-twene,
As Evere be-twene fadyr & sone Men Myhte sene.
And Iosephes Ryht ful feble was tho,
that vnnethis for Syknesse Myhte he go,
what for fastyng and for travaylle
Onnethis Myhte he gon Sawn faille;
And so Al deseysy & ful Syk he wente
To Sen kyng Mordreyns veramente,
In the same Abbey wheche he let Make,
and let It fownden for his Owne sake.
whanne he was Comen In to that plas,
Evene there As kyng Mordreins was,
and hym hadde Salwed In fayr Manere,
thanne seide kyng Mordreyns to hym there,
“Sire, Ryht welcome forsothe ȝe be!
longe haue I desired ȝow to speken & se,
and with me here, sere, for to dwelle,
For Manye thinges I moste ȝow telle;
For trewly ful longe thinketh Me
that ȝe han been Owt Of this Contre;
and therfore wolde I weten ful fayn
how that It stont with ȝow Certayn.”
Evene there As kyng Mordreins was,
and hym hadde Salwed In fayr Manere,
thanne seide kyng Mordreyns to hym there,
“Sire, Ryht welcome forsothe ȝe be!
longe haue I desired ȝow to speken & se,
and with me here, sere, for to dwelle,
For Manye thinges I moste ȝow telle;
For trewly ful longe thinketh Me
that ȝe han been Owt Of this Contre;
and therfore wolde I weten ful fayn
how that It stont with ȝow Certayn.”
“Syre, I am Al heyl and sownd,
blessed be god, vppon this grownd,
For More Ioye Neuere I ne hadde
thanne I now haue, I May be gladde.”
“now where-Offen, good Sire, quod Mordreins þe kyng,
May I not knowen Of that thyng?”
“ȝis sire,” quod Iosephes, “certeynly,
I it schal ȝow tellen ful trewly:
Sire, I schal ȝow sein At this tyme,
hens schal I passen to-Morwen At pryme
Owt Of this world Into Anothir place:
thus hath sent me to seyne the kyng Of Grace.”
blessed be god, vppon this grownd,
For More Ioye Neuere I ne hadde
thanne I now haue, I May be gladde.”
“now where-Offen, good Sire, quod Mordreins þe kyng,
May I not knowen Of that thyng?”
“ȝis sire,” quod Iosephes, “certeynly,
I it schal ȝow tellen ful trewly:
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hens schal I passen to-Morwen At pryme
Owt Of this world Into Anothir place:
thus hath sent me to seyne the kyng Of Grace.”
And whanne kyng Mordreyns herde this,
Anon he wepte for deol Iwys,
& seide to Iosephes In this Manere,
“A! goode Iosephes, My Frend so dere,
Now I am here A-lone In this Contre,
and for-saken Alle myn Owne londis & fe
For the grete love that I In ȝow fond,
this, Iosephes, I preie ȝow vndirstond;
Now sethen that it Is So Nygh ȝoure tyme
that ȝe scholen hens passen to-Morwen At pryme,
with herte I ȝow preye ful Specyale
that Som Maner Of Tokene ȝe welen leven Me,
that I Of ȝow Myhte hauen som Manere Remembraunce,
what so Euere me be-happed In Ony Chaunce.”
“this schal I don, Sire,” quod Iosephes tho;
And thanne hym bethowhte how he myhte do.
thus sone Anon It Cam In his Mynde;
thanne seide he to Mordreyns that was so kynd,
“do bringen that scheld hider to Me,
that In to the Bataille I be-took the,
Whanne tho W Werredest vppon Tholomer,
and Of hym haddest the vittorye ther.”
Anon he wepte for deol Iwys,
& seide to Iosephes In this Manere,
“A! goode Iosephes, My Frend so dere,
Now I am here A-lone In this Contre,
and for-saken Alle myn Owne londis & fe
For the grete love that I In ȝow fond,
this, Iosephes, I preie ȝow vndirstond;
Now sethen that it Is So Nygh ȝoure tyme
that ȝe scholen hens passen to-Morwen At pryme,
with herte I ȝow preye ful Specyale
that Som Maner Of Tokene ȝe welen leven Me,
that I Of ȝow Myhte hauen som Manere Remembraunce,
what so Euere me be-happed In Ony Chaunce.”
“this schal I don, Sire,” quod Iosephes tho;
And thanne hym bethowhte how he myhte do.
thus sone Anon It Cam In his Mynde;
thanne seide he to Mordreyns that was so kynd,
“do bringen that scheld hider to Me,
that In to the Bataille I be-took the,
Whanne tho W Werredest vppon Tholomer,
and Of hym haddest the vittorye ther.”
kyng Mordreyns seide it scholde be do,
and bad A Man Anon therfore to go;
for that scheld faste by him it was,
and Every day he it kyste In that plas,
for the grete love he hadde therto,
Eche day twye or thries he kyste it so.
and bad A Man Anon therfore to go;
for that scheld faste by him it was,
and Every day he it kyste In that plas,
for the grete love he hadde therto,
Eche day twye or thries he kyste it so.
The same tyme the scheld Cam Iosephes before,
At his Nese he bledde wondyr sore,
and that stawnched it wolde not be
For non thing he Cowde ȝit se.
Anon thus sone he took this scheld
that kyng Mordreins bar In the feld,
and A Myddes the scheld, þere As he stood,
he Made a Croys with his Owne blood.
At his Nese he bledde wondyr sore,
and that stawnched it wolde not be
For non thing he Cowde ȝit se.
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that kyng Mordreins bar In the feld,
and A Myddes the scheld, þere As he stood,
he Made a Croys with his Owne blood.
and whanne that so he hadde I-don,
to kyng Mordreins he betook it Anon,
and seide there to Mordreyns the kyng,
“this schal I leven ȝow In Remembryng.
In this scheld A Crois I have Mad here
with myn Owne blood with-Owten dwere;
So that whanne ȝe taken this scheld On honde,
On Me to thenken scholen ȝe fonde;
For the Croys that I have Mad here
schal Evere lasten As fresch & fere
as it is this ilke same day;—
beleve wel, kyng Mordreyns, that I the say;—
and ȝif Ony knyht that so bold be,
Abowtes him it hangen In Ony degre,
that he ne schal ful sore Repente,
Tyl that A worthy knyht Come presente,
wheche the worthy Galaaz schal be hote,
The laste Of the lyne Of Nasciens Rote;
and he this scheld schal taken On honde,
And non but he; this thou vndirstonde;
For there schal neuere ben knyht so hardë
hit to Ocupyen, but Onlich he;
For lik as mo Merveilles be this scheld hast þou seye,
ȝit Mo schal galaaz werken Many weye;
and lik As this scheld passeth Alle Oþer scheldis,
So Galaaz schal passen In townes and feldis
Alle knyhtes Of Chevalrie In every dede,
So Merveillous & worthy In his Manhede.
and with that the kyng gan to se
bothe þe scheld an Cros ful verrayie;
to kyng Mordreins he betook it Anon,
and seide there to Mordreyns the kyng,
“this schal I leven ȝow In Remembryng.
In this scheld A Crois I have Mad here
with myn Owne blood with-Owten dwere;
So that whanne ȝe taken this scheld On honde,
On Me to thenken scholen ȝe fonde;
For the Croys that I have Mad here
schal Evere lasten As fresch & fere
as it is this ilke same day;—
beleve wel, kyng Mordreyns, that I the say;—
and ȝif Ony knyht that so bold be,
Abowtes him it hangen In Ony degre,
that he ne schal ful sore Repente,
Tyl that A worthy knyht Come presente,
wheche the worthy Galaaz schal be hote,
The laste Of the lyne Of Nasciens Rote;
and he this scheld schal taken On honde,
And non but he; this thou vndirstonde;
For there schal neuere ben knyht so hardë
hit to Ocupyen, but Onlich he;
For lik as mo Merveilles be this scheld hast þou seye,
ȝit Mo schal galaaz werken Many weye;
and lik As this scheld passeth Alle Oþer scheldis,
So Galaaz schal passen In townes and feldis
Alle knyhtes Of Chevalrie In every dede,
So Merveillous & worthy In his Manhede.
and with that the kyng gan to se
bothe þe scheld an Cros ful verrayie;
Thanne took the kyng this scheld On honde,
and Often to kyssen he gan it fonde.
and seide, “lord God, I-worschepid thou be,
that Grace Of Syhte hast graunted me
This Crois to Sen here with Myn Eye;
Now, goode lord Iesw, Gromessye.”
and thanne bespak kyng Mordreins
To Iosephes Er he wente theins,
“Sethen ȝe han me left this Ilke thing
ȝow forto haven In Remembryng,
Telleth me, Iosephes, I ȝow pray,
where that this scheld putten I may,
So that thike worthy knyht
It myht properly Comen to his syht.”
and Often to kyssen he gan it fonde.
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that Grace Of Syhte hast graunted me
This Crois to Sen here with Myn Eye;
Now, goode lord Iesw, Gromessye.”
and thanne bespak kyng Mordreins
To Iosephes Er he wente theins,
“Sethen ȝe han me left this Ilke thing
ȝow forto haven In Remembryng,
Telleth me, Iosephes, I ȝow pray,
where that this scheld putten I may,
So that thike worthy knyht
It myht properly Comen to his syht.”
Thanne Iosephes Seyde to hym tho,
“Sire kyng, ȝif Aftyr Me ȝe welen do,
loke where Nasciens Is beryed whanne he is ded,
and hange ȝe that scheld In thike same sted;
For thedir schal Comen that goode knyht
at the fyftenethe day, I sey ȝow Ryht,
Aftyr that he hath taken the Ordre of Chevalrye;
Ful faste thedirwardis he schal hym hye.”
thanne seide the kyng it scholde be do.
“Sire kyng, ȝif Aftyr Me ȝe welen do,
loke where Nasciens Is beryed whanne he is ded,
and hange ȝe that scheld In thike same sted;
For thedir schal Comen that goode knyht
at the fyftenethe day, I sey ȝow Ryht,
Aftyr that he hath taken the Ordre of Chevalrye;
Ful faste thedirwardis he schal hym hye.”
thanne seide the kyng it scholde be do.
and thus Iosephes there parted hym fro.
Vppon the Morwe Atte Owr Of pryme
he paste to God In A blesid tyme,
and was Entered In that same Abbey
There As kyng Mordreins bedered lay.
Vppon the Morwe Atte Owr Of pryme
he paste to God In A blesid tyme,
and was Entered In that same Abbey
There As kyng Mordreins bedered lay.
but thanne Comen Othir Men, and his Fadyr bore
Into A Nothir Contre besides thore;
For A gret Affamyne Amonges hem was.
his body they boren Into that plas,—
For this storye ful trewe it Is,
and also I-proved with-Owten Mys,—
that At the Entre Of that holy Man
Al that Famyne Secede Anon than;
and the lond becam ful Of blessidnesse,
Of Catel, Of good, and Of Al Richesse;
so that they seiden with-Owten Obstacle,
‘that God for that body wrowhte Miracle
the wheche they browhte Into that Contre;’
and In Abbey was buryed ful Solempne,
that thabbey of Glays that tyme was Cald,
whech Abbey of Glaystyngbery now men hald.
Into A Nothir Contre besides thore;
For A gret Affamyne Amonges hem was.
his body they boren Into that plas,—
For this storye ful trewe it Is,
and also I-proved with-Owten Mys,—
that At the Entre Of that holy Man
Al that Famyne Secede Anon than;
and the lond becam ful Of blessidnesse,
Of Catel, Of good, and Of Al Richesse;
324
‘that God for that body wrowhte Miracle
the wheche they browhte Into that Contre;’
and In Abbey was buryed ful Solempne,
that thabbey of Glays that tyme was Cald,
whech Abbey of Glaystyngbery now men hald.
Now Resteth here this storye,
and Of Aleyn the Sone Of bron Maketh Memorye.
and Of Aleyn the Sone Of bron Maketh Memorye.
CHAPTER LV. HOW CASTLE CORBENIE IS BUILT FOR THE HOLY GRAAL, AND VENGEANCE IS DONE FOR DESPITE TO IT AND SOLOMON'S SWORD.
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Now this Storye furthere doth telle
bothe Of Iosephes and Aleyn ful snelle;
whanne that to the deth he drowhe so Ny,
thanne behelde he Aleyn ful witterly,
and sawgh that he wepe so faste;
thanne he hym Axede Atte laste,
“Aleyn, why wepyst thow so sore?
telle me thy Cause why and wherfore.”
bothe Of Iosephes and Aleyn ful snelle;
whanne that to the deth he drowhe so Ny,
thanne behelde he Aleyn ful witterly,
and sawgh that he wepe so faste;
thanne he hym Axede Atte laste,
“Aleyn, why wepyst thow so sore?
telle me thy Cause why and wherfore.”
