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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| XLVII. |
| XLVIII. |
| XLIX. |
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| LV. | CHAPTER LV. HOW CASTLE CORBENIE IS BUILT FOR THE HOLY GRAAL, AND VENGEANCE IS DONE FOR DESPITE TO IT AND SOLOMON'S SWORD. |
| LVI. |
 | CHAPTER LV. HOW CASTLE CORBENIE IS BUILT FOR THE HOLY GRAAL, AND VENGEANCE IS DONE FOR DESPITE TO IT AND SOLOMON'S SWORD. The Legend of the Holy Grail |  |
CHAPTER LV. HOW CASTLE CORBENIE IS BUILT FOR THE HOLY GRAAL, AND VENGEANCE IS DONE FOR DESPITE TO IT AND SOLOMON'S SWORD.
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Now this Storye furthere doth telle
bothe Of Iosephes and Aleyn ful snelle;
whanne that to the deth he drowhe so Ny,
thanne behelde he Aleyn ful witterly,
and sawgh that he wepe so faste;
thanne he hym Axede Atte laste,
“Aleyn, why wepyst thow so sore?
telle me thy Cause why and wherfore.”
bothe Of Iosephes and Aleyn ful snelle;
whanne that to the deth he drowhe so Ny,
thanne behelde he Aleyn ful witterly,
and sawgh that he wepe so faste;
thanne he hym Axede Atte laste,
“Aleyn, why wepyst thow so sore?
telle me thy Cause why and wherfore.”
“Sire, I May wepen Ryht wel,
and ȝe it knewen Every del,
For A schepe that Alone left Is
With-Owten pastour Oþer herdeman I-wys;
Anon Cometh the wilde lyown,
And it distroieth Al & Som.
Sire, this Mater I telle by the
that Art my pastour Sykerle,
And I ȝowre schepe as [ȝe] wel knowe
that thus from Me scholen deye nowe.
ho schal thanne My pastour be?
Now, good sire, thot ȝe welen tellen Me.”
and ȝe it knewen Every del,
For A schepe that Alone left Is
With-Owten pastour Oþer herdeman I-wys;
Anon Cometh the wilde lyown,
And it distroieth Al & Som.
Sire, this Mater I telle by the
that Art my pastour Sykerle,
And I ȝowre schepe as [ȝe] wel knowe
that thus from Me scholen deye nowe.
ho schal thanne My pastour be?
Now, good sire, thot ȝe welen tellen Me.”
“ȝe scholen ȝoure self been A good pastour,
and Aftyr me ȝe wil werken Eche Owr.
but loke that ȝe non Marchant pastour be,
that Fychcheth his Eyen In Eche degre;
but torne ȝoure Eyen from Idelnesse,
and Ocupie ȝow In good Besynesse
that schal kepen ȝoure body from Alle torment,
and to Endeles blysse ȝow Represent;
therfore loke that ȝe kepe ȝow wel
that the Enemy In ȝow haue part non del.”
and Aftyr me ȝe wil werken Eche Owr.
but loke that ȝe non Marchant pastour be,
that Fychcheth his Eyen In Eche degre;
326
and Ocupie ȝow In good Besynesse
that schal kepen ȝoure body from Alle torment,
and to Endeles blysse ȝow Represent;
therfore loke that ȝe kepe ȝow wel
that the Enemy In ȝow haue part non del.”
Thanne dyde Iosephes Anon to-forn hym brynge
the holy vessel with-Owten lesynge,
and seide to Aleyn In this Manere;
“lo, this holy vessel I betake the here
wiche Iesu Crist my fadyr be-took;”—
Aleyn it Resceyvede, & not forsook;—
“and whanne Owt Of this world þat ȝe schole pase,
loke that ȝe it Ordeyne In to swich A place
that In this Rem It mot stille dwelle,
And be ȝow I-Sesed, As I ȝow telle.”
So Aleyn Of this worschepful ȝifte there
he was ful Ioyful In Alle Manere.
the holy vessel with-Owten lesynge,
and seide to Aleyn In this Manere;
“lo, this holy vessel I betake the here
wiche Iesu Crist my fadyr be-took;”—
Aleyn it Resceyvede, & not forsook;—
“and whanne Owt Of this world þat ȝe schole pase,
loke that ȝe it Ordeyne In to swich A place
that In this Rem It mot stille dwelle,
And be ȝow I-Sesed, As I ȝow telle.”
So Aleyn Of this worschepful ȝifte there
he was ful Ioyful In Alle Manere.
Whanne that Iosephes to God past was,
Aleyn Remevede from that plas,
Owt from the Contre Of Galefors;
and his bretheren with hym gonnen Resort,
For Wedded weren they Everychon,
Alle his bretheryn Except On
wiche that Ioswe I-Clepyd was,
that tho was vn-Maryed, so was his grace;
and the beste knyht he was be Est Oþer West,
and Of Alle his Bretheren Aleyn loved hym best.
Aleyn Remevede from that plas,
Owt from the Contre Of Galefors;
and his bretheren with hym gonnen Resort,
For Wedded weren they Everychon,
Alle his bretheryn Except On
wiche that Ioswe I-Clepyd was,
that tho was vn-Maryed, so was his grace;
and the beste knyht he was be Est Oþer West,
and Of Alle his Bretheren Aleyn loved hym best.
Whanne that from Galafort he Gan gon,
thanne Axeden him his bretheryn Everichon,
‘Into what Contre that he wolde Go.’
and he hem Answerede, ‘he Niste not tho,
but as God And Aventure
vs wile Cowndeye, I ȝow Ensure.’
thanne Axeden him his bretheryn Everichon,
‘Into what Contre that he wolde Go.’
and he hem Answerede, ‘he Niste not tho,
but as God And Aventure
vs wile Cowndeye, I ȝow Ensure.’
So wente he forth, And his bretherin Alle,
As be Aventure to hem gan falle;
And An hundred Mo Of his kynrede
Forth with hym than gan he lede,
and seide ‘that Som voide Contre
with that kynrede Repleynsched scholde be,
So that with Al his power
he worschepid & Servid god Everywher.
As be Aventure to hem gan falle;
327
Forth with hym than gan he lede,
and seide ‘that Som voide Contre
with that kynrede Repleynsched scholde be,
So that with Al his power
he worschepid & Servid god Everywher.
Thus wente he Forth In his Iorne,
as was his Aventure and destyne,
tyl he Cam In to A strounge land
where As Nise peple he fond,
That ne CoWden but Of Lond tylyng,
Swich was here labour and here werkyng;
and that Rem was Clepid Foraygne,
Of Wheche the kyng was A lepre Certaygne,
and so Orible he was to Mannes Eye
that Eche Man schoned his Compenye;
And his Name was Clepyd Galafres,
Somtyme A worthy knyht In pres,
and dwellyd In his Owne Cyte
That Malce was Clepyd, As I telle the:
and the Same kyng A paynem was,
And Ek Al his peple In Every plas.
as was his Aventure and destyne,
tyl he Cam In to A strounge land
where As Nise peple he fond,
That ne CoWden but Of Lond tylyng,
Swich was here labour and here werkyng;
and that Rem was Clepid Foraygne,
Of Wheche the kyng was A lepre Certaygne,
and so Orible he was to Mannes Eye
that Eche Man schoned his Compenye;
And his Name was Clepyd Galafres,
Somtyme A worthy knyht In pres,
and dwellyd In his Owne Cyte
That Malce was Clepyd, As I telle the:
and the Same kyng A paynem was,
And Ek Al his peple In Every plas.
Whanne Aleyn Into the Cyte Entren began,
On hym there loked Many a Man,
and wondred what peple what they were
That Into the Cyte Entrede so there,
alle Barefoot, And In powre vesture,
Of wheche the kyng herde, I ȝow Ensure.
and thus sone Comanded the kyng
hem to-forn hym bringe with-Owten taryeng,
So that Openly he Myhte hem Se,
And whens they comen and [of] what contre.
On hym there loked Many a Man,
and wondred what peple what they were
That Into the Cyte Entrede so there,
alle Barefoot, And In powre vesture,
Of wheche the kyng herde, I ȝow Ensure.
and thus sone Comanded the kyng
hem to-forn hym bringe with-Owten taryeng,
So that Openly he Myhte hem Se,
And whens they comen and [of] what contre.
and whanne he hem Sawh In his Syht,
thanne Axede he hem Anon Ryht
‘Of what Contre that they were.’
thanne Answerid they Anon In fere,
“Sire, Of Ierusalem boren we be,
Eche Man that Is In this Compeyne.”
and whanne the kyng herde this,
he Axede, “whiche Of ȝow Mayster Is?”
A-Non that Compenye Alle On Rewe
there gonne the kyng Aleyn to schewe.
thanne Axede he hem Anon Ryht
‘Of what Contre that they were.’
thanne Answerid they Anon In fere,
328
Eche Man that Is In this Compeyne.”
and whanne the kyng herde this,
he Axede, “whiche Of ȝow Mayster Is?”
A-Non that Compenye Alle On Rewe
there gonne the kyng Aleyn to schewe.
thanne seide the kyng, “Aleyn, I ȝow pray,
Conne ȝe me Owht Cownseillen In Ony way
to koueren me Of my Maladye?”
“ȝe, sire kyng, quod Aleyn trewelye,
ȝif ȝe wil don As I ȝow teche,
Of this Maladye I schal ben ȝoure leche
with-Inne thre dayes with-Owten Mo.”
“ȝe, quod the kyng, May I troste therto?”
“Sire, quod Aleyn, And ȝe welen Me leve,
with-Inne iij dayes ȝoure helthe I schal preve.”
thanne kyng Galafers Answerid tho,
“What ȝe me Comaunden I schal do.”
“how May I this beleve?” quod Aleyn.
“ȝis sewrly, quod the kyng, In Certeyn,
For there nys non Manere Of thing Erthly
that I Nolde do to haven helthe Of Body.”
“thanne, quod Aleyn, I schal ȝow Say,
what ȝe mosten don with-Owten Nay;
and ȝif ȝe don not myn Comaundement,
ȝe Geten neuere helthe verament.”
“Now, seith Onne, quod the kyng thanne,
and I it schal don As I am trewe Manne.”
Conne ȝe me Owht Cownseillen In Ony way
to koueren me Of my Maladye?”
“ȝe, sire kyng, quod Aleyn trewelye,
ȝif ȝe wil don As I ȝow teche,
Of this Maladye I schal ben ȝoure leche
with-Inne thre dayes with-Owten Mo.”
“ȝe, quod the kyng, May I troste therto?”
“Sire, quod Aleyn, And ȝe welen Me leve,
with-Inne iij dayes ȝoure helthe I schal preve.”
thanne kyng Galafers Answerid tho,
“What ȝe me Comaunden I schal do.”
“how May I this beleve?” quod Aleyn.
“ȝis sewrly, quod the kyng, In Certeyn,
For there nys non Manere Of thing Erthly
that I Nolde do to haven helthe Of Body.”
“thanne, quod Aleyn, I schal ȝow Say,
what ȝe mosten don with-Owten Nay;
and ȝif ȝe don not myn Comaundement,
ȝe Geten neuere helthe verament.”
“Now, seith Onne, quod the kyng thanne,
and I it schal don As I am trewe Manne.”
“Sire kyng, and helyd thou wilt be,
Sarrasynes lawe forsake thou Sykerle,
and Alle thin ydoles to breken In fay,
that thou hast beleved Onne Many a day;
and whanne thou hast the devel Forsake,
thanne to Goddis lawe thou schalt þe take;
and Aftyr, I-Cristened thou schalt be,
And thanne Othir thinges schalt thou se,
Myn holy vessel, beleve this wele,
be whiche thou schalt haue Al thin hele,
and I-clensed, Sire kyng, to be
Of Al thy Maladye, Sire, certeinle;
And ȝif I do not this Ilke Dede,
I ȝeve the leve to smyten of myn hede,
And Of Al myn hol Compenye,
Sire kyng, I the Enswre trewelye.”
Sarrasynes lawe forsake thou Sykerle,
and Alle thin ydoles to breken In fay,
that thou hast beleved Onne Many a day;
and whanne thou hast the devel Forsake,
thanne to Goddis lawe thou schalt þe take;
and Aftyr, I-Cristened thou schalt be,
And thanne Othir thinges schalt thou se,
329
be whiche thou schalt haue Al thin hele,
and I-clensed, Sire kyng, to be
Of Al thy Maladye, Sire, certeinle;
And ȝif I do not this Ilke Dede,
I ȝeve the leve to smyten of myn hede,
And Of Al myn hol Compenye,
Sire kyng, I the Enswre trewelye.”
This kyng that so moche desired his hele,
lystenede what Aleyn seyd ful wele,
and Merveyllede Mochel Of his promys
that Of his beheste he was so Nys,
and seide, “Aleyn, I wyle gladly do
Al that ȝe Comaunden Me vnto;
and but ȝe holden ȝoure promys,
On ȝow I schal don ful hard Iewys;
and therfore loke that ȝe seye me non thing,
but ȝif that to ende ȝe Connen it bryng.”
thanne to him Answerede Aleyn Anon,
“doth by me, Sire, what ȝe lyst don,
but ȝif the same day Of ȝoure Crestenenge,
helthe & bote I schal to ȝow brynge.”
lystenede what Aleyn seyd ful wele,
and Merveyllede Mochel Of his promys
that Of his beheste he was so Nys,
and seide, “Aleyn, I wyle gladly do
Al that ȝe Comaunden Me vnto;
and but ȝe holden ȝoure promys,
On ȝow I schal don ful hard Iewys;
and therfore loke that ȝe seye me non thing,
but ȝif that to ende ȝe Connen it bryng.”
thanne to him Answerede Aleyn Anon,
“doth by me, Sire, what ȝe lyst don,
but ȝif the same day Of ȝoure Crestenenge,
helthe & bote I schal to ȝow brynge.”
the kyng Anon the temples dide down throwe,
And Ek Alle his ydoles vppon A Rowe;
and whanne he hadde I-don Al this,
& distroyed Alle his Mawmetis I-wys
that Evere belongede to paynem lawe,
he hath hem to-borsten and to-drawe;
& thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho,
“wylt þou Ony more ȝit that I do?”
“ȝis, quod Aleyn, with-Owten faille
thou Most be Crestened from toppe to taile.”
And Ek Alle his ydoles vppon A Rowe;
and whanne he hadde I-don Al this,
& distroyed Alle his Mawmetis I-wys
that Evere belongede to paynem lawe,
he hath hem to-borsten and to-drawe;
& thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho,
“wylt þou Ony more ȝit that I do?”
“ȝis, quod Aleyn, with-Owten faille
thou Most be Crestened from toppe to taile.”
thanne let he Fyllen A ston in hye
Ful Of water ful trewelye,
and blessid it was, and halwed Also,
and Anon he let the kyng þer-Inne do.
and þere kyng Galafers Cristened was than
Of An holy prest that hyhte Alphazan.
Ful Of water ful trewelye,
and blessid it was, and halwed Also,
and Anon he let the kyng þer-Inne do.
330
Of An holy prest that hyhte Alphazan.
& whanne that thus I-cristened was he,
and Owt Of the water Comen Certainle,
thanne browhte Aleyn this holy vessel Anon,
and to kyng Galafors gan he gon,
& there it discouerede & schewed it þe kyng,
whiche was to hym A ferly thyng.
and whanne the kyng beheld that Syht,
Anon was he Clensyd thorwgh goddis Myht
As Clene Also fayr as Evere he was;
and thus was he keveryd be goodis gras,
So that neuere Man On hym Cowde Aspye
that Evere he hadde poynt of Meselrye.
and Owt Of the water Comen Certainle,
thanne browhte Aleyn this holy vessel Anon,
and to kyng Galafors gan he gon,
& there it discouerede & schewed it þe kyng,
whiche was to hym A ferly thyng.
and whanne the kyng beheld that Syht,
Anon was he Clensyd thorwgh goddis Myht
As Clene Also fayr as Evere he was;
and thus was he keveryd be goodis gras,
So that neuere Man On hym Cowde Aspye
that Evere he hadde poynt of Meselrye.
and whanne he beheld this worthy Cure,
that he was Mad so Clene and pure
thorwgh that Ilke Gloryous vessel,
he seide it was holy Every del,
that so be this Aventure & this Myracle
he wax A goodman with-Owten Ony Obstacle,
and let to beheveden Al his Meyne
that Cristene peple ne wolden not be,
So that theke Rem to Cristendom torned was
with-Inne lesse thanne A Mownthe, be goddis gras;
So that for the Miracle, with-Owten dowte,
Al that Lond was Cristened Abowte.
that he was Mad so Clene and pure
thorwgh that Ilke Gloryous vessel,
he seide it was holy Every del,
that so be this Aventure & this Myracle
he wax A goodman with-Owten Ony Obstacle,
and let to beheveden Al his Meyne
that Cristene peple ne wolden not be,
So that theke Rem to Cristendom torned was
with-Inne lesse thanne A Mownthe, be goddis gras;
So that for the Miracle, with-Owten dowte,
Al that Lond was Cristened Abowte.
Whanne this Lond thus Convertyd was,
Onlich thorwgh helpe Of Goddis Gras,
thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho,
“Now, dere frend, On thing ȝe welen for me do.”
“Seith on, quod Aleyn, what It schal be,
And I schal it don, Sire, ful Sykerle.”
“Aleyn, of this that I schal ȝoW preye,
that ȝe it Me denyen In Non Weye,
So that this holy vessel that here I se,
Owt of this place neuere Remeved to be;
And ȝif it like ȝow that It be so,
ȝit More for ȝow thanne wile I do,
I schal don Maken A strong Castel
That holy vessel to kepen In ful wel,
And for ȝow also there-Inne to dwelle.
And to ȝow More ȝit schal I now spelle,
To ȝowre Owne brothir that Is so dere,
My dowhter I schal ȝeven to his fere,
and Corowne hym kyng be My levenge,
& Of Alle My londis to ȝeven him sesenynge
be this Condiscion, As I ȝow telle,
that this holy vessel Abyde here stylle.”
Thanne Answerede Aleyn to hym Ageyn,
“I Concente wel therto In Certeyn;
For My purpos it hath Evere I-be
That Onliche My dere brothir Ioswe
Aftyr my deth hyt schold have,
that For to Governen, to kepen, & save.”
Onlich thorwgh helpe Of Goddis Gras,
thanne seide the kyng to Aleyn tho,
“Now, dere frend, On thing ȝe welen for me do.”
“Seith on, quod Aleyn, what It schal be,
And I schal it don, Sire, ful Sykerle.”
“Aleyn, of this that I schal ȝoW preye,
that ȝe it Me denyen In Non Weye,
So that this holy vessel that here I se,
Owt of this place neuere Remeved to be;
331
ȝit More for ȝow thanne wile I do,
I schal don Maken A strong Castel
That holy vessel to kepen In ful wel,
And for ȝow also there-Inne to dwelle.
And to ȝow More ȝit schal I now spelle,
To ȝowre Owne brothir that Is so dere,
My dowhter I schal ȝeven to his fere,
and Corowne hym kyng be My levenge,
& Of Alle My londis to ȝeven him sesenynge
be this Condiscion, As I ȝow telle,
that this holy vessel Abyde here stylle.”
Thanne Answerede Aleyn to hym Ageyn,
“I Concente wel therto In Certeyn;
For My purpos it hath Evere I-be
That Onliche My dere brothir Ioswe
Aftyr my deth hyt schold have,
that For to Governen, to kepen, & save.”
Anon the king, with-Owten More,
let fechchen his dowhter hem before,
and knytte Ioswe and hire In fere,
wheche that to hym weren both leef & dere.
let fechchen his dowhter hem before,
and knytte Ioswe and hire In fere,
wheche that to hym weren both leef & dere.
thus sone thanne vppon A watyr side,
A Castel he Ordeyned that Ilke tyde,
that strong & Merveillous it was to se,
With A ful fair paleys Certeinle;
And Manye Riche howses there weren dyht,
Ful Riche And Ryal to Alle Mennes syht.
A Castel he Ordeyned that Ilke tyde,
that strong & Merveillous it was to se,
With A ful fair paleys Certeinle;
And Manye Riche howses there weren dyht,
Ful Riche And Ryal to Alle Mennes syht.
and whanne this Castel thus Ordeyned was,
they it behelden In Eche A plas,
And vppon the ton ȝate In that sted,
they fownden lettres wreten with Red;
and thus the lettres Gonnen specefye,
‘that this Castel scholde ben Clepid Corbenie;’
And In Caldev was this scripture,
whiche Is to vndirstonde As be lettrure,
as this place frely schal be,
Trosour Of þe holy vessel ful Sykerle.
they it behelden In Eche A plas,
And vppon the ton ȝate In that sted,
they fownden lettres wreten with Red;
and thus the lettres Gonnen specefye,
‘that this Castel scholde ben Clepid Corbenie;’
And In Caldev was this scripture,
332
as this place frely schal be,
Trosour Of þe holy vessel ful Sykerle.
thanne gonnen they seyn to Alle Anon,
[OMITTED]
that it ne was Goddis wylle
Non Othir Name to ȝyven vntille.
Thus was that Castel Cleped Corbenye
Of Everych Aftyr ful Sekerlye.
[OMITTED]
that it ne was Goddis wylle
Non Othir Name to ȝyven vntille.
Thus was that Castel Cleped Corbenye
Of Everych Aftyr ful Sekerlye.
And whanne Fenyscht was this Castel
In eche degre bothe faire and wel,
They browhten the vessel thedir with-Inne,
Into a fair Chambre, and qweynte Of gynne.
In eche degre bothe faire and wel,
They browhten the vessel thedir with-Inne,
Into a fair Chambre, and qweynte Of gynne.
and vppon the Sonday next Sewenge
Aftyr that holy vesselis Entringe,
The kyng Comaunded there Anon
That thike Mariage scholde be don
be-twixen Ioswe and his dowhter dere,
and therto Asemblede the peple In fere;
So that this Mariage thus was I-do,
and Alle the Royalles Comen hem vnto,
and there to Ioswe diden they homage;
and thike day was Crowned with hygh baronage
As verray kyng Of Al that lond,
In Corbenie was Crowned, I vndirstond;
and Ek he wedded there his wyf
That highte Alphanye With-Owten stryf.
& Al the peple that there Ete thyke day,
they weren Repleynsched with-Owten Nay—
be the grace Of that holy vessel of pris—
with alle Maner Metes and delecasyes;
and what that Evere they Onne thowhte,
To-forn here Eyen It was hem browhte.
Aftyr that holy vesselis Entringe,
The kyng Comaunded there Anon
That thike Mariage scholde be don
be-twixen Ioswe and his dowhter dere,
and therto Asemblede the peple In fere;
So that this Mariage thus was I-do,
and Alle the Royalles Comen hem vnto,
and there to Ioswe diden they homage;
and thike day was Crowned with hygh baronage
As verray kyng Of Al that lond,
In Corbenie was Crowned, I vndirstond;
and Ek he wedded there his wyf
That highte Alphanye With-Owten stryf.
& Al the peple that there Ete thyke day,
they weren Repleynsched with-Owten Nay—
be the grace Of that holy vessel of pris—
with alle Maner Metes and delecasyes;
and what that Evere they Onne thowhte,
To-forn here Eyen It was hem browhte.
that Nyht Ioswe with-Owten lettynge
be-twixen hym and his was Conceyvenge;
and be-gat An Eyr bothe fayr & fre
that kyng Regnede Aftyr Ioswe;
and A-Mynadape was that kynges Name,
kyng Of Foraigne, & a Man of fame.
be-twixen hym and his was Conceyvenge;
and be-gat An Eyr bothe fayr & fre
333
and A-Mynadape was that kynges Name,
kyng Of Foraigne, & a Man of fame.
As the kyng and his Wyf lyen that Nyht
In A bed ful Richely I-dyht,
abowtes Mydnyht whanne he Awook,
Thanne Aboutes hym Gan he to look,
and there sawh he with-Owten fable
the holy vessel stonden vppon A table,
the wheche, Clene Syluer him thoughte it was;
and A man standyng therby In that plas,
wheche he ne knew nethir More ne lasse,
and Reuersed as A prest toward his Masse;
& Abowtes him he thowhte þat he herde there
A thowsend voyses, but he Nyste where;
and Alle to God ȝoven they thankynge;
that was the Noyse Of here Sownenge;
but for nowht that he Cowde do,
he myhte not Sen whens it cam fro;
and ȝit Al this not withstondynge,
he herd Abowtes hym A wondir thinge:
betyng Of Bryddes Wynges In fere,
as they Alle they in the world hadde ben there.
and As sone As this Noyse I-left was,
the vessel was Remeved Owt Of that plas.
In A bed ful Richely I-dyht,
abowtes Mydnyht whanne he Awook,
Thanne Aboutes hym Gan he to look,
and there sawh he with-Owten fable
the holy vessel stonden vppon A table,
the wheche, Clene Syluer him thoughte it was;
and A man standyng therby In that plas,
wheche he ne knew nethir More ne lasse,
and Reuersed as A prest toward his Masse;
& Abowtes him he thowhte þat he herde there
A thowsend voyses, but he Nyste where;
and Alle to God ȝoven they thankynge;
that was the Noyse Of here Sownenge;
but for nowht that he Cowde do,
he myhte not Sen whens it cam fro;
and ȝit Al this not withstondynge,
he herd Abowtes hym A wondir thinge:
betyng Of Bryddes Wynges In fere,
as they Alle they in the world hadde ben there.
and As sone As this Noyse I-left was,
the vessel was Remeved Owt Of that plas.
thus sone to hym Aperede there
A man As it were In flawmes Of Fere,
and seide to this kyng there As he lay,
hos Name to Alphasan was torned that day,
and seide, “Sire kyng, I warne the
here behoveth non Resteng forto be,
Nethir for the, ne for non Oþer this tyde;
here ben ȝe not worthy to Abyde;
but ȝif A Man Of Clene lif he were,
this place scholde he not Entren here
where as the holy vessel worschepid schal be,
As with thin Eyen thou hast here se.
therfore hast thou don An hardy dede
that dorstest here lyggen In this Stede;
Wherfore Crist wil taken veniaunce;
& that schalt thou knowen with-Owten variaunce.”
A man As it were In flawmes Of Fere,
and seide to this kyng there As he lay,
hos Name to Alphasan was torned that day,
and seide, “Sire kyng, I warne the
here behoveth non Resteng forto be,
Nethir for the, ne for non Oþer this tyde;
here ben ȝe not worthy to Abyde;
but ȝif A Man Of Clene lif he were,
this place scholde he not Entren here
where as the holy vessel worschepid schal be,
334
therfore hast thou don An hardy dede
that dorstest here lyggen In this Stede;
Wherfore Crist wil taken veniaunce;
& that schalt thou knowen with-Owten variaunce.”
Thanne with a swerd he Owt Braste,
that In his hond he held wel faste,
and him smot ful harde and smerte
that thorwgh bothe thyes the swerd Owt sterte,
So that On the tothir Side it was sene,
& seyde thanne to this kyng be-dene,
“Now it is Good that Alle Oþere war be,
and that they taken Ensample by the;
For ho-so Entreth In to this place,
he may ben Siker Of Sory Grace,
that Owther ded schal he be,
Oþer schamfully departen sikerle,
But ȝif it be that Worthy knyht
That here to Entren is grauntyd Myht.”
thanne thus sone his swerd Owt he drowgh,
and vanschede Awey, and Nystë howgh.
that In his hond he held wel faste,
and him smot ful harde and smerte
that thorwgh bothe thyes the swerd Owt sterte,
So that On the tothir Side it was sene,
& seyde thanne to this kyng be-dene,
“Now it is Good that Alle Oþere war be,
and that they taken Ensample by the;
For ho-so Entreth In to this place,
he may ben Siker Of Sory Grace,
that Owther ded schal he be,
Oþer schamfully departen sikerle,
But ȝif it be that Worthy knyht
That here to Entren is grauntyd Myht.”
thanne thus sone his swerd Owt he drowgh,
and vanschede Awey, and Nystë howgh.
thanne Fyl this kyng In Swownenge
thorwgh thike strok and his hurtynge,
For the Grete peyne he suffrede thore
he wende han lyved Neuere more,
but sykerly wende han deyd Er day,
So sore hit hym grevede, þe sothe t[o say.]
thorwgh thike strok and his hurtynge,
For the Grete peyne he suffrede thore
he wende han lyved Neuere more,
but sykerly wende han deyd Er day,
So sore hit hym grevede, þe sothe t[o say.]
On the Morwen, whanne It was lyht,
to the kynges Chambre drowgh baroun & knyht,
and Fownden the kyng I-wounded ful sore,
where-offen they Merveillede, Al that was thore.
thanne Axede they him Everichon
how that this Aventure Cam hym vppon.
“Ha! for the love Of god, quod the kyng;
with me non longere haue talkyng,
but helpeth me hens Owt Anon,
that Owt Of this Chambre I were gon;
For this place So holy it Is,
and þerto so ful Of Ioye and Blis,
be Entreing Of this vessel
This paleys is Sanctefyed Everydel,
So that non Man here Resten Schal
In place there As Is this Sank Ryal;
And thys paleys hath the moste wondir Name
that Evere I herde Of of Ony fame.”
to the kynges Chambre drowgh baroun & knyht,
and Fownden the kyng I-wounded ful sore,
where-offen they Merveillede, Al that was thore.
thanne Axede they him Everichon
how that this Aventure Cam hym vppon.
“Ha! for the love Of god, quod the kyng;
with me non longere haue talkyng,
but helpeth me hens Owt Anon,
335
For this place So holy it Is,
and þerto so ful Of Ioye and Blis,
be Entreing Of this vessel
This paleys is Sanctefyed Everydel,
So that non Man here Resten Schal
In place there As Is this Sank Ryal;
And thys paleys hath the moste wondir Name
that Evere I herde Of of Ony fame.”
thanne Axeden these barowns Certeinle
“What Maner of Name that Myhte be.”
thanne seide the kyng to hem Ageyn,
“The Paleys Of Aventure” It is Certein;
For Mo Merveilles here scholen ȝe Sene
thanne in Alle this world Aftyr, I wene.”
“What Maner of Name that Myhte be.”
thanne seide the kyng to hem Ageyn,
“The Paleys Of Aventure” It is Certein;
For Mo Merveilles here scholen ȝe Sene
thanne in Alle this world Aftyr, I wene.”
And thus this kyng ȝaf It the Name
‘the paleys of Aventure,’ And Of gret fame;
and so was it Clepid for Evere More,
‘the paleys Of Aventure,’ as I Rehersid before;
and for thike Selve Aventure
that to the kyng Cam, I ȝow Ensure,
Thider Cam Many A dowhty knyht
In that paleys to slepen On Nyht;
but Sekerly there lay non In that stede
that On the Morwen he was fownden ded,
Tyl that On Cam that was A knyht
Of kyng Arthures, A Man of Myht;
Algates there he wolde hym Reste,
but he fond it Not for the beste;
For Althowgh that ded he nere,
ȝit moche duresse and schame hadde he there,
that he ne wolde for Al the worldes honour
Abyden In Non place swich A schowr.
‘the paleys of Aventure,’ And Of gret fame;
and so was it Clepid for Evere More,
‘the paleys Of Aventure,’ as I Rehersid before;
and for thike Selve Aventure
that to the kyng Cam, I ȝow Ensure,
Thider Cam Many A dowhty knyht
In that paleys to slepen On Nyht;
but Sekerly there lay non In that stede
that On the Morwen he was fownden ded,
Tyl that On Cam that was A knyht
Of kyng Arthures, A Man of Myht;
Algates there he wolde hym Reste,
but he fond it Not for the beste;
For Althowgh that ded he nere,
ȝit moche duresse and schame hadde he there,
that he ne wolde for Al the worldes honour
Abyden In Non place swich A schowr.
Thus thanne this kyng Alphasan
ten dayes lyvede After than
that he was there wownded sore;
For lenger not Aftyr lyvede he no More.
and with-Inne fowre dayes In Ceyteyn
Aleyn and he weren buryed ful pleyn,
And I-beryed bothe At Corbenie
In a Chirche Of Seint Marye;
and þere the ton besides the tother
liggen to-gederis As brothyr and brother.
ten dayes lyvede After than
that he was there wownded sore;
336
and with-Inne fowre dayes In Ceyteyn
Aleyn and he weren buryed ful pleyn,
And I-beryed bothe At Corbenie
In a Chirche Of Seint Marye;
and þere the ton besides the tother
liggen to-gederis As brothyr and brother.
And thus lefte this holy bodi At Corbenie
As I ȝow telle with-Owten lye;
and Aftyr him Regned his sone Amynadape,
And wedded kyng lucyes dowhter be hape,
whiche was kyng Of gret Breteygne,
As I seye ȝow, Sires, In Certeyne.
As I ȝow telle with-Owten lye;
and Aftyr him Regned his sone Amynadape,
And wedded kyng lucyes dowhter be hape,
whiche was kyng Of gret Breteygne,
As I seye ȝow, Sires, In Certeyne.
And of that damysele Cam forth Isswe
kyng Carcelois bothe good and trewe,
A worthy knyht And Ek An hardy,
To god & to the world bothe good and lowly.
kyng Carcelois bothe good and trewe,
A worthy knyht And Ek An hardy,
To god & to the world bothe good and lowly.
Of Carcelois Isswede kyng Mangel,
That In his tyme was worthy & lel;
and Of Mangel Isswede kyng lambor,
the wheche A worthy Man was holden thor;
whiche Alle worthy kynges were,
And As Goddis fyscheris were holden there.
That In his tyme was worthy & lel;
and Of Mangel Isswede kyng lambor,
the wheche A worthy Man was holden thor;
whiche Alle worthy kynges were,
And As Goddis fyscheris were holden there.
This lambors was A worthy knyht,
And lovede God with Al his Myht;
For Men supposed that In Al Bretaygne,
Nethir In Religiown In Certayne,
To God A better Man thanne he was On,
and thus they beleveden Everichon.
And lovede God with Al his Myht;
For Men supposed that In Al Bretaygne,
Nethir In Religiown In Certayne,
To God A better Man thanne he was On,
and thus they beleveden Everichon.
It happede he hadde An Olde Cosin,
and vppon him Marchede, & was Sarrasyn,
but that Cristened nowe he was;
and to-Gederis sore werreden In eche plas.
It behappede that kyng Lambors
And this kyng Varlans with gret fors
bothe here Ostes Assembled were
vigerously to fyhten In fere;
and thus the bataille be-gonnen was
be-twene bothe partyes In that plas,
that so ferforth, as I ȝow telle,
kyng varlans discomfit was, as befelle,
and Alle his Meyne I-slayn Echon;
So that kyng varlans fledde Anon
Tyl that he Cam to the Se side,
where As he say A fair schype that tyde
wheche that nowe there Aryved was;
So faire A schipe say he neuer in non plas,
Nethyr So Riche In Al his Age
Sawh neuere kyng, knyht, ne page;
And ȝif Ony Man Axede whens it was,
they with-Innes Answerede In that plas,
“to tellen yow, Sires, we scholen ȝow graunt:
this is the Schipe that At the yl tornaunt
Nasciens Entrede with grete drede;
but thike tyme thens myht it not hym lede.”
and vppon him Marchede, & was Sarrasyn,
but that Cristened nowe he was;
and to-Gederis sore werreden In eche plas.
It behappede that kyng Lambors
And this kyng Varlans with gret fors
bothe here Ostes Assembled were
337
and thus the bataille be-gonnen was
be-twene bothe partyes In that plas,
that so ferforth, as I ȝow telle,
kyng varlans discomfit was, as befelle,
and Alle his Meyne I-slayn Echon;
So that kyng varlans fledde Anon
Tyl that he Cam to the Se side,
where As he say A fair schype that tyde
wheche that nowe there Aryved was;
So faire A schipe say he neuer in non plas,
Nethyr So Riche In Al his Age
Sawh neuere kyng, knyht, ne page;
And ȝif Ony Man Axede whens it was,
they with-Innes Answerede In that plas,
“to tellen yow, Sires, we scholen ȝow graunt:
this is the Schipe that At the yl tornaunt
Nasciens Entrede with grete drede;
but thike tyme thens myht it not hym lede.”
Thus sone kyng varlans Entrede Anon,
and there fond he A swerd thus son,
and Owt Of the schethe it drowh As faste.
thanne Aȝen to Londe he gan hym haste,
And Amyddis his weye As he wente,
he Mette kyng lambors veramente.
and there fond he A swerd thus son,
and Owt Of the schethe it drowh As faste.
thanne Aȝen to Londe he gan hym haste,
And Amyddis his weye As he wente,
he Mette kyng lambors veramente.
Whanne kyng varlans him beheld,
To hym he prekede In that Feld,
and smot kyng lambors so velenowsly
that to Erthe wente hors and Man trewly,—
Swich was the scharpnesse Of the swerd,—
Of whiche Many Men was Aftyr ferd;
but Sethen Cam there gret persecucioun
To bothe Rewmes, & Moche Tribulacioun,—
bothen to the ReAwn Of Forraigne
and Ek to the toþer ReAwm In Certaigne,—
For veniaunce Of kyng lambors Sekirle
that God so wel lovede In Alle degre,
So ferforth that non lond proved there,
Nether trees froyt beren In non Manere,
Nether In Non water fysch myhte be fownde,
Swich veniaunce god schewede In that stownde;
So that be thike gret Enchesown
It was Clepyd ‘the wastable lond’ be Resown.
To hym he prekede In that Feld,
and smot kyng lambors so velenowsly
that to Erthe wente hors and Man trewly,—
Swich was the scharpnesse Of the swerd,—
Of whiche Many Men was Aftyr ferd;
but Sethen Cam there gret persecucioun
To bothe Rewmes, & Moche Tribulacioun,—
bothen to the ReAwn Of Forraigne
and Ek to the toþer ReAwm In Certaigne,—
For veniaunce Of kyng lambors Sekirle
338
So ferforth that non lond proved there,
Nether trees froyt beren In non Manere,
Nether In Non water fysch myhte be fownde,
Swich veniaunce god schewede In that stownde;
So that be thike gret Enchesown
It was Clepyd ‘the wastable lond’ be Resown.
whanne vrlans Sawgh that the swerd so bot,
he Retorned Aȝen Anon foot hot
the Skawberk forto haue had therto,
but þat God wolde it scholde not be so;
So that to the Schip he Cam Ageyn,
and the Swerd Into þe sckawberk put it pleyn;
And as sone As he hadde I-do,
down Anon Ryht ded fyl he tho.
thanne they seiden Alle tho it sye,
that it was for veniaunce Sekerlye;
For there Stylle it scholde Abyde
tyl A mayde it Owt took At On tyde;
For In that Contre was non Man there
that Into the Schipe dorste Entre for fere,
For the lettres vppon the bord
that weren there wreten At On word.
he Retorned Aȝen Anon foot hot
the Skawberk forto haue had therto,
but þat God wolde it scholde not be so;
So that to the Schip he Cam Ageyn,
and the Swerd Into þe sckawberk put it pleyn;
And as sone As he hadde I-do,
down Anon Ryht ded fyl he tho.
thanne they seiden Alle tho it sye,
that it was for veniaunce Sekerlye;
For there Stylle it scholde Abyde
tyl A mayde it Owt took At On tyde;
For In that Contre was non Man there
that Into the Schipe dorste Entre for fere,
For the lettres vppon the bord
that weren there wreten At On word.
Be this selve same Aventure
bothe ReAwmes weren lost, I ȝow Ensure;
lik as they Marchede bothe In fere,
Ryht so bothe londis Ilost they were.
bothe ReAwmes weren lost, I ȝow Ensure;
lik as they Marchede bothe In fere,
Ryht so bothe londis Ilost they were.
Tho Anon Aftyr kyng lambors thanne
Reignede Pellean his sone, A worthy Manne,
that thorwgh bothe hypes I-Maymed was
atte bataylle Of Rome, swich was his gras.
and for that he so was maymed there,
they cleped him kyng Mayham Euery Where;
For thorwgh bothe thyes Maymed was he,
this Ilke Pellean ful Sekerle;
Of wheche wowndes hol myhte he not be
tyl that worthy knyht Galas Cam hym to se,
and that tyme helthe schal he haue,
And Of his wowndes to ben Alle Save.
Reignede Pellean his sone, A worthy Manne,
that thorwgh bothe hypes I-Maymed was
atte bataylle Of Rome, swich was his gras.
and for that he so was maymed there,
they cleped him kyng Mayham Euery Where;
For thorwgh bothe thyes Maymed was he,
this Ilke Pellean ful Sekerle;
Of wheche wowndes hol myhte he not be
339
and that tyme helthe schal he haue,
And Of his wowndes to ben Alle Save.
thanne Aftyr Of this kyng PelleAn
discendid Anothir ful worthy Man,
his Owne Sone, and was Called Pelles,
a worthi knyht, and An hardy In pres;
and A dowhter hadde, that hiht pelle Sikerle,
that pasten Alle wommen Of Bewte
whiche that weren In grete Bretaigne,
Sauf Gonnore, Arthures wyf, In Certaygne.
discendid Anothir ful worthy Man,
his Owne Sone, and was Called Pelles,
a worthi knyht, and An hardy In pres;
and A dowhter hadde, that hiht pelle Sikerle,
that pasten Alle wommen Of Bewte
whiche that weren In grete Bretaigne,
Sauf Gonnore, Arthures wyf, In Certaygne.
vppon this damysele that was so fair,
Engendered Lawncelot, Galas his Eyr,
that ilke same blessid knyht Certaigne
whiche Endede Alle the Aventures of gret bretaigne.
Not with-stondyng thowgh he were begeten In Synne,
ȝit oure lord Of his Goodnesse wolde not blynne,
but that for the Brawnches and for the Bownte
Of þe goodmen that he Cam of Sekerle,
and took Reward to his Good lyf
that Evere Chast was, and with-Owten wyf,
And ek for the grete purpos and beheste
that God him hadde promysed Aforn lest and Meste,
So that, thorwgh his holy leveng,
Alle the Aventures to an Ende schal he bryng
Wheche Alle Othere faillede Of Echon,
alle Browhte he to An Ende Alon.
Engendered Lawncelot, Galas his Eyr,
that ilke same blessid knyht Certaigne
whiche Endede Alle the Aventures of gret bretaigne.
Not with-stondyng thowgh he were begeten In Synne,
ȝit oure lord Of his Goodnesse wolde not blynne,
but that for the Brawnches and for the Bownte
Of þe goodmen that he Cam of Sekerle,
and took Reward to his Good lyf
that Evere Chast was, and with-Owten wyf,
And ek for the grete purpos and beheste
that God him hadde promysed Aforn lest and Meste,
So that, thorwgh his holy leveng,
Alle the Aventures to an Ende schal he bryng
Wheche Alle Othere faillede Of Echon,
alle Browhte he to An Ende Alon.
Now hath this Storye Ended Certayn
Of declaracioun Of the Brawnch Of Aleyn,
For it hath Schewed here Ryht wel
Al Aleyns kynrede Evere Ilke A del;
and Retorneth Aȝen to Celydoigne,
and to Othir lygnages In Certaygne.
Of declaracioun Of the Brawnch Of Aleyn,
For it hath Schewed here Ryht wel
Al Aleyns kynrede Evere Ilke A del;
and Retorneth Aȝen to Celydoigne,
and to Othir lygnages In Certaygne.
| CHAPTER LV. HOW CASTLE CORBENIE IS BUILT FOR THE HOLY GRAAL, AND VENGEANCE IS DONE FOR DESPITE TO IT AND SOLOMON'S SWORD. The Legend of the Holy Grail | |