Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance by Herry Lovelich ... (AB. 1450 A.D.), edited from the unique ms. 80 in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, with an introduction, notes, and glossaries by Dr. Ernst A. Kock |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. | [Chapter V] |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
 | [Chapter V] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance |  |
[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.”
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.
“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!”
and with hem cownseilede at that tyde.
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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:
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.
and tolden hym al of here cownseyllyng,
and how they cownseilled hem betwen;
what therby hym thowhte, now let Sen:
152
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
how that this pes he gan ordeygne.”
and þe kyng seide he wolde, certeygne.
Anon thanne clepede the kyng vlphyn
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
and þe kyng seide he wolde, certeygne.
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,
154
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.’
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 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,
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.
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,
155
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.
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,
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.”
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,
156
“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:
“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.”
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:
157
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.
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,
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.
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,
158
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,
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.”
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,
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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.”
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.”
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.
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.”
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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,
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.”
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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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!”
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,
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,
that we welen acordyn to this endyng!”
and thus thanne was knyt vpe the pes
on bothe partyes there, with-owten les.
they helden hem ful agreed, j-wys,
and comen to the kynges tente,
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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,
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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,
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.
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
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!”
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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.”
“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:
“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!”
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:
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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,
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!”
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,
167
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.”
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.
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.”
168
“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,
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 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
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!”
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!”
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.”
“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!”
and of prevyte spak hem betwene:
“dame, of on thyng J schal warnen the:
that myn comandement fulfyllen ȝe.”
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“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
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.
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
171
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,
and fulsore mornede & wepte there.
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
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
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!”
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
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 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
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.
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
174
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,
“Merlyne, conseille me now of this thing!”
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,
175
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
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.”
“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
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,
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!”
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,
177
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,
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!”
“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
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.
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.
179
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.
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!”
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
“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
with alle the Baronage, as j vndirstond,
jn the most worschepful and reverent gyse
they hym beryeden as they cowde devyse.
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
181
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.
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 V] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance | |