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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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Square brackets denote editorial insertions or emendations

Merlin,

BY LOUELICH THE SKINNER.

[Chapter I]

Now gyneth the devel to wraththen him sore
(as aftir scholen ȝe herkene & here wel more),
whanne that oure lord to helle wente,
and took owt Adam with good entente,
and also Eve, and ek othere mo,
þat with him he likede forto han tho.
and whanne þe develis behelden this,
moche drede and merveille they hadden, j-wis.
So, as Aftyrward longe be-Felle,
to-gederis they conseilled, the develis, ful snelle,
and token hem to-gederis Jn parlement,
the maister-develis, be on assent,
and seiden: “what mester man Js he, this,
that doth vs here al this distres?
we mown not aȝens him maken defens,
whanne he is owht Jn owre presens,
and bynemeth vs that we scholde haue,
and for hym non thing mowen we kepen save.
For we supposede, ful verrayly,
that non man scholde be born of wommans body,
that alle owre they weren be Ryht,
but he hem benemeth vs be his myht.
Sey, how was this ȝoman bore,
be whom owre Ryht js thus forlore?”
thanne answerede anothir devel,
and, as him thowhte, he answerede wel:
“we hauen herd sein be prophecye
that god jn erthe here Scholde dye
Forto saven the Synneris here,
that of Adam and Eve come jn fere.

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Anon wenten we thanne hem to prove,
and evere weren they stedfast jn goddis love,
and the more turment we diden hem do,
Evere the ferthere they weren vs fro,
So that Evere jn here moste peyne
To hem aperede he, jn certeygne,
and hem comforted so wondirly wel,
that owre tormentes greved hem neuere a del,
and euere jn here moste distresse
he hem deliuerede to Sikirnesse.”
Thus talkydden they þere al jn fere
of thinges that befallen were—
“That thus from vs hath he taken away
thinges that we not kepen ne may.
wel knowen ȝe alle here wel everychon
that jn water he doth hem waschen anon,
jn þe Name of the Fadir and sone & holi gost,
whiche that ben of myhtes most,
and also hem anoynteth with oynement,
where-thorwh owre powere js al j-schent,
So that oure part of hem, Jt is don,
Tyl that owre Servauntes they becom.
and thus owre power he doth away,
and so don his mynestres everyday,
that jn erthe he hath left here;
they don vs ful often wel mochel dere.
For they, oure Servantes the[y] ben be Ryht,
ȝit ouer hem han they so gret myht,
that, and they welen oure Servise forsake
and onliche to Jesu thanne hem take,
alle oure powere, than Js it j-don,
and thus we lesen hem Everychon.
Moche goodnesse schewed he for man-kynde,
that jn this world he wold hym bynde
of a wommans body to ben j-bore,
to Saven mankynde, that was forlore.

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and whanne that he j-boren was,
we hym assaieden jn every plas,
as moche as was jn owre powere,
and neuere gilty ne fownden we hym jn non manere,
jn hym of oure werkes neuere Ryht nowht,
For al that evere we to hym wrowht,
But that he wolde deyen to saven man,
For jn him hadde we non powere than.
Ful mochel cherte hadde he to man,
that so mochel peyne suffrede for him than,
and hym forto wynnen ageyn,
and from vs hem be-reven, jn certeyn.
Ful mochel sorwe to vs he wrowhte
thorwgh mankynde, that he bowhte.”
thanne anon Spoken they Jn fere
of Swiche thinges as greved hem there,
of hem that proclamed the tydyng
Ferst jn the erthe of his comeng:
“and whanne we ony tormentes scholde hem do,
anon he delyverede hem vs Fro.
Therfore wolden we weten ful fayn
The beste to done, Jn certayn,
how that jn the erthe a child to have
that the peple wolde aftyr crave.
For he scholde hauen alle connenge
of thyng þat js past and that is comenge,
and encense the peple to oure lore,
as he dyde that was þere be-fore,
To tellen hem of thinges þat hadde be
and befalle scholden, ful Sikerle.
So scholde he þe peple to vs drawe,
For of hym they wolden ben Ryht fawe.”
thanne seiden they amonges hem everichon
that swich a child, and they hadden on,
wel mochel he scholde hem profyte
and torne the peple to here delyte,
For fulwel beleved scholde he be
For his prophecyes, ful Sikerle.

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thanne stirte there forth a schrewe anon,
and seide amonges hem everichon:
“J haue power Seed forto Sowe
jn the erthe on wommen bothe hye & lowe,
and j haue on redy at myn assent,
that wil Fulfillen myn talent.”
So concentyd they that this ilke schrewe
jnto erthe scholde gon anon that threwe
Forto Fulfillen that jlke dede,
of wheche alle the schrewes token here rede.
Now, grete Foles weren they everychon,
that amonges hem cowde not knowen on
how that god knew wel alle thyng,
bothe gynneng, midwardis, and endyng!
thus departyd they from here conseylle
this werk to be-gynne, with-owten faille.
thanne he that seide that he hadde powere
on women jn erthe to engendren there,
he taryed there non lengere thanne,
but cam jnto erthe to this wommanne
whiche womman that dyde hym Servise.
with hire he anon mette jn prevy gyse,
and anon he tempted hire so,
that anon sche concentyd hym to,
and graunted hym, al that sche cowde oþer myhte,
To don him Servyse bothe day & Nyhte.
and hire lord was a worthy man,
& moche more good hadde thanne J telle kan.
This Riche man hadde moche of worldly good,
more thanne ony man tho vndirstood,
of Bestes and of other Richesse,
of kamailles, of jewelis, & of oþer worthynesse.
This worthy man hadde dowhtren thre,
The Fa[y]rest Wommen that myhte be,
and a sone, that scholde ben his eyr,
bothe a gentilmanly child and a fayr;
and alle he hadde be this womman,
that þe devel so mochel part hadde of than.

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thanne this devel forȝat non thing,
that Rowhte not of mannes begyleng,
and axede of this womman anon
how that Best he myhte don
hire lord to haue to his partye,
hym forto tellen he preyde hire hye.
sche answerede: “With non thing so sone, j-wys,
as only be wraththe, with-owten mys;
For ryht lyhtleche he wile wroth be,
as j the telle now ful sikerle;
and þer-fore wraththe thou myht him sone
with the leste thing that thou wilt done.”
thanne wente forth this cursed schrewe anone,
and slowgh his bestes alle thus sone,
a gret partye of hem jn a nyht.
and on the morwen, whanne it was lyht,
the pastour aspide that moreygne,
and to his lord he wente, ful pleyne,
and told hym of that aventure,
how his bestes deiden, J ȝow ensure.
and whanne that the goode lord herde this,
Ful wondirly wroth he was, j-wys,
and axede of the pastour tho
what Skile his bestes deyden so.
the pastour answerede him ageyn:
“Sire, j ne can not weten, jn certein!”
So belefte he stille alle that day.
and whanne the devel this knew & say,
that for so lytel he wolde wroth be,
thanne was he joyful, wel Sekirle,
and thowhte more harm hym to do,
be wraththe þe sonnere to drawen hym to.
So that he the nexte nyht
jnto his stable, j Sey ȝow ryht,
and there ten of his hors slowgh he,
the beste that weren jn that contre.

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and whanne the goodman wiste of this,
that al his good wente so amys,
anon ryht angry ful sone he was
for tho tydynges jn that plas,
and a word of anger spak he thore,
wheche after repentyd him ful sore,
and be-took the devel al the remnaunt,
That him be-lefte, petyt & graunt.
Whanne that the devel herde him so seyn,
thanne was he bothe joyful & fayn,
and thowhte to greven him moche more
thanne that he dyde ony tyme before.
For he made the goode man thanne so wroth,
that eche mannes compenye was hym loth.
thanne wiste anon the devel ful wel
that jn him hadde he part a gret del,
and that wel jnowgh he myhte go
jnto what partye him lykede tho.
Thanne cam the devel to his sone & his eyr,
That was bothe so gentyl & Fayr;
Vppon A nyht, As he in his bed lay,
the devel him strangelede, the sothe to say;
and vppon the morwen hym fond ded
his owne fadir Jn that same sted.
thanne was he Ryht a sorweful man,
For that non Recowr ne knew he than,
Sethen that his faire sone he hadde lost so,
thanne jnto disperaunce fyl he tho.
and whanne the devel vndirstod al this,
thanne was he joyful, with-owten mis.
anon thanne wente he to his wyf,
that began al this wo and stryf;
jnto an hygh soler he dyde hire go,
and abowtes a plawncher a rope caste tho,
and Sette a thing thanne vndir hire feet,
& þe Rope abowtes hire nekke teydde askeet;
thanne voided sche anon hire stondyng,
þat so thike cursed womman þere hyre-self heng.
whanne the husbonde beheld al this,

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that his wyf thus ded was, j-wys,
and also his sone Jn Swich manere,
thanne was he of wondyr hevy chere,
that there for sorwe he deyde anon,
and thus alle thre, thanne weren they gon.
Lo, thus the devel doth be hem alle
that jn his Servise ony thing don falle.
thanne caste the cursede schrewe a wyle
how þat he myhte his thre dowhtres begyle;
and wel he wyste, Jt myhte not be
but thorwgh som man of his afynyte.
So was there a bacheler Jn the town,
that folwed his werkis bothe vpe and down;
and hym to this place he dyde propyne
these thre faire maidenis forto engyne;
and so ofte thedyr he gan to gon,
that thussone he hadde ouercomen the ton.
and whanne be hire he hadde don folye,
the devel anon it schewede openlye,
and disclawndred it al the contre,
the more schame to hem þat it scholde be.
and jn thyke tyme was tho the lawe,
that ho so dyde avowtrye, scholde be slawe
and with stones j-browht to the ded,
For that was the lawe Jn that sted;
and thus with Stoneng scholden they ben schent,
but ȝif sche were comwne to alle mennes entent.
Thanne thus this womman was taken anon,
and the man fledde and was agon;
and anon was browht to-forn the justice
there forto Resceyven hire jewyse.
so that of hire they hadden pyte,
Swich maner of jewyse be hire to se,
For that hire fadyr was so worthy a man,
and Jn so schort tyme was mischevyd than.
but Natheles nedis ded moste sche be,
and thanne thus acordid they, Sykerle,

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So that for love of hire kynrede
be Nyhtes tyme hire stone to dede.
thanne jn that contre was there a good man,
that of alle these merveilles herde than,
and to the tweyne sostren gan he gon
hem forto cownseillen with anon.
and there anon he spak hem tylle,
and axede how this misaventure befille—
“Of ȝowre fadyr And modyr Jn Fere,
of ȝowre brothir and ȝoure Soster dere?”
“We nete Neuere, Sire, Jn certeyn,
but ȝif that God vs hate, ful pleyn,
and this torment Suffreth vs to haue;
we knowen non othyr, so god vs saue!”
thanne seide this goodman to hem tho:
“Forsothe, ȝe seyn mys bothe two,
For god hatede nevere creature,
but Js misplesid, J ȝow enswre,
whanne ony Synnere doth him hate
Owthir for ony thing with him debate.
For weteth ful wel, as j ȝow telle,
that is the werk of the devel of helle;
and that ȝoure soster thus Js ded,
Syker it is be the develys red.”
“Sire, so god now be owre helpyng,
we knewen neuere of this thyng.”
“thanne kepe ȝe ȝow from jlle werkyng,
and caste ȝow to plese now hevene kyng;
for jlle werk bryngeth a man to evele ende
and jn-to synne & synneres schende;
and he that hym wol not kepen from jlle werkyng,
to ille ende it bringeth hym at his deyeng.”
thanne thus prechid hem this good man,
how that they scholden boþe plesen an serven god than.
So that the eldest Soster of hem bothe
his teching liked wel, forsothe,
and seide that sche wolde potten al hire peyne
hys doctryne to kepen, Jn certeyne.

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thanne seide this goodman to hem tho:
“ȝif that ȝe welen thus aftyr me do,
ȝe scholen ben bothe my loves dere
and my dowhtren jn god, bothe jn fere.
and ȝif ȝe hauen nede of ony thyng
owþer of ony maner of cownseyllyng,
Swich helpe and cownseil as j kan do,
J schal it for ȝow don evere mo.
and therfore abasche ȝow ryht nowht,
but stedfastly beleveth jn hym that ȝow bowht;
and that ȝe comen often-tymes to me,
for fer from ȝow j ne schal not be.”
thus hem cow[n]ceillede this holy man,
and forth his weye anon wente he than.
whanne that the devel wiste of this,
moche sorwe he made, with-owten mys,
and wiste wel þat Engyned myhten they not be
but be som womman, ful Sykerle.
So was there on, as j vndirstonde,
that jn his Servise hadde dwellid longe;
and anon it putte jn hire herte,
that to thike maidenis ȝhe scholde gon ful smerte.
and so sche dide anon, this wikked womman,
wente forto cownseillen with hem than,
and took the ȝongest Soster on Syde,
and anon with hire counseilled that tyde,
hire axeng anon how ȝhe did fare,
and what maner thing hire soster dyde thare.
“Loueth sche not ȝow wondirly wel?”
“Ȝis, and ellis were it aȝens resown & Skyl;
but that sche is other while hevy
For this mysaventure, trewely,
The wheche jn Schort tyme to vs is befalle
of oure fadyr & modir and Frendis alle,
So that with hire is non manere of chere,
Nethir to me ne to non oþer ellis where,
but doth al aftyr a goodmannes techyng,

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That here faste be-sydes is his dwellyng,
So that nothyng sche Wyle do,
but ȝif he only consente to.”
“A,” quod this olde Bawde tho,
“thou knowest of mochel sorwe & wo,
and neuere of joye schalt þou knowe, trewlye,
as longe as thou art jn hire compenye.
A, my leve dowghter so dere,
ȝif that thou knewe what mannes compenye were,
thou wost neuere resten ne dwelle,
Tyl mannes Feleschepe ȝe comen vntylle.
For better at ese Seker ben we,
Jn mannes compenye whanne that we be,
althowgh we haue but on almesse of Bred,
thanne ȝe with al ȝoure good jn ȝoure sted.
Fy of joye of ony womman,
but ȝif sche haue joye oþer compenye of man!
my Fayre dowhter, to ȝow this j seye,
for that ȝe knowen not mannes compenye.
and wete ȝe why J thus to ȝow Seye?
ȝowre Soster is eldere than ȝe, trewlye,
and taketh this here as hire owne good,
and the lasse setteth be ȝow, be the rood,
So that the joye of ȝoure fayre Body
Js ful clene j-lost, j sey ȝow trewely.”
thanne seide this damysele to hire tho:
“how scholde j this thing thus do
that ȝe to me speken offe pleynly,
whanne that my Soster was ded therby?”
“jn the name of god,” quod this Bawde thanne,
“ȝowre Sostyr wrowhte as a folisch wommanne!
but ȝif ȝe wile werken aftyr me
and to my conseille trosten, sekerle,
ȝe scholde neuere comen to-fore justice,
and ȝit haue ȝoure delytes Jn alle wyse.”
“A,” quod this damysele, “how scholde j do?
that j ne myhte ȝow speken more vnto!
For j ne dar not for my soster here

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Nethir to ȝow Speke ne make non chere.
Goth ȝe now hens, tyl that eftt sone
that we mown Speke to-gederys alone!”
whanne that the devel herde hire so seyn,
Thanne was the schrewe jn joye, ful pleyn,
and wiste wel be hire answeryng
that sche scholde hoppen vppon hys rynge.
whanne this womman from thens was past,
this damysele bethowghte hire atte last
often-tymes of hire wordis, pleyn,
that prevyly betwenes hem gonne they seyn.
and whanne the devel vndirstod openly
that to-gyderis scholden they speken prevyly,
thanne sette he this maydenis herte on fyre
aftyr this womman more to desire;
that so ferforth, as j ȝow seye,
atte laste sche beheld hire fayre Bodye,
and to hire-Self thus gan sche talke,
alone as sche jn hire chambre gan walke:
“Ful trewly me this good womman tolde
that this Faire Body lost ben Scholde!”
Thanne aftyr hire sche sente vppon a day,
and thus to hire anon gan sche say:
“Certes, ful trowe now j it fynde,
that my soster to me Js vnkynde.”
“that knew j, damysele, tho ful wel,
lyk as j ȝow tolde everydel,
and lasse be ȝow wile sche sette,
For sche fareth Every Day bette and bette.
for sche lyveth as sche liketh Best,
whiche is to ȝow nethir ese ne rest,
and ȝe ben ordeygned for mannes kende,
and therto ben ȝe bothe good and hende.”
thanne seide this damysele anon agayn:
“that joye wolde j hauen fulfayn;
ȝif that j wiste not To ben ded,
J scholde concenten to ȝoure red.”

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“J sey ȝow, damysele, with-owten dwere,
and ȝe don as dyde ȝoure soster dere,
ded moste ȝe thanne Nedlynges be,
but and ȝe welen werken aftyr me.”
“leve dame, thanne how Scholde J do
my lust to haue, and they not me Slo?”
thanne this Bawde answerid hire agayn:
“J schal ȝow tellen, Jn certayn:
ȝe scholen ȝow maken as ȝe weren wroth,
and that ȝowre sostres compenye is ȝow loth,
and þerfore graunteth to alle men buxom to be
and to leden ȝoure lyf jn lechere;
thanne hath there powere non justyse
ȝow forto putten to non jewyse,
and thus al ȝoure lust scholen ȝe haue
and from alle peryles to ben Save.
ȝit thanne myhte there comen som good man,
that for ȝoure erytage wolde wedden [ȝow] than.”
Thanne thus behyhte ȝe hire forto don,
and from hire Soster sche stal anon,
and bond hire a comown womman to be,
be cownseil of that womman, Sikerle.
Ful mochel joye made the devel thanne,
whanne he hadde thus geten this wommanne.
and whanne the eldest Sostyr knew of this,
that thus hire Soster hadde don amys,
anon wente sche to this good man tho,
that to-fore tymes here creaunce tawhte hem so,
with sory herte and weping chere.
Anon this goodman axede what hire were,
and of hire hadde ful gret pyte,
& to hire thanne anon Seyde he:
“blesse the jn the Name of the Trenite,
and telle me now what eylleth the.”
“ha, Sire,” sche Seide, “J am ful wo!
my soster from me js now a-go,

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and is becomen a comown womman.
ful wo for hire am j now than!”
whanne that this goodman herde of this,
Ful sory he was and wroth, j-wys,
and seide: “The devel nyl not belynne,
tyl that he haue ȝow alle jn his gynne,
but ȝit that god now be thy wardeyn,
J seye ȝow, damysele, jn certeyn.”
“Now, leve Sire, how scholde j do
That Fals thef to kepen me fro?”
thanne seide to hire this good man anon:
“J schal ȝow telle how ȝe schole don.
ȝif that thou wylt don aftyr me,
he ne schal neuere deceyven the.”
“Now certes,” quod this damysele a-geyn,
“aftyr ȝow wyl j don, Jn certeyn,
what so evere ȝe bydde me do,
whethir it torne me to wele oþer wo.”
“belevest þou not on fadyr & sone & holigost,
thre persones and on god of myhtes most,
and that crist amonges vs cam here
For mannes sowle, that he bowhte so dere,
and alle synneris to saven also
That his comawndement Wolden do,
and beleven as holy chirche,
and as good cristen folk to wirche?”
thanne answerid this damysele ageyn:
“J wil beleven as ȝe wyle seyn;
and as wisly as on god j be-leve,
so from alle tormentis he mot me meve!”
“thanne more over J charge the
that jn non wyse wroth that thou be;
For that is on of the moste thing
wherthorwgh the devel doth his werkyng.
and loke thow love god over alle thyng
and thy Neyghbour with-owten grochcheng.
& so be that governaunce
þou myht the kepe from alle mischawnse.

14

and loke that cowpable nevere thou be
aȝens thy god Jn non manere degre,
but that thou plese hym vtterly
and alle the seintes of hevene generally,
That loven god and his Servise;
loke thow hem love jn alle wyse.
and loke, eche tyme that thou dost ryse,
that thou þe blesse be ony wyse,
and also that thow blesse the every nyht,
Er that thou jn thy Bed lye down ryht,
jn the name of the Fadyr and sone and þe holygost,
which that is on god and of myhtes most.
and with that loke thou make a cros on the,
Jn memorye that he deyde vppon the tre
vs for to beyen from the peynes of helle.
loke thou do thus as j the telle!
and of that enemy haue thow neuere non drede,
where euere thow be Jn ony stede;
and where so evere thow lye on nyht,
Loke be ony weyes that thou have lyht,
For there as lyht is, he ne wyl not be,
For lyht hateth he most, ful Sekerle!”
Thus this holy man tawhte this mayde,
that gret drede hadde, as j have ȝow sayde,
lest that the devel hire Scholde be-gyle.
thus wente sche hom with-jnne a whille
Jn ful beleve ful stedfastly
and to hire neyghbours ful mek and lowly;
also evere hire god hadde sche jn mynde,
that so to god and to þe peple was sche good & kende.
the goode men and the goode Wyves of that contre
often to that mayden comen, ful Sekerle,
and thus to hire thanne gonnen they saye:
“Jt Nis non wondyr thowgh ȝe han Fraye
of the torment that is ȝow befalle
of ȝoure Fadyr & modyr and frendis alle,
whiche that ȝowre brothir and Sostren were.

15

here misaventure, it is to ȝow gret dere,
but that ȝe take now som good cownsaille;
For ful riche ȝe ben and of ful gret availle,
and worthy ȝe ben of erytage,
that Som man that is of hygh parage,
that fulfayn he wolde be
ȝow wedden to wyve, ful Sykerle.”
thanne seide this maiden to hem anon ryht:
“me governe and kepe god, þat is most of myht,
and jn his Servise me governe & kepe
at alle tymes, whethir j wake oþer slepe!”
and thus tweyne ȝer lyvede sche fully,
That of hire power neuere hadde the fals enemy,
Ne he myhte nevere Jn non Degre
hire Fynden Jn non adversite.
And whanne he Sawhe that he ne myhte
that mayden engynen be day ne nyhte,
Nether maken hire to forȝeten jn non degre
that the goodman tawht hire, ful Sykerle
(For wroth wolde sche ben jn non manere
Ne lyhtles, where so that evere sche were),
thanne to hire Soster he wente anon,
and to this goode mayden dyde hire to gon
vppon a satirday, whanne it was eve
(tyl sche was forthe, he Nolde not leve),
hire Soster Jn anger Forto brynge,
þat he on hire myhte werken his engynenge.
So that hire Soster thider went
& with hire many knaves, verament.
thanne seide this maiden jn this manere:
“A, leeve Soster, what do ȝe here,
ȝe forto comen jn Swich degre,
and with ȝow to bryngen swich compeyne?
Jt schal me maken blame to have,
and Þat Nedeth me not, so god me saue!”

16

thanne spak this cursed damysele ageyn:
“thow lyvest moche wers than j, jn certeyn!”
and bar hire good soster on hande vppon
that jn folye sche lovede that holy man.
“and ȝif that the peple it wiste, Sekerlye,
anon wolden they the distroye!”
and whanne this maide herde hire so seyn,
be bothe scholdres sche took hire, ful pleyn,
and wolde han put hire owt at the ȝate,
but that hire knaues wolde hire not late,
but setten hand on this good maiden anon,
and hire to-beten bothe bak an bon,
Tyl atte laste sche brak hem fro,
& jnto hire chambre sche gan to go,
and schitte the dore faste hire vppon,
and so there-jnne dwelde al alon.
& non more peple with hire gan dwelle
but a man and a maide, as j ȝow telle,
and for hem nolden they not Spare,
but diden this goode womman moche care.
this maiden alone jn hire chambre was,
and ful mochel mone made jn that plas,
and wept and sorwede mochel of the nyht,
so that jn hire clothes sche leide hire down ryht.
Anon as this enemy this gan aspye,
that sche was so angry vttirlye,
thanne made he bothe joye and game,
whiche torned this maiden to mochel blame.
Thanne of gret deol this maide hire thowhte,
So that of hire-self but litel sche rowhte.
sche hire remembrid of Fadyr and modyr bothe,
and of hire brother and Sostren, forsothe,
and of that grete aventure,
So was sche Sorweful, J ȝow ensure.
and thus jn morneng and wrathe sche fyl jn slepe,
and al the goodmannes lore sche forȝete:
bothe of hire blessyng and ek of lyht
sche clene forȝat that jlke nyht.

17

thanne was the devel ful of joye,
and thowhte fulsone hire to anoye.
“now,” quod the devel, “tyme it is,
For sche hath forȝeten hire lore, j-wys,
Bothe mynde of god and of Hire maister Also,
therfore it is hygh tyme that j now go.
Now myhten we wel don owre dever,
Owre man to putten with-jnnen hire her.”
Anon this devel that hadde Swich myht
with womme[n] To compenyen bothe day & Nyht,
To this goode maiden wente he anon,
and redy hym made that dede to don,
and on hire he engendred, as j ȝow telle,
a merveillous child ful schortly and snelle.
Anon as that maiden conceyved was,
the devel hym wente owt of that plas;
and that mayden tho awook anon,
whanne that the devel hadde thus j-don.
and evene Jn hire awakyng
this goodman hadde sche Jn remembryng,
and took vp hire hond and gan hire to blesse,
& seide: “o seinte marye, what is thisse?
and what maner of thing Js me betyd,
Sethen that j leide me vppon my bed?
me thenkyth, apeyred welsore am J,
Sethen j me here leyde, ful trewly.
wherfore, blessid lady, j preye to the,
So that to thy sone thow preye for me,
that on me he wolde haven pyte
and from the fals enemy defenden me.”
thanne, whanne sche hadde don this dede,
vpe sche ros owt of that stede,
and wende han fownden that Jche wyht
that hire so hadde deceyved thike nyht.
So that to hire chamberdore sche wente anon,
and it fond fast schet & not vndon,
lyk as sche hadde schet yt to-fore,
and non wyht ne fond sche thore.

18

thanne furthere to serche cam jn hire thowht,
but al that avayllede thanne hire ryht nowht.
thanne cam jt jn hire mynde anon
that the enemy hire hadde ouergon.
thanne ful mochel sorwe gan sche make,
whanne that verraylly sche gan wake.
sche besowhte god with humble chere
that jn this world neuere schamed sche were.
and whanne it was the lyht of day,
the devel hire Soster thanne ladde away,
For sche hadde wel j-sped hire arende,
wherfore thedyr he gan hire sende.
and whanne that hire Sostir thens was gon,
owt of hire chambre sche cam anon,
and cleped hire Servaunt ful hastelye,
and bad hym faste to hire hye.
thanne thus to hym tho gan sche telle:
“Go jnto towne, and not ne dwelle,
and bidde swiche two wommen to me hye,
& that they to me comen hastelye!”
Anon as they comen bothe jn fere,
thanne hem cowde sche maken non chere,
but evene with hem took the ryhte weye
To hire confessour, alle thre, jn feye.
and whanne hire confessour hire gan beholde,
Jn his herte he merveillede many folde,
and to that womman thanne gan he to say:
“hyderward the aryveth som gret affray.”
thanne seide this womman to hym aȝe:
“Sire, j trowe that it may ful wel be,
For me Js be-falle A destyne
That neuere fyl to womman but to me,
and am J here comen to ȝow
Som good cownseille to taken of ȝow.
For toforn tymes han ȝe me told,
thowgh a body Jn synne were neuer so bold,
and he be schreven, and repente also,

19

and don the penaunce that longeth þerto,
his Synnes forȝoven to hym scholen be;
Thus tolde ȝe me, Sire, ful Sykerle.
Sire, J haue Synned and that ryht sore,
as j haue told ȝow ferst before,
For the enemy hath deceyved me,
as J schal ȝow tellen, ful seker[l]e.
Jt happed, my Soster cam me vnto,
and me wrowhte bothe care & wo,
and how that sche wraththed me ful jlle,
tyl that to my chambre j wente vntylle
al ful wroth and of hevy chere,
and faste my dore J schette there.
and for the grete wraththe that j am jnne,
me forto blessen J gan to blynne,
and forȝat what J scholde do,
which aftyr torned me to mochel wo.
and whanne that J of my Sleepe awook,
and remembraunce to me took,
thanne fond J that defowlyd J was,
and my maydenhot aweye Jn that plas.
thanne serched j my chambre al abowte,
and non wyht ne fond, with-owten dowte,
ne wiste ho it hadde me do,
From that owr ȝit hider-to.
And, Sire, al thus engyned am J,
wherfore to God and ȝow J crye mercy,
that thowgh my body J-tormentyd be,
ȝit that my sowle be not lost Jn non degre.”
thanne herkened this good man everydel
al that to hym sche seyde, ful wel,
but he beleved it non thyng,
For, Sekyr, he held it for a lesing,
For he ne herde nevere to-fore
of swich a thing speken, sethen he was bore.
thanne answerid hire this good man agayn:
“Ful of the devel thou art, ful pleyn,
and the devel js fer with-Jnne the.

20

how scholdest thou thanne confessed be
other ony penaunce of me take,
whanne swiche lesinges þou dost me make?
owther how scholde j ȝeven the ony penaunce,
whanne j knowe wel thou makest variawnce?
For jn that degre was neuere womman jnto this day
From hire hire maydenhot taken away,
but ȝif sche knew, Felte, other Sye,
ho that it hadde don, Sekerlye.
and thow makest me to beleve
Swich a thing as thow myht not preve.”
Thanne answerid this womman ageyn
and seide: “So god haue part on me, pleyn,
and also kepe my body from torment,
as trowthe j haue Seid ȝow, verament.”
thanne answerid this good man to hire tho:
“And it be lyk as thou seyst me vnto,
thow schalt wel knowen, and j Jn fere,
er that come fulliche the ende of þe ȝere.
But thou hast broken thin obedyence,
and aȝens me don ful gret defense,
And broken my comaundement
that J comanded the, verament;
Wherfore penaunce thou schalt haue
Jn amendement thy Sowle to Save:
Every fryday thow most Faste
and to the taken but on repaste.
& Jn manere that thou luxvre hast do,
which that myn herte Nyl not concenten therto,
how scholde [j] þanne ony penaunce leyn on the,
but that j knew the certeynte?
For it were to lytel, al dayes of thy lyve
ȝif that algates J scholde the Schryve.”
thanne seide this woman to hym ageyn:
“what evere ȝe me chargen, Jn certeyn,
J schal it don with ful good wylle,
what so evere to me ȝe putten vntylle.”
thanne seide this goodman to hire ageyn:

21

“To goddis mercy thou takest the, pleyn,
and axest cownseyl of holy chirche,
only goddis comaundement forto wirche,
and hym to worschepen with al thy myht
that aȝens the devel for the gan fyht,
and bowht the with his precious blood,
and for the deyde vppon the rood.
thow seist that thou art ful of repentaunce
and forsakest alle Lecherie, with-owten variaunce,
and that thou neuere dedist amys,
but as jn thy sleepe behapped the this
wherfrom non wyht may hem defende,
but that ȝif god the bettere grace hem sende?”
and vppon this, chast sche gan hire swere,
and to him seide, ȝif it so were,
To-Forn god hire borwgh to be,
that sche be not dampned jn non degre—
“For this Synne that j haue do,
owt of this world whanne j go fro.”
Thus hire penaunce Resceyved sche thanne,
that vppon hire leyde this good manne,
and resceyved it ful humblely,
as sche that for hire Synnes was sory.
tho this goodman hire blessed anon,
and forward with hire he gan to gon.
“and algates in the love of jesu crist
loke thou evere more that thou tryst!”
So that he ladde hire forth be the hond
To the haly water stope, J vndirstond,
and dide hire drynken þer-offen, þat he myhte se,
a gret drawht jn the name of the trenite,
and holy water caste vppon hire there,
and bad hire not forȝeten jn non manere—
“al that j have now comanded the,
loke thou it do, where so thou be.
and whanne thou hast ony nede of me,
here schalt thou me fynden, ful Sykerle!”

22

and ȝit he enjoyned hire more over tho
alle þe good dedis that sche scholde do,
and thus he be-tawht hire to god almyht,
and hom aȝen sche wente anon ryht.
thanne, whanne the devel aspide al this,
and that his pray he scholde thus mis,
thanne was the cursede schrewe wondir wroth,
that he to hire was thanne so loth.
So dwelled sche there two monthes oþer thre,
and ful holy lif ladde, ful Sekerle,
Tyl that sche gan to barnysche ryht faste,
And Was Aspied Atte laste,
where-offen hire Frendes angred ful sore,
and so dyde sche ȝit wel more,
& seyde: “so god haue mercy on me,
J ne kan not weten how it scholde be.”
thanne seiden hire Frendis to hire tho:
“why, han there so many men knowen ȝow so,
that ȝe ne weten hos Jt is?
now mafey, thanne this goth amys!”
“thanne preye j god that j neuere deliuered be,
ȝif j knew evere of manes compeyne,
othyr evere wyste of this aventure,
how to me jt is comen, j ȝow ensure.”
thanne hire Frendis blessid hem echon,
and to hire they seyden anon:
“this thyng ne myhte nevere be
be ȝow ne be non womman, Sikirle.
but on him, j trowe, ȝe troste,
that he ȝow excusen moste;
But, Jn Sekyr, Jt wele not be,
werfore vs sore Repentyth, Sekyrle;
For also sone as the jvge it wot,
anon, with-owten Faille, deyen ȝe mot.”
Thanne, whanne this woman herde this,
Ful sore dismayed Jt was, J-wys,
and seyde: “So god of my Sowle haue mercy,

23

J neuere ne knew ne sawh that mannes body
that me hath don this jlke dede,
as jn alle my werkis so god me spede!”
thanne wenten hire frendis from hire anon,
and for a fool these wommen helden hire echon.
“now certes, fowle loste is ȝoure bewte,
that thus han jt lost jn Swiche degre!”
whanne that sche herde these wommen thus speke,
anon to hire confessour gan sche to reke,
and tolde hym of this wommans answere,
as that to hire sche hadde Seyde Ere.
anon as this good man Sawh that sche
Qwyk with childe was, certeinle,
and mochel he merveilled of this chaunce,
& anon axede hire of that penaunce—
“that to-forn tyme the joyned j for this,
hast thow it don?” “ȝe, leve Sire, j-wis,
that haue j don, Syre, with-owten faille!”
“but cam he evere sethen, the owht to asaille,
owthir trespacedest þou euere ony more,
but only that thou hast told me be-fore,
Ne neuere but onys jt cam to the?”
“No, so me good helpe, Sire, Sikerle!”
Whanne that the goodman herde hire thus telle
Of this aventure, how it befelle,
anon a book he took to hym tho,
and þis mater jn Scripture he let thrynne do.
“Now be ȝe Sewr what j schal say:
anon as this child is born, jn fay,
of on thing j schal knowe, certeyn:
ȝif þat ony tale ȝe han tolde me jn veyn.
and ȝif to me ȝe han mad a lesyng,
Ful Siker ȝe ben of ȝoure hyndryng;
and ȝif to me the sothe han ȝe told,
Jt schal ȝow helpen many fold,
For thanne ful Syker mown ȝe ben
that ȝe scholen nethir deth felen ne sen.
but ȝit gret drede ȝe mown hauen a throwe,
For anon as the justice doth it knowe,

24

Anon they Welen to-gederys conseylle,
and ȝow for-juggen for here avaylle,
and seyn that ded scholen ȝe be,
For that ȝe han trespaced Jn avowtre.
but that anon as they han ȝow take,
doth me to wetene for ȝowre owne sake,
and j schal comen to ȝow jn Socowrenge,
and god schal ben thanne ȝoure helpinge;
For, Seker, ȝe mown ben þerto bold,
and it be as ȝe han me told.”
thanne seyde this good man to hire tho:
“Aȝen to ȝoure hows hom that ȝe go,
and loke, good lif that ȝe lede,
For to a good ende jt wyle ȝow spede.”
and thus wente sche hom ageyn,
as j ȝow sey nowe, Jn certeyn,
and ful benyngnely lyvede there,
Tyl that it cam the justice to the ere.
thanne comen [they] jnto the Same town
onliche for this Wommannes enchesown,
and þere sche was taken and to-forn hem browht,
to weten ȝif sche cowde excusen hire owht.
Whanne sche was taken and jn preson don,
sche sent aftyr this good man anon,
and he thedyr cam jn ful gret hye,
as faste as [he] myht gon, Sekerlye;
and thider cam he Neuere so sone,
that to-foren the justice sche was browht anone.
The justices clepeden this good man,
and tolden hym how that sche seide than,
For sche hem tolde, ful certeynly,
that sche knew nevere of mannes compeny.
“Trowe ȝe,” quod the justice thanne,
“that this myhte ben with-owten feleschepe of manne?”
thanne seide to hem this goodman ageyn:
“j sey not that j thenke now, jn certeyn,

25

but and ȝe welen don aftyr me,
at this tyme juged schal sche not be,
Neþer not as longe as gret sche Js,
ȝif that ȝe wele don be myn avys.
For it were Neyther Skele ne Resown
To putten that child to ony distrocciown,
that neuere jn non wyse deservyd the ded,
ȝif owghtes that ȝe welen don be my Red.”
“Syre, we scholen don as we ȝow say:
aftyr ȝow we scholen werken this day.”
“ȝif that ȝe welen werken aftyr me,”
quod this goodman thanne, “Sykirle,
jnto a strong warde scholen ȝe hire putte,
and strong lokes vppon hire Schette,
and putte hire jnto a strong towr,
and with hire tweyne wommen for hire honour,
hire forto helpen at hire deliueraunce
and hire to socowren jn that chawnce;
and that owt from hire mown they not gon,
No more thanne sche may from hem don;
and that they there to-gederis be,
tyl that child be born ful vtterle,
and tyl that it may it somwhat Susteyne;
this js my reed, j sey ȝow certaygne.
thanne scholen ȝe knowen and sen more thing
thanne ȝe owht knowen at this begynneng,
and forjuggen mown ȝe thanne this wommanne
as lyk that ȝe fynden resown thanne.
This js my conseille, and ȝe welen it do,
and ȝif not ȝe Wylen, J parte ȝow fro.”
thus wrowhten they thanne al jn fere
aftyr that goodmannes cownseyl there,
and putten hire jn-to [a] strong towr,
& with hire tweyne wommen for hire honour,
Swich as to mester scholde be
That longeth to wommans parturite,
and a Fenestre open be enchosown
here vyaundes to taken bothe vpe & down,

26

and what Necessaryes hem belonged also,
vpe at that wyndowe to hem taken tho.
and whanne that thus be this goodmannes conseille
jn the towr they weren browht, Sawns faille,
thanne spak this good man to hem jn hy,
and to this damysele he seide, trewly:
“Loke that anon as thou delyveryd be,
that faste jt be crystened & smartle;
and to-fore the justice whanne þou schalt go,
Loke anon that thou sende me vnto.”
and thus jn the towr abod sche there,
tyl sche was deliuered jn hard manere,
and was deliuered of a knave child,
that was bothen vnlouely & vn-myld.
and whanne this child was j-bore,
they merveilleden gretly that weren thore,
For it hadde bothe wyt and knowenge
aftyr the schrewed fadris engendrynge.
but, for the devel wrowhte so falsly,
God to his evs hath taken jt, trewly,
thorwgh the modris verray repentaunce,
and for fulfylleng of hire penance,
and for hire good beleve jn holy chirche,
and for the goode dedis that sche dyde wirche,
for that cawse nolde god jn non degre
that the devel with hym meddelid, Sikirle.
and ȝit the devel mad his engendryng,
For that of al thinges he scholde haue knowyng,
bothe þat js to comen and that js gon,
For many merveilles he thowghte be hym to don.
but oure lord knew the repentance
Of his modyr, with-owten variaunce,
and wiste ful wel that aȝens hire wille
that this aventure cam hire vntylle.
For the goode lord knew ful wel
that be hire wil sche synnede neuere a del,
and hym graunted bothe wit and knowenge
Of many thinges that weren comenge;

27

thus wolde god that he scholde knowe
of manye thinges vppon a rowe.
For ȝif goddis wille it hadde j-be,
the devel schold han had his partye
and to god ȝelden that was his ryht,
but that it likede to this lord of myht
hym to taken jnto his power
and holych owt of the develis daunger.
Thus was there thanne this child j-bore,
of wheche these wommen dredden sore,
For more Rowghere that child it was
thanne evere they Syen jn ony plas.
they schewed it thanne to þe modyr anon,
sche took vpe hire hond and blessed hire thusson,
and Seyde anon: “so Crist me Spede,
For this child haue J gret drede.”
Thanne seyden to Hyre these Wommen A-geyn:
“So for hym schalt thou suffren ful gret peyn.”
thanne comanded the modir there
down it to leten Jn alle manere—
“and that j-cristened anon it be,
thus j ȝow preye for charyte.”
thanne axeden these wommen of hire anon
what name they scholden leyn hym vppon. [OMITTED]
anon leten they down this child there,
and that anon j-cristened it were,
and that jt named scholde j-be
aftyr his grauntfadyr, ful sekerle,
whiche goodman that hyghte merlyne,
that the devel gan so engyne.
and thus this child j-cristened was,
and deliuered aȝen to þe modris plas.
Thanne thus the modyr gan hym norree,
tyl ten mounthes old he was, Sekerle;
and with-jnne tho x mounthes he was so bold,

28

that thyke tyme he semede two ȝeres old.
and whanne xviij mounthes weren fulliche j-past,
To the modyr seiden thes wommen jn hast:
“dame, fulfayn wolde we hennes ben
and to owre owne place hom gon aȝen,
For certein thinges we han to do;
Sykerly, dame, we wylen the fro.”
thanne spak aȝen the modyr anon:
“ȝif it so be, ȝe from me gon,
anon be jugement j schal ben ded,
For j ne knowe non other red.”
thanne wepte this modyr and made sory chere,
and preyde hem with hire abyden ȝit there.
thanne ȝit stylle they gonne abyde,
and to a prevy wyndowe wente þat tyde.
and the modir this child gan beholde,
& there jn hire armes sche gan it folde;
Anon ful tendirly wepte sche thanne,
& thus sche seide to this ȝong manne:
“a, Faire sone,” quod sche thanne tho,
“for the moste j suffre bothe deth & wo,
and to me ben j-put ful mochel hard peyne,
the wheche is wrong, god wot certeyne.
For there nis non man, but god alone,
that whot how this cause doth gone;
but this non man wil beleven, certeinle,
wherfore j moste nedis ded now be,
and thus with gret wrong j schal suffre ded.”
Sore wepyng thus seide sche jn that sted.
And as the modyr this mone gan make,
hire sone on hire lokede with eyn so blake,
and seide: “modir, dismaye the nowht,
for fore me schalt þou neuere to deth be browht.”
whanne that the modyr herde hym so speke,
For drede sche let it owt of hire armes reke,
so that for drede the child fyl a-down,
and gan to cryen with a gret Sown.
thanne comen anon these wommen, certayn,

29

and wenden, the modyr the child wolde han slayn,
and they axeden hire, why the child ferde so.
“for, sekerly, j was neuere so wo,
Nethere j ne hadde neuere so gret fere;
That made hym fallen owt of myn armes here,
and that made hym so lowde to crye.
But of A merveyl J sey ȝow, sekerlye,
that this child hath spoken to me;
ȝe wolde han wondred hit forto han se!”
“what, spak thanne he the vnto?”
“ȝe, sekerly, now dyde he so.”
“what seide he thanne? telle vs now here.”
“that Schal j doon with ryht good chere;
he seide j scholde neuere ded for hym be;
thus he me Seyde, ful Sykerle.”
“but Seyde he ony othir thing?”
“Nay, forsothe, with-owten lesyng.”
thanne gonne they the child to kyssen and brase,
ȝif it to hem wolde speken jn that plase;
but non word of him ne cowde they gete,
thowgh they him kyste neuere so swete.
but on a day þe modir calde hem hire vnto,
and thus to hem sche seide tho:
“manase ȝe me for hym vppon a day,
and to hym make som gret afray,
and seith that for hym j schal be brent,
be stoned to dethe and al j-schent.”
For the modyr desirede ful sore
That to-forn hem wolde he speken thore.
“a ful gret rowthe it is of the,”
Seiden these wommen, “ful sekerle,
that so fair a body as thou art on,
of hyde, of hewe, of flesch & bon,
that thou schalt for this fowle thing
ben browht so sone to a fowl endyng.
bettyr it hadde have neuere be bore
thanne thy faire body for hym scholde be lore.”
“Now certes,” quod this merlyne tho,

30

“ȝe lyen, false schrewes, bothe two,
of that ȝe han my modyr told,
for þerto schal neuere man be so bold.”
and whanne they syen hym so on take,
For drede and sorwe they gonne to qwake,
and seiden: “This ne may non child be:
Jt is the devel, ful Sykirle.
that we han seid, doth it vs here telle;
we supposen, it be a devel of helle.”
thanne aposid they him of wordis mo,
and thus to hem he Seide vnto:
“Ȝe han don wel moche more Synne
thanne my modyr, that is here with-jnne.”
Anon they merveylled mochel more,
that he cowde tellen thinges, weren don to-fore.
“we schole gon tellen to hem that be-nethe be,
how this child doth Speken, Sekyrle.”
thanne to this wyndowe comen they anone,
and cleped the peple to hem fulsone,
and tolden how þat the child spak there,
& howgh that he seyde and jn what manere.
thussone so wyde this tydyng sprong,
that to the jugge it cam er owht long,
where-offen he merveillede wondir sore,
that jn swich maner the child spak thore.
thanne bespak the justice anon:
“Now were it tyme, juggement to don!”
and sente anon to that Jayller
That jn the towre hem kepte ther,
that at the ende of xl dawes
to bringen hire forth to han hire lawes.
whanne the modyr of merlyn herde this,
That set was the day of hire, j-wys,
Fvl mochel Sorwe made sche thanne,
and sente anon aftyr this good manne,
That Hire Was Wont to confessen before;
aftyr hym sente sche to comen to hire thore.
Thus dwelde sche algates stille

31

the dayes of juggement to fulfille.
and whanne they weren past everichon
except viij dayes, that weren not gon,
thanne lyvede sche jn sorwe and care,
and wiste neuere thanne how sche schold fare,
but that sche scholde brend j-be;
sche knew non othir, ful Sykerle.
and al this tyme wente hire sone, jn feye,
abowte jn the towr and him gan to pleye.
thanne seiden these wommen to him anon:
“Ful litel thenkest þou what is to don,
and how this wyke, ful Sikerle,
thy modir for the moste nedis brend j-be.”
Thanne be-spak merlyn anon
to his modir there thussone:
“Now, faire modyr, j ȝow praye,
For me non thing that ȝe dismaye,
for there js non man on lyve here
that ȝow schal demen jn non manere,
Neþer neuere ȝow juggen to þe ded,
whiles that j lyve, jn non sted,
ne neuere non deth to suffren, j-wys,
Sauf onlich be god, that almyhty js.”
whanne the modyr vndirstood this,
thanne was sche ful of joye & blis,
and seide: “this child moste nedis wys be,
Swich thynges to tellen now, Sykerle.”
thus bod sche tyl the same day
that to juggement scholde sche gon, jn fay,
that owt of the towr was sche do,
and the tweyne wommen with hire also,
and hire sone in hyre arm sche bar,
tyl to-fore the jugges that sche cam thar.
thanne the justice at that tyde
thike two women token beside,
and of hem axeden, with-owten lak,
ȝif it were soth that the child spak.
thanne tolden hem tho wommen verrayly

32

how that he to hem Spak apertly.
thanne seide the jugge to hem ageyn:
“ful mochel moste he konnen & knowen, certayn,
ȝif he schole owht his modyr Save,
mochel more konneng moste he have.”
and be this jlke same tyme,
as that it happede the owr of pryme,
this goodman to hire was comen ful ryht,
that hire thanne scholde cownceillen aryht.
thanne seide on of the jugges hire vnto:
“hast þou ony cownseil, what wylt thou do?
for martirdom thou most Suffren here;
good cownseil to the now profyt were.”
thanne answerid this womman agayn:
“with this good man wolde j speken fulfayn.”
and they hire ȝoven leve therto.
so jnto a chambre they gonne to go,
and hire sone beleft with-owte
amonges the peple, a ful gret rowte;
and with speche they gonnen hym asaylle,
but lytel owther nowht it dyde avaylle.
and al this while that jt was so,
his modir hire confessour spak vnto.
& whanne sche hadde told hym al hire wylle,
Thanne spak the confessour Hire vntylle,
and axede hire ȝif it certeyn were
that hire sone spak so there.
“ȝe, sire,” sche seide, “certeynly,
to me hath he spoken, ful verrayly.”
“Jn goddis Name,” quod this good man tho,
“j hope, som merveilles it wele tornen vnto.”
thanne comen they owt bothe jn fere,
and comen jnto place as þe jugges were,
and took hire child jn hire armes two,
ryht so to-fore the jugge sche gan to go.
thus stood sche to-forn hem, certaygne.
anon the jugge gan hire refreyne,
and axede hire ho þat the fadyr were
of that child that sche held there.
thanne answerid the modyr with gret pite:

33

“j wot not othir but ded to be;
but so god on my Sowle haue mercye,
medlid j neuere with mannes compenye,
ne neuere j wiste ho þat the fadyr was,
neþer neuere knew j man jn that cas,
ne neuere obeyed to non man, Sykerle,
that sweche thinges scholde don by me.”
“ȝe, ȝe,” quod this justices tho,
“we konnen not beleven that it is so
as thou dost vs to vndirstonde;
Jt was neuere provid jn non londe.”
thanne tooken the jugges these wommen on side,
and axeden ȝif swich a thing myhte be-tyde,
that a woman a child scholde bere
whiche neuere jn mannes compeny ne were.
thanne seiden they: “nay, ful sikyrle,
with-owten mannes compenye it myhte not be.”
Thanne seiden these jugges to hyre ageyn
that—“ded nedys most ȝe ben, certayn,
for thus wommen seyn, trewely,
that with-owten mannes compeny
a child neuere scholdest thou have;
thus they me seyn, so god me save!”
thanne owt of his modris armes stirt merlyne anon,
and angerlich seide toforn hem echon:
“that schalt þou nevere, justice, bringen abowte,
my modyr to brennen, with-owten dowte,
For sche ne hath not deservid therto.
and ȝit more J schal sein the also,
that ȝif trewe jostice thou schost be
To alle that han don avowtre
with oþere thanne with here lordis, certeyn,
of mo thanne of two partes that is here pleyn,
thow schost hem brennen al jn fere,
more than twey partes of wommen that ben here.
and my modyr was neuere ȝit gylty
with non man jn Swich maner of foly;
but swich a body as hire was take,

34

sche hath forth browht with gret wrake.
and, Sire justice, but thou leve me,
axe this good man here openle.”
the justices axeden this goodman tho
ȝif it be—“as he seith vs vnto.”
“ȝe,” quod this good man, “ful Sekerly,
sche hath me told ful feithfully,
ful often & with ful weping chere,
that jn mannes compenye neuere sche were,
but that welfowle encombred sche was
with the fals enemy jn hire owne plas,
hire thus encombrede jn slepyng;
And vppon my Sowle to taaken this thing.
but jn alle my lyf here before
herde j nevere of swich thing spoken ore.”
thanne spak merlyne aȝen ryht tho,
and this goodman spak vnto:
“Ȝe han it don j-wreten Jn a book,
my concepsiown, and ȝe wyle lok,
and þerby mown ȝe ful wel knowe
the lyveng of my modir al this throwe.”
“thou seist soth,” quod this good man,
“lytel wot thy modyr whens þat thou cam.”
thanne cleped they forth these two wommen,
and axeden hem wheþer it were so then,
& also enqwerede aftyr thengendrure
and aftyr his birthe, j ȝow ensure.
ȝif that the goode holy mannes book
and they acorden, they wylen look.
So that these wommen and the book acordid wel,
of the goodmannes wrytyng, everydel.
ȝit thanne seide the justices tho,
For this scholde sche be qwyt neuere the mo.
Thanne merlyn gan to wraththen hym Sore,
and ful angerly to the justice spak thore:
“J knowe moche Bettere my fadyr, Jn fay,
thanne thou dost thyn, J dar wel Say,

35

and thy modyr knoweth bettere, certeinly,
ho that the be-gat, j telle þe feythfully,
Bettere thanne my modyr, j sey ȝow pleyn,
For sche knew neuere my Fadyr, jn certeyn.
and therfore, Sire Justice, J telle to the
that thy modyr more worthy Js, brent to be,
For sche is fals to hire lord so dere,
and so was neuere my modyr jn non manere.”
thanne was this justice wondyr angry tho,
and thus to that child he Spak vnto:
“ȝif of my modir Swich thing thow konne seye,
J schal the holden for trewe, jn feye.”
thanne seide merlyn aȝen to hym there:
“Ful wel knowe j thy modrys manere,
that moche more sche hath decerved to be ded
thanne evere dyde my modyr jn ony sted.
and but ȝif thou fynde that j trewe seye,
hardylich let ellis my modyr deye.”
thanne seide the justyse to hym ageyn:
“ȝif thou konne proven that thou seist pleyn,
Thy modyr from brenneng schalt thou save,
and al thyn owne axeng thou schalt have . . .
but natheles, and it be as thou dost telle,
thanne schal j don brenne bothe ful snelle,
bothe myn owne modyr and ek thyn,
and Bryngen hem bothe to a schort fyn.”
“that schal neuere lyn Jn thy powere
my modyr to deth to putten here,
whiles that thou lyvest here, ony threwe,
For ȝif nede be, mo Skiles j schal the Schewe.”
Thanne anon respyt gonnen they take
For the justices modris Sake,
xv dayes thanne next Sewenge,
hire forto bringen to Rekenenge,
and diden hire seke bothe fer & nygh,
To hire answere to comen apertly.

36

and jn the mene while they enqwered there
of that child Jn diuers manere,
but neuere to hem wolde he speken non word,
Tyl the day cam of here acord,
and whanne this womman comen was,
The Justices modyr, Jnto that plas.
thus cam the justices modyr thedyr jn hye;
thanne merlyn was after sent, trewlye,
owt of preson Jn hasty manere
to-forn the peple to comen there.
thanne seide the justice to merlyn tho:
“lo, here my modir, that thou spoke offen so!”
thanne seyde the child to hym ageyn:
“thou ne art ful wys, j telle the pleyn!
Tak thy modyr jnto a chambre anon
and of thy beste frendes, and þedir ȝe gon,
and þere to-foren ȝow J schal come
Jn excuseng of my modyr al & Some,
which that knoweth god almyhty
and also hire confessour, ful sothfastly.”
thanne abasched weren they Sore,
that they ne cowde Speken wordis no more.
thanne seide merlyne to hem echon:
“ȝif j delyvere my modir of this cryme anon,
schal sche thanne ony more jn warde be
for ȝow oþer for ony of this meyne?”
thanne answerid the justice to hym ageyn:
“sche schal ben ful qwyt thanne, jn certayn.”
thanne seide the justyce to merlyn tho:
“now sey to my modyr that thou kanst do,
be whiche thy modir qwit scholde be;
haue j-do, and sey on here to-fore me!”
“j schal non thing vppon thy modyr seye
but that schal my modyr aqwyten, jn good feye.
and ȝif sche have forfeted wyllyng,
j wile that thou to deth hire bryng.
hast not thou enswred me
and also my modyr, ful certeinle,

37

ȝif j may hire delyveren here,
qwit to gon jn alle manere?”
“that is ful trewe,” quod the justice,
“and thou it conne don be ony wyse.”
“Now, justice,” quod merlyne thanne anon,
“my modyr thou acusest to-forn vs Echon,
For that j am of hire j-bore,
and þat sche Not ho me engendrid thore.
but j kan bettere my modir telle
hos sone that j was, ful snelle,
thanne thou kanst, j dar wel say,
ho was thy fadyr, be ony way.
and also thy modyr the can tellen bettir, j-wis,
ho that the be-gat and thy fadyr Js,
thanne my modyr can tellen me,
oþer evere cowde jn ony degre,
hos Sone that j was,
sche cowde neuere tellen jn non plas.”
Thanne spak þe justice to his modir dere:
“hos sone was j, that stond now here?
was j not ȝowre sone Jn trewe acord
be-twixen ȝow and ȝowre husbonde & lord?”
“A ȝis, fayre Syre, ful Sykerle!
hos sone ellis scholde ȝe be,
but his sone that now ded Is?
j sey ȝow, dere sone, with-owten mys.”
“dame,” quod merlyne, “ȝow behoveth here
the Sothe to Seyen Jn alle manere.
For but ȝif thy Sone qwyte now me
and also my modyr, that here ȝe se,
No more entermeten j ne schal,
and ȝit scholen we gon qwyt of al!”
“ȝis,” quod the justice anon tho,
“Sey on now more what þou canst do.”
“Wel,” quod merlyne, “thanne schal J say:
thy fadir is ȝit onlyve thys day
be wytnesse of thin owne modyr here.”
thanne beheld the justice his modir there.

38

“jt be-houeth,” quod merlyne, “that ȝe here telle
ho was ȝoure sones fadyr, ful snelle,
For wel ȝe weten, his Fadyr he nas
Of hym that he supposith jn this plas.”
thanne baschet the Lady wondir sore,
& axede merlyne hos sone ellis he wore.
“Ful wel knowest thou,” quod merlyn tho,
“that thou seist, it nis not So,
but a prestis sone of ȝowre he js;
this woste thou wel, with-owten mys,
be this same tokene, j telle the,
that thou to hym seidest in prevyte.
Ne hadde ȝe but Selde to-gederis leyn,
that to hym thou seydest, ful pleyn,
that be hym with childe thou were;
and he seide: ‘nay, haue ȝe non fere!’
thanne seide he, that scholde neuere be,
Be hym with childe gon, Sykerle.
and for this skele thus seide he, trewelye,
For thou schost medlen with non mannes compenye.
and ȝit more dyde he therto:
as often as he with ȝow medlyd so,
he put jt anon jn Scripture;
that j seye, is soth, j ȝow ensure.
thanne was jt told to ȝoure lord
of ȝoure manere, every word,
but with fals othes ȝe to hym dyd swere
that it not so was Jn non manere.
thanne vnnethis wolde ȝe abyde,
but to þe preest wente anon that tyde,
and seiden to hym with-owten wordis mo:
‘me js be-tyd ful mochel wo,
that thus with childe be ȝow am j,
J am ful wo-be-gon now, trewly!’
dame, js not this trowthe, that j now say?
And here to-fore me sey ȝe other nay!

39

and ȝif thow wylt not the sothe beknowe,
mochel wers schal j sein aforn al this rowe.”
“modyr,” quod the justice, “is this trewe?”
“what, sone, levest thou this schrewed hewe?”
“A,” quod merlyne, “wylt thou thanne so,
thanne schal j telle what thou dist mo.
whanne that thou knew certeyn, þou were with childe,
thow wentest to purchase, as a womman ful mylde,
be the same preest, thi pes to have,
of thin owne lord, he scholde þe save,
and that his owne it was eche del,
the wheche was fals, thou knew ful wel.
and sethen that tyme, J sey ȝow here,
haven ȝe bothe lyved that lyf jn fere,
and ȝit ȝe lyven bothe jn-to this day;
Takith this for trowthe, as j ȝow say.
and the Nyht to-fore that ȝe scholde gone,
that preest, to ȝow he cam fulsone,
and browht ȝow a gret pece on the weye,
and thus to ȝow tho gan he seye:
‘loke that jn alle thyng ȝe fulfille
that my sone to ȝow schal sein vntylle.’”
Whanne the justices modyr herde hym so seyn,
and that he seide, was trowthe, ful pleyn,
Thanne gan sche Syghen & maken gret mone.
Thanne thus sche thowhte be hire-selve Alone,
that Nedis the trowthe moste sche Seye
oþer elles to ben confowndid vtterlye.
thanne hire sone seide to hire ageyn:
“hos sone j am, telleth me now pleyn.
For wel j wot, J am ȝoure child,
& to ȝow j am bothe mek and myld.
Telle me now trowthe, j ȝow preye,
of that this child doth here Seye!”
“Now, Swete sone, haue mercy on me!
as he Seyth, it is, ful Sekyrle.”
“ha thanne,” quod the justice tho,

40

“Now j se wel how it doth go!
this child knoweth bettere his fadyr, j-wis,
thanne j do myn, with-owten mys.
Now se j that it were non resown
thy modir oþer the to don distrocciown.
For for goddis love, telle þou me here
what maner of wyht thy fadyr were.”
thanne seide merlyne to hym ageyn:
“that schal j gladliche, jn certeyn,
more for thy love thanne for thy drede,
j sey the certeyn, so god me spede!
Syre, j wele that thou knowe, trewely,
that on my mody[r] me engendred the enemy.
For Sweche Spirites as they be,
ben j-cleped equibedes, j telle the;
and from the eyr jnto the erthe they gon
Swich maner of werkys here forto don.
And knowe thou wel, justice, certeinlye,
that j haue bothe here wyt and memorye,
and by hem knowe j ful wel
thy modris werkyng everydel.
For thinges that ben past, j knowe,
and thinges that ben comeng vppon a rowe.
And also it is owre lordis wille
that bothe wit & memorye j schal have þere-tylle
on his behalve, more thanne a naturel man
jn this erththe knoweth oþer kan,
for the love of my modir so dere,
that hire penaunce fulfilde here,
that the goodman ȝaf hire jn charge
(sche it fulfylde bothe fully and large);
that so be vertu of hire goodnesse
God graunttyd me ȝit more largesse:
to knowen thynges that weren comenge,
J sey the, justice, with-owten lesynge.
and this schalt þou proven ryht wel
and the sothe to knowen every del.”

41

Anon he took the justice on syde,
& thus him told that jlke tyde:
“Thy modyr wil discoueren me anone,
come sche hom ones, neuere so sone,
and tellen to him that the be-gat,
alle that j haue to the seid and what.
and whanne that he wot al this,
For drede of þe thanne wyle he fleen, j-wys.
thanne the devel, whos servaunt he hath be,
to a water schal leden hym ful pryvyle,
and þere he schal hym-self distroye,
his owne Sowle to gret anoye.
and hereby myhtest þou haue knoweng
that j can tellen of thinges comeng.”
“Now, and it be trewe as thou tellest me,
Evere schal j the trosten ful feith-fulle,
and Neuere j schal the misbeleve
For non man that owht can on þe preve.”
Thanne thus owt of cownseyl gonnen they go,
and to-fore the peple come they tho,
and there schewed the justice anon, Sykerle,
that ful wel aqwit his modyr hadde he,
bothe be good resown and be ryht—
“thus hath he his modyr from the deth now dyht.”
thanne joyeden the peple everychon,
and thankede god he hadde so don.
So thus delyverede merlyne tho
his modyr from Brenneng, peyne, & wo.
and merlyne with the justice belefte Stylle,
For he thowhte to werkyn aftyr his wylle,
and sente tweyne men with his modir anon,
To weten how that cawse scholde goon,
also to knowen ȝif it trewe were
that this chyld hath told hym there.
Assone as his modyr hom comen was,
sche tolde the preest al the cas
of the Merveilles everychon

42

that toforn hire sone was seid & don.
Anon as the preest herde of this,
fulsore thanne was he astoned, j-wis,
and supposid the justice wold hym slo.
thanne wyste he neuere what to do,
but owt of the town he wente anon,
Thanne to a ryvere he cam thus son,
and þere he dyde hym-Self dystroye,
For the justice hym schold not anoye.
lo, thus the devel with hym wrowhte,
tyl that he hadde browht hym to nowhte.
and this openly Syen thike twey men,
that hom with that lady comen then;
and whanne to the juge they comen ageyn,
of alle this aventure they tolden hym, certeyn.
& whanne the justice herde al this,
anon he merveillede ful gretly, j-wis,
and there to merlyn told it thus sone;
thanne began this merlyn to lawhen anone.
“Now j preye the, justice,” quod merlyn tho,
“that to holy Blase thou wost tellen this vnto,
wich that is my modris confessour,
a ful holy man Jn everych owr.”
thanne tolde the justice to Blase, ful pleyn,
how that this aventure befyl, certeyn.
thanne wente merlyn and his modyr jn fere,
the justice and Blase, alle to-gederis there,
and wente whider hem likede best,
Jnto what place as hem best lest.
This Blasye a worthy clerk he was,
and mochel merveille hadde in þat plas
that so ȝong a child as was he,
Swich wit scholde haue jn ony degre,
that but two ȝer and an half he was old,
and that he was so wis, so redy, and so bold;
he merveillede whens it scholde be,
& assaied Merlyne jn ful many degre.
thanne seide merlyne to hym ageyn:

43

“þe more that þou me asayeest, jn certeyn, [OMITTED]
ȝif thou wilt me trosten and beleve,
of the love of god j schal the preve,
the whiche to endeles lyf it schal þe brynge,
and thou wilt don aftyr my techinge.”
thanne answerede this Blasye ageyn:
“what? toforn this tyme j haue herd seyn
that only the develis sone thou were,
How schost thow thanne swich thynges Don Here?”
“lo,” quod merlyne, “a custowme it Js
of alle schrewed hertis, J-wys,
that [they] rathere the evel thanne good scholen speke,
on here em-cristene to ben awreke.
thou seist, the develis sone that j am,
as þou myhtest han seid, from god þat j cam,
and that he graunted me bothe wit & memorye;
what schold it han greved the thus to seye?
For it is goddis wille that j knowe
thinges to-comeng vppon a rowe,
only for the same enchesown
that þe devel hath me forgon.
and ȝit haue j not myn engyneng,
that of kynde j hadde atte begynneng,
but of me scholen they neuere han power,
for that han they lost everywher,
For me to putten jn so worthy a vessel,
of wheche hadde they part neuere a del,
and jn Swich a maner conceyved they me,
For they knew not of goddis prevyte.
and þerfore alle j-lost they bene;
of this be thou Seker and not jn wene.
and loke thou beleve that j schal seyn,
For of merveilles j schal tellen the, ful pleyn,
of whiche thow wylt haue gret merveyllyng,

44

how sweche wyttes myhte jnto ony man synk.
Blayse, anon that thow make a book,
for here-aftyr many man schal þer-on look.”
thanne seide Blayse to merlyne anon:
“A book may j do maken ful sone,
but j coniowre þe be on god of myhtes most,
which is fadir, sone, & holygost,
that thou nowht deceyve me,
Nethir be thy werk engyned to be,
Ne to werkyn non thing aȝens goddis wylle,
Ne nothyng to don that scholde plesen hym ylle.”
“ha, Sire Blayse,” quod merlyne tho,
“and j aȝens goddis wille ony thing do,
Loke that þou telle it me anon,
and j wele beleven jt thusson.
but gete the bothe penne, jnke, and parchemyn,
this book to be-gynnen and Bryngen to fyn,
and j schal the tellen every del
how that this book þou schalt wryten ful wel.”
Thanne Blayse anon, so god me save,
dide ordeynen alle thinges him Nedid to have;
and whanne that al thing redy was,
thanne cam merlyn jnto that plas,
and anon be-gan him telle
of cristes deth, how it befelle,
also of Josepe of armathye,
how of hym it happede, trewelye,
and of Aleyn, and of Perown also,
& of his compenye, how they departid tho.
and thus endyd he of josepe there
& of al his Feleschepe also jn fere,
and gan to tellen hym furthere more
of þe parlement of þe develis thore,
and how thei conseylled hem be-twen
that a child jn the erthe jbore schold ben
that here wyt scholde haue & ek memorye,

45

the peple to deceyven ful falslye.
“and be my modir thou hast herd telle
how hire deceyveden the fendis so felle,
but be here owne fals folye
They han me lost, As J the seye.”
al this werk thus Began merlyne,
and Blasye it Browhte to ful good fyne;
and evere the lengere that Blasye gan wryte,
the bettere hym thowhte he cowde endyte;
and euere the more this mater gan he drawe,
evere the bettere he lykede merlynes Sawe.
thanne merlyn to Blayse cam anon,
& þere to hym he seide thus son:
“Blasye, thou shalt Suffren gret peyne
This storye to an ende to bringen, certeyne,
and ȝit schal j Suffren mochel more.”
“how so, merlyn?” quod Blasye thore.
“j schal be sowht,” quod merlyne tho,
“Owt from the west, with messengeris mo;
and they that scholen comen to seken me,
they han maad Sewrawnce, j telle the,
me forto slen for ony thing;
this sewrawnce han they mad to here kyng.
but whanne they me sen & with me speke,
Non power they schole han on me to ben awreke;
For with hem hens moste j gon,
and thou jnto othir partyes schalt welson,
To hem that han the holy vessel
which that js J-Cleped the seynt Graal.
and wete thow wel and ek forsothe
that thow and ek this storye bothe,
ful wel beherd now schal it be
and also Beloved Jn many contre.”
and hos that wil knowen jn certaygne
what kynges that weren jn grete Bretaygne,
Sethen that Cristendom thedyr was Browht,

46

They scholen hem fynde, hos so that it sowht,
jn the Story of Brwttes book;
there scholen ȝe it fynde, and ȝe welen look;
which that Martyn de Bewre traunslated here
From latyn jnto Romaunce jn his manere.
but leve we now of Brwtes book,
and aftyr this storye now lete vs look.

[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,

47

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,

48

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.

49

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;

50

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.”

51

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,

52

& 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

53

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,

54

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.

55

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.

56

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,

57

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.”

58

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.”

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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,

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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,

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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,

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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,

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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.

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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,

65

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,

66

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.

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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.”

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“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.

69

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,

70

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,

71

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,

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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

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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

77

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,

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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;

79

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,

80

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,

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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 III]

Ful sory was kyng Fortager tho,
whanne he herde tellen it scholde be so,
and axede of merlyne anon Ryht
ȝif that ony othirwyse it myhte ben dyht.
“Nay, syker, Fortager,” quod merlyne tho,
“Non othirwyse now ne may it go.”
and whanne that fortager wiste al this,
that tho children scholde comen, j-wys,
thanne warnede he his peple anon
that to hym scholden they comen ful son,
aȝens that jlke same day
That merlyne hym of tolde, with-owten Nay.

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So that to wynchestre he gan to go,
and al his power with him tho.
but the cawse wiste neuere a man,
but they that of his cownseyl weren than.
and whanne merlyne hadde endyd this mater,
thanne took he his leve of kyng Fortager,
and thanne forth to blase he gan to gon,
and told hym of these merveilles echon.
So that Blayse gan hem to Wryte,
and jnto his Book forto endyte.
So that merlyne with Blayse dwellede there,
tyl þe bretheren aftyr hym gonnen enqwere.
and kyng Fortager at wynchestre abod,
as he be merlyne ferst vndirstood.
And that same day, with-owten lesynge,
the peple of Wynchestre syen comenge
Fer jn the see a ful gret Navye,
where-offen they merveilled, ful trewelye;
jn whiche vesselys weren, certeynle,
both costantynes sones, as j telle the.
and whanne that Fortager herde of this,
Ful sore he was abasched, j-wys,
and comaunded his men to armes anon
alle so faste as they myhten gon,
and also his port forto defende,
therto he bad hem forto atende.
& whanne at the port they weren echon,
thanne behelden they jn-to the se anon,
and Syen here ryhtful kynges banere
Ful openly displayed ryht there,
wheche weren the armes of costantyn;
they knewen the gonfanouns wele & fyn.
thanne merveillede this peple everichon
how that this thing thus myhte be don.
So that these vesselis aryvede to londe,
as J do ȝow to vndirstonde.
and whanne to londe a-ryved they were,
thanne axede the peple of hem there

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what manere of peple was there with-jnne.
thanne answerid they, & wolde not blynne:
“They ben the vesselis of Pendragown,
that to this Rewm hath good Resown;
and also vter, his brothir so dere,
jnto his Rewm with him cometh here
of Fortager Forto taken veniaunce,
that hem hath don ful gret Noysaunce,
and as a fals man, J vndirstond,
vntrewely & vniostly halt he here lond.”
and whanne that the peple vndirstod this,
that it was here owne lord, J-wys,
That with hym browhte so gret meyne,
thanne weren they abasched, ful Sykyrle,
and nolden non thyng aȝens hem do,
Lest aftyr it myhte hem tornen to moche wo,
and comen and seiden to Fortager,
that aȝens hem wolden they not fyhten ther.
and whanne Fortager this vndirstood,
thanne for wraththe he was nyhe wood.
thanne spak he to his owne men,
that hym wolde not Forsaken than,
the castel wel to kepen ouer alle thyng.
so seyden they wolden, with-owten fayllyng.
thanne a-ryvede these schepis there anon,
and the peple of the cuntre thider faste gonne gon,
and aȝens hym they wenten be on acord,
& there hym resceyveden as here lord.
thanne kyng Fortager with his meyne,
to his castel wenten they ful hastyle.
and there bothe bretheren be on asent
hym vigerously asayllede, verament.
So that Pandragoun Fyr dede jn caste
jnto that castel, that brende ryht faste,
where-jnne this Fortager Syker was brent,
as this storye scheweth, verament.
And thus tooken bothe bretheryn Jn Fere
harde veniaunce on here enemyes there.

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thanne the kynnes-men of Fortager
vppon the crystene werreden ther,
and the tweyne bretheren gonnen hem asaylle,
and jnto a castel hem droven, Sauns faylle.
thanne took pandragon cownseyl there,
and vter his brothyr, alle Jn fere,
how that thike castel they myhten wynne
and ek the peple that was with-jnne.
at whiche cownseyl fyve barouns there were
that to-forn tyme the dragowns syen fyhten there,
and herden al the significaciown.
how that merlyne tolde al & Som
of tho tweyne dragowns to Fortager,
To Pandragown and to his brothir they tolden ther,
and of the merveylles everychon
that merlyne hem tolde be on and be on.
“and wete ȝe wel, Syres, that he Js on
the wysest man, except god alon.”
thanne seide Pandragown to these Barowns:
“where dwellith that man & in whiche Regyowns?”
“we weten neuere,” quod they ageyn,
“where hym to fynden, Jn certeyn,
Neþer jn what contre hym to have,
also god oure sowles moot save!
and ȝif he be owht jn this partye,
we scholen hym fynde, wel Sekerlye.”
thanne forth sente pandragown anon
messengeris, as faste as they cowde gon,
To serchen al the lond owt ryht,
ȝif that there cowde ony wyht
hem tellen merlyne Forto Fynde,
that holden was so gentyl & kynde.
And merlyne, that knew al this ful wel,
Tolde it to Blayse thanne everydel,
and from Blayse thanne wente anon,
& Forth to a town he gan to gon,
there as the messengeris at mete were.
and jn this gyse to hem cam he there:

85

lik as a schepperde he hadde j-be,
with a staf on his nekke, ful sekerle,
and ek a peyre of ful Boystous schoon,
vppon his Feet thanne were they doon,
and vppon hym a clowted cote,
that heng adown abowten his throte,
and therto he hadde a ful gret berd,
þerwith to han mad many men aferd,
So that he Semede jn alle degre
a man of evel lykynge, ful sekyrle.
and thus to þe same place he cam anon
þere as þe messengeres eten everichon,
and seide to hem Jn this manere:
“Ful evel don ȝe ȝoure dever here
and ȝoure lordis arende also,
Forto Seken merlyne that ȝe scholden go.”
and whanne they herde thus hym Seyn,
“what jn þe devellis name, be-hold this veleyn!
where-offen with sorwe smateryth he
of ony thing that to vs longeth forto be?”
“jn feith,” quod Merlyne thanne ageyn,
“and j hym scholde seken, jn certeyn,
J scholde hym Fynde Sonnere thanne ȝe,
j telle ȝow, Sires, ful Sykerle.”
thanne resen these messengeris anon,
and toward merlyne they gonne to gon,
& him þere axede anon Ryht
ȝif he him knew be day oþer be Nyht.
“Ȝys, Forsothe, J Knowe Hym Ryht Wel
and al his abydyng every del.
but that he tolde me, Jn certeyn,
that ȝowre travaylle was but jn veyn;
For thowgh ȝe fownden him jn this contre,
with ȝow wolde he not gon, Sykerle.
but goth to ȝowre lord now ageyn faste,
and that the castel to taken he have non haste,
tyl that Augwys be ded other slayn,
of wheche castel he js lord, certayn.

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and wete ȝe wel that of thyke barownes fyve
there ben but thre now left on lyve,
that Ferst tolden the kyng of merlyne,
whiche that cowde so mochel of devyne.
and þerfore to ȝowre lord that ȝe telle,
what maner aventure so hym befalle,
ȝif that merlyne he wyle with speke,
jnto this contre hym-Self moste reke,
and aftyr him Serchen jn market & town
abowtes al this contre Jn vyrown.”
The messengeris vndirstoden riht wel
what to hem that seide merlyne everydel,
an ech of hem on other lokede welfaste;
thussone merlyne owt of here syhte was paste.
thanne spoken they to-gederes hem be-twene:
“with the devel haven we spoken, j wene.
what Scholen we don of this mateer
That he to vs spak of now heer?”
“Infeyth,” quod on of that compenye,
“To owre lord welfaste we scholen vs hye,
and aforn hym to rehersen we scholen ben bolde
every word as this man hath vs tolde.”
and forth they ryden everychon,
Tyl jnto that ost they comen anon
There as the kyng was with his meyne;
Streyht to hym comen they, ful Sykerle.
whanne þat kyng Pandragoon gan be-holde,
For joye he be-gan his armes to Folde,
and hem axede anon there presente:
“han ȝe owht Fownde for that ȝe wente?”
“The sothe to tellen we ȝow enswre,
how it vs happede, and what aventure.”
That tolden they the kyng, with-owten lak,
jn what maner this veleyn to hem Spak.
thanne they that herden hem speken jn this manere,
that to-forn tyme knewen merlyne there,
Merveyllede that ony so hydows a man
to hem swich materis Scholde meven than.
For they wisten not, with-owten dowtance,

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that merlyne cowde taken ony oþer semblaunce
but onlyche his owne Jn properte;
Of this merveyleden they, ful certeynle.
but thanne wisten they there ageyn
that no man ne cowde not, jn certeyn,
tellen of tho wondris alle
Sauf on[l]y merlyne, how so befalle.
thanne axeden [they] þe messengeris jn hye
jn what maner of contre that they hym sye.
thanne answerede the messengeris ageyn:
“To oure Jn he cam, Jn certeyn,
there as we eten, ȝe mown vndirstond,
jn the contre of Northhumberlond.”
thanne seiden they holiche, al that rowte,
that jt was merlyne with-owten dowte,
& that he desirede aftyr here knoweng,
onliche that there him scholde seken the kyng.
and whanne they comen jnto Northhumberlond,
as J do ȝow vtterly forto vndirstond,
Non tydynges ne cowden they heren ther
of merlyne, the devyn, nethir Fer ne Ner.
and as the kyng there gan forth to Ryde
Jn his jornes be eche a syde,
and as thorwgh a pleyn he gan to gon
and with him his meyne everichon,
they syen a drove of bestes ful gret
and therto an herdeman keping that hepe.
so that they axede hym anon
whens he was, & whedir he wolde gon,
“Sires, j do ȝow to vndirstonde
that j am of Northhumberlonde.
and Rihtnow a good man cam to me,
and seide that kyng Pandragon sikerle
jn this contre a man scholde Seke
that is bothe wys, good, and meke.”
“that is fulsoth,” quothen they thanne,
“kanst þou vs owht tellen of that manne?”

88

thanne answerid this vyleyn ageyn:
“ȝe, and J myhte sen the kyng, jn certeyn,
j wolde hym tellen of swich tydyng
of wheche to ȝow j ne wele Schewen non thing.”
“thanne com with me,” quod this good man,
“and to the kyng j wele schewen the anon.”
thanne quod this vileyn to him ageyn:
“my bestes scholde j evele kepen, jn certein;
but ȝif he wele comen hidir to me,
J schal hym tellen, ful certeinle,
Where he schal fynde that ilke persone
For whom jnto this contre he is gone.”
thanne departyd he from this vileyn anon,
and to the kyng streyht is he gon,
and tolde the kyng jn Wordis fewe
the Wordis of the vilein al on rewe.
“Anon lede me thedyr,” quod the kyng,
“and lete vs make non lengere taryeng!”
thus thanne ladde he forth þe kyng jn hye
to that same herdeman, ful trewelye.
thanne seide this goodman to that vyleyn:
“lo, Felawe, here is the kyng, certeyn;
Now telle him here thy lykyng,
For siker þou be, this is the kyng.”
“Sire kyng, forsothe J telle now the
that merlyne thou sekyst, ful sekyrle.
but to fynden he is ful ylle,
but ȝif hym-self wile concente þertylle.
And therefore jnto the nexte town thou go,
and thussone he schal comen the to.
with the [to spe]ken þere wil he ful ryht,
J sey the tr[ewe]ly, ful gentyl knyht.”
“how schal j hym knowen?” quod the kyng,
“but ȝif of hym J hadde som tokenyng?”
“Sire kyng, ȝif that thou leve not me,
Sey ellis of Fals cownseyl that j be!”
“J mistroste not,” quod the kyng tho,
“But that it is trewe thou seist me to.”

89

so paste the kyng thanne forth anon
owt of þat forest, to towne gan he gon.
And thussone to hym cam there
a semly man, arayed jn onest manere,
and seide: “sire kyng, welfownde ȝe be!
Merlyne, the devyn, sente me to the,
and sente the to seyne, ful sekerlye,
that the same was merleyne, trewelye,
whiche kepte the bestes Jn here pasture,
And, sire, be this tokene, J ȝow ensure,
that to towne scholde he comen to the,
whanne þou of hym haddest nede, sikerle.
But non gret mester ȝit Hast thow,
and of goode tydynges J schal tellen the now,
that merlyne sente the to say
by me, sire kyng, this same day.
knowe thow wel, for certeynlye,
that kyng haugwis is ded, trewelye,
and þat thy brothir vter hath hym slayn,
wite thou wel this, pandragon, jn certayn.”
and whanne the kyng herde this,
Ful mochel thanne he merveilled, j-wys.
“Js this trewe that thou tellest me?”
“Sire, ȝe, for he wyle not lyen, sykerle,
and a fool thou art, but thou it leve,
For here-offen the sothe wel schalt þou preve.”
Thanne charged the kyng tweyne messengeris anon
that Jn alle haste they scholden gon—
“to knowen ȝif this thing now trewe be,
and doth me to wetene ful hastyle.”
so forth reden the messengeris anon,
and with othir messengeris metten they thusson,
From vter to pandragown, jn that sted,
hym forto tellen how haugwys was ded.
whanne þe messengeris thus metten jn fere,
aȝen to-gideris tornede [they] in fayr manere,
and hym tolden jn cownseyl, certayn,

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jn what maner vter haugwys hadde slayn.
thanne charged the kyng hem ful hyghly
that this thing, algates to kepen Jt prevy,
and merveillede gretliche ouer alle thyng
how merlyne of this scholde haue knoweng,
and Jn his herte merveilled ful gretle
Jn what maner that haugwys ded scholde be,
and thowhte of merlyne more to enqwere,
ȝif of that mater he cowde tellen hym there.
so that al a day jn that town gan he abyde,
and as from the mynstre he cam þat tyde,
with hym there mette a semly man,
and to kyng Pandragon he seide than:
“Sire kyng, al heyl and wel thou be!
here jn this town what thyng seken ȝe?”
“j abyde merlyne,” quod the kyng,
“with hym to haue som maner of spekyng.”
“Sire kyng,” quod this good man thanne,
“j ne hold ȝow not ȝit so wys a manne
merlyne to knowen, thowgh ȝe hym sye,
J sey ȝow, sire kyng, ful sekyrlye.
and þerfore clepeth hem that him han se,
and axe of hem ȝif that merlyne j be.”
So that the kyng, for hem he sente anon,
and toforn hym comen they everychon.
“Lordynges,” quod the kyng to hem thanne,
“here byden we merlyne, þat worthy manne.
Js þere ony of ȝow that hym kan knowe,
and he here stood jn this rowe?”
“Forsothe, sire kyng, that may not be
but ȝif we hym Syen, ful sikerle.”
thanne seide this goodman to the kyng:
“this were now a wondirful thing,
how that anothir man they scholde knowe,
whanne þat hem-self they konnen neþer hy ne lowe.”
thanne answered these lordis ageyn:
“his werkis we knowen not, jn certeyn,
but his Semblaunce we knowen ful wel,

91

and we hym syen everydel.”
thanne seide this goodman to hem ageyn:
“how scholde ȝe ony man knowen, jn certeyn,
but ȝif ȝe knowen his Semblaunce?
This Were to me a Wondyrful chawnce.”
thanne clepede merlyne the kyng anon,
and jnto a prevy chambre they gonne to gon,
and seide: “sire kyng, J am joyful of the
and of ȝoure brothyr, sire, ful certeinle.
For J am the same persone, with-owten dwere,
that ȝe comen forto Seken here.
Now goth owt of this chambre anon,
and ledeth me toforn hem Echon
that tolden to ȝow they cowde knowen me,
and they alle wylen seyn, ful sykerle,
that ȝe haven fownden the same merlyne
whiche that they clepen the goode devyne.”
thanne wente Pandragown forth anon,
and clepid his meyne everychon.
thanne took merlyne his owne Semblaunce,
that he to-forn hadde, with-owten variaunce.
and thanne, anon as they hym Sye,
they seiden it was merlyne, trewlye.
“thanne avyse ȝow wel,” quod the kyng,
“that it be merlyne with-owten lesyng.”
and they seiden: “wel we hym knowe
among alle this peple jn this rowe.”
“j wolde fayn weten,” quod the kyng,
“ȝif j evere to ȝow spak ony thyng,
er that j cam jnto this town;
of this wolde j fayn knowen þe resown.”
“Sire,” quod merlyne to the kyng thanne,
“For certeyn, J am the same manne
that walkede ȝondir jn ȝone forestes,
kepyng alle tho forseid bestes.
also the same man am J
that told ȝow of haugwys, trewely.”
thanne seide the kyng to hem ageyn:
“Evele knowen ȝe merlyne, jn certeyn!”
thanne axede the kyng of merlyne there

92

how of augwis he knew and jn what manere.
“Sire,” quod merlyne, “as it not ben scholde,
Augwys vter mordred han wolde.
Anon to thy brothyr j wente jn hye,
and told hym al his purpos vtterlye,
and how that augwys hym ordeynede to sle;
al this j told hym, ful Sykerle.
and ȝit he ne wolde not me beleve,
tyl that the sothe him-self dede preve.
so that ȝowre brothir wook alone al nyht,
tyl that the sothe he preven myht,
and evere awayted the comenge
of Augwis, þat was so crewel a kynge.
thanne atte laste cam this haugwis
jnto vteris pavyloun, þat was of prys.
and ȝoure brothir let hym entren anon,
with a scharpe knyf drawen, jnto his won,
hym forto hauen slayn, verayment.
so þat vter he sowhte al abowtes þe tent,
but he ne cowde hym not Fynde,
wherfore he mornede jn his mynde.
and owt aȝen he wolde han gon,
but ȝoure brothir mette with hym anon.
So there fowhten they to-gederis, jn certayn,
that vter, ȝoure brothyr, hath hym slayn.”
Whanne that the kyng herde al this,
anon he axede of hym, j-wis,
jn what Semblance he myhte be,
whanne that with his brothir spak he.
“Sire,” quod Merlyne thanne a-geyn,
“Jn lykenesse of an old man, certeyn.”
“Tolde ȝe Owht hym What man ȝe Were?”
“nay, sire,” quod merlyne, “jn non manere;
Nethyr he ne schal not it knowen for me,
tyl ȝowre-Self it hym telle, ful Sikerle.”
Thanne seide to hym Pandragown, the kyng:
“Now, dere Frend, j preye ȝow ouer alle thyng
that ȝe wylen now gon with me,
For of ȝoure cownseyl have j nede, parde.”

93

“Sire, thanne sone wyle ȝoure meyne wroth be,
ȝif that ȝe Welen owht leven on me.”
“merlyne, ȝe han so mochel to me told
of vter, my brothir, many fold,
that ȝif it now soth be,
For evere schal j now leven on the.”
“thanne vndirstonde ȝe, with-owten varyaunce,
þat J to ȝowre [brothir] schal speken jn the same semblaunce
that J was, whanne j hym tolde, certeyn,
how that haugwys hym wolde han slayn,
and that with-jnne this viij dayes it schal be.”
“thanne preye j ȝow, merlyne, for charite,
that j moot knowen the same Face,
whanne ȝe with hym speken jn ony place.”
“that scholen ȝe, Sire, with good wille.
but of on thyng J Sey ȝow vntille:
that ȝif Evere ony love ȝe wyle haven of me,
So that ȝe kepen Jt Jn prevyte.”
Thus aqweyntyd merlyne with Pendragown,
and of hym took leve Jn that town.
So Forth to Blasye he gan to gon,
and dide hym it putten jn scripture anon,
that so be hym knowen we this storye,
wheche to vs is put Jn memorye.
And Pandragown held forth his weye,
tyl that to his brothyr he cam, jn feye.
& whanne that vter his brothyr Say,
Ful mochel Joye he made that day,
and took the kyng anon on side,
and þere hym tolde that ilke tyde
how that haugwis he had slayn,
lik as merlyne him ferst hadde told, certeyn.
“Now, goode brother, what myht he be,
That ferst discured to ȝow þis destyne?”
“Now, so me god helpe,” quod vter thanne,
“j merveillede neuere so mochel of manne.

94

Of that ȝe me Seyn jn this throwe
whiche j wende neuere but that god and j hadde knowe.
and therfore I preye ȝow, for charyte,
how that ȝe jt wiste, now telleth me.”
“J seye ȝow sekerly,” quod Pandragown,
“j Jt now knowe be good Resown.
but, brothir vter, what good man was he
that from the deth warawnted the?”
“be the oth þat j owe to ȝow, my kyng,
j schal ȝow trewly seyn, to my knoweng.
j not what maner of man jt was,
but a good man he semede jn every plas,
and therefore the bettere j gan hym leve,
For aftyr, the sothe he dede me preve.”
“Cowde ȝe hym knowen,” quod Pandragown tho,
“jn ony place and he to-fore ȝow go?”
“ȝe, sire, forsothe,” quod vter thanne,
“J schal hym knowen to-forn anothir manne.”
“wel, Sire vter, thanne warne j the
that with-jnne xij dayes he wyle here be,
and only with ȝow wil he speke,
and to ȝow his herte wyle he breke.
but of on thing j preye ȝow, certeinle:
that al that day ȝe ben to-forn me,
that j myhte knowen, as wel as ȝe,
what maner of man þat so he be.”
And vter be-hyghte that so he Wolde,
and not to letten for ȝong neþer olde.
and thus bothe the bretheren Jn fere
of diuers materis spoken there.
and merlyne forth to Blasye wente,
and tolde hym alle these poyntes, veramente,
how the tweyne bretheryn of hym gonne speke,
& how þat vter of his fo gan hym wreke,
and how that Pandragown wolde hym asaye
be many poyntes and many a waye.
thanne axede blasie of merlyne there
how they lyveden and jn what manere.

95

thanne seide merlyne to blasie ageyn
that—“bothe ben they ȝonge men, jn certeyn,
and gret nede they haven of good cownsaylle
of swich a man that myhte hem avaylle.
but fyrst jnto mirthe j wolde hem drawe
with lawghenges & boordes to maken hem fawe.
For j wot wel where woneth a fayr lady
that vter Loveth, paramours, trewely,
and so streyht to hym wyl j gon
with a lettre from his love anon.
For j knowe alle the wordis preve
that betwixen hem to-fore tyme hath be.”
And þe xj day thanne next Sewenge,
To cowrt cam merlyne faste rennenge
jn liknesse of a groom messenger
that from his Love to hym cam ther,
and seide: “my lady greteth ȝow wel
with herte and Body everydel,
and sente ȝow here a lettre to rede
alone be ȝoure-self jn prevy stede.”
thanne took vter this lettre, verament,
and wende his love hadde it hym sent,
and ryht gret Joye he gan to make
of þe lettre for his loves sake.
thanne spak the lettre jn this manere,
þat the messenger he scholde lestene & here
and trowen that he to hym seide,
For so on hym hire arende sche leyde.
and this messenger tolde many prevy thyng
that vter had offen ryht good knoweng,
so that þe bettyr wil hadde he to dwelle
For thinges þe messenger gan hym telle.
thus alday taryede kyng Pandragown,
Tyl the lyht of day was ny agon,
and merveillede of merlynes taryenge,
and why that so Longe was his dwellenge.
thussone merlyne drowh hym on syde,
and þere took anothir lyknesse that tyde,

96

Evene the same fygure and semblaunce
as whanne he warned vter of his chaunce.
Anon as vter him gan be-holde,
he hym knew and jn armes gan folde,
and preyede hym for alle cowrtesye
with hym to abyden stedfastlye,
and that he wolde speken with the kyng
with-owten ony more taryeng.
thanne tolde vter to Pandragown
that this good man was comen to town.
thanne axede the kyng of vter there
ȝif it were the same jn alle manere.
“ȝe, sire,” quod vter, “with-owten dowte.”
so forth wenten they bothe jn þat rowte,
and comen bothe to this good man,
and þer of hym gret joye made than.
“wile ȝe þat j to my brothir vter proclame
what man ȝe ben and what is ȝoure name?”
“Ȝe, sire, J Wyle Wyth Ryht good Wylle
that to ȝoure brothyr ȝe seyn it vntylle.”
thanne seide Pandragown to his brothyr dere:
“knowen ȝe owht this man that is here?
J telle ȝow, brothir, ful certeinlye,
that this is the wisest man, trewlye,
that here on lyve may now be,
Of whom we han gret mester, ful sikerle.
For sweche konneng hath this man,
as here to-forn hym tellen j ȝow kan.
for to ȝow cam non other messengere
but only this man that Js here.
and þe lettres tok ȝow this same man
that seide how he from ȝoure love cam.”
thanne abascht hym vter ful sore,
and of that man he wondred thore.
“how may j beleven this jlke thyng?
this were to me gret merveyllyng!”
“As wel mown ȝe knowen this jlke dede
as of oþer thinges þat he to ȝow afore seide.”

97

thanne seide vter: “ful certeynle,
j kan not beleven that this scholde ben he.”
the kyng preide merlyne jn wordis fewe
that som maner of tokenyng he wold hym schewe.
“Goth forth from me,” quod merlyne, “henne,
and anon j schal don hym me kenne.
For j wele proven hym þe same semblance
Of that Garsown, with-owten varyaunce.”
And forth he wente thanne anon,
and þat same semblance he took thusson,
& cam to vter and took his leve,
For that þe sothe he scholde preve.
“brother, the sothe knowen not now ȝe,
that this same verray man Js he
that tolde how haugwis wolde ȝow han slayn?”
“ȝis, ful sekyr ȝe ben, brothyr, jn certeyn;
For bothe wete ȝe wel and vndirstonde
that he knoweth thinges jn dyvers londe,
bothe that is to comen and that js gon,
For of aventures kan he tellen manyon.
wherefore, brothir, we welen hym preye
with vs to dwellen, be ony weye;
For aftyr his werkynge welen we do
of alle thinges that vs longen vnto.”
thanne bothe bretheren gonnen hym beseche
with hem to dwellen, with ful fayr speche.
“For so mochel to vs hauen ȝe told
of dyvers thinges manyfold,
wherefore that j beleve ȝow wel;
and that ȝe wolden everydel
Taken governaunce of my brothir and me;
and it ȝow likede, it myhte so be.”
thanne answerede hem aȝen merlyne:
“this schal j granten ȝow wel and fyne,
but j wile that ȝe knowen, certeinly,
of myn doyng prevyly.
For ȝit most j gon forther mo
to the hed of Gret Breteigne, how so j do.

98

but weteth wel that j schal haue knowenge
Of alle ȝowre nedis, with-owten varienge;
and Neuere deseisse schal j be ȝow se,
but that j schal helpen ȝow, Sekerle.
and þerfore chargeth not whanne j go,
For schortly schal j comen ȝow to.
and whanne that j come jnto ȝoure howshold,
loke þat ȝe joyen many fold
aforn ȝowre meyne jn my Syht,
That there-offen mowe knowen Every Wyht.”
Thus belefte merlyne with the kyng,
and with his Brother vter was dwellyng.
so atte laste from hem wolde he gon,
jn swich semblaunce þat they myhten hym knowen echon.
So that whanne aȝen he cam,
of hym made joye bothe child & man,
and wenten and tolden to the kyng
at eche tyme of merlynes comyng.
and algates whanne þe kyng þere-of herde,
Ful mochel joye of hym he ferde,
and algates wente hym forto mete,
were jt jn feld oþer Jn strete,
and gret joye of hym made.
and ek al the meyne was ful glade,
and token the kyng anon on syde,
& thore hym tolde þat Jlke tyde
that he was the beste devyn, trewly,
except god that is al-myhtty.
“Now preyeth hym, Jn alle wyse,
that he wolde tellen ȝow jn what gyse
how that the castel to bryngen to ende,
and how this werre atte laste schal wende,
and of his kyn to haven victorye;
of this axe ȝe hym, ful certeynlye.”
the kyng answerede hem ageyn
that ryht gladliche he wolde it seyn.
whanne the thrydde day j-comen was,

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the cownseyl assemblede al jn on plas.
thanne the kyng aforn his cownseil
enqwered of merlyne wondirly wel:
“Now, dere Frend,” quod the kyng thanne,
“J knowe ȝow For Ryht a wys manne,
and for the beste devyn J ȝow knowe
jn al this world, owthyr hyghe oþer lowe.
that ȝe wolden me tellen, j ȝow preye,
of diuers thynges that J schal seye,
and how this castel that j schal have,
and ek my meyne, to kepen hem save.”
thanne answeride merlyne a-geyn:
“Syre, j wolde that ȝe wisten, ful fayn:
For sethen his kynnes-men haugwis hadden lost,
Sethen that tyme maden they non bost,
ne rekken but lytel, the sothe to say,
owt of this lond to gon here way;
and to morwe vndir trewe hem besende,
thanne fulsone schole ȝe knowen the ende,
how they scholen profren to ȝelden ageyn
al þat they holden of ȝoure fadyr, certeyn.
but ȝit scholen ȝe not don so,
For whanne here answere cometh ȝow vnto,
ȝe scholen ȝow offren hem to conveye
be sauf coundit and be ryht weye,
and owt of ȝoure lond hem don lede,
and scheping hem ordeynen jnto what stede,
jnto what contre that they wylen gon;
thus to hem scholen ȝe answeren anon.”
thanne the kyng Sente forth vlfyn
and thre other knyhtes with hym;
and merlyne hem charged with this massage,
as they weren knyhtes of hygh parage.
Forth these messengeris token here way
Streyht to the castel, as J ȝow say.
and whanne they with-jnne syen hem comenge,
aȝens hem they comen with-owten taryenge,
and axede of hem ȝif—“messengeris ȝe be?”
thanne vlfyn answerede & seide: “ȝe,

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the kyng ȝow sente be vs to seyn
that thre wykys trwys scholen ȝe hauen, certeyn.”
“thanne to counseyl scholen we go,
To wyten how that we mown do.
Ryht Wondirfully sore Anoyed We be
of haugwis deth, ful certeynle;
and therto hauen we non vytaylle
hire forto abyden, sires, saunsfaylle,
Neþer non Refrescheng we mown have
of oure frendis here vs to save;
and jnto swich a day ȝe grauntyn vs trewe,
but here to abyden, it wolde vs rewe.
For it were ful evel soiornenge
jn a place with-owten vytayllynge.
but we hym don to vndirstonde
that this castel [we] deliueren jnto his honde,
and al the lond that longeth therto,
and we of hym to holdyn it for euere mo,
and þerto every ȝer hym forto ȝelde
thrytty knyhtes with spere and schelde,
an hundryd destreres, & as many of palfray,
and an hundrid fawkowns, the sothe to say.”
And they acordyd alle Jn on.
so with this answere wente þe messengeres anon,
and tolden the kyng word and ende,
of this castel how it scholde wende.
and whanne the kyng herde here answere,
anon he axede of merlyne riht there
what were here-offen best forto do.
“ȝe,” quod merlyne, “thow schalt not don so,
For gret peryl it myhte be jn tyme comenge,
and stille jn this lond they weren dwellenge.
but j schal tellen the what thou schalt do:
anon sende aȝen, with-owten mo,
and bidde hem delyveren that castel,
For therto anon they scholen ben Lel,
For they ne hauen non maner of vytaylle,
J seye ȝow, Sires, with-owten faylle.

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and behote ȝe hem that they scholen gon
sauf with here lyves Everychon;
And J ȝow Seye, wyth-owten Noye,
that schal ben to hem a passyng joye.”
thanne the kyng aftyr merlynes sawe
wrowht on þe morwe, whanne the day gan dawe,
Forth forto beren this answere
to hem that jn þe castel weren there.
and whan they of the castel herdyn this,
thanne maden they bothe joye and blys,
and weren cowndyed thorwgh the Lond,
and browht to the se, as j vndirstond,
and a redy Navye hem forth to lede
Jnto what lond owþer jnto what stede
that hem-selve they wolde to gon.
thus weren they exyled everychon
onliche be the cownseyl of merlyne,
that was holden so good a devyne.
thus was merlyne conseillour and lord
of the kyng & his brothyr, at on word;
Tyl on an day there was to do
of thinges þat scholde come þe kyng vnto,
where-offen tweyne Barowns hadden envye,
that with the kyng he spak so prevylye,
and seiden: “sire kyng, we merveillen echon
that ȝe so beleven vppon this man.
For wete ȝe wel, sire kyng, in certeyn,
that al his werkyng of the devel cometh, pleyn.
and þerfore we wolde jn onest manere
that ȝe his compeny lefte here.”
“that were me loth,” quod the kyng,
“For j nolde him wraththen for non thyng.”
“Sire,” quod this Barown ageyn,
“j wile hym not Noyen, jn certeyn.”
Now was this Barown ful of envye
and ful of vices, ful trewelye,
and to the kynges cowrt cam vppon a day,
& there thus of merlyne gan he to say,

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And of hym gret Joye thus he Wrowhte,
but evere anothir was Jn his thowhte.
there this barown clepede to-fore the kyng
twenty knyhtes, with-owten leseng.
“Now wile ȝe sen,” quod this Barown thanne,
“merlyne here, so worthy a manne,
that tolde the kyng howh Fortagere
jn his castel scholde brenne riht þere.—
and therfore preye j ȝow, for charite,
of my siknesse that ȝe wolden tellen me,
& that ȝe welen tellen me vtterlye
On what maner of deth that j schal dye.”
Thanne answerede merlyne, that knew ful wel
his malencolyvs herte everydel:
“ȝe han me preid that j schal Seye
to ȝow of ȝoure deth, trewelye,
knowe ȝe wel that þe same day
that deyen ȝe scholen, wit-owten nay,
of an hors ȝowre Nekke schal to-breke.”
Aforn alle these knyhtes thus gan he speke.
thanne seide the Barown to the kyng:
“God me defende from his talkyng!”
tho wente he hom jn-to his contre,
and there a whille dwelled he,
and cam aȝen thedir as þe kyng was,
and Feynede hym sore syk jn that plas,
and him forto sen he preyde the kyng,
and algates merlyne with hym bryng,
so that merlyne ne knowe jn non degre
For what maner cause thedir cometh he.
thanne cam merlyne to the kyng,
and axede hym what was his willyng.
“ȝe mosten to towne gon with me,
a sik man j preye ȝow þere forto se.”
thanne clepid the kyng his prevy meyne
with him to gon that man to se.
and whanne that thedyr they weren comen echon,

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thanne seide to the kyng this sik man anon:
“Sire, j preye ȝow, for charyte,
that ȝowre devyne may tellen me
ȝyf j schal deyen of this syknesse,
oþer ellis to suffren ony more distresse.”
“Sire kyng,” anon quod merlyne thanne,
“of þis siknesse schal not deyen this manne.”
thanne answerede the syk man, trewelye:
“now, good sire, of what siknesse schal j deye?”
“Forsothe, hangenge schalt thow ende,
and hangen þou schalt jnto thin ende.”
and with that tornede him merlyn there,
and made a semblaunce as wroth he were.
thus whanne merlyne was forth gon,
this barown to the kyng seyde anon:
“Now mowen ȝe knowen be his spelle,
a fool he is swyche thynges to telle,
that swyche tweyn dethes me doth devyse
whiche ben not cordyng jn non wyse!
And the thrydde tyme ȝit j schal asaye:
To morwe wil j gon to on abbeye,
and that ȝe wolden thider hye,
and merlyne jn ȝoure compenye,
and the abbot ȝow schal seyn
that on of his monkes is Sik, certein,
and ȝow schal preyen, for charite,
thike sike monk þat ȝe wolden comen se
and merlyne with ȝow forto brynge.”
the kyng him grantyd his askynge.
vppon the morewen, whanne it was day,
the kyng him Rod to that abbay,
and merlyne thedyr with hym rod,
So herden they masse, and þere abod.
Atte laste cam the Abbot there,
and to the kyng seide jn this manere:
“Ha, Sire kyng, and ȝowre wylle Jt be,
that an old syk monk ȝe wolden com se,
and ȝowre devyne with ȝow to brynge,

104

and it were ȝowre wille, Sire kynge.”
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne tho:
“Sire, with me wile ȝe owht go?”
“ȝe, sire,” quod merlyne, “ful gladly!”
and took the kyng on syde jn hy:
“Whanne ferst j a-qweynted with ȝow bothe,
thanne non fool helden ȝe me, forsothe.
what, trowen ȝe that J ne knowe, sekerlye,
vppon what deth this fool schal deye?
For now sore merveillen scholen ȝe ful snelle
of a thing that j schal hym telle.”
quod the kyng thanne to merlyne:
“may it be trewe he schal have swich fyne?”
“Now, Sire,” quod merlyne, “but ȝif it trewe be,
Neuere here-aftyr ne leve thow me!
and ȝit er that j parte from his compenye,
J shal hym tellen how that he schal dye.”
So wenten they forth al jn fere,
lyk as the abbot hem ladde there.
thanne seide the abbot to the kyng:
“Sire, and j dorste preyen ȝow of on thyng:
that ȝowre devyn ȝow wolde seye
ȝif this monk of this maladye schal deye.”
and merlyne answerede anon there
jn maner as that wroth he were,
and seide to the abbot vntylle:
“he may arysen, ȝif that he wylle,
For siknesse here ne feleth he non,
but that he may bothe rysen & gon.
and þerto, abbot, to the J seye
that thike day whanne he schal deye,
his nekke he schal breken vnto,
and an honged, and be spilt also.
Now Nedyth hym to feyne no more,
For his herte j knowe bothe here & thore.”
thanne ros hym vpe this Jlke Barown,
and seide þere to kyng Pendragown:
“Now mown ȝe knowen his folye,
that seith on swich maner þat j scholde deye.

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For this knowe j wel, that may not be
of me ne of non othir man, Sikerle.
Now devise ȝow, Sire, Ryht wel,
how ȝe this man leven ony del!”
thus thanne this werk gan to ende;
and jnto fer contre jt gan wende
how that merlyne gan to Say
on what deth he scholde dyen, jn fay.
So aftyr on a day not forthan
be-gan to ryde this good man,
and jn his compenye gret plente
Of his owne meyne, ful sykyrle.
So atte laste he cam to a ryver,
where as a brygge of tre was there,
and þervppon smot he his palfray,
that down on knes it fyl, jn fay.
So that he, whiche aboven was,
Fyl a-down there jn that plas,
and there his Nekke he brak vnto,
And as to the water he scholde han go,
So that his leg jn his Robe fastenyd there,
and alle his oþer lymes jn þe water were.
thanne weren there tweyne men Jn compenye,
herden how that merlyne gan seye;
Jn what maner he scholde ded be,
There they Rehersed, ful Sykerle.
thanne be-gan there an hidows cry
of alle his meyne, ful trewely;
whanne owt of the water they hadden him take,
For Sorwe they schoken & gonne to qwake.
thanne seiden they: “folys that they be
that merlyn ne leven not, Sykerle!”
they Beryeden the cors with honour.
and merlyn to the kyng kam thike same our,
and told bothen hym and to vter
how that with the barown it happede ther.
the kyng axede whanne it was, certeinle.
“with-jnne sixe dayes messengeres scholen ȝe se.
thanne kept j not to ben here,

106

For faste they welen of me enqwere
of diuers maters, what so they be,
but answere geten they non, Sikerle,
For j wyle no more so openly seye,
that the peple schal vndirstonden, jn feye.”
thanne wende the kyng þat he wroth were,
and þerfore weren ful sory there.
So wente merlyne to Blaysye anon,
and told him of these thynges echon,
and of oþere, that to comen were;
jn this maner departyd merlyne þere.
There dwellede merlyne to þe vj day,
tyl they that at the deth weren, [comen], Jn fay,
and tolden the kyng how that it stood,
howhe þis barown was persched jn that flood,
and seiden that merlyne was þe wysest man
that Jn al this world was lyveng than.
For of hym was neuere thyng seid ne don,
but ȝif he jnto Scripture dide it putten anon.
and thus began merlynes prophecye
of the kynges of Engelond, certeynlye,
and of othere many thynges also.
he dide holy Blasye it wryten tho.
thanne axede Blayse of merlyne there:
“wryten they also jn this manere?”
“Nay, certeynly, non of hem alle,
but they wryten that schal befalle,
which thynges they scholen Neuere knowe,
Tyl that they be-fallen vppon a rowe.”
Thanne Retornede merlyne to cowrt ageyn,
and aȝens hym they comen, jn certeyn,
and tolden hym of that Jlke tydyng,
as thowg þere-offen he ne hadde knowen non thing.
Thanne sette on merlyne and gan to telle
Ful dyrke worrdes of prophecyes felle,
where-offen a book they maden anon.
thanne forth to the kyng merlyne gan gon,

107

and there to hem seyde he ful petowsly:
“J love ȝoure bothe worschepis Badyly;
haven ȝe not now vndirstondyng
of haugwys kynnes-men exylyng,
that owt of this lond ȝe deden don dryve,
aftyr that haugwys hadde left his lyve?”
“ȝis, this wele knowen we, Jn certeyn;
but for what cause do ȝe this seyn?”
“J sey,” quod merlyne, “for this enchesown,
That haugwys kynnes-men everychon,
with-jnnen hem-Self they don thus speke,
that of haugwys deth they welen hem wreke.
So that they maken gret congregacyown
of dyvers peple al abowtes Jn verown,
and hopen this lond forto conqwere
and ek forto haven the victorye here.”
thanne, whanne þe kyng herde this,
and also his Brothyr vter, j-wys,
Of these tydynges they merveylled gretle,
And axeden Of Merlyne Howh this Myhte be.
“haven they there so gret plente
Of Fensable peple Jn alle degre?”
“ȝe,” quod merlyne, “with-owten dowte,
they haven more peple hem abowte
thanne ȝe owther ȝowre brothyr, jn feye,
For aȝens on of ȝowris they haven tweye;
and but ȝif ȝe werkyn ryht wysly,
ȝe scholen ben discomfyt & stroyed, trewely.”
“we scholen werkyn aftyr ȝowre wylle,
what that evere ȝe welen seyn vs vntylle.”
thanne axeden they merlyne anon there
whanne they scholden comen and jn what manere.
“Atte the elleveneth day, ful trewly;
but loke that ȝe kepen this prevy,
and j defende ȝow, as J now kan,
that there-offen ȝe ne tellen neuere man.
but aftyr my cownseyl that ȝe don,
and sendeth aftyr alle ȝoure men anon,
and that they ben here with-owten let

108

the laste wyke of the mounthe of junet,
to assemblen vppon Salisbery pleyn
ȝowre enemyes to withstondyn ageyn.
so that on of ȝow with half ȝowre meyne,
be-twixen hem and þe se scholen gon, Sykerle;
and so tweyne dayes ȝe scholen abyde,
and on the thrydde to fyhten, what so betyde.
& ȝif ȝe thus wilen don, trewely,
J dar ȝow behoten the victory.”
thanne seiden the bretheren to merlyne there:
“Now, goode merlyne, telle vs now here
ȝif ony of vs jn bataylle schal ded be.”
thanne answeryd merlyne: “ful Sykerle,
there nas neuere thyng that hadde begynneng,
but of necescite it moste hauen endyng,
ne neuere man owghte the deth drede,
ȝif he it resceyue Jn tyme of nede.
and therfore wolde J thanne,” quod merlyne,
“doth bryngen me ȝowre relykes, þat ben so fyne,
and þer-vppon bothe scholen ȝe swere
that ȝe scholen don as j schal ȝow lere
bothen for ȝowre prow and worschepe also,
and aftyr that schal j tellen ȝow mo.”
thus sworen they bothe at his Byddyng.
thanne anon seide merlyne to the kyng:
“ȝe hauen sworen to me, with-owten faylle,
Trewe men to be Jn this Bataylle
aȝens god and ȝowre owne persone,
how so that evere the game doth gone.
For to hym-Self may non man trewe be,
but ȝif to god he be trewe, Sykerle.
and that ȝe confessen ȝow generally
Forto fyhten aȝens ȝowre enemy.
and aftyr mown ȝe ben ful Sure
hem ouercomen bothe clene & pure,
for they beleven not on the Trenite.
And now herkene what j sey the:
Sethen holychirche cam jnto this lond,

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Swich a bataylle was non, as j vndirstond,
Neþer not schal ben be owre daye.
therfore, Syker, as j ȝow saye,
on of ȝow schal deyen jn this bataylle,
as j ȝow seye with-owten Faylle.
and þerfore that ryaly ȝe ȝow araye
Forto fyhten, as j ȝow saye,
and jn worschepe of the Trenyte,
For ȝowre helpe syker wile he be;
And for his love arayeth ȝow wel
To his plesawnce Everydel!”
Lo, this Was Merlynes Cownsaylle,
As j ȝow sey wit-owten faylle.
these bretheren vndirstoden ful wel his sawe,
and of his cownseyl they weren ryht fawe.
Anon thanne senten they thorwgh al here lond
For here Retenu, J vndirstond.
and whanne they weren asembled everychon,
grete ȝiftes hadden they thanne anon,
and preyden eche man Jn his degre
that redy and arayed he wolde be,
and jn the laste wyke of Jvnet,
on þe pleyn of Salisbery, with-owten let,
next to the cost of the se,
that be hem þe rem defendid myhte be.
thus dwelden bothe bretheren jn Fere,
tyl the day of Somowns were comen there,
and kepten merlynes comandement,
that he hem bothe bad, verament.
So that atte feste of pentecost
thyder they comen with here ost,
here Ryal cowrt to holden there
Fast by the se Jn here manere.
and manye grete ȝiftes there ȝoven they
To dewk, erl, and to Barown, trewly.
and so longe abyden they on that grownde,
Tyl þat here enemyes a-ryvede Jn þat stownde.
thanne sente the kyng to prelates anon,

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that they scholde comen everichon
Forto confessen his peple Jn fere,
that they weren clene Jn alle manere.
and so thorwh the ost everychon
they weren confessed thanne anon,
and eche to oþer forȝaf þere his maltalent,
and therto clene asoylled, verament.
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne there
that tydynges he hadde of here powere,
and howh they weren aryved echon,
alle his enemyes, be on & be on.
thanne seide merlyne to hym ageyn:
“that is ful trewe, jn certeyn!”
thanne axede the kyng of merlyne tho
Jn what maner that he scholde do.
“ȝe scholen to morwen senden ȝoure brothir vter
and half ȝoure meyne to ben with hym ther.
and whanne ȝowre enemyes ben owt of þe see,
thanne betwixen hem and þe water schal he be.
and thanne wilen they resemblen anon
here jnto this contre forto gon.
and thus tweyne dayes schal he werken there,
and þe thridde day jn the eyr schal apere
a red dragown, & þanne mown ȝe fyhte
and the victorye to haven, j seye ȝow ryhte.”
To this cownseyl acordid ful wel
both pandragown an vter everydel.
and ful gret joye bothen they made,
and of this cownseil they weren ful glade.
thanne seide vter to merlyne anon:
“Jnto tho partyes now wyle j gon.”
“Loke that ȝe thanne ben a good knyht!”
and thus departyd they that Jlke Nyht.
so that vter took forth his jorne,
and with hym half here meyne.
so that be-twene þe see and his enemyes he abod,
and with his meyne thus forth he rod.
thanne seide merlyne: “abasche the non thyng
For deth ne bataylle, be my cownseyllyng!”

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And Whanne that Vter herde this,
Ful mochel his herte was esyd, J-wys.
thanne wente merlyne Jnto North-humberlond
to Blaysye, his maistyr, as J vndirstond,
and let this putten Jnto Scripture
and many mo thynges, J ȝow ensure.
thanne rod vter with his meyne
aftyr merlynes cownseil, ful Sykerle,
and lay be-twene the Schepis & that ost,
whiche that they dredden most.
So lay Vter Stylle ryht there
thre dayes Jn this manere,
and atte the Selve thrydde day
the kyng remevyd, the sothe to say,
and kam So Nyhe that meyne,
that eche of hem myht other se.
and whanne the ost beheld al this,
that on bothe sides they weren beset, j-wys,
and that to here Schipes they myhte not gon
with-owten bataylle of here fon,
thanne jn the eyr aperede that syht
that merlyne afore tyme hem tolde ful ryht,
of wheche Syhte the enemyes of the kyng
hadden gret drede, with-owten lesyng.
thanne seide the kyng to his meyne anon:
“To armes and to hors let vs now gon,
and also Faste as we mown ryde,
vppon oure enemyes this Jlke tyde.”
and whanne that vter Say the kyng so do,
anon with his meyne he remevede also,
that so on bothe sydes beset they were.
thanne began anon strong bataylle there
and gret occisiown on bothe syde,
and mochel peple ded at that tyde.
but haugwis kynnesmen hadden the werre,
Not-withstondyng they comen from ferre.
but of this bataylle j reherse no more,
whiche of hem that best bar hym thore.

112

but Pandragown the kyng was there ded,
and manye of his barowns in that sted.
thanne thus recordith this Storye,
that vter hadde there the victorye,
and þat of his enemyes ne sckaped neuer on,
that ded they weren, other taken, echon.
thus endid the bataylle of Salisbery there,
where pandragown was slayn Jn this manere.
thanne hadde vter the rem Jn governaunce,
as was bothe resown, ryht, and chaunce.
thanne vter dide assemblen his meyne anon,
and let beryen his dede men Everichon,
and on every tombe wrot the name,
what he was, and of what fame.
but as towching his brothyr the kyng,
vppon his tombe made he non wrytyng.
For a gret Fool he is, with-owten dowte,
that a kynges tombe ne kan knowen with-owte,
For heyere and richere thanne ony oþer it was
that weren J-beryed Jn that plas.
thanne remevid vter to Logres anon,
and with hym his prelacye everychon;
And there was he sacred and crowned kyng,
and of alle the rewm hadde he the governeng.
Thus was vter kyng of the Lond,
and alle homages resceyvede, J vndirstond.
thanne the Fyftenethe day aftyr Sewenge
cometh merlyne to the cowrt of the kynge.
gret was the joye the kyng of hym made,
and alle the howshold of hym was glade.
Thanne seide merlyne to Vter there:
“thy brotheris name J wolde thou bere;
& benchesown of the dragown, J-wis,
that jn the eyr aperede, with-owten mys,
and aftyr thyke dragowns semblaunce,
J wolde thou madist on, with-owten variaunce.”
This kyng let maken this dragown anon
of gold, also faste as it myhte be don,
and vppon a lawnce Jt Sette, Sanȝ faylle,

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with hym to be born Jn bataylle.
thus was he clepyd vter Pendragown;
his brothir and þe baner was thenchesown.
thanne merlyne with hym gan there dwelle,
and on a day to þe kyng gan he to spelle:
“why dost thou non more reuerence
there thy brotheris body lyth jn precense?”
“what woldest thow, merlyne, that j scholde do?
Sey what thow wylt, and it schal be so.”
“Swich a thing to maken, thow it attende,
that Scholde abyden with-owten ende.”
“Sey me thanne,” quod the kyng ageyn,
“and j wele it don, Jn certeyn.”
thanne quod merlyne: “Sende thow anon
Jnto Erlond aftyr gret ston.
and j my-Self wile thedyr pase,
to schewen where they ben and jn what place,
and tellen hem wheche that they scholen brynge
Jn thi Schepis hider, with-owten lesynge.”
thus the kyng schepis thedyr sente,
and merlyne with hem was there presente.
“Sen ȝe now these stones here?
jn ȝoure Schepis j wolde they were.”
and whanne these stones they gonne beholde,
jn here hertes they merveylled many folde,
and seiden that nevere schipe hem myhten bere,
Ne neuere jnto here Schipe scholde comen there.
thanne tornede they thus hom a-geyn,
and of that merveylle tolde the kyng, ful pleyn.
Anon thanne hem answeryd the kyng:
“Abydeth here stylle tyl merlynes comeng!”
Thanne cam merlyne to cowrt anon,
and of this the kyng told hym thusson.
thanne made merlyne his Surawnce
hem forto bryngen, with-owten variaunce.
and thus merlyne thorwgh his craft,
tyl the stones weren there, he ne laft,
and leyde hem on the Sepulture

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Of pandragown, J the enswre.
thanne vter Pendragown with gret meyne
To the pleyn of Salisbery wente hem to se.
and whanne they behelden this grete mervaylle,
thanne seide the peple, with-owten Faylle,
that alle the world hem ne cowde meve,
thowg that they scholden the sothe preve.
thanne seide merlyne: “j schal hem dresse
mochel bettere thanne they lyn, J-wysse.”
“howh myhte that be?” quod the kyng anone,
“that may non man do but god alone.”
thanne quod merlyne to hem anon:
“Goth ȝe now hennes everychon,
and j schal hem dressen, as j have hyht,
oþer ellis my covenaunt held j not a-ryht.”
So that merlyne belefte there stylle,
and his covenawnt he dide fulfille.
Thanne cam merlyne to the kyng
as to a man þat he lovede with-owten feyneng,
and seide: “Sire kyng, herkeneth to me!
j moste to ȝow discure a gret prevyte,
on the prevyest that evere ȝe knewe,
And therfore to ȝow J Wele Jt Schewe,
Whiche schal ben ryht a strange thing,
as j ȝow say atte the begynneng;
and that ȝe discure me to non lyveng man.”
his axeng anon the kyng grauntid hym than.
“J wele that ȝe vndirstonde me, ful pleyn:
Al the connenge that J have, certeyn,
onlych it cometh of the enemy;
and therto god, that is almyhty,
Wit and memorie hath grauntid to me
thynges that ben comeng to knowen, certeinle;
and be that Sovereyn vertw
the enemy hath lost, as j telle ȝow,
alle the part that he hadde jn me,
thorwh goddis wille, sire, Sykerle.
Sire, now have ȝe ful knowlechynge

115

From whens that cometh al my konnenge.
Now j wele tellen the what Js goddis wylle,
and thow wylt herkene and lestene theretyille.
and whanne thou knowest of my menyng,
loke that thou Folwe it Jn werkyng.
Sire kyng, now vndirstonde thou me,
that god decendid from þe maieste
jn-to this erthe the Synneris to Save,
and for that he wolde here sowles have.
Also beleve wel that his sene he made
among his disciples to maken hem glade,
and þat he to hem seide Jn this manere:
‘on of ȝow schal betraien me þat is here.’
Also, Sire kyng, vndirstonde thou me,
that moche povert and diseise suffrede he
of the jewes, and they falsly him Slowe
aȝens the lawe, with fals witnesse j-nowe,
and vppon the croys for vs he deyde.
thanne cam a knyht, as to-foren ȝe herd seide,
and axed the body, For his gwerdown,
of hym that for vs hadde paid rawnsom.
Sire, aftyr that, he ros from ded
Jn scomfiture of the fowle qwed.
and happede aftyr his vp-rysyng,
this knyht with his sowdiours was walkyng
Jn a place of wast and desert,
and with hym many of his lignage, apert.
Sire, þere happede, a famyne cam hem vppon,
and to this knyht, here maister, they compleyned anon.
Anon thanne this knyht made his preyere
that god som Tokenyng wolde schewen hem þere,
the cause to suffren Swich deseise,
that he myhte it knowen, & it wolde him plese.
Anon thanne hadde he comandement
a table forto maken, verament,
jn mynde of þe table and of swete jesus,
at which he sat jn Symon lepres hows,

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and that table to koueren (& not to lette)
with whit cloth, and þer-vppon þe holy vessel sette—
‘and that the vessel be kouered also
with fair whit cloth, how so euere ȝe do!’
whiche vessel browhte the kyng of blys
To this knyht jnto presown, j-wys,
where as he was two and fowrty ȝer,
whiche vessel al his hol comfort was ther,
and be this vessel departyd he
the goode from the evel, ful sikerle.
and, Sire, at this Table evere there was
Jn memorie of crist kept a voide plas,
whiche specyal place doth Signefye
the place that judas jn Sat, trewelye,
which he Forsook, whanne god hadde sayd:
‘on of ȝow hath me betrayed
that with me here doth drynke and ete.’
(Jt hadde ben bettere he dyde it lete.)
So Was this place there voyde stylle,
tyl that aftyr-ward be goddis wylle
anothir, hyht mathy, was there-jne j-set,
as to hym there Jt cam be lot,
and to fulfille þe nombre of þe postelis twelve,
for thus wold god it scholde ben him-selve.
and, Sire, this voyde place þat at þe [table] Is,
Signefieth be josepe, Sire, j-wis;
and lik as maththy was chosen therto,
riht so was josepe, wit-owten mo,
So that these tweyne tables covenable were,
and thus pleside crist mennes hertes there.
Sire, this peple clepede this vessel
‘the Sank Ryal’ oþer ellys ‘Seint Graal.’
And, sire, ȝif ȝe welen don aftyr me,
the thrydde table, jn worschepe of þe Trenite,
ȝe scholen be-gynne, as j ȝow schal Say,
and ȝow to gret worschepe it schal torne eche day,
and to ȝoure Sowle gret mede also,
and manye benfettes ȝow schal comen to,
and thorwgh this world this word schal springe,

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as j ȝow Seye with-owten lesenge.”
Lo, thus Spak merlyne to the kyng,
whiche wordis to hym were gret lykyng.
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne ageyn:
“J nolde for non thing, Jn certein,
that god non thing ne loste be me
whiche that to his plesaunce myhte be.
wherfore, merlyne, ordeyne as thow wylt,
For vppon me ne schal not lyn the gylt.”
“Now,” thanne quod merlyne to the kyng,
“where liketh ȝow best to ben abydyng?”
“Now certes,” quod the kyng ageyn,
“where þou wilt it ordeynen, jn certeyn,
and where that most plesyng it myhte be
To God, that Syt anhyghe jn maieste.”
thanne answerede merlyne, þat was ful lel:
“jn wales, atte þe town of Cardweille,
and there schalt thou holden thy feste
atte pentecost bothe to mest and leste.
and forth to-foren, Sire, wyl j gon
that Table to ordeynen for ȝow echon;
and also hem that there schal Sytte,
j wile hem ordeynen, that thow it wyte.”

[Chapter IV]

Ryht as merlyne devisede jn alle thing,
riht so aftyr hym evene wrowht þe kyng,
and there anon Sente proclamaciown
be messengeris thorwgh-owt his regyown,
his ryals hym to meten, bothe lest and meste,
In cardwel atte pentecost Feste;
thus was the kynges proclamaciown.
And þanne from the kyng departyd merlyne anon,
and wente to ordeyne that behoven Scholde
To that Table bothe for ȝong and olde.
and the woke to-Foren pentecost
Thedyr cam the kyng, as he nedis most,
and axede of merlyne how he hadde j-do.
he seide: “Sire, riht wel ȝit hyderto!”
“hast thow owht ordeyned whiche scholen sitten here?”

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“ȝe, sire, to morwen scholen ȝe sen the manere
and that ȝe wenden neuere forto han seye:
Fyfty worthy knyhtes, Sire, jn feye,
of the beste that ben with-jnne thi lond,
certein j do ȝow to vndyrstond.
and þerby myht thou knowen thy worthy men,
that j have chosen be fyve sithes ten.
Also the voide place þere schalt thou se,
that ȝit fulfyld it may not be.”
Thus merlyne at that Ryal Feste
ches there Fyfty knyhtes of the beste,
and preide hem to Sitten al jn Fere
and there to eten with ryht good chere.
Ryht so they deden be on an on,
and glad they weren everychon.
thanne merlyne, that was so ful of craft,
abowtes he wente, and not ne laft,
and clepid the kyng there forto se
how that they Seten Jn here degre,
and schewed him also the voide place
that thike tyme atte the table wase.
but what that place dide signifie,
Niste þe kyng ne non of his compenye.
And whanne merlyne thus hadde j-don,
he preyde the kyng to sitten anon.
and thus viij dayes contenued þe feste ryal
To lordes and ladyes and damyselis with-al;
and there ful grete ȝiftes ȝaf the kyng
bothe to lordis and to ladyes and to damyselis so ȝyng.
and whanne this feste gan vp to breke,
thanne to þe Fyfty knyhtes þe kyng gan to reke,
and axede how hem likede there,
and of here Syttyng jn alle manere.
thanne they the kyng answerid ful sone:
“Jt Js owre wylle neuere hens to gone
Neþer neuere to parten oure compeny onsondyr,
For so as we loven to-gederis, it is gret wondir,

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For as bretheren we loven to-gederis jn fere,
and, tyl deth vs sondre, neuere to departen ere.”
And whanne the kyng herde this,
gret merveille he hadde þer-offen, j-wys.
thanne charged the kyng to hem anon
to hym ben loveng and trewe everychon.
thanne departyd al this compenye,
eche man to his own contre, trewelye.
thanne cam the kyng to merlyne there,
and axede him thanne jn this manere:
“Telle me ȝif that goddis wylle jt be
this Table fulfylled that J schal Se?”
“wyte thow wel certeyn, Sire kyng,
that jn thy tyme it schal neuere haven endyng,
Nethyr he that jt schal fulfylle,
js not ȝit be-geten, j sey the tylle.
but jn the kynges tyme jt schal be-falle
that aftyr the schal regnen in pured & palle;
and he that hym begeten schal,
knoweth not what aventure him schal befal.
and that same that is to be bore,
Schal fulfillen the place thore,
lyk as josepe dide jn his manere
the Signefiaunce aftyr maththy there.
and þerfore, Sire, j preye to the
thy festes here to holden, certeinle.”
“Now certes, merlyne,” quod the kyng tho,
“and at thy wille it schal be do.”
thanne seide merlyne to the kyng:
“Sire, it is tyme to maken a partyng;
and knowe ȝe wel now, syre kyng,
that aftyr myn hens departyng
of a long tyme ȝe schole not me se,
J Seye ȝou, Sire kyng, ful certeinle.”
thanne axede the kyng of hym aȝe
whethir at his festes he wolde not be.
thanne answerede merlyne jn this manere:
“Atte alle tyme j may not ben here.”

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Thanne wente merlyne to blasye anon,
and þe establementes of þe table told hym echon
and of other thynges manye also
That At thyke tyme Were to comen tho.
and there dwelde merlyne two ȝer stylle,
that the kynges cowrt he nolde comen tylle.
So happede it at Cardweille vppon a day
that they whiche lovede not merlyne, gonne to say,
and axeden a qwestiown of the kyng:
why that place was voyde of syttyng,
and why that som good man mihte [not] sytten there,
and thanne the table fulfilled were.
thanne answeryd the kyng: “certeynle,
For a gret merveyl that merlyne tolde me,
that it scholde Nevere ben be my day,
and thus merlyne to me gan say.
and ȝit he that him engendren schal,
Nys not ȝit born, more with-al,
that this table schal fulfylle.”
they lawhen wel faste, as men þat weren jlle.
“Sire, beleve ȝe thanne that jn tyme comenge
þat better men scholen ben thanne be now reignenge,
and that jn ȝowre lond [not] as goode there be
as evere here-aftyr scholen comen, sikerle?”
“Now certes, j wot neuere,” quod the kyng.
“No[w] we reden ȝow to putten jt jn asayeng.”
“Certes,” quod the kyng, “j drede me þanne sore
that merlyne wolde ben angry there-fore.”
“Sire, thanne, and ȝe wylen ȝyven vs leve,
his Falsnesse forsothe we scholen preve.”
“and j wiste merlyne wroth wolde not be,
wel fayn wolde j asayen it, ful sykerle.”
“ȝe, Sire, ȝif that merlyne know of this,
Siker, there wile he ben, j-wys;
and þerfore suffreth vs forto asaye,
Now, goode Sire kyng, alle we ȝow praye.”
So that the kyng hem graunted it forto do,
whanne that the feste cam therto.

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thanne weren they glad everichon
that þe kyng hadde graunted þis thing be don.
and thus it Taryede jn-to pentecost feste,
that eche Ryal þere to be atte the kynges heste.
and merlyne, that knew here thowhtes echon,
Ryht there to Blayse told jt anon,
and of alle here jlle thenkenge,
and of hem þat weren þer-offen þe begynnenge.
and he wiste wel that provyd jt scholde be,
that jlke place, ful certeynle;
and sethen algates it scholde ben so,
bettere on a schrewe thanne on a good man to proven it tho.
and thus merlyne dwelled þere stylle
jnto qwynȝyme of pentecost, here wil to fulfille.
Thanne the kyng to Cardweille wente,
and with hym many lordis, veramente.
and they that comen to asayen this place,
Seiden there was fallen a wondyr case:
that a fals wood cherl, jn certayn,
Jn a wode goode merlyne hadde slayn.
and thus so styfly they gonnen it say,
that the kyng belevyd it that day,
and more principaly the more for on thing:
be encheson of merlynes longe abydyng;
and also more thanne Supposed the kynge
þat he wolde it not were asayed, merlyne levynge.
thanne vppon the even of pentecost
there was þe semblance, as nedes most.
thanne axede the kyng of hem anon
ho that place asayen scholde don.
thanne he that the place assaien wolde,
Seide þere to the kyng with wordis bolde:
“Sire, j have begonnen this jlke thing,
and non but j ne schal have the asayeng.”
Thanne cam he to the table anon

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There the fyfty knyhtes Seten Echon.
“J am comen forto Sitten here
Forto beren ȝow compenye al jn fere.”
and they to hym Seiden neuer a word,
but humblely stille seten at that bord,
and behelden what that he wolde do,
and so dyde the kyng and manyon mo.
thanne thussone he hym sette adown
amonges al that peple there jn virown.
and assone as he was set jn that sted,
he Sank a-down lik a plom of led.
Ne non man wyste how it cam to,
Neþer why he Suffrede that deth ful wo,
Ne where his body becomen was,
there wiste no man jn that plas.
thanne comanded the kyng anon
To thyke worthy men everychon
that anon they scholden vp ryse,
and so they dyden jn hasty wyse,
and merveillously astoned this cowrt thanne was,
and also the kyng most jn that plas.
thus thanne taryede there the kyng
tyl Fyftene dayes aftyr, with-owten leseng.
and be that tyme merlyne to cowrt was gon,
Of hos comenge weren glad manyon,
and specyaly aboven alle othere the kyng,
that aȝens merlyne wente jn metyng.
Anon as merlyne the kyng gan beholde,
these same wordis to hym he tolde:
“certeyn, ȝe haven ryht evele j-do
ony man jn þat place to suffren sitten so!”
“Now sikerly, merlyne,” quod the kyng,
“they jt deden and me begyleng.”
“certis,” quod merlyne to the kyng than,
“ryht so it fareth be manye a man.
ho that often desireth to be-gylen anothyr,
atte laste on him-self falleth the fothyr.
and that, Sire kyng, myht thou proven here
vppon this man jn alle manere.”
thanne aftyrward preide the kyng merlyne,

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that was his owne and worthy devyn,
where that man were, and how be hym it felle,
he preide that merlyne hym wolde telle.
thanne answerede merlyne to him ryht there:
“what nedeth the aftyr hym enqwere?
For thowh thou wistest howh with hym it stood,
Jt scholde don the but litel good.
but thenke on hem that there don Sytte,
and how that thow schalt wel meynteyne jtte
and othir thynges that belongen to the,
thy cowrt, thy festes, and thy meyne,
that thou hast begonnen jn this town.
Now myht þou se, the table js of renown,
of renown and of dignete gret;
here sixt þou proved, and thow wilt wet.
Now, sire kyng, from the wyl j gon,
loke thou kepe wel these thynges echon,
and that thow do aftyr myn cownsaille,
for j suppose it wyle the somwhat avaylle.”
Thus departyd merlyne from the kyng tho,
and jnto othir contres gan forto go.
thanne the kyng, where he scholde holden his feste,
Faire howses let he maken aftyr his heste.
Thanne dede proclame the kyng anon
alle these festes, everichon,
that eche man at Cardwel scholde be
atte these festes as ȝe scholen se:
that is, at the feste of cristemasse,
esterne, & pentecost, as j gesse,
and þe feste of alle halwen also,
To Cardweylle they scholde comen to.
so that jt happede atte a cristemasse feste,
the kyng Somownd his barowns, bothe lest & meste,
and warned hem Jn this manere,
that eche lady with hire lord scholde ben there,
here dowhtres, here Sostren, here neceȝ also,
to Cardweille jn gales scholden alle go,

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and also bothe knyhtes and bachelere,
jn alle wises they scholden ben there.
Jt were to longe here Names to telle,
but of certeyn persones j schal ȝow spelle.
there was the dewk of tyndagel
and ygwerne, his wyf, that he loved ful wel,
where-offen spekyth this storye,
and a-forn oþere putteth it jn memorye.
Anon the kyng his love there sette
(myht no man womman loven bette),
and cow[n]tenance to hire made he non,
but hire beheld most of echon.
so atte laste sche gan aspye
that the kyng hire lovede prevylye,
as sche gan aspyen be his chere.
and þerfore sche schoned aforn him to comen there,
For sche was bothe good and fayr, trewly,
and loved god and hire lord Sovereynly.
and the kyng, for love of this lady fre,
ȝiftes abowtes sente, ful gret plente
of jewelys and many oþer preciows thynges,
Nowches, and broches, and manye riche rynges.
and to Ygwerne he sente a precyows jwel,
that he supposede scholde plesen here wel.
and sche sawh that to alle other ladyes he sente,
So dorste sche not refwsen his presente.
and in hire herte this lady gan to remene
that for hire love he dyde jt ful clene,
and that sche scholde his ȝifte receyve,
that from his love sche scholde not weyve.
Thus the kyng there held his Festis
with Ryalte, mynstrales, and many gestis.
and algates he was with-owten wyf,
and thus jn love morneng he ledde his lyf.
For so was he set jn love of ygwerne,
that from loves dart non man myht hym werne.

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thus thanne vp Brak this ryal feste,
and þere the kyng preide both lest & meste
that at Cardweille they scholden alle be
atte the feste of esterne, jn that cyte,
and also alle the ladyes there everychon;
thanne they hym graunted ryht anon.
and whanne the dewk of tyndagel departed thenne,
the kyng hym conveyed with manye of his menne,
and hym dide bothe worschepe and honour,
& ek to that lady that jn his eye was flowr.
and so of hem his leve there he took,
(but evere for love his herte sore qwook),
and torned aȝen, with-owten fable,
To the fyfty knyhtes of his rownde table,
and axede hem leve, and wente his way,
and betawht hem god and many good day.
that so wente he forth Jn his jorne,
tyl the Feste of esterne cam aȝe.
So that at the feste of pask anon thanne
at cardweille assembled manye a manne;
of ladyes, of damyseles, and other meyne
J wot there was Ful gret plente.
and mochel joye there-offe made þe kyng,
whanne þat he say thike fayre assemblyng.
and at the feste he wolde not werne,
but the dewk hym to-forn and his wyf ygwerne.
So that be His ȝyftes and His Entent,
sche wyste he hire lovede, verament.
so in gret thowht was that lady fre,
but al sche suffrede, as nedis it moste be.
and thus with gret ioie contenwed this feste
to alle tho ryales, bothe lest and meste.
and whanne this feste was j-do,
eche lord took his leve hom to go.
and the kyng hem preide ouer alle thyng
to comen aȝen at his Sendyng.
and they grauntyd hym everichon
that his comandement scholde be don.

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thus departyd this cowrt thanne,
and the kyng there lefte an hevy manne.
so al that ȝer jn angwysch lyved he
for Ygwernes love, ful syker ȝe be.
and whanne it cam to thende of the ȝere,
he compleyned hym of his angwysch þere,
that certeyn, for the love of ygwerne,
no man to morne ne myhte hym werne.
thanne answerid his prevy cownseyl ageyn:
“what wil ȝe þat we do, telle vs now pleyn!”
“j wyle that ȝe wolden me rede
how that of hire J myhte spede.”
thanne seiden they to the kyng anon:
“ȝif ȝe owht jnto that contre gon,
anon discured scholen ȝe be,
and þat were non worschepe to ȝow, Sykerle.”
“cownseilleth me thanne what j schal do!”
and they to the kyng thus answerede vnto:
“the beste cownseyl Js, that we can,
that ȝe don Somowne every man
to ben at cardweille atte ȝowre feste,
and here ladyes, bothe lest and meste,
and that xv dayes it schal laste,
that eche schal abyde, tyl that be paste,
and so with-jnne thike xv dayes
with ygwerne mown ȝe haven bothe dalyaunce & playes.”
this cownseille plesid ful wel the kyng,
and he dyde aftyr here cownseilleng.
So thanne sente the kyng messengeris anon
To alle his Barowns thanne, everychon,
at Pentecost at cardweille forto be,
eche Barown and his lady so fre.
So comen they thedyr everychon
the kynges comaundement forto don.
At that Feste the kyng Bar corowne
jn chirche, jn paleys, jn feld and towne.
and grete ȝiftes ȝaf the kyng, certeinle,
bothe to lordis and ladyes, aftyr here degre.

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At that Feste ful joyful was the kyng,
whanne that he Sawh that Fayre assemblyng.
So that he clepede on of his olde cownseiller,
that ful mochel he trusted jn ther,
hos name vlphyn thanne was,
that the kyng clepede jn that plas,
and axede of hym how that he scholde do
for Ygwernes love, that wrowht hym wo—
“that nethyr Sleping ne wakyng non reste, certeyne!
So that hire love doth me distreyne,
and but j haue the bettere cownsaille,
j am Siker to deyen, with-owten faylle.”
thanne spak vlphyn, and lette for non schame:
“Now Sekerly, Sire, ȝe ben to blame,
that for a wommans love wenen to deye!
and it were to me ward, Sire, be my feye,
as pore man as J am here on,
and j lovede so as ȝe now don,
j wolde neuere deyen for hire Sake,
but som othir menes thanne wolde j make,
owthyr with faire speche or ȝiftes grete,
With dalyaunce, and With love hyre threte,
and to hem that ben hire abowte
gret ȝiftes to ȝyven, al that rowte.
and aȝens this maner of werkyng
herde j neuere wommans cownterpletyng.
and thou thy-self that art a kyng,
wherto makyst thou al this morneng?”
thanne spak the kyng to vlphyn ageyn:
“thou seist wondirly wel, jn certeyn,
and therto thow knowest what longeth þerto
Swich maner of werkynge forto do.
and þerfore, vlphyn, J the preye,
helpe what þou canst be ony weye,
and to my cofres thou go anon,
& ches what jewelis þou wilt amonges hem echon,
and ȝeve to hem that ben hire abowtes there,
of hire that j myhte haven the better chere.”
“Now resteth, Sire,” quod vlphyn tho,
“and al my deligence j wele now do.”

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thus vndirtook Sire vlphynes there
to helpen the kyng aftyr his powere.
thanne was the kyng joyful jn þat stede,
For wel he hopede that vlphyn scholde spede.
and so that alle thike xv dayes
the kyng made gret joye and many playes,
and algates the dewk jn his compenye,
and many grete jewelis ȝaf he, Sekerlye.
thanne jn this mene whille also
vlphyn to ygwerne spak vnto,
and manye a riche jewel he hire browhte,
whiche þat hire best scholde plesen him thowhte.
but ygwerne rescyvede non of al this,
For why he it dede, wel thowhte sche, j-wys.
so that jt happede vppon a day
that ygwerne to vlphyn thus gan say:
“sey, vlphyn, what Js the cause and why
Swiche ȝiftes me to profren so prevyly?”
“Lady, for ȝowre bewte and ȝowre semblance,
For ȝowre discresciown and good dalyawnce,
For ȝowre hyghe wyt and ȝowre bownte,
alle these Londis goodis, ȝowre they be,
and alle mennes persones to ȝow scholen obeye
as to here owne Sovereyn lady, Sekerlye.”
“how myhte this be,” quod Ygwerne thanne,
“that to me scholde obeye so manye a manne?”
“For his herte haven ȝe al only
to whom alle men scholen obeien lowly.”
“O Lord god, ho may that be?
j preye the, vlphyn, telle þou now me!”
“the kynges herte,” seide vlphyn than.
Anon to blessen sche hire be-gan,
and seyde: “how longe hath the kyng a tretour be,
that my lord So worschepith to-forn me,
and me wolde don so fowl a schame,
and þerto bryngen me jnto endeles blame?
Therfore, sire vlphyn, j warne the,

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that neuere more swich wordis þou speke to me.
and ȝif thow it evere do, jn certeyn,
j schal jt tellen my lord, ful pleyn.
And ȝif there-offen he knowe, trewlye,
Ful Syker thou be that thow schalt deye!”
thanne answerede Sire vlphyn ageyn:
“that were non resown, jn certeyn,
that j so for my lord Scholde now deye.
Now ȝe ben to blamen, ful trewelye,
that ȝe refusen so ryal a thyng,
to haven bothe the love and þe herte of a kyng,
that so ȝow loveth aboven alle erthly creature,
So whethir to lyven oþer deyen he not, j ȝow enswre,
but lyveth jn hope as a woful manne.”
“ȝe gabben,” quod Ygwerne to vlphyn thanne.
“Nay, but that ȝe wele now mercy have
Vppon ȝowre Kyng, And ȝowre-self to save.
and but ȝe don as j ȝow here say,
gret deseise may fallen with-jnne schort day.
For Nethyr ȝowre lord ne ȝe ne mowen non thyng
withstonden aȝens the wylle of the kyng.”
thanne seide Ygwerne and answered ageyn,
Ful sore wepynge thanne, jn certeyn:
“ȝif j mowe, j schal me defende,
j schal him Neuere sen, thowh he for me sende!”
Thus departyd they thanne anon,
and Sire vlphyn to the kyng is gon,
and tolde the kyng every word thanne.
þe kyng seide: “sche answerede as a good wommanne!
Neuertheles, vlphyn, ȝit not thow leve,
For a good womman hire-self wyle preve
and not so sone ouercomen to be;
ȝit forto assayen j preye to the.”
So it happede that on the xj day
aftyr pentecost, as j ȝow say,
the kyng at his mete sat ful lel,
and with hym the dewk of tyndagel.

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a ful riche cowpe stood to-fore the kyng,
and vlphyn, that was to-forn him knelyng:
“Syre, take ȝe this cuppe & sende Ygwerne,
and for ȝowre loue to drynken let hire not werne.
preye ȝe the dewk jt myhte so be,
and as hire owne stille it to kepen for the.”
thanne to this dewk spak the kyng,
and him preyde to fulfillen his askyng,
that he wolde that cowpe to ygwerne sende—
“and for my love to drynken, and me hauen jn mende;
and that sche the cowpe kepe now stylle,
to don ther-with at hire owne wylle.”
thanne answerede that worthy manne,
that non maner of evel thowhte he thanne,
and clepyd a knyht, that him stood besyde,
that with hym was prevy jn eche tyde:
“Tak ȝe this cowpe here ryht anon,
and to ȝowre lady there-with ȝe gon,
and seyth to hire on this manere,
that sche here-offen drynke with ryht good chere,
hertylich for love of the kyng,
and the cowpe to kepen to hire weldyng.”
This knyht Bretel wyth þe cowpe wente ful softe,
and the dewk the kyng there-offen thankyde ofte.
Forth this Bretel to chambre gan gon,
There as these ladyes eten everychon,
and toforn his lady he knelyd a-down,
as to a worthy lady of renown.
“Lady, this cowpe ȝow sendeth the kyng,
and my Lord ȝow comandeth ouer alle thing
For the kynges love to drynken with good chere,
and stille þe cowpe to kepen jn fair manere.”
Whanne this lady these wordis herde,
ful red sche wax, and aschamed sche ferde,
and dorste not refusen hire lordis byddyng,
and drank of this cowpe, and wolde han sent it the kyng.
thanne seide Bretel to that lady fre:

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“stille it to kepen my lord comanded the,
and so the kyng hym faire preide,
þerfore doth ȝe as j have ȝow seyde!”
thanne say this lady þat for good ne ylle
but that thike cowpe sche moste kepen stylle.
and Bretel aȝen to halle was goeng,
and on Ygwernes be-halve thankyd þe kyng,
Not-withstondyng sche seide non word
To Bretel, whiles sche sat atte bord.
Ful mochel joye made the kyng tho,
that ygwerne his cowpe resceyved so.
thanne vlphyn anon to chambre þe weye gon take,
To sen what semblaunce Ygwerne dide make.
And þere He Fond Hyre jn pensyfnesse,
angry of chere, and ful of hevynesse.
and whanne the tables j-drawen were,
anon cleped sche vlphyn to hire there,
and Seide: “be tresown thy lord the kyng
me a cowpe hath sent, aȝens my willyng,
but lytel wynnenge to hym schal jt be,
For my lord j wele it tellen, Sykerle,
what tresown that the kyng and ȝe
han purchased aȝens my lord & me!”
thanne answerid here vlphyn ageyn:
“beth wel war what ȝe don Seyn!”
thanne answerede this lady fre:
“blame haue he þat spare for hym oþer the
that j ne schal tellen, every word,
the tresown of the and of thy lord!”
Thens vlphynes departyd, and cam to halle,
There as weren these lordis alle.
the kyng hadde whaschen and þe bord j-drawe,
and jn herte was the kyng bothen joyful and fawe,
and took the dewk be the hond anon:
“Sire, jnto chambre now lete vs gon
and sen the chere of these ladyes gent.”
“J graunte,” quod the dewk, “Sire, verament.”
thanne wente the kyng & þe dewk anon,
there as Ygwerne et, þei comen thussone.
thanne wiste ygwerne ful witterly

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that for here jt was only.
so this sche suffrede al that day
with sorweful herte and sore afray.
So that at nyht to hire ostel sche wente
with hevy chere and wepyng, veramente.
and whanne the dewk Sawh hire of that chere,
he axede hire what that hire eylede there,
and embracede hire jn his armes two,
and axede hire what the cawse was tho.
“Forsothe to ȝow non thing wyl j hele,
but j schal tellen ȝow everydele
as to my lord that j love most of alle thing
aboven alle creatures jn erthe leveng.
here js the kyng, my lord and ȝowre,
he loveth me with gret dishonoure.
For alle these cowrtes, and this feste,
and þe sonde of these ladyes, bothe lest and meste,
js not for non thing but only for me,
that j with ȝow scholde comen, Sykerle.
thus many ȝiftes he hath me sente,
and j non resceyved, verament.
and thus be bretel ȝe sente me to say
the cowpe þat j scholde resceyve this day,
and that for his love drynken J scholde,
and aftyr to kepen the cuppe of goolde,
that Syker j hadde as leef ded forto haue be
as jt han resceyved so, Sykerle.
and what for hym and fore vlphyn
j may non reste haven, souereyn myn!”
“Thanne se j be ȝoure wordis here,
with-owten velonye to remeve, a maistrye it were.”
“ȝe, worthy sovereyn, j preye to the
To tyndagel that ȝe wolden leden me,
and jn this place non lengere abyden here,
but jn owre owne lordschepe þat we were!”
and whanne the dewk herde al this,
anon ful wroth he was, j-wys,
and sente aftyr his knyhtes faste,
that to hym they scholde comen jn haste.
and whanne to hym they were comen echon,

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To hem thanne seide the dewk anon:
“retorne ȝow faste forto ryde,
and þat non man þere-offen wyte this tyde,
Neþer axeth not of me the cawse why,
for j schal ȝow it tellen ful pleynly.”
thus the dewk with his meyne
jnto his contre ladde his lady fre.
Vppon the morewen, Whanne Jt Was day,
Whanne the kyng Wyste of this affray,
how that the dewk thus was agon,
the dwchesse, and the meyne echon,
he sente aftyr his cownseyl jn hye,
and told hem of this velenye,
also of the spyt he hadde hym j-don,
to hym and to alle his Baronye echon;
where-offen merveillede al that Feste
that there beleften, bothe lest and meste.
thus Spoken they alle of this clause,
but lytel wisten they what was his cause.
“j take witnesse,” quod the kyng, “of ȝow in fere
that more worschepe J dede hym here
thanne to ony oþer j dede at þe feste present.”
and that wisten they alle wel, verament.
“and ȝow like,” quod the kyng,
“j schal him sende newe tydyng,
that he come and amendis make
of that he hath aȝens me take,
and that jn the same degre he hennes wente,
that he aȝen come with good entente.”
and herto acorded his cownsaille,
ȝif that it myhte ony thyng avaylle.
and on the kynges behalve, verament,
tweyne worthy men weren there sent,
and comen streyht rydynge to Tyndagel.
the dewk they fownden & his meyne eche del,
and seiden as they were charged of the kyng,
and of the dewk they abyden here answeryng.

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Whanne the dewk vndirstood al this,
that nedis he moste aȝen comen, j-wis,
jn the same degre that he was there,
thanne moste with hym gon ygwerne, his fere,
and that wolde he for non maner of thyng,
and ryht so sente he to seyne to the kyng,
and seide: “to cowrt j wele not gon
amongis hem that ben my fon!”
thus thanne wente þe messengeris ageyn,
and the answere tolde the kyng, ful pleyn.
thanne, whanne these messengeris weren agon,
þe dewk aftyr his cownseille thanne sente anon,
and tolde hem the cause ful pleynly,
the cause of his comeng so hastely,
and what schame the kyng gan hym purchase,
that cawsed hym to voyden owt of þat plase.
and whanne they herden his pleyneng,
they ȝoven the dewk good comfortyng,
and seiden: “he þat schame to his lige wyle purchase,
on hym may be-happen the same grace!”
Thanne preyde hem the dewk anon
hem of helpe and socour everichon,
and his lond helpen to defende,
ȝif þe kyng on hym ony werre wolde sende.
so that him they grawntyd, with-owten stryf,
To lesen bothe here hedes and lyf.
whanne þe messengeris to Cordwel were comen jn fere,
The kyng they fownden and þe barowns there.
and word for word they tolden the kyng
what maner was þe dewkis answeryng.
thanne seiden þe barowns that weren there,
they merveilled mochel of his answere,
For they helden hym a ful wys man,
what that so evere eylede hym than.
thanne preide the kyng his barowns anon
hym helpen to avengen of his fon
and of the dispyt he hath him do—
“and my feste thus distorbled so.”
Thanne answerede these barowns ageyn,
And preyden the Kyng alle, Ful pleyn,

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of fowrty dayes to ȝeven hym warneng;
and the kyng hem grauntyd here askyng.
thanne sente the kyng messengeris ful Lel
to the dewk of tyndagel,
and seide, atte the fowrtythe day
he wolde him visite, ȝif he may.
and þerto he preide his barowns echon
redy to ben with hym thedyr to gon.
and whanne the dewk herde this tydyng,
the dewk hym purveyed jn alle thing,
and abowtes sente faste to his meyne
hym helpen forto socoure jn that degre.
and they senten answere aȝen there,
they wolden jt don to here powere.
thanne seide the dewk to his cownseylle,
he ne hadde but twey castelis þat myhte avaylle—
“whiche nethir of thike two
he schal neuere wynne, what he kan do.
þerfore jn tyndagel j schal leven Ygwerne,
and ten knyhtes hire forto governe,
the wheche of non assawt ȝyven cure
of non man lyvenge, J ȝow enswre.
and to the tothyr j wele go,
þere to defenden me fro my fo,
For of non assawt j ne rekke,
thowh he aȝens me ordeyne neuer so wykke!”
and that castel ful strong he gan to make
al only for the kynges Sake.
thanne to þe kyng comen þe messengeres ageyn,
and tolden þe answere to þe kyng, ful pleyn,
that he wolde defenden hym to his myht,
as he was trewe an a gentyl knyht.
thanne sente the kyng aftyr his barown
thorwh-owt al his regiown,
and made hem to semblen al jn fere
atte the entre of the dewkis lond þere,
beside a ryver jn a fair mede;
the barowns þere semblede jn þat stede.
and whanne they weren assembled euerichon,
the kyng rehersed the dispyt anon

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that the dewk dyde jn his plas,
at his feste there he was.
and thus entred þe kyng with his meyne
jnto þe dewkis lond, ful Sykerle,
and there sesede he al his lond,
as J do ȝow now forto vndirstond.
thanne was Jt told to the kyng
that jn tyndagel, with-owten lesyng,
that þere-jnne was Ygwerne þat dewchesse
Jn strong hold and jn distresse,
and the dewk jn a-nothyr castel was,
that was not allynges so strong a plas.
thanne axede the kyng anon cownsaille,
whiche castel he scholde ferst assaylle.
thanne cownseille they ȝoven hym everichon
that ferst to the dewkys he scholde gon.
and þerto the kyng grauntyd as faste,
and to that castel anon ryden they jn haste.
thanne spak the kyng to vlphyn tho,
and axede hym there what he scholde do.
“but ȝif that j myhte Sen ygwerne,
of sore morneng kan non man me werne.”
thanne seide vlphyn to hym ageyne:
“ȝit a while ȝe mosten Suffren peyne;
for a thing þat may not ȝit be,
to the ende moste ben suffred, parde!”
Longe lay the kyng At this Castel,
but hit avayllede hym nevere a del,
So that he was Jn his gret morneng,
for to that castel he myhte don non thing,
and alther most for love of the dewchesse,
whiche browhte his herte jn gret distresse.
So that vppon a day, as jt fyl thore,
jn his pavylown he wepte ful sore.
and his meyne gonnen it to aspye,
and thens they wenten ful prevylye.

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thanne cam vlphyn and that aspyde,
and jn to hym goth at that Tyde.
Anon whanne he him say wepen thore,
hit hym ouerthowhte wondyrly sore,
and he axede the kyng why he wepte tho.
“what nede is to the to askyn me so?
For weten ȝe wel that j schal deye
for ygwernes love, certeynlye,
and that is now my destyne,
For bothen mete and drynk js benomen me,
and al kende reste is bereft me fro,
that good oþer ese ony man Scholde do.”
whanne that vlphyn herde al this:
“of Feble herte ȝe ben, j-wys,
For a wommans love that ȝe scholen deye.
let be, for schame, and nowht so seye!
but wylen ȝe aftyr my cownseylle wende,
anon aftyr merlyne that ȝe sende,
where that evere he mowe be fownde,
that he to ȝow come with-jnne a stownde.
for he kan ȝeven ȝow ful good cownseylle,
that to ȝowre herte it schal wel avaylle.
and grauntyth hym, so god ȝow save,
For his labour what he wyle haue!
For he kan Jt riht ful wel do,
and non man but he, j seye ȝow so.”
thanne quod the kyng: “that wot j wel,
he is ful konneng everydel,
and j wot wel he knoweth al my distresse;
but that he be wroth with this, j gesse,
For the place at the table assayed was
at cardweille, jn that ryal plas;
and so then it is now longes ago
that he to me ne cam not to.
and j trowe it ouerthenketh him thore
that my liges wif j loue so sore.
but Sertes, j ne may non other do,
whethir it torne me to wele oþer wo.

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and j wot wel he wil me telle myn entent,
that this was þe cause J fore hym sent.”
“of on thing,” quod vlphin, “J schal ȝow telle:
he is heyl and sownd jn flesch and felle.
and ȝif he ȝow love as ȝe suppose he do,
he wyl non while now ben ȝow fro,
ȝif that he knowe ȝowre distresse
owther ony part of ȝoure hevynesse;
that sone tydynges scholen ȝe here
of hym, and þerfore be of ryht good chere!”
Thus comforted sire vlphyn the kyng,
and bad hym to beleven his morneng,
and þere to senden aftyr his men,
and to hem gret joye to make than;
his peyne so scholde he thanne forȝete,
and solace and mirthe there to hym gete.
the kyng hym seide, he wolde so do—
“but my love may j not forȝeten so.”
thanne thus the castel the kyng gan assaile,
but lytel oþer nowht jt dede hym avaylle.
Jt happede vppon a day that vlphyn rod
thorwh-owt þe ost, and not abod,
And mette there With a semly man,
that this Sire vlphyn knew not than.
thanne seide this good man to vlphyn tho:
“Sire, j wolde with ȝow speken a word oþer two.”
thanne seide sire vlphyn to hym ageyn:
“and with ȝow, Sire, now jn certeyn!”
So forth they wenten, ful wel j wot,
vlphyn on hors-bak, & þe good man on fot.
and there Sire vlphyn alyht a-down
with that good man to han Som resown.
Sire vlphyn axede what he was.
he seide: “as an old man ȝe sen jn þis plas,
and of my ȝowthe wysdom j kan
as mochel as som other man”—
and þere tolde vlphyn of manye a thyng

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that to vlphyn there was wel knoweng,
and atte laste tolde hym Jn cownseyl
how he hadde j-ben atte Tyndagel,
and that but lytel while ago—
“where as a good man Seide me vnto
that ȝowre kyng lovede the dewkis wyf,
and for hire distressed sore of his lif,
and ȝoure kyng hath distroyed his lond,
For he ladde ygwerne from cardweill, j vndirstond.
and, Sire, and ȝe wylen vndirstonden me,
ȝif ȝowre kyng wyle ȝeven me large fe,
J knowe where that is a good man
that ȝow with ygwerne schal don speken than,
and that ful wel kan cownseillen ȝoure kyng
of al his love to haven fondyng.”
and whanne that vlphyn herde al this,
he merveillede what man he was, j-wis,
and preide hym to leven alle manere of thing,
and that man to bringen to the kyng
that of his love him cowde cownseille,
the bettere that it hym myhte avaylle.
thanne seide this olde man ageyn:
“j wile ferst knowen my wages, certeyn.”
thanne axede of hym vlphyn there:
“where schal j ȝow fynde, telle me now here.”
“To morwen ȝe scholen me here fynde
betwene this and þe ost, haue þis jn mynde.”
and so there departyd they ful snelle,
and seide to vlphyn þat he wolde hym telle
vppon the morwen Swiche tydyng—
“that to thin herte schal ben gret lykyng.”
Anon Sire vlphyn to the kyng gan gon,
and told hym these wordis everichon.
thanne, whanne the kyng herde al this,
he lowhe and made gret joye and blis.
thanne seide the kyng to vlphyn aȝe:
“knowe ȝe þat man, and ȝe hym se?”
“ȝe, sire, it is ryht an old man

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and feble, as j discryven kan.”
“Sire vlphin, whanne hath he behoten the
aȝen to meten with ȝow, certeinle?”
“To morwen j moste with hym mete,
and hym to tellen what ȝe him behete.”
thanne seide the kyng, with-owten drede:
“thedyr, vlphyn, j preye thou me lede!”
“Sire, gladly,” quod vlphyn, “that wyl j do.”
“and ȝif behynden me ȝe speken hym vnto,
So behoteth hym what he wyle have,
oþer ony thing that he wyle of ȝow crave!”
and thus abyden they al that nyht,
and the kyng was bothe joyful and lyht,
mochel meriere thanne he was to-fore,
that ony of his men knewen thore.
On the morwe, aftyr masse, thanne vlphyn rod,
and the kyng aftyr not longe abod,
but rod jnto swich a partye
As he Was Gyded, sekerlye.
and whanne the ost they gonnen to pase,
a lame man Syen they jn that plase,
that nethir ne myht gon ne Se,
thus semed hem, ful certeinle.
So that anon they pasten hym by,
and thussone he sette vpe a lowd Cry.
he seide: “sire kyng, god fulfille thi wille,
alle that thin herte desireth vntylle!
and ȝif þou wilt ȝeven me ony thyng,
j schal fulfille thyn owne desireng.”
thanne loked the kyng on vlphin ful snelle,
and seide: “is thys he that scholde me telle
of myn desir and of myn honour?
how hast þou, vlphyn, don thyn labour?”
“Nay, Sire,” quod vlphyn, “jt nis not he
that j schold hauen, Sire, Sikerle,
that scholde me tellen of thy chawnse,
jt nys not he, with-owten variaunce.”

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“knowest thou him that scholde meten the,
and of thing that j most love, to tellen me?
go thow to hym, & thus thou say,
that j the to hym sente this day,
and þat he schal have that he wyle axen of me,
of that j am jn sesyd, ful Sekerle;
he schal it haven at his owne wille,
ȝif that my desir he wyl fulfille!”
vlphyn this word non thing ne took,
but sette hym down, and þe arende forsook,
besides this lame man sette hym adown.
thussone of vlphyn he axede a resown,
and axede of hym what he dide there,
and for what thing he cam forto enqwere.
he seide: “the kyng sente me to the,
and me to the hath ȝoven, ful sikerle.”
thanne gan to lawhen this man anon,
and seide þat—“þe kyng parceyved me son,
and knoweth me bettere thanne þou dost,
and seeth in me more thanne thou wost.
j wile that thou knowe, certeinle,
that thike old man me sente to the;
but of non thing j wyl the telle
of owht þat he to me of gan spelle.
go thow forth faste to the kyng,
and seie hym: and he wil hauen his askyng,
grete ȝiftes moste he ȝeven, Jn fay,
his wil to parforme, ȝif that J may.
For fulsone hadde he parceyved me,
þerfore þe bettere with hym schal it be.”
“Fayn wolde j,” quod vlphin, “of ȝow enqwere,
what that ȝe ben, to tellen me here.”
“Axe thou thy kyng,” thanne seide this man,
“For he ful wel tellen the can.”
thanne to horsbak wente vlphyn anon,
and faste aftyr the kyng gan he gon.
and whanne the kyng Sawh hym comen rydynge:
“vlphyn, wherto comest þou, and for what thinge?
whanne to that man ȝaf j the,

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wherto comest þou aȝen to me?”
thanne seide vlphyn to hym ageyn:
“he seith ȝe knewen hym, jn certeyn,
and konnen me tellen what that he is;
thus to me, Sire kyng, he seide j-wys.”
“Sye thou that man that spak to the
jn semblaunce of an old man so feythfulle?—
and this man that thow sye here this day,
al it is on, Sire vlphin, with-owten nay.”
“A, Sire kyng, how may this be, Sure,
that a man him-self scholde disfegure?”
“Ȝe, Syre, J Hym knowe Wel and fyne,
For this same man, it js merlyne!”
Aȝen thanne wenten they bothe jn fere
anon with merlyne to speken there.
and merlyne was gon to þe kynges tente
jn his ryht Semblaunce, veramente,
and axede aftyr the kyng anon.
thanne to seken wente messengeres þusson,
and metten the kyng, and him tolde
that merlyne was comen and hym haven wolde.
thanne was the kyng so joyful a man,
that on word ne cowde he speken than,
but tornede ageyn with al his myht,
and to hym clepede vlphyn ful ryht,
and seide: “it is as j the seye:
Merlyne js comen now, certeinlye!”
quod vlphyn: “now that ȝe haven hym at ȝowre wille,
alle ȝoure desire he may fulfylle.
and loke þat [ȝe] graunten hym that he wyl have,
owther of ȝoure good what he wyl krave,
For þere nys no man þat kan so wel as he
to ygwernes love ȝow bryngen, sykerle.”
thanne to hym seide the kyng ageyn:
“his wille wile j fulfillen, certeyn!”
Thus riden they forth to þe kynges tente,
there Fownden merlyn anon presente.

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and whanne the kyng hym gan aspye,
to hym he ran ful hastylye,
and hym embraced, and kyste also,
and ful gret joye he made him tho,
and seide that ryht welcomen he was,
and often hym kyste jn that plas,
and seide: “to ȝow j wolde me compleyne,
but ȝe knowen it as wel as j, certeyne;
For was there neuere non man
that me can declaren that ȝe kan;
and þerfore j preye ȝow, for charite,
of myn hertly desir to helpen me!”
“j vndirstonde ȝow wel, with-owten nay,
but with-owten [vlphyn] j schal nowht Say.”
thanne wenten they alle thre on syde,
and jn cownseill spoken that jlke tyde.
thanne tolde the kyng to Merlyne anone
that to vlphyn he tolde thussone—
“that ȝe weren that olde man,
and sethen the toþer þat he beheld than.”
thanne vlphyn faste beheld him there:
“may it so ben jn ony manere,
lyk as the kyng here telleth me?”
“ȝe, Sire vlphyn,” quod merlyne, “certeinle!
For assone as he the to me sente,
thanne wist y wel he hadde knoweliching, veramente.”
“Now, Sire kyng,” quod vlphyn thanne,
“Speke ȝe to merlyne, this good manne,
of Swich thinges as ȝe haven to do,
and that he wolde ȝow helpen þerto.”
thanne seide the kyng to hym ageyn
that—“j kan neþer non thing don ne seyn,
that he ne knoweth myn hole entent,
thowh j scholde maken lesynges, verament.
and sethen that al myn herte þat he doth knowe
and alle myn prevy thowhtes vppon a rowe,
wherefore j preye ȝow, for charyte,
To Ygwernes love that ȝe helpen me.

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and what thing that evere thou biddest me do,
J schal it fulfillen with-owten mo!”
thanne seide to hym merlyne ageyn:
“and thow wilt fulfyllen, jn certeyn,
Of thing that j schal axen of the,
Ryht Wel thyn Arende J-sped schal be,
and jn hire chambre schalt thow Slepe,
and jnto hire bed schalt thow lepe,
and liggen to-gederis bothe two,
body to body, er that thow go.”
thanne gan to lawhen Sire vlphyn,
whanne he herde that so spak merlyn.
thanne seide the kyng to Merlyne tho:
“herkeneth now what j sey ȝow vnto:
loke what maner of thing that ȝe wilen crave;
and it mowe be fownden, ȝe scholen it have!”
thanne answeryd merlyne, ful certeinle:
“how þere-offen myht y Syker now be?”
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne ageyn:
“what Sewraunce axen ȝe, sey me ful pleyn,
and j schal fulfillen thy wille,
what so evere come me vntylle!”
“j wyle that vlphyn swere to me
that þere-offen siker schal j be.
and whanne to me hath he sworn everydel,
vppon the morwen, wete thou ryht wel
that al thy wil schalt thow have
of me, swich thing as þou dost crave.”
thanne seide the kyng, he wolde fulfille
alle þat evere he seide hym vntylle.
thanne axede Merlyne of vlphyn there
ȝif that Sewrawnce he wolde swere.
“jt forthenketh me,” quod vlphyn, “trewely,
that oth to swere, natheles wele j.”
Whanne merlyne herde this acord,
anon gan he lawhen at that word,
and axede whanne þe Surawnce mad scholde be.
thanne anon the kyng let bryngen, Sykerle,
alle the reliques that he hadde there,

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and his oþer holy thinges Jn fere;
and þere-vppon Sworen they bothe two
that merlyne to hem devisede tho.
and they sworen be his Sewrawnce,
jt scholde be don with-owten variawnce,
with-owten frawde other mal-engyne;
this oth Sworen they to merlyne.
and aftyr this, with-owten dowtaunce,
the kyng to vlphyn swor, with-owten variaunce,
To kepen sekerly that he hadde hyht,
as that he was a trewe knyht.
thanne seide the kyng to merlyne tho:
“Now sethen oure Surawnce þat we have do,
that ȝe wolden don that ȝe hauen hyht,
and therto to putten alle ȝowre myht,
my desir forto don and to fulfille
of thyke that j spak to ȝow of vntylle!”
thanne seide merlyne to the kyng:
“ȝow behoveth over alle maner thing
to ben sad Jn ȝowre governaunce,
For sche is wis, with-owten varyaunce,
and therto trewe aȝens god and man.
and now the sothe j schal preven ȝow than,
what power j haue hyre forto engyne,
ȝe scholen now heren be craft myne.
the semblaunce of þe dewk j wyl putten to the,
that non man schal ȝow from hym knowen, sikerle.
and thike dewk hath two knyhtes,
that he trosteth passyng owt-ryhtes,
and to hym they ben most preve
of alle þe men jn cristyente,
and to Ygwerne they ben also
the prevyest men that mown go.
the ton of hem Sire Bretel hyhte,
The tothir, jordayns, a man of myhte.
And Bretelis semblaunce j wil take,
And Vlphyn Jordayns Schal not Forsake.
so the castel gates j schal don vndo,
and jn to entren, with-owten mo,
alle thre jn this Semblaunce;

146

thus scholen we gon, with-owten variaunce.
but whanne we gon alle jn fere,
ȝoure barowns aȝen þat ȝe retourne þere,
and chargeth hem jn alle wyse
that to þe castel they maken non aprise
jnto þe tyme that ȝe comen ageyn;
that ȝe hem ȝyven warneng ful pleyn.
and that to non man that ȝe sende
whedyr ȝe schole gon, j ȝow forfende.”
thanne swor the kyng be his oth,
he wold it not don for lef ne loth.
“thanne Trosteth me, with-owten variaunces,
J schal ȝow delyveren these semblaunces.”
Anon the kyng dyde his devere
of thinges that merlyne comanded hym þere.
and whanne that thus hadde he do,
thanne anon to merlyne gan he go,
and seide: “j have fulfild ȝowre byddyng,
Now do ȝe myn ouer alle thyng!”
“Lete vs remeve,“ quod merlyne, “welsone,
and alle thre to-gederis scholen we gone.”
So longe alle thre to-gederis paste,
that to tyndagel they comen atte laste.
thanne seide merlyne to the kyng:
“betwixen vlphyn and me make ȝoure abydyng.”
and whanne merlyne hadde wrowht al his thyng,
thanne seide he anon to the kyng:
“Take ȝe this herbe that is here,
and Frote ȝowre visage al jn fere,
ȝoure hondis, ȝoure body, ȝoure feet also;
jn alle wyse that ȝe thus do.”
the kyng thanne dide his comaundement.
thanne hadde he hol semblaunce, verament,
lik as the dewk it hadde j-be,
j Seye ȝow, Sires, ful certeinle.
thanne cam merlyne to þe kyng:

147

“be-thenke ȝow now of a thyng:
ȝif evere jordayn that ȝe sye.”
“ȝis,” quod the kyng thanne, “Sekerlye!”
thussone hadde vlphyn jordayns lyknesse;
To-forn the kyng he gan him dresse.
and whanne the kyng beheld al this,
he merveilled howh it myhte ben, j-wis.
thanne axede the kyng of vlphyn there:
“how thenkest þou be my semblaunce here?”
“Sire,” quod vlphyn, “be this day
j knowe ȝow not but for þe dewk, jn fay!”
and the kyng him tolde, with-owten varyawnce,
that evene hadde he jordayns Semblawnce.
and thanne loked they bothe vppon merlyn tho,
and Bretelis semblaunce hem semede bothe two.
thanne thus abyden they al jn fere,
tyl that the day was past so clere.
and whanne the day was over past,
toward the castel they comen jn hast,
and comen to the castel gate,
and merlyne, as Bretel, clepid þere-ate.
thanne þe meyne that was þere with-jnne,
comen to the ȝate, and wolden not blynne.
and whanne they Syen the dewk verrayly,
as to here Semeng, ful certeinly:
“openeth the ȝate, taketh jn ȝowre lord!”
thus seide merlyne jn Bretelis word.
thanne thowhten alle þat with-jnne weren than,
that it was the dewk, Bretel, & jordayn.
thanne Bretel charged al that meyne
That jn alle thinges they scholde kepen it preve—
“And telleth non man of the dukes comenge,
J ȝow charge aboven alle thynge.”
but certein peple jnowe þere were
that the dwchesse it tolde to there.
and tyl they comen jnto þe jnnere paleys,
er thanne wolde they not Ses.

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and merlyn took the kyng on side,
and hym cownseilled that jlke tyde
that of lyht chere he Scholde be.
and so jnto chambre wenten they alle thre,
there as Ygwerne on bedde lay;
alle thre they weren, the sothe to say.
and as hastely as they myhte,
the kyng sone they gonnen vndyhte,
tyl that with ygwerne jn bedde he was,
where Arthewr was be-geten jn þat plas.
gret Joye thanne made that lady,
that hire lord wende haue had, verrayly,
which that sche lovede Jn herte and thowht;
but thanne anothir was to hire j-browht.
and thus to-gederis they lyen that nyht,
the dwchesse and that gentyl knyht,
and tyl on the morwen, that it was day,
that jn the town they gonne to say
that the dewk j-slayn there was,
and his styward taken Jn that plas.
Anon cam merlyne ful prevyly
þere as the kyng lay the lady by,
and seide: “Sire, now ryseth vp anon,
For merveillous tydynges here now gon,
that algates ȝe scholden ben ded;
þerfore rise vpe owt of this sted!
and that ȝe weren at ȝowre castel,
For al ȝowre peple weneth ful wel
that Sekerly ȝe scholden ben slayn;
Swiche wordis ben comen, Jn certayn.”
“Non wondir,” quod the kyng tho,
“For so prevyly j gan from hem go,
that there-offen ne wyste knyht ne sweyne
Sauf onliche J and ȝe tweyne.”
thanne vpe he ros, and non lengere abod,
and to-forn hem alle that there stod
he took his leve of gentyl Ygwerne,
and hire often kyste, and wolde not werne,

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and isswed owt of that castel,
that be hym Supposede non man but wel.
And whanne that owt they weren j-gon,
thanne seide merlyne to the kyng anon:
“J haue the fulfyld myn covenaunt,
that j the made, and myn avenant,
and þerfore loke that thou holde me myne,”
Seide to the kyng thanne merlyne.
“that is ful trewe,” quod the kyng tho,
“Ful good Servyse ȝe han me do.
bettere neuere man to oþer don myhte,
as that j am a gentyl knyhte.
and therfore thy mede qwyten J schal,
as j am trewe kyng j-kyd oueral.
Sey on what thyng that thow wilt crave,
and Feithfully thou schalt it haue!”
thanne seide Merlyne to hym ageyn:
“An eyr thow hast be-getyn, jn certeyn,
vppon Ygwerne that dewchesse,
which is a sone, jn ful Sekernesse,
and that child hast thou ȝoven me
For my gwerdoun, Sire, Sikerle.
and loke that thou wryte bothe day and owr
That thou hast wrowht this dishonowr;
thanne schalt thou knowen in eche weye
Ȝyf Jt be trowthe that J the seye.”
Anon Riht so thanne dede the kyng,
and fulfilled al his askyng.
So thanne reden they forth al jn fere,
Tyl that they comen to on revere,
and there they weschen hem alle thre
here owne Semblaunce to haven, sekerle.
So pasten they forth in gret haste,
tyl to here ost they comen atte laste.
and whanne that his meyne gan hym aspye,
abowtes hym they flokkeden hastelye,
and of hem axede he anon

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how that the dewk ded was so son.
and they hym tolden, ful certeynlye,
how that cas befyl, ful openlye:
“Jt happede, as sone as ȝe were gon,
Ful preve we kepten vs everychon;
and that parceyved the dewk thussone,
that owt of the ost ȝe were gone,
and dyde armen his men jn haste,
that so on vs they comen welfaste,
and mochel harm deden on owre meyne.
anon to armes thanne gonnen we fle,
and vppon hem we precede welfaste,
tyl to the ȝates we comen atte laste.
So there the dewk fawht sore, certeyn,
tyl that his hors vndyr hym was Slayn,
and there the dewk was beten adown
with ȝowre men abowtes jn virown,
whiche that knewen hym non thyng,
that so cawhte he there his endyng.
and the remenaunt of his meyne fowhten wel sore,
whanne that they syen here lord ded thore.”
Thanne ouerthowhte the kyng ful sore, j-wis,
of the dewkys deth, with-owten mys.

[Chapter V]

Thus, as this Storye Reherseth wel,
Ended the dewk of tyndagel;
and the kyng ouerthowhte welsore
of the aventure þat was fallen thore.
Anon his cownseyl thanne dide he calle
This trespas to a-menden forth withalle,
and that his meyne hym blamen ne scholde,
but that amendis fayn maken he wolde.
thanne be-spak vlfyn, ful certeynle,
that with the kyng was ful preve.
“Sire,” seide vlphyn, “sethen jt is now so,
nedly amendis moste be do.”
thanne took vlphyne the barowns on syde,
and with hem cownseilede at that tyde.

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“how mown we best amendes make
to this lady for hire lordis sake
and to hire frendes everychon,
that for his deth maken gret mon?
of wheche the kyng now doth ȝow preye
hym to cownseillen jn the beste weye.”
“that welen we don with good wille,
and owre wittes it fulfylle.
but, goode vlphyn, alle we ȝow preye,
the beste cownseille þat ȝe welen vs seye,
For ȝe knowen best the kynges entent,
what he thynketh to don, verament.”
“hopen ȝe thanne that j am so preve
with the kyng Jn alle degre?”
“Sere, ȝe, we knowen the for a wys man,
and mochel of good cownseyl thow can.”
thanne seide vlphyn to hem ageyn:
“myn avis j schal ȝow seyn, certeyn,
and thanne ȝif ony bettere ȝe konnen do,
that ȝe wolde seyen jt me vnto.
J wolde that the kyng wolde don sende
Alle abowtes, jnto everich ende
Where that the dewk Hath ony meyne,
at Tyndagel to maken Semble.
and thedyr wolde j that the kyng wente
there with hem to meten jn good entente,
and don his Frendis comen hym before,
and also the lady that is thore.
so that the kyng hym qwyten schal, certeynle,
afore alle the peple that there be;
that ȝif they Refusen his proferyng,
ȝe scholen holden hem folis ouer alle thing,
and the kyng to holden a passyng wys man,
that so mochel wele proferyn hem than.”
thanne answerede these barowns ageyn:
“to ȝow we acorden, Jn certeyn!”
thanne comen they alle to-fore the kyng,
and tolden hym al of here cownseyllyng,
and how they cownseilled hem betwen;
what therby hym thowhte, now let Sen:

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Anon the kyng concentyd therto,
and comanded messengeris faste forto go
with his lettres jnto eche contre,
To the dewkis kennesmen, ful sekerle,
and that to hym they scholde comen echon,
Jn pes and trews to comen an gon,
and there amendement to maken, certeyne,
of alle thing they wolde compleyne.
ȝit thowhte the kyng thanne ful wel
Forto remeve jnto Cardewel.
thanne merlyne to the kyng cam anon,
and to hym tolde there thusson:
“weten ȝe hos js this cownsaylle?”
“Nay,” quod the kyng, “with-owten faille,
but that al my Baronye
hath me thus cownceilled, trewelye!”
“Nay,” quod merlyne, “jt nys not so,
But vlphynes cownseyl halpe þerto.
For he is bothe wis and war,
and þe pes amonges hem declarede thar
bettere thanne alle they cowden devyse
owther it ordeynen Jn ony wyse.”
thanne axede the kyng of merlyn
what thing it was that thowhte vlphyn.
and þere merlyn declared hym anon
alle vlphynes thowhtes everichon.
and whanne the kyng herde al this,
Ful mochel Joye he made, j-wys.
“how thenken ȝe?” quod the kyng tho,
“myht it ony wyse bettere be do?”
“Nay,” quod merlyne, “ful Sekerle,
Jt is the beste cownseille þat may be;
thanne hast thow thyn hertly entent,
that thou hast desired, verament.
Now from the thanne wele j gon,
but with vlphyn and the j wele speken alon.
and whanne from ȝow that j am past,
thanne mihtest þou axen vlphyn jn hast

153

how that this pes he gan ordeygne.”
and þe kyng seide he wolde, certeygne.
Anon thanne clepede the kyng vlphyn
To come spekyn with hym and with merlyn.
thanne seide merlyne jn here precense:
“Sere, ȝe me grawntyd, with-owten offense,
that j scholde haven, to ȝowre powere,
the child which that is ȝow[re] eyre,
whiche ȝe begoten on that dewchesse,
that noble lady, ful of humbelnesse,
whiche non resown that jt is
That ȝe it kepen to ȝowre ews, j-wis.
For ȝe han put þat tyme in escript,
For that the trowthe ȝe scholde Wyt.
and ek also ȝe knowen ryht wel
that by me ȝe engendred it everydel;
So that the Synne Js most myn,
ȝif j it not brynge to othyr fyn.
and ek the modyr aschamed scholde be
hyt Forto Norschen, ful Sekerle;
For wommen ne haven non wyt therto
here owne cownseille to helen so.
therefore wolde J that vlphyn here
me wrot a bylle be ony manere,
bothe the nyht and ek the owr
whanne thou dedest that goode labowr.
For no more schalt thou me Se
Tyl the day of his birthe, ful sekerle,
and that same nyht he schal be bore.
but of on thing j preye the be-fore:
that ȝe leven vlphyn, what so he say,
be it be nyht owther be day.
For nothing ne wele he tellen the,
but that profit & worschepe to þe schal be.
For the Sixe mownthes aftyr this
with the ne schal j speken, j-wys,
and with the to speken at that tym,

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but onlich schal j speken with vlphyn.
and what that evere to hym j seye,
loke ȝe it beleven be ony weye!”
Thus wrot vlphyn thengendrynge
there anon at the kynges byddynge.
and merlyne took the kyng on Syde,
and hym there tolde at that tyde:
“Syre kyng, Ygwerne thou schalt take,
and trostyly sche schal be thy make.
and loke thow be war Jn alle degre
that sche ne knowe nothing of the,
Neþer that thou hast be hire j-leye;
j the defende be ony weye.
For that schal ben cause, wel þou wost,
that sche wele offen abaschen hire most.
For ȝif thow axe that lady mylde
be whom that sche goth so with childe,
sche schal not konnen the answere
ho that is the fadyr, Jn non manere,
So þat gret schame to hire schal be,
whanne þou to hire spekyst of swich degre.’
Thus took merlyne his leve there,
and the kyng and vlphyn leften jn fere,
and gonnen to taken here jornay
streyht to cardwell, the sothe to say.
and merlyne forth to Blasye wente
hym forto tellen his hol entente
of this aventure and othere mo;
Jnto scripture they deden it tho.
So now we knowen be that scripture
of these aventures, J ȝow enswere.
and whanne the kyng cam to kardweille,
anon sente he aftyr his cownseylle,
and axede hem what was best to do
of this pes-makyng, with-owten mo.
thanne answered they hym anon ageyn:
“pes to þe dewchesse maken, jn certeyn,

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and to the dewkes Frendis also,
that to tyndagel now ben j-go”—
and that they scholde agreen ouer al thing
jn resoun to acordement of the kyng.
Thus wenten the barowns to tyndagel,
and the kyng abod at cardweille,
And took vlphyn there thanne onside,
And to hym seide there Jn that tyde,
and axede hym of that cownseyl there,
how þerby hym lykede Jn his manere.
and he answerede: “sire, ryht wel
me liketh therby now every del.”
thanne seide the kyng to hym ageyn:
“vlphyn, the pes thow hast ordeyned, certeyn,
and with-jnne thyn herte thou hast it knyt,
and what it is, wel knowe Jch Jt!”
“thanne, ȝif that the pes be ordeyned by me,
and ȝif ȝe it knowen thanne, Sykerle,
thanne connen ȝe the sothe Seye,
ȝif that it owht ȝow plese, Jn feye.”
Anon thanne answerede þe kyng vlphyn,
and seide: “it pleseth me now wel and fyn,
and lyk so as thow devised hast here,
J wolde it were wrowht Jn alle manere.”
“Nou, goode sere, entermete ȝow non thing,
J schal it bryngen to good endyng.”
Therto the kyng him preyde ful faste,
and that Jt myhte be don Jn al haste.
thus endyd they here cownsaille,
and forth wenten the messengeris, with-owten faille,
Tyl that they comen to Tyndagel,
where as they fownden that lady Lel
and alle the dewkis Frendis also,
that to that lady j-comen weren tho.
thanne tolde these messengeres þere anon,
Toforn tho lordis everichon,
how that worthy dewk of high parage
there was slayn be his owne owtrage,
and seiden that the kyng ouerthowht ryht sore
of that dede that was don thore,

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wherfore gladly he wolde maken the pes—
“and therfore vs hider he ches
To that lady and his kyn also;
This is the cause we comen ȝow to.”
thanne sien wel the ladyes cownsail
that forto stryven, it wolde not avail,
and concentyd ful wel hem to.
And to that lady they wenten tho,
and tolden hire the answere, as it was,
of þe kynges messengeres jn þat plas,
and how he was slayn be owtrage—
“ȝowre worthy lord of hygh parage.
and wete ȝe wel now, jn certeyn,
that aȝens the kyng mown ȝe not geyn.
and þerfore lesteneth and tent that ȝe take
what maner of pes that the kyng wyl make.
and jn swich manere mown they seye,
that they scholen not ben refused, jn feye.
For of tweyne badde it is good to take
the bettere, and jt not forsake.
lo, lady, thus to ȝow we Say,
now ȝe mown don as ȝow liketh this day!”
Thanne answerid this lady ageyn:
“ȝowre cownseyl j nele forsaken, certeyn,
For of my lordis cownseyl ȝe were,
and so of myn ȝe scholen ben here.
For j ne knowe non better jn my lond,
That j myhte better trosten, j vndirstond.”
Thanne departyd they from here cownseyl anon,
and to the kynges messengeris gonne they gon.
thanne [on] of the wisest to hem Spak there,
and thus hem answerede Jn this manere:
“Jt Js my ladyes hol entent
to weten what þe kyng meneth, verament,
of hire lord, that thus ded Js,
what his mendis scholde ben, with-owten mys.”
thanne answerede the messengeris ageyn:

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“we knowen not þe kynges wille, jn certeyn,
But that he ful pes and gryth Wyle make
to this lady for hire lordis Sake,
and bad that ȝe scholden vs leve,
For as we seyn, he wyl Jt preve.”
“thanne hopen we þe kyng wyl don wel
and a-menden jt everydel,
and so trewe we holden ȝow therto,
so that non otherwyse ȝe wylen do.”
thus was ajorned jnto the xv day
thanne aftyr next Seweng, with-owten delay,
that the lady and hire cownsaylle
to-forn the kyng schold comen, with-owten faylle,
To heren there the kynges wylle—
“what a-mendement he wele don ȝow vntylle.”
thanne seide the ladyes conseil ageyn:
“we wilen gladliche, Jn certeyn,
So that we sauf cowndyt have
From tyndagel thedyr to comen save,
and from cardweille to tyndagel aȝen;
lo, thus acordyd alle we ben.”
thus knytten they vpe that ende þere,
and hom they wenten jn fair manere,
and tolden the kyng every del
how that here massage was endyd wel,
and that þe lady cowndyt wolde have—
“that sche to ȝow myht comen Save.”
thanne answerede the kyng a-geyn:
“Sche ne axeth but resown, Jn certeyn!”
thus at Cardweylle Soiorned the kyng,
and with hym vlphyn Jn cownceillyng,
and spoken of manye dyvers matere,
whiles that they weren bothe jn fere.
that so aȝens the fyftenethe day
the kyng Sente saufcondit, with-owten delay;
So that the lady and hire cownsaille,
To Cardweille comen they, sauns faille.
and whanne assembled they weren echon,
the kynges conseil and they Jn on,
thanne let the kyng of hem enqwere,

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what amendis that they wolden asken þere.
thanne answerede the ladyes conseil ageyn:
“this was not owre comeng, jn certeyn,
Forto asken here ony thyng,
but to knowen the wyl of the kyng,
and what pes and what acord
he wolde maken for this worthy lord.
and this is owre ladyes entent,
we seye ȝow, sires, now verament.”
thanne the cownseyl vppon the kynges side
anon to the kyng comen that tyde,
and tolden hym of the ladyes answere,
that be hire conseyl sche seide there.
and whanne the kyng herde al this,
a wys lady he held hire, J-wys.
thanne clepyd he his Barowns everichon,
anon to conseyl thanne gonnen they gon,
and axede of hem jn what manere
they thowhten forto maken þe pes þere.
thanne answered the cownseyl ageyn:
“we knowen non so wel, jn certeyn,
that þe pes kan ordeynen and make
So wel as ȝe for the dewkis Sake.”
thanne seide the kyng to hem there:
“jn ȝowre ordenaunce j have put it here,
and what that evere to me ȝe do,
certeyn, j wele concenten þerto,
and neuere ȝowre ordenaunce j schal with-seye,
what so evere ȝe demen, jn feye!”
thanne answerede the cownseil tho:
“Sire, a gret charge ȝe putten vs vnto,
That we ne doren not vndirtake,
But ȝif that Sewraunce ȝe Welen vs make
that what so evere we granten of the,
there-offen to haven non mawgre.”
thanne spak vlphyn with-owten taryeng:
“j trowe that a fool ȝe holden the kyng,
whanne ȝe welen not beleven his word,
þat he to ȝow seith be his owne acord!”
“ȝis, hym beleven we, ful Sekerlye,

159

but of on thyng we wolden hym preye:
that ȝe with vs myhten be
this pes forto enden feythfulle,
and to discuren to the kyng
what that Js owre conseillyng;
and we after ȝoure conseil wil do,
what so evere belonge þerto.”
Whanne the kyng herde hem axen this,
Semblaunce of gladnesse he made, j-wys,
and seide to vlphyn with wordis sadde:
“A riche man j haue the made,
ek norsched, and wis þou art þerto;
þerfore with hem schalt þou forth go
and conseille hem as thou best can,
For j holde the a ful wys man.”
thanne seide vlphyn to the kyng:
“Sire, j ȝow warne of on thyng:
that kyng ne prynce owhte not to be
to famulyer with his meyne,
Nethyr to lowliche he scholde hym make
the hertes of his men forto take.”
thus wente vlphyn to cownseil anon,
and alle the Barowns everichon.
and whanne ensembled they weren jn fere,
thanne axeden they of vlphyn there
what hym thowghte best to do.
thanne seide vlphyn hem vnto:
“wel weten ȝe that the kyng
on vs hath put alle manere of thyng.
Now þerfore to the lady let vs now gon,
to weten ȝif that sche so wyle don!”
thanne wente they forth anon jn hye
to þat lady & to hire conseil, trewelye,
and tolden hem of the kynges wylle,
how he ensured was hem vntylle
and forto holden hym fully agre,
what ende so they maden, Sykerle—
“þerfore we comen to weten of ȝow here
ȝif ȝe wylen don jn that manere.”

160

thanne answereden they, with-owten faille,
here-vppon it were good to taken consaille,
and seiden anon hem be-twene
that in better cas myht it not bene
thanne þe kyng to putten it on his lordynges,
bothe high and lowh, of alle maner of thinges.
“what myhte the kyng bettere do?
þerfore, lady, concenteth ȝe þerto!”
So that this lady with-owten more
Concented to here conseille thore.
thanne was þere mad Siker assuraunce
on bothe partyes, with-owten variaunce.
thanne to conseyl gonne þese barowns gon,
and ech of other enqwered anon;
thanne eche man his avis gan seyn.
Anon of vlphyn axeden they pleyn
how him thowhte be here avys.
“Sires, riht ful wel, as men of prys!
Now myn avis j schal ȝow telle,
and ȝe welen lestene to my spelle.
wel weten ȝe the dewk ded was
be the kynges strengthe jn that plas,
And trespaced non thyng, As J ȝow seye,
jn non cawse, that he scholde deye,
and that the lady Js left with childe,
and þerto hire londis ben mad bothe bare and wilde,
and therto a good womman sche is, Sikerle,
welful of wysdom and of Bownte.
more over the dewkes kynnes-men also
Ful mochel harm & los han cawht þerto.
and þerfore me Semeth ryht good resoun
that the kyng hem make restetucioun,
So that here love he myhte have
and jn his lond to dwellen more save.
On the tothir side ȝe knowen echon,
that owre kyng ne haveth wyf non,
So that me semeth be myn avys,

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the kyng ne may not wel mendyn thys
lasse thanne hire to his wif he take,
and thus hire amendis forto make;
the wheche schal torne hym to honour
and of al his rem to haven favour;
For whanne they heren this jlke pes,
they welen hym loven, with-owten les.
and þat the dewkys dowhter wedden they wolde
To the kyng of orkanye with plente of golde;
and alle þe Remenaunt of his meyne,
Ful wel agreed scholen they be,
so þat they scholen holden hym for a ryht wys kyng,
and him loven and worschepen aboven alle thyng.”
“Now haven ȝe J-herde what J kan say;
now ech man his avis tellith, j ȝow pray,
whethyr that ȝe welen concenten therto
as j have here J-seid, owthir oþer-wyse do.”
thanne answerid they alle anon ageyn:
“we concentyn therto, Jn certeyn,
For the beste conseille thow hast J-told
that ony man myhte Seyn jn this mold!”
“ȝet seyn ȝe not j-now,” quod vlphyn tho,
“but welen ȝe alle concenten therto,
and ȝif ȝe seyn so everychon,
thanne with this answere forth wele j gon.
ȝe sen wel þe kyng of orkeneye js here;
on hym schal stondyn mochel of my matere.”
Thanne tolde vlphyn his avis
To-Forn the kyng and alle his.
whanne the kyng herde this acord,
anon he answerede and seide þis word:
“what that evere on me that ȝe seye,
J schal neuere breken this pes, Jn feye!”
and whanne the tothyr partye herden this,
they helden hem ful agreed, j-wys,
and comen to the kynges tente,

162

and the lady was aftyr sente,
and alle tho that at thike conseyl were,
anon to-forn the kyng they comen there.
thanne, whanne assembled they weren echon,
vlphyn there stood vp ryht anon,
and amonges hem alle declared this pes
Jn every poynt, er that he wolde ses,
and axede of þe barowns, with-owten faylle:
“was not this now ȝowre consaylle?”
Anon therto they acordeden alle,
boþe that weren jn tente oþer jn halle.
thanne seide vlphyn to the kyng:
“how sey ȝe be this acordyng,
thus to maken these good mennes pes
and ek the ladyes here neuertheles?”
“ȝis,” quod the kyng anon tho,
“and the ladyes and here frendis concentyn þerto.”
“More Over We ben Acorded Jn fere
that kyng Loth of orcanye, that Js here,
that the dewkis dowhter he schal wedde,
and as a qwene to his lond ben ledde.”
thanne answered kyng loth ageyn,
and seide to hem there ful pleyn:
“Sires, non thing scholen ȝe bydden me do,
that j wele gladlich concentyn þerto,
So that to the kynges honour it be
oþer profyt to his crowne, certeynle!”
thanne Spak vlphin to þe toþer partye,
that on þe ladyes Side weren, trewelye,
wheche weren ferst pytows & of hevy chere,
and aftyr for joye they wepten there.
and the same that answerede vlphyn thore,
vnnethe myhte speken, he wepte so sore,
and seide þat þer was neuere kyng ne kayser
That bettere amendis myhte maken ther.
thanne wente the cownseil and þe lady jn fere,
and amonges hem they seiden there
that ther was neuere non erthly man
that bettere amendis myht maken than.
“For so just and trewe we knowen þe kyng,

163

that we welen acordyn to this endyng!”
and thus thanne was knyt vpe the pes
on bothe partyes there, with-owten les.
thus wedded vter pendragown
Ygwerne, as tho was resown,
evene vppon þe twentythe day
after that with Ygwerne jn hire chambre he lay.
and ek the same day j-wedded was there
kyng loth of orcanye with merye chere;
and vnder on feste bothe weren they holde
with manye knyhtes bothe worthy and bolde.
Thanne thus the kyng Ygwerne hadde,
and to bedde with hym was ladde—
Tyl that sche barnesched wondir faste.
so that þe kyng hire axede atte laste,
and a nyht, as the kyng be hire lay,
there thus to Ygwerne he gan to say:
“hos is this child, my lady milde,
that ȝe gon with so grete with childe?
For myn ȝe knowen may jt not be,
Sethen j ȝow weddede, ful sikerle;
For jn scripture J-put it Js,
as often as J ȝow knew, j-wys.
And with the dewk with childe not ȝe be,
For hym Syen ȝe not, ful Sikerle,
many day to-forn that he ded was;
with ȝow ne cam he jn non plas.”
and thus the kyng hire chalanged tho,
whiche browht Ygwerne jn mochel wo.
so there anon, ful sore wepyngge,
answerede Igwerne to the kynge:
“non lesyng Schal j maken, Sekerle,
what so evere that ȝe don by me;
and that on me ȝe haven mercye,
For sekerly j ne Schal not lye;
and more over forto ensuren me
that ȝe me Refusen Jn Non degre!”
“seyth on,” thanne quod the kyng,
“and j wyle graunten ȝow ȝoure askyng;

164

so what so evere that ȝe me telle,
For nothing ȝow Forsaken j Nylle.”
Anon whanne that Ygwerne herde this,
Ful joyful thanne was sche, j-wys.
“Sire, of merveilles J schal ȝow seyn,
and the sothe tellen ȝow ful pleyn!”
Thanne Anon gan sche to telle
how that aventure be hyre gan falle.
sche seide, a man, with-owten variaunce,
to hire cam Jn hire lordis Semblaunce,
And with hym tweyne of his knyhtes
Jn here owne Semblaunce owt-ryhtes—
“jn whiche of alle men lyvenge
my lord thanne trosted ouer alle thynge.
and so jnto my chambre entred he,
that al my meyne it dyde þere se.
And so with me he lay that nyht,
For my lord j wende it hadde ben ryht.
So that Nyht conceyved J was
with this child, swich was my gras;
and that same nyht my lord was slayn,
This wot J wel, Sire kyng, certayn.”
thanne, whanne the kyng herde hire so telle,
anon to hire he seyde ful snelle:
“loke that ȝe kepen this preve
From alle the peple jn cristiente.
and ȝif that ȝe that thing discure,
to ȝow it is schame, J ȝow enswre.
For wel ȝe knowen, ȝoure lordis jt nys,
ne myn nethyr, with-owten mys.
Therfore J preye ȝow, graunt it to me,
anon as hit is j-born of the;
and that ȝe wolde don my comandement,
To deliueren hit to whom þat me list, verament.”
“Sire,” quod thanne this lady so fre,
“what evere ȝow list, ȝe mown do be me,
and of me haven al ȝowre wylle,
what that evere ȝe seyn me vntylle!”

165

On the morwe tolde the kyng vlphyn anon
of alle these materis, how it dyde gon.
Thanne answerede vlphyn to the kyng:
“now mowen ȝe knowen Jn alle thing
that ȝowre qweene is bothe trewe and wys,
for of erthly wommen sche berith the pris.
now wete ȝe wel sche doth not lye,
ne non blawndise Jn hire konne ȝe spye.
and þerto hauen ȝe wel sped the nede
that ȝe hyhte merlyne Jn othir stede,
that thike same child he scholde have,
were Jt a maiden oþer were Jt knave.”
So Jnto vj mownthis Jt abod stylle,
Tyl that merlyne cam vlphyn vntylle,
and with vlphyn spak Jn prevyte
of swiche thinges as desirede he.
thanne desirede merlyne ouer al thyng,
er þat he wente, to speken with the kyng.
And whanne asembled they weren Jn fere,
thanne tolde the kyng Jn his manere
to merlyne the wordis of the qweene,
and what resouns betwene hem hadde bene.
thanne answered merlyne anon ageyn
To the kyng there, Jn certeyn,
& saide þat—“vlphyn hath wel agreed þe pes
of the dewkis deth, with-owten les;
but of my gylte am j not clere,
that j hire deseyvede Jn swich manere,
and wot Neuere hos that child Js
with wheche sche goth, with-owten mys!”
thanne seide the kyng: “ful Sykerle,
Merlyne, J wot, so wys that ȝe be,
that ȝow ȝe welen aqwyten ful wel;
this knowe j sekerlych everydel.”
“ȝe mosten me helpe,” quod merlyne, “þerto!”
þe kyng seide: “gladliche that wyl j do,
for wel wot j the child moste ben ȝoure,
hit Forto Norsche and to socowre.”
Anon spak merlyne to the kyng than:

166

“Jn this contre there Js A passing good man,
on the beste of thy region here,
and therto a good womman to his fere,
the wisest and the moste discreet,
For of alle vertwes sche is repleet.
but hire lord js not þe moste richest man,
therefore, sire kyng, not forthan
J wolde that ȝe aftyr hym sente,
and of ȝowre goodis him ȝeven, veramente!
For his wyf jn gesyne doth lye
of a knave child, sire, ful Sekerlye.
and that ȝe myhten him so plese,
that jn tyme comeng he myhte ȝow ese
this child to kepe and to norrye,
that hym deliuered schal ben, sekerlye,
and þat his wyves mylk Sowkyn hit may,
and hire owne child to ben put away
Forto sowken Som othyr womman.”
thus seide merlyne to the kyng than.
thanne anon to merlyne seide the kyng:
“As thow wylt, hit schal ben Jn alle thyng!”
thanne merlyne, his leve he took anon,
and to blayse his maister he gan to gon.
and the kyng sente aftyr this good man,
lyk as this Storye tellen ȝow kan.
So whanne this goodman to cowrt was gon,
the kyng, with hym there mette he anon,
and with hym gret Joye gan make,
where-offen merveille þe good man gan take,
that the kyng of hym so mochel made,
and why that with hym he was so glade.
“Now, goode dere frend,” quod the kyng,
“Herkene now to myn talkyng.
Nedis j moste discoveren to the
a thing that Js of gret prevyte:
of an aventure þat js me befalle,
J schal the tellen ende and alle.
and as thow art my lige man,
So be myn helpe Jn that thou kan,

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and conseyl to kepen hit to ȝowre powere,
and it neuere discuren fer ne nere!”
To the kyng thanne seide this good man tho:
“Sire, ȝowre comaundement schal j do,
and to my powere hit fulfille,
what so evere ȝe sein me vntylle.”
“Thus me dremede this oþer nyht,”
Seyde the kyng thanne to this knyht,
“that thow were one the goode man
whiche is dwellyng jn my kyngdam.
And so me thowhte on cam to me,
and merveilles me tolde, certeynle:
Ferst that to me ȝe been trewe lige man,
and that a child on ȝowre wif engendred ȝe han,
the whiche child, J-born it Js,
as he me tolde, with-owten mys.
So that man comaunded me
þat jn alle wyse J scholde preyen the
that thy chyld owt scholdest þou do
To som oþer womman and norschen it so.
And thy wyf anothir child kepen scholde,
and there-with to have plente of golde,
the wheche child to hire schal ben browht;
but there-offen the peple may weten nowht.
Now do this, bewsire, j preye to the,
and ful wel thy mede j-qwyt schal be!”
Whanne that the goodman herde this,
anon to þe kyng he answerede, j-wys:
“of a wondyr thyng ȝe axen me,
that me semeth aȝens nature scholde be,
my chyld to Sowken ony oþer womman
but his owne modyr that bar hym than.
Ȝyt Nevertheles, Sire, this Wyle J do:
asayen ȝif þat my wyf concente þerto.
And ȝit of on thing J wolde ȝow preye:
whanne þat child scholde be born, me for to seye,
and whanne Jt scholde be browht to me;
of this wolde J knowen the certeinte.”

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than answerede the kyng ful snelle:
“sire, thereoffen the soþe can j not telle.”
Anon answerede aȝen this good man,
and to the kyng there seide he than:
“what thing jn this world ȝe comaunden me,
J wyle it don, that may plesen the!”
thanne ȝaf hym the kyng gret ȝiftes thore,
For whiche this goodman abascht hym ryht sore.
And hom to his wyf he goth ageyn,
and of alle this mater telleth hire ful pleyn,
whiche sche jt thowhte a straunge thyng:
hire owne child owt to putten jn norscheng,
and sche anothir child to susteyne & fynde;
this thowhte þe lady it were aȝens kynde.
thanne answerede this goodman ful mildely,
and seide to his wyf, that was hym by:
“there is non thyng that longeth hym to,
but nedis for owre lord we mosten Jt do.
and þerto so moche tresor and Fe
he hath vs ȝoven, dame, certeynle.
more ouer vs hath he behoten to do
what thyng that vs behoveth also.
and þerfore j wele that we fulfylle
Jn alle thinges the kynges wylle.
and ȝit more ouer j wyle also
that certeyn, wyf, ȝe concenten herto!”
thanne answerede anon this goode womman,
and to hire lord & souerayn seide sche than:
“my sovereyn,” sche seide, “ȝowre owne am J,
and so Js also this chyld, trewly,
and there-fore with vs do ȝe ȝowre wylle,
For ȝowre comaundement am j redy to fulfille.
for on thing J hote ȝow now certeinle:
aȝens ȝowre wille schal j neuere be,
as ferforth as j have wyt oþer konnenge!”
thanne reioysched this goodman Jn alle thynge,
and preyde his wyf ful tendirlye
that a norse to geten hire Jn hye
here child to norschen with honour,
So that he myhte kepen both tyme & owr,

169

that whanne the tothir to hym were sent,
he redy to ben purveyed, verament.
thus this goodman thanne purveyed was
his child to ben norsched Jn honest plas.
And also the kyng Sawgh be his qwene
that hire delyveraunce sone scholde bene.
And also the day to-forn hire chyldyng
thedyr cam merlyn, with-owten lesyng,
and prevyliche spak with vlphyn there,
and to hym seyde Jn this manere:
“vlphyn, J alowe ful mochel the kyng,
that so wysly hath ordeyned for this thing.”
And thanne to the qweene he bad hym go,
& not to taryen, with-owten wordis mo,
there to ȝeven warneng of hire childyng
and ek of hire delyveraunce, with-owten lesyng,
that Sekerly deliuered scholde sche be
on the morwen aftyr mydnyht—“as j telle the;
ek that thow comaunde that lady so bryht
that child to deliueren anon ryht
To the ferst man that they konnen fynde
atte the halle dore there stondynge.”
And whanne vlphyn herde hym speken so,
Ful sone axede of hym vlphyn tho:
“Wylt thow not spekyn With the kyng?”
“No, sire,” quod merlyne, “with-owten lesyng!”
Anon to the kyng vlphyn cam tho,
and hym tolde how merlyne wolde do.
Anon as the kyng herde this,
wel mochel joye he hadde, j-wys.
“Ne wyl not merlyne with me speke,
Er from this cowrt that he gynne reke?”
thanne answerede vlphyn to hym ageyn,
and seide: “sire kyng, no, Jn certeyn;
but doth as he hath comanded ȝow,
For it wil tornen to ȝoure prow!”
Anon the kyng cam to the qwene,
and of prevyte spak hem betwene:
“dame, of on thyng J schal warnen the:
that myn comandement fulfyllen ȝe.”

170

“worthy lord,” quod the qwene tho,
“ȝoure comaundement now wyl j do.”
“To morwen aftyr the mydnyht,
be the helpe of god almyht,
thanne delyuered scholen ȝe be,
as j ȝow seye now Sykerle.
and of on thing J ȝow preye:
that whanne Jt is born, be ony weye
To on of ȝowre prevyest wommen
that anon hyt be delyvered then,
and that sche take that chyld so kynde
To the ferste man that sche doth fynde;
and that ȝe comaunden that persone
that thedyr with that child doth gone,
that sche ȝow discure jn non degre,
how that of chyld deliuered ȝe be.
For thanne the peple wolde seyn
Jt were neuere myn, Jn certeyn;
No more it were lyk so forto be,
Faire lady, sethen that j wedded the.”
“Sire kyng,” quod this lady thanne,
“Ho hit engendred, j not what manne;
þerfore wyl j don ȝowre comandement,
as womman that is schamed, verament,
of the grete mis-aventure
that to me is happed, j ȝow ensure.
but of on thyng sore wondryth me:
to myn deliueraunce ȝe ben so preve.”
“now j ȝow preye,” quod þe kyng tho,
“algates my comandement that ȝe do.”
“ȝis, worthy lord, with-owten stryf,
ȝif so be þat god graunte me lyf!”
Thus departyd bothe kyng and qwene
of the conseyl that was hem be-twene,
and the qweene abod þere goddis grace.
So that on the morwen, jn that place,
at evensong tyme of the belle,
jn hire wombe felte sche throwes ful snelle,
and travailled forth al that nyht

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jnto þat owr as the kyng tolde hire ryht.
so that be goddis helpe delyuered sche was
aftyr midnyht, as happed the cas.
And anon as that child was þere bore,
a prevy womman clepyd sche to hire thore,
and Seide: “com hydyr, my dere frend,
do take this child bothe Faire and hend,
and bere Jt to the halle dore anon,
and there a man schole ȝe fynden son.
For what man so evere he be,
this child hym deliuere, j preye the.
And that man that ȝe wel beholde,
Of What manere of kynde He ben scholde.
goth now and doth as J ȝow preye!”
“ȝis, Sikyr, lady!” this womman gan seye.
this womman took that child anon,
and jnto riche clothes sche dede it don,
and so browht hit to the halle dore,
where as a ful old man fond sche thore,
that onlovely was of Face & lere,
and seide: “Sire, what bydest thou here?”
“J abyde that thou hast me browht,
For ellis hydyr hadde j comen nowht.”
“what answere schal j ȝeven my lady so dere,
to whom j have be-taken hire child here?”
thanne answerede hire this old man tho:
“what that j am, hast thou not to do,
but do that thou comaunded were:
deliuere me the chyld þat thow hast þere!”
thanne took sche hym this chyld anon,
and thussone from hire was he gon,
that sche ne wyst jnto whiche plase.
tho aȝen sche wente as comen sche wase,
and tolde the lady bothe word and ende,
how sche hadde delyverid þat chyld so hende
To ryht a passyng ful old man—
“but what he was, telle j ne can,
For as sone as the child he nam,
Syker, j ne wyste where he becam.”
thanne was the qwene of hevy chere,

172

and fulsore mornede & wepte there.
but he that the chyld hadde tho,
ful faste jn his weye he gan to go,
Tyl that he cam to this good man,
that Ankor there was clepyd than.
And as to masse ward as he wente,
god to Serven with good entente,
thanne took merlyne a-nothyr Semblaunce,
of a fayr old man, with-owten variaunce.
Thanne clepyd merlyne that good man þere,
and seide: “Ankor, com speke with me here.”
“j come to ȝow,” quod Ankor tho,
“with good wille to speken ȝow vnto.”
quod þis old man: “j have þe browht a chyld,
whiche that Js bothen mek and myld;
and that thow it kepe as richely
and as thin owne þou wost don tendirly.
loke that ȝe don as j ȝow say,
and gret profyt schalt þou hauen, with-owten delay,
and ek thyn eyres encresyd scholen be,
as j the Seye, Sire, ful certeinle.”
“A,” quod Ankor, “j trowe this be he
that the kyng spak offen to me.”
“So is hit, Ankor, with-owten faylle,
as j the here telle jn consaylle,
For hit js the preyere of the kyng
and of goode ladyes, with-owten lesyng.”
thanne took Ankor this chyld so fre,
that was so ȝong and ful of bewte,
and axede of this old man there
ȝif that this child owht crystened were.
“Nay, but do thow it cristene anon
jn this mynstre, er thou ferthere gon.”
thanne axede Ankor of hym tho
what name he scholde ȝeven hym vnto.
“Nemne hym Arthewr, j preye to the;
For mochel worschepe by hym schalt þou se
and ful gret encres to the and thyne,
and thow hit worschepe & hit propyne.
So thanne vnnethis schalt thou knowe

173

Whethyr þou love him bettere oþer thyn owne.”
thanne axede Ankor of this good man
what he was, and whennes þat he cam—
“And whom schal j sey that this child took me?
of this, leve Sire, now preye j the.”
thanne answerede this olde man ageyn:
“of me ne knowest thow no more, certeyn!”
and so departyd they asondyr ryht tho;
thanne eche Jn his weye forth gan to go.
So that Ankor cristenede that child anon,
and Arthewr him clepyd þere thus son.
This man that Ankor here j-clepyd Js,
his propre name Js Antron, with-owten mys.
thanne Antron to his wyf hyede ful faste
(that child hire to brynge hadde he gret haste),
and seide: “dere wif, lo, this chyld here
of which to ȝow j spak Thanne ere!”
thanne answerede this goode lady anon:
“To me, Sire, hit is ryht welcom.”
Anon this faire chyld took sche there,
and axede ȝif hit cristened were.
he seide: “ȝe, dame,” thanne, “certeinly!”
thanne took sche the child and leide it hire by,
and dyde hit Sowken of hire pappe anon,
& hire owne to norrye putte owt thus son.
thanne longe aftyr lyvede vter pendragon
with reste and pes Jn that regyown.
So atte laste thanne hit be-fylle
that the gowte cam hym vntylle,
and hym held bothen Jn hondis and feet,
So þat be non wyse hit nolde hym leet;
Jn whiche mene while, as j ȝow say,
his enemyes vp aryveden on a day,
and jn his lond dyden gret owtrage
and ek to his peple ful gret damage.
thanne sente the kyng to his barowns anon,
and cownseilled with hem everychon,
preyeng hem with al his myht

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hym to helpe avenge jn his ryht,
and to-gederis they wolden gon,
as trewe lordis for here kyng scholde don.
Anon they seiden, with ryht good wylle
his preyere thanne they wolde fulfylle.
thanne reden these lordis forth anon,
and with here enemyes they metten thusson,
that a gret partye of the lond
they hadden j-treted jnto here hond.
thanne this meyne vppon þe kynges side
with here enemyes asembled that tyde.
Anon thussone j-scomfyt they were,
and mochel of here peple losten there.
whanne this bode was browht to þe kyng,
thanne jn his herte made he morneng.
so they that leften of the bataylle,
to the kyng they comen, with-owten faille.
and the tothir partye enforsede hem faste,
So that furthere jnto the lond ben they paste.
Thanne merlyne, that knew of alle this thyng,
Ful faste he hyede hym to the kyng.
Anon as Pendragown merlyne þere say,
Ful mochel joye made he that day,
and thowhte of merlyne comfort to haue,
be wheche his rem he hopede to Save.
And whanne that merlyne to-fore hym cam,
anon be the hond he hym nam.
thanne merlyne hym axede of his chere,
why that he thanne so hevy were—
“Ȝyt Wel J Wot that syk ȝe be,
and fulsore afrayed, as thinketh me.”
thanne answerede Pendragoun aȝen tho:
“merlyne, ful good encheson j haue þerto,
For myn owne men mi lond distroye,
that j wende wolden me nowht anoye,
and slayn my men þere jn bataylle,
that litel j wende wolde me asaylle.”
“Now,” quod merlyn, “here mown ȝe se
þat bataille with-owten hed may not be.”
“Thanne, for goddis love,” quod the kyng,

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“Merlyne, conseille me now of this thing!”
Anon seide merlyne to hym ageyn:
“on thing j schal telle the for certeyn,
whiche word trewe proved schal be,
ȝif that thou now wilt leven me.
Do semblen alle thy peple anon,
and that to-gederis that they fast gon.
Anon as they ben sembled jn fere,
thanne do the ordeyn an hors bere,
and to bataylle with hem thou go
aȝens thyn enemyes, þat thou do so.
For wete thou now wel, jn certeyne,
hem schalt thou ouercomen, ful pleyne.
and whanne thou hast don this bataylle,
thanne scha[l]t þou wel knowen, with-owten faille,
what vaylleth the Lond þat js lordles,
whanne hit hath nede rankewr to ses.
Aȝens the Lond that hath Sovereyn,
hit lyte avaylleth, j telle the pleyn.
and whanne this bataylle thow hast j-do,
herk me now what j sey the vnto:
departe thy good Jn dyvers manere
For thi sowle, whiles þat þou lyvest here,
and to the pore ȝyve thou thy tresor.
& why j seye, wilt thou se wherfor?
For j hit knowe wel jn my mynde
that þou myht not longe lyven be kynde.
therfore j wele that þou schalt knowe
of hem that grete goodis han be rowe,
and deyen, and leven hem behynde,
& vppon here Sowles haven [not] mynde
that to departen jn here lyvenge
to pore jn here Sowles fortherynge,
j sey, that good after here departyng,
hit nys not here, with-owten lesyng,
but here it is, & moche more therto,
that for here sowlis litel wil do.
For wete þou wel with-owten dwere

176

that þe devel to the schal apere,
and specyaly to hem that han tresor,
that to powre wil not depart to-for,
whiles that they ben on lyve here;
hit vailleth hem not, with-owten dwere.
and þou that Nedis mostest here deye,
j the warne, Sire, now certeinlye,
Thy good departe, thy soule to save,
Jn hevene blysse the joye to have.
For the joye of this world here
aȝens that js nowht, in non manere.
and for why, j schal tellen to the,
ȝif that þou wylt now lesten to me:
jn this world hath non man so gret joye,
that hit ne schal faylle and hym anoye;
and jn the tothir js joye endeles,
that evere is dureng, & schal neuere ses.
and ho that disseise Suffreth here,
To him jn hevene js restored there.”
“Thanne moste eche man Jn His Degre,
that god to hath graunted lond oþer fe,
loke that he purchase Jn this lyf here
the lyf evere lastyng elleswhere.
than thou, that hast so mochel richesse
of tresowr, of goold, an of prowesse,
and al god hath sent the by grase,
bethenk the in how lytel a spase!
J haue the loved ful many a day,
and ȝit J do, with-owten delay.
but ho loveth the so trewelye
as thou thy-self owhtest, pleynlye?
J have the told hit vndirfonge:
aftir this victory lyvest þou not longe.
For alle þe thinges that þou kanst make,
Nis but a good ende forto take.
and thowh alle þe good þat þou myht do,
but ȝif thin ende be good therto,

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ellis art thou Jn weye of lesyng,
Forsothe j the telle now, sire kyng.
and thowgh [thou] alle thy lyve hast lyved mys
and put thy sowle Jn gret distres,
thanne, ȝif that thyn ende good be,
Forȝevenesse getest thou, sekerle.
Also j do the to vndirstonde
that nowht berest þou owt of thi londe—
but onliche worschepe & almesdede,
owt of thy lond schalt þou not lede.
For almesse with-owten worschepe do
aȝens god ne vaylleth not a slo.
Now j have declared thy lyvenge;
and thi qween Js ded, with-owte lesenge,
and neuere oþer schalt thou haue non,
but whanne þou of this world dost now gon,
Thy lond with-owten eyr most abyde.
therefore to thy-self loke at this tyde,
and loke, be thy sowle wel that thou do,
er that this world thow passe now fro.
thus from the, Sire, wile j now gon,
For more with the have j not to don;
And Sey to vlphyn that he me leve,
For here-aftyr he schal it preve!”
thanne vter pendragoun spak ageyn:
“merlyne, me thowhte J herde ȝow seyn
that j jn an hors bere to ben save
aȝens myn enemys & victorye have.
but, merlyne, j prey the, telle me here
how god to ȝelden & what manere.”
“Syre, j the Sey, make thou good ende,
and thanne to blysse thy sowle schal wende.
Fareth wel, non lengere J tarye with the,
but after þe bataylle thou thenk on me.”
Thanne axede vter Pendragon
aftyr ȝonge arthewr, that was his son.
Thanne answered merlyne to hym tho:
“Of hym hast thow not now forto do,

178

For he is become a fair ȝong man,
and mochel norture forsothe he kan.”
Thanne axede the kyng hym hertyle
ȝif evere his sone he scholde owht se.
“ȝe,” quod merlyne, “ones, Jn fay,
and neuere more aftyr that day!”
Thus departyd merlyne and þe kyng,
as j ȝow seye with-owten leseng.
the kyng let Somowne his ost anon
vppon his enemyes forto gon,
and let hym leggen jn on hors bere,
as ȝe to-fore herden telle here.
thanne there thus sembled batailles two,
And mochel Harm Was there J-do.
So that be the cownseyl of here kyng
of here enemyes hadden they conqweryng,
and of hem Slowen ful gret plente,
that ful gret deol it was to Se;
And the rem was set Jn reste and pes,
& neuere aftyr jn his tyme non distres.
thanne thowhte the kyng of merlynes Sawe,
that to the deth ward scholde he drawe.
Anon faste to Londone he gan hye,
and sente aftyr his Tresorye,
and jn his rewm he delt jt faste,
whiles his lif Jn erthe dyde laste,
and gret almesse to powre dyde he
with his owne hondis, Ful Sykerle.
and the remnawnt of vn-mevable good
that jn his Lond bothe lay and stood,
aftyr the cownseille of holy chirche
he hit disposede, there-with to wirche.
and thus his good departyd the kyng,
that to hym-Self he lefte non thyng
where-offen he myhte haven remembraunce,
that he Jt ne delte (swich was his chaunce)
For the love of god & his modyr dere
Be merlynes cownseyl Jn this manere.

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Fvl meek and bonewre was the kyng
aȝens god and the world, with-owten lesyng;
and also to the peple of holy chirche
Evere ful humbely gan he wirche.
So that thus longe Syk he lay,
Tyl that hit happede vppon a day
that al his peple j-sembled were
at the cyte of londone alle jn fere,
and for his deth made gret morneng,
that so sone deyen scholde the kyng—
For they knewen wel, ful certeynlye,
That Nedis the kyng moste dye,
For of thre dayes he ne spak
To hem non word, with-owten lak—
Thanne cam merlyne thedyr anon,
that alle these thynges knew echon.
thanne comen they to merlyn alle,
and tolden hym how it was befalle,
& how that the kyng was ded,
thus they hym tolde Jn that sted—
“whiche that ȝe loveden so wel,
and ek to ȝow was so good and lel.”
“ȝe seyn not wel,” quod merlyne thanne,
“He ne may not deyen, so good a manne,
That so good ende here doth make,
and so moche deleth for goddis Sake.
Neþer hym-self nys not ȝit ded,
al-thowgh he seme as blw as led.”
Thanne they hym tolde þat—“he ne spak
thre dayes non word, with-owte lak,
Ne neuere schal speken jn this world!”
thus to merlyne seiden they with on acord.
thanne seide merlyne: “be goddis myht
J hym schal don speken this nyht.
Cometh now on, and Seweth me,
and hym speken scholen ȝe heren and se.”
“thanne js hit the grettest merveille
that evere we Syen, with-owten faylle!”
that jnto the chambre gonnen they gon,
and opened the wyndowes everychon.

180

thanne seiden they to the kyng Jn fere:
“Lo, Sire, merlyne Js comen to ȝow here,
That ȝe Weren Wonted to loven so Wel,
and he hath ȝow hit qwyt every del.”
thanne to hymward tornede the kyng
with al his strengthe and his konneng,
and contenaunce made there to Merlyne,
so that he hym knew ful wel a[nd] fyne.
thanne spak merlyne to the peple anon,
bothe to temperal & speritwal everichon,
and seide: “Sires, draweth ȝow now nere
that desiren ȝowre kyng to speken to here.”
thanne axeden they merlyne howhe that myhte be.
“Cometh,” quod merlyne, “and stondyth be me!”
Thanne wente merlyne to the beddis hed,
and there to the kyng spak Jn that sted,
Softely rowneng Jn the kynges ere:
“Sire, a fair ende hast thow mad here,
ȝif hit Jn thy conciense now be
as thy Semblaunce here scheweth to me.
And on thyng J telle the Jn certeyne:
that be goddis grace aftyr the schal regne
Arthewr, that Js thy sone so fre;
of al this rewm kyng schal he be,
and he schal fulfylle the table rownde,
whiche that be the now Js here fownde.”
And whanne the kyng herde this,
Ful sone to hym ward he torned, j-wys,
and preide the peple everychon
To god alle for hym to preyen anon.
thanne seide merlyne anon with-al:
“this þe laste word that evere speken he schal!”
thanne wondreden alle that weren there,
how that he spak Jn Swich manere.
And so that Nyht he made his ende,
& to hevene blysse his Sowle gan wende.
Anon alle the prelacye of that lond

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with alle the Baronage, as j vndirstond,
jn the most worschepful and reverent gyse
they hym beryeden as they cowde devyse.
So was that lond with-owten eyr.
And on the morewen to-gederys the[y] gonne repeir,
of holy chirche al the prelacye
and alle the Baronage, with-owten lye,
Jn a paleys that cristene hyhte;
there sembleden bothe clerk & knyhte,
and token cownseyl hem be-twene
how that the peple governed schold bene,
but Jn non wyse acorden they myhte.
thanne be-spak a ful gentyl knyhte:
“let vs alle be comowne asent
clepen merlyne to cownseyl, þat js present;
For he Js bothen wis and ek redy
good cownseil to ȝeven vs, trewely!”
So that thus acordid they alle jn fere,
and aftyr merlyne anon senten there.

[Chapter VI]

Whanne that merlyne to-forn hem comen was,
to hym they seyden there jn that plas:
“For a wis man, Sire, we the knowe,
and oure kyng hast thou loved a gret throwe.
ek therto, Sire, thou knowest ryht wel
that governour han we neuere a del.
For a lond with-owten governour
may not enduren aȝens ony schowr.
wherfore, sire merlyne, we the preye,
al this hol cownseille, Sire, Jn feye,
vs to chesen swich a governowr
the prelacye to plesen, the rem to honour,
and jn Savacyoun of the peple also!”
Anon thanne merlyne spak hem vnto:
“J nam not worthy Jn non degre
Non swich maner thing to taken on me,
Nethir non governowr forto chese,
but be my wyt J schal don ȝow ese,

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ȝif that ȝe wilen acorden to me;
herketh now what my cownseil schal be!”
they seiden to hym the[y] wolden asente,
alle the hole cownseyl, veramente.
“This rewm J have loved,” quod merlyn,
“and ek al the peple that Js there-Jn.
ȝe knowen ful wel al jn fere
that ȝowre kyng now ded Js here,
which deide atte qwynȝyme of seint martyn
this knowen ȝe alle wel and fyn.
And hennes Jnto cristemasse
we ne haven but ryht a schort spasse.
and ȝif ȝe wilen don aftyr my cownsaille,
J schal ȝow Seyen, with-owten faylle,
god to worschepen, the world to plese,
and to ȝowre hertes bothe joye and ese.”
thanne seiden they alle to hym ageyn,
to hym they wolden concenten, certeyn.
“ȝe vndirstondyn alle ful wel
that now cometh the feste of nowel,
jn whiche the goode Lord was bore,
that savede hem þat weren forlore.
and as he Js lord over alle thyng,
ek aboven alle oþer he is kyng;
and as verrayly as a maiden hym bere,
of good cownceylle preye ȝe him here!
For j dar be borewgh, and ȝe him preye
jn this manere as j ȝow seye,
and that eche man preye jn his degre
with good herte and jn hvmylyte:
lik as he was born Jn this feste,
ȝowre preieris to heren, of mest and leste,
and as kyng of kynges he was bore,
ȝoure Symple preieris to heren thore,
and as of alle thynges he is governour,
ȝow a kyng to chesen of honowr,
that at this Feste chosen myhte be
be som tokeneng that they myhten se,

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the peple to governe and god to plese,
and ek the rem to setten Jn ese,
So that the peple knewen aryhte
that the Lecciown were be goddis myhte—
and ȝif ȝe wylen don as J ȝow seye,
Som tokeneng scholen ȝe haven, certeinleye!”
thanne seiden they, so god hem Save,
Jt was the beste cownseil that they myhten have—
“For there nys non man erthliche bore
that bettyr cownseille myhte ȝeven þerfore.”
thanne alle the clergyse there anon
thorwgh the rewm dyde notyse thus son
that Jn every chirche and abbeye
bothe riche and powre scholden preye,
what thorwgh here preyere and holychirche,
god to hem Som miracle scholde werche.
herto acordid they al jn fere,
and merlyne of hem his leve took þere
Jnto othir contres forto gon.
thanne axeden they merlyne anon
ȝif that this thyng trewe scholde be.
“ȝe, j hope,” quod merlyne, “Sykerle!
For no more nyle j comen ȝow to,
Tyl that the elecciown be j-do.”
thanne wente merlyne to blayse jn haste,
and of these merveilles told hym faste;
And of thinges that to comen Were,
To his maystir Blasye tolde he there.
and thereby haven we now knowenge
of alle these materis, with-owten varyenge.
thanne anon alle the Barownye
and also forth-with the clergye
To Londone wenten al jn fere
there forto maken here preyere,
and there abyden jnto cristemasse
jn here preyeris, bothe more & lasse.
And Antron, that Norsched hadde Arthowr,
atte halwentyd with gret honour

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his owne sone let dubben a knyht.
and Arthewr was woxen bothe strong & wyht,
and was past Sevene ȝer old,
ek þerto was he bothe wyhte and bold;
and his owne Sone he dide hym calle,
For so wende Arthewr it hadde befalle,
and that his fadyr he hadde j-be,
& thus wende Arthewr, ful sikerle.
So that Antron to Londone gan go,
and with hym his children bothe two.
Thanne vppon the even of cristemasse
there sembled the peple more and lasse,
bothe the clergye and the baronage
and manye a man of hygh parage,
to fulfille merlynes comaundement,
that he hem bad with good entent.
For but Symple lif ledden they there,
and fulstedfast weren jn here preyere
To god for swich a governour
the cristene to defende Jn eueri schowr
and cristes lawe to meingteigne,
The lond to governe and to susteigne.
And thus abyden they, tyl masse was don,
gret multitude of peple and manion.
And Some seiden that Folys they were
Swich maner of preieris to makyn there.
“what, wene ȝe,” quod somme, “that god almyht
here kyng to chesen down wolde alyht?
lo, these folis wenen for here preiere
be miracle a kyng to hauen here!”
thus the masse there gan he Synge,
a ful holy man, wel faste preyenge.
and ȝit er that he the masse bigan,
To alle that peple spak he than:
“Here Jn this plase assembled ȝe ben
For thre Skelis, as ȝe schole Sen,
and for ȝoure profyt everywhare,
and which they ben, J schal ȝow declare:
Ferst for the hele of ȝoure sowles alle,

185

and aftyr for ȝoure worschepe, how so befalle,
The thrydde to knowen oure Lordis myht,
that god to ȝow wile schewen be ryht
of the eleccyown of oure kyng,
thys to sen be ȝoure preyeng,
which schal ben ȝoure gouernowr and lord
and holy chirche to sosteyne in good acord,
which to vs alle it is Sustenaunce
and vs defendith from manye hard chaunce.
Now sethen we ben alle ensemblyd here
a kyng to chesin Jn this manere
of on of ȝow, which so that it be,
but so wise be ȝe not in non degre
to knowen whiche were most profytable
owþer this lond to gouerne most were able,
and for that we ben Jn nown certein,
þerfore to crist let vs preyen, ful pleyn,
that is of alle kyngges the kyng,
so that vs graunte Owre preieng,
Swich A governowr that We Haue
Oure londes to meinteigne and to Save!”
and thus diden the peple, with-owten faille,
lik as this goode man hem dide cownsaille.
thanne to masse wente he forth anon,
also Faste as he myhte gon,
tyl that the masse was atte gospel,
and aftyr they offreden wel and lel,
and owt of the chirche thei gonne to isswe
Jnto a voide place, this was ful trewe.
and be that tyme the day gan dawe,
where-offen the peple was ryht fawe.
Anon the peple of this rowte
Ful besyly Lokeden hem abowte,
and behelden where that a foure-qwartered ston
that there lay toforn hem echon.
but of what maner ston that hit was,
there knew no man Jn that plas.
Somme there seiden hit was marbil gray,
and somme seiden oþerwise, with-owten delay.

186

and in þe middis of this ston behelden they tho
a merveillous Stythy, with-owten mo,
as thowgh a smythis Styth it were,
half a foote of heythe, with-owten dwere.
and jn þe middis of this Styhthy þer was
a Fayr Swerd pyhte Jn that plas
thorwgh the Stythy Jnto the harde ston,
that they hit Syen there everychon.
And whanne that they beheldyn this
that owt of þe minstre ferst wente, j-wis,
Jnto the minstre they entred thanne,
and tolde hit anon to this holy manne
that here masse gan to Synge,
which was erchebischope, with-outen lesinge,
Of Orbrice, as tellith this storye,
and as hit is put into memorye.
and whanne that the holy man herde of this,
anon holywater thanne took he, j-wys,
and wente to the swerd with-jnne a throwe,
and therto obeysched hym wondirly lowe;
where as lettres of gold beheld he there,
that Jn this manere endyted were,
and seiden openliche declarenge:
that swich a man schold ben here kynge
that owt of þe stethy the swerd myhte drawe,
he scholde be governour of lond and lawe;
For god wyle that hit so now be,
as schewyth be miracle, & non but he.
and thanne this erchebischope anon
amonges the peple schewid it thus son.
thussone this ston Jn warde was pyt
of x worthy men, to kepen hyt,
and to fyve clerkis of hygh clergye
with the tothyr meyne that ston to gye,
and seiden that god ful mochel hadde j-do,
that swich myracle wolde schewen hem so.
thanne in they wenten anon to masse

187

hit owt to heren, bothe more and lasse,
more-ouer to ȝelden god here thankynge,
and te deum laudamus thei gonne to synge.
And whanne that te devm was j-doon,
From the awter he torned anon,
and seide: “sires, now mown ȝe se
that amonges ȝow somme goode men be,
that god here now thorwgh ȝoure preyere
To vs swich tokenynges hath schewed here.
wherfore here J comande ȝow alle
that, vppon what man this lot befalle,
For love, for hate, neþer for envye,
whethir to pore or to riche it happe, trewlye,
that non man aȝens this elexioun ne be,
Sethen it is goddis wille, as ȝe mown se.
For Ho so contrarieth His signefiance,
J drede on him that he wil werke veniance!”
Thanne forth this goodman his masse gan synge,
ȝeving to god bothe lawde and preysinge.
and whanne the masse was al j-don,
alle to that ston they wenten echon.
thanne ech of other gan to enqwere
whiche that ferst Scholde assayen there
that swerd owt of that styth to drawe,
and to ben governour bothe of lond & lawe.
thanne acordid they to-gideris echon
that of hem ne scholde assayen it non
othir thanne the erschebischope schold chese,
Jn forveture his worschepe forto lese.
thanne began there ful gret discord
betwixen comunes, gentyles, and lord,
that to ony enerytaunce hadden ryht.
to that swerd they wenten with al here myht,
which that ferst myhte wynnen therto
vppon that Swerd his myht to do.
thanne seide therchebischope to hem agein:
“Amonges ȝow here, in certeyn,

188

nis non So wis ne non worthy
that goddis wyl here knoweth, trewely,
whiche of ȝow that he wyle chese,
othir wich of ȝow the stat schal lese.
but of on thing J dar ȝow wel say:
that neythir gentrye ne richesse this day
ne schal not onlych his wille hauen here,
Sauf onliche god be his powere.
For, Sires, ȝit j sey ȝow furthermore,
J trowe that he ȝit ne be not bore
that this swerd here owt schal drawe,
To ben ȝowr lord of lond and lawe.”
thanne acordedyn they alle, with-owten faille,
anon to that erchebischoppis cownsaylle,
and withdrowen hem thanne everichone
From that swerd ryht alle anone.
thanne wepe the Bischope for pure pyte,
thanne jn hem he sawgh swich humylyte,
and seide: “this meknesse jnto ȝow entred Js
be vertw of cryst, with-owten mys!
and j wile that ȝe knowen owt ryht
that aftyr the wylle of god almyht
J wile werken, Sires, ful otterly,
Goddis wraththe to eschewen pleynly.
Abydeth tyl that this feste be do,
and the swerd to assayen schole we gon to.”
So whanne this feste was J-past,
To that swerd they wenten jn hast.
“now, sires, beholdith here goddis myht,
that he for vs hath wrowht aryht!
For ferst whanne crist ordeyned justise,
Sires, j ȝow seye, hit was jn this wyse:
be the spere and be the swerd
he ordeyned to gouerne al middillerd.
For the swerd was ferst betake,
holy chirche to defendyn from wrake.
and here be the swerd is oure eleccioun,
this Reem to governen al and Som.

189

and therfore good cownseyl that ȝe make
ho that this wile on hym take,
be he neuere so hygh, prowd, oþer Riche,
and thowgh he seme non man him liche.
loke ȝe pore men ne ben not wroth,
thowgh that the Riche to ȝow ben loth,
thowgh they assayen the swerd to-fore,
For grettere thanne ȝe they ben & worthiere more.
For vnknoweng hit is to ȝow alle
ȝit on whom the lot schal falle,
whethir on Lord, knyht, or sqwyer,
On powr, comown, oþer on bacheler,
or which of ȝow alle kyng schal be,
hit is ȝit vnknowen, ful Sykerle!”
Thus anon acordid alle that Ensemble
To therchebisschope, ful Sekyrle,
with-owten ony rankewr of herte;
there was non word that hem asterte;
but ho so wolde, scholde hit asaye,
thus acordid they alle, with-owten delaye.
thanne assentyd they everychon
To what lord therto wolde gon,
and to whom þat god wolde senden his grace,
openly to ben schewyd jn that place.
thanne retorned they al jn fere
To therchebisschope anon there,
and ij .c. & .L. they chosen anon
of the worthyest, that myhte gon
Forto asayen there here myht,
On whom that god wolde schewen þe Ryht.
but amonges hem ne was þere non
þe swerd to remeve owt of þat ston.
So thanne wente alle oþere in fere
of comunes, of powre men, þat weren there,
Forto asayen what they myhten do.
but al availled hit hem not a slo,
For remeved hit myht be for non man;
Swich miracle god gan schewen than.
So that hit was comanded jn hast

190

To .x. worthy men to kepen Jt fast,
and that they Scholde non man lette
hit to asayen, ho that myht it fette
and forto taken it owt of þat ston,
That he were markyd ryht anon.
So that thus the swerd asayed was
.viij. dayes to-gederis Jn that plas.
and whanne eche man hadde asayed his myht,
Thanne seide therchebischope anon ryht:
“Now mown ȝe alle wel vndirstonde
that this is werk of goddis sonde,
For power of this swerd hath non man, pleyn,
but hym that god hath chosen, certeyn!”
thanne sworen they alle jn that place
that owt of thike town they wolde not pace,
Tyl they wyste the victorye ho scholde have;
thus Sworen they alle, so god hem save.
thanne, whanne the masse thus was j-do,
eche man to his ostage gan forto go.
and whanne thei hadden eten everychon,
to this swerd they wenten alle anon,
and þere eche man torneyed with oþer,
þe sone aȝens fadyr, brothir aȝens broþir.
and evere behelden these .x. worthy men
Ho that the swerd scholde beren then.
more ouer thei beheld the gret Tornaye,
how eche man his myht gan there asaye.
(So happede that antronys sone þat Tyde
knyht was mad in armes to ryde,
at halewyntyd to-fore þat hygh feste
of cristemasse, as hit lyht in geste.)
and the sothe to tellen, ful Sekirle,
al that town wente to that torne.
and whanne þat tornement begonnen was,
that sire kay clepid arthewr jn þat plas.
“dere brothyr,” seyde sire kay anon,
“That to owre ostage ȝe wolde gon,
and that my swerd ȝe bringen to me,

191

how so euere hit happe, j preye to þe.”
thanne arthewr, þat was ful Servisable,
Forth took his weye, with-owten fable,
As faste prekende As He myhte Ryde,
hom to his ostage that jlke tyde.
and whanne to his ost that he was gon,
nethir man ne womman fonde he non,
but alle weren they gon, with-owten delaye,
Forto Sen that grete Tornaye.
So whanne his brotheris swerd he myhte not gete,
Ful tendirly the teres he dide down lete,
and so wepyngly he torned ageyn,
Tyl þat to-fore the mynstre he cam, ful pleyn,
and sawgh that swerd where hit stood
Faste jn þe ston, & þerto he ȝood,
For toforn asaied he neuere that game
The Swerd to geten to haven a fame.
For ȝif the swerd he myhte arere,
To his brothir he wolde hit bere.
and assone as he gan asaye,
the swerd he gat with-owten delaye,
and vndir his lappe hit kepte preve,
and þer-with to his brothir he gan to fle.
and whanne sire kay sawh hym komenge,
aȝens his brothir he gan to flynge,
also faste as he myhte ryde,
his swerd to haven at that tyde,
and seide: “Brothyr, J ȝow praye,
ȝeve me my swerd, & not ȝe delaye!”
“now certein, brothir, j ne have hit nowht,
but here anothir j have ȝow browht.”
and from vndir his cote he drowh it owt.
Anon he hit knew, with-owten dowt,
that the same swerd hit was anon
whiche tofore þe mynstre stood jn þe ston.
Anon he thoughte þanne, with-owten lesyng,
that be that swerd he scholde be kyng.
thanne comaunded he his brothir arthewr anon

192

aftyr Antron his Fadyr Forto gon,
where þat evere he myhte hym gete,
and þat for non thing he scholde lete.
So longe wente arthewr, that he him fond,
and Forth hym þere browhte be þe hond.
thanne, whanne Sire kay his Fadyr beheld,
where as he hovede vndir his Scheld:
“Lo, be-hold, fadyr, j schal be kyng;
This swerd to me is good tokenyng.
For this same stak Jn the ston,
whiche han asayed hyt ful manyon.
So that Thus is now my destene
that nedis be this swerd kyng moste j be!”
And whanne the Fadyr beheld al this,
Ful mochel merveille he hadde, j-wys,
and axede Sire kay ful pleynly
how he thike swerd þat he cam by.
anon he him answered, & not forsook,
That owt of the ston he hit took.
and whanne that Antron herde this,
he hym belevyd non thing, j-wis,
but seide pleynly he made gabbyng,
hym forto tellen ony swich thing.
So forth they wenten bothe jn fere
To-ward the mynstre anon ryht there.
and whanne that Antron Sawh the ston,
ek also the swerd awey was gon,
thanne seide Antron To his sone: “sire kay,
Loke that the sothe ȝe me now say
how þat ȝe komen now be this swerd;
Sey me þe sothe, and be not aferd.
And ȝif ony lesyng ȝe to me make,
For ȝoure Fadir ȝe me neuere take;
and ȝif ȝe me maken ony lesyng,
J schal hit wel knowen, with-owten fayllyng;
and þerto ȝow to loven neuere schal J
For non man þat to me speketh, trewely!”

193

thanne to his Fadyr answerid Sire kay:
“Certeyn, Fadir, the sothe j schal ȝow say:
my brothir Arthewr me hit browhte,
whanne for myn he wente & fond it nowhte.
but j ne wot how that he jt wan,
Neþer howh he it gat, tellen j ne kan.”
“Take me that swerd, sone, j the praye,
and anon j schal don hyt asaye.”
This swerd, Sire kay to his fadir it took;
thanne Antron ful son behinde hym gan look,
& sawh where Arthewr stood besyde.
Anon he hym clepede jn that Tyde:
“haue this swerd, sone, Jn thin honde,
and aȝen to putten hit thou hit Fonde
Jnto the same plase there hit ferst was,
ȝif that god wil graunte ȝow swich gras.”
This swerd on honde Arthewr took wel sone,
and toward that ston he gan to gone,
and hit aȝen sette Jn the Same place,
as faste holdyng as to-forn hit wace.
thanne comandid Antron to sire kay, his sone,
To assaien that swerd þere Ryht anone.
Anon this swerd he gan to asaye,
but the grace was not to Sire kaye.
thanne to hym spak his Fadir Antron:
“this swerd took þou neuere owt of this ston!”
thanne Artheur jn his armes Antron gan brace,
and seide: “dere child, and j mowe the purchace
of al this lond here kyng to be,
dere child, what reward wost þou ȝeven to me?”
“Fadir, ony good that j may haue,
hit most ben ȝoures, what ȝe wilen crave,
as child to the Fadyr nedis most seyn,
ȝoures schal it ben al hol and pleyn!”
“Sire,” quod Antron to Arthewr jn hy,
“ȝowre Fadyr was j neuere, trewely,
but as be the weye of norture,
Ful certein, Sire, j ȝow ensure.

194

Neþer ho the be-gat, j hit not knowe,
whethir he were man hy oþer lowe!”
and whanne Arthewr this vndirstood,
That his Fadyr denoyede his blood,
he wepte ful harde teres smerte
For tendirnesse with humble herte,
and seide: “dere sire, howgh may this be,
that swich good oþer worschepe scholde turne to me,
this or ony othir worldly thing,
Sethen ȝe me knowen not of myn e[n]gendryng?”
“ȝis, Sire, a Fadyr hauen ȝe be kynde,
what so evere j putte ȝow jn mynde.
but, Sire, and hit be þe wille of god almyht
That to this grace ȝe comen be ryht,
and ȝif hit mowe be Fortheryd by me,
Sire, what schal thanne my mede be?”
thanne answerid Arthewr to hym welsone:
“What ȝe wilen desiren of ony bone.”
thanne sette on Antron also blyve,
and tolde Arthewr of al his lyve,
And How His Norse that His Wyf Was,
and Norsched his sone kay Jn othyr plas,
and sook the mylk of a straunge womman—
“and my wyf ȝow Fostred, as ȝhe wel can;
Therefore to me, Sire, and to myn sone
ȝe owhten to Sen a good Gwerdone.
For ȝow haue j norsched as tendirly,
bothe J and my wyf, Sire, trewely,
as euere child norsched myhte be,
j telle ȝow, sire arthewr, ful sikerle!”
“thanne preye j ȝow,” quod Arthewr thanne,
“lik as ȝe bien a worschepful manne,
That ȝe wolden not disnoyen me,
but J as ȝowre sone euere forto be.
For ȝif that ȝe wyle me thus forsake,
thanne wot j not how on to take.
and ȝif that god this grace me sende,
to ȝow & to ȝowre sone j wil ben ful kende.

195

For what thing that ȝe desiren of me,
certein, Sire, grauntyd sone schal jt be!”
“Sire,” quod Antron, “j ne schal axen non thing
That myhte tornen to ȝowre hyndring,
nethyr ȝowre Lond, ne ȝowre richesse,
ne non thing that ȝow schal distresse.
But of on thing J wolde ȝow praye,
and that ȝe hit me not with-naye,
but that kay, my sone, ȝowre steward be
alle ȝowre Londes forto over-se;
And thowh that he to ȝow forfete,
owthir to ony other, Jn Jre or hete,
Nethir for non trespas that he may do,
From that offys to putten hym fro,
but as longe as his lyf may endure,
of ȝoure stewardschepe to ben Sure.
And thowgh he be vnkurteys or vnkynde,
thanne jn ȝoure herte ȝe have jn mynde
That of a-nothir my[l]k Norsched was he
thanne of his owne modyr, Sekyrle.
and þerfore Suffren him more ȝe moste
Thanne to ony other, as J ȝow troste.
wherfore of this bone J preye to the,
and that ȝe wylen not wernen it to me!”
Thanne answerid Arthewr ful sone anon:
“Alle ȝowre hole askynge j graunt Sone.”
Thussone Antron took Arthewr anon,
and to the hygh awter þanne gonne they gon.
there Arthewr Swor on his Surawnce
that heste to holden, with-owten variaunce.
And whanne he hadde thus his oth mad,
Thanne antron & sire kay weren ful glad.
So toward the Torneye thanne gonne they gon,
but homward they comen everychon;
And that day fynysched was the gret Torneye,
So that toward the mynstre they comen jn hye
There alle here evensong forto here,

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For ȝit of theleccioun they weren jn dwere.
Thanne clepede antron his Frendis anon,
and tofore therchebisschope gonne they gon,
and Seyde: “Sire, here J ȝow praye,
Lesteneth to me now what j schal Saye.
Sire bisschope, j haue a ȝong Sone here
That Js non knyht, and ȝit wolde he lere
To asayen the swerd that Js Jn the ston
aforn these Lordynges here everychon.
Sire Bisschope, of this he doth me preye,
Therfore the arende here J to ȝow Seye.”
Thanne clepyd weren alle the Barouns to semble,
aforn that ston to aperen, ful Sykirle.
So whanne assembled they weren echon,
Antron to Arthewr thanne seide anon:
“go forth, and asaye this swerd ryht here,
Hyt Owt to drawen ȝyf ȝe konne lere.”
Anon Arthewr to this swerd wente
aforn alle the peple there presente,
and that swerd there pulde owt Ryht sone,
anon to the Byschope there-with gan gone,
and offryd hit vpe jnto his hond
Toforn alle þe peple þat there dyd stond.
The Bysschope resceyved hit ful blyve,
and ful joyful was in his lyve.
So that Arthewr jn his armes þere gan he brase
aforn al the people Jn that plase,
and Te deum lavdamus he gan to Synge,
Therto alle the bellys anon gonnen rynge.
So thus to the mynstre they gonne hym bere,
The Bysschope with the clergye þat was there.
Thanne alle the Baronage that þere was,
Gret sorewe and morneng maden jn þat plas,
and Seyden, certein, hit Scholde neuere be,
a knave to be set Jn so hygh degre,
Neyther to ben here Sovereyn ne kyng;
They wolde hit Suffren for non thing.

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Anon Therschebisschope wax ryht wroth,
For here wordis to hym weren ful loth,
and seyde: “Lordynges, wylen ȝe vndirstonde
Of hym that is kyng of See and Londe,
he knoweth bettere what is to done,
thanne alle the compenye of ȝow echone!”
Anon Antron and alle the comunes jn fere
To Arthewr anon assembleden there,
and the Barowns the contrarye helden anon
aȝens Arthewr and the comunes echon.
Thanne spak Therchebisschope with angry herte
wordys ful bolde, whiche þat hem Smerte:
“knowen ȝe wel, Lordynges here present,
That this Js holy owre Lordis entent,
how this persone only ȝoure kyng schal be
Of his owne eleccioun, Lordynges, Sykerle!
wherfore j schal ȝow schewe, er ȝe hyt crave,
what affyaunse jn god here-offen that j have.
Now go forth, arthewr, my sone so dere,
Goddys wyl to schewen among this peple here.
Goth and sette the swerd there as Jt was,
Openly to-forn the peple jn this plas.”
anon arthewr with good herte and wylle
Therchebisschoppis wyl wente to fulfylle,
and pyhte the Swerd Jnto that Ston;
and also Faste hit there helde anon
as evere hyt dyde ony tyme to-fore,
as sad, as Faste, and al so sore.
and whanne thus that arthewr hadde don,
Thanne to hem seyde therchebysschope anon:
“A fayrere eleccioun neuere there was
Thanne God hath Schewed ȝow jn this plas.
Therfore goth now, bothe powre & riche, jnfaye,
vppon the Swerd ȝowre myht al to asaye.”
anon asayed every man jn his degre,
but For hem alle hit wolde not be.
Thanne seide to hem Therschebisschope ageyn:
“now ben ȝe alle grete Foles, jn certeyn,
Oure Lordys wyl to contraryen here,

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that jn hevene ne erthe he ne hath non pere!”
“Sire, we ne erren not aȝens goddis wylle,
but of on thing hyt greveth vs ylle:
that a knave here owre kyng scholde be
and over vs to haven the Sovereynte.”
“Now, lordynges,” quod therchebysschope thanne,
“he that js bothe god and manne,
knoweth bettyr what js Forto done
Thanne Alle the Compenye Of Ȝow Echone!”
Anon whanne the Barouns herden al this,
Ful sore they weren abasched, j-wys,
and besowghten the Byschope alle jn Fere
That thike swerd myhte stylle abyden there
Jnto the Feste Seweng of kandilmasse,
hyt there to asayen bothe more & lasse
that neuere the Swerd assayede to-fore,
thanne here myghtes to assayen thore.
Thussone therchebisschope hem grauntyd anon
That al here askyng there scholde be done.
So whanne this Feste tho comen was,
The peple gan semblen jn-to that plas,
and hit assaieden there everychon,
but of al that peple was there not on
That the swerd there owt taken myhte;
hit was the lasse wondyr: they hadden non ryhte.
Thanne Seyde the Bysschope anon ryht to hem alle:
“now knowen ȝe what ryht to ȝow doth falle,
therfore welen we now assayen goddis wylle.”
And anon to arthewr he seyde vntylle:
“Go forth now, Arthewr, my child so dere,
To schewen what god wyl don for the here;
and ȝyf he wyle that thou here Lord be,
the Swerd go take owt, now let se!”
Thanne wente forth arthewr ryht anone,
and that Swerd pulde owt thussone,
and as lyhtly took hit jn-to his hand,
as thowgh non thyng hyt hadde withstand,
and took hyt to therchebisschope anon ryht,

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Thankynge only god of his grete myht.
Therchebisschope and the clergyes alle
beheldyn how this kas be-gan to falle.
They wepten alle for joye jn that place,
and only thankyd god of his grete grace.
Thanne axede the Bysschope hem jn vyrown:
“which of ȝow may contraryen this elecciown?”
Anon answerede the riche men ageyn,
and preyden the Bysschope, in certeyn,
ȝyt forto Suffren that swerd to stonde—
“Tyl hyt han assayed mo men Jn Londe;
that schal ben at Pask now next sewenge,
so longe to abyden, for ony thynge.
And ȝyf at that tyme there be non man
that thanne the swerd owt taken ne kan,
ellis, Syre bisschope, be thin comaundement
hym wilen we obeyen alle, verament.
And but ȝyf ȝe welen granten vs this heste,
elles everyman let don his beste!”
“wylen ȝe,” quod therchebisschope thanne,
“with good herte obeyen, everymanne,
and J hyt Suffre jnto that day?”
“ȝe, sire,” they seyden alle, with-owten delay.
Thanne seyde therchebisschope to Arthewr tho:
“dere Syre, to the ston aȝen that ȝe go,
and Setteth the swerd there-jnne ageyn.
For of on thing j dar Seyen ȝow pleyn:
ȝe scholen neuere fayllen of that thyng
that ȝow hath behoten owre hevene kyng.”
Thanne Arthewr styrte hym forth before,
and the swerd jn his place putte ryht thore.
Anon was ordeyned be comaundement
That swerd to kepen tho, verament,
Ten worthy men, and clerkys Fyve,
and fyve lower men of good lyve.
The swerd that tyme as faste there was
as evere to-fore hit stood jn that plas.
Thus abod the kynges Arthewr Sacreng

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Jnto the feste of esterne next comeng.
Therchebysschope Seyde to Arthewr thanne:
“thou schalt ben here kyng, here governour & manne,
Therfore loke evere a goodman that thou be
From this tyme forward Jn alle degre.
and chese now whiche of thy conseyl scholen be,
and jn thin houshold to haven onest meyne,
Evene as this day that thou were kyng alone,
lik as thou schalt be helpe of hevene kyng in trone.”
“Sire,” quod arthewr, “j wyle ful wel
jn goddis ordenaunce putten me echedel;
and aftyr ȝoure cownseyl, Syre, wyle j do,
whethir hit me torne to wele oþer wo.
and therfore Swich meyne that [ȝe] me chese
bothe god and holychirche forto plese.
And clepyth my Fadyr to ȝowre counsayl,
For he is a man that may mochel avayl.”
Thanne clepyd the bysschope his fadyr Antron,
and bad with hym that he scholde gon.
thussone he tolde hym every word,
how Artheur and he weren atte acord.
thanne anon chosen they tweyne conseylleris
of worthy men and gret perys.
That so be here counseyl, j vndirstond,
sire kay was mad steward of his lond.
and alle the remenant abyden stylle
jnto the feste of Pask with ryht good wylle.
and whanne that feste was comen than,
To Londone they comen every man.
Vppon Pask evenen the bisschope forth Sente
aftyr alle the baronage, veramente,
Jn his paleys to maken here Semble;
This was his wylle, ful certeinle.
Thanne axede he hem of alle here wylle,
ȝif to that chyld they wolden consentyn vntylle.
Thanne answeryd the Baronage ageyn:
“we wyl not contraryen, jn certeyn,
The wyl of oure Lord, hevene kyng.

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But vs merveilleth of this child so ȝyng
and therto so lowe j-born of degre,
That Swich a pore man oure kyng schold be.”
“Now certein,” quod the bisschope thanne,
“j ne holde ȝow none goode crystene menne
To contraryen goddis owne elecciown,
that to ȝow here is schewed al & Som!”
“Syre, that wyl we not jn non partye,
aȝens goddis wyl here not applye.
but Sethen ȝe knowen of his degre,
and of his Byrthe ȝe seyn, sykyrle,
Sire, to vs alle hyt Js vnknowe
and to alle this Baronye vppon this rowe.”
“thanne wylen ȝe letten now hys crowneng,
at this tyme forto maken hym kyng?”
“ȝe, Sire Bisschope, tyl we knowen more,
and we Scholen Seyn ȝow a skele wherfore.
Tyl we knowen bettyr what he Js,
and whens he cometh, with-owten mys,
Respyt we preyen of this Sacre,
ȝif that ȝowre wylle hit myhte so be.”
quod therchebysschope to that Baronage:
“now knowe j wel alle ȝowre owtrage!”
“nay, Sire, non lengere thanne Pentecost
we hit not axen, with-owten bost;
and thus we preyen that ȝe wolden do,
ȝif that ȝow lyke to consentyn therto.”
vppon this quod the Bysschope thanne:
“we schole ben avysed every manne.”
So thus departyd there that cownsaylle,
Arthewr to worschepe, þe baronage to dysavaylle.
So that vppon the morewe, Aftyr masse,
To the ston Arthewr aȝen gan passe.
and that swerd he took owt fulsone,
lyk as to-fore tymes he hadde there done.
Thanne held they hym only For here kyng
with-owten more varyaunce other lettyng,
and preyden hym to putten the swerd jn ageyn

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There as to-fore Jt stood, with-owten leyn,
and that to hem he wolde speke
and somwhat of his herte to hem breke.
“Sires, that schal j do with good wylle,
and ȝe to me wyl lestene vntylle;
and of what thing that ȝe preyen me,
J Schal Jt ȝow grawnten, Sires, certeynle.”
Thanne ladden they hym to the mynstre anon
To speken with hym there everychon.
“Sire, we vndirstonde Jn owre entent
That ȝe ben owre Lord, verament;
and what ȝe desiren from this day,
we wylen hit performen, with-owten nay,
and therto owre londes of ȝow to holde,
and homage to don ȝow ful manyfolde,
of ȝoure Sacryng ȝif Respyt that ȝe do
jnto pentecost, certein, with-owten mo;
and neuere the lasse kyng scholen ȝe be,
and kepen ȝowre stat, worschype, & dignete.”
“How Schold j,” quod arthewr thanne,
“Homage Resceyven of ony manne,
Tyl J-Sacred Fulliche that j be
and jn my stat at alle manere degre?
But of the respyt that ȝe me preye,
j wele not denyen hit Jn non weye.
ȝyt, that j schal not Sacred be,
Sires, j Sey ȝow now certeinle,
That nethyr kyngdom ne worschepe j desire
but be wyl of the kyng of the hygh empyre.
And ek ȝif that ȝe consenten therto,
Ful moche the bettere hit may be do.”
Thanne answeryd the Baronage ageyn,
and of this chyld Seyden, Jn certeyn:
“ȝif he mowe lyven and enduren may,
[he] Schal ben ryht wys, the sothe to say,
[F]or wondyrly he doth vs answere here

203

[j]n every poynt, with-owten dwere!”
Thanne seide to hym the Baronage ageyn:
“Sire, of on thing we preyen ȝow pleyn:
now at this pentecost ȝe Sacred scholen be
and resceyven ȝowre crowne and dignete.
and with-jnne this Terme obeyen welen we,
To don ȝow homage, Servyse, and Fe,
[a]s owre erchebisschope wyl vs telle;
we wylen werken aftyr his spelle.”
thanne alle ornementis browht they forth, sykirle,
That to a kyng belonged Jn alle degre,
Forto assayen Jn here manere
ȝyf owht coveytous that he were.
Thanne axede this worthy Arthewr anon
of these estates alle be on & on,
and what eche man was jn his degre.
So that good departed there anon thanne he,
and ȝaf bothe Riche Robes, gold, and Fe
To Erl, Barouns, & knyhtes, ful gret plente;
and the gold and þe Sylver that hym browht was,
anon he departyd jn that plas
To sweche as hym thowhte best weren there,
So that Love he gat hym every where.
Thus departed Arthewr His ȝyftes Alle
that to hym weren browht, bothe grete and smalle.
and whanne they syen hym of alle thinges so gent,
anon they Seyden Jn here entent
That a worthy man he Scholde be
and neuere coveytous jn non degre.
“But verrayly vs semeth Jn his avyse,
and he hadde Resceyved his dygnete,
that to hym gret grace scholde Resorte,
as Evere to ony man that was of his porte.
For Every man he Rewardyth aftyr his degre,
and Every stat gwerdoneth ful pryncypale!”
And Neuere Evel tach jn hym they fownde
of alle that tyme Jn thyke stownde.

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So thus the Sacreng there gan abyde
jnto pentecost, that holy tyde.
Thanne Sembled they echon ageyn
at londone eftsones, J Sey ȝow pleyn.
There the swerd aȝen they gonne asaye
To pullen Jt owt, ho so pullen maye.
but there was non man jn that plase
That swerd to taken, ne hadde non grase.
Thanne therchebisschope anon ryht
alle thinges aparayllede, j ȝow plyht,
Bothe corowne, Septre, and the sacrynge,
al this he ordeyned, with-owten lesynge.
Vppon the whitsonne even, satirday at nyht,
therchebisschope took cownseyl at Barown & knyht,
and that nyht Artheur knyht was mad,
er ony more dignite that he had.
and that Nyht in preyeris lay everyman,
Tyl vppon the morwen that hit dawen began.
So vppon the morewen, whanne hit was day lyht,
To the maister chirche cam bothe barown & knyht.
Thanne bespak therchebisschope Ful sone:
“Sires, ȝe weten what ȝe han to done.
Lo, here this man of goddis chesing
To ben bothe ȝoure gouernour & kyng!
beholdith here vestures, and robys ryal,
and the corowne of this lond with-al,
Be the counseyl of Ryalis and of oþer mo
this coronacioun here forto ben do.
ȝit wolde j weten not For than
ȝif that here be ony Swich man
that this eleccion here wolde with-seye;
of this the sothe wolde j knowen, Jn feye.”
thanne answerid they alle be on assent:
“we wylen he be crowned, verament.”
“Thanne with this,” quod the bisschope thanne,
“So he haue the hertis here of euery manne,
what aȝens hym hath be wrowht jnto this day,
he it to ȝow forȝevith for evere and ay.”
Thanne knelyd they down al jn fere,

205

and to Arthewr cryden mercy there.
thussone aȝens hem he knelede vppon his kne,
and vppon hem he wepe for pure pyte,
Seyeng to hem there, fulsore weping:
“J forȝeve to ȝow alle ȝowre trespasyng,
and so j preye to god an hy
that he hyt forȝeve, & so wyle J.”
Thanne Rysen they alle be on assent,
and hym gonne embracen with good entent,
and him vp boren, and there forth ladde
there as the Robes the bisschope leyd hadde.
So thanne they hym vestured anon,
and the bischope thussone to masse ward gan gon.
Anon As the Bysschope there Redy Was,
To Artheur there cam he jnto that plas.
“Sire, to the Swerd now ȝe mosten go
and hyt vptaken, as tofore ȝe han do,
wherwith holychirche defenden as a knyht
and also cristendom with al ȝowre myht.”
Thanne wenten they forth on procession,
bothe prelates, lordis, and comunes echon,
Tyl they comen there as the swerd was
Stekyng jn the ston jn the forseid plas.
Thanne seide therchebisschope to Artheur there:
“Lesteneth now to me, and ȝe scholen here.
Ȝyf hit so be that thow wylt Swere
and to God avowen & his modyr dere,
Ek to Petyr and Powl, enswre thou me,
and to alle Seyntes that jn hevene be,
holy chirche to susteynen jn hire ryht
and pes jn thy Lond with al thy myht,
Ek the vnconseylled forto cownseylle,
Thy peple to worschepe and avaylle,
To thy Power this schalt thou do,
and ryhtful lawes to meynteyne also,
with this com forth, take vpe this Swerd,
whom god hath chosen jn this middilerd!”
Anon so Arthew[r] herde al this,

206

For pite he wepe, & many mo, j-wys.
So that he there Swor be god almyhty
althis to susteyne with herte ful trewly—
“And be alle thynges that jn erthe be,
J schal hem Sosteyne jn my degre.”
with this anon Arthewr he knelyd adown
amonges al the peple that was jn vyrown.
Anon the Swerd there vpe he took,
Seenge many man that on hym gan look,
and as lyhtly took hyt vpe ryht there,
as Jn the ston hyt not ne were.
So bar he the swerd forth jn his hond,
and to thawter they hym ladde, ȝe vndirstond,
and there hym Sacryd, with-owten dowte,
& as to here kyng they gonne to hym lowte.
Ek anoynt he was anon therto,
& alle that belonged to a kyng also.
Whanne this coronacion j-endyd was,
and the masse j-Fenysched be goddis gras,
owt of the mynstre alle wenten they anon,
and behelden there aftyr this Ston,
But they ne wyste where hit was do,
So sodeynliche aweye was hit hem fro.
And jn this maner Arthew[r] kyng chosen was,
as ȝe han me herd rehersyn jn this plas.

[Chapter VII]

Thus Here-Aftyr the Storye Doth telle
what aftyr in kyng Arthewris cort befelle,
that aftyre his coronacioun the ȝer Sewenge
To his cowrt repeyrede bothe knyht & kynge.
To that court cam the kyng of orkanye
with Fyve hundred knyhtes jn his compenye.
Also thedyr kam þe kyng of gore, þat hyht vryens,
with Foure hundred knyhtes Jn his presens.
thanne kam the kyng newtris Garlot,

207

that kyng Artheuris Sostir weddid, wel j wot,
and with him vij hundred knyhtes of pris.
And aftyr hym to cowrt þere kam j-wis
the kyng that was of ryht Gorre,
that Carados of brebas hyht, Sykerle;
Therto he was knyht of þe table rownde,
and with hym vj hundred knyhtes Sownde.
Aftyr hym kam kyng auguysyaax so fre,
that kyng of scotlond was, Sykerle,
a ȝong man, ful hardy, & gret of prowesse,
with fyve hundred knyhtes, more ne lesse.
Aftyr hym to court kam kyng ydyers
with fowre hundred knyhtes stowt & Fers,
wel j-armed & harneysed owt ryht,
Thowgh anon they scholde gon to fyht.
whanne these kynges were Sembled jn fere,
of hem gret joye made kyng Arthewr there,
and many grete festes he hem made
with grete presentes & ȝiftes to maken hem glade.
every lord there aftyr his degre,
grete jewelis he hem ȝaf, Sykirle.
whanne these Barowns beheldyn al this,
the grete presentes and jewellis of pris
and the grete festyng that he hem made,
anon there-offen dysdeyn they hadde,
and amongis hem-Self they gonne to say:
“we mown ben Sory to abyden this day,
To sen a knave of so lowe degre,
kyng of this rem that he scholde be!”
Anon his ȝiftes they refused echon,
and streyht to the kyng wenten anon,
and deden hym wel forto vndirstonde
they ne held hym non kyng of that londe,
and boden hym faste thens to hye
owt of that lond ryht Schortlye,
For but ȝyf he wolde the lond forsake,
they wolden hym werche bothe tene & wrake,

208

and but ȝif he thus dede, sekerlye,
ellis to the dethward he scholde hye.
whanne kyng Arthewr herde here grete manas,
thanne owt of strengthe of karlion gan he pas,
and there logged hym prevyly jn the town,
For mochel he dred hym of tresown;
where as he abod fyftene dayes,
þat but fewe wysten where, þe sothe to saye.
thanne happed it aftyr, as j ȝow telle,
that merlyn jnto þat town cam, as befelle,
and jn his owne Semblawnce aperede openlye,
For that of the peple he wolde be seye.
And thussone as they hym Sye,
gretly they merveilled, Sekirlye.
Anon the lordis aftyr him gonne sende,
and merlyne ful gladliche to hem gan wende.
Anon as these Barowns Syen him comeng,
aȝens hym they wenten jn metynge,
and of hym gret joye they made,
and jnto a fair paleys they him ladde,
that stood be a reverys syde,
& jnto a fair mede there gonne they byde.
Whanne Jn that place that they Were,
anon merlyn they aresownd there,
and this to hym was here askyng,
how that hym likede be here newe kyng—
“That therchebisschope of dover hath crowned here
aȝens oure leve Jn alle manere.”
“Certes, lordynges,” quod merlyne tho,
“they myhte non bettere hauen j-do.”
“what mene ȝe?” quod the barowns thanne,
“how speke ȝe of this jlke manne?
jn this rem many worthy lordis there be,
more worthy to ocupien that worthy degre
thanne a knave that noman doth knowe
whens he cam, of hygh oþer lowe!”
“ȝe Seyn as that ȝe thinken,” quod merlyn,
“but now wylen ȝe heren of cownseyl myn,
and vndirstondith what j schal Seye:

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he is as hygh a born man, jn feye,
as the beste of ȝow that js here,
For here to his Fadyr þere nys non pere.
For Antronys sone nys non thing he,
nethyr sire kay his brothyr nys, sikerle,
that his steward chosen is this day,
but only of norture, as J ȝow say.”
“where-offen speken ȝe?” quod þe barouns tho,
“moche more merveyl js this vs vnto.”
“ȝe doth aftyr me,” quod merlyn thanne,
“and j schal counseillen ȝow as j kanne.
Aftyr kyng Artheur that ȝe don sende
Jn Ryhtful trews, as ȝe ben hende,
and aftyr vlphyn, that worthy man
that cownseyllour was to Pendragon;
and aftyr antron that ȝe senden also,
that kyng Arthewr hath norsched hedirto;
and thanne scholen ȝe knowen al this thing,
holiche the begynneng and endyng.
And weteth wel, Lordynges, with-owten leyne,
that j make non lesyng to ȝow, jn certeyne.”
Thanne quod [the] Barowns be on assent:
“we wylen fulfylle thin comaundement,
we wilen hym behoten, ful vtterlye,
Sauf to comen & to gon, certeinlye.”
“Clepe forth Breteaus,” quod merlyn tho,
“For this arende he Schal wel mown do.”
thanne clepyd they forth Breteaus anon,
and to hym the Barowns seiden thusson
that thys arende he scholde do,
this jlke peple to bringen hem vnto.
thanne seide merlyn to Breteaus there:
“Ek therchebisschope of dover jn alle manere,
that he com forth in here compenye,
and ek the bisschope of londone, ful pleynlye.”
“Sire,” quod Breteaus, “this schal be do.”
he took his leve and forth gan go,
and jnto that place he wente anon

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where as kyng artheur he fond thusson.
“Syre kyng, the Baronage aftyr ȝow doth sende,
and therchebisschope of dover with ȝou schal wende,
the bisschope of londone, and Antron also.”
and from thens Breteaus to vlphin gan go,
and seide that he moste come to the Baronye,
also faste as he myhte thanne hye.
whanne vlphin of merlyn herde Speken aryht,
thanne jn his herte he was ful lyht,
and ful gret joye he hadde thanne, Sykir[l]e,
for he wyste wel the trowthe discouered schold be,
al the Rote and al the Endyng
Of the Birthe of Artheur the kyng.
Thus Wenten they Forth Alle Jn Fere
To the barowns in the paleis there they were;
and gret joye vlphyn of merlyn made,
and ech of hem mad othyr glade.
Thanne Arthewr and the Bysschoppes also
to-ward the paleys gonnen they go,
and with hem Antron jn compenye,
also faste as they myhten hye.
vndirstondith that Arthewr armed was ful wel
vndir his robe with an haberiown of stel.
whanne to-fore the Baronage that he cam,
on eche partye stood there many a man
merlyne to ȝeven there good awdyence,
whyles that he stood jn the kynges presence.
and whanne the kyng they Syen comen, trewelye,
alle the Baronage aȝens hym gonne hye;
atte reverence that Sacred he was kyng,
aȝens him they wenten jn metyng,
and jn reuerence of therchebisschope also
ek aȝens hem goone they go.
Thanne Seten they down everichon,
Sauf only therchebisschope stod alon.
“Now, Lordynges, lesteneth what j schal say,
and beth wel avysed alle, J ȝow pray;

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and ek for goddis love and for charyte,
what j schal Seye, taketh kepe to me.
J ȝow preye for charyte,
of schedyng of blood ȝe hauen pyte,
whiche is cristene blood, as ȝe wel knowe,
as wel of the hye as of the lowe.
and thinketh but on man that ȝe be,
and assone here deyen Schole ȝe,
& assone deyeth the Riche as the pore,
and of þe owr of here deth knoweth no more.”
thanne quod the Barowns to hym anon that tyde:
“Sire, we ȝow preye a whyle to abyde,
Tyl we han spoke here with merlyn
of certein thinges of his devyn,
and whanne declared to vs hath he
a thing that to vs Js vncerteynte,
For sethen we comen jnto this lond,
of Sweche thingges cowde we neuere vndirstond.”
the Bisschope Seide: “Seres, with good wylle,
what that evere merlyne seith ȝow vntylle.”
thanne sat þere therchebisschope a-down,
and merlyne gan speke to hem jn vyrown:
“Now, Lordynges that ben here present,
what j schal Seyen, take ȝe good entent.
J schal ȝow declaren here ful openly
hos sone Arthewr was trewely.
weteth wel alle, Sires, now jn certeyn
that vterpendragones sone he is, pleyn,
and on ygwerne he begat hym that nyht
whiles the dewk, hire Lord, was slayn in fyht.
And on the morwen, whanne he cam owt
From that Lady, with-owten dowt,
a bone j hym axede there anon ryht
of that he hadde begeten on hire that nyht,
For alle the Benfetes and my Servyse
that evere j hym dyde jn ony wyse.
and he me graunted there anon
That al myn axynge scholde be don,

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wher-offen lettres vndir his Sel
j haue to Schewen, bothe goode & lel,
whiche ȝit kepith vlphyn, that is here,
and hym-self there was, wytnesse to bere.”
“Whanne that Pendragon hadde weddyd ygwerne,
To barnesche with chylde sche wax full ȝerne.
And so aftyr, hyt happede as j ȝow Seye:
As jn bedde they lyen bothe tweye,
The King Hyre often gan to Repreve,
and seyde: ‘now, lady, be ȝowre leve,
This chyld js neyther the dewkes ne myn,
how konne ȝe this preven be ony devyn?’
Anon thys lady abassched hyre Sore,
and euere the lengere more and more.
whanne the kyng Sawh hire scomfyture
and hire schamfulnesse, J ȝow enswre,
hym forthowht sore hyre hevynesse,
that he hadde hire put jn swich distresse.
And for so moche morneng by hyre he Say:
‘dame, of on thing j schal ȝow Say:
Sethen hit nys not myn jn maryage,
kyng may he not ben after myn age.
Therefore anon as that born hyt Js,
J ȝow cownseylle with-owten mys,
whom ferst ȝe fynde atte the halle dore,
The child to ben deliuered with-owten more.’
And the goode lady hym grawntyd anon
that al his desyr scholde be don,
For that sche wolde jn non degre
that hire lord with hire wroth scholde be.
and thus, certein, whanne hyt was bore,
To me it was delyvered at the halle dore.”
“And whanne delyveryd hit was to me,
To Antron j wente, ful certeynle,
and this chylde there j hym betook,
and that of his wyf hyt scholde Sowk,
For deliuered sche was half ȝer to-fore

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of sire kay, hire sone, with-owten more,
than jnto anothir place was put to norrye,
and Arthewr here forth sook, ful Sekerlye.
thus Sire kay Arthewris brothyr Js
be his modrys pappe, & non othyr, j-wys.
& this was kyng vter pendragounes preyere,
and so dyde sche, as j seye ȝow here,
and therto hit crystenede the same day,
and arthewr hit nempned, as j ȝow say.
Therfore j seye ȝow, Lordynges, here,
God thinketh on his man jn alle manere,
that hym doth Servyse oþer ony honowr,
he hym forsaketh jn non maner stowr.
more over, atte Reuerence of so worthy a man
and of the kynde that he of cam,
God wyle here ȝelden his gwerdon
bencheson of the seed, be good Reson.
and weteth wel now, Jn certeyn,
that god the ston hyder sente, ful pleyn,
and the swerd there-jnne, as ȝe myhten se,
To proven the sothe, ho that kyng scholde be.
and al this that j have seyd ȝow here,
Jt js Ryht trewe, as j ȝow lere.
Record of vlphyn, let hym now seye
ȝif that j varye jn ony manere weye,
and also of Antron, that here js,
ȝif that in ony thing j seye amys.”
thanne axede the Barowns jn þat plase
ȝif hyt were trewe that seyd he hase.
they answeryd anon: “ȝe, certeinlye;
merlyne jn these wordis ne doth not lye.
aud ȝif ȝe wylen not vs beleven here,
lo, here the lettre patentis al jn fere
that kyng Pendragon betook to merlyne
vndyr his owne Seal wel and fyne.”
these lettres they token anon jn hye
to therchebisschope to Reden by & bye;
and he hem radde, as hyt gan falle,
on be on there toforn hem alle.
And evene as merlyne told hadde before,

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Openly to the Baronage He declared Hyt thore.
and whanne the comune peple herde al this,
anon for pyte they wepten, j-wys,
and cursede alle tho that aȝens hym were
Jn ony degre here armes to bere.
And whanne the Barowns vndirstoden al this,
that the peple so with hym held, j-wys,
and seyden that hit was be goddis chaunce
that his man he wolde so here avaunce,
thanne bethowhte hem the Baronye
To speken of here kyng more velonye,
that for me Rehersed schal not ben here.
but they seyden that a bastard jn non manere
kyng of that Lond ne scholde neuere be,
nethyr that Rem governe jn non degre.
Therchebysschope answeryd hem ful sone:
“sethen that god this eleccyoun hath done,
he wyl hym leten for non maner of thing,
but hym Susteyne as a trewe kyng,
bothe jn his werris and his fyht,
he wyl hym susteynen as his owne knyht.”
Whanne therchebysschope and the clergye
and the comown peple, Sekerlye,
herden the vntrowthe of the Baronage,
how Fers they weren and how owtrage,
To-gyderys they helden hem everychon,
and toward Arthewrs court gonne they gon.
and alle the Baronage departyd away,
Ful wroth and angry, the Same day,
and seyden: “now every man hym defende
that with Arthewr halt jnto the ende.
For oure kyng schal he neuere be,
we hym defye and his progene,
and al the helpe that he may haue,
be hym we not sette, so god vs save.”
Thanne to ostage wenten they anon
and hem dyde armen there everichon.
And Arthewr jnto þe mayster towr wente

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with mochel peple with hym, veramente,
& there hem armeden jn that plase,
ek al the peple that with hym wase.
So whanne that alle assembled they were,
Sevene thowsend harneyssed weren they there;
but of knyhtes hadde he but fewe,
Thre hundred and Fyfty jn that Rewe,
that Sworen his helpe Forto be,
Tyl deth hem departed, ful Sykerle.
So whanne the kyng and his meyne
weren alle j-armed, Ful Sykerle,
they comen owt Anon of the towr,
here Bodyes to kepen From dolowr.
and the Baronage, as j haue told,
hom to here ostage wenten manyfold,
and harneyssed here men on hors to Ryde,
with the kyng to meten jn that Tyde.
So eche man assemblede to his Banere
of foure thosend knyhtes that weren there,
with Seriauntes and arblasterys
and gret foysown of Sqwyers that weren ful fers.
whanne that alle assemblyd they were,
thanne axede of hem the Baronage there
ȝyf that the paleys thei wolden assaylle.
Somme seiden ȝe, with-owten faylle,
and some seyden, to the Baylle they wolden go
and that besegen with-owte ony mo—
“that So we Scholen afferen hem with-jnne,
that jn non weye they Scholen owt wynne.”
So that Whyles they Weren Jn this Talkynge,
Towardes hem cam merlyne faste hyenge,
and seyde: “Lordynges, what wyle ȝe do?
thinken ȝe aȝens ȝowre kyng to go?
hyt schal be to ȝow more velenye
and gret hyndryng and los, ful Sekyrle,
and swich veniaunce on ȝow schal falle,
that Fowlyche scholen ȝe ben schamed alle,

216

and of ȝowre londis disheryted to be,
For wrong to hym ȝe thinken, sykerle.
and of the eleccion that god hath sent
ȝe don gret wrong, Sires, verament.”
“behold,” quod [the] Barouns amonges hem there,
“what this enchawntour telleth vs here!”
thussone on hym they gonne to lye,
eche of hem to othir, ful Sekerlye.
And whanne merlyne Sawh they tooken on so,
Toward kyng Arthewr faste gan he go,
and seyde: “sire, haue thou non drede,
For aȝens thyn enemyes wel schalt þou spede,
and aȝens hem as mochel helpe schalt þou haue
as alle they conne cryen other crave.”
So whanne hit woxen was to eve,
kyng Arthewr took merlyn be the sleve.
Ek therchebisschope, and Antron also,
Sire kay & sire Vlphyn to-gederis gonne go,
and Sire Bretel with hem jn compenye,
these vij in cownseyl to-gederis gonne hye.
the kyng clepyd merlyne to hym tho,
So that alle to-gederys gonne they go.
“Dere frend merlyne,” thanne quod the kyng,
“lesteneth now to my talkyng.
J haue herd told, ful certeinle,
that with my Fadyr thou were preve.
So wolde j ȝow preyen, with-owten faylle,
That ȝe wolde ben of myn cownsaylle
and cownseyllen me of this thing among,
ȝif that this meyne wylen me ony wrong.
wherfore j wolde ȝow hertelyche preye
my cownseyl to be & the sothe me seye
lyk as to my Fadyr, kyng vterpendragon,
ȝe ȝoven hym cownseyl in many areson.
And wete ȝe wel, Sire, jn ful certeyn,
that j wyl neuere don ȝow ageyn,
ne thyng that schal ȝow mysplese owher,

217

as ferforth as lasteth Jn my power.
and sethen ȝe holpen me jn myn ȝong age,
Sosteyne me now aȝens this Baronage
and ek my lond here to Susteyne.
For thorwh goddis helpe and ȝow tweyne,
thorwh ȝowre help and my fadyr Antron,
j hope myn enemyes to ouercomen echon.
therefore, God, thorwh thyn grete myht
So Save my peple and me aryht!”
“Syre,” quod merlyn, “drede ȝow non thing
of non of hem, with-owten lesyng.
For assone as ȝe deliuered be
of these baronage, that ȝe scholen se,
whiche that scholen comen ȝow to assaylle,
Thanne aftyrward werk be my cownsaylle,
and alwey aftyr as j schal ȝow lere,
doth be my cownseylle every-where.
the knyhtes that weren of the round table,
That ȝowre fadyr held bothe ferm & stable,
Jn-to Here contre J-passed they be
For the grete vntrowthe and dysloyalte
that they Syen jn this Rem with-jnne,
Eche knyht to his owne contre gan he wynne.
But there is a Rewm here bysyde
of whiche Leodegan Js kyng this tyde;
the Rewm of Tarmelyde j-clepyd hit js,
of wheche Rewm the kyng an old man is, j-wys;
And his wyf ded Js ek therto,
and children hath he lyveng no mo
But a dowhter, that schal ben his eyr,
to whom al his lond schal repeyr
aftyr his deth, the sothe to Say.
but gret werre he hath ȝit be his day
aȝens the kyng Ryown of Jeawnteȝ
and of wildernesse, that fewe men hawnteȝ.
And the cause j schal tellen ȝow why:
For so many merveylles þere ben seyn, trewely,

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bothe be day and ek be Nyht,
that men mown feren of that Syht.”
“This kyng Ryowns that j of telle,
a myhty man he js and Felle,
and mochel peple with hym hath he,
that myhty ben & ful of crewelte.
and conqweryd he hath be his myht
twenty corowned kynges jn fyht,
and alle here Berdes kut of hath he
Jn gret dispyt, as ȝe Scholen Se,
and closed they ben, with-owten lette,
and eche day to-forn hym at his mete
a knyht hem halt, as ȝe Scholen here,
as for gret dispyt, with-owten dwere.
And ȝit kyng Ryowns swereth, with-owten faylle,
neuere to leven werre nethir Bataylle,
Tyl that thrytty kynges conqweryd hath he.
and this kyng vppon leodegan werreth, Sykerle.
Now leodegan marcheth vppon the,
and ȝyf that his rem dystroyed be,
thy rewm schalt thow lesen, with-owten faylle,
but ȝif thou werke be myn cow[n]saylle.
and so hadde he his rewm, ful Sykyrle,
nere knyhtes of þe Rownde table hadde j-be.
wherfore, and thou wylt don aftyr me,
with hym a while schalt thou be,
and his dowhter to wyve, with-owten nay,
and al his rem aftyr hys day.
also therto sche is bothe ȝong and fayr,
and of alle his goodis schal ben his ayr,
therto the wysest j-cownted that may be.
and of thin owne rewm nothing drede the,
For the Barowns that aȝens the werre,
So moche scholen they han to done from ferre,
that lytel whille scholen they abyden there,
So mochil here bodyes scholen ben put in fere.

219

but Sore ocupyed Scholen they be
hemself to defende, ful Sykyrle.
and ȝowre strengthes jn warde scholen ȝe pytte
Jn dyvers hondys to kepen hem qwyte,
ȝowre cytes and ȝowre castelys bothe
with arblasteris and seriawnts, forsothe.
and ek therchebisschope schal therto
acursen hem that ȝow wrong wyl do,
and hym-Self schal don this Sentense,
To alle tho that to ȝow don ony offens,
and to alle the clergye thus schal hyt go
thorwh the rem to ben declared So.
and ȝe scholen sen, in tyme comenge
what schal behappen of al this thinge.
thorwh the helpe that j schal ȝow do,
they scholen ben affrayed, er they go.
and weteth wel, Sire, jn certeyn,
That to ȝow evere J schal ben ful beyn.
and whanne ony nede that ȝe haue,
j schal comen to ȝow, er that ȝe me crave.
And loke, anon whanne j to ȝow crye,
that ȝe opene ȝowre ȝates ful redylye,
and lete hem entre there everychon,
and thanne that amonges hem ȝe ben anon.
thanne So Sore abassched Scholen they be,
so þat somme scholen Sone there fle,
that discomfyt scholen they ben alle;
Swych aventure on hem þere schal falle.”
Thanne departyd they there fulson,
and vppon to þe walles þe bisschope went anon.
and there kyng Arthewr aparayllede his men,
an merlyne a baner to hym made then,
wherby he hadde gret Sygnyfyaunce,
and to his adversaryes ful gret dowtance.
vppon a lawnse that Baner was pyht
with an oryble dragown in here Syht,

220

that Flawm & Fyr there owt he caste,
where-offen the barouns agrysen ful faste;
and therto he hadde a ful long taylle,
where-offen they merveylled, with-owten faylle.
Thanne kyng Arthewr took this Baner,
and Syre Kay, his Styward, betook hit ther
jn this manere, as j ȝow Say:
that whyles he jn this world lyven may,
his chef Banorer forto be,
Whiles he may lyven jn prosperyte.
Thus arayed weren they with-jnne,
and they with-owten to Fyhten wolden not blynne,
but there they pyhten here pavylouns,
with Baners displayed and gomfanouns.
and whanne therchebysschope beheld al this,
anon to hem he clepede, j-wys,
and bad hem comen here myhtes to preve,
ȝyf the towr they myhte wynnen er eve.
they answeryd aȝen, with-owten faylle:
“Non men but we hyt scholen assaylle.”
Thanne therchebisschope ryht there anon
hem cursede alle there everychon
that aȝens kyng Arthewr dyden ony thyng,
his rewm to damage other hyndryng.
Thussone the Baronage answeryd ageyn:
“of alle thy cursyng we setten not, pleyn,
but hym chasen Scholen we ful vtterly,
owt of this Lond to dryven hym jn hy.
and ȝif we mown taken hym be ony weye,
he schal not asckapen that he Schal deye.”
Anon whanne merlyne herde here bobaunce,
Fulsone he wrowht hem gret myschaunce:
on hem he caste his enchawntemens,
vppon Tentes and pavylouns, with-owten defens,
and alle vppon a fyr there hem Sette,
That non of hem ne myhten hyt lette.
So thens they fledden everychon,

221

that non ne wyste of hem whedyr to gon.
Thanne kam merlyne to the kyng anon,
and Seyde: “Syre, now is tyme ȝe gon;
openeth ȝowre ȝates and þat Ryht Faste,
and vppon ȝowre enemyes that ȝe haste.”
Anon the ȝates faste opened they were,
and every man owt prekede there,
So that to here enemyes faste gonne they ryde
with Baneris displayed fulsore that tyde,
where-offen the Barowns abassched were,
whanne they Syen hem aprochen so nere;
For they Wenden, Ful Certeynle,
that swich a peple jn the Towr hadde not be.
kyng Arthewr on hem rod with scheld & spere,
and moche noysawnce dyde hem there,
For astoned they weren of the fer,
that but lytel power ne hadden they ther;
hem to defende they ne hadde non myht,
So that moche peple they losten jn fyht.
There ȝonge kyng Arthewr kydde his prowesse,
and putte his enemyes to gret distresse:
hors and men ful faste he Slowh,
and alle the Barowns thens they flowh
Jnto anothyr prevy partye.
and there they Seyden tho, pleinlye,
a schame hyt were to hem echon,
and he so lyhtly schold from hem gon.
thanne spak kyng Newtris of Garlot there:
“alle this werre ful Fenysched were,
ȝif that Arthewr here now were ded;
j to ȝow kan seyn non better red.”
“goth forth,” thanne quod the remnaunt tho,
“that this thing were thanne J-do.
and ȝif that ony mestere that ȝe haue,
we scholden ȝow helpe that ȝe ben Save.”
Thanne wente kyng Newtris forth, ful pleyn,
as a ȝong knyht and joly, jn certeyn,
and with hym a thryfty compenye

222

of Bacheleris bolde and chevalrye.
and ryht a gret spere kyng Newtres bar,
and with kyng Arthewr he mette ryht thar.
whanne that kyng Artheur hym say comenge,
aȝens hym fulfaste he gan to flynge
with a gret lawnce, the hed of stel,
wherwith he besteryd him ryht wel.
For they that him Syen come prekynge,
they merveyllede that evere a man so ȝynge [OMITTED]
and so sore to-gederis gonne they ryde,
that here hors Fowndrede jn that tyde.
kyng Newtris Arthewr so sore mette,
that his spere to-brak, so sore he smette;
and kyng Arthewr him smot ageyn,
thorwh Scheld & arm hit wente, ful pleyn,
ek thorwh the Scholdere there he hym bar,
and down of his hors threw hym ryht thar,
his hed to the grownde, his helys on hye,
that al the erthe denede, ful Sekyrlye.
but whanne kyng loth of orkanye this beheld,
that his cosyn germayn lay jn the feeld,
his hors with his Spores he took anon,
and toward kyng Arthewr rood ful Son
his half-brothyr to avengen there
(For two sostren hadden they wedded, as j ȝow lere).
and whanne kyng loth he say comen so,
kyng Arthewr aȝens hym gan to go,
as ther of hym nothing he ne rowhte,
but fulfaste on hym kyng Arthewr sowhte,
Tyl that to-gederis ful sone they mette,
and ful grete strokes to-gederis they sette.
and so sore they cowntred there,
that bothe here speris to-borsten were,
that here hors non ferthere myhte pase.
thanne sone here swerdis gonnen they vnbrase,

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and so sore strokis to-gederis they smette,
that kyng loth was feld, with-owten lette.
Thanne Began thore A passyng Scry
on bothen partyes, ful Sekerly.
and a ful gret stowr began there thanne,
the kynges to Socowren, of eche manne;
bothe of knyht and ek of kyng
there was wondyr gret distorbelyng.
and kyng Arthewris meyne cam also
hym forto Socowren what they myhten do.
thanne be-gan there a ful gret stowr
on bothe partyes with grete langowr.
But certein, al this jlke stownde
bothe kynges lyen atte grownde.
Whanne kyng Arthewr thus anoyed was,
his swerd he drowh owt jn that plas,
that jn the drawyng hit ȝaf a clerte,
that alle the peple there myhte hyt se;
as thowh xx torches hadden ben lyht,
So that there hit semede to alle here Syht;
therto the same swerd, hos wyle hyt look,
That kyng Arthewr owt of the ston ferst he took.
and abowten the Swerd wreten was ful wel
Escalabort, þe wheche was graven in steel.
a name of ebrew hit was, j-wys,
that jn frensch Trawnchefyst j-clepyd Js,
that is englesch Forto telle
as Trenchaunt, and scharpe, & cuttyng ful snelle.
and that, forsothe, ful trewe hyt Js,
as that here-aftyr ȝe scholen heren, j-wys.
whanne that kyng Arthewr recouered was,
and his swerd drawen jn that plas,
jnto the grettest pres he gan to go,
There as most pres thanne say he tho,
and thussone there wyth a knyht he mette,
and swich a boffet there thanne hym sette,
the arson of his hors he smot atwo,

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and the knyht to dethe he wowndyd tho,
that bothe hors and man they fyllen to grownde;
and ful gret slawhtre he mad that stownde,
So that his strok dorste non man abyde,
So Ferd of hym they weren that tyde.
Whanne the Sevene kynges Syen this damage,
that Arthewr wrowht hem so moche owtrage,
thanne ful Sorewful jn herte they were,
and alle to cownseyl they drowen hem there.
“Let vs assemblen on hym everychon
and down to the erthe bringen hym anon.”
So that with here sperys, that weren so stronge,
Towardys hym faste gonne they fonge,
also faste as they myhte ryde,
hym down to beren jn that Tyde.
and alle they grated on hym at onys,
him to han Slayn for the nonys;
but kyng Arthewr was armed so wel,
bothe jn erne and ek jn steel;
but down they boren hym to the grownde.
that say vlphyn, Antron, & kay, & Breteaus þat stownde,
and so dyde more alle here lynage,
To Arthewr thei wente with gret corage.
and whanne the vij kynges they Syen this,
aȝens this meyne they wenten j-wys.
and þere Syre kay with kyng augwys mette,
and thorwh the lefte Scholdere ful sore him smette,
more over doun to the erthe him Bar,
thanne as for ded he lefte hym thar.
and antron Karados so smot thanne,
that he to-brosed hym bothe body & panne,
and jn ded swowne lefte hym þat tyde,
So that he ne myhte nethyr gon ne ryde.
And Vlphyn Kyng Newtres mette Anon,
that hors and man to-gederys gonne gon.
and Syre Breteaus & kyng Ydieres
theyre swerdis they broken, they weren so fers,

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eche on othyr in that place,
So strong betwixen hem the skyrmesch wase.
and al this whyle the Barownes in fere
at the erthe with Artheur, as he lay there,
and so on the helm there hym they bete,
hym there to maken his lyf to lete,
that so sore astoned kyng Arthewr was,
he wende haue deyd jn that plas.
and whanne Syre Kay al this beheld,
his Swerd he drowgh owt jn that feld,
and thedyr as that kyng Arthewr lay,
as faste he hyeth as he kan oþer may.
and with kyng Loth there he mette,
and swich a strok he on hym Sette,
that bothe hors and man there wente to grownde,
So sore he hym smot that ylke stownde.
thanne be-gan there a fulstrong melle
bothen partyes to Socowren, ful sykirle,
and gret manslawhtre, with-owten pyte,
of men & hors there myhten they se.
but so faste thei besyed hem, þat meyne there,
Tyl that kyng Arthewr aȝen j-horsed were.
but gret peyne the[y] hadden therto
and gret los of peple also.
whanne that þe comunes Syen Arthewr so fyhte,
Fulfaste they cryden anon þere ryhte,
So that the cry there ros al abowte,
and to Arthewr they comen, with-owten dowte,
and seyden to Arthewr there as blyve:
“we scholen the helpen, whyles we han lyve;
For lyven and deyen we scholen with the here
and thin ryht to Sosteyne al jn fere.”
thanne this comune peple anon
vppon the vj kynges gonne to gon,
and þere was bataille wondyr strong,
but non rawnsom wolden they fong,

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but lyf for lyf and hed for hed,
thus pleyden bothe partyes jn that sted.
Thanne kyng Arthewr so ful of Yre
owt sprang on horsbak as spark of fyre
To-forn alle his othyr meyne,
and with kyng Ydyers sone mette he.
and vp his swerd he lefte on hy
him to han smeten ful grevously.
but of his purpos he fayllede tho,
and kyng Ydiers hors nekke he smot atwo,
that down they fyllen bothe to grownde,
bothe hors and man in that stownde.
thanne retorned kyng Ydiers meyne
hym forto Socowre, as hit myhte be.
thanne strengere fyht was jn that plas,
thanne of alle daye to-forn there was,
and more harm & more occisiown
there was don that tyme jn vyrown.
for kyng Arthewr dyde moche harm jn that pres
bothe of hors and men, and wolde not Ses,
with Trenchefust, his Swerd so good,
that bathed was al in mennes blood;
al his harneys and his armure
with mennes brayn was soyled, j the ensure.
So that Ydiers and his meyne
as discomfyt fledden, Sykirle.
So that ful Longe Lasted this chas
after these vj kynges jn that plas.
and of al the good that they thedyr browhte,
the valew of twey pens awey boren they nowhte,
that alto-gederis j-lost was there,
what thorwh bataylle and thorwh Fyre,
which that merlyne vppon hem wrowhte;
Sauf Gold oþer Sylver Saved was þere nowhte.

[Chapter VIII]

Whanne kyng Arthewr hem hadde conqweryd,
these Syxe kynges, as ȝe haven herd,

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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.
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,
and j-mad thre hundred knyhtes & mo,
and al his strengthes j-stuffed ful wel,

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bothen cytees, townes, and castel
(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),

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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.”
“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.

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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.”
“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.

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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.”
“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,

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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.”
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.
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.
and whanne the feste was al j-do,
To londone ward the kyng gan go,
there to abyden his parlement,

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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.
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.
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.

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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.

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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,

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That kyng Ban there dyde arere,
From his enemyes to defenden him every-where.
Jn this castel qwene eleyne was,
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,

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and weren repeyred owt of desert tho,
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,

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thanne forth to passen scholen ȝe han grace,
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.

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& þere to þe grownde he bar hym ful ryht,
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

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of Bothe partyes there jn Vyrown.
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

And at this lowgh Vlphyn welfaste;
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.

242

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.
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,
how that jt was, jnto the endyng,

243

and of alle the Stryf that was there
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,

244

but jn his owne place abyden þere stylle),
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.
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.
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

245

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.”
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.

[Chapter IX]

Now Scheweth Forthere this Storye
that from Arthewr the messengeris gonnen hye,
and stuffeden thanne every garnesown,
every good cyte, and every town,
with arblasteris and seriawntis also;
thus merlynes comandement dyde they tho.
For he knew alle tho that trewe were,
lik as this Storye Reporteth here,
For merlyne knew ful wel that compeyne,
that be hem Treson scholde neuere non be.
and whanne they hadden thus j-don,
thanne to hem cam merlyne anon,

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and seide they hadden ryht wel j-do.
thanne tolden they to merlyne vnto
how that be the weye assaylled they were,
and hou of vij knyhtes they deliuered hem there,
ek with the two kynges j-spoken also,
and how here londys they hadde deliuered tho
To tweyne barouns of that contre,
and the tokene of the ryng also tolden hee.
Anon seide merlyne to kyng Arthewr thanne:
“Goth, ordeyne ȝow to meten these worthy menne,
For thin owne men ful Syker they be,
and Born of hygh lynage, ful Sykerle,
and ek here wyves Jn that same wyse
hyghe Born as ony man kan devyse.”
thanne answeryd the kyng to merlyne ageyne:
“As thou me redest, j wyl don, certeyne.”
thanne quod merlyne jn alle haste:
“that the weyes ben clensid ful faste,
and þerto alle the maidenis that þou miht gete
hem to meten dawnsing jn that strete,
& thus with songe & dawnsyng with-owten þe town
hym so to meten in merie processiown,
and thanne ȝoure-self with alle ȝoure chevalrye
ek hem to meten ful worschepfullye.”
“Now, goode merlin,” quod Artheur the kyng,
“whanne mai j be seker of here comeng?”
“a sondai next comeng, er þe owr of Tyerce,
hidyr scholen thei comen bothe heyl & ferce.”
whanne that kyng Arthewr vndirstood al this,
thanne aftir merlines wil he wrowhte, j-wys,
and merline him tawhte what he scholde do,
and hou to the kynge he scholde speken vnto,
that jn non wise jnterupt scholde he not ben
Jn non thing that he Scholde don other sen.
Vppon this him ordeyned Artheur the kyng
aȝens these kynges to gon encowntryng.

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thus abyden they stille til vppon the sonday.
thanne myht me sen men there jn good aray:
the kyng Artheur & al his Baronye,
therchebisschope of dover with his clergye,
thus with processioun they hem metten, sykerle.
thanne gret kysseng & joye there men myhten se.
thus toward the cyte passeden they there,
where as dawnsyng many maidenis were
with many karoles & ryht merye song,
at that tyme was these maidenis among.
and thus thorugh the cyte thei gonne to ride
To the grete towr that ilke tyde.
Anon as these kynges to þe paleis weren browht,
grete jewelis and ȝiftis sone weren vpe sowht
and to the kinges presentyd there;
also cowrseris, palfreyes, & with destrere,
ek robes, and armures bothe goode & riche
To these kynges he ȝaf and to oþer j-lyche.
and al this wrowht he be merlines cownsaille,
For aftyr hit dede hym gret availle.
So that gret love he gat him there
Of Riche and powre thanne Every-Where,
and of hem that neuere hym sye
Toforn tyme ne aftyr with here eye.
Ful mochel merveylleden the peple tho
whens that alle tho jewelis comen fro,
and jn so schort time hit was j-don,
bothe to hye and to lowe þere riht anon.
So that eche man jn his degre
kyng Artheuris man swor forto be,
and for nothing hym Neuere to faylle
jn pes, in werre, nethir jn bataille.
Whanne that these kynges jn þe cite were,
daunsyng of ladies Syen thei there,
Torneyeng of Bacheleris ȝonge,
that alday lasted jnto evensonge.
more ouer alle the stretis of the cyte

248

with clothis of Sylk weren hanged, sikerle.
and bothe fayr wedyr and cler hyt was,
For nethyr rein ne hayl þat day þere nas.
and alle the stretys with lampes hanged were,
and euerich lampe ful of Bawm was there,
whiche that brenden so Swetely,
that al the cyte þere-offen savourede, trewly,
So that the swete odowr smellyd myhte han be
half a myle thanne, ful certeinle.
So that the barouns forth wenten in fere
To the chyf mynstre anon ryht there.
there met weren they with processioun,
with cros, Baneris, and gomfanoun.
Therchebisschope the masse sang, veramente,
and aftyr masse to paleys they wente,
the thre kynges al jn Fere
with alle the baronage þat was there,
where as manye worthy viandes weren dyht
þerwith the kynges to serven, as hit was ryht.
and alle thre kynges to-gederis they sete,
with hem therchebisschope, as hit was mete;
at on table alle J-Served they were
with rial deyntes whiche weren there.
thanne weren there two ȝonge knyhtes
that thyke day the halle serveden outrihtes
with sire kay, sire Vlphin, and sire Bretel;
that day they deden wondirly wel.
the names of thes knyhtes so ȝonge
J schal ȝow declaren Jn Englysch tonge.
the ton hyhte Lucans the Botelers,
the tothir sire Gyrfles, a knyht ful fers.
thus with these knyhtes the halle served was
with gret deyntes thike day jn that plas.
Aftyr noon was vpe set the qwyntyn,
the ȝonge knyhtes þere justed wel and fyn,
and Boordeieden there alle theke day,
and aftyrward to torneyeng, with-owten nay.

249

So weren they devyded on partyes tweyne,
on eche side vij hundred, jn certeingne,
of whyche of the rem of Baynoic, vtterlye,
thre hundred weren in that compenye.
and whanne these parties assembled were,
alle thre kynges weren they there.
and mochel of the clergye þere was also,
and of astronomers that jn þe rewm was tho.
ȝit vndir hem alle cowden they not telle
on whiche syde the better befelle,
Sauf only merlyne he cowde declare,
whiche side the bettere scholde han thare.
Thus the thre Kynges And therchebysschope tho
at Fenestris and wyndowes lokeden tho,
and hou to-gederys they gonnen torneye,
ek hou that here hors gonnen for to neye,
and hou that the erthe hyt denede also,
So faste to torneyeng gonn they to go.
Thanne thus whiles they torneyed there,
Jnto a renge aperyd thanne there
Sire Gyrfleȝ, the sone of cardwelle,
vppon a stede that was stowt & felle;
jnto that renge he rod ful faste.
& aȝens hym cam on atte laste:
a knyht of Baynoic, that hyht Ladmas,
with sire Gyrfles mette jn that plas;
and assone as they to-gederis mette,
Grete strokes on ech other there sette;
with sperys and scheldes toforn here breest
To-gedires they mettyn at here Treest.
and so sore to-gederis they ronnen there,
that ech vppon other barst his spere,
For worthy knyhtes they weren bothe two,
and eche be hym-self desirede also:
the toon desired worschepe, trewelye,
The toþer richesse and Seygnourye.
So sore they torneyeden togederis thanne,

250

that hem thowhte the brayn was owt of h[er]e panne,
and ek the eyen owt of here hed,
So sore they torneyed jn that sted.
and ech of hem to erthe oþer there bar,
that jn Swowneng stille they lyen thar.
So that the peple wenden, þat stoden abowte,
that bothe hadden ben ded, with-owten dowte.
For so crwel a fyht Syen they neuere ere
be-twixen two men that knyhtes were.
Thussone to-broken the renges anon;
to rescwen these knyhtes wenten they ful son.
there on partye with anothyr to-gederis gonne mete,
that on eyther partye lay jn the strete.
ek so sore to-gederis metten they there,
that eche man on othyr brak his spere.
whanne that here sperys to-broken were,
anon here swerdis they pulden owt there.
So that there a melle began ful strong,
betwixen tho knyhtes hem among.
ȝyt was there thanne anothyr knyht,
that ful merveillously bar hym in fyht,
that Lucans le boteler was his name,
cosin germayn to Gyrfles, a man of fame.
This Lucans so on gan taken there,
that bothe hors and knyhtes he gan to fere.
For so harde he took on thanne,
that his strok ne dorsten abyden non manne.
he rente the helmes of hedis adown,
here scheldes caste ouer here arsown,
and swiche maistryes werken þere he began,
that of hym merveillede many a man.
and so deden these kynges thre,
and of hym merveilleden jn many degre.
Longe lasted the torneyeng that Tyde
at Londone faste by temses syde.
and ȝit knew non man the bettyr partye,

251

ho þe victorye scholde hauen, sykyrlye.
For so many goode men there were
here myht to preven on bothe sides þere.
whanne Gyrfles and his felawe vpe weren sette
and on horsbak þere, with-owten lette,
Whanne they Aventyd Weren Jn that plas,
aȝen they torneyeden with-jnne litel spas.
thanne sire Gyrfles and sire lwcans jn Fere
Ful grete maystryes begonnen they there,
and of hem of Baynoic goten they lond,
and from here place remeved hem, j vndirstond.
whanne that this they of Baynoyc Sye,
that here Feleschepe gonnen so forto flye,
they comen to rescwen hem with alle here myht,
that toforn not ne hadden comen jn fyht.
thanne comen of Arthewris thre hundred knyhtes
aȝens hem of Baynoyc þere anon ryhtes.
and thus they entermellyd bothe jn fere,
tyl that merveillous werkyng maden they there;
for so sore to-gederis gonnen they ryde,
that here speris to-borsten jn that tyde.
and whanne here speres toborsten were,
anon eche man his swerd drowh owt þere.
and þere began ful gret Tornement
of tho worthy knyhtes, verament.
For a man the sothe myhte knowe,
the worthynesse of knyhtes al be rowe,
and ek of ȝonge knyhtes that þere were,
that lerned to torneyen with scheld and spere.
but of alle othere jn that plas
Sire Gyrfleȝ & Sire lwcans gonne hem pas.
Whanne hyt was comen to the owr of noon,
Syre kay with xvj felawes there cam anon,
that ȝit non strok j-smeten they hadde;
thussone jnto the reng þere he hem ladde.
So that þe ferste they gonne there mete,
down they hem boren a-myd the strete.
So sore they justed vppon that grownde,
that here speris to-borsten þat ylke stownde.

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and whanne here speris to-broken were,
anon here swerdis they pulden owt there.
that so sore they fyhten begonne,
and fowhten, whiles they hadden ony sonne,
that sire kay on his partye hadde the gre,
on þe tother side Gyrfleȝ & lwcans, sykerle.
thanne wenten these knyhtes tho jn fere
Forto aventen hem owt of þe place there.
thanne to that resorted þere anon ryht
of Baynoyc Lordis of ryht gret myht,
hos names j schal ȝow telle,
and ȝe wylen herkene to my spelle.
There was Vsmerawnt of þe Roche, ful prest in age,
and Gawnes de bloy, & Vryens of þe forest savage,
also Belyas Amorews of maydyn castel,
and Flawndres le Blans, and Graciens the Lel,
and Blyes de la kasse, and Bliobens of desert
with melyadus þe bloys & madyeus of crispes, apert,
and placydas the gays with hem, trewelye;
alle these to torneyeng comen jn compenye.
whanne this fresch peple cam to tornement,
There they so torneyeden, verament,
So that non man dorste hem there abyde;
So sore they torneyeden jn that tyde.
and whanne Sire kay be-held al this,
that here lond his felawes hadden lost, j-wys,
and there aventyng as he was
& with hym his felawes jn that plas
behelden hem of Baynoyc lond
putten his felawes to þe wers, j vndirstond,
Thussone þere hasted hym thanne syre kay
And His Felyschepe With Hym, Jn Fay,
and prekeden jnto the grettest pres
that he myhte fynden, with-owten les,
and with hym his feleschepe in compenye.
there gonnen they sore to torneyen, trewelye,
So that but a lytel whyle hadden they ben there,
that they of Baynoyc Scomfyt they were.

253

thus wrowht Sire kay jn that Turnement,
that his Name declared was, verament,
as this storye here-after schal declare,
hos that there-aftyr wil loken thare.
Syre kay, that of his modyr neuere norsched was,
but of anothyr womman jn dyvers plas,
a tach of his norse there he cawhte,
that of hym geten myhte hyt be nowhte.
ȝit his modyr a worthy lady was,
and moche worschepe cowde jn every plas,
and þerto sche was ful of Bownte
and ful of gentrye in eche degre.
but this Sire kay a custom hadde,
that he ne rowhte to speken good oþer badde.
ȝyt he ne spak hit for non velonye,
but moche þat he seide was but folye.
For often-tymes they that herd hym speke,
on lawgheng they musten sone owt breke
ek for disport and his Folye,
that jn his speche they fownden, trewelye.
And þerto aȝenward ȝit was he
the beste Felawe that myhte be.
whanne sire kay cam to tornement,
as to-forn time han ȝe herd present,
and Sire Ladmas, that ful wel hadde J-do
vppon kyng arthewrs men ȝit thedirto,
and Sawh his Felawes put to the flyht,
whiche so him grevede anon þere ryht—
whanne that Sire kay al this beheld,
that his Felawes forsaken hadde þe feeld,
Ful Sorweful he was thanne jn his herte,
and Forth on horsbak he gan to sterte
To Sire Ladmas jn that pres,
and of his Torneyeng he made him ses,
and made him to meven owt of þat place,
there as to-forn tyme ful bold he wace,
and so sore smot hym jn the Scheld,

254

that bothe hors and man fyl jn the feld;
and at þe same strok there also
Sire Graciens trebens to erthe gan go.
So with that cowrs he brak his spere,
and anon his swerd he drowh owt there,
and rescwed his felawes echon.
thussone his name discried was anon,
how that alle his felawes socowrede he,
that Scomfyt they wenden forto han be.
thanne torneden they alle aȝen jn fere,
and of al that day ne dyden not so wel þere.
These jostes beheld wel Artheur þe kyng,
kyng Ban and kyng Boors, with-owten lesyng,
and behelden the chevalrye of syre kay,
that he there dyde that ylke day,
and seiden he was a worthy knyht,
vayllaunt & vysable jn every fyht.
and whanne Lwcans the Botelers Sawgh kay so do,
hym forto helpe hym nede not to go.
Thanne took He His Hors With His spores Anon,
and jnto the grettest pres he gan to gon,
and smot Syre Bloys so sore there,
that al on peces to-barst his spere,
and to the grownde him bar down ryht,
and his swerd owt drowgh þere forto fyht.
thanne began þere gret Torneyenge
here felawes to socowr forto brynge.
Thanne cam Sire Gyrfleȝ, armed ful bryht,
as faste prekinge as that he myht,
and Sawgh there Blyobers & his felawes tweye,
that abowten Sire kay weren, trewelye.
and with here swerdes on hym they leyden faste,
that wondyr hit was he myhte hit laste,
For grete nede of socour there hadde he,
For he was but on aȝens hem thre,
and thike thre þe best men were
of Baynoykes meyne þat was there.

255

thanne mette he there with placydes,
and his helm to-barst jn that pres.
Aftyr Rod he to Blyobers,
that thike tyme was bothe stordy & fers,
and smot evene a-myddes þe scheld,
that he there fyl doun jn the feld,
and drowh owt his swerd anon thanne,
and smot sire placydes so on þe panne,
So that sore astoned þere he was,
and from his hors fyl down jn that plas.
Thanne what tyme Syre kay beheld al this,
vp ful sone he hym dressed, j-wys,
and beheld sire Gyrfleȝ, his socourer,
and thowhte that kyndenesse to qwyten owher.
So from that day evere aftyr-warde
they loveden to-gederis ful strong & harde;
Al the whyle they leveden here,
myht non man departin hit fer ne nere.
Whanne S[i]re Gyrfles Sire kay rescwed hadde,
and thens as he lay thanne forth hym ladde,
thanne aspyde Sire kay on þat hyht ȝeroas,
that hym sore anoyede jn that plas.
anon his Swerd Sire kay owt drowghe,
and, schortly to seyne, there hym he slowghe.
thanne be-gan there gret noyse & cry
on the tothyr partye there, certeinly.
thanne comen they thedyr fast prekynge,
and ek on sire kayes syde, with-owten lesinge.
So that gret melle there began,
that hurt and anoyed was many a man,
er alle fyve felawes rescwed were,
owthyr er to-gederis they mo[w]n semblen there.
but whanne to-gederis they weren alle fyve,
wel mochel deseyse they wrowhte ful blyve.
and ȝif ȝe wil knowen whiche fyve they be,
J schal ȝou here declaren, ful sekerle:
Ferst Vlphyn, Bretel, and Syre kay þere,

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Sire Gyrfleȝ, and Sire lwcans þe botelere.
and whom so evere þese fyve metten jn place,
to therthe they wente, ther nas non oþer grace,
For so wel these Fyve gonnen hem be-stere,
merveylleng to alle tho that there were.
and how they myhte so longe endure,
These thre kynges merveilleden, j ȝow Ensure.
So that thus ther Was Ful strong melle
on bothe partyes there thanne, Sykerle.
and gret poyntes of armes þere was j-do,
and tyl hyt was even, hyt lasted tho.
thanne comen these thre kynges adown
this Torneye to breken al and som.
So that they comen jn-to the place
there as this Torneyeng al day was,
and helden bothe partyes parygal.
Anon thanne comen they jn with-al,
For they cowde not wel declare
on whiche partye the gre schold fare.
and there departed the Torneye anon,
So that eche knyht to his jn hom gan gon.
and the kynges wenten forth to evensong,
and aftyr to here Soper gonne they fong.
and whanne the Soper was j-do,
of this tornement thanne spoken they tho,
and ho that best bar him thar,
and whiche of armes þat wysest war.
thanne anon hem answerede there kyng Ban,
& seide: “xvj knyhtes j have here than
that jn this Torneyeng bettere han doon
thanne alle the remnaunt everichon,
and on this partye heyhte there were,
For stronge & harde they peyned hem here,
and many merveillous armes dyden they,
mo thanne at this tyme j kan wryte oþer sey.”
so vppon this long weren they jn talkyng,
and þanne atte laste for the gre ȝeveng.
So that the los was ȝoven, and the prys,

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To Sire kay steward aftyr here devys,
To sire lucans the botelereȝ, and to Sire Gyrfleȝ,
To these thre for þe beste, wit[h]-owten les.
Thanne whanne the tables j-drawen were,
jnto a chambre the kynges wenten there,
Therchebisschope and Antron ek also,
whiche chambre on þe rever stood tho.
and with hem these two knyhtes wente,
Sire Vlphyn and sire Bretel, veramente.
thanne thus of manye thinges they spooke,
and atte laste kyng Artheur gan loke,
and aspyde these two knyhtes with-jnne a whyle.
thanne anon kyng artheur be-gan to smyle,
whanne he bethowhte hym vppon the jorne,
as merlyne hadde hym told, ful Sykerle,
whanne that on his message þey wenten, apert,
hou that they thanne spedden jn desert,
& hou from vij knyhtes deliuered they were.
he preyde hem to þe kynges to tellen hit þere.
and thanne the kynges preyden hem also
The sothe hem to telle—“er that ȝe go.”
Whanne they herden the kynges preiden so faste,
Bretel on sire Vlphyn lowgh atte laste.
thanne answerid sire Bretel to the kyng:
“what nedith ȝow vs to axen of swich a thing,
whanne that ȝe knowen hyt as wel as we,
as merlyne ȝow hath told, ful certeinle,
So that hyt were not but wordis jn veyn
of swiche thinges to speken, certeyn?”
than answerede anon kyng Ban:
“now, leve sires, ho þere-of ȝou telle kan,
that ȝoure kyng js therto thus preve?”
“ȝis, Sire kyng, quod sire Bretel, sykirle,
The wysest man of al this Lond

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Other of Al crystyndon, J Vndyrstonde.”
“Now where Js he?” quod the kyng Ban tho,
“and what his name, telle thou me also.”
“Syre, hit is merlyne,” quod Sire Bretel thanne,
“that we holden ryht a wys manne,
and jn my chambre he lyth to reste.
he is a man of cownseyl of þe beste,
For be his cownseyl we comen for ȝow,
wheche we hopen schal ben for ȝoure prow.”
Thanne spak kyng ban anon thanne
To kyng Arthewr there of this manne:
“Now, good Syre, lete ȝe vs now hym se,
For gret lust therto we han, parde,
For merveilles that we han herd of seye
of that man jn manye a weye.”
kyng Arthewr seide, with ryht good wylle
That anon he scholde comen hem vntylle.
Anon thanne sente he For Sire vlphyn,
and preyde hym gon to seken after merlyn.
And as Sire Vlphyn gan forth to gon,
ryht there with merlyne he mette anon.
thanne seide Sire Vlphyn: “welcome ȝe be;
the kyng wolde gladliche speken with þe.”
“j come ryht anon,” quod merlyne tho,
“For j ne rekke toforn whom þat j go.”
Thus entrede merlyne jnto that pres,
and many thinges seide, that was non les,
bothen of his konnenge and of his lyf,
there he hem tolde, with-owten stryf.
thanne hadde kyng Ban a clerk there,
a wyser man ther nas nowhere,
and aposyd merlyne of many a thyng;
his name was Guinebant, with-owten lesyng.
And what evere of merlyne he gan to freyne,
merlyne hym answerede anon, certeine,
For merlyne knew neuere non maner of man,
that hym so aposede as he dyde than.
And evere these kynges stodyn ful stylle,

259

tyl bothe clerkes hadden seid here wylle,
and tyl the dispetesoun was al j-do
er that ony of hem wolde thennes go.
So that there aqweyntawnce they took,
and neuere there-aftyr hit forsook.
Thanne whanne al this was thus j-don,
merlyne to these two kynges gan to gon,
and seide: “ȝe ben lordis bothe goode & trewe;
my Lord kyng Arthewr hath sweche to fewe.
beholdeth now my lord and kyng, ful sikerle,
For he ȝoure Sovereyn and lord moste be,
and of hym ȝoure rem to holden vnder gage,
and him to don bothe Fewte & homage,
and he schal ȝoure Socowr and helpe be
aȝens alle ȝoure enemyes, Sykyrle.”
“Now, merlyne, tell vs, we preyen the,
jn what maner he was chosen kyng to be,
and ȝif that Antron wyste, verraylly,
kyng vter pendragones sone he were, trewely.”
“Ȝe, Sires,” quod merlyne, “with-owten lesyng,
that was þe cawse he is chosen kyng.
and of his Elecciown, with-owten dwere,
they konnen beren witnesse þat ben here,
bothe therchebisschope & vlphyn also;
bothe konne they seyn how hyt gan go.”
“merlyne,” quod the kyng thanne,
“We holden the for a ful trewe manne;
þerfore we wolden preyen the for thi lordis sake
of on thyng vs sewr forto make;
And For A trewe man We Knowen the, sekyrlye,
and for non erthely good thou wylt not lye.”
“A,” quod merlyne, “ȝe wolden that j swore
that hit were trewe þat j tolde ȝow to-fore.”
thanne gonnen these kynges to lawghen anon:
Swyche on knewe they neuere but hym alon.

260

Thanne seide merlyne to hem ageyn:
“what ȝe so me axen, j schal tellen ȝow, pleyn.”
So that respyt they tooken that nyht,
Tyl vppon the morwen hit was day lyht.
thus they departyd here cownseyl thanne,
and to bedde they wenten every manne.
thanne jnto on chambre wente that meyne:
thre kynges, þe bisschope, Guinebant, & merlin in compeyne;
For departen wolden they jn non weye,
and namly þis clerk Guinebant & merlyne, jn feye.
For a gret clerk held hym this merlyne,
as aftyr this storye reporteth wel and fyn.

[Chapter X]

Thanne to bedde these kynges wenten ful sone,
and alle these meyne everichone,
and slepten on the morwe tyl hyt was day,
Tyl that to Servysse they rongen, jn fay;
For abowtes halewen-tyd tho hit was,
whanne tyme they weren jn that plas.
thanne cam merlyne to hem anone,
& þere two wyndowes he openede thussone,
For he wolde som lyhte that there were
hem onestely to arayen with there.
so that they hem dihte, & gonne to gon
to the chef mynstre thanne anon.
there therchebisschope the masse dyde Synge,
and at þat masse merlyne, with-owten lesynge,
Swor on the sacrement jn that place
that kyng Artheur kyng vterpendragones sone was,
and that on Ygwerne begeten was he
the same nyht þe dewk was slayn, Sykerle—
“So that he is the moste ryhtful eyr
That to this lond cowde repeyr.”

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the same oth Sire Vlphin swoor,
Ek sire bretel, sire kay, that weren thoor.
Whanne these two kynges herdyn al this,
that this sewrawnce thus was mad, j-wys,
anon to kyng Arthewr they deden homage,
as to a worthy kyng of hygh parage.
kyng Artheur hem resceyvede debonowrly,
and for Joye he wept ful tendirly,
and there he hem kyste ful often-sythe,
For of tho kynges he was ful blythe.
Thanne to halle every man wente,
And thankyd God With good entente,
where as here mete was redely dyht,
For kynges, erlleȝ, barouns, and knyht.
and whanne that this mete was j-don,
thanne to cownseyl wenten they anon,
merlyne and the thre kynges jn fere,
Vlphyn, Bretel, & ek Sire kay was there.
thanne to hem seide there merline anon:
“ȝe ben trewe men þat here ben echon,
For that j knowe as wel as ȝe
that Syker alle trewe men ȝe be.
Beholdyth here now ȝoure Lord & kyng,
this worthy sire Artheur, that is so ȝyng!
and ȝe knowen wel that haterede hath he
of his Baronage, ful Sykerle,
that hym nelen don homage ne Servyse,
as that they owhten be many a wyse,
But with hym thus werre they holde.
there-fore j preie ȝow many folde
that aftyr my cownseill ȝe wolden don,
and good counseille j schal ȝeven ȝow son.”
and they hym answeryd, with ryht good wylle
what so he seyde they wolden fulfylle.
“Thanne, Lordynges, wylen ȝe vndirstonde
that here kyng Arthewr is kyng of this londe,

262

and that non wyf haueth now he;
wherfore j knowe on, ful sykerle,
that is bothe comen of kyng & qwene,
and a Fairere mayden han ȝe not sene,
and is dowghtyr to kyng Leodegan
of Tarmelyde, ryht a worthy man.
and no mo children now hath he
but only this lady, ful Sykerle.
more ouer an old man js that kyng,
and gonnore hyhte that mayden so ȝyng;
therto eyr schal sche ben aftyr his day.
but gret werre he hath, with-owten delay,
with on kyng Ryoun of Geauntes lynage,
a myhty man & a riche & of gret parage.
and he conqwere kyng leodegan,
kyng Artheuris lond next him lyth than.
For ȝif that Tarmalide conqwerid be,
thanne schal neuere kyng Arthewr, sykerle,
his lond jn pes thanne non whyles holde
For this kyng Ryown that is so bolde.
and ȝif þat the knyhtes of þe rownde table ne hadde be,
kyng leodogan his lond hadde lost, ful Sykerle.
therfore this were now myn cownsaylle,
that thyder ȝe wente, with-owten faylle,
with kyng Artheur jn this manere
as thowh alle Sowdeours þat ȝe were,
and there a ȝer oþer two forto abyde,
his aqweyntaunce to geten the same tyde.
For non whylle scholen ȝe there not be,
that he wel schal ȝow loven, Sekerle,
better thanne hem þat with him now ben,
and that ryht sone scholen ȝe now sen.
and j vndirtake for kyng artheur here
that to him he schal ben so leef & dere,
that his dowhter he schal hym ȝyve to wyve
and eyr of that lond aftyr his lyve.
For anon as weddyd thanne he js,
anon the jeauntes scholen han knoweng, j-wys;

263

and from that day forward, with-owten lye,
the jeauntes doren not abyden, trewelye,
not be a gret jorne there abowte;
This is ful trewe, with-owten dowte.”
Thanne Answerede Anon Kyng Ban,
and to merlyne seyde he there than:
“my leve frend, j schal tellen the:
what aventure scholde thanne this be
Now to forsaken oure owne lond,
Lyke jn werre as hit doth stond?
how scholde we thanne taken on þere,
with hem that on vs don so werre
and oure londis distroyen & brenne?
wers wylen they don, and we ben thenne.
For but ȝif we jn owre lond abyde,
hit wyle vs hyndren jn every tyde,
but ȝif that kyng artheures barowns here
oure londis to sosteyne, & we not there.
and ful gret peryl now hit Js,
other men oure londes to defendyn, j-wys.”
“A, Sire,” quod merlyne to the kyng tho,
“to me ȝe speken, as ȝow lyst forto do.
but j ȝow enswre, ful certeynlye,
that and ȝe there lesen on penye,
two hundred therfore scholen ȝe gete,
and of this j dar ȝow wel behete.
For ther ne schal comen jnto ȝowre contre
distroccioun nethir to town ne cyte,
whileȝ ȝe ben jn kyng Artheures presens;
J schal ȝow waranten ful Syker defens.
and there a ryal rewm scholen ȝe wynne,
and therto al the Lordschepis þat ben with-jnne,
that this Lond defenden schal evere with-al
vndistroyed, and lasten for ay & fynal.”
thanne answerede kyng Ban to merlyn anone,
and there to hym he seyde thus sone:
“We the knowen for man ful wys;
J schal the Seyn now myn avys.

264

Sethen hit is so as thou dost telle,
Aftyr thy cownseylle don we wylle.
but telle vs now whanne we scholde wende,
and we scholen þere-offen maken an ende.
and þerto oure retenu scholen we calle,
that they mown ben redy alle.”
“Al betymes,” quod merlyne tho,
“For hit schal be midlentone, er þat ȝe go.
and ȝit er that ȝe gon, with-owten faille,
here moste we han a gret bataylle
aȝens the barowns, that rysen ben
kyng Artheur to werchen treye & teen.
there-fore j wolde þat ȝe anon ryhte
to gete as moche meine as ȝe myhte,
and that ȝe don hem loggen ful prevylye
jn a fayr lawnde here faste bye,
that js jn the Forest of Bredygam,
there as that meyne neuer ne cam.
and dubblefold harm scholen they haue
thanne ony of ȝowre, ȝe mown ben save.”
Thanne there anon tho spak kyng Ban,
and there to merlyne he seyde than:
“ȝif þat for men jnto my lond j scholde sende,
scholden they be tyme hidere to me wende?”
“ȝe, certein, Syre,” quod merlyne tho,
“For ryht wel hyt may be do.
and on this message, Sire, wyl j wende
alle this mater to bryngen to an ende.
For this message hastyd most hyt be
aȝens the bataylle, sire, Sykerle,
the whiche at candel-masse schal be-tyde
the forest of Bredygam there be-syde.
therefore ȝoure meyne moste hasted be
Hedyr Betymes to comen, Sekyrle.
For they mosten Ryden bothe day & nyht
this jorne to spede, and they don ryht.
and wete ȝe wel, the sothe forto preve,
that j schal be there to morewen er eve.”

265

and whanne the kynges herden this,
here-offen they merveilleden sore, j-wis.
thanne clepede merlyne kyng Artheur anon,
and bad he scholde ordeygne forto be don
bothe arblasteris and ek worthy seriawns
to-gederis assemblen, with-owten varyans,
the moste prevyeste wyse—“that they mown wende,
and with hem plente of vitaylle that ȝe sende
jnto that lawnde that j haue ȝow told;
among to þe peple departe hit manyfold.
and that eche man for hym-self have
vytailles for xv dayes, to kepen hym save,
of mele and Salt flesch ek therto
besiden oþer vetaylles; do ȝe ryht so.”
thanne lwcans the Botelers and sire Gyrfles
anon they pasten owt of that pres,
Also Sire Vlphyn and Syre Bretel,
whiche þat weren knyhtes bothe trewe & lel.
Anon seyde merlyne to kyng Ban:
“Sire, as ȝe ben kyng and honest man,
ȝoure Ryng to taken me jn this threwe,
To ȝoure cosin le-ownces that j myhte it schewe,
that the bettere he myhte leven me
of what thing that j hym telle fro the.”
Whanne the two kynges herden this,
Of hym they merveylleden mochel, j-wys,
For they wenden, with-owten lesinge,
that no man that was thanne levenge
hadde knowen that he tolde hem there;
so þat sore astoned thanne they were.
“Now, Lordynges,” quod kyng Ban,
“merveille now ȝe not of this man.
For he knoweth al thing that js,
Be hit wel don oþer mys;
be hyt neuere don so prevyle,
he hit can tellen, ful Sykerle.”
thanne answerid they sone ageyn:

266

“Sethen hit is so as that ȝe seyn,
That ȝe taken hym ȝoure ryng anon,
and that he were forth past & gon.
for ȝe scholen heren merveilleȝ mo,
whanne that he cometh ȝow aȝen vnto.”
“Now, be myn hed,” quod merlyne thanne,
“ȝe han seyd Ryht as a wys manne.
For more of this scholen ȝe han encres,
thanne oni of ȝow kan seyn, with-owten les.”
thanne delyverede him þe kyng his ryng anon,
and þer-with forth merlyne gan to gon,
and be Blaysie, his maister, he took þe weye,
and of alle thinges tolde him, Sekerlye:
that jnto litel Breteignes he scholde go;
of the message eke he told him also;
whiche that Blasye wrot in that throwe;
and elles how scholde we hit knowe?
Thus merlyne from Blase departed anon,
and forth on his message he gan to gon,
and dyde his message al in good tyme,
For he was þere he wolde er the morwen at pryme,
and tolde sire Leownces the kynges wylle,
and the kynges ryng took hym vntylle.
there they beleved hym anon,
and deden al that was forto don,
And senten Anon bothe fer and Ny,
and faire retenu to gaderen, trewly.
So that with-jnne fowrty myles abowte
thedyr they gadered with gret rowte,
so that they weren to-forn the cyte
viij dayes to-forn cristemasse, Sykerle;
thanne good warde putten to þe townes alle
that to the tweyne kynges be riht schold falle.
jn that on hold they putten a lady Bryht,
that worthy lady was and of gret myht:
the cyte of gawnes kepte sche thanne
and with hyre ful many a worthy manne.

267

Ek Phareens there merlyne preyde also
that al his power he wolde do,
and that he hym grawntyd, ful sekerly,
jnto al his power, ful vtterly.
on the toþer syde, jnto Baynoyc cyte
they putten a man of gret degre,
Sire raier, the Lord of Hawt mure,
a worthy knyht and vaillaunt, j ȝou ensure.
and jn the castel of Trebes
they putten Sire graciens, with-owten les,
the whiche was godsone to kyng Ban.
and jn that castel with him hadde he than
Two sostren of Raynes, the worthiest
knyht þat þere was be est oþer west.
For it was the strengest castel
of alle þat contre be many a del.
and at mowntloyr, þe castel of kyng Boors,
that was don kept with strengthe & foors:
Sire placydes, that was a worthy knyht,
That castel he kepte bothe day & Nyht.
And whanne alle these ordenaunces weren jdo,
merlyne with his meyne forth gan to go,
and that was be the tyme of Nyht,
For theke tyme the mone schon ful bryht.
and merlyne condeyede hem the weye
From alle enemyes, as he wel kowde, jn feye.
and to the se he Browht hem ful sone;
there Faste to schepe gonne they gone.
and kyng Arthewr, vppon the toþer syde
To bataille hym arayede the same tyde,
also prevyly as he cowde thanne do.
So that moche peple him cam vnto:
bencheson of tho ȝiftes grete
that he hem ȝaf, they wolde not lete.
Also oþer peple to hym comen that throwe,
For that they wolden kyng Artheur knowe;
ek other peple hym kam forto se

268

For that they herden of his gret bownte.
So that whanne to-gederis j-sembled they were,
x thousend on horsbak redy they were;
For foot-men thedyr wolde he non haue,
for his meyne and vytaille þat he wolde save.
and on þe toþer syde there comen a-down
charyettes with vytaylle alle jn virown
evene aftyr merlynes ordenaunce;
So was hit don, with-owten variaunce.
and ful prevyly alle j-logged they were
jn a lawnde besyde Bredigan there;
For that was on the prevyest place
that jn that contre owher wace.
and whanne this was al j-do,
merveillously wrowht kyng artheur tho,
whiche that merlyne Hyt plesed ful Wel,
whanne he hit knew, his wyt, echedel.
For anon as that they logged were,
alle the weyes be-sette he there,
that non man therby Scholde passe
jnto his lond, nethir more ne lasse,
but ȝif he were taken and to-forn him browht,
Er that ony jnto his rewm forthere sowht.
For he kepte that non aspye
his rewn scholde entren, trewelye,
For to certefyen his enemyes
what was his ordenaunce oþer his devys.
For there kyng Arthewr charged alle tho
that to hym belonged vnto,
that non man thyke pas scholde ryde,
tyl hyt were aftyr kandelmasse tyde;
and ho þat dide aȝens his comandement,
To deth he scholde gon, verament.
So that stylle they helden hem every man,
where-offen þe comune peple merveylleden than.
So that thus prevyly this was wrowht,
& sauf þe kynges cownseille wist non man nowht.
Now leveth this storye of this mater,

269

and aftyr of þe vj kynges hit speketh here,
that at carliown discomfyted were,
as þat to-forn tyme ȝe han herd told here.
Thanne here-aftyr Reherseth this Book,
ho so wele here there-aftyr look,
what morneng that maden these vj kynges,
For they hadden so lost alle here thynges
and al the harneis that they hadde,
and al that here meyne with hem ladde.
So that they sworen and maden affyance
there-on to ben avenged jnto þe vttrawnce;
For er glad scholden ney neuere be,
Tyl they weren avenged, certeinle,
bothe of kyng Artheur & ek on merlyn,
the wheche they clepeden his devyn,
be whom they losten al here good;
thus al amased homward they ȝood.
and for that somme myhten neþer riden ne go,
hom jn a leter weren they lad tho.
so that smale Jornes forth they wente,
Tyl jnto here lond they comen presente.
so that they soiournede, tyl they hol were;
& with-jnne a monthe a parlement hadden they there
jn a march that be-twene engelond was
and scotland, so that hit stood in þe middes of þe plas.
and this was the ende of the parlement,
that every man scholde don his entent
And Senden abowte in-to eche contre
To alle here Frenschepis, where so they be,
and that [eche] of hem to othyr swere
redy forto ben with scheld & spere
To dryven kyng Artheur owt of his lond,
and hit to Sesyn jnto here owne hond.
So that they token day of assemble
that ost to-gederis forto be
Jn a feld besydes Bredygam;
thus herto assentyd every man.

270

Thanne thus departyd the parlement.
Anon every man abowtes faste sent,
So that to hem repeyrede there anon
the dewk of cambenye & othyr manyon.
Fyve thousende men he browhte with hym,
that jn bataylle weren bothe stowt & grym.
thanne cam there forth Tradelynaws,
that kyng of Northgales tho he was,
with vj thousend of Fyhteng men.
and on þe tothyr partye come th[e] kyng clariouns then
with thre thousend men also.
thanne þe kyng of .c. knyhtes cam tho,
and with hym foure thousende he browhte.
thanne the kyng of orkanye owt hem sowhte
wit[h] vij thousend jn his compenye.
and aftyr hym carados of strangor faste gan hye,
that vij thousend men of armes hadde
[OMITTED]
thanne cam kyng Newtris, & with hym ladde
Sixe thousend men, that weren not badde.
hym Folewede kyng Ydyers of Cornewaylle
with vj thousend men, with-owten faylle.
So that smale jornes they gonne to ryde
The contre to Serchen jn that Tyde.
thanne here aspyes abowteȝ faste they ȝood,
to weten how hit with kyng Artheur stood.
but they that þe march & the weyes kepte,
Fulsone to these aspyes they lepte,
and token hem, and to kyng Arthewr sente,
& anon to presoun they ful sone wente,
So that Tydynges aȝen boren they non.
thanne jn here jorne forth gonne they gon,
Tyl that they alle j-logged were
vndir þe castel of Bredygam þere.
For thanne they wenden alle han wonne, certein,
but hit was alto-gederis jnveyn.
thanne senten they here forreyerys jnto þat contre,
but ful lytel fowndyn they, Sekirle;

271

For al that good was lad before
jnto castelis and jnto cites thore.
this was wrowht be cownseyl of kyng Ban
and Ek of kyng Boors, a ful wis man.
Whanne that they aspyden al this,
that the contre thus was warned, j-wis,
anon they Fireden, an gonne to brenne,
and al the contre distroied thanne.
So that owt of here owne Lond they hadden vetaylle,
as hit scheweth here with-owten Faille;
So that of vytaylle they hadden plente,
as For swich a tyme hit longed forto be.
and whanne to-gederis was al this semble,
Fowrty thousend weren acounted, certeinle,
of clene pyked men to fyhte,
ek worthy werrours and of gret myhte.
Thus endeth here now of here gaderyng,
and speketh how merlyn browht to Arthewr þe kyng
Socour and helpe owt of lytel Bretayngne,
as here-after scholen ȝe heren, jn certeigne,
and what meyne þat merlin with him browhte
owt of litel breteigne, where he hem sowhte.
Forthere tellyth this Storye here
how jn litel Breteygne merlyne spedde there,
what be Leownces of Paerne, j vndirstond,
and Sire Fariens, and Antony of þat lond,
that of Baynoyc tho steward was.
alle to the port comen they in that plas,
and jnto here Schepis they entred anon;
thanne jnto grete breteigne sone gonne they gon.
and it is good reson that ȝe vndirstonde
why that hit was clepyd Breteigne Londe.
j do ȝow to wetene here every man
that aftyr þe distroccioun of Troye, as j kan,

272

hit behapped that two kynges departyd thenne
For drede of greȝois, as this doth kenne,
lest they wolden hem han slayn;
this caused these kynges forto gon thayn.
These tweyne kynges with gret meyne
thens departed ful hastyle,
of wheche the ton Brewt he hyhte,
that was bothe gentyl & worthy knyhte,
that jn his lyve he bylte with gret joye
a fair cyte, that was clepid new troye;
bencheson that owt of troye cam he,
Troye was clepid that jlke cyte.
Ek the contre thanne clepyd hit was
after Brewt Breteigne in that plas.
thanne long aftyr, whanne Brewt was ded,
anon kam there a kyng jn his sted,
that Logryvs was his ryht name,
a worthy man and of gret fame,
that mochel amendyd this cyte,
bothe Towres and walles, Sykerle.
and whanne thus amended was þat town,
thanne wolde he ȝeven hit a Sewrnown,
and after Logryvs Logres cald hit he,
that jn gret breteigne stont, Sykerle.
So that this name dured forth, in feye,
long aftyr that Artheur gan deye.
thanne aftyr the deth of lawncelot,
that kyng Bannes sone was, wel j wot,
hyt happede that a gret mortalyte
jn that lond was after, certeinle,
bothe of Barowns and comunes also,
that thike tyme deyden so tho.
and for þe grete Los that they hadden thanne,
Bloye breteygne hit was clepyd of every manne.
and why bloye, j preye now the?
leve sires, for this cause, parde:

273

For here hertes bothe blw and blak they were,
eche man for here frendis dethis there,
that they losten be mischaunce and be synne;
thus every Frend from othir gan twynne.
Now hauen ȝe herd declared, jn certaygne,
why hit was clepyd the Bloye Bretaigne.
The tothyr prince that owt of troye cam,
Hyghte Corynaws, a Ful myghty man.
this corinaus was comen of Jeawntes lynage,
a worthy knyht and of hygh parage.
So that he aryvede fast by that contre,
that thike tyme the name breteigne scholde be.
therto he was a merveyllous knyht,
bothe long and strong and of gret myht.
there arered he bothe townes and castel,
Strongly j-bylt & wondyrly wel;
and aftyr hym the lond he dide don kalle
Cornwaylle jn breteygne of gret & smalle.
So that thorwh hym comen jeauntes mo,
that to Bretouns moche harme diden tho,
as that here-aftyr now scholen ȝe here
to alle ȝoure wyttes declared more clere.
of the merveilles that aftyr befalle,
j hope to declaren to ȝow alle,
ȝif that god wile granten me grace & myht,
helthe of Body, and myn eyen syht,
owt of Frensch jnto englysch now wyl j fonde
hit to drawen, that ȝe moun vndirstonde.
Therfore for herry Louelyche that ȝe preye,
that til this be endid, he may not deye,
but lyven jn helthe and prosperite;
Now, good lord, grante hit moot so be.
Forth to my mater now wyl j pase
of merlyne & his meine, þat jn the se wase,
the whiche he browhte owt of lytel breteigne,
as here-aftyr declared ȝe scholen here more pleyne.

274

Thanne anon as a-ryved they were,
vppon the se banke he bad hem there.
thanne merlyne comaunded every man
here harneys al forto trossen than;
For that he wolde For non thing
that they maden non taryeng.
But they holden here ryht weye
Thyder as merlyn wolde hem gye,
Tyl that to kyng Arthewr they comen ful ryht,
there that he lay with al his myht.
So that hym they foleweden alle,
what so evere there-of myhte falle.
So that be the Fyfthe dayes ende
To þe Forest of Bredygam gonne they wende,
where as logged was Arthewr the kyng,
that made gret joye of his comeng,
and logged hem among his ost ful son,
and amonges hem every day gan he to gon.
thanne aftyr viij dayes j-rested they were,
and merlyne here vetaylle departyd there
amonges hem, er that he furthere wente.
thanne seide he that he wolde veramente
Gon visiten the thre kynges, where so they be,
and how they ferde, to knowen & to se.
Thanne Seyde Syre Vlphyn to Hym Anon:
“merlyn, be war how that ȝe gon,
For they on the tothir syde don ȝow manace,
ȝif they mown geten ȝow jn ony place,
that certeinly ȝe scholen be ded,
and they mown ȝow geten jn ony sted.”
“ȝe,” quod merlyne, “ȝit wyl j not werne
that to these kynges j wyl ful ȝerne.
For of Me geten they non power.
And ek also amonges hem com j not ther,
Tyl that j haue spoken with Arthewr the kyng;
j ne schal maken non taryeng.

275

and there-fore gouerne ȝe wel this ost,
that non man Jsswe, nethyr lest ne most.
For kyng Artheures enemyes jlogged be
here vndyr Bredygam, ful certeinle,
and Fowrty thousend of hem ben told,
wel horsed men, hardy and bold,
and but xxv thousend men we haue;
there-fore we moste loken to kepen hem saue,
and of hem that non j-lost there be,
To this mater vs behoueth to se.”
“merlyne,” quod Syre Vlphin thanne,
“hit is bette ȝe sende som other manne.”
“that schal j not,” quod merlyne tho,
“For that arende my-self best kan do
and hem to bringen jn Savete,
that non of here enemyes hem schal se.”
“thanne goth ȝe forth in goddis name,
and he ȝow kepe from angyr & blame.”
thanne from hem he wente ful sodeynlye,
that they ne wyste whanne, trewelye.
so that they hem blesseden everichon,
that so sodeinly he was from hem gon.
Aȝen to the ost wenten they thanne,
and there they charged every manne
that owt of his tente they scholde not pase,
but prevyly to kepen hem jn that plase.
So that fowre dayes contenued this,
& þat of þe iij kynges non word they herden, jwys,
Nethir of merlyn neuere the mo.
For streyht to londone gan he go
and, as this storye reporteth here,
on the morwe er evensong was he there,
where that he fond the kynges al thre.
and they weren ful hevy, Sykyrle,
For so sodeinly amongis hem comen he was,
that they ne wysten owt of wheche plas.
and whanne they wisten that hyt was he,
gret joye they maden, ful certeinle.
thanne axeden they hym how he hadde sped,

276

and seyde: “wel in every sted!”
and bad hem, faste that they scholde hye
To here ost, that hem Bod, trewelye.
Thanne seide kyng Ban To merlyn:
“bien owre Socours comen wel & fyn?”
“that they ben, Syre, ful trewelye,
and kyng Artheuris host ben logged faste bye
jn the lawnde besydes Bredygam;
there ben they logged every man.
but on the tothyr syde moche peple there js,
Ten kynges corowned, with-owten mys,
and jn here compenye a dewk also,
and xl thousend men they hauen & mo.”
“For oure help now be god,” quod Antron,
“For mochel mischef toward vs gynneth gon.”
“ȝe,” quod merlyne to hym ryht thanne,
“as that j am now kyng Arthewris manne,
and be the oth that j haue hym j-do
and ek to my maister Blasye also:
be goddis helpe, and that j kan don,
To evel ende schal j hem bringen echon.
For so moche to Done J schal Hem make,
that they ne scholen weten how on to take.
but gret Bataylle schal there be,
and gret occisiown, ful Sykerle.
but on oure side ne schal not dye
Not passing iiij score, vtterlye.
and on here syde deyen ther schal
be thowsendis & hundredis of gret & smal.
therefore aparaylle ȝow ryht anon,
that aftyr Sowper we myhten hens gon,
and for every man foure dayes vytaylle,
For ellis be the weye scholen ȝe faille.”

277

Anon as they vndirstodyn this,
Ful faste they hem ordeyned, j-wys.
and whanne this thing was ordeyned & do,
thanne anon to Sowper gonnen they go.
And whanne they Supped hadden echon,
thanne axede kyng Arthewr merlyne anon
ȝif that armen they scholde hem thanne.
and merlyne answered & seide: “neuere a manne,
For hit wolde ȝow greven ȝoure harneys to bere,
Tyl jnto ȝowre ost that ȝe comen there.
For ȝe scholen neuere dreden of non man;
swich a weye j ȝow leden now kan.”
So whanne that alle j-Supped they hadde,
every man to chambre wente ful gladde,
and warme he lappede for the cold,
that non deseyse ne scholden hem hold.
and as hit was the wylle of god almyht,
the mone schon thorwh-owt al the Nyht.
thussone alle forth gonne they gon tho,
þe thre kinges, merlyne, & Antron also.
and forth they redyn al that nyht,
tyl that hit was aȝens day lyht.
So that they comen Jnto a forest,
there they alyhteden boþe lest & mest,
and eten Swich vetaylle as they browhte,
So þat eche man be oþer ful merye thowhte.
and whanne that they hadden eten echon,
the kynges & merlyne to cownseil gonne gon.
“Sire, weten ȝe, Artheur, what j wold mene?
But ryht a ȝong man of armes ȝe bene,
and therto a gret rewm forto meynteigne.
Now vndirstonde ȝe what j schal seyne:
Somme of ȝoure barowns with ȝow they be
and also a parcel of ȝowre comunealte;
that maketh ȝowre ȝiftes, ful sekerly,
whiche ȝe han ȝoven ful plentevosly.
and þerfore ȝif that evere large ȝe were
of ȝiftes to ȝeven bothe fer & Nere,
J ȝow now charge that large ȝe be

278

Of alle of ȝoure ȝiftes jn eche degre.
For mennis hertes geten ȝe neuere, trewely,
So wel as be grete ȝiftes, pleynly.
For therto jnowgh now scholen ȝe haue,
As mochel as ȝe wilen axen other crave.”
“weteth wel, Syre, and vndirstond
that gret Tresowr js jn this lond;
but vnknowen to ȝow schal hit be,
Tyl that from bataylle ȝe comen, sikerle.
and þerfore that ȝe marken wel this place,
whanne alle thy Bataylle j-don thou hase.”
thanne ladde he him forth to a welle,
where a tokene he made, as j ȝow telle,
So that they merveilleden, þe kynges echon,
of swich thing as merlyne hadde þere don,
and ek they merveilleden þere also
of swich thing as merlyne tolde hem tho.
thanne jn here weye they gonne to ryde,
For there nolden they non Lengere abyde.
So Ryden they forth bothe day and nyht,
that of hem ne restede neuere a wyht,
tyl that they comen to Bredygam,
where as was logged many a man.
So that kyng Arthewr was logged there
be a passyng fayr welle and clere;
and So gret foyson the water owt ran
evene thorwh the Lawnde to everich a man.
therto the wedyr ful cold was there,
For hit was jn the mounthe of jeneuere,
viij dayes to-forn the kandelmasse;
that tyme schortly forsothe hit wasse.
and there rested they hem two dayes be-dene,
here harneis to dressen and maken clene.
thanne to hem kam merlyne anon,
& seide: “on ȝoure enemyes now mown ȝe gon,
and devyseth now þerfore amonges ȝow here
ho þat toforn schal gon ȝowre meyne to lere.
For jn swich a manere scholen ȝe gon,
that of hem alle schal weten neuer on,

279

Tyl that evene on hem that ȝe falle
jn þe dirk morweneng, er ony man calle.
For ȝif that aparceyved there ȝe be,
aȝens hem mown ȝe not stonden, sikerle.
and doth thus, & haueth non drede,
For aȝens ȝow scholen they han but lytel spede.”
Thanne eche man harneysede hym anon
Jn armes to Bataylle forto gon.
and the vowarde hadde sire kay
with kyng Arthewris baner, jn fay,
and with hym knyhtes bothe stowt & feers:
Sire girfleȝ & sire lucawns the Botelers,
Marvg de la roche & Gwynaus the bloys
with dryaunt of þe forest savage & belyas Amoroys,
ek with hem forth paste Flawndrys the bres;
these viij forth pasten, with-owten ony les,
and with hem foure thousend jn compenye,
the vomwarde to gouernen, ful Sykirle.
The secund warde hadde Sire Bretel,
a worthy werrowr ful strong and lel;
and thre thousend with him he ladde,
alle goode men and neuere on badde.
The thrydde warde there ladde tho
Sire Vlphyn, that jn armes mochel cowde do;
and in his compenye kyng Arthewr was there
with many a brown vndir that Banere,
and with hem fowre thousend jn compenye
of worthy Bodyes, an j schold not lye,
that neuere here lord nolden faillen there,
tyl that to þe deth j-browht they were.
thus eche warde thanne took his way,
and forth they wenten, er hit were day,
and merlyn to-fore, the weye to lede,
Rydyng vppon a stalworthy stede.
Aftyr this devisede kyng Ban his meyne,

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and ek his brothir king Boors, ful sekerle,
So that to sire pharens tooken they þe ferste warde
vndyr kyng Boors baner to ben here garde,
and with hym that tyme forth þere wente
Sire ladmas with riht good entente,
and sire moret de laveye forth jn that pres,
Syre graciens the Bloys & pales Trebes
with Blyobers & sire melidyaus in compenye,
and with hem Sire madevs jn gret hye.
So that thre thowsend with him wente
Of Ryht goode Bodyes, Veramente.
the secunde warde of kyng Ban
Sire Leownces of Paerne ladde than,
and with him foure thousend ladde he
of goode bodyes jn his compeyne.
the thrydde wynge ladde kyng Boors,
that of non werre took he non fors,
with fowre thousend j-armed owt ryht,
that evere weren redy forto fyht.
the Fourthe Bataylle ladde kyng ban,
Jn alle degrees a ful worthy man,
and his baner he took forto bere
To sire lyawne, his steward, there,
and foure thousend jn his compenye
with hym bothe forto lyven & dye.
and whanne that all redy they were,
an esy pas they pasten forth there.
and hit was tho past the mydnyht,
And þerto þe mone schon ful bryht.
ek therto þe wedyr was ful stylle,
Ful preve & esy at here owne wylle.
Now of this sesyth this storye,
and to hem of yrlond hit doth now hye,
and of the kynges that to hem marched be,
as here-aftyr scholen ȝe heren and se.
Now cometh hit here to Remembraunce,
that kyng Brangors, with-owten variance,

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and kyng margans, with hym there was,
ek kyng hardybrans jn that plas,
and with hem kyng Amynadas,
that vncle to kyng Augwys was,
whiche vter pendragon browht in bale
and him Slowhe, as reherseth this tale—
and whanne they herden telle þat the Barowns
here londes hadden left and garysouns,
and to kyng Artheur comen they were
jn his werres to helpyn him there,
thanne these xj kynges jn fere
moche peple to-gederis gadered there,
So that they hadden thrytty thousend men
on horsbak with hem to ryden then,
with-owten Footmen gret plente,
and the contre distroyede, ful sekerle,
and slowen the peple, and deden owtrage,
and jn that Lond dyden ful gret damage.
For euere as they reden, they stroyed down ryht,
therto they ne leften on lyve non wyht.
and to þe castel vandalyer in Cornewaylle
they leyden a sege, with-owten faylle;
and neuere remeved myhten they be,
Tyl thedyr cam kyng Artheur, ful sikirle.
But Whanne Kyng Arthewr Herde of al this,
and the kynges that with hym weren, j-wys,
So whanne that acordyd they weren echon,
Fulsone on here weye thanne gonne they gon.
but no mare tellith this mater now here,
Tyl that to kyng Arthewr don we pere,
and of merlyne, and to kyng Ban,
and of kyng Boors, how they spedden than:
how jnto Bataylle that they gonne gon,
Aȝens the xj kynges that weren here fon,
that remeved weren to Bredygan,
The wheche atte Sege þere lyen than.

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Thus here Reporteth this Storye
how that kyng Arthewr his ost gan gye
and the kyng Ban his bataylles also
aȝens the xj kynges forto go.
But these xj kynges wysten non thyng
of kyng Artheures ordenaunce ne of his comeng;
So that nyht to bedde wente every man,
For of kyng Artheur rowhten they not than.
but hit happede wel that nyht,
that þe xj kynges to-gederis j-plyht
with the kyng of an hundred knyhtes were,
For drede of non man hadden they there.
jn the mene whyle that they Slepten so,
kyng loth jn a wondyr drem fyl tho:
hym thowhte that so gret a wynd þere was,
so merveillous and boystows, jn that plas,
that houses and clochers hit threw adown,
and aftyr of thondyr he herde a gret sown,
that hym thowhte al the world, j-wys,
hit astoned & qwook for drede of this.
and aftyr him thowte, ȝyt say he more:
a gret passyng water that was thore,
that alle the howseng it bar a-down,
and dreynte the peple jn virown;
& hym-Self in peryl hym thowhte he was
There to ben persched jn that plas.
Jn this maner dremede Sire loth, the kyng,
and sone after he fyl jn wakyng,
and of his dreme he wondrede, j-wys;
he gan hym blesse, & seide: “what meneth this?”
and to his meyne he wente anon,
and tolde hem of his avisyoun.
thanne axeden they hym anon ryht
jnto what party he Say that Syht.
and he seide, from the Forest syde,
that thens hyt kam, him thowhte þat tyde.
thanne seiden they, with-owten faylle
that with-jnne schort tyme to hauen bataylle.
thanne eche man awok oþer anon,

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So that to armes faste gonne they gon,
and awoken alle here compenye,
Forto serchen the contre gonnen they hye.
with this the bataylles togederes were,
the xj kynges and Artheur jn fere.
So that merlyne hastyd forth more meyne,
That to-gederis they metten, full Sykirle,
they that the contre Serchen scholde
and Artheurs meyne, hos wol oþer nolde,
To-gederis they weren, er they jt wyste,
and merlyn to-fore rod for truste.
and whanne kyng lothis meyne say this,
So moche peple þere armed, j-wys,
they axeden of him that rod tofore,
what peple it js, was armed thore.
Merlyne seide: “Arthewris meyne;
this lond to chalange hider comen we
aȝens hem that him don defende
his lond to entren, er than they wende.”
anon as they thanne this worde herde,
aȝen ful faste Bakward they ferde.
and whanne to the ost they comen ageyn,
Anon thanne they gonnen cryen & seyn:
“Treson, Treson amonges vs now js,
and falsly we ben betrayed, j-wys.
as armes now bothe bacheler & knyht,
For ȝe hadden neuere more nede to fyht.”
So that every man to his harneys Sowhte,
but sone jn gret deseisse weren browhte.
ȝit of on thing hit happede hem wel:
that here hors weren sadelyd eche del.
but so sore j-hasted neuere they were,
as as theke tyme they weren there.
and whanne that harneyssed they weren echon,
a wondir aventure Fyl hem vppon:
merlyne swich a wynd amonges hem sente,

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that hit down blew bothe pavylown and tente,
and vppon here hedis hit Fyl a-down,
So that they weren encombryd echon.
and þerto the storm so strong there was,
that non man othir sawh jn that plas.
and this distorblede hem wondyr sere,
er that alle Fullich redy þey were,
which that Tornede hem to gret damage
be Artheuris men, that dedyn owtrage,
that Slowen and maden distrocciown
of mochel of the meyne jn virown.
But the xj kynges that departed were,
and jnto the pleyn feld weren fled for fere,
they setten a busch on lyht Fere thenne,
therby to hem to gaderen thanne.
and so they deden, as they myhten gon,
For of hem pyte Artheurs meyne hadde non,
So that er they knewen the day lyht,
thre part of here meyne weren slayn jn fyht.
whanne they of the ost behelden al this,
that aȝens hem was so mochel peple, j-wys,
Eche man fledde to his Banere,
where as þe horn herde he sownen there.
For these kynges to-gederis j-gadered were
Fast by thentre of the forest there.
So that lytel and lytel they gonne releve,
Tyl xx thousend they myhte preve.
and x thousend torned forto fle
on dyvers partyes, ful Sykerle,
with weping, cryeng, and with gret mone,
For the harm that they hadden echone.
and x thousend atte grownde lay down ryht,
What Slayn and maymed every A Wyht,
that non other there Socouren ne may,
Ne non man deseisen be Nyht and day.
Whanne Artheur beheld, al this herbergerye

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was thus remeved, & so sodeynlye,
To merlyn kyng Arthewr cam anon,
and axede of hym what he scholde don.
“J schal ȝow telle,” quod merlyne thanne,
“ȝe moste now werken as a wys manne.
vp to ȝone passe ȝe schole now gon,
where as these meyne be rested echon,
xx thousend jn on compenye,
and aȝens hem that thou fyhte manlye.
and to ȝow schal comen jn Socowreng there
kyng Ban and his Brothyr so dere,
and from owt of the Forest scholen they gon.
and whanne the tothir partye loketh hem vppon,
So Sore abawed thanne scholen they be,
that lytel defens jn hem Scholen ȝe se.”
thus ech from othyr departyd thanne,
and took But lytel reward of ony manne.
So whanne they thus to-gederis mette,
manye harde Strokes weren there sette
with swerdis on helmes, and scheldes to-broke,
and sperys al to-schateryd, as seyth the boke.
with that cam kyng Ban & kyng Bors also
jn socowreng of kyng Arthewr tho.
there myhte men Se knyhtes down throwe,
and ful thykke jn the weye they lyen ful lowe,
and al the Feld there Blody was,
So moche peple was Slayn jn that plas.
thanne Syre kay, that on pas kepte,
Ful angwyssowsly thedyrward he lepte
with thre thousend jn his compenye;
aȝens xx thousend than gan he hye.
and whanne the xj kynges on a rewe
behelden hem-self so manye & þe toþer so fewe,
thanne sore aschamed weren they echon;
thussone began there gret Bataylle anon.
Thanne so faste they to-gederis held
Bothe with swerd, spere, and scheld,

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That þe scheltrom onnethis brekyn th[e]y myhte;
So Sore the xj kynges gonnen to fyhte.
but longe myhten they hit not endure,
the stowr so strong was, j ȝow ensure.
Thanne cam Vlphyn jn ryht gret haste,
and thorwgh that meyne fulsone he paste.
And whanne with-jnne hem that he was,
Fulsore he fawht there in that plas.
and so they cryde and so they ferde,
that an hol myle the Noyse was herde.
So that wondir strokes weren there set
on scheldis and helmes, whanne they met,
and ek many man ded there was,
and manye hors to grownde wente jn that plas.
So that mochel harm was there do;
and Vlphyn onhorsyd on grownde was tho.
Thanne Say Bretel his Brothyr on grownde,
and ful faste he prekede thedyr that stownde.
but thowgh that Vlphyn on grownde were,
ȝit he defendid him with his spere,
that no man dorste hym there comen ny;
So sore he fawht and so manly.
whanne Sire Bretel sawh that hit was so,
his hors with the spores thanne took he tho,
and him so sore he smot that Tyde,
hym that on Vlphyn there dide abyde,
that bothe hors and man there wente to grownde;
So sore he hym smot that ylke stownde.
whanne kyng clariouns beheld that chevalrye,
Ful angry he was and þerto ryht sorye,
and aȝens Sire bretel he gan to ryde
His felawe to socowren that ylke tyde.
Whanne sire Bretel Say hym come ryding so,
aȝens hym faste he gan to go,
and they to-gederis sone metten jn fere,
that bothe here scheldis thorwgh-persched were;
So grete strokis & harde smyten they tho,

287

For worthy knyhtes weren they bothe two.
So sore they fowhten, that hit was wondir,
Tyl bothe here speris borsten on sondyr,
and bothe here scheldes flowen jnto þe feld;
Swich strokes there eche to oþer gan ȝeld.
and ȝit Sorrer to-gederis they mette,
for ech swich strokis on oþer sette,
here eyen hem thowhte out of here hedes wente;
So sore they fowten there, veramente.
and therto so sore they astoned they ben,
and ek here hors, as they that hyt Syen,
that they ronnen al there on blood;
So depe jn here syde the spores wood.
and therto with fowndryng here hors also
on here knes non skyn beleften tho,
So that hyt ran owt blood ful cler,
as they in the weye reden ther.
and so longe atte the grownd they lye
and so fowle astoned there, trewelye,
that they ne knewen nethyr day ne nyht;
So stronge to-gederis they weren jn fyht.
So ferforth they wenden that hem beheld,
that bothe hadden ben ded þere jn þe feld.
So that on bothe partyes they comen ful blyve
To reskwen tho knyhtes and saven here lyve.
For they wenden, ded that they hadde ben,
on bothe partyes, as they hem Syen.
but whanne Sire kay this beheld,
that Sire Bretel lay jn the feld,
Thedyr he gan hym ful faste hye
Sire Bretel to Socowren, Trewelye.
Thanne thre kynges aȝens hym comen ryde
with gret anger, haterede, & with gret pryde;
with these aȝens kyng Arthewr they were
what that they cowden with scheld oþer spere.
and þe toþer xj kynges, verament,
Ful harde they fowhten and with good entent,
amongis whom Sire Gyrfleȝ beten he was

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and Lwcauns the Botelers jn that plas.
Thanne kyng Brangors & kyng Ydyers
as two kynges bothe stowt and Feers,
ek kyng Augwyseax and kyng Vryens
eche with oþer rod forth jn presens.
So that there began ful strong melle
bothe partyes to reskwen, Sekerle.
for Ful merveillous weren the strokes and stronge
that thike partyes weren there amonge.
So that with fyn fors and strengthe there,
among alle the enemyes that þere were,
there reskwed sire kay with strengthe & myht
Sire girfles, and horsyd hym anon ryht
vppon kyng Newtres, with-owten lye.
and þerto kyng loth, ful certeynlye,
with a tronchon of a spere was so bete,
that sothely he wende his lyf to lete.
And jn this mene while there kam anon
the kyng of an c knyhtes ful son
and with hym xl knyhtes of prys,
as he wolde chesen at his devys,
the beste that weren jn his compenye
amongis alle oþer that he cowde dyscrye.
and whanne þat he sawhe sire kay þere present,
that kyng loth So hadde beten, verament,
Wherfore ful sory He Was that tyde,
and faste thedyrward he gan to ryde,
and toward Syre kay he rood ful faste,
whyles that the breth of his hors myhte laste,
and there so sore to hym he rod,
and non lengere there he ne abod,
and smot Syre kay so jn the Scheld,
that down he fyl there jn the Feld,
and took his hors with-owten more,
and to kyng Loth he ladde hit thore,

289

and seide: “syre, where is ȝoure thowht?
Lo, ȝoure enemyes hors j haue ȝow browht!
Now worth vpe here with ryht good chere,
and on ȝoure enemy ben avenged here.
For this day han ȝe lost mochel thyng
of worschepe that belongeth to a kyng.”
So vppon that hors he wente anon,
and toward Sire kay gan he gon.
and whanne Sire Gyrfleȝ this beheld,
That Sire kay lay in the feld,
and Lwcans ek dyde also,
how that Sire kay suffrede anger & wo,
Ful Sorweful they weren thanne, trewelye,
and faste thedyrward they gonnen hem hye
with two Lawnces bothe stowt and grete;
with som of these meyne there gonne they mete.
So sore they cowntreden that jlke stownde,
That ech two knyhtes þere bar to grownde,
and took þe best hors be þe reyne anon,
and there-with Sire kay presentyd fulson.
thanne he hym horsede, for nede he hadde,
For ferst he was ful sore be-stadde.
thanne the kyng of an hundred knyhtes
and kyng loth with hym anon ryhtes,
that with strong forse, myht, and mayn
kyng Newtres of Garlot they horsede ageyn
on morettes hors de la Roche.
thanne to kyng ydyers gonne they Reproche,
and Sire Gwynaws the bloys hors they took,
and þere-onne hym horsede, as seith the book.
and the dewk Escan of kambenie
was horsed also anon, with-owten lye,
vppon dryauntes hors of the forest Savage,
that toforn jn bataylle dyde gret owtrage.
and whanne alle these meyne j-horsed were,
thanne thowhten they to ben avenged there
vppon here damages, that they hadden toforn;
but er they wente, al was forlorn.

290

Thanne thowhten the viij kynges tho,
that ful wel they wenden hauen j-do,
but lyhtly they losten al jn fere.
For kyng Arthewr fulsone aspyde there,
and kam jn comforteng of his meyne,
ek thorwh that meyne paste he, sykerle,
and so the hors with his spores he smot,
that owt hit sprang the Fyr so hot.
And sire Vlphyn fond he growndyd there
with his swerd on hande hym forto were
and Sire Bretel at gret mischef also,
that vnnethis to horsbak myhte he go.
wherfore ful sory that tyme he was,
and forth he prekede jnto that plas:
with a spere bothe myhty & strong
jnto the pres there gan he fong,
and there mette wyth Tradelamaund,
kyng of north wales, as j vndirstond.
anon so sore he there with him mette,
And swych a Strok He on Hym sette,
and smot hym evene amyddes the scheld,
that over he fyl there jn the feld.
therto his left Scholdre he smot a-down,
that he fyl there ouer the hors arsown.
kyng Arthewr the hors took jn that plas
be the Brydel, that ful wel gylt was,
and lad hit to Sire Vlphyn anon,
and bad that he scholde faste vp gon
on hors-bak to ben avenged there
vppon his enemy, that dyde hym dere—
“and thenketh vppon the grete velonye
that ȝe han Suffred, and gret anoye.”
thanne horsede hym Sire vlphyn hastely,
and Seyde: “sire kyng, now gromessy!”
anon he prekede jnto that pres,
kyng Arthewr & he, with-owten les.
thanne there began so strong melle,
that pyte and rowthe hit was to se.

291

For there broken they the buschschement
that vppon his meyne there was present,
So that they vppon the tothyr partye
Ful mochel harm cawhten, Sekerlye.
and ȝit half meyne more they hadde,
thanne kyng Arthewr thedyr with hym ladde.
So that gret occision þere thanne was
of many bodyes jn that plas.
So that kyng Arthewr merveilleȝ wrowht þere,
that eche man dradde hym every where;
So that no man dorsten abyden his hond,
So spetowsly he took on with his brond;
For that tyme dorst hym non man abyde,
So sore he fawht that ylke tyde.
Whanne the kyng of an hundred knyhtes
Sawh Tredelemaunt anon ryhtes,
that at þe erthe stille he lay,
Ful Sory he was that ylke day
(For he lovede hym ful specyaly),
and faste ageyn Artheur he gan hym hy,
and his hors with the spores he smot
aȝens kyng Arthewr evene foot hot,
and hym ful spetowsly smot jn that plas,
so þat kyng Arthewr sore astoned was.
and whanne kyng Arthewr that strok felte,
anon his lyvere abowtes he delte,
but ȝit sorye he was, ful trewelye,
for sire kay, that was jn his compenye.
kyng Artheur left vpe his swerd anon,
and to þe kyng of an hundred knyhtes gan he gon
and thorwh the left Scholdere han hym bore.
that beheld anon the toþer kyng thore;
and whanne he sawh the strok comenge,
aweyward faste gan he flynge,
and his scheld vppon his hed he caste.
but kyng Arthewr to hym þere thraste,

292

and so sore smot hym vppon the scheld,
that hit flew half jnto the feld.
So that his strok discendid there
on his hors hed, with-owten dwere;
So that bothe to grownde they wente.
and þat beheld syre kay, veraymente,
and say that hors astray there gon,
and to his fadyr Antron he ladde it anon.
So that jn the sadel ful sone he was,
and þereof was joyful jn that plas.
thanne aȝens margamur, the kynges stewarde,
Sire Antron with his hors rod ful harde,
and badde hym greten wel his lord & kyng,
that of an hundred knyhtes hadde governyng—
“And for his Love j schal the mete,
For For nothyng J ne Wele Hyt Lete.”
that thorwh the ryht Scholdere he smot him thanne,
and to erthe he Bar hym, hors & manne;
So thanne on hym there barst he his Lawnce.
and with that hors sone gan he Bretel avance,
and to hym hit ladde thorgwh the pres
(For tyl he hym fond, he wolde not Ses),
of whiche hors Sire Bretel hadde gret nede
owther ellis of sum othyr, so god me spede.
thanne was fulsone Sire Bretel on lofte,
and abowtes him he lokede ful ofte,
and Syre lwcawnes ryht sone he say
down vppon therthe there he lay,
and vp keuerynge was, and defendid hym faste,
whiles ony strengthe jn hym myhte laste;
that gret Joye hit was hym forto se,
For abowtes hym xiiij there weren, sikerle,
and he nas but hym-self al alone;
but for al the power that they cowden done,
owt of that place hym remeven ne myhte;
and [this] beheld Sire Bretel anon ryhte,
and to hym there prekede jn that pres.
So whiche þat ferst he mette, with-owten les,

293

thorwh the helm he claf atwo hys hed,
that jn the feeld he fyl down ded.
The Secund he smot so in the scheld,
that arm and al flew jnto þe feld.
and Sire gyrfleȝ, that Sire lwcawns was by,
Sore hym defendyd an ful myhttyly.
ȝit ek anothyr Sire Bretel Smot,
That at his feet he fyl ful hot.
Whanne that Sire Gyrfleȝ Sawh he had socour,
Ful manfully fawht he thanne jn that stour,
and the ferst that he mette there,
his arm of smot he qwyt & clere,
that to the erthe he Fyl down ryht.
anon Sire lwcawns, that worthy knyht,
vppon that hors fulsone he was,
and sory man & angry jn that plas,
that his schamefulnesse wolde avenge.
thanne sone prekede he jnto that renge,
where as gwycher he say, of scotland kyng,
that on moret, his felawe, was abydyng.
Sire Lwcawns his hors there smot so sore,
and with Gwycher þe kyng mette he thore,
So that thorwhe hawberk and haberiown
Sone jnto the feld there smot hym down.
thanne whanne Sire moret beheld tho this,
Ful sone jn that Sadel he was, j-wys,
and forth he prekede jnto that pres,
and for non man ne wolde he ses.
thanne Belyas & Flawndryn say he there,
that vppon tweyne of his Felawes rested were,
vppon dryawnt and dynas,
that with Artheur weren jn that plas.
but so gret was there that pres with-jnne,
er sire moret to his Felawes myhte wynne,
So that so sore there gan he fyhte,
that hit was merveyl to ony mannes syhte;
and so wel there he hym bar jn that fyht,

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that his felawes he rescwede anon ryht.
And al this mene whyle Artheur the kyng
vppon the tothyr side ful sore was bekeryng,
and anothir kyng þere hym ageyn,
So þat gret noyse gan rysen, jn certeyn,
on partye to reskwen þere kyng Artheur,
anothyr partye hym to werkyn Langowr.
So that anon bataylle began there ful strong
betwixen bothen partyes hem among,
but evere bothe kynges on horsbak were.
but kyng Arthewr they myhten don no dere,
For Kyng Arthewr and His meyne tho
to the partye thanne wrowhten ful wo;
and streyht to rescwen he forth wente
Sire Gyrfles and Sire kay, veramente,
that with kyng Newtres & with Brangores,
with kyng Vryens & with kyng Ydiers
and ek the Fyfthe kyng abygawnt also—
these fyve these knyhtes hadden don moch wo;
hem hadden they so beten and vnhorsed bothe,
that aschamed they weren & of here lyves lothe.
and these two knyhtes non oþer Socour hadden there
but goode Syre Lwcawns the Botelere.
and there this sire Lwcawns so hym þer bar,
that there-offen wondrede kyng Arthewr thar,
and beheld the grete nede that they weren jnne.
thanne for non thyng ne wolde he blynne,
but jnto that pres prekede as a wood lyown,
and on bothe sides dyde he mochel distrocciown,
that non man there dorste his strok abyde;
So sore fawht kyng Arthewr jn that tyde.
and on bothe his sydes he slowh down ryht,
so hydous & angry was he in fyht.
and ek Sire kay and Sire Gyrfleȝ
with Arthewr sore fowhten they in that pres.
on the toþer syde syre Antron, Vlphyn, & sire Bretel
aȝens dukes & kynges fowhten wondyrly wel,

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wyche weren dewk escam and kyng Tradelyvand,
and aȝens chybret, kyng of Northhumberland,
and ek aȝens kyng karados also,
that a worthy werrour was holden tho.
and alle these aȝens kyng Artheur gonnen ryde,
and there sore fowhten they in that tyde.
For eche aȝens oþer so sore justed there,
that they to-borsten bothe Scheld & spere.
For ne hadde socour to kyng artheur sone þere be,
the wers hadde he had, ful certeynle.
For tho kynges and knyhtes on þe toþer side,
Ful worthy men they weren that tyde;
ek dowble they hadden aȝens kyng Artheur,
that vnnethe they myhten abyden that stowr.
Thanne happede, kyng Ban and kyng Bors
that owt of þe forest comen with gret fors
jn releveng of kyng Arthewr there;
but þe tothyr partye of hem not war were.
Anon they gonnen hem askryen so Lowde,
that hit dynede jnto the clowde.
Ful fresch they comen owt of that forest
as worthy kynges, to fyhten ful prest.
Thanne behelden al this these oþer barowns,
and wisten wel that non distrocciowns
myhte comen but thorwghe theke partye;
wherfore to cownseille they gonne hem hye,
and to-gederis assemblede jn a medewe þere,
al these Lordynges to-gederis Jn fere,
and tooken cownseyl what they myhten do.
thanne seide kyng Loth to hem ryht tho:
“j wot wel that ech of vs here fyhten muste,
but to on thyng ȝe mown wel troste:
that j my-self aȝens fowre oþer thre,
be my josteng ouercomen scholen be.
Forto avengen myn noysaunce
on hem j thenke to don veniaunce.
for mochel peple han we lost here,

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whiche that they scholen beyen ful dere.”
And whanne the kyng of an .c. knyhtes
herde kyng Loth thus Speken owtryhtes,
gret preyseng to hym ȝaf he thanne,
as belonged to swich a worthy manne,
And Swor By His creawnce Anon Ryht
that the same wolde he don jn Fyht.
And kyng karados & kyng Newtres also
the same oth sworen they bothe two.
And the dewk escam of kambenye
the same oth there swor, Sekerlye,
and ek kyng clarioun of Northhumberlond
the same oth swor, as j vndirstond.
“Now schal j seyen ȝow,” quod kyng Loth thanne,
“what we scholen don now every manne.
sixe of owre feleschepe we scholen ordeygne
aȝens ȝone busschement, jn certeyne;
and here scholen beleven othyr fyve
aȝens this meyne to fyhten ful blyve.
for xi kynges here we now be
to fyhten aȝens al this meyne.
So that aȝens this busschement welen we go
with .x. thousend fyhtyng men and mo,
and viij thousend scholen we leven here
kyng Artheur to anoyen jn alle manere.
and toward þe forest welen we go;
tyl aȝens the Nyht lete vs don so.
and oure purpos thanne bettere scholen we have
and therto owre meyne moche bettere Save.
For ȝif that we abyden here stylle,
they ben ful lyk to werkyn vs ylle.”
To this cownseyl of kyng loth þere anon
thussone concentyd they everychon.
thanne assembled to-gederis they were,
and here hol meyne departed there.
So that kyng Loth took with hym
the kyng of an hundred knyhtes so grym,
augwysseaus, & dewk escam of kambenye,

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with xij thousend men jn here partye,
where-offen that vj wynges they hadde
and jn eche wynge ij thousend they ladde.
So that forth they reden an esy pas,
tyl that they comen jnto þe same plas
that kyng Loth þere ordeyned before,
for better conseyl myht not han ben thore.
thus the .vj. kyngges forth they wente,
and .v. abyden thanne there presente
Forto werren vppon Arthewr the kyng
hym forto anoyen with sore fyhttyng.
Now of the .v. that leften behynde
j schal ȝow tellen, as cometh to mynde.
kyng Brangores & kyng Vryens,
kyng Newtres, kyng clariouns, men of defens,
whiche was kyng of Northhumberland,
and of north wales kyng Tradelyvaund,
alle these weren jn on compenye
with vij thousend men, certeynlye,
and drowh hem to-gederis jn busschement,
as this storye here reporteth, verament.
For lyk as goode bodyes as they were,
Ful manfully defendid hem there.
but ful gret harm and damage hit was
of the gret werre, was jn that plas
be-twene kyng Arthewr & kyng Lothis meyne.
that tyme began there ful strong melle,
whiche that durede, tyl evensong was don,
and many a man to deth there gan gon.
vppon the tothyr partye entrede kyng Ban,
and kyng Bors kam with hym than,
With Leownces and Syre Faryens Also,
that the ferste Bataylle ladden tho.
So that they comen an ese pas,
tyl they weren alle ensemblyd jn that plas,
and aȝens hem kam kyng ydyers,
as he was kyng ful stowt and fers.

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And whanne that to-gederis there they mette,
many sore strokes to-gederis they sette,
So that the noyse myhte wel han ben herd
a long half myle; so sore they Ferd.
Ful gret occisioun thanne there was
bothe of men and hors jn that plas.
but certeyn kyng Ydiers meyne
that storm miht not suffren jn non degre,
but fledden awey for discomfyture
To kyng gwyseawns, j ȝow ensure,
whiche sone hem comforted sothfastly.
and a strong bataylle began þere, trewely,
So that Sire Faryens and his meyne
at gret mischef weren, ful Sykyrle.
and whanne leownces of Paerne be-held al this,
Ful sone to reskews he rod, j-wys,
and so sore rod vpon that meyne,
that jn that place ne lefte he, Sykerle,
Non that dorste hym there abyde;
So socowred he Pharyens jn that tyde.
and thus drof he forth that compenye
Jnto the dewkis ost of kambenye.
Whanne the dewk hem Sawh comen so,
thanne jn his herte he was ful wo,
and aȝens hem faste he gan to ryde
that hem so chasede jn that Tyde.
and thanne they that flowen to-fore,
aȝen with the dewk retorned thore,
and there began ful strong Bataylle,
whan that eche partye gan other assaylle.
thanne thussone entrede kyng Bors there
with his hol meyne al jn fere,
and there so sore they meten jn same,
that betwene tho partyes was non game.
and whanne kyng ydyers kyng Bors beheld,
that So kam prekynge jn the feld,
thanne to his feleschepe there seide he anon:

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“god vs defende now everychon
this day from the peryl of ded
of hym that cometh here jn this sted!
For hym j knowe be his armure,
that he is knyht bothe good and sure.
For neuere his place he wyle forsake
For non dismembrure ne for non wrake.
and þerto he is so worthy a knyht,
jn al this world non bettere jn fyht.
for thowh al the world were hym ageyn,
but his owne brothyr hit were, jn certeyn,
of prowesse Js there non man
that jn bataylle dar abyden hym than.”
Anon the kyng of an hundred knyhtes thanne
askede of kyng ydiers what was that manne.
thanne answerede kyng loth to hym ageyn,
& seide hit was kyng Bors of Gawnes, jn certein.
“but, certein, j ne wot how he here kam;
and behold, with hym he ledeth many a man!”
“what,” quod the kyng of an hundred knyhtes tho,
“how jnto this contre scholde he comen so?”
“j not, so me god helpe!” quod kyng loth thanne,
“but this day behoveth now every manne
to preven hym-self a worthy knyht
aȝens this kyng Bors here in fyht.”
Anon Answerede Kyng Karados thanne:
“j not, this day ho þat kan preven hym a manne,
nethyr this day what we scholen do;
but j my-self aȝens hym now wile j go.
and ȝif ony mester that j haue of Socour,
loke ȝe not me Faylle for non langour.”
therto they graunteden everychon;
he took his leve, and forth gan to gon.
thus kyng karados wente forth thanne
and with hym jn compenye many a manne;
an esy pas and sadly they wente,
til that kyng Bors they metten presente.
and whanne that so ny to-gederis they were,
of an archer a bowe drawht there,

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bothe parties to-gederis mette so faste,
that ech on othyr here speres gonne breste,
so that on bothe partyes they fyllen a-down,
and of karados meyne gret occisiown.
thanne drowen they owt here swerdis blyve,
and manye a man there loste his lyve.
thanne kam kyng Bors to an old knyht,
whiche man that Blaaryus hyht,
and hym comanded his Baner to bere
(and this knyht dorste not refusen it there),
and bad hym gon forth hym be-fore,
that the Bretowns his armes myhten sen thore.
Thanne took he a Royde spere anon,
and jnto that pres he gan faste to gon,
and that Reng he to-barst ful sone,
and þere-jnne entrede amonges hem echone.
and with a knyht he mette schortly there,
that thorwh armes and harneys he gan him bere.
So thorwh the body there he hym smot,
that down he fyl thanne, god hit wot,
and brak his Nekke jn his fallynge tho;
Swich destenye that knyht cam vnto.
thanne kyng Boors drowh owt his swerd,
and amonges that meyne þere so he ferd.
and whanne the peple Say hym faren so,
Ful faste to flyht thanne gonne they go.
thus kyng karados loste his meyne;
For kyng Bors they gonnen alle to fle.
that beheld the kyng of an hundred knyhtes;
to Socouren karados he kam ful Ryhtes
with ij thousend knyhtes jn compenye,
that bolde werriours weren and worthye.
and there fulsone to-gederis they mette,
and many harde strokes to-gederis smette.
For there to speken of king Bors prowesse,
how that he fawht there jn that presse!
Also ek on the tothir kynges syde

301

they fowhten ful strongly that ylke tyde,
bothe kyng karados and the tothyr kyng,
that of an hundred knyhtes hath gouernyng.
[for] so strong was the Bataylle thanne,
that at mischef there was many a manne.
Thanne kyng Ban of Baynoyk entrede anon,
and with his meyne he entrede ful son,
and there his steward his armes bar
with a crowne of gold and azure thar
with two bendis travers, ȝelw & grene;
As ony flowr oþer herbe there was hit sene.
and of this Sixe knyhtes jn swte hadde he,
bothe hors and man al jn on degre;
Bothe trappures and Testerys, Al that þer Was,
so was arrayed there jn that plas.
and whanne these kynges syen this syht,
wondirly they weren ful sore a-fryht,
and seiden they mosten forsaken here place,
For they knewen there non othir grace.
thanne to hem assembled kyng Loth,
Ful sore wepyng there, wel j wot,
and seide there to his compenye:
“Now wot j wel, ful Sekerlye,
alle is lost that we hauen jdo.”
So bothe partyes thanne metten they tho;
So sere here lawnces they borsten on sondyr,
that al the erthe qwaked hem vndyr;
and out of helmes þe fer owt flew,
that many a man hit Sawh on rew;
and with the strokis þat weren hem betwynne,
alle that forest hit denede with-jnne,
that half a myle men myhten hit here,
ho that jn that feld tho were.
whanne that kyng Ban ful sembled was
aȝens the tothere jn that plas,
there nolde but fewe there thanne abyde.
Anon vppon þe fyve kynges gan he ryde

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and ek vppon here hole meyne;
For þere made kyng Ban gret mortalyte.
For anon as they kyng Ban aspyde,
Ful faste they fledden that jlke tyde
For the grete occision
that kyng Ban made abowtes hym jn virown;
and gret martyrdom he made also,
and thus jn eche reng þere gan he go,
bothe on lefte syde and ek on þe ryhte;
he kyd hym there as kyng and knyhte.
So that j-dowted he was ful sore
of alle his enemyes þat weren thore.
Thanne forth cometh kyng Loth tho
and the kyng of an hundred knyhtes also,
and Sire margamur here thridde felawe was,
with here Bataylles jn that plas.
For thussone the bataylles j-medlyd were
on with-jnne anoþer ryht sone there.
and whanne that they behelden kyng Ban,
that so gret damage dyde there than,
kyng Loth there-with was angry tho,
and ek the tothyr kyng was ful wo.
with here spores smeten they here hors thanne,
and bothe they reden aȝens kyng Banne,
for kyng Loth was a worthy knyht,
and that he kydde there in his fyht.
For with his spere he smot so kyng Ban,
that a cantel of his scheld jnto þe feld flew than.
and whanne that kyng Ban felte thys,
Fulsore he was amevyd there, j-wys.
Anon his goode swerd he lefte on hy,
as a man that was bothe wroth and angry,
and to the kyng of an hundred knyhtes he rod,
and hym so smot, there that he stod,
vppon the helm; but hit glaweede adown
There vppon his horsis arsown,
that Trapped was jn erne & stel.
but ȝit that Strok hyt bot ful wel,
For the hors chine asondir there he smot,

303

that bothe to grownde wenten fot hot.
And whanne this kyng of an .c. knyhtes
Felte hym so feld there jn fyhtes
And therto His Hors Vndyr Hym so Ded,
thanne was he ryht of Sory red.
Vpe sone he rekouerede forto stond,
and his swerd took jn his hond,
and leyde his Scheld vppon his hed,
For fulsore he dowtede of ded.
Whanne that kyng Brangores beheld al this,
that þe kyng of an hundred knyhtes, j-wys,
was thus feld and leyd on grownde,
anon to kyng ban he rod that stownde,
and smot hym evene a-myddes the scheld,
there as he hovede jn the Feld.
and kyng Ban Sone there tornede ageyn,
and vppon the helm he rawht hym, ful pleyn,
that his coyphe of yrne and Sercle also
evene asondyr smot he tho,
that to the grownde he fyl down ryht,
For lengere to sytten hadde he non myht.
Aftyr, whanne these kynges rekouered were,
aȝens kyng ban Sore Fowhten they there.
but he dede hem mochel more grevaunce,
thanne they hym deden, with-owten dowtaunce.
For ȝit nas there non of the kynges two
but that mochel of here blood hadden lost tho.
what be here hurtes & woundes bothe
Ful feynt to fyhten they were forsothe.
but ȝit mochel harm there was j-do
betwixen thike thre kynges tho.
and whanne the bataylle entre-mellid were,
asondyr sone weren they departyd there,
whethyr that eyther partye wolde oþer non;
but ȝit amonges hem moche harm was don.
Thanne hyt happede that ylke tyde,
that kyng Artheur jnto that pres cam ryde,

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and fond kyng Ban fyhtyng on fote,
wherfore he was ful wo, god wote.
but evere he fawht So sore there,
that non man ne dorste comen hym nere,
and so forth wente thorwh the pres
vigerously fyhtyng, with-owten les.
but there wolde non man his strokes abyde,
So merveyllous they weren jn that tyde.
thanne entrede kyng Artheur on þe to[thyr] partye
thorwh al the pres ful manfullye
with his swerd on honde, that Soyled hit was
with hors blood & mennes jn that plas.
For manye merveylles wrowhte kyng Arthewr,
For jn armes he was bothe Styf & stowr.
but whanne he Say kyng Ban at sweche myschef,
hym thowhte hit was to hym gret repref.
Anon kyn[g] Arthewr aspyde a knyht,
that ryaly was arayed forto fyht.
with his swerd to hym kyng Arthewr rod,
and non lengere there he abod,
but with his swerd smot hym so sore,
that jnto the teth he clef his hed thore,
that ded to the grounde he fyl anon.
And kyng Arthewr be þe reyne his hors took son,
and to kyng Ban he ledde hyt ful faste.
“my leve frend,” he seide, “worth vp jn haste,
For amonges ȝoure enemyes ȝe han j-be;
this place to forsaken sone scholen ȝe hem se.”
Whanne that kyng Ban Recouered was
Be helpe of kyng Arthewr jn that plas,
Gret Joye Bothe to-gederys they made,
and amonges here enemyes they prekeden ful glade.
Anon as they on the tothyr partye
kyng Artheur and king Ban dyden aspye,
anon so discomfyt weren they tho
of the harm þat these two kynges hadden j-do,
that they hadden j-lost clene here talent

305

to fyhten or ony dede don, verament,
but Towardis the wode they wente ful faste.
And er they myhten hit keueren atte laste,
mochel occisiown was don there
be-twixen the wode and the revere
there here Stale they rested & kepte.
Anon here meyne there to hem lepte,
and jn peryl of deth echon,
For vnnethis to hem askaped ony on.
Whanne kyng Newtris and kyng loth tho
and the kyng of an hundred knyhtes also,
also kyng karados & kyng ydyors,
ek kyng Vryens & kyng Brangors,
that tho was kyng of Northhumberlond,
To on partye they drowen, j vndirstond,
Thanne seyde maganors to hem anon:
“with ȝoure meyne j rede that ȝe hens gon
For al hit is j-torned to scomfyture
and to distroccion, j ȝow ensure.”
Thus hem enchasede kyng Artheur tho,
kyng Ban and kyng Bors also,
tyl that they comen to on rever,
that ful wondyrly depe was there;
where as þe fugytyves a brygge diden make
there for to passe ouer that lake.
So that they pasten ouer echon,
and these thre kynges aftyr gonne gon.
thanne merlyn Seyde to kyng Artheur tho:
“Sey me now, what thynkest þou to do?
thyn enemyes hast thou ouercomen echon,
therfore jn-to thin owne contre thou gon,
and with the thy frendes thou lede,
be whom þat þou hast had ryht good spede,
and hem do thou worschepe and honour,
For they han holpen the jn many a stour.
For jn-to the Forest moste me go
there with my frend Blasye to speken also.”

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thanne departyd kyng Artheur thens anon,
and merlyn jnto the forest js he gon
To speken with Blasye, that hym bod there,
that of many thinges dide hym enqwere.
and merlyne seide he hadde j-be
to conseillen kyng Artheur, Sykerle.
“that is wel don,” quod Blasye thanne,
“hym to counseillen as a wis manne.”
than tolde Merlyne to blasye anon
of al tho thinges that hadden be don,
and hou kyng Arthewr jnto lytel breteyne sente
there socoure to haven, veramente.
Sethen he tolde hym ek also
of the grete Bataylle þat was j-do,
and of the scomfyture of the xj kynges.
So that this Blasye wrot alle these thinges,
and jnto his Book þere wrot he euery thing,
Be whom now þerof haven we knowleching.
[B]ut of Al this Bataylle Leven We now talkyng,
[an]d let vs Speken of anothyr thyng,
[Ne]thir of Blasie ne of merlyne at this tyde
[No] more to speken, but let vs forth glyde,
[an]d to kyng Arthewr & to the tweyne kynges also
[tha]t jn his compenye gonnen forth to go,
[and] ek of other baronage jn compenye,
[tha]t with kyng Arthewr weren, Sekerlye.

[Chapter XI]

[N]ow here putteth this Jlke Storye
[of t]hese xj kynges Jn memorye,
[and o]f the dewk of Askam also,
[tha]t be merlynes cownseylle conqwered weren tho,
[an]d how joyful from Blasye he cam,
[an]d how that kyng Arthewr ordeyned hym than.
[th]anne here Pavylouns pyhten they ful faste
[an]d ek here tentes jn ryht gret haste.

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[So] that they casten hem there to abyde
[an]d Forto resten hem that jlke tyde.
[th]anne gouernours of þe ost gonne they ordeynen there:
[S]ire Leownce, Sire gyrflet, & Sire Lwcawns the botelere.
[th]anne Sire Faryens to sire Leownces j-joyned he was
[Towar]dis the wode to kepen jn that plas;
[and Si]re Lwcawns and sire gyrflet
[kepte]n the medewes bothe drye and wet.
[and] the remnaunt to reste gonnen to gon,
ly[k a]s þerto they hadden Nede everychon.
So that they eten & dronken, & maden here play,
and there hem restede, tyl hit was day.
For j-nowh they hadden of the Beste,
bothe riche and powre, to gladen his geste.
Thus they hem restede, tyl hit was day;
And thanne kyng Arthewr comanded, jn fay,
that al the good that geten was
and ek al the rychesse Jnto on plas
that to-gederis scholde ben browht, ful pleyn,
For he wolde departyn hit þere, jn certeyn.
and whanne that they hadden herd here masse,
they wenten there as al þe trosor wasse.
and there on hepis as that hit lay,
These thre kynges, with-owten delay,
departyd this good þere to every man,
as that hem thowhte he hadde nede than:
on man lasse and a-nothyr more,
as hem thowhte they weren worthy thore,
and ek to many pore knyhtes also,
ek to seriauntes that with hem weren tho;
they ȝouen hem of þat good ful largely,
Whyles that Hem Last there ony peny.
and sethen departyd they forth in here compenye
bothe stedys and palfreyes ful justlye,
clothes of gold & of Sylk also,
that nowht to departyn beleft hem tho.
So that every man gwerdonen he was
that with hem was jn that plas.
thanne xl knyhtes chosen they tho

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with hem of Tarmelyde forto go,
which meyne Sire Leownce & sire pharyen
jn governaunce hadden & with hem sire Gracien.
Thus this peple of Tarmelyde
jnto here lond they gonne hem gyde,
that kyng clawdas non harm scholde þere do,
whyles the two kynges here lond weren fro.
Thanne these Barowns to-fore seid here,
Jn here owne contres whanne they were,
hem purchased bothe londes and fe,
everych a man aftyr his degre,
with the grete ȝiftes that they hadde,
and with þe tresor þat they out of þe ost ladde,
So that evere riche men they were,
whiles that on erthe they lyvede here.
So soiorned kyng Artheur at Bredygam stylle
and with hym bothe kynges at his wylle
(that was jn the march of gret Breteyne
and ek of Tarmelyde tho, in certeyne)
merlyne forto abyden there;
this was Artheuris entent, j sey ȝow here.
and vppon the morwen, whanne this was do,
that kyng Arthewr his meyne hadde departyd so,
and at Bredygam hadde mad gret feste
as wel to þe meste as to the leste,
and whanne they hadden eten echon,
out of here loggenges gonnen they gon
Forto beholden bothe ryvere and mede,
How þat the flowres dyden springen & sprede,
thanne behelden they furthermore:
they Syen where a old cherl cam thore
ouer alle the medewes, the sothe to sayn,
with his bowe on hande, jn certayn.
and boltes vndir his gyrdel bar he,
and wylde fowl hadde slayn, sekerle,
the whiche vndir his gyrdel him heng abowte.
ȝit anothir bryd aspide he, with-owten dowte;

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anon his bowe to his ere he drowh,
and anon ryht there that bryd he slowh.
ȝit wylde mathelardes he slowh also,
and evere vnder his gyrdyl he dyde hem do.
Forth a gret pas thanne cam he there
jnto place þere as þe thre kynges logged were.
tha[nne] these kynges hadden beholden ful wel
the schetyng of this cherl every del.
So towardis here loggeng cam he faste,
tyl that thyder he was comen atte laste.
thanne King Arthewr axede hym ful snelle
ȝif ony of that wylde fowl wolde he selle.
“ȝe,” quod the cherl, “with good wylle anon
j wele hem Sellen everychon.”
“To what prys?” quod Arthewr the kyng.
and thanne the cherl wolde seyn non thing.
the aray of this cherl j schal declare,
and so wel as þat j hadde ben thare:
Whit russet hosen he hadde vppon
with a peyre of grete clowted schon,
With a cote and Surcote of Blak Burnet
vppon his Body ful lewedly j-set,
and j-gyrt he was with a schepis skyn,
and þerto he was bothen long, stowt, and Grym,
therto on his hed nethyr coyfe ne hood,
but thus al barehed the carl forth ȝood.
For lyk a wodman he semed, oþer a felown
that hadde don som distrocciown.
and to kyng Arthewr he seyde thanne:
“j ne can non skele of sweche maner menne
That Loven so wel here Tresore;
hyt js ryht nowht, j telle the fore.”
“but thou ony Servyse cowdest do,
to avauncen the scholde j wherto?”
quod this carl: “haue thou this fowl thanne.
ȝit for me art þou than the rychere manne,
and thou of thy good ȝevest me non thyng,
not the lest part of on ferthing.

310

and forto ȝeven of þat thou hast geten here,
me thinketh for thy worschepe gretly it were.”
Whanne that the kyng Arthewr vndirstod this,
eche kyng on othyr thanne lokyd, j-wys,
and sethen they seiden hem be-twene:
“where-of devel spekyth this carl so kene?”
thanne þere anon hym clepede kyng Ban,
and axede what devel he seyde than.
but this carl to hym non word wolde speke,
but to king Arthewr he gan for to reke.
“haue þou,” he seide, “these Bryddes here,
For j wele walken jn myn manere.”
thanne Spak kyng Ban, certeinle:
“Sey what maner man that thou be.”
“Swich a man am here j,” quod he,
“that a savage man thus tolde me,
whiche that merlyne is his name,
jn this lond a man of ryht gret fame—
and that same merlyne tolde to me
that hider wolde he comen, ful sykerle,
Forto speken with ȝow kynges present;
thus merlyne me tolde, verament.”
and jn the tyme of this talkyng
cometh Vlphyn owt of a chambre goyng,
and herde the pletyng of hem two,
hou kyng Ban to merlyn spak tho.
“O,” quod kyng Ban, “hou may this be,
that merlyne scholde speken with the?”
“what,” quod the carl, “ȝif þou wylt me leve,
chese; the oþer ellis thou beleve.”
And [whiles] the veleyn hadde seyd al this,
evere stood sire Vlphyn and herkened, j-wys,
and thussone he gan for to Smyle,
and knew hit was merlyne be his wyle.
whanne that merlyne aspyde him so,
towardis hym he gan forto go.
“haue here mo Bryddis to thy kyng,
that grochcheth forto ȝeven onything.”

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Thanne lowh Vlphyn wonderly sore
of the wordis that Merlyne seide thore,
and seide: “sire, ȝif hyt thy wylle be,
wylt þou jnto chambre gon with me
For diuers thinges that j haue to seyn
betwene the and me þere, jn certeyn.”
“ȝe, sire, gladly,” quod this veleyn tho,
“with the to chambre now wyl j go.”
Thanne beheld the kyng sire vlphyn,
and axede to what ende oþer fyn
That so Faste He Lowh there,
and why that his Skele were.
“Sire,” he seide, “jn tyme comeng
ȝe scholen hit knowen every thing.”
there mette the veleyn with Sire kay,
and thus to him he gan to Say:
“Go make Redy this wylde fowl here,
that hit be at thy lordis Sopere.”
“ȝe, sire,” quod Vlphyn to that veleyn,
“hit nys not the ferste, jn certeyn.”
and with this cam þere sire Bretel,
and herde these wordis everydel.
So whanne they hadde ben there a stownde,
thanne wyste Bretel he hadde merlyn fownde,
and vndyr his mentyl he lawhed anon.
thanne axede of hym the kyng thusson:
“Why dost þou lawhen here so sore?”
“Sire, and þe carl wyle, j schal tellen ȝow fore.”
thanne this veleyn there lowh ful faste,
and seide to Vlphyn atte laste:
“Sey now on what js thy wylle.”
than Vlphyn seide the kyng vntylle:
“Sire,” he seyde, “knowe ȝe not merlyn,
whiche that is ȝoure owne devyn?”
“ȝis,” quod the kyng, “why axen ȝe?
hym j wel knowe, and j him se.”
“Sire,” quod vlphyn, “this js now he

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that here toforn ȝow now ȝe se,
that ij or thries ȝow hath serued thus.
why not ȝe hym knowe, j merveylle, be jesus.”
Whan that the kyng herde vlphyn spekyn so,
wondirly abasched sore was he tho,
that he nyste what forto seyn.
thanne seid Vlphyn to hym ageyn:
“that j haue seyn oftere thanne one,
the bettere j schal knowen hyt eft sone.”
that seide the kyng to hym ageyn:
“Sey me now, what js this veleyn?”
“Sire, knowe ȝe not merlin, and ȝe hym se?”
“ȝis, what scholde ellis now eylen me?”
“thanne beholde ȝe this good man so hore,
ȝif euere ȝe syen hym owht here before.”
and the kyng beheld him ful wel,
but he hym knew neuere a del.
“Now certes,” quod sire vlphyn with that,
“he may thinken his Servise evel beset,
that ȝow so mochel servyse hath j-do
an ȝow j-loved so wel therto
and ȝow hath holpen jn alle manere
aȝens ȝoure enemyes, where so they were.”
thanne whanne kyng Arthewr herde this,
fulsone thanne he hym blessede, j-wys,
and the tothyre tweyne kynge[s] also
ful mochel merveylle hadden tho,
and seiden: “merlyn, how is this be-tyd
now to ben clothed jn swich an abyt?”
thanne seide merlyn to hem ageyn:
“hit may ful wel ben, in certeyn.”
thanne seide Vlphyn: “Sire, basche ȝow not,
for his semblawnce he wil schewen, wel j wot,
that ȝe to-fore hauen hym jnne seyn;
he wile hit ȝow schewen, jn certeyn.”
“that wolde we fayn,” quod these kynges,
“To bringen vs owt of distorbelynges.”

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“Now jnto A chambre go ȝe Wyth me.”
and so they deden, these kynges thre.
thanne seyde sire Vlphyn to Artheur the kyng:
“Sire, haueth ȝe non merveylle of this thyng,
For many semblances he kan ȝow schewe,
vj other vij sone vppon a rewe.
For also often as hit js his plesaunce,
he wyl sone chongen his semblaunce,
and al be craft of Negremauncye;
Sire kyng, this is soth, ful certeynlye.
and gwymebant the clerk witnesseth this,
For of clergye he can ful mochel, j-wys.
For often here-aftyr ȝe scholen hym se
jn dyvers semblaunce, ful feythfulle.
For he doth wel that he do so,
For in this contre he hath many a fo.
Now go we jnto the chambre ageyn,
and þere scholen ȝe hym sen, jn certeyn,
jn the same semblaunce he was to-fore;
there scholen ȝe sen hym thore.”
Whanne that to þe chomber ward þey wenten ageyn,
jn the halle merlyn they fownden, ful pleyn,
as he was jn his ferste kynde,
where-offen they merveillede jn here mynde.
they gonne embracen hym anon,
and gret joye they maden echon,
as men that hym lovede with al here herte;
eche man there to him gan sterte.
thanne gonnen they lawhen everychon
of that cowntenaunce that he hadde j-don,
and of that he seide to the kyng;
eche man tho took hyt in boordyng.
thanne seyde kyng Arthewr to merlyn:
“Sire, now j knowe ryht wel and fyn
that ȝe me loven now, certeynle,
and that these bryddys ȝe han ȝoven to me.
and for ȝoure love j schal hem ete,
and for non thing j nele hyt lete.”
thanne merlyn gan to lawhen tho,
and seide: “Sire, hyt js ryht wel j-do.”

314

Thus they soiourned there everychon,
tyl that mydlentone was al a-gon.
So that kyng Arthewr vppon a day
be merlynes leve, the Sothe to Say,
he aqweynted hym with a mayden so ȝyng;
hym thowhte he sey neuere a fayrere thyng.
hire name Lysanore y-clepyd hit was,
therles dowhter Sevayn, that deyde be kas.
that mayden homage cam forto do
and with hyre Barowns manye mo
anon aftyr the Scomfyture
of the xj kynges, j ȝow ensure.
thus for drede they comen to hym tho
here londes to holden with-owten wo.
For his bettere neuere j-seyn was;
that thus for here londys they sowhten here gras.
So that jt happede that this mayde,
of whiche to-forn tyme j ȝow seyde,
cam to the castel of Bredyngham,
where that sche osteyed hyre than
wit[h] a riche Burgeys, as j rehers,
that was bothe riche, stowt, and fers.
and anon as the kyng hadde cast his eye
vppon that mayden, the sothe to seye,
Thanne With merlyne Spak He Anon,
that they to-gederis myhte speken alon.
So be that mayde that nyht the kyng lay,
and on hire be-gat, the Sothe to say,
On hyhte Loost, as good a knyht
as euere armure scholde beren jn fyht,
which that was after, with-owten fable,
On of the knyhtes of the rownde table.
This Loost dyde many a merveyllous thyng,
as here-aftyr hit schal come to rehersyng.
whanne that mydlentone was fully gon,
kyng Arthewr of this damysele took leve anon.
that so bothe kynges and ek he
jn-to Tarmelyde wenten, certeynle.

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Now of hem resteth this Talkyng,
and lete vs speken of a-nothyr thyng,
and to the xj kynges retornen ageyn,
whyder that they weren chased, jn certeyn.

[Chapter XII]

Now begynneth this Tale and telleth here
of the xj kynges that conqwered were,
how that they reden al that nyht
Sorewenge & wepyng, j ȝow plyht,
For here grete los and here damage;
thus ryden they Soreweng, bothe knyht & page;
Nethyr of al nyht rested of rydyng,
which was to hem alle an hevy thyng.
For nethir drynk ne mete was hem among,
Nethyr of al day whiles þe bataylle was strong,
so þat day & thike nyht they weren meteles,
and therto gret passing cold, with-owten les,
therto strong frost and Ys there was;
So weren they evel esed in eche a plas.
thanne ryden they forth to a cyte
ful hungry & ful cold, as j telle the,
whiche cyte Sorhant it hyhte,
of kyng vryens, that was jn fyhte.
So there they weren resceyved alle
and wel j-esed, as tho myhte befalle.
For there-offen they hadden ful gret mester,
For many man was hurt and wondyd ther.
and manye there deyden for noysaunce,
For at thike tyme swiche was here chaunce.
And Skars thre dayes there hadde they be,
that hem comen tydynges, ful sykerle,
owt of cornewaylle & orkanye
of gret distroccioun & of þe felonye
that to here londes þere weren j-do,
and toforn þe castel of Vandeberis Sege leyd also,
And therto the peple is Fled A-Way,
that neuere to-fore remevede, j dar wel say.

316

and whanne these Barowns herden of this,
alle here flesch gonnen to tremble, j-wys,
For that so sodeyn an aventure
To hem scholde comen jn that langure.
thanne wisten they, with-owten dowte,
that they weren distroyed al abowte,
and Gonnen thanne to wepen ryht sore,
alle the peple that was thore.
So thanne hit happede vppon a day
that kyng Brangores this myschef say.
So that he sente messengeris faste
To alle the kynges ostes jn haste,
and that to hym they scholde comen anon
jn alle the haste that myhte be don.
So that thyder assembled many men
jnto the halle of kyng vryen.
and aftyr that they hadden herd þis kyng speke,
alle jnto on partye they gonnen forto reke
with eyen rede and al for-wept,
that longe waked hadden & lytel slept.
and amonges hem spoken they word non,
but stodyn ful stylle there everychon.
and whanne that kyng claryowns say this,
that there non man wolde Speken, j-wys,
anon vppon his fet he was there stondyng,
and seide openly to Brangore the kyng:
“Syre, hyder am j comen now to the
to weten what thow wylt Seyn to me.
Now telle me, Sire, what js thy wylle,
& to my power j schal hit fulfylle.”
thanne seide sone kyng Brangores ageyn:
“j schal ȝow schewen, sire, jn wordis pleyn
the cause why that j for ȝow sente;
j schal ȝow tellen, Sire, veramente.
Lordynges, hit is not to ȝow vnknowe
that the kynrede of kyng Augwys this throwe
jnto oure londes entred they ben,

317

and there don they bothe brennen & slen.
ek to to the castel vandeleris jn cornwaylle
they han leyd sege there, with-owten faylle.
and therfore cownseyl we mosten take
From that Sege to gon hem make,
ek hem forto dryven owt of kontre,
other elles alle distroye[d] we be,
and alle oure eyres j-put to nowht,
that jnto this world we han forth browht.”
“ȝe, Sire, wyle ȝe vndirstonden now me:
aȝens kyng Artheur we han now j-be
and non thing encresyd jn his Lond;
this owten ȝe wel forto vndyrstond.
Nethyr, Syre, vppon the tothyr syde
of the Londes of Tarmelyde,
that Somtyme oure socour wolde han be,
but power hauen they non now, Sykerle,
but the kyng ryowns, that js myhty
and therto ryche & of Body worthy,
and this two ȝer dede he non werre.
Nethyr anothyr kyng, that js nerre:
kyng Pales of lystenois he hyht;
also he is a worthy knyht,
but that he kepeth his Brothir, trewelye,
kyng Pelynore, that lyth in maladye,
of whiche he schal neuere recouered be,
Tyl on þyng be don, Sire, ful certeynle:
Tyl that seynt Graal to ende Be Browht;
take this forsothe, ȝif ȝe welen owht.
Also kyng Aleyn, that Syk lyth also,
non rekewr jnto þat tyme may be do,
and tyl that a bettere knyht of Breteyne
Jnto this lond be comen, certeyne.”
(anon axede of hym kyng Brangor
what maner of thyng the Graal was thore.)
“Nether of Norga, of Sornoleys the kyng,
mowen ȝe hauen there non Sucoureng,

318

For vppon the jeawntes werre halt he,
that moche noysaunce hym don, Sykerle.
For the jeantes wolden held his lond
al of hem, as j now vndirstond,
and he defendyth hym as a man,
as long as that he may & kan.
Nethyr of Perdenyan the kyng
mowen ȝe hauen non helpyng,
nethyr of the kyng Amadonan,
nethir of kyng clamades, j telle ȝou kan;
For they werren vppon kyng galaost,
the wheche is cosyn, wel thou wost,
To the kyng of an hundred knyhtes;
and aȝens hym they kepen here fyhtes.”
“But assone as kyng Galaost
hath conqweryd the tothyr ost
the wheche he halt werre ageyn,
thanne wot j ful wel, jn certeyn,
that non thing so sore doth he crave
as þat was vterpendragons Lond to have.
So that other cownseyl geten ȝe non of me
but that grete God oure conseil be.
and therfore, sethen we ben jn fere,
amonges vs lete vs casten here;
For neuere so moche nede hadden we
as now, and ȝe wylen therto se.
For and we distorben now this matere,
we ben alle distroyed, with-owten dwere.
For we knowen wel everychon
that boþe oure good & worschepe is a-gon.
For þe damage that we han, wete ȝe wel,
Be merlynes conseyl hit is don eche del,
whanne tho two kynges he fet, certayne,
kyng Ban and kyng Boors, out of lytel bretayne,
that jn al the world bettere knyhtes ne be,
and to Arthewr han don homage & fewte.

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For wete[t]h wel, as longe as merly[n] with hem js,
the bettere of hem geten we not, j-wys.
For there nys non man so myhty here,
nethyr so wys in non manere,
that kan hym kepen from Merlynes wyle,
& that he ne schal vs alle begylle.
For he knoweth of alle thyng,
what that is don and what is comeng.
and þerfore nethyr with wepyng ne with mone
we mown not helpen that js to done,
Neþer therby wynnen but lytel thyng;
For offys of wommen hit is wepyng.
and þerfore oþerwyse we mosten ordeyne
oure londes and peple forto meynteygne
aȝens this that vs don Noysaunce,
whiche that not be of owre creaunce.
Therfore, goode Lord, for thy gret pyte
on vs and oure peple thou haue merce!”
aftyr this word these Barouns echon
seten ful stylle, & word spoken they non;
And thus a gret whyle this dyden they hawnt.
Thus Sone Vpe Ros Kyng Tradelyvaunt,
that of northwales was kyng tho;
to thike assemblyng spak he vnto:
“the beste cownceille that j now can,
that we now vs ordeyne every man
vppon that contre to setten keping,
there as the hethene hauen here entring,
and that with al oure chevalrye
Faste thedirward now let vs hye,
and stoppen hem of here vytaylle,
and of here socour ek to Faylle.
& jn that tyme mowen we than
gaderen to vs many a man.
So that whanne we han gadered oure myht,
thanne with hem scholen we fyhte,
For ellis j ne knowe in none degre
From here sege remeved to be.”

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Whanne that the barouns hadden vndirstondyng
of the wordis of Tradelivaunt the kyng,
Ful wel they hym preisede euerichon,
& seiden that bettere myhte they not don;
and lik aftyr his owne wylle
plenerly thei wolde hit fulfille,
and axeden into what partyes thei scholden go,
and what meyne ek scholden gon þerto.
So that forth they wenten, with-owten faille,
with hem that leften of the bataylle
Sauf only to kepen that cyte.
forth thanne they wenten ful prevyle,
and kepten the vitailles of the contre,
that non refressching to the hethin scholde be—
“thanne with the meyne that we gaderen mown
To putten hem to gret distrucciown.
and ȝif hit happe hem j-scomfyted to be,
thanne rich may ben al oure meyne.
This is the beste counseil that j kan;
now sey his avis here every man!
For my counseill at this tyme this js;
now let every man Sein his beste devys!”
Thanne ros vpe kyng loth there anon,
and to that peple he seide echon:
“Lordynges, Sekerly, j ne kan not se
how that these marches kept scholen be,
but that we setten good asspye
vppon kyng Artheuris londis, Sekerlye,
bencheson of the kynges that with hym be,
and For merlyn, that is maister in mani a gre,
that al oure conseil knoweth ful wel
& al that we don here now everydel.
For ȝif we ryden the hethen to aspye,
anon he wyl comen vs to distroye
be othir partyes jnto othyr contre;
vppon vs ryden wilen they, ful sykirle.
Fore for the hethen they wylen not lette

321

that vppon vs here men wylen they sette.
and therfore ȝif we now departyd be,
we scholen ben distroyed, ful Sykerle.
For ȝif the hethene entren vs here,
thanne of oure socour ben we jn dwere.
Neuertheles ȝit scholen ȝe vndirstonde
that forth to ryde now wyl j fonde,
and redy to gon with ȝou jn fere;
now every man his best avis sey here!”
At that word ros vp anon ryhtes
the kyng that was of an hundred knyhtes,
and seide to tho lordynges everychon:
“of kyng lothes wordes dowte haue ȝe non;
For kyng Artheur & his helpinge
ben owte of londe, with-owten lesynge,
To Socouren leodagan the kyng,
that jn his contre hath gret werryng:
jn his lond of Tarmelyde
he hath werre on ech a syde
of kyng ryown of Yrlond,
as it is don me to vndirstond.
& as sowdeours they ben forth went
Be merlynes cownseyl, verayment.
but alle here strengthis ben kept ful wel,
and of oure deseysse they knowen echedel.
and therfore we mown the Savyelere gon
Forto defenden vs from oure fon;
For of Artheur hath non drede.
therfore j wolde, so god me spede,
that pes purchaced were betwixen vs two,
als so hastely as hit myhte be do,
that be his socour and strengthe of honde
To dryve the hethen owt of this londe.
therfore let vs werkyn jn alle thing
after þe counseil of tradelyvaunt the kyng.
but er that we passen out of this contre,
be cownseil be gouerned it is good to be.
there is a mayde here vs be-syde
that Asses Roche is cleped this tyde,

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and jn that Roche dwelleth that may,
that ful good cownseil to vs kan say.
For jn that castel sche dwellith, j-wis,
that maiden, that is so mochel of pris,
hadegabrantis Sostyr, with-owten lye,
that mochel cowde of Negromauncye,
wherby often-tyme socoured they be;
wherfore be my counseyl, certeinle,
with hire to speken is myn entent,
& ellis greved mow we ben, verament.”
Whanne that þe barouns vndirstodyn al this,
that kyng Artheur was forthe, with-owten mys,
thanne merveillede the barouns everichon
For what maner cause he wolde so don.
but thanne vndirstoden they alle
that be Merlynes counseil hit gan falle.
So that they repentyd al jn fere
that evere with merlyn angry they were;
but alto late hit was tho
hem to repente: he was a-go.
So that they acorded alle jn fere
alle the marches to don kepen there.
Thanne sente they forth be eche partye
to kepen the marches, ful sekerlye,
bothe olde & ȝonge that myhte gon
& of straunge Sowdiours manion.
So that forth they wenten & wolden not blynne,
hoping gret richesse forto wynne
and also to geten hem bothe pris & fame
the better to ben beloued of every dame.
but owt of kyng Arthewris lond
non sowdiour wolde comen, j vndirstond;
For good j-nowgh they hadde be-fore,
and for þat cawse they wold not comen thore;
For Artheur avaunsed hem everichon,
er that he owt of his lond gan gon;
and ȝit he behyhte hem better to do,
whanne that aȝen he come hem vnto.

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The fyrste cyte that they dyde kepen tho
was toward Cornewaille, with-owten mo,
whiche that thike tyme Nawtes hyghte,
there as the hethene gonnen alyghte.
Thyder gan gon kyng Ydyers
with a meyne bothe prowd & fers,
that beleften of his Bataylle,
as j ȝow seye with-owten faylle.
and whanne kyng ydyers cam to þat cyte,
Ful glad and blithe gonnen they to be.
For every day affrayed they were
of tho hethen that weren comen there,
that everyday there, certeinle,
they wenten abowte that cyte
and distroyed alle jn virowne abowte
the contre there, with-owten dowte.
For of hem Sevene thousend there be
jn this partie aryved, ful sekerle.
so that there dar non man passen therby
with-owten gret strengthe, Sekerly.
The tothyr cyte that they Senten Vnto
hindicam hyghte at thyke tyme tho.
Thedir rod kyng Newtris of Garlot
with thre thousend knyghtes, wel j wot,
that beleften hym of his bataylle;
to that cyte he rod, with-owten faylle.
thanne they of the cyte ful gret joye made,
and of his comeng they weren ryht glade.
For with-owten comfort & socour they were
aȝens the hethene that aryveden there.
for they distroyeden al that contre
bothe of corn and of bestes, ful certeinle.
but whanne kyng Newtris entryd that cyte
that jn cornwaille stood, ful pleynerle,
he it wel gouernede with al his myht,
lyk as he was bothe worthy kyng and knyht.
and alle the strengthes that belonged þerto,

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Ful manfully he let Stuffen hem tho,
and sente aftyr sowdeours jnto eche contre,
Tyl Sevene thousend he hadde in semble
what on hors and what on foote
(So manye he hadde, wel j wote)
with-owten tho that weren jn towne that day,
Fyve thousend men sensable, j dar we[l] say.
thanne so wel kepten they that contre,
that non of the hethene, ful Sykerle,
but lytel refresschyng cowden they wynne,
and euere among was bataille hem betwynne.
So that the hethen be aventure
losten gret peple, j ȝow ensure.
for kyng Newtris was a worthy knyht,
and a sone he hadde of ryht gret myht
be his wyf, that Soster was sche
To kyng Artheur jn alle degre.
this ȝong child was xvj ȝer of age,
ful of bewte and of gret corage.
his modir qwene Blasine hyghte,
Qwene Ygwernes dowghter, j sey ȝow ryhte,
that vterpendragon hadde to wyve,
aforn dewk Tyndagellis wif be his lyve,
whiche dewk this blasine on Ygwerne be-gat,
er that he deyde, j wot wel that.
Vppon this same qwene Blasine thanne
begat kyng newtris this worthy manne.
For as here reherseth this storye,
a knyht of þe rownd table he was, sekerlye.
his name was that tyme jn presence
Sire Galachim, that tyme dewk of clarence.
So whanne this galachim gan to vndirstonde
that Swich a werre there was jn londe,
how his fadir kyng Newtris with Arthour gan werre,
To his modyr he wente, & sowhte not ferre,
and seide: “dere modir, j preie now the,
The trewthe of on thing telle thou me:
were ȝe not dewk hoelis dowhter of tyndagel

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and of Ygwerne j-born, that men knewen ful wel?
wheche after wedded kyng vterpendragon,
on whom he gat kyng Artheur, man of renown,
the wheche myn vncle sothly he js
and therto a worthy kyng of pris,
that xj kynges scomfyted in bataylle
with ryht fewe peple, with-owten faylle.
and therfore, my modir, j charge now the
of this the sothe that ȝe tellen me.
For evere hit renneth jn my thowht
that of so worthy prowesse were he nowht,
but ȝif he were Vterpendragones sone the kyng,
that most worthyest was jn his reigneng.”
Whanne that his modir vndirstood al this thing
of galachim hire sone, that was so ȝyng,
Anon gan sche to wepen ful sore,
as a lady that knew the cause wherfore,
And Seide to Galachym Anon Ryht tho,
as that tyme hire herte fyl vnto,
and ful sore wepinge sche gan to telle
of al the cas, how hit be-felle,
and seide: “myn owne dere sone thanne,
thin em he is, that worthy manne,
and my brother he is, ful Sekerly,
for bothe weren we born of on body,
as j haue herd my modyr say
to-forn this tyme ful many a day,
that for that child made gret mone,
So sone aftir his birthe awey was done,
and deliuered was to on veleyne;
that is now soth þat ȝe heren me seyne.
and how aftyr hit was discouered echdel
be Antron, that hym norsched ful wel,
of whom ek that merlyne the sothe tolde,
and ek that witnessid Vlphyn the bolde.
and how that Vter pendragon the kyng
me maryed to my lord aboven alle thyng.
but j am sory in mani a degre

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that the Barouns of this contre
ne welen not resceyven hym as for here kyng,
whiche me sore repentith ouer alle thing.
but behold, the grete god of myht,
considering that he is kyng be ryht,
hym ches be myracle of the ston
& of the swerd aforn hem echon”—
and hym tolde of mani an aventure
that of hym be-fel, j ȝow ensure.
Whanne that galachim gan vndirstonde
the dedis of þat worthy kyng jn londe,
anon he besowhte god, certeynlye,
that jn this world he scholde neuere dye,
Tyl that kyng had mad hym knyht,
that holden was so worthy jn fyht.
“and ȝif onis with my swerd gyrde he me,
al my lyve after, ful certeinle,
with hym to dwelle, to lyven & to deye,
j sey ȝow, modir, be my feye!”
thus from his modir departed he thanne
as an hevy & a pensyvous manne,
and him be-thouhte thanne everich owr
how he myhte comen to kyng Arthewr.
Anon a messenger dide he sende
after gawnenet, his cosin so hende,
that was kyng lothis Sone,
that to hym to brokelond scholde he come
also prevyly as he evere he myhte;
the day was set of metyng ryhte.
and with this the messenger wente his way
To his cosin gawnenet, þe sothe to say.
Now lefe we here of this storye,
and to speken of þe kynges now let vs hye
that at Sorhant to-gederis dwelle,
and how that of aventuris they don telle.
Now aftyr cometh hit Jnto memorye
hou from Sorhant departyd kyng loth, sekerlye,

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and wente forth streyht To Garle cyte
with ful thre thousend of his meyne,
that weren holden worthy knyhtes & goode,
whiche with him out of þe bataille ȝoode.
& whanne he was comen to that cyte,
the ceteȝeins maden joye and solempnite;
for the hethen diden hem ful gret anoye,
and al that contre they deden distroye
what with robberye and brennenge;
that contre they wasted jn alle thinge.
Anon as kyng loth knew of this,
For sowdeours he sente, with-owten mys,
Faste abowtes jnto eche contre
to geten as manye as þanne myhte he.
and er a mounthe was fully past,
ten thousend sowdeours he hadde jn hast
with-owten hem of that cyte,
weren foure thousend, certeinle,
To kepen that cyte bothe day & nyht,
whiles þat kyng loth rod owt to fyht.
So that often-tymes he with hem mette,
and to-gederis many strokes they sette.
So that his pore bachelerye
gat often gret goodis, sekerlye.
and al that evere they myhte wynne,
kyng loth hit parded there hem betwynne.
and that causede that gret meyne
To kyng loth repeirede, certeinle,
For bencheson of his gentilnesse & fre,
Sprang so wyde jnto eche contre;
Thre thousend comen to hym anon ryht,
For that he was holden so fre a knyht.
and faire children he hadde be his wyve;
worthiere bodyes weren non on lyve.
Soth hit is that kyng lothis wyf
was kyng Artheuris soster, with-owten stryf,
ryht evene fully jn the same degre

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as was kyng Newtris wyfe, Sekerle.
this lady bar be hire lord, Loth the kyng,
fowre worthy childeren, with-owten lesing:
Gawnenet, Agravains, & sire Garrers,
Gaheryes, foure knyhtes bothe goode & fers.
on the tothyr syde was Sire mordret
hire eldest sone, with-owten let,
whiche that on hire be Artheur engendrid was,
and wyle ȝe now heren be a wondyr cas.
For j thenke to tellen ȝow every del
how he was begeten on hire ful snel,
So thanne the bettere may this storye
ben more alowed, ful Sekerlye.
For mani men knowen not how þat it was
of his be-geteng, ne nowht the cas.
therfore they preisen it moche the lasse,
For they ben vnknoweng of day & plase.
hyt behappede, as j ȝow schal say,
that the barons alle vppon a day
of þe rewm of logres assembled were
at kerdyf jn wales, with-owten dwere,
there forto chesen hem a newe kyng
aftyr vter pendragoun, with-owten lesyng.
so that kyng loth with hym gan lede
with hym his wyf jnto that stede;
and so dyden oþer barons also,
that here wyves dyde with hem go.
So that kyng loth j-logged he was
and alle his meyne jn a ful fair plas,
jn wheche place Antron jlogged was he
and with hym Sire kay, ful certeinle.
and artheur ful previly jlogged he was
jn þe kyngges chombre, so fil the cas.
And Whanne Kyng Loth to mete Was Set,
aftir Antron he sente, with-owten let,
and also anon aftyr Sire kay,
that but a ȝong knyht was that day.
So þat kyng loth ordeyned there
that Antron & Sire kay j-logged were
jn his owne chambre ful prevyly;

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and ȝong Artheur was logged faste by
at thentre of the chambre jn a korner,
as befyl that tyme for a worthy sqwyer.
this Artheur was a faire ȝong man,
and mochel of norture that tyme he kan.
and that lady he was fayn to plese
& ek to kyng loth to don him ese.
This lady was both fayr & ȝyng
and a good womman ouer alle thing,
whom that Artheur lovede prevyly.
but sche ne rowhte sche wiste not, sikerly,
for stedfast sche was to hire Lord
and him to plese at his owne acord.
So hit behappede, as J ȝow say,
that al the Baronage hadde taken a day
at the Blake cros to meten jn fere
there forto touchen of here matere.
So on the nyht before hit happede tho,
that kyng loth scholde thider go,
he charged prevyly his meyne
that hors & harneis redy scholde be
at midnyht with him forto gon;
thus prevyly he charged hem everichon.
So that his meyne, verament,
Fulfild jn haste his comaundement
vnknowen the lady of alle this thing.
ful prevyly from hire wente he stalkyng,
and jn hire bed lefte hire stylle on slepe,
for of his goynge took sche non kepe.
and Artheur, that wel knew of al this,
that jn that corner þere lay, j-wys,
took good kepe of the kynges goynge,
and ful prevyly to here bed wente he stalkynge,
and there he turnede hym bothe to & fro,
but ȝit this lady on slepe was tho.
So as hit happede this kas gan gon,
this lady awok & hire tornede anon,
and him enbraced al jn hire Slepe,

330

that of non othir took sche non kepe
but of hire owne lord so dere,
weneng to hire to ben hire fere.
and whanne that Arthewr felte this,
thanne wiste he wel, with-owten mys,
that of hym sche took non kepe
but as a womman that was jn slepe.
So that he embraced hire ageyn,
and so be hire he lay, jn certeyn,
where-offen the lady ful joyful was;
sche wende hire Lord hadde ben jn þat plas.
and that Nyht, in certein to say,
was mordret begeten, with-owten delay,
jn this maner as ȝe now here.
And whanne that Artheur his wil hadde there,
he ne slepte non maner thing,
tyl that lady was fallen jn Slombring;
thanne stalkyd Artheur previliche a-away.
For þer-of ne wyste non, the sothe to say,
tyl on the morwe, as hit gan falle,
that hym-self hit tolde jn the halle,
whanne sche was set at hire denere,
and Artheur as hire kervere knelede there.
So that hit happede tho, this lady gent
of his long knelyng took good entent.
“leve sevs,” sche seide, “ȝong Bacheler,
Ful longe [mow] ȝow thinken that ȝe knelen her.”
And He Answerede Ful Boldlich Ageyn:
“to longe may j not knelen, certeyn,
For j ne may not deserven the grete bownte,
myn owne lady, that ȝe han don for me.”
thanne axede this lady anon ryht:
“what bowntes ben tho, gentyl wyht?”
thanne seide Artheur, certeinle,
that for him discouered scholde hit neuere be,
ne non thyng to hire he wolde discrye,
but ȝif of trowthe sche wolde hym affye

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that neuer sche scholde discouere it to non creature,
and also anothir thing sche schold hym Sure:
that harm to his body scholde sche neuere do,
ne be hire to ben purchased nether to ne fro.
And sche hire trowthe ensured hym ful son
as womman of that mater took kepe non.
thanne anon Arthewr gan hire to telle
prevyly betwixen hem how hit be-felle,
and jn what maner that he be hire lay;
al he hire tolde thike same day.
Anon this lady gan wexen red,
that for pure schame sche was ny ded;
but non wyht wiste of here covyne.
for at that tyme wolde sche no more dyne
but let tables ben drawen, verament,
and ful faste to hire chombre sche went.
lo, thus ȝonge Artheur be his soster lay,
that kyng Lothis wif was that day;
but hit behappede neuere aftyr more.
and thus was mordret of hire body bore,
For sche knew wel be tyme & space
that be Arthewr with childe sche was.
Whanne that the tydynges gonnen forto springe
that this ȝonge Artheur scholde be kynge,
and this mordret was tho j-bore,
thanne jn herte louede sche him wel more
thanne ony man cowde tellen that day,
but for hire lord sche dorste nowht say.
and mochel sorwe sche hadde jn herte
for that werre, that was so smerte,
and jn that rewm so many a schowr
betwixen hire lord and kyng Arthowr
and betwixen oþer peple also
that in theke rewm weren tho.
So that hit happed vppon a day,
that ȝonge Gaweyn scholde hym go play,
and qweyntely was he arayed there
jn manere of a ȝong sqwyere
that on huntyng scholde fare

332

to chasen bothe the hert & hare
with two les of grehoundis jn þat place,
& besides him stood there ȝit two brace.
he was the fairest schapen man
that jn his tyme ony knew than;
but this storye not declareth here
Sauf of on thing in this manere:
that he hadde certein tymes of þe day;
what that they weren j schal ȝow say.
whanne that he ros on morwen vpryht,
jn the world ne was there a strengere knyht;
and at the owr of pryme, with-owten delay,
his strenkthe hit doublede every day;
and at the our of Tiers hit doublede eft sone,
and eft-sones hit dowbled at the None;
and so alle the oures of the nyht
with him it abod jnto day lyht;
So that every morwenyng
thus ferde gawayn, with-outen lesyng.
Whanne gaweyn entrede the chambre there,
as ȝe hauen herd rehersed here,
His modyr Lay be on chemene,
and there-jn fyr ful gret plente,
as a womman that ful pensif was
For hire brothyr jn that plas,
and for the werre, was hem be-twene;
thus lay that lady & morned be-dene;
and for schedyng of blood ful gret plente,
that was amonges the cristiente,
and for the hethen that entred were
jnto that Lond amonges hem there.
Whanne that lady Gaweyn beheld,
that tyme it were to beren armes & scheld,
Sche began to wepen riht sore.
Anon Sire gaweyn axede hire wherfore.
“certes, sone, j haue now gret Skyl,
For ȝe ȝoure tyme ne don but spyl
and ek ȝoure bretherin, jn certeyn,
ȝe don but spillen ȝoure tyme jn veyn,

333

that worthy knyhtes myhten be
jn kyng Artheurs cowrt, ful certeinle.
For ȝoure vncle he is be ryht,
and jn this world not a bettere knyht.
with him J wolde ȝe weren jn plase
pes betwyxen ȝoure fadir & him to purchase.
for hit is ful gret pyte
that be-twixen hem swich distaunce schold be
and of othir barouns jn the Rewm,
that of here kyng wylen taken non ȝem.
and god knoweth the Ryhtwysnesse,
that hath hem browht in gret distresse;
For mochel more han they lost thanne wonne.
& now this hethen on vs han begonne,
that scholen distroyen vs everychon,
ȝif goddis help ne come not Son.
and of hym helpe geten we non
that scholde vs fende from oure fon,
which is ȝoure oncle kyng Artheur,
that scholde vs helpe jn every stour.
worschepe & los scholde ȝe purchase
and pes to maken jn every plase,
and namly that ȝoure fadir & he
goode frendis that they myhten be.
and non other good ȝe don this tyde
but eche day on huntyng forto ryde
To chasen the hare in eche contre,
and thus ȝoure tyme lesen ȝe;
wherfore ȝe ben alle to blame,
that myhten becomen men of better fame.”
Thanne to his modyr spak ȝonge Gaweyn
wordis that to hire weren ful pleyn:
“telle ȝe this for trewthe to me,
that Arthour be ryht kyng scholde be,
and þat ȝoure brothir he is also,
& ek ȝe seyn oure vncle þerto?”
“ȝe, sones, with-owten drede,
he is ȝoure vncle, so god me spede”—

334

& sette on & tolde hem al on ende
holyche hou that mater gan wende.
And whanne that gaweyn herde al this,
anon to his modir he seide, j-wys:
“be þe trowthe j owe to God & ȝow,
of on thing j schal maken avow:
that swerd ne armvre to beren jn fyht,
tyl that kyng Artheur haue mad me knyht.
and we to his cowrt scholen gon
him forto helpen aȝens his fon,
ȝyf ȝe welen helpen vs owht þerto;
bothe my bretheren scholen þedir go
of hym forto ben dubbid knyhtes
& after to helpen him jn his fyhtes
Aȝens Hem Alle that Hym Wrong Wylen Don;
we scholen him gon helpen everichon.”
“Now, swete children, as towching me,
neuere distorbeled scholde ȝe be.
For that day wolde j ones abyde,
and blessin j wolde that jlke tyde,
To sen ȝoure Fadir & ȝoure oncle jn fere
as goode frendes as euere they were;
hit were to me as joyful tydyng
as to ben lady of alle worldly thing.”
“Now, leve modyr,” quod Gawayn tho,
“lef ȝe ȝoure weping & doth not so.
For on avow j schal here make:
Aftyr that j my leve take,
J schal neuere sen ȝow eft ageyn,
tyl my Fadir & min vncle, certeyn,
ryht goode frendes that they be,
er that eftsones ȝow, modir, j se.
and min owne bretheren scholen gon with me
aȝens my Fadyr al forto be.”
“Now swete sone,” quod the modir thanne,
“God make ȝow alle Ryht goode menne!”
And as Gawayn thus to his modyr spak,
jnto the chambre there entrede, with-owten lak,

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bothe Agrevains and ek Guerrers
and Gaheries, þat weren stronge & fers,
and herden there of here talkyng
& also of here modris gret morneng.
thanne seide Agrevains to Gaweyn anon:
“ȝe ben more to blame thanne we echon,
For ȝe ben eldest of vs alle;
therfore to ȝow hit hadde be-falle
vs to han lad, knyhtes to han be
mad of him, most of dignite.
and him to serve let vs now reke,
of whom worschipe al the world doth speke.
For god forbede but ȝif that we
as worthi jn armes scholden be
as they sein Ambroy oyselet is,
For here he moste kithen his pris.
For the hethene ben entred vs vppon,
& distroyen the contre be on & on,
and jn this contre peple non js
hem owt to dryven, with-owten mys,
but only be helpe of kyng Arthewr.
therfore now let vs gon this owr
and armes of hym forto take
and with him to risen, bothe slepe & wake,
and with him to fyhten aȝens his fon,
For so is vs mochel better to don.
For here non thing ne mown we wynne;
therfore lete vs faste hens twynne,
rathere than here to lesen oure renown
and with the hethen ben taken & leid in presown
and so to lesen bothe oure tyme & age;
this is non of the sevene sage.”
Whanne gaweyn herde his brothir so sayn,
thanne was he jn herte ful fayn,
and was ryht joyful of his talkyng,
whiche him plesede ouer alle thing.
“Now lakketh vs nowht at this Tyde

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but oure aray wherwith to ryde;
and therfore with-jnne these xiiij dayes,
modyr, ȝe helpen here now to arayen vs.”
whanne that here modyr vndirstod this,
a ioyful womman sche was, j-wys,
and thanked god ful many a Sithe.
“For ȝow to arayen j schal hyen me blyve,
For hors ne harneys scholen ȝe non lakke,
nethir that be-houith to ȝoure bakke.”
thanne weren the children glad jnowh
and also merye as bryd on bowh.
Now of this leve now we oure talkyng,
and let vs forth speken of the kyng,
that out of sorham cite ryt ful hevyly
bencheson of the hethene þat ben him by.
Now forthermore let vs tellen son
how that these iij kynges ben agon
owt Of Sorham, that cyte there,
jnto othir contres, with-owten dwere.
thanne rod owt kyng clarioun, j vndirstonde,
that was kyng of Northhumberlonde,
and rod him to on fair cite,
that berland hyhte, certeinle;
whiche cite he kepte wondir wel
with iij thousend men bothe goode & lel
with-owten hem that jn the town were,
of whiche fyve hundred fond he there.
So that tho marches he kepte ful strong,
and euere with the hethene he fawht among,
and often he wan & often he loste,
as hit behappeth jn every oste.
thus this kyng anoyed hem sore,
for jn that contre vitaille no more
mihten they geten to here refressching;
So hit hadde vpe gadered clarioun the kyng.
So that after kyng Clarioun was gon,
the kyng of c. knyhtes isswede anon

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owt of sorham cite, ful Sekerly,
with iij thousend men of armes him by.
to the cyte of malehant gan he ryde,
þere a gentyl lady hym abod that tyde;
this cite marched vppon his lond.
and for the hethene, j vndirstond,
abowtes faste by they lye,
that was þe cause þedir gan he hye.
and the barouns hym preiden echon
vppon the hethen with hem to gon.
this kyng, that was so worthy a man,
fulfilled the barouns wille than.
(this kyng evere kept an c knyhtes,
wherby he hadde his name be ryhtes;
but his name was be his baptesm
Aingnignes clept aftir his borntempe.)
that [tho] marches kepte he wel al abowte,
So that of þe hethen they hadden litel dowte.
Aftyr him past owt Tradelivaunt the kyng
owt of that cyte, with-owten lesyng.
and to northwales he took the way,
to on of his cites, as j ȝow say.
with iij thousend of armed men
jnto his contre rod he then.
and of his comeng they weren ful glad,
for of the hethen gret drede they had,
that dyden ful gret distroccioun
al the contre abowtes jn virown.
thanne sente this kyng anon riht there
aftyr sowdiours every where,
So that vij thousend men he hadde
with hem that he ferst forth ladde
what on hors & what on fote;
this was his somme, wel j wote,
with-outen hem of þe town, pleinly,
þat weren iiij thousend, sekerly,
Wheche Hem Defendyd Jn Every tyde
aȝens a chastel there beside.

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that a maiden that carville hyhte,
Socoured the hethen with alle hire myhte;
hadagabrantis soster, certein, was sche,
that thike castel hadde jn baylle.
And be tho marches, j sey ȝow ryhte,
non of the kynges there ne myhte,
for non power that they myhten do,
non noysaunce the hethen don vnto.
for bothe viaunde & vytaylle þe hethen hadde
out of þe castel ech day to hem ladde.
for that castel so strong hit was tho,
that non harm myhte comen hit vnto.
(For this carville cowde more of enchantement
than ony oþer womman, verament,
except morgain, that Sostir was
To kyng Artheur, jn everi plas,
oþer ellis juanne, the love of merlyn,
that of enchantement coude wel & fyn;
For sche knew more of merlynes konnyng
thanne alle þe creatures that weren levyng,
as ȝe scholen heren jn tyme comeng,
whanne ȝe me heren speke of swich a thing.)
what so þorwh helpe of that castel
the hethen ben refresschid wel,
wherfore cast out of londe mow they not be
but be helpe of kyng Arthour, Sykerle,
and be the helpe ek of kyng Ban,
that is holden so worthi a man,
also kyng Bors jn here compenye
(þe sonere out of þis lond scholen they hye),
and be helpe of oþer mo:
kyng Lothis children with hem scholen go,
as here-afte[r] ȝe scholen heren say
jn storye j rad this jlke same day.
Than owt of sorhant wente kyng Brangor
with iij thousend men j-armed thor,
and to strangore cite he rod ful faste;

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For next to the roche hit was ful preste,
there as the hethene j-logged were.
and aftyr sowdiours he sent every where,
tyl that assemblyd he hadde the ryht
vj thousend armed & redy to fyht
with-owten iij thousend he with him browhte,
that forto werren on the hethen ne dredden they nowht.
this kyng brangores hadde a wif,
kyng Andoannes dowhter, with-outen strif,
that of costantyn-noble was emperovr
and therto a man of ful gret honour.
and be his wif, that ded was,
tweyne dowhtres he hadde jn that plas,
of whiche kyng Brangor weddid þe tone,
and þe tothir at costantyn beleft alone,
that weddid was to the kyng of hungrye,
as j sey ȝow certeinlye.
So that at thende of fyve ȝer, j wen,
a knave child hadden they hem be-twen
of the fairest forme that myhte be,
that becam bothe worthi & strong, sikerle.
at whiche tyme whanne kyng brangor
out of Sorhant paste thor,
thike child of age that tyme was
a knyht to ben mad jn ony plas.
and he was clepid be his ryht name
ȝonge sagremour, that child of fame,
whiche that after dyde gret prowesse,
as the lond of logres bereth witnesse,
as aftir jn this storye here scholen ȝe fynde,
whanne aftyr to this mater j come be kynde.
The Renown that Sprang Abrod so Wyde
of kyng Artheur jn every syde
and of his largenesse & of his gentrie,
alle the world hit spak Of, trewelye.
so þat jn alle stronge contres, with-owten lesynge,
was non speche but of Artheur the kynge.

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For his los tho sprange so wyde,
that jnto costantynnoble hit cam that tyde;
that so ferforth hit cam to ere,
so ȝonge sagremour herde þerof there.
that nas ȝit but fyftene ȝer old,
a fair ȝong Bacheler and a bold.
and whanne that he herde this tydyng,
he ne wolde not letten for non thing,
tyl he were mad knyht of his hond,
the sothe j do ȝow to vndirstond.
and often to his counseil seide he
that a worthy man moste he nedis be—
“whanne that myn ayel, adrians the kyng,
of him knyht was mad, with-owten lesing.”
For that he was þe nexte eyr
that to theke empire scholde repeyr.
so that Sagremour swor, certein,
that knyht scholde he neuere be, pleyn,
tyl that kyng Artheur of Breteygne
hym knyht hadde mad, jn certeygne.
So that they spoken þer-offen so ofte,
that thike noise wax hye on lofte.
So that Adrians gan him to hye
Sagremours to sende forth, Sekerlye,
jn-to breteyne with gold & fe
and what thing that to him belonged on lond & se.
now speke we no more ȝit of this matere,
but here-after more scholen ȝe here.
Ȝyt procedith forth this storye:
whanne kyng brangores was past trewlye,
owt of Sorhant thike cyte,
kyng karados aftir wente, sikerle
with his meyne arayed ful ryht,
foure thousend men redy to fyht.
and to strangore cite he wente ful faste
(alle his men of armes with him paste)

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whiche cite he kepte ful wel
as a wys worthy werreour & a lel.
ȝit sente he abowtes wilde where
aftyr mo Sowdyowrs to han hem there,
so that atte laste assembled there was
vij thousend men jn that plas
wel j-armed with swerd and lawnce,
of stedis & coursers þat cowden wel praunce.
ȝit at that tyme non hethen there were,
wherfore eche nyht they lyen owt there
jn feldes and jn weyes bothe
to aspien whanne þe hethen comen, forsothe
and anon as that they myhten aspye
that ony of the hethen drow ther nye,
aȝens hem faste the wolden ryde
and with hem fyhten jn that tyde.
So that often they wonnen gret good,
Whanne that the hethen hem withstood.
Aftyr that these vj Kynges Weren gon
Out of Sorhant cite everychon,
thanne of Scotlond Agwyseax the kyng
out forth he paste, with-owten lesyng,
The richest kyng of that contre;
but as of armes onnethis cowde he.
this kyng out forth rod with v thousend men,
and to þe cyte of corange wente he then,
whiche that jn scotlond tho Stood,
where as manye of the hethene abod.
For there nas but xx scottysch myle
where as the hethen lyen thyke whyle
at the castel of Vaundebers,
where as the sege was strong & fers,
that non man of hem the nombre cowden telle
of the hethen, that weren so felle.
whanne this kyng jnto corange j-entred was,
of the ceteȝeins fond he jn that plas
Fyve thousend redy armed to fyht.

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ȝit sente he forth bothe day & nyht
to seken soudeours be every syde;
So that him comen with-jnne a tyde
what on hors & what on foote
x thousend Saudiours, wel j wote,
with-owten alle his owne meyne
and ek the peple of that cyte.
so with the hethen helden they bataille,
& often goodes wonnen, with-owten faille,
and repareilled the walles of here cyte,
þere as it was most wont feble to be.
thus longe durede þe werre tho
be-twene thike partyes bothe to.
Thanne aftir this out of Sorhant wente
dewk escam of kambenye, veramente,
with iiij thousend j-armed ful wel
what on hors & on foote echedel.
And forth he rod bothe day & nyht,
tyl to Cambenie cite he cam ful ryht,
the whiche of richesse hadde gret plente
and þer-jnne thre thousend men, Sikerle.
and whanne they syen þe dewk cambenye,
gret joye they maden, certeinlye,
For þe deseisse they hadde there
of the hethen, that weren hem nere,
that comeng weren to on castel,
For whiche kyng Artheur ordeyned ful wel,
er that he paste ouer the se
jnto tarmelyde lond, Sikerle.
ȝit sente that dewk al abowte
to geten more peple to his rowte;
So that vij thousend he hadde redy,
as this storie witnessith apertly,
with-owten hem þat weren jn that cite,
which þat kepe weren ordeyned, Sykerle.
and with the hethen fowhten they ofte,
for mochel Sorwe was þere on lofte.

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ȝit whanne these barouns out of sorhant were gon,
thanne lefte kyng Vryens behinde hem echon,
and sent his gold jnto eche contre
aftyr sowdiours ful gret plente;
so that viij thousend to him comen ful ryht,
and jn the cyte viij thousend redy to fyht.
For a sege there lay hem faste by
but on jorne thennes, Sekerly;
so that often they metten jn same
al on ernest & not on game.
som tyme they wonne & losten also,
as the aventure torned bothe to & fro.
so that v ȝer, whilles hit dede endure,
was gret meschef, j ȝow ensure,
That othir levyng was not jn that contre
But as ech of other Hyt tok, Sykerle,
the cristene of the hethene som on day,
& the hethen of cristene anothir, jn fay.
thus was distroyed that contre,
that pyte & rewthe hit was to se.
Jn this manere the werre dyd laste,
that ech aȝens oþer bekeryd ful faste.
thens torned the hethen from þat contre
jnto kyng Artheures lond, certeinle.
And there diden they gret damage,
for there nas non to letten here owtrage,
but as it kam be aventure,
as gret god wolde, j ȝow ensure,
bothe faire & good of sqwyers ȝonge,
as goode as myhte ben rehersed with tonge,
that kepten ful wel that ylke lond,
tyl kyng Arthewr cam hom, ȝe vndirstond.
and now scholen heren more of this,
how kyng Arthours lond was kept, j-wis.

[Chapter XIII]

Now telleth this tale ȝit furthermore:
whanne that galachim herde tellen thore,

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he took a messenger ryht anon,
and to gaweyn he sent him ful son,
that previliche to-gederis scholden they mete
jn a certeyn forest, & not to lete,
and his bretheryn with him to brynge,
and that he make non Taryenge,
but on the morwe next Pask day
there forto meten with-owten delay.
the messenger rod bothe day & nyht,
tyl jnto orkanye jn wales he kam ful ryht,
and dide his arende þere ryht anon
To gaweyn & to his bretherin echon,
and seide that—“Galachim sente ȝow to say
with him to meten swich a certein day
jn the forest of Brokelond
at swich a place, ȝe vndirstond.
For þere sekerly he wyl ȝow abyde,
ȝif he be heyl, what so be-tyde.”
whanne that they herden this Messengere,
gret joye they maden amonges hem there,
and seiden, with-owten Ony lettyng
they wolden ben there be þe day spring.
for som nede þer was, they wisten trewelye,
that they were aftir sent jn so gret hye.
thanne to this messenger they ȝoven a steede
and oþer gret ȝiftes to his meede.
thanne spared the messenger neþer hors ne man,
tyl that to galachim ful sone he cam,
that jn that place abod stylle there
of his cosynes to heren answere.
Whanne that this messenger was comen ageyn,
to his lord galachim he seide, ful pleyn,
the answere of his cosines dere
and that they gretten him al jn fere.
“and aftyr Pask the thrydde day
they scholen there ȝow meten, with-owten delay.”
thanne ordeyned him fast this galachym

345

and other certein meyne with hym,
& ryden forth to þe forest of Brokelond.
but ȝit weren they not comen, j vndirstond,
But Abod Galachym there Stylle,
tyl that they comen at here owne wylle.
whanne gaweyn and his bretherin comen were,
gret joye amonges hem was thanne there.
thanne gaweyn to galachym spak vnto:
“cosin, for me ȝe sente,” he seide tho,
“lo, my bretheren and j jn fere
be comen to knowen ȝoure wille here,
and elles j ne hadde comen at this tyde,
For into oþer contres we casten to ryde,
and þerfore we comen to taken oure leve,
For vs were loth ȝow forto greve.”
“whider wolde ȝe riden?” quod galachim tho,
“with-owten me ȝe owhten not to do.
þerfore j preye ȝow that ȝe me telle
jnto what contreward ȝe ben so snelle.
and aftyr j schal tellen ȝow my wyl,
ȝif that ȝe welen owht assentyn þertyl.”
“Cosin galachim, wilen ȝe vndirstonde me,
of merveillous thinges j schal tellen the:
of the largete and of the prowesse,
of the fre herte, deboneure, & swetnesse,
and of the worthyest knyht þat in þe world is,
of whom that j haue herd tydynges, j-wys.”
“A god mercy,” quod galachim tho,
“leve cosyn gawayn, ho tolde ȝow so?
For that same cause for ȝow j sente,
as j ȝow now seye veramente.”
“Forsothe,” quod gaweyn thanne ageyn,
“his Name owhte to ben knowen ful pleyn.
For his name hiht Artheur the kyng,
the best body that day may be spryng;
and ȝoure oncle and myn he is
and þerto the worthiest kyng of pris
& ek þerto oure kyng with ryht,

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& with wrong þe barouns aȝens him gonne fyht.
for weteth wel,” quod gaweyn, “Sekerlye,
that knyht j wele ben mad of his bodye
and neuere er armes to bere,
certein, galachim, j ȝow swere.”
Whanne that galachym vndirstood al this,
his herte was ful of joye and blys,
and als mochel joye to-gederis they made
as thouh alle the world they hade,
and told hym þat for non othyr thyng
for hym he sente, with-owten lesyng.
Ek he told hym al jn fere
hou it kam be talkyng of his modir dere.
thanne to galachim spak gaweyn þe bolde:
“Ryght evene the same my modir me tolde.”
and whanne that thus they hadden spoken jn fere,
anon they acordyd thanne ryht there
whanne they wolden taken here jorne:
with-jnne xv dayes, ful Sykerle.
thanne wenten they forth ech jn his way
hem forto purveyen alle maner aray,
as behouede to swyche children so goode,
that comen weren of so hygh a blode.
thanne rod forth galachym anon ryht
hym forto ordeyne with al his myht,
tyl ij c. of knyhtes & sqwyers had he
ful wel j-harneised jn alle degre,
of the beste that he cowde chese,
for be his wyl he wolde non lese.
And thus wente he prevyly forth his way,
that non word to his fadir wolde he say.
And streyht to Brokelond thanne Rydeth He,
and there abydeth with his meyne,
Tyl gawein & his bretherin comen were;
this galachim abod hem ryht There.
For they hem purchased on here syde

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v. .c. men with hem to ryde
what of worthy knyhtes & of sqwiere
wel j-horsed & harneysed al jn fere,
and lordis children weren they alle
and þe most part knyhtes, as hit gan falle.
but of galachymmes meyne
nere but xx knyhtes, certeinle.
whanne they to-gederis weren j-met,
there was gret joye, with-owten let.
thanne conseilled they to-gederis tho
jnto what partye they wolden go.
thanne acorded they everichon
that to Londone in breteine þey wolden gon,
the chyef cyte of Artheur the kyng;
For þere scholden þey sonnest heren tydyng
boþe of the kyng and þe hethene also,
that jn that contre dide mochel wo.
Now, as ȝe me heren boþe reden & say,
jn the begynneng of the mounthe of may,
whanne trees & medwes wexen grene
and faire flowres growen hem be-twene,
ek also Bryddis merly don Synge,
also swete dewes jn the mornenge,
and also hertes lyhtenen be kynde,
ek thanne is merye vnder wode lynde,
thanne thouhte Gaweyn & galachim,
Gaheris & gwerrers, & mo with hym,
and Agrevayn jn here compenye:
faste to ryde gonne they hem hye,
whiles the morwenyng hit was cold;
they thowhten to ryden, þat weren so bold.
for they weren tendre and ȝong of age,
hardy, bold, & ful of corage,
and þerto j-armed wondirly wel
bothe jn erne and ek jn stel,
here swerdis hangyng on here sadelbowe,
and thus they reden al be rowe,
for jn þat contre was gret doute
of the hethene. that ryden aboute

348

bothe for pray and ek vytaylle;
alle that contre diden they asaille.
whiche contre so ful of good hit was,
whanne they entrede jnto that plas,
that gret deol hit is to here
what distroccioun they maden there.
The thridde day whanne they gonne ryde,
ȝe scholen here what hem gan be-tyde:
they metten kyng leodegron, verament,
Kyng Sonygron, And Kyng Mandelent,
Therto kyng Sernagn jn compeyne,
that hadde distroyed al that contre;
For thens they ladden many gret praye
of wyn, flesch, vytaille, The sothe to saye;
and the portis weren aryved with marchaundise,
the ryalest that ony man cowde devyse,
that v hundred somers weren charged there,
xv chares, & ten .c. charyettes jn Fere.
this cariage so wondir gret hit was,
that the powdir ros wondirly jn that plas,
that onnethes ony other myhte se
For dowst, that was so gret plente,
therto the Fyr & smoke so strong also,
that non man myhte sen where oþer gan go.
whanne these ȝonge children herden the cry
of the powre peple that cam hem by
For the harm that the hethen hadden do,
of whom ther weren ten thousend & mo
with-owten hem that weren on foote,
that both robbed & brende, god hit wote—
Whanne the children this dolour Sye
of that poure peple to-forn here eye,
they axeden where kyng Arthour was.
they ne wiste, they seide, jn non cas—
“but he be jnto the lond of Tarmelyde,

349

as we suppose this jlke tyde.
but ȝit er that he forth wente,
alle his strengthes he stuffyd, veramente,
that non of these hethen harm may hem do,
and therfore, Sekyr, they ben ful wo,
and therfore they distroye this contre
thus al abowtes, as ȝe mowne Se.”
whanne that the children herden this,
that kyng Artheur was owte of lond, j-wis,
they wolden chalangen both lond & pray
that the hethene hadden forreyed that day,
and kepen that lond jnto his comeng,
that was bothe here vncle & kyng.
whanne that these passantes herde hem so say,
thanne of on thing they gonne hem pray:
to tellen what maner of men they were.
“his kynnes-men we ben many of vs here.”
and whanne the passantes herden this,
Ful mochel joye they maden, j-wys,
For his kynnesmen, they gonne vndirstond,
Scholde sosteine & kepen kyng Artheurs lond.
whanne that the children al this beheld
how thikke the careage kam ouer the feld,
here hertes gonnen to rysen anone,
and as armes they cryden thus sone.
“now let sen here, worthy sqwyers,
whiche of vs schal ben most bold & fers
here to defenden oure herytage,
jn whiche these paynemis don gret owtrage.”
Thussone to armes went every man
and to hors-bak hos cowde sonnest than.
whanne the passantȝ Sien they hadden socour,
they torned aȝen with-owten dolour;
bothe on hors and ek on foote
with these children they wenten foot hote,
and the ferste thing was, that they mette,
chariettis with vitailles, with-owten lette,

350

that they ladden toward here ost
with thre thousend Paynemis of gret bost.
and hit was passed the mydday,
as this storye here doth say,
ek wondir hot hit was tho ryht
both for sqwyer and ek for knyht.
Anon as þe chyldren here enemyes Sye,
aȝens hem faste gonnen they hye,
Also Faste As they myhten Ryde;
with here enemye they metten that tyde,
and theke tyme slowen doun ryht euerichon,
that thike tyme from hem paste not on.
thike day be gaweyn so manye weren ded,
that body & hors weren al blood red.
For aȝens that ax that he bar on hond,
there myhte non man his dynt with-stond.
eke his other bretheryn dyden wel tho,
For they slowen that day mani a fo.
and galachym with gawayn evere was,
that mani merveilles wrowh jn that plas;
For al that euere stood jn his weye,
he slowh down ryht, as j ȝow seye.
but of þe marterdom þat made gaweyn,
hit is wondir to tellen, jn certeyn;
For aȝens his strok wolde nowht abyde
nethir harneys ne man that ilke tyde.
So fowhten the children that jlke day
with hem þat ladden that Jlke pray,
that there ne sckaped but xx men,
of whiche ȝit there weren ten
that retorned to hem that comen behynde,
of hem socour ȝif they myhten fynde;
of wheche vij thousend fully there were,
but alle wel armed weren they not there,
for hit was trossed hem be-Fore
among the chariettis that wenten thore:
For the gret hete that was thanne,
onharmed ther rod ful mani a manne.

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whanne these ten fugytyves comen ageyn
to tho vij thousend, they tolden hem pleyn
how that alle jslayn they were
that here cariage cowndyet there.
Whanne that the hethin vndirstodyn al this,
anon to here armes they wenten, j-wis;
thike that ony armure hadden tho,
dyden as wel as they myhten do.
so that the thridde partye there
of armure destitewd they were,
whiche jn chareettis was trossed be-fore,
þat these ȝong sqwyers hadde wonnen thore;
whiche to Londone they senten, with-owten let,
be theke passauntes that with hem met,
and let coundie hem be anothir way,
lest þat these hethene scholde hem betray.
and sethen they seweden forth the chas,
til that they comen jnto that plas
there as thei to-gederis mette,
bothe hethen & cristen, with-owte lette.
thanne there began ful gret bataylle.
For there slowhe caweyn, with-owten faille,
kyng Noas the Brun of yrlond.
his strokis weren sweche, ȝe vndirstond,
that with his ax he clef him vnto,
that asondir fyl his Body tho.
Galachim so smot tho kyng Sonigran,
that jnto the feld his hed fley than;
for so took galachim there vppon,
that his strok dorste abyden non.
And Gaheries chased kyng Gwyneband
the drawht of an archier, j vndirstand.
for he hadde beten his brothir gwerrers,
þerfore jn herte he was ful fers.
(with a spere gwineband him smot, sikerle,
wherfore gaheries wende ded he hadde be;
but Gwerrers harm cawhte non

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that ilke tyme of his fon;
but that wiste not the sothe gaheries.)
So forth he prekede jn that pres
with his swerd j-drawen on hande,
as faste as the hors myhte fleande.
Whanne Gwynebant Gaheryet tho beheld,
that he cam so prekyng jn the feld,
he fledde faste from hym a-way
For drede of deth he hadde sein that day.
(For he was of merveillous prowesse,
and that day nygh dede as gret dystresse
jnto litel partye as dyde Gawayn,
and al the sothe now Scholde j sayn.
thanne swor Gaheriet anon there
be god & be his blessed modir dere
that ȝif euere he myhte armes welde
to ben a knyht and beryn a schelde,
that he scholde neuere jn place abyde
nethir day ne nyht, that he nolde ryde
vppon the hethen, avenged til that he be
of his brotheris deth, ful certeinle.
For he wende gwerres hadde ben dede
Ful Sekerly there jn that Stede.)
and euere he sewed forth ful faste,
tyl he ouergat him at the laste.
So that behindes him weren the hethen men
an arblastes, j wot wel then.
thanne swed hym gwynebantes meyne,
that from that bataylle gonnen they fle.
So that to-gederis they metten jn fere,
that Gaheriet so smot Gwynebant there
thorwh the helm (ful Sone hit glod)
that down he fyl with-oute ony abod
So that the ryht qwarter fley away
jnto the Feld that same day.
thanne torned gaheriet his hors hed,

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and was ful joyful jn that sted,
that he hadde venged his brothers deth;
So that to his compenye forward he goth.
ȝit this gwynebant, as he lay,
Cryde and made ful gret deray.
So that to him they comen be eche partie,
als so faste as they myhte flye,
and with here gleyves comen gaheryet aboute,
both hym & his hors jn that rowte.
to the erthe down they there bar
bothe gaheryet and his hors ryht thar
and his hors they Slowen vndyr hym.
than wax Gaheries wondir grym,
and vppon his feet he stirte ful blyve,
as man that thowhte to Saven his lyve.
and so he besterid jn that plas,
that there non of hem so hardy was
ones to leggen vppon hym ony hand.
therfore otherwyse they gonne fand:
with longe speris & swerdis bothe
and with al manere of scharpe knyves, forsothe,
that ij or iij on knes was he browht;
So that longe Enduren myhte he there nowht
but ȝif that he were taken or ded;
he myhte not flen owt of that sted.
thanne was there a sqwier, that him say pace
to purswen Gwynehant jn that place,
kam wringeng his handis with hevy chere,
and al to-tar & For-drowh his here.
thanne to gaweyn streyht gan he go,
that Gwerriers hadde j-rered & horsed tho
vppon kyng Sernagnes hors,
that this sqwier wan with gret fors.
Whanne this sqwier Gaweyn Say tho,
ful lowde he cryde: “what thenke ȝe do?

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ȝe han lost gaheriet, ȝoure brothir dere,
but he som socour the sonnere haue here,
For a cursed hethene he chasede ful blyve,
where-thorwh j trowe he hath lost his lyve.
For the Hethen He Beet down to grownde,
but the paynemys sewed jn that stounde,
and ȝondir jn ȝone dyrke valeye
there lyth gaheriet beten, with-outen delaye.
For passing gret los it now were
thus forto lesen ȝoure brothir dere.”
whanne that gaweyn herde of this tydyng,
anon he preide to hevene kyng
and to blessid marye, his modir jn fere,
that he scholde not lesen his brother dere.
“For ȝif j hym lese jn this degre,
joyful jn herte schal j thanne neuere be;
and ȝif j thus lese hym jn this feld,
abowtes my nekke neuer hangen schal scheld!”
Anon of the esqwier axede he
jn what partye that he myhte be.
thanne he him tolde: “jn ȝone valeye
vndir ȝone wode, as j ȝow seye.”
thanne ȝonge gaweyn ascryed anon
that his meyne scholde with hym gon.
“leve cosyn,” quod galachim tho,
“For this nede whom somone ȝe so?
we han laboured Sore this day,
and ȝit we mosten sorrer, jn fay.”
So that they disrenged þere anon,
and to-forn hem alle gaweyn gan gon.
and also faste he gan forth to ryde
as qwarel of arblast doth owt glyde,
with a ryht good ax jn his hond.
and swich martirdom he made, j vndirstond,
that thus they Slowen bothe to & fro
a myle wey, er gaheriet they comen to.
and atte laste gaheriet they fownde

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liggende ful plat to the grownde.
(his helm they token of jn that sted,
for they wolden han smeten of his hed.
but they bethouhten hem also blyve,
that they wolden han taken hym on lyve,
and sende him forth to kyng Bernage,
on of the hethene ful of corage.
thanne torned they gaheriet þere anon
to bynden his hondis behinde his bakbon.)
thanne cam gawein rydyng ful faste,
whiles ony breth on him myhte laste,
with a myhty ax beryng on honde;
there-with the hethen he thouhte don schonde.
whanne so with his brothir they token vppon,
he thowhte of hem to sparen not on.
Thanne on bothe Sydes he gan on leye,
that wondir hit is al forto seye,
that non man dorst his strok abyde.
thanne behelden they that ylke tyde
that his brothir helden hem be-twene,
For swiche strokes hadde they non sene.
So that non lengere wolde they him kepe,
but ȝif to the deth that they wolde lepe.
whanne Gaheriet say his brothir gawayn,
tho vp he Stirte and was ful fayn,
and cast his helm vppon his hed
ful rediliche jn that sted
and took his swerd & fawht ful faste.
ek Agrevayn his brothir he spide atte laste,
that him an hors þere browht jn hyghe
and seide: “gaheriet brothir, trewely,
worth vp faste vppon þis stede.
For ȝe ben to blame, so god me spede,
so fer from ȝoure felawes forto gon;
So myhten ȝe han lost ȝoure lif anon.
Anon as gaheriet to hors was dyht,
the bretheren semblede with al here myht,

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and gadered here peple to-gedere jn same,
For hem was comeng mochel grame.
For the Hethen Wente Faste Abowte
here batailles to gaderen jn-to a rowte.
Now let vs resten of this Talkyng
bothe of the hethene and þe children so ȝyng.
And of the passauntes let vs now talke,
that with the cariage to Londone gonne walke.
Now reherseth forth here this Storye,
that the passauntes gonnen faste hem hye,
as men joyful and glad they were
that the cyte they hadde aprochyd so nere,
For but fowre myles they weren thens;
and amonges hem but lytel defens,
wherfore they hyed hem wondir faste,
tyl jnto þe cyte that they weren paste.
for they wisten wel, the hethene wolden asaye
ȝif they myhte geten aȝen that praye.
whanne they of the cyte behelden that Syht,
Sore jn here hertis they weren afryht
of that good & of that richesse
that thike meyne browhte, with-outen distresse.
The ceteȝeins axeden the passauntis sone
ho that al that prowesse hadde done.
they seiden that—“gaweyn, kyng Lothis son,
his bretherin & cosines jn viron,
Gaheriet, gwerres, & Agrevayn,
and galachim here cosyne, jn certayn,
kyng newtres sone, as j ȝow telle,
with the hethene they fyhten ful felle,
and leven Londis, richesse, & alle thyng,
and comen to helpen Artheur oure kyng;
that neuere for joye neþer for wrake
oure kyng Artheur nilen not forsake;
but vij hundred felawes in compenye
aȝens iij thousend this wonnen they, trewlye,
and hem they slowen everychon;
that so with this pray gonne we gon.

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and now they fyhten with vij thousend mo,
that this cariage purswede tho.
Openeth the ȝates, this good ȝe take,
and som rescus for hem ȝe make;
For hit were bothe rewthe and pyte
but ȝif that they reskwed now be.”
Whanne the ceteȝeins vndirstodyn this,
anon the ȝates thei opened, j-wys,
and resceyved jn that Tresor,
that the passauntes browhten thor.
and sethen a meyne, with-owten lesyng,
scholde gon the children jn socouryng.
anon to þe maister tour they wente,
and an horn they blewen þere, veramente.
thanne was þere the custum tho
that eche man thanne to armes scholde go.
So that there Weren Redy Anon Ryht
Sevene thousend men j-armed to fyht.
thanne seide the captein of that town
that hit nere non good resown—
“that manye hens scholde go,
what maner of nede we han hem to.
and þerfore me thinketh best hit were
that somme of hem abyde how here.”
so of þat meyne v thousend forth wente,
and the remenant to þe cite weren sente.
Thus pasten they forth be dalk and dale
tyl that they comen jnto the vale
where as they fowhten sore jn fere
and be þat tyme vij thousand newe hethen comen were,
and whanne they were comen to þat gaderyng,
they preisede here felawes ryht non thing,
that aȝens so lytel a meyne
so longe to holden ony chawd melle.
“for but ȝonge berdles boyes they ben,

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but iiij xx knyhtes, as j kan sen,
and but v. hundred of sqwyers,
that nethir ne semen prowd ne fers,
and xx that not dubbed ne be,
and iij c besides thanne, Sykerle.”
but the hethene gouernours that þere were,
medelans & guinechans bothe jn fere,
hadden departyd here meyne
jnto tweyne bataylles, Sykerle;
and jn every bataylle iiij thouse[n]d was
of tho hethene jn that plas.
So that this Guinehans cam forth be-fore
with a strong spere jn his handis thore;
and gawayn, that to-fore alle oþer was
with his ax on honde jn that plas,
and boldeliche he rod him to mete;
for non maner of thing he wolde not lete.
this guinehant with his spores his hors tho smot,
& mette with gaweyn anon foot hot,
and aȝens the brest Smot him so sore,
that al on peces the spere fleygh thore.
for his hauberk was strong jnowgh,
of double mayl bothe good & towgh,
and him-Self a worthy Bacheler,
that on enche wolde not remeven ther
for non strok that he cowde Sette.
that ȝonge gaweyn ne did him lette,
but to hym he rawhte ful ryht
with his ax so trenchaunt as man of myht.
vppon his helm he smot him so,
that Top ouer tail he gan to go,
and with that his hors fyl to grownde,
and this was don jn a lytel stownde.
Whanne that the hethene behelden this,
of that strok they merveilleden, j-wys,

359

For they wende here king ded hadde be;
hym to socouren faste gonne they fle.
and gaweyn amonges hem gan to ryde,
and they with him fowhten on ech syde,
and with here gleyves slowen his destrer
betwene his thyes, as he rod ther.
thanne thussone he was on foote
bothe angry & fers & of herte ful hoote,
and on bothe sydes he leyde so vppon,
that of hem dorste neghen hym non.
thanne cam socour hym abowte,
so þat þere was strong fyht, with-owten dowte,
abowtes gawayn jn that stounde,
and euere lay kyng Guinehans atte grounde.
For the hethene jn dowte were
whethir to reren guinehant they scholden gon þere
Owther Abowtes Gawayn forto Abyde;
thus jn dowte they weren that Tyde.
but gawayns felawes Fowhten there sore,
and the melle wax hard evere more & more.
Whanne gawayn wist where-abowtes they were,
that they wolde taken him presonere
& an hethen hadde smeten his broþer Agrevayn,
wherfore he was sory, in certayn,
and stirte him forth jn al that pres
with his ax on honde (he wolde not ses),
and lifte vp his ax þere on hy,
þat he thethen to han Smeten, trewly.
this hethen ne myhte not wel asterte,
but caste vp his Scheld also smerte;
& with his ax he smot hit on peces two,
that jnto þe feld they flowen tho.
the strok vppon þe left scholder alyhte,
and down to þe girdyl he clef him down ryhte,
that down to þe erthe he fyl anon,
and gaweyn his hors took ful son.
thanne vp he stirte jn ryht gret haste,

360

anon to his Felawes he ascriede wel faste:
“let se, eche man prove his prowesse,
that with vs here ben, more oþer lasse.
For now scholen ȝe sen þat bothe my strokes & myht
this oure ben doubled, j ȝow plyht.”
thanne amonges the hethene gan he ryde,
and gret martirdom he mad that tyde,
that the pecis flowen jn-to the feld
as wel of mennes bodies as of scheld.
be that tyme guinehans was vp set
To asayen ȝif he cowde don ony bet.
he took a stowt lawnce, jn certeyn,
and faste he rod aȝens Agreveyn,
that his owne cosin hadde j-slayn
be-forn his owne eyen, certayn.
So aȝens him he rod with mayn & myht,
and sire Agrevaynes he smot ful ryht,
that hors & man to grownde he wente;
thanne wenden his bretheryn he hadde be schente.
Whanne Gaheriet & galachim this gonne beholde,
jn here hertes they woxen ful colde,
for siker they wenden he hadde be de[d];
him to reskwe they wente jn þat sted.
Galachym was þe ferste tho
þat to guinehant gan forto go,
& vppon the helm so hym smot,
that his bak bowede anon fot hot;
and guerreiers smot him thorgwh the arm
(ȝit ere he wente, hadde he more harm),
and gaheriet betwene þe nekke & þe scholder bon,
that jnto þe feld þe hed flygh anon;
and galachim with his foot that stounde
threw down þe Body to the grownde,
and took his hors & ladde to Agrevayn,
that on foote fawht with strengthe & mayn.
and whanne Agrevayn was vpe j-dyht,

361

thanne begynne there wondir gret fyht.
but of gaweyn wiste they non thing,
for he was ful harde in bekering
amonges the hethene vndir the lynde;
so fer hit was, he was harde to fynde.
whanne the hethen saw that gwinehaut
was so ded thorwh his owne defaut,
they torned faste anon to flyht.
to kyng mandelentes ost þey wenten ful tyht,
that was here chief gouernour;
to him they wenten for socour.
Thanne Gaweyn, that Was So fer Jn gon,
whanne tydinges of his bretheren herde he non,
he wende discomfit that they hadde be,
and gan to withdrawen him, certeinle.
hym thowhte he say his bretherin comenge,
which to his herte was gret lyhtynge,
and toward gawayn they comen that res,
but they ne myhte him neighen for pres.
for kyng mandelent hadde gret plente,
bet than vij thousend hethen, Sykerle,
and þat causede that ȝonge gawayn
to his feleschepe miht not come, certayn,
whiche that were ryht gret pite
for alle Breteyne, Sykerle.
be that tyme weren they of londone there
with v thousend wel armed jn fere.
whanne the children behelden that siht,
and þat here banere was displaied ful ryht,
and knewen hem that wenten hem fro
with þe cariage to Londone forto go
and boden hem to ben lyht of herte—
“for socour ȝow cometh also smarte.”
Whanne that the children wisten this,
that they weren of Londone, j-wis,
jn herte they hadden ryht gret joye,

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For þe lasse the hethen hem scholde anoye.
they torned here hors al jn fere,
& vppon þe hethen they ryden jn there.
but thanne weren the hethen sory,
For kyng Guinehaut lay ded hem by.
thussone they gonnen medlen sone;
thanne was þer not a litel to done.
here speres schatered jn þe feld,
& many hethen ded vndir his scheld.
And whanne here speris to-broken were,
eche man to his swerd took there.
So ech with-jnne oþer gan to ryde,
So that gret bataylle was þat tyde.
bothe of hors & ek of men
ful strong bloodsched was þere then,
that it ran down be eche vale,
as here reherseth this ylke tale;
þerto þe dost so gret hit was,
onnethis ony oþer knew jn þat plas.
Ful strong was þanne that melle
of the children and [hem] of Londone, as ȝe mown se,
aȝens tho cursed hethen wyhtes,
that so longe endured jn fyhtes.
From morwen jnto evensong belle,
so longe they fowhten, as j ȝow telle.
There dede gaweyn worthy prowesse
amonges the hethene jn that presse,
thanne mette with kyng mandelent;
with him to fyhte hadde he good entent.
For he hadde smyten on of his kyn,
þerfore he thowhte to meten with hym.
Doon of kerdyf was his name;
a man he was of ful good fame.
to þe erthe he hadde him browht,
whiche þat gaweyn ful sone him sowht.

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he wolde han smeten of his hed,
but anoþer thowht gawayn jn þat sted.
Atte laste ȝit gaweyn with mandelent mette,
& on strok he on him sette;
thorwh his helm Ran gaweyns dynt,
and at his teth þere hit stynt,
& he fil ded doun to þe grownde;
thanne sory weren þe hethen þat stonde.
Whanne the Hethene Behelden tho
that kyng mandelent was ded so,
Ful sore abassched alle they were,
So þat echon they fledden there,
and to Vandobers they gonne hem hye,
where as the Sege was, Sekerlye.
thanne began the chas ful strong
and ek gret dowst, þat ros hem among,
that non man oþer myhte knowe,
not þe fadyr the Sone jn that rowe.
So that Sore was that Bataylle,
that jn thyke chas weren slayn, sauns faille,
what be gaweyn & his Felawis there
and with helpe of hem of londone jn fere—
xij thousend weren Slayn vpryht,
that onnethe of þat meyne askapen ne myht
not thre thousend of al that rowte;
So they were chased bothe jnne & owte.
thus the hethene weren scomfyt echon,
& homward ful joyful þe children gonne gon
To the cyte of londone ful rapelye;
these children ful faste gonne hem hye.
with presoners and pray faste þedir they ronne,
with the goodis þat tofore tyme þe hethene hadden wonne.
Whanne that these children to Londone weren went,
gret joye the ceteȝeins maden, verament,
and to-forn hem they Browhten anon
alle the prayes that they hadden don.
thanne to gawayn seiden they there,
jn maner as chef lord that he were,

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that he scholde maken distribucioun
of this good there al Jn vyrown.
Thanne answerede Sire gaweyn anon
that for non thing he nolde hit don.
“but let Sire doon of kerdyf cyte
departen hit as that he wyl for me.
For he knoweth bothe Poure & riche
and aftir eche degre to departyn aliche.
þerfore at his wille hit Schal be do,
For of hit j wele entermete no mo.”
and whanne the ceteȝeines herden this,
Ful mochel gaweyn they preiseden, j-wys,
and hym they lovedyn with stedfast herte,
For he was gentyl, debonewre, meek, & aperte.
thus jn londone restede that meyne
with mirthe, Joye, and Solempnite.
Now a whille reste we of this matere,
and of kyng Artheur let vs speken here,
of kyng Bors, and of kyng Ban,
that thike tyme weren ful worthi men,
and also of here compenie tho,
that jnto tarmelide with hem gonne go
with kyng leodegam forto dwelle
jn maner of Sowdiours, as j ȝow telle.

[Chapter XIV]

Now Forthere to this mater Let Vs pace,
ȝif that god wyle graunten vs grace,
hou that Arthewr past owt of his lond
and with hym these kynges, ȝe vndirstond,
bothe kyng Ban and eke kyng Bors,
that weren men of myht and Fors;
how that they riden Jn here jorne,
Tyl to Tartaysse they comen alle thre,
where as lay kyng leodegan, j vndirstond,
that was a worthi man of his hond.
On palmes-sonne eve jn gonnen they ryde
and with hem merlyn that jlke tyde.
there thus merlyne rod hem be-fore
on a fulfair stede to þe paleis thore,

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where as was tho kyng leodegan,
that jn ful gret thowht was he than.
For kyng ryowns hadde entred his lond
with xv oþer kynges, j vndirstond,
and hym they hadden chaced so sore
and from place to place dryven hym thore.
So that these kynges logged hem alle
a-Forn Neblaise cite, as gan be-falle,
which cite was riche and plentevous
of goodis & of vitaille delicious.
wherfore that tyme kyng Leodegan
jn herte was a ful hevy man,
For he niste how Forto do,
nether how his lond defenden hem fro
(For jn his Lond hadde he non meyne
that Sege to remeven, certeinle),
ne how owt of his lond he myhte hem chace;
of wheche he axed counseyl jn that place
of knyhtes and of othere mo,
that at thike tyme weren comen hym to.
Jn the mene whyle, whiles here-of they speke,
kyng Arthewr and his compenie gonnen jn Reke,
and cam to-fore kyng leodegan,
that with his barowns cownseil held than.
be tweyne and tweyne they entred tho,
and jnto his halle they entreden so,
and merlyne jn here compenye,
but xlij vndir alle, with-owten lye.
Ful richely vestured & arayed they were,
and alle Berdles bacheleris thanne jn fere
Sof þe two bretheren kynges þat there weren than,
kyng Boors of gawnes and kyng Ban,
whiche that to-forn wenten tho;
and merlyne þe message þere gan do.
but alle the lordis þat with-jnne were,
of this peple hadden merveil there.

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and whanne they comen to-fore the kyng,
they hym obeyeden jn worscheping.
Anon the kyng ros hem ageyn,
as this storye reporteth certeyn,
For they semeden ful worthy men
be here aray that they hadden then.
Thus whanne they weren entred echon,
thanne bespak kyng Ban þere anon,
and Salwede kyng leodegan.
anon thussone he ȝald him than,
and seide that alle welcomen they were—
“ȝif that for good ȝe be comen here.”
thanne bespak kyng Ban tho,
and to kyng Leodegan he seide vnto:
“Certein, Sire, with-owten lesyng,
For non maner of evel is oure comeng,
Ne not we comen owt of oure contre
here jn thy lond Forto noyen the,
but as jn manere of socouryng,
For sothe as j ȝow seye, Sire kyng,
and ȝou to don Servise jn swich degre
that to ȝoure plesaunce now myhte be.
and ȝif ȝe wilen not with vs don so,
Owt of ȝoure lond, sire, we scholen go
And to Betaken ȝow god Al-myht,
that algates he spede ȝow jn ȝoure ryht;
and we scholen gon jnto an nothir contre,
theþer as men of oure comenge glad wylen be
and vs resceyven jn Swich a manere
as we to ȝow oure Servise profren here.
but certeinly hit was vs tolde
that alle manere Of Sowdiours ȝe with-holde,
and þerfore was hedyr oure comeng;
Therfore ȝoure wille telle vs, Sire kyng.”
Thanne answerede kyng Leodegan
that with his counseil speken wolde he than.
so þat he axede of hem anon
what that were best forto don.

367

and they to him answerid anone
that he scholde with-holden hem echone.
“For worthy men they Semen alle,
what so evere there-of may befalle.
and also hastely as ȝe mown don,
that ȝe knowen here names echon,
and whens they ben & of what contre;
al this that [ȝe] knowen jn certeinte.”
thanne partyd leodegan from his cownsaille,
and to these Barowns he cam, sauns faylle.
“J merveille mochel of ȝoure askyng,
& that ȝe wilen not discuren ȝow for non thing,
ne tellen what ȝoure names ben;
swich anoþer meyne haue j not Sen.
but goode men me semeth be ȝoure chere;
that causeth me to resceyuen ȝou here.
and ryht welcome mooten ȝe be
bothe to my Barouns and ek to me
as Frendis and felawes to my Socowr,
thus to ȝow troste j bothe day & owr.
and to this ȝe scholen don me affiaunce
with me to stonden jnto owttraunce;
& as longe as ȝe ben jn my compenye,
trewly me to helpen ȝe scholen me affye.
but of on thing j wolde ȝow preye:
that what ȝe ben, ȝe wolden me Seye;
and for this cause, ȝe vndirstonde:
ȝe moun ben swich men of oþer londe,
that hit myhte ben gret schame to me
of ȝow Servise to taken, certeinle,
and that j not of power were
ȝoure mede to qwyten jn non manere.
For j Suppose, ful trewely,
that ȝe ben grettere men than am j.”
Thanne they answered hym ageyn
that him misplesen they nolden, certeyn,
but hym to Serve jn Swich degre,

368

that likyngge to hym Scholde hit be.
and thus ensurede kyng Ban, certeinlye,
For hym and for al his compenye,
and that, as hastely as he myhte,
alle here names to declaren owt ryhte.
Thanne thus departyd they from the kyng
jnto the town to taken here loggeng
of the beste that they cowden gete.
So þat merlyne hem ladde jnto a strete
To ryht a good ȝong mannes hous,
that was bothe riche and plentevous
and ryht good esement jn alle degre;
thydir ladde hem merlyn, certeinle.
ek a good womman there was at house,
that wel lovede god and ek hire spouse.
and him-Self was curteis ek also,
and of good lif they weren bothen two.
therto hym-Self Blaires hyhte,
his wyves name Leonel be ryhte.
whanne to þat hostel þat they comen there,
anon they alyhten al jn fere,
and Blayres wente hem ageyn,
and seyde they weren welcomen, jn certein.
Anon they Answerede Hym Ful sone
that he scholde han Crystes benysone.
they alyhteden, and jn-to halle they wente,
whiche was onestly arayed and gente.
and the ȝomen loggeden here hors anon,
and deden jn stable what was to don.
thus there they sojorned viij dayes,
not but eten & dronkyn, & merye playes
and on morwe they to court wente
and ek at even after here talente
so thus they servede kyng leodegan
with alle the worschepe they cowden than
thanne sente forth this kyng anon
be sondry messengeris many on

369

that alle thike that myhte armes bere,
hem-self to defende, here enemyes to dere,
that jn Toraysse they scholde ben
on ascencioun even bothe fair & clen.
and ho so brak this comandement
Jn ony degre be his entent,
lik a man-mordrere he scholde ded be
and þerto his good to lesen, ful sikerle.
On the tothir syde sente Leodegan
of al his kynrede to every man
and al aboutes jnto eche contre
there he supposede ony sowdiours to be.
for he ne sparede for Siluer ne Goold
that plente of Sowdiours hauen he woold.
So þat with-owten ony more let
at assencioun, þe whiche was set,
xl thousend jn tente and pavyloun
weren logged vndir toreyse town
what on hors and what on foote
with-outen hem of þe town, wel j wote.
jn the mene while that this kyng
hadde thus aboutes sent his warneng,
happed that vppon the even of may
vppon hym entrede, with-owten delay,
kyng plariouns & kyng Roallaund,
whiche weren bothe of yrland,
Ek of assirois kyng Sonigrans,
and of þe same Lond kyng Sorohans.
these from the ost comen adown
jnto Tarmelyde al jn virown
with xv thousend armed ful clene
For nede of vytaylle, as that j wene.
So hit happede, as hit hem befelle,
that nygh to toraysse they com ful snelle,
where as soiournede kyng leodegan,
that his meyne abod there than.
so þat there was gret noyse & cry

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of these malfetours, sekerly,
that robbede & stroyede that contre.
Anon the citeȝeines aspiden hit, sykerle,
and here ȝates they schetten ful blyve,
that owt scholde gon non man on lyve.
anon asarmes they gonne to crye,
the cheualrie þat with-jnne was, trewelye,
and to-forn the ȝate they semblede anon,
knyhtes of þe rownd table everychon.
and the cheventeyn of hem was
hervy of Ryvel jn that plas,
and malet le bruns was his felawe,
that many a man browhten of dawe,
with cc. & fyfty jn here compenye
of worthy Bodyes, with-owten lye,
that vndir hevene non bettere nere
thanne tho bodyes that weren there.
these be hem-selven weren alone,
For with oþere meddelen wolden they none.
On the tother part they gonnen hem dyhte,
the cheualrye of þe towne anon ryhte,
And of hem iiij thousend ther were,
That myhte Bewelden Bothe Scheld and Spere.
this meyne hadden a cheventeyn
that cleodalis hyhte, Jn certeyn,
that wont was the kynges baner to bere
bothe jn pes and ek jn werre.
but sethen the knyhtes of þe rownde table
that Lond entreden, with-owten fable,
thanne was hervy of Ryvel
the kynges banorer everidel.
but he bar a lytel gomfaynoun & did it sprede
with tweyne Langues be ryht resoun rede,
the Feld gold with corowns of ynde.
and the grete baner, that cam behynde,
whiche that hervy Ryvel Bar,
jn this maner was araied thar:

371

with foure langues fayre & pleyne,
and there-jnne corouns of gold, jn certeyne,
the Feld asure bothe fair and schene;
thus this Baner bar he hem betwene.
whanne redy armed that they were,
aforn the ȝate they sembleden there,
and abyden the kynges comeng,
that ȝit at that tyme was anarmyng.
and whanne the kyng j-armed was,
anon he asemblede jn that plas,
and þere drowh to hervyes Baner
sytteng vppon a good destrer.
and þere he houed with his compenye
To knowen of these jresch more certeinlye.
On þe thridde partye was armed than
kyng artheur, king Bors, & kyng Ban,
and his compenye al jn fere,
of wheche but xlij ther were.
and ful ryaly they weren adyht,
and merlyn here baner bare in fyht.
and whanne j-horsed alle they were,
thanne to hem Seide merlyn there
that thyke day bothe gret & smalle
to Sewen his baner, what euere befalle.
“jn what place that evere ȝe hit Se,
loke ȝe hit Sewe and foleweth me.”
and alle they seiden with on cry
that So they wolden, ful trewely.
thanne so they reden thorwh þe town,
and merlyn bar here gomfaynown.
but richere arayed thanne they were,
jn that town was neuere seyn there.
and here baner was ryht merveyllous
Forto beholden and ryht spetous:
his Baner hit was on dragown,
and not ful gret hit was jn virown;
the tayl a kebyt and an half was long,
al j-mailled as a serpent ful strong;

372

and his throte so gret & sterne hit was,
that hit Semede hem jn that plas
so that the tonge that stood with-jnne
euere enflawmeng & wolde not blynne,
that thorwh the throte owt fyr hit caste
vpe jnto the ayr, hit semede hem faste.
and jn the mene while the jresch men,
that hethen tho weren, as j ȝow ken,
with here speres comen to the town,
and the ȝates asayllede jn virown.
and sethen jnto þe medewes they wente,
& alle the bestes they token, veramente,
that abowtes the town jn pasture weren tho;
with hem they maden hem forto go.
For þere nas non man hem to defende,
Tyl that god sone grace gan sende.
thorwgh þe town paste merlyne anon,
There As the peple Weren sembled Echon,
and thorwgh that pres redily he paste,
tyl to the ȝate he cam atte laste
and with hym there al his meyne.
Anon to the porter thanne seide he:
“let vs now, porter, here owt pace,
Fore hit is tyme to comen on place.”
and þe porter answered hem ageyn
that they Scholden not passen hit, Jn certein,
with-owten comaundement of the kyng,
and thus ȝaf he hem to answeryng.
“that is be misaventure,” quod merlyn tho,
“that thou þe ȝate ne schalt vndo,
whanne that j am as strong as thou,
and that Schal j sone preven now.”
Anon kam merlyne to the ȝate,
and with his hond pulled there-ate,
and pulde þe ȝate owt from the ston.
thanne owt they wenten there echon,
ho so wolde or ho so nolde;
owt they Riden al glytered jn goolde.

373

Whanne that the two an fowrty men
owt of þe cyte weren passed than,
the ȝate closed aȝen also faste
as hit ne hadde neuere ben vnwraste.
For whiche merveille thanne anon
these thre kynges blessed hem everichon,
and so diden al that companye.
but faste forward merlyn gan hym hye,
And ouertook of that meyne
two thousend hethen jresch, certeinle,
and ladden with hem a ful gret praye.
thanne anon as merlyne hem saye,
anon he Sewede with his Banere,
and his compenye holy folewede him there.
betwene hem þere was gret bataille,
that certeinly, with-owten faylle,
be half a myle nygh hem was non
but the xlij there al alon,
and token the pray, & lad it ageyn
aforn the ȝates tho, jn certein.
and they ne hadden not ryden but a stounde,
that they Sien vppon the grownde
the foure kynges rehersed be-fore
with xv thousend men j-armed thore,
that with hem ladde so gret plente
of kariage & of pray to-ward the se,
that they hadde robbed jn that lond,
as j do ȝow here to vndirstond.
Anon as merlyn Sawh al this,
thanne to his feleschepe he cryde, j-wys:
“Seweth me now for ony thyng,
and ȝe scholen Sen a good boordyng.”
there they hym seweden everichon,
but euere to-fore merlyne gan gon.
and swich a wynd he gan to arere
with wondir blastes of tempest þere,
that swich a powdir amonges hem þere was,
amonges here enemyes jn that plas,

374

that non of hem oþer myhte Se;
So merveillous dowst hit was & gret plente.
Anon as these two and fowrty men
with-jnne these hethen weren entrid than,
they beten and slowen so many a-down,
that ded abowtes they lyen jn virown.
Anon comanded kyng leodegan
that the ȝates anon opened weren than;
and so they weren jn ryht gret haste,
So that thike meyne owt þere paste.
There the Steward Rod forth Be-fore
with iiij Thousend men wel armed thore,
and they founden the ȝate schet ful faste,
there as merlyne and his meyne owt weren paste.
with xv thousend they fowhten that whyle þere
Ful merveillously a ful gret tyde in fere.
Thanne forth cam cleodalys tho,
and to that pres faste gan he go.
So that the noyse of speris that þere were,
the brekyng of hem, jnto the cyte was herd there.
there was thanne so gret distroccioun
of men dede & hors slayn j[n] viroun,
So that hit Semede be here gruntyng
that hit hadde ben a merveyllous thondryng,
but merveillously wrowhte these xlij men
that vndir merlynes Banere weren than.
Whanne that the iiij kynges Syen al this,
that with the cristene they weren thus mellid, j-wis,
they departed her meyne anon vntwo,
of wheche vij milia to þe cyte gan go
aȝens the baner of kyng leodegan.
whanne they aspide hym comeng than,
ech of hem aȝens oþer gan forto ryde,
also faste as they myhten that Tyde.

375

and þe toþer viij thousend fowhten ful faste,
whilles that here strengthe myhte laste.
but leodegan and this othir meyne,
betwixen hem gret bataylle was, Sikerle,
that bothe helmes & hauberkes j-borsten they were,
Neþer non mail of steel lasten myhte not there,
that down they fillen al blody to grownde,
For þere was ȝoven many a dethes wounde.
And whanne here speris j-borsten they were,
anon here swerdis they drowen owt there.
thanne began there gret Bataylle,
that merveille to beholde hit was, sauns faylle.
and namly the knyhtes of þe rownd table
merveillously they fowhten, with-owten fable,
of wheche weren but two hundred & fyfty,
and of the tothere vij thousend, ful sekerly.
but at gret mischef they weren there,
that here bodyes gonnen tremblen for fere;
and whethir they wolde other none,
here grownd to forsaken mad weren they sone.
but they helden hem so faste jn fere,
that no man with-jnnen hem entren myhte there;
Nethir litel ne mochel, lasse ne more,
with-jnnen hem entren cowde not thore.
whanne Plareouns & kyng Roallaunt
To-gideris swich a meyne gonnen se haunt,
and of hem so lytel peple there was
aȝens so gret meyne jn that plas,
Ful gret dispit hadden these kynges bothe,
and sworen ful bitterly many a gret othe
that of hem askape scholde not on,
as ferforthly as they myhten don.
Thussone they maden an ordenance
Forto han wrowht this meyne mischance.
So that xl of that litel compenye
weren sore defowlid, with-owten lye.
And euer this jresch hethen peyned hem fulsore

376

hem to han de-fowlid ful mochelis more
and hem to han maymed, ȝif hit myhte han be;
but they myhte not thanne for here compene.
For with-jnne hem þere non man there paste,
as fer as ony of here dyntes of swerdis myhte laste.
And jn this mene whille, as j ȝow telle,
vppon kyng leodegan they fowhten ful felle,
So that fulsore beten he was jn that place,
and there with his enemyes j-taken he was
and lad forth there anon tho ryht
with v hundred redy armed to fyht.
So Hym Forth they Ladden, As J Vndyrstond,
towardis kyng Ryown of jrlond,
And with gret joye they forth hym ladde,
for they wenden the werris ended ben hadde.
So thus they hyede hem wondir faste,
Tyl owt of the ost that they weren paste.
And whanne that kyng leodegan Say this,
that with his enemyes he was taken, j-wys,
and him forth ladden moche maugre his hed,
For sorwen he swownede jn that sted,
and wepe ful Sore, & made gret pyte,
that jn swich a maner j-taken was he.
they hym forth ladden vppon the weye
two Skottysch milles, the sothe to seye.
but evere the noyse ful gret hit was
of the vij thowsend jn that plas
and of the cc. and fyfty knyhtes,
that aȝens þe vij thousend held fyhtes,
that maden gret sorwe & gret mone,
For kyng leodegan was so gone.
and whanne they syen, hit wolde non oþer be,
that non reskeus was there, sekerle,
they dresseden here bakkes al jn fere,
and jn maner of a scheltrom they stoden there,
and there thanne so sore they fowhte,
that non man deren hem ne mowhte.
but they maden gret occisioun
of men & hors aboutes hem jn virown

377

with-owten remevyng of ony place;
ful mochel peple be hem j-slayn þere wace.
So that they swetten for gret peyne,
so hydous the storm was & so sodeyne,
that they that atte wyndowes gonnen loke
out of the cyte, as Seith the boke,
wepten for angwysch & for pyte
for the sorewe that they be these knyhtes gonnen se,
and merveilled gretly jn here mynde
how swich hertis with-jnnen hem myhten they fynde.
but whanne gonnore beheld hire fadir dere,
that with his enemyes forth lad was he there,
Ful gret deol sche gan to make,
and riht gret Sorwe to here gan take.
Now a whille lete vs here dwelle,
and of kyng Artheur lete vs now spelle
and also of his compenye, sauns faylle,
how that they spedden jn bataylle
Aȝens viij thousend forto fyhte,
thike xlij men of gret myhte,
and with hem the steward of Tarmelyde,
that cleodalis hyht that tyde.
Now reherseth this Storye ryht here
of the xlij whiche þat there were,
& of the iiij thousend that cleadalis
vndir his Baner browhte, j-wys,
whiche with viij thousend j-medled were,
that kyng sonigrenx & Sorohanx cowndiet there;
of whiche weren manye defoulyd & slayn,
as this storye reherseth here jn certayn.
And Whanne they Hadden Longe Fowhten Jn Fere,
merlyne with his Banere owt prekede there,
and to his meyne he cryede Jn gret haste
that they hym Scholden folwen faste.
and so they dyden ryht Swyftly tho,
as faste as here hors cowden renne oþer go,

378

tyl that they comen jnto on valey,
where as these v hundred ladden awey
kyng leodagan, here presoner.
And anon merlyn ascryed hym ther:
“Now, barouns, let Se, kythe here ȝoure myht
To reskwen the kyng here with ȝoure fyht.
and but ȝif ȝe don, he goth his way.”
And evere he cride: “Tray, tray, tray!”
So that these knyhtes Sewede on faste,
Tyl they hym ouertoken atte laste.
Thussone they entred hem betwene
with manye gret strokis, as hit was sene,
and slowh & maymed al that þer were,
that nowht on his hele hadde there.
there þese xlij maden swich martyrdom,
of men & hors a ful gret Som,
that vnnethes askaped ony away
of thike v hundred, the Sothe to say,
Sauf only fyve, that fledden be-fore,
anon as kyng leodagan they hadden forlore.
And thus Reskwed was Leodagan the kyng,
whiche to hym was ful gret merveyllyng,
To sen Swich martirdom Jn that plase
as of thyke lytel peple j-mad there wase.
and whanne he beheld the dragown þat merlyn bar,
thanne wiste he wel his frendis weren thar.
thanne thankede he god of that dede,
that so his Sowdeours with him dyden spede.
Anon merlyn there to hym wente,
and þere hym sesede anon presente.
Whanne Vlphyn beheld kyng Leodegan,
anon of his hors alyhte he than,
and sire Bretel jn the same wyse,
anon he alyhte to þat kyng of pryse,
and him vnbownden, & armed hym wel,

379

and sette hym on a destrer bothe good & lel.
whanne Bretel & Vlphyn horsid hym hadde jn þat wise,
he thankede hem ful hyhly of here Servise.
thanne merlyne began to ascryen eft sone:
“Now thynketh, Barouns, what ȝe han to done.
Seweth now me, what euere ȝe do,
and be non wyse partyth not me fro.”
he took his hors with the spores welfaste,
and toward the cyte he prikede jn haste,
where that the knyhtes of the rounde table
at gret mischef weren, with-owten fable,
of wheche two hundre[d] and fyfty knyhtes
there nere but xx on hors owt-ryhtes,
and al the remnant on foote were,
and ful manfully fowhten there.
thanne merlyne prikede so faste to-fore,
so faste hym Sewede his feleschepe thore,
that here hors on swot they weren echon;
So faste thyderwardis dyden they gon.
And the dragoun þat merlyn Bar,
Swiche plente of fyr hit cast owt thar,
that tho whiche weren jn the cyte,
Large half a myle they myhten hit se,
the clernesse of that Fer so bryht,
how jnto the eyr hit wente vp ryht.
Whanne that the ceteȝeins of that cite
behelden that jlke litel meyne,
thanne wisten they wel, the xlij it were,
that jn feleschepe weren jn fere,
and with hem was kyng leodagan,
that these xlij hadde reskwed than.
wherfore gret joye they gonne to make,
and so dede gonnore for here fadris sake,
merveilleng sore what these knyhtes were,

380

That so Vygoursly fowhten there.
For lyk as thondyr here dyntes ferde,
that jnto the eyr hit myhte ben herde;
For so merveillous was here fyhtyng,
that alle that weren jn here stondyng
they Slowen down ryht as they come,
that to-gederis they lyen on many a throme.
and whanne the xlij jn fere
amonges tho jeawntis weren entred þere,
thanne began the fyht so strong,
that wondir passyng noyse was hem among.
so that gonnore, with-owten nay,
that hydows noyse myhte heren, Jn fay.
there dyde kyng Ban of Baynok,
with correcense, his swerd, ȝaf many a strok.
For whom that evere þere-with he smot,
to grownde they wenten anon foot hot,
that neyther helm, hauberk, ne haberjon
withstondyn his dyntes myhten nouht on.
and thus took he on jn that Bataylle,
þat downryht slowh man & hors, with-owten faille.
so there nas non, myhte with-stonden his dynt,
Tyl of here lyveȝ that they weren stynt.
and jn the same manere ferde kyng bors,
that of alle the enemyes gaf he non fors.
and whanne the hethene behelden this
of þe merveillous strokys they Syen, j-wys,
and how kyng Artheur with kalybrond
merveillous strokis ȝaf with his hond
(aȝens weche swerd, the sothe to say,
myhte there non armure lasten that day,
For evere he vsede to smyten so sore,
that non man his strok abyden myhte thore)—
Thanne, whilles they fowhten Jn this manere,
happede, kyng artheur ȝit neyghede hym nere,

381

and mette with on that hyhte caunlent,
that hem of þe round table anoyede, verament,
and þerto dide he his power tho.
but Artheur, as hit happede so,
mette with this caunlent, j ȝou ensure,
whiche chef was of passyng mesure:
xiiij fote long he was, j wene,
of swich maner feet as now þere bene.
And whanne kyng Artheur there him mette,
a wondirful strok þere on him he sette:
besides his Scheld he smot hym so,
that thorwh bothe scholdres calibrand gan go.
And anon he fyl a-down, with-owten les,
and his hors forth ran thorwh-out þat pres.
So they that jn the castel were,
behelden how Arthour gan him bere;
Also gonnore, þe dowhter of kyng Leodagan,
merveillede mochel what was that man;
and so dyden þe peple everychon
that hym behelden be on & on.
Ful strong was þe stowr and þat melle,
that thike tyme was to-fore the cyte
where as þe .cc. knyhtes & fyfty
and the two and fourty felawes, sekerly,
aȝens viij thousend helden here fyht
as worthy persones of power & myht.
but what thorwh the strokis þat þere weren deld,
ne left but fyve thousend jn the feld,
whiche weren ful Soreweful jn here degre,
that kyng Cavnlent was ded, sekerle.
thanne happede, kyng Ban cam ful blyve,
as worthy a knyht as ony on lyve,
and with his good swerd, þat was so Brown,
anon there rawhte he to kyng plarioun,
that þe grettest jeawnt was he of þat ost;
but þere kyng ban thouhte to fellen his bost.
vppon the helm So he him there rawhte,

382

that ryht ful sone gret harm he cawhte;
The strok thorwh the panne Hit gothe
and thorwh the left scholdere evene, for sothe,
and jnto the gyrdelstede evene down ryht,
that ded down he fyl for fawt of myht.
Thanne kyng Bors þere smot so Sarmedoun,
that bar these jeauntes Gomfanown,
that bothen arm, Baner, and scheld
ful fer hit fley jnto the feld.
these strokes beheld kyng leodagan,
and to him-self jn his herte seide than:
“there nas neuere kyng, so god me spede,
that better socour hadde atte nede.”
and whanne the jeauntes syen here lordes ded,
and here banerer was slayn jn that Sted,
anon they Tornede hem to the flyht,
eche man be hym-Selve, hos gon myht.
thanne that Syen they of the cyte,
& owte þere comen a praty meyne,
wel two thousend j-armed ful bryht,
and folwed that chas þere anon ryht.
but merlyn wente not that contre,
For sone to cleodalis thanne turned he,
where as he with his iiij thousend men
aȝens vij thousend fawht he then,
whiche Sonygrenx hadde jn gouernaunce
and kyng Sorohaunx with mischaunce.
Whanne merlyne cam to that Bataylle,
he fond Cleodalis, with-owten faylle,
vnhorsed and at the erthe, jn certein,
but on his fet he was rekeuered ageyn,
and the baner kepte, with-owten lesyng,
For that wolde he not leven for non thyng.
and abowtes him stoden his compenye,
that him defendid ful manfullye,
but they weren at gret mischef.
Natheles merlyn gan sone hem relef,
and amonges hem entrede with his baner,
& þe xlij felawes him folwede ther.

383

thanne jn they flyen as stordyly
as evere dide tempest out of þe sky,
and so worthily they fowhten there,
thyke xlij felawes þat weren jn fere,
that neuere men myghte bettere do
than thyke compenye diden tho.
but evere this kyng leodagan
here feleschepe nolden not forsaken than.
whanne these xlij amonges the jeawntes were,
Swich a noyse amonges hem was þanne there,
as of alle þe world the carponteris
jn wodes hadde hewen stowt & fers.
This was ȝit the angriest stour
that thike day they suffreden be ony our,
and þe most dolorowse and angwisschous,
but evere hem socourede swete jesus.
For there a man myhte beholde
bothe men & hors fulmanifolde
as thikke fallen vnder here scheld
as that motes flen jn the feld.
There myhten ȝe sen hors walken astray,
that non man of hem took kepe, jn fay,
of wheche the Sadelis ful blody were
of þe knyhtes that vppon hem weren slayn there.
and swich a noyse amonges hem was,
For lyk as thondring hit ferde jn that plas.
So that theke xlij persones
merveillously boren hem for þe nones,
that aftyr the deth of hem, j vndirstond,
hit was of hem longe spoken jn that lond,
and, as this storye reporteth now here,
that So manye Bodyes weren slayn there.
Beheueded, qwartered, dislemed Also,
that many day aftyr men myhten go
jnto þe places as the batailles were
be men dede & hors that lyen there
thorwh the conqwest, as J ȝow telle.

384

hos names here-aftyr J schal ȝou spelle,
For so wyle here this storye,
aforn goode men to rehersen hem, vtterlye.
The ferste kyng Ban of Baynoc hyhte,
the secunde kyng Bors, a man of myhte,
the thridde kyng Artheur that tyme was,
the fourthe was Antron jn that plas,
the fyfthe was vlphyn, as j ȝow tel,
the sixthe was goode sire Bretel,
the seventhe that tyme hihte sire kay þe fers,
the viijthe sire lucauns the botelers,
the ixthe, the sone of kerdif, hihte þan doo,
the xthe moret le Roche cleped was tho,
the xjthe dryauns of þe forest sauage, j vndirstonde,
the xijthe hyhte lorgelons de la launde,
the xiijthe, j kan tellen ful wel,
hihte belias Amoreus of mayden castel,
the xiiijthe Flaundris ly breȝ, wel j wot,
the xvthe hihte ladmas of Baynot,
the xvjthe hithe Amoreus ly brews,
the xvijthe Anchalanx ly rows,
the xviijthe bloys of casel, fel & fers,
the xixthe hihte goode Bliobers,
The xxthe hihte canodes þat tyme be vois,
the xxjthe hihte melyadon de bloys,
the xxijthe Aladank le crespe, þis storye says,
the xxiijthe hihte placides ly gays,
the xxiiijthe Lampadys Plangwye,
the xxvthe geroas lenches in compenye,
the xxvjthe cristofre de la roche Byse.
the xxvijthe engelyn desuans, a man of prise,
the xxviijthe calogrenaunt the fre,
the xxixthe Agwysale le desyrre,
The xxxthe thanne hyhte good Agravel,
the xxxjthe hihte thanne claryel,
the xxxijthe Gryves de lambele,

385

the xxxiijthe Qweodyn, þat was fayr & lele,
the xxxiiijthe hyhte than merangus,
the xxxvthe Gornayns karadus,
the xxxvjthe hihte clariaunt of Ban,
the xxxvijthe layȝ hardis, a worthi man,
the xxxviijthe Amayndan the stowte,
the xxxixthe hihte oȝenan jn that Rowte,
the xlthe hyhte galet cownde,
the xljthe gales the chans, parde,
the xlijthe was bleene, kyng bors godsone,
the xliijthe, merlyne, gan with hem wone,
the xliiijthe was the kyng leodegan,
that here Feleschepe wolde leven for non man.
alle these worthi men jn fere
To Resku cleodalis wenten there,
that steward was of Tarmelyde.
as a worthy man he prevyd him that tyde:
ȝit for non wrong kyng leodagan hadde hym j-do,
neuere from hym departen wolde he not tho.
And ȝit so wolde not many a man
don þere as cleodalis dyde than,
but he dede that many a man wolde not do;
For the cause ȝe schole knowen also.
and ȝit wolde he neuere his lord forsake
For al the wrong he suffrede & wrake,
but euere be him stood in al myschef,
as þowh to hym he hadde ben good & lef.
This is the trowthe, As J ȝow telle,
how that cleodalis the steward hit befelle.
hit behapped that kyng Leodegan
a lady of hygh parage wedded had than,
and therto she was of gret Bewte,
and jnto Tarmelyde browhte hire he
owt of hire faderis owne lond,
as j do ȝow to vndirstond.
& with hire sche browhte a mayden ful gent
of wondir gret bewte, verament,

386

whiche mayden cleodalis lovede ful derne,
For there-of myhte non man hym werne.
So that he preyde leodagan, verament,
that he myhte wedden þat mayden gent
For alle his goode longe Servise;
he axede no more to his apryse.
the kyng hym graunted with riht good wylle,
For þat he was mochel beholden him tylle.
and whanne j-wedded hire that he hadde,
and from cherche as sche was ladde,
and browht was jnto the kynges paleys,
and down at mete was set on deys,
therto apparaylled ful Ryaly
aboven alle ladyes that seten hire by,
thanne hadde sche moche more bewte
thanne ony oþer lady, Sykerle;
wherthorwh þe kyng on hire his herte caste,
that for non thing aȝen myht he hit wreste.
So that stylle Leodagan the kyng
a gret whylle dwellede jn morneng,
For sche was the fairest creature jn ony londe,
as this Storye doth me to vndirstonde;
and thus at that tyme seyde he no more than.
but as hit happede that kyng leodagan
at an hygh feste of seynt Johne,
Leodagan Cleodalis owt he sente anon
a certeyn chevachye forto do
vppon his enemyes, þat hym noyede tho,
and his faire lady behinde lefte there
the qwene compenye forto bere
(For bothen they loveden as paramour,
the qweene & sche, with-owten langour)—
hit behappede vppon a nyht,
Leodagan be his qwene lay, as wile ryht.
that nyht on hire he be-gat tho
a fair dowhter, with-owten mo,
that jn hire age Gonn[or]e hit hyhte,

387

whiche that was a wondir fair wyhte.
this qweene sche was of gret bownte
and an holy lyuere, certeinle;
and on costom hadde this qweene:
þat but fewe nyhtes hit scholde bene
that sche ne wolde to mynstre go
hire matynes & servise to heren tho.
that same nyht þat sche conceyved was,
To matynes sche ros a ful gret pas,
and be the stewardis wyf sche cam ful stille,
and fond hire Slepyng, & thowhte non ylle.
thanne forth sche wente, & wook hire nowht,
To serven hire god, as sche hadde thowht,
and lefte this lady there stylle on slepe,
that of non creature took sche kepe.
Forth wente þe qweene alone with hire sawtyere
to þe mynstre, that faste by was there.
Anon this kyng leodagan tho
this lady thowhte to werken wo.
and whanne þat the qweene to mynstre was,
anon vp he ros jn that plas,
and qweynte alle the lyhtes þat weren wyt[h]-jnne,
For er wolde he þat tyme not blynne.
Sethen to the bed he goth ful ryht,
there cleadalis wif lay jnne that nyht.
Whanne the Lady Felte On Jn Hyre Bed,
sche axede ho was there Jn that sted.
“hold thou thi pes,” quod kyng leodagan;
“and þou discure me to ony man,
vppon my swerd thou schalt deye,
j the Swere, dame, be my feye.”
This lady defended hire with al hire myht,
but non noyse dorste sche make owt ryht.
but lytel avayllede there hire defens,
For be hire he lay there jn presens,
and that same nyht begat on hire tho
anoþer dowhter ryht also.

388

hit happede, whanne this qweene deliuered was
The same nyht of a dowhter jn that plas,
the same nyht, with-owten ony faylle,
the stewardis wif gan forto travaille,
and anoþer dowhter hadde of gret bewte;
a fairrere creature myhte non be.
thanne so lyk bothe children they were,
that on from anothir knowen myhte not þere,
Sauf gonnore þat þe qwenes dowhter was,
a wondir mark hadde sche jn prevy plas:
vppon the reynes that child behynde
hadde þe fygure as a corowne of a kynge.
and but hit were be thike mark,
cowde non man hem disseuere jn lyht ne derk.
and ech of hem gonnore hyhte,
as be here baptem j-named be ryhte.
And evere weren they norsched bothe jn fere,
tyl that the qweene after deide there.
and the kyng aftyr hire deth anon
aftyr cleodalis wif sente ful son,
and al aȝens that ladyes wylle
jn a castel he closede hire ful stille,
bencheson that his steward of prise
with hire scholde speke jn non wyse.
and thus he contenuede v ȝer,
that cleodalis his wif ne say not ther;
til on a day þe frendis of þe steward than
there-of spoken to kyng leodagan,
and hem answerede: whille he hadde werre,
he scholde hire not hauen nethir nyh ne ferre.
that ȝit kepte he hire Stylle jnto the comeng,
that jnto his lond entrede artheur the kyng.
Now ȝit, behold, for al this distresse
the steward þe kyng Servede neuere the lasse.
but ȝit torneth this Storye ageyn,
and of this Steward speketh, certein,
how with the jeauntes he fawht on foote,
that him and his felawes helden ryhte hote.
and after, as processe cometh and tyme,
of bothe Gonnores scholen ȝe here jn ryme.

389

Evere the bataylle ful gret hit was,
there as cleodalys was jn plas.
And assone as these xlij men
amonges þat peple weren entred then,
they fowhten faste on eche a syde,
and moche peple was Slayn that tyde.
many speres to-borsten weren there,
helmes j-cloven & scheldes jn fere;
dede bodyes fillen faste adown,
eche man on othir jn vyrown.
So that jn þe feldes al abowte
Stedis þere wenten a ful gret rowte,
here reynes hangeng betwene here feet,
that eche man forth hem passen let.
and euere þe steward defendid him faste,
tyl he was reskwed atte laste.
there many a lady was husbondles,
and many a sostyr brothirles,
and many a modir was childles,
Thorwh strokis of cleoda[li]s jn þat pres.
Whanne Sonygranx And Kyng Sorpharouns
beheldyn al tho grete distrocciouns
and the grete slawhtre that there was,
anon kyng Sonigranx jn that plas
his trompes let Blowen, his tymbers let bete
here mene there forto gaderen to hepe.
And anon as assembled they were,
Sire kay amonges hem entrede there,
Sire Lucans and ek Sire gyrflees
amonges hem prekede jnto þat pres.
ech of hem hadde a gret Stowr lawnce,
þer-with amonges hem they gonnen preken & praunce.
Anon sire kay kyng Sonygranx mette,
and swich a boffet þere he him sette,
that tope ouer tayl he goth to grownde,

390

where as he lay a ful long stownde,
that neuere remevede foot ne hand,
as j do ȝow here to vndirstand.
Ryht tho sire Lucauns and sire girfles
slowen tweyne stark ded jn that plas.
Whanne kyng Sonygranx to grownde was leyd,
anon these hethen maden a gret Breyd
hym to reskwe with alle here myht,
but that the xlij felawes anon ryht
abouten Sonygranx assemblid echon,
that thike tyme nyhe hym myhte come non.
So that gretly defoulyd he was,
as he lay there jn that plas,
er that he myhte recoueren ageyn;
the hethen abowtis semblede, certeyn.
and merline, that bar the Banere,
the cccc he cam to refreschen there,
and the xlij felawes jn his compenye
jn þat bataylle weren sprad, ful Sekerlye.
and cleodalis Sormowntyd was
& on a good destrer sette jn þat plas,
and his Baner evere held he stylle.
Thanne ascryen he gan with good wille,
that tyme assembleden they ful faste,
and ho so myhte to-fore gon, they gonne haste.
Anon there be-gan a merveillous stour,
that was ful of angwis & of dolour.
there knyhtes feld men myhten se
betwixen hors legges ful gret plente.
but of the hethene so gret peple was,
that hard it was to entren jn that plas.
and so they fowhten evere than & then,
tyl atte theke v thousend men
that fledden from Torayse atte þe bataylle,
aȝen retorneden, with-outen faille.
they repeyrede anon to kyng Sorpharins
and to kyng Sonigranx, with-owten lesinges.

391

But these xlij goode Saudioures,
that jn that Bataylle weren stout & fers,
wolde not remeven non foot of lond
there as Sonigranx was beten, j vndirstond.
Atte laste this Sonigranx remounted was
with gret sorwe & peyne jn that plas.
thanne began there anon newe bataylle,
For avenged wolde he be, with-owten faylle.
Anon the kyng sonigranx & his meyne
the xlij they hadden envyrownd, Sekerle.
thanne entrede merlyne with his baner
with al þe myht that he myhte ther.
and the cc & .l. knyhtes of þe rounde table,
they weren Sourmontyd, with-owten fable,
and a ful gret pas they comen rydand
to þe banere þat merlyne bar on hande,
and to that part they gonnen drawe,
where-offen merlyne was ryht fawe.
Whanne that these cc & .l. knyhtes
to the bataylle weren sembled jn ryhtes,
Amonges Here Enemyes they gonne to Reke,
there many a spere gonne they to-breke.
and whanne here Speres to-broken were,
anon here Swerdis they drowen owt there.
So strong was the bataille, certeinle,
that hit was wondir to behold & se.
On the tothyr partye þe steward cleodalys
with his meyne ful sore fauht, j-wys.
but for non power that was hem among,
here a stale myhten they not kepen ful long,
but sorpharynis to the cyte ward wente
ryht velonusly with his entente.
thanne cam þe two thousend of þe cyte,
that toforn tym jn the chas hadden be.
and whanne they syen the stywardis banere
and with him gret compenie there,
anon they torneden jnto that partye.

392

and jn here goynge thedirward, sekerlye,
they slowen a thousend jn here comeng,
and thanne with cleodalis they maden restyng.
thanne there began a newe bataylle,
as j ȝow seye with-owten faylle,
that the Noyse wel herd myhte haue ben
passeng a ful long myle then.
this kyng Sorpharyn hadde on his side
x thousend men that jlke tyde,
and cleodalis hadde on his partye
but fyve thousend, certeynlye.
On the tothir partye was gret fyhtyng
of hem of þe round table, with-owten lesyng,
and the xlij sowdiours jn fere
aȝens kyng Sonigranx fowhten there,
that aȝens viij thousend helden bataylle,
and weren at gret mischef, with-owten faylle;
For they myhten not long endure
aȝens swich a meyne, j ȝow ensure.
thanne merlyne clepede kyng ban anone,
and to hym he seide ful sone:
“barouns, bachelers, bothe fre & bolde,
what stonde ȝe stille & so beholde?
here ben but fyve geauntis in this stede
that thus this meyne doth ouer-lede.
weren theke fyve distroyed sone,
thanne were al this bataylle done.”
“what partye ben they,” quod kyng ban tho,
“ȝondir jn bataylle boþe to & fro?”
“certes,” quod merlyn, “j schal ȝow telle:
Vlphines, Gyrfles, & bretel the snelle,
Sire kay, & Sire lucauns also,
with hem they fyhten & suffren wo.
and behold & seweth now aftyr me,
thanne the sothe there scholen we se,
wich of this compenye best doth him bere;
the sothe thanne scholen we preven there”

393

thussone merlyne faste forth rod,
and these knyhtes non lengere abod,
but forth they entrede jnto þat bataylle,
vj knyhtes aȝens xx jeauntis, saun faylle,
that weren passeng owt of mesure.
kyng Ban to-fore rod, j ȝow ensure,
and þe ferst man he mette that day tho,
was kyng Sonygranx, with-owten mo.
kyng Ban jn honde his swerd held,
that al forsoylled was jn that feld
of mennis blood & mennes brayn,
as j ȝow declare Jn certayn.
þerwith vppon the helm he smot him there,
that thorwh the Sercle hit wente ful clere
and thorwh the vysage evene down ryht,
that vppon the left scholdre hit alyht,
that hit fley jnto the feld
bothe the left arm & ek the Scheld.
Thanne made He gret Noyse, & Fowle He ferde,
that fer jnto the ost hit was herde.
And kyng Bors smot marganaus, for soth,
that thorwh the panne hit wente jnto þe teth.
On the tothyr partye kyng Arthour
Ful wel he bar hym jn that Stowr.
he smot a jeaunt thorwh hauberk & scheld,
that he fyl ded down jn the feld,
and vlphyn anothir geaunt slowhe,
Balaater, a strong thef and a towhe.
And Bretel slowh Gordaunt, & kay dendonart;
these jeawntes Slowen they jn here part.
Lucauns slowh maleeȝ, & Gyrfles manadape;
these jeaw[n]tis slowen they, hit was here hape.
And meraungis slowh Sadut jn that plas,
and gornauns kadrus Slowh dolas.
Anon as the hethene Syen these thus slayn,
To flen ful faste they weren ful fayn.
For they seyden hit wolde not avaylle
aȝens the cristene to holde bataylle.

394

Avaunt knyhtes of the table rownde
and þe two and fourty Soudiowrs jn þat stownde!
Anon the hethene sore abasched they were,
For of hem we[r]en slayn mochel peple there.
So that faste they gonne forto fle,
that alle the Sowdyours hit myhte se,
tel to kyng Sorpharyns they comen, j-wys,
that bataylle held with cleodalis.
thanne borsten the hethen Jnto that pres,
that non man there ne myhten hem ses,
So harde, that they whiche jn þe place were,
Forsoken here place maugry here.
and neuere they wolden astynte ne abyde,
tyl that to-fore toraysse they comen that tyde.
Anon thanne the peple of the cyte
wondir Sore affrayed weren, Sykyrle,
that the Banere Syen they not than
of here owne worthy kyng leodagan,
wherby thei thowhten thanne anon
that taken or dede they weren echon.
On þe tothir partye they syen not here kyng,
that the Sowdeoures hadden be reskewyng;
wherfore they weren abasched wel sore,
For that here kyng they syen not comen thore.
and whanne they comen to-fore the town,
thanne alle lost thei wende hadde ben jn virown.
For but vj thousend of cristen ther were
and jresch hethen xij thousend, as ȝe mown here.
Nedis the Sowdeoures weren at gret mischef,
So that to the cyte they gonnen relef.
and euere the ceteȝeins, the soþe to say,
of þe Sowdeours weren sore aferd, in fay.
whanne the Sowdeours and here compenye
among the hethen weren entrid, Sekyrlye,
there began a ful gret stowr

395

Ful of angwysch & of dolowr;
the wheche endured ful longe than,
For there was slayn ryht many a man:
For a thousend there fyllen jn that pres
atte ferste entre, with-owten les,
that neuere recouerede aftyr ageyn,
as j ȝow Seye now jn certeyn.
On the tothir partye, whanne þe knyhtes of the rounde table
and the xlij Sowdeoures, with-owten fable,
hadden discomfyt Sonigrenx the kyng,
and to flyht was put, with-owten lesyng,
they wolden non lengere aftyr hym chase;
For merlyne hem withheld jn that plase,
and drowh hem jnto on partye
of that feld, ful Sekyrlye,
and to hem alle seide ryht anon:
“herkeneth now, Lordynges everichon,
ȝe scholen non ferthere Sewen hem here,
but doth now as j schal ȝow Lere:
Alyhteth of ȝoure hors jn this tyde
Hem to refreschen, there to Abyde;
For ȝowre hors ful wery they be,
al be-swet and be-bled, as ȝe mown se.”
and they deden anon his comandement,
as j ȝow Seye, with ful good entent.
So that there they alyhten alle anon,
and refresched hem thanne everichon,
for therto they hadden ful gret mester,
alle the compenye of hem jn fer.
Anon ther spak kyng leodagan,
and vnto merlyne Seyde he than:
“Sire, wylen ȝe that these goode men here
with ȝoure xlij myhte ben alle jn fere?”
“ȝe certis, Sire,” quod merlyne thanne,
“to vs js welcomen every good manne.

396

For mochel the bettere scholen we do
al jn on wynge to-gederis forto go.”
Anon thanne clepyd kyng leodagan
hervy the ryvel, his banorer, than,
and preyde hym thanne forto comen ner
jn compenye with these goode men to dwellen her—
“and ȝoure Feleschepe with ȝow also,
For jn on compenye now scholen we go.”
“Ful gladliche, sire,” quod hervy ryvele,
“For Of here compenye vs lyketh ful wel,
ȝif that so here wylle now be.”
“ȝis,” quod kyng leodagan, “certeinle,
For from this day hens forward
but on compenye to ben both styf & hard.”
“depardeux,” quod Sire hervy thenne,
“For good is the Feleschepe of ryht good menne.”
Thanne to-gederis weren they alle
jn on compenye, as gan be-falle.
and merlyne to-fore be-gan to ryde;
thanne alle they hym seweden þat ilke tyde.
And whilles they reden thus jn fere,
as ȝe han me herd rehersen here,
Al the whille the steward cleodalis
with vj thousend jn his compenye, j-wis,
aȝens kyng Sorpharynes fawht he tho,
that with hym hadde xij thousend men & mo.
but enbataylled non thing they were,
but ay fyhtyng they weren here & there,
for they wendyn han mad an ende
of cleodalis meyne, & so thanne they wende,
For at gret mischef, certeyin, they were,
they that with Cloadalis weren there,
For jn poynt to ȝelden they weren echone
and ek here place to forsaken welsone.
thanne they lokede hem beside
and Syen merlynes Baner that tyde,
the dragon that the feer blew so hygh,

397

as hit hem Semede, jn-to the Skyhe,
that al the eyr semede on fyire there;
Swich wondris they syen that þere were.
And whanne that the ladyes vppon þe cyte walle
behelden merlynes Banere alle,
anon they cryden to Cleodalys,
that vndir the walles fawht, j-wys:
“ha, Cleodalis, of good comfort thou be,
For here cometh socour anon to the!”
And whanne Cleodalis herd hem so crye
that on the walles stooden an hye,
he loked anon toward the valeye,
and beheld where thanne comen theye.
Thanne wyste he wel that jn tyme comenge
that sone scholde he hauen Socourenge,
and thankede god omnipotent,
that thider Socour hath hym sent.
thanne clepede he his men jn vyrown,
that abowtis hym comen wel son:
“now mowen ȝe ben bothe glad & save,
For here comen they þat we desired haue.”
thanne Cleodalis for gret joye of herte
Amonges the hethene than gan he sterte,
And His meyne Forth With hym;
thanne wax the bataylle wondir Grym.
with that cam on this othir meyne,
and of hem Slowen ful gret plente:
.ccc. they Slowen atte ferste set
Jn here ferst comenge, with-owten let,
that neuere to lyve restored ageyn
more thanne they that jn helle ben, certeyn;
Ne non departeson they maden, j-wys,
til they comen to þe steward Cleodalis.
Whanne they weren entred alle jn fere
anon merlyne gan forto ascryen there:
“haa, lordynges, knyhtes, & bachelere,
let se how ȝe konne beren ȝow here.

398

For ȝe ben comen now to ȝoure asay;
therfore let now se how ȝe konne play.”
whanne that kyng Artheur herde this,
To kyng Ban & kyng Bors he seyde, j-wys,
ryht hertely lawghenge jn his manere,
to tho two kynges thanne seide he there
that—“neuere a bettere boorde was
thanne now is be-gonnen jn this plas.”
thanne seide merlyne to hem anon:
“beleve ȝoure boordyng now everichon,
For al this wyke ȝe mown jn fere
bothe Lawghen & boorden & make good chere.”
whanne they vndirstod merlyne So speke,
amonges here enemyes gonne they reke
welful of jre and maultalent.
there began a gret Stour present:
the sorrest that was of al theke day,
at that tyme there began, jn fay.
There began Arthewr a merveyllous thing
be his owne handis as jn werkyng,
as merlyne hym cownseyllede at that tyde,
that al the world of hym spak so wyde.
and gonnore, that on the walles was than,
the dowhter of kyng leodagan,
alle the ladyes and þe maydenis also,
to hevene ward here hondis heldyn tho,
and preyden for Artheuris Savaciown,
that with enemyes was be-set jn virown,
and wepten for rowthe and for pyte.
So manye hethene aȝens crystyente
merveille to suffren there hit was,
So ȝonge as they weren jn that plas.
but kyng Arthewr amongis hem echon
distroyede most of alle here fon.
For [with] his swerd, that hyhte Calybrond,
whiche that he bar þere jn his hond,
bothe on þe ryhte syde & on the lefte
manye hedis & scholderis he hem berefte,

399

legges, armes, & thyes also;
bothe knyhtes & hors to grownde gonne go.
he made here helmes fleen jnto þe feld
and knyhtes ded fallen vndir here scheld.
Ek the Sercles, that weren mad of Stel,
aȝens his strok holden myhten non del.
but evere abowtes hym good warde þere was
hym forto saven there jn that plas.
For aȝens kyng Bors and kyng Ban
non maner of armure myhte duren than.
thanne so they wrowhten there jn fere,
that here strokis dorste non man abyden there,
what of hem of the rownde table
and of the xlij Sowdiowrs, with-owten fable.
For amongis hem was forȝeten non thyng,
whanne that they comen to here bekeryng.
Ful strong was þe bataylle and the stowr
that to-forn þe cyte of Torayse was þat owr
(and every knyht Jn his owne degre
Ful boldly there hym bar, ful Sykirle),
and dured al the day, as j ȝow telle,
tyl that hit rang with evesong belle.
that So nygh they weren to the cyte,
Not thens A stones cast, Sykerle.
but whanne hit cam to þe owr of noon tho,
of al that day fowhten they not So,
that xij thowsend Jnto nyne was browht;
at that tyme so sore the crystene þere fowht.
Whanne Sorpharynes Sawhe that hit wente so,
anon be his creaunce Swor he tho
that he wolde neuere from that grownd gon,
tyl that he were venged of his fon.
Anon he clepede his kynnes-men than,
Sire Gaydone & also Sire Sotybran,
Sire Senebant & Sire Claryown,
Sire mallors & sire Freellent jn virown;
They weren knyhtes bothe goode & bolde,

400

as jn this Storye here hit is tolde.
they dressed hem forth alle jn fere
amonges theke worthy Sowdyowrs there.
hit happede kyng Sorpharyn to meten tho
Sire hervy the Ryvel, as hit gan go.
and Sire Ryvel he smot so sore that tyde,
that down to þe erthe gan he glyde.
and aftyr Ancor he smot also,
that down to grownde thanne gan he go.
Sethen Sire gyrfles smot he there,
that hors & man to grownd he bere.
and ech of his felawes smot a knyht,
that to the grownde he fyl anon ryht;
thanne ech of his felawes bar hym so,
and maden here aduersarye to grownde go.
but there nas non wondid to þe ded
that felden were jn thyke sted.
Sire Lucans þe botelers happed thanne thus,
Sire meraungis & sire Gorvayns Caradus,
Sire blyobers, sire galeys luchauns, as telleth this tale,
Sire kay þe steward & sire guniret of lambale,
ek Sire Godam and Sire staungot,
the nithe was sire Bretel, wel j wot:
alle these jn the feld j-feld they were.
but non man wyste the sothe there,
whethir be strok of lawnce hit was
or be defawt of here hors jn that plas.
thanne a ful gret noysse there began
and a wondir gret dowst forsothe than,
that non of hem othir myhten se,
as this storye reherseth certeynle.
but evere the hethene peynede hem faste
the cristene to distroyen Jn alle haste.
Anon these worthy nyne knyhtes
vppon here Feet keuerede anon ryhtes.
with here naked swerdis on honde
Styfly to-gederis gonne they stonde,
and Fowhten with hem with alle here myht

401

For there began thanne a ful strong fyht.
but lytel hit avayllede at that Tyde,
For the jeauntes on hem ful sore gonnen abyde.
thanne cam merlyne to here socour
with his Baner on hande jn that stowr.
Anon kyng Sorpharynes, that jeaunt, tho
To kyng leodagan thanne gan he go,
and smot hym evene amyddis the scheld,
that hors and man Fyl jn the Feld.
So lowe bar Sorpharynes his spere there:
kyng leodagan[s] hors Slowh he there,
So that bothe they lyen atte grownde,
kyng leodagan & his hors, that stownde.
whanne they of the cyte behelden this,
Gret sorwe they maden & cryden, j-wys,
For they wendyn kyng leodagan hadde be ded;
So sore he Fyl there jn that sted.
thanne to here reskews eche man wente,
and sore they fowhten with good entente.
whanne that kyng Artheur herde this
of that stowt jeawnt & grym, j-wys,
That feld hadde fowre so worthy men,
kyng Artheur swor anon ryht then
that on þeke jeaunt hym-self wolde asaye
To Weten Whethyr of Hem Bettere cowde playe.
Jnto that reng kyng arthewr wente
with a boystous spere on honde, veramente,
the hed ful Scharpe and wel j-grownde,
and forth he rod jn that Stownde.
hit happede that aȝens hym cam kyng ban,
and to kyng Artheur there seide he than:
“with whom thenken ȝe to josten here?
not with this jeaunt jn non manere!
For to ȝow he is to strong jn this Felde,
For ȝe ben ȝit but of ȝong elde.
but let now me aȝens him go
Forto asayen what j may do.
For j am eldere of age than ȝe

402

and ek, j trowe, strengere, certeinle.”
“Now god Forbede,” quod kyng artheur tho,
“that evere ony man but j hym go to.
For the more þat dowted the jeaunt Js,
the sonnere asayen hym j schal, j-wys.
For elles my-selve j scholde neuere knowe
what j myhte don anothyr throwe.”
Whanne merlyne Sawh Arthewr Taryen So,
wondirly he ascryede hym anon tho:
“what Taryest thou here, þou fowle coward?
dredyst thou the jeaunt jn this part?
Go, coward, and do as thou scholdest do.”
and whanne kyng Artheur herde merlyne speken so,
and that coward he clypede hym thanne,
Ful sore aschamed was þat worthy manne.
Anon he prekede jnto that pres,
that for non thing ne wolde he ses.
thanne anon bespak kyng Ban,
and þere to merlyne seyde he than:
“me thynketh hit is not ryht wel do
to chargen Artheur forto don so,
So ȝong a man as Arthewr now js
aȝens that gret devel to josten, j-wys.”
“there-offen non warde,” quod merlyn tho,
“but tak ȝoure spere and aftyr hym ȝe go,
and ȝowre brothir and Vlphyn jn compenye;
aftyr hym faste that ȝe don hye.”
his comandement they fulfylden in haste,
also swithe as here hors myhten laste.
whanne kyng Sorpharynes Sawh Arthewr there,
anon aȝens hym he gan forto bere.
And whanne they of the reng behelden this,
thanne hoveden they alle stylle, j-wys.
For of Arthewr they hadden gret drede,
lest that the jeawnt hym scholde ouer-lede.
So sore to-gederis they metten atte laste,
that bothe here speres there al to-barste.

403

Sorpharynes Arthewr jn þe flanke hyrte,
that a lytel hit gan hym smerte.
and Artheur smot him so sore ageyn
thorwh Scheld and hauberk, jn certeyn,
that thorwgh the chyne the spere owt glod
an arme lengthe behynde, er hit with-stod,
that bothe hors and man to grownde they wente
evene tope ouer tayl thanne, veramente.
These Justes beheld this lady gonnore,
the dowhter of kyng Leodegan, þat was thore,
as sche atte a fenestre wyndowe lay;
sche beheld al theke bataylle that day,
and merveyllede what this Bacheler was,
that there so wel bar hym jn that plas.
Non wyht his name cowde tellen that owr,
but that hit was on a worthy Sowdyowr—
“that ȝoure fadyr hath now with-holde;
what so evere he be, he is a man ful bolde.”
“Sertes,” quod the mayden tho,
“From goode men nedis cam he fro.
For but ȝif of hygh blood that born he were,
he cowde neuere so handelen neþer scheld ne spere.”
So that al thyke day jnto the ende
of the sowdiours to speken sche wolde not lende.
Anon kyng Bors and kyng Ban
Jnto that Reng anon entred than,
eche of Hem With a spere Bothe myhty and strong,
with hedis scharpe j-grownden, bothe stordy and long.
There kyng Bors smot Sortybran,
and kyng ban smot Claryel than;
Vlphynes smot Sire Gaydon jn þat plas,
that of his lyf bereft he was.
so that these jeauntes to dethe weren browht;
thanne eche man his enemy owt þere sowht.
ȝit forthere these thre gonnen to ryde,
So that eche of hem anoþer slowhe that tyde.
the ton slowh moras, the tother Laundon,
the thrydde senebawnt he slowh anon,

404

So that stylle they leften there,
tyl that awey they were born on bere.
Anon kyng Artheur his swerd gan drawe,
For eft to fyhten he was ful fawe.
Sire mallore there he smot that day
thorwh-out the helm, the sothe to say,
For that he lay vppon kyn[g] Ban;
ful bytterly he smot hym than,
and so he dede Sire Freelent,
that bothen purposeden with good entent
For to han had kyng bannes hed
Evene from the body jn that sted.
For the ton his helm wolde han of drawe,
the toþer with a mas wold han hym Slawe.
thanne lefte not kyng Artheur for non of this,
but welsone malloreȝ hed he hadde, j-wys,
and mad hit flen jnto the feld
bothe from body and ek from scheld.
Whanne Freelent Sawh his felawe ded,
that was his cosyn, jn that sted,
his mas he gan lyften ful hye
kyng Artheur to han smeten, Sekerlye.
Artheur his scheld threw vpe anon,
that þe strok hym scholde not lyhten vppon.
and so sore he smot jn that tyde,
that jnto þe feld þe scheld gan glyde
and vppon the lefte scholdere decendyd adowne,
that on þe hors nekke hit stynte wel son.
and vpe aȝen freellent wolde han rekured his mas;
anothyr thowhte Artheur jn that plas.
he smot his hors with his speres tho,
and aȝen to Freellent gan he go,
and vppon the helm hym hytte þere jn hy,
that Jnto the gorget hit wente ful ny.
thanne the hethene gonnen forto crye,
For sore aferd weren they, sekerlye.
For socowr non hadden they thar

405

but only of Raundolk, þat the baner bar.
to hym rod kyng Ban wel swithe,
and a good strok hym rawhte ful blythe,
that bothe the arm and baner also
jnto the feld bothe flowen tho.
thussone welfaste þese theves gonne crye,
and aweyward faste they gonne hem hye.
hanne the chas so longe dyde laste,
yl thyke day was al apaste.
So that many men j-slayn ther were,
that of th[e] ix thowsend þat weren there,
nas left but .v. thousend, þe sothe to say,
whiche that faste gonnen flen here way.
and to kyng ryown they wenten ful faste,
where as at þe sege he was ful preste,
and tolden kyng ryown everydel
how that be hem hit be-fyl,
and of the grete mortalite
that amonges hem was, ful sekerle.
hanne swor kyng ryown be his Sewrte
þat he wolde not owt of that contre,
Tyl he hadde taken kyng Leodagan
And Jn His presown to Hauen Hym than.
Thanne sente kyng ryown jnto his lond
aftyr more meyne, as j vndirstond,
thorwh-owt denmark, al that contre,
bothe high & lowgh, of eche degre,
and viaunde jnowh with hem to brynge,
that may two ȝer to-gederis ben durenge
For cc thousend of Fyhtyng men;
that vytaylle mowe Sufficen than.
For that werre he wolde begynne wel strong
and vigerously werren hem among.
So that they sembleden every day,
that with-jnne a mounthe, [the sothe] forto say,
cc thousend and Fyfty men

406

with-jnne that mounthe weren sembled than,
of wheche xx kynges ther were
To kyng Ryown comen there.
Gret karyage they browhten with hem also
of wynes, of vytaylle, as was forto do.
So that here ost they kepten jn fere,
that for non vyaunde ferreyen scholden they there,
but ȝif hit be jn-to on partye;
For plente of viaunde hadden they, Sekerlye.
Faste they asaylleden the cyte there,
but they with-jnne of hem hadden non fere,
For the cyte was bothe byg and strong.
But skars of vetaylle was hem among,
that was here drede for enfamyneng,
lest the Sege were longe dureng.
thus cam Socour thanne every day
To kyng Ryown, the sothe to Say.
For welsore agreved he was
of the meyne he hadde lost jn that plas.
Now leveth of this mater here,
Of kyng Ryown & of his ost jn fere
and of hem with-jnne the cyte.
And of kyng Arthewr speke now we
and of his felawes jn compenye;
Now to that mater let vs faste hye.
This Storye here declareth a newe tale,
how these hethene jeauntes weren browht in bale,
and how glad that they of the cyte
and joyful weren, whanne they gonnen fle,
Ek that so lytel a compenye
hem hadde j-scomfyted, certeinlye,
that jn al but vj thousend an ccc were;
aȝens xv thousend they fowhten there.
and the scomfyture only hit was
be merlynes helpe and goddis gras.
whanne the hethen they hadde chased jnto þe nyht,
thanne to Torayse they torneden anon ryht,
where as was kyng leodagan;
Ful joyful and merye weren they than.

407

For leodagannes men hadden hym vp take,
whilles the Sowdiours wrowhten the hethen wrake.
And whanne Leodegan wiste the Sowdiowrs comenge,
aȝens hem he wente jn cowntrynge.
Wondir gret joye thanne made the kyng,
whanne they to-gederis comen jn metyng.
But Whanne Sire Antron And Girflet they fownden þere,
Sire kay & Sire Lucawns the Botelere,
and alle here oþer Feleschepe, bothe hòl & sownd,
thanne weren [they] joyful vppon that grownd.
For they wenden, ded that they hadden be
oþer ellis taken presoner, certeyinle.
and they hadden wonne good gret plente;
Anon kyng leodagan, Sekerle—
anon to the Sowdeowrs hit was to sent,
with that good hem forto present.
For better he wolde, and he bettere myhte do,
but natheles that thedyr sent he tho.
Whanne they seyen the grete curtesye
that kyng leodegan dede openlye,
they hym thankede a thouse[n]d Sythe,
and to that messenger seyden as blythe:
“we thanken the kyng of his gret sonde;
let hym depart yt forth Jn his londe!
and anothyr tyme, whanne we hauen nede,
we wylen resceyven that he vs bede.”
thanne cam merlyne Faste anon,
and to the thre kynges gan he gon,
and bad hem Resceyven ouer alle thyng
the presentes that to hem sente þe kyng.
So they hit took, as merlyn hem bad,
and amonges þe peple distrebucioun they mad,
and leften not the valw of on peny
To here owne partis, ful Sekerly.

408

So that alle men of that contre
Tho Sowdyowrs preyseden ful hertele.
So that the contre repleynsched was abowte
of þe goodis þat they ȝoven, with-owten dowte.
For hem that the Sowdeours neuere Sye,
mochel worschepe hem spoken, certeynlye,
and al for here largenesse & here good dede
thorwh-owt the rem of hem gan sprede.
And al this was be merlynes cownsaille,
as j ȝow Seye with-owten faylle.
Artheur to his ost he ȝaf that day
bothe Richesse, and Robes, and many palfray;
that alle the dayes aftyr of here lyve
moche bettere myhten they bothen thryve.
Whanne that kyng Arthour hadde thus j-do,
and alle the richesses departyd so,
that vppon the hethene they hadden gete
(hit was departyd, er he wolde lete),
thanne they gonnen entren jnto þe town
with al here feleschepe jn virown.
thanne seide kyng Leodegan tho
to alle the Sowdiowrs, as they gonne go,
and wolde non Suffren with al his myhte
Jn that town there Forto alyhte
Sauf only at his owne paleys;
he hem besowhte, with-owten les.
Nether neuere owt of his compenye
he ne wolde not Suffren hem, trewelye,
but with the knyhtes of the rownde table
with hem jn compenye to ben, with-owten fable.
And whanne vnarmed that they were,
kyng leodagan his dowhter to hem sente there
with the richest robes that he hadde,
dame gonnore, his dowhter, to hem ladde,
and hot water to waschen hem Jn
jn bacenis of gold bothe goode & fyn.

409

but Arthewr of hem wolde taken non Servyse,
Tyl kyng leodagan comaunded jn alle wyse
and merlyne Bad hem there also
The Servyse of hem to taken tho.
So that the gentyl damysele anon
whisch tho thre kynges be on and on,
bothe Artheuris Body and his nekke also
and face, & with a towaylle wypte hem tho.
And ek bothe kynges jn the Same manere
that gentyl gonnore wesch ryht There.
and the tothyr gonnore, þat begeten was
on cleodalis wyf with-jnne his plas,
Servede al the tothyr compenye
With Helpe of othere Damyselys, certeynlye.
whanne that gonnore Leodaganes dowhtyr, J-wys,
these thre kynges hadde Servyd thus,
thanne hire owne fadyr, kyng leodagan,
hym forto waschen this mayden gan than.
and whanne that thus j-waschen they were,
Gonnore to ech of hem a mentyl took there.
kyng Arthewr was a man ful of bewte,
and that beheld this mayden, ful certeynle.
And kyng Artheur beheld hyre also;
So mochel of Bewte hadde sche tho.
thanne so they spoken betwixen hem tweyne,
that to Arthour this damysele gan Seyne
that glad jn herte sche was, Sekerle,
of swich a worthy body beloued to be.
Thanne whanne al this was J-do,
on the morwe to mete scholden they go.
So that they weschschen & seten a-down,
these worthy thre kynges & amonges hem non.
And alle the knyhtes of þe rownde table
benethen the Sowdiours seten, sauns fable.
but bothe kyng Bors and kyng Ban
betwixen hem bothe setten Artheur than.
For they deden hym ful gret honour,

410

For he was a man of gret valour.
kyng leodagan took gret kep tho
of the reuerence they gonne hym do,
and vndirstood wel be here Servyse
that here souereyn he was jn alle wyse,
and merveyllede gretly what he scholde be,
For fayn wolde he han wyst, Sykerle.
and to hym-Self he thowhte ryht there
that he hadde weddid his dowhter gonnore.
For he sawh neuere man of swich entaylle,
but of hygh blood he were, saunȝ faille.
“Oþer ellis the goode Lord jn maieste
thys man for socour hath sent to me,
a spiryt to ben jn mannes lyknesse
this rewm to defenden from distresse,
j wot wel, not only for the loue of me,
but for the Sustenaunce of crystyente
and ek holy chirche Forto meynteyne.”
thus to hym-Self kyng Leodagan gan seyne.
At that mete mochel thowhte than
this worthy kyng Leodagan
how that he reskewed was, jn feye,
with xlij felawes jn the valeye,
that hym reskewed of .v. hundred men,
whiche that to preson ward ladden hym then,
and browhten hym a-geyn with gret richesse,
and Slowen alle tho that weren jn that prese.
So that for thowht that he was jnne ther,
nothyng he ete at his dener.
Thanne that aspyde hervy the Revelle,
and þere-offen hadde merveylle euerydelle.
Anon to the table to hym he wente,
and there hym aresoned, veramente.
he seide that neuere sethen he was bore—
“Say j ȝow neuere of swich chere before,
ne neuere abasched So, jn good fay,
as ȝe ben here this jlke day.

411

For ȝe owhten gret joye to make
only for these goode mennis sake;
and ȝe faren wondirly for the nones,
as thowgh ȝe weren not of these wones.”
Anon kyng leodegan hym bethowhte,
how merveillously this man hadde wrowhte,
and Seyde: “hervy, my dere Frende,
J thenke here of a wondyr ende,
of the beste dede of on worthy man,
that of al the world now tellen j kan.
wherfore j ne may not with-holden me,
but on hym to thenken, certeynle.
and therfore, goode Sire, so blame me nowht,
For this day for me hath he Sore wrowht.”
“Sire, ȝit may j that leven ryht wel,
But At this time ȝe most Leven hit eche del.
and whanne tyme cometh, thenk what ȝe lyst,
For what now ȝe thenken, may not be wyst.
but to hem maketh joye and ek Solas,
For ȝe han gret cause here Jn this plas.
therfore abaschscheth non thing ȝoure chere,
For aȝens hem ȝe mistaken ȝow here.”
“Sauf vostre grace,” quod kyng Leodagan tho,
“jn non wise that wil j now do.
now goth and Sittyth down to ȝoure mete,
and al pensifnesse now schal j lete.”
Thanne Sette hym sire hervy down to mete
amonges his felawes, with-owten lete,
and the kyng to tho Barowns spak ful meryely.
thanne gonnere Leodagans dowhter, trewely,
of wyn Servyd hire fadir jn a cowpe of goold
and kyng Artheur on knees; þat lette sche nold.
kyng Artheur here beheld ryht wel,
and of alle hyre fetures hym lykede eche del.
hym thowhte sche was the fairest lady
of that Lond or of al bretygne, sekerly.
that mayden al dischevele sche wente,

412

with strawht Sydes, & myddel ful gente.
On hire hed a chapelet of gold was set
Ful of precyous stones, with-owten let.
hyre vysage was bothe Bryht and schene,
entermellyd whyt and with red betwene
Ful naturely, as hit Scholde be,
Neþer more ne lasse be qwantyte;
hire scholderis wel large, hyre armes ful gent,
bothe longe and smale, verament;
with a merveillous faire Schapen Body
and þerto Fayre schapen loynes, Sekerly;
with smale feet wel schapen & gent:
Fairere cowde non man devysen, verament;
hire handis white, fyngres longe and smale:
of hire bewte joye hit is to tellen ony tale.
ȝif that this mayde hadde al this Bewte,
ȝit hadde sche dubble fold moche more bownte,
bothe prowesse, largenesse, & kurtesye,
of gret wyt and valour, Sekerlye.
Whanne kyng Artheur thus beheld this mayde,
as tofore this tyme j haue ȝow sayde,
he beheld hire pappes smale & gent,
bothe harde & rownde, verament;
as two smale apples Semed they there.
hire Flesch was whyt and wondirly clere;
there nas neuere snow, þat snew on grownde,
whittere thanne hire flesch that stownde;
and as bryht coloured forto se
as dropes of blod jn snow, certeinle.
So that kyng Artheur, verament,
that mayden coveytede with al his entent,
and anon for love he tornede his chere;
but that parceyved not the two kynges there.
This lady hym profered the wyn ryht thanne:
“drynketh, Sire Bacheler, and as a worthi manne!

413

Sire, blameth me not of my Servyse,
For ȝowre name knowe j not jn non wyse,
but oþer name of ȝow knowe j non,
and ȝif that j dede, j wolde rehersen son.
nomore abaschsched be ȝe of ȝoure mete
thanne ȝe ben ȝoure armure to lete,
whiche was wel sene ȝisterday
vppon the .v. hundred jn þe valay,
From whom ȝe reskewede my fadyr dere.
Sire, drynketh, j preye ȝow, & maketh good chere!”
he hym tornede anon gentylmanly wyse,
and seide: “damysele, graunt mercy of ȝoure Servyse,
and graunt me grace, er that J dye,
ȝoure gwerdoun to qwyten, as ȝe ben worthye.”
“sire, ȝe han me qwyt a thousend fold more
thanne j can rehersen ȝow before.
For What mown ȝe more Don For me
thanne my fadir to reskewen from his Enyme?
what thorwgh ȝow & ȝoure compenye
From preson ȝe deliuered hym, trewelye,
and ȝit more, sire Bacheler, dyden ȝe
my fadyr, that whanne feld was he
aforn the ȝates of this towne,
Sone hym recouered with Renowne.
For ȝe slowhen hym that him so bet,
that he lay ded there at his fet,
and putten ȝoure-seluen jn aventure
of ȝoure lyf, J ȝow ensure.
For so Sore ȝe wrowhten jn that bataylle,
that alle they fledden, with-owten faylle.”
Jn this maner spak this maydyn ȝyng
To that ȝonge bacheler, Artheur the kyng.
but non word he ne spak ageyn,
but took the cowpe & drank, certeyn,
and sethen that damysele to sitten comaunded he,
that so longe to-forn hym kneled on hire kne;
but that hire Fadyr ne wolde not so,

414

For with alle reuerence that he myhte do,
he wolde that Bacheler Servyd had be;
For his name knew he not, certainle.
And whanne that the clothes J-drawen were,
and ek that they hadde waschen there,
thanne anon be-spak kyng Ban
To that kyng there, Leodagan.
thanne kyng Ban be-gan to spelle,
and to kyng leodagan he gan to telle:
“Sire, j me merveille mochel now, trewelye,
of on thyng that j se with myn eye,
and of ȝow, that ben so wys a man,
that ȝoure dowhter maryen ȝe ne kan.
For sche hath age, wit, and discressioun
to ben weddid to ony hygh man of renown,
that ȝoure lond myhte helpe to defende,
Sethen god no mo children doth ȝow sende,
ȝoure eyr to ben aftyr ȝoure day,
ȝoure lond to gouernen and hauen for ay.”
“Now certis,” seyde kyng Leodagan tho,
“ne hadde þe werre j-ben, hit hadde be do;
For hit ful sore hath greved me.
kyng Ryown of Yrlond, Sykerle,
and of denmark also, the bolde,
thys vij ȝer werre with me hath he holde,
and neuere j ne kan Bryngen hit to an ende.
for sethen þat tyme non man hidir cam wende
to whom that j myhte my dowhter take
me to defenden, myn enemyes to wrake.
but so me god helpe, ful wytterly:
and ony worthy ȝong bacheler fynden myhte j,
that jn armes were goode and Sure,
and that with travaylle he myhte endure
and my werres forto meynteyngne,
Swych on j wolde my dowhter hadde, certeyngne,
and al my Lond aftyr my deces,
that j myhte lyven jn reste & pes;
al thowh he were of non hygh lynage,

415

of hygnesse of Lordschepe, ne of gret parage.
and wolde god hit were now fullyche j-wrowht,
as that j now thynke jn my thowht,
er that thre dayes fully don wende,
that mater wolde j bryngen to an ende,
To ryht a fair ȝong Bacheler;
boþe the beste and þe worthiest this is owher.
For j knowe ful wel, certeynly,
that he is a mochel more heyghere man than j.”
Anon toward kyng Bors loked merlyn than,
and to hym a signe sone make he be-gan
that for kyng Artheur spak he tho;
And certeynly so gan he do.
Thanne gonnen they to speken of othyr thyng,
where-offen Sory was Leodegan the kyng,
that he ne spak no more of that matere;
neþer of whens they weren, cowde he not lere.
And euere he beheld with herte wel sadde
what joye þe sowdeours of Artheur made,
whiche that maden hym to smerte
and forto ben ryht hevy jn herte.
For so worthy men these xlij Sowdiours were,
but abouen hem alle Artheur hadde most chere.
wherfore the kynges dowhter dame gonnore
Fulsore hire loue on hym caste thore,
and desired jn herte ful pryvyle,
to hym j-weddid that sche myhte be
aboven alle tho that evere sche say;
thus this storye reherseth jn fay.
Furthermore telleth ȝit this storye
that the fairest & wysest sche was, vtterlye,
of alle the ladyes of Bloye bretayngne
and best beloved, Jn certeygne,
the fairest, the bryhtest of al that lond
Sauf Elayne Saunȝ pere, j vndirstone,
whiche was Percyes wif of þe Rous,
and sche þe dowhtyr of kyng Pellous,

416

and aftyr was sche wyf to kyng Alayn,
that hurt was with þe veniable spere, certayn.
Ek this Pellenors, that pellous callen we,
thorwgh bothe thyes j-maymed was he,
as the seint Graal schal maken mynde,
lyk as here-aftyr jn this storie scholen ȝe fynde.
This mayden, of whiche ȝe vndirstond,
was the fairest thorwh-owt ony Lond.
Now sesen we now of this matere,
and til eftsones non more to speke þerof here,
tyl that thaventuris of seint Graal
holy discuren hit Somme an al.
and speken we forth of this meyne oure fille,
that jn kyng leodagannes court abyden stylle.
ryaly at here Soper weren they dyht,
as hit belongede to men of myht.
And whanne that the tables j-drawen were,
the thre kynges on syde merlyn took there,
and openly he seide there to hem alle:
“wilen ȝe now heren what is jn breteyne befalle?”
“ȝe certes,” quod kyng Artheur tho,
“that wolde j weten, er that J go.”
“wile ȝe weten,” quod merlyn, “with-owten faylle,
aforn Londone hath ben ful gret Bataylle
aȝens the hethene, that there j-entrid Js
and þat lond dispoillid han & robbed, J-wys.
So that with the pray that they hadden take,
Towardis douer here weye gonne they make
jnto the ost to leden that cariage
with ten thousend men of gret parage.
thanne so hit behapped jn that tyde,
that fyve of thy nevews comen þere Ryde,
that from here moderis departyd were
and vnknoweng of ony of here fadris dere.
thanne how these forreyeris that they mette,
j schal ȝow tellen, with-owten ony lette.