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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| LI. | CHAPTER LI. OF THE FATE OF CHANAAN, AND OF PIERS'S WOUND. |
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 | CHAPTER LI. OF THE FATE OF CHANAAN, AND OF PIERS'S WOUND. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER LI. OF THE FATE OF CHANAAN, AND OF PIERS'S WOUND.
263
Now hauen ȝe herd how that this Storye
Of Symev hath declared ful Openlye,
how forth Into the Eyr that he was bore
In Alle here Syhtes that there wore,
where-Offen Abasched they weren Echon,
that word Amonges hem was þere Non;
and after hym they lokede wel faste,
but with-Inne A schort while he was paste
ful Clene Owt Of Alle here Syht,
So that Of hym Sawh Neuere A wyht.
Of Symev hath declared ful Openlye,
how forth Into the Eyr that he was bore
In Alle here Syhtes that there wore,
where-Offen Abasched they weren Echon,
that word Amonges hem was þere Non;
and after hym they lokede wel faste,
but with-Inne A schort while he was paste
ful Clene Owt Of Alle here Syht,
So that Of hym Sawh Neuere A wyht.
And whanne Owt Of here Syhte that he was Gon,
Thanne to Chanaams pyt Comen they Anon,
and him thus sone putten there-Inne,
and him bedelven, and wolde not blynne,
and þerto his handis be-hinden him I-bownde
In þe pyt vp stonding At that stownde;
and the Erthe they beten Abowtes hym faste.
As thowgh that Evere it scholde han laste,
that so to the scholdres I-Closed was he,
and faste bedolven ful sekerle.
Thanne to Chanaams pyt Comen they Anon,
and him thus sone putten there-Inne,
and him bedelven, and wolde not blynne,
and þerto his handis be-hinden him I-bownde
In þe pyt vp stonding At that stownde;
and the Erthe they beten Abowtes hym faste.
As thowgh that Evere it scholde han laste,
264
and faste bedolven ful sekerle.
Whanne Chanaam thus Arayed was,
he wiste wel to deyen In that plas.
Of him selven he hadde ful gret pyte
In swich A maner that deyen scholde he,
and be-gan to wepen ful sore
for his mysdede he hadde don thore.
and whanne that Ioseps to-forn him gan gon,
To-wardes him his face he tornede Anon,
And thus to Ioseps he gan to Say,
Ful sore weping that Ilke day,
“holy fadyr Iosephe, herkene thou Me,
Of thing that I schal tellen the.
holy fadir! Synned I haue wel sore,
and gret penance to suffren there-fore;
For I haue fowle Mistaken Me
bothe Aȝenst my god and Aȝens the;
but ȝit so gret was neuere Synnere
that In this world was boren here,
but ȝif that Mercy he scholde haue
Of his God, and he wolde it crave
with stedfast herte, and his synnes sory,
thanne God On hym wile hauen Mercy;
and þerfore I beseche to god my Savyour
that is Medicyne to Alle dolour,
that he wolde, for his Rihtwos pyte
and for his large Mercy, to rewen On Me,—
as that bothe pyte and Ek Mercye
In him ben herberwed ful Ioyntlye,—
that he ne wolde for myn hygh falsnesse
My synnes to Repotten In this distresse:
but as lyhtly as A fadyr Eche Owr
wyle Rennen his sone forto Socowr,
So preye I to that worthy Lord now here
of Mercy and grace In Alle Manere,
and that he wolde not lesen Me,
Ne forsaken Myn Sowle for his pite
which that he bowhte with his precious blood
thorwh his hard deth vppon the Rood;
and As Of Mercy and pite he Is the Rote,
So to myn Synful Soule he do bote.
and thou fadir Iosephe, As I wel knowe
as for An holy Fadyr In Every throwe,
that thou wost so now preyen for me,
so þat thorwgh thy preiere the bettere myhte be,
that ȝif Euere Of synnere be hadde Mercye,
On me mercy to haue, to him now I Crye;
and thou for me, Iosephe, now preye Also,
so þat I be not dampned for Evere Mo!
and what peyne Oþer purgatorye that Euere it be
that to me he wil Ordeyne for Myn disloyalte,
I wele it Resceyven ful paciently,
and Only trosten In his gret Mercy,
So that at the day Of Iuggement
that I be nethir dampned ne schent,
but Meknesse to Me to schewen that day,
and deliueren Me from that spitous fray,
and not with the dampned forto dwelle,
whiche Euerelastyngly Schole ben In helle.”
he wiste wel to deyen In that plas.
Of him selven he hadde ful gret pyte
In swich A maner that deyen scholde he,
and be-gan to wepen ful sore
for his mysdede he hadde don thore.
and whanne that Ioseps to-forn him gan gon,
To-wardes him his face he tornede Anon,
And thus to Ioseps he gan to Say,
Ful sore weping that Ilke day,
“holy fadyr Iosephe, herkene thou Me,
Of thing that I schal tellen the.
holy fadir! Synned I haue wel sore,
and gret penance to suffren there-fore;
For I haue fowle Mistaken Me
bothe Aȝenst my god and Aȝens the;
but ȝit so gret was neuere Synnere
that In this world was boren here,
but ȝif that Mercy he scholde haue
Of his God, and he wolde it crave
with stedfast herte, and his synnes sory,
thanne God On hym wile hauen Mercy;
and þerfore I beseche to god my Savyour
that is Medicyne to Alle dolour,
that he wolde, for his Rihtwos pyte
and for his large Mercy, to rewen On Me,—
as that bothe pyte and Ek Mercye
In him ben herberwed ful Ioyntlye,—
that he ne wolde for myn hygh falsnesse
My synnes to Repotten In this distresse:
but as lyhtly as A fadyr Eche Owr
wyle Rennen his sone forto Socowr,
So preye I to that worthy Lord now here
of Mercy and grace In Alle Manere,
265
Ne forsaken Myn Sowle for his pite
which that he bowhte with his precious blood
thorwh his hard deth vppon the Rood;
and As Of Mercy and pite he Is the Rote,
So to myn Synful Soule he do bote.
and thou fadir Iosephe, As I wel knowe
as for An holy Fadyr In Every throwe,
that thou wost so now preyen for me,
so þat thorwgh thy preiere the bettere myhte be,
that ȝif Euere Of synnere be hadde Mercye,
On me mercy to haue, to him now I Crye;
and thou for me, Iosephe, now preye Also,
so þat I be not dampned for Evere Mo!
and what peyne Oþer purgatorye that Euere it be
that to me he wil Ordeyne for Myn disloyalte,
I wele it Resceyven ful paciently,
and Only trosten In his gret Mercy,
So that at the day Of Iuggement
that I be nethir dampned ne schent,
but Meknesse to Me to schewen that day,
and deliueren Me from that spitous fray,
and not with the dampned forto dwelle,
whiche Euerelastyngly Schole ben In helle.”
and whanne Alle this he hadde I-spoke,
thanne vppon the peple he gan to loke,
and hem ful faste be-gan to preye
with Sorweful herte and weping Eye,
and preide hem “In worschepe Of his Creatour
his handes to Onbynden In that Our,
that vpwardis to God he myhte hem holde,
And Of Mercy him preyen Manifolde
whiles that I haue here bothe lyf and space
To besechen god of his specyal grace;
and for the love of Iesus, ȝif so be-falle
that I here deye to-forn ȝow Alle
Er that ȝe passen from this Contre,
thanne that ȝe wolden beryen Me
Amyddis my bretheren Everichon
that I so falsely to hem haue don.
thanne vppon the peple he gan to loke,
and hem ful faste be-gan to preye
with Sorweful herte and weping Eye,
and preide hem “In worschepe Of his Creatour
his handes to Onbynden In that Our,
that vpwardis to God he myhte hem holde,
And Of Mercy him preyen Manifolde
whiles that I haue here bothe lyf and space
To besechen god of his specyal grace;
and for the love of Iesus, ȝif so be-falle
that I here deye to-forn ȝow Alle
266
thanne that ȝe wolden beryen Me
Amyddis my bretheren Everichon
that I so falsely to hem haue don.
“And welen ȝe now knowen the Cause why
that I ȝow preye here so hertely?
Is for this Cause, I telle ȝow Echon:
For As Manye as be this weye don gon,
for my bretheren welen they preyen thanne,
and for my Sowle Every Manne,
that God wolde forȝeven it Me
My worldly Giltes In Eche degre;
and to ȝow Alle I preye now here,
As to my bretherin bothe lef and dere,
that for me ȝe Wolden so preye
to that lord that Sit On hye,
‘On Me swich veniance to taken In this place,
that at the day Of dom I myhte han grace,
and forȝevenesse Of myn Misdede;’
Now, goode bretheren, for me thus that ȝe bede,
so that At the day of Iuggemens
It be forȝeten In his presens,
and that he wolde forȝeven it to me
that I haue wrowht so gret disloyalte.”
that I ȝow preye here so hertely?
Is for this Cause, I telle ȝow Echon:
For As Manye as be this weye don gon,
for my bretheren welen they preyen thanne,
and for my Sowle Every Manne,
that God wolde forȝeven it Me
My worldly Giltes In Eche degre;
and to ȝow Alle I preye now here,
As to my bretherin bothe lef and dere,
that for me ȝe Wolden so preye
to that lord that Sit On hye,
‘On Me swich veniance to taken In this place,
that at the day Of dom I myhte han grace,
and forȝevenesse Of myn Misdede;’
Now, goode bretheren, for me thus that ȝe bede,
so that At the day of Iuggemens
It be forȝeten In his presens,
and that he wolde forȝeven it to me
that I haue wrowht so gret disloyalte.”
Whanne he hadde Mad thus his preyere,
Alle his bretheryn that there were,
Of hym hadden ful gret pyte
For that so sore thanne wepte he,
and fulfilden Anon his Byddynge,
and vnbownden his handis aftir his Askynge;
& there Amyddis his bretherin twelve
they him begroven As he desired him-selve;
And On Eche brothir Aftyr his kynde
Of the beste ston that they Cowde fynde,
and Of Marbil they weren Echon
Also ferforth As thei mihten it don;
and vppon Chanaam, whanne he was ded,
they leyden An nothir In that sted,
and vppon Eche A ston was wreten the Name
Of the twelve bretheren there Alle In same;
& vppon Chanaam they wreten A scripture
Ryht In this Manere, I ȝow Enswre,
“here lyth Chanaam Of Ierusalem In Certain
that his twelve bretherin falsly hath Slayn;”
and Alle In that Cyte weren they bore,
As ȝe han me herd Rehersen before.
Alle his bretheryn that there were,
Of hym hadden ful gret pyte
For that so sore thanne wepte he,
and fulfilden Anon his Byddynge,
and vnbownden his handis aftir his Askynge;
& there Amyddis his bretherin twelve
they him begroven As he desired him-selve;
And On Eche brothir Aftyr his kynde
Of the beste ston that they Cowde fynde,
and Of Marbil they weren Echon
Also ferforth As thei mihten it don;
267
they leyden An nothir In that sted,
and vppon Eche A ston was wreten the Name
Of the twelve bretheren there Alle In same;
& vppon Chanaam they wreten A scripture
Ryht In this Manere, I ȝow Enswre,
“here lyth Chanaam Of Ierusalem In Certain
that his twelve bretherin falsly hath Slayn;”
and Alle In that Cyte weren they bore,
As ȝe han me herd Rehersen before.
And whanne they hadden thus I-do,
thanne of Iosephes Axeden they tho,
ȝif he wolde Owht remeven that Ilke day.
thanne Anon Iosephes to hem Seyde, “Nay,
but here scholen we dwellen Echon
Tyl that this day be Al Agon,
For A gret thing that Nedful Is,
that behoueth to be don with-Owten Mys.
thanne of Iosephes Axeden they tho,
ȝif he wolde Owht remeven that Ilke day.
thanne Anon Iosephes to hem Seyde, “Nay,
but here scholen we dwellen Echon
Tyl that this day be Al Agon,
For A gret thing that Nedful Is,
that behoueth to be don with-Owten Mys.
“Ful wel ȝe knowen, as ȝe mown sen,
that Alle these, worthy knyhtes han ben;
there-fore wile I that Ech Of hem haue
A signe here I-Mad vppon his grave,
In signefiaunce that knyhtes they were,
& this schal be don whiles we ben here.”
thanne Axeden they what syne it scholde be,
“On Eche tombe A swerd, he seide, Sekerle,
In signefiaunce Of hem that lyn there,
that In here dayes so worthy knyhtes were;
For Man schal non passen be this way
that theke swerdis scholen taken Away.”
thanne thus fulfild they his Comaundement
that he hem had there present.
that Alle these, worthy knyhtes han ben;
there-fore wile I that Ech Of hem haue
A signe here I-Mad vppon his grave,
In signefiaunce that knyhtes they were,
& this schal be don whiles we ben here.”
thanne Axeden they what syne it scholde be,
“On Eche tombe A swerd, he seide, Sekerle,
In signefiaunce Of hem that lyn there,
that In here dayes so worthy knyhtes were;
For Man schal non passen be this way
that theke swerdis scholen taken Away.”
thanne thus fulfild they his Comaundement
that he hem had there present.
That Nyht lyen they Alle In Certayn
there As the twelve bretheren weren slayn;
and there Amonges hem In that stownde
they gonnen to serchen peerses wounde;
and whanne they hadden wel loked there-One,
They seiden that helyd he scholde ben sone;
So þat to the wounde they putten As they stood
swich thing As hem thowhte scholde be good;
but there-Offen thanne deceyved they were,
For but litel kepe token they there
how that the wounde Envemyned was,
they Cowde it not Aspyen In that plas,
so that for th' envemyneng Of that wounde
they putten Non Medicyn that sto Wnde;
so that thei deden hym More harm than good
In that plyht tho As it there stood:
For Anon as they hadden Anoynt him so
with thing that Contrarye was therto,
thus sone his flesch be-gan to brenne,
So that mochel peyne suffrede he thenne;
and thanne more Angwisch hadde he thore
thanne Evere he suffrede Ony tyme before,
so that he wende Siker to han ben ded
For peyne that he suffrede In that sted.
there As the twelve bretheren weren slayn;
and there Amonges hem In that stownde
they gonnen to serchen peerses wounde;
268
They seiden that helyd he scholde ben sone;
So þat to the wounde they putten As they stood
swich thing As hem thowhte scholde be good;
but there-Offen thanne deceyved they were,
For but litel kepe token they there
how that the wounde Envemyned was,
they Cowde it not Aspyen In that plas,
so that for th' envemyneng Of that wounde
they putten Non Medicyn that sto Wnde;
so that thei deden hym More harm than good
In that plyht tho As it there stood:
For Anon as they hadden Anoynt him so
with thing that Contrarye was therto,
thus sone his flesch be-gan to brenne,
So that mochel peyne suffrede he thenne;
and thanne more Angwisch hadde he thore
thanne Evere he suffrede Ony tyme before,
so that he wende Siker to han ben ded
For peyne that he suffrede In that sted.
thanne to Iosephes Anon spak he,
“leve Sire, how may this now be?
these herbes don me but distresse,
I sey ȝow, Sire, In Sekernesse;
for I am Sykkere thanne I was before,
and Ek my wounde manyfold more sore.”
thanne Answerid Iosephes that was so hende,
and seide, “Piers, my swete frende;
I preie ȝow, dismaye ȝow non thing,
For Oure lord ȝow schal sende good Counseillyng,
and of ȝoure Syknesse Al hol to be,
I Sey ȝow, brother, ful sekerle.”
“leve Sire, how may this now be?
these herbes don me but distresse,
I sey ȝow, Sire, In Sekernesse;
for I am Sykkere thanne I was before,
and Ek my wounde manyfold more sore.”
thanne Answerid Iosephes that was so hende,
and seide, “Piers, my swete frende;
I preie ȝow, dismaye ȝow non thing,
For Oure lord ȝow schal sende good Counseillyng,
and of ȝoure Syknesse Al hol to be,
I Sey ȝow, brother, ful sekerle.”
Thus In this Maner Iosephes there
Coumforted piers In his Manere;
and, for dismayed he scholde not be,
Iosephes And Alle his Compeyne
that day and that Nyht Abyden stille
In Coumfortyng of Pers,—this was his wille,—
and Ek Also for that wery they were
For makeng Of theke tombes there;
So that Nyht token they here Reste
as Iosephes and his Compenie likede beste.
Coumforted piers In his Manere;
269
Iosephes And Alle his Compeyne
that day and that Nyht Abyden stille
In Coumfortyng of Pers,—this was his wille,—
and Ek Also for that wery they were
For makeng Of theke tombes there;
So that Nyht token they here Reste
as Iosephes and his Compenie likede beste.
vppon the morwen whanne they gonne Rise,
they wondrede Sore In here gyse;
whanne the tombes they gonne beholde,
In here hertes the merveilled many folde.
For On Eche A tombe they gonne to se
A swerd, And dounward the poynt sekerle,
which neuere Erthly hand there sette:
this was gret Merveil to here witte;
and vppon Chanaams tombe they sye
Gret fyr brenneng ful trewelye,
as drye busches they hadden I-be,
So lyht I-brende tho ful Sekerle.
they wondrede Sore In here gyse;
whanne the tombes they gonne beholde,
In here hertes the merveilled many folde.
For On Eche A tombe they gonne to se
A swerd, And dounward the poynt sekerle,
which neuere Erthly hand there sette:
this was gret Merveil to here witte;
and vppon Chanaams tombe they sye
Gret fyr brenneng ful trewelye,
as drye busches they hadden I-be,
So lyht I-brende tho ful Sekerle.
Whanne they beheld this Aventure,
they Axeden of Iosephes which hadde Cure
‘whethir this fyr scholde lasten longe,
Oþer Endelesly there stille to A-fonge.’
“I schal ȝou seyn, quod Iosephes thanne,
to Assoille ȝowre qwestiown lik As I kanne.
this Fyr Algates ne schal not brenne,
but Cesen it schal, but ȝe neten whenne,
For it ne May not ben now Anon
Tyl that A knyht here gynne to gon,
the wheche A synnere & luxorious schal be,
but ȝit schal he ben Of gret bownte,
passynge Al his Compenye,
As that I sey ȝow Certeynlye;
and here that knyht In his Comenge
Schal Asteynte this fyr with-Owten lesinge;
and not Only be his Owne grace,
but for that God wile schewen In eche place
To A Man worschepe Of Cheualrye,
thus Crist here wile don Sekerlye,
hos Name schal be Clepid Lawncelot,
I it ȝow telle, for ȝe ne wot;
and Of hym there schal sprynge
The beste knyht That Evere Was levynge,
to whom Oure lord schal schewen his Myht
More thanne to Ony Othir Erthly knyht;
For thorwh his Religious lyvenge
hym schal befalle ful Many A thenge;
For Alle the Aventures Of grete bretaynge
In that knyht Schal behappen In Certayngne
Passing Ony Othyr knyht,—
sweche Aventures to hym ben dyht,—
Hos Name, I telle ȝow, Galath schal be
In baptesme I-Cleped ful Sykerle.
whiche Galath deleveren schal Certayne
bothe Symev And Moys Owt Of peyne,
and Also Chanaam deliuered schal be
Owt Of his peyne, As I telle the;
And Alle these thinges scholen befalle
In kynges tyme þat Arthour men scholen Calle.”
they Axeden of Iosephes which hadde Cure
‘whethir this fyr scholde lasten longe,
Oþer Endelesly there stille to A-fonge.’
“I schal ȝou seyn, quod Iosephes thanne,
to Assoille ȝowre qwestiown lik As I kanne.
this Fyr Algates ne schal not brenne,
but Cesen it schal, but ȝe neten whenne,
For it ne May not ben now Anon
Tyl that A knyht here gynne to gon,
the wheche A synnere & luxorious schal be,
but ȝit schal he ben Of gret bownte,
passynge Al his Compenye,
As that I sey ȝow Certeynlye;
and here that knyht In his Comenge
Schal Asteynte this fyr with-Owten lesinge;
270
but for that God wile schewen In eche place
To A Man worschepe Of Cheualrye,
thus Crist here wile don Sekerlye,
hos Name schal be Clepid Lawncelot,
I it ȝow telle, for ȝe ne wot;
and Of hym there schal sprynge
The beste knyht That Evere Was levynge,
to whom Oure lord schal schewen his Myht
More thanne to Ony Othir Erthly knyht;
For thorwh his Religious lyvenge
hym schal befalle ful Many A thenge;
For Alle the Aventures Of grete bretaynge
In that knyht Schal behappen In Certayngne
Passing Ony Othyr knyht,—
sweche Aventures to hym ben dyht,—
Hos Name, I telle ȝow, Galath schal be
In baptesme I-Cleped ful Sykerle.
whiche Galath deleveren schal Certayne
bothe Symev And Moys Owt Of peyne,
and Also Chanaam deliuered schal be
Owt Of his peyne, As I telle the;
And Alle these thinges scholen befalle
In kynges tyme þat Arthour men scholen Calle.”
Thus tolde Iosephes to his Compenye
Of Many diuers Merveilles that scholde be,
lyk as Crist to hym discouered hadde
As In that Contre his Feleschepe he ladde.
Of Many diuers Merveilles that scholde be,
lyk as Crist to hym discouered hadde
As In that Contre his Feleschepe he ladde.
this same day whanne he hadde thus seid,
his disciple Pers ful sik him leyd;
and Also Anothir Abod there stille
Fulliche be his Owne good wille,
whiche Pharans hyhte, and A preest was,
ful stille Abod he In that plas,
and there Alle dayes Of his lyve wolde he dwelle,
For Owht that Ony man Cowde to hym spelle,
where that A Chapel he gan to Arere,
Euery day his Masse to syngen there,
to preyen his lord, for his pyte,
On Chanaans Sowle to han Merce.
and thus dyde Pharans be his Owne Entent,
For that he sawh Chanaams there present
Of Sorewful herte and gret Repentaunce
that him behapped swich A myschaunce,
and be his lyve Repentyng here
Of his Misdedis tho Alle In fere.
his disciple Pers ful sik him leyd;
and Also Anothir Abod there stille
Fulliche be his Owne good wille,
whiche Pharans hyhte, and A preest was,
ful stille Abod he In that plas,
and there Alle dayes Of his lyve wolde he dwelle,
For Owht that Ony man Cowde to hym spelle,
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Euery day his Masse to syngen there,
to preyen his lord, for his pyte,
On Chanaans Sowle to han Merce.
and thus dyde Pharans be his Owne Entent,
For that he sawh Chanaams there present
Of Sorewful herte and gret Repentaunce
that him behapped swich A myschaunce,
and be his lyve Repentyng here
Of his Misdedis tho Alle In fere.
And thus belefte Pharans there behinde,
For that Chanaams Sowle he wolde hauen In Minde;
And Anon A Chapel he gan to Arere,
his Masse and preieris to seyn Inne there;
whiche Chapel, On Balaans let þere dyhte,
that In thike Contre was Man Of Myhte,
whiche Balaans Aftyr Convertyd was
thorwgh Pharans Counseil In that plas,
and Resceiued the Cristene lay,
and þere-Inne lyvede ful Many a day.
For that Chanaams Sowle he wolde hauen In Minde;
And Anon A Chapel he gan to Arere,
his Masse and preieris to seyn Inne there;
whiche Chapel, On Balaans let þere dyhte,
that In thike Contre was Man Of Myhte,
whiche Balaans Aftyr Convertyd was
thorwgh Pharans Counseil In that plas,
and Resceiued the Cristene lay,
and þere-Inne lyvede ful Many a day.
so that vppon the Morwe thei token here Iorne,
Iosephes, and with him Al his Compeyne,
Sauf Only Pharans belefte behynde,
and with this Piers that was so kynde
be Encheson that hurt he was,
and ne myhte not Meven Owt Of that plas;
For he ne mihte not sewen his Compenye,
So Syk and sor he was trewelye.
And thus beleften they bothe In-same,
Pharans and Piers with-Owten blame.
Iosephes, and with him Al his Compeyne,
Sauf Only Pharans belefte behynde,
and with this Piers that was so kynde
be Encheson that hurt he was,
and ne myhte not Meven Owt Of that plas;
For he ne mihte not sewen his Compenye,
So Syk and sor he was trewelye.
And thus beleften they bothe In-same,
Pharans and Piers with-Owten blame.
This piers, that hurt was so sore,
Everyday gan Apeyren More and More
that he wende Sykerly ded to han be,
for non Othir Rekewre treuly knew he,
that so with-Inne the thre ferste dayes
he was apeired In ful Many weyes;
So that this Pharans ne knew non boote
Of his wounde, nethir Cold ne hoote,
but Every day it wax werse than Oþer:
Thus thowghte Pharans Of Piers his brother.
and whanne Piers beheld Al this,
that Of his peynes he myhte hauen non lys,
thanne gan this Piers to wepen ful sore,
For pyte that of him self he hadde thore,
and that he Sawgh he schulde dye
For defawt Of leche-craft Sekerlye.
Everyday gan Apeyren More and More
that he wende Sykerly ded to han be,
for non Othir Rekewre treuly knew he,
that so with-Inne the thre ferste dayes
he was apeired In ful Many weyes;
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Of his wounde, nethir Cold ne hoote,
but Every day it wax werse than Oþer:
Thus thowghte Pharans Of Piers his brother.
and whanne Piers beheld Al this,
that Of his peynes he myhte hauen non lys,
thanne gan this Piers to wepen ful sore,
For pyte that of him self he hadde thore,
and that he Sawgh he schulde dye
For defawt Of leche-craft Sekerlye.
thanne seide Piers to Pharans tho,
“I se wel, brothir, it wele non Oþer wyse go,
For it is not his wille that may me save
that here myn helthe I scholde haue;
where-fore I preie ȝow, my brothir dere,
That to the nexte se ȝe beren me here,
and whanne to-gederis there that we be,
thanne Othir Cownseil vs May be se,
So that I schal not here Abyde,
but In to Anothir Contre me moste glyde;
For wel ȝe knowen, myn Owne brothir,
that Everyday I am wers than Othir.
“I se wel, brothir, it wele non Oþer wyse go,
For it is not his wille that may me save
that here myn helthe I scholde haue;
where-fore I preie ȝow, my brothir dere,
That to the nexte se ȝe beren me here,
and whanne to-gederis there that we be,
thanne Othir Cownseil vs May be se,
So that I schal not here Abyde,
but In to Anothir Contre me moste glyde;
For wel ȝe knowen, myn Owne brothir,
that Everyday I am wers than Othir.
Whanne Pharans herde thus his Mone,
For sorwe In herte he gan to grone,
and seide ‘to his power In Alle thinge,
that to the See he scholde hym bringe.’
so that Pharans purchased him that ilke day,
and vppon the Morwe, the sothe to say
that he hadde geten hym An Asse,
whiche that gret Ese to Pyers it wasse,
and sette me pers vppon his bak,
whiche was deseised with-Owten lak,
and so him ladde thanne to the See
Al so Esely As it Mihte tho be.
and whanne thedir they weren I-gon,
Man nethir beste sien they non,
but Onliche A vessel Rediliche I-dyht,
where-offen þe Seyl was vpe Ipyht,
and the vessel Al Redy forto go
In to what Contre it scholde tho.
For sorwe In herte he gan to grone,
and seide ‘to his power In Alle thinge,
that to the See he scholde hym bringe.’
so that Pharans purchased him that ilke day,
and vppon the Morwe, the sothe to say
that he hadde geten hym An Asse,
whiche that gret Ese to Pyers it wasse,
and sette me pers vppon his bak,
whiche was deseised with-Owten lak,
and so him ladde thanne to the See
Al so Esely As it Mihte tho be.
and whanne thedir they weren I-gon,
Man nethir beste sien they non,
273
where-offen þe Seyl was vpe Ipyht,
and the vessel Al Redy forto go
In to what Contre it scholde tho.
and whanne that Piers this vessel say,
he thankede God that ylke day,
For he thowhte wel In his Entent
that God for him thider hadde it sent.
thanne seide he to Pharans there,
“Tak me down, my brothir dere,
and putte me In to this vessel Anon,
and Into the See thanne let it Gon,
Into what partye Owther Ony Contre,
For Aftyr goddis wille it Mot be,
where that bote I hope to fynden trewlye
and keuering of myn grete Maladye.”
he thankede God that ylke day,
For he thowhte wel In his Entent
that God for him thider hadde it sent.
thanne seide he to Pharans there,
“Tak me down, my brothir dere,
and putte me In to this vessel Anon,
and Into the See thanne let it Gon,
Into what partye Owther Ony Contre,
For Aftyr goddis wille it Mot be,
where that bote I hope to fynden trewlye
and keuering of myn grete Maladye.”
Thanne gan Pharans to wepen ful sore,
and seide to Piers his brothir thore,
“wilen ȝe me thus leven A lone,
And be ȝoure selven In this vessel forth gone,
and vppon hape neuere Comen Ageyn,
and þerto with-Owten Compenye? it is In veyn!
And therto so syk As ȝe be!
Now Certein, brothir, it Merveilleth me!
and therfore, dere brother, I ȝow preye,
so let me with ȝow gon In this weye.”
“Putte me In the vessel, quod Piers Anon,
and whanne that ȝe han so I-don,
thanne schal I tellen ȝow myn Entent
of that ȝe Axen me here present.”
and seide to Piers his brothir thore,
“wilen ȝe me thus leven A lone,
And be ȝoure selven In this vessel forth gone,
and vppon hape neuere Comen Ageyn,
and þerto with-Owten Compenye? it is In veyn!
And therto so syk As ȝe be!
Now Certein, brothir, it Merveilleth me!
and therfore, dere brother, I ȝow preye,
so let me with ȝow gon In this weye.”