“Sire, I May wepen Ryht wel,
and ȝe it knewen Every del,
For A schepe that Alone left Is
With-Owten pastour Oþer herdeman I-wys;
Anon Cometh the wilde lyown,
And it distroieth Al & Som.
Sire, this Mater I telle by the
that Art my pastour Sykerle,
And I ȝowre schepe as [ȝe] wel knowe
that thus from Me scholen deye nowe.
ho schal thanne My pastour be?
Now, good sire, thot ȝe welen tellen Me.”
and ȝe it knewen Every del,
For A schepe that Alone left Is
With-Owten pastour Oþer herdeman I-wys;
Anon Cometh the wilde lyown,
And it distroieth Al & Som.
Sire, this Mater I telle by the
that Art my pastour Sykerle,
And I ȝowre schepe as [ȝe] wel knowe
that thus from Me scholen deye nowe.
ho schal thanne My pastour be?
Now, good sire, thot ȝe welen tellen Me.”
“ȝe scholen ȝoure self been A good pastour,
and Aftyr me ȝe wil werken Eche Owr.
but loke that ȝe non Marchant pastour be,
that Fychcheth his Eyen In Eche degre;
but torne ȝoure Eyen from Idelnesse,
and Ocupie ȝow In good Besynesse
that schal kepen ȝoure body from Alle torment,
and to Endeles blysse ȝow Represent;
therfore loke that ȝe kepe ȝow wel
that the Enemy In ȝow haue part non del.”
and Aftyr me ȝe wil werken Eche Owr.
but loke that ȝe non Marchant pastour be,
that Fychcheth his Eyen In Eche degre;
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and Ocupie ȝow In good Besynesse
that schal kepen ȝoure body from Alle torment,
and to Endeles blysse ȝow Represent;
therfore loke that ȝe kepe ȝow wel
that the Enemy In ȝow haue part non del.”
Thanne dyde Iosephes Anon to-forn hym brynge
the holy vessel with-Owten lesynge,
and seide to Aleyn In this Manere;
“lo, this holy vessel I betake the here
wiche Iesu Crist my fadyr be-took;”—
Aleyn it Resceyvede, & not forsook;—
“and whanne Owt Of this world þat ȝe schole pase,
loke that ȝe it Ordeyne In to swich A place
that In this Rem It mot stille dwelle,
And be ȝow I-Sesed, As I ȝow telle.”
So Aleyn Of this worschepful ȝifte there
he was ful Ioyful In Alle Manere.
the holy vessel with-Owten lesynge,
and seide to Aleyn In this Manere;
“lo, this holy vessel I betake the here
wiche Iesu Crist my fadyr be-took;”—
Aleyn it Resceyvede, & not forsook;—
“and whanne Owt Of this world þat ȝe schole pase,
loke that ȝe it Ordeyne In to swich A place
that In this Rem It mot stille dwelle,
And be ȝow I-Sesed, As I ȝow telle.”
So Aleyn Of this worschepful ȝifte there
he was ful Ioyful In Alle Manere.
Whanne that Iosephes to God past was,
Aleyn Remevede from that plas,
Owt from the Contre Of Galefors;
and his bretheren with hym gonnen Resort,
For Wedded weren they Everychon,
Alle his bretheryn Except On
wiche that Ioswe I-Clepyd was,
that tho was vn-Maryed, so was his grace;
and the beste knyht he was be Est Oþer West,
and Of Alle his Bretheren Aleyn loved hym best.
Aleyn Remevede from that plas,
Owt from the Contre Of Galefors;
and his bretheren with hym gonnen Resort,
For Wedded weren they Everychon,
Alle his bretheryn Except On
wiche that Ioswe I-Clepyd was,
that tho was vn-Maryed, so was his grace;
and the beste knyht he was be Est Oþer West,
and Of Alle his Bretheren Aleyn loved hym best.
Whanne that from Galafort he Gan gon,
thanne Axeden him his bretheryn Everichon,
‘Into what Contre that he wolde Go.’
and he hem Answerede, ‘he Niste not tho,
but as God And Aventure
vs wile Cowndeye, I ȝow Ensure.’
thanne Axeden him his bretheryn Everichon,
‘Into what Contre that he wolde Go.’
and he hem Answerede, ‘he Niste not tho,
but as God And Aventure
vs wile Cowndeye, I ȝow Ensure.’
So wente he forth, And his bretherin Alle,
As be Aventure to hem gan falle;
And An hundred Mo Of his kynrede
Forth with hym than gan he lede,
and seide ‘that Som voide Contre
with that kynrede Repleynsched scholde be,
So that with Al his power
he worschepid & Servid god Everywher.
As be Aventure to hem gan falle;
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Forth with hym than gan he lede,
and seide ‘that Som voide Contre
with that kynrede Repleynsched scholde be,
So that with Al his power
he worschepid & Servid god Everywher.
Thus wente he Forth In his Iorne,
as was his Aventure and destyne,
tyl he Cam In to A strounge land
where As Nise peple he fond,
That ne CoWden but Of Lond tylyng,
Swich was here labour and here werkyng;
and that Rem was Clepid Foraygne,
Of Wheche the kyng was A lepre Certaygne,
and so Orible he was to Mannes Eye
that Eche Man schoned his Compenye;
And his Name was Clepyd Galafres,
Somtyme A worthy knyht In pres,
and dwellyd In his Owne Cyte
That Malce was Clepyd, As I telle the:
and the Same kyng A paynem was,
And Ek Al his peple In Every plas.
as was his Aventure and destyne,
tyl he Cam In to A strounge land
where As Nise peple he fond,
That ne CoWden but Of Lond tylyng,
Swich was here labour and here werkyng;
and that Rem was Clepid Foraygne,
Of Wheche the kyng was A lepre Certaygne,
and so Orible he was to Mannes Eye
that Eche Man schoned his Compenye;
And his Name was Clepyd Galafres,
Somtyme A worthy knyht In pres,
and dwellyd In his Owne Cyte
That Malce was Clepyd, As I telle the:
and the Same kyng A paynem was,
And Ek Al his peple In Every plas.
Whanne Aleyn Into the Cyte Entren began,
On hym there loked Many a Man,
and wondred what peple what they were
That Into the Cyte Entrede so there,
alle Barefoot, And In powre vesture,
Of wheche the kyng herde, I ȝow Ensure.
and thus sone Comanded the kyng
hem to-forn hym bringe with-Owten taryeng,
So that Openly he Myhte hem Se,
And whens they comen and [of] what contre.
On hym there loked Many a Man,
and wondred what peple what they were
That Into the Cyte Entrede so there,
alle Barefoot, And In powre vesture,
Of wheche the kyng herde, I ȝow Ensure.
and thus sone Comanded the kyng
hem to-forn hym bringe with-Owten taryeng,
So that Openly he Myhte hem Se,
And whens they comen and [of] what contre.
and whanne he hem Sawh In his Syht,
thanne Axede he hem Anon Ryht
‘Of what Contre that they were.’
thanne Answerid they Anon In fere,
“Sire, Of Ierusalem boren we be,
Eche Man that Is In this Compeyne.”
and whanne the kyng herde this,
he Axede, “whiche Of ȝow Mayster Is?”
A-Non that Compenye Alle On Rewe
there gonne the kyng Aleyn to schewe.
thanne Axede he hem Anon Ryht
‘Of what Contre that they were.’
thanne Answerid they Anon In fere,
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Eche Man that Is In this Compeyne.”
and whanne the kyng herde this,
he Axede, “whiche Of ȝow Mayster Is?”
A-Non that Compenye Alle On Rewe
there gonne the kyng Aleyn to schewe.
thanne seide the kyng, “Aleyn, I ȝow pray,
Conne ȝe me Owht Cownseillen In Ony way
to koueren me Of my Maladye?”
“ȝe, sire kyng, quod Aleyn trewelye,
ȝif ȝe wil don As I ȝow teche,
Of this Maladye I schal ben ȝoure leche
with-Inne thre dayes with-Owten Mo.”
“ȝe, quod the kyng, May I troste therto?”
“Sire, quod Aleyn, And ȝe welen Me leve,
with-Inne iij dayes ȝoure helthe I schal preve.”
thanne kyng Galafers Answerid tho,
“What ȝe me Comaunden I schal do.”
“how May I this beleve?” quod Aleyn.
“ȝis sewrly, quod the kyng, In Certeyn,
For there nys non Manere Of thing Erthly
that I Nolde do to haven helthe Of Body.”
“thanne, quod Aleyn, I schal ȝow Say,
what ȝe mosten don with-Owten Nay;
and ȝif ȝe don not myn Comaundement,
ȝe Geten neuere helthe verament.”
“Now, seith Onne, quod the kyng thanne,
and I it schal don As I am trewe Manne.”
Conne ȝe me Owht Cownseillen In Ony way
to koueren me Of my Maladye?”
“ȝe, sire kyng, quod Aleyn trewelye,
ȝif ȝe wil don As I ȝow teche,
Of this Maladye I schal ben ȝoure leche
with-Inne thre dayes with-Owten Mo.”
“ȝe, quod the kyng, May I troste therto?”
“Sire, quod Aleyn, And ȝe welen Me leve,
with-Inne iij dayes ȝoure helthe I schal preve.”
thanne kyng Galafers Answerid tho,
“What ȝe me Comaunden I schal do.”
“how May I this beleve?” quod Aleyn.
“ȝis sewrly, quod the kyng, In Certeyn,
For there nys non Manere Of thing Erthly
that I Nolde do to haven helthe Of Body.”
“thanne, quod Aleyn, I schal ȝow Say,
what ȝe mosten don with-Owten Nay;
and ȝif ȝe don not myn Comaundement,
ȝe Geten neuere helthe verament.”
“Now, seith Onne, quod the kyng thanne,
and I it schal don As I am trewe Manne.”
“Sire kyng, and helyd thou wilt be,
Sarrasynes lawe forsake thou Sykerle,
and Alle thin ydoles to breken In fay,
that thou hast beleved Onne Many a day;
and whanne thou hast the devel Forsake,
thanne to Goddis lawe thou schalt þe take;
and Aftyr, I-Cristened thou schalt be,
And thanne Othir thinges schalt thou se,
Myn holy vessel, beleve this wele,
be whiche thou schalt haue Al thin hele,
and I-clensed, Sire kyng, to be
Of Al thy Maladye, Sire, certeinle;
And ȝif I do not this Ilke Dede,
I ȝeve the leve to smyten of myn hede,
And Of Al myn hol Compenye,
Sire kyng, I the Enswre trewelye.”
Sarrasynes lawe forsake thou Sykerle,
and Alle thin ydoles to breken In fay,
that thou hast beleved Onne Many a day;
and whanne thou hast the devel Forsake,
thanne to Goddis lawe thou schalt þe take;
and Aftyr, I-Cristened thou schalt be,
And thanne Othir thinges schalt thou se,
329
be whiche thou schalt haue Al thin hele,
and I-clensed, Sire kyng, to be
Of Al thy Maladye, Sire, certeinle;
And ȝif I do not this Ilke Dede,
I ȝeve the leve to smyten of myn hede,
And Of Al myn hol Compenye,
Sire kyng, I the Enswre trewelye.”
This kyng that so moche desired his hele,
lystenede what Aleyn seyd ful wele,
and Merveyllede Mochel Of his promys
that Of his beheste he was so Nys,
and seide, “Aleyn, I wyle gladly do
Al that ȝe Comaunden Me vnto;
and but ȝe holden ȝoure promys,
On ȝow I schal don ful hard Iewys;
and therfore loke that ȝe seye me non thing,
but ȝif that to ende ȝe Connen it bryng.”
thanne to him Answerede Aleyn Anon,
“doth by me, Sire, what ȝe lyst don,
but ȝif the same day Of ȝoure Crestenenge,
helthe & bote I schal to ȝow brynge.”
lystenede what Aleyn seyd ful wele,
and Merveyllede Mochel Of his promys
that Of his beheste he was so Nys,
and seide, “Aleyn, I wyle gladly do
Al that ȝe Comaunden Me vnto;
and but ȝe holden ȝoure promys,
On ȝow I schal don ful hard Iewys;
and therfore loke that ȝe seye me non thing,
but ȝif that to ende ȝe Connen it bryng.”
thanne to him Answerede Aleyn Anon,
“doth by me, Sire, what ȝe lyst don,
but ȝif the same day Of ȝoure Crestenenge,
helthe & bote I schal to ȝow brynge.”
the kyng Anon the temples dide down throwe,
And Ek Alle his ydoles vppon A Rowe;
and whanne he hadde I-don Al this,
& distroyed Alle his Mawmetis I-wys
that Evere belongede to paynem lawe,
he hath hem to-borsten and to-drawe;
& thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho,
“wylt þou Ony more ȝit that I do?”
“ȝis, quod Aleyn, with-Owten faille
thou Most be Crestened from toppe to taile.”
And Ek Alle his ydoles vppon A Rowe;
and whanne he hadde I-don Al this,
& distroyed Alle his Mawmetis I-wys
that Evere belongede to paynem lawe,
he hath hem to-borsten and to-drawe;
& thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho,
“wylt þou Ony more ȝit that I do?”
“ȝis, quod Aleyn, with-Owten faille
thou Most be Crestened from toppe to taile.”
thanne let he Fyllen A ston in hye
Ful Of water ful trewelye,
and blessid it was, and halwed Also,
and Anon he let the kyng þer-Inne do.
and þere kyng Galafers Cristened was than
Of An holy prest that hyhte Alphazan.
Ful Of water ful trewelye,
and blessid it was, and halwed Also,
and Anon he let the kyng þer-Inne do.
330
Of An holy prest that hyhte Alphazan.
& whanne that thus I-cristened was he,
and Owt Of the water Comen Certainle,
thanne browhte Aleyn this holy vessel Anon,
and to kyng Galafors gan he gon,
& there it discouerede & schewed it þe kyng,
whiche was to hym A ferly thyng.
and whanne the kyng beheld that Syht,
Anon was he Clensyd thorwgh goddis Myht
As Clene Also fayr as Evere he was;
and thus was he keveryd be goodis gras,
So that neuere Man On hym Cowde Aspye
that Evere he hadde poynt of Meselrye.
and Owt Of the water Comen Certainle,
thanne browhte Aleyn this holy vessel Anon,
and to kyng Galafors gan he gon,
& there it discouerede & schewed it þe kyng,
whiche was to hym A ferly thyng.
and whanne the kyng beheld that Syht,
Anon was he Clensyd thorwgh goddis Myht
As Clene Also fayr as Evere he was;
and thus was he keveryd be goodis gras,
So that neuere Man On hym Cowde Aspye
that Evere he hadde poynt of Meselrye.
and whanne he beheld this worthy Cure,
that he was Mad so Clene and pure
thorwgh that Ilke Gloryous vessel,
he seide it was holy Every del,
that so be this Aventure & this Myracle
he wax A goodman with-Owten Ony Obstacle,
and let to beheveden Al his Meyne
that Cristene peple ne wolden not be,
So that theke Rem to Cristendom torned was
with-Inne lesse thanne A Mownthe, be goddis gras;
So that for the Miracle, with-Owten dowte,
Al that Lond was Cristened Abowte.
that he was Mad so Clene and pure
thorwgh that Ilke Gloryous vessel,
he seide it was holy Every del,
that so be this Aventure & this Myracle
he wax A goodman with-Owten Ony Obstacle,
and let to beheveden Al his Meyne
that Cristene peple ne wolden not be,
So that theke Rem to Cristendom torned was
with-Inne lesse thanne A Mownthe, be goddis gras;
So that for the Miracle, with-Owten dowte,
Al that Lond was Cristened Abowte.
Whanne this Lond thus Convertyd was,
Onlich thorwgh helpe Of Goddis Gras,
thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho,
“Now, dere frend, On thing ȝe welen for me do.”
“Seith on, quod Aleyn, what It schal be,
And I schal it don, Sire, ful Sykerle.”
“Aleyn, of this that I schal ȝoW preye,
that ȝe it Me denyen In Non Weye,
So that this holy vessel that here I se,
Owt of this place neuere Remeved to be;
And ȝif it like ȝow that It be so,
ȝit More for ȝow thanne wile I do,
I schal don Maken A strong Castel
That holy vessel to kepen In ful wel,
And for ȝow also there-Inne to dwelle.
And to ȝow More ȝit schal I now spelle,
To ȝowre Owne brothir that Is so dere,
My dowhter I schal ȝeven to his fere,
and Corowne hym kyng be My levenge,
& Of Alle My londis to ȝeven him sesenynge
be this Condiscion, As I ȝow telle,
that this holy vessel Abyde here stylle.”
Thanne Answerede Aleyn to hym Ageyn,
“I Concente wel therto In Certeyn;
For My purpos it hath Evere I-be
That Onliche My dere brothir Ioswe
Aftyr my deth hyt schold have,
that For to Governen, to kepen, & save.”
Onlich thorwgh helpe Of Goddis Gras,
thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho,
“Now, dere frend, On thing ȝe welen for me do.”
“Seith on, quod Aleyn, what It schal be,
And I schal it don, Sire, ful Sykerle.”
“Aleyn, of this that I schal ȝoW preye,
that ȝe it Me denyen In Non Weye,
So that this holy vessel that here I se,
Owt of this place neuere Remeved to be;
331
ȝit More for ȝow thanne wile I do,
I schal don Maken A strong Castel
That holy vessel to kepen In ful wel,
And for ȝow also there-Inne to dwelle.
And to ȝow More ȝit schal I now spelle,
To ȝowre Owne brothir that Is so dere,
My dowhter I schal ȝeven to his fere,
and Corowne hym kyng be My levenge,
& Of Alle My londis to ȝeven him sesenynge
be this Condiscion, As I ȝow telle,
that this holy vessel Abyde here stylle.”
Thanne Answerede Aleyn to hym Ageyn,
“I Concente wel therto In Certeyn;
For My purpos it hath Evere I-be
That Onliche My dere brothir Ioswe
Aftyr my deth hyt schold have,
that For to Governen, to kepen, & save.”
Anon the king, with-Owten More,
let fechchen his dowhter hem before,
and knytte Ioswe and hire In fere,
wheche that to hym weren both leef & dere.
let fechchen his dowhter hem before,
and knytte Ioswe and hire In fere,
wheche that to hym weren both leef & dere.
thus sone thanne vppon A watyr side,
A Castel he Ordeyned that Ilke tyde,
that strong & Merveillous it was to se,
With A ful fair paleys Certeinle;
And Manye Riche howses there weren dyht,
Ful Riche And Ryal to Alle Mennes syht.
A Castel he Ordeyned that Ilke tyde,
that strong & Merveillous it was to se,
With A ful fair paleys Certeinle;
And Manye Riche howses there weren dyht,
Ful Riche And Ryal to Alle Mennes syht.
and whanne this Castel thus Ordeyned was,
they it behelden In Eche A plas,
And vppon the ton ȝate In that sted,
they fownden lettres wreten with Red;
and thus the lettres Gonnen specefye,
‘that this Castel scholde ben Clepid Corbenie;’
And In Caldev was this scripture,
whiche Is to vndirstonde As be lettrure,
as this place frely schal be,
Trosour Of þe holy vessel ful Sykerle.
they it behelden In Eche A plas,
And vppon the ton ȝate In that sted,
they fownden lettres wreten with Red;
and thus the lettres Gonnen specefye,
‘that this Castel scholde ben Clepid Corbenie;’
And In Caldev was this scripture,
332
as this place frely schal be,
Trosour Of þe holy vessel ful Sykerle.
thanne gonnen they seyn to Alle Anon,
[OMITTED]
that it ne was Goddis wylle
Non Othir Name to ȝyven vntille.
Thus was that Castel Cleped Corbenye
Of Everych Aftyr ful Sekerlye.
[OMITTED]
that it ne was Goddis wylle
Non Othir Name to ȝyven vntille.
Thus was that Castel Cleped Corbenye
Of Everych Aftyr ful Sekerlye.
And whanne Fenyscht was this Castel
In eche degre bothe faire and wel,
They browhten the vessel thedir with-Inne,
Into a fair Chambre, and qweynte Of gynne.
In eche degre bothe faire and wel,
They browhten the vessel thedir with-Inne,
Into a fair Chambre, and qweynte Of gynne.
and vppon the Sonday next Sewenge
Aftyr that holy vesselis Entringe,
The kyng Comaunded there Anon
That thike Mariage scholde be don
be-twixen Ioswe and his dowhter dere,
and therto Asemblede the peple In fere;
So that this Mariage thus was I-do,
and Alle the Royalles Comen hem vnto,
and there to Ioswe diden they homage;
and thike day was Crowned with hygh baronage
As verray kyng Of Al that lond,
In Corbenie was Crowned, I vndirstond;
and Ek he wedded there his wyf
That highte Alphanye With-Owten stryf.
& Al the peple that there Ete thyke day,
they weren Repleynsched with-Owten Nay—
be the grace Of that holy vessel of pris—
with alle Maner Metes and delecasyes;
and what that Evere they Onne thowhte,
To-forn here Eyen It was hem browhte.
Aftyr that holy vesselis Entringe,
The kyng Comaunded there Anon
That thike Mariage scholde be don
be-twixen Ioswe and his dowhter dere,
and therto Asemblede the peple In fere;
So that this Mariage thus was I-do,
and Alle the Royalles Comen hem vnto,
and there to Ioswe diden they homage;
and thike day was Crowned with hygh baronage
As verray kyng Of Al that lond,
In Corbenie was Crowned, I vndirstond;
and Ek he wedded there his wyf
That highte Alphanye With-Owten stryf.
& Al the peple that there Ete thyke day,
they weren Repleynsched with-Owten Nay—
be the grace Of that holy vessel of pris—
with alle Maner Metes and delecasyes;
and what that Evere they Onne thowhte,
To-forn here Eyen It was hem browhte.
that Nyht Ioswe with-Owten lettynge
be-twixen hym and his was Conceyvenge;
and be-gat An Eyr bothe fayr & fre
that kyng Regnede Aftyr Ioswe;
and A-Mynadape was that kynges Name,
kyng Of Foraigne, & a Man of fame.
be-twixen hym and his was Conceyvenge;
and be-gat An Eyr bothe fayr & fre
333
and A-Mynadape was that kynges Name,
kyng Of Foraigne, & a Man of fame.
As the kyng and his Wyf lyen that Nyht
In A bed ful Richely I-dyht,
abowtes Mydnyht whanne he Awook,
Thanne Aboutes hym Gan he to look,
and there sawh he with-Owten fable
the holy vessel stonden vppon A table,
the wheche, Clene Syluer him thoughte it was;
and A man standyng therby In that plas,
wheche he ne knew nethir More ne lasse,
and Reuersed as A prest toward his Masse;
& Abowtes him he thowhte þat he herde there
A thowsend voyses, but he Nyste where;
and Alle to God ȝoven they thankynge;
that was the Noyse Of here Sownenge;
but for nowht that he Cowde do,
he myhte not Sen whens it cam fro;
and ȝit Al this not withstondynge,
he herd Abowtes hym A wondir thinge:
betyng Of Bryddes Wynges In fere,
as they Alle they in the world hadde ben there.
and As sone As this Noyse I-left was,
the vessel was Remeved Owt Of that plas.
In A bed ful Richely I-dyht,
abowtes Mydnyht whanne he Awook,
Thanne Aboutes hym Gan he to look,
and there sawh he with-Owten fable
the holy vessel stonden vppon A table,
the wheche, Clene Syluer him thoughte it was;
and A man standyng therby In that plas,
wheche he ne knew nethir More ne lasse,
and Reuersed as A prest toward his Masse;
& Abowtes him he thowhte þat he herde there
A thowsend voyses, but he Nyste where;
and Alle to God ȝoven they thankynge;
that was the Noyse Of here Sownenge;
but for nowht that he Cowde do,
he myhte not Sen whens it cam fro;
and ȝit Al this not withstondynge,
he herd Abowtes hym A wondir thinge:
betyng Of Bryddes Wynges In fere,
as they Alle they in the world hadde ben there.
and As sone As this Noyse I-left was,
the vessel was Remeved Owt Of that plas.
thus sone to hym Aperede there
A man As it were In flawmes Of Fere,
and seide to this kyng there As he lay,
hos Name to Alphasan was torned that day,
and seide, “Sire kyng, I warne the
here behoveth non Resteng forto be,
Nethir for the, ne for non Oþer this tyde;
here ben ȝe not worthy to Abyde;
but ȝif A Man Of Clene lif he were,
this place scholde he not Entren here
where as the holy vessel worschepid schal be,
As with thin Eyen thou hast here se.
therfore hast thou don An hardy dede
that dorstest here lyggen In this Stede;
Wherfore Crist wil taken veniaunce;
& that schalt thou knowen with-Owten variaunce.”
A man As it were In flawmes Of Fere,
and seide to this kyng there As he lay,
hos Name to Alphasan was torned that day,
and seide, “Sire kyng, I warne the
here behoveth non Resteng forto be,
Nethir for the, ne for non Oþer this tyde;
here ben ȝe not worthy to Abyde;
but ȝif A Man Of Clene lif he were,
this place scholde he not Entren here
where as the holy vessel worschepid schal be,
334
therfore hast thou don An hardy dede
that dorstest here lyggen In this Stede;
Wherfore Crist wil taken veniaunce;
& that schalt thou knowen with-Owten variaunce.”
Thanne with a swerd he Owt Braste,
that In his hond he held wel faste,
and him smot ful harde and smerte
that thorwgh bothe thyes the swerd Owt sterte,
So that On the tothir Side it was sene,
& seyde thanne to this kyng be-dene,
“Now it is Good that Alle Oþere war be,
and that they taken Ensample by the;
For ho-so Entreth In to this place,
he may ben Siker Of Sory Grace,
that Owther ded schal he be,
Oþer schamfully departen sikerle,
But ȝif it be that Worthy knyht
That here to Entren is grauntyd Myht.”
thanne thus sone his swerd Owt he drowgh,
and vanschede Awey, and Nystë howgh.
that In his hond he held wel faste,
and him smot ful harde and smerte
that thorwgh bothe thyes the swerd Owt sterte,
So that On the tothir Side it was sene,
& seyde thanne to this kyng be-dene,
“Now it is Good that Alle Oþere war be,
and that they taken Ensample by the;
For ho-so Entreth In to this place,
he may ben Siker Of Sory Grace,
that Owther ded schal he be,
Oþer schamfully departen sikerle,
But ȝif it be that Worthy knyht
That here to Entren is grauntyd Myht.”
thanne thus sone his swerd Owt he drowgh,
and vanschede Awey, and Nystë howgh.
thanne Fyl this kyng In Swownenge
thorwgh thike strok and his hurtynge,
For the Grete peyne he suffrede thore
he wende han lyved Neuere more,
but sykerly wende han deyd Er day,
So sore hit hym grevede, þe sothe t[o say.]
thorwgh thike strok and his hurtynge,
For the Grete peyne he suffrede thore
he wende han lyved Neuere more,
but sykerly wende han deyd Er day,
So sore hit hym grevede, þe sothe t[o say.]
On the Morwen, whanne It was lyht,
to the kynges Chambre drowgh baroun & knyht,
and Fownden the kyng I-wounded ful sore,
where-offen they Merveillede, Al that was thore.
thanne Axede they him Everichon
how that this Aventure Cam hym vppon.
“Ha! for the love Of god, quod the kyng;
with me non longere haue talkyng,
but helpeth me hens Owt Anon,
that Owt Of this Chambre I were gon;
For this place So holy it Is,
and þerto so ful Of Ioye and Blis,
be Entreing Of this vessel
This paleys is Sanctefyed Everydel,
So that non Man here Resten Schal
In place there As Is this Sank Ryal;
And thys paleys hath the moste wondir Name
that Evere I herde Of of Ony fame.”
to the kynges Chambre drowgh baroun & knyht,
and Fownden the kyng I-wounded ful sore,
where-offen they Merveillede, Al that was thore.
thanne Axede they him Everichon
how that this Aventure Cam hym vppon.
“Ha! for the love Of god, quod the kyng;
with me non longere haue talkyng,
but helpeth me hens Owt Anon,
335
For this place So holy it Is,
and þerto so ful Of Ioye and Blis,
be Entreing Of this vessel
This paleys is Sanctefyed Everydel,
So that non Man here Resten Schal
In place there As Is this Sank Ryal;
And thys paleys hath the moste wondir Name
that Evere I herde Of of Ony fame.”
thanne Axeden these barowns Certeinle
“What Maner of Name that Myhte be.”
thanne seide the kyng to hem Ageyn,
“The Paleys Of Aventure” It is Certein;
For Mo Merveilles here scholen ȝe Sene
thanne in Alle this world Aftyr, I wene.”
“What Maner of Name that Myhte be.”
thanne seide the kyng to hem Ageyn,
“The Paleys Of Aventure” It is Certein;
For Mo Merveilles here scholen ȝe Sene
thanne in Alle this world Aftyr, I wene.”
And thus this kyng ȝaf It the Name
‘the paleys of Aventure,’ And Of gret fame;
and so was it Clepid for Evere More,
‘the paleys Of Aventure,’ as I Rehersid before;
and for thike Selve Aventure
that to the kyng Cam, I ȝow Ensure,
Thider Cam Many A dowhty knyht
In that paleys to slepen On Nyht;
but Sekerly there lay non In that stede
that On the Morwen he was fownden ded,
Tyl that On Cam that was A knyht
Of kyng Arthures, A Man of Myht;
Algates there he wolde hym Reste,
but he fond it Not for the beste;
For Althowgh that ded he nere,
ȝit moche duresse and schame hadde he there,
that he ne wolde for Al the worldes honour
Abyden In Non place swich A schowr.
‘the paleys of Aventure,’ And Of gret fame;
and so was it Clepid for Evere More,
‘the paleys Of Aventure,’ as I Rehersid before;
and for thike Selve Aventure
that to the kyng Cam, I ȝow Ensure,
Thider Cam Many A dowhty knyht
In that paleys to slepen On Nyht;
but Sekerly there lay non In that stede
that On the Morwen he was fownden ded,
Tyl that On Cam that was A knyht
Of kyng Arthures, A Man of Myht;
Algates there he wolde hym Reste,
but he fond it Not for the beste;
For Althowgh that ded he nere,
ȝit moche duresse and schame hadde he there,
that he ne wolde for Al the worldes honour
Abyden In Non place swich A schowr.
Thus thanne this kyng Alphasan
ten dayes lyvede After than
that he was there wownded sore;
For lenger not Aftyr lyvede he no More.
and with-Inne fowre dayes In Ceyteyn
Aleyn and he weren buryed ful pleyn,
And I-beryed bothe At Corbenie
In a Chirche Of Seint Marye;
and þere the ton besides the tother
liggen to-gederis As brothyr and brother.
ten dayes lyvede After than
that he was there wownded sore;
336
and with-Inne fowre dayes In Ceyteyn
Aleyn and he weren buryed ful pleyn,
And I-beryed bothe At Corbenie
In a Chirche Of Seint Marye;
and þere the ton besides the tother
liggen to-gederis As brothyr and brother.
And thus lefte this holy bodi At Corbenie
As I ȝow telle with-Owten lye;
and Aftyr him Regned his sone Amynadape,
And wedded kyng lucyes dowhter be hape,
whiche was kyng Of gret Breteygne,
As I seye ȝow, Sires, In Certeyne.
As I ȝow telle with-Owten lye;
and Aftyr him Regned his sone Amynadape,
And wedded kyng lucyes dowhter be hape,
whiche was kyng Of gret Breteygne,
As I seye ȝow, Sires, In Certeyne.
And of that damysele Cam forth Isswe
kyng Carcelois bothe good and trewe,
A worthy knyht And Ek An hardy,
To god & to the world bothe good and lowly.
kyng Carcelois bothe good and trewe,
A worthy knyht And Ek An hardy,
To god & to the world bothe good and lowly.
Of Carcelois Isswede kyng Mangel,
That In his tyme was worthy & lel;
and Of Mangel Isswede kyng lambor,
the wheche A worthy Man was holden thor;
whiche Alle worthy kynges were,
And As Goddis fyscheris were holden there.
That In his tyme was worthy & lel;
and Of Mangel Isswede kyng lambor,
the wheche A worthy Man was holden thor;
whiche Alle worthy kynges were,
And As Goddis fyscheris were holden there.
This lambors was A worthy knyht,
And lovede God with Al his Myht;
For Men supposed that In Al Bretaygne,
Nethir In Religiown In Certayne,
To God A better Man thanne he was On,
and thus they beleveden Everichon.
And lovede God with Al his Myht;
For Men supposed that In Al Bretaygne,
Nethir In Religiown In Certayne,
To God A better Man thanne he was On,
and thus they beleveden Everichon.
It happede he hadde An Olde Cosin,
and vppon him Marchede, & was Sarrasyn,
but that Cristened nowe he was;
and to-Gederis sore werreden In eche plas.
It behappede that kyng Lambors
And this kyng Varlans with gret fors
bothe here Ostes Assembled were
vigerously to fyhten In fere;
and thus the bataille be-gonnen was
be-twene bothe partyes In that plas,
that so ferforth, as I ȝow telle,
kyng varlans discomfit was, as befelle,
and Alle his Meyne I-slayn Echon;
So that kyng varlans fledde Anon
Tyl that he Cam to the Se side,
where As he say A fair schype that tyde
wheche that nowe there Aryved was;
So faire A schipe say he neuer in non plas,
Nethyr So Riche In Al his Age
Sawh neuere kyng, knyht, ne page;
And ȝif Ony Man Axede whens it was,
they with-Innes Answerede In that plas,
“to tellen yow, Sires, we scholen ȝow graunt:
this is the Schipe that At the yl tornaunt
Nasciens Entrede with grete drede;
but thike tyme thens myht it not hym lede.”
and vppon him Marchede, & was Sarrasyn,
but that Cristened nowe he was;
and to-Gederis sore werreden In eche plas.
It behappede that kyng Lambors
And this kyng Varlans with gret fors
bothe here Ostes Assembled were
337
and thus the bataille be-gonnen was
be-twene bothe partyes In that plas,
that so ferforth, as I ȝow telle,
kyng varlans discomfit was, as befelle,
and Alle his Meyne I-slayn Echon;
So that kyng varlans fledde Anon
Tyl that he Cam to the Se side,
where As he say A fair schype that tyde
wheche that nowe there Aryved was;
So faire A schipe say he neuer in non plas,
Nethyr So Riche In Al his Age
Sawh neuere kyng, knyht, ne page;
And ȝif Ony Man Axede whens it was,
they with-Innes Answerede In that plas,
“to tellen yow, Sires, we scholen ȝow graunt:
this is the Schipe that At the yl tornaunt
Nasciens Entrede with grete drede;
but thike tyme thens myht it not hym lede.”
Thus sone kyng varlans Entrede Anon,
and there fond he A swerd thus son,
and Owt Of the schethe it drowh As faste.
thanne Aȝen to Londe he gan hym haste,
And Amyddis his weye As he wente,
he Mette kyng lambors veramente.
and there fond he A swerd thus son,
and Owt Of the schethe it drowh As faste.
thanne Aȝen to Londe he gan hym haste,
And Amyddis his weye As he wente,
he Mette kyng lambors veramente.
Whanne kyng varlans him beheld,
To hym he prekede In that Feld,
and smot kyng lambors so velenowsly
that to Erthe wente hors and Man trewly,—
Swich was the scharpnesse Of the swerd,—
Of whiche Many Men was Aftyr ferd;
but Sethen Cam there gret persecucioun
To bothe Rewmes, & Moche Tribulacioun,—
bothen to the ReAwn Of Forraigne
and Ek to the toþer ReAwm In Certaigne,—
For veniaunce Of kyng lambors Sekirle
that God so wel lovede In Alle degre,
So ferforth that non lond proved there,
Nether trees froyt beren In non Manere,
Nether In Non water fysch myhte be fownde,
Swich veniaunce god schewede In that stownde;
So that be thike gret Enchesown
It was Clepyd ‘the wastable lond’ be Resown.
To hym he prekede In that Feld,
and smot kyng lambors so velenowsly
that to Erthe wente hors and Man trewly,—
Swich was the scharpnesse Of the swerd,—
Of whiche Many Men was Aftyr ferd;
but Sethen Cam there gret persecucioun
To bothe Rewmes, & Moche Tribulacioun,—
bothen to the ReAwn Of Forraigne
and Ek to the toþer ReAwm In Certaigne,—
For veniaunce Of kyng lambors Sekirle
338
So ferforth that non lond proved there,
Nether trees froyt beren In non Manere,
Nether In Non water fysch myhte be fownde,
Swich veniaunce god schewede In that stownde;
So that be thike gret Enchesown
It was Clepyd ‘the wastable lond’ be Resown.
whanne vrlans Sawgh that the swerd so bot,
he Retorned Aȝen Anon foot hot
the Skawberk forto haue had therto,
but þat God wolde it scholde not be so;
So that to the Schip he Cam Ageyn,
and the Swerd Into þe sckawberk put it pleyn;
And as sone As he hadde I-do,
down Anon Ryht ded fyl he tho.
thanne they seiden Alle tho it sye,
that it was for veniaunce Sekerlye;
For there Stylle it scholde Abyde
tyl A mayde it Owt took At On tyde;
For In that Contre was non Man there
that Into the Schipe dorste Entre for fere,
For the lettres vppon the bord
that weren there wreten At On word.
he Retorned Aȝen Anon foot hot
the Skawberk forto haue had therto,
but þat God wolde it scholde not be so;
So that to the Schip he Cam Ageyn,
and the Swerd Into þe sckawberk put it pleyn;
And as sone As he hadde I-do,
down Anon Ryht ded fyl he tho.
thanne they seiden Alle tho it sye,
that it was for veniaunce Sekerlye;
For there Stylle it scholde Abyde
tyl A mayde it Owt took At On tyde;
For In that Contre was non Man there
that Into the Schipe dorste Entre for fere,
For the lettres vppon the bord
that weren there wreten At On word.
Be this selve same Aventure
bothe ReAwmes weren lost, I ȝow Ensure;
lik as they Marchede bothe In fere,
Ryht so bothe londis Ilost they were.
bothe ReAwmes weren lost, I ȝow Ensure;
lik as they Marchede bothe In fere,
Ryht so bothe londis Ilost they were.
Tho Anon Aftyr kyng lambors thanne
Reignede Pellean his sone, A worthy Manne,
that thorwgh bothe hypes I-Maymed was
atte bataylle Of Rome, swich was his gras.
and for that he so was maymed there,
they cleped him kyng Mayham Euery Where;
For thorwgh bothe thyes Maymed was he,
this Ilke Pellean ful Sekerle;
Of wheche wowndes hol myhte he not be
tyl that worthy knyht Galas Cam hym to se,
and that tyme helthe schal he haue,
And Of his wowndes to ben Alle Save.
Reignede Pellean his sone, A worthy Manne,
that thorwgh bothe hypes I-Maymed was
atte bataylle Of Rome, swich was his gras.
and for that he so was maymed there,
they cleped him kyng Mayham Euery Where;
For thorwgh bothe thyes Maymed was he,
this Ilke Pellean ful Sekerle;
Of wheche wowndes hol myhte he not be
339
and that tyme helthe schal he haue,
And Of his wowndes to ben Alle Save.
thanne Aftyr Of this kyng PelleAn
discendid Anothir ful worthy Man,
his Owne Sone, and was Called Pelles,
a worthi knyht, and An hardy In pres;
and A dowhter hadde, that hiht pelle Sikerle,
that pasten Alle wommen Of Bewte
whiche that weren In grete Bretaigne,
Sauf Gonnore, Arthures wyf, In Certaygne.
discendid Anothir ful worthy Man,
his Owne Sone, and was Called Pelles,
a worthi knyht, and An hardy In pres;
and A dowhter hadde, that hiht pelle Sikerle,
that pasten Alle wommen Of Bewte
whiche that weren In grete Bretaigne,
Sauf Gonnore, Arthures wyf, In Certaygne.
vppon this damysele that was so fair,
Engendered Lawncelot, Galas his Eyr,
that ilke same blessid knyht Certaigne
whiche Endede Alle the Aventures of gret bretaigne.
Not with-stondyng thowgh he were begeten In Synne,
ȝit oure lord Of his Goodnesse wolde not blynne,
but that for the Brawnches and for the Bownte
Of þe goodmen that he Cam of Sekerle,
and took Reward to his Good lyf
that Evere Chast was, and with-Owten wyf,
And ek for the grete purpos and beheste
that God him hadde promysed Aforn lest and Meste,
So that, thorwgh his holy leveng,
Alle the Aventures to an Ende schal he bryng
Wheche Alle Othere faillede Of Echon,
alle Browhte he to An Ende Alon.
Engendered Lawncelot, Galas his Eyr,
that ilke same blessid knyht Certaigne
whiche Endede Alle the Aventures of gret bretaigne.
Not with-stondyng thowgh he were begeten In Synne,
ȝit oure lord Of his Goodnesse wolde not blynne,
but that for the Brawnches and for the Bownte
Of þe goodmen that he Cam of Sekerle,
and took Reward to his Good lyf
that Evere Chast was, and with-Owten wyf,
And ek for the grete purpos and beheste
that God him hadde promysed Aforn lest and Meste,
So that, thorwgh his holy leveng,
Alle the Aventures to an Ende schal he bryng
Wheche Alle Othere faillede Of Echon,
alle Browhte he to An Ende Alon.
Now hath this Storye Ended Certayn
Of declaracioun Of the Brawnch Of Aleyn,
For it hath Schewed here Ryht wel
Al Aleyns kynrede Evere Ilke A del;
and Retorneth Aȝen to Celydoigne,
and to Othir lygnages In Certaygne.
Of declaracioun Of the Brawnch Of Aleyn,
For it hath Schewed here Ryht wel
Al Aleyns kynrede Evere Ilke A del;
and Retorneth Aȝen to Celydoigne,
and to Othir lygnages In Certaygne.
340
CHAPTER LVI. OF CELIDOYNE AND HIS DEATH, AND THE GOOD KING LANCELOT. OF THE BLEEDING TOMB, AND THE END OF THE HISTORY OF THE HOLY GRAAL.
341
Now Scheweth forth this Storye
and putteth vs into More memorye;
For whanne that Iosephes hens scholde pase,
Nasciens And Celidoigne weren In that plase,
And Ek Narpus the sone of Celidoygne,
A ful worthy knyht In Certaygne.
and whanne this terement was I-do,
thanne Anon Celidoygne wente hem fro,
and sire Nasciens with Mordreyns lefte Sikerle
To beren hym Felischepe and Compeyne;
and so that Aftyr It happede, As I ȝow Say,
that Alle thre they deyden In On day,
bothe Nasciens and Flegentyne his wyf,
and Also Mordreins qwene there left hire lyf,
that Noble qwene Sarracynte,
Of Goddis Servise Neuere sche stynte.
and putteth vs into More memorye;
For whanne that Iosephes hens scholde pase,
Nasciens And Celidoigne weren In that plase,
And Ek Narpus the sone of Celidoygne,
A ful worthy knyht In Certaygne.
and whanne this terement was I-do,
thanne Anon Celidoygne wente hem fro,
and sire Nasciens with Mordreyns lefte Sikerle
To beren hym Felischepe and Compeyne;
and so that Aftyr It happede, As I ȝow Say,
that Alle thre they deyden In On day,
bothe Nasciens and Flegentyne his wyf,
and Also Mordreins qwene there left hire lyf,
that Noble qwene Sarracynte,
Of Goddis Servise Neuere sche stynte.
Thus bothe the ladyes Enterid were
In that same Abbey with-Owten dwere
where As Mordrayns bedered lay;
bothe weren they Enterid In On day.
but Nasciens liked not there for to be,
but to Anothir Abbey was born Sekerle;
and with him was born that Scheld
that non knyht ne dorste be-weld;
and ȝit Cam thedyr ful Many A knyht
For that scheld there to proven his Myht;
but Abowtes his Nekke henge it neuere Man
but Er he thens wente Repented than,
that Owther Of sodeyn deth they deiden Anon,
Owther som Othir Mischevis fyl hem vppon,
that with-Inne Schort tyme I-Maymed they were,
Owther som Othir Misaventure to hem Cam there.
and thus In that Abbey lefte theke scheld stille
tyl that worthy knyht Cam, As was goddis wille,
That hyghte worthy Galaaz, Lawncelottes sone,
That Abowtes his Nekke henge it Anone.
In that same Abbey with-Owten dwere
where As Mordrayns bedered lay;
bothe weren they Enterid In On day.
but Nasciens liked not there for to be,
but to Anothir Abbey was born Sekerle;
and with him was born that Scheld
that non knyht ne dorste be-weld;
and ȝit Cam thedyr ful Many A knyht
For that scheld there to proven his Myht;
but Abowtes his Nekke henge it neuere Man
342
that Owther Of sodeyn deth they deiden Anon,
Owther som Othir Mischevis fyl hem vppon,
that with-Inne Schort tyme I-Maymed they were,
Owther som Othir Misaventure to hem Cam there.
and thus In that Abbey lefte theke scheld stille
tyl that worthy knyht Cam, As was goddis wille,
That hyghte worthy Galaaz, Lawncelottes sone,
That Abowtes his Nekke henge it Anone.
Now Of this scheld Resteth this Storye,
and Aȝen to Celydoygne doth it hye.
and Aȝen to Celydoygne doth it hye.
Whanne Celydoygne from his Fadyr partyd was,
he took forth Narpus his Sone A ful gret pas,
and to-gedris wenten I Compeneye
Into that lond ful certaynlye
that toforen kyng Mordreins him hadde betake;
and there Narpus his sone A knyht gan he Make;
and dwelled there xij ȝer In pes and Reste,
And that Lond wel Governede with the best,
So that non Regne that by hym was,
dorste with hym werre In Non plas.
he took forth Narpus his Sone A ful gret pas,
and to-gedris wenten I Compeneye
Into that lond ful certaynlye
that toforen kyng Mordreins him hadde betake;
and there Narpus his sone A knyht gan he Make;
and dwelled there xij ȝer In pes and Reste,
And that Lond wel Governede with the best,
So that non Regne that by hym was,
dorste with hym werre In Non plas.
he lovede God ful Enterly,
and mochel Almesdede ded he trewly;
For so gret Of Almesse he was
that to peple wolde he ȝeven In Every plas;
and so ful he was Of Almesdede
that he wolde Stynten In non stede;
thowgh Al the world hadde ben his,
to Almesse it scholde han gon I-wys.
and mochel Almesdede ded he trewly;
For so gret Of Almesse he was
that to peple wolde he ȝeven In Every plas;
and so ful he was Of Almesdede
that he wolde Stynten In non stede;
thowgh Al the world hadde ben his,
to Almesse it scholde han gon I-wys.
And so Mochel he knew Of Astronomye
and ek Of the Corps of þe sterris sekerlye,
So that he knew what scholde beFalle;
And so that Amonges Othir thinges Alle,
As the sterres he beheld, I ȝow Ensure,
þere say he A wondyr Aventure;
For there Sawhe he sekerly and In Certaigne
a famyne that Schold fallen In gret Bretaygne;
So that for hunger men Scholden deye
but ȝif it were Remedyed be Other weye.
and ek Of the Corps of þe sterris sekerlye,
So that he knew what scholde beFalle;
And so that Amonges Othir thinges Alle,
As the sterres he beheld, I ȝow Ensure,
þere say he A wondyr Aventure;
343
a famyne that Schold fallen In gret Bretaygne;
So that for hunger men Scholden deye
but ȝif it were Remedyed be Other weye.
Thanne spak he to his Styward Anon,
and bad ful faste that he schulde gon
and taken his tresour, where so it were,
& Al abowtes the Contre to Serchen there,
there-with Cornes To beyen, and faste him spede.
“Sire, quod his Steward, it Nys non nede,
For Of Cornes ȝe haven, Sire, gret plente,
More thanne be ȝoure howshold spendid schal be
Of Ony tymes this two ȝer;
Of Cornes ȝe haven both hol & feer.”
“Sire steward, what is that the vntylle
Go forth, and My wyl þou fulfille!
For it Is My Wylle that It be so;
therfore the hye that It were do.”
thanne wente the steward forth Anon
that Al the kynges Comaundement were don;
and bowhte In Cornes bothe fer & Ny,
and stuffed that lond ful plentevowsly.
and bad ful faste that he schulde gon
and taken his tresour, where so it were,
& Al abowtes the Contre to Serchen there,
there-with Cornes To beyen, and faste him spede.
“Sire, quod his Steward, it Nys non nede,
For Of Cornes ȝe haven, Sire, gret plente,
More thanne be ȝoure howshold spendid schal be
Of Ony tymes this two ȝer;
Of Cornes ȝe haven both hol & feer.”
“Sire steward, what is that the vntylle
Go forth, and My wyl þou fulfille!
For it Is My Wylle that It be so;
therfore the hye that It were do.”
thanne wente the steward forth Anon
that Al the kynges Comaundement were don;
and bowhte In Cornes bothe fer & Ny,
and stuffed that lond ful plentevowsly.
Of this dede the kyng hadde don,
the peple þer-offen spoken Manyon,
and seiden “for hunger the kyng weneth deye,
and thus they him scorned be many weye.
but Atte laste Foles weren they fownde,
and he A wisman In that stownde;
For er theke ȝer Cam to an Ende,
Swich famyne In to gret Breteygne gan wende,
that half the peple Gan forto deye
For hunger and Misseise sekerlye.
the peple þer-offen spoken Manyon,
and seiden “for hunger the kyng weneth deye,
and thus they him scorned be many weye.
but Atte laste Foles weren they fownde,
and he A wisman In that stownde;
For er theke ȝer Cam to an Ende,
Swich famyne In to gret Breteygne gan wende,
that half the peple Gan forto deye
For hunger and Misseise sekerlye.
thanne to hem kam Message Anon,
and seide, “lordynges, ȝif ȝe wil gon
Into that partye of gret Bretaygne
whiche that holdeth kyng Celydoygne;
there scholen ȝe fynden ful gret plente
Of Cornes And Of viawndes ful sekerle.”
and seide, “lordynges, ȝif ȝe wil gon
Into that partye of gret Bretaygne
whiche that holdeth kyng Celydoygne;
344
Of Cornes And Of viawndes ful sekerle.”
And whanne they herden this tydyng,
Anon they wenten hem to Conseillyng
To weten what was best to doon;
And thus sone they Acordid Anon
Into that Rem Alle forto Ryde
with strengthe Of Armes and mochel pryde,
and that lond forto distroye,
& bothe Men, wommen & Children to Anoye,
and Alle the goodes In that Contre;
this was here purpos ful Sikirle.
and thus to schepe gonne they gon
with hors and harneys Everychon.
Anon they wenten hem to Conseillyng
To weten what was best to doon;
And thus sone they Acordid Anon
Into that Rem Alle forto Ryde
with strengthe Of Armes and mochel pryde,
and that lond forto distroye,
& bothe Men, wommen & Children to Anoye,
and Alle the goodes In that Contre;
this was here purpos ful Sikirle.
and thus to schepe gonne they gon
with hors and harneys Everychon.
and thike same Nyht with-Owten dwere
that In to the See I-scheped they were,
Celydoigne On the sterres gan to beholde,
and Sawhe there Merveilles Manifolde:
that there Comen Into his lond
with hors and harneys, as I vndyrstond,
Forto disherite hym Of his good.
but As grace was, he hym with-stood,
and sente Abowtes In to eche Contre
To Alle his Barouns both fer and Nye,
And Ek to Alle his knyhtes Also
that Ony Lond Of hym helden tho,
that the thrydde day they scholden be
with hym Atte A Castel vppon the se,
where that he Supposede In Certayn
that tho Schepis Scholde Aryve ful pleyn.
that In to the See I-scheped they were,
Celydoigne On the sterres gan to beholde,
and Sawhe there Merveilles Manifolde:
that there Comen Into his lond
with hors and harneys, as I vndyrstond,
Forto disherite hym Of his good.
but As grace was, he hym with-stood,
and sente Abowtes In to eche Contre
To Alle his Barouns both fer and Nye,
And Ek to Alle his knyhtes Also
that Ony Lond Of hym helden tho,
that the thrydde day they scholden be
with hym Atte A Castel vppon the se,
where that he Supposede In Certayn
that tho Schepis Scholde Aryve ful pleyn.
thanne sore Merveilled these Barowns Echon,
what that the kyng wolde there don,
So that they hieden him faste In hye
Tyl to that Castel they Comen trewelye
vppon the secund day Er þe Owr of pryme,
and ȝit was Celidoygne there to fore tyme.
what that the kyng wolde there don,
So that they hieden him faste In hye
Tyl to that Castel they Comen trewelye
vppon the secund day Er þe Owr of pryme,
and ȝit was Celidoygne there to fore tyme.
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Whanne that Alle Assembled they were,
thanne seide kyng Celidoygne to hem there,
“Lordinges, vndirstonde ȝe Owht
why so sone ȝe hider ben browht?”
“Nay, Syker, Lord, with-Owten lye
We ne knowen wherfore ne whye,
But ȝif It lyke ȝow vs to seye;
and there-Offen, Sire, we scholen ȝow preye.”
“and I schal tellen Ryht Anon to ȝow
thyng that schal tornen to ȝoure prow.
thanne seide kyng Celidoygne to hem there,
“Lordinges, vndirstonde ȝe Owht
why so sone ȝe hider ben browht?”
“Nay, Syker, Lord, with-Owten lye
We ne knowen wherfore ne whye,
But ȝif It lyke ȝow vs to seye;
and there-Offen, Sire, we scholen ȝow preye.”
“and I schal tellen Ryht Anon to ȝow
thyng that schal tornen to ȝoure prow.
“this same Nyht Atte ferst kok Crowe
Moche peple scholen ȝe sen vppon A rowe,
And Al so strong As they Mown gon
here scholen they Aryven Everichon.
and weteth wel that In Certayn,
Oure londis they Casten to wasten ful pleyn,
For they han foure men Aȝens Oure On;
þerfore bethenk ȝow what ȝe wyl don.
Owthir scholen we þis tyme Oure Rem wynne,
Owthir ellis clene þere from to twynne.”
Moche peple scholen ȝe sen vppon A rowe,
And Al so strong As they Mown gon
here scholen they Aryven Everichon.
and weteth wel that In Certayn,
Oure londis they Casten to wasten ful pleyn,
For they han foure men Aȝens Oure On;
þerfore bethenk ȝow what ȝe wyl don.
Owthir scholen we þis tyme Oure Rem wynne,
Owthir ellis clene þere from to twynne.”
whanne Narpus that knew non thyng of this,
Anon he seyde with-Owten Mys,
And to his Fadyr he seide Ryht there,
“Of this thing haue ȝe non Fere.
here to-Foren there is A Forest
Ful hygh and strong with the best,
and þedyr In Armure scholen we Entren Echon,
Al so sone As Nyht Cometh vs vppon,
and there Alle we scholen Abyde
tyl they Aryven this Ilke tyde;
For I knowe wel ful verrayly
that they wele londen ful Sekerly,
And Also vnschepen Al here good
that they haven In the salte flood,
As thowgh nothing that they wyste
Of Owre Abydyng: to me ȝe Tryste.
and whanne from here Schepis that they ben gon,
vppon hem we scholen Entren Anon,
On partye to-fore, & Anothyr behynde,
and from here Schepis we scholen hem blynde;
and whanne thus sodeynly we Comen hem vppon,
they scholen not weten what to don.”
Anon he seyde with-Owten Mys,
And to his Fadyr he seide Ryht there,
“Of this thing haue ȝe non Fere.
here to-Foren there is A Forest
Ful hygh and strong with the best,
and þedyr In Armure scholen we Entren Echon,
Al so sone As Nyht Cometh vs vppon,
and there Alle we scholen Abyde
tyl they Aryven this Ilke tyde;
For I knowe wel ful verrayly
that they wele londen ful Sekerly,
And Also vnschepen Al here good
that they haven In the salte flood,
As thowgh nothing that they wyste
Of Owre Abydyng: to me ȝe Tryste.
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vppon hem we scholen Entren Anon,
On partye to-fore, & Anothyr behynde,
and from here Schepis we scholen hem blynde;
and whanne thus sodeynly we Comen hem vppon,
they scholen not weten what to don.”
To this Cownseil they Concentyd Alle,
and seiden that betere It myht not falle,
and that Otherwise it Myhte not be
Forto be Avenged Of that Meyne.
So that whanne It Cam to the Nyht,
they wenten to Armes Every wyht,
And Entreden In to thike Forest,
Alle the Baronage bothe lest & Mest,
and leften but fewe In that Castel,
that forto Governen wondirly wel.
and seiden that betere It myht not falle,
and that Otherwise it Myhte not be
Forto be Avenged Of that Meyne.
So that whanne It Cam to the Nyht,
they wenten to Armes Every wyht,
And Entreden In to thike Forest,
Alle the Baronage bothe lest & Mest,
and leften but fewe In that Castel,
that forto Governen wondirly wel.
thanne Anon, Aftyr the ferst kok krowe,
these schepis Aryvede vppon A Rowe;
and whanne Owt Of here schepis that thei weren gon,
Into a faire Medwe they Entred Anon,
And Comanded here Men, I ȝow Ensure,
Forto don bringen hem here Armure;
and whanne that they with-Inne the Forest
thowhten whanne here tyme was best,
they prekeden here hors with gret Ire
As swyft As Sparkle Owt Of fyre;
bothe with lawnce and Ek with swerd,
that ilke Meyne they Maden Aferd.
and whanne they wolde han torned Ageyn
streith to here Schepis In Certeyn;
thanne Metten they with A nothir Meyne
That they Weren not War Offen Sykerle;
So that with Scharpe dyntes Inowe,
that hedis & hondis Into that feld flowe.
thanne to the Castel wolde they han gon,
For Owt they wenden han ben Echon;
thanne Entrede þere-Owt A gret Rowte,
and that Meyne fyl Al Abowte.
and therto the Mone schon ful bryht,
that they myhte knowe Eche wyht;
so þat on hem Of Sessoigne fil the scomfiture,
For vnarmed they weren, & no thing sure,
and so sore Abasched Also they were,
that Echon weren they Slayn there.
these schepis Aryvede vppon A Rowe;
and whanne Owt Of here schepis that thei weren gon,
Into a faire Medwe they Entred Anon,
And Comanded here Men, I ȝow Ensure,
Forto don bringen hem here Armure;
and whanne that they with-Inne the Forest
thowhten whanne here tyme was best,
they prekeden here hors with gret Ire
As swyft As Sparkle Owt Of fyre;
bothe with lawnce and Ek with swerd,
that ilke Meyne they Maden Aferd.
and whanne they wolde han torned Ageyn
streith to here Schepis In Certeyn;
thanne Metten they with A nothir Meyne
That they Weren not War Offen Sykerle;
So that with Scharpe dyntes Inowe,
that hedis & hondis Into that feld flowe.
thanne to the Castel wolde they han gon,
For Owt they wenden han ben Echon;
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and that Meyne fyl Al Abowte.
and therto the Mone schon ful bryht,
that they myhte knowe Eche wyht;
so þat on hem Of Sessoigne fil the scomfiture,
For vnarmed they weren, & no thing sure,
and so sore Abasched Also they were,
that Echon weren they Slayn there.
And thus savede Celidoygne his lond
be tweyne skelis, ȝe Mown vndirstond,
bothe from famyne & Ek his Enemyes,
thus his lond there savede he twyes.
and whanne that he was ded, God it wot,
he was beried and Entered At kamalot.
be tweyne skelis, ȝe Mown vndirstond,
bothe from famyne & Ek his Enemyes,
thus his lond there savede he twyes.
and whanne that he was ded, God it wot,
he was beried and Entered At kamalot.
and Aftyr hym was Crowned kyng
his Sone Narpus, with-Owten lesyng.
whiche Same Narpus A son he hadde,
That Nasciens, be cristeneng Clepen he badde;
that In his tyme was A worthy Man,
For A bettyr body non Man knew than.
his Sone Narpus, with-Owten lesyng.
whiche Same Narpus A son he hadde,
That Nasciens, be cristeneng Clepen he badde;
that In his tyme was A worthy Man,
For A bettyr body non Man knew than.
and Of this Nasciens there Cam Isswe
A worthy Body bothe good and trewe
wheche that was clepid Elayne the Gros,
A ful worthy Man and Of gret los.
and ȝif that his fadyr A good Man were,
ȝit bettere was he, As I Can lere;
For moche levere he hadde ded to be,
that Ony thing to mysplesen God sekerle.
A worthy Body bothe good and trewe
wheche that was clepid Elayne the Gros,
A ful worthy Man and Of gret los.
and ȝif that his fadyr A good Man were,
ȝit bettere was he, As I Can lere;
For moche levere he hadde ded to be,
that Ony thing to mysplesen God sekerle.
thanne Of this Eleyns decendid A kyng
that Isaies hyhte with-Owten lesyng,
that worschepede his God In Alle degre,
and for non thing neuere wroth sekerle.
that Isaies hyhte with-Owten lesyng,
that worschepede his God In Alle degre,
and for non thing neuere wroth sekerle.
the Fyfthe kyng, that of Isaies decended than,
hyhte Ionas, That was ryht A worthy Man;
and therto he was An hardy knyht,
and ful Of prowesse in Eche fyht;
and holy Chirche he worschepede ay,
With Al his Myht and strengthe Evereich a day.
thanne Owt of gret Breteygne he gan to gone,
and Into wales he wente thus sone,
and wedded the kynges dowhter dere
that hyhte Maroniex with-Owten dwere;
On whom he be-gat the kyng Avme,
that kyng of wales was Sikerle.
hyhte Ionas, That was ryht A worthy Man;
and therto he was An hardy knyht,
and ful Of prowesse in Eche fyht;
348
With Al his Myht and strengthe Evereich a day.
thanne Owt of gret Breteygne he gan to gone,
and Into wales he wente thus sone,
and wedded the kynges dowhter dere
that hyhte Maroniex with-Owten dwere;
On whom he be-gat the kyng Avme,
that kyng of wales was Sikerle.
and this kyng Avme longe lyved there,
and þere A sone he hadde, As ȝe scholen here,
whiche that lawncelot was his Name,
A worthy knyht and Of gret Fame,
that Owt Of wales he gan to Gon,
and Entrede Into gret breteygne thus son;
and weddid A kynges dowhter Of Irlonde,
As I do ȝow to vndirstonde.
this lawncelot hadde Al his fadris good,
and was A Man Of ful gret Mood,
and tweyne sones he hadde that kynges were,
and þerto ful dowhty with-Owten dwere,
the ton hihte baun, the oþer brons hyhte,
& boþe weren Men Of ful gret Myhte.
and þere A sone he hadde, As ȝe scholen here,
whiche that lawncelot was his Name,
A worthy knyht and Of gret Fame,
that Owt Of wales he gan to Gon,
and Entrede Into gret breteygne thus son;
and weddid A kynges dowhter Of Irlonde,
As I do ȝow to vndirstonde.
this lawncelot hadde Al his fadris good,
and was A Man Of ful gret Mood,
and tweyne sones he hadde that kynges were,
and þerto ful dowhty with-Owten dwere,
the ton hihte baun, the oþer brons hyhte,
& boþe weren Men Of ful gret Myhte.
This bans Of Baynoic thre sones hadde,
as In storye here it is I-Radde,
where-offen On A bastard was,
hos Name it scheweth In this plas;
And hestor that Bastard hyhte,
that Aftyr was Man Of gret Myhte;
the tothir, Lawncelot was his Name;
the thridde hyhte Boors, two men of fame.
as In storye here it is I-Radde,
where-offen On A bastard was,
hos Name it scheweth In this plas;
And hestor that Bastard hyhte,
that Aftyr was Man Of gret Myhte;
the tothir, Lawncelot was his Name;
the thridde hyhte Boors, two men of fame.
this Boors Aftyr was A worthy kyng,
and hadde twey sones both fair and ȝyng;
the ton, Lyoniax was Clepid ful Ryht,
the tothir, ȝonge Boors, Aftyr A man of Myht.
but Lawncelot, that was the graunt fadyr of Ban,
Of him Merveilles weren there than
whiche that Owhten not to ben forȝete,
but In Remembraunce It is put ȝite;
and I schal ȝow tellen with good wille
what was the Resown and the skylle.
and hadde twey sones both fair and ȝyng;
the ton, Lyoniax was Clepid ful Ryht,
the tothir, ȝonge Boors, Aftyr A man of Myht.
but Lawncelot, that was the graunt fadyr of Ban,
Of him Merveilles weren there than
349
but In Remembraunce It is put ȝite;
and I schal ȝow tellen with good wille
what was the Resown and the skylle.
This same man that lawncelot hyhte,
was A man of ful gret Myhte,
and not A bettere with Inne his Rem
that born was Of Ony barntem.
was A man of ful gret Myhte,
and not A bettere with Inne his Rem
that born was Of Ony barntem.
besides the Cyte there he Abod,
A ful fair Castel besides there stood;
where-Inne A lady dwellede In Certeyne
that was weddid to A Cosyn germeyne
to Selidoygne that worthy kyng,
he was Cosyn with-Owten lesyng;
And the fairest lady forsothe sche was
Of Al grete Bretaygne In Ony plas;
And therto sche was the beste womman
that Ony wyht Owher knew than,
and þerto Of hygh lyf, and Of good,
and Also benygne Of herte & Mood;
and Alwey hire tresses behinden hire was dyht,
that weren schineng As torche lyht;
For that myhte sche not hyden In non wyse,
It schon so bryht As thing of pryse;
And euere was this lady ful Of Bownte,
and worschepede god In Eche degre;
So that fore hire bownte desired lawncelot
to knowen that lady, As I wel wot;
and so Often tymes hire he wente to se,
And this storye here telles Me;
And for that ladyes gret goodnesse
ful Often tymes he gan thedir prese.
A ful fair Castel besides there stood;
where-Inne A lady dwellede In Certeyne
that was weddid to A Cosyn germeyne
to Selidoygne that worthy kyng,
he was Cosyn with-Owten lesyng;
And the fairest lady forsothe sche was
Of Al grete Bretaygne In Ony plas;
And therto sche was the beste womman
that Ony wyht Owher knew than,
and þerto Of hygh lyf, and Of good,
and Also benygne Of herte & Mood;
and Alwey hire tresses behinden hire was dyht,
that weren schineng As torche lyht;
For that myhte sche not hyden In non wyse,
It schon so bryht As thing of pryse;
And euere was this lady ful Of Bownte,
and worschepede god In Eche degre;
So that fore hire bownte desired lawncelot
to knowen that lady, As I wel wot;
and so Often tymes hire he wente to se,
And this storye here telles Me;
And for that ladyes gret goodnesse
ful Often tymes he gan thedir prese.
This lawncelot loved this lady ful hot,
and she hym Aȝen, so god It wot,
And Eche Often wenten the tothir to se;
& as Encombred peple ful Sekerle
that Syen the Cowntenaunce Of hem tweyne,
vppon hem falsly demede Certaygne,
that with the devel Acombred were,
On hem they lyeden falsly there;
and seyden þat the kyng lovede that lady hot,
and sche him In folye, kyng lawncelot.
and so long they spoken Of this thing,
So that it Cam to hire lordis hering:
thanne seide to hym On of his bretheren dere,
Sire, let vs Ones Conseillen In fere,
For sothe ȝe ne werke not worth Also
That suffren kyng LaWncelot thus to do;
that he scholde don ȝow swich velonye,
ȝowre wyf to loven In lecherye;
and forto don ȝow swich dishonowr,
Owther ȝow velonye to Awayten In Ony Owre;
and ȝif it belonged to me, be my lyve
On hym scholde I ben venged as blyve.”
and she hym Aȝen, so god It wot,
And Eche Often wenten the tothir to se;
& as Encombred peple ful Sekerle
350
vppon hem falsly demede Certaygne,
that with the devel Acombred were,
On hem they lyeden falsly there;
and seyden þat the kyng lovede that lady hot,
and sche him In folye, kyng lawncelot.
and so long they spoken Of this thing,
So that it Cam to hire lordis hering:
thanne seide to hym On of his bretheren dere,
Sire, let vs Ones Conseillen In fere,
For sothe ȝe ne werke not worth Also
That suffren kyng LaWncelot thus to do;
that he scholde don ȝow swich velonye,
ȝowre wyf to loven In lecherye;
and forto don ȝow swich dishonowr,
Owther ȝow velonye to Awayten In Ony Owre;
and ȝif it belonged to me, be my lyve
On hym scholde I ben venged as blyve.”
“Now Certes, quod this goodman tho,
I Merveille Sore. And it scholde be so
that the kyng Ony velonye scholde wayten Me,
Owther Ony schame In Ony degre,
I wolde ben Avenged ful vtterly
vppon his body ful venvageblely.”
“Now Mown ȝe schese whethir ȝe wilen Avenged be,
For As ȝow I haue told, it is ful sekerle.”
Thanne quod this dewk to hym Ageyn,
“On hym schal I ben venged In certeyn
Al so sone As that I may
Tyme and space haue Ony day.”
I Merveille Sore. And it scholde be so
that the kyng Ony velonye scholde wayten Me,
Owther Ony schame In Ony degre,
I wolde ben Avenged ful vtterly
vppon his body ful venvageblely.”
“Now Mown ȝe schese whethir ȝe wilen Avenged be,
For As ȝow I haue told, it is ful sekerle.”
Thanne quod this dewk to hym Ageyn,
“On hym schal I ben venged In certeyn
Al so sone As that I may
Tyme and space haue Ony day.”
thus here wordis leften they tho,
and Eche from Othir departyd þanne fro.
and this thing happede In the Mydlent,
and Ek passioun tyme was Entred verament,
Also the tyme Of Pask Entrede ful Ny.
thanne Cam Often this kyng trewly
To this lady there that sche was,
And Ellis wente þis goode lady to his plas;
For they ne loveden In non Synne,
Ne non swich vnclennesse was hem betwynne;
But for the grete delyt that they hadden bothe,
Al Of Goddis Servise to talken for-sothe,
that wondir gret Merveil it was to wyt,
how so gretly boþe there-Inne gonne delyt.
and Eche from Othir departyd þanne fro.
and this thing happede In the Mydlent,
and Ek passioun tyme was Entred verament,
Also the tyme Of Pask Entrede ful Ny.
thanne Cam Often this kyng trewly
351
And Ellis wente þis goode lady to his plas;
For they ne loveden In non Synne,
Ne non swich vnclennesse was hem betwynne;
But for the grete delyt that they hadden bothe,
Al Of Goddis Servise to talken for-sothe,
that wondir gret Merveil it was to wyt,
how so gretly boþe there-Inne gonne delyt.
So that it happed it befyl On goode fryday,
that the kyng Into þe forest Perylouse took þe way,
and Barefoot wente for goddis Sake
whiche that daye for hym deth gan take;
and wente to heren Servise At that tyde,
Of An holy Ermyt there besyde,
and hym Self but the thridde persone
that In that forest wenten Al Alone,
that the kyng Into þe forest Perylouse took þe way,
and Barefoot wente for goddis Sake
whiche that daye for hym deth gan take;
and wente to heren Servise At that tyde,
Of An holy Ermyt there besyde,
and hym Self but the thridde persone
that In that forest wenten Al Alone,
whanne the kyng to thermytage was Trewely
he And his tweyne felawes In Compenie,
the dewk hym aspyde Anon,
And On hym thowhte to ben venged wel son
Of that fal[s] Felonye that he thowhte
that with Cursidnesse Into his herte was browhte.
he And his tweyne felawes In Compenie,
the dewk hym aspyde Anon,
And On hym thowhte to ben venged wel son
Of that fal[s] Felonye that he thowhte
that with Cursidnesse Into his herte was browhte.
It happede the kyng hadde herd his servise,
and worschepede his God In Many A wyse,
and Of that Ermyt took Confesciown,
& for his Synnes penaunce And Absoluciown,
and from thermytage he gan to Gon.
and worschepede his God In Many A wyse,
and Of that Ermyt took Confesciown,
& for his Synnes penaunce And Absoluciown,
and from thermytage he gan to Gon.
thus sone A gret thurst Cam hym vppon;
thanne tornede he Anon to A fowntaygne
that there besides was In Certaygne.
Anon down he Enclynede to the Brynkke
Of that Fayr water Forto drynkke,
and this dewk Cam hym be-hynde
As An vntrewe Man and vnkynde,
and with his swerd smot Of his hed,
that Into the welle it Fyl that Sted.
So whanne the hed In the welle he say,
hym thowhte he was wel I-venged that day,
and on the body More Avenged wolde he be;
Anon to the welle he gan to fle,
The hed Aȝen vpe forto han take;
But God Anon WroWhte Myracle For his Sake.
he putte his hond Anon Into the welle,
that hed vp to taken ful snelle,
and that water that Cold was before,
Anon brenneng hot it be-Cam thore,
and with grete walmes it boyllede so faste,
that the dewkes hondis it brende In haste
Er Owt Of the water he myhte hem have:
hym hadde ben bettere they hadden ben Save.
thanne tornede he Anon to A fowntaygne
that there besides was In Certaygne.
Anon down he Enclynede to the Brynkke
Of that Fayr water Forto drynkke,
and this dewk Cam hym be-hynde
As An vntrewe Man and vnkynde,
and with his swerd smot Of his hed,
that Into the welle it Fyl that Sted.
