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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| L. | CHAPTER L. OF JOSEPH'S FURTHER ADVENTURES; AND OF THE CRIMES OF CHANAAN AND SYMEN. |
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 | CHAPTER L. OF JOSEPH'S FURTHER ADVENTURES; AND OF THE CRIMES OF CHANAAN AND SYMEN. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER L. OF JOSEPH'S FURTHER ADVENTURES; AND OF THE CRIMES OF CHANAAN AND SYMEN.
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Thanne parted thens Iosephe Anon
Al so faste As he Cowude gon,
& In his Iorne forth wente sekerlye
there As he hopede to fynden his Compeny.
Al so faste As he Cowude gon,
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there As he hopede to fynden his Compeny.
And so As that it him happede so tho
thoruh the forest of Darnantes gan he go;
and whanne thens owt that he was past,
To A gret water he cam In hast,
the wheche was bothe depe and brod;
there fond he his felawes þat þere Abod,
and In non wise Mihten Over pase
til he was Comen, swich was here grace,
that there Rested hem Everichon
to Abyden som passage Over to gon.
thoruh the forest of Darnantes gan he go;
and whanne thens owt that he was past,
To A gret water he cam In hast,
the wheche was bothe depe and brod;
there fond he his felawes þat þere Abod,
and In non wise Mihten Over pase
til he was Comen, swich was here grace,
that there Rested hem Everichon
to Abyden som passage Over to gon.
and whanne that Iosephe they gonne to se,
til Mochel Ioye Maden that Compene,
and Aȝens him they wenten Everichon
Al so faste As they Cowde gon.
“A, sire Iosephe, welcome ȝe be!
vs behoueth Conseil to taken Of the
whether we scholen this water pase,
Owther Abyden here In this place,
for here is Nethir schype ne galeye
that we mown In gon feithfullye;
and this water so depe and perylows Is,
that we it ne doren taken I-wys,
and owre Maister the Bischope here
Abideth ȝowre Comeng with-owten dwere;
And now that ȝe be Comen vs to,
Alle We hopen the bettyr Ouer to go.”
til Mochel Ioye Maden that Compene,
and Aȝens him they wenten Everichon
Al so faste As they Cowde gon.
“A, sire Iosephe, welcome ȝe be!
vs behoueth Conseil to taken Of the
whether we scholen this water pase,
Owther Abyden here In this place,
for here is Nethir schype ne galeye
that we mown In gon feithfullye;
and this water so depe and perylows Is,
that we it ne doren taken I-wys,
and owre Maister the Bischope here
Abideth ȝowre Comeng with-owten dwere;
And now that ȝe be Comen vs to,
Alle We hopen the bettyr Ouer to go.”
“ȝe, quod Iosephe to hem thanne,
I schal ȝow Conseillen Every Manne
to knelen A-down vppon his kne,
and preie to that lord In Maieste,
In worschepe Of whom hedir we be gon,
that he vs socowr wolde senden son,
and schewen vs here som Tokenenge,
Ouer this water vs forto brynge.”
I schal ȝow Conseillen Every Manne
to knelen A-down vppon his kne,
and preie to that lord In Maieste,
In worschepe Of whom hedir we be gon,
that he vs socowr wolde senden son,
and schewen vs here som Tokenenge,
Ouer this water vs forto brynge.”
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Thanne thus Anon gonnen they do
As Iosephe there hadde tawht hem tho,
and þer Anon they knelede A-down,
And to God Maden here Orisown,
‘Over that water hem to bringe,
and þer-offen hem to sende som tokenenge.’
thus In here prei[er]es Abyden they there
from prime Into Midday Al In fere,
and Evere Abyden the sonde Of god Almyht.
So Atte laste hadden they An In syht,
that Owt of a lytel busch there beside,
Owt Syen they Comen At that tyde
A lytel hert that was snow whit,
a ful faire beste to here delyt,
& abowtes his Nekke A Chene Of goold,
and with him fowre lyowns gonnen they behold,
On be-hinde, Anothir him to-fore,
& on Eche side On, & so ladden him thore;
and as Cherly þe liowns this hert gonne kepe,
As the modir the Child lulleth On slepe.
thanne these bestes Aprochede hem Anon,
and thoruh the peple these liouns gonne gon,
with-Owten blemscheng Of Ony Man.
Anon there Iosephe thowhte than,
whanne the hert þe water say he take,
and the lyowns him folwed as hire Make,
thanne seide Iosephe to þe peple Anon
“Seweth ȝe me now Everychon,
And Alle Sawf scholen we be
that Ouer this watyr wile folowen Me.”
So that the water they Entred Anon,
and Alle Sawf Ouer gonne they gon,
Al so drye As vppon A Roche Of ston,
In so stedfast beleve the weren Echon.
thus pasten Alle that Compenye,
Except On ful Sekerlye,
thorwh verray grace and goddis powere,
Faire Al Ouer pasten they there.
As Iosephe there hadde tawht hem tho,
and þer Anon they knelede A-down,
And to God Maden here Orisown,
‘Over that water hem to bringe,
and þer-offen hem to sende som tokenenge.’
thus In here prei[er]es Abyden they there
from prime Into Midday Al In fere,
and Evere Abyden the sonde Of god Almyht.
So Atte laste hadden they An In syht,
that Owt of a lytel busch there beside,
Owt Syen they Comen At that tyde
A lytel hert that was snow whit,
a ful faire beste to here delyt,
& abowtes his Nekke A Chene Of goold,
and with him fowre lyowns gonnen they behold,
On be-hinde, Anothir him to-fore,
& on Eche side On, & so ladden him thore;
and as Cherly þe liowns this hert gonne kepe,
As the modir the Child lulleth On slepe.
thanne these bestes Aprochede hem Anon,
and thoruh the peple these liouns gonne gon,
with-Owten blemscheng Of Ony Man.
Anon there Iosephe thowhte than,
whanne the hert þe water say he take,
and the lyowns him folwed as hire Make,
thanne seide Iosephe to þe peple Anon
“Seweth ȝe me now Everychon,
And Alle Sawf scholen we be
that Ouer this watyr wile folowen Me.”
So that the water they Entred Anon,
and Alle Sawf Ouer gonne they gon,
Al so drye As vppon A Roche Of ston,
In so stedfast beleve the weren Echon.
thus pasten Alle that Compenye,
Except On ful Sekerlye,
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Faire Al Ouer pasten they there.
Thus pasten they that water Every Man,
Except On that hyhte Chanaan;
and this Canaan that was thore,
Of Ierusalem he was I-bore,
and twelve bretheren hadde he,
that with Iosep pasten sikerle.
and whanne Ouer that water they weren gon,
and parceyved þat here brothir thanne Anon
was beleft On the tothir syde,
thanne Mochel mone they maden þat tyde,
and to Iosephe thanne faste gonne they go,
and hertely besowhten Iosephe tho;
“a, goode sere, that ȝe wolden vs telle
how this Aventure here befelle,
that owre brothir is vs behinde;
how may this be, and be what kynde?”
Except On that hyhte Chanaan;
and this Canaan that was thore,
Of Ierusalem he was I-bore,
and twelve bretheren hadde he,
that with Iosep pasten sikerle.
and whanne Ouer that water they weren gon,
and parceyved þat here brothir thanne Anon
was beleft On the tothir syde,
thanne Mochel mone they maden þat tyde,
and to Iosephe thanne faste gonne they go,
and hertely besowhten Iosephe tho;
“a, goode sere, that ȝe wolden vs telle
how this Aventure here befelle,
that owre brothir is vs behinde;
how may this be, and be what kynde?”
“wele ȝe weten the skele why,”
quod Iosephe to hem Certeinly;
“alle discharged Of synne ȝe be,
and so nys not he ful sekerle;
wherfore hym behoueth to Abyden there,
for with vs myhte he not Comen In non Manere;
and ȝif he hadde, I-sonken scholde he;
therefore best for him is there to be;
For ful gilty doth he hym knowe,
that he ne myhte not passen forth in this Rowe.”
quod Iosephe to hem Certeinly;
“alle discharged Of synne ȝe be,
and so nys not he ful sekerle;
wherfore hym behoueth to Abyden there,
for with vs myhte he not Comen In non Manere;
and ȝif he hadde, I-sonken scholde he;
therefore best for him is there to be;
For ful gilty doth he hym knowe,
that he ne myhte not passen forth in this Rowe.”
Thanne gonne the bretheren to wepen Echon,
and to Iosephe they maden Mochel Mon;
“ha, goode Sire, how scholen we do,
that Oure brothir ne myhte Comen vs to,
for he is [t]here In stronge Contre,
and fer from his frendes sekerle;
and he socour hath he Ryht non,
A, goode Iosep, how scholen we don?
And þerto ful fer from his Contre;
and we his bretheren ben Sikerle,
for hym loven we ful Enterly
As the flesch and blood of Oure Owne body;
therfore, goode Iosephe, for Charite,
helpeth that Ouer comen weren he;
Oþer elles for sorwe we scholen deye
certeinly, Iosephe, and In feye,
ȝif that we gon owt of this Contre
but ȝif that he In Owre feleschepe be.”
and to Iosephe they maden Mochel Mon;
“ha, goode Sire, how scholen we do,
that Oure brothir ne myhte Comen vs to,
for he is [t]here In stronge Contre,
and fer from his frendes sekerle;
and he socour hath he Ryht non,
A, goode Iosep, how scholen we don?
244
and we his bretheren ben Sikerle,
for hym loven we ful Enterly
As the flesch and blood of Oure Owne body;
therfore, goode Iosephe, for Charite,
helpeth that Ouer comen weren he;
Oþer elles for sorwe we scholen deye
certeinly, Iosephe, and In feye,
ȝif that we gon owt of this Contre
but ȝif that he In Owre feleschepe be.”
Thanne thus wepinge Alle they preide,
and thus to Iosephe Alle they seide.
of hem Iosephe hadde gret pyte there,
For þat Alle good men they were;
and ful Of prowesse Ek therto,
whanne that Ony thing scholde be do.
thanne seide Iosephe ful Curteislye,
“for ȝoure love I schal it don trewelye;
and ȝit trowe I bettere that he were,
& that to vs he Come not here;
and be hym more Evel may Comen vs to;
Neuertheles ȝoure wylle ȝit wile I do.”
and thus to Iosephe Alle they seide.
of hem Iosephe hadde gret pyte there,
For þat Alle good men they were;
and ful Of prowesse Ek therto,
whanne that Ony thing scholde be do.
thanne seide Iosephe ful Curteislye,
“for ȝoure love I schal it don trewelye;
and ȝit trowe I bettere that he were,
& that to vs he Come not here;
and be hym more Evel may Comen vs to;
Neuertheles ȝoure wylle ȝit wile I do.”
So that to the water Iosephe Aȝen wente
forto fullen here Entente,
and vnto the water he gan to go,
to þe tothir side that he cam fro;
And thanne to Chanaan seide he,
“Now thin Owne levyng here myhtest þou se;
and ȝif In as good lif thou haddest I-be
As thy brethren Aren Sekerle,
thanne haddest þou not beleft here
Sekerly, Kanaam, In non Manere.”
forto fullen here Entente,
and vnto the water he gan to go,
to þe tothir side that he cam fro;
And thanne to Chanaan seide he,
“Now thin Owne levyng here myhtest þou se;
and ȝif In as good lif thou haddest I-be
As thy brethren Aren Sekerle,
thanne haddest þou not beleft here
Sekerly, Kanaam, In non Manere.”
thanne took him Iosephe be the hond,
and thus seide, As I vndirstond,
“Come On, Chanaam, and sewe thou me,
and sawf and seker schalt thou be.”
and whanne to the brinke they weren gon,
thanne to Iosephe he seide Anon,
“this watir it is bothe depe and blak,
I ne dar not þer-Onne gon with-Owten lak;
with-Owten A schipe other A galeye,
lest I scholde perschen, Iosephe, In feye.”
“Certes, quod Iosephe to him Ageyn,
It nis non wondyr In Certein
thowh þou In this water deidest here,
Sethen thou Trostest non bettere In Goddis powere;
Therfore here schal I leven now the,
and to thin bretheren gon wile I Aȝe;
and Merveille þe not thouh þou longe here Abyde,
for here mythest þou dwellen A long tyde,
til fischeres here Comen seiling be the,
þe Over to bringen ful Certeinle.”
Thus In this Maner Iosephe gan forth to pase,
And Chanaam lefte stille In that place.
and thus seide, As I vndirstond,
“Come On, Chanaam, and sewe thou me,
and sawf and seker schalt thou be.”
245
thanne to Iosephe he seide Anon,
“this watir it is bothe depe and blak,
I ne dar not þer-Onne gon with-Owten lak;
with-Owten A schipe other A galeye,
lest I scholde perschen, Iosephe, In feye.”
“Certes, quod Iosephe to him Ageyn,
It nis non wondyr In Certein
thowh þou In this water deidest here,
Sethen thou Trostest non bettere In Goddis powere;
Therfore here schal I leven now the,
and to thin bretheren gon wile I Aȝe;
and Merveille þe not thouh þou longe here Abyde,
for here mythest þou dwellen A long tyde,
til fischeres here Comen seiling be the,
þe Over to bringen ful Certeinle.”
Thus In this Maner Iosephe gan forth to pase,
And Chanaam lefte stille In that place.
whanne his bretheren behelden Iosephe ther,
and sein not here brothir In non Maner,
thanne grettere morneng gonne they make
thanne ony tyme to forn for hys sake;
but here morneng but lytel while did laste
Aftyr that Iosephe they conne taste,
So that with Inne A whille After, sone
A fyschere vppon that water gan gone;
and whanne that Chanaam Sawh hem ther,
Anon to hem he clepid from fer,
And preyde hem In to here schipe forto take
him, forto veryen ouer that lake;
So that Ouer that water he wente,
And with his Compenye Mette veramente.
and whanne his bretherin gonnen him beholde,
they Maden Ioye ful Many folde,
for they loveden him ful wel
as bretheren Owhte Everydel,
For him lovede they Al so dere
as bretheren Owhten to loven In fere.
and sein not here brothir In non Maner,
thanne grettere morneng gonne they make
thanne ony tyme to forn for hys sake;
but here morneng but lytel while did laste
Aftyr that Iosephe they conne taste,
So that with Inne A whille After, sone
A fyschere vppon that water gan gone;
and whanne that Chanaam Sawh hem ther,
Anon to hem he clepid from fer,
And preyde hem In to here schipe forto take
him, forto veryen ouer that lake;
So that Ouer that water he wente,
And with his Compenye Mette veramente.
and whanne his bretherin gonnen him beholde,
they Maden Ioye ful Many folde,
for they loveden him ful wel
as bretheren Owhte Everydel,
246
as bretheren Owhten to loven In fere.
whanne that Iosephe Chanaam gan se,
“Chanaam, he seide, welcome ȝe be!
Chanaam, I kan the tellen tydynge:
they that the hider dide brynge,
they weren so wykked In Alle degre
that Alle Goodnesse from hem doth fle,
and þerto so sorwefully ben they be-gon,
and that schalt þou sen here Anon;
For Alle I-persched they scholen be,
that Al this peple here schal se;
and that schal ben here Gwerdown,
for here Over bringeng with good resown;
for they ben paynemes Mescreauns,
therefore hem schal happen ful wondir chauns,
for they wrowhten Aȝens Goddis wille,
hider the to bringe, I sey the tylle;
and, for his Comandement that they han broke,
In strong presoun they scholen ben stoke;
and hem Alle Swelwen schal the see,
bothe schipe and Man ful Sekerle,
and that schalt thou sone beholde
ȝif it be soth that I the tolde.”
“Chanaam, he seide, welcome ȝe be!
Chanaam, I kan the tellen tydynge:
they that the hider dide brynge,
they weren so wykked In Alle degre
that Alle Goodnesse from hem doth fle,
and þerto so sorwefully ben they be-gon,
and that schalt þou sen here Anon;
For Alle I-persched they scholen be,
that Al this peple here schal se;
and that schal ben here Gwerdown,
for here Over bringeng with good resown;
for they ben paynemes Mescreauns,
therefore hem schal happen ful wondir chauns,
for they wrowhten Aȝens Goddis wille,
hider the to bringe, I sey the tylle;
and, for his Comandement that they han broke,
In strong presoun they scholen ben stoke;
and hem Alle Swelwen schal the see,
bothe schipe and Man ful Sekerle,
and that schalt thou sone beholde
ȝif it be soth that I the tolde.”
Whanne Iosephe hadde told hem þis tale,
þer be-gan sorwen with-Owten bale;
For so gret A wynd þere Ros Anon,
and Ouer that water it wente ful son,
and Made þer-Inne Manye A ful gret wawe,
so þat Ech Ouer Oþer gan Ouerthrawe,
and dreinte this vessel there Anon,
so þat persched they weren Echon,
that Alle Iosepis Meyne þere beheld
lik as he behyhte hem In that feld.
þer be-gan sorwen with-Owten bale;
For so gret A wynd þere Ros Anon,
and Ouer that water it wente ful son,
and Made þer-Inne Manye A ful gret wawe,
so þat Ech Ouer Oþer gan Ouerthrawe,
and dreinte this vessel there Anon,
so þat persched they weren Echon,
that Alle Iosepis Meyne þere beheld
lik as he behyhte hem In that feld.
Whanne they Alle this wondir hadde sein,
To Iosephe they Comen Anon Certein,
and seiden, “sere, what scholen we do?
Scholen we now Ony ferthere go,
Oþer scholen we stille Abyden here?
ȝe, Sire, and we Al In fere.”
“Into A forest scholen we pase,
and þere scholen we sen, be goddis grace,
In what place that Moys is Inne,
As I behyht ȝow Er that I blynne.”
“Sire, quod they, scholen we thanne se
Moys Owre brothir, where þat he be?”
“ȝe, quod Iosephe, that scholen ȝe
Mois here sen In Alle degre.”
To Iosephe they Comen Anon Certein,
247
Scholen we now Ony ferthere go,
Oþer scholen we stille Abyden here?
ȝe, Sire, and we Al In fere.”
“Into A forest scholen we pase,
and þere scholen we sen, be goddis grace,
In what place that Moys is Inne,
As I behyht ȝow Er that I blynne.”
“Sire, quod they, scholen we thanne se
Moys Owre brothir, where þat he be?”
“ȝe, quod Iosephe, that scholen ȝe
Mois here sen In Alle degre.”
Thanne from that place wenten they Anon,
and toward the forest of darmandes they gonne gon.
Thanne Aleyn, that Fyschere Clepid was,
and Bron and Peers In that plas,
and faste to Iosephe gonne they gon,
And þere to him seiden thus Son,
“Sire, telleth vs for Charite
what signefiaunce þat this May be,
Of this hert and fowre lyown
þat thus here wenten With-Owten distroctiouns.”
“Sires, quod Iosephe to hem thanne,
I schal ȝow tellen As þat I Canne:
It is Of God the signefiaunce,
that to his disciples wile maken demonstraunce
For ȝe that In Synne hauen be,
and forsaken It Certeinle,
and ben I-Comen to A newe kende;
what I schal now sein, take ȝe In Mende,
why that In An hert he gan him schewe;
vndirstondeth my Resouns vppon A rewe.
and toward the forest of darmandes they gonne gon.
Thanne Aleyn, that Fyschere Clepid was,
and Bron and Peers In that plas,
and faste to Iosephe gonne they gon,
And þere to him seiden thus Son,
“Sire, telleth vs for Charite
what signefiaunce þat this May be,
Of this hert and fowre lyown
þat thus here wenten With-Owten distroctiouns.”
“Sires, quod Iosephe to hem thanne,
I schal ȝow tellen As þat I Canne:
It is Of God the signefiaunce,
that to his disciples wile maken demonstraunce
For ȝe that In Synne hauen be,
and forsaken It Certeinle,
and ben I-Comen to A newe kende;
what I schal now sein, take ȝe In Mende,
why that In An hert he gan him schewe;
vndirstondeth my Resouns vppon A rewe.
“Of an hert, the kynde Evere It is,
From Age to ȝongthe to tornen I-wis:
Ryht so dyde Iesu Crist;
From deth Aros, As ȝe wel wyst,
that Is God and verray prophete,
that On the Cros his lyf dyde lete.
and be his whitnesse, vndirstondeth ȝe
his Modris and his virgynyte,
whiche non Of hem Entachched was
with non Maner Synne In non plas.
and be his Chayne vndirstondeth ȝe,
that signefieth hvmylyte.
From Age to ȝongthe to tornen I-wis:
Ryht so dyde Iesu Crist;
From deth Aros, As ȝe wel wyst,
248
that On the Cros his lyf dyde lete.
and be his whitnesse, vndirstondeth ȝe
his Modris and his virgynyte,
whiche non Of hem Entachched was
with non Maner Synne In non plas.
and be his Chayne vndirstondeth ȝe,
that signefieth hvmylyte.
“and be þe fowre bestes In his Compenye,
the fowre Evangelistes signefyen sekerlye,
that Alle his werkis wreten Echon,
and Of his blessid Miracles Manyon
that here Amonges vs wrowhte he,
As thowh A dedly man he hadde be.
the fowre Evangelistes signefyen sekerlye,
that Alle his werkis wreten Echon,
and Of his blessid Miracles Manyon
that here Amonges vs wrowhte he,
As thowh A dedly man he hadde be.
“Thus be the white hert vndirstonde ȝe
Crist In his holy virginite;
and be the fowre bestes Also
the fowre Evangely[st]es þat with him gonnen go,
that these Ouer this water Owre Condyt hath be,
As Openly here Alle Mown ȝe se.
and as blessedly As he aperith to vs here,
As Angerly schal he In Anothir Manere
To tweyne persones In tyme Comenge,
be Arthures day that schal be kynge.
and whiche two that they scholde be;
On schal ben lawncelot ful sekerle;
And the tothir, Mordret schal ben his Name,
that schal ben A man Of a wondirful fame;
And Into that tyme In Certein
In this Semblaunce Aperen will he not Ageyn.”
Crist In his holy virginite;
and be the fowre bestes Also
the fowre Evangely[st]es þat with him gonnen go,
that these Ouer this water Owre Condyt hath be,
As Openly here Alle Mown ȝe se.
and as blessedly As he aperith to vs here,
As Angerly schal he In Anothir Manere
To tweyne persones In tyme Comenge,
be Arthures day that schal be kynge.
and whiche two that they scholde be;
On schal ben lawncelot ful sekerle;
And the tothir, Mordret schal ben his Name,
that schal ben A man Of a wondirful fame;
And Into that tyme In Certein
In this Semblaunce Aperen will he not Ageyn.”
Thus As they wenten forth Talkynge,
Into þe forest of Darnauntes began hem brynge;
and whanne with-Inne that they hadden gon
The space Of two Miles there Anon,
and Iosephe that Algates wente to fore,
Into A weye he tornede thore,
and him they Seweden Everichon
Al so faste As they Cowde Gon,
Tyl they Comen In to A gret Valey
where As A gret hows syen they.
And Whanne they Comen to that Entre,
Al Open the gate þere fownden he;
but Nethir Man ne womman syen they non
that In wolden hem letten forto gon.
Into þe forest of Darnauntes began hem brynge;
and whanne with-Inne that they hadden gon
The space Of two Miles there Anon,
and Iosephe that Algates wente to fore,
Into A weye he tornede thore,
249
Al so faste As they Cowde Gon,
Tyl they Comen In to A gret Valey
where As A gret hows syen they.
And Whanne they Comen to that Entre,
Al Open the gate þere fownden he;
but Nethir Man ne womman syen they non
that In wolden hem letten forto gon.
thanne forth Iosephe Innere wente,
And Al his Compenye veramente,
And In to An halle he gan gon,
þere him they foleweden Everichon.
thanne A gret fyr syen they there,
that As briht brende And as Clere
thowh Alle the bussches þere In Erthe hadde be
vppon A fyr I-set ful Sekerle.
And Al his Compenye veramente,
And In to An halle he gan gon,
þere him they foleweden Everichon.
thanne A gret fyr syen they there,
that As briht brende And as Clere
thowh Alle the bussches þere In Erthe hadde be
vppon A fyr I-set ful Sekerle.
And whanne this fyr that they Sye,
Thanne Axeden þei Iosephe In hye
‘what myhte signefie that ilke fyre.’
thus sone A vois thanne gonnen they here,
and so lowde it gan to Crye
that Alle they it herden Sekerlye,
“holy fadyr Iosephe, Goddis knyht,
Fulfild with the Grace Of god Almyht,
that thou woldist Onlyche preyen for me
To that good lord In Maieste,
Myn Angwisch that he wolde Aslake,
whiche I Am more worthy to take;
but ȝit þat he wolde Of his Mercye
My peyne to Aleggen In som partye.”
and the voys þat there thus spak,
Owt Of þe fer it Cam with-Owten lak.
Thanne Axeden þei Iosephe In hye
‘what myhte signefie that ilke fyre.’
thus sone A vois thanne gonnen they here,
and so lowde it gan to Crye
that Alle they it herden Sekerlye,
“holy fadyr Iosephe, Goddis knyht,
Fulfild with the Grace Of god Almyht,
that thou woldist Onlyche preyen for me
To that good lord In Maieste,
Myn Angwisch that he wolde Aslake,
whiche I Am more worthy to take;
but ȝit þat he wolde Of his Mercye
My peyne to Aleggen In som partye.”
and the voys þat there thus spak,
Owt Of þe fer it Cam with-Owten lak.
thanne seide Iosephe, “fain wold I preye
ȝif I wiste my lord not forto Anoye.”
“A, quod the vois, In Alle wyse
For me þat ȝe wolde preien In ȝoure Gyse;
& be ȝoure preiere my peyne I-legged schal be,
thus troste I, Iosephe, Certeinle.
ȝif I wiste my lord not forto Anoye.”
“A, quod the vois, In Alle wyse
For me þat ȝe wolde preien In ȝoure Gyse;
250
thus troste I, Iosephe, Certeinle.
“Do me to wetene,” quod Iosephe Ageyn,
“whethir þou schole to blisse Oþer to peyn,
Owþer Evere Mercy that þou hopest to have
Of thy Creatour that may the Save.”
“I ne have not don so gret Trespas
that I ne hope to haue bothe Mercy and gras:
For his Mercy, so gret It is
to Alle tho that don Amys,
and they repenten hem of hir Misdede,
Anon to Mercy he wele hem lede.
but now knowe I wel that thilke same se
that I Inne sat be presomtweste,
It Is that same sege to mene
where as God to his disciples Made his Sene;
And I As A fals Synnere
And dedlich man wolde sitten there;
wherefore On Me God took veniaunce
for myn desir & myn Mischaunce,
how from the table þat I was left,
And with Ministres Of helle from ȝow Reft,
that streyht with hem I scholde han gon
Into here depe donioun Anon.
“whethir þou schole to blisse Oþer to peyn,
Owþer Evere Mercy that þou hopest to have
Of thy Creatour that may the Save.”
“I ne have not don so gret Trespas
that I ne hope to haue bothe Mercy and gras:
For his Mercy, so gret It is
to Alle tho that don Amys,
and they repenten hem of hir Misdede,
Anon to Mercy he wele hem lede.
but now knowe I wel that thilke same se
that I Inne sat be presomtweste,
It Is that same sege to mene
where as God to his disciples Made his Sene;
And I As A fals Synnere
And dedlich man wolde sitten there;
wherefore On Me God took veniaunce
for myn desir & myn Mischaunce,
how from the table þat I was left,
And with Ministres Of helle from ȝow Reft,
that streyht with hem I scholde han gon
Into here depe donioun Anon.
“And whanne they Comen Ouer this forest,
happede An holy man Is here be west,
An holy Ermyt, & A Religious,
As he walkede Owt Of his hous,—
and xxxij wynter Ermyt here hath he be,
A ful holy man In Alle degre.—
And whanne he sawh hem me so bere,
Anon hem Alle he Coniowrede there
so that here they leten Me falle,
so faste thermyt On hem gan Calle,
and seide, ‘leve ȝe this Man that ȝe here bere,
For Ouer him haven ȝe non powere;
For he ne hath not ȝit so Mochel Misdo,
To Endles peyne forto go.
For ȝit Mercy schal he have,
And his Sowle schal ȝit be save.’
but this same fyr belefte with Me
In signefiaunce Of lecherye, As ȝe mown se;
and thus schal Abyden here
tyl there Come A knyht Of gret powere,
That the Aventures Of the seint Graal
To an Ende schal he bringen Al;
and hider fortvne schal bringen him to Me,
This Merveille here that he schal se;
and be the helpe Of that holy knyht,
Owt Of this fyr he schal be dyht.
And thus the Good man here me tolde,
For In that place Sitten I wolde.
whanne þe Enemyes herden him so speke,
Anon faste from Me gonnen they to Reke,
and leften me thus In this degre
In this same Manere As ȝe Mown se.”
happede An holy man Is here be west,
An holy Ermyt, & A Religious,
As he walkede Owt Of his hous,—
and xxxij wynter Ermyt here hath he be,
A ful holy man In Alle degre.—
And whanne he sawh hem me so bere,
Anon hem Alle he Coniowrede there
so that here they leten Me falle,
so faste thermyt On hem gan Calle,
and seide, ‘leve ȝe this Man that ȝe here bere,
For Ouer him haven ȝe non powere;
251
To Endles peyne forto go.
For ȝit Mercy schal he have,
And his Sowle schal ȝit be save.’
but this same fyr belefte with Me
In signefiaunce Of lecherye, As ȝe mown se;
and thus schal Abyden here
tyl there Come A knyht Of gret powere,
That the Aventures Of the seint Graal
To an Ende schal he bringen Al;
and hider fortvne schal bringen him to Me,
This Merveille here that he schal se;
and be the helpe Of that holy knyht,
Owt Of this fyr he schal be dyht.
And thus the Good man here me tolde,
For In that place Sitten I wolde.
whanne þe Enemyes herden him so speke,
Anon faste from Me gonnen they to Reke,
and leften me thus In this degre
In this same Manere As ȝe Mown se.”
Thanne bespak Alein the Gros Anon,
to him that In the fyr was thus son,
and thus seide, & In this Manere,
To him þat In the fyr was there:
“What Art thou that I there Se?
whethir Man Oþer womman, telle þou me,
that the Certein Myhte I knowe
Of Alle this thing vppon A rowe.”
“Ha! Ha! Aleyn, quod thanne the voys,
I am thy Nygh Cosin that is here, Moys,
That here In this fyr doth brenne
For the Sege that I sat Inne,
As ȝe Alle gonnen there Se;
there-fore this peyne is dyht to me;
and þerfore, Aleyn Cosin, I preye to þe
that thou wost to God preyen for Me,
for I knowe wel that ȝowre preyere,
Of God schal be herd, As lef and dere.”
to him that In the fyr was thus son,
and thus seide, & In this Manere,
To him þat In the fyr was there:
“What Art thou that I there Se?
whethir Man Oþer womman, telle þou me,
that the Certein Myhte I knowe
Of Alle this thing vppon A rowe.”
“Ha! Ha! Aleyn, quod thanne the voys,
I am thy Nygh Cosin that is here, Moys,
That here In this fyr doth brenne
For the Sege that I sat Inne,
As ȝe Alle gonnen there Se;
there-fore this peyne is dyht to me;
and þerfore, Aleyn Cosin, I preye to þe
that thou wost to God preyen for Me,
252
Of God schal be herd, As lef and dere.”
Whanne that Symen herde this word,
that faste be Iosephe thanne there stood,
with a lowd vois he gan to Crye,
and hym Axede there An hye,
“Art thou Mois that Art here,
that lyest & brenst here In this fere?”
“that I am, fadyr, Sekerly;
and ȝit wers hadde comen to my body
Ne hadde the holy preiere ne be
Of an holy Ermyt ful Sekerle;
and thus, fadyr Symen, with-Owten les,
To peyne hadde I gon Endles.
thus to ȝow And to Chanaan now I seye,
hens forward þe bettere to ben In feye;
For wete ȝe wel, that be Synne
and ȝe greven Owre lord there-Inne,
In Grettere peyne scholen ȝe dwelle
thanne I here fele In flesch Oþer felle.”
that faste be Iosephe thanne there stood,
with a lowd vois he gan to Crye,
and hym Axede there An hye,
“Art thou Mois that Art here,
that lyest & brenst here In this fere?”
“that I am, fadyr, Sekerly;
and ȝit wers hadde comen to my body
Ne hadde the holy preiere ne be
Of an holy Ermyt ful Sekerle;
and thus, fadyr Symen, with-Owten les,
To peyne hadde I gon Endles.
thus to ȝow And to Chanaan now I seye,
hens forward þe bettere to ben In feye;
For wete ȝe wel, that be Synne
and ȝe greven Owre lord there-Inne,
In Grettere peyne scholen ȝe dwelle
thanne I here fele In flesch Oþer felle.”
“Sone Moys, quod Symen tho,
In what Manere now may I do,
from peyne me to kepen In al degre?”
“Fadyr Symen, I schal tellen the:
with ȝow han ȝe A bodyly leche,
that Alle goodnesse he will ȝow teche;
with ȝow han ȝe that holy Bischope
that may ȝow Clensen from tayl to tope;
And ȝe wele werken After his lore,
Of peyne ne sorwe felen ȝe neuere More.”
In what Manere now may I do,
from peyne me to kepen In al degre?”
“Fadyr Symen, I schal tellen the:
with ȝow han ȝe A bodyly leche,
that Alle goodnesse he will ȝow teche;
with ȝow han ȝe that holy Bischope
that may ȝow Clensen from tayl to tope;
And ȝe wele werken After his lore,
Of peyne ne sorwe felen ȝe neuere More.”
In this Manere Whiles they gonne talke,
Iosephe and Aleyn forth gonnen walke,
and setten hem down vppon here kne,
and preiden to god In Maieste
‘For Moys that was In peyne and wo,
Forto Aslaken somme Of tho;
And that he wolde, for his gret pite,
his peyne Aleggen, And it wolde be.’
and whiles they maden here preiere,
they syen from hevene how it Cam þere
In semblaunce Of Ryht A gret Reyn,
and Into the fer it discended ful pleyn;
and a gret partye there-Offen it qweynte,
and halfendel the flawme fully Asteynte.
Iosephe and Aleyn forth gonnen walke,
and setten hem down vppon here kne,
and preiden to god In Maieste
‘For Moys that was In peyne and wo,
Forto Aslaken somme Of tho;
253
his peyne Aleggen, And it wolde be.’
and whiles they maden here preiere,
they syen from hevene how it Cam þere
In semblaunce Of Ryht A gret Reyn,
and Into the fer it discended ful pleyn;
and a gret partye there-Offen it qweynte,
and halfendel the flawme fully Asteynte.
And whanne that this thus was I-do,
A ful lowd voys Sette vp Moys tho
that Alle the Compenye it Myhte it here,
And thus there seide In his Manere,
“Ha! Iosephe, Resten Mown ȝe
Of ȝoure preyeris now sekerle,
for ȝe han don Me A gret leigaunce
Of my peynes with-Owten dowtaunce.
God ȝow qwyte, there I ne may!
My peynes han ȝe gretly lissid this day;
For now, me thinketh, gon Is my peyne
thorwh ȝoure goode preyeris In Certayne.”
thanne there-Offen Iosephe Glad was tho
that his peynes weren Aslaked so.
A ful lowd voys Sette vp Moys tho
that Alle the Compenye it Myhte it here,
And thus there seide In his Manere,
“Ha! Iosephe, Resten Mown ȝe
Of ȝoure preyeris now sekerle,
for ȝe han don Me A gret leigaunce
Of my peynes with-Owten dowtaunce.
God ȝow qwyte, there I ne may!
My peynes han ȝe gretly lissid this day;
For now, me thinketh, gon Is my peyne
thorwh ȝoure goode preyeris In Certayne.”
thanne there-Offen Iosephe Glad was tho
that his peynes weren Aslaked so.
Thanne spak Symen to his sone ther,
‘Sone Moys, how seist thou Of this fer?
schal it with the longe Endure?”
“Not so longe, Fadir, I the Ensure,
as I am worthy hit forto haue;
For I troste to god he wil me save,
For mere his pite and his Mercy,
Evere lasting scholde it ben trewly;
but Of his Mercy And Of his pyte
ȝit Oþerwise hath he Ordeyned for me,
and this Sorwe An Ende to brynge
thorwh an holy knyhtes Comenge,
hos Name schal be Clepid Galaas,
here me schal visiten In this plas,
and the Aventures Of þe seint Graal,
To An Ende bringen he schal;
and Alle the Aventures Of grete breteyne,
In him schal ben Ended In Certeyne.
and thanne slaken schal my dolour
That I am Inne here In this Owr.”
‘Sone Moys, how seist thou Of this fer?
schal it with the longe Endure?”
“Not so longe, Fadir, I the Ensure,
as I am worthy hit forto haue;
For I troste to god he wil me save,
For mere his pite and his Mercy,
Evere lasting scholde it ben trewly;
but Of his Mercy And Of his pyte
ȝit Oþerwise hath he Ordeyned for me,
and this Sorwe An Ende to brynge
thorwh an holy knyhtes Comenge,
hos Name schal be Clepid Galaas,
here me schal visiten In this plas,
254
To An Ende bringen he schal;
and Alle the Aventures Of grete breteyne,
In him schal ben Ended In Certeyne.
and thanne slaken schal my dolour
That I am Inne here In this Owr.”
thanne thus to Iosephe there spak he,
“A, goode holy Iosephe, for Charite
Abydeth ȝe non lengere In this place,
but Abowtes this Contre faste ȝe pace,
and precheth the name Of the Crucyfye,
for it is ful gret Nede trewelye;
For Al Abowtes In this Contre
but fals Mescreauntes þere ne be.
Now go ȝe forth this ilke tyde,
and In this place moste I Abyde
Tyl that be that holy Mannes bownte
Al this fyr Onlich Asteynt here be.”
“A, goode holy Iosephe, for Charite
Abydeth ȝe non lengere In this place,
but Abowtes this Contre faste ȝe pace,
and precheth the name Of the Crucyfye,
for it is ful gret Nede trewelye;
For Al Abowtes In this Contre
but fals Mescreauntes þere ne be.
Now go ȝe forth this ilke tyde,
and In this place moste I Abyde
Tyl that be that holy Mannes bownte
Al this fyr Onlich Asteynt here be.”
Thanne parted Iosephe thens Anon,
and his Compenye with him gonne gon;
and Mois there beleft stille,
and they forth wente be goddis wille
Al that day and Al that Nyht.
and On the Morwen, whiles it was lyht,
Owt Of þe forest gonnen they gon,
and into scotlond Entred Anon;
and ȝit thouh scotlond that it were,
It nas so Cald but for On Manere,
but for the kyng Elcose yclepyd he Was,
Whedir that they Entrede, and Into whiche plas;
and thike Nyht Alle I-herberwed they were
In A ful gret pleyn forsothe there.
and whanne to soper that they weren set,
with Alle delicasyes they weren Replet;
Of what Manere thing that herte wolde Crave,
Anon Rediliche they it there haue;
So that it is Merveil forto knowe
how þat Alle fulfild weren they vppon A rowe,
Except Chanaan & Symen,
hem lakkede grace Amonges Oþer Men,
So that thorwh þe holy vessel
Repleinsched weren they neuere A del,
that so In deseise was here Abydynge
two dayes And two Nyht with-Owten lesynge.
and his Compenye with him gonne gon;
and Mois there beleft stille,
and they forth wente be goddis wille
Al that day and Al that Nyht.
and On the Morwen, whiles it was lyht,
Owt Of þe forest gonnen they gon,
and into scotlond Entred Anon;
and ȝit thouh scotlond that it were,
It nas so Cald but for On Manere,
but for the kyng Elcose yclepyd he Was,
Whedir that they Entrede, and Into whiche plas;
and thike Nyht Alle I-herberwed they were
In A ful gret pleyn forsothe there.
and whanne to soper that they weren set,
with Alle delicasyes they weren Replet;
Of what Manere thing that herte wolde Crave,
Anon Rediliche they it there haue;
255
how þat Alle fulfild weren they vppon A rowe,
Except Chanaan & Symen,
hem lakkede grace Amonges Oþer Men,
So that thorwh þe holy vessel
Repleinsched weren they neuere A del,
that so In deseise was here Abydynge
two dayes And two Nyht with-Owten lesynge.
And whanne they Sien that they ne were
Not worthy here felischepe to Entren there,
So with-Inne hem self gonnen they Seye
with vegerous herte and gret Envye,
and spoken Of here mysaventure,
“It Cometh not be vs, I the Enswre,
but for Oure fadris Gilte to-fore,
That semede Cristene, & weren not thore;
there-fore for vs that Olde now be,
Falleth the veniaunce ful Sekerle.”
“In feith Anon, quod Symen thanne,
Peers that halt him so holy A manne
Evere to God In Semblaunce,
ȝit haue I lengere with-Owten variaunce—
thowh that he my ny Cosin be,
and Iosephis Also sekerle,
ȝit hath he nowhere travailled so ferre
As I haue don In Alle Manere;
Neþer neuere for god so moche dide he
As that I have don now sekerle;
and so trowe I that Al his Synne
vppon me is beleft, boþe more & Mynne;
So that trostily I beleve forsothe
that God for my gilte nys not wrothe.”
“Now Certes, quod Chanaan tho,
with my bretheryn it fareth Ryht so;
for here synne that thei diden here,
Oure bischope myht not sewen In non Manere,
So weren they gilty, and to blame,
So vppon me falleth the schame;
there-fore that ȝe wolden Conseillen me
what I schal don In Ony degre.”
Not worthy here felischepe to Entren there,
So with-Inne hem self gonnen they Seye
with vegerous herte and gret Envye,
and spoken Of here mysaventure,
“It Cometh not be vs, I the Enswre,
but for Oure fadris Gilte to-fore,
That semede Cristene, & weren not thore;
there-fore for vs that Olde now be,
Falleth the veniaunce ful Sekerle.”
“In feith Anon, quod Symen thanne,
Peers that halt him so holy A manne
Evere to God In Semblaunce,
ȝit haue I lengere with-Owten variaunce—
thowh that he my ny Cosin be,
and Iosephis Also sekerle,
ȝit hath he nowhere travailled so ferre
As I haue don In Alle Manere;
Neþer neuere for god so moche dide he
As that I have don now sekerle;
and so trowe I that Al his Synne
vppon me is beleft, boþe more & Mynne;
So that trostily I beleve forsothe
that God for my gilte nys not wrothe.”
“Now Certes, quod Chanaan tho,
with my bretheryn it fareth Ryht so;
for here synne that thei diden here,
Oure bischope myht not sewen In non Manere,
256
So vppon me falleth the schame;
there-fore that ȝe wolden Conseillen me
what I schal don In Ony degre.”
“Certes, quod Symen, wile ȝe now se,
vppon my Cosin peers avenged schal I be
Er to-Morwe that it be pryme,
that it schal be thowhte On A ful long tyme;
bothe here and Ellis where
It schal be thowhte On In Many Manere.”
“And I forsothe, quod Chanaam tho,
with my bretheren the same schal I do;
For tyl that I have so I-wrowht,
Of þe Seint Graal Gete I nowht,
nether non Maner Of Sustenaunce
tyl on hem þat I haue wrowht veniaunce.”
vppon my Cosin peers avenged schal I be
Er to-Morwe that it be pryme,
that it schal be thowhte On A ful long tyme;
bothe here and Ellis where
It schal be thowhte On In Many Manere.”
“And I forsothe, quod Chanaam tho,
with my bretheren the same schal I do;
For tyl that I have so I-wrowht,
Of þe Seint Graal Gete I nowht,
nether non Maner Of Sustenaunce
tyl on hem þat I haue wrowht veniaunce.”
Thus to-Gederis wrowhten they two,
whiche tornede hem After to mochel wo;
For In Wanhope weren they falle,
and Exempt from graces Alle
Othirwise thanne they weren wont:
thus it fyl hem In Every point;
for they gonnen werken so gret wreche
that Alle the world þere-Offen hadde speche,
and schal Into domesday,
Of here Felonyes Men scholen say.
whiche tornede hem After to mochel wo;
For In Wanhope weren they falle,
and Exempt from graces Alle
Othirwise thanne they weren wont:
thus it fyl hem In Every point;
for they gonnen werken so gret wreche
that Alle the world þere-Offen hadde speche,
and schal Into domesday,
Of here Felonyes Men scholen say.
At Even Whanne logged Alle they were
In A gret Medwe besides there,
Chanaam, In whom the devel Entred was,
Of his felonye Remembred In that plas;
he took his swerd bothe scharpe & kene,
and be þe Mone lyht þat schon so schene
he Aspide where his bretheren lay,
Alle xij, Sekerly and In fay.
and whanne that he sawh hem liggen so,
previliche to hem thanne gan he go,
and drowh Owt his swerd thus son,
and his Owne brothir he slowh Anon,
that so from On to Anothir
he slowh Alle .xij. In þat fothir.
and whanne he say that ded they were
alle xij, he lefte hem lyggeng there,
And wente forth thanne In his weye,
Symen to seken Certeinlye;
and whanne he hadde him I-fownde,
Of his dede he tolde him that stownde.
“Now hauen ȝe wrowht, quod symen tho,
lik As I Myself wyle now do;
For Of Peers so schal I venged be
that is My Cosin ful Sikerle.
Abyde me now here, quod Symen tho,
Tyl thal Aȝen I come the to.”
“thou schalt me fynde, quod Chanaam thanne,
vndir this Figge tre for Ony Manne.”
In A gret Medwe besides there,
Chanaam, In whom the devel Entred was,
Of his felonye Remembred In that plas;
he took his swerd bothe scharpe & kene,
and be þe Mone lyht þat schon so schene
he Aspide where his bretheren lay,
Alle xij, Sekerly and In fay.
and whanne that he sawh hem liggen so,
previliche to hem thanne gan he go,
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and his Owne brothir he slowh Anon,
that so from On to Anothir
he slowh Alle .xij. In þat fothir.
and whanne he say that ded they were
alle xij, he lefte hem lyggeng there,
And wente forth thanne In his weye,
Symen to seken Certeinlye;
and whanne he hadde him I-fownde,
Of his dede he tolde him that stownde.
“Now hauen ȝe wrowht, quod symen tho,
lik As I Myself wyle now do;
For Of Peers so schal I venged be
that is My Cosin ful Sikerle.
Abyde me now here, quod Symen tho,
Tyl thal Aȝen I come the to.”
“thou schalt me fynde, quod Chanaam thanne,
vndir this Figge tre for Ony Manne.”
thanne wente Symen forth his way
Into þe place þere Iosephe lay;
For ful wel Supposede he
that faste be him peers scholde be:
and in his hond he bar A knyf
þerwith to Reven peers his lyf,
the wheche Envemyned was In that plas:
the blad A foote long it was,
so that knyf was forto dowte
For two skelis Al Abowte,
the ton was for the Envemynenge,
þe toþer for scharpnesse with-Owten levenge.
Into þe place þere Iosephe lay;
For ful wel Supposede he
that faste be him peers scholde be:
and in his hond he bar A knyf
þerwith to Reven peers his lyf,
the wheche Envemyned was In that plas:
the blad A foote long it was,
so that knyf was forto dowte
For two skelis Al Abowte,
the ton was for the Envemynenge,
þe toþer for scharpnesse with-Owten levenge.
Whanne Symen was Comen þere peers lay,
and verrayly In þat Compenye him say,
Anon he lefte there vpe his knyf
him to han Slayn with-Owten stryf;
but At that tyme hadde he non powere,
what for drede and what for fere;
but Into the Brest there he him smot
that ful sore In his body there bot.
For it ne was not Goddis wille
that so falsly he scholde him spille;
So that thorwh the scholdere it Cam thore
A large handful and wel More.
and whanne pers felte Al this
that so was hvrt with-Owten Mys,
Anon ful lowde he gan to Crye
“Ha! help, God, for now I deye.”
and verrayly In þat Compenye him say,
Anon he lefte there vpe his knyf
him to han Slayn with-Owten stryf;
but At that tyme hadde he non powere,
what for drede and what for fere;
258
that ful sore In his body there bot.
For it ne was not Goddis wille
that so falsly he scholde him spille;
So that thorwh the scholdere it Cam thore
A large handful and wel More.
and whanne pers felte Al this
that so was hvrt with-Owten Mys,
Anon ful lowde he gan to Crye
“Ha! help, God, for now I deye.”
thanne wook the peple Ryht Anon,
And to Peers þere gonne they gon,
And Axeden him ho hadde so I-do,
And he seide “Symen,” and no Mo.
So symen tooken they In that stede,
and to-foren Iosephe gonnen him lede,
and Axeden Iosephe what they scholden do
that In this Manere Peers dyde Slo.
And whiles Of this that they gonne speke,
A ful gret Compenye Cam there Reke,
that þe xij bretheryn hadden I-fownde,
The Whiche Weren slayn In that Sto Wnde;
and so gret deol they maden Certeinle
as thowh Al the world to-forn hem ded hadde be.
And to Peers þere gonne they gon,
And Axeden him ho hadde so I-do,
And he seide “Symen,” and no Mo.
So symen tooken they In that stede,
and to-foren Iosephe gonnen him lede,
and Axeden Iosephe what they scholden do
that In this Manere Peers dyde Slo.
And whiles Of this that they gonne speke,
A ful gret Compenye Cam there Reke,
that þe xij bretheryn hadden I-fownde,
The Whiche Weren slayn In that Sto Wnde;
and so gret deol they maden Certeinle
as thowh Al the world to-forn hem ded hadde be.
And whanne that Bron Sawh this Syht,
To Iosephe he wente Anon Ryht
Ful sore wepenge, and Makyng Mone,
“Sire, he seide, Cometh with me Anone,
and ȝe scholen sen the Rewfullest syht
that Evere ȝe syen, I schal ȝow plyht,
Of the xij bretheren Of Chanaan
that here lyn Slayn, Every Man;
and I ne wot ho hath it I-do,
where-fore, Sire, myn herte is wo.”
To Iosephe he wente Anon Ryht
Ful sore wepenge, and Makyng Mone,
“Sire, he seide, Cometh with me Anone,
and ȝe scholen sen the Rewfullest syht
that Evere ȝe syen, I schal ȝow plyht,
Of the xij bretheren Of Chanaan
that here lyn Slayn, Every Man;
and I ne wot ho hath it I-do,
where-fore, Sire, myn herte is wo.”
Whanne Iosephe thus him speke herde,
As A woful man thanne he ferde,
and thedirward wente he ful sone
to sen what thing þat þere was done.
whanne Into þat place he was Comen there
As Alle these xij bretheren ded they were,
thanne thus gan he to seyn,
“Ha! thou enemy, Of falsnesse ful pleyn,
why hast þou thus here now wrowht
with goddis peple that Gylted the nowht?
A, Mercy, lord, ful Evel haue I do to the
Of thike peple that thou be-took me,
that thus falsly here ben ded!
A, goode lord, Mercy now In this steed!”
As A woful man thanne he ferde,
259
to sen what thing þat þere was done.
whanne Into þat place he was Comen there
As Alle these xij bretheren ded they were,
thanne thus gan he to seyn,
“Ha! thou enemy, Of falsnesse ful pleyn,
why hast þou thus here now wrowht
with goddis peple that Gylted the nowht?
A, Mercy, lord, ful Evel haue I do to the
Of thike peple that thou be-took me,
that thus falsly here ben ded!
A, goode lord, Mercy now In this steed!”
thanne comanded he Symen Anon þere
to-forn him Comen In Ony Manere:
“Symen, quod Iosephe, ho hath this do?”
thanne Anon Answerid symen tho,
“Chanaam, here brothir, hath hem sleyn,
I sey now, sire Iosephe, In Certayn.”
“Where is he, quod Iosep thanne,
that Ilke false Cursede Manne?”
“Sire, he seide, vndir ȝone figge tre
þere wolde, he seide, Abyden Me.”
to-forn him Comen In Ony Manere:
“Symen, quod Iosephe, ho hath this do?”
thanne Anon Answerid symen tho,
“Chanaam, here brothir, hath hem sleyn,
I sey now, sire Iosephe, In Certayn.”
“Where is he, quod Iosep thanne,
that Ilke false Cursede Manne?”
“Sire, he seide, vndir ȝone figge tre
þere wolde, he seide, Abyden Me.”
thanne Comaunded Iosephe Anon
that thedir his Meyne scholde gon.
Anon forth wenten they verament
to fulfillen his Comandement,
and Comen to the figge tre;
þer fownden they Chanaam Sekerle,
and, whethir he wolde Owther non,
To-forn Iosephe they dyden him gon.
that thedir his Meyne scholde gon.
Anon forth wenten they verament
to fulfillen his Comandement,
and Comen to the figge tre;
þer fownden they Chanaam Sekerle,
and, whethir he wolde Owther non,
To-forn Iosephe they dyden him gon.
and whanne Iosephe gan him beholde,
he wepte and Syghede Many folde,
“Ha! Chanaam, why hast þou thus falsly do,
Thy xij bretheren thus forto slo,
that to the world weren goode Men
and worthy knyhtes Everychon?”
“and ȝif I haue thus hem Slayn,
Me Repenteth not In Certeyn.”
“What was thy Cause thou dydest so?”
“Sire, I schal telle the Er that I go.
this was pleinliche the Cause why:
for Often haue I sein Openly
More goodnesse God hath for hem wrouht
thanne for me which that he bowht;
for Every day Repleinsched they were,
Of the holy gost Alle in fere,
and I for hunger nygh ded was,
For Of þe seint Graal haue I non gras.”
“A, quod Iosephe, thou wikkede Manne,
Why dorstest thou don so thanne
sethen God hem lovede bettere than the;
how dorstest þou so don In Ony degre?
For it was the worste deede
that Euere Man dyde In Ony stede.
Wherfore I preye to Owre Saviour
That som tokenenge he wyl sende þis Owr
On the forto doon worldly veniaunce
For thyn fowl dede, And thin Mischaunce.”
he wepte and Syghede Many folde,
“Ha! Chanaam, why hast þou thus falsly do,
Thy xij bretheren thus forto slo,
that to the world weren goode Men
and worthy knyhtes Everychon?”
260
Me Repenteth not In Certeyn.”
“What was thy Cause thou dydest so?”
“Sire, I schal telle the Er that I go.
this was pleinliche the Cause why:
for Often haue I sein Openly
More goodnesse God hath for hem wrouht
thanne for me which that he bowht;
for Every day Repleinsched they were,
Of the holy gost Alle in fere,
and I for hunger nygh ded was,
For Of þe seint Graal haue I non gras.”
“A, quod Iosephe, thou wikkede Manne,
Why dorstest thou don so thanne
sethen God hem lovede bettere than the;
how dorstest þou so don In Ony degre?
For it was the worste deede
that Euere Man dyde In Ony stede.
Wherfore I preye to Owre Saviour
That som tokenenge he wyl sende þis Owr
On the forto doon worldly veniaunce
For thyn fowl dede, And thin Mischaunce.”
Thus sone A voys there Cam Anon
that they it vndirstoden Everychon,
“do ȝe be hem hard Iuggement
As ȝe mown Acorden be ȝoure Entent.
For the Iuggement Of the high devyne
wyle that hard Iuggement to hem propyne.”
And whanne that they this worde herde,
As in gret Ioye Alle they Ferde,
In that Oure lord to hem gan sende
how they scholde werken to the Ende,
and that they hadden deservyd to ben ded
thorwhe here fals werkyng In that Sted.
that they it vndirstoden Everychon,
“do ȝe be hem hard Iuggement
As ȝe mown Acorden be ȝoure Entent.
For the Iuggement Of the high devyne
wyle that hard Iuggement to hem propyne.”
And whanne that they this worde herde,
As in gret Ioye Alle they Ferde,
In that Oure lord to hem gan sende
how they scholde werken to the Ende,
and that they hadden deservyd to ben ded
thorwhe here fals werkyng In that Sted.
Anon whanne the day I-sprongen was,
and the Sonne schon In Every plas,
thanne seide Iosephs to his Compenye,
“Taketh ȝe these tweyne men hastelye,
and loketh that ȝe don hem to Iuggement
For here desert And here Entent.
For certein me Semeth In My wyt
that they han wel deservit It.”
thanne Seiden they to Iosephe Agein,
“Sire, moche bettere Conne ȝe In Certein
hym forto demen, thanne Connen we,
what Iuggement they scholden haue In Al degre.”
thanne quod Iosephe to hem thanne:
“I ne wil not Medlen Of these Menne;
but ȝe that worthy knyhtes hauen been,
and Many Aventures hauen ȝe seen,
and now goddis knyhtes been ȝe Alle,
demeth ȝe what of hem schal be-falle;
and that After the worldis Iuggement
that ȝe demen hem bothe After ȝoure Entent.”
and the Sonne schon In Every plas,
261
“Taketh ȝe these tweyne men hastelye,
and loketh that ȝe don hem to Iuggement
For here desert And here Entent.
For certein me Semeth In My wyt
that they han wel deservit It.”
thanne Seiden they to Iosephe Agein,
“Sire, moche bettere Conne ȝe In Certein
hym forto demen, thanne Connen we,
what Iuggement they scholden haue In Al degre.”
thanne quod Iosephe to hem thanne:
“I ne wil not Medlen Of these Menne;
but ȝe that worthy knyhtes hauen been,
and Many Aventures hauen ȝe seen,
and now goddis knyhtes been ȝe Alle,
demeth ȝe what of hem schal be-falle;
and that After the worldis Iuggement
that ȝe demen hem bothe After ȝoure Entent.”
And whanne they herden Iosephs thus sein,
thanne to Cownseyl wenten they ful pleyn,
and Eche Of Other Gan to Enqweren,
what best were to don Of theke Men there,
and what Iuggementes it Myhte be.
to putten hem to dethe, thus Spoken hee;
and whanne they weren Alle At On Acord,
They tolden it to Iosephs Every word.
thanne seide Iosephe to hem ful sone,
“Goth, doth thanne that ȝe han to done;
for I sey to ȝow, that As be Me
Nothing there-Offen distorbled schal be.”
thanne to Cownseyl wenten they ful pleyn,
and Eche Of Other Gan to Enqweren,
what best were to don Of theke Men there,
and what Iuggementes it Myhte be.
to putten hem to dethe, thus Spoken hee;
and whanne they weren Alle At On Acord,
They tolden it to Iosephs Every word.
thanne seide Iosephe to hem ful sone,
“Goth, doth thanne that ȝe han to done;
for I sey to ȝow, that As be Me
Nothing there-Offen distorbled schal be.”
thanne tooken they these Men Anon,
and ladden hem forth to-form hem Echon,
and bow[n]den here hondes hem behynde
As for men That fals weren and vnkynde,
and Comaunded that two pyttes Anon to Make
For theke tweyne vntrewe mennes sake.
and Anon they weren I-put there-Inne
both vp stondyng Evene to the Chynne.
and ladden hem forth to-form hem Echon,
and bow[n]den here hondes hem behynde
As for men That fals weren and vnkynde,
and Comaunded that two pyttes Anon to Make
262
and Anon they weren I-put there-Inne
both vp stondyng Evene to the Chynne.
and thanne behelden Alle they Anon
To-ward the Rem of Gales Echon,
and they Syen Come Fleyng In the Eyr,
and faste towardis hem they gonne Repeyr,
and lyk As tweyne briddes they Comen fleynge,
Tweyne men to-gederis Embraced, brennenge
as thowh it were In flawmes Of fyr so Red,
Swiftly they Comen In to that sted;
as it hadde ben A wyndes blast
These two Men thider Comen In hast.
And token Symev Openly In here syht,
And with hym forth token they here flyht;
In to the same Contre that they Comen fro
faste with hym gonnen they go;
but In to what place, telleth this storye,
No man Can seyn ne tellen Certeinlye;
Nethir my Maister Sire Roberd de borron
Of theke poynt ne telleth nethir skele ne resoun,
Ne Entermeteth him not In non degre
whider they him bare Certeinle.
but whanne that Cometh bothe tyme & spas,
More scholen ȝe heren Of this Cas
Openly declared to ȝoure Ere,
So that ȝe scholen it vndirstonden more Clere.
To-ward the Rem of Gales Echon,
and they Syen Come Fleyng In the Eyr,
and faste towardis hem they gonne Repeyr,
and lyk As tweyne briddes they Comen fleynge,
Tweyne men to-gederis Embraced, brennenge
as thowh it were In flawmes Of fyr so Red,
Swiftly they Comen In to that sted;
as it hadde ben A wyndes blast
These two Men thider Comen In hast.
And token Symev Openly In here syht,
And with hym forth token they here flyht;
In to the same Contre that they Comen fro
faste with hym gonnen they go;
but In to what place, telleth this storye,
No man Can seyn ne tellen Certeinlye;
Nethir my Maister Sire Roberd de borron
Of theke poynt ne telleth nethir skele ne resoun,
Ne Entermeteth him not In non degre
whider they him bare Certeinle.
but whanne that Cometh bothe tyme & spas,
More scholen ȝe heren Of this Cas
Openly declared to ȝoure Ere,
So that ȝe scholen it vndirstonden more Clere.
Now leveth Of Symen this Storye,
And to Chanaam storye doth he hye.
And to Chanaam storye doth he hye.
| CHAPTER L. OF JOSEPH'S FURTHER ADVENTURES; AND OF THE CRIMES OF CHANAAN AND SYMEN. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |