 | Of Arthour and Merlin |  |
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OF ARTHOUR AND OF MERLIN
AUCHINLECK MS.
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Al ous graunt gode ending
And seynt Marie þat swete þing
So be at our bigining
And help ous at our nede,
And leue ous wele to spede
Þat we habbeþ euer to don,
And scheld ous fram our fon.
Childer þat ben to boke ysett
In age hem is miche þe bett
For þai mo witen and se
Miche of Godes priuete
Hem to kepe and to ware
Fram sinne and fram warldes care,
And wele ysen ȝif þai willen
Þat hem no þarf neuer spillen—
Auauntages þai hauen þare
Freynsch and Latin eueraywhare.
Of Freynsch no Latin nil y tel more
Ac on I[n]glisch ichil tel þerfore:
Riȝt is þat I[n]glische vnderstond
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Freynsche vse þis gentil man
Ac euerich Inglische Inglische can,
Mani noble ich haue yseiȝe
Þat no Freynsche couþe seye,
Biginne ichil for her loue
Bi Ihesus leue þat sitt aboue
On Inglische tel mi tale—
God ous sende soule hale.
Now ich ȝou telle þis romaunce:
A king hiȝt while sir Costaunce
Þat regned in Inglond.
Mani [OMITTED]
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A king hiȝt while sir Costaunce
Þat regned in Inglond.
Mani [OMITTED]
H[OMITTED]
O[OMITTED]
H[OMITTED]
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A[OMITTED]
Þ[OMITTED]
N[OMITTED]
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Costaunce [OMITTED]
Þat oþer broþer name was
Sir Aurilis Brosias,
Þe þridde broþer of gret renoun
Was cleped Vter Pendra[g]oun.
Ac þe eldest sone Costentine
Was noble clerk and wise afine
He loued God and holy chirche
And holy werkes forto wirche
Forþi he bisouȝt his fader dere
Þat him graunted his prayer
Þat he most monke be
At Vinchester in þat gode cite,
And maki Brosias his broþer
Or Pendragoun king and no noþer;
Þe king was loþ graunti þertille
Ac noþeles toȝain his owen wille
At Winchester he was monke ymade
Wiþouten his fader þe kinges rade.
Costaunce [OMITTED]
Þat oþer broþer name was
Sir Aurilis Brosias,
Þe þridde broþer of gret renoun
Was cleped Vter Pendra[g]oun.
Ac þe eldest sone Costentine
Was noble clerk and wise afine
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And holy werkes forto wirche
Forþi he bisouȝt his fader dere
Þat him graunted his prayer
Þat he most monke be
At Vinchester in þat gode cite,
And maki Brosias his broþer
Or Pendragoun king and no noþer;
Þe king was loþ graunti þertille
Ac noþeles toȝain his owen wille
At Winchester he was monke ymade
Wiþouten his fader þe kinges rade.
Sone after as ich finde in boke
A gret sikenes þe king him toke
Þat out of þis warld he most wende.
After his barouns he gan sende
And when þai were ycomen ichon
Þe king seyd to hem anon
‘Lordinges’ he seyd ‘lesse and mare
Out of þis warld y most fare
Þerfore y pray for loue o me
For Godes loue and for charite
When ich am dede and roten in clay
Helpeþ mi childer þat ȝe may
And takeþ Costaunt mi neldest sone
And ȝif him boþe reng and crone
And holdeþ him for ȝour lord euer mo.’
Al þay graunt it schuld be so.
A gret sikenes þe king him toke
Þat out of þis warld he most wende.
After his barouns he gan sende
And when þai were ycomen ichon
Þe king seyd to hem anon
‘Lordinges’ he seyd ‘lesse and mare
Out of þis warld y most fare
Þerfore y pray for loue o me
For Godes loue and for charite
When ich am dede and roten in clay
Helpeþ mi childer þat ȝe may
And takeþ Costaunt mi neldest sone
And ȝif him boþe reng and crone
And holdeþ him for ȝour lord euer mo.’
Al þay graunt it schuld be so.
Þan hadde þis king as ȝe may here
A steward þat hiȝt Fortiger
Strong he was and wiȝt ywis,
Fals and ful of couaitise.
Þe king he hadde yserued long
And for he was so wiȝt and strong
In him was al his trust at nede
And ȝaue him boþe lond and lede
To help his childer after his day
And oftsiþes he gan him pray
To gouerny hem wiþ al his miȝt
His treuþe he dede him forto pliȝt
(And when þe king hadde his liif forlore
Sone þat traitour was forswore
And wiþ gret tresoun brak his treuþe
And dede hem wrong and þat was reuþe).
A steward þat hiȝt Fortiger
Strong he was and wiȝt ywis,
Fals and ful of couaitise.
Þe king he hadde yserued long
And for he was so wiȝt and strong
In him was al his trust at nede
And ȝaue him boþe lond and lede
To help his childer after his day
And oftsiþes he gan him pray
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His treuþe he dede him forto pliȝt
(And when þe king hadde his liif forlore
Sone þat traitour was forswore
And wiþ gret tresoun brak his treuþe
And dede hem wrong and þat was reuþe).
Out of þis world þe king went
And was ybiried verrament—
At Winchester wiþouten les
Þer þat king bigrauen wes.
And was ybiried verrament—
At Winchester wiþouten les
Þer þat king bigrauen wes.
Erls and barouns euerichon
Token hem to red anon
Wiþouten ani more duelling
And made Costaunce her king
And for þat he was monke þore
King Moyne men cleped him euer more,
Ac þe steward sir Fortiger
Was wel wroþ in his maner
And wiþ al his miȝt was þeroȝain
As fer forþ as he durst sayn.
Token hem to red anon
Wiþouten ani more duelling
And made Costaunce her king
And for þat he was monke þore
King Moyne men cleped him euer more,
Ac þe steward sir Fortiger
Was wel wroþ in his maner
And wiþ al his miȝt was þeroȝain
As fer forþ as he durst sayn.
King Angys sone herd it telle
He gadred him folk wel felle
Of Danmark and of Sessoyne
Forto wer oȝaines Moyne,
He filled ful mani dromouns
Of kinges erls and barouns
Vp þai sett sail and mast
And into Inglond com an hast
(Ac Inglond was yhoten þo
Michel Breteyne wiþouten no).
Þe Bretouns þat beþ Inglisse nov
Herd telle when he com and hou
Þat Angys bi water brouȝt;
Þe king Fortiger bisouȝt
He schuld afong his pouwer
And be steward as he was er
And help him bi day and niȝt
Oȝain his fomen forto fiȝt,
He it forsoke and seyd he nold
Noiþer for siluer no for gold
And feined him þat he no miȝt
At batayle com forto fiȝt—
And al he it dede for traisoun
King to be was his achesoun.
He gadred him folk wel felle
Of Danmark and of Sessoyne
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He filled ful mani dromouns
Of kinges erls and barouns
Vp þai sett sail and mast
And into Inglond com an hast
(Ac Inglond was yhoten þo
Michel Breteyne wiþouten no).
Þe Bretouns þat beþ Inglisse nov
Herd telle when he com and hou
Þat Angys bi water brouȝt;
Þe king Fortiger bisouȝt
He schuld afong his pouwer
And be steward as he was er
And help him bi day and niȝt
Oȝain his fomen forto fiȝt,
He it forsoke and seyd he nold
Noiþer for siluer no for gold
And feined him þat he no miȝt
At batayle com forto fiȝt—
And al he it dede for traisoun
King to be was his achesoun.
Angys was riued wiþ mani a man
King Moyne went him oȝan,
Þo he come þider wiþouten faile
Sone was smiten þe batayle
Þer was broken spere and scheld
And mani a kniȝt of hors yfeld
Ac our men and king Moyne
Were ouercomen wiþouten asoine,
To Winchester þai flowen þo
Wiþ mani siȝhing and walewo
Þat swiche a sleiȝster wiþ hond
Was fallen into Inglond—
Þer was mani kniȝt yslawe
And mani swain ybrouȝt of dawe.
Angis tok in a þrowe
Mani castels and tounes arowe
And put þerin his men
Forto stonden our oȝen
And sent after eld and ȝing
Forto help in his fiȝting.
King Moyne went him oȝan,
Þo he come þider wiþouten faile
Sone was smiten þe batayle
Þer was broken spere and scheld
And mani a kniȝt of hors yfeld
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Were ouercomen wiþouten asoine,
To Winchester þai flowen þo
Wiþ mani siȝhing and walewo
Þat swiche a sleiȝster wiþ hond
Was fallen into Inglond—
Þer was mani kniȝt yslawe
And mani swain ybrouȝt of dawe.
Angis tok in a þrowe
Mani castels and tounes arowe
And put þerin his men
Forto stonden our oȝen
And sent after eld and ȝing
Forto help in his fiȝting.
Þo were fel kinges in lond
Þat Costaunce wan vnder his hond,
Mani of hem so weren þare
Of þat descomfite hadden care
And oft Ihesu Crist hye bisouȝt
He schuld hem help as he hem bouȝt
And hem bring out of her care
After þat þai worþi ware.
Þat Costaunce wan vnder his hond,
Mani of hem so weren þare
Of þat descomfite hadden care
And oft Ihesu Crist hye bisouȝt
He schuld hem help as he hem bouȝt
And hem bring out of her care
After þat þai worþi ware.
On a day as y ȝou telle
Our princes speken wordes felle
And seyd þat her king
Nas bot a breþeling,
Ȝif Fortiger her prince ware
‘No hadde we nouȝt hadde so miche care,’
Þai hadden leuer þan ani þing
Þat he were chosen to her king—
In her witt þai vnderstode
Þat it were so in his mode
Her king to ben himselue.
To him þerfore þai sent tvelue
(Wisest þai chosen of þat lond)
Þat schuld wele his hert fond
Why he nold wiþ hem come
So he tofore was ywone.
Our princes speken wordes felle
And seyd þat her king
Nas bot a breþeling,
Ȝif Fortiger her prince ware
‘No hadde we nouȝt hadde so miche care,’
Þai hadden leuer þan ani þing
Þat he were chosen to her king—
In her witt þai vnderstode
Þat it were so in his mode
Her king to ben himselue.
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(Wisest þai chosen of þat lond)
Þat schuld wele his hert fond
Why he nold wiþ hem come
So he tofore was ywone.
Þis tvelue to him come
So þe conseil was ynome,
Wiþ grete honour and him gret
And he hem badde bi him site—
What he desired forto ben
Bi his answere þai schuld ysen.
He asked hem wat was her wille
And þai him seyd tidinges ille
Angys hem hadde ouercome
And michel of her lond binome
And mani barouns and kniȝt yslawe
And her kin brouȝt of dawe,
Þerfore þe conseyl of þe lond
Bad he schuld don his hond
Þis ich wo amende raþe
Þat þai no hadde no more scaþe.
So þe conseil was ynome,
Wiþ grete honour and him gret
And he hem badde bi him site—
What he desired forto ben
Bi his answere þai schuld ysen.
He asked hem wat was her wille
And þai him seyd tidinges ille
Angys hem hadde ouercome
And michel of her lond binome
And mani barouns and kniȝt yslawe
And her kin brouȝt of dawe,
Þerfore þe conseyl of þe lond
Bad he schuld don his hond
Þis ich wo amende raþe
Þat þai no hadde no more scaþe.
Þo bispak him Fortiger
Gode kniȝt hardi—and pautener
‘Y nam noiþer ȝour douke no king
Whi aske ȝe me conseiling?
King Costauns y was to swore
Euer y was ȝou þo tofore
And wered ȝou wiþ mi power
Wide and side fer and ner,
Wiþ me nis it nouȝt nov so
Þerfore to ȝour king ȝe go
Biseche him he ȝou socour
And ȝe wil him þan honour.’
Gode kniȝt hardi—and pautener
‘Y nam noiþer ȝour douke no king
Whi aske ȝe me conseiling?
King Costauns y was to swore
Euer y was ȝou þo tofore
And wered ȝou wiþ mi power
Wide and side fer and ner,
Wiþ me nis it nouȝt nov so
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Biseche him he ȝou socour
And ȝe wil him þan honour.’
Þan bispac to him a baroun
‘Sir our king is bot a conioun
Þo he seiȝe swerdes drawe
To fle sone he was wel fawe
He no can conseil to no gode
He is so adrad he is neiȝe wode.
Whiles þou were in our þrome
No were we neuer ouercome,
Þat we forlorn at þis asaut
Al we wite it þi defaut—
So siggeþ al our pers.’
‘Y leue wele’ quaþ Fortigers
‘Nil ich me noþing auentour
To purchas a fole gret honour—
Ȝif Moyne ȝour king ded ware
Ich wald ȝou help out of care.’
‘Sir’ þai seyd to him þo
‘Wiltow þat we Moyne slo?’
‘Sir our king is bot a conioun
Þo he seiȝe swerdes drawe
To fle sone he was wel fawe
He no can conseil to no gode
He is so adrad he is neiȝe wode.
Whiles þou were in our þrome
No were we neuer ouercome,
Þat we forlorn at þis asaut
Al we wite it þi defaut—
So siggeþ al our pers.’
‘Y leue wele’ quaþ Fortigers
‘Nil ich me noþing auentour
To purchas a fole gret honour—
Ȝif Moyne ȝour king ded ware
Ich wald ȝou help out of care.’
‘Sir’ þai seyd to him þo
‘Wiltow þat we Moyne slo?’
‘Nay ac goþ fro me bliue—
While ich wot he is oliue
Conseyl worþ ȝou of me non.’
Þe barouns þennes gan gon
To take her king þai wenten alle
And founden king Moyne in his halle
Þer he sat at his mete
On him þai schoten wiþ gret hete
And smiten of his heued wiþ a sword
Er þai spoken ani word
And who so struted oȝainward
Anon þai ȝauen hem dintes hard,
Out atte þe dore þai flowen anon
And ascaped euerichon.
Þerfore was contek and striif
And mani it abouȝt wiþ þe liif
Ac seþþen þe king yslawe was
And opon hem fallen swiche a cas
A king þai mosten haue swiþe
Al her sorwe forto liþe
And þat he miȝt hem were þan
Oȝain Angys þat douhti man.
While ich wot he is oliue
Conseyl worþ ȝou of me non.’
Þe barouns þennes gan gon
To take her king þai wenten alle
And founden king Moyne in his halle
Þer he sat at his mete
On him þai schoten wiþ gret hete
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Er þai spoken ani word
And who so struted oȝainward
Anon þai ȝauen hem dintes hard,
Out atte þe dore þai flowen anon
And ascaped euerichon.
Þerfore was contek and striif
And mani it abouȝt wiþ þe liif
Ac seþþen þe king yslawe was
And opon hem fallen swiche a cas
A king þai mosten haue swiþe
Al her sorwe forto liþe
And þat he miȝt hem were þan
Oȝain Angys þat douhti man.
And þan Vter Pendragon
Armes miȝt bere non
No Aurilis Brosias is broþer
Þan þai most chese anoþer,
Whereþurth þai seyd in þat nede
Wele no miȝt þai nouȝt spede
Bot ȝiue þai wold Fortiger
Chese to her king þere;
Nouȝt fele nar þeroȝen
Ac seyden þat it most ben,
What for loue what for ay
Non no durst oȝain say
Ac þer þai chosen old and ȝing
Fortiger to ben her king.
Armes miȝt bere non
No Aurilis Brosias is broþer
Þan þai most chese anoþer,
Whereþurth þai seyd in þat nede
Wele no miȝt þai nouȝt spede
Bot ȝiue þai wold Fortiger
Chese to her king þere;
Nouȝt fele nar þeroȝen
Ac seyden þat it most ben,
What for loue what for ay
Non no durst oȝain say
Ac þer þai chosen old and ȝing
Fortiger to ben her king.
Mirie time is Auerille
Þan scheweþ michel of our wille
In feld and mede floures springeþ
In grene wode foules singeþ
Ȝong man wexeþ iolif
And þan proudeþ man and wiif.
Þan scheweþ michel of our wille
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In grene wode foules singeþ
Ȝong man wexeþ iolif
And þan proudeþ man and wiif.
Þe barouns com to Fortiger
And gretten him wiþ glad cher
And seyd þat her solas
Þurth wicked men ylorn was
Þat was Moyne her king,
And his breþer were to ȝing,
‘And for we ȝou witeþ wiȝt and trest
(Of al men ȝe mowen best
Vs kepen oȝain our fon
So ȝe han er þis ydon)
We haue ȝou chosen our king
And ȝouen ȝou boþe croun and ring—
Þe heiȝe siggeþ and þe lowe also
It miȝt no better ben ydo.’
And gretten him wiþ glad cher
And seyd þat her solas
Þurth wicked men ylorn was
Þat was Moyne her king,
And his breþer were to ȝing,
‘And for we ȝou witeþ wiȝt and trest
(Of al men ȝe mowen best
Vs kepen oȝain our fon
So ȝe han er þis ydon)
We haue ȝou chosen our king
And ȝouen ȝou boþe croun and ring—
Þe heiȝe siggeþ and þe lowe also
It miȝt no better ben ydo.’
‘[N]ow gramerci’ quaþ Fortiger
And was made king wiþouten daunger,
Ac at his corounment
To barouns þer weren gent
Þat þis tresoun vnderstode
And sore hem rewe þe kinges blod
Þat it schuld be spilt so
And tok rede bitvixen hem to
Þe to childer ouer þe se bring
And went hem forþ wiþouten lesing,
No man wist of her conseyle
Bot þai alon wiþouten faile.
And was made king wiþouten daunger,
Ac at his corounment
To barouns þer weren gent
Þat þis tresoun vnderstode
And sore hem rewe þe kinges blod
Þat it schuld be spilt so
And tok rede bitvixen hem to
Þe to childer ouer þe se bring
And went hem forþ wiþouten lesing,
No man wist of her conseyle
Bot þai alon wiþouten faile.
Þe king held fest noble and gent
And afterward his parlement
In wiche parlement he hete
Men schuld him bring þe children skete,
Þai were souȝt and founde hem nouȝt
Þo he held him iuel bicouȝt
Þo Fortiger it vnderstode
For wreþe he wex neiȝe wode—
It was no wonder forsoþe to say
For þai dede him after gret tray.
And afterward his parlement
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Men schuld him bring þe children skete,
Þai were souȝt and founde hem nouȝt
Þo he held him iuel bicouȝt
Þo Fortiger it vnderstode
For wreþe he wex neiȝe wode—
It was no wonder forsoþe to say
For þai dede him after gret tray.
Fortiger al þis forlete,
Princes doukes also skete
Fre and bond swain and kniȝt
Alle graiþed hem to fiȝt
Þat þai miȝten flemen Angys
And al her dedlich enemis,
So þai deden wiþouten no
And were al redi forþ to go
Oȝaines her foman Angys
Sum on gode hors of priis
Sum on palfray and on stede
And sum on fot ful gode at nede
Wiþ arwe and bowe and alblast
Her fomen forto agast.
Princes doukes also skete
Fre and bond swain and kniȝt
Alle graiþed hem to fiȝt
Þat þai miȝten flemen Angys
And al her dedlich enemis,
So þai deden wiþouten no
And were al redi forþ to go
Oȝaines her foman Angys
Sum on gode hors of priis
Sum on palfray and on stede
And sum on fot ful gode at nede
Wiþ arwe and bowe and alblast
Her fomen forto agast.
Þai wenten forþ and met Angys
Wiþ mani Sarraȝin of priis,
Þer was mani arwe yschote
And mani quarel þurth þe þrote
Schaft tobroken and cleued scheld
Mani a kniȝt feld in þe feld
Helme tobroken hauberk torent
Mani noble hors yschent,
Ac our men þer dede ful wel
Wiþ broun swerd of grounden stiel
Mani a riche Sarraȝin
Þai brouȝten into helle-pin.
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Þer was mani arwe yschote
And mani quarel þurth þe þrote
Schaft tobroken and cleued scheld
Mani a kniȝt feld in þe feld
Helme tobroken hauberk torent
Mani noble hors yschent,
Ac our men þer dede ful wel
Wiþ broun swerd of grounden stiel
Mani a riche Sarraȝin
Þai brouȝten into helle-pin.
Angys seiȝe his del þe wors
And gan to fle wel swiþe on hors
To a castel wel strong about
Where was michel of his rout,
Þo þat he left bihinden him
Hadde chaunce hard and grim
No halp hem noiþer pes no crie
No fiȝting no criing ‘Merci!’
Al men maden her acord
Wiþ axes speres kniif and sword,
Al þat were bihinde yfounde
Anon þai were leyd to grounde
No miȝt þer askape neuer on
Þat he nas to deþ ydon,
Þus our folk hadden þe priis
And went þo to bisege Angys.
Þo þai hadde him long bilay
Angys sent hem þan to say
Ȝif he in pays wende most
He wold taken al his ost
And leden hem to his cuntraye
And neuer eft don hem traye,
Fortiger bi his conseyle
Lete hem wende hole and hayle
(Ac ferst þai sworen him an oþ
Þai schuld him neuer waite loþ)
Þus þai wenten to þe strond
And ferden ouer to her lond.
And gan to fle wel swiþe on hors
To a castel wel strong about
Where was michel of his rout,
Þo þat he left bihinden him
Hadde chaunce hard and grim
No halp hem noiþer pes no crie
No fiȝting no criing ‘Merci!’
Al men maden her acord
Wiþ axes speres kniif and sword,
Al þat were bihinde yfounde
Anon þai were leyd to grounde
No miȝt þer askape neuer on
Þat he nas to deþ ydon,
Þus our folk hadden þe priis
And went þo to bisege Angys.
Þo þai hadde him long bilay
27
Ȝif he in pays wende most
He wold taken al his ost
And leden hem to his cuntraye
And neuer eft don hem traye,
Fortiger bi his conseyle
Lete hem wende hole and hayle
(Ac ferst þai sworen him an oþ
Þai schuld him neuer waite loþ)
Þus þai wenten to þe strond
And ferden ouer to her lond.
Fortiger and his ost
Oȝain com wiþ gret bost
And held fest mani a day
Of gret delite and noble play.
When þis fest was don and held
Þe xii traitours þat y of teld
Þat hadde yslawe Moyne þe king
Biþouȝt hem of a selcouþe þing
Þai wold go to Fortiger
And asken him her lower
Of þe king þat was yslawe
Wiþ tresoun oȝain þe lawe,
And seyden ‘King þou art aboue
Þenke what we dede for þi loue
We slouȝ our lord kende,
Nov be sen ȝif þou art hende
Þurth ous þou art in þi power
Ȝif ous now our lower.’
Oȝain com wiþ gret bost
And held fest mani a day
Of gret delite and noble play.
When þis fest was don and held
Þe xii traitours þat y of teld
Þat hadde yslawe Moyne þe king
Biþouȝt hem of a selcouþe þing
Þai wold go to Fortiger
And asken him her lower
Of þe king þat was yslawe
Wiþ tresoun oȝain þe lawe,
And seyden ‘King þou art aboue
Þenke what we dede for þi loue
We slouȝ our lord kende,
Nov be sen ȝif þou art hende
Þurth ous þou art in þi power
Ȝif ous now our lower.’
Þan bispac him Fortiger
Anon to hem wiþ loureand chere
‘Bi þe lower þat God made
Ȝe schul haue þat ȝe bade
So ich euer mot ythe
So no schul ȝe nouȝt serue me
For ȝe han ȝour lord yslawe
Ȝe schul ben honged and todrawe’
He dede feche hors wel sket
And teyed hem to her fet
And dede hem drawe on þe pauement
And hong hem after verrament.
Mani kniȝt and baroun hende
Seiȝen þis of her kende
Opon þe king þai ourn anon
As his dedliche fon
Ac bitven hem stode his men
Stedfastliche oȝaines hem,
Þer was mani heued of hitt
Þer was mani þrote ykitt
Mani hert forles his blod
And mani þe bal vp in þe hod,
Vnneþe þat ich day
Þe king ascaped oway.
Anon to hem wiþ loureand chere
29
Ȝe schul haue þat ȝe bade
So ich euer mot ythe
So no schul ȝe nouȝt serue me
For ȝe han ȝour lord yslawe
Ȝe schul ben honged and todrawe’
He dede feche hors wel sket
And teyed hem to her fet
And dede hem drawe on þe pauement
And hong hem after verrament.
Mani kniȝt and baroun hende
Seiȝen þis of her kende
Opon þe king þai ourn anon
As his dedliche fon
Ac bitven hem stode his men
Stedfastliche oȝaines hem,
Þer was mani heued of hitt
Þer was mani þrote ykitt
Mani hert forles his blod
And mani þe bal vp in þe hod,
Vnneþe þat ich day
Þe king ascaped oway.
Þe barouns went þat ich niȝt
Toward her frendes ful riȝt
And her gref anon hem teld
Hou Fortiger her king aqueld
Þurth tresoun þat [he] hadde yspeken,
Of him þai wald ben awreken,
Ich his frendes so bisouȝt
Þat opon Fortiger þai brouȝt
Mani erl baroun and kniȝt
Hardy and kene forto fiȝt,
Þai fouȝten wiþ Fortiger
Mani moneþ and mani a ȝere
Wherþurth mani a leuedi fre
Her lord les and fair meyne.
31
And her gref anon hem teld
Hou Fortiger her king aqueld
Þurth tresoun þat [he] hadde yspeken,
Of him þai wald ben awreken,
Ich his frendes so bisouȝt
Þat opon Fortiger þai brouȝt
Mani erl baroun and kniȝt
Hardy and kene forto fiȝt,
Þai fouȝten wiþ Fortiger
Mani moneþ and mani a ȝere
Wherþurth mani a leuedi fre
Her lord les and fair meyne.
Fortiger nam gode coure
Þat he no miȝt oȝain hem doure
For þai wexen mo and mo
And his men lassed alway þo,
Letters he made to Angys þe welp
And bad he schuld cum him to help
Oȝaines his men þat wald him sle
And he schuld haue half his fe;
Angys þerof was bliþe
His message he dede swiþe
Mani þousand he tok wiþ him
Þat were boþe stout and grim
And comen ouer to Fortiger,
And he hem welcomed wiþ glad chere
Of his couenaunt he was biknawe
And made Angys half-felawe
Þat he hadde or haue miȝt
Wiþ þat he schuld him help in fiȝt,
Oȝaines his men and help him were
Þat were abouten, him to dere.
Þis couenaunt was made stedfast
And hem grayþed sone on hast
To batayle forto wende,
For þe barouns were hende
Bi Salesbiri biside a lite
Al redi bataile to smite
And abiden her fomen
Þat þider comen hem oȝen.
Þer was sone leyd adoun
Mani wel briȝt gonfaynoun
Þe schaftes tobroken and cloþ torent
And mani a gret lording yschent
Mani kniȝt oþer slouȝ
Mani hors her guttes drouȝ—
Ich ȝou sigge riȝt treuþe
Non of oþer hadde reuþe.
Swerdes on helmes gan driue
Mani schaft þer gan riue
Mani hauberk was torent
And mani þurth þe bodi schent
Þer was slawe and brouȝt to grounde
Mani man in litel stounde
A boþe half lay mani on
Þe heued fro þe nek-bon
Wombe and side þurthout dast
Wiþ launce quarel and alblast
Þat mani leuedi and damisele
Biwepe it seþþen wit teres fele,
Ac Fortiger hade euer four
Oȝain on forsoþe of our
Forwhi þe barouns no miȝt
Wiþstond in þat fiȝt
Ac gun fle wel fast þenne
Sum ouer se to her kenne
Sum for gret ayȝe and dout
To oþer kinges flowen about
Also we finden in þe bok
Al þat Fortiger atok
He let todrawe and anhong
Were it wiþ riȝt oþer wiþ wrong
Þe oþer he devoided alle
Of lond and tour castel and halle
And bi conseyl of Angys
Ȝaue it to Sarraȝins of pris—
Þer was loue of hert cler
Bitven Angys and Fortiger.
Angys hadde verrament
A douhter boþe fair and gent
(Ac sche was heþen Sarraȝin)
And Fortiger for loue fin
Hir tok to fere and to wiue—
And was curssed in al his liue
For he lete Cristen wedde haþen
And meynt our blod as flesche and maþen.
Mani þousand was swiche in weddeloc
As we finde writen in bok
Þer was wel neiȝe al þis lond
To þe Deuel gon an hond,
Festes he made gret and fele
And hadden al warldes wele
And held no better lawe
Þan þe hounde wiþ his felawe.
Þis last wel fel ȝere;
On a day sat Fortiger
And biþouȝt him of þe children to
Þat ouer see weren ygo
And of mani noble he nam ȝeme
Þat he hadde yboden flem,
Of afterclap he hadde care
Þat he schuld forfare.
Þat he no miȝt oȝain hem doure
For þai wexen mo and mo
And his men lassed alway þo,
Letters he made to Angys þe welp
And bad he schuld cum him to help
Oȝaines his men þat wald him sle
33
Angys þerof was bliþe
His message he dede swiþe
Mani þousand he tok wiþ him
Þat were boþe stout and grim
And comen ouer to Fortiger,
And he hem welcomed wiþ glad chere
Of his couenaunt he was biknawe
And made Angys half-felawe
Þat he hadde or haue miȝt
Wiþ þat he schuld him help in fiȝt,
Oȝaines his men and help him were
Þat were abouten, him to dere.
Þis couenaunt was made stedfast
And hem grayþed sone on hast
To batayle forto wende,
For þe barouns were hende
Bi Salesbiri biside a lite
Al redi bataile to smite
And abiden her fomen
Þat þider comen hem oȝen.
Þer was sone leyd adoun
Mani wel briȝt gonfaynoun
Þe schaftes tobroken and cloþ torent
And mani a gret lording yschent
Mani kniȝt oþer slouȝ
Mani hors her guttes drouȝ—
Ich ȝou sigge riȝt treuþe
Non of oþer hadde reuþe.
Swerdes on helmes gan driue
Mani schaft þer gan riue
Mani hauberk was torent
And mani þurth þe bodi schent
35
Mani man in litel stounde
A boþe half lay mani on
Þe heued fro þe nek-bon
Wombe and side þurthout dast
Wiþ launce quarel and alblast
Þat mani leuedi and damisele
Biwepe it seþþen wit teres fele,
Ac Fortiger hade euer four
Oȝain on forsoþe of our
Forwhi þe barouns no miȝt
Wiþstond in þat fiȝt
Ac gun fle wel fast þenne
Sum ouer se to her kenne
Sum for gret ayȝe and dout
To oþer kinges flowen about
Also we finden in þe bok
Al þat Fortiger atok
He let todrawe and anhong
Were it wiþ riȝt oþer wiþ wrong
Þe oþer he devoided alle
Of lond and tour castel and halle
And bi conseyl of Angys
Ȝaue it to Sarraȝins of pris—
Þer was loue of hert cler
Bitven Angys and Fortiger.
37
A douhter boþe fair and gent
(Ac sche was heþen Sarraȝin)
And Fortiger for loue fin
Hir tok to fere and to wiue—
And was curssed in al his liue
For he lete Cristen wedde haþen
And meynt our blod as flesche and maþen.
Mani þousand was swiche in weddeloc
As we finde writen in bok
Þer was wel neiȝe al þis lond
To þe Deuel gon an hond,
Festes he made gret and fele
And hadden al warldes wele
And held no better lawe
Þan þe hounde wiþ his felawe.
Þis last wel fel ȝere;
On a day sat Fortiger
And biþouȝt him of þe children to
Þat ouer see weren ygo
And of mani noble he nam ȝeme
Þat he hadde yboden flem,
Of afterclap he hadde care
Þat he schuld forfare.
39
He hete chese carpenters
Oueral in his powers
And masouns þat þai no lete
To him þai schuld comen sket,
His hest was sone ydon
Þousandes þer were anon
Wiþ her tole swiþe prest
Forto do þe kinges hest,
Þe king hem gan fair to calle
And þus he seyd to hem alle:
Oueral in his powers
And masouns þat þai no lete
To him þai schuld comen sket,
His hest was sone ydon
Þousandes þer were anon
Wiþ her tole swiþe prest
Forto do þe kinges hest,
Þe king hem gan fair to calle
And þus he seyd to hem alle:
‘Listneþ now heiȝe and lawe
And vnderstond to mi sawe
In mi witt ich haue yþouȝt
Ichil a castel han ywrouȝt
Of wode and lime morter and ston
Þat swiche be in þis world non
Þat ȝif me comeþ ani nede
Ich may me þere were and hede
Fro min fon þat aires hem claim,
At Salesbiri opon þe plain
Þat ȝe schul yfond
To maken wiþ ȝour hond
Loke þat trewe and ston be riche
Þe tour largge and depe þe diche,
Mi deuise ich haue ysade
Now heiȝeþ ȝou þat it war made
And ȝe schullen haue hire
Al þat ȝe wil desire.
And vnderstond to mi sawe
In mi witt ich haue yþouȝt
Ichil a castel han ywrouȝt
Of wode and lime morter and ston
Þat swiche be in þis world non
Þat ȝif me comeþ ani nede
Ich may me þere were and hede
Fro min fon þat aires hem claim,
At Salesbiri opon þe plain
Þat ȝe schul yfond
To maken wiþ ȝour hond
Loke þat trewe and ston be riche
Þe tour largge and depe þe diche,
Mi deuise ich haue ysade
Now heiȝeþ ȝou þat it war made
And ȝe schullen haue hire
Al þat ȝe wil desire.
Þis werkemen þider went þo
(Þre þousand þer were and mo)
Hewen schides and coruen ston
And laiden foundement anon
Sum rammed and doluen snel
And gun þat castel fair and wel.
Þat folk was boþe swift and sleiȝe
Þat werk was arered brest-heiȝe
Þat ich day alle aboute
So it is writen in þe brout,
And wenten hom þo it was niȝt
So it is werkmennes riȝt
And comen al oȝain amorwe
And seiȝen þing of gret sorwe
(Þre þousand þer were and mo)
Hewen schides and coruen ston
41
Sum rammed and doluen snel
And gun þat castel fair and wel.
Þat folk was boþe swift and sleiȝe
Þat werk was arered brest-heiȝe
Þat ich day alle aboute
So it is writen in þe brout,
And wenten hom þo it was niȝt
So it is werkmennes riȝt
And comen al oȝain amorwe
And seiȝen þing of gret sorwe
Foundement and werk þai founde
Ligge vp so doun op þe grounde
Sprad it was al abrod,
For wonder þai were neiȝe wode
Ac her werk þai bigonne
So long so þai seiȝen þe sonne
And als wele spedden par ma fay
So þai deden þat oþer day,
Ac þo þai come þider eft
Her werk was al vp aleft
And yschatred here and þere—
Þus it ferd wele half a ȝer
Al þat euer þai wrouȝt o day
Amorwe it ouerþrowe lay.
Þe king herd telle þis
And gret wonder hadde ywis
He dede aspie bi day and niȝt
What þing hem lett miȝt
Ac wite no miȝt lewed no clerk
What þing felled her werk.
Ligge vp so doun op þe grounde
Sprad it was al abrod,
For wonder þai were neiȝe wode
Ac her werk þai bigonne
So long so þai seiȝen þe sonne
And als wele spedden par ma fay
So þai deden þat oþer day,
Ac þo þai come þider eft
Her werk was al vp aleft
And yschatred here and þere—
Þus it ferd wele half a ȝer
Al þat euer þai wrouȝt o day
Amorwe it ouerþrowe lay.
43
And gret wonder hadde ywis
He dede aspie bi day and niȝt
What þing hem lett miȝt
Ac wite no miȝt lewed no clerk
What þing felled her werk.
Fortiger sat in his halle
Among his kniȝtes and barouns alle
He bat his fest and his elbowe
And seyd to hem wiþ michel howe—
Wretþefulliche þere he hete
Clerkes biforn him bring skete
Þe best þat were in þis lond.
Sone was don þe kinges sond
Mani clerk was ful wide ysouȝt
And biforn him sone ybrouȝt,
Hem he aposed on and alle
Whi his werk was so yfalle
Her non no couþe him telle,
Þe king swore he wold hem quelle
Bot ȝif þai wold him telle an hond
Whi þat his werk miȝt nouȝt stond.
Among his kniȝtes and barouns alle
He bat his fest and his elbowe
And seyd to hem wiþ michel howe—
Wretþefulliche þere he hete
Clerkes biforn him bring skete
Þe best þat were in þis lond.
Sone was don þe kinges sond
Mani clerk was ful wide ysouȝt
And biforn him sone ybrouȝt,
Hem he aposed on and alle
Whi his werk was so yfalle
Her non no couþe him telle,
Þe king swore he wold hem quelle
Bot ȝif þai wold him telle an hond
Whi þat his werk miȝt nouȝt stond.
Ten þer were of hem ynome
Wisest clerkes of þe þrome
And in o chaumber ydo
Þat no man most hem com to
For þe hest of þe king
Bot vnneþe her mete bring
Astromiens þese weren
Wiser neuer non neren.
Þai were ix days bischet
Ac ȝete þai couþe litel þe bet
Bot ich ȝou sigge verrament
Þai seyȝen in þe firmament
A child in erþe biȝeten wes
Wiþouten ani mannes flesche,
Wisest clerkes of þe þrome
45
Þat no man most hem com to
For þe hest of þe king
Bot vnneþe her mete bring
Astromiens þese weren
Wiser neuer non neren.
Þai were ix days bischet
Ac ȝete þai couþe litel þe bet
Bot ich ȝou sigge verrament
Þai seyȝen in þe firmament
A child in erþe biȝeten wes
Wiþouten ani mannes flesche,
And þo þai com þe king bifore
Þai seyd a child on erþe was bore
Wiþouten mannes biȝeteing
Þat wist wel neiȝe al þing
‘Do him sle wel sodanliche
Þe blod to þe is tresore riche
Were ȝour werk ysmerd þerwiþ
Euer it wold stond in griþ.’
Þe king was of þis tale bliþe
And dede priueliche xii swiþe
(Þat were departed þre and þre)
To wende about þat childe to sle
Ȝiue þai him our finde miȝt
Þai no schuld lete for wrong no riȝt
Þat þai schuld sodeinliche
Smite of his heued hastiliche
And no word no speke him to—
Þus bad him þis clerkes do
For þai wende it were to her lere
Ȝif þat child ȝeue answere.
Þis men on þe kinges sond
Went a four half Inglond
Þre and þre bi four way
Þat child to finde y ȝou say;
Þis clerkes of whom ich teld
Wiþ þe king weren atheld
Forto wite ȝif it soþe were
Þat þai hadde him seyd þere—
Ȝif he founde wiþ hem lesing
Her liif were at þe ending.
Lete we þis clerk bihinde,
Þis xii went þe child to finde,
And are ich telle more ȝou
Of þis romaunce, y wil now
Þat ȝe vnderstond and wite
Hou þis child was biȝete
On swiche maner and what he hete,
Now y pray ȝou listen skete.
Þai seyd a child on erþe was bore
Wiþouten mannes biȝeteing
Þat wist wel neiȝe al þing
47
Þe blod to þe is tresore riche
Were ȝour werk ysmerd þerwiþ
Euer it wold stond in griþ.’
Þe king was of þis tale bliþe
And dede priueliche xii swiþe
(Þat were departed þre and þre)
To wende about þat childe to sle
Ȝiue þai him our finde miȝt
Þai no schuld lete for wrong no riȝt
Þat þai schuld sodeinliche
Smite of his heued hastiliche
And no word no speke him to—
Þus bad him þis clerkes do
For þai wende it were to her lere
Ȝif þat child ȝeue answere.
Þis men on þe kinges sond
Went a four half Inglond
Þre and þre bi four way
Þat child to finde y ȝou say;
Þis clerkes of whom ich teld
Wiþ þe king weren atheld
Forto wite ȝif it soþe were
Þat þai hadde him seyd þere—
Ȝif he founde wiþ hem lesing
Her liif were at þe ending.
Lete we þis clerk bihinde,
Þis xii went þe child to finde,
49
Of þis romaunce, y wil now
Þat ȝe vnderstond and wite
Hou þis child was biȝete
On swiche maner and what he hete,
Now y pray ȝou listen skete.
He þat was and is and ay schal ben
Chese him here a swete quen
In whom he nam flesche and bl[o]d
Wiþ wiche he bouȝt ous on þe rode
Whareþurth we ben to heuen ycorn
And þe Deuel his miȝt forlorn,
Blisced be he in euerich song
And Mari of whom he sprong.
Chese him here a swete quen
In whom he nam flesche and bl[o]d
Wiþ wiche he bouȝt ous on þe rode
Whareþurth we ben to heuen ycorn
And þe Deuel his miȝt forlorn,
Blisced be he in euerich song
And Mari of whom he sprong.
Listneþ wele to mi steuen—
Þe deuels þat fel out of heuen
Wiþ her pride Lucifer
Sum fel to helle-fer,
Sum in water sum in lond
Sum in þe aire gan wiþstond
Al fort our Driȝt seyd ‘Ho!’—
So þai bileued euer mo,
And forsoþe þai han power
Man to dere þere and here.
Y nil ȝou telle her priuete
Bot þat longeþ now to me:
Þe deuelen þat houen abouen ous
Euer be luxsorius
And oþerwhile makeþ hem body
Of þe aire wel gent and rody
And hauen miȝt and power
Doun to liȝt and derien her
Al þo þat nillen wirche
Godes comandment in chirche,
Ac whilom more þan now
For þurth þe miȝt of swete Ihesu
Mani of hem yfelled is—
Al hou y no may nouȝt tellen ywis
Mi matery wer to long
And þe tale to ȝou wel strong.
Ac þe deuelen of whom y said
Seiȝe hou Ihesu of a maide
Þurth his milce was ybore
And bouȝt al þat was forlore,
Þerto þai hadden gret ond
And sayd þat þai wolden fond
To ligge bi a maidenkin
And biȝeten a child her in
Swiche schuld acomber also fele
So þat oþer had brouȝt to wele.
Þe deuels þat fel out of heuen
Wiþ her pride Lucifer
Sum fel to helle-fer,
Sum in water sum in lond
Sum in þe aire gan wiþstond
Al fort our Driȝt seyd ‘Ho!’—
So þai bileued euer mo,
And forsoþe þai han power
Man to dere þere and here.
51
Bot þat longeþ now to me:
Þe deuelen þat houen abouen ous
Euer be luxsorius
And oþerwhile makeþ hem body
Of þe aire wel gent and rody
And hauen miȝt and power
Doun to liȝt and derien her
Al þo þat nillen wirche
Godes comandment in chirche,
Ac whilom more þan now
For þurth þe miȝt of swete Ihesu
Mani of hem yfelled is—
Al hou y no may nouȝt tellen ywis
Mi matery wer to long
And þe tale to ȝou wel strong.
Ac þe deuelen of whom y said
Seiȝe hou Ihesu of a maide
Þurth his milce was ybore
And bouȝt al þat was forlore,
Þerto þai hadden gret ond
And sayd þat þai wolden fond
To ligge bi a maidenkin
And biȝeten a child her in
Swiche schuld acomber also fele
So þat oþer had brouȝt to wele.
53
Bi þat day was a riche man
Þat hadde to wiue a fair wiman
Bi whom he hadde a sone fre
And wel fair douhtren þre;
A forseyd deuel liȝt adoun
And of þat wiif made a conioun
To don alle his volunte
Wharþurth in hem he had entre
And brouȝt hem in chideing and fiȝt
And made hem oft wroþ ypliȝt
So þat on an euen late
Þe Deuel sche tauȝt hir biȝate;
Þat ich niȝt þe deuel com
And strangled hir owhen grom,
Þe wiif hir sone seiȝe ded amorwe
Anon sche heng hirself for sorwe,
Þo þat þe bounde yseiȝe þis
Anon he starf for diol ywis—
Lo what wo and diol and dere
Dede wretþe and foule answere!
Al þe men ich ȝou say
Þat woned in þat cuntray
Hereof hadden gret pite
Boþe vplond and in cite
For þat man and eke his wiif
Were yholden of gode liif.
Biside þer woned an ermite
Þat þider com þis to visite,
Blasy ywis his name was,
Þo he seiȝe þis he seyd ‘Allas!’
And seyd it was verrament
Þe Deuels foule encumbrement.
Þat hadde to wiue a fair wiman
Bi whom he hadde a sone fre
And wel fair douhtren þre;
A forseyd deuel liȝt adoun
And of þat wiif made a conioun
To don alle his volunte
Wharþurth in hem he had entre
And brouȝt hem in chideing and fiȝt
And made hem oft wroþ ypliȝt
So þat on an euen late
Þe Deuel sche tauȝt hir biȝate;
Þat ich niȝt þe deuel com
And strangled hir owhen grom,
Þe wiif hir sone seiȝe ded amorwe
Anon sche heng hirself for sorwe,
Þo þat þe bounde yseiȝe þis
55
Lo what wo and diol and dere
Dede wretþe and foule answere!
Al þe men ich ȝou say
Þat woned in þat cuntray
Hereof hadden gret pite
Boþe vplond and in cite
For þat man and eke his wiif
Were yholden of gode liif.
Biside þer woned an ermite
Þat þider com þis to visite,
Blasy ywis his name was,
Þo he seiȝe þis he seyd ‘Allas!’
And seyd it was verrament
Þe Deuels foule encumbrement.
Þre douhtern he fonde oliue
And he hem dede ȝern schriue
Of alle þat he couþe enserche
Þurth þe lore of holy chirche
And penaunce on hem layd
For þat þai hadde God ytrayd
And tauȝt hem to serue God almiȝt,
And þo he went hom ful riȝt;
Þis fair maidens þre
Serued God wiþ hert fre
In grete drede and loue.
Þe deuel þat com fro aboue
(He þat was fram heuen yfalle
of whom y spac tofor ȝou alle)
And he hem dede ȝern schriue
Of alle þat he couþe enserche
Þurth þe lore of holy chirche
And penaunce on hem layd
For þat þai hadde God ytrayd
And tauȝt hem to serue God almiȝt,
And þo he went hom ful riȝt;
Þis fair maidens þre
Serued God wiþ hert fre
In grete drede and loue.
Þe deuel þat com fro aboue
(He þat was fram heuen yfalle
57
Þo he nam lickenisse of man
And com him to an old wiman
And bihete hir ȝiftes and grete fe
To wende to þis sostren þre
And þe heldest to bichaunte
Ȝong mannes loue forto haunte.
In þis lond was þo vsage
Who so dede wiþ man vtrage
Bot it were in wedloc
In þilke time men hem tok
Wiþ iuggement wiþouten les
And also quic doluen hes,
Bot sche hir knewe for liȝt woman
And comoun hore to alle men—
Þan was it riȝt and lawe
Þat sche no schuld ben yslawe.
And com him to an old wiman
And bihete hir ȝiftes and grete fe
To wende to þis sostren þre
And þe heldest to bichaunte
Ȝong mannes loue forto haunte.
In þis lond was þo vsage
Who so dede wiþ man vtrage
Bot it were in wedloc
In þilke time men hem tok
Wiþ iuggement wiþouten les
And also quic doluen hes,
Bot sche hir knewe for liȝt woman
And comoun hore to alle men—
Þan was it riȝt and lawe
Þat sche no schuld ben yslawe.
Þis eld wiif—þat ieul sche þe!—
Com to þis sostren þre
And made wailing and michel fare
For þis þre maidens care,
To þe eldest soster sche seyd
‘Wolewo mi swete maide
Þou hast fair fot and hond
And gentil viis bi Godes sond
White hond and long arm,
Certes it were michel harm
Bot þi bodi most asay
Wiþ som gentil ȝong man to play
Þat þe miȝt in þis cas
Finde þe ioie and solas.’
Þe maiden seyd ‘Ȝiue so dede ic
Y schuld be doluen also quic.’
Com to þis sostren þre
And made wailing and michel fare
For þis þre maidens care,
To þe eldest soster sche seyd
‘Wolewo mi swete maide
Þou hast fair fot and hond
And gentil viis bi Godes sond
White hond and long arm,
Certes it were michel harm
Bot þi bodi most asay
Wiþ som gentil ȝong man to play
Þat þe miȝt in þis cas
Finde þe ioie and solas.’
59
Y schuld be doluen also quic.’
‘Nay certes’ quaþ þat eld quen
‘Þou miȝt it do wiþouten den
Ȝer and oþer in þi bedde
And þan þe wil þat ȝong man wedde.’
Þurth þis quen verrament
And þe fendes enticement
Þe eldest soster y ȝou say
A ȝong man lete wiþ hir play,
Ac þo hir liked alder best
Hir gamen com al to chest
For sche was nome and forþ ydrawe
And of hir dede sche was biknowe,
Þurth iuggement doluen sche was.
Mani man seyd ‘Allas allas!’
For her and for her elderlinges
Men made gret diol and wepeinges.
‘Þou miȝt it do wiþouten den
Ȝer and oþer in þi bedde
And þan þe wil þat ȝong man wedde.’
Þurth þis quen verrament
And þe fendes enticement
Þe eldest soster y ȝou say
A ȝong man lete wiþ hir play,
Ac þo hir liked alder best
Hir gamen com al to chest
For sche was nome and forþ ydrawe
And of hir dede sche was biknowe,
Þurth iuggement doluen sche was.
Mani man seyd ‘Allas allas!’
For her and for her elderlinges
Men made gret diol and wepeinges.
Ȝete wald þe deuel ful of ond
Þe midel soster agile fond
And brouȝt hir vp a ȝong man
Wiche þat wowen hir bigan
Al his wille don him sche lete,
And it was aperceiued skete
Sche was brouȝt bifor iustise
Deþ to þoly in al wise—
Sche seyd sche was a liȝt woman
And comoun hore to alle man.
Of þat chaunce mani nam kepe
And wiþ eiȝen sore wepe
For ribaudye gret haras
Tofolwe[d] hir bodi—allas
Þat þe Fende haþ swiche pouwer
To deri þat God bouȝt so dere!
Þe þridde soster was so wo
Hir þouȝt hir hert brast atvo—
Hir moder was ded acurssedliche
And hir fader starf reuliche
And hir broþer yslawe also
And hir soster quic doluen þo
Hir oþer soster hore strong
Þat al harlotes ȝede among.
Þe midel soster agile fond
And brouȝt hir vp a ȝong man
Wiche þat wowen hir bigan
Al his wille don him sche lete,
And it was aperceiued skete
Sche was brouȝt bifor iustise
Deþ to þoly in al wise—
61
And comoun hore to alle man.
Of þat chaunce mani nam kepe
And wiþ eiȝen sore wepe
For ribaudye gret haras
Tofolwe[d] hir bodi—allas
Þat þe Fende haþ swiche pouwer
To deri þat God bouȝt so dere!
Þe þridde soster was so wo
Hir þouȝt hir hert brast atvo—
Hir moder was ded acurssedliche
And hir fader starf reuliche
And hir broþer yslawe also
And hir soster quic doluen þo
Hir oþer soster hore strong
Þat al harlotes ȝede among.
In wanhope sche fel neiȝe
Ac þurth Godes help an heiȝe
Sche hir biþouȝt of þermite
Þat hem com to visite
To him sche went þo bliue
And hir schrof of hir liue
And alle þe chaunces teld also
Þat hir kin were comen to;
Ac þurth Godes help an heiȝe
Sche hir biþouȝt of þermite
Þat hem com to visite
To him sche went þo bliue
And hir schrof of hir liue
And alle þe chaunces teld also
Þat hir kin were comen to;
Þis hermite hadde wonder gret
And hir tauȝt boþe and hete
Haue euer Crist in mende
And lete þe lores of þe Fende
Pride wratþe and glotonie
Niþe sleuþe and lecherie
Couaitise and trecherie
Bacbiteing and envie
Swiche þinges he bad hir flen
And gode and bonair forto ben,
Alle þe werkes þat gode ware
To don he hir tauȝt þare
And þat sche nere so michel ape
Þat sche hir laid doun to slape
Ar hir dore and hir fenester
Hadde yblisced and ich ester—
Þus he tauȝt hir to done
And þo sche went hir hom sone.
Þe deuel hereof hadde ond
Þat hir to gile wold he fond
Þurth hi[r] soster ich ȝou telle
Þat was his in flesche and felle.
Þis hore com opon a day
To hir soster par ma fay
And to hir soster sche gan sigge
Þat sche it schuld dere abigge
Þat sche hadde hir hiritage,
And ran to hir in gret rage
Wiþ herlotes þat wiþ hir ware
And sore bete þat wenche þare;
Into a chaumber sche ran hir þo
And fast schett þe dore hir to,
Out sche gradde and neiȝebours come
And driuen oway þis wreches sone.
And hir tauȝt boþe and hete
Haue euer Crist in mende
And lete þe lores of þe Fende
Pride wratþe and glotonie
Niþe sleuþe and lecherie
63
Bacbiteing and envie
Swiche þinges he bad hir flen
And gode and bonair forto ben,
Alle þe werkes þat gode ware
To don he hir tauȝt þare
And þat sche nere so michel ape
Þat sche hir laid doun to slape
Ar hir dore and hir fenester
Hadde yblisced and ich ester—
Þus he tauȝt hir to done
And þo sche went hir hom sone.
Þe deuel hereof hadde ond
Þat hir to gile wold he fond
Þurth hi[r] soster ich ȝou telle
Þat was his in flesche and felle.
Þis hore com opon a day
To hir soster par ma fay
And to hir soster sche gan sigge
Þat sche it schuld dere abigge
65
And ran to hir in gret rage
Wiþ herlotes þat wiþ hir ware
And sore bete þat wenche þare;
Into a chaumber sche ran hir þo
And fast schett þe dore hir to,
Out sche gradde and neiȝebours come
And driuen oway þis wreches sone.
Þis sely þing was al day wroþ
Hir owen liif was hir loþ
On hir bed þo it was niȝt
Al ycloþed sche fel doun riȝt
And sche forȝat hir vnblisced
So þe hermite hir hadde ywissed,
For wretþe sche þouȝt of blisseing non
And fel on slepe sone anon.
Hir owen liif was hir loþ
On hir bed þo it was niȝt
Al ycloþed sche fel doun riȝt
And sche forȝat hir vnblisced
So þe hermite hir hadde ywissed,
For wretþe sche þouȝt of blisseing non
And fel on slepe sone anon.
Þe fende herof was ful bliþe
To hir he com þan swiþe
Ouer alle hir chaumber in he miȝt
For þer nas no merk of our Driȝt,
To þis maiden sikerliche
He com þo and lay flescheliche.
Þis maiden sone þat hye awaked
Feld hir legges al naked
And feled also bi her þi
Þat sche was yleyen bi,
Sche ros and fond hir dore loke
And noþing no was tobroke,
Sche þouȝt it was þe Foule Wiȝt þo
Sche was aferd, sche nist wat to do,
Hirselue sche bete and gan to tere
Wiþ boþe honden hir ȝalu here
And wepe al niȝt wiþ gret sorwe.
To þermite sche went amorwe
And told him al þe cas,
He was sori and seyd, allas
For sche no held nouȝt hir penance
Sche was fallen in encombraunce,
‘Allas sir’ sche seyd þo
‘Certes sir men wil me slo
Sone so þai it may wite
Þat on me is a child biȝete.’
‘Ich leue wele’ quaþ he ‘saun faile
Ich haue of þi tale gret meruaile,
Siker, douhter, and y finde and se
Þat þou so wiþ child be
I schal þe help wiþ al mi miȝt
Til ich haue þerof a siȝt
Go now hom douhter min
And haue Crist in hert þin
Do penaunce day and niȝt
Serue Ihesu wiþ al þi miȝt
He may ȝif his wille be
Out of anoye bring þe.’
Hom sche went wiþ dreri mod
And serued God wiþ hert gode—
And euerich day þat biȝete
In hir wombe bigan to grete.
Hir no gett it nouȝt to hide
For hir wombe wex vnride,
Þer sone after sche was ynome
And yladde to hir dome,
Sore miȝt hir agrise
Þo sche stode bifor þe iustise.
To hir he com þan swiþe
Ouer alle hir chaumber in he miȝt
For þer nas no merk of our Driȝt,
To þis maiden sikerliche
He com þo and lay flescheliche.
Þis maiden sone þat hye awaked
Feld hir legges al naked
And feled also bi her þi
Þat sche was yleyen bi,
Sche ros and fond hir dore loke
67
Sche þouȝt it was þe Foule Wiȝt þo
Sche was aferd, sche nist wat to do,
Hirselue sche bete and gan to tere
Wiþ boþe honden hir ȝalu here
And wepe al niȝt wiþ gret sorwe.
To þermite sche went amorwe
And told him al þe cas,
He was sori and seyd, allas
For sche no held nouȝt hir penance
Sche was fallen in encombraunce,
‘Allas sir’ sche seyd þo
‘Certes sir men wil me slo
Sone so þai it may wite
Þat on me is a child biȝete.’
‘Ich leue wele’ quaþ he ‘saun faile
Ich haue of þi tale gret meruaile,
Siker, douhter, and y finde and se
Þat þou so wiþ child be
I schal þe help wiþ al mi miȝt
Til ich haue þerof a siȝt
Go now hom douhter min
And haue Crist in hert þin
Do penaunce day and niȝt
Serue Ihesu wiþ al þi miȝt
He may ȝif his wille be
Out of anoye bring þe.’
Hom sche went wiþ dreri mod
And serued God wiþ hert gode—
And euerich day þat biȝete
In hir wombe bigan to grete.
Hir no gett it nouȝt to hide
For hir wombe wex vnride,
Þer sone after sche was ynome
And yladde to hir dome,
Sore miȝt hir agrise
69
Þermite herd tellen þis
And þider he com anon ywis.
Þe iustise him gan biþenche
And þus aposed þat wenche
‘O maiden bi mi treuþe
Of þe ich haue gret reuþe,
Whi noldestow vnderstonde
Hou þi kin is brouȝt to schond
And ben out of þis world ywent?
And now þou hast þiseluen yschent
Þat hast mannes flesche yknawe
And vnderfong oȝaines þe lawe,
Þis ich day þou schalt be slawe
For þat wil now þe lawe.’
And þider he com anon ywis.
Þe iustise him gan biþenche
And þus aposed þat wenche
‘O maiden bi mi treuþe
Of þe ich haue gret reuþe,
Whi noldestow vnderstonde
Hou þi kin is brouȝt to schond
And ben out of þis world ywent?
And now þou hast þiseluen yschent
Þat hast mannes flesche yknawe
And vnderfong oȝaines þe lawe,
Þis ich day þou schalt be slawe
For þat wil now þe lawe.’
‘Certes sir’ sche seyd ‘nay
No dede ich neuer oȝain þe lay
Bi him þat þoled ded on tre
Man no lay neuer bi me
No bi his moder seynt Marie
Mannes mouþe kist in vilanie.’
No dede ich neuer oȝain þe lay
Bi him þat þoled ded on tre
Man no lay neuer bi me
No bi his moder seynt Marie
Mannes mouþe kist in vilanie.’
‘Ey’ quaþ þe iustise ‘swiche meruaile!
Þou lext damisel saun faile
Þi tale soþe no miȝt be
Seþþen wiþ child y þe se.’
‘Certes’ sche sayd ‘wiþ child icham
Wiþouten companie of man,
So y slepe þis ender niȝt
Bi me lay a selcouþe wiȝt
Y nist neuer wat it was
(Ac now ich hold to Godes gras)
Ac wele ich wot bi þis day
Þat no man neuer bi me lay.’
Þou lext damisel saun faile
Þi tale soþe no miȝt be
Seþþen wiþ child y þe se.’
‘Certes’ sche sayd ‘wiþ child icham
Wiþouten companie of man,
So y slepe þis ender niȝt
71
Y nist neuer wat it was
(Ac now ich hold to Godes gras)
Ac wele ich wot bi þis day
Þat no man neuer bi me lay.’
Þe iustise swore bi seynt Albon
Swiche meruail herd he neuer non
‘Þine tale ich no leue
For seþþen þat Adam was and Eue
Child biȝeten wiþouten man
Herd y neuer bot of an
Þat was Ihesu our Driȝt
Þurth God þe Fadres miȝt—
And for þou seyst wiþ child þou art
And haddest neuer of man part
Ar ani man þe quic delue
Telle schul wiues tvelue
Ȝif ani child may be made
Wiþouten knoweing of mannes sade.’
Opon tvelue wiues it was ydo
And þai com and seyden þo
Þat neuer child biȝeten was
Bot Ihesu þurth Godes gras
Wiþouten mannes flesche forsoþ
And þerto þai sworen her oþ.
Þo spac Blasy þermite
‘Iustise listen me a lite
Hir tale no may sche avowe
Vnder ous alle se we mowe,
Ich haue hir schriuen and tauȝt þe lawe
To me no was sche neuer biknawe
Þat ani man to hir cam
Þat euer knewe hir licham.
Þei sche haue serued to be spilt
Þe child þerof haþ no gilt
It were gret vnriȝt to to slon
And reuþe, for þe gilt of on,
Ac lete hir in ward don
Sche schal herafter child son
Tvo ȝer and an half þan sche mot
Þe child loke God it wot,
When þe child can go and speke
Þan ȝe may ben of hir awreke.’
‘A min Dieu’ seyd þe iustise
‘Þine tales ben gode and wise
Þerafter now wirche ichille
Today no schal hir no man spille.’
In a tour þai han hir do
Þat no man miȝt hir com to
Bot an eld midwiif
Þat schuld ȝemen hir liif
Þerin sche was don on hast
And þerin bischet ful fast,
Þilke tour was swiþe heiȝe
No man miȝt comen hem neiȝe
A windowe was þerin
And a cabel made bi gin
Forto drawen vp al þing
Þat nede was to her libbeing.
Sone so hir time come
Sche childed a selcouþe grome
So ich bi bok telle can
It hadde fourm after a man
Bot it was blacker
Þan anoþer and wel rower.
Swiche meruail herd he neuer non
‘Þine tale ich no leue
For seþþen þat Adam was and Eue
Child biȝeten wiþouten man
Herd y neuer bot of an
Þat was Ihesu our Driȝt
Þurth God þe Fadres miȝt—
And for þou seyst wiþ child þou art
And haddest neuer of man part
Ar ani man þe quic delue
Telle schul wiues tvelue
Ȝif ani child may be made
Wiþouten knoweing of mannes sade.’
Opon tvelue wiues it was ydo
And þai com and seyden þo
Þat neuer child biȝeten was
Bot Ihesu þurth Godes gras
Wiþouten mannes flesche forsoþ
And þerto þai sworen her oþ.
Þo spac Blasy þermite
‘Iustise listen me a lite
Hir tale no may sche avowe
Vnder ous alle se we mowe,
Ich haue hir schriuen and tauȝt þe lawe
73
Þat ani man to hir cam
Þat euer knewe hir licham.
Þei sche haue serued to be spilt
Þe child þerof haþ no gilt
It were gret vnriȝt to to slon
And reuþe, for þe gilt of on,
Ac lete hir in ward don
Sche schal herafter child son
Tvo ȝer and an half þan sche mot
Þe child loke God it wot,
When þe child can go and speke
Þan ȝe may ben of hir awreke.’
‘A min Dieu’ seyd þe iustise
‘Þine tales ben gode and wise
Þerafter now wirche ichille
Today no schal hir no man spille.’
In a tour þai han hir do
Þat no man miȝt hir com to
Bot an eld midwiif
Þat schuld ȝemen hir liif
Þerin sche was don on hast
And þerin bischet ful fast,
Þilke tour was swiþe heiȝe
No man miȝt comen hem neiȝe
A windowe was þerin
And a cabel made bi gin
Forto drawen vp al þing
Þat nede was to her libbeing.
Sone so hir time come
Sche childed a selcouþe grome
So ich bi bok telle can
It hadde fourm after a man
75
Þan anoþer and wel rower.
Þo þat child was ybore
Blasi stode þe hole bifore
Bi þe rope þai it adoun let
And he it cristned also sket
He clept it Merlin a Godes name—
Þe fende þerof hadde grame
For þai lese þer þe miȝt
Þat þai wende to haue bi riȝt.
Þo þat child ycristned was
Blasi turned oȝain his pas
And in þe rope anon it knitt,
Þe howe wiif anon it fett
And ȝede and held it bi þe fer
Biheld his face and eke his cher
‘Away þou foule þing
Þat þi moder swiche ending
For þi sake haue schal
For þou art loþlich oueral.’
Þat child spac wiþ gret den
‘Þou lext’ he seyd ‘þou eld quen!
Mi moder quelle no may no man
While þat ich oliues am.’
Þe wif agros of þis answere
And seyd ‘Haue þou no power me to dere
Ich þe hals a Godes name!’
On þat maner seyd his dame
And halsed him also þare
He schuld telle wat he ware
Ac þei þai it hadde al yswore
Þai no miȝt do him speke no more
And y ȝou telle anon saun fayl
Þai hadden þerof gret meruail,
And alle men þat herden it
Wonder hadde in her wit.
Blasi stode þe hole bifore
Bi þe rope þai it adoun let
And he it cristned also sket
He clept it Merlin a Godes name—
Þe fende þerof hadde grame
For þai lese þer þe miȝt
Þat þai wende to haue bi riȝt.
Þo þat child ycristned was
Blasi turned oȝain his pas
77
Þe howe wiif anon it fett
And ȝede and held it bi þe fer
Biheld his face and eke his cher
‘Away þou foule þing
Þat þi moder swiche ending
For þi sake haue schal
For þou art loþlich oueral.’
Þat child spac wiþ gret den
‘Þou lext’ he seyd ‘þou eld quen!
Mi moder quelle no may no man
While þat ich oliues am.’
Þe wif agros of þis answere
79
Ich þe hals a Godes name!’
On þat maner seyd his dame
And halsed him also þare
He schuld telle wat he ware
Ac þei þai it hadde al yswore
Þai no miȝt do him speke no more
And y ȝou telle anon saun fayl
Þai hadden þerof gret meruail,
And alle men þat herden it
Wonder hadde in her wit.
Þerafterward ȝete half a ȝer
His moder held him bi þe fer
And swiþe bitter ters lete
And seyd ‘Allas mi sone swete
For þe misbiȝeten stren
Quic y schal now doluen ben.’
Þe child seyd ‘Dame nay
Ich þe swere par ma fay
No schal þer neuer no iustise
Þe bidelue o non wise
No in erþe þi bodi reke
Þerwhiles y may gon and speke.’
His moder held him bi þe fer
And swiþe bitter ters lete
And seyd ‘Allas mi sone swete
For þe misbiȝeten stren
Quic y schal now doluen ben.’
Þe child seyd ‘Dame nay
Ich þe swere par ma fay
No schal þer neuer no iustise
Þe bidelue o non wise
No in erþe þi bodi reke
Þerwhiles y may gon and speke.’
His moder wex a bliþe wiman—
Fram þat ich day after þan
He teld hir vnder sonne
Al þat sche wald conne.
Fram þat ich day after þan
He teld hir vnder sonne
Al þat sche wald conne.
Þo þat child couþe go
Þe iustise com þider þo
And dede feche þat wiman
Bifor þe pople riȝt onan
And swore ded sche schuld ben
Riȝt anon bi Heuen-quen.
Þe iustise com þider þo
And dede feche þat wiman
Bifor þe pople riȝt onan
81
Riȝt anon bi Heuen-quen.
Þo bispac Merlin childe
To þe iustise wordes milde
‘Man wele wot þat ani gode kan
Oȝain chaunce no may no man,
Þurth chaunce and eke þurth gras
In hir forsoþe pelt y was.’
Þe iustise biheld þat childe,
For Merlin he was neiȝe wilde
And seyd ydoluen most sche ben,
Þo quaþ Merlin ‘So mot y þen
For al þat euer kanestow do
Schaltow it neuer bring þerto
Þat þou mi moder delue mow—
Bi resoun ichil wele avowe:
To þe iustise wordes milde
‘Man wele wot þat ani gode kan
Oȝain chaunce no may no man,
Þurth chaunce and eke þurth gras
In hir forsoþe pelt y was.’
Þe iustise biheld þat childe,
For Merlin he was neiȝe wilde
And seyd ydoluen most sche ben,
Þo quaþ Merlin ‘So mot y þen
For al þat euer kanestow do
Schaltow it neuer bring þerto
Þat þou mi moder delue mow—
Bi resoun ichil wele avowe:
A fende it was þat me biȝat
And pelt me in an holy fat
He wende haue hadde an iuel fode
Ac al icham turned to gode,
Ac þurth kende of hem y can bo
Telle of þing þat is ago
And al þing þat is now
Whi it is and what and how,
Of oþer þing þat is to come
Telle y can nouȝt al ac some—
Ich wot wele who mi fader is
Ac þou no knowest nouȝt þine ywis
Wharþurth y tel moder þine
Digner to be ded þan moder mine.’
83
He wende haue hadde an iuel fode
Ac al icham turned to gode,
Ac þurth kende of hem y can bo
Telle of þing þat is ago
And al þing þat is now
Whi it is and what and how,
Of oþer þing þat is to come
Telle y can nouȝt al ac some—
Ich wot wele who mi fader is
Ac þou no knowest nouȝt þine ywis
Wharþurth y tel moder þine
Digner to be ded þan moder mine.’
Hou noblelich þat child answerd
Wonder hadde þat it herd
Þat so couþe speke and go
And was bot of ȝeres tvo.
Þe iustise seyd ‘Þou gabbest conioun!
Mi fader was an heiȝe baroun
Mi moder is a leuedi fre
Oliue ȝete þou miȝt hir se
Ich wene bi þe quen Marie
Men dede neuer bi hir folie.’
Wonder hadde þat it herd
Þat so couþe speke and go
And was bot of ȝeres tvo.
Þe iustise seyd ‘Þou gabbest conioun!
Mi fader was an heiȝe baroun
Mi moder is a leuedi fre
85
Ich wene bi þe quen Marie
Men dede neuer bi hir folie.’
Þe child seyd ‘Iustise held þi mouþe
Oþer y schal make it wide couþe
Of hir folis mani on;
Do hir after som man gon,
Bot ȝif y do hir it ben aknawe
Wiþ wild hors do me todrawe.’
Þe iustise anon raþe and skete
His moder þider feche he hete
Bifor him sche com wel sone
Þe iustise seyd midydone
‘Say Merlin þat þou seydest arst
Bifor mi moder ȝif þou darst.’
‘Now ich ise sir iustise
Þine ordinaunce no be nouȝt wise,
Ȝif ich telt þis men bifore
Hou þou were biȝeten and bore
Þi moder most ydoluen be
And þat were alle þurth þe.’
Þo þe iustise þis vnderstode
He þouȝt þat child couþe gode
Into a chaumber sone anon
Al þre þai gun to gon
And þe iustise seyd þo
‘Child Merlin forþ þou go
Telle now bitven ous þre
What man it was þat biȝat me.’
Þe child swore bi seyn Symoun
‘It was þe persone of her toun
Haþ ypleyd wiþ þi dame
And biȝat þe al a-game.’
Þat leuedy seyd ‘Þou misbiȝeten þing
Þou hast ylowe a gret lesing
His fader was a fair baroun,
Y telle þat man a conioun
Þat to þe ȝiueþ ani listening
For þou art a cursed þing
Misbiȝeten oȝaines þe lawe
Þou schust wiþ riȝt ben yslawe
Þat þou no leiȝe no lesinges mo
Men forto wirchen wo.’
Þe child seyd ‘Dame be stille!
Wiþ riȝt may me no man spille
For icham a ferly sond
Born to gode to al þis lond
Ac þou art digne doluen to ben—
Þi sone schal þe soþe ysen.
Oþer y schal make it wide couþe
Of hir folis mani on;
Do hir after som man gon,
Bot ȝif y do hir it ben aknawe
Wiþ wild hors do me todrawe.’
Þe iustise anon raþe and skete
His moder þider feche he hete
Bifor him sche com wel sone
Þe iustise seyd midydone
‘Say Merlin þat þou seydest arst
Bifor mi moder ȝif þou darst.’
‘Now ich ise sir iustise
Þine ordinaunce no be nouȝt wise,
Ȝif ich telt þis men bifore
Hou þou were biȝeten and bore
Þi moder most ydoluen be
And þat were alle þurth þe.’
Þo þe iustise þis vnderstode
He þouȝt þat child couþe gode
Into a chaumber sone anon
Al þre þai gun to gon
And þe iustise seyd þo
‘Child Merlin forþ þou go
Telle now bitven ous þre
What man it was þat biȝat me.’
Þe child swore bi seyn Symoun
‘It was þe persone of her toun
87
And biȝat þe al a-game.’
Þat leuedy seyd ‘Þou misbiȝeten þing
Þou hast ylowe a gret lesing
His fader was a fair baroun,
Y telle þat man a conioun
Þat to þe ȝiueþ ani listening
For þou art a cursed þing
Misbiȝeten oȝaines þe lawe
Þou schust wiþ riȝt ben yslawe
Þat þou no leiȝe no lesinges mo
Men forto wirchen wo.’
Þe child seyd ‘Dame be stille!
Wiþ riȝt may me no man spille
For icham a ferly sond
Born to gode to al þis lond
Ac þou art digne doluen to ben—
Þi sone schal þe soþe ysen.
Þo þi lord com fro Cardoil
In hert þou haddest gret diol,
Bi niȝt it was ar þe day
Þe persone in þine armes lay
On þi dore þi lord gan knoke
And þou stirtest vp in þi smoke
Wel neiȝe wode for dred and howe
Vp þou schotest a windowe
And þe persone þou out lete
And afterward þou schet it sket,
And forsoþe þat ich niȝt
He biȝat þis ich kniȝt—
Hou seistow dame seystow auȝt?’
And sche no spac oȝain riȝt nauȝt
Ac so gretliche sche awondred was
Þat hir chaunged blod and fas.
Þe iustice seyd ‘Dame what seystow?’
‘Sir he seyt soþe bi Crist Ihesu
Þei ȝe me hong bi a cord
He no leiȝeþ neuer a word.’
Þe iustise þo hadde no game
Ac neiȝe wode he was for schame,
Merlin him cleped to an herne
And to him told tales derne
‘Sir’ he seyd ‘listen to me
For soþe ichil now tellen þe
Lete þi moder wende hom
And sende þou after a litel grom
Þat hir cun wele aspie
For homward sche wil an heiȝe
And to þe persone sone say
Hou ichaue hem boþe biwray,
When þe persone haþ herd þis
Sore he worþ adrad ywis
Of schameful deþ to haue of þe
To a brigge he wil fle
Into þe water scippe he wille
And so he schal himseluen spille—
Bot it be soþ þat y þe telle
Wiþ þine honden þou me aquelle.’
In hert þou haddest gret diol,
Bi niȝt it was ar þe day
Þe persone in þine armes lay
On þi dore þi lord gan knoke
89
Wel neiȝe wode for dred and howe
Vp þou schotest a windowe
And þe persone þou out lete
And afterward þou schet it sket,
And forsoþe þat ich niȝt
He biȝat þis ich kniȝt—
Hou seistow dame seystow auȝt?’
And sche no spac oȝain riȝt nauȝt
Ac so gretliche sche awondred was
Þat hir chaunged blod and fas.
Þe iustice seyd ‘Dame what seystow?’
‘Sir he seyt soþe bi Crist Ihesu
Þei ȝe me hong bi a cord
He no leiȝeþ neuer a word.’
Þe iustise þo hadde no game
Ac neiȝe wode he was for schame,
Merlin him cleped to an herne
And to him told tales derne
‘Sir’ he seyd ‘listen to me
For soþe ichil now tellen þe
Lete þi moder wende hom
And sende þou after a litel grom
Þat hir cun wele aspie
For homward sche wil an heiȝe
And to þe persone sone say
Hou ichaue hem boþe biwray,
When þe persone haþ herd þis
Sore he worþ adrad ywis
Of schameful deþ to haue of þe
To a brigge he wil fle
Into þe water scippe he wille
And so he schal himseluen spille—
Bot it be soþ þat y þe telle
Wiþ þine honden þou me aquelle.’
91
Þe iustise dede saun fail
Al bi þat childes conseyl
He it aspide bi on hewe
Þe childes tale he fond al trewe,
And seþþen he legged hir fore
Þe childes moder nas nouȝt forlore
And al quite he lete hir go
Wiþouten pain wiþouten wo.
Al bi þat childes conseyl
He it aspide bi on hewe
Þe childes tale he fond al trewe,
And seþþen he legged hir fore
Þe childes moder nas nouȝt forlore
And al quite he lete hir go
Wiþouten pain wiþouten wo.
Seþþen Blasy þermite
Merlin com to visite
And halsed him a Godes name
Þat wiþouten harm and schame
He schuld him telle al þe cas
Hou he euer biȝeten was,
Merlin him teld ende and ord
Of his biȝeteing euery word,
And seþþen seyd to Blasy after
‘To kinges foure y worþ maister
Hem y mot ȝete alle rade
And þou schalt write her dade
Þou schalt write þat y say
Mani man forto averray’—
Þere he teld of mani a þing
Þat Blasi made of writeing
Bi was bok we vnderstond
Al þat Merlin wrouȝt in lond.
Merlin com to visite
And halsed him a Godes name
Þat wiþouten harm and schame
He schuld him telle al þe cas
Hou he euer biȝeten was,
Merlin him teld ende and ord
Of his biȝeteing euery word,
And seþþen seyd to Blasy after
‘To kinges foure y worþ maister
Hem y mot ȝete alle rade
And þou schalt write her dade
Þou schalt write þat y say
Mani man forto averray’—
Þere he teld of mani a þing
Þat Blasi made of writeing
Bi was bok we vnderstond
Al þat Merlin wrouȝt in lond.
Þo Merlin was fif winter eld
He was michel broun and beld
So we in boke finde conne
His moder he dede make a nonne
Þat Ihesu Crist wiþ hert gent
Serued ay wiþ gode entent.
He was michel broun and beld
So we in boke finde conne
His moder he dede make a nonne
Þat Ihesu Crist wiþ hert gent
Serued ay wiþ gode entent.
On a day as ich ȝou telle
Þo ich þre sechers snelle
Þat were ysent fram þe king
To hauen of þis child findeing
Comen al þre bi cas
Into þe toun þer Merlin was,
Merlin in þe strete þo pleyd
And on of his felawes him trayd
Þat him seyd loude to
‘Foule schrewe fram ous go!
Þou art al biȝeten amis
Þou nost who þi fader is
Ac some deuel as ich wene
Þe biȝat ous euer to tene.’
Þo ich þre sechers snelle
Þat were ysent fram þe king
93
Comen al þre bi cas
Into þe toun þer Merlin was,
Merlin in þe strete þo pleyd
And on of his felawes him trayd
Þat him seyd loude to
‘Foule schrewe fram ous go!
Þou art al biȝeten amis
Þou nost who þi fader is
Ac some deuel as ich wene
Þe biȝat ous euer to tene.’
Merlin seiȝe þis and vnderstode
Þo þre it were þat souȝt his blod
Þat þo riden þerforbi
Þat of þis child herden cri,
He seiȝe þat ich his hors wiþdrouȝ
Merlin schoke his heued and louȝ
He was of fiue winter eld
And he spac wordes swiþe beld
‘Yuel þe bifalle þou conioun!
Þou hast yseyd to loude þi roun
Her comeþ þe kinges messanger
Þat haþ me souȝt al þis ȝer
Forto han min hert-blod,
And it no may don hem no gode;
Hast þai haue me to slen
Ac bi þat þai me wiþ eiȝen sen
Þerto worþ hem no talent
And ȝif þai deden þai weren schent.’
Messangers to him gan terne
And he oȝaines hem fast gan erne
And on hem Merlin louȝ forsoþe
And seyd to hem ‘Wel comeþ boþe!
Now ȝe haue yfounden me
Þat ȝou was hoten forto sle
Ar ȝe wiþ me spak auȝt
(Þus ȝo was bihoten and tauȝt)
Mi blod to haue to þat werk
Þat schuld be so strong [and] sterk—
For mi blod no worþ it þe bet
Neuer more þe bet yset,
Ichil proue leiȝers þai beþ
Þat so bispoken mi deþ
Ac certes ȝiue ich were ded
Þe king no worþ þerof no red.’
Þo þre it were þat souȝt his blod
Þat þo riden þerforbi
Þat of þis child herden cri,
He seiȝe þat ich his hors wiþdrouȝ
Merlin schoke his heued and louȝ
He was of fiue winter eld
And he spac wordes swiþe beld
‘Yuel þe bifalle þou conioun!
Þou hast yseyd to loude þi roun
Her comeþ þe kinges messanger
Þat haþ me souȝt al þis ȝer
Forto han min hert-blod,
And it no may don hem no gode;
Hast þai haue me to slen
Ac bi þat þai me wiþ eiȝen sen
Þerto worþ hem no talent
And ȝif þai deden þai weren schent.’
Messangers to him gan terne
And he oȝaines hem fast gan erne
And on hem Merlin louȝ forsoþe
95
Now ȝe haue yfounden me
Þat ȝou was hoten forto sle
Ar ȝe wiþ me spak auȝt
(Þus ȝo was bihoten and tauȝt)
Mi blod to haue to þat werk
Þat schuld be so strong [and] sterk—
For mi blod no worþ it þe bet
Neuer more þe bet yset,
Ichil proue leiȝers þai beþ
Þat so bispoken mi deþ
Ac certes ȝiue ich were ded
Þe king no worþ þerof no red.’
‘Seynt Marie!’ quaþ her on
“Swiche wonder haue we herd of non
Hou wostow þat we it ben
Þat þe seche forto slen,
And þe kinges priuete?
(So ȝong þou art!) Telle it me.’
Merlin seyd ‘Wele y wot
Þe kinges conseyl eueri grot
And al þat on erþe worþ ydo
And al þat schal be don þerto.’
Þis men hadde wonder gret—
Him to sle it were vnnet.
Þe child seyd ‘Nouȝt me no sleþ
For y schal scheld ȝou fram þe deþ
Bifor þe king ich ȝou pliȝt
And telle and schewe þe soþe riȝt
Why his werk mai nouȝt stond
And of þe clerkes þat ben in bond
Hou þai han ylowen on me
Þe king þat soþe schal yse
Ȝif it ȝour willes is
Wiþ ȝou ichil wende ywis.’
Al þre þai spoken þo
‘Certes child we wil it be so.
Telle ous now what is þi name
Oþer what wiman was þi dame
Þat we se sum witnesseing
Of þi dede—þou art so ȝing!’
Merlin anon he hem sede
‘Comeþ þider þer ich ȝou lede
Mi moder ȝe schullen se
And wiþ þe soþe finde me.’
Þer he ledde hem bi heiȝe sonne
To his moder þer sche was nonne
Þat al þat soþe was biknawe
And euerich word hem teld arawe
Hou þat child fram þe iustise,
Fram deþ, hir saued wiþ wordes wise,
Of þis sche told hem þus saun fayl
Þe kniȝtes hadden gret meruail;
And seþþen in gret quiet and pays
He ledde hem to his maister Blays
Þat hem told and wittnes bar
Of al þing þat he seyd þar,
Merlin to Blasi þer meche seyd
Þat Blasi al in writt leyd.
Þat niȝt al þe messangers
Þai bileften to þe sopers,
Amorwe so we seþ in boke
Al fiue þer her leue toke
At þe nonne and at Blays
And went hem forþ wele at aise
Toward þe king þer he lay
So þat þai comen on a day
Þurth a toun, was chepeing
And to selle mani a þing.
Þer Merlin houed and louȝ stille
And seiȝe hou men loued schon to selle,
Þe messanger made anon asking
Whi he made swiche leiȝeing,
Merlin seyd ‘No se ȝe nouȝt
Newe schon þat man haþ bouȝt
And strong clout-leþer hem to clout
And smere to smere hem al about?
He wenes to liue and hem tere
Ac bi mi soule y ȝou swere
His wreche liif he schal forlate
Her he com to his owhen gate.’
Þe messangers herden þis
And wonder hadde þerof ywis
For sone þerafterward þai founde
Þat man ded opon a stounde.
Rest þai token þat ich niȝt
Amorwe her way þai went forþ riȝt
And comen bi a chircheȝerd
And metten a bere to chirche-werd;
His bridel þer Merlin wiþdrouȝ
And swiþe schille and loude he louȝ,
Þe messangers bad him þo telle
Whi it was he louȝ so snelle,
He seyd he seiȝe wepe þat schuld sing
And sing þat schuld make wepeing
‘For þe prest þat singeþ þare
Biȝat þat child þat liþ on bare
He ouȝt for his sinne sori ben,
And þe bond þat ȝe ȝond sen
Þat so loude and sore ginneþ wepe
For blis he ouȝt to sing and lepe
For þe prestes sone is ded
Þat euer schuld haue don him qued.’
To þe moder þai gun gon
And þat soþe atoken anon
Alle þe soþe sche gan hem say
And bad hem nouȝt hir biwray
For sche were þan schent ay,
‘Verrament’ þai seyd ‘nay.’
Forþ þai went in her way
Þiderward þe king him lay
So ich ȝou segge in mi rime
Þo louȝ Merlin þe þridde time,
Eft him asked al his fere
Whi he maked swiche chere,
‘Ȝis’ he sayd ‘listen now
Þe soþe ichil tel ȝou:
Þe quen mi lordes wiif at hom
Haþ puruayd a wrongful dom;
Hir chaumberlain is a wiman
Þat goþ in gise of a man,
For he is louely and of fair hewe
Our quen þat is vntrewe
Bad hir be hir leman
For sche wend sche were a man,
Þis chaumberlain seyd þat he nold
Tresoun do for no gold
Wharþurth þe quen pleint made
To mi lord þe king and sade
Þat þurth fors hir chaumberlain
Wald haue hir forlain.
“Swiche wonder haue we herd of non
Hou wostow þat we it ben
Þat þe seche forto slen,
And þe kinges priuete?
(So ȝong þou art!) Telle it me.’
Merlin seyd ‘Wele y wot
Þe kinges conseyl eueri grot
And al þat on erþe worþ ydo
And al þat schal be don þerto.’
Þis men hadde wonder gret—
Him to sle it were vnnet.
Þe child seyd ‘Nouȝt me no sleþ
For y schal scheld ȝou fram þe deþ
Bifor þe king ich ȝou pliȝt
And telle and schewe þe soþe riȝt
Why his werk mai nouȝt stond
And of þe clerkes þat ben in bond
Hou þai han ylowen on me
Þe king þat soþe schal yse
Ȝif it ȝour willes is
Wiþ ȝou ichil wende ywis.’
Al þre þai spoken þo
97
Telle ous now what is þi name
Oþer what wiman was þi dame
Þat we se sum witnesseing
Of þi dede—þou art so ȝing!’
Merlin anon he hem sede
‘Comeþ þider þer ich ȝou lede
Mi moder ȝe schullen se
And wiþ þe soþe finde me.’
Þer he ledde hem bi heiȝe sonne
To his moder þer sche was nonne
Þat al þat soþe was biknawe
And euerich word hem teld arawe
Hou þat child fram þe iustise,
Fram deþ, hir saued wiþ wordes wise,
Of þis sche told hem þus saun fayl
Þe kniȝtes hadden gret meruail;
And seþþen in gret quiet and pays
He ledde hem to his maister Blays
Þat hem told and wittnes bar
Of al þing þat he seyd þar,
Merlin to Blasi þer meche seyd
Þat Blasi al in writt leyd.
Þat niȝt al þe messangers
Þai bileften to þe sopers,
Amorwe so we seþ in boke
Al fiue þer her leue toke
At þe nonne and at Blays
And went hem forþ wele at aise
Toward þe king þer he lay
So þat þai comen on a day
Þurth a toun, was chepeing
And to selle mani a þing.
Þer Merlin houed and louȝ stille
And seiȝe hou men loued schon to selle,
Þe messanger made anon asking
99
Merlin seyd ‘No se ȝe nouȝt
Newe schon þat man haþ bouȝt
And strong clout-leþer hem to clout
And smere to smere hem al about?
He wenes to liue and hem tere
Ac bi mi soule y ȝou swere
His wreche liif he schal forlate
Her he com to his owhen gate.’
Þe messangers herden þis
And wonder hadde þerof ywis
For sone þerafterward þai founde
Þat man ded opon a stounde.
Rest þai token þat ich niȝt
Amorwe her way þai went forþ riȝt
And comen bi a chircheȝerd
And metten a bere to chirche-werd;
His bridel þer Merlin wiþdrouȝ
And swiþe schille and loude he louȝ,
Þe messangers bad him þo telle
Whi it was he louȝ so snelle,
He seyd he seiȝe wepe þat schuld sing
101
‘For þe prest þat singeþ þare
Biȝat þat child þat liþ on bare
He ouȝt for his sinne sori ben,
And þe bond þat ȝe ȝond sen
Þat so loude and sore ginneþ wepe
For blis he ouȝt to sing and lepe
For þe prestes sone is ded
Þat euer schuld haue don him qued.’
To þe moder þai gun gon
And þat soþe atoken anon
Alle þe soþe sche gan hem say
And bad hem nouȝt hir biwray
For sche were þan schent ay,
‘Verrament’ þai seyd ‘nay.’
Forþ þai went in her way
Þiderward þe king him lay
So ich ȝou segge in mi rime
Þo louȝ Merlin þe þridde time,
Eft him asked al his fere
Whi he maked swiche chere,
103
Þe soþe ichil tel ȝou:
Þe quen mi lordes wiif at hom
Haþ puruayd a wrongful dom;
Hir chaumberlain is a wiman
Þat goþ in gise of a man,
For he is louely and of fair hewe
Our quen þat is vntrewe
Bad hir be hir leman
For sche wend sche were a man,
Þis chaumberlain seyd þat he nold
Tresoun do for no gold
Wharþurth þe quen pleint made
To mi lord þe king and sade
Þat þurth fors hir chaumberlain
Wald haue hir forlain.
Þe king for þis was swiþe wroþ
And wraþfulliche swore his oþ
‘Ȝif y may atake þis wrong
He worþ todrawe and tohong!’
Now wendeþ toforn on of ȝou
And tel anon þe king hou
Y haue ȝou teld of þe fals loue,
Bid him þat he þe soþe proue.’
Forþ him went a messanger
Swiftlich on a gode destrer
Til þan he com to þe king
Made he nowhar no targeing,
Þe king he fond in his halle
On þis maner he gan him calle
And wraþfulliche swore his oþ
‘Ȝif y may atake þis wrong
He worþ todrawe and tohong!’
Now wendeþ toforn on of ȝou
105
Y haue ȝou teld of þe fals loue,
Bid him þat he þe soþe proue.’
Forþ him went a messanger
Swiftlich on a gode destrer
Til þan he com to þe king
Made he nowhar no targeing,
Þe king he fond in his halle
On þis maner he gan him calle
‘Hail þou be king Fortiger
And God þe loke in þi power
Saue and kepe þi miȝti hond!
Whe han went into al þis lond
To seche a child bi hest þine
Wiche men clepeþ Merlin,
Y wot he is now fiue ȝer eld
Wise of speche of dede beld
He can telle al þing
On erþe vnder Heuen-king
Þat is go and now is
And michel þat to comen is.
Þe ten clerkes on him lowe
Aforn ȝou he wil avowe,
He wil ȝou teche swiþe wel
What destourbes ȝour castel
Þat it may stond on þe pleyn,
And also of ȝour chaumberlain
Þat ȝe no schul sle no hong
For it were al wiþ wrong
To sle a woman for a man
Þat mannes cloþes haþ opan—
Bot ȝe him wiman finde
Ȝe schuld him hong bi þe winde.’
Fortiger awondred was
And al þo þat herd þis cas,
Þe chaumberleyn he ofsent anon
Þat in strong prisoun was ydon
He was despuled fram heued to grounde
Marked woman and maiden founde,
Þe king was wondred out of witt
And toke þe messanger bi þe slit
And seyd ‘Telle me ȝif þou can
Who þe teld sche was wiman.’
‘Child Merlin it gan ous say
As we went hiderward in our way
For he can telle and gabbe nouȝt
Of al þing þat haþ ben wrouȝt’—
And al he teld þer þe king
Of his biȝete, of his bereing
And whiche þinges he gan say
As he com bi þe way.
Þan seyd Fortiger þe bold
‘And it be soþe þat þou me told
Ichil þe ȝiue lond and plouȝ
And make þi felawes riche ynouȝ.’
He dede comand anon riȝt
Douke erl baroun and kniȝt
To diȝt her hors and make hem ȝare
Wiþ him oȝain Merlin to fare
And when it was wele wiþin niȝt
Wiþ Merlin he mett apliȝt
And when þe king wiþ Merlin mett
Wel hendelich he him gret
And þe king welcomed þat child
Wiþ fair wordes and wiþ mild,
Mani worde þai spoken sone
Þat y no haue nouȝt of to done
No al siggen y no may
Þei y sete al þis day
Bot þat longeþ to þis nede
Wel schortliche ich wil me spede.
Þai were at ese þat ich niȝt,
Amorwe þai went forþ ful riȝt
And to þe stede gun ten
Þer þe castel schuld ben,
Fortiger spac to Merlin
‘Tel me now sone mine
Whi no man no may her founde
Castel here opon þis grounde
And whi it is ybrouȝt to nouȝt
Þat is here o day ywrouȝt.’
Merlin seyd ‘Certes sir king
Þerof nis no selcouþe þing,
Hervnder is, a ȝerde depe,
A water boþe swift and stepe
Vnder þat water ligge stones to
Brod and long þai ben bo
Vnder þo stones beþ depe in mold
To dragouns fast yfold
Þat on is white so milkes rem
Þat oþer is red so feris lem
Wiþin þai brinneþ boþe
And beþ togider swiþe wroþe,
When þe sonne is doun euery niȝt
Togider þai fond forto fiȝt
And þurth þe strengþe of her blast
Al þi werk is doun ycast—
Þat iche þe say now it serche
And þan mow þi werkmen werche
Castel and tour after þi wille
Þai mow stond long stille.’
Þe king was wondred of þis cas
And al þat euer mid him was,
Werkmen he dede anon
Þider feche mani on
Þat þer doluen in þe grounde
And sone þerafter a water founde
In whiche sone vnder hem alle
Þai maden to þicke walles
Þe water vp loden þo
Alway bi to and to.
Þo þai comen to þe grounde
To stones þicke þai founde
Þat wa[re] boþe long and brode,
Hem bitven a gret schode
Of grauel and erþe also
Þat hem hadde schifted ato,
Mani on forsoþe þer were
Þo to stonnes forto arere.
Þo þe stones weren ywent
To dragouns þer layen ybent
Þe tail vnder hem felfeld
A[l]so Merlin hadde yteld
Þat on was rede so þe fer
Þe eiȝen so a bacine cler
Euerich powe a span long
Þe fer out of his moþe sprong
His tail was boþe long and gret
A gastlich best he was to mete
He hadde a bodi as a whal;
Þat oþer dragoun was al
Nouȝt so michel so þe rede—
And clowes he hadde qued
Hoked tail and mouþe wide
Tong so a brenand glede
A rugged taile so a fende
And an heued at þe ne[n]de.
Boþe þai gun arise
Al þat hem seiȝe gun agrise
Þer nas noiþer king no erl
Baroun kniȝt fre no cherl
Þat þer durst abide leng
Alle þai flowen on o reng,
No man nome ȝeme who þer was he
Ac ich tofore oþer gan fle.
Þe dragouns arisen of her den
And no folwed neuer on þe men
Ac togider smiten anon
Swiche batayl nas neuer non
Þai kest fer on swiche maner
As al þe cuntre were afer,
Wiþ mouþe wiþ clowes and wiþ tayl
Þer þai maden a gret batail
Þe erþe quaked vnder hem þo
Þe weder chaunged abouen also
Þai biten and smiten and fer cast
Þai fellen and risen and fouȝten fast.
Almest a day þis fiȝting
Last wiþouten ani resting
And þo þis more rede dragoun
Drof þis white fer adoun
Til þai com into o valaye
And þer þai gun to rest baye
Ich vnderstond so long a while
While men miȝt gon a mile;
Þe white þere arered miȝt
And gan eft wiþ þe rede fiȝt
And þe rede he drof oȝain
Til þai com to þe playn,
Þe white dragoun wiþ gret main
Þe rede drof, þat men it sayn,
And þe rede adoun cast
Þat wiþ strengþe of his blast
Þe white brent þan rede
Þat of him nas founden a schrede
Bot dust forsoþe ich saye,
And þe white fleiȝe oway—
Nist neuer seþþen man
Whiderwardes he bicam.
Alle þat euer seiȝe þis
Wonder hadde gret ywis
Of þe dragouns þat fouȝten þo
And of child Merlin also
Þat he couþe so priue þing
Soþe schewen to þe king.
And God þe loke in þi power
Saue and kepe þi miȝti hond!
Whe han went into al þis lond
To seche a child bi hest þine
Wiche men clepeþ Merlin,
Y wot he is now fiue ȝer eld
Wise of speche of dede beld
He can telle al þing
On erþe vnder Heuen-king
Þat is go and now is
And michel þat to comen is.
Þe ten clerkes on him lowe
Aforn ȝou he wil avowe,
He wil ȝou teche swiþe wel
What destourbes ȝour castel
Þat it may stond on þe pleyn,
And also of ȝour chaumberlain
Þat ȝe no schul sle no hong
For it were al wiþ wrong
To sle a woman for a man
Þat mannes cloþes haþ opan—
107
Ȝe schuld him hong bi þe winde.’
Fortiger awondred was
And al þo þat herd þis cas,
Þe chaumberleyn he ofsent anon
Þat in strong prisoun was ydon
He was despuled fram heued to grounde
Marked woman and maiden founde,
Þe king was wondred out of witt
And toke þe messanger bi þe slit
And seyd ‘Telle me ȝif þou can
Who þe teld sche was wiman.’
‘Child Merlin it gan ous say
As we went hiderward in our way
For he can telle and gabbe nouȝt
Of al þing þat haþ ben wrouȝt’—
And al he teld þer þe king
Of his biȝete, of his bereing
And whiche þinges he gan say
As he com bi þe way.
Þan seyd Fortiger þe bold
‘And it be soþe þat þou me told
Ichil þe ȝiue lond and plouȝ
And make þi felawes riche ynouȝ.’
He dede comand anon riȝt
Douke erl baroun and kniȝt
To diȝt her hors and make hem ȝare
Wiþ him oȝain Merlin to fare
And when it was wele wiþin niȝt
Wiþ Merlin he mett apliȝt
109
Wel hendelich he him gret
And þe king welcomed þat child
Wiþ fair wordes and wiþ mild,
Mani worde þai spoken sone
Þat y no haue nouȝt of to done
No al siggen y no may
Þei y sete al þis day
Bot þat longeþ to þis nede
Wel schortliche ich wil me spede.
Þai were at ese þat ich niȝt,
Amorwe þai went forþ ful riȝt
And to þe stede gun ten
Þer þe castel schuld ben,
Fortiger spac to Merlin
‘Tel me now sone mine
Whi no man no may her founde
Castel here opon þis grounde
And whi it is ybrouȝt to nouȝt
Þat is here o day ywrouȝt.’
Merlin seyd ‘Certes sir king
Þerof nis no selcouþe þing,
Hervnder is, a ȝerde depe,
A water boþe swift and stepe
Vnder þat water ligge stones to
Brod and long þai ben bo
Vnder þo stones beþ depe in mold
To dragouns fast yfold
Þat on is white so milkes rem
Þat oþer is red so feris lem
Wiþin þai brinneþ boþe
And beþ togider swiþe wroþe,
When þe sonne is doun euery niȝt
Togider þai fond forto fiȝt
And þurth þe strengþe of her blast
Al þi werk is doun ycast—
111
And þan mow þi werkmen werche
Castel and tour after þi wille
Þai mow stond long stille.’
Þe king was wondred of þis cas
And al þat euer mid him was,
Werkmen he dede anon
Þider feche mani on
Þat þer doluen in þe grounde
And sone þerafter a water founde
In whiche sone vnder hem alle
Þai maden to þicke walles
Þe water vp loden þo
Alway bi to and to.
Þo þai comen to þe grounde
To stones þicke þai founde
Þat wa[re] boþe long and brode,
Hem bitven a gret schode
Of grauel and erþe also
Þat hem hadde schifted ato,
Mani on forsoþe þer were
Þo to stonnes forto arere.
Þo þe stones weren ywent
To dragouns þer layen ybent
Þe tail vnder hem felfeld
A[l]so Merlin hadde yteld
Þat on was rede so þe fer
Þe eiȝen so a bacine cler
Euerich powe a span long
Þe fer out of his moþe sprong
His tail was boþe long and gret
A gastlich best he was to mete
He hadde a bodi as a whal;
113
Nouȝt so michel so þe rede—
And clowes he hadde qued
Hoked tail and mouþe wide
Tong so a brenand glede
A rugged taile so a fende
And an heued at þe ne[n]de.
Boþe þai gun arise
Al þat hem seiȝe gun agrise
Þer nas noiþer king no erl
Baroun kniȝt fre no cherl
Þat þer durst abide leng
Alle þai flowen on o reng,
No man nome ȝeme who þer was he
Ac ich tofore oþer gan fle.
Þe dragouns arisen of her den
And no folwed neuer on þe men
Ac togider smiten anon
Swiche batayl nas neuer non
Þai kest fer on swiche maner
As al þe cuntre were afer,
Wiþ mouþe wiþ clowes and wiþ tayl
Þer þai maden a gret batail
Þe erþe quaked vnder hem þo
Þe weder chaunged abouen also
Þai biten and smiten and fer cast
Þai fellen and risen and fouȝten fast.
115
Last wiþouten ani resting
And þo þis more rede dragoun
Drof þis white fer adoun
Til þai com into o valaye
And þer þai gun to rest baye
Ich vnderstond so long a while
While men miȝt gon a mile;
Þe white þere arered miȝt
And gan eft wiþ þe rede fiȝt
And þe rede he drof oȝain
Til þai com to þe playn,
Þe white dragoun wiþ gret main
Þe rede drof, þat men it sayn,
And þe rede adoun cast
Þat wiþ strengþe of his blast
Þe white brent þan rede
Þat of him nas founden a schrede
Bot dust forsoþe ich saye,
And þe white fleiȝe oway—
Nist neuer seþþen man
Whiderwardes he bicam.
Alle þat euer seiȝe þis
Wonder hadde gret ywis
Of þe dragouns þat fouȝten þo
And of child Merlin also
Þat he couþe so priue þing
Soþe schewen to þe king.
Þo spac Merlin to Fortiger
‘Sir þou sest þis þing is cler
Þat ich haue yschewed þe;
Þe clerkes do bring bifor me
Þat to þe mi lord þe king
On me lowe swiche lesing
And y schal asken hem wharefore
Mi blod þai wold haue forlore.’
‘Certes’ quaþ king Fortiger
‘It schal be don wiþouten danger
Y schal þe don after mi miȝt
Al þi wille and þat is riȝt.’
Þe king anon wiþ his men
Sent after þis clerkes ten,
Þo þai com bifor Merlin
He asked hem al on Latyn
Þurth wiche þing þai vnderstode
Þat þurth þe vertu of his blode
Þe kinges castel schuld on hast
Haue ben gode and stedefast,
Þe clerkes spoken to þe child
Dradefullich wiþ wordes milde
‘We seiȝen’ he seyd ‘heraboue
Ouer ous a sky houe
Þat ous schewed þe biȝate
Of swi[che] a þing on erþe late
Þurth was blod þe castel
Schuld stond fair and wel
Þis we wenden verrament—
Do wiþ ous al þi talent.’
‘Ow’ quaþ Merlin sikerlike
‘Now ȝe sen ȝe ben biswike
Þe sky þat ȝou schewed þat
It was þe fader þat me biȝat,
For he me hadde nouȝt to his wille
Þurth ȝou he wald do me spille,
Ac for he haþ biswike ȝou
Y pray mi lord þe king nov
Þat he graunt ȝou to liue
For al þis gilt y ȝou forȝiue’—
Þe king it al hem graunted raþe
And hye him al ‘Merci!’ quaþe.
‘Sir þou sest þis þing is cler
117
Þe clerkes do bring bifor me
Þat to þe mi lord þe king
On me lowe swiche lesing
And y schal asken hem wharefore
Mi blod þai wold haue forlore.’
‘Certes’ quaþ king Fortiger
‘It schal be don wiþouten danger
Y schal þe don after mi miȝt
Al þi wille and þat is riȝt.’
Þe king anon wiþ his men
Sent after þis clerkes ten,
Þo þai com bifor Merlin
He asked hem al on Latyn
Þurth wiche þing þai vnderstode
Þat þurth þe vertu of his blode
Þe kinges castel schuld on hast
Haue ben gode and stedefast,
Þe clerkes spoken to þe child
Dradefullich wiþ wordes milde
‘We seiȝen’ he seyd ‘heraboue
Ouer ous a sky houe
Þat ous schewed þe biȝate
Of swi[che] a þing on erþe late
Þurth was blod þe castel
Schuld stond fair and wel
Þis we wenden verrament—
Do wiþ ous al þi talent.’
‘Ow’ quaþ Merlin sikerlike
‘Now ȝe sen ȝe ben biswike
Þe sky þat ȝou schewed þat
It was þe fader þat me biȝat,
For he me hadde nouȝt to his wille
Þurth ȝou he wald do me spille,
Ac for he haþ biswike ȝou
Y pray mi lord þe king nov
Þat he graunt ȝou to liue
119
Þe king it al hem graunted raþe
And hye him al ‘Merci!’ quaþe.
Þo þe king and child Merlin
And euerich went vnto his in,
Merlin bileft wiþ Fortiger
Ich vnderstond al þat ȝere
Bi whos conseyl and rede and witt
Þe castel was maked in a fit
Heiȝe and strong of trewe and ston
Swiche nas in þis lond non.
Þo þe castel was ymade
Men ȝeue þe king sone rade
Þat he schuld at Merlin wite
Whi þe dragouns batail smite,
‘It bitokneþ’ þai seyden alle
Sum tokening þerafter schuld falle;
Merlin com tofor þe king
And al þai asked him of þat þing
Whi þe dragouns togider fouȝt
It bitokned sumwhat hem þouȝt,
Merlin made sumdel danger
And þo bispac him Fortiger
‘Merlin bot þou it me telle
Ichil þe do anon quelle.’
Quaþ Merlin ‘Y sigge apliȝt
Ȝif þou me slouȝ it were vnriȝt
Ac þei þou haddest nome an hond
Me to sle or don in bond
Þou miȝtest fayle verrament
So doþ mani of his talent
For certes sir Fortiger
Y no ȝiue nouȝt of þi power,
Ac ȝif þou wilt finde me borwes
Þat þou no schalt me waite sorwes
Y wil þe telle and noþing lyȝe
What þe dragouns signifie’—
Þat gentil folk and eke þe king
Awondred of his answering.
And euerich went vnto his in,
Merlin bileft wiþ Fortiger
Ich vnderstond al þat ȝere
Bi whos conseyl and rede and witt
Þe castel was maked in a fit
Heiȝe and strong of trewe and ston
Swiche nas in þis lond non.
Þo þe castel was ymade
Men ȝeue þe king sone rade
Þat he schuld at Merlin wite
Whi þe dragouns batail smite,
‘It bitokneþ’ þai seyden alle
Sum tokening þerafter schuld falle;
Merlin com tofor þe king
And al þai asked him of þat þing
Whi þe dragouns togider fouȝt
It bitokned sumwhat hem þouȝt,
Merlin made sumdel danger
And þo bispac him Fortiger
‘Merlin bot þou it me telle
Ichil þe do anon quelle.’
Quaþ Merlin ‘Y sigge apliȝt
Ȝif þou me slouȝ it were vnriȝt
Ac þei þou haddest nome an hond
Me to sle or don in bond
Þou miȝtest fayle verrament
So doþ mani of his talent
For certes sir Fortiger
Y no ȝiue nouȝt of þi power,
Ac ȝif þou wilt finde me borwes
121
Y wil þe telle and noþing lyȝe
What þe dragouns signifie’—
Þat gentil folk and eke þe king
Awondred of his answering.
Þe king swore opon a boke
Þat he nold him neuer harm loke
And seþþen he fond him sikerliche
To borwe tvo doukes riche,
Þo him spac an heye Merlin
‘Now herken king to tale min,
Þe red dragoun so strong in fiȝt
Bitokneþ þe and al þi miȝt,
Whiche þou hast procourd fro fer
Þe ded of Moyne þe riȝt air;
Þat þe rede þe white drof
To a valay biside a grof
Token þou hast made flem
Þe riȝt aires out of þe rem
In cite toun and in feld
And al þe men þat wiþ hem held.
Þat he nold him neuer harm loke
And seþþen he fond him sikerliche
To borwe tvo doukes riche,
Þo him spac an heye Merlin
‘Now herken king to tale min,
Þe red dragoun so strong in fiȝt
Bitokneþ þe and al þi miȝt,
Whiche þou hast procourd fro fer
Þe ded of Moyne þe riȝt air;
Þat þe rede þe white drof
To a valay biside a grof
Token þou hast made flem
Þe riȝt aires out of þe rem
In cite toun and in feld
And al þe men þat wiþ hem held.
Þe white dragoun signifie[þ]
Þe riȝt air þat haþ envie
To þe þat heldeþ al his lond
Wiþ gret wrong vnder þine hond;
Þat he fleiȝe into þe valaye
And recouerd miȝt, y say,
Bitokneþ þe air þe se biȝounde
Þat haþ gret socour yfounde
And is hiderward wiþ mani kniȝt
Diȝt oȝaines þe to fiȝt;
Þat þe white drof oȝain
Þe [rede] riȝt to þe plain
And him þere adoun cast
And al tofrust him wiþ his blast
Bitokneþ þe air of þis lond
Þat schal þe keuer into his hond
And into þi castel driue
Wiþ þine children and þi wiue
And mani noble of þine mene
He schal wiþ þe þerin brenne.
Þe tayle of þe dragoun rede
Þat is so long and so vnrede
Signifieþ þe wicke stren
Þat schal com out of þi kin
And of þi wiues fader Angys
Þat schal be ded and lesen his pris,
His kin and eke þin
Schal don wo to Bretouns kin;
Þe heued of þe white tayle
Signifieþ gret conseyle
Þat schul held wiþ þe kinges blod
Of þe gentil men and gode—
Sir forsoþe þis is þe tokening
Of þe dragouns fiȝting,
Puruay þe now ich þe rede
Þer is comen gret ferrede.’
Þo agros sir Fortiger
Bot his lippe and hong his cher
And to Merlin seyd anon
‘Þou most ous teche hou to don
Oȝaines our fomen forto ware
Oþer of þi liif þou art al bare,
Anon þai wold him han ynome
Ac þai nist where he was bicome.
Þe king and his folk also
Þerfore made michel wo
Þai him souȝt and nouȝt him founde—
He was oway in a stounde
Vnto his maister Blasy
And þer he told him sikerly
Of þe dragouns rede and white
And Blasy dede it al in write.
He told him of þe rede dragoun
Swiþe michel confvsyoun
Of him and of his fals stren
In Inglond þat schuld ben
Mani sori chaunce and hard
Þat sone þ[er] fel þerafterward;
Sum fel now late also
And sum beþ nouȝt ȝete ago,
For it is alle þester þing
Nil ich make þerof no telling
Ac forþ ichil wiþ mi tale—
Listneþ now gret and smale!
Þe riȝt air þat haþ envie
To þe þat heldeþ al his lond
Wiþ gret wrong vnder þine hond;
Þat he fleiȝe into þe valaye
And recouerd miȝt, y say,
Bitokneþ þe air þe se biȝounde
Þat haþ gret socour yfounde
And is hiderward wiþ mani kniȝt
Diȝt oȝaines þe to fiȝt;
Þat þe white drof oȝain
Þe [rede] riȝt to þe plain
123
And al tofrust him wiþ his blast
Bitokneþ þe air of þis lond
Þat schal þe keuer into his hond
And into þi castel driue
Wiþ þine children and þi wiue
And mani noble of þine mene
He schal wiþ þe þerin brenne.
Þe tayle of þe dragoun rede
Þat is so long and so vnrede
Signifieþ þe wicke stren
Þat schal com out of þi kin
And of þi wiues fader Angys
Þat schal be ded and lesen his pris,
His kin and eke þin
Schal don wo to Bretouns kin;
Þe heued of þe white tayle
Signifieþ gret conseyle
Þat schul held wiþ þe kinges blod
Of þe gentil men and gode—
Sir forsoþe þis is þe tokening
Of þe dragouns fiȝting,
Puruay þe now ich þe rede
Þer is comen gret ferrede.’
Þo agros sir Fortiger
Bot his lippe and hong his cher
And to Merlin seyd anon
‘Þou most ous teche hou to don
Oȝaines our fomen forto ware
Oþer of þi liif þou art al bare,
125
Ac þai nist where he was bicome.
Þe king and his folk also
Þerfore made michel wo
Þai him souȝt and nouȝt him founde—
He was oway in a stounde
Vnto his maister Blasy
And þer he told him sikerly
Of þe dragouns rede and white
And Blasy dede it al in write.
He told him of þe rede dragoun
Swiþe michel confvsyoun
Of him and of his fals stren
In Inglond þat schuld ben
Mani sori chaunce and hard
Þat sone þ[er] fel þerafterward;
Sum fel now late also
And sum beþ nouȝt ȝete ago,
For it is alle þester þing
Nil ich make þerof no telling
127
Listneþ now gret and smale!
Miri time it is in May
Þan wexeþ along þe day
Floures schewen her borioun
Miri it is in feld and toun
Foules miri in wode gredeþ
Damisels carols ledeþ.
A baroun com to Fortiger
Þer he sat at his diner
And seyd ‘Allas mi lord þe king
Y sigge þe an hard tiding,
Orpedlich þou þe bistere
And þi lond þou fond to were
Vter Pendragoun and mani anoþer
And Aurilis Brosias his broþer
(Pople boþe gret and smale
Wiþ hem is comen wiþouten tale)
At Winchester þai ben almast—
Sir þine help now on hast!
Socour about now after sende
(Þai ben here neiȝe at þine hende)
Þat þou miȝtest oȝain hem fiȝt
And hem to sle anon doun riȝt.’
Þan wexeþ along þe day
Floures schewen her borioun
Miri it is in feld and toun
Foules miri in wode gredeþ
Damisels carols ledeþ.
A baroun com to Fortiger
Þer he sat at his diner
And seyd ‘Allas mi lord þe king
Y sigge þe an hard tiding,
Orpedlich þou þe bistere
And þi lond þou fond to were
Vter Pendragoun and mani anoþer
And Aurilis Brosias his broþer
(Pople boþe gret and smale
Wiþ hem is comen wiþouten tale)
At Winchester þai ben almast—
Sir þine help now on hast!
129
(Þai ben here neiȝe at þine hende)
Þat þou miȝtest oȝain hem fiȝt
And hem to sle anon doun riȝt.’
Vp him stirt sir Fortiger
And ofcleped his chaunceler
Þat letters fele him made ywis
Vnto his eldfader sir Angys,
To erls doukes and to kniȝtes
Þat were of swiþe gret miȝtes;
Þe buriays of Winchester he gret
And bad þai schuld þe gates schet
And helden wele her leute
And to him loke þat cite
Ȝif þai wold his loue winne
Þat his fon no com þerinne,
And seyd he wald hem com to
As swiþe as he miȝt it do.
And ofcleped his chaunceler
Þat letters fele him made ywis
Vnto his eldfader sir Angys,
To erls doukes and to kniȝtes
Þat were of swiþe gret miȝtes;
Þe buriays of Winchester he gret
And bad þai schuld þe gates schet
And helden wele her leute
And to him loke þat cite
Ȝif þai wold his loue winne
Þat his fon no com þerinne,
And seyd he wald hem com to
As swiþe as he miȝt it do.
To Fortiger þai comen anon
Erls barouns euerichon,
Angys his eldfader cam
And wiþ him wel mani a man
Amirayls and doukes heiȝe
Þat in batayle were sleiȝe,
Mani þousand þer were bi tale
Boþe of gret and of smale;
Þo þai togider weren ycome
Her conseyl was sone ynome
Wiþouten let forþ to wende
Her fomen forto schende
Þat þai no entred in þe lond
Harm to don oþer schond.
Erls barouns euerichon,
Angys his eldfader cam
And wiþ him wel mani a man
Amirayls and doukes heiȝe
Þat in batayle were sleiȝe,
Mani þousand þer were bi tale
Boþe of gret and of smale;
Þo þai togider weren ycome
Her conseyl was sone ynome
Wiþouten let forþ to wende
Her fomen forto schende
Þat þai no entred in þe lond
Harm to don oþer schond.
Vp þai lift gomfaynoun
And went to Winchester toun;
Vter Pendragoun and his ferrede
To Winchester þai gun spede
Wiþ so michel pople of men
Þat þai wreȝen doun and den
Þat come boþe bi water and lond
Forto winnen Inglond,
Þai vndede her gomfaynoun
Wiþ a briȝt gliderand lyoun
Þat her faders hadde yben.
Þe buriays it gun ysen
Þe gomfaynoun sone þai knewe
Costaunce ded þo gun hem rewe
Þat hadde her noble lord yben
And Moynes ded þat was his stren
And wist wele þat king wiþ wrong
Sir Fortiger hadde ben long
Þat cursed was in liif and dede,
And al þat held his f[e]rrede
Þer þai spoken hem bitvene
For liif for dede no for tene
And þei þai alle hong schold
Wiþ Fortiger be þai nold
And turned hem al bi on acord
To Vter Pendragoun her lord;
Þe gates al þai deden vp wide
And lete al þe folk in ride,
Hem and al her ferrade
Þai welcomed wiþ chere glade
And hem del[i]uerd þe toun als snel
And hemselue and þe castel—
What þurth þanke and frende gret
Þai wonnen þer þat hem was net.
Fortiger þat comend was
Sone was told him þat cas
He was neiȝe wode out of wit
And seyd it schuld hem iuel atsit,
Swiþe he heiȝed wiþ al his men,
And Vter Pendragoun hem oȝen
And desplayd his gomfaynoun
A litel wiþouten Winchester toun
Þat ich oþer folk yseyȝe
Þai were neiȝed so neiȝe;
Of þis lond baroun and kniȝt
Of þe lyoun hadden a siȝt
King Costaunce þat hadde yben
And Vter Pendragoun was his stren,
Anon turned her mode
To Vter Pendragounes riȝt blod.
And went to Winchester toun;
131
To Winchester þai gun spede
Wiþ so michel pople of men
Þat þai wreȝen doun and den
Þat come boþe bi water and lond
Forto winnen Inglond,
Þai vndede her gomfaynoun
Wiþ a briȝt gliderand lyoun
Þat her faders hadde yben.
Þe buriays it gun ysen
Þe gomfaynoun sone þai knewe
Costaunce ded þo gun hem rewe
Þat hadde her noble lord yben
And Moynes ded þat was his stren
And wist wele þat king wiþ wrong
Sir Fortiger hadde ben long
Þat cursed was in liif and dede,
And al þat held his f[e]rrede
Þer þai spoken hem bitvene
For liif for dede no for tene
And þei þai alle hong schold
Wiþ Fortiger be þai nold
And turned hem al bi on acord
To Vter Pendragoun her lord;
Þe gates al þai deden vp wide
And lete al þe folk in ride,
Hem and al her ferrade
Þai welcomed wiþ chere glade
And hem del[i]uerd þe toun als snel
And hemselue and þe castel—
What þurth þanke and frende gret
Þai wonnen þer þat hem was net.
Fortiger þat comend was
Sone was told him þat cas
He was neiȝe wode out of wit
133
Swiþe he heiȝed wiþ al his men,
And Vter Pendragoun hem oȝen
And desplayd his gomfaynoun
A litel wiþouten Winchester toun
Þat ich oþer folk yseyȝe
Þai were neiȝed so neiȝe;
Of þis lond baroun and kniȝt
Of þe lyoun hadden a siȝt
King Costaunce þat hadde yben
And Vter Pendragoun was his stren,
Anon turned her mode
To Vter Pendragounes riȝt blod.
Þer was þousandes mani on
Opon Fortiger þai turned anon
And seyd to him ‘Wicke traytour
Þou schald abigge þine errour!’
Fortiger his swerd out drouȝ
And mani of hem þer he slouȝ
(Wiþ gret ire þai run him on)
For he hem wende al his men
Ac oȝain him þai were al went
Whereþurth he was al yschent,
Fortiger was noble kniȝt
He fauȝt and slouȝ adoun riȝt
To his help þer com Angys
Wiþ mani Sarraȝin of priis
Þat wise wordes couþe speke
Stedes prike and launces breke
Þe barouns þai bisett anon
Forto sle hem euerichon.
Þer was a baroun a noble man
Þat brac hem al fram
He dede his stede swiþe gon
Til he com to Vter Pendragon
And seyd ‘Welcome air of þis lond!
No duelle her nouȝt for Cristes hond,
For loue of þi fader fre
And for drede eke of þe
Þe barouns ben to þe went
And for þi loue almest yschent
For Fortiger and eke Angys
Hem han al biloken ywis
And þenke hem sle to grounde
Ȝif þou duellest ani stounde.’
‘Owe’ quaþ Vter Pendragoun ‘bi God aboue
Now y schal se who me wil loue
No schal ich neuer worþ bliþe
Bot ȝiue ȝe al heiȝen swiþe!’
Princes doukes erl and kniȝt
Priked her stedes ariȝt
It was no nede hem to hast
Ac so quarel of alblast
Þai flowen þider riȝt anon
Wiþ her lord Vter Pendragon.
Þer was sone verrament
Ȝouen mani noble dent
Schaft tobroken and swerd ydrawe
Mani noble kniȝt yslawe
And þer fauȝt sir Vter Pendragon,
Fauȝt þer as a wode lyoun,
And his broþer nouȝt forȝat
He leyd on mani a sori flat
Sum he cleue, to þe bacin,
Til þat he com to þe chin,
He hadde of some sone [þe h]eued
Fram þe nek-bon yreued,
Þer was slayn mani men
Sum on hille and sum in den,
Ac þei Fortiger were gode kniȝt
And wele him couþe helpen in fiȝt
Þurth þe barouns of þe lond
And oþer men miȝti of hond
He was þere ydriuen so neiȝe
Wiþ his men oway he fleiȝe
Vnto his newe castel ymade
Of whom ich toforn sade,
Aurilis Brosias þer anon
And his broþer Vter Pendragon
Þere hem wroken swiþe wel
Wiþ her brondes of ful gode stiel
Mani hundred of Sarraȝin
Þai sent þer to helle-pine.
Þo Angys al þis sleiȝster seiȝe
Wiþ al his miȝt anon he fleiȝe
Into a castel of lime and ston
Þat man no miȝt him dery non,
Þat bihinde was yfounde
Anon was ybrouȝt to grounde.
Þan Vter Pendragoun þere
Folwed after Fortiger,
Þo þai to þe castel-ȝates come
Wilde fer anon þai nome
Opon þe gates þai kesten it
And hem brend in litel fit,
Fortiger and wiif and child
Brent þer in þat fer wild
And al þat þer was yfounde
Was ybrent into þe grounde.
Men seyt ȝere and oþer to
Wrong wil an hond go
And euer at þe nende
Wrong wil wende;
Þus ended sir Fortiger
Þat misbileued a fewe ȝer—
Þei he wer strong of miȝt
To nouȝt him brouȝt his vnriȝt.
Sir Vter Pendragoun
Wiþ his folk went anon
Forto bisege þe king Angis
Ac in a castel he lay of priis
Þat wiþ no gin y ȝou pliȝt
No man þerin com miȝt.
Also þai in þe sege lay
Fiue barouns com on a day
Þat hadde ben wiþ Fortiger
And seyd to Vter Pendragoun þer
Al hou Merli[n] was ybore
And hou messangers him ȝede fore
Hou he was brouȝt bifor þe king
And hou he couþe tellen al þing,
Hou þe dragouns vnder mold
Ben þe kinges deþ it schold
And hou Fortiger him wold haue nome
Ac he nist where he was bicome,
And seyd ‘Sir verrament
Ȝif he were here in present
Bi his conseyl ȝe schuld anon
Angys ouercomen and slon.’
Herof awondred Vter Pendragon
And sent messangers anon
Forto finde Merlin swiþe,
Þai wenten forþ wiþ chere bliþe.
Opon Fortiger þai turned anon
And seyd to him ‘Wicke traytour
Þou schald abigge þine errour!’
Fortiger his swerd out drouȝ
And mani of hem þer he slouȝ
(Wiþ gret ire þai run him on)
135
Ac oȝain him þai were al went
Whereþurth he was al yschent,
Fortiger was noble kniȝt
He fauȝt and slouȝ adoun riȝt
To his help þer com Angys
Wiþ mani Sarraȝin of priis
Þat wise wordes couþe speke
Stedes prike and launces breke
Þe barouns þai bisett anon
Forto sle hem euerichon.
Þer was a baroun a noble man
Þat brac hem al fram
He dede his stede swiþe gon
Til he com to Vter Pendragon
And seyd ‘Welcome air of þis lond!
No duelle her nouȝt for Cristes hond,
For loue of þi fader fre
And for drede eke of þe
Þe barouns ben to þe went
And for þi loue almest yschent
For Fortiger and eke Angys
Hem han al biloken ywis
And þenke hem sle to grounde
Ȝif þou duellest ani stounde.’
‘Owe’ quaþ Vter Pendragoun ‘bi God aboue
Now y schal se who me wil loue
No schal ich neuer worþ bliþe
Bot ȝiue ȝe al heiȝen swiþe!’
Princes doukes erl and kniȝt
Priked her stedes ariȝt
It was no nede hem to hast
Ac so quarel of alblast
Þai flowen þider riȝt anon
Wiþ her lord Vter Pendragon.
Þer was sone verrament
Ȝouen mani noble dent
Schaft tobroken and swerd ydrawe
Mani noble kniȝt yslawe
137
Fauȝt þer as a wode lyoun,
And his broþer nouȝt forȝat
He leyd on mani a sori flat
Sum he cleue, to þe bacin,
Til þat he com to þe chin,
He hadde of some sone [þe h]eued
Fram þe nek-bon yreued,
Þer was slayn mani men
Sum on hille and sum in den,
Ac þei Fortiger were gode kniȝt
And wele him couþe helpen in fiȝt
Þurth þe barouns of þe lond
And oþer men miȝti of hond
He was þere ydriuen so neiȝe
Wiþ his men oway he fleiȝe
Vnto his newe castel ymade
Of whom ich toforn sade,
Aurilis Brosias þer anon
And his broþer Vter Pendragon
Þere hem wroken swiþe wel
Wiþ her brondes of ful gode stiel
Mani hundred of Sarraȝin
Þai sent þer to helle-pine.
Þo Angys al þis sleiȝster seiȝe
Wiþ al his miȝt anon he fleiȝe
Into a castel of lime and ston
Þat man no miȝt him dery non,
Þat bihinde was yfounde
Anon was ybrouȝt to grounde.
Þan Vter Pendragoun þere
Folwed after Fortiger,
Þo þai to þe castel-ȝates come
Wilde fer anon þai nome
Opon þe gates þai kesten it
And hem brend in litel fit,
139
Brent þer in þat fer wild
And al þat þer was yfounde
Was ybrent into þe grounde.
Men seyt ȝere and oþer to
Wrong wil an hond go
And euer at þe nende
Wrong wil wende;
Þus ended sir Fortiger
Þat misbileued a fewe ȝer—
Þei he wer strong of miȝt
To nouȝt him brouȝt his vnriȝt.
Sir Vter Pendragoun
Wiþ his folk went anon
Forto bisege þe king Angis
Ac in a castel he lay of priis
Þat wiþ no gin y ȝou pliȝt
No man þerin com miȝt.
Also þai in þe sege lay
Fiue barouns com on a day
141
And seyd to Vter Pendragoun þer
Al hou Merli[n] was ybore
And hou messangers him ȝede fore
Hou he was brouȝt bifor þe king
And hou he couþe tellen al þing,
Hou þe dragouns vnder mold
Ben þe kinges deþ it schold
And hou Fortiger him wold haue nome
Ac he nist where he was bicome,
And seyd ‘Sir verrament
Ȝif he were here in present
Bi his conseyl ȝe schuld anon
Angys ouercomen and slon.’
Herof awondred Vter Pendragon
And sent messangers anon
Forto finde Merlin swiþe,
Þai wenten forþ wiþ chere bliþe.
On a day þis messanger
Sett hem alle to þe diner,
A begger þer com in
Wiþ a long berd on his chin
A staf in his hond he hadde
And schon on his fet badde.
Wiþ his scholder he gan roue
And bad gode for Godes loue,
Þai seyd he schuld nouȝt haue
Bot strokes and bismare,
Þe eld man seyd anon
‘Ȝe be nice euerichon
Þat sitten here and scorn me
In þe kinges nedes þat schuld be
Forto finde Merlin child,
Þe barouns ben witles and wilde
Þat senten men him seche
Þat nouȝt no couþe knoweleche,
Today he haþ ȝou oft mett
No knewe ȝe him neuer þe bet,
Wendeþ hom bi mi rede
For him to finde no schul ȝe spede
Biddeþ him and þe barouns fiue
Þai comen and speke wiþ him bliue
And siggeþ Merlin wil hem abide
In þe forest herebiside’—
Þo he hadde seyd hem þis
Þai nist where he bicom ywis
Þus telleþ þe letters blak
It was Merlin wiþ hem spak.
Þe messangers were abobbed þo
Þai nisten what þai miȝten do
Hom þai went anon riȝt
And to þe prince þai teld þer siȝt,
Vter Pendragoun had meruaile
And al þat herden it saun faile
Þai hadden wille and talent fin
To sen and speke wiþ Merlin,
He bad Aurilis Brosias gent
To þe sege take entent
Þat Angys no miȝt oway
Noþer bi niȝt no bi day
Ar he war of him awreke
For he wald wiþ Merlin speke.
Aurilis Brosias bileft stille
To kepe Angys in þe castil
And sir Vter Pendragon
To þe forest went anon
Where þat Merlin dede him se
In o day in þre ble—
In o day an hogges herd
Þat þe prin[c]e þe way lerd,
And eft a chapman þat bar his pac
And long wiþ þe prin[c]e spac
And seyd of Merlin openliche
He wald him telle neweliche,
And afterward a fair swain
Þat þe king com ogain
And seyd him þat ich niȝt
He schuld of Merlin han a siȝt.
Sett hem alle to þe diner,
A begger þer com in
Wiþ a long berd on his chin
A staf in his hond he hadde
And schon on his fet badde.
143
And bad gode for Godes loue,
Þai seyd he schuld nouȝt haue
Bot strokes and bismare,
Þe eld man seyd anon
‘Ȝe be nice euerichon
Þat sitten here and scorn me
In þe kinges nedes þat schuld be
Forto finde Merlin child,
Þe barouns ben witles and wilde
Þat senten men him seche
Þat nouȝt no couþe knoweleche,
Today he haþ ȝou oft mett
No knewe ȝe him neuer þe bet,
Wendeþ hom bi mi rede
For him to finde no schul ȝe spede
Biddeþ him and þe barouns fiue
Þai comen and speke wiþ him bliue
And siggeþ Merlin wil hem abide
145
Þo he hadde seyd hem þis
Þai nist where he bicom ywis
Þus telleþ þe letters blak
It was Merlin wiþ hem spak.
Þe messangers were abobbed þo
Þai nisten what þai miȝten do
Hom þai went anon riȝt
And to þe prince þai teld þer siȝt,
Vter Pendragoun had meruaile
And al þat herden it saun faile
Þai hadden wille and talent fin
To sen and speke wiþ Merlin,
He bad Aurilis Brosias gent
To þe sege take entent
Þat Angys no miȝt oway
Noþer bi niȝt no bi day
Ar he war of him awreke
For he wald wiþ Merlin speke.
Aurilis Brosias bileft stille
To kepe Angys in þe castil
151
To þe forest went anon
Where þat Merlin dede him se
In o day in þre ble—
In o day an hogges herd
Þat þe prin[c]e þe way lerd,
153
And long wiþ þe prin[c]e spac
And seyd of Merlin openliche
He wald him telle neweliche,
And afterward a fair swain
Þat þe king com ogain
155
He schuld of Merlin han a siȝt.
Þo it was wel fer in niȝt
Merlin com to him ypliȝt
In þe gise of a swain
Þat he hadde arst ysain
And seyd so we finde in boke
To þe prince ‘God þe loke!
Icham Merlin leue sire
Wiþ whom to speke þou hast desire.’
Vp stirt Vter Pendragon
And biclept Merlin anon
And bad he schuld wiþ him bilaue
And al his wille he schuld haue,
Merlin seyd were so he ware
To his wil he war al ȝare.
Merlin com to him ypliȝt
In þe gise of a swain
Þat he hadde arst ysain
And seyd so we finde in boke
157
Icham Merlin leue sire
Wiþ whom to speke þou hast desire.’
Vp stirt Vter Pendragon
And biclept Merlin anon
And bad he schuld wiþ him bilaue
And al his wille he schuld haue,
Merlin seyd were so he ware
To his wil he war al ȝare.
Merlin teld him in þat cas
‘Y com fram Aurilis Brosias
Bi mi conseyl he haþ þis niȝt
Angys slayn y þe pliȝt.’
Vter Pendragon made ioie þan
So doþ þe foule when it dawy gan
Al þat þer was so made blis
And amorwe went hom ywis
And founden Angys yslawe
His heued vp set his bodi todrawe,
Al his folk so was schilt
And neuer on þer nas spilt.
Sir Vter Pendragon þere
Asked Aurilis Brosias hou it were,
‘Certes’ seyd Aurilis Brosias ‘toniȝt
A swain com to me ful riȝt
And hastiliche warned me
Þat Angys com me to sle,
Vp ich stirt and him met
And to þe grounde ichim stet
Y not who him on brouȝt
No what Deuel he here souȝt
Ac wiþ mi swerd scharp of egge
His liif y dede him þere legge.’
Þo spac Vter Pendragon
To his broþer swiþe anon
‘Broþer’ he seyd ‘þat was Merlin
Þat so þe halp in nede þin
Þat here stont now bi me’—
And he him þonked wiþ hert fre
And proferd him al his þing
To ben vnder his ȝemeing.
Also þai spac wiþ Merlin
A bod com fram þe Sarraȝin
Þai wold ȝeld þe castel
Ȝif þai mosten wenden wel
To her lond wiþouten dere,
Merlin ȝaf hem answere
Þat þai schuld wende anon
Bi þe princes leue ichon
And so þai deden bi Godes sond
Alle þai wenten to her lond.
And alle þe lond þo com anon
And maked her oþ to Vter Pendragon
And þo þe oþ was ymade
Bi comoun dome bi comoun rade
Vter Pendragon coroun nam
And king of Inglond bicam,
Þe fest of þe corounment
In Winchester was verrament
And held it ful seuen niȝt
Þe fest noble apliȝt.
Ac ich ȝou telle þat Merlin
To Aurilis Brosias hadde hert fin
And loued better his litel to
Þan al þat oþer bodi þo,
Ac ich ȝou telle naþeles
A swiþe gode kniȝt he wes
He forsoke scheld no spere
Neuer oȝaines kniȝt to bere
Wiþ swerd he couþe kerue wel
Boþe in yren and in stiel.
Ac forsoþe afterward
Vp him com a chaunce hard,
Of Danmark Sarraȝins
Þat were of Angys lins
Þat hem souȝt gret helping
About hem of mani king
(So michel pople wiþ hem com
Þat it no miȝt telle no man)
Wiþ fele schippes and gret ynowe
Vp þai comen at Bristowe.
Merlin þis wist anon
And seyd to Vter Pendragon
And to his broþer also
And teld to hem boþe to
‘Y ȝou telle saun fayle
Vp ȝou is comen a strong batayle
Of Sarraȝins of michel priss
Forto awreke þe douke Angys,
In þis lond bi our day
So michel folk nas neuer y say,
Ac ȝour on wiþouten les
Worþ yslawe in þat pres
Ac ich ȝou telle who so it is
Schal wende into heuen-blis
Þerfore no for[s] no makeþ
Ac gode hert to ȝou takeþ;
‘Y com fram Aurilis Brosias
Bi mi conseyl he haþ þis niȝt
Angys slayn y þe pliȝt.’
Vter Pendragon made ioie þan
So doþ þe foule when it dawy gan
Al þat þer was so made blis
And amorwe went hom ywis
And founden Angys yslawe
His heued vp set his bodi todrawe,
Al his folk so was schilt
And neuer on þer nas spilt.
Sir Vter Pendragon þere
Asked Aurilis Brosias hou it were,
‘Certes’ seyd Aurilis Brosias ‘toniȝt
A swain com to me ful riȝt
And hastiliche warned me
Þat Angys com me to sle,
Vp ich stirt and him met
And to þe grounde ichim stet
Y not who him on brouȝt
No what Deuel he here souȝt
Ac wiþ mi swerd scharp of egge
His liif y dede him þere legge.’
159
To his broþer swiþe anon
‘Broþer’ he seyd ‘þat was Merlin
Þat so þe halp in nede þin
Þat here stont now bi me’—
And he him þonked wiþ hert fre
And proferd him al his þing
To ben vnder his ȝemeing.
Also þai spac wiþ Merlin
A bod com fram þe Sarraȝin
Þai wold ȝeld þe castel
Ȝif þai mosten wenden wel
To her lond wiþouten dere,
Merlin ȝaf hem answere
Þat þai schuld wende anon
Bi þe princes leue ichon
And so þai deden bi Godes sond
Alle þai wenten to her lond.
And alle þe lond þo com anon
And maked her oþ to Vter Pendragon
And þo þe oþ was ymade
Bi comoun dome bi comoun rade
Vter Pendragon coroun nam
And king of Inglond bicam,
Þe fest of þe corounment
In Winchester was verrament
And held it ful seuen niȝt
Þe fest noble apliȝt.
Ac ich ȝou telle þat Merlin
161
And loued better his litel to
Þan al þat oþer bodi þo,
Ac ich ȝou telle naþeles
A swiþe gode kniȝt he wes
He forsoke scheld no spere
Neuer oȝaines kniȝt to bere
Wiþ swerd he couþe kerue wel
Boþe in yren and in stiel.
Ac forsoþe afterward
Vp him com a chaunce hard,
Of Danmark Sarraȝins
Þat were of Angys lins
Þat hem souȝt gret helping
About hem of mani king
(So michel pople wiþ hem com
Þat it no miȝt telle no man)
Wiþ fele schippes and gret ynowe
Vp þai comen at Bristowe.
Merlin þis wist anon
163
And to his broþer also
And teld to hem boþe to
‘Y ȝou telle saun fayle
Vp ȝou is comen a strong batayle
Of Sarraȝins of michel priss
Forto awreke þe douke Angys,
In þis lond bi our day
So michel folk nas neuer y say,
Ac ȝour on wiþouten les
Worþ yslawe in þat pres
Ac ich ȝou telle who so it is
Schal wende into heuen-blis
Þerfore no for[s] no makeþ
Ac gode hert to ȝou takeþ;
Ȝour folk departeþ atvo
Oȝaines hem ȝe gin to go
Vter Pendragon hem schal asayle
On þe lond-half saun fayle,
Aurilis Brosias y telle þe
Þou schalt wende bi þe se
And þer þou þe conteyn so
Þat þou hem wirche deþes wo’—
For noþing he nold say
Whiche of hem schuld day.
As he hem bad þai deden so
Her folk departed atvo,
Vter Pendragon wiþ mani man
Anon þe Sarraȝins ȝede oȝan
And also sone so he hem mett
Wiþ swerd and launce he hem gret
Mani haþen þer was forsoþ
Þe heued cleued to þe toþ
Þe nek-bon dassed atvo
Þe arm þe bodi smiten fro
Wiþ swerd þe body atvo ydast
Þe bodi out of þe sadel cast,
Þe boke it seyt, nouȝt y no lye,
Þer was don swiche cheualrie
Þat no tong telle no miȝt
Þe haluendel wiþ tale riȝt;
Aurilis Brosias to þe se went
To whom Merlin hadde gode talent.
Oȝaines hem ȝe gin to go
Vter Pendragon hem schal asayle
On þe lond-half saun fayle,
Aurilis Brosias y telle þe
Þou schalt wende bi þe se
And þer þou þe conteyn so
Þat þou hem wirche deþes wo’—
For noþing he nold say
Whiche of hem schuld day.
As he hem bad þai deden so
Her folk departed atvo,
Vter Pendragon wiþ mani man
Anon þe Sarraȝins ȝede oȝan
And also sone so he hem mett
165
Mani haþen þer was forsoþ
Þe heued cleued to þe toþ
Þe nek-bon dassed atvo
Þe arm þe bodi smiten fro
Wiþ swerd þe body atvo ydast
Þe bodi out of þe sadel cast,
Þe boke it seyt, nouȝt y no lye,
Þer was don swiche cheualrie
Þat no tong telle no miȝt
Þe haluendel wiþ tale riȝt;
Aurilis Brosias to þe se went
To whom Merlin hadde gode talent.
Merlin sent þan anon
To sir Vter Pendragon
And bad him orpedliche he schuld keþe
For he no schuld þere þoly deþe,
Þo Vter Pendragon herd þis
His hert bicome ful of blis
Wiþ wretþe and wiþ talent fin
He smot opon a Sarraȝin,
He and al his felawered
Þer þai deden noble dede—
Al þat euer wald ariue
Þai binomen day o liue.
Vter Pendragon so hard hem held
Þat þai wiþ strengþe lete þe feld
And Aurilis Brosias hem held so hard
Þat he hem brouȝt oȝanward,
And þo þai noure fle miȝt
Wiþ Aurilis Brosias þai gun fiȝt
And so fele about him were
His liif þai binomen him þere;
Ac þo Vter Pendragon vnderstode
His broþer deþ he wex ner wode,
Þo he bisouȝt his doukes fiȝt
And him bistired þo as a kniȝt
Þat of þritti þousand and mo
No lete þai fiue oway go,
Of our wer slawe þan anon
Þre þousend and ten and on—
Þre mile-wayes oþer to
No miȝt no man step no go
Noiþer on hille no in den
Bot he steped on ded men
Þe blod ouerran þe cuntraye
Oueral in þe valaye.
So it fel to þe niȝt
Vter Pendragon com fram þe fiȝt,
Doukes kinges and barouns
Orped squiers and garsouns
Hom went to her in,
Bi rede amorwe of Merlin
Aurilis Bros[i]as out þai souȝt
And richelich in erþe him brouȝt.
Þan he was helden a douhti kniȝt
And ful wele held his lond to riȝt
Here he liued seþþen ȝeres fele
In miche pride and gret wele,
Fer and neiȝe wide and side
His fomen durst him nouȝt abide—
Bi Merlins red euer he wrouȝt
Þat into gret power him brouȝt.
He ouercom king Claudas
Þat so strong and stern was,
Þurth his miȝt also he wan
Þe douhti king Harinan
And of him he hadde first Gascoyne
And Normondye and Boloyne
And al þe marche to Paito
And Chaumpeine and eke Ango.
Þis ich king Harinan
To wiue had a fair wiman
Sche hiȝt Ygerne wiþouten no
Þe fairest lif þat liued þo,
Þe douke Hoel of Cornewaile
Spoused hir after him saun fayl
Þurth whom seþþen his liif he les—
Ȝe schul seþþen here in pes.
To sir Vter Pendragon
And bad him orpedliche he schuld keþe
For he no schuld þere þoly deþe,
Þo Vter Pendragon herd þis
His hert bicome ful of blis
Wiþ wretþe and wiþ talent fin
He smot opon a Sarraȝin,
He and al his felawered
Þer þai deden noble dede—
Al þat euer wald ariue
Þai binomen day o liue.
Vter Pendragon so hard hem held
Þat þai wiþ strengþe lete þe feld
And Aurilis Brosias hem held so hard
Þat he hem brouȝt oȝanward,
And þo þai noure fle miȝt
Wiþ Aurilis Brosias þai gun fiȝt
167
His liif þai binomen him þere;
Ac þo Vter Pendragon vnderstode
His broþer deþ he wex ner wode,
Þo he bisouȝt his doukes fiȝt
And him bistired þo as a kniȝt
Þat of þritti þousand and mo
No lete þai fiue oway go,
Of our wer slawe þan anon
Þre þousend and ten and on—
Þre mile-wayes oþer to
No miȝt no man step no go
Noiþer on hille no in den
Bot he steped on ded men
Þe blod ouerran þe cuntraye
Oueral in þe valaye.
So it fel to þe niȝt
Vter Pendragon com fram þe fiȝt,
Doukes kinges and barouns
Orped squiers and garsouns
Hom went to her in,
Bi rede amorwe of Merlin
Aurilis Bros[i]as out þai souȝt
And richelich in erþe him brouȝt.
Þan he was helden a douhti kniȝt
And ful wele held his lond to riȝt
Here he liued seþþen ȝeres fele
169
Fer and neiȝe wide and side
His fomen durst him nouȝt abide—
Bi Merlins red euer he wrouȝt
Þat into gret power him brouȝt.
He ouercom king Claudas
Þat so strong and stern was,
Þurth his miȝt also he wan
Þe douhti king Harinan
And of him he hadde first Gascoyne
And Normondye and Boloyne
And al þe marche to Paito
And Chaumpeine and eke Ango.
Þis ich king Harinan
To wiue had a fair wiman
Sche hiȝt Ygerne wiþouten no
Þe fairest lif þat liued þo,
Þe douke Hoel of Cornewaile
Spoused hir after him saun fayl
Þurth whom seþþen his liif he les—
Ȝe schul seþþen here in pes.
Ȝete hadde Vter Pendragon
Wonne to him þe king Ban
And Bohort his broþer also
Better bodis no miȝt non go,
King Ban hadde to his demeyne
Þe cite of Benoit of lasse Breteyne
Wiþ cites and borwes castels and pleyns
And Bohort hadde þe cite of Gaines
Wiþ al þe riȝt þat longed þerto
And þus þai hadde schift atvo.
Wonne to him þe king Ban
And Bohort his broþer also
Better bodis no miȝt non go,
King Ban hadde to his demeyne
Þe cite of Benoit of lasse Breteyne
Wiþ cites and borwes castels and pleyns
And Bohort hadde þe cite of Gaines
Wiþ al þe riȝt þat longed þerto
And þus þai hadde schift atvo.
And afterward wiþouten fable
Our king bigan þe rounde table—
Þat was þurth Merlines hest.
Of kniȝtes þat men wist best
In þis warld þurthout
Þat table schuld sitte about,
At þat table non sitt miȝt
Bot he were noble and douhti kniȝt
Strong and hende hardi and wise
Certes and trewe wiþouten feyntise,
Her non oþer schuld faile
No neuer fle out of bataile
Whiles he on fot stond miȝt
Bot ȝif hem departed þe niȝt,
At bataile and at bord also
Bi hemselue þai schuld go—
So monkes don in her celle
Bi hemselue þai eten ich telle.
Wher wer were alder mast
Þai were þider sent on hast.
Þis table gan Vter þe wiȝt
Ac it to ende ha[d]e he no miȝt
For þei alle þe kniȝtes vnder our Lord
Hadde ysiten at þat bord
Kniȝt bi kniȝt ich ȝou telle
Þe table no miȝt nouȝt fulfille
Til he wer born þat schuld do al
Fulfille þe meruails of þe greal.
Our king bigan þe rounde table—
Þat was þurth Merlines hest.
Of kniȝtes þat men wist best
In þis warld þurthout
Þat table schuld sitte about,
At þat table non sitt miȝt
Bot he were noble and douhti kniȝt
Strong and hende hardi and wise
170
Her non oþer schuld faile
No neuer fle out of bataile
Whiles he on fot stond miȝt
Bot ȝif hem departed þe niȝt,
At bataile and at bord also
Bi hemselue þai schuld go—
So monkes don in her celle
Bi hemselue þai eten ich telle.
Wher wer were alder mast
Þai were þider sent on hast.
Þis table gan Vter þe wiȝt
Ac it to ende ha[d]e he no miȝt
For þei alle þe kniȝtes vnder our Lord
Hadde ysiten at þat bord
Kniȝt bi kniȝt ich ȝou telle
Þe table no miȝt nouȝt fulfille
Til he wer born þat schuld do al
Fulfille þe meruails of þe greal.
It was opon þe Pentecost
In time þat þe Holy Gost
Among þe tvelue apostles cam
So sparc of fer and in hem ran
Our king Vter Pendragon
Lete bede wel mani a man
Doukes kniȝtes erls and king
To Cardoil to his gestening
Swiche was his won apliȝt
To helden ful seuen niȝt
And euerich wiþ him schuld bring
His leuedi to þat gestening,
Fram Kent to Norþhumberlond
Fram Wales and fram Scotlond
Baroun erl douke and kniȝt
To þat fest com apliȝt.
In time þat þe Holy Gost
Among þe tvelue apostles cam
So sparc of fer and in hem ran
Our king Vter Pendragon
Lete bede wel mani a man
Doukes kniȝtes erls and king
To Cardoil to his gestening
Swiche was his won apliȝt
To helden ful seuen niȝt
And euerich wiþ him schuld bring
His leuedi to þat gestening,
Fram Kent to Norþhumberlond
Fram Wales and fram Scotlond
Baroun erl douke and kniȝt
To þat fest com apliȝt.
In þat time was ded Hoel,
And þe noble baroun Tintagel
Þat was douke of Cornwayle
Hadde spoused Ygerne saun faile
Þat fair wiman þat swete liif
Þat hadde ben Holes wiif.
Þese to Cardoil boþe come
Men hem bi þe hond ynome
And ledden hem bifor þe king,
He made hem fair welcoming
Ac þo he seiȝe þat leuedi briȝt
His hert was chaunged apliȝt
He was nomen wiþ loue-las
Þat he no wist were he was,
Naþeles Ygerne anon
Was wiþ leuedis to chaumber gon
Whar sche was for hir beaute
Fair onourd in leaute;
Þe king þe douke sett aboue
Toforn al oþer for her loue
Alder next his side he sat
And of his dische and plater at.
Þis ich douke Tintagel
Hadde a boteler hiȝt Bretel
Þat him serued day and niȝt
At his bord so it was riȝt,
Ygerne hadde a chaumberlains
A gentil man þat hiȝt Iurdains.
Þe king at his mete sat
Michel he þouȝt and litel he at
He tok a coupe in his hond
Þat was worþ a schire of lond
And seyd ‘Bretel þou com me ner,
Þis to Ygerne þi leuedi ber
Bid hir drink þis licour
And do þe coupe in hir tresour.’
Bretel tok þe coupe anon
Bifor his leuedi he gan gon
On his knewe he him sett
And on þe kinges halue hir gret
And seyd ‘Dame þe king þe sent
(And drinkeþ to þe) a fair present
To þe he drinkeþ þis licour
Þe coupe he ȝeueþ to þi tresour.’
Wel sore gan þis present rewe
Dam Ygerne þat leuedi trewe
Sche seyd ‘Go oȝain anon
To þe king Vter Pendragon
Say y nil nouȝt it take at o word
Wiþouten leue of mi lord
Þat ich þis present vnderfong,
Ȝif ich dede it were wrong’—
Bretel went oȝain anon
And seyd to Vter Pendragon.
Þo he hadde it yseyd
Þe king sore was amayd
Ac after sche it nam on hast
Þurth hir owhen lordes hest
Vlfin þerof was messanger
He was þe kinges conseyler,
Vnneþe sche it nim wold
Ac þo sche algat schold
Swiþe sore sche gan to wepe
Wonder hem þouȝt þat bi hir sete.
Þo alle þe cloþes weren ydrawe
After mete so it was lawe
Þe king ȝaue fair ȝiftes
To douk baroun and to kniȝtes
Ac non no had swiche saun faile
So þe douke of Cornwaile
For þe loue of Ygerne
In whas loue he dede berne.
Anon after þo leuedis alle
Were ofsent into þe halle,
Þe king toke Ygerne bi þe hond
Þe fairest leuedi of þis lond
And sett hir bi him on þe benche
Win and piment he dede senche,
Oþer kinges and doukes heiȝe
Token oþer leuedis sleiȝe
Togider hem set and made solas.
Þe king bisouȝt Ygerne of gras
Þat sche schold ben his lef,
Þe leuedi seyd ‘I nam no þef
To breke mi treuþe oȝain mi lord
Raþer ich wald hing bi a cord
No schal y neuer for loue no ȝift
Wiþ mi bodi don vnriȝt,’
Oþerwise for no preier
Þe king nold sche yhere,
Þe king spac no more þo
Sumwat elles he þouȝt to do.
Þo þai were al at aise
Ich went to his in a-paise
Ac ich ȝou telle þo at arst
Þe king neiȝe for loue brast
Ac no man nist of his pin
Bot his conseiler Vlfin
Þat bad him nouȝt care biginne
He schuld wele hir loue winne.
Tintagel and eke Ygerne
To her in went ful ȝerne
Þe leuedi toke þan þe kniȝt
And into chaumber went ful riȝt
Toforn him a-knewes sche fel
And seyd ‘Lord ȝif it be þi wille
Þat þou wost hennes wende!
Þe king is about, me to schende,
Þe worþschip þat he doþ to þe
Al is forto schende me
He haþ me of vilanie bisouȝt
Me to aforce is in his þouȝt.’
Þo þe douke þis vnderstode
For wretþe he wex neiȝe wode,
He hadde in toun v hundred kniȝtes
He hem ofsent anon riȝtes
And told hem þis vilainie
And seyd he wald hom an heiȝe
He bad hem trosse and make ȝare
Ar day he wold homward fare
For he hadde leuer dye in fiȝt
Þan schond þoli and vnriȝt,
His kniȝtes to him ȝeuen asent
And trossed swiþe verrament,
Bi þat it was liȝt o day
Þai weren al ywent oway
Þe douke þe leuedi and his kniȝt.
Þe king seye þe dayliȝt
Þat niȝt he hadde litel yslape
He stirt vp al in rape
His chaumberlain him com to
His cloþes on forto do,
Þo he was cloþed he com adoun
Sikeende and romende vp and doun.
Afterward com in anon
Barouns and leuedis mani on
To chirche þai ȝede more and lasse
Forto heren þer her messe
Ac al þai loked swiþe ȝerne
After Tintagel and Ygerne.
Þo þe messe was ysonge
Þe king spac wiþ his tonge
‘Where is þe douke Tintagel?
Icham adrad him is nouȝt wel.’
‘Certes sir’ quaþ a kniȝt,
‘He is went homward toniȝt
Wiþ wiif and kniȝtes to his lond.’
‘Eye’ quaþ þe king ‘þat is me schond!
Þef! He haþ broken mi statout
He schal abigge wiþouten dout’—
His statout was and his lawe
Þat non no schuld in seuen dawe
Þat were of priis oþer of noblay
Fram þat fest wende oway
Bot it were bi þe kinges wille
And who so dede he schuld spille.
Þo þe king vnderstode
Þe douke ywent he was neiȝe wode,
Of þat despite pleynt he made
And to his folk seþþen he sade
Þat he was digne to dye anon
Þat swiche despite hadde ydon.
Þe king him diȝt in a stounde
And þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
(Þe noblest men þat were oliue)
And riche kinges tvo and fiue
Noble kinges of þis lond
Al wonnen vnder his hond,
Wiþ mani erl baroun and kniȝt
Armed went anon riȝt
Þe douke Tintagel to nime
So þe kinges wiþþerwine;
Ac þe douke Tintagel
Þis bifore wist it wel
He hadde sent fer and neiȝe
After frendes and souders sleiȝe
Fiftene þousand kniȝtes hende
Þat schuld his lond help to defende,
Naþeles oȝain þe king
Þai no hadde power in fiȝting—
At cite borwe and castel
Þai were astored swiþe wel.
And þe noble baroun Tintagel
Þat was douke of Cornwayle
171
Þat fair wiman þat swete liif
Þat hadde ben Holes wiif.
Þese to Cardoil boþe come
Men hem bi þe hond ynome
And ledden hem bifor þe king,
He made hem fair welcoming
Ac þo he seiȝe þat leuedi briȝt
His hert was chaunged apliȝt
He was nomen wiþ loue-las
Þat he no wist were he was,
Naþeles Ygerne anon
Was wiþ leuedis to chaumber gon
Whar sche was for hir beaute
Fair onourd in leaute;
Þe king þe douke sett aboue
Toforn al oþer for her loue
Alder next his side he sat
And of his dische and plater at.
Þis ich douke Tintagel
Hadde a boteler hiȝt Bretel
Þat him serued day and niȝt
At his bord so it was riȝt,
Ygerne hadde a chaumberlains
A gentil man þat hiȝt Iurdains.
Þe king at his mete sat
Michel he þouȝt and litel he at
He tok a coupe in his hond
Þat was worþ a schire of lond
And seyd ‘Bretel þou com me ner,
Þis to Ygerne þi leuedi ber
Bid hir drink þis licour
And do þe coupe in hir tresour.’
Bretel tok þe coupe anon
Bifor his leuedi he gan gon
On his knewe he him sett
And on þe kinges halue hir gret
And seyd ‘Dame þe king þe sent
(And drinkeþ to þe) a fair present
To þe he drinkeþ þis licour
172
Wel sore gan þis present rewe
Dam Ygerne þat leuedi trewe
Sche seyd ‘Go oȝain anon
To þe king Vter Pendragon
Say y nil nouȝt it take at o word
Wiþouten leue of mi lord
Þat ich þis present vnderfong,
Ȝif ich dede it were wrong’—
Bretel went oȝain anon
And seyd to Vter Pendragon.
Þo he hadde it yseyd
Þe king sore was amayd
Ac after sche it nam on hast
Þurth hir owhen lordes hest
Vlfin þerof was messanger
He was þe kinges conseyler,
Vnneþe sche it nim wold
Ac þo sche algat schold
Swiþe sore sche gan to wepe
Wonder hem þouȝt þat bi hir sete.
Þo alle þe cloþes weren ydrawe
After mete so it was lawe
Þe king ȝaue fair ȝiftes
To douk baroun and to kniȝtes
Ac non no had swiche saun faile
So þe douke of Cornwaile
For þe loue of Ygerne
In whas loue he dede berne.
Anon after þo leuedis alle
Were ofsent into þe halle,
Þe king toke Ygerne bi þe hond
Þe fairest leuedi of þis lond
And sett hir bi him on þe benche
Win and piment he dede senche,
Oþer kinges and doukes heiȝe
Token oþer leuedis sleiȝe
173
Þe king bisouȝt Ygerne of gras
Þat sche schold ben his lef,
Þe leuedi seyd ‘I nam no þef
To breke mi treuþe oȝain mi lord
Raþer ich wald hing bi a cord
No schal y neuer for loue no ȝift
Wiþ mi bodi don vnriȝt,’
Oþerwise for no preier
Þe king nold sche yhere,
Þe king spac no more þo
Sumwat elles he þouȝt to do.
Þo þai were al at aise
Ich went to his in a-paise
Ac ich ȝou telle þo at arst
Þe king neiȝe for loue brast
Ac no man nist of his pin
Bot his conseiler Vlfin
Þat bad him nouȝt care biginne
He schuld wele hir loue winne.
Tintagel and eke Ygerne
To her in went ful ȝerne
Þe leuedi toke þan þe kniȝt
And into chaumber went ful riȝt
Toforn him a-knewes sche fel
And seyd ‘Lord ȝif it be þi wille
Þat þou wost hennes wende!
Þe king is about, me to schende,
Þe worþschip þat he doþ to þe
Al is forto schende me
He haþ me of vilanie bisouȝt
Me to aforce is in his þouȝt.’
Þo þe douke þis vnderstode
For wretþe he wex neiȝe wode,
He hadde in toun v hundred kniȝtes
He hem ofsent anon riȝtes
And told hem þis vilainie
And seyd he wald hom an heiȝe
He bad hem trosse and make ȝare
174
For he hadde leuer dye in fiȝt
Þan schond þoli and vnriȝt,
His kniȝtes to him ȝeuen asent
And trossed swiþe verrament,
Bi þat it was liȝt o day
Þai weren al ywent oway
Þe douke þe leuedi and his kniȝt.
Þe king seye þe dayliȝt
Þat niȝt he hadde litel yslape
He stirt vp al in rape
His chaumberlain him com to
His cloþes on forto do,
Þo he was cloþed he com adoun
Sikeende and romende vp and doun.
Afterward com in anon
Barouns and leuedis mani on
To chirche þai ȝede more and lasse
Forto heren þer her messe
Ac al þai loked swiþe ȝerne
After Tintagel and Ygerne.
Þo þe messe was ysonge
Þe king spac wiþ his tonge
‘Where is þe douke Tintagel?
Icham adrad him is nouȝt wel.’
‘Certes sir’ quaþ a kniȝt,
‘He is went homward toniȝt
Wiþ wiif and kniȝtes to his lond.’
‘Eye’ quaþ þe king ‘þat is me schond!
Þef! He haþ broken mi statout
He schal abigge wiþouten dout’—
His statout was and his lawe
Þat non no schuld in seuen dawe
Þat were of priis oþer of noblay
Fram þat fest wende oway
Bot it were bi þe kinges wille
And who so dede he schuld spille.
Þo þe king vnderstode
Þe douke ywent he was neiȝe wode,
Of þat despite pleynt he made
175
Þat he was digne to dye anon
Þat swiche despite hadde ydon.
Þe king him diȝt in a stounde
And þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
(Þe noblest men þat were oliue)
And riche kinges tvo and fiue
Noble kinges of þis lond
Al wonnen vnder his hond,
Wiþ mani erl baroun and kniȝt
Armed went anon riȝt
Þe douke Tintagel to nime
So þe kinges wiþþerwine;
Ac þe douke Tintagel
Þis bifore wist it wel
He hadde sent fer and neiȝe
After frendes and souders sleiȝe
Fiftene þousand kniȝtes hende
Þat schuld his lond help to defende,
Naþeles oȝain þe king
Þai no hadde power in fiȝting—
At cite borwe and castel
Þai were astored swiþe wel.
Þe king com wiþ his barnage
And tounes brent in gret rage
He bilay him swiþe long
And men slouȝ—it was wiþ wrong.
Þe douke himselue Tintagel
Lay in a swiþe strong castel,
Our king Vter Pendragon
Him asailed and ek his men
Wiþ heweing and wiþ mineinge
And wiþ mangunels casteinge
Ac Tintagel þat hende kniȝt
His castel wered wele apliȝt,
And þennes ouer miles þre
Lay Ygerne so fair and fre
In a castel, [a] roche of ston—
Man no miȝt hir dery non.
Iurdains and eke Bretel
Boþe were wiþ Tintagel
And al þat miȝt armes bere
To helpen him his castel to were,
Þe king him hadde wel long ylay
And was ful of wretþe and tray
Þat he no miȝt him nim anon
And sike he was in euerich bon
For loue of þe cuntasse
Gode he no couþe more no lasse.
On a day it bifel so:
Vter Pendragon was swiþe wo
Vlfin he tok his chaumberlain
And went to plaien him on þe plain
An beggere þere he mett
Þat þe king wel fair gret,
For Godes loue þat bad him gode,
Þe king answerd wiþ dreri mode
‘Beggere’ he seyd ‘so mot y liue
Y no haue here nouȝt þe to ȝiue.’
‘Sir’ quaþ þe beggere þo
‘Tel me þan of þi wo
Whi þou makest swiche chere.’
Þe king seyd ‘Vlfin no miȝtow here
Of þis begger aposeing
Þat dar so speke to a king?’
Vlfin þe begger biheld on
And him knewe wel sone anon
Bi his semblaunt and winking
Þat he made opon þe king
And seyd ‘Sir par ma fay
Þis is a begger of noblay
Þou miȝt be þerof ful fawe
It is Merlin, þat þou schalt knawe.’
His semblaunt turned anon Merlin
Þe king þo hadde ioie fin
Of his hors sone he liȝt
And kist Merlin anon riȝt
So dede Vlfin also
Michel ioie he made þo.
Merlin seyd to þe king
‘Al y knowe þi glosing
Y wot þou louest par amour
Ygerne þat swete flour,
What wiltow ȝeue me, ar tomorwe
Y schal þe lese out of þi sorwe?’
‘Merlin’ quaþ þo þe king
‘Help me now in þis þing
And þou schalt haue whatow wilt ȝerne—
Do me to haue swete Ygerne.’
‘Wiltow me ȝiue’ quaþ Merlin
‘Al þe biȝete þat schal be þine
And þou hir haue ar day?’
‘Ȝa’ quaþ þe king ‘par ma fay.’
‘Now’ quaþ Merlin ‘þi pais þou held
And ar day þou schalt hir weld.’
Þe king was swiþe bliþe þo
To his pauiloun he gan go
At þe soper þai were glade
Michel ioie and mirþe þai made.
Ar it day were Merlin hete
Þe kinges men arm hem skete
And bisett þat castel
Where þe douke was Tintagel
And tauȝt hem gin and eke way
Þe castel to win ar ani day.
Þai went al to þis asailing
Bot Vlfin and Merlin and þe king
At hom bileued and bispake
Hou þai miȝt of loue take,
Merlin bad Vlfin and þe king
Riden wiþ him wiþouten duelling
So þai deden and riden ȝerne
Toward þe castel þer was Ygerne,
Þo þai þe castel were neiȝe
Merlin kidde þat he was sleiȝe
Herbes he souȝt and fond
And gnidded hem bitvix his hond
Þe king he smerd viis and liche
And made þe king Tintagel liche
Himseluen he made like Iurdains
Þat was þe lordes chaumberlains
Vlfin he made liche Bretel,
And went þo to þe castel.
On þe gate loude þai bete
Seriaunce com and hem in lete
Þai wende it were her seygnour
And ladde him in wiþ gret honour
For swiche was cloþ bodi and fas,
To hir chaumber he nam his pas
Þe king ȝede after þo wel swiþe
Was he neuer are so bliþe,
To þe king þo spac Merlin
‘Spede þe now on nedes þine—
Ar þou arise of hir bed
Þou worþ swiþe sore adred.’
And tounes brent in gret rage
He bilay him swiþe long
And men slouȝ—it was wiþ wrong.
Þe douke himselue Tintagel
Lay in a swiþe strong castel,
Our king Vter Pendragon
Him asailed and ek his men
Wiþ heweing and wiþ mineinge
And wiþ mangunels casteinge
Ac Tintagel þat hende kniȝt
His castel wered wele apliȝt,
And þennes ouer miles þre
176
In a castel, [a] roche of ston—
Man no miȝt hir dery non.
Iurdains and eke Bretel
Boþe were wiþ Tintagel
And al þat miȝt armes bere
To helpen him his castel to were,
Þe king him hadde wel long ylay
And was ful of wretþe and tray
Þat he no miȝt him nim anon
And sike he was in euerich bon
For loue of þe cuntasse
Gode he no couþe more no lasse.
On a day it bifel so:
Vter Pendragon was swiþe wo
Vlfin he tok his chaumberlain
And went to plaien him on þe plain
An beggere þere he mett
Þat þe king wel fair gret,
For Godes loue þat bad him gode,
Þe king answerd wiþ dreri mode
‘Beggere’ he seyd ‘so mot y liue
Y no haue here nouȝt þe to ȝiue.’
‘Sir’ quaþ þe beggere þo
‘Tel me þan of þi wo
Whi þou makest swiche chere.’
Þe king seyd ‘Vlfin no miȝtow here
Of þis begger aposeing
Þat dar so speke to a king?’
Vlfin þe begger biheld on
And him knewe wel sone anon
Bi his semblaunt and winking
Þat he made opon þe king
And seyd ‘Sir par ma fay
Þis is a begger of noblay
Þou miȝt be þerof ful fawe
It is Merlin, þat þou schalt knawe.’
His semblaunt turned anon Merlin
Þe king þo hadde ioie fin
177
And kist Merlin anon riȝt
So dede Vlfin also
Michel ioie he made þo.
Merlin seyd to þe king
‘Al y knowe þi glosing
Y wot þou louest par amour
Ygerne þat swete flour,
What wiltow ȝeue me, ar tomorwe
Y schal þe lese out of þi sorwe?’
‘Merlin’ quaþ þo þe king
‘Help me now in þis þing
And þou schalt haue whatow wilt ȝerne—
Do me to haue swete Ygerne.’
‘Wiltow me ȝiue’ quaþ Merlin
‘Al þe biȝete þat schal be þine
And þou hir haue ar day?’
‘Ȝa’ quaþ þe king ‘par ma fay.’
‘Now’ quaþ Merlin ‘þi pais þou held
And ar day þou schalt hir weld.’
Þe king was swiþe bliþe þo
To his pauiloun he gan go
At þe soper þai were glade
Michel ioie and mirþe þai made.
Ar it day were Merlin hete
Þe kinges men arm hem skete
And bisett þat castel
Where þe douke was Tintagel
And tauȝt hem gin and eke way
Þe castel to win ar ani day.
Þai went al to þis asailing
Bot Vlfin and Merlin and þe king
At hom bileued and bispake
Hou þai miȝt of loue take,
Merlin bad Vlfin and þe king
Riden wiþ him wiþouten duelling
So þai deden and riden ȝerne
Toward þe castel þer was Ygerne,
178
Merlin kidde þat he was sleiȝe
Herbes he souȝt and fond
And gnidded hem bitvix his hond
Þe king he smerd viis and liche
And made þe king Tintagel liche
Himseluen he made like Iurdains
Þat was þe lordes chaumberlains
Vlfin he made liche Bretel,
And went þo to þe castel.
On þe gate loude þai bete
Seriaunce com and hem in lete
Þai wende it were her seygnour
And ladde him in wiþ gret honour
For swiche was cloþ bodi and fas,
To hir chaumber he nam his pas
Þe king ȝede after þo wel swiþe
Was he neuer are so bliþe,
To þe king þo spac Merlin
‘Spede þe now on nedes þine—
Ar þou arise of hir bed
Þou worþ swiþe sore adred.’
Þe king þerof nouȝt no schrof
Ac to Ygerne bed he drof
Ygerne wende it were her lord
And him afenge wiþ fair acord
Þe king no made nouȝt long soiour
Þat he no plaid wiþ þat flour
So oft so his wil was—
Þat ich niȝt bi Godes grace
Þer was biȝeten hem bitven
King Arthour þat noble stren.
Þerafter in a litel þrawe
A cri þer com her lord was slawe,
Þo com Merlin to his bed
‘Arise vp for it is nede
And þine men þou schewe þe to!
Men seyt þou art to deþ ydo.’
Vp strit þo þe king
He no made þer no duelling
So we finden on þe boke
He kist þe leuedi and leue he toke
Into halle he com wel swiþe
Al þat folk of him was bliþe
For þai wende forsoþe þere
Þair owhen lord þat it were:
Þe messanger was foule yschent
Þat to hem brouȝt þat present
And oft ycleped foule leiȝer,
Wiþ gret oþes he gan him swere
And seyd he was in þe plas
Þo þe castel ynomen was
And al þat folk he herd waile
For þat erl of Cornwaile.
Ac to Ygerne bed he drof
Ygerne wende it were her lord
And him afenge wiþ fair acord
Þe king no made nouȝt long soiour
Þat he no plaid wiþ þat flour
So oft so his wil was—
Þat ich niȝt bi Godes grace
Þer was biȝeten hem bitven
King Arthour þat noble stren.
Þerafter in a litel þrawe
A cri þer com her lord was slawe,
Þo com Merlin to his bed
‘Arise vp for it is nede
And þine men þou schewe þe to!
Men seyt þou art to deþ ydo.’
Vp strit þo þe king
He no made þer no duelling
179
He kist þe leuedi and leue he toke
Into halle he com wel swiþe
Al þat folk of him was bliþe
For þai wende forsoþe þere
Þair owhen lord þat it were:
Þe messanger was foule yschent
Þat to hem brouȝt þat present
And oft ycleped foule leiȝer,
Wiþ gret oþes he gan him swere
And seyd he was in þe plas
Þo þe castel ynomen was
And al þat folk he herd waile
For þat erl of Cornwaile.
Þe king asked his destrer red
And seyd he wold kiþe he nas nouȝt ded
He priked him forþ out atte gate—
Forsoþe it was almost to late
For of þe way litel þai ware
Þo þai herd, wiþ gret care
Þe doukes man Tintagel
Com fleinde fram þe castel.
Þo þe leuedi herd þis
Wo was hir liif ywis
For hir lord Tintagel,
Sche was bigiled sche wist wel
In hir þouȝt wele it ran
On hir was biȝeten a barn—
What for sorwe wat for schame
Wers was neuer gentil dame.
And seyd he wold kiþe he nas nouȝt ded
He priked him forþ out atte gate—
Forsoþe it was almost to late
For of þe way litel þai ware
Þo þai herd, wiþ gret care
Þe doukes man Tintagel
Com fleinde fram þe castel.
Þo þe leuedi herd þis
Wo was hir liif ywis
For hir lord Tintagel,
Sche was bigiled sche wist wel
In hir þouȝt wele it ran
On hir was biȝeten a barn—
What for sorwe wat for schame
Wers was neuer gentil dame.
So we finde in our boke
Merlin þo went to a broke
Þe king wiþ water þer he wesche
His owhen stat he hadde ywis
And seþþen he wesche hem boþe to
Her owen stat þai hadden also,
Þo þai wenten al þre
To þe kinges meyne
Riȝt so þe day bigan dawe
Þai fond Tintagel yslawe,
Þerof forsoþe our king
Ioie made wiþouten lesing.
Long þerafterward verrament
Was ymade acordement
Bitvene Ygerne and þe king
Þurth heiȝe mennes conseyling,
And þo was iugged wiþouten faile
Bi heiȝe mennes conseyl—
Þe king was iugged Ygerne to spouse
Þerof Ygerne was ioiouse.
Merlin þo went to a broke
Þe king wiþ water þer he wesche
His owhen stat he hadde ywis
And seþþen he wesche hem boþe to
Her owen stat þai hadden also,
Þo þai wenten al þre
To þe kinges meyne
Riȝt so þe day bigan dawe
Þai fond Tintagel yslawe,
180
Ioie made wiþouten lesing.
Long þerafterward verrament
Was ymade acordement
Bitvene Ygerne and þe king
Þurth heiȝe mennes conseyling,
And þo was iugged wiþouten faile
Bi heiȝe mennes conseyl—
Þe king was iugged Ygerne to spouse
Þerof Ygerne was ioiouse.
King Nanters of Garlot
Þer nam Blasine God it wot
Ygerns douhter bi Hoel,
Hir lord was bifor Tintagel,
In whom he biȝat Galaas
Þat strong and hardi and noble was.
Þer nam Blasine God it wot
Ygerns douhter bi Hoel,
Hir lord was bifor Tintagel,
In whom he biȝat Galaas
Þat strong and hardi and noble was.
King Lot þer nam Belisent
Also Ygerns douhter gent
In whom he seþþe biȝat Wawein
And Guerehes and Agreuein
And Gaheriet þat was so fre,
For better kniȝtes no miȝt non be.
King Vriens þe þridde nam
Þat was king of Schorham
In whom he biȝat Ywayns
Hende and noble and kniȝt certeyns—
Þese þre sustren were bi Hoel,
Also Ygerns douhter gent
In whom he seþþe biȝat Wawein
And Guerehes and Agreuein
And Gaheriet þat was so fre,
For better kniȝtes no miȝt non be.
King Vriens þe þridde nam
Þat was king of Schorham
In whom he biȝat Ywayns
Hende and noble and kniȝt certeyns—
Þese þre sustren were bi Hoel,
And oþer mo bi Tintagel
Þat elleswhere were to loke
So we finde writen in boke
Al four made spouseing
Togider and swiþe fair gestening
Þer was iustes and turnamens
Swiþes noble verramens,
Þe fest lasted fourten niȝt
To al þat euer come ypliȝt.
Þat elleswhere were to loke
So we finde writen in boke
Al four made spouseing
Togider and swiþe fair gestening
Þer was iustes and turnamens
Swiþes noble verramens,
Þe fest lasted fourten niȝt
To al þat euer come ypliȝt.
Þo þe fest was ydo
Merlin com þe king to
And seyd he hadde do þe dede
Of gode conseyl and wise rede
And seyd ‘Sir biþenke þou þe
What þou next ȝeue me—
Þe child biȝeten in þi quen.
Ichil þe telle hou it mot ben:
Hir wombe greteþ, þou miȝt toniȝt
Fele hou it stireþ þat litel wiȝt,
When þou it feleþ in hir wawe
Bid hir sche be biknawe
Who so haþ bi hir lay,
Þe soþe sche wil sone say;
Þat schaltow hir hot ywis
So sone so it born is
It be yborn to þe gate
And ȝouen whom men findeþ þerat,
Þer man schal yfinde me
To fong þat child þat is so fre.
Þou hast a baroun in þi lond
Of gentil blod and miȝti hond
Þat is Antour þi baroun heye
Þat is a man of gret noblay
Þ[at] ha[þ] biȝeten a noble [qu]en
And sche is wiþ child so is þe quen,
In þis lond nis swiche blode
No milk þat haþ half so gode;
Pray Antour wiþ wordes milde
Þe milke he ȝiue to þi childe
And ȝif he þerof ȝiue graunt
Our Lord y take to waraunt
Þi child worþ þe noblest man
Of al þis world an for an—
Ac to þi quen be nouȝt biknawe
Þat þat child be þine awe.’
Þe king swore bi Crist his sire
He nold neuer tel it hire,
Al he dede so Merlin bad,
Þe quen agros and was adrad
And seyd ‘Lord wiþ child ich am
Not ich neuer who is þe man
Biȝeten it was þat ich þrawe
Þat mi lord was yslawe,
So mot ich proue, and y the,
Y wend mi lord it hadde ybe
Do wiþ me what þi wille is
Þe soþe ich haue yseyd ywis.’
‘Dame’ he seyd ‘no drede nouȝt þe
Al þe gilt y forȝiue þe
Wiþ þat at when þou child hast
Þou do nim þat child on hast
Do bere it to þe gate
And ȝiue it whom þou findeþ þerat
Þat y no here þerof tidinge
Neuer eft more wiþouten lesing.’
‘Sir’ sche seyd ‘bleþeliche
It schal be don sikerliche.’
Merlin com þe king to
And seyd he hadde do þe dede
181
And seyd ‘Sir biþenke þou þe
What þou next ȝeue me—
Þe child biȝeten in þi quen.
Ichil þe telle hou it mot ben:
Hir wombe greteþ, þou miȝt toniȝt
Fele hou it stireþ þat litel wiȝt,
When þou it feleþ in hir wawe
Bid hir sche be biknawe
Who so haþ bi hir lay,
Þe soþe sche wil sone say;
Þat schaltow hir hot ywis
So sone so it born is
It be yborn to þe gate
And ȝouen whom men findeþ þerat,
Þer man schal yfinde me
To fong þat child þat is so fre.
Þou hast a baroun in þi lond
Of gentil blod and miȝti hond
Þat is Antour þi baroun heye
Þat is a man of gret noblay
Þ[at] ha[þ] biȝeten a noble [qu]en
And sche is wiþ child so is þe quen,
In þis lond nis swiche blode
No milk þat haþ half so gode;
Pray Antour wiþ wordes milde
Þe milke he ȝiue to þi childe
And ȝif he þerof ȝiue graunt
Our Lord y take to waraunt
Þi child worþ þe noblest man
Of al þis world an for an—
Ac to þi quen be nouȝt biknawe
Þat þat child be þine awe.’
Þe king swore bi Crist his sire
He nold neuer tel it hire,
Al he dede so Merlin bad,
Þe quen agros and was adrad
And seyd ‘Lord wiþ child ich am
182
Biȝeten it was þat ich þrawe
Þat mi lord was yslawe,
So mot ich proue, and y the,
Y wend mi lord it hadde ybe
Do wiþ me what þi wille is
Þe soþe ich haue yseyd ywis.’
‘Dame’ he seyd ‘no drede nouȝt þe
Al þe gilt y forȝiue þe
Wiþ þat at when þou child hast
Þou do nim þat child on hast
Do bere it to þe gate
And ȝiue it whom þou findeþ þerat
Þat y no here þerof tidinge
Neuer eft more wiþouten lesing.’
‘Sir’ sche seyd ‘bleþeliche
It schal be don sikerliche.’
Þe king þerafter amorwe aros
And osent sir Antour of gret los,
Þo he was comen þe king him nam
And al his men ladde him fram
And gan his priuete vnhele,
And þat he it schuld hele;
He seyd he hadde biȝeten a child
And teld him hou wiþ tale milde
‘Late’ he seyd ‘þi wiif it loke,
Of hir milk and ȝiue it souke,
And þou schalt haue riche mede
Brod londes and heiȝe stede.’
Þe king vnneþe al þis biȝat
Þe quen childed after þat
A fair knaue a gentil biȝate
Þat was born to þe gate
An old hore man it was bitake
So we finden in þe blake
It was Merlin þat him afeng
Forþ he ȝede wiþouten lesing
To a chirche he went, wiþ honour
And dede þat child cristen Arthour,
After he went swiþe
And bar it to sir Antoris wiue
A-childbed he hir fond
And tok it hir in þe hond
And bad it hir loke wiþ mild mode
‘Þi mede schal be riche and gode.’
And osent sir Antour of gret los,
Þo he was comen þe king him nam
And al his men ladde him fram
And gan his priuete vnhele,
And þat he it schuld hele;
He seyd he hadde biȝeten a child
And teld him hou wiþ tale milde
‘Late’ he seyd ‘þi wiif it loke,
Of hir milk and ȝiue it souke,
And þou schalt haue riche mede
Brod londes and heiȝe stede.’
Þe king vnneþe al þis biȝat
Þe quen childed after þat
A fair knaue a gentil biȝate
Þat was born to þe gate
An old hore man it was bitake
So we finden in þe blake
It was Merlin þat him afeng
Forþ he ȝede wiþouten lesing
To a chirche he went, wiþ honour
183
After he went swiþe
And bar it to sir Antoris wiue
A-childbed he hir fond
And tok it hir in þe hond
And bad it hir loke wiþ mild mode
‘Þi mede schal be riche and gode.’
Merlin went anon oway
No seiȝe no man him after, mani a day.
Antors wiif child hete Cay
Sche dede it fram hir oway
And lete souke Artouret
Þat milk was wel bisett
He wex fair and wele yþei
And was a child of gret noblay
He was curteys hende and gent
And wiȝt and hardi verrament
Curteyslich and fair he spac
Wiþ him was non iuel lac.
His fader he miȝt oft ysen
Ac him no knewe neuer þe quen
NArtour no miȝt neuer wite
Þat þe king him hadde biȝete
While þe king was libbeing
So ich in þe brout yfinde
Ac his fader wele he wende
Were Antour þe kniȝt hende.
His moder starf so God wold
And richeliche was brouȝt in mold,
Afterward long þe king
In bedde fel in gret sekeling
And was ycomen riȝt to his fin,
Riȝt þo bifor him stode Merlin
Þe king quiked anon riȝt
Þo he had of Merlin siȝt,
He asked where he hadde yben
Þat he no miȝt him fer ysen,
He seyd ‘Fer hennes saun fail.
Now is to comen mi trauail,
Þou schal be dede sone ywis
And wenden into heuen-blis
Þi sone after worþ king
Bi Godes grace and min helping
Bi wos day worþ don alle
Þe meruails of þe sengreal.’
Þe king herof lete ful gode
And þonked God wiþ mild mode
No seiȝe no man him after, mani a day.
Antors wiif child hete Cay
Sche dede it fram hir oway
And lete souke Artouret
Þat milk was wel bisett
He wex fair and wele yþei
And was a child of gret noblay
He was curteys hende and gent
And wiȝt and hardi verrament
Curteyslich and fair he spac
Wiþ him was non iuel lac.
His fader he miȝt oft ysen
Ac him no knewe neuer þe quen
NArtour no miȝt neuer wite
Þat þe king him hadde biȝete
While þe king was libbeing
So ich in þe brout yfinde
Ac his fader wele he wende
Were Antour þe kniȝt hende.
His moder starf so God wold
And richeliche was brouȝt in mold,
Afterward long þe king
In bedde fel in gret sekeling
And was ycomen riȝt to his fin,
Riȝt þo bifor him stode Merlin
Þe king quiked anon riȝt
Þo he had of Merlin siȝt,
He asked where he hadde yben
Þat he no miȝt him fer ysen,
He seyd ‘Fer hennes saun fail.
184
Þou schal be dede sone ywis
And wenden into heuen-blis
Þi sone after worþ king
Bi Godes grace and min helping
Bi wos day worþ don alle
Þe meruails of þe sengreal.’
Þe king herof lete ful gode
And þonked God wiþ mild mode
Merlin fram him went oway
Þe king starf þat ich day,
For him wepen lowe and heiȝe
Swiþe sore wiþ her eiȝe
Þe holy bischop þat hiȝt Brice
For him dede þe office
In erþe he was sikerliche
Layd swiþe nobeliche.
After his enterement
Þai gan make a parlement
To whiche parlement was yfet
Al þat hadde power gret
Of þis lond al about
Þider com wel gret rout
Of kinges erls baroun and kniȝt
Princes doukes mani ypliȝt,
Non no wist hem among
Þat Arthour of þe king sprong
Bot sir Antor and sir Vlfin
And þe gode clerk Merlin,
Ac for in spouse he nas biȝete
No man no most it wite.
Þis parlement last mani a day
To chese a king of gret noblay
To þe heiȝe and to þe lawe
To gouern hem in her lawe
Ac þai no miȝt nouȝt acord
For ich of hem wold be lord,
Þis last half ȝer so
Þat þai no miȝt comen at on þo.
Þe king starf þat ich day,
For him wepen lowe and heiȝe
Swiþe sore wiþ her eiȝe
Þe holy bischop þat hiȝt Brice
For him dede þe office
In erþe he was sikerliche
Layd swiþe nobeliche.
After his enterement
Þai gan make a parlement
To whiche parlement was yfet
Al þat hadde power gret
Of þis lond al about
Þider com wel gret rout
Of kinges erls baroun and kniȝt
Princes doukes mani ypliȝt,
Non no wist hem among
Þat Arthour of þe king sprong
Bot sir Antor and sir Vlfin
And þe gode clerk Merlin,
Ac for in spouse he nas biȝete
No man no most it wite.
Þis parlement last mani a day
To chese a king of gret noblay
To þe heiȝe and to þe lawe
To gouern hem in her lawe
Ac þai no miȝt nouȝt acord
For ich of hem wold be lord,
Þis last half ȝer so
Þat þai no miȝt comen at on þo.
185
On Cristenmesse-euen þe bischop Brice
Kid þat he nas nouȝt nice
Þer he was among hem alle
Þis wise he gan hem calle
‘Lordinges’ he seyd ‘ȝe no may acord
Forto chese ȝou a lord
Þerfore y pray for loue of Crist
Wircheþ now bi gin and list
It is a wel gode time apliȝt.
To chirche goþ al toniȝt
And pray to Crist so gode and fre
A king ous sende þat bihouesum be
To þe riȝt oȝains þe wrong,
He graunt to chesen ous among
And þat we haue þerof tokening
Tomorwe at our seruise ending
And þat it so miȝt ben’
And euerichon seyden ‘Amen.’
Þus þer ȝede more and lasse
Aniȝt to chirche amorwe to masse
And maden solempne bisecheinge
Forto haue a riȝtful kinge
And þo þe seruise don was
Outward þai wenten her pas—
Tofor þe chirche-dore þai founde
A ston stonden on þe grounde
Long and heiȝe forsoþe to say
Þerin a swerd of gret noblay,
King and douke baroun and kniȝt
Ich hadde wonder of þat siȝt
Þe bischop com and it seyȝe
And þonked Ihesu Crist on heiȝe.
Ichil wele þat ȝe it wite
On þe pomel was ywrite
‘Icham yhot Estalibore
Vnto a king fair tresore’
(On Inglis is þis writeing
‘Kerue stiel and iren and al þing’).
Þe bischop seyd to hem anon
‘Þis swerd who drawe of þe ston
He schal be our king ymade
Bi Godes wille and our rade’—
Þai ȝaue al herto concentement.
King Lot proued verrament
Out it to drawe anon riȝt
Ac he no miȝt for alle his miȝt,
King Nanters no king Clarion
No miȝt it drawe out of þe ston
No no gentil man of priis
No miȝt it ones stiren ywis.
Þider com ich noble blod
And to Candelmesse þer it stode,
Al þat was born in Inglond
On þis swerd cast his hond
Ac for liif no for deþe
Þai no miȝt it stir vnneþe,
Þer it stode til Ester-tide;
Þider tocomen men ful wide
Fram þis half se and eke biȝonde
And nouȝt þai sped bi Godes sond,
And ȝete it stode to Pentecost;
Þer com þider mani an ost
To turnaien in þat tide
Almost fast þerbiside.
Kay his sone, sir Antour
Him made kniȝt wiþ gret honour—
Þis Kay it was þat nas nouȝt late
Forto souken his moder tate
Ac Arturet forsoþe it seke
Þat bicom mild and meke;
Kay was swiþe noble kniȝt,
Ac he stamered a litel wiȝt
Þat he it hadde in nortoure
Þurth þe norices coure.
Arthour had serued Lot
Swiþe long wele y wot,
Kid þat he nas nouȝt nice
Þer he was among hem alle
Þis wise he gan hem calle
‘Lordinges’ he seyd ‘ȝe no may acord
Forto chese ȝou a lord
Þerfore y pray for loue of Crist
Wircheþ now bi gin and list
It is a wel gode time apliȝt.
To chirche goþ al toniȝt
And pray to Crist so gode and fre
A king ous sende þat bihouesum be
To þe riȝt oȝains þe wrong,
He graunt to chesen ous among
And þat we haue þerof tokening
Tomorwe at our seruise ending
And þat it so miȝt ben’
And euerichon seyden ‘Amen.’
Þus þer ȝede more and lasse
Aniȝt to chirche amorwe to masse
And maden solempne bisecheinge
Forto haue a riȝtful kinge
And þo þe seruise don was
Outward þai wenten her pas—
Tofor þe chirche-dore þai founde
A ston stonden on þe grounde
Long and heiȝe forsoþe to say
Þerin a swerd of gret noblay,
King and douke baroun and kniȝt
Ich hadde wonder of þat siȝt
Þe bischop com and it seyȝe
And þonked Ihesu Crist on heiȝe.
Ichil wele þat ȝe it wite
On þe pomel was ywrite
‘Icham yhot Estalibore
Vnto a king fair tresore’
(On Inglis is þis writeing
186
Þe bischop seyd to hem anon
‘Þis swerd who drawe of þe ston
He schal be our king ymade
Bi Godes wille and our rade’—
Þai ȝaue al herto concentement.
King Lot proued verrament
Out it to drawe anon riȝt
Ac he no miȝt for alle his miȝt,
King Nanters no king Clarion
No miȝt it drawe out of þe ston
No no gentil man of priis
No miȝt it ones stiren ywis.
Þider com ich noble blod
And to Candelmesse þer it stode,
Al þat was born in Inglond
On þis swerd cast his hond
Ac for liif no for deþe
Þai no miȝt it stir vnneþe,
Þer it stode til Ester-tide;
Þider tocomen men ful wide
Fram þis half se and eke biȝonde
And nouȝt þai sped bi Godes sond,
And ȝete it stode to Pentecost;
Þer com þider mani an ost
To turnaien in þat tide
Almost fast þerbiside.
Kay his sone, sir Antour
Him made kniȝt wiþ gret honour—
Þis Kay it was þat nas nouȝt late
Forto souken his moder tate
Ac Arturet forsoþe it seke
Þat bicom mild and meke;
Kay was swiþe noble kniȝt,
Ac he stamered a litel wiȝt
Þat he it hadde in nortoure
Þurth þe norices coure.
Arthour had serued Lot
Swiþe long wele y wot,
187
Ac þo Cay was kniȝt ymade
Sir Antor ȝaf to Kay rade
Forto ofsende Arthour oȝein
Forto make of him his swain
For he was hardi trewe and trest,
Of al þis lond and ȝong man best;
Kay was swiþe wele ypaid
Al was don þat Antor seyd
Arthour com hom and was wiþ Kay,
And went hem to þat turnay.
Þer Kay contend him apliȝt
So a wele doinde kniȝt
Boþe at side and at ende
He feld kniȝtes swiþe hende;
Sir Antor ȝaf to Kay rade
Forto ofsende Arthour oȝein
Forto make of him his swain
For he was hardi trewe and trest,
Of al þis lond and ȝong man best;
Kay was swiþe wele ypaid
Al was don þat Antor seyd
Arthour com hom and was wiþ Kay,
And went hem to þat turnay.
Þer Kay contend him apliȝt
So a wele doinde kniȝt
Boþe at side and at ende
He feld kniȝtes swiþe hende;
Þo he com amidward
About he leyd on so hard
Þat his swerd brast atvo,
Anon he bad Arthour þo
‘To mi leuedi swiþe hende—
Anoþer swerd bid hir me sende.’
And so he dede wiþouten abode
Swiftliche hom he rode,
His leuedi finde he no miȝt
Oȝain he went anon riȝt
About he leyd on so hard
Þat his swerd brast atvo,
Anon he bad Arthour þo
‘To mi leuedi swiþe hende—
Anoþer swerd bid hir me sende.’
And so he dede wiþouten abode
Swiftliche hom he rode,
His leuedi finde he no miȝt
Oȝain he went anon riȝt
And to þe swerd in þe ston
Wel riȝt he gan forto gon
No man was þer verrament
Ac alle weren at þe turnament.
Arthour tok þe hilt bi hond
Þe swerd out drawe he gan fond—
Ac for nouȝt out it cam.
In his hond he it nam
His hors he lepe vp anon
To þe turnay he com son
And seyd ‘Haue þis swerd sir Kay
Þi leuedi finden y no may.’
Kay þis swerd wele knewe ywis
To Arthour he seyd ‘Where hadestow þis?’
‘Certes’ quaþ Arthour ‘herbiȝonde
In a ston ich it fond’
(Arthour no seiȝe it neuer ar
No wist neuer why it stode þar).
Sir Kay seyd þo to Arthour
‘Telle it to no man par amour
Þat þou þis swerd out drouȝ
And þou schal haue gode ynouȝ,’
Arthour seyd ‘Certes nay.’
Forþ went anon sir Kay
And ledde his fader sir Antour
To þe chirche of seyn Sauour
And seyd ‘Ichaue þis swerd out drawe
Þat ich be king it is lawe.’
Sir Antor biheld þat sword
And seyd at þe first word
‘Þou gabbest me bi God aboue!
Ȝif þou say soþ eft þou it proue
For bifor þis heiȝe men
Þou most it pelt in oȝen
And bot þou miȝtest drawe it out
Þe wold schame berd and snout.’
Wel riȝt he gan forto gon
No man was þer verrament
Ac alle weren at þe turnament.
Arthour tok þe hilt bi hond
Þe swerd out drawe he gan fond—
Ac for nouȝt out it cam.
In his hond he it nam
His hors he lepe vp anon
To þe turnay he com son
And seyd ‘Haue þis swerd sir Kay
Þi leuedi finden y no may.’
Kay þis swerd wele knewe ywis
To Arthour he seyd ‘Where hadestow þis?’
‘Certes’ quaþ Arthour ‘herbiȝonde
188
(Arthour no seiȝe it neuer ar
No wist neuer why it stode þar).
Sir Kay seyd þo to Arthour
‘Telle it to no man par amour
Þat þou þis swerd out drouȝ
And þou schal haue gode ynouȝ,’
Arthour seyd ‘Certes nay.’
Forþ went anon sir Kay
And ledde his fader sir Antour
To þe chirche of seyn Sauour
And seyd ‘Ichaue þis swerd out drawe
Þat ich be king it is lawe.’
Sir Antor biheld þat sword
And seyd at þe first word
‘Þou gabbest me bi God aboue!
Ȝif þou say soþ eft þou it proue
For bifor þis heiȝe men
Þou most it pelt in oȝen
And bot þou miȝtest drawe it out
Þe wold schame berd and snout.’
Þai wenten boþe to þe ston
And Kay pelt it in anon
Ac þei he war strong and wiȝt
Drawe it out he no miȝt,
Þo bispac him sir Antour
‘Telle me sone par amour
Who it was þis swerd out drouȝ,’
And þo stode sir Kay and louȝ
‘Sir’ he seyd ‘bi Godes sond
Arthour toke it me in hond.’
Antor cleped Arthour þo
And dede him to þe ston go
And boþe swiþe and eke soft
In and out he pelt it oft,
Antor was hereof ful bliþe
And drouȝ Arthour to chirche swiþe
And seyd to him priueliche þo
‘Arthour listen now me to,
Seþþen þou were born verrament
Ich haue ȝouen þe norisement’
And þer he teld him al þe cas
Hou he biȝeten and born was
Hou his fader was þe king
And hou þurth his bisecheing
‘Kay mi sone a norice y toke
And þou mi wiues tate soke.’
Þo seyd Antor ‘Nim coure
Mi sone þou art þurth norture
It nis no riȝt þat þou me werne
Riȝtfulliche þat y wil ȝerne
Ich pray þe graunt me a bone
Þat ich þe wil axi sone—
Ich þe wil help, sone Arthour,
King to ben wiþ michel honour.’
Þo bispac Arthour þe hende
‘Crist of heuen me defende
Þat ich þe wern ani þing
Of what þou makest axing.’
‘God þe forȝeld’ seyd sir Antour
‘Now y þe pray par amour
Þi steward make mi sone Kay,
So long so þou liue may
In nesse in hard y pray þe nowe
In al stedes þou him avowe—
And y schal þe help in þis nede
Þurth Godes help þat þou schalt spede.’
And Kay pelt it in anon
Ac þei he war strong and wiȝt
Drawe it out he no miȝt,
Þo bispac him sir Antour
‘Telle me sone par amour
Who it was þis swerd out drouȝ,’
And þo stode sir Kay and louȝ
‘Sir’ he seyd ‘bi Godes sond
Arthour toke it me in hond.’
Antor cleped Arthour þo
And dede him to þe ston go
And boþe swiþe and eke soft
In and out he pelt it oft,
Antor was hereof ful bliþe
And drouȝ Arthour to chirche swiþe
And seyd to him priueliche þo
‘Arthour listen now me to,
Seþþen þou were born verrament
189
And þer he teld him al þe cas
Hou he biȝeten and born was
Hou his fader was þe king
And hou þurth his bisecheing
‘Kay mi sone a norice y toke
And þou mi wiues tate soke.’
Þo seyd Antor ‘Nim coure
Mi sone þou art þurth norture
It nis no riȝt þat þou me werne
Riȝtfulliche þat y wil ȝerne
Ich pray þe graunt me a bone
Þat ich þe wil axi sone—
Ich þe wil help, sone Arthour,
King to ben wiþ michel honour.’
Þo bispac Arthour þe hende
‘Crist of heuen me defende
Þat ich þe wern ani þing
Of what þou makest axing.’
‘God þe forȝeld’ seyd sir Antour
‘Now y þe pray par amour
Þi steward make mi sone Kay,
So long so þou liue may
In nesse in hard y pray þe nowe
In al stedes þou him avowe—
And y schal þe help in þis nede
Þurth Godes help þat þou schalt spede.’
Þo bispac him sir Arthour
‘Y graunt þi wil sir Antour
Þat Kay þi sone be mi steward,
Y schal him avowe in nesse and hard,
When ich euer faile Kay
Crist me forȝete þat day.’
Forþ ȝede Antor anon riȝt
And sir Arthour made kniȝt,
First he fond him cloþ and cradel
Þo he fond him stede and sadel
Helme and brini and hauberioun
Gaumbers quissers and aketoun
Quarre scheld gode swerd of stiel
And launce stef biteand wel,
Þer he ȝaue him anon riȝtes
To his seruise fourti kniȝtes,
Amorwe þai went to turnament
And so þer dede verrament
Þat ich day sir Arthour
Þe los he bar and þe honour.
Amorwe Antor þat was nouȝt nice
Went to þe bischop Brice
And teld him he wist a kniȝt
Boþe gent and noble apliȝt
‘Þat schuld be our king wiþ lawe
For he may þat swerd out drawe.’
‘Y graunt þi wil sir Antour
Þat Kay þi sone be mi steward,
Y schal him avowe in nesse and hard,
When ich euer faile Kay
Crist me forȝete þat day.’
Forþ ȝede Antor anon riȝt
And sir Arthour made kniȝt,
First he fond him cloþ and cradel
Þo he fond him stede and sadel
Helme and brini and hauberioun
Gaumbers quissers and aketoun
190
And launce stef biteand wel,
Þer he ȝaue him anon riȝtes
To his seruise fourti kniȝtes,
Amorwe þai went to turnament
And so þer dede verrament
Þat ich day sir Arthour
Þe los he bar and þe honour.
Amorwe Antor þat was nouȝt nice
Went to þe bischop Brice
And teld him he wist a kniȝt
Boþe gent and noble apliȝt
‘Þat schuld be our king wiþ lawe
For he may þat swerd out drawe.’
Þe bischop was herof bliþe
And sent after Arthour swiþe,
Toforn al þe heiȝe of þe lond
Arthour tok þe swerd in hond
He drouȝ it out and pelt oȝen
Wonder hadde mani men
For no man stiren it no miȝt
Bot he on y ȝou pliȝt.
King and erls wiþouten dout
Þer gun him anon rebout
Forto prouen his maner
Ac euer he was of milde chere
No couþe her non better deuise
Þan he hem answerd in al wise,
Sir Antor him halp also
Þat he was king chosen þo
And þer was boden to his gestening
Mani prince and mani king,
Al þat euer com wold
At seyn Ion tide com schold.
And sent after Arthour swiþe,
Toforn al þe heiȝe of þe lond
Arthour tok þe swerd in hond
He drouȝ it out and pelt oȝen
Wonder hadde mani men
For no man stiren it no miȝt
Bot he on y ȝou pliȝt.
King and erls wiþouten dout
Þer gun him anon rebout
Forto prouen his maner
Ac euer he was of milde chere
No couþe her non better deuise
Þan he hem answerd in al wise,
Sir Antor him halp also
Þat he was king chosen þo
And þer was boden to his gestening
Mani prince and mani king,
Al þat euer com wold
At seyn Ion tide com schold.
Merlin com hem bitven
Sir Arthour þe prince to sen
Of whos come miche blis
Sir Arthour made ywis,
Swiþe anon hete Merlin
Men schuld ofsende þe douke Vlfin
Sir Iordains and sir Bretel
Þat hadde yben wiþ Tintagel.
Al þre þai comen swiþe
Merlin was þerof wel bliþe
Merlin seyd ‘Y wil ȝe wite
Hou þat Arthour was biȝete’—
Þer he told hem ende and ord
Of his biȝete eueri word
Wharof Vlfin wittnes bar
And seyd certes þat he was þar
And Antor bar witnesse þerto
And seyd þe king him seyd so.
Þo loued Iordains and sir Bretel
Sir Arthour wiþ hert lel
For loue of Ygerne fre
Her leuedi þat hadde ybe
His men þo þai bicomen swiþe
To help him vp deþe and liue,
Þis barouns and eke Merlin
Wenten to þe bischopes in
And al him teld fair and ȝerne
Hou Arthour was biȝeten of Ygerne,
Þe bischop þonked God so gode
Þat he was of þe kinges blode.
Sir Arthour þe prince to sen
Of whos come miche blis
Sir Arthour made ywis,
Swiþe anon hete Merlin
Men schuld ofsende þe douke Vlfin
191
Þat hadde yben wiþ Tintagel.
Al þre þai comen swiþe
Merlin was þerof wel bliþe
Merlin seyd ‘Y wil ȝe wite
Hou þat Arthour was biȝete’—
Þer he told hem ende and ord
Of his biȝete eueri word
Wharof Vlfin wittnes bar
And seyd certes þat he was þar
And Antor bar witnesse þerto
And seyd þe king him seyd so.
Þo loued Iordains and sir Bretel
Sir Arthour wiþ hert lel
For loue of Ygerne fre
Her leuedi þat hadde ybe
His men þo þai bicomen swiþe
To help him vp deþe and liue,
Þis barouns and eke Merlin
Wenten to þe bischopes in
And al him teld fair and ȝerne
Hou Arthour was biȝeten of Ygerne,
Þe bischop þonked God so gode
Þat he was of þe kinges blode.
Merlin seyd ‘Listen meruaile
Ȝou is comand strong bataile
Kinges sex at þis fest
Þer schul arere michel chest
Wharefore ȝe schul þan wite wel
Boþe in iren and in stiel
And loke þat ichon held wiþ oþer
As ich man schal wiþ his broþer
For ich ȝou bihot al þe honour
Schal bileue wiþ ȝou and wiþ Arthour,’
Þar þai biheten þat non nold
Oþer fail for no gold,
Þe bischop seyd his helping
He schuld haue in al þing.
What helpeþ it make tale long?
Þai hem poruaid alle among
Swiþe redi alle þing
Þat schuld to þat coroning.
Ȝou is comand strong bataile
Kinges sex at þis fest
Þer schul arere michel chest
Wharefore ȝe schul þan wite wel
Boþe in iren and in stiel
And loke þat ichon held wiþ oþer
As ich man schal wiþ his broþer
For ich ȝou bihot al þe honour
Schal bileue wiþ ȝou and wiþ Arthour,’
Þar þai biheten þat non nold
Oþer fail for no gold,
Þe bischop seyd his helping
He schuld haue in al þing.
What helpeþ it make tale long?
Þai hem poruaid alle among
192
Þat schuld to þat coroning.
Mirie it is in time of Iune
When fenel hongeþ abrod in toun
Violet and rose-flour
Woneþ þan in maidens bour
Þe sonne is hot þe day is long
Foule[s] make miri song—
King Arthour bar coroun
In Cardoile þat noble toun.
King Lot þat spoused Belisent
Com to þis coronment
(He held þe lond of Lyoneis
Man wel strong and curteys)
Wiþ fiue hundred noble kniȝtes
Hardi and strong and leue to fiȝtes.
King Nanters com God it wot
Þat held þe lond of Garlot
Swiþe noble man and wiȝt
And wele couþe fende him in fiȝt
He hadde yspoused Blasine
Arthours soster fair and dine,
Seuen hundred kniȝtes y telle þe
He brouȝt wiþ him of meyne,
Of noble destre[r]s and stede
Þat swiþe gode were at nede.
When fenel hongeþ abrod in toun
Violet and rose-flour
Woneþ þan in maidens bour
Þe sonne is hot þe day is long
Foule[s] make miri song—
King Arthour bar coroun
In Cardoile þat noble toun.
King Lot þat spoused Belisent
Com to þis coronment
(He held þe lond of Lyoneis
Man wel strong and curteys)
Wiþ fiue hundred noble kniȝtes
Hardi and strong and leue to fiȝtes.
King Nanters com God it wot
Þat held þe lond of Garlot
Swiþe noble man and wiȝt
And wele couþe fende him in fiȝt
He hadde yspoused Blasine
Arthours soster fair and dine,
Seuen hundred kniȝtes y telle þe
He brouȝt wiþ him of meyne,
Of noble destre[r]s and stede
Þat swiþe gode were at nede.
King Vrien com þerto,
Þe þridde suster hadde also
Þe lond of Gorre he held ywis
He was ȝong man of noble pris
XX þousand he brouȝt and fiue
No better kniȝtes nere oliue.
Þe þridde suster hadde also
Þe lond of Gorre he held ywis
He was ȝong man of noble pris
XX þousand he brouȝt and fiue
No better kniȝtes nere oliue.
Þer com ȝete king Carodas
Þe king of Strangore he was
A swiþe miȝti man of mounde
And kniȝt of þe tabel rounde,
Þei he fer hadde yride
VI hundred kniȝtes he brouȝt him mide
Þat wele couþe iuste in feld
Wiþ stef launce vnder scheld.
Þe king of Strangore he was
A swiþe miȝti man of mounde
And kniȝt of þe tabel rounde,
Þei he fer hadde yride
193
Þat wele couþe iuste in feld
Wiþ stef launce vnder scheld.
Ȝete þer com king Yder
King of þe marche of gret pouwer
Wiþ him he brouȝ pritti score
Wiȝt kniȝtes him bifore.
King of þe marche of gret pouwer
Wiþ him he brouȝ pritti score
Wiȝt kniȝtes him bifore.
Þer com king Angvisant
King he was of Scotlant
Of al þe sex he was richest
Of grete power and ȝongest
V hundred he brouȝt wiþ him ywis
Wiȝt and strong kniȝtes and al Scottis.
And mani oþer bi souþe and bi est
Þider com to þat fest,
King and baroun y ȝou say
Welcomed hem wiþ gret noblay
Biforn hem al þe bischop Brice
Arthour crouned and dede þe office;
Þo þe seruise ydon was
To mete þai turned her pas
Þai founde al redi cloþ and bord
Vp first ȝede þe heiȝest lord
Men hem serued of gret plente
Mete and drink of gret deynte
Þer was venisoun of hert and bors
Swannes pecokes and botors
Of fesaunce pertris and of crane
Þer was plente and no wane
Þer was piment and clare
To heiȝe lordinges and to meyne
Þai hadden also noble seruise
So ani man couþe devise;
Þo þai hadde yeten alle
Heiȝe and lowe in þe halle
To ȝeuen ȝiftes sir Arthour aros
To heiȝe men of grete los
And to haue of hem vmage
So it was riȝt and her vssage.
As he was fair doinde þis
King Lot king Nanters and oþer of priss
Of his ȝiftes spite hadden
And his coroun anon wiþradden,
King he was of Scotlant
Of al þe sex he was richest
Of grete power and ȝongest
V hundred he brouȝt wiþ him ywis
Wiȝt and strong kniȝtes and al Scottis.
And mani oþer bi souþe and bi est
Þider com to þat fest,
King and baroun y ȝou say
Welcomed hem wiþ gret noblay
Biforn hem al þe bischop Brice
Arthour crouned and dede þe office;
Þo þe seruise ydon was
To mete þai turned her pas
Þai founde al redi cloþ and bord
Vp first ȝede þe heiȝest lord
Men hem serued of gret plente
Mete and drink of gret deynte
Þer was venisoun of hert and bors
Swannes pecokes and botors
Of fesaunce pertris and of crane
Þer was plente and no wane
Þer was piment and clare
To heiȝe lordinges and to meyne
Þai hadden also noble seruise
So ani man couþe devise;
Þo þai hadde yeten alle
Heiȝe and lowe in þe halle
To ȝeuen ȝiftes sir Arthour aros
To heiȝe men of grete los
And to haue of hem vmage
So it was riȝt and her vssage.
As he was fair doinde þis
194
Of his ȝiftes spite hadden
And his coroun anon wiþradden,
Vp þai sterten wiþ gret bost
Euerich king wiþ al his ost
And seyd an herlot for noþing
No schuld neuer ben her king
And þouȝt wiþ gret deshonour
Forto misdo sir Arthour,
Ac Arthour men bitven þrest—
Forþ com Merlin in þat chest
And seyd he nas harlot non
Ac nobler þan her ani on;
Þer he teld, al hem bifore,
Hou Arthour was biȝeten and bore.
Þe wise men of þat lond
Þonked Ihesu Cristes sond
Þat her king schuld ben
Of Vter Pendragouns stren;
Þe barouns seyd to Merlin
‘He was founde þurth wiching þin,
Traitour’ þai seyd ‘verrament
For al þine enchauntement
No schal neuer no hores stren
Our king no heued ben
Ac he schal sterue riȝt anon’—
Toward þe king and gun gon.
Þe king was armed swiþe wel
And alle his frende in iren [and] stiel,
Oȝain wiþstonden nobliche
And al out driuen sikerliche
Wiþ swerdes and kniues sone anon
Out of halle þe kinges fon.
Þe sex kinges were wel wroþe
And al her barouns sworen her oþe
No schuld þai neuer tviis eten
Er þai of Arthour were awreken
And swiþe telt her pauiloun
A litel wiþouten Cardoil toun.
Euerich king wiþ al his ost
And seyd an herlot for noþing
No schuld neuer ben her king
And þouȝt wiþ gret deshonour
Forto misdo sir Arthour,
Ac Arthour men bitven þrest—
Forþ com Merlin in þat chest
And seyd he nas harlot non
Ac nobler þan her ani on;
Þer he teld, al hem bifore,
Hou Arthour was biȝeten and bore.
Þe wise men of þat lond
Þonked Ihesu Cristes sond
Þat her king schuld ben
Of Vter Pendragouns stren;
Þe barouns seyd to Merlin
‘He was founde þurth wiching þin,
Traitour’ þai seyd ‘verrament
For al þine enchauntement
No schal neuer no hores stren
Our king no heued ben
Ac he schal sterue riȝt anon’—
Toward þe king and gun gon.
Þe king was armed swiþe wel
And alle his frende in iren [and] stiel,
Oȝain wiþstonden nobliche
And al out driuen sikerliche
Wiþ swerdes and kniues sone anon
Out of halle þe kinges fon.
Þe sex kinges were wel wroþe
And al her barouns sworen her oþe
No schuld þai neuer tviis eten
Er þai of Arthour were awreken
And swiþe telt her pauiloun
A litel wiþouten Cardoil toun.
Þe bischop stode on þe castel-wal
And gan to preche to hem alle
And seyd Arthour was kinges stren
Of king biȝeten and born of quen
Þe king it wist in his liue
Blisced his child and bad him þriue
And tok him to sir Antour
To norice wiþ gret honour,
Ȝif þai wisten neiȝer blod
To make him king it nar nouȝt gode
‘Ac for he is king and kinges sone
Y cors al mididone
His enemis wiþ Cristes mouþe
Bi est bi west bi norþ and souþe!’—
‘Tprut!’ þai seyden euerichon.
Merlin went adoun anon
And Arthours frende anon riȝt
He told, heiȝe and lowe ypliȝt,
Four þousand among hem he fond
Hardi and noble and wiȝt of hond
Ac alle it were forsoþe fotmen
Bot fiftene score and ten,
Þe oþer were so gret rout
Þat þai wreiȝe þe cuntre about.
Merlin bad hem noþing drede
‘Bot alle doþ bi mi rede,’
Wiþ him þai went to þe gate anon
Wele atired euerichon,
195
And seyd Arthour was kinges stren
Of king biȝeten and born of quen
Þe king it wist in his liue
Blisced his child and bad him þriue
And tok him to sir Antour
To norice wiþ gret honour,
Ȝif þai wisten neiȝer blod
To make him king it nar nouȝt gode
‘Ac for he is king and kinges sone
Y cors al mididone
His enemis wiþ Cristes mouþe
Bi est bi west bi norþ and souþe!’—
‘Tprut!’ þai seyden euerichon.
Merlin went adoun anon
And Arthours frende anon riȝt
He told, heiȝe and lowe ypliȝt,
Four þousand among hem he fond
Hardi and noble and wiȝt of hond
Ac alle it were forsoþe fotmen
Bot fiftene score and ten,
Þe oþer were so gret rout
Þat þai wreiȝe þe cuntre about.
Merlin bad hem noþing drede
‘Bot alle doþ bi mi rede,’
Wiþ him þai went to þe gate anon
Wele atired euerichon,
Merlin made enchauntement
And kest gret encumberment
Into þe pauilou[n]s, wild fer
Þat brent briȝt so candel cler,
And seyd to hem euerichon
‘Now sle swiþe ȝour fon!’
Forþ þai went on hors gode
To þe pauilouns þat on fer stode
And on her fomen smiten anon
O liue þai reften mani on
Wiþ scharpe speres and swe[r]des kene
Tventi score and fiftene
O liue-dawe þai brouȝten þere
Er þai wist where þai were
For her witt was oway go
For þe fer þat brent so—
And þe oþer her wit binam fulliche
Þat com on hem so sodanliche.
Þer were so fele naþeles
Þat litel sen þe slauȝter wes
Ac þurth þis encumbrement
Þai flowen alle verrament
Til þai com fer oway
A mile þennes in o valay;
Þer wiþstode þis sex kinges
Oȝain Arthour wiþ fiȝtinges,
And her folke wenten oȝen
Mo þan ten þousand of men
Fram þis contek þat were ascaped
Sore adrad and awaped.
And kest gret encumberment
Into þe pauilou[n]s, wild fer
Þat brent briȝt so candel cler,
And seyd to hem euerichon
‘Now sle swiþe ȝour fon!’
Forþ þai went on hors gode
To þe pauilouns þat on fer stode
And on her fomen smiten anon
O liue þai reften mani on
Wiþ scharpe speres and swe[r]des kene
196
O liue-dawe þai brouȝten þere
Er þai wist where þai were
For her witt was oway go
For þe fer þat brent so—
And þe oþer her wit binam fulliche
Þat com on hem so sodanliche.
Þer were so fele naþeles
Þat litel sen þe slauȝter wes
Ac þurth þis encumbrement
Þai flowen alle verrament
Til þai com fer oway
A mile þennes in o valay;
Þer wiþstode þis sex kinges
Oȝain Arthour wiþ fiȝtinges,
And her folke wenten oȝen
Mo þan ten þousand of men
Fram þis contek þat were ascaped
Sore adrad and awaped.
Þe kinges gadred hem togider alle
And seyd gret schame hem was bifalle
Þat Arthour wiþ a litel punay
Hadde ydriuen hem oway,
Euerich to oþer þus made his mon
Ȝif þai were of Arthour on
Awreken alle þai hadde wonne,
Alle þai swore bi mone and sonne
Hye schulden abigge þat ich striif—
And went oȝain als biliif.
And seyd gret schame hem was bifalle
Þat Arthour wiþ a litel punay
Hadde ydriuen hem oway,
Euerich to oþer þus made his mon
Ȝif þai were of Arthour on
Awreken alle þai hadde wonne,
Alle þai swore bi mone and sonne
Hye schulden abigge þat ich striif—
And went oȝain als biliif.
Nanter þe king of Garlot
Biforn he went God it wot
He was a wele limed kniȝt
Hardi and strong and wise in fiȝt,
A stef launce he bar an hond
Wiþ spores he smot his stede strong,
Arthour seiȝe where he cam
A stef launce anon he nam
His fet in þe stiropes he streiȝt
Þe stirop tobent (þe hors aqueiȝt)
Þe stede he smot and he forþ glode
Oȝaines þe king Nanters he rode.
Nanters him mett amid þe feld
And hitt Arthour on þe schelde
Þat his launce gan to riue
And tobrast on peces fiue,
Biforn he went God it wot
He was a wele limed kniȝt
Hardi and strong and wise in fiȝt,
A stef launce he bar an hond
Wiþ spores he smot his stede strong,
Arthour seiȝe where he cam
A stef launce anon he nam
His fet in þe stiropes he streiȝt
Þe stirop tobent (þe hors aqueiȝt)
Þe stede he smot and he forþ glode
197
Nanters him mett amid þe feld
And hitt Arthour on þe schelde
Þat his launce gan to riue
And tobrast on peces fiue,
Arthour smot so Nanters þo
Þat his scheld brak atvo
And of his hors so him cast
Þat almast his nek tobrast.
Þo king Lot seiȝe þis
Hou his nevou was feld ywis
(He was on of þe strongest man
Of al þis lond an for an)
A launce he tok of gret valour
And smot his stede oȝain Arthour,
Euerich gan oþer wiþ launces take
Þat al to peces þai gun crake
Wiþ so gret ire togider þai mett
Þat her bodis togider stet,
Þat his scheld brak atvo
And of his hors so him cast
Þat almast his nek tobrast.
Þo king Lot seiȝe þis
Hou his nevou was feld ywis
(He was on of þe strongest man
Of al þis lond an for an)
A launce he tok of gret valour
And smot his stede oȝain Arthour,
Euerich gan oþer wiþ launces take
Þat al to peces þai gun crake
Wiþ so gret ire togider þai mett
Þat her bodis togider stet,
So astoned was king Lot
He lese his sadel God it wot
And ouer þe croupe of his stede
To grounde he fel þat he gan blede.
Arthour aforced, him to dere,
Ac michel folk com him to were
Þer come swiþe michel route
To slen Arthour al aboute,
Arthour drouȝ his swerd anon
Þat he drouȝ out of þe ston
A kniȝt he toke wiþ þe egge
Þat him clef heued and rigge
Into þe sadel so seyt þe bok
Al he hirt þat he toke
So sore he leyd on al aboute
Þat þai his dintes gun doute.
Þis to kinges weren arisen
Þat were first of him agrisen
Þai and her feren four
Wiþ four launces smiten Arthour
Al at ones (þat was no glewe)
And Arthour stede adoun þrewe
Þe king bineþen þe stede aboue
Forsoþe sir Arthour was aswowe.
Sir Antour al þis ysay
Bretel Vlfi[n] and sir Kay
Þai com swiþe to þis rideing
Forto helpen her king;
Kay ful riȝt bigan to bere
To king Angvisaunt a spere
He smot him þurthout þe scheld
And his hauber felefeld
And þurth his scholder an ellen long
And of his hors to grounde he þrong,
And ȝete he feld verrament
King Carodas wiþ þat dent—
Þat was a dint of gret mounde
Þat tvay kinges þrewe to grounde.
Vlfin and Nanters met þo
Þat her launces brosten atvo
Togider wiþ bodis þai metten
Þat boþe to grounde þai stetten
Þe hors hem lay anoward
Þat hem þouȝt chaunce hard,
Antor wiþ launce þe king Yder
To grounde bar of his destrer,
Bretel and king Vrien
Her launces brust hem bitven,
Þerwhiles king Lot wiþ gret rout
To sle Arthour he was about.
Kay his steward yseiȝe þis
He was neiȝe of his witt ywis
Wiþ his swerd he gan him stere
His ȝong lord forto were
Wiþ pure strengþe of swerdes dint
King Lot he feld verrament
And was about, him to slen
Ac oþer stirt hem bitven,
Þer kidde Kay þat he was wiȝt
For he no feined neuer of fiȝt
Til þat Arthour y ȝou pliȝt
Was opon his stede diȝt,
And þo he was opon his stede
Wiþ swerd he gan about rede
Sum he binam scholder and arm
And sum þe liif—it nas non harm—
Non no durst abide more
His stroke for he smot so sore.
Her ȝe schul vnderstond
Þat men o fot of þis lond
Helden wiþ king Arthour
And dede him wel gret honour
Wiþ axes staues and wiþ bowe
Dede so þat alle þe oþer flowe,
And þis kinges flowen also.
Arthour after hem gan to go
And so he rode wel fele he feld
Þat no more no tale teld,
He ouertok þe king Yder
And wold him heued wiþ his swerd cler
Ac a litel forbi he smot,
His hors he hit God it wot
Þe nek he karf adoun to grounde
Doun fel Yder bi Godes mounde;
Oȝain turned þo kinges fiue
And halp him oway wiþ þe liue
Ac ich ȝou swere in þat rideing
Þai lauȝt woundes wel sore biteing
Yder þai keuerd naþeles,
And þo he brouȝt on hors wes
Þai flowen also swiþe anon
As her steden miȝten gon
And swore al wiþ wordes flegge
King Arthour it schuld abigge.
King Arthour þo went oȝen
Togider he gadred al his men
And depar[te]de wiþ hem þe tresour
Þat he wan, wiþ gret honour,
And þo he þonked þe King of glorie
Þat him hadde ȝouen þe victorie
To ouercomen his fomen.
Into Cardoil he went oȝen
And held fest noble and gent
Wiþ his meyne verrament
Of al þat euer wald þider gon,
Curteyseliche were ressaiued anon,
Þis fest last fourteniȝt
Þat was riche and noble apliȝt.
He lese his sadel God it wot
And ouer þe croupe of his stede
To grounde he fel þat he gan blede.
Arthour aforced, him to dere,
Ac michel folk com him to were
Þer come swiþe michel route
To slen Arthour al aboute,
Arthour drouȝ his swerd anon
Þat he drouȝ out of þe ston
A kniȝt he toke wiþ þe egge
Þat him clef heued and rigge
Into þe sadel so seyt þe bok
Al he hirt þat he toke
So sore he leyd on al aboute
Þat þai his dintes gun doute.
Þis to kinges weren arisen
Þat were first of him agrisen
Þai and her feren four
Wiþ four launces smiten Arthour
Al at ones (þat was no glewe)
198
Þe king bineþen þe stede aboue
Forsoþe sir Arthour was aswowe.
Sir Antour al þis ysay
Bretel Vlfi[n] and sir Kay
Þai com swiþe to þis rideing
Forto helpen her king;
Kay ful riȝt bigan to bere
To king Angvisaunt a spere
He smot him þurthout þe scheld
And his hauber felefeld
And þurth his scholder an ellen long
And of his hors to grounde he þrong,
And ȝete he feld verrament
King Carodas wiþ þat dent—
Þat was a dint of gret mounde
Þat tvay kinges þrewe to grounde.
Vlfin and Nanters met þo
Þat her launces brosten atvo
Togider wiþ bodis þai metten
Þat boþe to grounde þai stetten
Þe hors hem lay anoward
Þat hem þouȝt chaunce hard,
Antor wiþ launce þe king Yder
To grounde bar of his destrer,
Bretel and king Vrien
Her launces brust hem bitven,
Þerwhiles king Lot wiþ gret rout
To sle Arthour he was about.
Kay his steward yseiȝe þis
He was neiȝe of his witt ywis
Wiþ his swerd he gan him stere
His ȝong lord forto were
Wiþ pure strengþe of swerdes dint
King Lot he feld verrament
And was about, him to slen
Ac oþer stirt hem bitven,
Þer kidde Kay þat he was wiȝt
199
Til þat Arthour y ȝou pliȝt
Was opon his stede diȝt,
And þo he was opon his stede
Wiþ swerd he gan about rede
Sum he binam scholder and arm
And sum þe liif—it nas non harm—
Non no durst abide more
His stroke for he smot so sore.
Her ȝe schul vnderstond
Þat men o fot of þis lond
Helden wiþ king Arthour
And dede him wel gret honour
Wiþ axes staues and wiþ bowe
Dede so þat alle þe oþer flowe,
And þis kinges flowen also.
Arthour after hem gan to go
And so he rode wel fele he feld
Þat no more no tale teld,
He ouertok þe king Yder
And wold him heued wiþ his swerd cler
Ac a litel forbi he smot,
His hors he hit God it wot
Þe nek he karf adoun to grounde
Doun fel Yder bi Godes mounde;
Oȝain turned þo kinges fiue
And halp him oway wiþ þe liue
Ac ich ȝou swere in þat rideing
Þai lauȝt woundes wel sore biteing
Yder þai keuerd naþeles,
And þo he brouȝt on hors wes
Þai flowen also swiþe anon
As her steden miȝten gon
And swore al wiþ wordes flegge
King Arthour it schuld abigge.
King Arthour þo went oȝen
Togider he gadred al his men
And depar[te]de wiþ hem þe tresour
Þat he wan, wiþ gret honour,
And þo he þonked þe King of glorie
200
To ouercomen his fomen.
Into Cardoil he went oȝen
And held fest noble and gent
Wiþ his meyne verrament
Of al þat euer wald þider gon,
Curteyseliche were ressaiued anon,
Þis fest last fourteniȝt
Þat was riche and noble apliȝt.
Þo þe fest was ydo
Merlin com þe king to
To Londen he bad him heiȝe
And þer schewe his curteisie
And when he com þer saun fayl
He wold him schewe gret conseil
Ac nouȝt ar he had fest ymade,
To al þe lond and made ful glade;
King Arthour dede his conseyl
And went to Londen saun fail
Where þe king sir Arthour
Was afong wiþ gre[t] honour.
Sone after seyn Iones misse
Merlin com þe king to
To Londen he bad him heiȝe
And þer schewe his curteisie
And when he com þer saun fayl
He wold him schewe gret conseil
Ac nouȝt ar he had fest ymade,
To al þe lond and made ful glade;
King Arthour dede his conseyl
And went to Londen saun fail
Where þe king sir Arthour
Was afong wiþ gre[t] honour.
Þe king lete bidden more and lesse
Into Londen to his fest
Swiche he made and held onest
Þurth þe conseyl of Merlin;
He seriaunted þo þurth him—
Merlin tok þo to ich mester
Þat sleiȝe were and of power.
Þo drouȝ bi half þe clerk Merlin
Þe king Arthour and eke Vlfin
And Bretel and sir Antour
And Kay þe steward of valour
And seyd ‘Listen to me now
For soþe ichil telle ȝou:
XI kinges and doukes on
Han ysworn Arthour to slon
201
Now in þe marche verrament,
Oȝaines hem ȝe no haue no miȝt
Bot ȝe hauen help to fiȝt
Y wil ȝou telle what do ȝe mote
Ȝif ȝe wil finden bote.
Mi lord Vter Pendragon
Wan vnder him þe king Ban
And his broþer Bohort also
No better bodis no mowe go
Þai were sworn to Vter mi lord,
To hem ich rede sende word
To lesse Breteine, for it is nede,
Þat Vter Pendragon is dede,
Ȝe mot hem sigge verrament
Þat he vnto þis parlement
Wiþouten abod wel swiþe come
To don vmage Arthour his sone;
Þai wil comen anon y wot
And help þe oȝain king Lot
And elleswhere [wiþ] her power,
Ȝou worþ to hem wel gret mister
Herafterward par ma fay—
Ichil ȝou tel som day.
Þis message sir Vlfin
Þou most bere bi conseil min
And þi fere schal be sir Bretel
Loke ȝe ben atired wel
Wiþ gode armes on gode stede,
Þerto ȝou worþ a litel nede
Ar ȝe comen oȝain to ous—
Now heiȝeþ ȝou for loue of Ihesus!’
Al þis hem liked wel
And sir Vlfin and sir Bretel
Wele hem atired sikerliche
And went forþ wel hastiliche.
Þo þai com þe se biȝounde
A gret wildernisse þai founde
Bitven Fraunce and Breteyne
202
Þo þai seiȝe a litel hem aboue
Seuen kniȝtes yarmed come
Of wiche to her steden smiten
And to hem-ward gun priken
Wiþ loude cri and bad hem ȝeld.
Bretel tok his launce and scheld
Þat o kniȝt sone he mett
And wiþ his scharp launce him gret
He bar him þurth þe þrote anon
Þat ded he fel, ded so ston;
Þat oþer he mett oȝainward
A dint he ȝaf him so hard
Þe launce ran þe brini þurth
Þe kniȝt fel ded in a forwe,
In his falling brast þe spere—
Bretel bar it no ferþere.
Oþer to þer come glide
Vlfin gan oȝain hem ride
Opon a stede stef and strong
Wiþ a launce gret and long
Þat on he bar þurth scheld and hat
Þat neuer seþþen mete no at,
Þe oþer oȝain Vlfin brac his spere
Ac he no miȝt Vlfin dere
Vlfin him ȝaue a din[t] of wo
Þurthout þe membre and sadel also,
Stede and kniȝt ouerþrewe anon
Þe kniȝt brast his nek-bon,
Vlfines launce tobrac.
Þe þre come þo gret rac
Þe oþer foure forto wreken
Þe þre gun her launces breken
And her noiþer hirt nouȝt;
Bretel kidde þat he was auȝt
His swerd he drouȝ, þat on he hit
His heued fram þe bodi he kit,
Þat oþer oftoke sir Vlfin
And so him hit on þe bacin
203
So ous seyt þe brout forsoþ
Þe oþer kniȝt her lord þat was
Wel swiþe went oȝain his pas—
Ȝif he abod ani longere
Wele he seiȝe it was his lere.
Þis ich kniȝtes four and þre
Wiþ Claudas hadde ybe
Wiþ Claudas hadde werred oȝan
Þe king Bohort and þe king Ban;
Claudas was þo ouercome,
Priueliche and went to Rome
Him to puruay sum socour
To wreke him of his deshonour
Þerwhile þo kniȝtes cert
Were ywent into desert
To libben bi her robrie—
Ac þer hem fel gret vilanie.
Þerafter Vlfin forþ him rode
And eke Bretel wiþouten abod
No lete þai neuer iornaying
Til þai com to Ban þe king
And þo he com bifor Ban
Þus his wordes he bigan:
‘[I]hesus Crist Heuen-king
Þe loke sir Ban þe king
And þi meine so gent and fre
Þat ich here about þe se!
Þe barouns of Breteine þe more
Tiding þe sent þat reweþ hem sore
Vter Pendragon þi lord is ded
And is departed þurth Godes red
King is made his sone Arthour
And þe greteþ wiþ gret honour
And bad þe and [þi] broþer gent
Com to his parlement
Forto wite and vnderstond
Of þe lawes of his lond.’
Þe loke sir Ban þe king
And þi meine so gent and fre
Þat ich here about þe se!
Þe barouns of Breteine þe more
Tiding þe sent þat reweþ hem sore
Vter Pendragon þi lord is ded
And is departed þurth Godes red
King is made his sone Arthour
And þe greteþ wiþ gret honour
And bad þe and [þi] broþer gent
Com to his parlement
Forto wite and vnderstond
Of þe lawes of his lond.’
204
King Ban wiþ noble cher
Welcomed þo messanger
And seyd her wil do he wold
And his broþer also schold,
Þe messangers þo he made
Wele at ese wiþ gret ferrade
Bohort þer after swiþe he sent,
Bi on asent and swiþe went
Into þis lond wiþ mani fair
Forto se þe kinges air.
In euerich toun fram Portesmouþe
To Londen of gret valoure
Men made song and hopinges
Oȝain þe come of þis kinges
No was wonded for drie no wete
Þat i[n] lond eueri strete
Was bihonged ich say forsoþ
Wiþ mani pal and riche cloþ,
Euerich man of ich mester
Hem riden oȝain wiþ fair ater
In euerich strete damisels
Karols ledden fair and fels.
Þo þai were to court ycome
Þai were hendeliche welcome,
Himselue þe king Arthour
Hem com oȝain wiþ gret honour,
Curteiseliche and hem gan calle
And anon ledde hem to halle
Wiþ her broþer Gvinbaut
Noble clerk so Dieu me saut
In þe sterres he was þe best deuine
In al þe warld wiþouten Merlin.
Þer atwot þe clerk Merlin
At þe fest þe douke Vlfin
And Bretel þat was his felawe
Hou þai hadde þe kniȝtes yslawe,
Ac al þat euer herden þis
Wonder hadde þerof ywis
Þat he told her bataile
And þer no com nouȝt saun faile
And namliche Bohort and Ban
And Gvinbaut þe þridde man;
Þere þo men miȝt yhere
Þe queintise of þe spere
Of þe sonne of mone and ster,
When þe welken turned of herre,
And of mani priue werk
Bitven Merlin and Gvimbaut þe clerk.
Herafter sone Merlin swore
And sir Vlfin and sir Antore
And sir Kay and sir Bretel
Tofore þe king on o messel
Þat Arthour was Vter stren
Bi Ygerne þat was his quen,
Þerafterward sone forsoþ
Þe kinges swore Arthour hold-oþ
And deden him also swiþe omage
So it was riȝt and vsage,
And þo held Arthour fest apliȝt
Þat last ful fourten niȝt
Of ich riches and deinte
Certes þer was gret plente.
Þo was þer made a turnament
Þat was swiþe noble and gent
Of bacheler and ȝong kniȝt
Swiþe strong and swiþe wiȝt,
Þo þat were of ȝond half
Oȝain þo weren of þis half.
Þe best was Lucan þe boteler
A ȝong kniȝt of grete power,
Wiþouten þe steward Kay
(He was a kniȝt of gret noblay),
Grimfles Maruc and Guinas
(Ich of hem wel noble was)
Placides and eke Driens
Holias and Graciens
Marliaus and Flaundrins
Sir Meliard and eke Drukins
And also Breober[i]is
Þese born oway þe priis,
No man no herd of fairer
Turnament no nobler.
Þo al þis mirþe was ydo
Merlin com þe king to
And to hem seyd ‘Bieu sengours
Ȝe ben yswore to king Arthours
Ȝe mot boþe wiþ him ride
To Leodegan of Carmalide
For bi mi rede he schal spouse
Gvenour his douhter precious
Sche is boþe fair and wise
Of al þe lond sche berþ þe priis;
Hir fader Leodegan
Is a swiþe noble man
Ac king Rion wiþouten lesinges
Him werreþ opon wiþ tventi kinges,
Þere ȝe mot him help ywis
Forto win los and pris.’
‘Certes’ quaþ king Ban þe gent
‘Þerto we han gret talent
Ȝif king Claudas in our lond
Þerwhiles nold ous wait no schond
For he ous haþ werred long
Wiþ vnriȝt and michel wrong.’
‘Nay’ quaþ Merlin ‘drede ȝou nouȝt
Ȝif þou lesest þerfore ouȝt
For þe mountaunce of pani on
Þou schalt han hundred oȝan.’
‘To þat couenaunt’ quaþ Ban þe king
‘We beþ redi in al þing
Anon to go wiþ king Arthour
To his manschipe and his honour.’
Welcomed þo messanger
And seyd her wil do he wold
And his broþer also schold,
Þe messangers þo he made
Wele at ese wiþ gret ferrade
Bohort þer after swiþe he sent,
Bi on asent and swiþe went
Into þis lond wiþ mani fair
Forto se þe kinges air.
In euerich toun fram Portesmouþe
To Londen of gret valoure
Men made song and hopinges
Oȝain þe come of þis kinges
No was wonded for drie no wete
Þat i[n] lond eueri strete
Was bihonged ich say forsoþ
Wiþ mani pal and riche cloþ,
Euerich man of ich mester
Hem riden oȝain wiþ fair ater
In euerich strete damisels
Karols ledden fair and fels.
Þo þai were to court ycome
Þai were hendeliche welcome,
Himselue þe king Arthour
Hem com oȝain wiþ gret honour,
Curteiseliche and hem gan calle
And anon ledde hem to halle
Wiþ her broþer Gvinbaut
Noble clerk so Dieu me saut
In þe sterres he was þe best deuine
In al þe warld wiþouten Merlin.
Þer atwot þe clerk Merlin
At þe fest þe douke Vlfin
And Bretel þat was his felawe
Hou þai hadde þe kniȝtes yslawe,
Ac al þat euer herden þis
Wonder hadde þerof ywis
205
And þer no com nouȝt saun faile
And namliche Bohort and Ban
And Gvinbaut þe þridde man;
Þere þo men miȝt yhere
Þe queintise of þe spere
Of þe sonne of mone and ster,
When þe welken turned of herre,
And of mani priue werk
Bitven Merlin and Gvimbaut þe clerk.
Herafter sone Merlin swore
And sir Vlfin and sir Antore
And sir Kay and sir Bretel
Tofore þe king on o messel
Þat Arthour was Vter stren
Bi Ygerne þat was his quen,
Þerafterward sone forsoþ
Þe kinges swore Arthour hold-oþ
And deden him also swiþe omage
So it was riȝt and vsage,
And þo held Arthour fest apliȝt
Þat last ful fourten niȝt
Of ich riches and deinte
Certes þer was gret plente.
Þo was þer made a turnament
Þat was swiþe noble and gent
Of bacheler and ȝong kniȝt
Swiþe strong and swiþe wiȝt,
Þo þat were of ȝond half
Oȝain þo weren of þis half.
Þe best was Lucan þe boteler
A ȝong kniȝt of grete power,
Wiþouten þe steward Kay
(He was a kniȝt of gret noblay),
Grimfles Maruc and Guinas
(Ich of hem wel noble was)
Placides and eke Driens
Holias and Graciens
Marliaus and Flaundrins
Sir Meliard and eke Drukins
206
Þese born oway þe priis,
No man no herd of fairer
Turnament no nobler.
Þo al þis mirþe was ydo
Merlin com þe king to
And to hem seyd ‘Bieu sengours
Ȝe ben yswore to king Arthours
Ȝe mot boþe wiþ him ride
To Leodegan of Carmalide
For bi mi rede he schal spouse
Gvenour his douhter precious
Sche is boþe fair and wise
Of al þe lond sche berþ þe priis;
Hir fader Leodegan
Is a swiþe noble man
Ac king Rion wiþouten lesinges
Him werreþ opon wiþ tventi kinges,
Þere ȝe mot him help ywis
Forto win los and pris.’
‘Certes’ quaþ king Ban þe gent
‘Þerto we han gret talent
Ȝif king Claudas in our lond
Þerwhiles nold ous wait no schond
For he ous haþ werred long
Wiþ vnriȝt and michel wrong.’
‘Nay’ quaþ Merlin ‘drede ȝou nouȝt
Ȝif þou lesest þerfore ouȝt
For þe mountaunce of pani on
Þou schalt han hundred oȝan.’
‘To þat couenaunt’ quaþ Ban þe king
‘We beþ redi in al þing
Anon to go wiþ king Arthour
To his manschipe and his honour.’
Merlin seyd ‘Bi seyn Ion
Arst ȝe mot anoþer don,
XI kinges and a douke
Beþ hiderward wiþouten dout
To slen Arthour and his man
In þe forest of Rokeingham
Þere ȝe mot help him were
Vnder scheld wiþ swerd and spere.’
‘Allas’ quaþ Ban ‘for Cristes sond
We no haue no folk of our lond,’
Quaþ Merlin ‘So God me spede
No schal ȝou faile non at nede.’
Þer it was forboden anon
Ich man bi way forto gon
Noiþer mile tene no fiue
Opon pain of her liue;
Þis was don for non oþer þing
Bot for aspies andwaiteing,
Whereþurth alle weren yhent
Þat fram þe barouns weren ysent
And non com oȝain verrament
To wray þe kinges parlement.
Ȝete Merlin went to Rokingham
(Vlfin and oþer wiþ him he nam)
Mani pauilouns and telt
And dede þerin flesches and selt
And oþer store of mele and win
And tok it to lok sir Vlfin
And bad he no schuld lete passe
Noiþer þe more no þe lasse
Þat miȝt bere ani tiding
To þe barouns of her king
No of his parlement—
No þai no deden verrament.
Þo ȝede Merlin to Ban þe king
And tok of him his kinges ring
And to king Bohort also,
To lasse Breteine he ȝede þo
Ouer þe se in on niȝt
Fele iurnes y ȝou pliȝt
For in þe brut ich it lerne
To Leonce of Paerne
Þat was kinges Banes steward
A wise man wiþ hore bard
And to Farien wel noble kniȝt
Bohortes steward þat was apliȝt
And schewed hem her lordes ring
And bad þai schuld him socour bring;
Leonce and eke Farien
Togider brouȝten her men
Fourti þousand þat were teld
On stede in armes swiþe beld,
XV þousende þai leten þere
Her lond to kepen and to were
And xxv þousend wiþ him toke
So we finden in þe boke
Wiche ouer se þe clerk Merlin
Brouȝt and loged bi Vlfin.
To kinges court he gan þo fare
And asked ȝif þai weren ȝare
For her fomen were neiȝehond,
King Ban seyd ‘For Godes sond
Whi no hastow brouȝt me socour?’
Merlin seyd ‘Al rady to ȝour honour’—
Þo þai diȝt hem swain and kniȝt
And wenten þider þat ich niȝt.
Arst ȝe mot anoþer don,
XI kinges and a douke
Beþ hiderward wiþouten dout
207
In þe forest of Rokeingham
Þere ȝe mot help him were
Vnder scheld wiþ swerd and spere.’
‘Allas’ quaþ Ban ‘for Cristes sond
We no haue no folk of our lond,’
Quaþ Merlin ‘So God me spede
No schal ȝou faile non at nede.’
Þer it was forboden anon
Ich man bi way forto gon
Noiþer mile tene no fiue
Opon pain of her liue;
Þis was don for non oþer þing
Bot for aspies andwaiteing,
Whereþurth alle weren yhent
Þat fram þe barouns weren ysent
And non com oȝain verrament
To wray þe kinges parlement.
Ȝete Merlin went to Rokingham
(Vlfin and oþer wiþ him he nam)
Mani pauilouns and telt
And dede þerin flesches and selt
And oþer store of mele and win
And tok it to lok sir Vlfin
And bad he no schuld lete passe
Noiþer þe more no þe lasse
Þat miȝt bere ani tiding
To þe barouns of her king
No of his parlement—
No þai no deden verrament.
Þo ȝede Merlin to Ban þe king
And tok of him his kinges ring
And to king Bohort also,
To lasse Breteine he ȝede þo
Ouer þe se in on niȝt
Fele iurnes y ȝou pliȝt
For in þe brut ich it lerne
To Leonce of Paerne
208
A wise man wiþ hore bard
And to Farien wel noble kniȝt
Bohortes steward þat was apliȝt
And schewed hem her lordes ring
And bad þai schuld him socour bring;
Leonce and eke Farien
Togider brouȝten her men
Fourti þousand þat were teld
On stede in armes swiþe beld,
XV þousende þai leten þere
Her lond to kepen and to were
And xxv þousend wiþ him toke
So we finden in þe boke
Wiche ouer se þe clerk Merlin
Brouȝt and loged bi Vlfin.
To kinges court he gan þo fare
And asked ȝif þai weren ȝare
For her fomen were neiȝehond,
King Ban seyd ‘For Godes sond
Whi no hastow brouȝt me socour?’
Merlin seyd ‘Al rady to ȝour honour’—
Þo þai diȝt hem swain and kniȝt
And wenten þider þat ich niȝt.
Þo þai þider weren ycome
Ordeind and teld her þrome
Fourti þousand men þai founde
To batail men of gret mounde;
Michel ioie made king Ban
And Bohort also of her man
For þai deden þere finde
XXV þousinde,
Arthour hadde þousandes fiftene
And namo also y wene,
For al þe barouns and þe kinges
Were in þe marche wiþouten lesinges
Wiþ al þe men y ȝou say
Þat þai miȝt hem puruay.
To slen Arthour lasse and more
Al þai hadde togider swore
Ac forsoþe non of hem
No wist of Arthoures men
Ac we finden in þe boke
Þat þai hadde þer bispoke
On Arthour wiþ her route
Þai wold happen al aboute
And hem to taken in þe forest
When þai seiȝen time best.
Ordeind and teld her þrome
Fourti þousand men þai founde
To batail men of gret mounde;
Michel ioie made king Ban
And Bohort also of her man
For þai deden þere finde
XXV þousinde,
Arthour hadde þousandes fiftene
And namo also y wene,
For al þe barouns and þe kinges
Were in þe marche wiþouten lesinges
Wiþ al þe men y ȝou say
Þat þai miȝt hem puruay.
209
Al þai hadde togider swore
Ac forsoþe non of hem
No wist of Arthoures men
Ac we finden in þe boke
Þat þai hadde þer bispoke
On Arthour wiþ her route
Þai wold happen al aboute
And hem to taken in þe forest
When þai seiȝen time best.
To, þis tresoun forto don,
Com þe king Clarion
Þat was king of Norþhumberlond
Wiþ seuen þousand kniȝtes strong.
Com þe king Clarion
Þat was king of Norþhumberlond
Wiþ seuen þousand kniȝtes strong.
King Brangores þat held Strangore
Þider com bi Godes ore
And brouȝt wiþ him fiue þousand kniȝt
In bataile þat were strong and wiȝt.
Þider com bi Godes ore
And brouȝt wiþ him fiue þousand kniȝt
In bataile þat were strong and wiȝt.
Cradelman king of Norþ Wales
Hardi man and wise of tales
Sex þousend þider he brouȝt
Of liue or deþe þat litel rouȝt.
Hardi man and wise of tales
Sex þousend þider he brouȝt
Of liue or deþe þat litel rouȝt.
A king þer com, ‘of an hundred kniȝtes’
His name was cleped bi riȝtes
For he no ladde neuer lasse rout
Þan an hundred kniȝtes about,
He was king wel fer bi norþ
A wel strong man and michel worþ
Kniȝtes he brouȝt four þousinde
Men no miȝt non better finde.
His name was cleped bi riȝtes
For he no ladde neuer lasse rout
Þan an hundred kniȝtes about,
He was king wel fer bi norþ
A wel strong man and michel worþ
Kniȝtes he brouȝt four þousinde
Men no miȝt non better finde.
King Lot þat held londes tvo
Leonis and Dorkaine also
He brouȝt seuen þousend kniȝtes
Swiþe hardi and stronge in fiȝtes.
Leonis and Dorkaine also
He brouȝt seuen þousend kniȝtes
Swiþe hardi and stronge in fiȝtes.
Ȝete þer com king Carodas
Þat of þe rounde table was
Seuen þousand he brouȝt also
No better kniȝtes no miȝt go.
Þat of þe rounde table was
Seuen þousand he brouȝt also
No better kniȝtes no miȝt go.
Nanters þe king of Garlot
Þider com God it wot
Vp Arthour, þat was wroþ and grim
Sex þousinde he brouȝt wiþ him
Stronge kniȝtes and noble saun faile
Þat wise and hardi were in bataile.
210
Vp Arthour, þat was wroþ and grim
Sex þousinde he brouȝt wiþ him
Stronge kniȝtes and noble saun faile
Þat wise and hardi were in bataile.
Ȝete þer come king Vrien
Wiþ sex þousand of wiȝt men
Wele atired on gode destrers,
Wiþouten fotmen and squiers.
Wiþ sex þousand of wiȝt men
Wele atired on gode destrers,
Wiþouten fotmen and squiers.
Ȝete þer com king Yder
Wiþ fiue þousand of gret power.
Wiþ fiue þousand of gret power.
Ȝete þer com king Angvisaunt
Þe riche king of Scotlaunt
Wiþ sex þousende kniȝtes, beld
Boþe in toun and eke in feld.
Þe riche king of Scotlaunt
Wiþ sex þousende kniȝtes, beld
Boþe in toun and eke in feld.
Ȝete þer come þe douc Estas
Erl of Canbernic he was
(Arundel was hoten þo
Cambernic wiþouten no)
He brouȝt wiþ him þousandes fiue
Non better nere oliue.
Alle þese priueliche
To Rokingham com sikerliche
And loged hem in þe forest
Stille wiþouten ani chest
Wiþ al þat þai procoure miȝt
Boþe of baroun and of kniȝt,
Ac Arthour was wel stilly
Wiþ his folk neiȝe hem bi—
Noiþer baroun no king
Nist nouȝt of his being.
Erl of Canbernic he was
(Arundel was hoten þo
Cambernic wiþouten no)
He brouȝt wiþ him þousandes fiue
Non better nere oliue.
Alle þese priueliche
To Rokingham com sikerliche
And loged hem in þe forest
Stille wiþouten ani chest
Wiþ al þat þai procoure miȝt
Boþe of baroun and of kniȝt,
Ac Arthour was wel stilly
Wiþ his folk neiȝe hem bi—
Noiþer baroun no king
Nist nouȝt of his being.
Þe fertþ niȝt after her soiour
Merlin bad þe king Arthour
And Bohort and king Ban
Hem atiren and her man
And com wiþ him anon riȝtes
And kiþe ȝif þai were noble kniȝtes;
Boþe in iren and in stiel
Þai hem armed swiþe wel,
Ar day þre mile-way
And wiþ Merlin went y say.
Merlin bad þe king Arthour
And Bohort and king Ban
Hem atiren and her man
And com wiþ him anon riȝtes
And kiþe ȝif þai were noble kniȝtes;
211
Þai hem armed swiþe wel,
Ar day þre mile-way
And wiþ Merlin went y say.
In þis time Lot þe king
In bed was in gret meteing,
Him þouȝt water winde and rain
In her teþ was hem oȝain
Her pauilouns ouerþrewe þe þonder;
He ofwoke and had wonder
His sweuen he teld his feren hard
Þai him axed whiderward
Him þouȝt þat his sweuen bar,
Þe soþe anon he teld þar.
Þiderward wel swiþe an hye
Þai senten spies forto aspie
Þis spies anon forþ stetten
And wiþ Merlin sone metten
And wiþ Arthour king of los,
Of þat meteing hem agros.
Merlin hem seiȝe and bad hem bide,
Fleand oway þai gun ride
And euer grad ‘Traisoun traisoun!’
Þe oþer herof herd þe soun
And hem atired verrament
Ac Merlin cast enchauntment
Þat her pauilouns on and alle
To þe grounde gun to falle
And so ich in þe boke yfinde
Þe mest part he made blinde,
King Arthour and Bohort and Ban
Opon hem smiten onan
And eke alle her ferrede
Wiþ hors fete on hem trede
Wiþ speres stong wiþ swerdes korwe
Ten þousende kniȝtes bi þe morwe
Ar ani of hem miȝt hem stere
Oþer sen abouten, hem to were.
Ac naþeles þis xi kinges
Flowen oway wiþ michel genge
A litel þennes intil a lowe;
A loude horn þai gun blowe,
Of her kniȝtes and gaderd hem so
Togider þritti þousende and mo.
In bed was in gret meteing,
Him þouȝt water winde and rain
In her teþ was hem oȝain
Her pauilouns ouerþrewe þe þonder;
He ofwoke and had wonder
His sweuen he teld his feren hard
Þai him axed whiderward
Him þouȝt þat his sweuen bar,
Þe soþe anon he teld þar.
Þiderward wel swiþe an hye
Þai senten spies forto aspie
Þis spies anon forþ stetten
And wiþ Merlin sone metten
And wiþ Arthour king of los,
Of þat meteing hem agros.
Merlin hem seiȝe and bad hem bide,
Fleand oway þai gun ride
And euer grad ‘Traisoun traisoun!’
Þe oþer herof herd þe soun
And hem atired verrament
Ac Merlin cast enchauntment
Þat her pauilouns on and alle
To þe grounde gun to falle
And so ich in þe boke yfinde
Þe mest part he made blinde,
King Arthour and Bohort and Ban
Opon hem smiten onan
And eke alle her ferrede
Wiþ hors fete on hem trede
Wiþ speres stong wiþ swerdes korwe
Ten þousende kniȝtes bi þe morwe
Ar ani of hem miȝt hem stere
212
Ac naþeles þis xi kinges
Flowen oway wiþ michel genge
A litel þennes intil a lowe;
A loude horn þai gun blowe,
Of her kniȝtes and gaderd hem so
Togider þritti þousende and mo.
Ich king [hadde] to his dale
Þre þousand gret and smale,
Her hors girten and sadels riȝt
And made hem redi forto fiȝt
On þe hille þai gun ten
Arthour and his folk to sen
Þo seiȝe þai seuen baners,
Þre þousand gret and smale,
Her hors girten and sadels riȝt
And made hem redi forto fiȝt
On þe hille þai gun ten
Arthour and his folk to sen
Þo seiȝe þai seuen baners,
Of whiche Lucan þe boteler
Of þe first maister was
For swiþe hardi man he was,
Of þe first maister was
For swiþe hardi man he was,
Grifles ladde þe secounde
A wiȝt man of gret mounde,
A wiȝt man of gret mounde,
Þe þridde folc ladde Bretel
Strong [kniȝt] and doinde wel,
Strong [kniȝt] and doinde wel,
Þe ferþ baner ladde Kay
Þe kinges steward of noblay,
Þe kinges steward of noblay,
Þe fift baner ladde Vlfin
A noble baroun gode afin,
Ich hadde of þis to his baner
Þre þousand of gret power;
Arthour on hors sat stef so stok
And gouerned þe seuend flok
And ladde wiþ him four þousinde
Wiȝt men and wel doinde.
Þe oþer no miȝt ben ykidde
Bihinden hem þai weren yhidde.
King Lot king Nanters and king Vrien
And king Carodas wiþ his men
Þis foure bihinde were
And lete þe oþer al forþ fare,
And in þe sonnes vpriseing
Bigan certes þis rideing
Þer miȝt men se þe baners roten
Þe stedes forþ wel ȝern schoten,
Þo þai first oþer metten
Ich oþer wiþ launces gretten
Mani in sadles held hem stille
And mani also of hors felle
Mani brac his spere þare
Mani oþer þurthout bar.
Kai þan felled þe king Yder
Wiþ his spere of his destrer,
Þe king of hundred kniȝtes
Kay doun feld anon riȝtes,
A noble baroun gode afin,
Ich hadde of þis to his baner
Þre þousand of gret power;
Arthour on hors sat stef so stok
And gouerned þe seuend flok
And ladde wiþ him four þousinde
Wiȝt men and wel doinde.
Þe oþer no miȝt ben ykidde
Bihinden hem þai weren yhidde.
King Lot king Nanters and king Vrien
And king Carodas wiþ his men
Þis foure bihinde were
And lete þe oþer al forþ fare,
And in þe sonnes vpriseing
213
Þer miȝt men se þe baners roten
Þe stedes forþ wel ȝern schoten,
Þo þai first oþer metten
Ich oþer wiþ launces gretten
Mani in sadles held hem stille
And mani also of hors felle
Mani brac his spere þare
Mani oþer þurthout bar.
Kai þan felled þe king Yder
Wiþ his spere of his destrer,
Þe king of hundred kniȝtes
Kay doun feld anon riȝtes,
Kay vp stirt and king Yder
Afot fouȝten wiþ swerdes cler,
On boþe half so com her men
And swiþe stirten hem bitven.
Þer come Lucan þe boteler
And bar Eustas of his destrer,
Eustas þe douke of Arundel
Bi Yder stode and werd him wel.
Afot fouȝten wiþ swerdes cler,
On boþe half so com her men
And swiþe stirten hem bitven.
Þer come Lucan þe boteler
And bar Eustas of his destrer,
Eustas þe douke of Arundel
Bi Yder stode and werd him wel.
Grifles feld þe king Clarion,
Þe king of hundred kniȝtes com
And hit Grifles bi þe side
Of his stede he gan doun glide,
Vp strit Grifles and stode bi Kay
And fauȝt so a kniȝt of noblay.
Forþ com Vlfin and eke Lucan
And feld king Cradelman
And wiþ oþer kniȝtes mo
Riden he [þe] kniȝtes to,
Þe douke Grifles and þe steward Kay
On hors þai brouȝt par ma fay;
Þo þai were mounted y sigge apliȝt
Þai kedden her noble miȝt
Þan þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes
Kay doun feld anon riȝtes
And þre kniȝtes al arawe
He binam þer her liif-dawe.
Arthour wiþ his miȝti hand
Feld king Brangors and king Anguisaunt—
Þo were afot seuen kinges
Gret slauȝter was at her rideinges
Þat þai no miȝt nouȝt keuer her destrers
For her alder powers.
Þe king of hundred kniȝtes com
And hit Grifles bi þe side
Of his stede he gan doun glide,
Vp strit Grifles and stode bi Kay
And fauȝt so a kniȝt of noblay.
Forþ com Vlfin and eke Lucan
And feld king Cradelman
And wiþ oþer kniȝtes mo
Riden he [þe] kniȝtes to,
Þe douke Grifles and þe steward Kay
On hors þai brouȝt par ma fay;
Þo þai were mounted y sigge apliȝt
Þai kedden her noble miȝt
Þan þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes
Kay doun feld anon riȝtes
And þre kniȝtes al arawe
He binam þer her liif-dawe.
214
Feld king Brangors and king Anguisaunt—
Þo were afot seuen kinges
Gret slauȝter was at her rideinges
Þat þai no miȝt nouȝt keuer her destrers
For her alder powers.
King Lot and king Carodas
And Nanters þat bihinde was
And eke þe king Vrien
Wiþ tvelf þousand of strong men
Þe hors of baundoun lete þai frem
And come flingand wiþ al her men
So Arthours folk þai metten
And of her steden mani stetten,
In þat ich hard meteing
Al þai socourd her kinges
And brouȝten hem on her steden
Þe better þo þai miȝt speden.
Þer wer fele of hors yfeld
And kniȝtes yslawe vnder scheld,
Ac þer schewed king Arthour
At þat batayl gret vigour;
Of his men mani feld ware,
Now he was here now he was tare
And chalanged his men bi riȝt
And wiȝtlich bigan for hem to fiȝt
Wiþ his swerd of gode egge
Sum he clef to þe rigge
And sum he smot þe nek atvo
And sum he smot þe schulder fro.
And Nanters þat bihinde was
And eke þe king Vrien
Wiþ tvelf þousand of strong men
Þe hors of baundoun lete þai frem
And come flingand wiþ al her men
So Arthours folk þai metten
And of her steden mani stetten,
In þat ich hard meteing
Al þai socourd her kinges
And brouȝten hem on her steden
Þe better þo þai miȝt speden.
Þer wer fele of hors yfeld
And kniȝtes yslawe vnder scheld,
Ac þer schewed king Arthour
At þat batayl gret vigour;
Of his men mani feld ware,
Now he was here now he was tare
And chalanged his men bi riȝt
And wiȝtlich bigan for hem to fiȝt
Wiþ his swerd of gode egge
Sum he clef to þe rigge
And sum he smot þe nek atvo
And sum he smot þe schulder fro.
Þe oþer kinges were wiȝt also
Arthours folk þai deden wo—
XXX þousand forsoþe y wene
Fouȝten þer oȝain sextene.
Lucan Grifles and king Arthour
Vlfin Bretel and sir Antour
Þis ich seuen saun fail
Þe cark hadde of þe batayl,
Þe folk descomfit hadde men sen
No hadde her miȝt þe better ben.
Ac in al þis sur carking
Merlin com to Ban þe king
And seyd ‘Sir time it is
Þou help king Arthour ywis’
Also swiþe þan Ban þe king
Went forþ wiþouten letting.
Farien a kniȝt of gret power
He was douke of þe first bane[r],
Maruc loked þe secounde
A kniȝt of swiþe gret mounde,
Of þe þridde maister was
Þe noble king Belias,
Þe ferþ ledde Bleoberiis
A baroun of wel noble pris,
Þe fif[t] ladde Gracian
Strong baroun and noble man,
Þes fiue so y finde
Led of men fiftene þousinde
Þer ich of hem hastiliche
W[ent] hem forþ hardiliche;
Bohort afterward cam
Wiþ four þousand of noble man
In þis world wele to fiȝt
No were yhelden non better kniȝt.
Also þai maden þis [s]ailing
Þe oþer com on hem smiteing
Wiþ her speres and feld to grounde
Mani þat þai þere founde.
Arthours folk þai deden wo—
XXX þousand forsoþe y wene
Fouȝten þer oȝain sextene.
Lucan Grifles and king Arthour
Vlfin Bretel and sir Antour
Þis ich seuen saun fail
Þe cark hadde of þe batayl,
Þe folk descomfit hadde men sen
215
Ac in al þis sur carking
Merlin com to Ban þe king
And seyd ‘Sir time it is
Þou help king Arthour ywis’
Also swiþe þan Ban þe king
Went forþ wiþouten letting.
Farien a kniȝt of gret power
He was douke of þe first bane[r],
Maruc loked þe secounde
A kniȝt of swiþe gret mounde,
Of þe þridde maister was
Þe noble king Belias,
Þe ferþ ledde Bleoberiis
A baroun of wel noble pris,
Þe fif[t] ladde Gracian
Strong baroun and noble man,
Þes fiue so y finde
Led of men fiftene þousinde
Þer ich of hem hastiliche
W[ent] hem forþ hardiliche;
Bohort afterward cam
Wiþ four þousand of noble man
In þis world wele to fiȝt
No were yhelden non better kniȝt.
Also þai maden þis [s]ailing
Þe oþer com on hem smiteing
Wiþ her speres and feld to grounde
Mani þat þai þere founde.
In þis time king Lot
Went out of þe plas God it wot
And king Nanters and king Vrien
Wiþ mani noble of her men
And king Carodas þe wiȝt
And king of þe hundred kniȝt
Þese so michel pite seiȝen
Þat þai wepe wiþ her eiȝen
For þe sleȝster of her man,
And sore þe dede of king Ban
And Bohort also his broþer—
Þere no schuld go no noþer.
Adoun þai liȝt and her hors girten,
Wiþouten stirop þerin stirten
Euerich of hem nome in his hond
A launce boþe stef and strong.
King Nanters king Lot king Karodas
Þis men armed, wiþ gret ras
King Ban þai hitten alle at ones
Adoun þai þrewe him on þe stones,
King of þe hundred kniȝtes and king Vrien
King Bohort þai riden oȝen
And hitten him boþe at a dent
And feld his stede verrament,
Ac Ban vp stirt and Bohort also
And wele hem wered o fot bo
Þe oþer hem were about to dere
Ac manliche þai gun hem were.
King Arthour seiȝe doun king Ban
Swiþe wo him was forþan
His stede he smot þider anon;
A kniȝt þat was about, king Ban to slon
On þe helme he smot forsoþ
Þurth helme and palet to þe toþ
And pelt doun þat bodi dede
And tok þat stede gode at nede,
King Ban þan þurth fine miȝt
On þat stede lepe apliȝt
Þo he þe stede was opon
He ȝaue a nedel of his fon;
Anoþer king Arthour hitte
Þe bodi to þe nauel he kitte
Fro þe scholder y tel ȝou
It was a dint of gret vertu,
Arthour pelt adoun þat buke
Þat hors he lad Bohort þe douke.
Þo þai on hors seten boþe
Þai were aschamed and eke wroþ
So we finden on þe boke
Who þat ani of hem oftoke
Of liue no hadde þai no bote
Ac to þe deþ went God it wot.
What gette it al to tellen here?
Arthur and Ban and her fere
So michel pople toforn hem slowe
Þat her enemis hem wiþdrowe
And gun to fle to on brigge
Þat þai toforn dede l[e]gge.
Þer spac Morganor on hast
King Vriens sone o bast
(He was on of þe best kniȝt
Þat miȝt held swerd in fiȝt)
He seyd ‘Sir listneþ alle,
O our folk we moten calle
Bi on horn þat y schal blawe
Oþer þai worþ alle yslawe
And destroied of our fon,’
Þe kinges seyd ‘Þat is wele don.’
Went out of þe plas God it wot
And king Nanters and king Vrien
Wiþ mani noble of her men
And king Carodas þe wiȝt
And king of þe hundred kniȝt
Þese so michel pite seiȝen
Þat þai wepe wiþ her eiȝen
For þe sleȝster of her man,
216
And Bohort also his broþer—
Þere no schuld go no noþer.
Adoun þai liȝt and her hors girten,
Wiþouten stirop þerin stirten
Euerich of hem nome in his hond
A launce boþe stef and strong.
King Nanters king Lot king Karodas
Þis men armed, wiþ gret ras
King Ban þai hitten alle at ones
Adoun þai þrewe him on þe stones,
King of þe hundred kniȝtes and king Vrien
King Bohort þai riden oȝen
And hitten him boþe at a dent
And feld his stede verrament,
Ac Ban vp stirt and Bohort also
And wele hem wered o fot bo
Þe oþer hem were about to dere
Ac manliche þai gun hem were.
King Arthour seiȝe doun king Ban
Swiþe wo him was forþan
His stede he smot þider anon;
A kniȝt þat was about, king Ban to slon
On þe helme he smot forsoþ
Þurth helme and palet to þe toþ
And pelt doun þat bodi dede
And tok þat stede gode at nede,
King Ban þan þurth fine miȝt
On þat stede lepe apliȝt
Þo he þe stede was opon
He ȝaue a nedel of his fon;
Anoþer king Arthour hitte
Þe bodi to þe nauel he kitte
Fro þe scholder y tel ȝou
It was a dint of gret vertu,
Arthour pelt adoun þat buke
Þat hors he lad Bohort þe douke.
Þo þai on hors seten boþe
Þai were aschamed and eke wroþ
217
Who þat ani of hem oftoke
Of liue no hadde þai no bote
Ac to þe deþ went God it wot.
What gette it al to tellen here?
Arthur and Ban and her fere
So michel pople toforn hem slowe
Þat her enemis hem wiþdrowe
And gun to fle to on brigge
Þat þai toforn dede l[e]gge.
Þer spac Morganor on hast
King Vriens sone o bast
(He was on of þe best kniȝt
Þat miȝt held swerd in fiȝt)
He seyd ‘Sir listneþ alle,
O our folk we moten calle
Bi on horn þat y schal blawe
Oþer þai worþ alle yslawe
And destroied of our fon,’
Þe kinges seyd ‘Þat is wele don.’
Morganor þo gan to blowe
Þat folk so gun his horn knowe
Swiftlich al þai gunnen flen
And to þe kinges socour ten,
Þo þai comen to þe brigge
Ich on oþer gan to legge
Ac also wolf þe schip gan driue
Arthour smot hem after swiþe
And king Ban and her men
Slouȝ of hem þousendes ten.
Þer þai hadde mani slawe
Ac Merlin gan hem wiþdrawe
And seyd oȝain wende þai schold
Þe siluer to part and þe gold
And mani oþer riche þinges
Þat þer hadde left þe riche kinges,
Arthour þouȝt gode afin
Þe riche conseil of Merlin
(Þe oþer oway þai leten flen)
And gan oȝain wiþ his folk ten;
Of gold of siluer and noblesse
Þai founden grete riches
Arthour it ȝaf Bohort and Ban
And bad it part among her man—
So þai deden, wiþ gret honour
To hem and to þe king Arthour.
Þat folk so gun his horn knowe
Swiftlich al þai gunnen flen
And to þe kinges socour ten,
Þo þai comen to þe brigge
Ich on oþer gan to legge
Ac also wolf þe schip gan driue
Arthour smot hem after swiþe
And king Ban and her men
Slouȝ of hem þousendes ten.
Þer þai hadde mani slawe
Ac Merlin gan hem wiþdrawe
And seyd oȝain wende þai schold
Þe siluer to part and þe gold
And mani oþer riche þinges
Þat þer hadde left þe riche kinges,
Arthour þouȝt gode afin
Þe riche conseil of Merlin
218
And gan oȝain wiþ his folk ten;
Of gold of siluer and noblesse
Þai founden grete riches
Arthour it ȝaf Bohort and Ban
And bad it part among her man—
So þai deden, wiþ gret honour
To hem and to þe king Arthour.
After þat gentil parting
To Londen went Arthour þe king
And king Bohort and king Ban
And alle her noble man,
Fourten niȝt Arthour held fest
Swiþe noble and swiþe onest.
Þo þe fest ydon was
Merlin teld Arthour þat cas
Arthour he seyd þis þinges
‘No drede þe no more of þis kinges
Now þai han ymade it touȝ
Sone hem worþ to don ynouȝ
E[r] þan com þe Trinite
Ich wald ȝiuen o cite
Wiþ þat þai hadde made acord
And þat þou were made her lord,
For here is comand to þis lond
Gret hunger and here-gong
Sex hundred [þousand] Sarraȝins
Forto awreke þe douke Angis
Þis lond þai comen al about,
Of hem no þarf þe noþing dout
Her schal com a bachelrie
Of þe to haue cheualrie
And of þe to ben made kniȝt
And for þi lond þai wil fiȝt
Þai schul don mani agrise
Of hem þi los schal arise;
Þou schalt hem alle knowe wel
And of þe kinges wite eueri del
Þai schullen hauen in her lond
Of wer to don ful her hond.
And ich ȝou sigge Bohort and Ban
Sendeþ hom al ȝour man
Ȝour lond to loke and ouersen
Bot it swiþe fewe ben,
Arthour schal alle his tounes
Astore wiþ flesche and venisouns
Wiþ corn and mele and men strong
Oȝain her fon to werre long,
To Londen went Arthour þe king
And king Bohort and king Ban
And alle her noble man,
Fourten niȝt Arthour held fest
Swiþe noble and swiþe onest.
Þo þe fest ydon was
Merlin teld Arthour þat cas
Arthour he seyd þis þinges
‘No drede þe no more of þis kinges
Now þai han ymade it touȝ
Sone hem worþ to don ynouȝ
E[r] þan com þe Trinite
Ich wald ȝiuen o cite
Wiþ þat þai hadde made acord
And þat þou were made her lord,
For here is comand to þis lond
Gret hunger and here-gong
Sex hundred [þousand] Sarraȝins
Forto awreke þe douke Angis
Þis lond þai comen al about,
Of hem no þarf þe noþing dout
Her schal com a bachelrie
Of þe to haue cheualrie
And of þe to ben made kniȝt
And for þi lond þai wil fiȝt
Þai schul don mani agrise
Of hem þi los schal arise;
Þou schalt hem alle knowe wel
And of þe kinges wite eueri del
219
Of wer to don ful her hond.
And ich ȝou sigge Bohort and Ban
Sendeþ hom al ȝour man
Ȝour lond to loke and ouersen
Bot it swiþe fewe ben,
Arthour schal alle his tounes
Astore wiþ flesche and venisouns
Wiþ corn and mele and men strong
Oȝain her fon to werre long,
And þou Arthour me schalt abide
Bitven Inglond and Carmelide
In þe toun of Brekenho
Til ich meself þe com to.’
Þis was do wiþouten doute,
Bitven Inglond and Carmelide
In þe toun of Brekenho
Til ich meself þe com to.’
Þis was do wiþouten doute,
Arthour his tounes stored aboute
Wiþ corn mele flesche and fische
And wiþ men strong ywis;
Þe douke [D]o wiþouten fable
Of Cardoil hadde ben constable,
Of Londen bi Merlines rade
He was þo constable ymade.
Wiþ corn mele flesche and fische
And wiþ men strong ywis;
Þe douke [D]o wiþouten fable
Of Cardoil hadde ben constable,
Of Londen bi Merlines rade
He was þo constable ymade.
Leonce he sent hom of Paerne
Ban and Bohort, swiþe ȝerne,
And þe douke also Pharien
And þe baroun Gracien
Wiþ her ost þe lond to loke
So we finden on þe boke
King Arthour Bohort and Ban
Wele wiþ sex score of her man
Went hem to Brekenho
So Merlin hem seyd to
Bitven Inglond and Carmelide
Merlines com forto abide
Þat þo fro hem was ywent
Þai nist whider verrament.
Þo þai hadde þere a while abiden
On a day out þai riden
And seiȝe com bi on lowe
An eld cherl wiþ aruwe and bowe
Þe cherl bent his bowe sone
And smot a doke mididone
And wiþ a bolt afterward
Anon he hitt a maulard.
Ban and Bohort, swiþe ȝerne,
And þe douke also Pharien
And þe baroun Gracien
Wiþ her ost þe lond to loke
So we finden on þe boke
King Arthour Bohort and Ban
Wele wiþ sex score of her man
Went hem to Brekenho
So Merlin hem seyd to
Bitven Inglond and Carmelide
Merlines com forto abide
Þat þo fro hem was ywent
Þai nist whider verrament.
220
On a day out þai riden
And seiȝe com bi on lowe
An eld cherl wiþ aruwe and bowe
Þe cherl bent his bowe sone
And smot a doke mididone
And wiþ a bolt afterward
Anon he hitt a maulard.
Þis foules he nam þo
Oȝain þe king he gan go
Arthour him asked as y ȝou telle
Ȝif he wold þo foules selle,
Þis old man seyd par ma fay
He wold hem ȝiue for monay.
Þe king him axed, so most he liue
Hou he wold þe foules ȝiue,
Þeld man seyd ‘Sir king
Nouȝt þou schust make hucking
Ac þou schust hote hem bere forþ
And tviis ȝiue me þe worþ
Fo[r] ich þe wold soner ȝiue
Þis to foules so mot y liue
Þan þou a pani of þi gold
Þat liþ bidoluen depe in mold’—
Wiþ þis word þe foules to
Sir Kay he tok hem bo.
Oȝain þe king he gan go
Arthour him asked as y ȝou telle
Ȝif he wold þo foules selle,
Þis old man seyd par ma fay
He wold hem ȝiue for monay.
Þe king him axed, so most he liue
Hou he wold þe foules ȝiue,
Þeld man seyd ‘Sir king
Nouȝt þou schust make hucking
Ac þou schust hote hem bere forþ
And tviis ȝiue me þe worþ
Fo[r] ich þe wold soner ȝiue
Þis to foules so mot y liue
Þan þou a pani of þi gold
Þat liþ bidoluen depe in mold’—
Wiþ þis word þe foules to
Sir Kay he tok hem bo.
To þat eld seyd Arthour
‘Who teld þe of mi tresour?’
‘Certes’ he seyd ‘þe clerk Merlin
For swiþe late y spac wiþ him.’
Þe king nold him leue nouȝt,
Þeld man seyd him no rouȝt
‘For king’ he seyd ‘þou hast of me
And y no haue nouȝt of þe.’
Bretel and Vlfin him vnderstode
And seyd anon wiþ milde mode
‘Sir, God þe ȝeld þis foules to
Ȝiftes þou hast him ȝeuen mo
And ȝete þou schalt wiþ Godes miȝt
Mo presantes and ȝiftes him diȝt’—
Þer þai wisten bi Vlfin
Þat þis eld was Merlin.
‘Who teld þe of mi tresour?’
‘Certes’ he seyd ‘þe clerk Merlin
For swiþe late y spac wiþ him.’
Þe king nold him leue nouȝt,
Þeld man seyd him no rouȝt
‘For king’ he seyd ‘þou hast of me
And y no haue nouȝt of þe.’
Bretel and Vlfin him vnderstode
And seyd anon wiþ milde mode
‘Sir, God þe ȝeld þis foules to
Ȝiftes þou hast him ȝeuen mo
And ȝete þou schalt wiþ Godes miȝt
Mo presantes and ȝiftes him diȝt’—
221
Þat þis eld was Merlin.
Merlin him schewed to king Arthour
And he him kist wiþ gret honour
And Bohort and Ban and oþer swiþe
Of his come weren bliþe.
A damisel of gret valour
Was þo comen to king Arthour
To knowe him lord and don omage
Þat sche no hadde afterward damage,
And alle hir kniȝtes deden also
Þat wiþ hir were comen þo,
Liȝanor þat may was hot
Erl Siweinis douhter God it wot.
Þo Arthour hir hadde yseiȝe
Bi hir he wald haue yleiȝe
So he dede þurth Merlin
A child he biȝat hir in
Þat wex seþþen of gret mounde
And kniȝt of þe table rounde.
Þere þai soiournd euerichon
Til þat lenten were half agon.
And he him kist wiþ gret honour
And Bohort and Ban and oþer swiþe
Of his come weren bliþe.
A damisel of gret valour
Was þo comen to king Arthour
To knowe him lord and don omage
Þat sche no hadde afterward damage,
And alle hir kniȝtes deden also
Þat wiþ hir were comen þo,
Liȝanor þat may was hot
Erl Siweinis douhter God it wot.
Þo Arthour hir hadde yseiȝe
Bi hir he wald haue yleiȝe
So he dede þurth Merlin
A child he biȝat hir in
Þat wex seþþen of gret mounde
And kniȝt of þe table rounde.
Þere þai soiournd euerichon
Til þat lenten were half agon.
Lete we hem þer stille be
And of þe kinges telle we
XI, þat flowen are
Hou þai bicomen and whare.
And of þe kinges telle we
XI, þat flowen are
Hou þai bicomen and whare.
In time of winter alange it is
Þe foules lesen her blis
Þe leues fallen of þe tre
Rein alangeþ þe cuntre
Maidens leseþ here hewe,
Ac euer hye louieþ þat be trewe.
Þe kinges þat descomfit ware
Al day and al niȝt hadde yfare
On hors, armed, wiþ gret hete
Wiþouten drink wiþouten mete
Til þai com to Norhant
A fair cite of gode waraunt
Norham was þat time y wene
A prout cite and strong and kene,
Ich ȝou telle at on word
King Vriens was þerof lord.
Þis kinges alle þider comen ware
And hadden sorwe and gret care
For her kniȝtes were so yslawe
And her kin brouȝt o liue-dawe
Swiche diol þai hadden dayes to
Nold þai mete to mirþe do;
Vp him stirt Baudamagu
A kniȝt of gret vertu
And seyd ‘Kinges leteþ ben
Ȝour diole is rewþe forto sen
Ȝe habbeþ frendes fer and wide
To hem ȝe schulleþ nouþe ride
And ȝour diol to hem speke
Þurth whom ȝe worþ awreke.’
Þurth his speche comfort þai nome,
Þe þridde day and togider come
And euerich oþer ȝaue swiche solas
So þai miȝten in þat cas,
Þat day þai maden hem at aise
To bed aniȝt þai ȝeden in paise.
Þe foules lesen her blis
Þe leues fallen of þe tre
Rein alangeþ þe cuntre
Maidens leseþ here hewe,
Ac euer hye louieþ þat be trewe.
Þe kinges þat descomfit ware
Al day and al niȝt hadde yfare
On hors, armed, wiþ gret hete
Wiþouten drink wiþouten mete
Til þai com to Norhant
A fair cite of gode waraunt
Norham was þat time y wene
222
Ich ȝou telle at on word
King Vriens was þerof lord.
Þis kinges alle þider comen ware
And hadden sorwe and gret care
For her kniȝtes were so yslawe
And her kin brouȝt o liue-dawe
Swiche diol þai hadden dayes to
Nold þai mete to mirþe do;
Vp him stirt Baudamagu
A kniȝt of gret vertu
And seyd ‘Kinges leteþ ben
Ȝour diole is rewþe forto sen
Ȝe habbeþ frendes fer and wide
To hem ȝe schulleþ nouþe ride
And ȝour diol to hem speke
Þurth whom ȝe worþ awreke.’
Þurth his speche comfort þai nome,
Þe þridde day and togider come
And euerich oþer ȝaue swiche solas
So þai miȝten in þat cas,
Þat day þai maden hem at aise
To bed aniȝt þai ȝeden in paise.
Þe ferþ day euerich aros
And sone days hem agros
For to hem com a messanger
And gret hem wiþ rewelich chere
And seyd into Cornnewaile
Sarraȝins were comen saun faile
And hadde neiȝe strued al þat lond
Wiþ wilde fere and wiþ brond
And þe lond of Dorkaine also
Ystroied and don michel wo
Nambires þai hadde bilay
And destrued al þe cuntray
Boþe wiþ fer and wiþ sword,
Spard þai noiþer knaue no lord,
Þer was so michel pople of hem
Þat tellen hem no miȝt men.
Þo þe kinges yherd þis
In her hertes nas no blis
Al her flesche bigan to quake
So þe feuer hem had ytake,
Ich of hem seyd, allas
Þat ani of hem ybore was;
Þe wailing þat þai made
Today no miȝt ich fulrade
Ac swiche sorwe made apliȝt
Ich of hem fourten niȝt
Þat litel mete com hem among
Bot ‘Waileway!’ and wepeing strong.
At þe fourten niȝtes ende
King Brangore wiȝt and hende
Com him forþ into þe halle
And ofsent his feren alle
To hem alle þan spak Brangori
‘Yblisced be þe King of glorie
Of his grace and of his sending,
What helpeþ ous swiche morning?
Fond we ous to bistere
And our lond sumdel to were.
We no haue pouer Arthour oȝen
For king Bohort and king Ban
No for Merlin þe gode clerk
Þat can so michel schandliche werk,
We no haue deserued of Arthour
To haue nonskinnes socour
To helpen ous oȝain Angys kende
Þat þenkeþ ous forto schende
And we haue ylorn our miȝt
Nouȝt wiþ wrong ac al wiþ riȝt
Þat wold haue our lord kende
Yslawe þurth lore of þe Fende.
And sone days hem agros
For to hem com a messanger
And gret hem wiþ rewelich chere
And seyd into Cornnewaile
Sarraȝins were comen saun faile
And hadde neiȝe strued al þat lond
Wiþ wilde fere and wiþ brond
And þe lond of Dorkaine also
Ystroied and don michel wo
Nambires þai hadde bilay
And destrued al þe cuntray
Boþe wiþ fer and wiþ sword,
Spard þai noiþer knaue no lord,
Þer was so michel pople of hem
Þat tellen hem no miȝt men.
223
In her hertes nas no blis
Al her flesche bigan to quake
So þe feuer hem had ytake,
Ich of hem seyd, allas
Þat ani of hem ybore was;
Þe wailing þat þai made
Today no miȝt ich fulrade
Ac swiche sorwe made apliȝt
Ich of hem fourten niȝt
Þat litel mete com hem among
Bot ‘Waileway!’ and wepeing strong.
At þe fourten niȝtes ende
King Brangore wiȝt and hende
Com him forþ into þe halle
And ofsent his feren alle
To hem alle þan spak Brangori
‘Yblisced be þe King of glorie
Of his grace and of his sending,
What helpeþ ous swiche morning?
Fond we ous to bistere
And our lond sumdel to were.
We no haue pouer Arthour oȝen
For king Bohort and king Ban
No for Merlin þe gode clerk
Þat can so michel schandliche werk,
We no haue deserued of Arthour
To haue nonskinnes socour
To helpen ous oȝain Angys kende
Þat þenkeþ ous forto schende
And we haue ylorn our miȝt
Nouȝt wiþ wrong ac al wiþ riȝt
Þat wold haue our lord kende
Yslawe þurth lore of þe Fende.
Of king Leodegan help worþ ous non
For of Yrlond þe king Rion
Him haþ awerred to ȝer and more
Wiþ tventi kinges bi Godes ore,
No of king Pelles of Listonei
No worþ ous help par ma fay
For þe ward of Pelleore
His broþer, liþ sike and sore
And schel be seke fort þe meruaile
Of þe greal be don saun [f]aile,
No forþer of þe king Alain
No worþ ous noiþer help no main
For he liþ sike and sike schal ben
For[t] þe best kniȝt of stren'
(Y haue seyd wherfore it is
Þat he bicom sike ywis),
‘No of þe king of þe Marais
Normaga of Sorailes
No may þer com help to ous
For him awerreþ Galaous,
No of þe king Bremeins
No of þe king Adameins
No of þe king Clamadas
No may [ous] com no solas
For alle hem werreþ Galeus
Þe riche king so vertouous;
Lokeþ now hou we may spede
For we habbeþ wel gret nede.’
For of Yrlond þe king Rion
Him haþ awerred to ȝer and more
Wiþ tventi kinges bi Godes ore,
No of king Pelles of Listonei
No worþ ous help par ma fay
224
His broþer, liþ sike and sore
And schel be seke fort þe meruaile
Of þe greal be don saun [f]aile,
No forþer of þe king Alain
No worþ ous noiþer help no main
For he liþ sike and sike schal ben
For[t] þe best kniȝt of stren'
(Y haue seyd wherfore it is
Þat he bicom sike ywis),
‘No of þe king of þe Marais
Normaga of Sorailes
No may þer com help to ous
For him awerreþ Galaous,
No of þe king Bremeins
No of þe king Adameins
No of þe king Clamadas
No may [ous] com no solas
For alle hem werreþ Galeus
Þe riche king so vertouous;
Lokeþ now hou we may spede
For we habbeþ wel gret nede.’
Þo bispac Cradelman
King of Norþ Wales a wise man
‘Þe best conseil þat y can—
Part we alle our man
And hire we alle þo
Þat we wiþ catel may ago
And ich man wende to his cite
Þat we wene strangest be
And kepe we þe strait wais
Oueralle in þe cuntrays
And robben hem her sustenaunce,
Wiþ skec and don hem combraunce
And waiten hem al þe qued
Þat we mowe bi mi red.’
Þo bispac sir Lot þe king
‘Gode ware al þis conseiling
Ac ich wot when Arthour seþ
Þat we of þe payens awerred beþ
An oþer half he wil ous anoie
And wiþ schond ous destroie.’
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝt
Seyd ‘Drede ȝou nouȝt, y ȝou pliȝt
Arthour wiþ Bohort and Ban
Beþ toward Leodegan
And help him oȝain Rion
And hem warnisen euerichon
Boþe cite and castel
Wiþ mete and men swiþe wel
Þat hem no stondeþ no doute
Of þe payens no of her route,
Of him no haueþ non drede
For it is soþe þat ich ȝou sede;
Mi conseyl is ȝe don anon
So þou seydest king Cradelman.’
Þis conseyl þai deden þo
And senten after mani mo
Kniȝtes, swaines, man þat wold
Winnen siluer oþer gold
Forto loke wiþouten asoine
Al þe marches of Galoine
And of Cornwaile þe pleines
And eke þe place of Dorkains
And of Gorre also ich say
And eke þe entres of Galeway.
Alder first Yder þe king
Þre þousand hadde of bileueing
Þat yslawe no were nouȝt
Oȝaines Arthour þan þai fouȝt
And viii þousand of purchas
He hadde also bi Godes gras,
And to [h]is strong cite Nante
Wiþ alle þis men he wante,
And ȝete he hadde þousandes þre
Of þe cite bi mi leute;
King of Norþ Wales a wise man
‘Þe best conseil þat y can—
Part we alle our man
And hire we alle þo
Þat we wiþ catel may ago
And ich man wende to his cite
Þat we wene strangest be
And kepe we þe strait wais
Oueralle in þe cuntrays
And robben hem her sustenaunce,
Wiþ skec and don hem combraunce
And waiten hem al þe qued
Þat we mowe bi mi red.’
Þo bispac sir Lot þe king
‘Gode ware al þis conseiling
225
Þat we of þe payens awerred beþ
An oþer half he wil ous anoie
And wiþ schond ous destroie.’
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝt
Seyd ‘Drede ȝou nouȝt, y ȝou pliȝt
Arthour wiþ Bohort and Ban
Beþ toward Leodegan
And help him oȝain Rion
And hem warnisen euerichon
Boþe cite and castel
Wiþ mete and men swiþe wel
Þat hem no stondeþ no doute
Of þe payens no of her route,
Of him no haueþ non drede
For it is soþe þat ich ȝou sede;
Mi conseyl is ȝe don anon
So þou seydest king Cradelman.’
Þis conseyl þai deden þo
And senten after mani mo
Kniȝtes, swaines, man þat wold
Winnen siluer oþer gold
Forto loke wiþouten asoine
Al þe marches of Galoine
And of Cornwaile þe pleines
And eke þe place of Dorkains
And of Gorre also ich say
And eke þe entres of Galeway.
Alder first Yder þe king
Þre þousand hadde of bileueing
Þat yslawe no were nouȝt
Oȝaines Arthour þan þai fouȝt
And viii þousand of purchas
He hadde also bi Godes gras,
And to [h]is strong cite Nante
Wiþ alle þis men he wante,
And ȝete he hadde þousandes þre
Of þe cite bi mi leute;
226
Þis Ider loked wele þe wayes
Wiþ his folk in þat cuntreys
And payens he ouercam
Oft and her mete binam
And so wele in armes dede
Þat men hem blisced in eueri stede.
Wiþ his folk in þat cuntreys
And payens he ouercam
Oft and her mete binam
And so wele in armes dede
Þat men hem blisced in eueri stede.
King Nanters þe wiȝt man
So went forþ into Hussidan
His owhen cite þat was of priis
Wiþ þre þousand him bileued ywis
In þe bataile þer he was,
Wiþ seuen þousand of purchas,
And fif þousand in toun he fond
Orped men and gode of hond;
Þis loked wele þe paþes
And þe paiens oft deden scaþes
Boþe o lif and eke tresour
Þai dede þe paiens misauentour.
So went forþ into Hussidan
His owhen cite þat was of priis
Wiþ þre þousand him bileued ywis
In þe bataile þer he was,
Wiþ seuen þousand of purchas,
And fif þousand in toun he fond
Orped men and gode of hond;
Þis loked wele þe paþes
And þe paiens oft deden scaþes
Boþe o lif and eke tresour
Þai dede þe paiens misauentour.
King Lot went to Dorkaine
Wiþ þre þousand bileued wiþ paine
Þer he was at þe bataile
And wiþ fiue þousand of purchas saun faile,
And four þousand he fond in his toun
Wiȝt men and of grete renoun,
And ȝete for his wiȝt pruesse
And hendeschip and largesse
Þre þousand after him come
Gode bataile forto done.
Wiþ þre þousand bileued wiþ paine
Þer he was at þe bataile
And wiþ fiue þousand of purchas saun faile,
And four þousand he fond in his toun
Wiȝt men and of grete renoun,
And ȝete for his wiȝt pruesse
And hendeschip and largesse
Þre þousand after him come
Gode bataile forto done.
VIII þousand þo hadde Lot
Þat wele him holpe God it wot
Þe waies and þe paþes ȝeme
And of þe Sarrains h[e]m reme
And often deden hem gret greuaunce
And robbed hem her sustenaunce.
Þat wele him holpe God it wot
Þe waies and þe paþes ȝeme
And of þe Sarrains h[e]m reme
And often deden hem gret greuaunce
And robbed hem her sustenaunce.
Þo went king Clarion
To Norþhumberlond anon
To his cite þat hete Orlende
Wiþ þre þousand þat were hende
Þat him bileued at þat fiȝt
Oȝain Arthour þe gode kniȝt,
VIII þousand he hadde of purchas
Þat wele deden in eueri plas,
Þe wayes þai deden wele awayt
And þe paþes þat were strait
And oft deden þe Sarraȝins
Grete schame and grete pines.
To Norþhumberlond anon
To his cite þat hete Orlende
227
Þat him bileued at þat fiȝt
Oȝain Arthour þe gode kniȝt,
VIII þousand he hadde of purchas
Þat wele deden in eueri plas,
Þe wayes þai deden wele awayt
And þe paþes þat were strait
And oft deden þe Sarraȝins
Grete schame and grete pines.
After went anon riȝtes
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes
(Aguigines was his name
He was a kniȝt of gret fame)
He went him to Malaot
A riche cite God it wot,
Þe cite on leuedis was
And stode in a wel gret pas
Where þe Sarraȝins com and ride,
Þre þousand he brouȝt him mide
Ascaped fram deþes hond;
Þat leuedi marched on his lond
Þerfore sche com to his socour
And fond kniȝtes of grete valour
Ynouȝ to loken her lond—
And so þai deden wiþ miȝti hond.
After went Cradelman
To Norþ Wales þat he cam
Wiþ þre þousand of his kniȝtes
Þat were ascaped fram þe fiȝtes,
He purchast seuen þousinde
So ich in þe boke yfinde
Four þousand he fond at hom
Þat were bliþe of his com
For vnneþe fram hem fiue mile
Woned a wiche hete Carmile
(Hir broþer hiȝt Hardogabran
A swipe riche soudan)
Of wichecraft and vilaine
And eke of nigramace
Of þis warld sche couþe mast
Wiþouten Arthours so[ster] abast—
Morgein forsoþe was hir name
And woned wiþouten Niniame
Þat wiþ hir queint gin
Bigiled þe gode clerk Merlin.
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes
(Aguigines was his name
He was a kniȝt of gret fame)
He went him to Malaot
A riche cite God it wot,
Þe cite on leuedis was
And stode in a wel gret pas
Where þe Sarraȝins com and ride,
Þre þousand he brouȝt him mide
Ascaped fram deþes hond;
Þat leuedi marched on his lond
Þerfore sche com to his socour
And fond kniȝtes of grete valour
Ynouȝ to loken her lond—
And so þai deden wiþ miȝti hond.
After went Cradelman
To Norþ Wales þat he cam
Wiþ þre þousand of his kniȝtes
Þat were ascaped fram þe fiȝtes,
He purchast seuen þousinde
So ich in þe boke yfinde
Four þousand he fond at hom
Þat were bliþe of his com
For vnneþe fram hem fiue mile
Woned a wiche hete Carmile
(Hir broþer hiȝt Hardogabran
A swipe riche soudan)
228
And eke of nigramace
Of þis warld sche couþe mast
Wiþouten Arthours so[ster] abast—
Morgein forsoþe was hir name
And woned wiþouten Niniame
Þat wiþ hir queint gin
Bigiled þe gode clerk Merlin.
Þis Carmile in þat cuntray
Hadde a castel of gret noblay
Of þat castel hadde socour
Þe Sarraȝins and gret recour
Wharþurth þe king Cradelman
Was soure carked and alle his man,
Ac swiþe wele noþelas
Þe marche he loked and eke þe pas
(Ac Carmile par ma fay
Bi Merlines liif-day
No miȝt do wiþ hir wicheing
In Inglond non anoiing).
Hadde a castel of gret noblay
Of þat castel hadde socour
Þe Sarraȝins and gret recour
Wharþurth þe king Cradelman
Was soure carked and alle his man,
Ac swiþe wele noþelas
Þe marche he loked and eke þe pas
(Ac Carmile par ma fay
Bi Merlines liif-day
No miȝt do wiþ hir wicheing
In Inglond non anoiing).
King Brangore þo went forþ
To Estrangore wel fer bi norþ
And woned þat wiche biside—
Þe more noiȝe him gan bitide.
Þre þousinde wiþ him he nam
Þe sleiȝt þat were ascaped fram,
Sex þousinde he hadde of purchas
And fiue of his cite þat was,
Þat loked þe cuntray
And often dede þe panimes tray.
Þis Brangores of valour
Ludranes douster þemperour
Bi þat time hadde yspoused,
A leuedi gent and preciouse,
Ac þe king of Hungri and of Blaske
Hir hadde first to wiue ytake;
Bi hir form husbounde
Sche hadde a child of gret mounde
Þat was yhoten Sagremor,
In ward wiþ þemperour,
Þat was air of þempire
And of Blaske and of Hungrie—
Ȝe schul here afterward hou Segremor
Com to kniȝt of king Arthour
Whereþurth þemperour sikerliche
Him hadde ygraiþed richeliche
And hadde him sent [fr]o Costentinenoble
To Inglond-ward wiþ mani noble.
To Estrangore wel fer bi norþ
And woned þat wiche biside—
Þe more noiȝe him gan bitide.
Þre þousinde wiþ him he nam
Þe sleiȝt þat were ascaped fram,
Sex þousinde he hadde of purchas
And fiue of his cite þat was,
Þat loked þe cuntray
And often dede þe panimes tray.
Þis Brangores of valour
Ludranes douster þemperour
Bi þat time hadde yspoused,
A leuedi gent and preciouse,
Ac þe king of Hungri and of Blaske
Hir hadde first to wiue ytake;
229
Sche hadde a child of gret mounde
Þat was yhoten Sagremor,
In ward wiþ þemperour,
Þat was air of þempire
And of Blaske and of Hungrie—
Ȝe schul here afterward hou Segremor
Com to kniȝt of king Arthour
Whereþurth þemperour sikerliche
Him hadde ygraiþed richeliche
And hadde him sent [fr]o Costentinenoble
To Inglond-ward wiþ mani noble.
Ȝete went forþ king Carodas
Þat of þe rounde table was
To Galence his cite
A cite riche of gret plente,
Wiþ him he hadde þre [þ]ou[s]and kniȝt
Þat were ascaped fram þat fiȝt
And þer he fond foure þousinde
Noble kniȝtes so ich finde
And seuen þousand of gret powers
He purchasced on heiȝe destrers,
Þat wiþ swerd and launce and kniif
Binomen mani painems her liif
And wiþ skekes and wiþ fiȝt
Þe wayes loked wele apliȝt.
Þerafter þe king Anguisaunt
Went to Coranges in Scotland
Wiþ fiue þou[s]and gode kniȝtes
Alle ascaped fram þe fiȝtes,
Of purchas he hadde þousendes ten
Swiþe wele fiȝtand men
Wiþouten mani þat he fond
In his cite and in his lond;
He nas bot tventi mile-way
Fram Nambire þat was bilay
Of mani þousand Sarrain
Whereof he hadde mister fin
To fele kniȝtes him to helpe
To fiȝt oȝain þe Sarraȝin welpe—
So þai deden wiþ chere bliþe
Swiþe oft and mani siþe
On hem schoten bi wayes and paþes
And dede þe Sar[a]ins gret scaþes.
Þat of þe rounde table was
To Galence his cite
A cite riche of gret plente,
Wiþ him he hadde þre [þ]ou[s]and kniȝt
Þat were ascaped fram þat fiȝt
And þer he fond foure þousinde
Noble kniȝtes so ich finde
And seuen þousand of gret powers
He purchasced on heiȝe destrers,
Þat wiþ swerd and launce and kniif
Binomen mani painems her liif
And wiþ skekes and wiþ fiȝt
Þe wayes loked wele apliȝt.
Þerafter þe king Anguisaunt
Went to Coranges in Scotland
Wiþ fiue þou[s]and gode kniȝtes
Alle ascaped fram þe fiȝtes,
Of purchas he hadde þousendes ten
Swiþe wele fiȝtand men
Wiþouten mani þat he fond
In his cite and in his lond;
He nas bot tventi mile-way
Fram Nambire þat was bilay
Of mani þousand Sarrain
Whereof he hadde mister fin
230
To fiȝt oȝain þe Sarraȝin welpe—
So þai deden wiþ chere bliþe
Swiþe oft and mani siþe
On hem schoten bi wayes and paþes
And dede þe Sar[a]ins gret scaþes.
Þo went Eustas to Arundel
Wiþ þre þousand armed wel
Þat were ascaped fram þe batayle,
Wiþ seuen þousand sau[n] faile
Þat wele loked paþ and way
Oueral in þat cu[n]tray.
Wiþ þre þousand armed wel
Þat were ascaped fram þe batayle,
Wiþ seuen þousand sau[n] faile
Þat wele loked paþ and way
Oueral in þat cu[n]tray.
King Vriens bileued stille
In Norham sori and eke ille
For depart of his felawe
And for her men þat weren yslawe,
He hadde in alle þousandes ten
Boþe wiȝt and hardy men
Þat anoied bi al her miȝt
Þe Sarraȝins bi day and niȝt.
Now ȝe schul vnderstond
In Norham sori and eke ille
For depart of his felawe
And for her men þat weren yslawe,
He hadde in alle þousandes ten
Boþe wiȝt and hardy men
Þat anoied bi al her miȝt
Þe Sarraȝins bi day and niȝt.
Fif ȝer þis last in Inglond
Þat no corn no was ysowe
Noiþer on doun no on lowe,
Alle þis ich ȝeres fiue
Þis kinges þus ladde her liue
Wiþ þat þai miȝt reue and robbe
Of Sarraȝins wiþ swerd and clobbe,
Þe lowe folk in þe cuntray
Were yslawe for nouȝt al day—
And alle yslawe hadde yben
No hadde sir Wawain to hem sen
Þat was þo a bacheler
Iolif and of strong power.
Ac ar ich ȝou more þing
Of paiems telle oþer king
Of Nanters sone and of his feren
231
His sone was hoten Galathin—
Now listneþ wele for loue min.
Of Ygerne þat ich er of spake
Hou Hoel hir hadde spoused to make—
On hir he biȝat Blasine gent
And so he dede Belisent
King Nanters hadde spoused Blasine
And Lot Belisent fair and dine
Y wil wele þat ȝe it wite
Nanters in Blasine hadde biȝete
A fair ȝong man Galathin
Wiȝt hende and gentil afin,
Lot biȝat in Belisent
Four sones swiþe gent
Gveheres and eke Wawain
Gaheriet and Agreuein.
Hou Hoel hir hadde spoused to make—
On hir he biȝat Blasine gent
And so he dede Belisent
King Nanters hadde spoused Blasine
And Lot Belisent fair and dine
Y wil wele þat ȝe it wite
Nanters in Blasine hadde biȝete
A fair ȝong man Galathin
Wiȝt hende and gentil afin,
Lot biȝat in Belisent
Four sones swiþe gent
Gveheres and eke Wawain
Gaheriet and Agreuein.
Galathin in þis time
Com to his moder Blasine
And asked ȝif it were soþ
Þat men seyd souþe and norþ
‘Ȝif mi nem be king Arthour?
Telle me dame par amour.’
Blasine þo bigan to wepe
And seyd ‘Sone so God me kepe
Mi broþer king Arthour is
In on wombe we weren ywis
Bot he is Vter Pendragons stren
Þerfore þi fader him wold slen,
And nere þi fader was slawe in fiȝt
Nouȝt wiþ wrong bot al wiþ riȝt.’
Þer sche him teld anon
Arthours biȝete of Vter Pendragon
And alle þe destaunce whi and wharfore
Arthours deþ þai hadden yswore,
And seyd ‘Sone were þou wiis
Or so þou þe heldest of priis
Þou scholdest bi day and bi niȝt
Wiþ queyntise and al þi miȝt
Fond forto maken acord
Bitven Arthour and þi lord.’
Galathin swore wiþ wordes bold
He nold neuer oȝain [him hold]
And seyd he wold of him afong
Helme and swerd and launce strong
And of him be dubbed kniȝt
And wiþ him be in pays and fiȝt.
A messanger he sent anon
And badde him swiþe to Wawain gon
And sigge him wiþ wordes bonaire
He com to þe newe faire
Of Brocklond to speke him wiþ
Mani word of loue and griþ,
Þis erand bar þe messanger
Wawain answerd wiþ glad chere
Þat ȝif he hadde liif of manne
He wold speke wiþ him þanne.
In time þat þis sond cam
Gawinet fram hunting nam,
Þre grehoundes he ledde on hond
And þre raches in on bond.
Com to his moder Blasine
And asked ȝif it were soþ
Þat men seyd souþe and norþ
‘Ȝif mi nem be king Arthour?
Telle me dame par amour.’
Blasine þo bigan to wepe
And seyd ‘Sone so God me kepe
Mi broþer king Arthour is
In on wombe we weren ywis
Bot he is Vter Pendragons stren
Þerfore þi fader him wold slen,
And nere þi fader was slawe in fiȝt
Nouȝt wiþ wrong bot al wiþ riȝt.’
Þer sche him teld anon
Arthours biȝete of Vter Pendragon
And alle þe destaunce whi and wharfore
Arthours deþ þai hadden yswore,
And seyd ‘Sone were þou wiis
Or so þou þe heldest of priis
Þou scholdest bi day and bi niȝt
Wiþ queyntise and al þi miȝt
232
Bitven Arthour and þi lord.’
Galathin swore wiþ wordes bold
He nold neuer oȝain [him hold]
And seyd he wold of him afong
Helme and swerd and launce strong
And of him be dubbed kniȝt
And wiþ him be in pays and fiȝt.
A messanger he sent anon
And badde him swiþe to Wawain gon
And sigge him wiþ wordes bonaire
He com to þe newe faire
Of Brocklond to speke him wiþ
Mani word of loue and griþ,
Þis erand bar þe messanger
Wawain answerd wiþ glad chere
Þat ȝif he hadde liif of manne
He wold speke wiþ him þanne.
In time þat þis sond cam
Gawinet fram hunting nam,
Þre grehoundes he ledde on hond
And þre raches in on bond.
His moder biheld him and wepe sore
And seyd ‘Sone now þi nore!
Þou lest þi time wiþ vnriȝt
Þou hast age to ben kniȝt
Þou schust leten þi folye
Þi rage and þi ribaudye,
Þenke on þi nem Arthour
Kniȝt þat is of mest valour
And fond to make gode acord
Bitven him and Lot þi lord’—
Þer sche told, him bifore
Hou Arthour was biȝeten and bore.
His breþern seyd he hadde wrong
For it was al on him ylong
Þat þai her time lorn so
And bot he wald wiþ hem go
Þai wolden fare to king Arthour
And him seruen wiþ honour.
And seyd ‘Sone now þi nore!
Þou lest þi time wiþ vnriȝt
Þou hast age to ben kniȝt
Þou schust leten þi folye
Þi rage and þi ribaudye,
Þenke on þi nem Arthour
Kniȝt þat is of mest valour
And fond to make gode acord
Bitven him and Lot þi lord’—
Þer sche told, him bifore
Hou Arthour was biȝeten and bore.
His breþern seyd he hadde wrong
For it was al on him ylong
Þat þai her time lorn so
233
Þai wolden fare to king Arthour
And him seruen wiþ honour.
Þo bispac him child Wawain
Whom Crist ȝaf boþe miȝt and main
‘Swete dame and breþern þre
Wiþ gret wrong ȝe blamen me
Seþþen ich euer born was
Nist y neuer are þis cas,
Ac seþþen þus fer comen it is
Y bihote þe King of blis
No schal y neuer armes afong
Bot of king Arthours hond,’
His þre breþer þer on hast
Þer biheten anon þat hast.
Whom Crist ȝaf boþe miȝt and main
‘Swete dame and breþern þre
Wiþ gret wrong ȝe blamen me
Seþþen ich euer born was
Nist y neuer are þis cas,
Ac seþþen þus fer comen it is
Y bihote þe King of blis
No schal y neuer armes afong
Bot of king Arthours hond,’
His þre breþer þer on hast
Þer biheten anon þat hast.
Þo bispac Wawain curteys
‘Ma dame purvaieþ ous harnais
And we nil neuer blinne
What we may þe acord winne.’
‘Sone’ sche seyd ‘sikerliche
Ȝe schullen haue neweliche
Hors and armes and alle þing
Þat bihoueþ to ȝour dubbeing.’
Þerafter sone bi Godes sond
Galathin went to Brocklond
Oȝain him com Wawain þe fre
Wiþ his gentil breþer þre
And in her togider coming
Þai maden ioie and gret kisseing.
‘Ma dame purvaieþ ous harnais
And we nil neuer blinne
What we may þe acord winne.’
‘Sone’ sche seyd ‘sikerliche
Ȝe schullen haue neweliche
Hors and armes and alle þing
Þat bihoueþ to ȝour dubbeing.’
Þerafter sone bi Godes sond
Galathin went to Brocklond
Oȝain him com Wawain þe fre
Wiþ his gentil breþer þre
And in her togider coming
Þai maden ioie and gret kisseing.
Þo seyd Wawain to Galathin
‘Certes gentil nevou min
No hadde it be for loue þine
Ich and al breþer mine
Were ywent to our em Arthour
To seruen him, and make amour
Our fader and him bitven
Þurth help of Heuen-quen.’
‘Certes gentil nevou min
No hadde it be for loue þine
Ich and al breþer mine
Were ywent to our em Arthour
To seruen him, and make amour
Our fader and him bitven
Þurth help of Heuen-quen.’
‘Yherd be Crist!’ quaþ Galathin
‘Þat is desire and wil min
For þat ich selue þing
Ich made after þe sending
Togider y pray þe wende we.’
‘Bleþeliche’ quaþ Wawain þe fre,
Þer þai setten ioifulliche
Day to wende sikerliche—
And ȝif þai no hadde togider ywent
Inglond hadde ben yschent.
‘Þat is desire and wil min
234
Ich made after þe sending
Togider y pray þe wende we.’
‘Bleþeliche’ quaþ Wawain þe fre,
Þer þai setten ioifulliche
Day to wende sikerliche—
And ȝif þai no hadde togider ywent
Inglond hadde ben yschent.
Mirie is þentre of May
Þe foules make miri play
Maidens singgeþ and makeþ play
Þe time is hot and long þe day
Þe iolif niȝtingale singeþ
In þe grene mede f[l]ou[r]es springeþ.
Þe foules make miri play
Maidens singgeþ and makeþ play
Þe time is hot and long þe day
Þe iolif niȝtingale singeþ
In þe grene mede f[l]ou[r]es springeþ.
King Lot and þe leuedi Belisent
Hadde puruayd her sone gent
Fif hundred on hors wel
In armour of iren and stiel
Erls sones and barouns boþe
Alle in sout of o cloþe,
Ac of hem, bot neiȝen, kniȝt
Þer no ware y ȝou pliȝt;
He blisced Gawaynet
And Gueheres and Gaheriet
And Agreuein þat was so hende
And on Godes name bad hem wende.
Hadde puruayd her sone gent
Fif hundred on hors wel
In armour of iren and stiel
Erls sones and barouns boþe
Alle in sout of o cloþe,
Ac of hem, bot neiȝen, kniȝt
Þer no ware y ȝou pliȝt;
He blisced Gawaynet
And Gueheres and Gaheriet
And Agreuein þat was so hende
And on Godes name bad hem wende.
On þis maner dede Blasine
King Nanters leuedi dine
Hir sone Galathin
Sche graiþed in atire fin
To hundred feren sche him fond
And blisced him wiþ hi[r] hond,
Of þis to hundred were xx kniȝtes
Swiþe noble and gode in fiȝtes.
Galathin and Gawainet
Togider com þer þai hadde sett
And wenten forþ in her way
Toward Londen forsoþe to say
Þai wenden haue king Arthour founde
In þe noble toun of Lounde,
Þe þridde day in her iurneie
Þai were Londen swiþe neiȝe
King Nanters leuedi dine
Hir sone Galathin
Sche graiþed in atire fin
To hundred feren sche him fond
And blisced him wiþ hi[r] hond,
Of þis to hundred were xx kniȝtes
Swiþe noble and gode in fiȝtes.
Galathin and Gawainet
Togider com þer þai hadde sett
And wenten forþ in her way
Toward Londen forsoþe to say
235
In þe noble toun of Lounde,
Þe þridde day in her iurneie
Þai were Londen swiþe neiȝe
Þai seiȝen hem com swiþe ner
Seuen hundred charged somer
And seuen hundred cartes also
And fiue hundred waines after go
Ycharged alle wiþ ale and bred
Wiþ fische and flesche and win red
Robbed of men of þe cuntray
To leden to her ost oway—
For þe poudre of þis charging
No miȝt men se sonne schining.
Seuen hundred charged somer
And seuen hundred cartes also
And fiue hundred waines after go
Ycharged alle wiþ ale and bred
Wiþ fische and flesche and win red
Robbed of men of þe cuntray
To leden to her ost oway—
For þe poudre of þis charging
No miȝt men se sonne schining.
Þre þousand seyt our boke
Þat robberie went to loke,
Þis robberie þan hadde ydon
A king hiȝt Leodebron
And þe king Senigram
Swiþe fel and wicke man
And þe king Maudelec
Þat euer waited scaþe and skec
And þe king Sernagare,
Of Yrlond al þai ware;
Þis four heþen kinges
Went to loken þis robbeinges,
And were so wroþ þat king Arthour
Hadde ywarnist toun and tour
Þat þe cuntre aboute Lounde
Slowen and brent to þe grounde
Men seiȝe þe fer fer away
Þennes ouer a iurnay,
Man and wiif and children bo
No hadde þai no pite to slo
Þe folk schirsten so heiȝe and loude
Þat it schilled into þe cloude.
Wawain seiȝe and herd þis fare
And asked men what it ware
And þai him teld sone anon
So ich toforn haue ydon,
Wawain asked where was þe king,
Þai seyd, þurth Merlins conseiling
He was went to king Leodegon
To help him wer oȝain king Rion,
Quaþ Waway[n] ‘Bi mi leute
We nil suffre now þis pite
Seþþen king Arthour is out of lond
We wil þe painemes wiþstond
And saue his lond—we beþ his men—
Til þat he com hider oȝen.’
Þat folk abouten him gan ten
And asked wat folk it miȝt ben,
Þai seyden whos sones þai were
And wherefore þai comen þere
(Þe folk þat was of þis lond
Þonked Ihesu Cristes sond)
Chasteleins sones and vauasours
(Seþþen wele deden wiþ king Arthours),
And fele men of þis lond
Þer fellen to þis children hond
Fif hundred of wiȝt man.
Wawain hete on hast þan
Euerich man him arme wel
Boþe in yren and in stiel
And suwen him, for our sleiȝt
He wald awreke anon riȝt;
Now hadde he a þousand and hundred to
(Of wiche four score and no mo
Hardi and wele doinde kniȝtes)
Þat him suwed anon riȝtes
In four parties so y finde
And dede hem oȝain þre þousinde
And acontred þat carroy.
It was passed þe midday
And þo fel fro Wawain
Sumdel of his miȝt and main—
Þat robberie went to loke,
Þis robberie þan hadde ydon
A king hiȝt Leodebron
And þe king Senigram
Swiþe fel and wicke man
And þe king Maudelec
Þat euer waited scaþe and skec
And þe king Sernagare,
Of Yrlond al þai ware;
Þis four heþen kinges
Went to loken þis robbeinges,
And were so wroþ þat king Arthour
Hadde ywarnist toun and tour
Þat þe cuntre aboute Lounde
Slowen and brent to þe grounde
Men seiȝe þe fer fer away
Þennes ouer a iurnay,
Man and wiif and children bo
No hadde þai no pite to slo
Þe folk schirsten so heiȝe and loude
Þat it schilled into þe cloude.
Wawain seiȝe and herd þis fare
And asked men what it ware
236
So ich toforn haue ydon,
Wawain asked where was þe king,
Þai seyd, þurth Merlins conseiling
He was went to king Leodegon
To help him wer oȝain king Rion,
Quaþ Waway[n] ‘Bi mi leute
We nil suffre now þis pite
Seþþen king Arthour is out of lond
We wil þe painemes wiþstond
And saue his lond—we beþ his men—
Til þat he com hider oȝen.’
Þat folk abouten him gan ten
And asked wat folk it miȝt ben,
Þai seyden whos sones þai were
And wherefore þai comen þere
(Þe folk þat was of þis lond
Þonked Ihesu Cristes sond)
Chasteleins sones and vauasours
(Seþþen wele deden wiþ king Arthours),
And fele men of þis lond
Þer fellen to þis children hond
Fif hundred of wiȝt man.
Wawain hete on hast þan
Euerich man him arme wel
Boþe in yren and in stiel
And suwen him, for our sleiȝt
He wald awreke anon riȝt;
Now hadde he a þousand and hundred to
(Of wiche four score and no mo
Hardi and wele doinde kniȝtes)
Þat him suwed anon riȝtes
In four parties so y finde
And dede hem oȝain þre þousinde
And acontred þat carroy.
It was passed þe midday
And þo fel fro Wawain
Sumdel of his miȝt and main—
237
For of his strengþe þe maner
Sumdel ȝe may lern and here:
Bitven auensong and niȝt
He no hadde bot o mannes miȝt
And þat strengþe him last
Fort arnemorwe bi þe last,
And fram arnemorwe to þe midday
He hadde strengþe of kniȝtes tvay,
Fram midday fort afternone
He nadde strengþe bot of one,
Fram afternone to auensong
So to kniȝtes he was strong;
Þis was þe manere of Wawain
Of his strengþe and of his main.
In þe time of midday
On þe paiens he smot par fay
Wiþ an ex scharp and strong
Þe bite was to fot long,
Whom he miȝt take and hitt
Þe heued he clef oþer of kitt
He hem tohewe ich ȝou swer
So flesche doþ þe flesche-heweere
He and his hors fram heued to taile
Blodi weren al saun fayl
Of þe paiems þat he slouȝ
Wiþ gode riȝt and no wouȝ.
Sumdel ȝe may lern and here:
Bitven auensong and niȝt
He no hadde bot o mannes miȝt
And þat strengþe him last
Fort arnemorwe bi þe last,
And fram arnemorwe to þe midday
He hadde strengþe of kniȝtes tvay,
Fram midday fort afternone
He nadde strengþe bot of one,
Fram afternone to auensong
So to kniȝtes he was strong;
Þis was þe manere of Wawain
Of his strengþe and of his main.
In þe time of midday
On þe paiens he smot par fay
Wiþ an ex scharp and strong
Þe bite was to fot long,
Whom he miȝt take and hitt
Þe heued he clef oþer of kitt
He hem tohewe ich ȝou swer
So flesche doþ þe flesche-heweere
He and his hors fram heued to taile
Blodi weren al saun fayl
Of þe paiems þat he slouȝ
Wiþ gode riȝt and no wouȝ.
Alder next him was Galathin
Þat him halp wiþ miȝt fin,
What Sarraȝin so he mett
Wel soriliche he hem grett
Þat wom euer þat he hitt
Þe heued to þe chinne he slitt
Oþer þe scholder oþer þe heued
Fro þe bodi was bireued
Oþer legge oþer fest
Oþer what he miȝt take best,
Who so euer he atrauȝt
Tombel of hors he him tauȝt.
Þat him halp wiþ miȝt fin,
What Sarraȝin so he mett
Wel soriliche he hem grett
Þat wom euer þat he hitt
Þe heued to þe chinne he slitt
Oþer þe scholder oþer þe heued
Fro þe bodi was bireued
Oþer legge oþer fest
Oþer what he miȝt take best,
Who so euer he atrauȝt
Tombel of hors he him tauȝt.
238
Wawaines broþer Agreuein
Þer him kidde a noble mayn
For xx kniȝtes al arawe
Þer he brouȝt o liue-dawe.
Þer him kidde a noble mayn
For xx kniȝtes al arawe
Þer he brouȝt o liue-dawe.
Þe þridde broþer Gueheres
Smot him in amid þe pres,
On alle half about he smot
And mani slouȝ God it wot.
Smot him in amid þe pres,
On alle half about he smot
And mani slouȝ God it wot.
Þe ȝongest broþer Gaheriet,
No child no miȝt fiȝt bet
Þan he dede verrament
Þer he bisett mani a dent
Þurth armes out euerichon
He clef þurth flesche and bon,
Fourti Sarraȝins and mo
Þer he dede to helle go.
Oþer men þat mid him were
Deden nobleliche þere
Þai slouȝwen and brouȝt to grounde
Mani paien in litel stounde.
No child no miȝt fiȝt bet
Þan he dede verrament
Þer he bisett mani a dent
Þurth armes out euerichon
He clef þurth flesche and bon,
Fourti Sarraȝins and mo
Þer he dede to helle go.
Oþer men þat mid him were
Deden nobleliche þere
Þai slouȝwen and brouȝt to grounde
Mani paien in litel stounde.
Ac certes oȝain Wawain
Non no miȝt kiþe his main
For arme non ywrouȝt wiþ hond
Oȝain his dent no miȝt stond;
Þat he tok he al torof,
So dust in winde and aboute drof.
Þer he him contende so manliche
Þat in litel while sikerliche
Child Wawain and his felawe
Þis þre þousand brouȝten of dawe
Bot tventi paiems þat gun ascape
And, fleand oway wiþ gret rape,
Of wiche þe ten com bihinde
To on ost of seuen þousinde,
Wiþ loude voice and to hem gradde
‘Harou painems ȝe ben to badde!
Cartes and somers ous beþ binome
And alle our folk is ouercome
And yslawe euerich man
Bot we, and oþer ten
Þat herebineþe fram ous ȝede
More socour to bring hem midde.’
Euerich payem þo was sori
And criden a grisely crie
‘As armes for Mahouns sake
Þat þis traitour were ytake!’
Þat armes hadde ron þerto
Ac som no hadde non þo
Ac þai hem hadde laid for hot
In þe cartes God it wot
Wiche þe children hadde sent
To Londen verrament—
Alle þe cartes and somers
Were sent þider wiþ men of powers.
Þis paiens wiþouten let
Oȝains þis children set
Oȝain a þousand come seuen
Þat was noþing delt euen,
Ac þe help of our Driȝt
Wiþ Wawain and his gan aliȝt
No herd men neuer so fewe in lond
Noblicher so fe[l]e wiþstond.
Þer aros noble bataile
A boþe half wiþouten faile,
Ac Wawain swiþe noble was
For þer he met king Thoas
A wiȝt geaunt gret and strong
Of fet fourtene he was long
A king he was of Yrlond,
Wawain his ax left an hond
On þe helme he him hitt
Þat to þe brest he him slit.
Non no miȝt kiþe his main
For arme non ywrouȝt wiþ hond
Oȝain his dent no miȝt stond;
Þat he tok he al torof,
So dust in winde and aboute drof.
Þer he him contende so manliche
Þat in litel while sikerliche
Child Wawain and his felawe
Þis þre þousand brouȝten of dawe
Bot tventi paiems þat gun ascape
And, fleand oway wiþ gret rape,
Of wiche þe ten com bihinde
To on ost of seuen þousinde,
Wiþ loude voice and to hem gradde
‘Harou painems ȝe ben to badde!
239
And alle our folk is ouercome
And yslawe euerich man
Bot we, and oþer ten
Þat herebineþe fram ous ȝede
More socour to bring hem midde.’
Euerich payem þo was sori
And criden a grisely crie
‘As armes for Mahouns sake
Þat þis traitour were ytake!’
Þat armes hadde ron þerto
Ac som no hadde non þo
Ac þai hem hadde laid for hot
In þe cartes God it wot
Wiche þe children hadde sent
To Londen verrament—
Alle þe cartes and somers
Were sent þider wiþ men of powers.
Þis paiens wiþouten let
Oȝains þis children set
Oȝain a þousand come seuen
Þat was noþing delt euen,
Ac þe help of our Driȝt
Wiþ Wawain and his gan aliȝt
No herd men neuer so fewe in lond
Noblicher so fe[l]e wiþstond.
Þer aros noble bataile
A boþe half wiþouten faile,
Ac Wawain swiþe noble was
For þer he met king Thoas
A wiȝt geaunt gret and strong
Of fet fourtene he was long
A king he was of Yrlond,
Wawain his ax left an hond
On þe helme he him hitt
Þat to þe brest he him slit.
Galathin mett king Sanigran
An vnsely hoge man
Wiþ his swerd he him hitt
Þat his heued of he kitt.
Wawain broþer Agreuain
Amid þe pres kidde his main
For a left half and a riȝt
He leyd on and slouȝ doun riȝt.
An vnsely hoge man
240
Þat his heued of he kitt.
Wawain broþer Agreuain
Amid þe pres kidde his main
For a left half and a riȝt
He leyd on and slouȝ doun riȝt.
Þer com þe king Gvinbat
And ȝaf Gueheres swiche a flat
Þat he fel adoun to grounde
Ac he stirt vp in a stounde
And so smot a Sarraȝin
Þat he clef his bacin
And eke his heued to þe toþ
And on his hors lepe forsoþ,
Gaheriet seiȝe Gvinbat
Þat his broþer ȝaue swiche a flat
And Gvinbat him com seiȝe
And gan to fleiȝe swiþe oway—
For þe strokes he seiȝe him ȝeue
He no durst abide so mot y liue
For þo Gaheriet was ymade kniȝt
In euerich place and eueri fiȝt
He kidde ner as miche main
So dede his broþer Wawain.
Gvinbat fleiȝe out of þe place
Gaheriet on hors his trace
Folwed out fram þat ost
Wele þe schote of an alblast
So we finden on þe bok
In o valay he him oftok
In wiche valay þe oþer ten
Þat scaped Wawain and our men
Hadden brouȝt þousandes eiȝt
Of our men to make sleiȝt;
Gaheriet no lete nouȝt for þat
Þat he no folwed king Gvinbat,
And folwed him wiþouten doute
Alon amidward þe route
And smot him so on þe helme cler
And þerof carf a quarter
And þe scheld þurth ato
Wiþ þe scholder and arme also.
And ȝaf Gueheres swiche a flat
Þat he fel adoun to grounde
Ac he stirt vp in a stounde
And so smot a Sarraȝin
Þat he clef his bacin
And eke his heued to þe toþ
And on his hors lepe forsoþ,
Gaheriet seiȝe Gvinbat
Þat his broþer ȝaue swiche a flat
And Gvinbat him com seiȝe
And gan to fleiȝe swiþe oway—
For þe strokes he seiȝe him ȝeue
He no durst abide so mot y liue
For þo Gaheriet was ymade kniȝt
In euerich place and eueri fiȝt
He kidde ner as miche main
So dede his broþer Wawain.
Gvinbat fleiȝe out of þe place
Gaheriet on hors his trace
Folwed out fram þat ost
Wele þe schote of an alblast
So we finden on þe bok
In o valay he him oftok
In wiche valay þe oþer ten
Þat scaped Wawain and our men
Hadden brouȝt þousandes eiȝt
Of our men to make sleiȝt;
Gaheriet no lete nouȝt for þat
Þat he no folwed king Gvinbat,
And folwed him wiþouten doute
Alon amidward þe route
241
And þerof carf a quarter
And þe scheld þurth ato
Wiþ þe scholder and arme also.
King Gvinbat in þat stounde
Aswon fel adoun to grounde,
Gaheriet þo turned his bridel
And swiþe wald oȝain ride
Ac þe paiems about him come
And wold him han ynome
Ac þer he carf wiþ swerd and smot
Mani to þe deþ God it wot
He nas nouȝt tventi winter eld
Ac in armes he was beld,
Sum wiþ swerd so he hitt
Þat to þe chin he him slitt
Of mani he smot þe nek ato
And wounded and dede michel wo,
Non durst him neiȝe verrament
For doute of his hard dent.
Þo þai him dede gret vilanie
His hors slouȝ biforn his eiȝe,
Gaheriet afot stode
And werd him wiþ hert gode
Boþe he slouȝ hors and man
Him aboute, fiue and ten,
So sore he hitt so sore he smot
Non durst him neiȝe God it wot.
Þer þai þrewen on him anon
Stones and kniues mani on
Swerdes staues and launces long
And wounded him swiþe strong
And tviies feld him on þe ston,
Allas help no hadde he non,
On him þai schoten atte last
And deden of his armes on hast
Forto haue anon yreued
His bodi fram his gentil heued.
In þat time a gentil swain
Wel gode scour com to Wawain
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘þi broþer y say
Riden ȝonder to ȝon valay
Folwand on heþen king,
Me þenkeþ he makeþ long duelling
Go we þider for our Leudi
Y herd þer gret noise and cri
Y dar legge heued min
Þat þer ben mo Sarraȝin
Þat beþ comand hiderward
And han þi broþer in hondling hard.’
‘Allas’ he seyd ‘icham yschent
Be mi broþer so yhent,
As lef me were to ben of dawe
As mi broþer were yslawe,’
And seyd to Galathin
‘Gode nevou, broþer min
Ȝond bineþen icham adred
Þurth his folye he is misled.’
Quaþ Galathin ‘Lete be þi striif
And wende we þiderward biliif,
While we speki and makeþ tale
He may lachi deþes bale.’
Þer þai smiten al about
Þai four dassed out of þe rout
Aswon fel adoun to grounde,
Gaheriet þo turned his bridel
And swiþe wald oȝain ride
Ac þe paiems about him come
And wold him han ynome
Ac þer he carf wiþ swerd and smot
Mani to þe deþ God it wot
He nas nouȝt tventi winter eld
Ac in armes he was beld,
Sum wiþ swerd so he hitt
Þat to þe chin he him slitt
Of mani he smot þe nek ato
And wounded and dede michel wo,
Non durst him neiȝe verrament
For doute of his hard dent.
Þo þai him dede gret vilanie
His hors slouȝ biforn his eiȝe,
Gaheriet afot stode
And werd him wiþ hert gode
Boþe he slouȝ hors and man
Him aboute, fiue and ten,
So sore he hitt so sore he smot
Non durst him neiȝe God it wot.
Þer þai þrewen on him anon
Stones and kniues mani on
Swerdes staues and launces long
And wounded him swiþe strong
And tviies feld him on þe ston,
Allas help no hadde he non,
On him þai schoten atte last
And deden of his armes on hast
Forto haue anon yreued
His bodi fram his gentil heued.
242
Wel gode scour com to Wawain
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘þi broþer y say
Riden ȝonder to ȝon valay
Folwand on heþen king,
Me þenkeþ he makeþ long duelling
Go we þider for our Leudi
Y herd þer gret noise and cri
Y dar legge heued min
Þat þer ben mo Sarraȝin
Þat beþ comand hiderward
And han þi broþer in hondling hard.’
‘Allas’ he seyd ‘icham yschent
Be mi broþer so yhent,
As lef me were to ben of dawe
As mi broþer were yslawe,’
And seyd to Galathin
‘Gode nevou, broþer min
Ȝond bineþen icham adred
Þurth his folye he is misled.’
Quaþ Galathin ‘Lete be þi striif
And wende we þiderward biliif,
While we speki and makeþ tale
He may lachi deþes bale.’
Þer þai smiten al about
Þai four dassed out of þe rout
Galathin and eke Wawain
Gveheres and Agreuein,
Sum oþer of þe best
After þese four þrest;
Þo þai seiȝen ich ȝou say
VIII þousand in o valay
Of wiche her maister king
Was yhoten Gvinbating,
Anoþer hiȝt Medalan
Boþe wiȝt and hoge man.
Wawain swiþe among hem smot
His broþer to seche God it wot
His ex he houe swiþe heiȝe
Galathin was him wel neiȝe
Þai laiden on, hem about
And toschiften al þat rout
(Sum þe scholder and som þe regge
He cleued wiþ swerdes egge
Of sum þe midel ato he girt
Mani he slouȝ and mani he hirt)
Abouten hem swiche sleiȝst þai made
Þat y no may it nouȝt al fulrade;
Gveheres and Agreuein,
Sum oþer of þe best
After þese four þrest;
Þo þai seiȝen ich ȝou say
VIII þousand in o valay
Of wiche her maister king
Was yhoten Gvinbating,
Anoþer hiȝt Medalan
Boþe wiȝt and hoge man.
Wawain swiþe among hem smot
His broþer to seche God it wot
His ex he houe swiþe heiȝe
Galathin was him wel neiȝe
243
And toschiften al þat rout
(Sum þe scholder and som þe regge
He cleued wiþ swerdes egge
Of sum þe midel ato he girt
Mani he slouȝ and mani he hirt)
Abouten hem swiche sleiȝst þai made
Þat y no may it nouȝt al fulrade;
Gveheres and Agrevein
Schewed also her main
Mani þai hitten and smiten þurth
Þat fellen ded in þe furth.
No fined þai neuer swiche a sleiȝt
What þai to Gaheriet com riȝt
And pitouseliche him ligge founde
Deueling opon þe grounde,
Mani on about him were
His armour of þai gun to tere.
Schewed also her main
Mani þai hitten and smiten þurth
Þat fellen ded in þe furth.
No fined þai neuer swiche a sleiȝt
What þai to Gaheriet com riȝt
And pitouseliche him ligge founde
Deueling opon þe grounde,
Mani on about him were
His armour of þai gun to tere.
Þo was Wawain so wroþ
His owhen liif was him loþ
Þer he smot sore apliȝt
Boþe a left half and a riȝt,
On he smot þat þe dent þrest
Þurth helme and heued to þe brest
Anoþer on þe schulder he hitt
Þat to þe ribbes he him slitt
Anoþer he toke aboue þe scheld
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld,
Þus he serued mani arawe
Also dede his felawen
So fele þai slowen hors and man
Þat tellen alle y no can;
Þos þat Gaheriet held þo
Alle hem bifel sorwe and wo
No durst no abide lenge
Ac flowen oway on on renge.
Þo Gaheriet seiȝe Wawain
He lepe vp wiþ al his main
His armes he tok vp anon
And swiftliche dede hem opon
And toke a swerd in his hond gode
Afot mani he schadde blode,
A destrer þo ladde Agreuein
And toke it Gaheriet bi þe rein
And seyd ‘Worþ heron hastiliche!’
And seyd ‘Þou dest foliliche
Þo þou folwedest hunting
Ani man in þis gret þring,’
Vpon þe stede Gaheriet
Lepe anon wiþouten let,
Alle his felawes weren bliþe
Out of þe route dasten swiþe
Anon þai gun hem wiþdrawe
What þai com to her felawe.
Þese Sarraȝins þo gun vnplie
Her baners and after heiȝe,
His owhen liif was him loþ
Þer he smot sore apliȝt
Boþe a left half and a riȝt,
On he smot þat þe dent þrest
Þurth helme and heued to þe brest
Anoþer on þe schulder he hitt
Þat to þe ribbes he him slitt
Anoþer he toke aboue þe scheld
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld,
Þus he serued mani arawe
Also dede his felawen
So fele þai slowen hors and man
Þat tellen alle y no can;
Þos þat Gaheriet held þo
Alle hem bifel sorwe and wo
No durst no abide lenge
Ac flowen oway on on renge.
Þo Gaheriet seiȝe Wawain
He lepe vp wiþ al his main
244
And swiftliche dede hem opon
And toke a swerd in his hond gode
Afot mani he schadde blode,
A destrer þo ladde Agreuein
And toke it Gaheriet bi þe rein
And seyd ‘Worþ heron hastiliche!’
And seyd ‘Þou dest foliliche
Þo þou folwedest hunting
Ani man in þis gret þring,’
Vpon þe stede Gaheriet
Lepe anon wiþouten let,
Alle his felawes weren bliþe
Out of þe route dasten swiþe
Anon þai gun hem wiþdrawe
What þai com to her felawe.
Þese Sarraȝins þo gun vnplie
Her baners and after heiȝe,
To nimen þis children anon
Mahoun þai sworen euerichon
Vnder hem alle so was y finde
Almest fiften þousinde;
Our was litel more þan on
Ac Crist hem halp wele to don,
Our were gode bodis alle
Þe Sarraȝins þai gun to talle
A boþe half þai laiden on
So fast þo [so] þai miȝten don.
Mahoun þai sworen euerichon
Vnder hem alle so was y finde
Almest fiften þousinde;
Our was litel more þan on
Ac Crist hem halp wele to don,
Our were gode bodis alle
Þe Sarraȝins þai gun to talle
A boþe half þai laiden on
So fast þo [so] þai miȝten don.
Listneþ now gret and smale
Hou ȝou seiþ here þis tale:
Þe vplondis men þat hadden ladde
Cartes and somers so Wawain badde
To Londen wel wele þai come.
Þe citisains fair in hem nome
And asked hem for Heuen-king
Whennes com þat noble þing,
Alle þai telden hou Wawain
And his feren þurth noble main
Hadden met toward Lounde
Þre þousand, [and] leyd to grounde
And þe Sarraȝins hadde yschent
And to Londen þat catel sent,
And seyden to þe constable þo
Þat was yhoten sir Do
Þat Sarraȝins seuen þousinde
Hadde asailed hem bihinde.
Hou ȝou seiþ here þis tale:
Þe vplondis men þat hadden ladde
Cartes and somers so Wawain badde
To Londen wel wele þai come.
Þe citisains fair in hem nome
And asked hem for Heuen-king
Whennes com þat noble þing,
Alle þai telden hou Wawain
And his feren þurth noble main
245
Þre þousand, [and] leyd to grounde
And þe Sarraȝins hadde yschent
And to Londen þat catel sent,
And seyden to þe constable þo
Þat was yhoten sir Do
Þat Sarraȝins seuen þousinde
Hadde asailed hem bihinde.
Sir Do went to Algate
And dede blowe an horn þerate,
Of þat cite þe alderman
Ich wiþ his ward cam,
Þo þai were þider ycome
Seuen þousand were in her trome,
Þo spac sir Do þat was kniȝt
Trewe hardi and eke wiȝt
‘Loke’ he seyd ‘leue frende
Herbisiden ben childer hende
Þat han þis ich dawe
Mani cursed painem slawe
Þat hadden robbed þis cuntray
Of al þis ich fair pray,
Þis children han hem yschent
And þis present hider sent,
We were coward and vnhende
Bot we holpen þo children kende;
It beþ Galathin and eke Wawain
Gveheres Gaheriet and Agreuein—
Þurth þe grace of Crist Ihesu
And þis children y telle ȝou
Bitvene Arthour and þe xi king
May be pes and acording.
As armes' he seyd ‘par amour
And dasse we to her socour!’
Wiþouten abod sone anon
Her armes þai deden on
Euerich of þe alderman
His baner biforn him nam
And þe constable sir Do
His baner toke also,
Of þe seuen þousand to þai lete
For alle chaunce Londen to kepe
And wiþ hem toke þousandes fiue
Swiþe gode in fiȝt and striue
Her steden swiþe þai bistriden
And toward þe children swiþe riden.
Lete we now ben her cominge
And speke we of þe children fiȝting,
Þis children fouȝten so y finde
Oȝain fiftene þousinde
And no hadde bot four score kniȝtes
And fif hundred of squiers wiȝt
And tventi also þat schulden ben
Kniȝtes when þai miȝt her time sen
And þre hundred of þe cuntray
Boþe on fot and hors y say—
Þat was a þousand, an hundred las
Nas þer namore in þat cas,
Ac Gvinbating and Medelan
To vnsely hardi man
Wiþ viii þousand in a þrome
On our folk dasseand come
Wiþ strong cours and gret hete
So þai hem wald nim and þrete.
Gvinbating an hoge spere
Oȝain Wawain he gan to bere
Wawain it seiȝe sone on hast
His scheld þeroȝin gan cast,
His scheld perced Gvinbating
Ac his strong hauberk noþing
Þe launce brac atvo apliȝt;
Wawain nouȝt stired ac sat vpriȝt
His ax he hef wiþ boþe his hond
To hit Gvinbating ich vnderstond
On his helme he him smot,
Þe ax glod God it wot
Of þe gode ax þe scharpe egge
Fel doun on þe hors rigge
And tocarf it euen ato,
And to þe grounde wiþouten no
Þe kniȝt donward gan butten
Amidward þe hors gutten—
And no hadde Wawain þer o fot ylawe
He hadde þer þe king yslawe.
Þo þe Sarraȝin yseiȝe þis
Þer com man[i] hundred ywis
Her lord to ben bitven
And Wawain to nimen or slen,
Þe Sarraȝin her lord vp nome
And on hors sett him sone
And sir Wawain þai asailed strong
His hors þai slowen wiþ wrong,
Him to nim þai deden strengþe—
And non durst him neiȝe his ax-lengþe
Ac þai him þrewe wiþ swerd and spere
Him to nimen and him to dere.
At þat rideing slouȝ Galathin
Swiþe mani Sarraȝin
So dede also Gveheres
Mani heueded in þat pres
Agreuein dede also
Mani slouȝ and dede wo
So dede þe child Gaheriet
No man no miȝt fiȝt bet.
Miday passed and none cam
Wawain strengþe double gan
Þo he seyd and swore ‘Par De
Today no schul ȝe nimen me!’
Wiþ boþe his honden his ax he hef
And fele he slouȝ in stounde bref
In blod he stode ichil avowe
Of hors and man into þe anclowe
Þat he hadde himselue yslawe,
Wiþouten sleiȝt of his felawe.
Þo seiȝe he wiþ gret main
A paiem smot to Agreuein
Þat he fel on his hors nek
Him to heueden he gan to bek,
Wawain wiþ his ax-helue
Lepe þo fet ten and tvelue
And ouer al þat bitven hem was
To help his broþer in þat cas
(Þat ich painem wele he knewe
Þat on his broþer nek hewe),
Þe paiem seye he miȝt nouȝt flen
His scheld he kest him bitvene
And Wawain s[mo]t on þe scheld
Þat it clef and fel in þe feld
Ȝete decended þat ich dent
Þurth þe armes verrament
And þurthout flesche and bon and blode
Þat at þe girdel-stede it stode.
Þat dede bodi he put adoun
And lepe anon in þe arsoun
And seyd ‘Today ich ȝeld ȝour rentes
Wiþ hard woundes and deþ-dentes,
Mi strengþe is dubled bi God aboue
And þat ȝe schul ȝete today proue,’
And slouȝ to grounde al doun riȝt
Boþe a left half and a riȝt
So he smot in al þat route
Þat grete hepes him lay about
Of mani paiem miscreaunt,
Þe brut þerof is mi waraunt.
And dede blowe an horn þerate,
Of þat cite þe alderman
Ich wiþ his ward cam,
Þo þai were þider ycome
Seuen þousand were in her trome,
Þo spac sir Do þat was kniȝt
Trewe hardi and eke wiȝt
‘Loke’ he seyd ‘leue frende
Herbisiden ben childer hende
Þat han þis ich dawe
Mani cursed painem slawe
Þat hadden robbed þis cuntray
Of al þis ich fair pray,
Þis children han hem yschent
And þis present hider sent,
We were coward and vnhende
Bot we holpen þo children kende;
It beþ Galathin and eke Wawain
Gveheres Gaheriet and Agreuein—
Þurth þe grace of Crist Ihesu
And þis children y telle ȝou
Bitvene Arthour and þe xi king
May be pes and acording.
As armes' he seyd ‘par amour
And dasse we to her socour!’
Wiþouten abod sone anon
Her armes þai deden on
Euerich of þe alderman
His baner biforn him nam
And þe constable sir Do
246
Of þe seuen þousand to þai lete
For alle chaunce Londen to kepe
And wiþ hem toke þousandes fiue
Swiþe gode in fiȝt and striue
Her steden swiþe þai bistriden
And toward þe children swiþe riden.
Lete we now ben her cominge
And speke we of þe children fiȝting,
Þis children fouȝten so y finde
Oȝain fiftene þousinde
And no hadde bot four score kniȝtes
And fif hundred of squiers wiȝt
And tventi also þat schulden ben
Kniȝtes when þai miȝt her time sen
And þre hundred of þe cuntray
Boþe on fot and hors y say—
Þat was a þousand, an hundred las
Nas þer namore in þat cas,
Ac Gvinbating and Medelan
To vnsely hardi man
Wiþ viii þousand in a þrome
On our folk dasseand come
Wiþ strong cours and gret hete
So þai hem wald nim and þrete.
Gvinbating an hoge spere
Oȝain Wawain he gan to bere
Wawain it seiȝe sone on hast
His scheld þeroȝin gan cast,
His scheld perced Gvinbating
Ac his strong hauberk noþing
Þe launce brac atvo apliȝt;
Wawain nouȝt stired ac sat vpriȝt
His ax he hef wiþ boþe his hond
To hit Gvinbating ich vnderstond
On his helme he him smot,
Þe ax glod God it wot
Of þe gode ax þe scharpe egge
247
And tocarf it euen ato,
And to þe grounde wiþouten no
Þe kniȝt donward gan butten
Amidward þe hors gutten—
And no hadde Wawain þer o fot ylawe
He hadde þer þe king yslawe.
Þo þe Sarraȝin yseiȝe þis
Þer com man[i] hundred ywis
Her lord to ben bitven
And Wawain to nimen or slen,
Þe Sarraȝin her lord vp nome
And on hors sett him sone
And sir Wawain þai asailed strong
His hors þai slowen wiþ wrong,
Him to nim þai deden strengþe—
And non durst him neiȝe his ax-lengþe
Ac þai him þrewe wiþ swerd and spere
Him to nimen and him to dere.
At þat rideing slouȝ Galathin
Swiþe mani Sarraȝin
So dede also Gveheres
Mani heueded in þat pres
Agreuein dede also
Mani slouȝ and dede wo
So dede þe child Gaheriet
No man no miȝt fiȝt bet.
Miday passed and none cam
Wawain strengþe double gan
Þo he seyd and swore ‘Par De
Today no schul ȝe nimen me!’
Wiþ boþe his honden his ax he hef
And fele he slouȝ in stounde bref
In blod he stode ichil avowe
Of hors and man into þe anclowe
Þat he hadde himselue yslawe,
Wiþouten sleiȝt of his felawe.
Þo seiȝe he wiþ gret main
A paiem smot to Agreuein
248
Him to heueden he gan to bek,
Wawain wiþ his ax-helue
Lepe þo fet ten and tvelue
And ouer al þat bitven hem was
To help his broþer in þat cas
(Þat ich painem wele he knewe
Þat on his broþer nek hewe),
Þe paiem seye he miȝt nouȝt flen
His scheld he kest him bitvene
And Wawain s[mo]t on þe scheld
Þat it clef and fel in þe feld
Ȝete decended þat ich dent
Þurth þe armes verrament
And þurthout flesche and bon and blode
Þat at þe girdel-stede it stode.
Þat dede bodi he put adoun
And lepe anon in þe arsoun
And seyd ‘Today ich ȝeld ȝour rentes
Wiþ hard woundes and deþ-dentes,
Mi strengþe is dubled bi God aboue
And þat ȝe schul ȝete today proue,’
And slouȝ to grounde al doun riȝt
Boþe a left half and a riȝt
So he smot in al þat route
Þat grete hepes him lay about
Of mani paiem miscreaunt,
Þe brut þerof is mi waraunt.
Agreuein also wiþ his sword
Of Sesox smot þe nek ford;
Þat seiȝe Gvinbating, þe qued,
Þat Sesox his nevou was ded
Wreken him he wold fond
A strong launce he tok on hond
And smot Agreuein so God it wold
Þurth þe hauberk felefold
(And þurth þe ruhel) vnder þe arm
—He hadde neiȝe ȝouen him deþes harm—
Þat Agreuein and his destrer
To grounde he kest wiþ gret power.
Gaheriet Gveheres and Galathin
Þo bicome sori afine
For ich of hem wende certein
Þat dede were Agreuein
And wenten swiþe to þat rideing;
Galathin smot first Guinbating
Wiþ his sword ful but
Þat on his arsoun donward he lut,
Gveheres him dede more harm
For he smot of his riȝt arm,
Forþ com swiþe Gaheriet
He him þouȝt to hit bet
For he him [tok aboue] þe scheld
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld;
Of Sesox smot þe nek ford;
Þat seiȝe Gvinbating, þe qued,
Þat Sesox his nevou was ded
Wreken him he wold fond
A strong launce he tok on hond
And smot Agreuein so God it wold
Þurth þe hauberk felefold
(And þurth þe ruhel) vnder þe arm
—He hadde neiȝe ȝouen him deþes harm—
249
To grounde he kest wiþ gret power.
Gaheriet Gveheres and Galathin
Þo bicome sori afine
For ich of hem wende certein
Þat dede were Agreuein
And wenten swiþe to þat rideing;
Galathin smot first Guinbating
Wiþ his sword ful but
Þat on his arsoun donward he lut,
Gveheres him dede more harm
For he smot of his riȝt arm,
Forþ com swiþe Gaheriet
He him þouȝt to hit bet
For he him [tok aboue] þe scheld
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld;
Galathin wit fot him stett
Out of his sadel he him pett
And Agreuein tok þat destrer
And fleiȝe þeron so a speruer
And abouten hem þai redden
And her noble strengþe kedden—
Þo non of hem no wist þere
Whare Wawain was bicomen nowhere.
Al þe ost of Guinbating
Flowen to Medelan þe king
And þo wiþdrouȝ him Agreuein
What he seiȝe child Wawain,
Al fiue togider þai ȝede
And our folk þo ȝede hem mide.
Out of his sadel he him pett
And Agreuein tok þat destrer
And fleiȝe þeron so a speruer
And abouten hem þai redden
And her noble strengþe kedden—
Þo non of hem no wist þere
Whare Wawain was bicomen nowhere.
Al þe ost of Guinbating
Flowen to Medelan þe king
And þo wiþdrouȝ him Agreuein
What he seiȝe child Wawain,
Al fiue togider þai ȝede
And our folk þo ȝede hem mide.
Þo þai loked hem biside
And sir Do þai seiȝe com ride
Whom þai knewe bi þe vplondis men
Þat bifore were went hem fram
Hastiliche þo þai aliȝt
And on her stedes her sadles diȝt,
Þis fiue þousand fram Lounde
To hem com in a stounde.
And sir Do þai seiȝe com ride
Whom þai knewe bi þe vplondis men
Þat bifore were went hem fram
Hastiliche þo þai aliȝt
And on her stedes her sadles diȝt,
Þis fiue þousand fram Lounde
250
Þe children were of socour bliþe
Opon her hors þai lopen swiþe,
Wiþ hem and riden sarreliche
Her fon toward sikerliche,
Oȝain hem com þe paiems fling
For þe deþ of Guinbating,
Launces þai broken mani on
Afterward drouȝ her swerdes anon—
For pouder þat ros hem bitven
Non no miȝt oþer ysen.
Þer was noble contenaunce
In bataile of remembraunce
Wawain him conteind þan so
Þat men of Londen and sir Do
Wonder hadde hou man on
Swiche pruesse miȝt don,
So mani paiems saun faile
Were yslawe at þat bataile
Þat þe blod ran in þe valaie
So water out of a laie.
Þer com þe strong king Medlan
And feld Do þat gentil man
Þe helme hadde him bireued
Forto smite of his heued,
No man no miȝt him binim
Þat vnsely wiþþerwin
Bot Wawain þat bi him cam
And he him of his tolling nam,
Þat he was gode kniȝt he kidde
Biforn him þe way he ridde
What he com to Medelan
Þat vnsely hoge man,
Wawain on þe helme him smot
(Þe ax sank depe God it wot)
What he com to þe brest—
Þe paiem fel wiþ iuel rest.
Þe Sarraȝins seiȝen þis
And gun fle wel swiþe ywis,
Wawain þan and his nevou
And his broþer y telle ȝou
And her feren and sir Do
And þe gode of Londen also
Driuen hem fiue mile-way,
And mani of hem forsoþe y say—
Of hem þai slouȝ þousandes þrettene
Þat nold no more don hem tene
Wiþouten al þe oþer heþen man
Þat þai slouȝwen tofor þan.
Þo þis sleiȝt was ydo
To Lunden al þai comen þo
Men hem oȝain comen of þe toun
Wiþ wel fair processioun,
Of þe cartes alle þe priis
Bifor Wawain þai brouȝt ywis
And sir Do him bisouȝt cert
So he wald he schuld it part,
Opon her hors þai lopen swiþe,
Wiþ hem and riden sarreliche
Her fon toward sikerliche,
Oȝain hem com þe paiems fling
For þe deþ of Guinbating,
Launces þai broken mani on
Afterward drouȝ her swerdes anon—
For pouder þat ros hem bitven
Non no miȝt oþer ysen.
Þer was noble contenaunce
In bataile of remembraunce
Wawain him conteind þan so
Þat men of Londen and sir Do
Wonder hadde hou man on
Swiche pruesse miȝt don,
So mani paiems saun faile
Were yslawe at þat bataile
Þat þe blod ran in þe valaie
So water out of a laie.
Þer com þe strong king Medlan
And feld Do þat gentil man
Þe helme hadde him bireued
Forto smite of his heued,
No man no miȝt him binim
Þat vnsely wiþþerwin
Bot Wawain þat bi him cam
And he him of his tolling nam,
Þat he was gode kniȝt he kidde
Biforn him þe way he ridde
What he com to Medelan
Þat vnsely hoge man,
Wawain on þe helme him smot
(Þe ax sank depe God it wot)
What he com to þe brest—
Þe paiem fel wiþ iuel rest.
Þe Sarraȝins seiȝen þis
And gun fle wel swiþe ywis,
Wawain þan and his nevou
251
And her feren and sir Do
And þe gode of Londen also
Driuen hem fiue mile-way,
And mani of hem forsoþe y say—
Of hem þai slouȝ þousandes þrettene
Þat nold no more don hem tene
Wiþouten al þe oþer heþen man
Þat þai slouȝwen tofor þan.
Þo þis sleiȝt was ydo
To Lunden al þai comen þo
Men hem oȝain comen of þe toun
Wiþ wel fair processioun,
Of þe cartes alle þe priis
Bifor Wawain þai brouȝt ywis
And sir Do him bisouȝt cert
So he wald he schuld it part,
Wawain seyd to sir Do
‘Wo worþ me þan, wo,
Ac to hem þat habben nede mast
Departeþ it now on hast’—
Wawain was þe better ay
Þerfore ypraised par ma fay
Þis þing was deled and diȝt
So hem þouȝt best apliȝt.
Þerafter þis children of mounde
Soiournd wel long in Lounde
Þat no Sarraȝin hem miȝt
Noiþer deri bi day no niȝt,
Sir Do made hem gret solas
And alle þat euer in Londen was,
Lete we hem þer soiour
And wende oȝain to king Arthour.
‘Wo worþ me þan, wo,
Ac to hem þat habben nede mast
Departeþ it now on hast’—
Wawain was þe better ay
Þerfore ypraised par ma fay
Þis þing was deled and diȝt
So hem þouȝt best apliȝt.
Þerafter þis children of mounde
Soiournd wel long in Lounde
Þat no Sarraȝin hem miȝt
Noiþer deri bi day no niȝt,
Sir Do made hem gret solas
And alle þat euer in Londen was,
Lete we hem þer soiour
And wende oȝain to king Arthour.
Marche is hot miri and long
Foules singen her song
Buriouns springeþ mede greneþ
Of euerich þing þe hert keneþ.
Arthour went [fr]o Brekingho
Merlin, Ban, Bohort also
And her feren þritti and [n]i[ȝ]e,
Was þer no more compainie
Bot in alle fourti and to
Alle chosen so mot y go
Bi clerk Merlines conseyl
Þe wiȝtest þat he wist saun fail.
Forþ þai wenten al in paise
What þai com to Carohaise
A riche cite of al þing
Þer was Leodegan þe king
Þat was king of al þat lond
And hadde Carmelide in his hond
And made swiþe gret pite
For he was bilayn in þat cite
Of king Rion and kinges fiftene
Þat al born corounes schene
Þat hadden him and al his man
Ouercomen bifor þan,
No he no hadde men þat miȝt
Him to awreke y ȝou pliȝt
And conseild him þat ich stounde
At kniȝtes of þe table rounde
And at barouns of þe lond
Hou þai miȝt hem were fro schond,
Amid þe strete in þat cite
Þe king þer stode wiþ his meine
On a Palmesonnes-aue
Sum conseil of hem to haue.
Foules singen her song
Buriouns springeþ mede greneþ
Of euerich þing þe hert keneþ.
252
Merlin, Ban, Bohort also
And her feren þritti and [n]i[ȝ]e,
Was þer no more compainie
Bot in alle fourti and to
Alle chosen so mot y go
Bi clerk Merlines conseyl
Þe wiȝtest þat he wist saun fail.
Forþ þai wenten al in paise
What þai com to Carohaise
A riche cite of al þing
Þer was Leodegan þe king
Þat was king of al þat lond
And hadde Carmelide in his hond
And made swiþe gret pite
For he was bilayn in þat cite
Of king Rion and kinges fiftene
Þat al born corounes schene
Þat hadden him and al his man
Ouercomen bifor þan,
No he no hadde men þat miȝt
Him to awreke y ȝou pliȝt
And conseild him þat ich stounde
At kniȝtes of þe table rounde
And at barouns of þe lond
Hou þai miȝt hem were fro schond,
Amid þe strete in þat cite
Þe king þer stode wiþ his meine
On a Palmesonnes-aue
Sum conseil of hem to haue.
Riȝt þo entred king Arthour
And Ban and Bohort and sir Antour
And her feren wiþouten doute
Al þai comen in on route,
Alle it were ȝong man
Bot it were þe king Ban
And Bohort and Vlfin þe bel
And sir Antour and sir Bretel
Þis were noble kniȝtes fiue
And alle of midel liue,
Þe oþer al were bachelers
Sittand on heiȝe destrers.
And Ban and Bohort and sir Antour
And her feren wiþouten doute
Al þai comen in on route,
Alle it were ȝong man
Bot it were þe king Ban
And Bohort and Vlfin þe bel
253
Þis were noble kniȝtes fiue
And alle of midel liue,
Þe oþer al were bachelers
Sittand on heiȝe destrers.
Merlin seyd ‘Þe king is ȝounde
Liȝteþ al to þe grounde
Ȝe schullen wende on on ring
Ȝour hors schul þe gromes bring,
And þou sir Ban þe king
To Leodegan so ȝeue greteing
And sey þe wordes him to
Þat we bispeke at Brekenho.’
Hou þai went and on swiche maner
Now ȝe may al yhere,
Of swiche bodis noble and wiȝt
Tofor men me þink it riȝt
Her names to tellen ȝou in sawe
Hou þai wenten al on rawe:
First wenten þre wiþ gret honour
Ban and Bohort and king Arthour
King Arthour ȝede bitven apliȝt
And king Ban him ledde bi þe hond riȝt
Bohort him ladde nobleliche
Bi þe left hond sikerliche,
Alle þe oþer com after þo
Ioinand bi hond to and to;
Þe ferþ so was Antour
Kayes fader of gret valour
On his hond ȝede sir Vlfin
At euerich nede gode and fin;
Þe sext kniȝt so was Bretel
Of gret noblay strong and lel
On his hond ȝede þe steward Kay
Þe seuend kniȝt of gret noblay;
Þe viii Lucan þe boteler
A gode kniȝt of gret power,
Erl Does sone þat loked Lounde
Þe ix was ich vnderstonde;
Grifles so was tiþe
Wiȝt he was and noble swiþe
Marec so ȝede on his hond
On of þe best of al þat lond;
Þe xii Drians of þe forest sauage
A strong kniȝt of heiȝe parage,
Belias þe lord of maiden castel
On his hond ȝede fair and wel;
Þe xiiii so was Flaundrin
A noble kniȝt of gentil lin
On his hond ȝede Laninas
An hardi kniȝt, þe fiftend was;
Þe xvi was Amores þe broun
A stalworþ kniȝt vnder hauberioun
Aucales þe rede ȝede him bi,
Þe xvii kniȝt, strong and hardi;
Þe xviii was Bliobel
A kniȝt doand swiþe wel
Þe xix was Bleoberiis,
Of gret los and michel priis;
Canode þe xx was
He no fleiȝe neuer for no cas
Aladanc þe crispe was xx and on
Non better bodi no miȝt gon;
Þe xxii was Islacides
Wiȝt and strong in eueri pres
Lampades was xx and þre
A noble kniȝt gent and fre;
Þe xxiiii kniȝt was
A noble kniȝt yhote Ieroas,
Cristofer of þe roche norþ
Þe xxv was forsoþ;
Þe xxvi was Aigilin
A wiȝt kniȝt of gentil lin
Þe xxvii was Calogreuand
A gentil kniȝt of noble hand;
Þe xxviii was Augusale
Of no man no held he tale
Wiȝt Agrauel was xx and niȝe
Ful of wiȝtschip and curteisie;
Þe xxx was Cleades þe fondling
Man seiȝe neuer better ȝongling,
Þe gode kniȝt Gimires of Lambale
Þe on and þritti was bi tale;
Þe xxxii was Kehedin
Fair and wiȝt and gentil fin
Þe þre and þritti was Meraugis
A gode kniȝt of noble priis;
Þe xxxiiii was Gornain
An hardi kniȝt of michel main
Þe xxxv was Craddoc
An hardi kniȝt in ich floc;
Þe xxxvi was Claries
He was ful wiȝt in eueri pres
Þe xxxvii was Blehartis
Bold of dede of speche wiis;
Þe xxxviii was Amandan orgulous
A kniȝt of dede vertuous
Þe xxxix Osoman, cert
His surname was ‘hardi of hert’;
Þe xl was Galescounde
Þer nas no kniȝt of more mounde
Þe xli was Bleherris
King Bohortes godsone ywis;
Þe xlii Merlin was þar
Bifor Arthour þe ȝerd bar—
Þis alle ȝede hand in hand
As y ȝou seyd bifornhand.
Liȝteþ al to þe grounde
Ȝe schullen wende on on ring
Ȝour hors schul þe gromes bring,
And þou sir Ban þe king
To Leodegan so ȝeue greteing
And sey þe wordes him to
Þat we bispeke at Brekenho.’
Hou þai went and on swiche maner
Now ȝe may al yhere,
Of swiche bodis noble and wiȝt
Tofor men me þink it riȝt
Her names to tellen ȝou in sawe
Hou þai wenten al on rawe:
First wenten þre wiþ gret honour
Ban and Bohort and king Arthour
King Arthour ȝede bitven apliȝt
And king Ban him ledde bi þe hond riȝt
Bohort him ladde nobleliche
Bi þe left hond sikerliche,
Alle þe oþer com after þo
Ioinand bi hond to and to;
Þe ferþ so was Antour
Kayes fader of gret valour
On his hond ȝede sir Vlfin
At euerich nede gode and fin;
Þe sext kniȝt so was Bretel
Of gret noblay strong and lel
On his hond ȝede þe steward Kay
Þe seuend kniȝt of gret noblay;
Þe viii Lucan þe boteler
A gode kniȝt of gret power,
Erl Does sone þat loked Lounde
Þe ix was ich vnderstonde;
254
Wiȝt he was and noble swiþe
Marec so ȝede on his hond
On of þe best of al þat lond;
Þe xii Drians of þe forest sauage
A strong kniȝt of heiȝe parage,
Belias þe lord of maiden castel
On his hond ȝede fair and wel;
Þe xiiii so was Flaundrin
A noble kniȝt of gentil lin
On his hond ȝede Laninas
An hardi kniȝt, þe fiftend was;
Þe xvi was Amores þe broun
A stalworþ kniȝt vnder hauberioun
Aucales þe rede ȝede him bi,
Þe xvii kniȝt, strong and hardi;
Þe xviii was Bliobel
A kniȝt doand swiþe wel
Þe xix was Bleoberiis,
Of gret los and michel priis;
Canode þe xx was
He no fleiȝe neuer for no cas
Aladanc þe crispe was xx and on
Non better bodi no miȝt gon;
Þe xxii was Islacides
Wiȝt and strong in eueri pres
Lampades was xx and þre
A noble kniȝt gent and fre;
Þe xxiiii kniȝt was
A noble kniȝt yhote Ieroas,
Cristofer of þe roche norþ
Þe xxv was forsoþ;
Þe xxvi was Aigilin
A wiȝt kniȝt of gentil lin
Þe xxvii was Calogreuand
A gentil kniȝt of noble hand;
Þe xxviii was Augusale
Of no man no held he tale
Wiȝt Agrauel was xx and niȝe
Ful of wiȝtschip and curteisie;
255
Man seiȝe neuer better ȝongling,
Þe gode kniȝt Gimires of Lambale
Þe on and þritti was bi tale;
Þe xxxii was Kehedin
Fair and wiȝt and gentil fin
Þe þre and þritti was Meraugis
A gode kniȝt of noble priis;
Þe xxxiiii was Gornain
An hardi kniȝt of michel main
Þe xxxv was Craddoc
An hardi kniȝt in ich floc;
Þe xxxvi was Claries
He was ful wiȝt in eueri pres
Þe xxxvii was Blehartis
Bold of dede of speche wiis;
Þe xxxviii was Amandan orgulous
A kniȝt of dede vertuous
Þe xxxix Osoman, cert
His surname was ‘hardi of hert’;
Þe xl was Galescounde
Þer nas no kniȝt of more mounde
Þe xli was Bleherris
King Bohortes godsone ywis;
Þe xlii Merlin was þar
Bifor Arthour þe ȝerd bar—
Þis alle ȝede hand in hand
As y ȝou seyd bifornhand.
Leodegan and al his ginge
Gret wonder had of her cominge
Kniȝtes swaines leuedis beld
Maden crud hem to biheld
Wonder þai hadden euerichon
For non no knewe her non.
Gret wonder had of her cominge
Kniȝtes swaines leuedis beld
Maden crud hem to biheld
Wonder þai hadden euerichon
For non no knewe her non.
Oȝain hem ȝede king Leodegan
And him gret þe king Ban
Leodegan seid ‘Ȝou blisse þe rode
Ȝif ȝe beþ ycomen for gode.’
Quaþ king [Ban] ‘So Crist me spede
Com we nouȝt hider for þi qued
No for þi schame ac for þi gode
So ous help þe gode rode
We beþ souders of fer lond
Men doþ ous to vnderstond
Þat þou to socour haddest nede
Þerfore we com fram our þede
Þat is fer hennes saun faile
Þe to help in þi bataile
And to serue on swiche maner
So þou schalt now yher,
We aske þe on Godes name
Noiþer to þine harm no þi schame
Ac þat þou graunt ous now a þing
And þerof no make werning—
Þou no schalt aske name our
No wo we beþ no non of our
No apose ous of our being
What we þe wil make scheweing,
And ȝif þe likeþ so our seruise
Telle it ous now in al wise
And bot þou like we seruen þe
We wille ȝern fram þe te
To sum oþer and serue swiþe
Þat of our come wil be bliþe.’
Leue toke Leodegan
To asky conseil of his man,
Alle his barouns him seyd ywis
It sembled men of gret priis
Her semblaunt hem bar witnisse,
He schuld of hem nim sikernisse
And afong her seruise
And nouȝt hem lete o non wise.
Oȝain com king Leodegan
And þus seyd to Arthour and to Ban
‘Bewe seygnours me þenkeþ schame
Þat ȝe me heleþ ȝour name
For ich vnderstond wele þat ȝe
Ben of more power þan ich be
Ac ȝe semble so wiȝt and fre
Þat ȝe beþ welcome to me
And ȝour seruise ȝeld y schal
Ȝif He me saueþ þat welt al,
Ac arst ȝe schul me make siker
Wiþ me held in eueri biker
And ȝour names telle ȝe me
When ȝe seþ þat time be’—
His treuþe þerto þe king Ban,
And þerto ȝaf Leodegan.
Þerwhiles þe clerk Merlin
Hem hadde ypuruaid a riche in
And ledde hem þider al faire
Her ost was ycleped Blaire
(Leonele hete his wiif)
A fair buriays and ioliif
Boþe þai wenten oȝain Arthour
And him welcomed wiþ gret honour,
Arthour and his feren wiȝt
Soiournde þer seuen niȝt,
In her in and wiþ þe king
Þai maden oft solausing.
And him gret þe king Ban
Leodegan seid ‘Ȝou blisse þe rode
Ȝif ȝe beþ ycomen for gode.’
Quaþ king [Ban] ‘So Crist me spede
256
No for þi schame ac for þi gode
So ous help þe gode rode
We beþ souders of fer lond
Men doþ ous to vnderstond
Þat þou to socour haddest nede
Þerfore we com fram our þede
Þat is fer hennes saun faile
Þe to help in þi bataile
And to serue on swiche maner
So þou schalt now yher,
We aske þe on Godes name
Noiþer to þine harm no þi schame
Ac þat þou graunt ous now a þing
And þerof no make werning—
Þou no schalt aske name our
No wo we beþ no non of our
No apose ous of our being
What we þe wil make scheweing,
And ȝif þe likeþ so our seruise
Telle it ous now in al wise
And bot þou like we seruen þe
We wille ȝern fram þe te
To sum oþer and serue swiþe
Þat of our come wil be bliþe.’
Leue toke Leodegan
To asky conseil of his man,
Alle his barouns him seyd ywis
It sembled men of gret priis
Her semblaunt hem bar witnisse,
He schuld of hem nim sikernisse
And afong her seruise
And nouȝt hem lete o non wise.
Oȝain com king Leodegan
And þus seyd to Arthour and to Ban
‘Bewe seygnours me þenkeþ schame
Þat ȝe me heleþ ȝour name
For ich vnderstond wele þat ȝe
Ben of more power þan ich be
257
Þat ȝe beþ welcome to me
And ȝour seruise ȝeld y schal
Ȝif He me saueþ þat welt al,
Ac arst ȝe schul me make siker
Wiþ me held in eueri biker
And ȝour names telle ȝe me
When ȝe seþ þat time be’—
His treuþe þerto þe king Ban,
And þerto ȝaf Leodegan.
Þerwhiles þe clerk Merlin
Hem hadde ypuruaid a riche in
And ledde hem þider al faire
Her ost was ycleped Blaire
(Leonele hete his wiif)
A fair buriays and ioliif
Boþe þai wenten oȝain Arthour
And him welcomed wiþ gret honour,
Arthour and his feren wiȝt
Soiournde þer seuen niȝt,
In her in and wiþ þe king
Þai maden oft solausing.
Þe king þo sent his messangers
Oueralle to her souders
And sent oueralle in his lond
Euerich gentil man his sond
Þat þai comen to him alle
To Carohaise into his halle
Atte last bi Holy Þorsday
To help him in his medlay
And who so nold to him come
As traitour he schuld ben ynome
So ich in boke writen finde
And him hing bi þe winde,
For so long trewes bitven Rion
Weren and þe king Leodegan—
Ac listneþ now swiche traisoun
Hem come ar þe Assensioun.
Oueralle to her souders
And sent oueralle in his lond
Euerich gentil man his sond
Þat þai comen to him alle
To Carohaise into his halle
Atte last bi Holy Þorsday
To help him in his medlay
And who so nold to him come
As traitour he schuld ben ynome
So ich in boke writen finde
And him hing bi þe winde,
For so long trewes bitven Rion
Weren and þe king Leodegan—
Ac listneþ now swiche traisoun
Hem come ar þe Assensioun.
258
In Estre on þe Tewisday
Þe euen of seint Philip in May
Four kinges gret geaunts
Þat were vnder þe king Riounȝ
Went hem out in iren and stiel
Wiþ sexti þousand armed wel,
Þe first king hiȝt Roulyons
Þe oþer hete king Clarions
Þe þridde king hete Sonegrens
Þe ferþ hete king Sorhens
Þise went fram þe gret ost
To Carohaise wiþ gret bost
And robbeden al þe cuntray
Boþe in doun and in valaye
Man and wiman al þat þai founde
Þai slowen doun into þe grounde,
Þe cuntre wiþ wild fer
Oueral þai set on fer,
Ten hundred cartes on on route
Biforn hem brouȝt saun doute
Charged wiþ mete and wiþ drink
Þat ani man miȝt of þink
And vc kniȝtes þe pray toke
Forto condue hem and loke.
To Carohaise þe kinges wente
And at þe gates wolden entre
Ac þe gateward þe gates schetten
Ac þeroȝain anon þai stetten
Boþe wiþ launce and wiþ sword
Þai dusched and hewen on þe bord,
And wenten to þe plaines oȝan
To quellen wiif child and man—
Men miȝt hem here schriche
So fer þat it was ferliche.
Þo in þe cite seiȝe þis harmes
Manliche þai grad ‘As armes!’
Þai went and armed hem euerichon
And to þe gates comen anon,
Opon gode stede hem rest
Forto abide þe kinges hest,
And þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Of al þe warld of mest mounde
Wiche hadde made Vter Pendragon,
Ac king Arthour no knewe her non—
Tvo hundred and to score and ten
Verrament þer weren of hem
Herui [d]e Riuel and Malot þe broun
Were maisters of þe gomfainoun
So ich in þe brut finde
Her gomfainoun was of cendel ynde
Of gold þer were on þre coroune,
Þo it bar Malot þe broune.
Of þe cite four þousand were þar
Her maister gomfainoun so bar
Þe kinges steward Cleodalis
A kniȝt he was of gret priis
His pensel hadde riche colour
Alle he was couched wiþ a[ȝ]ur
Of gold þer were four bore-heuedes ybete.
Þese houed al in þe strete.
Þo com king Arthour Bohort and Ban
Wiþ her feren eueri man
So y in boke telle can
Non nere armed hem oȝan
A queintise þai hadden riche
Þat non nas hem yliche,
On stedes þai lopen euerichon
In þe world nar better non
Merlin rode biforn ichil avowe
And bad hem alle swiþe him suwe
So þai deden wiþouten faintise
On hors in fair queintise;
Merlin bar her gomfanoun
Opon þe top stode a dragoun
Swiþe griseliche, a litel croume,
Fast him biheld al þo in þe toune
For þe mouþe he had grininge
And þe tong out flattinge
Þat out kest spa[r]kes of fer
Into þe skies þat flowen cler,
Þis dragoun hadde a long taile
Þat was wiþþerhoked saun faile.
Merlin com to þe gate
And bad þe porter him out late
Þe porter seyd he schuld rest
What he hadde of his lord hest
‘Certes’ quaþ Merlin ‘y þe telle
No lenger resten here y nille’
He toke þe gate bi þe legge
And slong hem vp at his rigge,
Þo he was out and his feren eke
Fast oȝain þe gate he leke
Wiþ lockes haspes and mani pin
Wiþ mani bar and mani gin,
Þus fast loken he hem fand
And as fast after him lete hem stand—
Alle þat seiȝen þis saun faile
Of him hadde gret meruaile
Boþe þo of þe cite
And eke his feren bi mi leute.
Þe euen of seint Philip in May
Four kinges gret geaunts
Þat were vnder þe king Riounȝ
Went hem out in iren and stiel
Wiþ sexti þousand armed wel,
Þe first king hiȝt Roulyons
Þe oþer hete king Clarions
Þe þridde king hete Sonegrens
Þe ferþ hete king Sorhens
Þise went fram þe gret ost
To Carohaise wiþ gret bost
And robbeden al þe cuntray
Boþe in doun and in valaye
Man and wiman al þat þai founde
Þai slowen doun into þe grounde,
Þe cuntre wiþ wild fer
Oueral þai set on fer,
Ten hundred cartes on on route
Biforn hem brouȝt saun doute
Charged wiþ mete and wiþ drink
Þat ani man miȝt of þink
And vc kniȝtes þe pray toke
Forto condue hem and loke.
To Carohaise þe kinges wente
And at þe gates wolden entre
Ac þe gateward þe gates schetten
Ac þeroȝain anon þai stetten
Boþe wiþ launce and wiþ sword
Þai dusched and hewen on þe bord,
And wenten to þe plaines oȝan
To quellen wiif child and man—
Men miȝt hem here schriche
So fer þat it was ferliche.
Þo in þe cite seiȝe þis harmes
Manliche þai grad ‘As armes!’
259
And to þe gates comen anon,
Opon gode stede hem rest
Forto abide þe kinges hest,
And þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Of al þe warld of mest mounde
Wiche hadde made Vter Pendragon,
Ac king Arthour no knewe her non—
Tvo hundred and to score and ten
Verrament þer weren of hem
Herui [d]e Riuel and Malot þe broun
Were maisters of þe gomfainoun
So ich in þe brut finde
Her gomfainoun was of cendel ynde
Of gold þer were on þre coroune,
Þo it bar Malot þe broune.
Of þe cite four þousand were þar
Her maister gomfainoun so bar
Þe kinges steward Cleodalis
A kniȝt he was of gret priis
His pensel hadde riche colour
Alle he was couched wiþ a[ȝ]ur
Of gold þer were four bore-heuedes ybete.
Þese houed al in þe strete.
Þo com king Arthour Bohort and Ban
Wiþ her feren eueri man
So y in boke telle can
Non nere armed hem oȝan
A queintise þai hadden riche
Þat non nas hem yliche,
On stedes þai lopen euerichon
In þe world nar better non
Merlin rode biforn ichil avowe
And bad hem alle swiþe him suwe
260
On hors in fair queintise;
Merlin bar her gomfanoun
Opon þe top stode a dragoun
Swiþe griseliche, a litel croume,
Fast him biheld al þo in þe toune
For þe mouþe he had grininge
And þe tong out flattinge
Þat out kest spa[r]kes of fer
Into þe skies þat flowen cler,
Þis dragoun hadde a long taile
Þat was wiþþerhoked saun faile.
Merlin com to þe gate
And bad þe porter him out late
Þe porter seyd he schuld rest
What he hadde of his lord hest
‘Certes’ quaþ Merlin ‘y þe telle
No lenger resten here y nille’
He toke þe gate bi þe legge
And slong hem vp at his rigge,
Þo he was out and his feren eke
Fast oȝain þe gate he leke
Wiþ lockes haspes and mani pin
Wiþ mani bar and mani gin,
Þus fast loken he hem fand
And as fast after him lete hem stand—
Alle þat seiȝen þis saun faile
Of him hadde gret meruaile
Boþe þo of þe cite
And eke his feren bi mi leute.
Þo bad Merlin his compainie
Her stedes priken and swiþe hiȝe,
Wiþ þe baner dast Merlins
Among to þousand Sarraȝins
Þat ledden a wel gret pray
Toward king Rion y say,
Ich of hem so dede bere
Þurth a Sarrain wiþ his spere
Afterward her swerdes drowe
And Þe Sarraȝins to grounde slowe
Sum þai cleued to þe brest
Sum þai binomen fot and fest
Of mani þai hadde helme and heued
Sone fro þe bodi weued.
Þe to and fourti weren ȝep
(Þai leten þer hors gode chep
Boþe wiþ sadel and wiþ bridel
For nouȝt to haue and oway ride)
Þe to þousand todriuen and slawe
Þai hadden in a litel þrawe
So man wold in a mile-way
Ouergon his iurnay,
And þat priis ladde at aise
Toward þe cite of Caroaise.
Ac so þai comen bi þe way
Eft þai metten michel pray
A þousand cartes almast
Comand wel swiþe on hast
Swiche þre kinges wiþ xvi þousinde
Comen and condid, hem bihinde,
And Merlin seyd wiþ griseli chere
‘Now suweþ me gode fere!’
Forþ he flang and þai after anon
So swiþe so þe stedes miȝt gon;
Þo þai com þe kinges neiȝe
Merlin hef his heued on heiȝe
And kest on hem enchauntement
Þat he hem alle almest blent
Þat non oþer sen no miȝt
A grete while y ȝou pliȝt
And our fourti smiten hem on
And slowen of hem mani on
And mani c of painems hewe
Ar ani þer oþer knewe.
Her stedes priken and swiþe hiȝe,
Wiþ þe baner dast Merlins
Among to þousand Sarraȝins
Þat ledden a wel gret pray
Toward king Rion y say,
Ich of hem so dede bere
Þurth a Sarrain wiþ his spere
Afterward her swerdes drowe
And Þe Sarraȝins to grounde slowe
261
Sum þai binomen fot and fest
Of mani þai hadde helme and heued
Sone fro þe bodi weued.
Þe to and fourti weren ȝep
(Þai leten þer hors gode chep
Boþe wiþ sadel and wiþ bridel
For nouȝt to haue and oway ride)
Þe to þousand todriuen and slawe
Þai hadden in a litel þrawe
So man wold in a mile-way
Ouergon his iurnay,
And þat priis ladde at aise
Toward þe cite of Caroaise.
Ac so þai comen bi þe way
Eft þai metten michel pray
A þousand cartes almast
Comand wel swiþe on hast
Swiche þre kinges wiþ xvi þousinde
Comen and condid, hem bihinde,
And Merlin seyd wiþ griseli chere
‘Now suweþ me gode fere!’
Forþ he flang and þai after anon
So swiþe so þe stedes miȝt gon;
Þo þai com þe kinges neiȝe
Merlin hef his heued on heiȝe
And kest on hem enchauntement
Þat he hem alle almest blent
Þat non oþer sen no miȝt
A grete while y ȝou pliȝt
And our fourti smiten hem on
And slowen of hem mani on
And mani c of painems hewe
Ar ani þer oþer knewe.
Þo of þe cite seiȝen þis
Þai seyden it were men of priis.
Þo were vp vndon þe gate
Cleodalis rode out þerate
Þe steward wiþ fiue þousinde
Opon þe painems gun to winde,
Þer was din þer was cri
Mani schaft broken sikerly
For in þe coming of Cleodalis
Þe paiens miȝt sen ywis
Þer was swiche contek and wonder
Þat it dined so þe þonder.
Þis ich heþen kinges þre
Ato parted her meine
Seuen þousand to ben þer riȝt
Oȝain þe fiue þousand to fiȝt,
And setten þer þousandes eiȝte
Oȝain king Leodegan to fiȝt
Þat hem toward [com] in þat stounde
Wiþ þridde half hundred of þe table rounde,
Ac bi hemself þe rounde table wes
(Þe king Leodegan naþeles
Wiþ him brouȝt þousandes to)
And to þe bataile flongen þo.
Þe viii þousand hem com oȝain
Þer was meting of men o main
Wiþ spere and wiþ scharp sword
Þer les mani man his lord
Þer was sched so michel blod
Þat it ran as a flod,
Leodegan wiþ his fewe
Noble main he gan to shewe
He slouȝ þre oȝaines anne
And craked mani hern-panne,
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Mani þer slouȝ in litel stounde
And bilimeden and feld of hors
Mani heþen orped cors
Ac þei her swerdes wele þer bite
And to ded mani smite
It was swiþe litel sene
For oȝaines on þer wer tene,
Ac so sarre was þe þrang
Þat non miȝt com hem omang.
Þe Sarraȝins hadde gret despite
Þat so hem schent swiche popel lite
He swore bi Mahoun and Dagon
Hem no schuld ascape non
And drouȝ hem wel fer aroume
(Þat Crist hem ȝeue confusioun!)
And baren doun in þat stounde
Ȝete fourti of þe table rounde
And were abouten, hem to dere
Ac her feren hem gun were
Þat he no hadde power non
Non of hem forto slon.
Þat time was Leodegan
Feld adoun and his man
Ȝete an hundred oþer mo,
Leodegan þai nomen þo
And beten him sore and ȝeuen him wounde
And to an hors fast him bounde
And token fif hundred kniȝtes
To lade him forþ anon riȝtes,
And so þai deden sikerliche
Defuiland vilanliche
Toward þe riche king Rion
And wenden her bataile were ydon,
And þo þe king Leodegan
Him seiȝe fer fram al his man
And him aboute socour non
And him loþeliche lade to king Rion
‘Allas’ he seyd ‘þat y was bore
Mi liif and priis so is forlore
And Gvenoure mi dohter gent
Of vile paiems worþ yschent
And alle min noble kniȝtes
Worþ yslawe adoun riȝtes
And þe leuedis of mi lond
Alle ynomen in payems hond’—
For riȝt gret sorwe and care
Aswon he fel as he ded ware
To gret mile fram þe bataile
Þo he was, wiþouten faile.
Þai seyden it were men of priis.
Þo were vp vndon þe gate
Cleodalis rode out þerate
Þe steward wiþ fiue þousinde
Opon þe painems gun to winde,
262
Mani schaft broken sikerly
For in þe coming of Cleodalis
Þe paiens miȝt sen ywis
Þer was swiche contek and wonder
Þat it dined so þe þonder.
Þis ich heþen kinges þre
Ato parted her meine
Seuen þousand to ben þer riȝt
Oȝain þe fiue þousand to fiȝt,
And setten þer þousandes eiȝte
Oȝain king Leodegan to fiȝt
Þat hem toward [com] in þat stounde
Wiþ þridde half hundred of þe table rounde,
Ac bi hemself þe rounde table wes
(Þe king Leodegan naþeles
Wiþ him brouȝt þousandes to)
And to þe bataile flongen þo.
Þe viii þousand hem com oȝain
Þer was meting of men o main
Wiþ spere and wiþ scharp sword
Þer les mani man his lord
Þer was sched so michel blod
Þat it ran as a flod,
Leodegan wiþ his fewe
Noble main he gan to shewe
He slouȝ þre oȝaines anne
And craked mani hern-panne,
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Mani þer slouȝ in litel stounde
And bilimeden and feld of hors
Mani heþen orped cors
Ac þei her swerdes wele þer bite
And to ded mani smite
It was swiþe litel sene
For oȝaines on þer wer tene,
Ac so sarre was þe þrang
Þat non miȝt com hem omang.
Þe Sarraȝins hadde gret despite
Þat so hem schent swiche popel lite
263
Hem no schuld ascape non
And drouȝ hem wel fer aroume
(Þat Crist hem ȝeue confusioun!)
And baren doun in þat stounde
Ȝete fourti of þe table rounde
And were abouten, hem to dere
Ac her feren hem gun were
Þat he no hadde power non
Non of hem forto slon.
Þat time was Leodegan
Feld adoun and his man
Ȝete an hundred oþer mo,
Leodegan þai nomen þo
And beten him sore and ȝeuen him wounde
And to an hors fast him bounde
And token fif hundred kniȝtes
To lade him forþ anon riȝtes,
And so þai deden sikerliche
Defuiland vilanliche
Toward þe riche king Rion
And wenden her bataile were ydon,
And þo þe king Leodegan
Him seiȝe fer fram al his man
And him aboute socour non
And him loþeliche lade to king Rion
‘Allas’ he seyd ‘þat y was bore
Mi liif and priis so is forlore
And Gvenoure mi dohter gent
Of vile paiems worþ yschent
And alle min noble kniȝtes
Worþ yslawe adoun riȝtes
And þe leuedis of mi lond
Alle ynomen in payems hond’—
For riȝt gret sorwe and care
Aswon he fel as he ded ware
To gret mile fram þe bataile
Þo he was, wiþouten faile.
His douhter stode on þe cite-wal
And biheld þis misauentour al
Hir hondes sche sett on hir here
And hir fair tresses al totere
Sche hir totar to hir smok
And on þe wal hir heued gan knok
And swoned oft and seyd, allas
Þat hir socour lorn was,
So deden al þo of þe cite
Maden endeles pite.
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Kedden þai were men of mounde,
Bitven hem þai wolden speke
Leodegan þai wolden awreke
Oþer steruen þai wolden alle
And renged hem oȝain þe walle
For þai no seiȝen no socour
And schewed þo her vigour
Þridde half hundred oȝain m seuen
Me þenkeþ certes þat was vneuen
Ac þer þai fouȝten vnder þe toun
And mani Sarraȝin leyd adoun
Hem þai tohewen and hors also
Þay þoled michel pine and wo,
Þe citisains þat yseiȝe
And sore wepen wiþ her eiȝe—
Now lete we hem fiȝtand here
And speke we of Arthour and his fere.
And biheld þis misauentour al
264
And hir fair tresses al totere
Sche hir totar to hir smok
And on þe wal hir heued gan knok
And swoned oft and seyd, allas
Þat hir socour lorn was,
So deden al þo of þe cite
Maden endeles pite.
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Kedden þai were men of mounde,
Bitven hem þai wolden speke
Leodegan þai wolden awreke
Oþer steruen þai wolden alle
And renged hem oȝain þe walle
For þai no seiȝen no socour
And schewed þo her vigour
Þridde half hundred oȝain m seuen
Me þenkeþ certes þat was vneuen
Ac þer þai fouȝten vnder þe toun
And mani Sarraȝin leyd adoun
Hem þai tohewen and hors also
Þay þoled michel pine and wo,
Þe citisains þat yseiȝe
And sore wepen wiþ her eiȝe—
Now lete we hem fiȝtand here
And speke we of Arthour and his fere.
Now seyt our tale saun faile
Þat orible is þe bataile
Of gret crie and swiþe strong
Almest þennes fiue forlong
Þat Arthour held wiþ fourti and to
And Cleodalis wiþ four þousand and mo,
Oȝaines hem Sornegreons and king Sapharen
Þat seuen þousand hadd wiþ hem,
So fele paiems þer lay slawe
Þat fele hepes þer lay on rawe
Of armed men of fatt stede
Þat her liif þer les to mede.
Þat orible is þe bataile
Of gret crie and swiþe strong
Almest þennes fiue forlong
Þat Arthour held wiþ fourti and to
And Cleodalis wiþ four þousand and mo,
Oȝaines hem Sornegreons and king Sapharen
Þat seuen þousand hadd wiþ hem,
So fele paiems þer lay slawe
Þat fele hepes þer lay on rawe
Of armed men of fatt stede
Þat her liif þer les to mede.
Þo seyd Merlin to his ferrede
‘Now me suweþ alle ich rede’
Forþ riden þe fourti and to
So swiþe so þe hors miȝt go,
Þer bileued Cleodalis
Wele fiȝtand and al his;
Þo Merlin hadde riden a while
Þe mountaunce of to mile
He seyd to king Arthour and Ban
‘Lo ȝond men ledeþ Leodegan
Ybounden toward king Rion
On hard dede forto slon,
After hem now dasseþ swiþe
And oftakeþ hem biliue
Ȝif ȝou ascapeþ of hem ten
Schal i ȝou neuer held men.’
Þai stirten forþ and ouertoke hes
And dassed hem amid þe pres,
Þe first slouȝ Merlin verrament
To ȝeuen þe oþer gode talent,
Arthour smot on hem saun faile
So on þe singel doþ þe haile
So we finden on þe bok
Al he slouȝ þat he oftok,
So dede Ban þe gode kniȝt
He clef mani on doun riȝt,
So dede king Bohors
He slouȝ þer mani heþen cors,
So deden al þo gentil feren
Her swerdes þai dede in blod steren
Alle þai laiden doun riȝt
And made þer swiche a sleiȝt
Þat man seiȝe neuer in so litel stounde
So fewe bring so fele to grounde
For þer no schaped fram hem oliue
Of fiue hundred vnneþe fiue,
Þer men miȝtten haue frely
Four c steden for gramerci
Þat ȝede drawend her bridel brod
To þe fitlokes in þe blod.
Þus Arthour and his felawered
Deliuerd Leodegan fram þe dede,
Michel wonder had Leodegan
Þat swiche a litel poine of man
So fele in so litel þrawe
So manliche had yslawe,
Bi þe dragon þat kest fer
He wist it were þe newe souders
Þat he was deliuerd fram his fon
He þonked Ihesu Crist anon.
265
Forþ riden þe fourti and to
So swiþe so þe hors miȝt go,
Þer bileued Cleodalis
Wele fiȝtand and al his;
Þo Merlin hadde riden a while
Þe mountaunce of to mile
He seyd to king Arthour and Ban
‘Lo ȝond men ledeþ Leodegan
Ybounden toward king Rion
On hard dede forto slon,
After hem now dasseþ swiþe
And oftakeþ hem biliue
Ȝif ȝou ascapeþ of hem ten
Schal i ȝou neuer held men.’
Þai stirten forþ and ouertoke hes
And dassed hem amid þe pres,
Þe first slouȝ Merlin verrament
To ȝeuen þe oþer gode talent,
Arthour smot on hem saun faile
So on þe singel doþ þe haile
So we finden on þe bok
Al he slouȝ þat he oftok,
So dede Ban þe gode kniȝt
He clef mani on doun riȝt,
So dede king Bohors
He slouȝ þer mani heþen cors,
So deden al þo gentil feren
Her swerdes þai dede in blod steren
Alle þai laiden doun riȝt
And made þer swiche a sleiȝt
Þat man seiȝe neuer in so litel stounde
So fewe bring so fele to grounde
For þer no schaped fram hem oliue
Of fiue hundred vnneþe fiue,
Þer men miȝtten haue frely
Four c steden for gramerci
Þat ȝede drawend her bridel brod
To þe fitlokes in þe blod.
266
Deliuerd Leodegan fram þe dede,
Michel wonder had Leodegan
Þat swiche a litel poine of man
So fele in so litel þrawe
So manliche had yslawe,
Bi þe dragon þat kest fer
He wist it were þe newe souders
Þat he was deliuerd fram his fon
He þonked Ihesu Crist anon.
Þo liȝt þe clerk Merlin
And sir Bretel and sir Vlfin
And þe king Leodegan vnbounde
And sett him on a stede of mounde
And armed him fineliche wel
And dede on his heued an helm of stiel
About his nek a scheld strong
And toke him a launce long
And sett him vp as a king
Þat er lay as a breþeling,
He ioined his honden ioe vus di
And ȝalt hem þank and gramerci.
On his stede þo lepe Merlin,
So dede Bretel and sir Vlfin,
And sir Bretel and sir Vlfin
And þe king Leodegan vnbounde
And sett him on a stede of mounde
And armed him fineliche wel
And dede on his heued an helm of stiel
About his nek a scheld strong
And toke him a launce long
And sett him vp as a king
Þat er lay as a breþeling,
He ioined his honden ioe vus di
And ȝalt hem þank and gramerci.
On his stede þo lepe Merlin,
So dede Bretel and sir Vlfin,
Þo seyd Merlin ‘Mine kniȝtes fre
Prikeþ ȝour stedes and folweþ me’
So þai deden wiþouten abod
So aruwe of bowe ich forþ glod.
Prikeþ ȝour stedes and folweþ me’
So þai deden wiþouten abod
So aruwe of bowe ich forþ glod.
Ac þo Gvenoure opon þe walle
Þis to and fourti seiȝe com alle
Bi þe dragon þat cast fer
Þat fleiȝe into þe skies cler
Sche wist it were þe fourti and to,
Hir fader sche seiȝe com also
On hors yarmed and wele atired
And fram his fon þurth hem deliuerd—
No ask no man of þe gret blisse
Þat sche made þan ywis
And al þe men þat it seiȝen
For ioie þai wepe wiþ her eiȝen.
Þis þre and fourti com on hast
Wiþ norþþen-winde so doþ tempast,
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þai founden alle felled to grounde
Þat stoden afot and wered hem
Oȝain on euer xx and ten,
Bot xx of hem openliche
On hors fouȝten nobliche
And ouercarked weren þo
Her liif þat was neiȝe ago.
Þis xliii of gret mounde
So dassed on þe heþen hounde
Þat ich of hem who so mett
Hastiliche þe heued of grett
And slowen hem doun into þe grounde
Mani geaunt in litel stounde,
Euerich dede swiþe wel
Wiþ scharpe swerd of gode stiel
Mani þai smiten þurth saun faile
Fram þe top to þe taile
Of sum þe side God it wot
Wiþ scheld and arme eueri grot
Of sum þe midel euen ato
Of sum þei and legge also,
Auberk aketoun and scheld
Was mani tobroken in þat feld
And mani paiem wiþ deþes wounde
And mani stede coruen to grounde;
Þe king himself þer Leodegan
Wele him wrake of his foman,
Oȝain þe þre and fourti of our
Non armour no miȝt dour
No hors of priis no heþen kniȝt
Þat he nas dede anon riȝt.
Þer was an heþen king hiȝt Canlang
Fiftene fet he was lang
(He and anoþer þat strengest were
Of alle þe paiems þat were þere)
Þis dede his miȝt saun fable
To stroie þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table.
Þis to and fourti seiȝe com alle
Bi þe dragon þat cast fer
Þat fleiȝe into þe skies cler
Sche wist it were þe fourti and to,
Hir fader sche seiȝe com also
On hors yarmed and wele atired
And fram his fon þurth hem deliuerd—
No ask no man of þe gret blisse
Þat sche made þan ywis
And al þe men þat it seiȝen
267
Þis þre and fourti com on hast
Wiþ norþþen-winde so doþ tempast,
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þai founden alle felled to grounde
Þat stoden afot and wered hem
Oȝain on euer xx and ten,
Bot xx of hem openliche
On hors fouȝten nobliche
And ouercarked weren þo
Her liif þat was neiȝe ago.
Þis xliii of gret mounde
So dassed on þe heþen hounde
Þat ich of hem who so mett
Hastiliche þe heued of grett
And slowen hem doun into þe grounde
Mani geaunt in litel stounde,
Euerich dede swiþe wel
Wiþ scharpe swerd of gode stiel
Mani þai smiten þurth saun faile
Fram þe top to þe taile
Of sum þe side God it wot
Wiþ scheld and arme eueri grot
Of sum þe midel euen ato
Of sum þei and legge also,
Auberk aketoun and scheld
Was mani tobroken in þat feld
And mani paiem wiþ deþes wounde
And mani stede coruen to grounde;
Þe king himself þer Leodegan
Wele him wrake of his foman,
Oȝain þe þre and fourti of our
Non armour no miȝt dour
No hors of priis no heþen kniȝt
Þat he nas dede anon riȝt.
Þer was an heþen king hiȝt Canlang
Fiftene fet he was lang
(He and anoþer þat strengest were
Of alle þe paiems þat were þere)
Þis dede his miȝt saun fable
268
King Arthour mett Canlang
Togider þai made fiȝting strang
And so strong was Canlang verrament
Þat king Arthour miȝt fest no dent
To him haue bot bihinde
Bot ones he him hitt, kerueinde
Vnder þe scheld, þe scholder on
Þurthout armes and flesche and bon
Vnto þe nouel he him carf,
Þe misbileueand paiem starf
A boþe half his hors he hing
Þat ernne forþ [c]rudand in þat þring.
Þe paiems seiȝe Canlang so hit
Agrisen of þat dint out of wit;
Gvenour þat dint of Arthour seye
And þonked Ihesu Crist on heiȝe
And ‘Ȝeue þat he mi lord were
Þat ȝong þat fiȝteþ so þere,’
Anon seyden al her men
‘So were it me dame amen
For we no seiȝe neuer of his power
Noiþer eld man no bacheler.’
Togider þai made fiȝting strang
And so strong was Canlang verrament
Þat king Arthour miȝt fest no dent
To him haue bot bihinde
Bot ones he him hitt, kerueinde
Vnder þe scheld, þe scholder on
Þurthout armes and flesche and bon
Vnto þe nouel he him carf,
Þe misbileueand paiem starf
A boþe half his hors he hing
Þat ernne forþ [c]rudand in þat þring.
Þe paiems seiȝe Canlang so hit
Agrisen of þat dint out of wit;
Gvenour þat dint of Arthour seye
And þonked Ihesu Crist on heiȝe
And ‘Ȝeue þat he mi lord were
Þat ȝong þat fiȝteþ so þere,’
Anon seyden al her men
‘So were it me dame amen
For we no seiȝe neuer of his power
Noiþer eld man no bacheler.’
King Ban þo mett Clarion
Þat oþer strongest of euerichon
He was gret xiiii fet long
And swiþe gret and swiþe strong
He hadde mani of our yslawe,
King Ban him mett wiþouten awe
So we finden in þe boke
And ouer þe ere he him toke
Þe cheke he carf þe schulder also
To þe girdel þe dint gan go
His ribbes and scholder fel adoun
Men miȝt se þe liuer abandoun;
King Bohort of gent power
Met Sarmedon þe gomfanoun-bere
On þe schulder he him hit
Þat arm and scholder of he kit
His scheld and his gomfanoun
And himself þer fel adoun.
King Leodegan þo gan crie
‘For loue of þe quen Marie
Bistireþ ȝou min gentil kniȝtes
And leggeþ doun þis paiems riȝtes!’
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Alle lopen on hors o mounde
And hewen on þe Sarraȝin
Wiþ gode wille and hert fin.
Þat oþer strongest of euerichon
He was gret xiiii fet long
And swiþe gret and swiþe strong
He hadde mani of our yslawe,
King Ban him mett wiþouten awe
So we finden in þe boke
And ouer þe ere he him toke
Þe cheke he carf þe schulder also
To þe girdel þe dint gan go
His ribbes and scholder fel adoun
Men miȝt se þe liuer abandoun;
King Bohort of gent power
Met Sarmedon þe gomfanoun-bere
On þe schulder he him hit
269
His scheld and his gomfanoun
And himself þer fel adoun.
King Leodegan þo gan crie
‘For loue of þe quen Marie
Bistireþ ȝou min gentil kniȝtes
And leggeþ doun þis paiems riȝtes!’
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Alle lopen on hors o mounde
And hewen on þe Sarraȝin
Wiþ gode wille and hert fin.
Þe paiems seiȝe ded Canlang
And Clarion þat was so strang
And þe baneour Sormedon
Þo þai nist what to don
Ac so swiþe so þai miȝt
Oway flowen anon riȝt,
To þousand com out of þe cite
And feld hem doun wiþouten pite
Wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þai hewen he[m] doun vnto þe grounde.
And Clarion þat was so strang
And þe baneour Sormedon
Þo þai nist what to don
Ac so swiþe so þai miȝt
Oway flowen anon riȝt,
To þousand com out of þe cite
And feld hem doun wiþouten pite
Wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þai hewen he[m] doun vnto þe grounde.
King Arthour and king Ban
King Bohort and king Leodegan
And þe fourti liȝt and wiþstode
And gerten her stedes gode
Þurth conseil of Merlin ywis
And went and holpen Cleodalis
Þe king[es] steward Leodegan
Þat fauȝt oȝain seuen m man
Wiþ four þousand and namore
So ȝe herden herebifore,
Þis fourti and to and on
Opon þis seuen þousand smiten anon
And hewen on wiþ gret powers
On schides so doþ þis carpenters—
It was nede for Cleodalis
Stode on fot, and mani of his
Aboute him stode sarreliche
Fram deþ to were sikerliche.
King Bohort and king Leodegan
And þe fourti liȝt and wiþstode
And gerten her stedes gode
Þurth conseil of Merlin ywis
And went and holpen Cleodalis
Þe king[es] steward Leodegan
Þat fauȝt oȝain seuen m man
Wiþ four þousand and namore
So ȝe herden herebifore,
Þis fourti and to and on
Opon þis seuen þousand smiten anon
And hewen on wiþ gret powers
On schides so doþ þis carpenters—
It was nede for Cleodalis
Stode on fot, and mani of his
Aboute him stode sarreliche
Fram deþ to were sikerliche.
270
Þer king Arthour and Bohort and Ban
And þe king Leodegan
Paiems wiþouten tale slouwe
A þousand stedes her bridels drowe
Þis þre and fourti fouȝten so
Forȝeten miȝt it be neuer mo
For þe blod of kniȝtes dede
And of destre[r]s and of stede
Ran hem after al day so ȝerne
So water out of wel-streme,
Þurth þe pouwer and miȝt of þos
Cleodalis þat kniȝt of los
Was ybrouȝt on hors ywis
And kniȝtes oþer fele of pris.
And þe king Leodegan
Paiems wiþouten tale slouwe
A þousand stedes her bridels drowe
Þis þre and fourti fouȝten so
Forȝeten miȝt it be neuer mo
For þe blod of kniȝtes dede
And of destre[r]s and of stede
Ran hem after al day so ȝerne
So water out of wel-streme,
Þurth þe pouwer and miȝt of þos
Cleodalis þat kniȝt of los
Was ybrouȝt on hors ywis
And kniȝtes oþer fele of pris.
Þe kinges of þo heþen man
Heten Sornegrex and Saphiran
Aiþer of hem was xiiii fot lang
And swiþe hardi and swiþe strang
And hadden swiþe gret despite
Þat hem schent pople so lite,
A schille horn þai gun blawe
Togider þai gader her felawe.
Heten Sornegrex and Saphiran
Aiþer of hem was xiiii fot lang
And swiþe hardi and swiþe strang
And hadden swiþe gret despite
Þat hem schent pople so lite,
A schille horn þai gun blawe
Togider þai gader her felawe.
Kay and Vlfin, þe buteler,
And Grifles þat was of gret power
Ich of hem tok a launce long
And dassed þe Sarraȝins among
Kay king Sornigrex hitt
And kest him to grounde in þat flit
And rode on him wiþ his hors
And defoiled his cursed cors
And had him slawe wiþouten letting
Ac mani com to þis rideing,
Wiþ his launce dan Lucan
Þe hert þurth smot of Abadan,
Ac on hors in þis toiling
Was brouȝt Sornigrex þe king.
Þo aros gret batail and strif
For of þe Sarraȝins ȝete m fif,
Were ouercomen vnder þe wal,
Þider were flowen alle
Þerfore so fel þer were
Þat litel was sene her sleiȝster þer.
And Grifles þat was of gret power
Ich of hem tok a launce long
And dassed þe Sarraȝins among
Kay king Sornigrex hitt
And kest him to grounde in þat flit
And rode on him wiþ his hors
And defoiled his cursed cors
And had him slawe wiþouten letting
Ac mani com to þis rideing,
Wiþ his launce dan Lucan
Þe hert þurth smot of Abadan,
Ac on hors in þis toiling
Was brouȝt Sornigrex þe king.
Þo aros gret batail and strif
For of þe Sarraȝins ȝete m fif,
271
Þider were flowen alle
Þerfore so fel þer were
Þat litel was sene her sleiȝster þer.
King Sornigrex þat was yfeld
His bodi tobrussed tobroken his scheld
For schame he was out of wit
Our folk he þouȝt forto hit
And gred to alle þo Sarains
Þat for loue of Apolins
Þai schuld of al his fon
Him awreke sone anon,
Of Saraȝins gret þreng
About our Cristen made reng
And hem biclepten in þat place
And leyden on wiþ swerd and mace
And wiþ axes and wiþ gisharm
Our folk þai deden michel harm;
Ac in þis ich self stounde
Kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þat folweden þe paiems fleinde
Al on hors com flinginde
And seiȝe þe pensel of fourti and to
Þat day þat hadde hem holpen so,
Into bataile to hem þai drowen
Alle þat þai met þai doun slowen
Boþe wiþ launce and swerd briȝt
Þo þai metten þai slouȝ doun riȝt
And þurth miȝt þai keuerden so
Þat þai com to fourti and to
And þo so gret sleiȝt made
Þat y no may it fulrade.
His bodi tobrussed tobroken his scheld
For schame he was out of wit
Our folk he þouȝt forto hit
And gred to alle þo Sarains
Þat for loue of Apolins
Þai schuld of al his fon
Him awreke sone anon,
Of Saraȝins gret þreng
About our Cristen made reng
And hem biclepten in þat place
And leyden on wiþ swerd and mace
And wiþ axes and wiþ gisharm
Our folk þai deden michel harm;
Ac in þis ich self stounde
Kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þat folweden þe paiems fleinde
Al on hors com flinginde
And seiȝe þe pensel of fourti and to
Þat day þat hadde hem holpen so,
Into bataile to hem þai drowen
Alle þat þai met þai doun slowen
Boþe wiþ launce and swerd briȝt
Þo þai metten þai slouȝ doun riȝt
And þurth miȝt þai keuerden so
Þat þai com to fourti and to
And þo so gret sleiȝt made
Þat y no may it fulrade.
At þe oþer half Cleodalis
Fauȝt wiþ Sarraȝins of priis
Þat wiþ gret iniquite
Brouȝt hem oȝain to þe cite,
Þe strong king Saphiran
It was þat fauȝt him oȝan
Wiþ neiȝen þousand verrament
And dede him gret encumbrement;
Ac þo ich to þousinde
Þat folwed þe oþer fleinde
To help þer com Cleodalis
And on þe paiems smot ywis,
In her coming and smiten to grounde
A þousand paiems in þat stounde
And þurth þe [h]elp of our Driȝt
Cleodalis halp wele to fiȝt
And helden gode contre oȝan
Saphiran and al his man.
Þo nar þo wiþ king Arthour
Bot to and fourti of valour
And of þe rounde table kniȝtes
To hundred and fifti wiȝte
No more þer ner so y finde
And fouȝten oȝain viii þousinde,
Sornegrex hete her king
An hardi paiem þurth al þing.
Þer hadde ben miche mischef
No had Merlin seyd a conseil bihef
‘Bieu seygnours y nil nouȝt hele
Of þis paiems beþ so fele
Þat we no may oȝain hem doure,
Bot to mi conseil nimeþ coure
Her ben among þis Sarraȝins
Ten geauntes wel strong afins
And þai were of dawe ydon
Þe bataile were passed sone’
Þai asked him wiche þai were
And he hem tauȝt anon riȝt þere.
Fauȝt wiþ Sarraȝins of priis
Þat wiþ gret iniquite
Brouȝt hem oȝain to þe cite,
Þe strong king Saphiran
It was þat fauȝt him oȝan
272
And dede him gret encumbrement;
Ac þo ich to þousinde
Þat folwed þe oþer fleinde
To help þer com Cleodalis
And on þe paiems smot ywis,
In her coming and smiten to grounde
A þousand paiems in þat stounde
And þurth þe [h]elp of our Driȝt
Cleodalis halp wele to fiȝt
And helden gode contre oȝan
Saphiran and al his man.
Þo nar þo wiþ king Arthour
Bot to and fourti of valour
And of þe rounde table kniȝtes
To hundred and fifti wiȝte
No more þer ner so y finde
And fouȝten oȝain viii þousinde,
Sornegrex hete her king
An hardi paiem þurth al þing.
Þer hadde ben miche mischef
No had Merlin seyd a conseil bihef
‘Bieu seygnours y nil nouȝt hele
Of þis paiems beþ so fele
Þat we no may oȝain hem doure,
Bot to mi conseil nimeþ coure
Her ben among þis Sarraȝins
Ten geauntes wel strong afins
And þai were of dawe ydon
Þe bataile were passed sone’
Þai asked him wiche þai were
And he hem tauȝt anon riȝt þere.
King Ban þat was gode and strong
Tok his swerd in his hond
His stede he smot and forþ glod
Oȝain king Sornegrex he rode
His helme he smot bi þe side
Þurth helme and palet it gan glide
Fram þe cheke þe neb he bar
Þe scheld fram þe schulder þar
And þe left arme and þe hond
Ich vnderstond he dede him schond,
Þe Sarraȝins kest a gret cri
And fleiȝe oway wiþ gret hy.
Tok his swerd in his hond
His stede he smot and forþ glod
Oȝain king Sornegrex he rode
His helme he smot bi þe side
Þurth helme and palet it gan glide
Fram þe cheke þe neb he bar
273
And þe left arme and þe hond
Ich vnderstond he dede him schond,
Þe Sarraȝins kest a gret cri
And fleiȝe oway wiþ gret hy.
Bohort met Marganan
And smot þat vnsely man
On þe helme ichot forsoþ
Þat he him cleued to þe toþ
And smot þat vnsely man
On þe helme ichot forsoþ
Þat he him cleued to þe toþ
King Arthour so Dieu me saut
Met wiþ [an] amiral was hoten Sinalaut
On þe helme he him hitt
And a quarter þerof kitt,
On þe schulder slod þe dent
And kitt it of verrament
And þerwiþ ribbes four
Þe painem starf wiþ misantour.
Met wiþ [an] amiral was hoten Sinalaut
On þe helme he him hitt
And a quarter þerof kitt,
On þe schulder slod þe dent
And kitt it of verrament
And þerwiþ ribbes four
Þe painem starf wiþ misantour.
Sir Vlfin slouȝ þo Sabalant
And Bretel þe douk Cordant
Þe steward Kay slouȝ dan Deriard
And Lucan þe boteler slouȝ Malard
And Grifles so slouȝ Menadap
And Meragys slouȝ þe douke Sadap
And Gornenis slouȝ þe douke Maupas
And Craddok slouȝ Darrilas.
Þese were þe geauntes ten
And princes of þe heþen men,
Þo þe paiems hem ded seiȝe
A cri þai gun areren heiȝe
And seyd it were deuelen þat þai wiþ fouȝten
Sikerliche so hem þouȝten,
Þai flowen oway wiþouten abode
Our folk swiþe after hem rode
And to grounde slouȝ doun riȝt
Al þat þai oftake miȝt
Þre þousend þai slowen of þe eiȝtte.
Þe oþer ascaped anon riȝt
To þe riche king Saphiran
Þo were þai xiiii þousand of man
And smiten on Cleodalis
Þat had bot four þousand ywis
And þe to þat comen out of þe cite,
Þer men seiȝe wel gret pite
Hou þe painems and king Saphiran
Defoiled our Cristen men
A þousand and mo þai slowen
Þe remanant of hors drowen;
Oft Cleodalis was wo
Ac neuer wers þan him was þo
Ydriuen he was vnder þe toun
And loked after þe dragoun
Þat Merlin bar ac he no miȝt
Nowhar of him han a siȝt,
No þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table
Miȝt he nowhar se saun fable
He wende þat dede þai hadden ben,
Þer miȝt men gret pite sen
Now he flowe now he wiþstode
For drede he was neiȝe wode,
Þe citaisins þan seiȝe þis
And reweliche cri maden ywis.
Ac þurth Merlin so ich finde
Arthour was bileued bihinde
And þe oþer wiþouten fable,
Þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
And adden alle adoun aliȝt
Her stedes girt [þ]e sadels riȝt
And soft and sarre saun faile
[C]om to þis reweful bataile;
Þo on þe walles of þe toun
Seiȝe comand þe dragoun
Þo seyd þe fair leuedis
To þe steward Cleodalis
‘Cleodalis þou gentil k[ni]ȝt
Bistir þe and hardiliche fiȝt
For ȝonder doun in þe valaie
Ȝou comeþ socour of gret noblay
We seþ þe dragoun þat casteþ fer
And after þe newe souders
And Le[o]degan wiþ hem saun fable
And þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table
Alle þai comen ȝerne apliȝt,
Now kiþe þou art a noble kniȝt’—
Cleodalis in alle his liue
Nas neuer ȝete so bliþe
Þo he and his kniȝten
So wele fouȝten so þai miȝten.
Þese were þe geauntes ten
And princes of þe heþen men,
Þo þe paiems hem ded seiȝe
A cri þai gun areren heiȝe
And seyd it were deuelen þat þai wiþ fouȝten
Sikerliche so hem þouȝten,
Þai flowen oway wiþouten abode
Our folk swiþe after hem rode
And to grounde slouȝ doun riȝt
Al þat þai oftake miȝt
Þre þousend þai slowen of þe eiȝtte.
274
To þe riche king Saphiran
Þo were þai xiiii þousand of man
And smiten on Cleodalis
Þat had bot four þousand ywis
And þe to þat comen out of þe cite,
Þer men seiȝe wel gret pite
Hou þe painems and king Saphiran
Defoiled our Cristen men
A þousand and mo þai slowen
Þe remanant of hors drowen;
Oft Cleodalis was wo
Ac neuer wers þan him was þo
Ydriuen he was vnder þe toun
And loked after þe dragoun
Þat Merlin bar ac he no miȝt
Nowhar of him han a siȝt,
No þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table
Miȝt he nowhar se saun fable
He wende þat dede þai hadden ben,
Þer miȝt men gret pite sen
Now he flowe now he wiþstode
For drede he was neiȝe wode,
Þe citaisins þan seiȝe þis
And reweliche cri maden ywis.
Ac þurth Merlin so ich finde
Arthour was bileued bihinde
And þe oþer wiþouten fable,
Þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
And adden alle adoun aliȝt
Her stedes girt [þ]e sadels riȝt
And soft and sarre saun faile
[C]om to þis reweful bataile;
Þo on þe walles of þe toun
Seiȝe comand þe dragoun
Þo seyd þe fair leuedis
275
‘Cleodalis þou gentil k[ni]ȝt
Bistir þe and hardiliche fiȝt
For ȝonder doun in þe valaie
Ȝou comeþ socour of gret noblay
We seþ þe dragoun þat casteþ fer
And after þe newe souders
And Le[o]degan wiþ hem saun fable
And þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table
Alle þai comen ȝerne apliȝt,
Now kiþe þou art a noble kniȝt’—
Cleodalis in alle his liue
Nas neuer ȝete so bliþe
Þo he and his kniȝten
So wele fouȝten so þai miȝten.
Arthour and Ban and king Bohort
Þer hem com to gret comfort
Wiþ her folk of gret mounde
Þre hundred þai bar to grounde,
Ac a left half and a riȝt
King Arthour slouȝ doun riȝt
Wiþ Esclabor his swerd so gode
Þat day he schad so michel blode
Also dede þe king Ban,
Þer slouȝ mani heþen man,
Bohort his broþer and eke he
Spard noiþer þral no fre
Of stiel no yren armes nan
No miȝt doure hem oȝan,
No may y noiþer telle no rede
Hou wele þai deden, her ferrede,
Ac þe leuedis on þe tour
Ȝerne biheld king Arthour
And hadde wonder of his ȝingþe
Þat þer kidde swiche strengþe.
Þe heþen king Saphiran
Despite hadde of so fewe men
So miche folk þat slowen þo
Mani geaunce þai cleued ato,
He cleped to him Sortibran
And Senebant and Engredan
Molore and eke Frelent
And Clariel a geaunt gent
Landon and ek Moras
And Randel þat noble was,
To hem aloude he gan to speke
Wiþ launce his anoie to wreke.
Þer hem com to gret comfort
Wiþ her folk of gret mounde
Þre hundred þai bar to grounde,
Ac a left half and a riȝt
King Arthour slouȝ doun riȝt
Wiþ Esclabor his swerd so gode
Þat day he schad so michel blode
Also dede þe king Ban,
Þer slouȝ mani heþen man,
Bohort his broþer and eke he
Spard noiþer þral no fre
Of stiel no yren armes nan
No miȝt doure hem oȝan,
No may y noiþer telle no rede
Hou wele þai deden, her ferrede,
Ac þe leuedis on þe tour
Ȝerne biheld king Arthour
And hadde wonder of his ȝingþe
Þat þer kidde swiche strengþe.
Þe heþen king Saphiran
Despite hadde of so fewe men
So miche folk þat slowen þo
276
He cleped to him Sortibran
And Senebant and Engredan
Molore and eke Frelent
And Clariel a geaunt gent
Landon and ek Moras
And Randel þat noble was,
To hem aloude he gan to speke
Wiþ launce his anoie to wreke.
Forþ dassed þe king Saphiran
Þat vnsely hoge man
Herui Riuel and his hors gent
He frust doun at o dent
Þat hors and man astuned lay,
Ȝete forþ he dassed par ma fay
And þrewe sir Antor of his hors
Þat al þat day him was þe wors,
Ȝete forþer he gan ride
And smot Grifles bi þe side
And kest him to þe grounde
His launce brac in his wounde,
And Sortibran wiþ iusting cler
Feld Luca[n]s þe buteler,
Clariel feld Meraugys
And sore hirt him ywis,
Engredan feld Gor[n]ains and Craddoc
And sore agreued our floc,
Senebant þrewe doun Bleoberis
And his hors vnder him ywis,
Þus þe geauntes our kniȝtes þrewe;
Our men gun it sore rewe
Non of hem had dedeli wounde
Ac sone stirt vp in þat stounde
And wiþ scharpe swerdes of stiel
Wered hem manliche wel,
Our folk abuten hem gan þrest
And socourd hem wiþ þe best.
Þat vnsely hoge man
Herui Riuel and his hors gent
He frust doun at o dent
Þat hors and man astuned lay,
Ȝete forþ he dassed par ma fay
And þrewe sir Antor of his hors
Þat al þat day him was þe wors,
Ȝete forþer he gan ride
And smot Grifles bi þe side
And kest him to þe grounde
His launce brac in his wounde,
And Sortibran wiþ iusting cler
Feld Luca[n]s þe buteler,
Clariel feld Meraugys
And sore hirt him ywis,
Engredan feld Gor[n]ains and Craddoc
And sore agreued our floc,
Senebant þrewe doun Bleoberis
And his hors vnder him ywis,
Þus þe geauntes our kniȝtes þrewe;
Our men gun it sore rewe
Non of hem had dedeli wounde
Ac sone stirt vp in þat stounde
And wiþ scharpe swerdes of stiel
Wered hem manliche wel,
Our folk abuten hem gan þrest
And socourd hem wiþ þe best.
And ȝete in þis strong rideing
Com Saphiran þe heþen king
And in his hond a launce strong
Þat was boþe gret and long
Leodegan on þe scheld he hitt
And wiþ strengþe it þurth slit,
His hond he bar heiȝe ferly
Þe launce glod þe king forby
Þat ran þurth þe hors bihinde
King and hors adoun gan winde;
‘Allas’ þai seyd on þe tounes wal
‘Now we han ylorn al’
Þai wende þe king yslawe ware
And maden diol and sorweful fare,
Gvenour made gret diol ywis
And so dede al þo leuedis
Þat þat ich dint ysawe
Þai wende þe king were yslawe—
So he hadde forsoþ yben
No hadde oþer stirt bitven
And him halp in þat rideing.
Þo spac Arthour þe king
‘Certes’ he seyd ‘þis nis no game
Þe paiems doþ ous swiche schame’
And swore he wold sterue anon
Oþer him awreke of his fon
And namlich on Saphiran,
‘Nay lete me’ quaþ king Ban
‘For þou art to ȝong and ek to lite
Oȝain swiche a deuel to smite.’
Þo seyd Merlin to Arthour
A word of gret deshonour
‘Wat abidestow coward king?
Þe paiem ȝif anon meteing!’
For schame Arthour was neiȝe wode
In wratþe brent al his blod
His hors he smiteþ and he forþ glod
Oȝain king Saphiran he rode,
Saphiran seiȝe war he cam
A strong launce in hond he nam
Toforn him his scheld he grope
Stef he streiȝt his stirope
His stede he smot of gret valour
And rode oȝain king Arthour—
A deuel rod oȝain a child.
King Ban for drede was nei wilde
And rode after king Arthour
To helpen him par auentour.
Saphiran wiþ king Arthour mett
Wiþ miȝt gret on him stett
His scharp launce gan to glide
Þurth Arthour scheld and his side,
Þe speres schaft al torof;
Arthour nam no ȝeme þerof
Ac in sadel sat vpriȝt
To mete Saphiran apliȝt,
His launce he bar þurthout his scheld
And þurth þe hauberk felefeld
Þurth þe wombe and þurth þe chine
Þe spere ȝede euen bi line,
Quaþ Arthour ‘Þou heþen cokin
Wende to þi deuel Apolin!’
Þe paiem fel ded to grounde
His soule lauȝt helle-hounde.
G[v]eneoure sat on þe cite-walle
And þe oþer leuedis alle
Of Arthour seiȝe iusting þis
On him þai laiden al þe priis.
Anon after þe king Ban
Met þe geaunt Sortibran
And on þe scholder so him hit
Þe side fram þe bodi kitt,
Þo com Malore and Frelent
And nomen Ban þat king so gent
Bi þe helme wiþ her hond,
To smite of his heued þai gun fond;
Þis yseiȝe þe king Arthour
And smot his stede to þat socour
Malore in þe heued he hitt
Þe heued fram þe bodi he kitt.
Com Saphiran þe heþen king
277
Þat was boþe gret and long
Leodegan on þe scheld he hitt
And wiþ strengþe it þurth slit,
His hond he bar heiȝe ferly
Þe launce glod þe king forby
Þat ran þurth þe hors bihinde
King and hors adoun gan winde;
‘Allas’ þai seyd on þe tounes wal
‘Now we han ylorn al’
Þai wende þe king yslawe ware
And maden diol and sorweful fare,
Gvenour made gret diol ywis
And so dede al þo leuedis
Þat þat ich dint ysawe
Þai wende þe king were yslawe—
So he hadde forsoþ yben
No hadde oþer stirt bitven
And him halp in þat rideing.
Þo spac Arthour þe king
‘Certes’ he seyd ‘þis nis no game
Þe paiems doþ ous swiche schame’
And swore he wold sterue anon
Oþer him awreke of his fon
And namlich on Saphiran,
‘Nay lete me’ quaþ king Ban
‘For þou art to ȝong and ek to lite
Oȝain swiche a deuel to smite.’
Þo seyd Merlin to Arthour
A word of gret deshonour
‘Wat abidestow coward king?
Þe paiem ȝif anon meteing!’
For schame Arthour was neiȝe wode
In wratþe brent al his blod
His hors he smiteþ and he forþ glod
Oȝain king Saphiran he rode,
Saphiran seiȝe war he cam
A strong launce in hond he nam
Toforn him his scheld he grope
Stef he streiȝt his stirope
278
And rode oȝain king Arthour—
A deuel rod oȝain a child.
King Ban for drede was nei wilde
And rode after king Arthour
To helpen him par auentour.
Saphiran wiþ king Arthour mett
Wiþ miȝt gret on him stett
His scharp launce gan to glide
Þurth Arthour scheld and his side,
Þe speres schaft al torof;
Arthour nam no ȝeme þerof
Ac in sadel sat vpriȝt
To mete Saphiran apliȝt,
His launce he bar þurthout his scheld
And þurth þe hauberk felefeld
Þurth þe wombe and þurth þe chine
Þe spere ȝede euen bi line,
Quaþ Arthour ‘Þou heþen cokin
Wende to þi deuel Apolin!’
Þe paiem fel ded to grounde
His soule lauȝt helle-hounde.
G[v]eneoure sat on þe cite-walle
And þe oþer leuedis alle
Of Arthour seiȝe iusting þis
On him þai laiden al þe priis.
Anon after þe king Ban
Met þe geaunt Sortibran
And on þe scholder so him hit
Þe side fram þe bodi kitt,
Þo com Malore and Frelent
And nomen Ban þat king so gent
Bi þe helme wiþ her hond,
To smite of his heued þai gun fond;
Þis yseiȝe þe king Arthour
And smot his stede to þat socour
Malore in þe heued he hitt
Þe heued fram þe bodi he kitt.
Þo þouȝt þe paiem Frelent
Awreke his cosyn of þat dent
To Arthour wiþ main he smot
His scheld he clef God it wot
And of his hauberk a gore
And of his aketoun a fot and more
Ac he no tok nouȝt his flesche,
Herof Arthour anoid wes
A dint he smot anon to him
And cleue his helme and eke bacin
And al þe heued to þe brest,
Þe paien fel wiþ iuel rest.
Þe paiens schirt and made dol
For þai no hadde þo bot Randol
A geaunt þat bar [þ]e gomfanoun
Alle þe oþer were leyd adoun,
Þe paiens of deþ hadden doute
And alle wenten Randol aboute
Ac Ban no leued for no doute
Þat he no dassed hem þurthout
And Randoil on þe schulder he smot
Wiþ his swerd þat wele bot
Þurthout hauberk and aketoun
To þe midel al adoun,
Þe pensel fel and eke Randoil.
Þe paiens þerof hadden diol
And gun rere a wel foule crie
So dorren don and flesche-fleiȝen
And for sorwe and drede and eiȝe
Þai flowen euerich his weiȝe,
King Arthour wiþouten abade
And alle þe oþer of whom y tofore sade
After þis paiens fling
And mani of hem to deþ sting
Wiþ scharp swerd of gode egge
Þe liif þai dede mani on legge;
Of xiiii þousand, boten fiue
No aschaped to king Rion oliue
Wiþ michel sorwe and michel care
And þat al forwounded ware.
King Rion al þai teld
Hou her feren weren aqueld,
Wel wroþ was king Rion þo
And made diol and michel wo
And swiftliche he sent his sond
Oueral into Irlond
And into Danmark also,
Þe messangers forþ gun go
Þat bere letters and tidinges
To on and xx strong kinges
To hundred m þat schulden bring
And l m of heþen genge
And for to ȝer her spending—
And so þai dede wiþouten lesing.
After þis bataile and scumfite
Our men boþe gret and lite
Togider gaderd hem comonliche
And comen hom nobleliche
And biforn hem driuen al þe pray
Of xx c cartes y say
And com to Carohaise þat riche toun
Wiþ ioie and wiþ processioun;
King Leodegan þo hete
His men nimen þat pray skete
Þat in þe tventi c cartes was
Taken it Arthour more and las
So deden þe kinges kniȝtes,
Arthour nome it anon riȝtes
And parted it wel curtaisliche
Bi Merlins conseil sikerliche
And so miche ȝaf his ost Blaise
Þat riche hem made and wele at aise.
Ac Arthour no Ban no forþ his host
No lenge wiþ Blasie soiourne most
Ac to court þai were yfeched ra[þ]e
And ydon in riche baþe;
Gveneour wesche þe king Arthour
And Ban and Bohort wiþ honour,
Gvenore anoþer damisel
And oþer maiden fair and fel
Weschen alle her gentil feren—
Here ȝe schul now yheren
Hou þe oþer Gvenour was biȝete
Y wil þat ȝe it alle wite.
Awreke his cosyn of þat dent
279
His scheld he clef God it wot
And of his hauberk a gore
And of his aketoun a fot and more
Ac he no tok nouȝt his flesche,
Herof Arthour anoid wes
A dint he smot anon to him
And cleue his helme and eke bacin
And al þe heued to þe brest,
Þe paien fel wiþ iuel rest.
Þe paiens schirt and made dol
For þai no hadde þo bot Randol
A geaunt þat bar [þ]e gomfanoun
Alle þe oþer were leyd adoun,
Þe paiens of deþ hadden doute
And alle wenten Randol aboute
Ac Ban no leued for no doute
Þat he no dassed hem þurthout
And Randoil on þe schulder he smot
Wiþ his swerd þat wele bot
Þurthout hauberk and aketoun
To þe midel al adoun,
Þe pensel fel and eke Randoil.
Þe paiens þerof hadden diol
And gun rere a wel foule crie
So dorren don and flesche-fleiȝen
And for sorwe and drede and eiȝe
Þai flowen euerich his weiȝe,
King Arthour wiþouten abade
And alle þe oþer of whom y tofore sade
After þis paiens fling
And mani of hem to deþ sting
Wiþ scharp swerd of gode egge
Þe liif þai dede mani on legge;
Of xiiii þousand, boten fiue
No aschaped to king Rion oliue
Wiþ michel sorwe and michel care
And þat al forwounded ware.
King Rion al þai teld
280
Wel wroþ was king Rion þo
And made diol and michel wo
And swiftliche he sent his sond
Oueral into Irlond
And into Danmark also,
Þe messangers forþ gun go
Þat bere letters and tidinges
To on and xx strong kinges
To hundred m þat schulden bring
And l m of heþen genge
And for to ȝer her spending—
And so þai dede wiþouten lesing.
After þis bataile and scumfite
Our men boþe gret and lite
Togider gaderd hem comonliche
And comen hom nobleliche
And biforn hem driuen al þe pray
Of xx c cartes y say
And com to Carohaise þat riche toun
Wiþ ioie and wiþ processioun;
King Leodegan þo hete
His men nimen þat pray skete
Þat in þe tventi c cartes was
Taken it Arthour more and las
So deden þe kinges kniȝtes,
Arthour nome it anon riȝtes
And parted it wel curtaisliche
Bi Merlins conseil sikerliche
And so miche ȝaf his ost Blaise
Þat riche hem made and wele at aise.
Ac Arthour no Ban no forþ his host
No lenge wiþ Blasie soiourne most
Ac to court þai were yfeched ra[þ]e
And ydon in riche baþe;
Gveneour wesche þe king Arthour
And Ban and Bohort wiþ honour,
Gvenore anoþer damisel
And oþer maiden fair and fel
281
Here ȝe schul now yheren
Hou þe oþer Gvenour was biȝete
Y wil þat ȝe it alle wite.
Þo Leodegan spoused his quene
A burmaiden he hadde fair and schene,
On fair maner and gentil wise
Þat serued þe leuedi of heiȝe prise,
Þe kinges steward Cleodalis
Seiȝe þis maiden of gret prise
And spac so fair to þe king
Þat he wedded þat swete þing.
After a ȝer oþer to ywis
Þat gentil kniȝt Cleodalis
Went þer him hete þe king
And left his wiif in þe quenes ȝeming
And ich ȝou sigge par ma fay
In þe quenes chaumber sche lay.
Ich niȝt it was þe quenes maner
To chirche gon and matins here,
Also þe quen herd matines
Þe king aros bi wrongful lines
And what bi loue and what bi striif
He forlay þe stewardes wiif
And biȝat a maide of gret mounde
Þat was Gvenour þe secounde,
And fram þat time al afterward
He binam þe wif his steward
And hadde hir fer in on trist
Whiderward þe steward nist
Naþeles Cleodalis
Þat gentil kniȝt of michel priis
Noiþer in seruise no in bataile
No feined oȝain þe king saun faile;
Þis Gvenour was þe oþer so liche
So pani is oþer sikerliche.
Þese weschen þis gentil man
And leyd tables after þan.
Leodegan nam ȝeme wi[ch] onour
Alle þe oþer born king Arthour,
King Arthour sat wiþouten fable
Midelest at þe heiȝe table
King Ban at his riȝt half sat
Ac þe oþer half king Bohort at
Afterward her compeinie
Was yset þritti and neie
And next hem wiþouten fable
Sat þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
After þat ysett were þere
Al þo oþer after þai were.
In halle þai hadden riche seruise,
Whereto schuld y þat deuise?
Ac Gveneour wiþouten les
Serued Arthour of þe first mes;
Leodegan þat wele y say
Biheld his douhter and Arthour noblay
So michel on hem he þouȝt
Þat of mete no drink he no rouȝt,
A noble kniȝt Herui de Riuel
Vndernam his semblaunt wel
And seyd ‘Sir þi þouȝt lete be
And make þine ostes gamen-gle,
Eten and drink men schal on benche
And after mete in chaumber þenche,’
Þe king þis tale vnderstode
And made his gestes semblaunt gode.
Ac on Gveneour biheld Arthour
And was al nomen in hir amour
Ac he tempred so his blod
Þat non oþer it vnderstode;
Gvenoure on knewes oft gan stoupe
To serue king Arthour wiþ þe coupe
And he seyd to hir saun faile
‘Crist lete me ȝeld þe þi trauaile,’
And sche seyd to him ‘Sir gramerci
It nis nouȝt to ȝeld sir ie vus dy
Ac swiche a þou[s]and so y be
Sir no miȝt it ȝeld þe
Þe help and þe trauail and þe honour
Þat ȝe han don to mi lord and ȝour socour,
Yherd be Ih[es]us Cristes sond
Þat ȝou sent into þis lond’—
Gveneour was euer tofor Arthour
And serued him wiþ gret honour
And bifor eueri gentil man was
Maidens to serue wiþ gret solas.
Þer were trumpes and fiþelers
And stiuours and tabourers
Þai eten and dro[n]ken and made hem glade
And þo þai were al glad made
Þe cloþes weren vp ydrawe
And þai weschen so it was lawe.
After mete asked king Ban
To þe king Leodegan
Whi Gvenour his douhter precious
To sum gentil man [n]ere yspouse
Seþþen he no hadde non airs,
‘Certes sir’ quaþ Leodegan vairs
‘Ȝif were ner so mot y liue
Sche were mani day yȝeue,
Wist ich owhar ani bacheler
Vigrous and of miȝt cler
And he were of gode linage
Þei he nadde non hirritage
Mi douhter ich wald him ȝiue
And al mi þing wiþ to liue’—
For king Arthour þat he seyd.
Merlin þo toforn hem pleyd
And cleped vp king Arthour and Ban
And her feren fram Leodegan
So þat Leodegan miȝt of noþing
More wite of her being;
Þer seyd Merlin anon riȝt
To king Arthour al þe sleiȝt
Þat Wawain and his feren of mounde
Hadde ydon biside Lounde
And al þat þerwhiles schuld falle
He teld þer biforn hem alle,
Wherþurth bliþe in þat toun
Þai bileft til þe Assensioun.
Lete we now here king Arthour
And his feren wiþ gret honour
And hereþ of þe chaunces ille
Þerwhiles in Inglond bifelle.
A burmaiden he hadde fair and schene,
On fair maner and gentil wise
Þat serued þe leuedi of heiȝe prise,
Þe kinges steward Cleodalis
Seiȝe þis maiden of gret prise
And spac so fair to þe king
Þat he wedded þat swete þing.
After a ȝer oþer to ywis
Þat gentil kniȝt Cleodalis
Went þer him hete þe king
And left his wiif in þe quenes ȝeming
And ich ȝou sigge par ma fay
In þe quenes chaumber sche lay.
Ich niȝt it was þe quenes maner
To chirche gon and matins here,
Also þe quen herd matines
Þe king aros bi wrongful lines
And what bi loue and what bi striif
He forlay þe stewardes wiif
And biȝat a maide of gret mounde
Þat was Gvenour þe secounde,
And fram þat time al afterward
He binam þe wif his steward
And hadde hir fer in on trist
Whiderward þe steward nist
Naþeles Cleodalis
Þat gentil kniȝt of michel priis
Noiþer in seruise no in bataile
No feined oȝain þe king saun faile;
Þis Gvenour was þe oþer so liche
So pani is oþer sikerliche.
Þese weschen þis gentil man
And leyd tables after þan.
Leodegan nam ȝeme wi[ch] onour
282
King Arthour sat wiþouten fable
Midelest at þe heiȝe table
King Ban at his riȝt half sat
Ac þe oþer half king Bohort at
Afterward her compeinie
Was yset þritti and neie
And next hem wiþouten fable
Sat þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
After þat ysett were þere
Al þo oþer after þai were.
In halle þai hadden riche seruise,
Whereto schuld y þat deuise?
Ac Gveneour wiþouten les
Serued Arthour of þe first mes;
Leodegan þat wele y say
Biheld his douhter and Arthour noblay
So michel on hem he þouȝt
Þat of mete no drink he no rouȝt,
A noble kniȝt Herui de Riuel
Vndernam his semblaunt wel
And seyd ‘Sir þi þouȝt lete be
And make þine ostes gamen-gle,
Eten and drink men schal on benche
And after mete in chaumber þenche,’
Þe king þis tale vnderstode
And made his gestes semblaunt gode.
Ac on Gveneour biheld Arthour
And was al nomen in hir amour
Ac he tempred so his blod
Þat non oþer it vnderstode;
Gvenoure on knewes oft gan stoupe
To serue king Arthour wiþ þe coupe
And he seyd to hir saun faile
‘Crist lete me ȝeld þe þi trauaile,’
And sche seyd to him ‘Sir gramerci
It nis nouȝt to ȝeld sir ie vus dy
Ac swiche a þou[s]and so y be
Sir no miȝt it ȝeld þe
283
Þat ȝe han don to mi lord and ȝour socour,
Yherd be Ih[es]us Cristes sond
Þat ȝou sent into þis lond’—
Gveneour was euer tofor Arthour
And serued him wiþ gret honour
And bifor eueri gentil man was
Maidens to serue wiþ gret solas.
Þer were trumpes and fiþelers
And stiuours and tabourers
Þai eten and dro[n]ken and made hem glade
And þo þai were al glad made
Þe cloþes weren vp ydrawe
And þai weschen so it was lawe.
After mete asked king Ban
To þe king Leodegan
Whi Gvenour his douhter precious
To sum gentil man [n]ere yspouse
Seþþen he no hadde non airs,
‘Certes sir’ quaþ Leodegan vairs
‘Ȝif were ner so mot y liue
Sche were mani day yȝeue,
Wist ich owhar ani bacheler
Vigrous and of miȝt cler
And he were of gode linage
Þei he nadde non hirritage
Mi douhter ich wald him ȝiue
And al mi þing wiþ to liue’—
For king Arthour þat he seyd.
Merlin þo toforn hem pleyd
And cleped vp king Arthour and Ban
And her feren fram Leodegan
So þat Leodegan miȝt of noþing
More wite of her being;
Þer seyd Merlin anon riȝt
To king Arthour al þe sleiȝt
Þat Wawain and his feren of mounde
Hadde ydon biside Lounde
And al þat þerwhiles schuld falle
284
Wherþurth bliþe in þat toun
Þai bileft til þe Assensioun.
Lete we now here king Arthour
And his feren wiþ gret honour
And hereþ of þe chaunces ille
Þerwhiles in Inglond bifelle.
Listneþ now fele and fewe,
In May þe sonne felleþ dewe
Þe day is miri and draweþ along
Þe lark arereþ her song
To mede goþ þis damisele
And fair floures gadreþ fele.
In May þe sonne felleþ dewe
Þe day is miri and draweþ along
Þe lark arereþ her song
To mede goþ þis damisele
And fair floures gadreþ fele.
King Arthour is leued at Carohaise
And alle his frendes wele at aise,
And euerich cite þat was his owe
Castels tours heiȝe and lowe
He dede warnise wiþ store þan
Þat he no douted non haþen man,
Ac swiþe gre[t] confussiouns
Bifel þerwhiles to our barouns
Þat were ywent ato wel wide
Euerich to loke his owen side.
And alle his frendes wele at aise,
And euerich cite þat was his owe
Castels tours heiȝe and lowe
He dede warnise wiþ store þan
Þat he no douted non haþen man,
Ac swiþe gre[t] confussiouns
Bifel þerwhiles to our barouns
Þat were ywent ato wel wide
Euerich to loke his owen side.
In þis time a messanger cam
To þe king sir Cradelman
And seyd so ich writen finde
‘Of paiens xx þousinde
Comeþ a boþe half Arundel
Yarmed swiþe wel.’
Swiftliche þe king Cradelman
Nam x þousand armed man,
Haluendel tok Pollidamas
His nevou þat gode kniȝt was
Þe oþer del himseluen he tok
So we finden on þe boke
Þai riden forþ anon riȝt
Til þai com to hem apliȝt
And founden hem on a grene plas
Ich of hem slepeand was;
Al abouten þai biclept hes
And smiten on wiþouten les,
Wiþ hors fete þai riden hem on
And þurth stongen mani on,
Þurth swerd and ax spere and kniif
Þer les mani a man þe liif.
Non hadde miȝt hem to were
Noiþer wiþ swerd no wiþ spere
Ac alle þat euer miȝt flen
Swiþe gun oway ten
To a castel wiche held Cramile
Þennes ouer þre mile
Heiȝe and strong a roche opon
(Hir broþer hiȝt Bordogabron,
Þer was in wiþ hir þo
XX þousand paiems and mo),
XV þousand king Cradelman
Slouȝ of þat heþen man
Þe fiue þousand flowen oway
Our folk hem suwed par ma fay.
To þe king sir Cradelman
And seyd so ich writen finde
‘Of paiens xx þousinde
Comeþ a boþe half Arundel
Yarmed swiþe wel.’
Swiftliche þe king Cradelman
Nam x þousand armed man,
Haluendel tok Pollidamas
His nevou þat gode kniȝt was
Þe oþer del himseluen he tok
So we finden on þe boke
Þai riden forþ anon riȝt
Til þai com to hem apliȝt
And founden hem on a grene plas
Ich of hem slepeand was;
Al abouten þai biclept hes
285
Wiþ hors fete þai riden hem on
And þurth stongen mani on,
Þurth swerd and ax spere and kniif
Þer les mani a man þe liif.
Non hadde miȝt hem to were
Noiþer wiþ swerd no wiþ spere
Ac alle þat euer miȝt flen
Swiþe gun oway ten
To a castel wiche held Cramile
Þennes ouer þre mile
Heiȝe and strong a roche opon
(Hir broþer hiȝt Bordogabron,
Þer was in wiþ hir þo
XX þousand paiems and mo),
XV þousand king Cradelman
Slouȝ of þat heþen man
Þe fiue þousand flowen oway
Our folk hem suwed par ma fay.
Þe paiens þat wiþ Cramile were
Her feren þai seiȝe misfare
‘As armes!’ gred alle þat þer was
Boþe þe more and þe lasse,
XIIII þousand lopen on stede
Armed alle in riche wede
And smiten on king Cradelman,
Þer was miche sleiȝt of man.
Þerwhiles þe gentil men of Arundel
Wenten out and deden wel—
Gold and siluer and purpel pelles
Mete and drink and mani þing elles
Þat þe paiens þer hadden late,
Þai went to Arundel and schet þe gate
And stowen vp heiȝe on þe walle
To sen what miȝt to our bifalle.
Bi þat þai com on þe wal on heiȝe
Cradelman was scomfite neiȝe,
Doun þai lepen of þe walle
And ‘As armes!’ þai gredden alle
On gode hors þai lepen of priis
(Fiue hundred þer were ywis)
To socour and comen anon
And halp wele Cradelman
Þat hadde lorn of ten þousinde
Þe þre þousand so y finde,
Þe paiens of þousindes fourten
Þe four hadden lorn so y wen.
Ac þer swiche bataile aros
A boþe half þat hem agros
Ac our had hadde þer more wo
No hadde a chaunce ben þat bifel þo
For þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes
Com hem vp þo forþ riȝtes
Þat hadde yherd bifore teld
Hou paiens þe cuntre hadde aqueld
And come priueliche paiens to aspie
To binimen hem her robrie,
X þousand he hadde gode kniȝten
(Þe haluendel he dede diȝten
To Morganor his steward
In armes stalworþ and hard)
Þis dasched on þe Sarraȝins
Wiþ gode wille and hert fins
Eueriche wiþ his strong spere
Þurth a Sarraȝin gan it bere
V forlong he dede hem recoile
And vnder hors fete defoile.
Ich on oþer fast hewe
Ac þe Sarraȝins þo it sewe
Hou þat men her folk hit
And hou fele fel in litel fit,
Þai arered a cri of more wonder
Þan tempest vfer, or þonder,
Alle þat euer fle miȝt
Oway flowen anon riȝt
Ac our kniȝtes and our barouns
Hem tauȝt so her lessouns
Þat of fourten þousand fram deþ
No ascaped bot þre vnneþ,
Of hem ran as michel blod
So in riuer when it is flod,
Þer lay of paiens mani tasse
Wide and side more and lasse
Mani fair stede dede þer lay
And mani wiþ blodi sadel ȝede astray,
For seþþen first, in on þrawe
Fiftene þousand þer were yslawe,
And er weren also ich finde
Afor yslawe þritten þousinde,
Þus fele þai slouȝ of haþen
Þat schuld hem no more waite scaþen;
It þouȝt hem a fair praie
Ac þo at arst agan her ioie
For euerich oþer knewe sone
And þonked God midydone
Of þe help and þe socour
Þat eueriche dede oþer wiþ vigour,
And anon wiþouten onde
Went into Arundel ich vnderstond
And dede biri þat ich day
Þe Cristen in chirche-hay.
Of þe paiens þat were in lond
Gret conseil þai held ich vnderstond.
Her feren þai seiȝe misfare
‘As armes!’ gred alle þat þer was
Boþe þe more and þe lasse,
XIIII þousand lopen on stede
Armed alle in riche wede
And smiten on king Cradelman,
Þer was miche sleiȝt of man.
Þerwhiles þe gentil men of Arundel
Wenten out and deden wel—
Gold and siluer and purpel pelles
Mete and drink and mani þing elles
Þat þe paiens þer hadden late,
Þai went to Arundel and schet þe gate
And stowen vp heiȝe on þe walle
To sen what miȝt to our bifalle.
Bi þat þai com on þe wal on heiȝe
Cradelman was scomfite neiȝe,
Doun þai lepen of þe walle
And ‘As armes!’ þai gredden alle
286
(Fiue hundred þer were ywis)
To socour and comen anon
And halp wele Cradelman
Þat hadde lorn of ten þousinde
Þe þre þousand so y finde,
Þe paiens of þousindes fourten
Þe four hadden lorn so y wen.
Ac þer swiche bataile aros
A boþe half þat hem agros
Ac our had hadde þer more wo
No hadde a chaunce ben þat bifel þo
For þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes
Com hem vp þo forþ riȝtes
Þat hadde yherd bifore teld
Hou paiens þe cuntre hadde aqueld
And come priueliche paiens to aspie
To binimen hem her robrie,
X þousand he hadde gode kniȝten
(Þe haluendel he dede diȝten
To Morganor his steward
In armes stalworþ and hard)
Þis dasched on þe Sarraȝins
Wiþ gode wille and hert fins
Eueriche wiþ his strong spere
Þurth a Sarraȝin gan it bere
V forlong he dede hem recoile
And vnder hors fete defoile.
Ich on oþer fast hewe
Ac þe Sarraȝins þo it sewe
Hou þat men her folk hit
And hou fele fel in litel fit,
Þai arered a cri of more wonder
Þan tempest vfer, or þonder,
Alle þat euer fle miȝt
Oway flowen anon riȝt
Ac our kniȝtes and our barouns
Hem tauȝt so her lessouns
287
No ascaped bot þre vnneþ,
Of hem ran as michel blod
So in riuer when it is flod,
Þer lay of paiens mani tasse
Wide and side more and lasse
Mani fair stede dede þer lay
And mani wiþ blodi sadel ȝede astray,
For seþþen first, in on þrawe
Fiftene þousand þer were yslawe,
And er weren also ich finde
Afor yslawe þritten þousinde,
Þus fele þai slouȝ of haþen
Þat schuld hem no more waite scaþen;
It þouȝt hem a fair praie
Ac þo at arst agan her ioie
For euerich oþer knewe sone
And þonked God midydone
Of þe help and þe socour
Þat eueriche dede oþer wiþ vigour,
And anon wiþouten onde
Went into Arundel ich vnderstond
And dede biri þat ich day
Þe Cristen in chirche-hay.
Of þe paiens þat were in lond
Gret conseil þai held ich vnderstond.
Þo seyd þe king Angvigenes,
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes wes
‘Ich rede we sende our sond
To alle our peres of þis lond
Þat we ous geder togider alle
And on þe paiens at ones falle
And fonden bi fine miȝt
To slen hem alle doun riȝt.’
‘Certes’ quaþ Cradelman
‘Me þink þat nere nouȝt wele don
For oȝain on of our men
Beþ mo þan þritti and ten,
Ȝete is better for ich cas
Þat eueriche baroun loke his pas
And aspie hem bi tropie
And so fond hem to astroie,
No schal ich no non of mine
Ben bihinde for deþ no pine.’
Þo þai hadden seyd þis word
Ich bitauȝt oþer our Lord
Anon hom ich of hem went cert
Of þat pray ich hadde his part
Whereþurth þai miȝten, after long,
Þe better hem ȝeme fram wer and wrong—
Lete we now þes bileuen here
And speke we now of her fere.
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes wes
‘Ich rede we sende our sond
To alle our peres of þis lond
Þat we ous geder togider alle
And on þe paiens at ones falle
And fonden bi fine miȝt
To slen hem alle doun riȝt.’
‘Certes’ quaþ Cradelman
‘Me þink þat nere nouȝt wele don
For oȝain on of our men
Beþ mo þan þritti and ten,
Ȝete is better for ich cas
Þat eueriche baroun loke his pas
288
And so fond hem to astroie,
No schal ich no non of mine
Ben bihinde for deþ no pine.’
Þo þai hadden seyd þis word
Ich bitauȝt oþer our Lord
Anon hom ich of hem went cert
Of þat pray ich hadde his part
Whereþurth þai miȝten, after long,
Þe better hem ȝeme fram wer and wrong—
Lete we now þes bileuen here
And speke we now of her fere.
Þer comen vp fer bi norþ
Ten riche soudans of gret worþ
Ten riche soudans of gret worþ
Þe first king hete Oriens
Þe oþer hete Pongerrens
Þe þridde hete Manginoires
Þe ferþ het Gondeffles
Þe fift soudan het Sorbars
And þe sext het Pincenars
Þe seuend soudan het Fraidons
And þe heiȝte Salbrons
Þe neiȝd het Maliaduc
Þe tenþ Vargon an heþen douc,
Þes comen vp so ich finde
Wiþ fiften c þousinde
And wiþ þe stouer of to ȝare
Þerwiþ þai miȝt wele fare,
Ac þo þai comen vp on lond
Þai senten her folk ich vnderstond
Bi seuen þousand and bi heiȝte
Vplondis men to sle doun riȝt,
Bi niȝen þousand and bi ten
Þai senten about to slen our men.
In þis sorweful time and lange
Into þe cite of Coruanges
Messangers com to Angvisaunt þe king
And teld him reweful tiding
‘Sir’ he seyd ‘bitven þis cite and Lanernv
Fiftene þousand be comen nov
Sarrains þat wiþ fire wilde
Brennen man wiif and childe,
Bot þou hem socoureþ anon
Þai be forlorn eurichon.’
Þes comen vp so ich finde
Wiþ fiften c þousinde
And wiþ þe stouer of to ȝare
Þerwiþ þai miȝt wele fare,
Ac þo þai comen vp on lond
Þai senten her folk ich vnderstond
Bi seuen þousand and bi heiȝte
Vplondis men to sle doun riȝt,
Bi niȝen þousand and bi ten
Þai senten about to slen our men.
In þis sorweful time and lange
Into þe cite of Coruanges
289
And teld him reweful tiding
‘Sir’ he seyd ‘bitven þis cite and Lanernv
Fiftene þousand be comen nov
Sarrains þat wiþ fire wilde
Brennen man wiif and childe,
Bot þou hem socoureþ anon
Þai be forlorn eurichon.’
Þe king was sori and noþing bliþe
‘As armes!’ he grad swiþe,
XV þousand al armed ywis
Þer lopen on gode hors of priis,
To on hille and gun hem heiȝe
Þis mesauentour forto aspie
Þo seiȝe þai al þe cuntray
Stonden brenand on rede leiȝe
Man and woman vrn so dere
Oueral for dout of þe fer,
Mani man for drede lete his wiif
Þe wiif hir child þe child his liif,
Quaþ king Angvisaunt ‘Woleway
Þat ich euer bot þis day
And þat ich euer schuld sen
Þus miche rewþe on erþe ben.’
His men þer he schift ato
Half he tok himself and mo
And haluendel he toke Gaudin
Þat was a kniȝt hardi and fin,
Þat seþþen wiþ his miȝti hand
Wan þat maiden of þe douke Branland;
Þese smiten þe hors of priis
And deden hem gon gode scour ywis,
Þurth mani bodi haþen
Her launces þai dede baþen
After þat her swerdes þai drowen
And sex þousand to grounde slowen
Als who seyt, al for nouȝt,
For þai wer abrod ydreyȝt.
Ac sone þerafter nouȝt forþan
Fourti þousand after hem cam
Ac our þurth Godes miȝt
Wele hem stode oȝain to fiȝt
And cleued mani heþen hounde
Fram þe to[p] to þe grounde
And deden al forþ manliche
For leuer hem were be ded sikerliche
In manschippe and in trewþe
Þan euer more liue in rewþe
And so nobliche her dint bisett
Þat neuer men no deden bet.
Allas allas! Gret pite
Sone fel on þis gent meine
Lenger douren þai no miȝt
For opon hem com anon riȝt
Þe forseyd soudans ten
Wiþ alle þe cuntre wreiȝen of men
And biclept al about
Our litel Cristen rout
And slouȝ of our compainie
Verament þousandes niȝe,
Þo was þer of xv þousand
Yleued bot sex bihinde
And þe oþer flowen also ȝerne
So her stedes miȝt erne
Ac þer no hadde non scaped oway
Nadde chaunce comen fram Crist on heiȝe—
Vriens þe king of Schorham
Þe Sarraȝins bihinde cam
And his nevou Baldemagu
A strong kniȝt of gret vertu
Wham Vriens ȝaf half his lond
Out of Owains his sones hond,
Þese wiþ hem xii þousinde brouȝt
Þat of dede litel rouȝt.
Men hem teld of michel sorwe
Þerfore þai went out bi þe morwe
And þouȝt to don sum alegaunce
Pouer men of her greuaunce
And comen hem sodanliche
Opon alle þe paiens sikerliche,
Þese weren alle gode kniȝt
And flongen opon þe paiens anon riȝt
Wiþ strong launce God it wot
Euerich a paiem þurth smot
And sum wiþ o launce-schaft
What þurth miȝt and Godes craft
Four oþer fiue slowe
Þerafter ich his swerd drowe,
And ich ȝou telle for soþe and siker
Þer bigan a stern biker
For þe Sarraȝins turned oȝen
On king Vrien and his men;
Þer was mani heued of weued
And mani to þe midel cleued
And mani of his hors ylust,
Forsoþe þer ros so michel dust
Þat of þe sonne schineand briȝt
No man miȝt haue no siȝt,
Here and þer crie and honteye
Men miȝt hem heren þre mile-way.
King Anguisaunt and meine his
Was yflowen a fer weys,
Socour com þat he vnderstode
And turned oȝain wiþ hardi mode
On þe Sarraȝins and smite
Wiþ swerdes þat wele bite
And a þousand on a rawe
Þai haden sone brouȝt o dawe,
Þat was bataile of mende
Bitven deuelen and kniȝtes hende.
Þe Sarraȝins ost and pray
Last fele mile-way;
‘As armes!’ he grad swiþe,
XV þousand al armed ywis
Þer lopen on gode hors of priis,
To on hille and gun hem heiȝe
Þis mesauentour forto aspie
Þo seiȝe þai al þe cuntray
Stonden brenand on rede leiȝe
Man and woman vrn so dere
Oueral for dout of þe fer,
Mani man for drede lete his wiif
Þe wiif hir child þe child his liif,
Quaþ king Angvisaunt ‘Woleway
Þat ich euer bot þis day
And þat ich euer schuld sen
Þus miche rewþe on erþe ben.’
His men þer he schift ato
Half he tok himself and mo
And haluendel he toke Gaudin
Þat was a kniȝt hardi and fin,
Þat seþþen wiþ his miȝti hand
Wan þat maiden of þe douke Branland;
Þese smiten þe hors of priis
And deden hem gon gode scour ywis,
Þurth mani bodi haþen
Her launces þai dede baþen
After þat her swerdes þai drowen
And sex þousand to grounde slowen
290
For þai wer abrod ydreyȝt.
Ac sone þerafter nouȝt forþan
Fourti þousand after hem cam
Ac our þurth Godes miȝt
Wele hem stode oȝain to fiȝt
And cleued mani heþen hounde
Fram þe to[p] to þe grounde
And deden al forþ manliche
For leuer hem were be ded sikerliche
In manschippe and in trewþe
Þan euer more liue in rewþe
And so nobliche her dint bisett
Þat neuer men no deden bet.
Allas allas! Gret pite
Sone fel on þis gent meine
Lenger douren þai no miȝt
For opon hem com anon riȝt
Þe forseyd soudans ten
Wiþ alle þe cuntre wreiȝen of men
And biclept al about
Our litel Cristen rout
And slouȝ of our compainie
Verament þousandes niȝe,
Þo was þer of xv þousand
Yleued bot sex bihinde
And þe oþer flowen also ȝerne
So her stedes miȝt erne
Ac þer no hadde non scaped oway
Nadde chaunce comen fram Crist on heiȝe—
Vriens þe king of Schorham
Þe Sarraȝins bihinde cam
And his nevou Baldemagu
A strong kniȝt of gret vertu
Wham Vriens ȝaf half his lond
Out of Owains his sones hond,
Þese wiþ hem xii þousinde brouȝt
291
Men hem teld of michel sorwe
Þerfore þai went out bi þe morwe
And þouȝt to don sum alegaunce
Pouer men of her greuaunce
And comen hem sodanliche
Opon alle þe paiens sikerliche,
Þese weren alle gode kniȝt
And flongen opon þe paiens anon riȝt
Wiþ strong launce God it wot
Euerich a paiem þurth smot
And sum wiþ o launce-schaft
What þurth miȝt and Godes craft
Four oþer fiue slowe
Þerafter ich his swerd drowe,
And ich ȝou telle for soþe and siker
Þer bigan a stern biker
For þe Sarraȝins turned oȝen
On king Vrien and his men;
Þer was mani heued of weued
And mani to þe midel cleued
And mani of his hors ylust,
Forsoþe þer ros so michel dust
Þat of þe sonne schineand briȝt
No man miȝt haue no siȝt,
Here and þer crie and honteye
Men miȝt hem heren þre mile-way.
King Anguisaunt and meine his
Was yflowen a fer weys,
Socour com þat he vnderstode
And turned oȝain wiþ hardi mode
On þe Sarraȝins and smite
Wiþ swerdes þat wele bite
And a þousand on a rawe
Þai haden sone brouȝt o dawe,
Þat was bataile of mende
Bitven deuelen and kniȝtes hende.
Þe Sarraȝins ost and pray
Last fele mile-way;
Vriens at þat o nende fauȝt
And his kniȝtes þat spared nauȝt,
Angvisant fauȝt at þe oþer ende,
Non no miȝt com oþer hende
No bi fele wayes sen
So fele deuelen hem were bitven.
Our folk wiȝtliche hem gan were
Wiþ ex and swerd and scharpe spere,
Ȝete hadde þai lorn gret lore and sleiȝst
Ȝif on hem no hadde comen þe niȝt
Þat þai ne seiȝe miche no lite
Ani to oþer ariȝt to smite;
Ich wot forsoþe of þe heþen men
Were yslawe swiche ten
Þan were of our Cristiens.
Ac swiþe anon þo wiþþerwins
Her pauilouns þo telten riȝt
Forto bileue al þat niȝt;
292
Angvisant fauȝt at þe oþer ende,
Non no miȝt com oþer hende
No bi fele wayes sen
So fele deuelen hem were bitven.
Our folk wiȝtliche hem gan were
Wiþ ex and swerd and scharpe spere,
Ȝete hadde þai lorn gret lore and sleiȝst
Ȝif on hem no hadde comen þe niȝt
Þat þai ne seiȝe miche no lite
Ani to oþer ariȝt to smite;
Ich wot forsoþe of þe heþen men
Were yslawe swiche ten
Þan were of our Cristiens.
Ac swiþe anon þo wiþþerwins
Her pauilouns þo telten riȝt
Forto bileue al þat niȝt;
King Aguisaunt went hom
To Coranges riȝt anon—
Niȝen þousinde hem were yslawe,
Þo þe citeseines it sawe
Þer was mani leuedi
Þat sore biwepe her ami
And mani gentil damisele
Hir fader biwepe wiþ teres fele
Þe soster biwepe her broþer
And euerich frende biwepe oþer.
To Coranges riȝt anon—
Niȝen þousinde hem were yslawe,
Þo þe citeseines it sawe
Þer was mani leuedi
Þat sore biwepe her ami
And mani gentil damisele
Hir fader biwepe wiþ teres fele
Þe soster biwepe her broþer
And euerich frende biwepe oþer.
Þis time went king Vrien
To þe cite wiþ alle his men,
Also he com bi þe way
He fond cartes and michel praye
And loges and pauilouns
Telt on a grene, swiþe roum,
Þo asked king Vrien
Wiþ whom þai weren and wos men,
Þai seyd wiþ king Brangore
And Wandlesbiri [þai] lay [f]ore—
Of Sessoine þis heiȝe king was,
And hadde made al þis purchas
Opon our men ywis
For þe sibred of douke Angis;
King Vriens wiþouten abode
And al his folk on hem rode,
On her heueden and feld adoun
Boþe longes and pauiloun.
To mete þai weren alle yset
Forsoþe hem was litel þe bet
For on hem were stet þe hors
And defoiled her foule cors,
Tables cloþes bred and wine
Plater disse cop and maseline
Was vnder hors fete totoiled
And mani riche þing defoiled;
Vnarmed were þe paiens alle
Our folk hem gun to talle
Wiþ swerd and ax spere and kniif
Þai binome þe paiens her liif
And so hem tohewe anon riȝt
Þat þai nadde power oȝein to fiȝt
Bot were al yslawe in litel stounde
Euerichon vnto þe grounde
Bot fourti paiens vnneþe
Þat hem ascaped fram þe de[þ]e,
Wiche þat niȝt vnderfenge
Oriens þat riche king
And miche biment þat he no miȝt
Awreken hem þat ich niȝt
Ac amorwe he wold fond
Brennen and spillen al þis lond—
Amonges men it were ille
Ȝif eueriche vnwrest hadde his wille.
To þe cite wiþ alle his men,
Also he com bi þe way
He fond cartes and michel praye
And loges and pauilouns
Telt on a grene, swiþe roum,
Þo asked king Vrien
Wiþ whom þai weren and wos men,
Þai seyd wiþ king Brangore
And Wandlesbiri [þai] lay [f]ore—
Of Sessoine þis heiȝe king was,
293
Opon our men ywis
For þe sibred of douke Angis;
King Vriens wiþouten abode
And al his folk on hem rode,
On her heueden and feld adoun
Boþe longes and pauiloun.
To mete þai weren alle yset
Forsoþe hem was litel þe bet
For on hem were stet þe hors
And defoiled her foule cors,
Tables cloþes bred and wine
Plater disse cop and maseline
Was vnder hors fete totoiled
And mani riche þing defoiled;
Vnarmed were þe paiens alle
Our folk hem gun to talle
Wiþ swerd and ax spere and kniif
Þai binome þe paiens her liif
And so hem tohewe anon riȝt
Þat þai nadde power oȝein to fiȝt
Bot were al yslawe in litel stounde
Euerichon vnto þe grounde
Bot fourti paiens vnneþe
Þat hem ascaped fram þe de[þ]e,
Wiche þat niȝt vnderfenge
Oriens þat riche king
And miche biment þat he no miȝt
Awreken hem þat ich niȝt
Ac amorwe he wold fond
Brennen and spillen al þis lond—
Amonges men it were ille
Ȝif eueriche vnwrest hadde his wille.
King Vriens and his kniȝtes, siker,
After þis ich noble biker
Token al þis riche praie
Pelles purper gold and monaye,
V hundred somers wiþouten lesing
Þer were charged wiþ riche þing
And sex hundred cartes so y biþenke
Ful of flesche and mete and drinke,
Alle þai ladden wiþ hem þis
Into þe cite wiþ ioie and blis
Þe heiȝe boþe and þe lawe
Þe bet ferd gret þrawe.
Lete we now be þis soiourne
And speke we of Oriens, wroþ and morne
For þis ich viii þousinde
Þat were yslawe him bihinde,
Amorwe aros king Oriens
And hete castels [and touns bren]
And alle þe houses þat þai founde
Þai schulden bren into þe grounde
Man and hounde wiif and child
Þai schuld bren wiþ fer wilde,
And so þai deden wiþouten pite
And spredden abrod in þe cuntre
And setten on rede laite
Al þat euer þai miȝten awaite.
After þis ich noble biker
Token al þis riche praie
Pelles purper gold and monaye,
V hundred somers wiþouten lesing
Þer were charged wiþ riche þing
294
Ful of flesche and mete and drinke,
Alle þai ladden wiþ hem þis
Into þe cite wiþ ioie and blis
Þe heiȝe boþe and þe lawe
Þe bet ferd gret þrawe.
Lete we now be þis soiourne
And speke we of Oriens, wroþ and morne
For þis ich viii þousinde
Þat were yslawe him bihinde,
Amorwe aros king Oriens
And hete castels [and touns bren]
And alle þe houses þat þai founde
Þai schulden bren into þe grounde
Man and hounde wiif and child
Þai schuld bren wiþ fer wilde,
And so þai deden wiþouten pite
And spredden abrod in þe cuntre
And setten on rede laite
Al þat euer þai miȝten awaite.
Saigremor a child noble
Was comen fram Costentinenoble
In þis time þat ȝe heren
Wiþ seuen hundred gentil feren
Of king Arthour kniȝtes to ben
Ȝif þai miȝt so yþen;
Þes metten children and wiues
And men, to sauen her liues
Vrn and stirten þer and her
For houndes so doþ þe wilde der,
Segremor hem asked whi
Þai vrn and made swiche cri,
Þai seyd for drede of þe haþen
Þat hem brent and dede scaþen,
Þai asked where was þe king Arthour
And þai him swore bi seyn Sauour
To Carmalide he was ygan
To help king Leodegan,
Was comen fram Costentinenoble
In þis time þat ȝe heren
Wiþ seuen hundred gentil feren
Of king Arthour kniȝtes to ben
Ȝif þai miȝt so yþen;
Þes metten children and wiues
And men, to sauen her liues
Vrn and stirten þer and her
For houndes so doþ þe wilde der,
Segremor hem asked whi
Þai vrn and made swiche cri,
Þai seyd for drede of þe haþen
Þat hem brent and dede scaþen,
Þai asked where was þe king Arthour
And þai him swore bi seyn Sauour
To Carmalide he was ygan
To help king Leodegan,
295
‘Certes’ quaþ Sagremoret
‘Oþer we schul sterue in þis flet
Oþer doun leggen of þis haþen
Þat in þis lond doþ swiche scaþen.’
Þer þai hem armed swiþe wel
Boþe in iren and in stiel
And v hundred of vplond
Com to hem ich vnderstond,
And dasched on þe paiens wiþ hert gode
Þat were sprad þo abrode
Þat v hundred in litel stounde
Þai laiden doun wiþ deþes wounde,
Ac sone afterward hem bihinde
Come ȝete fourti þousinde
Þat were wiþ Oriens þe king
And afterward wiþouten lesing
Sexti þousand and mo
Come wiþ king Oriens also—
Þus fele þer comen and no las,
Wiþouten þe cuntre þat ful was.
Ac in þis time an eld man
As messanger to Wawayn cam
Into þe cite of Lounde
And him gret in þat stounde
And seyd ‘Wele yfounden child Wawayn
Crist saue þi miȝt and þi mayn
And alle þi compaynie fre
Þat ich here about þe se!
Sagremor a ȝong man noble
Is ycomen fram Costantinenoble
And seuen hundred ȝong man gent
To sechen king Arthour verrament
Of him to afong swerd of stiel
And to seruen him swiþe wel,
In Souþesex þai ben ariue
In strong periil of her liue
Þis letters þai senten þe
Her nede þou schalt yse.’
Wawain þis letters redde anon
And seyd to his feren ichon
‘As armes feren! Nede it is,
Y nold for þis cite ywis
Þer þat Segremor were ded
Bot we him holpen and deden red.’
To þeld cherl he ȝaue a stede
Þat hem brouȝt þat message at nede
And he hem tauȝt þan way
Toward Segremor þat ich day,
Þai no hadde no desturbing
No of paiens no meteing,
Þis ich eld messanger
Hem ledde boþe swiþe and ner
Þat al bitimes saun faile
Þai miȝten com to þat bataile;
‘Oþer we schul sterue in þis flet
Oþer doun leggen of þis haþen
Þat in þis lond doþ swiche scaþen.’
Þer þai hem armed swiþe wel
Boþe in iren and in stiel
And v hundred of vplond
Com to hem ich vnderstond,
And dasched on þe paiens wiþ hert gode
Þat were sprad þo abrode
Þat v hundred in litel stounde
Þai laiden doun wiþ deþes wounde,
Ac sone afterward hem bihinde
Come ȝete fourti þousinde
Þat were wiþ Oriens þe king
And afterward wiþouten lesing
Sexti þousand and mo
Come wiþ king Oriens also—
Þus fele þer comen and no las,
Wiþouten þe cuntre þat ful was.
Ac in þis time an eld man
As messanger to Wawayn cam
Into þe cite of Lounde
And him gret in þat stounde
And seyd ‘Wele yfounden child Wawayn
Crist saue þi miȝt and þi mayn
And alle þi compaynie fre
Þat ich here about þe se!
Sagremor a ȝong man noble
Is ycomen fram Costantinenoble
And seuen hundred ȝong man gent
To sechen king Arthour verrament
Of him to afong swerd of stiel
And to seruen him swiþe wel,
In Souþesex þai ben ariue
In strong periil of her liue
Þis letters þai senten þe
Her nede þou schalt yse.’
Wawain þis letters redde anon
296
‘As armes feren! Nede it is,
Y nold for þis cite ywis
Þer þat Segremor were ded
Bot we him holpen and deden red.’
To þeld cherl he ȝaue a stede
Þat hem brouȝt þat message at nede
And he hem tauȝt þan way
Toward Segremor þat ich day,
Þai no hadde no desturbing
No of paiens no meteing,
Þis ich eld messanger
Hem ledde boþe swiþe and ner
Þat al bitimes saun faile
Þai miȝten com to þat bataile;
Wawain hadde wiþ him so y wene
Of orped boies þousandes fiftene
And as he rode bi þe way
Euer he gadred mo y say.
Of orped boies þousandes fiftene
And as he rode bi þe way
Euer he gadred mo y say.
Comand þese lete we
And speke of Segremore so fre
Fourti þousand smiten him on
And he oȝaines hem anon,
XII hundred oȝain fourti þousinde
Ferd so smoke oȝain þe winde
Naþeles y telle it ȝou
Seigremor and his hadde swiche vertu
Þat, on of his ȝif þe oþer afeld,
Þeroȝaines tventi he queld.
And speke of Segremore so fre
Fourti þousand smiten him on
And he oȝaines hem anon,
XII hundred oȝain fourti þousinde
Ferd so smoke oȝain þe winde
Naþeles y telle it ȝou
Seigremor and his hadde swiche vertu
Þat, on of his ȝif þe oþer afeld,
Þeroȝaines tventi he queld.
Ac þis was teld Oriens bihinde
Þat was cominde wiþ sexti þousinde
And he for þe lore and for þe anoie
Þat he hadde þat oþer day
Hete men schuld abouten hem gon
And hem nimen euerichon,
Abrode þai ȝeden wiþouten doute
And þe children comen about,
Þe cuntre was ich way
Of armed paiens f[u]l þai say
Segremor no his fer
No miȝt flen in non maner
And hadden ment hem to ȝeld
Ac fer fram hem þo hye biheld
Fele baners þai seiȝen com
And after hem gret trom
Þo seyd child Sagremoret
‘Ȝif wel gunne do we now bet
For yherd be our Saueour,
Y se ȝond com gret socour.’
Þan þai werd hem wiþ swerd naked
Þat so fer so þai miȝten take
Non neiȝe hem com no miȝt
Þat þai no slowen doun riȝt.
In þis time com Wawain
Þat was cominde wiþ sexti þousinde
And he for þe lore and for þe anoie
Þat he hadde þat oþer day
Hete men schuld abouten hem gon
And hem nimen euerichon,
Abrode þai ȝeden wiþouten doute
And þe children comen about,
Þe cuntre was ich way
Of armed paiens f[u]l þai say
297
No miȝt flen in non maner
And hadden ment hem to ȝeld
Ac fer fram hem þo hye biheld
Fele baners þai seiȝen com
And after hem gret trom
Þo seyd child Sagremoret
‘Ȝif wel gunne do we now bet
For yherd be our Saueour,
Y se ȝond com gret socour.’
Þan þai werd hem wiþ swerd naked
Þat so fer so þai miȝten take
Non neiȝe hem com no miȝt
Þat þai no slowen doun riȝt.
And his feren wiþ gret main
Euerich of hem gan to bere
Þurth a Sarraȝin wiþ his spere
Afterward swerdes þai drowe
And sexten þousinde to grounde slowe
Mani mouþe þe gres bot
And griseliche ȝened God it wot
Paiens floted in her blod—
Euer is Cristes miȝt gode.
Wawain to Sagremor com þan
And king Oriens werd him fram
Wawain ȝaue Oriens swiche a flat
Boþe on helme and ysen hat
Þat he to grounde plat þere
Also he stef and stan-ded were,
His folk abouten him pres made
Euerich gan to crie and grade
For her lord, and vp him toke
So we finden on þe boke
To Wawain þer com a kniȝt
And bad him wende anon riȝt
Toward Camalot wiþ his felawe
And so he dede in þat þrawe
And al his feren God it wot
298
Þerwhiles þe paiens aboute were
Her soudan forto arere.
Ac þerafter a litel while
Wele þe mountaunce of a mile
Oriens his limes drouȝ
And gan arise of his swouȝ
And seie þe diol sorweful and grim
Þat his folk made for him,
Vp he lepe wiþ chaufed blod
So him no were nouȝt bot god
And asked anon ywis
Newe armes and newe hors of priis
And newe swerd and newe launce
To nimen of his fon veniaunce,
Þat he asked was him founde
And he went forþ in þat stounde
Sexti þousand paiens and mo
Her steden after smiten þo;
Wawain seiȝe her coming coue
And dede þe best wiþ hem houe
Wele an tventi oþer mo
And al þe oþer toforn hem go
To Camalot þat cite
To keueren wiþ his meine,
And he bihinde to ben bi cas
To susten þe paiems ras.
Þe paiens ouertoken our men
And fast leyd opon hem þen
Ac Galathin and eke Wawain
And Gveheres and Agreuain
Gaheriet and Sagremore,
And þe oþer y teld bifore
Bihinde þat bileued were,
Euer were here and tere
And wiþ swerd and scheld and spere
Her folk, toforn, wele gun were.
Þo com Oriens to Wawain rideinde
Wiþ a spere gode scoure bihinde
And wende Wawain hit þurthout
299
For he smot him forbi,
And Wawain for gret heiȝe
Hitt him wiþ his swerd aplat
Amidward þe ysen hat
Þat he tombled in þat stounde
Stif aswon to þe grounde.
Segremore smot Orian Russel
On his schulder bi þe haterel
Þat schulder and arm and ribbes alle
He doun kitt wiþ liuer and ȝalle;
Galathin smot Placidan
Amidward al his man
Þat þe heued fleiȝe fram þe bouke,
Þe soule nam þe Helle-pouke;
Agreuain toke a launce long
And rode oȝain a geant strong
Guinat þat hete God it wot
And þurth þe hert he him smot;
Gveheres turned his pas
Oȝain a geaunt þat hete Tauras
And bare him þurth wombe and rigge,
His liif he dede him þere legge;
Gaheriet mett þe douke Faunel
Wiþ a launce, þe soket of stiel,
And smot him þurth rigge and brest-bon
Þe geaunt fel ded anon.
Ȝete þai smiten forþ on hast
And þre oþer of hors cast
And wiþ her meine eueri grot
Smiten into Camalot,
Bot Wawain and Galathin
And Sagremore of gentil lin
Þat riden wiþ her hors
Amid Oriens cors
Him forto sle wiþouten doute,
Ac mani þousinde com him aboute
Þat Oriens binomen hem,
300
Bi fine miȝt þai breken hem fro
And into Camalahot wenten þo.
Ac Wawaines breþer forsoþe to sain
In Camalahot misten Wawain
And þe þre deden hem oȝan
Wiþ hem went [no]n oþer man,
Out at þe gate þis þre stetten
And on his stede þat cherl metten
To Wawain þat þe letters brouȝt
And swiþe fair þai him bisouȝt
He schuld hem tel fer or neiȝe
Ȝif he owar Wawain seiȝe,
He seyd anon to hem oȝan
‘Certes ȝe be nice men!
Whiderward were ȝe ycrope?
In ȝou is ful litel hope
Þat ȝour broþer lete among his fon
And ȝe to herberwe gun gon,
For ȝou he may now ligge yslawe
No telle y ȝou nouȝt worþ an hawe.’
Þese were aschamed and anoid
Of þat þe cherl hem hadde seyd
For stoutelich he haþ hem chidde
Þe hors þai smiten þe spurs mide
And sone þerafter her [broþer] metten
Wiþ his to feren, and hem gretten
And asked hou it wiþ hem was
And þai seyd ‘Wele þurth Godes gras.’
Towarde þe toun anon þai stetten
And þe cherles stede metten
Þe arsouns blodi, bibled þe hors,
Ac hye no seiȝe nouȝt þe cherls cors
‘Allas’ quaþ Wawain ‘allas allas!
Verrament þis stede it was
Þat ich ȝaue þat eld man
Wiþ letters to Londen þat to me cam,’
‘Ȝa, who rect?’ his breþer quaþe
301
For he hadde arst seyd hem schame
Þai lowen þerof and hadde gode game.
Wawain souȝt him here and þer
Ac he no fond him nowhere,
It nas no wonder sikerliche
Merlin him turned flesche and liche
And was bicomen a garsoun
In hond berand a tronsoun
And ȝede hem alle þo among;
Þo Wawain hadde souȝt him long
To Camalahot þai wenten on hast
And schetten after þe gates fast
Drowen brigge and eueri pin,
In pais and held hem þerin.
Ac þo Wawain seiȝe Sagremor
Þer was ioie bi Godes or
Fair clepeing and welcominge
And to Ihesu Crist þonkeinge
Þat ich oþer hadde ydon
And destroied her fon,
Þer þai soiournd mani day
Wiþouten ani kin anoy
And seiȝen paiens, seriaunce of helle,
Þat no tong no miȝt telle
Al day passen hem forbi
Wiþ howe and noise and grete cri—
Lete we hem here soiouringe
And speke of þe oþer kinge.
Now telleþ þis romaunce cert
Oriens was sore yhert
Tofore Camalahot in þe pleyn
And wounded of child Wawain,
For his hurtinge and his damage
He was neiȝe wode and eke rage
He wald him wreke anon riȝt
Ac it was almost þo niȝt,
Ac, to eke þat, fele of our
Were wiþinne walle and bour
And oueralle stert him fro
Þat he no miȝt comen hem to.
Also fer also he miȝt
His folk and he went þat niȝt
And her pauilouns telt
And made hem at aise wiþ fresche and selt;
Amorwe king Oriens aros,
Wele mani men þerof agros,
Bi ten þousand and bi fiftene
He sent about to do men tene
He hete bern into þe grounde
Man and hous al þat he founde,
And so he dede þre iurneie
Oueral bi ich way
Man and hous þai brent and bredden
And her godes oway ledden,
Wiþouten no[m]bre cartes fele
Þai ledden oway wiþ alle wele
And setten þe cuntre a fer wilde
Wiþ man and wiif and wiþ childe,
Ac mani ascaped sikerlik
Into þe lond of Canbernic
And comen to þe douke Estas
Douke of Arundel þat was,
Biforn him and fel on croice
And grad on him wiþ pitous voice
And seyd ‘Sir for Godes gras
Þine help þine ore in þis cas!
Sarraȝins wiþ griseli chere
Þis cuntre haþ sett afere
In vplond and in toun
Euerich hous han brent adoun,
Of child and man and eke of wiif
Alle þat þai mai nimen þai reue þe liif,
Sir help ous at þis nede
Oþer we ben euerichon dede!’
‘Now Lord’ quaþ þe douke Estas
‘Help ous for þine holy gras!’
For þe pite þat he seiȝe
Sore he wepe wiþ his eiȝe
(Wiþ him was þe lord of Paerne)
He gred ‘As armes!’ swiþe ȝerne
Ten þousand wiþ him he toke
Þe oþer left þe cite to loke,
Forþ he went swiþe anon
What he com to king Clarion
Þat woned fram him bot litel swiþe
(Þe king of his cominge was bliþe)
And seyd him so ich tofore teld
Hou þe paiens his folk aqueld.
‘What rede’ quaþ king Clarion
‘Waldestow ȝeuen ous to don?
Ȝif þai pas ous bitven
We are lorn so mot y þen
Man and best in þis cuntray
Were destroid and alle away.’
Oriens was sore yhert
Tofore Camalahot in þe pleyn
And wounded of child Wawain,
For his hurtinge and his damage
He was neiȝe wode and eke rage
He wald him wreke anon riȝt
Ac it was almost þo niȝt,
Ac, to eke þat, fele of our
302
And oueralle stert him fro
Þat he no miȝt comen hem to.
Also fer also he miȝt
His folk and he went þat niȝt
And her pauilouns telt
And made hem at aise wiþ fresche and selt;
Amorwe king Oriens aros,
Wele mani men þerof agros,
Bi ten þousand and bi fiftene
He sent about to do men tene
He hete bern into þe grounde
Man and hous al þat he founde,
And so he dede þre iurneie
Oueral bi ich way
Man and hous þai brent and bredden
And her godes oway ledden,
Wiþouten no[m]bre cartes fele
Þai ledden oway wiþ alle wele
And setten þe cuntre a fer wilde
Wiþ man and wiif and wiþ childe,
Ac mani ascaped sikerlik
Into þe lond of Canbernic
And comen to þe douke Estas
Douke of Arundel þat was,
Biforn him and fel on croice
And grad on him wiþ pitous voice
And seyd ‘Sir for Godes gras
Þine help þine ore in þis cas!
Sarraȝins wiþ griseli chere
Þis cuntre haþ sett afere
In vplond and in toun
Euerich hous han brent adoun,
Of child and man and eke of wiif
Alle þat þai mai nimen þai reue þe liif,
Sir help ous at þis nede
Oþer we ben euerichon dede!’
303
‘Help ous for þine holy gras!’
For þe pite þat he seiȝe
Sore he wepe wiþ his eiȝe
(Wiþ him was þe lord of Paerne)
He gred ‘As armes!’ swiþe ȝerne
Ten þousand wiþ him he toke
Þe oþer left þe cite to loke,
Forþ he went swiþe anon
What he com to king Clarion
Þat woned fram him bot litel swiþe
(Þe king of his cominge was bliþe)
And seyd him so ich tofore teld
Hou þe paiens his folk aqueld.
‘What rede’ quaþ king Clarion
‘Waldestow ȝeuen ous to don?
Ȝif þai pas ous bitven
We are lorn so mot y þen
Man and best in þis cuntray
Were destroid and alle away.’
‘Certes’ quaþ þe douke Estas
‘We schul laten in þis pas
Of our men a parti
And nim wiþ ous fair compainie
And wenden ous wel swiþe on hast
To Brekenham to þe forest,
In þe wode and hide ous
And þurth þe grace of swete Ihesus
So we schul wele aspie
Þe paiens doinde robberie
And smiten on hem and sle hem doun
And þe pray bring into our toun.’
Quaþ king Clarion ‘God merci!
What conseil seistow gode ami?
Hou schuld we oȝain hem fiȝt?
Y dar þe mi treuþe now pliȝt
Þei our folk tohewen waren
To smale morsels so beþ taren
To ich of hem vnneþe men miȝt
A morsel of ous to hem diȝt.’
‘A sir’ quaþ þe douke Estas
‘Wiþ ous schal be Godes gras
His grace is better in to afie
Þan armour oþer compeinie
And þai be spred wide here and tere
And we ben al togider here,
Ich hope þurth Ihesu Crist
We schul hem driue so sonne doþ mist.’
‘Certes’ quaþ Clarion þe king
‘Þeroȝain am y noþing
Ac alle hem to asaily
Forþ to wende icham redi
Ȝif ȝe so reden, þis pouer men.’
‘Ȝis’ quaþ þai euerichon
‘Sir par seynt charite
Rewe on ous and haue pite
We han leuer sterue ariȝt
Wiþ manschip and in fiȝt
Þan sen kin and wiif and child
And ous forbren in fer wilde’—
Þe king for pite wepe apliȝt
And seyd ‘Certes ȝe han riȝt.’
Þo schosen þai so Dieu me saut
A noble kniȝt lord of Nohaut,
And þe lord of þe toun sori
Brandris a kniȝt hardi,
And Brehus saun pite also
A feller kniȝt miȝt non go,
Þese bileft þer riȝtes
Wiþ a þousand orped kniȝtes
Þe cuntre to loke and þe paþe
Fram Sarrain þat wald hem scaþe;
Þe lord of Paerne so ich finde
Þer toke seuen þousinde,
Into þe forest of Rokingham
Wiþ hem alle forþ he nam;
Þe douke Eustas and Clarion þe king
Bi anoþer way went wiþouten lesing
And helden hem a litel bi hest
Vnder þe selue forest.
‘We schul laten in þis pas
Of our men a parti
And nim wiþ ous fair compainie
And wenden ous wel swiþe on hast
To Brekenham to þe forest,
In þe wode and hide ous
And þurth þe grace of swete Ihesus
So we schul wele aspie
Þe paiens doinde robberie
And smiten on hem and sle hem doun
And þe pray bring into our toun.’
Quaþ king Clarion ‘God merci!
What conseil seistow gode ami?
Hou schuld we oȝain hem fiȝt?
Y dar þe mi treuþe now pliȝt
304
To smale morsels so beþ taren
To ich of hem vnneþe men miȝt
A morsel of ous to hem diȝt.’
‘A sir’ quaþ þe douke Estas
‘Wiþ ous schal be Godes gras
His grace is better in to afie
Þan armour oþer compeinie
And þai be spred wide here and tere
And we ben al togider here,
Ich hope þurth Ihesu Crist
We schul hem driue so sonne doþ mist.’
‘Certes’ quaþ Clarion þe king
‘Þeroȝain am y noþing
Ac alle hem to asaily
Forþ to wende icham redi
Ȝif ȝe so reden, þis pouer men.’
‘Ȝis’ quaþ þai euerichon
‘Sir par seynt charite
Rewe on ous and haue pite
We han leuer sterue ariȝt
Wiþ manschip and in fiȝt
Þan sen kin and wiif and child
And ous forbren in fer wilde’—
Þe king for pite wepe apliȝt
And seyd ‘Certes ȝe han riȝt.’
Þo schosen þai so Dieu me saut
A noble kniȝt lord of Nohaut,
And þe lord of þe toun sori
Brandris a kniȝt hardi,
And Brehus saun pite also
A feller kniȝt miȝt non go,
Þese bileft þer riȝtes
Wiþ a þousand orped kniȝtes
Þe cuntre to loke and þe paþe
Fram Sarrain þat wald hem scaþe;
Þe lord of Paerne so ich finde
Þer toke seuen þousinde,
Into þe forest of Rokingham
Wiþ hem alle forþ he nam;
305
Bi anoþer way went wiþouten lesing
And helden hem a litel bi hest
Vnder þe selue forest.
In May is miri time swiþe
Foules in wode hem make bliþe
In euerich lond arist song—
Ihesus Crist be ous among.
In þe forest of Rokingham
Hidden hem our Cristen man,
Þer was a launde of noblay
Where come togider seuen way
Þai hem hidden a litel þerbi
Forto aspien sikerli
Þe route of þe Sarraȝins and þe pray
Þat miȝten comen of selcouþe cuntray
Forto skecken on hem on hest
When þai seiȝe time best.
Also þai were þere soiourninge
Abouten vndren com gret cartinge
Bi ich of þis seuen way
Ful of ich maner pray
Of venisoun and flesche and brede
Of broun ale and win white and red
Of baudekines and purpel pelle
Of gold and siluer and cendel,
Sum þai brouȝt fram her lond
And robbed sum in Inglond;
Þis carting lest mile-ways
Forsoþe hou fele no can y say,
Fif þousand ȝede þe cartes to loke
So we finden on þe boke
To hem dassed þe lord of Paerne
Wiþ seuen þousand also ȝerne
And þe carters euerichon
Of liif-days þai brouȝten anon
And her lokers anon riȝtes
Fif þousand heþen kniȝtes
Þai metten wiþ swerd and kniif
Þat non ascaped wiþ þe liif,
And nomen swiftlich al þat pray
And ladde it þennes to mile-way
Into þe toun of Arundel
And þer it token to ȝeme wel
And went hem oȝain anon
To þe king Clarion.
Riȝt also þai comen ware
Fiftene þousande þer comen fare
Sarraȝins yarmed wel
On gode hors in yren and stiel,
Our kniȝtes were so y finde
Gode kniȝtes tventi þousinde,
Þai smiten þe hors and lete þe rain
And metten þe paiens wiþ gret main.
King Clarion mett king Guifas
(Sexten fet o lengþe he was)
He hit him wiþ þe speres ord
Þurth and þurth scheldes bord
Þurthout hauberk and aketoun
And bar him of his hors adoun
His schaft tobrast, þe geaunt fel
His nek-bon he brac þertil.
Þe douke Estas of Arundel
Mett a king sir Mirabel,
Þe paien on him brac his schaft
And hitt him on þe side l[e]ft,
Þe douke him hit in þe brest
And wiþ his dint hard þrest
An ellen long þurth þe bouke,
Þe soule went to þe Pouke.
Þe gode kniȝtes þat wiþ hem ware
Þe oþer to þe grounde bare
Wiþ dint of spere and of swerde-egge
Þe paiens þai made to deþ legge,
Bitven vndren and none so y finde
Of hem þai slowen ten þousinde
Þer lay mani paien þurth-þrest
Heued of-smiten and fot and fist,
Bi þe blod of hors and man
A mile men miȝt haue ygan.
Of hem fiue þousand þat wald scape
Toward king Oriens gan rape,
Our Cristen hem suwed at þe rigge
And spared nouȝt on to l[e]gge
What king Oriens þai saye
Wiþ folk wreien al þe cuntraye,
Oȝain þai wiþdrouȝ hem þo
And conseil toke what to do
Doun of her destrers þai liȝten
Her stedes to rest her armes riȝten
And afterward made a renge
Of hem alle þe launde alenge
For þai nold for no gode
Þat paiens binomen hem þat wode.
Þo asked Oriens an hast
His folk wereof þai weren agast,
‘Sir’ þai seyd ‘heretofore
Beþ tventi þousand oþer more
Cristen men þat ȝour kniȝtes
Han yslawe doun riȝtes
And sodanliche þai com ous on
Er we seiȝe of hem on
And no hadde we þe better be
Hem of scaped nadde we.’
‘A Mahoun’ seyd Oriens þo
‘Þou nart no god worþ a slo
Þerfore þi folk þou dost no gode
So for Cristen doþ her lord.
Foules in wode hem make bliþe
In euerich lond arist song—
Ihesus Crist be ous among.
In þe forest of Rokingham
Hidden hem our Cristen man,
Þer was a launde of noblay
Where come togider seuen way
Þai hem hidden a litel þerbi
Forto aspien sikerli
Þe route of þe Sarraȝins and þe pray
Þat miȝten comen of selcouþe cuntray
Forto skecken on hem on hest
When þai seiȝe time best.
Also þai were þere soiourninge
Abouten vndren com gret cartinge
Bi ich of þis seuen way
Ful of ich maner pray
Of venisoun and flesche and brede
Of broun ale and win white and red
Of baudekines and purpel pelle
Of gold and siluer and cendel,
Sum þai brouȝt fram her lond
And robbed sum in Inglond;
Þis carting lest mile-ways
Forsoþe hou fele no can y say,
Fif þousand ȝede þe cartes to loke
So we finden on þe boke
To hem dassed þe lord of Paerne
Wiþ seuen þousand also ȝerne
And þe carters euerichon
Of liif-days þai brouȝten anon
And her lokers anon riȝtes
Fif þousand heþen kniȝtes
306
Þat non ascaped wiþ þe liif,
And nomen swiftlich al þat pray
And ladde it þennes to mile-way
Into þe toun of Arundel
And þer it token to ȝeme wel
And went hem oȝain anon
To þe king Clarion.
Riȝt also þai comen ware
Fiftene þousande þer comen fare
Sarraȝins yarmed wel
On gode hors in yren and stiel,
Our kniȝtes were so y finde
Gode kniȝtes tventi þousinde,
Þai smiten þe hors and lete þe rain
And metten þe paiens wiþ gret main.
King Clarion mett king Guifas
(Sexten fet o lengþe he was)
He hit him wiþ þe speres ord
Þurth and þurth scheldes bord
Þurthout hauberk and aketoun
And bar him of his hors adoun
His schaft tobrast, þe geaunt fel
His nek-bon he brac þertil.
Þe douke Estas of Arundel
Mett a king sir Mirabel,
Þe paien on him brac his schaft
And hitt him on þe side l[e]ft,
Þe douke him hit in þe brest
And wiþ his dint hard þrest
An ellen long þurth þe bouke,
Þe soule went to þe Pouke.
Þe gode kniȝtes þat wiþ hem ware
Þe oþer to þe grounde bare
Wiþ dint of spere and of swerde-egge
Þe paiens þai made to deþ legge,
Bitven vndren and none so y finde
Of hem þai slowen ten þousinde
Þer lay mani paien þurth-þrest
307
Bi þe blod of hors and man
A mile men miȝt haue ygan.
Of hem fiue þousand þat wald scape
Toward king Oriens gan rape,
Our Cristen hem suwed at þe rigge
And spared nouȝt on to l[e]gge
What king Oriens þai saye
Wiþ folk wreien al þe cuntraye,
Oȝain þai wiþdrouȝ hem þo
And conseil toke what to do
Doun of her destrers þai liȝten
Her stedes to rest her armes riȝten
And afterward made a renge
Of hem alle þe launde alenge
For þai nold for no gode
Þat paiens binomen hem þat wode.
Þo asked Oriens an hast
His folk wereof þai weren agast,
‘Sir’ þai seyd ‘heretofore
Beþ tventi þousand oþer more
Cristen men þat ȝour kniȝtes
Han yslawe doun riȝtes
And sodanliche þai com ous on
Er we seiȝe of hem on
And no hadde we þe better be
Hem of scaped nadde we.’
‘A Mahoun’ seyd Oriens þo
‘Þou nart no god worþ a slo
Þerfore þi folk þou dost no gode
So for Cristen doþ her lord.
Com forþ’ he seyd ‘wiþouten letting
King Eliedus min owhen derling
Nim wiþ þe fourti þousinde
And sle bifore þat þou miȝt finde,’
‘It schal be don’ he seyd ‘bi dan Dagon,’
Euerich lepe his stede opon
And fond our men alle at a tasse
Þat þe paiens no miȝt passe.
Þer ich oþer sone mett
And wiþ scharp launce grett
Þer tumbled mani paien haþen,
And mani Cristen—þat was scaþe
Ac þo þat ware ded of our
To heuen brouȝt soule pure
And þe slawen Sarraȝine
Went into helle-pine.
Þe Cristen fond þe heþen dere
So þe lioun doþ þe bere,
Euerich on oþer leyd [þer]wiþ
So on þe yren doþ þe smiþ,
Þer ouerþrewe in litel stounde
Mani orped kniȝt to grounde
Sum ycleued to þe brest
Sum of-smiten arm and fest,
Sum hors smiten and sum astray;
Þis fiȝt last fram þe midday
What it were euen almast,
Þo com Oriens driueand on hast
Wiþ an hundred þousand and mo
And þouȝt our men alle slo
Ac on hem þo com þe niȝt
Our to wode deden hem þo riȝt,
Þurth Godes help and his pite
And so ascaped to her cite.
King Eliedus min owhen derling
Nim wiþ þe fourti þousinde
And sle bifore þat þou miȝt finde,’
‘It schal be don’ he seyd ‘bi dan Dagon,’
Euerich lepe his stede opon
And fond our men alle at a tasse
Þat þe paiens no miȝt passe.
308
And wiþ scharp launce grett
Þer tumbled mani paien haþen,
And mani Cristen—þat was scaþe
Ac þo þat ware ded of our
To heuen brouȝt soule pure
And þe slawen Sarraȝine
Went into helle-pine.
Þe Cristen fond þe heþen dere
So þe lioun doþ þe bere,
Euerich on oþer leyd [þer]wiþ
So on þe yren doþ þe smiþ,
Þer ouerþrewe in litel stounde
Mani orped kniȝt to grounde
Sum ycleued to þe brest
Sum of-smiten arm and fest,
Sum hors smiten and sum astray;
Þis fiȝt last fram þe midday
What it were euen almast,
Þo com Oriens driueand on hast
Wiþ an hundred þousand and mo
And þouȝt our men alle slo
Ac on hem þo com þe niȝt
Our to wode deden hem þo riȝt,
Þurth Godes help and his pite
And so ascaped to her cite.
Bitven king Clarion and douke Estas
Þer was parted alle þe purchas
Þat þai hadde ywonne þat day,
Long hem was þe bett par fay.
Of Cristen were slawe y finde
Þe mountaunce of four þousinde
Ac þere were slawe of þe heþen men
Wele mo þan þousendes ten;
Wroþ was Oriens þe king
Of þis sleiȝt and þis scapeing,
Þai telt her pauiloun þer þat niȝt,
Amorwe were souȝt anon riȝt
In wode and doun and in fen
After our Cristen men
Ac þai no founde þerof non
For nouȝt þat euer couþe þai don.
Oriens þo was so wroþ
His owen liif was him loþ,
For wretþe he cleped an amirail
Napin þat hete saun fail,
Wiþ fiften þousand wreyen kniȝtes
And bad him þe cuntre sle doun riȝtes
And toke him ribaudes þre þousinde
Þe cuntre to brenne bifore and hinde,
Waines and cartes and somers also
Fif hundred he dede after go
Charged wiþ ale and win red
Wiþ fische and flesche and corn and bred
Wiþ cloþes and wiþ armerie,
Sum þai hadde of robberie
And sum brouȝt fram her cuntray;
Ȝete dede Oriens more y say,
Wiþ ten þousinde Rapas a king
He dede loke þat carting,
He sett king Eliteus at her hele
Wiþ xv þousand in on eschele,
Himself Oriens com bihinde
Wiþ Sarraȝins xx þousinde.
Þis ribaus þus þousandes þre
Ofersett þe cuntre
And brent and slouȝ man and wiif
O child no leten þai oliif
Þe cri and sorwe y say
Men herd fele mile-way;
Þe douke Estas yseiȝe al þis
Wo was him oliue ywis
He [tok] kniȝtes þousandes to
And out of his cite dassed him þo
Among þe ribaus anon he dast
And sum þe heued of he laist,
Þis þre þousand he slouȝ anon
(Bot fourti þat hem fro were agon)
Þurth þe miȝt and help of Crist
Ar Napin ouȝt þerof wist
Into her cite þay wenten oȝan
Wiþouten letting of ani man.
To Napin com a ribaud þo
And seyd ‘Sir where bileuestow so?
Þou no dost nouȝt as þe wise
For þurth þi targinge and þi faintise
Alle our feren yslawe beþ
And we vnneþe ascaped deþ.’
‘Held þi pes’ quaþ þe douke Napin
‘Or þou art ded bi Apolin!
A worde speke y þe more here
Þou art dede and al þine fere’—
For al þat is vnder Crist
He nold Oriens it hadde wist.
Forþ þai passeþ þis lond acost
To Clarence wiþ alle her ost,
King Bardogaban of gret mounde
Wiþ tventi kinges þer he founde
Þat bilay þat cite
And slouȝ þe cuntre wiþouten pite,
Oriens was welcome swiþe
For wonderliche þai weren bliþe
Of þe eiȝtte and stouers
Þat þai brouȝt, þo pauteners.
Þere þai bileft wiþ þat king
Lete we hem now at þis segeing
And schewe werres and wo
In þis lond þat weren þo—
Who so wille ȝiue lest
Mai now here noble gest.
Þer was parted alle þe purchas
Þat þai hadde ywonne þat day,
Long hem was þe bett par fay.
Of Cristen were slawe y finde
Þe mountaunce of four þousinde
Ac þere were slawe of þe heþen men
Wele mo þan þousendes ten;
Wroþ was Oriens þe king
Of þis sleiȝt and þis scapeing,
Þai telt her pauiloun þer þat niȝt,
309
In wode and doun and in fen
After our Cristen men
Ac þai no founde þerof non
For nouȝt þat euer couþe þai don.
Oriens þo was so wroþ
His owen liif was him loþ,
For wretþe he cleped an amirail
Napin þat hete saun fail,
Wiþ fiften þousand wreyen kniȝtes
And bad him þe cuntre sle doun riȝtes
And toke him ribaudes þre þousinde
Þe cuntre to brenne bifore and hinde,
Waines and cartes and somers also
Fif hundred he dede after go
Charged wiþ ale and win red
Wiþ fische and flesche and corn and bred
Wiþ cloþes and wiþ armerie,
Sum þai hadde of robberie
And sum brouȝt fram her cuntray;
Ȝete dede Oriens more y say,
Wiþ ten þousinde Rapas a king
He dede loke þat carting,
He sett king Eliteus at her hele
Wiþ xv þousand in on eschele,
Himself Oriens com bihinde
Wiþ Sarraȝins xx þousinde.
Þis ribaus þus þousandes þre
Ofersett þe cuntre
And brent and slouȝ man and wiif
O child no leten þai oliif
Þe cri and sorwe y say
Men herd fele mile-way;
Þe douke Estas yseiȝe al þis
Wo was him oliue ywis
He [tok] kniȝtes þousandes to
And out of his cite dassed him þo
Among þe ribaus anon he dast
310
Þis þre þousand he slouȝ anon
(Bot fourti þat hem fro were agon)
Þurth þe miȝt and help of Crist
Ar Napin ouȝt þerof wist
Into her cite þay wenten oȝan
Wiþouten letting of ani man.
To Napin com a ribaud þo
And seyd ‘Sir where bileuestow so?
Þou no dost nouȝt as þe wise
For þurth þi targinge and þi faintise
Alle our feren yslawe beþ
And we vnneþe ascaped deþ.’
‘Held þi pes’ quaþ þe douke Napin
‘Or þou art ded bi Apolin!
A worde speke y þe more here
Þou art dede and al þine fere’—
For al þat is vnder Crist
He nold Oriens it hadde wist.
Forþ þai passeþ þis lond acost
To Clarence wiþ alle her ost,
King Bardogaban of gret mounde
Wiþ tventi kinges þer he founde
Þat bilay þat cite
And slouȝ þe cuntre wiþouten pite,
Oriens was welcome swiþe
For wonderliche þai weren bliþe
Of þe eiȝtte and stouers
Þat þai brouȝt, þo pauteners.
Þere þai bileft wiþ þat king
Lete we hem now at þis segeing
And schewe werres and wo
In þis lond þat weren þo—
Who so wille ȝiue lest
Mai now here noble gest.
Mirie it is in somers tide
Foules sing in forest wide
Swaines gin on iustinge ride
Maidens tiffen hem in pride.
Los sprong of Wawaines dede
Of his breþer and of his ferrede.
Vriens þat was of Schorham king
Of whom y made bifore scheweing
Hadde spoused Hermesent
Blasine suster and Belisent;
Þai hadde a ȝong man hem bitven,
Michel Ywain a noble stren,
He was ycleped michel Ywain
For he hadde a broþer-kniȝt, certein,
Bast Ywain he was yhote
For he was biȝeten o bast God it wot;
Vriens bi anoþer quen
Ȝete had biȝeten a gentil stren
Þat was hoten Morganor
A gode kniȝt bi Godes or,
He had made him in al air
To þe lond þat of h[i]m com veir,
Þe lond þat com of Hermesente
Was Ywains þurth riȝt decente.
To Hermisent com child Ywain
And seyd ‘Dame of child Wawain
Þat is mi nevou spekeþ al þis lond
Allas ma dame it is me schond
Þat y no com in non werre
Whe[r] y come to conquerre.’
Þo seyd Hermesent him to proue
‘Whider wostow Ywain for mi loue?’
‘Dame to seche min em Arthour
Of him to afong þe anour
Of wiȝtschippe and cheualrie
And leren manschippe and curteisie.’
‘What?’ sche seyd ‘for wiche biȝete
Wostow oþer seruise and þi faders lete?’
‘Dame’ he seyd ‘þine owen land
Mi fader haþ laten me on hand,
His owen lond he ȝaue anoþer,
Morganor mine halue-broþer,
And þei he schuld me al bireue
Ȝete ichil bi ȝour leue
Wende and serue mi nem Arthour
It schal falle to our honour.’
‘Sone’ sche seyd ‘icham wele paid
Of þat þou hast to me seyd
Þi nem is Arthour verrament
Serue him wiþ hert gent
And fond forto make acord
Bitven Arthour and þi lord.’
Þer sche him puruaid anon riȝtes
To felawes an hundred kniȝtes
And þre hundred ȝong men
Þat wiþ him kniȝtes schuld ben
And fond hem armour and stede
Boþe soure and gode at nede,
In þe name of Heuen-king
Sche him ȝaf hir blisseing
And lete him forþ wende in þe name of Crist
Þat his fader þerof nist,
Ywain bastard wiþ him went
And four hundred of feren gent.
Now com þai fram Schorham
Al bi þe forest of Bedingham
Toward Arundel in Cornwaile
Ac þider þai no miȝt saun faile
Bot þai wolden passen þurthoute
iiii m Sarraȝins wiþ rowe snoute
Þo com þer forþ, wiþ miȝti hond
Wiþ king Soriendos to stroi þis lond,
He de[de] ribaudes ten þousinde
Bren þat þai miȝtten finde,
So he dede michel rewþe.
Þis was on Yders lond in trewþe
Ac to Gawaynet ful of priis
Sone men telden al þis;
Þo he and his gentil feren
Al þis reuþe deden heren
He toke wiþ him þritti þousinde
Gode felawes so y finde
Þat wenten alle wiþ Wawain
For his largesse and his main,
Out of Londen þe way þai nome
Al what þai to Cardoil come,
Fro Cardoil þai wenten souþe-west
To Bedingham al þurth þe forest
Where welcominge þai hadde onest
Wiþ gret ioie and gret fest.
Foules sing in forest wide
Swaines gin on iustinge ride
Maidens tiffen hem in pride.
311
Of his breþer and of his ferrede.
Vriens þat was of Schorham king
Of whom y made bifore scheweing
Hadde spoused Hermesent
Blasine suster and Belisent;
Þai hadde a ȝong man hem bitven,
Michel Ywain a noble stren,
He was ycleped michel Ywain
For he hadde a broþer-kniȝt, certein,
Bast Ywain he was yhote
For he was biȝeten o bast God it wot;
Vriens bi anoþer quen
Ȝete had biȝeten a gentil stren
Þat was hoten Morganor
A gode kniȝt bi Godes or,
He had made him in al air
To þe lond þat of h[i]m com veir,
Þe lond þat com of Hermesente
Was Ywains þurth riȝt decente.
To Hermisent com child Ywain
And seyd ‘Dame of child Wawain
Þat is mi nevou spekeþ al þis lond
Allas ma dame it is me schond
Þat y no com in non werre
Whe[r] y come to conquerre.’
Þo seyd Hermesent him to proue
‘Whider wostow Ywain for mi loue?’
‘Dame to seche min em Arthour
Of him to afong þe anour
Of wiȝtschippe and cheualrie
And leren manschippe and curteisie.’
‘What?’ sche seyd ‘for wiche biȝete
Wostow oþer seruise and þi faders lete?’
‘Dame’ he seyd ‘þine owen land
Mi fader haþ laten me on hand,
His owen lond he ȝaue anoþer,
Morganor mine halue-broþer,
312
Ȝete ichil bi ȝour leue
Wende and serue mi nem Arthour
It schal falle to our honour.’
‘Sone’ sche seyd ‘icham wele paid
Of þat þou hast to me seyd
Þi nem is Arthour verrament
Serue him wiþ hert gent
And fond forto make acord
Bitven Arthour and þi lord.’
Þer sche him puruaid anon riȝtes
To felawes an hundred kniȝtes
And þre hundred ȝong men
Þat wiþ him kniȝtes schuld ben
And fond hem armour and stede
Boþe soure and gode at nede,
In þe name of Heuen-king
Sche him ȝaf hir blisseing
And lete him forþ wende in þe name of Crist
Þat his fader þerof nist,
Ywain bastard wiþ him went
And four hundred of feren gent.
Now com þai fram Schorham
Al bi þe forest of Bedingham
Toward Arundel in Cornwaile
Ac þider þai no miȝt saun faile
Bot þai wolden passen þurthoute
iiii m Sarraȝins wiþ rowe snoute
Þo com þer forþ, wiþ miȝti hond
Wiþ king Soriendos to stroi þis lond,
He de[de] ribaudes ten þousinde
Bren þat þai miȝtten finde,
So he dede michel rewþe.
Þis was on Yders lond in trewþe
Ac to Gawaynet ful of priis
Sone men telden al þis;
Þo he and his gentil feren
313
He toke wiþ him þritti þousinde
Gode felawes so y finde
Þat wenten alle wiþ Wawain
For his largesse and his main,
Out of Londen þe way þai nome
Al what þai to Cardoil come,
Fro Cardoil þai wenten souþe-west
To Bedingham al þurth þe forest
Where welcominge þai hadde onest
Wiþ gret ioie and gret fest.
Þis fiȝtinge vnder Cornwaile
Was fer ȝete saun faile.
Yder in whos lond it was
And bifel to kepe þat pas
Of his men herd þe pleinte
Sum forbrent and sum fordreinte,
For diol he topped of his hare
And himself tobete and tare
And acurssed oft þe time grim
Þat Arthour was wroþ wiþ him.
Was fer ȝete saun faile.
Yder in whos lond it was
And bifel to kepe þat pas
Of his men herd þe pleinte
Sum forbrent and sum fordreinte,
For diol he topped of his hare
And himself tobete and tare
And acurssed oft þe time grim
Þat Arthour was wroþ wiþ him.
King Yder was sikerli
A noble kniȝt and an hardi
Þat wiþ him ledde xiiii m kniȝt
Boþe hardi and eke wiȝt
‘As armes!’ he gradde wiþ tonge
And on gode stedes þai flonge.
King Soriandes þat soudan was;
To a king þat hiȝt Bilas
He hadde taken fiften þousinde
Bifore þat went so y finde
And passed along ouer a brigge,
Þo þai ouer com ich ȝou sigge
Þai rested hem a litel wiȝt
And þo forþ went anon riȝt;
King Soriandes after cam
Wiþ fourti þousand haþen man;
To Morgalant his steward
He bitoke þe after-ward
And xxv m Sarraȝins
Þat schuld him help wiþ miȝt fines—
Ten mile-ways lest þis route
Icham siker wiþouten doute
And bitven euerich floc naþeles
To mile oþer þre þer wes.
Þis ich folk þat was bihinde
Wiþ fiue and tventi þousinde
King Yder and his ouertoke
Opon a cauci bi a broke;
Þai seiȝe him come and wiþstette,
Wiþ scharpe spere ich oþer gret,
Our Cristen þurthout hem þrust
And out of þe sadel mani lust
Amirail and heþen kniȝt
Mani þrewe doun deueling riȝt
And gnowen boþe gras and ston
Þo þat deþ her hert chon,
Sum lay wiþouten arme and þi
And sum cleued into þe fi,
Our men þer in litel stounde
Ten þousand slouȝ to grounde;
Þis seiȝe þe steward Morgalant
Hardi and strong and gret geant,
XV kniȝtes he slouȝ of our
Al arawe and to and four
And þo he mett wiþ Yder king
Ac þat was bataile of þincheing
For ich smot oþers scheld ato
Helmes tokoruen and brini also.
Þis herd Soriandes þe soudan,
Of fourti þousand þe tventi he nam
And sodanliche on our smot
And alle hem slouȝ ner God it wot
Ac king Yder fram þe deþe
Scaped wiþ a fewe vnneþe
Wiþ wepeing and wiþ gret wailing,
Ac he no hadde ascaped bi Heuen-king
Ȝif anoþer cuntek no hadde ybe
Þat þe soudan dede ferst yse
Wharfore he no durst him suwe for doute
Ac went oȝain wiþ al his route.
A noble kniȝt and an hardi
Þat wiþ him ledde xiiii m kniȝt
Boþe hardi and eke wiȝt
‘As armes!’ he gradde wiþ tonge
And on gode stedes þai flonge.
King Soriandes þat soudan was;
To a king þat hiȝt Bilas
He hadde taken fiften þousinde
Bifore þat went so y finde
And passed along ouer a brigge,
Þo þai ouer com ich ȝou sigge
Þai rested hem a litel wiȝt
And þo forþ went anon riȝt;
King Soriandes after cam
Wiþ fourti þousand haþen man;
To Morgalant his steward
He bitoke þe after-ward
314
Þat schuld him help wiþ miȝt fines—
Ten mile-ways lest þis route
Icham siker wiþouten doute
And bitven euerich floc naþeles
To mile oþer þre þer wes.
Þis ich folk þat was bihinde
Wiþ fiue and tventi þousinde
King Yder and his ouertoke
Opon a cauci bi a broke;
Þai seiȝe him come and wiþstette,
Wiþ scharpe spere ich oþer gret,
Our Cristen þurthout hem þrust
And out of þe sadel mani lust
Amirail and heþen kniȝt
Mani þrewe doun deueling riȝt
And gnowen boþe gras and ston
Þo þat deþ her hert chon,
Sum lay wiþouten arme and þi
And sum cleued into þe fi,
Our men þer in litel stounde
Ten þousand slouȝ to grounde;
Þis seiȝe þe steward Morgalant
Hardi and strong and gret geant,
XV kniȝtes he slouȝ of our
Al arawe and to and four
And þo he mett wiþ Yder king
Ac þat was bataile of þincheing
For ich smot oþers scheld ato
Helmes tokoruen and brini also.
Þis herd Soriandes þe soudan,
Of fourti þousand þe tventi he nam
And sodanliche on our smot
And alle hem slouȝ ner God it wot
Ac king Yder fram þe deþe
Scaped wiþ a fewe vnneþe
Wiþ wepeing and wiþ gret wailing,
Ac he no hadde ascaped bi Heuen-king
Ȝif anoþer cuntek no hadde ybe
315
Wharfore he no durst him suwe for doute
Ac went oȝain wiþ al his route.
Now þe childer y spac of bifore
Ywain þe hende and Ywain bastard ybore
And Ates an orped kniȝt
Wiþ four [hundred] ȝong men wiȝt
Weren passed þe forest
Toward Arundel souþe-west
And wenden ben alle soure and siker,
And þo metten wiþ a sori biker
Wiþ Soriendes formward
Þat Bilas ladde a kniȝt hard,
XV þousand oȝain four hunder
Þis was a meteing of wonder.
Four mile out of Arundel
Allas þis ich meting fel
Also þis bachelers hadden a bregge
Ypassed forsoþe y sigge
Þe children fle nouȝt no miȝt
For þe brigge y ȝou pliȝt
Her scheldes þai gropen and scharp spere
Ich a Sarraȝin gan doun bere
Swerdes þai drouȝ and ȝeuen dintes
And paid paiens deþ-rentes,
Þis ȝong men of whom y say
Tocoruen in þre mile-ways
Fiue þousinde Sarrains to grounde
And ȝete were hemself hole and sounde.
At þe hindeward king Yder
Fauȝt al at ones, and þis children her;
Soriandes þat wele yherd
And lete Yder and oȝain ferd
Forto taken quiclike
Þe children ded oþer quic.
Ywain þe hende and Ywain bastard ybore
And Ates an orped kniȝt
Wiþ four [hundred] ȝong men wiȝt
Weren passed þe forest
Toward Arundel souþe-west
And wenden ben alle soure and siker,
And þo metten wiþ a sori biker
Wiþ Soriendes formward
Þat Bilas ladde a kniȝt hard,
XV þousand oȝain four hunder
Þis was a meteing of wonder.
Four mile out of Arundel
Allas þis ich meting fel
Also þis bachelers hadden a bregge
Ypassed forsoþe y sigge
Þe children fle nouȝt no miȝt
For þe brigge y ȝou pliȝt
Her scheldes þai gropen and scharp spere
Ich a Sarraȝin gan doun bere
Swerdes þai drouȝ and ȝeuen dintes
And paid paiens deþ-rentes,
Þis ȝong men of whom y say
Tocoruen in þre mile-ways
Fiue þousinde Sarrains to grounde
And ȝete were hemself hole and sounde.
At þe hindeward king Yder
Fauȝt al at ones, and þis children her;
Soriandes þat wele yherd
And lete Yder and oȝain ferd
Forto taken quiclike
Þe children ded oþer quic.
Ac riȝt now a litel knape
To Bedingram com wiþ rape
And toke a letter to Wawain
On his nevou half hende Ywain
(Ac Ywain wist nouȝt þerof),
Wawain hem toke þe knaue of
Þe letters he red anon
And grad ‘As armes euerichon!
Armeþ ȝou al wiþ main
For mi nevou hende Ywain
Haueþ nede and bot we heiȝe
He is ded and his compeinie,
Ded me were leuer bi Ihesus
Þan he starf for faut of ous.’
Agreuein and Gaher[i]et
Gveheres and Sagremoret
Armed hem wiþ hardi cher
And ich lepe on his destrer
Swerd þai tok and launce and scheld
And forþ priked on þe feld,
Þai toke wiþ hem xx þousinde
(Þe oþer þai leten hem bihinde)
A-sex þai schift her compainie,
316
And toke a letter to Wawain
On his nevou half hende Ywain
(Ac Ywain wist nouȝt þerof),
Wawain hem toke þe knaue of
Þe letters he red anon
And grad ‘As armes euerichon!
Armeþ ȝou al wiþ main
For mi nevou hende Ywain
Haueþ nede and bot we heiȝe
He is ded and his compeinie,
Ded me were leuer bi Ihesus
Þan he starf for faut of ous.’
Agreuein and Gaher[i]et
Gveheres and Sagremoret
Armed hem wiþ hardi cher
And ich lepe on his destrer
Swerd þai tok and launce and scheld
And forþ priked on þe feld,
Þai toke wiþ hem xx þousinde
(Þe oþer þai leten hem bihinde)
A-sex þai schift her compainie,
Agreuein schuld þe first gie
Þat was of noble þre þousinde,
Þat was of noble þre þousinde,
Gveheres also y finde
Þre þousand bodis gied also
Non better no miȝten go,
Þre þousand bodis gied also
Non better no miȝten go,
Þe þridde ferd ledde Gaheriet
And þe ferþ Sagremoret
And þe ferþ Sagremoret
Þe fift ladde Galathin
And eueriche þre þousand wiþ him,
Wawain ladde þe sext bihinde
And hadde wiþ him eiȝte þousinde.
Þe knaue tauȝt her way sikerliche
Þa[i] riden wel sarreliche
Þair gilt pensel wiþ þe winde
Mirie ratled of cendel ynde
Þe steden so noble and so wiȝt
Lopen and neiȝed wiþ þe kniȝt.
Þese beþ also fast cominge,
Þe children þerwhiles were fiȝting
Oȝain ten þousand, for first fiue
Þa[i] had wiȝtliche brouȝt o liue,
Þai defended hem so wel
Wiþ scharp swerd of gode stiel
Þat þe four hundred hadde driuen oȝan
Þo ten þousand of heþen man.
King Soriandes herd al þis
And sexten þousand he sant of priis
Biforn him hem to nim
And after com þat wiþþerwin
Wiþ xx þousind almast
Forto taken hem on hast,
Þis forseyd xvi þousinde
Our folk comen bihinde
And passed þe brigge Drian
And smiten on our ȝong man
And mani þerof þrewe to grounde
And ȝauen hem bitter and hard wounde,
Þe ten þousand at þe oþer half also
Deden hem swiþe miche wo.
At on half and at oþer so y finde
Were sex and tventi þousinde
And wiþ a fewe children fouȝt,
Ac Ihesu Crist on hem þouȝt
For he ȝaue hem strengþe and miȝt
Oȝain þo deuelen forto fiȝt,
When ani were falle adoun
Þe oþer hem lift to arsoun
Euerich oþer wiþ scheld biclept
And fro oþer dentes kept
And mani of þo heþen houndes
Þai koruen doun into þe grounde—
Ac al þai were so forfouȝten
Of her liif þat þai no rouȝten
And ȝelden hem þai hadden ment.
‘Nay’ quaþ Ywayns ‘verrament
Whiles our ani liueþ in feld
Our þonkes nil we ous ȝeld,
Ac do we now bi mi red
Prike we at onnes into þe mede
And ȝif we may owhar abreke
Fle we hem wiþ gret reke.’
Al at ones her main þai kedde
And large roume about hem redde
Into þe mede þai smiten wiþ rape
Ȝif þai miȝt ouer þe water scape—
Þe water was swiþe depe
Þe brink heiȝe þe strem stepe,
Þai loked ouer into þe londes
And seye come king Soriandes,
Fele mile-wais wiþouten doute
Lest þe tail of his route.
Ates þe wiȝt þo seyd ‘Allas
We mot ous ȝeld in þis cas
For we no mow nowhar oway
So ful of deuelen in þis cuntray,’
Al þai were in gret desmay;
Þo loked Ywain and saye
Fram Bedingham on her side
Baners and pople com ride,
To his felawes he seyd on hast
‘Beþ now bliþe and nouȝt agast
Y se ȝond com gret socour
For þai han þe signe of our Saueour
Wherþurth’ he seyd ‘ich vnderstonde
It is socour of þis lond.’
‘Yherd be Crist!’ quaþ lasse Ywain
‘Her is conseil certain
Ȝif we here leueþ in a þrome
We worþ nomen ar þai come
Ac þei we han pople lite
Þurthout hem we mot smite
And slen al þat mowe we,
Þurthout hem and swiþe fle
Fleand euer wereand ous
Til help ous haue sent Ihesus.’
Bi [his] rede þai deden ȝerne
Her stedes þai gun terne
On þe sexten m þai com flinge
So hail doþ on þe singel,
In þat coming God it wot
Þai slouȝ þre hundred fot hot
And wiþ gode hert and main fin
Þai þurth perced þo Sarraȝin,
Ac Bilas wiþ his ten þousinde
Hem oftoke anon bihinde
And metten hem in a mede
Wiþ an hundred of her ferrede
And ȝauen hem wel bitter wounde
For þai hem wold haue nomen and bounde,
Ac þai vp stirt and wered hem siker
Wiþ swerd þai maden dedeli biker.
Agreuein wiþ þis bikering
Wiþ þre þousand com on hem flinge
Þat wiþ spere þo ten þousinde
Beren oȝain so y finde
Þe schote of an alblast,
Þer was mani þurthout dast
Heued of koruen smiten of arm
Bodi cleued into þe barm,
On boþe halue was swiche a cri
Men miȝt it here into þe sky.
Þis seiȝen þe sexten þousinde
And comen swiþe on our winde
And wiþ miȝt oȝain hem bar
To þe stede þer þai wer ar,
Þer was mani wombe þurth schoue
And mani heued cleued aboue,
Þat ich time Agreuein
In sleiȝt kid so michel main
Þat his feren wondred euerichon
And token ensaumple wele to don
For he seyd þei he dede schuld ben
Of þe stede he nold flen
Ac wiþ swerd he wald delite
On þe paiens to don it bite.
And eueriche þre þousand wiþ him,
Wawain ladde þe sext bihinde
And hadde wiþ him eiȝte þousinde.
Þe knaue tauȝt her way sikerliche
Þa[i] riden wel sarreliche
Þair gilt pensel wiþ þe winde
Mirie ratled of cendel ynde
Þe steden so noble and so wiȝt
317
Þese beþ also fast cominge,
Þe children þerwhiles were fiȝting
Oȝain ten þousand, for first fiue
Þa[i] had wiȝtliche brouȝt o liue,
Þai defended hem so wel
Wiþ scharp swerd of gode stiel
Þat þe four hundred hadde driuen oȝan
Þo ten þousand of heþen man.
King Soriandes herd al þis
And sexten þousand he sant of priis
Biforn him hem to nim
And after com þat wiþþerwin
Wiþ xx þousind almast
Forto taken hem on hast,
Þis forseyd xvi þousinde
Our folk comen bihinde
And passed þe brigge Drian
And smiten on our ȝong man
And mani þerof þrewe to grounde
And ȝauen hem bitter and hard wounde,
Þe ten þousand at þe oþer half also
Deden hem swiþe miche wo.
At on half and at oþer so y finde
Were sex and tventi þousinde
And wiþ a fewe children fouȝt,
Ac Ihesu Crist on hem þouȝt
For he ȝaue hem strengþe and miȝt
Oȝain þo deuelen forto fiȝt,
When ani were falle adoun
Þe oþer hem lift to arsoun
Euerich oþer wiþ scheld biclept
And fro oþer dentes kept
And mani of þo heþen houndes
Þai koruen doun into þe grounde—
Ac al þai were so forfouȝten
Of her liif þat þai no rouȝten
And ȝelden hem þai hadden ment.
‘Nay’ quaþ Ywayns ‘verrament
318
Our þonkes nil we ous ȝeld,
Ac do we now bi mi red
Prike we at onnes into þe mede
And ȝif we may owhar abreke
Fle we hem wiþ gret reke.’
Al at ones her main þai kedde
And large roume about hem redde
Into þe mede þai smiten wiþ rape
Ȝif þai miȝt ouer þe water scape—
Þe water was swiþe depe
Þe brink heiȝe þe strem stepe,
Þai loked ouer into þe londes
And seye come king Soriandes,
Fele mile-wais wiþouten doute
Lest þe tail of his route.
Ates þe wiȝt þo seyd ‘Allas
We mot ous ȝeld in þis cas
For we no mow nowhar oway
So ful of deuelen in þis cuntray,’
Al þai were in gret desmay;
Þo loked Ywain and saye
Fram Bedingham on her side
Baners and pople com ride,
To his felawes he seyd on hast
‘Beþ now bliþe and nouȝt agast
Y se ȝond com gret socour
For þai han þe signe of our Saueour
Wherþurth’ he seyd ‘ich vnderstonde
It is socour of þis lond.’
‘Yherd be Crist!’ quaþ lasse Ywain
‘Her is conseil certain
Ȝif we here leueþ in a þrome
We worþ nomen ar þai come
Ac þei we han pople lite
Þurthout hem we mot smite
And slen al þat mowe we,
Þurthout hem and swiþe fle
Fleand euer wereand ous
Til help ous haue sent Ihesus.’
319
Her stedes þai gun terne
On þe sexten m þai com flinge
So hail doþ on þe singel,
In þat coming God it wot
Þai slouȝ þre hundred fot hot
And wiþ gode hert and main fin
Þai þurth perced þo Sarraȝin,
Ac Bilas wiþ his ten þousinde
Hem oftoke anon bihinde
And metten hem in a mede
Wiþ an hundred of her ferrede
And ȝauen hem wel bitter wounde
For þai hem wold haue nomen and bounde,
Ac þai vp stirt and wered hem siker
Wiþ swerd þai maden dedeli biker.
Agreuein wiþ þis bikering
Wiþ þre þousand com on hem flinge
Þat wiþ spere þo ten þousinde
Beren oȝain so y finde
Þe schote of an alblast,
Þer was mani þurthout dast
Heued of koruen smiten of arm
Bodi cleued into þe barm,
On boþe halue was swiche a cri
Men miȝt it here into þe sky.
Þis seiȝen þe sexten þousinde
And comen swiþe on our winde
And wiþ miȝt oȝain hem bar
To þe stede þer þai wer ar,
Þer was mani wombe þurth schoue
And mani heued cleued aboue,
Þat ich time Agreuein
In sleiȝt kid so michel main
Þat his feren wondred euerichon
And token ensaumple wele to don
For he seyd þei he dede schuld ben
Of þe stede he nold flen
320
On þe paiens to don it bite.
Ywain þan and alle his floc
On steden sat so stef so stok
And dasched hem amid þe pres
So lyoun doþ on dere in gres
And cleued boþe man and hors
Of þe foule heþen cors,
Ich of hem so wiȝtliche fauȝt
Þat tong no may it telle nauȝt,
Ac Sarraȝins were bi mi panne
Euer fourti oȝaines anne
Wherfore our litel folk kene
No miȝt amonges hem ben ysen—
Þis was in time of May
Riȝt aboute midmorwe-day.
On steden sat so stef so stok
And dasched hem amid þe pres
So lyoun doþ on dere in gres
And cleued boþe man and hors
Of þe foule heþen cors,
Ich of hem so wiȝtliche fauȝt
Þat tong no may it telle nauȝt,
Ac Sarraȝins were bi mi panne
Euer fourti oȝaines anne
Wherfore our litel folk kene
No miȝt amonges hem ben ysen—
Þis was in time of May
Riȝt aboute midmorwe-day.
Þo com Gueheres Wawaines broþer
Wiþ þre þousand f[ol]k oþer
And smiten on þis heþen hounde
Þat euerich of hem fel to grounde
And þe oþer rekeuerd oȝain wiþ main
Whider first hem brouȝt Agreuein,
Þer was fiȝting þer was toile
And vnder hors kniȝtes defoile;
Þo þonked Ywain þe wiȝt
Of þat socour God almiȝt
And desired to wite who it were
Þat him dede swiche socour þere,
Þo seyd Ates ‘Sir Ywain
Smite þi stede wiþ miȝt and main
And of þi greuaunce þe awreke
Þat oþer it sen and þerof speke,
Bi her pruesse þou schalt hem knawe
And bi þine be her felawe
Y þe rede now lay on fast
Our fomen forto agast.’
Þer Ywain and eke his broþer,
Ates and mani gentil oþer
Tokoruen þis Sarraȝins
Wiþ gret miȝt and wille fins
Y wene þat Ywain and his broþer
Þer slouȝ an hundred and anoþer
So þat Gveheres and Agreuein
Hadde gret wonder of her main.
As Ates com rideinde hem bitven
He asked h[i]m who it miȝt ben,
‘Certes’ quaþ Ates ‘of ȝour ken,
Þe kinges sones Vrien
Ywain þe hende and Ywain bastard
Þat þus com hiderward
To ben kniȝtes of ȝour em Arthour
And seruen him wiþ gret honour,
Al þat han white on riȝte armes
And red on left half on her armes
Beþ erls and barouns sones
Þat ben wiþ him hider come
Þat metten here þis deuelen felle
Þat ben ysprongen out of helle
Þat hadde hem slain wiþ deshonour
No hadde ben ȝour socour.’
‘Yherd be Crist’ þe children quaþe
‘Þat we to hem com þus raþe,’
To hem þai smiten þe stedes swiþe
And welcomed hem wiþ chere bliþe,
Þo her ich oþer knewe
Ich ouer oþer armes þrewe
Gret ioie wiþouten les
Þai made amidward þat pres
And made couenaunt in al þat fiȝt
Togider þai wald riden apliȝt.
As þai þus togider spake
Fresche paiens on hem com rake
XV þousinde, þat hadden born oȝan
Par fors into Bedingham,
Wiþ þre þousand ne hadde bet
On hem smiten Gaheriet
Wawaines broþer sikerliche
Oȝain hem held sarreliche,
Þer was broken mani spere
Wiþ deþes dint and liues lere
And mani paien to deþ ysmite
Wiþ swerdes of stiel þat wele bite.
Margalaunt þe steward and king Pinogres
To þe brigge were comen wiþ gret pres
Of Sarraȝins xx þousinde
And wele mo also y finde
Al þai seiȝen þis ich biker,
At þat half þe brigge hem þouȝt siker
On þat ich fair roume
To aloge her pauiloun
To kepe wele her charrois
Her astore and her harnois
And to help at tide and time
At þe oþer half her cursed lin,
Þe brigge þat was hem bitven
Þai þouȝt schuld her socour ben.
Wiþ þre þousand f[ol]k oþer
And smiten on þis heþen hounde
Þat euerich of hem fel to grounde
And þe oþer rekeuerd oȝain wiþ main
Whider first hem brouȝt Agreuein,
Þer was fiȝting þer was toile
And vnder hors kniȝtes defoile;
Þo þonked Ywain þe wiȝt
Of þat socour God almiȝt
And desired to wite who it were
Þat him dede swiche socour þere,
Þo seyd Ates ‘Sir Ywain
Smite þi stede wiþ miȝt and main
And of þi greuaunce þe awreke
Þat oþer it sen and þerof speke,
Bi her pruesse þou schalt hem knawe
And bi þine be her felawe
Y þe rede now lay on fast
Our fomen forto agast.’
Þer Ywain and eke his broþer,
Ates and mani gentil oþer
Tokoruen þis Sarraȝins
321
Y wene þat Ywain and his broþer
Þer slouȝ an hundred and anoþer
So þat Gveheres and Agreuein
Hadde gret wonder of her main.
As Ates com rideinde hem bitven
He asked h[i]m who it miȝt ben,
‘Certes’ quaþ Ates ‘of ȝour ken,
Þe kinges sones Vrien
Ywain þe hende and Ywain bastard
Þat þus com hiderward
To ben kniȝtes of ȝour em Arthour
And seruen him wiþ gret honour,
Al þat han white on riȝte armes
And red on left half on her armes
Beþ erls and barouns sones
Þat ben wiþ him hider come
Þat metten here þis deuelen felle
Þat ben ysprongen out of helle
Þat hadde hem slain wiþ deshonour
No hadde ben ȝour socour.’
‘Yherd be Crist’ þe children quaþe
‘Þat we to hem com þus raþe,’
To hem þai smiten þe stedes swiþe
And welcomed hem wiþ chere bliþe,
Þo her ich oþer knewe
Ich ouer oþer armes þrewe
Gret ioie wiþouten les
Þai made amidward þat pres
And made couenaunt in al þat fiȝt
Togider þai wald riden apliȝt.
As þai þus togider spake
Fresche paiens on hem com rake
XV þousinde, þat hadden born oȝan
Par fors into Bedingham,
Wiþ þre þousand ne hadde bet
322
Wawaines broþer sikerliche
Oȝain hem held sarreliche,
Þer was broken mani spere
Wiþ deþes dint and liues lere
And mani paien to deþ ysmite
Wiþ swerdes of stiel þat wele bite.
Margalaunt þe steward and king Pinogres
To þe brigge were comen wiþ gret pres
Of Sarraȝins xx þousinde
And wele mo also y finde
Al þai seiȝen þis ich biker,
At þat half þe brigge hem þouȝt siker
On þat ich fair roume
To aloge her pauiloun
To kepe wele her charrois
Her astore and her harnois
And to help at tide and time
At þe oþer half her cursed lin,
Þe brigge þat was hem bitven
Þai þouȝt schuld her socour ben.
Soriondes her heiȝe king
Com sone after wiþouten lesing
Wiþ so mani þousand Sarraȝins
Þat no man þerof couþe þe fins
And loged on þat riuer
Fram Morgalant nouȝt wel fer
Of bataile to sen þe fin
Of Cristen and of Sarraȝin
Þer at þe oþer half þe brigge
Wiþ scharppe swerd gun on legge
Wiþ fauchouns axes and battes
Ich ȝaue oþer sori flappes,
Of Sarraȝin þer fouȝten ten and ten
Oȝain on of our men
Wherþurth þe feld oȝain þai bare
Mani of our children þare.
In þis toil, wiþ þre þousand skete
Sagremor hem com mete
Mest what euerich wiþ his spere
A paien gan to grounde bere,
And in þis ich coming
Þer were slawe four heþen king
In þe feld of our bachelers,
Were brouȝt on her destre[r]s;
Þe paiens were to fel and kene
Þe sleiȝt of hem nas nouȝt sen
And eke þer ourne stremes of blod
Also it were a wel gret flod.
Now wiþouten more dueling
Galathin com swiþe flinge
Wiþ þre þousand wiȝtling
And smot oȝain þat heþen king,
Ich of hem wiþ stef launce
A Sarraȝin smot wiþouten balaunce
And wiþ her feren brouȝten oȝain
Al her f[om]en to þe brigge Drein
In þe water hem driuen so y finde,
Of þe heþen and slouȝ seuen þousinde,
Ac al our childer toforn and þo
Hadde hem contened so
Þat of m x and sextene
No hadde þai leued bot þrittene
And of our so y finde
Nas nouȝt slain a þousinde.
Now hadde al þo þeues heþen
Ben tofrust doun riȝt to maþen
Ȝif Morgalent and Pinogres
[N]adden brouȝt ouer her pres
XX þousand oȝain our,
Of our wer þousandes ten and four
And certes nouȝt an hundred mo
And þai were þre and þritti þousand and mo;
Þer was batail of mende
Hou our wiȝtlinges so hende
On þe heþen wiþ swordes losten
And mani tocleued and tofrusten,
Ac Morgalant and his ferrede
Were strong and fers to þe dede
And hadde don our harm wel gret
Ȝif Wawain no hadde don þe bet
Þat wiþ eiȝte þousand and swerdes egge
Brouȝt hem to þentre of þe brigge
And mani þousand ouerþrewe saun fail
Into þe water top and tail
Þat þai adreint wiþouten les.
Wawain smot into þat pres
It was sumdel after none
Wawain strengþe duble gan
His ax in his hond he lift
Durarls heued of he smit,
King Malgar on þe heued he gert
Þat þe dent stode at þe hert,
Segor on þe heued he smot
Þe ax into þe sadel bot,
King Malan also he hit
And wiþ his ax þe heued of slit,
A-left he smot and a-riȝt
Non his dent asit miȝt
Stel and yren his ax þurth carf
Wherþurth mani heþen starf;
He met þat geaunt Pinogres
Amidward al his pres
Þat cleued Wawaines scheld
Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld,
Wawain him ȝaue a dent of howe
And cleued him to þe sadel-bowe—
Y no miȝt it nouȝt fulrede
Þe pruaunce of Wawaines dede.
After him hende Ywain
Best y wene kidde his main
For king Sesox he cleue ato
And Baldas an amiral also,
Minardes heued of he smot
And Bilaces also God it wot
And Morgalant þe steward
Dedliche wounde he ȝaf him hard,
And mo kniȝtes þan y can telle
Wawain and he sent to helle
For y neuen now saun faile
Bot kinges doukes and amiraile—
Ȝete no wist nouȝt Wawain
Þat it was his felawe Ywain,
He hadde wonder of his pruesse
Þat so leyd doun hard and nesse.
After hem Galathin
Kidde in dede miȝt afin
Wiþ swerd he hit Farasan
A geaunt and an hoge man
Þat ere and cheke and scholder also
Wiþ his swerd he carf atvo,
King Creon he cleued þurth
And king Beas doun in a furth,
Darian and king Fulgin
Boþe he cleue to þe chin.
No child no miȝt do þer bet
Þan dede also Gaheriet,
Of þe king Briollo
Þe midel he smot ato
Pinnas and ek Donadord
He biheueded wiþ his sword
Pamadas he cleued doun riȝt.
Com sone after wiþouten lesing
Wiþ so mani þousand Sarraȝins
Þat no man þerof couþe þe fins
And loged on þat riuer
Fram Morgalant nouȝt wel fer
Of bataile to sen þe fin
Of Cristen and of Sarraȝin
Þer at þe oþer half þe brigge
Wiþ scharppe swerd gun on legge
Wiþ fauchouns axes and battes
Ich ȝaue oþer sori flappes,
Of Sarraȝin þer fouȝten ten and ten
Oȝain on of our men
Wherþurth þe feld oȝain þai bare
Mani of our children þare.
323
Sagremor hem com mete
Mest what euerich wiþ his spere
A paien gan to grounde bere,
And in þis ich coming
Þer were slawe four heþen king
In þe feld of our bachelers,
Were brouȝt on her destre[r]s;
Þe paiens were to fel and kene
Þe sleiȝt of hem nas nouȝt sen
And eke þer ourne stremes of blod
Also it were a wel gret flod.
Now wiþouten more dueling
Galathin com swiþe flinge
Wiþ þre þousand wiȝtling
And smot oȝain þat heþen king,
Ich of hem wiþ stef launce
A Sarraȝin smot wiþouten balaunce
And wiþ her feren brouȝten oȝain
Al her f[om]en to þe brigge Drein
In þe water hem driuen so y finde,
Of þe heþen and slouȝ seuen þousinde,
Ac al our childer toforn and þo
Hadde hem contened so
Þat of m x and sextene
No hadde þai leued bot þrittene
And of our so y finde
Nas nouȝt slain a þousinde.
Now hadde al þo þeues heþen
Ben tofrust doun riȝt to maþen
Ȝif Morgalent and Pinogres
[N]adden brouȝt ouer her pres
XX þousand oȝain our,
Of our wer þousandes ten and four
And certes nouȝt an hundred mo
And þai were þre and þritti þousand and mo;
Þer was batail of mende
Hou our wiȝtlinges so hende
324
And mani tocleued and tofrusten,
Ac Morgalant and his ferrede
Were strong and fers to þe dede
And hadde don our harm wel gret
Ȝif Wawain no hadde don þe bet
Þat wiþ eiȝte þousand and swerdes egge
Brouȝt hem to þentre of þe brigge
And mani þousand ouerþrewe saun fail
Into þe water top and tail
Þat þai adreint wiþouten les.
Wawain smot into þat pres
It was sumdel after none
Wawain strengþe duble gan
His ax in his hond he lift
Durarls heued of he smit,
King Malgar on þe heued he gert
Þat þe dent stode at þe hert,
Segor on þe heued he smot
Þe ax into þe sadel bot,
King Malan also he hit
And wiþ his ax þe heued of slit,
A-left he smot and a-riȝt
Non his dent asit miȝt
Stel and yren his ax þurth carf
Wherþurth mani heþen starf;
He met þat geaunt Pinogres
Amidward al his pres
Þat cleued Wawaines scheld
Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld,
Wawain him ȝaue a dent of howe
And cleued him to þe sadel-bowe—
Y no miȝt it nouȝt fulrede
Þe pruaunce of Wawaines dede.
After him hende Ywain
Best y wene kidde his main
For king Sesox he cleue ato
And Baldas an amiral also,
Minardes heued of he smot
And Bilaces also God it wot
325
Dedliche wounde he ȝaf him hard,
And mo kniȝtes þan y can telle
Wawain and he sent to helle
For y neuen now saun faile
Bot kinges doukes and amiraile—
Ȝete no wist nouȝt Wawain
Þat it was his felawe Ywain,
He hadde wonder of his pruesse
Þat so leyd doun hard and nesse.
After hem Galathin
Kidde in dede miȝt afin
Wiþ swerd he hit Farasan
A geaunt and an hoge man
Þat ere and cheke and scholder also
Wiþ his swerd he carf atvo,
King Creon he cleued þurth
And king Beas doun in a furth,
Darian and king Fulgin
Boþe he cleue to þe chin.
No child no miȝt do þer bet
Þan dede also Gaheriet,
Of þe king Briollo
Þe midel he smot ato
Pinnas and ek Donadord
He biheueded wiþ his sword
Pamadas he cleued doun riȝt.
Sagremor þer schewed his miȝt
For he biheueded Linodas
Of fourtene fet þat was,
Fauel he cleued to þe brest
And Guindard he made heuedles prest.
For he biheueded Linodas
Of fourtene fet þat was,
Fauel he cleued to þe brest
And Guindard he made heuedles prest.
Gueheres dede also wel,
Of Guos he carf þe hatrel
Goweir he cleued to þe ribbe
Þat he no miȝt no lenger libbe.
Agreuein dede also
Þre kinges he slouȝ and mani mo,
Of Guos he carf þe hatrel
Goweir he cleued to þe ribbe
Þat he no miȝt no lenger libbe.
Agreuein dede also
Þre kinges he slouȝ and mani mo,
Ates and lesse Ywain and her route
To grounde laiden wiþouten doute
Whom so þai hitten wiþ ful dent
Keuerd he neuer verrament,
Ac verrament oȝain Wawain
No man no miȝt kiþe main
For he carf man and stiel and ire
So flesche-hewer doþ flesches lire.
Niȝt com hem on, þai miȝt nouȝt sen,
Ich to his kiþ gan to ten;
Þo Gawainet knewe Ywain
Þer was ioie and blis certain
He and al her compeinie
To Bedingham went on heiȝe
And þer token aise and rest
Wiþ gamen and gle and solas mest.
Soriandes seiȝe of his ferred
Of four score m þe fourti ded,
His hert was sore his cher murne
Lenger nold he þer soiourne
He trussed his armes anon riȝt
And went oway al bi niȝt
To her heiȝe ost to Wandlesbiri
Þer þai made hem ioie and miri
For store and tresor þat þai brouȝt;
Wawain amorn hem souȝt
And fond he was ascaped oway
Þat him oþouȝt par ma fay,
Þat hie þer founden þai ladde hem wiþ
And left þer stille in pais and griþ
Mani day at Bedinham—
Now listneþ what after bicam.
326
Whom so þai hitten wiþ ful dent
Keuerd he neuer verrament,
Ac verrament oȝain Wawain
No man no miȝt kiþe main
For he carf man and stiel and ire
So flesche-hewer doþ flesches lire.
Niȝt com hem on, þai miȝt nouȝt sen,
Ich to his kiþ gan to ten;
Þo Gawainet knewe Ywain
Þer was ioie and blis certain
He and al her compeinie
To Bedingham went on heiȝe
And þer token aise and rest
Wiþ gamen and gle and solas mest.
Soriandes seiȝe of his ferred
Of four score m þe fourti ded,
His hert was sore his cher murne
Lenger nold he þer soiourne
He trussed his armes anon riȝt
And went oway al bi niȝt
To her heiȝe ost to Wandlesbiri
Þer þai made hem ioie and miri
For store and tresor þat þai brouȝt;
Wawain amorn hem souȝt
And fond he was ascaped oway
Þat him oþouȝt par ma fay,
Þat hie þer founden þai ladde hem wiþ
And left þer stille in pais and griþ
Mani day at Bedinham—
Now listneþ what after bicam.
Now seiþ þis romaunce hou Wawain
Of þis letters asked Ywain,
Ywain seyd he wist of non
Whereþurth þai wonderd euerichon.
Þo herd þai telle of Sarraȝins
Deden wo and michel pins
Þe ȝong men of Arundel,
Wawain þerof hadde diol
Ten þousand þe best he toke
(Þe oþer he tok þe toun to loke)
And went hem Arundel toward.
In þis time fel chaunce hard
For Kay Destran and Kehedin
Tvo gentil swaines of wiȝt lin
Erles sones of Strangore,
Of þe marche come hem bifore
Wiþ seuen and tventi sweines of gentil stren
Comen alle kniȝtes forto ben
And to serue king Arthour
Ȝif þai miȝt wiþ gret honour,
Þese no hadde nouȝt are ysaye
Hou Arundel was bilay
Of king Harans and ek Daril,
Bramagnes sones þe etenild,
Wiþ so mani heþen þousinde
Þat þe noumbre y no can finde.
Þese squiers on hem come,
And þe paiens also sone
So þai hem seiȝe on hem þai last,
Þe squiers were armed and on hem dast
And in þe first of þat seylinge
Þai slowen michel heþen genge
Ac heþen mani þousand þo
On our flongen and dede hem wo
And biclept hem al about
Forto nim þat litel rout.
Ȝong men of Arundel
Seiȝen it out of þe castel
Wiȝt ȝonglinges þre hundred ich vnderstonde
Þe first was Ywain wiþ þe white hond
Þe oþer Ywain of Lyonel
Þe þridde Ywain Desclauis le bel
And Ywain of Strangore of heiȝe parage
Þe v was Dedinet þe saueage
Alle þai were wiȝt and hende
And neiȝe of Wawaines kende,
Þese wiþ þre hundred com þere
And on þe paiens smiten wiþ gode chere
Ich dede his launce go
Þurthout a paien oþer to
And redden hem wiþ miȝt fin
Til what þai come to Kehedin,
Togider þai cleued in þat werre
So wiþ oþer doþ þe burre
And leyden þer Sarraȝins doun riȝt
Boþe a left half and a riȝt.
Þe paiens an horn gun blowe
And hem come socour in litel þrawe
XX þousand þat smite on our
And bar hem doun bi þre and four
And hadde hem slawe and do miche wo
No hadde Wawain vp comen þo
Wiþ x þousand þat doun stett
Alle þat þai wiþ launce mett
And after her swerdes drowe
And xv þousand heþen slowe
And holpen so þo oþer squiers
Þat þai were brouȝt on destrers;
Þe oþer paiens wiþdrouȝ hem þo
Sarraȝins to feche hem mo,
Þerwhiles Wawain knewe þis Ywains
Alle four and þe oþer swaines,
Þer was ioie bi Godes ore
Y wene þer miȝt be no more
Þan was þer of þat socouringe.
Þerwhiles com an eld kniȝt flinge
And seyd to Wawain conseil
Ȝif he and his feren wald ben hayl
Þai schuld swiþe to Arundel te
And þan he schuld more yse,
Bi his conseil þai deden anon
And went into Arundel ichon
Alle þe gates þai schetten fast
And lete falle portcolice on hast,
On walles þai steiȝen heiȝe
And seiȝen of heþen ful þe cuntreie—
Of þis letters asked Ywain,
Ywain seyd he wist of non
Whereþurth þai wonderd euerichon.
Þo herd þai telle of Sarraȝins
Deden wo and michel pins
Þe ȝong men of Arundel,
Wawain þerof hadde diol
327
(Þe oþer he tok þe toun to loke)
And went hem Arundel toward.
In þis time fel chaunce hard
For Kay Destran and Kehedin
Tvo gentil swaines of wiȝt lin
Erles sones of Strangore,
Of þe marche come hem bifore
Wiþ seuen and tventi sweines of gentil stren
Comen alle kniȝtes forto ben
And to serue king Arthour
Ȝif þai miȝt wiþ gret honour,
Þese no hadde nouȝt are ysaye
Hou Arundel was bilay
Of king Harans and ek Daril,
Bramagnes sones þe etenild,
Wiþ so mani heþen þousinde
Þat þe noumbre y no can finde.
Þese squiers on hem come,
And þe paiens also sone
So þai hem seiȝe on hem þai last,
Þe squiers were armed and on hem dast
And in þe first of þat seylinge
Þai slowen michel heþen genge
Ac heþen mani þousand þo
On our flongen and dede hem wo
And biclept hem al about
Forto nim þat litel rout.
Ȝong men of Arundel
Seiȝen it out of þe castel
Wiȝt ȝonglinges þre hundred ich vnderstonde
Þe first was Ywain wiþ þe white hond
Þe oþer Ywain of Lyonel
Þe þridde Ywain Desclauis le bel
And Ywain of Strangore of heiȝe parage
Þe v was Dedinet þe saueage
328
And neiȝe of Wawaines kende,
Þese wiþ þre hundred com þere
And on þe paiens smiten wiþ gode chere
Ich dede his launce go
Þurthout a paien oþer to
And redden hem wiþ miȝt fin
Til what þai come to Kehedin,
Togider þai cleued in þat werre
So wiþ oþer doþ þe burre
And leyden þer Sarraȝins doun riȝt
Boþe a left half and a riȝt.
Þe paiens an horn gun blowe
And hem come socour in litel þrawe
XX þousand þat smite on our
And bar hem doun bi þre and four
And hadde hem slawe and do miche wo
No hadde Wawain vp comen þo
Wiþ x þousand þat doun stett
Alle þat þai wiþ launce mett
And after her swerdes drowe
And xv þousand heþen slowe
And holpen so þo oþer squiers
Þat þai were brouȝt on destrers;
Þe oþer paiens wiþdrouȝ hem þo
Sarraȝins to feche hem mo,
Þerwhiles Wawain knewe þis Ywains
Alle four and þe oþer swaines,
Þer was ioie bi Godes ore
Y wene þer miȝt be no more
Þan was þer of þat socouringe.
Þerwhiles com an eld kniȝt flinge
And seyd to Wawain conseil
Ȝif he and his feren wald ben hayl
Þai schuld swiþe to Arundel te
And þan he schuld more yse,
Bi his conseil þai deden anon
And went into Arundel ichon
Alle þe gates þai schetten fast
329
On walles þai steiȝen heiȝe
And seiȝen of heþen ful þe cuntreie—
King Harans wiþ sexti þousinde
And Daril wiþ fourti him bihinde,
XII hundred cartes after come
Wiþ gode and store þat was binome
In þe cuntre men and wiues
Al sori in her liues,
After hem come xx þousinde
Of fel robours so y finde
Þat so hadde robed and brent þe cuntre
Þat þeraboute four iurne
No schuld man finde man no childe
Bot wildernesse and desert wilde.
Wawain and his felawes
Þer soiour[n]d seuen dawes,
Þer lete we hem soiurne
And speke we of chaunces hard and murne.
And Daril wiþ fourti him bihinde,
XII hundred cartes after come
Wiþ gode and store þat was binome
In þe cuntre men and wiues
Al sori in her liues,
After hem come xx þousinde
Of fel robours so y finde
Þat so hadde robed and brent þe cuntre
Þat þeraboute four iurne
No schuld man finde man no childe
Bot wildernesse and desert wilde.
Wawain and his felawes
Þer soiour[n]d seuen dawes,
Þer lete we hem soiurne
And speke we of chaunces hard and murne.
King Harans and his harnoys
Went toward þe lond of Leoneis
And brent into þe grounde
Al þat þai biforn hem founde
Man and child þai brent þo
And dede hem al michel wo;
Sum ascaped wiþ gret paine
Into þe cite of Dorkeine
And reweliche gun [grade] o king Lot
For þis lere God it wot,
Lot tok xx þousand kniȝtes
And went him out anon riȝtes.
A ferd of xxx þousinde
He smot on also y finde,
V þousinde in his cominge
He slouȝ wiþ speres meteinge
Egreliche her swerdes drowe
And ix þousinde þerto slouwe
Wiþ so noble swerdes dent
Þat hem astint verament
And hadde hem alle sone yslawe
Ȝif Harans (þat þe Deuel todrawe!)
Wiþ lx þousand [nadde] þo
Com on our to michel wo
Þat our biclept and wiþ fouȝt
And slowen our gentil men and duȝst,
Þat Lot vnneþe wiþ þre þousinde
Scaped at euen so y finde
Into þe cite of Dorkeine
Sore ywounded wiþ michel peine.
Þe king Lot seiȝe þis lere
Himselue he gan here tere
And bad þe time mesauenture
Þat he cunteked wiþ king Arthour,
And his kniȝtes þat leued were
And leuedis and children maden care
For her faders lordes and frende
Were so slawe wiþ helle-fende;
Harans biseged and dede his peine
Þe cite to winne of Dorkeine.
Lot þouȝt to saue Belisent
Arthours suster his quen gent
And Wawains moder saun fail,
His kniȝtes he asked conseil
Conseil he tok and went bi niȝt
Toward Glocedoine ful riȝt
His strong castel, to don in his wiif
For chaunce þat miȝt be oþer striif
Wiþ Modred his sone beld
Þat nas ȝete bot to ȝer eld,
V hundred kniȝtes on gode stede
Wiþ him he tok for al nede
And went toward his castel swiþe—
He was þerof seþþen vnbliþe.
Went toward þe lond of Leoneis
And brent into þe grounde
Al þat þai biforn hem founde
Man and child þai brent þo
And dede hem al michel wo;
Sum ascaped wiþ gret paine
Into þe cite of Dorkeine
And reweliche gun [grade] o king Lot
For þis lere God it wot,
Lot tok xx þousand kniȝtes
And went him out anon riȝtes.
A ferd of xxx þousinde
He smot on also y finde,
V þousinde in his cominge
He slouȝ wiþ speres meteinge
Egreliche her swerdes drowe
330
Wiþ so noble swerdes dent
Þat hem astint verament
And hadde hem alle sone yslawe
Ȝif Harans (þat þe Deuel todrawe!)
Wiþ lx þousand [nadde] þo
Com on our to michel wo
Þat our biclept and wiþ fouȝt
And slowen our gentil men and duȝst,
Þat Lot vnneþe wiþ þre þousinde
Scaped at euen so y finde
Into þe cite of Dorkeine
Sore ywounded wiþ michel peine.
Þe king Lot seiȝe þis lere
Himselue he gan here tere
And bad þe time mesauenture
Þat he cunteked wiþ king Arthour,
And his kniȝtes þat leued were
And leuedis and children maden care
For her faders lordes and frende
Were so slawe wiþ helle-fende;
Harans biseged and dede his peine
Þe cite to winne of Dorkeine.
Lot þouȝt to saue Belisent
Arthours suster his quen gent
And Wawains moder saun fail,
His kniȝtes he asked conseil
Conseil he tok and went bi niȝt
Toward Glocedoine ful riȝt
His strong castel, to don in his wiif
For chaunce þat miȝt be oþer striif
Wiþ Modred his sone beld
Þat nas ȝete bot to ȝer eld,
V hundred kniȝtes on gode stede
Wiþ him he tok for al nede
And went toward his castel swiþe—
He was þerof seþþen vnbliþe.
In þis time child Wawain
Wiþ mani feren and eke Ywain
On Arundels wal þai gun lene,
A kniȝt com arnand wiþ gret rene
Yarmed in armes alle
Þat to Wawain þus gan calle
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘Crist þe se
And alle þine feren fre!
Durst ȝe gon wiþ me siker
Y wold ȝou schewe a selcouþe biker
Whar ȝe schul win wining
Ȝe nold it ȝeue for noþing.’
‘Þan schaltow’ quaþ Wawain ‘swere
Þou no schalt ous wiþ tresoun dere,’
‘Bleþeliche’ he seyd and swore anon
He no schuld hem qued no traisoun don.
331
On Arundels wal þai gun lene,
A kniȝt com arnand wiþ gret rene
Yarmed in armes alle
Þat to Wawain þus gan calle
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘Crist þe se
And alle þine feren fre!
Durst ȝe gon wiþ me siker
Y wold ȝou schewe a selcouþe biker
Whar ȝe schul win wining
Ȝe nold it ȝeue for noþing.’
‘Þan schaltow’ quaþ Wawain ‘swere
Þou no schalt ous wiþ tresoun dere,’
‘Bleþeliche’ he seyd and swore anon
He no schuld hem qued no traisoun don.
Wawain him armed swiþe
And tok wiþ him x þousand biliue
Þis kniȝt seiȝe hem com and dassed forþ
And hye him after swiþe, norþ,
So þai wenten þai metten a kniȝt
Arnand wiþ al his miȝt
Wawain nam to þis kniȝt hede
Þat he ladde wiþ him Modrede
He rode him to and asked him whi
He ladde his broþer so suiftli,
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘par ma fay
Al þis niȝt and al þis day
Þi lord haþ fouȝt oȝain king Taurus
Þre þousand oȝain fiue hundred of ous,
Þi lord is wounded his men be dede
Modred þi broþer y tok for drede
And wiþ him þus oway drawe
Þat he no ware of hem yslawe.’
‘Allas’ quaþ Wawain ‘allas allas
Þat ich euer born was!
Who schuld euer of me ȝelp
Now sterue mi frende wiþouten help?
Frende’ quaþ Wawain ‘þou here abide
In on busse þou þe hide
What þou se al þe fulle
Wiche socour don we schulle.’
Wawain wiþ his folk forþ drof
Hastiliche vnder a grof,
Þo he herd a reuly cri
A wiman euer cri ‘Merci!’
He dasched forþ biforn hem alle
And seiȝe a leuedi þries doun falle
Fram Taurus stede to þe grounde,
Þat heþen king þat vnwrast hounde
Þat feloun rage in his wodenesse
Pliȝt hir vp bi þe tresse
And sche gred ‘Seint Marie
Help me leuedi Cristes drurie!’
And he went vp anon his fest
And buffeyt hir vnder þe lest
So oft so sche crid ‘Marie!’
Sche was buffeit of him þrie,
Sche fel doun of his hors rigge
And he gan anon his hondes legge
On hir tresse, and forþ hir drouȝ
Þe leuedi vpriȝt stode aswouȝ
He laid on wiþ schourge and bad hir go
And sche no miȝt a fot for wo
No for hir cloþes long,
Bi hir tresse he gan hir hong
Sche wiþbraid and fel vpriȝt,
Taurus aliȝt anon riȝt
And knett hir to his hors tail
Bi her tresse saun fayl
So he drouȝ hir him bihinde
Euer ‘Mari help!’ criinde,
What for sorwe and eke for paine
Sche les winde and ek alaine
Hir eiȝen turned hir voice wiþsat
At point of dede was hir stat.
And tok wiþ him x þousand biliue
Þis kniȝt seiȝe hem com and dassed forþ
And hye him after swiþe, norþ,
So þai wenten þai metten a kniȝt
Arnand wiþ al his miȝt
Wawain nam to þis kniȝt hede
Þat he ladde wiþ him Modrede
He rode him to and asked him whi
He ladde his broþer so suiftli,
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘par ma fay
Al þis niȝt and al þis day
Þi lord haþ fouȝt oȝain king Taurus
Þre þousand oȝain fiue hundred of ous,
Þi lord is wounded his men be dede
Modred þi broþer y tok for drede
And wiþ him þus oway drawe
Þat he no ware of hem yslawe.’
‘Allas’ quaþ Wawain ‘allas allas
Þat ich euer born was!
Who schuld euer of me ȝelp
Now sterue mi frende wiþouten help?
Frende’ quaþ Wawain ‘þou here abide
In on busse þou þe hide
332
Wiche socour don we schulle.’
Wawain wiþ his folk forþ drof
Hastiliche vnder a grof,
Þo he herd a reuly cri
A wiman euer cri ‘Merci!’
He dasched forþ biforn hem alle
And seiȝe a leuedi þries doun falle
Fram Taurus stede to þe grounde,
Þat heþen king þat vnwrast hounde
Þat feloun rage in his wodenesse
Pliȝt hir vp bi þe tresse
And sche gred ‘Seint Marie
Help me leuedi Cristes drurie!’
And he went vp anon his fest
And buffeyt hir vnder þe lest
So oft so sche crid ‘Marie!’
Sche was buffeit of him þrie,
Sche fel doun of his hors rigge
And he gan anon his hondes legge
On hir tresse, and forþ hir drouȝ
Þe leuedi vpriȝt stode aswouȝ
He laid on wiþ schourge and bad hir go
And sche no miȝt a fot for wo
No for hir cloþes long,
Bi hir tresse he gan hir hong
Sche wiþbraid and fel vpriȝt,
Taurus aliȝt anon riȝt
And knett hir to his hors tail
Bi her tresse saun fayl
So he drouȝ hir him bihinde
Euer ‘Mari help!’ criinde,
What for sorwe and eke for paine
Sche les winde and ek alaine
Hir eiȝen turned hir voice wiþsat
At point of dede was hir stat.
Þo seyd Wawain to þat kniȝt
Þat hadde him brouȝt þider ful riȝt
‘Knawestow ouȝt þat leuedi
Þat þoleþ al þat vilanie?’
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘verrament
Hir name is hote Belisent
Þou ouȝtest amende hir stat
For þou souke of hir tat.’
Þat hadde him brouȝt þider ful riȝt
‘Knawestow ouȝt þat leuedi
333
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘verrament
Hir name is hote Belisent
Þou ouȝtest amende hir stat
For þou souke of hir tat.’
Wawain was oft wele and wo
Ac neuer wers þan him was þo
Neiȝe aswon he sat vpriȝt
Þo nist he war bicome þat kniȝt,
He miȝt long loke after him
He was oway—it was Merlin.
Wawain wiþ spors his stede smot
And he forþ stirt God it wot
He grad aloude to king Taurus
‘Abide þou þef malicious!
Biche-sone þou drawest amis
Þou schalt abigge it ywis!’
An heþen swain sone doun stett
Þe leuedis tresse sone vnknett.
King Taurus was xiiii fet long
An vnrede geaunt and a strong
He seiȝe to him com Wawain
He toke a launce wiþ gret [m]ain
And smot þe stede þat he bistrode,
Aiþer to oþer wiþ wretþe rode,
Taurus hit Wawain arst
Þat his launce al tobrast,
Wawain him hit wiþ main and schof
Þe launce þurth þe scheld drof
Þurthout hauberk and hert-polk
And ded him cast among his folk;
Wawains breþer on and oþer
Smiten euerich liþ fram oþer
And v hundred heþen ichon
No leten ascape neuer on.
Wawain oȝain went so seyt þe bok
And his moder in his armes tok
And wiped hir mouþe eiȝen and viis
For hir he wepe ful sore ywis
He kist hir mouþe and hir eiȝe[n],
And his breþer þat yseiȝe[n]
And com to him and gret diol made
No miȝt hem noþing glade,
And for loue of hem alle her fere
Made wepeing and reuly chere;
In al þis diol-makeing
Belisent wiþouten lesing
Acouerd and vndede her eyin,
Þo her sones it yseyn
Þai made ioie swiþe gret
Hir eiȝen þo sche vndede bet
And þonked Ihesu our Saueour
Of hir sones gentil socour.
Þo teld sche Wawain and his feren
So þat þai it miȝt yheren
Hou Lot wiþ þre hundred kniȝt
Dede oȝain þre þousand fiȝt
And of þe þre þousand he lete oliue
Certes bot hundredes fiue
‘Ac of mi lordes meine
Certes no scaped oliue nouȝt þre,
Þo mi lord most chese
Me forgon oþer his liif forlese
Alon he fauȝt a mile-way
Wiþ þo v hundred y say
What he hadde woundes ten and fiue,
Vnneþe he ascaped wiþ þe liue
Makand so reuli bere
Þat it was pite forto here;
Þe heþen me tok and totoiled
Tobeten todrawe and defoiled—
Now haue ich mi lord ylore
And Modred mi sone þat wo me is fore,’
Aswon þo sche ouerþrewe.
Wawain sone hir ablewe
And seyd ‘Dame, Modred þi sone
Y schal þe don anon come’
And him ofsent, þo sche him say
Sche akeuered par ma fay
And was yleyd in liter
Almast liche an hors-bere
And to Londen toke þe way
Wiþ alle Taurus korray
Sex hundred cartes bi Godes ore
Al charged wiþ mete and store.
Þo þai to Londen weren ycome
Hendeliche þai were welcome
Do deliuerd þe heiȝe palays
To sir Wawain þe curteys,
Þerin he dede his leuedi
And swore bi þe quen Marie
Schuld he neuer sen his lord
What Arthour and he were acord.
Þo he teld al sir Do
Of chaunce þat hem was comen to
Hou he dede Sagremor socour
Þurth an eld vauasour
‘And seþþen Ywain mi cosyn
Þurth leters writen in Latin
Þurth a page also riȝt,
And mi moder þurth a kniȝt,
And y no couþe non of þo þre
Neuer seþþen after yse.’
‘O Wawain’ quaþ Do anon
‘Al þre it was on
Merlin þe gode felawe
Ȝete sum day þou schalt him knawe’—
Hereof þai hadde wonder and game.
Lete we þis rest in Godes name
And telle forþ in gode pays
Hou Merlin doþ his maister Blays
In boke writen saun faile
Of Inglond þis meruaile
And profecies and oþer þing
Þat sum beþ passed and sum coming.
Ac neuer wers þan him was þo
Neiȝe aswon he sat vpriȝt
Þo nist he war bicome þat kniȝt,
He miȝt long loke after him
He was oway—it was Merlin.
Wawain wiþ spors his stede smot
And he forþ stirt God it wot
He grad aloude to king Taurus
‘Abide þou þef malicious!
Biche-sone þou drawest amis
Þou schalt abigge it ywis!’
An heþen swain sone doun stett
Þe leuedis tresse sone vnknett.
King Taurus was xiiii fet long
An vnrede geaunt and a strong
He seiȝe to him com Wawain
He toke a launce wiþ gret [m]ain
And smot þe stede þat he bistrode,
Aiþer to oþer wiþ wretþe rode,
Taurus hit Wawain arst
Þat his launce al tobrast,
Wawain him hit wiþ main and schof
Þe launce þurth þe scheld drof
Þurthout hauberk and hert-polk
And ded him cast among his folk;
Wawains breþer on and oþer
Smiten euerich liþ fram oþer
And v hundred heþen ichon
No leten ascape neuer on.
Wawain oȝain went so seyt þe bok
And his moder in his armes tok
And wiped hir mouþe eiȝen and viis
334
He kist hir mouþe and hir eiȝe[n],
And his breþer þat yseiȝe[n]
And com to him and gret diol made
No miȝt hem noþing glade,
And for loue of hem alle her fere
Made wepeing and reuly chere;
In al þis diol-makeing
Belisent wiþouten lesing
Acouerd and vndede her eyin,
Þo her sones it yseyn
Þai made ioie swiþe gret
Hir eiȝen þo sche vndede bet
And þonked Ihesu our Saueour
Of hir sones gentil socour.
Þo teld sche Wawain and his feren
So þat þai it miȝt yheren
Hou Lot wiþ þre hundred kniȝt
Dede oȝain þre þousand fiȝt
And of þe þre þousand he lete oliue
Certes bot hundredes fiue
‘Ac of mi lordes meine
Certes no scaped oliue nouȝt þre,
Þo mi lord most chese
Me forgon oþer his liif forlese
Alon he fauȝt a mile-way
Wiþ þo v hundred y say
What he hadde woundes ten and fiue,
Vnneþe he ascaped wiþ þe liue
Makand so reuli bere
Þat it was pite forto here;
Þe heþen me tok and totoiled
Tobeten todrawe and defoiled—
Now haue ich mi lord ylore
And Modred mi sone þat wo me is fore,’
Aswon þo sche ouerþrewe.
Wawain sone hir ablewe
335
Y schal þe don anon come’
And him ofsent, þo sche him say
Sche akeuered par ma fay
And was yleyd in liter
Almast liche an hors-bere
And to Londen toke þe way
Wiþ alle Taurus korray
Sex hundred cartes bi Godes ore
Al charged wiþ mete and store.
Þo þai to Londen weren ycome
Hendeliche þai were welcome
Do deliuerd þe heiȝe palays
To sir Wawain þe curteys,
Þerin he dede his leuedi
And swore bi þe quen Marie
Schuld he neuer sen his lord
What Arthour and he were acord.
Þo he teld al sir Do
Of chaunce þat hem was comen to
Hou he dede Sagremor socour
Þurth an eld vauasour
‘And seþþen Ywain mi cosyn
Þurth leters writen in Latin
Þurth a page also riȝt,
And mi moder þurth a kniȝt,
And y no couþe non of þo þre
Neuer seþþen after yse.’
‘O Wawain’ quaþ Do anon
‘Al þre it was on
Merlin þe gode felawe
Ȝete sum day þou schalt him knawe’—
Hereof þai hadde wonder and game.
Lete we þis rest in Godes name
And telle forþ in gode pays
Hou Merlin doþ his maister Blays
In boke writen saun faile
Of Inglond þis meruaile
336
Þat sum beþ passed and sum coming.
Þo went he fram his maister Blais
To Arthour to Carohaise
And teld him and his conseil
Of Inglond al þe meruail
Hou Wawain dede and his ferrede
And eueriche king in his þede,
King Arthour and his ferrade
Of þis tidinge were wel glade.
To Arthour to Carohaise
And teld him and his conseil
Of Inglond al þe meruail
Hou Wawain dede and his ferrede
And eueriche king in his þede,
King Arthour and his ferrade
Of þis tidinge were wel glade.
Now seiþ our romaunce here
Leodegan sent his messanger
To Arthour Ban and ek Bohort
Þai schuld com to his court
Wiþ him won and soiourne,
And seyd he was sori and murne
Þat he no wist of her beinge
For he vnderstode soþ þing
Þat þai were of power more
Þan he and heiȝer ybore,
Þat þai hadde wele yked
Fram deþ when þai him hadde red,
He sent hem to come bi kniȝtes fiue
So þe ȝemers of his liue
For al he wald don him saun fail
In her rede and her conseyl.
Wiþouten bileueing ani more
Þai went to him, Merlin bifore;
Þo þai comen into þe halle
Þe king vp stode and his men alle
And welcomed hem wiþ bliþeful chere,
Þo spac Merlin so ȝe may here
‘King wostow wite our being?’
‘Ȝa’ quaþ Leodegan ‘opon al þing.’
‘To þis’ he seyd and schewed Arthour
‘We sechen a wiif of gret valour.’
‘A seynt Marie’ quaþ Leodegan
‘And haue ich a douhter a fair wiman
Fairer not y non veir
Wise and hende and of mi lond air
And ich ȝou sigge vterliche
Þei in þis warld war non oþer swiche,
Þei he no hadde doun no lowe
On him y told hir wele bitowe
So ful y knawe him of worþschipe
Of nortour and of hendeschippe,’
He fet his douhter himselue alon
(In þis world nas fairer non)
And proferd hir to king Arthour
And to ben his air wiþ gret honour
And Arthour hir nome saun fail
For Merlin him ȝaf swiche conseil.
Leodegan sent his messanger
To Arthour Ban and ek Bohort
Þai schuld com to his court
Wiþ him won and soiourne,
And seyd he was sori and murne
Þat he no wist of her beinge
For he vnderstode soþ þing
Þat þai were of power more
Þan he and heiȝer ybore,
Þat þai hadde wele yked
Fram deþ when þai him hadde red,
He sent hem to come bi kniȝtes fiue
So þe ȝemers of his liue
For al he wald don him saun fail
In her rede and her conseyl.
Wiþouten bileueing ani more
Þai went to him, Merlin bifore;
Þo þai comen into þe halle
Þe king vp stode and his men alle
And welcomed hem wiþ bliþeful chere,
Þo spac Merlin so ȝe may here
‘King wostow wite our being?’
‘Ȝa’ quaþ Leodegan ‘opon al þing.’
‘To þis’ he seyd and schewed Arthour
‘We sechen a wiif of gret valour.’
‘A seynt Marie’ quaþ Leodegan
‘And haue ich a douhter a fair wiman
Fairer not y non veir
337
And ich ȝou sigge vterliche
Þei in þis warld war non oþer swiche,
Þei he no hadde doun no lowe
On him y told hir wele bitowe
So ful y knawe him of worþschipe
Of nortour and of hendeschippe,’
He fet his douhter himselue alon
(In þis world nas fairer non)
And proferd hir to king Arthour
And to ben his air wiþ gret honour
And Arthour hir nome saun fail
For Merlin him ȝaf swiche conseil.
‘Now’ quaþ Merlin to Leodegan
‘Wostow now wite to what man
Þou hast yȝouen douhter þin?’
‘Ȝa þat were wil and ioie min.’
Þer he was of Arthour biknawe
And of his feren al bi rawe
And seyd he was her lord bi hirritage
Þai most al don him vmage,
Leodegan was þo wel bliþe
And to Arthour dede omage swiþe
And þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table
And al þat oþer folk saun fable,
Þer treuþed Arthour Gwenore his quen
Þe fairest leuedi þat miȝt ben.
‘Wostow now wite to what man
Þou hast yȝouen douhter þin?’
‘Ȝa þat were wil and ioie min.’
Þer he was of Arthour biknawe
And of his feren al bi rawe
And seyd he was her lord bi hirritage
Þai most al don him vmage,
Leodegan was þo wel bliþe
And to Arthour dede omage swiþe
And þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table
And al þat oþer folk saun fable,
Þer treuþed Arthour Gwenore his quen
Þe fairest leuedi þat miȝt ben.
King Leodegan lete maken a fest
Of alle þat come swiþe onest,
Ich þat was of Cristen lay
Fond þer fest of gret noblay
Þe fest last seuen niȝt
Of al deinte y sigge apliȝt,
And lenger it hadde ylast
Bot her terme was comen almast
Þat þai most smite batail
Oȝain þe Sarraȝins saun fail;
Wide and side ner and fer
Baroun kniȝt and ek souder
Sum bi fe sum for wining
Were comen to Leodegan þe king,
Were comen to his fiȝt
And soiournd a fewe niȝt.
Of alle þat come swiþe onest,
Ich þat was of Cristen lay
Fond þer fest of gret noblay
Þe fest last seuen niȝt
Of al deinte y sigge apliȝt,
And lenger it hadde ylast
Bot her terme was comen almast
Þat þai most smite batail
Oȝain þe Sarraȝins saun fail;
Wide and side ner and fer
338
Sum bi fe sum for wining
Were comen to Leodegan þe king,
Were comen to his fiȝt
And soiournd a fewe niȝt.
Mirie is Iune þat scheweþ flour
Þe meden ben of swete odour
Lilye and rose of fair colour
Þe riuer cler wiþouten sour,
Boþe kniȝtes and vauasour
Þis damisels loue par amour.
On Mononday in þe Pentecost
Leodegan and alle his ost
Armed hem in aketouns
Hauberkes plates and hauberiouns
Boþe wiþ bacin and eke palet
And helme on her heued yset,
Stones precious and ȝimmes
Gold and siluer þer were inne,
Þai hadde aboue riche queintise
Of beten gold, of mani asise
After þat her armes bar
(Mani was diuers to oþer þar),
Mani riche sadel on hast
Was on riche destrer cast.
Þe meden ben of swete odour
Lilye and rose of fair colour
Þe riuer cler wiþouten sour,
Boþe kniȝtes and vauasour
Þis damisels loue par amour.
On Mononday in þe Pentecost
Leodegan and alle his ost
Armed hem in aketouns
Hauberkes plates and hauberiouns
Boþe wiþ bacin and eke palet
And helme on her heued yset,
Stones precious and ȝimmes
Gold and siluer þer were inne,
Þai hadde aboue riche queintise
Of beten gold, of mani asise
After þat her armes bar
(Mani was diuers to oþer þar),
Mani riche sadel on hast
Was on riche destrer cast.
Þat ich day par amour
Guenore armed king Arthour,
At ich armour þe gest seit þisse
Arthour þe maden gan kisse;
Guenore armed king Arthour,
At ich armour þe gest seit þisse
Arthour þe maden gan kisse;
Merlin bad Arthour þe king
Þenche on þat ich kisseing
When he com into bataile,
‘Ȝis’ he seyd ‘Merlin saun faile.’
Þo bad king Leodegan
Merlin ordeine al his man,
‘Bleþeliche’ he seyd and ches Arthour
And Ban [and] Bohort of gret vigour
And her feren wiþouten fable
And kniȝtes of þe rounde table
And oþer kniȝtes so y finde,
In alle he nam seuen þousinde
And made þe first compainie
Himself he wald hem gye.
Þenche on þat ich kisseing
When he com into bataile,
‘Ȝis’ he seyd ‘Merlin saun faile.’
Þo bad king Leodegan
Merlin ordeine al his man,
‘Bleþeliche’ he seyd and ches Arthour
And Ban [and] Bohort of gret vigour
339
And kniȝtes of þe rounde table
And oþer kniȝtes so y finde,
In alle he nam seuen þousinde
And made þe first compainie
Himself he wald hem gye.
Leodegans nevou Gogenar
A noble kniȝt and wise and war
Merlin toke anoþer ferrede
Of seuen þousand forto lede.
A noble kniȝt and wise and war
Merlin toke anoþer ferrede
Of seuen þousand forto lede.
Þe þridde ledde Elinadas
A ȝong kniȝt þat fin stalworþ was
He was þe wise leuedis nevou
Of þe forest saunȝ retour,
A ȝong kniȝt þat fin stalworþ was
He was þe wise leuedis nevou
Of þe forest saunȝ retour,
Þe ferþe led a baroun hiȝt Blias
Þat was lord of Bliodas,
Þat was lord of Bliodas,
Þe fift ledde Andalas
A kniȝt of meruailus los he was,
A kniȝt of meruailus los he was,
Þe vi ledde Beliche þe blounde
A kniȝt he was of gret mounde,
A kniȝt he was of gret mounde,
Þe vii ledde Yder of Norþlond
Fel and hardi and strong in hond,
Fel and hardi and strong in hond,
Þe viii ledde Landon ful of vertu
He was Cleoda[l]is nevou,
He was Cleoda[l]is nevou,
Þe ix ledde Gremporemole
Hardi kniȝt and wiȝt and fre
No kniȝt better on stede sat
Ac he hadde a nose as a cat;
Ich of þese ladde seuen þousinde;
Hardi kniȝt and wiȝt and fre
No kniȝt better on stede sat
Ac he hadde a nose as a cat;
Ich of þese ladde seuen þousinde;
Leodegan so com bihinde
Wiþ ten þousinde of þe best.
Þo bad hem al Merlin lest
‘King’ he said ‘nouȝt þe amay
For king Rion schal wische þis day
He hadde ȝeue þe tounes fiue
He war in his lond wiþ his liue.
Fele hundred Sarraȝins
He haþ wiþ him of biches lins
We schul hem sle and noþing doute
For it is al a curssed route,
We han almast so y finde
Four score þousinde
And Cristes grace þat schal ous helpe
To kerue doun riȝt þe heþen welpes;
Þenke on ȝour childer and wiues
And ek on ȝour owen liues
And of ȝour londes, wiþ vnriȝt
Þai þenke to winne wiþ strengþe and miȝt
Ȝou to slen and to exile,
Leggeþ on þe traitours vile
Spareþ nouȝt ac sle doun riȝt
Ȝou schal help God almiȝt.
Þai han filled þe michel forest
And walled hem bi norþ and west
Þat þerforþ no man no may
Comen hem to par ma fay
And a souþe half walled certes
Wiþ mani þousand waines and cartes,
Ac on þat est half ich wot
We schul comen opon hem God it wot
And finde hem slepeand and sle doun riȝt
For þai were al dronken toniȝt.’
Þer he ches kniȝtes ten
And sent biforn her men
Forto take and slen and binde
Þe spies þat þai miȝten finde,
Þat so deden, and hem bifore
Nomen herlotes ten score
And so hem bistirden þat no tiding
Spie no brouȝt to þat heþen king.
Wiþ ten þousinde of þe best.
Þo bad hem al Merlin lest
‘King’ he said ‘nouȝt þe amay
For king Rion schal wische þis day
He hadde ȝeue þe tounes fiue
He war in his lond wiþ his liue.
Fele hundred Sarraȝins
He haþ wiþ him of biches lins
340
For it is al a curssed route,
We han almast so y finde
Four score þousinde
And Cristes grace þat schal ous helpe
To kerue doun riȝt þe heþen welpes;
Þenke on ȝour childer and wiues
And ek on ȝour owen liues
And of ȝour londes, wiþ vnriȝt
Þai þenke to winne wiþ strengþe and miȝt
Ȝou to slen and to exile,
Leggeþ on þe traitours vile
Spareþ nouȝt ac sle doun riȝt
Ȝou schal help God almiȝt.
Þai han filled þe michel forest
And walled hem bi norþ and west
Þat þerforþ no man no may
Comen hem to par ma fay
And a souþe half walled certes
Wiþ mani þousand waines and cartes,
Ac on þat est half ich wot
We schul comen opon hem God it wot
And finde hem slepeand and sle doun riȝt
For þai were al dronken toniȝt.’
Þer he ches kniȝtes ten
And sent biforn her men
Forto take and slen and binde
Þe spies þat þai miȝten finde,
Þat so deden, and hem bifore
Nomen herlotes ten score
And so hem bistirden þat no tiding
Spie no brouȝt to þat heþen king.
Merlin come bifore wiþouten þe toun
And vnspa[n]d his dragoun
Fer þat kest of þe mouþe vair
So it liȝted in þe air,
Arthour alder next him cam
And Ban and Bohort þat gentil man
And al þat oþer ferred
Ordeind so ich ere sede,
Of armes þat was gret schining
Þe stedes maden gret naying;
Þai wenten forþ also stilly
So þai miȝten wiþouten cri.
Þo Merlin com neiȝe king Rion
Enchauntement he kest him on
Þat mani of her pauiloun
Opon her heuedes fel adoun,
Merlin and his feren was y say
Biforn al þe oþer to mile-way,
In a Tiwesday in þe daweing
He kest þis enchaunteing,
Bitven a riuer and a grof
He com hem on, þat þai nouȝt schrof,
And Merlin loude gan to cri
‘Help ous now þe quen Marie!’
Our folk on þe heþen lusten
And vnder hors fet hem frusten
And tohewen hem to deþ, and on gerten.
Þe heþen þeues vp sterten
Four c þousand and mani mo
To king Rion ascaped þo
And armed hem swiftlich vnder his tent,
To slen al our was her entent
Ac our slouȝ þousandes mani
Ar of hem were armed ani,
Ac þo þai hadde keuered armes
Wiþ launces maces and gisarmes
Bi þousandes mani a man
Þe heþen smiten our oȝan
And gun on of þe grest bataile
Þat euer was smiten saun faile.
Passed was þe dayspringing
Þe hote sonne was schininge
Þo bigan kniȝtes rideing
Trumpes b[low]en tabours dassing
Þer was fleinge and wiþstonding
Tireing togging and ouerþroweinge,
Of Sarraȝins in litel stounde
Mani þousand was frust to grounde.
Þat seiȝe Rion þat vile hounde
He cleped Salinas þat kniȝt of mounde
Whiche Salinas was his nevou
A stalworþ man and ful of vertu
He tok him an hundred þousand kniȝtes
And hete him wende anon riȝtes
His folk forto socour
And awreke his deshonour,
Þis Salinas and his wiþ gret vigour
Com oȝain king Arthour
Wiþ his to and fourti of mounde
And wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde
And wiþ oþer, in al y finde
Þe mountaunce of seuen þousinde;
Þo seyd Merlin to king Arthour
‘Þenke now of þi newe amour,
For loue of þi last kissing
Among þis heþen houndes fling.’
At þat word king Arthour
Smot his stede of gret valour
And hit a Sarraȝin þurth þe scheld
And his hauberk felefeld
Þat þurth þe hert þat ysen cheld
Pased and kest him in þe feld,
King Ban biseiȝe riȝt so anoþer
And king Bohort þe þridde his broþer,
Neiȝe ichon of her felawe
In þe entring brouȝt a paien of dawe;
Þer was mani stede yfeld
Mani kniȝt slawen vnder scheld
Ich kniȝt hewe on his per
On schide so doþ þe carpenter,
Þer dede so our kniȝtes of los
Þat mani paien þerof agros.
Arthour was þat day biheld
Hou manliche þat he paiens aqueld
He hem tokarf he hem tohewe
Mani wiþ ded his dintes knewe.
And vnspa[n]d his dragoun
Fer þat kest of þe mouþe vair
So it liȝted in þe air,
Arthour alder next him cam
And Ban and Bohort þat gentil man
And al þat oþer ferred
341
Of armes þat was gret schining
Þe stedes maden gret naying;
Þai wenten forþ also stilly
So þai miȝten wiþouten cri.
Þo Merlin com neiȝe king Rion
Enchauntement he kest him on
Þat mani of her pauiloun
Opon her heuedes fel adoun,
Merlin and his feren was y say
Biforn al þe oþer to mile-way,
In a Tiwesday in þe daweing
He kest þis enchaunteing,
Bitven a riuer and a grof
He com hem on, þat þai nouȝt schrof,
And Merlin loude gan to cri
‘Help ous now þe quen Marie!’
Our folk on þe heþen lusten
And vnder hors fet hem frusten
And tohewen hem to deþ, and on gerten.
Þe heþen þeues vp sterten
Four c þousand and mani mo
To king Rion ascaped þo
And armed hem swiftlich vnder his tent,
To slen al our was her entent
Ac our slouȝ þousandes mani
Ar of hem were armed ani,
Ac þo þai hadde keuered armes
Wiþ launces maces and gisarmes
Bi þousandes mani a man
Þe heþen smiten our oȝan
And gun on of þe grest bataile
Þat euer was smiten saun faile.
Passed was þe dayspringing
Þe hote sonne was schininge
Þo bigan kniȝtes rideing
Trumpes b[low]en tabours dassing
Þer was fleinge and wiþstonding
Tireing togging and ouerþroweinge,
342
Mani þousand was frust to grounde.
Þat seiȝe Rion þat vile hounde
He cleped Salinas þat kniȝt of mounde
Whiche Salinas was his nevou
A stalworþ man and ful of vertu
He tok him an hundred þousand kniȝtes
And hete him wende anon riȝtes
His folk forto socour
And awreke his deshonour,
Þis Salinas and his wiþ gret vigour
Com oȝain king Arthour
Wiþ his to and fourti of mounde
And wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde
And wiþ oþer, in al y finde
Þe mountaunce of seuen þousinde;
Þo seyd Merlin to king Arthour
‘Þenke now of þi newe amour,
For loue of þi last kissing
Among þis heþen houndes fling.’
At þat word king Arthour
Smot his stede of gret valour
And hit a Sarraȝin þurth þe scheld
And his hauberk felefeld
Þat þurth þe hert þat ysen cheld
Pased and kest him in þe feld,
King Ban biseiȝe riȝt so anoþer
And king Bohort þe þridde his broþer,
Neiȝe ichon of her felawe
In þe entring brouȝt a paien of dawe;
Þer was mani stede yfeld
Mani kniȝt slawen vnder scheld
Ich kniȝt hewe on his per
On schide so doþ þe carpenter,
Þer dede so our kniȝtes of los
Þat mani paien þerof agros.
Arthour was þat day biheld
Hou manliche þat he paiens aqueld
He hem tokarf he hem tohewe
Mani wiþ ded his dintes knewe.
343
King Ionap a paien kene
(Lengþe he hadde o fet fiftene)
He seiȝe hou Arthour ded hem damage
He tok a launce in gret rage
And biforn him grop his scheld
Arthour he þouȝt his harm to ȝeld;
(Lengþe he hadde o fet fiftene)
He seiȝe hou Arthour ded hem damage
He tok a launce in gret rage
And biforn him grop his scheld
Arthour he þouȝt his harm to ȝeld;
Arthour seiȝe wher he cam
A stef launce in hond he nam—
He no sembled no more him oȝan
Þan doþ a child oȝain a man.
Aiþer gan his stede dresse
Oȝain oþer in þat presse,
Ionapes schaft bigan to glide
Riȝt bi king Arthour left side
Þurthout armes and þurthout schert
And in þe side, nouȝt sore, him hert,
A stef launce in hond he nam—
He no sembled no more him oȝan
Þan doþ a child oȝain a man.
Aiþer gan his stede dresse
Oȝain oþer in þat presse,
Ionapes schaft bigan to glide
Riȝt bi king Arthour left side
Þurthout armes and þurthout schert
And in þe side, nouȝt sore, him hert,
And Arthour smot him wiþ his launce
Þurthout his scheld wiþouten balaunce
And þurthout hauberk and aketoun
And þurthout þe scholder fer aroum,
Ionap was so proude and sterne
No ȝaf he þerof nouȝt a ferne,
Wiþ þe brestes so þai metten
Þat to þe grounde boþe þai stetten.
Of Cristen [and] heþen þer was toiling
Forto help þis to king
Þer was mani swerd ydrawe
Mani kniȝt hirt and mani slawe,
What wiþ wristling wat wiþ togging
What wiþ smiteing and wiþ skirminge
On boþe half so þai wrouȝten
Her kinges on hors þai brouȝten;
Þo Arthour and his fourti and to
And [þe] kniȝtes of þe rounde table also
So korwen and hewen wiþ main hond
Þat non armour miȝt hem astond
And so slowen þat Salinas
Fleiȝe and al þat wiþ him was.
Among þe wele doinde of our men
Was on wele fiȝtand hete Nacien
Perciuales cosyn þe fri
On his moder half þat fair leuedi,
In þis warld of more noblay
Nas non bi Vter Pendragones day
No forþ bi þe kinges day Arthour
Nas þer non of more vigour.
Haningnes his moder was
(Iosepes suster a kniȝt of gras)
Whom Ebron hadde spouse
A kniȝt of dede vertuous
Þat on hir ȝat kniȝtes seuentene
Hardi and strong wiȝt and kene
In whom seþþen in mani fiȝt
Al Inglond so was aliȝt,
Þis was Colidoines cosyn þe rike
Naciens sone of Betike
Whiche Celidoine seiȝe first saun fail
Of þe holi graal þe meruail,
Ȝete þis Nacien þe curteis
Was sibbe king Pelles of Listoneis
And al his breþer God it wot
And seþþen hadde Launcelot
In his ward almest a ȝer
So þe romaunce seyt elleswher;
Þis Naciens of whom y write
Seþþen bicom ermite
And lete kniȝtschippe and al þing
And bicome prest messe to sing,
Virgine of his bodi he was
Whom seþþen þe holi Godes gras
Rauist into þe þridde heuen
Where he herd angels steuen
And seiȝe Fader and Sone and Holi Gost
In on substaunce in on acost,
Þis ȝaf seþþen þe riche conseil
To þe king Arthour saun fail
Þo he was in gret periil
To lese his londes and ben exil
Oȝaines þe king Galahos
Þe geauntes sone of gret los
Þat ȝaf king Arthour bataileinge
Wiþ þe power of þritti king.
Þis Naciens and Adragenis þe broun
Þe heþen kniȝtes leyden adoun
Tohewe hem and togert
Y ȝou sigge forsoþe cert
Þe gret strengþe of king Arthour
Þes to folweden in alle þe stour
So fer þat he no miȝt se no knowe
Neuer on of her felawe,
Bifor þes þre Merlin went
And bar þe dragoun þat fer out sent;
Þes þre deden michel wo
Hors and man þai coruen ato
Boþe a left half and a riȝt
Þai felden kniȝtes and slouȝ doun riȝt
And forced hem wiþ mani dent hard
What þai come to king Riones standard
Þat four castels [vp] olifaunce
Bar toforn king Riouns.
Her feren þo misten hem
And smiten after bi xii and ten
Wiþ newe grounden fauchoun and sword
Mani heued þai smiten ford
Þai schouen wiþ schulder and smiten wiþ arm
And deden þe paiens dedliche harm
Ac þai no miȝt keuer to king Arthour
Wiþ sleiȝt no wiþ vigour,
Bot Ban and Bohort so seiþ þe bok
Laiden doun al þat þai tok
Sum into þe sadel þai smiten
Her swerdes þai dede ful wele biten
And so fouȝten and slowen par ma fay
Þat þai redden and maden way
Maugre þo paiens þurth fin vigour
What þai com to king Arthour,
And þo þai were togider fiue
Þai binomen mani on her liue,
An hundred haþen in litel fitt
Þe fiue þurth koruen and heued of slit.
In ich half was gret fiȝting
Gret sleiȝt gret criing
Socouring and wiþstonding,
Of kniȝtes barouns erls and kinge
Lay mani heuedles on þe grounde
On þe gras wiþ dedli wounde
Sum lay wiþouten fet and armes
Ato ygirt into þe þarmes.
Þurthout his scheld wiþouten balaunce
And þurthout hauberk and aketoun
And þurthout þe scholder fer aroum,
Ionap was so proude and sterne
No ȝaf he þerof nouȝt a ferne,
Wiþ þe brestes so þai metten
Þat to þe grounde boþe þai stetten.
Of Cristen [and] heþen þer was toiling
Forto help þis to king
Þer was mani swerd ydrawe
Mani kniȝt hirt and mani slawe,
What wiþ wristling wat wiþ togging
What wiþ smiteing and wiþ skirminge
On boþe half so þai wrouȝten
Her kinges on hors þai brouȝten;
Þo Arthour and his fourti and to
And [þe] kniȝtes of þe rounde table also
So korwen and hewen wiþ main hond
Þat non armour miȝt hem astond
And so slowen þat Salinas
Fleiȝe and al þat wiþ him was.
344
Was on wele fiȝtand hete Nacien
Perciuales cosyn þe fri
On his moder half þat fair leuedi,
In þis warld of more noblay
Nas non bi Vter Pendragones day
No forþ bi þe kinges day Arthour
Nas þer non of more vigour.
Haningnes his moder was
(Iosepes suster a kniȝt of gras)
Whom Ebron hadde spouse
A kniȝt of dede vertuous
Þat on hir ȝat kniȝtes seuentene
Hardi and strong wiȝt and kene
In whom seþþen in mani fiȝt
Al Inglond so was aliȝt,
Þis was Colidoines cosyn þe rike
Naciens sone of Betike
Whiche Celidoine seiȝe first saun fail
Of þe holi graal þe meruail,
Ȝete þis Nacien þe curteis
Was sibbe king Pelles of Listoneis
And al his breþer God it wot
And seþþen hadde Launcelot
In his ward almest a ȝer
So þe romaunce seyt elleswher;
Þis Naciens of whom y write
Seþþen bicom ermite
And lete kniȝtschippe and al þing
And bicome prest messe to sing,
Virgine of his bodi he was
Whom seþþen þe holi Godes gras
Rauist into þe þridde heuen
Where he herd angels steuen
And seiȝe Fader and Sone and Holi Gost
In on substaunce in on acost,
Þis ȝaf seþþen þe riche conseil
To þe king Arthour saun fail
Þo he was in gret periil
345
Oȝaines þe king Galahos
Þe geauntes sone of gret los
Þat ȝaf king Arthour bataileinge
Wiþ þe power of þritti king.
Þis Naciens and Adragenis þe broun
Þe heþen kniȝtes leyden adoun
Tohewe hem and togert
Y ȝou sigge forsoþe cert
Þe gret strengþe of king Arthour
Þes to folweden in alle þe stour
So fer þat he no miȝt se no knowe
Neuer on of her felawe,
Bifor þes þre Merlin went
And bar þe dragoun þat fer out sent;
Þes þre deden michel wo
Hors and man þai coruen ato
Boþe a left half and a riȝt
Þai felden kniȝtes and slouȝ doun riȝt
And forced hem wiþ mani dent hard
What þai come to king Riones standard
Þat four castels [vp] olifaunce
Bar toforn king Riouns.
Her feren þo misten hem
And smiten after bi xii and ten
Wiþ newe grounden fauchoun and sword
Mani heued þai smiten ford
Þai schouen wiþ schulder and smiten wiþ arm
And deden þe paiens dedliche harm
Ac þai no miȝt keuer to king Arthour
Wiþ sleiȝt no wiþ vigour,
Bot Ban and Bohort so seiþ þe bok
Laiden doun al þat þai tok
Sum into þe sadel þai smiten
Her swerdes þai dede ful wele biten
And so fouȝten and slowen par ma fay
Þat þai redden and maden way
Maugre þo paiens þurth fin vigour
346
And þo þai were togider fiue
Þai binomen mani on her liue,
An hundred haþen in litel fitt
Þe fiue þurth koruen and heued of slit.
In ich half was gret fiȝting
Gret sleiȝt gret criing
Socouring and wiþstonding,
Of kniȝtes barouns erls and kinge
Lay mani heuedles on þe grounde
On þe gras wiþ dedli wounde
Sum lay wiþouten fet and armes
Ato ygirt into þe þarmes.
Among þis toil seiȝe king Rion
Our fiue so his men slon
He was seuenten fet long
And in þis warld no man so strong
In his riȝt hond and in his left
A mace he gan vp lift
Þat no man no schuld bere
No vnneþe fram þe grounde stere.
In þis time king Fansaron so mot y liue
Hadde on iuel dent yȝeue,
Bohort him gan after prike
Curagus to ben awreke
Fram his feren he folwed him almast
Þe cast of an alblast
And hit him þan a dint wel iuel
Þat he fel on his hors adiuel,
He wold his nek smiten eft
And þe dint a litel gleft
Þe stedes nek he smot atvo
King Fansaron fel to grounde þo.
Bohort him hadde slawe anon
Ac opon hem com king Rion
Wiþ þe power of xviii kinge
On king Bohort loude gredinge
Þe mace arered in his hond
And ‘Fiȝ a putain wiþstonde!
Þou schalt abigge þat þou þer come
Lo here in mine hond þi dome!’
Bohort of þe gretnesse hadde meruail
And of him was adred saun fail,
Leuer he hadde þer ben yhent
Þan fleand ynomen oþer yschent
He set on him þe crouche verray
And him vnder his scheld wray,
Rion on þat scheld so smot
Þat it tobrast God it wot,
And king Bohort so smot oȝan
O þe helme þat hoge man
Þat he sat astoned vpriȝt
And nist wheþer it was dai or niȝt.
Þe hors he dast him forbi
And com vp a chaunce sikerly
Where king Aroans a geaunt fel
Hadde felled Herui de Riuel
And held him so bi þe code
Þat mouþe and nose him ran a-blod,
And hadde þer of his heued ysmite
Nadde Adragenis to him stite
Wiþ swerd oȝain fourti and mo;
King Bohort com rideinde þo
And ȝaue Aroans wiþ þe swerd a flat
Þat he þrewe of his hors aplat,
Herui seiȝe legge þe kinges cors
Anon he lepe vp to his hors
And smiten hem amid þe pres
So grehound doþ out of les
And so hewen and laiden on
Þat non miȝt better don.
Our fiue so his men slon
He was seuenten fet long
And in þis warld no man so strong
In his riȝt hond and in his left
A mace he gan vp lift
Þat no man no schuld bere
No vnneþe fram þe grounde stere.
In þis time king Fansaron so mot y liue
Hadde on iuel dent yȝeue,
Bohort him gan after prike
Curagus to ben awreke
Fram his feren he folwed him almast
Þe cast of an alblast
And hit him þan a dint wel iuel
Þat he fel on his hors adiuel,
He wold his nek smiten eft
And þe dint a litel gleft
Þe stedes nek he smot atvo
King Fansaron fel to grounde þo.
Bohort him hadde slawe anon
Ac opon hem com king Rion
Wiþ þe power of xviii kinge
On king Bohort loude gredinge
Þe mace arered in his hond
And ‘Fiȝ a putain wiþstonde!
347
Lo here in mine hond þi dome!’
Bohort of þe gretnesse hadde meruail
And of him was adred saun fail,
Leuer he hadde þer ben yhent
Þan fleand ynomen oþer yschent
He set on him þe crouche verray
And him vnder his scheld wray,
Rion on þat scheld so smot
Þat it tobrast God it wot,
And king Bohort so smot oȝan
O þe helme þat hoge man
Þat he sat astoned vpriȝt
And nist wheþer it was dai or niȝt.
Þe hors he dast him forbi
And com vp a chaunce sikerly
Where king Aroans a geaunt fel
Hadde felled Herui de Riuel
And held him so bi þe code
Þat mouþe and nose him ran a-blod,
And hadde þer of his heued ysmite
Nadde Adragenis to him stite
Wiþ swerd oȝain fourti and mo;
King Bohort com rideinde þo
And ȝaue Aroans wiþ þe swerd a flat
Þat he þrewe of his hors aplat,
Herui seiȝe legge þe kinges cors
Anon he lepe vp to his hors
And smiten hem amid þe pres
So grehound doþ out of les
And so hewen and laiden on
Þat non miȝt better don.
Now is king [Leodegan] wiþ his folk hard
Smiten on kinge Riones standard
And doþ gret power ich ȝou telle
Riones baner forto felle,
Ac Rion com and his mace left
And slouȝ a riȝt hal[f] and a left,
Rion smot to king Bohors
And wende todaschen al his cors
And he failed of him and hit his stede
Þe dent was gret and vnrede
Þe hors chine he dassed ato,
Bohort lepe afot þo
And wiþ his swerd y ȝou pliȝt
Wered him anon riȝt
Ac Rion was him about
To nimen and slen wiþ michel rout
And dede him tviis knely arawe
And almast hadde him yslawe.
Herui Riuel þis iknewe
King Bohortes harm him gan rewe
Þe stede he smot þat it queiȝte
Of a geaunt a launce he pliȝt
To king Rion he gan ride
And smot him þurthout þe side,
King Rion wiþsat þat dent
And smot to Herui verrament
So þat a qua[r]ter of his scheld
He bar oway into þe feld,
And eft wald so a deuel wiȝt,
Ac Herui þat was vigrous and liȝt
On þe scheld him hit a dint hard
And cleued it to þe midward,
And Rion smot and gan faile
And Heruies hors slouȝ saun faile,
Þo stode Herui bi Bohort
Boþe in periil of mort
Oȝaines fele score ypliȝt
And þai hem wered as noble kniȝt.
Þis seiȝe Adregein þe broun
‘Now helpe’ he seyd ‘seyn Symoun!’
He rode to Rion and so him smot
Þat he plat God it wot
Aswon on his hors swere
Miȝt he noiþer se no here;
Þe heued he hadde him þer binome
Nadde þe proude king ycome
Rion nevou Solinas
(Þat honged worþ bi þeues las!),
Bihinde Adrageins com wiþ a spere
And to þe grounde gan him bere
And bitven þe schulders him hirt,
Adragein anon vp stirt
On fot and halp his compainoun
So it were a wode lyoun
And so hem wered wiþ steles egge
Þat non no durst on hem hond legge,
Ac þai hem þrewe wiþ spere and kniif
And oþer armes to reuen her liif
And wounded hem sore swiþe
Þurthout þe armes mani siþe.
So þai were ouerriden in a þrawe
Þat neiȝe þai hadde ben yslawe
Ȝif Nacien no had ysein þis
Þat þider smot his stede of pris,
Þo þat in his way he met
Doun riȝt of hors he hem stett
Rion he smot on þe side riȝt
And bar him of his hors vpriȝt
And rod him on and ouer þries;
His hors was slain bitven his þies
Gode and wiȝt kniȝtes of our
Þo stode on fet four,
So þai gun fiȝt and lasse
Þat þai made grete tasse
Abouten hem þer þai stode
And depe woden in þe blod
And made swiche defense and sleiȝt
Þat y no may telle it ariȝt.
Ac Rion þat wiþþerwinne
Dede gret power hem to nime
And hadde hem nomen wiþouten let
No hadde Merlin riden þe bet
To king Arthour and to king Ban
And seyd ‘What do ȝe man?
King Bohort and Nacien
Beþ ȝond biloke wiþ mani men
And Herui and Agreuein
Ȝond þai ben on þe plein,
Bot ȝe hem soner socour
Þai ben ded al four.’
‘Allas allas!’ quaþ king Ban
‘Lade me þider riȝt onan
For be mi broþer þer mislad
Worþ y neuer þerafter glad.’
Merlin smot forþ, þai after dasse
On aiþer half so grehounde of lasse
And her feren after hem come
Þat mani paien ȝaf her dome
And s[e]nt hem wiþ scharp sword
To þe Deuel her lord,
And þo þai comen and seiȝen hes
Þai dasched forþ amid þe pres
Euerich hit a paien þo
Þat þai arisen neuer mo
Kniȝtes wiȝt þai hem kedden
And roume to þe four þai redden.
Geauntes strong þer weren to
Þe four þat deden michel wo
Minap hete þat on veires
Þat oþer was hoten Malgleires,
King Ban ȝaf to king Minape
On þe helme swiche a clappe
Þat he him cleued to þe toþ,
King Arthour smot after forsoþ
So Malgleires hit on þe scheld
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld;
Þes four seiȝen her socour
And lepen ouer wiþ gret vigour
Gret hepes of hors and men
Þat slain lay hem bitven,
Hors wel gode chepe þai founde
And anon in þe sadel wounde
And conteined hem so wiȝtliche cert
So þai nere nouȝt yhert.
Þo at arst bigan þe bataile
Þat last al day wiþouten faile
Ich on oþer so leyd veir
Þat it dined into þe air
Also þicke þe aruwe schoten
In sonnebem so doþ þe moten
Gauelokes also þicke flowe
So gnattes ichil avowe
Þer was so michel dust riseing
Þat sen þer nas sonne schineing;
Þe trumpeing and þe tabouringe
Dede togider þe kniȝtes flinge,
Þe kniȝtes broken her speren
On þre, þai smiten and toteren,
Kniȝtes and stedes þer laien aboute
Þe heuedes of-smiten þe guttes out
Heueden fet and armes þer
Lay strewed eueriwher
Vnder stede fet so þicke
In crowes nest so doþ þe sticke,
Sum storuen and sum gras gnowe
Þe gode steden her guttes drowe
Wiþ blodi sadels in þat pres.
Of swiche bataile nas no ses
To þe niȝt fram arnemorwe
It was a bataile of gret sorwe,
Þer was swiche cark and swiche defoil
Þat al Leodeganes folk made recoil
To Denebleise vnder þe wal,
Bot Arthour and his folk al
Þat helden hem in þe bataile
Of armes þat dede wonder meruaile.
Smiten on kinge Riones standard
And doþ gret power ich ȝou telle
Riones baner forto felle,
Ac Rion com and his mace left
And slouȝ a riȝt hal[f] and a left,
348
And wende todaschen al his cors
And he failed of him and hit his stede
Þe dent was gret and vnrede
Þe hors chine he dassed ato,
Bohort lepe afot þo
And wiþ his swerd y ȝou pliȝt
Wered him anon riȝt
Ac Rion was him about
To nimen and slen wiþ michel rout
And dede him tviis knely arawe
And almast hadde him yslawe.
Herui Riuel þis iknewe
King Bohortes harm him gan rewe
Þe stede he smot þat it queiȝte
Of a geaunt a launce he pliȝt
To king Rion he gan ride
And smot him þurthout þe side,
King Rion wiþsat þat dent
And smot to Herui verrament
So þat a qua[r]ter of his scheld
He bar oway into þe feld,
And eft wald so a deuel wiȝt,
Ac Herui þat was vigrous and liȝt
On þe scheld him hit a dint hard
And cleued it to þe midward,
And Rion smot and gan faile
And Heruies hors slouȝ saun faile,
Þo stode Herui bi Bohort
Boþe in periil of mort
Oȝaines fele score ypliȝt
And þai hem wered as noble kniȝt.
Þis seiȝe Adregein þe broun
‘Now helpe’ he seyd ‘seyn Symoun!’
He rode to Rion and so him smot
Þat he plat God it wot
Aswon on his hors swere
349
Þe heued he hadde him þer binome
Nadde þe proude king ycome
Rion nevou Solinas
(Þat honged worþ bi þeues las!),
Bihinde Adrageins com wiþ a spere
And to þe grounde gan him bere
And bitven þe schulders him hirt,
Adragein anon vp stirt
On fot and halp his compainoun
So it were a wode lyoun
And so hem wered wiþ steles egge
Þat non no durst on hem hond legge,
Ac þai hem þrewe wiþ spere and kniif
And oþer armes to reuen her liif
And wounded hem sore swiþe
Þurthout þe armes mani siþe.
So þai were ouerriden in a þrawe
Þat neiȝe þai hadde ben yslawe
Ȝif Nacien no had ysein þis
Þat þider smot his stede of pris,
Þo þat in his way he met
Doun riȝt of hors he hem stett
Rion he smot on þe side riȝt
And bar him of his hors vpriȝt
And rod him on and ouer þries;
His hors was slain bitven his þies
Gode and wiȝt kniȝtes of our
Þo stode on fet four,
So þai gun fiȝt and lasse
Þat þai made grete tasse
Abouten hem þer þai stode
And depe woden in þe blod
And made swiche defense and sleiȝt
Þat y no may telle it ariȝt.
Ac Rion þat wiþþerwinne
Dede gret power hem to nime
And hadde hem nomen wiþouten let
No hadde Merlin riden þe bet
350
And seyd ‘What do ȝe man?
King Bohort and Nacien
Beþ ȝond biloke wiþ mani men
And Herui and Agreuein
Ȝond þai ben on þe plein,
Bot ȝe hem soner socour
Þai ben ded al four.’
‘Allas allas!’ quaþ king Ban
‘Lade me þider riȝt onan
For be mi broþer þer mislad
Worþ y neuer þerafter glad.’
Merlin smot forþ, þai after dasse
On aiþer half so grehounde of lasse
And her feren after hem come
Þat mani paien ȝaf her dome
And s[e]nt hem wiþ scharp sword
To þe Deuel her lord,
And þo þai comen and seiȝen hes
Þai dasched forþ amid þe pres
Euerich hit a paien þo
Þat þai arisen neuer mo
Kniȝtes wiȝt þai hem kedden
And roume to þe four þai redden.
Geauntes strong þer weren to
Þe four þat deden michel wo
Minap hete þat on veires
Þat oþer was hoten Malgleires,
King Ban ȝaf to king Minape
On þe helme swiche a clappe
Þat he him cleued to þe toþ,
King Arthour smot after forsoþ
So Malgleires hit on þe scheld
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld;
Þes four seiȝen her socour
And lepen ouer wiþ gret vigour
Gret hepes of hors and men
Þat slain lay hem bitven,
Hors wel gode chepe þai founde
351
And conteined hem so wiȝtliche cert
So þai nere nouȝt yhert.
Þo at arst bigan þe bataile
Þat last al day wiþouten faile
Ich on oþer so leyd veir
Þat it dined into þe air
Also þicke þe aruwe schoten
In sonnebem so doþ þe moten
Gauelokes also þicke flowe
So gnattes ichil avowe
Þer was so michel dust riseing
Þat sen þer nas sonne schineing;
Þe trumpeing and þe tabouringe
Dede togider þe kniȝtes flinge,
Þe kniȝtes broken her speren
On þre, þai smiten and toteren,
Kniȝtes and stedes þer laien aboute
Þe heuedes of-smiten þe guttes out
Heueden fet and armes þer
Lay strewed eueriwher
Vnder stede fet so þicke
In crowes nest so doþ þe sticke,
Sum storuen and sum gras gnowe
Þe gode steden her guttes drowe
Wiþ blodi sadels in þat pres.
Of swiche bataile nas no ses
To þe niȝt fram arnemorwe
It was a bataile of gret sorwe,
Þer was swiche cark and swiche defoil
Þat al Leodeganes folk made recoil
To Denebleise vnder þe wal,
Bot Arthour and his folk al
Þat helden hem in þe bataile
Of armes þat dede wonder meruaile.
So Leodegan sau[n] fail
Houed vnder þe cites wal,
Sadones seyd an hardi man
To his em Leodegan
‘Listneþ me now mi lord þe king
And ȝe oþer lordinge
What do we here, whi and warfore?
Ȝif we fle þis lond is lore
And wif and child and al our blisse
Al is forlorn mid ywis
Better is to sterue worþschipliche
Þan long to liuen schandfulliche,
Ȝif we be desirite
Our cowardschippe we may it wite;
O þing ouȝt ous comfort wel
Our newe lord ȝong naturel
Þat so wiȝtliche fiȝtep for ous
Helpe we him for Crist Ihesus,
Ȝif he were hunist at þis asaut
He miȝt wite it our defaut
And bot we him help at þis nede
We beþ forswore so Crist me rede,
And ȝete sle þat folk Sarraȝine
Is our soule medicine.’
Riȝt so king Leodegan
Gan to crien hem opan,
Þo seyd Goionar þe hende
‘“He naþ non heued þat nil it defende”
Lete be sir þi precheing
And oȝain þo houndes fling.’
Alle þai were at on asent
And forþ dassed verrament,
X m paiens of þos þai metten
Þurthout hem bar, to grounde he stetten,
Þo bigan bataile newe
Ich on oþer wiþ swerd hewe
Wiþ mace and ex and fauchoun
Mani kniȝt laide oþer adoun.
Houed vnder þe cites wal,
Sadones seyd an hardi man
352
‘Listneþ me now mi lord þe king
And ȝe oþer lordinge
What do we here, whi and warfore?
Ȝif we fle þis lond is lore
And wif and child and al our blisse
Al is forlorn mid ywis
Better is to sterue worþschipliche
Þan long to liuen schandfulliche,
Ȝif we be desirite
Our cowardschippe we may it wite;
O þing ouȝt ous comfort wel
Our newe lord ȝong naturel
Þat so wiȝtliche fiȝtep for ous
Helpe we him for Crist Ihesus,
Ȝif he were hunist at þis asaut
He miȝt wite it our defaut
And bot we him help at þis nede
We beþ forswore so Crist me rede,
And ȝete sle þat folk Sarraȝine
Is our soule medicine.’
Riȝt so king Leodegan
Gan to crien hem opan,
Þo seyd Goionar þe hende
‘“He naþ non heued þat nil it defende”
Lete be sir þi precheing
And oȝain þo houndes fling.’
Alle þai were at on asent
And forþ dassed verrament,
X m paiens of þos þai metten
Þurthout hem bar, to grounde he stetten,
Þo bigan bataile newe
Ich on oþer wiþ swerd hewe
Wiþ mace and ex and fauchoun
Mani kniȝt laide oþer adoun.
Þerwhiles Merlin so y finde
Dede his out wende to take þe winde
Gert her steden and ek resten,
What þe Sarraȝins oȝain þresten
Our Cristen par fors oȝan,
Þo mounted Arthour Bohort and Ban
Wiþ alle her wiȝt compainie
Oȝain to bataile þai gun heiȝe,
Merlin tofore so seyt þe boke
Wiþ baner feld al þat he tok.
Dede his out wende to take þe winde
Gert her steden and ek resten,
353
Our Cristen par fors oȝan,
Þo mounted Arthour Bohort and Ban
Wiþ alle her wiȝt compainie
Oȝain to bataile þai gun heiȝe,
Merlin tofore so seyt þe boke
Wiþ baner feld al þat he tok.
Arthour smot þe king Clarel
Bitven þe schulder and þe hatrel
Þat schulder and side and flaunke also
Wiþ his swerd he smot ato,
He was wroþ ȝe schul here wite
For Merlin hadde him atwite
He hadde iuel ȝolden þe kisseinge
Þat Gvenour him ȝaf at his arminge
Þerfore he tohewe þat route
Tofore biside and al about,
Al wondred þat him seiȝe an
And seyd he worþ a noble man.
Bitven þe schulder and þe hatrel
Þat schulder and side and flaunke also
Wiþ his swerd he smot ato,
He was wroþ ȝe schul here wite
For Merlin hadde him atwite
He hadde iuel ȝolden þe kisseinge
Þat Gvenour him ȝaf at his arminge
Þerfore he tohewe þat route
Tofore biside and al about,
Al wondred þat him seiȝe an
And seyd he worþ a noble man.
Þo knewe he þurth mani on
Wher þat rod þe king Rion
Þurth corouns and berdes þat were his armes,
He made him way wiþ strengþe of armes
His stede him bar to him anon
Arthour smot to king Rion
A quarter of his helme out hitt
And his scheld ato ykitt
And alle his armes verrament
To þe purpoint, of o serpent,
Next his schert þat sat þo
Elles he hadde him coruen ato,
Rion fel doun wiþ þat dent
So he dede were verrament;
Mani geauntes gret and long
About Rion þer were and strong
Þat on Arthour at ones last
And wiþ her hors to grounde him dast
Ac Arthour lepe vp afot anon
And werd him oȝain euerichon.
Merlin wist of þis dede
And hete al Arthours felawered
Wenden swiþe to þis rideing,
Tofore dassed Ban þe king
Al þat in his way stode
He biheueded hem and lete hem blode
So þat þurth his miȝt gode
Þider he com þer Arthour stode
‘Arthour’ he seyd ‘þi kinde it nis
To stond o fot forsoþe ywis’—
An geaunt he tok anon
And cleued him to þe brest-bon
And brouȝt on hors Arthour ywis
Par for[s] among his enemis,
Þat so þo dede verrament
Þat non no miȝt stond his dent.
Wher þat rod þe king Rion
Þurth corouns and berdes þat were his armes,
He made him way wiþ strengþe of armes
His stede him bar to him anon
Arthour smot to king Rion
A quarter of his helme out hitt
And his scheld ato ykitt
And alle his armes verrament
To þe purpoint, of o serpent,
Next his schert þat sat þo
Elles he hadde him coruen ato,
Rion fel doun wiþ þat dent
So he dede were verrament;
Mani geauntes gret and long
About Rion þer were and strong
Þat on Arthour at ones last
And wiþ her hors to grounde him dast
Ac Arthour lepe vp afot anon
And werd him oȝain euerichon.
354
And hete al Arthours felawered
Wenden swiþe to þis rideing,
Tofore dassed Ban þe king
Al þat in his way stode
He biheueded hem and lete hem blode
So þat þurth his miȝt gode
Þider he com þer Arthour stode
‘Arthour’ he seyd ‘þi kinde it nis
To stond o fot forsoþe ywis’—
An geaunt he tok anon
And cleued him to þe brest-bon
And brouȝt on hors Arthour ywis
Par for[s] among his enemis,
Þat so þo dede verrament
Þat non no miȝt stond his dent.
Þo Arthour was vp so y finde
Comen his felawes vi þousinde
And ich of hem on þer hitt
Oþer heued of smot or bodi þurth kitt,
Þer was defoiled king Rion
Vnder stedes fet mani on
And drawe and totore vilainliche
Ac he him defended orpedliche,
Wiþ gret pine naþelas
Vp to hors couered he was
And smot wiþ mace al about
And mani slouȝ of our rout;
Ac an fewe of our best
In al þat pres togider þrest,
Arthour and Ban and Bohort his amis
Naciens and Agraueins and Heruis
Lucans Griflet Vlfin and Kay
And her feren so fouȝten þat day
Þat in þe cuntre ran heþen blod
So in þe riuer doþ þe flod
And so fouȝten wiþ dintes hard
Þat felled was king Rion standard
And þe four olyfaunce yslawe
Baners and castels adoun yþrawe.
Þo fleiȝe Riones folk here and ter
Non durst leue nowher
Ac king Rion þan was so wo
Þat nist what he miȝt do,
Wiþ his swerd scharp and briȝt
XX Cristen he slouȝ doun riȝt
Ac his men þat were him midde
Wiþ strengþe oway wiþ him ride
Ac fram his men he dassed sone
Bi a wode oway alone
Makeand ful sikerly
Swiþe michel diol and cri.
Swiche noyse ros in þe bataile
Þat þei it hadde þondred saun faile
No schuld men it yhere
Þe paiens made so rewely bere,
And our gred ‘Sle! Lay on!
Kepe þere! Kepe here! Lete passe non!’
Þus þai slouȝ in litel stounde
Mani þousand to þe grounde
And euer þai ben tohewe and smite
So schepe þat were wiþ wolues ybite.
Comen his felawes vi þousinde
And ich of hem on þer hitt
Oþer heued of smot or bodi þurth kitt,
Þer was defoiled king Rion
Vnder stedes fet mani on
And drawe and totore vilainliche
Ac he him defended orpedliche,
Wiþ gret pine naþelas
Vp to hors couered he was
And smot wiþ mace al about
And mani slouȝ of our rout;
Ac an fewe of our best
In al þat pres togider þrest,
Arthour and Ban and Bohort his amis
Naciens and Agraueins and Heruis
Lucans Griflet Vlfin and Kay
And her feren so fouȝten þat day
Þat in þe cuntre ran heþen blod
So in þe riuer doþ þe flod
And so fouȝten wiþ dintes hard
Þat felled was king Rion standard
And þe four olyfaunce yslawe
355
Þo fleiȝe Riones folk here and ter
Non durst leue nowher
Ac king Rion þan was so wo
Þat nist what he miȝt do,
Wiþ his swerd scharp and briȝt
XX Cristen he slouȝ doun riȝt
Ac his men þat were him midde
Wiþ strengþe oway wiþ him ride
Ac fram his men he dassed sone
Bi a wode oway alone
Makeand ful sikerly
Swiþe michel diol and cri.
Swiche noyse ros in þe bataile
Þat þei it hadde þondred saun faile
No schuld men it yhere
Þe paiens made so rewely bere,
And our gred ‘Sle! Lay on!
Kepe þere! Kepe here! Lete passe non!’
Þus þai slouȝ in litel stounde
Mani þousand to þe grounde
And euer þai ben tohewe and smite
So schepe þat were wiþ wolues ybite.
Leodegan and Cleodalis his steward
Folwed al on Goionard
Riones nevou þat hadde wiþ him
Fele Sarraȝins wroþ and grim,
Ban and Bohort vertuous
Þai todriuen four kinges orgulous
Þat hete Gloiant and Minados
Calufer and Sinargos,
Þe oþer and þo of þe table rounde
Bi v, bi vi of gret mounde
Were departed her and tar
To folwe þe paiens eueraywhar,
Naciens Adrageins and ek Herui
VI heþen kinges driuen hardi
Þat hete Mautaile and Fernicans
Bantrines and Kehamans
Forcoars and Troimadac
Forto ȝeuen hem her mat;
Alone certes king Arthour
Drof king Rion wiþ gret vigour.
Arthour otok him wiþ drawe sward
And seyd ‘Aȝeld þe now traitour coward!’
Arthour on þe helme him smot
Þe dent sanke þurth God it wot,
Þurth þe pelet to þe panne
Ac dedli dent no hadde he nanne,
Rion oȝain smot a dent
Ac Arthour him couered verrament
Of his scheld he carf a corner
And of his helme a quarter,
Þe dint swarf and flei forbi
Þerfore was non sori;
Arthour smot oȝainward
Vnder Riones scheld a dint hard
And smot Rion þurth armes alle
Þurth þe side neiȝe to þe ȝalle,
King Rion so feld him hert
And gan fle ful swiþe cert,
Arthour wald after sue
Ac sex king gun on him hewe
Wiche y nemde tofore ȝou to
Þat Herui drof and his feren also,
Þai grad ‘Abide traitour!’ on heiȝe
‘Wroþerh[a]le þou Rion seiȝe!’
Þo lete Arthour Rion scape.
Kehenans com wiþ gret rape
And ȝaf king Arthour swiche a las
Þat Arthour al astoned was,
Arthour smot þat geant oȝan
A dint þat fro main cam
He smot his schulder, wiþ arm and scheld
Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld,
Kehenans dede his stede forþ steppe
And king Arthour wald bicleppe
About his swere wiþ his riȝt arm
Þat þe oþer miȝt don him harm
Ac bitven his hond and elbowe
Arthour him ȝaue a dint of howe
Wiþ his swerd, þat his hond
Amidward þe feld wond;
Þe stede him bar here and tere
Criand so wode he were
Ac sone þerafter ded doun he þrewe
His soule to þe Deuel blewe.
Þe oþer dasched on Arthour al fiue
Forto reuen him his liue
Ac Arthour king Ferican smot
To þe hert God it wot,
Forcoars bi þe side he hitt
Þat ribbes and þi he of slit.
Þo com Naciens Herui and Adragein
Rideand to Arthour wiþ gret main,
Wiþ his to feren king Mautaile
Fram Arthour gan swiþe fle,
Arthour wiþ his feren þo liȝt
Her hors girten and sadles riȝt.
Folwed al on Goionard
Riones nevou þat hadde wiþ him
Fele Sarraȝins wroþ and grim,
Ban and Bohort vertuous
Þai todriuen four kinges orgulous
Þat hete Gloiant and Minados
Calufer and Sinargos,
Þe oþer and þo of þe table rounde
Bi v, bi vi of gret mounde
Were departed her and tar
To folwe þe paiens eueraywhar,
Naciens Adrageins and ek Herui
VI heþen kinges driuen hardi
Þat hete Mautaile and Fernicans
Bantrines and Kehamans
356
Forto ȝeuen hem her mat;
Alone certes king Arthour
Drof king Rion wiþ gret vigour.
Arthour otok him wiþ drawe sward
And seyd ‘Aȝeld þe now traitour coward!’
Arthour on þe helme him smot
Þe dent sanke þurth God it wot,
Þurth þe pelet to þe panne
Ac dedli dent no hadde he nanne,
Rion oȝain smot a dent
Ac Arthour him couered verrament
Of his scheld he carf a corner
And of his helme a quarter,
Þe dint swarf and flei forbi
Þerfore was non sori;
Arthour smot oȝainward
Vnder Riones scheld a dint hard
And smot Rion þurth armes alle
Þurth þe side neiȝe to þe ȝalle,
King Rion so feld him hert
And gan fle ful swiþe cert,
Arthour wald after sue
Ac sex king gun on him hewe
Wiche y nemde tofore ȝou to
Þat Herui drof and his feren also,
Þai grad ‘Abide traitour!’ on heiȝe
‘Wroþerh[a]le þou Rion seiȝe!’
Þo lete Arthour Rion scape.
Kehenans com wiþ gret rape
And ȝaf king Arthour swiche a las
Þat Arthour al astoned was,
Arthour smot þat geant oȝan
A dint þat fro main cam
He smot his schulder, wiþ arm and scheld
Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld,
Kehenans dede his stede forþ steppe
357
About his swere wiþ his riȝt arm
Þat þe oþer miȝt don him harm
Ac bitven his hond and elbowe
Arthour him ȝaue a dint of howe
Wiþ his swerd, þat his hond
Amidward þe feld wond;
Þe stede him bar here and tere
Criand so wode he were
Ac sone þerafter ded doun he þrewe
His soule to þe Deuel blewe.
Þe oþer dasched on Arthour al fiue
Forto reuen him his liue
Ac Arthour king Ferican smot
To þe hert God it wot,
Forcoars bi þe side he hitt
Þat ribbes and þi he of slit.
Þo com Naciens Herui and Adragein
Rideand to Arthour wiþ gret main,
Wiþ his to feren king Mautaile
Fram Arthour gan swiþe fle,
Arthour wiþ his feren þo liȝt
Her hors girten and sadles riȝt.
Now seiþ here þis romans
Of king Bohort and king Bans,
So driuen king Minados
Wiþ his þre feren of proude los
Þai metten wiþ ten heþen kniȝtes
Strong geauntes fel and wiȝt
Alle þritten þai smiten þo
On our Cristen kinges to
And perced boþe scheld and armes
And dede hem wel gret harmes,
Of king Bohort and king Bans,
So driuen king Minados
Wiþ his þre feren of proude los
Þai metten wiþ ten heþen kniȝtes
Strong geauntes fel and wiȝt
Alle þritten þai smiten þo
On our Cristen kinges to
And perced boþe scheld and armes
And dede hem wel gret harmes,
Ac Ban hit king Calufer
And cleued his heued into þe swere
After he tok so Sinargos
His heued fram þe bodi was los,
And cleued his heued into þe swere
After he tok so Sinargos
His heued fram þe bodi was los,
Bohort hit king Glorion
His riȝt schulder anouenon
Þat al þe schulder and ek þe scheld
Wiþ þe ribbes fleiȝe in þe feld.
Sornigrens and Pinnogras
Gaidon and king Margaras
Wiþ vii heþen sikerliche
Ban asailed wodeliche,
Ac Ban so noble kniȝt and hende
Wiȝtliche gan him defende
Pinogras he feld of hors
And foiled al his cursed cors
Sornigrens he smot wiþ main
Þurthout helme into þe brain.
King Bohort seiȝe his broþer fiȝt
Alon oȝain ten kniȝt,
Þe stede wiþ þe spors he dust
To þe grounde a paien he frust
Anoþer þurth helme and bacin
Þurthout he clef him to þe chin;
Þo þre paines wiþ wiȝt bones
On þe helme him smiten at ones
Þat he nei hadde wiþouten balaunce
Ylorn hors and contenaunce
Ac he akeuered wiþ hert liȝt
And smiten hem on wiþ main wiȝt.
Ac in þat ich toilinge
Fram Arthour com Rion þe king
Fleand, his sw[erd ydrawe], [OMITTED]
[OMITTED][sir Antour]
And Kay and Griflet and Lucan
And Meraugis and Craddoc and Gernan
And Belchin þe broun and Bleoberiis
And Galescounde and Lectargis
Kalogreuant and Kehedins
Folweden and slowen þe Sarraȝins
Her and ter so seyt þe boke,
And a compeinie oftoke
To hundred paiens ful of grame
For her ler and for her schame
And for king Rion was oway
Her hert was ful of ten and tray;
Ich on oþer þer gan smite
Wiþ swerdes egge þat sore gan bite,
Þai weren arwe and our hardy
And hem todriuen sikerly,
And wenten oȝain to Danbleys
And wiþouten þe gates iuel at ayse
Bileueden þer for her king
Forto han of him tiding.
Þai no hadde of Merlin no conseiling
For he was went wiþouten lesing
After king Galat of miȝti hond
Lord-ouer of herdene lond,
Wiþ ten þousand þat was aschape
Sarraȝins wiþ gret rape
Forto make enchauntement
Hem tofore verrament
He made alle a valaye
Also it were a brod leye
Þat Galaþ no non of his
Þat niȝt no miȝt oway ywis—
Herafter sone in þis write
Whi he it dede ȝe schul it wite.
His riȝt schulder anouenon
Þat al þe schulder and ek þe scheld
358
Sornigrens and Pinnogras
Gaidon and king Margaras
Wiþ vii heþen sikerliche
Ban asailed wodeliche,
Ac Ban so noble kniȝt and hende
Wiȝtliche gan him defende
Pinogras he feld of hors
And foiled al his cursed cors
Sornigrens he smot wiþ main
Þurthout helme into þe brain.
King Bohort seiȝe his broþer fiȝt
Alon oȝain ten kniȝt,
Þe stede wiþ þe spors he dust
To þe grounde a paien he frust
Anoþer þurth helme and bacin
Þurthout he clef him to þe chin;
Þo þre paines wiþ wiȝt bones
On þe helme him smiten at ones
Þat he nei hadde wiþouten balaunce
Ylorn hors and contenaunce
Ac he akeuered wiþ hert liȝt
And smiten hem on wiþ main wiȝt.
Ac in þat ich toilinge
Fram Arthour com Rion þe king
Fleand, his sw[erd ydrawe], [OMITTED]
359
And Kay and Griflet and Lucan
And Meraugis and Craddoc and Gernan
And Belchin þe broun and Bleoberiis
And Galescounde and Lectargis
Kalogreuant and Kehedins
Folweden and slowen þe Sarraȝins
Her and ter so seyt þe boke,
And a compeinie oftoke
To hundred paiens ful of grame
For her ler and for her schame
And for king Rion was oway
Her hert was ful of ten and tray;
Ich on oþer þer gan smite
Wiþ swerdes egge þat sore gan bite,
Þai weren arwe and our hardy
And hem todriuen sikerly,
360
And wiþouten þe gates iuel at ayse
Bileueden þer for her king
Forto han of him tiding.
Þai no hadde of Merlin no conseiling
For he was went wiþouten lesing
After king Galat of miȝti hond
Lord-ouer of herdene lond,
Wiþ ten þousand þat was aschape
Sarraȝins wiþ gret rape
Forto make enchauntement
Hem tofore verrament
He made alle a valaye
Also it were a brod leye
Þat Galaþ no non of his
Þat niȝt no miȝt oway ywis—
Herafter sone in þis write
Whi he it dede ȝe schul it wite.
Now telleþ þis romaunce þat king Arthour
Com driueand gode scour
And bar Marandois in his hond
Worþ al þe swerdes of Inglond
Þat he hadde of Rion wonne,
He bad þe King þat made sonne
For his swete moder loue
He most þat niȝt his swerd proue;
Auentours to seke his stede he smot,
King Ban rode after God it wot
Bohort also and Nacien
Herui de Riuel and Adragein
And com dasseand al bi cas
Whar Goionar and Salinas
Wiþ a kniȝt of þe table rounde
To lix bataile founde.
Þese four smot on hem certes
So þe lyoun doþ on þe hertes,
Arthour tauȝt on a lessoun of howe
And cleued him to þe sadel-bowe,
Anoþer he biheueded, þe þridde he hit
Vnto þe girdel he him slit,
Þe ferþ he tok on þe chine
And carf him ato bi line,
Ten forsoþe in litel þrawe
Þer he brouȝt o liue-dawe
Wiþ his swerd Marandoise
Þat carf doun riȝt wiþouten noise.
King Ban smot about also
And cleued a geant atvo,
Anoþer he schare of al þe side
Þe þridde he dede of þe heued glide
And biheueded þre oþer þerto
And þe seuend he smot ato;
And Bohort boþe þi and arm
Schare of [on] and dede him harm,
Anoþer he cleued to þe toþ
Þe þridde he biheueded forsoþ,
Þe ferþ and fift also
To helle-grounde he de[de] hem go.
Þe gode kniȝt Adragein
Þurth hem smot on wiþ gret main,
Anoþer he cleued to þe brest
And of þe þridde þe heued he daste,
Þus he binam þer fiue
Al arowe day o liue.
Nacien dede ful wel
Wiþ scharp swerd of broun stiel
On he cleued doun riȝt
And anoþer þerto apliȝt,
Þe þridde to þe brest he cleued
And of þe ferþe þe heued of weued
And þre also þerto he slouȝ.
Herui also it made touȝ
To þe chine he on slitt
And of to þe heued of kitt.
Com driueand gode scour
And bar Marandois in his hond
Worþ al þe swerdes of Inglond
Þat he hadde of Rion wonne,
He bad þe King þat made sonne
For his swete moder loue
He most þat niȝt his swerd proue;
Auentours to seke his stede he smot,
King Ban rode after God it wot
Bohort also and Nacien
Herui de Riuel and Adragein
And com dasseand al bi cas
Whar Goionar and Salinas
Wiþ a kniȝt of þe table rounde
To lix bataile founde.
Þese four smot on hem certes
So þe lyoun doþ on þe hertes,
Arthour tauȝt on a lessoun of howe
And cleued him to þe sadel-bowe,
Anoþer he biheueded, þe þridde he hit
361
Þe ferþ he tok on þe chine
And carf him ato bi line,
Ten forsoþe in litel þrawe
Þer he brouȝt o liue-dawe
Wiþ his swerd Marandoise
Þat carf doun riȝt wiþouten noise.
King Ban smot about also
And cleued a geant atvo,
Anoþer he schare of al þe side
Þe þridde he dede of þe heued glide
And biheueded þre oþer þerto
And þe seuend he smot ato;
And Bohort boþe þi and arm
Schare of [on] and dede him harm,
Anoþer he cleued to þe toþ
Þe þridde he biheueded forsoþ,
Þe ferþ and fift also
To helle-grounde he de[de] hem go.
Þe gode kniȝt Adragein
Þurth hem smot on wiþ gret main,
Anoþer he cleued to þe brest
And of þe þridde þe heued he daste,
Þus he binam þer fiue
Al arowe day o liue.
Nacien dede ful wel
Wiþ scharp swerd of broun stiel
On he cleued doun riȝt
And anoþer þerto apliȝt,
Þe þridde to þe brest he cleued
And of þe ferþe þe heued of weued
And þre also þerto he slouȝ.
Herui also it made touȝ
To þe chine he on slitt
And of to þe heued of kitt.
Goiomar and Balinas
And þe þridde þat wiþ hem was
Seiȝen her noble socour
And leyden on wiþ gret vigour
Ich of hem þo orpedeliche
Four slouȝ sikerliche,
Þo þan leued þer bot niȝe
Of al þat iche companie
And þo flowen anon riȝt
Also swiþe so þai miȝt
Gredeand it ner non men
Ac deuelen þat þai fouȝten oȝen.
Our hem suwed as men kene
Til þai herden michel dene
Boþe on helmes and ysen hatten
Þe dintes of swordes flatten,
Þo seyd Ban ‘We moten heye,
Al niȝt and wiþ swerd d[r]ie.’
Quaþ king Arthour ‘Þat haue y l[e]ue
Al what ichaue mi swerd proued,’
Quaþ Ban ‘Ȝe no haue it nouȝt deleid
Þat ȝe no haue it wele aseyd,’
‘Nay sir’ quaþ Arthour ‘þat folk was lite
Þat y no miȝt to wille smite
And, to ek þat, ȝe slouȝ so fele
Þat half no miȝt y me bistere.’
Þo seyden our oþer hem bitvene,
Most he libben and ythen
Bitvene Breteine and Costentinenoble
No worþ anoþer kniȝt so noble.
And þe þridde þat wiþ hem was
Seiȝen her noble socour
362
Ich of hem þo orpedeliche
Four slouȝ sikerliche,
Þo þan leued þer bot niȝe
Of al þat iche companie
And þo flowen anon riȝt
Also swiþe so þai miȝt
Gredeand it ner non men
Ac deuelen þat þai fouȝten oȝen.
Our hem suwed as men kene
Til þai herden michel dene
Boþe on helmes and ysen hatten
Þe dintes of swordes flatten,
Þo seyd Ban ‘We moten heye,
Al niȝt and wiþ swerd d[r]ie.’
Quaþ king Arthour ‘Þat haue y l[e]ue
Al what ichaue mi swerd proued,’
Quaþ Ban ‘Ȝe no haue it nouȝt deleid
Þat ȝe no haue it wele aseyd,’
‘Nay sir’ quaþ Arthour ‘þat folk was lite
Þat y no miȝt to wille smite
And, to ek þat, ȝe slouȝ so fele
Þat half no miȝt y me bistere.’
Þo seyden our oþer hem bitvene,
Most he libben and ythen
Bitvene Breteine and Costentinenoble
No worþ anoþer kniȝt so noble.
Now seyt þe boke þat sir Antore
Wiþ his feren y nemd bifore
At Danebleise Arthour þai no founde
Oȝain þai went in þat stounde
Wiþ drawen swerd to sechen him,
An hundred geauntes wroþ and grim
Wiþ fauchouns and wiþ swerdes stett—
Ich oþer sone mett.
Antore was feld among þat floc
And Gornain and Gales þe calu and Craddoc
And Blioberis and Beichardis,
Þat hem defended afot ywis
And bi help of her feren seuen
Oȝain an hundred—þat was vneuen.
Wiþ his feren y nemd bifore
At Danebleise Arthour þai no founde
Oȝain þai went in þat stounde
Wiþ drawen swerd to sechen him,
An hundred geauntes wroþ and grim
Wiþ fauchouns and wiþ swerdes stett—
Ich oþer sone mett.
Antore was feld among þat floc
And Gornain and Gales þe calu and Craddoc
And Blioberis and Beichardis,
363
And bi help of her feren seuen
Oȝain an hundred—þat was vneuen.
Arthour com rideinde in þis cas,
For sir Antour desmaied was
He smot amidward þe pres
So grehounde doþ out of les,
A geaunt sone he tok, anne,
Þurthout helme and heued-panne
And þurth þe side and þe hert,
Of anoþer þe heued he girt
Ȝete he tok þe þridde
And cleued him to þe midde,
In þe swere he toke þe ferþ
Þat þe heued fleiȝe to þe erþe,
Fiue and sex seuen and eiȝte
O rawe he biseiȝe so riȝt,
Þo gan king Arthour Maru[n]dois
His swerd to king Ban praise
And seyd it carf so wel men miȝt delite
Þat witeþ þe geaunce of þis smite;
Hem fiue afot on hors he lift.
King Ban aside glift
On a paien wiþ main he girt
Þurthout þe heued into þe hert,
Anoþer he schar þe side of
Þe þridde þe heued he al todrof
Þus her and tar he leyd adoun
So it were a wode lyoun.
For sir Antour desmaied was
He smot amidward þe pres
So grehounde doþ out of les,
A geaunt sone he tok, anne,
Þurthout helme and heued-panne
And þurth þe side and þe hert,
Of anoþer þe heued he girt
Ȝete he tok þe þridde
And cleued him to þe midde,
In þe swere he toke þe ferþ
Þat þe heued fleiȝe to þe erþe,
Fiue and sex seuen and eiȝte
O rawe he biseiȝe so riȝt,
Þo gan king Arthour Maru[n]dois
His swerd to king Ban praise
And seyd it carf so wel men miȝt delite
Þat witeþ þe geaunce of þis smite;
Hem fiue afot on hors he lift.
King Ban aside glift
On a paien wiþ main he girt
Þurthout þe heued into þe hert,
Anoþer he schar þe side of
Þe þridde þe heued he al todrof
Þus her and tar he leyd adoun
So it were a wode lyoun.
Bohort als a geaunt laiste
And þe heued al todaiste
Anoþer to þe chine he karf
Þe þridde he hit þat he starf,
Al abouten he leyd on
And slouȝ to grounde mani on.
And þe heued al todaiste
Anoþer to þe chine he karf
Þe þridde he hit þat he starf,
Al abouten he leyd on
And slouȝ to grounde mani on.
Adragein wiþ wille fre
Arawe biheueded geauntes þre
And oþer mo feld to grounde
Þat neuer more ner sounde,
Arawe biheueded geauntes þre
And oþer mo feld to grounde
364
Þe gode kniȝt also Herui
Slouȝ so fele it was ferly,
Nacien so seyt þe boke
Of a geaunt þat heued he tok
Anoþer to þe chine he luȝste
Þe schulder of þe þridde he duȝste.
Þus þai laiden her and tar
And her heuedes fram þe bodi schar,
Þe xii feren þat hye þer founde
Non no hadde dedli wounde
Ac þo þai seiȝen þis fair socour
Þai laiden on wiþ gret vigour
Ich of hem þre oþer to
Of þe paiens biheueded þo.
Þer was noble main ysene,
Of an hundred wiþouten wene
No leued paiens bot fourtene
(Þe oþer lay dede opon þe grene)
And þe xiiii flowen swiþe
So her stedes miȝten driue;
Our sueden wiþ wille fin,
And metten þe clerk Merlin
Þat hem wiþstode and dede hem liȝt
Her stedes girten her sadles riȝt,
So þai dede and blisse made
Ich of oþers helpe was glade.
Whiles hye hem graiþeþ resteþ and riȝteþ
Listneþ hou Leodegan fiȝteþ—
Slouȝ so fele it was ferly,
Nacien so seyt þe boke
Of a geaunt þat heued he tok
Anoþer to þe chine he luȝste
Þe schulder of þe þridde he duȝste.
Þus þai laiden her and tar
And her heuedes fram þe bodi schar,
Þe xii feren þat hye þer founde
Non no hadde dedli wounde
Ac þo þai seiȝen þis fair socour
Þai laiden on wiþ gret vigour
Ich of hem þre oþer to
Of þe paiens biheueded þo.
Þer was noble main ysene,
Of an hundred wiþouten wene
No leued paiens bot fourtene
(Þe oþer lay dede opon þe grene)
And þe xiiii flowen swiþe
So her stedes miȝten driue;
Our sueden wiþ wille fin,
And metten þe clerk Merlin
Þat hem wiþstode and dede hem liȝt
Her stedes girten her sadles riȝt,
So þai dede and blisse made
Ich of oþers helpe was glade.
Whiles hye hem graiþeþ resteþ and riȝteþ
Listneþ hou Leodegan fiȝteþ—
Hou Leodegan now vnder an oke
Fiȝteþ so seiþ þis boke
Wiþ his steward Cleodalis
Gentil kniȝt and trewe ywis,
Oȝain seuen and tventi fouȝten hye to
Certes þat was michel wo;
On fot was Cleodalis
So ich ȝou seyd er þis
Leodegan on his hors was
Cleodalis fauȝt on þe gras,
Wiþ michel sorwe and gret pine
Þai werd hem oȝain þo Sarraȝine.
Colocaulnus an hoge man
Smot so to Leodegan
Þat he aplat fel of his stede
Boþe mouþe and nose gan blede,
For feblenis of oþer wounde
Streiȝt he lay on þe grounde;
Þe Sarraȝins to him come
And þo him wold han ynome
Ac Cleodalis herof nam kepe
He bistride his lord and wepe,
Abouten he leyd wiþ his sword
And defended his lord
So he smot to his wiþþerwine
Þat non miȝt his lord winne,
Þai him þrewe wiþ kniues and stones
And ȝauen him woundes for þe nones.
Vp stirt Leodegan þe king
Þo passed was his swoninge,
His steward miȝt stond vnneþe
For he him forfauȝt al to deþe,
He seiȝe his steward so ful of treuþe
His hert was ful of sorwe and reuþe
He biþouȝt him, wiþ wrong
His wiif he hadde helden long
Oȝaines riȝt þurth iniquite,
A word he seyd of gret pite
‘Hay’ he seyd ‘Cleodalis
Trewe kniȝt wiþouten feintis
Þurth mi sinne and mi desray
Icham comen to mi last day;
Haue on me pite gentil man
And rewe on me Leodegan,
Ich was þi lord now am y knaue
On me pite and merci haue
Forȝiue me now þe trespas
Þat y þe haue don allas,
Y pray þe þat neuer mi misdede
Mi soule into helle lede.’
A-knowe he sat and seyd ‘Merci!
Mine owen swerd take bel ami
Mine heued smite of for mi misdede,
Crist me wil þe better rede.’
Cleodalis wepe for pite
He seiȝe his lord humilite
He lift him vp in his arm
And forȝaf him al þat harm
Þat he him hadde don and schame
And bad him fiȝt on Godes name,
So þai deden and fouȝten boþe
Þe paiens þerof weren wroþe.
Þo com rideand a geaunt ywis
And smot to grounde Cleodalis
Þer he lay streiȝt along
Leodegan to him sprong
And him wered al about
Fram al þat ich curssed route,
So long he fauȝt he was weri
And fel adoun wel dreri;
Cleodalis þo vp made astert
As he nere nouȝt yhert
And wiþ main fair and hende
His lord-king he gan defende.
Þus þai ferd oft, when fel þat on
Þe oþer vp stert þo anon
And him defended wiþ alle his miȝt;
Þus þai fouȝten til midniȝt
Þo were þai wounded so strong
Þat þai no miȝt doure long,
To Cleodalis þo seyd Leodegan
‘Help now þeself gentil man
For to lese and winne al þis lond
Y no may lenger stond’
(Often þai made dounfalleing
And when þai miȝt vpriseing),
And halp Cleodalis him to were and fiȝt
Also wele so he miȝt.
Fiȝteþ so seiþ þis boke
Wiþ his steward Cleodalis
Gentil kniȝt and trewe ywis,
Oȝain seuen and tventi fouȝten hye to
Certes þat was michel wo;
On fot was Cleodalis
So ich ȝou seyd er þis
Leodegan on his hors was
Cleodalis fauȝt on þe gras,
Wiþ michel sorwe and gret pine
365
Colocaulnus an hoge man
Smot so to Leodegan
Þat he aplat fel of his stede
Boþe mouþe and nose gan blede,
For feblenis of oþer wounde
Streiȝt he lay on þe grounde;
Þe Sarraȝins to him come
And þo him wold han ynome
Ac Cleodalis herof nam kepe
He bistride his lord and wepe,
Abouten he leyd wiþ his sword
And defended his lord
So he smot to his wiþþerwine
Þat non miȝt his lord winne,
Þai him þrewe wiþ kniues and stones
And ȝauen him woundes for þe nones.
Vp stirt Leodegan þe king
Þo passed was his swoninge,
His steward miȝt stond vnneþe
For he him forfauȝt al to deþe,
He seiȝe his steward so ful of treuþe
His hert was ful of sorwe and reuþe
He biþouȝt him, wiþ wrong
His wiif he hadde helden long
Oȝaines riȝt þurth iniquite,
A word he seyd of gret pite
‘Hay’ he seyd ‘Cleodalis
Trewe kniȝt wiþouten feintis
Þurth mi sinne and mi desray
Icham comen to mi last day;
Haue on me pite gentil man
And rewe on me Leodegan,
Ich was þi lord now am y knaue
On me pite and merci haue
Forȝiue me now þe trespas
Þat y þe haue don allas,
Y pray þe þat neuer mi misdede
Mi soule into helle lede.’
366
Mine owen swerd take bel ami
Mine heued smite of for mi misdede,
Crist me wil þe better rede.’
Cleodalis wepe for pite
He seiȝe his lord humilite
He lift him vp in his arm
And forȝaf him al þat harm
Þat he him hadde don and schame
And bad him fiȝt on Godes name,
So þai deden and fouȝten boþe
Þe paiens þerof weren wroþe.
Þo com rideand a geaunt ywis
And smot to grounde Cleodalis
Þer he lay streiȝt along
Leodegan to him sprong
And him wered al about
Fram al þat ich curssed route,
So long he fauȝt he was weri
And fel adoun wel dreri;
Cleodalis þo vp made astert
As he nere nouȝt yhert
And wiþ main fair and hende
His lord-king he gan defende.
Þus þai ferd oft, when fel þat on
Þe oþer vp stert þo anon
And him defended wiþ alle his miȝt;
Þus þai fouȝten til midniȝt
Þo were þai wounded so strong
Þat þai no miȝt doure long,
To Cleodalis þo seyd Leodegan
‘Help now þeself gentil man
For to lese and winne al þis lond
Y no may lenger stond’
(Often þai made dounfalleing
And when þai miȝt vpriseing),
And halp Cleodalis him to were and fiȝt
Also wele so he miȝt.
In þis time hadde Merlin
To Arthour and Ban teld her pine,
And þo hadde Leodegan ben ynome
Ȝif Arthour no had ycome
Wiþ his sextene þat on hem plat
And euerich a paien to deþ flat,
Merlin rode out in a stounde
And þider brouȝt xii of þe table rounde
Þat dede wiþ strengþe her swerd baþen
In bodi and blod of þe haþen,
King Arthour and Bohort and Ban
Keuered on hors Leodegan
And Nacien þat kniȝt of pris
On hors keuered Cleodalis,
Þat also wele yfouȝten cert
So þai ner þat day yhert.
Merlin he[m] tauȝt to four geauntes saun fail
Þat sustend þat bataile,
Naciens rod Ancalnus to
Þe side he schar his bodi fro,
Arthour cleued king Maulas
And Ban ato girt king Ridras,
Bohort biheueded king Dorilan
And ich of þe oþer slouȝ a paien þan.
Þe oþer paiens flowe swiþe
And our went oȝain biliue
Into þe cite of Carohaise,
Wiþ her feren hem made at aise,
Þai maden gret blis and fest
And after ȝeden hem to rest.
367
And þo hadde Leodegan ben ynome
Ȝif Arthour no had ycome
Wiþ his sextene þat on hem plat
And euerich a paien to deþ flat,
Merlin rode out in a stounde
And þider brouȝt xii of þe table rounde
Þat dede wiþ strengþe her swerd baþen
In bodi and blod of þe haþen,
King Arthour and Bohort and Ban
Keuered on hors Leodegan
And Nacien þat kniȝt of pris
On hors keuered Cleodalis,
Þat also wele yfouȝten cert
So þai ner þat day yhert.
Merlin he[m] tauȝt to four geauntes saun fail
Þat sustend þat bataile,
Naciens rod Ancalnus to
Þe side he schar his bodi fro,
Arthour cleued king Maulas
And Ban ato girt king Ridras,
Bohort biheueded king Dorilan
And ich of þe oþer slouȝ a paien þan.
Þe oþer paiens flowe swiþe
And our went oȝain biliue
Into þe cite of Carohaise,
Wiþ her feren hem made at aise,
Þai maden gret blis and fest
And after ȝeden hem to rest.
| Of Arthour and Merlin | |