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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| XXXVII. | CHAPTER XXXVII. OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE TWO MESSENGERS AND THE DAMSEL; AND OF THEIR MEETING WITH MORDREYNS, NASCIENS, AND CELIDOYNE. |
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 | CHAPTER XXXVII. OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE TWO MESSENGERS AND THE DAMSEL; AND OF THEIR MEETING WITH MORDREYNS, NASCIENS, AND CELIDOYNE. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
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;
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and, lo, thoruhe his Miht, Aȝen to-Gederis weren they þere.
| CHAPTER XXXVII. OF THE TEMPTATIONS OF THE TWO MESSENGERS AND THE DAMSEL; AND OF THEIR MEETING WITH MORDREYNS, NASCIENS, AND CELIDOYNE. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |