Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance by Herry Lovelich ... (AB. 1450 A.D.), edited from the unique ms. 80 in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, with an introduction, notes, and glossaries by Dr. Ernst A. Kock |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. | [Chapter VIII] |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
 | [Chapter VIII] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance |  |
[Chapter VIII]
Whanne kyng Arthewr hem hadde conqweryd,
these Syxe kynges, as ȝe haven herd,
Be the cownseyl of merlyne,
To cardeweyl jn wales he turned ageyn,
and Sente faste abowtes jn that contre
aftyr Sowdyowrs ful gret plente.
Bothe Robes and fees he ȝaf hem there,
To alle the Sowdeowrs that with him were,
bothe to powre, sqwyers, and to knyht,
So that they Sworen be god almyht,
with hym they wolden both lyven and deye;
thus they hym enswred be here feye.
whanne Kyng Arthewr hadde thus j-sped,
& the hertes of þe peple geten jn that sted,
and gret love abowtes jn that contre
of alle the peple jn here degre,
and aftyr he stuffede his cytes echon,
his castelis, his garesouns be on & be on.
these Syxe kynges, as ȝe haven herd,
227
To cardeweyl jn wales he turned ageyn,
and Sente faste abowtes jn that contre
aftyr Sowdyowrs ful gret plente.
Bothe Robes and fees he ȝaf hem there,
To alle the Sowdeowrs that with him were,
bothe to powre, sqwyers, and to knyht,
So that they Sworen be god almyht,
with hym they wolden both lyven and deye;
thus they hym enswred be here feye.
whanne Kyng Arthewr hadde thus j-sped,
& the hertes of þe peple geten jn that sted,
and gret love abowtes jn that contre
of alle the peple jn here degre,
and aftyr he stuffede his cytes echon,
his castelis, his garesouns be on & be on.
and sethen to logres he wente, j vndirstond,
that now is Clepyd Londone jn Engelond.
and there his parlement began he thanne;
To hym there Semblyd many a manne.
This cowrt there began, with-owten delay,
In Septembre vppon owre ladyes day.
atte that cowrt, with-owten dowte,
Many knyhtes he made, both stronge & stowte.
and to hem he ȝaf bothen grete rentes & fe,
and to hym dyden they homage & fewte.
To every man he ȝaf swich gwerdon there,
So that here degre wel Sosteyned were.
and thus he gat hym love plente
of knyht, Sqwyer, and comunealte,
So that they hym enswrede here trowthe & feye,
with hym to lyven and ek to deye.
and sethen they dyden him Socour, Sekyrlye,
as aftyr ȝe scholen heren jn this storye.
Aftyr that kyng Arthewr thus hadde j-do,
that now is Clepyd Londone jn Engelond.
and there his parlement began he thanne;
To hym there Semblyd many a manne.
This cowrt there began, with-owten delay,
In Septembre vppon owre ladyes day.
atte that cowrt, with-owten dowte,
Many knyhtes he made, both stronge & stowte.
and to hem he ȝaf bothen grete rentes & fe,
and to hym dyden they homage & fewte.
To every man he ȝaf swich gwerdon there,
So that here degre wel Sosteyned were.
and thus he gat hym love plente
of knyht, Sqwyer, and comunealte,
So that they hym enswrede here trowthe & feye,
with hym to lyven and ek to deye.
and sethen they dyden him Socour, Sekyrlye,
as aftyr ȝe scholen heren jn this storye.
and j-mad thre hundred knyhtes & mo,
and al his strengthes j-stuffed ful wel,
228
(aftyr merlynes cownseil þis wrowhte he,
and ek moche more, ful certeinle),
and whanne he hadde al this j-do,
kyng Artheur on syde merlyne took tho,
and so to cownseylle to-gederis they wente,
and Vlphin with hem they token presente.
“Syre kyng, a thing j moste ȝow telle
(that ȝe and Vlphyn herkenen my spelle!):
There js a good man jn on forest,
that jn wildyrnesse lyveth as a best,
whiche that Js jn northhumberlond,
and an holy man he is, ȝe vndirstond;
and to me he is bothe leef and dere,
For my modyr he savede and me jn fere.”
thanne began he to tellen, verament,
how that his modyr scholde han be brent
For A Blame and For A cryme
that on hire was put be old tyme,
and how Fortager hym dyde seken also,
ek how his modyr veylled a nonne was tho,
and how the towr lasteth Jnto this day,
and stonden hit schal for evere and ay,
ek of the dragowns the Signifyance,
al this hem tolde, with-owten varyaunce.
Thanne tolde he, aftyr the deth of Fortager
how with Vterpendragon he qweynted ther;
and of the grete bataylle he tolde also
That vppon Pendragon was j-do;
and how be the dewchesse he made hym lye
jn the castel of Tyndagel, Sekyrlye—
“Jn wheche place engendrid ȝe were”;
and how Vlphin purposyd the maryage there—
“be-twene ȝowre Fadyr and ȝoure modyr, the queene”;
alle these he tolde hem be-dene;
and how fyve dowhtren hadde sche bore
(what maryed & ded they weren to-fore),
and tweyne be the dewk hadde sche;
of wheche on weddyd king loth, Sykerle;
kyng newtres anothyr hadde to wyve,
lyk as aftyr ȝe scholen heren as blyve;
and the thrydde wedded kyng Vryens;
and þe fowrthe weddid kyng Bryadens—
“the wheche that ded now Js he,
Fadyr he was to kyng Gwyseans, Serteinle,
that js now kyng of Scotlond,
as j do ȝow to vndyrstond;
and the fyfthe, at londone hyt is,
and there to Scole it is set, jwys,
and moche clergye forsoth hit can,
as of þe age doth ony man.”
how with Vterpendragon he qweynted ther;
and of the grete bataylle he tolde also
That vppon Pendragon was j-do;
and how be the dewchesse he made hym lye
jn the castel of Tyndagel, Sekyrlye—
“Jn wheche place engendrid ȝe were”;
and how Vlphin purposyd the maryage there—
“be-twene ȝowre Fadyr and ȝoure modyr, the queene”;
alle these he tolde hem be-dene;
and how fyve dowhtren hadde sche bore
(what maryed & ded they weren to-fore),
229
of wheche on weddyd king loth, Sykerle;
kyng newtres anothyr hadde to wyve,
lyk as aftyr ȝe scholen heren as blyve;
and the thrydde wedded kyng Vryens;
and þe fowrthe weddid kyng Bryadens—
“the wheche that ded now Js he,
Fadyr he was to kyng Gwyseans, Serteinle,
that js now kyng of Scotlond,
as j do ȝow to vndyrstond;
and the fyfthe, at londone hyt is,
and there to Scole it is set, jwys,
and moche clergye forsoth hit can,
as of þe age doth ony man.”
“and wete thou wel, kyng Loth hath here
Fyve Sones be his wyf so dere,
of whiche on js thyn ful blod, Sykerle,
that thou engendredyst jn londone cyte;
and Semly ȝonge men they ben echon,
of wheche that Gaweyn hyhte þe ton.
and he schal be the trewest knyht,
and his Lord loven with strengthe & myht,
Therto þe worthyest that owher may be,
and therto gentelest, Sire, certeinle.
and ȝow schal he loven over al thing,
and don ȝow worschepe as to his kyng.
For wete wel þat he schal be þe same man,
be whom thy lond geten thou kan.
and thy meyne to hym mek Scholen be
and him don worschepe Jn alle degre.
king newtris, anoþer brothyr hath he,
that galatyns hyhte, ful Sykerle.
kyng vriens anothir hath also,
that yweyn is clepyd, with-owten mo,
that the schal Susteyne with body & herte,
þer nis non prowesse schal hym asterte.
and wete þou wel, þat dubbed scholen they not be,
Tyl þou hem armes ȝyve, ful Sykyrle.
and they scholen bringen the gret compeny,
For love of here kyn, certeinlye,
Of Barowns sones & oþer mo;
moche peple with hem cometh the vnto
The Forto Don Alle maner of Servyse,
whyles that they lyven as jn here wyse.”
Fyve Sones be his wyf so dere,
of whiche on js thyn ful blod, Sykerle,
that thou engendredyst jn londone cyte;
and Semly ȝonge men they ben echon,
of wheche that Gaweyn hyhte þe ton.
and he schal be the trewest knyht,
and his Lord loven with strengthe & myht,
Therto þe worthyest that owher may be,
and therto gentelest, Sire, certeinle.
and ȝow schal he loven over al thing,
and don ȝow worschepe as to his kyng.
For wete wel þat he schal be þe same man,
be whom thy lond geten thou kan.
and thy meyne to hym mek Scholen be
and him don worschepe Jn alle degre.
king newtris, anoþer brothyr hath he,
that galatyns hyhte, ful Sykerle.
kyng vriens anothir hath also,
that yweyn is clepyd, with-owten mo,
that the schal Susteyne with body & herte,
þer nis non prowesse schal hym asterte.
230
Tyl þou hem armes ȝyve, ful Sykyrle.
and they scholen bringen the gret compeny,
For love of here kyn, certeinlye,
Of Barowns sones & oþer mo;
moche peple with hem cometh the vnto
The Forto Don Alle maner of Servyse,
whyles that they lyven as jn here wyse.”
“also, Sire, jn lytel Bretayngne,
dwellen tweyn kynges, jn certeyne,
the wheche they holden both of the,
and cosynes germayn bothe they be.
and tweyne sostres j-weddyd they han þerto,
that cosynes germayns there ben also.
These tweyne kynges, chyldren they han,
that stalworthe scholen ben and myhty men.
and so worthy knyhtes they scholen be,
theyre pere schal ben jn non contre.
The eldest of the tweyne kynges of fame,
kyng Ban of Baynoc js his Name.
the tother kyng, of gawnes Sire Boors hyhte,
a worthy werrour and mochel of myhte.
but a felonus Neyghebour hath that kyng,
that hym doth gret Travaylle & hyndryng,
and alle he hit doth for envye,
For he ne may hem not justefye.
and for they ben so trewe and so stedfast,
aftyr hem j wolde thou wost senden jn hast,
and sende hem to seyne, ouer alle thyng
that thow wost ben of here aqweyntyng,
and with the to ben at al halwen feste.
thanne to the moste comen bothe lest and meste,
To thy parlement, and the obeye.
Somme comen for good, as j the seye,
and somme for evel jn othyr degre,
but these tweyne kynges, as j telle the,
they comen with hertys deboneyrre,
here to thy cowrt Forto Repeyrre.
For they ben ful good men and trewe,
bettyr of condissiouns fyndest þou but fewe.
and þerfore aȝens hem j wyle thou go,
and thy Servyse to hem offren also.
and mochel thank they scholen konnen the,
and to þe don homage and fewte.
thanne whanne al this js j-do,
and thy cowrt they welen gon fro,
anon thow hem clepe to thy cownsaylle;
and sey to hem, with-owten Faylle,
that jnto Tarmelyde thou wylt go,
There to ben avenged of thy fo,
Preyeng hem to gon with the
(For ryht goode men Syker they be),
there to abyden with kyng Leodogan,
and so preye þou as wel as þou kan;
For goode knyhtes ben they bothe,
and here lond of the hath mester, forsothe.
For thin enemyes aȝens the the lond wilen defende,
but they scholen not Therto longe attende,
Nethyr Sosteynen non whyle aȝens the,
thorwgh helpe of these tweyne kynges, sykerle,
that jn thy compenye scholen abyde.”
dwellen tweyn kynges, jn certeyne,
the wheche they holden both of the,
and cosynes germayn bothe they be.
and tweyne sostres j-weddyd they han þerto,
that cosynes germayns there ben also.
These tweyne kynges, chyldren they han,
that stalworthe scholen ben and myhty men.
and so worthy knyhtes they scholen be,
theyre pere schal ben jn non contre.
The eldest of the tweyne kynges of fame,
kyng Ban of Baynoc js his Name.
the tother kyng, of gawnes Sire Boors hyhte,
a worthy werrour and mochel of myhte.
but a felonus Neyghebour hath that kyng,
that hym doth gret Travaylle & hyndryng,
and alle he hit doth for envye,
For he ne may hem not justefye.
and for they ben so trewe and so stedfast,
aftyr hem j wolde thou wost senden jn hast,
and sende hem to seyne, ouer alle thyng
that thow wost ben of here aqweyntyng,
and with the to ben at al halwen feste.
thanne to the moste comen bothe lest and meste,
To thy parlement, and the obeye.
Somme comen for good, as j the seye,
and somme for evel jn othyr degre,
but these tweyne kynges, as j telle the,
they comen with hertys deboneyrre,
here to thy cowrt Forto Repeyrre.
231
bettyr of condissiouns fyndest þou but fewe.
and þerfore aȝens hem j wyle thou go,
and thy Servyse to hem offren also.
and mochel thank they scholen konnen the,
and to þe don homage and fewte.
thanne whanne al this js j-do,
and thy cowrt they welen gon fro,
anon thow hem clepe to thy cownsaylle;
and sey to hem, with-owten Faylle,
that jnto Tarmelyde thou wylt go,
There to ben avenged of thy fo,
Preyeng hem to gon with the
(For ryht goode men Syker they be),
there to abyden with kyng Leodogan,
and so preye þou as wel as þou kan;
For goode knyhtes ben they bothe,
and here lond of the hath mester, forsothe.
For thin enemyes aȝens the the lond wilen defende,
but they scholen not Therto longe attende,
Nethyr Sosteynen non whyle aȝens the,
thorwgh helpe of these tweyne kynges, sykerle,
that jn thy compenye scholen abyde.”
“ȝyt to ȝow more J seye this tyde:
a costom J have, j Sey ȝow pleynlye,
that to the forest j moste me hye
be enchesoun of my nature,
thyder j moste, j ȝow enswre,
bencheson of hym that me dyde gete;
this thing at this tyme wyl j not lete.
and for anothyr cawse also
to the wylde forest wyl j go:
with holy Blase to speken there,
For An Holyere man Knowe J Nowhere.
and thou schalt neuere have nede of me,
but Sone that J schal ben with the,
the to cownseyllen what that j may.
but of on thing j schal ȝow say:
often-tymes schalt thow me se
jn other semblaunce, ful sykerle,
thanne þou sixt me to-forn þe now here,
often-tymes toforn þe schal j apere;
For j kepte not alle men knewe
whanne j with the spak, but ȝif it were fewe.
more over j wylle that thou swere to me,
that be the neuere discured j be
of non thing that j haue told the,
but that thou kepe hit evere preve.
and ȝif thou do, j schal the Seye:
hyt schal the Torne to angyr and treye.”
a costom J have, j Sey ȝow pleynlye,
that to the forest j moste me hye
be enchesoun of my nature,
thyder j moste, j ȝow enswre,
bencheson of hym that me dyde gete;
this thing at this tyme wyl j not lete.
and for anothyr cawse also
to the wylde forest wyl j go:
with holy Blase to speken there,
For An Holyere man Knowe J Nowhere.
and thou schalt neuere have nede of me,
but Sone that J schal ben with the,
232
but of on thing j schal ȝow say:
often-tymes schalt thow me se
jn other semblaunce, ful sykerle,
thanne þou sixt me to-forn þe now here,
often-tymes toforn þe schal j apere;
For j kepte not alle men knewe
whanne j with the spak, but ȝif it were fewe.
more over j wylle that thou swere to me,
that be the neuere discured j be
of non thing that j haue told the,
but that thou kepe hit evere preve.
and ȝif thou do, j schal the Seye:
hyt schal the Torne to angyr and treye.”
and the kyng hym swoor there anon ryht,
he scholde nevere discure hym to non wyht,
ne neuere schold don thing aȝens his wylle;
thus the kyng Seyde hym vntylle.
and merlyne enswred hym ageyn
that he wolde deserven hyt, certeyn.
he scholde nevere discure hym to non wyht,
ne neuere schold don thing aȝens his wylle;
thus the kyng Seyde hym vntylle.
and merlyne enswred hym ageyn
that he wolde deserven hyt, certeyn.
Thus the covenaunt was fenyssched there,
be-twene the kyng and merlyn jn fere.
gret joye maden they jn that cyte
of here kyng so ȝong jn his degre,
that so worthy a man of armes he was,
and therto so hardy jn eche a plas.
so that for joye of that solempnite
the worthy Burgeys of that cyte
a qwyntyn they reryd there besyde
jn a fayr medewe that jlke tyde,
the ȝonge knyhtes to bowrdeyen there
with scheldes hangeng abowten here swere.
this revel lasted Fully viij dayes
with grete feste, as this storye sayes.
be-twene the kyng and merlyn jn fere.
gret joye maden they jn that cyte
of here kyng so ȝong jn his degre,
that so worthy a man of armes he was,
and therto so hardy jn eche a plas.
so that for joye of that solempnite
the worthy Burgeys of that cyte
a qwyntyn they reryd there besyde
jn a fayr medewe that jlke tyde,
the ȝonge knyhtes to bowrdeyen there
with scheldes hangeng abowten here swere.
this revel lasted Fully viij dayes
with grete feste, as this storye sayes.
and whanne the feste was al j-do,
To londone ward the kyng gan go,
there to abyden his parlement,
at halwenmasse to ben holden present.
thanne weren they sent fore everychon
that homage and fewte scholden don.
So þat som partye comen at his sonde,
and som partye hit dyde with-stonde.
thanne sente the kyng to hem ageyn
that they scholden hit amenden, certeyn,
oþer ellis he wolde hym-self ful blyve,
ȝif god þerto hym Sente his lyve.
To londone ward the kyng gan go,
there to abyden his parlement,
233
thanne weren they sent fore everychon
that homage and fewte scholden don.
So þat som partye comen at his sonde,
and som partye hit dyde with-stonde.
thanne sente the kyng to hem ageyn
that they scholden hit amenden, certeyn,
oþer ellis he wolde hym-self ful blyve,
ȝif god þerto hym Sente his lyve.
Thus sente kyng [Arthewr] Forth Ryht anon,
and bad Sire vlphyn & sire bretel gon
To kyng Ban of Baynok ful blyve
and sethen to kyng Boors, his brother be wyve:
and evere they wylen his love crave
owther his Frenschepe Forto have,
That to hym they comen jnto grete breteygne,
at al halewen masse feste, with-owten leyne.
Thanne wenten forth these tweyne knyhtes
these two kynges to seken owt-ryhtes.
these kynges emporyssched weren jn vyrown
Jn tyme of Vter Pendragown.
thus passeden the knyhtes ouer the se,
Tyl jnto lytel breteygne they comen, certeinle;
and thorwh a place of desert they wente,
That distroyed and brend was, veramente.
Thanne comen they to Anothir cyte,
that boorges in berry is clepyd, Sekyrle,
whiche that kyng clawdas of desert
hyt kalanged openly and apert.
and bad Sire vlphyn & sire bretel gon
To kyng Ban of Baynok ful blyve
and sethen to kyng Boors, his brother be wyve:
and evere they wylen his love crave
owther his Frenschepe Forto have,
That to hym they comen jnto grete breteygne,
at al halewen masse feste, with-owten leyne.
Thanne wenten forth these tweyne knyhtes
these two kynges to seken owt-ryhtes.
these kynges emporyssched weren jn vyrown
Jn tyme of Vter Pendragown.
thus passeden the knyhtes ouer the se,
Tyl jnto lytel breteygne they comen, certeinle;
and thorwh a place of desert they wente,
That distroyed and brend was, veramente.
Thanne comen they to Anothir cyte,
that boorges in berry is clepyd, Sekyrle,
whiche that kyng clawdas of desert
hyt kalanged openly and apert.
this kyng clawdas of which j ȝow telle,
anothyr castel kalanged ful snelle,
whiche that kyng ban hadde there sette
with-jnnen his lond, with-owten lette.
kyng clawdas gan evere hym withseye,
and seyde the Lond was his, jn feye,
where-vppon the castel stood;
he wolde hyt haven for evel oþer good.
and kyng Ban than answeryd ageyn,
and seyde hit was neuere his, jn certeyn.
So that thorwh this, grete werre began;
but kyng Ban wolde leven hit for non man,
that the castel he dede vpe make,
owther for drede owther for wrake.
thus began gret hate, werre, & envye,
betwixen tho two kynges, Sekyrlye.
This werre al here lyve dyde laste.
So that this clawdas jnto Ban his rem paste,
and hym defyede jn many a d[e]gre,
and jn that Lond dyde grete adversyte
Jn Townes that vnwalled were;
Sone on fyre he sette hem there,
of wheche he took many grete pelages;
the peple he Slowh and dyde Owtrages,
For he was with-owten pyte.
but as towching to the castel, Sykyrle,
that kyng ban hadde areryd there,
he ne hadde non myht to don hyt non dere.
This castel kyng ban hadde Stuffed wel
With Seriauntes and arblasteris everydel.
and þere-jnne hadde he put an old capteyn,
hos name was gracyen, with-owten leyn.
and on of Bannes sones with gracyen was,
that Baynyn was clepyd jn that plas.
this Baynyns was sethen of gret worthynesse,
a worthy knyht, and of gret prowesse;
more thanne at this tyme þe Storye doth [not] spelle.
but now of kyng ban j schal ȝow telle,
that ful wroth & ful angry was
For the harm he hadde jn many a plas.
and whanne he knew the certeynte,
To-gyderis he gaderyd his meyne
aȝens kyng clawdas forto fyhte,
for alle passages he knew ful ryhte.
anothyr castel kalanged ful snelle,
whiche that kyng ban hadde there sette
with-jnnen his lond, with-owten lette.
kyng clawdas gan evere hym withseye,
and seyde the Lond was his, jn feye,
where-vppon the castel stood;
he wolde hyt haven for evel oþer good.
234
and seyde hit was neuere his, jn certeyn.
So that thorwh this, grete werre began;
but kyng Ban wolde leven hit for non man,
that the castel he dede vpe make,
owther for drede owther for wrake.
thus began gret hate, werre, & envye,
betwixen tho two kynges, Sekyrlye.
This werre al here lyve dyde laste.
So that this clawdas jnto Ban his rem paste,
and hym defyede jn many a d[e]gre,
and jn that Lond dyde grete adversyte
Jn Townes that vnwalled were;
Sone on fyre he sette hem there,
of wheche he took many grete pelages;
the peple he Slowh and dyde Owtrages,
For he was with-owten pyte.
but as towching to the castel, Sykyrle,
that kyng ban hadde areryd there,
he ne hadde non myht to don hyt non dere.
This castel kyng ban hadde Stuffed wel
With Seriauntes and arblasteris everydel.
and þere-jnne hadde he put an old capteyn,
hos name was gracyen, with-owten leyn.
and on of Bannes sones with gracyen was,
that Baynyn was clepyd jn that plas.
this Baynyns was sethen of gret worthynesse,
a worthy knyht, and of gret prowesse;
more thanne at this tyme þe Storye doth [not] spelle.
but now of kyng ban j schal ȝow telle,
that ful wroth & ful angry was
For the harm he hadde jn many a plas.
and whanne he knew the certeynte,
To-gyderis he gaderyd his meyne
aȝens kyng clawdas forto fyhte,
for alle passages he knew ful ryhte.
235
Whanne these tweyne ostes scholden mete,
To-gederis to Fyhten they wolden not lete.
So that there was ful gret mortalyte
on bothe partyes thanne, certeynle.
and so moche peple Slowh this kyng ban,
and dissemed the membres of many a man,
that a man myhte han seyn jn the feld
hepes as of Swyn oþer of schepe lyn ded.
So that Fawht kyng Ban & his meyne,
That kyng clawdas fledde & his compeyne,
and loste al his harneys and his Pelage,
that he to-fortymes took be owtrage,
and the presoners rescued weren everychon.
on anothir partye entryd kyng boors anon,
that half-Brothyr was to kyng Ban,
jnto kyng clawdas Lond entrede he than,
and þere brende and dyde distrocciown
Abowten Al His Lond Jn Vyrown
Jnto the cyte of desert;
thedyr he brend ful sone and apert,
and that lond distroyede al abowte,
that nowher for hym non man myhte rowte.
So gret distrocciown there he dede,
that jn twenty myle of lengthe & brede
No man jn that Lond loggen myhte,
To liggen drye be day ne be nyhte,
but ȝif vndir roche oþer vndir erthe hit were,
cowde no man drye loggen hym there.
So was kyng clawdas emporysched there tho,
that he ne wyste what he myhte do.
So on the kynges dorste he non more werre make,
lest hit scholde hym torne to Sorwen and wrake.
thus fownden they this lond distroyed & brent,
they that on kyng Arthewris message went,
and merveylled mochel of this thing
as jn the contre they paste rydyng.
So ryden they forth, with-owten les,
Tyl they comen to þe castel of Trebes,
That kyng Ban there dyde arere,
From his enemyes to defenden him every-where.
Jn this castel qwene eleyne was,
To-gederis to Fyhten they wolden not lete.
So that there was ful gret mortalyte
on bothe partyes thanne, certeynle.
and so moche peple Slowh this kyng ban,
and dissemed the membres of many a man,
that a man myhte han seyn jn the feld
hepes as of Swyn oþer of schepe lyn ded.
So that Fawht kyng Ban & his meyne,
That kyng clawdas fledde & his compeyne,
and loste al his harneys and his Pelage,
that he to-fortymes took be owtrage,
and the presoners rescued weren everychon.
on anothir partye entryd kyng boors anon,
that half-Brothyr was to kyng Ban,
jnto kyng clawdas Lond entrede he than,
and þere brende and dyde distrocciown
Abowten Al His Lond Jn Vyrown
Jnto the cyte of desert;
thedyr he brend ful sone and apert,
and that lond distroyede al abowte,
that nowher for hym non man myhte rowte.
So gret distrocciown there he dede,
that jn twenty myle of lengthe & brede
No man jn that Lond loggen myhte,
To liggen drye be day ne be nyhte,
but ȝif vndir roche oþer vndir erthe hit were,
cowde no man drye loggen hym there.
So was kyng clawdas emporysched there tho,
that he ne wyste what he myhte do.
So on the kynges dorste he non more werre make,
lest hit scholde hym torne to Sorwen and wrake.
thus fownden they this lond distroyed & brent,
they that on kyng Arthewris message went,
and merveylled mochel of this thing
as jn the contre they paste rydyng.
So ryden they forth, with-owten les,
Tyl they comen to þe castel of Trebes,
236
From his enemyes to defenden him every-where.
kyng bannes wyf jn that plas,
and therto the Fairest Lady was sche
that owher was jn ony contre,
and but of ȝong age, the sothe to say,
but xvj ȝer ȝit be that day,
and but lytel whyle wedded was sche
kyng Boors hire soster wedded, sykerle,
a worthy lady jn alle wyse,
as ony man on erthe cowde devyse.
whanne Vlphyn and Bretel comen to trebes,
aftyr kyng Ban they axeden, with-owten les.
they seyden, he was gon to parlement
to his brothyr, kyng Boors, verament.
and whanne they wysten he was not there,
of qwene eleyne they token here leve in fere.
So armed Ryden they forth anon,
For the contre that they scholde by gon
was perylows forto passen by,
as j ȝow Seye, sires, certeynly,
For mysdoeris jn that contre.
and many mo Scholden there be,
nere drede of þe two kynges so ryhte
that on hem don reddure anon with myhte.
For ȝif ony man that they cowden aspye,
And he were taken with felonye,
anon to jewyse he Scholde be do
and ben distroyed for evere mo.
Whanne these knyhtes from Trebees weren gon,
Vlphyn and Bretel to-gederys alon,
and er fyve myles they hadden past,
vij knyhtes there they Syen jn hast,
that weren of kyng clawdas meyne,
that theke pas they kepten, Sykerle,
237
there what to geten that they myhten also.
and whanne the Sevene knyhtes þat þer were
Syen Vlphyn and bretel come rydyng there,
“behold,” quod the vij knyhtes thanne,
“Se on what hors þat comen these menne;
and but we letten hem the weye,
we ben but cowardes, be my feye;
For they ben not of this contre,
Nethyr Here Armes We Knowen not, sekyrle.”
“Sertes,” quod on to anothyr thanne,
“they semen bothe welfareng menne,
bothe on horsbak and ek on foote,
they seme good men, wel j woote.
and ȝif oþer mennes Servantes that they be,
Thanne a good man Serven they, Sykyrle.
therefore hem to dispoylle let vs now hye,
For þer-of hauen we nede gret, ful Sykirlye.
here hors and here harneys bothe
vs nedyth to han, ben they neuere so lothe.”
Thussone on of hem prekyd owt
From alle his Felawes (he was so prowd),
and aȝens these messengeris gan he ryde,
jn a gret haste that ylke tyde,
and seyde: “lordynges, of whens ben ȝe,
whom Seken ȝe jn this contre?
and whethyr that ȝe Serven kyng Ban
owther kyng Bors, his brothyr, telle vs now than.
and ȝyf with kyng clawdas that ȝe be,
thanne scholen ȝe passen whyder so wylen ȝe.
For ellis, certeyn, scholen ȝe ben ded,
and non furthere to passen jn this sted.
For we ben set here, Certeynlye,
this weye to kepen ful streytlye,
that noman schal passen be this contre,
but ȝif þat we wyten what so they be.
and ȝif to kyng clawdas wylen ȝe pase,
238
and ellis ȝowre harneys moste ȝe leven here,
and bothe ȝoure hors to-gyderis jn Fere.
thanne with-owten deth passen scholen ȝe,
oþer payeng of rawnsom, Sykyr ȝe be.
therto presonement scholen ȝe non have,
but hey[l] & al hol to passen here Save,
Sauf ȝoure hors and harneys scholen ȝe forgone.”
thus seide this knyht þat to hem cam alone.
Anon as Vlphin this vndirstood,
For anger he lokede as red as blood.
“Sire knyht,” he seyde, “hye the not to faste,
For al thy malyce is nygh j-paste.
mafey, thou spekest ful velenosly!
what trowest thou þat j sette þer-by?
For nethyr hors ne harneys g[e]tyst þou not here,
For er thou have, thou beyest hem ful dere.
J trowe thow wene hem sone forto gete,
and þat schalt thou not, for j schal the lette.”
Whanne that Bretealx vndyrstood this,
that the knyht to Vlphyn so spak amys,
he seyde: “sire knyht, þou thinkest ful ylle,
but of thy bost j schal the sone felle.”
with his spores bretel his hors smot blyve
aȝens that knyht to ryden wel swythe.
and þat beheld thanne this knyht anon,
and Faste aȝens Bretel he gan to gon,
and abowtes his nekke he heng his Scheld,
there-with to defenden him jn that feld.
and there fulsore to-gederys they mette,
So that on Bretel a gret strok he sette,
and Bretel ful sore smot hym ageyn
that thorwgh the left scholdere he bar hym, pleyn,
Tyl that þe tronchon schewede on þe tothyr syde,
hal[f] schaft and more jn that ilke tyde.
239
both hors & man þere jn that fyht.
There Swowned this Knyht for Angwysch & peyne,
as this Storye here telleth, Syres, jn certeyne.
than aȝen sire Bretel his spere owt drowgh thore,
al hol and as sownd as hit was to-fore,
and seide to þe knyht thanne jn þat tyde:
“here mown now ȝe wel resten and abyde
this weye to kepen for man othir knave,
and geten swich avauntage as ȝe mown haue.”
Whanne that Vlphyn beheld al this,
Ful wel hyt lyked hym, þe justis, j-wys,
and preysede Bretel for his jorne,
For wel had he qwyt hym, ful Sykerle.
thanne forth they reden but a lytel weye,
that the vj knyhtes behelden, jn feye,
hough that h[er]e lord sore wowndyd was
and jn the Feeld lay jn that plas,
and seide that glad scholden they neuere be,
Tyl here lord venged were, ful certeinle.
thanne of these vj, tweyne gonnen Owt ryde
to ouertaken þe messengeris jn that Tyde,
al so faste as here hors myhte hem bere,
So that they ouertook hem anon there.
and whanne that they weren hem faste bye,
anon these messengeris they gonne ascrye,
and therto hem manacede wondyr sore,
but fullytel there-offen they ȝoven thore.
and whanne they hem Syen aprochen so ny,
ageyns hem they torneden ful worthyly
with here scheldis and speris anon riht there,
that with-jnne schort while jsembled they were.
so that alle iiij there so sore they mette,
and so grete strokis to-gederys they sette,
that on peces to-schateryd here scheldis,
and the gobettes flowen jnto the feldys,
that persched was bothen hauberk & habiriown
240
thanne aftyr, Bretel with his Lawnce
Smot his aduersarye atte owtrawnce:
thorwgh hawberk, haberiown, & þorwh þe throte
he hym there sone bar, god hyt wote,
that ded of his hors þere fyl he down,
jnto the Feld ouer his arsown.
and Vlphyn his aduersarye smot so tho,
that his spere thorwgh his lyft scholdere gan go,
and down of his hors fyl he jnto the feeld,
where as he lay stylle vndyr his scheld.
Thanne of th[e] iiij knyhtes jsswed owt tweyne,
here felawes to avengen þere, jn certeyne,
and maden there a ful gret scry,
and seiden that they wolden deyen, trewly,
but that here Felawes avenged were,
er that they pasten ony forthere there.
thanne anon the messengeris tweyne
aȝens hem here hors hedis tornede ageyne.
anon Sire Vlphyn dressid hym ful faste
aȝens his adversarye, er he forthere paste;
and Bretel aȝens the tothyr gan ryde,
So that al fowre metten jn that tyde.
Sire Bretel his felawe th[er]e so smot,
that thorugh the Body the spere hit glot.
and Vlphin his felawe there so mette,
and swich a strok on him he sette,
that hors & man to grownde he bar,
So that his nekke asondir barst ryht thar.
thanne spak Bretel to his felawe:
“Syre, of this Jorne ȝe mown Ben Fawe!
and here to manacen whom that ȝe wylle,
and this passe to kepen, and here lyn stylle,
Therto good leve, Syre, scholen ȝe have,
thys weye to kepen from knyht oþer knaue.”
241
thanne forth jn here weye to-gederis they paste.
Anon jn here jorne ryden they forth there,
as wery men that forfowhten were.
So jn here weye they reden forth ryht
that to the cyte of Baynoyc they comen þat nyht,
wher that they fownden ful gret plente
of diuers peple there, ful Sykerle.
For bothe kynges there weren jn Fere,
and ful gret cownceyl hadden they there.
these two knyhtes ryden forth here weye,
Tyl that to þe paleys they comen, jn feye.
and of here hors they lyhted adown,
and preyden a good man of the town
here hors to kepen and here harneys bothe,
and jnto the cowrt they wente, forsothe.
There sone axeden they aftyr kyng Ban
and aftyr kyng Bors, his brother, than.
they seiden, jn chambre that they were
Jn gret cownseylle to-gederis jn fere.
thanne þe messengeris they weren ful gladde,
that bothe kynges to-gederis they hadde.
So that the messengeris stylle abyden tho,
Tyl that the kynges here counseyl hadden j-do.
And whyles they stooden Jn this degre,
there cam a knyht there forth, Sykerle,
that Leownces of Paerne was his name,
& with hym kam a knyht of gret Fame,
that fulwel he lovede jn alle degre,
and Sire Pharens hyhte he, Sykerle.
These tweyne knyhtes comen jn fere,
To axen the messengeris what they wolden there.
they seyden that weten wel they Scholde,
ȝyf that they so longe abyden þere wolde,
tyl that here message were don there
To bothe bretheren that kynges were.
and whanne they herden hem bothe thus seyn,
thanne eche of hem othyr knew, ful pleyn.
anon eche othyr there gan forto embrace,
and mochel joye they maden jn that place.
thanne axeden they ȝif they speken scholde
with the tweyne kynges, and what they wolde.
and they seyden: “ȝe, sires, ful sekyrly,
For therto haven we nede, trewely.”
anon thanne jn hondis they tooken jn fere,
and so to-gederis jnto chambre wenten there.
there cam a knyht there forth, Sykerle,
that Leownces of Paerne was his name,
& with hym kam a knyht of gret Fame,
that fulwel he lovede jn alle degre,
and Sire Pharens hyhte he, Sykerle.
These tweyne knyhtes comen jn fere,
To axen the messengeris what they wolden there.
they seyden that weten wel they Scholde,
ȝyf that they so longe abyden þere wolde,
tyl that here message were don there
To bothe bretheren that kynges were.
242
thanne eche of hem othyr knew, ful pleyn.
anon eche othyr there gan forto embrace,
and mochel joye they maden jn that place.
thanne axeden they ȝif they speken scholde
with the tweyne kynges, and what they wolde.
and they seyden: “ȝe, sires, ful sekyrly,
For therto haven we nede, trewely.”
anon thanne jn hondis they tooken jn fere,
and so to-gederis jnto chambre wenten there.
thanne anon as the kynge[s] these two knyhtes sye,
aȝens hem they wenten ful hastelye,
For wel wisten they thanne, with-owten Fayllynge,
that they scholden here som newe tydynge.
Thanne seyde Leownces to these kynges tho:
“Behold these messengeres that fer comen Fro!
For they comen owt of gret Bretaygne
with ȝow tweyne to speken, jn certeyne.”
and whanne the tweyne kynges herdyn this,
they seyden that they weren welcomen, j-wys.
thanne gret joye to-gederys they made,
and ech of other they weren ryht glade.
Thanne down they seten alle þere jn Fere.
Thanne Axeden the Kynges of Hem there
what nede that drof hem jn-to that contre,
For ellys hyt myhte non othirwyse be.
thanne forthermore, as j vndirstond,
they axeden tydynges owt of here lond,
and ȝyf here Barowns hadden ony kyng
aftyr here owne wille, with-owten lesyng.
For of the eleccyown knewen they ful wel,
and of the swerd and þe ston, everydel,
that on cristemasse day there gan apere
aforn the mynstre and the peple there.
Thanne tolden the messengeris here tydyng,
aȝens hem they wenten ful hastelye,
For wel wisten they thanne, with-owten Fayllynge,
that they scholden here som newe tydynge.
Thanne seyde Leownces to these kynges tho:
“Behold these messengeres that fer comen Fro!
For they comen owt of gret Bretaygne
with ȝow tweyne to speken, jn certeyne.”
and whanne the tweyne kynges herdyn this,
they seyden that they weren welcomen, j-wys.
thanne gret joye to-gederys they made,
and ech of other they weren ryht glade.
Thanne down they seten alle þere jn Fere.
Thanne Axeden the Kynges of Hem there
what nede that drof hem jn-to that contre,
For ellys hyt myhte non othirwyse be.
thanne forthermore, as j vndirstond,
they axeden tydynges owt of here lond,
and ȝyf here Barowns hadden ony kyng
aftyr here owne wille, with-owten lesyng.
For of the eleccyown knewen they ful wel,
and of the swerd and þe ston, everydel,
that on cristemasse day there gan apere
aforn the mynstre and the peple there.
how that jt was, jnto the endyng,
243
of kyng Arthewr & þe Sevene kynges jn fere;
and of the merveillous Fyr also
that merlyne amonges hem wrowhte tho,
and ek of the grete chevalrye
that þe ȝonge kyng Arthewr dyde, Sykyrlye.
aftyr they tolden hem word and ende
how merlyn cownseyllede, for hem wende
that they scholden comen to kyng Arthewr
and not Jt to letten for non langowr;
where-offen Vlphyn preyde jn haste
answere to haven, er that they paste;
For here tyme was schort therto,
and here nede ful gret also.
thanne answeryd the kynges ageyn,
and seiden that—“gret werre we han, certein,
aȝens kyng clawdas jn this contre,
that mochel noysaunce doth to owre meyne.
and ȝyt emporysched he js jn partye,
But ȝyt we dreden vs now, Sekerlye,
that and we owt of this contre were,
lest he wolde don vs mochel dere.”
thanne seiden the messengeris to hem ageyn:
“That kepten we not, Syres, jn certeyn,
But merlyne sente ȝow forto say:
whiles that ȝe walkyn jn his jornay,
ȝe doren not of non damage drede,
For he wyl ȝow both wyssen and rede.”
Whanne kyng Ban & kyng Boors
herden of merlyne so gret a los,
and merveyllede mochel of his werkyng,
that he knew thinges þat weren comeng,
thanne seyden they to þe messengeris anon,
that syker thens Scholden they not gon,
but hol thre dayes there to abyde;
the messengeris hym thankyd þat tyde.
the kyng comanded disarme hem anon
(For furthere, certeyn, scholden they not gon,
but jn his owne place abyden þere stylle),
and hem vnarmed and esed at wylle.
herden of merlyne so gret a los,
and merveyllede mochel of his werkyng,
that he knew thinges þat weren comeng,
thanne seyden they to þe messengeris anon,
that syker thens Scholden they not gon,
but hol thre dayes there to abyde;
the messengeris hym thankyd þat tyde.
the kyng comanded disarme hem anon
(For furthere, certeyn, scholden they not gon,
244
and hem vnarmed and esed at wylle.
whanne that these knyhtes vnarmed were,
thussone there comen the two knyhtes there,
and beheldyn here harneys and here armure,
Where-offen they merveylleden, j ȝow ensure,
how that here scheldis so to-broken were,
and here harneys so forbled was there.
they preyden hem, of gentrye, the sothe to seyne,
that al the trowthe to tellen hem, pleyne.
thanne begonnen they anon, ful vttyrlye,
alle the trowthe to seyn, ful pleynlye,
Of the vij knyhtes, þat weren so bolde,
And How that Hem Asayllen they Wolde.
“But thankyd be god and owre Ladye,
we ben now here jn ȝowre compenye!”
and whanne the tweyne knyhtes herden this,
That of tho Sevene they weren delyuered, j-wys,
thanne of hem maden they gret preysynge,
For they hem knew, with-owten lesynge,
that they weren bothe knyhtes worthy,
and for goode men and trewe, certeynly.
thussone there comen the two knyhtes there,
and beheldyn here harneys and here armure,
Where-offen they merveylleden, j ȝow ensure,
how that here scheldis so to-broken were,
and here harneys so forbled was there.
they preyden hem, of gentrye, the sothe to seyne,
that al the trowthe to tellen hem, pleyne.
thanne begonnen they anon, ful vttyrlye,
alle the trowthe to seyn, ful pleynlye,
Of the vij knyhtes, þat weren so bolde,
And How that Hem Asayllen they Wolde.
“But thankyd be god and owre Ladye,
we ben now here jn ȝowre compenye!”
and whanne the tweyne knyhtes herden this,
That of tho Sevene they weren delyuered, j-wys,
thanne of hem maden they gret preysynge,
For they hem knew, with-owten lesynge,
that they weren bothe knyhtes worthy,
and for goode men and trewe, certeynly.
thanne kyng Ban dyde hem sytten anon,
and with worthy deyntes Served hem thusson.
what Leowneces of Paerrne and Phareens
To hem they dyden al here deligens;
of alle tho deyntes that myhte ben fownde
To hem they browhten jn that stownde.
For toforn tyme they syen in gret bretaygne
hem Servyd with alle deyntes, jn certeygne,
jn tyme of kyng Vter Pendragown,
that kyng Arthewres fadyr was be resown.
and with worthy deyntes Served hem thusson.
what Leowneces of Paerrne and Phareens
To hem they dyden al here deligens;
of alle tho deyntes that myhte ben fownde
To hem they browhten jn that stownde.
For toforn tyme they syen in gret bretaygne
hem Servyd with alle deyntes, jn certeygne,
jn tyme of kyng Vter Pendragown,
that kyng Arthewres fadyr was be resown.
Thussone kyng Ban & his brothyr jn Fere
Forward they gonnen to arayen hem there,
So that Redy thei weren be th[e] thrydde day
with these messengeris to gon forth here way,
and tooken here londys Jn governaunce
To Leownces of Paerne, with-owten varyaunce,
For that he was here cosyn germeyn
and therto bothe good & trewe, jn certeyn.
Therto Pharens was left jn his compenye,
and ek the steward of Baynoyc, Sykyrlye.
Thanne seyden the kynges to hem there
that—“ȝyf nede be, aftyr helpe ȝe enqwere.”
For they wysten not thanne, jn certeyn,
what tyme that hom they comen ageyn.
thanne lefte kyng Ban certein tokenyng
with his Barowns of many a thing.
“and ȝit more over, ȝyf grete nede be,
my Ryng j schal sende ȝow, certeynle.”
Forward they gonnen to arayen hem there,
So that Redy thei weren be th[e] thrydde day
with these messengeris to gon forth here way,
and tooken here londys Jn governaunce
245
For that he was here cosyn germeyn
and therto bothe good & trewe, jn certeyn.
Therto Pharens was left jn his compenye,
and ek the steward of Baynoyc, Sykyrlye.
Thanne seyden the kynges to hem there
that—“ȝyf nede be, aftyr helpe ȝe enqwere.”
For they wysten not thanne, jn certeyn,
what tyme that hom they comen ageyn.
thanne lefte kyng Ban certein tokenyng
with his Barowns of many a thing.
“and ȝit more over, ȝyf grete nede be,
my Ryng j schal sende ȝow, certeynle.”
whanne Leownces herde that hyt trewe was
That the messengeres seyden jn that plas,
Thussone they maden hem redy forto go,
Tyl that to the Se they comen vnto.
So that Schepyd they weren, bothe lest & mest,
and esyly over pasten with-owten tempest,
of which mater this Storye maketh an ende,
and Forth to kyng Artheur now doth hyt wende,
that js at londone jn gret Bretaygne,
that logres tho was clepyd, jn certaygne.
That the messengeres seyden jn that plas,
Thussone they maden hem redy forto go,
Tyl that to the Se they comen vnto.
So that Schepyd they weren, bothe lest & mest,
and esyly over pasten with-owten tempest,
of which mater this Storye maketh an ende,
and Forth to kyng Artheur now doth hyt wende,
that js at londone jn gret Bretaygne,
that logres tho was clepyd, jn certaygne.
| [Chapter VIII] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance | |