The alliterative Morte Arthure

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The alliterative Morte Arthure
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1993
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
Note: The printed text contained illustrations which are not noted in the
electronic text
Published: 1440

Middle English
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               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 žat 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 žat 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 že 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 žey knewe hym fore lorde;
44: Of Nauerne and Norwaye and Normaundye eke,
45: Of Almayne, of Estriche, and ožer ynowe;
46: Danmarke he dryssede all by drede of hym seluyn,
47: Fra Swynn vnto Swetherwyke, wiž 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 že Rounde Tabyll;
54: Suggeourns žat seson to solace hym seluen
55: In Bretayn že 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 že 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 žat 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 ožer ynowe,
68: Byschopes and bachelers and banerettes nobill,
69: Žat 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: Žat ylke a lorde sulde lenge and no lefe take
73: To the tende day fully ware takyn to že 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 ža weste marchys.
78: Bot on the New3ere Daye, at že 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 že 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 ži landys,
92: That on Lammesse Daye thare be no lette founden,
93: Žat 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 že kydd capytoile, before že 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 že 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 že see wyth sexten kynges,
106: Bryne Bretayn že 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: Žofe thow for reddour of Rome ryne to že erthe;
110: For if thow flee into Fraunce or Freselaund owžer,
111: Žou 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: Žat 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 že erthe,
121: Fore ferdnesse of hys face, as they fey were;
122: Cowchide as kenetez before že 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 ži seluyn,
127: Sen we are in thy manrede and mercy že besekes.
128: We lenge with Sir Lucius, that Lorde es of Rome,
129: That es že meruelyousteste man žat 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 že Conquerour crewell wordez:
133: "Haa, crauaunde knyghte, a cowarde že semez!
134: Žare Õiså some segge in this sale, and he ware sare greuede,
135: Thow durste noghte for all Lumberdye luke on hym ones."
136: "Sir," sais že Senatour, "so Crist mott me helpe,
137: Že voute of thi vesage has woundyde vs all!
138: Thow arte že lordlyeste lede žat euer I one lukyde;
139: By lukyng, withowttyn lesse, a lyon the semys!"
140: "Thow has me somond," quod že Kyng, "and said what že lykes;
141: Fore sake of thy soueraynge I suffre the že more;
142: Sen I Õwaså coround in kyth, wyth crysum enoyntede,
143: Was neuer creature to me žat carpede so large.
144: Bot I sall tak concell at kynges enoyntede,
145: Off dukes and duspers and doctours noble,
146: Offe peres of že parlement, prelates and ožer,
147: Off že richeste renkys of že Rounde Table;
148: Žus 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 žis wrethe to wreken my seluen.
152: Forži sall žow lenge here and lugge wyth žise lordes,
153: This seuenyghte in solace, to suggourne 3our horses,
154: To see whatte lyfe žat wee leede in thees lawe laundes,
155: Forby že realtee of Rome, žat recheste was euere."
156: He command Sir Cayous, "Take kepe to thoos lordez,
157: To styghtyll ža 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 žis erthe,
162: Spare for no spycerye, bot spende what že lykys,
163: That there be largesce on lofte and no lake founden.
164: If žou my wyrchip wayte, wy, be my trouthe,
165: Žou sall haue gersoms full grett, that gayne sall že 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 žey chaungen žeire wedez,
169: And sythyn the chauncelere žem fecchede with cheualrye noble.
170: Sone že Senatour was sett, as hym wele semyde;
171: At že Kyngez ownn borde twa knyghtes hym seruede,
172: Singulere sothely, as Arthure hym seluyn,
173: Richely on že ryghte hannde at the Round Table,
174: Be resoun žat že Romaynes whare so ryche holden,
175: As of že realeste blode žat reynede in erthe.
176: There come in at že fyrste course, befor že Kyng seluen,
177: Bareheuedys žat 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 žat pasturede neuer,
184: Sythen herons in hedoyne, hyled full faire,
185: Grett swannes full swythe in silueryn chargeours,
186: Tartes of turky, taste wham žem lykys,
187: Gumbaldes grathely, full gracious to taste,
188: Seyne bowes of wylde bores with že braune lechyde,
189: Bernakes and botures in baterde dysches,
190: Žareby braunchers in brede, bettyr was neuer,
191: With brestez of barowes žat bryghte ware to schewe;
192: Seyn come žer sewes sere, with solace žerafter,
193: Ownd of azure all ouer and ardant žem semyde,
194: Of ilke a leche že lowe launschide full hye,
195: Žat all ledes myghte lyke žat lukyde žem apon;
196: Žan 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: Žane clarett and creette, clergyally rennen,
201: With condethes full curious, all of clene siluyre,
202: Osay aÕnåd algarde and ožer 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 že curtaise, žat of že cowpe seruede:
210: Sexty cowpes of suyte fore že 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 žervndyre,
214: Bot že bryght golde for brethe sulde briste al to peces,
215: Or ells že venym sulde voyde thurghe vertue of že 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 že doughtyeste žat duellyde in erthe.
220: Thane že Conquerour kyndly carpede to žose lordes,
221: Rehetede že Romaynes with realle speche:
222: "Sirs, bez knyghtly of contenaunce, and comfurthes 3our seluyn;
223: We knowe noghte in žis countre of curious metez,
224: In thees barayne landez, bredes none ožer;
225: Forethy, wythowttyn feynyng, enforce 3ow že more
226: To feede 3ow with syche feble as 3e before fynde."
227: "Sir," sais že 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 žis erthe,
230: That he ne myghte be wele payede of žees pryce metes."
231: Aftyre theyre welthe žey wesche and went vnto chambyre,
232: Žis ilke kydde Conquerour, with knyghtes ynewe;
233: Sir Gaywayne že worthye Dame Waynour he ledys;
234: Sir Owghtreth on the tožer syde, of Turry was lorde.
235: Thane spyces vnsparyly žay spendyde thereaftyre:
236: Maluesye and muskadell, žase meruelyous drynkes,
237: Raykede full rathely in rossete cowpes,
238: Till all že riche on rawe, Romaynes and ožer.
239: Bot the soueraingne sothely, for solauce of hym seluen,
240: Assingnyde to že Senatour certaygne lordes,
241: To lede to his leuere, whene he leue askes,
242: With myrthe and with melodye of mynstralsy noble.
243: Thane že Conquerour to concell cayres thereaftyre,
244: Wyth lordes of his lygeaunce žat to hym selfe langys;
245: To že geauntes toure iolily he wendes,
246: Wyth justicez and iuggez and gentill knyghtes.
247: Sir Cador of Cornewayle to že Kyng carppes,
248: Lughe on hym luffly with lykande lates:
249: "I thanke Gode of žat thraa žat vs žus thretys!
250: 3ow moste be traylede, I trowe, bot 3ife 3e trett bettyre.
251: Že 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 žat 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 že were! Wyrchipide be Cryste!
258: And we sall wynn it agÕaåyne be wyghtnesse and strenghe!"
259: "Sir Cadour," quod že Kyng, "thy concell es noble;
260: Bot žou 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 žise nedes,
264: Talke of thies tythdands žat tenes myn herte:
265: Žou sees žat že Emperour es angerde a lyttill;
266: Yt semes be his sandismen žat 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 žem seluen,
277: Belyn and Brene and Bawdewyne the Thyrde;
278: They ocupyede že Empyre aughte score wynnttyrs,
279: Ilkane ayere aftyre ožer, as awlde men telles;
280: Thei couerde že capitoile and keste doun že walles,
281: Hyngede of žeire heddys-men by hundrethes at ones.
282: Seyn Constantyne, our kynsmane, conquerid it aftyre,
283: Žat ayere was of Ynglande and Emperour of Rome,
284: He žat conquerid že crosse be craftez of armes
285: That Criste was on crucifiede, žat Kyng es of Heuen.
286: Thus hafe we euydens to aske že Emperour že same,
287: That žus regnez at Rome, whate ryghte žat he claymes."
288: Žan answarde Kyng Aungers to Arthure hym seluyn,
289: Thow aughte to be ouerlynge ouer all ožer kynges,
290: Fore wyseste and worthyeste and wyghteste of hanndes,
291: The knyghtlyeste of counsaile žat euer coron bare;
292: I dare saye fore Scottlande žat we them schathe lympyde:
293: When že Romaynes regnede žay 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 že 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, žat vs vnfaire ledes!
304: Thane the burelyche Beryn of Bretayne že Lyttyll
305: Counsayles Sir Arthure, and of hym besekys
306: To ansuere že 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 že haly vernacle žat voide schall I neuere,
310: For radnesse of na Romayne žat 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: Žan že dewe žat es dannke when žat it doun falles:
314: Ne no more schoune fore že swape of theire scharpe suerddes,
315: Then fore že faireste flour žatt 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: Žat žow wyll sothelye assygne, when thy selfe lykes.
320: A! A! sais že Walsche kyng, wirchipid be Criste!
321: Now schalle we wreke full wele že wrethe of oure elders!
322: In West Walys iwysse syche wonndyrs žay wroghte,
323: Žat all for wandrethe may wepe žat on žat were thynkes.
324: I sall haue the avanttwarde wytterly my seluen,
325: Tyll žat I haue venquiste že Vicounte of Rome,
326: Žat wroghte me at Viterbe a velanye ones,
327: As I paste in pylgremage by the Pounte Tremble;
328: He was in Tuskayne žat tyme and tuke of oure knyghttes,
329: Areste them vnryghttwyslye and raunsound žam aftyre;
330: I sall hym surelye ensure žat 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 žat 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 že wyghteste wyes in all 3one weste landys!"
337: Syre Ewan fytz Vryence žane egerly fraynez,
338: Was cosyn to že Conquerour, corageous hym selfen,
339: "Sir, and we wyste 3our wyll, we walde wirke žeraftyre:
340: 3if žis 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 že Conquerour, "kyndly žou asches;
344: 3ife my concell accorde to conquere 3one landez,
345: By že 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 že wallez,
352: Bathe of Petyrsande and of Pys and of že Pounte Tremble;
353: In že Vale of Viterbe vetaile my knyghttes,
354: Suggourne there sex wokes and solace my selfen;
355: Send prekers to že price toun and plaunte there my segge,
356: Bot if žay profre me že pece be processe of tym."
357: "Certys," sais Sir Ewayn, "and I avowe aftyre,
358: And I žat hathell may see euer with myn eghn,
359: Žat ocupies thin heritage, že Empyere of Rome,
360: I sall auntyre me anes hys egle to touche,
361: Žat 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 že 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 že lykes!
368: By oure Lorde, quod Sir Launcelott, now lyghttys myn herte!
369: I loue Gode of žis loue žis lordes has avowede.
370: Nowe may lesse men haue leue to say whatt them lykes,
371: And hafe no lettyng be lawe, bot lystynnys žise 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 ožer,
376: Stryke hym styfflye fro his stede, with strenghe of myn handys,
377: For all ža steryn in stour žat 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 že lykes!
382: Thane laughes Sir Lottez and all on lowde meles:
383: Me likez žat Sir Lucius lannges aftyre sorowe;
384: Now he wylnez že 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 že holy vernacle,
387: And I may se že Romaynes, žat are so ryche halden,
388: Arayede in žeire riotes on a rounde felde,
389: I sall at že reuerence of že Rounde Table,
390: Ryde thrughte all že rowtte, rerewarde and ožer,
391: Redy wayes to make and renkkes full rowme,
392: Rynnande on rede blode as my stede ruschez!
393: He žat folowes my fare and fyrste commes aftyre
394: Sall fynde in my farewaye many fay leuyde!
395: Thane že Conquerour kyndly comforthes žese knyghtes,
396: Alowes žaim 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 ožer kyngys landes;
401: My wele and my wyrchipe, of all žis werlde ryche,
402: 3e haue knyghtly conqueryde, žat to my coroun langes;
403: Hym thare be ferde for no faees žat swylke a folke ledes,
404: Bot euer fresche for to fyghte in felde when hym lykes;
405: I acounte no kynge žat vndyr Criste lyffes;
406: Whills I see 3owe all sounde, I sette be no more."
407: Qwhen they tristily had tretyd, žay trumppede vp aftyre,
408: Descendyd doune with a daunce of dukes and erles.
409: Thane žey semblede to sale and sowpped als swythe,
410: All žis 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, že Senatour askes
414: Answere to že Emperour with austeryn wordez.
415: Aftyre že Epiphanye, when že purpos was takyn,
416: Of peris of že parlement, prelates and ožer,
417: The Kyng in his concell, curtaise and noblee,
418: Vtters že alienes and ansuers hym seluen:
419: "Gret wele Lucius, thi lorde, and layne noghte žise wordes:
420: Ife žow 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 že reyuere of Reone halde my Rounde Table,
425: Fannge the fermes, in faithe, of all ža faire rewmes,
426: For all že 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 žat žare his lawes 3emes;
431: And turne into Tuschayne, whene me tyme thynkys,
432: Ryde all žas rowme landes wyth ryotous knyghttes;
433: Byde hyÕmå make reschewes, fore menske of hym seluen,
434: And mette me fore his manhede in žase 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: Že flour of his faire folke full fay sall be leuyde!
439: I sall hym sekyrly ensure, vndyre my seele ryche,
440: To seege že 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 že porte, there žou sall passe ouer;
447: Seuen dayes to Sandewyche I sette at the large,
448: Sexty myle on a daye, že 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 žou lenge:
452: Be it foreste or felde, found žou no forthire;
453: Bynde thy blonke by a buske with thy brydill euen,
454: Lugge ži selfe vndyre lynde, as že 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 že thynkes,
459: For bothe ži lyffe and thi lym lygges žerappon,
460: Žofe Sir Lucius had laide že lordchipe of Rome;
461: For že žow founden a fute withowte že flode merkes,
462: Aftyr že aughtende day, when vndroun es rungen,
463: Žou sall be heuedede in hye and with horsse drawen,
464: And seyn heyly be hangede, houndes to gnawen!
465: The rente ne rede golde žat vnto Rome langes
466: Sall noghte redily, renke, raunson thyn one!"
467: "Sir," sais že Senatour, "so Crist mot me helpe,
468: Might I with wirchip wyn awaye ones,
469: I sulde neuer fore emperour žat 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 že waye,
474: Within thy lycence, lorde, thy loosse es enpeyrede."
475: "Care noghte," quod the Kyng; "thy coundyte es knawen
476: Fro Carlele to že coste, there thy cogge lengges;
477: Žoghe thy cofers ware full, cramede with syluer,
478: Thow myghte be sekyre of my sele sexty myle forthire."
479: They enclined to že Kyng, and counge žay askede,
480: Cayers owtt of Carelele, catchez on theire horsez;
481: Sir Cadore že curtayes kende them the wayes,
482: To Catrike žem cunvayede and to Crist žem bekennyde.
483: So žey spede at že spoures, žey sprangen žeire horses,
484: Hyres žem hakenayes hastyly žereaftyre;
485: So fore reddour žey reden and risted them neuer,
486: Bot 3if they luggede vndire lynd whills žem lyghte failede;
487: Bot euere že Senatour forsothe soghte at že gayneste.
488: By že sevend day was gone že cetee žai rechide;
489: Of all že glee vndire Gode so glade ware žey neuere,
490: As of že sounde of že see and Sandwyche belles.
491: Wythowttyn more stownntyng žey schippide žeire horsez,
492: Wery, to že wane see žey went all att ones;
493: With že men of že walle they weyde vp žeire ankyrs,
494: And fleede at že fore flude; in Flaundrez žey rowede,
495: And thorughe Flaundres žey founde, as žem faire thoghte,
496: Till Akyn in Almayn, in Arthur landes;
497: Gosse by že 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 žay suggourne žeire horsez,
502: And sekes že seyntez of Rome, be assente of knyghtes;
503: Sythyn prekes to že pales, with portes so ryche,
504: Žare Sir Lucius lenges, with lordes enowe;
505: Lowttes to hym lufly, and lettres hym bedes,
506: Of credence enclosyde, with knyghtlyche wordez.
507: Then že Emperour was egree and enkerly fraynes;
508: Že answere of Arthure he askes hym sone,
509: How he arayes že rewme and rewlys že pople,
510: 3if he be rebell to Rome whate ryghte žat he claymes.
511: "Thow sulde his ceptre haue sesede and syttyn aboun,
512: Fore reuerence and realtee of Rome že noble;
513: By sertes žow was my sandes and senatour of Rome;
514: He sulde, fore solempnitee, hafe seruede že hym seluen!"
515: "That will he neuer for no wye of all žis werlde ryche,
516: Bot who may wynn hym of werre, by wyghtnesse of handes;
517: Many fey schall be fyrste appon že felde leuyde,
518: Are he appere in this place profre when že likes.
519: I saye the, Sir, Arthure es thyn enmye fore euer,
520: And ettells to bee ouerlyng of že 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 žat noble of name and neynesom of kynges;
524: In the moste reale place of že 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 že placez ther I passede of pryncez in erthe.
528: I wolde foresake all my suyte of segnourry of Rome,
529: Or I efte to žat soueraygne whare sente one suyche nedes!
530: He may be chosyn cheftayne, cheefe of all ožer,
531: Bathe be chauncez of armes and cheuallrye noble,
532: For whyeseste and worthyeste and wyghteste of hanndez;
533: Of all the wyes žate 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 žat vndyre Cryste lyffes.
538: He maye be spoken in dyspens despysere of syluere,
539: That no more of golde gyffes žan of grette stones,
540: No more of wyne žan of watyre žat of že welle rynnys,
541: Ne of welthe of žis werlde bot wyrchipe allone.
542: Syche contenaunce was neuer knowen in no kythe ryche,
543: As was with žat conquerour in his courte halden;
544: I countede at this Crystynmesse of kyngez enoynttede
545: Hole ten at his table žat tym with hym selfen.
546: He wyll werraye iwysse, be ware 3if že 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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                                    -56-

550: I rede žow dresce the žerfore, and drawe no lytte langere;
551: Be sekyre of ži sowdeours and sende to že mowntes;
552: Be že quartere of žis 3ere, and hym quarte stannde,
553: He wyll wyghtlye in a qwhyle on his wayes hye."
554: "Bee estyre," sais že Emperour, "I ettyll my selfen
555: To hostaye in Almayne with armede knyghtez;
556: Sende freklye into Fraunce, žat flour es of rewmes,
557: Fande to fette žat 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 žem 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 žem lykys,
565: Žat nane enmye with hoste sall entre the mountes;
566: There schall one Mounte Bernarde be beyldede anožere,
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 že 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 že large,
575: To Irritayne and Elamet and all žase owte ilez,
576: To Arraby and Egipt, till erles and ožer,
577: That any erthe ocupyes in žase este marches,
578: Of Damaske and Damyat, and dukes and erles,
579: For drede of his daungere they dresside žem 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 že faire folke of Amazonnes landes,
585: All thate faillez on že felde be forfette fore euere!
586: Of Babyloyn and Baldake the burlyche knyghtes,

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                                    -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 žey gedyre all at ones,
593: The sowdanes that ware sekyre sowdeours to Rome;
594: They gadyrede ouere že Grekkes See with greuous wapyns,
595: In theire grete galays, wyth gleterande scheldez;
596: The kynge of Cyprys on the see že Sowdane habydes,
597: With all že realls of Roodes arayede with hym one.
598: They sailede with a syde wynde oure že salte strandez,
599: Sodanly že Sarezenes, as them selfe lykede;
600: Craftyly at Cornett the kynges are aryefede,
601: Fra že 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 ža marches;
604: Pulle and Pruyslande presses with ožer,
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 že 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, žat Arthure hade wonnyn;
619: Rydes in by že ryuere and ryottez hym seluen,
620: And ayerez with a huge wyll all žas 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 žat seson wyth Sarazenes ynewe.
625: At the vtas of Hillary, Syr Arthure hym seluen

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626: In his kydde councell commande že lordes:
627: "Kayere to 3our cuntrez and semble 3our knyghtes,
628: And kepys me at Constantyne clenlyche arayede;
629: Byddez me at Bareflete apon ža 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 že see, saile when hym lykes.
636: In the palez of 3orke a parlement he haldez,
637: With all že perez of že rewme, prelates and ožer;
638: And aftyre že prechynge, in presence of lordes,
639: The Kyng in his concell carpys žes 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, že 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 žat my landez 3emes."
648: He carpes till his cosyne žane, 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 žis werlde ryche.
652: I wyll žat Waynour, my weife, in wyrchipe be holden,
653: That hire wannte noo wele ne welthe žat 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 žat in že seson whene grees es assignyde,
659: That cho take hir solauce in certayne tymms.
660: Chauncelere and chambyrleyn chaunge as že 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 ožer,
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 žow will answere before the austeryn Jugge,
671: That all žis werlde wynly wysse as Hym lykes,
672: Luke žat my laste wyll be lelely perfournede.
673: Thow has clenly že cure that to my coroune langez
674: Of all my werÕlådez wele, and my weyffe eke;
675: Luke žowe 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 že, knyghte, kyng with my handez."
679: Žan Sir Modrede full myldly meles hym seluen,
680: Knelyd to že Conquerour and carpes žise wordez:
681: "I beseke 3ow, Sir, as my sybbe lorde,
682: Žat 3e will for charyte cheese 3ow anožer;
683: For if 3e putte me in žis plytte, 3owre pople es dyssauyde;
684: To presente a prynce astate my powere es symple.
685: When ožer 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 žis 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, žat leues hym byhynden.
695: And seyne žat worthilyche wy went vnto chambyre,
696: For to comfurthe že Qwene, žat 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 žis destanye of dule sulde drye by myne one?"
705: "Grefe že 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 žis woo, for all žis 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, žat žow 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, wheÕnå 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 že Rounde Table
720: Soughte towarde Sandwyche, cho sees hym no more.
721: Thare the grete ware gederyde, wyth galyarde knyghtes,
722: Garneschit on že 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 že ryche of the Rounde Table;
727: Assingnez ilke a contree to certayne lordes,
728: In the southe on že see banke, saile when žem lykes.
729: Thane bargez them buskez and to že 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,

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737: Bot ventelde them tyte, as že tyde rynnez;
738: Coggez and crayers žan crossez žaire mastez,
739: At the comandment of že Kynge vncouerde at ones.
740: Wyghtly on že wale žay wye vp žaire ankers,
741: By wytt of že watyre-men of že wale ythez;
742: Frekes on že forestavne faken žeire coblez,
743: In floynes and fercostez and Flemesche schyppes;
744: Tytt saillez to že toppe and turnez že lufe,
745: Standez appon stere-bourde, sternly žay songen.
746: The pryce schippez of the porte prouen theire depnesse,
747: And fondez wyth full saile ower že fawe ythez;
748: Holly withowttyn harme žay hale in bottes;
749: Schipemen scharply schoten žaire portez,
750: Launchez lede apon lufe, lacchen žer depez;
751: Lukkez to že lade-sterne when že lyghte faillez,
752: Castez coursez be crafte when že clowde rysez,
753: With že nedyll and že stone one že nyghte tydez;
754: For drede of že derke nyghte žay drecchede a lyttill,
755: And all že steryn of že 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 že swoghe of že see in swefnyng he fell.
760: Hym dremyd of a dragon, dredfull to beholde,
761: Come dryfande ouer že 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 že schrympe with schrinkande poyntez;
768: Hys wombe and hys wenges of wondyrfull hewes,
769: In meruaylous maylys he mountede full hye;
770: Whaym žat 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 že flawez all on fyre semyde.

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                                    -62-

774: Thane come of že 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 žam semyde;
778: Lothen and lothely lokkes and ožer,
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 žerafter;
783: To bataile he bounnez hym with bustous clowez;
784: He romede, he rarede, that roggede all že erthe,
785: So ruydly he rappyd at to ryot hym seluen.
786: Thane the dragon on dreghe dressede hym a3aynez,
787: And with hys dÕiånttez hym drafe on dreghe by že 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 že 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 že 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 žat he hym wyth defendez.
798: Thane wandyrs že worme awaye to hys heghttez,
799: Commes glydande fro že clowddez and cowpez full euen,
800: Towchez hym wyth his talounez and terez hys rigg,
801: Betwyx že 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 žryng že bolde kyng bynne že schippe-burde,
805: Žat nere he bristez for bale, on bede whare he lyggez.
806: Than waknez že wyese kyng, wery foretrauaillede,
807: Takes hym two phylozophirs that folowede hym euer,
808: In the seuyn scyence the suteleste fonden,
809: The conyÕnågeste of clergye vndyre Criste knowen.
810: He tolde žem of hys tourmente žat tym žat he slepede:

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                                    -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 žey son thane, thies sagge philosopherse,
815: "The dragon žat žow dremyde of, so dredfull to schewe,
816: That come dryfande ouer že deepe to drynchen thy pople,
817: Sothely and certayne, thy seluen it es,
818: That thus saillez ouer že see with thy sekyre knyghtez;
819: The colurez žat 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 žis faire folke that in thy fleet wendez;
823: The bere that bryttenede was abowen in že clowdez
824: Betakyns the tyrauntez žat tourmentez thy pople;
825: Or ells with somme gyaunt some journee sall happyn,
826: In syngulere batell by 3oure selfe one,
827: And žow sall hafe že victorye, thurghe helpe of oure Lorde,
828: As žow 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 žat saillez ouer že see, with thy sekyre knyghtez."
832: With trumppez then trystly they trisen vpe žaire 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 že 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 že 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,

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                                    -64-

847: And 3itt es that sotte noghte sadde, so wele hym it lykez!
848: In že 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 že 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 že mountayne thare žat 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 žat 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 že lykez,
865: Comen of že 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 že montez;
875: I hadde lefte my lyfe are cho hade harme lymppyde.
876: Bot walde žow kene me to že crage thare žat kene lengez;
877: I walde cayre to žat 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: Žar filsnez žat fende, fraiste when the lykes,
882: Appone the creste of the cragge, by a colde welle,
883: That enclosez že clyfe with že clere strandez;
884: Ther may thow fynde folke fay wythowttyn nowmer,

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                                    -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, žat tym žat it was wonn."
888: Thane romyez the ryche kynge for rewthe of že 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 žis werlde that wyste whatt he menede.
892: He calles Sir Cayous, žat of že cowpe serfede,
893: And Sir Bedvere že bolde, žat 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 seÕlåfen
901: Wente to hys wardrop and warp of hys wedez,
902: Armede hym in a acton with orfraeez full ryche,
903: Abouen on žat a jeryn of Acres owte ouer,
904: Abouen žat 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 žat was in Basill, wyth bordurs ryche;
908: The creste and že coronall enclosed so faire
909: Wyth clasppis of clere golde, couched wyth stones;
910: The vesare, že aventaile, enarmede so faire,
911: Voyde withowttyn vice, with wyndowes of syluer;
912: His gloues gaylyche gilte and grauen at že 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 že bente houys;
916: He sterte till his sterep and stridez on lofte,
917: Streynez hym stowttly and sterys hym faire,
918: Brochez že baye stede and to že buske rydez,
919: And there hys knyghtes hym kepede full clenlyche arayede.
920: Than they roode by žat ryuer žat rynnyd so swythe,
921: Žare že ryndez ouerrechez with reall bowghez;
922: The roo and že raynedere reklesse thare ronnen,

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                                    -66-

923: In ranez and in rosers, to ryotte žam seluen;
924: The frithez ware floreschte with flourez full many,
925: Wyth fawcouns and fesantez of ferlyche hewez;
926: All že feulez thare fleschez that flyez with wengez,
927: Fore thare galede že gowke one greuez full lowde:
928: Wyth alkyn gladchipe žay gladden žem seluen;
929: Of že nyghtgale notez že noisez was swette,
930: They threpide wyth the throstills, thre hundreth at ones;
931: Žat whate swowyng of watyr and syngyng of byrdez,
932: It myghte salue hym of sore žat 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 žat this monte 3emez;
939: And seyn sall 3e offyre, aythyre aftyre ožer,
940: Menskfully at Saynt Mighell full myghtty with Criste."
941: The Kyng coueris že 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 že colde wynde to comforthe hym seluen.
945: Two fyrez fyndez, flawmande full hye;
946: The fourtedele a furlang betwene žus he walkes;
947: The waye by že welle strandez he wandyrde hym one,
948: To wette of že warlawe, whare žat he lengez.
949: He ferkez to že 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 žat 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 že wyghte ay that že thy wytt refede,
960: That mase the to wayfe here in žise wylde lakes.

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                                    -67-

961: I warne že fore wyrchipe žou wylnez aftyr sorowe;
962: Whedyre buskes žow, berne? Vnblysside žow 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 žese 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 žat 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 že nauyll.
980: And here haue I bawmede hir and beryede žeraftyr;
981: For bale of že botelesse, blythe be I neuer.
982: Of alle že frendez cho hade, žere 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 žat alde wyf,
987: "I am comyn fra že Conquerour, curtaise and gentill,
988: As one of že hathelest of Arthur knyghtez,
989: Messenger to žis myx, for mendemente of že 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.

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                                    -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 že pople,
1008: Sekerly at žat seson, with certayne knyghtez.
1009: And he has aschede Arthure all žis seuen wynntter:
1010: Forthy hurdez he here, to owttraye hys pople,
1011: Till že Bretons kyng haue burneschte his lyppys,
1012: And sent his berde to that bolde wyth his beste berynes.
1013: Bot thowe hafe broghte žat 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 že berde he bese more blythe
1018: Thane žowe gafe hym Burgoyne or Bretayne že More.
1019: Bot luke nowe for charitee žow chasty thy lyppes,
1020: That the no wordez eschape, whateso betydez;
1021: Luke ži presante be priste, and presse hym bott lytill,
1022: For he es at his sowper, he will be sone greuyde;
1023: And žow my concell doo, žow dosse of thy clothes,
1024: And knele in thy kyrtyll, and call hym thy lorde.
1025: He sowppes all žis 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 žey turne,
1030: Žat 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 že berd," quod he, "the bettyr me lykez;
1034: Forthi will I boun me, and bere it my seluen;

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                                    -69-

1035: Bot, lefe, walde žow lere me whare žat lede lengez,
1036: I sall alowe že and I liffe, oure Lorde so me helpe."
1037: "Ferke fast to že fyre," quod cho, "that flawmez so hye;
1038: Thare fillis žat 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 že sowže of že reke he soghte at že gayneste,
1042: Sayned hym sekerly with certeyne wordez,
1043: And sydlyngs of že segge the syghte had he rechid,
1044: How vnsemly žat sott satt sowpand hym one;
1045: He lay lenand on lang, lugand vnfaire,
1046: Že thee of a manns lymme lyfte vp by že haunche;
1047: His bakke and his bewschers and his brode lendez
1048: He bekez by že bale-fyre, and breklesse hym semede.
1049: Žare 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 žam tournede.
1053: And žan 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: BraundeschÕtåe his bryghte swerde by že bryghte hiltez,
1057: Raykez towarde že renke reghte with a ruyd will,
1058: And hyely hailsez žat hulke with hawtayne wordez:
1059: "Now allweldand Gode, žat 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, že Fende haue thi saule!
1063: Here es cury vnclene, carle, be my trowthe,
1064: Caffe of creatours all, thow curssede wriche!
1065: Because that žow killide has žise cresmede childyre,
1066: Thow has marters made, and broghte oute of lyfe,
1067: Žat here are brochede on bente and brittened with thi handez,
1068: I sall merke že thy mede, as žou has myche serfed,
1069: Thurghe myghte of Seynt Mighell, žat žis monte 3emes;
1070: And for this faire ladye, žat žow has fey leuyde,
1071: And žus forced one foulde, for fylth of ži selfen.

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                    -70-

1072: Dresse the now, dogge-sone, the Deuell haue ži saule,
1073: For žow sall dye this day, thurghe dynt of my handez!"
1074: Than glopned že 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 že gude kyng žat 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 že fell of a froske, and fraknede it semede;
1082: Huke-nebbyde as a hawke, and a hore berde,
1083: And herede to že hole eyghn with hyngande browes;
1084: Harske as a hunde-fisch hardly whoso lukez,
1085: So was že hyde of žat 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 že flesche in his fortethe fowly as a bere.
1090: His berde was brothy and blake, žat till his brest rechede,
1091: Grassede as a mereswyne, with corkes full huge,
1092: And all falterd že flesche in his foule lippys,
1093: Ilke wrethe as a wolfe-heuede, it wraythe owtt at ones.
1094: Bulle-nekkyde was žat 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 žat schalke, and schaylande hyn semyde,
1099: With schankez vnschaply, schowand togedyrs;
1100: Thykke theese as a thursse, and thikkere in že hanche,
1101: Greesse growen as a galte, full gryÕsålych he lukez.
1102: Who že lenghe of že lede lelly accountes,
1103: Fro že face to že 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 že Kyng with his kene wapen,
1107: Bot thurghe že crafte of Cryste 3it že carle failede;
1108: The creest and že coronall, že claspes of syluer,

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                                    -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 že frunt the fromonde he hittez,
1113: That the burnyscht blade to že brayne rynnez.
1114: He feyed his fysnamye with his foule hondez,
1115: And frappez faste at his face fersely žeraftyre;
1116: The Kyng chaungez his fote, eschewes a lyttill,
1117: Ne had he eschapede žat choppe, cheuede had euyll;
1118: He folowes in fersly and festenesse a dynte
1119: Hye vpe on že hanche with his harde wapyn,
1120: That he hillid že swerde halfe a fote large,
1121: The hott blode of že hulke vnto že hilte rynnez;
1122: Ewyn into inmette the gyaunt he hyttez,
1123: Iust to že genitales and jaggede žam 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 že swarthe he swappez at ones,
1127: That nere swounes že Kyng for swoughe of his dynnttez.
1128: Bot 3it the Kyng sweperly full swythe he byswenkez,
1129: Swappez in with the swerde žat it že swange brystedd;
1130: Bothe že guttez and the gorr guschez owte at ones,
1131: Žat all englaymez že gresse one grounde žer he standez.
1132: Thane he castez the clubb and the Kyng hentez:
1133: On že creeste of že cragg he caughte hym in armez,
1134: And enclosez hym clenly, to cruschen hys rybbez,
1135: So hard haldez he žat hende žat nere his herte brystez.
1136: Žane že balefull bierdez bownez to že erthe,
1137: Kneland and cryande, and clappide žeire handez:
1138: "Criste comforthe 3one knyghte, and kepe hym fro sorowe,
1139: And latte neuer 3one fende fell hym o lyfe."
1140: 3itt es že warlow so wyghte, he welters hym vnder,
1141: Wrothely žai wrythyn and wrystill togederz,
1142: Welters and walowes ouer within žase buskez,
1143: Tumbellez and turnes faste and terez žaire wedez;
1144: Vntenderly fro že toppe žai tiltin togederz,
1145: Whilom Arthure ouer and ožerwhile vndyre;

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                                    -72-

1146: Fro že heghe of že hyll vnto že harde roche,
1147: They feyne neuer are they fall at že flode merkes.
1148: Bot Arthur with ane anlace egerly smyttez,
1149: And hittez euer in the hulke vp to že hiltez;
1150: Že theefe at že dede-thrawe so throly hym thryngez,
1151: Žat three rybbys in his syde he thrystez in sunder.
1152: Then Sir Kayous že kene vnto že 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: Žay hafe vp hys hawberke žan and handilez žervndyr
1157: His hyde and his haunche eke, on heghte to že schuldrez,
1158: His flawnke and his feletez and his faire sydez,
1159: Bothe his bakke and his breste and his bryghte armez;
1160: Žay ware fayne žat žey fande no flesche entamed,
1161: And for žat journee made joye, žir gentill knyghttez.
1162: "Now certez," saise Sir Bedwere, "it semez, be my Lorde,
1163: He sekez seyntez bot selden, že sorer he grypes,
1164: Žat žus clekys this corsaunt owte of žir 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 žat seruez oure Lorde,
1169: I sall neuer no seynt bee, be my fadyre sawle!"
1170: Thane bourdez že bolde kyng at Bedvere wordez:
1171: "Žis seynt haue I soghte, so helpe me owre Lorde!
1172: Forthy brayd owtte ži brande, and broche hym to že herte;
1173: Be sekere of this sergeaunt, he has me sore greuede.
1174: I faghte noghte wyth syche a freke žis fyftene wyntyre;
1175: Bot in že montez of Araby I mett syche anožer:
1176: He was že forcyer be ferre žat 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, žat 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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                                    -73-

1184: My brande and my brode schelde apon že bent lyggez,
1185: On že creeste of že cragge, thare fyrste we encontrede,
1186: And že clubb žarby, all of clene iren,
1187: Žat many Cristen has kyllyde in Constantyne landez;
1188: Ferke to the farlande, and fetche me žat wapen,
1189: And late founde till oure flete, in flode žare it lengez.
1190: If thow wyll any tresour, take whate the lykez;
1191: Haue I the kyrtyll and že clubb, I coueite noghte ells."
1192: Now žey caire to že cragge, žise comlyche knyghtez,
1193: And broghte hym že brade schelde and his bryghte wapen,
1194: Že clubb and že cotte alls, Syr Kayous hym seluen,
1195: And kayres with Õtheå Conquerour, the kyngez to schewe
1196: That in couerte že Kyng helde closse to hym seluen,
1197: Whills clene day fro že clowde clymbyd on lofte.
1198: Be that to courte was comen clamour full huge;
1199: And before že 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 že Conquerour Cristenly carpez to his pople:
1209: "Thankes Gode," quod he, "of žis grace, and no gome ells,
1210: For it was neuer manns dede, bot myghte of Hym selfen,
1211: Or myracle of Hys Modyr, žat mylde es till all."
1212: He somond žan že schippemen scharpely žeraftyre,
1213: To schake furthe with že schyremen to schiffe že gudez,
1214: All že myche tresour žat traytour had wonnen,
1215: To comouns of the contre, clergye and ožer:
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 že cragg, ther the corse lengez,
1220: And a couent therein, Criste for to serfe,
1221: In mynde of žat martyre, žat in že monte rystez.

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                                    -74-

1222: Qwen Sir Arthur the Kyng had kylled že gyaunt,
1223: Than blythely fro Bareflete he buskes on že morne;
1224: With his batell on brede, by ža 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 žas straytt landez.
1231: Onone aftyre myddaye, in the mene-while,
1232: Žare comez two messangers of tha fere marchez,
1233: Fra že Marschall of Fraunce, and menskfully hym gretes,
1234: Besoghte hym of sucour and saide hym žise wordez:
1235: "Sir, thi marschall, ži mynistre, thy mercy besekez,
1236: Of thy mekill magestee, fore mendement of thi pople,
1237: Of žise marchez-men, that thus are myskaryede,
1238: And thus merred amang, maugree theire eghne.
1239: I witter že že 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 žarein;
1243: He encrochez kenely by craftez of armez,
1244: Countrese and castells žat to thy coroun langez,
1245: Confoundez thy comouns, clergy and ožer:
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: Žus 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 žat dreches tharein.
1255: Forthy the lordez of the lande, ladys and ožer,
1256: Prayes the for Petyr luffe, že Apostyll of Rome,
1257: Sen thow arte presant in place, žat žow will profyre make
1258: To žat perilous prynce, be processe of tym.

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                                    -75-

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 žat 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 žer 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 že lyffe happen,
1270: Or many lyghte sall lawe žat 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, žat cursede wreche,
1274: Com for his curtaisie, and countere me ones.
1275: Thane sall we rekken full rathe whatt ryghte žat he claymes,
1276: Thus to ryot žis 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 že 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 že holte eyues,
1284: Behelde že 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, žat palyd ware ryche,
1288: Of pall and of purpure, with precyous stones;
1289: Pensels and pomell of ryche prynce armez,
1290: Pighte in že playn mede, že pople to schewe.
1291: And than the Romayns so ryche had arayede their tentez,
1292: On rawe by že ryuer, vndyr že round hillez,
1293: The Emperour for honour ewyn in the myddes,
1294: Wyth egles al ouer, ennelled so faire;

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                                    -76-

1295: And saw hym and že Sowdane, and senatours many
1296: Seke towarde a sale with sextene kyngez,
1297: Syland softely in, swettly by them selfen,
1298: To sowpe withe žat soueraygne full selcouthe metez.
1299: Nowe they wende ouer the watyre, žise wyrchipfull knyghttez,
1300: Thurghe že wode to že wone there the wyese rystez;
1301: Reght as žey weschen and went to že table,
1302: Sir Wawayne že worthy vnwynly he spekes:
1303: The myghte and že maiestee žat menskes vs all,
1304: That was merked and made thurghe že myghte of Hym seluen,
1305: Gyffe 3ow sytte in 3our sette, Sowdane and ožer,
1306: That here are semblede in sale, vnsawghte mott 3e worthe!
1307: And že fals heretyke žat Emperour hym callez,
1308: That ocupyes in erroure the Empyre of Rome,
1309: Sir Arthure herytage, žat honourable kyng,
1310: That all his auncestres aughte but Vtere hym one,
1311: That ilke cursynge žat Cayme kaghte for his brothyre
1312: Cleffe on že, cukewalde, with croune ther thow lengez,
1313: For the vnlordlyeste lede žat I on lukede euer!
1314: My lorde meruailles hym mekyll, man, be my trouthe,
1315: Why thow morthires his men, žat no mysse serues,
1316: Comouns of že countre, clergye and ožer,
1317: Žat are noghte coupable žerin, ne knawes noght in armez.
1318: Forthi the comelyche kynge, curtays and noble,
1319: Comandez že kenely to kaire of his landes,
1320: Ore ells for thy knyghthede encontre hym ones;
1321: Sen žow couettes the coroune, latte it be declarede!
1322: I hafe dyschargide me here, chalange whoo lykez,
1323: Before all thy cheualrye, cheftaynes and ožer;
1324: Schape vs an ansuere, and schunte žow no lengere,
1325: Žat we may schifte at že 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: Žoghe 3e bee irous men žat 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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                                    -77-

1332: Žou sulde repent full rathe of ži ruyde wordez,
1333: Siche a rebawde as žowe 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 žeraftere,
1337: Ensegge al ža cetese be že salte strandez,
1338: And seyn ryde in by Rone, žat rynnez so faire,
1339: And of all his ryche castells rusche doun že 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: Žat 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 že Emperour and erle hym selfen,
1348: "Euere ware žes 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 žere he standes!"
1352: Than greuyde Sir Gawayne at his grett wordes,
1353: Graythes towarde že 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 že wacches žey wente, thes wirchipfull knyghtez,
1357: And feyndez in theire farewaye wondyrlyche many;
1358: Ouer že watyre žey wente by wyghtnesse of horses,
1359: And tuke wynde as žey walde by že wodde hemmes.
1360: Thane folous frekly one fote frekkes ynewe,
1361: And of že 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 foržermaste 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;

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                                    -78-

1370: Thurghe že guttez into že gorre he gyrdes hym ewyn,
1371: That the grounden stele glydez to his herte;
1372: The gome and že grette horse at že grounde lyggez,
1373: Full gryselyche gronande, for grefe of his woundez.
1374: Žane 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 žat žus hym persuede.
1378: Sir Boys, vnabaiste all, he buskes hym agaynes,
1379: With a bustous launce he berez hym thurghe,
1380: Žat že breme and že brade schelde appon že 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, žat 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 že coursere he cleuede in sondyre,
1389: Clenlyche fro že croune his corse he dyuysyde,
1390: And žus he killez že 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 žat syche bale wyrkez;
1394: It befell hym full foule žat žam so fyrste namede."
1395: Thane že riche Romayns retournes žaire brydills
1396: To žaire tentis in tene, telles theire lordez
1397: How Sir Marschalle de Mowne es on že 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 že falow see fyfty myle large.
1403: Thare ware Bretons enbuschide, and banarettez noble,
1404: Of že cheualrye cheefe of že kyngez chambyre,
1405: Seese them chase oure men and changen žeire horsez,
1406: And choppe doun cheftaynes that they moste chargyde.
1407: Thane že enbuschement of Bretons brake owte at ones,

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                                    -79-

1408: Brothely at baner, and Bedwyne knyghtez
1409: Arrestede of že Romayns žat by že fyrthe rydez
1410: All že realeste renkes žat to Rome lengez;
1411: Thay iche on že 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 že 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 že 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 žam, arrayez žam better,
1428: And al toruscheez oure men withe theire ryste horsez,
1429: Arestede of the richeste of že Rounde Table,
1430: Ouerrydez oure rerewarde and grette rewthe wyrkes.
1431: Thane the Bretons on že bente habyddez no lengere,
1432: Bot fleede to že 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 že stokes of ža steryn knyghtez;
1437: Made sorowe fore theire soueraygne, žat so žare 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 žareaftyre,
1442: 3if žer frendez ware ferre, žat on že felde foundide.
1443: Thane sais Sir Gawayne, "So me God helpe,
1444: We hafe bene chased todaye and chullede as hares,

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                                    -80-

1445: Rebuyked with Romaynes appon žeire ryche stedez,
1446: And we lurkede vndyr lee as lowrande wreches!
1447: I luke neuer on my lorde že dayes of my lyfe,
1448: And we so lytherly hym helpe žat hym so wele lykede."
1449: Thane the Bretons brothely brochez theire stedez,
1450: And boldly in batell appon že bent rydes;
1451: All že ferse men before frekly ascryes,
1452: Ferkand in že foreste, to freschen žam selfen.
1453: The Romaynes than redyly arrayes them bettyre,
1454: One rawe on a rowm felde, reghttez theire wapyns,
1455: By že ryche reuere, and rewles že pople;
1456: And with reddour Sir Boice es in areste halden.
1457: Now thei semblede vnsaughte by že salte strandez:
1458: Saddly theis sekere menn settys žeire 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 že 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 že raunke stele, he ryghttez žeire brenez,
1475: And refte them the ryche man and rade to his strenghes.
1476: The Senatour Peter thane persewede hym aftyre,
1477: Thurghe že presse of že pople, wyth his pryce knyghttes;
1478: Appertly fore že prysonere proues his strenghes,
1479: Wyth prekers the proudeste that to že presse lengez.
1480: Wrothely on the wrange hande Sir Gawayne he strykkes,
1481: Wyth a wapen of were vnwynnly hym hittez;

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                                    -81-

1482: The breny one že bakhalfe he brystez in sondyre,
1483: Bot 3it he broghte forthe Sir Boyce, for all žeire bale biernez.
1484: Thane že Bretons boldely braggen žeire 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 žey brettened maylez;
1488: Žay stekede stedys in stour with stelen wapyns,
1489: And all stewede with strenghe žat stode žem agaynes.
1490: Sir Idrus fitz Ewayn žan "Arthur!" ascryeez,
1491: Assemblez on že Senatour wyth sextene knyghttez,
1492: Of že sekereste men žat to oure syde lengede.
1493: Sodanly in a soppe they sett in att ones,
1494: Foynes faste att že forebreste with flawmande swerdez,
1495: And feghttes faste att že fronte freschely žareaftyre,
1496: Felles fele on že felde appon že ferrere syde,
1497: Fey on že faire felde by ža fresche strandez.
1498: Bot Sir Idrus fytz Ewayn anters hym seluen,
1499: And enters in anly and egyrly strykez,
1500: Sekez to že Senatour and sesez his brydill;
1501: Vnsaughtely he saide hym žese sittande wordez:
1502: "3elde že, Sir, 3apely, 3ife žou ži lyfe 3ernez;
1503: Fore gyftez žat žow gyffe may žou 3eme now že selfen.
1504: Fore dredlez dreche žow or droppe any wylez,
1505: Thow sall dy žis daye thorowe dyntt of my handez!"
1506: "I ascente," quod že Senatour, "so me Criste helpe;
1507: So žat I be safe broghte before že 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 že Kyng lykes,
1512: When thow comes to že 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: Žay ledde hym furthe in že rowte and lached ofe his wedes,
1516: Lefte hym wyth Lyonell and Lowell, hys brothire.
1517: O lawe in že launde žan, by že lythe strandez,
1518: Sir Lucius lyggemen loste are fore euer.
1519: The Senatour Peter es prysoner takyn;

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                                    -82-

1520: Of Perce and of Porte Iaffe full many price knyghtez,
1521: And myche pople wythall perischede žam selfen,
1522: For presse of že passage they plungede at onez.
1523: Thare myghte men see Romaynez rewfully wondyde,
1524: Ouerredyn with renkes of the Round Table.
1525: In že raike of že furthe they righten žeire brenys,
1526: Žat rane all on reede blode redylye all ouer.
1527: They raughte in že rerewarde full ryotous knyghtez
1528: For raunsone of rede golde and reall stedys;
1529: Radly relayes and restez theire horsez,
1530: In rowtte to že ryche kynge they rade al at onez.
1531: A knyghte cayrez before and to že Kynge telles,
1532: "Sir, here commez thy messangerez with myrthez fro že mountez;
1533: Žay hafe bene machede todaye with men of že marchez,
1534: Foremaglede in ža marras with meruailous knyghtez.
1535: We hafe foughten, in faithe, by 3one fresche strandez,
1536: With že frekkeste folke that to ži 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 žis 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 že 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 že Senatour sextie horse chargede
1550: Of siluer be Seterdaye, full sekyrly payede;
1551: And for že cheefe chauncelere, že cheualere noble,
1552: Charottez chokkefull charegyde with golde;
1553: The remenaunt of že 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 žam ouer že see or kepe žam 3our selfen.

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                                    -83-

1557: All 3our sekyre men, forsothe, sounde are byleuyde,
1558: Saue Sir Ewayne fytz Henry es in že 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 že Conquerour, "so me Criste helpe,
1567: I 3if the for thy thy3andez Tolouse že riche,
1568: The toll and že tachementez, tauernez and ožer,
1569: Že town and že tenementez, with towrez so hye,
1570: That towchez to že temporaltee, whills my tym lastez.
1571: Bot say to že Senatour I sende hym žes 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, žat 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 že assemble in syghte wyth his feris;
1579: For it comes to no kyng žat 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, že castell žat 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 žay sall merke, with mauger to lengen."
1589: Žay conuaye this captyfe with clene men of armez,
1590: And kend hym to že constable, alls že Kynge byddez;
1591: And seyn to Arthure žey ayr and egerly hym towchez
1592: The answere of že Emperour, irows of dedez.
1593: Thane Sir Arthur, on erthe atheliste of ožere,
1594: At euen at his awen borde auantid his lordez:

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                                    -84-

1595: "Me aughte to honour them in erthe ouer all ožer thyngez
1596: Žat žus in myn absens awnters žem selfen;
1597: I sall them luffe whylez I lyffe, so me our Lorde helpe,
1598: And gyfe žem landys full large whare them beste lykes;
1599: Thay sall noghte losse on žis layke, 3if me lyfe happen,
1600: Žat žus are lamede for my lufe be žis lythe strandez."
1601: Bot in že clere daweyng, že 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 že ryche,
1607: Sir Raynalde and Sir Richere, Rawlaund childyre,
1608: To ryde with že 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 žam že proueste, in presens of lordez,
1612: O payne and o perell žat 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 žat wy, be ware 3if hym lykes."
1617: Now bownes že Bretons, als že 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 žay eschewede:
1621: For že Emperour of myghte had ordand hym selfen
1622: Sir Vtolfe and Sir Ewandyre, two honourable kyngez,
1623: Erles of že Orient, with austeryn knyghttez,
1624: Of že awntrouseste men žat 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 žat courte be sent of his peres,
1629: Traise towarde Troys že treson to wyrke,
1630: To hafe betrappede with a trayne oure traueland knyghttez,
1631: That hade persayfede žat Peter at Parys sulde lenge,

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                                    -85-

1632: In presonne with že 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 že presoners fro oure pryse knyghttez.
1637: Syr Cadore of Cornewalle comaundez his peris,
1638: Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremus, Sir Cleremownnde že noble,
1639: "Here es že close of Clyme, with clewes so hye:
1640: Lokez the contree be clere, the corners are large;
1641: Discoueres now sekerly skrogges and ožer,
1642: That no skathell in že skroggez skorne vs hereaftyre;
1643: Loke 3e skyfte it so žat vs no skathe lympe,
1644: For na skomfitoure in skoulkery is skomfite euer."
1645: Now žey hye to že holte, thes harageous knyghttez,
1646: To herken of že hye men, to helpen theis lordez;
1647: Fyndez them helmede hole and horsyde on stedys,
1648: Houande on že hye waye by že holte hemmes.
1649: With knyghttly contenaunce Sir Clegis hym selfen
1650: Kryes to že companye and carpes thees wordez:
1651: "Es there any kyde knyghte, kaysere or ožer,
1652: Will kyth for his kyng lufe craftes of armes?
1653: We are comen fro že Kyng of žis 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 žat reall rowtt where hym lykes;
1657: We seke justyng of werre, 3if any will happyn,
1658: Of že jolyeste men ajuggede be lordes,
1659: If here be any hathell man, erle or ožer,
1660: That for že Emperour lufe will awntere hym selfen."
1661: And ane erle žane 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 že Emperour, his erthely lorde.
1665: The araye and že ryalltez of že 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,

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                                    -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 žan, "so me Criste helpe,
1672: I knawe be thi carpyng a cowntere že semes!
1673: Bot be žou auditoure or erle or Emperour thi selfen,
1674: Appon Arthurez byhalue I answere the sone:
1675: The renke so reall žat rewllez vs all,
1676: The ryotous men and že ryche of že 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 že ryche sall repente žat to Rome langez,
1680: Or že rereage be requit of rentez žat 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: Žane sais že Kynge of Surry, "Alls saue me oure Lorde,
1688: 3if žow hufe all že daye, žou bees noghte delyuerede,
1689: Bot thow sekerly ensure with certeyne knyghtez,
1690: Žat ži cote and thi breste be knawen with lordez,
1691: Of armes of ancestrye entyrde with londez."
1692: "Sir Kyng," sais Sir Clegys, "full knyghttly žow 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 žat tymme was ensegede,
1697: Ofte seen in asawtte with certayne knyghttez,
1698: Fro že Borghte broghte vs and all oure bolde elders
1699: To Bretayne že Braddere, within chippe-burdez."
1700: "Sir," sais Sir Sextenour, "saye what že lykez,
1701: And we sall suffyre the, als vs beste semes;
1702: Luke thi troumppez be trussede, and trofull no lengere,
1703: For žoghe žou tarye all že daye, the tyddes no bettyr.
1704: For there sall neuer Romayne žat in my rowtt rydez
1705: Be with rebawdez rebuykyde whills I in werlde regne!"

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                                    -87-

1706: Thane Sir Clegis to že Kyng a lyttill enclinede,
1707: Kayres to Sir Cadore and knyghtly hym tellez,
1708: "We hafe founden in 3one firthe, floresched with leues,
1709: Že flour of že faireste folke žat to ži foo langez:
1710: Fifty thosandez of folke of ferse men of armez,
1711: Žat 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 že 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 že lykes."
1718: "Nay," quod Cador, "so me Criste helpe,
1719: It ware schame žat we scholde schone for so lytyll.
1720: Sir Lancelott sall neuer laughe, žat with že 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 žes wordes:
1726: "Thynk on že valyaunt prynce žat 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 že 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 ožer,
1740: That ayerez were of Esex and all žase este marchez,
1741: Howell and Hardelfe, happy in armez,
1742: Sir Heryll and Sir Herygall, žise harageouse knyghttez.
1743: Than the souerayn assignede certayne lordez,

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                    -88-

1744: Sir Wawayne, Sir Vryell, Sir Bedwere že ryche,
1745: Raynallde and Richeere and Rowlandez childyre:
1746: "Takez kepe on this prynce with 3oure price knyghtez,
1747: And 3ife we in že stour withstonden the better,
1748: Standez here in this stede, and stirrez no forthire;
1749: And 3if že chaunce falle žat we bee ouercharggede,
1750: Eschewes to som castell, and chewyse 3our selfen,
1751: Or ryde to že riche Kyng, 3if 3ow roo happyn,
1752: And bidde hym com redily to rescewe hys biernez."
1753: And than the Bretons brothely enbrassez žeire scheldez,
1754: Braydez one bacenetez and buskes theire launcez;
1755: Thus he fittez his folke and to že felde rydez,
1756: Fif hundreth on a frounte fewtrede at onez.
1757: With trompes žay 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 že schire eyuez.
1761: And thane the Romaynez rowtte remowes a lyttill,
1762: Raykes with a rerewarde žas reall knyghttez;
1763: So raply žay ryde thare that all že rowte ryngez
1764: Of ryues and raunke stele and ryche golde maylez.
1765: Thane schotte owtte of že 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 že grette horse at že ground liggez,
1774: And gretez graythely to Gode and gyffes Hym že saule.
1775: Thus es Berell the bolde broghte owtte of lyue,
1776: And byddez aftyre beryell žat hym beste lykez.
1777: And thane Sir Cador of Cornewayle es carefull in herte,
1778: Because of his kynysemane, žat žus es myscaryede;
1779: Vmbeclappes the cors and kyssez hym ofte,
1780: Gerte kepe hym couerte with his clere knyghttez.

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                                    -89-

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 Õhiså bones!"
1784: "3one kyng," said Cador, "karpes full large,
1785: Because he killyd žis kene, Criste hafe ži saule:
1786: He sall hafe corne-bote, so me Criste helpe;
1787: Or I kaire of žis coste, we sall encontre ones.
1788: So may že wynde weile turnne, I quytte hym or ewyn,
1789: Sothely hym selfen or summ of his ferez."
1790: Thane Sir Cador že kene knyghttly he wyrkez,
1791: Cryez "A Cornewale!" and castez in fewtere,
1792: Girdez streke thourghe že 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 že 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 že 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 že wele, be ware 3if the lykez!"
1809: With cornuse and clariones žeis newe-made knyghttez
1810: Lythes vnto že crye and castez in fewtire;
1811: Ferkes in on a frounte one feraunte stedez,
1812: Fellede at že fyrste come fyfty att ones.
1813: Schotte thorowe the schiltrouns and scheuerede launcez,
1814: Laid doun in že lumppe lordly biernez.
1815: And thus nobilly oure newe men notez žeire strenghez,
1816: Bot new notte es onon žat noyes me sore.
1817: The Kyng of Lebe has laughte a stede žat hym lykede,

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                    -90-

1818: And comes in lordely in lyonez of siluere,
1819: Vmbelappez že lumpe and lattes in sondre,
1820: Many lede with his launce že liffe has he refede.
1821: Thus he chaces že childire of že Kyngez chambire,
1822: And killez in že 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 žeire strenghez.
1828: Ne hade Sir Clegis comen and Clemente že noble,
1829: Oure newe men hade gone to noghte and many ma ožer.
1830: Žane Sir Cador že kene castez in fewtire
1831: A cruell launce and a kene and to že Kynge rydez,
1832: Hittez hym heghe on že helme with his harde wapen,
1833: That all že hotte blode of hym to his hande rynnez.
1834: The hethen harageous kynge appon že hethe lyggez,
1835: And of his hertly hurte helyde he neuer.
1836: Thane Sir Cador že kene cryez full lowde,
1837: "Thow has corne-botte, Sir Kyng, žare God gyfe že 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 žow cheuede soo, it es thyn awen skathe.
1842: Holde at žow hente has, it harmez bot lyttill,
1843: For hethynge es hame-holde, vse it who-so will."
1844: The Kyng of Surry žan es sorowfull in herte,
1845: For sake of this soueraygne, žat žus was supprissede;
1846: Semblede his Sarazenes and senatours manye:
1847: Vnsaughtyly žey 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 že fyrthe, as že waye forthis,
1851: Fyfty thosande of folke was fellide at ones.
1852: Thare was at že assemble certayne knyghttez
1853: Sore wondede sone appone sere halfes;
1854: The sekereste Sarzanez that to žat 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 že brode felde all on blode rynnys.
1864: Be thane Sir Cayous že kene a capitayne has wonnen,
1865: Sir Clegis clynges in and clekes anožer,
1866: The capitayne of Cordewa, vndire že Kynge selfen,
1867: That was keye of že kythe of all žat coste ryche;
1868: Vtolfe and Ewandre Ioneke had nommen,
1869: With že Erle of Affryke and ožer grette lordes;
1870: The Kyng of Surry the kene to Sir Cador es 3elden,
1871: Že Synechall of Soter to Segramoure hym selfen.
1872: When že cheualrye saw theire cheftanes were nommen,
1873: To a cheefe foreste they chesen theire wayes,
1874: And felede them so feynte, they fall in že greues,
1875: In the ferynne of že 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 že holte eyuys.
1880: Thus oure cheualrous men chasez že pople;
1881: To a castell they eschewede, a fewe žat eschappede.
1882: Thane relyez že renkez of že Rounde Table,
1883: For to ryotte že wode žer že duke restez;
1884: Ransakes the ryndez all, raughte vp theire feres,
1885: That in že fightyng before fay ware byleuyde.
1886: Sir Cador garte chare theym and couere them faire,
1887: Kariede them to že Kyng with his beste knyghttez;
1888: And passez vnto Paresche with presoners hym selfen,
1889: Betoke theym the proueste, pryncez and ožer;
1890: Tase a sope in the toure and taryez no langere,
1891: Bot tournes tytte to že 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 že wayes,
1897: At the furthe in že 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 že felde leuyde,
1901: And manye of his legemen žat žare to hym langede.
1902: Ožer lordez are laughte of vncouthe ledes;
1903: We hafe lede them at lenge, to lyf whilles že lykez.
1904: Sir Vtolfe and Sir Ewaynedyr, theis honourable knyghttez,
1905: Be a nawntere of armes Ioneke has nommen,
1906: With erlez of že Oryentte and austeren knyghttez,
1907: Of awncestrye že beste men žat to že 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 žes ožer,
1911: The Kyng of Surry hym selfen and Sarazenes Õynoweå.
1912: Bot fay of ours in že 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 že fyrste come with a kyng ryche;
1916: Sir Alidoyke of Towell, with his tende knyghtez,
1917: Emange že Turkys was tynte and in tym fonden;
1918: Gude Sir Mawrell of Mauncez and Mawren his brožer,
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 že partyes ware puruayede and powere arayede;
1926: When they ware stade on a strenghe, žou sulde hafe withstonden,
1927: Bot 3if thowe wolde all my steryn stroye for že nonys!"
1928: "Sir," sais Sir Cador, "3e knowe wele 3our selfen
1929: 3e are kyng in žis kythe, karpe whatte 3ow lykys;
1930: Sall neuer vpbrayde me, žat to ži burde langes,

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                    -93-

1931: That I sulde blyn fore theire boste thi byddyng to wyrche;
1932: When any stirttez to stale, stuffe žam že 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 ži gree, bot syche grett wordez,
1937: 3if I heuen my herte, my hape es no bettyre."
1938: Žofe 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 že doughtyeste žat 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 žat it so happenede,
1951: They saide to že Emperour, "Thi seggez are suppryssede;
1952: Sir Arthure, thyn enmy, has owterayede ži lordez,
1953: That rode for že rescowe of 3one riche knyghttez.
1954: Thow dosse bot tynnez ži tym and turmenttez ži pople;
1955: Thow arte betrayede of ži 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 že burghe ryche;

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                    -94-

1969: Riste vs and reuell and ryotte oure selfen,
1970: Lende žare in delytte in lordechippez ynewe,
1971: To Sir Leo be comen with all his lele knyghtez,
1972: With lordez of Lumberdye, to lette hym že wayes."
1973: Bot owre wyese Kyng es warre to waytten his renkes,
1974: And wysely by že woddez voydez his oste;
1975: Gerte felschen his fyrez, flawmande full heghe,
1976: Trussen full traystely and treunt thereaftyre.
1977: Sežen into Sessoyne he soughte at the gayneste,
1978: And at the surs of že 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 že 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 že cheekke, with cheualrous knyghttez.
1987: And sythyn meles with mouthe, žat 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 žeraftyre
1992: To schake in a sheltrone, to schotte when žam lykez.

             The Thornton Ms., Folios 74v-84v (lines 1993-2934)

1993: He arrayed in že rerewarde full riall knyghtez,
1994: With renkkes renownnd of že Round Table,
1995: Sir Raynalde, Sir Richere, that rade was neuer,
1996: The riche Duke of Rown wytÕhå ryders ynewe.
1997: Sir Cayous, Sir Clegis, and clene men of armes,
1998: The Kyng casts to kepe be žaa clere strandes;
1999: Sir Lott and Sir Launcelott, žise lordly knyghttez,
2000: Sall lenge on his lefte hande, with legyones ynewe,
2001: To meue in že morne-while, 3if že myste happynne;
2002: Sir Cador of Cornewaile and his kene knyghtez,
2003: To kepe at že karfuke, to close in žer ožere;
2004: He plantez in siche placez pryncez and erlez,
2005: That no powere sulde passe be no preue wayes.

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                                    -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 že cete forsett appon sere halfes,
2013: Bothe the clewez and že clyfez with clene men of armez,
2014: The mosse and že marrasse, the mounttez so hye,
2015: With gret multytude of men, to marre hym in že 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 že 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 že 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, žat 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 že 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!"

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                                    -96-

2044: Whene žeise wordez was saide, the Walsche kyng hym selfen
2045: Whas warre of this wyderwyn žat 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 žis 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 že spayre a spanne, emange že schortte rybbys,
2061: That the splent and the spleen on the spere langez;
2062: The blode sprente owtte and sprede as že 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 že Viscownte, žate 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 že harde wapyn,
2079: The stede and the steryn mane strykes to že 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 anožer,
2089: Wroghte wayes full wyde, werrayande knyghtez,
2090: And wondes all wathely that in že 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 žay flitt full frescly žer frekez,
2098: That flowe o ferrome in flawnkkes of stedez.
2099: Fichene with fetheris thurghe že fyne maylez,
2100: Siche flyttyng es foule žat so že 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 že 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 že hathelieste on hy, haythen and ožer,
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 couÕråsers 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 že stale houys,
2119: Till že 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 žat on the bente houys!"
2123: He clekys owtte Collbrande, full clenlyche burneschte,
2124: Graythes hym to Golapas, žat greuyde moste,
2125: Kuttes hym euen by že knees clenly in sondyre.
2126: "Come down," quod the Kyng, "and karpe to thy ferys;
2127: Thowe arte to hye by že halfe, I hete že in trouthe:
2128: Thow sall be handsomere in hye, with že helpe of my Lorde!"
2129: With žat stelen brande he strake ofe his hede.
2130: Sterynly in žat stoure he strykes anožer;
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 žat journey forjustede with gentill lordez.
2135: Than the Romaynes and the rennkkez of že Rounde Table
2136: Rewles them in arraye, rerewarde ande ožer;
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 že felde leuyde,
2144: That iche a furthe in the firthe of rede blode rynnys.
2145: By that swyftely one swarthe že 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 že proudeste with his price knyghttez.
2157: Sir Kayous, Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremond the noble
2158: Enconters them at že clyffe with clene men of armes;
2159: Fyghttes faste in že fyrth, frythes no wapen,
2160: Felled at že 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 že frappe, foynes with speres,
2164: And faughte with the frekkeste žat to Fraunce langez.
2165: Bot Sir Kayous že 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 že lunggez on že launce lengez;
2169: The schafte scÕhåodyrde and schott in the schire byerne,
2170: And soughte thorowowte že schelde and in že schalke rystez.
2171: Bot Kayous at the income was kepyd vnfayre
2172: With a cowarde knyghte of že kythe ryche;
2173: At že turnyng that tym the traytoure hym hitte,
2174: In thorowe the felettes, and in že flawnke aftyre,
2175: That the boustous launce že bewells attamede,
2176: Žat braste at že brawlyng and brake in že myddys.
2177: Sir Kayous knewe wele, be žat kyde wounde,
2178: That he was dede of že 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 že my dede, be Crist now of Hewyn."
2185: He weyndes to že wyese kyng and wynly hym gretes:
2186: "I am wathely woundide, waresche mon I neuer;
2187: Wirke nowe thi wirchipe, as že worlde askes,
2188: And brynge me to beryell, byd I no more.
2189: Grete wele my ladye, že Qwene, 3ife že werlde happyne,
2190: And all že burliche birdes žat to hir boure lengez,

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                                   -100-

2191: And my worthily weife, žat 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 že wordes;
2195: The knyghte coueride on his knees with a kaunt herte,
2196: And caughte his Creatoure, žat comfurthes vs all.
2197: Thane remmes že riche kynge fore rewthe at his herte,
2198: Rydes into rowte, his dede to reuenge;
2199: Presede into že 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 že byerne and že sadill bristes,
2203: And at že bake of že blonke že bewells entamede.
2204: Manly in his malycoly he metes anožer,
2205: The medill of žat myghtty, žat hym myche greuede;
2206: He merkes thurghe the maylez the myddes in sondyre,
2207: That the myddys of že mane on že mounte fallez,
2208: Že tožer halfe of že haunche on že horse leuyde,
2209: Of žat hurte, alls I hope, heles he neuer.
2210: He schotte thorowe že 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 žare wrekes;
2214: Wrothely he wryththis by wyghtnesse of strenghe,
2215: Woundes žese whydyrewyns, werrayede knyghttes,
2216: Threppede thorowe že 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 že hede, žat že helme bristis,

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                                   -101-

2229: Hurttes his herne-pane an hannde-brede large.
2230: Thus he layes one že lumppe and lordlye žem serued,
2231: Wondide worthily wirchipfull knyghttez;
2232: Fighttez with Florent, that beste es of swerdez,
2233: Till že fomande blode till his fyste rynnes.
2234: Thane že Romayns releuyde, žat are ware rebuykkyde,
2235: And all torattys oure men with theire riste horsses;
2236: Fore they see žaire 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 že hiltes;
2240: The ryall raunke stele to his herte rynnys,
2241: And he rusches to že erthe, rewthe es the more.
2242: Thane že Conquerour tuke kepe and come with his strenghes
2243: To reschewe že ryche men of že Rounde Table,
2244: To owttraye že Emperour, 3if auntire it schewe,
2245: Ewyn to že egle, and "Arthure!" askryes.
2246: The Emperour thane egerly at Arthure he strykez,
2247: Awkwarde on že vmbrere and egerly hym hittez;
2248: The nakyde swerde at že nese noyes hym sare,
2249: The blode of Õtheå bolde kyng ouer že breste rynnys,
2250: Beblede at že brode schelde and že bryghte mayles.
2251: Oure bolde kyng bowes že blonke be že bryghte brydyll,
2252: With his burlyche brande a buffette hym reches,
2253: Thourghe že brene and že breste with his bryghte wapyn:
2254: O slante doun fro že slote he slyttes at ones.
2255: Thus endys že Emperour of Arthur hondes,
2256: And all his austeryn oste žareofe ware affrayede.
2257: Now they ferke to že fyrthe, a fewe žat are leuede,
2258: For ferdnesse of oure folke, by že fresche strandez;
2259: The floure of oure ferse men one ferant stedez
2260: Folowes frekly on že frekes, thate frayede was neuer.
2261: Thane že kyde conquerour cryes full lowde,
2262: "Cosyn of Cornewaile, take kepe to ži 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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                                   -102-

2266: Thare ne es kaysere ne kyng žat vndire Criste ryngnes
2267: Žat 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 že 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 že laundez;
2274: They hewede doun haythen men with hiltede swerdez
2275: Be hole hundrethez on hye, by že holte eyuyes.
2276: Thare myghte no siluer thaym saue ne socoure theire lyues,
2277: Sowdane ne Sarazene ne senatour of Rome.
2278: Thane releuis že renkes of the Rounde Table
2279: Be že riche reuare that rynnys so faire;
2280: Lugez thaym luflye by ža lyghte strandez,
2281: All on lawe in že lawnde, thas lordlyche byernes.
2282: Thay kaire to že 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: Žer are of že Oryent, with honourable kynges.
2290: Bot Sir Arthure onone ayeres žeraftyre
2291: Ewyn to že Emperour, with honourable kyngis;
2292: Laughte hym vpe full louelyly with lordlyche knyghttez,
2293: And ledde hym to že 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 že cheefe senatours of Rome.
2298: Thane they bussches and bawmede žaire honourliche kyngis,
2299: Sewed them in sendell sexti-faulde aftire,
2300: Lappede them in lede, lesse that they schulde
2301: Chawnge or chawffe, 3if žay myghte escheffe;
2302: Closed in kystys clene vnto Rome,

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                                   -103-

2303: With theire baners abowne, theire bagis therevndyre,
2304: In whate countre žay kaire that knyghttes myghte knawe
2305: Iche kynge be his colours, in kyth whare Õheå lengede.
2306: Onone on že secounde daye, sone by že morne,
2307: Twa senatours ther come, and certayne knyghttez,
2308: Hodles fro že hethe, ouer že holte eyues,
2309: Barefote ouer že bente, with brondes so ryche;
2310: Bowes to že bolde kyng and biddis hym že hiltes,
2311: Whethire he will hang theym or hedde or halde theym on lyfe.
2312: Knelyde before že Conquerour in kyrtills allone;
2313: With carefull contenaunce žay karpide žese wordes:
2314: "Twa senatours we are, thi subgettez of Rome,
2315: That has sauede oure lyfe by žeise salte strandys,
2316: Hyd vs in že heghe wode, thurghe že 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 Õtheå 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 žat 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 žat 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 že payne."
2330: Thane the banerettez of Bretayne broghte žem 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 že 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 že mownttez:
2343: Mette full monee, žat 3e haue mekyll 3ernede,
2344: The taxe and že trebutte of tene schore wynteres,
2345: That was tenefully tynte in tym of oure elders;
2346: Saye to že Senatoure že cete žat 3emes,
2347: That I sende hym že somme, assaye how hym likes.
2348: Bott byde them neuere be so bolde, whylls my blode regnes,
2349: Efte for to brawlle žem 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 žat 3emes,
2355: Bekende them the caryage, kystis and ožer,
2356: Alls že Conquerour comaunde with cruell wordes.
2357: "We hafe trystily trayuellede žis tributte to feche,
2358: The taxe and že trewage of fowre score wynteris,
2359: Of IÕnåglande, of Irelande, and all žir 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 nožer,
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 že clere strandez,
2374: Has že 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,

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                                   -105-

2377: He bydes for že beryenge of his bolde knyghtez
2378: That in batell with brandez ware broughte owte of lyfe.
2379: He beryes at Bayone Sir Bedwere že ryche;
2380: The cors of Kayon že kene at Came es beleuefede,
2381: Koueride with a crystall clenly all ouer,
2382: His fadyre conqueride žat kyth knyghtly with hondes.
2383: Seyn in Burgoyne he bade to bery mo knyghttez,
2384: Sir Berade and Bawdwyne, Sir Bedwar že ryche,
2385: Gud Sir Cador at Came, as his kynde askes.
2386: Thane Sir Arthure onone, in že Auguste žeraftyre,
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 ožer;
2392: Comandez them kenely to caste all žeire wittys,
2393: How he may conquere by crafte the kythe žat 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 že 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 že 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 žat rente, by ryche Gode of Heuen!
2406: Than will I by Lumbardye, lykande to schawe,
2407: Sett lawe in že lande, žat laste sall euer;
2408: The tyrauntez of Tuskayn tempeste a littyll,
2409: Talke with že temperall, whills my tym lastez.
2410: I gyffe my protteccione to all že Pope landez,
2411: My ryche pensell of pes my pople to schewe;
2412: It es a foly to offende oure fadyr vndire Gode,
2413: Owžer Peter or Paule, ža postles of Rome.

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -106-

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 že spurres, withowttyn speche more,
2417: To že marche of Meyes, theis manliche knyghtez,
2418: That es Õinå Lorrayne alofede, as London es here,
2419: Cete of žat seyn3owre, that soueraynge es holden.
2420: The Kyng ferkes furthe on a faire stede,
2421: With Ferrer and Ferawnte and ožer foure knyghtez;
2422: Abowte the cete ža seuen they soughte at že nextte,
2423: To seke them a sekyre place to sett withe engeynes.
2424: Thane they bendyde in burghe bowes of vyse,
2425: Bekyrs at že bolde kyng with boustouse lates;
2426: Allblawsters at Arthure egerly schottes,
2427: For to hurte hym or his horse with žat 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 žey ware laweste the ledes to assaille.
2432: "Sir," said Sir Ferrer, "a foly thowe wirkkes,
2433: Thus nakede in thy noblaye to neghe to že walles,
2434: Sengely in thy surcotte, this cete to reche,
2435: And schewe že 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 žat žey rywe the with theire rownnd wapyn!
2440: Thow arte bot a fawntkyn, no ferly me thynkkys,
2441: Žou will be flayede for a flye žat on thy flesche lyghttes.
2442: I am nothyng agaste, so me Gode helpe:
2443: Žof 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 že 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 že Rounnd Table.
2454: All že 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 že leuenyng and lemand al ouer.
2464: Thane the price men prekes and proues žeire horsez,
2465: Satills to že cete appon sere halfes;
2466: Enserches the subbarbes sadly thareaftyre,
2467: Discoueris of schotte-men and skyrmys a lytill;
2468: Skayres žaire skottefers and theire skowtte-waches,
2469: Brittenes theire barrers with theire bryghte wapyns,
2470: Bett down a barbycan and že brygge wynnys;
2471: Ne hade the garnyson bene gude at že 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 že drawe-brigge dasschede in sondre;
2475: Hyes to že harbergage thare the Kyng houys,
2476: With his batell on heghe, horsyde on stedys.
2477: Thane was že Prynce puruayede and žeire places nommen,
2478: Pyghte pauyllyons of palle and plattes in seegge;
2479: Thane lenge they lordly, as žem leefe thoghte,
2480: Waches in ylke warde, as to že werre falles,
2481: Settes vp sodaynly certayne engynes.
2482: One Sonondaye be že soone has a flethe 3olden,
2483: The Kyng calles on Florente, žat flour was of knyghttez:
2484: "The Fraunchemene enfeblesches, ne farly me thynkkys;
2485: They are vnfondyde folke in že faire marches,
2486: For them wantes že flesche and fude that them lykes.
2487: Here are forestez faire appon fele halues,

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -108-

2488: And thedyre feemen are flede with freliche bestes.
2489: Thow sall foonde to že 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 že fyrthe with že froyte of že erthe.
2493: Thare sall weende to žis 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 že weste marches;
2497: Sir Clegis, Sir Clarybalde, Sir Clarymownde že noble,
2498: The Capytayne oo Cardyfe clenlyche arrayede.
2499: Goo now, warne all že wache, Gawayne and ožer,
2500: And weendes furthe on 3our waye withowttyn moo wordes."
2501: Now ferkes to že fyrthe thees fresche men of armes,
2502: To že fell so fewe, theis fresclyche byernes,
2503: Thorowe hopes and hymland, hillys and ožer,
2504: Holtis and hare woddes with heslyn schawes,
2505: Thorowe marasse and mosse and montes so heghe;
2506: And in the myste Õofå 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 žeire horses,
2510: To že grygynge of že daye, žat byrdez gan synge,
2511: Whylls the surs of že sonne, žat sonde es of Cryste,
2512: That solaces all synfull žat syghte has in erthe.
2513: Thane weendes owtt the wardayne, Sir Gawayne hym selfen,
2514: Alls he žat 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 že 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,

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                                   -109-

2523: A charebocle in že 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 že streme on a stede ryche,
2528: To žat steryn in stour, one strenghe žare he houys.
2529: Egerly one Inglisce "Arthure!" he askyres;
2530: The tožer irouslye ansuers hym sone,
2531: On a launde of Lorrayne with a lowde steuen,
2532: That ledes myghte lysten že lenghe of a myle:
2533: "Whedyr prykkes thow, pilouur, žat profers so large?
2534: Here pykes thowe no praye, profire when že lykes!
2535: Bot thow in žis 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 žis greue, for all thy grete wordes!"
2541: Than žeire 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 že crowell speres brousten att ones.
2545: Thorowe scheldys žey schotte and scherde thorowe maÕyåles,
2546: Bothe schere thorowe schoulders a schaftmonde large.
2547: Thus worthylye žes wyes wondede ere bothen,
2548: Or they wreke žem of wrethe awaye will žey 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 žey stryke, thire steryn knyghttes,
2554: Stokes at že stomake with stelyn poyntes,
2555: Feghtten and floresche withe flawmande swerdez,
2556: Till že 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 že knyghttes schelde clenliche in sondre,

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -110-

2560: Who lukes to že lefte syde when his horse launches
2561: With že lyghte of že sonne men myghte see his lyuere.
2562: Thane granes že 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 že rerebrace with the bronde ryche,
2567: Kerues of at že coutere with že clene egge,
2568: AneÕnåtis že avawmbrace, vayllede with siluer.
2569: Thorowe a dowble vesture of veluett ryche
2570: With že venymous swerde a vayne has he towchede,
2571: That voydes so violently žat 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 že brydill,
2575: Talkes vntendirly and sais "Žow arte towchede;
2576: Vs bus haue a blode-bande or thi ble change,
2577: For all že barbours of Bretayne sall noghte thy blode stawnche;
2578: For he žat es blemeste with žis 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 žat 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 žat thus faste rynnes."
2585: "3ise, I say že sothely, and sekire že my trowthe:
2586: No surgyon in Salarne sall saue že bettyre;
2587: Withthy žat 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 že grace and graunt, žofe žou hafe grefe seruede,
2591: Withthy thowe say me sothe what thowe here sekes,
2592: Thus sengilly and sulayne all ži selfe one;
2593: And whate laye thow leues one, layne noghte že sothe,
2594: And whate legyaunce and whare žow arte lorde."
2595: "My name es Sir Priamus; a prynce es my fadyre,
2596: Praysede in his partyes with prouede kynges;

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                                   -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, žise gentill knyghtes.
2606: I ame apparaunt his ayere, and eldeste of ožer,
2607: Of Alexandere and Aufrike and all ža owte landes;
2608: I am in possessione and plenerly sessede
2609: In all že price cetees that to že 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 awÕnåtire of armes owtrayede fore euere.
2618: Now hafe I taulde the že 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 že 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 žat 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 že erthe lowttede,

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                                   -112-

2635: Abillere žan euer was Sir Ector of Troye.
2636: Now fore the krisome žat žou kaghte žat day žou was crystenede,
2637: Whethire thowe be knyghte or knaffe, knawe now že sothe."
2638: "My name es Sir Gawayne, I graunt že forsothe,
2639: Cosyn to že Conquerour, he knawes it hym selfen;
2640: Kydd in his kalander a knyghte of his chambyre,
2641: And rollede the richeste of all že Rounde Table.
2642: I ame že dussepere and duke he dubbede with his hondes,
2643: Deynttely on a daye before his dere knyghtes;
2644: Gruche noghte, gude sir, žofe me this grace happen:
2645: It es že 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 že 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 že 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 žis hethe, it harmes vs bothe,
2661: And bot my hurtes be son holpen, hole be I neuer.
2662: Take heede to žis hanseman žat 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 žat rowtt, thow rydes no foržer,
2667: Ne thow bees neuer rawnsonede for reches in erthe."
2668: Sir Gawayn wente or že wathe com whare hym beste lykede,
2669: With this wortheliche wye, that wondyd was sore;
2670: Merkes to že mountayne there oure men lenges,
2671: Baytaynde theire blonkes žer on že brode mede:
2672: Lordes lenande lowe on lemand scheldes,

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                                   -113-

2673: With lowde laghttirs on lofte for lykyng of byrdez,
2674: Of larkes, of lynkwhyttez, žat lufflyche songen;
2675: And some was sleghte one slepe with sleyghte of že pople,
2676: Žat sange in že seson in the schenne schawes,
2677: So lawe in že lawndez so lykand notes.
2678: Thane Sir Whycher whas warre žaire 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 tÕhåoghte
2683: How he maisterede žat man, so myghtty of strenghes.
2684: Be all že welthe of že werlde, so woo was žem 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: Žoffe my schouldire be schrede and my schelde thyrllede,
2689: And the wielde of myn arme werkkes a littill,
2690: This prissonere, Sir Priamus, žat has perilous wondes,
2691: Sais žat 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 že flores;
2695: Braydes of his bacenette and his ryche wedis,
2696: Bownnes to his brode schelde and bowes to že 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 žay 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: Žat es full of že flour of že fouur well,
2706: Žat flowes owte of Paradice when že flode ryses,
2707: That myche froyt of fallez, žat feede schall vs all;
2708: Be it frette on his flesche, žare synues are entamede,

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                                   -114-

2709: The freke schalle be fische-halle within fowre howres.
2710: They vncouere žat cors with full clene hondes;
2711: With clere watire a knyghte clensis theire wondes,
2712: Keled theym kyndly and comforthed žer hertes.
2713: And whene že carffes ware clene, žay clede them a3ayne;
2714: Barell-ferrers they brochede and broghte them the wyne,
2715: Bothe brede and brawn and bredis full ryche.
2716: When žay 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 žat vndir Criste lenges;
2722: In 3one oken wode an oste are arrayede,
2723: Vndirtakande men of žiese 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 že Kyng,
2732: Chiftayne of žis journee with cheualrye noble;
2733: Whethire he fyghte or he flee, we sall folowe aftyre;
2734: Fore all že 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, že 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 žat 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 žeire 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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                                   -115-

2747: "I grawnte," quod Sir Gawayne, "so me Gode helpe;
2748: Bot here are galyarde gomes žat of že gre seruis,
2749: The kreuelleste knyghttes of že 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 že fyrthe rydez,
2753: And fongez a faire felde and on fotte lyghttez;
2754: Prekes aftyre že pray, as pryce men of armes.
2755: Florent and Floridas, with fyve score knyghttez,
2756: Folowede in že foreste, and on že way fowndys,
2757: Flyngande a faste trott, and on že folke dryffes.
2758: Than felewes fast to oure folke wele a fyve hundreth
2759: Of freke men to že 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 ži saule!"
2764: Thane Sir Florent was fayne, and in fewter castys;
2765: One Fawuell of Fryselande to Feraunt he rydys,
2766: And raghte in že reyne on že stede ryche,
2767: And rydes towarde the rowte, restes he no lengere:
2768: Full butt in že 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, žat all his breste stoppede.
2772: Thane his cosyn askryede and cryede full lowde,
2773: "Thowe has killede colde dede že 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 že doughtty for dule žat 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 že flesche of že flanke he flappes in sondyre,
2782: That all že filthe of že freke and fele of že guttes
2783: Foloes his fole fotte, whene he furthe rydes.

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                                   -116-

2784: Than rydes a renke to reschewe žat byerne,
2785: Žat was Raynalde of že Rodes and rebell to Criste,
2786: Peruertede with paynyms žat Cristen persewes;
2787: Presses in prowdly, as že 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 že 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 že erthe,
2795: Roris full ruydlye, bot rade he no more.
2796: Now all žat es fere and vnfaye of žes 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 žey caste,
2804: Fruschen on all že frape and biernes affrayede,
2805: Fellis fyve at že frounte thare they fyrste enteride,
2806: And, or they ferke forthire, fele of žese ožere.
2807: Brenyes browdden they briste, brittenede scheldes,
2808: Bettes and beres down the best žat žem byddes;
2809: All žat rewlyd in the rowtte they ryden awaye,
2810: So rewdly they rere theys ryall knyghttes.
2811: When Sir Priamous, žat prince, persayuede theire gamen,
2812: He hade pete in herte žat he ne durste profire;
2813: He wente to Sir Gawayne and sais hym žese wordes:
2814: "Thi price men fore thy praye putt are all vndyre;
2815: They are with Sarazenes ouersette, mo žan seuen hundreth
2816: Of že Sowdanes knyghtes owt of sere londes;
2817: Walde žow suffire me, Sir, for sake of thi Criste,
2818: With a soppe of thi men suppowell theym ones?"
2819: "I grouche noghte," quod Gawayne, "že gree es žaire awen!
2820: They mon hafe gwerddouns full grett graunt of my lorde;
2821: Bot the freke men of Fraunce fraiste them selfen,

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                                   -117-

2822: Frekes faughte noghte žeire 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 že wode hemmes,
2826: Wyes of že Westfale appon wyght horsez,
2827: Walopande wodely, as že waye forthes,
2828: With all že wapyns, iwys, žat to že 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 že Duke of Lorrayne dresesse thareaftyre,
2834: With dowbill of že Duchemen, žat 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 brožer,
2838: "Me angers ernestly at Arthure knyghtez,
2839: Thus enkerly on an oste awnters žem 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 že more;
2849: The fayreste schall be full feye žat 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: Žofe 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 žaire 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, že felde schall be owrs,

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                                   -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 že 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 ožer.
2869: When we are moste in destresse Marie we mene,
2870: That es oure maisters seyne, žat he myche traistez,
2871: Melys of žat mylde Qwene that menskes vs all,
2872: Who-so meles of žat Mayde myskaries he neuer."
2873: Be žese 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 že ryche men of že Rownde Table
2879: Ruschede into že rowte one ryall stedes;
2880: For so raythely žay rusche with roselde speris,
2881: That the raskaille was rade, and rane to že grefes,
2882: And karede to žat 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 žan žay 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 žis jurnee he makes;
2895: Thus es že geante forjuste, that errawnte Iewe,
2896: And Gerard es jocunde, and joyes hym že more.
2897: Than the genatours of Genne enjoynes att ones,

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -119-

2898: And frykis on že frowntere well a fyve hundreth;
2899: A freke highte Sir Federike, with full fele ožer,
2900: Ferkes on a frusche and fresclyche askryes,
2901: To fyghte with oure forreours, žat on felde houis.
2902: And thane the ryalle renkkes of že 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 že 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 že herte.
2910: They hewe thorowe helmes hawtayne biernez,
2911: Žat že hiltede swerdes to žaire hertes rynnys.
2912: Than že renkes renownd of že Rownd Table
2913: Ryffes and ruyssches down renayede wreches;
2914: And thus they dreuen to že dede dukes and erles,
2915: All že dreghe of že daye, with dredfull werkes.
2916: Than Sir Priamous že prynce, in presens of lordes,
2917: Presez to his penown and pertly it hentes,
2918: Reuertede it redily and awaye rydys,
2919: To že ryall rowte of že Rownde Table;
2920: And heyly his retenus raykes hym aftyre,
2921: For they his reson had rede on his schelde ryche.
2922: Owte of že scheltrone žey schede, as schepe of a folde,
2923: And steris furth to že stowre and stode be žeire lorde.
2924: Seyne they sent to že Duke and saide hym žise wordes:
2925: "We hafe bene thy sowdeours this sex 3ere and more;
2926: We forsake že todaye be serte of owre lorde;
2927: We sewe to oure soueraynge in sere kynges londe.
2928: Vs defawtes oure feez of žis foure wyntteres:
2929: Thow arte feble and false and noghte bot faire wordes.
2930: Oure wages are werede owte and ži werre endide;
2931: We maye with oure wirchipe weend whethire vs lykes.
2932: I red žowe trette of a trewe and trofle no lengere,
2933: Or žow sall tyne of thi tale ten thosande or euen."
2934: "Fy a debles!" saide že 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.

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -120-

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 že 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, žofe they faynt waxen.
2948: Thane Sir Gawayne was grefede and grypys his spere,
2949: And gyrdez in agayne with galyarde knyghttez;
2950: Metes že Marches of Mees and melles hym thorowe,
2951: As man of žis medill-erthe žat moste hade greuede.
2952: Bot on Chastelayne, a childe of že Kynges chambyr,
2953: Was warde to Sir Wawayn of že 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 žay chase žat 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 že swarthe lengede,
2961: Sweltes ewynne swiftly, and swanke he no more.
2962: Žan 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 žat I welde,
2968: Bot I be wroken on that wye that thus has hym wondyde."
2969: He dresses hym drerily and to že 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 anožer,
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 žat slope, be sleyghte of his hondes,
2978: Sexty slongen in a slade of sleghe men of armes.
2979: Žofe Sir Gawaynne ware wo, he wayttes hym by,
2980: And was warre of žat wye that the childe wondyde,
2981: And with a swerde swiftly he swappes hym thorowe,
2982: That he swyftly swelte and on že erthe swounes.
2983: And thane he raykes to že rowte and ruysches one helmys,
2984: Riche hawberkes he rente and rasede schyldes,
2985: Rydes on a rawndoune and his rayke holdes,
2986: Thorowowte že rerewarde he holdes wayes;
2987: And thare raughte in the reyne this ryall že ryche,
2988: And rydez into že rowte of že Rownde Table.
2989: Žane 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 že scholdirs,
2994: Was neuer siche a clamour of capitaynes in erthe.
2995: Thare was kynges sonnes kaughte, curtays and noble,
2996: And knyghtes of že contre, that knawen was ryche;
2997: Lordes of Lorayne and Lumbardye bothen
2998: LaughÕtåe was and lede in with oure lele knyghttez.
2999: Thas žat chasede that daye, theire chaunce was bettire,
3000: Swiche a cheke at a chace escheuede theym neuer.
3001: When Sir Florent be fyghte had že felde wonen,
3002: He ferkes ine before with fyve score knyghttez;
3003: Theire prayes and žeire 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 že 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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                                   -122-

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 witÕhå asawte wonnen,
3013: An hawrawde hyes before, the beste of the lordes,
3014: Hom at že herbergage, owt of tha hyghe londes,
3015: Tornys tytte to že 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 že Duke takyn;
3024: Many dowghty es dede be dynt of his hondes.
3025: He has presoners price, pryncez and erles,
3026: Of že richeste blode žat regnys in erthe;
3027: All thy cheuallrous men faire are eschewede;
3028: Bot a childe Chasteleynne myschance es befallen."
3029: "Hawtayne," sais že 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 žan 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 žay buske and bendes engynes,
3037: Payses in pylotes and proues theire castes;
3038: Mynsteris and masondewes they malle to že erthe,
3039: Chirches and chapells chalke-whitte blawnchede.
3040: Stone Õsåtepells full styffe in že strete ligges,
3041: Chawmbyrs with chymnes and many cheefe inns;
3042: Paysede and pelid down playsterede walles,
3043: The pyne of že pople was pete for to here.
3044: Thane že Duchez hire dyghte with damesels ryche,
3045: The Cowntas of Crasyn, with hir clere maydyns,
3046: Knelis down in že kyrnelles thare the Kyng houede,

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                                   -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 žese 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 že 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, žat to me lenges;
3058: I gyf 3ow chartire of pes, and 3oure cheefe maydens,
3059: The childire and že 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 že assawte, the cete was 3olden;
3064: With že Erle eldeste son he sent hym že kayes,
3065: And seside že same nyghte, be sent of že lordes.
3066: The Duke to Douere es dyghte, and all his dere knyghtez,
3067: To duelle in dawngere and dole že 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 že brode 3ates,
3073: Of Sir Florent, in fay, so fayne was he neuer;
3074: The knyghte houys on a hyll, behelde to že wallys,
3075: And saide, "I see be 3one syngne the cete es oures."
3076: Sir Arthure enters anon, with hostes arayede,
3077: Euen at že 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,

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                                   -124-

3083: Ne no biernez mysebide, that to že burghe longede.
3084: When že Kyng Arthure had lely conquerid,
3085: And the castell couerede of že kythe riche,
3086: All že 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 že Duchez and hir dere childire;
3090: Wroghte wardaynes by wytte to welde all že 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 tÕhåoghte.
3094: And one že 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 ožer,
3100: Sone stowede theire stuffe and stablede žeire horses,
3101: Strekes streke ouer že strem into že strayte londez.
3102: Now he moues his myghte with myrthes of herte,
3103: Ouere mowntes so hye, žase 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 že coste, kay of all ožer.
3112: Sir Florent and Sir Floridas žan fowndes before,
3113: With freke men of Fraunce well a fyve hundreth;
3114: To že cete vnsene thay soghte at že gayneste,
3115: And sett an enbuschement, als žem selfe lykys.
3116: Thane ischewis owt of žat cete, full sone be že morne,
3117: Slely discouerours, skyftes theire horses;
3118: Than skyftes žes skouerours and skippes on hyllis,
3119: Diskoueres for skulkers that they no skathe lymppen.

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                                   -125-

3120: Pouerall and pastorelles passede on aftyre,
3121: With porkes to pasture at the price 3ates;
3122: Boyes in že subarbis bourden full heghe,
3123: At a bare synglere that to že bente rynnys.
3124: Thane brekes oure buschement and the brigge wynnes,
3125: Brayedez into že burghe with baners displayede;
3126: Stekes and stabbis thorowe that them a3aynes-stondes;
3127: Fowre stretis or žay stynte they stroyen fore euere.
3128: Now es the Conquerour in Combe and his courte holdes
3129: Within že kyde castelll, with kynges enoynttede;
3130: Reconsaillez the comouns žat to že kyth lengez,
3131: Comfourthes že carefull with knyghtly wordez;
3132: Made a captayne kene a knyghte of hys awen,
3133: Bot all že contre and he full sone ware accordide.
3134: The Syre of Melane herde saye že 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 že 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 žus wele tymede,
3151: Takes townnes full tyte, with towrres full heghe;
3152: Walles he welte down, wondyd knyghtez,
3153: Towrres he turnes and turmentez že pople,
3154: Wroghte wedewes full wlonke wrotherayle synges,
3155: Ofte wery and wepe and wryngen theire handis;

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                                   -126-

3156: And all he wastys with werre, thare he awaye rydez,
3157: Thaire welthes and theire wonnyÕnåges, wandrethe he wroghte.
3158: Thus they spryngen and sprede and sparis bot lyttill,
3159: Spoylles dispetouslye and spillis theire vynes,
3160: Spendis vnsparely žat 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 žat vale he vetailles his biernez,
3166: With vernage and ožer 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 že 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 že Conquerour and karpes thire wordes:
3179: Prayes hym for že pes and profyrs full large,
3180: To hafe pete of že Pope, žat put was atvndyre;
3181: Besoghte hym of surrawns, for sake of oure Lorde,
3182: Bot a seuenyghte daye to žay ware all semblede,
3183: And they schulde sekerlye hym see the Sonondaye žeraftyre,
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 žerafter,
3192: They tryne vnto a tente, whare tables whare raysede;

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                                   -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 žam 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 že conynge, when them tym thoghte,
3203: Tas theire lefe at že Kynge and tornede agayne:
3204: To že cete žat nyghte thaye soughte at že 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, žise 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 žat on the erthe lengez!
3212: We will by že Crosse Dayes encroche žeis londez,
3213: And at že 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 že 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 že 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.

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                                   -128-

3230: Me thoughte I was in a wode willed myn one,
3231: That I ne wiste no waye whedire žat 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 žeire tuskes,
3235: All fore lapynge of blude of my lele knyghtez.
3236: Thurghe žat 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 žerevndyre;
3246: All froytez foddenid was žat 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 že drowghte of že daye all drye ware že flores.
3250: Than discendis in the dale, down fra že 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 ožer bryghte stonys
3257: With hir bake and hir breste was brochede all ouer;
3258: With kelle and with corenall clenliche arrayede,
3259: And žat so comly of colour on knowen was neuer.
3260: Abowte cho whirllide a whele with hir whitte hondez,
3261: Ouerwhelme all qwayntely že 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 že compas ther clewide kyngis one rawe,
3269: With corowns of clere golde žat krakede in sondire;
3270: Sex was of žat setill full sodaynliche fallen,
3271: Ilke a segge by hym selfe, and saide theis wordez:
3272: 'That euer I rengnede on žir 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: Že tone eye of že byeryn was brighttere žan siluer,
3283: The tožer 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, žat 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 že nonis;
3298: 'I was dredde in my dayes,' he said, 'in dyuerse rewmes,
3299: And now dampnede to že dede, and dole es the more.'
3300: The fourte was a faire mane and forsy in armes,
3301: Že fayreste of fegure that fourmede was euer:
3302: 'I was frekke, in my faithe,' he said, 'whills I one fowlde regnede,

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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 žan fele of žies ožer,
3307: A forsy man and a ferse, with fomand lippis;
3308: He fongede faste on že 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 že spere-lenghe spekes, he spekes žire 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, žat mofes vs all.'
3324: Two kynges ware clymbande and clauerande one heghe.
3325: The creste of že compas they couette full 3erne;
3326: 'This chaire of charbokle,' they said, 'we chalange hereaftyre,
3327: As two of že cheffeste chosen in erthe.'
3328: The childire ware chalke-whitte, chekys and ožer,
3329: Bot the chayere abownne cheuede they neuer;
3330: The forthirmaste was freely, with a frount large,
3331: The faireste of fyssnamy žat 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 tožer was cledde in a cote all of clene siluer,
3335: With a comliche crosse coruen of golde,
3336: Fowre crosselettes krafty by že crosse ristes,
3337: And therby knewe I the kyng, žat crystnede hym semyde.
3338: Than I went to žat wlonke and wynly hire gretis,
3339: And cho said, 'Welcom iwis; wele arte thow fownden;

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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 ožer,
3344: That has žow fownden in faithe, and fele of ži biernez:
3345: Fore I fellid down Sir Frolle with frowarde knyghtes;
3346: Forethi the fruytes of Fraunce are freely thynne awen.
3347: Thow sall že chayere escheue, I chese že my selfen,
3348: Before all že cheftaynes chosen in this erthe.'
3349: Scho lifte me vp lightly with hir lene hondes,
3350: And sette me softely in the see, že 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 žat I sothely was souerayne in erthe.
3358: Than broght cho me a brande with full bryghte hiltes,
3359: And bade me 'Brawndysche že blade, že brande es myn awen;
3360: Many swayn with že swynge has the swÕeåtte leuede,
3361: For whills thow swanke with the swerde, it swykkede že neuer.'
3362: Than raykes cho with roo and riste when hir likede,
3363: To že ryndes of že 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 že bewes scholde bewe down and bryng to my hondes
3367: Of že 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 že fruyte, bot fonde whills me likede:
3371: 'Fonde of že fyneste, thow frelich byerne,
3372: And reche to že ripeste and ryotte thy seluen.
3373: Riste, thow ryalle roye, for Rome es thyn awen!
3374: And I sall redily roll že roo at že gayneste,
3375: And reche the že riche wyne in rynsede coupes.'
3376: Thane cho wente to že welle by že wode euis,

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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 žat any lede scholde;
3382: Bot at že 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 žat 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 žat 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 že 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 že 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, že 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 ožer kynges and kaste in thyne herte,
3407: That were conquerours kydde and crownnede in erthe:
3408: The eldeste was Alexandere, žat all že erthe lowttede,
3409: The tožer Ector of Troye, the cheualrous gume;
3410: The thirde Iulyus Cesare, žat 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;

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3414: The fyfte was Iosue, žat joly mane of armes,
3415: Žat in Ierusalem oste full myche joye lymppede;
3416: The sexte was Dauid že dere, demyd with kynges
3417: One of že doughtyeste žat 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: Žat in že 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 žat lifeliche launce that lepe to his herte,
3428: When he was crucyfiede one Crose, and all že kene naylis,
3429: Knyghtly he sall conquere to Cristyn men hondes.
3430: The tožer sall be Godfraye, that Gode schall reuenge
3431: One že 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 že fetches to fulfill the nowmbyre,
3439: Alls nynne of že 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 že doughtyeste žat 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;

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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, žat pighte was full faire
3461: With perry of že Oryent and precyous stones;
3462: His gloues gayliche gilte and grauen by že 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 ža still euys,
3467: Stotays at a hey strette, studyande hym one.
3468: Att the surs of že 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 že 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 že Kynge selfen,
3484: Knaues will kill the and keppe at thow haues;
3485: And if žou halde že 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.

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3490: Latte the keneste come that to že 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: Žoffe žou že 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 žat wroghte es on erthe!
3496: Bot I will passe in pilgremage žis žas 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 žou, kene man, quod že Kynge than,
3504: That knawes Kynge Arthure and his knyghttes also?
3505: Was žou euer in his courte, qwylls he in kyth lengede?
3506: Thow karpes so kyndly, it comforthes myn herte.
3507: Well wele has žou wente and wysely žou sechis,
3508: For žou arte Bretowne bierne, as by thy brode speche.
3509: Me awghte to knowe že 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 žou 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 žou awaye passede:
3525: He has castells encrochede and corownde hym seluen,
3526: Kaughte in all že rentis of že Rownde Tabill;
3527: He devisede že rewme and delte as hym likes,

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3528: Dubbede of že Danmarkes dukes and erlles,
3529: Disseueride žem 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 žat lange to že 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 že pouere;
3541: Fro Humbyre to Hawyke he haldys his awen,
3542: And all že 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 žat Henguste and Hors hent in žeire 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 žow them assailles.
3549: Bot 3itt a worde witterly, thowe watte noghte že werste:
3550: He has weddede Waynore, and hir his wieffe holdis,
3551: And wonnys in the wilde bowndis of že weste marches,
3552: And has wroghte hire with childe, as wittnesse tellis.
3553: Off all že wyes of žis 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 že the sothe.
3557: Than the burliche kynge, for brethe at his herte,
3558: And for this botelesse bale, all his ble chaungede.
3559: By že Rode, sais že 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 žis cas tellys:

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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 žis tresone has wroghte,
3568: And I may traistely hym take, as I am trew lorde.
3569: This es Modrede, že 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 žat thare no lede chaunge,
3586: And tendirly to Tuskayne take tente alls I byde;
3587: Resaywe the rentis of Rome qwen žay are rekkenede;
3588: Take sesyn the same daye that laste was assygnede,
3589: Or elles all že ostage withowttyn že wallys,
3590: Be hynggyde hye appon hyghte all holly at ones.
3591: Nowe bownes the bolde kynge with Õhiså 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 že 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 že schyre waters.
3601: By že roche with ropes he rydes on ankkere,
3602: Thare the false men fletyde and one flode lengede,

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                                   -138-

3603: With chefe chaynes of chare chokkode togedyrs,
3604: Charggede evyn chekeful of cheualrous knyghtes,
3605: And in že 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 ožer,
3609: Dubbyde with dagswaynnes dowblede they seme;
3610: And thus že derfe Danamarkes had dyghte all theyre chippys,
3611: That no dynte of no darte dere them ne schoulde.
3612: Than the Roye and že 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 žareaftyre;
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 ožer,
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 žeire 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 že 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 žareaftyre;
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 že clere maylis,
3646: Buskes baners one brode, betyn of gowles,
3647: With corowns of clere golde, clenliche arraiede;
3648: Bot žare was chosen in že chefe a chalke-whitte Mayden,
3649: And a Childe in hir arme, žat Chefe es of Hevyne;
3650: Withowtten changyng in chace, thies ware že cheefe armes
3651: Of Arthure že auenaunt, qwhylls he in erthe lengede.
3652: Thane the marynerse mellys and maysters of chippis;
3653: Merily iche a mate menys till ožer:
3654: Of theire termys they talke, how žay 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 že streme thare stryvynge begynnes.
3660: Fro že wagande wynde owte of že weste rysses,
3661: Brethly bessomes with byrre in beryns sailles;
3662: With hir bryngges one burde burliche cogges,
3663: Qwhylls že bilyge and že beme brestys in sondyre;
3664: So stowttly že forsterne one že stam hyttis,
3665: Žat stokkes of že stere-burde strykkys in peces.
3666: Be than cogge appon cogge, krayers and ožer,
3667: Castys crepers one crosse als to že crafte langes.
3668: Thane was hede-rapys hewen žat helde vpe že 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 žat coloured ware faire.
3675: Vptyhes eghelyng žay ochen žareaftyre:
3676: With že swynge of že swerde sweys že mastys,

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -140-

3677: Ovyrefallys in že firste frekis and othire;
3678: Frekke in že 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 že 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 že harde stele full hertly dynttis.
3687: Sone hotchen in holle the hežene knyghtes,
3688: Hurte thourghe že harde stele, hele they neuer.
3689: Than they fall to že fyghte, foynes with sperys,
3690: All the frekkeste one frownte žat to že fyghte langes;
3691: And ilkon frechely fraystez theire strenghes,
3692: Were to fyghte in že flete with theire fell wapyn.
3693: Thus they dalte žat daye, thire dubbide knyghtes,
3694: Till all že Danes ware dede and in že 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 že kene men of kampe, knyghtes and ožer,
3702: Killyd are colde dede and castyn ouer burdez.
3703: Theire swyers sweyftly has že swete leuyde;
3704: Hežen heuande on hatche in žer hawe ryses,
3705: Synkande in že salte see seuen hundrethe at ones.
3706: Thane Sir Gawayne the gude, he has že gree wonnen,
3707: And all že 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 žaire hedys.
3710: Thus of že false flete appon že flode happenede,
3711: And thus žeis feryne folke fey are beleuede.
3712: 3itt es že traytoure one londe with tryede knyghttes,
3713: And all trompede they trippe one trappede stedys,

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -141-

3714: Schewes them vndir schilde one že 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 žat in theire syghte houede.
3718: Be this the folke was fellyde, thane was že flode passede;
3719: Thane was it slyke a slowde in slakkes full hugge,
3720: That let že 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 že 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 že watere,
3727: That to že girdyll he gos in all his gylte wedys;
3728: Schottis vpe appon že sonde in syghte of že 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 žow 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 že beste and bryng them o dawe;
3737: Bees noghte abayste of theire boste, abyde on že erthe.
3738: 3e haue my baneres borne in batailles full hugge;
3739: We sall fell 3one false, že Fende hafe theire saules!
3740: Fightes faste with že frape, že felde sall be owres;
3741: May I žat 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 žat sall in this journee be juggede full euen.
3745: Now they seke ouer že sonde žis soppe at že gayneste,
3746: Sembles one že sowdeours and settys theire dyntys:
3747: Thourghe že scheldys so schene schalkes žey towche,
3748: With schaftes scheueride schorte of žas schene launces;
3749: Derfe dynttys they dalte with daggande sperys.
3750: One že danke of že dewe many dede lyggys:

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -142-

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 že richeste vnreken dynttis;
3755: Thare they thronge in the thikke and thristis to že 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: Žat bare of gowles full gaye with gowtes of syluere;
3760: He gyrdes hym in at že gorge with his grym launce,
3761: Žat že grownden glayfe graythes in sondyre;
3762: With žat boystous brayde he bownes hym to dye,
3763: Že Kyng of Gutlande it was, a gude man of armes.
3764: Thayre avawwarde than all voydes žareaftyre,
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 že grene hill,
3769: He had wirchipe, iwys, wonnen for euer.
3770: Bot žan Sir Gawayne, iwysse, he waytes hym wele
3771: To wreke hym on this werlaughe žat žis werre mouede;
3772: And merkes to Sir Modrede amonge all his beryns,
3773: With the Mownttagus and ožer gret lordys.
3774: Žan 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 žay 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 Õseeå 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: Žofe we hafe vnwittyly wastede oure selfen,
3803: We sall wirke all wele in že 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 žat precious Prynce of all ožer,
3807: With prophetes and patriarkes and apostlys full nobill,
3808: Before His freliche face that fourmede vs all.
3809: 3ondire to 3one 3aldsons, he žat 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 žat gret bataille he graythes hym son:
3815: Radly of his riche swerde he reghttes že cheynys,
3816: In he schokkes his schelde, schountes he no lengare;
3817: Bot alls vnwyse, wodewyse, he wente at že gayneste,
3818: Wondis of thas wedirwyns with wrakfull dynttys,
3819: All wellys full of blode thare he awaye passes;
3820: And žofe hym ware full woo, he wondys bot lyttill,
3821: Bot wrekys at his wirchip že wrethe of hys lorde.
3822: He stekys stedis in stoure and sterenefull knyghttes,
3823: That steryn men in theire sterapes stone-dede žay lygge;
3824: He ryvys že ranke stele, he rittes že 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 žat hym before standis,
3828: Fell neuer fay man siche fortune in erthe.
3829: Into že hale bataile hedlyngs he rynys,
3830: And hurtes of že hardieste žat 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 žat 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 že gayneste;
3838: All walewede one blode, thare he awaye passede,
3839: Iche a wy may be warre be wreke of anožer.
3840: Žan he moues to Sir Modrede amange all his knyghttes,
3841: And mett hym in že myde-schelde and mallis hym thorowe;
3842: Bot the schalke for the scharpe he schownttes a littill,
3843: He schare hym one že schorte rybbys a schaftmonde large:
3844: The schafte schoderede and schotte in the schire beryn,
3845: Žat že schadande blode ouer his schanke rynnys,
3846: And schewede on his schynbawde, žat was schire burneste.
3847: And so they schyfte and schove, he schotte to že erthe;
3848: With že lussche of že launce he lyghte one hys schuldyrs,
3849: Ane akere lenghe one a launde, full lothely wondide.
3850: Than Gawayne gyrde to že gome and one že 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 že mayles,
3855: And že tožer slely slynges hym vndire;
3856: With a trenchande knyfe the traytoure hym hyttes,
3857: Thorowe že helme and že hede, one heyghe one že brayne:
3858: And thus Sir Gawayne es gon, the gude man of armes,
3859: Withowttyn reschewe of renke and rewghe es že more;
3860: Thus Sir Gawayne es gon, that gyede many othire,
3861: Fro Gowere to Gernesay, all že gret lordys,
3862: Of Glamour, of Galys londe, žis galyarde knyghtes,
3863: For glent of gloppynyng glade be they neuer.

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -145-

3864: Kyng Froderike of Fres faythely žareaftyre
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 že sothe;
3868: Qwat gome was he this with the gaye armes,
3869: With žis gryffoune of golde, žat 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 že 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, že gladdeste of othire,
3877: And the graciouseste gome that vndire God lyffede,
3878: Mane hardyeste of hande, happyeste in armes,
3879: And že hendeste in hawle vndire heuen riche,
3880: Že 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 že dayes of thy lyfe.
3886: 3it žat 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: Žat euer his werdes ware wroghte siche wandrethe to wyrke.
3890: Whene he thoghte on žis thynge, it thirllede his herte:
3891: For sake of his sybb blode sygheande he rydys;
3892: When žat renayede renke remembirde hym seluen
3893: Of reuerence and ryotes of že 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 žat 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 že Tyseday žareaftyre,
3901: Trynnys in with a trayne treson to wirke;

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -146-

3902: And by že Tambire žat 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 žas owte-mowntes,
3910: And wonn thare in wildernesse, within ža wast landys.
3911: Than cho 3ermys and 3e3es at 3orke in hir chambire,
3912: Gronys full grysely with gretand teres,
3913: Passes owte of že palesse with all hir pryce maydenys,
3914: Towarde Chestyre in a charre thay chese hir že 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 že habite in že honoure of Criste,
3918: And all for falsede and frawde and fere of hir louerde.
3919: Bot whene oure wiese kyng wiste žat 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 že girdyll,
3924: Swalters vpe swyftly with his swerde drawen,
3925: Bownnys his bataile and baners displayes,
3926: Buskes ouer že brode sandes with breth at his herte,
3927: Ferkes frekkly one felde žare že feye lygges.
3928: Of the traytours men one trappede stedis,
3929: Ten thosandez ware tynte, že trewghe to acownt,
3930: And certane on owre syde seuen score knyghtes,
3931: In soyte with theire souerayne vnsownde are beleuede.
3932: Že Kyng comly ouerkeste knyghtes and othire,
3933: Erlles of Awfrike and Estriche berynes,
3934: Of Orgaile and Orekenay, že 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 že grownde and girde thorowe even.

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -147-

3939: The riche kynge ransakes with rewthe at his herte,
3940: And vp rypes the renkes of all že 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 žat sanke hym so sade bot žat sighte one.
3949: Than gliftis že gud kynge and glopyns in herte,
3950: Gronys full grisely with gretande teris;
3951: Knelis down to že cors and kaught it in armes,
3952: Kastys vpe vmbrere and kyssis hym sone,
3953: Lokes one his eye-liddis, žat lowkkide ware faire,
3954: His lippis like to že lede and his lire falowede.
3955: Žan 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 že hope of my hele, my happynge of armes,
3959: My herte and my hardynes hale one hym lengede,
3960: My concell, my comforthe, žat kepide myn herte.
3961: Of all knyghtes že kynge žat vndir Criste lifede,
3962: Žou was worthy to be kyng, žofe I že corown bare;
3963: My wele and my wirchipe of all žis 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, žou duellis to longe!
3968: Why drawes žou so one dreghe? Thow drownnes myn herte!
3969: Than sweÕlåtes 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 žat stownde.
3975: Blyne, sais thies bolde men, thow blondirs ži selfen;

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -148-

3976: Žis 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 ožer!
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 že Kyng and kryes full lowde;
3988: With carefull contenaunce he karpes thes wordes:
3989: O rightwis, riche Gode, this rewthe Thow beholde,
3990: Žis 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 že 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 že cors in kyghte žare 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 žat rynnes appone erthe;
4001: Neuer grewhownde late glyde, ne gossehawke latt flye,
4002: Ne neuer fowle see fellide žat 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 že cors with kare at theire hertes,
4010: Karyed one a coursere with že Kynge selfen;
4011: The waye vnto Wynchestre žay wente at the gayneste,
4012: Wery and wandsomdly, with wondide knyghtes.

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                                   -149-

4013: Thare come že prior of že plas and professide monkes,
4014: Apas in processione and with the Prynce metys;
4015: And he betuke žam the cors of že knyghte noble.
4016: "Lokis it be clenly kepyd," he said, "and in že kirke holden,
4017: Done for derygese, as to že ded fallys,
4018: Menskede with messes for mede of že saule;
4019: Loke it wante no waxe, ne no wirchipe ells,
4020: And at že body be bawmede and one erthe holden;
4021: 3iff žou kepe thi couent encroche any wirchipe
4022: At my comyng agayne, 3if Crist will it thole,
4023: Abyde of že beryeng till they be broughte vndire,
4024: Žat has wroghte vs this woo and žis werre mouede."
4025: Žan sais Sir Wychere že 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: Žat we see in his sorte appon že see bankes."
4033: With krewell contenaunce thane the Kyng karpis theis wordes:
4034: "I praye the, kare noghte, Sir Knyghte, ne caste žou 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 že stede styre halfe a stede lenghe,
4039: I sall Õstrykeå hym in his stowre and stroye hym for euer;
4040: And žareto make I myn avowe devottly to Cryste,
4041: And to Hys Modyre Marie, že 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 žat hym slowghe, 3if any sleyghte happen;
4046: Bot euer pursue the payganys žat my pople distroyede,
4047: Qwylls I may pare them and pynne, in place žare me likes."
4048: Thare durste no renke hym areste of all že Rownde Table,
4049: Ne none paye žat 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 že traytoure he trynys full euene,
4056: And turnys in be že Treyntis že traytoure to seche,
4057: Fyndis hym in a foreste že Frydaye thereaftire;
4058: The Kyng lyghttes one fott and freschely askryes,
4059: And with his freliche folke he has že felde nomen.
4060: Now isschewis his enmye vndire že 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 že 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 žat multitude in žase man londis.
4072: Than the royall roy of že 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, žire auenaunt children,
4079: Ayers with Arthure, with seuen score of knyghtes;
4080: He rewlis že rerewarde redyly thareaftyre,
4081: The rekeneste redy men of že 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;

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                                   -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 že 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 žeis 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: Žan Sir Arthure oste his enmye askryes,
4114: And in they schokke theire scheldes, schontes no lengare;
4115: Schotte to že 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, že feye blod rynnys;
4122: Of že 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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                                   -152-

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: Žus fersly they fyghte appon sere halfes,
4130: That of že bolde Bretons myche blode spillis;
4131: Thare durste non rescowe them for reches in erthe,
4132: Že steryn ware žare so stedde and stuffede witÕhå 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 že 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 žareaftyre:
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 že 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 žis erthe,
4154: Criste comly with crown take kepe to hys saule.
4155: Žan remys the riche kyng with rewthe at his herte,
4156: Hewys hys handys one heghte and to že heuen lokes:
4157: Qwythen hade Dryghttyn destaynede at his dere will,
4158: Žat 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 žat Alexandere aughte qwhills he in erthe lengede.
4161: Sir Ewayne and Sir Errake, žes excellente beryns,
4162: Enters in one že oste and egerly strykes;

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                                   -153-

4163: The ethenys of Orkkenaye and Irische kynges,
4164: Žay gobone of že gretteste with growndene swerdes,
4165: Hewes one žas hulkes with žeire harde wapyns,
4166: Layed down žas ledes with lothely dynttys;
4167: Schuldirs and scheldys žay schrede to že hawnches,
4168: And medills thourghe mayles žay merken in sondire,
4169: Siche honoure neuer aughte none erthely kyng
4170: At theire endyng daye, bot Arthure hym seluen.
4171: So že droughte of že daye dryede theire hertes,
4172: That bothe drynkles they dye, dole was že more.
4173: Now mellys oure medillwarde and mengen togedire
4174: Sir Mordrede že Malebranche, with his myche pople;
4175: He had hide hym behynde within thas holte eyuys,
4176: With halle bataile on hethe, harme es že more;
4177: He hade sene že conteke al clene to že ende,
4178: How oure cheualrye cheuyde be chaunces of armes;
4179: He wiste oure folke was forfoughtten, žat žare was feye leuede;
4180: To encowntere že Kyng he castes hym sone.
4181: Bot the churles chekyn hade chaungyde his armes:
4182: He had sothely forsaken ža sawturoure engrelede,
4183: And laughte vpe thre lyons all of whitte siluyre,
4184: Passande in purpre of perrie full riche,
4185: For že Kyng sulde noghte knawe že 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 žes kyndly wordez:
4189: I see že traytoure come 3ondyr trynande full 3erne:
4190: 3one ladde with že 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 že bryghte hiltes;
4200: I durste neuer dere it in dedis of armes,

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                                   -154-

4201: Bot euer kepide clene, because of my seluen.
4202: For I see Clarent vnclede, žat 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 že kepynge hir selfe of žat kydde wapyn,
4206: Off cofres enclosede žat to že crown lengede,
4207: With rynges and relikkes and že 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: Žat že 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: Žat was Sir Arthure awen and Vtere his fadirs,
4217: In že wardrop of Walyngfordhe was wonte to be kepede;
4218: Žarewith že derfe dogge syche dynttes he rechede,
4219: Že tožer withdrewe one dreghe and durste do non ožer;
4220: For Sir Marrake was man merrede in elde,
4221: And Sir Mordrede was myghty and Õinå his moste strenghis;
4222: Come non within že compas, knyghte ne non ožer,
4223: Within že swyng of swerde, žat ne he že swete leuyd.
4224: Žat persayfes oure Prynce and presses to faste,
4225: Strykes into že stowre by strenghe of hys handis,
4226: Metis with Sir Mordrede, he melis vnfaire:
4227: Turne, traytoure vntrewe, že 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: Že cantell of že clere schelde he kerfes in sondyre,
4232: Into že schuldyre of že schalke a schaftmonde large,
4233: Žat že schire rede blode schwede one že maylys.
4234: He schodirde and schrenkys and schontes bott lyttill,
4235: Bott schokkes in scharpely in his schene wedys:
4236: The felone with že fyn swerde freschely he strykes;
4237: The felettes of že ferrere syde he flassches in sondyre,

         ---------------------------------------------------------
                                   -155-

4238: Thorowe jopown and jesserawnte of gentill mailes,
4239: The freke fichede in že flesche an halfe fotte large;
4240: That derfe dynt was his dede, and dole was že more
4241: That euer žat 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 že swerde hande, als he by glentes:
4245: Ane inche from že elbowe he ochede it in sondyre,
4246: Žat he swounes one že swarthe and one swym fallis;
4247: Thorowe bracer of brown stele and že bryghte mayles,
4248: That the hilte and že hande appon že hethe ligges.
4249: Thane frescheliche že freke the fente vpe rerys,
4250: Brochis hym in with the bronde to že bryghte hiltys,
4251: And he brawles one the bronde and bownes to dye.
4252: In faye, says že feye kynge, sore me forthynkkes
4253: That euer siche a false theefe so faire an ende haues.
4254: Qwen they had fenyste žis feghte, thane was že felde wonen,
4255: And the false folke in že 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 ožer,
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 že auenaunt and ožer grett lordes,
4264: He kawghte vp Sir Cador with care at his herte,
4265: Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremonde, žes clere men of armes,
4266: Sir Lothe and Sir Lyonell, Sir Lawncelott and Lowes,
4267: Marrake and Meneduke, žat 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 žat liste noghte lyfe and loste had his myrthis,
4271: Than he stotays for made and all his strenghe faylez,
4272: Lokes vpe to že 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:

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                                   -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 žat 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 že Bretons blode broughte owt of lyfe,
4290: And nowe in žis journee all my joy endys."
4291: Thane relyes že renkes of all že Rownde Table:
4292: To že ryall roy thay ride žam all;
4293: Than assembles full sone seuen score knyghtes,
4294: In sighte to žaire souerayne, žat was vnsownde leuede.
4295: Than knelis the crownede kynge and kryes one lowde,
4296: "I thanke že, Gode, of Thy grace, with a gud wyll,
4297: That gafe vs vertue and witt to vencows žis beryns;
4298: And vs has grauntede že gree of theis gret lordes.
4299: He sent vs neuer no schame, ne schenchipe in erthe,
4300: Bot euer 3it že ouerhande of all ožer kynges.
4301: We hafe no laysere now žese lordys to seke,
4302: For 3one laythely ladde me lamede so sore;
4303: Graythe vs to Glasthenbery, vs gaynes non ožer,
4304: Thare we may ryste vs with roo and raunsake oure wondys.
4305: Of žis dere day werke, že 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 že gate at že gayneste;
4309: Entres že 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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                                   -157-

4312: The Kyng sees be asaye žat 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 že erthe,
4331: With all wirchipe and welthe žat 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 že Bruytte tellys.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------