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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| XLIII. | CHAPTER XLIII. OF DUKE GAANORT'S VISIONS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION. |
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 | CHAPTER XLIII. OF DUKE GAANORT'S VISIONS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER XLIII. OF DUKE GAANORT'S VISIONS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION.
134
Now tellith this storie furthermore
how dewk Gaanort to his bed went thore,
and Merveillede Gretly In his thowght
Of the wowndres that Celidoyne wrowht,
the wheche was Evere day be day:
thus thouhte þe dewk as he lay;
that so atte laste he fyl In slepynge,
and þer-Inne he fyl In a gret dremenge.
how dewk Gaanort to his bed went thore,
and Merveillede Gretly In his thowght
Of the wowndres that Celidoyne wrowht,
the wheche was Evere day be day:
thus thouhte þe dewk as he lay;
that so atte laste he fyl In slepynge,
and þer-Inne he fyl In a gret dremenge.
hym thowhte that a Cler water say he,
On þe fareste that myhte be,
whiche, gret wil he hadde to be-holde,
and þere-Onne loked manyfolde.
he say where that a peple gan gon,—
Alle white weren they Everichon,—
and forth alle gonnen they pase;
but he wist neuere Into what plase.
thanne aftir ȝit there say he More:
vppon Somme that weren thore,
decended Adown a foul gret Mist,
that Alle blak becomen they, wel he wyst,
and I-fylthed there Everichon,
al so manye as there gonne gon:
and the tothere chonged neuere here Colour
For non maner thing Of that stour.
and thanne beheld he atte laste
how the fylthed In to A blak valey paste,
where they were taken Everichon;
and þere Abyden, whethir they wolde oþer non,
And þe tothere Ouere the water they wente
bothe fair an Clene, with good Entente.
On þe fareste that myhte be,
whiche, gret wil he hadde to be-holde,
and þere-Onne loked manyfolde.
he say where that a peple gan gon,—
Alle white weren they Everichon,—
and forth alle gonnen they pase;
but he wist neuere Into what plase.
thanne aftir ȝit there say he More:
vppon Somme that weren thore,
decended Adown a foul gret Mist,
that Alle blak becomen they, wel he wyst,
and I-fylthed there Everichon,
al so manye as there gonne gon:
and the tothere chonged neuere here Colour
For non maner thing Of that stour.
and thanne beheld he atte laste
how the fylthed In to A blak valey paste,
where they were taken Everichon;
and þere Abyden, whethir they wolde oþer non,
And þe tothere Ouere the water they wente
bothe fair an Clene, with good Entente.
Al this say the dewk In his Slepyng,
where-Offen he Merveillede In his wakyng,
that Of al that Niht he myhte Slepen no more,
but lay stille, and On this Mater thowhte sore
that he Sawgh In Aviciown
to him was schewed be Relevaciown.
where-Offen he Merveillede In his wakyng,
135
but lay stille, and On this Mater thowhte sore
that he Sawgh In Aviciown
to him was schewed be Relevaciown.
vppon the Morwen, whanne it was day,
vp he Ros, and forth wente his way,
and Comanded there Ryht Anon
that alle the Maistres to-Forn hym scholde gon.
and whanne they weren Comen alle In fere,
Anon his Aviciown he told hem there,
and there-Offen wolde knowe þe signefiaunce,
what it betokened with-Owten variaunce.
and they Answerid him Ageyn
that they Cowden not tellen In Certein;
but of the Cristene Asken Scholen ȝe,
ȝif they Owht Connen it tellen sekerle.
vp he Ros, and forth wente his way,
and Comanded there Ryht Anon
that alle the Maistres to-Forn hym scholde gon.
and whanne they weren Comen alle In fere,
Anon his Aviciown he told hem there,
and there-Offen wolde knowe þe signefiaunce,
what it betokened with-Owten variaunce.
and they Answerid him Ageyn
that they Cowden not tellen In Certein;
but of the Cristene Asken Scholen ȝe,
ȝif they Owht Connen it tellen sekerle.
thus sone the Cristene weren Aftyr sent
to-forn the dewk to Comen present,
and so forth they Comen with good wille,
the dewkis Comandement to fulfille,
and Comen forth In Symple Aray
to-forn the peple that hem say,
and seten down vppon the grownde
atte the dewkes Fet that stownde.
thus sone the dewk told hem his dremeng,
where-Offen he preyde hem of alle Oþer thing
there-Offen to knowen the verite,
what Signefiaunce it Myhte be.
to-forn the dewk to Comen present,
and so forth they Comen with good wille,
the dewkis Comandement to fulfille,
and Comen forth In Symple Aray
to-forn the peple that hem say,
and seten down vppon the grownde
atte the dewkes Fet that stownde.
thus sone the dewk told hem his dremeng,
where-Offen he preyde hem of alle Oþer thing
there-Offen to knowen the verite,
what Signefiaunce it Myhte be.
Thanne dressed hym Josephes vp Anon,
and spak that they herden Everichon.
“Gaanort, dewk, I schal the Schewe
the Signeficaciouns vppon A rewe.”
“And I schal it Abyde, quod the dewk thanne,
and so schal here now Every Manne;
For I desire ful gretly here
the sothe so knowen al In fere.”
and spak that they herden Everichon.
“Gaanort, dewk, I schal the Schewe
the Signeficaciouns vppon A rewe.”
“And I schal it Abyde, quod the dewk thanne,
and so schal here now Every Manne;
For I desire ful gretly here
the sothe so knowen al In fere.”
136
Thanne torned hym Iosephs riht Anon
Toward his Compenye Everychon,
and seide to hem with-Owten lettynge,
“This Owhte for ȝow to ben Chastysinge;
And this belongeth to ȝow properly.
And wele ȝe sen, I schal tellen ȝow why,
how the flood that this dewk Say
In his slepyng As he lay,
Signefieth fulliche the Cristendom
that ȝe han taken Alle and Som,
wherethorwgh I-Clensed that ȝe be
From Alle Synnes and vylone.
For Al so sone as ȝe Cristened were,
Alle ȝoure Olde Synnes forsoken ȝe there:
and also I-puryfyed weren ȝe Clene
Of ȝowre Synnes Alle be-dene.
But sethen that we Owt of oure Contre gonne gon,
Into this Contre to Comen Everychon
that Oure lord hath behoten vs here,
To vs and to alle Oure lygne In fere;
but that On somme Of Owre partye
the dirknesse is fallen sekerlye,
wherethorwh ȝe be comen bothe fowl & blak,
and the fals Enemy of whom I to-fore spak
ȝow hath browht Into dedly Synne,
the wheche that ȝe be Ronnen Inne.
and the Synne whiche þat ȝe han do,
It is Riht fowl with-Owten Mo;
and that was Sene attë See
whanne that ȝe myhten not passen with Me,
wherfore that drede Owhte ȝe to have,
ȝif that ȝoure sowles scholen ben save.
Toward his Compenye Everychon,
and seide to hem with-Owten lettynge,
“This Owhte for ȝow to ben Chastysinge;
And this belongeth to ȝow properly.
And wele ȝe sen, I schal tellen ȝow why,
how the flood that this dewk Say
In his slepyng As he lay,
Signefieth fulliche the Cristendom
that ȝe han taken Alle and Som,
wherethorwgh I-Clensed that ȝe be
From Alle Synnes and vylone.
For Al so sone as ȝe Cristened were,
Alle ȝoure Olde Synnes forsoken ȝe there:
and also I-puryfyed weren ȝe Clene
Of ȝowre Synnes Alle be-dene.
But sethen that we Owt of oure Contre gonne gon,
Into this Contre to Comen Everychon
that Oure lord hath behoten vs here,
To vs and to alle Oure lygne In fere;
but that On somme Of Owre partye
the dirknesse is fallen sekerlye,
wherethorwh ȝe be comen bothe fowl & blak,
and the fals Enemy of whom I to-fore spak
ȝow hath browht Into dedly Synne,
the wheche that ȝe be Ronnen Inne.
and the Synne whiche þat ȝe han do,
It is Riht fowl with-Owten Mo;
and that was Sene attë See
whanne that ȝe myhten not passen with Me,
wherfore that drede Owhte ȝe to have,
ȝif that ȝoure sowles scholen ben save.
“This dirke valey, and this depe,
that this dewk say In his slepe,
sygnefieth with-Owten Ony more liknesse
the valey Of helle, where as is distresse;
whennes that neuere man schal pase,
and he be Entred, for þere is non grase.
In wheche valey somme leften there,
And somme forth pasten In fair Manere,
whiche that weren good men and trewe,
lyhtly they pasten vppon a Rewe.”
that this dewk say In his slepe,
sygnefieth with-Owten Ony more liknesse
the valey Of helle, where as is distresse;
137
and he be Entred, for þere is non grase.
In wheche valey somme leften there,
And somme forth pasten In fair Manere,
whiche that weren good men and trewe,
lyhtly they pasten vppon a Rewe.”
And whanne thus he hadde Ido,
thanne dewk Gaanort Axede he tho
how him thowhte be his Expowneng,
ȝif that it liked hym Ony thyng.
“Certes, quod the dewk thanne,
I holde ȝoure wordis as A trewe Manne;
And that ȝe han Seyd, it plesith Me,
how that Evere there-Offen it be.
For it doth ne more good trewely
thanne Ony thing that I haue herd Certeinly.”
thanne dewk Gaanort Axede he tho
how him thowhte be his Expowneng,
ȝif that it liked hym Ony thyng.
“Certes, quod the dewk thanne,
I holde ȝoure wordis as A trewe Manne;
And that ȝe han Seyd, it plesith Me,
how that Evere there-Offen it be.
For it doth ne more good trewely
thanne Ony thing that I haue herd Certeinly.”
Thanne spak the dewk to þe Maistres Anon
Of the Sarazines lawe Everychon;
And Seide, “lordynges, ȝe mosten here speke,
And vppon Celidoyne to ben Awreke
Of thike that þe Cristene don Calle
Marye, the virgine Modir of Alle-
Myhty God In-Maieste,
how swich A lord Iborn Myht be,
Mayden after, as sche was to fore,
Ere that hire child was Conceyved & bore.
Now wolde I sen to-forn me here
how ȝe konne beren ȝow In this Matere;
And the Cristene Confownded to be,
whiche that ful wel scholde plesen me.”
Of the Sarazines lawe Everychon;
And Seide, “lordynges, ȝe mosten here speke,
And vppon Celidoyne to ben Awreke
Of thike that þe Cristene don Calle
Marye, the virgine Modir of Alle-
Myhty God In-Maieste,
how swich A lord Iborn Myht be,
Mayden after, as sche was to fore,
Ere that hire child was Conceyved & bore.
Now wolde I sen to-forn me here
how ȝe konne beren ȝow In this Matere;
And the Cristene Confownded to be,
whiche that ful wel scholde plesen me.”
Whanne that thus he hadde Iseid,
thanne stirte vp A mayster In a breyd,—
the grettest Maister Of alle the lond
Of Phelosophie, as I vndirstond;—
and thus this Maister him vpe gan dresse
Towardis Iosephes, and gan to reherse.
thanne Iosephes to him seide there,
“Be War, Lucans, what thou seyst here,”
(For Lucans was the phelesophres Name,
Of Sarrazynes lawe A man of fame),
“loke thou make here non lesyng
On Marye, þe Modir Of hevene kyng.
and ȝif thou do now, In Certeyne
thou schalt Repenten In Every veyne
Er that thou part hens trewelye,
Amonges here Alle this Compenye.”
thanne stirte vp A mayster In a breyd,—
the grettest Maister Of alle the lond
Of Phelosophie, as I vndirstond;—
and thus this Maister him vpe gan dresse
Towardis Iosephes, and gan to reherse.
138
“Be War, Lucans, what thou seyst here,”
(For Lucans was the phelesophres Name,
Of Sarrazynes lawe A man of fame),
“loke thou make here non lesyng
On Marye, þe Modir Of hevene kyng.
and ȝif thou do now, In Certeyne
thou schalt Repenten In Every veyne
Er that thou part hens trewelye,
Amonges here Alle this Compenye.”
“I ne schal no thing Seyn, quod this lwcan,
but As Openly it is knowen to Every man;
For I telle the, Iosephes, ful Certeynly,
was neuere Child In wommannes body
with-Owten Mannes knowlechinge,
and gret peyne In the Berynge.”
but As Openly it is knowen to Every man;
For I telle the, Iosephes, ful Certeynly,
was neuere Child In wommannes body
with-Owten Mannes knowlechinge,
and gret peyne In the Berynge.”
“In the Name of God, quod Iosephes tho,
Now hast thou Mad A leseng Oþer two.
Now, that gloreous Mayde, specyaly I pray,
Aȝens whom thow hast witnessed this day,—
as verraylly as sche Maiden Is
To-forn and aftyr, with-Owten Mys,
And for Child beryng neuere defowlid was,
but Evere Clene virgine be Goddis gras,—
So as verrayly as sche clene virgine Is,
thow have non more power to speken Amys
Aȝens hire In non Manere degre,
and that þou hast seid, it sone mot be.”
Now hast thou Mad A leseng Oþer two.
Now, that gloreous Mayde, specyaly I pray,
Aȝens whom thow hast witnessed this day,—
as verraylly as sche Maiden Is
To-forn and aftyr, with-Owten Mys,
And for Child beryng neuere defowlid was,
but Evere Clene virgine be Goddis gras,—
So as verrayly as sche clene virgine Is,
thow have non more power to speken Amys
Aȝens hire In non Manere degre,
and that þou hast seid, it sone mot be.”
Anon as Iosephes this word hadde spoke,
this lucans Gan Roren In his throte,
and made therto þe fowlest Cryeng,
as thowh it hadde ben a develes belewyng;
and drowh Owt his tonge with hondis
that brende, him thowhte, as feres brondes,
and pulde it Owt Of his hed,
and Sethen fyl down there stark ded,
so that neuere Man Mihte Of him stere
hond, leg, ne foot, In non Manere.
this lucans Gan Roren In his throte,
and made therto þe fowlest Cryeng,
as thowh it hadde ben a develes belewyng;
and drowh Owt his tonge with hondis
that brende, him thowhte, as feres brondes,
and pulde it Owt Of his hed,
and Sethen fyl down there stark ded,
139
hond, leg, ne foot, In non Manere.
Whanne this dewk beheld this tho,
he ne wyste what to don for wo,
and myhte not Abyden his Orible Cry,
but Owt Of his paleys hadde hym trewely.
thanne to Iosephes spak he Anon,
“Maister, Aftir the now will I don,
For I ne wot what I May say
Of My Selven this Ilke day;
but ȝif thou me wilt tellen here
Of hire virginite In Alle Manere,
how that Clene virgine ȝe myhte be,
To-forn and Aftyr, In Alle degre—
and ȝif this þou Conne seyn with-Owten faille,
I wele Clene werken Aftyr thin Cownsaille.”
“Now, Certes, Sire, quod Iosephes tho,
this schal I the tellen Er that I go.
he ne wyste what to don for wo,
and myhte not Abyden his Orible Cry,
but Owt Of his paleys hadde hym trewely.
thanne to Iosephes spak he Anon,
“Maister, Aftir the now will I don,
For I ne wot what I May say
Of My Selven this Ilke day;
but ȝif thou me wilt tellen here
Of hire virginite In Alle Manere,
how that Clene virgine ȝe myhte be,
To-forn and Aftyr, In Alle degre—
and ȝif this þou Conne seyn with-Owten faille,
I wele Clene werken Aftyr thin Cownsaille.”
“Now, Certes, Sire, quod Iosephes tho,
this schal I the tellen Er that I go.
“whanne thow were A child here be-forn,
Thanne was I neyther begeten ne born,
Ne Sethen Aftyr that ful longe
that thou wondris Sye ful stronge,
whiche that Neuere thou dist discure
To non Creature, I the ensure;
For the grettest drede haddist þou tho
that Sethen thou haddest, oþer to or fro;
and ȝit it Is In thin Remembraunce
Of that Merveil and Of that Chaunce.”
Thanne was I neyther begeten ne born,
Ne Sethen Aftyr that ful longe
that thou wondris Sye ful stronge,
whiche that Neuere thou dist discure
To non Creature, I the ensure;
For the grettest drede haddist þou tho
that Sethen thou haddest, oþer to or fro;
and ȝit it Is In thin Remembraunce
Of that Merveil and Of that Chaunce.”
Aftyr this word Anon thanne
the Dewk gan lawhen On Every Manne.
thanne Iosephes Axede hym there
“Why lawhe ȝe, Sire, In swich Manere?”
“I lawhe, quod this dewk, Certeinly,
For þat ȝe maken fables so Openly,
and seyn that I Abasched was,
which I nas nevere In non plas.
but, Iosephes, ȝe maken a fable here,
that ȝe sein thyke tyme born ȝe nere;
a-forn ȝoure birthe to knowen Certeinle,
this wolde I weten how this myhte be.”
the Dewk gan lawhen On Every Manne.
thanne Iosephes Axede hym there
“Why lawhe ȝe, Sire, In swich Manere?”
“I lawhe, quod this dewk, Certeinly,
For þat ȝe maken fables so Openly,
and seyn that I Abasched was,
which I nas nevere In non plas.
140
that ȝe sein thyke tyme born ȝe nere;
a-forn ȝoure birthe to knowen Certeinle,
this wolde I weten how this myhte be.”
“Now, Certein, Sire, quod Josephs tho,
Alle this thing May wel be do;
For he that Of Alle poyntes hath knowenge,
To me hath discouered this ylke thinge;
and but Of Alle thinges he were wis,
Elles Of konnenge hadde he not þe pris;
but Alle Maner thinges knoweth he,
that this hath discoveryd to Me.
and ȝit tolded (sic) thow it Neuere to non Man,
and ȝit to the tellen I it kan,
In Every poynt Ryht As it was,
Openly, Sire, now here In this plas.
Alle this thing May wel be do;
For he that Of Alle poyntes hath knowenge,
To me hath discouered this ylke thinge;
and but Of Alle thinges he were wis,
Elles Of konnenge hadde he not þe pris;
but Alle Maner thinges knoweth he,
that this hath discoveryd to Me.
and ȝit tolded (sic) thow it Neuere to non Man,
and ȝit to the tellen I it kan,
In Every poynt Ryht As it was,
Openly, Sire, now here In this plas.
“Ferst, Sire kyng, I schal tellen it the
That thou were boren In Galele,
And A pore herdeman thy fadir was;
And there keptest thou bestes In that plas.
Anon as thou were foure ȝeres Old,
Forto kepen the bestes he made þe bold,
So that it happed ones In the Monthe Of May,
as thou keptest thy bestes vppon A day
In A feld that was Clepyd Tarsis,—
and vppon a tewsday it was I-wis—
that vndir A Roser thou wentest there
To schonen the hete In alle Manere.
And whanne there-vndir I-set thou were,
A fair flowr-delys Sye thow there,
Ful hy and ful fayr Abowtes the;
For swich Anothir dist thou neuere se.
And whanne thou haddest beholden it longe,
from that there Cam A Roser ful stronge,—
thus thowhte the there In this Syht,—
As on tre Owt Of Anothir scholde Alyht.
This Roser hadde Mani Roses vppon,
but of Bewte was there Neuere On;
and faste thou gonne to beholde
why so fowle they weren in Every folde.
thanne Semed the that Owt of the delys,
A rose Owt sprang Of Riht gret pris,
that Alle the tothere Roses Over spredde,
and down to the Erthe there hem ledde,
and fillen Alle down pore and Anoyows,
thus thowhte þe, vndir that Rose so gloryows.
That thou were boren In Galele,
And A pore herdeman thy fadir was;
And there keptest thou bestes In that plas.
Anon as thou were foure ȝeres Old,
Forto kepen the bestes he made þe bold,
So that it happed ones In the Monthe Of May,
as thou keptest thy bestes vppon A day
In A feld that was Clepyd Tarsis,—
and vppon a tewsday it was I-wis—
that vndir A Roser thou wentest there
To schonen the hete In alle Manere.
And whanne there-vndir I-set thou were,
A fair flowr-delys Sye thow there,
Ful hy and ful fayr Abowtes the;
For swich Anothir dist thou neuere se.
And whanne thou haddest beholden it longe,
from that there Cam A Roser ful stronge,—
thus thowhte the there In this Syht,—
As on tre Owt Of Anothir scholde Alyht.
141
but of Bewte was there Neuere On;
and faste thou gonne to beholde
why so fowle they weren in Every folde.
thanne Semed the that Owt of the delys,
A rose Owt sprang Of Riht gret pris,
that Alle the tothere Roses Over spredde,
and down to the Erthe there hem ledde,
and fillen Alle down pore and Anoyows,
thus thowhte þe, vndir that Rose so gloryows.
“And whanne Alle they weren fallen Adown,
That non lefte there Abydyng In-virown,
thanne Sye thou On that isswed Owt there,
the fairest Rose that Evere Sye thou Ere,
And Most Merveillous there to Syht,
the wheche Rose þere Abod .ix. dayes Owtriht,
and Everich day it Grew ful Sore,
bothe Fairere and grettere, More & More:
That so gret Merveille Of non flowr
haddest thou Neuere to-forn that Owr,
For Swich A Rose sie thow neuere Er
In non Contre nether Ny ne Fer.
And Every day thider gonne thou gon
that Rose to beholden Anon,
That nethir beste ne non Othir thing
To that faire Rose scholde don hyndreng:
this wost thou wel, Sire, now, Everydel
that I the telle, thou knowest ful wel.
and Evere As Clos that Rose it was
As Any botown In ony plas;
And here-Offen Abasched wondirly thou were
That it Nevere Opened I non Manere.
so that it behapped vppon A day
As thow thon there vndir that Roser lay,
Of A wilde swyn thow were wondid sore
thoruh thin hype, that thou were ny lore;
and so syk thou were, swich was thy gras,
that Remeven thou ne Mihtest Owt of þat plas.
And whanne it was Abowtes Midday,
that Rose beheldest þou as thou þere lay,
and thou sye that Moche Reddere it was,
be an hundred fold than Ony In that plas,
and Grettere and largere it was also
thanne An hundred of þe toþere, as þe thouhte tho.
and thus as thou haddest here-Of Merveyllyng,
thou beheldest Owt Of that Rose Goyng
A Certein thing, what so It was;
but thou Nistest nowht be non Cas.
but I telle the nowe in Alle degre,
the forme Of A man it hadde sekerle;
And ȝit the Rose Openede neuere the More,
but al Clos and Ioynt Evere was it thore,
bothe to-forn and Aftir Also:
this knowest thou wel that it dide do.
and whanne the fegure þat there-Owt gan gon,
A whyle vppon the Erthe went Alon,
thus sone Cam forth a ful gret serpent
that him wolde han devoured verament.
Neuertheless ȝit to-gederis they fowhte
so þat þe serpent was slayn and brouht to nowhte;
and thanne Anon to þe flowres he Ran
that weren so fowle & fallen than;
hem he took vpe thanne Everychon,
and with hym bar þereforth Anon.
That non lefte there Abydyng In-virown,
thanne Sye thou On that isswed Owt there,
the fairest Rose that Evere Sye thou Ere,
And Most Merveillous there to Syht,
the wheche Rose þere Abod .ix. dayes Owtriht,
and Everich day it Grew ful Sore,
bothe Fairere and grettere, More & More:
That so gret Merveille Of non flowr
haddest thou Neuere to-forn that Owr,
For Swich A Rose sie thow neuere Er
In non Contre nether Ny ne Fer.
And Every day thider gonne thou gon
that Rose to beholden Anon,
That nethir beste ne non Othir thing
To that faire Rose scholde don hyndreng:
this wost thou wel, Sire, now, Everydel
that I the telle, thou knowest ful wel.
and Evere As Clos that Rose it was
As Any botown In ony plas;
And here-Offen Abasched wondirly thou were
That it Nevere Opened I non Manere.
so that it behapped vppon A day
As thow thon there vndir that Roser lay,
Of A wilde swyn thow were wondid sore
thoruh thin hype, that thou were ny lore;
142
that Remeven thou ne Mihtest Owt of þat plas.
And whanne it was Abowtes Midday,
that Rose beheldest þou as thou þere lay,
and thou sye that Moche Reddere it was,
be an hundred fold than Ony In that plas,
and Grettere and largere it was also
thanne An hundred of þe toþere, as þe thouhte tho.
and thus as thou haddest here-Of Merveyllyng,
thou beheldest Owt Of that Rose Goyng
A Certein thing, what so It was;
but thou Nistest nowht be non Cas.
but I telle the nowe in Alle degre,
the forme Of A man it hadde sekerle;
And ȝit the Rose Openede neuere the More,
but al Clos and Ioynt Evere was it thore,
bothe to-forn and Aftir Also:
this knowest thou wel that it dide do.
and whanne the fegure þat there-Owt gan gon,
A whyle vppon the Erthe went Alon,
thus sone Cam forth a ful gret serpent
that him wolde han devoured verament.