“Putte me In the vessel, quod Piers Anon,
and whanne that ȝe han so I-don,
thanne schal I tellen ȝow myn Entent
of that ȝe Axen me here present.”
Thanne Anon this Pharans thar,
Piers Into that vessel there bar;
and whanne that he hadde so I-do,
Anon Piers to pharans spak vnto:
“Now, goode dere pharans, and frend,
Owt of this vessel that ȝe Wend;
for ȝe hauen fulfild myn talent,
My wyl and Al myn hole Entent;
and hens Alone now schal I go,
And ȝe ȝoure Chapel Aȝen vnto,
So that eueriday ȝe mown for me preye
‘that God Into swiche place me Conveye,
and that into swiche contre Comen I mote,
Of my Maladye to hauen some bote.’
and ȝif ȝe my lord Iosephes seen Er I,
Comaunde me to hym ful hertyly,
and telleth him holiche In Alle degre
how that it stont now with Me,
and Nedis that I Moste thus do
ȝif that Ony hele me Come vnto;
For Onliche In god I me affye,
Myn helthe to fynden ful trewelye.”
Piers Into that vessel there bar;
and whanne that he hadde so I-do,
Anon Piers to pharans spak vnto:
“Now, goode dere pharans, and frend,
Owt of this vessel that ȝe Wend;
274
My wyl and Al myn hole Entent;
and hens Alone now schal I go,
And ȝe ȝoure Chapel Aȝen vnto,
So that eueriday ȝe mown for me preye
‘that God Into swiche place me Conveye,
and that into swiche contre Comen I mote,
Of my Maladye to hauen some bote.’
and ȝif ȝe my lord Iosephes seen Er I,
Comaunde me to hym ful hertyly,
and telleth him holiche In Alle degre
how that it stont now with Me,
and Nedis that I Moste thus do
ȝif that Ony hele me Come vnto;
For Onliche In god I me affye,
Myn helthe to fynden ful trewelye.”
And thus Pharans Owt of the schipe gan gon,
Ful sore wepinge thanne there Anon
For the grete pite that he hadde
Of piers that Into þe schipe he ladde.
and Ek Piers there wepte Also
whanne they departyd þere bothe two;
for piers In dowte was to deye;
so he supposid ful sekerlye.
thus Ech of Othir took here leve,
and betawhte god bothe morwe and Eve;
thus kysten they þere bothe In fere,
and Ech oþer Comanded to here preiere,
For Eche knew oþer thanne ful wel
As goode men to God Every del.
Ful sore wepinge thanne there Anon
For the grete pite that he hadde
Of piers that Into þe schipe he ladde.
and Ek Piers there wepte Also
whanne they departyd þere bothe two;
for piers In dowte was to deye;
so he supposid ful sekerlye.
thus Ech of Othir took here leve,
and betawhte god bothe morwe and Eve;
thus kysten they þere bothe In fere,
and Ech oþer Comanded to here preiere,
For Eche knew oþer thanne ful wel
As goode men to God Every del.
and whanne Pharans Owt tho wente,
Piers thanne wepte with good Entente;
and the wynd In the Seil was Anon,
and Into the See Made the Schipe gon;
& thus sone with-Inne A stownde,
There As Pharans stood On the grounde,
Nethir the vessel ne piers he ne say,
So fer Into the soe he wente that day.
and whanne that Pharans Myht Se no more,
vppon his Asse he wente vp thore,
and to his Chapel he wente Agayn,
ful sore weping In certayn
for that Piers so from him was gon,
& he dwelde þere stille thanne Anon.
Piers thanne wepte with good Entente;
and the wynd In the Seil was Anon,
and Into the See Made the Schipe gon;
& thus sone with-Inne A stownde,
There As Pharans stood On the grounde,
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So fer Into the soe he wente that day.
and whanne that Pharans Myht Se no more,
vppon his Asse he wente vp thore,
and to his Chapel he wente Agayn,
ful sore weping In certayn
for that Piers so from him was gon,
& he dwelde þere stille thanne Anon.
Now leveth here Pharans storie,
& forth to Pers it doth hye,
to tellen of his Aventure
and of his helthe, I ȝow Ensure.
& forth to Pers it doth hye,
to tellen of his Aventure
and of his helthe, I ȝow Ensure.
| CHAPTER LI. OF THE FATE OF CHANAAN, AND OF PIERS'S WOUND. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |