## Of Arthour & of Merlin

### Publication Statement:

This file is part of the facsimile-edition of the Auchinleck Manuscript was co-edited by Professor David Burnley and Dr Alison Wiggins. The HTML versions of the resource are freely available at http://www.nls.uk/auchinleck/

### Notes:

This manuscript file was originally supplied as arthur.html and the header file was located in heads/arthur_head.html both of which were converted to TEI XML by Dr James Cummings of the Oxford Text Archive. The notes below were taken from the header file and each HTML paragraph placed in a separate note.

Scribe 1

Short couplets. 9763 lines (9938 lines in Macrae-Gibson's edition). Unique copy of the last 6774 lines of the poem.

A transcript of the opening 62 lines of a version of the poem was made by John Stow in the late 15th century, BL Harley MS 6223. A transcript of Auchinleck was made c.1800 for Sir Walter Scott, Bodleian Library MS 21698 (Douce 124). There are three other manuscripts of distinct textual affiliation from Auchinleck:
Lincoln's Inn Library, Hale MS 150. Text corresponds to lines 1-1902 of Auchinleck. Shropshire. c.1450. The Lincoln's MS also contains a version of Kyng Alisaunder.
Bodleian Library MS 21880 (Douce 236). Dorset. Late 15th century. Text corresponds to lines 28-1834 of Auchinleck.
BL Additional MS 27879 (Percy Folio). 17th century (c.1650). Lancashire. Text corresponds to lines 1-2160 of Auchinleck. The Percy Folio also has Sir Degare in common with Auchinleck.

Edition:
O. D. Macrae-Gibson, Of Arthour and of Merlin, EETS OS 268, 279 (London: Oxford University Press, 1973, 1979).

Other editions:
E. Kölbing, Arthour and Merlin, Altenglische Bibliothek, 4 (Leipzig: Reisland, 1890). (Auchinleck text: 1-262; Lincoln's Inn and Douce 236 in parallel columns: 275-370).
W. B. D. D. Turnbull, Arthour and Merlin, A Metrical Romance, Abbotsford Club (Edinburgh: Edinburgh Printing Company, 1838). (Auchinleck MS; Harley 6223 fragment).

Manual I, 47; 235. Index 1675; 1162.

### Source:

The Auchinleck Manuscript (NLS Adv MS 19.2.1) is one of the National Library of Scotland’s greatest treasures. Produced in London in the 1330s, it provides a unique insight into the English language and literature that Chaucer and his generation grew up with and were influenced by. It acquired its name from its first known owner, Lord Auchinleck, who discovered the manuscript in 1740 and donated it to the precursor of the National Library in 1744.

### Of Arthour & of Merlin

Ihesus Crist Heuen-king [f.201rb] [Image]
Al ous graunt gode ending
& seynt Marie þat swete þing
So be at our bigining
& help ous at our nede,[5]
& leue ous wele to spede [ leue: first e superscript.]
Þat we habbeþ euer to don,
& scheld ous fram our fon.
Childer þat ben to boke ysett
In age hem is miche þe bett[10]
For þai mo witen & se
Miche of Godes priuete
Hem to kepe & to ware
Fram sinne & fram warldes care,
& wele ysen ȝif þai willen[15]
Þat hem no þarf neuer spillen -
Auauntages þai hauen þare
Freynsch & Latin eueraywhare.
Of Freynsch no Latin nil y tel more
Ac on J[n]glisch ichil tel þerfore[20]
Riȝt is þat J[n]glische vnderstond
Þat was born in Jnglond.
Freynsche vse þis gentil man
Ac euerich Jnglische Jnglische can;
Mani noble ich haue yseiýe[25]
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.[30]
Now ich ȝou telle þis romaunce.
A king hiȝt while sir Costaunce
Þat regned in [Jnglond].
Mani .................. [f.201va] [Image]
H......................[35]
O......................
H.....................
A.....................[40]
Þ.....................
N....................
¶ H....................
Cost[aunce].............
Þat oþer broþer name was[45]
Sir Aurilis Brosias,
Þe þridde broþer of gret renoun
Was cleped Vter Pendragoun. [ Pendragoun: MS reads Pendradoun.]
Ac þe eldest sone Costentine [Erasure between þe and eldest.]
Was noble clerk & wise afine;[50]
He loued God & holy chirche
& holy werkes for to wirche,
Forþi he bisouȝt his fader dere
Þat him graunted his prayer
Þat he most monke be[55]
At Vinchester in þat gode cite,
& maki Brosias his broþer
Or Pendragoun king & no noþer.
Þe king was loþ graunti þertille
Ac noþeles toȝain his owen wille[60]
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.[65]
After his barouns he gan sende
& when þai were ycomen ichon
Þe King seyd to hem anon
‘Lordinges,’ he seyd ‘lesse & mare,
Out of þis warld y most fare;[70]
Þerfore y pray for loue o me
For Godes loue & for charite
When ich am dede & roten in clay
Helpeþ mi childer þat ȝe may,
& takeþ Costaunt mi neldest sone[75]
& ȝif him boþe reng & [c]rone
& holdeþ him for ȝour lord euer mo.’ [f.201vb] [Image]
Al þay graunt it schuld be so.
Þan hadde þis king as ȝe may here
A steward þat hiȝt Fortiger.[80]
Strong he was & wiȝt, ywis,
Fals & ful of couaitise.
Þe king he hadde yserued long
& for he was so wiȝt & strong
In him was al his trust at nede[85]
& ȝaue him boþe lond & lede
To help his childer after his day
& oftsiþes he gan him pray
To gouerny hem wiþ al his miȝt – [ gouerny: MS reads goruerny ]
His treuþe he dede him for to pliȝt.[90]
& when þe king hadde his liif forlore
Sone þat traitour was forswore
& wiþ gret tresoun brak his treuþe
& dede hem wrong & þat was reuþe.
¶ Out of þis world þe king went[95]
& was ybiried verrament -
At Winchester wiþouten les
Þer þat king bigrauen wes.
Erls & barouns euerichon
Token hem to red anon[100]
Wiþouten ani more duelling
& made Costaunce her king [MS: biforþ struck through; her superscript.]
& for þat he was monke þore
‘King Moyne’ men cleped him euer more,
Ac þe steward sir Fortiger[105]
Was wel wroþ in his maner
& 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[110]
Of Danmark & of Sessoyne
For to wer oȝaines Moyne,
He filled ful mani dromouns
Of kinges erls & barouns,
Vp þai sett sail & mast[115]
& into Jnglond com an hast -
Ac Jnglond was yhoten þo
Michel Breteyne wiþouten no.
Þe Bretouns þat beþ Jnglisse nov
Herd telle when he com & hou[120]
Þat Angys bi water brouȝt; [f.202ra] [Image]
Þe king Fortiger bisouȝt
He schuld afong his pouwer
& be steward as he was er
& help him bi day & niȝt[125]
Oȝain his fomen for to fiȝt,
He it forsoke & seyd he nold
Noiþer for siluer no for gold
& feined him þat he no miȝt
At batayle com for to fiȝt -[130]
& 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[135]
Sone was smiten þe batayle;
Þer was broken spere & scheld
& mani a kniȝt of hors yfeld
Ac our men & king Moyne
Were ouercomen wiþouten asoine,[140]
To Winchester þai flowen þo [ Winchester: MS reads Wincherster.]
Wiþ mani siȝhing & walewo
Þat swiche a sleiȝster wiþ hond
Was fallen into Jnglond -
Þer was mani kniȝt yslawe[145]
& mani swain ybrouȝt of dawe.
Angis tok in a þrowe
Mani castels & tounes arowe
& put þerin his men
For to stonden our oȝen[150]
& sent after eld & ȝing
For to help in his fiȝting.
¶ Þo were fel kinges in lond
Þat Costaunce wan vnder his hond,
Mani of hem so weren þare[155]
Of þat descomfite hadden care
& oft Ihesu Crist hye bisouȝt
He schuld hem help as he hem bouȝt
& hem bring out of her care
After þat þai worþi ware.[160]
¶ On a day as y ȝou telle
Our princes speken wordes felle
& seyd þat her king
Nas bot a breþeling;
ȝif Fortiger her prince ware [f.202rb] [Image] [165]
‘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[170]
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[175]
So he tofore was ywone.
¶ Þis tvelue to him come
So þe conseil was ynome,
Wiþ grete honour & him gret
& he hem badde bi him site -[180]
What he desired for to ben
Bi his answere þai schuld ysen.
He asked hem wat was her wille
& þai him seyd tidinges ille: [ þai superscript.]
Angys hem hadde ouercome[185]
& michel of her lond binome
& mani barouns & kniȝt yslawe
& her kin brouȝt of dawe,
Þerfore þe conseyl of þe lond
Bad he schuld don his hond[190]
Þis ich wo amende raþe
Þat þai no hadde no more scaþe.
Þo bispak him Fortiger,
Gode kniȝt hardi & pautener,
‘Y nam noiþer ȝour douke no king,[195]
Whi aske ȝe me conseiling?
King Costauns y was to swore,
Euer y was ȝou þo tofore
& wered ȝou wiþ mi power
Wide & side fer & ner,[200]
Wiþ me nis it nouȝt nov so
Þerfore to ȝour king ȝe go,
Biseche him he ȝou socour
& ȝe wil him þan honour.’
¶ Þan bispac to him a baroun[205]
‘Sir, our king is bot a conjoun;
Þo he seiȝe swerdes drawe
To fle sone he was wel fawe.
He no can conseil to no gode [f.202va] [Image]
He is so adrad he is neiȝe wode.[210]
Whiles þou were in our þrome
No were we neuer ouercome,
Þat we forlorn at þis asaut [Second r of forlorn is superscript.]
Al we wite it þi defaut -
So siggeþ al our pers.’[215]
‘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.’[220]
‘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.’[225]
Þe barouns þennes gan gon
To take her king þai wenten alle
& founden king Moyne in his halle
Þer he sat at his mete,
On him þai schoten wiþ gret hete[230]
& smiten of his heued wiþ a sword
Er þai spoken ani word
& who so struted oȝainward
Anon þai ȝauen hem dintes hard, [ hem corrected from him.]
Out atte þe dore þai flowen anon[235]
& ascaped euerichon.
Þerfore was contek & striif
& mani it abouȝt wiþ þe liif
Ac seþ þen þe king yslawe was
& opon hem fallen swiche a cas[240]
A king þai mosten haue swiþe
Al her sorwe for to liþe
& þat he miȝt hem were þan
Oȝain Angys þat douhti man.
¶ & þan Vter Pendragon[245]
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[250]
Bot ȝiue þai wold Fortiger
Chese to her king þere;
Nouȝt fele nar þeroȝen [f.202vb] [Image]
Ac seyden þat it most ben;
What for loue what for ay[255]
Non no durst oȝain say
Ac þer þai chosen old & ȝing
Fortiger to ben her king.
Mirie time is Auerille
Þan scheweþ michel of our wille,[260]
In feld & mede floures springeþ,
In grene wode foules singeþ;
ȝong man wexeþ jolif
& þan proudeþ man & wiif.
¶ Þe barouns com to Fortiger[265]
& gretten him wiþ glad cher
& seyd þat her solas
Þurth wicked men ylorn was
Þat was Moyne her king,
& his breþer were to ȝing,[270]
‘& for we ȝou witeþ wiȝt & trest -
Of al men ȝe mowen best
Vs kepen oȝain our fon
So ȝe han er þis ydon -
We haue ȝou chosen our king[275]
& ȝouen ȝou boþe croun & ring.
Þe heiȝe siggeþ & þe lowe also
It miȝt no better ben ydo.’
¶ ‘Now gramerci’ quaþ Fortiger [ Now: MS reads Mow.]
& was made king wiþouten daunger,[280]
Ac at his corounment
To barouns þer weren gent
Þat þis tresoun vnderstode
& sore hem rewe þe kinges blod
Þat it schuld be spilt so[285]
& tok rede bitvixen hem to
Þe to childer ouer þe se bring
& went hem forþ wiþouten lesing,
No man wist of her conseyle
Bot þai alon wiþouten faile.[290]
¶ Þe king held fest noble & gent
& afterward his parlement,
In wiche parlement he hete
Men schuld him bring þe children skete,
Þai were souȝt & founde hem nouȝt[295]
Þo he held him iuel bicouȝt
Þo Fortiger it vnderstode [f.203ra] [Image]
For wreþe he wex neiȝe wode -
It was no wonder forsoþe to say
For þai dede him after gret tray.[300]
¶ Fortiger al þis forlete,
Princes, doukes also skete,
Fre & bond, swain & kniȝt,
Alle graiþed hem to fiȝt
Þat þai miȝten flemen Angys[305]
& al her dedlich enemis;
So þai deden wiþouten no
& were al redi forþ to go
Oȝaines her foman Angys,
Sum on gode hors of priis[310]
Sum on palfray & on stede
& sum on fot ful gode at nede
Wiþ arwe & bowe & alblast
Her fomen for to agast.
¶ Þai wenten forþ & met Angys[315]
Wiþ mani Sarraȝin of priis,
Þer was mani arwe yschote
& mani quarel þurth þe þrote,
Schaft tobroken & cleued scheld
Mani a kniȝt feld in þe feld[320]
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[325]
Þai brouȝten into helle-pin.
¶ Angys seiȝe his del þe wors
& gan to fle wel swiþe on hors
To a castel wel strong about
Where was michel of his rout,[330]
Þo þat he left bihinden him
Hadde chaunce hard & grim
No halp hem noiþer pes no crie
No fiȝting no criing ‘Merci!’
Al men maden her acord[335]
Wiþ axes speres kniif & sword,
Al þat were bihinde yfounde
Anon þai were leyd to grounde;
No miȝt þer askape neuer on
Þat he nas to deþ ydon.[340]
Þus our folk hadden þe priis [f.203rb] [Image]
& went þo to bisege Angys.
Þo þai hadde him long bilay
Angys sent hem þan to say
ȝif he in pays wende most[345]
He wold taken al his ost
& leden hem to his cuntraye
& neuer eft don hem traye,
Fortiger bi his conseyle
Lete hem wende hole & hayle,[350]
Ac ferst þai sworen him an oþ
Þai schuld him neuer waite loþ.
Þus þai wenten to þe strond [ strond: r is superscript.]
& ferden ouer to her lond.
Fortiger & his ost[355]
Oȝain com wiþ gret bost
& held fest mani a day
Of gret delite & noble play.
When þis fest was don & held
Þe xii traitours þat y of teld[360]
Þat hadde yslawe Moyne þe king
Biþouȝt hem of a selcouþe þing:
Þai wold go to Fortiger
& asken him her lower
Of þe king þat was yslawe[365]
Wiþ tresoun oȝain þe lawe,
& seyden ‘king þou art aboue,
Þenke what we dede for þi loue;
We slouȝ our lord kende,
Nov be sen ȝif þou art hende[370]
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[375]
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 & todrawe.’[380]
He dede feche hors wel sket
& teyed hem to her fet
& dede hem drawe on þe pauement
& hong hem after verrament.
Mani kniȝt & baroun hende [f.203va] [Image] [385]
Seiȝen þis of her kende,
Opon þe king þai ourn anon
As his dedliche fon
Ac bitven hem stode his men
Stedfastliche oȝaines hem,[390]
Þer was mani heued of hitt,
Þer was mani þrote ykitt,
Mani hert forles his blod
& mani þe bal vp in þe hod,
Vnneþe þat ich day[395]
Þe king ascaped oway.
¶ Þe barouns went þat ich niȝt
Toward her frendes ful riȝt
& her gref anon hem teld
Hou Fortiger her king aqueld[400]
Þurth tresoun þat he hadde yspeken, [ he: MS reads þai.]
Of him þai wald ben awreken,
Ich his frendes so bisouȝt
Þat opon Fortiger þai brouȝt
Mani erl, baroun & kniȝt[405]
Hardy & kene for to fiȝt.
Þai fouȝten wiþ Fortiger
Mani moneþ & mani a ȝere
Wherþurth mani a leuedi fre
Her lord les & fair meyne.[410]
¶ Fortiger nam gode coure
Þat he no miȝt oȝain hem doure
For þai wexen mo & mo
& his men lassed alway þo,
Letters he made to Angys þe welp[415]
& bad he schuld cum him to help
Oȝaines his men þat wald him sle
& he schuld haue half his fe; [ his: s is superscript.]
Angys þerof was bliþe
His message he dede swiþe,[420]
Mani þousand he tok wiþ him
Þat were boþe stout & grim
& comen ouer to Fortiger,
& he hem welcomed wiþ glad chere
Of his couenaunt he was biknawe[425]
& made Angys half-felawe
Þat he hadde or haue miȝt
Wiþ þat he schuld him help in fiȝt,
Oȝaines his men & help him were [f.203vb] [Image]
Þat were abouten him to dere.[430]
Þis couenaunt was made stedfast
& hem grayþed sone on hast
To batayle for to wende,
For þe barouns were hende
Bi Salesbiri biside a lite[435]
Al redi bataile to smite
& abiden her fomen
Þat þider comen hem oȝen.
Þer was sone leyd adoun
Mani wel briȝt gonfaynoun,[440]
Þe schaftes tobroken & cloþ torent
& mani a gret lording yschent;
Mani kniȝt oþer slouȝ,
Mani hors her guttes drouȝ -
Ich ȝou sigge riȝt treuþe[445]
Non of oþer hadde reuþe.
Swerdes on helmes gan driue,
Mani schaft þer gan riue,
Mani hauberk was torent
& mani þurth þe bodi schent[450]
Þer was slawe & brouȝt to grounde,
Mani man in litel stounde
A boþe half lay mani on
Þe heued fro þe nek-bon
Wombe & side þurthout dast[455]
Wiþ launce quarel & alblast
Þat mani leuedi & damisele
Biwepe it seþ þen wit teres fele,
Ac Fortiger hade euer four
Oȝain on forsoþe of our[460]
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 & dout[465]
To oþer kinges flowen about;
Also we finden in þe bok
Al þat Fortiger atok
He let todrawe & anhong
Were it wiþ riȝt oþer wiþ wrong,[470]
Þe oþer he devoided alle
Of lond & tour castel & halle
& bi conseyl of Angys [f.204ra] [Image]
ȝaue it to Sarraȝins of pris.
Þer was loue of hert cler[475]
Bitven Angys & Fortiger.
Angys hadde verrament
A douhter boþe fair & gent -
Ac sche was heþen Sarraȝin -
& Fortiger for loue fin[480]
Hir tok to fere & to wiue,
& was curssed in al his liue
For he lete Cristen wedde haþen
& meynt our blod as flesche & maþen.
Mani þousand was swiche in weddeloc[485]
As we finde writen in bok
Þer was wel neiȝe al þis lond
To þe deuel gon an hond,
Festes he made gret & fele
& hadden al warldes wele[490]
& held no better lawe
Þan þe hounde wiþ his felawe;
Þis last wel fel ȝere.
On a day sat Fortiger
& biþouȝt him of þe children to[495]
Þat ouer see weren ygo
& of mani noble he nam ȝeme
Þat he hadde yboden flem,
Of afterclap he hadde care
Þat he schuld forfare.[500]
¶ He hete chese carpenters
Oueral in his powers
& masouns þat þai no lete
To him þai schuld comen sket,
His hest was sone ydon,[505]
Þousandes þer were anon
Wiþ her tole swiþe prest
For to do þe kinges hest,
Þe king hem gan fair to calle
& þus he seyd to hem alle[510]
‘Listneþ now heiȝe & lawe
& vnderstond to mi sawe
In mi witt ich haue yþouȝt
Ichil a castel han ywrouȝt
Of wode & lime morter & ston[515]
Þat swiche be in þis world non
Þat ȝif me comeþ ani nede [f.204rb] [Image]
Ich may me þere were & hede
Fro min fon þat aires hem claim,
At Salesbiri opon þe plain[520]
Þat ȝe schul yfond
To maken wiþ ȝour hond.
Loke þat trewe & ston be riche
Þe tour largge & depe þe diche;
Mi deuise ich haue ysade[525]
Now heiȝeþ ȝou þat it war made
& ȝe schullen haue hire
Al þat ȝe wil desire.
¶ Þis werkemen þider went þo -
Þre þousand þer were & mo -[530]
Hewen schides & coruen ston
& laiden foundement anon;
Sum rammed & doluen snel
& gun þat castel fair & wel.
Þat folk was boþe swift & sleiȝe[535]
Þat werk was arered brest-heiȝe
Þat ich day alle aboute
So it is writen in þe brout,
& wenten hom þo it was niȝt
So it is werkmennes riȝt[540]
& comen al oȝain amorwe
& seiȝen þing of gret sorwe.
¶ Foundement & werk þai founde [ Foundement: MS reads Foundernement.]
Ligge vp so doun op þe grounde [ so is superscript.]
Sprad it was al abrod,[545]
For wonder þai were neiȝe wode
Ac her werk þai bigonne
So long so þai seiȝen þe sonne
& als wele spedden par ma fay
So þai deden þat oþer day,[550]
Ac þo þai come þider eft
Her werk was al vp aleft
& yschatred here & þere.
Þus it ferd wele half a ȝer:
Al þat euer þai wrouȝt o day[555]
Amorwe it ouerþrowe lay.
Þe king herd telle þis
& gret wonder hadde, ywis,
He dede aspie bi day & niȝt
What þing hem lett miȝt,[560]
Ac wite no miȝt lewed no clerk [f.204va] [Image]
What þing felled her werk.
¶ Fortiger sat in his halle
Among his kniȝtes & barouns alle
He bat his fest & his elbowe[565]
& 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[570]
Mani clerk was ful wide ysouȝt
& biforn him sone ybrouȝt,
Hem he aposed on & alle
Whi his werk was so yfalle,
Her non no couþe him telle;[575]
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[580]
& 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[585]
Wiser neuer non neren.
Þai were ix days bischet
Ac ȝete þai couþe litel þe bet,
Bot ich ȝou sigge verrament [ verrament: first e is superscript.]
Þai seyȝen in þe firmament[590]
A child in erþe biȝeten wes
Wiþouten ani mannes flesches,
¶ & þo þai com þe king bifore
Þai seyd a child on erþe was bore
Wiþouten mannes biȝeteing[595]
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.’[600]
Þe king was of þis tale bliþe
& dede priueliche xii swiþe -
Þat were departed þre & þre -
To wende about þat childe to sle
ȝiue þai him our finde miȝt [f.204vb] [Image] [605]
Þai no schuld lete for wrong no riȝt,
Þat þai schuld sodeinliche
Smite of his heued hastiliche
& no word no speke him to.
Þus bad him þis clerkes do[610]
For þai wende it were to her lere
ȝif þat child ȝeue answere.
Þis men on þe kinges sond
Went a four half Jnglond
Þre & þre bi four way[615]
Þat child to finde y ȝou say;
Þis clerkes of whom ich teld
Wiþ þe king weren atheld
For to wite ȝif it soþe were
Þat þai hadde him seyd þere -[620]
ȝif he founde wiþ hem lesing
Her liif were at þe ending. [MS: line copied at the foot of column, its position marked with a-b.]
Lete we þis clerk bihinde,
Þis xii went þe child to finde,
& are ich telle more ȝou[625]
Of þis romaunce, y wil now
Þat ȝe vnderstond & wite
Hou þis child was biȝete
On swiche maner & w[hat] he hete,
Now y pray ȝou listen skete.[630]
He þat was & is & ay schal ben
Chese him here a swete quen
In whom he nam flesche & bl[o]d
Wiþ wiche he bouȝt ous on þe rode
Whareþurth we ben to heuen ycorn[635]
& þe deuel his miȝt forlorn,
Blisced be he in euerich song
& Mari of whom he sprong.
¶ Listneþ wele to mi steuen:
Þe deuels þat fel out of heuen[640]
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!’[645]
So þai bileued euer mo
& forsoþe þai han power
Man to dere þere & here.
Y nil ȝou telle her priuete [f.205ra] [Image]
Bot þat longeþ now to me:[650]
Þe deuelen þat houen abouen ous
Euer be luxsorius
& oþerwhile makeþ hem body
Of þe aire wel gent & rody
& hauen miȝt & power[655]
Doun to liȝt & derien her
Al þo þat nillen wirche
Godes comandment in chirche,
Ac whilom more þan now
For þurth þe miȝt of swete Ihesu[660]
Mani of hem yfelled is -
Al hou y no may nouȝt tellen, ywis,
Mi matery wer to long
& þe tale to ȝou wel strong.
Ac þe deuelen of whom y said[665]
Seiȝe hou Ihesu of a maide
Þurth his milce was ybore
& bouȝt al þat was forlore,
Þerto þai hadden gret ond
& sayd þat þai wolden fond[670]
To ligge bi a maidenkin
& biȝeten a child her in
Swiche schuld acomber also fele
So þat oþer had brouȝt to wele.
Bi þat day was a riche man[675]
Þat hadde to wiue a fair wiman
Bi whom he hadde a sone fre
& wel fair douhtren þre;
A forseyd deuel liȝt adoun
& of þat wiif made a conioun[680]
To don alle his volunte
Wharþurth in hem he had entre
& brouȝt hem in chideing & fiȝt
& made hem oft wroþ, y pliȝt,
So þat on an euen late[685]
Þe deuel sche tauȝt hir biȝate;
Þat ich niȝt þe deuel com
& strangled hir owhen grom,
Þe wiif hir sone seiȝe ded amorwe
Anon sche heng hirself for sorwe,[690]
Þo þat þe bounde yseiȝe þis
Anon he starf for diol, ywis.
Lo what wo & diol & dere [f.205rb] [Image]
Dede wretþe & foule answere.
Al þe men ich ȝou say[695]
Þat woned in þat cuntray
Hereof hadden gret pite
Boþe vplond & in cite
For þat man & eke his wiif
Were yholden of gode liif.[700]
Biside þer woned an ermite
Þat þider com þis to visite, [ visite: MS reads viseite.]
Blasy, ywis, his name was,
Þo he seiȝe þis he seyd ‘Allas!’
& seyd it was verrament[705]
Þe deuels foule encumbrement.
¶ Þre douhtern he fonde oliue
& he hem dede ȝern schriue
Of alle þat he couþe enserche
Þurth þe lore of holy chirche[710]
& penaunce on hem layd
For þat þai hadde God ytrayd
& tauȝt hem to serue God almiȝt,
& þo he went hom ful riȝt;
Þis fair maidens þre[715]
Serued God wiþ hert fre
In grete drede & loue.
Þe deuel þat com fro aboue -
He þat was fram heuen yfalle
Of whom y spac tofor ȝou alle -[720]
Þo he nam lickenisse of man
& com him to an old wiman
& bihete hir ȝiftes & grete fe
To wende to þis sostren þre
& þe heldest to bichaunte[725]
ȝong mannes loue for to haunte.
In þis lond was þo vsage
Who so dede wiþ man vtrage
Bot it were in wedloc
In þilke time men hem tok[730]
Wiþ iuggement, wiþouten les,
& also quic doluen hes,
Bot sche hir knewe for liȝt woman
& comoun h[ore] to alle men -
Þan was it riȝt & lawe[735]
Þat sche no schuld ben yslawe.
¶ Þis eld wiif – þat iuel sche þe – [f.205va] [Image]
Com to þis sostren þre
& made wailing & michel fare
For þis þre maidens care,[740]
To þe eldest soster sche seyd
‘Wolewo! mi swete maide,
Þou hast fair fot & hond
& gentil viis bi Godes sond
White hond & long arm,[745]
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 & solas.’[750]
Þe maiden seyd ‘ȝiue so dede ic
Y schuld be doluen also quic.’
¶ ‘Nay certes,’ quaþ þat eld quen
‘Þou miȝt it do wiþouten den
ȝer & oþer in þi bedde[755]
& þan þe wil þat ȝong man wedde.’
Þurth þis quen verrament
& þe fendes enticement
Þe eldest soster, y ȝou say,
A ȝong man lete wiþ hir play,[760]
Ac þo hir liked alder best
Hir gamen com al to chest
For sche was nome & forþ ydrawe
& of hir dede sche was biknowe,
Þurth juggement doluen sche was.[765]
Mani man seyd ‘Allas allas!’
For her & for her elderlinges
Men made gret diol & wepeinges.
¶ ȝete wald þe deuel ful of ond
Þe midel soster a gile fond[770]
& brouȝt hir vp a ȝong man
Wiche þat wowen hir bigan;
Al his wille don him sche lete
& it was aperceiued skete
Sche was brouȝt bifor iustise[775]
Deþ to þoly in al wise.
Sche seyd sche was a liȝt woman
& comoun hore to alle man.
Of þat chaunce mani nam kepe
& wiþ eiȝen sore wepe[780]
For ribaudye gret haras [f.205vb] [Image]
Tofolwe[d] hir bodi – allas
Þat þe fende haþ swiche pouwer
To deri þat God bouȝt so dere.
Þe þridde soster was so wo[785]
Hir þouȝt hir hert brast atvo:
Hir moder was ded acurssedliche
& hir fader starf reuliche
& hir broþer yslawe also [ & added before rubricated h; broþer inserted superscript.]
& hir soster quic doluen þo [790] [ quic is superscript.]
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[795]
Þat hem com to visite,
To him sche went þo bliue
& hir schrof of hir liue
& alle þe chaunces teld also
Þat hir kin were comen to.[800]
¶ Þis hermite hadde wonder gret
& hir tauȝt boþe & hete
Haue euer Crist in mende
& lete þe lores of þe fende;
Pride wratþe & glotonie[805]
Niþe sleuþe & lecherie
Coueitise & trecherie
Bacbiteing & envie,
Swiche þinges he bad hir flen
& gode & bonair for to ben.[810]
Alle þe werkes þat gode ware
To don he hir tauȝt þare
& þat sche nere so michel ape
Þat sche hir laid doun to slape
Ar hir dore & hir fenester[815]
Hadde yblisced & ich ester -
Þus he tauȝt hir to done
& þo sche went hir hom sone.
Þe deuel hereof hadde ond
Þat hir to gile wold he fond [820] [ to is superscript.]
Þurth hir soster ich ȝou telle [ hir: MS reads his.]
Þat was his in flesche & felle.
Þis hore com opon a day
To hir soster par ma fay
& to hir soster sche gan sigge [f.206ra] [Image] [825]
Þat sche it schuld dere abigge
Þat sche hadde hir hiritage,
& ran to hir in gret rage
Wiþ herlotes þat wiþ hir ware
& sore bete þat wenche þare;[830]
Into a chaumber sche ran hir þo
& fast schett þe dore hir to,
Out sche gradde & neiȝebours come
& driuen oway þis wreches sone.
¶ Þis sely þing was al day wroþ[835]
Hir owen liif was hir loþ
On hir bed þo it was niȝt
Al ycloþed sche fel doun riȝt
& sche forȝat hir vnblisced
So þe hermite hir hadde ywissed,[840]
For wretþe sche þouȝt of blisseing non
& fel on slepe sone anon.
¶ Þe fende herof was ful bliþe
To hir he com þan swiþe,
Ouer alle hir chaumber in he miȝt[845]
For þer nas no merk of our driȝt,
To þis maiden sikerliche
He com þo & lay flescheliche.
Þis maiden sone þat hye awaked
Feld hir legges al naked[850]
& feled also bi her þi
Þat sche was yleyen bi,
Sche ros & fond hir dore loke
& noþing no was tobroke,
Sche þouȝt it was þe foule wiȝt þo,[855]
Sche was aferd, sche nist wat to do,
Hirselue sche bete & gan to tere
Wiþ boþe honden hir ȝalu here
& wepe al niȝt wiþ gret sorwe.
To þermite sche went amorwe[860]
& told him al þe cas,
He was sori & seyd, allas,
For sche no held nouȝt hir penance
Sche was fallen in encombraunce.
‘Allas sir,’ sche seyd þo[865]
‘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. [f.206rb] [Image]
Ich haue of þi tale gret meruaile,[870]
Siker, douhter, & y finde & 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[875]
& haue Crist in hert þin;
Do penaunce day & niȝt,
Serue Ihesu wiþ al þi miȝt,
He may ȝif his wille be
Out of anoye bring þe.’[880]
Hom sche went wiþ dreri mod
& serued God wiþ hert gode -
& euerich day þat biȝete
In hir wombe bigan to grete.
Hir no gett it nouȝt to hide[885]
For hir wombe wex vnride;
Þer sone after sche was ynome
& yladde to hir dome,
Sore miȝt hir agrise
Þo sche stode bifor þe iustise.[890]
¶ Þermite herd tellen þis
& þider he com anon, ywis.
Þe iustise him gan biþenche
& þus aposed þat wenche
‘O maiden, bi mi treuþe,[895]
Of þe ich haue gret reuþe,
Whi noldestow vnderstonde
Hou þi kin is brouȝt to schond
& ben out of þis world ywent?
& now þou hast þiseluen yschent[900]
Þat hast mannes flesche yknawe
& vnderfong oȝaines þe lawe,
Þis ich day þou schalt be slawe
For þat wil now þe lawe.’
¶ ‘Certes sir,’ sche seyd ‘nay,[905]
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.’[910]
¶ ‘Ey,’ quaþ þe iustise ‘swiche meruaile.
Þou lext, damisel, saun faile;
Þi tale soþe no miȝt be [f.206va] [Image]
Seþ þen wiþ child y þe se.’
‘Certes’ sche sayd ‘wiþ child icham[915]
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 -[920]
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[925]
For seþ þen þat Adam was & Eue
Child biȝeten wiþouten man
Herd y neuer bot of an
Þat was Ihesu our driȝt
Þurth God þe Fadres miȝt.[930]
& for þou seyst wiþ child þou art
& haddest neuer of man part
Ar ani man þe quic delue
Telle schul wiues tvelue
ȝif ani child may be made[935]
Wiþouten knoweing of mannes sade.’
Opon tvelue wiues it was ydo
& þai com & seyden þo
Þat neuer child biȝeten was
Bot Ihesu þurth Godes gras[940]
Wiþouten mannes flesche forsoþ
& þerto þai sworen her oþ.
Þo spac Blasy þermite
‘Iustise listen me a lite.
Hir tale no may sche avowe[945]
Vnder ous alle se we mowe,
Ich haue hir schriuen & tauȝt þe lawe,
To me no was sche neuer biknawe
Þat ani man to hir cam
Þat euer knewe hir licham.[950]
Þei sche haue serued to be spilt [ spilt: i is superscript.]
Þe child þerof haþ no gilt,
It were gret vnriȝt to to slon
& reuþe, for þe gilt of on,
Ac lete hir in ward don;[955]
Sche schal herafter child son,
Tvo ȝer & an half þan sche mot [f.206vb] [Image]
Þe child loke God it wot,
When þe child can go & speke
Þan ȝe may ben of hir awreke.’[960]
‘A min Dieu’ seyd þe justise
‘Þine tales ben gode & wise,
Þerafter now wirche ichille,
Today no schal hir no man spille.’
In a tour þai han hir do[965]
Þat no man miȝt hir com to
Bot an eld midwiif
Þat schuld ȝemen hir liif.
Þerin sche was don on hast
& þerin bischet ful fast,[970]
Þilke tour was swiþe heiȝe
No man miȝt comen hem neiȝe.
A windowe was þerin
& a cabel made bi gin
For to drawen vp al þing[975]
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[980]
Bot it was blacker
Þan anoþer & wel rower.
Þo þat child was ybore
Blasi stode þe hole bifore,
Bi þe rope þai it adoun let[985]
& 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.[990]
Þo þat child ycristned was
Blasi turned oȝain his pas
& in þe rope anon it knitt,
Þe howe wiif anon it fett
& ȝede & held it bi þe fer,[995]
Biheld his face & eke his cher
‘Away þou foule þing
Þat þi moder swiche ending
For þi sake haue schal
For þou art loþlich oueral.’[1000]
Þat child spac wiþ gret den [f.207ra] [Image]
‘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[1005]
& seyd ‘haue þou no power me to dere
Ich þe hals a Godes name.
On þat maner seyd his dame
& halsed him also þare
He schuld telle wat he ware[1010]
Ac þei þai it hadde al yswore
Þai no miȝt do him speke no more
& y ȝou telle anon saun fayl
Þai hadden þerof gret meruail,
& alle men þat herden it[1015]
Wonder hadde in her wit.
¶ Þerafterward ȝete half a ȝer
His moder held him bi þe fer
& swiþe bitter ters lete
& seyd ‘allas, mi sone swete,[1020]
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[1025]
Þe bidelue o non wise
No in erþe þi bodi reke
Þerwhiles y may gon & speke.’
¶ His moder wex a bliþe wiman -
Fram þat ich day after þan[1030]
He teld hir vnder sonne
Al þat sche wald conne.
Þo þat child couþe go
Þe iustise com þider þo
& dede feche þat wiman[1035]
Bifor þe pople riȝt onan
& swore ded sche schuld ben
Riȝt anon bi heuen-quen.
¶ Þo bispac Merlin childe
To þe iustise wordes milde[1040]
‘Man wele wot þat ani gode kan
Oȝain chaunce no may no man,
Þurth chaunce & eke þurth gras
In hir forsoþe pelt y was.’
Þe iustise biheld þat childe, [f.207rb] [Image] [1045]
For Merlin he was neiȝe wilde
& seyd ydoluen most sche ben.
Þo quaþ Merlin ‘so mot y þen
For al þat euer kanestow do
Schaltow it neuer bring þerto[1050]
Þat þou mi moder delue mow,
Bi resoun ichil wele avowe:
¶ A fende it was þat me biȝat
& pelt me in an holy fat;
He wende haue hadde an iuel fode[1055]
Ac al icham turned to gode,
Ac þurth kende of hem y can bo
Telle of þing þat is ago
& al þing þat is now
Whi it is & what & how,[1060]
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[1065]
Digner to be ded þan moder mine.’
¶ Hou noblelich þat child answerd
Wonder hadde þat it herd
Þat so couþe speke & go
& was bot of ȝeres tvo.[1070]
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[1075]
Men dede neuer bi hir folie.’
¶ Þe child seyd ‘justise held þi mouþe
Oþer y schal make it wide couþe
Of hir folis mani on;
Do hir after som man gon,[1080]
Bot ȝif y do hir it ben aknawe
Wiþ wild hors do me todrawe.’
Þe iustise anon raþe & skete
His moder þider feche he hete
Bifor him sche com wel sone[1085]
Þe justise seyd midydone
‘Say Merlin þat þou seydest arst
Bifor mi moder ȝif þou darst.’
‘Now ich jse sir iustise [f.207va] [Image]
Þine ordinaunce no be nouȝt wise,[1090]
ȝif ich telt þis men bifore
Hou þou were biȝeten & bore
Þi moder most ydoluen be
& þat were alle þurth þe.’
Þo þe iustise þis vnderstode[1095]
He þouȝt þat child couþe gode
Into a chaumber sone anon
Al þre þai gun to gon,
& þe iustise seyd þo
‘Child Merlin, forþ þou go,[1100]
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[1105]
& biȝat þe al agame.’
Þat leuedy seyd ‘þou misbiȝeten þing,
Þou hast ylowe a gret lesing,
His fader was a fair baroun,
Y telle þat man a conioun[1110]
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[1115]
Men for to 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[1120]
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[1125]
Þe persone in þine armes lay,
On þi dore þi lord gan knoke
& þou stirtest vp in þi smoke
Wel neiȝe wode for dred & howe,
Vp þou schotest a windowe[1130]
& þe persone þou out lete
& afterward þou schet it sket,
& forsoþe þat ich niȝt [f.207vb] [Image]
He biȝat þis ich kniȝt -
Hou seistow, dame, seystow auȝt?’[1135]
& sche no spac oȝain riȝt nauȝt
Ac so gretliche sche awondred was
Þat hir chaunged blod & fas.
Þe justise seyd ‘dame what seystow?’
‘Sir he seyt soþe bi Crist Ihesu[1140]
Þei ȝe me hong bi a cord
He no leiȝeþ neuer a word.’
Þe justise þo hadde no game
Ac neiȝe wode he was for schame,
Merlin him cleped to an herne[1145]
& to him told tales derne
‘Sir,’ he seyd ‘listen to me
For soþe ichil now tellen þe,
Lete þi moder wende hom
& sende þou after a litel grom[1150]
Þat hir cun wele aspie
For homward sche wil an heiȝe
& to þe persone sone say
Hou ichaue hem boþe biwray,
When þe persone haþ herd þis[1155]
Sore he worþ adrad, ywis,
Of schameful deþ to haue of þe,
To a brigge he wil fle
Into þe water scippe he wille
& so he schal himseluen spille -[1160]
Bot it be soþ þat y þe telle
Wiþ þine honden þou me aquelle.’
¶ Þe iustise dede saun fail
Al bi þat childes conseyl.
He it aspide bi on hewe,[1165]
Þe childes tale he fond al trewe,
& seþ þen he legged hir fore
Þe childes moder nas nouȝt forlore
& al quite he lete hir go
Wiþouten pain, wiþouten wo.[1170]
¶ Seþ þen Blasy þermite
Merlin com to visite
& halsed him a Godes name
Þat wiþouten harm & schame
He schuld him telle al þe cas[1175]
Hou he euer biȝeten was,
Merlin him teld ende & ord [f.208ra] [Image]
Of his biȝeteing euery word,
& seþ þen seyd to Blasy after
‘To kinges foure y worþ maister[1180]
Hem y mot ȝete alle rade
& þou schalt write her dade;
Þou schalt write þat y say
Mani man for to averray’ -
Þere he teld of mani a þing[1185]
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 & beld[1190]
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[1195]
Þo ich þre sechers snelle
Þat were ysent fram þe king
To hauen of þin child findeing
Comen al þre bi cas
Into þe toun þer Merlin was,[1200]
Merlin in þe strete þo pleyd
& on of his felawes hi[m tra]yd
Þat him seyd loude to
‘Foule schrewe, fram ous go.
Þou art al biȝeten amis,[1205]
Þou nost who þi fader is
Ac some deuel as ich wene
Þe biȝat ous euer to tene.’
¶ Merlin seiȝe þis & vnderstode
Þo þre it were þat souȝt his blod[1210]
Þat þo riden þerfor bi
Þat of þis child herden cri,
He seiȝe þat ich his hors wiþdrouȝ.
Merlin schoke his heued & louȝ;
He was of fiue winter eld[1215]
& 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[1220]
For to han min hert-blod, [f.208rb] [Image]
& 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,[1225]
& ȝif þai deden þai weren schent.’
Messangers to him gan terne
& he oȝaines hem fast gan erne
& on hem Merlin louȝ forsoþe
& seyd to hem ‘wel comeþ boþe.[1230]
Now ȝe haue yfounden me
Þat ȝou was hoten for to sle,
Ar ȝe wiþ me spak auȝt -
Þus ȝo was bihoten & tauȝt -
Mi blod to haue to þat werk[1235]
Þat schuld be so strong [&] sterk,
For mi blod no worþ it þe bet
Neuer more þe bet yset;
Ichil proue leiȝers þai beþ
Þat so bispoken mi deþ.[1240]
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[1245]
Þat þe seche for to slen,
& þe kinges priuete?
So ȝong þou art. Telle it me.’
Merlin seyd ‘wele y wot
Þe kinges conseyl eueri grot[1250]
& al þat on erþe worþ ydo
& al þat schal be don þerto.’
Þis men hadde wonder gret -
Him to sle it were vnnet.
Þe child seyd ‘nouȝt me no sleþ[1255]
For y schal scheld ȝou fram þe deþ
Bifor þe king, ich ȝou pliȝt,
& telle & schewe þe soþe riȝt
Why his werk mai nouȝt stond [ mai: MS reads mani.]
& of þe clerkes þat ben in bond[1260]
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 [f.208va] [Image] [1265]
‘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.’[1270]
‘Merlin’ anon he hem sede
‘Comeþ þider þer ich ȝou lede,
Mi moder ȝe schullen se
& wiþ þe soþe finde me.’
Þer he ledde hem bi heiȝe sonne[1275]
To his moder þer sche was nonne
Þat al þat soþe was biknawe
& euerich word hem teld arawe
Hou þat child fram þe justise,
Fram deþ, hir saued wiþ wordes wise.[1280]
Of þis sche told hem þus saun fayl
Þe kniȝtes hadden gret meruail.
& seþ þen in gret quiet & pays
He ledde hem to his maister Blays
Þat hem told & wittnes bar[1285]
Of al þing þat he seyd þar,
Merlin to Bla[si] þer meche seyd
Þat Blasi al in writt leyd.
Þat niȝt al þe messangers
Þai bileften to þe sopers,[1290]
Amorwe so we seþ in boke
Al fiue þer her leue toke
At þe nonne & at Blays
& went hem forþ wele at aise
Toward þe king þer he lay[1295]
So þat þai comen on a day
Þurth a toun, was chepeing,
& to selle mani a þing.
Þer Merlin houed & louȝ stille
& seiȝe hou men loued schon to selle,[1300]
Þe messanger made anon asking
Whi he made swiche leiȝeing,
Merlin seyd ‘no se ȝe nouȝt
Newe schon þat man haþ bouȝt
& strong clout-leþer hem to clout[1305]
& smere to smere hem al about?
He wenes to liue & hem tere
Ac bi mi soule y ȝou swere
His wreche liif he schal forlate [f.208vb] [Image]
Her he com to his owhen gate.’[1310]
Þe messangers herden þis
& wonder hadde þerof, ywis,
For sone þerafterward þai founde
Þat man ded opon a stounde.
Rest þai token þat ich niȝt,[1315]
Amorwe her way þai went forþ riȝt
& comen bi a chircheȝerd
& metten a bere to chirche-werd;
His bridel þer Merlin wiþdrouȝ
& swiþe schille & loude he louȝ,[1320]
Þe messangers bad him þo telle
Whi it was he louȝ so snelle,
He seyd he seiȝe wepe þat schuld sing
& sing þat schuld make wepeing
‘For þe prest þat singeþ þare[1325]
Biȝat þat child þat liþ on bare
He ouȝt for his sinne sori ben,
& þe bond þat ȝe ȝond sen
Þat so loude & sore ginneþ wepe
For blis he ouȝt to sing & lepe[1330]
For þe prestes sone is ded
Þat euer schuld haue don him qued.’
To þe moder þai gun gon
& þat soþe atoken anon;
Alle þe soþe sche gan hem say[1335]
& 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[1340]
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,[1345]
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,[1350]
For he is louely & of fair hewe
Our quen þat is vntrewe
& bad hir be hir leman [f.209ra] [Image]
For sche wend sche were a man.
Þis chaumberlain seyd þat he nold[1355]
Tresoun do for no gold
Wharþurth þe quen pleint made
To mi lord þe king & sade
Þat þurth fors hir chaumberlain [ fors: MS reads forþ.]
Wald haue hir forlain.[1360]
¶ Þe king for þis was swiþe wroþ
& wraþfulliche swore his oþ
"ȝif y may atake þis wrong
He worþ todrawe & tohong."
Now wendeþ toforn on of ȝou[1365]
& 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[1370]
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[1375]
& God þe loke in þi power
Saue & kepe þi miȝti hond.
Whe han went into al þis lond
To seche a child bi hest þine
Wiche men clepeþ Merlin,[1380]
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 & now is[1385]
& 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[1390]
Þat it may stond on þe pleyn,
& also of ȝour chaumberlain
Þat ȝe no schul sle no hong
For it were al wiþ wrong
To sle a woman for a man[1395]
Þat mannes cloþes haþ opan -
Bot ȝe him wiman finde [f.209rb] [Image]
ȝe schuld him hong bi þe winde.’
Fortiger awondred was
& al þo þat herd þis cas,[1400]
Þe chaumberleyn he ofsent anon
Þat in strong prisoun was ydon
He was despuled fram heued to grounde
Marked woman & maiden founde,
Þe king was wondred out of witt[1405]
& toke þe messanger bi þe slit
& 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[1410]
For he can telle & gabbe nouȝt
Of al þing þat haþ ben wrouȝt.’
& al he teld þer þe king [MS: lines 1413-6 positioned at the foot of the column, their position marked by .+.]
Of his biȝete, of his bereing
& whiche þinges he gan say[1415]
As he com bi þe way.
Þan seyd Fortiger þe bold
‘& it be soþe þat þou me told
Ichil þe ȝiue lond & plouȝ
& make þi felawes riche ynouȝ.’[1420]
He dede comand anonriȝt
Douke, erl, baroun & kniȝt
To diȝt her hors & make hem ȝare
Wiþ him oȝain Merlin to fare
& when it was wele wiþin niȝt[1425]
Wiþ Merlin he mett, apliȝt,
& when þe king wiþ Merlin mett
Wel hendelich he him gret
& þe king welcomed þat child
Wiþ fair wordes & wiþ mild,[1430]
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[1435]
Wel schortliche jch wil me spede.
Þai were at ese þat ich niȝt,
Amorwe þai went forþ ful riȝt
& to þe stede gun ten
Þer þe castel schuld ben,[1440]
Fortiger spac to Merlin [f.209va] [Image]
‘Tel me now sone mine
Whi no man no may her founde
Castel here opon þis grounde
& whi it is ybrouȝt to nouȝt[1445]
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 & stepe,[1450]
Vnder þat water ligge stones to
Brod & long þai ben bo,
Vnder þo stones beþ depe in mold
To dragouns fast yfold;
Þat on is white so milkes rem[1455]
Þat oþer is red so feris lem,
Wiþin þai brinneþ boþe
& beþ togider swiþe wroþe.
When þe sonne is doun euery niȝt
Togider þai fond for to fiȝt[1460]
& þurth þe strengþe of her blast
Al þi werk is doun ycast.
Þat iche þe say, now it serche
& þan mow þi werkmen werche
Castel & tour after þi wille[1465]
Þai mow stond long stille.’
Þe king was wondred of þis cas
& al þat euer mid him was,
Werkmen he dede anon
Þider feche mani on[1470]
Þat þer doluen in þe grounde
& sone þerafter a water founde
In whiche sone vnder hem alle
Þai maden to þicke walles
Þe water vp loden þo[1475]
Alway bi to & to.
Þo þai comen to þe grounde
To stones þicke þai founde
Þat ware boþe long & brode, [ ware: MS reads water.]
Hem bitven a gret schode[1480]
Of grauel & erþe also
Þat hem hadde schifted ato,
Mani on forsoþe þer were
Þo to stonnes for to arere.
Þo þe stones weren ywent [f.209vb] [Image] [1485]
To dragouns þer layen ybent
Þe tail vnder hem felfeld
As-so Merlin hadde yteld.
Þat on was rede so þe fer
Þe eiȝen so a bacine cler[1490]
Euerich powe a span long,
Þe fer out of his moþe sprong,
His tail was boþe long & gret,
A gastlich best he was to mete
He hadde a bodi as a whal; [1495] [Erasure after as.]
Þat oþer dragoun was al
Nouȝt so michel so þe rede,
& clowes he hadde qued
Hoked tail & mouþe wide,
Tong so a brenand glede,[1500]
A rugged taile so a fende
& an heued at þe ne[n]de.
Boþe þai gun arise,
Al þat hem seiȝe gun agrise;
Þer nas noiþer king no erl[1505]
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.[1510]
Þe dragouns arisen of her den
& no folwed neuer on þe men
Ac togider smiten anon.
Swiche batayl nas neuer non,
Þai kest fer on swiche maner[1515]
As al þe cuntre were afer,
Wiþ mouþe wiþ clowes & wiþ tayl
Þer þai maden a gret batail
Þe erþe quaked vnder hem þo,
Þe weder chaunged abouen also;[1520]
Þai biten & smiten & fer cast,
Þai fellen & risen & fouȝten fast.
Almest a day þis fiȝting
Last wiþouten ani resting
& þo þis more rede dragoun[1525]
Drof þis white fer adoun
Til þai com into o valaye
& þer þai gun to rest baye,
Ich vnderstond so long a while [f.210ra] [Image]
While men miȝt gon a mile;[1530]
Þe white pere arered miȝt
& gan eft wiþ þe rede fiȝt
& þe rede he drof oȝain
Til þai com to þe playn,
Þe white dragoun wiþ gret main[1535]
Þe rede drof, þat men it sayn,
& þe rede adoun cast
Þat wiþ strengþe of his blast
Þe white brent þan rede
Þat of him nas founden a schrede[1540]
Bot dust, forsoþe ich saye,
& þe white fleiȝe oway -
Nist neuer seþ þen man
Whiderwardes he bicam.
Alle þat euer seiȝe þis[1545]
Wonder hadde gret, ywis,
Of þe dragouns þat fouȝten þo
& of child Merlin also
Þat he couþe so priue þing
Soþe schewen to þe king.[1550]
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[1555]
On me lowe swiche lesing
& y schal asken hem wharefore
Mi blod þai wold haue forlore.’
‘Certes’ quaþ king Fortiger
‘It schal be don wiþouten danger[1560]
Y schal þe don after mi miȝt
Al þi wille & þat is riȝt.’
Þe king anon wiþ his men
Sent after þis clerkes ten,
Þo þai com bifor Merlin[1565]
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 & stedefast,[1570]
Þe clerkes spoken to þe child
Dradefullich wiþ wordes milde
‘We seiȝen’ he seyd ‘heraboue [f.210rb] [Image]
Ouer ous a sky houe
Þat ous schewed þe biȝate[1575]
Of sw[iche] a þing on erþe late
Þurth was blod þe castel
Schuld stond fair & wel
Þis we wenden verrament -
Do wiþ ous al þi talent.’[1580]
‘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[1585]
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.’[1590]
Þe king it al hem graunted raþe
& hye him al ‘merci’ quaþe.
¶ Þo þe king & child Merlin
& euerich went vnto his in,
Merlin bileft wiþ Fortiger[1595]
Ich vnderstond al þat ȝere
Bi whos conseyl & rede & witt
Þe castel was maked in a fit
Heiȝe & strong of trewe & ston,
Swiche nas in þis lond non.[1600]
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[1605]
Sum tokening þerafter schuld falle;
Merlin com tofor þe king
& al þai asked him of þat þing,
Whi þe dragouns togider fouȝt;
It bitokned sumwhat hem þouȝt.[1610]
Merlin made sumdel danger
& þo bispac him Fortiger
‘Merlin bot þou it me telle
Ichil þe do anon quelle.’
Quaþ Merlin ‘y sigge, apliȝt,[1615]
ȝif þou me slouȝ it were vnriȝt
Ac þei þou haddest nome an hond [f.210va] [Image]
Me to sle or don in bond
Þou miȝtest fayle verrament
So doþ mani of his talent,[1620]
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 & noþing lyȝe[1625]
What þe dragouns signifie.’
Þat gentil folk & eke þe king
Awondred of his answering.
¶ Þe king swore opon a boke
Þat he nold him neuer harm loke[1630]
& seþ þen 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[1635]
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[1640]
Token þou hast made flem
Þe riȝt aires out of þe rem
In cite, toun & in feld
& al þe men þat wiþ hem held.
¶ Þe white dragoun signifie[1645]
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
& recouerd miȝt, y say,[1650]
Bitokneþ þe air þe se biȝounde
Þat haþ gret socour yfounde
& is hiderward wiþ mani kniȝt
Diȝt oȝaines þe to fiȝt;
Þat þe white drof oȝain[1655]
Þe rede riȝt to þe plain [ rede: MS reads white.]
& him þere adoun cast
& al tofrust him wiþ his blast
Bitokneþ þe air of þis lond
Þat schal þe keuer into his hond[1660]
& into þi castel driue; [f.210vb] [Image]
Wiþ þine children & þi wiue
& mani noble of þine menne
He schal wiþ þe þerin brenne.
Þe tayle of þe dragoun rede[1665]
Þat is so long & so vnrede
Signifieþe þe wicke stren
Þat schal com out of þi kin
& of þi wiues fader Angys
Þat schal be ded & lesen his pris;[1670]
His kin & eke þin
Schal don wo to Bretouns kin.
Þe heued of þe white tayle
Signifieþ gret conseyle
Þat schul held wiþ þe kinges blod[1675]
Of þe gentil men & gode.
Sir, forsoþe þis is þe tokening
Of þe dragouns fiȝting,
Puruay þe now, ich þe rede,
Þer is comen gret ferrede.’[1680]
Þo agros sir Fortiger,
Bot his lippe & hong his cher
& to Merlin seyd anon
‘Þou most ous teche hou to don
Oȝaines our fomen for to ware[1685]
Oþer of þi liif þou art al bare.’
Anon þai wold him han ynome
Ac þai nist where he was bicome.
Þe king & his folk also
Þerfore made michel wo,[1690]
Þai him souȝt & nouȝt him founde.
He was oway in a stounde
Vnto his maister Blasy
& þer he told him sikerly
Of þe dragouns rede & white[1695]
& Blasy dede it al in write.
He told him of þe rede dragoun
Swiþe michel confvsyoun
Of him & of his fals stren
In Jnglond þat schuld ben[1700]
Mani sori chaunce & hard
Þat sone þer fel þerafterward [ þer: er underdotted; superscript t above.]
Sum fel now late also
& sum beþ nouȝt ȝete ago.
For it is alle þester þing [f.211ra] [Image] [1705]
Nil ich make þerof no telling
Ac forþ ichil wiþ mi tale.
Listneþ now gret & smale.
Miri time it is in May
Þan wexeþ along þe day,[1710]
Floures schewen her borioun;
Miri it is in feld & toun,
Foules miri in wode gredeþ, [ gredeþ: r is superscript.]
Damisels carols ledeþ.
A baroun com to Fortiger[1715]
Þer he sat at his diner
& seyd ‘allas, mi lord þe king,
Y sigge þe an hard tiding,
Orpedlich þou þe bistere
& þi lond þou fond to were.[1720]
Vter Pendragoun & mani anoþer
& Aurilis Brosias his broþer -
Pople boþe gret & smale
Wiþ hem is comen wiþouten tale -
At Winchester þai ben almast.[1725]
Sir, þine help now on hast.
Socour about now after sende -
Þai ben here neiȝe at þine hende -
Þat þou miȝtest oȝain hem fiȝt
& hem to sle anon doun riȝt.’[1730]
¶ Vp him stirt sir Fortiger
& ofcleped his chaunceler
Þat letters fele him made, ywis,
Vnto his eldfader sir Angys,
To erls, doukes & to kniȝtes[1735]
Þat were of swiþe gret miȝtes;
Þe buriays of Winchester he gret
& bad þai schuld þe gates schet
& helden wele her leute
& to him loke þat cite,[1740]
ȝif þai wold his loue winne,
Þat his fon no com þerinne,
& seyd he wald hem com to
As swiþe as he miȝt it do.
¶ To Fortiger þai comen anon[1745]
Erls, barouns euerichon,
Angys his eldfader cam
& wiþ him wel mani a man,
Amirayls & doukes heiȝe [f.211rb] [Image]
Þat in batayle were sleiȝe,[1750]
Mani þousand þer were bi tale
Boþe of gret & of smale;
Þo þai togider weren ycome
Her conseyl was sone ynome
Wiþouten let forþ to wende[1755]
Her fomen for to schende
Þat þai no entred in þe lond
Harm to don oþer schond.
¶ Vp þai lift gomfaynoun
& went to Winchester toun;[1760]
Vter Pendragoun & his ferrede
To Winchester þai gun spede
Wiþ so michel pople of men
Þat þai wreȝen doun & den
Þat come boþe bi water & lond[1765]
For to winnen Jnglond,
Þai vndede her gomfaynoun
Wiþ a briȝt gliderand lyoun
Þat her faders hadde yben.
Þe buriays it gun ysen,[1770]
Þe gomfaynoun sone þai knewe,
Costaunce ded þo gun hem rewe
Þat hadde her noble lord yben
& Moynes ded þat was his stren
& wist wele þat king wiþ wrong[1775]
Sir Fortiger hadde ben long
Þat cursed was in liif & dede,
& al þat held his f[e]rrede.
Þer þai spoken hem bitvene
For liif for dede no for tene[1780]
& þei þai alle hong schold
Wiþ Fortiger be þai nold
& turned hem al bi on acord
To Vter Pendragoun her lord;
Þe gates al þai deden vp wide[1785]
& lete al þe folk in ride,
Hem & al her ferrade
Þai welcomed wiþ chere glade
& hem del[i]uerd þe toun als snel
& hemselue & þe castel -[1790]
What þurth þanke & frende gret
Þai wonnen þer þat hem was net.
Fortiger þat comend was [f.211va] [Image]
Sone was told him þat cas
He was neiȝe wode out of wit[1795]
& seyd it schulde hem iuel atsit,
Swiþe he heiȝed wiþ al his men,
& Vter Pendragoun hem oȝen
& desplayd his gomfaynoun
A litel wiþouten Winchester toun[1800]
Þat ich oþer folk yseyȝe
Þai were neiȝed so neiȝe;
Of þis lond baroun & kniȝt
Of þe lyoun hadden a siȝt
King Costaunce þat hadde yben[1805]
& Vter Pendragoun was his stren,
Anon turned her mode
To Vter Pendragounes riȝt blod.
¶ Þer was þousandes mani on
Opon Fortiger þai turned anon[1810]
& seyd to him ‘wicke traytour
Þou schald abigge þine errour.’
Fortiger his swerd out drouȝ
& mani of hem þer he slouȝ -
Wiþ gret ire þai run him on -[1815]
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 & slouȝ adoun riȝt.[1820]
To his help þer com Angys
Wiþ mani Sarraȝin of priis
Þat wise wordes couþe speke
Stedes prike & launces breke;
Þe barouns þai bisett anon[1825]
For to 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[1830]
& seyd ‘welcome, air of þis lond,
No duelle her nouȝt for Cristes hond,
For loue of þi fader fre
& for drede eke of þe
Þe barouns ben to þe went[1835]
& for þi loue almest yschent,
For Fortiger & eke Angys [f.211vb] [Image]
Hem han al biloken, ywis,
& þenke hem sle to grounde
ȝif þou duellest ani stounde.’[1840]
‘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 & kniȝt[1845]
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.[1850]
Þer was sone verrament
ȝouen mani noble dent,
Schaft tobroken & swerd ydrawe,
Mani noble kniȝt yslawe
& þer fauȝt sir Vter Pendragon,[1855]
Fauȝt þer as a wode lyoun,
& his broþer nouȝt forȝat,
He leyd on mani a sori flat;
Sum he cleue to þe bacin
Til þat he com to þe chin,[1860]
He hadde of some sone þe heued [ þe heued: MS reads y weued.]
Fram þe nek-bon yreued,
Þer was slayn mani men
Sum on hille & sum in den,
Ac þei Fortiger were gode kniȝt [1865] [ Fortiger: ger added by another hand.]
& wele him couþe helpen in fiȝt
Þurth þe barouns of þe lond
& oþer men miȝti of hond
He was þere ydriuen so neiȝe
Wiþ his men oway he fleiȝe[1870]
Vnto his newe castel ymade
Of whom ich toforn sade.
Aurilis Brosias þer anon
& his broþer Vter Pendragon
Þere hem wroken swiþe wel[1875]
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[1880]
Into a castel of lime & ston [f.212ra] [Image]
Þat man no miȝt him dery non,
Þat bihinde was yfounde
Anon was ybrouȝt to grounde.
Þan Vter Pendragoun þere[1885]
Folwed after Fortiger,
Þo þai to þe castel ȝates come
Wilde fer anon þai nome,
Opon þe gates þai kesten it
& hem brend in litel fit;[1890]
Fortiger & wiif & child
Brent þer in þat fer wild
& al þat þer was yfounde
Was ybrent into þe grounde.
Men seyt ȝere & oþer to[1895]
Wrong wil an hond go
& euer at þe nende
Wrong wil wende;
Þus ended sir Fortiger
Þat misbileued a fewe ȝer -[1900]
Þei he wer strong of miȝt
To nouȝt him brouȝt his vnriȝt.
Sir Vter Pendragoun
Wiþ his folk went anon [ folk: written twice, the second crossed through.]
For to bisege þe king Angis[1905]
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[1910]
Þat hadde ben wiþ Fortiger
& seyd to Vter Pendragoun þer
Al hou Merlin was ybore
& hou messangers him ȝede fore,
Hou he was brouȝt bifor þe king[1915]
& hou he couþe tellen al þing,
Hou þe dragouns vnder mold
Ben þe kinges deþ it schold
& hou Fortiger him wold haue nome
Ac he nist where he was bicome,[1920]
& seyd ‘sir, verrament,
ȝif he were here in present
Bi his conseyl ȝe schuld anon
Angys ouercomen & slon.’
Herof awondred Vter Pendragon [f.212rb] [Image] [1925]
& sent messangers anon
For to finde Merlin swiþe,
Þai wenten forþ wiþ chere bliþe.
On a day þis messanger
Sett hem alle to þe diner,[1930]
A begger þer com in
Wiþ a long berd on his chin
A staf in his hond he hadde
& schon on his fet badde.
Wiþ his scholder he gan roue[1935]
& bad gode for Godes loue,
Þai seyd he schuld nouȝt haue
Bot strokes & bismare,
Þe eld man seyd anon
‘ȝe be nice euerichon[1940]
Þat sitten here & scorn me
In þe kinges nedes þat schuld be
For to finde Merlin child,
Þe barouns ben witles & wilde
Þat senten men him seche[1945]
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.[1950]
Biddeþ him & þe barouns fiue
Þai comen & speke wiþ him bliue
& siggeþ Merlin wil hem abide
In þe forest here beside.’
Þo he hadde seyd hem þis[1955]
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,[1960]
Hom þai went anonriȝt
& to þe prince þai teld þer siȝt,
Vter Pendragoun had meruaile
& al þat herden it saun faile
Þai hadden wille & talent fin[1965]
To sen & speke wiþ Merlin;
He bad Aurilis Brosias gent
To þe sege take entent
Þat Angys no miȝt oway [f.212va] [Image]
Noþer bi niȝt no bi day[1970]
Ar he war of him awreke
For he wald wiþ Merlin speke.
Aurilis Brosias bileft stille
To kepe Angys in þe castil
& sir Vter Pendragon[1975]
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,[1980]
& eft a chapman þat bar his pac
& long wiþ þe prin[c]e spac
& seyd of Merlin openliche
He wald him telle neweliche,
& afterward a fair swain[1985]
Þat þe king com ogain
& seyd him þat ich niȝt
He schuld of Merlin han a siȝt.
¶ Þo it was wel fer in niȝt
Merlin com to him ypliȝt[1990]
In þe gise of a swain
Þat he hadde arst ysain
& seyd so we finde in boke
To þe prince ‘God þe loke.
Icham Merlin, leue sire,[1995]
Wiþ whom to speke þou hast desire.’
Vp stirt Vter Pendragon
& biclept Merlin anon
& bad he schuld wiþ him bilaue
& al his wille he schuld haue,[2000]
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[2005]
Angys slayn, y þe pliȝt.’
Vter Pendragon made joie þan
So doþ þe foule when it dawy gan
Al þat þer was so made blis
& amorwe went hom, ywis,[2010]
& founden Angys yslawe,
His heued vp set his bodi todrawe,
Al his folk so was schilt [f.212vb] [Image]
& neuer on þer nas spilt.
Sir Vter Pendragon þere[2015]
Asked Aurilis Brosias hou it were.
‘Certes’ seyd Aurilis Brosias ‘toniȝt
A swain com to me ful riȝt
& hastiliche warned me
Þat Angys com me to sle,[2020]
Vp ich stirt & him met
& to þe grounde ichim stet.
Y not who him on brouȝt
No what Deuel he here souȝt
Ac wiþ mi swerd scharp of egge[2025]
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[2030]
Þat here stont now bi me.’
& he him þonked wiþ hert fre
& proferd him al his þing
To ben vnder his ȝemeing.
Also þai spac wiþ Merlin[2035]
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[2040]
Þat þai schuld wende anon
Bi þe princes leue ichon
& so þai deden bi Godes sond,
Alle þai wenten to her lond.
& alle þe lond þo com anon[2045]
& maked her oþ to Vter Pendragon
& þo þe oþ was ymade [Erasure after þe.]
Bi comoun dome, bi comoun rade,
Vter Pendragon coroun nam
& king of Jnglond bicam.[2050]
Þe fest of þe corounment
In Winchester was verrament
& held it ful seuen niȝt
Þe fest noble, apliȝt.
Ac ich ȝou telle þat Merlin[2055]
To Aurilis Brosias hadde hert fin
& loued better his litel to [f.213ra] [Image]
Þan al þat oþer bodi þo.
Ac ich ȝou telle naþeles
A swiþe gode kniȝt he wes;[2060]
He forsoke scheld no spere
Neuer oȝaines kniȝt to bere,
Wiþ swerd he couþe kerue wel
Boþe in yren & in stiel.
Ac forsoþe afterward[2065]
Vp him com a chaunce hard:
Of Danmark Sarraȝins
Þat were of Angys lins
Þat hem souȝt gret helping
About hem of mani king -[2070]
So michel pople wiþ hem com
Þat it no miȝt telle no man -
Wiþ fele schippes & gret ynowe
Vp þai comen at Bristowe.
Merlin þis wist anon[2075]
& seyd to Vter Pendragon
& to his broþer also
& teld to hem boþe to
‘Y ȝou telle saun fayle
Vp ȝou is comen a strong batayle[2080]
Of Sarraȝins of michel priss
For to awreke þe douke Angys.
In þis lond bi our day
So michel folk nas neuer y say,
Ac ȝour on wiþouten les[2085]
Worþ yslawe in þat pres
Ac ich ȝou telle who so it is
Schal wende into heuen-blis
Þerfore no fors no makeþ [ fors: MS reads forþ.]
Ac gode hert to ȝou takeþ;[2090]
¶ 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[2095]
Þou schalt wende bi þe se
& þer þou þe conteyn so
Þat þou hem wirche deþes wo.’
For noþing he nold say
Whiche of hem schuld day.[2100]
As he hem bad þai deden so, [f.213rb] [Image]
Her folk departed atvo,
Vter Pendragon wiþ mani man
Anon þe Sarraȝins ȝede oȝan
& also sone so he hem mett[2105]
Wiþ swerd & 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,[2110]
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[2115]
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[2120]
& 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 & wiþ talent fin[2125]
He smot opon a Sarraȝin,
He & al his felawered
Þer þai deden noble dede -
Al þat euer wald ariue
Þai binomen day o liue.[2130]
Vter Pendragon so hard hem held
Þat þai wiþ strengþe lete þe feld
& Aurilis Brosias hem held so hard
Þat he hem brouȝt oȝanward,
& þo þai noure fle miȝt[2135]
Wiþ Aurilis Brosias þai gun fiȝt
& so fele about him were
His liif þai binomen him þere;
Ac þo Vter Pendragon vnderstode
His broþer deþ he wex ner wode,[2140]
Þo he bisouȝt his doukes fiȝt
& him bistired þo as a kniȝt
Þat of þritti þousand & mo
No lete þai fiue oway go.
Of our wer slawe þan anon [f.213va] [Image] [2145]
Þre þousend & ten & 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,[2150]
Þe blod ouerran þe cuntraye
Oueral in þe valaye.
So it fel to þe niȝt
Vter Pendragon com fram þe fiȝt,
Doukes, kinges & barouns,[2155]
Orped squiers & garsouns
Hom went to her in,
Bi rede amorwe of Merlin
Aurilis Bros[i]as out þai souȝt
& richelich in erþe him brouȝt.[2160]
Þan he was helden a douhti kniȝt
& ful wele held his lond to riȝt;
Here he liued seþ þen ȝeres fele
In miche pride & gret wele,
Fer & neiȝe, wide & side,[2165]
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 & stern was,[2170]
Þurth his miȝt also he wan
Þe douhti king Harinan
& of him he hadde first Gascoyne
& Normondye & Boloyne
& al þe marche to Paito[2175]
& Chaumpeine & eke Ango.
Þis ich king Harinan
To wiue had a fair wiman,
Sche hiȝt Ygerne wiþouten no,
Þe fairest lif þat liued þo.[2180]
Þe douke Hoel of Cornewaile
Spoused hir after him saun fayl
Þurth whom seþ þen his liif he les -
ȝe schul seþ þen here in pes.
¶ ȝete hadde Vter Pendragon[2185]
Wonne to him þe king Ban
& Bohort his broþer also -
Better bodis no miȝt non go.
King Ban hadde to his demeyne [f.213vb] [Image]
Þe cite of Benoit of lasse Breteyne [2190] [Second of is superscript.]
Wiþ cites & borwes, castels & pleyns,
& Bohort hadde þe cite of Gaines
Wiþ al þe riȝt þat longed þerto
& þus þai hadde schift atvo.
¶ & afterward, wiþouten fable,[2195]
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,[2200]
At þat table non sitt miȝt
Bot he were noble & douhti kniȝt,
Strong & hende, hardi & wise,
Certes & trewe wiþouten feyntise.
Her non oþer schuld faile[2205]
No neuer fle out of bataile
Whiles he on fot stond miȝt
Bot ȝif hem departed þe niȝt,
At bataile & at bord also
Bi hemselue þai schuld go -[2210]
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[2215]
Ac it to ende hade he no miȝt [ hade: MS reads haue.]
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[2220]
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[2225]
So sparc of fer & in hem ran,
Our king Vter Pendragon
Lete bede wel mani a man
Doukes, kniȝtes, erls & king,
To Cardoil to his gestening;[2230]
Swiche was his won, apliȝt,
To helden ful seuen niȝt
& euerich wiþ him schuld bring [f.214ra] [Image]
His leuedi to þat gestening.
Fram Kent to Norþhumberlond[2235]
Fram Wales & fram Scotlond
Baroun, erl, douke & kniȝt
To þat fest com, apliȝt.
¶ In þat time was ded Hoel,
& þe noble baroun Tintagel[2240]
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,[2245]
Men hem bi þe hond ynome
& ledden hem bifor þe king,
He made hem fair welcoming.
Ac þo he seiȝe þat leuedi briȝt
His hert was chaunged, apliȝt,[2250]
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[2255]
Fair onourd in leaute;
Þe king þe douke sett aboue
Toforn al oþer for her loue,
Alder next his side he sat
& of his dische & plater at.[2260]
Þis ich douke Tintagel
Hadde a boteler hiȝt Bretel
Þat him serued day & niȝt
At his bord so it was riȝt,
Ygerne hadde a chaumberlains,[2265]
A gentil man þat hiȝt Jurdains.
Þe king at his mete sat,
Michel he þouȝt & litel he at;
He tok a coupe in his hond
Þat was worþ a schire of lond[2270]
& seyd ‘Bretel þou com me ner,
Þis to Ygerne þi leuedi ber.
Bid hir drink þis licour
& do þe coupe in hir tresour.’
Bretel tok þe coupe anon[2275]
Bifor his leuedi he gan gon,
On his knewe he him sett [f.214rb] [Image]
& on þe kinges halue hir gret
& seyd ‘dame, þe king þe sent -
& drinkeþ to þe – a fair present;[2280]
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[2285]
To þe king Vter Pendragon,
Say y nil nouȝt it take at o word [ nouȝt: MS reads nouit.]
Wiþouten leue of mi lord
Þat ich þis present vnderfong,
ȝif ich dede it were wrong.’[2290]
Bretel went oȝain anon
& seyd to Vter Pendragon.
Þo he hadde it yseyd
Þe king sore was amayd,
Ac after sche it nam on hast[2295]
Þurth hir owhen lordes hest.
Vlfin þerof was messanger -
He was þe kinges conseyler.
Vnneþe sche it nim wold
Ac þo sche algat schold,[2300]
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[2305]
To douk, baroun & 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.[2310]
Anon after þo leuedis alle
Were ofsent into þe halle,
Þe king toke Ygerne bi þe hond,
Þe fairest leuedi of þis lond,
& sett hir bi him on þe benche,[2315]
Win & piment he dede senche;
Oþer kinges & doukes heiȝe
Token oþer leuedis sleiȝe
Togider hem set & made solas.
Þe king bisouȝt Ygerne of gras[2320]
Þat sche schold ben his lef, [f.214va] [Image]
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[2325]
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.[2330]
Þo þai were al at aise
Ich went to his in apaise;
Ac ich ȝou telle þo at arst
Þe king neiȝe for loue brast
Ac no man nist of his pin[2335]
Bot his conseiler Vlfin
Þat bad him nouȝt care biginne,
He schuld wele hir loue winne.
Tintagel & eke Ygerne
To her in went ful ȝerne.[2340]
Þe leuedi toke þan þe kniȝt
& into chaumber went ful riȝt,
Toforn him aknewes sche fel
& seyd ‘lord, ȝif it be þi wille
Þat þou wost hennes wende.[2345]
Þe king is about, me to schende;
Þe worþschip þat he doþ to þe
Al is for to schende me.
He haþ me of vilanie bisouȝt
Me to aforce is in his þouȝt.’[2350]
Þo þe douke þis vnderstode
For wretþe he wex neiȝe wode,
He hadde in toun v hundred kniȝtes,
He hem ofsent anonriȝtes
& told hem þis vilainie[2355]
& seyd he wald hom an heiȝe.
He bad hem trosse & make ȝare,
Ar day he wold homward fare
For he hadde leuer dye in fiȝt
Þan schond þoli & vnriȝt.[2360]
His kniȝtes to him ȝeuen asent
& trossed swiþe verrament;
Bi þat it was liȝt o day
Þai weren al ywent oway
Þe douke, þe leuedi & his kniȝt. [f.214vb] [Image] [2365]
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 for to do.[2370]
Þo he was cloþed he com adoun
Sikeende & romende vp & doun.
Afterward com in anon
Barouns & leuedis mani on,
To chirche þai ȝede more & lasse[2375]
For to heren þer her messe,
Ac al þai loked swiþe ȝerne
After Tintagel & Ygerne.
Þo þe messe was ysonge
Þe king spac wiþ his tonge[2380]
‘Where is þe douke Tintagel?
Icham adrad him is nouȝt wel.’
‘Certes sir’ quaþ a kniȝt
‘He is went homward toniȝt
Wiþ wiif & kniȝtes to his lond.’[2385]
‘Eye’ quaþ þe king ‘þat is me schond.
Þef! He haþ broken mi statout;
He schal abigge wiþouten dout.’
His statout was & his lawe
Þat non no schuld in seuen dawe[2390]
Þat were of priis oþer of noblay
Fram þat fest wende oway
Bot it were bi þe kinges wille
& who so dede he schuld spille.
Þo þe king vnderstode[2395]
Þe douke ywent he was neiȝe wode,
Of þat despite pleynt he made
& to his folk seþ þen he sade
Þat he was digne to dye anon
Þat swiche despite hadde ydon.[2400]
Þe king him diȝt in a stounde
& þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde -
Þe noblest men þat were oliue -
& riche kinges tvo & fiue,
Noble kinges of þis lond[2405]
Al wonnen vnder his hond,
Wiþ mani erl, baroun & kniȝt
Armed went anonriȝt [catchword: þe douke tintagel.]
Þe douke Tintagel to nime [f.215ra] [Image]
So þe kinges wiþ þerwine;[2410]
Ac þe douke Tintagel
Þis bifore wist it wel,
He hadde sent fer & neiȝe
After frendes & souders sleiȝe, [The letter r in both frendes and souders is superscript.]
Fiftene þousand kniȝtes hende,[2415]
Þat schuld his lond help to defende;
Naþeles oȝain þe king
Þai no hadde power in fiȝting -
At cite borwe & castel
Þai were astored swiþe wel.[2420]
¶ Þe king com wiþ his barnage
& tounes brent in gret rage,
He bilay him swiþe long
& men slouȝ – it was wiþ wrong.
Þe douke himselue Tintagel[2425]
Lay in a swiþe strong castel,
Our king Vter Pendragon
Him asailed & ek his men
Wiþ heweing & wiþ mineinge
& wiþ mangunels casteinge[2430]
Ac Tintagel þat hende kniȝt
His castel wered wele, apliȝt,
& þennes ouer miles þre
Lay Ygerne so fair & fre
In a castel, a roche of ston – [2435] [ a roche: MS reads of roche.]
Man no miȝt hir dery non;
Iurdains & eke Bretel
Boþe were wiþ Tintagel
& al þat miȝt armes bere [ armes: r is superscript.]
To helpen him his castel to were.[2440]
Þe king him hadde wel long ylay
& was ful of wretþe & tray
Þat he no miȝt him nim anon
& sike he was in euerich bon
For loue of þe cuntasse[2445]
Gode he no couþe more no lasse.
On a day it bifel so:
Vter Pendragon was swiþe wo,
Vlfin he tok his chaumberlain
& went to plaien him on þe plain;[2450]
An beggere þere he mett
Þat þe king wel fair gret,
For Godes loue þat bad him gode, [f.215rb] [Image]
Þe king answerd wiþ dreri mode
‘Beggere’ he seyd ‘so mot y liue[2455]
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[2460]
Of þis begger aposseing
Þat dar so speke to a king?’
Vlfin þe begger biheld on
& him knewe wel sone anon
Bi his semblaunt & winking[2465]
Þat he made opon þe king
& seyd ‘sir par ma fay,
Þis is a begger of noblay;
Þou miȝt be þerof ful fawe
It is Merlin, þat þou schalt knawe.’[2470]
His semblaunt turned anon Merlin.
Þe king þo hadde joie fin,
Of his hors sone he liȝt
& kist Merlin anonriȝt
So dede Vlfin also,[2475]
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.[2480]
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
& þou schalt haue whatow wilt ȝerne -[2485]
Do me to haue swete Ygerne.’ [ me: at the end of line in darker ink; point of insertion marked.]
‘Wiltow me ȝiue’ quaþ Merlin
‘Al þe biȝete þat schal be þine
& þou hir haue ar day?’
‘ȝa’ quaþ þe king ‘par ma fay.’[2490]
‘Now’ quaþ Merlin ‘þi pais þou held
& ar day þou schalt hir weld.’
Þe king was swiþe bliþe þo,
To his pauiloun he gan go,
At þe soper þai were glade[2495]
Michel ioie & mirþe þai made.
Ar it day were Merlin hete [f.215va] [Image]
Þe kinges men arm hem skete
& bisett þat castel
Where þe douke was Tintagel[2500]
& tauȝt hem gin & eke way
Þe castel to win ar ani day.
Þai went al to þis asailing
Bot Vlfin & Merlin & þe king
At hom bileued & bispake[2505]
Hou þai miȝt of loue take;
Merlin bad Vlfin & þe king
Riden wiþ him wiþouten duelling
So þai deden & riden ȝerne
Toward þe castel þer was Ygerne.[2510]
Þo þai þe castel were neiȝe
Merlin kidde þat he was sleiȝe,
Herbes he souȝt & fond
& gnidded hem bitvix his hond,
Þe king he smerd viis & liche[2515]
& made þe king Tintagel liche;
Himseluen he made like Jurdains
Þat was þe lordes chaumberlains;
Vlfin he made liche Bretel,
& went þo to þe castel.[2520]
On þe gate loude þai bete
Seriaunce com & hem in lete.
Þai wende it were her seygnour
& ladde him in wiþ gret honour
For swiche was cloþ bodi & fas,[2525]
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 -[2530]
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[2535]
& 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[2540]
Þer was biȝeten hem bitven [f.215vb] [Image]
King Arthour þat noble stren.
Þerafter in a litel þrawe
A cri þer com her lord was slawe,
Þo com Merlin to his bed[2545]
‘Arise vp for it is nede
& þine men þou schewe þe to.
Men seyt þou art to deþ ydo.’
Vp strit þo þe king,
He no made þer no duelling[2550]
So we finden on þe boke.
He kist þe leuedi & leue he toke,
Into halle he com wel swiþe.
Al þat folk of him was bliþe
For þai wende forsoþe þere[2555]
Þair owhen lord þat it were;
Þe messanger was foule yschent
Þat to hem brouȝt þat present
& oft ycleped foule leiȝer,
Wiþ gret oþes he gan him swere[2560]
& seyd he was in þe plas
Þo þe castel ynomen was
& al þat folk he herd waile
For þat erl of Cornwaile.
¶ Þe king asked his destrer red[2565]
& 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[2570]
Þe doukes man Tintagel
Com fleinde fram þe castel.
Þo þe leuedi herd þis
Wo was hir liif, ywis,
For hir lord Tintagel;[2575]
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.[2580]
¶ 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,
& seþ þen he wesche hem boþe to [f.216ra] [Image] [2585]
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,[2590]
Þerof forsoþe our king
Ioie made wiþouten lesing.
Long þerafterward verrament
Was ymade acordement
Bitvene Ygerne & þe king[2595]
Þurth heiȝe mennes conseyling;
& þo was iugged wiþouten faile
Bi heiȝe mennes conseyl,
Þe king was iugged Ygerne to spouse;
Þerof Ygerne was ioiouse.[2600]
¶ King Nanters of Garlot
Þer nam Blasine, God it wot,
Ygerns douhter bi Hoel,
Hir lord was bifor Tintagel,
In whom he biȝat Galaas[2605]
Þat strong & hardi & noble was.
¶ King Lot þer nam Belisent
Also Ygerns douhter gent
In whom he seþ þe biȝat Wawein
& Guerehes & Agreuein[2610]
& 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[2615]
Hende & noble & kniȝt certeyns -
Þese þre sustren were bi Hoel;
¶ & oþer mo bi Tintagel
Þat elleswhere were to loke
So we finde writen in boke.[2620]
Al four made spouseing
Togider & swiþe fair gestening.
Þer was justes & turnamens
Swiþe noble verramens,
Þe fest lasted fourten niȝt[2625]
To al þat euer come, ypliȝt.
¶ Þo þe fest was ydo
Merlin com þe king to
& seyd he hadde do þe dede [f.216rb] [Image]
Of gode conseyl & wise rede[2630]
& 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[2635]
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;[2640]
Þat schaltow hir hot, ywis,
So sone so it born is
It be yborn to þe gate
& ȝouen whom men findeþ þerat,
Þer man schal yfinde me[2645]
To fong þat child þat is so fre.
Þou hast a baroun in þi lond
Of gentil blod & miȝti hond
Þat is Antour þi baroun heye
Þat is a man of gret noblay,[2650]
In þis lond nis swiche blode [Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979) places lines 2651-2 after 2454.]
No milk þat haþ half so gode;
Þou hast biȝeten a noble stren [Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979) amends to: Þat haþ biȝeten a noble quen.]
& sche is wiþ child so is þe quen,
Pray Antour wiþ wordes milde[2655]
Þe milke he ȝiue to þi childe [ he: originally sche, sc underdotted.]
& ȝif he þerof ȝiue graunt
Our Lord y take to waraunt
Þi child worþ þe noblest man
Of al þis world an for an -[2660]
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,[2665]
Þe quen agros & was adrad
& seyd ‘lord wiþ child ich am,
Not ich neuer who is þe man;
Biȝeten it was þat ich þrawe
Þat mi lord was yslawe,[2670]
So mot ich proue, & y the,
Y wend mi lord it hadde ybe.
Do wiþ me what þi wille is; [f.216va] [Image]
Þe soþe ich haue yseyd, ywis.’
‘Dame,’ he seyd ‘no drede nouȝt þe[2675]
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
& ȝiue it whom þou findeþ þerat,[2680]
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[2685]
& o[f]sent sir Antour of gret los,
Þo he was comen þe king him nam
& al his men ladde him fram
& gan his priuete vnhele,
& þat he it schuld hele;[2690]
He seyd he hadde biȝeten a child
& teld him hou wiþ tale milde
‘Late’ he seyd ‘þi wiif it loke,
Of hir milk & ȝiue it souke,
& þou schalt haue riche mede[2695]
Brod londes & 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,[2700]
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[2705]
& dede þat child cristen Arthour.
After he went swiþe
& bar it to sir Antoris wiue.
A-childbed he hir fond
& tok it hir in þe hond[2710]
& bad it hir loke wiþ mild mode
‘Þi mede schal be riche & gode.’
Merlin went anon oway
No seiȝe no man him after, mani a day.
Antors wiif child hete Cay,[2715]
Sche dede it fram hir oway
& lete souke Artouret. [f.216vb] [Image]
Þat milk was wel bisett:
He wex fair & wele yþei
& was a child of gret noblay;[2720]
He was curteys hende & gent
& wiȝt & hardi verrament,
Curteyslich & fair he spac,
Wiþ him was non iuel lac.
His fader he miȝt oft ysen[2725]
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,[2730]
Ac his fader wele he wende
Were Antour þe kniȝt hende.
His moder starf so God wold
& richeliche was brouȝt in mold,
Afterward long þe king[2735]
In bedde fel in gret sekeling
& was ycomen riȝt to his fin.
Riȝt þo bifor him stode Merlin,
Þe king quiked anonriȝt
Þo he had of Merlin siȝt,[2740]
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,[2745]
& wenden into heuen-blis.
Þi sone after worþ king [ worþ: r is superscript.]
Bi Godes grace & min helping,
Bi wos day worþ don alle
Þe meruails of þe sengreal.’[2750]
Þe king herof lete ful gode
& þonked God wiþ mild mode.
¶ Merlin fram him went oway,
Þe king starf þat ich day.
For him wepen lowe & heiȝe[2755]
Swiþe sore wiþ her eiȝe,
Þe holy bischop þat hiȝt Brice
For him dede þe office,
In erþe he was sikerliche
Layd swiþe nobeliche.[2760]
After his enterement [f.217ra] [Image]
Þai gan make a parlement
To whiche parlement was yfet
Al þat hadde power gret
Of þis lond al about;[2765]
Þider com wel gret rout
Of kinges, erls, baroun & kniȝt
Princes, doukes mani, ypliȝt,
Non no wist hem among
Þat Arthour of þe king sprong[2770]
Bot sir Antor & sir Vlfin
& þe gode clerk Merlin,
Ac for in spouse he nas biȝete
No man no most it wite.
Þis parlement last mani a day[2775]
To chese a king of gret noblay,
To þe heiȝe & to þe lawe
To gouern hem in her lawe,
Ac þai no miȝt nouȝt acord
For ich of hem wold be lord,[2780]
Þis last half ȝer so
Þat þai no miȝt comen at on þo.
On Cristenmesse-euen þe bischop Brice
Kid þat he nas nouȝt nice,
Þer he was among hem alle[2785]
Þis wise he gan hem calle
‘Lordinges’ he seyd ‘ȝe no may acord
For to chese ȝou a lord,
Þerfore y pray for loue of Crist
Wircheþ now bi gin & list -[2790]
It is a wel gode time, apliȝt.
To chirche goþ al toniȝt
& pray to Crist so gode & fre
A king ous sende þat bihouesum be
To þe riȝt oȝains þe wrong,[2795]
He graunt to chesen ous among
& þat we haue þerof tokening
Tomorwe at our seruise ending
& þat it so miȝt ben.’
& euerichon seyden ‘Amen.’[2800]
Þus þer ȝede more & lasse
Aniȝt to chirche amorwe to masse
& maden solempne bisecheinge
For to haue a riȝtful kinge.
& þo þe seruise don was [f.217rb] [Image] [2805]
Outward þai wenten her pas;
Tofor þe chirche dore þai founde
A ston stonden on þe grounde
Long & heiȝe forsoþe to say,
Þerin a swerd of gret noblay.[2810]
King & douke, baroun & kniȝt,
Ich hadde wonder of þat siȝt;
Þe bischop com & it seyȝe
& þonked Ihesu Crist on heiȝe.
Ichil wele þat ȝe it wite[2815]
On þe pomel was ywrite
‘Icham yhot Estalibore
Vnto a king fair tresore.’
On Jnglis is þis writeing
‘Kerue stiel & iren & al þing.’[2820]
Þe bischop seyd to hem anon
‘Þis swerd who drawe of þe ston
He schal be our king ymade
Bi Godes wille & our rade.’
Þai ȝaue al herto concentement.[2825]
King Lot proued verrament
Out it to drawe anonriȝt
Ac he no miȝt for alle his miȝt,
King Nanters no king Clarion
No miȝt it drawe out of þe ston[2830]
No no gentil man of priis
No miȝt it ones stiren, ywis.
Þider com ich noble blod
& to Candelmesse þer it stode.
Al þat was born in Jnglond[2835]
On þis swerd cast his hond
Ac for liif no for deþe
Þai no miȝt it stir vnneþe,
Þer it stode til Ester-tide;
Þiderto comen men ful wide[2840]
Fram þis half se & eke biȝonde
& nouȝt þai sped bi Godes sond,
& ȝete it stode to Pentecost;
Þer com þider mani an ost
To turnaien in þat tide[2845]
Almost fast þerbiside.
Kay his sone, sir Antour,
Him made kniȝt wiþ gret honour -
Þis Kay it was þat nas nouȝt late [f.217va] [Image]
For to souken his moder tate[2850]
Ac Arturet forsoþe it seke
Þat bicom mild & meke.
Kay was swiþe noble kniȝt,
Ac he stamered a litel wiȝt
Þat he it hadde in nortoure [2855] [ it written superscript.]
Þurth þe norices coure.
Arthour had serued Lot
Swiþe long wele y wot,
¶ Ac þo Cay was kniȝt ymade
Sir Antor ȝaf to Kay rade[2860]
For to ofsende Arthour oȝein
For to make of him his swain
For he was hardi trewe & trest,
Of al þis lond & ȝong man best.
Kay was swiþe wele ypaid,[2865]
Al was don þat Antor seyd.
Arthour com hom & was wiþ Kay,
& went hem to þat turnay.
Þer Kay contend him, apliȝt,
So a wele doinde kniȝt,[2870]
Boþe at side & at ende
He feld kniȝtes swiþe hende;
¶ Þo he com amidward
About he leyd on so hard
Þat his swerd brast atvo,[2875]
Anon he bad Arthour þo
‘To mi leuedi swiþe hende,
Anoþer swerd bid hir me sende.’
& so he dede wiþouten abode
Swiftliche hom he rode,[2880]
His leuedi finde he no miȝt
Oȝain he went anonriȝt
¶ & to þe swerd in þe ston
Wel riȝt he gan for to gon.
No man was þer verrament[2885]
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[2890]
His hors he lepe vp anon,
To þe turnay he com son
& seyd ‘haue þis swerd, sir Kay, [f.217vb] [Image]
Þi leuedi finden y no may.’
Kay þis swerd wele knewe, ywis,[2895]
To Arthour he seyd ‘where hadestow þis?’
‘Certes’ quaþ Arthour ‘herbi ȝonde
In a ston ich it fond.’
Arthour no seiȝe it neuer ar
No wist neuer why it stode þar.[2900]
Sir Kay seyd þo to Arthour
‘Telle it to no man, par amour,
Þat þou þis swerd out droue
& þou schal haue gode ynouȝ.’
Arthour seyd ‘certes nay.’[2905]
Forþ went anon sir Kay
& ledde his fader sir Antour
To þe chirche of seyn Sauour
& seyd ‘Ichaue þis swerd out drawe,
Þat ich be king it is lawe.’[2910]
Sir Antor biheld þat sword
& seyd at þe first word
‘Þou gabbest me bi God aboue.
ȝif þou say soþ eft þou it proue
For bifor þis heiȝe men[2915]
Þou most it pelt in oȝen
& bot þou miȝtest drawe it out
Þe wold schame berd & snout.’
¶ Þai wenten boþe to þe ston
& Kay pelt it in anon,[2920]
Ac þei he war strong & wiȝt
Drawe it out he no miȝt.
Þo bispac him sir Antour
‘Telle me sone, par amour,
Who it was þis swerd out drouȝ.’[2925]
& þo stode sir Kay & louȝ
‘Sir,’ he seyd ‘bi Godes sond
Arthour toke it me in hond.’
Antor cleped Arthour þo
& dede him to þe ston go[2930]
& boþe swiþe & eke soft
In & out he pelt it oft;
Antor was herof ful bliþe
& drouȝ Arthour to chirche swiþe
& seyd to him priueliche þo[2935]
‘Arthour listen now me to,
Seþ þen þou were born verrament [f.218ra] [Image]
Ich haue ȝouen þe norisement.’
& þer he teld him al þe cas
Hou he biȝeten & born was,[2940]
Hou his fader was þe king
& hou þurth his bisecheing
‘Kay mi sone a norice y toke
& þou mi wiues tate soke.’
Þo seyd Antor ‘nim coure[2945]
Mi sone þou art þurth nortoure.
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 -[2950]
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[2955]
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[2960]
In nesse, in hard, y pray þe nowe
In al stedes þou him avowe,
& y schal þe help in þis nede
Þurth Godes help þat þou schalt spede.’
¶ Þo bispac him sir Arthour[2965]
‘Y graunt þi wil sir Antour
Þat Kay þi sone be mi steward,
Y schal him avowe in nesse & hard;
When ich euer faile Kay,
Crist me forȝete þat day.[2970]
Forþ ȝede Antor anonriȝt
& sir Arthour made kniȝt;
First he fond him cloþ & cradel
Þo he fond him stede & sadel,
Helme & brini & hauberioun,[2975]
Gaumbers quissers & aketoun,
Quarre scheld, gode swerd of stiel
& launce stef biteand wel,
Þer he ȝaue him anonriȝtes
To his seruise fourti kniȝtes,[2980]
Amorwe þai went to turnament [f.218rb] [Image]
& so þer dede verrament
Þat ich day sir Arthour
Þe los he bar & þe honour.
Amorwe Antor þat was nouȝt nice[2985]
Went to þe bischop Brice
& teld him he wist a kniȝt
Boþe gent & noble, apliȝt,
‘Þat schuld be our king wiþ lawe
For he may þat swerd out drawe.’[2990]
¶ Þe bischop was herof bliþe
& sent after Arthour swiþe,
Toforn al þe heiȝe of þe lond
Arthour tok þe swerd in hond
He drouȝ it out & pelt oȝen.[2995]
Wonder hadde mani men
For no man stiren it no miȝt
Bot he on, y ȝou pliȝt.
King & erls wiþouten dout
Þer gun him anon rebout[3000]
For to 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[3005]
Þat he was king chosen þo
& þer was boden to his gestening
Mani prince & mani king,
Al þat euer com wold
At seyn Jon tide com schold.[3010]
Merlin com hem bitven
Sir Arthour þe prince to sen
Of whos come miche blis
Sir Arthour made, ywis,
Swiþe anon hete Merlin[3015]
Men schuld ofsende þe douke Vlfin
Sir Jordains & sir Bretel
Þat hadde yben wiþ Tintagel.
Al þre þai comen swiþe,
Merlin was þerof wel bliþe.[3020]
Merlin seyd ‘Y wil ȝe wite
Hou þat Arthour was biȝete.’
Þer he told hem ende & ord
Of his biȝete eueri word
Wharof Vlfin wittnes bar [f.218va] [Image] [3025]
& seyd certes þat he was þar [ certes: r is superscript.]
& Antor bar witnesse þerto
& seyd þe king him seyd so.
Þo loued Jordains & sir Bretel
Sir Arthour wiþ hert lel [3030] [ Arthour: r is superscript.]
For loue of Ygerne fre
Her leuedi þat hadde ybe,
His men þo þai bicomen swiþe
To help him vp deþe & liue.
Þis barouns & eke Merlin[3035]
Wenten to þe bischopes in
& al him teld fair & ȝerne
Hou Arthour was biȝeten of Ygerne,
Þe bischop þonked God so gode
Þat he was of þe kinges blode.[3040]
¶ 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[3045]
Boþe in jren & in stiel
& loke þat ichon held wiþ oþer
As ich man schal wiþ his broþer
For ich ȝou bihot al þe honour
Schal bileue wiþ ȝou & wiþ Arthour.’[3050]
Þar þai biheten þat non nold [ biheten: i is altered from e.]
Oþer fail for no gold,
Þe bischop seyd his helping
He schuld haue in al þing.
What helpeþ it make tale long?[3055]
Þai hem poruaid alle among
Swiþe redi alle þing
Þat schuld to þat coroning.
Mirie it is in time of June
When fenel hongeþ abrod in toun[3060]
Violet & rose flour
Woneþ þan in maidens bour;
Þe sonne is hot þe day is long
Foules make miri song. [ Foules: MS reads Fouleþ.]
King Arthour bar coroun[3065]
In Cardoile þat noble toun.
King Lot þat spoused Belisent
Com to þis coronment -
He held þe lond of Lyoneis [f.218vb] [Image]
Man wel strong & curteys -[3070]
Wiþ fiue hundred noble kniȝtes
Hardi & strong & leue to fiȝtes.
King Nanters com, God it wot,
Þat held þe lond of Garlot,
Swiþe noble man & wiȝt[3075]
& wele couþe fende him in fiȝt,
He hadde yspoused Blasine
Arthours soster fair & dine.
Seuen hundred kniȝtes y telle þe
He brouȝt wiþ him of meyne,[3080]
Of noble destre[r]s & stede
Þat swiþe gode were at nede.
¶ King Vrien com þerto,
Þe þridde suster hadde also,
Þe lond of Gorre he held, ywis;[3085]
He was ȝong man of noble pris
XX þousand (&) he brouȝt & fiue
No better kniȝtes nere oliue.
¶ Þer com ȝete king Carodas
Þe king of Strangore he was[3090]
A swiþe miȝti man of mounde
& kniȝt of þe tabel rounde;
Þei he fer hadde yride
VI hundred kniȝtes he brouȝt him mide
Þat wele couþe juste in feld[3095]
Wiþ stef launce vnder scheld.
¶ ȝete þer com king Yder,
King of þe marche of gret pouwer,
Wiþ him he brouȝt þritti score
Wiȝt kniȝtes him bifore.[3100]
¶ Þer com king Angvisant
King he was of Scotlant,
Of al þe sex he was richest
Of grete power & ȝongest;
V hundred he brouȝt wiþ him, ywis,[3105]
Wiȝt & strong kniȝtes & al Scottis.
& mani oþer bi souþe & bi est
Þider com to þat fest,
King & baroun, y ȝou say,
Welcomed hem wiþ gret noblay;[3110]
Biforn hem al þe bischop Brice
Arthour crouned & dede þe office.
Þo þe seruise ydon was [f.219ra] [Image]
To mete þai turned her pas.
Þai founde al redi cloþ & bord[3115]
Vp first ȝede þe heiȝest lord
Men hem serued of gret plente
Mete & drink of gret deynte.
Þer was venisoun of hert & bors,
Swannes, pecokes & botors,[3120]
Of fesaunce, pertris & of crane
Þer was plente & no wane;
Þer was piment & clare
To heiȝe lordinges & to meyne;
Þai hadden also noble seruise[3125]
So ani man couþe devise.
Þo þai hadde y-eten alle,
Heiȝe & lowe in þe halle,
To ȝeuen ȝiftes sir Arthour aros
To heiȝe men of grete los[3130]
& to haue of hem vmage
So it was riȝt & her vssage.
As he was fair doinde þis
King Lot, king Nanters & oþer of priss
Of his ȝiftes spite hadden[3135]
& his coroun anon wiþradden.
¶ Vp þai sterten wiþ gret bost,
Euerich king wiþ al his ost,
& seyd an herlot for noþing
No schuld neuer ben her king[3140]
& þouȝt wiþ gret deshonour
For to misdo sir Arthour,
Ac Arthour men bitven þrest.
Forþ com Merlin in þat chest
& seyd he nas harlot non[3145]
Ac nobler þan her ani on;
Þer he teld, al hem bifore,
Hou Arthour was biȝeten & bore.
Þe wise men of þat lond
Þonked Ihesu Cristes sond[3150]
Þat her king schuld ben
Of Vter Pendragouns stren;
Þe barouns seyd to Merlin [ barouns: s is superscript.]
‘He was founde þurth wiching þin,
Traitour’ þai seyd ‘verrament[3155]
For al þine enchauntement
No schal neuer no hores stren [f.219rb] [Image]
Our king no heued ben
Ac he schal sterue riȝt anon’ -
Toward þe king & gun gon.[3160]
Þe king was armed swiþe wel
& alle his frende in iren [&] stiel,
Oȝain wiþstonden nobliche
& al out driuen sikerliche
Wiþ swerdes & kniues sone anon[3165]
Out of halle þe kinges fon.
Þe sex kinges were wel wroþe
& al her barouns sworen her oþe
No schuld þai neuer tviis eten
Er þai of Arthour were awreken[3170]
& swiþe telt her pauiloun
A litel wiþouten Cardoil toun.
¶ Þe bischop stode on þe castel wal
& gan to preche to hem alle
& seyd Arthour was kinges stren[3175]
Of king biȝeten & born of quen;
Þe king it wist in his liue,
Blisced his child & bad him þriue
& tok him to sir Antour
To norice wiþ gret honour;[3180]
ȝif þai wisten neiȝer blod
To make him king it nar nouȝt gode
‘Ac for he is king & kinges sone
Y cors al mididone
His enemis wiþ Cristes mouþe[3185]
Bi est, bi west, bi norþ & souþe.’
‘Tprut!’ þai seyden euerichon.
Merlin went adoun anon
& Arthours frende anonriȝt
He told, heiȝe & lowe, ypliȝt,[3190]
Four þousand among hem he fond
Hardi & noble & wiȝt of hond
Ac alle it were forsoþe fotmen
Bot fiftene score & ten;
Þe oþer were so gret rout[3195]
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,[3200]
¶ Merlin made enchauntement [f.219va] [Image]
& kest gret encumberment
Into þe pauilouns, wild fer [ pauilouns: MS seems to read pauilonis.]
Þat brent briȝt so candel cler,
& seyd to hem euerichon[3205]
‘Now sle swiþe ȝour fon.’
Forþ þai went on hors gode
To þe pauilouns þat on fer stode
& on her fomen smiten anon,
O liue þai reften mani on[3210]
Wiþ scharpe speres & swe[r]des kene;
Tventi score & fiftene
O liue-dawe þai brouȝten þere
Er þai wist where þai were,
For her witt was oway go[3215]
For þe fer þat brent so.
& þe oþer her wit binam fulliche
Þat com on hem so sodanliche.
Þer were so fele naþeles
Þat litel sen þe slauȝter wes[3220]
Ac þurth þis encumbrement
Þai flowen alle verrament
Til þai com fer oway
A mile þennes in o valay;
Þer wiþstode þis sex kinges[3225]
Oȝain Arthour wiþ fiȝtinges,
& her folke wenten oȝen,
Mo þan ten þousand of men,
Fram þis contek þat were ascaped,
Sore adrad & awaped.[3230]
¶ Þe kinges gadred hem togider alle
& seyd gret schame hem was bifalle
Þat Arthour wiþ a litel punay
Hadde ydriuen hem oway,
Euerich to oþer þus made his mon[3235]
ȝif þai were of Arthour on
Awreken alle þai hadde wonne,
Alle þai swore bi mone & sonne
Hye schulden abigge þat ich striif -
& went oȝain als biliif.[3240]
¶ Nanter þe king of Garlot
Biforn he went, God it wot;
He was a wele limed kniȝt,
Hardi & strong & wise in fiȝt,
A stef launce he bar an hond; [f.219vb] [Image] [3245]
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)[3250]
Þe stede he smot & he forþ glode
Oȝaines þe king Nanters he rode.
Nanters him mett amid þe feld
& hitt Arthour on þe schelde
Þat his launce gan to riue[3255]
& tobrast on peces fiue,
¶ Arthour smot so Nanters þo
Þat his scheld brak atvo
& of his hors so him cast
Þat almast his nek tobrast.[3260]
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[3265]
& 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.[3270]
¶ So astoned was king Lot
He lese his sadel, God it wot,
& ouer þe croupe of his stede
To grounde he fel þat he gan blede.
Arthour aforced, him to dere,[3275]
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,[3280]
A kniȝt he toke wiþ þe egge
Þat him clef heued & rigge
Into þe sadel so seyt þe bok;
Al he hirt þat he toke,
So sore he leyd on al aboute[3285]
Þat þai his dintes gun doute.
Þis to kinges weren arisen
Þat were first of him agrisen;
Þai & her feren four [f.220ra] [Image]
Wiþ four launces smiten Arthour[3290]
Al at ones – þat was no glewe -
& Arthour stede adoun þrewe,
Þe king bineþen þe stede aboue;
Forsoþe sir Arthour was aswowe.
Sir Antour al þis ysay,[3295]
Bretel, Vlfin & sir Kay,
Þai com swiþe to þis rideing
For to helpen her king;
Kay ful riȝt bigan to bere
To king Angvisaunt a spere,[3300]
He smot him þurthout þe scheld
& his hauber felefeld
& þurth his scholder an ellen long
& of his hors to grounde he þrong,
& ȝete he feld verrament[3305]
King Carodas wiþ þat dent -
Þat was a dint of gret mounde
Þat tvay kinges þrewe to grounde.
Vlfin & Nanters met þo
Þat her launces brosten atvo.[3310]
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[3315]
To grounde bar of his destrer,
Bretel & king Vrien
Her launces brust hem bitven,
Þerwhiles king Lot wiþ gret rout
To sle Arthour he was about.[3320]
Kay his steward yseiȝe þis,
He was neiȝe of his witt, ywis;
Wiþ his swerd he gan him stere
His ȝong lord for to were,
Wiþ pure strengþe of swerdes dint[3325]
King Lot he feld verrament
& was about him to slen
Ac oþer stirt hem bitven.
Þer kidde Kay þat he was wiȝt
For he no feined neuer of fiȝt[3330]
Til þat Arthour, y ȝou pliȝt,
Was opon his stede diȝt,
& þo he was opon his stede [f.220rb] [Image]
Wiþ swerd he gan about rede,
Sum he binam scholder & arm[3335]
& 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[3340]
Helden wiþ king Arthour
& dede him wel gret honour
Wiþ axes, staues & wiþ bowe,
Dede so þat alle þe oþer flowe,
& þis kinges flowen also.[3345]
Arthour after hem gan to go
& so he rode wel fele he feld
Þat no more no tale teld,
He ouertok þe king Yder
& wold him heued wiþ his swerd cler[3350]
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[3355]
& halp him oway wiþ þe liue,
Ac ich ȝou swere in þat rideing
Þai lauȝt woundes wel sore biteing,
Yder þai keuerd naþeles,
& þo he brouȝt on hors wes[3360]
Þai flowen also swiþe anon
As her steden miȝten gon
& swore al wiþ wordes flegge
King Arthour it schuld abigge.
King Arthour þo went oȝen,[3365]
Togider he gadred al his men
& depar[te]de wiþ hem þe tresour
Þat he wan, wiþ gret honour,
& þo he þonked þe king of glorie
Þat him hadde ȝouen þe victorie[3370]
To ouercomen his fomen.
Into Cardoil he went oȝen
& held fest noble & gent
Wiþ his meyne verrament
Of al þat euer wald þider gon,[3375]
Curteyseliche were ressaiued anon;
Þis fest last fourteniȝt [f.220va] [Image]
Þat was riche & noble, apliȝt.
¶ Þo þe fest was ydo
Merlin com þe king to[3380]
To Londen he bad him heiȝe
& þer schewe his curteisie
& when he com þer saun fayl
He wold him schewe gret conseil
Ac nouȝt ar he had fest ymade[3385]
To al þe lond & made ful glade.
King Arthour dede his conseyl
& went to Londen saun fail
Where þe king sir Arthour
Was afong wiþ gre[t] honour.[3390]
Sone after seyn Jones misse
Þe king lete bidden more & lesse
Into Londen to his fest,
Swiche he made & held onest
Þurth þe conseyl of Merlin;[3395]
He seriaunted þo þurth him -
Merlin tok þo to ich mester
Þat sleiȝe were & of power.
Þo drouȝ bi half þe clerk Merlin
Þe king Arthour & eke Vlfin[3400]
& Bretel & sir Antour
& Kay þe steward of valour
& seyd ‘listen to me now,
For soþe ichil telle ȝou:
XI kinges & doukes on[3405]
Han ysworn Arthour to slon
Swiche is now her parlement
Now in þe marche verrament,
Oȝaines hem ȝe no haue no miȝt
Bot ȝe hauen help to fiȝt;[3410]
Y wil ȝou telle what do ȝe mote
ȝif ȝe wil finden bote.
Mi lord Vter Pendragon
Wan vnder him þe king Ban
& his broþer Bohort also.[3415]
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.[3420]
ȝe mot hem sigge verrament [f.220vb] [Image]
Þat he vnto þis parlement
Wiþouten abod wel swiþe come
To don vmage Arthour his sone;
Þai wil comen anon, y wot,[3425]
& help þe oȝain king Lot
& elleswhere [wiþ] her power,
ȝou worþ to hem wel gret mister,
Herafterward par ma fay -
Ichil ȝou tel som day.[3430]
Þis message sir Vlfin
Þou most bere bi conseil min
& þi fere schal be sir Bretel.
Loke ȝe ben atired wel
Wiþ gode armes on gode stede,[3435]
Þerto ȝou worþ a litel nede
Ar ȝe comen oȝain to ous -
Now heiȝeþ ȝou for loue of Ihesus.’
Al þis hem liked wel
& sir Vlfin & sir Bretel[3440]
Wele hem atired sikerliche
& went forþ wel hastiliche.
Þo þai com þe se biȝounde
A gret wildernisse þai founde
Bitven Fraunce & Breteyne,[3445]
Þai seiȝe mani mounteyn & pleine,
Þo þai seiȝe a litel hem aboue
Seuen kniȝtes y-armed come
Of wiche to her steden smiten
& to hemward gun priken[3450]
Wiþ loude cri & bad hem ȝeld.
Bretel tok his launce & scheld,
Þat o kniȝt sone he mett
& wiþ his scharp launce him gret;
He bar him þurth þe þrote anon[3455]
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;[3460]
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 & strong, [f.221ra] [Image] [3465]
Wiþ a launce gret & long
Þat on he bar þurth scheld & hat
Þat neuer seþ þen mete no at.
Þe oþer oȝain Vlfin brac his spere
Ac he no miȝt Vlfin dere.[3470]
Vlfin him ȝaue a din[t] of wo
Þurthout þe membre & sadel also,
Stede & kniȝt ouerþrewe anon;
Þe kniȝt brast his nek-bon,
Vlfines launce tobrac.[3475]
Þe þre come þo gret rac
Þe oþer foure for to wreken,
Þe þre gun her launces breken
& her noiþer hirt nouȝt;
Bretel kidde þat he was auȝt,[3480]
His swerd he drouȝ, þat on he hit,
His heued fram þe bodi he kit;
Þat oþer oftoke sir Vlfin
& so him hit on þe bacin
Þat he him cleue to þe toþ,[3485]
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.[3490]
Þis ich kniȝtes four & þre
Wiþ Claudas hadde ybe,
Wiþ Claudas hadde werred oȝan
Þe king Bohort & þe king Ban;
Claudas was þo ouercome,[3495]
Priueliche & went to Rome
Him to puruay sum socour
To wreke him of his deshonour.
Þerwhile þo kniȝtes, cert,
Were ywent into desert[3500]
To libben bi her robrie -
Ac þer hem fel gret vilanie.
Þerafter Vlfin forþ him rode
& eke Bretel wiþouten abod,
No lete þai neuer jornaying[3505]
Til þai com to Ban þe king
& þo he com bifor Ban
Þus his wordes he bigan
‘Ihesus Crist heuen-king [f.221rb] [Image]
Þe loke, sir Ban þe king[3510]
& þi meine so gent & 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[3515]
& is departed þurth Godes red,
King is made his sone Arthour
& þe greteþ wiþ gret honour
& bad þe & þi broþer gent [ þi: MS reads his.]
Com to his parlement[3520]
For to wite & vnderstond
Of þe lawes of his lond.’
¶ King Ban wiþ noble cher
Welcomed þo messanger
& seyd her wil do he wold[3525]
& his broþer also schold.
Þe messangers þo he made
Wele at ese wiþ gret ferrade;
Bohort þer after swiþe he sent,
Bi on asent & swiþe went[3530]
Into þis lond wiþ mani fair
For to se þe kinges air.
In euerich toun fram Portesmouþe
To Londen of gret valoure
Men made song & hopinges[3535]
Oȝain þe come of þis kinges.
No was wonded for drie no wete
Þat in lond eueri strete [ in: MS reads ir.]
Was bihonged ich say forsoþ
Wiþ mani pal & riche cloþ;[3540]
Euerich man of ich mester
Hem riden oȝain wiþ fair ater,
In euerich strete damisels
Karols ledden fair & fels.
Þo þai were to court ycome[3545]
Þai were hendeliche welcome,
Himselue þe king Arthour
Hem com oȝain wiþ gret honour,
Curteiseliche & hem gan calle
& anon ledde hem to halle[3550]
Wiþ her broþer Gvinbaut,
Noble clerk so Dieu me saut -
In þe sterres he was þe best deuine [f.221va] [Image]
In al þe warld, wiþouten Merlin.
Þer atwot þe clerk Merlin[3555]
At þe fest þe douke Vlfin
& Bretel þat was his felawe
Hou þai hadde þe kniȝtes yslawe,
Ac al þat euer herden þis
Wonder hadde þerof, ywis,[3560]
Þat he told her bataile
& þer no com nouȝt saun faile,
& namliche Bohort & Ban
& Gvinbaut þe þridde man;
Þere þo men miȝt yhere[3565]
Þe queintise of þe spere
Of þe sonne of mone & ster,
When þe welken turned of herre,
& of mani priue werk
Bitven Merlin & Gvimbaut þe clerk.[3570]
Herafter sone Merlin swore
& sir Vlfin & sir Antore
& sir Kay & sir Bretel
Tofore þe king on o messel
Þat Arthour was Vter stren[3575]
Bi Ygerne þat was his quen,
Þerafterward sone forsoþ
Þe kinges swore Arthour hold-oþ
& deden him also swiþe omage
So it was riȝt & vsage.[3580]
& þo held Arthour fest, apliȝt,
Þat last ful fourten niȝt;
Of ich riches & deinte
Certes þer was gret plente.
Þo was þer made a turnament[3585]
Þat was swiþe noble & gent
Of bacheler & ȝong kniȝt
Swiþe strong & swiþe wiȝt,
Þo þat were of ȝond half
Oȝain þo weren of þis half.[3590]
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 & Guinas[3595]
(Ich of hem wel noble was)[(]
Placides & eke Driens, [f.221vb] [Image]
Holias & Graciens,
Marliaus & Flaundrins,
Sir Meliard & eke Drukins[3600]
& also Breoberiiis,
Þese born oway þe priis;
No man no herd of fairer
Turnament no nobler.
Þo al þis mirþe was ydo[3605]
Merlin com þe king to
& to hem seyd ‘bieu sengours
ȝe ben yswore to king Arthours,
ȝe mot boþe wiþ him ride
To Leodegan of Carmalide[3610]
For bi mi rede he schal spouse
Gvenour his douhter precious.
Sche is boþe fair & wise
Of al þe lond sche berþ þe priis.
Hir fader Leodegan[3615]
Is a swiþe noble man
Ac king Rion wiþouten lesinges
Him werreþ opon wiþ tventi kinges,
Þere ȝe mot him help, ywis,
For to win los & pris.’[3620]
‘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[3625]
Wiþ vnriȝt & michel wrong.’
‘Nay’ quaþ Merlin ‘drede ȝou nouȝt.
ȝif þou lesest þerfore ouȝt,
For þe mountaunce of pani on
Þou schalt han hundred oȝan.[3630]
‘To þat couenaunt’ quaþ Ban þe king
‘We beþ redi in al þing
Anon to go wiþ king Arthour
To his manschipe & his honour.’
¶ Merlin seyd ‘bi seyn Ion[3635]
Arst ȝe mot anoþer don,
XI kinges & a douke
Beþ hiderward wiþouten dout
To slen Arthour & his man
In þe forest of Rokeingham;[3640]
Þere ȝe mot help him were [f.222ra] [Image]
Vnder scheld wiþ swerd & spere.’
‘Allas’ quaþ Ban ‘for Cristes sond
We no haue no folk of our lond.’ [ haue: MS has hane with suspension mark over an.]
Quaþ Merlin ‘so God me spede[3645]
No schal ȝou faile non at nede.’
Þer it was forboden anon
Ich man bi way for to gon
Noiþer mile tene no fiue
Opon pain of her liue;[3650]
Þis was don for non oþer þing
Bot for aspies & waiteing,
Whereþurth alle weren yhent
Þat fram þe barouns weren ysent
& non com oȝain verrament[3655]
To wray þe kinges parlement.
ȝete Merlin went to Rokingham
(Vlfin & oþer wiþ him he nam)[(]
Mani pauilouns & telt [ telt: corrected from teld.]
& dede þerin flesches & selt[3660]
& oþer store of mele & win
& tok it to lok sir Vlfin
& bad he no schuld lete passe
Noiþer þe more no þe lasse
Þat miȝt bere ani tiding[3665]
To þe barouns of her king
No of his parlement -
No þai no deden verrament.
Þo ȝede Merlin to Ban þe king
& tok of him his kinges ring[3670]
& 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[3675]
To Leonce of Paerne
Þat was kinges Banes steward,
A wise man wiþ hore bard,
& to Farien, wel noble kniȝt,
Bohortes steward þat was, apliȝt,[3680]
& schewed hem her lordes ring
& bad þai schuld him socour bring;
Leonce & eke Farien
Togider brouȝten her men,
Fourti þousand þat were teld [f.222rb] [Image] [3685]
On stede in armes swiþe beld;
XV þousende þai leten þere
Her lond to kepen & to were
& xxv þousend wiþ him toke
So we finden in þe boke,[3690]
Wiche ouer se þe clerk Merlin
Brouȝt & loged bi Vlfin.
To kinges court he gan þo fare
& asked ȝif þai weren ȝare
For her fomen were neiȝehond,[3695]
King Ban seyd ‘for Godes sond
Whi no hastow brouȝt me socour?’
Merlin seyd ‘al rady to ȝour honour.’
Þo þai diȝt hem swain & kniȝt
& wenten þider þat ich niȝt.[3700]
¶ Þo þai þider weren ycome
Ordeind & teld her þrome
Fourti þousand men þai founde
To batail men of gret mounde;
Michel ioie made king Ban[3705]
& Bohort also of her man
For þai deden þere finde
XXV þousinde.
Arthour hadde þousandes fiftene
& namo also y wene,[3710]
For al þe barouns & þe kinges
Were in þe marche wiþouten lesinges
Wiþ al þe men, y ȝou say,
Þat þai miȝt hem puruay.
To slen Arthour lasse & more[3715]
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[3720]
On Arthour wiþ her route
Þai wold happen al aboute
& hem to taken in þe forest
When þai seiȝen time best.
¶ To þis tresoun for to don[3725]
Com þe king Clarion
Þat was king of Norþhumberlond
Wiþ seuen þousand kniȝtes strong.
¶ King Brangores þat held Strangore [f.222va] [Image]
Þider com bi Godes ore[3730]
& brouȝt wiþ him fiue þousand kniȝt
In bataile þat were strong & wiȝt.
¶ Cradelman king of Norþ Wales,
Hardi man & wise of tales,
Sex þousend þider he brouȝt[3735]
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.[3740]
He was king wel fer bi norþ
A wel strong man & michel worþ,
Kniȝtes he brouȝt four þousinde -
Men no miȝt non better finde.
¶ King Lot þat held londes tvo,[3745]
Leonis & Dorkaine also,
He brouȝt seuen þousend kniȝtes
Swiþe hardi & stronge in fiȝtes. [ stronge: r is superscript.]
¶ ȝete þer com king Carodas
Þat of þe rounde table was,[3750]
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 & grim,[3755]
Sex þousinde he brouȝt wiþ him,
Stronge kniȝtes & noble saun faile
Þat wise & hardi were in bataile.
¶ ȝete þer come king Vrien
Wiþ sex þousand of wiȝt men[3760]
Wele atired on gode destrers,
Wiþouten fotmen & squiers.
¶ ȝete þer com king Yder
Wiþ fiue þousand of gret power.
¶ ȝete þer com king Angvisaunt,[3765]
Þe riche king of Scotlaunt,
Wiþ sex þousende kniȝtes, beld [ beld: MS perhaps corrected from bold.]
Boþe in toun & eke in feld.
¶ ȝete þer come þe douc Estas,
Erl of Canbernic he was -[3770]
Arundel was hoten þo
Cambernic wiþouten no -
He brouȝt wiþ him þousandes fiue, [f.222vb] [Image]
Non better nere oliue.
Alle þese priueliche[3775]
To Rokingham com sikerliche
& loged hem in þe forest,
Stille wiþouten ani chest,
Wiþ al þat þai procoure miȝt
Boþe of baroun & of kniȝt,[3780]
Ac Arthour was wel stilly
Wiþ his folk neiȝe hem bi -
Noiþer baroun no king
Nist nouȝt of his being.
Þe ferþ niȝt after her soiour[3785]
Merlin bad þe king Arthour
& Bohort & king Ban
Hem atiren & her man
& com wiþ him anonriȝtes
& kiþe ȝif þai were noble kniȝtes;[3790]
Boþe in iren & in stiel
Þai hem armed swiþe wel,
Ar day þre mile-way
& wiþ Merlin went y say.
¶ In þis time Lot þe king[3795]
In bed was in gret meteing;
Him þouȝt water winde & rain
In her teþ was hem oȝain,
Her pauilouns ouerþrewe þe þonder;
He ofwoke & had wonder,[3800]
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[3805]
Þai senten spies for to aspie,
Þis spies anon forþ stetten
& wiþ Merlin sone metten
& wiþ Arthour king of los,
Of þat meteing hem agros.[3810]
Merlin hem seiȝe & bad hem bide,
Fleand oway þai gun ride
& euer grad ‘traisoun, traisoun!’
Þe oþer herof herd þe soun
& hem atired verrament[3815]
Ac Merlin cast enchauntment [catchword: þat her pauilouns. ]
Þat her pauilouns on and alle [f.223ra] [Image]
To þe grounde gun to falle
& so ich in þe boke y finde
Þe mest part he made blinde.[3820]
King Arthour & Bohort & Ban
Opon hem smiten onan
& eke alle her ferrede
Wiþ hors fete on hem trede,
Wiþ speres stong, wiþ swerdes korwe[3825]
Ten þousende kniȝtes bi þe morwe [ bi: i is superscript.]
Ar ani of hem miȝt hem stere
Oþer sen abouten, hem to were.
Ac naþeles þis xi kinges
Flowen oway wiþ michel genge[3830]
A litel þenntes intil a lowe;
A loude horn þai gun blowe,
Of her kniȝtes & gaderd hem so
Togider þritti þousende & mo -
¶ Ich king xv to his dale.[3835]
Þre þousand gret & smale
Her hors girten & sadels riȝt
& made hem redi for to fiȝt
On þe hille þai gun ten
Arthour & his folk to sen.[3840]
Þo seiȝe þai seuen baners,
¶ Of whiche Lucan þe boteler
Of þe first maister was
For swiþe hardi man he was,
¶ Grifles ladde þe secounde,[3845]
A wiȝt man of gret mounde,
¶ Þe þridde folc ladde Bretel,
Strong kniȝt & doinde wel, [MS: kniȝt misplaced, follows doinde.]
¶ Þe ferþ baner ladde Kay,
Þe kinges steward of noblay,[3850]
¶ 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[3855]
& gouerned þe seuend flok
& ladde wiþ him four þousinde
Wiȝt men & wel doinde.
Þe oþer no miȝt ben ykidde
Bihinden hem þai weren yhidde.[3860]
King Lot, king Nanters & king Vrien [f.223rb] [Image]
& king Carodas wiþ his men,
Þis foure bihinde were
& lete þe oþer al forþ fare,
& in þe sonnes vpriseing[3865]
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,[3870]
Mani in sadles held hem stille
& mani also of hors felle;
Mani brac his spere þare,
Mani oþer þurthout bar.
Kai þan felled þe king Yder[3875]
Wiþ his spere of his destrer,
Þe king of hundred kniȝtes
Kay doun feld anonriȝtes.
¶ Kay vp stirt & king Yder,
Afot fouȝten wiþ swerdes cler,[3880]
On boþe half so com her men
& swiþe stirten hem bitven.
Þer come Lucan þe boteler
& bar Eustas of his destrer,
Eustas þe douke of Arundel[3885]
Bi Yder stode & werd him wel.
¶ Grifles feld þe king Clarion,
Þe king of hundred kniȝtes com
& hit Grifles bi þe side,
Of his stede he gan doun glide,[3890]
Vp strit Grifles & stode bi Kay
& fauȝt so a kniȝt of noblay.
Forþ com Vlfin & eke Lucan
& feld king Cradelman
& wiþ oþer kniȝtes mo[3895]
Riden he [þe] kniȝtes to,
Þe douke Grifles & þe steward Kay
On hors þai brouȝt, par ma fay;
Þo þai were mounted, y sigge apliȝt,
Þai kedden her noble miȝt.[3900]
Þan þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes
Kay doun feld anonriȝtes
& þre kniȝtes al arawe
He binam þer her liif-dawe.
Arthour wiþ his miȝti hand [f.223va] [Image] [3905]
Feld king Brangors & 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.[3910]
¶ King Lot & king Carodas
& Nanters þat bihinde was
& eke þe king Vrien
Wiþ tvelf þousand of strong men [ þousand: s is superscript.]
Þe hors of baundoun lete þai frem[3915]
& come flingand wiþ al her men;
So Arthours folk þai metten
& of her steden mani stetten,
In þat ich hard meteinges
Al þai socourd her kinges[3920]
& brouȝten hem on her steden
Þe better þo þai miȝt speden.
Þer wer fele of hors yfeld
& kniȝtes yslawe vnder scheld,
Ac þer schewed king Arthour[3925]
At þat batayl gret vigour;
Of his men mani feld ware,
Now he was here, now he was tare
& chalanged his men bi riȝt
& wiȝtlich bigan for hem to fiȝt[3930]
Wiþ his swerd of gode egge.
Sum he clef to þe rigge,
& sum he smot þe nek atvo
& sum he smot þe schulder fro.
¶ Þe oþer kinges were wiȝt also,[3935]
Arthours folk þai deden wo -
XXX þousand forsoþe y wene
Fouȝten þer oȝain sextene.
Lucan, Grifles & king Arthour
Vlfin, Bretel & sir Antour,[3940]
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[3945]
Merlin com to Ban þe king
& seyd ‘sir, time it is
Þou help king Arthour, ywis.’
Also swiþe þan Ban þe king [f.223vb] [Image]
Went forþ wiþouten letting.[3950]
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[3955]
Þe noble king Belias,
Þe ferþ ledde Bleoberiis
A baroun of wel noble pris,
Þe fif[t] ladde Gracian
Strong baroun & noble man.[3960]
Þes fiue, so y finde,
Led of men fiftene þousinde,
Þer ich of hem hastiliche
Went hem forþ hardiliche; [ Went: MS reads When.]
Bohort afterward cam[3965]
Wiþ four þousand of noble man;
In þis world wele to fiȝt
No were yhelden non better kniȝt.
Also þai maden þis sailing [ sailing: MS reads wailing.]
Þe oþer com on hem smiteing[3970]
Wiþ her speres & feld to grounde
Mani þat þai þere founde.
¶ In þis time king Lot
Went out of þe plas, God it wot,
& king Nanters & king Vrien[3975]
Wiþ mani noble of her men
& king Carodas þe wiȝt
& king of þe hundred kniȝt;
Þese so michel pite seiȝen
Þat þai wepe wiþ her eiȝen[3980]
For þe sleȝster of her man,
& sore þe dede of king Ban
& Bohort also his broþer -
Þere no schuld go no noþer.
Adoun þai liȝt & her hors girten,[3985]
Wiþouten stirop þerin stirten
Euerich of hem nome in his hond
A launce boþe stef & strong.
King Nanters, king Lot, king Karodas
Þis men armed, wiþ gret ras,[3990]
King Ban þai hitten alle at ones,
Adoun þai þrewe him on þe stones,
King of þe hundred kniȝtes & king Vrien [f.224ra] [Image]
King Bohort þai riden oȝen
& hitten him boþe at a dent[3995]
& feld his stede verrament,
Ac Ban vp stirt & Bohort also
& wele hem wered o fot bo;
Þe oþer hem were about to dere
Ac manliche þai gun hem were.[4000]
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,[4005]
Þurth helme & palet to þe toþ
& pelt doun þat bodi dede
& tok þat stede gode at nede,
King Ban þan þurth fine miȝt
On þat stede lepe, apliȝt,[4010]
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[4015]
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 & eke wroþ[4020]
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?[4025]
Arthur & Ban & her fere
So michel pople toforn hem slowe
Þat her enemis hem wiþdrowe
& gun to fle to on brigge
Þat þai toforn dede ligge.[4030]
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, [f.224rb] [Image] [4035]
O our folk we moten calle
Bi on horn þat y schal blawe
Oþer þai worþ alle yslawe
& destroied of our fon’
Þe kinges seyd ‘þat is wele don.’[4040]
¶ Morganor þo gan to blowe
Þat folk so gun his horn knowe,
Swiftlich al þai gunnen flen
& to þe kinges socour ten;
Þo þai comen to þe brigge[4045]
Ich on oþer gan to legge,
Ac also wolf þe schip gan driue
Arthour smot hem after swiþe
& king Ban & her men
Slouȝ of hem þousendes ten.[4050]
Þer þai hadde mani slawe
Ac Merlin gan hem wiþdrawe
& seyd oȝain wende þai schold
Þe siluer to part & þe gold
& mani oþer riche þinges[4055]
Þat þer hadde left þe riche kinges.
Arthour þouȝt gode afin
Þe riche conseil of Merlin -
Þe oþer oway þai leten flen -
& gan oȝain wiþ his folk ten;[4060]
Of gold of siluer & noblesse
Þai founden grete riches,
Arthour it ȝaf Bohort & Ban
& bad it part among her man -
So þai deden wiþ gret honour[4065]
To hem & to þe king Arthour.
After þat gentil parting
To Londen went Arthour þe king
& king Bohort & king Ban
& alle her noble man,[4070]
Fourten niȝt Arthour held fest
Swiþe noble & swiþe onest.
Þo þe fest ydon was
Merlin teld Arthour þat cas;
Arthour he seyd þis þinges[4075]
‘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 [f.224va] [Image]
Ich wald ȝiuen o cite[4080]
Wiþ þat þai hadde made acord
& þat þou were made her lord,
For here is comand to þis lond
Gret hunger & here-gong,
Sex hundred [þousand] Sarraȝins[4085]
For to 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[4090]
& of þe to ben made kniȝt
& for þi lond þai wil fiȝt
Þai schul don mani agrise
Of hem þi los schal arise.
Þou schalt hem alle knowe wel[4095]
& of þe kinges wite eueri del;
Þai schullen hauen in her lond
Of wer to don ful her hond.
& ich ȝou sigge Bohort & Ban
& sendeþ hom al ȝour man[4100]
ȝour lond to loke & ouersen
Bot it swiþe fewe ben.
Arthour schal alle his tounes
Astore wiþ flesche & venisouns
Wiþ corn & mele & men strong[4105]
Oȝain her fon to werre long,
¶ & þou Arthour me schalt abide
Bitven Jnglond & Carmelide
In þe toun of Brekenho
Til ich meself þe com to.’[4110]
Þis was do wiþouten doute,
[¶ ] Arthour his tounes stored aboute
Wiþ corn-mele, flesche & fische
& wiþ men strong, ywis;
Þe douke Do wiþouten fable [4115] [ Do: MS reads þo.]
Of Cardoil hadde ben constable,
Of Londen bi Merlines rade
He was þo constable ymade.
¶ Leonce he sent hom of Paerne,
¶ Ban & Bohort swiþe ȝerne,[4120]
& þe douke also Pharien
& þe baroun Gracien
Wiþ her ost þe lond to loke, [f.224vb] [Image]
So we finden on þe boke.
King Arthour, Bohort & Ban[4125]
Wele wiþ sex score of her man
Went hem to Brekenho
So Merlin hem seyd to
Bitven Jnglond & Carmelide
Merlines com for to abide[4130]
Þat þo fro hem was ywent
Þai nist whider verrament.
Þo þai hadde þere a while abiden
On a day out þai riden
& seiȝe com bi on lowe[4135]
An eld cherl wiþ aruwe & bowe.
Þe cherl bent his bowe sone
& smot a doke mididone
& wiþ a bolt afterward
Anon he hitt a maulard.[4140]
¶ 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[4145]
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[4150]
Ac þou schust hote hem bere forþ
& 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[4155]
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?’[4160]
‘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[4165]
& y no haue nouȝt of þe.’
Bretel & Vlfin him vnderstode [f.225ra] [Image]
& seyd anon wiþ milde mode
‘Sir, God þe ȝeld þis foules to,
ȝiftes þou hast him ȝeuen mo[4170]
& ȝete þou schalt wiþ Godes miȝt
Mo presantes & ȝiftes him diȝt.’
Þer þai wisten bi Vlfin
Þat þis eld was Merlin.
¶ Merlin him schewed to king Arthour[4175]
& he him kist wiþ gret honour
& Bohort & Ban & oþer swiþe
Of his come weren bliþe.
A damisel of gret valour
Was þo comen to king Arthour[4180]
To knowe him lord & don omage
Þat sche no hadde afterward damage,
& alle hir kniȝtes deden also
Þat wiþ hir were comen þo;
Liȝanor þat may was hot,[4185]
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[4190]
Þat wex seþ þen of gret mounde
& kniȝt of þe table rounde.
Þere þai soiournd euerichon
Til þat lenten were half agon.
¶ Lete we hem þer stille be[4195]
& of þe kinges telle we
XI, þat flowen are,
Hou þai bicomen & whare.
In time of winter alange it is:
Þe foules lesen her blis,[4200]
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[4205]
Al day & 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.[4210]
Norham was þat time y wene [f.225rb] [Image]
A prout cite & strong & kene;
Ich ȝou telle at on word
King Vriens was þerof lord.
Þis kinges alle þider comen ware[4215]
& hadden sorwe & gret care
For her kniȝtes were so yslawe
& her kin brout o liue-dawe;
Swiche diol þai hadden dayes to
Nold þai mete to mirþe do.[4220]
Vp him stirt Baudamagu,
A kniȝt of gret vertu, [ A: MS reads &.]
& seyd ‘kinges leteþ ben,
ȝour diole is rewþe for to sen;
ȝe habbeþ frendes fer & wide,[4225]
To hem ȝe schulleþ nouþe ride
& ȝour diol to hem speke
Þurth whom ȝe worþ awreke.’
Þurth his speche comfort þai nome,
Þe þridde day & togider come[4230]
& 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[4235]
& sone days hem agros
For to hem com a messanger
& gret hem wiþ rewelich chere
& seyd into Cornnewaile
Sarraȝins were comen saun faile[4240]
& hadde neiȝe strued al þat lond
Wiþ wilde fere & wiþ brond
& þe lond of Dorkaine also
Ystroied & don michel wo.
Nambires þai hadde bilay[4245]
& destrued al þe cuntray
Boþe wiþ fer & wiþ sword,
Spard þai noiþer knaue no lord,
Þer was so michel pople of hem
Þat tellen hem no miȝt men.[4250]
Þo þo 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 [f.225va] [Image] [4255]
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[4260]
Þat litel mete com hem among
Bot ‘waileway!’ & wepeing strong.
At þe fourten niȝtes ende
King Brangore wiȝt & hende
Com him forþ into þe halle[4265]
& ofsent his feren alle,
To hem alle þan spak Brangori
‘Yblisced be þe king of glorie
Of his grace & of his sending,
What helpeþ ous swiche morning?[4270]
Fond we ous to bistere
& our lond sumdel to were.
We no haue pouer Arthour oȝen
For king Bohort & king Ban
No for Merlin þe gode clerk[4275]
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 for to schende[4280]
& 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,[4285]
For of Yrlond þe king Rion
Him haþ awerred to ȝer & more
Wiþ tventi kinges bi Godes ore,
No of king Pelles of Listonei
No worþ ous help, par ma fay,[4290]
For þe ward of Pelleore,
His broþer, liþ sike & sore
& schel be seke fort þe meruaile
Of þe greal be don saun faile, [ faile: MS reads saile.]
No forþer of þe king Alain[4295]
No worþ ous noiþer help no main
For he liþ sike & sike schal ben
For[t] þe best kniȝt of stren’ -
Y haue seyd wherfore it is [f.225vb] [Image]
Þat he bicom sike, ywis -[4300]
‘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,[4305]
No of þe king Adameins,
No of þe king Clamadas
No may ous com no solas [ ous: MS reads hem.]
For alle hem werreþ Galeus
Þe riche king so vertouous;[4310]
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:[4315]
Part we alle our man
& hire we alle þo
Þat we wiþ catel may ago
& ich man wende to his cite
Þat we wene strangest be[4320]
& kepe we þe strait wais
Oueralle in þe cuntrays
& robben hem her sustenaunce,
Wiþ skec & don hem combraunce
& waiten hem al þe qued[4325]
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[4330]
An oþer half he wil ous anoie
& wiþ schond ous destroie.’
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝt
Seyd ‘drede ȝou nouȝt, y ȝou pliȝt,
Arthour wiþ Bohort & Ban[4335]
Beþ toward Leodegan
& help him oȝain Rion
& hem warnisen euerichon
Boþe cite & castel
Wiþ mete & men swiþe wel[4340]
Þat hem no stondeþ no doute
Of þe payens no of her route;
Of him no haueþ non drede [f.226ra] [Image]
For it is soþe þat ich ȝou sede;
Mi conseyl is ȝe don anon[4345]
So þou seydest king Cradelman.’
Þis conseyl þai deden þo
& senten after mani mo
Kniȝtes, swaines, man þat wold
Winnen siluer oþer gold[4350]
For to loke wiþouten asoine
Al þe marches of Galoine
& of Cornwaile þe pleines
& eke þe place of Dorkains
& of Gorre also ich say[4355]
& eke þe entres of Galeway.
Alder first Yder þe king
Þre þousand hadde of bileueing
Þat yslawe no were nouȝt [MS repeats no were.]
Oȝaines Arthour þan þai fouȝt[4360]
& viij þousand of purchas
He hadde also bi Godes gras,
& to his strong cite Nante [ his: MS reads þis.]
Wiþ alle þis men he wante,
& ȝete he hadde þousandes þre[4365]
Of þe cite bi mi leute;
¶ Þis Ider loked wele þe wayes
Wiþ his folk in þat cuntreys
& payens he ouercam
Oft & her mete binam[4370]
& 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[4375]
Wiþ þre þousand him bileued, ywis,
In þe bataile þer he was,
Wiþ seuen þousand of purchas,
& fif þousand in toun he fond,
Orped men & gode of hond;[4380]
Þis loked wele þe paþes
& þe paiens oft deden scaþes,
Boþe o lif & eke tresour
Þai dede þe paiens misauentour.
¶ King Lot went to Dorkaine[4385]
Wiþ þre þousand bileued wiþ paine,
Þer he was at þe bataile [f.226rb] [Image]
& wiþ fiue þousand of purchas saun faile,
& four þousand he fond in his toun,
Wiȝt men & of grete renoun,[4390]
& ȝete for his wiȝt pruesse
& hendeschip & largesse
Þre þousand after him come
Gode bataile for to done.
¶ VIII þousand þo hadde Lot[4395]
Þat wele him holpe God it wot
Þe waies & þe paþes ȝeme
& of þe Sarrains hem reme [ hem: MS reads him.]
& often deden hem gret greuaunce
& robbed hem her sustenaunce.[4400]
¶ 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[4405]
Oȝain Arthour þe gode kniȝt;
VIII þousand he hadde of purchas
Þat wele deden in eueri plas,
Þe wayes þai deden wele awayt
& þe paþes þat were strait[4410]
& oft deden þe Sarraȝins
Grete schame & grete pines.
¶ After went anonriȝtes
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes -
Aguigines was his name[4415]
He was a kniȝt of gret fame -
He went him to Malaot,
A riche cite God it wot,
Þe cite on leuedis was
& stode in a wel gret pas[4420]
Where þe Sarraȝins com & ride,
Þre þousand he brouȝt him mide
Ascaped fram deþes hond;
Þat leuedi marched on his lond
Þerfore sche com to his socour[4425]
& fond kniȝtes of grete valour
Ynouȝ to loken her lond -
& so þai deden wiþ miȝti hond.
After went Cradelman
To Norþ Wales þat he cam[4430]
Wiþ þre þousand of his kniȝtes [f.226va] [Image]
Þat were ascaped fram þe fiȝtes,
He purchast seuen þousinde,
So ich in þe boke yfinde,
Four þousand he fond at hom[4435]
Þat were bliþe of his com
For vnneþe fram hem fiue mile
Woned a wiche hete Carmile -
Hir broþer hiȝt Hardogabran,
A swiþe riche soudan.[4440]
Of wichecraft & vilaine
& eke of nigramace
Of þis warld sche couþe mast
Wiþouten Arthours soster abast – [ soster: MS reads sone.]
Morgein forsoþe was hir name[4445]
& woned wiþouten Niniame
Þat wiþ hir queint gin
Bigiled þe gode clerk Merlin.
¶ Þis Carmile in þat cuntray
Hadde a castel of gret noblay,[4450]
Of þat castel hadde socour
Þe Sarraȝins & gret recour
Wharþurth þe king Cradelman
Was soure carked & alle his man,
Ac swiþe wele noþelas[4455]
Þe marche he loked & eke þe pas.
Ac Carmile par ma fay
Bi Merlines liif-day
No miȝt do wiþ hir wicheing
In Jnglond non anoiing.[4460]
¶ King Brangore þo went forþ
To Estrangore wel fer bi norþ
& woned þat wiche biside -
Þe more noiȝe him gan bitide.
Þre þousinde wiþ him he nam[4465]
Þe sleiȝt þat were ascaped fram,
Sex þousinde he hadde of purchas
& fiue of his cite þat was,
Þat loked þe cuntray
& often dede þe panimes tray.[4470]
Þis Brangores of valour
Ludranes douster þemperour
Bi þat time hadde yspoused,
A leuedi gent & preciouse,
Ac þe king of Hungri & of Blaske [f.226vb] [Image] [4475]
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[4480]
Þat was air of þempire
& of Blaske & of Hungrie -
ȝe schul here afterward hou Segremor
Com to kniȝt of king Arthour
Whereþurth þemperour sikerliche[4485]
Him hadde ygraiþed richeliche
& hadde him sent fro Costentinenoble [ fro: MS reads to.]
To Jnglondward wiþ mani noble.
¶ ȝete went forþ king Carodas
Þat of þe rounde table was[4490]
To Galence his cite,
A cite riche of gret plente,
Wiþ him he hadde þre þousand kniȝt [ þousand: MS reads souand.]
Þat were ascaped fram þat fiȝt
& þer he fond foure þousinde[4495]
Noble kniȝtes so ich finde
& seuen þousand of gret powers
He purchasced on heiȝe destrers,
Þat wiþ swerd & launce & kniif
Binomen mani painems her liif[4500]
& wiþ skekes & wiþ fiȝt
Þe wayes loked wele apliȝt.
Þerafter þe king Anguisaunt
Went to Coranges in Scotland
Wiþ fiue þou[s]and gode kniȝtes[4505]
Alle ascaped fram þe fiȝtes,
Of purchas he hadde þousendes ten
Swiþe wele fiȝtand men
Wiþouten mani þat he fond
In his cite & in his lond;[4510]
He nas bot tventi mile-way
Fram Nambire þat was bilay
Of mani þousand Sarra[ȝ]in
Whereof he hadde mister fin
To fele kniȝtes him to helpe[4515]
To fiȝt oȝain þe Sarraȝin welpe -
So þai deden wiþ chere bliþe
Swiþe oft & mani siþe
On hem schoten bi wayes & paþes [f.227ra] [Image]
& dede þe Sarr[aȝ]ins gret scaþes.[4520]
¶ 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 & way[4525]
Oueral in þat cuntray.
¶ King Vriens bileued stille
In Norham sori & eke ille
For depart of his felawes
& for her men þat weren yslawe,[4530]
He hadde in alle þousandes ten
Boþe wiȝt & hardy men
Þat anoied bi al her miȝt
Þe Sarraȝins bi day & niȝt.
Now ȝe schul vnderstond[4535]
Fif ȝer þis last in Jnglond
Þat no corn no was ysowe
Noiþer on doun no on lowe,
Alle þis ich ȝeres fiue
Þis kinges þus ladde her liue[4540]
Wiþ þat þai miȝt reue & robbe
Of Sarraȝins wiþ swerd & clobbe,
Þe lowe folk in þe cuntray
Were yslawe for nouȝt al day -
& alle yslawe hadde yben[4545]
No hadde sir Wawain to hem sen
Þat was þo a bacheler
Iolif & of strong power.
Ac ar ich ȝou more þing
Of paiems tellen oþer king,[4550]
Of Nanters sones & of his feren,
Noble þing ȝe schullen yheren.
His sone was hoten Galathin -
Now listneþ wele for loue min.
Of Ygerne þat ich er of spake[4555]
Hou Hoel hir hadde spoused to make;
On hir he biȝat Blasine gent
& so he dede Belisent.
King Nanters hadde spoused Blasine
& Lot Belisent fair & dine.[4560]
Y wil wele þat ȝe it wite
Nanters in Blasine hadde biȝete
A fair ȝong man Galathin [f.227rb] [Image]
Wiȝt hende & gentil afin,
Lot biȝat in Belisent[4565]
Four sones swiþe gent,
Gveheres & eke Wawain,
Gaheriet & Agreuein.
¶ Galathin in þis time
Com to his moder Blasine[4570]
& asked ȝif it were soþ
Þat men seyd souþe & norþ
‘ȝif mi nem be king Arthour?
Telle me dame, par amour.’
Blasine þo bigan to wepe[4575]
& 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,[4580]
& nere þi fader was slawe in fiȝt
Nouȝt wiþ wrong bot al wiþ riȝt.’
Þer sche him teld anon
Arthours biȝete of Vter Pendragon
& alle þe destaunce whi & wharfore[4585]
Arthours deþ þai hadden yswore,
& seyd ‘sone, were þou wiis
Or so þou þe heldest of priis
Þou scholdest bi day & bi niȝt
Wiþ queyntise & al þi miȝt[4590]
Fond for to maken acord
Bitven Arthour & þi lord.’
Galathin swore wiþ wordes bold
He nold neuer oȝain [him hold]
& seyd he wold of him afong[4595]
Helme & swerd & launce strong
& of him be dubbed kniȝt
& wiþ him be in pays & fiȝt.
A messanger he sent anon
& badde him swiþe to Wawain gon[4600]
& sigge him wiþ wordes bonaire
He com to þe newe faire
Of Brocklond to speke him wiþ
Mani word of loue & griþ,
Þis erand bar þe messanger;[4605]
Wawain answerd wiþ glad chere
Þat ȝif he hadde liif of manne [f.227va] [Image]
He wold speke wiþ him þanne.
In time þat þis sond cam
Gawinet fram hunting nam,[4610]
Þre grehoundes he ledde on hond
& þre raches in on bond.
¶ His moder biheld him & wepe sore
& seyd ‘sone, now þi nore!
Þou lest þi time wiþ vnriȝt;[4615]
Þou hast age to ben kniȝt,
Þou schust leten þi folye,
Þi rage & þi ribaudye;
Þenke on þi nem Arthour,
Kniȝt þat is of mest valour,[4620]
& fond to make gode acord
Bitven him & Lot þi lord.’
Þer sche told him bifore
Hou Arthour was biȝeten & bore.
His breþern seyd he hadde wrong[4625]
For it was al on him ylong
Þat þai her time lorn so
& bot he wald wiþ hem go
Þai wolden fare to king Arthour
& him seruen wiþ honour.[4630]
¶ Þo bispac him child Wawain
Whom Crist ȝaf boþe miȝt & main
‘Swete dame & breþern þre,
Wiþ gret wrong ȝe blamen me [ wrong: r is superscript.]
Seþ þen ich euer born was[4635]
Nist y neuer are þis cas,
Ac seþ þen þus fer comen it is
Y bihote þe king of blis
No schal y neuer armes afong
Bot of king Arthours hond.’[4640]
His þre breþer þer on hast
Þer biheten anon þat hast.
¶ Þo bispac Wawain curteys
‘Ma dame, purvaieþ ous harnais
& we nil neuer blinne[4645]
What we may þe acord winne.’
‘Sone,’ sche seyd ‘sikerliche
ȝe schullen haue neweliche
Hors & armes & alle þing
Þat bihoueþ to ȝour dubbeing.’[4650]
Þerafter sone bi Godes sond [f.227vb] [Image]
Galathin went to Brocklond,
Oȝain him com Wawain þe fre
Wiþ his gentil breþer þre
& in her togider coming[4655]
Þai maden ioie & gret kisseing.
¶ Þo seyd Wawain to Galathin
‘Certes gentil nevou min
No hadde it be for loue þine
Ich & al breþer mine[4660]
Were ywent to our em Arthour
To seruen him & make amour
Our fader & him bitven
Þurth help of heuen-quen.’
¶ ‘Yherd be Crist,’ quaþ Galathin[4665]
‘Þat is desire & wil min
For þat ich selue þing
Ich made after þe sending;
Togider y pray þe wende we.’
‘Bleþeliche’ quaþ Wawain þe fre,[4670]
Þer þai setten ioifulliche
Day to wende sikerliche -
& ȝif þai no hadde togider ywent
Jnglond hadde ben yschent.
Mirie is þentre of May:[4675]
Þe foules make miri play, [ miri: spelling uncertain, with extra minim.]
Maidens singgeþ & makeþ play,
Þe time is hot & long þe day,
Þe iolif niȝtingale singeþ
In þe grene mede floures springeþ. [4680] [ floures: MS reads foules.]
¶ King Lot & þe leuedi Belisent
Hadde puruayd her sone gent
Fif hundred on hors wel
In armour of iren & stiel,
Erls sones & barouns boþe[4685]
Alle in sout of o cloþe,
Ac of hem, bot neiȝen, kniȝt
Þer no ware, y ȝou pliȝt;
He blisced Gawaynet
& Gueheres & Gaheriet[4690]
& Agreuein þat was so hende
& on Godes name bad hem wende.
¶ On þis maner dede Blasine,
King Nanters leuedi dine,
Hir sone Galathin [f.228ra] [Image] [4695]
Sche graiþed in atire fin,
To hundred feren sche him fond
& blisced him wiþ hir hond, [ hir: MS reads his.]
Of þis to hundred were xx kniȝtes
Swiþe noble & gode in fiȝtes.[4700]
Galathin & Gawainet
Togider com þer þai hadde sett
& wenten forþ in her way
Toward Londen forsoþe to say.
Þai wenden haue king Arthour founde[4705]
In þe noble toun of Lounde,
Þe þridde day in her iurneie
Þai were Londen swiþe neiȝe, [ neiȝe: MS nere.]
¶ Þai seiȝen hem com swiþe ner
Seuen hundred charged somer[4710]
& seuen hundred cartes also
& fiue hundred waines after go
Ycharged alle wiþ ale & bred
Wiþ fische & flesche & win red
Robbed of men of þe cuntray[4715]
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,[4720]
Þis robberie þan hadde ydon
A king hiȝt Leodebron
& þe king Senigram,
Swiþe fel & wicke man,
& þe king Maudelec[4725]
Þat euer waited scaþe & skec
& þe king Sernagare,
Of Yrlond al þai ware;
Þis four heþen kinges
Went to loken þis robbeinges,[4730]
& were so wroþ þat king Arthour
Hadde ywarnist toun & tour
Þat þe cuntre aboute Lounde
Slowen & brent to þe grounde.
Men seiȝe þe fer fer away[4735]
Þennes ouer a iurnay,
Man & wiif & children bo
No hadde þai no pite to slo
Þe folk schirsten so heiȝe & loude [f.228rb] [Image]
Þat it schilled into þe cloude.[4740]
Wawain seiȝe & herd þis fare
& asked men what it ware
& þai him teld sone anon
So ich toforn haue ydon,
Wawain asked where was þe king,[4745]
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;[4750]
Seþ þen king Arthour is out of lond
We wil þe painemes wiþstond
& saue his lond – we beþ his men -
Til þat he com hider oȝen.’
Þat folk abouten him gan ten[4755]
& asked wat folk it miȝt ben,
Þai seyden whos sones þai were
& wherefore þai comen þere.
Þe folk þat was of þis lond
Þonked Ihesu Cristes sond,[4760]
Chasteleins sones & vauasours -
Seþ þen wele deden wiþ king Arthours -
& fele men of þis lond
Þer fellen to þis children hond,
Fif hundred of wiȝt man.[4765]
Wawain hete on hast þan
Euerich man him arme wel
Boþe in yren & in stiel
& suwen him, for our sleiȝt
He wald awreke anonriȝt;[4770]
Now hadde he a þousand & hundred to,
Of wiche four score & no mo
Hardi & wele doinde kniȝtes,
Þat him suwed anonriȝtes
In four parties so y finde[4775]
& dede hem oȝain þre þousinde
& acontred þat carroy.
It was passed þe midday
& þo fel fro Wawain
Sumdel of his miȝt & main -[4780]
¶ For of his strengþe þe maner
Sumdel ȝe may lern & here:
Bitven auensong & niȝt [f.228va] [Image]
He no hadde bot o mannes miȝt
& þat strengþe him last[4785]
Fort arnemorwe bi þe last,
& fram arnemorwe to þe midday
He hadde strengþe of kniȝtes tvay,
Fram midday fort afternone
He nadde strengþe bot of one,[4790]
Fram afternone to auensong
So to kniȝtes he was strong;
Þis was þe manere of Wawain
Of his strengþe & of his main.
In þe time of midday[4795]
On þe paiens he smot par fay
Wiþ an ex scharp & strong -
Þe bite was to fot long.
Whom he miȝt take & hitt
Þe heued he clef oþer of kitt[4800]
He hem tohewe ich ȝou swer
So flesche doþ þe flesche-heweere;
He & his hors fram heued to taile [ fram: r is superscript.]
Blodi weren al saun fayl
Of þe paiems þat he slouȝ[4805]
Wiþ gode riȝt & no wouȝ.
¶ Alder next him was Galathin
Þat him halp wiþ miȝt fin,
What Sarraȝin so he mett
Wel soriliche he hem grett[4810]
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,[4815]
Oþer what he miȝt take best,
Who so euer he atrauȝt
Tombel of hors he him tauȝt.
¶ Wawaines broþer Agreuein
Þer him kidde a noble mayn[4820]
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[4825]
& mani slouȝ, God it wot.
¶ Þe ȝongest broþer Gaheriet, [f.228vb] [Image]
No child no miȝt fiȝt bet
Þan he dede verrament,
Þer he bisett mani a dent,[4830]
Þurth armes out euerichon
He clef þurth flesche & bon;
Fourti Sarraȝins & mo
Þer he dede to helle go.
Oþer men þat mid him were[4835]
Deden nobleliche þere,
Þai slouȝwen & brouȝt to grounde
Mani paien in litel stounde.
¶ Ac certes oȝain Wawain
Non no miȝt kiþe his main [4840] [ his: s is superscript.]
For arme non ywrouȝt wiþ hond
Oȝain his dent no miȝt stond;
Þat he tok he al torof,
So dust in winde & aboute drof.
Þer he him contende so manliche[4845]
Þat in litel while sikerliche
Child Wawain & his felawe
Þis þre þousand brouȝten of dawe
Bot tventi paiems þat gun ascape
&, fleand oway wiþ gret rape,[4850]
Of wiche þe ten com bihinde
To on ost of seuen þousinde,
Wiþ loude voice & to hem gradde
‘Harou painems ȝe ben to badde.
Cartes & somers ous beþ binome[4855]
& alle our folk is ouercome
& yslawe euerich man
Bot we, & oþer ten
Þat herebineþe fram ous ȝede
More socour to bring hem midde.’[4860]
Euerich payem þo was sori
& criden a grisely crie
‘As armes for Mahouns sake
Þat þis traitour were ytake.’
Þat armes hadde ron þerto[4865]
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 -[4870]
Alle þe cartes & somers [f.229ra] [Image]
Were sent þider wiþ men of powers.
Þis paiens wiþouten let
Oȝains þis children set,
Oȝain a þousand come seuen;[4875]
Þat was noþing delt euen.
Ac þe help of our driȝt
Wiþ Wawain & his gan aliȝt;
No herd men neuer so fewe in lond
Noblicher so fele wiþstond. [4880] [ fele: MS reads fewe.]
Þer aros noble bataile
A boþe half wiþouten faile,
Ac Wawain swiþe noble was
For þer he met king Thoas,
A wiȝt geaunt gret & strong,[4885]
Of (þo) 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.[4890]
¶ Galathin mett king Sanigran,
An vnsely hoge man,
Wiþ his swerd he him hitt
Þat his heued of he kitt.
Wawain broþer Agreuain[4895]
Amid þe pres kidde his main
For a left half & a riȝt
He leyd on & slouȝ doun riȝt.
¶ Þer com þe king Gvinbat
& ȝaf Gueheres swiche a flat[4900]
Þat he fel adoun to grounde
Ac he stirt vp in a stounde
& so smot a Sarraȝin
Þat he clef his bacin
& eke his heued to þe toþ[4905]
& on his hors lepe forsoþ.
Gaheriet seiȝe Gvinbat
Þat his broþer ȝaue swiche a flat
& Gvinbat him com seiȝe
& gan to fleiȝe swiþe oway.[4910]
For þe strokes he seiȝe him ȝeue
He no durst abide, so mot y liue,
For þo Gaheriet was ymade kniȝt
In euerich place & eueri fiȝt
He kidde ner as miche main [f.229rb] [Image] [4915]
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[4920]
So we finden on þe bok,
In o valay he him oftok
In wiche valay þe oþer ten
Þat scaped Wawain & our men
Hadden brouȝt þousandes eiȝt[4925]
Of our men to make sleiȝt;
Gaheriet no lete nouȝt for þat
Þat he no folwed king Gvinbat,
& folwed him wiþouten doute
Alon amidward þe route[4930]
& smot him so on þe helme cler
& þerof carf a quarter
& þe scheld þurth ato
Wiþ þe scholder & arme also.
¶ King Gvinbat in þat stounde[4935]
Aswon fel adoun to grounde,
Gaheriet þo turned his bridel
& swiþe wald oȝain ride,
Ac þe paiems about him come
& wold him han ynome,[4940]
Ac þer he carf wiþ swerd & 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[4945]
Þat to þe chin he him slitt,
Of mani he smot þe nek ato [ nek: originally neck, c underdotted.]
& wounded & dede michel wo;
Non durst him neiȝe verrament
For doute of his hard dent.[4950]
Þo þai him dede gret vilanie,
His hors slouȝ biforn his eiȝe,
Gaheriet afot stode
& werd him wiþ hert gode,
Boþe he slouȝ hors & man[4955]
Him aboute, fiue & ten,
So sore he hitt, so sore he smot,
Non durst him neiȝe God it wot.
Þer þai þrewen on him anon [f.229va] [Image]
Stones & kniues mani on[4960]
Swerdes, staues & launces long
& wounded him swiþe strong
& tviies feld him on þe ston,
Allas! help no hadde he non.
On him þai schoten atte last[4965]
& deden of his armes on hast
For to haue anon yreued
His bodi fram his gentil heued.
In þat time a gentil swain
Wel gode scour com to Wawain[4970]
‘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,[4975]
Y herd þer gret noise & cri,
Y dar legge heued min
Þat þer ben mo Sarraȝin
Þat beþ comand hiderward
& han þi broþer in hondling hard.’[4980]
‘Allas!’ he seyd ‘Icham yschent,
Be mi broþer so yhent,
As lef me were to ben of dawe
As mi broþer were yslawe.’
& seyd to Galathin[4985]
‘Gode nevou, broþer min,
ȝond bineþen icham adred
Þurth his folye he is misled.’
Quaþ Galathin ‘lete be þi striif
& wende we þiderward biliif.[4990]
While we speki & makeþ tale
He may lachi deþes bale.’
Þer þai smiten al about,
Þai four dassed out of þe rout,
¶ Galathin & eke Wawain[4995]
Gveheres & Agreuein,
Sum oþer of þe best
After þese four þrest;
Þo þai seiȝen ich ȝou say
VIII þousand in o valay[5000]
Of wiche her maister king
Was yhoten Gvinbating,
Anoþer hiȝt Medalan [f.229vb] [Image]
Boþe wiȝt & hoge man.
Wawain swiþe among hem smot[5005]
His broþer to seche, God it wot,
His ex he houe swiþe heiȝe,
Galathin was him wel neiȝe;
Þai leiden on, hem about
& toschiften al þat rout.[5010]
Sum þe scholder & som þe regge
He cleued wiþ swerdes egge,
Of sum þe midel ato he girt,
Mani he slouȝ & mani he hirt.
Abouten hem swiche sleiȝst þai made[5015]
Þat y no may it nouȝt al fulrade.
¶ Gveheres & Agrevein
Schewed also her main,
Mani þai hitten & smiten þurth
Þat fellen ded in þe furth.[5020]
No fined þai neuer swiche a sleiȝt
What þai to Gaheriet com riȝt
& pitouseliche him ligge founde
Deueling opon þe grounde,
Mani on about him were[5025]
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 & a riȝt,[5030]
On he smot þat þe dent þrest
Þurth helme & heued to þe brest,
Anoþer on þe schulder he hitt
Þat to þe (bi) ribbes he him slitt.
Anoþer he toke aboue þe scheld[5035]
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld,
Þus he serued mani arawe
Also dede his felawen;
So fele þai slowen hors & man
Þat tellen alle y no can.[5040]
Þos þat Gaheriet held þo
Alle hem bifel sorwe & wo,
No durst no abide lenge
Ac flowen oway on on renge.
Þo Gaheriet seiȝe Wawain[5045]
He lepe vp wiþ al his main,
His armes he tok vp anon [f.230ra] [Image]
& swiftliche dede hem opon
& toke a swerd in his hond gode,
Afot mani he schadde blode.[5050]
A destrer þo ladde Agreuein
& toke it Gaheriet bi þe rein
& seyd ‘worþ heron hastiliche.’
& seyd ‘þou dest foliliche
Þo þou folwedest hunting[5055]
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;[5060]
Anon þai gun hem wiþdrawe
What þai com to her felawe.
Þese Sarraȝins þo gun vnplie
Her baners & after heiȝe,
¶ To nimen þis children anon[5065]
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.[5070]
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 & smale[5075]
Hou ȝou seiþ here þis tale:
Þe vplondis men þat hadden ladde
Cartes & somers so Wawain badde
To Londen wel wele þai come.
Þe citisains fair in hem nome[5080]
& asked hem for heuen-king
Whennes com þat noble þing,
Alle þai telden hou Wawain
& his feren þurth noble main
Hadden met toward Lounde[5085]
& þre þousand leyd to grounde
& þe Sarraȝins hadde yschent
& to Londen þat catel sent,
& seyden to þe constable þo
Þat was yhoten sir Do[5090]
Þat Sarraȝins seuen þousinde [f.230rb] [Image]
Hadde asailed hem bihinde.
¶ Sir Do went to Algate
& dede blowe an horn þerate,
Of þat cite þe alderman[5095]
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 & eke wiȝt[5100]
‘Loke,’ he seyd ‘leue frende,
Herbisiden ben childer hende
Þat han þis ich dawe
Mani cursed painem slawe
Þat hadden robbed þis cuntray[5105]
Of al þis ich fair pray,
Þis children han hem yschent
& þis present hider sent;
We were coward & vnhende
Bot we holpen þo children kende.[5110]
It beþ Galathin & eke Wawain,
Gveheres, Gaheriet & Agreuein.
Þurth þe grace of Crist Ihesu
& þis children y telle ȝou
Bitvene Arthour & þe xi king[5115]
May be pes & acording.
As armes,’ he seyd ‘par amour
& dasse we to her socour.’
Wiþouten abod sone anon
Her armes þai deden on,[5120]
Euerich of þe alderman
His baner biforn him nam
& þe constable sir Do
His baner toke also,
Of þe seuen þousand to þai lete[5125]
For alle chaunce Londen to kepe
& wiþ hem toke þousandes fiue
Swiþe gode in fiȝt & striue;
Her steden swiþe þai bistriden
& toward þe children swiþe riden.[5130]
Lete we now ben her cominge
& speke we of þe children fiȝting.
Þis children fourten so y finde
Oȝain fiftene þousinde
& no hadde bot four score kniȝtes [f.230va] [Image] [5135]
& fif hundred of squiers wiȝt
& tventi also þat schulden ben
Kniȝtes when þai miȝt her time sen
& þ(e)re hundred of þe cuntray[(]
Boþe on fot & hors y say -[5140]
Þat was a þousand, an hundred las
Nas þer namore in þat cas,
Ac Gvinbating & Medelan,
To vnsely hardi man,
Wiþ viii þousand in a þrome[5145]
On our folk dasseand come
Wiþ strong cours & gret hete
So þai hem wald nim & þrete.
Gvinbating an hoge spere
Oȝain Wawain he gan to bere,[5150]
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;[5155]
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,[5160]
Of þe gode ax þe scharpe egge
Fel doun on þe hors rigge
& tocarf it euen ato,
& to þe grounde wiþouten no
Þe kniȝt donward gan butten[5165]
Amidward þe hors gutten -
& no hadde Wawain þer o fot ylawe
He hadde þer þe king yslawe.
Þo þe Sarraȝin yseiȝe þis
Þer com man[i] hundred, ywis,[5170]
Her lord to ben bitven
& Wawain to nimen or slen,
Þe Sarraȝin her lord vp nome
& on hors sett him sone
& sir Wawain þai asailed strong,[5175]
His hors þai slowen wiþ wrong.
Him to nim þai deden strengþe.
& non durst him neiȝe his ax-lengþe
Ac þai him þrewe wiþ swerd & spere [f.230vb] [Image]
Him to nimen & him to dere.[5180]
At þat rideing slouȝ Galathin
Swiþe mani Sarraȝin
So dede also Gveheres
Mani heueded in þat pres,
Agreuein dede also[5185]
Mani slouȝ & deden wo,
So dede þe child Gaheriet;
No man no miȝt fiȝt bet.
Miday passed & none cam,
Wawain strengþe double gan[5190]
Þo he seyd & swore ‘par de
Today no schul ȝe nimen me.’
Wiþ boþe his honden his ax he hef
& fele he slouȝ in stounde bref;
In blod he stode ichil avowe[5195]
Of hors & 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[5200]
Þat he fel on his hors nek,
Him to heueden he gan to bek.
Wawain wiþ his ax-helue
Lepe þo fet ten & tvelue
& ouer al þat bitven hem was[5205]
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[5210]
& Wawain smot on þe scheld [ smot: MS reads somt.]
Þat it clef & fel in þe feld.
ȝete decended þat ich dent
Þurth þe armes verrament
& þurthout flesche & bon & blode[5215]
Þat at þe girdelstede it stode.
Þat dede bodi he put adoun
& lepe anon in þe arsoun
& seyd ‘today ich ȝeld ȝour rentes
Wiþ hard woundes & deþ-dentes,[5220]
Mi strengþe is dubled bi God aboue
& þat ȝe schul ȝete today proue.’ [catchword: he slouȝ to grounde al.]
& slouȝ to grounde al doun riȝt [f.231ra] [Image]
Boþe a left half & a riȝt
So he smot in al þat route[5225]
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;[5230]
Þat seiȝe Gvinbating, þe qued,
Þat Sesox his nevou was ded,
Wreken him he wold fond,
A strong launce he tok on hond
& smot Agreuein so God it wold[5235]
Þurth þe hauberk felefold -
& þurth þe ru(l)hel – vnder þe arm.
He hadde neiȝe ȝouen him deþes harm,
Þat Agreuein & his destrer
To grounde he kest wiþ gret power.[5240]
Gaheriet, Gveheres & Galathin
Þo bicome sori afine
For ich of hem wende certein
Þat dede were Agreuein
& wenten swiþe to þat rideing;[5245]
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.[5250]
Forþ com swiþe Gaheriet,
He him þouȝt to hit bet
For he him tok aboue þe scheld [MS: aboue tok.]
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld.
¶ Galathin wit fot him stett[5255]
Out of his sadel he him pett
& Agreuein tok þat destrer
& fleiȝe þeron so a speruer
& abouten hem þai redden
& her noble strengþe kedden -[5260]
Þo non of hem no wist þere
Whare Wawain was bicomen nowhere.
Al þe ost of Guinbating
Flowen to Medelan þe king
& þo wiþdrouȝ him Agreuein[5265]
What he seiȝe child Wawain,
Al fiue togider þai ȝede [f.231rb] [Image]
& our folk þo ȝede hem mide.
¶ Þo þai loked hem biside
& sir Do þai seiȝe com ride[5270]
Whom þai knewe bi þe vplondis men
Þat bifore were went hem fram,
Hastiliche þo þai aliȝt
& on her stedes her sadles diȝt,
Þis fiue þousand fram Lounde[5275]
To hem com in a stounde.
¶ Þe children were of socour bliþe,
Opon her hors þai lopen swiþe,
Wiþ hem & riden sarreliche
Her fon toward sikerliche,[5280]
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[5285]
Non no miȝt oþer ysen.
Þer was noble contenaunce
In bataile of remembraunce.
Wawain him conteind þan so
Þat men of Londen & sir Do[5290]
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[5295]
So water out of a laie.
Þer com þe strong king Medlan
& feld Do þat gentil man,
Þe helme hadde him bireued
For to smite of his heued;[5300]
No man no miȝt him binim
Þat vnsely wiþ þerwin
Bot Wawain þat bi him cam
& he him of his tolling nam,
Þat he was gode kniȝt he kidde,[5305]
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[5310]
What he com to þe brest – [f.231va] [Image]
Þe paiem fel wiþ iuel rest.
Þe Sarraȝins seiȝen þis
& gun fle wel swiþe, ywis.
Wawain þan & his nevou[5315]
& his broþer y telle ȝou
& her feren & sir Do
& þe gode of Londen also
Driuen hem fiue mile-way,
& mani of hem forsoþe y say -[5320]
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[5325]
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,[5330]
& 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[5335]
Departeþ it now on hast.’
Wawain was þe better ay
Þerfore ypraised, par ma fay,
Þis þing was deled & diȝt
So hem þouȝt best apliȝt.[5340]
Þerafter þis children of mounde
Soiournd wel long in Lounde
Þat no Sarraȝin hem miȝt
Noiþer deri bi day no niȝt, [ Noiþer: i is superscript.]
Sir Do made hem gret solas[5345]
¶ & alle þat euer in Londen was.
Lete we hem þer soiour
& wende oȝain to king Arthour.
Marche is hot, miri & long,
Foules singen her song,[5350]
Buriouns springeþ, mede greneþ,
Of euerich þing þe hert keneþ.
Arthour went fro Brekingho [ fro: MS reads to.]
Merlin, Ban, Bohort also
& her feren þritti & niȝe, [f.231vb] [5355] [ niȝe: MS reads fiue.]
[Image]
[]
Bot in alle fourti & to
Alle chosen, so mot y go,
Bi clerk Merlines conseyl,
Þe wiȝtest þat he wist saun fail.[5360]
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[5365]
& hadde Carmelide in his hond
& made swiþe gret pite
For he was bilayn in þat cite
Of king Rion & kinges fiftene
Þat al born corounes schene[5370]
Þat hadden him & al his man
Ouercomen bifor þan.
No he no hadde men þat miȝt
Him to awreke, y ȝou pliȝt,
& conseild him þat ich stounde[5375]
At kniȝtes of þe table rounde
& 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[5380]
On a Palmesonnes-aue
Sum conseil of hem to haue.
¶ Riȝt þo entred king Arthour
& Ban & Bohort & sir Antour
& her feren wiþouten doute[5385]
Al þai comen in on route,
Alle it were ȝong man
Bot it were þe king Ban
& Bohort & Vlfin þe bel
& sir Antour & Sir Bretel;[5390]
Þis were noble kniȝtes fiue
& alle of midel liue.
Þe oþer al were bachelers
Sittand on heiȝe destrers.
¶ Merlin seyd ‘þe king is ȝounde[5395]
Liȝteþ al to þe grounde
ȝe schullen wende on on ring
ȝour hors schul þe gromes bring,
& þou sir Ban þe king [f.232ra] [Image]
To Leodegan so ȝeue greteing[5400]
& sey þe wordes him to
Þat we bispeke at Brekenho.’
Hou þai went & on swiche maner
Now ȝe may al yhere,
Of swiche bodis noble & wiȝt[5405]
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 & Bohort & king Arthour.[5410]
King Arthour ȝede bitven, apliȝt,
& king Ban him ledde bi þe hond riȝt,
Bohort him ladde nobleliche
Bi þe left hond sikerliche;
Alle þe oþer com after þo[5415]
Ioinand bi hond to & to.
Þe ferþ so was Antour,
Kayes fader of gret valour,
On his hond ȝede sir Vlfin
At euerich nede gode & fin.[5420]
Þe sext kniȝt so was Bretel,
Of gret noblay strong & lel,
On his hond ȝede þe steward Kay,
Þe seuend kniȝt of gret noblay.
Þe viii Lucan þe boteler,[5425]
A gode kniȝt of gret power,
Erl Does sone þat loked Lounde
Þe ix was ich vnderstonde.
Grifles so was tiþe
Wiȝt he was & noble swiþe[5430]
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[5435]
On his hond ȝede fair & wel.
Þe xiiii so was Flaundrin,
A noble kniȝt of gentil lin,
On his hond ȝede Laninas
An hardi kniȝt, þe fiftend was.[5440]
Þe xvi was Amores þe broun,
A stalworþ kniȝt vnder hauberioun,
Aucales þe rede ȝede him bi, [f.232rb] [Image]
Þe xvii kniȝt, strong & hardi.
Þe xviii was Bliobel,[5445]
A kniȝt doand swiþe wel,
Þe xix was Bleoberiis,
Of gret los & michel priis.
Canode þe xx was,
He no fleiȝe neuer for no cas,[5450]
Aladanc þe crispe was xx & on,
Non better bodi no miȝt gon.
Þe xxii was Jslacides,
Wiȝt & strong in eueri pres,
Lampades was xx & þre,[5455]
A noble kniȝt gent & fre.
Þe xxiiii kniȝt was
A noble kniȝt yhote Ieroas,
Cristofer of þe roche norþ
Þe xxv was forsoþ.[5460]
Þe xxvi was Aigilin,
A wiȝt kniȝt of gentil lin,
Þe xxvii was Calogreuand
A gentil kniȝt of noble hand.
Þe xxviij was Augusale,[5465]
Of no man no held he tale,
Wiȝt Agrauel was xx & niȝe
Ful of wiȝtschip & curteisie.
Þe xxx was Cleades þe fondling,
Man seiȝe neuer better ȝongling,[5470]
Þe gode kniȝt Gimires of Lambale
Þe on & þritti was bi tale.
Þe xxxii was Kehedin,
Fair & wiȝt & gentil fin,
Þe þre & þritti was Meraugis,[5475]
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.[5480]
Þe xxxvi was Claries,
He was ful wiȝt in eueri pres,
Þe xxxvii was Blehartis,
Bold of dede of speche wiis.
Þe xxxviii was Amadan orgulous,[5485]
A kniȝt of dede vertuous,
Þe xxxix Osoman, cert [f.232va] [Image]
His surname was ‘hardi of hert.’
Þe xl was Galescounde,
Þer nas no kniȝt of more mounde,[5490]
Þe xli was Bleherris
King Bohortes godsone, ywis.
Þe xlij Merlin was þar,
Bifor Arthour þe ȝerd bar -
Þis alle ȝede hand in hand[5495]
As y ȝou seyd bifornhand.
¶ Leodegan & al his ginge
Gret wonder had of her cominge,
Kniȝtes, swaines, leuedis beld
Maden crud hem to biheld,[5500]
Wonder þai hadden euerichon
For non no knewe her non.
¶ Oȝain hem ȝede king Leodegan
& him gret þe king Ban,
Leodegan seid ‘ȝou blisse þe rode[5505]
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.[5510]
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[5515]
Þe to help in þi bataile
& to serue on swiche maner
So þou schalt now yher.
We aske þe on Godes name
Noiþer to þine harm no þi schame[5520]
Ac þat þou graunt ous now a þing
& þerof no make werning:
Þou no schalt aske name our,
No wo we beþ, no non of our,
No apose ous of our being[5525]
What we þe wil make scheweing,
& ȝif þe likeþ so our seruise
Telle it ous now in al wise
& bot þou like we seruen þe
We wille ȝern fram þe te[5530]
To sum oþer & serue swiþe [f.232vb] [Image]
Þat of our come wil be bliþe.’
Leue toke Leodegan
To asky conseil of his man,
Alle his barouns him seyd, ywis,[5535]
It sembled men of gret priis;
Her semblaunt hem bar witnisse,
He schuld of hem nim sikernisse
& afong her seruise
& nouȝt hem lete o non wise.[5540]
Oȝain com king Leodegan
& þus seyd to Arthour & to Ban
‘Bewe seygnours, me þenkeþ schame
Þat ȝe me heleþ ȝour name
For ich vnderstond wele þat ȝe[5545]
Ben of more power þan ich be
Ac ȝe semble so wiȝt & fre
Þat ȝe beþ welcome to me
& ȝour seruise ȝeld y schal
ȝif he me saueþ þat welt al;[5550]
Ac arst ȝe schul me make siker
Wiþ me held in eueri biker
& ȝour names telle ȝe me
When ȝe seþ þat time be.’
His treuþe þerto þe king Ban,[5555]
& þerto ȝaf Leodegan.
Þerwhiles þe clerk Merlin
Hem hadde ypuruaid a riche in
& ledde hem þider al faire.
Her ost was ycleped Blaire,[5560]
Leonele hete his wiif,
A fair buriays & ioliif,
Boþe þai wenten oȝain Arthour
& him welcomed wiþ gret honour.
Arthour & his feren wiȝt[5565]
Soiournde þer seuen niȝt,
In her in & wiþ þe king
Þai maden oft solausing.
¶ Þe king þo sent his messangers
Oueralle to her souders[5570]
& 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 [f.233ra] [Image] [5575]
To help him in his medlay;
& who so nold to him come
As traitour he schuld ben ynome
So ich in boke writen finde
& him hing bi þe winde.[5580]
For so long trewes bitven Rion
Weren & þe king Leodegan -
Ac listneþ now swiche traisoun
Hem come ar þe Assensioun.
In Estre on þe Tewisday[5585]
Þe euen of seint Philip in May
Four kinges gret geaun[ts] [5587-8: line-ends smudged and partly illegible.]
Þat were vnder þe king [Ri]ounȝ
Went hem out in iren & stiel
Wiþ sexti þousand armed wel;[5590]
Þe first king hiȝt Roulyons,
Þe oþer hete king Clarions,
Þe þridde king hete Sonegrens, [ Sonegrens: r is superscript.]
Þe ferþ hete king Sorhens,
Þise went fram þe gret ost[5595]
To Carohaise wiþ gret bost
& robbeden al þe cuntray
Boþe in doun & in valaye,
Man & wiman al þat þai founde
Þai slowen doun into þe grounde,[5600]
Þe cuntre wiþ wild fer
Oueral þai set on fer;
Ten hundred cartes on on route
Biforn hem brout saun doute
Charged wiþ mete & wiþ drink[5605]
Þat ani man miȝt of þink
& vc kniȝtes þe pray toke
For to condue hem & loke.
To Carohaise þe kinges wente
& at þe gates wolden entre[5610]
Ac þe gateward þe gates schetten,
Ac þeroȝain anon þai stetten,
Boþe wiþ launce & wiþ sword
Þai dusched & hewen on þe bord,
& wenten to þe plaines oȝan[5615]
To quellen wiif child & man -
Men miȝt hem here schriche
So fer þat it was ferliche.
Þo in þe cite seiȝe þis harmes [f.233rb] [Image]
Manliche þai grad ‘As armes!’[5620]
Þai went & armed hem euerichon
& to þe gates comen anon,
Opon gode stede hem rest
For to abide þe kinges hest,
& þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde[5625]
Of al þe warld of mest mounde
Wiche hadde made Vter Pendragon,
Ac king Arthour no knewe her non.
Tvo hundred & to score & ten
Verrament þer weren of hem;[5630]
Herui de Riuel & Malot þe broun [ de: MS reads þe.]
Were maisters of þe gomfainoun
So ich in þe brut finde;
Her gomfainoun was of cendel ynde
Of gold þer were on þre coroune,[5635]
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,[5640]
His pensel hadde riche colour
Alle he was couched wiþ aȝur [ aȝur: MS reads ?ascur. Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979) proposes long s corrected to that form of r which follows an o.]
Of gold þer were four bore-heuedes ybete. [ bore-heuedes: erasure after bo, with re he in darker ink and uedes awkwardly superscript in same ink.]
Þese houed al in þe strete.
Þo com king Arthour, Bohort & Ban[5645]
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;[5650]
On stedes þai lopen euerichon
In þe world nar better non.
Merlin rode biforn ichil avowe
& bad hem alle swiþe him suwe,
So þai deden wiþouten faintise[5655]
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[5660]
For þe mouþe he had grininge
& þe tong out flattinge
Þat out kest spa[r]kes of fer [f.233va] [Image]
Into þe skies þat flowen cler.
Þis dragoun hadde a long taile[5665]
Þat was wiþ þerhoked saun faile.
Merlin com to þe gate
& bad þe porter him out late,
Þe porter seyd he schuld rest
What he hadde of his lord hest[5670]
‘Certes’ quaþ Merlin ‘y þe telle
No lenger resten here y nille.’
He toke þe gate bi þe legge
& slong hem vp at his rigge,
Þo he was out & his feren eke[5675]
Fast oȝain þe gate he leke
Wiþ lockes haspes & mani pin
Wiþ mani bar & mani gin,
Þus fast loken he hem fand
& as fast after him lete hem stand -[5680]
Alle þat seiȝen þis saun faile
Of him hadde gret meruaile,
Boþe þo of þe cite
& eke his feren bi mi leute.
¶ Þo bad Merlin his compainie[5685]
Her stedes priken & swiþe hiȝe,
Wiþ þe baner dast Merlins
Among to þousand Sarraȝins
Þat ledden a wel gret pray
Toward king Rion y say,[5690]
Ich of hem so dede bere
Þurth a Sarrain wiþ his spere,
Afterward her swerdes drowe
& Þe Sarraȝins to grounde slowe;
Sum þai cleued to þe brest,[5695]
Sum þai binomen fot & fest,
Of mani þai hadde helme & heued
Sone fro þe bodi weued.
Þe to & fourti weren ȝep -
Þai leten þer hors gode chep[5700]
Boþe wiþ sadel & wiþ bridel
For nouȝt to haue & oway ride -
Þe to þousand todriuen & slawe
Þai hadden in a litel þrawe
So man wold in a mile-way[5705]
Ouergon his jurnay,
& þat priis ladde at aise [ aise: i is superscript.]
Toward þe cite of Caroaise.
Ac so þai comen bi þe way
Eft þai metten michel pray,[5710]
A þousand cartes almast
Comand wel swiþe on hast,
Swiche þre kinges wiþ xvi þousinde
Comen & condid, hem bihinde,
& Merlin seyd wiþ griseli chere[5715]
‘Now suweþ me gode fere.’
Forþ he flang & þai after anon
So swiþe so þe stedes miȝt gon;
Þo þai com þe kinges neiȝe
Merlin hef his heued on heiȝe[5720]
& kest on hem enchauntement
Þat he hem alle almest blent
Þat non oþer sen no miȝt
A grete while, y ȝou pliȝt,
& our fourti smiten hem on[5725]
& slowen of hem mani on
& mani c of painems hewe
Ar ani þer oþer knewe.
¶ Þo of þe cite seiȝen þis,
Þai seyden it were men of priis.[5730]
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,[5735]
Mani schaft broken sikerly,
For in þe coming of Cleodalis
Þe paiens miȝt sen, ywis,
Þer was swiche contek & wonder
Þat it dined so þe þonder.[5740]
Þis ich heþen kinges þre
Ato parted her meine
Seuen þousand to ben þer riȝt
Oȝain þe fiue þousand to fiȝt,
& setten þer þousandes eiȝte[5745]
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[5750]
Wiþ him brouȝt þousandes to – [f.234ra] [Image]
& to þe bataile flongen þo.
Þe viij þousand hem com oȝain,
Þer was meting of men o main
Wiþ spere & wiþ scharp sword,[5755]
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;[5760]
He slouȝ þre oȝaines anne
& craked mani hern-panne.
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Mani þer slouȝ in litel stounde
& bilimeden & feld of hors[5765]
Mani heþen orped cors,
Ac þei her swerdes wele þer bite
& to ded mani smite,
It was swiþe litel sene
For oȝaines on þer wer tene,[5770]
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 & Dagon[5775]
Hem no schuld ascape non
& drouȝ hem wel fer aroume -
Þat Crist hem ȝeue confusioun -
& baren doun in þat stounde
ȝete fourti of þe table rounde[5780]
& were abouten hem to dere
Ac her feren hem gun were [Line 5782: copied at the foot of the column.]
Þat he no hadde power non
Non of hem for to slon.
Þat time was Leodegan[5785]
Feld adoun & his man
ȝete an hundred oþer mo;
Leodegan þai nomen þo
& beten him sore & ȝeuen him wounde
& to an hors fast him bounde[5790]
& token fif hundred kniȝtes
To lade him forþ anonriȝtes,
& so þai deden sikerliche
Defuiland vilanliche
Toward þe riche king Rion [f.234rb] [Image] [5795]
& wenden her bataile were ydon.
& þo þe king Leodegan
Him seiȝe fer fram al his man
& him aboute socour non
& him loþeliche lade to king Rion[5800]
‘Allas,’ he seyd ‘þat y was bore,
Mi liif & priis so is forlore
& Gvenoure mi dohter gent
Of vile paiems worþ yschent
& alle min noble kniȝtes[5805]
Worþ yslawe adoun riȝtes
& þe leuedis of mi lond
Alle ynomen in payems hond.’
For riȝt gret sorwe & care
Aswon he fel as he ded ware;[5810]
To gret mile fram þe bataile
Þo he was, wiþouten faile.
¶ His douhter stode on þe cite wal
& biheld þis misauentour al,
Hir hondes sche sett on hir here[5815]
& hir fair tresses al totere;
Sche hir totar to hir smok
& on þe wal hir heued gan knok
& swoned oft & seyd allas
Þat hir socour lorn was;[5820]
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,[5825]
Leodegan þai wolden awreke
Oþer steruen þai wolden alle
& renged hem oȝain þe walle
For þai no seiȝen no socour
& schewed þo her vigour -[5830]
Þridde half hundred oȝain .m. seuen
Me þenkeþ certes þat was vneuen.
Ac þer þai fouȝten vnder þe toun
& mani Sarraȝin leyd adoun;
Hem þai tohewen & hors also,[5835]
Þay þoled michel pine & wo.
Þe citisains þat yseiȝe
& sore wepen wiþ her eiȝe.
Now lete we hem fiȝtand here [f.234va] [Image]
& speke we of Arthour & his fere.[5840]
Now seyt our tale saun faile
Þat orible is þe bataile,
Of gret crie & swiþe strong,
Almest þennes fiue forlong,
Þat Arthour held wiþ fourti & to[5845]
& Cleodalis wiþ four þousand & mo,
Oȝaines hem Sornegreons & king Sapharen
Þat seuen þousand hadd wiþ hem;
So fele paiems þer lay slawe
Þat fele hepes þer lay on rawe[5850]
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 & to[5855]
So swiþe so þe hors miȝt go,
Þer bileued Cleodalis
Wele fiȝtand & al his;
Þo Merlin hadde riden a while
Þe mountaunce of to mile[5860]
He seyd to king Arthour & Ban
‘Lo ȝond men ledeþ Leodegan
Ybounden toward king Rion
On hard dede for to slon;
After hem now dasseþ swiþe[5865]
& oftakeþ hem biliue,
ȝif ȝou ascapeþ of hem ten
Schal I ȝou neuer held men.’
Þai stirten forþ & ouertoke hes
& dassed hem amid þe pres.[5870]
Þe first slouȝ Merlin verrament
To ȝeuen þe oþer gode talent,
Arthour smot on hem saun faile
So on þe singel doþe þe haile
So we finden on þe bok;[5875]
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,[5880]
So deden al þo gentil feren
Her swerdes þai dede in blod steren,
Alle þai laiden doun riȝt [f.234vb] [Image]
& made þer swiche a sleiȝt
Þat man seiȝe neuer in so litel stounde[5885]
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 [5890] [ gramerci: r is superscript. c: altered from e.]
Þat ȝede drawend her bridel brod
To þe fitlokes in þe blod.
Þus Arthour & his felawered
Deliuerd Leodegan fram þe dede,
Michel wonder had Leodegan[5895]
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,[5900]
Þat he was deliuerd fram his fon
He þonked Ihesu Crist anon.
¶ Þo liȝt þe clerk Merlin
& sir Bretel & sir Vlfin
& þe king Leodegan vnbounde[5905]
& sett him on a stede of mounde
& armed him fineliche wel
& dede on his heued an helm of stiel,
About his nek a scheld strong
& toke him a launce long[5910]
& sett him vp as a king
Þat er lay as a breþeling,
He joined his honden ioe vus di
& ȝalt hem þank & gramerci.
On his stede þo lepe Merlin,[5915]
So dede Bretel & sir Vlfin,
¶ Þo seyd Merlin ‘mine kniȝtes fre,
Prikeþ ȝour stedes & folweþ me.’
So þai deden wiþouten abod,
So aruwe of bowe ich forþ glod.[5920]
¶ Ac þo Gvenoure opon þe walle
Þis to & fourti seiȝe com alle
Bi þe dragon þat cast fer
Þat fleiȝe into þe skies cler
Sche wist it were þe fourti & to,[5925]
Hir fader sche seiȝe com also
On hors y-armed & wele atired [f.235ra] [Image]
& fram his fon þurth hem deliuerd -
No ask no man of þe gret blisse
Þat sche made þan, ywis,[5930]
& al þe men þat it seiȝen
For ioie þai wepe wiþ her eiȝen.
Þis þre & fourti com on hast
Wiþ norþ þen winde so doþ tempast,
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde[5935]
Þai founden alle felled to grounde
Þat stoden afot & wered hem
Oȝain on euer xx & ten,
Bot xx of hem openliche
On hors fouȝten nobliche[5940]
& 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[5945]
Hastiliche þe heued of grett
& slowen hem doun into þe grounde
Mani geaunt in litel stounde,
Euerich dede swiþe wel
Wiþ scharpe swerd of gode stiel,[5950]
Mani þai smiten þurth saun faile
Fram þe top to þe taile,
Of sum þe side, God it wot,
Wiþ scheld & arme eueri grot,
Of sum þe midel euen ato,[5955]
Of sum þei & legge also;
Auberk, aketoun & scheld
Was mani tobroken in þat feld
& mani paiem wiþ deþes wounde
& mani stede coruen to grounde.[5960]
Þe king himself þer Leodegan
Wele him wrake of his foman,
Oȝain þe þre & fourti of our
Non armour no miȝt dour, [ miȝt: i is superscript.]
No hors of priis, no heþen kniȝt[5965]
Þat he nas dede anonriȝt.
Þer was an heþen king hiȝt Canlang
Fiftene fet he was lang.
He & anoþer þat strengest were
Of alle þe paiems þat were þere.[5970]
Þis dede his miȝt saun fable [f.235rb] [Image]
To stroie þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table.
¶ King Arthour mett Canlang,
Togider þai made fiȝting strang
& so strong was Canlang verrament[5975]
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 & flesche & bon,[5980]
Vnto þe nouel he him carf,
Þe misbileueand paiem starf,
A boþe half his hors he hing
Þat ernne forþ crudand in þat þring. [ crudand: MS reads arudand.]
Þe paiems seiȝe Canlang so hit[5985]
Agrisen of þat dint out of wit;
Gvenour þat dint of Arthour seye
& þonked Ihesu Crist on heiȝe
& ‘ȝeue þat he mi lord were
Þat ȝong þat fiȝteþ so þere.’[5990]
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[5995]
Þat oþer strongest of euerichon,
He was gret xiiii fet long
& swiþe gret & swiþe strong,
He hadde mani of our yslawe;
King Ban him mett wiþouten awe[6000]
So we finden in þe boke
& ouer þe ere he him toke,
Þe cheke he carf, þe schulder also,
To þe girdel þe dint gan go.
His ribbes & scholder fel adoun,[6005]
Men miȝt se þe liuer abandoun.
King Bohort of gent power
Met Sarmedon þe gomfanoun-bere,
On þe schulder he him hit
Þat arm & scholder of he kit;[6010]
His scheld & his gomfanoun
& himself þer fel adoun.
King Leodegan þo gan crie
‘For loue of þe quen Marie
Bistireþ ȝou min gentil kniȝtes [f.235va] [Image] [6015]
& leggeþ doun þis paiems riȝtes.’
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Alle lopen on hors o mounde
& hewen on þe Sarraȝin
Wiþ gode wille & hert fin.[6020]
¶ Þe paiems seiȝe ded Canlang
& Clarion þat was so strang
& þe baneour Sormedon,
Þo þai nist what to don
Ac so swiþe so þai miȝt[6025]
Oway flowen anonriȝt.
To þousand com out of þe cite
& feld hem doun wiþouten pite
Wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þai hewen hem doun vnto þe grounde.[6030]
¶ King Arthour & king Ban
King Bohort & king Leodegan
& þe fourti liȝt & wiþstode
& gerten her stedes gode
Þurth conseil of Merlin, ywis,[6035]
& went & holpen Cleodalis
Þe king[es] steward Leodegan
Þat fauȝt oȝain seuen m man
Wiþ four þousand & namore
So ȝe herden herebifore.[6040]
Þis fourti & to & on
Opon þis seuen þousand smiten anon
& hewen on wiþ gret powers
On schides so doþ þis carpenters -
It was nede for Cleodalis[6045]
Stode on fot, & mani of his
Aboute him stode sarreliche
Fram deþ to were sikerliche.
¶ Þer king Arthour & Bohort & Ban
& þe king Leodegan[6050]
Paiems wiþouten tale slouwe,
A þousand stedes her bridels drowe,
Þis þre & fourti fouȝten so
Forȝeten miȝt it be neuer mo;
For þe blod of kniȝtes dede[6055]
& of destre[r]s & of stede
Ran hem after al day so ȝerne
So water out of wel-streme,
Þurth þe pouwer & miȝt of þos [f.235vb] [Image]
Cleodalis þat kniȝt of los[6060]
Was ybrouȝt on hors, ywis,
& kniȝtes oþer fele of pris.
¶ Þe kinges of þo heþen man
Heten Sornegrex & Saphiran,
Aiþer of hem was xiiii fot lang[6065]
& swiþe hardi & swiþe strang
& hadden swiþe gret despite
Þat hem schent pople so lite.
A schille horn þai gun blawe,
Togider þai gader her felawe.[6070]
¶ Kay & Vlfin, þe buteler,
& Grifles þat was of gret power,
Ich of hem tok a launce long
& dassed þe Sarraȝins among;
Kay king Sornigrex hitt[6075]
& kest him to grounde in þat flit
& rode on him wiþ his hors
& defoiled his cursed cors
& had him slawe wiþouten letting
Ac mani com to þis rideing,[6080]
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 & strif[6085]
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.[6090]
¶ King Sornigrex þat was yfeld,
His bodi tobrussed, tobroken his scheld,
For schame he was out of wit.
Our folk he þouȝt for to hit
& gred to alle þo Sarains[6095]
Þat for loue of Apolins
Þai schuld of al his fon
Him awreke sone anon,
Of Saraȝins gret þreng
About our Cristen made reng[6100]
& hem biclepten in þat place
& leyden on wiþ swerd & mace
& wiþ axes & wiþ gisharm [f.236ra] [Image]
Our folk þai deden michel harm;
Ac in þis ich self stounde[6105]
Kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þat folweden þe paiems fleinde
Al on hors com flinginde
& seiȝe þe pensel of fourti & to
Þat day þat hadde hem holpen so,[6110]
Into bataile to hem þai drowen,
Alle þat þai met þai doun slowen
Boþe wiþ launce & swerd briȝt,
Þo þai metten þai slouȝ doun riȝt
& þurth miȝt þai keuerden so[6115]
Þat þai com to fourti & to
& þo so gret sleiȝt made
Þat y no may it fulrade.
¶ At þe oþer half Cleodalis
Fauȝt wiþ Sarraȝins of priis[6120]
Þat wiþ gret iniquite
Brouȝt hem oȝain to þe cite;
Þe strong king Saphiran
It was þat fauȝt him oȝan
Wiþ neiȝen þousand verrament[6125]
& dede him gret encumbrement.
Ac þo ich to þousinde
Þat folwed þe oþer fleinde
To help þer com Cleodalis
& on þe paiems smot, ywis,[6130]
In her coming & smiten to grounde
A þousand paiems in þat stounde
& þurth þe help of our driȝt [ help: MS reads lelp.]
Cleodalis halp wele to fiȝt
& helden gode contre oȝan[6135]
Saphiran & al his man.
Þo nar þo wiþ king Arthour
Bot to & fourti of valour
& of þe rounde table kniȝtes
To hundred & fifti wiȝte[6140]
No more þer ner so y finde
& fouȝten oȝain viij þousinde,
Sornegrex hete her king.
An hardi paiem þurth al þing.
Þer hadde ben miche mischef[6145]
No had Merlin seyd a conseil bihef
‘Bieu seygnours y nil nouȝt hele [f.236rb] [Image]
Of þis paiems beþ so fele
Þat we no may oȝain hem doure,
Bot to mi conseil nimeþ coure.[6150]
Her ben among þis Sarraȝins
Ten geauntes wel strong afins,
& þai were of dawe ydon
Þe bataile were passed sone.’
Þai asked him wiche þai were[6155]
& he hem tauȝt anonriȝt þere.
¶ King Ban þat was gode & strong
Tok his swerd in his hond,
His stede he smot & forþ glod,
Oȝain king Sornegrex he rode,[6160]
His helme he smot bi þe side,
Þurth helme & palet it gan glide,
Fram þe cheke þe neb he bar
Þe scheld fram þe schulder þar
& þe left arme & þe hond; [6165] [ arme: r is superscript.]
Ich vnderstond he dede him schond.
Þe Sarraȝins kest a gret cri
& fleiȝe oway wiþ gret hy.
¶ Bohort met Marganan
& smot þat vnsely man[6170]
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[6175]
& a quarter þerof kitt,
On þe schulder slod þe dent
& kitt it of verrament
& þerwiþ ribbes four,
Þe painem starf wiþ misantour.[6180]
¶ Sir Vlfin slouȝ þo Sabalant
¶ & Bretel þe douk Cordant,
¶ Þe steward Kay slouȝ dan Deriard
¶ & Lucan þe boteler slouȝ Malard
¶ & Grifles so slouȝ Menadap[6185]
¶ & Meragys slouȝ þe douke Sadap
¶ & Gornenis slouȝ þe douke Maupas
¶ & Craddok slouȝ Darrilas.
Þese were þe geauntes ten
& princes of þe heþen men,[6190]
Þo þe paiems hem ded seiȝe [f.236va] [Image]
A cri þai gun areren heiȝe
& seyd it were deuelen þat þai wiþ fouȝten,
Sikerliche so hem þouȝten,
Þai flowen oway wiþouten abode.[6195]
Our folk swiþe after hem rode
& to grounde slouȝ doun riȝt
Al þat þai oftake miȝt,
Þre þousend þai slowen of þe eiȝtte.
Þe oþer ascaped anonriȝt [6200] [ oþer: r is superscript.]
To þe riche king Saphiran.
Þo were þai xiiii þousand of man
& smiten on Cleodalis
Þat had bot four þousand, ywis,
& þe to þat comen out of þe cite.[6205]
Þer men seiȝe wel gret pite,
Hou þe painems & king Saphiran
Defoiled our Cristen men,
A þousand & mo þai slowen,
Þe remanant of hors drowen;[6210]
Oft Cleodalis was wo
Ac neuer wers þan him was þo.
Ydriuen he was vnder þe toun
& loked after þe dragoun
Þat Merlin bar, ac he no miȝt[6215]
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[6220]
Now he flowe, now he wiþstode,
For drede he was neiȝe wode.
Þe citaisins þan seiȝe þis
& reweliche cri maden, ywis.
Ac þurth Merlin so ich finde[6225]
Arthour was bileued bihinde
& þe oþer wiþouten fable,
Þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
& adden alle adoun aliȝt,
Her stedes girt þe sadels riȝt [6230] [ þe: MS reads he.]
& soft & sarre saun faile
Com to þis reweful bataile; [ Com: MS reads Tom.]
Þo on þe walles of þe toun
Seiȝe comand þe dragoun,
Þo seyd þe fair leuedis [f.236vb] [Image] [6235]
To þe steward Cleodalis
‘Cleodalis þou gentil kniȝt
Bistir þe & hardiliche fiȝt
For ȝonder doun in þe valaie
ȝou comeþ socour of gret noblay.[6240]
We seþ þe dragoun þat casteþ fer
& after þe newe souders
& Le[o]degan wiþ hem saun fable
& þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
Alle þai comen ȝerne, apliȝt;[6245]
Now kiþe þou art a noble kniȝt.’
Cleodalis in alle his liue
Nas neuer ȝete so bliþe
Þo he & his kniȝten
So wele fouȝten so þai miȝten.[6250]
¶ Arthour & Ban & king Bohort
Þer hem com to gret comfort
Wiþ her folk of gret mounde,
Þre hundred þai bar to grounde,
Ac a left half & a riȝt[6255]
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,[6260]
Bohort his broþer & 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[6265]
Hou wele þai deden, her ferrede.
Ac þe leuedis on þe tour
ȝerne biheld king Arthour
& hadde wonder of his ȝingþe
Þat þer kidde swiche stre(r)ngþe.[6270]
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[6275]
& Senebant & Engredan
Molore & eke Frelent
& Clariel, a geaunt gent,
Landon & ek Moras [f.237ra] [Image]
& Randel þat noble was,[6280]
To hem alou(n)de he gan to speke
Wiþ launce his anoie to wreke.
¶ Forþ dassed þe king Saphiran,
Þat vnsely hoge man, [ hoge: h is superscript.]
Hervi Riuel & his hors gent[6285]
He frust doun at o dent
Þat hors & man astuned lay,
ȝete forþ he dassed par ma fay
& þrewe sir Antor of his hors
Þat al þat day him was þe wors,[6290]
ȝete forþer he gan ride
& smot Grifles bi þe side
& kest him to þe grounde,
His launce brac in his wounde.
& Sortibran wiþ justing cler[6295]
Feld Luca[n]s þe buteler,
Clariel feld Meraugys
& sore hirt him, ywis,
Engredan feld Gor[n]ains & Craddoc
& sore agreued our floc,[6300]
Senebant þrewe doun Bleoberis
& his hors vnder him, ywis,
Þus þe geauntes our kniȝtes þrewe;
Our men gun it sore rewe
Non of hem had dedeli wounde[6305]
Ac sone stirt vp in þat stounde
& wiþ scharpe swerdes of stiel
Wered hem manliche wel.
Our folk abuten hem gan þrest
& socourd hem wiþ þe best.[6310]
¶ & ȝete in þis strong rideing
Com Saphiran þe heþen king
& in his hond a launce strong
Þat was boþe gret & long,
Leodegan on þe scheld he hitt[6315]
& wiþ strengþe it þurth slit.
His hond he bar heiȝe ferly,
Þe launce glod þe king forby
Þat ran þurth þe hors bihinde,
King & hors adoun gan winde;[6320]
‘Allas,’ þai seyd on þe tounes wal
‘Now we han ylorn al.’
Þai wende þe king yslawe ware [f.237rb] [Image]
& maden diol & sorweful fare.
Gvenour made gret diol, ywis[6325]
& 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[6330]
& him halp in þat rideing.
Þo spac Arthour þe king
‘Certes’ he seyd ‘þis nis no game,
Þe paiems doþ ous swiche schame.’
& swore he wold sterue anon[6335]
Oþer him awreke of his fon
& namlich on Saphiran,
‘Nay, lete me’ quaþ king Ban
‘For þou art to ȝong & ek to lite
Oȝain swiche a deuel to smite.’[6340]
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,[6345]
In wratþe brent al his blod,
His hors he smiteþ & he forþ glod,
Oȝain king Saphiran he rode.
Saphiran seiȝe war he cam,
A strong launce in hond he nam,[6350]
Toforn him his scheld he grope,
Stef he streiȝt his stirope.
His stede he smot of gret valour
& rode oȝain king Arthour -
A deuel rod oȝain a child.[6355]
King Ban for drede was nei wilde
& rode after king Arthour
To helpen him par auentour.
Saphiran wiþ king Arthour mett,
Wiþ miȝt gret on him stett,[6360]
His scharp launce gan to glide
Þurth Arthour scheld & his side,
Þe speres schaft al torof;
Arthour nam no ȝeme þerof
Ac in sadel sat vpriȝt[6365]
To mete Saphiran, apliȝt.
His launce he bar þurthout his scheld [f.237va] [Image]
& þurth þe hauberk felefeld,
Þurth þe wombe & þurth þe chine
Þe spere ȝede euen bi line.[6370]
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[6375]
& þe oþer leuedis alle,
Of Arthour seiȝe justing þis,
On him þai laiden al þe priis.
Anon after þe king Ban
Met þe geaunt Sortibran[6380]
& on þe scholder so him hit
Þe side fram þe bodi kitt,
Þo com Malore & Frelent
& nomen Ban þat king so gent
Bi þe helme wiþ her hond,[6385]
To smite of his heued þai gun fond;
Þis yseiȝe þe king Arthour
& smot his stede to þat socour,
Malore in þe heued he hitt
Þe heued fram þe bodi he kitt.[6390]
¶ Þo þouȝt þe paiem Frelent
Awreke his cosyn of þat dent
To Arthour wiþ main he smot,
His scheld he clef God it wot
& of his hauberk a gore[6395]
& of his aketoun a fot & more
Ac he no tok nouȝt his flesche.
Herof Arthour anoid wes,
A dint he smot anon to him
& cleue his helme & eke bacin[6400]
& al þe heued to þe brest,
Þe paien fel wiþ iuel rest.
Þe paiens schirt & made dol
For þai no hadde þo bot Randol,
A geaunt þat bar þe gomfanoun [6405] [ þe: MS reads he.]
Alle þe oþer were leyd adoun,
Þe paiens of deþ hadden doute
& alle wenten Randol aboute
Ac Ban no leued for no doute
Þat he no dassed hem þurthout[6410]
& Randoil on þe schulder he smot [f.237vb] [Image]
Wiþ his swerd þat wele bot
Þurthout hauberk & aketoun
To þe midel al adoun,
Þe pensel fel & eke Randoil.[6415]
Þe paiens þerof hadden diol
& gun rere a wel foule crie
So dorren don & flesche-fleiȝen
& for sorwe & drede & eiȝe
Þai flowen euerich his weiȝe.[6420]
King Arthour wiþouten abade
& alle þe oþer of whom y tofore sade
After þis paiens fling
& mani of hem to deþ sting
Wiþ scharp swerd of gode egge[6425]
Þe liif þai dede mani on legge;
Of xiiij þousand, boten fiue
No aschaped to king Rion oliue
Wiþ michel sorwe & michel care,
& þat al forwounded ware.[6430]
King Rion al þai teld
Hou her feren weren aqueld,
Wel wroþ was king Rion þo
& made diol & michel wo
& swiftliche he sent his sond[6435]
Oueral into Irlond
& into Danmark also.
Þe messangers forþ gun go
Þat bere letters & tidinges
To on & xx strong kinges[6440]
To hundred m þat schulden bring
& l m of heþen genge
& for to ȝer her spending -
& so þai dede wiþouten lesing.
After þis bataile & scumfite[6445]
Our men boþe gret & lite
Togider gaderd hem comonliche
& comen hom nobleliche
& biforn hem driuen al þe pray
Of xx c cartes y say[6450]
& com to Carohaise þat riche toun
Wiþ ioie & wiþ processioun;
King Leodegan þo hete
His men nimen þat pray skete
Þat in þe tventi .c cartes was, [f.238ra] [Image] [6455]
Taken it Arthour more & las.
So deden þe kinges kniȝtes,
Arthour nome it anonriȝtes
& parted it wel curtaisliche
Bi Merlins conseil sikerliche[6460]
& so miche ȝaf his ost Blaise
Þat riche hem made & wele at aise.
Ac Arthour no Ban no forþ his host
No lenge wiþ Blasie soiourne most
Ac to court þai were yfeched raþe [6465] [ raþe: MS reads rare.]
& ydon in riche baþe;
Gveneour wesche þe king Arthour
& Ban & Bohort wiþ honour.
Gvenore anoþer damisel
& oþer maiden fair & fel[6470]
Weschen alle her gentil feren.
Here ȝe schul now yheren
Hou þe oþer Gvenour was biȝete
Y wil þat ȝe it alle wite.
¶ Þo Leodegan spoused his quene[6475]
A burmaiden he hadde fair & schene,
On fair maner & gentil wise
Þat serued þe leuedi of heiȝe prise,
Þe kinges steward Cleodalis
Seiȝe þis maiden of gret prise[6480]
& 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[6485]
& left his wiif in þe quenes ȝeming
& ich ȝou sigge par ma fay
In þe quenes chaumber sche lay.
Ich niȝt it was þe quenes maner
To chirche gon & matins here,[6490]
Also þe quen herd matines
Þe king aros bi wrongful lines
& what bi loue & what bi striif
He forlay þe stewardes wiif
& biȝat a maide of gret mounde[6495]
Þat was Gvenour þe secounde.
& fram þat time al afterward
He binam þe wif his steward
& hadde hir fer in on trist, [f.238rb] [Image]
Whiderward þe steward nist.[6500]
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[6505]
So pani is oþer sikerliche.
Þese weschen þis gentil man
& leyd tables after þan.
Leodegan nam ȝeme wich onour [ wich: MS reads wiþ.]
Alle þe oþer born king Arthour;[6510]
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[6515]
Was yset þritti & neie
& next hem wiþouten fable
Sat þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
After þat ysett were þere
Al þo oþer after þai were.[6520]
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[6525]
Biheld his douhter & 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[6530]
& seyd ‘sir, þi þouȝt lete be
& make þine ostes gamen-gle,
Eten & drink men schal on benche
& after mete in chaumber þenche.’
Þe king þis tale vnderstode[6535]
& made his gestes semblaunt gode.
Ac on Gveneour biheld Arthour
& was al nomen in hir amour
Ac he tempred so his blod
Þat non oþer it vnderstode;[6540]
Gvenoure on knewes oft gan stoupe
To serue king Arthour wiþ þe coupe
& he seyd to hir saun faile [f.238va] [Image]
‘Crist lete me ȝeld þe þi trauaile.’
& sche seyd to him ‘sir gramerci,[6545]
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 & þe trauail & þe honour
Þat ȝe han don to mi lord & ȝour socour;[6550]
Yherd be Ih[es]us Cristes sond
Þat ȝou sent into þis lond.’
Gveneour was euer tofor Arthour
& serued him wiþ gret honour
& bifor eueri gentil man was[6555]
Maidens to serue wiþ gret solas.
Þer were trumpes & fiþelers
& stiuours & tabourers,
Þai eten & dro[n]ken & made hem glade
& þo þai were al glad made[6560]
Þe cloþes weren vp ydrawe
& þai weschen so it was lawe.
After mete asked king Ban
To þe king Leodegan
Whi Gvenour his douhter precious[6565]
To sum gentil man nere yspouse [ nere: MS reads were.]
Seþ þen he no hadde non airs.
‘Certes sir,’ quaþ Leodegan vairs
‘ȝif were ner so mot y liue
Sche were mani day yȝeue,[6570]
Wist ich owhar ani bacheler
Vigrous & of miȝt cler,
& he were of gode linage,
Þei he nadde non hirritage,
Mi douhter ich wald him ȝiue[6575]
& al mi þing wiþ to liue.’
For king Arthour þat he seyd.
Merlin þo toforn hem pleyd
& cleped vp king Arthour & Ban
& her feren fram Leodegan[6580]
So þat Leodegan miȝt of noþing
More wite of her being;
Þer seyd Merlin anonriȝt
To king Arthour al þe sleiȝt
Þat Wawain & his feren of mounde[6585]
Hadde ydon biside Lounde
& al þat þerwhiles schuld falle [f.238vb] [Image]
He teld þer biforn hem alle,
Wherþurth bliþe in þat toun
Þai bileft til þe Assensioun.[6590]
Lete we now here king Arthour
& his feren wiþ gret honour
& hereþ of þe chaunces ille
Þerwhiles in Jnglond bifelle.
Listneþ now fele & fewe,[6595]
In May þe sonne felleþ dewe,
Þe day is miri & draweþ along,
Þe lark arereþ her song,
To mede goþ þis damisele
& fair floures gadreþ fele.[6600]
¶ King Arthour is leued at Carohaise
& alle his frendes wele at aise,
& euerich cite þat was his owe,
Castels, tours heiȝe & lowe,
He dede warnise wiþ store þan[6605]
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.[6610]
¶ In þis time a messanger cam
To þe king sir Cradelman
& seyd so ich writen finde
‘Of paiens xx þousinde
Comeþ a boþe half Arundel[6615]
Yarmed swiþe wel.’
Swiftliche þe king Cradelman
Nam x þousand armed man,
Haluendel tok Pollidamas
His nevou þat gode kniȝt was,[6620]
Þe oþer del himseluen he tok
So we finden on þe boke,
Þai riden forþ anonriȝt
Til þai com to hem, apliȝt,
& founden hem on a grene plas,[6625]
Ich of hem slepeand was;
Al abouten þai biclept hes
& smiten on wiþouten les,
Wiþ hors fete þai riden hem on
& þurth stongen mani on; [6630] [catchword: þurth swerd & ax.]
Þurth swerd & ax spere & kniif [f.239ra] [Image]
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[6635]
Swiþe gun oway ten
To a castel wiche held Cramile
Þennes ouer þre mile
Heiȝe & strong a roche opon -
Hir broþer hiȝt Bordogabron,[6640]
Þer was in wiþ hir þo
XX þousand paiems & mo.
XV þousand king Cradelman
Slouȝ of þat heþen man,
Þe fiue þousand flowen oway,[6645]
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 & þe lasse.[6650]
xiiij þousand lopen on stede
Armed alle in riche wede
& smiten on king Cradelman,
Þer was miche sleiȝt of man.
Þerwhiles þe gentil men of Arundel[6655]
Wenten out & deden wel -
Gold & siluer & purpel pelles
Mete & drink & mani þing elles
Þat þe paiens þer hadden late,
Þai went to Arundel & schet þe gate[6660]
& stowen vp heiȝe on þe walle
To sen what miȝt to our bifalle.
Bi þat þai com on þe wal [o]n heiȝe
Cradelman was scomfite n[eiȝ]e,
Doun þai lepen of þe walle[6665]
& ‘As armes!’ þai gredden alle.
On gode hors þai lepen of priis -
Fiue hundred þer were, ywis -
To socour & comen anon
& halp wele Cradelman[6670]
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 [f.239rb] [Image] [6675]
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[6680]
Þat hadde yherd bifore teld
Hou paiens þe cuntre hadde aqueld
& come priueliche paiens to aspie
To binimen hem her robrie.
X þousand he hadde gode kniȝten;[6685]
Þe haluendel he dede diȝten
To Morganor his steward,
In armes stalworþ & hard.
Þis dasched on þe Sarraȝins
Wiþ gode wille & hert fins,[6690]
Eueriche wiþ his strong spere
Þurth a Sarraȝin gan it bere.
V forlong he dede hem recoile
& vnder hors fete defoile.
Ich on oþer fast hewe,[6695]
Ac þe Sarraȝins þo it sewe
Hou þat men her folk hit
& hou fele fel in litel fit,
Þai arered a cri of more wonder
Þan tempest, vfer, or þonder.[6700]
Alle þat euer fle miȝt
Oway flowen anonriȝt
Ac our kniȝtes & our barouns
Hem tauȝt so her lessouns
Þat of fourten þousand fram deþ[6705]
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 & side, more & lasse;[6710]
Mani fair stede dede þer lay
& mani wiþ blodi sadel ȝede astray,
For seþ þen first, in on þrawe
Fiftene þousand þer were yslawe,
& er weren also ich finde[6715]
Afor yslawe þritten þousinde.
Þus fele þai slouȝ of haþen
Þat schuld hem no more waite scaþen.
It þouȝt hem a fair praie [f.239va] [Image]
Ac þo at arst agan her joie[6720]
For euerich oþer knewe sone
& þonked God, midydone,
Of þe help & þe socour
Þat eueriche dede oþer wiþ vigour,
& anon wiþouten onde[6725]
Went into Arundel ich vnderstond
& dede biri þat ich day
Þe Cristen in chirche hay.
Of þe paiens þat were in lond
Gret conseil þai held ich vnderstond.[6730]
¶ 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[6735]
& on þe paiens at ones falle
& fonden bi fine miȝt
To slen hem alle doun riȝt.’
‘Certes’ quaþ Cradelman
‘Me þink þat nere nouȝt wele don[6740]
For oȝain on of our men
Beþ mo þan þritti & ten,
ȝete is better for ich cas
Þat eueriche baroun loke his pas
& aspie hem bi tropie[6745]
& 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,[6750]
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 & wrong -
Lete we now þes bileuen here[6755]
& speke we now of her fere.
Þer comen vp fer bi norþ
Ten riche soudans of gret worþ:
¶ Þe first king hete Oriens,
¶ Þe oþer hete Pongerrens,[6760]
¶ Þe þridde hete Manginoires,
¶ Þe ferþ het Gondeffles,
¶ Þe fift soudan het Sorbars, [f.239vb] [Image]
¶ & þe sext het Pincenars,
¶ Þe seuend soudan het Fraidons,[6765]
¶ & þe heiȝte Salbrons,
¶ Þe neiȝd het Maliaduc,
[¶ ]Þe tenþ Vargon an heþen douc;
Þes comen vp so ich finde
Wiþ fiften c þousinde[6770]
& 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 & bi heiȝte[6775]
Vplondis men to sle doun riȝt,
Bi niȝen þousand & bi ten
Þai senten about to slen our men.
In þis sorweful time & lange
Into þe cite of Coruanges[6780]
Messangers com to Angvisaunt þe king
& teld him reweful tiding
‘Sir,’ he seyd ‘bitven þis cite & Lanernv
Fiftene þousand be comen nov
Sarrains þat wiþ fire wilde[6785]
Brennen man wiif & childe,
Bot þou hem socoureþ anon
Þai be forlorn euerichon.’
¶ Þe king was sori & noþing bliþe
‘As armes!’ he grad swiþe.[6790]
XV þousand al armed, ywis,
Þer lop(o)en on gode hors of priis,
To on hille & gun hem heiȝe
Þis mesauentour for to aspie;
Þo seiȝe þai al þe cuntray[6795]
Stonden brenand on rede leiȝe,
Man & 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.[6800]
Quaþ king Angvisaunt ‘woleway,
Þat ich euer bot þis day
& þat ich euer schuld sen
Þus miche rewþe on erþe ben.’
His men þer he schift ato,[6805]
Half he tok himself & mo,
& haluendel he toke Gaudin [f.240ra] [Image]
Þat was a kniȝt hardi & fin,
Þat seþ þen wiþ his miȝti hand
Wan þat maiden of þe douke Branland;[6810]
Þese smiten þe hors of priis
& deden hem gon gode scour, ywis;
Þurth mani bodi haþen
Her launces þai dede baþen,
After þat her swerdes þai drowen[6815]
& sexti þousand to grounde slowen
Als who seyt, al for nouȝt,
For þai wer abrod ydreyȝt. [ wer: r is superscript.]
Ac sone þerafter nouȝt forþan
Fourti þousand after hem cam,[6820]
Ac our þurth Godes miȝt
Wele hem stode oȝain to fiȝt
& cleued mani heþen hounde
Fram þe top to þe grounde [ top: MS reads toþ.]
& deden al forþ manliche[6825]
For leuer hem were be ded sikerliche
In manschippe & in treweþe
Þan euer more liue in rewþe,
& so nobliche her dint bisett
Þat neuer men no deden bet.[6830]
Allas, allas! Gret pite
Sone fel on þis gent meine,
Lenger douren þai no miȝt
For opon hem com anonriȝt
Þe forseyd soudans ten[6835]
Wiþ alle þe cuntre wreiȝen of men
& biclept al about
Our litel Cristen rout
& slouȝ of our compainie
Verament þousandes niȝe.[6840]
Þo was þer of xv þousand
Yleued bot sex bihinde
& þe oþer flowen also ȝerne [ ȝerne: r is superscript.]
So her stedes miȝt erne,
Ac þer no hadde non scaped oway[6845]
Nadde chaunce comen fram Crist on heiȝe -
Vriens þe king of Schorham
Þe Sarraȝins bihinde cam
& his nevou Baldemagu,
A strong kniȝt of gret vertu,[6850]
Wham Vriens ȝaf half his lond [f.240rb] [Image]
Out of Owains his sones hond;
Þese wiþ hem xij þousinde brouȝt
Þat of dede litel rouȝt.
Men hem teld of michel sorwe[6855]
Þerfore þai went out bi þe morwe
& þouȝt to don sum alegaunce
Pouer men of her greuaunce,
& comen hem sodanliche
Opon alle þe paiens sikerliche.[6860]
Þese weren alle gode kniȝt
& flongen opon þe paiens anonriȝt
Wiþ strong launce, God it wot,
Euerich a paiem þurth smot
& sum wiþ o launce-schaft[6865]
What þurth miȝt & Godes craft
Four oþer fiue slowe.
Þerafter ich his swerd drowe,
& ich ȝou telle for soþe & siker
Þer bigan a stern biker[6870]
For þe Sarraȝins turned oȝen
On king Vrien & his men;
Þer was mani heued of weued
& mani to þe midel cleued
& mani of his hors ylust,[6875]
Forsoþe þer ros so michel dust
Þat of þe sonne schineand briȝt
No man miȝt haue no siȝt,
Here & þer crie & honteye
Men miȝt hem heren þre mile-way.[6880]
King Anguisaunt & meine his
Was yflowen a fer weys,
Socour com þat he vnderstode
& turned oȝain wiþ hardi mode,
On þe Sarraȝins & smite[6885]
Wiþ swerdes þat wele bite
& a þousand on a rawe [ rawe: a is superscript.]
Þai haden sone brouȝt o dawe;
Þat was bataile of mende
Bitven deuelen & kniȝtes hende.[6890]
Þe Sarraȝins ost & pray
Last fele mile-way.
¶ Vriens at þat o nende fauȝt
& his kniȝtes þat spared nauȝt,
Angvisant fauȝt at þe oþer ende, [f.240va] [Image] [6895]
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 & swerd & scharpe spere,[6900]
ȝete hadde þai lorn gret lore & 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[6905]
Were yslawe swiche ten
Þan were of our Cristiens.
Ac swiþe anon þo wiþ þerwins
Her pauilouns þo telten riȝt
For to bileue al þat niȝt.[6910]
¶ King Aguisaunt went hom
To Coranges riȝt anon -
Niȝen þousinde hem were yslawe.
Þo þe citeseines it sawe
Þer was mani leuedi[6915]
Þat sore biwepe her ami
& mani gentil damisele
Hir fader biwepe wiþ teres fele;
Þe soster biwepe her broþer
& euerich frende biwepe oþer.[6920]
¶ Þis time went king Vrien
To þe cite wiþ alle his men,
Also he com bi þe way
He fond cartes & michel praye
& loges & pauilouns[6925]
Telt on a grene, swiþe roum;
Þo asked king Vrien
Wiþ whom þai weren & wos men,
Þai seyd wiþ king Brangore,
& Wandlesbiri þai lay fore. [6930] [MS: & lay þore; emendation follows Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979).]
Of Sessoine þis heiȝe king was,
& hadde made al þis purchas
Opon our men, ywis,
For þe sibred of douke Angis;
King Vriens wiþouten abode[6935]
& al his folk on hem rode,
On her heueden & feld adoun
Boþe loges & pauiloun.
To mete þai weren alle yset, [f.240vb] [Image]
Forsoþe hem was litel þe bet[6940]
For on hem were stet þe hors
& defoiled her foule cors,
Tables, cloþes, bred & wine,
Plater, disse, cop & maseline
Was vnder hors fete totoiled[6945]
& mani riche þing defoiled.
Vnarmed were þe paiens alle,
Our folk hem gun to talle,
Wiþ swerd & ax spere & kniif
Þai binome þe paiens her liif[6950]
& so hem tohewe anonriȝt
Þat þai nadde power oȝein to fiȝt
Bot were al yslawe in litel stounde
Euerichon vnto þe grounde;
Bot fourti paiens vnneþe[6955]
Þat hem ascaped fram þe deþe, [ deþe: MS reads dere.]
Wiche þat niȝt vnderfenge
Oriens þat riche king,
& miche biment þat he no miȝt
Awreken hem þat ich niȝt[6960]
Ac amorwe he wold fond
Brennen & spillen al þis lond -
Amonges men it were ille
ȝif eueriche vnwrest hadde his wille.
¶ King Vriens & his kniȝtes, siker,[6965]
After þis ich noble biker
Token al þis riche praie,
Pelles purper, gold & monaye,
V hundred somers wiþouten lesing
Þer were charged wiþ riche þing[6970]
& sex hundred cartes so y biþenke
Ful of flesche & mete & drinke,
Alle þai ladden wiþ hem þis
Into þe cite wiþ ioie & blis
Þe heiȝe boþe & þe lawe[6975]
Þe bet ferd gret þrawe.
Lete we now be þis soiourne
& speke we of Oriens, wroþ & morne
For þis ich viij þousinde
Þat were yslawe him bihinde.[6980]
Amorwe aros king Oriens
& hete castels & touns bren [ & touns bren : MS reads: bren touns.]
& alle þe houses þat þai founde [f.241ra] [Image]
Þai schulden bren into þe grounde;
Man & hounde, wiif & child[6985]
Þai schuld bren wiþ fer wilde,
& so þai deden wiþouten pite
& spredden abrod in þe cuntre
& setten on rede laite
Al þat euer þai miȝten awaite.[6990]
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[6995]
ȝif þai miȝt so yþen;
Þes metten children & wiues
& men, to sauen her liues
Vrn & stirten þer & her
For houndes so doþ þe wilde der.[7000]
Segremor hem asked whi
Þai vrn & made swiche cri,
Þai seyd for drede of þe haþen
Þat hem brent & dede scaþen,
Þai asked where was þe king Arthour[7005]
& þai him swore bi seyn Sauour
To Carmalide he was ygan
To help king Leodegan.
¶ ‘Certes’ quaþ Sagremoret
‘Oþer we schul sterue in þis flet[7010]
Oþer doun leggen of þis haþen
Þat in þis lond doþ swiche scaþen.’
Þer þai hem armed swiþe wel
Boþe in iren & in stiel
& v hundred of vplond[7015]
Com to hem ich vnderstond,
& dasched on þe paiens wiþ hert gode
Þat were sprad þo abrode
Þat v hundred in litel stounde
Þai laiden doun wiþ deþes wounde,[7020]
Ac sone afterward hem bihinde
Come ȝete fourti þousinde
Þat were wiþ Oriens þe king
& afterward wiþouten lesing
Sexti þousand & mo[7025]
Come wiþ king Oriens also -
Þus fele þer comen & no las, [f.241rb] [Image]
Wiþouten þe cuntre þat ful was.
Ac in þis time an eld man
As messanger to Wawayn cam[7030]
Into þe cite of Lounde
& him gret in þat stounde
& seyd ‘wele yfounden, child Wawayn,
Crist saue þi miȝt & þi mayn
& alle þi compaynie fre[7035]
Þat ich here about þe se.
Sagremor, a ȝong man noble,
Is ycomen fram Costantinenoble
& seuen hundred ȝong man gent
To sechen king Arthour verrament[7040]
Of him to afong swerd of stiel
& to seruen him swiþe wel;
In Souþesex þai ben ariue
In strong periil of her liue,
Þis letters þai senten þe,[7045]
Her nede þou schalt yse.’
Wawain þis letters redde anon
& seyd to his feren ichon
‘As armes, feren! Nede it is,
Y nold for þis cite, ywis,[7050]
Þer þat Segremor were ded,
Bot we him holpen & deden red.’
To þeld cherl he ȝaue a stede
Þat hem brouȝt þat message at nede
& he hem tauȝt þan way[7055]
Toward Segremor þat ich day.
Þai no hadde no desturbing
No of paiens no meteing,
Þis ich eld messanger
Hem ledde boþe swiþe & ner[7060]
Þat al bitimes saun faile
Þai miȝten com to þat bataile.
¶ Wawain hadde wiþ him so y wene
Of orped boies þousandes fiftene
& as he rode bi þe way[7065]
Euer he gadred mo y say.
¶ Comand þese lete we
& speke of Segremore so fre.
Fourti þousand smiten him on
& he oȝaines hem anon,[7070]
Xij hundred oȝain fourti þousinde [f.241va] [Image]
Ferd so smoke oȝain þe winde.
Naþeles y telle it ȝou
Seigremor & his hadde swiche vertu
Þat, on of his ȝif þe oþer afeld,[7075]
Þeroȝaines tventi he queld.
¶ Ac þis was teld Oriens bihinde
Þat was cominde wiþ sexti þousinde
& he for þe lore & for þe anoie
Þat he hadde þat oþer day[7080]
Hete men schuld abouten hem gon
& hem nimen euerichon;
Abrode þai ȝeden wiþouten doute
& þe children comen about.
Þe cuntre was ich way[7085]
Of armed paiens ful þai say; [ ful: MS reads fel.]
Segremor no his fer
No miȝt flen in non maner
& hadden ment hem to ȝeld
Ac fer fram hem þo hye biheld[7090]
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,[7095]
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.[7100]
In þis time com Wawain
& his feren wiþ gret main,
Euerich of hem gan to bere
Þurth a Sarraȝin wiþ his spere,
Afterward swerdes þai drowe[7105]
& sexten þousinde to grounde slowe;
Mani mouþe þe gres bot
& griseliche ȝened, God it wot,
Paiens floted in her blod -
Euer is Cristes miȝt gode.[7110]
Wawain to Sagremor com þan
& king Oriens werd him fram
Wawain ȝaue Oriens swiche a flat
Boþe on helme & ysen hat
Þat he to grounde plat þere [f.241vb] [Image] [7115]
Also he stef & stan-ded were.
His folk abouten him pres made,
Euerich gan to crie & grade
For her lord, & vp him toke
So we finden on þe boke,[7120]
To Wawain þer com a kniȝt
& bad him wende anonriȝt
Toward Camalot wiþ his felawe,
& so he dede in þat þrawe
& al his feren God it wot[7125]
Went toward Camalot
Þerwhiles þe paiens aboute were
Her soudan for to arere.
Ac þerafter a litel while
Wele þe mountaunce of a mile[7130]
Oriens his limes drouȝ
& gan arise of his swouȝ
& seie þe diol sorweful & grim
Þat his folk made for him,
Vp he lepe wiþ chaufed blod[7135]
So him no were nouȝt bot god
& asked anon, ywis,
Newe armes & newe hors of priis
& newe swerd & newe launce
To nimen of his fon veniaunce.[7140]
Þat he asked was him founde
& he went forþ in þat stounde,
Sexti þousand paiens & mo
Her steden after smiten þo;
Wawain seiȝe her coming coue[7145]
& dede þe best wiþ hem houe,
Wele an tventi oþer mo
& al þe oþer toforn hem go
To Camalot þat cite
To keueren wiþ his meine,[7150]
& he bihinde to ben bi cas
To susten þe paiems ras.
Þe paiens ouertoken our men
& fast leyd opon hem þen
Ac Galathin & eke Wawain[7155]
& Gveheres & Agreuain,
Gaheriet & Sagremore,
& þe oþer y teld bifore
Bihinde þat bileued were, [f.242ra] [Image]
Euer were here & tere[7160]
& wiþ swerd & scheld & spere
Her folk, toforn, wele gun were.
Þo com Oriens to Wawain rideinde
Wiþ a spere gode scoure bihinde
& wende Wawain hit þurthout[7165]
Ac he failed wiþouten dout
For he smot him forbi,
& Wawain for gret heiȝe
Hitt him wiþ his swerd aplat
Amidward þe ysen hat[7170]
Þat he tombled in þat stounde
Stif aswon to þe grounde.
Segremore smot Orian Russel
On his schulder bi þe haterel
Þat schulder & arm & ribbes alle[7175]
He doun kitt wiþ liuer & ȝalle;
Galathin smot Placidan
Amidward al his man
Þat þe heued fleiȝe fram þe bouke,
Þe soule nam þe helle-pouke;[7180]
Agreuain toke a launce long
& rode oȝain a geant strong,
Guinat þat hete God it wot,
& þurth þe hert he him smot;
Gveheres turned his pas[7185]
Oȝain a geaunt þat hete Tauras
& bare him þurth wombe & rigge,
His liif he dede him þere legge;
Gaheriet mett þe douke Faunel
Wiþ a launce, þe soket of stiel,[7190]
& smot him þurth rigge & brest-bon,
Þe geaunt fel ded anon.
ȝete þai smiten forþ on hast
& þre oþer of hors cast
& wiþ her meine eueri grot[7195]
Smiten into Camalot,
Bot Wawain & Galathin
& Sagremore of gentil lin
Þat riden wiþ her hors
Amid Oriens cors[7200]
Him for to sle wiþouten doute,
Ac mani þousinde com him aboute
Þat Oriens binomen hem, [f.242rb] [Image]
Ac Oriens slouȝ bi fiue & ten,
Bi fine miȝt þai breken hem fro[7205]
& into Camalahot wenten þo.
Ac Wawaines breþer forsoþe to sain
In Camalahot misten Wawain
& þe þre deden hem oȝan
Wiþ hem went non oþer man, [7210] [ non oþer: MS reads anoþer.]
Out at þe gate þis þre stetten
& on his stede þat cherl metten
To Wawain þat þe letters brouȝt
& swiþe fair þai him bisouȝt
He schuld hem tel fer or neiȝe[7215]
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[7220]
Þat ȝour broþer lete among his fon
& ȝe to herberwe gun gon,
For ȝou he may now ligge yslawe
No telle y ȝou nouȝt worþ an hawe.’
Þese were aschamed & anoid[7225]
Of þat þe cherl hem hadde seyd;
For stoutelich he haþ hem chidde
Þe hors þai smiten þe spurs mide
& sone þerafter her broþer metten [ broþer: MS reads feren.]
Wiþ his to feren, & hem gretten[7230]
& asked hou it wiþ hem was,
& þai seyd ‘wele, þurth Godes gras.’
Towarde þe toun anon þai stetten
& þe cherles stede metten,
Þe arsouns blodi, bibled þe hors,[7235]
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.’[7240]
‘ȝa, who rect?’ his breþer quaþe
‘Heiȝe we to toun raþe.’
For he hadde arst seyd hem schame
Þai lowen þerof & hadde gode game.
Wawain souȝt him here & þer[7245]
Ac he no fond him nowhere,
It nas no wonder sikerliche [f.242va] [Image]
Merlin him turned flesche & liche
& was bicomen a garsoun
In hond berand a tronsoun[7250]
& ȝede hem alle þo among;
Þo Wawain hadde souȝt him long
To Camalahot þai wenten on hast
& schetten after þe gates fast,
Drowen brigge & eueri pin,[7255]
In pais & held hem þerin.
Ac þo Wawain seiȝe Sagremor
Þer was ioie bi Godes or,
Fair clepeing & welcominge
& to Ihesu Crist þonkeinge,[7260]
Þat ich oþer hadde ydon
& destroied her fon;
Þer þai soiournd mani day
Wiþouten ani kin anoy
& seiȝen paiens, seriaunce of helle,[7265]
Þat no tong no miȝt telle
Al day passen hem forbi
Wiþ howe & noise & grete cri -
Lete we hem here soio(i)uringe
& speke of þe oþer kinge.[7270]
Now telleþ þis romaunce cert
Oriens was sore yhert
Tofore Camalahot in þe pleyn
& wounded of child Wawain,
For his hurtinge & his damage[7275]
He was neiȝe wode & eke rage.
He wald him wreke anonriȝt
Ac it was almost þo niȝt,
Ac, to eke þat, fele of our
Were wiþinne walle & bour[7280]
& oueralle stert him fro
Þat he no miȝt comen hem to.
Als-so fer also he miȝt
His folk & he went þat niȝt
& her pauilouns telt[7285]
& made hem at aise wiþ fresche & selt;
Amorwe king Oriens aros,
Wele mani men þerof agros,
Bi ten þousand & bi fiftene
He sent about to do men tene.[7290]
He hete bern into þe grounde [f.242vb] [Image]
Man & hous al þat he founde,
& so he dede þre jurneie
Oueral bi ich way,
Man & hous þai brent & bredden[7295]
& her godes oway ledden;
Wiþouten no[m]bre cartes fele
Þai ledden oway wiþ alle wele
& setten þe cuntre a fer wilde
Wiþ man & wiif & wiþ childe,[7300]
Ac mani ascaped sikerlik
Into þe lond of Canbernic
& comen to þe douke Estas,
Douke of Arundel þat was,
Biforn him & fel on croice[7305]
& grad on him wiþ pitous voice
& seyd ‘sir, for Godes gras,
Þine help, þine ore in þis cas.
Sarraȝins wiþ griseli chere
Þis cuntre haþ sett afere[7310]
In vplond & in toun
Euerich hous han brent adoun,
Of child & man & eke of wiif,
Alle þat þai mai nimen þai reue þe liif;
Sir, help ous at þis nede[7315]
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.[7320]
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[7325]
What he com to king Clarion
Þat woned fram him bot litel swiþe -
Þe king of his cominge was bliþe -
& seyd him so ich tofore teld
Hou þe paiens his folk aqueld.[7330]
‘What rede’ quaþ king Clarion
‘Waldestow ȝeuen ous to don?
ȝif þai pas ous bitven
We are lorn so mot y þen. [ are: a is superscript.]
Man & best in þis cuntray [f.243ra] [Image] [7335]
Were destroid & alle away.’
¶ ‘Certes’ quaþ þe douke Estas
‘We schul laten in þis pas
Of our men a parti
& nim wiþ ous fair compainie[7340]
& wenden ous wel swiþe on hast
To Brekenham to þe forest,
In þe wode & hide ous
& þurth þe grace of swete Ihesus
(&) So we schul wele aspie[7345]
Þe paiens doinde robberie
& smiten on hem & sle hem doun
& þe pray bring into our toun.’
Quaþ king Clarion ‘God merci!
What conseil seistow gode ami?[7350]
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[7355]
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,[7360]
& þai be spred wide here & tere
& we ben al togider here,
Ich hope þurth Ihesu Crist
We schul hem driue so sonne doþ mist.’
‘Certes’ quaþ Clarion þe king[7365]
‘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[7370]
‘Sir par seynt charite
Rewe on ous & haue pite
We han leuer sterue ariȝt
Wiþ manschip & in fiȝt
Þan sen kin & wiif & child[7375]
& ous forbren in fer wilde.’
Þe king for pite wepe, apliȝt,
& seyd ‘Certes ȝe han riȝt.’
Þo schosen þai so Dieu me saut [f.243rb] [Image]
A noble kniȝt lord of Nohaut,[7380]
& þe lord of þe toun sori,
Brandris a kniȝt hardi,
& Brehus saun pite also,
A feller kniȝt miȝt non go,
Þese bileft þer riȝtes[7385]
Wiþ a þousand orped kniȝtes
Þe cuntre to loke & þe paþe,
Fram Sarrain þat wald hem scaþe;
Þe lord of Paerne so ich finde
Þer toke seuen þousinde,[7390]
Into þe forest of Rokingham [ Rokingham: ha superscript.]
Wiþ hem alle forþ he nam;
Þe douke Eustas & Clarion þe king
Bi anoþer way went wiþouten lesing
& helden hem a litel bi hest[7395]
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.[7400]
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[7405]
For to aspien sikerli
Þe route of þe Sarraȝins & þe pray [7407-8: order reversed.]
Þat miȝten comen of selcouþe cuntray
For to skecken on hem on hest
When þai seiȝe time best.[7410]
Also þai were þere soiourninge
Abouten vndren com gret cartinge
Bi ich of þis seuen way
Ful of ich maner pray
Of venisoun & flesche & brede,[7415]
Of broun ale & win white & red,
Of baudekines & purpel pelle,
Of gold & siluer & cendel -
Sum þai brouȝt fram her lond
& robbed sum in Jnglond.[7420]
Þis carting lest mile-ways
Forsoþe hou fele no can y say,
Fif þousand ȝede þe cartes to loke [f.243va] [Image]
So we finden on þe boke,
To hem dassed þe lord of Paerne[7425]
Wiþ seuen þousand also ȝerne
& þe carters euerichon
Of liif-days þai brouȝten anon
& her lokers anonriȝtes,
Fif þousand heþen kniȝtes,[7430]
Þai metten wiþ swerd & kniif
Þat non ascaped wiþ þe liif.
& nomen swiftlich al þat pray
& ladde it þennes to mile-way
Into þe toun of Arundel[7435]
& þer it token to ȝeme wel
& went hem oȝain anon
To þe king Clarion.
Riȝt also þai comen ware
Fiftene þousande þer comen fare[7440]
Sarraȝins y-armed wel
On gode hors in yren & stiel,
Our kniȝtes were so y finde
Gode kniȝtes tventi þousinde,
Þai smiten þe hors & lete þe rain[7445]
& 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 & þurth scheldes bord,[7450]
Þurthout hauberk & aketoun,
& bar him of his hors adoun;
His schaft tobrast, þe geaunt fel, [ tobrast: r is superscript.]
His nek-bon he brac þertil.
Þe douke Estas of Arundel[7455]
Mett a king sir Mirabel,
Þe paien on him brac his schaft
& hitt him on þe side laft,
Þe douke him hit in þe brest
& wiþ his dint hard þrest[7460]
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 & of swerde-egge[7465]
Þe paiens þai made to deþ legge,
Bitven vndren & none so y finde [f.243vb] [Image]
Of hem þai slowen ten þousinde
Þer lay mani paien þurth-þrest
Heued ofsmiten & fot & fist,[7470]
Bi þe blod of hors & man
A mile men miȝt haue ygan.
Of hem fiue þousand þat wald scape
Toward king Oriens gan rape, [MS: wold gan; wold crossed through.]
Our Cristen hem suwed at þe rigge[7475]
& spared nouȝt on to legge [ legge: MS reads ligge.]
What king Oriens þai saye
Wiþ folk wreien al þe cuntraye.
Oȝain þai wiþdrouȝ hem þo
& conseil toke what to do,[7480]
Doun of her destrers þai liȝten,
Her stedes to rest her armes riȝten
& afterward made a renge
Of hem alle þe launde alenge
For þai nold for no gode[7485]
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[7490]
Cristen men þat ȝour kniȝtes
Han yslawe doun riȝtes
& sodanliche þai com ous on
Er we seiȝe of hem on
& no hadde we þe better be[7495]
Hem of scaped nadde we.’
‘A Mahoun’ seyd Oriens þo
‘Þou nart no god worþ a slo [ worþ: r is superscript.]
Þerfore þi folk þou dost no gode
So for Cristen doþ her lord.[7500]
¶ Com forþ’ he seyd ‘wiþouten letting
King Eliedus min owhen derling
Nim wiþ þe fourti þousinde
& sle bifore þat þou miȝt finde.’
‘It schal be don’ he seyd ‘bi dan Dagon.’[7505]
Euerich lepe his stede opon
& fond our men alle at a tasse
Þat þe paiens no miȝt passe.
Þer ich oþer sone mett
& wiþ scharp launce grett.[7510]
Þer tumbled mani paien haþen, [f.244ra] [Image]
& mani Cristen – þat was scaþe.
Ac þo þat ware ded of our
To heuen brouȝt soule pure
& þe slawen Sarraȝine[7515]
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,[7520]
Þer ouerþrewe in litel stounde
Mani orped kniȝt to grounde:
Sum ycleued to þe brest,
Sum ofsmiten arm & fest,
Sum hors smiten & sum astray;[7525]
Þis fiȝt last fram þe midday
What it were euen almast,
Þo com Oriens driueand on hast
Wiþ an hundred þousand & mo
& þouȝt our men alle slo,[7530]
Ac on hem þo com þe niȝt,
Our to wode deden hem þo riȝt,
Þurth Godes help & his pite
& so ascaped to her cite.
¶ Bitven king Clarion & douke Estas[7535]
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[7540]
Ac þere were slawe of þe heþen men
Wele mo þan þousendes ten;
Wroþ was Oriens þe king
Of þis sleiȝt & þis scapeing,
Þai telt her pauiloun þer þat niȝt,[7545]
Amorwe were souȝt anonriȝt
In wode & doun & in fen
After our Cristen men
Ac þai no founde þerof non
For nouȝt þat euer couþe þai don.[7550]
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 [f.244rb] [Image] [7555]
& bad him þe cuntre sle doun riȝtes
& toke him ribaudes þre þousinde
Þe cuntre to brenne bifore & hinde,
Waines & cartes & somers also
Fif hundred he dede after go[7560]
Charged wiþ al(l)e & win red
Wiþ fische & flesche & corn & bred,
Wiþ cloþes & wiþ armerie,
Sum þai hadde of robberie
& sum brouȝt fram her cuntray;[7565]
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,[7570]
Himself Oriens com bihinde
Wiþ Sarraȝins xx þousinde.
Þis ribaus þus þousandes þre
Ofersett þe cuntre
& brent & slouȝ man & wiif[7575]
O child no leten þai oliif,
Þe cri & sorwe y say
Men herd fele mile-way;
Þe douke Estas yseiȝe al þis.
Wo was him oliue, ywis,[7580]
He [tok] kniȝtes þousandes to
& out of his cite dassed him þo;
Among þe ribaus anon he dast
& sum þe heued of he laist,
Þis þre þousand he slouȝ anon -[7585]
Bot fourti þat hem fro were agon -
Þurth þe miȝt & help of Crist
Ar Napin ouȝt þerof wist
Into her cite þay wenten oȝan
Wiþouten letting of ani man.[7590]
To Napin com a ribaud þo
& seyd ‘sir, where bileuestow so?
Þou no dost nouȝt as þe wise
For þurth þi targinge & þi faintise
Alle our feren yslawe beþ[7595]
& we vnneþe ascaped deþ.’
‘Held þi pes’ quaþ þe douke Napin
‘Or þou art ded bi Apolin.
A worde speke y þe more here, [f.244va] [Image]
Þou art dede & al þine fere.’[7600]
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[7605]
Wiþ tventi kinges þer he founde
Þat bilay þat cite
& slouȝ þe cuntre wiþouten pite, [ cuntre: r is superscript.]
Oriens was welcome swiþe
For wonderliche þai weren bliþe[7610]
Of þe eiȝtte & stouers
Þat þai brouȝt, þo pauteners.
Þere þai bileft wiþ þat king,
Lete we hem now at þis segeing
& schewe werres & wo[7615]
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,[7620]
Swaines gin on iustinge ride,
Maidens tiffen hem in pride.
Los sprong of Wawaines dede
Of his breþer & of his ferrede.
Vriens þat was of Schorham king[7625]
Of whom y made bifore scheweing
Hadde spoused Hermesent
Blasine suster & Belisent;
Þai hadde a ȝong man hem bitven,
Michel Ywain a noble stren,[7630]
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[7635]
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 him com veir, [7640] [ him: MS reads hem.]
Þe lond þat com of Hermesente
Was Ywains þurth riȝt decente.
To Hermisent com child Ywain [f.244vb] [Image]
& seyd ‘dame of child Wawain
Þat is mi nevou spekeþ al þis lond;[7645]
Allas, ma dame, it is me schond
Þat y no com in non werre
Wher y come to conquerre.’ [ Wher: MS reads When.]
Þo seyd Hermesent him to proue
‘Whider wostow Ywain for mi loue?’[7650]
‘Dame, to seche min em Arthour
Of him to afong þe anour
Of wiȝtschippe & cheualrie
& leren manschippe & curteisie.’
‘What?’ sche seyd ‘for wiche biȝete[7655]
Wostow oþer seruise & 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,[7660]
& þei he schuld me al bireue
ȝete ichil, bi ȝour leue,
Wende & serue mi nem Arthour;
It schal falle to our honour.’
‘Sone’ sche seyd ‘icham wele paid[7665]
Of þat þou hast to me seyd.
Þi nem is Arthour, verrament;
Serue him wiþ hert gent
& fond for to make acord
Bitven Arthour & þi lord.’[7670]
Þer sche him puruaid anonriȝtes
To felawes an hundred kniȝtes
& þre hundred ȝong men
Þat wiþ him kniȝtes schuld ben,
& fond hem armour & stede [7675] [ armour: first r is superscript.]
Boþe soure & gode at nede;
In þe name of heuen-king
Sche him ȝaf hir blisseing
& lete him forþ wende in þe name of Crist
Þat his fader þerof nist.[7680]
Ywain bastard wiþ him went
& four hundred of feren gent. [ feren: MS reads feþen.]
Now com þai fram Schorham
Al bi þe forest of Bedingham
Toward Arundel in Cornwaile[7685]
Ac þider þai no miȝt saun faile,
Bot þai wolden passen þurthoute [f.245ra] [Image]
iiii xx .m. Sarraȝins wiþ rowe snoute
Þo com þer forþ, wiþ miȝti hond
Wiþ king Soriendos to stroi(þ)e þis lond,[7690]
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[7695]
Sone men telden al þis;
Þo he & his gentil feren
Al þis reuþe deden heren
He toke wiþ him þritti þousinde
Gode felawes so y finde[7700]
Þat wenten alle wiþ Wawain
For his largesse & his main,
Out of Londen þe way þai nome
Al what þai to Cardoil come;
Fro Cardoil þai wenten souþe-west[7705]
To Bedingham al þurth þe forest
Where welcominge þai hadde onest
Wiþ gret ioie & gret fest.
¶ Þis fiȝtinge vnder Cornwaile
Was fer ȝete saun faile.[7710]
Yder in whos lond it was
& bifel to kepe þat pas
Of his men herd þe pleinte,
Sum forbrent & sum fordreinte,
For diol he topped of his hare[7715]
& himself tobete & tare
& acurssed oft þe time grim
Þat Arthour was wroþ wiþ him.
¶ King Yder was sikerli
A noble kniȝt & an hardi[7720]
Þat wiþ him ledde xiiij m kniȝt
Boþe hardi & eke wiȝt
‘As armes!’ he gradde wiþ tonge
& on gode stedes þai flonge.
King Soriandes þat soudan was[7725]
To a king þat hiȝt Bilas
He hadde taken fiften þousinde
Bifore þat went so y finde
& passed along ouer a brigge,
Þo þai ouer com ich ȝou sigge[7730]
Þai rested hem a litel wiȝt [f.245rb] [Image]
& þo forþ went anonriȝt;
King Soriandes after cam
Wiþ fourti þousand haþen man.
To Morgalant his steward[7735]
He bitoke þe afterward
& xxv m Sarraȝins
Þat schuld him help wiþ miȝt fines -
Ten mile-ways lest þis route
Icham siker wiþouten doute[7740]
& bitven euerich floc naþeles
To mile oþer þre þer wes.
Þis ich folk þat was bihinde
Wiþ fiue & tventi þousinde
King Yder & his ouertoke[7745]
Opon a cauci bi a broke;
Þai seiȝe him come & wiþstette,
Wiþ scharpe spere ich oþer gret,
Our Cristen þurthout hem þrust
& out of þe sadel mani lust,[7750]
Amirail & heþen kniȝt,
Mani þrewe doun deueling riȝt
& gnowen boþe gras & ston
Þo þat deþ her hert chon,
Sum lay wiþouten arme & þi[7755]
& sum cleued into þe fi.
Our men þer in litel stounde
Ten þousand slouȝ to grounde;
Þis seiȝe þe steward Morgalant,
Hardi & strong & gret geant,[7760]
XV kniȝtes he slouȝ of our
Al arawe & to & four,
& þo he mett wiþ Yder king
Ac þat was bataile of þincheing
For ich smot oþers scheld ato[7765]
Helmes tokoruen & brini also.
Þis herd Soriandes þe soudan,
Of fourti þousand þe tventi he nam
& sodanliche on our smot
& alle hem slouȝ ner God it wot,[7770]
Ac king Yder fram þe deþe
Scaped wiþ a fewe vnneþe
Wiþ wepeing & wiþ gret wailing,
Ac he no hadde ascaped bi Heuen-king
ȝif anoþer cuntek no hadde ybe [f.245va] [Image] [7775]
Þat þe soudan dede ferst yse
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 & Ywain bastard ybore[7780]
& Ates an orped kniȝt
Wiþ four hundred ȝong men wiȝt, [ hundred: MS reads þousand.]
Weren passed þe forest
Toward Arundel souþe-west
& wenden ben alle soure & siker,[7785]
& 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.[7790]
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[7795]
¶ For þe brigge, y ȝou pliȝt,
Her scheldes þai gropen & scharp spere,
Ich a Sarraȝin gan doun bere;
Swerdes þai drouȝ & ȝeuen dintes
& paid paiens deþ-rentes.[7800]
Þis ȝong men of whom y say
Tocoruen in þre mile-ways
Fiue þousinde Sarrains to grounde
& ȝete were hemself hole & sounde.
At þe hindeward king Yder[7805]
Fauȝt al at ones, & þis children her.
Soriandes þat wele yherd
& lete Yder & oȝain ferd
For to taken quiclike
Þe children ded oþer quic.[7810]
¶ Ac riȝt now a litel knape
To Bedingram com wiþ rape
& toke a letter to Wawain
On his nevou half, hende Ywain -
Ac Ywain wist nouȝt þerof.[7815]
Wawain hem toke þe knaue of,
Þe letters he red anon
& grad ‘As armes euerichon!
Armeþ ȝou al wiþ main [f.245vb] [Image]
For mi nevou hende Ywain[7820]
Haueþ nede & bot we heiȝe
He is ded & his compeinie.
Ded me were leuer bi Ihesus
Þan he starf for faut of ous.’
Agreuein & Gaher[i]et,[7825]
Gveheres & Sagremoret
Armed hem wiþ hardi cher
& ich lepe on his destrer,
Swerd þai tok & launce & scheld
& forþ priked on þe feld.[7830]
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;[7835]
¶ Gveheres also y finde
Þre þousand bodis gied also,
Non better no miȝten go;
¶ Þe þridde ferd ledde Gaheriet
& þe ferþ Sagremoret;[7840]
¶ Þe fift ladde Galathin
& eueriche þre þousand wiþ him;
Wawain ladde þe sext bihinde
& hadde wiþ him eiȝte þousinde.
Þe knaue tauȝt her way sikerliche,[7845]
Þa[i] riden wel sarreliche,
Þair gilt pensel wiþ þe winde
Mirie ratled of cendel ynde,
Þe steden so noble & so wiȝt
Lopen & neiȝed wiþ þe kniȝt.[7850]
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[7855]
Wiþ scharp swerd of gode stiel
Þat þe four hundred hadde driuen oȝan
Þo ten þousand of heþen man.
King Soriandes herd al þis
& sexten þousand he sant of priis[7860]
Biforn him hem to nim
& after com þat wiþ þerwin
Wiþ xx þousind almast [f.246ra] [Image]
For to taken hem on hast.
Þis forseyd xvi þousinde[7865]
Our folk comen bihinde
& passed þe brigge Drian
& smiten on our ȝong man
& mani þerof þrewe to grounde
& ȝauen hem bitter & hard wounde.[7870]
Þe ten þousand at þe oþer half also
Deden hem swiþe miche wo.
At on half & at oþer so y finde
Were sex & tventi þousinde
& wiþ a fewe children fouȝt,[7875]
Ac Ihesu Crist on hem þouȝt
For he ȝaue hem strengþe & miȝt
Oȝain þo deuelen for to fiȝt;
When ani were falle adoun
Þe oþer hem lift to arsoun,[7880]
Euerich oþer wiþ scheld biclept
& fro oþer dentes kept
& mani of þo heþen houndes
Þai koruen doun into þe grounde -
Ac al þai were so forfouȝten,[7885]
Of her liif þat þai no rouȝten
& ȝelden hem þai hadden ment.
‘Nay,’ quaþ Ywayns ‘verrament,
Whiles our ani liueþ in feld
Our þonkes, nil we ous ȝeld,[7890]
Ac do we now bi mi red,
Prike we at onnes into þe mede
& ȝif we may owhar abreke
Fle we hem wiþ gret reke.’
Al at ones her main þai kedde[7895]
& 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,[7900]
Þai loked ouer into þe londes
& seye come king Soriandes,
Fele mile-wais wiþouten doute
Lest þe tail of his route.
Ates þe wiȝt þo seyd ‘Allas[7905]
We mot ous ȝeld in þis cas
For we no mow nowhar oway [f.246rb] [Image]
So ful of deuelen is þis cuntray.’
Al þai were in gret desmay;
Þo loked Ywain & saye[7910]
Fram Bedingham on her side
Baners & pople com ride,
To his felawes he seyd on hast
‘Beþ now bliþe & nouȝt agast,
Y se ȝond com gret socour[7915]
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[7920]
ȝif we here leueþ in a þrome
We worþ nomen ar þai come
Ac þei we han pople lite
Þurthout hem we mot smite
& slen al þat mowe we,[7925]
Þurthout hem & swiþe fle,
Fleand, euer wereand ous, [ Fleand: MS reads Fle &.]
Til help ous haue sent Ihesus.’
Bi [his] rede þai deden ȝerne,
Her stedes þai gun terne,[7930]
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
& wiþ gode hert & main fin[7935]
Þai þurth perced þo Sarraȝin.
Ac Bilas wiþ his ten þousinde
Hem oftoke anon bihinde
& metten hem in a mede
Wiþ an hundred of her ferrede[7940]
& ȝauen hem wel bitter wounde
For þai hem wold haue nomen & bounde, [ & is superscript.]
Ac þai vp stirt & wered hem siker,
Wiþ swerd þai maden dedeli biker.
Agreuein wiþ þis bikering[7945]
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,[7950]
Heued of koruen, smiten of arm, [f.246va] [Image]
Bodi cleued into þe barm;
On boþe halue was swiche a cri
Men miȝt it here into þe sky.
Þis seiȝen þe sexten þousinde[7955]
& comen swiþe on our winde
& wiþ miȝt oȝain hem bar
To þe stede þer þai wer ar.
Þer was mani wombe þurth schoue
& mani heued cleued aboue.[7960]
Þat ich time Agreuein
In sleiȝt kid so michel main
Þat his feren wondred euerichon
& token ensaumple wele to don,
For he seyd þei he dede schuld ben[7965]
Of þe stede he nold flen
Ac wiþ swerd he wald delite
On þe paiens to don it bite.
¶ Ywain þan & alle his floc
On steden sat so stef so stok[7970]
& dasched hem amid þe pres
So lyoun doþ on dere in gres
& cleued boþe man & hors
Of þe foule heþen cors;
Ich of hem so wiȝtliche fauȝt[7975]
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.[7980]
Þis was in time of May
Riȝt aboute midmorwe-day.
¶ Þo com Gueheres Wawaines broþer
Wiþ þre þousand folk oþer [ folk: MS reads flok.]
& smiten on þis heþen hounde[7985]
Þat euerich of hem fel to grounde
& þe oþer rekeuerd oȝain wiþ main
Whider first hem brouȝt Agreuein.
Þer was fiȝting, þer was toile
& vnder hors kniȝtes defoile;[7990]
Þo þonked Ywain þe wiȝt
Of þat socour God almiȝt
& desired to wite who it were
Þat him dede swiche socour þere.
Þo seyd Ates ‘sir Ywain [f.246vb] [Image] [7995]
Smite þi stede wiþ miȝt & main
& of þi greuaunce þe awreke
Þat oþer it sen & þerof speke;
Bi her pruesse þou schalt hem knawe
& bi þine be her felawe.[8000]
Y þe rede now lay on fast
Our fomen for to agast.’
Þer Ywain & eke his broþer,
Ates & mani gentil oþer
Tokoruen þis Sarraȝins[8005]
Wiþ gret miȝt & wille fins;
Y wene þat Ywain & his broþer
Þer slouȝ an hundred & anoþer
So þat Gveheres & Agreuein
Hadde gret wonder of her main.[8010]
As Ates com rideinde hem bitven
He asked him who it miȝt ben, [ him: MS reads hem.]
‘Certes’ quaþ Ates ‘of ȝour ken,
Þe kinges sones Vrien,
Ywain þe hende & Ywain bastard[8015]
Þat þus com hiderward
To ben kniȝtes of ȝour em Arthour
& seruen him wiþ gret honour;
Al þat han white on riȝte armes
& red on left half on her armes [8020] [ on her inserted superscript.]
Beþ erls & 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[8025]
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
& welcomed hem wiþ chere bliþe;[8030]
Þo her ich oþer knewe
Ich ouer oþer armes þrewe,
Gret ioie wiþouten les
Þai made amidward þat pres
& made couenaunt in al þat fiȝt[8035]
Togider þai wald riden, apliȝt.
As þai þus togider spake
Fresche paiens on hem com rake, [catchword: xv þousinde þat hadde.]
XV þousinde þat hadden born oȝan [f.247ra] [Image]
Par fors into Bedingham,[8040]
Wiþ þre þousand ne hadde bet
On hem smiten Gaheriet
Wawaines broþer sikerliche
Oȝain hem held sarreliche.
Þer was broken mani spere[8045]
Wiþ deþes dint & liues lere
& mani paien to deþ ysmite
Wiþ swerdes of stiel þat wele bite.
Margalaunt þe steward & king Pinogres
To þe brigge were comen wiþ gret pres[8050]
Of Sarraȝins xx þousinde
& wele mo also y finde.
Al þai seiȝen þis ich biker,
At þat half þe brigge hem þouȝt siker
On þat ich fair roume[8055]
To aloge her pauiloun
To kepe wele her charrois
Her astore & her harnois
& to help at tide & time
At þe oþer half her cursed lin;[8060]
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[8065]
Þat no man þerof couþe þe fins
& loged on þat riuer
Fram Morgalant nouȝt wel fer
Of bataile to sen þe fin;
Of Cristen & of Sarraȝin[8070]
Þer at þe oþer half þe brigge
Wiþ scharppe swerd gun on legge
Wiþ fauchouns axes & battes,
Ich ȝaue oþer sori flappes;
Of Sarraȝin þer fouȝten ten & ten[8075]
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[8080]
Mest what euerich wiþ his spere
A paien gan to grounde bere,
& in þis ich coming [f.247rb] [Image]
Þer were slawe four heþen king
In þe feld of our bachelers,[8085]
Were brouȝt on her destre[r]s;
Þe paiens were to fel & kene,
Þe sleiȝt of hem nas nouȝt sen
& eke þer ourne stremes of blod
Also it were a wel gret flod.[8090]
Now wiþouten more dueling
Galathin com swiþe flinge
Wiþ þre þousand wiȝtling
& smot oȝain þat heþen king,
Ich of hem wiþ stef launce[8095]
A Sarraȝin smot wiþouten balaunce
& wiþ her feren brouȝten oȝain
Al her fomen to þe brigge Drein, [ fomen: MS reads feren.]
In þe water hem driuen so y finde
Of þe heþen & slouȝ seuen þousinde,[8100]
Ac al our childer toforn & þo
Hadde hem contened so
Þat of m x & sextene
No hadde þai leued bot þrittene
& of our so y finde[8105]
Nas nouȝt slain a þousinde.
Now hadde al þo þeues heþen
Ben tofrust doun riȝt to maþen
ȝif Morgalent & Pinogres
Nadden brouȝt ouer her pres, [8110] [ Nadden: MS reads Hadden.]
XX þousand oȝain our;
Of our wer þousandes ten & four
& certes nouȝt an hundred mo
& þai were þre & þritti þousand & mo.
Þer was batail of mende[8115]
Hou our wiȝtlinges so hende
On þe heþen wiþ swordes losten
& mani tocleued & tofrusten.
Ac Morgalant & his ferrede
Were strong & fers to þe dede[8120]
& hadde don our harm wel gret
ȝif Wawain no hadde don þe bet
Þat wiþ eiȝte þousand & swerdes egge
Brouȝt hem to þentre of þe brigge
& mani þousand ouerþrewe saun fail[8125]
Into þe water top & tail
Þat þai adreint wiþouten les. [f.247va] [Image]
Wawain smot into þat pres -
It was sumdel after none,
Wawain strengþe duble gan -[8130]
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,[8135]
Þe ax into þe sadel bot;
King Malan also he hit
& wiþ his ax þe heued of slit.
A-left he smot & a-riȝt,
Non his dent asit miȝt;[8140]
Stel & yren his ax þurth carf
Wherþurth mani heþen starf.
He met þat geaunt Pinogres
Amidward al his pres
Þat cleued Wawaines scheld[8145]
Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld.
Wawain him ȝaue a dent of howe
& cleued him to þe sadelbowe -
Y no miȝt it nouȝt fulrede
Þe pruaunce of Wawaines dede.[8150]
After him hende Ywain
Best y wene kidde his main
For king Sesox he cleue ato
& Baldas an amiral also,
Minardes heued of he smot[8155]
& Bilaces also God it wot
& Morgalant þe steward
Dedliche wounde he ȝaf him hard,
& mo kniȝtes þan y can telle
Wawain & he sent to helle,[8160]
For y neuen now saun faile
Bot kinges, doukes & amiraile -
ȝete no wist nouȝt Wawain
Þat it was his felawe Ywain;
He hadde wonder of his pruesse[8165]
Þat so leyd doun hard & nesse.
After hem Galathin
Kidde in dede miȝt afin:
Wiþ swerd he hit Farasan,
A geaunt & an hoge man,[8170]
Þat ere & cheke & scholder also [f.247vb] [Image]
Wiþ his swerd he carf atvo;
King Creon he cleued þurth
& king Bess doun in a furth;
Darian & king Fulgin,[8175]
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;[8180]
Pinnas & ek Donadord
He biheueded wiþ his sword;
Pamadas he cleued doun riȝt.
¶ Sagremor þer schewed his miȝt
For he biheueded Linodas[8185]
Of fourtene fet þat was;
Fauel he cleued to þe brest
& Guindard he made heuedles prest.
¶ Gueheres dede also wel:
Of Guos he carf þe hatrel;[8190]
Goweir he cleued to þe ribbe
Þat he no miȝt no lenger libbe.
Agreuein dede also:
Þre kinges he slouȝ & mani mo.
¶ Ates & lesse Ywain & her route[8195]
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[8200]
For he carf man & stiel & 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[8205]
Þer was ioie & blis certain,
He & al her compeinie
To Bedingham went on heiȝe
& þer token aise & rest
Wiþ gamen & gle & solas mest.[8210]
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 anonriȝt [f.248ra] [Image] [8215]
& went oway al bi niȝt
To her heiȝe ost, to Wandlesbiri,
Þer þai made hem joie & miri
For store & tresor þat þai brouȝt.
Wawain amorn hem souȝt[8220]
& fond he was ascaped oway,
Þat him oþouȝt par ma fay;
Þat hie þer founden þai ladde hem wiþ
& left þer stille in pais & griþ
Mani day at Bedinham -[8225]
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.[8230]
Þo herd þai telle of Sarraȝins
Deden wo & michel pins
Þe ȝong men of Arundel,
Wawain þerof hadde diol;
Ten þousand þe best he toke -[8235]
Þe oþer he tok þe toun to loke -
& went hem Arundel toward.
In þis time fel chaunce hard
For Kay, Destran & Kehedin,
Tvo gentil swaines of wiȝt lin[8240]
Erles sones of Strangore,
Of þe marche come hem bifore
Wiþ seuen & tventi sweines of gentil stren,
Comen alle kniȝtes for to ben
& to serue king Arthour[8245]
ȝif þai miȝt wiþ gret honour.
Þese no hadde nouȝt are ysaye
Hou Arundel was bilay
Of king Harans & ek Daril,
Bramagnes sones þe etenild,[8250]
Wiþ so mani heþen þousinde
Þat þe noumbre y no can finde.
Þese squiers on hem come,
& þe paiens also sone
So(ne) þai hem seiȝe on hem þai last,[8255]
Þe squiers were armed & on hem dast
& in þe first of þat seylinge
Þai slowen michel heþen genge;
Ac heþen mani þousand þo [f.248rb] [Image]
On our flongen & dede hem wo[8260]
& biclept hem al about
For to nim þat litel rout.
ȝong men of Arundel
Seiȝen it out of þe castel,
Wiȝt ȝonglinges þre hundred ich vnderstonde;[8265]
Þe first was Ywain wiþ þe white hond,
Þe oþer Ywain of Lyonel,
Þe þridde Ywain Desclauis le bel
& Ywain of Strangore of heiȝe parage,
Þe v was Dedinet þe saueage;[8270]
Alle þai were wiȝt & hende
& neiȝe of Wawaines kende.
Þese wiþ þre hundred com þere
& on þe paiens smiten wiþ gode chere,
Ich dede his launce go[8275]
Þurthout a paien oþer to
& redden hem wiþ miȝt fin
Til what þai come to Kehedin;
Togider þai cleued in þat werre
So wiþ oþer doþ þe burre[8280]
& leyden þer Sarraȝins doun riȝt
Boþe a left half & a riȝt.
Þe paiens an horn gun blowe
& hem come socour in litel þrawe
XX þousand þat smite on our[8285]
& bar hem doun bi þre & four
& hadde hem slawe & do miche wo
No hadde Wawain vp comen þo
Wiþ x þousand þat doun stett
Alle þat þai wiþ launce mett[8290]
& after her swerdes drowe
& xv þousand heþen slowe
& holpen so þo oþer squiers
Þat þai were brouȝt on destrers.
Þe oþer paiens wiþdrouȝ hem þo[8295]
Sarraȝins to feche hem mo,
Þerwhiles Wawain knewe þis Ywains
Alle four & þe oþer swaines;
Þer was ioie bi Godes ore,
Y wene þer miȝt be no more[8300]
Þan was þer of þat socouringe.
Þerwhiles com an eld kniȝt flinge
& seyd to Wawain conseil [f.248va] [Image]
ȝif he & his feren wald ben hayl
Þai schuld swiþe to Arundel te[8305]
& þan he schuld more yse,
Bi his conseil þai deden anon
& went into Arundel ichon,
Alle þe gates þai schetten fast
& lete falle portcolice on hast.[8310]
On walles þai steiȝen heiȝe [ walles: s is superscript.]
& seiȝen of heþen ful þe cuntreie.
¶ King Harans wiþ sexti þousinde
& Daril wiþ fourti him bihinde,
XII hundred cartes after come[8315]
Wiþ gode & store þat was binome
In þe cuntre men & wiues
Al sori in her liues,
After hem come xx þousinde
Of fel robours so y finde[8320]
Þat so hadde robed & brent þe cuntre
Þat þeraboute four jurne
No schuld man finde man no childe
Bot wildernesse & desert wilde.
Wawain & his felawes[8325]
Þer soiour(u)nd seuen dawes -
Þer lete we hem soiurne
& speke we of chaunces hard & murne.
King Harans & his harnoys
Went toward þe lond of Leoneis[8330]
& brent into þe grounde
Al þat þai biforn hem founde,
Man & child þai brent þo
& dede hem al michel wo;
Sum ascaped wiþ gret paine[8335]
Into þe cite of Dorkeine
& reweliche gun [grade] o king Lot
For þis lere God it wot.
Lot tok xx þousand kniȝtes
& went him out anonriȝtes.[8340]
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[8345]
& ix þousinde þerto slouwe
Wiþ so noble swerdes dent [f.248vb] [Image]
Þat hem astint verament
& hadde hem alle sone yslawe
ȝif Harans – þat þe deuel todrawe -[8350]
Wiþ lx þousand [nadde] þo
Com on our to michel wo,
Þat our biclept & wiþ fouȝt
& slowen our gentil men & duȝst, [ duȝst: ȝ is written superscript.]
Þat Lot vnneþe wiþ þre þousinde[8355]
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[8360]
& bad þe time mesauenture
Þat he cunteked wiþ king Arthour;
& his kniȝtes þat leued were
& leuedis & children maden care
For her faders lordes & frende[8365]
Were so slawe wiþ helle-fende.
Harans biseged & dede his peine
Þe cite to winne of Dorkeine.
Lot þouȝt to saue Belisent
Arthours suster his quen gent[8370]
& Wawains moder saun fail,
His kniȝtes he asked conseil;
Conseil he tok & went bi niȝt
Toward Glocedoine ful riȝt,
His strong castel, to don in his wiif[8375]
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[8380]
& went toward his castel swiþe -
He was þerof seþ þen vnbliþe.
¶ In þis time child Wawain
Wiþ mani feren & eke Ywain
On Arundels wal þai gun lene,[8385]
A kniȝt com arnand wiþ gret rene
Yarmed in armes alle
Þat to Wawain þus gan calle
‘Wawain,’ he seyd ‘Crist þe se
& alle þine feren fre.[8390]
Durst ȝe gon wiþ me siker [f.249ra] [Image]
Y wold ȝou schewe a selcouþe biker
Whar ȝe schul win wining
ȝe nold it ȝeue for noþing.’
‘Þan schaltow’ quaþ Wawain ‘swere[8395]
Þou no schalt ous wiþ tresoun dere.’
‘Bleþeliche’ he seyd & swore anon
He no schuld hem qued no traisoun don.
¶ Wawain him armed swiþe
& tok wiþ him x þousand biliue.[8400]
Þis kniȝt seiȝe hem com & dassed forþ
& hye him after swiþe, norþ,
So þai wenten þai metten a kniȝt
Arnand wiþ al his miȝt.
Wawain nam to þis kniȝt hede[8405]
Þat he ladde wiþ him Modrede,
He rode him to & asked him whi
He ladde his broþer so suiftli.
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘par ma fay
Al þis niȝt & al þis day[8410]
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
& wiþ him þus oway drawe[8415]
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.[8420]
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[8425]
Hastiliche vnder a grof,
Þo he herd a reuly cri,
A wiman euer cri ‘merci!’
He dasched forþ biforn hem alle
& seiȝe a leuedi þries doun falle[8430]
Fram Taurus stede to þe grounde,
Þat heþen king, þat vnwrast hounde,
Þat feloun rage in his wodenesse,
Pliȝt hir vp bi þe tresse
& sche gred ‘seint Marie, [f.249rb] [Image] [8435]
Help me leuedi, Cristes drurie.’
& he went vp anon his fest
& buffeyt hir vnder þe lest
So oft so sche crid ‘Marie!’
Sche was buffeit of him þrie,[8440]
Sche fel doun of his hors rigge
& he gan anon his hondes legge
On hir tresse & forþ hir drouȝ.
Þe leuedi vpriȝt stode aswouȝ,
He laid on wiþ schourge & bad hir go[8445]
& sche no miȝt a fot for wo
No for hir cloþes long,
Bi hir tresse he gan hir hong;
Sche wiþbraid & fel vpriȝt,
Taurus aliȝt anonriȝt[8450]
& knett hir to his hors tail
Bi her tresse saun fayl
So he drouȝ hir him bihinde,
Euer ‘Mari help!’ criinde.
What for sorwe & eke for paine[8455]
Sche les winde & 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[8460]
‘Knawestow ouȝt þat leuedi
Þat þoleþ al þat vilanie?’
‘Wawain,’ he seyd ‘verrament,
Hir name is hote Belisent
Þou ouȝtest amende hir stat[8465]
For þou souke of hir tat.’
¶ Wawain was oft wele & wo
Ac neuer wers þan him was þo,
Neiȝe aswon he sat vpriȝt,
Þo nist he war bicome þat kniȝt;[8470]
He miȝt long loke after him
He was oway – it was Merlin.
Wawain wiþ spors his stede smot
& he forþ stirt God it wot,
He grad aloude to king Taurus[8475]
‘Abide þou þef malicious.
Biche-sone þou drawest amis,
Þou schalt abigge it, ywis.’
An heþen swain sone doun stett, [f.249va] [Image]
Þe leuedis tresse sone vnknett.[8480]
King Taurus was xiiii fet long,
An vnrede geaunt & a strong,
He seiȝe to him com Wawain,
He toke a launce wiþ gret main
& smot þe stede þat he bistrode;[8485]
Aiþer to oþer wiþ wretþe rode,
Taurus hit Wawain arst
Þat his launce al tobrast.
Wawain him hit wiþ main & schof,
Þe launce þurth þe scheld drof,[8490]
Þurthout hauberk & hert-polk,
& ded him cast among his folk;
Wawains breþer on & oþer
Smiten euerich liþ fram oþer
& v hundred heþen ichon[8495]
No leten ascape neuer on.
Wawain oȝain went so seyt þe bok
& his moder in his armes tok
& wiped hir mouþe eiȝen & viis,
For hir he wepe ful sore, ywis;[8500]
He kist hir mouþe & hir eiȝen,
& his breþer þat yseiȝen
& com to him & gret diol made.
No miȝt hem noþing glade,
& for loue of hem alle her fere[8505]
Made wepeing & reuly chere;
In al þis diol-makeing
Belisent wiþouten lesing
Acouerd & vndede her eyin;
Þo her sones it yseyn[8510]
Þai made joie swiþe gret,
Hir eiȝen þo sche vndede bet
& þonked Ihesu our Saueour
Of hir sones gentil socour.
Þo teld sche Wawain & his feren[8515]
So þat þai it miȝt yheren
Hou Lot wiþ þre hundred kniȝt
Dede oȝain þre þousand fiȝt
& of þe þre þousand he lete oliue
Certes bot hundredes fiue[8520]
‘Ac of mi lordes meine
Certes no scaped oliue nouȝt þre;
Þo mi lord most chese [f.249vb] [Image]
Me forgon oþer his liif forlese,
Alon he fauȝt a mile-way[8525]
Wiþ þo v hundred y say
What he hadde woundes ten & fiue.
Vnneþe he ascaped wiþ þe liue
Makand so reuli bere [ Makand: originally Make and; e erased.]
Þat it was pite for to here.[8530]
Þe heþen me tok & totoiled,
Tobeten, todrawe & defoiled -
Now haue ich mi lord ylore
& Modred mi sone þat wo me is fore’
Aswon þo sche ouerþrewe.[8535]
Wawain sone hir ablewe
& seyd ‘dame, Modred þi sone
Y schal þe don anon come.’
& him ofsent, þo sche him say
Sche akeuered par ma fay[8540]
& was yleyd in liter
Almast liche an hors-bere
& to Londen toke þe way
Wiþ alle Taurus korray -
Sex hundred cartes bi Godes ore[8545]
Al charged wiþ mete & store.
Þo þai to Londen weren ycome
Hendeliche þai were welcome.
Do deliuerd þe heiȝe palays
To sir Wawain þe curteys,[8550]
Þerin he dede his leuedi
& swore bi þe quen Marie
Schuld he neuer sen his lord
What Arthour & he were acord.
Þo he teld al sir Do[8555]
Of chaunce þat hem was comen to,
Hou he dede Sagremor socour
Þurth an eld vauasour
‘& seþ þen Ywain mi cosyn
Þurth leters writen in Latin[8560]
Þurth a page also riȝt,
& mi moder þurth a kniȝt,
& y no couþe non of þo þre
Neuer seþ þen after yse.’
‘O Wawain’ quaþ Do anon[8565]
‘Al þre it was on:
Merlin þe gode felawe. [f.250ra] [Image]
ȝete sum day þou schalt him knawe’ -
Hereof þai hadde wonder & game.
Lete we þis rest in Godes name[8570]
& telle forþ in gode pays
Hou Merlin doþ his maister Blays
In boke writen saun faile
Of Jnglond þis meruaile
& profecies & oþer þing[8575]
Þat sum beþ passed & sum coming.
¶ Þo went he fram his maister Blais
To Arthour to Carohaise
& teld him & his conseil
Of Jnglond al þe meruail,[8580]
Hou Wawain dede & his ferrede
& eueriche king in his þede,
King Arthour & his ferrade
Of þis tidinge were wel glade.
Now seiþ our romaunce here[8585]
Leodegan sent his messanger
To Arthour, Ban & ek Bohort
Þai schuld com to his court
Wiþ him won & soiourne,
& seyd he was sori & murne[8590]
Þat he no wist of her beinge
For he vnderstode soþ þing
Þat þai were of power more
Þan he & heiȝer ybore;
Þat þai hadde wele yked[8595]
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 & her conseyl.[8600]
Wiþouten bileueing ani more
Þai went to him, Merlin bifore;
Þo þai comen into þe halle
Þe king vp stode & his men alle
& welcomed hem wiþ bliþeful chere,[8605]
Þo spac Merlin so ȝe may here
‘King wostow wite our being?’
‘ȝa’ quaþ Leodegan ‘opon al þing.’
‘To þis’ he seyd & schewed Arthour
‘We sechen a wiif of gret valour.’[8610]
‘A seynt Marie’ quaþ Leodegan [f.250rb] [Image]
‘& haue ich a douhter, a fair wiman,
Fairer not y non veir,
Wise & hende & of mi lond air,
& ich ȝou sigge vterliche[8615]
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 & of hendeschippe.’[8620]
He fet his douhter himselue alon -
In þis world nas fairer non -
& proferd hir to king Arthour
& to ben his air wiþ gret honour,
& Arthour hir nome saun fail[8625]
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 & joie min.’[8630]
Þer he was of Arthour biknawe
& of his feren al bi rawe
& seyd he was her lord bi hirritage;
Þai most al don him vmage.
Leodegan was þo wel bliþe[8635]
& to Arthour dede omage swiþe
& þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
& al þat oþer folk saun fable,
Þer treuþed Arthour Gwenore his quen,
Þe fairest leuedi þat miȝt ben.[8640]
¶ 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[8645]
Of al deinte, y sigge apliȝt,
& lenger it hadde ylast
Bot her terme was comen almast
Þat þai most smite batail
Oȝain þe Sarraȝins saun fail,[8650]
Wide & side, ner & fer,
Baroun, kniȝt & ek souder,
Sum bi fe, sum for wining,
Were comen to Leodegan þe king,
Were comen to his fiȝt [f.250va] [Image] [8655]
& soiournd a fewe niȝt.
Mirie is June þat scheweþ flour,
Þe meden ben of swete odour,
Lilye & rose of fair colour,
Þe riuer cler wiþouten sour,[8660]
Boþe kniȝtes & vauasour
Þis damisels loue par amour.
On Mononday in þe Pentecost
Leodegan & alle his ost
Armed hem in aketouns,[8665]
Hauberkes, plates & hauberiouns
Boþe wiþ bacin & eke palet
& helme on her heued yset,
Stones precious & ȝimmes
Gold & siluer þer were inne;[8670]
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[8675]
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;[8680]
¶ 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[8685]
Merlin ordeine al his man,
‘Bleþeliche’ he seyd & ches Arthour
& Ban [&] Bohort of gret vigour
& her feren wiþouten fable
& kniȝtes of þe rounde table[8690]
& oþer kniȝtes so y finde,
In alle he nam seuen þousinde
& made þe first compainie,
Himself he wald hem gye.
¶ Leodegans nevou Gogenar,[8695]
A noble kniȝt & wise & war,
Merlin toke anoþer ferrede
Of seuen þousand for to lede;
¶ þe þridde ledde Elinadas, [f.250vb] [Image]
A ȝong kniȝt þat fin stalworþ was,[8700]
He was þe wise leuedis nevou
Of þe forest saunȝ retour;
¶ Þe ferþe led a baroun hiȝt Blias
Þat was lord of Bliodas;
¶ Þe fift ledde Andalas,[8705]
A kniȝt of meruailus los he was;
¶ Þe vj ledde Beliche þe blounde,
A kniȝt he was of gret mounde;
¶ Þe vij ledde Yder of Norþlond,
Fel & hardi & strong in hond;[8710]
¶ Þe viij ledde Landon ful of vertu,
He was Cleoda[l]is nevou;
¶ Þe ix ledde Gremporemole,
Hardi kniȝt & wiȝt & fre,
No kniȝt better on stede sat[8715]
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[8720]
‘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[8725]
He haþ wiþ him of biches lins,
We schul hem sle & noþing doute
For it is al a curssed route.
We han almast so y finde
Four score þousinde[8730]
& Cristes grace þat schal ous helpe
To kerue doun riȝt þe hepen welpes;
Þenke on ȝour childer & wiues
& ek on ȝour owen liues
& of ȝour londes, wiþ vnriȝt[8735]
Þai þenke to winne wiþ strengþe & miȝt,
ȝou to slen & to exile.
Leggeþ on þe traitours vile,
Spareþ nouȝt ac sle doun riȝt,
ȝou schal help God almiȝt.[8740]
Þai han filled þe michel forest
& walled hem bi norþ & west
Þat þerforþ no man no may [f.251ra] [Image]
Comen hem to par ma fay,
& a souþe half walled certes[8745]
Wiþ mani þousand waines & cartes,
Ac on þat est half, ich wot,
We schul comen opon hem God it wot
& finde hem slepeand & sle doun riȝt,
For þai were al dronken toniȝt.’[8750]
Þer he ches kniȝtes ten
& sent biforn her men
For to take & slen & binde
Þe spies þat þai miȝten finde;
Þat so deden, & hem bifore[8755]
Nomen herlotes ten score
& so hem bistirden þat no tiding
Spie no brouȝt to þat heþen king.
¶ Merlin come bifore wiþouten þe toun
& vnspand his dragoun [8760] [ vnspand: MS reads ?vnspaid.]
Fer þat kest of þe mouþe vair
So it liȝted in þe air.
Arthour alder next him cam
& Ban & Bohort þat gentil man
& al þat oþer ferred[8765]
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.[8770]
Þo Merlin com neiȝe king Rion
Enchauntement he kest him on
Þat mani of her pauiloun
Opon her heuedes fel adoun,
Merlin & his feren was y say[8775]
Biforn al þe oþer to mile-way.
In a Tiwesday in þe daweing
He kest þis enchaunteing.
Bitven a riuer & a grof
He com hem on, þat þai nouȝt schrof,[8780]
& Merlin loude gan to cri
‘Help ous now þe quen Marie.’
Our folk on þe heþen lusten
& vnder hors fet hem frusten
& tohewen hem to deþ, & on gerten.[8785]
Þe heþen þeues vp sterten,
Four .c. þousand & mani mo [f.251rb] [Image]
To king Rion ascaped þo
& armed hem swiftlich vnder his tent,
To slen al our was her entent[8790]
Ac our slouȝ þousandes mani
Ar of hem were armed ani.
Ac þo þai hadde keuered armes
Wiþ launces, maces & gisarmes
Bi þousandes mani a man[8795]
Þe heþen smiten our oȝan
& gun on of þe grest bataile
Þat euer was smiten saun faile.
Passed was þe dayspringing,
Þe hote sonne was schininge[8800]
Þo bigan kniȝtes rideing,
Trumpes blowen, tabours dassing, [ blowen: MS reads beten.]
Þer was fleinge & wiþstonding,
Tireing, togging & ouerþroweinge;
Of Sarraȝins in litel stounde[8805]
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 & ful of vertu,[8810]
He tok him an hundred þousand kniȝtes
& hete him wende anonriȝtes
His folk for to socour
& awreke his deshonour.
Þis Salinas & his wiþ gret vigour[8815]
Com oȝain king Arthour
Wiþ his to & fourti of mounde
& wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde
& wiþ oþer, in al y finde
Þe mountaunce of seuen þousinde.[8820]
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[8825]
Smot his stede of gret valour
& hit a Sarraȝin þurth þe scheld
& his hauberk felefeld
Þat þurth þe hert þat ysen cheld
Pased & kest him in þe feld.[8830]
King Ban biseiȝe riȝt so anoþer [f.251va] [Image]
& king Bohort þe þridde his broþer,
Neiȝe ichon of her felawe
In þe entring brouȝt a paien of dawe;
Þer was mani stede yfeld,[8835]
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.[8840]
Arthour was þat day biheld
Hou manliche þat he paiens aqueld;
He hem tokarf, he hem tohewe,
Mani wiþ ded his dintes knewe.
¶ King Ionap, a paien kene -[8845]
Lengþe he hadde o fet fiftene -
He seiȝe hou Arthour ded hem damage,
He tok a launce in gret rage
& biforn him grop his scheld,
Arthour he þouȝt his harm to ȝeld.[8850]
¶ 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[8855]
Oȝain oþer in þat presse,
Ionapes schaft bigan to glide
Riȝt bi king Arthour left side,
Þurthout armes & þurthout schert,
& in þe side, nouȝt sore, him hert.[8860]
¶ & Arthour smot him wiþ his launce
Þurthout his scheld wiþouten balaunce
& þurthout hauberk & aketoun
& þurthout þe scholder fer aroum. [ þe is written superscript.]
Ionap was so proude & sterne[8865]
No ȝaf he þerof nouȝt a ferne,
Wiþ þe brestes so þai metten
Þat to þe grounde boþe þai stetten.
Of Cristen [&] heþen þer was toiling
For to help þis to king;[8870]
Þer was mani swerd ydrawe,
Mani kniȝt hirt & mani slawe,
What wiþ wristling, wat wiþ togging
What wiþ smiteing & wiþ skirminge,
On boþe half so þai wrouȝten, [f.251vb] [Image] [8875]
Her kinges on hors þai brouȝten.
Þo Arthour & his fourti & to,
& his kniȝtes of þe rounde table also,
So korwen & hewen wiþ main hond
Þat non armour miȝt hem astond,[8880]
& so slowen, þat Salinas
Fleiȝe & al þat wiþ him was.
Among þe wele doinde of our men
Was on wele fiȝtand hete Nacien,
Perciuales cosyn þe fri[8885]
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.[8890]
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,[8895]
Hardi & strong wiȝt & kene,
In whom seþ þen in mani fiȝt
Al Jnglond so was aliȝt.
Þis was Colidoines cosyn þe rike,
Naciens sone of Betike,[8900]
Whiche Celidoine seiȝe first saun fail
Of þe holi graal þe meruail.
ȝete þis Nacien þe curteis
Was sibbe king Pelles of Listoneis
& al his breþer God it wot[8905]
& seþ þen hadde Launcelot
In his ward almest a ȝer
So þe romaunce seyt elleswher.
Þis Naciens of whom y write
Seþ þen bicom ermite[8910]
& lete kniȝtschippe & al þing
& bicome prest messe to sing.
Virgine of his bodi he was,
Whom seþ þen þe holi Godes gras
Rauist into þe þridde heuen[8915]
Where he herd angels steuen
& seiȝe fader & sone & holi gost
In on substaunce, in on acost.
Þis ȝaf seþ þen þe riche conseil [f.252ra] [Image]
To þe king Arthour saun fail[8920]
Þo he was in gret periil
To lese his londes & ben exil
Oȝaines þe king Galahos,
Þe geauntes sone of gret los,
Þat ȝaf king Arthour bataileinge[8925]
Wiþ þe power of þritti king.
Þis Naciens and Adragenis þe broun
Þe heþen kniȝtes leyden adoun,
Tohewe hem & togert;
Y ȝou sigge forsoþe cert[8930]
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[8935]
& bar þe dragoun þat fer out sent.
Þes þre deden michel wo,
Hors & man þai coruen ato;
Boþe a left half & a riȝt
Þai felden kniȝtes & slouȝ doun riȝt[8940]
& 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[8945]
& smiten after bi xij & ten
Wiþ newe grounden fauchoun & sword,
Mani heued þai smiten ford.
Þai schouen wiþ schulder & smiten wiþ arm
& deden þe paiens dedliche harm[8950]
Ac þai no miȝt keuer to king Arthour
Wiþ sleiȝt no wiþ vigour,
Bot Ban & Bohort so seiþ þe bok
Laiden doun al þat þai tok.
Sum into þe sadel þai smiten,[8955]
Her swerdes þai dede ful wele biten
& so fouȝten & slowen par ma fay
Þat þai redden & maden way
Maugre þo paiens þurth fin vigour
What þai com to king Arthour,[8960]
& þo þai were togider fiue
Þai binomen mani on her liue,
An hundred haþen in litel fitt [f.252rb] [Image]
Þe fiue þurth koruen & heued of slit.
In ich half was gret fiȝting,[8965]
Gret sleiȝt, gret criing,
Socouring & wiþstonding,
Of kniȝtes, barouns, erls & kinge
Lay mani heuedles on þe grounde,
On þe gras wiþ dedli wounde[8970]
Sum lay wiþouten fet & armes
Ato ygirt into þe þarmes.
¶ Among þis toil seiȝe king Rion
Our fiue so his men slon.
He was seuenten fet long[8975]
& in þis warld no man so strong,
In his riȝt hond & in his left
A mace he gan vp lift
Þat no man no schuld bere
No vnneþe fram þe grounde stere.[8980]
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[8985]
Þe cast of an alblast
& hit him þan a dint wel iuel
Þat he fel on his hors adiuel. [ hors is superscript.]
He wold his nek smiten eft
& þe dint a litel gleft,[8990]
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[8995]
On king Bohort loude gredinge,
Þe mace arered in his hond
& ‘Fiȝ a putain wiþstonde.
Þou schalt abigge þat þou þer come.
Lo, here in mine hond þi dome.’[9000]
Bohort of þe gretnesse hadde meruail
& of him was adred saun fail,
Leuer he hadde þer ben yhent
Þan fleand ynomen oþer yschent,
He set on him þe crouche verray[9005]
& him vnder his scheld wray.
Rion on þat scheld so smot [f.252va] [Image]
Þat it tobrast God it wot,
& king Bohort so smot oȝan
O þe helme, þat hoge man,[9010]
Þat he sat astoned vpriȝt
& nist wheþer it was dai or niȝt.
Þe hors he dast him forbi
& com vp a chaunce sikerly
Where king Aroans a geaunt fel[9015]
Hadde felled Herui de Riuel
& held him so bi þe code
Þat mouþe & nose him ran ablod;
& hadde þer of his heued ysmite
Nadde Adragenis to him stite[9020]
Wiþ swerd oȝain fourti & mo.
King Bohort com rideinde þo
& ȝaue Aroans wiþ þe swerd a flat
Þat he þrewe of his hors aplat;
Herui seiȝe legge þe kinges cors,[9025]
Anon he lepe vp to his hors
& smiten hem amid þe pres
So grehound doþ out of les
& so hewen & laiden on
Þat non miȝt better don.[9030]
Now is king Leodegan wiþ his folk hard [ Leodegan: MS reads rion.]
Smiten on kinge Riones standard
& doþ gret power ich ȝou telle
Riones baner for to felle,
Ac Rion com & his mace left[9035]
& slouȝ a riȝt half & a left, [ half: MS reads hals.]
Rion smot to king Bohors
& wende todaschen al his cors
& he failed of him & hit his stede;
Þe dent was gret & vnrede,[9040]
Þe hors chine he dassed ato.
Bohort lepe afot þo
& wiþ his swerd, y ȝou pliȝt,
Wered him anonriȝt,
Ac Rion was him about[9045]
To nimen & slen wiþ michel rout
& dede him tviis knely arawe
& almast hadde him yslawe.
Herui Riuel þis iknewe,
King Bohortes harm him gan rewe,[9050]
Þe stede he smot þat it queiȝte, [f.252vb] [Image]
Of a geaunt a launce he pliȝt,
To king Rion he gan ride [MS: line copied twice by the scribe with the second crossed through. Omitted line commences with & and with r of rion in minuscule rather than majuscule.]
& smot him þurthout þe side.
King Rion wiþsat þat dent[9055]
& smot to Herui verrament
So þat a qua[r]ter of his scheld [ þat is superscript.]
He bar oway into þe feld.
& eft wald so a deuel wiȝt,
Ac Herui þat was vigrous & liȝt,[9060]
On þe scheld him hit a dint hard
& cleued it to þe midward,
& Rion smot & gan faile
& Heruies hors slouȝ saun faile.
Þo stode Herui bi Bohort,[9065]
Boþe in periil of mort
Oȝaines fele score, ypliȝt,
& þai hem wered as noble kniȝt.
Þis seiȝe Adregein þe broun
‘Now helpe’ he seyd ‘seyn Symoun.’[9070]
He rode to Rion & 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[9075]
Nadde þe proude king ycome,
Rion nevou Solinas -
þat honged worþ bi þeues las -
Bihinde Adrageins com wiþ a spere
& to þe grounde gan him bere[9080]
& bitven þe schulders him hirt.
Adragein anon vp stirt
On fot & halp his compainoun
So it were a wode lyoun;
& so hem wered wiþ steles egge[9085]
Þat non no durst on hem hond legge,
Ac þai hem þrewe wiþ spere & kniif
& oþer armes to reuen her liif
& wounded hem sore swiþe
Þurthout þe armes mani siþe.[9090]
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 [f.253ra] [Image] [9095]
Doun riȝt of hors he hem stett.
Rion he smot on þe side riȝt
& bar him of his hors vpriȝt
& rod him on & ouer þries;
His hors was slain bitven his þies.[9100]
Gode & wiȝt kniȝtes of our
Þo stode on fet four,
So þai gun fiȝt & lasse
Þat þai made grete tasse
Abouten hem þer þai stode[9105]
& depe woden in þe blod
& made swiche defense & sleiȝt
Þat y no may telle it ariȝt.
Ac Rion, þat wiþ þerwinne,
Dede gret power hem to nime[9110]
& hadde hem nomen wiþouten let
No hadde Merlin riden þe bet
To king Arthour & to king Ban
& seyd ‘What do ȝe man?
King Bohort & Nacien[9115]
Beþ ȝond biloke wiþ mani men
& Herui & Agreuein;
ȝond þai ben on þe plein,
Bot ȝe hem soner socour
Þai ben ded al four.’[9120]
‘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[9125]
On aiþer half so grehounde of lasse
& her feren after hem come
Þat mani paien ȝaf her dome
& sent hem wiþ scharp sword [ sent: MS reads ?soȝut.]
To þe deuel her lord.[9130]
& þo þai comen & seiȝen hes
Þai dasched forþ amid þe pres,
Euerich hit a paien þo
Þat þai arisen neuer mo;
Kniȝtes wiȝt þai hem kedden[9135]
& roume to þe four þai redden.
Geauntes strong þer weren to,
Þe four þat deden michel wo,
Minap hete þat on veires, [f.253rb] [Image]
Þat oþer was hoten Malgleires.[9140]
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[9145]
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld.
Þes four seiȝen her socour
& lepen ouer wiþ gret vigour
Gret hepes of hors & men
Þat slain lay hem bitven;[9150]
Hors wel gode chepe þai founde
& anon in þe sadel wounde
& conteined hem so wiȝtliche cert
So þai nere nouȝt yhert.
Þo at arst bigan þe bataile[9155]
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;[9160]
Gauelokes also þicke flowe
So gnattes ichil avowe.
Þer was so michel dust riseing
Þat sen þer nas sonne schineing.
Þe trumpeing & þe tabouringe[9165]
Dede togider þe kniȝtes flinge,
Þe kniȝtes broken her speren
On þre, þai smiten & toteren;
Kniȝtes & stedes þer laien aboute,
Þe heuedes ofsmiten, þe guttes out,[9170]
Heueden, fet & armes þer
Lay strewed eueriwher
Vnder stede fet so þicke
In crowes nest so doþe þe sticke.
Sum storuen & sum gras gnowe,[9175]
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,[9180]
Þer was swiche cark & swiche defoil
Þat al Leodeganes folk made recoil
To Denebleise vnder þe wal, [f.253va] [Image]
Bot Arthour & his folk al
Þat helden hem in þe bataile[9185]
Of armes þat dede wonder meruaile.
¶ So Leodegan saun fail
Houed vnder þe cites wal,
Sadones seyd an hardi man
To his em Leodegan[9190]
‘Listneþ me now, mi lord þe king,
& ȝe oþer lordinge,
What do we here, whi & warfore?
ȝif we fle þis lond is lore
& wif & child & al our blisse,[9195]
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.[9200]
O þing ouȝt ous comfort wel,
Our newe lord ȝong naturel
Þat so wiȝtliche fiȝteþ for ous;
Helpe we him for Crist Ihesus.
ȝif he were hunist at þis asaut[9205] [ asaut: macron above u and in the next line ms has defaunt.]
He miȝt wite it our defaut
& bot we him help at þis nede
We beþ forswore so Crist me rede,
& ȝete sle þat folk Sarraȝine
Is our soule medicine.’[9210]
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[9215]
& oȝain þo houndes fling.’
Alle þai were at on asent
& forþ dassed verrament.
X m paiens of þos þai metten
Þurthout hem bar, to grounde he stetten.[9220]
Þo bigan bataile newe,
Ich on oþer wiþ swerd hewe,
Wiþ mace & ex & fauchoun
Mani kniȝt laide oþer adoun.
¶ Þerwhiles Merlin so y finde[9225]
Dede his out wende to take þe winde
Gert her steden & ek resten, [f.253vb] [Image]
What þe Sarraȝins oȝain þresten
Our Cristen par fors oȝan;
Þo mounted Arthour, Bohort & Ban[9230]
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[9235]
Bitven þe schulder & þe hatrel [ hatrel: MS reads harrel.]
Þat schulder & side & flaunke also
Wiþ his swerd he smot ato;
He was wroþ ȝe schul here wite
For Merlin hadde him atwite[9240]
He hadde iuel ȝolden þe kisseinge
Þat Gvenour him ȝaf at his arminge,
Þerfore he tohewe þat route
Tofore biside & al about;
Al wondred þat him seiȝe an[9245]
& seyd he worþ a noble man.
¶ Þo knewe he þurth mani on
Wher þat rod þe king Rion
Þurth corouns & berdes þat were his armes,
He made him way wiþ strengþe of armes,[9250]
His stede him bar to him anon,
Arthour smot to king Rion,
A quarter of his helme out hitt
& his scheld ato ykitt
& alle his armes verrament[9255]
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.[9260]
Mani geauntes gret & long
About Rion þer were & strong
Þat on Arthour at ones last
& wiþ her hors to grounde him dast,
Ac Arthour lepe vp afot anon[9265]
& werd him oȝain euerichon.
Merlin wist of þis dede
& hete al Arthours felawered
Wenden swiþe to þis rideing,
Tofore dassed Ban þe king,[9270]
Al þat in his way stode [f.254ra] [Image]
He biheueded hem & lete hem blode
So þat þurth his miȝt gode
Þider he com þer Arthour stode.
‘Arthour’ he seyd ‘þi kinde it nis[9275]
To stond o fot, forsoþe ywis.’
An geaunt he tok anon
& cleued him to þe brest-bon
& brouȝt on hors Arthour, ywis,
Par fors among his enemis; [9280] [ fors: MS reads forþ.]
Þat so þo dede verrament
Þat non no miȝt stond his dent.
¶ Þo Arthour was vp so y finde
Comen his felawes vi þousinde
& ich of hem on þer hitt,[9285]
Oþer heued of smot or bodi þurth kitt. [ or: <r> is written superscript.]
Þer was defoiled king Rion
Vnder stedes fet mani on
& drawe & totore vilainliche
Ac he him defended orpedliche;[9290]
Wiþ gret pine naþelas
Vp to hors couered he was
& smot wiþ mace al about
& mani slouȝ of our rout.
Ac an fewe of our best[9295]
In al þat pres togider þrest,
Arthour & Ban & Bohort his amis
Naciens & Agraueins & Heruis
Lucans, Griflet, Vlfin & Kay
& her feren so fouȝten þat day[9300]
Þat in þe cuntre ran heþen blod
So in þe riuer doþ þe flod,
& so fouȝten wiþ dintes hard
Þat felled was king Rion standard
& þe four olyfaunce yslawe,[9305]
Baners & castels adoun yþrawe.
Þo fleiȝe Riones folk here & ter,
Non durst leue nowher
Ac king Rion þan was so wo
Þat nist what he miȝt do,[9310]
Wiþ his swerd scharp & 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 [f.254rb] [Image] [9315]
Bi a wode oway alone
Makeand ful sikerly
Swiþe michel diol & cri.
Swiche noyse ros in þe bataile
Þat þei it hadde þondred saun faile[9320]
No schuld men it yhere.
Þe paiens made so rewely bere,
& our gred ‘sle! Lay on!
Kepe þere! Kepe here! Lete passe non.’
Þus þai slouȝ in litel stounde[9325]
Mani þousand to þe grounde
& euer þai ben tohewe & smite
So schepe þat were wiþ wolues ybite.
¶ Leodegan & Cleodalis his steward
Folwed alon Goionard[9330]
Riones nevou þat hadde wiþ him
Fele Sarraȝins wroþ & grim;
Ban & Bohort vertuous
Þai todriuen four kinges orgulous
Þat hete Gloiant & Minados[9335]
Calufer & Sinargos;
Þe oþer & þo of þe table rounde
Bi v, bi vi of gret mounde
Were departed her & tar
To folwe þe paiens eueraywhar:[9340]
Naciens, Adrageins & ek Herui
VI heþen kinges driuen hardi
Þat hete Mautaile & Fernicans,
Bantrines & Kehamans,
Forcoars & Troimadac,[9345]
For to ȝeuen hem her mat;
Alone certes king Arthour
Drof king Rion wiþ gret vigour.
Arthour otok him wiþ drawe sward
& seyd ‘aȝeld þe now traitour coward.’[9350]
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[9355]
Ac Arthour him couered verrament,
Of his scheld he carf a corner [ corner: first r is superscript.]
& of his helme a quarter.
Þe dint swarf & flei forbi, [f.254va] [Image]
Þerfore was non sori.[9360]
Arthour smot oȝainward
Vnder Riones scheld a dint hard
& smot Rion þurth armes alle,
Þurth þe side neiȝe to þe ȝalle.
King Rion so feld him hert[9365]
& gan fle ful swiþe cert,
Arthour wald after sue
Ac sex king gun on him hewe [MS: hue crossed through before hewe.]
Wiche y nemde tofore ȝou to
Þat Herui drof & his feren also,[9370]
Þai grad ‘Abide traitour!’ on heiȝe
Wroþerhale þou Rion seiȝe.’ [ Wroþerhale: MS reads Wroþerhole.]
Þo lete Arthour Rion scape.
Kehenans com wiþ gret rape
& ȝaf king Arthour swiche a las[9375]
Þat Arthour al astoned was.
Arthour smot þat geant oȝan
A dint þat fro main cam,
He smot his schulder, wiþ arm & scheld,
Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld.[9380]
Kehenans dede his stede forþ steppe
& king Arthour wald bicleppe
About his swere wiþ his riȝt arm
Þat þe oþer miȝt don him harm
Ac bitven his hond & elbowe[9385]
Arthour him ȝaue a dint of howe
Wiþ his swerd, þat his hond
Amidward þe feld wond;
Þe stede him bar here & tere
Criand so wode he were[9390]
Ac sone þerafter ded doun he þrewe,
His soule to þe deuel blewe.
Þe oþer dasched on Arthour al fiue
For to reuen him his liue
Ac Arthour king Ferican smot[9395]
To þe hert God it wot,
Forcoars bi þe side he hitt
Þat ribbes & þi he of slit.
Þo com Naciens, Herui & Adragein
Rideand to Arthour wiþ gret main,[9400]
Wiþ his to feren king Mautaile
Fram Arthour gan swiþe fle.
Arthour wiþ his feren þo liȝt [f.254vb] [Image]
Her hors girten & sadles riȝt.
Now seiþ here þis romans[9405]
Of king Bohort & king Bans,
So driuen king Minados
Wiþ his þre feren of proude los
Þai metten wiþ ten heþen kniȝtes
Strong geauntes fel & wiȝt,[9410]
Alle þritten þai smiten þo
On our Cristen kinges to
& perced boþe scheld & armes
& dede hem wel gret harmes.
¶ Ac Ban hit king Calufer[9415]
& 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[9420]
Þat al þe schulder & ek þe scheld
Wiþ þe ribbes fleiȝe in þe feld.
Sornigrens & Pinnogras,
Gaidon & king Margaras
Wiþ vij heþen sikerliche[9425]
Ban asailed wodeliche,
Ac Ban so noble kniȝt & hende
Wiȝtliche gan him defende,
Pinogras he feld of hors
& foiled al his cursed cors;[9430]
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,[9435]
To þe grounde a paien he frust.
Anoþer þurth helme & bacin
Þurthout he clef him to þe chin;
Þo þre paiens wiþ wiȝt bones
On þe helme him smiten at ones[9440]
Þat he nei hadde wiþouten balaunce
Ylorn hors & contenaunce
Ac he akeuered wiþ hert liȝt
& smiten hem on wiþ main wiȝt.
Ac in þat ich toilinge[9445]
Fram Arthour com Rion þe king [catchword: fleand his sw.]
Fleand, his sw[erd ydrawe],
{lines 9448-9622 are missing}
& Kay & Griflet & Lucan [f.255ra] [Image]
& Meraugis & Craddoc & Gernan
& Belchin þe broun & Bleoberiis {9625}[9450]
& Galescounde & Lectargis,
Kalogreuant & Kehedins
Folweden & slowen þe Sarraȝins
Her & ter so seyt þe boke,
& a compeinie oftoke, {9630}[9455]
To hundred paiens ful of grame;
For her ler & for her schame
& for king Rion was oway
Her hert was ful of ten & tray.
Ich on oþer þer gan smite {9635}[9460]
Wiþ swerdes egge þat sore gan bite.
Þai weren arwe & our hardy
& hem todriuen sikerly,
& wenten oȝain to Danbleys
& wiþouten þe gates iuel at ayse {9640}[9465]
Bileueden þer for her king
For to han of him tiding.
Þai no hadde of Merlin no conseiling
For he was went wiþouten lesing
After king Galat of miȝti hond {9645}[9470]
Lord-ouer of herdene lond,
Wiþ ten þousand þat was aschape,
Sarraȝins wiþ gret rape,
For to make enchauntement
Hem tofore verrament; {9650}[9475]
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 {9655}[9480]
Whi he it dede ȝe schul it wite.
Now telleþ þis romaunce þat king Arthour
Com driueand gode scour
& bar Marandois in his hond,
Worþ al þe swerdes of Jnglond, {9660}[9485]
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, {9665}[9490]
King Ban rode after God it wot,
Bohort also & Nacien, [f.255rb] [Image]
Herui de Riuel & Adragein,
& com dasseand al bi cas
Whar Goionar & Salinas {9670}[9495]
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 {9675}[9500]
& cleued him to þe sadelbowe,
Anoþer he biheueded, þe þridde he hit [ þridde: r is superscript.]
Vnto þe girdel he him slit,
Þe ferþ he tok on þe chine
& carf him ato bi line. {9680}[9505]
Ten forsoþe in litel þrawe
Þer he brouȝt o liue-dawe
Wiþ his swerd Marandoise
Þat carf dounriȝt wiþouten noise.
King Ban smot about also {9685}[9510]
& cleued a geant atvo,
Anoþer he schare of al þe side,
Þe þridde he dede of þe heued glide
& biheueded þre oþer þerto
& þe seuend he smot ato; {9690}[9515]
& Bohort boþe þi & arm
Schare of [on] & dede him harm,
Anoþer he cleued to þe toþ
Þe þridde he biheueded forsoþ,
Þe ferþ & fift also {9695}[9520]
To helle-grounde he de[de] hem go.
Þe gode kniȝt Adragein
Þurth hem smot on wiþ gret main, [ on is written superscript.]
Anoþer he cleued to þe brest
& of þe þridde þe heued he daste, {9700}[9525]
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 {9705}[9530]
& anoþer þerto, apliȝt,
Þe þridde to þe brest he cleued
& of þe ferþe þe heued of weued
& þre also þerto he slouȝ.
Herui also it made touȝ, {9710}[9535]
To þe chine he on slitt [f.255va] [Image]
& of to þe heued of kitt.
¶ Goiomar & Balinas
& þe þridde þat wiþ hem was
Seiȝen her noble socour {9715}[9540]
& leyden on wiþ gret vigour,
Ich of hem þo orpedeliche
Four slouȝ sikerliche,
Þo þan leued þer bot niȝe
Of al þat iche companie {9720}[9545]
& þo flowen anonriȝt
Also swiþe so þai miȝt
Gredeand it ner non men
Ac deuelen þat þai fouȝten oȝen.
Our hem suwed as men kene {9725}[9550]
Til þai herden michel dene
Boþe on helmes & ysen hatten
Þe dintes of swordes flatten,
Þo seyd Ban ‘we moten heye,
Al niȝt & wiþ swerd drie.’ [9555] [ drie: MS reads duie.]
{9730}[973]
Quaþ king Arthour ‘þat haue y leue [ leue: MS reads loued.]
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 [9560] [ was: s is superscript.]
{9735}[973]
Þat y no miȝt to wille smite
&, to ek þat, ȝe slouȝ so fele
Þat half no miȝt y me bistere.’
Þo seyden our oþer hem bitvene,
Most he libben & ythen, {9740}[9565]
Bitvene Breteine & 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, {9745}[9570]
Oȝain þai went in þat stounde
Wiþ drawen swerd to sechen him,
An hundred geauntes wroþ & grim
Wiþ fauchouns & wiþ swerdes stett – [MS: this line copied at the foot of the column.]
Ich oþer sone mett. {9750}[9575]
Antore was feld among þat floc
& Gornain & Gales þe calu & Craddoc
& Blioberis & Beichardis,
Þat hem defended afot, ywis,
& bi help of her feren seuen [f.255vb] [Image] {9755}[9580]
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, {9760}[9585]
A geaunt sone he tok, anne,
Þurthout helme & heued-panne
& þurth þe side & þe hert, [MS: 9763-4 in reverse order with the correct order marked by the scribe]
Of anoþer þe heued he girt,
ȝete he tok þe þridde {9765}[9590]
& cleued him to þe midde,
In þe swere he toke þe ferþ
Þat þe heued fleiȝe to þe erþe,
Fiue & sex, seuen & eiȝte
O rawe he biseiȝe so riȝt. {9770}[9595]
Þo gan king Arthour Marundois
His swerd to king Ban praise
& seyd it carf so wel men miȝt delite
Þat witeþ þe geaunce of þis smite;
Hem fiue afot on hors he lift. {9775}[9600]
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; {9780}[9605]
Þus her & tar he leyd adoun
So it were a wode lyoun.
¶ Bohort als a geaunt laiste
& þe heued al todaiste,
Anoþer to þe chine he karf, {9785}[9610]
Þe þridde he hit þat he starf,
Al abouten he leyd on
& slouȝ to grounde mani on.
¶ Adragein wiþ wille fre
Arawe biheueded geauntes þre {9790}[9615]
& oþer mo feld to grounde
Þat neuer more ner sounde.
¶ Þe gode kniȝt also Herui
Slouȝ so fele it was ferly,
Nacien so seyt þe boke {9795}[9620]
Of a geaunt þat heued he tok,
Anoþer to þe chine he luȝste,
Þe schulder of þe þridde he duȝste.
Þus þai laiden her & tar [f.256ra] [Image]
& her heuedes fram þe bodi schar, {9800}[9625]
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 {9805}[9630]
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 - {9810}[9635]
& þe xiiii flowen swiþe
So her stedes miȝten driue;
Our sueden wiþ wille fin,
& metten þe clerk Merlin
Þat hem wiþstode & dede hem liȝt, {9815}[9640]
Her stedes girten her sadles riȝt,
So þai dede & blisse made
Ich of oþers helpe was glade.
Whiles hye hem graiþeþ, resteþ & riȝteþ
Listneþ hou Leodegan fiȝteþ. {9820}[9645]
Hou Leodegan now vnder an oke
Fiȝteþ so seiþ þis boke
Wiþ his steward Cleodalis,
Gentil kniȝt & trewe, ywis,
Oȝain seuen & tventi fouȝten hye to; {9825}[9650]
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, {9830}[9655]
Wiþ michel sorwe & gret pine
Þai werd hem oȝain þo Sarraȝine.
Colocaulnus, an hoge man,
Smot so to Leodegan
Þat he aplat fel of his stede, {9835}[9660]
Boþe mouþe & nose gan blede;
For feblenis of oþer wounde
Streiȝt he lay on þe grounde.
Þe Sarraȝins to him come
& þo him wold han ynome {9840}[9665]
Ac Cleodalis herof nam kepe,
He bistride his lord & wepe,
Abouten he leyd wiþ his sword [f.256rb] [Image]
& defended his lord;
So he smot to his wiþ þerwine {9845}[9670]
Þat non miȝt his lord winne.
Þai him þrewe wiþ kniues & stones
& ȝauen him woundes for þe nones.
Vp stirt Leodegan þe king
Þo passed was his swoninge. {9850}[9675]
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 & reuþe,
He biþouȝt him, wiþ wrong {9855}[9680]
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 {9860}[9685]
Þurth mi sinne & mi desray
Icham comen to mi last day;
Haue on me pite gentil man
& rewe on me, Leodegan.
Ich was þi lord, now am y knaue, {9865}[9690]
On me pite & 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.’ {9870}[9695]
A-knowe he sat & 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, {9875}[9700]
He seiȝe his lord humilite,
He lift him vp in his arm
& forȝaf him al þat harm
Þat he him hadde don & schame
& bad him fiȝt on Godes name; {9880}[9705]
So þai deden & fouȝten boþe,
Þe paiens þerof weren wroþe.
Þo com rideand a geaunt, ywis,
& smot to grounde Cleodalis,
Þer he lay streiȝt along {9885}[9710]
Leodegan to him sprong
& him wered al about [f.256va] [Image]
Fram al þat ich curssed route,
So long he fauȝt he was weri
& fel adoun wel dreri; {9890}[9715]
Cleodalis þo vp made a stert
As he nere nouȝt yhert
& wiþ main fair & hende
His lord king he gan defende.
Þus þai ferd oft, when fel þat on {9895}[9720]
Þe oþer vp stert þo anon
& him defended wiþ alle his miȝt;
Þus þai fouȝten til midniȝt
Þo were þai wounded so strong
Þat þai no miȝt doure long. {9900}[9725]
To Cleodalis þo seyd Leodegan
‘Help now þeself, gentil man,
For to lese & winne al þis lond
Y no may lenger stond’ -
Often þai made dounfalleing {9905}[9730]
& when þai miȝt vpriseing -
& halp Cleodalis him to were & fiȝt
Also wele so he miȝt.
¶ In þis time hadde Merlin
To Arthour & Ban teld her pine, {9910}[9735]
& þo hadde Leodegan ben ynome
ȝif Arthour no had ycome
Wiþ his sextene þat on hem plat
& euerich a paien to deþ flat.
Merlin rode out in a stounde {9915}[9740]
& þider brouȝt xij of þe table rounde
Þat dede wiþ strengþe her swerd baþen
In bodi & blod of þe haþen,
King Arthour & Bohort & Ban
Keuered on hors Leodegan {9920}[9745]
& 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 {9925}[9750]
Þat sustend þat bataile,
Naciens rod, Ancalnus to,
Þe side he schar his bodi fro,
Arthour cleued king Maulas
& Ban ato girt king Ridras, {9930}[9755]
Bohort biheue[de]d king Dorilan [f.256vb] [Image]
& ich of þe oþer slouȝ a paien þan.
Þe oþer paiens flowe swiþe
& our went oȝain biliue
Into þe cite of Carohaise, {9935}[9760]
Wiþ her feren hem made at aise;
Þai maden gret blis & fest
& after ȝeden hem to rest.