“The Alliterative Morte Arthure” Anonymous Lines 1 through 25 · “The Alliterative Morte...

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“The Alliterative Morte Arthure” Anonymous

Lines 1 through 25 [folio 53r] Now grett glorious Godd, thurgh grace of Hym seluen, 1 And the precyous prayere of Hys prys Modyr, 2 Schelde vs fro schamesdede and synfull werkes, 3 And gyffe vs grace to gye and gouerne vs here, 4 In this wrechyd werld, thorowe vertous lywynge, 5 That we may kayre til Hys courte, the kyngdom of Hevyne, 6 When oure saules schall parte and sundyre fra the body, 7 Ewyre to belde and to byde in blysse wyth Hym seluen; 8 And wysse me to werpe owte som worde at this tym 9 That nothyre voyde be ne vayne, bot wyrchip till Hym selvyn, 10 Plesande and profitabill to the popule þat them heres. 11 Ȝe that liste has to lyth or luffes for to here 12 Off elders of alde tym and of theire awke dedys, 13 How they were lele in theire lawe and louede God Almyghty, 14 Herkynes me heyndly and holdys ȝow styll, 15 And I sall tell ȝow a tale þat trewe es and nobyll, 16 Off the ryeall renkys of the Rownnde Table, 17 That chefe ware of cheualrye and cheftans nobyll, 18 Bathe ware in thire werkes and wyse men of armes, 19 Doughty in theire doyngs and dredde ay schame, 20 Kynde men and courtays and couthe of courte thewes; 21 How they whanne wyth were wyrchippis many, 22 Sloughe Lucyus þe lythyre, that Lorde was of Rome, 23 And conqueryd that kyngryke thorowe craftys of armes; 24 Herkenes now hedyrwarde and herys this storye. 25 Lines 26 through 77 Qwen that the kyng Arthur by conqueste hade wonnyn 26 Castells and kyngdoms and contreez many, 27


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

Page 42 Orgayle and Orkenay and all this owte iles, 30 Irelande vttirly, as occyane rynnys; 31 Scathyll Scottlande by skyll he skyftys as hym lykys, 32 And Wales of were he wane at hys will; 33 Bathe Flaundrez and Fraunce fre til him seluyn, 34 Holaund and Henawde they helde of hym bothen, 35 Burgoyne and Brabane and Bretayn the Lesse, 36 Gyan and Gothelande and Grace the ryche; 37 Bayon and Burdeux he beldytt full faire, 38 Turoyn and Tholus, with toures full hye; 39 Off Peyters and of Prouynce he was prynce holdyn, 40 [folio 53v] Of Valence and Vyenne, off value so noble, 41 Of Ouergne and Anyou, thos erledoms ryche— 42 By conqueste full cruell þey knewe hym fore lorde; 43 Of Nauerne and Norwaye and Normaundye eke, 44 Of Almayne, of Estriche, and oþer ynowe; 45 Danmarke he dryssede all by drede of hym seluyn, 46 Fra Swynn vnto Swetherwyke, wiþ his swerde kene. 47 Qwenn he thes dedes had don, he doubbyd hys knyghtez, 48 Dyuysyde dowcherys and delte in dyuerse remmes, 49 Mad of his cosyns kyngys ennoyntede, 50 In kyth there they couaitte crounes to bere. 51 Whene he thys rewmes hade redyn and rewlyde the popule, 52 Then rystede that ryall and helde þe Rounde Tabyll; 53 Suggeourns þat seson to solace hym seluen 54 In Bretayn þe Braddere, as hym beste lykes. 55 Sythyn wente into Wales with his wyes all, 56 Sweys into Swaldye with his snell houndes, 57 For to hunt at þe hartes in thas hye laundes, 58


In Glamorgan with glee, thare gladchipe was euere. 59 And thare a citée he sette, be assentte of his lordys, 60 That Caerlyon was callid, with curius walles, 61 On the riche reuare þat rynnys so faire, 62 There he myghte semble his sorte to see whenn hym lykede. 63 Thane aftyre at Carlele a Cristynmese he haldes, 64 This ilke kyde conquerour, and helde hym for lorde, Page 43 65 Wyth dukez and duspers of dyuers rewmes, 66 Erles and ercheuesqes and oþer ynowe, 67 Byschopes and bachelers and banerettes nobill, 68 Þat bowes to his banere, buske when hym lykys. 69 Bot on the Cristynmes Daye, when they were all semblyde, 70 That comlyche conquerour commaundez hym seluyn 71 Þat ylke a lorde sulde lenge and no lefe take 72 To the tende day fully ware takyn to þe ende. 73 Thus on ryall araye he helde his Rounde Table, 74 With semblant and solace and selcouthe metes; 75 Whas neuer syche noblay in no manys tym 76 Mad in mydwynter in þa weste marchys. 77 Lines 78 through 115 Bot on the Newȝere Daye, at þe none euyne, 78 As the bolde at the borde was of brede seruyde, 79 So come in sodanly a senatour of Rome, 80 [folio 54r] Wyth sexten knyghtes in a soyte, sewande hym one. 81 He saluȝed the souerayne, and the sale aftyr, 82 Ilke a kyng aftyre kyng, and mad his enclines; 83 Gaynour in hir degré he grette as hym lykyde, 84 And syne agayne to þe gome he gaffe vp his nedys: 85 "Sir Lucius Iberius, the Emperour of Rome, 86 Saluz the as sugett, vndyre his sele ryche; 87


It es credens, Sir Kyng, with cruell wordez; 88 Trow it for no trufles: his targe es to schewe. 89 Now in this Newȝers Daye, with notaries synge, 90 I make the somouns in sale to sue for þi landys, 91 That on Lammesse Daye thare be no lette founden, 92 Þat thow bee redy at Rome with all thi Rounde Table, 93 Appere in his presens with thy price knyghtez, 94 At pryme of the daye, in payne of ȝour lyvys, 95 In þe kydd capytoile, before þe kyng selvyn, 96 When he and his senatours bez sette as them lykes, 97 To ansuere anely why thow ocupyes the laundez 98 That awe homage of alde till hym and his eldyrs; 99 Why thow has redyn and raymede and raunsound þe pople, 100 And kyllyde doun his cosyns, kyngys ennoynttyde; 101 Thare schall thow gyffe rekkynyng for all thy Round Table 102 Why thow arte rebell to Rome and rentez them wytholdez. Page 44 103 Ȝiff thow theis somouns wythsytte, he sendes thie thies wordes: 104 He sall the seke ouer þe see wyth sexten kynges, 105 Bryne Bretayn þe Brade and bryttyn thy knyghtys, 106 And bryng the bouxsomly as a beste with brethe whare hym lykes, 107 That thow ne schall rowte ne ryste vndyr the heuene ryche, 108 Þofe thow for reddour of Rome ryne to þe erthe; 109 For if thow flee into Fraunce or Freselaund owþer, 110 Þou sall be feched with force and ouersette fore euer! 111 Thy fadyr mad fewtée, we fynde in oure rollez, 112 In the regestre of Rome, who-so ryghte lukez. 113 Withowttyn more trouflyng the trebute we aske 114 That Iulius Cesar wan with his ientill knyghttes." 115 Lines 116 through 165 The Kyng blyschit on the beryn with his brode eghn, 116 Þat full brymly for breth brynte as the gledys, 117


Keste colours as Kyng, with crouell lates, 118 [folio 54r] Luked as a lyon, and on his lyppe bytes. 119 The Romaynes for radnesse ruschte to þe erthe, 120 Fore ferdnesse of hys face, as they fey were; 121 Cowchide as kenetez before þe Kyng seluyn: 122 Because of his contenaunce confusede them semede. 123 Then couerd vp a knyghte and criede ful lowde, 124 "Kyng corounede of kynd, curtays and noble, 125 Misdoo no messangere for menske of þi seluyn, 126 Sen we are in thy manrede and mercy þe besekes. 127 We lenge with Sir Lucius, that Lorde es of Rome, 128 That es þe meruelyousteste man þat on molde lengez; 129 It is lefull till vs his likyng till wyrche; 130 We come at his commaundment; haue vs excusede." 131 Then carpys þe Conquerour crewell wordez: 132 "Haa, crauaunde knyghte, a cowarde þe semez! 133 Þare is [supplied by ed.] some segge in this sale, and he ware sare greuede, 134 Thow durste noghte for all Lumberdye luke on hym ones." 135 "Sir," sais þe Senatour, "so Crist mott me helpe, 136 Þe voute of thi vesage has woundyde vs all! 137 Thow arte þe lordlyeste lede þat euer I one lukyde; 138 By lukyng, withowttyn lesse, a lyon the semys!" 139 "Thow has me somond," quod þe Kyng, "and said what þe lykes; Page 45 140 Fore sake of thy soueraynge I suffre the þe more; 141 Sen I was [supplied by ed.] coround in kyth, wyth crysum enoyntede, 142 Was neuer creature to me þat carpede so large. 143 Bot I sall tak concell at kynges enoyntede, 144 Off dukes and duspers and doctours noble, 145 Offe peres of þe parlement, prelates and oþer, 146


Off þe richeste renkys of þe Rounde Table; 147 Þus schall I take avisemente of valiant beryns, 148 Wyrke aftyre the wytte of my wyes knyghttes; 149 To warpe wordez in waste no wyrchip it were, 150 Ne wilfully in þis wrethe to wreken my seluen. 151 Forþi sall þow lenge here and lugge wyth þise lordes, 152 This seuenyghte in solace, to suggourne ȝour horses, 153 To see whatte lyfe þat wee leede in thees lawe laundes, 154 Forby þe realtée of Rome, þat recheste was euere." 155 He command Sir Cayous, "Take kepe to thoos lordez, 156 To styghtyll þa steryn men as theire statte askys, 157 That they bee herberde in haste in thoos heghe chambres, 158 [folio 55r] Sythin sittandly in sale seruyde theraftyr. 159 That they fynd na fawte of fude to thiere horsez, 160 Nowthire weyn, ne waxe, ne welthe in þis erthe, 161 Spare for no spycerye, bot spende what þe lykys, 162 That there be largesce on lofte and no lake founden. 163 If þou my wyrchip wayte, wy, be my trouthe, 164 Þou sall haue gersoms full grett, that gayne sall þe euere." 165 Lines 166 through 230 Now er they herberde in hey and in oste holden, 166 Hastyly wyth hende men within thees heghe wallez; 167 In chambyrs with chympnes þey chaungen þeire wedez, 168 And sythyn the chauncelere þem fecchede with cheualrye noble. 169 Sone þe Senatour was sett, as hym wele semyde; 170 At þe Kyngez ownn borde twa knyghtes hym seruede, 171 Singulere sothely, as Arthure hym seluyn, 172 Richely on þe ryghte hannde at the Round Table, 173 Be resoun þat þe Romaynes whare so ryche holden, 174 As of þe realeste blode þat reynede in erthe. 175 There come in at þe fyrste course, befor þe Kyng seluen, 176


Bareheuedys þat ware bryghte, burnyste with syluer, Page 46 177 All with taghte men and town in togers full ryche, 178 Of saunke reall in suyte, sexty at ones; 179 Flesch fluriste of fermyson with frumentée noble, 180 Therto wylde to wale and wynlyche bryddes, 181 Pacokes and plouers in platers of golde, 182 Pygges of porke despyne þat pasturede neuer, 183 Sythen herons in hedoyne, hyled full faire, 184 Grett swannes full swythe in silueryn chargeours, 185 Tartes of turky—taste wham þem lykys— 186 Gumbaldes grathely, full gracious to taste, 187 Seyne bowes of wylde bores with þe braune lechyde, 188 Bernakes and botures in baterde dysches, 189 Þareby braunchers in brede—bettyr was neuer— 190 With brestez of barowes þat bryghte ware to schewe; 191 Seyn come þer sewes sere, with solace þerafter— 192 Ownd of azure all ouer and ardant þem semyde— 193 Of ilke a leche þe lowe launschide full hye, 194 Þat all ledes myghte lyke þat lukyde þem apon; 195 Þan cranes and curlues craftyly rosted, 196 Connygez in cretoyne, colourede full faire, 197 Fesauntez enflureschit on flammande siluer, 198 With dariells endoride and daynteez ynewe; 199 Þane clarett and creette, clergyally rennen, 200 [folio 55v] With condethes full curious, all of clene siluyre, 201 Osay an [supplied by ed.] d algarde and oþer ynewe, 202 Rynisch wyne and rochell—richere was neuer— 203 Vernage of Venyce vertuouse and Crete, 204 In faucetez of fyn golde—fonode whoso lykes. 205 The Kyngez cope-borde was closed in siluer, 206


In grete goblettez ouergylte, glorious of hewe; 207 There was a cheefe buttlere, a cheualere noble, 208 Sir Cayous þe curtaise, þat of þe cowpe seruede: 209 Sexty cowpes of suyte fore þe Kyng seluyn, 210 Crafty and curious, coruen full faire, 211 In euerilk a party pyghte with precyous stones, 212 That nan enpoyson sulde goo preuely þervndyre, 213 Bot þe bryght golde for brethe sulde briste al to peces, Page 47 214 Or ells þe venym sulde voyde thurghe vertue of þe stones. 215 And the Conquerour hym seluen, so clenly arayede, 216 In colours of clene golde cleede, wyth his knyghttys, 217 Drissid with his dyademe on his deesse ryche, 218 Fore he was demyd þe doughtyeste þat duellyde in erthe. 219 Thane þe Conquerour kyndly carpede to þose lordes, 220 Rehetede þe Romaynes with realle speche: 221 "Sirs, bez knyghtly of contenaunce, and comfurthes ȝour seluyn; 222 We knowe noghte in þis countré of curious metez, 223 In thees barayne landez, bredes none oþer; 224 Forethy, wythowttyn feynyng, enforce ȝow þe more 225 To feede ȝow with syche feble as ȝe before fynde." 226 "Sir," sais þe Senatour, "soo Criste motte me helpe, 227 There ryngnede neuer syche realtee within Rome walles! 228 There ne es prelatte, ne pape, ne prynce in þis erthe, 229 That he ne myghte be wele payede of þees pryce metes." 230 Lines 231 through 287 Aftyre theyre welthe þey wesche and went vnto chambyre, 231 Þis ilke kydde Conquerour, with knyghtes ynewe; 232 Sir Gaywayne þe worthye Dame Waynour he ledys; 233 Sir Owghtreth on the toþer syde, of Turry was lorde. 234 Thane spyces vnsparyly þay spendyde thereaftyre: 235 Maluesye and muskadell, þase meruelyous drynkes, 236


Raykede full rathely in rossete cowpes, 237 Till all þe riche on rawe, Romaynes and oþer. 238 Bot the soueraingne sothely, for solauce of hym seluen, 239 Assingnyde to þe Senatour certaygne lordes, 240 To lede to his leueré, whene he leue askes, 241 With myrthe and with melodye of mynstralsy noble. 242 Thane þe Conquerour to concell cayres thereaftyre, 243 Wyth lordes of his lygeaunce þat to hym selfe langys; 244 To þe geauntes toure iolily he wendes, 245 Wyth justicez and iuggez and gentill knyghtes. 246 [folio 56r] Sir Cador of Cornewayle to þe Kyng carppes, 247 Lughe on hym luffly with lykande lates: 248 "I thanke Gode of þat thraa þat vs þus thretys! 249 Ȝow moste be traylede, I trowe, bot ȝife ȝe trett bettyre. 250 Þe lettres of Sir Lucius lyghttys myn herte! Page 48 251 We hafe as losels liffyde many longe daye, 252 Wyth delyttes in this land with lordchipez many, 253 And forelytenede the loos þat we are layttede; 254 I was abaischite, be oure Lorde, of oure beste bernes, 255 Fore gret dule of deffuse of dedez of armes. 256 Now wakkenyse þe were! Wyrchipide be Cryste! 257 And we sall wynn it aga [supplied by ed.] yne be wyghtnesse and strenghe!" 258 "Sir Cadour," quod þe Kyng, "thy concell es noble; 259 Bot þou arte a meruailous man with thi mery wordez; 260 For thow countez no caas, ne castes no forthire, 261 Bot hurles furthe appon heuede, as thi herte thynkes. 262 I moste trette of a trew towchande þise nedes, 263 Talke of thies tythdands þat tenes myn herte: 264 Þou sees þat þe Emperour es angerde a lyttill; 265


Yt semes be his sandismen þat he es sore greuede; 266 His senatour has sommonde me and said what hym lykyde, 267 Hethely in my hall, wyth heynȝous wordes, 268 In speche disspyszede me and sparede me lyttill— 269 I myght noghte speke for spytte, so my herte trymblyde! 270 He askyde me tyrauntly tribute of Rome, 271 That tenefully tynt was in tym of myn elders, 272 There alyenes, in absence of all men of armes, 273 Couerd it of comons, as cronicles telles. 274 I have title to take tribute of Rome; 275 Myne ancestres ware emperours and aughte it þem seluen, 276 Belyn and Brene and Bawdewyne the Thyrde; 277 They ocupyede þe Empyre aughte score wynnttyrs, 278 Ilkane ayere aftyre oþer, as awlde men telles; 279 Thei couerde þe capitoile and keste doun þe walles, 280 Hyngede of þeire heddys-men by hundrethes at ones. 281 Seyn Constantyne, our kynsmane, conquerid it aftyre, 282 Þat ayere was of Ynglande and Emperour of Rome, 283 He þat conquerid þe crosse be craftez of armes 284 That Criste was on crucifiede, þat Kyng es of Heuen. 285 Thus hafe we euydens to aske þe Emperour þe same, 286 That þus regnez at Rome, whate ryghte þat he claymes." 287 Lines 288 through 303 Þan answarde Kyng Aungers to Arthure hym seluyn, Page 49 288 "Thow aughte to be ouerlynge ouer all oþer kynges, 289 [folio 56v] Fore wyseste and worthyeste and wyghteste of hanndes, 290 The knyghtlyeste of counsaile þat euer coron bare; 291 I dare saye fore Scottlande þat we them schathe lympyde: 292 When þe Romaynes regnede þay raunsound oure eldyrs, 293 And rade in theire ryotte and rauyschett oure wyfes, 294


Withowttyn reson or ryghte refte vs oure gudes. 295 And I sall make myn avowe deuotly to Criste, 296 And to þe haly vernacle, vertuus and noble, 297 Of this grett velany I sall be vengede ones, 298 On ȝone venemus men, wyth valiant knyghtes! 299 I sall the forthire of defence, fosterde ynewe, 300 Fifty thowsande men, wythin two eldes, 301 Of my wage for to wende whare so the lykes, 302 To fyghte wyth thy faamen, þat vs vnfaire ledes!" 303 Lines 304 through 336 Thane the burelyche Beryn of Bretayne þe Lyttyll 304 Counsayles Sir Arthure, and of hym besekys 305 To ansuere þe alyenes wyth austeren wordes, 306 To entyce the Emperour to take ouere the mounttes. 307 He said, "I make myn avowe verreilly to Cryste 308 And to þe haly vernacle þat voide schall I neuere, 309 For radnesse of na Romayne þat regnes in erthe, 310 Bot ay be redye in araye and at areste founden. 311 No more dowtte the dynte of theire derfe wapyns, 312 Þan þe dewe þat es dannke when þat it doun falles: 313 Ne no more schoune fore þe swape of theire scharpe suerddes, 314 Then fore þe faireste flour þatt on the folde growes! 315 I sall to batell the brynge of brenyede knyghtes 316 Thyrtty thosannde be tale, thryftye in armes, 317 Wythin a monethe daye into whatte marche 318 Þat þow wyll sothelye assygne, when thy selfe lykes." 319 "A! A!" sais þe Walsche kyng, "wirchipid be Criste! 320 Now schalle we wreke full wele þe wrethe of oure elders! 321 In West Walys iwysse syche wonndyrs þay wroghte, 322 Þat all for wandrethe may wepe þat on þat were thynkes. 323 I sall haue the avanttwarde wytterly my seluen, 324 Tyll þat I haue venquiste þe Vicounte of Rome, 325


Þat wroghte me at Viterbe a velanye ones, Page 50 326 As I paste in pylgremage by the Pounte Tremble; 327 He was in Tuskayne þat tyme and tuke of oure knyghttes, 328 Areste them vnryghttwyslye and raunsound þam aftyre; 329 I sall hym surelye ensure þat saghetyll sall we neuer, 330 Are we sadlye assemble by oure selfen ones, 331 And dele dynttys of dethe with oure derfe wapyns! 332 And I sall wagge to þat were, of wyrchipfull knyghtes, 333 Of Wyghte and of Walschelande and of the weste marches, 334 [folio 57r] Twa thosande in tale, horsede one stedys, 335 Of þe wyghteste wyes in all ȝone weste landys!" 336 Lines 337 through 381 Syre Ewan fytz Vryence þane egerly fraynez— 337 Was cosyn to þe Conquerour, corageous hym selfen— 338 "Sir, and we wyste ȝour wyll, we walde wirke þeraftyre: 339 Ȝif þis journée sulde halde or be ajournede forthyre, 340 To ryde one ȝone Romaynes and ryott theire landez, 341 We walde schape vs therefore to schippe whene ȝow lykys." 342 "Cosyn," quod þe Conquerour, "kyndly þou asches; 343 Ȝife my concell accorde to conquere ȝone landez, 344 By þe kalendez of Iuny we schall encountre ones, 345 Wyth full creuell knyghtez, so Cryste mot me helpe! 346 Thereto make I myn avowe devottly to Cryste, 347 And to the holy vernacle, vertuous and noble, 348 I sall at Lammesse take leue to lenge at my large 349 In Lorayne or Lumberdye, whethire me leue thynkys; 350 Merke vnto Meloyne and myne doun þe wallez, 351 Bathe of Petyrsande and of Pys and of þe Pounte Tremble; 352 In þe Vale of Viterbe vetaile my knyghttes, 353 Suggourne there sex wokes and solace my selfen; 354


Send prekers to þe price toun and plaunte there my segge, 355 Bot if þay profre me þe pece be processe of tym." 356 "Certys," sais Sir Ewayn, "and I avowe aftyre, 357 And I þat hathell may see euer with myn eghn, 358 Þat ocupies thin heritage, þe Empyere of Rome, 359 I sall auntyre me anes hys egle to touche, 360 Þat borne es in his banere of brighte golde ryche, 361 And raas it from his riche men and ryfe it in sondyre, 362 Bot he be redily reschowede with riotous knyghtez! Page 51 363 I sall enforsse ȝowe in þe felde with fresche men of armes, 364 Fyfty thosande folke apon faire stedys, 365 On thi foomen to foonde, there the faire thynkes, 366 In Fraunce or in Friselande—feghte when þe lykes!" 367 "By oure Lorde," quod Sir Launcelott, "now lyghttys myn herte! 368 I loue Gode of þis loue þis lordes has avowede. 369 Nowe may lesse men haue leue to say whatt them lykes, 370 And hafe no lettyng be lawe, bot lystynnys þise wordez: 371 I sall be at journée with gentill knyghtes, 372 On a jamby stede, full jolyly graythide, 373 Or any journée begane to juste with hym selfen, 374 Emange all his geauntez, Genyuers and oþer, 375 Stryke hym styfflye fro his stede, with strenghe of myn handys, 376 For all þa steryn in stour þat in his stale houys! 377 Be my retenu arayede, I rekke bott a lyttill 378 [folio 57v] To make rowtte into Rome with ryotous knyghtes; 379 Within a seuenyghte daye, with sex score helmes, 380 I sall be seen on the see—saile when þe lykes!" 381 Lines 382 through 406 Thane laughes Sir Lottez and all on lowde meles: 382 "Me likez þat Sir Lucius lannges aftyre sorowe; 383


Now he wylnez þe were, hys wanedrethe begynnys! 384 It es owre weredes to wreke the wrethe of oure elders. 385 I make myn avowe to Gode and to þe holy vernacle, 386 And I may se þe Romaynes, þat are so ryche halden, 387 Arayede in þeire riotes on a rounde felde, 388 I sall at þe reuerence of þe Rounde Table, 389 Ryde thrughte all þe rowtte, rerewarde and oþer, 390 Redy wayes to make and renkkes full rowme, 391 Rynnande on rede blode as my stede ruschez! 392 He þat folowes my fare and fyrste commes aftyre 393 Sall fynde in my farewaye many fay leuyde!" 394 Thane þe Conquerour kyndly comforthes þese knyghtes, 395 Alowes þaim gretly theire lordly avowes: 396 "Alweldande Gode wyrchip ȝow all, 397 And latte me neuere wanntte ȝow, whylls I in werlde regne; 398 My menske and my manhede ȝe mayntene in erthe, 399 Myn honour all vtterly in oþer kyngys landes; Page 52 400 My wele and my wyrchipe, of all þis werlde ryche, 401 Ȝe haue knyghtly conqueryde, þat to my coroun langes; 402 Hym thare be ferde for no faees þat swylke a folke ledes, 403 Bot euer fresche for to fyghte in felde when hym lykes; 404 I acounte no kynge þat vndyr Criste lyffes; 405 Whills I see ȝowe all sounde, I sette be no more." 406 Lines 407 through 514 Qwhen they tristily had tretyd, þay trumppede vp aftyre, 407 Descendyd doune with a daunce of dukes and erles. 408 Thane þey semblede to sale and sowpped als swythe, 409 All þis semly sorte, wyth semblante full noble. 410 Thene the roy reall rehetes thes knyghttys, 411 Wyth reuerence and ryotte of all his Rounde Table, 412 Till seuen dayes was gone—þe Senatour askes 413


Answere to þe Emperour with austeryn wordez. 414 Aftyre þe Epiphanye, when þe purpos was takyn, 415 Of peris of þe parlement, prelates and oþer, 416 The Kyng in his concell, curtaise and noblee, 417 Vtters þe alienes and ansuers hym seluen: 418 "Gret wele Lucius, thi lorde, and layne noghte þise wordes; 419 Ife þow be lygmane lele, late hym wiet sone 420 I sall at Lammese take leue and loge at my large 421 In delitte in his laundez, wyth lordes ynewe, 422 Regne in my realtée and ryste when me lykes, 423 By þe reyuere of Reone halde my Rounde Table, 424 Fannge the fermes, in faithe, of all þa faire rewmes, 425 For all þe manace of hys myghte and mawgrée his eghne! 426 [folio 58r] And merke sythen ouer the mounttez into his mayne londez, 427 To Meloyne the meruaylous, and myn doun the walles; 428 In Lorrayne ne in Lumberdye lefe schall I nowthire 429 Nokyn lede appon liffe þat þare his lawes ȝemes; 430 And turne into Tuschayne, whene me tyme thynkys, 431 Ryde all þas rowme landes wyth ryotous knyghttes; 432 Byde hym [supplied by ed.] make reschewes, fore menske of hym seluen, 433 And mette me fore his manhede in þase mayne landes. 434 I sall be foundyn in Fraunce—fraiste when hym lykes— 435 The fyrste daye of Feuerȝere, in thas faire marches; 436 Are I be fechyde wyth force or forfette my landes, 437 Þe flour of his faire folke full fay sall be leuyde! Page 53 438 I sall hym sekyrly ensure, vndyre my seele ryche, 439 To seege þe cetée of Rome wythin seuen wyntyre, 440 And that so sekerly ensege apon sere halfes, 441 That many a senatour sall syghe for sake of me one! 442


My sommons er certified, and thow arte full seruyde 443 Of cundit and credense—kayre the lykes; 444 I sall thi journaye engyste, enjoyne them my seluen, 445 Fro this place to þe porte, there þou sall passe ouer; 446 Seuen dayes to Sandewyche I sette at the large, 447 Sexty myle on a daye—þe somme es bott lyttill. 448 Thowe moste spede at the spurs and spare noghte thi fole; 449 Thow weyndez by Watlyng Strette and by no waye ells; 450 Thare thow nyghes on nyghte nedez moste þou lenge: 451 Be it foreste or felde, found þou no forthire; 452 Bynde thy blonke by a buske with thy brydill euen, 453 Lugge þi selfe vndyre lynde, as þe leefe thynkes; 454 There awes none alyenes to ayer appon nyghttys, 455 With syche a rebawdous rowtte to ryot thy seluen. 456 Thy lycence es lemete in presence of lordys; 457 Be now lathe or lette, ryghte as þe thynkes, 458 For bothe þi lyffe and thi lym lygges þerappon, 459 Þofe Sir Lucius had laide þe lordchipe of Rome; 460 For þe þow founden a fute withowte þe flode merkes, 461 Aftyr þe aughtende day, when vndroun es rungen, 462 Þou sall be heuedede in hye and with horsse drawen, 463 And seyn heyly be hangede, houndes to gnawen! 464 The rente ne rede golde þat vnto Rome langes 465 Sall noghte redily, renke, raunson thyn one!" 466 "Sir," sais þe Senatour, "so Crist mot me helpe, 467 Might I with wirchip wyn awaye ones, 468 I sulde neuer fore emperour þat on erthe lenges, 469 Efte vnto Arthure ayere on syche nedys; 470 Bot I am sengilly here, with sex sum of knyghtes; 471 I beseke ȝow, Sir, that we may sounde passe: 472 In any vnlawefull lede lette vs by þe waye, 473 Within thy lycence, lorde, thy loosse es enpeyrede." 474 [folio 58v]


"Care noghte," quod the Kyng; "thy coundyte es knawen Page 54 475 Fro Carlele to þe coste, there thy cogge lengges; 476 Þoghe thy cofers ware full, cramede with syluer, 477 Thow myghte be sekyre of my sele sexty myle forthire." 478 They enclined to þe Kyng, and coungé þay askede, 479 Cayers owtt of Carelele, catchez on theire horsez; 480 Sir Cadore þe curtayes kende them the wayes, 481 To Catrike þem cunvayede and to Crist þem bekennyde. 482 So þey spede at þe spoures, þey sprangen þeire horses, 483 Hyres þem hakenayes hastyly þereaftyre; 484 So fore reddour þey reden and risted them neuer, 485 Bot ȝif they luggede vndire lynd whills þem lyghte failede; 486 Bot euere þe Senatour forsothe soghte at þe gayneste. 487 By þe sevend day was gone þe cetée þai rechide; 488 Of all þe glee vndire Gode so glade ware þey neuere, 489 As of þe sounde of þe see and Sandwyche belles. 490 Wythowttyn more stownntyng þey schippide þeire horsez, 491 Wery, to þe wane see þey went all att ones; 492 With þe men of þe walle they weyde vp þeire ankyrs, 493 And fleede at þe fore flude; in Flaundrez þey rowede, 494 And thorughe Flaundres þey founde, as þem faire thoghte, 495 Till Akyn in Almayn, in Arthur landes; 496 Gosse by þe Mount Goddarde full greuous wayes, 497 And so into Lumberddye, lykande to schewe. 498 They turne thurghe Tuskayne, with towres full heghe, 499 In Pis appairells them in precious wedez; 500 The Sonondaye in Suters þay suggourne þeire horsez, 501 And sekes þe seyntez of Rome, be assente of knyghtes; 502 Sythyn prekes to þe pales, with portes so ryche, 503 Þare Sir Lucius lenges, with lordes enowe; 504 Lowttes to hym lufly, and lettres hym bedes, 505


Of credence enclosyde, with knyghtlyche wordez. 506 Then þe Emperour was egree and enkerly fraynes; 507 Þe answere of Arthure he askes hym sone, 508 How he arayes þe rewme and rewlys þe pople, 509 Ȝif he be rebell to Rome whate ryghte þat he claymes. 510 "Thow sulde his ceptre haue sesede and syttyn aboun, 511 Fore reuerence and realtée of Rome þe noble; Page 55 512 By sertes þow was my sandes and senatour of Rome; 513 He sulde, fore solempnitée, hafe seruede þe hym seluen!" 514 Lines 515 through 521 "That will he neuer for no wye of all þis werlde ryche, 515 Bot who may wynn hym of werre, by wyghtnesse of handes; 516 Many fey schall be fyrste appon þe felde leuyde, 517 Are he appere in this place profre when þe likes. 518 I saye the, Sir, Arthure es thyn enmye fore euer, 519 And ettells to bee ouerlyng of þe Empyre of Rome, 520 [folio 59r] That alle his ancestres aughte, bot Vtere hym selfe. 521 Lines 522 through 553 Thy nedes this Newe Ȝere I notifiede my selfen, 522 Before þat noble of name and neynesom of kynges; 523 In the moste reale place of þe Rounde Table, 524 I somounde hym solempnylye, one-seeande his knyghtez. 525 Sen I was formyde, in faythe, so ferde was I neuere, 526 In all þe placez ther I passede of pryncez in erthe. 527 I wolde foresake all my suyte of segnourry of Rome, 528 Or I efte to þat soueraygne whare sente one suyche nedes! 529 He may be chosyn cheftayne, cheefe of all oþer, 530 Bathe be chauncez of armes and cheuallrye noble, 531 For whyeseste and worthyeste and wyghteste of hanndez; 532


Of all the wyes þate I watte in this werlde ryche, 533 The knyghtlyeste creatoure in Cristyndome halden, 534 Of kyng or of conquerour crownede in erthe; 535 Of countenaunce, of corage, of crewelle lates, 536 The comlyeste of knyghtehode þat vndyre Cryste lyffes. 537 He maye be spoken in dyspens despysere of syluere, 538 That no more of golde gyffes þan of grette stones, 539 No more of wyne þan of watyre þat of þe welle rynnys, 540 Ne of welthe of þis werlde bot wyrchipe allone. 541 Syche contenaunce was neuer knowen in no kythe ryche, 542 As was with þat conquerour in his courte halden; 543 I countede at this Crystynmesse of kyngez enoynttede 544 Hole ten at his table þat tym with hym selfen. 545 He wyll werraye iwysse—be ware ȝif þe lykes; 546 Wage many wyghtemen and wache thy marches, 547 That they be redye in araye and at areste foundyn; 548 For ȝife he reche vnto Rome, he raunsouns it for euere! Page 56 549 I rede þow dresce the þerfore, and drawe no lytte langere; 550 Be sekyre of þi sowdeours and sende to þe mowntes; 551 Be þe quartere of þis ȝere, and hym quarte stannde, 552 He wyll wyghtlye in a qwhyle on his wayes hye." 553 Lines 554 through 569 "Bee estyre," sais þe Emperour, "I ettyll my selfen 554 To hostaye in Almayne with armede knyghtez; 555 Sende freklye into Fraunce, þat flour es of rewmes, 556 Fande to fette þat freke and forfette his landez; 557 For I sall sette kepers, full conaunde and noble, 558 Many geaunte of Geen, justers full gude, 559 To mete hym in the mountes and martyre hys knyghtes, 560 Stryke þem doun in strates and struye them fore euere! 561 There sall appon Godarde a garette be rerede, 562


That schall be garneschte and kepyde with gude men of armes, 563 And a bekyn abouen to brynne when þem lykys, 564 Þat nane enmye with hoste sall entre the mountes; 565 There schall one Mounte Bernarde be beyldede anoþere, 566 [folio 59v] Buschede with banerettes and bachelers noble; 567 In at the portes of Pavye schall no prynce passe, 568 Thurghe the perelous places, for my pris knyghtes." 569 Lines 570 through 609 Thane Sir Lucius lordlyche lettres he sendys 570 Onone into þe Oryente, with austeryn knyghtez, 571 Till Ambyganye and Orcage and Alysaundyre eke, 572 To Inde and to Ermonye, as Ewfrates rynnys, 573 To Asye and to Affrike and Ewrope þe large, 574 To Irritayne and Elamet and all þase owte ilez, 575 To Arraby and Egipt, till erles and oþer, 576 That any erthe ocupyes in þase este marches, 577 Of Damaske and Damyat, and dukes and erles, 578 For drede of his daungere they dresside þem sone; 579 Of Crete and of Capados the honourable kyngys 580 Come at his commandmente clenly at ones, 581 To Tartary and Turky, when tythynngez es comen; 582 They turne in by Thebay, terauntez full hugge, 583 The flour of þe faire folke of Amazonnes landes— 584 All thate faillez on þe felde be forfette fore euere! 585 Of Babyloyn and Baldake the burlyche knyghtes, 586 Bayous with theire baronage bydez no langere; 587

Page 57 Of Perce and of Pamphile and Preter Iohne landes, 588 Iche prynce with his powere appertlyche graythede; 589 The Sowdane of Surrye assemblez his knyghtes, 590 Fra Nylus to Nazarethe, nommers full huge; 591


To Garyere and to Galelé þey gedyre all at ones, 592 The sowdanes that ware sekyre sowdeours to Rome; 593 They gadyrede ouere þe Grekkes See with greuous wapyns, 594 In theire grete galays, wyth gleterande scheldez; 595 The kynge of Cyprys on the see þe Sowdane habydes, 596 With all þe realls of Roodes arayede with hym one. 597 They sailede with a syde wynde oure þe salte strandez, 598 Sodanly þe Sarezenes, as them selfe lykede; 599 Craftyly at Cornett the kynges are aryefede, 600 Fra þe ceté of Rome sexti myle large. 601 Be that the Grekes ware graythede, a full gret nombyre, 602 The myghtyeste of Macedone, with men of þa marches; 603 Pulle and Pruyslande presses with oþer, 604 The legemen of Lettow with legyons ynewe. 605 Thus they semble in sortes, summes full huge, 606 Sowdanes and Sarezenes owt of sere landes; 607 The Sowdane of Surry and sextene kynges, 608 At the cetée of Rome assemblede at ones. 609 Lines 610 through 624 Thane yschewes þe Emperour, armede at ryghtys, 610 Arayede with his Romaynes appon ryche stedys; 611 Sexty geauntes before, engenderide with fendez, 612 With weches and warlaws to wacchen his tentys, 613 Ayware whare he wendes, wyntres and ȝeres. 614 [folio 60r] Myghte no blonkes them bere, thos bustous churlles, 615 Bot couerde camellez of tourse, enclosyde in maylez. 616 He ayerez oute with alyenez, ostes full huge, 617 Ewyn into Almayne, þat Arthure hade wonnyn; 618 Rydes in by þe ryuere and ryottez hym seluen, 619 And ayerez with a huge wyll all þas hye landez. 620 All Westwale of werre he wynnys as hym lykes, 621


Drawes in by Danuby and dubbez hys knyghtez; 622 In the contré of Coloine castells enseggez, 623 And suggeournez þat seson wyth Sarazenes ynewe. 624 Lines 625 through 678 At the vtas of Hillary, Syr Arthure hym seluen Page 58 625 In his kydde councell commande þe lordes: 626 "Kayere to ȝour cuntréz and semble ȝour knyghtes, 627 And kepys me at Constantyne clenlyche arayede; 628 Byddez me at Bareflete apon þa blythe stremes, 629 Baldly within borde, with ȝowre beste beryns; 630 I schall menskfully ȝowe mete in thos faire marches." 631 He sendez furthe sodaynly sergeantes of armes 632 To all hys mariners on rawe, to areste hym schippys. 633 Wythin sexten dayes hys fleet whas assemblede, 634 At Sandwyche on þe see, saile when hym lykes. 635 In the palez of Ȝorke a parlement he haldez, 636 With all þe perez of þe rewme, prelates and oþer; 637 And aftyre þe prechynge, in presence of lordes, 638 The Kyng in his concell carpys þes wordes: 639 "I am in purpos to passe perilous wayes, 640 To kaire with my kene men to conquere ȝone landes, 641 To owttraye myn enmy, ȝif auenture it schewe, 642 That ocupyes myn heritage, þe Empyre of Rome. 643 I sett ȝow here a soueraynge—ascente ȝif ȝowe lykys— 644 That es me sybb, my syster son, Sir Mordrede hym seluen, 645 Sall be my leuetenaunte, with lordchipez ynewe, 646 Of all my lele legemen þat my landez ȝemes." 647 He carpes till his cosyne þane, in counsaile hym seluen: 648 "I make the kepare, Sir Knyghte, of kyngrykes manye, 649 Wardayne wyrchipfull, to weilde al my landes, 650 That I haue wonnen of werre, in all þis werlde ryche. 651


I wyll þat Waynour, my weife, in wyrchipe be holden, 652 That hire wannte noo wele ne welthe þat hire lykes; 653 Luke my kydde castells be clenlyche arrayede, 654 There cho maye suggourne hire selfe wyth semlyche berynes; 655 Fannde my forestez be frythede o frenchepe for euere, 656 That nane werreye my wylde botte Waynour hir seluen, 657 And þat in þe seson whene grees es assignyde, 658 That cho take hir solauce in certayne tymms. 659 Chauncelere and chambyrleyn chaunge as þe lykes; 660 Audytours and offycers ordayne thy seluen, 661 Bathe juréez and juggez and justicez of landes; 662 [folio 60v] Luke thow justifye them wele that injurye wyrkes. Page 59 663 If me be destaynede to dye at Dryghtyns wyll, 664 I charge the my sektour, cheffe of all oþer, 665 To mynystre my mobles fore mede of my saule 666 To mendynauntez and mysese in myschefe fallen; 667 Take here my testament of tresoure full huge: 668 As I trayste appon the, betraye thowe me neuer! 669 As þow will answere before the austeryn Jugge, 670 That all þis werlde wynly wysse as Hym lykes, 671 Luke þat my laste wyll be lelely perfournede. 672 Thow has clenly þe cure that to my coroune langez 673 Of all my werl [supplied by ed.] dez wele, and my weyffe eke; 674 Luke þowe kepe the so clere there be no cause fonden 675 When I to contré come, if Cryste will it thole; 676 And thow haue grace gudly to gouerne thy seluen, 677 I sall coroune þe, knyghte, kyng with my handez." 678 Lines 679 through 692 Þan Sir Modrede full myldly meles hym seluen, 679 Knelyd to þe Conquerour and carpes þise wordez: 680


"I beseke ȝow, Sir, as my sybbe lorde, 681 Þat ȝe will for charyté cheese ȝow anoþer; 682 For if ȝe putte me in þis plytte, ȝowre pople es dyssauyde; 683 To presente a prynce astate my powere es symple. 684 When oþer of werre wysse are wyrchipide hereaftyre, 685 Than may I forsothe be sette bott at lyttill. 686 To passe in ȝour presance my purpos es takyn, 687 And all my purueaunce apperte fore my pris knyghtez." 688 "Thowe arte my neuewe full nere, my nurrée of olde, 689 That I haue chastyede and chosen, a childe of my chambyre; 690 For the sybredyn of me, foresake noghte þis offyce; 691 That thow ne wyrk my will, thow watte whatte it menes." 692 Lines 693 through 735 Nowe he takez hys leue and lengez no langere, 693 At lordez, at legemen, þat leues hym byhynden. 694 And seyne þat worthilyche wy went vnto chambyre, 695 For to comfurthe þe Qwene, þat in care lenges. 696 Waynour, waykly wepande, hym kyssiz, 697 Talkez to hym tenderly with teres ynewe: 698 "I may wery the wye thatt this werre mouede, Page 60 699 That warnes me wyrchippe of my wedde lorde; 700 All my lykyng of lyfe owte of lande wendez, 701 And I in langour am lefte, leue ȝe, for euere. 702 Whyne myghte I, dere lufe, dye in ȝour armes, 703 Are I þis destanye of dule sulde drye by myne one?" 704 "Grefe þe noghte, Gaynour, fore Goddes lufe of Hewen, 705 Ne gruche noghte my ganggyng: it sall to gude turne. 706 Thy wonrydez and thy wepyng woundez myn herte; 707 I may noghte wit of þis woo, for all þis werlde ryche! 708 I haue made a kepare, a knyghte of thyn awen, 709 Ouerlyng of Ynglande, vndyre thy seluen, 710


And that es Sir Mordrede, þat þow has mekyll praysede, 711 Sall be thy dictour, my dere, to doo whatte the lykes." 712 [folio 61r] Thane he takes hys leue at ladys in chambyre, 713 Kysside them kyndlyche and to Criste beteches; 714 And then cho swounes full swythe, when [supplied by ed.] he hys swerde aschede, 715 Twys in a swounyng, swelte as cho walde. 716 He pressed to his palfray, in presance of lordes, 717 Prekys of the palez with his prys knyghtes; 718 Wyth a reall rowte of þe Rounde Table 719 Soughte towarde Sandwyche—cho sees hym no more. 720 Thare the grete ware gederyde, wyth galyarde knyghtes, 721 Garneschit on þe grene felde and graythelyche arayede; 722 Dukkes and duzseperez daynttehely rydes, 723 Erles of Ynglande, with archers ynewe; 724 Schirreues scharply schiftys the comouns, 725 Rewlys before þe ryche of the Rounde Table; 726 Assingnez ilke a contrée to certayne lordes, 727 In the southe on þe see banke, saile when þem lykes. 728 Thane bargez them buskez and to þe baunke rowes, 729 Bryngez blonkez on bourde and burlyche helmes; 730 Trussez in tristly trappyde stedes, 731 Tentez and othire toylez and targez full ryche, 732 Cabanes and clathe-sekkes and coferez full noble, 733 Hekes and haknays and horsez of armez; 734 Thus they stowe in the stuffe of full steryn knyghtez. 735 Lines 736 through 1221 Qwen all was schyppede that scholde they schounte no lengere, Page 61 736 Bot ventelde them tyte, as þe tyde rynnez; 737 Coggez and crayers þan crossez þaire mastez, 738


At the comandment of þe Kynge vncouerde at ones. 739 Wyghtly on þe wale þay wye vp þaire ankers, 740 By wytt of þe watyre-men of þe wale ythez; 741 Frekes on þe forestavne faken þeire coblez, 742 In floynes and fercostez and Flemesche schyppes; 743 Tytt saillez to þe toppe and turnez þe lufe, 744 Standez appon stere-bourde, sternly þay songen. 745 The pryce schippez of the porte prouen theire depnesse, 746 And fondez wyth full saile ower þe fawe ythez; 747 Holly withowttyn harme þay hale in bottes; 748 Schipemen scharply schoten þaire portez, 749 Launchez lede apon lufe, lacchen þer depez; 750 Lukkez to þe lade-sterne when þe lyghte faillez, 751 Castez coursez be crafte when þe clowde rysez, 752 With þe nedyll and þe stone one þe nyghte tydez; 753 For drede of þe derke nyghte þay drecchede a lyttill, 754 And all þe steryn of þe streme strekyn at onez. 755 The Kynge was in a gret cogge, with knyghtez full many, 756 In a cabane enclosede, clenlyche arayede; 757 Within on a ryche bedde rystys a littyll, 758 And with þe swoghe of þe see in swefnyng he fell. 759 Hym dremyd of a dragon, dredfull to beholde, 760 Come dryfande ouer þe depe to drenschen hys pople, 761 [folio 61v] Ewen walkande owte of the weste landez, 762 Wanderande vnworthyly ouere the wale ythez; 763 Bothe his hede and hys hals ware halely all ouer 764 Oundyde of azure, enamelde full faire; 765 His scoulders ware schalyde all in clene syluere, 766 Schreede ouer all þe schrympe with schrinkande poyntez; 767 Hys wombe and hys wenges of wondyrfull hewes, 768 In meruaylous maylys he mountede full hye; 769 Whaym þat he towchede he was tynt for euer. 770


Hys feete ware floreschede all in fyne sabyll, 771 And syche a vennymous flayre flowe fro his lyppez, 772 That the flode of þe flawez all on fyre semyde. Page 62 773 Thane come of þe oryente, ewyn hym agaynez, 774 A blake, bustous bere abwen in the clowdes, 775 With yche a pawe as a poste and paumes full huge, 776 With pykes full perilous—all plyande þam semyde; 777 Lothen and lothely lokkes and oþer, 778 All with lutterde legges, lokerde vnfaire, 779 Filtyrde vnfrely, with fomaunde lyppez, 780 The foulleste of fegure that fourmede was euer. 781 He baltyrde, he bleryde, he braundyschte þerafter; 782 To bataile he bounnez hym with bustous clowez; 783 He romede, he rarede, that roggede all þe erthe, 784 So ruydly he rappyd at to ryot hym seluen. 785 Thane the dragon on dreghe dressede hym aȝaynez, 786 And with hys di [supplied by ed.] nttez hym drafe on dreghe by þe walkyn; 787 He fares as a fawcon: frekly he strykez; 788 Bothe with feete and with fyre he feghttys at ones. 789 The bere in the bataile þe bygger hym semyde, 790 And byttes hym boldlye wyth balefull tuskez; 791 Syche buffetez he hym rechez with hys brode klokes, 792 Hys brest and his brayell whas blodye all ouer. 793 He rawmpyde so ruydly that all þe erthe ryfez, 794 Rynnande on reede blode as rayne of the heuen. 795 He hade weryede the worme by wyghtnesse of strenghte, 796 Ne ware it fore the wylde fyre þat he hym wyth defendez. 797 Thane wandyrs þe worme awaye to hys heghttez, 798 Commes glydande fro þe clowddez and cowpez full euen, 799 Towchez hym wyth his talounez and terez hys rigg, 800


Betwyx þe taile and the toppe ten fote large. 801 Thus he brittenyd the bere and broghte hym o lyfe— 802 Lette hym fall in the flode, fleete whare hym lykes. 803 So they þryng þe bolde kyng bynne þe schippe-burde, 804 Þat nere he bristez for bale, on bede whare he lyggez. 805 Than waknez þe wyese kyng, wery foretrauaillede, 806 [folio 62r] Takes hym two phylozophirs that folowede hym euer, 807 In the seuyn scyence the suteleste fonden, 808 The conyn [supplied by ed.] geste of clergye vndyre Criste knowen. 809 He tolde þem of hys tourmente þat tym þat he slepede: Page 63 810 "Drechede with a dragon, and syche a derfe beste, 811 Has mad me full wery; ȝe tell me my swefen, 812 Ore I mon swelte as swythe, as wysse me oure Lorde!" 813 "Sir," saide þey son thane, thies sagge philosopherse, 814 "The dragon þat þow dremyde of, so dredfull to schewe, 815 That come dryfande ouer þe deepe to drynchen thy pople, 816 Sothely and certayne, thy seluen it es, 817 That thus saillez ouer þe see with thy sekyre knyghtez; 818 The colurez þat ware castyn appon his clere wengez, 819 May be thy kyngrykez all, that thow has ryghte wonnyn; 820 And the tatterede taile with tonges so huge, 821 Betakyns þis faire folke that in thy fleet wendez; 822 The bere that bryttenede was abowen in þe clowdez 823 Betakyns the tyrauntez þat tourmentez thy pople; 824 Or ells with somme gyaunt some journée sall happyn, 825 In syngulere batell by ȝoure selfe one, 826 And þow sall hafe þe victorye, thurghe helpe of oure Lorde, 827 As þow in thy visione was opynly schewede. 828 Of this dredfull dreme ne drede the no more; 829


Ne kare noghte, Sir Conquerour, bot comforth thy seluen; 830 And thise þat saillez ouer þe see, with thy sekyre knyghtez." 831 With trumppez then trystly they trisen vpe þaire saillez, 832 And rowes ouer the ryche see, this rowtte all at onez; 833 The comely coste of Normandye they cachen full euen, 834 And blythely at Barflete theis bolde are arryfede, 835 And fyndys a flete there of frendez ynewe, 836 The floure and þe faire folke of fyftene rewmez; 837 Fore kyngez and capytaynez kepyde hym fayre, 838 As he at Carelele commaundyde at Cristynmesse hym seluen. 839 Be they had taken the lande and tentez vpe rerede, 840 Comez a templere tyte and towchide to þe Kynge: 841 "Here es a teraunt besyde that tourmentez thi pople, 842 A grett geaunte of Geen, engenderde of fendez; 843 He has fretyn of folke mo than fyfe hondrethe, 844 And als fele fawntekyns of freeborne childyre. 845 This has bene his sustynaunce all this seuen wyntteres, Page 64 846 And ȝitt es that sotte noghte sadde, so wele hym it lykez! 847 In þe contree of Constantyne ne kynde has he leuede, 848 Withowttyn kydd castells enclosid wyth walles, 849 That he ne has clenly dystroyede all the knaue childyre, 850 And them caryede to þe cragge and clenly deworyd! 851 The Duchez of Bretayne todaye has he takyn, 852 [folio 62v] Beside Reynes as scho rade with hire ryche knyghttes; 853 Ledd hyre to þe mountayne thare þat lede lengez, 854 To lye by that lady aye whyls hir lyfe lastez. 855 We folowede o ferrom, moo then fyfe hundrethe 856 Of beryns and of burgeys and bachelers noble, 857 Bot he couerde the cragge—cho cryede so lowde, 858 The care of þat creatoure couer sall I neuer! 859


Scho was flour of all Fraunce, or of fyfe rewmes, 860 And one of the fayreste that fourmede was euere, 861 The gentileste jowell ajuggede with lordes 862 Fro Geen vnto Geron, by Ihesu of Heuen! 863 Scho was thy wyfes cosyn—knowe it if þe lykez— 864 Comen of þe rycheste that rengnez in erthe; 865 As thow arte ryghtwise Kyng, rewe on thy pople, 866 And fande for to venge them that thus are rebuykyde!" 867 "Allas!" sais Sir Arthure, "so lange haue I lyffede; 868 Hade I wyten of this, wele had me chefede; 869 Me es noghte fallen faire, bot me es foule happynede, 870 That thus this faire ladye this fende has dystroyede! 871 I had leuere thane all Fraunce this fyftene wynter 872 I hade bene before thate freke a furlange of waye, 873 When he that ladye had laghte and ledde to þe montez; 874 I hadde lefte my lyfe are cho hade harme lymppyde. 875 Bot walde þow kene me to þe crage thare þat kene lengez; 876 I walde cayre to þat coste and carpe wythe hym seluen, 877 To trette with that tyraunt fore treson of londes, 878 And take trewe for a tym, till it may tyde bettyr." 879 "Sire, see ȝe ȝone farlande, with ȝone two fyrez? 880 Þar filsnez þat fende—fraiste when the lykes— 881 Appone the creste of the cragge, by a colde welle, 882 That enclosez þe clyfe with þe clere strandez; 883 Ther may thow fynde folke fay wythowttyn nowmer, Page 65 884 Mo florenez, in faythe, than Fraunce es in aftyre; 885 And more tresour vntrewely that traytour has getyn 886 Thane in Troye was, as I trowe, þat tym þat it was wonn." 887 Thane romyez the ryche kynge for rewthe of þe pople, 888 Raykez ryghte to a tente and restez no lengere; 889 He welterys, he wristeles, he wryngez hys handez; 890


Thare was no wy of þis werlde that wyste whatt he menede. 891 He calles Sir Cayous, þat of þe cowpe serfede, 892 And Sir Bedvere þe bolde, þat bare hys brande ryche: 893 "Luke ȝe aftyre euensang be armyde at ryghttez, 894 On blonkez by ȝone buscayle, by ȝone blythe stremez, 895 Fore I will passe in pilgremage preuely hereaftyre, 896 [folio 63r] In the tyme of suppere, whene lordez are servede, 897 For to seken a saynte be ȝone salte stremes, 898 In Seynt Mighell Mount, there myraclez are schewede." 899 Aftyre euesange, Sir Arthure hym sel [supplied by ed.] fen 900 Wente to hys wardrop and warp of hys wedez, 901 Armede hym in a acton with orfraeez full ryche, 902 Abouen on þat a jeryn of Acres owte ouer, 903 Abouen þat a jesseraunt of jentyll maylez, 904 A jupon of Ierodyn, jaggede in schredez; 905 He brayedez one a bacenett, burneschte of syluer, 906 The beste þat was in Basill, wyth bordurs ryche; 907 The creste and þe coronall enclosed so faire 908 Wyth clasppis of clere golde, couched wyth stones; 909 The vesare, þe aventaile, enarmede so faire, 910 Voyde withowttyn vice, with wyndowes of syluer; 911 His gloues gaylyche gilte and grauen at þe hemmez, 912 With graynez and gobelets, glorious of hewe. 913 He bracez a brade schelde and his brande aschez, 914 Bounede hym a broun stede and on þe bente houys; 915 He sterte till his sterep and stridez on lofte, 916 Streynez hym stowttly and sterys hym faire, 917 Brochez þe baye stede and to þe buske rydez, 918 And there hys knyghtes hym kepede full clenlyche arayede. 919 Than they roode by þat ryuer þat rynnyd so swythe, 920 Þare þe ryndez ouerrechez with reall bowghez; 921 The roo and þe raynedere reklesse thare ronnen,


Page 66 922 In ranez and in rosers, to ryotte þam seluen; 923 The frithez ware floreschte with flourez full many, 924 Wyth fawcouns and fesantez of ferlyche hewez; 925 All þe feulez thare fleschez that flyez with wengez, 926 Fore thare galede þe gowke one greuez full lowde: 927 Wyth alkyn gladchipe þay gladden þem seluen; 928 Of þe nyghtgale notez þe noisez was swette— 929 They threpide wyth the throstills, thre hundreth at ones; 930 Þat whate swowyng of watyr and syngyng of byrdez, 931 It myghte salue hym of sore þat sounde was neuere. 932 Than ferkez this folke and on fotte lyghttez, 933 Festenez theire faire stedez o ferrom bytwene; 934 And thene the Kyng kenely comandyde hys knyghtez 935 For to byde with theire blonkez and bowne no forthyre: 936 "Fore I will seke this seynte by my selfe one, 937 And mell with this mayster mane þat this monte ȝemez; 938 And seyn sall ȝe offyre, aythyre aftyre oþer, 939 Menskfully at Saynt Mighell full myghtty with Criste." 940 The Kyng coueris þe cragge wyth cloughes full hye, 941 [folio 63v] To the creste of the clyffe he clymbez on lofte; 942 Keste vpe hys vmbrer and kenly he lukes, 943 Caughte of þe colde wynde to comforthe hym seluen. 944 Two fyrez fyndez, flawmande full hye; 945 The fourtedele a furlang betwene þus he walkes; 946 The waye by þe welle strandez he wandyrde hym one, 947 To wette of þe warlawe, whare þat he lengez. 948 He ferkez to þe fyrste fyre, and euen there he fyndez 949 A wery wafull wedowe, wryngande hire handez, 950 And gretande on a graue grysely teres; 951 Now merkyde on molde sen myddaye it semede. 952


He saluȝede þat sorowfull with sittande wordez, 953 And fraynez aftyre the fende fairely thereaftyre. 954 Thane this wafull wyfe vnwynly hym gretez, 955 Couerd vp on hire kneess and clappyde hire handez; 956 Said "Carefull careman, thow carpez to lowde; 957 May ȝone warlawe wyt, he worows vs all! 958 Weryd worthe þe wyghte ay that þe thy wytt refede, 959 That mase the to wayfe here in þise wylde lakes. Page 67 960 I warne þe fore wyrchipe þou wylnez aftyr sorowe; 961 Whedyre buskes þow, berne? Vnblysside þow semes. 962 Wenez thow to britten hym with thy brande ryche? 963 Ware thow wyghttere than Wade or Wawayn owthire, 964 Thow wynnys no wyrchip, I warne the before. 965 Thow saynned the vnsekyrly to seke to þese mountez; 966 Siche sex ware to symple to semble with hym one, 967 For and thow see hym with syghte, the seruez no herte 968 To sayne the sekerly, so semez hym huge! 969 Thow arte frely and faire and in thy fyrste flourez, 970 Bot thow arte fay, be my faythe, and þat me forthynkkys. 971 Ware syche fyfty on a felde or one a faire erthe, 972 The freke walde with hys fyste fell ȝow at ones! 973 Loo, here the duchez dere—todaye was cho takyn— 974 Depe doluen and dede, dyked in moldez; 975 He hade morthirede this mylde be myddaye war rongen, 976 Withowttyn mercy one molde—I not watte it ment. 977 He has forsede hir and fylede, and cho es fay leuede; 978 He slewe hir vnslely and slitt hir to þe nauyll. 979 And here haue I bawmede hir and beryede þeraftyr; 980 For bale of þe botelesse, blythe be I neuer. 981 Of alle þe frendez cho hade, þere folowede none aftyre, 982 Bot I, hir foster modyr of fyftene wynter; 983


To ferke of this farlande, fande sall I neuer, 984 Bot here be founden on felde till I be fay leuede." 985 [folio 64r] Thane answers Sir Arthure to þat alde wyf, 986 "I am comyn fra þe Conquerour, curtaise and gentill, 987 As one of þe hathelest of Arthur knyghtez, 988 Messenger to þis myx, for mendemente of þe pople, 989 To mele with this maister man that here this mounte ȝemez; 990 To trete with this tyraunt for tresour of landez, 991 And take trew for a tym, to bettyr may worthe." 992 "Ȝa, thire wordis are bot waste," quod this wif thane, 993 "For bothe landez and lythes full lyttill by he settes; 994 Of rentez ne of rede golde rekkez he neuer, 995 For he will lenge owt of lawe, as hym selfe thynkes, 996 Withowten licence of lede, as lorde in his awen. Page 68 997 Bot he has a kyrtill one, kepide for hym seluen, 998 That was sponen in Spayne with specyall byrdez, 999 And sythyn garnescht in Grece full graythly togedirs. 1000 It es hyded all with har hally al ouere, 1001 And bordyrde with the berdez of burlyche kyngez, 1002 Crispid and kombide, that kempis may knawe 1003 Iche kyng by his colour, in kythe there he lengez; 1004 Here the fermez he fangez of fyftene rewmez: 1005 For ilke Esterne ewyn, howeuer that it fall, 1006 They send it hym sothely for saughte of þe pople, 1007 Sekerly at þat seson, with certayne knyghtez. 1008 And he has aschede Arthure all þis seuen wynntter: 1009 Forthy hurdez he here, to owttraye hys pople, 1010 Till þe Bretons kyng haue burneschte his lyppys, 1011 And sent his berde to that bolde wyth his beste berynes. 1012 Bot thowe hafe broghte þat berde, bowne the no forthire, 1013


For it es buteless bale thowe biddez oghte ells; 1014 For he has more tresour to take when hym lykez 1015 Than euere aughte Arthure or any of hys elders; 1016 If thowe hafe broghte þe berde he bese more blythe 1017 Thane þowe gafe hym Burgoyne or Bretayne þe More. 1018 Bot luke nowe for charitée þow chasty thy lyppes, 1019 That the no wordez eschape, whateso betydez; 1020 Luke þi presante be priste, and presse hym bott lytill, 1021 For he es at his sowper, he will be sone greuyde; 1022 And þow my concell doo, þow dosse of thy clothes, 1023 And knele in thy kyrtyll, and call hym thy lorde. 1024 He sowppes all þis seson with seuen knaue childre, 1025 Choppid in a chargour of chalke-whytt syluer, 1026 With pekill and powdyre of precious spycez, 1027 And pyment full plenteuous of Portyngale wynes; 1028 Thre balefull birdez his brochez þey turne, 1029 Þat byddez his bedgatt, his byddyng to wyrche; 1030 Siche foure scholde be fay within foure hourez, 1031 [folio 64v] Are his fylth ware filled that his flesch ȝernes." 1032 "Ȝa, I haue broghte þe berd," quod he, "the bettyr me lykez; 1033 Forthi will I boun me, and bere it my seluen; Page 69 1034 Bot, lefe, walde þow lere me whare þat lede lengez, 1035 I sall alowe þe and I liffe, oure Lorde so me helpe." 1036 "Ferke fast to þe fyre," quod cho, "that flawmez so hye; 1037 Thare fillis þat fende hym, fraist when the lykez; 1038 Bot thow moste seke more southe, sydlyngs a lyttill, 1039 For he will hafe sent hym selfe sex myle large." 1040 To þe sowþe of þe reke he soghte at þe gayneste, 1041 Sayned hym sekerly with certeyne wordez, 1042 And sydlyngs of þe segge the syghte had he rechid, 1043


How vnsemly þat sott satt sowpand hym one; 1044 He lay lenand on lang, lugand vnfaire, 1045 Þe thee of a manns lymme lyfte vp by þe haunche; 1046 His bakke and his bewschers and his brode lendez 1047 He bekez by þe bale-fyre, and breklesse hym semede. 1048 Þare ware rostez full ruyd and rewfull bredez, 1049 Beerynes and bestaile brochede togeders, 1050 Cowle full cramede of crysmed childyre, 1051 Sum as brede brochede, and bierdez þam tournede. 1052 And þan this comlych kyng, bycause of his pople, 1053 His herte bledez for bale, one bent ware he standez. 1054 Thane he dressede one his schelde, schuntes no lengere, 1055 Braundescht [supplied by ed.] e his bryghte swerde by þe bryghte hiltez, 1056 Raykez towarde þe renke reghte with a ruyd will, 1057 And hyely hailsez þat hulke with hawtayne wordez: 1058 "Now allweldand Gode, þat wyrscheppez vs all, 1059 Giff the sorowe and syte, sotte, there thow lygges, 1060 For the fulsomeste freke that fourmede was euere; 1061 Foully thow fedys the, þe Fende haue thi saule! 1062 Here es cury vnclene, carle, be my trowthe, 1063 Caffe of creatours all, thow curssede wriche! 1064 Because that þow killide has þise cresmede childyre, 1065 Thow has marters made, and broghte oute of lyfe, 1066 Þat here are brochede on bente and brittened with thi handez, 1067 I sall merke þe thy mede, as þou has myche serfed, 1068 Thurghe myghte of Seynt Mighell, þat þis monte ȝemes; 1069 And for this faire ladye, þat þow has fey leuyde, 1070 And þus forced one foulde, for fylth of þi selfen. Page 70 1071 Dresse the now, dogge-sone—the Deuell haue þi saule— 1072 For þow sall dye this day, thurghe dynt of my handez!" 1073 Than glopned þe gloton and glored vnfaire; 1074


He grenned as a grewhounde, with grysly tuskes; 1075 He gaped, he groned faste, with grucchand latez, 1076 For grefe of þe gude kyng þat hym with grame gretez. 1077 His fax and his foretoppe was filterede togeders, 1078 And owte of his face come ane halfe fote large; 1079 His frount and his forheued all was it ouer, 1080 As þe fell of a froske, and fraknede it semede; 1081 Huke-nebbyde as a hawke, and a hore berde, 1082 [folio 65r] And herede to þe hole eyghn with hyngande browes; 1083 Harske as a hunde-fisch hardly whoso lukez, 1084 So was þe hyde of þat hulke hally al ouer. 1085 Erne had he full huge and vgly to schewe, 1086 With eghne full horreble and ardauunt forsothe; 1087 Flatt-mowthede as a fluke, with fleryand lyppys, 1088 And þe flesche in his fortethe fowly as a bere. 1089 His berde was brothy and blake, þat till his brest rechede, 1090 Grassede as a mereswyne, with corkes full huge, 1091 And all falterd þe flesche in his foule lippys, 1092 Ilke wrethe as a wolfe-heuede, it wraythe owtt at ones. 1093 Bulle-nekkyde was þat bierne and brade in the scholders, 1094 Brok-brestede as a brawne, with brustils full large, 1095 Ruyd armes as an ake with rusclede sydes, 1096 Lym and leskes full lothyn, leue ȝe forsothe. 1097 Schouell-foted was þat schalke, and schaylande hyn semyde, 1098 With schankez vnschaply, schowand togedyrs; 1099 Thykke theese as a thursse, and thikkere in þe hanche, 1100 Greesse growen as a galte, full grys [supplied by ed.] lych he lukez. 1101 Who þe lenghe of þe lede lelly accountes, 1102 Fro þe face to þe fote was fyfe fadom lange. 1103 Thane stertez he vp sturdely on two styffe schankez, 1104 And sone he caughte hym a clubb all of clene yryn; 1105


He walde hafe kyllede þe Kyng with his kene wapen, 1106 Bot thurghe þe crafte of Cryste ȝit þe carle failede; 1107 The creest and þe coronall, þe claspes of syluer, Page 71 1108 Clenly with his clubb he crassched doune at onez. 1109 The Kyng castes vp his schelde and couers hym faire, 1110 And with his burlyche brande a box he hym reches; 1111 Full butt in þe frunt the fromonde he hittez, 1112 That the burnyscht blade to þe brayne rynnez. 1113 He feyed his fysnamye with his foule hondez, 1114 And frappez faste at his face fersely þeraftyre; 1115 The Kyng chaungez his fote, eschewes a lyttill— 1116 Ne had he eschapede þat choppe, cheuede had euyll; 1117 He folowes in fersly and festenesse a dynte 1118 Hye vpe on þe hanche with his harde wapyn, 1119 That he hillid þe swerde halfe a fote large— 1120 The hott blode of þe hulke vnto þe hilte rynnez; 1121 Ewyn into inmette the gyaunt he hyttez, 1122 Iust to þe genitales and jaggede þam in sondre. 1123 Thane he romyed and rared, and ruydly he strykez 1124 Full egerly at Arthur, and on the erthe hittez; 1125 A swerde lenghe within þe swarthe he swappez at ones, 1126 That nere swounes þe Kyng for swoughe of his dynnttez. 1127 Bot ȝit the Kyng sweperly full swythe he byswenkez, 1128 Swappez in with the swerde þat it þe swange brystedd; 1129 Bothe þe guttez and the gorr guschez owte at ones, 1130 Þat all englaymez þe gresse one grounde þer he standez. 1131 [folio 65v] Thane he castez the clubb and the Kyng hentez: 1132 On þe creeste of þe cragg he caughte hym in armez, 1133 And enclosez hym clenly, to cruschen hys rybbez— 1134 So hard haldez he þat hende þat nere his herte brystez. 1135


Þane þe balefull bierdez bownez to þe erthe, 1136 Kneland and cryande, and clappide þeire handez: 1137 "Criste comforthe ȝone knyghte, and kepe hym fro sorowe, 1138 And latte neuer ȝone fende fell hym o lyfe." 1139 Ȝitt es þe warlow so wyghte, he welters hym vnder, 1140 Wrothely þai wrythyn and wrystill togederz, 1141 Welters and walowes ouer within þase buskez, 1142 Tumbellez and turnes faste and terez þaire wedez; 1143 Vntenderly fro þe toppe þai tiltin togederz, 1144 Whilom Arthure ouer and oþerwhile vndyre; Page 72 1145 Fro þe heghe of þe hyll vnto þe harde roche, 1146 They feyne neuer are they fall at þe flode merkes. 1147 Bot Arthur with ane anlace egerly smyttez, 1148 And hittez euer in the hulke vp to þe hiltez; 1149 Þe theefe at þe dede-thrawe so throly hym thryngez, 1150 Þat three rybbys in his syde he thrystez in sunder. 1151 Then Sir Kayous þe kene vnto þe Kyng styrtez: 1152 Said "Allas, we are lorne—my lorde es confundede; 1153 Ouerfallen with a fende—vs es full hapnede! 1154 We mon be forfeted, in faith, and flemyde for euer!" 1155 Þay hafe vp hys hawberke þan and handilez þervndyr 1156 His hyde and his haunche eke, on heghte to þe schuldrez, 1157 His flawnke and his feletez and his faire sydez, 1158 Bothe his bakke and his breste and his bryghte armez; 1159 Þay ware fayne þat þey fande no flesche entamed, 1160 And for þat journée made joye, þir gentill knyghttez. 1161 "Now certez," saise Sir Bedwere, "it semez, be my Lorde, 1162 He sekez seyntez bot selden, þe sorer he grypes, 1163 Þat þus clekys this corsaunt owte of þir heghe clyffez, 1164 To carye forthe siche a carle at close hym in siluer. 1165 Be Myghell, of syche a makk I hafe myche wondyre 1166


That euer owre soueraygne Lorde suffers hym in Heuen; 1167 And all seyntez be syche þat seruez oure Lorde, 1168 I sall neuer no seynt bee, be my fadyre sawle!" 1169 Thane bourdez þe bolde kyng at Bedvere wordez: 1170 "Þis seynt haue I soghte, so helpe me owre Lorde! 1171 Forthy brayd owtte þi brande, and broche hym to þe herte; 1172 Be sekere of this sergeaunt, he has me sore greuede. 1173 I faghte noghte wyth syche a freke þis fyftene wyntyre; 1174 Bot in þe montez of Araby I mett syche anoþer: 1175 He was þe forcyer be ferre þat had I nere funden— 1176 Ne had my fortune bene faire, fey had I leuede. 1177 Onone stryke of his heuede, and stake it thereaftyre, 1178 Gife it to thy sqwyere, fore he es wele horsede, 1179 Bere it to Sir Howell, þat es in harde bandez, 1180 [folio 66r] And byd hym herte hym wele, his enmy es destruede. 1181 Syne bere it to Bareflete, and brace it in yryne, 1182 And sett it on the barbycane, biernes to schewe. Page 73 1183 My brande and my brode schelde apon þe bent lyggez, 1184 On þe creeste of þe cragge, thare fyrste we encontrede, 1185 And þe clubb þarby, all of clene iren, 1186 Þat many Cristen has kyllyde in Constantyne landez; 1187 Ferke to the farlande, and fetche me þat wapen, 1188 And late founde till oure flete, in flode þare it lengez. 1189 If thow wyll any tresour, take whate the lykez; 1190 Haue I the kyrtyll and þe clubb, I coueite noghte ells." 1191 Now þey caire to þe cragge, þise comlyche knyghtez, 1192 And broghte hym þe brade schelde and his bryghte wapen, 1193 Þe clubb and þe cotte alls, Syr Kayous hym seluen, 1194 And kayres with the [supplied by ed.] Conquerour, the kyngez to schewe 1195 That in couerte þe Kyng helde closse to hym seluen, 1196


Whills clene day fro þe clowde clymbyd on lofte. 1197 Be that to courte was comen clamour full huge; 1198 And before þe comlyche kyng they knelyd all at ones: 1199 "Welcom, our liege lorde, to lang has thow duellyde— 1200 Gouernour vndyr Gode, graytheste and noble, 1201 To wham grace es graunted and gyffen at His will; 1202 Now thy comly come has comforthede vs all. 1203 Thow has in thy realtee reuengyde thy pople; 1204 Thurghe helpe of thy hande, thyne enmyse are struyede, 1205 That has thy renkes ouerronne and refte them theire childyre; 1206 Whas neuer rewme owte of araye so redyly releuede!" 1207 Than þe Conquerour Cristenly carpez to his pople: 1208 "Thankes Gode," quod he, "of þis grace, and no gome ells, 1209 For it was neuer manns dede, bot myghte of Hym selfen, 1210 Or myracle of Hys Modyr, þat mylde es till all." 1211 He somond þan þe schippemen scharpely þeraftyre, 1212 To schake furthe with þe schyremen to schifte þe gudez, 1213 All þe myche tresour þat traytour had wonnen, 1214 To comouns of the contré, clergye and oþer: 1215 "Luke it be done and delte to my dere pople, 1216 That none pleyn of theire parte, o peyne of ȝour lyfez." 1217 He comande hys cosyn, with knyghtlyche wordez, 1218 To make a kyrke on þe cragg, ther the corse lengez, 1219 And a couent therein, Criste for to serfe, 1220 In mynde of þat martyre, þat in þe monte rystez. Page 74 1221 Lines 1222 through 1616 Qwen Sir Arthur the Kyng had kylled þe gyaunt, 1222 Than blythely fro Bareflete he buskes on þe morne; 1223 With his batell on brede, by þa blythe stremes, 1224 Towarde Castell Blanke he chesez hym the waye; 1225 Thurghe a faire champayne, vndyr schalke hyllis, 1226


The Kyng fraystez a furth ouer the fresche strandez, 1227 [folio 66v] Foundez with his faire folke ouer as hym lykez; 1228 Furthe stepes that steryn and strekez his tentis 1229 One a strenghe by a streme, in þas straytt landez. 1230 Onone aftyre myddaye, in the mene-while, 1231 Þare comez two messangers of tha fere marchez, 1232 Fra þe Marschall of Fraunce, and menskfully hym gretes, 1233 Besoghte hym of sucour and saide hym þise wordez: 1234 "Sir, thi marschall, þi mynistre, thy mercy besekez, 1235 Of thy mekill magestée, fore mendement of thi pople, 1236 Of þise marchez-men, that thus are myskaryede, 1237 And thus merred amang, maugrée theire eghne. 1238 I witter þe þe Emperour es entirde into Fraunce, 1239 With ostes of enmyse, orrible and huge; 1240 Brynnez in Burgoyne thy burghes so ryche, 1241 And brittenes thi baronage, that bieldez þarein; 1242 He encrochez kenely by craftez of armez, 1243 Countrese and castells þat to thy coroun langez, 1244 Confoundez thy comouns, clergy and oþer: 1245 Bot thow comfurth them, Sir Kyng, couer sall they neuer! 1246 He fellez forestez fele, forrayse thi landez, 1247 Frysthez no fraunchez, bot fraiez the pople; 1248 Þus he fellez thi folke and fangez theire gudez: 1249 Fremedly the Franche tung fey es belefede. 1250 He drawes into douce Fraunce, as Duchemen tellez, 1251 Dresside with his dragouns, dredfull to schewe; 1252 All to dede they dyghte with dynnttys of swerddez, 1253 Dukez and dusperes þat dreches tharein. 1254 Forthy the lordez of the lande, ladys and oþer, 1255 Prayes the for Petyr luffe, þe Apostyll of Rome, 1256 Sen thow arte presant in place, þat þow will profyre make 1257 To þat perilous prynce, be processe of tym.


Page 75 1258 He ayers by ȝone hilles, ȝone heghe holtez vndyr, 1259 Hufes thare with hale strenghe of haythen kyngez; 1260 Helpe nowe for His lufe, that heghe in Heuen sittez, 1261 And talke tristly to them þat thus vs destroyes." 1262 The Kyng biddis Sir Boice, "Buske the belyfe; 1263 Take with the Sir Berill and Bedwere the ryche, 1264 Sir Gawayne and Sir Geryn, these galyarde knyghtez, 1265 And graythe ȝowe to ȝone grene wode, and gose on þer nedes: 1266 Saise to Syr Lucius, to vnlordly he wyrkez, 1267 Thus letherly agaynes law to lede my pople; 1268 I lette hym or oghte lange, ȝif me þe lyffe happen, 1269 Or many lyghte sall lawe þat hym ouere lande folowes. 1270 Comande hym kenely wyth crewell wordez, 1271 Cayre owte of my kyngryke with his kydd knyghtez: 1272 In caase that he will noghte, þat cursede wreche, 1273 [folio 67r] Com for his curtaisie, and countere me ones. 1274 Thane sall we rekken full rathe whatt ryghte þat he claymes, 1275 Thus to ryot þis rewme and raunsone the pople. 1276 Thare sall it derely be delte with dynttez of handez— 1277 The Dryghtten at Domesdaye dele as Hym lykes!" 1278 Now thei graythe them to goo, theis galyarde knyghttez, 1279 All gleterande in golde, appon grete stedes, 1280 Towarde þe grene wode, with grownden wapyn, 1281 To grete wele the grett lorde, that wolde be grefede sone. 1282 Thise hende houez on a hill by þe holte eyues, 1283 Behelde þe howsyng full hye of hathen kynges: 1284 They herde in theire herbergage hundrethez full many 1285 Hornez of olyfantez full helych blawen; 1286 Palaisez proudliche pyghte, þat palyd ware ryche, 1287 Of pall and of purpure, with precyous stones; 1288


Pensels and pomell of ryche prynce armez, 1289 Pighte in þe playn mede, þe pople to schewe. 1290 And than the Romayns so ryche had arayede their tentez, 1291 On rawe by þe ryuer, vndyr þe round hillez, 1292 The Emperour for honour ewyn in the myddes, 1293 Wyth egles al ouer, ennelled so faire; Page 76 1294 And saw hym and þe Sowdane, and senatours many 1295 Seke towarde a sale with sextene kyngez, 1296 Syland softely in, swettly by them selfen, 1297 To sowpe withe þat soueraygne full selcouthe metez. 1298 Nowe they wende ouer the watyre, þise wyrchipfull knyghttez, 1299 Thurghe þe wode to þe wone there the wyese rystez; 1300 Reght as þey hade weschen and went to þe table, 1301 Sir Wawayne þe worthy vnwynly he spekes: 1302 "The myghte and þe maiestée þat menskes vs all, 1303 That was merked and made thurghe þe myghte of Hym seluen, 1304 Gyffe ȝow sytte in ȝour sette, Sowdane and oþer, 1305 That here are semblede in sale—vnsawghte mott ȝe worthe! 1306 And þe fals heretyke þat Emperour hym callez, 1307 That ocupyes in erroure the Empyre of Rome, 1308 Sir Arthure herytage, þat honourable kyng, 1309 That all his auncestres aughte but Vtere hym one, 1310 That ilke cursynge þat Cayme kaghte for his brothyre 1311 Cleffe on þe, cukewalde, with croune ther thow lengez, 1312 For the vnlordlyeste lede þat I on lukede euer! 1313 My lorde meruailles hym mekyll, man, be my trouthe, 1314 Why thow morthires his men, þat no mysse serues, 1315 Comouns of þe countré, clergye and oþer, 1316 Þat are noghte coupable þerin, ne knawes noght in armez. 1317 Forthi the comelyche kynge, curtays and noble, 1318 Comandez þe kenely to kaire of his landes, 1319


[folio 67v] Ore ells for thy knyghthede encontre hym ones; 1320 Sen þow couettes the coroune, latte it be declarede! 1321 I hafe dyschargide me here—chalange whoo lykez— 1322 Before all thy cheualrye, cheftaynes and oþer; 1323 Schape vs an ansuere, and schunte þow no lengere, 1324 Þat we may schifte at þe schorte and schewe to my lorde." 1325 The Emperour ansuerde wyth austeryn wordez: 1326 "Ȝe are with myn enmy, Sir Arthur hym seluen; 1327 It es non honour to me to owttray hys knyghttez, 1328 Þoghe ȝe bee irous men þat ayres on his nedez; 1329 Bot say to thy soueraygne I send hym thes wordez, 1330 Ne ware it for reuerence of my ryche table, Page 77 1331 Þou sulde repent full rathe of þi ruyde wordez— 1332 Siche a rebawde as þowe rebuke any lordez, 1333 Wyth theire retenuz arrayede, full reall and noble— 1334 Here will I suggourne whills me lefe thynkes, 1335 And sythen seke in by Sayne with solace þeraftere, 1336 Ensegge al þa cetése be þe salte strandez, 1337 And seyn ryde in by Rone, þat rynnez so faire, 1338 And of all his ryche castells rusche doun þe wallez; 1339 I sall noghte lefe in Paresche, by processe of tyme, 1340 His parte of a pechelyne—proue when hym lykes!" 1341 "Now certez," sais Sir Wawayne, "myche wondyre haue I 1342 Þat syche an alfyn as thow dare speke syche wordez! 1343 I had leuer then all Fraunce, that heuede es of rewmes, 1344 Fyghte with the faythefully on felde be oure one." 1345 Thane answers Sir Gayous full gobbede wordes— 1346 Was eme to þe Emperour and erle hym selfen— 1347 "Euere ware þes Bretouns braggers of olde! 1348 Loo, how he brawles hym for hys bryghte wedes, 1349


As he myghte bryttyn vs all with his brande ryche; 1350 Ȝitt he berkes myche boste, ȝone boy þere he standes!" 1351 Than greuyde Sir Gawayne at his grett wordes, 1352 Graythes towarde þe gome with grucchande herte; 1353 With hys stelyn brande he strykes of hys heuede, 1354 And sterttes owtte to hys stede, and with his stale wendes. 1355 Thurghe þe wacches þey wente, thes wirchipfull knyghtez, 1356 And fyndez in theire farewaye wondyrlyche many; 1357 Ouer þe watyre þey wente by wyghtnesse of horses, 1358 And tuke wynde as þey walde by þe wodde hemmes. 1359 Thane folous frekly one fote frekkes ynewe, 1360 And of þe Romayns arrayed appon ryche stedes, 1361 Chasede thurghe a champayne oure cheualrous knyghtez, 1362 Till a cheefe forest, on scalke-whitte horses. 1363 Bot a freke all in fyne golde, and fretted in sable, 1364 Come forþermaste on a freson, in flawmande wedes; 1365 A faire floreschte spere in fewtyre he castes, 1366 And folowes faste on owre folke and freschelye ascryez. 1367 [folio 68r] Thane Sir Gawayne the gude, appone a graye stede, 1368 He gryppes hym a grete spere and graythely hym hittez; Page 78 1369 Thurghe þe guttez into þe gorre he gyrdes hym ewyn, 1370 That the grounden stele glydez to his herte; 1371 The gome and þe grette horse at þe grounde lyggez, 1372 Full gryselyche gronande, for grefe of his woundez. 1373 Þane presez a preker in, full proudely arayede, 1374 That beres all of pourpour, palyde with syluer; 1375 Byggly on a broune stede he profers full large— 1376 He was a paynyme of Perse þat þus hym persuede. 1377 Sir Boys, vnabaiste all, he buskes hym agaynes, 1378 With a bustous launce he berez hym thurghe, 1379


Þat þe breme and þe brade schelde appon þe bente lyggez; 1380 And he bryngez furthe the blade and bownez to his felowez. 1381 Thane Sir Feltemour of myghte, a man mekyll praysede, 1382 Was mouede on his manere and manacede full faste; 1383 He graythes to Sir Gawayne graythely to wyrche, 1384 For grefe of Sir Gayous, þat es on grounde leuede. 1385 Than Sir Gawayne was glade: agayne hym he rydez, 1386 Wyth Galuth his gude swerde graythely hym hyttez; 1387 The knyghte on þe coursere he cleuede in sondyre— 1388 Clenlyche fro þe croune his corse he dyuysyde, 1389 And þus he killez þe knyghte with his kydd wapen. 1390 Than a ryche man of Rome relyede to his byerns: 1391 "It sall repent vs full sore and we ryde forthire! 1392 Ȝone are bolde bosturs þat syche bale wyrkez; 1393 It befell hym full foule þat þam so fyrste namede." 1394 Thane þe riche Romayns retournes þaire brydills 1395 To þaire tentis in tene, telles theire lordez 1396 How Sir Marschalle de Mowne es on þe monte lefede, 1397 Forejustyde at that journée for his grett japez. 1398 Bot thare chasez on oure men cheuallrous knyghtez, 1399 Fyfe thosande folke appon faire stedes, 1400 Faste to a foreste ouer a fell watyr, 1401 That fillez fro þe falow see fyfty myle large. 1402 Thare ware Bretons enbuschide, and banarettez noble, 1403 Of þe cheualrye cheefe of þe kyngez chambyre, 1404 Seese them chase oure men and changen þeire horsez, 1405 And choppe doun cheftaynes that they moste chargyde. 1406 Thane þe enbuschement of Bretons brake owte at ones, Page 79 1407 Brothely at baner, and Bedwyne knyghtez 1408 Arrestede of þe Romayns þat by þe fyrthe rydez 1409 All þe realeste renkes þat to Rome lengez; 1410


Thay iche on þe enmyse and egerly strykkys, 1411 Erles of Ingland, and "Arthure!" ascryes; 1412 Thrughe brenes and bryghte scheldez brestez they thyrle, 1413 Bretons of the boldeste, with theire bryghte swerdez. 1414 [folio 68v] Thare was Romayns ouerredyn and ruydly wondyde, 1415 Arrestede as rebawdez with ryotous knyghttez; 1416 The Romaynes owte of araye remouede at ones, 1417 And rydes awaye in a rowtte, for reddoure it semys. 1418 To þe Senatour Petyr a sandesmane es commyn, 1419 And saide "Sir, sekerly, ȝour seggez are supprysside." 1420 Than ten thowsande men he semblede at ones, 1421 And sett sodanly on our seggez, by þe salte strandez; 1422 Than ware Bretons abaiste and greuede a lyttill, 1423 Bot ȝit the banerettez bolde and bachellers noble 1424 Brekes that battailles with brestez of stedes; 1425 Sir Boice and his bolde men myche bale wyrkes. 1426 The Romayns redyes þam, arrayez þam better, 1427 And al toruscheez oure men withe theire ryste horsez, 1428 Arestede of the richeste of þe Rounde Table, 1429 Ouerrydez oure rerewarde and grette rewthe wyrkes. 1430 Thane the Bretons on þe bente habyddez no lengere, 1431 Bot fleede to þe foreste and the feelde leuede; 1432 Sir Beryll es born down and Sir Boice taken, 1433 The beste of our bolde men vnblythely wondyde; 1434 Bot ȝitt our stale on a strenghe stotais a lyttill, 1435 All tostonayede with þe stokes of þa steryn knyghtez; 1436 Made sorowe fore theire soueraygne, þat so þare was nomen, 1437 Besoughte Gode of socure, sende whene Hym lykyde. 1438 Than commez Sir Idrus, armede vp at all ryghttez, 1439 Wyth fyue hundrethe men appon faire stedes; 1440 Fraynez faste at oure folke freschely þareaftyre, 1441 Ȝif þer frendez ware ferre, þat on þe felde foundide. 1442


Thane sais Sir Gawayne, "So me God helpe, 1443 We hafe bene chased todaye and chullede as hares, Page 80 1444 Rebuyked with Romaynes appon þeire ryche stedez, 1445 And we lurkede vndyr lee as lowrande wreches! 1446 I luke neuer on my lorde þe dayes of my lyfe, 1447 And we so lytherly hym helpe þat hym so wele lykede." 1448 Thane the Bretons brothely brochez theire stedez, 1449 And boldly in batell appon þe bent rydes; 1450 All þe ferse men before frekly ascryes, 1451 Ferkand in þe foreste, to freschen þam selfen. 1452 The Romaynes than redyly arrayes them bettyre, 1453 One rawe on a rowm felde, reghttez theire wapyns, 1454 By þe ryche reuere, and rewles þe pople; 1455 And with reddour Sir Boice es in areste halden. 1456 Now thei semblede vnsaughte by þe salte strandez: 1457 Saddly theis sekere menn settys þeire dynttez; 1458 With lufly launcez on lofte they luyschen togedyres, 1459 In lorayne so lordlye on leppande stedes. 1460 Thare ware gomes thurghegirde with grundyn wapyns, 1461 Grisely gayspand with grucchande lotes; 1462 Grete lordes of Greke greffede so hye. 1463 [folio 69r] Swyftly with swerdes they swappen thereaftyre, 1464 Swappez doun full sweperlye swelltande knyghtez, 1465 That all swellttez one swarthe that they ouerswyngen; 1466 So many sweys in swoghe, swounande att ones. 1467 Syr Gaweayne the gracyous full graythelye he wyrkkes: 1468 The gretteste he gretez wyth gryselye wondes; 1469 Wyth Galuth he gyrdez doun full galyard knyghtez— 1470 Fore greefe of þe grett lorde so grymlye he strykez. 1471 He rydez furthe ryallye and redely thereaftyre, 1472


Thare this reall renke was in areste halden; 1473 He ryfez þe raunke stele, he ryghttez þeire brenez, 1474 And refte them the ryche man and rade to his strenghes. 1475 The Senatour Peter thane persewede hym aftyre, 1476 Thurghe þe presse of þe pople, wyth his pryce knyghttes; 1477 Appertly fore þe prysonere proues his strenghes, 1478 Wyth prekers the proudeste that to þe presse lengez. 1479 Wrothely on the wrange hande Sir Gawayne he strykkes, 1480 Wyth a wapen of were vnwynnly hym hittez; Page 81 1481 The breny one þe bakhalfe he brystez in sondyre— 1482 Bot ȝit he broghte forthe Sir Boyce, for all þeire bale biernez. 1483 Thane þe Bretons boldely braggen þeire tromppez, 1484 And fore blysse of Sir Boyce was broghte owtte of bandez, 1485 Boldely in batell they bere doun knyghtes; 1486 With brandes of broun stele þey brettened maylez; 1487 Þay stekede stedys in stour with stelen wapyns, 1488 And all stewede with strenghe þat stode þem agaynes. 1489 Sir Idrus fitz Ewayn þan "Arthur!" ascryeez, 1490 Assemblez on þe Senatour wyth sextene knyghttez, 1491 Of þe sekereste men þat to oure syde lengede. 1492 Sodanly in a soppe they sett in att ones, 1493 Foynes faste att þe forebreste with flawmande swerdez, 1494 And feghttes faste att þe fronte freschely þareaftyre, 1495 Felles fele on þe felde appon þe ferrere syde, 1496 Fey on þe faire felde by þa fresche strandez. 1497 Bot Sir Idrus fytz Ewayn anters hym seluen, 1498 And enters in anly and egyrly strykez, 1499 Sekez to þe Senatour and sesez his brydill; 1500 Vnsaughtely he saide hym þese sittande wordez: 1501 "Ȝelde þe, Sir, ȝapely, ȝife þou þi lyfe ȝernez; 1502 Fore gyftez þat þow gyffe may þou ȝeme now þe selfen. 1503


Fore dredlez dreche þow or droppe any wylez, 1504 Thow sall dy þis daye thorowe dyntt of my handez!" 1505 "I ascente," quod þe Senatour, "so me Criste helpe; 1506 So þat I be safe broghte before þe Kyng seluen, 1507 Raunson me resonabillye, as I may ouerreche 1508 Aftyre my renttez in Rome may redyly forthire." 1509 Thane answers Sir Idrus with austeryn wordez: 1510 "Thow sall hafe condycyon, as þe Kyng lykes, 1511 [folio 69v] When thow comes to þe kyth there the courte haldez, 1512 In caase his concell bee to kepe the no langere, 1513 To be killyde at his commandment his knyghttez before." 1514 Þay ledde hym furthe in þe rowte and lached ofe his wedes, 1515 Lefte hym wyth Lyonell and Lowell, hys brothire. 1516 O lawe in þe launde þan, by þe lythe strandez, 1517 Sir Lucius lyggemen loste are fore euer. 1518 The Senatour Peter es prysoner takyn; Page 82 1519 Of Perce and of Porte Iaffe full many price knyghtez, 1520 And myche pople wythall perischede þam selfen— 1521 For presse of þe passage they plungede at onez. 1522 Thare myghte men see Romaynez rewfully wondyde, 1523 Ouerredyn with renkes of the Round Table. 1524 In þe raike of þe furthe they righten þeire brenys, 1525 Þat rane all on reede blode redylye all ouer. 1526 They raughte in þe rerewarde full ryotous knyghtez 1527 For raunsone of rede golde and reall stedys; 1528 Radly relayes and restez theire horsez, 1529 In rowtte to þe ryche kynge they rade al at onez. 1530 A knyghte cayrez before and to þe Kynge telles, 1531 "Sir, here commez thy messangerez with myrthez fro þe mountez; 1532 Þay hafe bene machede todaye with men of þe marchez, 1533


Foremaglede in þa marras with meruailous knyghtez. 1534 We hafe foughten, in faithe, by ȝone fresche strandez, 1535 With þe frekkeste folke that to þi foo langez; 1536 Fyfty thosaunde on felde of ferse men of armez, 1537 Wythin a furlange of waye, fay ere bylefede. 1538 We hafe eschewede þis chekke thurghe chance of oure Lorde, 1539 Of tha cheualrous men that chargede thy pople. 1540 The cheefe chaunchelere of Rome, a cheftayne full noble, 1541 Will aske þe chartyre of pesse, for charitée, hym selfen. 1542 And the Senatour Petire to presoner es takyn; 1543 Of Perse and of Porte Iaffe paynymmez ynewe 1544 Commez prekande in the presse with thy prysse knyghttez, 1545 With pouerté in thi preson theire paynez to drye. 1546 I beseke ȝow, Sir, say whate ȝowe lykes, 1547 Whethire ȝe suffyre them saughte or sone delyuerde. 1548 Ȝe may haue fore þe Senatour sextie horse chargede 1549 Of siluer be Seterdaye, full sekyrly payede; 1550 And for þe cheefe chauncelere, þe cheualere noble, 1551 Charottez chokkefull charegyde with golde; 1552 The remenaunt of þe Romaynez be in areste halden, 1553 Till thiere renttez in Rome be rightewissly knawen. 1554 I beseke ȝow, Sir, certyfye ȝone lordez, 1555 Ȝif ȝe will send þam ouer þe see or kepe þam ȝour selfen. Page 83 1556 All ȝour sekyre men, forsothe, sounde are byleuyde, 1557 Saue Sir Ewayne fytz Henry es in þe side wonddede." 1558 [folio 70r] "Crist be thankyde," quod the Kyng, "and hys clere Modyre, 1559 That ȝowe comforthed and helpede be crafte of Hym selfen; 1560 Skilfull skomfyture he skiftez as Hym lykez; 1561 Is none so skathlye may skape ne skewe fro His handez. 1562 Desteny and doughtynes of dedys of armes, 1563


All es demyd and delte at Dryghtynez will. 1564 I kwn the thanke for thy come—it comfortes vs all. 1565 Sir Knyghte," sais þe Conquerour, "so me Criste helpe, 1566 I ȝif the for thy thyȝandez Tolouse þe riche, 1567 The toll and þe tachementez, tauernez and oþer, 1568 Þe town and þe tenementez, with towrez so hye, 1569 That towchez to þe temporaltée, whills my tym lastez. 1570 Bot say to þe Senatour I sende hym þes wordez: 1571 Thare sall no siluer hym saue bot Ewayn recouer; 1572 I had leuer see hym synke on the salte strandez, 1573 Than the seegge ware seke, þat es so sore woundede. 1574 I sall disseuere that sorte, so me Criste helpe, 1575 And sett them full solytarie, in sere kyngez landez. 1576 Sall he neuer sownde see his seynowres in Rome, 1577 Ne sitt in þe assemblé in syghte wyth his feris; 1578 For it comes to no kyng þat Conquerour es holden, 1579 To comon with his captifis fore couatys of siluer. 1580 It come neuer of knyghthede—knawe if ȝif hym lyke— 1581 To carpe of coseri when captyfis ere takyn; 1582 It aughte to no presoners to prese no lordez, 1583 Ne come in presens of pryncez whene partyes are mouede. 1584 Comaunde ȝone constable, þe castell þat ȝemes, 1585 That he be clenlyche kepede, and in close halden; 1586 He sall haue maundement tomorne, or myddaye be roungen, 1587 To what marche þay sall merke, with mauger to lengen." 1588 Þay conuaye this captyfe with clene men of armez, 1589 And kend hym to þe constable, alls þe Kynge byddez; 1590 And seyn to Arthure þey ayr and egerly hym towchez 1591 The answere of þe Emperour, irows of dedez. 1592 Thane Sir Arthur, on erthe atheliste of oþere, 1593 At euen at his awen borde auantid his lordez: Page 84 1594


"Me aughte to honour them in erthe ouer all oþer thyngez 1595 Þat þus in myn absens awnters þem selfen; 1596 I sall them luffe whylez I lyffe, so me our Lorde helpe, 1597 And gyfe þem landys full large whare them beste lykes; 1598 Thay sall noghte losse on þis layke, ȝif me lyfe happen, 1599 Þat þus are lamede for my lufe be þis lythe strandez." 1600 Bot in þe clere daweyng, þe dere kynge hym selfen 1601 Comaundyd Sir Cadore, with his dere knyghttes, 1602 Sir Cleremus, Sir Cleremonde, with clene men of armez, 1603 Sir Clowdmur, Sir Clegis, to conuaye theis lordez; 1604 Sir Boyce and Sir Berell, with baners displayede, 1605 Sir Bawdwyne, Sir Bryane, and Sir Bedwere þe ryche, 1606 Sir Raynalde and Sir Richere, Rawlaund childyre, 1607 To ryde with þe Romaynes in rowtte wyth theire feres. 1608 [folio 70v] "Prekez now preualye to Parys the ryche, 1609 Wyth Petir the pryssonere and his price knyghttez; 1610 Beteche þam þe proueste, in presens of lordez, 1611 O payne and o perell þat pendes theretoo; 1612 That they be weisely wachede and in warde holden, 1613 Warded of warantizez with wyrchipfull knyghttez, 1614 Wagge hym wyghte men, and woonde for no siluyre— 1615 I haffe warnede þat wy, be ware ȝif hym lykes." 1616 Lines 1617 through 1636 Now bownes þe Bretons, als þe Kynge byddez, 1617 Buskez theire batells, theire baners displayez; 1618 Towardez Chartris they chese, thes cheualrous knyghttez, 1619 And in the champayne lande full faire þay eschewede: 1620 For þe Emperour of myghte had ordand hym selfen 1621 Sir Vtolfe and Sir Ewandyre, two honourable kyngez, 1622 Erles of þe Orient, with austeryn knyghttez, 1623 Of þe awntrouseste men þat to his oste lengede, 1624


Sir Sextynour of Lyby and senatours many, 1625 The Kyng of Surrye hym selfe, with Sarzynes ynowe, 1626 The Senatour of Sutere, wyth sowmes full huge, 1627 Whas assygnede to þat courte be sent of his peres, 1628 Traise towarde Troys þe treson to wyrke, 1629 To hafe betrappede with a trayne oure traueland knyghttez, 1630 That hade persayfede þat Peter at Parys sulde lenge, Page 85 1631 In presonne with þe prouoste, his paynez to drye. 1632 Forthi they buskede them bownn, with baners displayede, 1633 In the buskayle of his waye, on blonkkes full hugge; 1634 Planttez them in the pathe with powere arrayede, 1635 To pyke vp þe presoners fro oure pryse knyghttez. 1636 Lines 1637 through 1644 Syr Cadore of Cornewalle comaundez his peris, 1637 Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremus, Sir Cleremownnde þe noble, 1638 "Here es þe close of Clyme, with clewes so hye: 1639 Lokez the contrée be clere, the corners are large; 1640 Discoueres now sekerly skrogges and oþer, 1641 That no skathell in þe skroggez skorne vs hereaftyre; 1642 Loke ȝe skyfte it so þat vs no skathe lympe, 1643 For na skomfitoure in skoulkery is skomfite euer." 1644 Lines 1645 through 1686 Now þey hye to þe holte, thes harageous knyghttez, 1645 To herken of þe hye men, to helpen theis lordez; 1646 Fyndez them helmede hole and horsyde on stedys, 1647 Houande on þe hye waye by þe holte hemmes. 1648 With knyghttly contenaunce Sir Clegis hym selfen 1649 Kryes to þe companye and carpes thees wordez: 1650 "Es there any kyde knyghte, kaysere or oþer, 1651 Will kyth for his kyng lufe craftes of armes? 1652


We are comen fro þe Kyng of þis kythe ryche, 1653 That knawen as for conquerour, corownde in erthe, 1654 His ryche retenuz here all of his Round Table, 1655 To ryde with þat reall rowtt where hym lykes; 1656 We seke justyng of werre, ȝif any will happyn, 1657 Of þe jolyeste men ajuggede be lordes, 1658 If here be any hathell man, erle or oþer, 1659 [folio 71r] That for þe Emperour lufe will awntere hym selfen." 1660 And ane erle þane in angere answeres hym son: 1661 "Me angers at Arthure, and att his hathell bierns, 1662 That thus in his errour ocupyes theis rewmes, 1663 And owtrayes þe Emperour, his erthely lorde. 1664 The araye and þe ryalltéz of þe Rounde Table 1665 Es wyth rankour rehersede in rewmes full many; 1666 Of oure renttez of Rome syche reuell he haldys, 1667 He sall ȝife resoun full rathe, ȝif vs reghte happen, Page 86 1668 That many sall repente that in his rowtte rydez, 1669 For the reklesse roy so rewlez hym selfen!" 1670 "A!" sais Sir Clegis þan, "so me Criste helpe, 1671 I knawe be thi carpyng a cowntere þe semes! 1672 Bot be þou auditoure or erle or Emperour thi selfen, 1673 Appon Arthurez byhalue I answere the sone: 1674 The renke so reall þat rewllez vs all, 1675 The ryotous men and þe ryche of þe Rounde Table, 1676 He has araysede his accownte and redde all his rollez, 1677 For he wyll gyfe a rekenyng that rewe sall aftyre, 1678 That all þe ryche sall repente þat to Rome langez, 1679 Or þe rereage be requit of rentez þat he claymez. 1680 We crafe of ȝour curtaisie three coursez of werre, 1681 And claymez of knyghthode, take kepe to ȝour selfen! 1682


Ȝe do bott trayne vs todaye wyth trofeland wordez; 1683 Of syche trauaylande men trecherye me thnykes. 1684 Sende owte sadly certayne knyghttez, 1685 Or say me sekerly sothe—forsake ȝif ȝowe lykes." 1686 Lines 1687 through 1723 Þane sais þe Kynge of Surry, "Alls saue me oure Lorde, 1687 Ȝif þow hufe all þe daye, þou bees noghte delyuerede, 1688 Bot thow sekerly ensure with certeyne knyghtez, 1689 Þat þi cote and thi breste be knawen with lordez, 1690 Of armes of ancestrye entyrde with londez." 1691 "Sir Kyng," sais Sir Clegys, "full knyghttly þow askez; 1692 I trowe it be for cowardys thow carpes thes wordez. 1693 Myn armez are of ancestrye enueryd with lordez, 1694 And has in banere bene borne sen Sir Brut tyme; 1695 At the cité of Troye þat tymme was ensegede, 1696 Ofte seen in asawtte with certayne knyghttez, 1697 Fro þe Borghte broghte vs and all oure bolde elders 1698 To Bretayne þe Braddere, within chippe-burdez." 1699 "Sir," sais Sir Sextenour, "saye what þe lykez, 1700 And we sall suffyre the, als vs beste semes; 1701 Luke thi troumppez be trussede, and trofull no lengere, 1702 For þoghe þou tarye all þe daye, the tyddes no bettyr. 1703 For there sall neuer Romayne þat in my rowtt rydez 1704 Be with rebawdez rebuykyde whills I in werlde regne!" Page 87 1705 Thane Sir Clegis to þe Kyng a lyttill enclinede, 1706 Kayres to Sir Cadore and knyghtly hym tellez, 1707 "We hafe founden in ȝone firthe, floresched with leues, 1708 Þe flour of þe faireste folke þat to þi foo langez: 1709 [folio 71v] Fifty thosandez of folke of ferse men of armez, 1710 Þat faire are fewteride on frounte vndyr ȝone fre bowes; 1711


They are enbuschede on blonkkes, with baners displayede, 1712 In ȝone bechen wode appon the waye sydes. 1713 Thay hafe the furthe forsette all of þe faire watyre, 1714 That fayfully of force feghte vs byhowys; 1715 For thus vs schappes todaye, schortly to tell, 1716 Whedyre we schone or schewe—schyft as þe lykes." 1717 "Nay," quod Cador, "so me Criste helpe, 1718 It ware schame þat we scholde schone for so lytyll. 1719 Sir Lancelott sall neuer laughe, þat with þe Kyng lengez, 1720 That I sulde lette my waye for lede appon erthe; 1721 I sall be dede and vndone ar I here dreche, 1722 For drede of any doggeson in ȝone dym schawes!" 1723 Lines 1724 through 1737 Syr Cador thane knyghtly comforthes his pople, 1724 And with corage kene he karpes þes wordes: 1725 "Thynk on þe valyaunt prynce þat vesettez vs euer 1726 With landez and lordcheppez, whare vs beste lykes; 1727 That has vs ducherés delte and dubbyde vs knyghttez, 1728 Gifen vs gersoms and golde and gardwynes many, 1729 Grewhoundez and grett horse and alkyn gamnes, 1730 That gaynez till any gome that vndyre God leuez. 1731 Thynke on riche renoun of þe Rounde Table, 1732 And late it neuer be refte vs fore Romayne in erthe; 1733 Feyne ȝow noghte feyntly, ne frythes no wapyns, 1734 Bot luke ȝe fyghte faythefully, frekes, ȝour selfen; 1735 I walde be wellyde all qwyke and quarterde in sondre, 1736 Bot I wyrke my dede, whils I in wrethe lenge." 1737 Lines 1738 through 1829 Than this doughtty duke duddyd his knyghttez, 1738 Ioneke and Askanere, Aladuke and oþer, 1739 That ayerez were of Esex and all þase este marchez, 1740 Howell and Hardelfe, happy in armez, 1741


Sir Heryll and Sir Herygall, þise harageouse knyghttez. 1742 Than the souerayn assignede certayne lordez, Page 88 1743 Sir Wawayne, Sir Vryell, Sir Bedwere þe ryche, 1744 Raynallde and Richeere and Rowlandez childyre: 1745 "Takez kepe on this prynce with ȝoure price knyghtez, 1746 And ȝife we in þe stour withstonden the better, 1747 Standez here in this stede, and stirrez no forthire; 1748 And ȝif þe chaunce falle þat we bee ouercharggede, 1749 Eschewes to som castell, and chewyse ȝour selfen, 1750 Or ryde to þe riche Kyng, ȝif ȝow roo happyn, 1751 And bidde hym com redily to rescewe hys biernez." 1752 And than the Bretons brothely enbrassez þeire scheldez, 1753 Braydez one bacenetez and buskes theire launcez; 1754 Thus he fittez his folke and to þe felde rydez, 1755 Fif hundreth on a frounte fewtrede at onez. 1756 [folio 72r] With trompes þay trine, and trappede stedes, 1757 With cornettes and clarions and clergiall notes; 1758 Schokkes in with a schakke and schontez no langere, 1759 There schawes ware scheen vndyr þe schire eyuez. 1760 And thane the Romaynez rowtte remowes a lyttill, 1761 Raykes with a rerewarde þas reall knyghttez; 1762 So raply þay ryde thare that all þe rowte ryngez 1763 Of ryues and raunke stele and ryche golde maylez. 1764 Thane schotte owtte of þe schawe schiltrounis many, 1765 With scharpe wapynns of were schotand at ones; 1766 The Kyng of Lebe before the wawarde he ledez, 1767 And all his lele ligemen o laundon ascriez. 1768 Thane this cruell kyng castis in fewtire, 1769 Kaghte hym a couerde horse and his course haldez, 1770 Beris to Sir Berill and brathely hym hittes— 1771


Throwghe golet and gorger he hurtez hym ewyne; 1772 The gome and þe grette horse at þe ground liggez, 1773 And gretez graythely to Gode and gyffes Hym þe saule. 1774 Thus es Berell the bolde broghte owtte of lyue, 1775 And byddez aftyre beryell þat hym beste lykez. 1776 And thane Sir Cador of Cornewayle es carefull in herte, 1777 Because of his kynysemane, þat þus es myscaryede; 1778 Vmbeclappes the cors and kyssez hym ofte, 1779 Gerte kepe hym couerte with his clere knyghttez. Page 89 1780 Thane laughes the Lebe Kyng and all on lowde meles, 1781 "Ȝone lorde es lyghttede—me lykes the bettyre; 1782 He sall noghte dere vs todaye, the Deuyll haue his [supplied by ed.] bones!" 1783 "Ȝone kyng," said Cador, "karpes full large, 1784 Because he killyd þis kene—Criste hafe þi saule: 1785 He sall hafe corne-bote, so me Criste helpe; 1786 Or I kaire of þis coste, we sall encontre ones. 1787 So may þe wynde weile turnne, I quytte hym or ewyn, 1788 Sothely hym selfen or summ of his ferez." 1789 Thane Sir Cador þe kene knyghttly he wyrkez, 1790 Cryez "A Cornewale!" and castez in fewtere, 1791 Girdez streke thourghe þe stour on a stede ryche; 1792 Many steryn mane he steride by strenghe of hym one. 1793 Whene his spere was sprongen, he spede hym full ȝerne, 1794 Swappede owtte with a swerde that swykede hym neuer, 1795 Wroghte wayes full wyde and wounded knyghttez, 1796 Wyrkez in his wayfare full werkand sydez, 1797 And hewes of þe hardieste halsez in sondyre, 1798 That all blendez with blode thare his blanke rynnez. 1799 So many biernez the bolde broughte owt of lyfe, 1800 Tittez tirauntez doun and temez theire sadills, 1801


And turnez owte of þe toile when hym tyme thynkkez. 1802 Thane the Lebe Kynge criez full lowde 1803 One Sir Cador the kene, with cruell wordez, 1804 [folio 72v] "Thowe hase wyrchipe wonne and wondyde knyghttez; 1805 Thowe wenes for thi wightenez the werlde es thy nowen. 1806 I sall wayte at thyne honnde, wy, be my trowthe; 1807 I haue warnede þe wele, be ware ȝif the lykez!" 1808 With cornuse and clariones þeis newe-made knyghttez 1809 Lythes vnto þe crye and castez in fewtire; 1810 Ferkes in on a frounte one feraunte stedez, 1811 Fellede at þe fyrste come fyfty att ones. 1812 Schotte thorowe the schiltrouns and scheuerede launcez, 1813 Laid doun in þe lumppe lordly biernez. 1814 And thus nobilly oure newe men notez þeire strenghez— 1815 Bot new notte es onon þat noyes me sore. 1816 The Kyng of Lebe has laughte a stede þat hym lykede, Page 90 1817 And comes in lordely in lyonez of siluere, 1818 Vmbelappez þe lumpe and lattes in sondre— 1819 Many lede with his launce þe liffe has he refede. 1820 Thus he chaces þe childire of þe Kyngez chambire, 1821 And killez in þe champanyse cheualrous knyghttez; 1822 With a chasyng spere he choppes doun many. 1823 Thare was Sir Alyduke slayne and Achinour wondyde, 1824 Sir Origg and Sir Ermyngall hewen al to pecez. 1825 And ther was Lewlyn laughte and Lewlyns brothire, 1826 With lordez of Lebe, and lede to þeire strenghez. 1827 Ne hade Sir Clegis comen and Clemente þe noble, 1828 Oure newe men hade gone to noghte and many ma oþer. 1829 Lines 1830 through 1843 Þane Sir Cador þe kene castez in fewtire 1830


A cruell launce and a kene and to þe Kynge rydez, 1831 Hittez hym heghe on þe helme with his harde wapen, 1832 That all þe hotte blode of hym to his hande rynnez. 1833 The hethen harageous kynge appon þe hethe lyggez, 1834 And of his hertly hurte helyde he neuer. 1835 Thane Sir Cador þe kene cryez full lowde, 1836 "Thow has corne-botte, Sir Kyng, þare God gyfe þe sorowe; 1837 Thow killyde my cosyn, my kare es the lesse. 1838 Kele the nowe in the claye, and comforthe thi selfen! 1839 Thow skornede vs lang ere with thi skornefull wordez, 1840 And nowe has þow cheuede soo, it es thyn awen skathe. 1841 Holde at þow hente has, it harmez bot lyttill, 1842 For hethynge es hame-holde, vse it who-so will." 1843 Lines 1844 through 1869 The Kyng of Surry þan es sorowfull in herte, 1844 For sake of this soueraygne, þat þus was supprissede; 1845 Semblede his Sarazenes and senatours manye: 1846 Vnsaughtyly þey sette thane appon oure sere knyghttez. 1847 Sir Cador of Cornewaile he cownterez them sone, 1848 With his kydde companye clenlyche arrayede; 1849 In the frount of þe fyrthe, as þe waye forthis, 1850 Fyfty thosande of folke was fellide at ones. 1851 Thare was at þe assemblé certayne knyghttez 1852 [folio 73r] Sore wondede sone appone sere halfes; 1853 The sekereste Sarzanez that to þat sorte lengede, 1854 Behynde the sadylls ware sette sex fotte large. Page 91 1855 They scherde in the schiltrone scheldyde knyghttez, 1856 Schalkes they schotte thrughe schrenkande maylez, 1857 Thurghe brenys browden brestez they thirllede, 1858 Brasers burnyste bristez in sondyre, 1859


Blasons blode and blankes they hewen, 1860 With brandez of browne stele brankkand stedez. 1861 The Bretons brothely brittenez so many, 1862 The bente and þe brode felde all on blode rynnys. 1863 Be thane Sir Cayous þe kene a capitayne has wonnen, 1864 Sir Clegis clynges in and clekes anoþer, 1865 The capitayne of Cordewa, vndire þe Kynge selfen, 1866 That was keye of þe kythe of all þat coste ryche; 1867 Vtolfe and Ewandre Ioneke had nommen, 1868 With þe Erle of Affryke and oþer grette lordes; 1869 Lines 1870 through 1891 The Kyng of Surry the kene to Sir Cador es ȝelden, 1870 Þe Synechall of Soter to Segramoure hym selfen. 1871 When þe cheualrye saw theire cheftanes were nommen, 1872 To a cheefe foreste they chesen theire wayes, 1873 And felede them so feynte, they fall in þe greues, 1874 In the ferynne of þe fyrthe, fore ferde of oure pople. 1875 Thare myght men see the ryche ryde in the schawes, 1876 To rype vpe the Romaynez ruydlyche wondyde; 1877 Schowttes aftyre men, harageous knyghttez, 1878 Be hunndrethez they hewede doun be þe holte eyuys. 1879 Thus oure cheualrous men chasez þe pople; 1880 To a castell they eschewede, a fewe þat eschappede. 1881 Thane relyez þe renkez of þe Rounde Table, 1882 For to ryotte þe wode þer þe duke restez; 1883 Ransakes the ryndez all, raughte vp theire feres, 1884 That in þe fightyng before fay ware byleuyde. 1885 Sir Cador garte chare theym and couere them faire, 1886 Kariede them to þe Kyng with his beste knyghttez; 1887 And passez vnto Paresche with presoners hym selfen, 1888 Betoke theym the proueste, pryncez and oþer; 1889 Tase a sope in the toure and taryez no langere, 1890


Bot tournes tytte to þe Kynge and hym wyth tunge telles. 1891 Lines 1892 through 1911 "Syr," sais Sir Cador, "a caas es befallen; 1892 We hafe cowntered today, in ȝone coste ryche Page 92 1893 With kyngez and kayseres, krouell and noble, 1894 And knyghtes and kene men, clenlych arayede. 1895 They hade at ȝone foreste forsette vs þe wayes, 1896 At the furthe in þe fyrthe, with ferse men of armes; 1897 Thare faughtte we, in faythe, and foynede with sperys, 1898 One felde with thy foomen and fellyd them on lyfe. 1899 [folio 73v] The Kyng of Lebe es laide and in þe felde leuyde, 1900 And manye of his legemen þat þare to hym langede. 1901 Oþer lordez are laughte of vncouthe ledes; 1902 We hafe lede them at lenge, to lyf whilles þe lykez. 1903 Sir Vtolfe and Sir Ewaynedyr, theis honourable knyghttez, 1904 Be a nawntere of armes Ioneke has nommen, 1905 With erlez of þe Oryentte and austeren knyghttez, 1906 Of awncestrye þe beste men þat to þe oste langede; 1907 The Senatour Carous es kaughte with a knyghtte, 1908 The Capitayne of Cornette, that crewell es halden, 1909 The Syneschall of Suter vnsaughte wyth þes oþer, 1910 The Kyng of Surry hym selfen and Sarazenes ynowe [supplied by ed.] . 1911 Lines 1912 through 1919 Bot fay of ours in þe felde a fourtene knyghttez, 1912 I will noghte feyne ne forbere, bot faythfully tellen; 1913 Sir Berell es one, a banerette noble, 1914 Was killyde at þe fyrste come with a kyng ryche; 1915 Sir Alidoyke of Towell, with his tende knyghtez, 1916 Emange þe Turkys was tynte and in tym fonden; 1917


Gude Sir Mawrell of Mauncez and Mawren his broþer, 1918 Sir Meneduke of Mentoche, with meruailous knyghttez." 1919 Lines 1920 through 1945 Thane the worthy Kyng wrythes and wepede with his eughne, 1920 Karpes to his cosyn Sir Cador theis wordez: 1921 "Sir Cador, thi corage confundez vs all! 1922 Kowardely thow castez owtte all my beste knyghttez. 1923 To putte men in perille, it es no pryce holden, 1924 Bot þe partyes ware puruayede and powere arayede; 1925 When they ware stade on a strenghe, þou sulde hafe withstonden, 1926 Bot ȝif thowe wolde all my steryn stroye for þe nonys!" 1927 "Sir," sais Sir Cador, "ȝe knowe wele ȝour selfen 1928 Ȝe are kyng in þis kythe, karpe whatte ȝow lykys; 1929 Sall neuer vpbrayde me, þat to þi burde langes, Page 93 1930 That I sulde blyn fore theire boste thi byddyng to wyrche; 1931 When any stirttez to stale, stuffe þam þe bettere, 1932 Ore thei will be stonayede and stroyede in ȝone strayte londez. 1933 I dide my delygens todaye, I doo me one lordez, 1934 And in daungere of dede fore dyuerse knyghttez; 1935 I hafe no grace to þi gree, bot syche grett wordez— 1936 Ȝif I heuen my herte, my hape es no bettyre." 1937 Þofe Sir Arthure ware angerde, he ansuers faire; 1938 "Thow has doughttily donn, Sir Duke, with thi handez, 1939 And has donn thy deuer with my dere knyghttez; 1940 Forthy thow arte demyde, with dukes and erlez, 1941 For one of þe doughtyeste þat dubbede was euer. 1942 Thare es non ischewe of vs on this erthe sprongen; 1943 Thow arte apparant to be ayere, are one of thi childyre— 1944 [folio 74r] Thow arte my sister sone, forsake sall I neuer." 1945 Lines 1946 through 1972


Thane gerte he in his awen tente a table be sette, 1946 And tryede in with tromppez trauaillede biernez; 1947 Serfede them solempnely with selkouthe metez, 1948 Swythe semly in syghte with sylueren dischees. 1949 Whene the senatours harde saye þat it so happenede, 1950 They saide to þe Emperour, "Thi seggez are suppryssede; 1951 Sir Arthure, thyn enmy, has owterayede þi lordez, 1952 That rode for þe rescowe of ȝone riche knyghttez. 1953 Thow dosse bot tynnez þi tym and turmenttez þi pople; 1954 Thow arte betrayede of þi men that moste thow on traystede, 1955 That schall turne the to tene and torfere for euer." 1956 Than the Emperour irus was angerde at his herte, 1957 For oure valyant biernez siche prowesche had wonnen. 1958 With kyng and with kaysere to consayle they wende, 1959 Souerayngez of Sarazenez and senatours manye; 1960 Thus he semblez full sone certayne lordez, 1961 And in the assemblé thane he sais them theis wordez: 1962 "My herte sothely es sette—assente ȝif ȝowe lykes— 1963 To seke into Sexon, with my sekyre knyghttez, 1964 To fyghte with my foomen, if fortune me happen, 1965 Ȝif I may fynde the freke within the four haluez; 1966 Or entir into Awguste, awnters to seke, 1967 And byde with my balde men within þe burghe ryche; Page 94 1968 Riste vs and reuell and ryotte oure selfen, 1969 Lende þare in delytte in lordechippez ynewe, 1970 To Sir Leo be comen with all his lele knyghtez, 1971 With lordez of Lumberdye, to lette hym þe wayes." 1972 Lines 1973 through 2005 Bot owre wyese Kyng es warre to waytten his renkes, 1973 And wysely by þe woddez voydez his oste; 1974 Gerte felschen his fyrez, flawmande full heghe, 1975


Trussen full traystely and treunt thereaftyre. 1976 Seþen into Sessoyne he soughte at the gayneste, 1977 And at the surs of þe sonne disseuerez his knyghttez; 1978 Forsette them the cité appon sere halfez, 1979 Sodaynly on iche halfe, with seuen grett stales. 1980 Anely in the vale a vawewarde enbusches: 1981 Sir Valyant of Vyleris, with valyant knyghttez, 1982 Before þe Kyngez visage made siche avowez 1983 To venquyse by victorie the Vescownte of Rome; 1984 Forthi the Kyng chargez hym, what chaunce so befall, 1985 Cheftayne of þe cheekke, with cheualrous knyghttez. 1986 And sythyn meles with mouthe, þat he moste traistez; 1987 Demenys the medylwarde menskfully hym selfen: 1988 Fittes his fotemen alls hym faire thynkkes, 1989 On frounte in the forebreste the flour of his knyghtez; 1990 His archers on aythere halfe he ordaynede þeraftyre 1991 [folio 74v] To schake in a sheltrone, to schotte when þam lykez. 1992 He arrayed in þe rerewarde full riall knyghtez, 1993 With renkkes renownnd of þe Round Table, 1994 Sir Raynalde, Sir Richere, that rade was neuer, 1995 The riche Duke of Rown wyth [supplied by ed.] ryders ynewe. 1996 Sir Cayous, Sir Clegis, and clene men of armes, 1997 The Kyng casts to kepe be þaa clere strandes; 1998 Sir Lott and Sir Launcelott, þise lordly knyghttez, 1999 Sall lenge on his lefte hande, with legyones ynewe, 2000 To meue in þe morne-while, ȝif þe myste happynne; 2001 Sir Cador of Cornewaile and his kene knyghtez, 2002 To kepe at þe karfuke, to close in þer oþere; 2003 He plantez in siche placez pryncez and erlez, 2004 That no powere sulde passe be no preué wayes. Page 95 2005


Lines 2006 through 2031 Bot the Emperour onone, with honourable knyghtez 2006 And erlez enteres the vale, awnters to seke, 2007 And fyndez Sir Arthure with hostez arayede; 2008 And at his income, to ekken his sorowe, 2009 Oure burlyche bolde Kyng appon the bente howes, 2010 With his bataile on brede and baners displayede. 2011 He hade þe ceté forsett appon sere halfes, 2012 Bothe the clewez and þe clyfez with clene men of armez, 2013 The mosse and þe marrasse, the mounttez so hye, 2014 With gret multytude of men, to marre hym in þe wayes. 2015 When Sir Lucius sees, he sais to his lordez, 2016 "This traytour has treunt this treson to wyrche; 2017 He has the ceté forsett appon sere halfez, 2018 All þe clewez and the cleyffez with clene men of armez; 2019 Here es no waye, iwys, ne no wytt ells, 2020 Bot feghte with oure foomen, for flee may we neuer." 2021 Thane this ryche mane rathe arayes his byernez, 2022 Rewlede his Romaynez and reall knyghtez; 2023 Buschez in the avawmewarde the Vescounte of Rome, 2024 Fro Viterbe to Venyse theis valyante knyghtez; 2025 Dresses vp dredfully the dragone of golde, 2026 With egles alouer, enamelede of sable; 2027 Drawen dreghely the wyne and drynkyn thareaftyre, 2028 Dukkez and dusseperez, dubbede knyghtez; 2029 For dauncesyng of Duchemen and dynnyng of pypez, 2030 All dynned fore dyn that in þe dale houede. 2031 Lines 2032 through 2094 And thane Sir Lucius on lowde said lordlyche wordez: 2032 "Thynke on the myche renownn of ȝour ryche fadyrs, 2033 And the riatours of Rome, þat regnede with lordez, 2034 And the renkez ouerrane all that regnede in erthe, 2035


[folio 75r] Encrochede all Cristyndome be craftes of armes— 2036 In eueriche a viage the victorie was halden; 2037 Insette all þe Sarazenes within seuen wyntter, 2038 The parte fro the Porte Iaffe to Paradyse ȝatez. 2039 Thoghe a rewme be rebelle, we rekke it bot lyttill; 2040 It es resone and righte the renke be restreynede. 2041 Do dresse we tharefore and byde we no langere, 2042 Fore dredlesse withowttyn dowtte, the daye schall be ourez!" Page 96 2043 Whene þeise wordez was saide, the Walsche kyng hym selfen 2044 Whas warre of this wyderwyn þat werrayede his knyghttez; 2045 Brothely in the vale with voyce he ascryez, 2046 "Viscownte of Valewnce, enuyous of dedys, 2047 The vassallage of Viterbe todaye schall be reuengede; 2048 Vnuenquiste fro þis place voyde schall I neuer!" 2049 Thane the Vyscownte valiante, with a voute noble, 2050 Auoyeddyde the avawewarde, enuerounde his horse; 2051 He drissede in a derfe schelde, endenttyd with sable, 2052 With a dragone engowschede, dredfull to schewe, 2053 Deuorande a dolphyn with dolefull lates, 2054 In seyne that oure soueraygne sulde be distroyede, 2055 And all don of dawez with dynntez of swerddez— 2056 For thare es noghte bot dede thare the dragone es raissede. 2057 Thane the comlyche kyng castez in fewtyre, 2058 With a crewell launce cowpez dull euen, 2059 Abowne þe spayre a spanne, emange þe schortte rybbys, 2060 That the splent and the spleen on the spere langez; 2061 The blode sprente owtte and sprede as þe horse spryngez, 2062 And he sproulez full spakely, bot spekes he no more. 2063 And thus has Sir Valyantt halden his avowez, 2064 And venqwyste þe Viscownte, þate victor was halden. 2065


Thane Sir Ewayne fitz Vriene full enkerlye rydez 2066 Onone to the Emperour, his egle to towche; 2067 Thrughe his brode bataile he buskes belyfe, 2068 Braydez owt his brande with a blyth chere, 2069 Reuerssede it redelye and awaye rydys; 2070 Ferkez in with the fewle in his faire handez, 2071 And fittez in freely one frounte with his feris. 2072 Now buskez Sir Launcelot and braydez full euen 2073 To Sir Lucius the lorde and lothelye hym hyttez; 2074 Thurghe pawnce and platez he percede the maylez, 2075 That the prowde pensell in his pawnche lengez; 2076 The hede hayled owtt behynde ane halfe fote large, 2077 Thurghe hawberke and hanche, with þe harde wapyn, 2078 The stede and the steryn mane strykes to þe grownde, Page 97 2079 Strake down a standerde and to his stale wendez. 2080 "Me lykez wele," sais Sir Loth, "ȝone lordez are delyuerede! 2081 The lott lengez nowe on me, with leue of my lorde; 2082 Today sall my name be laide and my life aftyre, 2083 [folio 75v] Bot some leppe fro the lyfe that on ȝone lawnde houez!" 2084 Thane strekez the steryn and streynys his brydyll, 2085 Strykez into the stowre on a stede ryche, 2086 Enjoynede with a geaunt and jaggede hym thorowe; 2087 Jolyly this gentill forjustede anoþer, 2088 Wroghte wayes full wyde, werrayande knyghtez, 2089 And wondes all wathely that in þe waye stondez; 2090 Fyghttez with all the frappe a furlange of waye, 2091 Felled fele appon felde with his faire wapen, 2092 Venqwiste and has the victorie of valyaunt knyghtez, 2093 And all enverounde the vale and voyde when hym likede. 2094 Lines 2095 through 2122


Thane bowmen of Bretayne brothely thereaftyre 2095 Bekerde with bregaundez of ferre in tha laundez; 2096 With flonez fleterede þay flitt full frescly þer frekez, 2097 That flowe o ferrome in flawnkkes of stedez. 2098 Fichene with fetheris thurghe þe fyne maylez— 2099 Siche flyttyng es foule þat so þe flesche derys. 2100 Dartes the Duchemen dalten aȝaynes, 2101 With derfe dynttez of dede dagges thurghe scheldez; 2102 Qwarells qwayntly swappez thorowe knyghtez, 2103 With iryn so wekyrly, that wynche they neuer: 2104 So they scherenken fore schotte of þe scharppe arowes, 2105 That all the scheltron schonte and schoderide at ones, 2106 Thane riche stedes rependez and rasches on armes— 2107 The hale howndrethe on hye appon heythe lygges; 2108 Bott ȝitte þe hathelieste on hy, haythen and oþer, 2109 All hoursches ouer hede harmes to wyrke. 2110 And all theis geauntez before, engenderide with fendez, 2111 Ioynez on Sir Ionathal and gentill knyghtez; 2112 With clubbez of clene stele clenkkede in helmes, 2113 Craschede doun crestez and craschede braynez, 2114 Kyllede cour [supplied by ed.] sers and couerde stedes, 2115 Choppode thurghe cheualers on chalke-whytte stedez; Page 98 2116 Was neuer stele ne stede mighte stande them aȝaynez, 2117 Bot stonays and strykez doun that in þe stale houys, 2118 Till þe Conquerour come with his kene knyghttez, 2119 With crewell contenaunce he cryede full lowde, 2120 "I wende no Bretons walde bee basschede for so lyttill, 2121 And fore barelegyde boyes þat on the bente houys!" 2122 Lines 2123 through 2289 He clekys owtte Collbrande, full clenlyche burneschte, 2123 Graythes hym to Golapas, þat greuyde moste, 2124


Kuttes hym euen by þe knees clenly in sondyre. 2125 "Come down," quod the Kyng, "and karpe to thy ferys; 2126 Thowe arte to hye by þe halfe, I hete þe in trouthe: 2127 Thow sall be handsomere in hye, with þe helpe of my Lorde!" 2128 With þat stelen brande he strake ofe his hede. 2129 Sterynly in þat stoure he strykes anoþer; 2130 [folio 76r] Thus he settez on seuen with his sekyre knyghttez— 2131 Whylles sexty ware seruede soo ne sessede they neuer. 2132 And thus at the joynynge the geauntez are distroyede, 2133 And at þat journey forjustede with gentill lordez. 2134 Than the Romaynes and the rennkkez of þe Rounde Table 2135 Rewles them in arraye, rerewarde ande oþer; 2136 With wyghte wapynez of werre thay wroghten on helmes, 2137 Rittez with raunke stele full ryalle maylez. 2138 Bot they fitt them fayre, thes frekk byernez, 2139 Fewters in freely one feraunte stedes, 2140 Foynes ful felly with flyschande speris, 2141 Freten of orfrayes feste appon scheldez; 2142 So fele fay es in fyghte appon þe felde leuyde, 2143 That iche a furthe in the firthe of rede blode rynnys. 2144 By that swyftely one swarthe þe swett es byleuede, 2145 Swerdez swangen in two sweltand knyghtez, 2146 Lyes wyde opyn, welterande on walopande stedez; 2147 Wondes of wale men, werkande sydys, 2148 Facez fetteled vnfaire in filterede lakes, 2149 All craysed, fortrodyn with trappede stedez, 2150 The faireste on folde that fygurede was euer, 2151 Alls ferre alls a furlang, a thosande at ones. 2152 Be than the Romaynez ware rebuykyde a lyttill, Page 99 2153 Withdrawes theym drerely and dreches no lengare; 2154


Oure prynce with his powere persewes theyme aftyre, 2155 Prekez on þe proudeste with his price knyghttez. 2156 Sir Kayous, Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremond the noble 2157 Enconters them at þe clyffe with clene men of armes; 2158 Fyghttes faste in þe fyrth, frythes no wapen, 2159 Felled at þe firste come fyfe hundrethe at ones. 2160 And when they fande theym foresett with oure fers knyghtez, 2161 Fewe men agayne fele mot fyche them bettyre, 2162 Feghttez with all þe frappe, foynes with speres, 2163 And faughte with the frekkeste þat to Fraunce langez. 2164 Bot Sir Kayous þe kene castis in fewtyre, 2165 Chasez one a coursere and to a kyng rydys; 2166 With a launce of Lettowe he thirllez his sydez, 2167 That the lyuer and þe lunggez on þe launce lengez; 2168 The schafte sch [supplied by ed.] odyrde and schott in the schire byerne, 2169 And soughte thorowowte þe schelde and in þe schalke rystez. 2170 Bot Kayous at the income was kepyd vnfayre 2171 With a cowarde knyghte of þe kythe ryche; 2172 At þe turnyng that tym the traytoure hym hitte, 2173 In thorowe the felettes, and in þe flawnke aftyre, 2174 That the boustous launce þe bewells attamede, 2175 Þat braste at þe brawlyng and brake in þe myddys. 2176 Sir Kayous knewe wele, be þat kyde wounde, 2177 [folio 76v] That he was dede of þe dynte and don owte of lyfe; 2178 Than he raykes in arraye and one rawe rydez, 2179 One this reall his dede to reuenge; 2180 "Kepe the, cowarde," he calles hym sone, 2181 Cleues hym wyth his clere brande clenliche in sondire. 2182 "Hadde thow wele delte thy dynt with thi handes, 2183 I hade forgeffen þe my dede, be Crist now of Hewyn." 2184 He weyndes to þe wyese kyng and wynly hym gretes: 2185


"I am wathely woundide—waresche mon I neuer; 2186 Wirke nowe thi wirchipe, as þe worlde askes, 2187 And brynge me to beryell—byd I no more. 2188 Grete wele my ladye, þe Qwene, ȝife þe werlde happyne, 2189 And all þe burliche birdes þat to hir boure lengez, Page 100 2190 And my worthily weife, þat wrethide me neuer, 2191 Bid hire, fore hir wyrchipe, wirke for my saulle." 2192 The Kyngez confessour come, with Criste in his handes, 2193 For to comforthe the knyghte, kende hym þe wordes; 2194 The knyghte coueride on his knees with a kaunt herte, 2195 And caughte his Creatoure, þat comfurthes vs all. 2196 Thane remmes þe riche kynge fore rewthe at his herte, 2197 Rydes into rowte, his dede to reuenge; 2198 Presede into þe plumpe, and with a prynce metes, 2199 That was ayere of Egipt in thos este marches, 2200 Cleues hym with Collbrande clenlyche in sondyre; 2201 He broches euen thorowe þe byerne and þe sadill bristes, 2202 And at þe bake of þe blonke þe bewells entamede. 2203 Manly in his malycoly he metes anoþer, 2204 The medill of þat myghtty, þat hym myche greuede; 2205 He merkes thurghe the maylez the myddes in sondyre, 2206 That the myddys of þe mane on þe mounte fallez, 2207 Þe toþer halfe of þe haunche on þe horse leuyde— 2208 Of þat hurte, alls I hope, heles he neuer. 2209 He schotte thorowe þe schiltrouns with his scharpe wapen, 2210 Schalkez he schrede thurghe and schrenkede maylez, 2211 Baneres he bare downne, bryttenede scheldes, 2212 Brothely with brown stele his brethe he þare wrekes; 2213 Wrothely he wryththis by wyghtnesse of strenghe, 2214 Woundes þese whydyrewyns, werrayede knyghttes, 2215 Threppede thorowe þe thykkys thryttene sythis, 2216


Thryngez throly in the thrange and chis euen aftyre. 2217 Thane Sir Gawayne the gude, with wyrchipfull knyghttez, 2218 Wendez in the avawewarde be tha wodde hemmys; 2219 Was warre of Sir Lucius, one launde there he houys, 2220 With lordez and liggemen that to hym selfe lengede. 2221 Thane the Emperour enkerly askes hym sonne, 2222 "What will thow, Gawayne, wyrke with thi wapyn? 2223 [folio 77r] I watte be thi waueryng thow willnez aftyre sorowe; 2224 I sall be wrokyn on thi wrethe, fore all thi grete wordez!" 2225 He laughte owtte a lange swerde and luyschede one faste, 2226 And Sir Lyonell in the launde lordely he hym strykes: 2227 Hittes hym on þe hede, þat þe helme bristis, Page 101 2228 Hurttes his herne-pane an hannde-brede large. 2229 Thus he layes one þe lumppe and lordlye þem serued, 2230 Wondide worthily wirchipfull knyghttez; 2231 Fighttez with Florent, that beste es of swerdez, 2232 Till þe fomande blode till his fyste rynnes. 2233 Thane þe Romayns releuyde, þat are ware rebuykkyde, 2234 And all torattys oure men with theire riste horsses; 2235 Fore they see þaire cheftayne be chauffede so sore, 2236 They chasse and choppe doun oure cheualrous knyghttes. 2237 Sir Bedwere was borne thurghe, and his breste thyrllede, 2238 With a burlyche brannde, brode at þe hiltes; 2239 The ryall raunke stele to his herte rynnys, 2240 And he rusches to þe erthe—rewthe es the more. 2241 Thane þe Conquerour tuke kepe and come with his strenghes 2242 To reschewe þe ryche men of þe Rounde Table, 2243 To owttraye þe Emperour, ȝif auntire it schewe, 2244 Ewyn to þe egle, and "Arthure!" askryes. 2245 The Emperour thane egerly at Arthure he strykez, 2246


Awkwarde on þe vmbrere and egerly hym hittez; 2247 The nakyde swerde at þe nese noyes hym sare, 2248 The blode of the [supplied by ed.] bolde kyng ouer þe breste rynnys, 2249 Beblede at þe brode schelde and þe bryghte mayles. 2250 Oure bolde kyng bowes þe blonke be þe bryghte brydyll, 2251 With his burlyche brande a buffette hym reches, 2252 Thourghe þe brene and þe breste with his bryghte wapyn: 2253 O slante doun fro þe slote he slyttes at ones. 2254 Thus endys þe Emperour of Arthur hondes, 2255 And all his austeryn oste þareofe ware affrayede. 2256 Now they ferke to þe fyrthe, a fewe þat are leuede, 2257 For ferdnesse of oure folke, by þe fresche strandez; 2258 The floure of oure ferse men one ferant stedez 2259 Folowes frekly on þe frekes, thate frayede was neuer. 2260 Thane þe kyde conquerour cryes full lowde, 2261 "Cosyn of Cornewaile, take kepe to þi selfen 2262 That no captayne be kepyde for non siluer, 2263 Or Sir Kayous dede be cruelly vengede." 2264 "Nay," sais Sir Cador, "so me Cryste helpe, Page 102 2265 Thare ne es kaysere ne kyng þat vndire Criste ryngnes 2266 Þat I ne schall kill colde dede be crafte of my handez!" 2267 Thare myghte men see chiftaynes on chalke-whitte stedez 2268 Choppe doun in the chaas cheualrye noble; 2269 Romaynes þe rycheste and ryall kynges 2270 [folio 77v] Braste with ranke stele theire rybbys in sondyre; 2271 Braynes forebrusten thurghe burneste helmes, 2272 With brandez forbrittenede one brede in þe laundez; 2273 They hewede doun haythen men with hiltede swerdez 2274 Be hole hundrethez on hye, by þe holte eyuyes. 2275 Thare myghte no siluer thaym saue ne socoure theire lyues, 2276


Sowdane ne Sarazene ne senatour of Rome. 2277 Thane releuis þe renkes of the Rounde Table 2278 Be þe riche reuare that rynnys so faire; 2279 Lugez thaym luflye by þa lyghte strandez, 2280 All on lawe in þe lawnde, thas lordlyche byernes. 2281 Thay kaire to þe karyage and tuke whate them likes, 2282 Kamells and cokadrisses and cofirs full riche, 2283 Hekes and hakkenays and horses of armes, 2284 Howsyng and herbergage of heythen kyngez; 2285 They drewe owt of dromondaries dyuerse lordes, 2286 Moyllez mylke whitte and meruayllous bestez, 2287 Olfendes and arrabys and olyfauntez noble, 2288 Þer are of þe Oryent, with honourable kynges. 2289 Lines 2290 through 2229 Bot Sir Arthure onone ayeres þeraftyre 2290 Ewyn to þe Emperour, with honourable kyngis; 2291 Laughte hym vpe full louelyly with lordlyche knyghttez, 2292 And ledde hym to þe layere thare the Kyng lygges. 2293 Thane harawdez heghely, at heste of the lordes, 2294 Hunttes vpe the haythemen that on heghte lygges: 2295 The Sowdane of Surry and certayne kynges, 2296 Sexty of þe cheefe senatours of Rome. 2297 Thane they bussches and bawmede þaire honourliche kyngis, 2298 Sewed them in sendell sexti-faulde aftire, 2299 Lappede them in lede, lesse that they schulde 2300 Chawnge or chawffe, ȝif þay myghte escheffe; 2301 Closed in kystys clene vnto Rome, Page 103 2302 With theire baners abowne, theire bagis therevndyre, 2303 In whate countr— þay kaire that knyghttes myghte knawe 2304 Iche kynge be his colours, in kyth whare he [supplied by ed.] lengede. 2305


Onone on þe secounde daye, sone by þe morne, 2306 Twa senatours ther come, and certayne knyghttez, 2307 Hodles fro þe hethe, ouer þe holte eyues, 2308 Barefote ouer þe bente, with brondes so ryche; 2309 Bowes to þe bolde kyng and biddis hym þe hiltes, 2310 Whethire he will hang theym or hedde or halde theym on lyfe. 2311 Knelyde before þe Conquerour in kyrtills allone; 2312 With carefull contenaunce þay karpide þese wordes: 2313 "Twa senatours we are, thi subgettez of Rome, 2314 That has sauede oure lyfe by þeise salte strandys, 2315 Hyd vs in þe heghe wode, thurghe þe helpyng of Criste, 2316 Besekes the of socoure, as Soueraygne and Lorde; 2317 [folio 78r] Grante vs lyffe and lym with leberall herte, 2318 For His luffe that the lente this lordchipe in erthe." 2319 "I graunte," quod the [supplied by ed.] gude kyng, "thurghe grace of my selfen: 2320 I giffe ȝowe lyffe and lyme and leue for to passe, 2321 So ȝe doo my message menskefully at Rome, 2322 That ilke charge þat I ȝow ȝiffe here before my cheefe knyghttez." 2323 "Ȝis," sais the senatours, "that sall we ensure, 2324 Sekerly be oure trowhes thi sayenges to fullfill; 2325 We sall lett for no lede þat lyffes in erthe, 2326 Fore pape, ne for potestate, ne prynce so noble, 2327 That ne sall lelely in lande thi letteres pronounce, 2328 For duke ne for dussepere, to dye in þe payne." 2329 Lines 2330 through 2341 Thane the banerettez of Bretayne broghte þem to tentes, 2330 There barbours ware bownn, with basyns on lofte, 2331 With warme watire, iwys, they wette them full son; 2332 They schouen thes schalkes schappely theraftyre, 2333 To rekken theis Romaynes recreaunt and ȝolden; 2334


Forthly schoue they them to schewe, for skomfite of Rome. 2335 They coupylde þe kystys on kameles belyue, 2336 On asses and arrabyes theis honourable kynges— 2337 The Emperoure for honoure all by hym one, 2338 Euen appon an olyfaunte, hys egle owtt ouere— Page 104 2339 Bekende them the captyfis, the Kynge dide hym selfen, 2340 And all byfore his kene men karpede thees wordes: 2341 Lines 2342 through 2370 "Here are the kystis," quod the Kyng, "kaire ouer þe mownttez: 2342 Mette full monee, þat ȝe haue mekyll ȝernede, 2343 The taxe and þe trebutte of tene schore wynteres, 2344 That was tenefully tynte in tym of oure elders; 2345 Saye to þe Senatoure þe ceté þat ȝemes, 2346 That I sende hym þe somme, assaye how hym likes. 2347 Bott byde them neuere be so bolde, whylls my blode regnes, 2348 Efte for to brawlle þem for my brode landez, 2349 Ne to aske trybut ne taxe be nakyn tytle, 2350 Bot syche tresoure as this, whilles my tym lastez." 2351 Nowe they raike to Rome the redyeste wayes, 2352 Knylles in the Capatoylle and comowns assembles, 2353 Souerayngez and senatours the ceté þat ȝemes, 2354 Bekende them the caryage, kystis and oþer, 2355 Alls þe Conquerour comaunde with cruell wordes. 2356 "We hafe trystily trayuellede þis tributte to feche, 2357 The taxe and þe trewage of fowre score wynteris, 2358 Of In [supplied by ed.] glande, of Irelande, and all þir owtt illes, 2359 That Arthure in the Occedente ocupyes att ones. 2360 He byddis ȝow neuere be so bolde, whills his blode regnes, 2361 To brawle ȝowe fore Bretayne ne his brode landes, 2362 Ne aske hym trebute ne taxe be nonkyns title, 2363 Bot syche tresoure as this, whills his tyme lastis. 2364


[folio 78v] We haffe foughtten in France, and vs es foule happenede, 2365 And all oure myche faire folke faye are byleuede; 2366 Eschappide there ne cheuallrye, ne cheftaynes noþer, 2367 Bott choppede downn in the chasse, syche chawnse es befallen. 2368 We rede ȝe store ȝowe of stone and stuffen ȝour walles: 2369 Ȝow wakkens wandrethe and werre—be ware ȝif ȝow lykes." 2370 Lines 2371 through 2415 In the kalendez of Maye this caas es befallen: 2371 The roy ryalle renownde, with his Rownde Table, 2372 One the coste of Costantyne, by þe clere strandez, 2373 Has þe Romaynes ryche rebuykede for euer. 2374 Whene he hade foughtten in Fraunce and the felde wonnen, 2375 And fersely his foomen fellde owtte of lyfe, Page 105 2376 He bydes for þe beryenge of his bolde knyghtez 2377 That in batell with brandez ware broughte owte of lyfe. 2378 He beryes at Bayone Sir Bedwere þe ryche; 2379 The cors of Kayon þe kene at Came es beleuefede, 2380 Koueride with a crystall clenly all ouer— 2381 His fadyre conqueride þat kyth knyghtly with hondes. 2382 Seyn in Burgoyne he bade to bery mo knyghttez, 2383 Sir Berade and Bawdwyne, Sir Bedwar þe ryche, 2384 Gud Sir Cador at Came, as his kynde askes. 2385 Thane Sir Arthure onone, in þe Auguste þeraftyre, 2386 Enteres to Almayne wyth ostez arrayed; 2387 Lengez at Lusscheburghe, to lechen hys knyghttez, 2388 With his lele liggemen, as lorde in his awen. 2389 And on Christofre Daye a concell he haldez, 2390 Withe kynges and kaysers, clerkkes and oþer; 2391 Comandez them kenely to caste all þeire wittys, 2392 How he may conquere by crafte the kythe þat he claymes. 2393


Bot the Conquerour kene, curtais and noble, 2394 Karpes in the concell theys knyghtly wordez: 2395 "Here es a knyghte in theis kleuys, enclosside with hilles, 2396 That I haue cowayte to knawe, because of his wordez: 2397 That es Lorayne þe lele, I kepe noghte to layne; 2398 The lordchipe es louely, as ledes me telles. 2399 I will ducherye devyse and dele as me lykes, 2400 And seyn dresse wyth þe Duke, if destyny suffre; 2401 The renke rebell has bene vnto my Rownde Table, 2402 Redy aye with Romaynes to ryotte my landes; 2403 We sall rekken full rathe, if reson so happen, 2404 Who has ryghte to þat rente, by ryche Gode of Heuen! 2405 Than will I by Lumbardye, lykande to schawe, 2406 Sett lawe in þe lande, þat laste sall euer; 2407 The tyrauntez of Tuskayn tempeste a littyll, 2408 Talke with þe temperall, whills my tym lastez. 2409 I gyffe my protteccione to all þe Pope landez, 2410 [folio 79r] My ryche pensell of pes my pople to schewe; 2411 It es a foly to offende oure fadyr vndire Gode, 2412 Owþer Peter or Paule, þa postles of Rome. Page 106 2413 Ȝif we spare the spirituell, we spede bot the bettire; 2414 Whills we haue for to speke, spille sall it neuer." 2415 Lines 2416 through 2463 Now they spede at þe spurres, withowttyn speche more, 2416 To þe marche of Meyes, theis manliche knyghtez, 2417 That es in [supplied by ed.] Lorrayne alofede, as London es here, 2418 Ceté of þat seynȝowre, that soueraynge es holden. 2419 The Kyng ferkes furthe on a faire stede, 2420 With Ferrer and Ferawnte and oþer foure knyghtez; 2421 Abowte the ceté þa seuen they soughte at þe nextte, 2422


To seke them a sekyre place to sett withe engeynes. 2423 Thane they bendyde in burghe bowes of vyse, 2424 Bekyrs at þe bolde kyng with boustouse lates; 2425 Allblawsters at Arthure egerly schottes, 2426 For to hurte hym or his horse with þat hard wapen. 2427 The Kynge schonte for no schotte, ne no schelde askys, 2428 Bot schewes hym scharpely in his schene wedys; 2429 Lenges all at laysere and lokes on the wallys, 2430 Whare þey ware laweste the ledes to assaille. 2431 "Sir," said Sir Ferrer, "a foly thowe wirkkes, 2432 Thus nakede in thy noblaye to neghe to þe walles, 2433 Sengely in thy surcotte, this ceté to reche, 2434 And schewe þe within, there to schende vs all. 2435 Hye vs hastylye heynne, or we mon full happen, 2436 For hitt they the or thy horse, it harmes for euer." 2437 "Ife thow be ferde," quod the Kyng, "I rede thow ryde vttere, 2438 Lesse þat þey rywe the with theire rownnd wapyn! 2439 Thow arte bot a fawntkyn—no ferly me thynkkys, 2440 Þou will be flayede for a flye þat on thy flesche lyghttes. 2441 I am nothyng agaste, so me Gode helpe: 2442 Þof siche gadlynges be greuede, it greues me bot lyttill; 2443 Thay wyn no wirchipe of me, bot wastys theire takle— 2444 They sall wante or I weende, I wagen myn hevede. 2445 Sall neuer harlott haue happe, thorowe helpe of my Lorde, 2446 To kyll a corownde kyng with krysom enoynttede!" 2447 Thane come þe herbariours, harageous knyghtez, 2448 The hale batells on hye harrawnte theraftyre; Page 107 2449 And oure forreours ferse, appon fele halfes, 2450 Come flyeande before one ferawnte stedes, 2451 Ferkande in arraye theire ryall knyghttez, 2452 The renkez renownde of þe Rounnd Table. 2453


All þe frekke men of Fraunce folowede thareaftyre, 2454 Faire fittyde on frownte, and on the felde houys. 2455 [folio 79v] Thane the schalkes scharpelye scheftys theire horsez, 2456 To schewen them semly in theire scheen wedes; 2457 Buskes in batayle with baners displayede, 2458 With brode scheldes enbrassede and burlyche helmys, 2459 With penouns and pensells of ylke prynce armes, 2460 Appayrellde with perrye and precious stones; 2461 The lawnces with loraynes and lemande scheldes, 2462 Lyghtenande as þe leuenyng and lemand al ouer. 2463 Lines 2464 through 2500 Thane the price men prekes and proues þeire horsez, 2464 Satills to þe ceté appon sere halfes; 2465 Enserches the subbarbes sadly thareaftyre, 2466 Discoueris of schotte-men and skyrmys a lytill; 2467 Skayres þaire skottefers and theire skowtte-waches, 2468 Brittenes theire barrers with theire bryghte wapyns, 2469 Bett down a barbycan and þe brygge wynnys; 2470 Ne hade the garnyson bene gude at þe grete ȝates, 2471 Thay hade wonn that wone be theire awen strenghe. 2472 Than withdrawes oure men and drisses them bettyre, 2473 For dred of þe drawe-brigge dasschede in sondre; 2474 Hyes to þe harbergage thare the Kyng houys, 2475 With his batell on heghe, horsyde on stedys. 2476 Thane was þe Prynce puruayede and þeire places nommen, 2477 Pyghte pauyllyons of palle and plattes in seegge; 2478 Thane lenge they lordly, as þem leefe thoghte, 2479 Waches in ylke warde, as to þe werre falles, 2480 Settes vp sodaynly certayne engynes. 2481 One Sonondaye be þe soone has a flethe ȝolden, 2482 The Kyng calles on Florente, þat flour was of knyghttez: 2483


"The Fraunchemene enfeblesches, ne farly me thynkkys; 2484 They are vnfondyde folke in þe faire marches, 2485 For them wantes þe flesche and fude that them lykes. 2486 Here are forestez faire appon fele halues, Page 108 2487 And thedyre feemen are flede with freliche bestes. 2488 Thow sall foonde to þe fell and forraye the mountes; 2489 Sir Forawnt and Sir Florydas sall folowe thi brydyll. 2490 Vs moste with some fresche mette refresche oure pople, 2491 That are feedde in þe fyrthe with þe froyte of þe erthe. 2492 Thare sall weende to þis viage Sir Gawayne hym selfen, 2493 Wardayne full wyrchipfull, and so hym wele semes; 2494 Sir Wecharde, Sir Waltyre, theis wyrchipfull knyghtes, 2495 With all wyseste men of þe weste marches; 2496 Sir Clegis, Sir Clarybalde, Sir Clarymownde þe noble, 2497 The Capytayne oo Cardyfe clenlyche arrayede. 2498 Goo now, warne all þe wache, Gawayne and oþer, 2499 And weendes furthe on ȝour waye withowttyn moo wordes." 2500 Lines 2501 through 2524 Now ferkes to þe fyrthe thees fresche men of armes, 2501 To þe fell so fewe, theis fresclyche byernes, 2502 [folio 80r] Thorowe hopes and hymland, hillys and oþer, 2503 Holtis and hare woddes with heslyn schawes, 2504 Thorowe marasse and mosse and montes so heghe; 2505 And in the myste of [supplied by ed.] mornyng one a mede falles, 2506 Mawen and vnmade, maynoyrede bott lyttyll, 2507 In swathes sweppen down, full of swete floures. 2508 Thare vnbrydills theis bolde and baytes þeire horses, 2509 To þe grygynge of þe daye, þat byrdez gan synge, 2510 Whylls the surs of þe sonne, þat sonde es of Cryste, 2511 That solaces all synfull þat syghte has in erthe. 2512


Thane weendes owtt the wardayne, Sir Gawayne hym selfen, 2513 Alls he þat weysse was and wyghte, wondyrs to seke; 2514 Than was he warre of a wye, wondyre wele armyde, 2515 Baytand on a wattire banke by þe wodde eyuis, 2516 Buskede in brenyes bryghte to behalde, 2517 Enbrassede a brode schelde on a blonke ryche, 2518 Withowttyn ony berne, bot a boye one, 2519 Houes by hym on a blonke and his spere holdes. 2520 He bare gessande in golde thre grayhondes of sable, 2521 With chapes and cheynes of chalke-whytte slyuer, Page 109 2522 A charebocle in þe cheefe, chawngawnde of hewes, 2523 And a cheefe anterous, chalange who lykes. 2524 Lines 2525 through 2667 Sir Gawayne glyftes on the gome with a glade will; 2525 A grete spere fro his grome he grypes in hondes, 2526 Gyrdes ewen ouere þe streme on a stede ryche, 2527 To þat steryn in stour, one strenghe þare he houys. 2528 Egerly one Inglisce "Arthure!" he askyres; 2529 The toþer irouslye ansuers hym sone, 2530 On a launde of Lorrayne with a lowde steuen, 2531 That ledes myghte lysten þe lenghe of a myle: 2532 "Whedyr prykkes thow, pilouur, þat profers so large? 2533 Here pykes thowe no praye, profire when þe lykes! 2534 Bot thow in þis perell put of the bettire, 2535 Thow sall be my presonere, for all thy prowde lates!" 2536 "Sir," sais Sir Gawayne, "so me Gode helpe, 2537 Siche glauerande gomes greues me bot lyttill! 2538 Bot if thowe graythe thy gere, the will grefe happen, 2539 Or thowe goo of þis greue, for all thy grete wordes!" 2540 Than þeire launces they lachen, thes lordlyche byernez, 2541 Laggen with longe speres one lyarde stedes; 2542


Cowpen at awntere be kraftes of armes, 2543 Till bothe þe crowell speres brousten att ones. 2544 Thorowe scheldys þey schotte and scherde thorowe may [supplied by ed.] les, 2545 Bothe schere thorowe schoulders a schaftmonde large. 2546 Thus worthylye þes wyes wondede ere bothen— 2547 Or they wreke þem of wrethe awaye will þey neuer. 2548 Than they raughte in the reyne and agayne rydes, 2549 [folio 80v] Redely theis rathe mene rusches owtte swerdez, 2550 Hittes one hellmes full hertelyche dynttys, 2551 Hewes appon hawberkes with full harde wapyns; 2552 Full stowttly þey stryke, thire steryn knyghttes, 2553 Stokes at þe stomake with stelyn poyntes, 2554 Feghtten and floresche withe flawmande swerdez, 2555 Till þe flawes of fyre flawmes one theire helmes. 2556 Thane Sir Gawayne was greuede and grychgide full sore; 2557 With Galuthe his gude swerde grymlye he strykes: 2558 Clefe þe knyghttes schelde clenliche in sondre— Page 110 2559 Who lukes to þe lefte syde when his horse launches 2560 With þe lyghte of þe sonne men myghte see his lyuere. 2561 Thane granes þe gome fore greefe of his wondys, 2562 And gyrdis at Sir Gawayne, as he by glentis; 2563 And awkewarde egerly sore he hym smyttes: 2564 An alet enamelde he oches in sondire, 2565 Bristes þe rerebrace with the bronde ryche, 2566 Kerues of at þe coutere with þe clene egge, 2567 Anen [supplied by ed.] tis þe avawmbrace, vayllede with siluer. 2568 Thorowe a dowble vesture of veluett ryche 2569 With þe venymous swerde a vayne has he towchede, 2570 That voydes so violently þat all his witte changede; 2571


The vesere, the aventaile, his vesturis ryche, 2572 With the valyant blode was verrede all ouer. 2573 Thane this tyrante tite turnes þe brydill, 2574 Talkes vntendirly and sais "Þow arte towchede; 2575 Vs bus haue a blode-bande or thi ble change, 2576 For all þe barbours of Bretayne sall noghte thy blode stawnche; 2577 For he þat es blemeste with þis brade brande blyne schall he neuer." 2578 "Ȝa," quod Sir Gawayne, "thow greues me bot lyttill; 2579 Thowe wenys to glopyne me with thy gret wordez; 2580 Thow trowes with thy talkyng þat my harte talmes. 2581 Thow betydes tourfere or thowe hyen turne, 2582 Bot thowe tell me tytte, and tarye no lengere, 2583 What may staunche this blode þat thus faste rynnes." 2584 "Ȝise, I say þe sothely, and sekire þe my trowthe: 2585 No surgyon in Salarne sall saue þe bettyre; 2586 Withthy þat thowe suffre me, for sake of thy Cryste, 2587 To schewe schortly my schrifte and schape for myn ende." 2588 "Ȝis," quod Sir Gawayne, "so me God helpe, 2589 I gyfe þe grace and graunt, þofe þou hafe grefe seruede, 2590 Withthy thowe say me sothe what thowe here sekes, 2591 Thus sengilly and sulayne all þi selfe one; 2592 And whate laye thow leues one, layne noghte þe sothe, 2593 And whate legyaunce and whare þow arte lorde." 2594 "My name es Sir Priamus; a prynce es my fadyre, 2595 Praysede in his partyes with prouede kynges; Page 111 2596 In Rome thare he regnes he es riche halden. 2597 He has bene rebell to Rome and reden theire landes, 2598 [folio 81r] Werreyand weisely wyntters and ȝeres; 2599 Be witt and be wyssdome and be wyghte strenghe, 2600


And be wyrchipfull werre, his awen has he wonn. 2601 He es of Alexandire blode, ouerlyng of kynges, 2602 The vncle of his ayele, Sir Ector of Troye; 2603 And here es the kynreden that I of come, 2604 And Iudas and Iosue, þise gentill knyghtes. 2605 I ame apparaunt his ayere, and eldeste of oþer, 2606 Of Alexandere and Aufrike and all þa owte landes; 2607 I am in possessione and plenerly sessede 2608 In all þe price cetées that to þe porte langes; 2609 I sall hafe trewly the tresour and the londes, 2610 And bothe trebute and taxe whills my tym lastes. 2611 I was so hawtayne of herte, whills I at home lengede, 2612 I helde nane my hippe heghte vndire heuen ryche; 2613 Forthy was I sente hedire with seuen score knyghttez, 2614 To asaye of this werre, be sente of my fadire, 2615 And I am for cirqwitrye schamely supprisede, 2616 And be awn [supplied by ed.] tire of armes owtrayede fore euere. 2617 Now hafe I taulde the þe kyne that I ofe come, 2618 Will thow, for knyghthede, kene me thy name?" 2619 "Be Criste," quod Sir Gawayne, "knyghte was I neuer; 2620 With þe kydde Conquerour a knafe of his chambyre, 2621 Has wroghte in his wardrope wynters and ȝeres, 2622 One his long armour that hym beste lykid; 2623 I poyne all his pavelyouns þat to hym selfe pendes, 2624 Dyghttes his dowblettez for dukes and erles, 2625 Aketouns auenaunt fore Arthure hym selfen, 2626 That he vsede in werre all this aughte wyntter. 2627 He made me ȝomane at Ȝole, and gafe me gret gyftes, 2628 And c. pound and a horse and harnayse full ryche; 2629 Gife I happe to my hele that hende for to serue, 2630 I be holpen in haste, I hette the forsothe." 2631 "Giffe his knafes be syche, his knyghttez are noble! 2632 There es no kyng vndire Criste may kemp with hym on; 2633


He will be Alexander ayre, that all þe erthe lowttede, Page 112 2634 Abillere þan euer was Sir Ector of Troye. 2635 Now fore the krisome þat þou kaghte þat day þou was crystenede, 2636 Whethire thowe be knyghte or knaffe, knawe now þe sothe." 2637 "My name es Sir Gawayne, I graunt þe forsothe, 2638 Cosyn to þe Conquerour, he knawes it hym selfen; 2639 Kydd in his kalander a knyghte of his chambyre, 2640 And rollede the richeste of all þe Rounde Table. 2641 I ame þe dussepere and duke he dubbede with his hondes, 2642 Deynttely on a daye before his dere knyghtes; 2643 Gruche noghte, gude sir, þofe me this grace happen: 2644 It es þe gifte of Gode, the gree es Hys awen." 2645 [folio 81v] "Petire!" sais Priamus, "Now payes me bettire 2646 Thane I of Provynce warre prynce and of Paresche ryche; 2647 Fore me ware leuer preuely by prykkyd to þe harte, 2648 Than euer any prikkere had siche a pryse wonnyn. 2649 Bot here es herberde at hand, in ȝone huge holtes, 2650 Halle bataile one heyghe—take hede ȝif the lyke— 2651 The Duke of Lorrayne the derfe, with his dere knyghtes, 2652 The doughtyest of Dolfinede and Duchemen many, 2653 The lordes of Lumbardye, that leders are halden, 2654 The garnyson of Godard gaylyche arrayede, 2655 The wyese of þe Westuale, wirchipfull biernez, 2656 Of Sessoyn and Surylande Sarazenes enewe; 2657 They are nowmerde full neghe and namede in rollez, 2658 Sexty thowsande and ten, forsothe, of sekyre men of armez; 2659 Bot ȝif thow hye fro þis hethe, it harmes vs bothe, 2660 And bot my hurtes be son holpen, hole be I neuer. 2661 Take heede to þis hanseman þat he no horne blawe, 2662 Are thowe heyly in haste beese hewen al to peces; 2663


For they are my retenuz, to ryde whare I wyll, 2664 Es non redyare renkes regnande in erthe; 2665 Be thow raghte with þat rowtt, thow rydes no forþer, 2666 Ne thow bees neuer rawnsonede for reches in erthe." 2667 Lines 2668 through 2751 Sir Gawayn wente or þe wathe com whare hym beste lykede, 2668 With this wortheliche wye, that wondyd was sore; 2669 Merkes to þe mountayne there oure men lenges, 2670 Baytaynde theire blonkes þer on þe brode mede: 2671 Lordes lenande lowe on lemand scheldes, Page 113 2672 With lowde laghttirs on lofte for lykyng of byrdez, 2673 Of larkes, of lynkwhyttez, þat lufflyche songen; 2674 And some was sleghte one slepe with sleyghte of þe pople, 2675 Þat sange in þe seson in the schenne schawes, 2676 So lawe in þe lawndez so lykand notes. 2677 Thane Sir Whycher whas warre þaire wardayne was wondyde, 2678 And went to hym wepand and wryngande his handes; 2679 Syr Wycherd, Sir Walthere, theis weise men of armes, 2680 Had wondyre of Sir Gawayne, and wente hym agayns, 2681 Mett hym in the mydwaye and meruaile them th [supplied by ed.] oghte 2682 How he maisterede þat man, so myghtty of strenghes. 2683 Be all þe welthe of þe werlde, so woo was þem neuer: 2684 "For all oure wirchipe, iwysse, awaye es in erthe!" 2685 "Greue ȝow noghte," quod Gawayne, "for Godis luffe of Heuen; 2686 For this es bot gosomer and gyffen on erles; 2687 Þoffe my schouldire be schrede and my schelde thyrllede, 2688 And the wielde of myn arme werkkes a littill, 2689 This prissonere, Sir Priamus, þat has perilous wondes, 2690 Sais þat he has saluez sall soften vs bothen." 2691 Thane stirttes to his sterape sterynfull knyghttez, 2692


And he lordely lyghttes and laghte of his brydill, 2693 And lete his burlyche blonke baite on þe flores; 2694 [folio 82r] Braydes of his bacenette and his ryche wedis, 2695 Bownnes to his brode schelde and bowes to þe erthe— 2696 In all the bodye of that bolde es no blode leued. 2697 Than preses to Sir Priamous precious knyghtes, 2698 Auyssely of his horse hentes hym in armes; 2699 His helme and of his hawberke þay taken of aftyre, 2700 And hastily for his hurtte all his herte chawngyd, 2701 They laide hym down in the lawndez and laghte of his wedes, 2702 And he lenede hym on lange, or how hym beste lykede. 2703 A fyole of fyne golde they fande at his gyrdill, 2704 Þat es full of þe flour of þe fouur well, 2705 Þat flowes owte of Paradice when þe flode ryses, 2706 That myche froyt of fallez, þat feede schall vs all; 2707 Be it frette on his flesche, þare synues are entamede, Page 114 2708 The freke schalle be fische-halle within fowre howres. 2709 They vncouere þat cors with full clene hondes; 2710 With clere watire a knyghte clensis theire wondes, 2711 Keled theym kyndly and comforthed þer hertes. 2712 And whene þe carffes ware clene, þay clede them aȝayne; 2713 Barell-ferrers they brochede and broghte them the wyne, 2714 Bothe brede and brawn and bredis full ryche. 2715 When þay hade eten anon they armede after; 2716 Thane tha awntrende men "As armes!" askryes. 2717 With a claryoune clere thire knyghtez togedyre, 2718 Callys to concell and of this case tellys: 2719 "Ȝondyr es a companye of clene men of armes, 2720 The keneste in contek þat vndir Criste lenges; 2721 In ȝone oken wode an oste are arrayede, 2722


Vndirtakande men of þiese owte londes, 2723 As sais vs Sir Priamous, so helpe Seynt Peter! 2724 Go men," quod Gawayne, "and grape in ȝoure hertez, 2725 Who sall graythe to ȝone greue to ȝone gret lordes; 2726 Ȝif we gettlesse goo home, the Kyng will be greuede, 2727 And say we are gadlynges, agaste for a lyttill. 2728 We are with Sir Florente, as todaye falles, 2729 That es floure of Fraunce, for he fleede neuer; 2730 He was chosen and chargegide in chambire of þe Kyng, 2731 Chiftayne of þis journée with cheualrye noble; 2732 Whethire he fyghte or he flee, we sall folowe aftyre; 2733 Fore all þe fere of ȝone folke forsake sall I neuer!" 2734 "Fadyre," sais Sir Florent, "full faire ȝe it tell. 2735 Bot I ame bot a fawntkyn, vnfraystede in armes; 2736 Ȝif any foly befall, þe fawte sall be owrs, 2737 And fremdly o Fraunce be flemede for euer. 2738 Woundes noghte, ȝour wirchip, my witte es bot symple; 2739 Ȝe are owre wardayne, iwysse, wyrke as ȝowe lykes; 2740 Ȝe are at the ferreste noghte passande fyve hundrethe, 2741 And þat es fully to fewe to feghte with them all, 2742 [folio 82v] Fore harlottez and hansemene sall helpe bott littill— 2743 They will hye theym hyen, for all þeire gret wordes. 2744 I rede ȝe wyrke aftyre witte, as wyesse men of armes, 2745 And warpes wylily awaye, as wirchipfull knyghtes." Page 115 2746 "I grawnte," quod Sir Gawayne, "so me Gode helpe; 2747 Bot here are galyarde gomes þat of þe gre seruis, 2748 The kreuelleste knyghttes of þe Kynges chambyre, 2749 That kane carpe with the coppe knyghtly wordes— 2750 We sall proue todaye who sall the prys wyn." 2751 Lines 2752 through 2824


Nowe ferriours fers vnto þe fyrthe rydez, 2752 And fongez a faire felde and on fotte lyghttez; 2753 Prekes aftyre þe pray, as pryce men of armes. 2754 Florent and Floridas, with fyve score knyghttez, 2755 Folowede in þe foreste, and on þe way fowndys, 2756 Flyngande a faste trott, and on þe folke dryffes. 2757 Than felewes fast to oure folke wele a fyve hundreth 2758 Of freke men to þe fyrthe, appon fresche horses; 2759 One Sir Feraunt before, apon a fayre stede, 2760 Was fosterede in Famacoste—the Fende was his fadyre. 2761 He flenges to Sir Florent, and pristly he kryes, 2762 "Why flees thow, falls knyghte? The Fende hafe þi saule!" 2763 Thane Sir Florent was fayne, and in fewter castys; 2764 One Fawuell of Fryselande to Feraunt he rydys, 2765 And raghte in þe reyne on þe stede ryche, 2766 And rydes towarde the rowte, restes he no lengere: 2767 Full butt in þe frounte he flysches hym euen, 2768 And all disfegoures his face with his fell wapen; 2769 Thurghe his bryghte bacenette his brayne has he towchede, 2770 And brusten his neke-bone, þat all his breste stoppede. 2771 Thane his cosyn askryede and cryede full lowde, 2772 "Thowe has killede colde dede þe kynge of all knyghttes!" 2773 He has bene fraistede on felde in fyftene rewmes; 2774 He fonde neuer no freke myghte feghte with hym one. 2775 Thow schall dye for his dede with my derfe wapen, 2776 And all þe doughtty for dule þat in ȝone dale houes!" 2777 "Fy," sais Sir Floridas, "thow fleryande wryche! 2778 Thow wenes for to flay vs, floke-mowthede schrewe!" 2779 Bot Floridas with a swerde, as he by glenttys, 2780 All þe flesche of þe flanke he flappes in sondyre, 2781 That all þe filthe of þe freke and fele of þe guttes 2782 Foloes his fole fotte, whene he furthe rydes. Page 116


2783 Than rydes a renke to reschewe þat byerne, 2784 Þat was Raynalde of þe Rodes and rebell to Criste, 2785 Peruertede with paynyms þat Cristen persewes; 2786 Presses in prowdly, as þe praye wendes, 2787 Fore he hade in Prewsslande myche pryce wonnen— 2788 Forthi in presence thare he profers so large. 2789 Bot thane a renke, Sir Richere of þe Rounde Table, 2790 One a ryall stede rydes hym aȝaynes; 2791 [folio 83r] Thorowe a rownnde rede schelde he ruschede hym sone, 2792 That the rosselde spere to his herte rynnes; 2793 The renke relys abowte and rusches to þe erthe, 2794 Roris full ruydlye, bot rade he no more. 2795 Now all þat es fere and vnfaye of þes fyve hundreth 2796 Falles on Sir Florent, a fyve score knyghttes; 2797 Betwyx a plasche and a flode, appon a flate lawnde, 2798 Oure folke fongen theire felde and fawghte them agaynes. 2799 Than was lowde appon lofte "Lorrayne!" askryede, 2800 When ledys with longe speris lasschen togedyrs, 2801 And "Arthure!" on our syde, when theyme oghte aylede. 2802 Than Sir Florent and Floridas in fewtyre þey caste, 2803 Fruschen on all þe frape and biernes affrayede, 2804 Fellis fyve at þe frounte thare they fyrste enteride, 2805 And, or they ferke forthire, fele of þese oþere. 2806 Brenyes browdden they briste, brittenede scheldes, 2807 Bettes and beres down the best þat þem byddes; 2808 All þat rewlyd in the rowtte they ryden awaye, 2809 So rewdly they rere theys ryall knyghttes. 2810 When Sir Priamous, þat prince, persayuede theire gamen, 2811 He hade peté in herte þat he ne durste profire; 2812 He wente to Sir Gawayne and sais hym þese wordes: 2813 "Thi price men fore thy praye putt are all vndyre; 2814


They are with Sarazenes ouersette, mo þan seuen hundreth 2815 Of þe Sowdanes knyghtes owt of sere londes; 2816 Walde þow suffire me, Sir, for sake of thi Criste, 2817 With a soppe of thi men suppowell theym ones?" 2818 "I grouche noghte," quod Gawayne, "þe gree es þaire awen! 2819 They mon hafe gwerddouns full grett graunt of my lorde; 2820 Bot the freke men of Fraunce fraiste them selfen— Page 117 2821 Frekes faughte noghte þeire fill this fyftene wynter. 2822 I will noghte stire with my stale halfe a stede lenghe, 2823 Bot they be stedde with more stuffe than on ȝone stede houys." 2824 Lines 2825 through 2850 Than Sir Gawayne was warre, withowttyn þe wode hemmes, 2825 Wyes of þe Westfale appon wyght horsez, 2826 Walopande wodely, as þe waye forthes, 2827 With all þe wapyns, iwys, þat to þe werre longez. 2828 The erle Antele the Olde the avawmwarde he buskes, 2829 Ayerande on ayther hande heghte thosande knyghtez; 2830 His pelours and pauysers passede all nombyre 2831 That euer any prynce lede puruayede in erthe. 2832 Than þe Duke of Lorrayne dresesse thareaftyre, 2833 With dowbill of þe Duchemen, þat doughtty ware holden; 2834 Paynymes of Pruyslande, prekkers full noble, 2835 Come prekkande before with Priamous knyghttez. 2836 Than saide the erle Antele to Algere, his broþer, 2837 "Me angers ernestly at Arthure knyghtez, 2838 Thus enkerly on an oste awnters þem selfen; 2839 [folio 83v] They will be owttrayede anon, are vndron ryng, 2840 Thus folily on a felde to fyghte with vs all; 2841 Bot they be fesede in faye ferly me thynkes. 2842 Walde they purposse take and passe on theire wayes, 2843


Prike home to theire prynce and theire pray leue, 2844 They myghte lenghen theire lyefe and lossen bott littill— 2845 It wolde lyghte my herte, so helpe me oure Lorde!" 2846 "Sir," sais Sir Algere, "thay hafe littill vsede 2847 To be owttrayede withe oste—me angers þe more; 2848 The fayreste schall be full feye þat in oure floke ryddez 2849 Alls fewe as they bene, are they the felde leue." 2850 Lines 2851 through 2915 Than gud Gawayne, gracious and noble, 2851 All with glorious gle he gladdis his knyghtes: 2852 "Gloppyns noghte, gud men, for gleterand scheldes, 2853 Þofe ȝone gadlyngez be gaye on ȝone gret horses; 2854 Banerettez of Bretayne, buskes vp ȝour hertes! 2855 Bees noghte baiste of ȝone boyes, ne of þaire bryghte wedis. 2856 We sall blenke theire boste for all theire bolde profire, 2857 Als bouxom as birde es in bede to hir lorde. 2858 Ȝeffe we feghte todaye, þe felde schall be owrs, Page 118 2859 The fekill faye sall faile and falssede be distroyede! 2860 Ȝone folk is one frountere, vnfraistede theym semes; 2861 Thay make faythe and faye to þe Fend seluen! 2862 We sall in this viage victoures be holden, 2863 And avauntede with voycez of valyant biernez, 2864 Praysede with pryncez in presence of lordes, 2865 And luffede with ladyes in dyuerse londes; 2866 Aughte neuer siche honoure none of oure elders— 2867 Vnwyn ne Absolon ne non of thies oþer. 2868 When we are moste in destresse Marie we mene, 2869 That es oure maisters seyne, þat he myche traistez, 2870 Melys of þat mylde Qwene that menskes vs all— 2871 Who-so meles of þat Mayde myskaries he neuer." 2872 Be þese wordes ware saide, they ware noghte ferre behynd 2873


Bot the lenghe of a launde, and "Lorayne!" askryes. 2874 Was neuer siche a justyng at journé in erthe, 2875 In the Vale of Iosephate, as gestes vs telles, 2876 When Iulyus and Ioatall ware juggede to dy, 2877 As was when þe ryche men of þe Rownde Table 2878 Ruschede into þe rowte one ryall stedes; 2879 For so raythely þay rusche with roselde speris, 2880 That the raskaille was rade, and rane to þe grefes, 2881 And karede to þat courte as cowardes for euer. 2882 "Peter!" sais Sir Gawayne; "This gladdez myn herte, 2883 That ȝone gedlynges are gon that made gret nowmbre; 2884 I hope that thees harlottez sall harme vs bot littill, 2885 Fore they will hyde them in haste within ȝone holte euis. 2886 [folio 84r] Thay are fewere one felde þan þay were fyrste nombird, 2887 Be fourtty thousande, in faythe, for all theyre faire hostes!" 2888 Bot one Iolyan of Iene, a geante full howge, 2889 Has jonede on Sir Ierant, a justis of Walis; 2890 Thorowe a jerownde schelde he jogges hym thorowe, 2891 And a fyn gesserawnte of gentill mayles— 2892 Ioynter and gemows he jogges in sondyre. 2893 One a jambé stede þis jurnée he makes; 2894 Thus es þe geante forjuste, that errawnte Iewe, 2895 And Gerard es jocunde, and joyes hym þe more. 2896 Than the genatours of Genne enjoynes att ones, Page 119 2897 And frykis on þe frowntere well a fyve hundreth; 2898 A freke highte Sir Federike, with full fele oþer, 2899 Ferkes on a frusche and fresclyche askryes, 2900 To fyghte with oure forreours, þat on felde houis. 2901 And thane the ryalle renkkes of þe Rownde Table 2902 Rade furth full ernestly and rydis them agaynes, 2903


Mellis with the medillwarde, bot they ware ill machede, 2904 Of siche a grett multytude was meruayle to here. 2905 Seyne at þe assemblé the Sarazenes discoueres 2906 The soueraygne of Sessoyne, that saluede was neuer; 2907 Gyawntis forjustede with gentill knyghtes, 2908 Thorowe gesserawntes of Iene jaggede to þe herte. 2909 They hewe thorowe helmes hawtayne biernez, 2910 Þat þe hiltede swerdes to þaire hertes rynnys. 2911 Than þe renkes renownd of þe Rownd Table 2912 Ryffes and ruyssches down renayede wreches; 2913 And thus they dreuen to þe dede dukes and erles, 2914 All þe dreghe of þe daye, with dredfull werkes. 2915 Lines 2916 through 2961 Than Sir Priamous þe prynce, in presens of lordes, 2916 Presez to his penown and pertly it hentes, 2917 Reuertede it redily and awaye rydys, 2918 To þe ryall rowte of þe Rownde Table; 2919 And heyly his retenus raykes hym aftyre, 2920 For they his reson had rede on his schelde ryche. 2921 Owte of þe scheltrone þey schede, as schepe of a folde, 2922 And steris furth to þe stowre and stode be þeire lorde. 2923 Seyne they sent to þe Duke and saide hym þise wordes: 2924 "We hafe bene thy sowdeours this sex ȝere and more; 2925 We forsake þe todaye be serte of owre lorde; 2926 We sewe to oure soueraynge in sere kynges londes. 2927 Vs defawtes oure feez of þis foure wyntteres: 2928 Thow arte feble and false and noghte bot faire wordes. 2929 Oure wages are werede owte and þi werre endide; 2930 We maye with oure wirchipe weend whethire vs lykes. 2931 I red þowe trette of a trewe and trofle no lengere, 2932 Or þow sall tyne of thi tale ten thosande or euen." 2933 "Fy à debles!" saide þe Duke; "The Deuell haue ȝour bones! 2934


[folio 84v] The dawngere of ȝon doggez drede schall I neuer. Page 120 2935 We sall dele this daye, be dedes of armes, 2936 My dede, and my ducherye, and my dere knyghtes. 2937 Siche sowdeours as ȝe I sett bot att lyttill, 2938 That sodanly in defawte forsakes theire lorde." 2939 The Duke in his scheltrone dreches no lengere, 2940 Drawes hym a dromedarie, with dredfull knyghtez; 2941 Graythes to Sir Gawayne, with full gret nowmbyre 2942 Of gomes of Gernaide, that greuous are holden; 2943 Thas fresche horsede men to þe frownt rydes, 2944 Felles of oure forreours be fourtty at ones— 2945 They hade foughtten before with a fyve hundrethe; 2946 It was no ferly, in faythe, þofe they faynt waxen. 2947 Thane Sir Gawayne was grefede and grypys his spere, 2948 And gyrdez in agayne with galyarde knyghttez; 2949 Metes þe Marches of Mees and melles hym thorowe, 2950 As man of þis medill-erthe þat moste hade greuede. 2951 Bot on Chastelayne, a childe of þe Kynges chambyr, 2952 Was warde to Sir Wawayn of þe weste marches, 2953 Cheses to Sir Cheldrike, a cheftayne noble, 2954 With a chasyng he chokkes hym thurghe— 2955 This chekke hym eschewede be chauncez of armes. 2956 So þay chase þat childe, eschape may he neuer; 2957 Bot on Swyan of Swecy, with a swerde egge, 2958 The swyers swyre-bane he swappes in sondyre; 2959 He swounande diede and on þe swarthe lengede, 2960 Sweltes ewynne swiftly, and swanke he no more. 2961 Lines 2962 through 2988 Þan Sir Gawayn gretes with his gray eghne— 2962 The guyte was a gude man, begynnande of armes; 2963


Fore the charry childe so his chere chawngide, 2964 That the chillande watire on his chekes rynnyde. 2965 "Woo es me," quod Gawayne, "that I ne weten hade; 2966 I sall wage for that wye all þat I welde, 2967 Bot I be wroken on that wye that thus has hym wondyde." 2968 He dresses hym drerily and to þe Duke rydes, 2969 Bot one Sir Dolphyn the derfe dyghte hym agaynes, 2970 And Sir Gawayne hym gyrd with a grym launce, Page 121 2971 That the grounden spere glade to his herte. 2972 And egerly he hente owte and hurte anoþer, 2973 An haythen knyghte, Hardolfe, happye in armes; 2974 Sleyghly in at the slotte slyttes hym thorowe, 2975 That the slydande spere of his hande sleppes. 2976 Thare es slayne in þat slope, be sleyghte of his hondes, 2977 Sexty slongen in a slade of sleghe men of armes. 2978 Þofe Sir Gawaynne ware wo, he wayttes hym by, 2979 And was warre of þat wye that the childe wondyde, 2980 And with a swerde swiftly he swappes hym thorowe, 2981 That he swyftly swelte and on þe erthe swounes. 2982 [folio 85r] And thane he raykes to þe rowte and ruysches one helmys, 2983 Riche hawberkes he rente and rasede schyldes, 2984 Rydes on a rawndoune and his rayke holdes, 2985 Thorowowte þe rerewarde he holdes wayes; 2986 And thare raughte in the reyne this ryall þe ryche, 2987 And rydez into þe rowte of þe Rownde Table. 2988 Lines 2989 through 3000 Þane oure cheualrous men changen theire horsez, 2989 Chases and choppes down cheftaynes noble, 2990 Hittes full hertely on helmes and scheldes, 2991 Hurtes and hewes down haythen knyghtez; 2992


Ketell-hattes they cleue euen to þe scholdirs— 2993 Was neuer siche a clamour of capitaynes in erthe. 2994 Thare was kynges sonnes kaughte, curtays and noble, 2995 And knyghtes of þe contré, that knawen was ryche; 2996 Lordes of Lorayne and Lumbardye bothen 2997 Laught [supplied by ed.] e was and lede in with oure lele knyghttez. 2998 Thas þat chasede that daye, theire chaunce was bettire— 2999 Swiche a cheke at a chace escheuede theym neuer. 3000 Lines 3001 through 3031 When Sir Florent be fyghte had þe felde wonen, 3001 He ferkes ine before with fyve score knyghttez; 3002 Theire prayes and þeire presoneres passes one aftyre, 3003 With pylours and pauysers and pryse men of armes. 3004 Thane gudly Sir Gawayne gydes his knyghttez, 3005 Gas in at þe gayneste, as gydes hym telles, 3006 Fore greffe on a garysone of full gret lordes 3007 Sulde noghte gripe vpe his gere, ne swyche grame wirche. Page 122 3008 Forethy they stode at the straytez and with his stale houede, 3009 Till his prayes ware paste the pathe that he dredis; 3010 When they the ceté myghte see that the Kyng seggede— 3011 Sothely the same daye was with [supplied by ed.] asawte wonnen— 3012 An hawrawde hyes before, the beste of the lordes, 3013 Hom at þe herbergage, owt of tha hyghe londes, 3014 Tornys tytte to þe tente and to the Kyng telles 3015 All the tale sothely, and how they hade spede: 3016 "All thy forreours are fere, that forrayede withowttyn, 3017 Sir Florent and Sir Floridas and all thy ferse knyghttez; 3018 Thay hafe forrayede and foghten with full gret nowmbyre, 3019 And fele of thy foomen has broghte owt of lyffe. 3020


Oure wirchipfull wardayne es wele escheuyde, 3021 For he has wonn todaye wirchip for euere; 3022 He has Dolfyn slayne and þe Duke takyn; 3023 Many dowghty es dede be dynt of his hondes. 3024 He has presoners price, pryncez and erles, 3025 Of þe richeste blode þat regnys in erthe; 3026 All thy cheuallrous men faire are eschewede; 3027 Bot a childe Chasteleynne myschance es befallen." 3028 "Hawtayne," sais þe Kyng, "harawde, be Criste, 3029 Thow has helyd myn herte, I hete the forsothe; 3030 [folio 85v] I ȝife the in Hamptone a hundreth pownde large." 3031 Lines 3032 through 3083 The Kynge þan to assawte he sembles his knyghtez, 3032 With somercastell and sowe appon sere halfes; 3033 Skyftis his skotiferis and skayles the wallis, 3034 And iche wache has his warde with wiese men of armes. 3035 Thane boldly þay buske and bendes engynes, 3036 Payses in pylotes and proues theire castes; 3037 Mynsteris and masondewes they malle to þe erthe, 3038 Chirches and chapells chalke-whitte blawnchede. 3039 Stone s [supplied by ed.] tepells full styffe in þe strete ligges, 3040 Chawmbyrs with chymnés and many cheefe inns; 3041 Paysede and pelid down playsterede walles— 3042 The pyne of þe pople was peté for to here. 3043 Thane þe Duchez hire dyghte with damesels ryche, 3044 The Cowntas of Crasyn, with hir clere maydyns, 3045 Knelis down in þe kyrnelles thare the Kyng houede, Page 123 3046 On a couerede horse comlyli arayede. 3047 They knewe hym by contenaunce and criede full lowde, 3048 "Kyng crownede of kynde, take kepe to þese wordes! 3049


We beseke ȝow, Sir, as soueraynge and lorde, 3050 That ȝe safe vs todaye, for sake of ȝoure Criste; 3051 Send vs some socoure and saughte with the pople, 3052 Or þe ceté be sodaynly with assawte wonnen." 3053 He weres his vesere with a vowt noble; 3054 With vesage vertouous, this valyante bierne 3055 Meles to hir myldly with full meke wordes: 3056 "Sall no mysse do ȝow, ma dame, þat to me lenges; 3057 I gyf ȝow chartire of pes, and ȝoure cheefe maydens, 3058 The childire and þe chaste men, the cheualrous knyghtez; 3059 The Duke es in dawngere, dredis it bott littyll. 3060 He sall be demyd full wele, dout ȝow noghte elles." 3061 Thane sent he on iche a syde to certayne lordez, 3062 For to leue þe assawte, the ceté was ȝolden; 3063 With þe Erle eldeste son he sent hym þe kayes, 3064 And seside þe same nyghte, be sent of þe lordes. 3065 The Duke to Douere es dyghte, and all his dere knyghtez, 3066 To duelle in dawngere and dole þe dayes of hys lyue. 3067 Thare fleede at the ferrere ȝate folke withowttyn nombyre, 3068 For ferde of Sir Florent and his fers knyghtez; 3069 Voydes the ceté and to the wode rynnys, 3070 With vetaile and vessell and vestoure so ryche. 3071 Thay buske vpe a banere abown þe brode ȝates— 3072 Of Sir Florent, in fay, so fayne was he neuer; 3073 The knyghte houys on a hyll, behelde to þe wallys, 3074 And saide, "I see be ȝone syngne the ceté es oures." 3075 Sir Arthure enters anon, with hostes arayede, 3076 Euen at þe vndrone etles to lenge. 3077 In iche leueré on lowde the Kynge did crye, 3078 [folio 86r] Of payne of lyf and lym and lesyng of londes, 3079 That no lele ligemane, that to hym lonngede, 3080 Sulde lye be no ladysse, no be no lele maydyns, 3081


Ne be no burgesse wyffe, better ne werse, Page 124 3082 Ne no biernez mysebide, that to þe burghe longede. 3083 Lines 3084 through 3127 When þe Kyng Arthure had lely conquerid, 3084 And the castell couerede of þe kythe riche, 3085 All þe crowell and kene, be craftes of armes, 3086 Captayns and constables knewe hym for lorde. 3087 He deuysede and delte to dyuerse lordez 3088 A dowere for þe Duchez and hir dere childire; 3089 Wroghte wardaynes by wytte to welde all þe londez, 3090 That he had wonnen of werre, thorowe his weise knyghtez. 3091 Thus in Lorayne he lenges, as lorde in his awen, 3092 Settez lawes in the lande, as hym leefe th [supplied by ed.] oghte. 3093 And one þe Lammese Day to Lucerne he wendez, 3094 Lengez thare at laysere with lykyng inowe; 3095 Thare his galays ware graythede, a full gret nombyre, 3096 All gleterand as glase, vndire grene hyllys, 3097 With cabanes couerede for kynges anoyntede, 3098 With clothes of clere golde for knyghtez and oþer. 3099 Sone stowede theire stuffe and stablede þeire horses, 3100 Strekes streke ouer þe strem into þe strayte londez. 3101 Now he moues his myghte with myrthes of herte, 3102 Ouere mowntes so hye, þase meruailous wayes; 3103 Gosse in by Goddarde, the garett he wynnys, 3104 Graythes the garnison grisely wondes. 3105 When he was passede the heghte, than the Kyng houys 3106 With his hole bataylle, behaldande abowte, 3107 Lukand one Lumbarddye, and one lowde melys, 3108 "In ȝone lykand londe, lorde be I thynke." 3109 Thane they cayre to Combe, with kyngez anoyntede, 3110 That was kyde of þe coste, kay of all oþer. 3111


Sir Florent and Sir Floridas þan fowndes before, 3112 With freke men of Fraunce well a fyve hundreth; 3113 To þe cete vnsene thay soghte at þe gayneste, 3114 And sett an enbuschement, als þem selfe lykys. 3115 Thane ischewis owt of þat ceté, full sone be þe morne, 3116 Slely discouerours, skyftes theire horses; 3117 Than skyftes þes skouerours and skippes on hyllis, 3118 Diskoueres for skulkers that they no skathe lymppen. Page 125 3119 Pouerall and pastorelles passede on aftyre, 3120 With porkes to pasture at the price ȝates; 3121 Boyes in þe subarbis bourden full heghe, 3122 At a bare synglere that to þe bente rynnys. 3123 Thane brekes oure buschement and the brigge wynnes, 3124 Brayedez into þe burghe with baners displayede; 3125 [folio 86v] Stekes and stabbis thorowe that them aȝaynes-stondes; 3126 Fowre stretis or þay stynte they stroyen fore euere. 3127 Lines 3128 through 3149 Now es the Conquerour in Combe and his courte holdes 3128 Within þe kyde castelll, with kynges enoynttede; 3129 Reconsaillez the comouns þat to þe kyth lengez, 3130 Comfourthes þe carefull with knyghtly wordez; 3131 Made a captayne kene a knyghte of hys awen, 3132 Bot all þe contré and he full sone ware accordide. 3133 The Syre of Melane herde saye þe ceté was wonnen, 3134 And send to Arthure sertayne lordes, 3135 Grete sommes of golde, sexti horse chargegid, 3136 Besoghte hym as souerayne to socoure þe pople, 3137 And saide he wolde sothely be sugette for euer, 3138 And make hym seruece and suytte for his sere londes; 3139 For Plesaunce, for Pawnce, and for Pownte Tremble, 3140


For Pyse, and for Pavy, he profers full large, 3141 Bothe purpur and palle and precious stonys, 3142 Palfrayes for any prynce and prouede stedes; 3143 And ilke a ȝere for Melan a melion of golde, 3144 Mekely at Martynmesse to menske with his hordes; 3145 And euer withowttyn askyng he and his ayers 3146 Be homagers to Arthure, whills his lyffe lastis. 3147 The Kyng be his concell a condethe hym sendis, 3148 And he es comen to Combe, and knewe hym as lorde. 3149 Lines 3150 through 3175 Into Tuskane he tournez, when þus wele tymede, 3150 Takes townnes full tyte, with towrres full heghe; 3151 Walles he welte down, wondyd knyghtez, 3152 Towrres he turnes and turmentez þe pople, 3153 Wroghte wedewes full wlonke wrotherayle synges, 3154 Ofte wery and wepe and wryngen theire handis; Page 126 3155 And all he wastys with werre, thare he awaye rydez, 3156 Thaire welthes and theire wonnyn [supplied by ed.] ges, wandrethe he wroghte. 3157 Thus they spryngen and sprede and sparis bot lyttill, 3158 Spoylles dispetouslye and spillis theire vynes, 3159 Spendis vnsparely þat sparede was lange, 3160 Spedis them to Spolett with speris inewe. 3161 Fro Spayne into Spruyslande the worde of hym sprynges, 3162 And spekynngs of his spencis—disspite es full hugge. 3163 Towarde Viterbe this valyant avires the reynes; 3164 Avissely in þat vale he vetailles his biernez, 3165 With vernage and oþer wyne and venyson baken; 3166 And one the Vicounte londes he visez to lenge. 3167 Vertely the avawmwarde voydez theire horsez, 3168 In the Vertennon Vale, the vines imangez; 3169


Thare suggeournes this souerayne with solace in herte, 3170 To see when the senatours sent any wordes. 3171 Reuell with riche wyne, riotes hym selfen, 3172 This roy with his ryall men of þe Rownde Table, 3173 [folio 87r] With myrthis and melodye and manykyn gamnes— 3174 Was neuer meriere men made on this erthe. 3175 Lines 3176 through 3205 Bot one a Seterdaye at none, a seuenyghte thareaftyre, 3176 The konyngeste cardynall that to the courte lengede, 3177 Knelis to þe Conquerour and karpes thire wordes: 3178 Prayes hym for þe pes and profyrs full large, 3179 To hafe peté of þe Pope, þat put was atvndyre; 3180 Besoghte hym of surrawns, for sake of oure Lorde, 3181 Bot a seuenyghte daye to þay ware all semblede, 3182 And they schulde sekerlye hym see the Sonondaye þeraftyre, 3183 In the ceté of Rome, as soueraynge and lorde; 3184 And crown hym kyndly with krysomede hondes, 3185 With his ceptre and swerde, as soueraynge and lorde. 3186 Of this vndyrtakyng ostage are comyn, 3187 Of ayers full auenaunt awughte score childrenne, 3188 In toges of tarsse full richelye attyryde, 3189 And betuke them the Kynge and his clere knyghttes. 3190 When they had tretide thiere trewe, with trowmpynge þerafter, 3191 They tryne vnto a tente, whare tables whare raysede; Page 127 3192 The Kynge hym selfen es sette, and certayne lordes, 3193 Vndyre a sylure of sylke, sawghte at the burdez; 3194 All the senatours are sette sere be þam one, 3195 Serfed solemply with selcouthe metes. 3196 The Kyng myghtty of myrthe, with his mylde wordes, 3197 Rehetez the Romaynes at his riche table, 3198


Comforthes the Cardynall so knyghtly hym seluen; 3199 And this roye ryall, as romawns vs tellis, 3200 Reuerence the Romayns in his riche table. 3201 The tawghte men and þe conynge, when them tym thoghte, 3202 Tas theire lefe at þe Kynge and tornede agayne: 3203 To þe ceté þat nyghte thaye soughte at þe gayneste, 3204 And thus the ostage of Rome with Arthure es leuede. 3205 Lines 3206 through 3337 Than this roy royall rehersys theis wordes: 3206 "Now may we reuell and riste, fore Rome es oure awen! 3207 Make oure ostage at ese, þise auenaunt childyren, 3208 And luk ȝe honden them all that in myn oste lengez. 3209 The Emperour of Almayne and all theis este marches, 3210 We sall be ouerlynge of all þat on the erthe lengez! 3211 We will by þe Crosse Dayes encroche þeis londez, 3212 And at þe Crystynmesse Daye be crowned theraftyre; 3213 Ryngne in my ryalltés, and holde my Rownde Table, 3214 Withe the rentes of Rome, as me beste lykes; 3215 Syne graythe ouer þe grette see with gud men of armes, 3216 To reuenge the Renke that on the Rode dyede." 3217 Thane this comlyche Kynge, as cronycles tellys, 3218 Bownnys brathely to bede with a blythe herte; 3219 Of he slynges with sleghte and slakes gyrdill, 3220 And fore slewthe of slomowre on a slepe fallis. 3221 Bot be ane aftyre mydnyghte all his mode changede: 3222 [folio 87v] He mett in the morne-while full meruaylous dremes. 3223 And when his dredefull drem whas drefen to þe ende, 3224 The Kynge dares for dowte, dye as he scholde; 3225 Sendes aftyre phylosophers, and his affraye telles: 3226 "Sen I was formede, in fayth, so ferde whas I neuer! 3227 Forthy rawnsakes redyly and rede me my swefennys, 3228


And I sall redily and ryghte rehersen the sothe. Page 128 3229 Me thoughte I was in a wode willed myn one, 3230 That I ne wiste no waye whedire þat I scholde, 3231 Fore woluez and whilde swynne and wykkyde bestez 3232 Walkede in that wasternne, wathes to seche; 3233 Thare lyouns full lothely lykkyde þeire tuskes, 3234 All fore lapynge of blude of my lele knyghtez. 3235 Thurghe þat foreste I flede, thare floures whare heghe, 3236 For to fele me for ferde of tha foule thyngez; 3237 Merkede to a medowe with montayngnes enclosyde, 3238 The meryeste of medillerthe that men myghte beholde. 3239 The close was in compas castyn all abowte 3240 With clauer and clereworte clede euen ouer; 3241 The vale was enuerownde with vynes of siluer, 3242 All with grapis of golde, gretter ware neuer; 3243 Enhorilde with arborye and alkyns trees, 3244 Erberis full honeste and hyrdez þerevndyre; 3245 All froytez foddenid was þat floreschede in erthe, 3246 Faire frithed in frawnke appon tha free bowes; 3247 Whas thare no downkynge of dewe that oghte dere scholde: 3248 With þe drowghte of þe daye all drye ware þe flores. 3249 Than discendis in the dale, down fra þe clowddez, 3250 A duches dereworthily dyghte in dyaperde wedis, 3251 In a surcott of sylke selkouthely hewede, 3252 All with loyotour ouerlaide lowe to pe hemmes, 3253 And with ladily lappes the lenghe of a ȝerde, 3254 And all redily reuersside with rebanes of golde; 3255 Bruchez and besauntez and oþer bryghte stonys 3256 With hir bake and hir breste was brochede all ouer; 3257 With kelle and with corenall clenliche arrayede, 3258 And þat so comly of colour on knowen was neuer. 3259


Abowte cho whirllide a whele with hir whitte hondez, 3260 Ouerwhelme all qwayntely þe whele as cho scholde; 3261 The rowell whas rede golde with ryall stonys, 3262 Raylide with reches and rubyes inewe; 3263 The spekes was splentide all with speltis of siluer, 3264 The space of a spere lenghe springande full faire; 3265 Thereone was a chayere of chalke-whytte siluer, Page 129 3266 And chekyrde with charebocle, chawngynge of hewes. 3267 Appon þe compas ther clewide kyngis one rawe, 3268 With corowns of clere golde þat krakede in sondire; 3269 Sex was of þat setill full sodaynliche fallen, 3270 Ilke a segge by hym selfe, and saide theis wordez: 3271 'That euer I rengnede on þir roo me rewes it euer! 3272 [folio 88r] Was neuer roye so riche that regnede in erthe; 3273 Whene I rode in my rowte, roughte I noghte ells, 3274 Bot reuaye and reuell and rawnson the pople; 3275 And thus I drife forthe my dayes, whills I dreghe myghte, 3276 And therefore derflyche I am dampnede for euer.' 3277 The laste was a lityll man that laide was benethe; 3278 His leskes laye all lene and latheliche to schewe, 3279 The lokkes lyarde and longe, the lenghe of a ȝerde, 3280 His lire and his lygham lamede full sore; 3281 Þe tone eye of þe byeryn was brighttere þan siluer, 3282 The toþer was ȝalowere then the ȝolke of a naye. 3283 'I was lorde,' quod the lede, 'of londes inewe, 3284 And all ledis me lowttede that lengede in erthe; 3285 And nowe es lefte me no lappe my lygham to hele, 3286 Bot lightly now am I loste, leue iche mane the sothe.' 3287 The secunde sir, forsothe, þat sewede them aftyre, 3288 Was sekerare to my sighte and saddare in armes; 3289


Ofte he syghede vnsownde and said theis wordes: 3290 'On ȝone see hafe I sitten als souerayne and lorde, 3291 And ladys me louede to lappe in theyre armes; 3292 And nowe my lordchippes are loste and laide for euer.' 3293 The thirde thorowely was throo and thikke in the schuldyrs, 3294 A thra man to thrette of, there thretty ware gaderide; 3295 His dyadem was droppede down, dubbyde with stonys, 3296 Endente all with diamawndis and dighte for þe nonis; 3297 'I was dredde in my dayes,' he said, 'in dyuerse rewmes, 3298 And now dampnede to þe dede, and dole es the more.' 3299 The fourte was a faire mane and forsy in armes, 3300 Þe fayreste of fegure that fourmede was euer: 3301 'I was frekke, in my faithe,' he said, 'whills I one fowlde regnede, Page 130 3302 Famows in ferre londis and floure of all knyges; 3303 Now es my face defadide, and foule es me hapnede, 3304 For I am fallen fro ferre and frendles byleuyde.' 3305 The fifte was a faire man þan fele of þies oþer, 3306 A forsy man and a ferse, with fomand lippis; 3307 He fongede faste on þe feleyghes and falded his armes, 3308 Bot ȝit he failede and fell a fyfty fote large; 3309 Bot ȝit he sprange and sprente and spradden his armes, 3310 And one þe spere-lenghe spekes, he spekes þire wordes: 3311 'I was in Surrye a syr and sett be myn one, 3312 As souerayne and seyngnour of sere kynges londis; 3313 Now of my solace I am full sodanly fallen, 3314 And for sake of my syn, ȝone sete es me rewede.' 3315 The sexte hade a sawtere semliche bownden, 3316 With a surepel of silke sewede full faire, 3317 A harpe and a hande-slynge with harde flynte stones; 3318 What harmes he has hente he halowes full sone: 3319 'I was demede in my dayes,' he said, 'of dedis of armes, 3320


One of the doughtyeste that duellede in erthe; 3321 [folio 88v] Bot I was merride one molde in my moste strenghethis, 3322 With this mayden so mylde, þat mofes vs all.' 3323 Two kynges ware clymbande and clauerande one heghe, 3324 The creste of þe compas they couette full ȝerne; 3325 'This chaire of charbokle,' they said, 'we chalange hereaftyre, 3326 As two of þe cheffeste chosen in erthe.' 3327 The childire ware chalke-whitte, chekys and oþer, 3328 Bot the chayere abownne cheuede they neuer; 3329 The forthirmaste was freely, with a frount large, 3330 The faireste of fyssnamy þat fourmede was euer; 3331 And he was buskede in a blee of a blewe noble, 3332 With flourdelice of golde floreschede al ouer; 3333 The toþer was cledde in a cote all of clene siluer, 3334 With a comliche crosse coruen of golde, 3335 Fowre crosselettes krafty by þe crosse ristes, 3336 And therby knewe I the kyng, þat crystnede hym semyde. 3337 Lines 3338 through 3455 Than I went to þat wlonke and wynly hire gretis, 3338 And cho said, 'Welcom iwis; wele arte thow fownden; Page 131 3339 The aughte to wirchipe my will, and thow wele cowthe, 3340 Of all the valyant men that euer was in erthe; 3341 Fore all thy wirchipe in werre by me has thow wonnen. 3342 I hafe bene frendely, freke, and fremmede till oþer, 3343 That has þow fownden in faithe, and fele of þi biernez: 3344 Fore I fellid down Sir Frolle with frowarde knyghtes; 3345 Forethi the fruytes of Fraunce are freely thynne awen. 3346 Thow sall þe chayere escheue, I chese þe my selfen, 3347 Before all þe cheftaynes chosen in this erthe.' 3348 Scho lifte me vp lightly with hir lene hondes, 3349


And sette me softely in the see, þe septre me rechede; 3350 Craftely with a kambe cho kembede myn heuede, 3351 That the krispane kroke to my crownne raughte; 3352 Dressid one me a diademe that dighte was full faire, 3353 And syne profres me a pome pighte full of faire stonys, 3354 Enamelde with azoure, the erth thereon depayntide, 3355 Serkylde with the salte see appone sere halfes, 3356 In sygne þat I sothely was souerayne in erthe. 3357 Than broght cho me a brande with full bryghte hiltes, 3358 And bade me 'Brawndysche þe blade, þe brande es myn awen; 3359 Many swayn with þe swynge has the swe [supplied by ed.] tte leuede, 3360 For whills thow swanke with the swerde, it swykkede þe neuer.' 3361 Than raykes cho with roo and riste when hir likede, 3362 To þe ryndes of þe wode—richere was neuer; 3363 Was no pomarie so pighte of pryncez in erthe, 3364 Ne nonne apparayll so prowde, bot Paradys one. 3365 Scho bad þe bewes scholde bewe down and bryng to my hondes 3366 Of þe beste that they bare one brawnches so heghe; 3367 Than they heldede to hir heste all holly at ones, 3368 The hegheste of iche a hirste, I hette ȝow forsothe. 3369 [folio 89r] Scho bade me fyrthe noghte þe fruyte, bot fonde whills me likede: 3370 'Fonde of þe fyneste, thow frelich byerne, 3371 And reche to þe ripeste and ryotte thy seluen. 3372 Riste, thow ryalle roye, for Rome es thyn awen! 3373 And I sall redily roll þe roo at þe gayneste, 3374 And reche the þe riche wyne in rynsede coupes.' 3375 Thane cho wente to þe welle by þe wode euis, Page 132 3376 That all wellyde of wyne and wondirliche rynnes; 3377 Kaughte vy a coppe-full and couerde it faire; 3378 Scho bad me dereliche drawe and drynke to hir selfen. 3379


And thus cho lede me abowte the lenghe of an owre, 3380 With all likyng and luffe þat any lede scholde; 3381 Bot at þe myddaye full ewyn all hir mode chaungede, 3382 And mad myche manace with meruayllous wordez. 3383 When I cryede appon hire, cho kest down hir browes: 3384 'Kyng, thow karpes for noghte, be Criste þat me made! 3385 For thow sall lose this layke and thi lyfe aftyre; 3386 Thow has lyffede in delytte and lordchippes inewe!' 3387 Abowte scho whirles the whele and whirles me vndire, 3388 Till all my qwarters þat whille whare qwaste al to peces, 3389 And with that chayere my chyne was chopped in sondire! 3390 And I hafe cheueride for chele sen me this chance happenede. 3391 Than wakkenyde I iwys, all wery fordremyde, 3392 And now wate thow my woo, worde as þe lykes." 3393 "Freke," sais the philosophre, "thy fortune es passede; 3394 For thow sall fynd hir thi foo—frayste when the lykes. 3395 Thow arte at þe hegheste, I hette the forsothe; 3396 Chalange nowe when thow will, thow cheuys no more. 3397 Thow has schedde myche blode and schalkes distroyede, 3398 Sakeles, in cirquytrie, in sere kynges landis. 3399 Schryfe the of thy schame and schape for thyn ende; 3400 Thow has a schewynge, Sir Kynge—take kepe ȝif the lyke; 3401 For thow sall fersely fall within fyve wynters. 3402 Fownde abbayes in Fraunce—þe froytez are theyn awen— 3403 Fore Froill and for Ferawnt and for thir ferse knyghttis, 3404 That thowe fremydly in Fraunce has faye beleuede. 3405 Take kepe ȝitte of oþer kynges and kaste in thyne herte, 3406 That were conquerours kydde and crownnede in erthe: 3407 The eldeste was Alexandere, þat all þe erthe lowttede, 3408 The toþer Ector of Troye, the cheualrous gume; 3409 The thirde Iulyus Cesare, þat geant was holden, 3410 In iche jorné jentill, ajuggede with lordes; 3411 The ferthe was Sir Iudas, a justere full nobill, 3412


The maysterfull Makabee, the myghttyeste of strenghes; Page 133 3413 The fyfte was Iosue, þat joly mane of armes, 3414 Þat in Ierusalem oste full myche joye lymppede; 3415 The sexte was Dauid þe dere, demyd with kynges 3416 One of þe doughtyeste þat dubbede was euer; 3417 For he slewe with a slynge, be sleyghte of his handis, 3418 Golyas the grette gome, grymmeste in erthe, 3419 [folio 89v] Syne endittede in his dayes all the dere psalmes, 3420 Þat in þe sawtire ere sette with selcouthe wordes; 3421 The two clymbande kynges, I knawe it forsothe, 3422 Sall Karolus be callide, the kyng son of Fraunce; 3423 He sall be crowell and kene, and conquerour holden, 3424 Couere be conqueste contres ynewe; 3425 He sall encroche the crowne that Crist bare hym selfen, 3426 And þat lifeliche launce that lepe to his herte, 3427 When he was crucyfiede one Crose, and all þe kene naylis, 3428 Knyghtly he sall conquere to Cristyn men hondes. 3429 The toþer sall be Godfraye, that Gode schall reuenge 3430 One þe Gud Frydaye with galyarde knyghtes; 3431 He sall of Lorrayne be lorde, be leefe of his fadire, 3432 And syne in Ierusalem myche joye happyn, 3433 For he sall couer the Crosse be craftes of armes, 3434 And synne be corownde kynge with krysome enoynttede; 3435 Sall no duke in his dayes siche destanye happyn, 3436 Ne siche myschefe dreghe when trewthe sall be tryede. 3437 Forethy Fortune þe fetches to fulfill the nowmbyre, 3438 Alls nynne of þe nobileste namede in erthe: 3439 This sall in romance be redde with ryall knyghttes, 3440 Rekkenede and renownde with ryotous kynges, 3441 And demyd on Domesdaye, for dedis of armes, 3442


For þe doughtyeste þat euer was duelland in erthe; 3443 So many clerkis and kynges sall karpe of ȝoure dedis, 3444 And kepe ȝoure conquestez in cronycle for euer. 3445 Bot the wolfes in the wode and the whilde bestes, 3446 Are some wikkyd men that werrayes thy rewmes, 3447 Es entirde in thyn absence to werraye thy pople, 3448 And alyenys and ostes of vncouthe landis. 3449 Thow getis tydandis, I trowe, within ten dayes, 3450 That some torfere es tydde, sen thow fro home turnede; Page 134 3451 I rede thow rekkyn and reherse vnresonable dedis, 3452 Ore the repenttes full rathe all thi rewthe werkes. 3453 Mane, amende thy mode, or thow myshappen, 3454 And mekely aske mercy for mede of thy saule." 3455 Lines 3456 through 3486 Thane rysez the riche Kyng and rawghte on his wedys, 3456 A reede acton of rosse, the richeste of floures, 3457 A pesane and a paunson and a pris girdill; 3458 And one he henttis a hode of scharlette full riche, 3459 A pauys pillion hatt, þat pighte was full faire 3460 With perry of þe Oryent and precyous stones; 3461 His gloues gayliche gilte and grauen by þe hemmys 3462 With graynes of rubyes full gracious to schewe. 3463 His bede grehownde and his bronde ande no byerne ells, 3464 And bownnes ouer a brode mede, with breth at his herte; 3465 Furth he stalkis a stye by þa still euys, 3466 Stotays at a hey strette, studyande hym one. 3467 Att the surs of þe sonne he sees there commande, 3468 Raykande to Romewarde the redyeste wayes, 3469 A renke in a rownde cloke with righte rowmme clothes, 3470 With hatte and with heyghe schone homely and rownde; 3471 With flatte ferthynges the freke was floreschede all ouer, 3472


[folio 90r] Manye schredys and schragges at his skyrttes hynnges; 3473 With scrippe ande with slawyn and skalopis inewe, 3474 Both pyke and palme alls pilgram hym scholde. 3475 The gome graythely hym grette and bade gode morwen; 3476 The Kyng lordelye hym selfe, of langage of Rome, 3477 Of Latyn corroumppede all, full louely hym menys: 3478 "Whedire wilnez thowe, wye, walkande thyn one? 3479 Qwhylls þe werlde es o werre, a wawhte I it holde. 3480 Here es ane enmye with oste vndire ȝone vynes: 3481 And they see the, forsothe, sorowe the betyddes; 3482 Bot ȝif thow hafe condethe of þe Kynge selfen, 3483 Knaues will kill the and keppe at thow haues; 3484 And if þou halde þe hey waye, they hente the also, 3485 Bot if thow hastyly hafe helpe of his hende knyghttes." 3486 Lines 3487 through 3502 Than karpes Sir Cradoke to the Kynge selfen: 3487 "I sall forgyffe hym my dede, so me Gode helpe, 3488 Onye grome vndire Gode that one this grownde walkes. Page 135 3489 Latte the keneste come that to þe Kyng langes, 3490 I sall encountire hym as knyghte, so Criste hafe my sawle! 3491 For thow may noghte reche me, no areste thy selfen, 3492 Þoffe þou þe richely arayede in full riche wedys. 3493 I will noghte wonde for no werre to wende whare me likes, 3494 Ne for no wy of this werlde þat wroghte es on erthe! 3495 Bot I will passe in pilgremage þis pas vnto Rome, 3496 To purchese me pardone of the Pape selfen, 3497 And of paynes of Purgatorie be plenerly assoyllede. 3498 Thane sall I seke sekirly my souerayne lorde, 3499 Sir Arthure of Inglande, that auenaunt byerne; 3500 For he es in this empire, as hathell men me telles, 3501


Ostayande in this Oryente with awfull knyghtes." 3502 Lines 3503 through 3590 "Fro qwyn come þou, kene man," quod þe Kynge than, 3503 "That knawes Kynge Arthure and his knyghttes also? 3504 Was þou euer in his courte, qwylls he in kyth lengede? 3505 Thow karpes so kyndly, it comforthes myn herte. 3506 Well wele has þou wente and wysely þou sechis, 3507 For þou arte Bretowne bierne, as by thy brode speche." 3508 "Me awghte to knowe þe Kynge: he es my kydde lorde, 3509 And I calde in his courte a knyghte of his chambire; 3510 Sir Craddoke was I callide in his courte riche, 3511 Kepare of Karlyon vndir the Kynge selfen: 3512 Nowe am I cachede owtt of kyth with kare at my herte, 3513 And that castell es cawghte with vncowthe ledys." 3514 Than the comliche kynge kaughte hym in armes, 3515 Keste of his ketill-hatte and kyssede hym full sone, 3516 Saide, "Welcom, Sir Craddoke, so Criste mott me helpe! 3517 Dere cosyn of kynde, thowe coldis myn herte; 3518 How faris it in Bretayne, with all my bolde beryns? 3519 Are they brettenede or brynte or broughte owte of lyue? 3520 Ken þou me kyndely whatte caase es befallen; 3521 I kepe no credens to crafe—I knawe the for trewe." 3522 "Sir, thi wardane es wikkede and wilde of his dedys, 3523 [folio 90v] For he wandreth has wroghte sen þou awaye passede: 3524 He has castells encrochede and corownde hym seluen, 3525 Kaughte in all þe rentis of þe Rownde Tabill; 3526 He devisede þe rewme and delte as hym likes, Page 136 3527 Dubbede of þe Danmarkes dukes and erlles, 3528 Disseueride þem sondirwise and cités dystroyede. 3529 To Sarazenes and Sessoynes appon sere halues, 3530


He has semblede a sorte of selcouthe berynes; 3531 Soueraynes of Surgenale and sowdeours many, 3532 Of Peyghtes and paynyms and prouede knyghttes, 3533 Of Irelande and Orgaile owtlawede berynes. 3534 All thaa laddes are knyghttes þat lange to þe mowntes, 3535 And ledynge and lordechipe has all, alls them selfe likes; 3536 And there es Sir Childrike a cheftayne holdyn, 3537 That ilke cheualrous man, he chargges thy pople; 3538 They robbe thy religeous and ravische thi nones, 3539 And redy ryddis with his rowtte to rawnsone þe pouere; 3540 Fro Humbyre to Hawyke he haldys his awen, 3541 And all þe cowntré of Kentt be couenawnte entayllide; 3542 The comliche castells that to the corown langede, 3543 The holttes and the hare wode and the harde bankkes— 3544 All þat Henguste and Hors hent in þeire tym; 3545 Att Southampton on the see es seuen skore chippes, 3546 Frawghte full of ferse folke owt of ferre landes, 3547 For to fyghte with thy frappe when þow them assailles. 3548 Bot ȝitt a worde witterly, thowe watte noghte þe werste: 3549 He has weddede Waynore, and hir his wieffe holdis, 3550 And wonnys in the wilde bowndis of þe weste marches, 3551 And has wroghte hire with childe, as wittnesse tellis. 3552 Off all þe wyes of þis worlde, woo motte hym worthe, 3553 Alls wardayne vnworthye women to ȝeme. 3554 Thus has Sir Modrede merrede vs all! 3555 Forthy I merkede ouer thees mowntes to mene þe the sothe." 3556 Than the burliche kynge, for brethe at his herte, 3557 And for this botelesse bale, all his ble chaungede. 3558 "By þe Rode," sais þe Roye, "I sall it revenge! 3559 Hym sall repente full rathe all his rewthe werkes!" 3560 All wepande for woo he went to his tentis; 3561 Vnwynly this wyesse kynge he wakkenysse his beryns, 3562 Clepid in a clarioune kynges and othire, 3563


Callys them to concell and of þis cas tellys: Page 137 3564 "I am with treson betrayede, for all my trewe dedis; 3565 And all my trauayle es tynt, me tydis no bettire! 3566 Hym sall torfere betyde þis tresone has wroghte, 3567 And I may traistely hym take, as I am trew lorde. 3568 This es Modrede, þe mane that I moste traystede, 3569 Has my castells encrochede and corownde hym seluen, 3570 With renttes and reches of the Rownde Table; 3571 Has made all hys retenewys of renayede wrechis, 3572 And devysed my rewme to dyverse lordes, 3573 To sowdeours and to Sarazenes owtte of sere londes. 3574 [folio 91r] He has weddyde Waynore and hyr to wyefe holdes; 3575 And a childe es eschapede, the chaunce es no bettire. 3576 They hafe semblede on the see seuen schore chippis, 3577 Full of ferrom folke to feghte with myn one; 3578 Forthy to Bretayne the Brode buske vs byhouys, 3579 For to brettyn the beryne that has this bale raysede. 3580 Thare sall no freke men fare bott all one fresche horses, 3581 That are fraistede in fyghte and floure of my knyghttez; 3582 Sir Howell and Sir Hardolfe here sall beleue, 3583 To be lordes of the ledis that here to me lenges; 3584 Lokes into Lumbardye þat thare no lede chaunge, 3585 And tendirly to Tuskayne take tente alls I byde; 3586 Resaywe the rentis of Rome qwen þay are rekkenede; 3587 Take sesyn the same daye that laste was assygnede, 3588 Or elles all þe ostage withowttyn þe wallys, 3589 Be hynggyde hye appon hyghte all holly at ones." 3590 Lines 3591 through 3779 Nowe bownes the bolde kynge with his [supplied by ed.] beste knyghtes, 3591


Gers trome and trusse and trynes forth aftyre; 3592 Turnys thorowe Tuskayne, taries bot littill, 3593 Lyghte noghte in Lumbarddye bot when þe lyghte failede; 3594 Merkes ouer the mowntaynes full mervaylous wayes, 3595 Ayres thurghe Almaygne evyne at the gayneste, 3596 Ferkes evyne into Flawndresche with hys ferse knyghttes. 3597 Within fyftene dayes his flete es assemblede, 3598 And thane he schoupe hym to chippe and schownes no lengere, 3599 Scherys with a charpe wynde ouer þe schyre waters. 3600 By þe roche with ropes he rydes on ankkere, 3601 Thare the false men fletyde and one flode lengede, Page 138 3602 With chefe chaynes of chare chokkode togedyrs, 3603 Charggede evyn chekeful of cheualrous knyghtes, 3604 And in þe hynter one heghte helmes and crestes; 3605 Hatches with haythen men hillyd ware tharevndyre, 3606 Prowdliche purtrayede with payntede clothys, 3607 Iche a pece by pece prykkyde tyll oþer— 3608 Dubbyde with dagswaynnes dowblede they seme; 3609 And thus þe derfe Danamarkes had dyghte all theyre chippys, 3610 That no dynte of no darte dere them ne schoulde. 3611 Than the Roye and þe renkes of the Rownde Table 3612 All ryally in rede arrayes his chippis; 3613 That daye ducheryes he delte and doubbyde knyghttes, 3614 Dresses dromowndes and dragges and drawen vpe stonys; 3615 The toppe-castells he stuffede with toyelys, as hym lykyde. 3616 Bendys bowes of vys brothly þareaftyre; 3617 Tolowris tentyly takell they ryghtten, 3618 Brasen hedys full brode buskede one flones, 3619 Graythes for garnysons gomes arrayes; 3620 Gryme gaddes of stele, ghywes of iryn, 3621 Stiȝttelys steryn one steryne with styffe men of armes; 3622


Mony lufliche launce appon lofte stondys, 3623 Ledys one leburde, lordys and oþer, 3624 Pyghte payvese one porte, payntede scheldes, 3625 One hyndire hurdace one highte helmede knyghtez. 3626 [folio 91v] Thus they scheften fore schotys one thas schire strandys, 3627 Ilke schalke in his schrowde—full scheen ware þeire wedys. 3628 The bolde kynge es in a barge and abowtte rowes, 3629 All bare-heuvede for besye with beueryn lokkes, 3630 And a beryn with his bronde and ane helme betyn, 3631 Mengede with a mawntelet of maylis of siluer, 3632 Compaste with a coronall and couerde full riche; 3633 Kayris to yche a cogge to comfurthe his knyghttes: 3634 To Clegys and Cleremownde he cryes one lowde, 3635 "O Gawayne, O Galyran, thies gud mens bodyes." 3636 To Loth and to Lyonell full louefly he melys, 3637 And to Sir Lawncelot de Lake lordiche wordys: 3638 "Lat vs couere þe kythe—the coste es owre ownn— Page 139 3639 And gere them brotheliche blenke, all ȝone blod-hondes, 3640 Bryttyn them within bourde and brynne them þareaftyre; 3641 Hewe down hertly ȝone heythen tykes! 3642 Thay are harlotes halfe, I hette ȝow myn honnde!" 3643 Than he coueres his cogge and caches one ankere, 3644 Kaughte his comliche helme with þe clere maylis, 3645 Buskes baners one brode, betyn of gowles, 3646 With corowns of clere golde, clenliche arraiede; 3647 Bot þare was chosen in þe chefe a chalke-whitte Mayden, 3648 And a Childe in hir arme, þat Chefe es of Hevyne; 3649 Withowtten changyng in chace, thies ware þe cheefe armes 3650 Of Arthure þe auenaunt, qwhylls he in erthe lengede. 3651 Thane the marynerse mellys and maysters of chippis; 3652


Merily iche a mate menys till oþer: 3653 Of theire termys they talke, how þay ware tydd, 3654 Towyn trvssell one trete, trvssen vpe sailes, 3655 Bet bonettez one brede, bettrede hatches, 3656 Brawndeste brown stele, braggede in trompes, 3657 Standis styffe one the stamyn, steris one aftyre, 3658 Strekyn ouer þe streme thare stryvynge begynnes. 3659 Fro þe wagande wynde owte of þe weste rysses, 3660 Brethly bessomes with byrre in beryns sailles; 3661 With hir bryngges one burde burliche cogges, 3662 Qwhylls þe bilyge and þe beme brestys in sondyre; 3663 So stowttly þe forsterne one þe stam hyttis, 3664 Þat stokkes of þe stere-burde strykkys in peces. 3665 Be than cogge appon cogge, krayers and oþer, 3666 Castys crepers one crosse als to þe crafte langes. 3667 Thane was hede-rapys hewen þat helde vpe þe mastes; 3668 Thare was conteke full kene and crachynge of chippys: 3669 Grett cogges of kampe crasseches in sondyre; 3670 Mony kaban clevede, cabills destroyede. 3671 Knyghtes and kene men killide the braynes; 3672 Kidd castells were corven with all theire kene wapen, 3673 Castells full comliche þat coloured ware faire. 3674 Vptyhes eghelyng þay ochen þareaftyre: 3675 With þe swynge of þe swerde sweys þe mastys, Page 140 3676 Ovyrefallys in þe firste frekis and othire; 3677 Frekke in þe forchipe fey es byleuefede. 3678 [folio 92r] Than brothely they bekyre with boustouse tacle; 3679 Bruschese boldlye on burde brynyede knyghtes, 3680 Owt of botes one burd was buskede with stonys, 3681 Bett down of þe beste, brystis the hetches; 3682


Som gomys thourghegyrde with gaddys of yryn: 3683 Gomys gayliche clede englaymes wapen. 3684 Archers of Inglande full egerly schottes, 3685 Hittis thourghe þe harde stele full hertly dynttis. 3686 Sone hotchen in holle the heþene knyghtes— 3687 Hurte thourghe þe harde stele, hele they neuer. 3688 Than they fall to þe fyghte, foynes with sperys, 3689 All the frekkeste one frownte þat to þe fyghte langes; 3690 And ilkon frechely fraystez theire strenghes, 3691 Were to fyghte in þe flete with theire fell wapyn. 3692 Thus they dalte þat daye, thire dubbide knyghtes, 3693 Till all þe Danes ware dede and in þe depe throwen. 3694 Than Bretons brothely with brondis they hewen, 3695 Lepys in vpone lofte lordeliche berynes; 3696 When ledys of owt-londys leppyn in waters, 3697 All oure lordes one lowde laughen at ones. 3698 Be thane speris whare sprongen, spalddyd chippys, 3699 Spanyolis spedily sprentyde ouer burdez; 3700 All þe kene men of kampe, knyghtes and oþer, 3701 Killyd are colde dede and castyn ouer burdez. 3702 Theire swyers sweyftly has þe swete leuyde; 3703 Heþen heuande on hatche in þer hawe ryses, 3704 Synkande in þe salte see seuen hundrethe at ones. 3705 Thane Sir Gawayne the gude, he has þe gree wonnen, 3706 And all þe cogges grete he gafe to his knyghtes, 3707 Sir Geryn and Sir Grisswolde and othir gret lordes, 3708 Garte Galuth, a gud gome, girde of þaire hedys. 3709 Thus of þe false flete appon þe flode happenede, 3710 And thus þeis feryne folke fey are beleuede. 3711 Ȝitt es þe traytoure one londe with tryede knyghttes, 3712 And all trompede they trippe one trappede stedys, Page 141 3713


Schewes them vndir schilde one þe schire bankkes— 3714 He ne schownttes for no schame but schewes full heghe. 3715 Sir Arthure and Gawayne avyede them bothen, 3716 To sexty thosandez of men þat in theire syghte houede. 3717 Be this the folke was fellyde, thane was þe flode passede; 3718 Thane was it slyke a slowde in slakkes full hugge, 3719 That let þe Kyng for to lande in the lawe watyre; 3720 Forthy he lengede on laye for lesyng of horsys, 3721 To loke of his legemen and of his lele knyghtes, 3722 Ȝif any ware lamede or loste, life ȝife they scholde. 3723 Than Sir Gawayn þe gude a galaye he takys, 3724 And glides vp at a gole with gud men of armes; 3725 When he growndide, for grefe he gyrdis in þe watere, 3726 That to þe girdyll he gos in all his gylte wedys; 3727 Schottis vpe appon þe sonde in syghte of þe lordes, 3728 Sengly with hys soppe—my sorowe es the more. 3729 [folio 92v] With baners of his bagys, beste of his armes, 3730 He braydes vp on the banke in his bryghte wedys; 3731 He byddys his baneoure," Buske þow belyfe 3732 To ȝone brode batayle that one ȝone banke houes, 3733 And I ensure ȝow sothe I sall ȝowe sewe aftyre. 3734 Loke ȝe blenke for no bronde, ne for no bryghte wapyn, 3735 Bot beris down of þe beste and bryng them o dawe; 3736 Bees noghte abayste of theire boste, abyde on þe erthe. 3737 Ȝe haue my baneres borne in batailles full hugge; 3738 We sall fell ȝone false, þe Fende hafe theire saules! 3739 Fightes faste with þe frape, þe felde sall be owres; 3740 May I þat traytoure ouertake, torfere hym tyddes, 3741 That this treson has tymbyrde to my trewe lorde. 3742 Of siche a engendure full littyll joye happyns, 3743 And þat sall in this journée be juggede full euen." 3744 Now they seke ouer þe sonde þis soppe at þe gayneste, 3745


Sembles one þe sowdeours and settys theire dyntys: 3746 Thourghe þe scheldys so schene schalkes þey towche, 3747 With schaftes scheueride schorte of þas schene launces; 3748 Derfe dynttys they dalte with daggande sperys. 3749 One þe danke of þe dewe many dede lyggys: Page 142 3750 Dukes and duszeperis and dubbide knyghttys; 3751 The doughttyeste of Danemarke vndone are for euer. 3752 Thus thas renkes in rewthe rittis theire brenyes, 3753 And rechis of þe richeste vnreken dynttis; 3754 Thare they thronge in the thikke and thristis to þe erthe 3755 Of the thraeste men thre hundrethe at ones. 3756 Bot Sir Gawayne for grefe myghte noghte agayne-stande, 3757 Vmbegrippys a spere and to a gome rynnys, 3758 Þat bare of gowles full gaye with gowtes of syluere; 3759 He gyrdes hym in at þe gorge with his grym launce, 3760 Þat þe grownden glayfe graythes in sondyre; 3761 With þat boystous brayde he bownes hym to dye— 3762 Þe Kyng of Gutlande it was, a gude man of armes. 3763 Thayre avawwarde than all voydes þareaftyre, 3764 Alls venqueste verrayely with valyant beryns. 3765 Metis with medilwarde, that Modrede ledys; 3766 Oure men merkes them to, as them myshappenede. 3767 For hade Sir Gawayne hade grace to halde þe grene hill, 3768 He had wirchipe, iwys, wonnen for euer. 3769 Bot þan Sir Gawayne, iwysse, he waytes hym wele 3770 To wreke hym on this werlaughe þat þis werre mouede; 3771 And merkes to Sir Modrede amonge all his beryns, 3772 With the Mownttagus and oþer gret lordys. 3773 Þan Sir Gawayne was greuede and with a gret wyll 3774 Fewters a faire spere and freschely askryes: 3775 "Fals fosterde foode, the Fende haue thy bonys! 3776


Fy one the, felone, and thy false werkys! 3777 Thow sall be dede and vndon for thy derfe dedys, 3778 Or I sall dy this daye, ȝif destanye worthe!" 3779 [folio 93r] Lines 3780 through 3812 Thane his enmye, with oste of owtlawede beryns, 3780 All enangylls abowte oure excellente knyghttez, 3781 That the traytoure be tresone had tryede hym seluen; 3782 Dukes of Danemarke he dyghttes full sone, 3783 And leders of Lettowe, with legyons inewe; 3784 Vmbylappyde oure men with launcez full kene. 3785 Sowdeours and Sarazenes owte of sere landys, 3786 Sexty thosande men semlyly arrayede, 3787 Sekerly assembles thare one seuen schore knyghtes, Page 143 3788 Sodaynly in dischayte by tha salte strandes. 3789 Thane Sir Gawayne grette with his gray eghen, 3790 For grefe of his gud men that he gyde schulde; 3791 He wyste that þay wondyde ware and wery forfoughtten, 3792 And what for wondire and woo, all his witte faylede. 3793 And thane syghande he saide, with sylande terys, 3794 "We are with Sarazenes besett appon sere halfes. 3795 I syghe noghte for my selfe, sa helpe oure Lorde; 3796 Bot for to see [supplied by ed.] vs supprysede, my sorowe es the more. 3797 Bes dowghtty todaye, ȝone dukes schall be ȝoures; 3798 For dere Dryghttyn this daye, dredys no wapyn. 3799 We sall ende this daye alls excellent knyghttes, 3800 Ayere to endelesse joye with angells vnwemyde. 3801 Þofe we hafe vnwittyly wastede oure selfen, 3802 We sall wirke all wele in þe wirchipe of Cryste. 3803 We sall for ȝone Sarazenes, I sekire ȝow my trowhe, 3804


Souppe with oure Saueoure solemply in Heuen, 3805 In presence of þat precious Prynce of all oþer, 3806 With prophetes and patriarkes and apostlys full nobill, 3807 Before His freliche face that fourmede vs all. 3808 Ȝondire to ȝone ȝaldsons, he þat ȝeldes hym euer, 3809 Qwhylls he es qwykke and in qwerte, vnquellyde with handis, 3810 Be he neuer mo sauede, ne socourede with Cryste, 3811 Bot Satanase his sawle mowe synke into Helle!" 3812 Lines 3813 through 3839 Than grymly Sir Gawayne gryppis hys wapyn; 3813 Agayne þat gret bataille he graythes hym son: 3814 Radly of his riche swerde he reghttes þe cheynys, 3815 In he schokkes his schelde, schountes he no lengare; 3816 Bot alls vnwyse, wodewyse, he wente at þe gayneste, 3817 Wondis of thas wedirwyns with wrakfull dynttys— 3818 All wellys full of blode thare he awaye passes; 3819 And þofe hym ware full woo, he wondys bot lyttill, 3820 Bot wrekys at his wirchip þe wrethe of hys lorde. 3821 He stekys stedis in stoure and sterenefull knyghttes, 3822 That steryn men in theire sterapes stone-dede þay lygge; 3823 He ryvys þe ranke stele, he rittes þe mayles— 3824 Thare myghte no renke hym areste, his reson was passede. 3825 He fell in a fransye for fersenesse of herte; Page 144 3826 He feghttis and fellis down þat hym before standis— 3827 Fell neuer fay man siche fortune in erthe. 3828 Into þe hale bataile hedlyngs he rynys, 3829 And hurtes of þe hardieste þat one the erthe lenges. 3830 Letande alls a lyon he lawnches them thorowe, 3831 [folio 93v] Lordes and ledars that one the launde houes. 3832 Ȝit Sir Gawayne for wo wondis bot lyttill, 3833


Bot woundis of thas wedirwyns with wondirfull dyntes, 3834 Alls he þat wold wilfully wasten hym selfen; 3835 And for wondsom and will all his wit failede, 3836 That wode alls a wylde beste he wente at þe gayneste; 3837 All walewede one blode, thare he awaye passede— 3838 Iche a wy may be warre be wreke of anoþer. 3839 Lines 3840 through 3863 Þan he moues to Sir Modrede amange all his knyghttes, 3840 And mett hym in þe myde-schelde and mallis hym thorowe; 3841 Bot the schalke for the scharpe he schownttes a littill, 3842 He schare hym one þe schorte rybbys a schaftmonde large: 3843 The schafte schoderede and schotte in the schire beryn, 3844 Þat þe schadande blode ouer his schanke rynnys, 3845 And schewede on his schynbawde, þat was schire burneste. 3846 And so they schyfte and schove, he schotte to þe erthe; 3847 With þe lussche of þe launce he lyghte one hys schuldyrs, 3848 Ane akere lenghe one a launde, full lothely wondide. 3849 Than Gawayne gyrde to þe gome and one þe groffe fallis— 3850 Alls his grefe was graythede, his grace was no bettyre— 3851 He schokkes owtte a schorte knyfe schethede with siluere, 3852 And scholde haue slottede hym in, bot no slytte happenede: 3853 His hand sleppid and solde o slante one þe mayles, 3854 And þe toþer slely slynges hym vndire; 3855 With a trenchande knyfe the traytoure hym hyttes, 3856 Thorowe þe helme and þe hede, one heyghe one þe brayne: 3857 And thus Sir Gawayne es gon, the gude man of armes, 3858 Withowttyn reschewe of renke and rewghe es þe more; 3859 Thus Sir Gawayne es gon, that gyede many othire— 3860 Fro Gowere to Gernesay, all þe gret lordys, 3861 Of Glamour, of Galys londe, þis galyarde knyghtes, 3862 For glent of gloppynyng glade be they neuer. Page 145 3863


Lines 3864 through 3918 Kyng Froderike of Fres faythely þareaftyre 3864 Fraynes at the false mane of owre ferse knyghte: 3865 "Knew thow euer this knyghte in thi kithe ryche, 3866 Of whate kynde he was comen? Beknowe no þe sothe; 3867 Qwat gome was he this with the gaye armes, 3868 With þis gryffoune of golde, þat es one growffe fallyn? 3869 He has grettly greffede vs, so me Gode helpe, 3870 Gyrde down oure gude men and greuede vs sore; 3871 He was þe sterynneste in stoure that euer stele werryde, 3872 Fore he has stonayede oure stale and stroyede for euer!" 3873 Than Sir Mordrede with mouthe melis full faire: 3874 "He was makles one molde, mane, be my trowhe; 3875 This was Sir Gawayne the gude, þe gladdeste of othire, 3876 And the graciouseste gome that vndire God lyffede, 3877 Mane hardyeste of hande, happyeste in armes, 3878 And þe hendeste in hawle vndire heuen riche, 3879 Þe lordelieste of ledyng qwhylls he lyffe myghte, 3880 Fore he was lyone allossede in londes inewe; 3881 [folio 94r] Had thow knawen hym, Sir Kyng, in kythe thare he lengede, 3882 His konynge, his knyghthode, his kyndly werkes, 3883 His doyng, his doughtynesse, his dedis of armes, 3884 Thow wolde hafe dole for his dede þe dayes of thy lyfe." 3885 Ȝit þat traytour alls tite teris lete he fall, 3886 Turnes hym furthe tite, and talkes no more, 3887 Went wepand awaye and weries the stowndys, 3888 Þat euer his werdes ware wroghte siche wandrethe to wyrke. 3889 Whene he thoghte on þis thynge, it thirllede his herte: 3890 For sake of his sybb blode sygheande he rydys; 3891 When þat renayede renke remembirde hym seluen 3892 Of reuerence and ryotes of þe Rownde Table, 3893


He remyd and repent hym of all his rewthe werkes; 3894 Rode awaye with his rowte, ristys he no lengere, 3895 For rade of oure riche kynge, ryve þat he scholde. 3896 Thane kayres he to Cornewaile, carefull in herte, 3897 Because of his kynsemane that one the coste ligges; 3898 He taries tremlande ay, tydandis to herken. 3899 Than the traytoure treunted þe Tyseday þareaftyre, 3900 Trynnys in with a trayne treson to wirke; Page 146 3901 And by þe Tambire þat tide his tentis he reris, 3902 And thane in a mette-while a messangere he sendes, 3903 And wraite vnto Waynor how the werlde chaungede, 3904 And what comliche coste the Kyng was aryuede, 3905 One floode foughten with his fleete and fellyd them o lyfe; 3906 Bade hir ferken oo ferre and flee with hir childire, 3907 Whills he myghte wile hym awaye and wyn to hir speche, 3908 Ayere into Irelande, into þas owte-mowntes, 3909 And wonn thare in wildernesse, within þa wast landys. 3910 Than cho ȝermys and ȝeȝes at Ȝorke in hir chambire, 3911 Gronys full grysely with gretand teres, 3912 Passes owte of þe palesse with all hir pryce maydenys, 3913 Towarde Chestyre in a charre thay chese hir þe wayes, 3914 Dighte hir ewyn for to dye, with dule at hir herte; 3915 Scho kayres to Karelyone and kawghte hir a vaile, 3916 Askes thare þe habite in þe honoure of Criste, 3917 And all for falsede and frawde and fere of hir louerde. 3918 Lines 3919 through 3931 Bot whene oure wiese kyng wiste þat Gawayne was landede, 3919 He al towrythes for woo, and, wryngande his handes, 3920 Gers lawnche his botes appon a lawe watire, 3921 Londis als a lyon with lordliche knyghtes, 3922 Slippes in in the sloppes o slante to þe girdyll, 3923


Swalters vpe swyftly with his swerde drawen, 3924 Bownnys his bataile and baners displayes, 3925 Buskes ouer þe brode sandes with breth at his herte, 3926 Ferkes frekkly one felde þare þe feye lygges. 3927 Of the traytours men one trappede stedis, 3928 Ten thosandez ware tynte, þe trewghe to acownt, 3929 And certane on owre syde seuen score knyghtes, 3930 In soyte with theire souerayne vnsownde are beleuede. 3931 [folio 94v] Lines 3932 through 3948 Þe Kyng comly ouerkeste knyghtes and othire, 3932 Erlles of Awfrike and Estriche berynes, 3933 Of Orgaile and Orekenay, þe Iresche kynges, 3934 The nobileste of Norwaye, nowmbirs full hugge, 3935 Dukes of Danamarke and dubbid knyghtes; 3936 And the Guthede kynge in the gay armes 3937 Lys gronande on þe grownde and girde thorowe even. Page 147 3938 The riche kynge ransakes with rewthe at his herte, 3939 And vp rypes the renkes of all þe Rownde Tabyll; 3940 Ses them all in a soppe in sowte by them one, 3941 With the Sarazenes vnsownde enserclede abowte; 3942 And Sir Gawayne the gude in his gaye armes, 3943 Vmbegrippede the girse and one grouffe fallen, 3944 His baners brayden down, betyn of gowlles, 3945 His brand and his brade schelde all blody beronen; 3946 Was neuer oure semliche kynge so sorowfull in herte, 3947 Ne þat sanke hym so sade bot þat sighte one. 3948 Lines 3949 through 3974 Than gliftis þe gud kynge and glopyns in herte, 3949 Gronys full grisely with gretande teris; 3950 Knelis down to þe cors and kaught it in armes, 3951


Kastys vpe vmbrere and kyssis hym sone, 3952 Lokes one his eye-liddis, þat lowkkide ware faire, 3953 His lippis like to þe lede and his lire falowede. 3954 Þan the corownde kyng cryes full lowde, 3955 "Dere kosyn o kynde, in kare am I leuede, 3956 For nowe my wirchipe es wente and my were endide; 3957 Here es þe hope of my hele, my happynge of armes— 3958 My herte and my hardynes hale one hym lengede, 3959 My concell, my comforthe, þat kepide myn herte. 3960 Of all knyghtes þe kynge þat vndir Criste lifede, 3961 Þou was worthy to be kyng, þofe I þe corown bare; 3962 My wele and my wirchipe of all þis werlde riche 3963 Was wonnen thourghe Sir Gawayne and thourghe his witt one." 3964 "Allas!" saide Sir Arthure, "Nowe ekys my sorowe; 3965 I am vttirly vndon in myn awen landes. 3966 A, dowttouse, derfe dede, þou duellis to longe! 3967 Why drawes þou so one dreghe? Thow drownnes myn herte!" 3968 Than swel [supplied by ed.] tes the swete kyng and in swoun fallis, 3969 Swafres vp swiftely and swetly hym kysses, 3970 Till his burliche berde was blody berown, 3971 Alls he had bestes birtenede and broghte owt of life; 3972 Ne had Sir Ewayne comen and othire grete lordys, 3973 His bolde herte had brousten for bale at þat stownde. 3974 Lines 3975 through 3996 "Blyne," sais thies bolde men, "thow blondirs þi selfen; Page 148 3975 Þis es botles bale, for bettir bees it neuer. 3976 It es no wirchipe, iwysse, to wryng thyn hondes; 3977 To wepe als a woman it es no witt holden. 3978 Be knyghtly of contenaunce, als a kyng scholde, 3979 And leue siche clamoure, for Cristes lufe of Heuen!" 3980


[folio 95r] "For blode," said the bolde kyng, "blyn sall I neuer, 3981 Or my brayne tobriste, or my breste oþer! 3982 Was neuer sorowe so softe that sanke to my herte; 3983 Itt es full sibb to my selfe, my sorowe es the more. 3984 Was neuer so sorowfull a syghte seyn with myn eyghen; 3985 He es sakles supprysede for syn of myn one." 3986 Down knelis þe Kyng and kryes full lowde; 3987 With carefull contenaunce he karpes thes wordes: 3988 "O rightwis, riche Gode, this rewthe Thow beholde, 3989 Þis ryall, rede blode ryn appon erthe; 3990 It ware worthy to be schrede and schrynede in golde, 3991 For it es sakles of syn, sa helpe me oure Lorde." 3992 Down knelis þe Kyng with kare at his herte, 3993 Kaughte it vpe kyndly with his clene handis, 3994 Keste it in a ketill-hatte and couerde it faire, 3995 And kayres furthe with þe cors in kyghte þare he lenges. 3996 Lines 3997 through 4024 "Here I make myn avowe," quod the Kynge than, 3997 "To Messie, and to Marie, the mylde Qwene of Heuen, 3998 I sall neuer ryvaye, ne raches vncowpyll 3999 At roo ne raynedere þat rynnes appone erthe; 4000 Neuer grewhownde late glyde, ne gossehawke latt flye, 4001 Ne neuer fowle see fellide þat flieghes with wenge; 4002 Fawkon ne formaylle appon fiste handill, 4003 Ne ȝitt with gerefawcon rejoyse me in erthe; 4004 Ne regne in my royaltez, ne halde my Rownde Table, 4005 Till thi dede, my dere, be dewly reuengede; 4006 Bot euer droupe and dare, qwylls my lyfe lastez, 4007 Till Drighten and derfe dede hafe don qwate them likes." 4008 Than kaughte they vpe þe cors with kare at theire hertes, 4009 Karyed one a coursere with þe Kynge selfen; 4010


The waye vnto Wynchestre þay wente at the gayneste, 4011 Wery and wandsomdly, with wondide knyghtes. Page 149 4012 Thare come þe prior of þe plas and professide monkes, 4013 Apas in processione and with the Prynce metys; 4014 And he betuke þam the cors of þe knyghte noble. 4015 "Lokis it be clenly kepyd," he said, "and in þe kirke holden, 4016 Done for derygese, as to þe ded fallys, 4017 Menskede with messes for mede of þe saule; 4018 Loke it wante no waxe, ne no wirchipe ells, 4019 And at þe body be bawmede and one erthe holden; 4020 Ȝiff þou kepe thi couent encroche any wirchipe 4021 At my comyng agayne, ȝif Crist will it thole, 4022 Abyde of þe beryeng till they be broughte vndire, 4023 Þat has wroghte vs this woo and þis werre mouede." 4024 Lines 4025 through 4059 Þan sais Sir Wychere þe wy, a wyese mane of armes, 4025 "I rede ȝe warely wende and wirkes the beste; 4026 Soiorne in this ceté and semble thi berynes, 4027 And bidde with thi bolde men in thi burghe riche; 4028 Get owt knyghttez of contres that castells holdes, 4029 And owt of garysons grete gude men of armes, 4030 For we are fraithely to fewe to feghte with them all, 4031 Þat we see in his sorte appon þe see bankes." 4032 With krewell contenaunce thane the Kyng karpis theis wordes: 4033 [folio 95v] "I praye the, kare noghte, Sir Knyghte, ne caste þou no dredis; 4034 Hadde I no segge bot my selfe one vndir sone, 4035 And I may hym see with sighte or one hym sette hondis, 4036 I sall even amange his mene malle hym to dede! 4037 Are I of þe stede styre halfe a stede lenghe, 4038 I sall stryke [supplied by ed.] hym in his stowre and stroye hym for euer;


4039 And þareto make I myn avowe devottly to Cryste, 4040 And to Hys Modyre Marie, þe mylde Qwene of Heuen, 4041 I sall neuer soiourne sounde, ne sawghte at myne herte, 4042 In ceté ne in subarbe sette appon erthe, 4043 Ne ȝitt slomyre ne slepe with my slawe eyghne, 4044 Till he be slayne þat hym slowghe, ȝif any sleyghte happen; 4045 Bot euer pursue the payganys þat my pople distroyede, 4046 Qwylls I may pare them and pynne, in place þare me likes." 4047 Thare durste no renke hym areste of all þe Rownde Table, 4048 Ne none paye þat Prynce with plesande wordes, Page 150 4049 Ne none of his ligemene luke hym in the eyghne, 4050 So lordely he lukes for losse of his knyghttes. 4051 Thane drawes he to Dorsett and dreches no langere, 4052 Derefull dredlesse with drowppande teris; 4053 Kayeris into Kornewayle with kare at his herte: 4054 The trays of þe traytoure he trynys full euene, 4055 And turnys in be þe Treyntis þe traytoure to seche, 4056 Fyndis hym in a foreste þe Frydaye thereaftire; 4057 The Kyng lyghttes one fott and freschely askryes, 4058 And with his freliche folke he has þe felde nomen. 4059 Lines 4060 through 4112 Now isschewis his enmye vndire þe wode eyuys, 4060 With ostes of alynes full horrebill to schewe. 4061 Sir Mordrede the Malebranche, with his myche pople, 4062 Foundes owt of the foreste appon fele halfes, 4063 In seuen grett batailles semliche arrayede, 4064 Sexty thowsande men—the syghte was full hugge— 4065 All fyghtande folke of þe ferre laundes, 4066 Faire fettede one frownte be tha fresche strondes. 4067 And all Arthurs oste was amede with knyghtes, 4068


Bot awghtene hundrethe of all, entrede in rolles; 4069 This was a mache vnmete, bot myghttis of Criste, 4070 To melle with þat multitude in þase man londis. 4071 Than the royall roy of þe Rownde Table 4072 Rydes one a riche stede, arrayes his beryns, 4073 Buskes his avawmwarde, als hym beste likes; 4074 Sir Ewayne and Sir Errake and othire gret lordes, 4075 Demenys the medilwarde menskefully thareaftyre, 4076 With Merrake and Meneduke, myghtty of strenghes; 4077 Idirous and Alymere, þire auenaunt children, 4078 Ayers with Arthure, with seuen score of knyghtes; 4079 He rewlis þe rerewarde redyly thareaftyre, 4080 The rekeneste redy men of þe Rownde Table, 4081 And thus he fittis his folke and freschely askryes, 4082 And syen comforthes his men with knyghtlyche wordes: 4083 "I beseke ȝow, Sirs, for sake of oure Lorde, 4084 That ȝe doo wele todaye and dredis no wapen; 4085 Fighttes fersely nowe and fendis ȝoure seluen, 4086 [folio 96r] Fellis down ȝone feye folke, the felde sall be owrs; Page 151 4087 They are Sarazenes, ȝone sorte— vnsownde motte they worthe! 4088 Sett one them sadlye, for sake of oure Lorde. 4089 Ȝif vs be destaynede to dy todaye one this erthe, 4090 We sall be hewede vnto Heuen, or we be halfe colde. 4091 Loke ȝe lett for no lede lordly to wirche: 4092 Layes ȝone laddes lowe be the layke ende. 4093 Take no tente vnto me, ne tale of me rekke; 4094 Bes besy one my baners with ȝoure brighte wapyns, 4095 That they be strenghely stuffede with steryn knyghtes, 4096 And holden lordly one lofte, ledys to schewe; 4097 Ȝif any renke them arase, reschowe them sone. 4098


Wirkes now my wirchipe, todaye my werre endys; 4099 Ȝe wotte my wele and my woo—wirkkys as ȝow likys. 4100 Crist comly with crown comforthe ȝow all, 4101 For þe kyndeste creatours that euer kynge ledde; 4102 I gyffe ȝow all my blyssyng with a blithe will, 4103 And all Bretowns bolde—blythe mote ȝe worthe." 4104 They pype vpe at pryme tyme, approches them nere: 4105 Pris men and priste proues theire strenghes; 4106 Bremly the brethemen bragges in troumppes, 4107 In cornettes comlyly, when knyghttes assembles, 4108 And thane jolyly enjoynys þeis jentyll knyghttes; 4109 A jolyere journé ajuggede was neuer, 4110 Whene Bretons boldly enbraces theire scheldes, 4111 And Cristyn encroyssede them and castis in fewtire. 4112 Lines 4113 through 4154 Þan Sir Arthure oste his enmye askryes, 4113 And in they schokke theire scheldes, schontes no lengare; 4114 Schotte to þe schiltrons and schowttes full heghe, 4115 Thorowe scheldis full schene schalkes they touche. 4116 Redily thas rydde men of the Rownde Table 4117 With ryall raunke stele rittys theire mayles; 4118 Bryneys browdden they briste and burneste helmys, 4119 Hewes haythen men down, halses in sondre. 4120 Fyghtande with fyne stele, þe feye blod rynnys; 4121 Of þe frekkeste of frounte, vnfers ere belevede. 4122 Ethyns of Argayle and Irische kynges 4123 Enverounes oure avawmwarde with venymos beryns; 4124 Peghttes and paynymes with perilous wapyns, Page 152 4125 With speres disspetousely disspoylles oure knyghttes, 4126 And hewede down the hendeste with hertly dynttys; 4127 Thorow the holle batayle they holden theire wayes. 4128


Þus fersly they fyghte appon sere halfes, 4129 That of þe bolde Bretons myche blode spillis; 4130 Thare durste non rescowe them for reches in erthe, 4131 Þe steryn ware þare so stedde and stuffede with [supplied by ed.] othire; 4132 He durste noghte stire a steppe, bot stodde for hym seluen, 4133 Till thre stalis ware stroyede be strenghe of hym one. 4134 "Idrous," quod Arthure, "ayre the byhoues; 4135 I see Sir Ewayne ouersette with Sarazenes kene. 4136 [folio 96v] Redy the for rescows, arraye thee sone; 4137 Hye þe with hardy men in helpe of thy fadire. 4138 Sett in one the syde and socoure ȝone lordes: 4139 Bot they be socourrede and sownde, vnsawghte be I euer." 4140 Idrous hym ansuers ernestly þareaftyre: 4141 "He es my fadire, in faithe—forsake sall I neuer; 4142 He has me fosterde and fedde and my faire bretheren. 4143 Bot I forsake this gate, so me Gode helpe, 4144 And sothely all sybredyn bot thy selfe one; 4145 I breke neuer his biddyng for beryn one lyfe, 4146 Bot euer bouxvm as beste blethely to wyrke. 4147 He comande me kyndly, with knyghtly wordes, 4148 That I schulde lelely one þe lenge and one noo lede ells; 4149 I sall hys comandement holde, ȝif Criste wil me thole. 4150 He es eldare than I, and ende sall we bothen: 4151 He sall ferkke before, and I sall come aftyre; 4152 Ȝiffe hym be destaynede to dy todaye one þis erthe, 4153 Criste comly with crown take kepe to hys saule." 4154 Lines 4155 through 4261 Þan remys the riche kyng with rewthe at his herte, 4155 Hewys hys handys one heghte and to þe heuen lokes: 4156 "Qwythen hade Dryghttyn destaynede at his dere will, 4157 Þat he hade demyd me todaye to dy for ȝow all; 4158


That had I leuer than be lorde all my lyfe tym 4159 Off all þat Alexandere aughte qwhills he in erthe lengede." 4160 Sir Ewayne and Sir Errake, þes excellente beryns, 4161 Enters in one þe oste and egerly strykes; Page 153 4162 The ethenys of Orkkenaye and Irische kynges, 4163 Þay gobone of þe gretteste with growndene swerdes, 4164 Hewes one þas hulkes with þeire harde wapyns, 4165 Layed down þas ledes with lothely dynttys; 4166 Schuldirs and scheldys þay schrede to þe hawnches, 4167 And medills thourghe mayles þay merken in sondire— 4168 Siche honoure neuer aughte none erthely kyng 4169 At theire endyng daye, bot Arthure hym seluen. 4170 So þe droughte of þe daye dryede theire hertes, 4171 That bothe drynkles they dye—dole was þe more. 4172 Now mellys oure medillwarde and mengen togedire 4173 Sir Mordrede þe Malebranche, with his myche pople; 4174 He had hide hym behynde within thas holte eyuys, 4175 With halle bataile on hethe—harme es þe more; 4176 He hade sene þe conteke al clene to þe ende, 4177 How oure cheualrye cheuyde be chaunces of armes; 4178 He wiste oure folke was forfoughtten, þat þare was feye leuede; 4179 To encowntere þe Kyng he castes hym sone. 4180 Bot the churles chekyn hade chaungyde his armes: 4181 He had sothely forsaken þa sawturoure engrelede, 4182 And laughte vpe thre lyons all of whitte siluyre, 4183 Passande in purpre of perrie full riche, 4184 For þe Kyng sulde noghte knawe þe cawtelous wriche; 4185 [folio 97r] Because of his cowardys he keste of his atyre, 4186 Bot the comliche kyng knewe hym full swythe, 4187 Karpis to Sir Cadors þes kyndly wordez: 4188


"I see þe traytoure come ȝondyr trynande full ȝerne: 4189 Ȝone ladde with þe lyones es like to hym selfen; 4190 Hym sall torfere betyde, may I touche ones, 4191 For all his treson and trayne, alls I am trew lorde. 4192 Today Clarente and Caliburne sall kythe them togedirs, 4193 Whilke es kenere of kerfe or hardare of eghge; 4194 Fraiste sall we fyne stele appone fyne wedis. 4195 Itt was my derlyng daynteuous and full dere holden, 4196 Kepede fore encorownmentes of kynges enoynttede; 4197 One dayes when I dubbyde dukkes and erlles, 4198 It was burliche borne be þe bryghte hiltes; 4199 I durste neuer dere it in dedis of armes, Page 154 4200 Bot euer kepide clene, because of my seluen. 4201 For I see Clarent vnclede, þat crowne es of swerdes, 4202 My wardrop of Walyngfordhe I wate es distroyede; 4203 Wist no wy wone bot Waynor hir seluen; 4204 Scho hade þe kepynge hir selfe of þat kydde wapyn, 4205 Off cofres enclosede þat to þe crown lengede, 4206 With rynges and relikkes and þe Regale of Fraunce, 4207 That was fownden on Sir Froll when he was feye leuyde." 4208 Than Sir Marrike in malyncoly metys hym sone, 4209 With a mellyd mace myghtyly hym strykes; 4210 The bordour of his bacenett he bristes in sondire, 4211 Þat þe schire rede blode ouer his brene rynnys. 4212 The beryn blenkes for bale, and all his ble chaunges, 4213 Bot ȝitt he byddys as a bore and brymly he strykes; 4214 He braydes owte a brande, bryghte als euer ony syluer, 4215 Þat was Sir Arthure awen and Vtere his fadirs, 4216 In þe wardrop of Walyngfordhe was wonte to be kepede; 4217 Þarewith þe derfe dogge syche dynttes he rechede, 4218 Þe toþer withdrewe one dreghe and durste do non oþer; 4219


For Sir Marrake was man merrede in elde, 4220 And Sir Mordrede was myghty and in [supplied by ed.] his moste strenghis; 4221 Come non within þe compas, knyghte ne non oþer, 4222 Within þe swyng of swerde, þat ne he þe swete leuyd. 4223 Þat persayfes oure Prynce and presses to faste, 4224 Strykes into þe stowre by strenghe of hys handis, 4225 Metis with Sir Mordrede, he melis vnfaire: 4226 "Turne, traytoure vntrewe—þe tydys no bettyre; 4227 Be gret Gode, thow sall dy with dynt of my handys! 4228 The schall rescowe no renke, ne reches in erthe." 4229 The Kyng with Calaburn knyghtly hym strykes: 4230 Þe cantell of þe clere schelde he kerfes in sondyre, 4231 Into þe schuldyre of þe schalke a schaftmonde large, 4232 Þat þe schire rede blode schwede one þe maylys. 4233 He schodirde and schrenkys and schontes bott lyttill, 4234 [folio 97v] Bott schokkes in scharpely in his schene wedys: 4235 The felone with þe fyn swerde freschely he strykes; 4236 The felettes of þe ferrere syde he flassches in sondyre, Page 155 4237 Thorowe jopown and jesserawnte of gentill mailes— 4238 The freke fichede in þe flesche an halfe fotte large; 4239 That derfe dynt was his dede, and dole was þe more 4240 That euer þat doughtty sulde dy, bot at Dryghttyns wyll. 4241 Ȝitt with Calyburn his swerde full knyghttly he strykes, 4242 Kastes in his clere schelde and coueres hym full faire; 4243 Swappes of þe swerde hande, als he by glentes: 4244 Ane inche from þe elbowe he ochede it in sondyre, 4245 Þat he swounes one þe swarthe and one swym fallis; 4246 Thorowe bracer of brown stele and þe bryghte mayles, 4247 That the hilte and þe hande appon þe hethe ligges. 4248


Thane frescheliche þe freke the fente vpe rerys, 4249 Brochis hym in with the bronde to þe bryghte hiltys, 4250 And he brawles one the bronde and bownes to dye. 4251 "In faye," says þe feye kynge, "sore me forthynkkes 4252 That euer siche a false theefe so faire an ende haues." 4253 Qwen they had fenyste þis feghte, thane was þe felde wonen, 4254 And the false folke in þe felde feye are byleuede; 4255 Till a foreste they fledde and fell in the greuys, 4256 And fers feghtande folke folowes them aftyre, 4257 Howntes and hewes down the heythen tykes, 4258 Mourtherys in the mowntaygnes Sir Mordrede knyghtes; 4259 Thare chapyde neuer no childe, cheftayne ne oþer, 4260 Bot choppes them down in the chace—it chargys bot littyll. 4261 Lines 4262 through 4346 Bot when Sir Arthure anon Sir Ewayne he fyndys, 4262 And Errake þe auenaunt and oþer grett lordes, 4263 He kawghte vp Sir Cador with care at his herte, 4264 Sir Clegis, Sir Cleremonde, þes clere men of armes, 4265 Sir Lothe and Sir Lyonell, Sir Lawncelott and Lowes, 4266 Marrake and Meneduke, þat myghty ware euer. 4267 With langoure in the launde thare he layes them togedire, 4268 Lokede on theyre lighames and with a lowde steuen, 4269 Alls lede þat liste noghte lyfe and loste had his myrthis, 4270 Than he stotays for made and all his strenghe faylez, 4271 Lokes vpe to þe lyfte and all his lyre chaunges, 4272 Downne he sweys full swythe and in a swoun fallys, 4273 Vpe he coueris one kneys and kryes full often: Page 156 4274 "Kyng comly with crowne, in care am I leuyde; 4275 All my lordchipe lawe in lande es layde vndyre, 4276 That me has gyfen gwerdons, be grace of Hym seluen, 4277 Mayntenyde my manhede be myghte of theire handes, 4278


Made me manly on molde and mayster in erthe, 4279 In a tenefull tym this torfere was reryde, 4280 That for a traytoure has tynte all my trewe lordys. 4281 Here rystys the riche blude of the Rownde Table, 4282 [folio 98r] Rebukkede with a rebawde, and rewthe es the more! 4283 I may helples one hethe house be myn one, 4284 Alls a wafull wedowe þat wannttes hir beryn; 4285 I may werye and wepe and wrynge myn handys, 4286 For my wytt and my wyrchipe awaye es for euer; 4287 Off all lordchips I take leue to myn ende. 4288 Here es þe Bretons blode broughte owt of lyfe, 4289 And nowe in þis journée all my joy endys." 4290 Thane relyes þe renkes of all þe Rownde Table: 4291 To þe ryall roy thay ride þam all; 4292 Than assembles full sone seuen score knyghtes, 4293 In sighte to þaire souerayne, þat was vnsownde leuede. 4294 Than knelis the crownede kynge and kryes one lowde, 4295 "I thanke þe, Gode, of Thy grace, with a gud wyll, 4296 That gafe vs vertue and witt to vencows þis beryns; 4297 And vs has grauntede þe gree of theis gret lordes. 4298 He sent vs neuer no schame, ne schenchipe in erthe, 4299 Bot euer ȝit þe ouerhande of all oþer kynges. 4300 We hafe no laysere now þese lordys to seke, 4301 For ȝone laythely ladde me lamede so sore; 4302 Graythe vs to Glasthenbery—vs gaynes non oþer— 4303 Thare we may ryste vs with roo and raunsake oure wondys. 4304 Of þis dere day werke, þe Dryghtten be loued, 4305 That vs has destaynede and demyd to dye in oure awen." 4306 Thane they holde at his heste hally at ones, 4307 And graythes to Glassthenberye þe gate at þe gayneste; 4308 Entres þe Ile of Aueloyne, and Arthure he lyghttes, 4309 Merkes to a manere there, for myghte he no forthire; 4310


A surgyn of Salerne enserches his wondes, Page 157 4311 The Kyng sees be asaye þat sownde bese he neuer, 4312 And sone to his sekire men he said theis wordes: 4313 "Doo calle me a confessour, with Criste in his armes; 4314 I will be howselde in haste, whate happe so betyddys. 4315 Constantyn, my cosyn, he sall the corown bere, 4316 Alls becomys hym of kynde, ȝife Criste will hym thole; 4317 Beryn, fore my benyson, thowe berye ȝone lordys, 4318 That in baytaille with brondez are broghte owte of lyfe; 4319 And sythen merke manly to Mordrede children, 4320 That they bee sleyghely slayne and slongen in watyrs; 4321 Latt no wykkyde wede waxe, no wrythe one this erthe— 4322 I warne fore thy wirchipe, wirke alls I bydde. 4323 I foregyffe all greffe, for Cristez lufe of Heuen; 4324 Ȝife Waynour hafe wele wroghte, wele hir betydde." 4325 He saide In manus with mayne one molde whare he ligges, 4326 And thus passes his speryt, and spekes he no more. 4327 [folio 98v] The baronage of Bretayne thane, bechopes and othire, 4328 Graythes them to Glasthenbery with gloppynnande hertes, 4329 To bery thare the bolde kynge and bryng to þe erthe, 4330 With all wirchipe and welthe þat any wy scholde. 4331 Throly belles thay rynge and Requiem syngys, 4332 Dosse messes and matyns with mournande notes: 4333 Relygeous reueste in theire riche copes, 4334 Pontyficalles and prelates in precyouse wedys, 4335 Dukes and dusszeperis in theire dule-cotes, 4336 Cowntasses knelande and claspande theire handes, 4337 Ladys languessande and lowrande to schewe; 4338 All was buskede in blake, birdes and othire, 4339 That schewede at the sepulture, with sylande teris— 4340


Whas neuer so sorowfull a syghte seen in theire tym. 4341 Thus endis Kyng Arthure, as auctors alegges, 4342 That was of Ectores blude, the kynge son of Troye, 4343 And of Sir Pryamous the prynce, praysede in erthe; 4344 Fro thythen broghte the Bretons all his bolde eldyrs 4345 Into Bretayne the Brode, as þe Bruytte tellys. 4346

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