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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| XXX. | CHAPTER XXX. |
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 | CHAPTER XXX. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
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
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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.”
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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,
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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 XXX. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |