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," |
 |
|
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. | CHAPTER XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
| XXXII. |
| XXXIII. |
| XXXIV. |
| XXXV. |
| XXXVI. |
| XXXVII. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XXXIX. |
| XL. |
| XLI. |
| XLII. |
| XLIII. |
| XLIV. |
| XLV. |
| XLVI. |
| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
| L. |
| LI. |
| LII. |
| LIII. |
| LIV. |
| LV. |
| LVI. |
 | CHAPTER XXIX. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
366
CHAPTER XXIX.
367
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 XXIX. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |