Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance by Herry Lovelich ... (AB. 1450 A.D.), edited from the unique ms. 80 in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, with an introduction, notes, and glossaries by Dr. Ernst A. Kock |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. | [Chapter VI] |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
 | [Chapter VI] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance |  |
[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,
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.
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,
182
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,
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.”
“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,
183
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
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
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
184
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.
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
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
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.
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
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!”
187
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.
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,
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.”
“Amonges ȝow here, in certeyn,
188
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.
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!”
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
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
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.
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
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.
.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,
how so euere hit happe, j preye to þe.”
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
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.
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
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!”
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
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!”
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!”
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
“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.
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.
For what thing that ȝe desiren of me,
certein, Sire, grauntyd sone schal jt be!”
“ȝowre Fadyr was j neuere, trewely,
but as be the weye of norture,
Ful certein, Sire, j ȝow ensure.
194
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
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.
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,
For ȝit of theleccioun they weren jn dwere.
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,
196
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.
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.
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,
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!”
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.
197
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,
198
“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.
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,
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?”
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,
199
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
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.
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
200
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.
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.
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.
201
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
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
[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.”
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
202
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
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.
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.
So thus the Sacreng there gan abyde
jnto pentecost, that holy tyde.
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.
204
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.
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.”
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,
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.
“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
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,
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.
“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
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.
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 VI] Merlin, a Middle-English metrical version of a French romance | |