Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance ::

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

Lovelich, Henry

[section]

Merlin,

[Chapter I]

II.

[Chapter II]

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

VIII.

IX.

XI.

XII.

XIII.

XIV.

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[Chapter II]

Jn Bretaygne somtyme a kyng there was
That costantyn was clepid jn that plas,
Wheche that A gret Whyle Regnede there,
and was a man of ful gret powere.
and thre sones hadde that same kyng,
whiche that weren but Bachelerys ȝyng.
the eldest Sone costantyn hyghte;
the secund Awrely Ambros was clepyd ryhte,
Owther Pendragon, whethyr ȝe wylen haue;
the thrydde hyhte vter, so god me Save!
this costantyn hadde a man jn his lond
That hyghte Fortager, as j vndirstond;
This Fortager was holden a ful wis man.
and happede costantyn an old man was than,
So that be Nature of kynde he deyde.
thanne the cownseyl amonges hem Seyde,
and axeden ho scholde ben here kyng.
Anon thus becomen they jn emparlyng.
thussone thanne acordid they everychon
the eldest Sone to maken kyng anon,
whiche that hyghte costantyn
(Fulsone of his regne made he his fyn);
for aȝens resown hadde it be
ony oþer kyng to han mad, sekerle.
To this emparlyng acordyd fortager
and also alle the Barowns that weren ther.
so that alle the cownseylle assented, Sykerle,
That this Fortager Styward schold be,

bothe the kyng and the rewm to governen alle,
what maner of aventures so myhte befalle.
And thus this Fortager, jn certeyn,
of al that rem his wil he hadde, ful pleyn,
Sawf only Constans ocupied the crowne,
but more governaunce ne hadde he, nethir vpe ne downe.
So that this Fortager, beloved & dred he was
Ouer al the Rewm, jn every plas;
For bothen wys and witty he was holde,
but ouerprowd wax he mani folde.
For jn that Rewm, jn non degre
myhte non man so moche don as dyde he.
So that hit happede vppon a day
that there aryvede a Navye with gret aray.
Thanne the kyng wente anon to Fortager,
and anon fulfaire hym preyde ther
his Lond to helpen forto defende
with oþer helpe he wolde aftyr sende.
“For we ben alle at ȝowre comandement,
bothen j & al this rewm, verament.”
“Syre,” quod Fortager to the kyng,
“the peple of ȝoure hauen me jn hatyng;
therfore let hem helpen now ȝow here,
For j ne schal entermeten jn non manere,
Nethyr for non man that doth me praye,
Ne for non thing that ony man kan saye.”

Whanne that kyng costantyn herde this,
and ek þe peple þat with him þere was, j-wis,
That of hym Socour scholde they han non,
homwardis aȝen they gonne to gon,
and ordeyned hem jn eche degre
with here enemyes to fyhten, ful sekyrle.
but of here enemyes Scomfyted they were,
and anon to the flyht they weren put there,
and losten manye of here meyne,
Of wheche dethes was gret pyte,

And seyden that thyke los Hem not scholde Han falle,
and Fortager hadde ben amongis hem alle.

that so towardis the kyng they fillen jn hate,
and from hym witdrowen bothe erly and late,
So that of evel herte they seiden hem be-twene
that he non lengere here kyng Schold beene.
Thanne to this Fortager comen they anon,
and þere to him they seiden thus son:
“Sire, with-owten kyng we be,
and that is nowht worth, Sire, parde;
So that for goddis love be thou kyng
aȝens owre enemyes jn defendyng.
For we knowen no man jn al this lond
That so wel vs scholde governe, as j vndirstond.”
thanne quod Fortager to hem ageyn:
“As longe as the kyng lyveth, jn certeyn,
Neuere non kyng ne schal j be,
nethyr of non thyng to entermeten me.”
thanne seiden they to him jn fere:
“jt is vs levere, the kyng ded were.”
“ȝif he were ded,” thanne quod he,
“and ȝe liked thanne kyng to maken me,
thanne wolde j don my powere
ȝow to defende bothe fer & nere.”
whanne they vndirstodyn his meneng,
anon from hym they maden departyng,
and tolden here frendis of his answere,
how that Fortager to hem seide there.
“thanne is it bettere that we þe kyng sle,
and thanne may fortager oure kyng be,
and that be vs kyng he is mad,”
thus ech of hem to othir seid.
and so wile he thanne fulfillen hire wille—
“and to owre cownseyl consentyn vntylle.”
thanne chosen they anon amonges hem alle
be whom this aventure myhte befalle,
So that amonges hem weren there twelfe
that this aventure token on hem-selve.

So forth this xij wenten anon,
and jnto þe kynges halle comen thus son,
and so there with here swerdis so kene
at his mete here kyng dyden they slene
(and ȝit was there non man jn the halle tho
That ony word hem dorst speken vnto),
and wenten anon to Fortager,
& tolden hym how they hadden don ther.
thanne Semblawnt of wraththe Fortager gan make
(but oþerwyse jn his herte he gan it Take),
and thus to hem he seyde tho:
“evel han ȝe don ȝoure kyng to Slo!
and the Beste men j wende ȝe hadde been
that jn al this rewm a man Scholde seen;
& þerfore riht sore it forthinketh me
that ony swich thing be ȝow scholde be.”
but algates thus was the kyng ded
be thike xij false mennes reed.
thanne gonnen they to spekyn hem be-twene
how that Fortager here kyng scholde bene.
At wheche cownceyl weren two goode men,
that þe tothere tweyne bretheren kepten than,
bothen Awriele and ek vter,
the kynges bretheren that last was ther.

Whanne these tweyne goode men vndirstood this,
that Fortager scholde ben kyng, j-wys,
Thanne knewen they that mater ful Wel,
that be hym this thyng was don echedel.
Anon token they cownceyl betwixen hem two
what with theke chyldren myhten they do.
“Sethen that Fortager oure lord hath do slayn,
So wele he these two children, jn certayn.
For anon as that he kyng Js,
Ful mochel sorwen he wyle werkyn, j-wis.
and we loveden here Fadyr ful wel,
For be hym oure goodes we hadden moche del;

and therfore worthy j-blamed weren we
deseysse to sen be hem Jn ony degre.”
thanne thus token they here cownseyl,
that they thennes wolde flen saunȝ fayl,
and that the children scholde with hem go,
lest that Fortager hem wolde don slo.
“So þat therfore, Siker, avised we be
Forto Fleen jnto a straunge contre,
and towardes wales welen we go,
and ek the children with vs bothe two.”
So that they wenten forth here weye,
thike worthy goode men bothe tweye;
So that jn a cyte dweldyn they thanne
that Boorges was clepid of many a manne;
and there longe j-norsched weren they bothe,
with these goode men, j sey ȝow forsothe.

Now thanne scheweth this Storye
how that Fortager kyng was, Sekerlye.
and whanne that Sacrid he was kyng,
thanne to hym these Barowns weren comeng,
the same that Slowen kyng costantyn
(therfore hadden they ful evele fyn),
and stoden tofor Fortager vppon a rowe,
& countenaunce he made as he cowde not hem knowe,
& lyk as to-Fore he ne hadde neuere hem seyn;
this cowntenaunce made Fortager, jn certeyn.
thanne they to hym aproched Neer,
and thus they seide to kyng fortager:
“by vs a kyng J-mad thow were,
& kyng costance we slowen for the here.”
and whanne kyng Fortager herde this,
Anon he leet hem to be taken, j-wis.
“For ded moste ȝe Nedys been,
For ȝowre owne juggement hauen ȝe ȝoven clen,
That seyn ȝe slowen ȝowre owne lord,
ȝe mosten be ded be ȝowre owne word.
j se wel, the same wele ȝe don be me,
but j schal ȝow bettere don kepen, Sykerle.”

and whanne the xij Barowns herde this,
Ful sore they weren abasched, j-wys.
So that thanne Fortager ryht anon
let hem don drawen everichon,
and to hors hem bond, & so to-drowe,
and thus these xij knyhtes he slowe;
For of hem non pece with othyr lefte,
So that from the Bodyes Jt was refte.

thanne these men that distroyed were,
moche worthy kynrede hadden they there.
and to Fortager comen they anon,
and seiden: “mochel schame hast þou vs don,
that thou oure kynrede hast thus slayn
and so veleynowsly to deth hem put, certayn.
For neuere Servise we scholen the do,
for þou oure kynrede thus dydest Slo.”
whanne Fortager herde they gonnen hym manace,
anon angry was he jn that place,
and seide, ȝif they Spoken ony more,
the same jewys scholden they han thore.
of wheche wordis they hadden gret dyspyt,
as who that ful lytel dowteden jt,
and seiden to Fortager there anon:
“thow dost vs manacen everichon,
but we don the to vndirstonde:
As longe as we han Frendis oþer Londe,
Gold other Sylver, owther oþer entaylle,
the schal nethyr faillen werre ne bataylle.
and we defyen the what thou kanst do,
For falsly the kyngdom ocupiest thou so,
and Falsly & vntrewely ocupyest the crowne,
with-owten ryht Skele owther resowne.
for wete thow wel, ryht jn good feye,
as evel deth ȝit schalt thou deye.”
So that thus, jn this manere degre,
betwixen the kyng & þe barowns began þe melle;
and gret peple asembled vppon a day,
and on Fortager they comen, the sothe to say,

& gret distrocciown diden him there,
and of his token they many presonere.
So that jn this wyse kyng Fortagere
that Lond governede longe there,
and hem drof owt of the lond
as For a whyle, as j vndirstond.

Whanne owt of þe lond they were drevyn echon,
Ful spetous to his peple he be-cam anon,
that amonges hem Suffren it myht they not longe,
but aȝens hym to rysen gonnen they fonge,
and benomen hym gret partye of his lond,
and with strenkthes on hym comen, j vndirstond.
whanne that Fortager vndirstood this,
Ful sorweful was he thanne j-wys,
and wende his Lond to hauen forgon.
thanne abowten messageris sente he ful son
to alle his Frendis Jn eche contre,
that al abowtes jn his rewm pes forto be.
and whanne they vndirstooden that pes wolde he,
Ful glad weren they alle, ful sekerle.

Thanne cam Augwys to Fortager,
and hym Servede ful longe ther,
tyl that al his stryf were j-don.
thanne Augwis and Fortager to-gederis spoken son,
and his owne dowhter he ȝaf hym to wyve,
wherfore his peple wraththed as blyve,
for þat he lefte a part of his creaunce,
benchesown of his wyf, with-owte variaunce,
and for that cristened not sche was,
his meynes love lost he jn that plas;
and that wyste wel kyng Fortager.

and also of costantynes sones he dredde ther,
whiche that weren jn strawnge contre,
hym wolde owt-seken, ful Sykyrle,
Ful wel he wyste, not for his prow,
as Sykerly as that j telle it ȝow.
thanne thowhte he forto do maken anon

a ful strong towr of lym and ston;
that forto maken, he dyde it spede,
that he of non men scholde haue non drede.
thanne sente he abowtes jnto eche contre
For masowns and carponteris, ful sekerle,
and hem comanded jn alle manere
a passyng strong towr to maken there,
also strong as they cowden ony devyse,
that it were mad after here gyse,
and anon let ordeynen ston & morter
this forsaid towr to be-gynnen ther.
and whanne this werk was thus begonne,
& the heythe of fowre roddis vpe was j-ronne
aboven the erthe be here werkyng,
but aftyrwardis fil there a wondyr thing:
al that they wrowhten be the day,
be Nyht it was ouerthrowen, jn fay,
and be qwakyng of theke mowntayn,
there as they wrowhten, jn certayn.

whanne that Fortager beheld al this,
that his werk ne wolde not lasten, j-wis,
thanne was he bothe jn sorwe and care,
til þat he knew why it so gan fare.
thanne sent he abowtes jn al the lond
aftyr alle the wysest, as j vndirstond.
and whanne they weren asemblyd everychon,
To hem he Schewede this merveille anon.
and thanne answerid they anon:
“Sykerly, Syre, this connen we not don!
Ful worthi clerkis they mosten be,
for here-vppon they connen bet than we.”
thanne seide Fortager to hem ful snelle:
“j trowe the sothe that ȝe me telle.”
Anon messengeris gonnen gon welfaste
aftyr þe wisest clerkis anon jn haste
that myhte ben fownde jn al his lond,
as j do ȝow to vndirstond,
and tolde hem of that wondyr thing,

of his towr and of the Fallyng.
thanne of the wisest clerkes took he anon,
and jnto cownseyl gonne they gon,
& axede hem, ȝif they knewen ony resown,
why that his werk fyl so a-down.
“For, sekerly, it is j-told to me
that but be ȝow wyst it may not be.”
thanne answerid they hym jn here manere
That of sweche Craft knew they not there.
“but Somme clerkys here amongis vs ben
that of Astronomye konnen, as j wen.”
thanne quod fortager: “enqweryth ȝe
whiche of ȝoure felesche[pe] that jt be.”
thanne ech of hem axeden oþer there
whiche of that craft konneng were.
thanne of that compenye weren there tweyne
that of that craft cowden, certeyne,
as mochel as ony men lyveng;
thus was jt reported to the kyng.
that so the clerkes emparled Jn fere,
that atte laste of hem sevene there were,
and they weren lad anon to-fore the kyng
Forto tellen hym the aventure of this thing.
thanne axede hem the kyng anon
ȝif owht of that craft cowde they don,
and why that his Towr ne myhte not stonde,
hym forto telle that, myhten [they] fonde.
and they seiden that they cowden wel
of that cas tellen hym every del.
thanne swoor the kyng, so god hym save,
they scholde han what good that they wolde have.

thanne departyd this cownseille anon
of these clerkis there everychon.
and theke same sevene beleften there stylle
The kynges Talent there to fulfille,
Forto schewen there here konneng,
alle the cause of the Towris fallyng.

These clerkis gonnen to stodyen welsore,
and ech of hem there provede his lore;
So that the more they stodyed, þe forthere they were.
thanne cam the kyng and axede hem there,
how that j-scholde stondyn of his thyng.
And as ȝit thanne cowden they tellen him non tydyng,
but axeden hym viij dayes of respyt.
thanne quod the kyng: “wel me lykyth Jt,
but loke that ȝe otterly be that day
of my towr the sothe that ȝe me say.”
Thanne wenten they to here cownseil ageyn,
and eche of hem gan to oþer seyn:
“what scholen wee werkyn jn this thing
hit Forto Bryngen to a good endyng?”
thanne bespak on of the Sevene there:
“let eche be hym-Selve his wyt schewen here,
how that jt Semeth hym of this cas,
let hym here Schewen jt jn this plas.”
and eche there schewede his verdit sone,
So that alle they acordid jnto one,
Sawf that of the towr knew they non thyng
what was the cause of the Fallyng.
But on gret merveille there they sye,
where-offen alle, ful trewelye,
Ful sore abasched alle they were,
For that merveille that they syen there,
that a child jn this erthe j-boren was
whiche erthly Fadir hadde neuere jn non plas.
thanne eche of hem to othir gan say:
“Let vs ben avised be the morwe of þe day.”

Thanne vppon the morwe they sembled Eft sone,
and jnto on thing they acordid Echone:
So that of this child that there was bore,
how that his lyf Scholde be forlore,
And his blood j-leyd jn the fundement
Of that jlke towr, verament,
ȝif that towr scholde Evere abyde.

thus they seyden that jlke tyde,
Everich a mayster be hym-self alone,
and thus alle acordid they jn-to one.
“and lete vs maken the kyng thus beleve,
oþer ellis of oure lyves he wyle vs depreve;
and that theke child he do seken anon,
also faste as messengeris mown gon.”
thanne thus endid they here cownseil there,
that anon so to-forn þe kyng j-browht they were,
and eche be hym-self tolde his avis
aforn the kyng there and alle his.
thanne, whanne the kyng and alle his cownsaylle
herden hem thus tellen, with-owten faylle,
and seiden alle: “it myhte wel be,
Swich a thing, Jn alle degre,
ȝif so it be that a man be bore
with-owten erthly fadyr, as ȝe seiden before;
and thus han ȝe me told everyechone,
ech of ȝow maistres be ȝowre one.”
“and but ȝe it Fynde as we ȝow say,
ellis doth be vs what ȝow lyst, jnfay!”
thanne seyde the kyng to hem ageyn,
he wolde hem jn warde putten, certeyn,
Tyl that the sothe he myhte knowe.
thanne seiden they to hym vppon a rowe:
“Anon as that he Fownden Js, þat child so ȝyng,
Loketh that ȝe don hym Slen for ony thyng,
and that the blood be to ȝow browht,
and for non thyng they leven jt nowht.”
the kyng hem putte alle sevene anon
Jn a ful strong hows of lym and ston,
and deliuered hem jn what hem nede was,
therby to ben Sosteyned jn that plas.

Thanne ordeyned the kyng messengeris ful snelle,
xij worthy gentyles, as j ȝow telle,
that they scholden alle anon forth gon
this Fadirles child to seken welson.
and these xij men the kyng made swere,

that where so evere j-fownden he were,
that they scholden hym Slen anon—
“and that his Blood jn a sawf place ȝe don,
and that it Sawfly be browht to me,
thowgh two ȝer owte that ȝe be.
and loke that ȝe fynden hym for ony thing,
thowgh that ȝe maken the lengere taryeng.”
and thus the messengeris, forth they gon,
be tweyne & tweyne here weye token they son,
and sowhten jn manye dyvers contre
that child to fynde, ȝif hit myhte be.
So that atte laste fowre metten jn fere,
as that here aventure behappede there.

Thus ryden these fowre Jn compenye,
tyl vppon a day jt happede, ful trewelye,
Thorwh a fayr medewe as they gonne ryde,
weren many children pleyeng jn that tyde.
and merlyne, that knew alle thencheson
of tho messengeris comeng so son,
and wiste ful wel that they him sowghte,
anon to a riche mannes sone he rawhte.
For he wiste ful wel that he wolde wroth be,
ȝif that he hym smete, fulle Sykerle;
Thanne lefte He vpe His staf Anon
and overthwert the Schenys smot him thus son.
Anon this child be-gan to crye
with a lowd voys ful angerlye,
and there Reprovyd this merlyne,
and clepid him “fowle false fowndelyne,
that Nevere Fadyr haddest thow here,
thou fowle fowndelyng, thou fals bismere.”
and whanne þe messengeris herden of this,
Towardis that child they drowen, j-wys,
and hym axede jn here manere
what he was that hym so smot þere.
thanne answerid the child anon ageyn:
“Jt is a wommans sone here, jn certeyn,
that wot neuere ho that the Fadyr was,
Nethir ho that him begat, jn non plas.”

whanne merlyne herde that he seide so,
Towardis hem faste he gan to go,
and spak to hem with a lawheng chere:
“j am he whom that ȝe seken here,
And also hos deth that ȝe han swore;
lo, here j stonde now ȝow before!
For that my blood with ȝow scholde ȝe bere
To kyng Fortager jn alle manere.”
and whanne that the messengeris herden hym seyn so,
anon thanne alle abasched weren they tho,
and so tolden hym it was, ful certeynle.
“ȝe, that wiste j ful wel longe er ȝe.”
thanne seide the messengeris to hym ageyn:
“with vs mostest thou gon, Jn certeyn.”
“that ful gladliche wyl j now do,
ȝif it so be that ȝe not me Slo.”
but ȝit merlyn wiste Ful wel
þat þerto talent hadden they neuere a del.
but merlyne Seyde this be enchesown
To wyten what they wolden seyn anon,
and seide to hem: “ȝif that ȝe wilen grawnten me
that ȝe welen neither me distroyen ne sle,
with ȝow wile j gon forto Fonde
and telle why that þe towr ne may not stonde.”
& whanne they herden the child tho speken this,
thanne mochel more abasched weren they, j-wys,
and seiden that—“this child wondris doth speke;
Jt were pyte on hym to ben awreke.”
So that eche to othyr gan forto seyn:
“Rathere forsworn scholen we ben, jn certeyn,
thanne jn ony wyse hym Scholde we Sle,
Sekyrly, for vs Jt Schal not now be.”
“Sires,” quod merlyne, “with me scholen ȝe go,
and ȝowre herberwe j schal bryngen ȝow vnto,
and loggen jn place there as my modyr js,
& also anothir good man, with-owten mys;
For with-owten here leve j ne may not go,
Certein, Sires, J sey ȝow vnto.”

Thanne answeryd these messengeris ageyn:
“With the to gon we ben ful fayn
jnto what place thow wylt vs lede;
with the scholen we go with-owten drede.”
So wenten they with merlyn jnto that plas,
jnto a nonnerye, there his modyr was,
and merlyne chargede that meyne echon
Ful good chere the messengeris to don.

Anon as that of here hors they weren lyht adown,
To-forn Blasye he dyde hem comen anon.
“Lo, Sire,” quod merlyne to Blasye tho,
“behold here tho men that me seken to slo.
And j ȝow preye, sires, now alle jn fere
That trewe Witnesse ȝe Welen beren me Here
To-forn this goodman that here Js,
ȝif that j lye owther sey owht amys.
haue j not Told ȝow the cause why
that ȝe me comen to seken, verrayly?”
and they seiden: “ȝis, ful Sykerle!”
of wheche they wondrid how it myhte be.
thanne seide merlyn to Blayse there:
“now vndirstondith what j schal sein here.”
To the messengeris thanne seide he tho:
“Kyng Fortager now comen ȝe fro,
whiche kyng, a gret towr doth he make
onliche for strengthe for his owne sake,
the wheche towr ne may not stonde
For non werkyng of mannes honde,
but that jn an owr down doth it go,
as mochel as they maken jn a mounthe oþer two.
wherfore that the kyng, ful wroth he js,
and aftyr his clergyse hath sent, J-wys,
but of this non Resown conne they telle,
of that towr, why that it Felle;
Ne non othir thyng ne cowden they se,
but that a child born scholde there be
that hadde non erthly fadyr here.
and vppon this they acordid jn fere,
that swich a child they scholden sle,
and the blood to-forn hym j-browht to be,

to leyn that blood jn the fundement,
thanne scholde the towr stondyn, verament.
and whanne that þe kyng herde of this,
thanne merveillede he mochel here-offen, j-wys.
and so the clerkis comanded him anon
that nedis this thing scholde be don.
and anon as they me Fownde,
they scholden slen me that jlke stownde,
and my blood forth with hem bere
to kyng Fortager, tyl they comen there,
and don tempre my blood with that mortere;
thanne seiden [they] the towr scholde stondyn there.
Anon kyng fortager thorwh here Red
Sente xij messengeris jn-to every sted,
of wheche xij these fowre now be
that hider ben comen forto seken me.
but ferst alle xij he mad hem to swere,
vppon here Sewraunce, to-forn him there,
that be ony weye they scholden me sle
the ferste tyme they myhten me Se.
and as thorwgh the medewe they gonne Ryde
where as manye children pleyden that tyde,
j knew ful wel here cause anon,
and to þe beste of hem alle j gan to to gon,
and him there smot j wondyr sore,
For that j wyste ful wel before
that the werste he wolde sein be me
that he cowde onne thinken jn ony degre.
and that dede j for non othyr thing,
but for these men of me scholden hauen knoweng.
Now, maister Blayse,” quod merlyne, “j preye the,
So axe now of hem ȝif this trewe be.”
“Now certes, maister,” quod the messengeris, “j-wis,
Ryht as he seith, forsothe now it Js.
as god vs brynge jnto owre contre,
Jt is ful trewe that he telleth the.”
“Now certes,” quod this maister thanne,
“& he mot lyve, he wil ben a wys manne,

and therfore pite it were hym to qwelle
Forsothe, Lordynges, as J ȝow telle.”
thanne quod these messengeris: “certeinle,
For vs, be owre Sewraunce, schal he nevere ded be,
For we hadden moche more levere that owre kyng
dysherite vs of al owre worldly thyng.
For ful wel knoweth he that wot al this,
that talent therto haven we non, j-wis.”

Thanne this Blayse clepid merlyne anon
hym for to axen of a prevy qwestion,
and axede of merlyne ful prevyle
ȝif they hadden ony wyl hym for to sle.
and merlyn gan to Lawhen & seide: “Nay,
Ful wel here wylle j knowe, jn fay,
for ȝe scholen comen and ȝoure-self here
of here Sewraunce Jn alle manere.”
Now quod merlyne: “J schal with ȝow go,
ȝif that ȝe welen enswren me vnto
that ȝe scholen me bryngen to-fore þe kyng
with-owten ony harm oþer bodyly hyndryng,
and that non harm be don to me,
tyl that j haue hym bothe spoken & se.”
So that to hym maden they here Surawnce
him there to bryngen with-owten Nosawnce.

“Now Se j,” quod Blayse to hym anone,
“That thou wilt me beleven here alone.
Now telle thou me thanne what j schal do
of this Book that j have be-gonnen so.”
“that schal j the telle,” quod merlyne anon,
“er that j from the owt this place wil gon.
vndirstondist thou not wel this,
that god to me hath sent, j-wys,
bothe wyt, mynde, and memorye
alle manere of thinges to discrye,
more thanne to ony erthliche man?
this thow supposyst that J kan.
So that they that me supposid to have,

han me forlost, and god wyl me save,
and me hath chosen to his Servise,
Swich forto don as j kan devyse,
that non man neþer kan don but J,
J seye ȝow, maister, ful trewely.
and therefore me behoueth to go
thedyr as these men comen fro
jnto this contre to seken me here;
with hem wyle j forth gon jn fere.
and there schal J so moche thing seyn,
that þe peple jn me schal beleven, pleyn,
and holden me for the wisest man one
that on erthe Js except god alone.
and thider schalt þou come and þere fulfylle
The werk that j to þe spak of vntylle.
but with me thedyr schalt thou not gone,
but aftyr thedir schal thow comen alone,
and axen jnto Northhumberland,
þe whiche is a wilde contre, þou vndirstand.
and þere schalt þow knowelichyng haue
þere forto dwellen and þere to be save.
and thider schal j comen to the
and the Schewen many diuers secre,
& also bryngen to the alle maner of thyng
That behoueth to thy werkyng.
and ful wel alowed schalt thou be
For thy Travaille, ful Sykerle:
jn this world, joye to thy lyf,
and aftir, endles blisse with-owten stryf.
and as longe as jn this world here
that ony man lyveth jn goddis manere,
that werk evere beloved schal be
and be herd of the peple ful hertyle.
and weteth wel that my gret travaylle
begynneth not ȝit, with-owten Faylle,
Ne not ne schal jn non wyse,
Tyl that come the fowrthe kyng, a man of pryse.
and jn his tyme myn travaylle Schal be,

also the aventures of gret Breteygne, sykirle;
hos Name schal ben kyng Arthowr,
a ful worthy kyng and of gret honour.
thanne schalt thou comen jnto that contre
of whiche that ferst [j] told of the.
and thedyr to the schal J fonge
Ful often-tymes, evere amonge,
the forto maken to vndyrstonde
alle thynges that ben don jn breteygne londe,
and ek that after scholen befalle,
Jn thy book to putten hem alle.
For wete thow wel, Jn certeyn,
mochel more schal it be herd, & more pleyn.
For there ne schal nothing jn this lond be,
Nethir litel ne mochel, jn non degre,
Nethir don ne wrowht jn non manere,
That to thy book profitable were,
anon jn thy Book it schal be do,
For knowen schal it be for evere mo.
and the Name of thy Bok schal be
J-clepyd seint Graal, ful Sykirle.”

and thus merlyne to his maister spak there,
and hym thus tolde jn dyvers manere
what maner of thing that he scholde do,
Ere that he diparted his maister fro.
and “maister” he clepid him for this manere,
For maister to his modir he was everywhere.
whanne Blayse with merlyn thus hadde j-spoken,
Thanne was his herte jn joye be-loken,
and to merlyne he seide anon tho:
“what so thou comandest me to do,
and j mowe it don jn ony degre,
J schal it don, ful sekerle.”

Thanne anon merlyne tornede ageyn
To the messengeres his weye, ful pleyn,
and seide that he wolde nedes go
his leve of his modir to taken tho.

Thanne ledde he these messengeris forth anon,
and to his modir gonne they gon.
“Swete modyr, j telle now the,
here ben comen men from fer contre
and of strange place to seken me here,
wherfore with hem moste j go jn alle manere.
therfore j come my leve to take,
that non morneng for me ȝe make;
and forto fulfille goddis Servyse
Thider most j gon jn alle wyse.
For j ne may not his wyl fulfylle,
Tyl jnto that Lond j come vntylle,
whedir so evere he wil me lede
there his wille forto spede.
and Blaise, that is ȝoure maister dere,
thedyr schal comen also jn fere;
So that bothen vs tweyne moste ȝe forgon,
and for vs here behoveth ȝow to dwellen alon.”
thanne seide to hym his modir agein:
“sethen it may non oþer ben, jn certeyn,
j comande ȝow to god al-myht,
For it is Nethyr jn my power ne myht
ȝow with-holden aȝens ȝoure wille,
what that evere j seye ȝow vntylle.
But siker, sone, and ȝoure willes be,
j wolde that Blayse schold leven with me.”
“Forsothe, modir, he ne may not So,
For Nedylynges thedyr moste He go.”

And thus merlyne of his modir took cownge,
and forth with the messengeris wente, ful sikerle.
& Blayse wente forthe jnto Northhumberlond,
lyk as merlyn dyde hym to vndirstond.

merlyne and these messengeris Jn fere,
alle forth to-gederis Riden they there.
So that thorwgh a town gonnen they Ryde,
where as market was the same tyde.
& whanne the town they were past everychon,
a cherl to-For hem Syen they gon,
that him hadde j-bowht a peire stronge schon,

and ek strong clowt lethir to sette þere-on.
and whanne that merlyne this cherl gan se,
he gan anon to lawghen ful prevyle.
thanne axeden hym the messengeris there
why he lawghed, & wherfore it were.
“Sires, j lawghe,” quod merlyne thanne,
“at hym that ȝondir goth, ȝone cherlisch manne,
that hym bowht ful stronge schon
and ek stronge clowtes to setten þer-on.
And j ȝow seye, ful certeynly,
that he schal dyen ful sodeynly,
Er that he come to his owne place;
Swich schal ben both his hape & his grace.”
and whanne they herden hym, that he seide so,
Ful mochel merveyl hadden they tho.
thanne seiden they that fayn they wolde knowe
ȝif it scholde happen with-jnne a throwe.
and so that tweyne folweden that jlke veleyn,
and tweyne with merlyne Ryden, certeyn.
they folwed not this cherl passyng a myle,
that he ne was ded with-jnne a whyle,
and evene a-myddes the hye weye,
there gan this veleyn forto deye.
and his schon vndir his arm were,
and ek his clowt lethir also there.
Anon as they hadden seyn this syht,
To here felawes they wenten with al here myht,
and tolden hem of that they hadden seyn,
and howh that þe veleyn to-forn hem gan deyen.
“Now certes,” quod these messengeris aȝen,
“alle theke clerkis, but Folys they been,
that wolde don vs this wyse man to sle,
but for non thing jt ne schal not be.
For on myn owne Body levere hadde j here
To suffren gret peynes jn dyvers manere,
thanne his body ony harm scholde haue,
also god me wysse other Save!”
and so they seiden everychon,
alle that with hym gonne forto gon.
thanne thankid they hym al jnfere,

of that merveille he told hem there.
and sore a-basched weren they echon,
For they cowden non thing nethir speken ne don,
but that he knew alle here entent;
thus thanne seiden they, verament.

Forth thanne Riden they in here jorne,
Tyl that jn Fortageris lond they be,
and with-jnnen his strengthe and his powere,
alle the iiij messengeris and merlyne jn fere.
So that Jt happede vppon a day,
As thorwgh A town thanne lay here Way,
A chyld to-ward Beryeng was there j-bore,
and moche ful sore wepyng was there-fore.
the prestes and clerkis, ful faste they songe,
as lowde as they myhten with here tonge.
thanne gan this merlyn to lawghen anon,
as he with his Feleschepe gan forth to gon,
and seide to his felawes: “merveilles J se.”
“Now, goode child,” quod they, “what mown tho be?”
“Se ȝe not,” quod merlyn, “now here
this goode man that Folweth the bere,
that so sore wepeth and maketh swich doel?”
“ȝis, sekyr,” quod they, “we sen hym wel.”
“and se ȝe not the preest that goth to-fore,
That so meryly now syngeth thore?”
“ȝis, child, that don we, ful Sykirly.”
“ȝe, the Sorwe scholde he maken, trewly,
For, be myn hevyd, the child is his,
and non thyng his that folweth, j-wys;
& therfore the Sorwe the preest scholde make
that the goodman doth For the childis sake.”
“what, trowen ȝe [not] that the child his be?”
“Nay, Sires,” quod merlyne, “ful Sykirle.”
“Leve child, how mowen we the sothe knowe?”
“Goth forth,” quod merlyne, “on a rowe,
and axeth the modyr the cause why
why that hire husbond wepeth so soryly.
Anon wele sche sein it is for his chyld,
that to hym was bothe mek and myld.

and loke that ȝe answeren hire ageyn
that it was neuere his, Jn certeyn,
but that the prestes child it Js
That to-forn goth and syngeth, J-wys.”

Forth thanne wente the messengeris anon,
and to this womman there gonnen they gon,
& token hire on syde evene ryht there,
aposynge hire thus jn this manere;
every word, ryht as merlyne bad,
anon to this womman there they sayd.
and whanne this womman herde this,
Ful sore abasched sche was, j-wys,
and to hem seide Jn this manere:
“me thynketh, to ȝow may j not lyen here,
For trewly, as ȝe seyn now, it Js,
j may not the contrarye seyn, j-wys.
but lordynges, j preye ȝow for charite
that to my lord ne discureth not me,
For owther he wolde me slen anon,
owther owt of his compenye j scholde be don.”
and whanne they knewen that it was so,
aȝen to merlyne gonnen they to go,
and thankyde hym of his Talkyng,
of whiche they hadden gret merveyllyng.

and so jn here jorne gonnen they ryde,
Towardis kyng Fortager þat same tyde.
and whanne they comen there the kyng was,
thanne seiden tweyne of hem jn that plas,
and spoken to merlyne j[n] the plyht,
that to the kyng wolden they gon ful ryht,
and tellen hym what they han fownde.
thanne preyden they merlyne that jlke stownde
hem forto cownseillen, what they scholde say,
lest they weren blamed Jn ony way,
For be-cawse they hadden hym not slayn,
as they weren comawnded, jn certayn.
“For, be aventure, we scholen ben schent,
that we ne hadden þe slayn, verament.”

“Now, leve Sires,” quod merlyne thanne,
“and ȝe wil don as J schal ȝow kenne,
J-blamed scholen ȝe neuere be
Jn non manere wise, Sires, for me.
Anon to kyng Fortager faste scholen ȝe go,
and jn this wyse that ȝe seyne hym vnto:
lik as that ȝe haven me j-fownde,
and that j kan hym tellen with-jnne a stownde
why that his towr ne may not stonde;
and that wile j ful sone taken on honde,
on covenaunt the clerkis he wil Slen,
lik as they desireden J scholde haue ben.
For telleth hym that j knowe the cause why
wherfore they wolden me don slen, trewly.
and whanne ȝe haven told hym al this,
loketh his byddyng ȝe don with-owten mys.”

thus departyd the messengeris from hym, trewelye,
and to kyng Fortager anon comen they jn hye.
whanne that kyng Fortager gan hem beholde,
Ful joyeful he was Jn many Folde,
and axede of hem how they hadden sped
of thike arende that he on hem leyd.
“Sire,” quod these messengeris, “so as we myhte,
we scholen ȝow it tellen anon Ryhte.”
thanne took hem the kyng Jn cownseyl anon,
and they hym tolde there Ryht son
how that they hadden merlyne j-fownde,
jn what manere, and with-jnne what stownde.
“and but ȝif it hadde ben his owne wille,
we cowde nevere hauen comen hym vntylle.”
thanne seide the kyng to hem Ryht tho:
“what is thike merlyne þat ȝe speken of so?
j bad ȝow seken, ful plenerlye,
a Fadirles child, ful vtterlye,
that was neuere begeten of erthly man;
of this mater telleth me, as ȝe kan!
and þerto the blood of hym me brynge,
this was ȝoure charge, with-owten lesynge.”
“Sire, this same merlyne Js he
of whom that ȝe speken, ful sykirle.

and therto the wisest man he is one
þat evere was born, except god alone.
and that oth that ȝe maden vs swere,
we han it fulfyld, as ȝe now here.”
and ȝit the messengeris tolden him more,
that his clerkis cowden non skele thore
him forto tellen the cawse why
that his towr myhte not stonden, trewely.
“but anon apertly he wil ȝow telle
why the cause ȝoure towr doth falle.
and þerfore he vs hyder to the sente
Forto knowen of ȝoure entente.
ȝif that ȝe wolden owht with hym speke,
thanne wolde he to ȝow his herte Breke;
and of othir merveilles he wyl ȝow say,
what aftyr schal be-fallen many a day.
and ȝif ȝe welen, we scholen hym Sle,
For tweyne felawes of owre with him be.”
“Nay,” quod the kyng, “and it be so,
that he cowde syker tellen me vnto
the cause of my towris Fallyng,
thanne wolde j that ȝe hym slowen for non thing.
and ȝif he conne me tellen, certeynle,
and that ȝe bryngen hym to me.”

Thussone these messengeris gonne to gon,
and the kyng aftyr hem prekede anon.
Anon Whanne merlyne Sawgh that messenger,
to hem Spak he anon Ryht ther:
“ȝowre trowthe to me haven ȝe now plyht
me not to deren be day ne be nyht.”
“thou seist ful trewe,” quothen they anon,
“For vs, certein, harm getyst thou non,
For we hadden levere be aventure to deye
thanne the forto slen, certeinlye.”
“J schal ȝow tellen,” quod merlyne, “everydel,

how that ȝoure trowthe ȝe scholen saven ryht wel.”

Thus with merlyne ryden they forth Jn fere,
Tyl that with kyng Fortager metten they there.
and anon as evere merlyne hym Say,
streyth to the kyng he took his way,
and seide: “sire kyng, ful wel thou be!
A word jn cownseil wolde j speken with the.”
Anon took he there the kyng on syde,
and ek clepede the messengeres at þat tyde
That hym forto seken j-charged were
the sothe of hym forto enqwere.
“why that the Towr stonden ne myhte,
j schal the tellen, Syre, anon Ryhte,
and how þat thow comandedest me to sle
Be the cownseil of clerkys that false be,
and my blood al forto take
and þer-with thy morteer for to make.
but ȝit they Fayllen of here art,
for of that konnenge hauen they non part.
but sire kyng, and þou wilt enswren me here
the same Jewyse to don jn alle manere
vppon hem as thou wost hauen don be me,
J schal the tellen, ful sykerle,
the cause why þat thy towr doth falle,
so openly, that ȝe scholen knowen it alle,
and declaren openly alle ȝow be-Fore
how þat it schal lasten for Euere more.
ȝif thou wylt don as j the say,
telle me now, sire kyng, owther ȝe oþer nay.”
thanne answered the kyng ageyn:
“ȝif þou do as that þou seist, jn certeyn,
the same jewise scholen they have
as þou scholdest han had, so god me save.”
“go we, sire, thanne,” quod merlyne tho,
“thedir that thy towr ȝou begynnest so,
and thike same clerkis brynge with the,
thanne there the sothe Mihtest þou se,
ȝif they connen owht seyn, amonges hem alle,

whi that thy towr doth so down falle.”
so wenten they forth alle jn fere,
and the clerkis sent aftyr were
to thike there as the towr was dyht;
thedyr comen they alle anon ryht.

And whanne they weren assembled everichon,
merlyne hem thanne aposede anon,
and axede on of the wysest clerkes
why that so fyl adown the kynges werkes.
thanne answerede this clerk him ageyn:
“we ne connen not it tellen, jn certeyn,
but the kyng we tolden jn what degre
wherby his werk Sosteyned scholde be.”
“ȝe,” quod the kyng to the clerkis thanne,
“ȝe boden me don seken aftyr swich a manne
that Neuere erthly Fadyr hadde,
and hym don Slen, thus ȝe me badde.
and Swich a man j Not where to fynde,
For me Wolde thenken Jt Were Al aȝens kynde.”
and thanne bespak there merlyne anon,
and seide to tho clerkis everychon:
“Lordynges, a fool that ȝe wolden maken the kyng,
To don hym to seken so wondirful a thyng:
a man that Neuere erthly Fadyr hadde,
jnto this world be born and forth bradde.
but ȝe non thyng ne dyden Jt for his prow,
but what the cause was, j schal tellen yt ȝow:
For wel ȝe wysten that ȝe scholden deye,
but ȝif that the trowthe ȝe tolden, jn feye.
and for that ȝe cowden non othirwyse do,
therefore ȝe boden hym Swich a man to slo,
and the Blood of hym al forto take,
the wheche his Towr stonden Scholde make.
and thus thowghten ȝe that man to don sle,
ȝoure-self to askapen, ȝif it myhte be.”
and whanne they herden the chyld thus seyn,
Ful sore abasched weren they, certeyn,

and wisten wel thanne forsothe anon
that deyen scholden they everychon.
“behold, Sire kyng,” quod merlyne tho,
“Now sen here ȝe how this doth go,
that these clerkys ne wilen not me don sle,
with my blood ȝowre towr j-mad to be,
but that amonges hem loot is þere cast
that for me they mosten deyen Jn hast.
and now axeth hem ȝif it be not so,
for sekyr, how so the game now go,
Non of hem js here so hardye
jn my precense to maken ony lye.
“Seyth he soth?” quod the kyng anon.
“ȝe, Sykerly,” quod the clerkys everychon,
“But we connen not weten, jn non degre,
how that al this thyng knowen scholde he.
Sire, we ȝow preyen as oure Soverein lord,
alle we ȝoure clerkes, be on acord,
that owre lyves ȝe wolden graunten vs here,
tyl that the Sothe we myhten sen jn Fere,
how that he Scholde this towr don stonde
be ony werk of mannes honde.”
“Now certes, lordynges,” quod merlyne anon,
“and tyl that ȝe sen the same thyng don,
and why that the towr doth so falle,
Erst Schal there non deyen of ȝow alle.”
thanne thankede they merlyne everychon,
alle these clerkis be on and be on.

thanne quod merlyne to kyng Fortager:
“wylt thou now knowen the sothe her
why that thy werk doth so down Falle,
j schal openly it tellen amonges ȝow alle.
Now herkene, Sire kyng, what j schal say:
here vndir this grownd, j dar wel lay,
There goth a water bothe sterne & gret,
vndyr wheche water ben there ȝet
Tweyne wondirful Stowte dragowns,
þe moste oryble that ben Jn ony Regiowns,
of wheche on Js al whit, anothir is Red,
of the dragowns that ben Jn that sted.

Aboven wheche dragowns there ben, certeyn,
tweyne grete stones, that ben ful pleyn,
that over-whelmen bothe dragowns,
whiche that ben so wondirful of faciouns.
and whanne thei Felen the water Sore peyse
vppon hem bothe, & doth hem deseyse,
thanne tornen they hem bothe with gret myht,
and meveth al the erthe evene vpryht,
whiche meveng that maketh thy werk to falle;
this Scholen ȝe knowen bothe gret and smalle.
So that my borwes, aqwyt scholen they be,
And thy clerkis beheveded, ful trewle.
and therfore asaye ȝif that J soth seye,
owther be ony weys that J do lye.
For of this mater thy clerkis knowen non thyng,
Ful Siker thou be, For alle here werkyng.”
“Now certes,” quod Fortager to merlyne thanne,
“and this be soth, thou art a trewe manne,
and therto the wysest that evere was bore
of erthlych men that konnen of lore.”

“Now, merlyne,” quod kyng Fortagere,
“of on thing that thow wost tellen me here:
how that this erthe myhte be don away;
J preye the, merlyne, the Sothe me Say.”
“with cartes sone may jt be led henne,
& vppon the Bakkes of many menne.”
thanne kyng Fortager let ordeynen anon
bothe cartes and werkmen many on.
and merlyne comaunded there jn haste
that the clerkys Scholden they kepen wel faste.
thus werkmen wrowhten bothe day & nyht,
tyl that to this water they comen ful ryht.
and whanne they hadden this water j-fownde,
anon they tolden it the kyng that stownde.
thanne gan the kyng thedyr to gon
with ful gret joye ryht anon.
and merlyne with hym thedyr he ladde,
For he wrowghte alle thyng as he hym badde.

and whanne thider j-come they weren echon,
this merveillous water they behelden thusson.
thanne to hym clepyd he his cownsaylle,
and seide: “lordinges, with-owten Faylle,
this child is wondir wis with-alle,
that can thus tellen how it schal falle,
and of this water that here now Js;
jt merveylleth me ful mochel, j-wys.
and seith he that vndir this water so clere
ben tweyne dragowns dwellyng jn fere.
and ȝit wot j Neuere what j schal do,
tyl he som cownseyl ȝeve me therto.”
thanne cleped he merlyne to hym anon,
of þat water to weten what scholde be don.
quod merlyne: “grete diches we scholen here make,
wherthorwgh this water schal forth Schake,
thorwh this medewe here anon,
and thus this water schal forth gon.”

Thus weren these diches sone there mad,
as merlyne it ordeynede, comaunded, and bad.
and this water his cowrs there hadde,
and be this craft jnto othire contres ladde.
thanne cam merlyne to kyng fortagere,
and thus anon tolde hym there
that—“also sone as the dragouns to-gyderes fele,
be-twixen hem schal be-gynnen a sory mele,
For they to-gederis ful sore scholen fyhte,
and the ton the tothyr Schal slen owt ryhte.
and therfore Sende thou thy messengeris anon
To alle thy Barowns now everychon,
to sen this bataylle that schal ben here
of these dragowns that scholen fyhten jn fere;
For the bataylle of hem and that chawnse
Nis not with-owten gret Signyfyawnse.”
thanne sente kyng Fortager forth anon
his messengerys, as faste as they myhten gon,
to warnen bothe Barown, bacheler, & knyht,

and alle othere that gon owther ryden myht.
and whanne they weren assembled echon,
thanne seide kyng Fortager to hem anon,
and tolde hem of manye a wondyr thyng
That scholde be-falle be merlynes talkyng,
And How the two dragowns to-gederes scholen fyhte,
and the ton the tothyr to slen anon Ryhte.
thanne ech to other seide, certeynle,
that this bataylle were ful good to se.
thanne axeden they of the kyng ful sone
which of þe dragowns scholde on lyve gone.
than answered hem the kyng ageyn:
“that tolde he not me ȝit, jn certeyn.”
and whanne that this water owt was past,
thanne bothe tho stones Syen they jn hast,
whiche vppon the dragowns weren there
as that they lyen bothe Jn fere.
thanne axede Fortager of merlyne anon
how thyke stones a-wey myhte ben don.
“ȝis, ȝis,” quod merlyne, “that Schal be do,
and non man to harmen the worth of a slo.
For they scholen meven nevere a del,
Tyl that ech other may Felen Ryht wel;
and thanne to-gederis Scholen they fyhte,
Til the ton moste deyen be Ryhte.”
thanne axede the kyng which of hem tweyne
whiche ded that scholde ben, certeyne.
“Jn here Bataylle there schal be
Ful gret Signyfiaunce, J telle the,
and that ful gladly j wyle the Schewe
aforn thre of thy Barowns on a rowe.”
thanne clepede Fortager to hym anon
thre Barowns that he trostyd most vppon.
Anon seide merlyne to hym thanne:
“Trostist thow wel on these thre menne,
and ben they trewe of thy cownsaille,
what so evere it may avaylle?”
“ȝe, Sekerly, merlyne,” quod Fortager,
“non trewere knowe j neþer fer ne neer.”
“thanne may J,” quod merlyne, “tellen the

of swich thyng as thow tellest me.
J wele that thow knowe here, jn certayn,
that the rede be the white schal ben slayn.
but fyrst gret peyne Schal he have,
er from the rede he may gon save.
and the deth of the rede dragown
Schal notyse ful gret Significaciown,
and the victorye of the dragown so whyt.
For the it is ful hard to knowen Jt,
but tyl that the Bataylle be alle j-do,
of this thing schalt thou knowen no mo.”
whanne this peple thidir comen echon,
Ful hastely hadden they vpe the ston.
thanne Syen they this whyte dragown,
that was wondyr oryble of Facyown.
and whanne this peple this dragown there say,
they weren sore abaschet, alle with-owten nay.
and whanne that thus they hadden J-do,
To the tothyr ston wente they tho.
thanne the rede dragown syen they there,
that more oryble was thanne the toþer were.
thanne was the peple abasched wel more
an hundred Fold thanne they weren to-fore;
For more Feers he was & more hydows,
also more egre, & mochel more Spytows,
thanne the whyte was Jn ony degre,
thus thowghte the peple, ful certeynle.
So that thowghte kyng Fortager
that the rede the white scholde scomfyten ther.
thanne seide merlyne to the kyng:
“Now haue my borwes excused for alle thyng!”
“merlyne,” quod Fortager, “so they be,
Of alle thinges qwyt, ful Sekerle.”
Thanne to-gederis Ronnen these dragowns tweyne
Ful vigerously there, Jn certeyne,
with here teeth and here pawes so scharpe,
that wondyr Jt is of here Fyhtyng to carpe.
Fo[r] Neuere herden ȝe telle jnto this day

Of tweyne bestes swich anothir afray.
and thus veleynesly gonnen they fyhte
al that day, tyl jt was Nyhte,
and vppon the morwen, tyl it was day,
So that al the peple that the bataylle say,
wenden þat the rede þe whyte scholde han slayn,
so spetows was þe bataylle betwixen hem tweyn;
Tyl atte laste the white dragown
caste fyr on þe rede abowtes jn vyrown,
and hym there brende to the ded;
So hadde the white victorye in that sted.
and the thrydde day aftyr next sewenge
Deyde the white dragown, with-owten lesenge.
So that they seyden thanne everychon
that so gret a merveille seyn they Neuere non.
thanne quod merlyne to kyng Fortagere:
“Now begynne thy towr, and maket here
as gret as þou wylt, and also hy,
For it schal neuere fallen, trewly.”
Thanne comanded Fortager anon
that jn haste this werk scholde be don.
So that this towr they maden ful hy,
Ful large, and Ryht strong, sekerly.
thanne of merlyne often axede þe kyng
what of the dragouns was þe signefyeng.
“Sire kyng, it is forto Signefye
thynges þat han ben & scholen ben, trewelye;
and ȝif that thou wylt enswren me here
me not to deseisen Jn non manere,
ne non man with-jnne thy kyngdom
To don me non maner of distroccion,
J schal the tellen the Signefyaunce
a-forn thy cownseyl, with-owten dowtaunce.”
thanne kyng Fortager ensured hym anon,
that Neuere harm to hym scholde be don.
“go thanne faste,” quod merlyne anon,
“and sende aftyr thy cownseyl everychon,
and also aftyr thy clerkis jn fere,

To heren what that j schal seyen here.”
thanne dede fortager his comaundement;
and whanne they weren comen alle present,
thanne seide merlyne amonges hem alle:
“ȝe clerkis ben folys, what so befalle,
to entermeten ȝow of ony thyng,
but ȝif ȝe cowden bryngen it to endyng.
and in as moche as folys that ȝe be,
and fowle han faylled, ful certeinle,
ȝe ben worthy to haven ȝowre gwerdon,
that ȝe han deservyd be ryht reson.
wel wot j ȝe syen that j was bore,
but he that schewede it to ȝow thore,
schewed ȝow there ful openlye
that For me scholden ȝe Nedys deye;
and also gret doel he schewed ȝow there,
For he hadde me lost jn swich manere;
whiche was ȝoure cause, ful certeynle,
to comaunden kyng Fortager me forto sle.
but swych a lord j hope that j have,
thorwgh goddis helpe, me forto save;
and the devel a lyere schal j make,
ȝe scholen neuere deyen for my sake,
ȝif that Sewrawnce ȝe wylen me do
of thyng that j schal speken ȝow vnto.”
Whanne that they Herdyn merlyne so seyn,
thanne ful of Joye weren they, ful pleyn,
So of here deth excused to be,
and seiden to merlyne ful benyngnele:
“what evere thou biddist vs to don,
we scholen it Fulfillen Ryht anon.
For we knowen wel, with-owten lesynge,
that þou art the wysest man levenge.”
“ȝe scholen me ensuren, er that ȝe gon,
of this craft neuere to entermeten non.
and j comande ȝow alle jn fere
To ben confessid with herte clere,
and ȝoure flesch to putten jn discyplyne
to strong subiecciown & to gret pyne,
that ȝowre Sowles ne dampned be;

doth as j cownseille ȝow, certeinle!”
So that they thankyd hym everychon,
and grauntyd his comaundement to don.

Thus merlyne deliuered the clerkys echon,
that hym deden seken for this encheson.
thanne to merlyne spak kyng Fortagere:
“thou behyhgtest forto tellen me here
the signefycaciown of the dragowns tweyne.”
“The white dragown, j telle the certeyne,
Signefyeth here the sone of costantyn,
That falsly was browht to evele fyn.”
and whanne Fortager herde this,
Ful sore he was aschamed, J-wys.
Thanne seide merlyne to Fortager aȝe:
“and thou wylt konnen me non mawgre,
j schal the tellen the syngnefyaunce
of alle thynges, with-owten dowtaunce.”
“here Js non man,” quod Fortager thanne,
“but of my cownseyl every manne;
where-fore, Sire merlyne, j preye the
the syngnefyaunce that þou wost tellen me.”
“The rede dragown here doth syngnefye
thyn owne persone, ful trewelye;
and why, Sire, and jn what manere,
J schal tellen the anon Ryht here.
wel knowest thow, kyng Fortagere,
that kyng costantynes children al jn fere
dwelden here aftyr here Fadris ded,
that hadden Neyther cownseyl ne red.
and ȝif þou haddest don thy dever, trewely,
thou scholdest hem han kept ful tendyrly,
and to have ȝoven hem ful trewe cownsaylle,
that myhte ony thyng to the rewm avaylle.
and wel knowest thou jn what manere
the hertes of the peple thou hast geten here.
and whanne thow knew alle here entent,
and that they loveden the, verament,

thanne, whanne thou knew this, certeynle,
From alle maner of Nedis thou withdrowh the.
and whanne that the peple Sowhte socowr
of the to haven For here grete langowr,
and the desireden kyng forto han ben,
thou hem answeredest as þou schalt sen:
Ful smotheliche and jn this manere
To hem thou answeredest, al jn fere,
that thow woldest neuere here kyng be,
whyles that the kyng lyvede, ful sykerle.
Thanne they that thou toldest to this tale,
Thowghten the kyng to werkyn Bale,
and knewen wel be thy maner of spekyng
that thou desiredest the kynges mordryng;
and so hym they slowen ful falsly.
thanne fledden bothe his bretheren ful prevyly
For the drede that they hadde of the.
and thus art thow kyng ful falsle,
And thus the Regne thou ocupyest With Wrong,
and gret distrocciown dost evere among.
thanne, whanne they comen aȝen to the
be whiche the kyng ded was, Sykerle,
thanne distroyedest þou hem everychon,
so that on lyve ne lefte not on.”

thanne seide the cownseil to Fortager there:
“Herkene what merlyne seith now here.”
“ȝis, Forsothe,” quod kyng Fortager,
“He seyth ful soth that he seith her.
and j knowe ful wel that thou art
a passing wis man jn every part.
but of on thing, merlyne, j preye to the
the sothe that thow wost tellen to me:
on what deth that J schal deye.”
“that kan j wel,” quod merlyne, “trewelye.
have j not told to the the signyfiaunce
of bothe dragouns, with-owten varyaunce?
ȝit j wele that thou knowe be me
that the rede dragown, Sykerle,

Signefyeth thyn owne persone,
that was so strong and myhty of bone;
and the whit dragown signefieth, certeinle,
the tweyne bretheren that now fled j-be,
For drede that thou wost han hem slayn;
this js the signyfyaunce, Jn certayn.
and why so longe they fowhten so snelle,
the signyfyaunce j schal the telle:
jt signyfieth that thou hast so long j-holde
wrongfully here erytage with werkis bolde.
and þat the white dragown þe Rede brende so,
the same the children scholen the do.
and knowe thou wel now, jn certeyn,
that thike tyme thy towr stont but jn veyn,
and the ne schal waraunte nonthyng, jn feye;
and jn this maner, Fortager, schalt thou deye.”
thanne, whanne Fortager herde this,
anon he axede of merlyne, J-wys,
where that thyke tweyne children be.
“jn the see,” quod merlyne, “ful Sykerle,
with ful gret strengthe and gret Navye,
jnto this lond to a-ryven, ful Sekerlye,
veniance of the to taken here,
that slowh here brothir jn swich manere.
and wete þou wel, with-jnne thre monthis day
they scholen aryven, sire, jn good fay!”

	[Chapter II] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance

University of Virginia Library

[Chapter II]