1611017 13 3 17. um.

EDITED FROM

ROBERT THORNTON ’

S MS . (AB. 144 0 A.D.)

IN THE LIBRARY OF LIN COLN CATHEDRAL,

GEORGE G. PERRY,M.A.

,

”REBENDABY OF LIN COLN AND RECTOR OF WADDINGTON ; LATE FELLOW AND TUTOR O F LINCOLNCOLLEGE , O ! FORD.

L O N DO N

P UBL I SHED F OR THE EARLY E N GL ISH TE ! T S O C IE TY,

BY TRUBNER CO .,6 0

,PATERNOSTER ROW.

MDCCCL! V.

8

HERTFORD

Printed by STEPHEN AUSTIN .

PREFACE.

”l

N

IT is confessedly alm ost im possible to fix on the exact point

of time when the Sem i -Saxon dialect, which had replaced the

more formal Anglo-Saxon after the Norman Conquest, passed

into the E arly E nglish. Those characteristic changes which con

stitute the m odernization of a language were proceeding gradually .

Inflections were being lost, distinctive marks of gender and case

neglected, variations of meaning com ing to be expressed rather

by combinations of words than by changes in the words them

selves, and the result was that about the m iddle of the

thirteenth century England was speaking a language differing

by a wide interval from that of the country three centuries

before. This E arly English stage of the language m ay be con

sidered to extend from about the beginning of the reign of

Henry III. to the end of that of Edward III., when it was suc

ceeded by theMiddle E nglish.1 During the whole of thi s period

continualmodification of th e English tonguewas going on. The

language of th e proclamation to the people of Huntingdonshire

differs greatly from the language of Chaucer, and even from

1 See Dr. Latham on“The English Language,” chap. iii. ; and Hallam ’

s Introduction to Literature of Europe,” chap. i.

vi PREFACE .

that of Piers Plowm an and of the poem which is here put

forth. It is probable that th e Morte Arthure is somewhat

later in date than Piers Plowm an , but that it still falls

within the period marked out for th e limits of E arly English.

In comparing together the writings of this date we are at

on ce struck by a di stinction which seems to separate them

into two classes . In Chaucer we see the tendency towards

foreign words and idi oms, and the adoption of the rhym ingmetre invented during th e decay of the Latin tongue in Piers

Plowman and the Morte Arthure we trace the prevalence of th e

Saxon words and rhythm, the alliterative 1 or accented m etre

being preferred to the final caden ce .

In th e judgment of Warton the latter style was an evident

and palpable barbarism . This critic severely censures th e

author of Piers Plowm an , and , but that he was unacquainted

with the Morte Arthure, would doubtless have included its

author also in his condemnation Instead of availing himself

of the rising and rapid im provements of th e English language

Longland prefers and adopts the style of the An glo-Saxon poets.

N or did h e make these writers the m odels of h is language only

he likewise im itates their alliterative versification ,which con

sisted in using an aggregate of words beginning with the same

letter. But this imposed constraint Of seeking identical initials

and the affectation of obsolete English, by demanding a constant

and necessary departure from the natural and obvious form s of

expression, contributed also to render his m anner extrem ely per

plexed, and to disgust the readers with obscurities ”2 It is

hoped that the readers of the following poem will not be so

“Alliteration is the general character of all the early Gothic m etres. —Latlzam .

3 Warton’

s History of English Poetry, i . 2 6 6 .

PREFACE. vii

readily disgusted ; those very obscurities whi ch were so dis

tasteful to the polite critic constituting some of th e chief re

commendation of the composition . It is hoped also that the

poem will be welcomed not only on philological and gram m a

ticalgrounds, but on th e ground also of its own intrinsic m erit— for the fire, vigour, and liveliness of its style, and the vast

profusion of descriptive epithets which it pours out before th e

reader.

This version of the Morte Arthure is prin ted from a m anu

script in th e Library of Lin coln Cathedral, commonly known5

as the Thornton Roman ces.’ It is a thick volume containingseveral poems of th e Arthur type, as well as many pieces in

prose, both English and Latin . The greater part of this

volume was written by Robert Thornton , a native of Oswald

kirk,in Yorkshire, and Archdeacon of Bedford in the Diocese

Of Lin coln,about th e m iddle of the fifteenth century . The

date of Archdeacon Thornton and his connection with Lincoln

Cathedral can be ascertained pretty accurately, as am ong the

archives of the Cathedral there is preserved an instrument or

deed of considerable importan ce, attested by him as Arch

deacon , which bears date

So valuable is this collection of ancient pieces which has

been preserved by the labour of the Archdeacon ,that doubtless

all lovers of antiquity will be willing to concur in th e wish

with which th e Morte Arthure concludes, Thornton dictus

sit benedictus.’ The poem with which we are now concerned

was first published from the Lincoln manuscript by Mr. Halli

1 This instrum ent is known by the nam e of the Laadam of Alnwick ,” and to thisday every Prebendary of the Church takes oath on his adm ission to observe it. It isa decree (id guod laudatum est, approved or determ ined) of Bishop Alnwick,’ in reference to certain m atters in dispute between the Dean and the Canons.

viii PREFACE.

well in the year 1847 . The form which was then adopted was

that of an expensive quarto, and the value Of the book was

sought to be further enhanced by a rigid lim itation of the issue

to seventy-five copies. These have all,probably, long ago

found their way into the great libraries of th e country, and

the poem has beconie as inaccessible to the general reader

as though it had -never been printed. Under these cir

cum stances the Comm ittee of the Early English Text Societyhave judged it desirable that a re-publication of th e poem

should be m ad e. The present edi tion differs from that of Mr.

Halliwell in the printing of two of his lines in one, in the

marking by italic letters all expansions of the manuscript con

tractions, and the addi tion of side-notes and a glossary . In

the first of these points the arrangem ent of the m anuscript is

followed, the lines being always written there as here printed.

A comparison of the two m ethod s will also, it is thought, result

in a decided preference, as regards rhythm , Of the method here

used. W ith respect to th e expansions of the contractions, it

will be observed that there is no regularity in the spellingused, a final e being som etim es appended to words , some

tim es not. Great care has, in fact, been taken to reproduce

exactly the irregularity which is one of the m ost m arked

features of the spelling of this m anuscript. In no case has a

final e been added unless indi cated by a strong and decided

mark ; while the threefold variation in the writing of words

beginning with ih has been carefully followed.1 Th e form of

1 The, This, That, Thus, 1 75m , Th i, These, etc., are som etim es written in thism anuscript as at present spelled, som etim es with the Y and the final letter put overi t, som etim es with the Y and the other letters following in a line ; e.g. That , Yt , Yat,This, Y

S; Yis. In the second of these cases the letters are printed in italic ; in the

third in rom an type.

PREFACE . ix

the thorn letter (13 ) has been adopted in the printing, instead

of the form used in the m anuscript (Y) , as it has been thought

m ore agreeable to th e date of the com position, and m ore in

unison with the other publications of the same period printed

by th e There can be no doubt that the two form s

represent substantially the same sound. The text having un

dergone several careful collations with the manuscript, it is

hoped that it is as near perfect as m ay be. In some few points

it will be found to differ from the very accurate edition of Mr.

Halliwell.

As to the poem itself, it is held by Sir F . Madden that this

is the “Gret gest of Arthure” composed by Huch owne, a Scotch

ballad writer of th e fourteenth century. This opinion is com

bated by Mr. Morris in his Preface to “ Alliterative Poems,”

who proves that the poem was not originally written in the

Scotch dialect, but in one of the N orthum brian dialects spoken

South of the Tweed. Mr . Morris is also of opinion that the

text of the poem had been considerably altered by a Midland

transcriber before it fell into the hands of Robert Thornton .

Thornton ,as a Northumbrian,

would probably have preferred th e

original reading, but finding the m anuscript with its Southern

modifications, he transcribed it as it stood, without attempt at

restoration . In spite, however, of h is having yielded to the

changes of Southern transcribers, it is certain that we owe to

Robert Thornton, of Oswaldkirk, a great debt of gratitude for

having made a copy of the poem which has survived to our day.

It is a grand specim en of Early English poetry, exhibitingsome fine traits com m on to the early poetry of m any nations,

and certain specialpeculiarities of its own which are wellworth

careful study.

! PREFACE.

In almost all early poetry m ay be noted a simplicity of lan

guage uni ted with what m ay be term ed a recklessness of asser

tion and a contempt of the conditions required for constitutingthe probable. Effect is sought to be produced not by the subtle

analysis of thought and feeling, nor by the description of

scenery and natural obj ects, but by the crowding together of

startling incidents, and the ascription of m arvellous powers and

prowess to the favoured hero. Early poetry is, as it were, the

expression of inexperience, of thoughtlessness and light-hearted

ness, not bearing the marks of a complicated state of society ,

where the restless struggle for social superiority absorbs the

energies and gives a grave cast to the reflections. N ow this

gay and light-hearted character seem s to be em inently charac

teristic of the Morte Arthure. The ease with which fifty

thousand of folke are felled at ones” when they stand in the

way of the victory of th e knights ; th e jovial vein in which

Arthur cleaves asunder the giant Colapas, bidding him come

down and “ karpe to his feris,”for that “ h e is too high by

half” to do so comfortably in his giant form ; the character of

Sir Gawaine, the gude m an of arms, who is so eminent a

favourite with the poet because he was “th e gladdest of othire,

”

And the h endeste in haule undire bevens riche,”

all testify to this.

And united with this light-hearted vein the least glim pse at

the poem will reveal the noble contempt for the probable which

it exhibits. Illustration of thi s is unnecessary, as the whole

poem illustrates it. The author might indeed plead that he

was not responsible for the facts ;” that he took them from

good authority, even from the grave hi storian, Geoffrey of

Monm outh , who has duly chronicled, in choice m ediaeval Latin ,

PREFACE . xi

the adventures of Arthur and h is wars with Sir Lucius.

And,truly, few readers of th e poem would desire him to have

been possessed of a greater critical acum en , and to have set to

work to discriminate, select, and weigh probabilities. Better is

it to have the original roman ce in all its richness and raciness,

than any amended or m ore respectable version of the deeds of

the rich king. Arthur is here a kydd conqueror” through

out ; even in his final conflict inflicting poetical justice on the

villain Modred,and dying happily among h is people, with the

nation sorrowing at h is tomb. But in this poem ,not only is a

grand roman ce given in highly- spirited diction ; there are also

passages which show a keen appreciation of th e beauties of

nature, and others which breathe a truly touching pathos. Of

the first character especially are th e descriptions of th e river

banks and woodland copse through which Arthur and h is

knights ride when they go to combat the giant,1and of the

spot chosen for the m idday halt by the party headed by Sir

Florent.2

1 Thane they roode by that ryver, that rynnyd so swythe,Thare the ryndez overrechez with realle bowghez ;

The roo and the rayne-dere reklesse thare t ounene,

In ranez and in rosers to ryotte tham e selvene.

All the feulez thare fleschez , that flyez with wengez ,Fore thare galede the gowks one grevez fulle lowde.

Of the nyghtgale notez the noisez was swette,They threpide with the throstills thre -hundreth at ones !

That whate swowynge of watyr, and syngynge of byrdez ,

I t m yghte salve hym e of sore, that sounds was nevere920

2 And in the m yste m ornynge one a m ede falles,In swathes sweppene downe fulls of swete flouresThare unbrydilles theis bolde, and baytes theire horses,To the grygynge of the daye, that byrdes gane syngeWhylles the surs of the sonne, that sonde es of Chryste,That solaces alle synfulle, that syghte has in erthe.

250 6

xii PREFACE .

Of the latter, Arthur’s beautiful lam ent over Sir Gawaine,l

and his touching reflections on hi s dead knights.2 The writer

of this rom ance was assuredly not wanting in the feeling of

true poetry, while his vigorous diction and hi s extraordinary

power of heaping epithets upon epithets prove great skill and

proficiency in the diflicult style of versification which he had

adopted. As specim ens of thi s vigour and life we can , perhaps,

adduce no better instances than the account of the banquet

given to the Rom ans,3and of the em barcation of Arthur ’

s

Dere kosyne o kynde, in kare am I levede !For nowe m y wirchipe es wente, and m y were endideHere es the hope of m y hele, m y happynge of arm es !

My concelle, m y com forthe, that kepide myne herteOf alle knyghtes the kynge that undir Criste lifede.My wele and m y wirchipe of alle this werlde richeWas wonnene thourghe Sir Gawains, and thourghe his witte one !

3 95 7

2 Here rystys the riche blude of the rownds table,Rebukkede with a rebawde, and rewthe es the m ore

I m ay helples one hethe house be m yne one,Alles a wafulle wedowe that wanttes hir beryne !I m aywarys and wepe, and wrynge m yne handys,For m y wytt and m y wyrchipe awaye es for everOf alle lordchips I take leve to m ye ends IHere es the Bretones blode broughte owt of lyfe,And nowe in this journee alle m y joye endys

428 3

3 Pacockes and plovers in platers of golde,Grett swannes fulle swythe in sylveryne chargeours,

Tartes of Turky, taste whane tham e lykys

Gumbaldes graythely, fulle gracious to taste ;Bernakes and botures in baterde dysches,Fesauntes enflureschit in flam m ande silver,With darielles endordide, and daynteez ynewe.

182

Coggez and crayers, than crossez thaire m astez ,

Wyghtly one the wale thay wye up thaire ankers.Holly with-owttyne harm e thay hale in bottes

,

Schipe-m ene scharply schotene thaire portez , \

PREFACE . xiii

One of the m ost prom inent marks of the style of this poem

is the stereotyped epithet the rich king,”

the kydd con

queror,” faire stedes,

”

galyard knights,” cruelwords ,

”Sir

Cador “th e kene, Sir Bedwere “ th e rich, Sir Gawaine th e

good,”

are constantly recurring. We recognize one of the

m arked peculiarities of the great father of epic, who wrote of

the swift-footed Achilles,”the glancing-plumed Hector,

”

the “m any-murm uring sea,

” “ horse-feeding Argos, and the

long-haired Greeks.” The unartificial nature of early poetry

allows th e constant recurrence of the same ideas. The epithet is

rather part of the subject than a predicate, and the m ain business

of the poem being not so much description as narration , there

seems a fitness in the hero being constantly kept before our eyes

as the possessor of certain attributes, while the great deeds

whi ch justify his style and title are recorded.

An other noteworthy peculiarity in th e poem is the use of th e

adjective with th e demonstrative pronoun without the substan

tive, e.g. tha steryne,” this sorrowfulle,

” that hathelle,”

this kene,” “ that realle. This, which is akin to the Latin

use, m arks a stage of the language which has long passed away.

Of a like character is the idiom comm on in thi s poem of puttingth e objective case of the pronoun before the verb 3if m e the

life happene,” that him over land folowes.’ Observable also

is the constant recurrence of the indefinite expressions When

he likes,” “ when they like,

”etc. Not only the stereotyped

epithet, but the stereotyped phrase also, occurs regularly in

Launchez lede apone lufe, lacchene ther depez,Lukkez to the lade-sterne whene the lyghte faillez ,For dreds of the derke nyghte thay drecchede a lyttille,And alle the steryne of the strem e strekyne at onez.

xiv PREFACE .

certain connections, and som etim es gives a highly ludicrous turn

to the narrative by its inappropriateness to the sense.

The strong ecclesiastical tone which pervades the poem will

not fail to be noticed by any reader. Not only are the dyingknights duly attended by a confessor, shriven and comforted

with the last Sacraments, but there is observable in severalpas

sages a m ost zealous care against interfering with the goods of

th e spiritualty When a grant is made of a city it is only

the tem porall which is granted, and the way in which

Arthur is m ade to say

I gyffe my protteccione to alle the pope landez,

It is a foly to ofl'

ende oure fadyr undire Gode,Owther Peter or Paule tha postles of Rome.

3iff we spare the spirituelle, we speds bot the bettire,

sufficiently speaks for itself.

Th e Editor desires to express h is thanks to Mr . R . Morris

for his valuable help in preparing the Glossary.

On th e rhythm of the alli terative metre a paper has been

kindly communicated by the Rev. W . W . Skeat, M.A., of

Christ ’s College, Cambridge, who has m ade English m etre hi s

especial study. Thi s is here subjoined .

It is only needful further to state that one sheet of the poem

having been inadvertently sent to the press before the final

collation with the manuscript was m ade, a list of corrigenda

(most of them unimportant) has to be supplied.

WADDINGTON RECTOBY ,S ep tem ber , 18 6 5 .

ON THE METRE OF THE POEM .

The metre in which the “ Morte Arthurs is written m ay best be

understood by comparing it with“ Piers Plowman,

”the accentuation

and swing of the verse being much better marked in the last-mentionedpoem. The principles which govern this peculiar metre m ay thus bemore readily di scerned

,and

,when once understood, m ay easily be

applied to the present poem.

For a similar reason,it will be the simplest method to consider, first

of all, a few lines (of

“ Piers Plo'

wrnan”) where the metre is most

strongly marked, and,afterwards, some where it is, apparently, less

regular.

It should first,however, be observed that each complete line in an

alliterative poem consists generally of two sections, which were separated in old manuscripts by a dot

,called the m etr icalp oint or p ause,

and which m ay conveniently be denoted by a colon (as in the PrayerBook Version of th e Psalms) , thus

Schelde us fro scham esdede and sinfulle werkes ;or else by printing the lines thus

Schelde us fro scham esdede,

And sinfulle werkes.”In reading aloud a pause m ay conveniently be made between the

sections.The two sections form

,however, but one complete line ; and

, as the

metrical point is more necessary when the poem is to be sung or

recited than when it is merely to be read,it has not been thought

necessary to insert it in this edition,as the reader

,when h e has

once caught the rhythm of the verse, m ay always be tolerably sure as

to where it must occur.

ON THE METRE OF THE POEM .

To begin, then consider the line“ In séttynge and sewynge

Swonken ful harde.”Piers Plowm an; ed.Wrigh t, 1. 41.

If we use an asteri sk to denote a strongly-accented l syllable, thefigure 1 to denote a singleunaccented syllable , the figure 2 to mean twounaccented syllables immediately succeeding each other

,and so on we

m ay represent the above line by the scheme,

1 r 2 r 1 r 2 r 1 ;

and this m ay be taken as a convenient type of alliterative lines,from

which the scansion of very many others m ay be readily deduced . Some,

however,as will be shewn presently

,must be referred to a type some

what different.N ow, we here observe ( 1) that each section contains two strong

accents ; (2 ) that, of the strongly-accented syllables, three begin witha common letter, which has been called the rim e-letter ; and ( 3 ) of

these three, two occur in the first section, and one in the second. Such

is th e usual and normal arrangement. The rim e-letters m ay be eitherconsonants or vowels, and m ay consist of single letters, or of such com

binations as so, bl, tr , etc. If vowels,it is sufficient that they are so ;

they need not be the sam e vowels,and

,in practice, are generally

difi'

erent.

Again, the last strongly-accented syllable in the line does not beginwith the rime-letter. This also is the usual and more correct arrange

ment.Having once this typical form to refer to

,it is easy to enumerate

most of the changes which m ay arise. Let us now take the line,

Hire2 m esse and hire m atyns,

And m any of hire hofires.”

P iers PW m an,l. 19 3 .

We have here the arrangement1 95 2 95 1 1 95 3 95 1

1 I use the term strongly-accented advisedly

,all accents not being equal. Thus,

in the lineOn th e oat-grass and the s t d -grass, and th e bnlrush in th e pee l,

the syllables m arked are strongly-accented .

“Hire is a m onosyllable.” Guest on English Rhythm s ; ed. 183 8, p. 3 4.

ON THE METRE OF THE POEM . xvii

whi ch shews ( 1) that an unaccented syllable m ay be introduced at the

beginning of the second section ; and (2 ) that th e number of inter

mediate unaccented syllables m ay be readily increased to three.

N ow herein lies the peculiar freedom and elasticity of alliterative

verse ; we shall soon find by observation that, under certain circumstances

,as many as foar short unaccented syllables (even if they contain

among them one that is accented slightly) m ay be inserted at pleasure

between the emphatic syllables without destroying th e rhythm ; for it

is one addressed to the ear only,and not to th e eye. The chief point

whi ch the poet has to take care of is that when he introduces a largernumber of unaccented syllables

,they should be capable of rapid enun

ciation, lest th e verse seem clogged and unmusical. An example m ay

be seen in the lines,

Faiteden for her f6 0 de,

Foughten at the file.”

Which m ay be denoted by4 it 1 9‘ 3 1

It would take up too much space to explain here the true method ofscanning the lines by division into feet ; it m ay suffice to say that the

general eject of the metre is dactylic, supposing the term daetyl to becapable of application to an English foot, which, to speak strictly, it isnot. Indeed

,the nomenclature of English prosody is in sore need of

alteration. Neither is there space to explain,and to account for, the

curious variations which m ay further be made in the alliterative metre.The view here given is only an approximate one

,which will be found

useful in practice. A longer pasage m ay exemplify it better

I loked m e on m y left halfAs th e lady m e taughte,

And was Witt of a womm an

WOrthilich y-clothed,Pnrfiled with pelure,The fynest upon érthe,

Y-cOrouned with a coroun,

The kyng hath none bétter ;

Fétisliche byr fingres

Were fretted with geld wyr.—Piers Plowman

, l. 892.

xviii ON THE METRE OF THE POEM .

Analysis 1“t 4 1

2 it 2 95 l

3 it 1

l 5" 4 it 1

if 3 it 1

One variation,however

,found

portant to be passed over. It isthird strongly-accented syllablewieldy length as in

Th e m ooste m ischief on m eldeIs m Ountynne wel faste.

”

—P iers P lowm an, 1. 13 3 .

This third accent is often very awkwardly placed,as in the first line of

Morte Arthure,”

N ow grett glorious GOdd : thurgh grace of bym selvene.”

Other noticeable deviations from the strict type m ay be briefly indi

cated .

( 1 ) The syllable beginning with th e rime- letter is sometimes unemphatic ; as in Morte Arthure

,

” l . 59 ,In Glam organ with glée : thare gladschip was évere.

(2 ) Sometimes there are but two rime- letters,as in 1. 80

,

So cOm e in sOdanly ; a sénatour of Reine.

( 3 ) Sometimes there is no alli teration ,as in 1. 7 0 . (4 ) Sometimes there

are four rime-letters, as l. 3 2 , where allbelong to accented syllables,

Schthylle ScOttlande by skylle : he skystys as bym lykys ;or as in l. 3 5 , where one belongs to an unaccented syllable

Helaund and Hénawde : they helde of hym b 6 the.

It will now be sufficient, perhaps, to indicate what is probably th ecorrect accentuation of the first fourteen lines

,as this will enable th e

reader to perceive in them a certain vigorous swing (well suited for th eballad-reciter) , which will suggest the scansion of most other lines,though there is always somewhat of difliculty in it, from the fact thatwe have now-a-days changed the accentuation of many words

,and

cannot be quite certain about the final e’s .

N ow grett glorious GOdd : thurgh gréce of bym sélvene,

And the precious prayers of hys prys m oder

oftenest in th e first section,is too im

that we som etimes find in a section a

thus giving to the line a rather un

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C O R R I G E N DA.

The Rom an e at the end of the following words should be read e Italic z—Falterdeline 1092 ; schovelle-fotede, 1098 ; schowande, 1099 ; yryne, 1105 ; alle, 1105, 12531 3 10 , 13 23 ; fl

‘

ulle, 1112 , 1125, 13 4 6 , 1520 , 157 6 ; evylle, 111 6 ; wapyne, 1119 ;

harde,113 5 ; balefulle, 113 6 ; wrythynge, 1141 ; forfetede, 1155 ; howells

,1180 ;

irene, 118 6 ; christene, 118 7 ; wapene, 1193 ; whilles, 119 7 ; thare~ine, 1254 ;

wille, 125 7 ; bym - selvene, 13 04 ; m ene, 13 15 ; castelles, 13 3 9 ; lytille, 1423 ; kynge,

150 7 ; salle, 1511 ; takyne, 1519 ; wille, 155 6 ; selfene, 15 6 0 ; one,15 7 3 ; salle,

15 7 5 .

To the following words an Italic e should be appended z—Kyng, 110 6 , 1110, 1127 ,12 6 3 ; feyed, 1114 ; tung, 1250 ; howsyng, 1284.

In the following words the n should be read Italic z—Accountes, 1102 ; sergeaunt,117 3 ; presonne, 16 3 2.

In the following the syllable er should be read Italic - Over, 1142 ; soveraygne,116 7 ; gleterande, 1280 ; delyverde, 1548.

In the following the syllable ar should be read Italic — 3oar, 1480 ; Petur, 1519 .

For skyste, 92,1 6 43 , read skyfte.

aperty, 212 , a party.

arouaede,

3 40, aroum ede.

knelande, 1l3 7 , kneland.Lucius, 12 6 7 , Lucius.

unfawghte, 1 3 0 6 , unsawghte.

be, 13 2 7 , bee.

salle, 1 3 6 4,

sable.brem e

, 13 80,

brene.entters, 1499

, enters.

heynne,

243 6,

hepane (P)welle, 2 7 0 6 , welles.dyghte, 3 0 6 6

,nyghte.

nyghte, 3 2 6 7 , dyghte.

lene,

3 3 50,

leve.gee at forke, 3 9 12, zede at foske.

rthure.

gm heggnnes warts grthurs. 3 11 nomine

19mm ct QElfin rt figiritus fianrti. gluten

gm rhsrite. 20m m.

N ow grett glorious Gedd , thurgh grace of hym selvene,

And the precyous prayere of hys prys m odyr,Th e pm“

Schelde us fi'

ro scham esdede and synfulle werkes,4 And gyfl

’

e us grace to!

gye, and governe us here ,pm ‘q “m 4”

In this wrechyd werld , thorowe vertous lywynge,Thatwe m ay

‘

kayre tilhys courte, the kyngdom e of hevyne,”T M

Whene oure saules schalle parte and sundyre fl’

ra the body,8 Ewyre to

'

belde and to byde in blysse with hym e selvene ;“w 5

And wysse m e to vu

élac

iipe owte some worde at this tym e,

That nothyre voyde be ne vayne,bot wyrchip tille hym e and for Power to

write som ethingselvyne

profitable .

Plesande and profitabille to the pople pat theme heres.

12 3c that liste has to lyth , or luffes for to here ,Off elders of alde tym s and of theire awke dedys,Howtheywere lele inth eire lawe

,and lovedsGodAlm yghty

Herkynes m e heyndly and holdys 3OW stylle,

1 6 And I salle telle sow a tale, pat trewe es and nobylle,

Off the ryealle renkys of the rowunde table,That chefe ware of chevalrye and cheftans nobylle,

Bathe ware in thire werkes and wyse mene of arm es,

Th ese knightswere noble, wise,

2 THE GREAT DEEDS OF ARTHUR.

Doughty in theire doyngs and dredde ay scham e,

Kynde mene and courtays, and couthe of courte thewes .How they whanne wyrch ippis many,

at lorde was of Rome,And conqueryd that kyngryke thorowe craftys of armes ;Herkenes now hedyrwarde, and herys this storye .

ene that the kyngeArthur by conquests hade weCastelles and kyngdom s

,and contreez many

,

And he had coverede the coroune of the ~ky th rycheI

Tw l

Of alle that Uter in erthe aughte in his tyms, QM ”

Argyle. O rkney. Orgayle and Orkenay, and alle this owte iles,and the Isles

Irelande uttlrly, as occyane rynnygij wScathylle Scottlande by skylle he s stys as hym lykys,

And Wales of were he wane at hys wille,Bathe filaundrez and {fraunce fre til bym selvyne ;

Holaund and Henawde they helde of hym e bothe,

Burgoyne and Brabane,and Bretayne the lesse,

Gyane and Gothelande, and Grece the ryche ;

Bayone and Burdeux he lieldl

ytt fulle faire ,Tareyns and Tholus with toures fulle hyeOff Peyters and of Provynce he was prynce h oldyne,

Of Valence and Vyenne, ofl’ value so noble ;

Of Eruge and Anyone, thos erledom s ryche,

By conquests fulle cruelle pey knewe bym fore lorde ;Of Naverne and N orwaye, and N orm aundye eke

,

Of Alm ayne, of E striche, and oper ynowe ;Danm arke he diy

’s

e

séde alle by drede of bym selvyne,

Fra Swynneunto Swether-wyke, with his swrede kene !

Qwenne he thes dedes had done, he doubbyd hys knyghtez ,Dyvysyde dowch erys and delte in dyverse rem m es ;

Mad of h is cosyns kyngys ennoyntede,

In kyth there they covaitte crounes to here.

Whene he thys rewm es hade redyne and rewlyde the pople,Then rystede that ryalle and helde be Rounds Tabylle ;Suggeourns bat sesone to solace hym e selvene,

ARTHUR IS SUMMONED BY THE EMPEROR OF ROME . 3

In Gretayne lye bradderef as bym beste lykes ;5 6 Sythyne wente into Wales with h is wyes alle,Sweys into

'

Swaldye with h is snelle h oundes,For to hunt at he hartes in thas hye laundes,In Glamorgans with glee, thare gladch ipe was evere ;

6 0 And thare a citee he sette, be assentte of his lordys,That Caerlyone was callid, with curious walles,On the riche rovare Pat rynnys so faire ,There he m yghte semble hi s sorte to seewhennehym lykyde

6 4 Thane aftyr

,

-

r

oeat Carlelele a Cristynm ese he haldes,

Thi s ilke ky e conqueroar, and helde bym for lorde,

Wyth Dukez and dusperes of dyvers rewm es,

Erles and erch evesqes, and Cher ynowe,6 8 Bysch opes and bachelers, and banerettes nobille,

pat bowes to h is banere, buske whene bym lykys

Bet on the Cristynm esdaye, whene they were alle sem blyde,That com lyche conqueroar com m aundez bym selvyne

7 2 pat ylke a lorde sulde lenge, and no lefe take,To the tende day fully ware takyne to he ends.Thus one ryalle araye he helde his rounde table,With semblant and solace and selcouthe metes ;

7 6 Whas never syche noblay, in no manys tym e,

Mad in m ydwynter in paWeste m archys !

Bet on the new;ere daye, at P8 none evyns

,

As the bolde at the borde was of brede servyde,

80 So come in sodanly a senatoar of Rome,Wyth sextene knygh tes in a soyte sewande bym one .

He saluged th e soverayne and the sale aftyr,

Ilke a kynge aftyre kynge,2and m ad h is enclines ;

84 Gaynoar in hir degre h e grette as bym lykyde,

And syne agayne to be gome h e gaffe up h is nedysSir Lucius Iberias, th e Em peroar of Rome, 0 33; £

1

33

“ The More Bretayne Englond is

As m en m ay rede on Cronyclys.—Arthur (ed . F . J . Furnivall) , l. 50 3 .

2 A tag (1) IS appended to these g’

s,which is taken to indicate a final e. Halliwell

reads it without the e.

4: ARTHUR IS FURIOUS AT THE EMPEROR’S IN SULT .

Salu; the as sugett, undyre his sele ryche ;

It es credens,syr kyng, viith cruelle wordez ,

Trow it for no trufles,h is targe es to schewe !

d o “

N ow in this h ew3ers daye with notaries sygne,He sum m onS Ar' I make th e som ouns in sale to sue for pi landys,thur to appear at

figem m m” 92 That on Lam m esse daye thare be no lette fl’

oundene,

pat thou bee redy at Rome with alle thi rounde table,

Appere in his presens with thy price knygh tez ,At prym e of the daye

,in pdyne of gear lyvys,

In he kydd capytoile before he kyng selvyne,

Wh ene he and h is senatoars bez sette as them lykes,To ansuere suely why th ew ocupyes the laundez ,

That awe homage of alde tille hym and his eldyrs ;

Whythowhas redyne and raym ede,and raunsound bepople,

And kyllyde doune h is cosyns, kyngys ennoynttydeThare schalle thow gyfl

'

e rekkynynge for alle thy roundtable

,

Why thow arte rebelle to Rome, and rentez themewytholdez

'

gifi’ thow theis somm ons wyth sytte, he sendes thie thieswordes

,

He salle the seke over he see wyth sextene kynges,

Bryne Bretayne he brade, and bryttyne thy knyghtys,And brynge the bouxsomly as a beste with brethe whare

bym lykes,That th ew ne schalle rowte ne ryste undyr the hevene

ryche,

pofe thew for reddoar of Rome ryne to he erthe !

$1

111flight 11

31

51

;fi

'

or if thow flee into Praunce or fl’

reselaund owper,fly. pou salle be feched with force

,and oversette for ever !

flageneggfifigrgs

f 112 Thy fadyr m ad fewtee, we fynde in oure rollez,

{33335551

35313 In the regestre of Rome, who so ryghte lukez

which was won

233 33

38

528

11

5

32 Z‘Vi th-o

zftyne more trouflyn

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l

heo

treb

ipte

k

we aske,m

l’l‘

r

h

i

grilts

did kinghat J as Cesarwane wyt 1s j ent le nyghttes

Arthur look with 116 he kynge blyschlt one the berynewi th h lS brode eghne,{3 132

1

32115320 8

pat fulls brym ly for breth brynte as the gledys ;

ARTHUR AN SWERS THE SENATOR. 5

Keste colours as kyng with crouelle lates,Luked as a lyone, and on h is lyppe bytes

120 The Rom aynes for radnesse ruschte to he erth e,fi

'

orde ferdnesse of hys face, as they fey wereCowchide as kenetez before he kynge selvyne,be- cause of his contenaunce confusede theme sem ede !

124 Thene coverd up a knygh te, and criede fullowde,1

Kynge coronnede of kynd,curtays and noble ,

Misdoo no m essengere for meneke of hi selvyne,Sen we are in thy m anrede, and mercy be besekes ;

128 We lenge with syr Lucius, that lorde es of Rome,That es he m ervelyousteste mane hat on molde lengez ;It es lefulle tille us his likynge tille wyrch eWe come at h is com m aundm ent ; have us excusede.

13 2 Then carpys be conquerour crewelle wordez ,

Haa ! cravaunde knyghte ! a cowarde lye semez gign

uzgifilsm '

pare some segge in this sale, and he ware sare grevede,h im ” a m m rd '

Thow durste noghte fulle alle Lum berdye luke one bym

ones.”

13 6 “ Sir,”sais he Senatour , so Crist mott m e helpe

,

pe voute of thi vesage has woundyde us alle !Thow arte he lordlyeste lede pat ever I one lukyde ;

By lukynge, with-owttyne lesse, a lyons the sem ys

140 Thow has m e som end ,”guod be kyng, and said what

he lykes ;3

Fore sake of thy Soveraynge I suffre the 1Mmore ;Sen I coround in kyth wyth crysum e enoyntede,

Was never creature to m e hat carpede so large !144 Bot I salle tak concelle at kynges enoyntede,

Off dukes and duspers and doctours noble,Ofl

’

e peres of the perlem ent,prelates and oper,

Off he richeste renkys of be rounde table ;148 pus schalle I take avisem ente of valiant beryns,

1 hyghe in text, erased, and lowde written in m argin.

2 The text has shews which has been erased,and wyrche written in the m argin.

3 Liloyd erased and lykes written in m argin.

6 THE FEAST G IVEN To THE ROMANS BY ARTHUR.

Wyrke aftyre the wyt te of my wyes knyghttesTo warpe wordez in waste no wyrch ipp it were,N e wilfully in his wrethe to wrekene my selvene.

while the R0 152 For-pi salle pow lenge here, and lugge wyth hise lordes,m ans stay a week

0

to refresh them Thi s sevenygh te ln solace,to suggourne gour horses,

selves.To see whatte lyfe hat wee leede in thees law laundes.fi

’

or by he realtee of Rome, hat rech este was evere,

33 53321

551318 15 6 He com m ands syr Cayous, take kepe to th oos

‘

lordez ,

lords. To styghtylle ha steryne mene as theire statte askys,

That they bee h erberde in haste in th oos heghe chambres

Syth ine sittandly in-sale servyde ther-aftyr ;

and their horses That they fynd na fawte of fude to thiere horsez,

N owth ire weyne ne waxe, ne welthe in his erthe ;Spare for no spycerye, bot spende what he lykys,That there be largeste one lofte

,and no lake foundene

If you my wyrch ip wayte wy be my trouthe,

pou sallehave gersom s fullegrett, pat gayne sallebeevere

ggd

tfi‘

isyh

tf

agshly

New er they herberde in hey, and in oste h oldene,Hastylywyth hendemenewi th-in theeshegh ewallez

3253 1 6 8 In ch am byrs with chym pnes hey chaungene beire wedez;With Chim neys ' And sythyne the chauncelere heme fetchedewith chevalrye

nobleSone he senatour was sett, as hym e wele sem yde,

At lye kyngez ownne borde ; twa knyghtes bym servede,

Singulere sothely, as Arthure hym selvyne,

Richely on he ryghte haunde at the rounde table ;Be resoune hat he Rom aynes whare so ryche holdene,As of he realeste blode pat reynede in erth e.

There come in at be fyrste course, befor he kynge selvene,9

Barehevedys bat ware brygh te, burnyste W i th sylver,

33352153;"

gag? Alle with tagh te mene and towns in togers fulle ryche,dressed attendants ,

Of saunke realle 111 suyte, sexty at ones ;Venison, fattedand was, with 180 fli esch flun ste of ferm ysone Wi th frum entee nobleCh O ice bread’ Ther-to wylde to wale, and wynlyche bryddes,

1

bredes erased and bryddes written in m argin.

https://www.forgottenbooks.com/join

8 ARTHUR HOLDS A COUNCIL .

with his crown Drissid with h is dyadem e one h is deeses ryche,on ; th e doughnest knight that iforo he was dem yde he doughtyeste hat duellyde in erthe.dwelt on earth .Then h e spake 220 Thane he conquerour kyndly carpede to hose lordes,courteous wordsto those lords. Reh etede he Rom aynes with realle speche,

L‘

h

Si

g.be of sqod Sirs

,bez knyghtly of contenaunce, and com furth es

e we giveou th e best our

3ourselvynes,arren countrygggé

‘d s

i’

s

wgg

l

t

h m ‘ We knowe noghte m hi s countre of curlous m etez ;

POOL ”In thees barayne landez , bredes none Cher,fibre-thy wythowttyne feynyng, enforce sow he more

To foede 3OW with syche feble as 3c be- fore fynde .

”

Sir,”sais he Senatour, so Criste motte m e helpe !

There rygnede never syche realtee with- in Rome walles !There ne es prelatte ne pape, ne prynce in his erthe,That ne h e m ygh te be wele payede of hees pryce metes

ftyre theyre welthe hey wesche, and went un-to

cham byre,

pis ilke kydde conquerour with knyghtes ynewe ;

22323329 19 295 Sir Gaywayne he worthye Dame Waynour he hledys ;

Sir Owghtreth on he toher syde of Turry was lorde.

Thane spyces unsparyly hay spendyde there -aftyre,

Malvesye and m uskadelle, hase m ervelyous drynkes,

Raykede fulle raythely in ressete cowpes,

Tille alle he riche on rawe, Rom aynes and oher .

Certain lords Bot the soveraigne sothely, for solanec of bym selvene,were assigned toSt

e

t

sgrh pon th e 240 Assignyde to he senatour certaygne lordes,

To lede to h is levere, whene h e leve ashes

,

With myrthe and with melodye of m ynstralsy noble.

Thane he conquerour to concelle cayres there aftyre,

Wyth lordes of h is lygeaunce hat to hym selfe langys

To he geauntes toure j olily he wendes,Wyth justicez and juggez , and gentille knyghtes.

Sir Cador of Cornewayle to he kynge carppes,Lugho one hym e luflly with lykande latesI thanke Gode of hat thraa hat us has thretys !

30W moste be traylede, I trowe, bot 3ife 3c trett bettyre

pe lettres of syr Lucius lyghttys myne herte !

ARTHUR’S SPEECH.

We hafe as losels lifl'

yde many lenge daye,Wyth delyttes in this ldnd with lordch ipez many,And forelytenede the loos hat we are layttede

I was abaischite , be oure Lorde, of oure beste bernes,Fore gret dule of defi

’

use of dedez of armes !

Now wakkenyse he were ! wyrch ipide be Cryste !Andwe sallewynne it agayne bewygh tnesse and strengheSir Cador

,

”guod he kynge,

“ thy concelle es noble,Bot hou arte a m ervailous mane with th i mery wordezflier thow countez no caas

,ne castes no forth ire,

Bot hurles furtho appone hevede, as thi herte thynkes ;I moste trotte of a trew towch ande hise nedes,Talke of thies tythdands hat tenes myne herte

pou sees hat he Em perour es angerde a lyttille ;

pat semes be h is sandism ene hat he es sore grevede

m

His senatour has som m onde m e,and said what bym lykyde,

Hethely in my halle, wyth heyngous wordes,In speche di sspys;ede m e

,and sparede m e lyttille

I m yght noghte speke for spytte, so my herte trym blyde !He askyde m e tyrauntly tribute of Rome,That tenefully tyntwas in tym s of myne eldersThere alyenes, in absence of alle mene of armes

,

Coverd it of comm ons, as cronicles tellesI have tide to take tribute of Rome

,

Myneancestresware em perours, and aughte it heme selvene,Belyne and Brem yne, and Bawdewyne the thyrde,They ocupyede he em pyre aughte score wynnttyrs,Ilkane ayere aftyre oher, as awlde mene telles ;Thei coverde he capitoile, and keste doune he walles ;Hyngede of heire heddys-mene by hundrethes at onesSeyne Constantyne, our kynsm ane

,conquerid it aftyre,

pat ayere was of Ynglande, and Em perour of Rome,

1

1 For the Emperor ConstantineThat was the son of Elyne

That was a Bretone of this lond,

Conquered Rom e with his hond.

B e rej oices toreturn again to

deeds of arm s.

Th e king praisesS ir Cador for h isbo ld words,spoken from h isheart withoutthought or care.

He him self is

grieved at these

h e h as been insulted in h is ownhall by heinouswords,and insolentlysum m oned to

pay tribute to

the Em peror ofRom e,

—Arthur (ed. F . J. Furnivall), l. 249.

10 THE SPEECHES OF ARTHUR’S KN IGHTS.

ii;gghgueggi

ng284 He hat conquerid he Crosse be craftez of armes,

true Cross. That Criste was on crucifiede, hat kyng es of bevens

Thus hafe we cvydens to aske he Em perour he same,That huS regnez at Rome

, whate ryghte hat he claym es .

Then answered 288 han 1answarde kyng Aungers to Arthure hym selvyne,King Aungers

gagrs

zildafi

a

foA

g;“Thow augh te to be overlynge over alle eher kynges,

suprem e?over all fi bre wyseste, and worthyeste , and wyghteste of haundes,

The knyghtlyeste of counsaile hat ever corone bare ;I dare saye fore Scottlande, hatwe theme schathe lym pyde,Whene theRom aynes regnede,hay raunsounde oure eldyrs,An d rade in th eire ryotte, and ravysch ett oure wyfes,

With- owttyne resone or rygh te refte us oure gudes ;And I salle make myne avowe devotly to Criste,And to he haly vernacle vertuns and noble,Of this grett velany I salle be vengede ones

On 3one venem us mene, wyth valiant knyghtesI salle the forthire of defence fosterde ynewefi‘ifty thowsande mene, wyth - in two eldes

,

O f my wage for to wende, whare so the lykes,

To fyghte wyth thy fl’

aa mene, hat us unfaire ledes.Th e Baron o f 3 04 hane the burelyche beryne of Bretayne he lyttyllelittle Britainwould have Ar Counsayles syr Arthure, and of hym e besekysthur return a

fierce answer. To ansuere he alyenes wyth austerene wordes,

To entyce the Em perour to take overe the m ounttes.

He said,I make myne avowe verreilly to Cryste,

And to he haly vernacle, hat voide schalle I nevere,

5:5:e éfith o fi

’

or radnesse of na Rom ayne hat regnes in erth e

Bot ay be redye in araye, and at ereste fl'

oundene,

N0 more dowte the dynte of thoire derfe wapyns,

pan he dewe hat es dannke, whene hat it doune fl’

alles ;

Ne no more schoune fore he swape of thoire echarpesuerddes,

Then fore he faireste flour hatt on the folds growes !I salle to batelle th e brynge, of brenyede knygh tes

t° Thyrtty thosaunde be tale, thryftye in armes,

Fan inMS .

ARTHUR vows VENGEANCE AGAINST ROME. 11

Wyth -in a m onethe daye in-to whatte marche,

knights within a

m onth.pat how wylle sothelye assygne, whene thyselfe lykes.

3 20 “ A ! A !” sais heWalsche kynge, wirch ipid be Criste ! 3123 53 11

51

3 ?

Now schalle we wreke fullewele hewrethe of oure elders ! £7

nIn West Walys i-wy sse syche woundyrs -hay wrogh te,

pat alle forwandrethe m aywepe, hat onehatwere thynkes.

3 24 I salle have the avanttwarde wytterly my selvene,

Tylle hat I have venquiste he Vicounte of Rome ,

pat wroghte m e at Viterbe a velanye ones,

As I paste in pylgrem age by the Pennte Tremble ;3 28 He was in Tuskayne hat tyms and tuke of oure knyghttesAresta theme oonryghttwyslye, and raunsound hameaftyre ;I salle hym surelye ensure

, hat saghetylle salle we never ,Are we sadlye assemble by oure selfene ones

,

3 3 2 And dele dynttys of dethe with oure derfe wapyns !And I salle wagge to hat were of wyrchipfulle knyghtes,

He would taketwo thousand

OfWyghte and ofWalschelande, and ofheWestemarches, Picked knightsTwa thosande in tale, h orsede one stedys,

3 3 6 of he wyghteste wyes in alle gone Weste landys

yro Ewane fytz Uryenee hane egerly fraynez ,Then Spoke SirEwayne and said

Was cosyne to he conquerour , corageous hym selfene,that they would

’all fo llow h is

Sir,and wewyste gear wylle, we walde wirkeher-aftyre ;

com m and gladly

3 40 3if his journee sulde halde,or be arouuede ‘ forthyre,

To ryde one gene Rom aynes and ryott theire landez ,

We walde schape us there-fore to schippe whene 3OWlykys.

”

Cosyne,”guod he conquerour , kyndly hou asches ; an? said Ar

3 44 3ife my concelle accorde to conquere gone landez ,

By the kalendez of Juny we schalle encountre ones,

We Will beready by the ka

Wyth fulle crenelle knyghtez , so Cryste m et m e helpe ! lends °f June,

There-to make I myne avowe devottly to Cryste,3 48 An d to the holy vernacle vertuous and noble

,

I salle at Lam m esse take leve, to lenge at my large

InLorayne or Lum berdye, whethire m e leve thynkys

1 The reading of this word 18 som ewhat doubtful. Halliwell reads ap rovede, but thereis certainly no trace of a p in the MS.

12 SIR LANCELOT AND SIR LorE z REJO ICE AT THE WAR.

Merke un-to Meloyne, and myne doune he wallez ,

Bathe of Petyrsande, and of Pys, and of hePounte Tréble,sojourn Six In he Vale of Viterbe vetaile my knyghttes,weeks in th e

vale °f “term Suggourne there sex wokes and solace m y- selfene ;and advance skirw ish ers to Rom e

Send prokers to he prlce toune, and plaunte theremy segge,unless they offer 7 :

p eace in fi tting 3 5 6 Bot 1f hay profre m e he pece be processe of tyms.tim e.

”

Th en Sm EW yneCertys, sals syr Ewayne, and I avowe aftyre,

vows vengeanceagainst the Em !

And I hat hathelle m ay see ever W i th myne eghne,p eror o f Rom e

for occupyingArthur ’s heritage, That ocupies thine heritage, the em pyere of Rome

,

3 6 0 I salle auntyre m e anes hys egle to touche,

pat borne es in his banere of brighte golde ryche,And raas it frome his riche mene

,and ryste it In sondyre,

Bot he be redily reschowede with riotous knyghtez ;I salle enforsse gowe in he felde with freschemene of armes,fl

’

yfty thosande folke apone faire stedys,

On th i ffoo mene to foonde there the faire thynkes,In flraunce or in fl

'

riselande,feghte whene he lykes

Th e“ “ 110 910“ 3 6 8 By oure Lorde,

”guod syr Launcelott, now lyghttysdeclares his satis

faction at th em yne herteat .w

I love Gode of his love his lordes has avowede !Nowe m ay lesse mene have leve to say what theme lykes,And hase no lettyng be lawe, bot lystynnys hise wordez ;I salle be at j ournee with gentille knygh tes,On a ramby stede fulle jolyly graythi de,Or any journee begane to juste with bym selfene

,

Em ange alle his geauntez genyvers and eher,Stryke hym styfliye fro his stede, with strengh e of mynehandys

,

fl'

or alle ha steryne in stour, hat in his stale hovys !

Be my retenu arayede, I rekke bet a lyttille

3x1it

gtgfi ymgh e To make rowtte into Rome

,with ryotous knyghtes

With- in a sevenyghte daye, with sex score helmes,I salle be scene on th e see, saile when he lykes.

”

iiijl

aqtez laughs hane laughes syr Lottez , and alle one lowde meles,

Me likez hat syr Lucius launges aftyre sorowe ;

Now he wylnez he were, hys wandrethe begynnys,

THE ROMAN SENATOR APPLIES FOR HIS ANSWER. 13

It es owre weredes to wroke the wrethe of oure elders !I make myne avowe to Gode, and to he holy vernacle ,And I m ay se he Rom aynes, hat are so ryche haldene,

Arayede in heire riotes on a rounde felde,I salle at he reverence of he rounde table .

Ryde thrughte alle he rowtte, rerewarde and cher,Redy wayes to make, and renkkes fulle rowme

,

Rynnande on rede blode, as my stede ruschezHe hat folowes my fare, and fyrste comm es aftyre ,Salle fynde in my fare waye many {fay levydeThane he conquerour kyndly com forthes hese knyghtes,Alowes hame gretly theire lordly a-vowes

, gaggegi rgg

ur

Alweldande Gode, wyrch ip 30W alle ! gigs]: his

And latte m e neverewanntte 30W ,whylls I inwerlde regne ; honour ;

My monske and my m anhede 3e m ayntene in erthe,

Myne honour alle owt utterly in oher kyngys landesMy wele and my wyrch ipe, of alle his werlde ryche,

3c have knyghtly conqueryde, hat to my coroune langes ;

Hym thare be ferde for no faees, hat swylke a folke ledes,Bot ever ffresche for to fyghte, in felde whene bym lykes.I acounte no kynge hat undyr Criste lyfl

’

es,

While they {fe'

m am true to h imWhilles I see gowe alle sounde, I sette be no more. 23gigs

“ km g

whene they tristily had tretyd , thay trum ppede up gfoe

fi‘

e

l

ggocw ncfl

aftyre,

Descendyd doune with a daunce of dukes and erlesThane hey sem blede to sale

,and sowpped als swythe

,

Alle his semly sorte, wyth semblante fulle noble.Thene the m y realle rehetes thes knygh ttys,Wyth reverence and ryotte of alle his rounde table,Tille seven dayes was gone he senatour askes

Answere to he Em perour with austeryne wordez ,

Aftyre he Epiphanye, whene he purpos was takyneOf peris of he parlement, prelates and eher.

The kyng in his concelle, curtaise and noblee,

Utters he alienes, and ansuers hym e selvoneTh Arth b ’

1GretweleLucrus, th i lorde, and laynenoghte hi sewordes ; mfi

n

gree;

14 ARTHUR’S REPLY '

To THE SENATOR.

“

Ife how be lygm ane lele, late hym e wi et sone

I salle at Lam m ese take leve,and loge at my large

In delitto in h is laundez, wyth lordes ynewe

Regne in my realtee,and ryste whene m e lykes,

By he royvere of Reene halde my rounde table,fi

’

aunge th e fermes in fatth e of alle ha faire rewm es,

ffor allehemanace of hys m yghte, and m awgree h is eghne

And merke sythene over the m ounttez in-to h is mayne

londez,

31

1

1

3m

‘fiigsdov

zg428 To Meloyne the m ervaylous, and myne doune the walles ;

Milan. In Lorrayne no in Lum berdye lefe schalle I nowthire

N okyne lede appone lifi'

e, hat hare hi s lawes gemes ;

And turne in- to Tusch ayne, whene m e tym e thynkys,

Ryde alle has rowme landes wyth ryotous knyghttes

Byde hy[m ] make resch ewes for m enske of hym e selvene,

And mette m e fore h is m anhede in hase mayne landes !

I salle be foundyne in Fraunce, freiste whene hym lykes,The fyrste daye of fevergere, in thas faire marches !Are I be fechyde wyth force, or forfette my landes,

pe floure of h is faire folke fulle fay salle be levyde

I salle bym sekyrly ensure, undyre my seele ryche,

figtgfsfoafiz

l‘

gg‘

;440 To seege he cetee of Rome wyth -in sevens wyntyre,“Siege Ro m e, And that so sekerly ensege apone sere balfes,

That many a senatour salle syghe for sake of m e one

My somm ons er certified, and how arte fulle servyde

Of cundit and credense,kayre whene the lykes

I salle thi j ournaye engyste, enjoyne theme my selvene,

fire this place to he porte, there hou salle passe overSevene dayes to Sandewych e, sette at the large,

Sexty m yle on a daye, he somm e es bott lyttille !

Thowe moste spede at th e spurs, and spare noghte thi fole,Thowe weyndez byWatlyng

- strette,and by no waye ells

Thare thow nyghttes one nygh te, nedez moste hou lenge,Be it foreste or felde

,found hou no forth ire

Eynde thy blonke by a buske with thy brydille evene,Lugge hi- selfe undyre lynde; as;

he leefe thynkes,

https://www.forgottenbooks.com/join

THE AMBASSADORS’ REPORT AT ROME

Wythowttyne more stowuntynge they sch ippide heire

hersez,

492 Wery to he wane see hey went alle att onesWith he mene of he walle they weyde up heire ankyrs,

338

551353313 3" And flede at he fore flude, in Flaundrez hey rowede,

And thorugh eFlaundresheyfounde, as heme faire thoghte ,4 9 6 Tille Akyne in Alm ayne, in Ar thur landes ;Gosse by he Mount Goddarde fulle grevous wayes,And so in-to Lum berddye lykande to schewe ;They turne thurgh e Tuskayne, with towres fulle heghe,

500 In pris appairelles theme in precious wedez ;The sevondaye in suters hay suggourne heiro horsez ,And sekes he Seyntez of Rome, be assente of knyghtes ;

gig239

3 3321

352; Sythyne prekes to he pales with portes so ryche,

ffiéfif ‘am p em 504 pare syr Lucius longes with lordes enowe

Lowttes to hym lufly, and lettres hym bedesOf credence enclosyde, with knyghtlyche wordez .

Wh o asks eagerly Thene the empereur was egree, and enkerly fraynesfor Arthur’s an

swer.and onWh at 5 0 8 he answers of Arthure h e askes hym e someground h e resistsOf How he arayes he rewm e, and rewlys he pople ;

31f h e be rebelle to Rome,whate ryghte hat he claym es

Egghg

m

hass

lgdor Thow sulde his ceptre have sesede, and syttyne aboune,O O ave

seized h is sceptl’e 5 12 fl br reverence and realtee of Rome he noble :find sat above

f1m . a

Arthur, h e says,

By sci tes how was my sandes, and senatour 0 Rome,

ought him self toh ave served th e He sulde fore solem pni tee hafe servede he bym selvene.

Senator. ( 6Th en answers th e h at Wi lle he never for nowaye of allehi swerlde ryche,Senator . that Ar

5 1 6a m is too great Bot wh o m ay wynne bym of werre,by wyghtnesse

f“of bandes ;2

Many fey schalle be fyrste appone he felde levyde,Are he appere in this place, profre whene he likesI saye the syr Arthure es thyne enm ye fore ever,

He claim s no less 520 And ettelles to bee overlynge of he em pyre of Rome,than th e Em pire“Rom eo That alle h is ancestres aughte, bot Utore bym -selfe.

1 likyd written first inMS . but erased and thoghte written in m argin by sam e hand.2 In the short rom ance of Arthur, the Senator is still m ore plain-spoken,

“His worthiness, Sir Em peror,Passes much allyoure.

” —l.

OF THE GREATNESS or ARTHUR. 17

by nedes this newe gere, I notifiede m y- selfene,

Be- fore hat noble of name and neyvesom e of kynges ;fiiéfiush

tf;

E 1

11

;524 In the moste reale place of he rounde table, 311132

1

39e h is

and th t h e wasI som ounde hym e solem pnylye, one seeande h lS knyghtez ; never go frightSene I was form yde in faythe so ferde was“ I nevero,

h ewas

In alle he placez ther I passede of pryncez in erthe !

528 I wolde fore-sake alle my suyte of segnoury of Rom e,

Or I efte to hat soveraygne whare sente one suyche nedes '

He m ay be chosyne cheftayne, cheefe of alle oher,Bathe be chauncez of armes and chevallrye noble,

5 3 2 fi'

orwhyeseste and worthyeste, and wyghteste of haundez

Of alle the wyes hate I watte in this werlde ryche,The knyghtlyeste creatoure in Cristyndom e haldene,

Of kynge or of conquerour, crownede in erthe,

5 3 6 Of countenaunce of corage, of crewelle lates,The com lyeste of knyghtehocle hat undyre Cryste lyfi

’

es !

He maye be spokene in dyspens, despysere of sylvere, gagin

g158

0 1

51

5 11

3}That no more of golde gyfi

’

es hane of grette stones,

thins ,

5 40 No more of wyne hane of watyre, that of hewelle rynnys, figgnwjvgi?

m 0“

Ne of welthe of h[i] s werlde bot wyrchipe allone.Syche contenaunce was never knowene in no kythe ryche,As was with hat couiiquerour in h is courte h aldene ;

544 I countede at this Crystynm esse,of kyngez enoynttede, 33 23

5 5

210 1

11;Hole tene at h is table, hat tym e with hym e selfene

table ‘

He wylle werraye i-wysse, be-ware 3if he lykes,

Wage many wyghtem ene,and wache thy marches,

548 That they be redye in araye, and at areste foundyne ; 81252

oil

fei103:fi

'

or 3ife he reche un-to Rom e,he raunsouii s it for evere preparation,

I rede how dreste th e her - fore, and drawe no lytte langere, ggfigat

figld

gfifiTo sekyre of hi sowdeours, and send to he m owntes ; g

a

gfigfignfimt

tg‘

f

5 52 Be he quartere of this gere, and bym guarte staunde,

With '

He wylle wyghtlye in a qwhyle one his wayes hye.

”

“

Bee E styre, sais he Em perour,

“ I ettylle my selfeneTo hostaye in Alm ayne with arm ede knyghtez ;

5 5 6 Sende freklye into Praunce, hat flour es of rewm es,

ffande to fette hat freke, and forfette hi s landez

THE PREPARATIONS OF LUCIUS.

fi'

or I salle sette kepere,fulle covaunde and noble,

Many geaunte of geene, justers fulle gude,5 6 0 To mete bym in the mountee

,and martyre hys knyghtes,

’

Stryke heme doune in strates,and struye theme fore overe,

There salle appone Godarde a garette be rerede,That schalle be garneschte and kepyde with gude mene of

armes,

5 6 4 And a bekyne abovene to brynne whene heme lykys,

pat nane enm ye with hoste salle entre th e m ountes

and another on

Mount S t. BerThere schalle one mounte Bernarde be beyldede anohere ,

“m Buschede with banerettes and bachelers noble

fiifjgfil

ts‘

ggtzi 5 6 8 In at the portes of Pavye schalle no prynce passe,Pam " ,

Thurghe the perelous places, for my pris knyghtes.

£ 11

131

;lfagigs

mtohane syr Lucius lordlych e lettres he sendys

the East’ Onone in-to he Oryente, with austeryne knyghtez ,

5 7 2 Tille Am byganye and Orcage, and Alysaundyre eke,

To Inde and to Erm onye, asw rates rynnys,

To Asye , and to Afirike, and Ewrope he large,To Irritayne and Elam et

,and alle hase owte ilez ;

5 7 6 To ArTaby and Egipt, tille erles and oher,That any erthe ocupyes in hase E ste marchesOf Dam aske and Dam yat, and dukes and erles

,

ifor drede of hi s daungere they dresside heme sone ;580 Of Crete and of Capados the honourable kyngys

Come at his com m andm ente, olenly at ones

To Tartary and Turky, whene tythynngez es comene,They turne in by Thebay terauntez fulle bugge,

5 84 The flour of he faire folke, of Am azonnes landes ;Alle thate ffaillez on he felde be forfette fore evere !Of Babyloyne and Baldake the burlyche knyghtes,Bayous with heire baronage bydez no langere

588 Of Perce and of Pamphile, and Preter Johnne landes,

Iche prynce w ith hi s powere appertlych e graythede ;

The Sowdane of Surrye assemblez h is knyghtes,fi

’

ra Nylus to Nazarethe, nom m ers fulle huge ;5 92 To Garyere and to Galelé hey gedyre alle at ones ;

THE ROMAN ARMY SETS FORTH. 19

The Sowdanes that ware sekyre sowdeours to Rome, From 3 1m m

they cam e sailingThey gadyrede overe he Grekkes see with grevous wapyns, 322

0 88

3119 (

ifs;In theire grete galays, wyth gleterande scheldez 3

1

128123 05

1

32;The kynge of Cyprys one he see he Sowdane habydes,With alle the realles of Roodes, arayede with hym e one

They sailede with a syde wynde ovre he salte strandez

Sodanly he Sarezenes, as theme selfe lykede,Craftyly at Cornett the kynges are aryesede, {2

3

829

3 31

3 12:ffra he cete of Rome sexti m yle large : from Rom eBe that the Grekes ware graythede, a fulle gret nom byre,

The“ were °f

Greeks a vastThe m yghtyeste of Macedone

,w ith mene of ha marches, gp

m

gfgfgndggig

Pulle and Pruyslande presses with oher, fiffige

fii dsfm m

The lege-meue of Lettow with legyons yneweThus they semble in sortes, summ es fulle huge,Sowdanes and Sarezenes owt of sere landes,The Sowdane of Surry and sextene kynges,

At the cetes of Rome assem blede at ones.

hane yschewes he Em perour arm ede at ryghtys,

Arayede with h is Rom aynes appone ryche stedys ;Sexty geauntes be

-fore engenderide with fendez,With weches and war-laws to wacchene h is tentysAy

-ware whare he wendes, wyntrez and geres .

Myghte no blonkes theme bere, thos bustous charlles,Bot coverde cam ellez of toures, enclosyde in m aylezHe ayerez oute with alyenez ostes fulle huge,Ewyne in-to Alm ayne, hat Arthure hade wonnyne

Rydes in by he ryvere, and ryottez hym e selvene,

And ayeres with a huge wylle alle has hye landez ;AlleWestwale of werre he wynnys as bym lykes,Drawes in by Danuby, and dubbez hys knyghtez

In the contré of Colome castelles enseggez ,

And suggeournez hat sesone wyth Sarazenes ynewe.

t the utas of Hillary,Syr Arthure hym

-selvene

In his kydde couucelle commande he lordes,Kayere to gour cuntrez , and semble 30W knyghtes,

And kepys m e at Constantyne clenlyche arayede ;

ARTHUR APPO INTS MORDRED VICEROY .

Byddez m e at Gareflete apone ha blythe strem es,

Baldly with-in horde with gowre beste beryne ;I schalle m enskfully gowe mete in thos faire marches.

6 3 2 He sendez furthe sodaynly sergeantes of armes,

£122af

ifinhs

viifij To alle hys mariners on rawe, to areste bym schippys ;

Wyth -ln sextene dayes hys fleet whae assem blede,At Sandewyche on he see, saile whene bym lykes .

figfigfi‘

ftgofifig 6 3 6 In the palez of gorke a perlem ent he haldez,

With alle he perez of he rewm e,prelates and oher ;

And aftyre he prechynge in presence of lordes,

The kyng in his concelle carpys hes wordes,6 40 I am in purpos to passe perilous wayes,

To kaire with my kene mene,to conquere gone landes,

To owttraye myne enm y, gif aventure it schewe,That ocupyes myne heritage, he em pyre of Rome.

figerigpggtfiofi 6 44 I sett gow here a soveraynge, ascente gif gowe lykys,

d redmisneph ew' That es m e sybb,my syster sone, SirMordrede hym selvone,Salle be my levetenante, with lordchipez ynewe,Of alle my lele lege-mene, hut my landez gemes.

”

6 48 He carpes tille h is cosyne hane, in counsaile bym selvene,

I make the kepare, syr knyghte, of kyngrykes manye ,Wardayne wyrchipfulle, to weilde almy landes,That I have wonnene of werre, in alle his werlde ryche ;

gigid

gfhméfigfi 6 52 I wyllhutWaynour, my weife, in wyrchipe be holdene,

Gui never That hire waunte noo wele, ne welthe hat hire lykes ;Luke my kydde castells be clenlyche arrayede,

and of h is castles There cho m ayo suggourne hire-selfe, wyth sem lyohe

and forests .berynes.

6 5 6 ffaunde my fforestez be fi’

rythede, o frenchepe for evere,That nanewerreye my wylde, botteWaynour h ir selvene,

And hat in he sesone whene grees es assignyde,That cho take h ir solauce in certayne tyms

6 6 0‘

Chauncelere and cham byrleyne chaunge as he lykes,Audytours and offycers ordayne thy selvene,

Bathe jureez , and juggez , and justicez of landes,Luke thow justyfye theme wele that injurye wyrkes

ARTHUR TAKES LEAVE OF GUIN EVBR. 21

If m e be destaynede to dye at Dryghtyns wylle,

I charge the my sektour, ch efi'

e of alle oher ,To m ynystre my mobles, fore mede of my saule

,

To m endynuantez and m ysese in m yschefe falleneTake here my testament of tresoure fulle

‘

-huge,As I trayste appone the

,be traye thowe m e never !

As how wille answere be-fore the austeryne jugge ,That alle his werlde wynly wysse as hym e lykes

,

Luke hat my laste wylle be lelely perfourm ede !

Thow has clenly he cure that to my coroune langez,Of alle my werdez wele

,and my weyfi

’

e eke ;

Luke howe kepe the so clere, there be no cause fondene,Whene I to contré come

,if Cryste wille it thole,

And thow have grace gudly to governe thy selvene,

and prom ises tocrown h im kingif h e rem ain so .

[1 Yam inMS ]

I salle coroune he knyghte kyng with my bandez .”

han Isyr Modrede fa lle m yldly meles bym selvene,

Knelyd to he conquerour, and carpes hise wordez ,ButMordred desires to be ex

cused ,

I be- seke gow,syr, as my sybbe lorde

,

put 3e wille for ch aryté cheese 3OW anoher ;fibr if 3e putte m e in his plytte, gowre pople es dyssavyde ;To presente a prynce astate my powere es sym ple

Whene oher of werre wysse are wyrch ipide here-aftyre,Thane m ay I forsothe be sette bott at lyttille.

and would ratherTo passe m gour presance my purpos es takyne, go to the war.

And alle my purveaunce apperte fore my pris knyghtez .

Thowe arte m y nevewe fulle nere, my nurree of olde,

But Arthur badeh im , as h is near

That Ihave ch astyede and chosene, a chi lde of m y ch am byre; 9 5“ Of kin, to

ffor the sybredyne of m e,fore- sake noghte his ofi

‘

yceEager-

t

ake the

That thow mewyrkmy wille , thowwhattewatte itmenes .Nowe he takez hys leve, and lengez no langere,At lordez , at lege-mene

, hat leves hym e byhyndene

And seyne hat worthilyche wy went nu-to cham byre,

ifor to com furthe he qwene, hut in Oare lenges ;Waynour waykly wepande hym kyssiz ,

Talkez to bym tenderly with teres ynewe,I m ay wery the wye, that this werre m ovede

,

Guineverlam entsh zs departure,

and would ratherdie in his arm s.

But Arthur bidsher not to grieve,

ARTHUR EMBARKS AT SANDWICH .

“

That warnes m e wyrch ippe of my wedde lorde ;Alle my lykynge of lyfe owte of lande wendez ,And I in langour am lefte , leve 3e for evere !Schyne m yghte I , dere lufe , dye in gour armes

,

Are I his destanye of dule sulde drye by myne one

Grefe he nogh te, Gaynour, fore Goddes lufe of hewene,

N e gruche noghte my ganggynge, it salle to gude turneThy wonrydez and thy wepynge woundez myne herte,I m ay noghte wit of his woo, for alle his werlde ryche ;I have made a kepare, a knyghte of thyne awene,Overlynge of Ynglande undyre thy selvene,

And that es syrMordrede, hut how has m ekylle praysedc,

Salle be thy d ictour , my dere, to doo whatte the lykes.”

Thane he takes hys leve at ladys in oham byre,

Kysside them kyndlyche, and to Criste be-tech es ;

And then cho swounes fulle swythe,wheEn] he hys

swerde asch ede,

Twys in a swounyng, swette as ch o walde !He pressed to his palfray, in presance of lordes,Prekys of the palez with h is prys knyghtes,Wyth a realle rowte of he rounde table ;Soughte to-warde Sandewyche, cho sees hym e no more !Thare the grete ware gederyde, wyth galyarde knyghtes,Garnesch it over he grene felde and graythelyche arayede ;

Dukkes and duz seperes daynttehely rydes,Erlez of Ynglande with archers yneweS ch irreves scharply schiftys the com ouns

,

Rewlys be- fore he ryche of th e rounde table

,

Assignez ilke a contree to certayne lordes,In the southe one he see banke saile whene heme lykesThane bargez theme buskez , and to he baunke rowes

,

Bryngez blonkez one bourde,and burlych e helmes

Trussez in tristly trappyde stedes,

Tentez and oth ire toylez , and targez fulle ryche,

Cabanes and olathe sokkes,and coferez fulls noble,

Hukes and haknays, and horsez of armez

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THE FIGHT BETWEEN THE DREAM-DRAGON AND BEAR.

He cam ecaperir.gand m ocking,

Whaym e hut he towchede he was tynt for ever !Hys feete ware flore

'

schede alle in fyne sabylle,

And syche a vennym ous flayre flowe fro his lyppez ,

That the fiode of he flawez alle one fyre'

sem yde !

Thane come of he oryente, ewyne hym e agaynez ,

A blake bustous bere abwene in the clowdes,

With yche a pawe as a poste,and paumes fulle huge,

With pykes fulle perilous, alle plyande hame sem yde,Lothene and lothely, lokkes and cher,Alle with lutterde legges, lokerde unfaireFiltyrde unfrely wyth fom aunde lyppez ,

The foulleste of fegure that fourm ede was ever !He baltyrde, h e bleryde, he braundyschte her-after ;To bataile he bounez bym with bustous clowezHe rom ede

,h e rarede

,that roggede alle he erthe !

So ruydly he rappyd at to ryot bym selvene !

Thane the dragone on dreghe dressede hym e a3aynez ,

And with hys duttez hym drafe one dreghe by hewalkyneHe fares as a fawcone, frekly he strykez ;

Bothe with feete and with fyre he fegh ttys at ones !The here in the bataile he bygger bym sem yde,

And byttes hym e boldlye wyth balefulle tuskez

Syche buffetez he bym rech ez with hys brode klokes,Hys brest and hys brath elle was blodye alle over !He rawm pyde so ruydly that alle he orthe ryfez ,Rynnande one reede hlode as rayne of the hevene

He hade wereyde the worme bywyghtnesse of strengh te,Neware it fore he wylde fyre hut he hym e wyth defendez

Thane wandyrs he worme awaye to hys heghttez ,Comes glydande fro he clowddez , and cowpez fulle evene ;Towchez bym wyth hi s talonnez, and terez hys rigge,Be-twyx he taile and the toppe tene fote large !Thus h e brittenyd the here, and brogh te hym e olyfe,

Lette hym e falle in the flode,fleete whare hym e lykes

So they bryng he bolde kyng hynne he schippe burde,

pat nere he bristez for bale, one bede whare he lyggez .

ARTHUR ARRIVES IN NORMANDY. 25

Thane waknez the wyese kynge, wery fore-truvaillede,awaking was

Takes hym e two phyloz oph irs, that folowede hym e ever, grgfifingt

seggg808 In the sevyne scyence the suteleste fondene

, £32125mye£1

3233:learned in th eThe conyEnjgeste of clergye undyre Criste knowene ; seven sciences .

He tolde heme of hys tourmente, hut tym e hat h e slepede,

Drechede with a dragone, and syche a derfe beste,

8 12 Has m ad m e fulle wery ; ge telle m e my Swefene,

Ore I mone Swelte as swythe,as wysse m e oure Lorde I

Sir,”saide hey sone thane

,thies sagge philosoph erse,

The dragonehut how drem yde of, so dredfulle to schewe8 16 That come dryfande over he deepe, to drynch ene thy pople,

Sothely and certayne thy selvene it es,

That thus saillez over he see with thy sekyre knyghtez

The colurez hat ware castyne appone h is clere wengez ,820 May be thy kyngrykez alle, that thowhas ryghte wonnyne;

And the tachesesede taile, with tonges so huge,Be-takyns his faire folke, that in thy fleet wendez .

The here that bryttenede was abowene in he clowdez ,824 Betakyns the tyrauntez hat tourmentez thy pople ;

Or elles with some gyaunt some journee salle happyne,In syngulere batelle by goure selfe one

And how sallehafehevictorye thurghe helpe of oure Lorde,828 As how in thy visione was opynly sch ewede

Of this dredfulle drem e ne dreds the no m ore,

Ne kare noghte, syr conquerour, bot com forth thy selvene ;gfhgl

gis

3121

231

53And thi sehat saillez over he see, with thy sekyreknyghtez .

” courage

8 3 2 With trum ppez thene trystly, they triseneupe haire saillez,And rowes over the rych e see

,this rowtte alle at onez ;

The comely coste of N orm andye they cachene fulle eveneAnd blythely at Barflete theis bolde are arryfede,

8 3 6 And fyndys a flete there of frendez ynewe ,

The floure and he faire folke of fyftene rewm ez ;

fi bre kyngez and capytaynez kepyde hym e fayre,

As he atCarelele com m aundede atCristym esse bym selvene

840 Be they had takene the lande,and tentez upe rerede,

Com ez a tem plere tyte, and towch ide to he kynge-L

ARTHUR HEARS OF THE DREADFU L GIANT,

£3” t° “1° Here es a teraunt be-syde that tourmentez thi pople ,

and tells h im of A grett geaunte of gcene, engenderde of fendez ;a ferocious giant3123

£

3 318

3 13?844 He has fretyne of folke m o thane fyfe h ondrethe,

dren, And als fele fawntekyns of freeborne oh ildyre

Thi s has bene h is sustynaunce alle this sevene wynttere,And gut es that sotte noghte sade

,so wele hym e it lykez

848 In he contree of Constantyne no kynde has h e levede ,With- owttyne kydd castelles enclosid wyth walles,That he ne has clenly distroyede alle the knave childyre,

And theme caiy ede to he cragge, and clenly deworyde !

wh o had that 8 52 The duchez of Bretayne to daye has h e takyne,1

day captured th eflfi iifafafiil

t

é Beside Reynes as scho rade with hire ryche knyghttesh er ‘0 his dam Ledd hyre to the m ountayne, thare hat lede lengez ,

To lye by that lady, aye whyls h is lyfe lastez .

85 6 We folowede o ferrom e m oo thene fyfe hundrethe,Of beryns, and of burgeys, and bachelers noble,

Bot he coverde the cragge ; ch o cryede so lowde ,

The care of hat creatoure cover salle I never !

18

123; it,t

il

l? 8 6 0 Soh o was flour of alle Praunce, or of fyfe rewm es,

£5gm

a fairest And one of the fayreste that fourm ede was evere ,lady on em b ’

The gentileste j owelle a-juggede.

with lordes,

fi’

ro Greene unto Gerone, by Jhesu of hevene !

ifigiigafeefi

i '

8 6 4 Soho was thy wyfes cosyne, knowe it if he lykez ,Gommene of he rycheste, that regnez in erthe

As thow arte ryghtwi se kynge rewe on thy pople,

And faude for to venge theme, that thus are rebuykyde

8 6 8 Ali as said syr Arthure, so lange have I lyfi'

ede,

Hade I wytene of this, wele had m e chefede ;

Me es noghte fallene faire, bot m e es foule happynede,That thus this faire ladye this fende has dystroyede !

8 7 2 I had levere thane alle Praunce, this fyftene wynterI hade bene be- fore thate freke, a furlange of waye,Whene h e that ladye had laghte and ledde to he montezI badde lefte my lyfe are cho hade harme lym ppyde

In the short romance of Arthur this unfortunate lady is described as fair Elaine,cousin to King Hoel.

AND PREPARES To EN COUNTER HIM. 27

8 7 6 Bot walde how kene m e to he orage, thare hat kene lengez . Exiowdivs

iiieis

é tri

gI walde cayre to hat coste, and carpe wythe hym e- selvene, giant lives,

To trete with that tyraunt fore tresone of londes,And take trewe for a tym e

,tille it m ay tyde bettyre.

880 “ Sire, see ge gone farlande, with gone two -fyrez ,

par filsuez hat fonde , fraist whene the lykesAppone the crests of the craggs , by a oolde welle,That enclosez he clyfe with he clere strandez

,

884 Ther m ay thow fynde folke fay wyth -owttyne nowm er, Eme

cigfi’

feére

Mo florenez in faythe thane Fraunce es in aftyre

And more tresour untrewely that traytour has getyne, zhoiggs

égf easum

Thane in Troyewas as I trowe, hat tym ehat itwas wonne.

888 Thane rom yez the ryche kynge for rewthe of he pople, gaglyAefigggd ’

i’

Raykez ryghte to a tente, and restez no lengereHe welterys, he wristeles, h e wryngez hys bandezTharewas nowy ofhiswerlde, hatwystewhatt he m enede

892 He calles syr Cayous hat of he cowpe serfede,

And syr Bedvere he bolde, hat bare hys brande ryche,

Luke ge aftyre evensange be arm yde at-ryghttez ,

On blonkez by gone buscayle, by gone blythe strem ez ,

8 9 6 fibre I wille passe in pilgrem age prevely here aftyre,

In the tym e of suppere, whene lordez are servede,

{for to seh eme a saynte be gone salte strem es,

pretending thath e is going on a

In SeyntMighellemount, there m yraclez are schewede.pi lgrim age

90 0 Aftyre evesange, Sir Arthure hym e- se[l] fene

Wente to hys wardrope, and warpe of hys wedez ;Arm ede hym in a actone with orfraeez fulle ryche,

Aboven one hat a jeryne of Acres owte over,904 Aboven hat a jesseraunt of jentylle m aylez ,

A jupone of Jerodyne jaggede in schredez ;

He brayedez one a bacenett burneschte of sylver,The beste hat was in Basille, wyth bordurs ryche

90 8 The creste and he coronalle, enclosed so faireWyth clasppis of clere golde, couched wyth stones ;The vesare

, he aventaile, enarm ede so faire,

Voyda with-owttyne vice, with wyndowes of sylver ;

Here all birdsabounded,

ARTHUR ASCENDS THE MOUNTAIN ALONE .His gloves gaylyche gilte, and gravene at he

'

hem m e

’

z,

With gruyvez and gobelets, glorious of hewe ;He bracez a brade schelde

,and h is brande aschez

,

Bounede hym e a broune sted e,and one he bente hovys ;

He sterte tille his sterepe and stridez one lofte,

Streynez hym e stowttly, and Storys hym e faire,

Brochez he baye stede, and to he buske rydez ,

And there hys knyghtes hym e kepede fulle clenlyche

arayede

Thane they roode by hut ryver, hut rynnyd so swythe,

pare he ryndez overrech ez with realle bowgh ez

The roo and he rayne-dere reklesse thare rouuene,In ranez and in rosers to ryotte hame selvene ;The frithez ware fioreschte with flourez fulle many

Wyth fawcouus and fesantez of ferlyche h ewez ;

Allhe feulez thare fleschez , that flyez with wengez ,fi

’

ore thare galede he gowks one grevez falle lowde,Wyth alkyne gladch ipe hay gladdene heme selveneOf he nyghtgale notez he noisez was swette,

They threpide wyth the throstills thre-hundreth at ones !

pat wh ate swowynge of watyr , and syngynge of byrdez,

It m ygh te salve hym e of sore,that sounde was nevers

Thane ferkez this folke,and one fotte lyghttez ,

fi‘

estenez theire faire stedez o ferrom e by- twene ;

And thene the kynge kenely com andyde hys knyghtez

ifor to byde with theire blonkez,and bowne no forthyre,

“ ffore I wille seke this seynte by m y- selfe one,

And mellewith this mayster mane, hat this monte gemez

And seyne salle ge offyre, aythyre aftyre oher ,Menskfully at SayntMigh elle fulle m yghtywith Criste

The kyng coveris he cragge wyth clough es fulle hye,

To th e creste of th e clyffe h e clym bez one lofte ;Keste upe hys umbrere, and kenly he lukes,Caughte of he oolde wynde to com forthe bym selvene ;

Two fyrez he fyndez filawm ande fulle hye,

The fourtedele a furlange be-twene his he walkes ;

THE TALE OF THE WOEFUL VVIDOW .

pe waye by he welle strandez h e wandyrde bym one,

To wette of he warlawe, whare hat h e lengez ;He ferkez to he fyrste fyre, and evene there he fyndezA wery wafulle wedowe, wryngande hire handez ,And gretande on a grave grysely teres,Now m erkyde one molde, sene m yddaye it sem ede

He salugede hat sorowfulle with sittande wordez ,

And fraynez aftyre the fende fairely there aftyre

Thane thi s wafulle wyfe un-wynly bym gretez ,

Coverde up on hi re kneess, and clappyde h ir bandez ;Said

, carefulle carem ane, thow carpez to lowde

May gone warlawe wyt, he worows us alleWeryd worthe he wygh te ay , that he thy wytt refede,That mase the to wayfe here in hise wylde lakesI warne he fore wyrch ipe, hou wylnez aftyr sorowe !

Wh edire buskes hou berne ? unblysside how semesWenez thow to brittene hym e with thy brande ryche ?

Ware thow wyghttere thaneWade orWawayne owthire,

Thow wynnys no wyrch ipe, I‘warne the be-fore

Thow saynned the unsekyrly to seke to hese m ountez ,

Siche sex ware to sym ple to semble with hym e one ;

ifor and thow see hym e with sygh te, the servez no herte,To sayne the sekerly, so semez bym huge !Thow arte frely and faire

,and in thy fyrste flourez ,

Bot thow arte fay be my faythe, and hat m e for-thynkkys!

Ware syche fyfty one a felde,or one a faire erthe,

The freke walde with hys fyste felle gow at ones !

Loo ! here, the duchez dere, to daye was cho takyne,

Depe dolvene and dede dyked in m oldez

He hade m orth irede this m yldc be m yddaye war rongene,With-owttyne mercy one molde, not watte it mentHe has forsede h ir and fylede, and ch o es fay levede ;He slewe hir nu- slely, and slitt hir to he navylle !And here have I bawm ede h ir

,and beryede her aftyr,

ffor bale of he botelesse, blythe be I never !Of alle he frendrez cho hade

,here folowede none aftyre,

29

He asks her concerning th egiant.

THE GIANT DESIRES THE BEARD OF ARTHUR.

If he has broughtth e board , hem y

988

Bot I hir foster m odyr of fyftene wynter !To ferke of this farlands

,fande salle I never,

Bot here be foundene on felde,tille I be fay levedeThane answers syr Arthure to hat alde wyfI am com yne fra th e conquerour, curtaise and gentille,

As one of he hathelest of Arthur knyghtez ,Messenger to his m yx, for m endem ente of he pople,To mele w ith this maister mane, that here this mounte

gemezTo trete with this tyraunt for tresour of landez ,

And take trew for a tym e, to bettyr m ay worthe.

3a, thire wordis are hot waste, quad this wif thane,fi

’

or bothe landez and lythes ffulle lyttille by he settes

Of rentez ne of rede golde rekkez he never,ifor he wille lenge owt of lawe, as bym - selfe thynkes,With- owtene licence of lede, as lorde in h is awene ;Bot h e has a kyrtille one, kepide for hym e selvene,

That was sponene in Spayne with specyalle byrdez ,

And sythyne gam escht in Grece fulle graythly to-

gedirs,

That es hydede alle with hare hally al overe,And bordyrde with the berdez of burlyche kyngez ,

Crispid and kom bide,that kempis m ay knawe

I the kynge by h is colour, in kythe there he lengez ;Here th e fermez he fangez of fyftene rewm ez

,

ffor ilke E sterne ewyne, how-ever that it falle ;They send it hym e soth ely for saugh te of he pople,Sekerly at hat sesone with certayne knygh tez ,

And he has aschede Arthure alle his sevene wynter.fforthy hurdez he here, to owttraye hys pople,Tille he Bretones kynges have hurneschte his lyppys,And sent h is berde to that boldewyth hi s beste berynesBot thowe hafe broghte hat berde, bowne the no forthire,ffor it es butelesse bale , th owe biddez oghte elles ;ffor he has more tresour to take whene hym e lykez ,

Than evere aughte Arthure, or any of hys elders ;If thowe hase broghte he berde , he bese more blythe

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THE DESCRIPTION or THE GIANT,ARTHUR’S FOE .

And hane this comlych kynge, by-cause of his pople,His herte bledez for bale

,one bent ware he Standez

Thane he dressede one h is schelde,schuntes no lengere,

Braundesch e h is brigh te swerde by he bryghte h iltez ,Raykez to

-warde he renke reghte with a ruyde wille,And hyely hailsez hat hulks with hawtayne wordez ,Now, alle-weldand Gode, hat wyrscheppez us alle,Giff the sorowe and syte, sotte there thow lygges,fior the fulsom este freke that fourm ede was evere !ifoully thow fedys the, he fende have thi saule !Here es cury un-olene, carle, be my trowth e,Gaffe of creatoure alle

,thow curssede wriche

Be cause that how killide has hise cresm ede childyre,

Thow has marters made,and broghte oute of lyfe,

pat here are brochede one bente, and brittenede withthi handez ,

I salle merke he thy mede, as hou has m ych e serfed,

Thurghe m yghte of SeyntMighelle, hat his monte gemesAnd for this faire ladys

, hat how has fey levyde,And hus forced one foulde, for fylth of hi- Selfene !

Dresse the now,dogge, sone, th e develle have hi saule !

fib r how salle dye this day, thurghe dynt of my handezThane glopnede he glotone and glorede un- faire ;He grevede as a grewhounde, with grysly tuskes ;He gapede, he groned faste, with grucchande latez ,ifor grefe of he gude kyng, hat hym ewith grame gretez

His fax and his foretoppe was filterede to-

geders,

And owte of his face fome ane halfe fote large ;His frouut and h is forhevede alle was it over,As he felle of a froske, and fraknede it sem ede

,

Huke-nebbyde as a hawke,and a bore berde,

And herede to he hole eyghne with hyngande browes ;Harske as a hunde-fisch

,hardly who so lukez ,

So was he hyde of hat bulke hally al over !

Erne had h e fulle huge, and ugly to schewe,With eghne fulls horreble, and arduunt for soth e ;

THE FIGHT BETWEEN ARTHUR AND THE GIANT BEGINS. 3 3

fflatt m owthede as a fluke, with fieryande lyppys, gl

i

z

gg-r

gp

mfthgd

g

,

And he fiesch e in h is fortethe fowly as a here1

11

5223 his; jaws

His berdewas brothy and blake, hat tilleh is brest rechede, A black beardreached to h is

Grassede as a m ereswyne with corkes full: huge, breast, With0

m ighty bri stles.And alle falterde he flesche In h i s foule lyppys, Th e fiesh p f h i s

lips was In nu

1 even fo lds, eachIlke wrethe as a wolfe hevede, It wraythe owtt at ones fold , like an out

Bullenekkyde was hat bierne, and brade in th e scholders, iiii ’ oiliiiswd it

He was bullBrok-brestede as a brawne, W i th brustils fulle large, necked and broadin th e shouldersRuyd armes as an ake W i th rusclede sydes, breasted hke aboar, with hugeLyme and leskes fulle lothyne, leve ge for sothe bristles ; h isarm s

like an oak ; h isSchovelle-fotede was hut schalke, and schaylande hym e lim bs and flanksloathly shovel

sem yde, footed andh

scal

y,

with uns a eWi th schankez unschaply, schowande to-

gedyrs ; shanks ;p y

of gigantic thickThykke theefe as a thursse, and thikkere In the hanche, mess in h is

haunches.Greesse growene as a galte, fulle grylych he lukez ! fihfi

s

hgriiii

gfeile

Wh o he lengbe of he lede lelly accountes,fl

’

To he face to he fote, was fyfe fadom e lange ! £216fun

Thane stertez he up sturdely one two styffe schankez,

And sone he caughte hym e a clubb alle of clene yryne ! gfi gaff,He walde hafe kyllede he kyng with hi s kene wapene, ifi

z

gfn‘

;£ 00

3Bot thurghe he crafte of Cryste git he carle failede ;

at Arthur ’

The creest and he coronalle, he claspes of sylver,Clenly with his clubb he crasschede doune at ones !

The kyng castes up hi s schelde, and covers bym faire,And with his burlyche brande a box h e hym e reches ;

ffulle butt in he frunt the from onde he bittez,That the burnysch t blade to he brayne rynnez ;He feyed his fysnam ye with h is foule b ondez ,An d frappez faste at hys face fersely her-aftyr !

The kyng chaungez his fote, esch ewes a lyttille,N e had h e esohapede hat choppe, ch evede had evylle ;He folowes in fersly, and festcnesse a dynte

Hye upe one the haunche, with hi s harde wapyne,That he hillid the swerde halfe a fote large ;The hott blode of he hulke un-to the hilte rynnez ,Ewyne into inm ette the gyaunt he hyttez ,

3 4 ARTHUR KILLS THE GIANT , BUT HAS THREE or HIS RIBS BROKEN.

Just to he genitales, and jaggede hame in sondre !

Thane he rom yede and rarede,and ruydly he strykez

Th e m onsterroars and strikesgg

r

fig

ggfihis h is ifulle egerly at Arthur, and one th e erthe bittez

it

e

r

ffégtegha

: h“ A swerde lengh ewith-in th e swarthe, h e swappez at ones,

8 d’ 1 tfi

r

ms

, gogund ,

That nere swounes he kyng for swough e of h i s dynttez !

gigoiiing

ai19 3

53 112 8 Bot git th e kynge swcperly fulle swythe h e byswenkez ,noise of the blow,

but quickly strik Swappez in with the swerde hat it he swange brystedd ;ing h im , burstsfiunder h i

figroir

a. Bothe he guttez and th e gorre gusch ez owte at ones,

is entra'

s anflblood gush out. pat alle englaym ez he gresse, one grounde her he Standez

Then throwing

$ 34 1

2: fig113 2 Thane h e castez the clubb, and the kynge hentez ,thur in his arm s On he creeste of he cragg h e caughte hym e in armez,

And enclosez hym e olenly, to crusehene ’ hys rybbez ;So harde haldez h e hat hende, that nere h is herte brystez

pane he balefulle bierdez bownez to he erthe,Knelande and cryande, and clappide heire bandez,Crist com forthe goneknyghte, and kepe bym fro sorowe,

And latte never gone fende felle hym e olyfe

gitt es he warlow so wyghte, he welters hym e undere,

Wrothely hai wrythyne and wrystille to-

gederz ,

With welters and walowes over with- in hase buskez ,Tum bellez and turnes faste

,and terez haire wedez ,

Untenderly fro he toppe thai tiltine to-

gederz ;

Whilom e Arthure over, and oher while undyre,Ifro he heghe of the hylle un-to th e harde roche ;They feyne never are they falle at he fiode m erkes ;

Stabs th e 1148 Bot Arthur with ane anlace egerly sm yttez ,

And bi ttez ever in the bulke up to he hiltez ;

pe theefe at he dede thrawe so throly hym e thryngez ,

pat three ryhbys in his syde h e thrystez in sundere !

Thenne syr Kayous the kene unto the kynge styrtez ,Said

, allas ! We are lorne,my lorde es confundede,

Over fallene with a fende ! us es fulle hapnede !We mone be forfetede in faith

,and flem yde for ever !

pay hafe up hys hawberke hane, and handilez her-undyre,His hyde and his haunche eke

,one heghte tohe schuldrez

His flawnke and his feletez , and his faire sydez ,

THE GIANT ’S HEAD IS CUT OFF . ARTHUR TAKES HIS KIRTLE AND CLUB . 3 5Bothe hi s bakke and h is breste, and his bryghte armez

pay ware fayne that they fando no fiesoh e ent’am ede

,

And for hat J ournee made Joye, hir gentille knyghttez ;Now,

cortez,” saise Sir Bedwere,“ it semez, be my

LordeHe sekez seyntez bot seldene, he sorere he grypes,That thus clekys this corsauut owte of hir heghe clyfi

'

ez ,

To carye forthe Siche a carle at close bym in silvero ;BeMyghelle of syche amakke

,I hafe m yche wondyre

That ever owre soveraygne Lorde suffers hym e in h evene

And alle seyntez be syche, hat servez oure Lords ,

I salle never no seynt bee, be my fadyre sawle

Thane bourdez he bolde kyng at Bedvere wordez ,

pis seynt have I soghte, so helpe m e owre Lorde !{for-thy brayd owtte hi brande, and broche hym e to he

herteBe sekere of thi s sergeaunt, h e has m e sore grevede !

I faghte nogh te wyth syche a freke his fyftene wyntyre,Bot in the montez of Araby I mett syche anoher ;He was he forcyere be ferre hat h ad I nere fundene,N e had my fortune bene faire

,fey had I levede !

An one stryke of h is hovede,and stake it there aftyre, ffl

i

gfigfia’m 0 “

Gife it to thy sq ere,fore h e es wele h orsede ;

Bere it to syr Howelle, hat es in'

harde bandez, ighiie

Ha

geiffirst

And hyd hym e herte bym wele, his enm y es destruede !

Syne here it to Bareflete, and brace it in yryne,And sett it on th e barbycane, biernes to schewe ;My brande and my brode schelde apone he bent lyggez ,On e crees e of e cra e thare f rste we encontrede His sword and17 t 17 gg y

shield and the

lle o lene irene giant’s club areAnd 17 3 Clubb barby’ a f Cto b efetch ed from

pat many Cristene has kyllyde in Coustantyne landez ; th e hill.

fferke to th e far-lande, and fetche m e hat wapene,And late founde tille oure flete

,in flode hare it lengez

If thow wylle any tresour, take whate th e lykez ;Th” m ay takewhat treasure

Have I the kyrtylle and he clubb, I coveite noghte elles ES23;in e and th eNow hey caire to he cragge, hise comlyche knyghtez , club ,

PEOPLE THANK ARTHUR’

FOR SLAYING THE GIANT.

And broghte hym e he brade schelde,and his bryght

e

wapene,

kep t a secret till The clubb and the cotte alles,Sir Kayous hym selvone,

break °f day ‘ And kayres with conquerour, the kyngez to schewe ;That in coverte th e kynge helde closse. to bym selvene,

Whilles clene day fro he clowde, clym byd on lofte.Be that to courte was comene clamour fulle huge,

Then th e People And be-fore the com lyche kynge they knelyd alle atkneel before Arthur, and thank onesand praise h im

22,1213 i the 1200 “Welcome, oure liege lorde, to lang has thow duellyde !

Governour undyr Gode, graytheste and noble,To whame grace es graunted, and gyfi

’

ene at hi s wille !Now thy comly come has comforthede us alle !Thow has in thy realtee revengyde thy pople !Thurgh e helpe of thy hande, thyne enm yse are Struyede,That has thy renkes over-ronne, and refte theme theire

childyre !

What never rowme owte of araye so redyly relevede

Thane he conquerour Cristenly carpez to h is pople,Arthur ”Sh h?“ ThankesGode

,

”quad he, ofhis grace, and no gome elles,all to God .

ffor it was never manes dede,bot m yghte of Hym selfene,

i n

Or myracle of hys m odyre, hat m ylde es tille alleHe bids h is fol 12 12 He som ond han he schippem ene scharpely her -aftyre,lowers distributethe giant’s trea To schake furthwith he schyre mene to schifte he gudez ;sure am ong th e

clersyand people “Alle he myoho tresour that traytour had wonnene,To comm ons of the contré , clergye ond oher,Luke it be done and delte to my dere pople

,

That none pleyne of theire parte, 0 peyne of gour lyfez .

He comande hys cosyne, with knyghtlyche wordez ,A church and g

convent are toTo m ake a kyrke on he cragg, ther th e cows lengez,

he built on th e 1220 And a covent there-in,Criste for to serfe

,

In m ynde of hut martyre, hat in he monte rystez .

wen Sir Arthur the kynge had kylled he gyaunt,an blythely fro Bareflete h e buskes one hemorne,

With his batelle one brede, by ha blythe strem es ;

NEWS or LUCIUS RAVAGING FRANCE IS BROUGHT To ARTHUR. 3 7

To-warde Castelle Blanke he chesez bym the waye,Thurghe a faire cham payne, undyr schalke hylli s ;Th e kyng fraystez a-furth over the fresche strandez,

ffoundez with his faire folke over as hym lykez :

ffurth e stepes that steryn e, and strekei'

his tentie

One a strongbe by a strem o,in has Straytt landez .

Onono aftyre m i ddaye, in the mene-while,

pare com ez two m essangeres of tha fere marchez, Then com e twom essengers from

ffrahem arschalle of Fraunce, and m enskft bym gretes, th e Marshal ofFrance, who ao

Besoghte hym e of sucour , and saide hym e thisewordez , quaint ArthurSir, thi m arschalle thi m ynistre, thy mercy be-sekez ,Of thy m ekille m agestee, fore m endem ent of thy pOpleOf hise marchez -mene

,that thus are m yskaryede,

And thus m erred amange, m augree theire eghne ;

I Witter he he em perour es entirde into Fraunce,With ostes of enm ye, orrible and huge ;Brynnez in Burgoyne thy burghes so rych e,

And brittenes th i baronage, that bieldez thare-in ;He encrochez kenely by craftez of armez, seizing castles,Countrese and castelles hat to thy coroun langez ;Confoundez thy comm ons, clergy and oher ; gggg

l

o

r

gmd ins the

Bot thow com furth theme, syr kynge, cover salle theynever !

He fellez forestez fele, forrayse thi landez , felling forests ,fi

'

rysthez no fraunchez , bot fraisez the pople

hus he fellez thi folke, and fangez theire gudez ! taking goods,firem edly the Franche tung fey es be-lefede.

He drawes in-to douce Praunce, as Duch em en tellez,Dresside with h is dragonne, dredfulle to schewe ;Alle to dede they dygh te with dynttys of swerddez ,

killing dukes ah adouze-peers.

Dukez and dusperes, hat dreches thare-ine ;ffor-thy the lordez of the lande

,ladys and oher,

Prayes th e for Betyr luffe, he apostylle of Rome,Sen thow arte presant in place, hathowwille profyremake ggsfififi

f

fi tfigiTo hat perilous prynce, be processe of tym e ;

help ‘

He ayers by gone hilles, gone heghe boltez undyr,

3 8 ARTHUR SENDS To LUC IUS To QUIT THE LAND OR FIGHT HIM.

12 6 0 Hufes thare with hale strongbe of haythene kyngez ;

Helpe nowe for His lufe, that heghe in h evene Sittez ,And talke tristly to theme, that thus us destroyes

The kyng biddis syr Boice, buske the be-lyfe !

12 6 4 Take W ith th e syr Berille, and Bedwere the rych e,

Sir Gawayne and syr Grym e,these galyarde knyghtez ,

And grayth e gowe to gone grene wode, and gose over

her nedesSaise to syr Lucius, to unlordly h e wyrkez ,

12 6 8 Thus leth erly agaynes law to lede my pople ;I lette hym e or oghte lange, gif m e he lyfl

'

e happene,

Or my lyghte salle lawe, hat hym e overe lande folowes ;

Comande bym kenely wyth crewelle wordez ,

to h id h im d e 12 7 2 a re owte of my kyngryke with h is kydd knyghtez ;art out of h is

lh gdoh wf Fleet In caase that h e wille noghte, hat cursede wrech e,h im In sm gle

Come for h is curtaisie, and countere m e ones !

Thane salle we rekkene fulle rathe,whatt ryghte hat he

claym es,

Thus to ryot his rewm e and raunsone the pOple !

Thare salle it derely be delte with dynttez of bandezThe Dryghttene at Dom esdaye dele as hym e lykesNow thei grayth e theme to goo, theis galyarde knyghttez ,

1280 Alle gleterande in golde, appone grete stedes,

To-warde he grene wode, hat with growndene wapyne,To gretewele the grett lorde, that wolde be grefode sone ;Thi se hende hovez on a hille by he holte oynes

,

3313 36

225311

3 1284 Be-helde he howsyng fulla hye of Hathene kynges ;

fi gh’eath eh They herde in theire herbergage hundrethez fulle many,

Hornez of olyfantez fulle helych blawene ;

Palaisez proudliche pyghte, hat palyd ware rych e,Of palle and of purpure, wyth precyous stones ;Pensels and pom elle of ryche prynce armez,Pighte in he playne mede, he pople to schewe

zhigggg

gmf“ And thane theRom ayns so ryche had arayede their tentezOn rawe by he ryvere, undyre he round hillez ,The em perour for honour ewyne in the m yddes,

Th e knights go

on their errandglittering in goldupon greatsteeds.

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40 LUCIUS THREATENS ARTHUR, ANDGAWAIN, WHO KILLS SIR GAYOUS.

13 28 It es none honour to m e to owttray hys knyghttez ,

hoghe go be irous mene, hat ayres one hi s nedez ;Bot say to thy soveraygne, I send hym e thes wordez ,N e ware it for reverence of my ryche table,

fig; 13 3 2 pou sulde repent fulle rathe of hi ruyde wordez !ah du ity Siche a rebawde as howe rebuke any lordez ,

Wyth thoire retenuz arrayede, fulle realle and noble !

He will stay in Here wille I suggourne, whilles m e lefe thynkes,Arthur’s land aslous ashepleases , 13 3 6 And sythene seke in by Saynewith solace her-aftere ;

Ensegge allha cetese be the salte strandez ,

And seyne ryde in by Rone, hat rynnes so faire,

gri

es

t

iiiiir

o

o

a

htiéi

i And of alle hi s ryche castelles rusche doune he wallez ;13 40 I salle noghte lefe in Paresche, by processe of tym e

,

His parte of a pechelyne, prove whene hym e lykesNow,

certes , sais syr Wawayne, m yche wondyre

have I,

pat syche an alfyne as thow dare speke syche wordez !I had lever thene alle Fraunce, that hovede es of rowmes,fi

'

ygh te with the faythefully one felde be oure one.”

but Sir Gayous, Thane answers syr Gayous fullo gobbede wordes,.uncle to th eRom anEm peror, Was em e to he em perour, and erle hym e selfene,answers and

charges th e Brit 13 48 Evere ware hes Bretons braggers of olde !ish knights withbeing braggarts. Loo ! how he brawles hym e for hys bryghte wedes,

As h e m yghte bryttyne us alle with hi s brande rych e !

gitt he berkes myoho boste, goue boy here he standesThane grevyde syr Gawayne at his grett wordes,Grayth es to

-warde he gome with grucchande herte ;With hys stelyne brande he strykes of hys hovede,And sterttes owtte to hys stede, and with his stalewendes

Then th e British 13 5 6 Thurghe he wacches hey wente, thes wirchipfullekni ghts fly Wi thall speed. knyghtez ,

And fyndez in theire fare waye wondyrlyche many ;Over th e watyre hey wente by wyghtnesse of horses,And tuke wynde as hey walde by -he wodde hom es :

Thane folous frekly one fote frekkes ynewe,

GAWAIN AND HIS MEN ARE PURSUED, AN D FIGHT . 41

And of he Rom ayns arrayed appone ryche stedes,Chasede thurghe a cham payne oure chevalrous knyghtez , fhfsfi

m hh ’ give

Tille a cheefe forest,one schalke whi te horses

Bot a freke alle in fyne golde, and fretted in salle,

COm e forherm aste on a fresone,in flawinande wedes ;

A faire floreschte spere in fewtyre he castes,And folowes faste one owre folke, and freschelye ascryez .

Thane syr Gawayne the gude appone a graye stede, The forem OSt ofth e pursuers is

He gryppes hym a grete spere, and grayth elyhym ebittez ; 333123 3” Sh”Ga”

Thurghe he guttez in-to the gorre he gyrdes hym e ewyne,

That the groundene stele glydez to hi s herte

The gome and he grette horse at he grounde lyggez ,ffulle gryselyche gronande, for grefe of h is woundez .

pane presez a proker ine, fulle proudely arayede,

That beres alle of pou/rpour, palyde with sylver :Byggly on a broune stede he prefers fulle large ;He was a Paynym e of Perse hat hus hym e persuede.

Sir Boys un-abaiste alle h e buskes hym e a-

gaynes,With a bustous lauuce he berez hym e thurghe,

pat he breme and the brade schelde appone he bentelyggez !

And he bryngez furthe the blade, and bownez to hisfelowez .

Thane syrFoltem our of m yghte, am an m ekyllepraysede, Sir Foltem our

seeks to avengeWas m ovede one hi s manere, and m anacede fulle faste ; Sir Gayous ,

He gray-thes to syr Gawayne graythely to wyrche,

{for grefe of syr Gayous, hat es one grounde levede.Thane syr Gawayne was glade agayne hym e h e rydez ,

Wyth Galuth his gude swerde grayth ely hym e hyttez

The knyghte one he cow sere he clevede in sondyre,

Clenlych e fro he oronne his corse he dyvysyde,And hus he killez he knyghte with his kydd wapene !

Than a ryche mane of Rome relyede to h is byerns,“ It salle repent us fulle sore and we ryde forthire !

30ne are bolde bosturs, hat syche bale wyrkezIt befelle bym fulle foule, hat hame so fyrste nam ede.

42 THE ROMANS ARE FIRST DRIVEN BACK,AND THEN REINFORCED.

The rich Rom ans

return,

but five thousand 1400horsem en stillursue the

Eh“,

r es: °f 1412

Th e Rom ans are 141 6defeated and

driven back,

1420

1424

Th e Bretons are

repulsed, and

Thane he riche Rom ayns retournes haire brydillesTo haire tentis in tone

,telles th eire lordez

How syr Marschalle de Mowne es on he monte lefede,fi

‘

ore-justyde at that J ournee, for his grett J apez .

Bot thare chasez one oure mene ch evallrous knyghtez ,ffyve thosande folke appone faire stedes

,

ffaste to a foreste one a felle watyr,That fillez fro he falow see fyfty m yle large.

Thare ware Bretons enbusch ide,and banarettez noble

,

Of he ch evalrye cheefe of he kyngez cham byre,

Seese theme chase oure mene,and changene heire horsez ,

An d choppe doune ch eftaynes, that they moste chargydeThane he em busch em ent of Bretons brake owte at ones,Brothely at banere, and Bedwyne knyghtez ,

Arrestede of he Rom ayns, hut by he fyrthe rydez ,

Alle he realeste renkes hat to Rome lengez ;Thay iche on he enm yse and egerly strykkys,

Erles of Inglande, and Arthure ascryes,

Thrughe brenes and bryghte scheldez , brestez they thyrle,Bretons of the boldeste with theire bryghte swerdez ;

Thare was Rom ayns over redyne, and ruydlywondyde,

Arrestede as rebawdez , with ryotous knyghttez !

The Rom aynes owte of araye rem ovede at ones,

And rydes awaye in a rowtte, for reddoure it sem ys !

To he senatour Petyr a sandes-mane es com myne, .

And saide,Syr, sekyrly, gour seggez are supprysside

Than tene th owsande mene h e sem blede at ones,

And sett sodanly one oure seggez , by he salte strandez ;

Than ware Bretons abaiste, and grevede a lyttille,Bot git the banerettez bolde, and bachellers noble,Brokes that battailles with brestez of stedes ;Sir Boice and his bolde mene m yche bale wyrkes !

The Rom aynes redyes hane, arrayez hame better,And al to-rusch eez oure mene withe th eire ryste horsez ,Arestede of the rich este of he rounde table,Over-rydez oure rerewarde, and grette rewthe wyrkes !

THE BRITONS FLEE, BUT IDRUS AND GAWAIN RALLY THEM. 43

Thane he Bretons on he bente habyddez no lengere,143 2 Bot fieede to he foreste, and the feelde levede ; fly to the forest .

Sir Berylle es hom e downe and syr Boice takene,(

S

l

irBerylliflbor

S

ne

own an 11°

The beste of cure bolde mene unblythely wondyde ; Bois taken,Bot gitt oure stale one a

'

strengh e stotais'

a lyttille, El

gkeasai

u

14 3 6 Alle to- stonayede with he strokes of ha steryneknyghtez ; stand,

Made sorowe fore theire soveraygne, that so hare was1grieving

f

for

th

th‘

e

0 8 8 0 8 11'

nom ene,

leader, and pray

Be- soughte Gode of socure,sende whene bym lykyde

for “ occur.

Than com m ez syr Idrus, arm ede up at alle ryghttez ,

1440 Wyth fyve hundrethe mene appone faire stedes,

ffraynez faste at oure folke fresch ely hare aftyre,

3if her frendez ware ferre, hat one the felde foundide .

Thane sais syr Gawayne, so m e God helpe !1444 We hafe bene chased to daye, and chullede as hares

,

Rebuyked with Rom aynes appone heiro rych e stedez,

And we lurkede undyr lee as lowrande wreches !

I luke never one my lorde he dayes of my lyfe,1448 Andwe so lytherlyhym eh elpe, hat hym esowele lykede

Thane the Bretons brothely brochez th eire stedeZ, El

“

; fir

iii

ih

s i?And boldly in batelle appone he bent rydesAlle he ferse mene be-fore frekly ascryes,

1452 fferkand in he foreste, to fresch ene hame solfoneThe Rom aynes thane redyly arrayes theme bettyre,One rawe on a rowm -felde, reghttez thoire wapyns,By he ryche revare, and rewles he pople

145 6 And with reddou/r syr Boice es in aresto haldene.N ow thei sem blede unsaughte by he salte strandez

Gladdly theis sekere mene settys heiro dynttez ,With lufiy launcez one lofte they luysch ene to-gedyres,

14 6 0 In Lorayne so lordlye on leppande stedes ;Thareware gomes thurgh e girdewith grundynewapynes, 2113 30

9

39 ham "

Grisely gayspande with grucchande lotesGrete lordes of Greke greffede so hye ;

14 6 4 Swyftly with swerdes, they swappene there-aftyre,Swappez doune fulle sweperlye swelltande knynghtez ,

44 GAWAIN FIGHTS VALIANTLY, AND THE BRITONS PRESS ON .

That alle swelltez one swarthe, that they over swyngene,Se many sweys in swoghe swounande att ones !

Sir Gawaih e does 14 6 8 Syr Gawayne the gracyous fulle grayth elye he wyrkkes,m ighty deeds ofvalour. The gretteste h e gretez wyth gryeslye wondes ;

Wyth Galuth h e gyrdez doune fulle galyarde knyghtez ,fforo greefe of he grett lorde so grymlye he strykez !

He rydez furtho ryallye and redely there-aftyre,

Thare thi s realle renke was in areste haldene

He ryfez ye raunke stele,he rygh ttez heire bronez ,

And reste theme therychemane, and rode to his strenghes,

fhégh

a

s

gmitsr 14 7 6 The senatour Petur thane persewede hym e aftyre,

h im : Thurgh e he presse of he peplo, wyth h is pryce knyghttes ;Appertly fore he prysonere proves his strengh es,Wyth prekers th e proudeste that to he presse lengez ;Wroth ely one thewrange hande syrGawayne h e strykkes,Wyth a wapene of were unwynely hym e bi ttez ;The breny one he bakhalfe he brystez in sondyre

Bot git he broghte forthe syr Boyce, for alle heiro balehe biernez

figfiggsgt

pfihig1484 Thane he Bretones boldely braggene heiro trom ppez ,

on m ore boldly An d fore blysse of syr Boycewas broghte owtte of handez ,Boldely in batelle they here doune knyghtesWith brandes of bronne stele they brettened m aylez ;

pay stekede stedys in stoure with stelene wapynes,And alle stowedewyth strenghe,hat stode themeagaynes

Sir Idrus fitz Ewayne hane Arthur ascryeez ,Assemblez one he senatour wyth sextene knyghttez ,

Of he sekereste mene hat to cure syde lengede

Sodanly in a soppe they sette in att ones,

ffoynes faste att he fore breste with flawm ande swerdez ,

And feghttes faste att he fronte freschely hare aftyre

ficHes fele on he felde appone he ferrere syde,ffey on he faire felde by ha fresche strandez ;Bot syr Idrus fytz Ewayne enters hym e selvene,

And entters in anly, and egyrly strykez ,

Sekez to he senatour and sesez his brydille,

THE ROMANS RETIRE DEFEATED,HAVING MANY KILLED. 45

UnSM ghtely h e saide hym e these fittande wordez ,

felde he, syr, gapely, gife hou hi lyfe gernez ,iforo gyftez hat how gyffe m ay, hou geme now he solfone ;ffore dredlez dreche how,

or droppe any wylez ,

Thow salle dy his daye thorow dyntt of'

m y bandezI ascente,

”quad he senatour , so m e Criste helpe !

So hat I be safe broghte before the kynge selvene

Raunsone m e resonabillye, as I m ay over reche,Aftyre my renttez in Rome m ay redyly forthire.

Thane answers syr Idrus with austeryne wordez , fi ifigfife”

Thow salle hafe condycyone, as the kynge lykes,Whene thow comes to he kyth there the courte haldez ;In caase his concelle bee to kepe th e no langere,To be killydeat h is commandment his knyghttez be-fore.

pay leddehym furtho inherowte, and lached'

ofehi swedes,

Lefte bym wyth Lyonelle, and Lowelle hys brothire,O - lawo in he launde hane, by he lythe strandez .

Sir Lucius legge-mene loste are fore ever !

and takes h im

prisoner.

The senatour Petur es prysoner takyne

Of Perce and of Porto Jaffe fulle many price knyghtez ,And m ych e pople wyth alle

, perischede hame solfone !ffor presse of he passage, they plungode at onozThare m ygh te mene see Rom aynez rewfully wondyde,

Many °f th e

Rom ans are

Over-redyne with renkes of the round table ! Blain

In he raike of he furtho they rightene theire brenys,pat rane alle one

'

reode blodo redylye alle over ;They raughte in he rerewarde fulle ryotous knygh tez ,ffor raum sone of redo golde and realle stedys

Radly relayes,and restez thoire h orsez

,

In rowtte to he rych e kynge they rade al at onez . 31

011

11

3153 38r

t

igg

A knygh te cayrez bo-fore

,and to he kynge telles, king, and send

0

h im th e news of

S ir, hero com m ez thy m essangerez Wi th m yrthez fro

th e“ success :

he m ountez ,

pay hafe bene machede to daye with mene of hemarchez,ffore-m agledo

l in he marras with m ervailous knyghtez!

1 Halliwell reads “ fore m angledo.

ARTHUR REJO ICES AT THE SUCCESS OF HIS KNIGHTS,

We hafe foughtene in faithe, by gone fresche strandez ,

322? “ff,“ mm 15 3 6 With he frekkeste folke that to hi foo langez ;y have

2313 £23,“mu"

fi'

yfty thosaunde one felde of ferse mene of armez,Wyth -in a furlange of waye

,fay ere by

-lefede

We hafe osch owede his chokko, thurghe chance of cure

Lorde,

1540 Of the chevalrous mene that chargedo thy pople !The ch eefe chaunch elero of Rome

,a ch eftayno fullenoble,

Wille aske he chartyro of posse for charitee bym selfene ;

And the senatour Potire to prosone es takyne.Of Perso and of Porto Jaffe Paynym m ez ynewe

Com ez prekande in the presse, with thy prysse knyghttez ,With poverte in th i prosone thoire paynez to dryeI be- seke gow,

sir,say whate gowe lykes,

Whethiro go suffyre theme saughte, or sone delyvorde

3c m ay have fore he senatour soxtie horse chargedo

Of silver be Seterdaye, fulle sekyrly payede,And for he ch eefe chauncelere

, he chevalere noble,Charottez ch okkefulle charegyde with goldeThe rem enuunt of he Rom aynez be in aresto haldene,

Tille thiere renttez in Rome be rightewissly knawene.I be- seke gow,

sir,certyfye gone lordez ,

3if gowille send hameover he see, or kepe ham egour selfene

Alle gour sekyre mene forsothe sounde are by-lovyde,

Save syr’

Ewayno fytz Henry es in he side wonddede.

Crist be thankyde,”

quad the kynge, and hys clerem odyre,

That gowe com forthede and helpede be crafte of hym e

selfene ;

Skilfulle skom fyture he Skiftez as hym lykez ,

Is none so Skathlye m ay skape,no skewe fro his handes ;

Desteny and doughtynes of dodys of armes,Alle es dem yd and delte at Dryghtynez willeI kwne th e thanke for thy come

,it com fortes us alle

Sir knyghte,”sais he conquerour,

“so m e Criste helpe !

I gif the for thy thygandoz Tolouse he riche,

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Bot in he clero daweyng, he dere kynge hym e selfene

Com aundyd syr Cadore with his dere knyghttes ,Sir Clerem us, sir Clerom ondo

,with clone mene of armez ,

Sir Clowdm ur, syr Clegis, to couVay‘

e theis lordezSir Boyce and syr Berelle with baners displayede,Sir Bawdwyne, syr Bryone, and syr Bedwere the ryche,Sir Reynaldo and syr Richere, Rawlaundes childyre,

To ryde with he Rom aynes in rowte wyth thoire fores.Prekez now provalye to Paris the rych e,Wyth Petir the pryssonere and hi s price knyghttez ;Be-teche ham he proveste, in presens of lordez ,O payne and o perelle hat pendes there too,That they be weisely wachede and in warde boldone

,

Wardede of warantizez with wyrchipfulle knyghttez ;Wagge hym e wyghte mene, and woonde for no silvyre ;

I haffe warnede hut wy , be ware gife hym e lykes

Now bownes he Bretones, als he kynge byddez ,Buskez thoire batelles, thoire baners displayez ;

To-wardoz Ch artris they chose, these chevalrous

knyghttez ,

And in th e cham payne lande fulle faire hay eschewede

ffor he em perour of m yghte had ordande hym solfoneSir Utolfo and sir Ewandyre, two honourable kyngez ,Erles of he Orient, with austeryne knyghttez ,

Of he awntrouseste mene hat to his oste lengede,Sir Sextynour of Lyby and Senatours many,The kynge of Surryo bym

-selfe with Sarazynes ynewe,The senatour of Sutoro wyth sowm es fulle huge,Whas assygnedo to hat courte be sent of hi s peres

,

Traiso to-warde Troys he tresone to wyrke,To hafo be-trappedo with a trayne oure . travelande

knyghttez ,

That hade persayfede hat Peter at Parys sulde lenge,In presonne with he provoste, his paynez to drye.

ifor-thi they buskede theme bownne with benere dis

playede,

BOTH SIDES PREPARE FOR THE COMBAT . 49

In the buskayle of his waye, on blonkkes fulla hugge

Planttez theme in the pathe wi th powere arrayede,

1 6 3 6 To pyke up he presoners fro oure pryse knyghttez .

yr Cadore of Cornewalle com aundez his peris,Sir Clegis, syr Clerem us, syr Clerem ownde he

noble,

Hero es he close of Clym e with clewes so hye'

; Eighffgfgol

f

ifij1 6 40 Lokoz the contree be clero, th e corners are large

Discovwos now sekerly Skrogges and ohar,That no Skath elle in he skroggez Skorno us here aftyre

Loke go skyste it so hat us no skathe lym pe,

1 6 44 fi’

or na skom fitoure in skoulkery is Skom fito over.

Now they hye to he holte, thes harageous knyghttez ,To berkene of he hye mene to helpene theis lordez ;

ffyndez theme h elm ede h ole and horsesyde on stedys,

1 6 48 Hovando one he hye waye by he holte hemmes.With knygh ttly contenaunce Sir Clegis bym solfoneKryes to he com panye, and carpes thees wordez ,E S there any kyde knyghte, kaysere or cher,

1 6 52 Wille kyth for h is kynge lufe craftes of armesWe are comene fro the kyng of his lythe rych e,That knawene es for conquerour, corownde in erth e

,

His ryche retenuz here alle of h is round table,

1 6 5 6 To ryde with hat realle in rowtte where hym e lykesWe seke justynges of werre, gif any wille happyne,Of he jolyeste mene a-juggede be lordesIf here be any hath elle mane, erle or cher ,

1 6 6 0 That for he em perour lufe wille awntere bym -solfone.And ane erle hane in angerd answeres bym sone

,

Me angers at Arthure, and att h is hath elle bierns,

That thus in h is errour ocupyes theis rowmes1 6 6 4 And owtrayes he em perour ,

his erthely lorde !The araye and he ryalltoz of he rounde tableE s wyth rankour rehersede in rowmes fulle many ;Of oure renttez of Rome syche revolle he haldys,

1 6 6 8 Ne salle gife resoune fulle rathe, gif us reghte happene,

Sir Clegis glorifies Arthur,

THE CHAL LENGE OF SIR CLEGIS.

That many salle repente that in h is rowtte rydoz ,ffor the reklesse roy so rewlez bym

-solfone“A !” sais syr Clegis hano, so m e Criste helpeI knawe be thi carpynge a cowntere he semes !Bot be hou auditoure or erle

,or em perour thi

- selfene,

Appone Arthurez by-halvc I answere th e sonsTh e renke so realle

, hat rewllez us alle,Th e ryotous mene and he rych e of he rounde table,He has araysede his accownte, and redde alle hi s rollez,ffor h e wylle gyfo a rekenyng that rewe salle aftyre,That alle he rych e salle repente hat to Rom e langez,Or he rereage be requit of rentez hat he claym ez !

We crafe of gour curtaisie three coursez of werre,And claym ez of knygh thode, take kepe to gour solfone !

3c do bott trayne us to daye wyth trofolande wordez !Of syche truvaylande mene trecherye m e thynkes !

Sendo owte sadly certayne knyghtez ,Or say m e schorly sotho, for sake gif gowe lykes.hane saishekynge of Surry, Alls save m e oure Lorde !

3if how hufo allehe daye, houbees noghte delyverede,Bot thow sekerly ensure with certeyne knyghtez ,

pat hi cote and thi breste be knawene with lordez ,Of armes of ancestrye entyrdo with londoz .

”

“ Sir kyng,”

sais syr Ologys, fulle knyghttly how

askez :

I trowe it be for cowardys thow carpes thes wordezMyne armez are of ancestrye enveryde with lordez ,And has in banere bene hom e sene syr Brut tym e

At th e cité of Troye hut tym m e was ensegode,Ofte seene in asawto with certayne knyghttez ,

ffro he Borghte broghte us and alle oure bolde elders,To Bretayne he braddere, with-in chippo-burdez .

”

Sir,”sais syr Sextenour, saye what he lykez ,

And we salle suffyre the, als us beste semes ;Luke thi troumppez be trussede, and trofulle no lengere,ffor hoghe hou tarye alle he day e, the tyddes no bettyr !

SIR CADOR ENCOURAGES HIS MEN . 51

fi’

or there salle never Rom ayne, hat in my rowt rydez ,Bowith rebawdez rebuykyde, whills I inwerlde regne

Thane syr Clegis to he kynge‘

a lyttille enclinede,

Kayres to syr Cadore , and knyghtly hym tellez, S ir Clegis tellsSir Cador that a

“We have foundene in gone firth e, floresch‘

ede with leves, {lift (31

1

1

1

1

3 136 ?

as:pe flour of he faireste folke hat to hi foo langez,

drawn up in th e

wood,fii fty thosandez of folke of ferse mene of armez,

pat faire are fowteride on frounte undyr gone fro-bowes ;They are enbuschede one blonkkes, with benere dis

playede,

In gone bechene wode appone th e waye sydes ;Thayhafo the furtho forsetto alle of he faire watyre,That fayfully of force feghte us byhowys ;fi

'

or thus us schappes to daye, schortly to telle, figgeas

t

h ggesm

Whedyre we schone or schewe, schyst as he lykes.cc n u 7

Sir Cad or scorns

Nay, quad Cadore, so m e Cri ste helpe to retreat.It ware scham e hut we scholde schone for so lytylle

Sir Lancelott salle never laughe, hat with he kyng figggloih a

figuzi

;lengez,

at h im .

That I sulde lette my waye for lede appone erth eI salle be dede and undone ar I here dreche

,

Ifor drodo of any dogge-sone in gone dym e schawes

Syr Cador thane knyghtly com forthes h is pople,And with corage kene he karpes hes wordes,

Thynk one he valyaunt prynce hat vesettez us over,With landez and lordsch eppez , whare us beste lykes ;That has us ducheres delte

,and dubbyde us knyghttez ,

Gifene us gersom s and golde, and gardwynes many ;Grewh oundes and grett horse, and alkyne gamnes,That gaynez tille any gome, that undyre God benez ;Thynke one riche renOune of he rounde table,And late it never be refte us fore Rom ayne in erthe ;

ffeyne gow noghte feyntly, no frythes no wapyns,

Bot luke ge fyghte fayth efully, frekes gour-selfone

I walde be wollyde alle q ke,and quarterde in sondre

,

Bot I wyrke my dede, while I in wrethe lenge.”

52 THE KING OF LEBE PERFORMS GREAT DEEDS.

He dubs som e ofthem knights.

The British preparefor the fight.

Th e fight begins

han this doughtty duke dubbyd his knyghttez ,Joneke and Askanere, Aladuke and oher,

That ayerez were of E sexe, and alle hase este marchez ;Howelle and Hardelfe

,happy in armez

,

SirHerylle and sirHerygalle, hise harageouseknyghttez

Than th e soverayne assignede certayne lordez ,

SirWawayne, syr Uryelle, Sir Bedwere he riche,Raynallde and Rieh eere

,and Rowlandez childyre,

Takez kepe one this pryncewz'

tfi goure price knygh tez ,And gife we in he stour with stondene the better,Standez here in this stede, and stirrez no forthire

And gif he chaunce falle hat we bee over-oharggede,E schewes to some castelle

,and ch ewyse gow

- selfene ;

Or ryde to he riche kynge gif gow roo happyne,

And bidde bym come redily to rescewe hys biernez .

And than the Bretons broth ely enbrassez heire sch eldez,

Braydez one bacenetez , and bushes theire launcez .

Thus he fittez h is folke, and to he felde rydez ,fli f hundreth one a frounte fewtrede at onez

With trompes hay trine, and trappede stedes,With cornettes and clarions

,and clergialle notes

Sohokkes in with a sohakke, and soh ontez no langere,

There sohawes ware sch eene undyr he sehire eynez .And thane the Rom aynez rowtte rem owes a lyttille,

Raykes with a rerewarde has realle knyghttez

So raply hay ryde thare,that alle he rowte ryngez ,

Of ryves and raunke stele,and rych e golde m aylez ;

Thane schotte owtte of he sehawe sch iltrounis many,

With scharpe wapynes of ware schotande at ones

The kynge of Lebe be-fore the wawarde h e ledez ,And alle his lele lige mene olaundone ascriezThane this cruelle kynge castis in fewtire,Kagh te bym a coverde horse, and h is course haldez ,Beris to syr Eerille, and brath ely bym hittes

,

Throwgh e golet and gorgere he hurtez bym ewyne

The gome and he grette horse\at he grounde liggez ,

THE VALOUR OF SIR CADOR. 53

And gretez graythely to Gode, and gyfi'

es hym he saule !Thus es Berelle the bolde broghte owtte of lyve,And byddez aftyre Beryelle,

'

hat bym beste lykez .

And thane syr Cador of Cornewayle es carefulle in herte, giggigé

‘ isme

ffiBe-oause of his kynyse mane, hat hus es

‘

m ysearyede ;grief for ms I°SS °

Um beolappes the cors, and kyssez hym e ofte,Gerte kepe bym coverte with h is clere knyghttez .

Thane laughes the Lebe kynge, and alle on lowdemeles,

3one lorde es lyghttede I m e lykes the bettyre !He salle noghte dere us to daye, the devylle have [his]

bones I”

gone kynge, said Cador, karpes fulle large,

Be- cause h e killyd his kene Criste hafe hi sauleHe salle hafe corne bote

,so m e Criste helpe I 32353 21;

W "

Or I kaire of his coste, we salle encontre ones !

So m ay he wynde weile turune, I quyt te bym or ewyne,

Sothely hym selfene, or summ e of hi s ferezThane syr Cador he kene knyghttly he wyrkez ,Oryez ,

“ A ! Oornewale,”and castez in fewtere,

He enacts greatGIrdez streke thourghe he stour on a stede ryche deeds of “fl our.Many steryne mane he steride by strenghe of hym e one !

Whene h is sperewas sprongene, he spede hym fullegerne, ghefim

’ifiin

lanfii

Swappede owttewith a swerde, that swykede bym never , With hi s

Wroghte wayes fulle wyde, and wounded knyghttez ;Wyrkez his in wayfare fulle werkand sydez ,

And hewes of he hardieste balsez in sondyre,

That alle blendez with blode thare his blanke rynnez !

So many biernez the bolde broughte owt of lyfe ,

Tittez tirauntez doune, and temez theire sadilles,

And turnez owte of he toile, whene bym tym e thynkkez

Thane th e Lebe kynge criez fulle lowdeOne syr Cador the kene, with cruelle wordez ,Thowe hase wyrchipe wonne, and wondyde knyghttez !Thowewenes fore thiwightenez thewerlde es thynoweneI salle wayte at thyne honnde

, wy, be my trowtheI have warnede he wele, beware gif the lykez I

”

54

The new-m ade

sound of trumpets and spe

1D. res t, rush to18 12

Had not SirClegis and SirClem ent com e ,

th e new m en h adgone to nought.

Then Sir Cadorputs h is lance in

HE SLAYS THE KING OF LEBE .

With cornuse and clariones heis newe made knyghttezLythes un-to he orye, and castez in fewtire ;fi

'

erkes in one a fi'

rounte one fi'

eraunte stedez ,

fi’

ellede at he fyrste come fyfty att ones !

Schotte thorowe th e soh iltrouns, and soheverede launcez ,

Laid doune in he lum ppe lordly biernezAnd thus nobilly oure newe mene notez heire strenghez ,

Bot new notte es onone hat noyes m e sore

The kynge of Lebe has laughte a stede hat hym lykede ,

And comes in lordely in lyonez of silvere,

Um belappez he lum pe, and lattes in sondre

Many lede with hi s launce he lifi'

e has h e refede

Thus he chaces he oh ildire of he kyngez cham bire,

And killez in he cham panyse chevalrous knyghttez

With a ohasynye spere he choppes doune many !Thare was syr Alyduke slayne, and t inour wondyde,

Sir Origge and syr Erm yn galle hewene al to peoez

And ther was Lewlyne laughte, and Lewlyns brothire,

With lordez of Lebe,and lede to heire strenghez

1828 N e hade syr Clegis comene, and Clemente he noble,Oure newe mene hade gone to noghte, and many m a oher .

hane sir Cador the kene castez in fewtireA cruelle launce and a kene

,and to hekynge rydez ,

rest, and Strikes 18 3 2 Bittez hym heghe one the helme with his harde wapene,th e King of Lebefair on th e h elm et.

Th eheathen kingfalls to th e

ground m ortallywounded.

Sir Cador trium phs over him .

That alle the hotte hlode of bym to his hande rynnez

The h ethene harageous kynge appone he hethe lyggez ,An d of hi s hertly hurte helyde he never !

Thane syr Cador he kene cryez fulle lowde,

Thow has com e botte, syr kynge, hare God gyfe he

sorowe,

Thow killyde my cosyne, my kare es the lesse !

Kele the nowe in the claye, and oom forthe th i selfene !

1840 Thow skornede us langere with thi skornefulle wordez ,And nowe has how chevede soo it es thyne awene skatheHolde at how hente has, it harm ez bot lyttille,

ffor hethynge es ham eh olde, use it who so wille.

https://www.forgottenbooks.com/join

S IR CADOR TELLS ARTHUR OF THE FIGHT .

A few escape toa. castle.

Arthur’s knights 1884seek for theircom panions whoh ad been slain .

S ir Cador bidsthem carry themto th eKing.He goes to Pariswith th e pri

1888

soners , and

qui zkl returnsto Art ur.

Then h e tells h imof th e case that 1892had befallen.

They h ad foughtand slain m any.

Thus oure chevalrous mene chasez he popleTo a castelle they eschewede a fewe hat eschappede.

Thane relyez he renkez of he rounde table,fi

'

or to ryotte he wode, her he duke restezRansakes the ryndez alle

,raughte up theire feres,

That in he fightyng be-fore fay ware by-levyde.

Sir Cador garte chare theym ,and covers theme faire,

Kariede theme to the kynge with h is beste knyghttez ;And passez nu-to Paresche with presoners hym -selfene,

Betoke theym e the proveste, pryncez and cher

Tase a sope in the toure, and taryez no langere,

Bot tournes tytte to he kynge, and hym wyth tunge telles.

yr,”sais syr Cador, a caas es be-fallene

We hafe cownterede to day, in gone coste ryche.

With kyngez and kayseres, krouelle and noble,

And knyghtes and kene m en clenlych arayede !

Thay hade at gone foreste forsette us he wayes,At the furthe in he fyrthe, with ferse mene of armesThare faughtte we in faythe, and foynede with sperys,

One felde with thy foo mene,and fellyd theme on lyfe.

The kyng of Lebe es laide,and in he felde levyde,

And manye of h is lege mene hat here to bym langedeGher lordez are laugh te of uncouthe ledes ;We hafe lede them at lenge, to lyf whilles he lykez .

Divers of their 1904 SirUtereand syrEwaynedyre, theishonourableknyghttez ,gh tsweretaken prisoners,

But of Arthur’s 19 12knights fourteenwere slain.

Sir Beryl waskilled at the first

Be an awntere l of armes Joneke has nomm ene,

With erlez of he Oryentte, and austerene knyghttez ,

Of awncestrye he beste mene hat to he oste langede

The senatour Barouns es kaugh tewith a knyghtte,

The capitayne of Cornette, that crewelle es haldene,The syneschalle of Suters unsaughte wyth hes cher,The kynge of Surry bym - selfene

,and Sarazenes.

ot fay of ours in he felde a fourtene knyghttez ,

Iwillenoghte feyne ne forbere, but faythfully tellene

Sir Berelle es one, a banerette noble,1 Written inMS. a m wntere.

ARTHUR IS ANGRY AT THE Loss or HIS KNIGHTS. 5 7

Was killyde at he fyrste come with a kynge ryche ;

Sir Alidoyke of Towelle, with h is tende knyghtez ,Em ange he Turkys was tynte, and in tym e fondene

Gude sirMawrelle of Mauncez , and Mawrene his broher ,SirMeneduke ofMentoche

,with m ervailous knyghttez .

”

hane th e worthy kynge wrythes, and wepede withhis enghne ,

Karpes to hi s cosyne syr Cador theis wordez ,Sir Cador

,th i corage confundez us alle !

Kowardely thow castez owtte alle my beste knyghttezTo putte mene in perille, it es no pryce h oldene,Bot he pertyes ware purvayede, and powere arayede ;

beginning of thefray.

ThenArthur wasgrieved,

and speaks to hi scousin Sir Cadorbitter words .

When theyware stade on a strenghe, hou sulde hafe with- stondene,

Bot gif thowe wolde allemy steryne stroye for he nonys1928 Sir,

”sair syr Cador, ge knowe wele

'

gourselvene ;

3c are kynge in this kythe, karpe whatte gow lykysSalle never upbrayde m e

, hat to hi burde langes,That I sulde blyne for theire boste, thi byddyng towyrche ;Whene any stirttez to stale

,stud e hame he bettere,

Ore thei wille be stonayede, and stroyed e in gone strayte

londez .

I dide my delygens to daye, I doo m e one lordez,

And in daungere of dede fore dyverse knygh ttez ,19 3 6 I hafe no grace to hi gree, bot syche grett wordez ;

3if I heveri my herte, my hape es no bettyre.

”

sofe syr Ar thurs ware angerde, he ansuers faire,

Thow has dough ttily donne, syr duke, with thi bandez,And has donne thy dever with my dere knyghttez ;fior~thy thow arte dem yde, with dukes and erlez

,

ffor one of he dough tyeste hat dubbede was ever !Thare es none isch ewe of us, on this erthe sprongene ;

Thow arte apparant to be ayere,are one of th i ch ildyre

Thow arte my sister sone,for- sake salle I never ! ”

hane gerte he in his awene tente a table be sette,

And tryede in with trom ppez travaillede biernez ;Serfede them solem pnely with selkouthe m etez,

S ir Cad or replieswith dignity .

He had only donehis duty

,

but is ill repaidby such hardwords.

Then Arthur re

tracts.He acknowledgesCador h ad doneh is devoir.He was one ofth e bravest of thebrave,and h eirapparentto th e throne.Therefore h e

would never forsake h im .

Then h e m akes anoble feast in h isown tent for th eknights wh o hadbeen engaged inth e fight.

THE EMPEROR IS OUT -MAN CEUVRED BY ARTHUR.

Swythe sem ly in syghte wi th sylverene di schees.

Whene the senatowrs harde saye hat it so happenede,They saide to he em perour,

“ thi seggez are suppryssede !

Sir Arthure, thyne enm y has owterayede hi lordez ,That rode for he rescowe of gone riche knyghttezThow dosse bot tynnez hi tym e

,and turm enttez hi pople ;

Thow arte be- trayede of hi mene, that moste thow on

That schalle turne the to tene and torfere for ever .

Than the em perour irus was angerde at his herte,ffor oure valyant biernez siche prowesche had wonnene.With kynge and with kaysere to consayle they wende,Soverayngez of Sarazenez

,and senatours manye

if

;11238

31

31

23a Thus he semblez fulle sone certayne lordez ,

And in th e assemble thane he sais them theiswordez ,My herte soth ely es sette

,assente gif gowe lykes,

To seke into n one,with my sekyre knygh ttez ,

To fyghte with my foo mene, if fortune m e happene,

3if I m ay fynde the freke with- in the foure halvez

in

utéat

,

“ intoOr entire in-to Awguste awnters to seke,And byde with my balde menewith- in he burghe ryche ;Riste us and revelle

,and ryotte oure selfene

,

Lende hare in delytte in lordech ippez ynewe,To syr Leo be comene with alle h is lele knyghtez ,With lordez of Lumberdye, to lette hym e the wayes.

Bot owre wyese kyng es warre to wayttene his renkes,And wyesly by he woddez voydez his oste ;

Gerte felsobene hi s fyrez , fiawm ande fulle heghe,Trussene fulle traystely, and trennt there aftyre .

Schene into Sessoyne, he soughte at the gayneste,

And at the surs of he sonrie disseverez h is knyghttez

fi'

orsette theme the cite appone sere halfez ,So-daynly on iche halfe

,with sevene grett stales.

An ely in the vale a vawewarde enbusches ;

Sir Valyant of Vyleris, with valyant knyghttez,

Be-fore he kyngez visage made siche avowez ,

ARTHUR DISPOSES HIS TROOPS.

To venquyse by victorie the vescownte of Rome !fi

'

or-th i the kynge chargez bym ,what chaunce so be-falle,

Oheftayne of the cheekke,with chevalrous knyghttez ,

And sythyne meles with mouthe, hat he moste traystez :Dem enys the m edylwarde m enskfully hym e selfene,

flittes his fote-mene,alles bym faire thynkkes

On frounte in the fore breste, the flour of h is knyghtez ,

His archers on aythere halfe he'

ordaynede her-aftyre

To schake in a sh eltrone, to schotte whene hame lykez ;He arrayed in he rerewarde fulle rialle knyghtez ,With renkkes renownd of he rounde table,Sir Raynalde, sir Richere, that rade was never,

19 9 6 The riche Duke of Rowne wyt ryders ynewe ;Sir Cayous, sir Clegis, and clene mene of armes,The kyng castes to kepe be haa clere strandes.Sir Lott and syr Launcelott, hise lordly knyghttez ,

2000 Salle lenge on h is lefte hande,wyth legyones ynewe,

To meve in he morne, while gif he m yste happynue ;Sir Cador of Oornewaile, and h is kene knyghtez ,To kepe at heKarfuke, to close in ther ohere

2004 He plantez in siche placez pryncez and erlez,

That no powere sulde passe be no prevé wayes.

Bot the em perow onone, with honourable knyghtez

and erlez,enteres the vale

,awnters to seke

,

2008 And fyndez sir Arthare with h ostez arayede ;

And at his ih - come, to ekkene h is sorowe,

Oure burlych e bolde kynge appone th e bente howes,With hi s bataile one brede, and baners displayede.He hade he cete for- sett appone sere balfes

,

Bothe the clewez and he clyfez with clene mene of armezThe mosse and he marrasse, the m ounttez so hye,

With gret m ultytude of mene, to marre bym in hewayes.Whene syr Lucius sees, he sais to his lordez

,

This traytour has truuunt 1 this tresone to wyrcheHe has the cete forsett appone sere

i

halfez,

1 Or trennt.

59

Th e King givesh im com m and ofth e vanguard ;h e him selfdirects

He arranges thearchers on eitherflank ,P laces renownedknights for a

rearguard.

Then Sir Luciusdeclares with

6 0

wrath that thereis no way else butto fight, for fly 2020h e m ay not.

He arrays hisrich Rom ans.

Th e Viscount isin the van.

2024

They drink and

m ake m erry.

Arthur callsuponth e Viscount ofValence, andthreatens h im

with vengeance. 2048

SIR LUCIUS EXHORTS THE ROMANS.

Allehe clewez and the cleyfi'

ez with clene mene of armez !

Here es no waye i-wys, ne no wytt elles,Bot feghte with oure foo-mene

,for flee m ay we never !

Thane this ryche mane rathe arayes hi s byernez ,

Rowlede hi s Rom aynez , and realle knyghtez ;

Buschez in the avawm ewarde the vescounte of Rome,fifro Viterbe to Venyse, theis valyante knyghtezDresses up dredfully the dragone of golde,With egles al

- over, enam elede of sable ;

Drawene dregh ely the wyne, and drynkyne thereaftyre,Dukkez and dusseperez , dubbede knyghtez ,

fi‘

or dauncesynge of Duche-mene, and dynnynge of pypez ,Alle dynned fore dyne that in he dale hovede.

And thane syr Lucius on lowde said lordlyche wo

'

rdez,

Thynke one the m yche renownne of gour ryche

fadyrs ;

And the riatours of Rome, hat regnede with lordezAnd the renkez over rane alle that regnede in erthe

,

Encrochede alle Oristyndom e be craftes of armesIn everiche a viage the victorie waShaldene

In sette alle he Sarazenes within sevene wyntter,The parte firo the Porte Jafi

'

e to Paradyse gatez

Thogh e a rewm e be rebelle, we rekke it bot lyttille !

It es resone and righte th e renke be restreynede !Do dresse we tharefore , and byde we no langere,

fi'

ore dredlesse with-owttyne dowtte, the daye schalle becurez

Whene heise wordez was saide, theWalsche kynge hymselfene

Waswarre of thiswyderwyne,hatwerrayedeh isknyghttezBroth ely in the vale with voyce he ascryez ,

Viscownte of Valewnce, envyous of dedys,

The vassalage of Viterbe to daye schalle be revengede !

Unvenquiste for his place voyde schalle I neverThane the vyscbwnte valiante, with a voyse noble,

Avoyedyde th e avawewarde, enverounde hi s horse ;

THE DEEDS or ARTHUR’S KNIGHTS. 6 1

2052 He drissede in a derfe schelde, endenttyd with sable,With a dragone engowschede, dredfulle to schewe,Devorande a dolphyne with dolefulle lates,In seyne that oure soveraygne sulde be distroyede,

205 6 And alle done of dawez with dynttez of swreddez ;

fi’

or thare es noghte bot dede thare th e dragone es raissede !Thane th e com lyche kynge castez in fewtyre,With a crewelle launce cowpez fulle evene

20 6 0 Abowne he spayre a spanne, em ange he schortte rybbys,That the splent and the spleene on th e spere lengez !

The blode sprente owtte and sprede as he horse spryngez ,And he sproulez fulle spakely, bot spekes he no more

20 6 4 And thus has syr Valyant haldene h is avowez ,And thus d id h eredeem hisword.

And venq ste he viscownte, thate victor was haldene !Thane syr Ewayn e syr Fytz Uriene fulle enkerlye rydez

SirEwainem akesa bold attem pt to

Onone to th e em perour h lS egle to towche ;“ am the h m

peror.

2 0 6 8 Thrugh e his brode bataile he buskes be-lyfe,

Braydez owt h is brande with a blyth ohere,

Roverssede it redelye, and awaye rydyS ;

fferkez in with“

the fewle in hi s faire bandez,20 7 2 And fii ttez in freely one fi

'

rounte with h is feris.Now buskez syr Lanncelot, and braydez fulle eveneTo syr Lucius the lorde, and loth elye hym e hyttez ;

SirLancemtth e Lord Lucius.

Thurghe pawnce and platez he percede the m aylez ,

20 7 6 That the prowde penselle in h is pawnche lengezThe hede haylede owtt be-hynde ane halfe fote large,Thurgh e hawberke and hanche

,with he harde wapyne !

The stede and th e sterynemane strykes to he grownde,2080 Strake downe a standerde, and to his stale wendez '

Me lykez wele,”sais syr Loth, “

gone lordez are delyverede now com e.

The lott lengez nowe on m e, with leve of my lorde

To day salle my name be laide,and my life aftyre,

2084 Bot some leppe fro th e lyfe, that one gone lawnde hovezThane strekez th e steryne, and streynys h is brydylle,

Strykez in-to the stowre on a stede ryche,

6 2 THE FIERCE CHARGE OF THE GIANTS.

He 818 3's 3 giant, Enjoynede with a geaunt, and j aggede bym thorowe !

Jolyly thi s gentille for-justede anoher,

Wrogh te wayes fulle wyde, werrayande knyghtez ,An d wondes alle wathely, that in he waye stondez

ffyghttez with alle th e fi‘

rappe a furlange of waye,

$28mge o

war '

2 092 fi'

elled fele appone felde with his faire wapene,Venqwiste and has the victorie of valyaunt knyghtez ,

And alle enverounde the vale, and voyde whene bymlikede

hane bowm ene of Bretayne brothely ther-aftyreBekerde with bregaundez of ferre in tha laundez ,

With flonez fleterede hay flitt fulle frescly her frekez ,flichene with feth eris thurghe he fyne m aylez

Sithe flyttynge es foule that so th e hesche derys,2 100 That flowe o ferrom e In fiawnkkes of stedez

313 3wDudartc

iI

fen Dartes th e Duche-mene daltene agaynes,

With derfe dynttez of dede,dagges thurgh e scheldez

Qwarelles qwayntly swappez thorowe knyghtez

With iryne so wekyrly, that wynche they never.

So they schérenkene fore schotte of he scharppe arowes,

That all th e sch eltrone schonte, and sch oderide at ones

Thane riche stedes rependez, and rasches one armes ;2 108 The hale h owndreth e one hye appone heyghe lygges,

Bot gitte he h athelieste on by, haythene and cher

Allh oursches over hede harm es to wyrke.

And alle theis geauntez be-fore,engenderide with fendez ,

Joynez on sir Jenitalle, and gentille knyghtez ,With clubbez of clene stele clenkkede in helmes

,

Graschede doune crestez , and craschede braynez ;

Hyllede cousers and coverde stedes,2 11 6 Choppode thurghe chevalers one chalke-whytte stedez .

Was never stele ne stede m yghte stande them agaynez ,

Bot stonays and strykez doune, that in he stale h ovys.

Tille he conquerour come with h is kene knyghttez ,2 120 With crowelle contenaunce he cryede fulle lowde,

“ I wende no Bretounswalde beebasschede for so lyttille,

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SIR CAYOUS IS SLAIN BY A COWARD.

2 15 6 Prekez one he proudeste with his price knyghttez .

Sir Kayous, sir Clegis, with clene m ene of armez,Enconters theme at he clyfi

'

e with elene m ene of armez ;fiyghttes faste in he fyrth , frythes no wapene,

2 1 6 0 fielled at he firste come fyfe hundrethe at ones !

And when they fande theym foresett with oure fersknyghtez ,

ffewe mene agayne fele, m ot fyche theme bettyre ;fi

’

eghttez with alle he frappe, foynes with speres,

An d faughte wi th the frekkeste hat to Fraunce langez.He ki lls a king. Bot sir Kayous he kene cestis in fewtyre,

Chasez one a coursere, and to a kynge rydys ;

With a launce of Lettowe h e th irllez hi s sydez ,

2 1 6 8 That the lyver and he lunggez on he launce lengez.The sch afte scodyrde and schott in the sehire byerne,And soughte thorowowte he schelde, and in he schalke

rystez .

shindig;

5

,3}e Bot Kayous at the income was kepyd nu-fayrecoward kni ght

2 17 2 With a cowarde knyghte of he kythe ryche ;

At th e turnyrige that tym e the traytours bym hitteIn thorowe th e felettes, and in he flawnke aftyre,That the boustous launce he bewelles attam ede

,

pat braste at he brawlyng, and brake in he m yddys.Sir Kayous kuewe wele, be hat kyde wounde,That he was dede of he dynte, and done owte of lyfe.

He feels that h e Than he raykes one arraye and one rawe rydezh as received a

giftr

giiikegggggi 2180 One this ryalle his dede to revenge ;th e °°Ward ° Kepe the, cowarde,

”and calles bym sone,

Cleves bym wyth h is clere brande clenliche in sondireHadde thow wele delte thy dynt with thi bandes

,

I hade forgefi’

ene he my dede, be Crist now of hewyne1”

He weyndes to hewyese kynge, and wynly hym gretes,I am wathely woundide, waresche mone I never !Wirke nowe th i wirchipe, as he worlde ash es

,

And brynge m e to beryelle, byd I no moreGrete wele my ladye he qwene, gife he werlde happyne,

ARTHUR TAKES DIREFUL VENGEANCE . 6 5

And alle he burliche birdes hat to h ir boure lengezAnd my worthily weife, hat wreth ide m e never ,Bid hire fore h ir wyrch ipe wirke for my saulle

The kyngez confessour come, with Criste in hi s bandes, Then com es th e

King’s confessorffor to com forthe the knygh te, kende bym he wordes ; with th e holyThe knyghte coueride on h is knees with a kaunt herte

wafer.

And caughte h is Creatoure hat com furthes us alle !Thane rem m es he riche kynge fore rewthe at his herteRydes in-to rowte his dede to revengePresede ih -to he plum pe, and with a prynce metes,That was ayere of Egipt in thos este marchesCleves bym with Collbrande clenlyche in sondyre

He cleaves a"

E gyptian princeHe broches evene thorowe he byerne, and he sadille asund er

bristes,

And at he bake of he blonke he bewelles entam ede

22 04 Manly in h is m alycoly he metes anoher, fin

hiili r h e Chow

The medille of hat m yghtty, hat bym m ych e grevede ;

He m erkes thurghe the m aylez the m yddes in sondyre ,

That the m yddys of he mane on he mounte fallez ,2208 he toher halfe of he haunch e on he horse levyde.

Of hat hurte, alls I hope, heles he neverHe schotte thorowehe schiltrounswithh is scharpewapene, gioh

i

igt

hl

ggls

e

way

Schalkez he schrede thurghe, and schrenkede m aylez ;battle

22 12 Baneres he bare downne, bryttenede scheldes,

Brothely with browne stele h is brethe he hare wrekesWrothely he wryththis by wyghtnesse of strengh e,

Woundes hese whydyrewyns, werrayede knyghttes,22 16 Threppede thorowe he thykkys thryttene syth is,

Thryngez throly in the thrange, and chis evene aftyreThane sirGawayne the gude,withwyrch ipfulleknyghttez , figkf

a

mine

fif:Wendez in the avawewarde be tha wodde hem m ys ;

Per“ “10 1“

2220 Was warre of syr Lucius, one launde there h e hovys,With lordez and ligge mene, that to hym e- selfe lengede .

Thane the em perour enkerly askes bym sonue,

What wille thow, Gawayne, wyrke with th i wapyne2224 I watte be th i waveryng, thow willnez aftyre sorowe ;

ARTHUR SLAYS THE EMPEROR LUCIUS.

I salle be wrokyne on thi wrethe,for alle thi grete

wordez P”

He laughte owtte a lange swerde, and luysch ede one ffaste,

And sg/r Lyonelle in the launde lordely bym strykes,

222 8 Hittes bym on he hede, hat he helme bristisHurttes h is hem e-pane an haunde-brede large !Thus he layes one he lumppe, and lordlye heme served ,VVondide worthily wirchipfulle knygh ttez !

fil

l

l

fodn

éik

vfis

frghfi22 3 2 ffighttez with Florent that beste es of swerdez ,S ir F lorent ' Tille he fom ande blode tille his fyste rynnes !

Thane he Rom ayns relevyde, hat are ware rebuykkyde,

And alle to-rattys oure mene with theire ri'

ste horsses ;223 6 fi

'

ore they see haire ch eftayne be chauffede so sore,

They chasse and choppe doune oure chevalrous knyghttes !Sir Bedwere was borne thurghe, and hi sbreste thyrllecle ,

sfgifedwere is With a burlyche braunde, brode at he hiltes ;

The ryalle raunke stele to h is h ertte rynnys,

And h e rusches to he erthe, rewthe es the more IThane he conquerour tuke kepe, and come with hi s

strenghes

To resch ewe he ryche mene of he rounde table,2244 To owttraye he em perour, gif auntire it schewe,

Ewyne to he egle, and Arthure askryes.

The em perour thane egerly at Arthure he strykez ,

Th e E m peror Awkwarde on he umbrere, and egerly bym bittezs trikes

o

Arthur on

t he Vi sor. and 2248 The nakyde swerde at he nese noyes bym sare,wounds his face.

The blode of bolde kynge over he breste rynnys,Beblede at he brode schelde and he bryghte m ayles !

Oure bolde kyngebowesheblonke behe bryghte brydylle ,

figt

lhfl

fl

gtgzggg(

h

ag;2252 With h is burlyche brande a buffette bym reches,

gfi ggahthhead Thourgh e hebrene and hebrestewith his bryghtewapyne,

O -slante doune fro he slote he slyttes at ones

Thus endys he em perour of Arthure hondes,

225 6 And allh is austeryne oste hare-of ware affray ede

Now they ferke to he fyrthe, a fewe hat are levede,{for ferdnesse of oure folke, by he fresche strandez !

22 6 4

22 6 8

THE SLAUGHTER AND PLUNDER OF THE ROMANS. 6 7

The floure of cure ferse mene one fi’

erant stedezffolowes frekly on he frekes, thate ffrayede was never.

Thane he kyde conquerour cryes fulle lowde,

Cosyne of Cornewaile, take kepe to hi—selfene,That no captayne be kepyde for none silver,

Arthur’s m en

pursue.

Or sg/r Kayous dede be cruelly vengedeNay,

”sais syr Cador,

“so m e Criste helpe

Thare ne es kaysere ne kynge, hast undire Criste rygnnes, Sh“ Cad“ de‘

clares that h e

hat I ne schalle kille oolde dede be crafte of my bandez W illspare neitherking nor kaisar.

Tharem yghtemenesee chiftaynes, on chalkewh itte stedez ,Choppe doune in the chaas ch evalrye noble ;

Rom aynes he rycheste and ryalle kynges,r A fearful carnageBraste Wi th ranke stele thei re rybbys In sondyre fonows.

Grayves fore-brustene thurghe burneste helmes,With brandez for-brittenede one brede in he laundez ;They h ewede doune haythenemenewith h iltede swerdez ,.Sfi

f

ghegym e

fi333Be hole hundrethez on hye,

'

by he holte eynyes !d red g

Thare m yghte no silver theym save,ne socoure theire

lyves,

Sowdane ne Sarazene, —ne senatour of Rome !Thane relevis he renkes of the rounde tableBe he riche revare, that rynnys so faire ;Lugegez thaym luflye by he lyghte strandez ,

Alle on lawe in he lawnde, that lordlyche byernesThay kaire to he karyage, and tuke whate them likes,

Kam elles and sekadrisses,and cofirs fulle riche

,

Hekes and hakkenays, and horses of armes,Howsynge and herbergage of heyth ene kyngez ;

They drewe owt of drom ondaries dyverse lordes,Moyllez m ylke wh itte, and m ervaillous bestez ,

Elfaydes, and Arrabys, and olyfauntez noble,her are of he Oryent, with honourable kynges.

Bot syr Arthure onone ayeres her-aftyre

Ewyne to the Em perour , with honourable kyngis ;Laugh te bym upe fulle lovelylywith lordliche knyghttez ,And ledd e hym e to he layere, thare the kyng lygges.

THE TWO SUPPLIANT SENATORS .

Thane harawdez heghely, at beste of the lordes,Hunttes upe the haythem ene, that on heghte lygges,

grgle

pgggies

agfith e 229 6 The Sowdane of Surry

,and certayne kynges,

chief m en of

are em !

Sexty of he ch eefe senatours of Rome.

a m ed and

wrapped m lead ’Thane they bussches and bawm ede hai re honourli che

kynges.

Sewed theme in sendelle sexti faulds aftire,

Lappede them in lede, lesse that they schuldeChawnge or chawffe, gif hay m yghte escheffe ;

“ Closed in Closed in kystys cleneun-to Rome,chests , and sentto Rom e withth eir banners Wi th thei re bauers abowne

,thei re bagi s there undyre,

Over 2 3 04 Inwhate countre hay haire that knyghttes m yghte knawe

Iche kynge be h is colours, in kyth whare lengede.Omone one th e secounde daye

,sone by he morne,

Twa senatours ther come,and certayne knyghttez ,

2 3 0 8 Hodles fro he hethe, over he holte eynes,

Barefote over he bente, with brondes so ryche,

Bowes to he bolde kynge, and biddis hym he hiltes,Whethire he wille hang theym or hedde

,or halde theym e

on lyfe

2 3 12 Knelyde be- fore he conquerour in kyrtilles allone

With carefulle contenaunce hay karpide hese wordes,Twa senatours we are

,th i subgettez of Rome

,

That has savede oure lyfe by heise salte strandys ;

2 3 1 6 Hyd us in he heghe wode, thurghe he helpynge of CristeBesekes the of socoure, as soveraygne and lorde !Grants us lyffe and lyme with liberalle herte

,

fi'

or h is luffe that the lente this lordch ipe in erthe

Th e King grants 2 3 20 “ I graunte,”quad gude kynge, thurghe grace of m y

zh em their liveson condition o f selfenetheir carrying a

m e sa e for h im

to £ 0516 . I grife gowe lyffe and lyme,and leve for to passe

,

So ge doo my message m enskefully at Rome,

That ilke charge hat I gow giffe here be-fore my cheefeknyghttez .

”

2 3 24 3is,”sais the senatours,

“ that salle we ensure,

Sekerly be oure trowhes thi sayenges to fullfille

2 3 3 6

2 3 48

THE BODIES OF THE GREAT MEN ARE SENT To ROME . 6 9

We salle lett for no lede hat lyffes in erthe,

fiore pape ne for potestate,ne prynce so noble

,

That ne salle lelely in lande thi letteres pronounce,ffor duke ne fore dussepere, to dye in he paynehane the banerettez ofBretayne brogh te heme to tentes ;There barbours ware bownne

,with basyns one lofte, Th e British lordsbr ing barbers and

With warme watire i-wys they wette theme fulle sone ;basene arid bathsfor them , In order

They schovene this schalkes scharpely ther- aftyre,to prove theirsubm ission.

To rekkene theIS Rom aynes recreaunt and goldene ;fi

'

or- thy sohove they theme to schewe, for skom fitte of

Rome.

They coupylde he kystys on kam elles be- lyve,

On asses and arrabyes, theis honourable kyngesThe em peroure for honoure, alle by bym one

,

Evene appone ane olyfaunte, hys egle owtt overe ;Be-kende theme the captyfis the kynge dide hym - selfene

,

And alle byfore hi s kene mene karpede thees wordes,“

Here are th e kystis,

”quad the kyng, “ kaire over Arthur charges

them to say

he m ownttez ; that they have

M full 11 k 11 (1brought th e ar

rears Of tributeette e monee hat ge ave m e y e gerne e, due from him to

The taxe and he trebutte of tene schore wyntteres, Rom e

That was tenefully tynte in tym e of cure elders :Saye to the senatoure, he ceté hat gemes,That I sende hym e he somm e, assaye how hym e likes !Bott byde theme nevare be so bolde

, Whylles my blode 51h;regnes,

ever get from

Efte for to brawllee heme for my brode landez ,N e to aske trybut ne taxe be nakyne tytle,Bot syche tresou/re as this

,whilles my tyma lastez .

Nowe they raike to Rome the redyeste wayes,

Knylles in th e capatoylle, and com owns assembles,

Soverayngez and senatours, the ceté hat gemes ;Beokende theme the caryage, kystis and ohar ,Alls he conquerour com aunde with cruelle wordes.“We hafe trystily trayvellede his tributte to feche,The taxe and he trewage of fowre score wynteris,

and bid th e R0m ans beware.

2 3 6 8

ARTHUR BURIES H IS KNIGHTS .

Of Iglande, of Irelande and alle hir owtt illes,That Arthurs in the occedente ocupyes att ones

He byddis gow nevare be so bolde, whills h is blode regnes

To brawle gowe fore Bretayne ne hi s brode landes,N e aske hym e trebute ne taxe be nonkyns title,Bot syche tresoure as this

, wh ills hi s tym e lastis.

We haffe foughttene in ffrance , and us es foule happenede,And alle oure m yche faire folke faye are by

-levedeEschappide there ne chevallrye , ne cheftaynes nohar,Bott choppede downne in the chasse, syche chawnce es

be-fallene !We rede ge store gowe of stone, and stufi

'

ene gour walles

3Ow wahkons wandrethe and werre ; be-ware, gif gow

lykes

In the kalendez of Maye this caas es be-falleneThe roy ryalle renownde, with h is rownde table,

One the coste of Constantyne by he clere strandez,

Has he Rom aynes ryche rebuykede for ever !Whene he hade fough ttene in Praunce, and the feldewonnene

,

And fersely h is foom ene fellde owtte of lyfe ,

He bydes for he beryenge of his bolde knyghtez ,That in batellewith brandez ware broughte owte of lyfe .

He beryes at Bayone syr Bedwere he ryche ;The cors of Kayone he kene at Came es belevefede

,

Koveride with a crystalle clenly alle over ;His fadyre conqueride hut kyth knyghtly with hondesSeyne in Burgoyne he bade to bery m o knygh ttez ,

Sir Berade and Bawdwyne, sir Bedwar he rych e,And syr Cador at Came, as h is kynde askes.

Thane syr Arthure onone,in he Auguste her-aftyre,

Enteres to Alm ayne wyth ostez \arrayed ;

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ARTHUR SCORNS DANGER.

With ferreraunde ferawnte, and ohar foure knyghtez ;Abowte the cete ha sevene

,thay soughte at he nextte,

To seke theme a sekyre place to sett withe engeynes ;

Thane they beneyde in burghe bowes of vyse,Bekyrs at he bolde kynge with boustouse lates,All-blawsters at Arthure egerly schottes

,

ffor to hurte hym e or h is horse with hat hard wapeneThe kynge schonte for no schotte

,ne no schelde askys,

Bot schewes bym scharpely in his schene wedys ;Lenges alle at laysere, and lokes one the wallys,Whare hey ware laweste the ledes to assaille .

Sir,

”said syr fferere, a ffoly thowe wirkkes,

Thus nakede in thy noblaye to neghe to he walles,Sengely in thy surcotte

,this ceteto reche

,

And schewe he with -in,there to sch ende us alle.

243 6 Hye us hastylye heynne, or we mone fulle happene,ffor hitt they th e or thy horse

,it harm es for ever

fiifiiu

énfi éfii“ Ife th owe be ferde,

”quad the kyng, “ I rede thow

ryde uttere,

Lesse hat hey rywe the with theire rownd wapyne !Thow arte bot a fawntkyne, ne ferly m e thynkkys

pauwille be fiayede for a fiye hat one thy flesche lyghttesI am e nothynge agaste, so m e Gode helpe !

hof siche gadlynges be grevede, it greves m e bot lyttille !

Thay wyne no wirch ipe ofme,bot wastys theire takle !

They salle wante or I weende,I wagene myne hevede !

Salle never harlotte have happe, th orowe helpe of myLorde

,

To kylle a crownde kyugawith krysom e enoynttede

Then com e th e

gallant troops of2448 Thane come he herbargours, harageous knyghtez ,

Arum“ The hale batelles one hye harrawnte ther-aftyre ;

And oure forreours ferse,appone fele halfes

,

Come flyeande be- fore one ferawnt stedes ;fferkande in arraye theire ryalle knyghttez ,

The renkez renownde of he rownnd table :Alle he frekke mene of Praunce folowede thare aftyre,

HIS TROOPS ARE GALLANTLY ARRAYED.

ffaire fittyde one frownte, and one the felde h ovys.245 6 Thane the schalkes scharpelye sch eftys theire h orsez ,

To schewene them semly in the ire sch eene wedes ;Bush es in batayle with baners displayede,With brode scheldes enbrassede, and burlyche helm ys,

246 0 With pennons and penselles of ylke prynce armes,Appayrellde with perrye and pretious StonesThe lawnces with loraynes, and lemande sch eldes,

Lyghtenande as he levenynge, and lem and al overhane th e price mene prekes, and proves heire horsez ,Satilles to he cete, appone sere halfes ;

Enserches the subbarbes sadly thare-aftyre,

Discoveris Of schottea-mene,and skyrm ys a lyttille ;

24 6 8 Skayres haire skottefers, and theire skowtte waches,Brittenes theire barrere with theire bryghte wapyns ;Bett downe a barbycane, and he brygge wynnys,Ne hade th e garnysone bene gude at he grete gates,

24 7 2 Thay hade wonne that wone be theire awena strenghe !

Thanewith-drawes oure mene,and drisses theme bettyre,

fib r dred of he drawe-brigge dassch ede in sondre ;Hyes to he harbergage, thare the kynge hovys

24 7 6 With hi s battelle one heghe, horsyde on stedys ;

Thanewas heprynce purvayede, and heire places nom ene

Pyghte pavyllyons of palle, and plattes in seegge.

Thane lenge they lordly, as heme leefe th oghte,2480 Waches in ylke warde

,as to he werre falles,

Settes up sodaynly certayne engynes ;

One Sonondaye be he soone has a fleche goldene .

7 3

and all th e bravem en of France

following them .

They cause theirsteeds to curvetto show thei rbright caparisons.

Their banners aredisplayed ; broadshields Of brassand m ighty h elm ets pennonsem blazoned witharm s.

Th e lances glancelike lightning.

Th e ch ief m en

exhibit th e speedof their horses.They encom passth e city on diverssides,skirm ishwith th egarrison ,

and break downtheir defences.

But the garrisonat th e great gateschecks them .

The kynge calles one Florente, hat flour was of Arthur calls for

knygh ttez ,

2484 TheFraunch e-mene enfeblesches,ne farlym e thynkkys !

They are nu- fondyde folke in ha faire marches,fibr theme wantes he hesche and fude that theme lykes.Here are fforestez faire appone fele halves

,

2488 And thedyre feem ene are fiede with freliche bestes !Thow salle foonde to he fella, and forraye the m ountes ;

S ir F lorent, andsends h im on an

expedition intoth e neigh bour iugcountry to collectsupplies.

2492

249 6

2500

He sees a knightwell arm ed,

and a page carry 2520ing h is spear.

THE ADVENTURE OF SIR GAWAIN E .

Sir florawnt and syr Florydas salle folowe th i brydylle ;Us moste with some fresche mette refresche our pople,That are feedde in he fyrthe with he froyte of he erthe.

Thare salleweende to his viage sir Gawayne hym - selfene,

Wardayne fulla wyrch ipfulle, and so bym wele semes :SirWecharde

,syrWaltyre, theis wyrch ipfulle knyghtes,

With alle wyseste mene of heWeste marches :Sir Clegis, syr Clarybalde, syr Clarym ownde he noble,The capytayne oo wardyfe clenlyche arrayede.

Goo now,warne alle he wache, Gawayne and ohar

,

And weendes furthe on gour waye withowttyne m oo

wordes.”

Now ferkes to he fyrthe thees fresche mene of armes,To he felle so fewe, theis fresclyche byernes,

Thorowe hopes and hym lande hillys and ohar,Holtis and hare woddes with heslyne schawes,Thorowe m arasse and mosse and montes so heghe ;And in the m yste m ornynge one a mede falles

,

Mawene and un-made,m aynoyrede bott lyttylle,

In swathes sweppene downe fulle of swete flouresThare unbrydilles theis bolde, and baytes heiré horses,To he grygynge of he daye, that byrdes gane synge ;Whylles the surs of he sonue, hat sonde es of Cryste

,

That solaces alle synfulle, hat syghte has in erthe.

Thane weendes owtt the wardayne, syr Gawayne hym

selfene,

Alles he hat weysse was and wyghte, wondyrs to seke ;Thane was h e warre of a wye wondyre wele arm yde,

Baytand one a wattire banke by he wodde eynis,

Buskede in brenyes bryghte to be-halde

,

Enbrassede a brode schelde on a blonke ryche,

With birenne ony borne, bot a boye one

Hoves by bym on a blonke,and his spere holdes ;

He bare sessenande in golde thre grayhondes of sable,With chapes a cheynes of chalke whytte sylver,A charbocle in he cheefe, chawngawnde of hewes

,

HE FIGHTS W ITH SIR PRIAMUS.

2524 And a cheefe anterous, chalange who lykes.

Sir Gawayne glystes on the gome with a glade wille !A gretespere fro h is grome h e grypes in h ondes,

Gyrdes ewena overe the strem e one a stede ryche252 8 To hat steryne in stour, one strenghe hare he hovys !

Egerly one Ingli sce Arthure he askryes,

The toher irouslye ansuers hym e sone

On a launde of Lorrayne with a-lowde steaene,

25 3 2 That ledes m yghte lystene he lenghe of a m yle !

Whedyr prykkes thow, pilour, hat profers so large ?

Here pykes thowe no praye, profire whene he lykes !Bot thow in his perelle put of the bettire,

25 3 6 Thow salle be my presonere, for alle thy prowde lates

Sir,”sais syr Gawayne, so m e Gode helpe !

Siche glaverande gomes greves m e bot lyttille !

Bot if thowe graythe thy gere, the wille grefe happene,25 40 Or thowe goo of his greve, for alle thy grete wordes

Thane heire launces they lachene, thes lordlyche byernez ,Laggene with longe speres one lyarde stedes ;Cowpene at awntere be brastes of armes,Tille bothe he crowelle speres broustene att ones !

Thorowe sch eldyshey schotte , and sch erde thorowemales,Bothe schere thorowe schoulders a schaftm onde large !Thus worthylye hes wyes wondede ere bothene ;

2548 Or they wreke heme of wrethe a-waye wille hey never !

Than they raughte in the reyne and a-

gayne rydes,Redely theis rathe mene rusches owtte swordez

,

Hittes one hellm es fulle

’

hertelyche dynttys,

Hewes appone hawberkes with fulle harde wapyns !ffulle stowttly hey stryke thire steryne knyghttes,

Stokes at he stom ake with stelyne poynttes,ffeghttene and floresche withe flawm ande swerdez

,

Tille he hawes of fyre flawm es one theire helmes.Thane syrGawaynewas grevede, and grythgide fulle soreWith Galuthe his gude swerde grym lye he strykes !

Glefe he knyghttes schelde clenliche in sondre !

Then they laytheir spearsrest, and m eet.

111

which flows overall his dress.

Then th e knightj eers at h im , andsays th e bloodshall never bestaunched.

S ir Gawains d esp ishs h is words ,

Th e knight willte ll h im if Gawaine will allowhim to haveshrift and pre

pare him self forhis end .

Gawaine readilygrants thi s.

THE KNIGHTS ARE BOTH WOUNDED.

25 6 8

25 7 6

2588

2592

Who lukes to he lefte syde,whene his horse launches,

With he lyghte of he sonne m en m yghte see hi s lyvers !Thane granes he gome fore greefe of h is wondys,

And gyrdi s at syr Gawayne, as be by glentis ;

And awkewarde egerly sore he bym sm yttes ;

An alet enam elde he oches in sondire,Bristes he rerebrace with th e bronde rych e,Kerves of at he coutere with he clene egge,

Anetis he avawm brace vrayllede with silverThorowe a dowble vesture of velvett ryche,

With he venym ous swerde a vayne has he towchede !That voydes so violently hat alle h is witte changede !

The vesere, th e aventaile, hi s vesturis rych e,With the valyant blode was verrede alle over !

Thane this tyrante tite turnes he brydille,Talkcs un-tendirly, and sais

, pow arte towchede !

Us bus have a blode bande, or th i ble change,fi

’

or alle he barbours of Bretayne salle nogh te thy blodestawnche

fior he hat es blem este with his brade brande, blyneschalle h e never .

”

3a,”quad syr Gawayne, thow greves m e bot lyttille !

Thowe wenys to glopyne m e with thy gret wordez !

Thow trowes with thy talkynge hat my harte talm es !

Thow betydes torfere or th owe byene turne,Bot thow telle m e tytte, and tarye no lengere,

What m ay staunche this blode hat thus faste rynnes.

3ife I say he sothely, and sekire he my trowthe,NO surggone in Salarne salle save he bettyre ;With-thy hat thowe enfire m e

,for sake of thy Cryste,

To schewe schortly my schrifte, and schape for myne

3is, quad syr Gawayne, so m e God helpe !I gyfe he grace and graunt, thofe hau hafe grefe servedeWith-thy thowe say m e sothe what thowe here sekes

,

Thus sengilly and sulayne alle hi\-selfe one

SIR PRIAMUS TEL LS HIS NAME AND LINEAGE .

And whate laye thow leves one, layne noghte he sothe,And whate legyauuce, and whare how arte lorde .

”

“My name es syr Priamus ; a prince es my fadyre,Praysede in his pertyes with provede kynges ;In Rome thare he regnes he es riche balaena ;He has bene rebelle to Rome, and redene theire landesWerreyand weisely wyntters and geres,

Be witt and be wyssdom e,and be wyghte strenghe,

And be wyrch ipfulle werre hi s awene has he wonne.He es of Alexandire blode

,overlynge of kynges,

2 6 0 4 The uncle of h is ayele,syr Ector of Troye ;

And here es the kynredene that I of come,And Judas and Josue

,hise gentille knygh tes

I am e apparaunt h is ayere, and eldeste of oher ;2 6 0 8 Of Alexandere and Aufrike

,and alle ha owte landes

,

I am in possessione,and plenerly sessede.

In alle he price cetees that to he porte langes,I salle hafe trewly the tresour and the londes

,

2 6 12 And bothe trebute and taxe wh illes m y tyma la‘

stes ;

I was so hawtayne of herte, wh illes I at home lengede

I helde nane m y hippe h eghte undire hevene rycheffor- thy was I sente hedire with sevene score knyghttez

2 6 1 6 To asaye of this werre,be sente of my fadire ;

And I am for Cyrus witrye scham ely supprisede,

And be awtire of arm es owtrayede for evere !Now hafe I taulde the he kyne that I ofe come,

2 6 20 Wille thow for knyghthede kene m e thy nam e ?

“Be Criste, quad syr Gawayne,

“knygh te wys I never !

With he kydde conquerour a knafe of h is cham byre

Has wroghte in his wardrope wyntters and geres,

2 6 24 One h is longe armour that hym beste lykidI poyue alle his pavelyouns hat to bym - selfe pendes

,

Dygh ttes h is dowblettez for dukes and erles,

Aketouns avenaunt for Arthure bym selfene,

2 6 28 That he usede in werre alle this aughte wyntter !He made m e gomane at gole, and gafe m e gret gyftes,

7 7

heir of Africa.

HE TELLS GAwAINE OF THE DUHE’S ARMr.

And 0 . pound and a horse,and harnayse fulle ryche ;

Gife I happe to my hele that hende for to serve,

I be h elpene in haste, I bette the fore sothe

be

“$23, Giffs h is knafes be syche, h is knygh ttez are noble !

fishifcgggggg There es no kyngeundireCristem ay kempewith bym one !

fla g, andHe wille be Alexander ayre

, hat alle he erthe lowttede,Hector will be 7 )

nothing to him .2 6 3 6 Abillere hane ever was syr Ector of Troye.

Now fore the krisom e hat hou kaghte that day hou

was crystened e,

glin si i‘ifm

igg Whethire thowe be knyghte or knafi’

e,knawo now he

sothe

My name es syr Gawayne, I graunt he forsothe,He

.

is Sir.

Ga 2 6 40 Cosyne to the conquerour, he knawes it hym e selfene ;warne, cousm to

chggtqlil

rfil

g

o

lii Kydd in his kalander a knygh te of his ch am byre,th e Round And rollede the richeste of alle he rounde table !

I am e he dussepere and duke he dubbede with his hondes,2 6 44 Deynttely on a daye be- fore hi s dere knyghtes ;

Gruch e noghte, gude syr , hofe m e this grace happene ;It es he gifte of Gode

, the gree es hys awena !”

Then Sir Priam us Petire I” sais Priamus, “now payes m e bettire

says this is betterto h im than any 2 6 48 Thane I of Provynce warre prynce, and ofParesche rycheearthly posses

ffore m e ware lever prevely be prykkyd to he harte,Than ever any prikkere had Siche a pryse wonnyne !

fin recom per

ése. Bot here es h erberde at handes, in gone huge boltes ,

8 warns a

waine that th e 2 6 52 Halle bataile one heyghe, take hede gif the lyke !Duke of Lorraine

githiii;

k

i

r

l

r

l

ishg

g The duke of Lorrayne the derfe, with h is dere knygh tes,WOO5119 9“ The doughtyest of Dolfm ede, and Duch em ene many

,

The lordes of Lumbardye that leders are beldene,2 6 5 6 The garnysone of Godarde gaylych e arrayede,

The wyese of heWestvale, wirchipfulle biernez ,Of Sessoyne and Surylande Sarazenes enewe ;

h o“ They are nowm erde fulla negbe, and nam ede in rollez2 6 6 0 Sexty th owsande and tene for- soths of sekyre mene of

armez ;Bot gif thow hye fro his hethe, it harm es us bothe,And bot my hurtes be sone holpene

'

,hole he I never !

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THEY ARE HEALED OF THEIR WOUNDS.

J

Th en wine and 2 7 1 6provisions are

brought to them .

Braydes of his bacenette and h is rych e wedis,

Bownrzes to h is brode schelde and bowes to he erthe,In alle th e bodye of that bolde es no blode leved

Than preses to syr Priam ous precious knyghtes,Avyssely of h is horse bentis hym in armes ;Hi s helme and h is hawberke thay takene of aftyre,And hastily for h is hurtte alle his herte ch awngyd ;

Thay laide hym e downe in the lawndez , and laghte of

h is wedes,

And he levede bym one lange, or how bym beste lyked e ;A ffoyle of fyne golde théy fand e at h is gyrdille,

pat es fulle of he flour of he foure welle,pat flowes owte of Paradice whene he fiode ryses,

That m yche froyt of fallez , hut feede schalle us alle ;Be it frette on h is flesche

,hare synnes are entam ede

,

The freke schalle be fisch e halle with- in fowre howres.

They uncovere hat cors with fulle clene bondes ;With clere watire a knyghte clensis theire wondes,

Keled theym e kyndly, and oom forthed her hertes.

AndWhene he carffes ware clene, hay clede them agayne

Barelle ferrers theybrochede,and broghte theme thewyne,

Bothe brede and brawne, and bredis fulle ryche ;Whene hay hade etene anone they arm ede after.Thane th a awntrende m en as armes askryes,With a claryoune clere, thire knygh tez to-

gedyro,

The scouts hring 2 7 20 Callys to concelle,and of this case tellys

news of th e arm yencam ped in the

wood.

SirGawains is forattacking them ,

30ndyr es a com panye of clene mene of armes,The keneste in contek hat undir Criste lenges ;In gone okene wode an oste are arrayede,

Undir takande mene of hiese owte loudes ;As sais us syr Priam ous

,so helpe seynt Peter !

”

“Go,mene, quad Gawayne,

“and grape in goure hertez ,

Wh o salle graythe to gone greve to gone gret lordes ;

3if we gettlesse goo home, the kyng wille be grevede,And say we are gadlynges, agaste for a lyttille :

We are with syr Florente, as to-daye falles,

S IR FLORENT AND HIS MEN FIGHT .

That es floure of ffraunce,for he fleede never ;

2 7 3 2 He was chosene and ch argegide in cham bire of he kynge,Chiftayne of his journee with ch evalrye noble ;Wheth ire he ghte or h e flee

, we salle folowe aftyre,

fl'

ore alle he fere of gone folke forsake sall'

e I never ! ”

2 7 3 6 fl'

adyre,”sais syr Florent, fulle faire ge it telle !

Bot I am e bot a fawntkyne, unfraystede in armes ;

3if any foly be-falle, he fawte salle be owrs,

And freindly’

o Fraunce be flem ede for ever !2 7 40 Woundes noghte gour wirch ipe, my witte es bot sym ple ;

3c are owre wardayne i-wysse, wyrke as gowe lykes ;

3c are at the ferreste noghte passende fyve hundrethe,And hat es fully to fewe to feghte with theme alle,

2 7 44 ffore harlottez and hausem ene salle helpe bott littille ;They wille hye theym e byene for alle heire gret wordes !I rode ge wyrke aftyre witte, as wyesse m en of armes

,

And warpes wylily a-waye,as wirchipfulle knyghtes.

”

2 7 48 “ I grawnte,”quad syr Gawayne,

“so m e Gode helpe !

Bot here are galyarde gomes hat of he gre servis,

The kreuelleste knyghttes of he kynges cham byre,That kane carpe with the coppe knyghtly wordes ;

2 7 52 We salle prove to daye who salle the prys wyne .

”

Nowe ferriours fers un-to he fyrth e rydez ,And fouugez a faire felde

,and on fotte lyghttez ;

Prekes aftyre he pray, as pryce mene of armes.2 7 5 6 fllorent and Floridas

,with fyve score knygh ttez ,

fl'

olowede in he foreste, and on he way fowndys,

fflyngande a faste trott, and on he folke dryffes.Than felewes fast to our folke wele a fyve hundreth

2 7 6 0 Of freke mene to he fyrthe, appone fresche horses ;One syr Berannt be-fore, apone a fayre stede

,

(Was fosterde in Fam acoste,the fende was h is fadyre)

He flenges to syr Florent, and prystly he kryes,2 7 6 4 “Why flees thow, falls knyghte he fende hafehi saule

Thane syr fliorent was fayne, and in fewter castys ;

One fawnelle of flryselande to fferaunt he rydys,

81

He is for a care

ful retreat.

He calls scorn

fully on Sir Florent,

The one sideshout “ Lo

NOBLE DEEDS OF THE KNIGHTS .

And ragh te in he reyne on he stede ryche,And rydes to-warde the rowte, restes he no lengers !fl

’

ulle butt in he frounte he flysch es hym e evene,An d alle dysfegoures h is face with hi s fella wapene !

Thurghehi sbryghtebacenettehis braynehashe towchede,

And brustene h is neke-bone, hat allhi s breste stoppede !

Thane hi s cosyne askryede, and cryede fulla lowde,Thowe haskillede oolde dedehekynge of alleknyghttesHe has bene fraistede on felde in fyftene rewm es ;

He fonde never no freke m yghte foghte with bym one !

Thow schalle dye for his dede with my derfe wapene,And allhe doughtty for dule hat in gone dale hovesfl

'

y,”sais syr fforidas, thow flieryande wrych e !

Thow wenes for to flay us, flioke-m owthede schrewe

Bot ffloridas with a swerde, as he by glenttys,

Alle he flesch e of he flanke he flappes in sondyre,

That alle the hlthe of he freke and fele of he guttes

ffoloes his fole fotte

,whene he furthe rydes !

Than rydes a renke to resch ewe hat byerne,That was Raynalde of he rodes, and rebelle to Criste,Pervertede with Paynym s hat Cristene persewes ;Presses in prowdiy, as he praye wendes,fl bre he hade in Prewsslande myche pryce wonnene ;fl br-thi in presence thare he profers so large !Bot thane a renke syr Richere of he rounde table,One a ryalle stede rydes hym agaynes ;

Throwe a rownnde rede schelde h e ruschede hym sone,

That the rosselde spere to hi s herte rynnes !The renye relys abowte and rusches to he erthe,Roris fulle ruydlye, bot rade he no more !N ow alle hat es fere and unfaye of hes fyve hundrethfl

‘

alles on syr fflorent, a ffyve score knyghttes ;Be-twyx a plasche and a flode

,appone a flate lawnde,

Oure folke fongene theire felde, and fawghte themeagaynes.

Than was lowde appone lofte Lorrayne askryede,

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SIR GAWAIN E CHEERS HIS FRIENDS .

Than he duke of Lorrayne dresesse thare aftyre,

With dowbille of he Duche-mene, hat doughtty ware

h oldene

28 3 6 Paynym es of Pruyslande, prekkers fulle noble,

Come prekkande be-fore with Priam ous knyghttez .

Th e Earl is in Than saide the erle Antele to Algere hi s broher,d ignant that Arthur ’

s kni ghts Me angers ernestly at Arthures knyghtez !should ventureze

h

r

sse

geh se greet 2840 Thus enkerly one an oste awnters heme selfene ;

They wille be owttrayede anone,are undrona rynge,

Thus folily one a felde to fygh te with uS alle !

Bot thay be fesede in faye, ferly m e thynkes !

2844 Walde they purposse take, and passe one th eire wayes,

Prike home to th eire prynce, and theire pray leve,Theym yghtelengh eneth eirelyefe, and lossenebottlittille !

It wolde lyghte my herte, so helpe m e oure Lorde

hihth§,

gs3r

§s“hai

l?2848“ Sir, sais syr Algere, thay hafe littille usede

though they are To be owttrayede withe oste ; m e angers he more !so few

l

ih

fy are

a m ate or an

arm y. The fayreste schalle be fullafeye, hat 111 oure floke ryddez ,Alls fewe as they bene

,are they th e felde leve

hane gud Gawayne, gracious and noble,Alle with glorious gle h e gladdi s his knyghtes ;

Gloppyns noghte, gud mene, for gleterand scheldes,

sofe gone gadlyngez be gaye one gone gret horses !

Banerettez of Bretayne, buskes up gour h ertes !

Beesnoghtebaiste of gone boyes, ne of haire bryghtewedis !

We salle blenke th eire boste for alle theire bolde prafire !Als bouxom e as birde es in bede to h ir lorde,

28 6 0 gefl‘

e we feghte to daye, he felde schalle be owrs !

The fekille faye salle faile, and fallssede be distroyede !

sene folk is one ffrountere, unfraistede th eym e semes ;Thay make faythe and faye to he fend selvena

We salle in this viage victoures be h oldene,And avauntede with voycez of valyant biernez

Praysede with pryncez in presence of lordes,And luffede with ladyes in dyverse londes !

Aughte never siche honoure none of oure elders,

A NOBLE JOUSTING TAKES PLACE. 85

Unwyne ne Absolone, ne none of theis oherWhene we are moste in destresse, Marie we m ene

,

l

That es oure maisters seyne, hat h e m ych e traistezMelys of hat m ylde gwene, that m enskes us alle ;

Who SO meles of hat mayde, m yskaries -h e neverBe hesewordesware saide

,theyware noghte ferre behynde 33311

9

31

3?com e

Bot the lengbe of a launde, and Lorayne askryes ;

Was never siche a justynge at J ourne in erthe,

In the vale of Josephate, as gestes us telles,Wh ene Julyus and Joatalle ware juggede to dy,As was whene he ryche mene of he rownds tableRuschede In to he rowte one ryalle stedes !Ifor so rathely hay rusche with roselde speris,

The rascal routrun , but th e richm en of theRound

And karede to hut courte as cowardes for ever ! Tehle fight

That the raskaille was rade, and rane to he grefes,

“ Peter ! ” sais syr Gawayne,“ this gladdez myne herte !

vah anfl y ’

That gone gedlynges are gone, that made gret nowm bre ! Stal

ifii

e

ne

flfigfi’

éfis

f

I hope that thees harlottez salle harme us bot littille,th e rabble

ffore they wille hyde theme in haste with-in gone holteenis !

g

Thay are feware one felde han haywere fyrste nom birde,Be fourrtythousand in faythe, for alle theyre faire hostes.

”

Bot one Jolyan of Jene, a geante fulla howge,Has J onede one syr Jerant a Justie of Walis ;Thorowe a J erownde schelde he j ogges hym thorowe,

And a fyne gesserawnte of gentille m ayles !

Joynter and gem ows he J ogges in sondyre !

One a J ambe stede his jurnee he makesThus es he geante for-juste, that errawnte Jewe,And Gerarda es j ocunde, and J oyes bym he moreThan the genatours of Genne enj oynes att ones,And fxykis one he frowntere welle a fyve hundreth ; figgffigfihtgfiA freke h ighte syr ffederike, with fulle fele oher,fferkes one a frusche, and fresclyche askryes

To fyghte with oure fforreours, hat one felde hovis

1rename erased, and mene written in m argin.

THE FOLLOWERS OF SIR PRIAMUS DESERT .

And thane th e ryelle renkkes of he rownde table

2904 Rade furths fulle ernestly, and rydis theme agaynes,Mellis with the medillewarde

,bot theyware illemachede ;

Of Siche a grett m ultytude was m ervayle to here.

Seyne at he assemble th e Sarazenes discoveresThe soveraynge of Sessoyne, that salvede was never ;Gyawntis for

-justede wi th gentille knyghtes,Thorowe gesserawntes of Jene jaggede to he herte !They hewe thorowe helmes hawtayne biernez ,

Pat he hiltede swerdes to haire bertes rynnysThan he renkes renownde of the rownd tableRyffes and ruyssches downe renayede wreches ;And thus they drevene to he dede dukes and erles,

29 1 6 Alle he dreghe of he daye, with dredfulle werkes '

hane syr Pri am ous he prynce, in presens of lordes,Presez to h is penowne, and pertly it hentes ;

Revertede it redily, and a-waye rydys

2 920 To he ryalla rowte of he rownde tableAnd beyly h is retenuz raykes bym aftyre,

fl'

or they h is resone had rede on h is schelde ryche.

Owte of he sch eltrone hey schede,as sch epe of a folde

,

And steris furth to he stowre, and stode be heire lorde !Seyne they sent to he duke, and saide bym hise wordes,We hafe bene thy sowdeours this sex gere and more ;We forsake he to daye be serte of owre lorde !

We sewe to oure soveraynge in sere kynges londes

Us defawtes oure feez of his foure wyntteres ;Thow art feble and false, and noghte bot faire wordes ;Oure wages are werede owte, and hi werre endide

,

29 3 2 We maye with oure wirch ipe weend whethire us lykes !I red howe trette Of a trewe, and trofle no lengere,

Or how salle tyne of th i tale ten thosande or evene.Th e Duke ‘m ‘

ffya debles ! saide heduke,“ the devellehavegourbones !swers furiously.

2 9 3 6 The dawngere of gon dogges drede schalle I never !We salle dele this daye, be dedes of armes,My dede and my ducherye, and my dere knyghtes !

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Then Hardolf,happy in arm s ,

and sixty m ore.

He avenges theChild,

Sir Gawaine follows with cau

ARTHUR’S KNIGHTS ARE VICTORIOUS.

2988

29 9 6

And egerly h e bente owte, and hurte anoher,An haythene knyght, Hardolfe, happye in armesSleyghly in at th e slotte slyttes hym e thorowe,

That th e slydande spere of h is hande sleppes !

Thare es slayne in hat slope, be elagere of h is bondes,Sexty slongene in a Slade of sleghe m en of armes !

pofe syr Gawaynne ware wo, he wayttes bym by,

And was warre of hat wye that the childe wondyde,And with a swerde swiftly he swappes him thorowe,

That he Swyftly swelte, and on he erthe swounesAnd thane he raykes to herowte, and ruyschesone helm ys ;Riche hawberkes he rente

,and rasede schyldes ;

RydeS one a rawndoune, and hi s rayke holdesThorow owte he rerewarde he holdes wayes,And thare raughte in the reyne thi s ryalle he rych e,And rydez in

-to the rowte of he rownde table.hane oure chevalrous m en chengena theirs h orsez ,Chases and choppes downe cheftaynes noble

Hittes fulle hertely on helmes and sch eldes,

Hurtes and hewes downe h aythene knyghtez !Ketelle hattes they cleve evene to he sch oldirs !

Was never siche a clamour of capitaynes in erth e

Thare was kynges sonues kaughte, curtays and noble,And knyghtes of he contre, that knawene was ryche ;Lordes of Lorayne and Lumbardye bothene.

Laughe was and lede in with our lele knyghttezThas hat Chasede that daye, their chaunce was bettire,Swiche a cheke at a chace esch evede theym e never !

hen syr fflorent be fyghte had he felde wonene,He fl

’

erkes ine before with fyve score knyghttezTheirs prayes and theire presoneres passes one aftyre,With pylours, and pavysers, and pryse

'

m ene of armes.Thane gudly syr Gawayne gydes h is knyghttez ,

Gas in at he gayneste, as gydes hym telles,fiore greffe of a garysone of fulle gret lordes

Sulde noghte gripeupe h is gere, ne\swyche gramewurche

THE KING HEARS THE GOOD NEWS AND ASSAULTS THE CITY. 89

fl’

ore- thy they stode at the straytez , and with his stalehovede,

Tille h is prayes ware paste the pathe that he dredis ;Whene they the cete m yghte see that the kyng seggede

Sothely th e same daye was wit asawte wonnene,

An hawrawde hyes before, the beste of the lordes,Hom at he herbergage, owt of tha hyghe londesTornys tytte to he tente, and to the kynge tellesAlle the tale sothely, and how they hade syede

“Alle thy forreaurs are fere, that forrayede with- owttyne, giznA

tgt

fau

fif132

Sir fllorent,and syr ffloridas, and alle thy ferse knyghtez mfifih if}.a?

3 020 Thay hafe forrayede and foghtenewith fulle gret nowmherald’

byre,And fele of thy foo-mene has broghte owt of lyfl

’

e

Oure wirch ipfulle wardayne es wele esch evyde,

ffor he has wonne to-daye wirchipp for evere3 024 He has Dolfyne slayne, and he duke takyne !

Many dowghty es dede by dynt of h is hondesHe has presoners price, pryncez and erles

,

Of he richeste blode hat regnys in erthe

Alle thy chevallrous mene faire are eschewede,

Bot a childe Chasteleynne m yschance eS befallene.Hawtayne, sais he king, harawde be CristeThow has helyd myne herte, I hete the for- sothe lI gife the in Ham ptone a hundreth pownde large.

The kynge han to assawte h e sembles hisknyghtez ,With som ercastelle and sowe appone sere halfes

Skystis his skotiferis, , and skayles th e wallis,

And iche wache has h iswarde with wiese mene of armes.Thane boldly hay buske, and hendes engynes,Payses in pylotes and proves th eire castes ;Mynsteris and m asondewes they malle to he erthe,Ch irch es and chapelles chalke whitte blawnchede.Stone tepelles fulle styffe in he strete ligges,

The? em ? allbefore them .

Chawm byrs with chym nes, and many cheefe inns ;

Paysede and pelid downe playsterede walles

THE CITY IS SURRENDERED.

The pyne of he pople was pete for to here !Thane he duchez hire dyghte with dam esels ryche,

The cowntas of Crasyne with hir clere m adyns,

Knelis downe in the kyrnelles thare the kyng hovede,On a coverede horse com lyli arayedeThey knewe hym by contenaunce

,and oriede fulle

lowde,

Kyng crownede of kynde, take kepe to hese wordes !

We be- seke gow, syr , as soveraynge and lorde,

Th e ladies sue

for m ercy.

That ge safe us to daye, for sake of goure Cri ste !Sende us some socoure

,and saughte with the pople,

Or he cete be sodaynly with assawte wonnene

He weres his vesere with a vowt noble,3 05 6 With vesage verteuous, this valyant bierne

Moles to hir mildly with fullameke wordes,

a mm o hurt shall Salle no m ysse do gow,m a-dame

, hat to m e lengeshefe “them I gyf gow chartire of pes, and goure ch eefe m aydens,

3 0 6 0 The ch ildire and he chastemene, the chevalrous knyghtez

The duke es in dawngere, dredi s it bott lyttylleHe salle I dene he fulle wele, dout gow noghte elles.Thane sent he one iche a syde to certayne lordez ,

Segggggfe sur '

3 0 6 4 ffor to leve he assawte, the cete was goldeneWith he erle eldeste sone he sent bym he kayes,And seside he same dyghte, be sent of he lordesTh e duke to Dovere es nyghte, and allehis dere knyghtez ,To duelle in dawngere and dole he dayes of hys lyve,Thare fleedeat the ferreregate folkewithowttynenom byre,fl

’

or ferde of syr tflorent and h is fers knyghtezVoydes the cete and to the wode rynnys,

With vetaile, and vessella, and vestoure so ryche

Th ay buske upe a banere abowne he brode gatesOf syr fflorent in ffay, SO fayne was h e neverThe knyghte hovys on a hylle, beholde to he wallys,And saide, “ I see be gone syngne the cete es oures

Sir Arthure enters anone with hostes arayede,Evene at he undrone etles to lenge ;

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92 THE LORD OF MILAN MAKES SUBMISSION.

Sir fliorent and syr flloridas han fowndes before,With ffreke mene of ifraunce welle a fyve hundrethTo he cete unsene thay soghte at he gayneste,

Sirmerent hleh te 3 11 6 And sett an em busch em ent, als heme- selfe lykys ;Thane isch ewis owt of hat cete fulle sone be he morne,Slale di scoverours, skyftes theire horsesThan skyftes hes skoverours, and skippes one hyllis,

3 120 Discoveres for skulkers that they no skath e lym ppene ;

Poveralle and pastorelles passede one aftyre,

With porkes to pasture at the price gatesBoyes in he subarbis bourdene ffulle heghe,At a bare synglere that to he bente rynnys.Thane brekes oure buschem ent

,and the brigge wynnes,

and captures theBrayedez in

-to he burghe with baners di splayede,city.Stekes and Stablis thorowe that them agayne

- stondes ;

3 128 ffowre Stretis,or hay stynte, they stroyene fore evere !

comm

Now es the conquerour in Combe, and hi s courte holdesWith-in th e kyde castelle, with kynges enoynttede

Be consaillez the comm ons hat to he kyth lengez,Com fourthes he carefulle with knyghtly wordez ;Made a captayne kene a knyghte of hys awena,Bot alle the contré and he fulle sone ware acCordide.

The syre of Melane herde saye he cete was wonnene,And send to Arthure sertayne lordes,Grete somm es of golde, sexti horse ch argegid ,

Be- soghte hym e as soverayne to socoure he pople,And saide h e wolde sothely be sugette for ever,And make hym e servece and suytte for h is sere londes ;

fl'

or plesaunce of Pawnee, and of Pownte Tremble,ffor Pyse, and for Pavy, he profers fulle large,Bothe purpur , and palle, and precious stonys,Palfrayes for anyprynce, and provede stedes

And ilke a gere for Melane a m elione of golde,Mekely at Martynm esse to m enske with hi s hordes

And ever withowttyne askynge he and h is ayers

Be homagers to Arthure, whilles his lyffe lastis.

THE POPE SENDS A CARDINAL TO MAKE TERMS . 9 3

The kynge be h is concelle a condethe bym sendis, fie piiihhi

m ga

‘

éAnd he es comene to Combe, and knewe bym as lorde. Com e

Into Tuskané h e tournez

,whene hus wele tym ede

, figgyfntm

Takes townues fulle tyte with towrres fulle heghe ;Walles he welte downe

, wondyd knyghtez ,

Towrres he turnes, and turm entez he pople !Wroghte wedewes fulle wlonke, wrotherayle synges,

3 15 6 Ofte wery and wcpc,and wryngene theire handis

And alle h e wastys with werre, thare he awaye rydez gggnr

gg’eeee the

Thaire welthes and theire wonnyges, wandrethe he

wroghte

Thus they spryngene and sprede, and sparis bot lyttille,

Spoylles dispetouslye, and spillis th eire vynes

Spendis un- sparely

, hat sparede was lange,Spedis theme to Spolett with speris inewe

firo Spayne in-to Spruyslande the worde of hym e

sprynges,

And spekynuges of hi s spencis, di sspite es fulle bugge !

Towarde Viterbe this valyant avires the reynes ;Avissely in hat vale he vetailles h is biernez ,With vernage, and ohar wyne

,and venysone bakena

And one the vicounte londes he visez to lenge.Vertely the avawmwarde voydez theire h orsez

In the Vertennone vale, the vines im angez ,

Thare suggeou/rnes this souerayne, with solace in herte,To see whene the senatours sent any wordes ;Revelle with riche wyne, riotes hym selfene

,

This roy with his ryalle mene of he rownde table,With m yrth is, and melodye, and many kyne gamnes ;Was never m eriere m en made one this erthe

Bot one a Saterdaye at none, a sevenyghte thare aftyre,The konyngeste cardynalle that to the courte lengede difmhm i

igixie

Knelis to he conquerour , and karpes thire wordes, is sent t° him ,

Prayes hym for he pes, and prafyrs fulle large,To hafe pete of he Pope, hat put was at-undere

Be-soghte bym of surrawns, for sake of oure Lorde,

94 ARTHUR REJO ICES AT HIS SUCCESS.

Bot a sevenyghte daye to hay ware alle sem blede,

$33 $53? Sigh 3 184 And they schulde sekerlye bym see the Sonondaye

crown h im as

Sovereign in 1) e’ afhyl’

8!

ROm e ’

In the cete of Rom e, as soveraynge and lorde

And crowne hym kyndly with krysom ede hondes,

With his ceptre, as soveraynge and lorde

gi ggle?if; 3 188 Of this undyrtakynge ostage are comyne,

ggghs c

o f h ie Of ayers fulle avenaunt awughte score childrenrie,

In toges of tarsse fulle richelye attyrde,

And betuke theme the kynge, and his clere knyghttes.

When they had tretide thiere trewe, with trowm pynge

herafter

They tryne unto a tente, whare tables whare raysede ;

The kynge hym e selfene-

é s sette, and certayne lordes,Undyre a sylure of sylke sawghte at the burdez

Alle the senatours are sette sere be hame one,

Serfed solem ply with selcouthe metes

The kynge m yghty of myrthe, with h is milde wordes,Rehetez the Rom aynez at his riche table,

3 200 Com forthes the c‘

ardynalle so kynghtly hym e selvena;And this roye ryalle, as rom awns us tellis,Reverence th e Rom ayns in his riche table ;The tawgh te mene and he conynge, whene theme tyma

thoghte,

Tas th eire lefe at he kynge, and tornede agayne

To he cete hat nyghte thaye soughte at he gayneste,And thus th e ostage of Rome with Arthure es levede.ban this roy royalle rehersys theis wordes,

!“t glefi fiee 3 208 ‘Now m ay we revelle and riste fore Rome eshi m self for h is

great success.oure awene

Make oure ostage at ese, hise avenaunt childyrene,

And luk ge hondene theme alle that in myne oste lengez ;The em perour of Alm ayne, and alle theis este marches,

3 2 12 We salle be overlynge of alle hat one the erthe lengez

We wille by he crosse dayes encroche heis loydez ,518

3211

851223 And at he Crystynm esse daye be crownued ther-aftyre ;

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THE SI! KINGS ON THE WHEEL .

With he drowghte of he daye alle drye ware he flores !Than discendis in the dale

,downe fra he clowddez ,

A duches dere-worthily dyghte in dyaperde wedis,In a surcott of sylke fulla selkouth ely h ewede,

Alle with loyotour overlaide lowe to he hemm es,

ghe

s

s

dghgeiifrge And with ladily lappes the lenghe of a gerde,

And alle redily reversside with rebanes of golde,Bruchez and besauntez

,and ohar brygh te stonys,

With h ir bake and hir breste was brochede alle over,With kelle and with corenalle clenlich e arrayede,

And hat so comly of colour one knowene was never !A-bowte cho whirllide a whele with h ir whitte hondez ,Over-wh elm e alle qwayntely he wh ele as cho scholde ;

The rowella whas rede golde with ryalle stonys,

Raylide with reched and rubyes inewe ;The spekes was splentide alle with speltis of silver ,The space of a spere lenghe springande fulla faire ;There one was a chayere of chalke-whytts silver,

3 2 6 8 And ch ekyrde with charebocle chawngynge of hewes ;Appone he compas ther clewide kyngis one rawe,With corowns of clere golde hat krakede in sondire

Sexwas of hat setille fulla sodaynliche fallene,Ilke a segge by hym e selfe, and saide theis wordez ,‘ That ever I regnede one hir rog, m e rewes it ever !Was never roye SO riche that regnede in erthe

.

!

Whene I rode in my rowte,roughte I nogh te elles

,

Bot revaye, and revelle,and rawnsone the pople

And thus I drife forthe my dayes, whilles I dreghe

m yghte,

fi ffior

h

gvei

g And there-fore derflyche I am dam pnede for ever ! ’

The laste was a litylle mane that laide was be-nethe,

His leekes laye alle lene and lathelich e to schewe,

The lokkes lyarde and longe the lengbe of a gerde,His lire and h is lygh am e lamede fulla sore

pa two eyne of the byeryne was brigh ttere hane silver,3 2 84 The toher was galowere thene the golke of a naye

,

THE KINGS DESCRIBED. 9 7

‘ I was lorde,’

quad the lede, of loudes i-newe,And alle ledis m e lowttede that lengede in erthe

And nowe es lefte m e no lappe my lygham to hele,Bot lightly now am I loste

,leve iche mane the soths

The secunde syr forsothe hat sewede theme aftyre,Was sekerare to my Sigh te, and saddare in armes ;Ofte he syghede unsownde, and said theis wordes,‘ Ou gone see hafe I Sittene, as soverayne and lorde,And ladys m e lovede to lappe in theyre armes

And nowe my lordch ippes are loste, and laide for ever !’

The th irde thorowely was three, and thikke in the £ 321

,nschuldyrs,

A thra m an to thrette of,there thretty ware gaderide ;

His dyadem e was droppede downe, dubbyde with stonys,Endente alle with diam awndis, and dighte for he nonis‘ I was dredde in my dayes

,

’h e said

,

‘ in dyverse rewm es

And now dam pnede to he dede, and dole es th e more "

The fourte was a faire mane, and forsesy in armes,pa fayreste of fegure that fourm ede was ever !‘ I was frekke in my faithe

,

’ he said,

‘whilles I one

fowlde regnede,

fl'

am ows in fl’

erre londis, and floure of alle kynges ;

Now es my face defadide,and foule es m e hapnede,

fl'

or I am fallene fro ferre, and frendles by-levyde

Thefifthwas veryThe fifte was a fai re mane hane fele of thIes ohar, fierce and violem .

A fl'

orsey mane and a ferse,with fom and lippis

He fongede faste one he feleygh es, and fayled h is armes,Bot git h e failede and fella a fyfty fote largeBot git he sprange and sprente, and spraddene h is armes,And one he spere lengbe spekes, he spekes hire wordesI was in Surrye a syr, and sett be myne one

,

As soverayne and seyngnour of sere kynges londis

Now of my solace I am fulla sodanly fallene,And forsake of my syne

, gone cete es m e rewede

The sexte hade a sawtere sem liche bowndena,

With a surepel of silke sewede fulla faire,

ARTHUR DREAMS THAT HE IS PLACED IN THE CHAIR,

He is chosen to

achieve the chair, 3 3 48

and sit therein.

A harpe and a hande- slynge with harde flynte stones ;What barmes he has hente h e belowes fulla sons ,‘ I was dem ede in my dayes

,

’he said

,of dedis of armes

One of the doughtyeste that duellede in erthe

Bot I was m erride one molde in my moste strenghethis,

With this maydena so m ylde, hat mofes us alle.’

Two kynges ware clym bande, and claverande one heghe,The creste of he compas they covette fulla gem e ;

‘ This chairs of charbokle,’ they said

,

‘we chalange

here aftyre,

As two of he chefl’

este chosene in erthe

The ch ildire ware chalke -wh itte, chekys and oher,Bot the chayere abownue chevede they neverThe forth irm aste was freely with a frount large,

The faireste of fyssnanny hat fourm ede was ever ;And h e was buskede in a blee of a blews noble,With flourdelice of golde floreschede al overThe toher was cledde in a cote alle of clene Silver,With a com liche crosse corvene of golde,fl bwre crosselettes krafty by he crosse riftes,An d ther-by knewe I the kynge, hat crystnede hym e

sem yde.

hane I went to hat wlonke, and wynly hire gretis,And ch o said

,welcome i-wis wele arte thow

fowndena;

The aughte to wirchipe my wille, and thow wele cowth e,Of alle the valyant m en that ever was in erthe ;

ifore alle thywirchipe in werre by m e has thowwonnene,I hafe bene frendely freke, and frem m ede tille oharThat has how fowndene in faithe, and fele of hi biernez ,fiore I fellid downe syr Frolle with frowarde knyghtes ;fl

’

ore-thi the fruytes of Praunce are freely thynne awena.

Thow salle he chayere escheve, I chese he m y-selfena,

Be-fore alle he ch eftaynes ch osene in this ertha.’

Scho lifte m e up lightly with h ir lene handes,And sette m e softely in the see

, he septre m e rechede ;

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100 HE IS THROWN FROM THE CHAIR. EXPLANATION OE THE DREAM .

And m ad m yche manace with m ervayllous wordez

Whene I cryede appone hire,cho kest downe hir browes,

‘Kyng, thow karpes for noghte, be Criste hat m e made !fl

’

or thow salle lose this layke, and th i lyfe aftyre

Thow has lyfl'

ede in delytte and lordchippes inewe

Abowte scho wh irles the wh ele,and whirles m e undire,

Tille allemyqwarters hatwh illewhareqwaste alto pecesAnd with that chayeremy chyne was chopped in sondire

3 3 92 And I hafe ch everide for chele,sen m e this chance

happenede.

Than wakkenyde I i-wysh alle wery for-drem yde

And now wate thow my woo,worde as he lykes.

The philosophers ffreke,”sais the ph ilosophre,

“ thy fortune es passedeInterpret th e25331

1

; gai

ti

f};3 3 9 6 Her thow salle fynd hir th i foo, frayste whene the lykes

gggsd

ed

fem ne ie Thow arte at he hegh este, I bette the for- sothe !

Chalange nowe when thow wille, thow chevys no more !Thow has schedde m ych e blode, and schalkes distroyede,

3 40 0 Sakeles in sirquy‘

trie,in sere kynges landis ;

55are

Schryfe the of thy scham e,and schape for thyne ende !

Thow h as a sch ewynge, syr kynge, take kepe gif the like !ffor thow salle fersely falla with- in fyve wynters

3 404 flownde abbayes in fl'

raunce, he froytez are theyne awena,

fiore fl’roilla

,and for fl

’

erawnt,and for thir ferse knyghttis,

That thow frem ydly in ffraunce has faye belevede ;

5535118tTake kepe gitte of char kynges, and kaste in thyne herte,

£231“

has;“

iiig3 40 8 That were conquerours kydde, and crownriede in erthe ;

ghlair. The eldeste was Alexandere, hat alle he erth e lowttede ;e firs t was33211233? The toher E ctor of Troye

, the chevalrous gume ;

5112“nd Julius The th irde Julyus Cesare, hat geant was h oldene,

0 88 3” i 3 412 In iche J orne jentille, ajuggede with lordes ;The ferthe was syr Judas, a justere fulla nobille,The m aysterfulleMakabee

, them ygh ttyeste of strenghes ;

th e fifth Joshua The fyfte was Josue, hat joly mane of armes,That in Jerusalem oste fulla m yche joye lym ppede

The sexte was David he dere, dem yd with kyngesOne of he doughtyeste hat dubbede was ever ,

ARTHUR IS BID TO PREPARE FOR EVIL TIDIN GS.

fi'

or h e elewe with a slynge, be sleyghte of h is handis,Golyas the grette gom e

, grym m este in erthe ;

Syne endittede in his dayes alle th e dere psalm es,

pat in be sawtire ere sette with selcouthe wordes

The two clym bande kynges, I knawe'

it forsothe, O f th e two kingswh o were clim b

Salle Karolus be calhde,the kyng sone of Praunce m g , one should

be called CarolusHe salle be crowelle and kene, and conquerour holdene,

“ France ;

Covere be conqueste contres ynewe ;He salle encroche the crowne that Crist bare hym selfene

,

And bat lifeliche launce, that lepe to h is herte,When hewas crucyfiede on crose, and allebekene naylis,Knyghtly he salle conquere to Cristyne m en h ondes

The toher salle be Godfraye, that Gode schalle revenge

One be Gud Frydaye with galyarde knyghtes ;He salle of Lorrayne be lorde, be leefe of hi s fadire,

And syne in Jerusalem m yche joye happyne,fi

'

or he salle cover th e crosse be craftes of armes,And synne be corownde kynge,with krysom e enoynttede ;

Salle no duke in his dayes siche destanye h appyne,Ne siche m yschefe dreghe,whene trowthe salle be tryedeffore-thy ffortune be fetches to fulfille the nowm byre,Alles nynne of be nobileste nam ede in erthe

This salle in romance be redde with ryalle knyghttes,

Rekkenede and renownde with ryotous kynges,And dem yd one dom esdaye, for dedis of armes, He shall be cele

brated for everffor be dough tyeste pat ever was duelland in erthe as th e doughtiest

on earth .So many clerkis and kynges salle karpe of goure dedis, Many clerks sh alltell of h is deeds.An d kepe goure conquestez in cronycle for ever !Bot the wolfes in the wode, and the fwh ilde bestes,Are som e wikkyd mene that werrayes thy rewm es

,

E s entirde in thyne absence to werraye thy pople,And alyenys and ostes of uncouth e landisThow getis tydandis I trowe, within tene dayes, He will haveThat some torfere es tydde, sene thow fro home turnede ;I rede thow rekkyne and reherse nu -resonable dedis

,

He is bid to t e

Ore the repenttes fulle rathe alle thi rewthe werkes pent and am end ,

THE PILGRIM-KNIGHT ARRIVES.

Mane,amende thy mode, or thow m yshappene,

3 45 6 And m ekely aske mercy for m ede of thy saule l”

bane rysez the richekynge, and rawghte onehiswedys,A reedde actone of Rosse, the richeste of floures,

A pesane, and a paunsone, and a pris girdille ;3 4 6 0 And one he henttis a hode of sch arlette fulle riche,

A pavys pillione hatt, pat pighte was fulle faireWith perry of be oryent, and precyous stones ;His gloves gayliche gilte, and gravene by he hem mys,

3 4 6 4 With graynes of rubyes fulle gracious to schewe :His hede greh ownde, and h is bronde, ande no byerne elles,An d bownnes over a brode m ode, with breth at his herte

fi h rth he stalkis a stye by lia stille enys,3 4 6 8 Stotays at a h ey strette

,studyande hym e one

Att the surs of be sonne, he sees there commande,Raykande to Rom ewarde the redyeste wayes,A renke in a rownde cloke, with righto rowm m e clothes

3 4 7 2 With hatte, and with heyghe schone homely and rowndeWith flatte ferthynges the frekewas fioreschede alle over,Many schredys and schragges at hi s skyrttes hynnges,

With scrippe, ande with slawyne, and skalopis i-newe,

3110 app ears like 3 4 7 6 Both pyke and palme

,alles pilgram bym scholde

The s

The gome graythely bym grette, and bade gode m orwene

The kyng lordelye hym selfe,of langage of Rome,

Of Latyne corroumppede alle, fulle lovely bym m enys,

3 480 Whedire wilnez thowe, wye, walkande thyne onne ?

Qwhylles his werlde es 0 werre, a wawhte I it holde !Here es ane enm ye with oste

,undire gone vynes

And they see the for-sothe,sorowe the be- tyddes ;

3 484 Bot gif thow hafe condeth e of 17 6 kynge selfene,

Knaves wille kille the, and keppe at thow havesAnd if you halde be hey waye, they hente the also,Bot if thow hastyly hafe helpe of his hende knyghttes.hane harpes syr Cradoke to the kynge selfene,

“ I salle for-

gyffe bym my dede, so m e Gode helpe !Onye grome undire Gode, that one this grownde walkes !

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HE TELLS THE VILLAINY OF MODRED.

S ir Cradok tellsh im of the evi l 3 524deeds ofModred.

3 5 3 2

3 5 3 6

wh o rob th e re 3 540ligious and ravishthe nuns.

3 544

He has a fleet ofseven score shipsat Southam pton. 3 548

3 552

3 5 5 6

“ Sir, thi wardane' es wikkede

,and wilde of his dedys ;

tfor he wandreth h as wroghte, sen you awaye passede ;He has castelles encrochede

,and corownde bym selvena

,

Kaugh te in alle be rentis of be rownde tabille

He devisede lye rewm e,and delte as bym likes

Dubbede of be Danm arkes,dukes and erlles

,

Disseveride hem e sondirwise,and cites distroyede

To Sarazenes and Sessoynes, appone sere halves,He has sem blede a sorte of selcouth e berynes,

Soveraynes of Surgenale, and sowdeours many,Of Peyghtes and Payniiym s

,and provede knyghttes

Of Irelande and Orgaile, owtlawede berynes ;

Alle thaa laddes are knygh ttes Pat lange to be m owntes,

And ledynge and lordech ipe has alle,alles theme selfe

'

likes ;And there es syr Childrike a cheftayne holdyne,

That ilke chevalrous mane,he chargges thy pople

They robbe thy religeous, and ravich se th i nonnes,

And redy ryddis with h is rowtte to rawnsone be povere ;fl‘fro Hum byre to Hawyke he baldys h is awene,And alle th e cowntré of Kentt be covenawnteentayllide ;The com lich e castelles that to the corowne langede,The h oltes, and the bare wode, and the harde bankkes,Alle pat Henguste and Hors bent in heire tym e

Att Southam ptone on the see es sevene skore ch ippes,

ffrawghte fulle of ferse folke, owt of ferre landes,fi br to fyghtewith thy firappe, whenePow themeassailles.Bot gitt a worde witterly, th owe watte noghte bewerste IHe has weddede Waynore, and hir his wiefi

'

e holdi s,

And wounnys in the wilde bowndis of beweste marches,And has wrogh te hire with childe, as wittnesse telles !Off allebe wyes of his worlde, woo motte bym worthe,Alles wardayne unworthye womene to gemeThus h as syr Modrede m errede us alle !ffor-thy I m erkede over thees m owntes, to mene be the

soth e.

ARTHUR SETS OUT FOR BRITAIN. 105

Than the burlich e kynge, for brethe at his herte,And for thi s botelesse bale alle his ble chaungide I

3 5 6 0 “ By he rode,”sais he roye, I salle it revenge

Hym salle repente fulle rathe alle h is rewth e werkes I”

Alle wepande for woo he went to h is tentisUnwynly thi s wyesse kynge, h e wakkenysse his berynes,

3 5 6 4 Clepid in a clarioune kynges and othi re,

Callys theme to concelle,and of his cas tellys,

I am with tresone be-trayede, for allemy trewe dedis !“1 news ‘

And alle my travayle es tynt, m e tydis no bettire !

3 5 6 8 Hym salle torfere betyde , his tresone has wrogh te,And I m ay traistely bym take, as I am trew lorde IThis es Modrede

, he mane that I most traystede,Hasmy castelles encrochede, and corownde hym e selvene,

3 5 7 2 With renttes and reches of the rownde table ;Has made alle hys retenewys of renayede wrech is,

And devysed my rewm e to dyverse lordes,To sowdeours and to Sarazenes owtte of sere londes !

3 5 7 6 He has weddyde Waynore, and byr to wyefe holdes,And a childe es esohapede, the chaunce es no bettire !

They hafe sem blede on the see sevene schore chippis,ffulle of ferrom e folke, to feghte with myne one !

3 580 ffor-thy to Bretayne the brode buske us by-h ovys,

They m ust proceed to Britain

ffor to brettyne the berynrie that has this bale raysede 212

6 2nWith a“

Thare salle no freke m en fare,bott alle one fresche horses

,

That are fraistede in fyghte, and fioure ofmy knyghttez3 584 Sir Howelle and syr Hardolfe here salle be leve

,

To be lordes Of th e ledis that here to m e lenges ;

Lokes in-to Lum bardye, that thare no lede chaunge,And tendirly to Tuskayne take tente alles I byde ;

3 5 88 Resaywe the rentis of Rome qwene hay are rekkenede

Take sesyne the same daye that laste waste assygnede,

Or elles alle he ostage withowttyne he wallys,Be hynggyde hye appone hyghte alle holly at ones I”

Nowe bownes the bolde kynge with beste knyghtes,Gers trom e and trusse and trynes forth aftyre ;

DISCOVERS THE FLEET OF THE ENEMY.

Turnys thorowe Tuskayne, taries bot littille,Lyghte noghte in Lumbarddye bot whene he lyghte

failede

3 5 9 6 Merkes over th e m owntaynes fulle m ervaylous wayes,

Ayres thurgh e Alm aygne evyne at the gayneste ;

gefigggee

gmggf fierkes evynne in - to fliawndresch e with hys ferse

knyghttes

Within fyftene dayes his flete es assem blede,

3 6 00 And thane h e schoupe hym e to chippe, and sch ownnes

no lengere,

Scherys with a charpe wynds over he schyre waters ;By he roche with ropes he rydes one ankkere

,

Thare the false mene fletyde, and one flode lengede,With chefe chaynes Of chare ch okkode to -

gedyrs,

Charggcde evyne cheke-fulle of chevalrous knygh tes ;

And in he hynter one h eghte, helmes and crestes,Hatches with haythene mene h illyd ware thare undyre,

3 6 08 Prowdliche prutrayede with payntede clothys,

Iche a pece by pece prykkyde tylle oher,Dubbyde with dagswaynn es dowblede they seme ;And thus he derfe Danam arkes had dyghte alle theyrechippys

,

That no dynte of no darte dere theme ne schoulde

Than the roye and he renkes of the rownds tableAlle ryally in rede arrayes his chippis ;That daye ducheryes h e delte, and doubbyde knyghttes,Dresses drom owndes and dragges, and drawene upe

stonys ;

The toppe- castelles he stuffede with toyelys, as hym e

lykyde,

Bendys bowes of vys brothly hare aftyre,

Tolowris tentyly takelle they ryghttene,Brasene hedys fulle brode buskede one fiones

,

Graythes for garnysones gomes arrayes ;Grym e gaddes of stele, ghywes of iryne,Stiit telys steryne one steryne with styfi

’

e mene of armes ;

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THE FIERCE BATTLE ON THE SEA.

Bot bonettez one brede, bettrede hatches ;

Brawndeste browne stele, braggede in trompesStandis styfi

’

e one th e stam yne, steris one aftyre ;

3 6 6 0 Strekyne over he strem e, thare stryvynge be

-

gynnes.

ffro he wagande wynde owte of he weste rysses,Brethly bessom es with byrre in berynes saillesWith h ir bryngges one burde burlich e cogges,

3 6 6 4 Qwhylles he bilynge and he beme brestys in sondyre ;

SO stowttly he forsterne one he stam hyttis,

pat stokkes of he stere-burde strykkys in peces !

Be thane cogge appone cogge, krayers and oher ,3 6 6 8 Castys crepers one crosse als to he crafte langes

Thane was hede-rapys hewene hat helde upe he mastes ;Thare was conteke fulle kene

,and crachynge Of chippys

Grett cogges of kampe crasseches in sondyre !

Mony kabane clevede, cabilles destroyede IKnyghtes and kene mene killide the braynes I

Kidd castelles were corvene with alle theire kene wapene,Castelles fulle com liche, hat coloured ware faire IUpcynes.egh elynge hay ochene hare aftyre,

fiffiéfigfiih u With he swynge of he swerde sweys he m astys ;

Ovyre-fallys in he firste frekis and oth ire

,

ffrekke in he forchipe fey es bylevefede I

Than brothely they bekyre with boustouse tacle,Bruschese boldlye one burde

,brynyede knyghtes

Owt of botcs one burde was buskede with stonys,

Bett downe of he beste, brystis the hetches ;Som gom ys thourghe gyrde with gaddys of yryne,

A m ighty struggle ensues.

Com ys gayliche clede englaym ous wapene IArchers Of Inglande fulle egerly schottes,Hittis thourghe he harde stele fulle hertly dynnttis

Sonne hotchene in holle the hehenrie knyghtes,Hur te thourgh e he harde stele

,hele they never !

Than they falle to he fyghte, ffoynes with sperys,

Alle the frekkeste one frownte hat .to he fyghte langes ;And ilkone frechely fraystez theire strenghes,

MoDRED’s FLEET Is UTTERLY DEPEATED. 109

Were to fyghte in he flete with th eire felle wapyneThus they dalte hat daye thire dubbide knygh tes,Tille alle he Danes ware dede, and in he depe th rowene Imi regg

n

gge,“

Than Bretones brothely with brondis they hewene,are all Slain'

Lepys in up one lofte lordeliche berynesWhen ledys of owt londys leppyne in waters,Alle oure lordes one lowde laugh ene at ones IBe thane speris whare spronngene, spalddyd chippys,Spanyolis spedily sprentyde over burdez ;Alle he kene mene of kampe, knyghte s and oher ,Killyd are colde dede , and castyne over burdez I

Theire swyers sweyftly has he swete levyde,Hehene hevande on batche in her hawe ryses,

Synkande in he salte see sevene hundrethe at ones !

Thane syr Gawayne the gude he has he gree wonnene,

And alle he cogges grete h e gafe to h is knyghtes,Sir Geryne, and syr Grisswolde

,and othir gret lordes ;

Garte Galuth a gud gome girde of haire hedys !Thus of he false flete appone he flode h appenede,And thus heis feryne folke fey are belevede I

3itt es he traytour one londe with tryede knyghttes,And alle trom pede they trippe one trappede stedys

Schewes them e undir schilde one he sch ire bankkes ;He ne schownttes for no scham e

,bot schewes fulleheghe I

Sir Arthure and Gawayne avyede theme botheneTo sexty thosandez of mene, hat in th eire fygh te hovede ;Be this the folke was fellyde, thane was he fiode passedeThane was it slyke a slowde in slakkes fulle hugge,

That let he kyng for to lande, and the lawe watyre ;{for- thy he lengede one laye for lesynng of horsesys,

To loke of his lege mene, and Of hi s lele knyghtes,

3if any ware lamede or loste,life 3ife they scholde.

Thane syr Gawayne he gude a galaye he takye, agdgsa

gsa

ggfie'

And glides up at a gole with gud mene of armesWhene he growndide for grefe, he gyrdis in he watere,That to he girdylle he gos in alle his gylte wedys

SIR GAWAINE RASHLY WADES ASHORE.

Schottis upe appone he sonde in sygh te of he lordes,Sengly with hys soppe, my sorowe es the more IWith baners of h is bagys beste of his armes,

3 7 3 2 He braydes up-on the banke in h is brygh te wedys

He byddys hi s baneoure, buske how belyfeTo gone brode batayle that one gone banke hovesAnd I ensure gow sothe I salle gowe sewe aftyre

3 7 3 6 Loke ge blenke for no bronde, ne for no bryghte wapyne,Bot beris downe Of he beste and bryng theme O - dawe IBees noghte abayste of theire boste abyde one he orthe ;

3e have my baneres borne in batailles fulle bugge ;3 7 40 We salle felle gone false, he fende hafe theire saules !

fiightes faste with he frape, he felde salle be cures ;

May I hat traytoure overtake, torfere hym e tyddes,

That thi s tresone has tym byrde to my trewe lorde I3 7 44 Of siche a engendure fulie littylle j oye happyns,

And hat salle in this j our nee be juggcde fulle evene I”

Now they seke over he sonde his soppe at he gayneste,Sembles one he sowdeours, and settys theire dyntys ;

3 7 48 Thourgh e he scheldys so schene schalkes hey towch e,With schaftes scheveride schorte of has schene launces ;Derfe dynttys they dalte with daggande sperys ;

One he danke of he dewe many dede lyggys,3 7 52 Dukes, and duszeperis, and dubbide knyghttys ;

The doughttyeste of Danem arke undone are for ever !Thus thas renkes in rewthe rittis theire brenyes,And rechi s of he richeste unrekene dynttis ;

3 7 5 6 Thare they thronge in the thikke, and thristis to he erth eOf the thraeste mene thre hundrethe at ones !Bot syr Gawayne for grefe m yghte noghte agayne-stande,Um begrippys a spere

, and to a gome rynnys,3 7 6 0 pat bare Of gowles fulle gaye, with gowces of sylvere ;

He gyrdes bym in at he gorge with h is grym e1 launce

,

pat he growndene glayfe g'

raythes in sondyre !

1grown erased from the text and grym e written in m argin.

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SIR GAWAIN E FIGHTS LIKE A MADMAN .

Bot for to us supprysede, my scrows es the more.

Bes dowghtty to-daye

, gone dukes schalle be goures !ifor dere Dryghttyne this daye dredys no wapyne.

We salle ende this daye alles excellent knygh ttes,Ayere to endelesse Joye with angelles unwem myde.

pofe we hafe unwittily wastede oure selfene,

We salle wirke alle wele in he wirchipe of Cryste.

We salle for gone Sarazenes, I sekire gow my trowhe,Souppe with oure Saveoure solem ply in h evene,

In presence of hat precious prynce of alle oher

With prophetes, and patriarkes, and apostlys fullenobille,Be-fore his freliche face that fourm ede us alle I

30ndire to gone galdsones, h e hat geldes hym e ever,

figfigfihggfifi Qwhylles he es q kke and in qwerte unquellyde withhandis ;

Be h e never m o savede,ne socourede with Cryste,

Bot Satanase h is sawle mowe synke in-to helle I”

han grym ly syr Gawayne gryppis hys wapyne,

Agayne hat gret bataille he graythes bym sone ;

Radly of h is riche swerde h e reghttes he ch eynys,In h e sch okkes his schelde

,schountes he no lemgare

Bot alles unwyse wodewyse he wente at he gayneste,Wondis Of th as werdirwyns with wrakfufle dynttys,Alle wellys fulle of blode

,thare he awaye passes

And hofe bym ware fulle woo, he wondys bot lyttille,Bot wrekys at his wirch ipe he wrethe of hys lorde !He stekys stedis in stoure

,and sterenefulle knyghttes,

That sterynemene in theire sterapes stone dede hay lygge IHe rybys he ranke stele

,he rittes he m ayles

Thare m yghte no renke hym areste,h is resone was

passede !

like a He felle in a fransye for ferscnesse Of herte,

He feghttis and fellis downe hat hym e be- fore standi s I

fi'

elle never fay mane siche fortune in erth e !

Into he hale bataile h edlynge he rynnys,

And hurtes of he hardieste hat one the erthe lenges !

3 8 6 0

SIR GAWAIN E Is SLAIN BY MODRED. 113

Letande alles a lyone, he lawnches theme thorowe,Lordes and ledars, that one the launde hoves I

git syr Gawayne for wo wondis bot lyttille,Bot woundi s of thaswedirwynes withwondirfulle dyntes,Alls he hat wold wilfully wastene hym e selfene ;

And for wondsom e and wille alle hi s wit failede,That wode alles a wylde beste he wente at he gayneste

Like W i ld beasth e goes on wal

Alle walewede one blode, thare he awaye passede ; 10m g m blood

Iche a wy m ay be-warre, be wreke of anoher !

han hemoves to syrModrede amange allehi sknyAnd mett hym e in hem yde schelde, and malli s hym e

th orowe ;

Bot the schalke for the scharpe he schownttes a littille,

He schare hym e one he sch orte rybbys a schaftm onde gridwiro

i

u

tl

hd

e

s

sigg.

large IThe schafte schoderede and schotte in the schire beryne,pat the schadande blode Over hi s schanke rynnys,And schewedeonehis schynbawde,hatwas sch ireburneste .

I

And so they schyfte and sohove, he schotte to he erthe fim hfaus I0

With he lussche of helaunce h e lyghte one hys schuldyrs,Ane akere lengbe one a launde, fulle lothely wondide.ThanGawayne gyrde to he gome, and one hegroffe falli s

Gawam e “m es

to finish him with

Alles h is grefewas graythede, his grace was no bettyre !a dagger, butm isses his blow.

He schokkes owtte a schot teknyfe schethedewith silvere,And sch olde have slottede hym e in, bot no slytte

happenede

His hand sleppid and slode O-slante one he m ayles,

And he toher slely slynges hym undire

With a trench ande knyfe th e traytoure bym hyttes,

Thorowe he helme and hehede, one heyghe onehebrayne : fifie

fiaa

And thus syr Gawayne es gone, the gude m an of armes, $1331Sl

ei

gh t:

With-owttyne reschewe of renke, and rewghe es hemore I“aim

Thus syr Gawaynne es gone, that gyede many othire ; ggév

gaige

éntlgg

fl'

ro Gowere to Gernesay, alle he gret lordys arm s, is sene !

Of Glamour, of Galys londe, his galyarde knyghtes,{for glent of gloppynyiig glade be they never !

MODRED DESCRIBES GAWAINE ’

S CHARACTER.

Kyng ffroderike Offres fraythely hare aftyre,ffraynes at the false mane of owre ferse

gfigwige

ggr

iggs Knew thow ever this knyghte in th i kithe rych e,

Of whate kynde he was comene,be-knowe now he soth e

Qwat gome was h e this with the gaye armes,

With his gryffouue of golde, hat es one growffe fallyne ;He has grettly greifede us, sa m e Gode helpe I

Gyrde downe oure gude mene, and grevede us sore !He was he sterynneste in stoure that ever stele werryde,ffore he has stonayede oure stale, and stroyede for evw!

”

higdhii t filzas Than syr Mordrede with mouthe melis fulle faire ;

gagging?3 8 7 6“He was m akles one molde , mane be my trowhe

git

éfigfié

‘“

5351

35; This was syr Gawayne the gude, he gladdeste of othire,

Of km ghmAnd the graciouseste gome that undire God lyfi

'

ede ,

figmh

fidges

fiagf Mane hardyeste of hande,happyeste in armes

,

Egg};I

goa

ggfizht

fil

g3 880 And the hendeste in bawle undire h evene richeham

pe lordelieste of ledynge qwhylles he lytfe m yghte,

ffore h e was lyone allossede in londes i-neweHad thow knawene bym ,

syr kynge in kythe thare helengede,

3 884 His konynge, his knyghthode, h is kyndly werkes,His doyng, h is doughtynesse, his dedis of armes,Thowwolde hafe dole for h is dede he dayes of thy life I

”

git hut traytour alles tite teris lete h e falle,

3 888 Turnes bym furthe tite,and talkes no more

,

Went wepand awaye and weries th e stowndys,

pat ever h is wordes ware wrogh te siche wandrethe to

Whene h e thogh te on his thynge, it thirllede his herte ;3 892 fforsake of h is sybb blode sygh eande h e rydys ;

When hat renayede renke rem em birde bym selvene,

Of reverence and ryotes of he rownde table.He rennyd and repent hym e Of alle h is rewthe werkes,

3 89 6 Rode awaye with his rowte,ristys he no lengere,

ffor rade of cure riche kynge, ryve hat he sch olde ;

Thane kayres he to Cornewaile, carefulle in herte,’

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FINDS THE DEAD BODY OF GAWAINE .

In soyte with theire soverayne unsownde are belevede I

Arthur S layshe kynge comly over-kesteknyghtes and othire,

dukes and earls, Brlles Of Awfrike, and estriche berynesOf Orgaile and Orekenay, he Iresch e kynges,

3 9 3 6 The nobileste of N orwaye, nowm birs fulle hugge,

Dukes of Danam arke,and dubbid knyghtes

And th e enchedé kynge in the gay armesLys gronande one he grownnde, and girde thorowe evene I

3 940 The riche kynge ransakes with rewthe at his herte,And up rypes the renkes of alle he rownde tabylle ;Ses theme alle in a soppe in sowte by theme one,With he Sarazenes unsownde enserchede abowte

3 944 And syr Gawayne the gude in h is gaye armes,

Um begrippede the girse, and one groufi'

e fallene,

His bauers braydene downe, betyne of gowlles,His brand and h is brade sehelde al blody be-rovene

Was never oure sem liche kynge so sorowfulle in herte,N e hat sanke hym e so sad e, bot hut sighte one.

han gliftis he gud kynge, and glapyns in herte,Gronys fulle grisely with gretande teris

Knelis downe to the cors, and kaught it in armes,

Hastys upe hi s umbrere, and kysses hym e sone I

Lokes one his eye-liddis

, hat lowkkide ware faire,His lippis like to he lede, and his lire falowede I

pan th e corownde kyng cryes fuli e lowde,Dere kosyne o kynde, in kare am I levede !

ffor nowe my wirchipe es wente,and my were endide !

Here es he hope of my hele, my happynge of armes IMy herte and" !ny hardynes hale one bym lengede IMy concelle, my com fort he, hat kepide myne herte !Of alle knyghtes he kynge hat undir Criste lifede I

pou was worthy to be kynge, thofe I he corowne bare !My wele and my wirchipe of alle his werlde richeWas wonnene thourghe syr Gawayne, and thourghe his

witte one I

Alias I” saide syr Ar thurs, nowe ekys my sorowe !

and sees Sir Ga

waine lyingdead.

HIS OVERPOWERING GRIEF. 117

I am uttirly undone in myne awene landes IA dowttouse derfe dede, hou duellis to longe IWhy drawes hou so one dreghe, thow drownnes myneherte I”

Than swetes the swete kynge and in swoune fallis,Swafres up swiftely, and swetly bym kysses,

Tille his burliche berde was blody be-rowne,

Alls he had bestes britenede, and broghte owt of life ;N e had syr Ewayne comene, and othire grete lordys,His bolde herte had broustene for bale at hat stownde !

lyve,

”sais thies bolde mene ! “ thow blondirs hi Sir Erm ine and

his knights re

selfene,proach h im .

his es botles bale, for bettir bees it never !It es no wirchipe i-wysse to wryng thyne bondes,To wepe als a wom ane it es no witt h oldene IBe knyghtly Of contenaunce, als a kyng scholde,

And leve siche clam oure for Cristes lufe of hevene I”

ffor blode,

”said the bolde kynge, blyne salle I never,

Or my brayne to-briste, or my breste oher I

Was never sorowe so softe that sanke to my herte IItt es fulle sibb to m yselfe, my sorowe es the more !Was never so sorowfulle a syghte seynewithmyne eghene IHe es sahles supprysede for syne of myne one I”

Downe knelis he kynge, and kryes fulle lowde ;With carefulle contenaunce h e karpes thes wordes,O rightwis riche Gode, this rewth e thow be-holde I

pis ryalle rede blode ryue appone ertheIt ware worthy to be schrede and schrynede in golde,ffor it es sakles of syne, sa helpe me

r

cure Lorde I”

Downe knelis he kyng with kare at h is herte,Kaughte it upe kyndly with h is elene handis,

3 99 6 Keste it in a ketille-hatte,and coverde it faire

,

And kayres furthe with he cors in kyghte hare he lenges. fiffiifies away

“

Here I make m yn avowe

,

”quad the kynge thane,

To Messie,and to Marie

, the m ylde qwene of

hevene ,

118 SIR GAWAIN E IS BURIED AT WINCHESTER.

Then he m akes a 4000 I salle never ryvaye, ne racches un-cowpyllesolem n vow that

h e wi ll tak e no

p leasure in th echase ti ll Gawaine beavenged.

The body was 40 12sent straight toWinchester,

and m et by a procession ofm onks

At roo ne rayne dere, hat rynnes apponne erthe ;

Never grewhownde late glyde, ne gossehawke latt flye,N e never fowle see fellide

, hat fli eghes with wenge ;ffawkone ne form aylle appone fiste handille,N e gitt with gerefawcone rejoyse m e in erth e

N e regnue in my royaltez , ne halde my rownde table,Tille th i dede

,my dere

,be dewly revengede I

Bot ever droupe and dare, q lles my lyfe lastez ,

Tille Drightene and derfe dede hafe done qwate themelikes I”

Than kaughte they upe he cors with kare at theire hertes,Karyed [it] one a coursere with he kynge selfene ;

The waye untoWynch estre hay Wente at th e gayneste,

Wery and wandsom dly, with wondide knyghtes ;Thare come he prior of th e plas, and professide m onnkes,

Apas in processione,and with the prynce m etys ;

And he be-tuke hame the cors of he knyghte noble,Lokis it be clenly kepyd ,

” he said, “and in he kirke

h oldene,

Done for derygese, as to he ded fallys

Menskede with messes,for mede of he saule

Loke it wante no waxe, ne no wirchipe elles,

And at he body be bawm ede,and one erthe holdene.

giff thou kepe thi covent, encroche any wirchipe

At my com yng agayne, gif Crist wille it tholeAbyde of he beryenge tille they be broughte undire,

pat has wroghte us this woo, and his werre m ovede.

han sais syrWychere he wy, a wyese mane of arm es,

“ I rede ge warely wende, and wirkes the besteSoiorne in this cete, and semble th i berynes,And bidde with th i bolde mene in th i burghe richeGet owt knyghttez of contres

,that castelles holdes

,

An d owt of garysons grete gude mene of armes,ifor we are faithely to fewe to feghte with them alle,

pat we see in his sorte appone he see bankes .

”

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HE EXHORTS HIS KNIGHTS TO BRAVE DEEDS .

In sevene grett batailles semliche arrayede,

Sexty thowsande mene, the syghte was fulle bugge,

Alle fyghtande folke of he ferre laundes,There were ”I“? 40 6 8 ffaire fettede one frownte be tha fresche strondes !thousand agains t

And alle Ar thurs oste was amede with knyghtesBot awghtene hundrethe of alle, entrede in rolles ;

This was a mache un-mete, bot m yghttis Of Criste,To melle with hat multitude in hase m an londis.

Than the royalle m y of he rownde table

Rydes one a riche stedes, arrayes hi s beryns,Buskes hi s avawmwarde, als bym beste likes ;Syr Ewayne, and syr Errake, and othire gret lordes,Dem enys the m edilwarde m enskefully thare aftyre,With Merrake and Menyduke, m yghty of strenghes ;

Idirous and Alym ere, hire avenaunt childrene,

4080 Ayers with Arthure, with sevene score of knyghtes ;

He rewlis he rerewarde redyly thare aftyre,

The rekeneste redy mene of he rownde table,And thus he fittis his folke, and freschely askryes,

And syene com forthes hi s mene with knyghtlyche

wordesI beseke gow,

sirs,for sake of cure Lorde

,

That ge doo wele to daye, and dredi s no wapene !fiighttes fersely nowe, and fendis goure selvene,

ffellis downe gone feye folke, the felde salle be owrs !

They are Sarazenes gone sorte, un-sownde motte theyworthe !

Sett one theme sadlye, for sake Of oure Lorde !

gif us be destaynede to dy to daye one this erthe,We salle be hewede un-to hevene, or we be halfe colde !Loke ge lett for no lede lordly to wirche ;Layes gone laddes lowe be the layke ende !Take no tente un-to m e

,ne tale of m e rekke,

Bes besy one my baners with goure brighte wapyns,That they be strenghely stutfede with steryne knyghtes,

And boldone lordly one lofts ledys to schewe ;

MANY BRITONS ARE SLAIN.

3if any renke theme arase, reschowe theme sone.

4100 Wirkes now my wirchipe, to daye my werre endys !

3e wotte my wele and my wo, wirkkys as gow likys !

Crist comly with crowne com forthe gow alle,f or he kyndeste creatoure that ever kyii

‘

ge ledde I

4104 I gyffe gow alle my blyssyng with a blithe wille,An d alle Bretowns bolde, blythe mote ge worthe I

”

They pype upe at prym e tyms approches theme nere,Pris mene and priste proves their strenghes ;

4108 Brem ly the breth em en bragges in troum ppes,

In cornettes comlyly, whene knyghttes assembles,And thane jolyly enjoynys heis jentylle knyghttes ;A jolyere journea-juggede was never,

4112 Wh ene Bretones boldly embraces theire scheldes,

And cristyne encroyssede theme, and cestis in fewtire !han syr Arthure oste his enm ye askryes,

And in they schokke theirs scheldes, schontes no

lengare

411 6 Schotte to he schiltrones, and schowttes fulle heghe,Th orowe scheldis fulle schene schalkes they touche !Redily thae rydde mene of the rownde tableWith ryalle raunke stele rittys theire m ayles ;

4120 Bryneys browddene they briste, and burneste helmys,Hewes haythene mene downe, halses in sondre Iifyghtande with fyne stele, he feye blod rynnysOf he frekkeste of frounte, unfers ere be- levede.

4124 Ethyne of Argayle and Irische kynges

121

To-day h is warends I

The Britons fightfuriously.

Enverounes oure avawm warde with venym m os beryne ; The vanguard isPeghttes and paynym es with perilous wapyns,With speres disspetousely di sspoylles our knyghttes,

4 128 And hewede downe the hendeste with hertly dynttys !Thorow the holle batayle they holdene theire wayes ;pus fersly they fyghte appone sere halfes,That of he bolde Bretones m yche blode spillis !

413 2 Thare durste non rescowe theme,for reches in erthe,

pe steryne ware hare so stedde, and stufi'

ede wit othire

surrounded byth e enem y, andm any of themslain.

ARTHUR WOULD DIE IN STEAD OF HIS KNIGHTS.

He durste noghte stire a steppe, bot stodde for hym e

selvene,

Tille thre stalis ware stroyede be strenghe of hym e one !

Idrous,”quad Arthure, ayre the byhoves !

I see syr Ewayne over- sette with Sarazenes kene !Redy the for rescows, arraye thee sone !

Hye he with hardy mene in helpe of thy ffadire !Sett in one the syde

, and socoure gone lordes ;Bot they be socourrede and sownde, unsawghte be I

never I”

Idrous hym e ansuers ernestly hare aftyre,“ He es my fadire in faithe

,for-sake salle I never !

4 144 He has m e fosterde and fedde,and my faire bretherene,

Bot I for- sake this gate, so m e Gode helpe,

And sothely alle sybredyne bot thyselfe one ;

I breke never h is biddynge for beryne one lyfe,Bot ever bouxom e as beste blethely to wyrke !He comm ande m e kyndly, with knyghtly wordes,That I schulde lelely one helenge, and one noo lede ellesI salle hys comm andement holde, gif Criste wilm e thole IHe es eldare than I

,and ende salle we bothene

He salle ferkke be-fore, and I salle come aftyre

3iffe hym e be destaynede to dy to daye one his erthe,Criste comly with crowne take kepe to hys saule I

”

han remys the riche kyngewith rewthe at hi s herte,Hewyshyshandysonheghte, and toheh evene lokes,

w th ene had Dryghttyne destaynede at hi s dere wille,pat he hade dem yd m e to daye to dy

‘

for gow alle,

That had I lever than be lorde alle my lyfe tym e,

Off alle hat Alexandere aughte qwhilles he in erthe

lengede.

Sir Ewayne and syr Errake, hes excellente beryns,Enters in one he oste, and egerly strykes ;

The ethenys of Orkkenaye and Irische kynges,

pay goboue of he gretteste with growndone swerdes,

Hewes one has bulkes with heire harde wapyns,

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124

Arthur recognises his sword

MODRED IS WOUNDED.

Bot ever kepide clene,be-cause of m yselvene ;

ffor I see Clarent unclede, hat crowne es of swerdes

$330

3, 4204 My wardrop ofWalyngfordh e I wate es di stroyede ;ford under th e

careof theQueen.

SirMerrickflgh tswi th Modredand is forced towithdraw.

42 12

42 1 6

Arthur forces h isway to Modred,

and upbraids

Wist no wy of wone bot Waynor hir- selvene,

Scho hade he kepynge hirselfe of hat kydde wapyne,Off cofres enclosede hat to he crowne lengede,With rynges and relikkes

,and he regale of firaunce,

That was fi’

owndene one syr fi’

rolle,whene he was feye

levyde.

”

Than syr Marrike in m alyncoly m etys hym e sone,

With a m ellyd mace m ygh tyly bym strykes ;

The bordoure of hi s bacenett he bristes in sondire,

pat he echire rede blode over hi s brene rynnys !The beryne blenkes for bale, and alle his ble chaunges,Bot gitt he byddys as a bore, and brymly he strykes !

He braydes owte a brande bryghte als ever ony sylver,

hat was syr Arthurs awene, and Utere h is fadire,

In hewardrop ofWalyngfordhe was woute to be kepede ;

pare with he derfe dogge syche dynttcs he rechede,

pe toher with-drewe one-dreghe and durste do none oher Iffor syr Marrake was mane m errede in elde

,

And syrMordrede was m yghty, and hi s moste strenghes ;Come none with- in the compas, knyghte ne none cher,With-in he swyng of swerde, hut ne he he swete levyd

pat persayfes oure prynce, and presses to faste,Strykes into he stowre by strenghe of hys handis ;Metis with syr Mordrede

,he meli s unfaire

,

Turne, traytoure untrewe, he tydys no bettyre ;Be gret Gode thow salle dy with dynt of my handys !The schalle rescowe no renke ne reches in erthe I”

The kyng with Calaburne knyghtly bym strykes,

The cantelle of he clere schelde he kerfes in sondyre,

In-to he schuldyre Of he schalke a schaftm onde large,pat he schi re rede blode schewede one he m aylys !

He schodirde and schrenkys, and sch ontes bott lyttile,Bott schokkes in scharpely in his schene wedys ;

HE WouNDs ARTHUR,AND IS KILLED. 125

The fi'

elonue with he fiyne swerde fresch ely he strykeS, Modred. thonshwounded , strikesThe ffelettes Of he fferrere syde he flassch es in sondyre,

Arthur and givesh im a terrible

Thorowe j opowne and j esserawnte of gentille mailes ! in th e

4240 The freke fich ede in he flesche an halfe fotte large,That derfe dynt was h is dede, and dole was he moreThat ever hat doughtty sulde dy, bot at Dryghttyns

wylle !

3itt with Calyburne his swerde, fulle knyghttly he Arm " Withcan“

burn cuts Off thesword hand of

Modred.Kastes in h is clere schelde

, and coveres bym fulle faire ;Swappes of he swerde hande, als he by glenttis,Ane inche fro he elbowe, he ochede it in sondyre,

pat he swounues one he swrathe, and one swym falli s ;4248 Thorowe brater of browne stele, and the bryghte m ayles,

That the hilte and he hande appone he hethe ligges !Thane frescheliche he freke the ffente upe rererys,

Broch is bym in with the bronde to he bryghte h iltys, Modred dies.4252 And he brawles one the bronde, and bownes to dye .

In fa e”sa s e fe e k e

“sore m e for-th kkes Arthur declaresy i y P y yng yll that h is end is

That ever siche a false theefe so faire an end haves. too good for him

Qwene they had ffenyste his feghte, thane was he feldewonnene,

425 6 And the false folke in he felde feys are by-levede !

Tille a fforeste they fledde, and felle in the grevys,And fers foghtande folke folowes theme aftyreHowntes and hewes downe the heythene tykes,Mourtherys in the m owntaygnes syrMordrede knyghtes

Thare chapyde never no childe, cheftayne ne oher,Bot choppes theme downe in the chace, it chargys bot

littylle !

Ot whene syr Arthure anone sg/r Ewayne he fyndys, 352311

;dil

in

dt

lhe

88 0 18

And Errake he avenaunt, and oher grett lordes, knigh th

He kawghte up syr Cador with care at his herte,Sir Clegis, syr Clerem onde

, hes clere mene of armes,Sir Lothe

,and syr Lyonelle, syr Lawncelott and Lowes,

Marrake and Meneduke, hat m yghty ware ever ;

12 6

He swoons forsorrow,

ARTHUR MOURNS OVER HIS DEAD KNIGHTS.

With langoure in the launde thare he layes theme to

Lokede one theyre ligham es,and with a lowde stevene,

Alles lede hat liste noghte lyfe and loste had h is m yrthisThan he stotays for made , and alle his strenghe faylez ,Lokes upe to he lyfte, and alle h is lyre chaunges !Downne he sweys fulle swythe

,and in a swoune fallys

I

Upe he coveris one kneys, and kryes fulle Oftene,

Kyng comly with crowne, in care am I levyde !Alle my lordchipe lawe in lande es layde undyre !

That m e has gyfene gwerdones, be grace of bym selvene,

Mayntenyde my m anhede be m yghte of th eire bandes,Made m e manly one molde, and mayster in erthe ;

In a tenefulle tym e this torfere was rereryde,That for a traytoure has tynte alle my trews lordys !Here rystys the riche blude of th e rownde table,Rebukkede with a rebawde, and rewthe es the more !I m ay helples one hethe house be myne one,Alles a wafulle wedowe hat wanttes h ir beryne !

I m ay werye and wepe,

'

and wrynge myne handys,fi

’

or my wytt and m ywyrchipe awaye es for ever !Off alle lordch ips I take leve to myne ende !Here es he Bretones blode broughte owt of lyfe,

And nowe in his J owrnee alle my joy endys I”

Thane relyes he renkes of alle he rownds table,To he ryalle roy thay ride ham alle ;

Than assembles fulle sone sevene score knygh tes,In sights to haire soverayne, hat was unsownde levede ;Than knelis th e crownede kynge, and kryes one lowde,I thanke he, Gode, Of thy grace, with a gud wylle ;

That gafe us vertue and witt to vencows his heryns ;And us has grauntede he gree Of theis gret lordes !

4 3 00 He sent us never no scham e,ne schenchipe in erthe,

Bot ever git he overhande Of alle oher kynges

We hafe no laysere now hese lordys to seke,ffor gone laythely ladde m e lamede so sore !

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HE WAS OF THE BLOOD OF HECTOR OF TROY.

Ladys languessande and lowrande to schewe ;4 3 40 Alle was buskede in blake, birdes and oth ire,

That schewede at the sepulture,with sylande teris ;

Whae never so sorrowfulle a syghte seene in theire tym e I

Thus endis kyng Arthare, as auctors alegges,That was of Ectores blude the kynge sone of Troye

,

And of syr Pryam ous the prynce praysede in erthe ;

ffro thyth ene broghte the Bretons alle h is bolde eldyrs

In-to Bretayne the brode, as he Bruytte tellys.Etc. explicit.

Iliej ueet Arthurus, rex quondam rexquefuturus.

gere endesWartsguitars, writers 11gfished nfiallwrntnna

R. Zhhoqnton dictus qui scqipsit sit benedictus. A’

menl

GLO SSARIAL INDE ! .

Aleche,ads . alike

,194 .

Alet, 8 . smallplate of steel,25 6 5 .

Alfyne, s. elfish creature, 13 4 3 .

Allblawsters, s. shooterswith crossbows

,242 6 .

Ake, s. oak, 10 9 6 .

Allossede or alofede,aa

'

j . praised,famous

,renowned, 2418 . 3 882 .

Alkyne, ach

'

. all kinds of,92 8 .

Alowes, o. praises,3 9 6 ; alowede,

glorified.Als

,alls

,or alles

,ache. as

,845 ,

etc. als-swythe, immediately,409 . See Glossary to Allitu atire Poem s.

Amede, ’

o. estimated, accounted,

reckoned,40 6 9 .

Anotie or anentis, ache. near, closeto, 25 6 8 .

Anlace, s. dagger, 114 3 .Apas

, ache. walking in slow step,

40 15 .

Apperte ( = a party, separateor separately

,apart

,6 88 .

Arase or arace, i . tear away by

force,4099 .

Aroum ede, o. enlarged, 3 40 .

Aryesede, a. summoned, 6 00 .Assaye

, a. try, 2 3 4 7 .

Ascryeg, 0 . shouts, 13 6 7 .

At, p ron. that

,1842 .

Atheliste,adj . most noble, 159 3 .

Attam ede,

reached,2 17 5 .

Auntyre, o. adventure,dare, 3 6 0 .

Auntyre or awnter, 3 . adventure,20 0 7 .

Avenaunt, adj . noble, becoming2 6 2 7 ;

‘Arthur the avenaunt,

3 6 5 2 .

Aventaile,s. the vent, or moveable

part of the helmet, 9 10 .Avires

,e . directs

,3 1 6 5 .

Avyede, i) . took the way, 3 7 17 .Avyssely, ado. carefully, 2 7 00 .

Awke, ach

'

. bold,13 .

Awkewarde, ado . badly,25 6 4

aside,224 7 .

Ayele, s. grandfather, 2 6 0 4 .

Ayere,o. to go or be upon an ex

pedition or business, 455 , 6 1 7 ,

Aythere, ach'

. either, each, 9 3 9 .

Agayne-stonde, a. oppose, 3 12 7 .

Baite,a. feed, 2 6 9 5 , 2 6 7 2 .

Baiste,adj . abashed, frightened ,

285 7 .

Baltyrde, o . capered, danced, 7 82 .

Barehevydys, s. boars’ heads, 1 7 7 .

Barowes, s. porket-pigs, 19 1 .

9

Bedgatt, bedfellow byddeg,

are (P) , 10 3 0 .

Bekeg, e . warms,bakes

,1048 .

Bekennyde or bekende, a. com

mended,entrusted

,482

, 2 3 40 ,

2 3 55 .

Bekyne, s. beacon, 5 6 4 .

Bekyrs or bekers,a. skirmishes

,

attacks, 3 6 8 , 2425 , 20 9 6 .Belde

,a. rest in safety

,8 .

Beneyde, brought, 2424 .

Bente,s . plain or level ground,

place, Spot, 10 54 , 10 6 7 .

Bernake, 3 . wild goose, 189 .

Bernes,biernes

, byernes, berynes,

s . m en,knights, 255 , etc.

Bes, bees, thou shalt be,1 6 88 ;

imp . be, 285 7 .

Bessom es, s. tides 3 6 6 2 .

Bestaile,s . beasts, 10 50 .

Besye, s. press of business, 3 6 3 1.Beteche

,a. deliver up , 1 6 11 .

Betyne, adj . adorned ; ‘ betyne of

gowlles,’ decked in red armour,

Beveryne, ado. flowing, wavy,loose

,3 6 3 1.

Bewschers, s. buttocks, 104 7 .

Blasons,s . surcoats

,18 6 0 .

Ble or blee,s. colour

,complexion

,

Blem este, a. blemished, wounded,

25 7 8 .

Blendez,a. blinds

, or is blinded,

1 7 99 .

Blenke, e . wince, 3 6 41 ; lessen,

2 8 58 .

Bleryde, a.mocked,insulted

, 7 82 .

Blonders, a. blunders

, go alongblindly

, 3 9 7 6 .

Blonke,s. steed

,horse

,45 3 .

Blyne, stop,hesitate

,cease,

19 3 1,2 5 7 8 .

Blysche, a. look, Stare, 11 6 . See

Glossary of A llit. Poem s, s.v.

hluseh.

Bonettez,8 . small sails

,3 6 5 7 .

Bot, ache. except, unless, 3 5 6 .

Botelesse or butelesse,adj . bootless,

undefended,without remedy,

Botures,s. butter-sauce

189 .

Bownne or boun,adv.readily

,1 6 3 3 .

Bownes, e . hastens

,2 6 9 7 .

Bourdez , v. jokes, sports, 117 0 ,3 12 3 .

Bowes,s . limbs

,legs, hams, 188 .

Brankand,o. wounding, 18 6 1.

Braggene, a. blow,sound

,1484 .

Brater,s. vambrace

,4248 .

Brathelle, s. brisket, 7 9 3 .

Brathely, ache. quickly, 3 220 .

Braunchers, 8 . young hawks, 190 .

Brayd , a. unsheath , draw out,

117 2 .

Brayde, 8 . stroke, 3 7 6 3 .

Brayedez , a. dash,rush quickly,

3 12 6 .

Brede, adj . broad,1224 .

Bredez,s. breads meats

,1049 .

Breklesse, ach’

. breekless, naked,

1048 .

Brem ly or brymly, ache. furiously,

117 , 4108 .

Brene or breny,s. cuirass, body

armour,

1525,

1858 .

Brenyede, adj . armed,3 1 6 .

Breth or broth,3 . rage, anger, 10 7 ,

117 , 2 14 .

Brochede,o . spitted, 1050 .

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GLOSSARIAL IN IJE ! .

Dagswaynes, s. rough coverlets,3 6 10 .

Danke,s. moisture, 3 7 5 1.

Dares, o. trembles , 3 22 6 , 4008 .

Dari elles or darioles,curries

,19 9 .

(L ib. Oure e eram ,p .

Dawez,8 . days ; ‘ done of dawez ,

’

taken from day, killed, 205 6 .

Deesse, s. dais, raised part Of thehall

, 2 18 .

Deffuse, want, scarceness, 25 6 .

Dere,e . hurt

,injure, 209 9 , 3 249 .

Derfe, adj . strong, powerful, fierce,

Derflyche, adu dreadfully, strongly ,3 2 7 8 .

Derygese, s. dirges , 40 18 .

Dictour, s. guardian, 7 12 .

Dischayte, s. am bh sh , 3 7 90 .

Disspite, s. anger, 3 1 6 4 .

Downkynge, s. moisture, 3 249 .

Drecchede,o. delayed

,7 54

,abode,

dwelt, 12 6 4 .

Dredleg, ache. certes,

assuredly,

0 1504 .

Dreghe, s. length, delay, 29 1 6 ,3 2 7 7 ‘

one-dreghe,’behind.

Dreghe , v. suffer,3 4 3 8 .

Dregh ely, add . carefully,

tiously, 2028 .

Drom owndes, s.vesselsofwar, 3 6 1 6 .

Droupe, a. sorrow,4008 .

Drye,or dree, a. endure

,suffer

,

Dryfande, a. driving, 7 6 1.Drynchene or drenschene, o . de

stroy, 7 6 1, 81 6 .

Dryssede, a. di rected,ruled

,4 6 .

Dule,s . sorrow

,2 5 6 .

Duspere or duchpere, s . (douzepairs), nobles, peers, 6 6 .

cau

Fakene,”D. fettle, set in order, 7 42 .

Duttez , s . (probably an error for

duutez,dints

,blows) 7 8 7 .

Dyspens, s. expense, 5 3 8 .

Eghelynge, ache. edge-wise,3 6 7 6 .

Ekkene, o. eke

,increase

,20 09 .

Elagere, s . strength, 2 9 7 8 .

E ldes,s. ages, times, 3 0 1.

Elfaydes, s . elks ? ‘some kind of

animal’ (Halliwell) , 22 88 .Em e

,s. uncle, 13 47 .

Ench ede, ach

'

. fallen, vanquished,3 9 3 8 .

Encroch e,o . Obtain possessi on of

,

3 2 1 3

Endordid , o. gilded, made to Shine,199

Eudore it with yokes Of eggs.—(Lib. Cure Cocorum , p.

Englaym ez,

makes slimy or

slippery,113 1.

Englaym ous, ach'

. covered withslime, sore, envenomed, 3 6 85 .

Engowschede, adj . swelled, puffedup, 205 3 .

Engyste, a. constrain,445 .

Enkerly, adv. eagerly, 50 7 .

Em payrede or enpayrede, im

paired, diminished, 4 7 4 .

Entam ede, ach

'

. cut,torn, 116 0 .

Enveryde, ach'

. inversed, 1 6 94 .

Erne,ears, 108 6 .

Eschefi’

e,a. escape

,2 3 0 1.

Ettelles, a. endeavours, claims, nudertakes

,5 20

,5 54

,3 0 7 8 .

Ewyne or ewene, ado. even, 7 6 2 ,

Eynes, s. thickets,128 3 , 17 6 0

,

25 1 6 .

GLOSSARIAL INDEX.

Falterde, adj . hanging in folds

,

1092 .

Fande, a. try, endeavour

,take

care,55 7 , 6 5 6 .

Fange or faunge, holds, seizes,

Farlande,s . foreland, 880 .

Fatthe,s. tribute

,425 .

Fawcetez , 8 . cups, 205 .

Fawe, adj . variegated, glancing,

7 4 7 .

Fawntekyns, 8 . young children,845 .

Fax, 3 . hair, 10 7 8 .

Fay or fey, adj . dead fay- levede

,

’

left dead,killed

,3 94

,5 17

,9 7 8 .

Fele, adj . many, 845 , 2 1 6 2 .

Feletez , s. fillets, the flesh on the

ribs,115 8

,2 1 7 4 .

Felle, 8 . skin, 10 8 1.

Felschen,e . freshen

,19 7 5 .

Feraunt,adj . pleasant, good, 18 11 .

Fere, adj . whole,sound, unhurt

,

2 7 95 , 3 0 18 .

Ferkes,e . hastens, goes, 9 3 3 , 9 84 ,

1452 .

Ferly,s. wonder, 2948 .

Ferlych e, adj . wonderful, 9 25 .

Ferm ysone, s. th e closed time forhunting, also the enclosed and

fatted deer as opposed towild180 .

Ferrers,adj .with iron hoops, 2 7 15

Ferrom e,

adj . foreign, strange,3 5 7 9 ;

‘O ferrom e

,

’afar

,at a

di stance,85 7 .

Ferynne, 3 . far part, the otherside, 18 7 5 .

Fette,a. fetch

,5 5 7 .

Fewle, s. foil, sword , 20 7 1.Fewtyre, s . the rest which sup

13 3

ported the spear,13 6 6

‘castys

in fewtyre,’ lays h is spear in rest.

Feyed,a. mutilated

,tore

,1114 .

Feyne, a. relax

,cease, 114 7 .

Fichene, v. pierce,20 98 .

F ilsuez,

fv. dwells,88 1.

Filterde,ach

'

. mixed, Joined, 7 80 ;matted

,10 7 8 .

Firthe or frith e, s. wood, 17 08 .

Flay,e . terrify

,2441 , 2 7 80 .

Flayre, s. smell,odour, breath ,

7 7 2 .

Fleche,8 . part, division, 2482 .

Flecte,a. float

,swim

,80 3 .

Flem yde, a. burnt,consumed, 115 5 .

Fleryande, achl grinning, 10 88 .

Fleterede,adj .flitting, flying, 20 9 7 .

Flitt,a. strike

,wound

,209 7 .

Floneg, s. arrows, 209 7 .

Floyne or floygene, s . a sort of

ship,7 43 .

Fluke,s. flat-fish

,10 88 ; floke

mouthed,2 7 80 .

Flyschande, adj . p iercing, sharp,

FOddenid,

fed,produced

,3 24 7 .

Fome,s. foam

,smoke

,10 7 9 .

Fonde,adj . foolish , m ad

,savage ,

8 8 1 .

Fonde or fonode,a. try, taste, 14 7 ,

Fongede, i) . took hold of, 3 3 0 9 .

Foode or fode,s. fellow,

3 7 7 7 .

Fore-lytenede, a. decreased,254 .

Fore-m aglede, i . engaged, hardlypressed

,153 4 .

Fore othy, adv. wherefore, 22 5 .

For-justede, adj . vanquished in

fight, 2 13 4, 289 6 .

Form aylle, s. the female hawk,

40 04 .

GLOSSARIAL INDEX .

Forrayse, a. forays,lays waste

,

124 7 .

Forsey,forsoey, or forsesy, ach

'

. of

great force, 3 3 0 1, 3 3 0 8 .For-wondsom e

,adj . very sorrow

ful,3 8 3 7 .

Fosterde, s. foresters, 3 00 .Forthire, ado. forward, 3 0 0 ‘ the

forthire,

’the forward or . first

part.Foulde

,s. earth

,10 7 1.

Foundez, goes, advances, 1228 .

Fourtedele,a. fourth part, 94 6 .

Foyle, 3 . box, 2 7 05 .

Fraisez, a. questions, examines

,

(perhaps) tortures, 1248 .

Fraiste,u. try, prove, seek

,4 3 5

,

10 3 8,3 58 3 .

Fraknede, adj . freckled,spotted

,

6 81,10 81 .

Frawnke, s . enclosure, 3 248Frayne or fraine

,ask

,enquire,

Fraythely, achv. suddenly, at once,3 8 6 5 .

Ereke, s. m an,fellow

,wretch

, 55 7 ,

7 42 , 9 7 3 .

Frekke, ach’

. bold , eager, vigorous,3 3 0 3 .

Frekkly, ache. boldly, rapidly, 55 6 ,7 88 .

Frem edly, ache. as a stranger, 1250 ,3 40 6 .

Frem m ede, adj . strange, unkind,

3 3 44.

Fresone,s. Freisland horse, 13 6 5 .

Fretyne or fretene,adj . consumed

,

844 ; overlaid,2 142 .

Frithed, adj . arranged in hedges,

3 248 .

From onde, s. forehead, 1112 .

Froske,s. frog, 108 1.

Froyt, 3 . fruit, 2 7 0 8 .

Frum entee,s. a dish of wheat,

m ilk, plums, etc.,180 (v. Lib.

Oure Cocaram ,p .

Frusch e, s. sudden rush,290 1 .

Fruschene,v. strife, rout, 2 805 .

Frythes, a. spare,6 5 6

,1 7 3 4 .

Fulsom este, adj . foulest, 10 6 1.Furthe, s. journey, course, 1525 ;path

,roadway, 189 7 , 2 144 .

Fylede, adj . defiled, 9 7 8 .

Gaddes, s. goads, spears, 3 6 22 .

Galede, a. screamed,chattered

,92 7 .

Galte,s . pig, boar, 110 1.

Gardwynes, s. rewards, 1 7 29 .

Garett, s. watch- tower,5 6 2

,3 105 .

Gayneste, adj . nearest, 48 7 .Gayspande, a. gasping, 14 6 2 .

Gedlynges or gadlynges, s. useless

fellows,wretches, 2 885 .

Geene,s. genies or spirits

,559 .

Gerse,s. grasp, 3 945 .

Gersom s,s.guerdons, rewards, 1 6 5

Gerte (gers, gars, garte ) , a. caused,

made,1 7 80 , 3 7 10 .

Gettlesse, ach’

. empty,possession

less,2 7 28 .

Ghywes, s. gyves, fetters, 3 6 22 .

Glapyns, o. is frightened, 3 950 .

Glaverande,adj . deceitful

, treach

erous,2 53 8 .

Glayfe or glaive, s. the blade or

steel part of th e spear, 3 7 6 2 .

Gledys, s. sparks, 117 .

Glent, s. glance, 3 8 6 4 .

Gliftes, looks,3 950 .

Glopned, s .was astonished, frightened

,10 7 4 , 2580 .

Glopynnyng, s.astonishment, 3 8 6 4 ,

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13 6

Hey (superl. hext) , adj . high , 1 6 6 .

Heyndly, ache. courteously, 15 .

Heynne (for h ehne or h ehune), ache.hence

,24 3 6 .

Hillid , buried in the flesh,covered,

. 1120,3 80 7 .

Hirste or hurste, 3 . wood, 3 3 7 0 .

Hodles,e . crawls, 2 3 0 8 .

Hopes,s. valleys

,250 3 .

Hovy s, a. stay, remain, 3 7 7 , 7 13 .

Hoursches, goes headlong, 2 110 .

Hufe,a. rage, fuss, 1 6 88 .

Huke,s. cloke, 7 3 4 .

Huke-nebbyde, adj . hook-nosed,10 82 .

Hulke,s. wretch, fellow,

10 58,

10 85 .

Hunde-fisch , s . dog-fish

,10 84.

Hurdace, s. scaffolding, platform,

3 6 2 7 .

Hurdez,a. abides

,10 10 .

Hyely, ads . loudly,1058 .

Hyled , a. covered,184 .

Hym lande, ach'

. encircling, hemming in, 250 3 .

Hyngede, a. hanged , 28 1 .

Iche,a

l

rush,charge, 1411 .

Inm ette,s. internals

,1122 .

Irous,adj . angry, passionate, 13 29 .

Jaggede or j oggede, v. pierced,

Jambe,ach

'

. capering, active ( seeRam he) , 2 895 .

Japez , mocks, j ests, 13 98 .

Jeryne, 3 . piece of armour ; J eryneof acres

,

’armour of Acre

,9 0 3 .

Joynter, s. Joints Of the armour,2 894 .

Justyfye, a. do justice to, 6 6 3 .

GLOSSARIAL INDEX.

Kaunt, ach

'

. bold, 2195 .

Kayre or cayre,i . go, journey, 6 ,

243,etc.

Kele,a. cool

, 183 9 .

Kelle or calle,3 . cap or coif, 3 259 .

Kempe,v. contend for superiority ,

2 6 3 4 .

Kem pis,s. knights, 100 3 .

Kenet,s. a small hound, 122 .

Kerse,

s. strength, temper of

sword,4 19 5 .

Kest,a. cast, 118 .

Ketelle-hatte, s. helmet, 2094 ,

3 9 9 6 .

Klevys, s. cliffs, 2 3 9 6 .

Klokes,s. clutches, claws, 7 92 .

Kwne, a. give, 15 6 5 .

Hyd or kydd,adj . famous, 9 6 , etc.

Kyrnelles, s . embattlements, 3 0 47 .Kystys, s. chests, coffers, 2 3 02 ,

2 3 3 6 .

Kyth , 3 . country, kingdom,28

,etc.

Leched,a. stripped, 15 15 .

Lade - sterne,s. load- star, leading

or guiding star, 7 5 1 .

Lakes, s. locks, 2 149 .

Lagere, s. couch, 229 3 .

Laggene, a. tilt,2542 .

Lagh te or laughte, a. taken,8 7 4 ,

Late or lote,3 . look

,features

,248

,

Lathe,s. ease

,compliance

,458 ;

“ Be now lathe or lette, Be

there compliance or opposition.

Layke, 3 . sport, game, 15 9 9 .

Layne,a. conceal, 2 3 98 , 2594 .

Layttede, a. sought, acquired, heldto be in possession of

,254 .

Lechene,e. heal , cure, 2 3 88 .

GLOSSARIAL INDEX.

Lechyde, ach'

. cut in slices,188 v.

Lib. Cure Cocorum ,pp . 13

,5 0 .

Lede, s. lad, m an,13 8

, etc.

Lem and,ach

’

. glittering, gleaming,

Lendez,s . loins

,104 7

Lenge, a. lounge, delay, tarry, 7 2 ,3 4 3 .

Lesse, i) . lose, 1599 .

Lesse,s . lie

,159 .

Letande,a. locking, 3 8 3 2 .

Letherly, achz. vilely, shamefully,12 6 8 .

Leskes,s. flanks

,10 9 7 , 3 280 .

Leve, o. believe,109 9 .

Levere, s. encampment, 3 0 7 9 .

Ligham ,8 . dead body

,3 282

,42 7 0 .

Lire,s. flesh

,face, 3 2 82 , 3 955 ,

42 7 3 .

Lokerde,adj . distorted, 7 7 9 .

Los or loosse,s. honour

,praise

,

254,4 7 4 .

Loth ene, adj. hideous, 7 7 8 .Lowe

, s . flame,heat

, glare, 194 .

Lowrande, adj . sad, gloomy, 144 6 .

Lowttede, e. worshipped, boweddown to , 3 28 6 .

Loyotour, s. embroidery, 3 254 .

Lufe,s. the loof of a ship , 7 44,

7 5 0 .

Lufiiy, adv. lovingly, 248 .

Lugge or lygge, a. lodge, lie, stay,remain

,152 .

Lussche, s. violence, force, 3 849 .

Lutterde, adj . crooked , twisted,7 7 9 .

Luysch ede, v. lashed out, 222 6 .

Lyarde, adj . disordered, 3 28 1 .Lygm ane

,s. liegeman, 420 .

Lym pyde, a.happened, befell, 292,8 7 5 .

13 7

Lyth, a. listen

,12 .

Thenne wetz hit lif upon list to lythenthe houndez .

— (Sir Gawaine,Lythe

,adj . gentle, smooth, 15 17 .

Lythe,

”s. land

,property, kingdom,

Lythyre, s. leader, ruler (P) , 23 .

Mangere, s. diet, keep of a priso

ner,1588.

Manrede,8 .power, lit.homage, 12 7 .

Masondewes, s.Maisons Dieu,hos

p itals, 3 0 3 9 .

Mele,a. speak, 3 82, 6 7 9 .

Melle, a.mingle, comm unicate, 9 3 8.

Menske,s. honour, 12 6 .

Menskes, o. deserves honour

,13 0 3 .

Merke, a. go, 42 7 , etc.

Merkes,s. boundaries

,114 7 .

Mett, a. dreamed, 3 224 .Mofes, fa. overcomes

,3 3 24 .

Moles, a. 3 05 7 . See Mele.

Mone, a. shall (Prov. ? m an) , 8 13 .

Mowe,a. m ay, 3 8 13 .

Mysese pluralof rug/x) s.wretches,6 6 7 .

Mysse, s. evil, wrong, 13 15 .

Myx, s. wretch, 989 .

Naye, s. (yolke of a nay, for golke

of an aye= egg) 3 2 84.

Nedys,3 . needs

,demands

,85 .

N eyvesom e, adj . renowned, 52 3 .

Notez, a. make use of

,18 15 .

Notte, 3 . business, affair, 18 1 6 .

N om ene,a. taken, 14 3 7 .

Nurree,s. adopted child

,6 89 .

Oches, a. breaks

,25 6 5

,3 6 7 6 .

O -dawe,ache. out of days

, i .a. out

of life (see Dawes), 3 7 3 7 .

GLOSSARIAL INDEX .

On-dreghe, adv. at a distance, 7 8 6 ,7 8 7 .

Orfracez,

s. em broideries,

orna

ments, 902 , 2 142 .

Ostayande, a. sojourning, 3 50 3 .

Overlynge, s. superior, ruler, 289 ,520 .

Ownd, adj . laced, slashed, 19 3 .

Owte, adj . foreign, 3 0 .

Palle,s . fine cloth, 1288 , 24 7 8 .

Palyd , o. ornamented, 12 8 7 , 13 7 5 .

Pare,o. injure, 4048 .

Pastorelles, s. shepherds,swine

herds,3 12 1.

Paumes, 3 . hands, claws, 7 7 6 .

Pavys, s. a shield,3 4 6 1

,3 6 2 6 .

Pavysers, s. soldiers armed withth e pavys, 3 00 5 .

Payses, a. force,3 0 3 8, 3 04 3 .

Peghttes, s . Picts, 412 6 .

Pensels,3 . small banners, 1289

,

2411 .

Perrye, s. j ewellery, 24 6 1, 3 4 6 2 .

Pertly,ado. apart

,2 9 18 .

Pertyes, a. parts,192 5 .

Pillion (hat) , 3 . priest’

s,or large

h at .

Pilour, s. pilferer, robber, 2 13 3 .

Plasch e,

s. a marshy piece of

ground, 2 7 99 .

Plattes, s. plankes for seats, 24 7 8 .

Plumpe,s. crowd

,2 199 .

Plyande, a. working, 7 7 7 .Pome

,s. the kingly globe, 3 3 55 .

Pom elle, 3 . small globe at the head

of a flag-staff

,1289 .

Poverelle,

adj . poor, labouringm en

,3 12 1.

Poyue, v. stitch with a bodkin,2 6 25 .

Prys or pris,adj . precious, chief,

2,5 89 .

Pyghte, adj . decked, garnished,pitched, 2 12 , 1 3 00 , 24 7 8 .

Fykes,3 . points

,7 7 7 .

Pyne, s. lamentation, 3 044 .

Pynns , a. pine,annoy, trouble,

4048 .

Qwarelles, 3 . short arrows for

cross bow,2 10 3 .

Querte in querte,’

equivalent tobeing in life ; querte, joy, ac

tivity, life, 3 8 11 .

Qwarte, fa.quashed, smashed, 3 3 90 .

w ke, adj . alive, 17 3 6 .

w uc,adv. whence, 3 504 .

Raas, a. tear

,snatch , 3 6 2 .

Racches, s. scenting hounds, 400 0 .Rade

,adj . afraid, 2882 .

Radly, ado. swiftly, 15 29 .

Badness,3 . fear, 120 .

Raike or rayke, s.path, 1525 , 2 98 6 .

Ramby or j ambe, ach'

. prancing,spirited

,3 7 3 , 2 895 .

Ranez,s. rushes, 92 3 .

Raply, ach) . quickly, 17 6 3 .

Rared, v. roared, 7 84 .

Rasches,a. rush

, go rashly, 2 10 7 .

Baths , rathely, or rayth ely, ado .

quickly, soon, 2 3 7 , 12 7 5 .

Raw (on) , s. in rotation, 6 3 3 .Rawnsakes (imp ) a. search

,3 229 ,

3 7 40 ; probe, 4 3 05 .

Raykede,fa. rushed

,flowed, ran,

Raylide, v. arrayed, ornamented,3 2 6 4 .

Raym ede, a. roamed, made incursion

,100»

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GLOSSARIAL INDEX.

Schowande, adj . bending (lit.shoving) , 1099 .

Schrowde,s. dress

,3 6 29 .

Schreede, a. shred

,sprinkled

, 7 6 7 .

Schrym pe, s.monster, dragon, 7 6 7 .Schuntes or schountes

,a. hesitates,

delays,1055 .

Seche, 5 . seek,3 2 3 4 .

Sektour, s. successor, follower, 6 6 5 .

Segge, s. servant, m an, follower,

Selcouth , adj . wonderful, curious,

Semblant,s. pomp

,7 5 .

Semble, a. cope with, meet, 9 6 7 .Sendelle

,s. a sort of silken stuff,

22 9 9 .

Serfed , a. deserved,10 6 8 .

Sere,adj . several

,192

,6 0 7 .

Serte,s. decree

,292 7 .

Sesyne or seizin,s .possession, 3 5 89 .

Sewand,a. following, 8 1.

Sewes, s. stews, made dishes, 192 .

Poure on the sewe and serve it.(Lib. Cure Cocorum , p .

Seyne ( should be read sehuethen

,afterwards, 192 , 4 6 4, 9 3 9 .

Seyne, s. saint, 2 8 7 1.Seyne, a. boiled, cooked, 188

In hir own blood seyu.

—(Lib. Cure Cocorum , p.

S irquytrie, s. pride, 3 400 .

Sittande, adj . fitting, becoming,9 5 3 .

Sittandly, adv. suitably, 15 9 .

Skathelle or scathylle, adj . dan

gerons, 3 2 , 1 6 42 .

Skathlye, adj . ( should be readshatheles) without injury, 15 6 2 .

Skayres, a. frightens, 24 6 8 .

Skewe, a. rescue,15 6 2 .

watchmen,

Skottefers, s. shooters.Skowtte ~wach es, s.

24 6 8 .

Skroggez , s. stunted bushes, scrub ,1 6 42 .

Skyst (should be read shyftP) ,shift

,manage, arrange , 3 2 , 1 6 5 3 .

Slakkes,s. pools, marshes, 3 7 20 .

Slale ( should be read shale

crafty,3 118 .

Slawyne or slaveine, s. a pilgrim’s

mantle,3 47 5 .

Sleghte, s . craft,sleight, 3 419 .

Slewthe , s. sloth , 3 222 .

Sleygly, adj. slyly, cunningly, 29 7 6Slom owre

,s . slumber

,3 222 .

Slope,s. valley

,2 9 7 8 .

Slote or slotte,s. pit of the sto

mach,2254

,29 7 6 . See S ir

Gawaiue and Glossary .

Slottede,fa. stabbed, 3 85 6 .

Slowde, s. m ud , slush , 3 7 20 .

Slyke, ach

'

. such ; ‘ then was it

slyke,

’ then was there such ,3 7 20 .

Snelle,adj . quick, swift, 5 7 .

Sope,s. a sup or hasty repast, 1890 .

Soppe,s . com pany, . body, 149 3

,

Spakely, ado . quickly, 20 6 3 .

Spalddyd , ach'

. shivered,3 7 00 .

Spayre, s . spare-rib,20 6 0 .

Spekes,s. spokes

,3 2 6 4 .

Speltis, s. splinters, stripes, 3 2 6 5 .

Spencis, s. consumption, wasting,3 1 6 4.

Sprente, a. spurted,leapt

,20 6 2 ,

3 7 0 1 .

Sproutez , e . sprawls,20 6 3 .

Stale,3 . company

,band (lit. seat) ,

141GLOSSARIAL INDEX.

Stam yne, s. deck, 3 6 59 .

Stereborde, s. starboard, 7 45 .

Steryne, adj . stern, brave, 15 7 ,

3 7 7 .

Sterys, steers, guides, 9 17 .

Stirttelys ( should be read stighte

lys arrays) , 3 6 2 3Stokes

,a. strike, stab, 2554.

Stotais, e. abide

,delay

, 14 3 5 .

Stoundys, a. are placed, stand,3 6 24 .

Stowndys, 3 . times, 3 889 .

Stour,8 . war, fight, 3 7 7

Stowuntyng, s. stunting, stopping,49 1.

Strates, s. streets, paths, 5 6 1.Strekez , e. stretches

,1229 , 3 102 .

Streke, ache. quickly, 3 102Strenge, 3 . strong place, entrenchment

, 192 6 .

Struye, a. destroy,5 6 1.

Stufl’

e, a. treat,provision

,19 3 2

,

2 3 6 9 .

Stye, s. path, 3 4 6 7 .

Styghtylle or stightill, a. arrange,

dispose of,15 7 .

Sulayne, ach'

. sole, alone, 25 93 .

Sum m es, s. assemblies, hosts, 6 0 6 .

Surepel, 3 . cover, case, 3 3 18 .

Surrawns, s . assurance,treaty,

3 182 .

Surs,s . rising, 19 7 8 , 25 11.

Suters,s. stalls, 50 1.

Swafres or swayfres, a.starts, 3 9 7 1.Swange, s. loins, groin, 1129 .Swanke (p ret. of swinke) , o. toil

,

labour,hence strike with sword

,

2982,3 3 82 .

Swape, 3 . stroke, blow,

3 14.

Swarthe,s. sward, 112 6 .

Swayne, s. Swain, m an

, 3 3 6 1.

Swefennys, s . dreams, 3 229 .

Swefnyng, 3 . sleep , dreaming, 7 59 ,8 12 .

Sweperly, ado . swiftly,1128

,14 6 5 .

Swelte,a. faint

,die

,8 13

,2 9 6 2

,

Sweys, o. descends

,falls, 5 7 , 14 6 7 .

Swier, s . squire, 2 9 6 0 , 3 7 04 .

Swoghe, 3 . sound, 7 59 .

Swowynge, 3 . sound of runningwater, 9 3 1 .

Swtte, swete or swett,life

,2 145

,

3 3 6 1. See Glossary to Alliteratiae Poem s.

Swykede, o. deceived,failed

,1 7 95 ,

3 3 6 2 .

Swym ,s. swoon, 4247 .

Swynge, s. blow, 3 3 6 1.

Swyngene, a. overthrow,hurled

down,14 6 6 .

Swyre-bane, s. neck-bone,29 6 0 .

Swythe,ach

'

. quick, 40 9,8 13

,

1128 .

Sybbe, adj . near Of kin,6 45

,6 8 1.

Sybredyne, s. kindred, 6 9 1, 4 14 6 .Sydlynges or syddynges, ache. sideways

,sidelong, 10 3 9 , 124 3 .

Sylande, a. gliding, 129 7 , 3 7 95 .

Syte or sytte, s. grief, sorrow,

shame,10 6 0

,13 0 5 .

Sythyne or sithen, achJ. afterwards,then, 5 6 , 15 9 , 1 6 9 , 184 .

Tachem enteg, s. appurtenances,

belongings, 15 6 8 .

Tach esesede, a. attached, 82 1.

Taghte, ach'

. courteous,well-train

ed,17 8 .

Takelle, s. tackle ? 3 6 19 .

Talm es, a. is disheartened (lit. benumb, deaden) , 258 1.

GLOSSARIAL INDEX.

Targe, 3 . document, paper, 89 .

Temez, v. pours, empties, 180 1.

Tempest,

act violently, 2408 .

Tene, a. gri eve , 2 6 4 .

Tene,s. sorrow,

19 5 6 .

Thee, s . thigh, 184 6 .

Thirllede,r. pierced, 1858 .

Thole, v.suffer

,endure, permit, 6 7 6

Threaor throo,adj .bold, 249 , 3 295 ,

3 2 9 6 .

Thrawe, s. agony, struggle, 1150 .

Threppede, a. rushed,forced h is

way, 2216 .

Throly, ado. fiercely,

severely,

22 17 .

Thrynges, a.grips, 1150 ; struggles,fights, 22 17 .

Thrystez , a. thrusts, 115 1.Thursse, 3 . giant, 1100 . ( Stillused in E . Ang. counties.)Tide

,3 . season

, fitness, right, 2 7 5 .Togers, 3 . coats, 1 7 8 , 3 190 .

Tolowris, s. tiller of a boat (P) ,3 6 19 .

-TO -rattys, a. tear, rend, scatter,

22 3 5 .

Torfere,s. torture, trouble, pun

ishm ent, 19 5 6 .

To- stonayede, ach'

. confounded, astoni shed , 143 6 .

Towyne, a. tow, draw,3 6 5 6 .

Towne, ach'

. well trained,1 7 8 .

( Still exists in wan- tori .)Toyelys,s.tools, furniture,weap0ns,

Traise, a. go, 1 6 29 .

Traylede, a. dragged, drawn, 2 50 .

Trayne, s. stratagem,turn

,1 6 3 0 .

Trayste, a. trusts,Traystely, adv. safely

,trustily,

19 7 6 .

Trete,8 . row,

3 6 5 6 .

Trett,a. treat

,249

,250

,2 6 3 .

Treunt,a. march

,hasten, 19 7 6 ,

20 1 7 , 3 9 0 1.

Trewe,s. truce, 3 192 .

Tristly, ache. safely, 7 3 1.Trofelande

, adj . trifling, 1 6 8 3 .

Trom e, a. array in order of battle ,

3 59 3 .

Troufflyng, s. idle words, 114 .

Trufles,s . lies

,89 .

Trussez,a. pack up , load, 7 3 1,

19 7 6 , 3 59 3 .

Tryede a. (read tryuede) , went ,3 592 .

Tryne or trine (pret. tron) , a. to

go in procession or order, 1 7 5 7 ,3 193

,3 5 9 3 .

Tydd, a. befallen, fared, 3 6 55 .

Tykes, 3 . dogs (applied to m en),

3 6 43 .

Tym byrde, a. contrived, fashi oned,3 7 4 3 .

Tyne,i) . lose, 2 9 3 4 , 1954.

Tynt (pret. of tyne) , lost, killed ,2 7 2 , 7 7 0 .

Tyte,ache. quickly, 7 3 7 .

Um beclappes, a. embraces,Clasps,

surrounds, 17 7 9 , 18 19 .Umbrere, s . visor, 943 .

Undroune , 8 . nine o’clock a m . 4 6 3 .

Unfaire,ado.badly

,horribly, 1045 .

Unfawghte (read unsaughte,Unfaye, adj . unwounded, alive,2 7 9 7 .

Unfers, adj . weak, feeble, 412 3 .

Unfoundyde, adj .untried, unstable,2485 .

Unfraystede, ach'

, untried, inox

perienced , 2 7 3 7 .

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Wrokyne, Q7 . avenged, 2 225 Wynlyche, adj . handsome, pleaWrothely, ache. fiercely, 114 1. sant, 181 .

Wrotherayle, s. ill-fate

,3 155 .

Wrythyne, a. struggle, 114 1 . Ythez , s. waves, 7 41, 7 4 7 .Wyderwyne, s. enemy, 2045 .

Wyes or wyese ( sing. coy or wye),m en

,5 6

,5 3 3 .

Wyghte, ach'

. quick , 1 6 15 .

Wyghte, 3 . m an,9 59 .

Wyghtly, ache. quickly, 7 0 .

Wyghtnesse, s. quickness, vigor,boldness

,258 .

Wylnez , v. desires, wishes, 9 6 2 .

Wynch e, o. flinch,2 104 .

Wynly, ache. pleasantly, 3 3 3 9 .

STEPHEN AUSTIN, PRINTER, HERTFGRD.

gapely, ache. quickly, 1502 .

3ernez , a. holds,keeps

,19 3 8 .

germ ys, a. screams, cries, 3 9 12 .

3ernez , o. desirest,15 02 .

gitt, ache. yet, 1424 , 14 3 5 .

goldene, a. yielded, 2482 .

301e, s . Yule,Christmas, 1 6 29 .

gomane, s. yeoman, 2 6 29 .

jorke (read goshe) , cry, sob, 3 9 12 .