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hym thowhte he was wel I-venged that day,
and on the body More Avenged wolde he be;
Anon to the welle he gan to fle,
The hed Aȝen vpe forto han take;
But God Anon WroWhte Myracle For his Sake.
he putte his hond Anon Into the welle,
that hed vp to taken ful snelle,
and that water that Cold was before,
Anon brenneng hot it be-Cam thore,
and with grete walmes it boyllede so faste,
that the dewkes hondis it brende In haste
Er Owt Of the water he myhte hem have:
hym hadde ben bettere they hadden ben Save.
whanne he beheld this Miracle Anon,
thanne wiste he wel that he hadde Evel I-don;
and that god on him veniaunce hadde take,
For that he wrowht the kyng Swich wrake;
thanne seide he to hem that with hym were,
“let vs beryen this Body now here,
that non Man ne wete how I haue I-do,
how that I thus falsly the kyng dide slo.”
thanne wiste he wel that he hadde Evel I-don;
and that god on him veniaunce hadde take,
For that he wrowht the kyng Swich wrake;
thanne seide he to hem that with hym were,
“let vs beryen this Body now here,
that non Man ne wete how I haue I-do,
how that I thus falsly the kyng dide slo.”
whanne that they herden this Ilke thing,
thus sone they dyden his Byddyng;
and to-forn the Ermytage hym Beryed there,
As they Cowden Oþer Myhten with drery Chere;
and thanne towardis here Castel they gonne to gon.
thus sone with A ȝong Child Metten they Anon,
and to the dewk he seide with-Owten lettyng,
“Sire dewk, newe tydynges I do ȝow bryng,
whiche that ben harde and ful Merveillouse.
at ȝoure Castel there is Swich tenebrowse,
that No man there Other May se;
and this began at Mydday ful sekirle.”
thus sone they dyden his Byddyng;
and to-forn the Ermytage hym Beryed there,
As they Cowden Oþer Myhten with drery Chere;
and thanne towardis here Castel they gonne to gon.
thus sone with A ȝong Child Metten they Anon,
and to the dewk he seide with-Owten lettyng,
“Sire dewk, newe tydynges I do ȝow bryng,
whiche that ben harde and ful Merveillouse.
at ȝoure Castel there is Swich tenebrowse,
that No man there Other May se;
and this began at Mydday ful sekirle.”
whanne the kyng these tydynges gan here,
Anon he sorwede and qwook for fere.
“Certes,” quod he, “ful Evele haue I do,
that kyng Lawncelot thus dide I slo.”
thanne seide his Compenye to hym Anon,
“Sire, Into som Oþer partye so let vs gon.”
“Nay, Certes,” quod the dewk Anon tho,
“I wyle Gon And proven ȝif it be so.”
and whanne that he Cam to his Castel,
Alle this derknesse he Say ful wel;
and As sone as vnder the ȝate was he gon,
On hym there fyl a gret kernel of ston,
And Ouercovered hym bothe tope and to,
And Ek hem that to thyke Felonye Assented Also.
Anon he sorwede and qwook for fere.
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that kyng Lawncelot thus dide I slo.”
thanne seide his Compenye to hym Anon,
“Sire, Into som Oþer partye so let vs gon.”
“Nay, Certes,” quod the dewk Anon tho,
“I wyle Gon And proven ȝif it be so.”
and whanne that he Cam to his Castel,
Alle this derknesse he Say ful wel;
and As sone as vnder the ȝate was he gon,
On hym there fyl a gret kernel of ston,
And Ouercovered hym bothe tope and to,
And Ek hem that to thyke Felonye Assented Also.
Thus Owre lord venged kyng Lawncelot certayn,
that so falsly the dewk hadde slayn.
that so falsly the dewk hadde slayn.
and Evere stille boylled that welle
tyl worthy Galaaz Cam, As Aventure befelle,
and Mo Miracles God schewede there
For that worthy kyng so dere.
For whanne Over hym his tombe was Mad,
dropes of ful Red blood Owt It ȝald
Owt Of the tombe In theke same sted,
Eche day þe same Owr he smot Of his hed;
and of so gret vertw this Ilke blood was,
that there Cam Neuere knyht In to that plas,
thowgh he were wownded Neuere so sore,
and with that Blood towched hym thore,
that thus sone Anon hol scholde he be
Of Alle his wowndes ful Sekerle.
tyl worthy Galaaz Cam, As Aventure befelle,
and Mo Miracles God schewede there
For that worthy kyng so dere.
For whanne Over hym his tombe was Mad,
dropes of ful Red blood Owt It ȝald
Owt Of the tombe In theke same sted,
Eche day þe same Owr he smot Of his hed;
and of so gret vertw this Ilke blood was,
that there Cam Neuere knyht In to that plas,
thowgh he were wownded Neuere so sore,
and with that Blood towched hym thore,
that thus sone Anon hol scholde he be
Of Alle his wowndes ful Sekerle.
This Merveylle ful wyde Gan to sprynge,
Abowtes In the Contre As for A merveillous thinge.
thider Cam bothe knyht and Sqwer Anon,
bothe Riche and Powre, as they Myhten gon,
that weren wounded, Maymed and Alle Sore,
Anon here helthe hadden they thore.
Abowtes In the Contre As for A merveillous thinge.
thider Cam bothe knyht and Sqwer Anon,
bothe Riche and Powre, as they Myhten gon,
that weren wounded, Maymed and Alle Sore,
Anon here helthe hadden they thore.
So that it be-fyl vppon A day
aforn the same tombe, as I ȝow say,
A lyown An hert there gan chase,
and aforn the tombe down gan hym Rase,
that Folk that weren there faste by,
It behelden and Syen trewely,
how þat the hert he took and þere it Slowghe,
and On hym gan feden faste I-nowghe.
thus sone Cam Anothir wilde lyown there,
Enfamyned and hungrey not þat he were,
and wolde han had the tothir lyowns pray,
but he it nolde Suffren to be born Away,
but defended his viaunde wondir sore,
So that to-gederis they fowhten thore;
and ful longe durede this Melle
betwene the two lyowns Sikerle,
So what with here teeth and with here pawe,
Eche lyown hadde Nygh Other I-slawe,
So that Manye woundes they hadden bothe,
the leste hadde ten, I sey ȝow for sothe.
aforn the same tombe, as I ȝow say,
354
and aforn the tombe down gan hym Rase,
that Folk that weren there faste by,
It behelden and Syen trewely,
how þat the hert he took and þere it Slowghe,
and On hym gan feden faste I-nowghe.
thus sone Cam Anothir wilde lyown there,
Enfamyned and hungrey not þat he were,
and wolde han had the tothir lyowns pray,
but he it nolde Suffren to be born Away,
but defended his viaunde wondir sore,
So that to-gederis they fowhten thore;
and ful longe durede this Melle
betwene the two lyowns Sikerle,
So what with here teeth and with here pawe,
Eche lyown hadde Nygh Other I-slawe,
So that Manye woundes they hadden bothe,
the leste hadde ten, I sey ȝow for sothe.
and whanne they hadden thus long I-fowghte
that Nethir lyown of here lyf ne Rowghte,
the ferste lyown to the tombe gan go,—
and happede Abowtis Midday was it tho,—
and the tombe owt blood gan ȝelde;
thedir wente þis lyown As he myht hym welde,
and likked Of that blood Anon,
and þere-with towchede his wowndis Echon;
thanne thus sone as hol he was
As Evere to forn tyme In Ony plas.
that Nethir lyown of here lyf ne Rowghte,
the ferste lyown to the tombe gan go,—
and happede Abowtis Midday was it tho,—
and the tombe owt blood gan ȝelde;
thedir wente þis lyown As he myht hym welde,
and likked Of that blood Anon,
and þere-with towchede his wowndis Echon;
thanne thus sone as hol he was
As Evere to forn tyme In Ony plas.
and whanne the tothir beheld al this,
Anon thedir wente he with-Owten Mys,
and thus sone I-kevered was he
As hol as his felawe Sikerle,
So that betwixen hem was Reste and pes
Euerelastyng Aftyr with-Owten les.
the ton lyown Cowched him at his feet,
and the tothir atte the hed, nolde he not leet,
and kepten this tombe ful strongly,
So that Non knyht was so hardy—
thowgh they weren wownded—hele to fette,
that thyke two lyowns ne wolde hem lette;
and ȝif with strengthe Ony thedyr gonne gon,
that these lyowns hem wolde slen Anon,
For bothe be day and Ek be Nyht
they kepten that tombe, I ȝow plyht;
and whanne that forhungred that they were,
the Ton wente On purchas, þe toþer lefte there;
and thus these lyowns Gonnen On to take
Til the tyme that Cam Lawncelot de lake;
and that he there Slowgh hem bothe tweyne,
As to vs this Storye here Scheweth Certeyne.
Anon thedir wente he with-Owten Mys,
and thus sone I-kevered was he
As hol as his felawe Sikerle,
So that betwixen hem was Reste and pes
Euerelastyng Aftyr with-Owten les.
the ton lyown Cowched him at his feet,
and the tothir atte the hed, nolde he not leet,
355
So that Non knyht was so hardy—
thowgh they weren wownded—hele to fette,
that thyke two lyowns ne wolde hem lette;
and ȝif with strengthe Ony thedyr gonne gon,
that these lyowns hem wolde slen Anon,
For bothe be day and Ek be Nyht
they kepten that tombe, I ȝow plyht;
and whanne that forhungred that they were,
the Ton wente On purchas, þe toþer lefte there;
and thus these lyowns Gonnen On to take
Til the tyme that Cam Lawncelot de lake;
and that he there Slowgh hem bothe tweyne,
As to vs this Storye here Scheweth Certeyne.
Now Of Al this storie haue I mad An Ende
That Isswede Of Celidoyne; & now forþere to wende,
And Of Anothir Brawnch moste we be-Gynne,
Of the storye that we Clepen Prophet Merllyne
Wiche that Maister Robert Of Borrown,
Owt Of latyn it translated hol & Som,
Onlich Into the langage Of Frawnce
This storie he drowgh be Aventure and Chaunce,
And doth Merllyne Iusten with Sank Ryal;
For þe ton storie the tothir Medlyth withal,
After the settyng Of the forseid Robert,
That somtym it translated in Middilerd.
That Isswede Of Celidoyne; & now forþere to wende,
And Of Anothir Brawnch moste we be-Gynne,
Of the storye that we Clepen Prophet Merllyne
Wiche that Maister Robert Of Borrown,
Owt Of latyn it translated hol & Som,
Onlich Into the langage Of Frawnce
This storie he drowgh be Aventure and Chaunce,
And doth Merllyne Iusten with Sank Ryal;
For þe ton storie the tothir Medlyth withal,
After the settyng Of the forseid Robert,
That somtym it translated in Middilerd.
And I, As An vnkonneng Man treWely,
Into Englisch haue drawen this Story;
And thowgh that to ȝow not plesyng It be,
ȝit that ful Excused ȝe wolde hauen Me,
Of my neclegence and vnkonnenge
On Me to taken swich A thinge
Into Owre Modris tonge for to Endite,
The swettere to sowne to More and lyte;
And more Cler to ȝoure vndirstondyng
Thanne Owther Frensch Oþer latyn, to my sopposing;
And þerfore Atte the Ende Of this Storye
A pater noster ȝe wolden for me preye,
For me that herry Lonelich hyhte;
And greteth Oure lady ful Of Myhte;
Hertelich with An Ave that ȝe hire bede,
This processe the bettere I myhte procede,
And bringen this book to A Good Ende.
Into Englisch haue drawen this Story;
And thowgh that to ȝow not plesyng It be,
ȝit that ful Excused ȝe wolde hauen Me,
Of my neclegence and vnkonnenge
On Me to taken swich A thinge
Into Owre Modris tonge for to Endite,
The swettere to sowne to More and lyte;
And more Cler to ȝoure vndirstondyng
Thanne Owther Frensch Oþer latyn, to my sopposing;
356
A pater noster ȝe wolden for me preye,
For me that herry Lonelich hyhte;
And greteth Oure lady ful Of Myhte;
Hertelich with An Ave that ȝe hire bede,
This processe the bettere I myhte procede,
And bringen this book to A Good Ende.
Now therto Iesu Crist grace me sende;
And that an Ende there-Offen myhte be,
Now, goode lord, graunt me for Charyte.
And that an Ende there-Offen myhte be,
Now, goode lord, graunt me for Charyte.
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