Neuertheless ȝit to-gederis they fowhte
so þat þe serpent was slayn and brouht to nowhte;
and thanne Anon to þe flowres he Ran
that weren so fowle & fallen than;
hem he took vpe thanne Everychon,
and with hym bar þereforth Anon.
And whanne Alle this haddist þou seyn,
vppon thyn wounde haddest þou non Mende Certeyn,
but vpe thou Ryse, and bethowhtest the
Whethir it were soth Oþer vanite.
thanne gonne thou forth forto gon
to beholde that faire Rose Anon,
For to sen what were þere with-Inne,
and Er woldest thou for Nothing blynne.
So wentest thou forth to that Roser,
and Anon therto thou kneledist ther,
and kystest that Rose ful Swetely;
thanne thus sone Al hol were thou sekerly,
And Of thy wownde feltest þou non deseyse,
so Mochel that Roser gan the plese,
an fulfild þou were Of so gret swetnesse,
So that neuere Erthly man More ne lasse
hadde neuere, the thowhte, so gret plente
Of Swich swetnesse In non degre.
vppon thyn wounde haddest þou non Mende Certeyn,
but vpe thou Ryse, and bethowhtest the
Whethir it were soth Oþer vanite.
thanne gonne thou forth forto gon
to beholde that faire Rose Anon,
For to sen what were þere with-Inne,
143
So wentest thou forth to that Roser,
and Anon therto thou kneledist ther,
and kystest that Rose ful Swetely;
thanne thus sone Al hol were thou sekerly,
And Of thy wownde feltest þou non deseyse,
so Mochel that Roser gan the plese,
an fulfild þou were Of so gret swetnesse,
So that neuere Erthly man More ne lasse
hadde neuere, the thowhte, so gret plente
Of Swich swetnesse In non degre.
thanne In thin hond took thou this Rose,
and be thy power woldest it vnclose;
but Anon to-forn the decended there
A man as thowgh it were In flawmes Of fere;
And sodeynly to-forn the, As thou thowht,
this Man from hevene to the was browht,
and to the Seyde there ful Openly,
that the signefiaunce there-Of trewly
Ne scholdest thou not knowen be non chawnce,
For thou were not Of his Creaunce;
And so Of this word Abascht sore þou were
that In to this day þou nost what to don for fere.
and be thy power woldest it vnclose;
but Anon to-forn the decended there
A man as thowgh it were In flawmes Of fere;
And sodeynly to-forn the, As thou thowht,
this Man from hevene to the was browht,
and to the Seyde there ful Openly,
that the signefiaunce there-Of trewly
Ne scholdest thou not knowen be non chawnce,
For thou were not Of his Creaunce;
And so Of this word Abascht sore þou were
that In to this day þou nost what to don for fere.
“Now have I the told Every word,
as I trowe thou wilt to Me Acord,
what thou didest at the Age Of fyve ȝer
In that Contre whiles thou were ther.”
as I trowe thou wilt to Me Acord,
what thou didest at the Age Of fyve ȝer
In that Contre whiles thou were ther.”
And whanne the dewk these wordes gan here,
how Iosephes hadde seyd In swich Manere,
Anon Of his place be gan down to gon
Amonges his Meyne þere Everichon,
And knelid Adown vppon his kne,
and seide, “goddis Mynestre, worscheped þou be.
Now knowe I wel, that Every word
It is ful trewe þat thou hast me told;
Now wot I wel that thou Art he,
the wisest man Of this world ful sekerle.
Now, for thike lord that thou levest vppon,
So telle me þe signefiaunce Of Everichon:
For Certes Of Alle worldly thing
So mochel to knowen have I desireng;
therfore, sire, now preye I the,
So tellen me þeroffen the verite.”
how Iosephes hadde seyd In swich Manere,
Anon Of his place be gan down to gon
Amonges his Meyne þere Everichon,
And knelid Adown vppon his kne,
and seide, “goddis Mynestre, worscheped þou be.
Now knowe I wel, that Every word
It is ful trewe þat thou hast me told;
Now wot I wel that thou Art he,
144
Now, for thike lord that thou levest vppon,
So telle me þe signefiaunce Of Everichon:
For Certes Of Alle worldly thing
So mochel to knowen have I desireng;
therfore, sire, now preye I the,
So tellen me þeroffen the verite.”
“Dewk Gaanort, quod Iosephes tho,
I schal the telle Er that I go;
but be war Of that I schal tellen the;
but thow it worschepe In Alle degre,
wete thou Riht wel with-Owten More
that þou the schalt Repenten ful sore,
Sorrere thanne Evere didest þou Of Ony thing;
but thou now worschepe here myn seyeng.
I schal the telle Er that I go;
but be war Of that I schal tellen the;
but thow it worschepe In Alle degre,
wete thou Riht wel with-Owten More
that þou the schalt Repenten ful sore,
Sorrere thanne Evere didest þou Of Ony thing;
but thou now worschepe here myn seyeng.
“Herkene now, and I schal the Say
the signefiawnce, this Ilke day,
bothe Of the flowr delys and the Roser:
Of Al these thinges I schal tellen the her.
the signefiawnce, this Ilke day,
bothe Of the flowr delys and the Roser:
Of Al these thinges I schal tellen the her.
“The delys that to-foren the Roser thou sye,
It signefyeth Eve, oure form Modir, sekerlye,
that Of Al this world was the begynneng,
and Of Oure lyne the ferste forth bryngeng;
and thoruh the synne that there don was
In Paradys, that delitable plas,
wherby Alle Synne and wrechednesse
vs and Ek Owre hath browht In distresse.
thanne Cam there A dew from hevene Adown
and watered that Roser Al In-virown;
For there as the delis, be Inobedience
Fyl In Synne, and dide gret Offence;—
be the Roses vndirstonde schalt þou here
the holy prophetes that to-fore Crist were,
that Comen Alle Of Oure ferste Rote,
whiche was Eve, as I the behote,
that Into helle they wenten Echon
After here dethes, ful gret won.
For they weren fowle & vnclene,
and for synne thider wente, wel myhtest þou wene.
It signefyeth Eve, oure form Modir, sekerlye,
that Of Al this world was the begynneng,
and Of Oure lyne the ferste forth bryngeng;
and thoruh the synne that there don was
In Paradys, that delitable plas,
wherby Alle Synne and wrechednesse
vs and Ek Owre hath browht In distresse.
thanne Cam there A dew from hevene Adown
and watered that Roser Al In-virown;
For there as the delis, be Inobedience
Fyl In Synne, and dide gret Offence;—
be the Roses vndirstonde schalt þou here
the holy prophetes that to-fore Crist were,
that Comen Alle Of Oure ferste Rote,
whiche was Eve, as I the behote,
145
After here dethes, ful gret won.
For they weren fowle & vnclene,
and for synne thider wente, wel myhtest þou wene.
& be the Roser, vndirstonden schalt thou
the world Only, as I telle the now;
to wheche Roser men gon ful faste
the flowres to pullen In gret hast.
So fareth this world with-Owten More
to hem that to hit Enclyne so sore:
the world to hem it is so delytable,
they connen not it leven with-Owten Fable;
þerfore to helle they fallen Adown,
alle swich peple In-virown
that hem delyten In wor[l]dly thinges here,
and hevenely thinges leven In Alle Manere,
and forsaken hevenlych heritage,
& to worldly thinges hem take, boþe lord and page.
wel Mown they for folis Itold be,
and vnwitty & Madde, ful sekerle,
that leveth to taken A precious ston,
and Amongis the swyn to putten it Anon:
for More they loven wrechchednesse
Thanne hevenely thing, Oþer Ony goodnesse.
the world Only, as I telle the now;
to wheche Roser men gon ful faste
the flowres to pullen In gret hast.
So fareth this world with-Owten More
to hem that to hit Enclyne so sore:
the world to hem it is so delytable,
they connen not it leven with-Owten Fable;
þerfore to helle they fallen Adown,
alle swich peple In-virown
that hem delyten In wor[l]dly thinges here,
and hevenely thinges leven In Alle Manere,
and forsaken hevenlych heritage,
& to worldly thinges hem take, boþe lord and page.
wel Mown they for folis Itold be,
and vnwitty & Madde, ful sekerle,
that leveth to taken A precious ston,
and Amongis the swyn to putten it Anon:
for More they loven wrechchednesse
Thanne hevenely thing, Oþer Ony goodnesse.
“Be the Roses that fillen adown,
thou schalt vndirstonden Al & Som,—
tho that fillen down Of that Rosere,
that So feble and Anentisched were:—
For prophetes and good Men thou it take,
That mochel good diden for goddis sake,
that, thorugh synne of Oure ferst modir here,
To helle they wenten alle In fere
aftyr here deth and departysown,
and stille Abyden there In that presown
Tyl that the flowr Of Alle floures
Gan Owt to springe for Owre socours;
the wheche is Oure lady seint Marye,
that is virgyne and Maiden ful trewelye,
and Of Alle wommen hath moste Bownte.
where-thorwh, sire, As I telle it the,
that God In þat virgine dide Alyhte
as sonne that schineth thorwgh glas so bryht;
and hire virginite neuere put Away,
and so Owte he wente, the sothe to say.
And Evere is this hire virgynyte
As Clos as þe Rose In Eche degre,
that so As sotely Owt he wente
as þat be Entred by his Owne Entente;
so at the byrthe as clene virgine sche was
as At hire Conceyveng, thorwh goddis gras;
and thus Evere aftyr and to-fore,
Clene virgine for Evere Abod sche thore,
lyk As the Rose that thou there sye,
Evere Clos On the Roser with thin Eye.
thou schalt vndirstonden Al & Som,—
tho that fillen down Of that Rosere,
that So feble and Anentisched were:—
For prophetes and good Men thou it take,
That mochel good diden for goddis sake,
that, thorugh synne of Oure ferst modir here,
To helle they wenten alle In fere
aftyr here deth and departysown,
and stille Abyden there In that presown
Tyl that the flowr Of Alle floures
Gan Owt to springe for Owre socours;
146
that is virgyne and Maiden ful trewelye,
and Of Alle wommen hath moste Bownte.
where-thorwh, sire, As I telle it the,
that God In þat virgine dide Alyhte
as sonne that schineth thorwgh glas so bryht;
and hire virginite neuere put Away,
and so Owte he wente, the sothe to say.
And Evere is this hire virgynyte
As Clos as þe Rose In Eche degre,
that so As sotely Owt he wente
as þat be Entred by his Owne Entente;
so at the byrthe as clene virgine sche was
as At hire Conceyveng, thorwh goddis gras;
and thus Evere aftyr and to-fore,
Clene virgine for Evere Abod sche thore,
lyk As the Rose that thou there sye,
Evere Clos On the Roser with thin Eye.
“Whanne Into this Erthe that he was bore—
as thou sye owt of þat Rose Isswen thore—
thanne dwelled he here, kyng Of kynges,
and In xxxij wynter dide Many thinges;
and so longe abod he here
In povert and In gret Misere,
so that the Enemy supposede wel
A dedly Man he hadde ben Everidel;
and thryes he gan hym forto Asaye
be diuers weyes In On daye;
but Evere he fond hym so hard & Clene
that he ne wyste what he dyde mene.
thanne whanne he say he Cowde not spede,
Thanne On the Crois Crist Suffred dede;
there wende he hym forto han Gete,
but his pray there dide he forlete:
For In as Moche as God he was,
he Ros Aȝen thorwgh his Owne Gras,
and wente to that fowle presown,
and deliuered his frendis Everichon.
This was he that thou Sye verraylye
Owt of the Rose Isswen to-fore thyn Eye;
and fawht with that fowle Serpent,
wiche was þe fals Enemy verament,
and ladde his frendes to hevene blisse.
Lo, the Signeficaciown of þat Rose it isse.
as thou sye owt of þat Rose Isswen thore—
thanne dwelled he here, kyng Of kynges,
and In xxxij wynter dide Many thinges;
and so longe abod he here
In povert and In gret Misere,
so that the Enemy supposede wel
A dedly Man he hadde ben Everidel;
and thryes he gan hym forto Asaye
be diuers weyes In On daye;
but Evere he fond hym so hard & Clene
that he ne wyste what he dyde mene.
thanne whanne he say he Cowde not spede,
Thanne On the Crois Crist Suffred dede;
there wende he hym forto han Gete,
but his pray there dide he forlete:
For In as Moche as God he was,
he Ros Aȝen thorwgh his Owne Gras,
147
and deliuered his frendis Everichon.
This was he that thou Sye verraylye
Owt of the Rose Isswen to-fore thyn Eye;
and fawht with that fowle Serpent,
wiche was þe fals Enemy verament,
and ladde his frendes to hevene blisse.
Lo, the Signeficaciown of þat Rose it isse.
“Oþer ellis vnderstonde thou Myht here,
that god, þe serpent Ouercam In þis Manere
be his deth vppon the Croys ful ryht,
thus Ouercam he the devel Owtryht.
For be that deth he hym Ouercam,
and purchaced lif to Every Cristen Man.
that god, þe serpent Ouercam In þis Manere
be his deth vppon the Croys ful ryht,
thus Ouercam he the devel Owtryht.
For be that deth he hym Ouercam,
and purchaced lif to Every Cristen Man.
“And thus, In this Maner degre,
bor was Iesus Of Mare,
that Evere is, & was, a blessed virgine;
And Al Ioint & Clos In Al manere tyme
As was the Rose, I telle it the,
but Alle Oþer Opened ben Sekerle;
and Of this thing Mihtest þou ben Sure,
That Evere was sche virgine good & pure.
bor was Iesus Of Mare,
that Evere is, & was, a blessed virgine;
And Al Ioint & Clos In Al manere tyme
As was the Rose, I telle it the,
but Alle Oþer Opened ben Sekerle;
and Of this thing Mihtest þou ben Sure,
That Evere was sche virgine good & pure.
“This is the virgine, and thou wylt Wete,
That thou worschepedest Neuere ȝyte.
and wilt þou wyte why worschepen hire þou ne May?
For thou ne Art not ful waschen In Fay,
In the Swete flood, Owther In the wawe
that baptesme Is Clepid be the newe lawe.
Now haue I the told, dewk Gaanore,
Of that thou Axedest me to fore;
what I haue the seid now, telle þou Me,
how thou likest therby In Alle degre.”
That thou worschepedest Neuere ȝyte.
and wilt þou wyte why worschepen hire þou ne May?
For thou ne Art not ful waschen In Fay,
In the Swete flood, Owther In the wawe
that baptesme Is Clepid be the newe lawe.
Now haue I the told, dewk Gaanore,
Of that thou Axedest me to fore;
what I haue the seid now, telle þou Me,
how thou likest therby In Alle degre.”
| CHAPTER XLIII. OF DUKE GAANORT'S VISIONS AND THEIR INTERPRETATION. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |