The Alliterative Morte Arthure, ed. by Valerie Krishna
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The alliterative Morte ArthureThe alliterative Morte Arthure Anonymous

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The alliterative Morte Arthure

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Note: First published in 1440

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The alliterative Morte Arthure : a critical edition edited, with an introduction, notes, and glossary by: Valerie Krishna preface by: Rossell Hope Robbins xiv, 361 p., [8] leaves of plates : ill. ; 24
cm. : Burt FranklinNew York c.1976

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Published: 1440

Middle English

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SGML tagging added to Oxford Text Archive U-535-A: etext@virginia.edu. Commercial use prohibited; all usage governed by our Conditions of Use: http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/conditions.html The Thornton Ms., Folios 53r-64r (lines 1-985)

1: How grett glorious Godd, thurgh grace of Hym seluen, 2: And the precyous prayere of Hys prys Modyr,

3: Schelde vs fro schamesdede and synfull werkes,

4: And gyffe vs grace to gye and gouerne vs here,

5: In this wrechyd werld, thorowe vertous lywynge, 6: That we may kayre til Hys courte, the kyngdom of Hevyne, 7: When oure saules schall parte and sundyre fra the body, 8: Ewyre to belde and to byde in blysse wyth Hym seluen; 9: And wysse me to werpe owte som worde at this tym 10: That nothyre voyde be ne vayne, bot wyrchip till Hym selvyn, 11: Plesande and profitabill to the popule ţat them heres.

12: 3e that liste has to lyth or luffes for to here 13: Off elders of alde tym and of theire awke dedys, 14: How they were lele in theire lawe and louede God Almyghty, 15: Herkynes me heyndly and holdys 3ow styll,

16: And I sall tell 3ow a tale ţat trewe es and nobyll, 17: Off the ryeall renkys of the Rownnde Table,

18: That chefe ware of cheualrye and cheftans nobyll, 19: Bathe ware in thire werkes and wyse men of armes, 20: Doughty in theire doyngs and dredde ay schame, 21: Kynde men and courtays and couthe of courte thewes; 22: How they whanne wyth were wyrchippis many,

23: Sloughe Lucyus ţe lythyre, that Lorde was of Rome, 24: And conqueryd that kyngryke thorowe craftys of armes; 25: Herkenes now hedyrwarde and herys this storye.

26: Qwen that the kyng Arthur by conqueste hade wonnyn 27: Castells and kyngdoms and contreez many,

28: And he had couerede the coroun of the kyth ryche, 29: Of all that Vter in erthe aughte in his tym:

30: Orgayle and Orkenay and all this owte iles,

31: Irelande vttirly, as occyane rynnys;

32: Scathyll Scottlande by skyll he skyftys as hym lykys, 33: And Wales of were he wane at hys will;

34: Bathe Flaundrez and Fraunce fre til him seluyn, 35: Holaund and Henawde they helde of hym bothen,

36: Burgoyne and Brabane and Bretayn the Lasse,

37: Gyan and Gothelande and Grace the ryche;

38: Bayon and Burdeux he beldytt full faire,

39: Turoyn and Tholus, with toures full hye;

40: Off Peyters and of Prouynce he was prynce holdyn, 41: Of Valence and Vyenne, off value so noble,

42: Of Ouergne and Anyou, thos erledoms ryche,

43: By conqueste full cruell ţey knewe hym fore lorde; 44: Of Nauerne and Norwaye and Normaundye eke,

45: Of Almayne, of Estriche, and oţer ynowe;

46: Danmarke he dryssede all by drede of hym seluyn, 47: Fra Swynn vnto Swetherwyke, wiţ his swerde kene.

48: Qwenn he thes dedes had don, he doubbyd hys knyghtez, 49: Dyuysyde dowcherys and delte in dyuerse remmes, 50: Mad of his cosyns kyngys ennoyntede,

51: In kyth there they couaitte crounes to bere.

52: Whene he thys rewmes hade redyn and rewlyde the popule, 53: Then rystede that ryall and helde ţe Rounde Tabyll; 54: Suggeourns ţat seson to solace hym seluen

55: In Bretayn ţe Braddere, as hym beste lykes.

56: Sythyn wente into Wales with his wyes all,

57: Sweys into Swaldye with his snell houndes,

58: For to hunt at ţe hartes in thas hye laundes,

59: In Glamorgan with glee, thare gladchipe was euere.

60: And thare a citee he sette, be assentte of his lordys, 61: That Caerlyon was callid, with curius walles,

62: On the riche reuare ţat rynnys so faire,

63: There he myghte semble his sorte to see whenn hym lykede.

64: Thane aftyre at Carlele a Cristynmese he haldes, 65: This ilke kyde conquerour, and helde hym for lorde, 66: Wyth dukez and duspers of dyuers rewmes,

67: Erles and ercheuesqes and oţer ynowe,

68: Byschopes and bachelers and banerettes nobill, 69: Ţat bowes to his banere, buske when hym lykys.

70: Bot on the Cristynmes Daye, when they were all semblyde, 71: That comlyche conquerour commaundez hym seluyn 72: Ţat ylke a lorde sulde lenge and no lefe take

73: To the tende day fully ware takyn to ţe ende.

74: Thus on ryall araye he helde his Rounde Table, 75: With semblant and solace and selcouthe metes;

76: Whas neuer syche noblay in no manys tym

77: Mad in mydwynter in ţa weste marchys.

78: Bot on the New3ere Daye, at ţe none euyne,

79: As the bolde at the borde was of brede seruyde, 80: So come in sodanly a senatour of Rome,

81: Wyth sexten knyghtes in a soyte, sewande hym one.

82: He salu3ed the souerayne, and the sale aftyr,

83: Ilke a kyng aftyre kyng, and mad his enclines; 84: Gaynour in hir degre he grette as hym lykyde,

85: And syne agayne to ţe gome he gaffe vp his nedys: 86: “Sir Lucius Iberius, the Emperour of Rome,

87: Saluz the as sugett, vndyre his sele ryche;

88: It es credens, Sir Kyng, with cruell wordez;

89: Trow it for no trufles: his targe es to schewe.

90: Now in this New3ers Daye, with notaries synge, 91: I make the somouns in sale to sue for ţi landys, 92: That on Lammesse Daye thare be no lette founden, 93: Ţat thow bee redy at Rome with all thi Rounde Table, 94: Appere in his presens with thy price knyghtez, 95: At pryme of the daye, in payne of 3our lyvys,

96: In ţe kydd capytoile, before ţe kyng selvyn,

97: When he and his senatours bez sette as them lykes, 98: To ansuere anely why thow ocupyes the laundez

99: That awe homage of alde till hym and his eldyrs; 100: Why thow has redyn and raymede and raunsound ţe pople, 101: And kyllyde doun his cosyns, kyngys ennoynttyde; 102: Thare schall thow gyffe rekkynyng for all thy Round Table 103: Why thow arte rebell to Rome and rentez them wytholdez.

104: 3iff thow theis somouns wythsytte, he sendes thie thies wordes: 105: He sall the seke ouer ţe see wyth sexten kynges, 106: Bryne Bretayn ţe Brade and bryttyn thy knyghtys, 107: And bryng the bouxsomly as a beste with brethe whare hym lykes, 108: That thow ne schall rowte ne ryste vndyr the heuene ryche, 109: Ţofe thow for reddour of Rome ryne to ţe erthe; 110: For if thow flee into Fraunce or Freselaund owţer, 111: Ţou sall be feched with force and ouersette fore euer!

112: Thy fadyr mad fewtee, we fynde in oure rollez, 113: In the regestre of Rome, who-so ryghte lukez.

114: Withowttyn more trouflyng the trebute we aske 115: That Iulius Cesar wan with his ientill knyghttes.”

116: The Kyng blyschit on the beryn with his brode eghn, 117: Ţat full brymly for breth brynte as the gledys, 118: Keste colours as Kyng, with crouell lates,

119: Luked as a lyon, and on his lyppe bytes.

120: The Romaynes for radnesse ruschte to ţe erthe, 121: Fore ferdnesse of hys face, as they fey were; 122: Cowchide as kenetez before ţe Kyng seluyn:

123: Because of his contenaunce confusede them semede.

124: Then couerd vp a knyghte and criede ful lowde, 125: “Kyng corounede of kynd, curtays and noble,

126: Misdoo no messangere for menske of ţi seluyn, 127: Sen we are in thy manrede and mercy ţe besekes.

128: We lenge with Sir Lucius, that Lorde es of Rome, 129: That es ţe meruelyousteste man ţat on molde lengez; 130: It is lefull till vs his likyng till wyrche;

131: We come at his commaundment; haue vs excusede.”

132: Then carpys ţe Conquerour crewell wordez:

133: “Haa, crauaunde knyghte, a cowarde ţe semez!

134: Ţare Őisĺ some segge in this sale, and he ware sare greuede, 135: Thow durste noghte for all Lumberdye luke on hym ones.”

136: “Sir,” sais ţe Senatour, “so Crist mott me helpe, 137: Ţe voute of thi vesage has woundyde vs all!

138: Thow arte ţe lordlyeste lede ţat euer I one lukyde; 139: By lukyng, withowttyn lesse, a lyon the semys!”

140: “Thow has me somond,” quod ţe Kyng, “and said what ţe lykes; 141: Fore sake of thy soueraynge I suffre the ţe more; 142: Sen I Őwasĺ coround in kyth, wyth crysum enoyntede, 143: Was neuer creature to me ţat carpede so large.

144: Bot I sall tak concell at kynges enoyntede,

145: Off dukes and duspers and doctours noble,

146: Offe peres of ţe parlement, prelates and oţer, 147: Off ţe richeste renkys of ţe Rounde Table;

148: Ţus schall I take avisemente of valiant beryns, 149: Wyrke aftyre the wytte of my wyes knyghttes;

150: To warpe wordez in waste no wyrchip it were,

151: Ne wilfully in ţis wrethe to wreken my seluen.

152: Forţi sall ţow lenge here and lugge wyth ţise lordes, 153: This seuenyghte in solace, to suggourne 3our horses, 154: To see whatte lyfe ţat wee leede in thees lawe laundes, 155: Forby ţe realtee of Rome, ţat recheste was euere.”

156: He command Sir Cayous, “Take kepe to thoos lordez, 157: To styghtyll ţa steryn men as theire statte askys, 158: That they bee herberde in haste in thoos heghe chambres, 159: Sythin sittandly in sale seruyde theraftyr.

160: That they fynd na fawte of fude to thiere horsez, 161: Nowthire weyn, ne waxe, ne welthe in ţis erthe, 162: Spare for no spycerye, bot spende what ţe lykys, 163: That there be largesce on lofte and no lake founden.

164: If ţou my wyrchip wayte, wy, be my trouthe,

165: Ţou sall haue gersoms full grett, that gayne sall ţe euere.”

166: Now er they herberde in hey and in oste holden, 167: Hastyly wyth hende men within thees heghe wallez; 168: In chambyrs with chympnes ţey chaungen ţeire wedez, 169: And sythyn the chauncelere ţem fecchede with cheualrye noble.

170: Sone ţe Senatour was sett, as hym wele semyde; 171: At ţe Kyngez ownn borde twa knyghtes hym seruede, 172: Singulere sothely, as Arthure hym seluyn,

173: Richely on ţe ryghte hannde at the Round Table, 174: Be resoun ţat ţe Romaynes whare so ryche holden, 175: As of ţe realeste blode ţat reynede in erthe.

176: There come in at ţe fyrste course, befor ţe Kyng seluen, 177: Bareheuedys ţat ware bryghte, burnyste with syluer, 178: All with taghte men and town in togers full ryche, 179: Of saunke reall in suyte, sexty at ones;

180: Flesch fluriste of fermyson with frumentee noble, 181: Therto wylde to wale and wynlyche bryddes,

182: Pacokes and plouers in platers of golde,

183: Pygges of porke despyne ţat pasturede neuer,

184: Sythen herons in hedoyne, hyled full faire,

185: Grett swannes full swythe in silueryn chargeours, 186: Tartes of turky, taste wham ţem lykys,

187: Gumbaldes grathely, full gracious to taste,

188: Seyne bowes of wylde bores with ţe braune lechyde, 189: Bernakes and botures in baterde dysches,

190: Ţareby braunchers in brede, bettyr was neuer, 191: With brestez of barowes ţat bryghte ware to schewe; 192: Seyn come ţer sewes sere, with solace ţerafter, 193: Ownd of azure all ouer and ardant ţem semyde, 194: Of ilke a leche ţe lowe launschide full hye,

195: Ţat all ledes myghte lyke ţat lukyde ţem apon; 196: Ţan cranes and curlues craftyly rosted,

197: Connygez in cretoyne, colourede full faire,

198: Fesauntez enflureschit on flammande siluer,

199: With dariells endoride and daynteez ynewe;

200: Ţane clarett and creette, clergyally rennen,

201: With condethes full curious, all of clene siluyre, 202: Osay aŐnĺd algarde and oţer ynewe,

203: Rynisch wyne and rochell, richere was neuer,

204: Vernage of Venyce vertuouse and Crete,

205: In faucetez of fyn golde, fonode whoso lykes.

206: The Kyngez cope-borde was closed in siluer,

207: In grete goblettez ouergylte, glorious of hewe; 208: There was a cheefe buttlere, a cheualere noble, 209: Sir Cayous ţe curtaise, ţat of ţe cowpe seruede: 210: Sexty cowpes of suyte fore ţe Kyng seluyn,

211: Crafty and curious, coruen full faire,

212: In euerilk a party pyghte with precyous stones, 213: That nan enpoyson sulde goo preuely ţervndyre, 214: Bot ţe bryght golde for brethe sulde briste al to peces, 215: Or ells ţe venym sulde voyde thurghe vertue of ţe stones.

216: And the Conquerour hym seluen, so clenly arayede, 217: In colours of clene golde cleede, wyth his knyghttys, 218: Drissid with his dyademe on his deesse ryche, 219: Fore he was demyd ţe doughtyeste ţat duellyde in erthe.

220: Thane ţe Conquerour kyndly carpede to ţose lordes, 221: Rehetede ţe Romaynes with realle speche:

222: “Sirs, bez knyghtly of contenaunce, and comfurthes 3our seluyn; 223: We knowe noghte in ţis countre of curious metez, 224: In thees barayne landez, bredes none oţer;

225: Forethy, wythowttyn feynyng, enforce 3ow ţe more 226: To feede 3ow with syche feble as 3e before fynde.”

227: “Sir,” sais ţe Senatour, “soo Criste motte me helpe, 228: There ryngnede neuer syche realtee within Rome walles!

229: There ne es prelatte, ne pape, ne prynce in ţis erthe, 230: That he ne myghte be wele payede of ţees pryce metes.”

231: Aftyre theyre welthe ţey wesche and went vnto chambyre, 232: Ţis ilke kydde Conquerour, with knyghtes ynewe; 233: Sir Gaywayne ţe worthye Dame Waynour he ledys; 234: Sir Owghtreth on the toţer syde, of Turry was lorde.

235: Thane spyces vnsparyly ţay spendyde thereaftyre: 236: Maluesye and muskadell, ţase meruelyous drynkes, 237: Raykede full rathely in rossete cowpes,

238: Till all ţe riche on rawe, Romaynes and oţer.

239: Bot the soueraingne sothely, for solauce of hym seluen, 240: Assingnyde to ţe Senatour certaygne lordes,

241: To lede to his leuere, whene he leue askes,

242: With myrthe and with melodye of mynstralsy noble.

243: Thane ţe Conquerour to concell cayres thereaftyre, 244: Wyth lordes of his lygeaunce ţat to hym selfe langys; 245: To ţe geauntes toure iolily he wendes,

246: Wyth justicez and iuggez and gentill knyghtes.

247: Sir Cador of Cornewayle to ţe Kyng carppes,

248: Lughe on hym luffly with lykande lates:

249: “I thanke Gode of ţat thraa ţat vs ţus thretys!

250: 3ow moste be traylede, I trowe, bot 3ife 3e trett bettyre.

251: Ţe lettres of Sir Lucius lyghttys myn herte!

252: We hafe as losels liffyde many longe daye,

253: Wyth delyttes in this land with lordchipez many, 254: And forelytenede the loos ţat we are layttede; 255: I was abaischite, be oure Lorde, of oure beste bernes, 256: Fore gret dule of deffuse of dedez of armes.

257: Now wakkenyse ţe were! Wyrchipide be Cryste!

258: And we sall wynn it agŐaĺyne be wyghtnesse and strenghe!”

259: “Sir Cadour,” quod ţe Kyng, “thy concell es noble; 260: Bot ţou arte a meruailous man with thi mery wordez; 261: For thow countez no caas, ne castes no forthire, 262: Bot hurles furthe appon heuede, as thi herte thynkes.

263: I moste trette of a trew towchande ţise nedes, 264: Talke of thies tythdands ţat tenes myn herte: 265: Ţou sees ţat ţe Emperour es angerde a lyttill; 266: Yt semes be his sandismen ţat he es sore greuede; 267: His senatour has sommonde me and said what hym lykyde, 268: Hethely in my hall, wyth heyn3ous wordes,

269: In speche disspyszede me and sparede me lyttill, 270: I myght noghte speke for spytte, so my herte trymblyde!

271: He askyde me tyrauntly tribute of Rome,

272: That tenefully tynt was in tym of myn elders, 273: There alyenes, in absence of all men of armes, 274: Couerd it of comons, as cronicles telles.

275: I have title to take tribute of Rome;

276: Myne ancestres ware emperours and aughte it ţem seluen, 277: Belyn and Brene and Bawdewyne the Thyrde;

278: They ocupyede ţe Empyre aughte score wynnttyrs, 279: Ilkane ayere aftyre oţer, as awlde men telles; 280: Thei couerde ţe capitoile and keste doun ţe walles, 281: Hyngede of ţeire heddys-men by hundrethes at ones.

282: Seyn Constantyne, our kynsmane, conquerid it aftyre, 283: Ţat ayere was of Ynglande and Emperour of Rome, 284: He ţat conquerid ţe crosse be craftez of armes 285: That Criste was on crucifiede, ţat Kyng es of Heuen.

286: Thus hafe we euydens to aske ţe Emperour ţe same, 287: That ţus regnez at Rome, whate ryghte ţat he claymes.”

288: Ţan answarde Kyng Aungers to Arthure hym seluyn, 289: Thow aughte to be ouerlynge ouer all oţer kynges, 290: Fore wyseste and worthyeste and wyghteste of hanndes, 291: The knyghtlyeste of counsaile ţat euer coron bare; 292: I dare saye fore Scottlande ţat we them schathe lympyde: 293: When ţe Romaynes regnede ţay raunsound oure eldyrs, 294: And rade in theire ryotte and rauyschett oure wyfes, 295: Withowttyn reson or ryghte refte vs oure gudes.

296: And I sall make myn avowe deuotly to Criste,

297: And to ţe haly vernacle, vertuus and noble,

298: Of this grett velany I sall be vengede ones,

299: On 3one venemus men, wyth valiant knyghtes!

300: I sall the forthire of defence, fosterde ynewe, 301: Fifty thowsande men, wythin two eldes,

302: Of my wage for to wende whare so the lykes,

303: To fyghte wyth thy faamen, ţat vs vnfaire ledes!

304: Thane the burelyche Beryn of Bretayne ţe Lyttyll 305: Counsayles Sir Arthure, and of hym besekys

306: To ansuere ţe alyenes wyth austeren wordes,

307: To entyce the Emperour to take ouere the mounttes.

308: He said, I make myn avowe verreilly to Cryste 309: And to ţe haly vernacle ţat voide schall I neuere, 310: For radnesse of na Romayne ţat regnes in erthe, 311: Bot ay be redye in araye and at areste founden.

312: No more dowtte the dynte of theire derfe wapyns, 313: Ţan ţe dewe ţat es dannke when ţat it doun falles: 314: Ne no more schoune fore ţe swape of theire scharpe suerddes, 315: Then fore ţe faireste flour ţatt on the folde growes!

316: I sall to batell the brynge of brenyede knyghtes 317: Thyrtty thosannde be tale, thryftye in armes, 318: Wythin a monethe daye into whatte marche

319: Ţat ţow wyll sothelye assygne, when thy selfe lykes.

320: A! A! sais ţe Walsche kyng, wirchipid be Criste!

321: Now schalle we wreke full wele ţe wrethe of oure elders!

322: In West Walys iwysse syche wonndyrs ţay wroghte, 323: Ţat all for wandrethe may wepe ţat on ţat were thynkes.

324: I sall haue the avanttwarde wytterly my seluen, 325: Tyll ţat I haue venquiste ţe Vicounte of Rome, 326: Ţat wroghte me at Viterbe a velanye ones,

327: As I paste in pylgremage by the Pounte Tremble; 328: He was in Tuskayne ţat tyme and tuke of oure knyghttes, 329: Areste them vnryghttwyslye and raunsound ţam aftyre; 330: I sall hym surelye ensure ţat saghetyll sall we neuer, 331: Are we sadlye assemble by oure selfen ones,

332: And dele dynttys of dethe with oure derfe wapyns!

333: And I sall wagge to ţat were, of wyrchipfull knyghtes, 334: Of Wyghte and of Walschelande and of the weste marches, 335: Twa thosande in tale, horsede one stedys,

336: Of ţe wyghteste wyes in all 3one weste landys!”

337: Syre Ewan fytz Vryence ţane egerly fraynez,

338: Was cosyn to ţe Conquerour, corageous hym selfen, 339: “Sir, and we wyste 3our wyll, we walde wirke ţeraftyre: 340: 3if ţis journee sulde halde or be ajournede forthyre, 341: To ryde one 3one Romaynes and ryott theire landez, 342: We walde schape vs therefore to schippe whene 3ow lykys.”

343: “Cosyn,” quod ţe Conquerour, “kyndly ţou asches; 344: 3ife my concell accorde to conquere 3one landez, 345: By ţe kalendez of Iuny we schall encountre ones, 346: Wyth full creuell knyghtez, so Cryste mot me helpe!

347: Thereto make I myn avowe devottly to Cryste,

348: And to the holy vernacle, vertuous and noble, 349: I sall at Lammesse take leue to lenge at my large 350: In Lorayne or Lumberdye, whethire me leue thynkys; 351: Merke vnto Meloyne and myne doun ţe wallez,

352: Bathe of Petyrsande and of Pys and of ţe Pounte Tremble; 353: In ţe Vale of Viterbe vetaile my knyghttes,

354: Suggourne there sex wokes and solace my selfen; 355: Send prekers to ţe price toun and plaunte there my segge, 356: Bot if ţay profre me ţe pece be processe of tym.”

357: “Certys,” sais Sir Ewayn, “and I avowe aftyre, 358: And I ţat hathell may see euer with myn eghn, 359: Ţat ocupies thin heritage, ţe Empyere of Rome, 360: I sall auntyre me anes hys egle to touche,

361: Ţat borne es in his banere of brighte golde ryche, 362: And raas it from his riche men and ryfe it in sondyre, 363: Bot he be redily reschowede with riotous knyghtez!

364: I sall enforsse 3owe in ţe felde with fresche men of armes, 365: Fyfty thosande folke apon faire stedys,

366: On thi foomen to foonde, there the faire thynkes, 367: In Fraunce or in Friselande, feghte when ţe lykes!

368: By oure Lorde, quod Sir Launcelott, now lyghttys myn herte!

369: I loue Gode of ţis loue ţis lordes has avowede.

370: Nowe may lesse men haue leue to say whatt them lykes, 371: And hafe no lettyng be lawe, bot lystynnys ţise wordez: 372: I sall be at journee with gentill knyghtes,

373: On a jamby stede, full jolyly graythide,

374: Or any journee begane to juste with hym selfen, 375: Emange all his geauntez, Genyuers and oţer,

376: Stryke hym styfflye fro his stede, with strenghe of myn handys, 377: For all ţa steryn in stour ţat in his stale houys!

378: Be my retenu arayede, I rekke bott a lyttill

379: To make rowtte into Rome with ryotous knyghtes; 380: Within a seuenyghte daye, with sex score helmes, 381: I sall be seen on the see, saile when ţe lykes!

382: Thane laughes Sir Lottez and all on lowde meles: 383: Me likez ţat Sir Lucius lannges aftyre sorowe; 384: Now he wylnez ţe were, hys wanedrethe begynnys!

385: It es owre weredes to wreke the wrethe of oure elders.

386: I make myn avowe to Gode and to ţe holy vernacle, 387: And I may se ţe Romaynes, ţat are so ryche halden, 388: Arayede in ţeire riotes on a rounde felde,

389: I sall at ţe reuerence of ţe Rounde Table,

390: Ryde thrughte all ţe rowtte, rerewarde and oţer, 391: Redy wayes to make and renkkes full rowme,

392: Rynnande on rede blode as my stede ruschez!

393: He ţat folowes my fare and fyrste commes aftyre 394: Sall fynde in my farewaye many fay leuyde!

395: Thane ţe Conquerour kyndly comforthes ţese knyghtes, 396: Alowes ţaim gretly theire lordly avowes:

397: Alweldande Gode wyrchip 3ow all,

398: And latte me neuere wanntte 3ow, whylls I in werlde regne; 399: My menske and my manhede 3e mayntene in erthe, 400: Myn honour all vtterly in oţer kyngys landes; 401: My wele and my wyrchipe, of all ţis werlde ryche, 402: 3e haue knyghtly conqueryde, ţat to my coroun langes; 403: Hym thare be ferde for no faees ţat swylke a folke ledes, 404: Bot euer fresche for to fyghte in felde when hym lykes; 405: I acounte no kynge ţat vndyr Criste lyffes;

406: Whills I see 3owe all sounde, I sette be no more.”

407: Qwhen they tristily had tretyd, ţay trumppede vp aftyre, 408: Descendyd doune with a daunce of dukes and erles.

409: Thane ţey semblede to sale and sowpped als swythe, 410: All ţis semly sorte, wyth semblante full noble.

411: Thene the roy reall rehetes thes knyghttys,

412: Wyth reuerence and ryotte of all his Rounde Table, 413: Till seuen dayes was gone, ţe Senatour askes

414: Answere to ţe Emperour with austeryn wordez.

415: Aftyre ţe Epiphanye, when ţe purpos was takyn, 416: Of peris of ţe parlement, prelates and oţer,

417: The Kyng in his concell, curtaise and noblee, 418: Vtters ţe alienes and ansuers hym seluen:

419: “Gret wele Lucius, thi lorde, and layne noghte ţise wordes: 420: Ife ţow be lygmane lele, late hym wiet sone

421: I sall at Lammese take leue and loge at my large 422: In delitte in his laundez, wyth lordes ynewe, 423: Regne in my realtee and ryste when me lykes,

424: By ţe reyuere of Reone halde my Rounde Table, 425: Fannge the fermes, in faithe, of all ţa faire rewmes, 426: For all ţe manace of hys myghte and mawgree his eghne!

427: And merke sythen ouer the mounttez into his mayne londez, 428: To Meloyne the meruaylous, and myn doun the walles; 429: In Lorrayne ne in Lumberdye lefe schall I nowthire 430: Nokyn lede appon liffe ţat ţare his lawes 3emes; 431: And turne into Tuschayne, whene me tyme thynkys, 432: Ryde all ţas rowme landes wyth ryotous knyghttes; 433: Byde hyŐmĺ make reschewes, fore menske of hym seluen, 434: And mette me fore his manhede in ţase mayne landes.

435: I sall be foundyn in Fraunce, fraiste when hym lykes, 436: The fyrste daye of Feuer3ere, in thas faire marches; 437: Are I be fechyde wyth force or forfette my landes, 438: Ţe flour of his faire folke full fay sall be leuyde!

439: I sall hym sekyrly ensure, vndyre my seele ryche, 440: To seege ţe cetee of Rome wythin seuen wyntyre, 441: And that so sekerly ensege apon sere halfes,

442: That many a senatour sall syghe for sake of me one!

443: My sommons er certified, and thow arte full seruyde 444: Of cundit and credense, kayre the lykes;

445: I sall thi journaye engyste, enjoyne them my seluen, 446: Fro this place to ţe porte, there ţou sall passe ouer; 447: Seuen dayes to Sandewyche I sette at the large, 448: Sexty myle on a daye, ţe somme es bott lyttill.

449: Thowe moste spede at the spurs and spare noghte thi fole; 450: Thow weyndez by Watlyng Strette and by no waye ells; 451: Thare thow nyghes on nyghte nedez moste ţou lenge: 452: Be it foreste or felde, found ţou no forthire; 453: Bynde thy blonke by a buske with thy brydill euen, 454: Lugge ţi selfe vndyre lynde, as ţe leefe thynkes; 455: There awes none alyenes to ayer appon nyghttys, 456: With syche a rebawdous rowtte to ryot thy seluen.

457: Thy lycence es lemete in presence of lordys;

458: Be now lathe or lette, ryghte as ţe thynkes,

459: For bothe ţi lyffe and thi lym lygges ţerappon, 460: Ţofe Sir Lucius had laide ţe lordchipe of Rome; 461: For ţe ţow founden a fute withowte ţe flode merkes, 462: Aftyr ţe aughtende day, when vndroun es rungen, 463: Ţou sall be heuedede in hye and with horsse drawen, 464: And seyn heyly be hangede, houndes to gnawen!

465: The rente ne rede golde ţat vnto Rome langes

466: Sall noghte redily, renke, raunson thyn one!”

467: “Sir,” sais ţe Senatour, “so Crist mot me helpe, 468: Might I with wirchip wyn awaye ones,

469: I sulde neuer fore emperour ţat on erthe lenges, 470: Efte vnto Arthure ayere on syche nedys;

471: Bot I am sengilly here, with sex sum of knyghtes; 472: I beseke 3ow, Sir, that we may sounde passe:

473: In any vnlawefull lede lette vs by ţe waye,

474: Within thy lycence, lorde, thy loosse es enpeyrede.”

475: “Care noghte,” quod the Kyng; “thy coundyte es knawen 476: Fro Carlele to ţe coste, there thy cogge lengges; 477: Ţoghe thy cofers ware full, cramede with syluer, 478: Thow myghte be sekyre of my sele sexty myle forthire.”

479: They enclined to ţe Kyng, and counge ţay askede, 480: Cayers owtt of Carelele, catchez on theire horsez; 481: Sir Cadore ţe curtayes kende them the wayes,

482: To Catrike ţem cunvayede and to Crist ţem bekennyde.

483: So ţey spede at ţe spoures, ţey sprangen ţeire horses, 484: Hyres ţem hakenayes hastyly ţereaftyre;

485: So fore reddour ţey reden and risted them neuer, 486: Bot 3if they luggede vndire lynd whills ţem lyghte failede; 487: Bot euere ţe Senatour forsothe soghte at ţe gayneste.

488: By ţe sevend day was gone ţe cetee ţai rechide; 489: Of all ţe glee vndire Gode so glade ware ţey neuere, 490: As of ţe sounde of ţe see and Sandwyche belles.

491: Wythowttyn more stownntyng ţey schippide ţeire horsez, 492: Wery, to ţe wane see ţey went all att ones;

493: With ţe men of ţe walle they weyde vp ţeire ankyrs, 494: And fleede at ţe fore flude; in Flaundrez ţey rowede, 495: And thorughe Flaundres ţey founde, as ţem faire thoghte, 496: Till Akyn in Almayn, in Arthur landes;

497: Gosse by ţe Mount Goddarde full greuous wayes, 498: And so into Lumberddye, lykande to schewe.

499: They turne thurghe Tuskayne, with towres full heghe, 500: In Pis appairells them in precious wedez;

501: The Sonondaye in Suters ţay suggourne ţeire horsez, 502: And sekes ţe seyntez of Rome, be assente of knyghtes; 503: Sythyn prekes to ţe pales, with portes so ryche, 504: Ţare Sir Lucius lenges, with lordes enowe;

505: Lowttes to hym lufly, and lettres hym bedes,

506: Of credence enclosyde, with knyghtlyche wordez.

507: Then ţe Emperour was egree and enkerly fraynes; 508: Ţe answere of Arthure he askes hym sone,

509: How he arayes ţe rewme and rewlys ţe pople,

510: 3if he be rebell to Rome whate ryghte ţat he claymes.

511: “Thow sulde his ceptre haue sesede and syttyn aboun, 512: Fore reuerence and realtee of Rome ţe noble;

513: By sertes ţow was my sandes and senatour of Rome; 514: He sulde, fore solempnitee, hafe seruede ţe hym seluen!”

515: “That will he neuer for no wye of all ţis werlde ryche, 516: Bot who may wynn hym of werre, by wyghtnesse of handes; 517: Many fey schall be fyrste appon ţe felde leuyde, 518: Are he appere in this place profre when ţe likes.

519: I saye the, Sir, Arthure es thyn enmye fore euer, 520: And ettells to bee ouerlyng of ţe Empyre of Rome, 521: That alle his ancestres aughte, bot Vtere hym selfe.

522: Thy nedes this Newe 3ere I notifiede my selfen, 523: Before ţat noble of name and neynesom of kynges; 524: In the moste reale place of ţe Rounde Table,

525: I somounde hym solepnylye, one-seeande his knyghtez.

526: Sen I was formyde, in faythe, so ferde was I neuere, 527: In all ţe placez ther I passede of pryncez in erthe.

528: I wolde foresake all my suyte of segnourry of Rome, 529: Or I efte to ţat soueraygne whare sente one suyche nedes!

530: He may be chosyn cheftayne, cheefe of all oţer, 531: Bathe be chauncez of armes and cheuallrye noble, 532: For whyeseste and worthyeste and wyghteste of hanndez; 533: Of all the wyes ţate I watte in this werlde ryche, 534: The knyghtlyeste creatoure in Cristyndome halden, 535: Of kyng or of conquerour crownede in erthe;

536: Of countenaunce, of corage, of crewelle lates, 537: The comlyeste of knyghtehode ţat vndyre Cryste lyffes.

538: He maye be spoken in dyspens despysere of syluere, 539: That no more of golde gyffes ţan of grette stones, 540: No more of wyne ţan of watyre ţat of ţe welle rynnys, 541: Ne of welthe of ţis werlde bot wyrchipe allone.

542: Syche contenaunce was neuer knowen in no kythe ryche, 543: As was with ţat conquerour in his courte halden; 544: I countede at this Crystynmesse of kyngez enoynttede 545: Hole ten at his table ţat tym with hym selfen.

546: He wyll werraye iwysse, be ware 3if ţe lykes; 547: Wage many wyghtemen and wache thy marches,

548: That they be redye in araye and at areste foundyn; 549: For 3ife he reche vnto Rome, he raunsouns it for euere!

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550: I rede ţow dresce the ţerfore, and drawe no lytte langere; 551: Be sekyre of ţi sowdeours and sende to ţe mowntes; 552: Be ţe quartere of ţis 3ere, and hym quarte stannde, 553: He wyll wyghtlye in a qwhyle on his wayes hye.”

554: “Bee estyre,” sais ţe Emperour, “I ettyll my selfen 555: To hostaye in Almayne with armede knyghtez;

556: Sende freklye into Fraunce, ţat flour es of rewmes, 557: Fande to fette ţat freke and forfette his landez; 558: For I sall sette kepers, full conaunde and noble, 559: Many geaunte of Geen, justers full gude,

560: To mete hym in the mountes and martyre hys knyghtes, 561: Stryke ţem doun in strates and struye them fore euere!

562: There sall appon Godarde a garette be rerede, 563: That schall be garneschte and kepyde with gude men of armes, 564: And a bekyn abouen to brynne when ţem lykys,

565: Ţat nane enmye with hoste sall entre the mountes; 566: There schall one Mounte Bernarde be beyldede anoţere, 567: Buschede with banerettes and bachelers noble; 568: In at the portes of Pavye schall no prynce passe, 569: Thurghe the perelous places, for my pris knyghtes.”

570: Thane Sir Lucius lordlyche lettres he sendys

571: Onone into ţe Oryente, with austeryn knyghtez, 572: Till Ambyganye and Orcage and Alysaundyre eke, 573: To Inde and to Ermonye, as Ewfrates rynnys,

574: To Asye and to Affrike and Ewrope ţe large,

575: To Irritayne and Elamet and all ţase owte ilez, 576: To Arraby and Egipt, till erles and oţer,

577: That any erthe ocupyes in ţase este marches,

578: Of Damaske and Damyat, and dukes and erles,

579: For drede of his daungere they dresside ţem sone; 580: Of Crete and of Capados the honourable kyngys 581: Come at his commandmente clenly at ones,

582: To Tartary and Turky, when tythynngez es comen; 583: They turne in by Thebay, terauntez full hugge, 584: The flour of ţe faire folke of Amazonnes landes, 585: All thate faillez on ţe felde be forfette fore euere!

586: Of Babyloyn and Baldake the burlyche knyghtes, -57-587: Bayous with theire baronage bydez no langere; 588: Of Perce and of Pamphile and Preter Iohne landes, 589: Iche prynce with his powere appertlyche graythede; 590: The Sowdane of Surrye assemblez his knyghtes, 591: Fra Nylus to Nazarethe, nommers full huge;

592: To Garyere and to Galele ţey gedyre all at ones, 593: The sowdanes that ware sekyre sowdeours to Rome; 594: They gadyrede ouere ţe Grekkes See with greuous wapyns, 595: In theire grete galays, wyth gleterande scheldez; 596: The kynge of Cyprys on the see ţe Sowdane habydes, 597: With all ţe realls of Roodes arayede with hym one.

598: They sailede with a syde wynde oure ţe salte strandez, 599: Sodanly ţe Sarezenes, as them selfe lykede;

600: Craftyly at Cornett the kynges are aryefede,

601: Fra ţe cete of Rome sexti myle large.

602: Be that the Grekes ware graythede, a full gret nombyre, 603: The myghtyeste of Macedone, with men of ţa marches; 604: Pulle and Pruyslande presses with oţer,

605: The legemen of Lettow with legyons ynewe.

606: Thus they semble in sortes, summes full huge, 607: Sowdanes and Sarezenes owt of sere landes;

608: The Sowdane of Surry and sextene kynges,

609: At the cetee of Rome assemblede at ones.

610: Thane yschewes ţe Emperour, armede at ryghtys, 611: Arayede with his Romaynes appon ryche stedys; 612: Sexty geauntes before, engenderide with fendez, 613: With weches and warlaws to wacchen his tentys, 614: Ayware whare he wendes, wyntres and 3eres.

615: Myghte no blonkes them bere, thos bustous churlles, 616: Bot couerde camellez of tourse, enclosyde in maylez.

617: He ayerez oute with alyenez, ostes full huge, 618: Ewyn into Almayne, ţat Arthure hade wonnyn;

619: Rydes in by ţe ryuere and ryottez hym seluen, 620: And ayerez with a huge wyll all ţas hye landez.

621: All Westwale of werre he wynnys as hym lykes, 622: Drawes in by Danuby and dubbez hys knyghtez;

623: In the contre of Coloine castells enseggez,

624: And suggeournez ţat seson wyth Sarazenes ynewe.

625: At the vtas of Hillary, Syr Arthure hym seluen -58-626: In his kydde councell commande ţe lordes:

627: “Kayere to 3our cuntrez and semble 3our knyghtes, 628: And kepys me at Constantyne clenlyche arayede; 629: Byddez me at Bareflete apon ţa blythe stremes, 630: Baldly within borde, with 3owre beste beryns; 631: I schall menskfully 3owe mete in thos faire marches.”

632: He sendez furthe sodaynly sergeantes of armes 633: To all hys mariners on rawe, to areste hym schippys.

634: Wythin sexten dayes hys fleet whas assemblede, 635: At Sandwyche on ţe see, saile when hym lykes.

636: In the palez of 3orke a parlement he haldez,

637: With all ţe perez of ţe rewme, prelates and oţer; 638: And aftyre ţe prechynge, in presence of lordes, 639: The Kyng in his concell carpys ţes wordes:

640: “I am in purpos to passe perilous wayes,

641: To kaire with my kene men to conquere 3one landes, 642: To owttraye myn enmy, 3if auenture it schewe, 643: That ocupyes myn heritage, ţe Empyre of Rome.

644: I sett 3ow here a soueraynge, ascente 3if 3owe lykys, 645: That es me sybb, my syster son, Sir Mordrede hym seluen, 646: Sall be my leuetenaunte, with lordchipez ynewe, 647: Of all my lele legemen ţat my landez 3emes.”

648: He carpes till his cosyne ţane, in counsaile hym seluen: 649: “I make the kepare, Sir Knyghte, of kyngrykes manye, 650: Wardayne wyrchipfull, to weilde al my landes, 651: That I haue wonnen of werre, in all ţis werlde ryche.

652: I wyll ţat Waynour, my weife, in wyrchipe be holden, 653: That hire wannte noo wele ne welthe ţat hire lykes; 654: Luke my kydde castells be clenlyche arrayede, 655: There cho maye suggourne hire selfe wyth semlyche berynes; 656: Fannde my forestez be frythede o frenchepe for euere, 657: That nane werreye my wylde botte Waynour hir seluen, 658: And ţat in ţe seson whene grees es assignyde, 659: That cho take hir solauce in certayne tymms.

660: Chauncelere and chambyrleyn chaunge as ţe lykes; 661: Audytours and offycers ordayne thy seluen,

662: Bathe jureez and juggez and justicez of landes; 663: Luke thow justifye them wele that injurye wyrkes.

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664: If me be destaynede to dye at Dryghtyns wyll, 665: I charge the my sektour, cheffe of all oţer,

666: To mynystre my mobles fore mede of my saule

667: To mendynauntez and mysese in myschefe fallen; 668: Take here my testament of tresoure full huge: 669: As I trayste appon the, betraye thowe me neuer!

670: As ţow will answere before the austeryn Jugge, 671: That all ţis werlde wynly wysse as Hym lykes, 672: Luke ţat my laste wyll be lelely perfournede.

673: Thow has clenly ţe cure that to my coroune langez 674: Of all my werŐlĺdez wele, and my weyffe eke;

675: Luke ţowe kepe the so clere there be no cause fonden 676: When I to contre come, if Cryste will it thole; 677: And thow haue grace gudly to gouerne thy seluen, 678: I sall coroune ţe, knyghte, kyng with my handez.”

679: Ţan Sir Modrede full myldly meles hym seluen, 680: Knelyd to ţe Conquerour and carpes ţise wordez: 681: “I beseke 3ow, Sir, as my sybbe lorde,

682: Ţat 3e will for charyte cheese 3ow anoţer;

683: For if 3e putte me in ţis plytte, 3owre pople es dyssauyde; 684: To presente a prynce astate my powere es symple.

685: When oţer of werre wysse are wyrchipide hereaftyre, 686: Than may I forsothe be sette bott at lyttill.

687: To passe in 3our presance my purpos es takyn, 688: And all my purueaunce apperte fore my pris knyghtez.”

689: “Thowe arte my neuewe full nere, my nurree of olde, 690: That I haue chastyede and chosen, a childe of my chambyre; 691: For the sybredyn of me, foresake noghte ţis offyce; 692: That thow ne wyrk my will, thow watte whatte it menes.”

693: Nowe he takez hys leue and lengez no langere, 694: At lordez at legemen, ţat leues hym byhynden.

695: And seyne ţat worthilyche wy went vnto chambyre, 696: For to comfurthe ţe Qwene, ţat in care lenges.

697: Waynour, waykly wepande, hym kyssiz,

698: Talkez to hym tenderly with teres ynewe:

699: “I may wery the wye thatt this werre mouede,

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700: That warnes me wyrchippe of my wedde lorde;

701: All my lykyng of lyfe owte of lande wendez,

702: And I in langour am lefte, leue 3e, for euere.

703: Whyne myghte I, dere lufe, dye in 3our armes, 704: Are I ţis destanye of dule sulde drye by myne one?”

705: “Grefe ţe noghte, Gaynour, fore Goddes lufe of Hewen, 706: Ne gruche noghte my ganggyng: it sall to gude turne.

707: Thy wonrydez and thy wepyng woundez myn herte; 708: I may noghte wit of ţis woo, for all ţis werlde ryche!

709: I haue made a kepare, a knyghte of thyn awen, 710: Ouerlyng of Ynglande, vndyre thy seluen,

711: And that es Sir Mordrede, ţat ţow has mekyll praysede, 712: Sall be thy dictour, my dere, to doo whatte the lykes.”

713: Thane he takes hys leue at ladys in chambyre, 714: Kysside them kyndlyche and to Criste beteches; 715: And then cho swounes full swythe, wheŐnĺ he hys swerde aschede, 716: Twys in a swounyng, swelte as cho walde.

717: He pressed to his palfray, in presance of lordes, 718: Prekys of the palez with his prys knyghtes;

719: Wyth a reall rowte of ţe Rounde Table

720: Soughte towarde Sandwyche, cho sees hym no more.

721: Thare the grete ware gederyde, wyth galyarde knyghtes, 722: Garneschit on ţe grene felde and graythelyche arayede; 723: Dukkes and duzseperez daynttehely rydes,

724: Erles of Ynglande, with archers ynewe;

725: Schirreues scharply schiftys the comouns,

726: Rewlys before ţe ryche of the Rounde Table;

727: Assingnez ilke a contree to certayne lordes,

728: In the southe on ţe see banke, saile when ţem lykes.

729: Thane bargez them buskez and to ţe baunke rowes, 730: Bryngez blonkez on bourde and burlyche helmes; 731: Trussez in tristly trappyde stedes,

732: Tentez and othire toylez and targez full ryche, 733: Cabanes and clathe-sekkes and coferez full noble, 734: Hekes and haknays and horsez of armez;

735: Thus they stowe in the stuffe of full steryn knyghtez.

736: Qwen all was schyppede that scholde they schounte no lengere, -61-737: Bot ventelde them tyte, as ţe tyde rynnez;

738: Coggez and crayers ţan crossez ţaire mastez,

739: At the comandment of ţe Kynge vncouerde at ones.

740: Wyghtly on ţe wale ţay wye vp ţaire ankers,

741: By wytt of ţe watyre-men of ţe wale ythez;

742: Frekes on ţe forestavne faken ţeire coblez,

743: In floynes and fercostez and Flemesche schyppes; 744: Tytt saillez to ţe toppe and turnez ţe lufe,

745: Standez appon stere-bourde, sternly ţay songen.

746: The pryce schippez of the porte prouen theire depnesse, 747: And fondez wyth full saile ower ţe fawe ythez; 748: Holly withowttyn harme ţay hale in bottes;

749: Schipemen scharply schoten ţaire portez,

750: Launchez lede apon lufe, lacchen ţer depez;

751: Lukkez to ţe lade-sterne when ţe lyghte faillez, 752: Castez coursez be crafte when ţe clowde rysez, 753: With ţe nedyll and ţe stone one ţe nyghte tydez; 754: For drede of ţe derke nyghte ţay drecchede a lyttill, 755: And all ţe steryn of ţe streme strekyn at onez.

756: The Kynge was in a gret cogge, with knyghtez full many, 757: In a cabane enclosede, clenlyche arayede;

758: Within on a ryche bedde rystys a littyll,

759: And with ţe swoghe of ţe see in swefnyng he fell.

760: Hym dremyd of a dragon, dredfull to beholde,

761: Come dryfande ouer ţe depe to drenschen hys pople, 762: Ewen walkande owte of the weste landez,

763: Wanderande vnworthyly ouere the wale ythez;

764: Bothe his hede and hys hals ware halely all ouer 765: Oundyde of azure, enamelde full faire;

766: His scoulders ware schalyde all in clene syluere, 767: Schreede ouer all ţe schrympe with schrinkande poyntez; 768: Hys wombe and hys wenges of wondyrfull hewes, 769: In meruaylous maylys he mountede full hye;

770: Whaym ţat he towchede he was tynt for euer.

771: Hys feete ware floreschede all in fyne sabyll, 772: And syche a vennymous flayre flowe fro his lyppez, 773: That the flode of ţe flawez all on fyre semyde.

-62-

774: Thane come of ţe oryente, ewyn hym agaynez,

775: A blake, bustous bere abwen in the clowdes,

776: With yche a pawe as a poste and paumes full huge, 777: With pykes full perilous, all plyande ţam semyde; 778: Lothen and lothely lokkes and oţer,

779: All with lutterde legges, lokerde vnfaire,

780: Filtyrde vnfrely, with fomaunde lyppez,

781: The foulleste of fegure that fourmede was euer.

782: He baltyrde, he bleryde, he braundyschte ţerafter; 783: To bataile he bounnez hym with bustous clowez; 784: He romede, he rarede, that roggede all ţe erthe, 785: So ruydly he rappyd at to ryot hym seluen.

786: Thane the dragon on dreghe dressede hym a3aynez, 787: And with hys dŐiĺnttez hym drafe on dreghe by ţe walkyn; 788: He fares as a fawcon: frekly he strykez;

789: Bothe with feete and with fyre he feghttys at ones.

790: The bere in the bataile ţe bygger hym semyde, 791: And byttes hym boldlye wyth balefull tuskez;

792: Syche buffetez he hym rechez with hys brode klokes, 793: Hys brest and his brayell whas blodye all ouer.

794: He rawmpyde so ruydly that all ţe erthe ryfez, 795: Rynnande on reede blode as rayne of the heuen.

796: He hade weryede the worme by wyghtnesse of strenghte, 797: Ne ware it fore the wylde fyre ţat he hym wyth defendez.

798: Thane wandyrs ţe worme awaye to hys heghttez, 799: Commes glydande fro ţe clowddez and cowpez full euen, 800: Towchez hym wyth his talounez and terez hys rigg, 801: Betwyx ţe taile and the toppe ten fote large.

802: Thus he brittenyd the bere and broghte hym o lyfe, 803: Lette hym fall in the flode, fleete whare hym lykes.

804: So they ţryng ţe bolde kyng bynne ţe schippe-burde, 805: Ţat nere he bristez for bale, on bede whare he lyggez.

806: Than waknez ţe wyese kyng, wery foretrauaillede, 807: Takes hym two phylozophirs that folowede hym euer, 808: In the seuyn scyence the suteleste fonden,

809: The conyŐnĺgeste of clergye vndyre Criste knowen.

810: He tolde ţem of hys tourmente ţat tym ţat he slepede: -63-811: “Drechede with a dragon, and syche a derfe beste, 812: Has mad me full wery; 3e tell me my swefen,

813: Ore I mon swelte as swythe, as wysse me oure Lorde!”

814: “Sir,” saide ţey son thane, thies sagge philosopherse, 815: “The dragon ţat ţow dremyde of, so dredfull to schewe, 816: That come dryfande ouer ţe deepe to drynchen thy pople, 817: Sothely and certayne, thy seluen it es,

818: That thus saillez ouer ţe see with thy sekyre knyghtez; 819: The colurez ţat ware castyn appon his clere wengez, 820: May be thy kyngrykez all, that thow has ryghte wonnyn; 821: And the tatterede taile with tonges so huge,

822: Betakyns ţis faire folke that in thy fleet wendez; 823: The bere that bryttenede was abowen in ţe clowdez 824: Betakyns the tyrauntez ţat tourmentez thy pople; 825: Or ells with somme gyaunt some journee sall happyn, 826: In syngulere batell by 3oure selfe one,

827: And ţow sall hafe ţe victorye, thurghe helpe of oure Lorde, 828: As ţow in thy visione was opynly schewede.

829: Of this dredfull dreme ne drede the no more;

830: Ne kare noghte, Sir Conquerour, bot comforth thy seluen; 831: And thise ţat saillez ouer ţe see, with thy sekyre knyghtez.”

832: With trumppez then trystly they trisen vpe ţaire saillez, 833: And rowes ouer the ryche see, this rowtte all at onez; 834: The comely coste of Normandye they cachen full euen, 835: And blythely at Barflete theis bolde are arryfede, 836: And fyndys a flete there of frendez ynewe,

837: The floure and ţe faire folke of fyftene rewmez; 838: Fore kyngez and capytaynez kepyde hym fayre,

839: As he at Carelele commaundyde at Cristynmesse hym seluen.

840: Be they had taken the lande and tentez vpe rerede, 841: Comez a templere tyte and towchide to ţe Kynge: 842: “Here es a teraunt besyde that tourmentez thi pople, 843: A grett geaunte of Geen, engenderde of fendez; 844: He has fretyn of folke mo than fyfe hondrethe, 845: And als fele fawntekyns of freeborne childyre.

846: This has bene his sustynaunce all this seuen wyntteres, -64-847: And 3itt es that sotte noghte sadde, so wele hym it lykez!

848: In ţe contree of Constantyne ne kynde has he leuede, 849: Withowttyn kydd castells enclosid wyth walles, 850: That he ne has clenly dystroyede all the knaue childyre, 851: And them caryede to ţe cragge and clenly deworyd!

852: The Duchez of Bretayne todaye has he takyn,

853: Beside Reynes as scho rade with hire ryche knyghttes; 854: Ledd hyre to ţe mountayne thare ţat lede lengez, 855: To lye by that lady aye whyls hir lyfe lastez.

856: We folowede o ferrom, moo then fyfe hundrethe 857: Of beryns and of burgeys and bachelers noble, 858: Bot he couerde the cragge, cho cryede so lowde, 859: The care of ţat creatoure couer sall I neuer!

860: Scho was flour of all Fraunce, or of fyfe rewmes, 861: And one of the fayreste that fourmede was euere, 862: The gentileste jowell ajuggede with lordes

863: Fro Geen vnto Geron, by Ihesu of Heuen!

864: Scho was thy wyfes cosyn, knowe it if ţe lykez, 865: Comen of ţe rycheste that rengnez in erthe;

866: As thow arte ryghtwise Kyng, rewe on thy pople, 867: And fande for to venge them that thus are rebuykyde!”

868: “Allas!” sais Sir Arthure, “so lange haue I lyffede; 869: Hade I wyten of this, wele had me chefede;

870: Me es noghte fallen faire, bot me es foule happynede, 871: That thus this faire ladye this fende has dystroyede!

872: I had leuere thane all Fraunce this fyftene wynter 873: I hade bene before thate freke a furlange of waye, 874: When he that ladye had laghte and ledde to ţe montez; 875: I hadde lefte my lyfe are cho hade harme lymppyde.

876: Bot walde ţow kene me to ţe crage thare ţat kene lengez; 877: I walde cayre to ţat coste and carpe wythe hym seluen, 878: To trette with that tyraunt fore treson of londes, 879: And take trewe for a tym, till it may tyde bettyr.”

880: “Sire, see 3e 3one farlande, with 3one two fyrez?

881: Ţar filsnez ţat fende, fraiste when the lykes, 882: Appone the creste of the cragge, by a colde welle, 883: That enclosez ţe clyfe with ţe clere strandez; 884: Ther may thow fynde folke fay wythowttyn nowmer, -65-885: Mo florenez, in faythe, than Fraunce es in aftyre; 886: And more tresour vntrewely that traytour has getyn 887: Thane in Troye was, as I trowe, ţat tym ţat it was wonn.”

888: Thane romyez the ryche kynge for rewthe of ţe pople, 889: Raykez ryghte to a tente and restez no lengere; 890: He welterys, he wristeles, he wryngez hys handez; 891: Thare was no wy of ţis werlde that wyste whatt he menede.

892: He calles Sir Cayous, ţat of ţe cowpe serfede, 893: And Sir Bedvere ţe bolde, ţat bare hys brande ryche: 894: “Luke 3e aftyre euensang be armyde at ryghttez, 895: On blonkez by 3one buscayle, by 3one blythe stremez, 896: Fore I will passe in pilgremage preuely hereaftyre, 897: In the tyme of suppere, whene lordez are servede, 898: For to seken a saynte be 3one salte stremes,

899: In Seynt Mighell Mount, there myraclez are schewede.”

900: Aftyre euesange, Sir Arthure hym seŐlĺfen

901: Wente to hys wardrop and warp of hys wedez,

902: Armede hym in a acton with orfraeez full ryche, 903: Abouen on ţat a jeryn of Acres owte ouer,

904: Abouen ţat a jesseraunt of jentyll maylez,

905: A jupon of Ierodyn, jaggede in schredez;

906: He brayedez one a bacenett, burneschte of syluer, 907: The beste ţat was in Basill, wyth bordurs ryche; 908: The creste and ţe coronall enclosed so faire

909: Wyth clasppis of clere golde, couched wyth stones; 910: The vesare, ţe aventaile, enarmede so faire,

911: Voyde withowttyn vice, with wyndowes of syluer; 912: His gloues gaylyche gilte and grauen at ţe hemmez, 913: With graynez and gobelets, glorious of hewe.

914: He bracez a brade schelde and his brande aschez, 915: Bounede hym a broun stede and on ţe bente houys; 916: He sterte till his sterep and stridez on lofte, 917: Streynez hym stowttly and sterys hym faire,

918: Brochez ţe baye stede and to ţe buske rydez,

919: And there hys knyghtes hym kepede full clenlyche arayede.

920: Than they roode by ţat ryuer ţat rynnyd so swythe, 921: Ţare ţe ryndez ouerrechez with reall bowghez; 922: The roo and ţe raynedere reklesse thare ronnen, -66-923: In ranez and in rosers, to ryotte ţam seluen; 924: The frithez ware floreschte with flourez full many, 925: Wyth fawcouns and fesantez of ferlyche hewez; 926: All ţe feulez thare fleschez that flyez with wengez, 927: Fore thare galede ţe gowke one greuez full lowde: 928: Wyth alkyn gladchipe ţay gladden ţem seluen;

929: Of ţe nyghtgale notez ţe noisez was swette,

930: They threpide wyth the throstills, thre hundreth at ones; 931: Ţat whate swowyng of watyr and syngyng of byrdez, 932: It myghte salue hym of sore ţat sounde was neuere.

933: Than ferkez this folke and on fotte lyghttez, 934: Festenez theire faire stedez o ferrom bytwene; 935: And thene the Kyng kenely comandyde hys knyghtez 936: For to byde with theire blonkez and bowne no forthyre: 937: “Fore I will seke this seynte by my selfe one, 938: And mell with this mayster mane ţat this monte 3emez; 939: And seyn sall 3e offyre, aythyre aftyre oţer, 940: Menskfully at Saynt Mighell full myghtty with Criste.”

941: The Kyng coueris ţe cragge wyth cloughes full hye, 942: To the creste of the clyffe he clymbez on lofte; 943: Keste vpe hys vmbrer and kenly he lukes,

944: Caughte of ţe colde wynde to comforthe hym seluen.

945: Two fyrez fyndez, flawmande full hye;

946: The fourtedele a furlang betwene ţus he walkes; 947: The waye by ţe welle strandez he wandyrde hym one, 948: To wette of ţe warlawe, whare ţat he lengez.

949: He ferkez to ţe fyrste fyre, and euen there he fyndez 950: A wery wafull wedowe, wryngande hire handez,

951: And gretande on a graue grysely teres;

952: Now merkyde on molde sen myddaye it semede.

953: He salu3ede ţat sorowfull with sittande wordez, 954: And fraynez aftyre the fende fairely thereaftyre.

955: Thane this wafull wyfe vnwynly hym gretez,

956: Couerd vp on hire kneess and clappyde hire handez; 957: Said “Carefull careman, thow carpez to lowde; 958: May 3one warlawe wyt, he worows vs all!

959: Weryd worthe ţe wyghte ay that ţe thy wytt refede, 960: That mase the to wayfe here in ţise wylde lakes.

-67-

961: I warne ţe fore wyrchipe ţou wylnez aftyr sorowe; 962: Whedyre buskes ţow, berne? Vnblysside ţow semes.

963: Wenez thow to britten hym with thy brande ryche?

964: Ware thow wyghttere than Wade or Wawayn owthire, 965: Thow wynnys no wyrchip, I warne the before.

966: Thow saynned the vnsekyrly to seke to ţese mountez; 967: Siche sex ware to symple to semble with hym one, 968: For and thow see hym with syghte, the seruez no herte 969: To sayne the sekerly, so semez hym huge!

970: Thow arte frely and faire and in thy fyrste flourez, 971: Bot thow arte fay, be my faythe, and ţat me forthynkkys.

972: Ware syche fyfty on a felde or one a faire erthe, 973: The freke walde with hys fyste fell 3ow at ones!

974: Loo, here the duchez dere, todaye was cho takyn, 975: Depe doluen and dede, dyked in moldez;

976: He hade morthirede this mylde be myddaye war rongen, 977: Withowttyn mercy one molde, I not watte it ment.

978: He has forsede hir and fylede, and cho es fay leuede; 979: He slewe hir vnslely and slitt hir to ţe nauyll.

980: And here haue I bawmede hir and beryede ţeraftyr; 981: For bale of ţe botelesse, blythe be I neuer.

982: Of alle ţe frendez cho hade, ţere folowede none aftyre, 983: Bot I, hir foster modyr of fyftene wynter;

984: To ferke of this farlande, fande sall I neuer, 985: Bot here be founden on felde till I be fay leuede.”

The Thornton Ms., Folios 64r-74v (lines 986-1992)

986: Thane answers Sir Arthure to ţat alde wyf,

987: “I am comyn fra ţe Conquerour, curtaise and gentill, 988: As one of ţe hathelest of Arthur knyghtez,

989: Messenger to ţis myx, for mendemente of ţe pople, 990: To mele with this maister man that here this mounte 3emez; 991: To trete with this tyraunt for tresour of landez, 992: And take trew for a tym, to bettyr may worthe.”

993: “3a, thire wordis are bot waste,” quod this wif thane, 994: “For bothe landez and lythes full lyttill by he settes; 995: Of rentez ne of rede golde rekkez he neuer,

996: For he will lenge owt of lawe, as hym selfe thynkes, 997: Withowten licence of lede, as lorde in his awen.

-68-

998: Bot he has a kyrtill one, kepide for hym seluen, 999: That was sponen in Spayne with specyall byrdez, 1000: And sythyn garnescht in Grece full graythly togedirs.

1001: It es hyded all with har hally al ouere,

1002: And bordyrde with the berdez of burlyche kyngez, 1003: Crispid and kombide, that kempis may knawe

1004: Iche kyng by his colour, in kythe there he lengez; 1005: Here the fermez he fangez of fyftene rewmez: 1006: For ilke Esterne ewyn, howeuer that it fall, 1007: They send it hym sothely for saughte of ţe pople, 1008: Sekerly at ţat seson, with certayne knyghtez.

1009: And he has aschede Arthure all ţis seuen wynntter: 1010: Forthy hurdez he here, to owttraye hys pople, 1011: Till ţe Bretons kyng haue burneschte his lyppys, 1012: And sent his berde to that bolde wyth his beste berynes.

1013: Bot thowe hafe broghte ţat berde, bowne the no forthire, 1014: For it es buteless bale thowe biddez oghte ells; 1015: For he has more tresour to take when hym lykez 1016: Than euere aughte Arthure or any of hys elders; 1017: If thowe hafe broghte ţe berde he bese more blythe 1018: Thane ţowe gafe hym Burgoyne or Bretayne ţe More.

1019: Bot luke nowe for charitee ţow chasty thy lyppes, 1020: That the no wordez eschape, whateso betydez; 1021: Luke ţi presante be priste, and presse hym bott lytill, 1022: For he es at his sowper, he will be sone greuyde; 1023: And ţow my concell doo, ţow dosse of thy clothes, 1024: And knele in thy kyrtyll, and call hym thy lorde.

1025: He sowppes all ţis seson with seuen knaue childre, 1026: Choppid in a chargour of chalke-whytt syluer, 1027: With pekill and powdyre of precious spycez,

1028: And pyment full plenteuous of Portyngale wynes; 1029: Thre balefull birdez his brochez ţey turne,

1030: Ţat byddez his bedgatt, his byddyng to wyrche; 1031: Siche foure scholde be fay within foure hourez, 1032: Are his fylth ware filled that his flesch 3ernes.”

1033: “3a, I haue broghte ţe berd,” quod he, “the bettyr me lykez; 1034: Forthi will I boun me, and bere it my seluen; -69-1035: Bot, lefe, walde ţow lere me whare ţat lede lengez, 1036: I sall alowe ţe and I liffe, oure Lorde so me helpe.”

1037: “Ferke fast to ţe fyre,” quod cho, “that flawmez so hye; 1038: Thare fillis ţat fende hym, fraist when the lykez; 1039: Bot thowe moste seke more southe, sydlyngs a lyttill, 1040: For he will hafe sent hym selfe sex myle large.”

1041: To ţe sowţe of ţe reke he soghte at ţe gayneste, 1042: Sayned hym sekerly with certeyne wordez,

1043: And sydlyngs of ţe segge the syghte had he rechid, 1044: How vnsemly ţat sott satt sowpand hym one;

1045: He lay lenand on lang, lugand vnfaire,

1046: Ţe thee of a manns lymme lyfte vp by ţe haunche; 1047: His bakke and his bewschers and his brode lendez 1048: He bekez by ţe bale-fyre, and breklesse hym semede.

1049: Ţare ware rostez full ruyd and rewfull bredez, 1050: Beerynes and bestaile brochede togeders,

1051: Cowle full cramede of crysmed childyre,

1052: Sum as brede brochede, and bierdez ţam tournede.

1053: And ţan this comlych kyng, bycause of his pople, 1054: His herte bledez for bale, one bent ware he standez.

1055: Thane he dressede one his schelde, schuntes no lengere, 1056: BraundeschŐtĺe his bryghte swerde by ţe bryghte hiltez, 1057: Raykez towarde ţe renke reghte with a ruyd will, 1058: And hyely hailsez ţat hulke with hawtayne wordez: 1059: “Now allweldand Gode, ţat wyrscheppez vs all, 1060: Giff the sorowe and syte, sotte, there thow lygges, 1061: For the fulsomeste freke that fourmede was euere; 1062: Foully thow fedys the, ţe Fende haue thi saule!

1063: Here es cury vnclene, carle, be my trowthe,

1064: Caffe of creatours all, thow curssede wriche!

1065: Because that ţow killide has ţise cresmede childyre, 1066: Thow has marters made, and broghte oute of lyfe, 1067: Ţat here are brochede on bente and brittened with thi handez, 1068: I sall merke ţe thy mede, as ţou has myche serfed, 1069: Thurghe myghte of Seynt Mighell, ţat ţis monte 3emes; 1070: And for this faire ladye, ţat ţow has fey leuyde, 1071: And ţus forced one foulde, for fylth of ţi selfen.

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1072: Dresse the now, dogge-sone, the Deuell haue ţi saule, 1073: For ţow sall dye this day, thurghe dynt of my handez!”

1074: Than glopned ţe gloton and glored vnfaire;

1075: He grenned as a grewhounde, with grysly tuskes; 1076: He gaped, he groned faste, with grucchand latez, 1077: For grefe of ţe gude kyng ţat hym with grame gretez.

1078: His fax and his foretoppe was filterede togeders, 1079: And owte of his face come ane halfe fote large; 1080: His frount and his forheued all was it ouer, 1081: As ţe fell of a froske, and fraknede it semede; 1082: Huke-nebbyde as a hawke, and a hore berde,

1083: And herede to ţe hole eyghn with hyngande browes; 1084: Harske as a hunde-fisch hardly whoso lukez,

1085: So was ţe hyde of ţat hulke hally al ouer.

1086: Erne had he full huge and vgly to schewe,

1087: With eghne full horreble and ardauunt forsothe; 1088: Flatt-mowthede as a fluke, with fleryand lyppys, 1089: And ţe flesche in his fortethe fowly as a bere.

1090: His berde was brothy and blake, ţat till his brest rechede, 1091: Grassede as a mereswyne, with corkes full huge, 1092: And all falterd ţe flesche in his foule lippys, 1093: Ilke wrethe as a wolfe-heuede, it wraythe owtt at ones.

1094: Bulle-nekkyde was ţat bierne and brade in the scholders, 1095: Brok-brestede as a brawne, with brustils full large, 1096: Ruyd armes as an ake with rusclede sydes,

1097: Lym and leskes full lothyn, leue 3e forsothe.

1098: Schouell-foted was ţat schalke, and schaylande hyn semyde, 1099: With schankez vnschaply, schowand togedyrs;

1100: Thykke theese as a thursse, and thikkere in ţe hanche, 1101: Greesse growen as a galte, full gryŐsĺlych he lukez.

1102: Who ţe lenghe of ţe lede lelly accountes,

1103: Fro ţe face to ţe fote was fyfe fadom lange.

1104: Thane stertez he vp sturdely on two styffe schankez, 1105: And sone he caughte hym a clubb all of clene yryn; 1106: He walde hafe kyllede ţe Kyng with his kene wapen, 1107: Bot thurghe ţe crafte of Cryste 3it ţe carle failede; 1108: The creest and ţe coronall, ţe claspes of syluer, -71-1109: Clenly with his clubb he crassched doune at onez.

1110: The Kyng castes vp his schelde and couers hym faire, 1111: And with his burlyche brande a box he hym reches; 1112: Full butt in ţe frunt the fromonde he hittez, 1113: That the burnyscht blade to ţe brayne rynnez.

1114: He feyed his fysnamye with his foule hondez, 1115: And frappez faste at his face fersely ţeraftyre; 1116: The Kyng chaungez his fote, eschewes a lyttill, 1117: Ne had he eschapede ţat choppe, cheuede had euyll; 1118: He folowes in fersly and festenesse a dynte

1119: Hye vpe on ţe hanche with his harde wapyn,

1120: That he hillid ţe swerde halfe a fote large, 1121: The hott blode of ţe hulke vnto ţe hilte rynnez; 1122: Ewyn into inmette the gyaunt he hyttez,

1123: Iust to ţe genitales and jaggede ţam in sondre.

1124: Thane he romyed and rared, and ruydly he strykez 1125: Full egerly at Arthur, and on the erthe hittez; 1126: A swerde lenghe within ţe swarthe he swappez at ones, 1127: That nere swounes ţe Kyng for swoughe of his dynnttez.

1128: Bot 3it the Kyng sweperly full swythe he byswenkez, 1129: Swappez in with the swerde ţat it ţe swange brystedd; 1130: Bothe ţe guttez and the gorr guschez owte at ones, 1131: Ţat all englaymez ţe gresse one grounde ţer he standez.

1132: Thane he castez the clubb and the Kyng hentez: 1133: On ţe creeste of ţe cragg he caughte hym in armez, 1134: And enclosez hym clenly, to cruschen hys rybbez, 1135: So hard haldez he ţat hende ţat nere his herte brystez.

1136: Ţane ţe balefull bierdez bownez to ţe erthe, 1137: Kneland and cryande, and clappide ţeire handez: 1138: “Criste comforthe 3one knyghte, and kepe hym fro sorowe, 1139: And latte neuer 3one fende fell hym o lyfe.”

1140: 3itt es ţe warlow so wyghte, he welters hym vnder, 1141: Wrothely ţai wrythyn and wrystill togederz,

1142: Welters and walowes ouer within ţase buskez, 1143: Tumbellez and turnes faste and terez ţaire wedez; 1144: Vntenderly fro ţe toppe ţai tiltin togederz, 1145: Whilom Arthure ouer and oţerwhile vndyre;

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1146: Fro ţe heghe of ţe hyll vnto ţe harde roche, 1147: They feyne neuer are they fall at ţe flode merkes.

1148: Bot Arthur with ane anlace egerly smyttez,

1149: And hittez euer in the hulke vp to ţe hiltez; 1150: Ţe theefe at ţe dede-thrawe so throly hym thryngez, 1151: Ţat three rybbys in his syde he thrystez in sunder.

1152: Then Sir Kayous ţe kene vnto ţe Kyng styrtez: 1153: Said “Allas, we are lorne, my lorde es confundede; 1154: Ouerfallen with a fende, vs es full hapnede!

1155: We mon be forfeted, in faith, and flemyde for euer!”

1156: Ţay hafe vp hys hawberke ţan and handilez ţervndyr 1157: His hyde and his haunche eke, on heghte to ţe schuldrez, 1158: His flawnke and his feletez and his faire sydez, 1159: Bothe his bakke and his breste and his bryghte armez; 1160: Ţay ware fayne ţat ţey fande no flesche entamed, 1161: And for ţat journee made joye, ţir gentill knyghttez.

1162: “Now certez,” saise Sir Bedwere, “it semez, be my Lorde, 1163: He sekez seyntez bot selden, ţe sorer he grypes, 1164: Ţat ţus clekys this corsaunt owte of ţir heghe clyffez, 1165: To carye forthe siche a carle at close hym in siluer.

1166: Be Myghell, of syche a makk I hafe myche wondyre 1167: That euer owre soueraygne Lorde suffers hym in Heuen; 1168: And all seyntez be syche ţat seruez oure Lorde, 1169: I sall neuer no seynt bee, be my fadyre sawle!”

1170: Thane bourdez ţe bolde kyng at Bedvere wordez: 1171: “Ţis seynt haue I soghte, so helpe me owre Lorde!

1172: Forthy brayd owtte ţi brande, and broche hym to ţe herte; 1173: Be sekere of this sergeaunt, he has me sore greuede.

1174: I faghte noghte wyth syche a freke ţis fyftene wyntyre; 1175: Bot in ţe montez of Araby I mett syche anoţer: 1176: He was ţe forcyer be ferre ţat had I nere funden, 1177: Ne had my fortune bene faire, fey had I leuede.

1178: Onone stryke of his heuede, and stake it thereaftyre, 1179: Gife it to thy sqwyere, fore he es wele horsede, 1180: Bere it to Sir Howell, ţat es in harde bandez, 1181: And byd hym herte hym wele, his enmy es destruede.

1182: Syne bere it to Bareflete, and brace it in yryne, 1183: And sett it on the barbycane, biernes to schewe.

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1184: My brande and my brode schelde apon ţe bent lyggez, 1185: On ţe creeste of ţe cragge, thare fyrste we encontrede, 1186: And ţe clubb ţarby, all of clene iren,

1187: Ţat many Cristen has kyllyde in Constantyne landez; 1188: Ferke to the farlande, and fetche me ţat wapen, 1189: And late founde till oure flete, in flode ţare it lengez.

1190: If thow wyll any tresour, take whate the lykez; 1191: Haue I the kyrtyll and ţe clubb, I coueite noghte ells.”

1192: Now ţey caire to ţe cragge, ţise comlyche knyghtez, 1193: And broghte hym ţe brade schelde and his bryghte wapen, 1194: Ţe clubb and ţe cotte alls, Syr Kayous hym seluen, 1195: And kayres with Őtheĺ Conquerour, the kyngez to schewe 1196: That in couerte ţe Kyng helde closse to hym seluen, 1197: Whills clene day fro ţe clowde clymbyd on lofte.

1198: Be that to courte was comen clamour full huge; 1199: And before ţe comlyche kyng they knelyd all at ones: 1200: “Welcom, our liege lorde, to lang has thow duellyde, 1201: Gouernour vndyr Gode, graytheste and noble,

1202: To wham grace es graunted and gyffen at His will; 1203: Now thy comly come has comforthede vs all.

1204: Thow has in thy realtee reuengyde thy pople; 1205: Thurghe helpe of thy hande, thyne enmyse are struyede, 1206: That has thy renkes ouerronne and refte them theire childyre; 1207: Whas neuer rewme owte of araye so redyly releuede!”

1208: Than ţe Conquerour Cristenly carpez to his pople: 1209: “Thankes Gode,” quod he, “of ţis grace, and no gome ells, 1210: For it was neuer manns dede, bot myghte of Hym selfen, 1211: Or myracle of Hys Modyr, ţat mylde es till all.”

1212: He somond ţan ţe schippemen scharpely ţeraftyre, 1213: To schake furthe with ţe schyremen to schiffe ţe gudez, 1214: All ţe myche tresour ţat traytour had wonnen, 1215: To comouns of the contre, clergye and oţer:

1216: “Luke it be done and delte to my dere pople, 1217: That none pleyn of theire parte, o peyne of 3our lyfez.”

1218: He comande hys cosyn, with knyghtlyche wordez, 1219: To make a kyrke on ţe cragg, ther the corse lengez, 1220: And a couent therein, Criste for to serfe,

1221: In mynde of ţat martyre, ţat in ţe monte rystez.

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1222: Qwen Sir Arthur the Kyng had kylled ţe gyaunt, 1223: Than blythely fro Bareflete he buskes on ţe morne; 1224: With his batell on brede, by ţa blythe stremes, 1225: Towarde Castell Blanke he chesez hym the waye; 1226: Thurghe a faire champayne, vndyr schalke hyllis, 1227: The Kyng fraystez a furth ouer the fresche strandez, 1228: Foundez with his faire folke ouer as hym lykez; 1229: Furthe stepes that steryn and strekez his tentis 1230: One a strenghe by a streme, in ţas straytt landez.

1231: Onone aftyre myddaye, in the mene-while,

1232: Ţare comez two messangers of tha fere marchez, 1233: Fra ţe Marschall of Fraunce, and menskfully hym gretes, 1234: Besoghte hym of sucour and saide hym ţise wordez: 1235: “Sir, thi marschall, ţi mynistre, thy mercy besekez, 1236: Of thy mekill magestee, fore mendement of thi pople, 1237: Of ţise marchez-men, that thus are myskaryede, 1238: And thus merred amang, maugree theire eghne.

1239: I witter ţe ţe Emperour es entirde into Fraunce, 1240: With ostes of enmyse, orrible and huge;

1241: Brynnez in Burgoyne thy burghes so ryche,

1242: And brittenes thi baronage, that bieldez ţarein; 1243: He encrochez kenely by craftez of armez,

1244: Countrese and castells ţat to thy coroun langez, 1245: Confoundez thy comouns, clergy and oţer:

1246: Bot thow comfurth them, Sir Kyng, couer sall they neuer!

1247: He fellez forestez fele, forrayse thi landez, 1248: Frysthez no fraunchez, bot fraiez the pople; 1249: Ţus he fellez thi folke and fangez theire gudez: 1250: Fremedly the Franche tung fey es belefede.

1251: He drawes into douce Fraunce, as Duchemen tellez, 1252: Dresside with his dragouns, dredfull to schewe; 1253: All to dede they dyghte with dynnttys of swerddez, 1254: Dukez and dusperes ţat dreches tharein.

1255: Forthy the lordez of the lande, ladys and oţer, 1256: Prayes the for Petyr luffe, ţe Apostyll of Rome, 1257: Sen thow arte presant in place, ţat ţow will profyre make 1258: To ţat perilous prynce, be processe of tym.

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1259: He ayers by 3one hilles, 3one heghe holtez vndyr, 1260: Hufes thare with hale strenghe of haythen kyngez; 1261: Helpe nowe for His lufe, that heghe in Heuen sittez, 1262: And talke tristly to them ţat thus vs destroyes.”

1263: The Kyng biddis Sir Boice, “Buske the belyfe; 1264: Take with the Sir Berill and Bedwere the ryche, 1265: Sir Gawayne and Sir Geryn, these galyarde knyghtez, 1266: And graythe 3owe to 3one grene wode, and gose on ţer nedes: 1267: Saise to Syr Lucius, to vnlordly he wyrkez,

1268: Thus letherly agaynes law to lede my pople;

1269: I lette hym or oghte lange, 3if me ţe lyffe happen, 1270: Or many lyghte sall lawe ţat hym ouere lande folowes.

1271: Comande hym kenely wyth crewell wordez,

1272: Cayre owte of my kyngryke with his kydd knyghtez: 1273: In caase that he will noghte, ţat cursede wreche, 1274: Com for his curtaisie, and countere me ones.

1275: Thane sall we rekken full rathe whatt ryghte ţat he claymes, 1276: Thus to ryot ţis rewme and raunsone the pople.

1277: Thare sall it derely be delte with dynttez of handez, 1278: The Dryghtten at Domesdaye dele as Hym lykes!”

1279: Now thei graythe them to goo, theis galyarde knyghttez, 1280: All gleterande in golde, appon grete stedes, 1281: Towarde ţe grene wode, with grownden wapyn,

1282: To grete wele the grett lorde, that wolde be grefede sone.

1283: Thise hende houez on a hill by ţe holte eyues, 1284: Behelde ţe howsyng full hye of hathen kynges: 1285: They herde in theire herbergage hundrethez full many 1286: Hornez of olyfantez full helych blawen;

1287: Palaisez proudliche pyghte, ţat palyd ware ryche, 1288: Of pall and of purpure, with precyous stones; 1289: Pensels and pomell of ryche prynce armez,

1290: Pighte in ţe playn mede, ţe pople to schewe.

1291: And than the Romayns so ryche had arayede their tentez, 1292: On rawe by ţe ryuer, vndyr ţe round hillez,

1293: The Emperour for honour ewyn in the myddes,

1294: Wyth egles al ouer, ennelled so faire;

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1295: And saw hym and ţe Sowdane, and senatours many 1296: Seke towarde a sale with sextene kyngez,

1297: Syland softely in, swettly by them selfen,

1298: To sowpe withe ţat soueraygne full selcouthe metez.

1299: Nowe they wende ouer the watyre, ţise wyrchipfull knyghttez, 1300: Thurghe ţe wode to ţe wone there the wyese rystez; 1301: Reght as ţey weschen and went to ţe table,

1302: Sir Wawayne ţe worthy vnwynly he spekes:

1303: The myghte and ţe maiestee ţat menskes vs all, 1304: That was merked and made thurghe ţe myghte of Hym seluen, 1305: Gyffe 3ow sytte in 3our sette, Sowdane and oţer, 1306: That here are semblede in sale, vnsawghte mott 3e worthe!

1307: And ţe fals heretyke ţat Emperour hym callez, 1308: That ocupyes in erroure the Empyre of Rome,

1309: Sir Arthure herytage, ţat honourable kyng,

1310: That all his auncestres aughte but Vtere hym one, 1311: That ilke cursynge ţat Cayme kaghte for his brothyre 1312: Cleffe on ţe, cukewalde, with croune ther thow lengez, 1313: For the vnlordlyeste lede ţat I on lukede euer!

1314: My lorde meruailles hym mekyll, man, be my trouthe, 1315: Why thow morthires his men, ţat no mysse serues, 1316: Comouns of ţe countre, clergye and oţer,

1317: Ţat are noghte coupable ţerin, ne knawes noght in armez.

1318: Forthi the comelyche kynge, curtays and noble, 1319: Comandez ţe kenely to kaire of his landes,

1320: Ore ells for thy knyghthede encontre hym ones; 1321: Sen ţow couettes the coroune, latte it be declarede!

1322: I hafe dyschargide me here, chalange whoo lykez, 1323: Before all thy cheualrye, cheftaynes and oţer; 1324: Schape vs an ansuere, and schunte ţow no lengere, 1325: Ţat we may schifte at ţe schorte and schewe to my lorde.

1326: The Emperour ansuerde wyth austeryn wordez:

1327: 3e are with myn enmy, Sir Arthur hym seluen; 1328: It es non honour to me to owttray hys knyghttez, 1329: Ţoghe 3e bee irous men ţat ayres on his nedez; 1330: Bot say to thy soueraygne I send hym thes wordez, 1331: Ne ware it for reuerence of my ryche table,

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1332: Ţou sulde repent full rathe of ţi ruyde wordez, 1333: Siche a rebawde as ţowe rebuke any lordez,

1334: Wyth theire retenuz arrayede, full reall and noble, 1335: Here will I suggourne whills me lefe thynkes, 1336: And sythen seke in by Sayne with solace ţeraftere, 1337: Ensegge al ţa cetese be ţe salte strandez,

1338: And seyn ryde in by Rone, ţat rynnez so faire, 1339: And of all his ryche castells rusche doun ţe wallez; 1340: I sall noghte lefe in Paresche, by processe of tyme, 1341: His parte of a pechelyne, proue when hym lykes!”

1342: “Now certez,” sais Sir Wawayne, “myche wondyre haue I 1343: Ţat syche an alfyn as thow dare speke syche wordez!

1344: I had leuer then all Fraunce, that heuede es of rewmes, 1345: Fyghte with the faythefully on felde be oure one.”

1346: Thane answers Sir Gayous full gobbede wordes, 1347: Was eme to ţe Emperour and erle hym selfen,

1348: “Euere ware ţes Bretouns braggers of olde!

1349: Loo, how he brawles hym for hys bryghte wedes, 1350: As he myghte bryttyn vs all with his brande ryche; 1351: 3itt he berkes myche boste, 3one boy ţere he standes!”

1352: Than greuyde Sir Gawayne at his grett wordes, 1353: Graythes towarde ţe gome with grucchande herte; 1354: With hys stelyn brande he strykes of hys heuede, 1355: And sterttes owtte to hys stede, and with his stale wendes.

1356: Thurghe ţe wacches ţey wente, thes wirchipfull knyghtez, 1357: And feyndez in theire farewaye wondyrlyche many; 1358: Ouer ţe watyre ţey wente by wyghtnesse of horses, 1359: And tuke wynde as ţey walde by ţe wodde hemmes.

1360: Thane folous frekly one fote frekkes ynewe,

1361: And of ţe Romayns arrayed appon ryche stedes, 1362: Chasede thurghe a champayne oure cheualrous knyghtez, 1363: Till a cheefe forest, on scalke-whitte horses.

1364: Bot a freke all in fyne golde, and fretted in sable, 1365: Come forţermaste on a freson, in flawmande wedes; 1366: A faire floreschte spere in fewtyre he castes, 1367: And folowes faste on owre folke and freschelye ascryez.

1368: Thane Sir Gawayne the gude, appone a graye stede, 1369: He gryppes hym a grete spere and graythely hym hittez; -78-1370: Thurghe ţe guttez into ţe gorre he gyrdes hym ewyn, 1371: That the grounden stele glydez to his herte; 1372: The gome and ţe grette horse at ţe grounde lyggez, 1373: Full gryselyche gronande, for grefe of his woundez.

1374: Ţane presez a preker in, full proudely arayede, 1375: That beres all of pourpour, palyde with syluer; 1376: Bryggly on a broune stede he profers full large, 1377: He was a paynyme of Perse ţat ţus hym persuede.

1378: Sir Boys, vnabaiste all, he buskes hym agaynes, 1379: With a bustous launce he berez hym thurghe,

1380: Ţat ţe breme and ţe brade schelde appon ţe bente lyggez; 1381: And he bryngez furthe the blade and bownez to his felowez.

1382: Thane Sir Feltemour of myghte, a man mekyll praysede, 1383: Was mouede on his manere and manacede full faste; 1384: He graythes to Sir Gawayne graythely to wyrche, 1385: For grefe of Sir Gayous, ţat es on grounde leuede.

1386: Than Sir Gawayne was glade: agayne hym he rydez, 1387: Wyth Galuth his gude swerde graythely hym hyttez; 1388: The knyghte on ţe coursere he cleuede in sondyre, 1389: Clenlyche fro ţe croune his corse he dyuysyde, 1390: And ţus he killez ţe knyghte with his kydd wapen.

1391: Than a ryche man of Rome relyede to his byerns: 1392: “It sall repent vs full sore and we ryde forthire!

1393: 3one are bolde bosturs ţat syche bale wyrkez; 1394: It befell hym full foule ţat ţam so fyrste namede.”

1395: Thane ţe riche Romayns retournes ţaire brydills 1396: To ţaire tentis in tene, telles theire lordez 1397: How Sir Marschalle de Mowne es on ţe monte lefede, 1398: Forejustyde at that journee for his grett japez.

1399: Bot thare chasez on oure men cheuallrous knyghtez, 1400: Fyfe thosande folke appon faire stedes,

1401: Faste to a foreste ouer a fell watyr,

1402: That fillez fro ţe falow see fyfty myle large.

1403: Thare ware Bretons enbuschide, and banarettez noble, 1404: Of ţe cheualrye cheefe of ţe kyngez chambyre, 1405: Seese them chase oure men and changen ţeire horsez, 1406: And choppe doun cheftaynes that they moste chargyde.

1407: Thane ţe enbuschement of Bretons brake owte at ones, -79-1408: Brothely at baner, and Bedwyne knyghtez

1409: Arrestede of ţe Romayns ţat by ţe fyrthe rydez 1410: All ţe realeste renkes ţat to Rome lengez;

1411: Thay iche on ţe enmyse and egerly strykkys,

1412: Erles of Ingland, and “Arthure!” ascryes;

1413: Thrughe brenes and bryghte scheldez brestez they thyrle, 1414: Bretons of the boldeste, with theire bryghte swerdez.

1415: Thare was Romayns ouerredyn and ruydly wondyde, 1416: Arrestede as rebawdez with ryotous knyghttez; 1417: The Romaynes owte of araye remouede at ones, 1418: And rydes awaye in a rowtte, for reddoure it semys.

1419: To ţe Senatour Petyr a sandesmane es commyn, 1420: And saide “Sir, sekerly, 3our seggez are supprysside.”

1421: Than ten thowsande men he semblede at ones,

1422: And sett sodanly on our seggez, by ţe salte strandez; 1423: Than ware Bretons abaiste and greuede a lyttill, 1424: Bot 3it the banerettez bolde and bachellers noble 1425: Brekes that battailes with brestez of stedes; 1426: Sir Boice and his bolde men myche bale wyrkes.

1427: The Romayns redyes ţam, arrayez ţam better,

1428: And al toruscheez oure men withe theire ryste horsez, 1429: Arestede of the richeste of ţe Rounde Table, 1430: Ouerrydez oure rerewarde and grette rewthe wyrkes.

1431: Thane the Bretons on ţe bente habyddez no lengere, 1432: Bot fleede to ţe foreste and the feelde leuede; 1433: Sir Beryll es born down and Sir Boice taken, 1434: The beste of our bolde men vnblythely wondyde; 1435: Bot 3itt our stale on a strenghe stotais a lyttill, 1436: All tostonayede with ţe stokes of ţa steryn knyghtez; 1437: Made sorowe fore theire soueraygne, ţat so ţare was nomen, 1438: Besoughte Gode of socure, sende whene Hym lykyde.

1439: Than commez Sir Idrus, armede vp at all ryghttez, 1440: Wyth fyue hundrethe men appon faire stedes;

1441: Fraynez faste at oure folke freschely ţareaftyre, 1442: 3if ţer frendez ware ferre, ţat on ţe felde foundide.

1443: Thane sais Sir Gawayne, “So me God helpe,

1444: We hafe bene chased todaye and chullede as hares, -80-1445: Rebuyked with Romaynes appon ţeire ryche stedez, 1446: And we lurkede vndyr lee as lowrande wreches!

1447: I luke neuer on my lorde ţe dayes of my lyfe, 1448: And we so lytherly hym helpe ţat hym so wele lykede.”

1449: Thane the Bretons brothely brochez theire stedez, 1450: And boldly in batell appon ţe bent rydes;

1451: All ţe ferse men before frekly ascryes,

1452: Ferkand in ţe foreste, to freschen ţam selfen.

1453: The Romaynes than redyly arrayes them bettyre, 1454: One rawe on a rowm felde, reghttez theire wapyns, 1455: By ţe ryche reuere, and rewles ţe pople;

1456: And with reddour Sir Boice es in areste halden.

1457: Now thei semblede vnsaughte by ţe salte strandez: 1458: Saddly theis sekere menn settys ţeire dynttez; 1459: With lufly launcez on lofte they luyschen togedyres, 1460: In lorayne so lordlye on leppande stedes.

1461: Thare ware gomes thurghegirde with grundyn wapyns, 1462: Grisely gayspand with grucchande lotes;

1463: Grete lordes of Greke greffede so hye.

1464: Swyftly with swerdes they swappen thereaftyre, 1465: Swappez doun full sweperlye swelltande knyghtez, 1466: That all swellttez one swarthe that they ouerswyngen; 1467: So many sweys in swoghe, swounande att ones.

1468: Syr Gaweayne the gracyous full graythelye he wyrkkes: 1469: The gretteste he gretez wyth gryselye wondes; 1470: Wyth Galuth he gyrdez doun full galyard knyghtez, 1471: Fore greefe of ţe grett lorde so grymlye he strykez.

1472: He rydez furthe ryallye and redely thereaftyre, 1473: Thare this reall renke was in areste halden; 1474: He ryfez ţe raunke stele, he ryghttez ţeire brenez, 1475: And refte them the ryche man and rade to his strenghes.

1476: The Senatour Peter thane persewede hym aftyre, 1477: Thurghe ţe presse of ţe pople, wyth his pryce knyghttes; 1478: Appertly fore ţe prysonere proues his strenghes, 1479: Wyth prekers the proudeste that to ţe presse lengez.

1480: Wrothely on the wrange hande Sir Gawayne he strykkes, 1481: Wyth a wapen of were vnwynnly hym hittez;

-81-

1482: The breny one ţe bakhalfe he brystez in sondyre, 1483: Bot 3it he broghte forthe Sir Boyce, for all ţeire bale biernez.

1484: Thane ţe Bretons boldely braggen ţeire tromppez, 1485: And fore blysse of Sir Boyce was broghte owtte of bandez, 1486: Boldely in batell they bere doun knyghtes;

1487: With brandes of broun stele ţey brettened maylez; 1488: Ţay stekede stedys in stour with stelen wapyns, 1489: And all stewede with strenghe ţat stode ţem agaynes.

1490: Sir Idrus fitz Ewayn ţan “Arthur!” ascryeez, 1491: Assemblez on ţe Senatour wyth sextene knyghttez, 1492: Of ţe sekereste men ţat to oure syde lengede.

1493: Sodanly in a soppe they sett in att ones,

1494: Foynes faste att ţe forebreste with flawmande swerdez, 1495: And feghttes faste att ţe fronte freschely ţareaftyre, 1496: Felles fele on ţe felde appon ţe ferrere syde, 1497: Fey on ţe faire felde by ţa fresche strandez.

1498: Bot Sir Idrus fytz Ewayn anters hym seluen,

1499: And enters in anly and egyrly strykez,

1500: Sekez to ţe Senatour and sesez his brydill;

1501: Vnsaughtely he saide hym ţese sittande wordez: 1502: “3elde ţe, Sir, 3apely, 3ife ţou ţi lyfe 3ernez; 1503: Fore gyftez ţat ţow gyffe may ţou 3eme now ţe selfen.

1504: Fore dredlez dreche ţow or droppe any wylez, 1505: Thow sall dy ţis daye thorowe dyntt of my handez!”

1506: “I ascente,” quod ţe Senatour, “so me Criste helpe; 1507: So ţat I be safe broghte before ţe Kyng seluen, 1508: Raunson me resonabillye, as I may ouerreche

1509: Aftyre my renttez in Rome may redyly forthire.”

1510: Thane answers Sir Idrus with austeryn wordez: 1511: “Thow sall hafe condycyon, as ţe Kyng lykes, 1512: When thow comes to ţe kyth there the courte haldez, 1513: In caase his concell bee to kepe the no langere, 1514: To be killyde at his commandment his knyghttez before.”

1515: Ţay ledde hym furthe in ţe rowte and lached ofe his wedes, 1516: Lefte hym wyth Lyonell and Lowell, hys brothire.

1517: O lawe in ţe launde ţan, by ţe lythe strandez, 1518: Sir Lucius lyggemen loste are fore euer.

1519: The Senatour Peter es prysoner takyn;

-82-

1520: Of Perce and of Porte Iaffe full many price knyghtez, 1521: And myche pople wythall perischede ţam selfen, 1522: For presse of ţe passage they plungede at onez.

1523: Thare myghte men see Romaynez rewfully wondyde, 1524: Ouerredyn with renkes of the Round Table.

1525: In ţe raike of ţe furthe they righten ţeire brenys, 1526: Ţat rane all on reede blode redylye all ouer.

1527: They raughte in ţe rerewarde full ryotous knyghtez 1528: For raunsone of rede golde and reall stedys; 1529: Radly relayes and restez theire horsez,

1530: In rowtte to ţe ryche kynge they rade al at onez.

1531: A knyghte cayrez before and to ţe Kynge telles, 1532: “Sir, here commez thy messangerez with myrthez fro ţe mountez; 1533: Ţay hafe bene machede todaye with men of ţe marchez, 1534: Foremaglede in ţa marras with meruailous knyghtez.

1535: We hafe foughten, in faithe, by 3one fresche strandez, 1536: With ţe frekkeste folke that to ţi foo langez; 1537: Fyfty thosaunde on felde of ferse men of armez, 1538: Wythin a furlange of waye, fay ere bylefede.

1539: We hafe eschewede ţis chekke thurghe chance of oure Lorde, 1540: Of tha cheualrous men that chargede thy pople.

1541: The cheefe chaunchelere of Rome, a cheftayne full noble, 1542: Will aske ţe chartyre of pesse, for charitee, hym selfen.

1543: And the Senatour Petire to presoner es takyn; 1544: Of Perse and of Porte Iaffe paynymmez ynewe

1545: Commez prekande in the presse with thy prysse knyghttez, 1546: With pouerte in thi preson theire paynez to drye.

1547: I beseke 3ow, Sir, say whate 3owe lykes,

1548: Whethire 3e suffyre them saughte or sone delyuerde.

1549: 3e may haue fore ţe Senatour sextie horse chargede 1550: Of siluer be Seterdaye, full sekyrly payede; 1551: And for ţe cheefe chauncelere, ţe cheualere noble, 1552: Charottez chokkefull charegyde with golde;

1553: The remenaunt of ţe Romaynez be in areste halden, 1554: Till thiere renttez in Rome be rightewissly knawen.

1555: I beseke 3ow, Sir, certyfye 3one lordez,

1556: 3if 3e will send ţam ouer ţe see or kepe ţam 3our selfen.

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1557: All 3our sekyre men, forsothe, sounde are byleuyde, 1558: Saue Sir Ewayne fytz Henry es in ţe side wonddede.”

1559: “Crist be thankyde,” quod the Kyng, “and hys clere Modyre, 1560: That 3owe comforthed and helpede be crafte of Hym selfen; 1561: Skilfull skomfyture he skiftez as Hym lykez; 1562: Is none so skathlye may skape ne skewe fro His handez.

1563: Desteny and doughtynes of dedys of armes,

1564: All es demyd and delte at Dryghtynez will.

1565: I kwn the thanke for thy come, it comfortes vs all.

1566: Sir Knyghte,” sais ţe Conquerour, “so me Criste helpe, 1567: I 3if the for thy thy3andez Tolouse ţe riche, 1568: The toll and ţe tachementez, tauernez and oţer, 1569: Ţe town and ţe tenementez, with towrez so hye, 1570: That towchez to ţe temporaltee, whills my tym lastez.

1571: Bot say to ţe Senatour I sende hym ţes wordez: 1572: Thare sall no siluer hym saue bot Ewayn recouer; 1573: I had leuer see hym synke on the salte strandez, 1574: Than the seegge ware seke, ţat es so sore woundede.

1575: I sall disseuere that sorte, so me Criste helpe, 1576: And sett them full solytarie, in sere kyngez landez.

1577: Sall he neuer sownde see his seynowres in Rome, 1578: Ne sitt in ţe assemble in syghte wyth his feris; 1579: For it comes to no kyng ţat Conquerour es holden, 1580: To comon with his captifis fore couatys of siluer.

1581: It come neuer of knyghthede, knawe if 3if hym lyke, 1582: To carpe of coseri when captyfis ere takyn;

1583: It aughte to no presoners to prese no lordez, 1584: Ne come in presens of pryncez whene partyes are mouede.

1585: Comaunde 3one constable, ţe castell ţat 3emes, 1586: That he be clenlyche kepede, and in close halden; 1587: He sall haue maundement tomorne, or myddaye be roungen, 1588: To what marche ţay sall merke, with mauger to lengen.”

1589: Ţay conuaye this captyfe with clene men of armez, 1590: And kend hym to ţe constable, alls ţe Kynge byddez; 1591: And seyn to Arthure ţey ayr and egerly hym towchez 1592: The answere of ţe Emperour, irows of dedez.

1593: Thane Sir Arthur, on erthe atheliste of oţere, 1594: At euen at his awen borde auantid his lordez: -84-1595: “Me aughte to honour them in erthe ouer all oţer thyngez 1596: Ţat ţus in myn absens awnters ţem selfen;

1597: I sall them luffe whylez I lyffe, so me our Lorde helpe, 1598: And gyfe ţem landys full large whare them beste lykes; 1599: Thay sall noghte losse on ţis layke, 3if me lyfe happen, 1600: Ţat ţus are lamede for my lufe be ţis lythe strandez.”

1601: Bot in ţe clere daweyng, ţe dere kynge hym selfen 1602: Comaundyd Sir Cadore, with his dere knyghttes, 1603: Sir Cleremus, Sir Cleremonde, with clene men of armez, 1604: Sir Clowdmur, Sir Clegis, to conuaye theis lordez; 1605: Sir Boyce and Sir Berell, with baners displayede, 1606: Sir Bawdwyne, Sir Bryane, and Sir Bedwere ţe ryche, 1607: Sir Raynalde and Sir Richere, Rawlaund childyre, 1608: To ryde with ţe Romaynes in rowtte wyth theire feres.

1609: “Prekez now preualye to Parys the ryche,

1610: Wyth Petir the pryssonere and his price knyghttez; 1611: Beteche ţam ţe proueste, in presens of lordez, 1612: O payne and o perell ţat pendes theretoo;

1613: That they be weisely wachede and in warde holden, 1614: Warded of warantizez with wyrchipfull knyghttez, 1615: Wagge hym wyghte men, and woonde for no siluyre, 1616: I haffe warnede ţat wy, be ware 3if hym lykes.”

1617: Now bownes ţe Bretons, als ţe Kynge byddez,

1618: Buskez theire batells, theire baners displayez; 1619: Towardez Chartris they chese, thes cheualrous knyghttez, 1620: And in the champayne lande full faire ţay eschewede: 1621: For ţe Emperour of myghte had ordand hym selfen 1622: Sir Vtolfe and Sir Ewandyre, two honourable kyngez, 1623: Erles of ţe Orient, with austeryn knyghttez, 1624: Of ţe awntrouseste men ţat to his oste lengede, 1625: Sir Sextynour of Lyby and senatours many,

1626: The Kyng of Surrye hym selfe, with Sarzynes ynowe, 1627: The Senatour of Sutere, wyth sowmes full huge, 1628: Whas assygnede to ţat courte be sent of his peres, 1629: Traise towarde Troys ţe treson to wyrke,

1630: To hafe betrappede with a trayne oure traueland knyghttez, 1631: That hade persayfede ţat Peter at Parys sulde lenge, -85-1632: In presonne with ţe prouoste, his paynez to drye.

1633: Forthi they buskede them bownn, with baners displayede, 1634: In the buskayle of his waye, on blonkkes full hugge; 1635: Planttez them in the pathe with powere arrayede, 1636: To pyke vp ţe presoners fro oure pryse knyghttez.

1637: Syr Cadore of Cornewalle comaundez his peris, 1638: Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremus, Sir Cleremownnde ţe noble, 1639: “Here es ţe close of Clyme, with clewes so hye: 1640: Lokez the contree be clere, the corners are large; 1641: Discoueres now sekerly skrogges and oţer,

1642: That no skathell in ţe skroggez skorne vs hereaftyre; 1643: Loke 3e skyfte it so ţat vs no skathe lympe, 1644: For na skomfitoure in skoulkery is skomfite euer.”

1645: Now ţey hye to ţe holte, thes harageous knyghttez, 1646: To herken of ţe hye men, to helpen theis lordez; 1647: Fyndez them helmede hole and horsyde on stedys, 1648: Houande on ţe hye waye by ţe holte hemmes.

1649: With knyghttly contenaunce Sir Clegis hym selfen 1650: Kryes to ţe companye and carpes thees wordez: 1651: “Es there any kyde knyghte, kaysere or oţer, 1652: Will kyth for his kyng lufe craftes of armes?

1653: We are comen fro ţe Kyng of ţis kythe ryche, 1654: That knawen as for conquerour, corownde in erthe, 1655: His ryche retenuz here all of his Round Table, 1656: To ryde with ţat reall rowtt where hym lykes; 1657: We seke justyng of werre, 3if any will happyn, 1658: Of ţe jolyeste men ajuggede be lordes,

1659: If here be any hathell man, erle or oţer,

1660: That for ţe Emperour lufe will awntere hym selfen.”

1661: And ane erle ţane in angere answeres hym son: 1662: “Me angers at Arthure, and att his hathell bierns, 1663: That thus in his errour ocupyes theis rewmes, 1664: And owtrayes ţe Emperour, his erthely lorde.

1665: The araye and ţe ryalltez of ţe Rounde Table 1666: Es wyth rankour rehersede in rewmes full many; 1667: Of oure renttez of Rome syche reuell he haldys, 1668: He sall 3ife resoun full rathe, 3if vs reghte happen, -86-1669: That many sall repente that in his rowtte rydez, 1670: For the reklesse roy so rewlez hym selfen!”

1671: “A!” sais Sir Clegis ţan, “so me Criste helpe, 1672: I knawe be thi carpyng a cowntere ţe semes!

1673: Bot be ţou auditoure or erle or Emperour thi selfen, 1674: Appon Arthurez byhalue I answere the sone:

1675: The renke so reall ţat rewllez vs all,

1676: The ryotous men and ţe ryche of ţe Rounde Table, 1677: He has araysede his accownte and redde all his rollez, 1678: For he wyll gyfe a rekenyng that rewe sall aftyre, 1679: That all ţe ryche sall repente ţat to Rome langez, 1680: Or ţe rereage be requit of rentez ţat he claymez.

1681: We crafe of 3our curtaisie three coursez of werre, 1682: And claymez of knyghthode, take kepe to 3our selfen!

1683: 3e do bott trayne vs todaye wyth trofeland wordez; 1684: Of syche trauaylande men trecherye me thnykes.

1685: Sende owte sadly certayne knyghttez,

1686: Or say me sekerly sothe, forsake 3if 3owe lykes.”

1687: Ţane sais ţe Kynge of Surry, “Alls saue me oure Lorde, 1688: 3if ţow hufe all ţe daye, ţou bees noghte delyuerede, 1689: Bot thow sekerly ensure with certeyne knyghtez, 1690: Ţat ţi cote and thi breste be knawen with lordez, 1691: Of armes of ancestrye entyrde with londez.”

1692: “Sir Kyng,” sais Sir Clegys, “full knyghttly ţow askez; 1693: I trowe it be for cowardys thow carpes thes wordez.

1694: Myn armez are of ancestrye enueryd with lordez, 1695: And has in banere bene borne sen Sir Brut tyme; 1696: At the cite of Troye ţat tymme was ensegede, 1697: Ofte seen in asawtte with certayne knyghttez, 1698: Fro ţe Borghte broghte vs and all oure bolde elders 1699: To Bretayne ţe Braddere, within chippe-burdez.”

1700: “Sir,” sais Sir Sextenour, “saye what ţe lykez, 1701: And we sall suffyre the, als vs beste semes; 1702: Luke thi troumppez be trussede, and trofull no lengere, 1703: For ţoghe ţou tarye all ţe daye, the tyddes no bettyr.

1704: For there sall neuer Romayne ţat in my rowtt rydez 1705: Be with rebawdez rebuykyde whills I in werlde regne!”

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1706: Thane Sir Clegis to ţe Kyng a lyttill enclinede, 1707: Kayres to Sir Cadore and knyghtly hym tellez, 1708: “We hafe founden in 3one firthe, floresched with leues, 1709: Ţe flour of ţe faireste folke ţat to ţi foo langez: 1710: Fifty thosandez of folke of ferse men of armez, 1711: Ţat faire are fewteride on frounte vndyr 3one fre bowes; 1712: They are enbuschede on blonkkes, with baners displayede, 1713: In 3one bechen wode appon the waye sydes.

1714: Thay hafe the furthe forsette all of ţe faire watyre, 1715: That fayfully of force feghte vs byhowys;

1716: For thus vs schappes todaye, schortly to tell, 1717: Whedyre we schone or schewe, schyft as ţe lykes.”

1718: “Nay,” quod Cador, “so me Criste helpe,

1719: It ware schame ţat we scholde schone for so lytyll.

1720: Sir Lancelott sall neuer laughe, ţat with ţe Kyng lengez, 1721: That I sulde lette my waye for lede appon erthe; 1722: I sall be dede and vndone ar I here dreche,

1723: For drede of any doggeson in 3one dym schawes!”

1724: Syr Cador thane knyghtly comforthes his pople, 1725: And with corage kene he karpes ţes wordes:

1726: “Thynk on ţe valyaunt prynce ţat vesettez vs euer 1727: With landez and lordcheppez, whare vs beste lykes; 1728: That has vs ducheres delte and dubbyde vs knyghttez, 1729: Gifen vs gersoms and golde and gardwynes many, 1730: Grewhoundez and grett horse and alkyn gamnes, 1731: That gaynez till any gome that vndyre God leuez.

1732: Thynke on riche renoun of ţe Rounde Table,

1733: And late it neuer be refte vs fore Romayne in erthe; 1734: Feyne 3ow noghte feyntly, ne frythes no wapyns, 1735: Bot luke 3e fyghte faythefully, frekes, 3our selfen; 1736: I walde be wellyde all qwyke and quarterde in sondre, 1737: Bot I wyrke my dede, whils I in wrethe lenge.”

1738: Than this doughtty duke buddyd his knyghttez, 1739: Ioneke and Askanere, Aladuke and oţer,

1740: That ayerez were of Esex and all ţase este marchez, 1741: Howell and Hardelfe, happy in armez,

1742: Sir Heryll and Sir Herygall, ţise harageouse knyghttez.

1743: Than the souerayn assignede certayne lordez, -88-1744: Sir Wawayne, Sir Vryell, Sir Bedwere ţe ryche, 1745: Raynallde and Richeere and Rowlandez childyre: 1746: “Takez kepe on this prynce with 3oure price knyghtez, 1747: And 3ife we in ţe stour withstonden the better, 1748: Standez here in this stede, and stirrez no forthire; 1749: And 3if ţe chaunce falle ţat we bee ouercharggede, 1750: Eschewes to som castell, and chewyse 3our selfen, 1751: Or ryde to ţe riche Kyng, 3if 3ow roo happyn, 1752: And bidde hym com redily to rescewe hys biernez.”

1753: And than the Bretons brothely enbrassez ţeire scheldez, 1754: Braydez one bacenetez and buskes theire launcez; 1755: Thus he fittez his folke and to ţe felde rydez, 1756: Fif hundreth on a frounte fewtrede at onez.

1757: With trompes ţay trine, and trappede stedes, 1758: With cornettes and clarions and clergiall notes; 1759: Schokkes in with a schakke and schontez no langere, 1760: There schawes ware scheen vndyr ţe schire eyuez.

1761: And thane the Romaynez rowtte remowes a lyttill, 1762: Raykes with a rerewarde ţas reall knyghttez; 1763: So raply ţay ryde thare that all ţe rowte ryngez 1764: Of ryues and raunke stele and ryche golde maylez.

1765: Thane schotte owtte of ţe schawe schiltrounis many, 1766: With scharpe wapynns of were schotand at ones; 1767: The Kyng of Lebe before the wawarde he ledez, 1768: And all his lele ligemen o laundon ascriez.

1769: Thane this cruell kyng castis in fewtire,

1770: Kaghte hym a couerde horse and his course haldez, 1771: Beris to Sir Berill and brathely hym hittes, 1772: Throwghe golet and gorger he hurtez hym ewyne; 1773: The gome and ţe grette horse at ţe ground liggez, 1774: And gretez graythely to Gode and gyffes Hym ţe saule.

1775: Thus es Berell the bolde broghte owtte of lyue, 1776: And byddez aftyre beryell ţat hym beste lykez.

1777: And thane Sir Cador of Cornewayle es carefull in herte, 1778: Because of his kynysemane, ţat ţus es myscaryede; 1779: Vmbeclappes the cors and kyssez hym ofte,

1780: Gerte kepe hym couerte with his clere knyghttez.

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1781: Thane laughes the Lebe Kyng and all on lowde meles, 1782: “3one lorde es lyghttede, me lykes the bettyre; 1783: He sall noghte dere vs todaye, the Deuyll haue Őhisĺ bones!”

1784: “3one kyng,” said Cador, “karpes full large, 1785: Because he killyd ţis kene, Criste hafe ţi saule: 1786: He sall hafe corne-bote, so me Criste helpe; 1787: Or I kaire of ţis coste, we sall encontre ones.

1788: So may ţe wynde weile turnne, I quytte hym or ewyn, 1789: Sothely hym selfen or summ of his ferez.”

1790: Thane Sir Cador ţe kene knyghttly he wyrkez, 1791: Cryez “A Cornewale!” and castez in fewtere,

1792: Girdez streke thourghe ţe stour on a stede ryche; 1793: Many steryn mane he steride by strenghe of hym one.

1794: Whene his spere was sprongen, he spede hym full 3erne, 1795: Swappede owtte with a swerde that swykede hym neuer, 1796: Wroghte wayes full wyde and wounded knyghttez, 1797: Wyrkez in his wayfare full werkand sydez,

1798: And hewes of ţe hardieste halsez in sondyre, 1799: That all blendez with blode thare his blanke rynnez.

1800: So many biernez the bolde broughte owt of lyfe, 1801: Tittez tirauntez doun and temez theire sadills, 1802: And turnez owte of ţe toile when hym tyme thynkkez.

1803: Thane the Lebe Kynge criez full lowde

1804: One Sir Cador the kene, with cruell wordez,

1805: “Thowe hase wyrchipe wonne and wondyde knyghttez; 1806: Thowe wenes for thi wightenez the werlde es thy nowen.

1807: I sall wayte at thyne honnde, wy, be my trowthe; 1808: I haue warnede ţe wele, be ware 3if the lykez!”

1809: With cornuse and clariones ţeis newe-made knyghttez 1810: Lythes vnto ţe crye and castez in fewtire;

1811: Ferkes in on a frounte one feraunte stedez,

1812: Fellede at ţe fyrste come fyfty att ones.

1813: Schotte thorowe the schiltrouns and scheuerede launcez, 1814: Laid doun in ţe lumppe lordly biernez.

1815: And thus nobilly oure newe men notez ţeire strenghez, 1816: Bot new notte es onon ţat noyes me sore.

1817: The Kyng of Lebe has laughte a stede ţat hym lykede, -90-1818: And comes in lordely in lyonez of siluere,

1819: Vmbelappez ţe lumpe and lattes in sondre,

1820: Many lede with his launce ţe liffe has he refede.

1821: Thus he chaces ţe childire of ţe Kyngez chambire, 1822: And killez in ţe champanyse cheualrous knyghttez; 1823: With a chasyng spere he choppes doun many.

1824: Thare was Sir Alyduke slayne and Achinour wondyde, 1825: Sir Origg and Sir Ermyngall hewen al to pecez.

1826: And ther was Lewlyn laughte and Lewlyns brothire, 1827: With lordez of Lebe, and lede to ţeire strenghez.

1828: Ne hade Sir Clegis comen and Clemente ţe noble, 1829: Oure newe men hade gone to noghte and many ma oţer.

1830: Ţane Sir Cador ţe kene castez in fewtire

1831: A cruell launce and a kene and to ţe Kynge rydez, 1832: Hittez hym heghe on ţe helme with his harde wapen, 1833: That all ţe hotte blode of hym to his hande rynnez.

1834: The hethen harageous kynge appon ţe hethe lyggez, 1835: And of his hertly hurte helyde he neuer.

1836: Thane Sir Cador ţe kene cryez full lowde,

1837: “Thow has corne-botte, Sir Kyng, ţare God gyfe ţe sorowe; 1838: Thow killyde my cosyn, my kare es the lesse.

1839: Kele the nowe in the claye, and comforthe thi selfen!

1840: Thow skornede vs lang ere with thi skornefull wordez, 1841: And nowe has ţow cheuede soo, it es thyn awen skathe.

1842: Holde at ţow hente has, it harmez bot lyttill, 1843: For hethynge es hame-holde, vse it who-so will.”

1844: The Kyng of Surry ţan es sorowfull in herte, 1845: For sake of this soueraygne, ţat ţus was supprissede; 1846: Semblede his Sarazenes and senatours manye:

1847: Vnsaughtyly ţey sette thane appon oure sere knyghttez.

1848: Sir Cador of Cornewaile he cownterez them sone, 1849: With his kydde companye clenlyche arrayede;

1850: In the frount of ţe fyrthe, as ţe waye forthis, 1851: Fyfty thosande of folke was fellide at ones.

1852: Thare was at ţe assemble certayne knyghttez

1853: Sore wondede sone appone sere halfes;

1854: The sekereste Sarzanez that to ţat sorte lengede, 1855: Behynde the sadylls ware sette sex fotte large.

-91-

1856: They scherde in the schiltrone scheldyde knyghttez, 1857: Schalkes they schotte thrughe schrenkande maylez, 1858: Thurghe brenys browden brestez they thirllede, 1859: Brasers burnyste bristez in sondyre,

1860: Blasons blode and blankes they hewen,

1861: With brandez of browne stele brankkand stedez.

1862: The Bretons brothely brittenez so many,

1863: The bente and ţe brode felde all on blode rynnys.

1864: Be thane Sir Cayous ţe kene a capitayne has wonnen, 1865: Sir Clegis clynges in and clekes anoţer,

1866: The capitayne of Cordewa, vndire ţe Kynge selfen, 1867: That was keye of ţe kythe of all ţat coste ryche; 1868: Vtolfe and Ewandre Ioneke had nommen,

1869: With ţe Erle of Affryke and oţer grette lordes; 1870: The Kyng of Surry the kene to Sir Cador es 3elden, 1871: Ţe Synechall of Soter to Segramoure hym selfen.

1872: When ţe cheualrye saw theire cheftanes were nommen, 1873: To a cheefe foreste they chesen theire wayes, 1874: And felede them so feynte, they fall in ţe greues, 1875: In the ferynne of ţe fyrthe, fore ferde of oure pople.

1876: Thare myght men see the ryche ryde in the schawes, 1877: To rype vpe the Romaynez ruydlyche wondyde;

1878: Schowttes aftyre men, harageous knyghttez,

1879: Be hunndrethez they hewede doun be ţe holte eyuys.

1880: Thus oure cheualrous men chasez ţe pople;

1881: To a castell they eschewede, a fewe ţat eschappede.

1882: Thane relyez ţe renkez of ţe Rounde Table,

1883: For to ryotte ţe wode ţer ţe duke restez;

1884: Ransakes the ryndez all, raughte vp theire feres, 1885: That in ţe fightyng before fay ware byleuyde.

1886: Sir Cador garte chare theym and couere them faire, 1887: Kariede them to ţe Kyng with his beste knyghttez; 1888: And passez vnto Paresche with presoners hym selfen, 1889: Betoke theym the proueste, pryncez and oţer; 1890: Tase a sope in the toure and taryez no langere, 1891: Bot tournes tytte to ţe Kynge and hym wyth tunge telles.

1892: “Syr,” sais Sir Cador, “a caas es befallen;

1893: We hafe cowntered today, in 3one coste ryche -92-1894: With kyngez and kayseres, krouell and noble, 1895: And knyghtes and kene men, clenlych arayede.

1896: They hade at 3one foreste forsette vs ţe wayes, 1897: At the furthe in ţe fyrthe, with ferse men of armes; 1898: Thare faughtte we, in faythe, and foynede with sperys, 1899: One felde with thy foomen and fellyd them on lyfe.

1900: The Kyng of Lebe es laide and in ţe felde leuyde, 1901: And manye of his legemen ţat ţare to hym langede.

1902: Oţer lordez are laughte of vncouthe ledes;

1903: We hafe lede them at lenge, to lyf whilles ţe lykez.

1904: Sir Vtolfe and Sir Ewaynedyr, theis honourable knyghttez, 1905: Be a nawntere of armes Ioneke has nommen,

1906: With erlez of ţe Oryentte and austeren knyghttez, 1907: Of awncestrye ţe beste men ţat to ţe oste langede; 1908: The Senatour Carous es kaughte with a knyghtte, 1909: The Capitayne of Cornette, that crewell es halden, 1910: The Syneschall of Suter vnsaughte wyth ţes oţer, 1911: The Kyng of Surry hym selfen and Sarazenes Őynoweĺ.

1912: Bot fay of ours in ţe felde a fourtene knyghttez, 1913: I will noghte feyne ne forbere, bot faythfully tellen; 1914: Sir Berell es one, a banerette noble,

1915: Was killyde at ţe fyrste come with a kyng ryche; 1916: Sir Alidoyke of Towell, with his tende knyghtez, 1917: Emange ţe Turkys was tynte and in tym fonden; 1918: Gude Sir Mawrell of Mauncez and Mawren his broţer, 1919: Sir Meneduke of Mentoche, with meruailous knyghttez.”

1920: Thane the worthy Kyng wrythes and wepede with his eughne, 1921: Karpes to his cosyn Sir Cador theis wordez:

1922: “Sir Cador, thi corage confundez vs all!

1923: Kowardely thow castez owtte all my beste knyghttez.

1924: To putte men in perille, it es no pryce holden, 1925: Bot ţe partyes ware puruayede and powere arayede; 1926: When they ware stade on a strenghe, ţou sulde hafe withstonden, 1927: Bot 3if thowe wolde all my steryn stroye for ţe nonys!”

1928: “Sir,” sais Sir Cador, “3e knowe wele 3our selfen 1929: 3e are kyng in ţis kythe, karpe whatte 3ow lykys; 1930: Sall neuer vpbrayde me, ţat to ţi burde langes, -93-1931: That I sulde blyn fore theire boste thi byddyng to wyrche; 1932: When any stirttez to stale, stuffe ţam ţe bettere, 1933: Ore thei will be stonayede and stroyede in 3one strayte londez.

1934: I dide my delygens todaye, I doo me one lordez, 1935: And in daungere of dede fore dyuerse knyghttez; 1936: I hafe no grace to ţi gree, bot syche grett wordez, 1937: 3if I heuen my herte, my hape es no bettyre.”

1938: Ţofe Sir Arthure ware angerde, he ansuers faire; 1939: “Thow has doughttily donn, Sir Duke, with thi handez, 1940: And has donn thy deuer with my dere knyghttez; 1941: Forthy thow arte demyde, with dukes and erlez, 1942: For one of ţe doughtyeste ţat dubbede was euer.

1943: Thare es non ischewe of vs on this erthe sprongen; 1944: Thow arte apparant to be ayere, are one of thi childyre, 1945: Thow arte my sister sone, forsake sall I neuer.”

1946: Thane gerte he in his awen tente a table be sette, 1947: And tryede in with tromppez trauaillede biernez; 1948: Serfede them solempnely with selkouthe metez, 1949: Swythe semly in syghte with sylueren dischees.

1950: Whene the senatours harde saye ţat it so happenede, 1951: They saide to ţe Emperour, “Thi seggez are suppryssede; 1952: Sir Arthure, thyn enmy, has owterayede ţi lordez, 1953: That rode for ţe rescowe of 3one riche knyghttez.

1954: Thow dosse bot tynnez ţi tym and turmenttez ţi pople; 1955: Thow arte betrayede of ţi men that moste thow on traystede, 1956: That schall turne the to tene and torfere for euer.”

1957: Than the Emperour irus was angerde at his herte, 1958: For oure valyant biernez siche prowesche had wonnen.

1959: With kyng and with kaysere to consayle they wende, 1960: Souerayngez of Sarazenez and senatours manye; 1961: Thus he semblez full sone certayne lordez,

1962: And in the assemble thane he sais them theis wordez: 1963: “My herte sothely es sette, assente 3if 3owe lykes, 1964: To seke into Sexon, with my sekyre knyghttez, 1965: To fyghte with my foomen, if fortune me happen, 1966: 3if I may fynde the freke within the four haluez; 1967: Or entir into Awguste, awnters to seke,

1968: And byde with my balde men within ţe burghe ryche; -94-1969: Riste vs and reuell and ryotte oure selfen,

1970: Lende ţare in delytte in lordechippez ynewe, 1971: To Sir Leo be comen with all his lele knyghtez, 1972: With lordez of Lumberdye, to lette hym ţe wayes.”

1973: Bot owre wyese Kyng es warre to waytten his renkes, 1974: And wysely by ţe woddez voydez his oste;

1975: Gerte felschen his fyrez, flawmande full heghe, 1976: Trussen full traystely and treunt thereaftyre.

1977: Seţen into Sessoyne he soughte at the gayneste, 1978: And at the surs of ţe sonne disseuerez his knyghttez; 1979: Forsette them the cite appon sere halfez,

1980: Sodaynly on iche halfe, with seuen grett stales.

1981: Anely in the vale a vawewarde enbusches:

1982: Sir Valyant of Vyleris, with valyant knyghttez, 1983: Before ţe Kyngez visage made siche avowez

1984: To venquyse by victorie the Vescownte of Rome; 1985: Forthi the Kyng chargez hym, what chaunce so befall, 1986: Cheftayne of ţe cheekke, with cheualrous knyghttez.

1987: And sythyn meles with mouthe, ţat he moste traistez; 1988: Demenys the medylwarde menskfully hym selfen: 1989: Fittes his fotemen alls hym faire thynkkes,

1990: On frounte in the forebreste the flour of his knyghtez; 1991: His archers on aythere halfe he ordaynede ţeraftyre 1992: To schake in a sheltrone, to schotte when ţam lykez.

The Thornton Ms., Folios 74v-84v (lines 1993-2934) 1993: He arrayed in ţe rerewarde full riall knyghtez, 1994: With renkkes renownnd of ţe Round Table,

1995: Sir Raynalde, Sir Richere, that rade was neuer, 1996: The riche Duke of Rown wytŐhĺ ryders ynewe.

1997: Sir Cayous, Sir Clegis, and clene men of armes, 1998: The Kyng casts to kepe be ţaa clere strandes; 1999: Sir Lott and Sir Launcelott, ţise lordly knyghttez, 2000: Sall lenge on his lefte hande, with legyones ynewe, 2001: To meue in ţe morne-while, 3if ţe myste happynne; 2002: Sir Cador of Cornewaile and his kene knyghtez, 2003: To kepe at ţe karfuke, to close in ţer oţere; 2004: He plantez in siche placez pryncez and erlez, 2005: That no powere sulde passe be no preue wayes.

-95-

2006: Bot the Emperour onone, with honourable knyghtez 2007: And erlez enteres the vale, awnters to seke, 2008: And fyndez Sir Arthure with hostez arayede;

2009: And at his income, to ekken his sorowe,

2010: Oure burlyche bolde Kyng appon the bente howes, 2011: With his bataile on brede and baners displayede.

2012: He hade ţe cete forsett appon sere halfes,

2013: Bothe the clewez and ţe clyfez with clene men of armez, 2014: The mosse and ţe marrasse, the mounttez so hye, 2015: With gret multytude of men, to marre hym in ţe wayes.

2016: When Sir Lucius sees, he sais to his lordez, 2017: “This traytour has treunt this treson to wyrche; 2018: He has the cete forsett appon sere halfez,

2019: All ţe clewez and the cleyffez with clene men of armez; 2020: Here es no waye, iwys, ne no wytt ells,

2021: Bot feghte with oure foomen, for flee may we neuer.”

2022: Thane this ryche mane rathe arayes his byernez, 2023: Rewlede his Romaynez and reall knyghtez;

2024: Buschez in the avawmewarde the Vescounte of Rome, 2025: Fro Viterbe to Venyse theis valyante knyghtez; 2026: Dresses vp dredfully the dragone of golde,

2027: With egles alouer, enamelede of sable;

2028: Drawen dreghely the wyne and drynkyn thareaftyre, 2029: Dukkez and dusseperez, dubbede knyghtez;

2030: For dauncesyng of Duchemen and dynnyng of pypez, 2031: All dynned fore dyn that in ţe dale houede.

2032: And thane Sir Lucius on lowde said lordlyche wordez: 2033: “Thynke on the myche renownn of 3our ryche fadyrs, 2034: And the riatours of Rome, ţat regnede with lordez, 2035: And the renkez ouerrane all that regnede in erthe, 2036: Encrochede all Cristyndome be craftes of armes, 2037: In eueriche a viage the victorie was halden; 2038: Insette all ţe Sarazenes within seuen wyntter, 2039: The parte fro the Porte Iaffe to Paradyse 3atez.

2040: Thoghe a rewme be rebelle, we rekke it bot lyttill; 2041: It es resone and righte the renke be restreynede.

2042: Do dresse we tharefore and byde we no langere, 2043: Fore dredlesse withowttyn dowtte, the daye schall be ourez!”

-96-

2044: Whene ţeise wordez was saide, the Walsche kyng hym selfen 2045: Whas warre of this wyderwyn ţat werrayede his knyghttez; 2046: Brothely in the vale with voyce he ascryez,

2047: “Viscownte of Valewnce, enuyous of dedys,

2048: The vassallage of Viterbe todaye schall be reuengede; 2049: Vnuenquiste fro ţis place voyde schall I neuer!”

2050: Thane the Vyscownte valiante, with a voute noble, 2051: Auoyeddyde the avawewarde, enuerounde his horse; 2052: He drissede in a derfe schelde, endenttyd with sable, 2053: With a dragone engowschede, dredfull to schewe, 2054: Deuorande a dolphyn with dolefull lates,

2055: In seyne that oure soueraygne sulde be distroyede, 2056: And all don of dawez with dynntez of swerddez, 2057: For thare es noghte bot dede thare the dragone es raissede.

2058: Thane the comlyche kyng castez in fewtyre,

2059: With a crewell launce cowpez dull euen,

2060: Abowne ţe spayre a spanne, emange ţe schortte rybbys, 2061: That the splent and the spleen on the spere langez; 2062: The blode sprente owtte and sprede as ţe horse spryngez, 2063: And he sproulez full spakely, bot spekes he no more.

2064: And thus has Sir Valyantt halden his avowez, 2065: And venqwyste ţe Viscownte, ţate victor was halden.

2066: Thane Sir Ewayne fitz Vriene full enkerlye rydez 2067: Onone to the Emperour, his egle to towche;

2068: Thrughe his brode bataile he buskes belyfe,

2069: Braydez owt his brande with a blyth chere,

2070: Reuerssede it redelye and awaye rydys;

2071: Ferkez in with the fewle in his faire handez, 2072: And fittez in freely one frounte with his feris.

2073: Now buskez Sir Launcelot and braydez full euen 2074: To Sir Lucius the lorde and lothelye hym hyttez; 2075: Thurghe pawnce and platez he percede the maylez, 2076: That the prowde pensell in his pawnche lengez; 2077: The hede hayled owtt behynde ane halfe fote large, 2078: Thurghe hawberke and hanche, with ţe harde wapyn, 2079: The stede and the steryn mane strykes to ţe grownde, -97-2080: Strake down a standerde and to his stale wendez.

2081: “Me lykez wele,” sais Sir Loth, “3one lordez are delyuerede!

2082: The lott lengez nowe on me, with leue of my lorde; 2083: Today sall my name be laide and my life aftyre, 2084: Bot some leppe fro the lyfe that on 3one lawnde houez!”

2085: Thane strekez the steryn and streynys his brydyll, 2086: Strykez into the stowre on a stede ryche,

2087: Enjoynede with a geaunt and jaggede hym thorowe; 2088: Jolyly this gentill forjustede anoţer,

2089: Wroghte wayes full wyde, werrayande knyghtez, 2090: And wondes all wathely that in ţe waye stondez; 2091: Fyghttez with all the frappe a furlange of waye, 2092: Felled fele appon felde with his faire wapen, 2093: Venqwiste and has the victorie of valyaunt knyghtez, 2094: And all enverounde the vale and voyde when hym likede.

2095: Thane bowmen of Bretayne brothely thereaftyre 2096: Bekerde with bregaundez of ferre in tha laundez; 2097: With flonez fleterede ţay flitt full frescly ţer frekez, 2098: That flowe o ferrome in flawnkkes of stedez.

2099: Fichene with fetheris thurghe ţe fyne maylez, 2100: Siche flyttyng es foule ţat so ţe flesche derys.

2101: Dartes the Duchemen dalten a3aynes,

2102: With derfe dynttez of dede dagges thurghe scheldez; 2103: Qwarells qwayntly swappez thorowe knyghtez,

2104: With iryn so wekyrly, that wynche they neuer: 2105: So they scherenken fore schotte of ţe scharppe arowes, 2106: That all the scheltron schonte and schoderide at ones, 2107: Thane riche stedes rependez and rasches on armes, 2108: The hale howndrethe on hye appon heythe lygges; 2109: Bott 3itte ţe hathelieste on hy, haythen and oţer, 2110: All hoursches ouer hede harmes to wyrke.

2111: And all theis geauntez before, engenderide with fendez, 2112: Ioynez on Sir Ionathal and gentill knyghtez; 2113: With clubbez of clene stele clenkkede in helmes, 2114: Craschede doun crestez and craschede braynez, 2115: Kyllede couŐrĺsers and couerde stedes,

2116: Choppode thurghe cheualers on chalke-whytte stedez; -98-2117: Was neuer stele ne stede mighte stande them a3aynez, 2118: Bot stonays and strykez doun that in ţe stale houys, 2119: Till ţe Conquerour come with his kene knyghttez, 2120: With crewell contenaunce he cryede full lowde, 2121: “I wende no Bretons walde bee basschede for so lyttill, 2122: And fore barelegyde boyes ţat on the bente houys!”

2123: He clekys owtte Collbrande, full clenlyche burneschte, 2124: Graythes hym to Golapas, ţat greuyde moste,

2125: Kuttes hym euen by ţe knees clenly in sondyre.

2126: “Come down,” quod the Kyng, “and karpe to thy ferys; 2127: Thowe arte to hye by ţe halfe, I hete ţe in trouthe: 2128: Thow sall be handsomere in hye, with ţe helpe of my Lorde!”

2129: With ţat stelen brande he strake ofe his hede.

2130: Sterynly in ţat stoure he strykes anoţer;

2131: Thus he settez on seuen with his sekyre knyghttez, 2132: Whylles sexty ware seruede soo ne sessede they neuer.

2133: And thus at the joynynge the geauntez are distroyede, 2134: And at ţat journey forjustede with gentill lordez.

2135: Than the Romaynes and the rennkkez of ţe Rounde Table 2136: Rewles them in arraye, rerewarde ande oţer;

2137: With wyghte wapynez of werre thay wroghten on helmes, 2138: Rittez with raunke stele full ryalle maylez.

2139: Bot they fitt them fayre, thes frekk byernez, 2140: Fewters in freely one feraunte stedes,

2141: Foynes ful felly with flyschande speris,

2142: Freten of orfrayes feste appon scheldez;

2143: So fele fay es in fyghte appon ţe felde leuyde, 2144: That iche a furthe in the firthe of rede blode rynnys.

2145: By that swyftely one swarthe ţe swett es byleuede, 2146: Swerdez swangen in two sweltand knyghtez,

2147: Lyes wyde opyn, welterande on walopande stedez; 2148: Wondes of wale men, werkande sydys,

2149: Facez fetteled vnfaire in filterede lakes,

2150: All craysed, fortrodyn with trappede stedez, 2151: The faireste on folde that fygurede was euer, 2152: Alls ferre alls a furlang, a thosande at ones.

2153: Be than the Romaynez ware rebuykyde a lyttill, -99-2154: Withdrawes theym drerely and dreches no lengare; 2155: Oure prynce with his powere persewes theyme aftyre, 2156: Prekez on ţe proudeste with his price knyghttez.

2157: Sir Kayous, Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremond the noble 2158: Enconters them at ţe clyffe with clene men of armes; 2159: Fyghttes faste in ţe fyrth, frythes no wapen, 2160: Felled at ţe firste come fyfe hundrethe at ones.

2161: And when they fande theym foresett with oure fers knyghtez, 2162: Fewe men agayne fele mot fyche them bettyre, 2163: Feghttez with all ţe frappe, foynes with speres, 2164: And faughte with the frekkeste ţat to Fraunce langez.

2165: Bot Sir Kayous ţe kene castis in fewtyre,

2166: Chasez one a coursere and to a kyng rydys;

2167: With a launce of Lettowe he thirllez his sydez, 2168: That the lyuer and ţe lunggez on ţe launce lengez; 2169: The schafte scŐhĺodyrde and schott in the schire byerne, 2170: And soughte thorowowte ţe schelde and in ţe schalke rystez.

2171: Bot Kayous at the income was kepyd vnfayre

2172: With a cowarde knyghte of ţe kythe ryche;

2173: At ţe turnyng that tym the traytoure hym hitte, 2174: In thorowe the felettes, and in ţe flawnke aftyre, 2175: That the boustous launce ţe bewells attamede, 2176: Ţat braste at ţe brawlyng and brake in ţe myddys.

2177: Sir Kayous knewe wele, be ţat kyde wounde,

2178: That he was dede of ţe dynte and don owte of lyfe; 2179: Than he raykes in arraye and one rawe rydez, 2180: One this reall his dede to reuenge;

2181: “Kepe the, cowarde,” he calles hym sone,

2182: Cleues hym wyth his clere brande clenliche in sondire.

2183: “Hadde thow wele delte thy dynt with thi handes, 2184: I hade forgeffen ţe my dede, be Crist now of Hewyn.”

2185: He weyndes to ţe wyese kyng and wynly hym gretes: 2186: “I am wathely woundide, waresche mon I neuer; 2187: Wirke nowe thi wirchipe, as ţe worlde askes, 2188: And brynge me to beryell, byd I no more.

2189: Grete wele my ladye, ţe Qwene, 3ife ţe werlde happyne, 2190: And all ţe burliche birdes ţat to hir boure lengez, -100-2191: And my worthily weife, ţat wrethide me neuer, 2192: Bid hire, fore hir wyrchipe, wirke for my saulle.”

2193: The Kyngez confessour come, with Criste in his handes, 2194: For to comforthe the knyghte, kende hym ţe wordes; 2195: The knyghte coueride on his knees with a kaunt herte, 2196: And caughte his Creatoure, ţat comfurthes vs all.

2197: Thane remmes ţe riche kynge fore rewthe at his herte, 2198: Rydes into rowte, his dede to reuenge;

2199: Presede into ţe plumpe, and with a prynce metes, 2200: That was ayere of Egipt in thos este marches, 2201: Cleues hym with Collbrande clenlyche in sondyre; 2202: He broches euen thorowe ţe byerne and ţe sadill bristes, 2203: And at ţe bake of ţe blonke ţe bewells entamede.

2204: Manly in his malycoly he metes anoţer,

2205: The medill of ţat myghtty, ţat hym myche greuede; 2206: He merkes thurghe the maylez the myddes in sondyre, 2207: That the myddys of ţe mane on ţe mounte fallez, 2208: Ţe toţer halfe of ţe haunche on ţe horse leuyde, 2209: Of ţat hurte, alls I hope, heles he neuer.

2210: He schotte thorowe ţe schiltrouns with his scharpe wapen, 2211: Schalkez he schrede thurghe and schrenkede maylez, 2212: Baneres he bare downne, bryttenede scheldes, 2213: Brothely with brown stele his brethe he ţare wrekes; 2214: Wrothely he wryththis by wyghtnesse of strenghe, 2215: Woundes ţese whydyrewyns, werrayede knyghttes, 2216: Threppede thorowe ţe thykkys thryttene sythis, 2217: Thryngez throly in the thrange and chis euen aftyre.

2218: Thane Sir Gawayne the gude, with wyrchipfull knyghttez, 2219: Wendez in the avawewarde be tha wodde hemmys; 2220: Was warre of Sir Lucius, one launde there he houys, 2221: With lordez and liggemen that to hym selfe lengede.

2222: Thane the Emperour enkerly askes hym sonne,

2223: “What will thow, Gawayne, wyrke with thi wapyn?

2224: I watte be thi waueryng thow willnez aftyre sorowe; 2225: I sall be wrokyn on thi wrethe, fore all thi grete wordez!”

2226: He laughte owtte a lange swerde and luyschede one faste, 2227: And Sir Lyonell in the launde lordely he hym strykes: 2228: Hittes hym on ţe hede, ţat ţe helme bristis, -101-2229: Hurttes his herne-pane an hannde-brede large.

2230: Thus he layes one ţe lumppe and lordlye ţem serued, 2231: Wondide worthily wirchipfull knyghttez;

2232: Fighttez with Florent, that beste es of swerdez, 2233: Till ţe fomande blode till his fyste rynnes.

2234: Thane ţe Romayns releuyde, ţat are ware rebuykkyde, 2235: And all torattys oure men with theire riste horsses; 2236: Fore they see ţaire cheftayne be chauffede so sore, 2237: They chasse and choppe doun oure cheualrous knyghttes.

2238: Sir Bedwere was borne thurghe, and his breste thyrllede, 2239: With a burlyche brannde, brode at ţe hiltes; 2240: The ryall raunke stele to his herte rynnys,

2241: And he rusches to ţe erthe, rewthe es the more.

2242: Thane ţe Conquerour tuke kepe and come with his strenghes 2243: To reschewe ţe ryche men of ţe Rounde Table, 2244: To owttraye ţe Emperour, 3if auntire it schewe, 2245: Ewyn to ţe egle, and “Arthure!” askryes.

2246: The Emperour thane egerly at Arthure he strykez, 2247: Awkwarde on ţe vmbrere and egerly hym hittez; 2248: The nakyde swerde at ţe nese noyes hym sare, 2249: The blode of Őtheĺ bolde kyng ouer ţe breste rynnys, 2250: Beblede at ţe brode schelde and ţe bryghte mayles.

2251: Oure bolde kyng bowes ţe blonke be ţe bryghte brydyll, 2252: With his burlyche brande a buffette hym reches, 2253: Thourghe ţe brene and ţe breste with his bryghte wapyn: 2254: O slante doun fro ţe slote he slyttes at ones.

2255: Thus endys ţe Emperour of Arthur hondes,

2256: And all his austeryn oste ţareofe ware affrayede.

2257: Now they ferke to ţe fyrthe, a fewe ţat are leuede, 2258: For ferdnesse of oure folke, by ţe fresche strandez; 2259: The floure of oure ferse men one ferant stedez 2260: Folowes frekly on ţe frekes, thate frayede was neuer.

2261: Thane ţe kyde conquerour cryes full lowde,

2262: “Cosyn of Cornewaile, take kepe to ţi selfen 2263: That no captayne be kepyde for non siluer,

2264: Or Sir Kayous dede be cruelly vengede.”

2265: “Nay,” sais Sir Cador, “so me Cryste helpe,

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2266: Thare ne es kaysere ne kyng ţat vndire Criste ryngnes 2267: Ţat I ne schall kill colde dede be crafte of my handez!”

2268: Thare myghte men see chiftaynes on chalke-whitte stedez 2269: Choppe doun in the chaas cheualrye noble;

2270: Romaynes ţe rycheste and ryall kynges

2271: Braste with ranke stele theire rybbys in sondyre; 2272: Braynes forebrusten thurghe burneste helmes, 2273: With brandez forbrittenede one brede in ţe laundez; 2274: They hewede doun haythen men with hiltede swerdez 2275: Be hole hundrethez on hye, by ţe holte eyuyes.

2276: Thare myghte no siluer thaym saue ne socoure theire lyues, 2277: Sowdane ne Sarazene ne senatour of Rome.

2278: Thane releuis ţe renkes of the Rounde Table

2279: Be ţe riche reuare that rynnys so faire;

2280: Lugez thaym luflye by ţa lyghte strandez,

2281: All on lawe in ţe lawnde, thas lordlyche byernes.

2282: Thay kaire to ţe karyage and tuke whate them likes, 2283: Kamells and cokadrisses and cofirs full riche, 2284: Hekes and hakkenays and horses of armes,

2285: Howsyng and herbergage of heythen kyngez;

2286: They drewe owt of dromondaries dyuerse lordes, 2287: Moyllez mylke whitte and meruayllous bestez, 2288: Olfendes and arrabys and olyfauntez noble,

2289: Ţer are of ţe Oryent, with honourable kynges.

2290: Bot Sir Arthure onone ayeres ţeraftyre

2291: Ewyn to ţe Emperour, with honourable kyngis; 2292: Laughte hym vpe full louelyly with lordlyche knyghttez, 2293: And ledde hym to ţe layere thare the Kyng lygges.

2294: Thane harawdez heghely, at heste of the lordes, 2295: Hunttes vpe the haythemen that on heghte lygges: 2296: The Sowdane of Surry and certayne kynges,

2297: Sexty of ţe cheefe senatours of Rome.

2298: Thane they bussches and bawmede ţaire honourliche kyngis, 2299: Sewed them in sendell sexti-faulde aftire,

2300: Lappede them in lede, lesse that they schulde 2301: Chawnge or chawffe, 3if ţay myghte escheffe; 2302: Closed in kystys clene vnto Rome,

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2303: With theire baners abowne, theire bagis therevndyre, 2304: In whate countre ţay kaire that knyghttes myghte knawe 2305: Iche kynge be his colours, in kyth whare Őheĺ lengede.

2306: Onone on ţe secounde daye, sone by ţe morne, 2307: Twa senatours ther come, and certayne knyghttez, 2308: Hodles fro ţe hethe, ouer ţe holte eyues,

2309: Barefote ouer ţe bente, with brondes so ryche; 2310: Bowes to ţe bolde kyng and biddis hym ţe hiltes, 2311: Whethire he will hang theym or hedde or halde theym on lyfe.

2312: Knelyde before ţe Conquerour in kyrtills allone; 2313: With carefull contenaunce ţay karpide ţese wordes: 2314: “Twa senatours we are, thi subgettez of Rome, 2315: That has sauede oure lyfe by ţeise salte strandys, 2316: Hyd vs in ţe heghe wode, thurghe ţe helpyng of Criste, 2317: Besekes the of socoure, as Soueraygne and Lorde; 2318: Grante vs lyffe and lym with leberall herte, 2319: For His luffe that the lente this lordchipe in erthe.”

2320: “I graunte,” quod Őtheĺ gude kyng, “thurghe grace of my selfen: 2321: I giffe 3owe lyffe and lyme and leue for to passe, 2322: So 3e doo my message menskefully at Rome,

2323: That ilke charge ţat I 3ow 3iffe here before my cheefe knyghttez.”

2324: “3is,” sais the senatours, “that sall we ensure, 2325: Sekerly be oure trowhes thi sayenges to fullfill; 2326: We sall lett for no lede ţat lyffes in erthe, 2327: Fore pape, ne for potestate, ne prynce so noble, 2328: That ne sall lelely in lande thi letteres pronounce, 2329: For duke ne for dussepere, to dye in ţe payne.”

2330: Thane the banerettez of Bretayne broghte ţem to tentes, 2331: There barbours ware bownn, with basyns on lofte, 2332: With warme watire, iwys, they wette them full son; 2333: They schouen thes schalkes schappely theraftyre, 2334: To rekken theis Romaynes recreaunt and 3olden; 2335: Forthly schoue they them to schewe, for skomfite of Rome.

2336: They coupylde ţe kystys on kameles belyue,

2337: On asses and arrabyes theis honourable kynges, 2338: The Emperoure for honoure all by hym one,

2339: Euen appon an olyfaunte, hys egle owtt ouere, -104-2340: Bekende them the captyfis, the Kynge dide hym selfen, 2341: And all byfore his kene men karpede thees wordes: 2342: “Here are the kystis,” quod the Kyng, “kaire ouer ţe mownttez: 2343: Mette full monee, ţat 3e haue mekyll 3ernede, 2344: The taxe and ţe trebutte of tene schore wynteres, 2345: That was tenefully tynte in tym of oure elders; 2346: Saye to ţe Senatoure ţe cete ţat 3emes,

2347: That I sende hym ţe somme, assaye how hym likes.

2348: Bott byde them neuere be so bolde, whylls my blode regnes, 2349: Efte for to brawlle ţem for my brode landez, 2350: Ne to aske trybut ne taxe be nakyn tytle,

2351: Bot syche tresoure as this, whilles my tym lastez.”

2352: Nowe they raike to Rome the redyeste wayes,

2353: Knylles in the Capatoylle and comowns assembles, 2354: Souerayngez and senatours the cete ţat 3emes, 2355: Bekende them the caryage, kystis and oţer,

2356: Alls ţe Conquerour comaunde with cruell wordes.

2357: “We hafe trystily trayuellede ţis tributte to feche, 2358: The taxe and ţe trewage of fowre score wynteris, 2359: Of IŐnĺglande, of Irelande, and all ţir owtt illes, 2360: That Arthure in the Occedente ocupyes att ones.

2361: He byddis 3ow neuere be so bolde, whills his blode regnes, 2362: To brawle 3owe fore Bretayne ne his brode landes, 2363: Ne aske hym trebute ne taxe be nonkyns title, 2364: Bot syche tresoure as this, whills his tyme lastis.

2365: We haffe foughtten in France, and vs es foule happenede, 2366: And all oure myche faire folke faye are byleuede; 2367: Eschappide there ne cheuallrye, ne cheftaynes noţer, 2368: Bott choppede downn in the chasse, syche chawnse es befallen.

2369: We rede 3e store 3owe of stone and stuffen 3our walles: 2370: 3ow wakkens wandrethe and werre, be ware 3if 3ow lykes.”

2371: In the kalendez of Maye this caas es befallen: 2372: The roy ryalle renownde, with his Rownde Table, 2373: One the coste of Costantyne, by ţe clere strandez, 2374: Has ţe Romaynes ryche rebuykede for euer.

2375: Whene he hade foughtten in Fraunce and the felde wonnen, 2376: And fersely his foomen fellde owtte of lyfe, -105-2377: He bydes for ţe beryenge of his bolde knyghtez 2378: That in batell with brandez ware broughte owte of lyfe.

2379: He beryes at Bayone Sir Bedwere ţe ryche;

2380: The cors of Kayon ţe kene at Came es beleuefede, 2381: Koueride with a crystall clenly all ouer,

2382: His fadyre conqueride ţat kyth knyghtly with hondes.

2383: Seyn in Burgoyne he bade to bery mo knyghttez, 2384: Sir Berade and Bawdwyne, Sir Bedwar ţe ryche, 2385: Gud Sir Cador at Came, as his kynde askes.

2386: Thane Sir Arthure onone, in ţe Auguste ţeraftyre, 2387: Enteres to Almayne wyth ostez arrayed;

2388: Lengez at Lusscheburghe, to lechen hys knyghttez, 2389: With his lele liggemen, as lorde in his awen.

2390: And on Christofre Daye a concell he haldez,

2391: Withe kynges and kaysers, clerkkes and oţer; 2392: Comandez them kenely to caste all ţeire wittys, 2393: How he may conquere by crafte the kythe ţat he claymes.

2394: Bot the Conquerour kene, curtais and noble,

2395: Karpes in the concell theys knyghtly wordez: 2396: “Here es a knyghte in theis kleuys, enclosside with hilles, 2397: That I haue cowayte to knawe, because of his wordez: 2398: That es Lorayne ţe lele, I kepe noghte to layne; 2399: The lordchipe es louely, as ledes me telles.

2400: I will ducherye devyse and dele as me lykes, 2401: And seyn dresse wyth ţe Duke, if destyny suffre; 2402: The renke rebell has bene vnto my Rownde Table, 2403: Redy aye with Romaynes to ryotte my landes;

2404: We sall rekken full rathe, if reson so happen, 2405: Who has ryghte to ţat rente, by ryche Gode of Heuen!

2406: Than will I by Lumbardye, lykande to schawe, 2407: Sett lawe in ţe lande, ţat laste sall euer;

2408: The tyrauntez of Tuskayn tempeste a littyll, 2409: Talke with ţe temperall, whills my tym lastez.

2410: I gyffe my protteccione to all ţe Pope landez, 2411: My ryche pensell of pes my pople to schewe;

2412: It es a foly to offende oure fadyr vndire Gode, 2413: Owţer Peter or Paule, ţa postles of Rome.

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2414: 3if we spare the spirituell, we spede bot the bettire; 2415: Whills we haue for to speke, spille sall it neuer.”

2416: Now they spede at ţe spurres, withowttyn speche more, 2417: To ţe marche of Meyes, theis manliche knyghtez, 2418: That es Őinĺ Lorrayne alofede, as London es here, 2419: Cete of ţat seyn3owre, that soueraynge es holden.

2420: The Kyng ferkes furthe on a faire stede,

2421: With Ferrer and Ferawnte and oţer foure knyghtez; 2422: Abowte the cete ţa seuen they soughte at ţe nextte, 2423: To seke them a sekyre place to sett withe engeynes.

2424: Thane they bendyde in burghe bowes of vyse,

2425: Bekyrs at ţe bolde kyng with boustouse lates; 2426: Allblawsters at Arthure egerly schottes,

2427: For to hurte hym or his horse with ţat hard wapen.

2428: The Kynge schonte for no schotte, ne no schelde askys, 2429: Bot schewes hym scharpely in his schene wedys; 2430: Lenges all at laysere and lokes on the wallys, 2431: Whare ţey ware laweste the ledes to assaille.

2432: “Sir,” said Sir Ferrer, “a foly thowe wirkkes, 2433: Thus nakede in thy noblaye to neghe to ţe walles, 2434: Sengely in thy surcotte, this cete to reche, 2435: And schewe ţe within, there to schende vs all.

2436: Hye vs hastylye heynne, or we mon full happen, 2437: For hitt they the or thy horse, it harmes for euer.”

2438: “Ife thow be ferde,” quod the Kyng, “I rede thow ryde vttere, 2439: Lesse ţat ţey rywe the with theire rownnd wapyn!

2440: Thow arte bot a fawntkyn, no ferly me thynkkys, 2441: Ţou will be flayede for a flye ţat on thy flesche lyghttes.

2442: I am nothyng agaste, so me Gode helpe:

2443: Ţof siche gadlynges be greuede, it greues me bot lyttill; 2444: Thay wyn no wirchipe of me, bot wastys theire takle, 2445: They sall wante or I weende, I wagen myn hevede.

2446: Sall neuer harlott haue happe, thorowe helpe of my Lorde, 2447: To kyll a corownde kyng with krysom enoynttede!”

2448: Thane come ţe herbariours, harageous knyghtez, 2449: The hale batells on hye harrawnte theraftyre; -107-2450: And oure forreours ferse, appon fele halfes, 2451: Come flyeande before one ferawnte stedes,

2452: Ferkande in arraye theire ryall knyghttez,

2453: The renkez renownde of ţe Rounnd Table.

2454: All ţe frekke men of Fraunce folowede thareaftyre, 2455: Faire fittyde on frownte, and on the felde houys.

2456: Thane the schalkes scharpelye scheftys theire horsez, 2457: To schewen them semly in theire scheen wedes; 2458: Buskes in batayle with baners displayede,

2459: With brode scheldes enbrassede and burlyche helmys, 2460: With penouns and pensells of ylke prynce armes, 2461: Appayrellde with perrye and precious stones; 2462: The lawnces with loraynes and lemande scheldes, 2463: Lyghtenande as ţe leuenyng and lemand al ouer.

2464: Thane the price men prekes and proues ţeire horsez, 2465: Satills to ţe cete appon sere halfes;

2466: Enserches the subbarbes sadly thareaftyre,

2467: Discoueris of schotte-men and skyrmys a lytill; 2468: Skayres ţaire skottefers and theire skowtte-waches, 2469: Brittenes theire barrers with theire bryghte wapyns, 2470: Bett down a barbycan and ţe brygge wynnys;

2471: Ne hade the garnyson bene gude at ţe grete 3ates, 2472: Thay hade wonn that wone be theire awen strenghe.

2473: Than withdrawes oure men and drisses them bettyre, 2474: For dred of ţe drawe-brigge dasschede in sondre; 2475: Hyes to ţe harbergage thare the Kyng houys,

2476: With his batell on heghe, horsyde on stedys.

2477: Thane was ţe Prynce puruayede and ţeire places nommen, 2478: Pyghte pauyllyons of palle and plattes in seegge; 2479: Thane lenge they lordly, as ţem leefe thoghte, 2480: Waches in ylke warde, as to ţe werre falles, 2481: Settes vp sodaynly certayne engynes.

2482: One Sonondaye be ţe soone has a flethe 3olden, 2483: The Kyng calles on Florente, ţat flour was of knyghttez: 2484: “The Fraunchemene enfeblesches, ne farly me thynkkys; 2485: They are vnfondyde folke in ţe faire marches, 2486: For them wantes ţe flesche and fude that them lykes.

2487: Here are forestez faire appon fele halues,

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2488: And thedyre feemen are flede with freliche bestes.

2489: Thow sall foonde to ţe fell and forraye the mountes; 2490: Sir Forawnt and Sir Florydas sall folowe thi brydyll.

2491: Vs moste with some fresche mette refresche oure pople, 2492: That are feedde in ţe fyrthe with ţe froyte of ţe erthe.

2493: Thare sall weende to ţis viage Sir Gawayne hym selfen, 2494: Wardayne full wyrchipfull, and so hym wele semes; 2495: Sir Wecharde, Sir Waltyre, theis wyrchipfull knyghtes, 2496: With all wyseste men of ţe weste marches;

2497: Sir Clegis, Sir Clarybalde, Sir Clarymownde ţe noble, 2498: The Capytayne oo Cardyfe clenlyche arrayede.

2499: Goo now, warne all ţe wache, Gawayne and oţer, 2500: And weendes furthe on 3our waye withowttyn moo wordes.”

2501: Now ferkes to ţe fyrthe thees fresche men of armes, 2502: To ţe fell so fewe, theis fresclyche byernes, 2503: Thorowe hopes and hymland, hillys and oţer,

2504: Holtis and hare woddes with heslyn schawes,

2505: Thorowe marasse and mosse and montes so heghe; 2506: And in the myste Őofĺ mornyng one a mede falles, 2507: Mawen and vnmade, maynoyrede bott lyttyll,

2508: In swathes sweppen down, full of swete floures.

2509: Thare vnbrydills theis bolde and baytes ţeire horses, 2510: To ţe grygynge of ţe daye, ţat byrdez gan synge, 2511: Whylls the surs of ţe sonne, ţat sonde es of Cryste, 2512: That solaces all synfull ţat syghte has in erthe.

2513: Thane weendes owtt the wardayne, Sir Gawayne hym selfen, 2514: Alls he ţat weysse was and wyghte, wondyrs to seke; 2515: Than was he warre of a wye, wondyre wele armyde, 2516: Baytand on a wattire banke by ţe wodde eyuis, 2517: Buskede in brenyes bryghte to behalde,

2518: Enbrassede a brode schelde on a blonke ryche, 2519: Withowttyn ony berne, bot a boye one,

2520: Houes by hym on a blonke and his spere holdes.

2521: He bare gessande in golde thre grayhondes of sable, 2522: With chapes and cheynes of chalke-whytte slyuer, -109-2523: A charebocle in ţe cheefe, chawngawnde of hewes, 2524: And a cheefe anterous, chalange who lykes.

2525: Sir Gawayne glyftes on the gome with a glade will; 2526: A grete spere fro his grome he grypes in hondes, 2527: Gyrdes ewen ouere ţe streme on a stede ryche, 2528: To ţat steryn in stour, one strenghe ţare he houys.

2529: Egerly one Inglisce “Arthure!” he askyres;

2530: The toţer irouslye ansuers hym sone,

2531: On a launde of Lorrayne with a lowde steuen, 2532: That ledes myghte lysten ţe lenghe of a myle: 2533: “Whedyr prykkes thow, pilouur, ţat profers so large?

2534: Here pykes thowe no praye, profire when ţe lykes!

2535: Bot thow in ţis perell put of the bettire,

2536: Thow sall be my presonere, for all thy prowde lates!”

2537: “Sir,” sais Sir Gawayne, “so me Gode helpe,

2538: Siche glauerande gomes greues me bot lyttill!

2539: Bot if thowe graythe thy gere, the will grefe happen, 2540: Or thowe goo of ţis greue, for all thy grete wordes!”

2541: Than ţeire launces they lachen, thes lordlyche byernez, 2542: Laggen with longe speres one lyarde stedes;

2543: Cowpen at awntere be kraftes of armes,

2544: Till bothe ţe crowell speres brousten att ones.

2545: Thorowe scheldys ţey schotte and scherde thorowe maŐyĺles, 2546: Bothe schere thorowe schoulders a schaftmonde large.

2547: Thus worthylye ţes wyes wondede ere bothen,

2548: Or they wreke ţem of wrethe awaye will ţey neuer.

2549: Than they raughte in the reyne and agayne rydes, 2550: Redely theis rathe mene rusches owtte swerdez, 2551: Hittes one hellmes full hertelyche dynttys,

2552: Hewes appon hawberkes with full harde wapyns; 2553: Full stowttly ţey stryke, thire steryn knyghttes, 2554: Stokes at ţe stomake with stelyn poyntes,

2555: Feghtten and floresche withe flawmande swerdez, 2556: Till ţe flawes of fyre flawmes one theire helmes.

2557: Thane Sir Gawayne was greuede and grychgide full sore; 2558: With Galuthe his gude swerde grymlye he strykes: 2559: Clefe ţe knyghttes schelde clenliche in sondre, -110-2560: Who lukes to ţe lefte syde when his horse launches 2561: With ţe lyghte of ţe sonne men myghte see his lyuere.

2562: Thane granes ţe gome fore greefe of his wondys, 2563: And gyrdis at Sir Gawayne, as he by glentis; 2564: And awkewarde egerly sore he hym smyttes:

2565: An alet enamelde he oches in sondire,

2566: Bristes ţe rerebrace with the bronde ryche,

2567: Kerues of at ţe coutere with ţe clene egge,

2568: AneŐnĺtis ţe avawmbrace, vayllede with siluer.

2569: Thorowe a dowble vesture of veluett ryche

2570: With ţe venymous swerde a vayne has he towchede, 2571: That voydes so violently ţat all his witte changede; 2572: The vesere, the aventaile, his vesturis ryche, 2573: With the valyant blode was verrede all ouer.

2574: Thane this tyrante tite turnes ţe brydill,

2575: Talkes vntendirly and sais “Ţow arte towchede; 2576: Vs bus haue a blode-bande or thi ble change, 2577: For all ţe barbours of Bretayne sall noghte thy blode stawnche; 2578: For he ţat es blemeste with ţis brade brande blyne schall he neuer.”

2579: “3a,” quod Sir Gawayne, “thow greues me bot lyttill; 2580: Thowe wenys to glopyne me with thy gret wordez; 2581: Thow trowes with thy talkyng ţat my harte talmes.

2582: Thow betydes tourfere or thowe hyen turne,

2583: Bot thowe tell me tytte, and tarye no lengere, 2584: What may staunche this blode ţat thus faste rynnes.”

2585: “3ise, I say ţe sothely, and sekire ţe my trowthe: 2586: No surgyon in Salarne sall saue ţe bettyre;

2587: Withthy ţat thowe suffre me, for sake of thy Cryste, 2588: To schewe schortly my schrifte and schape for myn ende.”

2589: “3is,” quod Sir Gawayne, “so me God helpe,

2590: I gyfe ţe grace and graunt, ţofe ţou hafe grefe seruede, 2591: Withthy thowe say me sothe what thowe here sekes, 2592: Thus sengilly and sulayne all ţi selfe one;

2593: And whate laye thow leues one, layne noghte ţe sothe, 2594: And whate legyaunce and whare ţow arte lorde.”

2595: “My name es Sir Priamus; a prynce es my fadyre, 2596: Praysede in his partyes with prouede kynges; -111-2597: In Rome thare he regnes he es riche halden.

2598: He has bene rebell to Rome and reden theire landes, 2599: Werreyand weisely wyntters and 3eres;

2600: Be witt and be wyssdome and be wyghte strenghe, 2601: And be wyrchipfull werre, his awen has he wonn.

2602: He es of Alexandire blode, ouerlyng of kynges, 2603: The vncle of his ayele, Sir Ector of Troye;

2604: And here es the kynreden that I of come,

2605: And Iudas and Iosue, ţise gentill knyghtes.

2606: I ame apparaunt his ayere, and eldeste of oţer, 2607: Of Alexandere and Aufrike and all ţa owte landes; 2608: I am in possessione and plenerly sessede

2609: In all ţe price cetees that to ţe porte langes; 2610: I sall hafe trewly the tresour and the londes, 2611: And bothe trebute and taxe whills my tym lastes.

2612: I was so hawtayne of herte, whills I at home lengede, 2613: I helde nane my hippe heghte vndire heuen ryche; 2614: Forthy was I sente hedire with seuen score knyghttez, 2615: To asaye of this werre, be sente of my fadire, 2616: And I am for cirqwitrye schamely supprisede, 2617: And be awŐnĺtire of armes owtrayede fore euere.

2618: Now hafe I taulde the ţe kyne that I ofe come, 2619: Will thow, for knyghthede, kene me thy name?”

2620: “Be Criste,” quod Sir Gawayne, “knyghte was I neuer; 2621: With ţe kydde Conquerour a knafe of his chambyre, 2622: Has wroghte in his wardrope wynters and 3eres, 2623: One his long armour that hym beste lykid;

2624: I poyne all his pavelyouns ţat to hym selfe pendes, 2625: Dyghttes his dowblettez for dukes and erles, 2626: Aketouns auenaunt fore Arthure hym selfen,

2627: That he vsede in werre all this aughte wyntter.

2628: He made me 3omane at 3ole, and gafe me gret gyftes, 2629: And c. pound and a horse and harnayse full ryche; 2630: Gife I happe to my hele that hende for to serue, 2631: I be holpen in haste, I hette the forsothe.”

2632: “Giffe his knafes be syche, his knyghttez are noble!

2633: There es no kyng vndire Criste may kemp with hym on; 2634: He will be Alexander ayre, that all ţe erthe lowttede, -112-2635: Abillere ţan euer was Sir Ector of Troye.

2636: Now fore the krisome ţat ţou kaghte ţat day ţou was crystenede, 2637: Whethire thowe be knyghte or knaffe, knawe now ţe sothe.”

2638: “My name es Sir Gawayne, I graunt ţe forsothe, 2639: Cosyn to ţe Conquerour, he knawes it hym selfen; 2640: Kydd in his kalander a knyghte of his chambyre, 2641: And rollede the richeste of all ţe Rounde Table.

2642: I ame ţe dussepere and duke he dubbede with his hondes, 2643: Deynttely on a daye before his dere knyghtes; 2644: Gruche noghte, gude sir, ţofe me this grace happen: 2645: It es ţe gifte of Gode, the gree es Hys awen.”

2646: “Petire!” sais Priamus, “Now payes me bettire 2647: Thane I of Provynce warre prynce and of Paresche ryche; 2648: Fore me ware leuer preuely by prykkyd to ţe harte, 2649: Than euer any prikkere had siche a pryse wonnyn.

2650: Bot here es herberde at hand, in 3one huge holtes, 2651: Halle bataile one heyghe, take hede 3if the lyke, 2652: The Duke of Lorrayne the derfe, with his dere knyghtes, 2653: The doughtyest of Dolfinede and Duchemen many, 2654: The lordes of Lumbardye, that leders are halden, 2655: The garnyson of Godard gaylyche arrayede,

2656: The wyese of ţe Westuale, wirchipfull biernez, 2657: Of Sessoyn and Surylande Sarazenes enewe;

2658: They are nowmerde full neghe and namede in rollez, 2659: Sexty thowsande and ten, forsothe, of sekyre men of armez; 2660: Bot 3if thow hye fro ţis hethe, it harmes vs bothe, 2661: And bot my hurtes be son holpen, hole be I neuer.

2662: Take heede to ţis hanseman ţat he no horne blawe, 2663: Are thowe heyly in haste beese hewen al to peces; 2664: For they are my retenuz, to ryde whare I wyll, 2665: Es non redyare renkes regnande in erthe;

2666: Be thow raghte with ţat rowtt, thow rydes no forţer, 2667: Ne thow bees neuer rawnsonede for reches in erthe.”

2668: Sir Gawayn wente or ţe wathe com whare hym beste lykede, 2669: With this wortheliche wye, that wondyd was sore; 2670: Merkes to ţe mountayne there oure men lenges, 2671: Baytaynde theire blonkes ţer on ţe brode mede: 2672: Lordes lenande lowe on lemand scheldes,

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2673: With lowde laghttirs on lofte for lykyng of byrdez, 2674: Of larkes, of lynkwhyttez, ţat lufflyche songen; 2675: And some was sleghte one slepe with sleyghte of ţe pople, 2676: Ţat sange in ţe seson in the schenne schawes, 2677: So lawe in ţe lawndez so lykand notes.

2678: Thane Sir Whycher whas warre ţaire wardayne was wondyde, 2679: And went to hym wepand and wryngande his handes; 2680: Syr Wycherd, Sir Walthere, theis weise men of armes, 2681: Had wondyre of Sir Gawayne, and wente hym agayns, 2682: Mett hym in the mydwaye and meruaile them tŐhĺoghte 2683: How he maisterede ţat man, so myghtty of strenghes.

2684: Be all ţe welthe of ţe werlde, so woo was ţem neuer: 2685: “For all oure wirchipe, iwysse, awaye es in erthe!”

2686: “Greue 3ow noghte,” quod Gawayne, “for Godis luffe of Heuen; 2687: For this es bot gosomer and gyffen on erles; 2688: Ţoffe my schouldire be schrede and my schelde thyrllede, 2689: And the wielde of myn arme werkkes a littill, 2690: This prissonere, Sir Priamus, ţat has perilous wondes, 2691: Sais ţat he has saluez sall soften vs bothen.”

2692: Thane stirttes to his sterape sterynfull knyghttez, 2693: And he lordely lyghttes and laghte of his brydill, 2694: And lete his burlyche blonke baite on ţe flores; 2695: Braydes of his bacenette and his ryche wedis, 2696: Bownnes to his brode schelde and bowes to ţe erthe, 2697: In all the bodye of that bolde es no blode leued.

2698: Than preses to Sir Priamous precious knyghtes, 2699: Auyssely of his horse hentes hym in armes;

2700: His helme and of his hawberke ţay taken of aftyre, 2701: And hastily for his hurtte all his herte chawngyd, 2702: They laide hym down in the lawndez and laghte of his wedes, 2703: And he lenede hym on lange, or how hym beste lykede 2704: A fyole of fyne golde they fande at his gyrdill, 2705: Ţat es full of ţe flour of ţe fouur well,

2706: Ţat flowes owte of Paradice when ţe flode ryses, 2707: That myche froyt of fallez, ţat feede schall vs all; 2708: Be it frette on his flesche, ţare synues are entamede, -114-2709: The freke schalle be fische-halle within fowre howres.

2710: They vncouere ţat cors with full clene hondes; 2711: With clere watire a knyghte clensis theire wondes, 2712: Keled theym kyndly and comforthed ţer hertes.

2713: And whene ţe carffes ware clene, ţay clede them a3ayne; 2714: Barell-ferrers they brochede and broghte them the wyne, 2715: Bothe brede and brawn and bredis full ryche.

2716: When ţay hade eten anon they armede after;

2717: Thane tha awntrende men “As armes!” askryes.

2718: With a claryoune clere thire knyghtez togedyre, 2719: Callys to concell and of this case tellys:

2720: “3ondyr es a companye of clene men of armes, 2721: The keneste in contek ţat vndir Criste lenges; 2722: In 3one oken wode an oste are arrayede,

2723: Vndirtakande men of ţiese owte londes,

2724: As sais vs Sir Priamous, so helpe Seynt Peter!

2725: Go men,” quod Gawayne, “and grape in 3oure hertez, 2726: Who sall graythe to 3one greue to 3one gret lordes; 2727: 3if we gettlesse goo home, the Kyng will be greuede, 2728: And say we are gadlynges, agaste for a lyttill, 2729: We are with Sir Florente, as todaye falles,

2730: That es floure of Fraunce, for he fleede neuer; 2731: He was chosen and chargegide in chambire of ţe Kyng, 2732: Chiftayne of ţis journee with cheualrye noble; 2733: Whethire he fyghte or he flee, we sall folowe aftyre; 2734: Fore all ţe fere of 3one folke forsake sall I neuer!”

2735: “Fadyre,” sais Sir Florent, “full faire 3e it tell.

2736: Bot I ame bot a fawntkyn, vnfraystede in armes; 2737: 3if any foly befall, ţe fawte sall be owrs,

2738: And fremdly o Fraunce be flemede for euer.

2739: Woundes noghte, 3our wirchip, my witte es bot symple; 2740: 3e are owre wardayne, iwysse, wyrke as 3owe lykes; 2741: 3e are at the ferreste noghte passande fyve hundrethe, 2742: And ţat es fully to fewe to feghte with them all, 2743: Fore harlottez and hansemene sall helpe bott littill, 2744: They will hye theym hyen, for all ţeire gret wordes.

2745: I rede 3e wyrke aftyre witte, as wyesse men of armes, 2746: And warpes wylily awaye, as wirchipfull knyghtes.”

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2747: “I grawnte,” quod Sir Gawayne, “so me Gode helpe; 2748: Bot here are galyarde gomes ţat of ţe gre seruis, 2749: The kreuelleste knyghttes of ţe Kynges chambyre, 2750: That kane carpe with the coppe knyghtly wordes, 2751: We sall proue todaye who sall the prys wyn.”

2752: Nowe ferriours fers vnto ţe fyrthe rydez,

2753: And fongez a faire felde and on fotte lyghttez; 2754: Prekes aftyre ţe pray, as pryce men of armes.

2755: Florent and Floridas, with fyve score knyghttez, 2756: Folowede in ţe foreste, and on ţe way fowndys, 2757: Flyngande a faste trott, and on ţe folke dryffes.

2758: Than felewes fast to oure folke wele a fyve hundreth 2759: Of freke men to ţe fyrthe, appon fresche horses; 2760: One Sir Feraunt before, apon a fayre stede,

2761: Was fosterede in Famacoste, the Fende was his fadyre.

2762: He flenges to Sir Florent, and pristly he kryes, 2763: “Why flees thow, falls knyghte? The Fende hafe ţi saule!”

2764: Thane Sir Florent was fayne, and in fewter castys; 2765: One Fawuell of Fryselande to Feraunt he rydys, 2766: And raghte in ţe reyne on ţe stede ryche,

2767: And rydes towarde the rowte, restes he no lengere: 2768: Full butt in ţe frounte he flysches hym euen, 2769: And all disfegoures his face with his fell wapen; 2770: Thurghe his bryghte bacenette his brayne has he towchede, 2771: And brusten his neke-bone, ţat all his breste stoppede.

2772: Thane his cosyn askryede and cryede full lowde, 2773: “Thowe has killede colde dede ţe kynge of all knyghttes!”

2774: He has bene fraistede on felde in fyftene rewmes; 2775: He fonde neuer no freke myghte feghte with hym one.

2776: Thow schall dye for his dede with my derfe wapen, 2777: And all ţe doughtty for dule ţat in 3one dale houes!”

2778: “Fy,” sais Sir Floridas, “thow fleryande wryche!

2779: Thow wenes for to flay vs, floke-mowthede schrewe!”

2780: Bot Floridas with a swerde, as he by glenttys, 2781: All ţe flesche of ţe flanke he flappes in sondyre, 2782: That all ţe filthe of ţe freke and fele of ţe guttes 2783: Foloes his fole fotte, whene he furthe rydes.

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2784: Than rydes a renke to reschewe ţat byerne,

2785: Ţat was Raynalde of ţe Rodes and rebell to Criste, 2786: Peruertede with paynyms ţat Cristen persewes; 2787: Presses in prowdly, as ţe praye wendes,

2788: Fore he hade in Prewsslande myche pryce wonnen, 2789: Forthi in presence thare he profers so large.

2790: Bot thane a renke, Sir Richere of ţe Rounde Table, 2791: One a ryall stede rydes hym a3aynes;

2792: Thorowe a rownnde rede schelde he ruschede hym sone, 2793: That the rosselde spere to his herte rynnes; 2794: The renke relys abowte and rusches to ţe erthe, 2795: Roris full ruydlye, bot rade he no more.

2796: Now all ţat es fere and vnfaye of ţes fyve hundreth 2797: Falles on Sir Florent, a fyve score knyghttes; 2798: Betwyx a plasche and a flode, appon a flate lawnde, 2799: Oure folke fongen theire felde and fawghte them agaynes.

2800: Than was lowde appon lofte “Lorrayne!” askryede, 2801: When ledys with longe speris lasschen togedyrs, 2802: And “Arthure!” on our syde, when theyme oghte aylede.

2803: Than Sir Florent and Floridas in fewtyre ţey caste, 2804: Fruschen on all ţe frape and biernes affrayede, 2805: Fellis fyve at ţe frounte thare they fyrste enteride, 2806: And, or they ferke forthire, fele of ţese oţere.

2807: Brenyes browdden they briste, brittenede scheldes, 2808: Bettes and beres down the best ţat ţem byddes; 2809: All ţat rewlyd in the rowtte they ryden awaye, 2810: So rewdly they rere theys ryall knyghttes.

2811: When Sir Priamous, ţat prince, persayuede theire gamen, 2812: He hade pete in herte ţat he ne durste profire; 2813: He wente to Sir Gawayne and sais hym ţese wordes: 2814: “Thi price men fore thy praye putt are all vndyre; 2815: They are with Sarazenes ouersette, mo ţan seuen hundreth 2816: Of ţe Sowdanes knyghtes owt of sere londes;

2817: Walde ţow suffire me, Sir, for sake of thi Criste, 2818: With a soppe of thi men suppowell theym ones?”

2819: “I grouche noghte,” quod Gawayne, “ţe gree es ţaire awen!

2820: They mon hafe gwerddouns full grett graunt of my lorde; 2821: Bot the freke men of Fraunce fraiste them selfen, -117-2822: Frekes faughte noghte ţeire fill this fyftene wynter.

2823: I will noghte stire with my stale halfe a stede lenghe, 2824: Bot they be stedde with more stuffe than on 3one stede houys.”

2825: Than Sir Gawayne was warre, withowttyn ţe wode hemmes, 2826: Wyes of ţe Westfale appon wyght horsez,

2827: Walopande wodely, as ţe waye forthes,

2828: With all ţe wapyns, iwys, ţat to ţe werre longez.

2829: The erle Antele the Olde the avawmwarde he buskes, 2830: Ayerande on ayther hande heghte thosande knyghtez; 2831: His pelours and pauysers passede all nombyre 2832: That euer any prynce lede puruayede in erthe.

2833: Than ţe Duke of Lorrayne dresesse thareaftyre, 2834: With dowbill of ţe Duchemen, ţat doughtty ware holden; 2835: Paynymes of Pruyslande, prekkers full noble, 2836: Come prekkande before with Priamous knyghttez.

2837: Than saide the erle Antele to Algere, his broţer, 2838: “Me angers ernestly at Arthure knyghtez,

2839: Thus enkerly on an oste awnters ţem selfen;

2840: They will be owttrayede anon, are vndron ryng, 2841: Thus folily on a felde to fyghte with vs all; 2842: Bot they be fesede in faye ferly me thynkes.

2843: Walde they purposse take and passe on theire wayes, 2844: Prike home to theire prynce and theire pray leue, 2845: They myghte lenghen theire lyefe and lossen bott littill, 2846: It wolde lyghte my herte, so helpe me oure Lorde!”

2847: “Sir,” sais Sir Algere, “thay hafe littill vsede 2848: To be owttrayede withe oste, me angers ţe more; 2849: The fayreste schall be full feye ţat in oure floke ryddez 2850: Alls fewe as they bene, are they the felde leue.”

2851: Than gud Gawayne, gracious and noble,

2852: All with glorious gle he gladdis his knyghtes: 2853: “Gloppyns noghte, gud men, for gleterand scheldes, 2854: Ţofe 3one gadlyngez be gaye on 3one gret horses; 2855: Banerettez of Bretayne, buskes vp 3our hertes!

2856: Bees noghte baiste of 3one boyes, ne of ţaire bryghte wedis.

2857: We sall blenke theire boste for all theire bolde profire, 2858: Als bouxom as birde es in bede to hir lorde.

2859: 3effe we feghte todaye, ţe felde schall be owrs, -118-2860: The fekill faye sall faile and falssede be distroyede!

2861: 3one folk is one frountere, vnfraistede theym semes; 2862: Thay make faythe and faye to ţe Fend seluen!

2863: We sall in this viage victoures be holden,

2864: And avauntede with voycez of valyant biernez, 2865: Praysede with pryncez in presence of lordes, 2866: And luffede with ladyes in dyuerse londes;

2867: Aughte neuer siche honoure none of oure elders, 2868: Vnwyn ne Absolon ne non of thies oţer.

2869: When we are moste in destresse Marie we mene, 2870: That es oure maisters seyne, ţat he myche traistez, 2871: Melys of ţat mylde Qwene that menskes vs all, 2872: Who-so meles of ţat Mayde myskaries he neuer.”

2873: Be ţese wordes ware saide, they ware noghte ferre behynd 2874: Bot the lenghe of a launde, and “Lorayne!” askryes.

2875: Was neuer siche a justyng at journe in erthe, 2876: In the Vale of Iosephate, as gestes vs telles, 2877: When Iulyus and Ioatall ware juggede to dy,

2878: As was when ţe ryche men of ţe Rownde Table

2879: Ruschede into ţe rowte one ryall stedes;

2880: For so raythely ţay rusche with roselde speris, 2881: That the raskaille was rade, and rane to ţe grefes, 2882: And karede to ţat courte as cowardes for euer.

2883: “Peter!” sais Sir Gawayne; “This gladdez myn herte, 2884: That 3one gedlynges are non that made gret nowmbre; 2885: I hope that thees harlottez sall harme vs bot littill, 2886: Fore they will hyde them in haste within 3one holte euis.

2887: Thay are fewere one felde ţan ţay were fyrste nombird, 2888: Be fourtty thousande, in faythe, for all theyre faire hostes!”

2889: Bot one Iolyan of Iene, a geante full howge, 2890: Has jonede on Sir Ierant, a justis of Walis; 2891: Thorowe a jerownde schelde he jogges hym thorowe, 2892: And a fyn gesserawnte of gentill mayles,

2893: Ioynter and gemows he jogges in sondyre.

2894: One a jambe stede ţis jurnee he makes;

2895: Thus es ţe geante forjuste, that errawnte Iewe, 2896: And Gerard es jocunde, and joyes hym ţe more.

2897: Than the genatours of Genne enjoynes att ones, -119-2898: And frykis on ţe frowntere well a fyve hundreth; 2899: A freke highte Sir Federike, with full fele oţer, 2900: Ferkes on a frusche and fresclyche askryes,

2901: To fyghte with oure forreours, ţat on felde houis.

2902: And thane the ryalle renkkes of ţe Rownde Table 2903: Rade furth full ernestly and rydis them agaynes, 2904: Mellis with the medillwarde, bot they ware ill machede, 2905: Of siche a grett multytude was meruayle to here.

2906: Seyne at ţe assemble the Sarazenes discoueres 2907: The soueraygne of Sessoyne, that saluede was neuer; 2908: Gyawntis forjustede with gentill knyghtes,

2909: Thorowe gesserawntes of Iene jaggede to ţe herte.

2910: They hewe thorowe helmes hawtayne biernez,

2911: Ţat ţe hiltede swerdes to ţaire hertes rynnys.

2912: Than ţe renkes renownd of ţe Rownd Table

2913: Ryffes and ruyssches down renayede wreches;

2914: And thus they dreuen to ţe dede dukes and erles, 2915: All ţe dreghe of ţe daye, with dredfull werkes.

2916: Than Sir Priamous ţe prynce, in presens of lordes, 2917: Presez to his penown and pertly it hentes,

2918: Reuertede it redily and awaye rydys,

2919: To ţe ryall rowte of ţe Rownde Table;

2920: And heyly his retenus raykes hym aftyre,

2921: For they his reson had rede on his schelde ryche.

2922: Owte of ţe scheltrone ţey schede, as schepe of a folde, 2923: And steris furth to ţe stowre and stode be ţeire lorde.

2924: Seyne they sent to ţe Duke and saide hym ţise wordes: 2925: “We hafe bene thy sowdeours this sex 3ere and more; 2926: We forsake ţe todaye be serte of owre lorde; 2927: We sewe to oure soueraynge in sere kynges londe.

2928: Vs defawtes oure feez of ţis foure wyntteres: 2929: Thow arte feble and false and noghte bot faire wordes.

2930: Oure wages are werede owte and ţi werre endide; 2931: We maye with oure wirchipe weend whethire vs lykes.

2932: I red ţowe trette of a trewe and trofle no lengere, 2933: Or ţow sall tyne of thi tale ten thosande or euen.”

2934: “Fy a debles!” saide ţe Duke; “The Deuell haue 3our bones!

The Thornton Ms., Folios 84v-94r (lines 2935-3881) 2935: The dawngere of 3on doggez drede schall I neuer.

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2936: We sall dele this daye, be dedes of armes,

2937: My dede, and my ducherye, and my dere knyghtes.

2938: Siche sowdeours as 3e I sett bot att lyttill, 2939: That sodanly in defawte forsakes theire lorde.”

2940: The Duke in his scheltrone dreches no lengere, 2941: Drawes hym a dromedarie, with dredfull knyghtez; 2942: Graythes to Sir Gawayne, with full gret nowmbyre 2943: Of gomes of Gernaide, that greuous are holden; 2944: Thas fresche horsede men to ţe frownt rydes, 2945: Felles of oure forreours be fourtty at ones, 2946: They hade foughtten before with a fyve hundrethe; 2947: It was no ferly, in faythe, ţofe they faynt waxen.

2948: Thane Sir Gawayne was grefede and grypys his spere, 2949: And gyrdez in agayne with galyarde knyghttez; 2950: Metes ţe Marches of Mees and melles hym thorowe, 2951: As man of ţis medillerthe ţat moste hade greuede.

2952: Bot on Chastelayne, a childe of ţe Kynges chambyr, 2953: Was warde to Sir Wawayn of ţe weste marches, 2954: Cheses to Sir Cheldrike, a cheftayne noble,

2955: With a chasyng he chokkes hym thurghe,

2956: This chekke hym eschewede be chauncez of armes.

2957: So ţay chase ţat childe, eschape may he neuer; 2958: Bot on Swyan of Swecy, with a swerde egge,

2959: The swyers swyre-bane he swappes in sondyre; 2960: He swounande diede and on ţe swarthe lengede, 2961: Sweltes ewynne swiftly, and swanke he no more.

2962: Ţan Sir Gawayn gretes with his gray eghne,

2963: The guyte was a gude man, begynnande of armes; 2964: Fore the charry childe so his chere chawngide, 2965: That the chillande watire on his chekes rynnyde.

2966: “Woo es me,” quod Gawayne, “that I ne weten hade; 2967: I sall wage for that wye all ţat I welde,

2968: Bot I be wroken on that wye that thus has hym wondyde.”

2969: He dresses hym drerily and to ţe Duke rydes, 2970: Bot one Sir Dolphyn the derfe dyghte hym agaynes, 2971: And Sir Gawayne hym gyrd with a grym launce, -121-2972: That the grounden spere glade to his herte.

2973: And egerly he hente owte and hurte anoţer,

2974: An haythen knyghte, Hardolfe, happye in armes; 2975: Sleyghly in at the slotte slyttes hym thorowe, 2976: That the slydande spere of his hande sleppes.

2977: Thare es slayne in ţat slope, be sleyghte of his hondes, 2978: Sexty slongen in a slade of sleghe men of armes.

2979: Ţofe Sir Gawaynne ware wo, he wayttes hym by, 2980: And was warre of ţat wye that the childe wondyde, 2981: And with a swerde swiftly he swappes hym thorowe, 2982: That he swyftly swelte and on ţe erthe swounes.

2983: And thane he raykes to ţe rowte and ruysches one helmys, 2984: Riche hawberkes he rente and rasede schyldes, 2985: Rydes on a rawndoune and his rayke holdes,

2986: Thorowowte ţe rerewarde he holdes wayes;

2987: And thare raughte in the reyne this ryall ţe ryche, 2988: And rydez into ţe rowte of ţe Rownde Table.

2989: Ţane oure cheualrous men changen theire horsez, 2990: Chases and choppes down cheftaynes noble,

2991: Hittes full hertely on helmes and scheldes,

2992: Hurtes and hewes down haythen knyghtez;

2993: Ketell-hattes they cleue euen to ţe scholdirs, 2994: Was neuer siche a clamour of capitaynes in erthe.

2995: Thare was kynges sonnes kaughte, curtays and noble, 2996: And knyghtes of ţe contre, that knawen was ryche; 2997: Lordes of Lorayne and Lumbardye bothen

2998: LaughŐtĺe was and lede in with oure lele knyghttez.

2999: Thas ţat chasede that daye, theire chaunce was bettire, 3000: Swiche a cheke at a chace escheuede theym neuer.

3001: When Sir Florent be fyghte had ţe felde wonen, 3002: He ferkes ine before with fyve score knyghttez; 3003: Theire prayes and ţeire presoneres passes one aftyre, 3004: With pylours and pauysers and pryse men of armes.

3005: Thane gudly Sir Gawayne gydes his knyghttez, 3006: Gas in at ţe gayneste, as gydes hym telles,

3007: Fore greffe on a garysone of full gret lordes 3008: Sulde noghte gripe vpe his gere, ne swyche grame wirche.

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3009: Forethy they stode at the straytez and with his stale houede, 3010: Till his prayes ware paste the pathe that he dredis; 3011: When they the cete myghte see that the Kyng seggede, 3012: Sothely the same daye was witŐhĺ asawte wonnen, 3013: An hawrawde hyes before, the beste of the lordes, 3014: Hom at ţe herbergage, owt of tha hyghe londes, 3015: Tornys tytte to ţe tente and to the Kyng telles 3016: All the tale sothely, and how they hade spede: 3017: “All thy forreours are fere, that forrayede withowttyn, 3018: Sir Florent and Sir Floridas and all thy ferse knyghttez; 3019: Thay hafe forrayede and foghten with full gret nowmbyre, 3020: And fele of thy foomen has broghte owt of lyffe.

3021: Oure wirchipfull wardayne es wele escheuyde, 3022: For he has wonn todaye wirchip for euere;

3023: He has Dolfyn slayne and ţe Duke takyn;

3024: Many dowghty es dede be dynt of his hondes.

3025: He has presoners price, pryncez and erles,

3026: Of ţe richeste blode ţat regnys in erthe;

3027: All thy cheuallrous men faire are eschewede; 3028: Bot a childe Chasteleynne myschance es befallen.”

3029: “Hawtayne,” sais ţe Kyng, “harawde, be Criste, 3030: Thow has helyd myn herte, I hete the forsothe; 3031: I 3ife the in Hamptone a hundreth pownde large.”

3032: The Kynge ţan to assawte he sembles his knyghtez, 3033: With somercastell and sowe appon sere halfes; 3034: Skyftis his skotiferis and skayles the wallis, 3035: And iche wache has his warde with wiese men of armes.

3036: Thane boldly ţay buske and bendes engynes,

3037: Payses in pylotes and proues theire castes;

3038: Mynsteris and masondewes they malle to ţe erthe, 3039: Chirches and chapells chalke-whitte blawnchede.

3040: Stone Ősĺtepells full styffe in ţe strete ligges, 3041: Chawmbyrs with chymnes and many cheefe inns; 3042: Paysede and pelid down playsterede walles,

3043: The pyne of ţe pople was pete for to here.

3044: Thane ţe Duchez hire dyghte with damesels ryche, 3045: The Cowntas of Crasyn, with hir clere maydyns, 3046: Knelis down in ţe kyrnelles thare the Kyng houede, -123-3047: On a couerede horse comlyli arayede.

3048: They knewe hym by contenaunce and criede full lowde, 3049: “Kyng crownede of kynde, take kepe to ţese wordes!

3050: We beseke 3ow, Sir, as soueraynge and lorde, 3051: That 3e safe vs todaye, for sake of 3oure Criste; 3052: Send vs some socoure and saughte with the pople, 3053: Or ţe cete be sodaynly with assawte wonnen.”

3054: He weres his vesere with a vowt noble;

3055: With vesage vertouous, this valyante bierne

3056: Meles to hir myldly with full meke wordes:

3057: “Sall no mysse do 3ow, ma dame, ţat to me lenges; 3058: I gyf 3ow chartire of pes, and 3oure cheefe maydens, 3059: The childire and ţe chaste men, the cheualrous knyghtez; 3060: The Duke es in dawngere, dredis it bott littyll.

3061: He sall be demyd full wele, dout 3ow noghte elles.”

3062: Thane sent he on iche a syde to certayne lordez, 3063: For to leue ţe assawte, the cete was 3olden; 3064: With ţe Erle eldeste son he sent hym ţe kayes, 3065: And seside ţe same nyghte, be sent of ţe lordes.

3066: The Duke to Douere es dyghte, and all his dere knyghtez, 3067: To duelle in dawngere and dole ţe dayes of hys lyue.

3068: Thare fleede at the ferrere 3ate folke withowttyn nombyre, 3069: For ferde of Sir Florent and his fers knyghtez; 3070: Voydes the cete and to the wode rynnys,

3071: With vetaile and vessell and vestoure so ryche.

3072: Thay buske vpe a banere abown ţe brode 3ates, 3073: Of Sir Florent, in fay, so fayne was he neuer; 3074: The knyghte houys on a hyll, behelde to ţe wallys, 3075: And saide, “I see be 3one syngne the cete es oures.”

3076: Sir Arthure enters anon, with hostes arayede, 3077: Euen at ţe vndrone etles to lenge.

3078: In iche leuere on lowde the Kynge did crye,

3079: Of payne of lyf and lym and lesyng of londes, 3080: That no lele ligemane, that to hym lonngede, 3081: Sulde lye be no ladysse, no be no lele maydyns, 3082: Ne be no burgesse wyffe, better ne werse,

-124-

3083: Ne no biernez mysebide, that to ţe burghe longede.

3084: When ţe Kyng Arthure had lely conquerid,

3085: And the castell couerede of ţe kythe riche,

3086: All ţe crowell and kene, be craftes of armes, 3087: Captayns and constables knewe hym for lorde.

3088: He deuysede and delte to dyuerse lordez

3089: A dowere for ţe Duchez and hir dere childire; 3090: Wroghte wardaynes by wytte to welde all ţe londez, 3091: That he had wonnen of werre, thorowe his weise knyghtez.

3092: Thus in Lorayne he lenges, as lorde in his awen, 3093: Settez lawes in the lande, as hym leefe tŐhĺoghte.

3094: And one ţe Lammese Day to Lucerne he wendez, 3095: Lengez thare at laysere with lykyng inowe;

3096: Thare his galays ware graythede, a full gret nombyre, 3097: All gleterand as glase, vndire grene hyllys, 3098: With cabanes couerede for kynges anoyntede,

3099: With clothes of clere golde for knyghtez and oţer, 3100: Sone stowede theire stuffe and stablede ţeire horses, 3101: Strekes streke ouer ţe strem into ţe strayte londez.

3102: Now he moues his myghte with myrthes of herte, 3103: Ouere mowntes so hye, ţase meruailous wayes; 3104: Gosse in by Goddarde, the garett he wynnys,

3105: Graythes the garnison grisely wondes.

3106: When he was passede the heghte, than the Kyng houys 3107: With his hole bataylle, behaldande abowte,

3108: Lukand one Lumbarddye, and one lowde melys,

3109: “In 3one lykand londe, lorde be I thynke.”

3110: Thane they cayre to Combe, with kyngez anoyntede, 3111: That was kyde of ţe coste, kay of all oţer.

3112: Sir Florent and Sir Floridas ţan fowndes before, 3113: With freke men of Fraunce well a fyve hundreth; 3114: To ţe cete vnsene thay soghte at ţe gayneste, 3115: And sett an enbuschement, als ţem selfe lykys.

3116: Thane ischewis owt of ţat cete, full sone be ţe morne, 3117: Slely discouerours, skyftes theire horses;

3118: Than skyftes ţes skouerours and skippes on hyllis, 3119: Diskoueres for skulkers that they no skathe lymppen.

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3120: Pouerall and pastorelles passede on aftyre,

3121: With porkes to pasture at the price 3ates;

3122: Boyes in ţe subarbis bourden full heghe,

3123: At a bare synglere that to ţe bente rynnys.

3124: Thane brekes oure buschement and the brigge wynnes, 3125: Brayedez into ţe burghe with baners displayede; 3126: Stekes and stabbis thorowe that them a3aynes-stondes; 3127: Fowre stretis or ţay stynte they stroyen fore euere.

3128: Now es the Conquerour in Combe and his courte holdes 3129: Within ţe kyde castelll, with kynges enoynttede; 3130: Reconsaillez the comouns ţat to ţe kyth lengez, 3131: Comfourthes ţe carefull with knyghtly wordez; 3132: Made a captayne kene a knyghte of hys awen,

3133: Bot all ţe contre and he full sone ware accordide.

3134: The Syre of Melane herde saye ţe cete was wonnen, 3135: And send to Arthure sertayne lordes,

3136: Grete sommes of golde, sexti horse chargegid, 3137: Besoghte hym as souerayne to socoure ţe pople, 3138: And saide he wolde sothely be sugette for euer, 3139: And make hym seruece and suytte for his sere londes; 3140: For Plesaunce, for Pawnce, and for Pownte Tremble, 3141: For Pyse, and for Pavy, he profers full large, 3142: Bothe purpur and palle and precious stonys,

3143: Palfrayes for any prynce and prouede stedes; 3144: And ilke a 3ere for Melan a melion of golde, 3145: Mekely at Martynmesse to menske with his hordes; 3146: And euer withowttyn askyng he and his ayers

3147: Be homagers to Arthure, whills his lyffe lastis.

3148: The Kyng be his concell a condethe hym sendis, 3149: And he es comen to Combe, and knewe hym as lorde.

3150: Into Tuskane he tournez, when ţus wele tymede, 3151: Takes townnes full tyte, with towrres full heghe; 3152: Walles he welte down, wondyd knyghtez,

3153: Towrres he turnes and turmentez ţe pople,

3154: Wroghte wedewes full wlonke wrotherayle synges, 3155: Ofte wery and wepe and wryngen theire handis; -126-3156: And all he wastys with werre, thare he awaye rydez, 3157: Thaire welthes and theire wonnyŐnĺges, wandrethe he wroghte.

3158: Thus they spryngen and sprede and sparis bot lyttill, 3159: Spoylles dispetouslye and spillis theire vynes, 3160: Spendis vnsparely ţat sparede was lange,

3161: Spedis them to Spolett with speris inewe.

3162: Fro Spayne into Spruyslande the worde of hym sprynges, 3163: And spekynngs of his spencis, disspite es full hugge.

3164: Towarde Viterbe this valyant avires the reynes; 3165: Avissely in ţat vale he vetailles his biernez, 3166: With vernage and oţer wyne and venyson baken; 3167: And one the Vicounte londes he visez to lenge.

3168: Vertely the avawmwarde voydez theire horsez, 3169: In the Vertennon Vale, the vines imangez;

3170: Thare suggeournes this souerayne with solace in herte, 3171: To see when the senatours sent any wordes.

3172: Reuell with riche wyne, riotes hym selfen,

3173: This roy with his ryall men of ţe Rownde Table, 3174: With myrthis and melodye and manykyn gamnes, 3175: Was neuer meriere men made on this erthe.

3176: Bot one a Seterdaye at none, a seuenyghte thareaftyre, 3177: The konyngeste cardynall that to the courte lengede, 3178: Knelis to ţe Conquerour and karpes thire wordes: 3179: Prayes hym for ţe pes and profyrs full large, 3180: To hafe pete of ţe Pope, ţat put was atvndyre; 3181: Besoghte hym of surrawns, for sake of oure Lorde, 3182: Bot a seuenyghte daye to ţay ware all semblede, 3183: And they schulde sekerlye hym see the Sonondaye ţeraftyre, 3184: In the cete of Rome, as soueraynge and lorde; 3185: And crown hym kyndly with krysomede hondes,

3186: With his ceptre and swerde, as soueraynge and lorde.

3187: Of this vndyrtakyng ostage are comyn,

3188: Of ayers full auenaunt awughte score childrenne, 3189: In toges of tarsse full richelye attyryde,

3190: And betuke them the Kynge and his clere knyghttes.

3191: When they had tretide thiere trewe, with trowmpynge ţerafter, 3192: They tryne vnto a tente, whare tables whare raysede; -127-3193: The Kynge hym selfen es sette, and certayne lordes, 3194: Vndyre a sylure of sylke, sawghte at the burdez; 3195: All the senatours are sette sere be ţam one, 3196: Serfed solemply with selcouthe metes.

3197: The Kyng myghtty of myrthe, with his mylde wordes, 3198: Rehetez the Romaynes at his riche table,

3199: Comforthes the Cardynall so knyghtly hym seluen; 3200: And this roye ryall, as romawns vs tellis,

3201: Reuerence the Romayns in his riche table.

3202: The tawghte men and ţe conynge, when them tym thoghte, 3203: Tas theire lefe at ţe Kynge and tornede agayne: 3204: To ţe cete ţat nyghte thaye soughte at ţe gayneste, 3205: And thus the ostage of Rome with Arthure es leuede.

3206: Than this roy royall rehersys theis wordes:

3207: “Now may we reuell and riste, fore Rome es oure awen!

3208: Make oure ostage at ese, ţise auenaunt childyren, 3209: And luk 3e honden them all that in myn oste lengez.

3210: The Emperour of Almayne and all theis este marches, 3211: We sall be ouerlynge of all ţat on the erthe lengez!

3212: We will by ţe Crosse Dayes encroche ţeis londez, 3213: And at ţe Crystynmesse Daye be crowned theraftyre; 3214: Ryngne in my ryalltes, and holde my Rownde Table, 3215: Withe the rentes of Rome, as me beste lykes; 3216: Syne graythe ouer ţe grette see with gud men of armes, 3217: To reuenge the Renke that on the Rode dyede.”

3218: Thane this comlyche Kynge, as cronycles tellys, 3219: Bownnys brathely to bede with a blythe herte; 3220: Of he slynges with sleghte and slakes gyrdill, 3221: And fore slewthe of slomowre on a slepe fallis.

3222: Bot be ane aftyre mydnyghte all his mode changede: 3223: He mett in the morne-while full meruaylous dremes.

3224: And when his dredefull drem whas drefen to ţe ende, 3225: The Kynge dares for dowte, dye as he scholde; 3226: Sendes aftyre phylosophers, and his affraye telles: 3227: “Sen I was formede, in fayth, so ferde whas I neuer!

3228: Forthy rawnsakes redyly and rede me my swefennys, 3229: And I sall redily and ryghte rehersen the sothe.

-128-

3230: Me thoughte I was in a wode willed myn one,

3231: That I ne wiste no waye whedire ţat I scholde, 3232: Fore woluez and whilde swynne and wykkyde bestez 3233: Walkede in that wasternne, wathes to seche;

3234: Thare lyouns full lothely lykkyde ţeire tuskes, 3235: All fore lapynge of blude of my lele knyghtez.

3236: Thurghe ţat foreste I flede, thare floures whare heghe, 3237: For to fele me for ferde of tha foule thyngez; 3238: Merkede to a medowe with montayngnes enclosyde, 3239: The meryeste of medillerthe that men myghte beholde.

3240: The close was in compas castyn all abowte

3241: With clauer and clereworte clede euen ouer;

3242: The vale was enuerownde with vynes of siluer, 3243: All with grapis of golde, gretter ware neuer; 3244: Enhorilde with arborye and alkyns trees,

3245: Erberis full honeste and hyrdez ţerevndyre;

3246: All froytez foddenid was ţat floreschede in erthe, 3247: Faire frithed in frawnke appon tha free bowes; 3248: Whas thare no downkynge of dewe that oghte dere scholde: 3249: With ţe drowghte of ţe daye all drye ware ţe flores.

3250: Than discendis in the dale, down fra ţe clowddez, 3251: A duches dereworthily dyghte in dyaperde wedis, 3252: In a surcott of sylke selkouthely hewede,

3253: All with loyotour ouerlaide lowe to pe hemmes, 3254: And with ladily lappes the lenghe of a 3erde, 3255: And all redily reuersside with rebanes of golde; 3256: Bruchez and besauntez and oţer bryghte stonys 3257: With hir bake and hir breste was brochede all ouer; 3258: With kelle and with corenall clenliche arrayede, 3259: And ţat so comly of colour on knowen was neuer.

3260: Abowte cho whirllide a whele with hir whitte hondez, 3261: Ouerwhelme all qwayntely ţe whele as cho scholde; 3262: The rowell whas rede golde with ryall stonys, 3263: Raylide with reches and rubyes inewe;

3264: The spekes was splentide all with speltis of siluer, 3265: The space of a spere lenghe springande full faire; 3266: Thereone was a chayere of chalke-whytte siluer, -129-3267: And chekyrde with charebocle, chawngynge of hewes.

3268: Appon ţe compas ther clewide kyngis one rawe, 3269: With corowns of clere golde ţat krakede in sondire; 3270: Sex was of ţat setill full sodaynliche fallen, 3271: Ilke a segge by hym selfe, and saide theis wordez: 3272: ‘That euer I rengnede on ţir roo me rewes it euer!

3273: Was neuer roye so riche that regnede in erthe; 3274: Whene I rode in my rowte, roughte I noghte ells, 3275: Bot reuaye and reuell and rawnson the pople; 3276: And thus I drife forthe my dayes, whills I dreghe myghte, 3277: And therefore derflyche I am dampnede for euer.’

3278: The laste was a lityll man that laide was benethe; 3279: His leskes laye all lene and latheliche to schewe, 3280: The lokkes lyarde and longe, the lenghe of a 3erde, 3281: His lire and his lygham lamede full sore;

3282: Ţe tone eye of ţe byeryn was brighttere ţan siluer, 3283: The toţer was 3alowere then the 3olke of a naye.

3284: ‘I was lorde,’ quod the lede, ‘of londes inewe, 3285: And all ledis me lowttede that lengede in erthe; 3286: And nowe es lefte me no lappe my lygham to hele, 3287: Bot lightly now am I loste, leue iche mane the sothe.’

3288: The secunde sir, forsothe, ţat sewede them aftyre, 3289: Was sekerare to my sighte and saddare in armes; 3290: Ofte he syghede vnsownde and said theis wordes: 3291: ‘On 3one see hafe I sitten als souerayne and lorde, 3292: And ladys me louede to lappe in theyre armes; 3293: And nowe my lordchippes are loste and laide for euer.’

3294: The thirde thorowely was throo and thikke in the schuldyrs, 3295: A thra man to thrette of, there thretty ware gaderide; 3296: His dyadem was droppede down, dubbyde with stonys, 3297: Endente all with diamawndis and dighte for ţe nonis; 3298: ‘I was dredde in my dayes,’ he said, ‘in dyuerse rewmes, 3299: And now dampnede to ţe dede, and dole es the more.’

3300: The fourte was a faire mane and forsy in armes, 3301: Ţe fayreste of fegure that fourmede was euer: 3302: ‘I was frekke, in my faithe,’ he said, ‘whills I one fowlde regnede, -130-3303: Famows in ferre londis and floure of all knyges; 3304: Now es my face defadide, and foule es me hapnede, 3305: For I am fallen fro ferre and frendles byleuyde.’

3306: The fifte was a faire man ţan fele of ţies oţer, 3307: A forsy man and a ferse, with fomand lippis; 3308: He fongede faste on ţe feleyghes and falded his armes, 3309: Bot 3it he failede and fell a fyfty fote large; 3310: Bot 3it he sprange and sprente and spradden his armes, 3311: And one ţe spere-lenghe spekes, he spekes ţire wordes: 3312: ‘I was in Surrye a syr and sett be myn one,

3313: As souerayne and seyngnour of sere kynges londis; 3314: Now of my solace I am full sodanly fallen,

3315: And for sake of my syn, 3one sete es me rewede.’

3316: The sexte hade a sawtere semliche bownden,

3317: With a surepel of silke sewede full faire,

3318: A harpe and a hande-slynge with harde flynte stones; 3319: What harmes he has hente he halowes full sone: 3320: ‘I was demede in my dayes,’ he said, ‘of dedis of armes, 3321: One of the doughtyeste that duellede in erthe; 3322: Bot I was merride one molde in my moste strenghethis, 3323: With this mayden so mylde, ţat mofes vs all.’

3324: Two kynges ware clymbande and clauerande one heghe.

3325: The creste of ţe compas they couette full 3erne; 3326: ‘This chaire of charbokle,’ they said, ‘we chalange hereaftyre, 3327: As two of ţe cheffeste chosen in erthe.’

3328: The childire ware chalke-whitte, chekys and oţer, 3329: Bot the chayere abownne cheuede they neuer;

3330: The forthirmaste was freely, with a frount large, 3331: The faireste of fyssnamy ţat fourmede was euer; 3332: And he was buskede in a blee of a blewe noble, 3333: With flourdelice of golde floreschede al ouer; 3334: The toţer was cledde in a cote all of clene siluer, 3335: With a comliche crosse coruen of golde,

3336: Fowre crosselettes krafty by ţe crosse ristes, 3337: And therby knewe I the kyng, ţat crystnede hym semyde.

3338: Than I went to ţat wlonke and wynly hire gretis, 3339: And cho said, ‘Welcom iwis; wele arte thow fownden; -131-3340: The aughte to wirchipe my will, and thow wele cowthe, 3341: Of all the valyant men that euer was in erthe; 3342: Fore all thy wirchipe in werre by me has thow wonnen.

3343: I hafe bene frendely, freke, and fremmede till oţer, 3344: That has ţow fownden in faithe, and fele of ţi biernez: 3345: Fore I fellid down Sir Frolle with frowarde knyghtes; 3346: Forethi the fruytes of Fraunce are freely thynne awen.

3347: Thow sall ţe chayere escheue, I chese ţe my selfen, 3348: Before all ţe cheftaynes chosen in this erthe.’

3349: Scho lifte me vp lightly with hir lene hondes, 3350: And sette me softely in the see, ţe septre me rechede; 3351: Craftely with a kambe cho kembede myn heuede, 3352: That the krispane kroke to my crownne raughte; 3353: Dressid one me a diademe that dighte was full faire, 3354: And syne profres me a pome pighte full of faire stonys, 3355: Enamelde with azoure, the erth thereon depayntide, 3356: Serkylde with the salte see appone sere halfes, 3357: In sygne ţat I sothely was souerayne in erthe.

3358: Than broght cho me a brande with full bryghte hiltes, 3359: And bade me ‘Brawndysche ţe blade, ţe brande es myn awen; 3360: Many swayn with ţe swynge has the swŐeĺtte leuede, 3361: For whills thow swanke with the swerde, it swykkede ţe neuer.’

3362: Than raykes cho with roo and riste when hir likede, 3363: To ţe ryndes of ţe wode, richere was neuer;

3364: Was no pomarie so pighte of pryncez in erthe, 3365: Ne nonne apparayll so prowde, bot Paradys one.

3366: Scho bad ţe bewes scholde bewe down and bryng to my hondes 3367: Of ţe beste that they bare one brawnches so heghe; 3368: Than they heldede to hir heste all holly at ones, 3369: The hegheste of iche a hirste, I hette 3ow forsothe.

3370: Scho bade me fyrthe noghte ţe fruyte, bot fonde whills me likede: 3371: ‘Fonde of ţe fyneste, thow frelich byerne,

3372: And reche to ţe ripeste and ryotte thy seluen.

3373: Riste, thow ryalle roye, for Rome es thyn awen!

3374: And I sall redily roll ţe roo at ţe gayneste, 3375: And reche the ţe riche wyne in rynsede coupes.’

3376: Thane cho wente to ţe welle by ţe wode euis, -132-3377: That all wellyde of wyne and wondirliche rynnes; 3378: Kaughte vy a coppe-full and couerde it faire; 3379: Scho bad me dereliche drawe and drynke to hir selfen.

3380: And thus cho lede me abowte the lenghe of an owre, 3381: With all likyng and luffe ţat any lede scholde; 3382: Bot at ţe myddaye full ewyn all hir mode chaungede, 3383: And mad myche manace with meruayllous wordez.

3384: When I cryede appon hire, cho kest down hir browes: 3385: ‘Kyng, thow karpes for noghte, be Criste ţat me made!

3386: For thow sall lose this layke and thi lyfe aftyre; 3387: Thow has lyffede in delytte and lordchippes inewe!’

3388: Abowte scho whirles the whele and whirles me vndire, 3389: Till all my qwarters ţat whille whare qwaste al to peces, 3390: And with that chayere my chyne was chopped in sondire!

3391: And I hafe cheueride for chele sen me this chance happenede.

3392: Than wakkenyde I iwys, all wery fordremyde,

3393: And now wate thow my woo, worde as ţe lykes.

3394: Freke, sais the philosophre, thy fortune es passede; 3395: For thow sall fynd hir thi foo, frayste when the lykes.

3396: Thow arte at ţe hegheste, I hette the forsothe; 3397: Chalange nowe when thow will, thow cheuys no more.

3398: Thow has schedde myche blode and schalkes distroyede, 3399: Sakeles, in cirquytrie, in sere kynges landis.

3400: Schryfe the of thy schame and schape for thyn ende; 3401: Thow has a schewynge, Sir Kynge, take kepe 3if the lyke; 3402: For thow sall fersely fall within fyve wynters.

3403: Fownde abbayes in Fraunce, ţe froytez are theyn awen, 3404: Fore Froill and for Ferawnt and for thir ferse knyghttis, 3405: That thowe fremydly in Fraunce has faye beleuede.

3406: Take kepe 3itte of oţer kynges and kaste in thyne herte, 3407: That were conquerours kydde and crownnede in erthe: 3408: The eldeste was Alexandere, ţat all ţe erthe lowttede, 3409: The toţer Ector of Troye, the cheualrous gume; 3410: The thirde Iulyus Cesare, ţat geant was holden, 3411: In iche jorne jentill, ajuggede with lordes; 3412: The ferthe was Sir Iudas, a justere full nobill, 3413: The maysterfull Makabee, the myghttyeste of strenghes; -133-3414: The fyfte was Iosue, ţat joly mane of armes, 3415: Ţat in Ierusalem oste full myche joye lymppede; 3416: The sexte was Dauid ţe dere, demyd with kynges 3417: One of ţe doughtyeste ţat dubbede was euer;

3418: For he slewe with a slynge, be sleyghte of his handis, 3419: Golyas the grette gome, grymmeste in erthe,

3420: Syne endittede in his dayes all the dere psalmes, 3421: Ţat in ţe sawtire ere sette with selcouthe wordes; 3422: The two clymbande kynges, I knawe it forsothe, 3423: Sall Karolus be callide, the kyng son of Fraunce; 3424: He sall be crowell and kene, and conquerour holden, 3425: Couere be conqueste contres ynewe;

3426: He sall encroche the crowne that Crist bare hym selfen, 3427: And ţat lifeliche launce that lepe to his herte, 3428: When he was crucyfiede one Crose, and all ţe kene naylis, 3429: Knyghtly he sall conquere to Cristyn men hondes.

3430: The toţer sall be Godfraye, that Gode schall reuenge 3431: One ţe Gud Frydaye with galyarde knyghtes;

3432: He sall of Lorrayne be lorde, be leefe of his fadire, 3433: And syne in Ierusalem myche joye happyn,

3434: For he sall couer the Crosse be craftes of armes, 3435: And synne be corownde kynge with krysome enoynttede; 3436: Sall no duke in his dayes siche destanye happyn, 3437: Ne siche myschefe dreghe when trewthe sall be tryede.

3438: Forethy Fortune ţe fetches to fulfill the nowmbyre, 3439: Alls nynne of ţe nobileste namede in erthe:

3440: This sall in romance be redde with ryall knyghttes, 3441: Rekkenede and renownde with ryotous kynges,

3442: And demyd on Domesdaye, for dedis of armes,

3443: For ţe doughtyeste ţat euer was duelland in erthe; 3444: So many clerkis and kynges sall karpe of 3oure dedis, 3445: And kepe 3oure conquestez in cronycle for euer.

3446: Bot the wolfes in the wode and the whilde bestes, 3447: Are some wikkyd men that werrayes thy rewmes, 3448: Es entirde in thyn absence to werraye thy pople, 3449: And alyenys and ostes of vncouthe landis.

3450: Thow getis tydandis, I trowe, within ten dayes, 3451: That some torfere es tydde, sen thow fro home turnede; -134-3452: I rede thow rekkyn and reherse vnresonable dedis, 3453: Ore the repenttes full rathe all thi rewthe werkes.

3454: Mane, amende thy mode, or thow myshappen,

3455: And mekely aske mercy for mede of thy saule.

3456: Thane rysez the riche Kyng and rawghte on his wedys, 3457: A reede acton of rosse, the richeste of floures, 3458: A pesane and a paunson and a pris girdill;

3459: And one he henttis a hode of scharlette full riche, 3460: A pauys pillion hatt, ţat pighte was full faire 3461: With perry of ţe Oryent and precyous stones; 3462: His gloues gayliche gilte and grauen by ţe hemmys 3463: With graynes of rubyes full gracious to schewe.

3464: His bede grehownde and his bronde ande no byerne ells, 3465: And bownnes ouer a brode mede, with breth at his herte; 3466: Furth he stalkis a stye by ţa still euys,

3467: Stotays at a hey strette, studyande hym one.

3468: Att the surs of ţe sonne he sees there commande, 3469: Raykande to Romewarde the redyeste wayes,

3470: A renke in a rownde cloke with righte rowmme clothes, 3471: With hatte and with heyghe schone homely and rownde; 3472: With flatte ferthynges the freke was floreschede all ouer, 3473: Manye schredys and schragges at his skyrttes hynnges; 3474: With scrippe ande with slawyn and skalopis inewe, 3475: Both pyke and palme alls pilgram hym scholde.

3476: The gome graythely hym grette and bade gode morwen; 3477: The Kyng lordelye hym selfe, of langage of Rome, 3478: Of Latyn corroumppede all, full louely hym menys: 3479: Whedire wilnez thowe, wye, walkande thyn one?

3480: Qwhylls ţe werlde es o werre, a wawhte I it holde.

3481: Here es ane enmye with oste vndire 3one vynes: 3482: And they see the, forsothe, sorowe the betyddes; 3483: Bot 3if thow hafe condethe of ţe Kynge selfen, 3484: Knaues will kill the and keppe at thow haues; 3485: And if ţou halde ţe hey waye, they hente the also, 3486: Bot if thow hastyly hafe helpe of his hende knyghttes.

3487: Than karpes Sir Cradoke to the Kynge selfen: 3488: I sall forgyffe hym my dede, so me Gode helpe, 3489: Onye grome vndire Gode that one this grownde walkes.

-135-

3490: Latte the keneste come that to ţe Kyng langes, 3491: I sall encountire hym as knyghte, so Criste hafe my sawle!

3492: For thow may noghte reche me, no areste thy selfen, 3493: Ţoffe ţou ţe richely arayede in full riche wedys.

3494: I will noghte wonde for no werre to wende whare me likes, 3495: Ne for no wy of this werlde ţat wroghte es on erthe!

3496: Bot I will passe in pilgremage ţis ţas vnto Rome, 3497: To purchese me pardone of the Pape selfen,

3498: And of paynes of Purgatorie be plenerly assoyllede.

3499: Thane sall I seke sekirly my souerayne lorde, 3500: Sir Arthure of Inglande, that auenaunt byerne; 3501: For he es in this empire, as hathell men me telles, 3502: Ostayande in this Oryente with awfull knyghtes.

3503: Fro qwyn come ţou, kene man, quod ţe Kynge than, 3504: That knawes Kynge Arthure and his knyghttes also?

3505: Was ţou euer in his courte, qwylls he in kyth lengede?

3506: Thow karpes so kyndly, it comforthes myn herte.

3507: Well wele has ţou wente and wysely ţou sechis, 3508: For ţou arte Bretowne bierne, as by thy brode speche.

3509: Me awghte to knowe ţe Kynge: he es my kydde lorde, 3510: And I calde in his courte a knyghte of his chambire; 3511: Sir Craddoke was I callide in his courte riche, 3512: Kepare of Karlyon vndir the Kynge selfen:

3513: Nowe am I cachede owtt of kyth with kare at my herte, 3514: And that castell es cawghte with vncowthe ledys.

3515: Than the comliche kynge kaughte hym in armes, 3516: Keste of his ketill-hatte and kyssede hym full sone, 3517: Saide, Welcom, Sir Craddoke, so Criste mott me helpe!

3518: Dere cosyn of kynde, thowe coldis myn herte; 3519: How faris it in Bretayne, with all my bolde beryns?

3520: Are they brettenede or brynte or broughte owte of lyue?

3521: Ken ţou me kyndely whatte caase es befallen; 3522: I kepe no credens to crafe, I knawe the for trewe.

3523: Sir, thi wardane es wikkede and wilde of his dedys, 3524: For he wandreth has wroghte sen ţou awaye passede: 3525: He has castells encrochede and corownde hym seluen, 3526: Kaughte in all ţe rentis of ţe Rownde Tabill; 3527: He devisede ţe rewme and delte as hym likes, -136-3528: Dubbede of ţe Danmarkes dukes and erlles,

3529: Disseueride ţem sondirwise and cites dystroyede.

3530: To Sarazenes and Sessoynes appon sere halues, 3531: He has semblede a sorte of selcouthe berynes; 3532: Soueraynes of Surgenale and sowdeours many,

3533: Of Peyghtes and paynyms and prouede knyghttes, 3534: Of Irelande and Orgaile owtlawede berynes.

3535: All thaa laddes are knyghttes ţat lange to ţe mowntes, 3536: And ledynge and lordechipe has all, alls them selfe likes; 3537: And there es Sir Childrike a cheftayne holdyn, 3538: That ilke cheualrous man, he chargges thy pople; 3539: They robbe thy religeous and ravische thi nones, 3540: And redy ryddis with his rowtte to rawnsone ţe pouere; 3541: Fro Humbyre to Hawyke he haldys his awen,

3542: And all ţe cowntre of Kentt be couenawnte entayllide; 3543: The comliche castells that to the corown langede, 3544: The holttes and the hare wode and the harde bankkes, 3545: All ţat Henguste and Hors hent in ţeire tym; 3546: Att Southampton on the see es seuen skore chippes, 3547: Frawghte full of ferse folke owt of ferre landes, 3548: For to fyghte with thy frappe when ţow them assailles.

3549: Bot 3itt a worde witterly, thowe watte noghte ţe werste: 3550: He has weddede Waynore, and hir his wieffe holdis, 3551: And wonnys in the wilde bowndis of ţe weste marches, 3552: And has wroghte hire with childe, as wittnesse tellis.

3553: Off all ţe wyes of ţis worlde, woo motte hym worthe, 3554: Alls wardayne vnworthye women to 3eme.

3555: Thus has Sir Modrede merrede vs all!

3556: Forthy I merkede ouer thees mowntes to mene ţe the sothe.

3557: Than the burliche kynge, for brethe at his herte, 3558: And for this botelesse bale, all his ble chaungede.

3559: By ţe Rode, sais ţe Roye, I sall it revenge!

3560: Hym sall repente full rathe all his rewthe werkes!

3561: All wepande for woo he went to his tentis;

3562: Vnwynly this wyesse kynge he wakkenysse his beryns, 3563: Clepid in a clarioune kynges and othire,

3564: Callys them to concell and of ţis cas tellys: -137-3565: I am with treson betrayede, for all my trewe dedis; 3566: And all my trauayle es tynt, me tydis no bettire!

3567: Hym sall torfere betyde ţis tresone has wroghte, 3568: And I may traistely hym take, as I am trew lorde.

3569: This es Modrede, ţe mane that I moste trystede, 3570: Has my castells encrochede and corownde hym seluen, 3571: With renttes and reches of the Rownde Table; 3572: Has made all hys retenewys of renayede wrechis, 3573: And devysed my rewme to dyverse lordes,

3574: To sowdeours and to Sarazenes owtte of sere londes.

3575: He has weddyde Waynore and hyr to wyefe holdes; 3576: And a childe es eschapede, the chaunce es no bettire.

3577: They hafe semblede on the see seuen schore chippis, 3578: Full of ferrom folke to feghte with myn one; 3579: Forthy to Bretayne the Brode buske vs byhouys, 3580: For to brettyn the beryne that has this bale raysede.

3581: Thare sall no freke men fare bott all one fresche horses, 3582: That are fraistede in fyghte and floure of my knyghttez; 3583: Sir Howell and Sir Hardolfe here sall beleue, 3584: To be lordes of the ledis that here to me lenges; 3585: Lokes into Lumbardye ţat thare no lede chaunge, 3586: And tendirly to Tuskayne take tente alls I byde; 3587: Resaywe the rentis of Rome qwen ţay are rekkenede; 3588: Take sesyn the same daye that laste was assygnede, 3589: Or elles all ţe ostage withowttyn ţe wallys, 3590: Be hynggyde hye appon hyghte all holly at ones.

3591: Nowe bownes the bolde kynge with Őhisĺ beste knyghtes, 3592: Gers trome and trusse and trynes forth aftyre; 3593: Turnys thorowe Tuskayne, taries bot littill, 3594: Lyghte noghte in Lumbarddye bot when ţe lyghte failede; 3595: Merkes ouer the mowntaynes full mervaylous wayes, 3596: Ayres thurghe Almaygne evyne at the gayneste, 3597: Ferkes evyne into Flawndresche with hys ferse knyghttes.

3598: Within fyftene dayes his flete es assemblede, 3599: And thane he schoupe hym to chippe and schownes no lengere, 3600: Scherys with a charpe wynde ouer ţe schyre waters.

3601: By ţe roche with ropes he rydes on ankkere,

3602: Thare the false men fletyde and one flode lengede, -138-3603: With chefe chaynes of chare chokkode togedyrs, 3604: Charggede evyn chekeful of cheualrous knyghtes, 3605: And in ţe hynter one heghte helmes and crestes; 3606: Hatches with haythen men hillyd ware tharevndyre, 3607: Prowdliche purtrayede with payntede clothys, 3608: Iche a pece by pece prykkyde tyll oţer,

3609: Dubbyde with dagswaynnes dowblede they seme; 3610: And thus ţe derfe Danamarkes had dyghte all theyre chippys, 3611: That no dynte of no darte dere them ne schoulde.

3612: Than the Roye and ţe renkes of the Rownde Table 3613: All ryally in rede arrayes his chippis;

3614: That daye ducheryes he delte and doubbyde knyghttes, 3615: Dresses dromowndes and dragges and drawen vpe stonys; 3616: The toppe-castells he stuffede with toyelys, as hym lykyde.

3617: Bendys bowes of vys brothly ţareaftyre;

3618: Tolowris tentyly takell they ryghtten,

3619: Brasen hedys full brode buskede one flones,

3620: Graythes for garnysons gomes arrayes;

3621: Gryme gaddes of stele, ghywes of iryn,

3622: Sti3ttelys steryn one steryne with styffe men of armes; 3623: Mony lufliche launce appon lofte stondys,

3624: Ledys one leburde, lordys and oţer,

3625: Pyghte payvese one porte, payntede scheldes, 3626: One hyndire hurdace one highte helmede knyghtez.

3627: Thus they scheften fore schotys one thas schire strandys, 3628: Ilke schalke in his schrowde, full scheen ware ţeire wedys.

3629: The bolde kynge es in a barge and abowtte rowes, 3630: All bare-heuvede for besye with beueryn lokkes, 3631: And a beryn with his bronde and ane helme betyn, 3632: Mengede with a mawntelet of maylis of siluer, 3633: Compaste with a coronall and couerde full riche; 3634: Kayris to yche a cogge to comfurthe his knyghttes: 3635: To Clegys and Cleremownde he cryes one lowde, 3636: O Gawayne, O Galyran, thies gud mens bodyes.

3637: To Loth and to Lyonell full louefly he melys, 3638: And to Sir Lawncelot de Lake lordiche wordys: 3639: Lat vs couere ţe kythe, the coste es owre ownn, -139-3640: And gere them brotheliche blenke, all 3one blod-hondes, 3641: Bryttyn them within bourde and brynne them ţareaftyre; 3642: Hewe down hertly 3one heythen tykes!

3643: Thay are harlotes halfe, I hette 3ow myn honnde!

3644: Than he coueres his cogge and caches one ankere, 3645: Kaughte his comliche helme with ţe clere maylis, 3646: Buskes baners one brode, betyn of gowles,

3647: With corowns of clere golde, clenliche arraiede; 3648: Bot ţare was chosen in ţe chefe a chalke-whitte Mayden, 3649: And a Childe in hir arme, ţat Chefe es of Hevyne; 3650: Withowtten changyng in chace, thies ware ţe cheefe armes 3651: Of Arthure ţe auenaunt, qwhylls he in erthe lengede.

3652: Thane the marynerse mellys and maysters of chippis; 3653: Merily iche a mate menys till oţer:

3654: Of theire termys they talke, how ţay ware tydd, 3655: Towyn trvssell one trete, trvssen vpe sailes, 3656: Bet bonettez one brede, bettrede hatches,

3657: Brawndeste brown stele, braggede in trompes, 3658: Standis styffe one the stamyn, steris one aftyre, 3659: Strekyn ouer ţe streme thare stryvynge begynnes.

3660: Fro ţe wagande wynde owte of ţe weste rysses, 3661: Brethly bessomes with byrre in beryns sailles; 3662: With hir bryngges one burde burliche cogges, 3663: Qwhylls ţe bilyge and ţe beme brestys in sondyre; 3664: So stowttly ţe forsterne one ţe stam hyttis, 3665: Ţat stokkes of ţe stere-burde strykkys in peces.

3666: Be than cogge appon cogge, krayers and oţer, 3667: Castys crepers one crosse als to ţe crafte langes.

3668: Thane was hede-rapys hewen ţat helde vpe ţe mastes; 3669: Thare was conteke full kene and crachynge of chippys: 3670: Grett cogges of kampe crasseches in sondyre; 3671: Mony kaban clevede, cabills destroyede.

3672: Knyghtes and kene men killide the braynes;

3673: Kidd castells were corven with all theire kene wapen, 3674: Castells full comliche ţat coloured ware faire.

3675: Vptyhes eghelyng ţay ochen ţareaftyre:

3676: With ţe swynge of ţe swerde sweys ţe mastys, -140-3677: Ovyrefallys in ţe firste frekis and othire;

3678: Frekke in ţe forchipe fey es byleuefede.

3679: Than brothely they bekyre with boustouse tacle; 3680: Bruschese boldlye on burde brynyede knyghtes, 3681: Owt of botes one burd was buskede with stonys, 3682: Bett down of ţe beste, brystis the hetches;

3683: Som gomys thourghegyrde with gaddys of yryn: 3684: Gomys gayliche clede englaymes wapen.

3685: Archers of Inglande full egerly schottes,

3686: Hittis thourghe ţe harde stele full hertly dynttis.

3687: Sone hotchen in holle the heţene knyghtes,

3688: Hurte thourghe ţe harde stele, hele they neuer.

3689: Than they fall to ţe fyghte, foynes with sperys, 3690: All the frekkeste one frownte ţat to ţe fyghte langes; 3691: And ilkon frechely fraystez theire strenghes, 3692: Were to fyghte in ţe flete with theire fell wapyn.

3693: Thus they dalte ţat daye, thire dubbide knyghtes, 3694: Till all ţe Danes ware dede and in ţe depe throwen.

3695: Than Bretons brothely with brondis they hewen, 3696: Lepys in vpone lofte lordeliche berynes;

3697: When ledys of owt-londys leppyn in waters,

3698: All oure lordes one lowde laughen at ones.

3699: Be thane speris whare sprongen, spalddyd chippys, 3700: Spanyolis spedily sprentyde ouer burdez;

3701: All ţe kene men of kampe, knyghtes and oţer, 3702: Killyd are colde dede and castyn ouer burdez.

3703: Theire swyers sweyftly has ţe swete leuyde;

3704: Heţen heuande on hatche in ţer hawe ryses,

3705: Synkande in ţe salte see seuen hundrethe at ones.

3706: Thane Sir Gawayne the gude, he has ţe gree wonnen, 3707: And all ţe cogges grete he gafe to his knyghtes, 3708: Sir Geryn and Sir Grisswolde and othir gret lordes, 3709: Garte Galuth, a gud gome, girde of ţaire hedys.

3710: Thus of ţe false flete appon ţe flode happenede, 3711: And thus ţeis feryne folke fey are beleuede.

3712: 3itt es ţe traytoure one londe with tryede knyghttes, 3713: And all trompede they trippe one trappede stedys, -141-3714: Schewes them vndir schilde one ţe schire bankkes, 3715: He ne schownttes for no schame but schewes full heghe.

3716: Sir Arthure and Gawayne avyede them bothen,

3717: To sexty thosandez of men ţat in theire syghte houede.

3718: Be this the folke was fellyde, thane was ţe flode passede; 3719: Thane was it slyke a slowde in slakkes full hugge, 3720: That let ţe Kyng for to lande in the lawe watyre; 3721: Forthy he lengede on laye for lesyng of horsys, 3722: To loke of his legemen and of his lele knyghtes, 3723: 3if any ware lamede or loste, life 3ife they scholde.

3724: Than Sir Gawayn ţe gude a galaye he takys,

3725: And glides vp at a gole with gud men of armes; 3726: When he growndide, for grefe he gyrdis in ţe watere, 3727: That to ţe girdyll he gos in all his gylte wedys; 3728: Schottis vpe appon ţe sonde in syghte of ţe lordes, 3729: Sengly with hys soppe, my sorowe es the more.

3730: With baners of his bagys, beste of his armes, 3731: He braydes vp on the banke in his bryghte wedys; 3732: He byddys his baneoure, Buske ţow belyfe

3733: To 3one brode batayle that one 3one banke houes, 3734: And I ensure 3ow sothe I sall 3owe sewe aftyre.

3735: Loke 3e blenke for no bronde, ne for no bryghte wapyn, 3736: Bot beris down of ţe beste and bryng them o dawe; 3737: Bees noghte abayste of theire boste, abyde on ţe erthe.

3738: 3e haue my baneres borne in batailles full hugge; 3739: We sall fell 3one false, ţe Fende hafe theire saules!

3740: Fightes faste with ţe frape, ţe felde sall be owres; 3741: May I ţat traytoure ouertake, torfere hym tyddes, 3742: That this treson has tymbyrde to my trewe lorde.

3743: Of siche a engendure full littyll joye happyns, 3744: And ţat sall in this journee be juggede full euen.

3745: Now they seke ouer ţe sonde ţis soppe at ţe gayneste, 3746: Sembles one ţe sowdeours and settys theire dyntys: 3747: Thourghe ţe scheldys so schene schalkes ţey towche, 3748: With schaftes scheueride schorte of ţas schene launces; 3749: Derfe dynttys they dalte with daggande sperys.

3750: One ţe danke of ţe dewe many dede lyggys:

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3751: Dukes and duszeperis and dubbide knyghttys;

3752: The doughttyeste of Danemarke vndone are for euer.

3753: Thus thas renkes in rewthe rittis theire brenyes, 3754: And rechis of ţe richeste vnreken dynttis;

3755: Thare they thronge in the thikke and thristis to ţe erthe 3756: Of the thraeste men thre hundrethe at ones.

3757: Bot Sir Gawayne for grefe myghte noghte agayne-stande, 3758: Vmbegrippys a spere and to a gome rynnys,

3759: Ţat bare of gowles full gaye with gowtes of syluere; 3760: He gyrdes hym in at ţe gorge with his grym launce, 3761: Ţat ţe grownden glayfe graythes in sondyre;

3762: With ţat boystous brayde he bownes hym to dye, 3763: Ţe Kyng of Gutlande it was, a gude man of armes.

3764: Thayre avawwarde than all voydes ţareaftyre, 3765: Alls venqueste verrayely with valyant beryns.

3766: Metis with medilwarde, that Modrede ledys;

3767: Oure men merkes them to, as them myshappenede.

3768: For hade Sir Gawayne hade grace to halde ţe grene hill, 3769: He had wirchipe, iwys, wonnen for euer.

3770: Bot ţan Sir Gawayne, iwysse, he waytes hym wele 3771: To wreke hym on this werlaughe ţat ţis werre mouede; 3772: And merkes to Sir Modrede amonge all his beryns, 3773: With the Mownttagus and oţer gret lordys.

3774: Ţan Sir Gawayne was greuede and with a gret wyll 3775: Fewters a faire spere and freschely askryes: 3776: Fals fosterde foode, the Fende haue thy bonys!

3777: Fy one the, felone, and thy false werkys!

3778: Thow sall be dede and vndon for thy derfe dedys, 3779: Or I sall dy this daye, 3if destanye worthe!

3780: Thane his enmye, with oste of owtlawede beryns, 3781: All enangylls abowte oure excellente knyghttez, 3782: That the traytoure be tresone had tryede hym seluen; 3783: Dukes of Danemarke he dyghttes full sone,

3784: And leders of Lettowe, with legyons inewe;

3785: Vmbylappyde oure men with launcez full kene.

3786: Sowdeours and Sarazenes owte of sere landys, 3787: Sexty thosande men semlyly arrayede,

3788: Sekerly assembles thare one seuen schore knyghtes, -143-3789: Sodaynly in dischayte by tha salte strandes.

3790: Thane Sir Gawayne grette with his gray eghen, 3791: For grefe of his gud men that he gyde schulde; 3792: He wyste that ţay wondyde ware and wery forfoughtten, 3793: And what for wondire and woo, all his witte faylede.

3794: And thane syghande he saide, with sylande terys, 3795: We are with Sarazenes besett appon sere halfes.

3796: I syghe noghte for my selfe, sa helpe oure Lorde; 3797: Bot for to Őseeĺ vs supprysede, my sorowe es the more.

3798: Bes dowghtty todaye, 3one dukes schall be 3oures; 3799: For dere Dryghttyn this daye, dredys no wapyn.

3800: We sall ende this daye alls excellent knyghttes, 3801: Ayere to endelesse joye with angells vnwemyde.

3802: Ţofe we hafe vnwittyly wastede oure selfen,

3803: We sall wirke all wele in ţe wirchipe of Cryste.

3804: We sall for 3one Sarazenes, I sekire 3ow my trowhe, 3805: Souppe with oure Saueoure solemply in Heuen, 3806: In presence of ţat precious Prynce of all oţer, 3807: With prophetes and patriarkes and apostlys full nobill, 3808: Before His freliche face that fourmede vs all.

3809: 3ondire to 3one 3aldsons, he ţat 3eldes hym euer, 3810: Qwhylls he es qwykke and in qwerte, vnquellyde with handis, 3811: Be he neuer mo sauede, ne socourede with Cryste, 3812: Bot Satanase his sawle mowe synke into Helle!

3813: Than grymly Sir Gawayne gryppis hys wapyn;

3814: Agayne ţat gret bataille he graythes hym son: 3815: Radly of his riche swerde he reghttes ţe cheynys, 3816: In he schokkes his schelde, schountes he no lengare; 3817: Bot alls vnwyse, wodewyse, he wente at ţe gayneste, 3818: Wondis of thas wedirwyns with wrakfull dynttys, 3819: All wellys full of blode thare he awaye passes; 3820: And ţofe hym ware full woo, he wondys bot lyttill, 3821: Bot wrekys at his wirchip ţe wrethe of hys lorde.

3822: He stekys stedis in stoure and sterenefull knyghttes, 3823: That steryn men in theire sterapes stone-dede ţay lygge; 3824: He ryvys ţe ranke stele, he rittes ţe mayles, 3825: Thare myghte no renke hym areste, his reson was passede.

3826: He fell in a fransye for fersenesse of herte; -144-3827: He feghttis and fellis down ţat hym before standis, 3828: Fell neuer fay man siche fortune in erthe.

3829: Into ţe hale bataile hedlyngs he rynys,

3830: And hurtes of ţe hardieste ţat one the erthe lenges.

3831: Letande alls a lyon he lawnches them thorowe, 3832: Lordes and ledars that one the launde houes.

3833: 3it Sir Gawayne for wo wondis bot lyttill,

3834: Bot woundis of thas wedirwyns with wondirfull dyntes, 3835: Alls he ţat wold wilfully wasten hym selfen; 3836: And for wondsom and will all his wit failede, 3837: That wode alls a wylde beste he wente at ţe gayneste; 3838: All walewede one blode, thare he awaye passede, 3839: Iche a wy may be warre be wreke of anoţer.

3840: Ţan he moues to Sir Modrede amange all his knyghttes, 3841: And mett hym in ţe myde-schelde and mallis hym thorowe; 3842: Bot the schalke for the scharpe he schownttes a littill, 3843: He schare hym one ţe schorte rybbys a schaftmonde large: 3844: The schafte schoderede and schotte in the schire beryn, 3845: Ţat ţe schadande blode ouer his schanke rynnys, 3846: And schewede on his schynbawde, ţat was schire burneste.

3847: And so they schyfte and schove, he schotte to ţe erthe; 3848: With ţe lussche of ţe launce he lyghte one hys schuldyrs, 3849: Ane akere lenghe one a launde, full lothely wondide.

3850: Than Gawayne gyrde to ţe gome and one ţe groffe fallis, 3851: Alls his grefe was graythede, his grace was no bettyre, 3852: He schokkes owtte a schorte knyfe schethede with siluere, 3853: And scholde haue slottede hym in, bot no slytte happenede: 3854: His hand sleppid and solde o slante one ţe mayles, 3855: And ţe toţer slely slynges hym vndire;

3856: With a trenchande knyfe the traytoure hym hyttes, 3857: Thorowe ţe helme and ţe hede, one heyghe one ţe brayne: 3858: And thus Sir Gawayne es gon, the gude man of armes, 3859: Withowttyn reschewe of renke and rewghe es ţe more; 3860: Thus Sir Gawayne es gon, that gyede many othire, 3861: Fro Gowere to Gernesay, all ţe gret lordys,

3862: Of Glamour, of Galys londe, ţis galyarde knyghtes, 3863: For glent of gloppynyng glade be they neuer.

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3864: Kyng Froderike of Fres faythely ţareaftyre

3865: Fraynes at the false mane of owre ferse knyghte: 3866: Knew thow euer this knyghte in thi kithe ryche, 3867: Of whate kynde he was comen? Beknowe no ţe sothe; 3868: Qwat gome was he this with the gaye armes,

3869: With ţis gryffoune of golde, ţat es one growffe fallyn?

3870: He has grettly greffede vs, so me Gode helpe, 3871: Gyrde down oure gude men and greuede vs sore; 3872: He was ţe sterynneste in stoure that euer stele werryde, 3873: Fore he has stonayede oure stale and stroyede for euer!

3874: Than Sir Mordrede with mouthe melis full faire: 3875: He was makles one molde, mane, be my trowhe; 3876: This was Sir Gawayne the gude, ţe gladdeste of othire, 3877: And the graciouseste gome that vndire God lyffede, 3878: Mane hardyeste of hande, happyeste in armes, 3879: And ţe hendeste in hawle vndire heuen riche, 3880: Ţe lordelieste of ledyng qwhylls he lyffe myghte, 3881: Fore he was lyone allossede in londes inewe; The Thornton Ms., Folios 94r-98v (lines 3882-4345) 3882: Had thow knawen hym, Sir Kyng, in kythe thare he lengede, 3883: His konynge, his knyghthode, his kyndly werkes, 3884: His doyng, his doughtynesse, his dedis of armes, 3885: Thow wolde hafe dole for his dede ţe dayes of thy lyfe.

3886: 3it ţat traytour alls tite teris lete he fall, 3887: Turnes hym furthe tite, and talkes no more,

3888: Went wepand awaye and weries the stowndys,

3889: Ţat euer his werdes ware wroghte siche wandrethe to wyrke.

3890: Whene he thoghte on ţis thynge, it thirllede his herte: 3891: For sake of his sybb blode sygheande he rydys; 3892: When ţat renayede renke remembirde hym seluen 3893: Of reuerence and ryotes of ţe Rownde Table,

3894: He remyd and repent hym of all his rewthe werkes; 3895: Rode awaye with his rowte, ristys he no lengere, 3896: For rade of oure riche kynge, ryve ţat he scholde.

3897: Thane kayres he to Cornewaile, carefull in herte, 3898: Because of his kynsemane that one the coste ligges; 3899: He taries tremlande ay, tydandis to herken.

3900: Than the traytoure treunted ţe Tyseday ţareaftyre, 3901: Trynnys in with a trayne treson to wirke;

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3902: And by ţe Tambire ţat tide his tentis he reris, 3903: And thane in a mette-while a messangere he sendes, 3904: And wraite vnto Waynor how the werlde chaungede, 3905: And what comliche coste the Kyng was aryuede, 3906: One floode foughten with his fleete and fellyd them o lyfe; 3907: Bade hir ferken oo ferre and flee with hir childire, 3908: Whills he myghte wile hym awaye and wyn to hir speche, 3909: Ayere into Irelande, into ţas owte-mowntes,

3910: And wonn thare in wildernesse, within ţa wast landys.

3911: Than cho 3ermys and 3e3es at 3orke in hir chambire, 3912: Gronys full grysely with gretand teres,

3913: Passes owte of ţe palesse with all hir pryce maydenys, 3914: Towarde Chestyre in a charre thay chese hir ţe wayes, 3915: Dighte hir ewyn for to dye, with dule at hir herte; 3916: Scho kayres to Karelyone and kawghte hir a vaile, 3917: Askes thare ţe habite in ţe honoure of Criste, 3918: And all for falsede and frawde and fere of hir louerde.

3919: Bot whene oure wiese kyng wiste ţat Gawayne was landede, 3920: He al towrythes for woo, and, wryngande his handes, 3921: Gers lawnche his botes appon a lawe watire,

3922: Londis als a lyon with lordliche knyghtes,

3923: Slippes in in the sloppes o slante to ţe girdyll, 3924: Swalters vpe swyftly with his swerde drawen, 3925: Bownnys his bataile and baners displayes,

3926: Buskes ouer ţe brode sandes with breth at his herte, 3927: Ferkes frekkly one felde ţare ţe feye lygges.

3928: Of the traytours men one trappede stedis,

3929: Ten thosandez ware tynte, ţe trewghe to acownt, 3930: And certane on owre syde seuen score knyghtes, 3931: In soyte with theire souerayne vnsownde are beleuede.

3932: Ţe Kyng comly ouerkeste knyghtes and othire, 3933: Erlles of Awfrike and Estriche berynes,

3934: Of Orgaile and Orekenay, ţe Iresche kynges,

3935: The nobileste of Norwaye, nowmbirs full hugge, 3936: Dukes of Danamarke and dubbid knyghtes;

3937: And the Guthede kynge in the gay armes

3938: Lys gronande on ţe grownde and girde thorowe even.

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3939: The riche kynge ransakes with rewthe at his herte, 3940: And vp rypes the renkes of all ţe Rownde Tabyll; 3941: Ses them all in a soppe in sowte by them one, 3942: With the Sarazenes vnsownde enserclede abowte; 3943: And Sir Gawayne the gude in his gaye armes,

3944: Vmbegrippede the girse and one grouffe fallen, 3945: His baners brayden down, betyn of gowlles,

3946: His brand and his brade schelde all blody beronen; 3947: Was neuer oure semliche kynge so sorowfull in herte, 3948: Ne ţat sanke hym so sade bot ţat sighte one.

3949: Than gliftis ţe gud kynge and glopyns in herte, 3950: Gronys full grisely with gretande teris;

3951: Knelis down to ţe cors and kaught it in armes, 3952: Kastys vpe vmbrere and kyssis hym sone,

3953: Lokes one his eye-liddis, ţat lowkkide ware faire, 3954: His lippis like to ţe lede and his lire falowede.

3955: Ţan the corownde kyng cryes full lowde,

3956: Dere kosyn o kynde, in kare am I leuede,

3957: For nowe my wirchipe es wente and my were endide; 3958: Here es ţe hope of my hele, my happynge of armes, 3959: My herte and my hardynes hale one hym lengede, 3960: My concell, my comforthe, ţat kepide myn herte.

3961: Of all knyghtes ţe kynge ţat vndir Criste lifede, 3962: Ţou was worthy to be kyng, ţofe I ţe corown bare; 3963: My wele and my wirchipe of all ţis werlde riche 3964: Was wonnen thourghe Sir Gawayne and thourghe his witt one.

3965: Allas! saide Sir Arthure, Nowe ekys my sorowe; 3966: I am vttirly vndon in myn awen landes.

3967: A, dowttouse, derfe dede, ţou duellis to longe!

3968: Why drawes ţou so one dreghe? Thow drownnes myn herte!

3969: Than sweŐlĺtes the swete kyng and in swoun fallis, 3970: Swafres vp swiftely and swetly hym kysses,

3971: Till his burliche berde was blody berown,

3972: Alls he had bestes birtenede and broghte owt of life; 3973: Ne had Sir Ewayne comen and othire grete lordys, 3974: His bolde herte had brousten for bale at ţat stownde.

3975: Blyne, sais thies bolde men, thow blondirs ţi selfen; -148-3976: Ţis es botles bale, for bettir bees it neuer.

3977: It es no wirchipe, iwysse, to wryng thyn hondes; 3978: To wepe als a woman it es no witt holden.

3979: Be knyghtly of contenaunce, als a kyng scholde, 3980: And leue siche clamoure, for Cristes lufe of Heuen!

3981: For blode, said the bolde kyng, blyn sall I neuer, 3982: Or my brayne tobriste, or my breste oţer!

3983: Was neuer sorowe so softe that sanke to my herte; 3984: Itt es full sibb to my selfe, my sorowe es the more.

3985: Was neuer so sorowfull a syghte seyn with myn eyghen; 3986: He es sakles supprysede for syn of myn one.

3987: Down knelis ţe Kyng and kryes full lowde;

3988: With carefull contenaunce he karpes thes wordes: 3989: O rightwis, riche Gode, this rewthe Thow beholde, 3990: Ţis ryall, rede blode ryn appon erthe;

3991: It ware worthy to be schrede and schrynede in golde, 3992: For it es sakles of syn, sa helpe me oure Lorde.

3993: Down knelis ţe Kyng with kare at his herte,

3994: Kaughte it vpe kyndly with his clene handis, 3995: Keste it in a ketill-hatte and couerde it faire, 3996: And kayres furthe with ţe cors in kyghte ţare he lenges.

3997: Here I make myn avowe, quod the Kynge than,

3998: To Messie, and to Marie, the mylde Qwene of Heuen, 3999: I sall neuer ryvaye, ne raches vncowpyll

4000: At roo ne raynedere ţat rynnes appone erthe; 4001: Neuer grewhownde late glyde, ne gossehawke latt flye, 4002: Ne neuer fowle see fellide ţat flieghes with wenge; 4003: Fawkon ne formaylle appon fiste handill,

4004: Ne 3itt with gerefawcon rejoyse me in erthe; 4005: Ne regne in my royaltez, ne halde my Rownde Table, 4006: Till thi dede, my dere, be dewly reuengede;

4007: Bot euer droupe and dare, qwylls my lyfe lastez, 4008: Till Drighten and derfe dede hafe don qwate them likes.

4009: Than kaughte they vpe ţe cors with kare at theire hertes, 4010: Karyed one a coursere with ţe Kynge selfen;

4011: The waye vnto Wynchestre ţay wente at the gayneste, 4012: Wery and wandsomdly, with wondide knyghtes.

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4013: Thare come ţe prior of ţe plas and professide monkes, 4014: Apas in processione and with the Prynce metys; 4015: And he betuke ţam the cors of ţe knyghte noble.

4016: “Lokis it be clenly kepyd,” he said, “and in ţe kirke holden, 4017: Done for derygese, as to ţe ded fallys,

4018: Menskede with messes for mede of ţe saule;

4019: Loke it wante no waxe, ne no wirchipe ells,

4020: And at ţe body be bawmede and one erthe holden; 4021: 3iff ţou kepe thi couent encroche any wirchipe 4022: At my comyng agayne, 3if Crist will it thole, 4023: Abyde of ţe beryeng till they be broughte vndire, 4024: Ţat has wroghte vs this woo and ţis werre mouede.”

4025: Ţan sais Sir Wychere ţe wy, a wyese mane of armes, 4026: “I rede 3e warely wende and wirkes the beste; 4027: Soiorne in this cete and semble thi berynes, 4028: And bidde with thi bolde men in thi burghe riche; 4029: Get owt knyghttez of contres that castells holdes, 4030: And owt of garysons grete gude men of armes, 4031: For we are fraithely to fewe to feghte with them all, 4032: Ţat we see in his sorte appon ţe see bankes.”

4033: With krewell contenaunce thane the Kyng karpis theis wordes: 4034: “I praye the, kare noghte, Sir Knyghte, ne caste ţou no dredis; 4035: Hadde I no segge bot my selfe one vndir sone, 4036: And I may hym see with sighte or one hym sette hondis, 4037: I sall even amange his mene malle hym to dede!

4038: Are I of ţe stede styre halfe a stede lenghe, 4039: I sall Őstrykeĺ hym in his stowre and stroye hym for euer; 4040: And ţareto make I myn avowe devottly to Cryste, 4041: And to Hys Modyre Marie, ţe mylde Qwene of Heuen, 4042: I sall neuer soiourne sounde, ne sawghte at myne herte, 4043: In cete ne in subarbe sette appon erthe,

4044: Ne 3itt slomyre ne slepe with my slawe eyghne, 4045: Till he be slayne ţat hym slowghe, 3if any sleyghte happen; 4046: Bot euer pursue the payganys ţat my pople distroyede, 4047: Qwylls I may pare them and pynne, in place ţare me likes.”

4048: Thare durste no renke hym areste of all ţe Rownde Table, 4049: Ne none paye ţat Prynce with plesande wordes, -150-4050: Ne none of his ligemene luke hym in the eyghne, 4051: So lordely he lukes for losse of his knyghttes.

4052: Thane drawes he to Dorsett and dreches no langere, 4053: Derefull dredlesse with drowppande teris;

4054: Kayeris into Kornewayle with kare at his herte: 4055: The trays of ţe traytoure he trynys full euene, 4056: And turnys in be ţe Treyntis ţe traytoure to seche, 4057: Fyndis hym in a foreste ţe Frydaye thereaftire; 4058: The Kyng lyghttes one fott and freschely askryes, 4059: And with his freliche folke he has ţe felde nomen.

4060: Now isschewis his enmye vndire ţe wode eyuys, 4061: With ostes of alynes full horrebill to schewe.

4062: Sir Mordrede the Malebranche, with his myche pople, 4063: Foundes owt of the foreste appon fele halfes, 4064: In seuen grett batailles semliche arrayede,

4065: Sexty thowsande men, the syghte was full hugge, 4066: All fyghtande folke of ţe ferre laundes,

4067: Faire fettede one frownte be tha fresche strondes.

4068: And all Arthurs oste was amede with knyghtes, 4069: Bot awghtene hundrethe of all, entrede in rolles; 4070: This was a mache vnmete, bot myghttis of Criste, 4071: To melle with ţat multitude in ţase man londis.

4072: Than the royall roy of ţe Rownde Table

4073: Rydes one a riche stede, arrayes his beryns, 4074: Buskes his avawmwarde, als hym beste likes;

4075: Sir Ewayne and Sir Errake and othire gret lordes, 4076: Demenys the medilwarde menskefully thareaftyre, 4077: With Merrake and Meneduke, myghtty of strenghes; 4078: Idirous and Alymere, ţire auenaunt children, 4079: Ayers with Arthure, with seuen score of knyghtes; 4080: He rewlis ţe rerewarde redyly thareaftyre,

4081: The rekeneste redy men of ţe Rownde Table,

4082: And thus he fittis his folke and freschely askryes, 4083: And syen comforthes his men with knyghtlyche wordes: 4084: I beseke 3ow, Sirs, for sake of oure Lorde,

4085: That 3e doo wele todaye and dredis no wapen; 4086: Fighttes fersely nowe and fendis 3oure seluen, 4087: Fellis down 3one feye folke, the felde sall be owrs; -151-4088: They are Sarazenes, 3one sorte, vnsownde motte they worthe!

4089: Sett one them sadlye, for sake of oure Lorde.

4090: 3if vs be destaynede to dy todaye one this erthe, 4091: We sall be hewede vnto Heuen, or we be halfe colde.

4092: Loke 3e lett for no lede lordly to wirche:

4093: Layes 3one laddes lowe be the layke ende.

4094: Take no tente vnto me, ne tale of me rekke;

4095: Bes besy one my baners with 3oure brighte wapyns, 4096: That they be strenghely stuffede with steryn knyghtes, 4097: And holden lordly one lofte, ledys to schewe; 4098: 3if any renke them arase, reschowe them sone.

4099: Wirkes now my wirchipe, todaye my werre endys; 4100: 3e wotte my wele and my woo, wirkkys as 3ow likys.

4101: Crist comly with crown comforthe 3ow all,

4102: For ţe kyndeste creatours that euer kynge ledde; 4103: I gyffe 3ow all my blyssyng with a blithe will, 4104: And all Bretowns bolde, blythe mote 3e worthe.

4105: They pype vpe at pryme tyme, approches them nere: 4106: Pris men and priste proues theire strenghes; 4107: Bremly the brethemen bragges in troumppes,

4108: In cornettes comlyly, when knyghttes assembles, 4109: And thane jolyly enjoynys ţeis jentyll knyghttes; 4110: A jolyere journe ajuggede was neuer,

4111: Whene Bretons boldly enbraces theire scheldes, 4112: And Cristyn encroyssede them and castis in fewtire.

4113: Ţan Sir Arthure oste his enmye askryes,

4114: And in they schokke theire scheldes, schontes no lengare; 4115: Schotte to ţe schiltrons and schowttes full heghe, 4116: Thorowe scheldis full schene schalkes they touche.

4117: Redily thas rydde men of the Rownde Table

4118: With ryall raunke stele rittys theire mayles; 4119: Bryneys browdden they briste and burneste helmys, 4120: Hewes haythen men down, halses in sondre.

4121: Fyghtande with fyne stele, ţe feye blod rynnys; 4122: Of ţe frekkeste of frounte, vnfers ere belevede.

4123: Ethyns of Argayle and Irische kynges

4124: Enverounes oure avawmwarde with venymos beryns; 4125: Peghttes and paynymes with perilous wapyns,

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4126: With speres disspetousely disspoylles oure knyghttes, 4127: And hewede down the hendeste with hertly dynttys; 4128: Thorow the holle batayle they holden theire wayes.

4129: Ţus fersly they fyghte appon sere halfes,

4130: That of ţe bolde Bretons myche blode spillis; 4131: Thare durste non rescowe them for reches in erthe, 4132: Ţe steryn ware ţare so stedde and stuffede witŐhĺ othire; 4133: He durste noghte stire a steppe, bot stodde for hym seluen, 4134: Till thre stalis ware stroyede be strenghe of hym one.

4135: Idrous, quod Arthure, ayre the byhoues;

4136: I see Sir Ewayne ouersette with Sarazenes kene.

4137: Redy the for rescows, arraye thee sone;

4138: Hye ţe with hardy men in helpe of thy fadire.

4139: Sett in one the syde and socoure 3one lordes: 4140: Bot they be socourrede and sownde, vnsawghte be I euer.

4141: Idrous hym ansuers ernestly ţareaftyre:

4142: He es my fadire, in faithe, forsake sall I neuer; 4143: He has me fosterde and fedde and my faire bretheren.

4144: Bot I forsake this gate, so me Gode helpe,

4145: And sothely all sybredyn bot thy selfe one;

4146: I breke neuer his biddyng for beryn one lyfe, 4147: Bot euer bouxvm as beste blethely to wyrke.

4148: He comande me kyndly, with knyghtly wordes,

4149: That I schulde lelely one ţe lenge and one noo lede ells; 4150: I sall hys comandement holde, 3if Criste wil me thole.

4151: He es eldare than I, and ende sall we bothen: 4152: He sall ferkke before, and I sall come aftyre; 4153: 3iffe hym be destaynede to dy todaye one ţis erthe, 4154: Criste comly with crown take kepe to hys saule.

4155: Ţan remys the riche kyng with rewthe at his herte, 4156: Hewys hys handys one heghte and to ţe heuen lokes: 4157: Qwythen hade Dryghttyn destaynede at his dere will, 4158: Ţat he hade demyd me todaye to dy for 3ow all; 4159: That had I leuer than be lorde all my lyfe tym 4160: Off all ţat Alexandere aughte qwhills he in erthe lengede.

4161: Sir Ewayne and Sir Errake, ţes excellente beryns, 4162: Enters in one ţe oste and egerly strykes;

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4163: The ethenys of Orkkenaye and Irische kynges, 4164: Ţay gobone of ţe gretteste with growndene swerdes, 4165: Hewes one ţas hulkes with ţeire harde wapyns, 4166: Layed down ţas ledes with lothely dynttys;

4167: Schuldirs and scheldys ţay schrede to ţe hawnches, 4168: And medills thourghe mayles ţay merken in sondire, 4169: Siche honoure neuer aughte none erthely kyng 4170: At theire endyng daye, bot Arthure hym seluen.

4171: So ţe droughte of ţe daye dryede theire hertes, 4172: That bothe drynkles they dye, dole was ţe more.

4173: Now mellys oure medillwarde and mengen togedire 4174: Sir Mordrede ţe Malebranche, with his myche pople; 4175: He had hide hym behynde within thas holte eyuys, 4176: With halle bataile on hethe, harme es ţe more; 4177: He hade sene ţe conteke al clene to ţe ende, 4178: How oure cheualrye cheuyde be chaunces of armes; 4179: He wiste oure folke was forfoughtten, ţat ţare was feye leuede; 4180: To encowntere ţe Kyng he castes hym sone.

4181: Bot the churles chekyn hade chaungyde his armes: 4182: He had sothely forsaken ţa sawturoure engrelede, 4183: And laughte vpe thre lyons all of whitte siluyre, 4184: Passande in purpre of perrie full riche,

4185: For ţe Kyng sulde noghte knawe ţe cawtelous wriche; 4186: Because of his cowardys he keste of his atyre, 4187: Bot the comliche kyng knewe hym full swythe, 4188: Karpis to Sir Cadors ţes kyndly wordez:

4189: I see ţe traytoure come 3ondyr trynande full 3erne: 4190: 3one ladde with ţe lyones es like to hym selfen; 4191: Hym sall torfere betyde, may I touche ones,

4192: For all his treson and trayne, alls I am trew lorde.

4193: Today Clarente and Caliburne sall kythe them togedirs, 4194: Whilke es kenere of kerfe or hardare of eghge; 4195: Fraiste sall we fyne stele appone fyne wedis.

4196: Itt was my derlyng daynteuous and full dere holden, 4197: Kepede fore encorownmentes of kynges enoynttede; 4198: One dayes when I dubbyde dukkes and erlles,

4199: It was burliche borne be ţe bryghte hiltes;

4200: I durste neuer dere it in dedis of armes,

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4201: Bot euer kepide clene, because of my seluen.

4202: For I see Clarent vnclede, ţat crowne es of swerdes, 4203: My wardrop of Walyngfordhe I wate es distroyede; 4204: Wist no wy wone bot Waynor hir seluen;

4205: Scho hade ţe kepynge hir selfe of ţat kydde wapyn, 4206: Off cofres enclosede ţat to ţe crown lengede, 4207: With rynges and relikkes and ţe Regale of Fraunce, 4208: That was fownden on Sir Froll when he was feye leuyde.

4209: Than Sir Marrike in malyncoly metys hym sone, 4210: With a mellyd mace myghtyly hym strykes;

4211: The bordour of his bacenett he bristes in sondire, 4212: Ţat ţe schire rede blode ouer his brene rynnys.

4213: The beryn blenkes for bale, and all his ble chaunges, 4214: Bot 3itt he byddys as a bore and brymly he strykes; 4215: He braydes owte a brande, bryghte als euer ony syluer, 4216: Ţat was Sir Arthure awen and Vtere his fadirs, 4217: In ţe wardrop of Walyngfordhe was wonte to be kepede; 4218: Ţarewith ţe derfe dogge syche dynttes he rechede, 4219: Ţe toţer withdrewe one dreghe and durste do non oţer; 4220: For Sir Marrake was man merrede in elde,

4221: And Sir Mordrede was myghty and Őinĺ his moste strenghis; 4222: Come non within ţe compas, knyghte ne non oţer, 4223: Within ţe swyng of swerde, ţat ne he ţe swete leuyd.

4224: Ţat persayfes oure Prynce and presses to faste, 4225: Strykes into ţe stowre by strenghe of hys handis, 4226: Metis with Sir Mordrede, he melis vnfaire:

4227: Turne, traytoure vntrewe, ţe tydys no bettyre; 4228: Be gret Gode, thow sall dy with dynt of my handys!

4229: The schall rescowe no renke, ne reches in erthe.

4230: The Kyng with Calaburn knyghtly hym strykes: 4231: Ţe cantell of ţe clere schelde he kerfes in sondyre, 4232: Into ţe schuldyre of ţe schalke a schaftmonde large, 4233: Ţat ţe schire rede blode schwede one ţe maylys.

4234: He schodirde and schrenkys and schontes bott lyttill, 4235: Bott schokkes in scharpely in his schene wedys: 4236: The felone with ţe fyn swerde freschely he strykes; 4237: The felettes of ţe ferrere syde he flassches in sondyre, -155-4238: Thorowe jopown and jesserawnte of gentill mailes, 4239: The freke fichede in ţe flesche an halfe fotte large; 4240: That derfe dynt was his dede, and dole was ţe more 4241: That euer ţat doughtty sulde dy, bot at Dryghttyns wyll.

4242: 3itt with Calyburn his swerde full knyghttly he strykes, 4243: Kastes in his clere schelde and coueres hym full faire; 4244: Swappes of ţe swerde hande, als he by glentes: 4245: Ane inche from ţe elbowe he ochede it in sondyre, 4246: Ţat he swounes one ţe swarthe and one swym fallis; 4247: Thorowe bracer of brown stele and ţe bryghte mayles, 4248: That the hilte and ţe hande appon ţe hethe ligges.

4249: Thane frescheliche ţe freke the fente vpe rerys, 4250: Brochis hym in with the bronde to ţe bryghte hiltys, 4251: And he brawles one the bronde and bownes to dye.

4252: In faye, says ţe feye kynge, sore me forthynkkes 4253: That euer siche a false theefe so faire an ende haues.

4254: Qwen they had fenyste ţis feghte, thane was ţe felde wonen, 4255: And the false folke in ţe felde feye are byleuede; 4256: Till a foreste they fledde and fell in the greuys, 4257: And fers feghtande folke folowes them aftyre, 4258: Howntes and hewes down the heythen tykes,

4259: Mourtherys in the mowntaygnes Sir Mordrede knyghtes; 4260: Thare chapyde neuer no childe, cheftayne ne oţer, 4261: Bot choppes them down in the chace, it chargys bot littyll.

4262: Bot when Sir Arthure anon Sir Ewayne he fyndys, 4263: And Errake ţe auenaunt and oţer grett lordes, 4264: He kawghte vp Sir Cador with care at his herte, 4265: Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremonde, ţes clere men of armes, 4266: Sir Lothe and Sir Lyonell, Sir Lawncelott and Lowes, 4267: Marrake and Meneduke, ţat myghty ware euer.

4268: With langoure in the launde thare he layes them togedire, 4269: Lokede on theyre lighames and with a lowde steuen, 4270: Alls lede ţat liste noghte lyfe and loste had his myrthis, 4271: Than he stotays for made and all his strenghe faylez, 4272: Lokes vpe to ţe lyfte and all his lyre chaunges, 4273: Downne he sweys full swythe and in a swoun fallys, 4274: Vpe he coueris one kneys and kryes full often: -156-4275: “Kyng comly with crowne, in care am I leuyde; 4276: All my lordchipe lawe in lande es layde vndyre, 4277: That me has gyfen gwerdons, br grace of Hym seluen, 4278: Mayntenyde my manhede be myghte of theire handes, 4279: Made me manly on molde and mayster in erthe, 4280: In a tenefull tym this torfere was reryde,

4281: That for a traytoure has tynte all my trewe lordys.

4282: Here rystys the riche blude of the Rownde Table, 4283: Rebukkede with a rebawde, and rewthe es the more!

4284: I may helples one hethe house be myn one,

4285: Alls a wafull wedowe ţat wannttes hir beryn; 4286: I may werye and wepe and wrynge myn handys,

4287: For my wytt and my wyrchipe awaye es for euer; 4288: Off all lordchips I take leue to myn ende.

4289: Here es ţe Bretons blode broughte owt of lyfe, 4290: And nowe in ţis journee all my joy endys.”

4291: Thane relyes ţe renkes of all ţe Rownde Table: 4292: To ţe ryall roy thay ride ţam all;

4293: Than assembles full sone seuen score knyghtes, 4294: In sighte to ţaire souerayne, ţat was vnsownde leuede.

4295: Than knelis the crownede kynge and kryes one lowde, 4296: “I thanke ţe, Gode, of Thy grace, with a gud wyll, 4297: That gafe vs vertue and witt to vencows ţis beryns; 4298: And vs has grauntede ţe gree of theis gret lordes.

4299: He sent vs neuer no schame, ne schenchipe in erthe, 4300: Bot euer 3it ţe ouerhande of all oţer kynges.

4301: We hafe no laysere now ţese lordys to seke,

4302: For 3one laythely ladde me lamede so sore;

4303: Graythe vs to Glasthenbery, vs gaynes non oţer, 4304: Thare we may ryste vs with roo and raunsake oure wondys.

4305: Of ţis dere day werke, ţe Dryghtten be loued, 4306: That vs has destaynede and demyd to dye in oure awen.”

4307: Thane they holde at his heste hally at ones, 4308: And graythes to Glassthenberye ţe gate at ţe gayneste; 4309: Entres ţe Ile of Aueloyne, and Arthure he lyghttes, 4310: Merkes to a manere there, for myghte he no forthire; 4311: A surgyn of Salerne enserches his wondes,

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4312: The Kyng sees be asaye ţat sownde bese he neuer, 4313: And sone to his sekire men he said theis wordes: 4314: “Doo calle me a confessour, with Criste in his armes; 4315: I will be howselde in haste, whate happe so betyddys.

4316: Constantyn, my cosyn, he sall the corown bere, 4317: Alls becomys hym of kynde, 3ife Criste will hym thole; 4318: Beryn, fore my benyson, thowe berye 3one lordys, 4319: That in baytaille with brondez are broghte owte of lyfe; 4320: And sythen merke manly to Mordrede children, 4321: That they bee sleyghely slayne and slongen in watyrs; 4322: Latt no wykkyde wede waxe, no wrythe one this erthe, 4323: I warne fore thy wirchipe, wirke alls I bydde.

4324: I foregyffe all greffe, for Cristez lufe of Heuen; 4325: 3ife Waynour hafe wele wroghte, wele hir betydde.”

4326: He saide In manus with mayne one molde whare he ligges, 4327: And thus passes his speryt, and spekes he no more.

4328: The baronage of Bretayne thane, bechopes and othire, 4329: Graythes them to Glasthenbery with gloppynnande hertes, 4330: To bery thare the bolde kynge and bryng to ţe erthe, 4331: With all wirchipe and welthe ţat any wy scholde.

4332: Throly belles thay rynge and Requiem syngys, 4333: Dosse messes and matyns with mournande notes: 4334: Relygeous reueste in theire riche copes,

4335: Pontyficalles and prelates in precyouse wedys, 4336: Dukes and dusszeperis in theire dule-cotes,

4337: Cowntasses knelande and claspande theire handes, 4338: Ladys languessande and lowrande to schewe;

4339: All was buskede in blake, birdes and othire, 4340: That schewede at the sepulture, with sylande teris, 4341: Whas neuer so sorowfull a syghte seen in theire tym.

4342: Thus endis Kyng Arthure, as auctors alegges, 4343: That was of Ectores blude, the kynge son of Troye, 4344: And of Sir Pryamous the prynce, praysede in erthe; 4345: Fro thythen broghte the Bretons all his bolde eldyrs 4346: Into Bretayne the Brode, as ţe Bruytte tellys.