Of Arthour & of Merlin

General notes

Ihesus Crist Heuen-king {f.201rb} View Facsimile
Al ous graunt gode ending
& seynt Marie þat swete þing
So be at our bigining
5000 & help ous at our nede,
& leue ous wele to spede
leue: first e superscript.
Þat we habbeþ euer to don,
& scheld ous fram our fon.
Childer þat ben to boke ysett
1000 In age hem is miche þe bett
For þai mo witen & se
Miche of Godes priuete
Hem to kepe & to ware
Fram sinne & fram warldes care,
1500 & wele ysen ȝif þai willen
Þat hem no þarf neuer spillen -
Auauntages þai hauen þare
Freynsch & Latin eueraywhare.
Of Freynsch no Latin nil y tel more
2000 Ac on J[n]glisch ichil tel þerfore
Riȝt is þat J[n]glische vnderstond
Þat was born in Jnglond.
Freynsche vse þis gentil man
Ac euerich Jnglische Jnglische can;
2500 Mani noble ich haue yseiýe
Þat no Freynsche couþe seye,
Biginne ichil for her loue
Bi Ihesus leue þat sitt aboue
On Inglische tel mi tale -
3000 God ous sende soule hale.
Now ich ȝou telle þis romaunce.
A king hiȝt while sir Costaunce
Þat regned in [Jnglond].
Mani .................. {f.201va} View Facsimile
3500 H......................
O......................
H.....................

4000 A.....................

Þ.....................
N....................
¶ H....................
Cost[aunce].............
4500 Þat oþer broþer name was
Sir Aurilis Brosias,
Þe þridde broþer of gret renoun
Was cleped Vter Pendragoun.
Pendragoun: MS reads Pendradoun.
Ac þe eldest sone Costentine
Erasure between þe and eldest.
5000 Was noble clerk & wise afine;
He loued God & holy chirche
& holy werkes for to wirche,
Forþi he bisouȝt his fader dere
Þat him graunted his prayer
5500 Þat he most monke be
At Vinchester in þat gode cite,
& maki Brosias his broþer
Or Pendragoun king & no noþer.
Þe king was loþ graunti þertille
6000 Ac noþeles toȝain his owen wille
At Winchester he was monke ymade
Wiþouten his fader þe Kinges rade.
¶ Sone after as ich finde in boke
A gret sikenes þe King him toke
6500 Þat out of þis warld he most wende.
After his barouns he gan sende
& when þai were ycomen ichon
Þe King seyd to hem anon
‘Lordinges,’ he seyd ‘lesse & mare,
7000 Out of þis warld y most fare;
Þerfore y pray for loue o me
For Godes loue & for charite
When ich am dede & roten in clay
Helpeþ mi childer þat ȝe may,
7500 & takeþ Costaunt mi neldest sone
& ȝif him boþe reng & [c]rone
& holdeþ him for ȝour lord euer mo.’ {f.201vb} View Facsimile
Al þay graunt it schuld be so.
Þan hadde þis king as ȝe may here
8000 A steward þat hiȝt Fortiger.
Strong he was & wiȝt, ywis,
Fals & ful of couaitise.
Þe king he hadde yserued long
& for he was so wiȝt & strong
8500 In him was al his trust at nede
& ȝaue him boþe lond & lede
To help his childer after his day
& oftsiþes he gan him pray
To gouerny hem wiþ al his miȝt –
gouerny: MS reads goruerny
9000 His treuþe he dede him for to pliȝt.
& when þe king hadde his liif forlore
Sone þat traitour was forswore
& wiþ gret tresoun brak his treuþe
& dede hem wrong & þat was reuþe.
9500 ¶ Out of þis world þe king went
& was ybiried verrament -
At Winchester wiþouten les
Þer þat king bigrauen wes.
Erls & barouns euerichon
1000 Token hem to red anon
Wiþouten ani more duelling
& made Costaunce her king
MS: biforþ struck through;
her superscript.
& for þat he was monke þore
‘King Moyne’ men cleped him euer more,
1050 Ac þe steward sir Fortiger
Was wel wroþ in his maner
& wiþ al his miȝt was þeroȝain
As fer forþ as he durst sayn.
¶ King Angys sone herd it telle,
1100 He gadred him folk wel felle
Of Danmark & of Sessoyne
For to wer oȝaines Moyne,
He filled ful mani dromouns
Of kinges erls & barouns,
1150 Vp þai sett sail & mast
& into Jnglond com an hast -
Ac Jnglond was yhoten þo
Michel Breteyne wiþouten no.
Þe Bretouns þat beþ Jnglisse nov
1200 Herd telle when he com & hou
Þat Angys bi water brouȝt; {f.202ra} View Facsimile
Þe king Fortiger bisouȝt
He schuld afong his pouwer
& be steward as he was er
1250 & help him bi day & niȝt
Oȝain his fomen for to fiȝt,
He it forsoke & seyd he nold
Noiþer for siluer no for gold
& feined him þat he no miȝt
1300 At batayle com for to fiȝt -
& al he it dede for traisoun
King to be was his achesoun.
¶ Angys was riued wiþ mani a man
King Moyne went him oȝan,
1350 Þo he come þider wiþouten faile
Sone was smiten þe batayle;
Þer was broken spere & scheld
& mani a kniȝt of hors yfeld
Ac our men & king Moyne
1400 Were ouercomen wiþouten asoine,
To Winchester þai flowen þo
Winchester: MS reads Wincherster.
Wiþ mani siȝhing & walewo
Þat swiche a sleiȝster wiþ hond
Was fallen into Jnglond -
1450 Þer was mani kniȝt yslawe
& mani swain ybrouȝt of dawe.
Angis tok in a þrowe
Mani castels & tounes arowe
& put þerin his men
1500 For to stonden our oȝen
& sent after eld & ȝing
For to help in his fiȝting.
¶ Þo were fel kinges in lond
Þat Costaunce wan vnder his hond,
1550 Mani of hem so weren þare
Of þat descomfite hadden care
& oft Ihesu Crist hye bisouȝt
He schuld hem help as he hem bouȝt
& hem bring out of her care
1600 After þat þai worþi ware.
¶ On a day as y ȝou telle
Our princes speken wordes felle
& seyd þat her king
Nas bot a breþeling;
1650 ȝif Fortiger her prince ware {f.202rb} View Facsimile
‘No hadde we nouȝt hadde so miche care’
Þai hadden leuer þan ani þing
Þat he were chosen to her king -
In her witt þai vnderstode
1700 Þat it were so in his mode
Her king to ben himselue.
To him þerfore þai sent tvelue -
Wisest þai chosen of þat lond -
Þat schuld wele his hert fond
1750 Why he nold wiþ hem come
So he tofore was ywone.
¶ Þis tvelue to him come
So þe conseil was ynome,
Wiþ grete honour & him gret
1800 & he hem badde bi him site -
What he desired for to ben
Bi his answere þai schuld ysen.
He asked hem wat was her wille
& þai him seyd tidinges ille:
þai superscript.
1850 Angys hem hadde ouercome
& michel of her lond binome
& mani barouns & kniȝt yslawe
& her kin brouȝt of dawe,
Þerfore þe conseyl of þe lond
1900 Bad he schuld don his hond
Þis ich wo amende raþe
Þat þai no hadde no more scaþe.

Þo bispak him Fortiger,
Gode kniȝt hardi & pautener,
1950 ‘Y nam noiþer ȝour douke no king,
Whi aske ȝe me conseiling?
King Costauns y was to swore,
Euer y was ȝou þo tofore
& wered ȝou wiþ mi power
2000 Wide & side fer & ner,
Wiþ me nis it nouȝt nov so
Þerfore to ȝour king ȝe go,
Biseche him he ȝou socour
& ȝe wil him þan honour.’
2050 ¶ Þan bispac to him a baroun
‘Sir, our king is bot a conjoun;
Þo he seiȝe swerdes drawe
To fle sone he was wel fawe.
He no can conseil to no gode {f.202va} View Facsimile
2100 He is so adrad he is neiȝe wode.
Whiles þou were in our þrome
No were we neuer ouercome,
Þat we forlorn at þis asaut
Second r of forlorn is superscript.
Al we wite it þi defaut -
2150 So siggeþ al our pers.’
‘Y leue wele’ quaþ Fortigers
‘Nil ich me noþing auentour
To purchas a fole gret honour -
ȝif Moyne ȝour king ded ware
2200 Ich wald ȝou help out of care.’
‘Sir’ þai seyd to him þo
‘Wiltow þat we Moyne slo?’
¶ ‘Nay, ac goþ fro me bliue -
While ich wot he is oliue
2250 Conseyl worþ ȝou of me non.’
Þe barouns þennes gan gon
To take her king þai wenten alle
& founden king Moyne in his halle
Þer he sat at his mete,
2300 On him þai schoten wiþ gret hete
& smiten of his heued wiþ a sword
Er þai spoken ani word
& who so struted oȝainward
Anon þai ȝauen hem dintes hard,
hem corrected from him.
2350 Out atte þe dore þai flowen anon
& ascaped euerichon.
Þerfore was contek & striif
& mani it abouȝt wiþ þe liif
Ac seþþen þe king yslawe was
2400 & opon hem fallen swiche a cas
A king þai mosten haue swiþe
Al her sorwe for to liþe
& þat he miȝt hem were þan
Oȝain Angys þat douhti man.
2450 ¶ & þan Vter Pendragon
Armes miȝt bere non
No Aurilis Brosias is broþer
Þan þai most chese anoþer,
Whereþurth þai seyd in þat nede
2500 Wele no miȝt þai nouȝt spede
Bot ȝiue þai wold Fortiger
Chese to her king þere;
Nouȝt fele nar þeroȝen {f.202vb} View Facsimile
Ac seyden þat it most ben;
2550 What for loue what for ay
Non no durst oȝain say
Ac þer þai chosen old & ȝing
Fortiger to ben her king.

Mirie time is Auerille
2600 Þan scheweþ michel of our wille,
In feld & mede floures springeþ,
In grene wode foules singeþ;
ȝong man wexeþ jolif
& þan proudeþ man & wiif.
2650 ¶ Þe barouns com to Fortiger
& gretten him wiþ glad cher
& seyd þat her solas
Þurth wicked men ylorn was
Þat was Moyne her king,
2700 & his breþer were to ȝing,
‘& for we ȝou witeþ wiȝt & trest -
Of al men ȝe mowen best
Vs kepen oȝain our fon
So ȝe han er þis ydon -
2750 We haue ȝou chosen our king
& ȝouen ȝou boþe croun & ring.
Þe heiȝe siggeþ & þe lowe also
It miȝt no better ben ydo.’
¶ ‘Now gramerci’ quaþ Fortiger
Now: MS reads Mow.
2800 & was made king wiþouten daunger,
Ac at his corounment
To barouns þer weren gent
Þat þis tresoun vnderstode
& sore hem rewe þe kinges blod
2850 Þat it schuld be spilt so
& tok rede bitvixen hem to
Þe to childer ouer þe se bring
& went hem forþ wiþouten lesing,
No man wist of her conseyle
2900 Bot þai alon wiþouten faile.
¶ Þe king held fest noble & gent
& afterward his parlement,
In wiche parlement he hete
Men schuld him bring þe children skete,
2950 Þai were souȝt & founde hem nouȝt
Þo he held him iuel bicouȝt
Þo Fortiger it vnderstode {f.203ra} View Facsimile
For wreþe he wex neiȝe wode -
It was no wonder forsoþe to say
3000 For þai dede him after gret tray.
¶ Fortiger al þis forlete,
Princes, doukes also skete,
Fre & bond, swain & kniȝt,
Alle graiþed hem to fiȝt
3050 Þat þai miȝten flemen Angys
& al her dedlich enemis;
So þai deden wiþouten no
& were al redi forþ to go
Oȝaines her foman Angys,
3100 Sum on gode hors of priis
Sum on palfray & on stede
& sum on fot ful gode at nede
Wiþ arwe & bowe & alblast
Her fomen for to agast.
3150 ¶ Þai wenten forþ & met Angys
Wiþ mani Sarraȝin of priis,
Þer was mani arwe yschote
& mani quarel þurth þe þrote,
Schaft tobroken & cleued scheld
3200 Mani a kniȝt feld in þe feld
Helme tobroken hauberk torent
Mani noble hors yschent,
Ac our men þer dede ful wel
Wiþ broun swerd of grounden stiel,
3250 Mani a riche Sarraȝin
Þai brouȝten into helle-pin.
¶ Angys seiȝe his del þe wors
& gan to fle wel swiþe on hors
To a castel wel strong about
3300 Where was michel of his rout,
Þo þat he left bihinden him
Hadde chaunce hard & grim
No halp hem noiþer pes no crie
No fiȝting no criing ‘Merci!’
3350 Al men maden her acord
Wiþ axes speres kniif & sword,
Al þat were bihinde yfounde
Anon þai were leyd to grounde;
No miȝt þer askape neuer on
3400 Þat he nas to deþ ydon.
Þus our folk hadden þe priis {f.203rb} View Facsimile
& went þo to bisege Angys.
Þo þai hadde him long bilay
Angys sent hem þan to say
3450 ȝif he in pays wende most
He wold taken al his ost
& leden hem to his cuntraye
& neuer eft don hem traye,
Fortiger bi his conseyle
3500 Lete hem wende hole & hayle,
Ac ferst þai sworen him an oþ
Þai schuld him neuer waite loþ.
Þus þai wenten to þe strond
strond: r is superscript.
& ferden ouer to her lond.

3550 Fortiger & his ost

Oȝain com wiþ gret bost
& held fest mani a day
Of gret delite & noble play.
When þis fest was don & held
3600 Þe xii traitours þat y of teld
Þat hadde yslawe Moyne þe king
Biþouȝt hem of a selcouþe þing:
Þai wold go to Fortiger
& asken him her lower
3650 Of þe king þat was yslawe
Wiþ tresoun oȝain þe lawe,
& seyden ‘king þou art aboue,
Þenke what we dede for þi loue;
We slouȝ our lord kende,
3700 Nov be sen ȝif þou art hende
Þurth ous þou art in þi power
ȝif ous now our lower.’
¶ Þan bispac him Fortiger
Anon to hem wiþ loureand chere
3750 ‘Bi þe lower þat God made
ȝe schul haue þat ȝe bade
So ich euer mot ythe
So no schul ȝe nouȝt serue me;
For ȝe han ȝour lord yslawe
3800 ȝe schul ben honged & todrawe.’
He dede feche hors wel sket
& teyed hem to her fet
& dede hem drawe on þe pauement
& hong hem after verrament.
3850 Mani kniȝt & baroun hende {f.203va} View Facsimile
Seiȝen þis of her kende,
Opon þe king þai ourn anon
As his dedliche fon
Ac bitven hem stode his men
3900 Stedfastliche oȝaines hem,
Þer was mani heued of hitt,
Þer was mani þrote ykitt,
Mani hert forles his blod
& mani þe bal vp in þe hod,
3950 Vnneþe þat ich day
Þe king ascaped oway.
¶ Þe barouns went þat ich niȝt
Toward her frendes ful riȝt
& her gref anon hem teld
4000 Hou Fortiger her king aqueld
Þurth tresoun þat he hadde yspeken,
he: MS reads þai.
Of him þai wald ben awreken,
Ich his frendes so bisouȝt
Þat opon Fortiger þai brouȝt
4050 Mani erl, baroun & kniȝt
Hardy & kene for to fiȝt.
Þai fouȝten wiþ Fortiger
Mani moneþ & mani a ȝere
Wherþurth mani a leuedi fre
4100 Her lord les & fair meyne.
¶ Fortiger nam gode coure
Þat he no miȝt oȝain hem doure
For þai wexen mo & mo
& his men lassed alway þo,
4150 Letters he made to Angys þe welp
& bad he schuld cum him to help
Oȝaines his men þat wald him sle
& he schuld haue half his fe;
his: s is superscript.
Angys þerof was bliþe
4200 His message he dede swiþe,
Mani þousand he tok wiþ him
Þat were boþe stout & grim
& comen ouer to Fortiger,
& he hem welcomed wiþ glad chere
4250 Of his couenaunt he was biknawe
& made Angys half-felawe
Þat he hadde or haue miȝt
Wiþ þat he schuld him help in fiȝt,
Oȝaines his men & help him were {f.203vb} View Facsimile
4300 Þat were abouten him to dere.
Þis couenaunt was made stedfast
& hem grayþed sone on hast
To batayle for to wende,
For þe barouns were hende
4350 Bi Salesbiri biside a lite
Al redi bataile to smite
& abiden her fomen
Þat þider comen hem oȝen.
Þer was sone leyd adoun
4400 Mani wel briȝt gonfaynoun,
Þe schaftes tobroken & cloþ torent
& mani a gret lording yschent;
Mani kniȝt oþer slouȝ,
Mani hors her guttes drouȝ -
4450 Ich ȝou sigge riȝt treuþe
Non of oþer hadde reuþe.
Swerdes on helmes gan driue,
Mani schaft þer gan riue,
Mani hauberk was torent
4500 & mani þurth þe bodi schent
Þer was slawe & brouȝt to grounde,
Mani man in litel stounde
A boþe half lay mani on
Þe heued fro þe nek-bon
4550 Wombe & side þurthout dast
Wiþ launce quarel & alblast
Þat mani leuedi & damisele
Biwepe it seþþen wit teres fele,
Ac Fortiger hade euer four
4600 Oȝain on forsoþe of our
Forwhi þe barouns no miȝt
Wiþstond in þat fiȝt
Ac gun fle wel fast þenne
Sum ouer se to her kenne
4650 Sum for gret ayȝe & dout
To oþer kinges flowen about;
Also we finden in þe bok
Al þat Fortiger atok
He let todrawe & anhong
4700 Were it wiþ riȝt oþer wiþ wrong,
Þe oþer he devoided alle
Of lond & tour castel & halle
& bi conseyl of Angys {f.204ra} View Facsimile
ȝaue it to Sarraȝins of pris.
4750 Þer was loue of hert cler
Bitven Angys & Fortiger.
Angys hadde verrament
A douhter boþe fair & gent -
Ac sche was heþen Sarraȝin -
4800 & Fortiger for loue fin
Hir tok to fere & to wiue,
& was curssed in al his liue
For he lete Cristen wedde haþen
& meynt our blod as flesche & maþen.
4850 Mani þousand was swiche in weddeloc
As we finde writen in bok
Þer was wel neiȝe al þis lond
To þe deuel gon an hond,
Festes he made gret & fele
4900 & hadden al warldes wele
& held no better lawe
Þan þe hounde wiþ his felawe;
Þis last wel fel ȝere.
On a day sat Fortiger
4950 & biþouȝt him of þe children to
Þat ouer see weren ygo
& of mani noble he nam ȝeme
Þat he hadde yboden flem,
Of afterclap he hadde care
5000 Þat he schuld forfare.
¶ He hete chese carpenters
Oueral in his powers
& masouns þat þai no lete
To him þai schuld comen sket,
5050 His hest was sone ydon,
Þousandes þer were anon
Wiþ her tole swiþe prest
For to do þe kinges hest,
Þe king hem gan fair to calle
5100 & þus he seyd to hem alle

‘Listneþ now heiȝe & lawe
& vnderstond to mi sawe
In mi witt ich haue yþouȝt
Ichil a castel han ywrouȝt
5150 Of wode & lime morter & ston
Þat swiche be in þis world non
Þat ȝif me comeþ ani nede {f.204rb} View Facsimile
Ich may me þere were & hede
Fro min fon þat aires hem claim,
5200 At Salesbiri opon þe plain
Þat ȝe schul yfond
To maken wiþ ȝour hond.
Loke þat trewe & ston be riche
Þe tour largge & depe þe diche;
5250 Mi deuise ich haue ysade
Now heiȝeþ ȝou þat it war made
& ȝe schullen haue hire
Al þat ȝe wil desire.
¶ Þis werkemen þider went þo -
5300 Þre þousand þer were & mo -
Hewen schides & coruen ston
& laiden foundement anon;
Sum rammed & doluen snel
& gun þat castel fair & wel.
5350 Þat folk was boþe swift & sleiȝe
Þat werk was arered brest-heiȝe
Þat ich day alle aboute
So it is writen in þe brout,
& wenten hom þo it was niȝt
5400 So it is werkmennes riȝt
& comen al oȝain amorwe
& seiȝen þing of gret sorwe.
¶ Foundement & werk þai founde
Foundement: MS reads
Foundernement.
Ligge vp so doun op þe grounde
so is superscript.
5450 Sprad it was al abrod,
For wonder þai were neiȝe wode
Ac her werk þai bigonne
So long so þai seiȝen þe sonne
& als wele spedden par ma fay
5500 So þai deden þat oþer day,
Ac þo þai come þider eft
Her werk was al vp aleft
& yschatred here & þere.
Þus it ferd wele half a ȝer:
5550 Al þat euer þai wrouȝt o day
Amorwe it ouerþrowe lay.
Þe king herd telle þis
& gret wonder hadde, ywis,
He dede aspie bi day & niȝt
5600 What þing hem lett miȝt,
Ac wite no miȝt lewed no clerk {f.204va} View Facsimile
What þing felled her werk.
¶ Fortiger sat in his halle
Among his kniȝtes & barouns alle
5650 He bat his fest & his elbowe
& seyd to hem wiþ michel howe -
Wretþefulliche þere he hete
Clerkes biforn him bring skete
Þe best þat were in þis lond.
5700 Sone was don þe kinges sond
Mani clerk was ful wide ysouȝt
& biforn him sone ybrouȝt,
Hem he aposed on & alle
Whi his werk was so yfalle,
5750 Her non no couþe him telle;
Þe king swore he wold hem quelle
Bot ȝif þai wold him telle an hond
Whi þat his werk miȝt nouȝt stond.
¶ Ten þer were of hem ynome
5800 Wisest clerkes of þe þrome
& in o chaumber ydo
Þat no man most hem com to
For þe hest of þe king
Bot vnneþe her mete bring -
5850 Astromiens þese weren
Wiser neuer non neren.
Þai were ix days bischet
Ac ȝete þai couþe litel þe bet,
Bot ich ȝou sigge verrament
verrament: first e is superscript.
5900 Þai seyȝen in þe firmament
A child in erþe biȝeten wes
Wiþouten ani mannes flesches,
¶ & þo þai com þe king bifore
Þai seyd a child on erþe was bore
5950 Wiþouten mannes biȝeteing
Þat wist wel neiȝe al þing
‘Do him sle wel sodanliche,
Þe blod to þe is tresore riche,
Were ȝour werk ysmerd þerwiþ
6000 Euer it wold stond in griþ.’
Þe king was of þis tale bliþe
& dede priueliche xii swiþe -
Þat were departed þre & þre -
To wende about þat childe to sle
6050 ȝiue þai him our finde miȝt {f.204vb} View Facsimile
Þai no schuld lete for wrong no riȝt,
Þat þai schuld sodeinliche
Smite of his heued hastiliche
& no word no speke him to.
6100 Þus bad him þis clerkes do
For þai wende it were to her lere
ȝif þat child ȝeue answere.
Þis men on þe kinges sond
Went a four half Jnglond
6150 Þre & þre bi four way
Þat child to finde y ȝou say;
Þis clerkes of whom ich teld
Wiþ þe king weren atheld
For to wite ȝif it soþe were
6200 Þat þai hadde him seyd þere -
ȝif he founde wiþ hem lesing
Her liif were at þe ending.
MS: line copied at the foot of column,
its position marked with a-b.
Lete we þis clerk bihinde,
Þis xii went þe child to finde,
6250 & are ich telle more ȝou
Of þis romaunce, y wil now
Þat ȝe vnderstond & wite
Hou þis child was biȝete
On swiche maner & w[hat] he hete,
6300 Now y pray ȝou listen skete.

He þat was & is & ay schal ben
Chese him here a swete quen
In whom he nam flesche & bl[o]d
Wiþ wiche he bouȝt ous on þe rode
6350 Whareþurth we ben to heuen ycorn
& þe deuel his miȝt forlorn,
Blisced be he in euerich song
& Mari of whom he sprong.
¶ Listneþ wele to mi steuen:
6400 Þe deuels þat fel out of heuen
Wiþ her pride Lucifer,
Sum fel to helle-fer
Sum in water sum in lond
Sum in þe aire gan wiþstond
6450 Al fort our Driȝt seyd ‘Ho!’
So þai bileued euer mo
& forsoþe þai han power
Man to dere þere & here.
Y nil ȝou telle her priuete {f.205ra} View Facsimile
6500 Bot þat longeþ now to me:
Þe deuelen þat houen abouen ous
Euer be luxsorius
& oþerwhile makeþ hem body
Of þe aire wel gent & rody
6550 & hauen miȝt & power
Doun to liȝt & derien her
Al þo þat nillen wirche
Godes comandment in chirche,
Ac whilom more þan now
6600 For þurth þe miȝt of swete Ihesu
Mani of hem yfelled is -
Al hou y no may nouȝt tellen, ywis,
Mi matery wer to long
& þe tale to ȝou wel strong.
6650 Ac þe deuelen of whom y said
Seiȝe hou Ihesu of a maide
Þurth his milce was ybore
& bouȝt al þat was forlore,
Þerto þai hadden gret ond
6700 & sayd þat þai wolden fond
To ligge bi a maidenkin
& biȝeten a child her in
Swiche schuld acomber also fele
So þat oþer had brouȝt to wele.

6750 Bi þat day was a riche man

Þat hadde to wiue a fair wiman
Bi whom he hadde a sone fre
& wel fair douhtren þre;
A forseyd deuel liȝt adoun
6800 & of þat wiif made a conioun
To don alle his volunte
Wharþurth in hem he had entre
& brouȝt hem in chideing & fiȝt
& made hem oft wroþ, y pliȝt,
6850 So þat on an euen late
Þe deuel sche tauȝt hir biȝate;
Þat ich niȝt þe deuel com
& strangled hir owhen grom,
Þe wiif hir sone seiȝe ded amorwe
6900 Anon sche heng hirself for sorwe,
Þo þat þe bounde yseiȝe þis
Anon he starf for diol, ywis.
Lo what wo & diol & dere {f.205rb} View Facsimile
Dede wretþe & foule answere.
6950 Al þe men ich ȝou say
Þat woned in þat cuntray
Hereof hadden gret pite
Boþe vplond & in cite
For þat man & eke his wiif
7000 Were yholden of gode liif.
Biside þer woned an ermite
Þat þider com þis to visite,
visite: MS reads viseite.
Blasy, ywis, his name was,
Þo he seiȝe þis he seyd ‘Allas!’
7050 & seyd it was verrament
Þe deuels foule encumbrement.
¶ Þre douhtern he fonde oliue
& he hem dede ȝern schriue
Of alle þat he couþe enserche
7100 Þurth þe lore of holy chirche
& penaunce on hem layd
For þat þai hadde God ytrayd
& tauȝt hem to serue God almiȝt,
& þo he went hom ful riȝt;
7150 Þis fair maidens þre
Serued God wiþ hert fre
In grete drede & loue.
Þe deuel þat com fro aboue -
He þat was fram heuen yfalle
7200 Of whom y spac tofor ȝou alle -

Þo he nam lickenisse of man
& com him to an old wiman
& bihete hir ȝiftes & grete fe
To wende to þis sostren þre
7250 & þe heldest to bichaunte
ȝong mannes loue for to haunte.
In þis lond was þo vsage
Who so dede wiþ man vtrage
Bot it were in wedloc
7300 In þilke time men hem tok
Wiþ iuggement, wiþouten les,
& also quic doluen hes,
Bot sche hir knewe for liȝt woman
& comoun h[ore] to alle men -
7350 Þan was it riȝt & lawe
Þat sche no schuld ben yslawe.
¶ Þis eld wiif – þat iuel sche þe – {f.205va} View Facsimile
Com to þis sostren þre
& made wailing & michel fare
7400 For þis þre maidens care,
To þe eldest soster sche seyd
‘Wolewo! mi swete maide,
Þou hast fair fot & hond
& gentil viis bi Godes sond
7450 White hond & long arm,
Certes it were michel harm
Bot þi bodi most asay
Wiþ som gentil ȝong man to play
Þat þe miȝt in þis cas
7500 Finde þe ioie & solas.’
Þe maiden seyd ‘ȝiue so dede ic
Y schuld be doluen also quic.’
¶ ‘Nay certes,’ quaþ þat eld quen
‘Þou miȝt it do wiþouten den
7550 ȝer & oþer in þi bedde
& þan þe wil þat ȝong man wedde.’
Þurth þis quen verrament
& þe fendes enticement
Þe eldest soster, y ȝou say,
7600 A ȝong man lete wiþ hir play,
Ac þo hir liked alder best
Hir gamen com al to chest
For sche was nome & forþ ydrawe
& of hir dede sche was biknowe,
7650 Þurth juggement doluen sche was.
Mani man seyd ‘Allas allas!’
For her & for her elderlinges
Men made gret diol & wepeinges.
¶ ȝete wald þe deuel ful of ond
7700 Þe midel soster a gile fond
& brouȝt hir vp a ȝong man
Wiche þat wowen hir bigan;
Al his wille don him sche lete
& it was aperceiued skete
7750 Sche was brouȝt bifor iustise
Deþ to þoly in al wise.
Sche seyd sche was a liȝt woman
& comoun hore to alle man.
Of þat chaunce mani nam kepe
7800 & wiþ eiȝen sore wepe
For ribaudye gret haras {f.205vb} View Facsimile
Tofolwe[d] hir bodi – allas
Þat þe fende haþ swiche pouwer
To deri þat God bouȝt so dere.
7850 Þe þridde soster was so wo
Hir þouȝt hir hert brast atvo:
Hir moder was ded acurssedliche
& hir fader starf reuliche
& hir broþer yslawe also
& added before rubricated h;
broþer inserted superscript.
7900 & hir soster quic doluen þo
quic is superscript.
Hir oþer soster hore strong
Þat al harlotes ȝede among.
¶ In wanhope sche fel neiȝe
Ac þurth Godes help an heiȝe
7950 Sche hir biþouȝt of þermite
Þat hem com to visite,
To him sche went þo bliue
& hir schrof of hir liue
& alle þe chaunces teld also
8000 Þat hir kin were comen to.
¶ Þis hermite hadde wonder gret
& hir tauȝt boþe & hete
Haue euer Crist in mende
& lete þe lores of þe fende;
8050 Pride wratþe & glotonie
Niþe sleuþe & lecherie
Coueitise & trecherie
Bacbiteing & envie,
Swiche þinges he bad hir flen
8100 & gode & bonair for to ben.
Alle þe werkes þat gode ware
To don he hir tauȝt þare
& þat sche nere so michel ape
Þat sche hir laid doun to slape
8150 Ar hir dore & hir fenester
Hadde yblisced & ich ester -
Þus he tauȝt hir to done
& þo sche went hir hom sone.
Þe deuel hereof hadde ond
8200 Þat hir to gile wold he fond
to is superscript.
Þurth hir soster ich ȝou telle
hir: MS reads his.
Þat was his in flesche & felle.
Þis hore com opon a day
To hir soster par ma fay
8250 & to hir soster sche gan sigge {f.206ra} View Facsimile
Þat sche it schuld dere abigge
Þat sche hadde hir hiritage,
& ran to hir in gret rage
Wiþ herlotes þat wiþ hir ware
8300 & sore bete þat wenche þare;
Into a chaumber sche ran hir þo
& fast schett þe dore hir to,
Out sche gradde & neiȝebours come
& driuen oway þis wreches sone.
8350 ¶ Þis sely þing was al day wroþ
Hir owen liif was hir loþ
On hir bed þo it was niȝt
Al ycloþed sche fel doun riȝt
& sche forȝat hir vnblisced
8400 So þe hermite hir hadde ywissed,
For wretþe sche þouȝt of blisseing non
& fel on slepe sone anon.
¶ Þe fende herof was ful bliþe
To hir he com þan swiþe,
8450 Ouer alle hir chaumber in he miȝt
For þer nas no merk of our driȝt,
To þis maiden sikerliche
He com þo & lay flescheliche.
Þis maiden sone þat hye awaked
8500 Feld hir legges al naked
& feled also bi her þi
Þat sche was yleyen bi,
Sche ros & fond hir dore loke
& noþing no was tobroke,
8550 Sche þouȝt it was þe foule wiȝt þo,
Sche was aferd, sche nist wat to do,
Hirselue sche bete & gan to tere
Wiþ boþe honden hir ȝalu here
& wepe al niȝt wiþ gret sorwe.
8600 To þermite sche went amorwe
& told him al þe cas,
He was sori & seyd, allas,
For sche no held nouȝt hir penance
Sche was fallen in encombraunce.
8650 ‘Allas sir,’ sche seyd þo
‘Certes sir, men wil me slo
Sone so þai it may wite
Þat on me is a child biȝete.’
‘Ich leue wele’ quaþ he ‘saun faile. {f.206rb} View Facsimile
8700 Ich haue of þi tale gret meruaile,
Siker, douhter, & y finde & se
Þat þou so wiþ child be
I schal þe help wiþ al mi miȝt
Til ich haue þerof a siȝt.
8750 Go now hom douhter min
& haue Crist in hert þin;
Do penaunce day & niȝt,
Serue Ihesu wiþ al þi miȝt,
He may ȝif his wille be
8800 Out of anoye bring þe.’
Hom sche went wiþ dreri mod
& serued God wiþ hert gode -
& euerich day þat biȝete
In hir wombe bigan to grete.
8850 Hir no gett it nouȝt to hide
For hir wombe wex vnride;
Þer sone after sche was ynome
& yladde to hir dome,
Sore miȝt hir agrise
8900 Þo sche stode bifor þe iustise.
¶ Þermite herd tellen þis
& þider he com anon, ywis.
Þe iustise him gan biþenche
& þus aposed þat wenche
8950 ‘O maiden, bi mi treuþe,
Of þe ich haue gret reuþe,
Whi noldestow vnderstonde
Hou þi kin is brouȝt to schond
& ben out of þis world ywent?
9000 & now þou hast þiseluen yschent
Þat hast mannes flesche yknawe
& vnderfong oȝaines þe lawe,
Þis ich day þou schalt be slawe
For þat wil now þe lawe.’
9050 ¶ ‘Certes sir,’ sche seyd ‘nay,
No dede ich neuer oȝain þe lay
Bi him þat þoled ded on tre
Man no lay neuer bi me
No bi his moder seynt Marie
9100 Mannes mouþe kist in vilanie.’
¶ ‘Ey,’ quaþ þe iustise ‘swiche meruaile.
Þou lext, damisel, saun faile;
Þi tale soþe no miȝt be {f.206va} View Facsimile
Seþþen wiþ child y þe se.’
9150 ‘Certes’ sche sayd ‘wiþ child icham
Wiþouten companie of man,
So y slepe þis ender niȝt
Bi me lay a selcouþe wiȝt
Y nist neuer wat it was -
9200 Ac now ich hold to Godes gras -
Ac wele ich wot bi þis day
Þat no man neuer bi me lay.
¶ Þe iustise swore bi seynt Albon
Swiche meruail herd he neuer non
9250 ‘Þine tale ich no leue
For seþþen þat Adam was & Eue
Child biȝeten wiþouten man
Herd y neuer bot of an
Þat was Ihesu our driȝt
9300 Þurth God þe Fadres miȝt.
& for þou seyst wiþ child þou art
& haddest neuer of man part
Ar ani man þe quic delue
Telle schul wiues tvelue
9350 ȝif ani child may be made
Wiþouten knoweing of mannes sade.’
Opon tvelue wiues it was ydo
& þai com & seyden þo
Þat neuer child biȝeten was
9400 Bot Ihesu þurth Godes gras
Wiþouten mannes flesche forsoþ
& þerto þai sworen her oþ.
Þo spac Blasy þermite
‘Iustise listen me a lite.
9450 Hir tale no may sche avowe
Vnder ous alle se we mowe,
Ich haue hir schriuen & tauȝt þe lawe,
To me no was sche neuer biknawe
Þat ani man to hir cam
9500 Þat euer knewe hir licham.
Þei sche haue serued to be spilt
spilt: i is superscript.
Þe child þerof haþ no gilt,
It were gret vnriȝt to to slon
& reuþe, for þe gilt of on,
9550 Ac lete hir in ward don;
Sche schal herafter child son,
Tvo ȝer & an half þan sche mot {f.206vb} View Facsimile
Þe child loke God it wot,
When þe child can go & speke
9600 Þan ȝe may ben of hir awreke.’
‘A min Dieu’ seyd þe justise
‘Þine tales ben gode & wise,
Þerafter now wirche ichille,
Today no schal hir no man spille.’
9650 In a tour þai han hir do
Þat no man miȝt hir com to
Bot an eld midwiif
Þat schuld ȝemen hir liif.
Þerin sche was don on hast
9700 & þerin bischet ful fast,
Þilke tour was swiþe heiȝe
No man miȝt comen hem neiȝe.
A windowe was þerin
& a cabel made bi gin
9750 For to drawen vp al þing
Þat nede was to her libbeing.
Sone so hir time come
Sche childed a selcouþe grome
So ich bi bok telle can;
9800 It hadde fourm after a man
Bot it was blacker
Þan anoþer & wel rower.

Þo þat child was ybore
Blasi stode þe hole bifore,
9850 Bi þe rope þai it adoun let
& he it cristned also sket.
He clept it Merlin a Godes name.
Þe fende þerof hadde grame
For þai lese þer þe miȝt
9900 Þat þai wende to haue bi riȝt.
Þo þat child ycristned was
Blasi turned oȝain his pas
& in þe rope anon it knitt,
Þe howe wiif anon it fett
9950 & ȝede & held it bi þe fer,
Biheld his face & eke his cher
‘Away þou foule þing
Þat þi moder swiche ending
For þi sake haue schal
1000 For þou art loþlich oueral.’
Þat child spac wiþ gret den {f.207ra} View Facsimile
‘Þou lext’ he seyd ‘þou eld quen.
Mi moder quelle no may no man
While þat ich oliues am.’
1005 Þe wif agros of þis answere
& seyd ‘haue þou no power me to dere
Ich þe hals a Godes name.
On þat maner seyd his dame
& halsed him also þare
1010 He schuld telle wat he ware
Ac þei þai it hadde al yswore
Þai no miȝt do him speke no more
& y ȝou telle anon saun fayl
Þai hadden þerof gret meruail,
1015 & alle men þat herden it
Wonder hadde in her wit.
¶ Þerafterward ȝete half a ȝer
His moder held him bi þe fer
& swiþe bitter ters lete
1020 & seyd ‘allas, mi sone swete,
For þe misbiȝeten stren
Quic y schal now doluen ben.’
Þe child seyd ‘dame nay,
Ich þe swere par ma fay
1025 No schal þer neuer no iustise
Þe bidelue o non wise
No in erþe þi bodi reke
Þerwhiles y may gon & speke.’
¶ His moder wex a bliþe wiman -
1030 Fram þat ich day after þan
He teld hir vnder sonne
Al þat sche wald conne.

Þo þat child couþe go
Þe iustise com þider þo
1035 & dede feche þat wiman
Bifor þe pople riȝt onan
& swore ded sche schuld ben
Riȝt anon bi heuen-quen.
¶ Þo bispac Merlin childe
1040 To þe iustise wordes milde
‘Man wele wot þat ani gode kan
Oȝain chaunce no may no man,
Þurth chaunce & eke þurth gras
In hir forsoþe pelt y was.’
1045 Þe iustise biheld þat childe, {f.207rb} View Facsimile
For Merlin he was neiȝe wilde
& seyd ydoluen most sche ben.
Þo quaþ Merlin ‘so mot y þen
For al þat euer kanestow do
1050 Schaltow it neuer bring þerto
Þat þou mi moder delue mow,
Bi resoun ichil wele avowe:
¶ A fende it was þat me biȝat
& pelt me in an holy fat;
1055 He wende haue hadde an iuel fode
Ac al icham turned to gode,
Ac þurth kende of hem y can bo
Telle of þing þat is ago
& al þing þat is now
1060 Whi it is & what & how,
Of oþer þing þat is to come
Telle y can nouȝt al ac some -
Ich wot wele who mi fader is
Ac þou no knowest nouȝt þine, ywis,
1065 Wharþurth y tel moder þine
Digner to be ded þan moder mine.’
¶ Hou noblelich þat child answerd
Wonder hadde þat it herd
Þat so couþe speke & go
1070 & was bot of ȝeres tvo.
Þe iustise seyd ‘þou gabbest, conioun.
Mi fader was an heiȝe baroun,
Mi moder is a leuedi fre,
Oliue ȝete þou miȝt hir se.
1075 Ich wene bi þe quen Marie
Men dede neuer bi hir folie.’
¶ Þe child seyd ‘justise held þi mouþe
Oþer y schal make it wide couþe
Of hir folis mani on;
1080 Do hir after som man gon,
Bot ȝif y do hir it ben aknawe
Wiþ wild hors do me todrawe.’
Þe iustise anon raþe & skete
His moder þider feche he hete
1085 Bifor him sche com wel sone
Þe justise seyd midydone
‘Say Merlin þat þou seydest arst
Bifor mi moder ȝif þou darst.’
‘Now ich jse sir iustise {f.207va} View Facsimile
1090 Þine ordinaunce no be nouȝt wise,
ȝif ich telt þis men bifore
Hou þou were biȝeten & bore
Þi moder most ydoluen be
& þat were alle þurth þe.’
1095 Þo þe iustise þis vnderstode
He þouȝt þat child couþe gode
Into a chaumber sone anon
Al þre þai gun to gon,
& þe iustise seyd þo
1100 ‘Child Merlin, forþ þou go,
Telle now bitven ous þre
What man it was þat biȝat me.’
Þe child swore bi seyn Symoun
‘It was þe persone of her toun
1105 Haþ ypleyd wiþ þi dame
& biȝat þe al agame.’
Þat leuedy seyd ‘þou misbiȝeten þing,
Þou hast ylowe a gret lesing,
His fader was a fair baroun,
1110 Y telle þat man a conioun
Þat to þe ȝiueþ ani listening
For þou art a cursed þing
Misbiȝeten oȝaines þe lawe
Þou schust wiþ riȝt ben yslawe
1115 Þat þou no leiȝe no lesinges mo
Men for to wirchen wo.’
Þe child seyd ‘dame be stille.
Wiþ riȝt may me no man spille
For icham a ferly sond
1120 Born to gode to al þis lond
Ac þou art digne doluen to ben -
Þi sone schal þe soþe ysen.
¶ Þo þi lord com fro Cardoil
In hert þou haddest gret diol,
1125 Bi niȝt it was ar þe day
Þe persone in þine armes lay,
On þi dore þi lord gan knoke
& þou stirtest vp in þi smoke
Wel neiȝe wode for dred & howe,
1130 Vp þou schotest a windowe
& þe persone þou out lete
& afterward þou schet it sket,
& forsoþe þat ich niȝt {f.207vb} View Facsimile
He biȝat þis ich kniȝt -
1135 Hou seistow, dame, seystow auȝt?’
& sche no spac oȝain riȝt nauȝt
Ac so gretliche sche awondred was
Þat hir chaunged blod & fas.
Þe justise seyd ‘dame what seystow?’
1140 ‘Sir he seyt soþe bi Crist Ihesu
Þei ȝe me hong bi a cord
He no leiȝeþ neuer a word.’
Þe justise þo hadde no game
Ac neiȝe wode he was for schame,
1145 Merlin him cleped to an herne
& to him told tales derne
‘Sir,’ he seyd ‘listen to me
For soþe ichil now tellen þe,
Lete þi moder wende hom
1150 & sende þou after a litel grom
Þat hir cun wele aspie
For homward sche wil an heiȝe
& to þe persone sone say
Hou ichaue hem boþe biwray,
1155 When þe persone haþ herd þis
Sore he worþ adrad, ywis,
Of schameful deþ to haue of þe,
To a brigge he wil fle
Into þe water scippe he wille
1160 & so he schal himseluen spille -
Bot it be soþ þat y þe telle
Wiþ þine honden þou me aquelle.’
¶ Þe iustise dede saun fail
Al bi þat childes conseyl.
1165 He it aspide bi on hewe,
Þe childes tale he fond al trewe,
& seþþen he legged hir fore
Þe childes moder nas nouȝt forlore
& al quite he lete hir go
1170 Wiþouten pain, wiþouten wo.
¶ Seþþen Blasy þermite
Merlin com to visite
& halsed him a Godes name
Þat wiþouten harm & schame
1175 He schuld him telle al þe cas
Hou he euer biȝeten was,
Merlin him teld ende & ord {f.208ra} View Facsimile
Of his biȝeteing euery word,
& seþþen seyd to Blasy after
1180 ‘To kinges foure y worþ maister
Hem y mot ȝete alle rade
& þou schalt write her dade;
Þou schalt write þat y say
Mani man for to averray’ -
1185 Þere he teld of mani a þing
Þat Blasi made of writeing
Bi was bok we vnderstond
Al þat Merlin wrouȝt in lond.
¶ Þo Merlin was fif winter eld
1190 He was michel broun & beld
So we in boke finde conne.
His moder he dede make a nonne
Þat Ihesu Crist wiþ hert gent
Serued ay wiþ gode entent.

1195 On a day as ich ȝou telle

Þo ich þre sechers snelle
Þat were ysent fram þe king
To hauen of þin child findeing
Comen al þre bi cas
1200 Into þe toun þer Merlin was,
Merlin in þe strete þo pleyd
& on of his felawes hi[m tra]yd
Þat him seyd loude to
‘Foule schrewe, fram ous go.
1205 Þou art al biȝeten amis,
Þou nost who þi fader is
Ac some deuel as ich wene
Þe biȝat ous euer to tene.’
¶ Merlin seiȝe þis & vnderstode
1210 Þo þre it were þat souȝt his blod
Þat þo riden þerfor bi
Þat of þis child herden cri,
He seiȝe þat ich his hors wiþdrouȝ.
Merlin schoke his heued & louȝ;
1215 He was of fiue winter eld
& he spac wordes swiþe beld
‘Yuel þe bifalle, þou conioun.
Þou hast yseyd to loude þi roun,
Her comeþ þe kinges messanger
1220 Þat haþ me souȝt al þis ȝer
For to han min hert-blod, {f.208rb} View Facsimile
& it no may don hem no gode;
Hast þai haue me to slen
Ac bi þat þai me wiþ eiȝen sen
1225 Þerto worþ hem no talent,
& ȝif þai deden þai weren schent.’
Messangers to him gan terne
& he oȝaines hem fast gan erne
& on hem Merlin louȝ forsoþe
1230 & seyd to hem ‘wel comeþ boþe.
Now ȝe haue yfounden me
Þat ȝou was hoten for to sle,
Ar ȝe wiþ me spak auȝt -
Þus ȝo was bihoten & tauȝt -
1235 Mi blod to haue to þat werk
Þat schuld be so strong [&] sterk,
For mi blod no worþ it þe bet
Neuer more þe bet yset;
Ichil proue leiȝers þai beþ
1240 Þat so bispoken mi deþ.
Ac certes ȝiue ich were ded
Þe king no worþ þerof no red.’
¶ ‘Seynt Marie,’ quaþ her on
‘Swiche wonder haue we herd of non.
1245 Hou wostow þat we it ben
Þat þe seche for to slen,
& þe kinges priuete?
So ȝong þou art. Telle it me.’
Merlin seyd ‘wele y wot
1250 Þe kinges conseyl eueri grot
& al þat on erþe worþ ydo
& al þat schal be don þerto.’
Þis men hadde wonder gret -
Him to sle it were vnnet.
1255 Þe child seyd ‘nouȝt me no sleþ
For y schal scheld ȝou fram þe deþ
Bifor þe king, ich ȝou pliȝt,
& telle & schewe þe soþe riȝt
Why his werk mai nouȝt stond
mai: MS reads mani.
1260 & of þe clerkes þat ben in bond
Hou þai han ylowen on me
Þe king þat soþe schal yse.
ȝif it ȝour willes is
Wiþ ȝou ichil wende, ywis.’
1265 Al þre þai spoken þo {f.208va} View Facsimile
‘Certes child we wil it be so.
Telle ous now what is þi name
Oþer what wiman was þi dame
Þat we se sum witnesseing
1270 Of þi dede – þou art so ȝing.’
‘Merlin’ anon he hem sede
‘Comeþ þider þer ich ȝou lede,
Mi moder ȝe schullen se
& wiþ þe soþe finde me.’
1275 Þer he ledde hem bi heiȝe sonne
To his moder þer sche was nonne
Þat al þat soþe was biknawe
& euerich word hem teld arawe
Hou þat child fram þe justise,
1280 Fram deþ, hir saued wiþ wordes wise.
Of þis sche told hem þus saun fayl
Þe kniȝtes hadden gret meruail.
& seþþen in gret quiet & pays
He ledde hem to his maister Blays
1285 Þat hem told & wittnes bar
Of al þing þat he seyd þar,
Merlin to Bla[si] þer meche seyd
Þat Blasi al in writt leyd.
Þat niȝt al þe messangers
1290 Þai bileften to þe sopers,
Amorwe so we seþ in boke
Al fiue þer her leue toke
At þe nonne & at Blays
& went hem forþ wele at aise
1295 Toward þe king þer he lay
So þat þai comen on a day
Þurth a toun, was chepeing,
& to selle mani a þing.
Þer Merlin houed & louȝ stille
1300 & seiȝe hou men loued schon to selle,
Þe messanger made anon asking
Whi he made swiche leiȝeing,
Merlin seyd ‘no se ȝe nouȝt
Newe schon þat man haþ bouȝt
1305 & strong clout-leþer hem to clout
& smere to smere hem al about?
He wenes to liue & hem tere
Ac bi mi soule y ȝou swere
His wreche liif he schal forlate {f.208vb} View Facsimile
1310 Her he com to his owhen gate.’
Þe messangers herden þis
& wonder hadde þerof, ywis,
For sone þerafterward þai founde
Þat man ded opon a stounde.
1315 Rest þai token þat ich niȝt,
Amorwe her way þai went forþ riȝt
& comen bi a chircheȝerd
& metten a bere to chirche-werd;
His bridel þer Merlin wiþdrouȝ
1320 & swiþe schille & loude he louȝ,
Þe messangers bad him þo telle
Whi it was he louȝ so snelle,
He seyd he seiȝe wepe þat schuld sing
& sing þat schuld make wepeing
1325 ‘For þe prest þat singeþ þare
Biȝat þat child þat liþ on bare
He ouȝt for his sinne sori ben,
& þe bond þat ȝe ȝond sen
Þat so loude & sore ginneþ wepe
1330 For blis he ouȝt to sing & lepe
For þe prestes sone is ded
Þat euer schuld haue don him qued.’
To þe moder þai gun gon
& þat soþe atoken anon;
1335 Alle þe soþe sche gan hem say
& bad hem nouȝt hir biwray
For sche were þan schent ay,
‘Verrament’ þai seyd ‘nay.’
Forþ þai went in her way
1340 Þiderward þe king him lay
So ich ȝou segge in mi rime.
Þo louȝ Merlin þe þridde time,
Eft him asked al his fere
Whi he maked swiche chere.
1345 ‘ȝis’ he sayd ‘listen now,
Þe soþe ichil tel ȝou:
Þe quen mi lordes wiif at hom
Haþ puruayd a wrongful dom;
Hir chaumberlain is a wiman
1350 Þat goþ in gise of a man,
For he is louely & of fair hewe
Our quen þat is vntrewe
& bad hir be hir leman {f.209ra} View Facsimile
For sche wend sche were a man.
1355 Þis chaumberlain seyd þat he nold
Tresoun do for no gold
Wharþurth þe quen pleint made
To mi lord þe king & sade
Þat þurth fors hir chaumberlain
fors: MS reads forþ.
1360 Wald haue hir forlain.
¶ Þe king for þis was swiþe wroþ
& wraþfulliche swore his oþ
"ȝif y may atake þis wrong
He worþ todrawe & tohong."
1365 Now wendeþ toforn on of ȝou
& tel anon þe king hou
Y haue ȝou teld of þe fals loue,
Bid him þat he þe soþe proue.’
Forþ him went a messanger
1370 Swiftlich on a gode destrer
Til þan he com to þe king;
Made he nowhar no targeing,
Þe king he fond in his halle
On þis maner he gan him calle
1375 ¶ ‘Hail þou be king Fortiger
& God þe loke in þi power
Saue & kepe þi miȝti hond.
Whe han went into al þis lond
To seche a child bi hest þine
1380 Wiche men clepeþ Merlin,
Y wot he is now fiue ȝer eld
Wise of speche of dede beld.
He can telle al þing
On erþe vnder heuen-king
1385 Þat is go & now is
& michel þat to comen is.
Þe ten clerkes on him lowe
Aforn ȝou he wil avowe,
He wil ȝou teche swiþe wel
1390 What destourbes ȝour castel
Þat it may stond on þe pleyn,
& also of ȝour chaumberlain
Þat ȝe no schul sle no hong
For it were al wiþ wrong
1395 To sle a woman for a man
Þat mannes cloþes haþ opan -
Bot ȝe him wiman finde {f.209rb} View Facsimile
ȝe schuld him hong bi þe winde.’
Fortiger awondred was
1400 & al þo þat herd þis cas,
Þe chaumberleyn he ofsent anon
Þat in strong prisoun was ydon
He was despuled fram heued to grounde
Marked woman & maiden founde,
1405 Þe king was wondred out of witt
& toke þe messanger bi þe slit
& seyd ‘telle me ȝif þou can
Who þe teld sche was wiman.’
‘Child Merlin it gan ous say
1410 As we went hiderward in our way
For he can telle & gabbe nouȝt
Of al þing þat haþ ben wrouȝt.’
& al he teld þer þe king
MS: lines 1413-6 positioned at the foot
of the column, their position marked by .+.
Of his biȝete, of his bereing
1415 & whiche þinges he gan say
As he com bi þe way.
Þan seyd Fortiger þe bold
‘& it be soþe þat þou me told
Ichil þe ȝiue lond & plouȝ
1420 & make þi felawes riche ynouȝ.’
He dede comand anonriȝt
Douke, erl, baroun & kniȝt
To diȝt her hors & make hem ȝare
Wiþ him oȝain Merlin to fare
1425 & when it was wele wiþin niȝt
Wiþ Merlin he mett, apliȝt,
& when þe king wiþ Merlin mett
Wel hendelich he him gret
& þe king welcomed þat child
1430 Wiþ fair wordes & wiþ mild,
Mani worde þai spoken sone
Þat y no haue nouȝt of to done
No al siggen y no may
Þei y sete al þis day
1435 Bot þat longeþ to þis nede
Wel schortliche jch wil me spede.
Þai were at ese þat ich niȝt,
Amorwe þai went forþ ful riȝt
& to þe stede gun ten
1440 Þer þe castel schuld ben,
Fortiger spac to Merlin {f.209va} View Facsimile
‘Tel me now sone mine
Whi no man no may her founde
Castel here opon þis grounde
1445 & whi it is ybrouȝt to nouȝt
Þat is here o day ywrouȝt.’
Merlin seyd ‘certes sir king,
Þerof nis no selcouþe þing,
Hervnder is, a ȝerde depe,
1450 A water boþe swift & stepe,
Vnder þat water ligge stones to
Brod & long þai ben bo,
Vnder þo stones beþ depe in mold
To dragouns fast yfold;
1455 Þat on is white so milkes rem
Þat oþer is red so feris lem,
Wiþin þai brinneþ boþe
& beþ togider swiþe wroþe.
When þe sonne is doun euery niȝt
1460 Togider þai fond for to fiȝt
& þurth þe strengþe of her blast
Al þi werk is doun ycast.
Þat iche þe say, now it serche
& þan mow þi werkmen werche
1465 Castel & tour after þi wille
Þai mow stond long stille.’
Þe king was wondred of þis cas
& al þat euer mid him was,
Werkmen he dede anon
1470 Þider feche mani on
Þat þer doluen in þe grounde
& sone þerafter a water founde
In whiche sone vnder hem alle
Þai maden to þicke walles
1475 Þe water vp loden þo
Alway bi to & to.
Þo þai comen to þe grounde
To stones þicke þai founde
Þat ware boþe long & brode,
ware: MS reads water.
1480 Hem bitven a gret schode
Of grauel & erþe also
Þat hem hadde schifted ato,
Mani on forsoþe þer were
Þo to stonnes for to arere.
1485 Þo þe stones weren ywent {f.209vb} View Facsimile
To dragouns þer layen ybent
Þe tail vnder hem felfeld
As-so Merlin hadde yteld.
Þat on was rede so þe fer
1490 Þe eiȝen so a bacine cler
Euerich powe a span long,
Þe fer out of his moþe sprong,
His tail was boþe long & gret,
A gastlich best he was to mete
1495 He hadde a bodi as a whal;
Erasure after as.
Þat oþer dragoun was al
Nouȝt so michel so þe rede,
& clowes he hadde qued
Hoked tail & mouþe wide,
1500 Tong so a brenand glede,
A rugged taile so a fende
& an heued at þe ne[n]de.
Boþe þai gun arise,
Al þat hem seiȝe gun agrise;
1505 Þer nas noiþer king no erl
Baroun, kniȝt, fre no cherl
Þat þer durst abide leng,
Alle þai flowen on o reng,
No man nome ȝeme who þer was he
1510 Ac ich tofore oþer gan fle.
Þe dragouns arisen of her den
& no folwed neuer on þe men
Ac togider smiten anon.
Swiche batayl nas neuer non,
1515 Þai kest fer on swiche maner
As al þe cuntre were afer,
Wiþ mouþe wiþ clowes & wiþ tayl
Þer þai maden a gret batail
Þe erþe quaked vnder hem þo,
1520 Þe weder chaunged abouen also;
Þai biten & smiten & fer cast,
Þai fellen & risen & fouȝten fast.
Almest a day þis fiȝting
Last wiþouten ani resting
1525 & þo þis more rede dragoun
Drof þis white fer adoun
Til þai com into o valaye
& þer þai gun to rest baye,
Ich vnderstond so long a while {f.210ra} View Facsimile
1530 While men miȝt gon a mile;
Þe white pere arered miȝt
& gan eft wiþ þe rede fiȝt
& þe rede he drof oȝain
Til þai com to þe playn,
1535 Þe white dragoun wiþ gret main
Þe rede drof, þat men it sayn,
& þe rede adoun cast
Þat wiþ strengþe of his blast
Þe white brent þan rede
1540 Þat of him nas founden a schrede
Bot dust, forsoþe ich saye,
& þe white fleiȝe oway -
Nist neuer seþþen man
Whiderwardes he bicam.
1545 Alle þat euer seiȝe þis
Wonder hadde gret, ywis,
Of þe dragouns þat fouȝten þo
& of child Merlin also
Þat he couþe so priue þing
1550 Soþe schewen to þe king.

Þo spac Merlin to Fortiger
‘Sir, þou sest þis þing is cler
Þat ich haue yschewed þe;
Þe clerkes do bring bifor me
1555 Þat to þe mi lord þe king
On me lowe swiche lesing
& y schal asken hem wharefore
Mi blod þai wold haue forlore.’
‘Certes’ quaþ king Fortiger
1560 ‘It schal be don wiþouten danger
Y schal þe don after mi miȝt
Al þi wille & þat is riȝt.’
Þe king anon wiþ his men
Sent after þis clerkes ten,
1565 Þo þai com bifor Merlin
He asked hem al on Latyn
Þurth wiche þing þai vnderstode
Þat þurth þe vertu of his blode
Þe kinges castel schuld on hast
1570 Haue ben gode & stedefast,
Þe clerkes spoken to þe child
Dradefullich wiþ wordes milde
‘We seiȝen’ he seyd ‘heraboue {f.210rb} View Facsimile
Ouer ous a sky houe
1575 Þat ous schewed þe biȝate
Of sw[iche] a þing on erþe late
Þurth was blod þe castel
Schuld stond fair & wel
Þis we wenden verrament -
1580 Do wiþ ous al þi talent.’
‘Ow’ quaþ Merlin sikerlike
‘Now ȝe sen ȝe ben biswike
Þe sky þat ȝou schewed þat
It was þe fader þat me biȝat,
1585 For he me hadde nouȝt to his wille
Þurth ȝou he wald do me spille,
Ac for he haþ biswike ȝou
Y pray mi lord þe king nov
Þat he graunt ȝou to liue
1590 For al þis gilt y ȝou forȝiue.’
Þe king it al hem graunted raþe
& hye him al ‘merci’ quaþe.
¶ Þo þe king & child Merlin
& euerich went vnto his in,
1595 Merlin bileft wiþ Fortiger
Ich vnderstond al þat ȝere
Bi whos conseyl & rede & witt
Þe castel was maked in a fit
Heiȝe & strong of trewe & ston,
1600 Swiche nas in þis lond non.
Þo þe castel was ymade
Men ȝeue þe king sone rade
Þat he schuld at Merlin wite
Whi þe dragouns batail smite,
1605 ‘It bitokneþ’ þai seyden alle
Sum tokening þerafter schuld falle;
Merlin com tofor þe king
& al þai asked him of þat þing,
Whi þe dragouns togider fouȝt;
1610 It bitokned sumwhat hem þouȝt.
Merlin made sumdel danger
& þo bispac him Fortiger
‘Merlin bot þou it me telle
Ichil þe do anon quelle.’
1615 Quaþ Merlin ‘y sigge, apliȝt,
ȝif þou me slouȝ it were vnriȝt
Ac þei þou haddest nome an hond {f.210va} View Facsimile
Me to sle or don in bond
Þou miȝtest fayle verrament
1620 So doþ mani of his talent,
For certes sir Fortiger
Y no ȝiue nouȝt of þi power,
Ac ȝif þou wilt finde me borwes
Þat þou no schalt me waite sorwes
1625 Y wil þe telle & noþing lyȝe
What þe dragouns signifie.’
Þat gentil folk & eke þe king
Awondred of his answering.
¶ Þe king swore opon a boke
1630 Þat he nold him neuer harm loke
& seþþen he fond him sikerliche
To borwe tvo doukes riche,
Þo him spac an heye Merlin
‘Now herken king to tale min,
1635 Þe red dragoun so strong in fiȝt
Bitokneþ þe and al þi miȝt,
Whiche þou hast procourd fro fer
Þe ded of Moyne þe riȝt air;
Þat þe rede þe white drof
1640 To a valay biside a grof
Token þou hast made flem
Þe riȝt aires out of þe rem
In cite, toun & in feld
& al þe men þat wiþ hem held.
1645 ¶ Þe white dragoun signifie
Þe riȝt air þat haþ envie
To þe þat heldeþ al his lond
Wiþ gret wrong vnder þine hond;
Þat he fleiȝe into þe valaye
1650 & recouerd miȝt, y say,
Bitokneþ þe air þe se biȝounde
Þat haþ gret socour yfounde
& is hiderward wiþ mani kniȝt
Diȝt oȝaines þe to fiȝt;
1655 Þat þe white drof oȝain
Þe rede riȝt to þe plain
rede: MS reads white.
& him þere adoun cast
& al tofrust him wiþ his blast
Bitokneþ þe air of þis lond
1660 Þat schal þe keuer into his hond
& into þi castel driue; {f.210vb} View Facsimile
Wiþ þine children & þi wiue
& mani noble of þine menne
He schal wiþ þe þerin brenne.
1665 Þe tayle of þe dragoun rede
Þat is so long & so vnrede
Signifieþe þe wicke stren
Þat schal com out of þi kin
& of þi wiues fader Angys
1670 Þat schal be ded & lesen his pris;
His kin & eke þin
Schal don wo to Bretouns kin.
Þe heued of þe white tayle
Signifieþ gret conseyle
1675 Þat schul held wiþ þe kinges blod
Of þe gentil men & gode.
Sir, forsoþe þis is þe tokening
Of þe dragouns fiȝting,
Puruay þe now, ich þe rede,
1680 Þer is comen gret ferrede.’
Þo agros sir Fortiger,
Bot his lippe & hong his cher
& to Merlin seyd anon
‘Þou most ous teche hou to don
1685 Oȝaines our fomen for to ware
Oþer of þi liif þou art al bare.’
Anon þai wold him han ynome
Ac þai nist where he was bicome.
Þe king & his folk also
1690 Þerfore made michel wo,
Þai him souȝt & nouȝt him founde.
He was oway in a stounde
Vnto his maister Blasy
& þer he told him sikerly
1695 Of þe dragouns rede & white
& Blasy dede it al in write.
He told him of þe rede dragoun
Swiþe michel confvsyoun
Of him & of his fals stren
1700 In Jnglond þat schuld ben
Mani sori chaunce & hard
Þat sone þer fel þerafterward
þer: er underdotted;
superscript t above.
Sum fel now late also
& sum beþ nouȝt ȝete ago.
1705 For it is alle þester þing {f.211ra} View Facsimile
Nil ich make þerof no telling
Ac forþ ichil wiþ mi tale.
Listneþ now gret & smale.

Miri time it is in May
1710 Þan wexeþ along þe day,
Floures schewen her borioun;
Miri it is in feld & toun,
Foules miri in wode gredeþ,
gredeþ: r is superscript.
Damisels carols ledeþ.
1715 A baroun com to Fortiger
Þer he sat at his diner
& seyd ‘allas, mi lord þe king,
Y sigge þe an hard tiding,
Orpedlich þou þe bistere
1720 & þi lond þou fond to were.
Vter Pendragoun & mani anoþer
& Aurilis Brosias his broþer -
Pople boþe gret & smale
Wiþ hem is comen wiþouten tale -
1725 At Winchester þai ben almast.
Sir, þine help now on hast.
Socour about now after sende -
Þai ben here neiȝe at þine hende -
Þat þou miȝtest oȝain hem fiȝt
1730 & hem to sle anon doun riȝt.’
¶ Vp him stirt sir Fortiger
& ofcleped his chaunceler
Þat letters fele him made, ywis,
Vnto his eldfader sir Angys,
1735 To erls, doukes & to kniȝtes
Þat were of swiþe gret miȝtes;
Þe buriays of Winchester he gret
& bad þai schuld þe gates schet
& helden wele her leute
1740 & to him loke þat cite,
ȝif þai wold his loue winne,
Þat his fon no com þerinne,
& seyd he wald hem com to
As swiþe as he miȝt it do.
1745 ¶ To Fortiger þai comen anon
Erls, barouns euerichon,
Angys his eldfader cam
& wiþ him wel mani a man,
Amirayls & doukes heiȝe {f.211rb} View Facsimile
1750 Þat in batayle were sleiȝe,
Mani þousand þer were bi tale
Boþe of gret & of smale;
Þo þai togider weren ycome
Her conseyl was sone ynome
1755 Wiþouten let forþ to wende
Her fomen for to schende
Þat þai no entred in þe lond
Harm to don oþer schond.
¶ Vp þai lift gomfaynoun
1760 & went to Winchester toun;
Vter Pendragoun & his ferrede
To Winchester þai gun spede
Wiþ so michel pople of men
Þat þai wreȝen doun & den
1765 Þat come boþe bi water & lond
For to winnen Jnglond,
Þai vndede her gomfaynoun
Wiþ a briȝt gliderand lyoun
Þat her faders hadde yben.
1770 Þe buriays it gun ysen,
Þe gomfaynoun sone þai knewe,
Costaunce ded þo gun hem rewe
Þat hadde her noble lord yben
& Moynes ded þat was his stren
1775 & wist wele þat king wiþ wrong
Sir Fortiger hadde ben long
Þat cursed was in liif & dede,
& al þat held his f[e]rrede.
Þer þai spoken hem bitvene
1780 For liif for dede no for tene
& þei þai alle hong schold
Wiþ Fortiger be þai nold
& turned hem al bi on acord
To Vter Pendragoun her lord;
1785 Þe gates al þai deden vp wide
& lete al þe folk in ride,
Hem & al her ferrade
Þai welcomed wiþ chere glade
& hem del[i]uerd þe toun als snel
1790 & hemselue & þe castel -
What þurth þanke & frende gret
Þai wonnen þer þat hem was net.
Fortiger þat comend was {f.211va} View Facsimile
Sone was told him þat cas
1795 He was neiȝe wode out of wit
& seyd it schulde hem iuel atsit,
Swiþe he heiȝed wiþ al his men,
& Vter Pendragoun hem oȝen
& desplayd his gomfaynoun
1800 A litel wiþouten Winchester toun
Þat ich oþer folk yseyȝe
Þai were neiȝed so neiȝe;
Of þis lond baroun & kniȝt
Of þe lyoun hadden a siȝt
1805 King Costaunce þat hadde yben
& Vter Pendragoun was his stren,
Anon turned her mode
To Vter Pendragounes riȝt blod.
¶ Þer was þousandes mani on
1810 Opon Fortiger þai turned anon
& seyd to him ‘wicke traytour
Þou schald abigge þine errour.’
Fortiger his swerd out drouȝ
& mani of hem þer he slouȝ -
1815 Wiþ gret ire þai run him on -
For he hem wende al his men
Ac oȝain him þai were al went
Whereþurth he was al yschent.
Fortiger was noble kniȝt,
1820 He fauȝt & slouȝ adoun riȝt.
To his help þer com Angys
Wiþ mani Sarraȝin of priis
Þat wise wordes couþe speke
Stedes prike & launces breke;
1825 Þe barouns þai bisett anon
For to sle hem euerichon.
Þer was a baroun a noble man
Þat brac hem al fram,
He dede his stede swiþe gon
1830 Til he com to Vter Pendragon
& seyd ‘welcome, air of þis lond,
No duelle her nouȝt for Cristes hond,
For loue of þi fader fre
& for drede eke of þe
1835 Þe barouns ben to þe went
& for þi loue almest yschent,
For Fortiger & eke Angys {f.211vb} View Facsimile
Hem han al biloken, ywis,
& þenke hem sle to grounde
1840 ȝif þou duellest ani stounde.’
‘Owe’ quaþ Vter Pendragoun ‘bi God aboue
Now y schal se who me wil loue,
No schal ich neuer worþ bliþe
Bot ȝiue ȝe al heiȝen swiþe.’
1845 Princes, doukes, erl & kniȝt
Priked her stedes ariȝt,
It was no nede hem to hast
Ac so quarel of alblast
Þai flowen þider riȝt anon
1850 Wiþ her lord Vter Pendragon.
Þer was sone verrament
ȝouen mani noble dent,
Schaft tobroken & swerd ydrawe,
Mani noble kniȝt yslawe
1855 & þer fauȝt sir Vter Pendragon,
Fauȝt þer as a wode lyoun,
& his broþer nouȝt forȝat,
He leyd on mani a sori flat;
Sum he cleue to þe bacin
1860 Til þat he com to þe chin,
He hadde of some sone þe heued
þe heued: MS reads y weued.
Fram þe nek-bon yreued,
Þer was slayn mani men
Sum on hille & sum in den,
1865 Ac þei Fortiger were gode kniȝt
Fortiger: ger added by another hand.
& wele him couþe helpen in fiȝt
Þurth þe barouns of þe lond
& oþer men miȝti of hond
He was þere ydriuen so neiȝe
1870 Wiþ his men oway he fleiȝe
Vnto his newe castel ymade
Of whom ich toforn sade.
Aurilis Brosias þer anon
& his broþer Vter Pendragon
1875 Þere hem wroken swiþe wel
Wiþ her brondes of ful gode stiel
Mani hundred of Sarraȝin
Þai sent þer to helle-pine.
Þo Angys al þis sleiȝster seiȝe
1880 Wiþ al his miȝt anon he fleiȝe
Into a castel of lime & ston {f.212ra} View Facsimile
Þat man no miȝt him dery non,
Þat bihinde was yfounde
Anon was ybrouȝt to grounde.
1885 Þan Vter Pendragoun þere
Folwed after Fortiger,
Þo þai to þe castel ȝates come
Wilde fer anon þai nome,
Opon þe gates þai kesten it
1890 & hem brend in litel fit;
Fortiger & wiif & child
Brent þer in þat fer wild
& al þat þer was yfounde
Was ybrent into þe grounde.
1895 Men seyt ȝere & oþer to
Wrong wil an hond go
& euer at þe nende
Wrong wil wende;
Þus ended sir Fortiger
1900 Þat misbileued a fewe ȝer -
Þei he wer strong of miȝt
To nouȝt him brouȝt his vnriȝt.
Sir Vter Pendragoun
Wiþ his folk went anon
folk: written twice, the second crossed through.
1905 For to bisege þe king Angis
Ac in a castel he lay of priis
Þat wiþ no gin, y ȝou pliȝt,
No man þerin com miȝt.
Also þai in þe sege lay
1910 Fiue barouns com on a day
Þat hadde ben wiþ Fortiger
& seyd to Vter Pendragoun þer
Al hou Merlin was ybore
& hou messangers him ȝede fore,
1915 Hou he was brouȝt bifor þe king
& hou he couþe tellen al þing,
Hou þe dragouns vnder mold
Ben þe kinges deþ it schold
& hou Fortiger him wold haue nome
1920 Ac he nist where he was bicome,
& seyd ‘sir, verrament,
ȝif he were here in present
Bi his conseyl ȝe schuld anon
Angys ouercomen & slon.’
1925 Herof awondred Vter Pendragon {f.212rb} View Facsimile
& sent messangers anon
For to finde Merlin swiþe,
Þai wenten forþ wiþ chere bliþe.

On a day þis messanger
1930 Sett hem alle to þe diner,
A begger þer com in
Wiþ a long berd on his chin
A staf in his hond he hadde
& schon on his fet badde.
1935 Wiþ his scholder he gan roue
& bad gode for Godes loue,
Þai seyd he schuld nouȝt haue
Bot strokes & bismare,
Þe eld man seyd anon
1940 ‘ȝe be nice euerichon
Þat sitten here & scorn me
In þe kinges nedes þat schuld be
For to finde Merlin child,
Þe barouns ben witles & wilde
1945 Þat senten men him seche
Þat nouȝt no couþe knoweleche;
Today he haþ ȝou oft mett
No knewe ȝe him neuer þe bet,
Wendeþ hom bi mi rede
1950 For him to finde no schul ȝe spede.
Biddeþ him & þe barouns fiue
Þai comen & speke wiþ him bliue
& siggeþ Merlin wil hem abide
In þe forest here beside.’
1955 Þo he hadde seyd hem þis
Þai nist where he bicom, ywis.
Þus telleþ þe letters blak:
It was Merlin wiþ hem spak.
Þe messangers were abobbed þo,
1960 Þai nisten what þai miȝten do,
Hom þai went anonriȝt
& to þe prince þai teld þer siȝt,
Vter Pendragoun had meruaile
& al þat herden it saun faile
1965 Þai hadden wille & talent fin
To sen & speke wiþ Merlin;
He bad Aurilis Brosias gent
To þe sege take entent
Þat Angys no miȝt oway {f.212va} View Facsimile
1970 Noþer bi niȝt no bi day
Ar he war of him awreke
For he wald wiþ Merlin speke.
Aurilis Brosias bileft stille
To kepe Angys in þe castil
1975 & sir Vter Pendragon
To þe forest went anon
Where þat Merlin dede him se
In o day in þre ble:
In o day an hogges herd
1980 Þat þe prin[c]e þe way lerd,
& eft a chapman þat bar his pac
& long wiþ þe prin[c]e spac
& seyd of Merlin openliche
He wald him telle neweliche,
1985 & afterward a fair swain
Þat þe king com ogain
& seyd him þat ich niȝt
He schuld of Merlin han a siȝt.
¶ Þo it was wel fer in niȝt
1990 Merlin com to him ypliȝt
In þe gise of a swain
Þat he hadde arst ysain
& seyd so we finde in boke
To þe prince ‘God þe loke.
1995 Icham Merlin, leue sire,
Wiþ whom to speke þou hast desire.’
Vp stirt Vter Pendragon
& biclept Merlin anon
& bad he schuld wiþ him bilaue
2000 & al his wille he schuld haue,
Merlin seyd were so he ware
To his wil he war al ȝare.
¶ Merlin teld him in þat cas
‘Y com fram Aurilis Brosias
2005 Bi mi conseyl he haþ þis niȝt
Angys slayn, y þe pliȝt.’
Vter Pendragon made joie þan
So doþ þe foule when it dawy gan
Al þat þer was so made blis
2010 & amorwe went hom, ywis,
& founden Angys yslawe,
His heued vp set his bodi todrawe,
Al his folk so was schilt {f.212vb} View Facsimile
& neuer on þer nas spilt.
2015 Sir Vter Pendragon þere
Asked Aurilis Brosias hou it were.
‘Certes’ seyd Aurilis Brosias ‘toniȝt
A swain com to me ful riȝt
& hastiliche warned me
2020 Þat Angys com me to sle,
Vp ich stirt & him met
& to þe grounde ichim stet.
Y not who him on brouȝt
No what Deuel he here souȝt
2025 Ac wiþ mi swerd scharp of egge
His liif y dede him þere legge.’
Þo spac Vter Pendragon
To his broþer swiþe anon
‘Broþer’ he seyd ‘þat was Merlin
2030 Þat so þe halp in nede þin
Þat here stont now bi me.’
& he him þonked wiþ hert fre
& proferd him al his þing
To ben vnder his ȝemeing.
2035 Also þai spac wiþ Merlin
A bod com fram þe Sarraȝin
Þai wold ȝeld þe castel
ȝif þai mosten wenden wel
To her lond wiþouten dere,
2040 Merlin ȝaf hem answere
Þat þai schuld wende anon
Bi þe princes leue ichon
& so þai deden bi Godes sond,
Alle þai wenten to her lond.
2045 & alle þe lond þo com anon
& maked her oþ to Vter Pendragon
& þo þe oþ was ymade
Erasure after þe.
Bi comoun dome, bi comoun rade,
Vter Pendragon coroun nam
2050 & king of Jnglond bicam.
Þe fest of þe corounment
In Winchester was verrament
& held it ful seuen niȝt
Þe fest noble, apliȝt.
2055 Ac ich ȝou telle þat Merlin
To Aurilis Brosias hadde hert fin
& loued better his litel to {f.213ra} View Facsimile
Þan al þat oþer bodi þo.
Ac ich ȝou telle naþeles
2060 A swiþe gode kniȝt he wes;
He forsoke scheld no spere
Neuer oȝaines kniȝt to bere,
Wiþ swerd he couþe kerue wel
Boþe in yren & in stiel.
2065 Ac forsoþe afterward
Vp him com a chaunce hard:
Of Danmark Sarraȝins
Þat were of Angys lins
Þat hem souȝt gret helping
2070 About hem of mani king -
So michel pople wiþ hem com
Þat it no miȝt telle no man -
Wiþ fele schippes & gret ynowe
Vp þai comen at Bristowe.
2075 Merlin þis wist anon
& seyd to Vter Pendragon
& to his broþer also
& teld to hem boþe to
‘Y ȝou telle saun fayle
2080 Vp ȝou is comen a strong batayle
Of Sarraȝins of michel priss
For to awreke þe douke Angys.
In þis lond bi our day
So michel folk nas neuer y say,
2085 Ac ȝour on wiþouten les
Worþ yslawe in þat pres
Ac ich ȝou telle who so it is
Schal wende into heuen-blis
Þerfore no fors no makeþ
fors: MS reads forþ.
2090 Ac gode hert to ȝou takeþ;
¶ ȝour folk departeþ atvo,
Oȝaines hem ȝe gin to go.
Vter Pendragon hem schal asayle
On þe lond-half, saun fayle,
2095 Aurilis Brosias y telle þe
Þou schalt wende bi þe se
& þer þou þe conteyn so
Þat þou hem wirche deþes wo.’
For noþing he nold say
2100 Whiche of hem schuld day.
As he hem bad þai deden so, {f.213rb} View Facsimile
Her folk departed atvo,
Vter Pendragon wiþ mani man
Anon þe Sarraȝins ȝede oȝan
2105 & also sone so he hem mett
Wiþ swerd & launce he hem gret.
Mani haþen þer was forsoþ
Þe heued cleued to þe toþ,
Þe nek-bon dassed atvo,
2110 Þe arm þe bodi smiten fro,
Wiþ swerd þe body atvo ydast,
Þe bodi out of þe sadel cast.
Þe boke it seyt, nouȝt y no lye,
Þer was don swiche cheualrie
2115 Þat no tong telle no miȝt
Þe haluendel wiþ tale riȝt.
Aurilis Brosias to þe se went
To whom Merlin hadde gode talent.
¶ Merlin sent þan anon
2120 To sir Vter Pendragon
& bad him orpedliche he schuld keþe
For he no schuld þere þoly deþe,
Þo Vter Pendragon herd þis
His hert bicome ful of blis,
2125 Wiþ wretþe & wiþ talent fin
He smot opon a Sarraȝin,
He & al his felawered
Þer þai deden noble dede -
Al þat euer wald ariue
2130 Þai binomen day o liue.
Vter Pendragon so hard hem held
Þat þai wiþ strengþe lete þe feld
& Aurilis Brosias hem held so hard
Þat he hem brouȝt oȝanward,
2135 & þo þai noure fle miȝt
Wiþ Aurilis Brosias þai gun fiȝt
& so fele about him were
His liif þai binomen him þere;
Ac þo Vter Pendragon vnderstode
2140 His broþer deþ he wex ner wode,
Þo he bisouȝt his doukes fiȝt
& him bistired þo as a kniȝt
Þat of þritti þousand & mo
No lete þai fiue oway go.
2145 Of our wer slawe þan anon {f.213va} View Facsimile
Þre þousend & ten & on.
Þre mile-wayes oþer to
No miȝt no man step no go
Noiþer on hille no in den
2150 Bot he steped on ded men,
Þe blod ouerran þe cuntraye
Oueral in þe valaye.
So it fel to þe niȝt
Vter Pendragon com fram þe fiȝt,
2155 Doukes, kinges & barouns,
Orped squiers & garsouns
Hom went to her in,
Bi rede amorwe of Merlin
Aurilis Bros[i]as out þai souȝt
2160 & richelich in erþe him brouȝt.
Þan he was helden a douhti kniȝt
& ful wele held his lond to riȝt;
Here he liued seþþen ȝeres fele
In miche pride & gret wele,
2165 Fer & neiȝe, wide & side,
His fomen durst him nouȝt abide.
Bi Merlins red euer he wrouȝt
Þat into gret power him brouȝt.
He ouercom king Claudas
2170 Þat so strong & stern was,
Þurth his miȝt also he wan
Þe douhti king Harinan
& of him he hadde first Gascoyne
& Normondye & Boloyne
2175 & al þe marche to Paito
& Chaumpeine & eke Ango.
Þis ich king Harinan
To wiue had a fair wiman,
Sche hiȝt Ygerne wiþouten no,
2180 Þe fairest lif þat liued þo.
Þe douke Hoel of Cornewaile
Spoused hir after him saun fayl
Þurth whom seþþen his liif he les -
ȝe schul seþþen here in pes.
2185 ¶ ȝete hadde Vter Pendragon
Wonne to him þe king Ban
& Bohort his broþer also -
Better bodis no miȝt non go.
King Ban hadde to his demeyne {f.213vb} View Facsimile
2190 Þe cite of Benoit of lasse Breteyne
Second of is superscript.
Wiþ cites & borwes, castels & pleyns,
& Bohort hadde þe cite of Gaines
Wiþ al þe riȝt þat longed þerto
& þus þai hadde schift atvo.
2195 ¶ & afterward, wiþouten fable,
Our king bigan þe rounde table -
Þat was þurth Merlines hest.
Of kniȝtes þat men wist best
In þis warld þurthout
2200 Þat table schuld sitte about,
At þat table non sitt miȝt
Bot he were noble & douhti kniȝt,
Strong & hende, hardi & wise,
Certes & trewe wiþouten feyntise.
2205 Her non oþer schuld faile
No neuer fle out of bataile
Whiles he on fot stond miȝt
Bot ȝif hem departed þe niȝt,
At bataile & at bord also
2210 Bi hemselue þai schuld go -
So monkes don in her celle
Bi hemselue þai eten ich telle.
Wher wer were alder mast
Þai were þider sent on hast.
2215 Þis table gan Vter þe wiȝt
Ac it to ende hade he no miȝt
hade: MS reads haue.
For þei alle þe kniȝtes vnder our Lord
Hadde ysiten at þat bord
Kniȝt bi kniȝt, ich ȝou telle,
2220 Þe table no miȝt nouȝt fulfille
Til he wer born þat schuld do al
Fulfille þe meruails of þe greal.

It was opon þe Pentecost
In time þat þe Holy Gost
2225 Among þe tvelue apostles cam
So sparc of fer & in hem ran,
Our king Vter Pendragon
Lete bede wel mani a man
Doukes, kniȝtes, erls & king,
2230 To Cardoil to his gestening;
Swiche was his won, apliȝt,
To helden ful seuen niȝt
& euerich wiþ him schuld bring {f.214ra} View Facsimile
His leuedi to þat gestening.
2235 Fram Kent to Norþhumberlond
Fram Wales & fram Scotlond
Baroun, erl, douke & kniȝt
To þat fest com, apliȝt.
¶ In þat time was ded Hoel,
2240 & þe noble baroun Tintagel
Þat was douke of Cornwayle
Hadde spoused Ygerne saun faile,
Þat fair wiman, þat swete liif,
Þat hadde ben Holes wiif.
2245 Þese to Cardoil boþe come,
Men hem bi þe hond ynome
& ledden hem bifor þe king,
He made hem fair welcoming.
Ac þo he seiȝe þat leuedi briȝt
2250 His hert was chaunged, apliȝt,
He was nomen wiþ loue-las
Þat he no wist were he was.
Naþeles Ygerne anon
Was wiþ leuedis to chaumber gon
2255 Whar sche was for hir beaute
Fair onourd in leaute;
Þe king þe douke sett aboue
Toforn al oþer for her loue,
Alder next his side he sat
2260 & of his dische & plater at.
Þis ich douke Tintagel
Hadde a boteler hiȝt Bretel
Þat him serued day & niȝt
At his bord so it was riȝt,
2265 Ygerne hadde a chaumberlains,
A gentil man þat hiȝt Jurdains.
Þe king at his mete sat,
Michel he þouȝt & litel he at;
He tok a coupe in his hond
2270 Þat was worþ a schire of lond
& seyd ‘Bretel þou com me ner,
Þis to Ygerne þi leuedi ber.
Bid hir drink þis licour
& do þe coupe in hir tresour.’
2275 Bretel tok þe coupe anon
Bifor his leuedi he gan gon,
On his knewe he him sett {f.214rb} View Facsimile
& on þe kinges halue hir gret
& seyd ‘dame, þe king þe sent -
2280 & drinkeþ to þe – a fair present;
To þe he drinkeþ þis licour,
Þe coupe he ȝeueþ to þi tresour.’
Wel sore gan þis present rewe
Dam Ygerne þat leuedi trewe,
2285 Sche seyd ‘go oȝain anon
To þe king Vter Pendragon,
Say y nil nouȝt it take at o word
nouȝt: MS reads nouit.
Wiþouten leue of mi lord
Þat ich þis present vnderfong,
2290 ȝif ich dede it were wrong.’
Bretel went oȝain anon
& seyd to Vter Pendragon.
Þo he hadde it yseyd
Þe king sore was amayd,
2295 Ac after sche it nam on hast
Þurth hir owhen lordes hest.
Vlfin þerof was messanger -
He was þe kinges conseyler.
Vnneþe sche it nim wold
2300 Ac þo sche algat schold,
Swiþe sore sche gan to wepe,
Wonder hem þouȝt þat bi hir sete.
Þo alle þe cloþes weren ydrawe
After mete so it was lawe
2305 Þe king ȝaue fair ȝiftes
To douk, baroun & to kniȝtes
Ac non no had swiche saun faile
So þe douke of Cornwaile
For þe loue of Ygerne
2310 In whas loue he dede berne.
Anon after þo leuedis alle
Were ofsent into þe halle,
Þe king toke Ygerne bi þe hond,
Þe fairest leuedi of þis lond,
2315 & sett hir bi him on þe benche,
Win & piment he dede senche;
Oþer kinges & doukes heiȝe
Token oþer leuedis sleiȝe
Togider hem set & made solas.
2320 Þe king bisouȝt Ygerne of gras
Þat sche schold ben his lef, {f.214va} View Facsimile
Þe leuedi seyd ‘I nam no þef
To breke mi treuþe oȝain mi lord;
Raþer ich wald hing bi a cord,
2325 No schal y neuer for loue no ȝift
Wiþ mi bodi don vnriȝt.’
Oþerwise for no preier
Þe king nold sche yhere,
Þe king spac no more þo,
2330 Sumwat elles he þouȝt to do.
Þo þai were al at aise
Ich went to his in apaise;
Ac ich ȝou telle þo at arst
Þe king neiȝe for loue brast
2335 Ac no man nist of his pin
Bot his conseiler Vlfin
Þat bad him nouȝt care biginne,
He schuld wele hir loue winne.
Tintagel & eke Ygerne
2340 To her in went ful ȝerne.
Þe leuedi toke þan þe kniȝt
& into chaumber went ful riȝt,
Toforn him aknewes sche fel
& seyd ‘lord, ȝif it be þi wille
2345 Þat þou wost hennes wende.
Þe king is about, me to schende;
Þe worþschip þat he doþ to þe
Al is for to schende me.
He haþ me of vilanie bisouȝt
2350 Me to aforce is in his þouȝt.’
Þo þe douke þis vnderstode
For wretþe he wex neiȝe wode,
He hadde in toun v hundred kniȝtes,
He hem ofsent anonriȝtes
2355 & told hem þis vilainie
& seyd he wald hom an heiȝe.
He bad hem trosse & make ȝare,
Ar day he wold homward fare
For he hadde leuer dye in fiȝt
2360 Þan schond þoli & vnriȝt.
His kniȝtes to him ȝeuen asent
& trossed swiþe verrament;
Bi þat it was liȝt o day
Þai weren al ywent oway
2365 Þe douke, þe leuedi & his kniȝt. {f.214vb} View Facsimile
Þe king seye þe dayliȝt -
Þat niȝt he hadde litel yslape -
He stirt vp al in rape,
His chaumberlain him com to
2370 His cloþes on for to do.
Þo he was cloþed he com adoun
Sikeende & romende vp & doun.
Afterward com in anon
Barouns & leuedis mani on,
2375 To chirche þai ȝede more & lasse
For to heren þer her messe,
Ac al þai loked swiþe ȝerne
After Tintagel & Ygerne.
Þo þe messe was ysonge
2380 Þe king spac wiþ his tonge
‘Where is þe douke Tintagel?
Icham adrad him is nouȝt wel.’
‘Certes sir’ quaþ a kniȝt
‘He is went homward toniȝt
2385 Wiþ wiif & kniȝtes to his lond.’
‘Eye’ quaþ þe king ‘þat is me schond.
Þef! He haþ broken mi statout;
He schal abigge wiþouten dout.’
His statout was & his lawe
2390 Þat non no schuld in seuen dawe
Þat were of priis oþer of noblay
Fram þat fest wende oway
Bot it were bi þe kinges wille
& who so dede he schuld spille.
2395 Þo þe king vnderstode
Þe douke ywent he was neiȝe wode,
Of þat despite pleynt he made
& to his folk seþþen he sade
Þat he was digne to dye anon
2400 Þat swiche despite hadde ydon.
Þe king him diȝt in a stounde
& þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde -
Þe noblest men þat were oliue -
& riche kinges tvo & fiue,
2405 Noble kinges of þis lond
Al wonnen vnder his hond,
Wiþ mani erl, baroun & kniȝt
Armed went anonriȝt
catchword: þe douke tintagel.
Þe douke Tintagel to nime {f.215ra} View Facsimile
2410 So þe kinges wiþþerwine;
Ac þe douke Tintagel
Þis bifore wist it wel,
He hadde sent fer & neiȝe
After frendes & souders sleiȝe,
The letter r in both frendes
and souders is superscript.
2415 Fiftene þousand kniȝtes hende,
Þat schuld his lond help to defende;
Naþeles oȝain þe king
Þai no hadde power in fiȝting -
At cite borwe & castel
2420 Þai were astored swiþe wel.
¶ Þe king com wiþ his barnage
& tounes brent in gret rage,
He bilay him swiþe long
& men slouȝ – it was wiþ wrong.
2425 Þe douke himselue Tintagel
Lay in a swiþe strong castel,
Our king Vter Pendragon
Him asailed & ek his men
Wiþ heweing & wiþ mineinge
2430 & wiþ mangunels casteinge
Ac Tintagel þat hende kniȝt
His castel wered wele, apliȝt,
& þennes ouer miles þre
Lay Ygerne so fair & fre
2435 In a castel, a roche of ston –
a roche: MS reads of roche.
Man no miȝt hir dery non;
Iurdains & eke Bretel
Boþe were wiþ Tintagel
& al þat miȝt armes bere
armes: r is superscript.
2440 To helpen him his castel to were.
Þe king him hadde wel long ylay
& was ful of wretþe & tray
Þat he no miȝt him nim anon
& sike he was in euerich bon
2445 For loue of þe cuntasse
Gode he no couþe more no lasse.
On a day it bifel so:
Vter Pendragon was swiþe wo,
Vlfin he tok his chaumberlain
2450 & went to plaien him on þe plain;
An beggere þere he mett
Þat þe king wel fair gret,
For Godes loue þat bad him gode, {f.215rb} View Facsimile
Þe king answerd wiþ dreri mode
2455 ‘Beggere’ he seyd ‘so mot y liue
Y no haue here nouȝt þe to ȝiue.’
‘Sir’ quaþ þe beggere þo
‘Tel me þan of þi wo
Whi þou makest swiche chere.’
2460 Þe king seyd ‘Vlfin no miȝtow here
Of þis begger aposseing
Þat dar so speke to a king?’
Vlfin þe begger biheld on
& him knewe wel sone anon
2465 Bi his semblaunt & winking
Þat he made opon þe king
& seyd ‘sir par ma fay,
Þis is a begger of noblay;
Þou miȝt be þerof ful fawe
2470 It is Merlin, þat þou schalt knawe.’
His semblaunt turned anon Merlin.
Þe king þo hadde joie fin,
Of his hors sone he liȝt
& kist Merlin anonriȝt
2475 So dede Vlfin also,
Michel ioie he made þo.
Merlin seyd to þe king
‘Al y knowe þi glosing,
Y wot þou louest par amour
2480 Ygerne þat swete flour.
What wiltow ȝeue me, ar tomorwe
Y schal þe lese out of þi sorwe?’
‘Merlin’ quaþ þo þe king
‘Help me now in þis þing
2485 & þou schalt haue whatow wilt ȝerne -
Do me to haue swete Ygerne.’
me: at the end of line in darker ink;
point of insertion marked.
‘Wiltow me ȝiue’ quaþ Merlin
‘Al þe biȝete þat schal be þine
& þou hir haue ar day?’
2490 ‘ȝa’ quaþ þe king ‘par ma fay.’
‘Now’ quaþ Merlin ‘þi pais þou held
& ar day þou schalt hir weld.’
Þe king was swiþe bliþe þo,
To his pauiloun he gan go,
2495 At þe soper þai were glade
Michel ioie & mirþe þai made.
Ar it day were Merlin hete {f.215va} View Facsimile
Þe kinges men arm hem skete
& bisett þat castel
2500 Where þe douke was Tintagel
& tauȝt hem gin & eke way
Þe castel to win ar ani day.
Þai went al to þis asailing
Bot Vlfin & Merlin & þe king
2505 At hom bileued & bispake
Hou þai miȝt of loue take;
Merlin bad Vlfin & þe king
Riden wiþ him wiþouten duelling
So þai deden & riden ȝerne
2510 Toward þe castel þer was Ygerne.
Þo þai þe castel were neiȝe
Merlin kidde þat he was sleiȝe,
Herbes he souȝt & fond
& gnidded hem bitvix his hond,
2515 Þe king he smerd viis & liche
& made þe king Tintagel liche;
Himseluen he made like Jurdains
Þat was þe lordes chaumberlains;
Vlfin he made liche Bretel,
2520 & went þo to þe castel.
On þe gate loude þai bete
Seriaunce com & hem in lete.
Þai wende it were her seygnour
& ladde him in wiþ gret honour
2525 For swiche was cloþ bodi & fas,
To hir chaumber he nam his pas,
Þe king ȝede after þo wel swiþe
Was he neuer are so bliþe.
To þe king þo spac Merlin
2530 ‘Spede þe now on nedes þine -
Ar þou arise of hir bed
Þou worþ swiþe sore adred.’
¶ Þe king þerof nouȝt no schrof
Ac to Ygerne bed he drof,
2535 Ygerne wende it were her lord
& him afenge wiþ fair acord.
Þe king no made nouȝt long soiour
Þat he no plaid wiþ þat flour
So oft so his wil was -
2540 Þat ich niȝt bi Godes grace
Þer was biȝeten hem bitven {f.215vb} View Facsimile
King Arthour þat noble stren.
Þerafter in a litel þrawe
A cri þer com her lord was slawe,
2545 Þo com Merlin to his bed
‘Arise vp for it is nede
& þine men þou schewe þe to.
Men seyt þou art to deþ ydo.’
Vp strit þo þe king,
2550 He no made þer no duelling
So we finden on þe boke.
He kist þe leuedi & leue he toke,
Into halle he com wel swiþe.
Al þat folk of him was bliþe
2555 For þai wende forsoþe þere
Þair owhen lord þat it were;
Þe messanger was foule yschent
Þat to hem brouȝt þat present
& oft ycleped foule leiȝer,
2560 Wiþ gret oþes he gan him swere
& seyd he was in þe plas
Þo þe castel ynomen was
& al þat folk he herd waile
For þat erl of Cornwaile.
2565 ¶ Þe king asked his destrer red
& seyd he wold kiþe he nas nouȝt ded
He priked him forþ out atte gate -
Forsoþe it was almost to late
For of þe way litel þai ware
2570 Þo þai herd, wiþ gret care
Þe doukes man Tintagel
Com fleinde fram þe castel.
Þo þe leuedi herd þis
Wo was hir liif, ywis,
2575 For hir lord Tintagel;
Sche was bigiled sche wist wel,
In hir þouȝt wele it ran
On hir was biȝeten a barn -
What for sorwe wat for schame
2580 Wers was neuer gentil dame.
¶ So we finde in our boke
Merlin þo went to a broke,
Þe king wiþ water þer he wesche,
His owhen stat he hadde, ywis,
2585 & seþþen he wesche hem boþe to {f.216ra} View Facsimile
Her owen stat þai hadden also,
Þo þai wenten al þre
To þe kinges meyne
Riȝt so þe day bigan dawe.
2590 Þai fond Tintagel yslawe,
Þerof forsoþe our king
Ioie made wiþouten lesing.
Long þerafterward verrament
Was ymade acordement
2595 Bitvene Ygerne & þe king
Þurth heiȝe mennes conseyling;
& þo was iugged wiþouten faile
Bi heiȝe mennes conseyl,
Þe king was iugged Ygerne to spouse;
2600 Þerof Ygerne was ioiouse.
¶ King Nanters of Garlot
Þer nam Blasine, God it wot,
Ygerns douhter bi Hoel,
Hir lord was bifor Tintagel,
2605 In whom he biȝat Galaas
Þat strong & hardi & noble was.
¶ King Lot þer nam Belisent
Also Ygerns douhter gent
In whom he seþþe biȝat Wawein
2610 & Guerehes & Agreuein
& Gaheriet þat was so fre,
For better kniȝtes no miȝt non be.
King Vriens þe þridde nam
Þat was king of Schorham
2615 In whom he biȝat Ywayns
Hende & noble & kniȝt certeyns -
Þese þre sustren were bi Hoel;
¶ & oþer mo bi Tintagel
Þat elleswhere were to loke
2620 So we finde writen in boke.
Al four made spouseing
Togider & swiþe fair gestening.
Þer was justes & turnamens
Swiþe noble verramens,
2625 Þe fest lasted fourten niȝt
To al þat euer come, ypliȝt.
¶ Þo þe fest was ydo
Merlin com þe king to
& seyd he hadde do þe dede {f.216rb} View Facsimile
2630 Of gode conseyl & wise rede
& seyd ‘sir, biþenke þou þe
What þou next ȝeue me -
Þe child biȝeten in þi quen.
Ichil þe telle hou it mot ben:
2635 Hir wombe greteþ, þou miȝt toniȝt
Fele hou it stireþ þat litel wiȝt,
When þou it feleþ in hir wawe
Bid hir sche be biknawe
Who so haþ bi hir lay,
2640 Þe soþe sche wil sone say;
Þat schaltow hir hot, ywis,
So sone so it born is
It be yborn to þe gate
& ȝouen whom men findeþ þerat,
2645 Þer man schal yfinde me
To fong þat child þat is so fre.
Þou hast a baroun in þi lond
Of gentil blod & miȝti hond
Þat is Antour þi baroun heye
2650 Þat is a man of gret noblay,
In þis lond nis swiche blode
Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979) places lines
2651-2 after 2454.
No milk þat haþ half so gode;
Þou hast biȝeten a noble stren
Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979) amends to:
Þat haþ biȝeten a noble quen.
& sche is wiþ child so is þe quen,
2655 Pray Antour wiþ wordes milde
Þe milke he ȝiue to þi childe
he: originally sche,
sc underdotted.
& ȝif he þerof ȝiue graunt
Our Lord y take to waraunt
Þi child worþ þe noblest man
2660 Of al þis world an for an -
Ac to þi quen be nouȝt biknawe
Þat þat child be þine awe.’
Þe king swore bi Crist his sire
He nold neuer tel it hire,
2665 Al he dede so Merlin bad,
Þe quen agros & was adrad
& seyd ‘lord wiþ child ich am,
Not ich neuer who is þe man;
Biȝeten it was þat ich þrawe
2670 Þat mi lord was yslawe,
So mot ich proue, & y the,
Y wend mi lord it hadde ybe.
Do wiþ me what þi wille is; {f.216va} View Facsimile
Þe soþe ich haue yseyd, ywis.’
2675 ‘Dame,’ he seyd ‘no drede nouȝt þe
Al þe gilt y forȝiue þe
Wiþ þat at when þou child hast
Þou do nim þat child on hast,
Do bere it to þe gate
2680 & ȝiue it whom þou findeþ þerat,
Þat y no here þerof tidinge
Neuer eft more wiþouten lesing.’
‘Sir,’ sche seyd ‘bleþeliche
It schal be don sikerliche.’
2685 ¶ Þe king þerafter amorwe aros
& o[f]sent sir Antour of gret los,
Þo he was comen þe king him nam
& al his men ladde him fram
& gan his priuete vnhele,
2690 & þat he it schuld hele;
He seyd he hadde biȝeten a child
& teld him hou wiþ tale milde
‘Late’ he seyd ‘þi wiif it loke,
Of hir milk & ȝiue it souke,
2695 & þou schalt haue riche mede
Brod londes & heiȝe stede.’
Þe king vnneþe al þis biȝat
Þe quen childed after þat
A fair knaue a gentil biȝate
2700 Þat was born to þe gate,
An old hore man it was bitake
So we finden in þe blake;
It was Merlin þat him afeng,
Forþ he ȝede wiþouten lesing,
2705 To a chirche he went wiþ honour
& dede þat child cristen Arthour.
After he went swiþe
& bar it to sir Antoris wiue.
A-childbed he hir fond
2710 & tok it hir in þe hond
& bad it hir loke wiþ mild mode
‘Þi mede schal be riche & gode.’

Merlin went anon oway
No seiȝe no man him after, mani a day.
2715 Antors wiif child hete Cay,
Sche dede it fram hir oway
& lete souke Artouret. {f.216vb} View Facsimile
Þat milk was wel bisett:
He wex fair & wele yþei
2720 & was a child of gret noblay;
He was curteys hende & gent
& wiȝt & hardi verrament,
Curteyslich & fair he spac,
Wiþ him was non iuel lac.
2725 His fader he miȝt oft ysen
Ac him no knewe neuer þe quen.
Nartour no miȝt neuer wite
Þat þe king him hadde biȝete
While þe king was libbeing,
2730 So ich in þe brout yfinde,
Ac his fader wele he wende
Were Antour þe kniȝt hende.
His moder starf so God wold
& richeliche was brouȝt in mold,
2735 Afterward long þe king
In bedde fel in gret sekeling
& was ycomen riȝt to his fin.
Riȝt þo bifor him stode Merlin,
Þe king quiked anonriȝt
2740 Þo he had of Merlin siȝt,
He asked where he hadde yben
Þat he no miȝt him fer ysen,
He seyd ‘fer hennes, saun fail.
Now is to comen mi trauail;
2745 Þou schal be dede sone, ywis,
& wenden into heuen-blis.
Þi sone after worþ king
worþ: r is superscript.
Bi Godes grace & min helping,
Bi wos day worþ don alle
2750 Þe meruails of þe sengreal.’
Þe king herof lete ful gode
& þonked God wiþ mild mode.
¶ Merlin fram him went oway,
Þe king starf þat ich day.
2755 For him wepen lowe & heiȝe
Swiþe sore wiþ her eiȝe,
Þe holy bischop þat hiȝt Brice
For him dede þe office,
In erþe he was sikerliche
2760 Layd swiþe nobeliche.
After his enterement {f.217ra} View Facsimile
Þai gan make a parlement
To whiche parlement was yfet
Al þat hadde power gret
2765 Of þis lond al about;
Þider com wel gret rout
Of kinges, erls, baroun & kniȝt
Princes, doukes mani, ypliȝt,
Non no wist hem among
2770 Þat Arthour of þe king sprong
Bot sir Antor & sir Vlfin
& þe gode clerk Merlin,
Ac for in spouse he nas biȝete
No man no most it wite.
2775 Þis parlement last mani a day
To chese a king of gret noblay,
To þe heiȝe & to þe lawe
To gouern hem in her lawe,
Ac þai no miȝt nouȝt acord
2780 For ich of hem wold be lord,
Þis last half ȝer so
Þat þai no miȝt comen at on þo.

On Cristenmesse-euen þe bischop Brice
Kid þat he nas nouȝt nice,
2785 Þer he was among hem alle
Þis wise he gan hem calle
‘Lordinges’ he seyd ‘ȝe no may acord
For to chese ȝou a lord,
Þerfore y pray for loue of Crist
2790 Wircheþ now bi gin & list -
It is a wel gode time, apliȝt.
To chirche goþ al toniȝt
& pray to Crist so gode & fre
A king ous sende þat bihouesum be
2795 To þe riȝt oȝains þe wrong,
He graunt to chesen ous among
& þat we haue þerof tokening
Tomorwe at our seruise ending
& þat it so miȝt ben.’
2800 & euerichon seyden ‘Amen.’
Þus þer ȝede more & lasse
Aniȝt to chirche amorwe to masse
& maden solempne bisecheinge
For to haue a riȝtful kinge.
2805 & þo þe seruise don was {f.217rb} View Facsimile
Outward þai wenten her pas;
Tofor þe chirche dore þai founde
A ston stonden on þe grounde
Long & heiȝe forsoþe to say,
2810 Þerin a swerd of gret noblay.
King & douke, baroun & kniȝt,
Ich hadde wonder of þat siȝt;
Þe bischop com & it seyȝe
& þonked Ihesu Crist on heiȝe.
2815 Ichil wele þat ȝe it wite
On þe pomel was ywrite
‘Icham yhot Estalibore
Vnto a king fair tresore.’
On Jnglis is þis writeing
2820 ‘Kerue stiel & iren & al þing.’
Þe bischop seyd to hem anon
‘Þis swerd who drawe of þe ston
He schal be our king ymade
Bi Godes wille & our rade.’
2825 Þai ȝaue al herto concentement.
King Lot proued verrament
Out it to drawe anonriȝt
Ac he no miȝt for alle his miȝt,
King Nanters no king Clarion
2830 No miȝt it drawe out of þe ston
No no gentil man of priis
No miȝt it ones stiren, ywis.
Þider com ich noble blod
& to Candelmesse þer it stode.
2835 Al þat was born in Jnglond
On þis swerd cast his hond
Ac for liif no for deþe
Þai no miȝt it stir vnneþe,
Þer it stode til Ester-tide;
2840 Þiderto comen men ful wide
Fram þis half se & eke biȝonde
& nouȝt þai sped bi Godes sond,
& ȝete it stode to Pentecost;
Þer com þider mani an ost
2845 To turnaien in þat tide
Almost fast þerbiside.
Kay his sone, sir Antour,
Him made kniȝt wiþ gret honour -
Þis Kay it was þat nas nouȝt late {f.217va} View Facsimile
2850 For to souken his moder tate
Ac Arturet forsoþe it seke
Þat bicom mild & meke.
Kay was swiþe noble kniȝt,
Ac he stamered a litel wiȝt
2855 Þat he it hadde in nortoure
it written superscript.
Þurth þe norices coure.
Arthour had serued Lot
Swiþe long wele y wot,
¶ Ac þo Cay was kniȝt ymade
2860 Sir Antor ȝaf to Kay rade
For to ofsende Arthour oȝein
For to make of him his swain
For he was hardi trewe & trest,
Of al þis lond & ȝong man best.
2865 Kay was swiþe wele ypaid,
Al was don þat Antor seyd.
Arthour com hom & was wiþ Kay,
& went hem to þat turnay.
Þer Kay contend him, apliȝt,
2870 So a wele doinde kniȝt,
Boþe at side & at ende
He feld kniȝtes swiþe hende;
¶ Þo he com amidward
About he leyd on so hard
2875 Þat his swerd brast atvo,
Anon he bad Arthour þo
‘To mi leuedi swiþe hende,
Anoþer swerd bid hir me sende.’
& so he dede wiþouten abode
2880 Swiftliche hom he rode,
His leuedi finde he no miȝt
Oȝain he went anonriȝt
¶ & to þe swerd in þe ston
Wel riȝt he gan for to gon.
2885 No man was þer verrament
Ac alle weren at þe turnament.
Arthour tok þe hilt bi hond,
Þe swerd out drawe he gan fond -
Ac for nouȝt out it cam.
2890 In his hond he it nam
His hors he lepe vp anon,
To þe turnay he com son
& seyd ‘haue þis swerd, sir Kay, {f.217vb} View Facsimile
Þi leuedi finden y no may.’
2895 Kay þis swerd wele knewe, ywis,
To Arthour he seyd ‘where hadestow þis?’
‘Certes’ quaþ Arthour ‘herbi ȝonde
In a ston ich it fond.’
Arthour no seiȝe it neuer ar
2900 No wist neuer why it stode þar.
Sir Kay seyd þo to Arthour
‘Telle it to no man, par amour,
Þat þou þis swerd out droue
& þou schal haue gode ynouȝ.’
2905 Arthour seyd ‘certes nay.’
Forþ went anon sir Kay
& ledde his fader sir Antour
To þe chirche of seyn Sauour
& seyd ‘Ichaue þis swerd out drawe,
2910 Þat ich be king it is lawe.’
Sir Antor biheld þat sword
& seyd at þe first word
‘Þou gabbest me bi God aboue.
ȝif þou say soþ eft þou it proue
2915 For bifor þis heiȝe men
Þou most it pelt in oȝen
& bot þou miȝtest drawe it out
Þe wold schame berd & snout.’
¶ Þai wenten boþe to þe ston
2920 & Kay pelt it in anon,
Ac þei he war strong & wiȝt
Drawe it out he no miȝt.
Þo bispac him sir Antour
‘Telle me sone, par amour,
2925 Who it was þis swerd out drouȝ.’
& þo stode sir Kay & louȝ
‘Sir,’ he seyd ‘bi Godes sond
Arthour toke it me in hond.’
Antor cleped Arthour þo
2930 & dede him to þe ston go
& boþe swiþe & eke soft
In & out he pelt it oft;
Antor was herof ful bliþe
& drouȝ Arthour to chirche swiþe
2935 & seyd to him priueliche þo
‘Arthour listen now me to,
Seþþen þou were born verrament {f.218ra} View Facsimile
Ich haue ȝouen þe norisement.’
& þer he teld him al þe cas
2940 Hou he biȝeten & born was,
Hou his fader was þe king
& hou þurth his bisecheing
‘Kay mi sone a norice y toke
& þou mi wiues tate soke.’
2945 Þo seyd Antor ‘nim coure
Mi sone þou art þurth nortoure.
It nis no riȝt þat þou me werne
Riȝtfulliche þat y wil ȝerne:
Ich pray þe graunt me a bone
2950 Þat ich þe wil axi sone -
Ich þe wil help, sone Arthour,
King to ben wiþ michel honour.’
Þo bispac Arthour þe hende
‘Crist of heuen me defende
2955 Þat ich þe wern ani þing
Of what þou makest axing.’
‘God þe forȝeld’ seyd sir Antour
‘Now y þe pray, par amour,
Þi steward make mi sone Kay,
2960 So long so þou liue may
In nesse, in hard, y pray þe nowe
In al stedes þou him avowe,
& y schal þe help in þis nede
Þurth Godes help þat þou schalt spede.’
2965 ¶ Þo bispac him sir Arthour
‘Y graunt þi wil sir Antour
Þat Kay þi sone be mi steward,
Y schal him avowe in nesse & hard;
When ich euer faile Kay,
2970 Crist me forȝete þat day.
Forþ ȝede Antor anonriȝt
& sir Arthour made kniȝt;
First he fond him cloþ & cradel
Þo he fond him stede & sadel,
2975 Helme & brini & hauberioun,
Gaumbers quissers & aketoun,
Quarre scheld, gode swerd of stiel
& launce stef biteand wel,
Þer he ȝaue him anonriȝtes
2980 To his seruise fourti kniȝtes,
Amorwe þai went to turnament {f.218rb} View Facsimile
& so þer dede verrament
Þat ich day sir Arthour
Þe los he bar & þe honour.
2985 Amorwe Antor þat was nouȝt nice
Went to þe bischop Brice
& teld him he wist a kniȝt
Boþe gent & noble, apliȝt,
‘Þat schuld be our king wiþ lawe
2990 For he may þat swerd out drawe.’
¶ Þe bischop was herof bliþe
& sent after Arthour swiþe,
Toforn al þe heiȝe of þe lond
Arthour tok þe swerd in hond
2995 He drouȝ it out & pelt oȝen.
Wonder hadde mani men
For no man stiren it no miȝt
Bot he on, y ȝou pliȝt.
King & erls wiþouten dout
3000 Þer gun him anon rebout
For to prouen his maner
Ac euer he was of milde chere
No couþe her non better deuise
Þan he hem answerd in al wise,
3005 Sir Antor him halp also
Þat he was king chosen þo
& þer was boden to his gestening
Mani prince & mani king,
Al þat euer com wold
3010 At seyn Jon tide com schold.

Merlin com hem bitven
Sir Arthour þe prince to sen
Of whos come miche blis
Sir Arthour made, ywis,
3015 Swiþe anon hete Merlin
Men schuld ofsende þe douke Vlfin
Sir Jordains & sir Bretel
Þat hadde yben wiþ Tintagel.
Al þre þai comen swiþe,
3020 Merlin was þerof wel bliþe.
Merlin seyd ‘Y wil ȝe wite
Hou þat Arthour was biȝete.’
Þer he told hem ende & ord
Of his biȝete eueri word
3025 Wharof Vlfin wittnes bar {f.218va} View Facsimile
& seyd certes þat he was þar
certes: r is superscript.
& Antor bar witnesse þerto
& seyd þe king him seyd so.
Þo loued Jordains & sir Bretel
3030 Sir Arthour wiþ hert lel
Arthour: r is superscript.

For loue of Ygerne fre
Her leuedi þat hadde ybe,
His men þo þai bicomen swiþe
To help him vp deþe & liue.
3035 Þis barouns & eke Merlin
Wenten to þe bischopes in
& al him teld fair & ȝerne
Hou Arthour was biȝeten of Ygerne,
Þe bischop þonked God so gode
3040 Þat he was of þe kinges blode.
¶ Merlin seyd ‘listen meruaile,
ȝou is comand strong bataile;
Kinges sex at þis fest
Þer schul arere michel chest
3045 Wharefore ȝe schul þan wite wel
Boþe in jren & in stiel
& loke þat ichon held wiþ oþer
As ich man schal wiþ his broþer
For ich ȝou bihot al þe honour
3050 Schal bileue wiþ ȝou & wiþ Arthour.’
Þar þai biheten þat non nold
biheten: i is altered from e.

Oþer fail for no gold,
Þe bischop seyd his helping
He schuld haue in al þing.
3055 What helpeþ it make tale long?
Þai hem poruaid alle among
Swiþe redi alle þing
Þat schuld to þat coroning.

Mirie it is in time of June
3060 When fenel hongeþ abrod in toun
Violet & rose flour
Woneþ þan in maidens bour;
Þe sonne is hot þe day is long
Foules make miri song.
Foules: MS reads Fouleþ.
3065 King Arthour bar coroun
In Cardoile þat noble toun.
King Lot þat spoused Belisent
Com to þis coronment -
He held þe lond of Lyoneis {f.218vb} View Facsimile
3070 Man wel strong & curteys -
Wiþ fiue hundred noble kniȝtes
Hardi & strong & leue to fiȝtes.
King Nanters com, God it wot,
Þat held þe lond of Garlot,
3075 Swiþe noble man & wiȝt
& wele couþe fende him in fiȝt,
He hadde yspoused Blasine
Arthours soster fair & dine.
Seuen hundred kniȝtes y telle þe
3080 He brouȝt wiþ him of meyne,
Of noble destre[r]s & stede
Þat swiþe gode were at nede.
¶ King Vrien com þerto,
Þe þridde suster hadde also,
3085 Þe lond of Gorre he held, ywis;
He was ȝong man of noble pris
XX þousand (&) he brouȝt & fiue
No better kniȝtes nere oliue.
¶ Þer com ȝete king Carodas
3090 Þe king of Strangore he was
A swiþe miȝti man of mounde
& kniȝt of þe tabel rounde;
Þei he fer hadde yride
VI hundred kniȝtes he brouȝt him mide
3095 Þat wele couþe juste in feld
Wiþ stef launce vnder scheld.
¶ ȝete þer com king Yder,
King of þe marche of gret pouwer,
Wiþ him he brouȝt þritti score
3100 Wiȝt kniȝtes him bifore.
¶ Þer com king Angvisant
King he was of Scotlant,
Of al þe sex he was richest
Of grete power & ȝongest;
3105 V hundred he brouȝt wiþ him, ywis,
Wiȝt & strong kniȝtes & al Scottis.
& mani oþer bi souþe & bi est
Þider com to þat fest,
King & baroun, y ȝou say,
3110 Welcomed hem wiþ gret noblay;
Biforn hem al þe bischop Brice
Arthour crouned & dede þe office.
Þo þe seruise ydon was {f.219ra} View Facsimile
To mete þai turned her pas.
3115 Þai founde al redi cloþ & bord
Vp first ȝede þe heiȝest lord
Men hem serued of gret plente
Mete & drink of gret deynte.
Þer was venisoun of hert & bors,
3120 Swannes, pecokes & botors,
Of fesaunce, pertris & of crane
Þer was plente & no wane;
Þer was piment & clare
To heiȝe lordinges & to meyne;
3125 Þai hadden also noble seruise
So ani man couþe devise.
Þo þai hadde y-eten alle,
Heiȝe & lowe in þe halle,
To ȝeuen ȝiftes sir Arthour aros
3130 To heiȝe men of grete los
& to haue of hem vmage
So it was riȝt & her vssage.
As he was fair doinde þis
King Lot, king Nanters & oþer of priss
3135 Of his ȝiftes spite hadden
& his coroun anon wiþradden.
¶ Vp þai sterten wiþ gret bost,
Euerich king wiþ al his ost,
& seyd an herlot for noþing
3140 No schuld neuer ben her king
& þouȝt wiþ gret deshonour
For to misdo sir Arthour,
Ac Arthour men bitven þrest.
Forþ com Merlin in þat chest
3145 & seyd he nas harlot non
Ac nobler þan her ani on;
Þer he teld, al hem bifore,
Hou Arthour was biȝeten & bore.
Þe wise men of þat lond
3150 Þonked Ihesu Cristes sond
Þat her king schuld ben
Of Vter Pendragouns stren;
Þe barouns seyd to Merlin
barouns: s is superscript.
‘He was founde þurth wiching þin,
3155 Traitour’ þai seyd ‘verrament
For al þine enchauntement
No schal neuer no hores stren {f.219rb} View Facsimile
Our king no heued ben
Ac he schal sterue riȝt anon’ -
3160 Toward þe king & gun gon.
Þe king was armed swiþe wel
& alle his frende in iren [&] stiel,
Oȝain wiþstonden nobliche
& al out driuen sikerliche
3165 Wiþ swerdes & kniues sone anon
Out of halle þe kinges fon.
Þe sex kinges were wel wroþe
& al her barouns sworen her oþe
No schuld þai neuer tviis eten
3170 Er þai of Arthour were awreken
& swiþe telt her pauiloun
A litel wiþouten Cardoil toun.
¶ Þe bischop stode on þe castel wal
& gan to preche to hem alle
3175 & seyd Arthour was kinges stren
Of king biȝeten & born of quen;
Þe king it wist in his liue,
Blisced his child & bad him þriue
& tok him to sir Antour
3180 To norice wiþ gret honour;
ȝif þai wisten neiȝer blod
To make him king it nar nouȝt gode
‘Ac for he is king & kinges sone
Y cors al mididone
3185 His enemis wiþ Cristes mouþe
Bi est, bi west, bi norþ & souþe.’
‘Tprut!’ þai seyden euerichon.
Merlin went adoun anon
& Arthours frende anonriȝt
3190 He told, heiȝe & lowe, ypliȝt,
Four þousand among hem he fond
Hardi & noble & wiȝt of hond
Ac alle it were forsoþe fotmen
Bot fiftene score & ten;
3195 Þe oþer were so gret rout
Þat þai wreiȝe þe cuntre about.
Merlin bad hem noþing drede
‘Bot alle doþ bi mi rede.’
Wiþ him þai went to þe gate anon,
3200 Wele atired euerichon,
¶ Merlin made enchauntement {f.219va} View Facsimile
& kest gret encumberment
Into þe pauilouns, wild fer
pauilouns: MS seems to read pauilonis.
Þat brent briȝt so candel cler,
3205 & seyd to hem euerichon
‘Now sle swiþe ȝour fon.’
Forþ þai went on hors gode
To þe pauilouns þat on fer stode
& on her fomen smiten anon,
3210 O liue þai reften mani on
Wiþ scharpe speres & swe[r]des kene;
Tventi score & fiftene
O liue-dawe þai brouȝten þere
Er þai wist where þai were,
3215 For her witt was oway go
For þe fer þat brent so.
& þe oþer her wit binam fulliche
Þat com on hem so sodanliche.
Þer were so fele naþeles
3220 Þat litel sen þe slauȝter wes
Ac þurth þis encumbrement
Þai flowen alle verrament
Til þai com fer oway
A mile þennes in o valay;
3225 Þer wiþstode þis sex kinges
Oȝain Arthour wiþ fiȝtinges,
& her folke wenten oȝen,
Mo þan ten þousand of men,
Fram þis contek þat were ascaped,
3230 Sore adrad & awaped.
¶ Þe kinges gadred hem togider alle
& seyd gret schame hem was bifalle
Þat Arthour wiþ a litel punay
Hadde ydriuen hem oway,
3235 Euerich to oþer þus made his mon
ȝif þai were of Arthour on
Awreken alle þai hadde wonne,
Alle þai swore bi mone & sonne
Hye schulden abigge þat ich striif -
3240 & went oȝain als biliif.
¶ Nanter þe king of Garlot
Biforn he went, God it wot;
He was a wele limed kniȝt,
Hardi & strong & wise in fiȝt,
3245 A stef launce he bar an hond; {f.219vb} View Facsimile
Wiþ spores he smot his stede strong.
Arthour seiȝe where he cam,
A stef launce anon he nam,
His fet in þe stiropes he streiȝt
3250 Þe stirop tobent (þe hors aqueiȝt)
Þe stede he smot & he forþ glode
Oȝaines þe king Nanters he rode.
Nanters him mett amid þe feld
& hitt Arthour on þe schelde
3255 Þat his launce gan to riue
& tobrast on peces fiue,
¶ Arthour smot so Nanters þo
Þat his scheld brak atvo
& of his hors so him cast
3260 Þat almast his nek tobrast.
Þo king Lot seiȝe þis
Hou his nevou was feld, ywis -
He was on of þe strongest man
Of al þis lond an for an -
3265 A launce he tok of gret valour
& smot his stede oȝain Arthour.
Euerich gan oþer wiþ launces take
Þat al to peces þai gun crake,
Wiþ so gret ire togider þai mett
3270 Þat her bodis togider stet.
¶ So astoned was king Lot
He lese his sadel, God it wot,
& ouer þe croupe of his stede
To grounde he fel þat he gan blede.
3275 Arthour aforced, him to dere,
Ac michel folk com him to were,
Þer come swiþe michel route
To slen Arthour al aboute.
Arthour drouȝ his swerd anon
3280 Þat he drouȝ out of þe ston,
A kniȝt he toke wiþ þe egge
Þat him clef heued & rigge
Into þe sadel so seyt þe bok;
Al he hirt þat he toke,
3285 So sore he leyd on al aboute
Þat þai his dintes gun doute.
Þis to kinges weren arisen
Þat were first of him agrisen;
Þai & her feren four {f.220ra} View Facsimile
3290 Wiþ four launces smiten Arthour
Al at ones – þat was no glewe -
& Arthour stede adoun þrewe,
Þe king bineþen þe stede aboue;
Forsoþe sir Arthour was aswowe.
3295 Sir Antour al þis ysay,
Bretel, Vlfin & sir Kay,
Þai com swiþe to þis rideing
For to helpen her king;
Kay ful riȝt bigan to bere
3300 To king Angvisaunt a spere,
He smot him þurthout þe scheld
& his hauber felefeld
& þurth his scholder an ellen long
& of his hors to grounde he þrong,
3305 & ȝete he feld verrament
King Carodas wiþ þat dent -
Þat was a dint of gret mounde
Þat tvay kinges þrewe to grounde.
Vlfin & Nanters met þo
3310 Þat her launces brosten atvo.
Togider wiþ bodis þai metten
Þat boþe to grounde þai stetten;
Þe hors hem lay anoward,
Þat hem þouȝt chaunce hard.
3315 Antor wiþ launce þe king Yder
To grounde bar of his destrer,
Bretel & king Vrien
Her launces brust hem bitven,
Þerwhiles king Lot wiþ gret rout
3320 To sle Arthour he was about.
Kay his steward yseiȝe þis,
He was neiȝe of his witt, ywis;
Wiþ his swerd he gan him stere
His ȝong lord for to were,
3325 Wiþ pure strengþe of swerdes dint
King Lot he feld verrament
& was about him to slen
Ac oþer stirt hem bitven.
Þer kidde Kay þat he was wiȝt
3330 For he no feined neuer of fiȝt
Til þat Arthour, y ȝou pliȝt,
Was opon his stede diȝt,
& þo he was opon his stede {f.220rb} View Facsimile
Wiþ swerd he gan about rede,
3335 Sum he binam scholder & arm
& sum þe liif – it nas non harm.
Non no durst abide more
His stroke for he smot so sore.
Her ȝe schul vnderstond
3340 Þat men o fot of þis lond
Helden wiþ king Arthour
& dede him wel gret honour
Wiþ axes, staues & wiþ bowe,
Dede so þat alle þe oþer flowe,
3345 & þis kinges flowen also.
Arthour after hem gan to go
& so he rode wel fele he feld
Þat no more no tale teld,
He ouertok þe king Yder
3350 & wold him heued wiþ his swerd cler
Ac a litel forbi he smot,
His hors he hit, God it wot,
Þe nek he karf adoun to grounde,
Doun fel Yder bi Godes mounde.
3355 Oȝain turned þo kinges fiue
& halp him oway wiþ þe liue,
Ac ich ȝou swere in þat rideing
Þai lauȝt woundes wel sore biteing,
Yder þai keuerd naþeles,
3360 & þo he brouȝt on hors wes
Þai flowen also swiþe anon
As her steden miȝten gon
& swore al wiþ wordes flegge
King Arthour it schuld abigge.
3365 King Arthour þo went oȝen,
Togider he gadred al his men
& depar[te]de wiþ hem þe tresour
Þat he wan, wiþ gret honour,
& þo he þonked þe king of glorie
3370 Þat him hadde ȝouen þe victorie
To ouercomen his fomen.
Into Cardoil he went oȝen
& held fest noble & gent
Wiþ his meyne verrament
3375 Of al þat euer wald þider gon,
Curteyseliche were ressaiued anon;
Þis fest last fourteniȝt {f.220va} View Facsimile
Þat was riche & noble, apliȝt.
¶ Þo þe fest was ydo
3380 Merlin com þe king to
To Londen he bad him heiȝe
& þer schewe his curteisie
& when he com þer saun fayl
He wold him schewe gret conseil
3385 Ac nouȝt ar he had fest ymade
To al þe lond & made ful glade.
King Arthour dede his conseyl
& went to Londen saun fail
Where þe king sir Arthour
3390 Was afong wiþ gre[t] honour.

Sone after seyn Jones misse
Þe king lete bidden more & lesse
Into Londen to his fest,
Swiche he made & held onest
3395 Þurth þe conseyl of Merlin;
He seriaunted þo þurth him -
Merlin tok þo to ich mester
Þat sleiȝe were & of power.
Þo drouȝ bi half þe clerk Merlin
3400 Þe king Arthour & eke Vlfin
& Bretel & sir Antour
& Kay þe steward of valour
& seyd ‘listen to me now,
For soþe ichil telle ȝou:
3405 XI kinges & doukes on
Han ysworn Arthour to slon
Swiche is now her parlement
Now in þe marche verrament,
Oȝaines hem ȝe no haue no miȝt
3410 Bot ȝe hauen help to fiȝt;
Y wil ȝou telle what do ȝe mote
ȝif ȝe wil finden bote.
Mi lord Vter Pendragon
Wan vnder him þe king Ban
3415 & his broþer Bohort also.
No better bodis no mowe go -
Þai were sworn to Vter mi lord.
To hem ich rede sende word
To lesse Breteine, for it is nede,
3420 Þat Vter Pendragon is dede.
ȝe mot hem sigge verrament {f.220vb} View Facsimile
Þat he vnto þis parlement
Wiþouten abod wel swiþe come
To don vmage Arthour his sone;
3425 Þai wil comen anon, y wot,
& help þe oȝain king Lot
& elleswhere [wiþ] her power,
ȝou worþ to hem wel gret mister,
Herafterward par ma fay -
3430 Ichil ȝou tel som day.
Þis message sir Vlfin
Þou most bere bi conseil min
& þi fere schal be sir Bretel.
Loke ȝe ben atired wel
3435 Wiþ gode armes on gode stede,
Þerto ȝou worþ a litel nede
Ar ȝe comen oȝain to ous -
Now heiȝeþ ȝou for loue of Ihesus.’
Al þis hem liked wel
3440 & sir Vlfin & sir Bretel
Wele hem atired sikerliche
& went forþ wel hastiliche.
Þo þai com þe se biȝounde
A gret wildernisse þai founde
3445 Bitven Fraunce & Breteyne,
Þai seiȝe mani mounteyn & pleine,
Þo þai seiȝe a litel hem aboue
Seuen kniȝtes y-armed come
Of wiche to her steden smiten
3450 & to hemward gun priken
Wiþ loude cri & bad hem ȝeld.
Bretel tok his launce & scheld,
Þat o kniȝt sone he mett
& wiþ his scharp launce him gret;
3455 He bar him þurth þe þrote anon
Þat ded he fel, ded so ston.
Þat oþer he mett oȝainward,
A dint he ȝaf him so hard
Þe launce ran þe brini þurth,
3460 Þe kniȝt fel ded in a forwe;
In his falling brast þe spere -
Bretel bar it no ferþere.
Oþer to þer come glide,
Vlfin gan oȝain hem ride
3465 Opon a stede stef & strong, {f.221ra} View Facsimile
Wiþ a launce gret & long
Þat on he bar þurth scheld & hat
Þat neuer seþþen mete no at.
Þe oþer oȝain Vlfin brac his spere
3470 Ac he no miȝt Vlfin dere.
Vlfin him ȝaue a din[t] of wo
Þurthout þe membre & sadel also,
Stede & kniȝt ouerþrewe anon;
Þe kniȝt brast his nek-bon,
3475 Vlfines launce tobrac.
Þe þre come þo gret rac
Þe oþer foure for to wreken,
Þe þre gun her launces breken
& her noiþer hirt nouȝt;
3480 Bretel kidde þat he was auȝt,
His swerd he drouȝ, þat on he hit,
His heued fram þe bodi he kit;
Þat oþer oftoke sir Vlfin
& so him hit on þe bacin
3485 Þat he him cleue to þe toþ,
So ous seyt þe brout forsoþ.
Þe oþer kniȝt her lord þat was
Wel swiþe went oȝain his pas -
ȝif he abod ani longere
3490 Wele he seiȝe it was his lere.
Þis ich kniȝtes four & þre
Wiþ Claudas hadde ybe,
Wiþ Claudas hadde werred oȝan
Þe king Bohort & þe king Ban;
3495 Claudas was þo ouercome,
Priueliche & went to Rome
Him to puruay sum socour
To wreke him of his deshonour.
Þerwhile þo kniȝtes, cert,
3500 Were ywent into desert
To libben bi her robrie -
Ac þer hem fel gret vilanie.
Þerafter Vlfin forþ him rode
& eke Bretel wiþouten abod,
3505 No lete þai neuer jornaying
Til þai com to Ban þe king
& þo he com bifor Ban
Þus his wordes he bigan

‘Ihesus Crist heuen-king {f.221rb} View Facsimile
3510 Þe loke, sir Ban þe king
& þi meine so gent & fre
Þat ich here about þe se.
Þe barouns of Breteine þe more
Tiding þe sent þat reweþ hem sore:
3515 Vter Pendragon þi lord is ded
& is departed þurth Godes red,
King is made his sone Arthour
& þe greteþ wiþ gret honour
& bad þe & þi broþer gent
þi: MS reads his.
3520 Com to his parlement
For to wite & vnderstond
Of þe lawes of his lond.’
¶ King Ban wiþ noble cher
Welcomed þo messanger
3525 & seyd her wil do he wold
& his broþer also schold.
Þe messangers þo he made
Wele at ese wiþ gret ferrade;
Bohort þer after swiþe he sent,
3530 Bi on asent & swiþe went
Into þis lond wiþ mani fair
For to se þe kinges air.
In euerich toun fram Portesmouþe
To Londen of gret valoure
3535 Men made song & hopinges
Oȝain þe come of þis kinges.
No was wonded for drie no wete
Þat in lond eueri strete
in: MS reads ir.
Was bihonged ich say forsoþ
3540 Wiþ mani pal & riche cloþ;
Euerich man of ich mester
Hem riden oȝain wiþ fair ater,
In euerich strete damisels
Karols ledden fair & fels.
3545 Þo þai were to court ycome
Þai were hendeliche welcome,
Himselue þe king Arthour
Hem com oȝain wiþ gret honour,
Curteiseliche & hem gan calle
3550 & anon ledde hem to halle
Wiþ her broþer Gvinbaut,
Noble clerk so Dieu me saut -
In þe sterres he was þe best deuine {f.221va} View Facsimile
In al þe warld, wiþouten Merlin.
3555 Þer atwot þe clerk Merlin
At þe fest þe douke Vlfin
& Bretel þat was his felawe
Hou þai hadde þe kniȝtes yslawe,
Ac al þat euer herden þis
3560 Wonder hadde þerof, ywis,
Þat he told her bataile
& þer no com nouȝt saun faile,
& namliche Bohort & Ban
& Gvinbaut þe þridde man;
3565 Þere þo men miȝt yhere
Þe queintise of þe spere
Of þe sonne of mone & ster,
When þe welken turned of herre,
& of mani priue werk
3570 Bitven Merlin & Gvimbaut þe clerk.
Herafter sone Merlin swore
& sir Vlfin & sir Antore
& sir Kay & sir Bretel
Tofore þe king on o messel
3575 Þat Arthour was Vter stren
Bi Ygerne þat was his quen,
Þerafterward sone forsoþ
Þe kinges swore Arthour hold-oþ
& deden him also swiþe omage
3580 So it was riȝt & vsage.
& þo held Arthour fest, apliȝt,
Þat last ful fourten niȝt;
Of ich riches & deinte
Certes þer was gret plente.
3585 Þo was þer made a turnament
Þat was swiþe noble & gent
Of bacheler & ȝong kniȝt
Swiþe strong & swiþe wiȝt,
Þo þat were of ȝond half
3590 Oȝain þo weren of þis half.
Þe best was Lucan þe boteler
A ȝong kniȝt of grete power,
Wiþouten þe steward Kay
(He was a kniȝt of gret noblay),
3595 Grimfles, Maruc & Guinas
(Ich of hem wel noble was)
Placides & eke Driens, {f.221vb} View Facsimile
Holias & Graciens,
Marliaus & Flaundrins,
3600 Sir Meliard & eke Drukins
& also Breoberiiis,
Þese born oway þe priis;
No man no herd of fairer
Turnament no nobler.
3605 Þo al þis mirþe was ydo
Merlin com þe king to
& to hem seyd ‘bieu sengours
ȝe ben yswore to king Arthours,
ȝe mot boþe wiþ him ride
3610 To Leodegan of Carmalide
For bi mi rede he schal spouse
Gvenour his douhter precious.
Sche is boþe fair & wise
Of al þe lond sche berþ þe priis.
3615 Hir fader Leodegan
Is a swiþe noble man
Ac king Rion wiþouten lesinges
Him werreþ opon wiþ tventi kinges,
Þere ȝe mot him help, ywis,
3620 For to win los & pris.’
‘Certes’ quaþ king Ban þe gent
‘Þerto we han gret talent
ȝif king Claudas in our lond,
Þerwhiles nold ous wait no schond
3625 For he ous haþ werred long
Wiþ vnriȝt & michel wrong.’
‘Nay’ quaþ Merlin ‘drede ȝou nouȝt.
ȝif þou lesest þerfore ouȝt,
For þe mountaunce of pani on
3630 Þou schalt han hundred oȝan.
‘To þat couenaunt’ quaþ Ban þe king
‘We beþ redi in al þing
Anon to go wiþ king Arthour
To his manschipe & his honour.’
3635 ¶ Merlin seyd ‘bi seyn Ion
Arst ȝe mot anoþer don,
XI kinges & a douke
Beþ hiderward wiþouten dout
To slen Arthour & his man
3640 In þe forest of Rokeingham;
Þere ȝe mot help him were {f.222ra} View Facsimile
Vnder scheld wiþ swerd & spere.’
‘Allas’ quaþ Ban ‘for Cristes sond
We no haue no folk of our lond.’
haue: MS has hane with suspension
mark over an.
3645 Quaþ Merlin ‘so God me spede
No schal ȝou faile non at nede.’
Þer it was forboden anon
Ich man bi way for to gon
Noiþer mile tene no fiue
3650 Opon pain of her liue;
Þis was don for non oþer þing
Bot for aspies & waiteing,
Whereþurth alle weren yhent
Þat fram þe barouns weren ysent
3655 & non com oȝain verrament
To wray þe kinges parlement.
ȝete Merlin went to Rokingham
(Vlfin & oþer wiþ him he nam)
Mani pauilouns & telt
telt: corrected from teld.
3660 & dede þerin flesches & selt
& oþer store of mele & win
& tok it to lok sir Vlfin
& bad he no schuld lete passe
Noiþer þe more no þe lasse
3665 Þat miȝt bere ani tiding
To þe barouns of her king
No of his parlement -
No þai no deden verrament.
Þo ȝede Merlin to Ban þe king
3670 & tok of him his kinges ring
& to king Bohort also,
To lasse Breteine he ȝede þo
Ouer þe se in on niȝt
Fele iurnes, y ȝou pliȝt,
3675 For in þe brut ich it lerne
To Leonce of Paerne
Þat was kinges Banes steward,
A wise man wiþ hore bard,
& to Farien, wel noble kniȝt,
3680 Bohortes steward þat was, apliȝt,
& schewed hem her lordes ring
& bad þai schuld him socour bring;
Leonce & eke Farien
Togider brouȝten her men,
3685 Fourti þousand þat were teld {f.222rb} View Facsimile
On stede in armes swiþe beld;
XV þousende þai leten þere
Her lond to kepen & to were
& xxv þousend wiþ him toke
3690 So we finden in þe boke,
Wiche ouer se þe clerk Merlin
Brouȝt & loged bi Vlfin.
To kinges court he gan þo fare
& asked ȝif þai weren ȝare
3695 For her fomen were neiȝehond,
King Ban seyd ‘for Godes sond
Whi no hastow brouȝt me socour?’
Merlin seyd ‘al rady to ȝour honour.’
Þo þai diȝt hem swain & kniȝt
3700 & wenten þider þat ich niȝt.
¶ Þo þai þider weren ycome
Ordeind & teld her þrome
Fourti þousand men þai founde
To batail men of gret mounde;
3705 Michel ioie made king Ban
& Bohort also of her man
For þai deden þere finde
XXV þousinde.
Arthour hadde þousandes fiftene
3710 & namo also y wene,
For al þe barouns & þe kinges
Were in þe marche wiþouten lesinges
Wiþ al þe men, y ȝou say,
Þat þai miȝt hem puruay.
3715 To slen Arthour lasse & more
Al þai hadde togider swore
Ac forsoþe non of hem
No wist of Arthoures men;
Ac we finden in þe boke
3720 Þat þai hadde þer bispoke
On Arthour wiþ her route
Þai wold happen al aboute
& hem to taken in þe forest
When þai seiȝen time best.
3725 ¶ To þis tresoun for to don
Com þe king Clarion
Þat was king of Norþhumberlond
Wiþ seuen þousand kniȝtes strong.
¶ King Brangores þat held Strangore {f.222va} View Facsimile
3730 Þider com bi Godes ore
& brouȝt wiþ him fiue þousand kniȝt
In bataile þat were strong & wiȝt.
¶ Cradelman king of Norþ Wales,
Hardi man & wise of tales,
3735 Sex þousend þider he brouȝt
Of liue or deþe þat litel rouȝt.
¶ A king þer com ‘of an hundred kniȝtes’
His name was cleped bi riȝtes
For he no ladde neuer lasse rout
3740 Þan an hundred kniȝtes about.
He was king wel fer bi norþ
A wel strong man & michel worþ,
Kniȝtes he brouȝt four þousinde -
Men no miȝt non better finde.
3745 ¶ King Lot þat held londes tvo,
Leonis & Dorkaine also,
He brouȝt seuen þousend kniȝtes
Swiþe hardi & stronge in fiȝtes.
stronge: r is superscript.
¶ ȝete þer com king Carodas
3750 Þat of þe rounde table was,
Seuen þousand he brouȝt also -
No better kniȝtes no miȝt go.
¶ Nanters þe king of Garlot
Þider com, God it wot,
3755 Vp Arthour, þat was wroþ & grim,
Sex þousinde he brouȝt wiþ him,
Stronge kniȝtes & noble saun faile
Þat wise & hardi were in bataile.
¶ ȝete þer come king Vrien
3760 Wiþ sex þousand of wiȝt men
Wele atired on gode destrers,
Wiþouten fotmen & squiers.
¶ ȝete þer com king Yder
Wiþ fiue þousand of gret power.
3765 ¶ ȝete þer com king Angvisaunt,
Þe riche king of Scotlaunt,
Wiþ sex þousende kniȝtes, beld
beld: MS perhaps corrected from bold.
Boþe in toun & eke in feld.
¶ ȝete þer come þe douc Estas,
3770 Erl of Canbernic he was -
Arundel was hoten þo
Cambernic wiþouten no -
He brouȝt wiþ him þousandes fiue, {f.222vb} View Facsimile
Non better nere oliue.
3775 Alle þese priueliche
To Rokingham com sikerliche
& loged hem in þe forest,
Stille wiþouten ani chest,
Wiþ al þat þai procoure miȝt
3780 Boþe of baroun & of kniȝt,
Ac Arthour was wel stilly
Wiþ his folk neiȝe hem bi -
Noiþer baroun no king
Nist nouȝt of his being.

3785 Þe ferþ niȝt after her soiour

Merlin bad þe king Arthour
& Bohort & king Ban
Hem atiren & her man
& com wiþ him anonriȝtes
3790 & kiþe ȝif þai were noble kniȝtes;
Boþe in iren & in stiel
Þai hem armed swiþe wel,
Ar day þre mile-way
& wiþ Merlin went y say.
3795 ¶ In þis time Lot þe king
In bed was in gret meteing;
Him þouȝt water winde & rain
In her teþ was hem oȝain,
Her pauilouns ouerþrewe þe þonder;
3800 He ofwoke & had wonder,
His sweuen he teld his feren hard,
Þai him axed whiderward
Him þouȝt þat his sweuen bar,
Þe soþe anon he teld þar.
3805 Þiderward wel swiþe an hye
Þai senten spies for to aspie,
Þis spies anon forþ stetten
& wiþ Merlin sone metten
& wiþ Arthour king of los,
3810 Of þat meteing hem agros.
Merlin hem seiȝe & bad hem bide,
Fleand oway þai gun ride
& euer grad ‘traisoun, traisoun!’
Þe oþer herof herd þe soun
3815 & hem atired verrament
Ac Merlin cast enchauntment
catchword: þat her pauilouns.
Þat her pauilouns on and alle {f.223ra} View Facsimile
To þe grounde gun to falle
& so ich in þe boke y finde
3820 Þe mest part he made blinde.
King Arthour & Bohort & Ban
Opon hem smiten onan
& eke alle her ferrede
Wiþ hors fete on hem trede,
3825 Wiþ speres stong, wiþ swerdes korwe
Ten þousende kniȝtes bi þe morwe
bi: i is superscript.
Ar ani of hem miȝt hem stere
Oþer sen abouten, hem to were.
Ac naþeles þis xi kinges
3830 Flowen oway wiþ michel genge
A litel þenntes intil a lowe;
A loude horn þai gun blowe,
Of her kniȝtes & gaderd hem so
Togider þritti þousende & mo -
3835 ¶ Ich king xv to his dale.
Þre þousand gret & smale
Her hors girten & sadels riȝt
& made hem redi for to fiȝt
On þe hille þai gun ten
3840 Arthour & his folk to sen.
Þo seiȝe þai seuen baners,
¶ Of whiche Lucan þe boteler
Of þe first maister was
For swiþe hardi man he was,
3845 ¶ Grifles ladde þe secounde,
A wiȝt man of gret mounde,
¶ Þe þridde folc ladde Bretel,
Strong kniȝt & doinde wel,
MS: kniȝt misplaced,
follows doinde.
¶ Þe ferþ baner ladde Kay,
3850 Þe kinges steward of noblay,
¶ Þe fift baner ladde Vlfin,
A noble baroun gode afin.
Ich hadde of þis to his baner
Þre þousand of gret power;
3855 Arthour on hors sat stef so stok
& gouerned þe seuend flok
& ladde wiþ him four þousinde
Wiȝt men & wel doinde.
Þe oþer no miȝt ben ykidde
3860 Bihinden hem þai weren yhidde.
King Lot, king Nanters & king Vrien {f.223rb} View Facsimile
& king Carodas wiþ his men,
Þis foure bihinde were
& lete þe oþer al forþ fare,
3865 & in þe sonnes vpriseing
Bigan certes þis rideing.
Þer miȝt men se þe baners roten
Þe stedes forþ wel ȝern schoten,
Þo þai first oþer metten
3870 Ich oþer wiþ launces gretten,
Mani in sadles held hem stille
& mani also of hors felle;
Mani brac his spere þare,
Mani oþer þurthout bar.
3875 Kai þan felled þe king Yder
Wiþ his spere of his destrer,
Þe king of hundred kniȝtes
Kay doun feld anonriȝtes.
¶ Kay vp stirt & king Yder,
3880 Afot fouȝten wiþ swerdes cler,
On boþe half so com her men
& swiþe stirten hem bitven.
Þer come Lucan þe boteler
& bar Eustas of his destrer,
3885 Eustas þe douke of Arundel
Bi Yder stode & werd him wel.
¶ Grifles feld þe king Clarion,
Þe king of hundred kniȝtes com
& hit Grifles bi þe side,
3890 Of his stede he gan doun glide,
Vp strit Grifles & stode bi Kay
& fauȝt so a kniȝt of noblay.
Forþ com Vlfin & eke Lucan
& feld king Cradelman
3895 & wiþ oþer kniȝtes mo
Riden he [þe] kniȝtes to,
Þe douke Grifles & þe steward Kay
On hors þai brouȝt, par ma fay;
Þo þai were mounted, y sigge apliȝt,
3900 Þai kedden her noble miȝt.
Þan þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes
Kay doun feld anonriȝtes
& þre kniȝtes al arawe
He binam þer her liif-dawe.
3905 Arthour wiþ his miȝti hand {f.223va} View Facsimile
Feld king Brangors & king Anguisaunt -
Þo were afot seuen kinges.
Gret slauȝter was at her rideinges
Þat þai no miȝt nouȝt keuer her destrers
3910 For her alder powers.
¶ King Lot & king Carodas
& Nanters þat bihinde was
& eke þe king Vrien
Wiþ tvelf þousand of strong men
þousand: s is superscript.
3915 Þe hors of baundoun lete þai frem
& come flingand wiþ al her men;
So Arthours folk þai metten
& of her steden mani stetten,
In þat ich hard meteinges
3920 Al þai socourd her kinges
& brouȝten hem on her steden
Þe better þo þai miȝt speden.
Þer wer fele of hors yfeld
& kniȝtes yslawe vnder scheld,
3925 Ac þer schewed king Arthour
At þat batayl gret vigour;
Of his men mani feld ware,
Now he was here, now he was tare
& chalanged his men bi riȝt
3930 & wiȝtlich bigan for hem to fiȝt
Wiþ his swerd of gode egge.
Sum he clef to þe rigge,
& sum he smot þe nek atvo
& sum he smot þe schulder fro.
3935 ¶ Þe oþer kinges were wiȝt also,
Arthours folk þai deden wo -
XXX þousand forsoþe y wene
Fouȝten þer oȝain sextene.
Lucan, Grifles & king Arthour
3940 Vlfin, Bretel & sir Antour,
Þis ich seuen saun fail
Þe cark hadde of þe batayl,
Þe folk descomfit hadde men sen
No hadde her miȝt þe better ben.
3945 Ac in al þis sur carking
Merlin com to Ban þe king
& seyd ‘sir, time it is
Þou help king Arthour, ywis.’
Also swiþe þan Ban þe king {f.223vb} View Facsimile
3950 Went forþ wiþouten letting.
Farien, a kniȝt of gret power,
He was douke of þe first bane[r],
Maruc loked þe secounde,
A kniȝt of swiþe gret mounde,
3955 Of þe þridde maister was
Þe noble king Belias,
Þe ferþ ledde Bleoberiis
A baroun of wel noble pris,
Þe fif[t] ladde Gracian
3960 Strong baroun & noble man.
Þes fiue, so y finde,
Led of men fiftene þousinde,
Þer ich of hem hastiliche
Went hem forþ hardiliche;
Went: MS reads When.
3965 Bohort afterward cam
Wiþ four þousand of noble man;
In þis world wele to fiȝt
No were yhelden non better kniȝt.
Also þai maden þis sailing
sailing: MS reads wailing.
3970 Þe oþer com on hem smiteing
Wiþ her speres & feld to grounde
Mani þat þai þere founde.
¶ In þis time king Lot
Went out of þe plas, God it wot,
3975 & king Nanters & king Vrien
Wiþ mani noble of her men
& king Carodas þe wiȝt
& king of þe hundred kniȝt;
Þese so michel pite seiȝen
3980 Þat þai wepe wiþ her eiȝen
For þe sleȝster of her man,
& sore þe dede of king Ban
& Bohort also his broþer -
Þere no schuld go no noþer.
3985 Adoun þai liȝt & her hors girten,
Wiþouten stirop þerin stirten
Euerich of hem nome in his hond
A launce boþe stef & strong.
King Nanters, king Lot, king Karodas
3990 Þis men armed, wiþ gret ras,
King Ban þai hitten alle at ones,
Adoun þai þrewe him on þe stones,
King of þe hundred kniȝtes & king Vrien {f.224ra} View Facsimile
King Bohort þai riden oȝen
3995 & hitten him boþe at a dent
& feld his stede verrament,
Ac Ban vp stirt & Bohort also
& wele hem wered o fot bo;
Þe oþer hem were about to dere
4000 Ac manliche þai gun hem were.
King Arthour seiȝe doun king Ban
Swiþe wo him was forþan
His stede he smot þider anon;
A kniȝt þat was about king Ban to slon
4005 On þe helme he smot forsoþ,
Þurth helme & palet to þe toþ
& pelt doun þat bodi dede
& tok þat stede gode at nede,
King Ban þan þurth fine miȝt
4010 On þat stede lepe, apliȝt,
Þo he þe stede was opon
He ȝaue a nedel of his fon;
Anoþer king Arthour hitte,
Þe bodi to þe nauel he kitte
4015 Fro þe scholder, y tel ȝou
It was a dint of gret vertu;
Arthour pelt adoun þat buke
Þat hors he lad Bohort þe douke.
Þo þai on hors seten boþe
4020 Þai were aschamed & eke wroþ
So we finden on þe boke
Who þat ani of hem oftoke
Of liue no hadde þai no bote
Ac to þe deþ went, God it wot.
4025 What gette it al to tellen here?
Arthur & Ban & her fere
So michel pople toforn hem slowe
Þat her enemis hem wiþdrowe
& gun to fle to on brigge
4030 Þat þai toforn dede ligge.
Þer spac Morganor on hast
King Vriens sone o bast -
He was on of þe best kniȝt
Þat miȝt held swerd in fiȝt.
4035 He seyd ‘sir listneþ alle, {f.224rb} View Facsimile
O our folk we moten calle
Bi on horn þat y schal blawe
Oþer þai worþ alle yslawe
& destroied of our fon’
4040 Þe kinges seyd ‘þat is wele don.’
¶ Morganor þo gan to blowe
Þat folk so gun his horn knowe,
Swiftlich al þai gunnen flen
& to þe kinges socour ten;
4045 Þo þai comen to þe brigge
Ich on oþer gan to legge,
Ac also wolf þe schip gan driue
Arthour smot hem after swiþe
& king Ban & her men
4050 Slouȝ of hem þousendes ten.
Þer þai hadde mani slawe
Ac Merlin gan hem wiþdrawe
& seyd oȝain wende þai schold
Þe siluer to part & þe gold
4055 & mani oþer riche þinges
Þat þer hadde left þe riche kinges.
Arthour þouȝt gode afin
Þe riche conseil of Merlin -
Þe oþer oway þai leten flen -
4060 & gan oȝain wiþ his folk ten;
Of gold of siluer & noblesse
Þai founden grete riches,
Arthour it ȝaf Bohort & Ban
& bad it part among her man -
4065 So þai deden wiþ gret honour
To hem & to þe king Arthour.

After þat gentil parting
To Londen went Arthour þe king
& king Bohort & king Ban
4070 & alle her noble man,
Fourten niȝt Arthour held fest
Swiþe noble & swiþe onest.
Þo þe fest ydon was
Merlin teld Arthour þat cas;
4075 Arthour he seyd þis þinges
‘No drede þe no more of þis kinges
Now þai han ymade it touȝ
Sone hem worþ to don ynouȝ
E[r] þan com þe Trinite {f.224va} View Facsimile
4080 Ich wald ȝiuen o cite
Wiþ þat þai hadde made acord
& þat þou were made her lord,
For here is comand to þis lond
Gret hunger & here-gong,
4085 Sex hundred [þousand] Sarraȝins
For to awreke þe douke Angis
Þis lond þai comen al about.
Of hem no þarf þe noþing dout
Her schal com a bachelrie
4090 Of þe to haue cheualrie
& of þe to ben made kniȝt
& for þi lond þai wil fiȝt
Þai schul don mani agrise
Of hem þi los schal arise.
4095 Þou schalt hem alle knowe wel
& of þe kinges wite eueri del;
Þai schullen hauen in her lond
Of wer to don ful her hond.
& ich ȝou sigge Bohort & Ban
4100 & sendeþ hom al ȝour man
ȝour lond to loke & ouersen
Bot it swiþe fewe ben.
Arthour schal alle his tounes
Astore wiþ flesche & venisouns
4105 Wiþ corn & mele & men strong
Oȝain her fon to werre long,
¶ & þou Arthour me schalt abide
Bitven Jnglond & Carmelide
In þe toun of Brekenho
4110 Til ich meself þe com to.’
Þis was do wiþouten doute,
[¶ ] Arthour his tounes stored aboute
Wiþ corn-mele, flesche & fische
& wiþ men strong, ywis;
4115 Þe douke Do wiþouten fable
Do: MS reads þo.
Of Cardoil hadde ben constable,
Of Londen bi Merlines rade
He was þo constable ymade.
¶ Leonce he sent hom of Paerne,
4120 ¶ Ban & Bohort swiþe ȝerne,
& þe douke also Pharien
& þe baroun Gracien
Wiþ her ost þe lond to loke, {f.224vb} View Facsimile
So we finden on þe boke.
4125 King Arthour, Bohort & Ban
Wele wiþ sex score of her man
Went hem to Brekenho
So Merlin hem seyd to
Bitven Jnglond & Carmelide
4130 Merlines com for to abide
Þat þo fro hem was ywent
Þai nist whider verrament.
Þo þai hadde þere a while abiden
On a day out þai riden
4135 & seiȝe com bi on lowe
An eld cherl wiþ aruwe & bowe.
Þe cherl bent his bowe sone
& smot a doke mididone
& wiþ a bolt afterward
4140 Anon he hitt a maulard.
¶ Þis foules he nam þo,
Oȝain þe king he gan go.
Arthour him asked, as y ȝou telle,
ȝif he wold þo foules selle,
4145 Þis old man seyd par ma fay
He wold hem ȝiue for monay.
Þe king him axed, so most he liue,
Hou he wold þe foules ȝiue,
Þeld man seyd ‘sir king,
4150 Nouȝt þou schust make hucking
Ac þou schust hote hem bere forþ
& tviis ȝiue me þe worþ
Fo[r] ich þe wold soner ȝiue
Þis to foules, so mot y liue,
4155 Þan þou a pani of þi gold
Þat liþ bidoluen depe in mold.’
Wiþ þis word þe foules to
Sir Kay he tok hem bo.
¶ To þat eld seyd Arthour
4160 ‘Who teld þe of mi tresour?’
‘Certes’ he seyd ‘þe clerk Merlin
For swiþe late y spac wiþ him.’
Þe king nold him leue nouȝt,
Þeld man seyd him no rouȝt
4165 ‘For king’ he seyd ‘þou hast of me
& y no haue nouȝt of þe.’
Bretel & Vlfin him vnderstode {f.225ra} View Facsimile
& seyd anon wiþ milde mode
‘Sir, God þe ȝeld þis foules to,
4170 ȝiftes þou hast him ȝeuen mo
& ȝete þou schalt wiþ Godes miȝt
Mo presantes & ȝiftes him diȝt.’
Þer þai wisten bi Vlfin
Þat þis eld was Merlin.
4175 ¶ Merlin him schewed to king Arthour
& he him kist wiþ gret honour
& Bohort & Ban & oþer swiþe
Of his come weren bliþe.
A damisel of gret valour
4180 Was þo comen to king Arthour
To knowe him lord & don omage
Þat sche no hadde afterward damage,
& alle hir kniȝtes deden also
Þat wiþ hir were comen þo;
4185 Liȝanor þat may was hot,
Erl Siweinis douhter, God it wot.
Þo Arthour hir hadde yseiȝe
Bi hir he wald haue yleiȝe,
So he dede þurth Merlin,
4190 A child he biȝat hir in
Þat wex seþþen of gret mounde
& kniȝt of þe table rounde.
Þere þai soiournd euerichon
Til þat lenten were half agon.
4195 ¶ Lete we hem þer stille be
& of þe kinges telle we
XI, þat flowen are,
Hou þai bicomen & whare.

In time of winter alange it is:
4200 Þe foules lesen her blis,
Þe leues fallen of þe tre,
Rein alangeþ þe cuntre,
Maidens leseþ here hewe,
Ac euer hye louieþ þat be trewe.
4205 Þe kinges þat descomfit ware
Al day & al niȝt hadde yfare
On hors, armed, wiþ gret hete,
Wiþouten drink, wiþouten mete,
Til þai com to Norhant
4210 A fair cite of gode waraunt.
Norham was þat time y wene {f.225rb} View Facsimile
A prout cite & strong & kene;
Ich ȝou telle at on word
King Vriens was þerof lord.
4215 Þis kinges alle þider comen ware
& hadden sorwe & gret care
For her kniȝtes were so yslawe
& her kin brout o liue-dawe;
Swiche diol þai hadden dayes to
4220 Nold þai mete to mirþe do.
Vp him stirt Baudamagu,
A kniȝt of gret vertu,
A: MS reads &.
& seyd ‘kinges leteþ ben,
ȝour diole is rewþe for to sen;
4225 ȝe habbeþ frendes fer & wide,
To hem ȝe schulleþ nouþe ride
& ȝour diol to hem speke
Þurth whom ȝe worþ awreke.’
Þurth his speche comfort þai nome,
4230 Þe þridde day & togider come
& euerich oþer ȝaue swiche solas
So þai miȝten in þat cas;
Þat day þai maden hem at aise,
To bed aniȝt þai ȝeden in paise.
4235 ¶ Þe ferþ day euerich aros
& sone days hem agros
For to hem com a messanger
& gret hem wiþ rewelich chere
& seyd into Cornnewaile
4240 Sarraȝins were comen saun faile
& hadde neiȝe strued al þat lond
Wiþ wilde fere & wiþ brond
& þe lond of Dorkaine also
Ystroied & don michel wo.
4245 Nambires þai hadde bilay
& destrued al þe cuntray
Boþe wiþ fer & wiþ sword,
Spard þai noiþer knaue no lord,
Þer was so michel pople of hem
4250 Þat tellen hem no miȝt men.
Þo þo kinges yherd þis
In her hertes nas no blis,
Al her flesche bigan to quake
So þe feuer hem had ytake,
4255 Ich of hem seyd, allas {f.225va} View Facsimile
Þat ani of hem ybore was;
Þe wailing þat þai made
Today no miȝt ich fulrade
Ac swiche sorwe made, apliȝt,
4260 Ich of hem fourten niȝt
Þat litel mete com hem among
Bot ‘waileway!’ & wepeing strong.
At þe fourten niȝtes ende
King Brangore wiȝt & hende
4265 Com him forþ into þe halle
& ofsent his feren alle,
To hem alle þan spak Brangori
‘Yblisced be þe king of glorie
Of his grace & of his sending,
4270 What helpeþ ous swiche morning?
Fond we ous to bistere
& our lond sumdel to were.
We no haue pouer Arthour oȝen
For king Bohort & king Ban
4275 No for Merlin þe gode clerk
Þat can so michel schandliche werk;
We no haue deserued of Arthour
To haue nonskinnes socour
To helpen ous oȝain Angys kende
4280 Þat þenkeþ ous for to schende
& we haue ylorn our miȝt
Nouȝt wiþ wrong ac al wiþ riȝt
Þat wold haue our lord kende
Yslawe þurth lore of þe fende.
4285 ¶ Of king Leodegan help worþ ous non,
For of Yrlond þe king Rion
Him haþ awerred to ȝer & more
Wiþ tventi kinges bi Godes ore,
No of king Pelles of Listonei
4290 No worþ ous help, par ma fay,
For þe ward of Pelleore,
His broþer, liþ sike & sore
& schel be seke fort þe meruaile
Of þe greal be don saun faile,
faile: MS reads saile.
4295 No forþer of þe king Alain
No worþ ous noiþer help no main
For he liþ sike & sike schal ben
For[t] þe best kniȝt of stren’ -
Y haue seyd wherfore it is {f.225vb} View Facsimile
4300 Þat he bicom sike, ywis -
‘No of þe king of þe Marais
Normaga of Sorailes
No may þer com help to ous
For him awerreþ Galaous,
4305 No of þe king Bremeins,
No of þe king Adameins,
No of þe king Clamadas
No may ous com no solas
ous: MS reads hem.
For alle hem werreþ Galeus
4310 Þe riche king so vertouous;
Lokeþ now hou we may spede
For we habbeþ wel gret nede.’
¶ Þo bispac Cradelman,
King of Norþ Wales a wise man,
4315 ‘Þe best conseil þat y can:
Part we alle our man
& hire we alle þo
Þat we wiþ catel may ago
& ich man wende to his cite
4320 Þat we wene strangest be
& kepe we þe strait wais
Oueralle in þe cuntrays
& robben hem her sustenaunce,
Wiþ skec & don hem combraunce
4325 & waiten hem al þe qued
Þat we mowe bi mi red.’
Þo bispac sir Lot þe king
‘Gode ware al þis conseiling
Ac ich wot when Arthour seþ
4330 Þat we of þe payens awerred beþ
An oþer half he wil ous anoie
& wiþ schond ous destroie.’
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝt
Seyd ‘drede ȝou nouȝt, y ȝou pliȝt,
4335 Arthour wiþ Bohort & Ban
Beþ toward Leodegan
& help him oȝain Rion
& hem warnisen euerichon
Boþe cite & castel
4340 Wiþ mete & men swiþe wel
Þat hem no stondeþ no doute
Of þe payens no of her route;
Of him no haueþ non drede {f.226ra} View Facsimile
For it is soþe þat ich ȝou sede;
4345 Mi conseyl is ȝe don anon
So þou seydest king Cradelman.’
Þis conseyl þai deden þo
& senten after mani mo
Kniȝtes, swaines, man þat wold
4350 Winnen siluer oþer gold
For to loke wiþouten asoine
Al þe marches of Galoine
& of Cornwaile þe pleines
& eke þe place of Dorkains
4355 & of Gorre also ich say
& eke þe entres of Galeway.
Alder first Yder þe king
Þre þousand hadde of bileueing
Þat yslawe no were nouȝt
MS repeats no were.
4360 Oȝaines Arthour þan þai fouȝt
& viij þousand of purchas
He hadde also bi Godes gras,
& to his strong cite Nante
his: MS reads þis.
Wiþ alle þis men he wante,
4365 & ȝete he hadde þousandes þre
Of þe cite bi mi leute;
¶ Þis Ider loked wele þe wayes
Wiþ his folk in þat cuntreys
& payens he ouercam
4370 Oft & her mete binam
& so wele in armes dede
Þat men hem blisced in eueri stede.
¶ King Nanters þe wiȝt man
So went forþ into Hussidan
4375 His owhen cite þat was of priis
Wiþ þre þousand him bileued, ywis,
In þe bataile þer he was,
Wiþ seuen þousand of purchas,
& fif þousand in toun he fond,
4380 Orped men & gode of hond;
Þis loked wele þe paþes
& þe paiens oft deden scaþes,
Boþe o lif & eke tresour
Þai dede þe paiens misauentour.
4385 ¶ King Lot went to Dorkaine
Wiþ þre þousand bileued wiþ paine,
Þer he was at þe bataile {f.226rb} View Facsimile
& wiþ fiue þousand of purchas saun faile,
& four þousand he fond in his toun,
4390 Wiȝt men & of grete renoun,
& ȝete for his wiȝt pruesse
& hendeschip & largesse
Þre þousand after him come
Gode bataile for to done.
4395 ¶ VIII þousand þo hadde Lot
Þat wele him holpe God it wot
Þe waies & þe paþes ȝeme
& of þe Sarrains hem reme
hem: MS reads him.
& often deden hem gret greuaunce
4400 & robbed hem her sustenaunce.
¶ Þo went king Clarion
To Norþhumberlond anon
To his cite þat hete Orlende
Wiþ þre þousand þat were hende
4405 Þat him bileued at þat fiȝt
Oȝain Arthour þe gode kniȝt;
VIII þousand he hadde of purchas
Þat wele deden in eueri plas,
Þe wayes þai deden wele awayt
4410 & þe paþes þat were strait
& oft deden þe Sarraȝins
Grete schame & grete pines.
¶ After went anonriȝtes
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes -
4415 Aguigines was his name
He was a kniȝt of gret fame -
He went him to Malaot,
A riche cite God it wot,
Þe cite on leuedis was
4420 & stode in a wel gret pas
Where þe Sarraȝins com & ride,
Þre þousand he brouȝt him mide
Ascaped fram deþes hond;
Þat leuedi marched on his lond
4425 Þerfore sche com to his socour
& fond kniȝtes of grete valour
Ynouȝ to loken her lond -
& so þai deden wiþ miȝti hond.
After went Cradelman
4430 To Norþ Wales þat he cam
Wiþ þre þousand of his kniȝtes {f.226va} View Facsimile
Þat were ascaped fram þe fiȝtes,
He purchast seuen þousinde,
So ich in þe boke yfinde,
4435 Four þousand he fond at hom
Þat were bliþe of his com
For vnneþe fram hem fiue mile
Woned a wiche hete Carmile -
Hir broþer hiȝt Hardogabran,
4440 A swiþe riche soudan.
Of wichecraft & vilaine
& eke of nigramace
Of þis warld sche couþe mast
Wiþouten Arthours soster abast –
soster: MS reads sone.
4445 Morgein forsoþe was hir name
& woned wiþouten Niniame
Þat wiþ hir queint gin
Bigiled þe gode clerk Merlin.
¶ Þis Carmile in þat cuntray
4450 Hadde a castel of gret noblay,
Of þat castel hadde socour
Þe Sarraȝins & gret recour
Wharþurth þe king Cradelman
Was soure carked & alle his man,
4455 Ac swiþe wele noþelas
Þe marche he loked & eke þe pas.
Ac Carmile par ma fay
Bi Merlines liif-day
No miȝt do wiþ hir wicheing
4460 In Jnglond non anoiing.
¶ King Brangore þo went forþ
To Estrangore wel fer bi norþ
& woned þat wiche biside -
Þe more noiȝe him gan bitide.
4465 Þre þousinde wiþ him he nam
Þe sleiȝt þat were ascaped fram,
Sex þousinde he hadde of purchas
& fiue of his cite þat was,
Þat loked þe cuntray
4470 & often dede þe panimes tray.
Þis Brangores of valour
Ludranes douster þemperour
Bi þat time hadde yspoused,
A leuedi gent & preciouse,
4475 Ac þe king of Hungri & of Blaske {f.226vb} View Facsimile
Hir hadde first to wiue ytake;
Bi hir form husbounde
Sche hadde a child of gret mounde
Þat was yhoten Sagremor,
4480 In ward wiþ þemperour
Þat was air of þempire
& of Blaske & of Hungrie -
ȝe schul here afterward hou Segremor
Com to kniȝt of king Arthour
4485 Whereþurth þemperour sikerliche
Him hadde ygraiþed richeliche
& hadde him sent fro Costentinenoble
fro: MS reads to.
To Jnglondward wiþ mani noble.
¶ ȝete went forþ king Carodas
4490 Þat of þe rounde table was
To Galence his cite,
A cite riche of gret plente,
Wiþ him he hadde þre þousand kniȝt
þousand: MS reads souand.
Þat were ascaped fram þat fiȝt
4495 & þer he fond foure þousinde
Noble kniȝtes so ich finde
& seuen þousand of gret powers
He purchasced on heiȝe destrers,
Þat wiþ swerd & launce & kniif
4500 Binomen mani painems her liif
& wiþ skekes & wiþ fiȝt
Þe wayes loked wele apliȝt.
Þerafter þe king Anguisaunt
Went to Coranges in Scotland
4505 Wiþ fiue þou[s]and gode kniȝtes
Alle ascaped fram þe fiȝtes,
Of purchas he hadde þousendes ten
Swiþe wele fiȝtand men
Wiþouten mani þat he fond
4510 In his cite & in his lond;
He nas bot tventi mile-way
Fram Nambire þat was bilay
Of mani þousand Sarra[ȝ]in
Whereof he hadde mister fin
4515 To fele kniȝtes him to helpe
To fiȝt oȝain þe Sarraȝin welpe -
So þai deden wiþ chere bliþe
Swiþe oft & mani siþe
On hem schoten bi wayes & paþes {f.227ra} View Facsimile
4520 & dede þe Sarr[aȝ]ins gret scaþes.
¶ Þo went Eustas to Arundel
Wiþ þre þousand armed wel
Þat were ascaped fram þe batayle,
Wiþ seuen þousand sau[n] faile
4525 Þat wele loked paþ & way
Oueral in þat cuntray.
¶ King Vriens bileued stille
In Norham sori & eke ille
For depart of his felawes
4530 & for her men þat weren yslawe,
He hadde in alle þousandes ten
Boþe wiȝt & hardy men
Þat anoied bi al her miȝt
Þe Sarraȝins bi day & niȝt.

4535 Now ȝe schul vnderstond

Fif ȝer þis last in Jnglond
Þat no corn no was ysowe
Noiþer on doun no on lowe,
Alle þis ich ȝeres fiue
4540 Þis kinges þus ladde her liue
Wiþ þat þai miȝt reue & robbe
Of Sarraȝins wiþ swerd & clobbe,
Þe lowe folk in þe cuntray
Were yslawe for nouȝt al day -
4545 & alle yslawe hadde yben
No hadde sir Wawain to hem sen
Þat was þo a bacheler
Iolif & of strong power.
Ac ar ich ȝou more þing
4550 Of paiems tellen oþer king,
Of Nanters sones & of his feren,
Noble þing ȝe schullen yheren.
His sone was hoten Galathin -
Now listneþ wele for loue min.

4555 Of Ygerne þat ich er of spake

Hou Hoel hir hadde spoused to make;
On hir he biȝat Blasine gent
& so he dede Belisent.
King Nanters hadde spoused Blasine
4560 & Lot Belisent fair & dine.
Y wil wele þat ȝe it wite
Nanters in Blasine hadde biȝete
A fair ȝong man Galathin {f.227rb} View Facsimile
Wiȝt hende & gentil afin,
4565 Lot biȝat in Belisent
Four sones swiþe gent,
Gveheres & eke Wawain,
Gaheriet & Agreuein.
¶ Galathin in þis time
4570 Com to his moder Blasine
& asked ȝif it were soþ
Þat men seyd souþe & norþ
‘ȝif mi nem be king Arthour?
Telle me dame, par amour.’
4575 Blasine þo bigan to wepe
& seyd ‘sone so God me kepe
Mi broþer king Arthour is
In on wombe we weren, ywis,
Bot he is Vter Pendragons stren,
4580 Þerfore þi fader him wold slen,
& nere þi fader was slawe in fiȝt
Nouȝt wiþ wrong bot al wiþ riȝt.’
Þer sche him teld anon
Arthours biȝete of Vter Pendragon
4585 & alle þe destaunce whi & wharfore
Arthours deþ þai hadden yswore,
& seyd ‘sone, were þou wiis
Or so þou þe heldest of priis
Þou scholdest bi day & bi niȝt
4590 Wiþ queyntise & al þi miȝt
Fond for to maken acord
Bitven Arthour & þi lord.’
Galathin swore wiþ wordes bold
He nold neuer oȝain [him hold]
4595 & seyd he wold of him afong
Helme & swerd & launce strong
& of him be dubbed kniȝt
& wiþ him be in pays & fiȝt.
A messanger he sent anon
4600 & badde him swiþe to Wawain gon
& sigge him wiþ wordes bonaire
He com to þe newe faire
Of Brocklond to speke him wiþ
Mani word of loue & griþ,
4605 Þis erand bar þe messanger;
Wawain answerd wiþ glad chere
Þat ȝif he hadde liif of manne {f.227va} View Facsimile
He wold speke wiþ him þanne.
In time þat þis sond cam
4610 Gawinet fram hunting nam,
Þre grehoundes he ledde on hond
& þre raches in on bond.
¶ His moder biheld him & wepe sore
& seyd ‘sone, now þi nore!
4615 Þou lest þi time wiþ vnriȝt;
Þou hast age to ben kniȝt,
Þou schust leten þi folye,
Þi rage & þi ribaudye;
Þenke on þi nem Arthour,
4620 Kniȝt þat is of mest valour,
& fond to make gode acord
Bitven him & Lot þi lord.’
Þer sche told him bifore
Hou Arthour was biȝeten & bore.
4625 His breþern seyd he hadde wrong
For it was al on him ylong
Þat þai her time lorn so
& bot he wald wiþ hem go
Þai wolden fare to king Arthour
4630 & him seruen wiþ honour.
¶ Þo bispac him child Wawain
Whom Crist ȝaf boþe miȝt & main
‘Swete dame & breþern þre,
Wiþ gret wrong ȝe blamen me
wrong: r is superscript.
4635 Seþþen ich euer born was
Nist y neuer are þis cas,
Ac seþþen þus fer comen it is
Y bihote þe king of blis
No schal y neuer armes afong
4640 Bot of king Arthours hond.’
His þre breþer þer on hast
Þer biheten anon þat hast.
¶ Þo bispac Wawain curteys
‘Ma dame, purvaieþ ous harnais
4645 & we nil neuer blinne
What we may þe acord winne.’
‘Sone,’ sche seyd ‘sikerliche
ȝe schullen haue neweliche
Hors & armes & alle þing
4650 Þat bihoueþ to ȝour dubbeing.’
Þerafter sone bi Godes sond {f.227vb} View Facsimile
Galathin went to Brocklond,
Oȝain him com Wawain þe fre
Wiþ his gentil breþer þre
4655 & in her togider coming
Þai maden ioie & gret kisseing.
¶ Þo seyd Wawain to Galathin
‘Certes gentil nevou min
No hadde it be for loue þine
4660 Ich & al breþer mine
Were ywent to our em Arthour
To seruen him & make amour
Our fader & him bitven
Þurth help of heuen-quen.’
4665 ¶ ‘Yherd be Crist,’ quaþ Galathin
‘Þat is desire & wil min
For þat ich selue þing
Ich made after þe sending;
Togider y pray þe wende we.’
4670 ‘Bleþeliche’ quaþ Wawain þe fre,
Þer þai setten ioifulliche
Day to wende sikerliche -
& ȝif þai no hadde togider ywent
Jnglond hadde ben yschent.

4675 Mirie is þentre of May:

Þe foules make miri play,
miri: spelling uncertain, with extra minim.
Maidens singgeþ & makeþ play,
Þe time is hot & long þe day,
Þe iolif niȝtingale singeþ
4680 In þe grene mede floures springeþ.
floures: MS reads foules.
¶ King Lot & þe leuedi Belisent
Hadde puruayd her sone gent
Fif hundred on hors wel
In armour of iren & stiel,
4685 Erls sones & barouns boþe
Alle in sout of o cloþe,
Ac of hem, bot neiȝen, kniȝt
Þer no ware, y ȝou pliȝt;
He blisced Gawaynet
4690 & Gueheres & Gaheriet
& Agreuein þat was so hende
& on Godes name bad hem wende.
¶ On þis maner dede Blasine,
King Nanters leuedi dine,
4695 Hir sone Galathin {f.228ra} View Facsimile
Sche graiþed in atire fin,
To hundred feren sche him fond
& blisced him wiþ hir hond,
hir: MS reads his.
Of þis to hundred were xx kniȝtes
4700 Swiþe noble & gode in fiȝtes.
Galathin & Gawainet
Togider com þer þai hadde sett
& wenten forþ in her way
Toward Londen forsoþe to say.
4705 Þai wenden haue king Arthour founde
In þe noble toun of Lounde,
Þe þridde day in her iurneie
Þai were Londen swiþe neiȝe,
neiȝe: MS nere.
¶ Þai seiȝen hem com swiþe ner
4710 Seuen hundred charged somer
& seuen hundred cartes also
& fiue hundred waines after go
Ycharged alle wiþ ale & bred
Wiþ fische & flesche & win red
4715 Robbed of men of þe cuntray
To leden to her ost oway -
For þe poudre of þis charging
No miȝt men se sonne schining.
¶ Þre þousand seyt our boke
4720 Þat robberie went to loke,
Þis robberie þan hadde ydon
A king hiȝt Leodebron
& þe king Senigram,
Swiþe fel & wicke man,
4725 & þe king Maudelec
Þat euer waited scaþe & skec
& þe king Sernagare,
Of Yrlond al þai ware;
Þis four heþen kinges
4730 Went to loken þis robbeinges,
& were so wroþ þat king Arthour
Hadde ywarnist toun & tour
Þat þe cuntre aboute Lounde
Slowen & brent to þe grounde.
4735 Men seiȝe þe fer fer away
Þennes ouer a iurnay,
Man & wiif & children bo
No hadde þai no pite to slo
Þe folk schirsten so heiȝe & loude {f.228rb} View Facsimile
4740 Þat it schilled into þe cloude.
Wawain seiȝe & herd þis fare
& asked men what it ware
& þai him teld sone anon
So ich toforn haue ydon,
4745 Wawain asked where was þe king,
Þai seyd, þurth Merlins conseiling
He was went to king Leodegon
To help him wer oȝain king Rion.
Quaþ Waway[n] ‘bi mi leute,
4750 We nil suffre now þis pite;
Seþþen king Arthour is out of lond
We wil þe painemes wiþstond
& saue his lond – we beþ his men -
Til þat he com hider oȝen.’
4755 Þat folk abouten him gan ten
& asked wat folk it miȝt ben,
Þai seyden whos sones þai were
& wherefore þai comen þere.
Þe folk þat was of þis lond
4760 Þonked Ihesu Cristes sond,
Chasteleins sones & vauasours -
Seþþen wele deden wiþ king Arthours -
& fele men of þis lond
Þer fellen to þis children hond,
4765 Fif hundred of wiȝt man.
Wawain hete on hast þan
Euerich man him arme wel
Boþe in yren & in stiel
& suwen him, for our sleiȝt
4770 He wald awreke anonriȝt;
Now hadde he a þousand & hundred to,
Of wiche four score & no mo
Hardi & wele doinde kniȝtes,
Þat him suwed anonriȝtes
4775 In four parties so y finde
& dede hem oȝain þre þousinde
& acontred þat carroy.
It was passed þe midday
& þo fel fro Wawain
4780 Sumdel of his miȝt & main -
¶ For of his strengþe þe maner
Sumdel ȝe may lern & here:
Bitven auensong & niȝt {f.228va} View Facsimile
He no hadde bot o mannes miȝt
4785 & þat strengþe him last
Fort arnemorwe bi þe last,
& fram arnemorwe to þe midday
He hadde strengþe of kniȝtes tvay,
Fram midday fort afternone
4790 He nadde strengþe bot of one,
Fram afternone to auensong
So to kniȝtes he was strong;
Þis was þe manere of Wawain
Of his strengþe & of his main.
4795 In þe time of midday
On þe paiens he smot par fay
Wiþ an ex scharp & strong -
Þe bite was to fot long.
Whom he miȝt take & hitt
4800 Þe heued he clef oþer of kitt
He hem tohewe ich ȝou swer
So flesche doþ þe flesche-heweere;
He & his hors fram heued to taile
fram: r is superscript.
Blodi weren al saun fayl
4805 Of þe paiems þat he slouȝ
Wiþ gode riȝt & no wouȝ.
¶ Alder next him was Galathin
Þat him halp wiþ miȝt fin,
What Sarraȝin so he mett
4810 Wel soriliche he hem grett
Þat wom euer þat he hitt
Þe heued to þe chinne he slitt,
Oþer þe scholder, oþer þe heued,
Fro þe bodi was bireued,
4815 Oþer legge, oþer fest,
Oþer what he miȝt take best,
Who so euer he atrauȝt
Tombel of hors he him tauȝt.
¶ Wawaines broþer Agreuein
4820 Þer him kidde a noble mayn
For xx kniȝtes al arawe
Þer he brouȝt o liue-dawe.
¶ Þe þridde broþer Gueheres
Smot him in amid þe pres,
4825 On alle half about he smot
& mani slouȝ, God it wot.
¶ Þe ȝongest broþer Gaheriet, {f.228vb} View Facsimile
No child no miȝt fiȝt bet
Þan he dede verrament,
4830 Þer he bisett mani a dent,
Þurth armes out euerichon
He clef þurth flesche & bon;
Fourti Sarraȝins & mo
Þer he dede to helle go.
4835 Oþer men þat mid him were
Deden nobleliche þere,
Þai slouȝwen & brouȝt to grounde
Mani paien in litel stounde.
¶ Ac certes oȝain Wawain
4840 Non no miȝt kiþe his main
his: s is superscript.
For arme non ywrouȝt wiþ hond
Oȝain his dent no miȝt stond;
Þat he tok he al torof,
So dust in winde & aboute drof.
4845 Þer he him contende so manliche
Þat in litel while sikerliche
Child Wawain & his felawe
Þis þre þousand brouȝten of dawe
Bot tventi paiems þat gun ascape
4850 &, fleand oway wiþ gret rape,
Of wiche þe ten com bihinde
To on ost of seuen þousinde,
Wiþ loude voice & to hem gradde
‘Harou painems ȝe ben to badde.
4855 Cartes & somers ous beþ binome
& alle our folk is ouercome
& yslawe euerich man
Bot we, & oþer ten
Þat herebineþe fram ous ȝede
4860 More socour to bring hem midde.’
Euerich payem þo was sori
& criden a grisely crie
‘As armes for Mahouns sake
Þat þis traitour were ytake.’
4865 Þat armes hadde ron þerto
Ac som no hadde non þo
Ac þai hem hadde laid for hot
In þe cartes, God it wot,
Wiche þe children hadde sent
4870 To Londen verrament -
Alle þe cartes & somers {f.229ra} View Facsimile
Were sent þider wiþ men of powers.
Þis paiens wiþouten let
Oȝains þis children set,
4875 Oȝain a þousand come seuen;
Þat was noþing delt euen.
Ac þe help of our driȝt
Wiþ Wawain & his gan aliȝt;
No herd men neuer so fewe in lond
4880 Noblicher so fele wiþstond.
fele: MS reads fewe.
Þer aros noble bataile
A boþe half wiþouten faile,
Ac Wawain swiþe noble was
For þer he met king Thoas,
4885 A wiȝt geaunt gret & strong,
Of (þo) fet fourtene he was long,
A king he was of Yrlond.
Wawain his ax left an hond,
On þe helme he him hitt
4890 Þat to þe brest he him slit.
¶ Galathin mett king Sanigran,
An vnsely hoge man,
Wiþ his swerd he him hitt
Þat his heued of he kitt.
4895 Wawain broþer Agreuain
Amid þe pres kidde his main
For a left half & a riȝt
He leyd on & slouȝ doun riȝt.
¶ Þer com þe king Gvinbat
4900 & ȝaf Gueheres swiche a flat
Þat he fel adoun to grounde
Ac he stirt vp in a stounde
& so smot a Sarraȝin
Þat he clef his bacin
4905 & eke his heued to þe toþ
& on his hors lepe forsoþ.
Gaheriet seiȝe Gvinbat
Þat his broþer ȝaue swiche a flat
& Gvinbat him com seiȝe
4910 & gan to fleiȝe swiþe oway.
For þe strokes he seiȝe him ȝeue
He no durst abide, so mot y liue,
For þo Gaheriet was ymade kniȝt
In euerich place & eueri fiȝt
4915 He kidde ner as miche main {f.229rb} View Facsimile
So dede his broþer Wawain.
Gvinbat fleiȝe out of þe place,
Gaheriet on hors his trace
Folwed out fram þat ost
4920 Wele þe schote of an alblast
So we finden on þe bok,
In o valay he him oftok
In wiche valay þe oþer ten
Þat scaped Wawain & our men
4925 Hadden brouȝt þousandes eiȝt
Of our men to make sleiȝt;
Gaheriet no lete nouȝt for þat
Þat he no folwed king Gvinbat,
& folwed him wiþouten doute
4930 Alon amidward þe route
& smot him so on þe helme cler
& þerof carf a quarter
& þe scheld þurth ato
Wiþ þe scholder & arme also.
4935 ¶ King Gvinbat in þat stounde
Aswon fel adoun to grounde,
Gaheriet þo turned his bridel
& swiþe wald oȝain ride,
Ac þe paiems about him come
4940 & wold him han ynome,
Ac þer he carf wiþ swerd & smot
Mani to þe deþ, God it wot.
He nas nouȝt tventi winter eld
Ac in armes he was beld,
4945 Sum wiþ swerd so he hitt
Þat to þe chin he him slitt,
Of mani he smot þe nek ato
nek: originally neck,
c underdotted.
& wounded & dede michel wo;
Non durst him neiȝe verrament
4950 For doute of his hard dent.
Þo þai him dede gret vilanie,
His hors slouȝ biforn his eiȝe,
Gaheriet afot stode
& werd him wiþ hert gode,
4955 Boþe he slouȝ hors & man
Him aboute, fiue & ten,
So sore he hitt, so sore he smot,
Non durst him neiȝe God it wot.
Þer þai þrewen on him anon {f.229va} View Facsimile
4960 Stones & kniues mani on
Swerdes, staues & launces long
& wounded him swiþe strong
& tviies feld him on þe ston,
Allas! help no hadde he non.
4965 On him þai schoten atte last
& deden of his armes on hast
For to haue anon yreued
His bodi fram his gentil heued.
In þat time a gentil swain
4970 Wel gode scour com to Wawain
‘Wawain,’ he seyd ‘þi broþer y say
Riden ȝonder to ȝon valay
Folwand on heþen king;
Me þenkeþ he makeþ long duelling,
4975 Go we þider for our leudi,
Y herd þer gret noise & cri,
Y dar legge heued min
Þat þer ben mo Sarraȝin
Þat beþ comand hiderward
4980 & han þi broþer in hondling hard.’
‘Allas!’ he seyd ‘Icham yschent,
Be mi broþer so yhent,
As lef me were to ben of dawe
As mi broþer were yslawe.’
4985 & seyd to Galathin
‘Gode nevou, broþer min,
ȝond bineþen icham adred
Þurth his folye he is misled.’
Quaþ Galathin ‘lete be þi striif
4990 & wende we þiderward biliif.
While we speki & makeþ tale
He may lachi deþes bale.’
Þer þai smiten al about,
Þai four dassed out of þe rout,
4995 ¶ Galathin & eke Wawain
Gveheres & Agreuein,
Sum oþer of þe best
After þese four þrest;
Þo þai seiȝen ich ȝou say
5000 VIII þousand in o valay
Of wiche her maister king
Was yhoten Gvinbating,
Anoþer hiȝt Medalan {f.229vb} View Facsimile
Boþe wiȝt & hoge man.
5005 Wawain swiþe among hem smot
His broþer to seche, God it wot,
His ex he houe swiþe heiȝe,
Galathin was him wel neiȝe;
Þai leiden on, hem about
5010 & toschiften al þat rout.
Sum þe scholder & som þe regge
He cleued wiþ swerdes egge,
Of sum þe midel ato he girt,
Mani he slouȝ & mani he hirt.
5015 Abouten hem swiche sleiȝst þai made
Þat y no may it nouȝt al fulrade.
¶ Gveheres & Agrevein
Schewed also her main,
Mani þai hitten & smiten þurth
5020 Þat fellen ded in þe furth.
No fined þai neuer swiche a sleiȝt
What þai to Gaheriet com riȝt
& pitouseliche him ligge founde
Deueling opon þe grounde,
5025 Mani on about him were
His armour of þai gun to tere.
¶ þo was Wawain so wroþ
His owhen liif was him loþ,
Þer he smot sore, apliȝt,
5030 Boþe a left half & a riȝt,
On he smot þat þe dent þrest
Þurth helme & heued to þe brest,
Anoþer on þe schulder he hitt
Þat to þe (bi) ribbes he him slitt.
5035 Anoþer he toke aboue þe scheld
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld,
Þus he serued mani arawe
Also dede his felawen;
So fele þai slowen hors & man
5040 Þat tellen alle y no can.
Þos þat Gaheriet held þo
Alle hem bifel sorwe & wo,
No durst no abide lenge
Ac flowen oway on on renge.
5045 Þo Gaheriet seiȝe Wawain
He lepe vp wiþ al his main,
His armes he tok vp anon {f.230ra} View Facsimile
& swiftliche dede hem opon
& toke a swerd in his hond gode,
5050 Afot mani he schadde blode.
A destrer þo ladde Agreuein
& toke it Gaheriet bi þe rein
& seyd ‘worþ heron hastiliche.’
& seyd ‘þou dest foliliche
5055 Þo þou folwedest hunting
Ani man in þis gret þring.’
Vpon þe stede Gaheriet
Lepe anon wiþouten let,
Alle his felawes weren bliþe
5060 Out of þe route dasten swiþe;
Anon þai gun hem wiþdrawe
What þai com to her felawe.
Þese Sarraȝins þo gun vnplie
Her baners & after heiȝe,
5065 ¶ To nimen þis children anon
Mahoun þai sworen euerichon,
Vnder hem alle so was y finde
Almest fiften þousinde;
Our was litel more þan on
5070 Ac Crist hem halp wele to don.
Our were gode bodis alle,
Þe Sarraȝins þai gun to talle,
A boþe half þai laiden on
So fast þo [so] þai miȝten don.

5075 Listneþ now gret & smale

Hou ȝou seiþ here þis tale:
Þe vplondis men þat hadden ladde
Cartes & somers so Wawain badde
To Londen wel wele þai come.
5080 Þe citisains fair in hem nome
& asked hem for heuen-king
Whennes com þat noble þing,
Alle þai telden hou Wawain
& his feren þurth noble main
5085 Hadden met toward Lounde
& þre þousand leyd to grounde
& þe Sarraȝins hadde yschent
& to Londen þat catel sent,
& seyden to þe constable þo
5090 Þat was yhoten sir Do
Þat Sarraȝins seuen þousinde {f.230rb} View Facsimile
Hadde asailed hem bihinde.
¶ Sir Do went to Algate
& dede blowe an horn þerate,
5095 Of þat cite þe alderman
Ich wiþ his ward cam,
Þo þai were þider ycome
Seuen þousand were in her trome;
Þo spac sir Do þat was kniȝt
5100 Trewe hardi & eke wiȝt
‘Loke,’ he seyd ‘leue frende,
Herbisiden ben childer hende
Þat han þis ich dawe
Mani cursed painem slawe
5105 Þat hadden robbed þis cuntray
Of al þis ich fair pray,
Þis children han hem yschent
& þis present hider sent;
We were coward & vnhende
5110 Bot we holpen þo children kende.
It beþ Galathin & eke Wawain,
Gveheres, Gaheriet & Agreuein.
Þurth þe grace of Crist Ihesu
& þis children y telle ȝou
5115 Bitvene Arthour & þe xi king
May be pes & acording.
As armes,’ he seyd ‘par amour
& dasse we to her socour.’
Wiþouten abod sone anon
5120 Her armes þai deden on,
Euerich of þe alderman
His baner biforn him nam
& þe constable sir Do
His baner toke also,
5125 Of þe seuen þousand to þai lete
For alle chaunce Londen to kepe
& wiþ hem toke þousandes fiue
Swiþe gode in fiȝt & striue;
Her steden swiþe þai bistriden
5130 & toward þe children swiþe riden.
Lete we now ben her cominge
& speke we of þe children fiȝting.
Þis children fourten so y finde
Oȝain fiftene þousinde
5135 & no hadde bot four score kniȝtes {f.230va} View Facsimile
& fif hundred of squiers wiȝt
& tventi also þat schulden ben
Kniȝtes when þai miȝt her time sen
& þ(e)re hundred of þe cuntray
5140 Boþe on fot & hors y say -
Þat was a þousand, an hundred las
Nas þer namore in þat cas,
Ac Gvinbating & Medelan,
To vnsely hardi man,
5145 Wiþ viii þousand in a þrome
On our folk dasseand come
Wiþ strong cours & gret hete
So þai hem wald nim & þrete.
Gvinbating an hoge spere
5150 Oȝain Wawain he gan to bere,
Wawain it seiȝe sone on hast,
His scheld þeroȝin gan cast,
His scheld perced Gvinbating
Ac his strong hauberk noþing
5155 Þe launce brac atvo, apliȝt;
Wawain nouȝt stired ac sat vpriȝt,
His ax he hef wiþ boþe his hond
To hit Gvinbating, ich vnderstond.
On his helme he him smot,
5160 Þe ax glod God it wot,
Of þe gode ax þe scharpe egge
Fel doun on þe hors rigge
& tocarf it euen ato,
& to þe grounde wiþouten no
5165 Þe kniȝt donward gan butten
Amidward þe hors gutten -
& no hadde Wawain þer o fot ylawe
He hadde þer þe king yslawe.
Þo þe Sarraȝin yseiȝe þis
5170 Þer com man[i] hundred, ywis,
Her lord to ben bitven
& Wawain to nimen or slen,
Þe Sarraȝin her lord vp nome
& on hors sett him sone
5175 & sir Wawain þai asailed strong,
His hors þai slowen wiþ wrong.
Him to nim þai deden strengþe.
& non durst him neiȝe his ax-lengþe
Ac þai him þrewe wiþ swerd & spere {f.230vb} View Facsimile
5180 Him to nimen & him to dere.
At þat rideing slouȝ Galathin
Swiþe mani Sarraȝin
So dede also Gveheres
Mani heueded in þat pres,
5185 Agreuein dede also
Mani slouȝ & deden wo,
So dede þe child Gaheriet;
No man no miȝt fiȝt bet.
Miday passed & none cam,
5190 Wawain strengþe double gan
Þo he seyd & swore ‘par de
Today no schul ȝe nimen me.’
Wiþ boþe his honden his ax he hef
& fele he slouȝ in stounde bref;
5195 In blod he stode ichil avowe
Of hors & man into þe anclowe
Þat he hadde himselue yslawe,
Wiþouten sleiȝt of his felawe.
Þo seiȝe he wiþ gret main
5200 A paiem smot to Agreuein
Þat he fel on his hors nek,
Him to heueden he gan to bek.
Wawain wiþ his ax-helue
Lepe þo fet ten & tvelue
5205 & ouer al þat bitven hem was
To help his broþer in þat cas.
Þat ich painem wele he knewe
Þat on his broþer nek hewe.
Þe paiem seye he miȝt nouȝt flen,
5210 His scheld he kest him bitvene
& Wawain smot on þe scheld
smot: MS reads somt.
Þat it clef & fel in þe feld.
ȝete decended þat ich dent
Þurth þe armes verrament
5215 & þurthout flesche & bon & blode
Þat at þe girdelstede it stode.
Þat dede bodi he put adoun
& lepe anon in þe arsoun
& seyd ‘today ich ȝeld ȝour rentes
5220 Wiþ hard woundes & deþ-dentes,
Mi strengþe is dubled bi God aboue
& þat ȝe schul ȝete today proue.’
catchword: he slouȝ to grounde al.
& slouȝ to grounde al doun riȝt {f.231ra} View Facsimile
Boþe a left half & a riȝt
5225 So he smot in al þat route
Þat grete hepes him lay about
Of mani paiem miscreaunt,
Þe brut þerof is mi waraunt.
¶ Agreuein also wiþ his sword
5230 Of Sesox smot þe nek ford;
Þat seiȝe Gvinbating, þe qued,
Þat Sesox his nevou was ded,
Wreken him he wold fond,
A strong launce he tok on hond
5235 & smot Agreuein so God it wold
Þurth þe hauberk felefold -
& þurth þe ru(l)hel – vnder þe arm.
He hadde neiȝe ȝouen him deþes harm,
Þat Agreuein & his destrer
5240 To grounde he kest wiþ gret power.
Gaheriet, Gveheres & Galathin
Þo bicome sori afine
For ich of hem wende certein
Þat dede were Agreuein
5245 & wenten swiþe to þat rideing;
Galathin smot first Guinbating
Wiþ his sword ful but
Þat on his arsoun donward he lut,
Gveheres him dede more harm
5250 For he smot of his riȝt arm.
Forþ com swiþe Gaheriet,
He him þouȝt to hit bet
For he him tok aboue þe scheld
MS: aboue tok.
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld.
5255 ¶ Galathin wit fot him stett
Out of his sadel he him pett
& Agreuein tok þat destrer
& fleiȝe þeron so a speruer
& abouten hem þai redden
5260 & her noble strengþe kedden -
Þo non of hem no wist þere
Whare Wawain was bicomen nowhere.
Al þe ost of Guinbating
Flowen to Medelan þe king
5265 & þo wiþdrouȝ him Agreuein
What he seiȝe child Wawain,
Al fiue togider þai ȝede {f.231rb} View Facsimile
& our folk þo ȝede hem mide.
¶ Þo þai loked hem biside
5270 & sir Do þai seiȝe com ride
Whom þai knewe bi þe vplondis men
Þat bifore were went hem fram,
Hastiliche þo þai aliȝt
& on her stedes her sadles diȝt,
5275 Þis fiue þousand fram Lounde
To hem com in a stounde.
¶ Þe children were of socour bliþe,
Opon her hors þai lopen swiþe,
Wiþ hem & riden sarreliche
5280 Her fon toward sikerliche,
Oȝain hem com þe paiems fling
For þe deþ of Guinbating,
Launces þai broken mani on,
Afterward drouȝ her swerdes anon -
5285 For pouder þat ros hem bitven
Non no miȝt oþer ysen.
Þer was noble contenaunce
In bataile of remembraunce.
Wawain him conteind þan so
5290 Þat men of Londen & sir Do
Wonder hadde hou man on
Swiche pruesse miȝt don,
So mani paiems saun faile
Were yslawe at þat bataile
5295 Þat þe blod ran in þe valaie
So water out of a laie.
Þer com þe strong king Medlan
& feld Do þat gentil man,
Þe helme hadde him bireued
5300 For to smite of his heued;
No man no miȝt him binim
Þat vnsely wiþþerwin
Bot Wawain þat bi him cam
& he him of his tolling nam,
5305 Þat he was gode kniȝt he kidde,
Biforn him þe way he ridde
What he com to Medelan
Þat vnsely hoge man.
Wawain on þe helme him smot.
5310 Þe ax sank depe God it wot
What he com to þe brest – {f.231va} View Facsimile
Þe paiem fel wiþ iuel rest.
Þe Sarraȝins seiȝen þis
& gun fle wel swiþe, ywis.
5315 Wawain þan & his nevou
& his broþer y telle ȝou
& her feren & sir Do
& þe gode of Londen also
Driuen hem fiue mile-way,
5320 & mani of hem forsoþe y say -
Of hem þai slouȝ þousandes þrettene
Þat nold no more don hem tene
Wiþouten al þe oþer heþen man
Þat þai slouȝwen tofor þan.
5325 Þo þis sleiȝt was ydo
To Lunden al þai comen þo,
Men hem oȝain comen of þe toun
Wiþ wel fair processioun,
Of þe cartes alle þe priis
5330 Bifor Wawain þai brouȝt, ywis,
& sir Do him bisouȝt cert
So he wald he schuld it part.
¶ Wawain seyd to sir Do
‘Wo worþ me þan, wo,
5335 Ac to hem þat habben nede mast
Departeþ it now on hast.’
Wawain was þe better ay
Þerfore ypraised, par ma fay,
Þis þing was deled & diȝt
5340 So hem þouȝt best apliȝt.
Þerafter þis children of mounde
Soiournd wel long in Lounde
Þat no Sarraȝin hem miȝt
Noiþer deri bi day no niȝt,
Noiþer: i is superscript.
5345 Sir Do made hem gret solas
¶ & alle þat euer in Londen was.
Lete we hem þer soiour
& wende oȝain to king Arthour.

Marche is hot, miri & long,
5350 Foules singen her song,
Buriouns springeþ, mede greneþ,
Of euerich þing þe hert keneþ.
Arthour went fro Brekingho
fro: MS reads to.
Merlin, Ban, Bohort also
5355 & her feren þritti & niȝe, {f.231vb}
niȝe: MS reads fiue.
View Facsimile
Was þer no more compainie
Bot in alle fourti & to
Alle chosen, so mot y go,
Bi clerk Merlines conseyl,
5360 Þe wiȝtest þat he wist saun fail.
Forþ þai wenten al in paise
What þai com to Carohaise
A riche cite of al þing
Þer was Leodegan þe king
5365 Þat was king of al þat lond
& hadde Carmelide in his hond
& made swiþe gret pite
For he was bilayn in þat cite
Of king Rion & kinges fiftene
5370 Þat al born corounes schene
Þat hadden him & al his man
Ouercomen bifor þan.
No he no hadde men þat miȝt
Him to awreke, y ȝou pliȝt,
5375 & conseild him þat ich stounde
At kniȝtes of þe table rounde
& at barouns of þe lond
Hou þai miȝt hem were fro schond.
Amid þe strete in þat cite
5380 Þe king þer stode wiþ his meine
On a Palmesonnes-aue
Sum conseil of hem to haue.
¶ Riȝt þo entred king Arthour
& Ban & Bohort & sir Antour
5385 & her feren wiþouten doute
Al þai comen in on route,
Alle it were ȝong man
Bot it were þe king Ban
& Bohort & Vlfin þe bel
5390 & sir Antour & Sir Bretel;
Þis were noble kniȝtes fiue
& alle of midel liue.
Þe oþer al were bachelers
Sittand on heiȝe destrers.
5395 ¶ Merlin seyd ‘þe king is ȝounde
Liȝteþ al to þe grounde
ȝe schullen wende on on ring
ȝour hors schul þe gromes bring,
& þou sir Ban þe king {f.232ra} View Facsimile
5400 To Leodegan so ȝeue greteing
& sey þe wordes him to
Þat we bispeke at Brekenho.’
Hou þai went & on swiche maner
Now ȝe may al yhere,
5405 Of swiche bodis noble & wiȝt
Tofor men me þink it riȝt
Her names to tellen ȝou in sawe
Hou þai wenten al on rawe:
First wenten þre wiþ gret honour
5410 Ban & Bohort & king Arthour.
King Arthour ȝede bitven, apliȝt,
& king Ban him ledde bi þe hond riȝt,
Bohort him ladde nobleliche
Bi þe left hond sikerliche;
5415 Alle þe oþer com after þo
Ioinand bi hond to & to.
Þe ferþ so was Antour,
Kayes fader of gret valour,
On his hond ȝede sir Vlfin
5420 At euerich nede gode & fin.
Þe sext kniȝt so was Bretel,
Of gret noblay strong & lel,
On his hond ȝede þe steward Kay,
Þe seuend kniȝt of gret noblay.
5425 Þe viii Lucan þe boteler,
A gode kniȝt of gret power,
Erl Does sone þat loked Lounde
Þe ix was ich vnderstonde.
Grifles so was tiþe
5430 Wiȝt he was & noble swiþe
Marec so ȝede on his hond
On of þe best of al þat lond.
Þe xii Drians of þe forest sauage
A strong kniȝt of heiȝe parage,
5435 Belias þe lord of Maiden Castel
On his hond ȝede fair & wel.
Þe xiiii so was Flaundrin,
A noble kniȝt of gentil lin,
On his hond ȝede Laninas
5440 An hardi kniȝt, þe fiftend was.
Þe xvi was Amores þe broun,
A stalworþ kniȝt vnder hauberioun,
Aucales þe rede ȝede him bi, {f.232rb} View Facsimile
Þe xvii kniȝt, strong & hardi.
5445 Þe xviii was Bliobel,
A kniȝt doand swiþe wel,
Þe xix was Bleoberiis,
Of gret los & michel priis.
Canode þe xx was,
5450 He no fleiȝe neuer for no cas,
Aladanc þe crispe was xx & on,
Non better bodi no miȝt gon.
Þe xxii was Jslacides,
Wiȝt & strong in eueri pres,
5455 Lampades was xx & þre,
A noble kniȝt gent & fre.
Þe xxiiii kniȝt was
A noble kniȝt yhote Ieroas,
Cristofer of þe roche norþ
5460 Þe xxv was forsoþ.
Þe xxvi was Aigilin,
A wiȝt kniȝt of gentil lin,
Þe xxvii was Calogreuand
A gentil kniȝt of noble hand.
5465 Þe xxviij was Augusale,
Of no man no held he tale,
Wiȝt Agrauel was xx & niȝe
Ful of wiȝtschip & curteisie.
Þe xxx was Cleades þe fondling,
5470 Man seiȝe neuer better ȝongling,
Þe gode kniȝt Gimires of Lambale
Þe on & þritti was bi tale.
Þe xxxii was Kehedin,
Fair & wiȝt & gentil fin,
5475 Þe þre & þritti was Meraugis,
A gode kniȝt of noble priis.
Þe xxxiiii was Gornain,
An hardi kniȝt of michel main,
Þe xxxv was Craddoc,
5480 An hardi kniȝt in ich floc.
Þe xxxvi was Claries,
He was ful wiȝt in eueri pres,
Þe xxxvii was Blehartis,
Bold of dede of speche wiis.
5485 Þe xxxviii was Amadan orgulous,
A kniȝt of dede vertuous,
Þe xxxix Osoman, cert {f.232va} View Facsimile
His surname was ‘hardi of hert.’
Þe xl was Galescounde,
5490 Þer nas no kniȝt of more mounde,
Þe xli was Bleherris
King Bohortes godsone, ywis.
Þe xlij Merlin was þar,
Bifor Arthour þe ȝerd bar -
5495 Þis alle ȝede hand in hand
As y ȝou seyd bifornhand.
¶ Leodegan & al his ginge
Gret wonder had of her cominge,
Kniȝtes, swaines, leuedis beld
5500 Maden crud hem to biheld,
Wonder þai hadden euerichon
For non no knewe her non.
¶ Oȝain hem ȝede king Leodegan
& him gret þe king Ban,
5505 Leodegan seid ‘ȝou blisse þe rode
ȝif ȝe beþ ycomen for gode.’
Quaþ king [Ban] ‘so Crist me spede
Com we nouȝt hider for þi qued
No for þi schame ac for þi gode
5510 So ous help þe gode rode.
We beþ souders of fer lond,
Men doþ ous to vnderstond
Þat þou to socour haddest nede
Þerfore we com fram our þede
5515 Þat is fer hennes saun faile
Þe to help in þi bataile
& to serue on swiche maner
So þou schalt now yher.
We aske þe on Godes name
5520 Noiþer to þine harm no þi schame
Ac þat þou graunt ous now a þing
& þerof no make werning:
Þou no schalt aske name our,
No wo we beþ, no non of our,
5525 No apose ous of our being
What we þe wil make scheweing,
& ȝif þe likeþ so our seruise
Telle it ous now in al wise
& bot þou like we seruen þe
5530 We wille ȝern fram þe te
To sum oþer & serue swiþe {f.232vb} View Facsimile
Þat of our come wil be bliþe.’
Leue toke Leodegan
To asky conseil of his man,
5535 Alle his barouns him seyd, ywis,
It sembled men of gret priis;
Her semblaunt hem bar witnisse,
He schuld of hem nim sikernisse
& afong her seruise
5540 & nouȝt hem lete o non wise.
Oȝain com king Leodegan
& þus seyd to Arthour & to Ban
‘Bewe seygnours, me þenkeþ schame
Þat ȝe me heleþ ȝour name
5545 For ich vnderstond wele þat ȝe
Ben of more power þan ich be
Ac ȝe semble so wiȝt & fre
Þat ȝe beþ welcome to me
& ȝour seruise ȝeld y schal
5550 ȝif he me saueþ þat welt al;
Ac arst ȝe schul me make siker
Wiþ me held in eueri biker
& ȝour names telle ȝe me
When ȝe seþ þat time be.’
5555 His treuþe þerto þe king Ban,
& þerto ȝaf Leodegan.
Þerwhiles þe clerk Merlin
Hem hadde ypuruaid a riche in
& ledde hem þider al faire.
5560 Her ost was ycleped Blaire,
Leonele hete his wiif,
A fair buriays & ioliif,
Boþe þai wenten oȝain Arthour
& him welcomed wiþ gret honour.
5565 Arthour & his feren wiȝt
Soiournde þer seuen niȝt,
In her in & wiþ þe king
Þai maden oft solausing.
¶ Þe king þo sent his messangers
5570 Oueralle to her souders
& sent oueralle in his lond
Euerich gentil man his sond
Þat þai comen to him alle
To Carohaise into his halle
5575 Atte last bi Holy Þorsday {f.233ra} View Facsimile
To help him in his medlay;
& who so nold to him come
As traitour he schuld ben ynome
So ich in boke writen finde
5580 & him hing bi þe winde.
For so long trewes bitven Rion
Weren & þe king Leodegan -
Ac listneþ now swiche traisoun
Hem come ar þe Assensioun.

5585 In Estre on þe Tewisday

Þe euen of seint Philip in May
Four kinges gret geaun[ts]
5587-8: line-ends smudged
and partly illegible.
Þat were vnder þe king [Ri]ounȝ
Went hem out in iren & stiel
5590 Wiþ sexti þousand armed wel;
Þe first king hiȝt Roulyons,
Þe oþer hete king Clarions,
Þe þridde king hete Sonegrens,
Sonegrens: r is superscript.
Þe ferþ hete king Sorhens,
5595 Þise went fram þe gret ost
To Carohaise wiþ gret bost
& robbeden al þe cuntray
Boþe in doun & in valaye,
Man & wiman al þat þai founde
5600 Þai slowen doun into þe grounde,
Þe cuntre wiþ wild fer
Oueral þai set on fer;
Ten hundred cartes on on route
Biforn hem brout saun doute
5605 Charged wiþ mete & wiþ drink
Þat ani man miȝt of þink
& vc kniȝtes þe pray toke
For to condue hem & loke.
To Carohaise þe kinges wente
5610 & at þe gates wolden entre
Ac þe gateward þe gates schetten,
Ac þeroȝain anon þai stetten,
Boþe wiþ launce & wiþ sword
Þai dusched & hewen on þe bord,
5615 & wenten to þe plaines oȝan
To quellen wiif child & man -
Men miȝt hem here schriche
So fer þat it was ferliche.
Þo in þe cite seiȝe þis harmes {f.233rb} View Facsimile
5620 Manliche þai grad ‘As armes!’
Þai went & armed hem euerichon
& to þe gates comen anon,
Opon gode stede hem rest
For to abide þe kinges hest,
5625 & þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Of al þe warld of mest mounde
Wiche hadde made Vter Pendragon,
Ac king Arthour no knewe her non.
Tvo hundred & to score & ten
5630 Verrament þer weren of hem;
Herui de Riuel & Malot þe broun
de: MS reads þe.
Were maisters of þe gomfainoun
So ich in þe brut finde;
Her gomfainoun was of cendel ynde
5635 Of gold þer were on þre coroune,
Þo it bar Malot þe broune.
Of þe cite four þousand were þar,
Her maister gomfainoun so bar
Þe kinges steward Cleodalis,
5640 A kniȝt he was of gret priis,
His pensel hadde riche colour
Alle he was couched wiþ aȝur
aȝur: MS reads ?ascur.
Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979) proposes long s
corrected to that form of
r which follows an o.
Of gold þer were four bore-heuedes ybete.
bore-heuedes: erasure after
bo, with re he in darker ink
and uedes awkwardly
superscript in same ink.
Þese houed al in þe strete.
5645 Þo com king Arthour, Bohort & Ban
Wiþ her feren eueri man
So y in boke telle can,
Non nere armed hem oȝan,
A queintise þai hadden riche
5650 Þat non nas hem yliche;
On stedes þai lopen euerichon
In þe world nar better non.
Merlin rode biforn ichil avowe
& bad hem alle swiþe him suwe,
5655 So þai deden wiþouten faintise
On hors in fair queintise.
Merlin bar her gomfanoun,
Opon þe top stode a dragoun
Swiþe griseliche, a litel croume,
5660 Fast him biheld al þo in þe toune
For þe mouþe he had grininge
& þe tong out flattinge
Þat out kest spa[r]kes of fer {f.233va} View Facsimile
Into þe skies þat flowen cler.
5665 Þis dragoun hadde a long taile
Þat was wiþþerhoked saun faile.
Merlin com to þe gate
& bad þe porter him out late,
Þe porter seyd he schuld rest
5670 What he hadde of his lord hest
‘Certes’ quaþ Merlin ‘y þe telle
No lenger resten here y nille.’
He toke þe gate bi þe legge
& slong hem vp at his rigge,
5675 Þo he was out & his feren eke
Fast oȝain þe gate he leke
Wiþ lockes haspes & mani pin
Wiþ mani bar & mani gin,
Þus fast loken he hem fand
5680 & as fast after him lete hem stand -
Alle þat seiȝen þis saun faile
Of him hadde gret meruaile,
Boþe þo of þe cite
& eke his feren bi mi leute.
5685 ¶ Þo bad Merlin his compainie
Her stedes priken & swiþe hiȝe,
Wiþ þe baner dast Merlins
Among to þousand Sarraȝins
Þat ledden a wel gret pray
5690 Toward king Rion y say,
Ich of hem so dede bere
Þurth a Sarrain wiþ his spere,
Afterward her swerdes drowe
& Þe Sarraȝins to grounde slowe;
5695 Sum þai cleued to þe brest,
Sum þai binomen fot & fest,
Of mani þai hadde helme & heued
Sone fro þe bodi weued.
Þe to & fourti weren ȝep -
5700 Þai leten þer hors gode chep
Boþe wiþ sadel & wiþ bridel
For nouȝt to haue & oway ride -
Þe to þousand todriuen & slawe
Þai hadden in a litel þrawe
5705 So man wold in a mile-way
Ouergon his jurnay,
& þat priis ladde at aise
aise: i is superscript.
Toward þe cite of Caroaise.
Ac so þai comen bi þe way
5710 Eft þai metten michel pray,
A þousand cartes almast
Comand wel swiþe on hast,
Swiche þre kinges wiþ xvi þousinde
Comen & condid, hem bihinde,
5715 & Merlin seyd wiþ griseli chere
‘Now suweþ me gode fere.’
Forþ he flang & þai after anon
So swiþe so þe stedes miȝt gon;
Þo þai com þe kinges neiȝe
5720 Merlin hef his heued on heiȝe
& kest on hem enchauntement
Þat he hem alle almest blent
Þat non oþer sen no miȝt
A grete while, y ȝou pliȝt,
5725 & our fourti smiten hem on
& slowen of hem mani on
& mani c of painems hewe
Ar ani þer oþer knewe.
¶ Þo of þe cite seiȝen þis,
5730 Þai seyden it were men of priis.
Þo were vp vndon þe gate,
Cleodalis rode out þerate,
Þe steward wiþ fiue þousinde
Opon þe painems gun to winde;
5735 Þer was din, þer was cri,
Mani schaft broken sikerly,
For in þe coming of Cleodalis
Þe paiens miȝt sen, ywis,
Þer was swiche contek & wonder
5740 Þat it dined so þe þonder.
Þis ich heþen kinges þre
Ato parted her meine
Seuen þousand to ben þer riȝt
Oȝain þe fiue þousand to fiȝt,
5745 & setten þer þousandes eiȝte
Oȝain king Leodegan to fiȝt
Þat hem toward [com] in þat stounde
Wiþ þridde half hundred of þe table rounde.
Ac bi hemself þe rounde table wes -
5750 Þe king Leodegan naþeles
Wiþ him brouȝt þousandes to – {f.234ra} View Facsimile
& to þe bataile flongen þo.
Þe viij þousand hem com oȝain,
Þer was meting of men o main
5755 Wiþ spere & wiþ scharp sword,
Þer les mani man his lord,
Þer was sched so michel blod
Þat it ran as a flod.
Leodegan wiþ his fewe
5760 Noble main he gan to shewe;
He slouȝ þre oȝaines anne
& craked mani hern-panne.
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Mani þer slouȝ in litel stounde
5765 & bilimeden & feld of hors
Mani heþen orped cors,
Ac þei her swerdes wele þer bite
& to ded mani smite,
It was swiþe litel sene
5770 For oȝaines on þer wer tene,
Ac so sarre was þe þrang
Þat non miȝt com hem omang.
Þe Sarraȝins hadde gret despite
Þat so hem schent swiche popel lite,
5775 He swore bi Mahoun & Dagon
Hem no schuld ascape non
& drouȝ hem wel fer aroume -
Þat Crist hem ȝeue confusioun -
& baren doun in þat stounde
5780 ȝete fourti of þe table rounde
& were abouten hem to dere
Ac her feren hem gun were
Line 5782: copied at the foot of the column.
Þat he no hadde power non
Non of hem for to slon.
5785 Þat time was Leodegan
Feld adoun & his man
ȝete an hundred oþer mo;
Leodegan þai nomen þo
& beten him sore & ȝeuen him wounde
5790 & to an hors fast him bounde
& token fif hundred kniȝtes
To lade him forþ anonriȝtes,
& so þai deden sikerliche
Defuiland vilanliche
5795 Toward þe riche king Rion {f.234rb} View Facsimile
& wenden her bataile were ydon.
& þo þe king Leodegan
Him seiȝe fer fram al his man
& him aboute socour non
5800 & him loþeliche lade to king Rion
‘Allas,’ he seyd ‘þat y was bore,
Mi liif & priis so is forlore
& Gvenoure mi dohter gent
Of vile paiems worþ yschent
5805 & alle min noble kniȝtes
Worþ yslawe adoun riȝtes
& þe leuedis of mi lond
Alle ynomen in payems hond.’
For riȝt gret sorwe & care
5810 Aswon he fel as he ded ware;
To gret mile fram þe bataile
Þo he was, wiþouten faile.
¶ His douhter stode on þe cite wal
& biheld þis misauentour al,
5815 Hir hondes sche sett on hir here
& hir fair tresses al totere;
Sche hir totar to hir smok
& on þe wal hir heued gan knok
& swoned oft & seyd allas
5820 Þat hir socour lorn was;
So deden al þo of þe cite
Maden endeles pite.
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Kedden þai were men of mounde,
5825 Bitven hem þai wolden speke,
Leodegan þai wolden awreke
Oþer steruen þai wolden alle
& renged hem oȝain þe walle
For þai no seiȝen no socour
5830 & schewed þo her vigour -
Þridde half hundred oȝain .m. seuen
Me þenkeþ certes þat was vneuen.
Ac þer þai fouȝten vnder þe toun
& mani Sarraȝin leyd adoun;
5835 Hem þai tohewen & hors also,
Þay þoled michel pine & wo.
Þe citisains þat yseiȝe
& sore wepen wiþ her eiȝe.
Now lete we hem fiȝtand here {f.234va} View Facsimile
5840 & speke we of Arthour & his fere.

Now seyt our tale saun faile
Þat orible is þe bataile,
Of gret crie & swiþe strong,
Almest þennes fiue forlong,
5845 Þat Arthour held wiþ fourti & to
& Cleodalis wiþ four þousand & mo,
Oȝaines hem Sornegreons & king Sapharen
Þat seuen þousand hadd wiþ hem;
So fele paiems þer lay slawe
5850 Þat fele hepes þer lay on rawe
Of armed men of fatt stede
Þat her liif þer les to mede.
¶ Þo seyd Merlin to his ferrede
‘Now me suweþ alle ich rede.’
5855 Forþ riden þe fourti & to
So swiþe so þe hors miȝt go,
Þer bileued Cleodalis
Wele fiȝtand & al his;
Þo Merlin hadde riden a while
5860 Þe mountaunce of to mile
He seyd to king Arthour & Ban
‘Lo ȝond men ledeþ Leodegan
Ybounden toward king Rion
On hard dede for to slon;
5865 After hem now dasseþ swiþe
& oftakeþ hem biliue,
ȝif ȝou ascapeþ of hem ten
Schal I ȝou neuer held men.’
Þai stirten forþ & ouertoke hes
5870 & dassed hem amid þe pres.
Þe first slouȝ Merlin verrament
To ȝeuen þe oþer gode talent,
Arthour smot on hem saun faile
So on þe singel doþe þe haile
5875 So we finden on þe bok;
Al he slouȝ þat he oftok,
So dede Ban þe gode kniȝt
He clef mani on doun riȝt,
So dede king Bohors
5880 He slouȝ þer mani heþen cors,
So deden al þo gentil feren
Her swerdes þai dede in blod steren,
Alle þai laiden doun riȝt {f.234vb} View Facsimile
& made þer swiche a sleiȝt
5885 Þat man seiȝe neuer in so litel stounde
So fewe bring so fele to grounde,
For þer no schaped fram hem oliue
Of fiue hundred vnneþe fiue.
Þer men miȝtten haue frely
5890 Four c steden for gramerci
gramerci: r is superscript.
c: altered from e.
Þat ȝede drawend her bridel brod
To þe fitlokes in þe blod.
Þus Arthour & his felawered
Deliuerd Leodegan fram þe dede,
5895 Michel wonder had Leodegan
Þat swiche a litel poine of man
So fele in so litel þrawe
So manliche had yslawe,
Bi þe dragon þat kest fer
5900 He wist it were þe newe souders,
Þat he was deliuerd fram his fon
He þonked Ihesu Crist anon.
¶ Þo liȝt þe clerk Merlin
& sir Bretel & sir Vlfin
5905 & þe king Leodegan vnbounde
& sett him on a stede of mounde
& armed him fineliche wel
& dede on his heued an helm of stiel,
About his nek a scheld strong
5910 & toke him a launce long
& sett him vp as a king
Þat er lay as a breþeling,
He joined his honden ioe vus di
& ȝalt hem þank & gramerci.
5915 On his stede þo lepe Merlin,
So dede Bretel & sir Vlfin,
¶ Þo seyd Merlin ‘mine kniȝtes fre,
Prikeþ ȝour stedes & folweþ me.’
So þai deden wiþouten abod,
5920 So aruwe of bowe ich forþ glod.
¶ Ac þo Gvenoure opon þe walle
Þis to & fourti seiȝe com alle
Bi þe dragon þat cast fer
Þat fleiȝe into þe skies cler
5925 Sche wist it were þe fourti & to,
Hir fader sche seiȝe com also
On hors y-armed & wele atired {f.235ra} View Facsimile
& fram his fon þurth hem deliuerd -
No ask no man of þe gret blisse
5930 Þat sche made þan, ywis,
& al þe men þat it seiȝen
For ioie þai wepe wiþ her eiȝen.
Þis þre & fourti com on hast
Wiþ norþþen winde so doþ tempast,
5935 Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þai founden alle felled to grounde
Þat stoden afot & wered hem
Oȝain on euer xx & ten,
Bot xx of hem openliche
5940 On hors fouȝten nobliche
& ouercarked weren þo
Her liif þat was neiȝe ago.
Þis xliii of gret mounde
So dassed on þe heþen hounde
5945 Þat ich of hem who so mett
Hastiliche þe heued of grett
& slowen hem doun into þe grounde
Mani geaunt in litel stounde,
Euerich dede swiþe wel
5950 Wiþ scharpe swerd of gode stiel,
Mani þai smiten þurth saun faile
Fram þe top to þe taile,
Of sum þe side, God it wot,
Wiþ scheld & arme eueri grot,
5955 Of sum þe midel euen ato,
Of sum þei & legge also;
Auberk, aketoun & scheld
Was mani tobroken in þat feld
& mani paiem wiþ deþes wounde
5960 & mani stede coruen to grounde.
Þe king himself þer Leodegan
Wele him wrake of his foman,
Oȝain þe þre & fourti of our
Non armour no miȝt dour,
miȝt: i is superscript.
5965 No hors of priis, no heþen kniȝt
Þat he nas dede anonriȝt.
Þer was an heþen king hiȝt Canlang
Fiftene fet he was lang.
He & anoþer þat strengest were
5970 Of alle þe paiems þat were þere.
Þis dede his miȝt saun fable {f.235rb} View Facsimile
To stroie þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table.
¶ King Arthour mett Canlang,
Togider þai made fiȝting strang
5975 & so strong was Canlang verrament
Þat king Arthour miȝt fest no dent
To him haue bot bihinde,
Bot ones he him hitt, kerueinde
Vnder þe scheld, þe scholder on
5980 Þurthout armes & flesche & bon,
Vnto þe nouel he him carf,
Þe misbileueand paiem starf,
A boþe half his hors he hing
Þat ernne forþ crudand in þat þring.
crudand: MS reads arudand.
5985 Þe paiems seiȝe Canlang so hit
Agrisen of þat dint out of wit;
Gvenour þat dint of Arthour seye
& þonked Ihesu Crist on heiȝe
& ‘ȝeue þat he mi lord were
5990 Þat ȝong þat fiȝteþ so þere.’
Anon seyden al her men
‘So were it me dame, amen.
For we no seiȝe neuer of his power,
Noiþer eld man no bacheler.’
5995 ¶ King Ban þo mett Clarion
Þat oþer strongest of euerichon,
He was gret xiiii fet long
& swiþe gret & swiþe strong,
He hadde mani of our yslawe;
6000 King Ban him mett wiþouten awe
So we finden in þe boke
& ouer þe ere he him toke,
Þe cheke he carf, þe schulder also,
To þe girdel þe dint gan go.
6005 His ribbes & scholder fel adoun,
Men miȝt se þe liuer abandoun.
King Bohort of gent power
Met Sarmedon þe gomfanoun-bere,
On þe schulder he him hit
6010 Þat arm & scholder of he kit;
His scheld & his gomfanoun
& himself þer fel adoun.
King Leodegan þo gan crie
‘For loue of þe quen Marie
6015 Bistireþ ȝou min gentil kniȝtes {f.235va} View Facsimile
& leggeþ doun þis paiems riȝtes.’
Þe kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Alle lopen on hors o mounde
& hewen on þe Sarraȝin
6020 Wiþ gode wille & hert fin.
¶ Þe paiems seiȝe ded Canlang
& Clarion þat was so strang
& þe baneour Sormedon,
Þo þai nist what to don
6025 Ac so swiþe so þai miȝt
Oway flowen anonriȝt.
To þousand com out of þe cite
& feld hem doun wiþouten pite
Wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde
6030 Þai hewen hem doun vnto þe grounde.
¶ King Arthour & king Ban
King Bohort & king Leodegan
& þe fourti liȝt & wiþstode
& gerten her stedes gode
6035 Þurth conseil of Merlin, ywis,
& went & holpen Cleodalis
Þe king[es] steward Leodegan
Þat fauȝt oȝain seuen m man
Wiþ four þousand & namore
6040 So ȝe herden herebifore.
Þis fourti & to & on
Opon þis seuen þousand smiten anon
& hewen on wiþ gret powers
On schides so doþ þis carpenters -
6045 It was nede for Cleodalis
Stode on fot, & mani of his
Aboute him stode sarreliche
Fram deþ to were sikerliche.
¶ Þer king Arthour & Bohort & Ban
6050 & þe king Leodegan
Paiems wiþouten tale slouwe,
A þousand stedes her bridels drowe,
Þis þre & fourti fouȝten so
Forȝeten miȝt it be neuer mo;
6055 For þe blod of kniȝtes dede
& of destre[r]s & of stede
Ran hem after al day so ȝerne
So water out of wel-streme,
Þurth þe pouwer & miȝt of þos {f.235vb} View Facsimile
6060 Cleodalis þat kniȝt of los
Was ybrouȝt on hors, ywis,
& kniȝtes oþer fele of pris.
¶ Þe kinges of þo heþen man
Heten Sornegrex & Saphiran,
6065 Aiþer of hem was xiiii fot lang
& swiþe hardi & swiþe strang
& hadden swiþe gret despite
Þat hem schent pople so lite.
A schille horn þai gun blawe,
6070 Togider þai gader her felawe.
¶ Kay & Vlfin, þe buteler,
& Grifles þat was of gret power,
Ich of hem tok a launce long
& dassed þe Sarraȝins among;
6075 Kay king Sornigrex hitt
& kest him to grounde in þat flit
& rode on him wiþ his hors
& defoiled his cursed cors
& had him slawe wiþouten letting
6080 Ac mani com to þis rideing,
Wiþ his launce dan Lucan
Þe hert þurth smot of Abadan,
Ac on hors in þis toiling
Was brouȝt Sornigrex þe king.
6085 Þo aros gret batail & strif
For of þe Sarraȝins ȝete m fif
Were ouercomen vnder þe wal,
Þider were flowen alle,
Þerfore so fel þer were
6090 Þat litel was sene her sleiȝster þer.
¶ King Sornigrex þat was yfeld,
His bodi tobrussed, tobroken his scheld,
For schame he was out of wit.
Our folk he þouȝt for to hit
6095 & gred to alle þo Sarains
Þat for loue of Apolins
Þai schuld of al his fon
Him awreke sone anon,
Of Saraȝins gret þreng
6100 About our Cristen made reng
& hem biclepten in þat place
& leyden on wiþ swerd & mace
& wiþ axes & wiþ gisharm {f.236ra} View Facsimile
Our folk þai deden michel harm;
6105 Ac in þis ich self stounde
Kniȝtes of þe table rounde
Þat folweden þe paiems fleinde
Al on hors com flinginde
& seiȝe þe pensel of fourti & to
6110 Þat day þat hadde hem holpen so,
Into bataile to hem þai drowen,
Alle þat þai met þai doun slowen
Boþe wiþ launce & swerd briȝt,
Þo þai metten þai slouȝ doun riȝt
6115 & þurth miȝt þai keuerden so
Þat þai com to fourti & to
& þo so gret sleiȝt made
Þat y no may it fulrade.
¶ At þe oþer half Cleodalis
6120 Fauȝt wiþ Sarraȝins of priis
Þat wiþ gret iniquite
Brouȝt hem oȝain to þe cite;
Þe strong king Saphiran
It was þat fauȝt him oȝan
6125 Wiþ neiȝen þousand verrament
& dede him gret encumbrement.
Ac þo ich to þousinde
Þat folwed þe oþer fleinde
To help þer com Cleodalis
6130 & on þe paiems smot, ywis,
In her coming & smiten to grounde
A þousand paiems in þat stounde
& þurth þe help of our driȝt
help: MS reads lelp.
Cleodalis halp wele to fiȝt
6135 & helden gode contre oȝan
Saphiran & al his man.
Þo nar þo wiþ king Arthour
Bot to & fourti of valour
& of þe rounde table kniȝtes
6140 To hundred & fifti wiȝte
No more þer ner so y finde
& fouȝten oȝain viij þousinde,
Sornegrex hete her king.
An hardi paiem þurth al þing.
6145 Þer hadde ben miche mischef
No had Merlin seyd a conseil bihef
Bieu seygnours y nil nouȝt hele {f.236rb} View Facsimile
Of þis paiems beþ so fele
Þat we no may oȝain hem doure,
6150 Bot to mi conseil nimeþ coure.
Her ben among þis Sarraȝins
Ten geauntes wel strong afins,
& þai were of dawe ydon
Þe bataile were passed sone.’
6155 Þai asked him wiche þai were
& he hem tauȝt anonriȝt þere.
¶ King Ban þat was gode & strong
Tok his swerd in his hond,
His stede he smot & forþ glod,
6160 Oȝain king Sornegrex he rode,
His helme he smot bi þe side,
Þurth helme & palet it gan glide,
Fram þe cheke þe neb he bar
Þe scheld fram þe schulder þar
6165 & þe left arme & þe hond;
arme: r is superscript.
Ich vnderstond he dede him schond.
Þe Sarraȝins kest a gret cri
& fleiȝe oway wiþ gret hy.
¶ Bohort met Marganan
6170 & smot þat vnsely man
On þe helme, ichot forsoþ,
Þat he him cleued to þe toþ.
¶ King Arthour so dieu me saut
Met wiþ [an] amiral was hoten Sinalaut,
6175 On þe helme he him hitt
& a quarter þerof kitt,
On þe schulder slod þe dent
& kitt it of verrament
& þerwiþ ribbes four,
6180 Þe painem starf wiþ misantour.
¶ Sir Vlfin slouȝ þo Sabalant
¶ & Bretel þe douk Cordant,
¶ Þe steward Kay slouȝ dan Deriard
¶ & Lucan þe boteler slouȝ Malard
6185 ¶ & Grifles so slouȝ Menadap
¶ & Meragys slouȝ þe douke Sadap
¶ & Gornenis slouȝ þe douke Maupas
¶ & Craddok slouȝ Darrilas.
Þese were þe geauntes ten
6190 & princes of þe heþen men,
Þo þe paiems hem ded seiȝe {f.236va} View Facsimile
A cri þai gun areren heiȝe
& seyd it were deuelen þat þai wiþ fouȝten,
Sikerliche so hem þouȝten,
6195 Þai flowen oway wiþouten abode.
Our folk swiþe after hem rode
& to grounde slouȝ doun riȝt
Al þat þai oftake miȝt,
Þre þousend þai slowen of þe eiȝtte.
6200 Þe oþer ascaped anonriȝt
oþer: r is superscript.
To þe riche king Saphiran.
Þo were þai xiiii þousand of man
& smiten on Cleodalis
Þat had bot four þousand, ywis,
6205 & þe to þat comen out of þe cite.
Þer men seiȝe wel gret pite,
Hou þe painems & king Saphiran
Defoiled our Cristen men,
A þousand & mo þai slowen,
6210 Þe remanant of hors drowen;
Oft Cleodalis was wo
Ac neuer wers þan him was þo.
Ydriuen he was vnder þe toun
& loked after þe dragoun
6215 Þat Merlin bar, ac he no miȝt
Nowhar of him han a siȝt,
No þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table
Miȝt he nowhar se, saun fable;
He wende þat dede þai hadden ben.
6220 Þer miȝt men gret pite sen
Now he flowe, now he wiþstode,
For drede he was neiȝe wode.
Þe citaisins þan seiȝe þis
& reweliche cri maden, ywis.
6225 Ac þurth Merlin so ich finde
Arthour was bileued bihinde
& þe oþer wiþouten fable,
Þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
& adden alle adoun aliȝt,
6230 Her stedes girt þe sadels riȝt
þe: MS reads he.
& soft & sarre saun faile
Com to þis reweful bataile;
Com: MS reads Tom.
Þo on þe walles of þe toun
Seiȝe comand þe dragoun,
6235 Þo seyd þe fair leuedis {f.236vb}View Facsimile
To þe steward Cleodalis
‘Cleodalis þou gentil kniȝt
Bistir þe & hardiliche fiȝt
For ȝonder doun in þe valaie
6240 ȝou comeþ socour of gret noblay.
We seþ þe dragoun þat casteþ fer
& after þe newe souders
& Le[o]degan wiþ hem saun fable
& þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
6245 Alle þai comen ȝerne, apliȝt;
Now kiþe þou art a noble kniȝt.’
Cleodalis in alle his liue
Nas neuer ȝete so bliþe
Þo he & his kniȝten
6250 So wele fouȝten so þai miȝten.
¶ Arthour & Ban & king Bohort
Þer hem com to gret comfort
Wiþ her folk of gret mounde,
Þre hundred þai bar to grounde,
6255 Ac a left half & a riȝt
King Arthour slouȝ doun riȝt
Wiþ Esclabor his swerd so gode,
Þat day he schad so michel blode;
Also dede þe king Ban
6260 Þer slouȝ mani heþen man,
Bohort his broþer & eke he
Spard noiþer þral no fre
Of stiel no yren armes nan
No miȝt doure hem oȝan,
6265 No may y noiþer telle no rede
Hou wele þai deden, her ferrede.
Ac þe leuedis on þe tour
ȝerne biheld king Arthour
& hadde wonder of his ȝingþe
6270 Þat þer kidde swiche stre(r)ngþe.
Þe heþen king Saphiran
Despite hadde of so fewe men
So miche folk þat slowen þo,
Mani geaunce þai cleued ato.
6275 He cleped to him Sortibran
& Senebant & Engredan
Molore & eke Frelent
& Clariel, a geaunt gent,
Landon & ek Moras {f.237ra} View Facsimile
6280 & Randel þat noble was,
To hem alou(n)de he gan to speke
Wiþ launce his anoie to wreke.
¶ Forþ dassed þe king Saphiran,
Þat vnsely hoge man,
hoge: h is superscript.
6285 Hervi Riuel & his hors gent
He frust doun at o dent
Þat hors & man astuned lay,
ȝete forþ he dassed par ma fay
& þrewe sir Antor of his hors
6290 Þat al þat day him was þe wors,
ȝete forþer he gan ride
& smot Grifles bi þe side
& kest him to þe grounde,
His launce brac in his wounde.
6295 & Sortibran wiþ justing cler
Feld Luca[n]s þe buteler,
Clariel feld Meraugys
& sore hirt him, ywis,
Engredan feld Gor[n]ains & Craddoc
6300 & sore agreued our floc,
Senebant þrewe doun Bleoberis
& his hors vnder him, ywis,
Þus þe geauntes our kniȝtes þrewe;
Our men gun it sore rewe
6305 Non of hem had dedeli wounde
Ac sone stirt vp in þat stounde
& wiþ scharpe swerdes of stiel
Wered hem manliche wel.
Our folk abuten hem gan þrest
6310 & socourd hem wiþ þe best.
¶ & ȝete in þis strong rideing
Com Saphiran þe heþen king
& in his hond a launce strong
Þat was boþe gret & long,
6315 Leodegan on þe scheld he hitt
& wiþ strengþe it þurth slit.
His hond he bar heiȝe ferly,
Þe launce glod þe king forby
Þat ran þurth þe hors bihinde,
6320 King & hors adoun gan winde;
‘Allas,’ þai seyd on þe tounes wal
‘Now we han ylorn al.’
Þai wende þe king yslawe ware {f.237rb} View Facsimile
& maden diol & sorweful fare.
6325 Gvenour made gret diol, ywis
& so dede al þo leuedis
Þat þat ich dint ysawe;
Þai wende þe king were yslawe.
So he hadde forsoþ yben
6330 No hadde oþer stirt bitven
& him halp in þat rideing.
Þo spac Arthour þe king
‘Certes’ he seyd ‘þis nis no game,
Þe paiems doþ ous swiche schame.’
6335 & swore he wold sterue anon
Oþer him awreke of his fon
& namlich on Saphiran,
‘Nay, lete me’ quaþ king Ban
‘For þou art to ȝong & ek to lite
6340 Oȝain swiche a deuel to smite.’
Þo seyd Merlin to Arthour
A word of gret deshonour
‘Wat abidestow coward king?
Þe paiem ȝif anon meteing.’
6345 For schame Arthour was neiȝe wode,
In wratþe brent al his blod,
His hors he smiteþ & he forþ glod,
Oȝain king Saphiran he rode.
Saphiran seiȝe war he cam,
6350 A strong launce in hond he nam,
Toforn him his scheld he grope,
Stef he streiȝt his stirope.
His stede he smot of gret valour
& rode oȝain king Arthour -
6355 A deuel rod oȝain a child.
King Ban for drede was nei wilde
& rode after king Arthour
To helpen him par auentour.
Saphiran wiþ king Arthour mett,
6360 Wiþ miȝt gret on him stett,
His scharp launce gan to glide
Þurth Arthour scheld & his side,
Þe speres schaft al torof;
Arthour nam no ȝeme þerof
6365 Ac in sadel sat vpriȝt
To mete Saphiran, apliȝt.
His launce he bar þurthout his scheld {f.237va} View Facsimile
& þurth þe hauberk felefeld,
Þurth þe wombe & þurth þe chine
6370 Þe spere ȝede euen bi line.
Quaþ Arthour ‘þou heþen cokin,
Wende to þi deuel Apolin.’
Þe paiem fel ded to grounde,
His soule lauȝt helle-hounde.
6375 G[v]eneoure sat on þe cite walle
& þe oþer leuedis alle,
Of Arthour seiȝe justing þis,
On him þai laiden al þe priis.
Anon after þe king Ban
6380 Met þe geaunt Sortibran
& on þe scholder so him hit
Þe side fram þe bodi kitt,
Þo com Malore & Frelent
& nomen Ban þat king so gent
6385 Bi þe helme wiþ her hond,
To smite of his heued þai gun fond;
Þis yseiȝe þe king Arthour
& smot his stede to þat socour,
Malore in þe heued he hitt
6390 Þe heued fram þe bodi he kitt.
¶ Þo þouȝt þe paiem Frelent
Awreke his cosyn of þat dent
To Arthour wiþ main he smot,
His scheld he clef God it wot
6395 & of his hauberk a gore
& of his aketoun a fot & more
Ac he no tok nouȝt his flesche.
Herof Arthour anoid wes,
A dint he smot anon to him
6400 & cleue his helme & eke bacin
& al þe heued to þe brest,
Þe paien fel wiþ iuel rest.
Þe paiens schirt & made dol
For þai no hadde þo bot Randol,
6405 A geaunt þat bar þe gomfanoun
þe: MS reads he.
Alle þe oþer were leyd adoun,
Þe paiens of deþ hadden doute
& alle wenten Randol aboute
Ac Ban no leued for no doute
6410 Þat he no dassed hem þurthout
& Randoil on þe schulder he smot {f.237vb} View Facsimile
Wiþ his swerd þat wele bot
Þurthout hauberk & aketoun
To þe midel al adoun,
6415 Þe pensel fel & eke Randoil.
Þe paiens þerof hadden diol
& gun rere a wel foule crie
So dorren don & flesche-fleiȝen
& for sorwe & drede & eiȝe
6420 Þai flowen euerich his weiȝe.
King Arthour wiþouten abade
& alle þe oþer of whom y tofore sade
After þis paiens fling
& mani of hem to deþ sting
6425 Wiþ scharp swerd of gode egge
Þe liif þai dede mani on legge;
Of xiiij þousand, boten fiue
No aschaped to king Rion oliue
Wiþ michel sorwe & michel care,
6430 & þat al forwounded ware.
King Rion al þai teld
Hou her feren weren aqueld,
Wel wroþ was king Rion þo
& made diol & michel wo
6435 & swiftliche he sent his sond
Oueral into Irlond
& into Danmark also.
Þe messangers forþ gun go
Þat bere letters & tidinges
6440 To on & xx strong kinges
To hundred m þat schulden bring
& l m of heþen genge
& for to ȝer her spending -
& so þai dede wiþouten lesing.
6445 After þis bataile & scumfite
Our men boþe gret & lite
Togider gaderd hem comonliche
& comen hom nobleliche
& biforn hem driuen al þe pray
6450 Of xx c cartes y say
& com to Carohaise þat riche toun
Wiþ ioie & wiþ processioun;
King Leodegan þo hete
His men nimen þat pray skete
6455 Þat in þe tventi .c cartes was, {f.238ra} View Facsimile
Taken it Arthour more & las.
So deden þe kinges kniȝtes,
Arthour nome it anonriȝtes
& parted it wel curtaisliche
6460 Bi Merlins conseil sikerliche
& so miche ȝaf his ost Blaise
Þat riche hem made & wele at aise.
Ac Arthour no Ban no forþ his host
No lenge wiþ Blasie soiourne most
6465 Ac to court þai were yfeched raþe
raþe: MS reads rare.
& ydon in riche baþe;
Gveneour wesche þe king Arthour
& Ban & Bohort wiþ honour.
Gvenore anoþer damisel
6470 & oþer maiden fair & fel
Weschen alle her gentil feren.
Here ȝe schul now yheren
Hou þe oþer Gvenour was biȝete
Y wil þat ȝe it alle wite.
6475 ¶ Þo Leodegan spoused his quene
A burmaiden he hadde fair & schene,
On fair maner & gentil wise
Þat serued þe leuedi of heiȝe prise,
Þe kinges steward Cleodalis
6480 Seiȝe þis maiden of gret prise
& spac so fair to þe king
Þat he wedded þat swete þing.
After a ȝer oþer to, ywis,
Þat gentil kniȝt Cleodalis
6485 Went þer him hete þe king
& left his wiif in þe quenes ȝeming
& ich ȝou sigge par ma fay
In þe quenes chaumber sche lay.
Ich niȝt it was þe quenes maner
6490 To chirche gon & matins here,
Also þe quen herd matines
Þe king aros bi wrongful lines
& what bi loue & what bi striif
He forlay þe stewardes wiif
6495 & biȝat a maide of gret mounde
Þat was Gvenour þe secounde.
& fram þat time al afterward
He binam þe wif his steward
& hadde hir fer in on trist, {f.238rb} View Facsimile
6500 Whiderward þe steward nist.
Naþeles Cleodalis,
Þat gentil kniȝt of michel priis,
Noiþer in seruise no in bataile
No feined oȝain þe king saun faile;
6505 Þis Gvenour was þe oþer so liche
So pani is oþer sikerliche.
Þese weschen þis gentil man
& leyd tables after þan.
Leodegan nam ȝeme wich onour
wich: MS reads wiþ.
6510 Alle þe oþer born king Arthour;
King Arthour sat wiþouten fable
Midelest at þe heiȝe table,
King Ban at his riȝt half sat
Ac þe oþer half king Bohort at
6515 Afterward her compeinie
Was yset þritti & neie
& next hem wiþouten fable
Sat þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
After þat ysett were þere
6520 Al þo oþer after þai were.
In halle þai hadden riche seruise,
Whereto schuld y þat deuise?
Ac Gveneour wiþouten les
Serued Arthour of þe first mes;
6525 Leodegan þat wele y say
Biheld his douhter & Arthour noblay,
So michel on hem he þouȝt
Þat of mete no drink he no rouȝt.
A noble kniȝt Herui de Riuel
6530 Vndernam his semblaunt wel
& seyd ‘sir, þi þouȝt lete be
& make þine ostes gamen-gle,
Eten & drink men schal on benche
& after mete in chaumber þenche.’
6535 Þe king þis tale vnderstode
& made his gestes semblaunt gode.
Ac on Gveneour biheld Arthour
& was al nomen in hir amour
Ac he tempred so his blod
6540 Þat non oþer it vnderstode;
Gvenoure on knewes oft gan stoupe
To serue king Arthour wiþ þe coupe
& he seyd to hir saun faile {f.238va} View Facsimile
‘Crist lete me ȝeld þe þi trauaile.’
6545 & sche seyd to him ‘sir gramerci,
It nis nouȝt to ȝeld sir ie vus dy,
Ac swiche a þou[s]and so y be
Sir no miȝt it ȝeld þe
Þe help & þe trauail & þe honour
6550 Þat ȝe han don to mi lord & ȝour socour;
Yherd be Ih[es]us Cristes sond
Þat ȝou sent into þis lond.’
Gveneour was euer tofor Arthour
& serued him wiþ gret honour
6555 & bifor eueri gentil man was
Maidens to serue wiþ gret solas.
Þer were trumpes & fiþelers
& stiuours & tabourers,
Þai eten & dro[n]ken & made hem glade
6560 & þo þai were al glad made
Þe cloþes weren vp ydrawe
& þai weschen so it was lawe.
After mete asked king Ban
To þe king Leodegan
6565 Whi Gvenour his douhter precious
To sum gentil man nere yspouse
nere: MS reads were.
Seþþen he no hadde non airs.
‘Certes sir,’ quaþ Leodegan vairs
‘ȝif were ner so mot y liue
6570 Sche were mani day yȝeue,
Wist ich owhar ani bacheler
Vigrous & of miȝt cler,
& he were of gode linage,
Þei he nadde non hirritage,
6575 Mi douhter ich wald him ȝiue
& al mi þing wiþ to liue.’
For king Arthour þat he seyd.
Merlin þo toforn hem pleyd
& cleped vp king Arthour & Ban
6580 & her feren fram Leodegan
So þat Leodegan miȝt of noþing
More wite of her being;
Þer seyd Merlin anonriȝt
To king Arthour al þe sleiȝt
6585 Þat Wawain & his feren of mounde
Hadde ydon biside Lounde
& al þat þerwhiles schuld falle {f.238vb} View Facsimile
He teld þer biforn hem alle,
Wherþurth bliþe in þat toun
6590 Þai bileft til þe Assensioun.
Lete we now here king Arthour
& his feren wiþ gret honour
& hereþ of þe chaunces ille
Þerwhiles in Jnglond bifelle.

6595 Listneþ now fele & fewe,

In May þe sonne felleþ dewe,
Þe day is miri & draweþ along,
Þe lark arereþ her song,
To mede goþ þis damisele
6600 & fair floures gadreþ fele.
¶ King Arthour is leued at Carohaise
& alle his frendes wele at aise,
& euerich cite þat was his owe,
Castels, tours heiȝe & lowe,
6605 He dede warnise wiþ store þan
Þat he no douted non haþen man.
Ac swiþe gre[t] confussiouns
Bifel þerwhiles to our barouns
Þat were ywent ato wel wide
6610 Euerich to loke his owen side.
¶ In þis time a messanger cam
To þe king sir Cradelman
& seyd so ich writen finde
‘Of paiens xx þousinde
6615 Comeþ a boþe half Arundel
Yarmed swiþe wel.’
Swiftliche þe king Cradelman
Nam x þousand armed man,
Haluendel tok Pollidamas
6620 His nevou þat gode kniȝt was,
Þe oþer del himseluen he tok
So we finden on þe boke,
Þai riden forþ anonriȝt
Til þai com to hem, apliȝt,
6625 & founden hem on a grene plas,
Ich of hem slepeand was;
Al abouten þai biclept hes
& smiten on wiþouten les,
Wiþ hors fete þai riden hem on
6630 & þurth stongen mani on;
catchword: þurth swerd & ax.
Þurth swerd & ax spere & kniif {f.239ra} View Facsimile
Þer les mani a man þe liif.
Non hadde miȝt hem to were
Noiþer wiþ swerd no wiþ spere
6635 Ac alle þat euer miȝt flen
Swiþe gun oway ten
To a castel wiche held Cramile
Þennes ouer þre mile
Heiȝe & strong a roche opon -
6640 Hir broþer hiȝt Bordogabron,
Þer was in wiþ hir þo
XX þousand paiems & mo.
XV þousand king Cradelman
Slouȝ of þat heþen man,
6645 Þe fiue þousand flowen oway,
Our folk hem suwed, par ma fay.
¶ Þe paiens þat wiþ Cramile were
Her feren þai seiȝe misfare,
‘As armes!’ gred alle þat þer was
6650 Boþe þe more & þe lasse.
xiiij þousand lopen on stede
Armed alle in riche wede
& smiten on king Cradelman,
Þer was miche sleiȝt of man.
6655 Þerwhiles þe gentil men of Arundel
Wenten out & deden wel -
Gold & siluer & purpel pelles
Mete & drink & mani þing elles
Þat þe paiens þer hadden late,
6660 Þai went to Arundel & schet þe gate
& stowen vp heiȝe on þe walle
To sen what miȝt to our bifalle.
Bi þat þai com on þe wal [o]n heiȝe
Cradelman was scomfite n[eiȝ]e,
6665 Doun þai lepen of þe walle
& ‘As armes!’ þai gredden alle.
On gode hors þai lepen of priis -
Fiue hundred þer were, ywis -
To socour & comen anon
6670 & halp wele Cradelman
Þat hadde lorn of ten þousinde
Þe þre þousand so y finde -
Þe paiens of þousindes fourten
Þe four hadden lorn so y wen.
6675 Ac þer swiche bataile aros {f.239rb} View Facsimile
A boþe half þat hem agros
Ac our had hadde þer more wo,
No hadde a chaunce ben þat bifel þo,
For þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes
6680 Com hem vp þo forþ riȝtes
Þat hadde yherd bifore teld
Hou paiens þe cuntre hadde aqueld
& come priueliche paiens to aspie
To binimen hem her robrie.
6685 X þousand he hadde gode kniȝten;
Þe haluendel he dede diȝten
To Morganor his steward,
In armes stalworþ & hard.
Þis dasched on þe Sarraȝins
6690 Wiþ gode wille & hert fins,
Eueriche wiþ his strong spere
Þurth a Sarraȝin gan it bere.
V forlong he dede hem recoile
& vnder hors fete defoile.
6695 Ich on oþer fast hewe,
Ac þe Sarraȝins þo it sewe
Hou þat men her folk hit
& hou fele fel in litel fit,
Þai arered a cri of more wonder
6700 Þan tempest, vfer, or þonder.
Alle þat euer fle miȝt
Oway flowen anonriȝt
Ac our kniȝtes & our barouns
Hem tauȝt so her lessouns
6705 Þat of fourten þousand fram deþ
No ascaped bot þre vnneþ,
Of hem ran as michel blod
So in riuer when it is flod.
Þer lay of paiens mani tasse
6710 Wide & side, more & lasse;
Mani fair stede dede þer lay
& mani wiþ blodi sadel ȝede astray,
For seþþen first, in on þrawe
Fiftene þousand þer were yslawe,
6715 & er weren also ich finde
Afor yslawe þritten þousinde.
Þus fele þai slouȝ of haþen
Þat schuld hem no more waite scaþen.
It þouȝt hem a fair praie {f.239va} View Facsimile
6720 Ac þo at arst agan her joie
For euerich oþer knewe sone
& þonked God, midydone,
Of þe help & þe socour
Þat eueriche dede oþer wiþ vigour,
6725 & anon wiþouten onde
Went into Arundel ich vnderstond
& dede biri þat ich day
Þe Cristen in chirche hay.
Of þe paiens þat were in lond
6730 Gret conseil þai held ich vnderstond.
¶ Þo seyd þe king Angvigenes,
Þe king of þe hundred kniȝtes wes,
‘Ich rede we sende our sond
To alle our peres of þis lond
6735 Þat we ous geder togider alle
& on þe paiens at ones falle
& fonden bi fine miȝt
To slen hem alle doun riȝt.’
‘Certes’ quaþ Cradelman
6740 ‘Me þink þat nere nouȝt wele don
For oȝain on of our men
Beþ mo þan þritti & ten,
ȝete is better for ich cas
Þat eueriche baroun loke his pas
6745 & aspie hem bi tropie
& so fond hem to astroie,
No schal ich no non of mine
Ben bihinde for deþ no pine.’
Þo þai hadden seyd þis word
6750 Ich bitauȝt oþer our Lord,
Anon hom ich of hem went cert,
Of þat pray ich hadde his part
Whereþurth þai miȝten, after long,
Þe better hem ȝeme fram wer & wrong -
6755 Lete we now þes bileuen here
& speke we now of her fere.

Þer comen vp fer bi norþ
Ten riche soudans of gret worþ:
¶ Þe first king hete Oriens,
6760 ¶ Þe oþer hete Pongerrens,
¶ Þe þridde hete Manginoires,
¶ Þe ferþ het Gondeffles,
¶ Þe fift soudan het Sorbars, {f.239vb} View Facsimile
¶ & þe sext het Pincenars,
6765 ¶ Þe seuend soudan het Fraidons,
¶ & þe heiȝte Salbrons,
¶ Þe neiȝd het Maliaduc,
[¶ ]Þe tenþ Vargon an heþen douc;
Þes comen vp so ich finde
6770 Wiþ fiften c þousinde
& wiþ þe stouer of to ȝare
Þerwiþ þai miȝt wele fare.
Ac þo þai comen vp on lond
Þai senten her folk ich vnderstond
6775 Bi seuen þousand & bi heiȝte
Vplondis men to sle doun riȝt,
Bi niȝen þousand & bi ten
Þai senten about to slen our men.
In þis sorweful time & lange
6780 Into þe cite of Coruanges
Messangers com to Angvisaunt þe king
& teld him reweful tiding
‘Sir,’ he seyd ‘bitven þis cite & Lanernv
Fiftene þousand be comen nov
6785 Sarrains þat wiþ fire wilde
Brennen man wiif & childe,
Bot þou hem socoureþ anon
Þai be forlorn euerichon.’
¶ Þe king was sori & noþing bliþe
6790 ‘As armes!’ he grad swiþe.
XV þousand al armed, ywis,
Þer lop(o)en on gode hors of priis,
To on hille & gun hem heiȝe
Þis mesauentour for to aspie;
6795 Þo seiȝe þai al þe cuntray
Stonden brenand on rede leiȝe,
Man & woman vrn so dere
Oueral for dout of þe fer.
Mani man for drede lete his wiif,
6800 Þe wiif hir child, þe child his liif.
Quaþ king Angvisaunt ‘woleway,
Þat ich euer bot þis day
& þat ich euer schuld sen
Þus miche rewþe on erþe ben.’
6805 His men þer he schift ato,
Half he tok himself & mo,
& haluendel he toke Gaudin {f.240ra} View Facsimile
Þat was a kniȝt hardi & fin,
Þat seþþen wiþ his miȝti hand
6810 Wan þat maiden of þe douke Branland;
Þese smiten þe hors of priis
& deden hem gon gode scour, ywis;
Þurth mani bodi haþen
Her launces þai dede baþen,
6815 After þat her swerdes þai drowen
& sexti þousand to grounde slowen
Als who seyt, al for nouȝt,
For þai wer abrod ydreyȝt.
wer: r is superscript.
Ac sone þerafter nouȝt forþan
6820 Fourti þousand after hem cam,
Ac our þurth Godes miȝt
Wele hem stode oȝain to fiȝt
& cleued mani heþen hounde
Fram þe top to þe grounde
top: MS reads toþ.
6825 & deden al forþ manliche
For leuer hem were be ded sikerliche
In manschippe & in treweþe
Þan euer more liue in rewþe,
& so nobliche her dint bisett
6830 Þat neuer men no deden bet.
Allas, allas! Gret pite
Sone fel on þis gent meine,
Lenger douren þai no miȝt
For opon hem com anonriȝt
6835 Þe forseyd soudans ten
Wiþ alle þe cuntre wreiȝen of men
& biclept al about
Our litel Cristen rout
& slouȝ of our compainie
6840 Verament þousandes niȝe.
Þo was þer of xv þousand
Yleued bot sex bihinde
& þe oþer flowen also ȝerne
ȝerne: r is superscript.
So her stedes miȝt erne,
6845 Ac þer no hadde non scaped oway
Nadde chaunce comen fram Crist on heiȝe -
Vriens þe king of Schorham
Þe Sarraȝins bihinde cam
& his nevou Baldemagu,
6850 A strong kniȝt of gret vertu,
Wham Vriens ȝaf half his lond {f.240rb} View Facsimile
Out of Owains his sones hond;
Þese wiþ hem xij þousinde brouȝt
Þat of dede litel rouȝt.
6855 Men hem teld of michel sorwe
Þerfore þai went out bi þe morwe
& þouȝt to don sum alegaunce
Pouer men of her greuaunce,
& comen hem sodanliche
6860 Opon alle þe paiens sikerliche.
Þese weren alle gode kniȝt
& flongen opon þe paiens anonriȝt
Wiþ strong launce, God it wot,
Euerich a paiem þurth smot
6865 & sum wiþ o launce-schaft
What þurth miȝt & Godes craft
Four oþer fiue slowe.
Þerafter ich his swerd drowe,
& ich ȝou telle for soþe & siker
6870 Þer bigan a stern biker
For þe Sarraȝins turned oȝen
On king Vrien & his men;
Þer was mani heued of weued
& mani to þe midel cleued
6875 & mani of his hors ylust,
Forsoþe þer ros so michel dust
Þat of þe sonne schineand briȝt
No man miȝt haue no siȝt,
Here & þer crie & honteye
6880 Men miȝt hem heren þre mile-way.
King Anguisaunt & meine his
Was yflowen a fer weys,
Socour com þat he vnderstode
& turned oȝain wiþ hardi mode,
6885 On þe Sarraȝins & smite
Wiþ swerdes þat wele bite
& a þousand on a rawe
rawe: a is superscript.
Þai haden sone brouȝt o dawe;
Þat was bataile of mende
6890 Bitven deuelen & kniȝtes hende.
Þe Sarraȝins ost & pray
Last fele mile-way.
¶ Vriens at þat o nende fauȝt
& his kniȝtes þat spared nauȝt,
6895 Angvisant fauȝt at þe oþer ende, {f.240va} View Facsimile
Non no miȝt com oþer hende
No bi fele wayes sen
So fele deuelen hem were bitven.
Our folk wiȝtliche hem gan were
6900 Wiþ ex & swerd & scharpe spere,
ȝete hadde þai lorn gret lore & sleiȝst
ȝif on hem no hadde comen þe niȝt
Þat þai ne seiȝe miche no lite
Ani to oþer ariȝt to smite;
6905 Ich wot forsoþe of þe heþen men
Were yslawe swiche ten
Þan were of our Cristiens.
Ac swiþe anon þo wiþþerwins
Her pauilouns þo telten riȝt
6910 For to bileue al þat niȝt.
¶ King Aguisaunt went hom
To Coranges riȝt anon -
Niȝen þousinde hem were yslawe.
Þo þe citeseines it sawe
6915 Þer was mani leuedi
Þat sore biwepe her ami
& mani gentil damisele
Hir fader biwepe wiþ teres fele;
Þe soster biwepe her broþer
6920 & euerich frende biwepe oþer.
¶ Þis time went king Vrien
To þe cite wiþ alle his men,
Also he com bi þe way
He fond cartes & michel praye
6925 & loges & pauilouns
Telt on a grene, swiþe roum;
Þo asked king Vrien
Wiþ whom þai weren & wos men,
Þai seyd wiþ king Brangore,
6930 & Wandlesbiri þai lay fore.
MS: & lay þore;
emendation follows Macrae-Gibson (1973, 1979).
Of Sessoine þis heiȝe king was,
& hadde made al þis purchas
Opon our men, ywis,
For þe sibred of douke Angis;
6935 King Vriens wiþouten abode
& al his folk on hem rode,
On her heueden & feld adoun
Boþe loges & pauiloun.
To mete þai weren alle yset, {f.240vb} View Facsimile
6940 Forsoþe hem was litel þe bet
For on hem were stet þe hors
& defoiled her foule cors,
Tables, cloþes, bred & wine,
Plater, disse, cop & maseline
6945 Was vnder hors fete totoiled
& mani riche þing defoiled.
Vnarmed were þe paiens alle,
Our folk hem gun to talle,
Wiþ swerd & ax spere & kniif
6950 Þai binome þe paiens her liif
& so hem tohewe anonriȝt
Þat þai nadde power oȝein to fiȝt
Bot were al yslawe in litel stounde
Euerichon vnto þe grounde;
6955 Bot fourti paiens vnneþe
Þat hem ascaped fram þe deþe,
deþe: MS reads dere.
Wiche þat niȝt vnderfenge
Oriens þat riche king,
& miche biment þat he no miȝt
6960 Awreken hem þat ich niȝt
Ac amorwe he wold fond
Brennen & spillen al þis lond -
Amonges men it were ille
ȝif eueriche vnwrest hadde his wille.
6965 ¶ King Vriens & his kniȝtes, siker,
After þis ich noble biker
Token al þis riche praie,
Pelles purper, gold & monaye,
V hundred somers wiþouten lesing
6970 Þer were charged wiþ riche þing
& sex hundred cartes so y biþenke
Ful of flesche & mete & drinke,
Alle þai ladden wiþ hem þis
Into þe cite wiþ ioie & blis
6975 Þe heiȝe boþe & þe lawe
Þe bet ferd gret þrawe.
Lete we now be þis soiourne
& speke we of Oriens, wroþ & morne
For þis ich viij þousinde
6980 Þat were yslawe him bihinde.
Amorwe aros king Oriens
& hete castels & touns bren
& touns bren : MS reads: bren touns.
& alle þe houses þat þai founde {f.241ra} View Facsimile
Þai schulden bren into þe grounde;
6985 Man & hounde, wiif & child
Þai schuld bren wiþ fer wilde,
& so þai deden wiþouten pite
& spredden abrod in þe cuntre
& setten on rede laite
6990 Al þat euer þai miȝten awaite.

Saigremor a child noble
Was comen fram Costentinenoble
In þis time þat ȝe heren
Wiþ seuen hundred gentil feren
6995 Of king Arthour kniȝtes to ben
ȝif þai miȝt so yþen;
Þes metten children & wiues
& men, to sauen her liues
Vrn & stirten þer & her
7000 For houndes so doþ þe wilde der.
Segremor hem asked whi
Þai vrn & made swiche cri,
Þai seyd for drede of þe haþen
Þat hem brent & dede scaþen,
7005 Þai asked where was þe king Arthour
& þai him swore bi seyn Sauour
To Carmalide he was ygan
To help king Leodegan.
¶ ‘Certes’ quaþ Sagremoret
7010 ‘Oþer we schul sterue in þis flet
Oþer doun leggen of þis haþen
Þat in þis lond doþ swiche scaþen.’
Þer þai hem armed swiþe wel
Boþe in iren & in stiel
7015 & v hundred of vplond
Com to hem ich vnderstond,
& dasched on þe paiens wiþ hert gode
Þat were sprad þo abrode
Þat v hundred in litel stounde
7020 Þai laiden doun wiþ deþes wounde,
Ac sone afterward hem bihinde
Come ȝete fourti þousinde
Þat were wiþ Oriens þe king
& afterward wiþouten lesing
7025 Sexti þousand & mo
Come wiþ king Oriens also -
Þus fele þer comen & no las, {f.241rb} View Facsimile
Wiþouten þe cuntre þat ful was.
Ac in þis time an eld man
7030 As messanger to Wawayn cam
Into þe cite of Lounde
& him gret in þat stounde
& seyd ‘wele yfounden, child Wawayn,
Crist saue þi miȝt & þi mayn
7035 & alle þi compaynie fre
Þat ich here about þe se.
Sagremor, a ȝong man noble,
Is ycomen fram Costantinenoble
& seuen hundred ȝong man gent
7040 To sechen king Arthour verrament
Of him to afong swerd of stiel
& to seruen him swiþe wel;
In Souþesex þai ben ariue
In strong periil of her liue,
7045 Þis letters þai senten þe,
Her nede þou schalt yse.’
Wawain þis letters redde anon
& seyd to his feren ichon
‘As armes, feren! Nede it is,
7050 Y nold for þis cite, ywis,
Þer þat Segremor were ded,
Bot we him holpen & deden red.’
To þeld cherl he ȝaue a stede
Þat hem brouȝt þat message at nede
7055 & he hem tauȝt þan way
Toward Segremor þat ich day.
Þai no hadde no desturbing
No of paiens no meteing,
Þis ich eld messanger
7060 Hem ledde boþe swiþe & ner
Þat al bitimes saun faile
Þai miȝten com to þat bataile.
¶ Wawain hadde wiþ him so y wene
Of orped boies þousandes fiftene
7065 & as he rode bi þe way
Euer he gadred mo y say.
¶ Comand þese lete we
& speke of Segremore so fre.
Fourti þousand smiten him on
7070 & he oȝaines hem anon,
Xij hundred oȝain fourti þousinde {f.241va} View Facsimile
Ferd so smoke oȝain þe winde.
Naþeles y telle it ȝou
Seigremor & his hadde swiche vertu
7075 Þat, on of his ȝif þe oþer afeld,
Þeroȝaines tventi he queld.
¶ Ac þis was teld Oriens bihinde
Þat was cominde wiþ sexti þousinde
& he for þe lore & for þe anoie
7080 Þat he hadde þat oþer day
Hete men schuld abouten hem gon
& hem nimen euerichon;
Abrode þai ȝeden wiþouten doute
& þe children comen about.
7085 Þe cuntre was ich way
Of armed paiens ful þai say;
ful: MS reads fel.
Segremor no his fer
No miȝt flen in non maner
& hadden ment hem to ȝeld
7090 Ac fer fram hem þo hye biheld
Fele baners þai seiȝen com
And after hem gret trom.
Þo seyd child Sagremoret
‘ȝif wel gunne, do we now bet,
7095 For yherd be our Saueour,
Y se ȝond com gret socour.’
Þan þai werd hem wiþ swerd naked
Þat so fer so þai miȝten take
Non neiȝe hem com no miȝt
7100 Þat þai no slowen doun riȝt.
In þis time com Wawain
& his feren wiþ gret main,
Euerich of hem gan to bere
Þurth a Sarraȝin wiþ his spere,
7105 Afterward swerdes þai drowe
& sexten þousinde to grounde slowe;
Mani mouþe þe gres bot
& griseliche ȝened, God it wot,
Paiens floted in her blod -
7110 Euer is Cristes miȝt gode.
Wawain to Sagremor com þan
& king Oriens werd him fram
Wawain ȝaue Oriens swiche a flat
Boþe on helme & ysen hat
7115 Þat he to grounde plat þere {f.241vb} View Facsimile
Also he stef & stan-ded were.
His folk abouten him pres made,
Euerich gan to crie & grade
For her lord, & vp him toke
7120 So we finden on þe boke,
To Wawain þer com a kniȝt
& bad him wende anonriȝt
Toward Camalot wiþ his felawe,
& so he dede in þat þrawe
7125 & al his feren God it wot
Went toward Camalot
Þerwhiles þe paiens aboute were
Her soudan for to arere.
Ac þerafter a litel while
7130 Wele þe mountaunce of a mile
Oriens his limes drouȝ
& gan arise of his swouȝ
& seie þe diol sorweful & grim
Þat his folk made for him,
7135 Vp he lepe wiþ chaufed blod
So him no were nouȝt bot god
& asked anon, ywis,
Newe armes & newe hors of priis
& newe swerd & newe launce
7140 To nimen of his fon veniaunce.
Þat he asked was him founde
& he went forþ in þat stounde,
Sexti þousand paiens & mo
Her steden after smiten þo;
7145 Wawain seiȝe her coming coue
& dede þe best wiþ hem houe,
Wele an tventi oþer mo
& al þe oþer toforn hem go
To Camalot þat cite
7150 To keueren wiþ his meine,
& he bihinde to ben bi cas
To susten þe paiems ras.
Þe paiens ouertoken our men
& fast leyd opon hem þen
7155 Ac Galathin & eke Wawain
& Gveheres & Agreuain,
Gaheriet & Sagremore,
& þe oþer y teld bifore
Bihinde þat bileued were, {f.242ra} View Facsimile
7160 Euer were here & tere
& wiþ swerd & scheld & spere
Her folk, toforn, wele gun were.
Þo com Oriens to Wawain rideinde
Wiþ a spere gode scoure bihinde
7165 & wende Wawain hit þurthout
Ac he failed wiþouten dout
For he smot him forbi,
& Wawain for gret heiȝe
Hitt him wiþ his swerd aplat
7170 Amidward þe ysen hat
Þat he tombled in þat stounde
Stif aswon to þe grounde.
Segremore smot Orian Russel
On his schulder bi þe haterel
7175 Þat schulder & arm & ribbes alle
He doun kitt wiþ liuer & ȝalle;
Galathin smot Placidan
Amidward al his man
Þat þe heued fleiȝe fram þe bouke,
7180 Þe soule nam þe helle-pouke;
Agreuain toke a launce long
& rode oȝain a geant strong,
Guinat þat hete God it wot,
& þurth þe hert he him smot;
7185 Gveheres turned his pas
Oȝain a geaunt þat hete Tauras
& bare him þurth wombe & rigge,
His liif he dede him þere legge;
Gaheriet mett þe douke Faunel
7190 Wiþ a launce, þe soket of stiel,
& smot him þurth rigge & brest-bon,
Þe geaunt fel ded anon.
ȝete þai smiten forþ on hast
& þre oþer of hors cast
7195 & wiþ her meine eueri grot
Smiten into Camalot,
Bot Wawain & Galathin
& Sagremore of gentil lin
Þat riden wiþ her hors
7200 Amid Oriens cors
Him for to sle wiþouten doute,
Ac mani þousinde com him aboute
Þat Oriens binomen hem, {f.242rb} View Facsimile
Ac Oriens slouȝ bi fiue & ten,
7205 Bi fine miȝt þai breken hem fro
& into Camalahot wenten þo.
Ac Wawaines breþer forsoþe to sain
In Camalahot misten Wawain
& þe þre deden hem oȝan
7210 Wiþ hem went non oþer man,
non oþer: MS reads anoþer.
Out at þe gate þis þre stetten
& on his stede þat cherl metten
To Wawain þat þe letters brouȝt
& swiþe fair þai him bisouȝt
7215 He schuld hem tel fer or neiȝe
ȝif he owar Wawain seiȝe,
He seyd anon to hem oȝan
‘Certes ȝe be nice men.
Whiderward were ȝe ycrope?
7220 In ȝou is ful litel hope
Þat ȝour broþer lete among his fon
& ȝe to herberwe gun gon,
For ȝou he may now ligge yslawe
No telle y ȝou nouȝt worþ an hawe.’
7225 Þese were aschamed & anoid
Of þat þe cherl hem hadde seyd;
For stoutelich he haþ hem chidde
Þe hors þai smiten þe spurs mide
& sone þerafter her broþer metten
broþer: MS reads feren.
7230 Wiþ his to feren, & hem gretten
& asked hou it wiþ hem was,
& þai seyd ‘wele, þurth Godes gras.’
Towarde þe toun anon þai stetten
& þe cherles stede metten,
7235 Þe arsouns blodi, bibled þe hors,
Ac hye no seiȝe nouȝt þe cherls cors.
‘Allas!’ quaþ Wawain ‘Allas, allas!
Verrament þis stede it was
Þat ich ȝaue þat eld man
7240 Wiþ letters to Londen þat to me cam.’
‘ȝa, who rect?’ his breþer quaþe
‘Heiȝe we to toun raþe.’
For he hadde arst seyd hem schame
Þai lowen þerof & hadde gode game.
7245 Wawain souȝt him here & þer
Ac he no fond him nowhere,
It nas no wonder sikerliche {f.242va} View Facsimile
Merlin him turned flesche & liche
& was bicomen a garsoun
7250 In hond berand a tronsoun
& ȝede hem alle þo among;
Þo Wawain hadde souȝt him long
To Camalahot þai wenten on hast
& schetten after þe gates fast,
7255 Drowen brigge & eueri pin,
In pais & held hem þerin.
Ac þo Wawain seiȝe Sagremor
Þer was ioie bi Godes or,
Fair clepeing & welcominge
7260 & to Ihesu Crist þonkeinge,
Þat ich oþer hadde ydon
& destroied her fon;
Þer þai soiournd mani day
Wiþouten ani kin anoy
7265 & seiȝen paiens, seriaunce of helle,
Þat no tong no miȝt telle
Al day passen hem forbi
Wiþ howe & noise & grete cri -
Lete we hem here soio(i)uringe
7270 & speke of þe oþer kinge.

Now telleþ þis romaunce cert
Oriens was sore yhert
Tofore Camalahot in þe pleyn
& wounded of child Wawain,
7275 For his hurtinge & his damage
He was neiȝe wode & eke rage.
He wald him wreke anonriȝt
Ac it was almost þo niȝt,
Ac, to eke þat, fele of our
7280 Were wiþinne walle & bour
& oueralle stert him fro
Þat he no miȝt comen hem to.
Als-so fer also he miȝt
His folk & he went þat niȝt
7285 & her pauilouns telt
& made hem at aise wiþ fresche & selt;
Amorwe king Oriens aros,
Wele mani men þerof agros,
Bi ten þousand & bi fiftene
7290 He sent about to do men tene.
He hete bern into þe grounde {f.242vb} View Facsimile
Man & hous al þat he founde,
& so he dede þre jurneie
Oueral bi ich way,
7295 Man & hous þai brent & bredden
& her godes oway ledden;
Wiþouten no[m]bre cartes fele
Þai ledden oway wiþ alle wele
& setten þe cuntre a fer wilde
7300 Wiþ man & wiif & wiþ childe,
Ac mani ascaped sikerlik
Into þe lond of Canbernic
& comen to þe douke Estas,
Douke of Arundel þat was,
7305 Biforn him & fel on croice
& grad on him wiþ pitous voice
& seyd ‘sir, for Godes gras,
Þine help, þine ore in þis cas.
Sarraȝins wiþ griseli chere
7310 Þis cuntre haþ sett afere
In vplond & in toun
Euerich hous han brent adoun,
Of child & man & eke of wiif,
Alle þat þai mai nimen þai reue þe liif;
7315 Sir, help ous at þis nede
Oþer we ben euerichon dede.’
‘Now lord’ quaþ þe douke Estas
‘Help ous for þine holy gras.’
For þe pite þat he seiȝe
7320 Sore he wepe wiþ his eiȝe.
Wiþ him was þe lord of Paerne,
He gred ‘As armes!’ swiþe ȝerne.
Ten þousand wiþ him he toke,
Þe oþer left þe cite to loke,
7325 Forþ he went swiþe anon
What he com to king Clarion
Þat woned fram him bot litel swiþe -
Þe king of his cominge was bliþe -
& seyd him so ich tofore teld
7330 Hou þe paiens his folk aqueld.
‘What rede’ quaþ king Clarion
‘Waldestow ȝeuen ous to don?
ȝif þai pas ous bitven
We are lorn so mot y þen.
are: a is superscript.
7335 Man & best in þis cuntray {f.243ra} View Facsimile
Were destroid & alle away.’
¶ ‘Certes’ quaþ þe douke Estas
‘We schul laten in þis pas
Of our men a parti
7340 & nim wiþ ous fair compainie
& wenden ous wel swiþe on hast
To Brekenham to þe forest,
In þe wode & hide ous
& þurth þe grace of swete Ihesus
7345 (&) So we schul wele aspie
Þe paiens doinde robberie
& smiten on hem & sle hem doun
& þe pray bring into our toun.’
Quaþ king Clarion ‘God merci!
7350 What conseil seistow gode ami?
Hou schuld we oȝain hem fiȝt?
Y dar þe mi treuþe now pliȝt
Þei our folk tohewen waren
To smale morsels so beþ taren
7355 To ich of hem vnneþe men miȝt
A morsel of ous to hem diȝt.’
‘A sir,’ quaþ þe douke Estas
‘Wiþ ous schal be Godes gras,
His grace is better in to afie
7360 Þan armour oþer compeinie,
& þai be spred wide here & tere
& we ben al togider here,
Ich hope þurth Ihesu Crist
We schul hem driue so sonne doþ mist.’
7365 ‘Certes’ quaþ Clarion þe king
‘Þeroȝain am y noþing,
Ac alle hem to asaily
Forþ to wende icham redi
ȝif ȝe so reden, þis pouer men.’
7370 ‘ȝis,’ quaþ þai euerichon
‘Sir par seynt charite
Rewe on ous & haue pite
We han leuer sterue ariȝt
Wiþ manschip & in fiȝt
7375 Þan sen kin & wiif & child
& ous forbren in fer wilde.’
Þe king for pite wepe, apliȝt,
& seyd ‘Certes ȝe han riȝt.’
Þo schosen þai so Dieu me saut {f.243rb} View Facsimile
7380 A noble kniȝt lord of Nohaut,
& þe lord of þe toun sori,
Brandris a kniȝt hardi,
& Brehus saun pite also,
A feller kniȝt miȝt non go,
7385 Þese bileft þer riȝtes
Wiþ a þousand orped kniȝtes
Þe cuntre to loke & þe paþe,
Fram Sarrain þat wald hem scaþe;
Þe lord of Paerne so ich finde
7390 Þer toke seuen þousinde,
Into þe forest of Rokingham
Rokingham: ha superscript.
Wiþ hem alle forþ he nam;
Þe douke Eustas & Clarion þe king
Bi anoþer way went wiþouten lesing
7395 & helden hem a litel bi hest
Vnder þe selue forest.

In May is miri time swiþe,
Foules in wode hem make bliþe,
In euerich lond arist song -
7400 Ihesus Crist be ous among.
In þe forest of Rokingham
Hidden hem our Cristen man.
Þer was a launde of noblay
Where come togider seuen way,
7405 Þai hem hidden a litel þerbi
For to aspien sikerli
Þe route of þe Sarraȝins & þe pray
7407-8: order reversed.
Þat miȝten comen of selcouþe cuntray
For to skecken on hem on hest
7410 When þai seiȝe time best.
Also þai were þere soiourninge
Abouten vndren com gret cartinge
Bi ich of þis seuen way
Ful of ich maner pray
7415 Of venisoun & flesche & brede,
Of broun ale & win white & red,
Of baudekines & purpel pelle,
Of gold & siluer & cendel -
Sum þai brouȝt fram her lond
7420 & robbed sum in Jnglond.
Þis carting lest mile-ways
Forsoþe hou fele no can y say,
Fif þousand ȝede þe cartes to loke {f.243va} View Facsimile
So we finden on þe boke,
7425 To hem dassed þe lord of Paerne
Wiþ seuen þousand also ȝerne
& þe carters euerichon
Of liif-days þai brouȝten anon
& her lokers anonriȝtes,
7430 Fif þousand heþen kniȝtes,
Þai metten wiþ swerd & kniif
Þat non ascaped wiþ þe liif.
& nomen swiftlich al þat pray
& ladde it þennes to mile-way
7435 Into þe toun of Arundel
& þer it token to ȝeme wel
& went hem oȝain anon
To þe king Clarion.
Riȝt also þai comen ware
7440 Fiftene þousande þer comen fare
Sarraȝins y-armed wel
On gode hors in yren & stiel,
Our kniȝtes were so y finde
Gode kniȝtes tventi þousinde,
7445 Þai smiten þe hors & lete þe rain
& metten þe paiens wiþ gret main.
King Clarion mett king Guifas -
Sexten fet o lengþe he was -
He hit him wiþ þe speres ord
7450 Þurth & þurth scheldes bord,
Þurthout hauberk & aketoun,
& bar him of his hors adoun;
His schaft tobrast, þe geaunt fel,
tobrast: r is superscript.
His nek-bon he brac þertil.
7455 Þe douke Estas of Arundel
Mett a king sir Mirabel,
Þe paien on him brac his schaft
& hitt him on þe side laft,
Þe douke him hit in þe brest
7460 & wiþ his dint hard þrest
An ellen long þurth þe bouke -
Þe soule went to þe pouke.
Þe gode kniȝtes þat wiþ hem ware
Þe oþer to þe grounde bare
7465 Wiþ dint of spere & of swerde-egge
Þe paiens þai made to deþ legge,
Bitven vndren & none so y finde {f.243vb} View Facsimile
Of hem þai slowen ten þousinde
Þer lay mani paien þurth-þrest
7470 Heued ofsmiten & fot & fist,
Bi þe blod of hors & man
A mile men miȝt haue ygan.
Of hem fiue þousand þat wald scape
Toward king Oriens gan rape,
MS: wold gan; wold crossed through.
7475 Our Cristen hem suwed at þe rigge
& spared nouȝt on to legge
legge: MS reads ligge.
What king Oriens þai saye
Wiþ folk wreien al þe cuntraye.
Oȝain þai wiþdrouȝ hem þo
7480 & conseil toke what to do,
Doun of her destrers þai liȝten,
Her stedes to rest her armes riȝten
& afterward made a renge
Of hem alle þe launde alenge
7485 For þai nold for no gode
Þat paiens binomen hem þat wode.
Þo asked Oriens an hast
His folk wereof þai weren agast.
‘Sir,’ þai seyd ‘heretofore
7490 Beþ tventi þousand oþer more
Cristen men þat ȝour kniȝtes
Han yslawe doun riȝtes
& sodanliche þai com ous on
Er we seiȝe of hem on
7495 & no hadde we þe better be
Hem of scaped nadde we.’
‘A Mahoun’ seyd Oriens þo
‘Þou nart no god worþ a slo
worþ: r is superscript.
Þerfore þi folk þou dost no gode
7500 So for Cristen doþ her lord.
¶ Com forþ’ he seyd ‘wiþouten letting
King Eliedus min owhen derling
Nim wiþ þe fourti þousinde
& sle bifore þat þou miȝt finde.’
7505 ‘It schal be don’ he seyd ‘bi dan Dagon.’
Euerich lepe his stede opon
& fond our men alle at a tasse
Þat þe paiens no miȝt passe.
Þer ich oþer sone mett
7510 & wiþ scharp launce grett.
Þer tumbled mani paien haþen, {f.244ra} View Facsimile
& mani Cristen – þat was scaþe.
Ac þo þat ware ded of our
To heuen brouȝt soule pure
7515 & þe slawen Sarraȝine
Went into helle-pine.
Þe Cristen fond þe heþen dere
So þe lioun doþ þe bere,
Euerich on oþer leyd [þer]wiþ
7520 So on þe yren doþ þe smiþ,
Þer ouerþrewe in litel stounde
Mani orped kniȝt to grounde:
Sum ycleued to þe brest,
Sum ofsmiten arm & fest,
7525 Sum hors smiten & sum astray;
Þis fiȝt last fram þe midday
What it were euen almast,
Þo com Oriens driueand on hast
Wiþ an hundred þousand & mo
7530 & þouȝt our men alle slo,
Ac on hem þo com þe niȝt,
Our to wode deden hem þo riȝt,
Þurth Godes help & his pite
& so ascaped to her cite.
7535 ¶ Bitven king Clarion & douke Estas
Þer was parted alle þe purchas
Þat þai hadde ywonne þat day,
Long hem was þe bett. par fay.
Of Cristen were slawe y finde
7540 Þe mountaunce of four þousinde
Ac þere were slawe of þe heþen men
Wele mo þan þousendes ten;
Wroþ was Oriens þe king
Of þis sleiȝt & þis scapeing,
7545 Þai telt her pauiloun þer þat niȝt,
Amorwe were souȝt anonriȝt
In wode & doun & in fen
After our Cristen men
Ac þai no founde þerof non
7550 For nouȝt þat euer couþe þai don.
Oriens þo was so wroþ
His owen liif was him loþ,
For wretþe he cleped an amirail
Napin þat hete saun fail,
7555 Wiþ fiften þousand wreyen kniȝtes {f.244rb} View Facsimile
& bad him þe cuntre sle doun riȝtes
& toke him ribaudes þre þousinde
Þe cuntre to brenne bifore & hinde,
Waines & cartes & somers also
7560 Fif hundred he dede after go
Charged wiþ al(l)e & win red
Wiþ fische & flesche & corn & bred,
Wiþ cloþes & wiþ armerie,
Sum þai hadde of robberie
7565 & sum brouȝt fram her cuntray;
ȝete dede Oriens more y say,
Wiþ ten þousinde Rapas a king
He dede loke þat carting,
He sett king Eliteus at her hele
7570 Wiþ xv þousand in on eschele,
Himself Oriens com bihinde
Wiþ Sarraȝins xx þousinde.
Þis ribaus þus þousandes þre
Ofersett þe cuntre
7575 & brent & slouȝ man & wiif
O child no leten þai oliif,
Þe cri & sorwe y say
Men herd fele mile-way;
Þe douke Estas yseiȝe al þis.
7580 Wo was him oliue, ywis,
He [tok] kniȝtes þousandes to
& out of his cite dassed him þo;
Among þe ribaus anon he dast
& sum þe heued of he laist,
7585 Þis þre þousand he slouȝ anon -
Bot fourti þat hem fro were agon -
Þurth þe miȝt & help of Crist
Ar Napin ouȝt þerof wist
Into her cite þay wenten oȝan
7590 Wiþouten letting of ani man.
To Napin com a ribaud þo
& seyd ‘sir, where bileuestow so?
Þou no dost nouȝt as þe wise
For þurth þi targinge & þi faintise
7595 Alle our feren yslawe beþ
& we vnneþe ascaped deþ.’
‘Held þi pes’ quaþ þe douke Napin
‘Or þou art ded bi Apolin.
A worde speke y þe more here, {f.244va} View Facsimile
7600 Þou art dede & al þine fere.’
For al þat is vnder Crist
He nold Oriens it hadde wist.
Forþ þai passeþ þis lond acost
To Clarence wiþ alle her ost,
7605 King Bardogaban of gret mounde
Wiþ tventi kinges þer he founde
Þat bilay þat cite
& slouȝ þe cuntre wiþouten pite,
cuntre: r is superscript.
Oriens was welcome swiþe
7610 For wonderliche þai weren bliþe
Of þe eiȝtte & stouers
Þat þai brouȝt, þo pauteners.
Þere þai bileft wiþ þat king,
Lete we hem now at þis segeing
7615 & schewe werres & wo
In þis lond þat weren þo -
Who so wille ȝiue lest
Mai now here noble gest.

Mirie it is in somers tide,
7620 Foules sing in forest wide,
Swaines gin on iustinge ride,
Maidens tiffen hem in pride.
Los sprong of Wawaines dede
Of his breþer & of his ferrede.
7625 Vriens þat was of Schorham king
Of whom y made bifore scheweing
Hadde spoused Hermesent
Blasine suster & Belisent;
Þai hadde a ȝong man hem bitven,
7630 Michel Ywain a noble stren,
He was ycleped michel Ywain
For he hadde a broþer-kniȝt, certein,
Bast Ywain he was yhote
For he was biȝeten o bast God it wot;
7635 Vriens bi anoþer quen
ȝete had biȝeten a gentil stren
Þat was hoten Morganor,
A gode kniȝt bi Godes or,
He had made him in al air
7640 To þe lond þat of him com veir,
him: MS reads hem.
Þe lond þat com of Hermesente
Was Ywains þurth riȝt decente.
To Hermisent com child Ywain {f.244vb} View Facsimile
& seyd ‘dame of child Wawain
7645 Þat is mi nevou spekeþ al þis lond;
Allas, ma dame, it is me schond
Þat y no com in non werre
Wher y come to conquerre.’
Wher: MS reads When.
Þo seyd Hermesent him to proue
7650 ‘Whider wostow Ywain for mi loue?’
‘Dame, to seche min em Arthour
Of him to afong þe anour
Of wiȝtschippe & cheualrie
& leren manschippe & curteisie.’
7655 ‘What?’ sche seyd ‘for wiche biȝete
Wostow oþer seruise & þi faders lete?’
‘Dame’ he seyd ‘þine owen land
Mi fader haþ laten me on hand,
His owen lond he ȝaue anoþer,
7660 Morganor mine halue-broþer,
& þei he schuld me al bireue
ȝete ichil, bi ȝour leue,
Wende & serue mi nem Arthour;
It schal falle to our honour.’
7665 ‘Sone’ sche seyd ‘icham wele paid
Of þat þou hast to me seyd.
Þi nem is Arthour, verrament;
Serue him wiþ hert gent
& fond for to make acord
7670 Bitven Arthour & þi lord.’
Þer sche him puruaid anonriȝtes
To felawes an hundred kniȝtes
& þre hundred ȝong men
Þat wiþ him kniȝtes schuld ben,
7675 & fond hem armour & stede
armour: first r is superscript.
Boþe soure & gode at nede;
In þe name of heuen-king
Sche him ȝaf hir blisseing
& lete him forþ wende in þe name of Crist
7680 Þat his fader þerof nist.
Ywain bastard wiþ him went
& four hundred of feren gent.
feren: MS reads feþen.
Now com þai fram Schorham
Al bi þe forest of Bedingham
7685 Toward Arundel in Cornwaile
Ac þider þai no miȝt saun faile,
Bot þai wolden passen þurthoute {f.245ra} View Facsimile
iiii xx .m. Sarraȝins wiþ rowe snoute
Þo com þer forþ, wiþ miȝti hond
7690 Wiþ king Soriendos to stroi(þ)e þis lond,
He de[de] ribaudes ten þousinde
Bren þat þai miȝtten finde,
So he dede michel rewþe.
Þis was on Yders lond in trewþe,
7695 Ac to Gawaynet ful of priis
Sone men telden al þis;
Þo he & his gentil feren
Al þis reuþe deden heren
He toke wiþ him þritti þousinde
7700 Gode felawes so y finde
Þat wenten alle wiþ Wawain
For his largesse & his main,
Out of Londen þe way þai nome
Al what þai to Cardoil come;
7705 Fro Cardoil þai wenten souþe-west
To Bedingham al þurth þe forest
Where welcominge þai hadde onest
Wiþ gret ioie & gret fest.
¶ Þis fiȝtinge vnder Cornwaile
7710 Was fer ȝete saun faile.
Yder in whos lond it was
& bifel to kepe þat pas
Of his men herd þe pleinte,
Sum forbrent & sum fordreinte,
7715 For diol he topped of his hare
& himself tobete & tare
& acurssed oft þe time grim
Þat Arthour was wroþ wiþ him.
¶ King Yder was sikerli
7720 A noble kniȝt & an hardi
Þat wiþ him ledde xiiij m kniȝt
Boþe hardi & eke wiȝt
‘As armes!’ he gradde wiþ tonge
& on gode stedes þai flonge.
7725 King Soriandes þat soudan was
To a king þat hiȝt Bilas
He hadde taken fiften þousinde
Bifore þat went so y finde
& passed along ouer a brigge,
7730 Þo þai ouer com ich ȝou sigge
Þai rested hem a litel wiȝt {f.245rb} View Facsimile
& þo forþ went anonriȝt;
King Soriandes after cam
Wiþ fourti þousand haþen man.
7735 To Morgalant his steward
He bitoke þe afterward
& xxv m Sarraȝins
Þat schuld him help wiþ miȝt fines -
Ten mile-ways lest þis route
7740 Icham siker wiþouten doute
& bitven euerich floc naþeles
To mile oþer þre þer wes.
Þis ich folk þat was bihinde
Wiþ fiue & tventi þousinde
7745 King Yder & his ouertoke
Opon a cauci bi a broke;
Þai seiȝe him come & wiþstette,
Wiþ scharpe spere ich oþer gret,
Our Cristen þurthout hem þrust
7750 & out of þe sadel mani lust,
Amirail & heþen kniȝt,
Mani þrewe doun deueling riȝt
& gnowen boþe gras & ston
Þo þat deþ her hert chon,
7755 Sum lay wiþouten arme & þi
& sum cleued into þe fi.
Our men þer in litel stounde
Ten þousand slouȝ to grounde;
Þis seiȝe þe steward Morgalant,
7760 Hardi & strong & gret geant,
XV kniȝtes he slouȝ of our
Al arawe & to & four,
& þo he mett wiþ Yder king
Ac þat was bataile of þincheing
7765 For ich smot oþers scheld ato
Helmes tokoruen & brini also.
Þis herd Soriandes þe soudan,
Of fourti þousand þe tventi he nam
& sodanliche on our smot
7770 & alle hem slouȝ ner God it wot,
Ac king Yder fram þe deþe
Scaped wiþ a fewe vnneþe
Wiþ wepeing & wiþ gret wailing,
Ac he no hadde ascaped bi Heuen-king
7775 ȝif anoþer cuntek no hadde ybe {f.245va} View Facsimile
Þat þe soudan dede ferst yse
Wharfore he no durst him suwe for doute
Ac went oȝain wiþ al his route.

Now þe childer y spac of bifore,
7780 Ywain þe hende & Ywain bastard ybore
& Ates an orped kniȝt
Wiþ four hundred ȝong men wiȝt,
hundred: MS reads þousand.
Weren passed þe forest
Toward Arundel souþe-west
7785 & wenden ben alle soure & siker,
& þo metten wiþ a sori biker
Wiþ Soriendes formward
Þat Bilas ladde, a kniȝt hard.
XV þousand oȝain four hunder -
7790 Þis was a meteing of wonder.
Four mile out of Arundel
Allas, þis ich meting fel
Also þis bachelers hadden a bregge
Ypassed forsoþe y sigge.
7795 Þe children fle nouȝt no miȝt
¶ For þe brigge, y ȝou pliȝt,
Her scheldes þai gropen & scharp spere,
Ich a Sarraȝin gan doun bere;
Swerdes þai drouȝ & ȝeuen dintes
7800 & paid paiens deþ-rentes.
Þis ȝong men of whom y say
Tocoruen in þre mile-ways
Fiue þousinde Sarrains to grounde
& ȝete were hemself hole & sounde.
7805 At þe hindeward king Yder
Fauȝt al at ones, & þis children her.
Soriandes þat wele yherd
& lete Yder & oȝain ferd
For to taken quiclike
7810 Þe children ded oþer quic.
¶ Ac riȝt now a litel knape
To Bedingram com wiþ rape
& toke a letter to Wawain
On his nevou half, hende Ywain -
7815 Ac Ywain wist nouȝt þerof.
Wawain hem toke þe knaue of,
Þe letters he red anon
& grad ‘As armes euerichon!
Armeþ ȝou al wiþ main {f.245vb} View Facsimile
7820 For mi nevou hende Ywain
Haueþ nede & bot we heiȝe
He is ded & his compeinie.
Ded me were leuer bi Ihesus
Þan he starf for faut of ous.’
7825 Agreuein & Gaher[i]et,
Gveheres & Sagremoret
Armed hem wiþ hardi cher
& ich lepe on his destrer,
Swerd þai tok & launce & scheld
7830 & forþ priked on þe feld.
Þai toke wiþ hem xx þousinde -
Þe oþer þai leten hem bihinde -
A-sex þai schift her compainie.
¶ Agreuein schuld þe first gie
7835 Þat was of noble þre þousinde;
¶ Gveheres also y finde
Þre þousand bodis gied also,
Non better no miȝten go;
¶ Þe þridde ferd ledde Gaheriet
7840 & þe ferþ Sagremoret;
¶ Þe fift ladde Galathin
& eueriche þre þousand wiþ him;
Wawain ladde þe sext bihinde
& hadde wiþ him eiȝte þousinde.
7845 Þe knaue tauȝt her way sikerliche,
Þa[i] riden wel sarreliche,
Þair gilt pensel wiþ þe winde
Mirie ratled of cendel ynde,
Þe steden so noble & so wiȝt
7850 Lopen & neiȝed wiþ þe kniȝt.
Þese beþ also fast cominge,
Þe children þerwhiles were fiȝting
Oȝain ten þousand, for first fiue
Þa[i] had wiȝtliche brouȝt o liue,
7855 Þai defended hem so wel
Wiþ scharp swerd of gode stiel
Þat þe four hundred hadde driuen oȝan
Þo ten þousand of heþen man.
King Soriandes herd al þis
7860 & sexten þousand he sant of priis
Biforn him hem to nim
& after com þat wiþþerwin
Wiþ xx þousind almast {f.246ra} View Facsimile
For to taken hem on hast.
7865 Þis forseyd xvi þousinde
Our folk comen bihinde
& passed þe brigge Drian
& smiten on our ȝong man
& mani þerof þrewe to grounde
7870 & ȝauen hem bitter & hard wounde.
Þe ten þousand at þe oþer half also
Deden hem swiþe miche wo.
At on half & at oþer so y finde
Were sex & tventi þousinde
7875 & wiþ a fewe children fouȝt,
Ac Ihesu Crist on hem þouȝt
For he ȝaue hem strengþe & miȝt
Oȝain þo deuelen for to fiȝt;
When ani were falle adoun
7880 Þe oþer hem lift to arsoun,
Euerich oþer wiþ scheld biclept
& fro oþer dentes kept
& mani of þo heþen houndes
Þai koruen doun into þe grounde -
7885 Ac al þai were so forfouȝten,
Of her liif þat þai no rouȝten
& ȝelden hem þai hadden ment.
‘Nay,’ quaþ Ywayns ‘verrament,
Whiles our ani liueþ in feld
7890 Our þonkes, nil we ous ȝeld,
Ac do we now bi mi red,
Prike we at onnes into þe mede
& ȝif we may owhar abreke
Fle we hem wiþ gret reke.’
7895 Al at ones her main þai kedde
& large roume about hem redde,
Into þe mede þai smiten wiþ rape
ȝif þai miȝt ouer þe water scape.
Þe water was swiþe depe,
7900 Þe brink heiȝe, þe strem stepe,
Þai loked ouer into þe londes
& seye come king Soriandes,
Fele mile-wais wiþouten doute
Lest þe tail of his route.
7905 Ates þe wiȝt þo seyd ‘Allas
We mot ous ȝeld in þis cas
For we no mow nowhar oway {f.246rb} View Facsimile
So ful of deuelen is þis cuntray.’
Al þai were in gret desmay;
7910 Þo loked Ywain & saye
Fram Bedingham on her side
Baners & pople com ride,
To his felawes he seyd on hast
‘Beþ now bliþe & nouȝt agast,
7915 Y se ȝond com gret socour
For þai han þe signe of our Saueour,
Wherþurth’ he seyd ‘ich vnderstonde
It is socour of þis lond.’
‘Yherd be Crist!’ quaþ lasse Ywain
7920 ‘Her is conseil certain
ȝif we here leueþ in a þrome
We worþ nomen ar þai come
Ac þei we han pople lite
Þurthout hem we mot smite
7925 & slen al þat mowe we,
Þurthout hem & swiþe fle,
Fleand, euer wereand ous,
Fleand: MS reads Fle &.
Til help ous haue sent Ihesus.’
Bi [his] rede þai deden ȝerne,
7930 Her stedes þai gun terne,
On þe sexten m þai com flinge
So hail doþ on þe singel,
In þat coming God it wot
Þai slouȝ þre hundred fot-hot
7935 & wiþ gode hert & main fin
Þai þurth perced þo Sarraȝin.
Ac Bilas wiþ his ten þousinde
Hem oftoke anon bihinde
& metten hem in a mede
7940 Wiþ an hundred of her ferrede
& ȝauen hem wel bitter wounde
For þai hem wold haue nomen & bounde,
& is superscript.
Ac þai vp stirt & wered hem siker,
Wiþ swerd þai maden dedeli biker.
7945 Agreuein wiþ þis bikering
Wiþ þre þousand com on hem flinge
Þat wiþ spere þo ten þousinde
Beren oȝain, so y finde,
Þe schote of an alblast;
7950 Þer was mani þurthout dast,
Heued of koruen, smiten of arm, {f.246va} View Facsimile
Bodi cleued into þe barm;
On boþe halue was swiche a cri
Men miȝt it here into þe sky.
7955 Þis seiȝen þe sexten þousinde
& comen swiþe on our winde
& wiþ miȝt oȝain hem bar
To þe stede þer þai wer ar.
Þer was mani wombe þurth schoue
7960 & mani heued cleued aboue.
Þat ich time Agreuein
In sleiȝt kid so michel main
Þat his feren wondred euerichon
& token ensaumple wele to don,
7965 For he seyd þei he dede schuld ben
Of þe stede he nold flen
Ac wiþ swerd he wald delite
On þe paiens to don it bite.
¶ Ywain þan & alle his floc
7970 On steden sat so stef so stok
& dasched hem amid þe pres
So lyoun doþ on dere in gres
& cleued boþe man & hors
Of þe foule heþen cors;
7975 Ich of hem so wiȝtliche fauȝt
Þat tong no may it telle nauȝt,
Ac Sarraȝins were bi mi panne
Euer fourti oȝaines anne
Wherfore our litel folk kene
7980 No miȝt amonges hem ben ysen.
Þis was in time of May
Riȝt aboute midmorwe-day.
¶ Þo com Gueheres Wawaines broþer
Wiþ þre þousand folk oþer
folk: MS reads flok.
7985 & smiten on þis heþen hounde
Þat euerich of hem fel to grounde
& þe oþer rekeuerd oȝain wiþ main
Whider first hem brouȝt Agreuein.
Þer was fiȝting, þer was toile
7990 & vnder hors kniȝtes defoile;
Þo þonked Ywain þe wiȝt
Of þat socour God almiȝt
& desired to wite who it were
Þat him dede swiche socour þere.
7995 Þo seyd Ates ‘sir Ywain {f.246vb} View Facsimile
Smite þi stede wiþ miȝt & main
& of þi greuaunce þe awreke
Þat oþer it sen & þerof speke;
Bi her pruesse þou schalt hem knawe
8000 & bi þine be her felawe.
Y þe rede now lay on fast
Our fomen for to agast.’
Þer Ywain & eke his broþer,
Ates & mani gentil oþer
8005 Tokoruen þis Sarraȝins
Wiþ gret miȝt & wille fins;
Y wene þat Ywain & his broþer
Þer slouȝ an hundred & anoþer
So þat Gveheres & Agreuein
8010 Hadde gret wonder of her main.
As Ates com rideinde hem bitven
He asked him who it miȝt ben,
him: MS reads hem.
‘Certes’ quaþ Ates ‘of ȝour ken,
Þe kinges sones Vrien,
8015 Ywain þe hende & Ywain bastard
Þat þus com hiderward
To ben kniȝtes of ȝour em Arthour
& seruen him wiþ gret honour;
Al þat han white on riȝte armes
8020 & red on left half on her armes
on her inserted superscript.
Beþ erls & barouns sones
Þat ben wiþ him hider come
Þat metten here þis deuelen felle
Þat ben ysprongen out of helle
8025 Þat hadde hem slain wiþ deshonour
No hadde ben ȝour socour.’
‘Yherd be Crist’ þe children quaþe
‘Þat we to hem com þus raþe.’
To hem þai smiten þe stedes swiþe
8030 & welcomed hem wiþ chere bliþe;
Þo her ich oþer knewe
Ich ouer oþer armes þrewe,
Gret ioie wiþouten les
Þai made amidward þat pres
8035 & made couenaunt in al þat fiȝt
Togider þai wald riden, apliȝt.
As þai þus togider spake
Fresche paiens on hem com rake,
catchword: xv þousinde þat hadde.
XV þousinde þat hadden born oȝan {f.247ra} View Facsimile
8040 Par fors into Bedingham,
Wiþ þre þousand ne hadde bet
On hem smiten Gaheriet
Wawaines broþer sikerliche
Oȝain hem held sarreliche.
8045 Þer was broken mani spere
Wiþ deþes dint & liues lere
& mani paien to deþ ysmite
Wiþ swerdes of stiel þat wele bite.
Margalaunt þe steward & king Pinogres
8050 To þe brigge were comen wiþ gret pres
Of Sarraȝins xx þousinde
& wele mo also y finde.
Al þai seiȝen þis ich biker,
At þat half þe brigge hem þouȝt siker
8055 On þat ich fair roume
To aloge her pauiloun
To kepe wele her charrois
Her astore & her harnois
& to help at tide & time
8060 At þe oþer half her cursed lin;
Þe brigge þat was hem bitven
Þai þouȝt schuld her socour ben.
¶ Soriondes her heiȝe king
Com sone after wiþouten lesing
8065 Wiþ so mani þousand Sarraȝins
Þat no man þerof couþe þe fins
& loged on þat riuer
Fram Morgalant nouȝt wel fer
Of bataile to sen þe fin;
8070 Of Cristen & of Sarraȝin
Þer at þe oþer half þe brigge
Wiþ scharppe swerd gun on legge
Wiþ fauchouns axes & battes,
Ich ȝaue oþer sori flappes;
8075 Of Sarraȝin þer fouȝten ten & ten
Oȝain on of our men
Wherþurth þe feld oȝain þai bare
Mani of our children þare.
In þis toil wiþ þre þousand skete
8080 Sagremor hem com mete
Mest what euerich wiþ his spere
A paien gan to grounde bere,
& in þis ich coming {f.247rb} View Facsimile
Þer were slawe four heþen king
8085 In þe feld of our bachelers,
Were brouȝt on her destre[r]s;
Þe paiens were to fel & kene,
Þe sleiȝt of hem nas nouȝt sen
& eke þer ourne stremes of blod
8090 Also it were a wel gret flod.
Now wiþouten more dueling
Galathin com swiþe flinge
Wiþ þre þousand wiȝtling
& smot oȝain þat heþen king,
8095 Ich of hem wiþ stef launce
A Sarraȝin smot wiþouten balaunce
& wiþ her feren brouȝten oȝain
Al her fomen to þe brigge Drein,
fomen: MS reads feren.
In þe water hem driuen so y finde
8100 Of þe heþen & slouȝ seuen þousinde,
Ac al our childer toforn & þo
Hadde hem contened so
Þat of m x & sextene
No hadde þai leued bot þrittene
8105 & of our so y finde
Nas nouȝt slain a þousinde.
Now hadde al þo þeues heþen
Ben tofrust doun riȝt to maþen
ȝif Morgalent & Pinogres
8110 Nadden brouȝt ouer her pres,
Nadden: MS reads Hadden.
XX þousand oȝain our;
Of our wer þousandes ten & four
& certes nouȝt an hundred mo
& þai were þre & þritti þousand & mo.
8115 Þer was batail of mende
Hou our wiȝtlinges so hende
On þe heþen wiþ swordes losten
& mani tocleued & tofrusten.
Ac Morgalant & his ferrede
8120 Were strong & fers to þe dede
& hadde don our harm wel gret
ȝif Wawain no hadde don þe bet
Þat wiþ eiȝte þousand & swerdes egge
Brouȝt hem to þentre of þe brigge
8125 & mani þousand ouerþrewe saun fail
Into þe water top & tail
Þat þai adreint wiþouten les. {f.247va} View Facsimile
Wawain smot into þat pres -
It was sumdel after none,
8130 Wawain strengþe duble gan -
His ax in his hond he lift,
Durarls heued of he smit;
King Malgar on þe heued he gert
Þat þe dent stode at þe hert;
8135 Segor on þe heued he smot,
Þe ax into þe sadel bot;
King Malan also he hit
& wiþ his ax þe heued of slit.
A-left he smot & a-riȝt,
8140 Non his dent asit miȝt;
Stel & yren his ax þurth carf
Wherþurth mani heþen starf.
He met þat geaunt Pinogres
Amidward al his pres
8145 Þat cleued Wawaines scheld
Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld.
Wawain him ȝaue a dent of howe
& cleued him to þe sadelbowe -
Y no miȝt it nouȝt fulrede
8150 Þe pruaunce of Wawaines dede.
After him hende Ywain
Best y wene kidde his main
For king Sesox he cleue ato
& Baldas an amiral also,
8155 Minardes heued of he smot
& Bilaces also God it wot
& Morgalant þe steward
Dedliche wounde he ȝaf him hard,
& mo kniȝtes þan y can telle
8160 Wawain & he sent to helle,
For y neuen now saun faile
Bot kinges, doukes & amiraile -
ȝete no wist nouȝt Wawain
Þat it was his felawe Ywain;
8165 He hadde wonder of his pruesse
Þat so leyd doun hard & nesse.
After hem Galathin
Kidde in dede miȝt afin:
Wiþ swerd he hit Farasan,
8170 A geaunt & an hoge man,
Þat ere & cheke & scholder also {f.247vb} View Facsimile
Wiþ his swerd he carf atvo;
King Creon he cleued þurth
& king Bess doun in a furth;
8175 Darian & king Fulgin,
Boþe he cleue to þe chin.
No child no miȝt do þer bet
Þan dede also Gaheriet:
Of þe king Briollo
8180 Þe midel he smot ato;
Pinnas & ek Donadord
He biheueded wiþ his sword;
Pamadas he cleued doun riȝt.
¶ Sagremor þer schewed his miȝt
8185 For he biheueded Linodas
Of fourtene fet þat was;
Fauel he cleued to þe brest
& Guindard he made heuedles prest.
¶ Gueheres dede also wel:
8190 Of Guos he carf þe hatrel;
Goweir he cleued to þe ribbe
Þat he no miȝt no lenger libbe.
Agreuein dede also:
Þre kinges he slouȝ & mani mo.
8195 ¶ Ates & lesse Ywain & her route
To grounde laiden wiþouten doute
Whom so þai hitten wiþ ful dent,
Keuerd he neuer verrament;
Ac verrament oȝain Wawain
8200 No man no miȝt kiþe main
For he carf man & stiel & ire
So flesche-hewer doþ flesches lire.
Niȝt com hem on, þai miȝt nouȝt sen,
Ich to his kiþ gan to ten;
8205 Þo Gawainet knewe Ywain
Þer was ioie & blis certain,
He & al her compeinie
To Bedingham went on heiȝe
& þer token aise & rest
8210 Wiþ gamen & gle & solas mest.
Soriandes seiȝe of his ferred
Of four score m þe fourti ded,
His hert was sore, his cher murne,
Lenger nold he þer soiourne;
8215 He trussed his armes anonriȝt {f.248ra} View Facsimile
& went oway al bi niȝt
To her heiȝe ost, to Wandlesbiri,
Þer þai made hem joie & miri
For store & tresor þat þai brouȝt.
8220 Wawain amorn hem souȝt
& fond he was ascaped oway,
Þat him oþouȝt par ma fay;
Þat hie þer founden þai ladde hem wiþ
& left þer stille in pais & griþ
8225 Mani day at Bedinham -
Now listneþ what after bicam.

Now seiþ þis romaunce hou Wawain
Of þis letters asked Ywain,
Ywain seyd he wist of non
8230 Whereþurth þai wonderd euerichon.
Þo herd þai telle of Sarraȝins
Deden wo & michel pins
Þe ȝong men of Arundel,
Wawain þerof hadde diol;
8235 Ten þousand þe best he toke -
Þe oþer he tok þe toun to loke -
& went hem Arundel toward.
In þis time fel chaunce hard
For Kay, Destran & Kehedin,
8240 Tvo gentil swaines of wiȝt lin
Erles sones of Strangore,
Of þe marche come hem bifore
Wiþ seuen & tventi sweines of gentil stren,
Comen alle kniȝtes for to ben
8245 & to serue king Arthour
ȝif þai miȝt wiþ gret honour.
Þese no hadde nouȝt are ysaye
Hou Arundel was bilay
Of king Harans & ek Daril,
8250 Bramagnes sones þe etenild,
Wiþ so mani heþen þousinde
Þat þe noumbre y no can finde.
Þese squiers on hem come,
& þe paiens also sone
8255 So(ne) þai hem seiȝe on hem þai last,
Þe squiers were armed & on hem dast
& in þe first of þat seylinge
Þai slowen michel heþen genge;
Ac heþen mani þousand þo {f.248rb} View Facsimile
8260 On our flongen & dede hem wo
& biclept hem al about
For to nim þat litel rout.
ȝong men of Arundel
Seiȝen it out of þe castel,
8265 Wiȝt ȝonglinges þre hundred ich vnderstonde;
Þe first was Ywain wiþ þe white hond,
Þe oþer Ywain of Lyonel,
Þe þridde Ywain Desclauis le bel
& Ywain of Strangore of heiȝe parage,
8270 Þe v was Dedinet þe saueage;
Alle þai were wiȝt & hende
& neiȝe of Wawaines kende.
Þese wiþ þre hundred com þere
& on þe paiens smiten wiþ gode chere,
8275 Ich dede his launce go
Þurthout a paien oþer to
& redden hem wiþ miȝt fin
Til what þai come to Kehedin;
Togider þai cleued in þat werre
8280 So wiþ oþer doþ þe burre
& leyden þer Sarraȝins doun riȝt
Boþe a left half & a riȝt.
Þe paiens an horn gun blowe
& hem come socour in litel þrawe
8285 XX þousand þat smite on our
& bar hem doun bi þre & four
& hadde hem slawe & do miche wo
No hadde Wawain vp comen þo
Wiþ x þousand þat doun stett
8290 Alle þat þai wiþ launce mett
& after her swerdes drowe
& xv þousand heþen slowe
& holpen so þo oþer squiers
Þat þai were brouȝt on destrers.
8295 Þe oþer paiens wiþdrouȝ hem þo
Sarraȝins to feche hem mo,
Þerwhiles Wawain knewe þis Ywains
Alle four & þe oþer swaines;
Þer was ioie bi Godes ore,
8300 Y wene þer miȝt be no more
Þan was þer of þat socouringe.
Þerwhiles com an eld kniȝt flinge
& seyd to Wawain conseil {f.248va} View Facsimile
ȝif he & his feren wald ben hayl
8305 Þai schuld swiþe to Arundel te
& þan he schuld more yse,
Bi his conseil þai deden anon
& went into Arundel ichon,
Alle þe gates þai schetten fast
8310 & lete falle portcolice on hast.
On walles þai steiȝen heiȝe
walles: s is superscript.
& seiȝen of heþen ful þe cuntreie.
¶ King Harans wiþ sexti þousinde
& Daril wiþ fourti him bihinde,
8315 XII hundred cartes after come
Wiþ gode & store þat was binome
In þe cuntre men & wiues
Al sori in her liues,
After hem come xx þousinde
8320 Of fel robours so y finde
Þat so hadde robed & brent þe cuntre
Þat þeraboute four jurne
No schuld man finde man no childe
Bot wildernesse & desert wilde.
8325 Wawain & his felawes
Þer soiour(u)nd seuen dawes -
Þer lete we hem soiurne
& speke we of chaunces hard & murne.

King Harans & his harnoys
8330 Went toward þe lond of Leoneis
& brent into þe grounde
Al þat þai biforn hem founde,
Man & child þai brent þo
& dede hem al michel wo;
8335 Sum ascaped wiþ gret paine
Into þe cite of Dorkeine
& reweliche gun [grade] o king Lot
For þis lere God it wot.
Lot tok xx þousand kniȝtes
8340 & went him out anonriȝtes.
A ferd of xxx þousinde
He smot on also y finde,
V þousinde in his cominge
He slouȝ wiþ speres meteinge;
8345 Egreliche her swerdes drowe
& ix þousinde þerto slouwe
Wiþ so noble swerdes dent {f.248vb} View Facsimile
Þat hem astint verament
& hadde hem alle sone yslawe
8350 ȝif Harans – þat þe deuel todrawe -
Wiþ lx þousand [nadde] þo
Com on our to michel wo,
Þat our biclept & wiþ fouȝt
& slowen our gentil men & duȝst,
duȝst: ȝ is written superscript.
8355 Þat Lot vnneþe wiþ þre þousinde
Scaped at euen so y finde
Into þe cite of Dorkeine
Sore ywounded wiþ michel peine.
Þe king Lot seiȝe þis lere
8360 Himselue he gan here tere
& bad þe time mesauenture
Þat he cunteked wiþ king Arthour;
& his kniȝtes þat leued were
& leuedis & children maden care
8365 For her faders lordes & frende
Were so slawe wiþ helle-fende.
Harans biseged & dede his peine
Þe cite to winne of Dorkeine.
Lot þouȝt to saue Belisent
8370 Arthours suster his quen gent
& Wawains moder saun fail,
His kniȝtes he asked conseil;
Conseil he tok & went bi niȝt
Toward Glocedoine ful riȝt,
8375 His strong castel, to don in his wiif
For chaunce þat miȝt be oþer striif
Wiþ Modred his sone beld
Þat nas ȝete bot to ȝer eld;
V hundred kniȝtes on gode stede
8380 Wiþ him he tok for al nede
& went toward his castel swiþe -
He was þerof seþþen vnbliþe.
¶ In þis time child Wawain
Wiþ mani feren & eke Ywain
8385 On Arundels wal þai gun lene,
A kniȝt com arnand wiþ gret rene
Yarmed in armes alle
Þat to Wawain þus gan calle
‘Wawain,’ he seyd ‘Crist þe se
8390 & alle þine feren fre.
Durst ȝe gon wiþ me siker {f.249ra} View Facsimile
Y wold ȝou schewe a selcouþe biker
Whar ȝe schul win wining
ȝe nold it ȝeue for noþing.’
8395 ‘Þan schaltow’ quaþ Wawain ‘swere
Þou no schalt ous wiþ tresoun dere.’
‘Bleþeliche’ he seyd & swore anon
He no schuld hem qued no traisoun don.
¶ Wawain him armed swiþe
8400 & tok wiþ him x þousand biliue.
Þis kniȝt seiȝe hem com & dassed forþ
& hye him after swiþe, norþ,
So þai wenten þai metten a kniȝt
Arnand wiþ al his miȝt.
8405 Wawain nam to þis kniȝt hede
Þat he ladde wiþ him Modrede,
He rode him to & asked him whi
He ladde his broþer so suiftli.
‘Wawain’ he seyd ‘par ma fay
8410 Al þis niȝt & al þis day
Þi lord haþ fouȝt oȝain king Taurus,
Þre þousand oȝain fiue hundred of ous,
Þi lord is wounded, his men be dede,
Modred þi broþer y tok for drede
8415 & wiþ him þus oway drawe
Þat he no ware of hem yslawe.’
‘Allas!’ quaþ Wawain ‘Allas, allas
Þat ich euer born was!
Who schuld euer of me ȝelp?
8420 Now sterue mi frende wiþouten help.
Frende’ quaþ Wawain ‘þou here abide,
In on busse þou þe hide
What þou se al þe fulle
Wiche socour don we schulle.’
8425 Wawain wiþ his folk forþ drof
Hastiliche vnder a grof,
Þo he herd a reuly cri,
A wiman euer cri ‘merci!’
He dasched forþ biforn hem alle
8430 & seiȝe a leuedi þries doun falle
Fram Taurus stede to þe grounde,
Þat heþen king, þat vnwrast hounde,
Þat feloun rage in his wodenesse,
Pliȝt hir vp bi þe tresse
8435 & sche gred ‘seint Marie, {f.249rb} View Facsimile
Help me leuedi, Cristes drurie.’
& he went vp anon his fest
& buffeyt hir vnder þe lest
So oft so sche crid ‘Marie!’
8440 Sche was buffeit of him þrie,
Sche fel doun of his hors rigge
& he gan anon his hondes legge
On hir tresse & forþ hir drouȝ.
Þe leuedi vpriȝt stode aswouȝ,
8445 He laid on wiþ schourge & bad hir go
& sche no miȝt a fot for wo
No for hir cloþes long,
Bi hir tresse he gan hir hong;
Sche wiþbraid & fel vpriȝt,
8450 Taurus aliȝt anonriȝt
& knett hir to his hors tail
Bi her tresse saun fayl
So he drouȝ hir him bihinde,
Euer ‘Mari help!’ criinde.
8455 What for sorwe & eke for paine
Sche les winde & ek alaine,
Hir eiȝen turned, hir voice wiþsat,
At point of dede was hir stat.
¶ Þo seyd Wawain to þat kniȝt
8460 Þat hadde him brouȝt þider ful riȝt
‘Knawestow ouȝt þat leuedi
Þat þoleþ al þat vilanie?’
‘Wawain,’ he seyd ‘verrament,
Hir name is hote Belisent
8465 Þou ouȝtest amende hir stat
For þou souke of hir tat.’
¶ Wawain was oft wele & wo
Ac neuer wers þan him was þo,
Neiȝe aswon he sat vpriȝt,
8470 Þo nist he war bicome þat kniȝt;
He miȝt long loke after him
He was oway – it was Merlin.
Wawain wiþ spors his stede smot
& he forþ stirt God it wot,
8475 He grad aloude to king Taurus
‘Abide þou þef malicious.
Biche-sone þou drawest amis,
Þou schalt abigge it, ywis.’
An heþen swain sone doun stett, {f.249va} View Facsimile
8480 Þe leuedis tresse sone vnknett.
King Taurus was xiiii fet long,
An vnrede geaunt & a strong,
He seiȝe to him com Wawain,
He toke a launce wiþ gret main
8485 & smot þe stede þat he bistrode;
Aiþer to oþer wiþ wretþe rode,
Taurus hit Wawain arst
Þat his launce al tobrast.
Wawain him hit wiþ main & schof,
8490 Þe launce þurth þe scheld drof,
Þurthout hauberk & hert-polk,
& ded him cast among his folk;
Wawains breþer on & oþer
Smiten euerich liþ fram oþer
8495 & v hundred heþen ichon
No leten ascape neuer on.
Wawain oȝain went so seyt þe bok
& his moder in his armes tok
& wiped hir mouþe eiȝen & viis,
8500 For hir he wepe ful sore, ywis;
He kist hir mouþe & hir eiȝen,
& his breþer þat yseiȝen
& com to him & gret diol made.
No miȝt hem noþing glade,
8505 & for loue of hem alle her fere
Made wepeing & reuly chere;
In al þis diol-makeing
Belisent wiþouten lesing
Acouerd & vndede her eyin;
8510 Þo her sones it yseyn
Þai made joie swiþe gret,
Hir eiȝen þo sche vndede bet
& þonked Ihesu our Saueour
Of hir sones gentil socour.
8515 Þo teld sche Wawain & his feren
So þat þai it miȝt yheren
Hou Lot wiþ þre hundred kniȝt
Dede oȝain þre þousand fiȝt
& of þe þre þousand he lete oliue
8520 Certes bot hundredes fiue
‘Ac of mi lordes meine
Certes no scaped oliue nouȝt þre;
Þo mi lord most chese {f.249vb} View Facsimile
Me forgon oþer his liif forlese,
8525 Alon he fauȝt a mile-way
Wiþ þo v hundred y say
What he hadde woundes ten & fiue.
Vnneþe he ascaped wiþ þe liue
Makand so reuli bere
Makand: originally Make and;
e erased.
8530 Þat it was pite for to here.
Þe heþen me tok & totoiled,
Tobeten, todrawe & defoiled -
Now haue ich mi lord ylore
& Modred mi sone þat wo me is fore’
8535 Aswon þo sche ouerþrewe.
Wawain sone hir ablewe
& seyd ‘dame, Modred þi sone
Y schal þe don anon come.’
& him ofsent, þo sche him say
8540 Sche akeuered par ma fay
& was yleyd in liter
Almast liche an hors-bere
& to Londen toke þe way
Wiþ alle Taurus korray -
8545 Sex hundred cartes bi Godes ore
Al charged wiþ mete & store.
Þo þai to Londen weren ycome
Hendeliche þai were welcome.
Do deliuerd þe heiȝe palays
8550 To sir Wawain þe curteys,
Þerin he dede his leuedi
& swore bi þe quen Marie
Schuld he neuer sen his lord
What Arthour & he were acord.
8555 Þo he teld al sir Do
Of chaunce þat hem was comen to,
Hou he dede Sagremor socour
Þurth an eld vauasour
‘& seþþen Ywain mi cosyn
8560 Þurth leters writen in Latin
Þurth a page also riȝt,
& mi moder þurth a kniȝt,
& y no couþe non of þo þre
Neuer seþþen after yse.’
8565 ‘O Wawain’ quaþ Do anon
‘Al þre it was on:
Merlin þe gode felawe. {f.250ra} View Facsimile
ȝete sum day þou schalt him knawe’ -
Hereof þai hadde wonder & game.
8570 Lete we þis rest in Godes name
& telle forþ in gode pays
Hou Merlin doþ his maister Blays
In boke writen saun faile
Of Jnglond þis meruaile
8575 & profecies & oþer þing
Þat sum beþ passed & sum coming.
¶ Þo went he fram his maister Blais
To Arthour to Carohaise
& teld him & his conseil
8580 Of Jnglond al þe meruail,
Hou Wawain dede & his ferrede
& eueriche king in his þede,
King Arthour & his ferrade
Of þis tidinge were wel glade.

8585 Now seiþ our romaunce here

Leodegan sent his messanger
To Arthour, Ban & ek Bohort
Þai schuld com to his court
Wiþ him won & soiourne,
8590 & seyd he was sori & murne
Þat he no wist of her beinge
For he vnderstode soþ þing
Þat þai were of power more
Þan he & heiȝer ybore;
8595 Þat þai hadde wele yked
Fram deþ when þai him hadde red.
He sent hem to come bi kniȝtes fiue
So þe ȝemers of his liue
For al he wald don him saun fail
8600 In her rede & her conseyl.
Wiþouten bileueing ani more
Þai went to him, Merlin bifore;
Þo þai comen into þe halle
Þe king vp stode & his men alle
8605 & welcomed hem wiþ bliþeful chere,
Þo spac Merlin so ȝe may here
‘King wostow wite our being?’
‘ȝa’ quaþ Leodegan ‘opon al þing.’
‘To þis’ he seyd & schewed Arthour
8610 ‘We sechen a wiif of gret valour.’
‘A seynt Marie’ quaþ Leodegan {f.250rb} View Facsimile
‘& haue ich a douhter, a fair wiman,
Fairer not y non veir,
Wise & hende & of mi lond air,
8615 & ich ȝou sigge vterliche
Þei in þis warld war non oþer swiche,
Þei he no hadde doun no lowe
On him y told hir wele bitowe,
So ful y knawe him of worþschipe
8620 Of nortour & of hendeschippe.’
He fet his douhter himselue alon -
In þis world nas fairer non -
& proferd hir to king Arthour
& to ben his air wiþ gret honour,
8625 & Arthour hir nome saun fail
For Merlin him ȝaf swiche conseil.
¶ ‘Now’ quaþ Merlin to Leodegan
‘Wostow now wite to what man
Þou hast yȝouen douhter þin?’
8630 ‘ȝa, þat were wil & joie min.’
Þer he was of Arthour biknawe
& of his feren al bi rawe
& seyd he was her lord bi hirritage;
Þai most al don him vmage.
8635 Leodegan was þo wel bliþe
& to Arthour dede omage swiþe
& þe kniȝtes of þe rounde table,
& al þat oþer folk saun fable,
Þer treuþed Arthour Gwenore his quen,
8640 Þe fairest leuedi þat miȝt ben.
¶ King Leodegan lete maken a fest
Of alle þat come swiþe onest,
Ich þat was of Cristen lay
Fond þer fest of gret noblay,
8645 Þe fest last seuen niȝt
Of al deinte, y sigge apliȝt,
& lenger it hadde ylast
Bot her terme was comen almast
Þat þai most smite batail
8650 Oȝain þe Sarraȝins saun fail,
Wide & side, ner & fer,
Baroun, kniȝt & ek souder,
Sum bi fe, sum for wining,
Were comen to Leodegan þe king,
8655 Were comen to his fiȝt {f.250va} View Facsimile
& soiournd a fewe niȝt.

Mirie is June þat scheweþ flour,
Þe meden ben of swete odour,
Lilye & rose of fair colour,
8660 Þe riuer cler wiþouten sour,
Boþe kniȝtes & vauasour
Þis damisels loue par amour.
On Mononday in þe Pentecost
Leodegan & alle his ost
8665 Armed hem in aketouns,
Hauberkes, plates & hauberiouns
Boþe wiþ bacin & eke palet
& helme on her heued yset,
Stones precious & ȝimmes
8670 Gold & siluer þer were inne;
Þai hadde aboue riche queintise
Of beten gold, of mani asise.
After þat her armes bar -
Mani was diuers to oþer þar -
8675 Mani riche sadel on hast
Was on riche destrer cast.
¶ Þat ich day, par amour,
Guenore armed king Arthour,
At ich armour þe gest seit þisse
8680 Arthour þe maden gan kisse;
¶ Merlin bad Arthour þe king
Þenche on þat ich kisseing
When he com into bataile.
‘ȝis,’ he seyd ‘Merlin saun faile.’
8685 Þo bad king Leodegan
Merlin ordeine al his man,
‘Bleþeliche’ he seyd & ches Arthour
& Ban [&] Bohort of gret vigour
& her feren wiþouten fable
8690 & kniȝtes of þe rounde table
& oþer kniȝtes so y finde,
In alle he nam seuen þousinde
& made þe first compainie,
Himself he wald hem gye.
8695 ¶ Leodegans nevou Gogenar,
A noble kniȝt & wise & war,
Merlin toke anoþer ferrede
Of seuen þousand for to lede;
¶ þe þridde ledde Elinadas, {f.250vb} View Facsimile
8700 A ȝong kniȝt þat fin stalworþ was,
He was þe wise leuedis nevou
Of þe forest saunȝ retour;
¶ Þe ferþe led a baroun hiȝt Blias
Þat was lord of Bliodas;
8705 ¶ Þe fift ledde Andalas,
A kniȝt of meruailus los he was;
¶ Þe vj ledde Beliche þe blounde,
A kniȝt he was of gret mounde;
¶ Þe vij ledde Yder of Norþlond,
8710 Fel & hardi & strong in hond;
¶ Þe viij ledde Landon ful of vertu,
He was Cleoda[l]is nevou;
¶ Þe ix ledde Gremporemole,
Hardi kniȝt & wiȝt & fre,
8715 No kniȝt better on stede sat
Ac he hadde a nose as a cat;
Ich of þese ladde seuen þousinde.
¶ Leodegan so com bihinde
Wiþ ten þousinde of þe best.
8720 Þo bad hem al Merlin lest
‘King’ he said ‘nouȝt þe amay
For king Rion schal wische þis day
He hadde ȝeue þe tounes fiue,
He war in his lond wiþ his liue.
8725 Fele hundred Sarraȝins
He haþ wiþ him of biches lins,
We schul hem sle & noþing doute
For it is al a curssed route.
We han almast so y finde
8730 Four score þousinde
& Cristes grace þat schal ous helpe
To kerue doun riȝt þe hepen welpes;
Þenke on ȝour childer & wiues
& ek on ȝour owen liues
8735 & of ȝour londes, wiþ vnriȝt
Þai þenke to winne wiþ strengþe & miȝt,
ȝou to slen & to exile.
Leggeþ on þe traitours vile,
Spareþ nouȝt ac sle doun riȝt,
8740 ȝou schal help God almiȝt.
Þai han filled þe michel forest
& walled hem bi norþ & west
Þat þerforþ no man no may {f.251ra} View Facsimile
Comen hem to par ma fay,
8745 & a souþe half walled certes
Wiþ mani þousand waines & cartes,
Ac on þat est half, ich wot,
We schul comen opon hem God it wot
& finde hem slepeand & sle doun riȝt,
8750 For þai were al dronken toniȝt.’
Þer he ches kniȝtes ten
& sent biforn her men
For to take & slen & binde
Þe spies þat þai miȝten finde;
8755 Þat so deden, & hem bifore
Nomen herlotes ten score
& so hem bistirden þat no tiding
Spie no brouȝt to þat heþen king.
¶ Merlin come bifore wiþouten þe toun
8760 & vnspand his dragoun
vnspand: MS reads ?vnspaid.
Fer þat kest of þe mouþe vair
So it liȝted in þe air.
Arthour alder next him cam
& Ban & Bohort þat gentil man
8765 & al þat oþer ferred
Ordeind so ich ere sede;
Of armes þat was gret schining,
Þe stedes maden gret naying.
Þai wenten forþ also stilly
8770 So þai miȝten wiþouten cri.
Þo Merlin com neiȝe king Rion
Enchauntement he kest him on
Þat mani of her pauiloun
Opon her heuedes fel adoun,
8775 Merlin & his feren was y say
Biforn al þe oþer to mile-way.
In a Tiwesday in þe daweing
He kest þis enchaunteing.
Bitven a riuer & a grof
8780 He com hem on, þat þai nouȝt schrof,
& Merlin loude gan to cri
‘Help ous now þe quen Marie.’
Our folk on þe heþen lusten
& vnder hors fet hem frusten
8785 & tohewen hem to deþ, & on gerten.
Þe heþen þeues vp sterten,
Four .c. þousand & mani mo {f.251rb} View Facsimile
To king Rion ascaped þo
& armed hem swiftlich vnder his tent,
8790 To slen al our was her entent
Ac our slouȝ þousandes mani
Ar of hem were armed ani.
Ac þo þai hadde keuered armes
Wiþ launces, maces & gisarmes
8795 Bi þousandes mani a man
Þe heþen smiten our oȝan
& gun on of þe grest bataile
Þat euer was smiten saun faile.
Passed was þe dayspringing,
8800 Þe hote sonne was schininge
Þo bigan kniȝtes rideing,
Trumpes blowen, tabours dassing,
blowen: MS reads beten.
Þer was fleinge & wiþstonding,
Tireing, togging & ouerþroweinge;
8805 Of Sarraȝins in litel stounde
Mani þousand was frust to grounde.
Þat seiȝe Rion, þat vile hounde,
He cleped Salinas þat kniȝt of mounde,
Whiche Salinas was his nevou,
8810 A stalworþ man & ful of vertu,
He tok him an hundred þousand kniȝtes
& hete him wende anonriȝtes
His folk for to socour
& awreke his deshonour.
8815 Þis Salinas & his wiþ gret vigour
Com oȝain king Arthour
Wiþ his to & fourti of mounde
& wiþ kniȝtes of þe table rounde
& wiþ oþer, in al y finde
8820 Þe mountaunce of seuen þousinde.
Þo seyd Merlin to king Arthour
‘Þenke now of þi newe amour,
For loue of þi last kissing
Among þis heþen houndes fling.’
8825 At þat word king Arthour
Smot his stede of gret valour
& hit a Sarraȝin þurth þe scheld
& his hauberk felefeld
Þat þurth þe hert þat ysen cheld
8830 Pased & kest him in þe feld.
King Ban biseiȝe riȝt so anoþer {f.251va} View Facsimile
& king Bohort þe þridde his broþer,
Neiȝe ichon of her felawe
In þe entring brouȝt a paien of dawe;
8835 Þer was mani stede yfeld,
Mani kniȝt slawen vnder scheld,
Ich kniȝt hewe on his per
On schide so doþ þe carpenter,
Þer dede so our kniȝtes of los
8840 Þat mani paien þerof agros.
Arthour was þat day biheld
Hou manliche þat he paiens aqueld;
He hem tokarf, he hem tohewe,
Mani wiþ ded his dintes knewe.
8845 ¶ King Ionap, a paien kene -
Lengþe he hadde o fet fiftene -
He seiȝe hou Arthour ded hem damage,
He tok a launce in gret rage
& biforn him grop his scheld,
8850 Arthour he þouȝt his harm to ȝeld.
¶ Arthour seiȝe wher he cam,
A stef launce in hond he nam -
He no sembled no more him oȝan
Þan doþ a child oȝain a man.
8855 Aiþer gan his stede dresse
Oȝain oþer in þat presse,
Ionapes schaft bigan to glide
Riȝt bi king Arthour left side,
Þurthout armes & þurthout schert,
8860 & in þe side, nouȝt sore, him hert.
¶ & Arthour smot him wiþ his launce
Þurthout his scheld wiþouten balaunce
& þurthout hauberk & aketoun
& þurthout þe scholder fer aroum.
þe is written superscript.
8865 Ionap was so proude & sterne
No ȝaf he þerof nouȝt a ferne,
Wiþ þe brestes so þai metten
Þat to þe grounde boþe þai stetten.
Of Cristen [&] heþen þer was toiling
8870 For to help þis to king;
Þer was mani swerd ydrawe,
Mani kniȝt hirt & mani slawe,
What wiþ wristling, wat wiþ togging
What wiþ smiteing & wiþ skirminge,
8875 On boþe half so þai wrouȝten, {f.251vb} View Facsimile
Her kinges on hors þai brouȝten.
Þo Arthour & his fourti & to,
& his kniȝtes of þe rounde table also,
So korwen & hewen wiþ main hond
8880 Þat non armour miȝt hem astond,
& so slowen, þat Salinas
Fleiȝe & al þat wiþ him was.
Among þe wele doinde of our men
Was on wele fiȝtand hete Nacien,
8885 Perciuales cosyn þe fri
On his moder half, þat fair leuedi.
In þis warld of more noblay
Nas non bi Vter Pendragones day,
No forþ bi þe kinges day Arthour
8890 Nas þer non of more vigour.
Haningnes his moder was -
Iosepes suster a kniȝt of gras -
Whom Ebron hadde spouse,
A kniȝt of dede vertuous
8895 Þat on hir ȝat kniȝtes seuentene,
Hardi & strong wiȝt & kene,
In whom seþþen in mani fiȝt
Al Jnglond so was aliȝt.
Þis was Colidoines cosyn þe rike,
8900 Naciens sone of Betike,
Whiche Celidoine seiȝe first saun fail
Of þe holi graal þe meruail.
ȝete þis Nacien þe curteis
Was sibbe king Pelles of Listoneis
8905 & al his breþer God it wot
& seþþen hadde Launcelot
In his ward almest a ȝer
So þe romaunce seyt elleswher.
Þis Naciens of whom y write
8910 Seþþen bicom ermite
& lete kniȝtschippe & al þing
& bicome prest messe to sing.
Virgine of his bodi he was,
Whom seþþen þe holi Godes gras
8915 Rauist into þe þridde heuen
Where he herd angels steuen
& seiȝe fader & sone & holi gost
In on substaunce, in on acost.
Þis ȝaf seþþen þe riche conseil {f.252ra} View Facsimile
8920 To þe king Arthour saun fail
Þo he was in gret periil
To lese his londes & ben exil
Oȝaines þe king Galahos,
Þe geauntes sone of gret los,
8925 Þat ȝaf king Arthour bataileinge
Wiþ þe power of þritti king.
Þis Naciens and Adragenis þe broun
Þe heþen kniȝtes leyden adoun,
Tohewe hem & togert;
8930 Y ȝou sigge forsoþe cert
Þe gret strengþe of king Arthour
Þes to folweden in alle þe stour
So fer þat he no miȝt se no knowe
Neuer on of her felawe.
8935 Bifor þes þre Merlin went
& bar þe dragoun þat fer out sent.
Þes þre deden michel wo,
Hors & man þai coruen ato;
Boþe a left half & a riȝt
8940 Þai felden kniȝtes & slouȝ doun riȝt
& forced hem wiþ mani dent hard
What þai come to king Riones standard
Þat four castels [vp] olifaunce
Bar toforn king Riouns.
8945 Her feren þo misten hem
& smiten after bi xij & ten
Wiþ newe grounden fauchoun & sword,
Mani heued þai smiten ford.
Þai schouen wiþ schulder & smiten wiþ arm
8950 & deden þe paiens dedliche harm
Ac þai no miȝt keuer to king Arthour
Wiþ sleiȝt no wiþ vigour,
Bot Ban & Bohort so seiþ þe bok
Laiden doun al þat þai tok.
8955 Sum into þe sadel þai smiten,
Her swerdes þai dede ful wele biten
& so fouȝten & slowen par ma fay
Þat þai redden & maden way
Maugre þo paiens þurth fin vigour
8960 What þai com to king Arthour,
& þo þai were togider fiue
Þai binomen mani on her liue,
An hundred haþen in litel fitt {f.252rb} View Facsimile
Þe fiue þurth koruen & heued of slit.
8965 In ich half was gret fiȝting,
Gret sleiȝt, gret criing,
Socouring & wiþstonding,
Of kniȝtes, barouns, erls & kinge
Lay mani heuedles on þe grounde,
8970 On þe gras wiþ dedli wounde
Sum lay wiþouten fet & armes
Ato ygirt into þe þarmes.
¶ Among þis toil seiȝe king Rion
Our fiue so his men slon.
8975 He was seuenten fet long
& in þis warld no man so strong,
In his riȝt hond & in his left
A mace he gan vp lift
Þat no man no schuld bere
8980 No vnneþe fram þe grounde stere.
In þis time king Fansaron so mot y liue
Hadde on iuel dent yȝeue,
Bohort him gan after prike
Curagus to ben awreke,
8985 Fram his feren he folwed him almast
Þe cast of an alblast
& hit him þan a dint wel iuel
Þat he fel on his hors adiuel.
hors is superscript.
He wold his nek smiten eft
8990 & þe dint a litel gleft,
Þe stedes nek he smot atvo,
King Fansaron fel to grounde þo.
Bohort him hadde slawe anon
Ac opon hem com king Rion
8995 Wiþ þe power of xviii kinge
On king Bohort loude gredinge,
Þe mace arered in his hond
& ‘Fiȝ a putain wiþstonde.
Þou schalt abigge þat þou þer come.
9000 Lo, here in mine hond þi dome.’
Bohort of þe gretnesse hadde meruail
& of him was adred saun fail,
Leuer he hadde þer ben yhent
Þan fleand ynomen oþer yschent,
9005 He set on him þe crouche verray
& him vnder his scheld wray.
Rion on þat scheld so smot {f.252va} View Facsimile
Þat it tobrast God it wot,
& king Bohort so smot oȝan
9010 O þe helme, þat hoge man,
Þat he sat astoned vpriȝt
& nist wheþer it was dai or niȝt.
Þe hors he dast him forbi
& com vp a chaunce sikerly
9015 Where king Aroans a geaunt fel
Hadde felled Herui de Riuel
& held him so bi þe code
Þat mouþe & nose him ran ablod;
& hadde þer of his heued ysmite
9020 Nadde Adragenis to him stite
Wiþ swerd oȝain fourti & mo.
King Bohort com rideinde þo
& ȝaue Aroans wiþ þe swerd a flat
Þat he þrewe of his hors aplat;
9025 Herui seiȝe legge þe kinges cors,
Anon he lepe vp to his hors
& smiten hem amid þe pres
So grehound doþ out of les
& so hewen & laiden on
9030 Þat non miȝt better don.

Now is king Leodegan wiþ his folk hard
Leodegan: MS reads rion.
Smiten on kinge Riones standard
& doþ gret power ich ȝou telle
Riones baner for to felle,
9035 Ac Rion com & his mace left
& slouȝ a riȝt half & a left,
half: MS reads hals.
Rion smot to king Bohors
& wende todaschen al his cors
& he failed of him & hit his stede;
9040 Þe dent was gret & vnrede,
Þe hors chine he dassed ato.
Bohort lepe afot þo
& wiþ his swerd, y ȝou pliȝt,
Wered him anonriȝt,
9045 Ac Rion was him about
To nimen & slen wiþ michel rout
& dede him tviis knely arawe
& almast hadde him yslawe.
Herui Riuel þis iknewe,
9050 King Bohortes harm him gan rewe,
Þe stede he smot þat it queiȝte, {f.252vb} View Facsimile
Of a geaunt a launce he pliȝt,
To king Rion he gan ride
MS: line copied twice by the scribe
with the second crossed through.
Omitted line commences with & and with
r of rion in minuscule rather than majuscule.
& smot him þurthout þe side.
9055 King Rion wiþsat þat dent
& smot to Herui verrament
So þat a qua[r]ter of his scheld
þat is superscript.
He bar oway into þe feld.
& eft wald so a deuel wiȝt,
9060 Ac Herui þat was vigrous & liȝt,
On þe scheld him hit a dint hard
& cleued it to þe midward,
& Rion smot & gan faile
& Heruies hors slouȝ saun faile.
9065 Þo stode Herui bi Bohort,
Boþe in periil of mort
Oȝaines fele score, ypliȝt,
& þai hem wered as noble kniȝt.
Þis seiȝe Adregein þe broun
9070 ‘Now helpe’ he seyd ‘seyn Symoun.’
He rode to Rion & so him smot
Þat he plat God it wot
Aswon on his hors swere -
Miȝt he noiþer se no here.
9075 Þe heued he hadde him þer binome
Nadde þe proude king ycome,
Rion nevou Solinas -
þat honged worþ bi þeues las -
Bihinde Adrageins com wiþ a spere
9080 & to þe grounde gan him bere
& bitven þe schulders him hirt.
Adragein anon vp stirt
On fot & halp his compainoun
So it were a wode lyoun;
9085 & so hem wered wiþ steles egge
Þat non no durst on hem hond legge,
Ac þai hem þrewe wiþ spere & kniif
& oþer armes to reuen her liif
& wounded hem sore swiþe
9090 Þurthout þe armes mani siþe.
So þai were ouerriden in a þrawe
Þat neiȝe þai hadde ben yslawe
ȝif Nacien no had ysein þis
Þat þider smot his stede of pris,
9095 Þo þat in his way he met {f.253ra} View Facsimile
Doun riȝt of hors he hem stett.
Rion he smot on þe side riȝt
& bar him of his hors vpriȝt
& rod him on & ouer þries;
9100 His hors was slain bitven his þies.
Gode & wiȝt kniȝtes of our
Þo stode on fet four,
So þai gun fiȝt & lasse
Þat þai made grete tasse
9105 Abouten hem þer þai stode
& depe woden in þe blod
& made swiche defense & sleiȝt
Þat y no may telle it ariȝt.
Ac Rion, þat wiþþerwinne,
9110 Dede gret power hem to nime
& hadde hem nomen wiþouten let
No hadde Merlin riden þe bet
To king Arthour & to king Ban
& seyd ‘What do ȝe man?
9115 King Bohort & Nacien
Beþ ȝond biloke wiþ mani men
& Herui & Agreuein;
ȝond þai ben on þe plein,
Bot ȝe hem soner socour
9120 Þai ben ded al four.’
‘Allas, allas!’ quaþ king Ban
‘Lade me þider riȝt onan
For be mi broþer þer mislad
Worþ y neuer þerafter glad.’
9125 Merlin smot forþ, þai after dasse
On aiþer half so grehounde of lasse
& her feren after hem come
Þat mani paien ȝaf her dome
& sent hem wiþ scharp sword
sent: MS reads ?soȝut.
9130 To þe deuel her lord.
& þo þai comen & seiȝen hes
Þai dasched forþ amid þe pres,
Euerich hit a paien þo
Þat þai arisen neuer mo;
9135 Kniȝtes wiȝt þai hem kedden
& roume to þe four þai redden.
Geauntes strong þer weren to,
Þe four þat deden michel wo,
Minap hete þat on veires, {f.253rb} View Facsimile
9140 Þat oþer was hoten Malgleires.
King Ban ȝaf to king Minape
On þe helme swiche a clappe
Þat he him cleued to þe toþ;
King Arthour smot after forsoþ
9145 So Malgleires hit on þe scheld
Þat his heued fleiȝe in þe feld.
Þes four seiȝen her socour
& lepen ouer wiþ gret vigour
Gret hepes of hors & men
9150 Þat slain lay hem bitven;
Hors wel gode chepe þai founde
& anon in þe sadel wounde
& conteined hem so wiȝtliche cert
So þai nere nouȝt yhert.
9155 Þo at arst bigan þe bataile
Þat last al day wiþouten faile.
Ich on oþer so leyd veir
Þat it dined into þe air,
Also þicke þe aruwe schoten
9160 In sonnebem so doþ þe moten;
Gauelokes also þicke flowe
So gnattes ichil avowe.
Þer was so michel dust riseing
Þat sen þer nas sonne schineing.
9165 Þe trumpeing & þe tabouringe
Dede togider þe kniȝtes flinge,
Þe kniȝtes broken her speren
On þre, þai smiten & toteren;
Kniȝtes & stedes þer laien aboute,
9170 Þe heuedes ofsmiten, þe guttes out,
Heueden, fet & armes þer
Lay strewed eueriwher
Vnder stede fet so þicke
In crowes nest so doþe þe sticke.
9175 Sum storuen & sum gras gnowe,
Þe gode steden her guttes drowe
Wiþ blodi sadels in þat pres.
Of swiche bataile nas no ses
To þe niȝt fram arnemorwe;
9180 It was a bataile of gret sorwe,
Þer was swiche cark & swiche defoil
Þat al Leodeganes folk made recoil
To Denebleise vnder þe wal, {f.253va} View Facsimile
Bot Arthour & his folk al
9185 Þat helden hem in þe bataile
Of armes þat dede wonder meruaile.
¶ So Leodegan saun fail
Houed vnder þe cites wal,
Sadones seyd an hardi man
9190 To his em Leodegan
‘Listneþ me now, mi lord þe king,
& ȝe oþer lordinge,
What do we here, whi & warfore?
ȝif we fle þis lond is lore
9195 & wif & child & al our blisse,
Al is forlorn mid, ywis;
Better is to sterue worþschipliche
Þan long to liuen schandfulliche.
ȝif we be desirite
9200 Our cowardschippe we may it wite.
O þing ouȝt ous comfort wel,
Our newe lord ȝong naturel
Þat so wiȝtliche fiȝteþ for ous;
Helpe we him for Crist Ihesus.
9205 ȝif he were hunist at þis asaut
asaut: macron above u and in
the next line ms has defaunt.
He miȝt wite it our defaut
& bot we him help at þis nede
We beþ forswore so Crist me rede,
& ȝete sle þat folk Sarraȝine
9210 Is our soule medicine.’
Riȝt so king Leodegan
Gan to crien hem opan.
Þo seyd Goionar þe hende
‘He naþ non heued þat nil it defende.
9215 Lete be, sir, þi precheing
& oȝain þo houndes fling.’
Alle þai were at on asent
& forþ dassed verrament.
X m paiens of þos þai metten
9220 Þurthout hem bar, to grounde he stetten.
Þo bigan bataile newe,
Ich on oþer wiþ swerd hewe,
Wiþ mace & ex & fauchoun
Mani kniȝt laide oþer adoun.
9225 ¶ Þerwhiles Merlin so y finde
Dede his out wende to take þe winde
Gert her steden & ek resten, {f.253vb} View Facsimile
What þe Sarraȝins oȝain þresten
Our Cristen par fors oȝan;
9230 Þo mounted Arthour, Bohort & Ban
Wiþ alle her wiȝt compainie,
Oȝain to bataile þai gun heiȝe,
Merlin tofore so seyt þe boke
Wiþ baner feld al þat he tok.
9235 ¶ Arthour smot þe king Clarel
Bitven þe schulder & þe hatrel
hatrel: MS reads harrel.
Þat schulder & side & flaunke also
Wiþ his swerd he smot ato;
He was wroþ ȝe schul here wite
9240 For Merlin hadde him atwite
He hadde iuel ȝolden þe kisseinge
Þat Gvenour him ȝaf at his arminge,
Þerfore he tohewe þat route
Tofore biside & al about;
9245 Al wondred þat him seiȝe an
& seyd he worþ a noble man.
¶ Þo knewe he þurth mani on
Wher þat rod þe king Rion
Þurth corouns & berdes þat were his armes,
9250 He made him way wiþ strengþe of armes,
His stede him bar to him anon,
Arthour smot to king Rion,
A quarter of his helme out hitt
& his scheld ato ykitt
9255 & alle his armes verrament
To þe purpoint, of o serpent,
Next his schert þat sat þo,
Elles he hadde him coruen ato.
Rion fel doun wiþ þat dent
9260 So he dede were verrament.
Mani geauntes gret & long
About Rion þer were & strong
Þat on Arthour at ones last
& wiþ her hors to grounde him dast,
9265 Ac Arthour lepe vp afot anon
& werd him oȝain euerichon.
Merlin wist of þis dede
& hete al Arthours felawered
Wenden swiþe to þis rideing,
9270 Tofore dassed Ban þe king,
Al þat in his way stode {f.254ra} View Facsimile
He biheueded hem & lete hem blode
So þat þurth his miȝt gode
Þider he com þer Arthour stode.
9275 ‘Arthour’ he seyd ‘þi kinde it nis
To stond o fot, forsoþe ywis.’
An geaunt he tok anon
& cleued him to þe brest-bon
& brouȝt on hors Arthour, ywis,
9280 Par fors among his enemis;
fors: MS reads forþ.
Þat so þo dede verrament
Þat non no miȝt stond his dent.
¶ Þo Arthour was vp so y finde
Comen his felawes vi þousinde
9285 & ich of hem on þer hitt,
Oþer heued of smot or bodi þurth kitt.
or: is written superscript.
Þer was defoiled king Rion
Vnder stedes fet mani on
& drawe & totore vilainliche
9290 Ac he him defended orpedliche;
Wiþ gret pine naþelas
Vp to hors couered he was
& smot wiþ mace al about
& mani slouȝ of our rout.
9295 Ac an fewe of our best
In al þat pres togider þrest,
Arthour & Ban & Bohort his amis
Naciens & Agraueins & Heruis
Lucans, Griflet, Vlfin & Kay
9300 & her feren so fouȝten þat day
Þat in þe cuntre ran heþen blod
So in þe riuer doþ þe flod,
& so fouȝten wiþ dintes hard
Þat felled was king Rion standard
9305 & þe four olyfaunce yslawe,
Baners & castels adoun yþrawe.
Þo fleiȝe Riones folk here & ter,
Non durst leue nowher
Ac king Rion þan was so wo
9310 Þat nist what he miȝt do,
Wiþ his swerd scharp & briȝt
XX Cristen he slouȝ doun riȝt,
Ac his men þat were him midde
Wiþ strengþe oway wiþ him ride,
9315 Ac fram his men he dassed sone {f.254rb} View Facsimile
Bi a wode oway alone
Makeand ful sikerly
Swiþe michel diol & cri.
Swiche noyse ros in þe bataile
9320 Þat þei it hadde þondred saun faile
No schuld men it yhere.
Þe paiens made so rewely bere,
& our gred ‘sle! Lay on!
Kepe þere! Kepe here! Lete passe non.’
9325 Þus þai slouȝ in litel stounde
Mani þousand to þe grounde
& euer þai ben tohewe & smite
So schepe þat were wiþ wolues ybite.
¶ Leodegan & Cleodalis his steward
9330 Folwed alon Goionard
Riones nevou þat hadde wiþ him
Fele Sarraȝins wroþ & grim;
Ban & Bohort vertuous
Þai todriuen four kinges orgulous
9335 Þat hete Gloiant & Minados
Calufer & Sinargos;
Þe oþer & þo of þe table rounde
Bi v, bi vi of gret mounde
Were departed her & tar
9340 To folwe þe paiens eueraywhar:
Naciens, Adrageins & ek Herui
VI heþen kinges driuen hardi
Þat hete Mautaile & Fernicans,
Bantrines & Kehamans,
9345 Forcoars & Troimadac,
For to ȝeuen hem her mat;
Alone certes king Arthour
Drof king Rion wiþ gret vigour.
Arthour otok him wiþ drawe sward
9350 & seyd ‘aȝeld þe now traitour coward.’
Arthour on þe helme him smot,
Þe dent sanke þurth, God it wot,
Þurth þe pelet to þe panne,
Ac dedli dent no hadde he nanne;
9355 Rion oȝain smot a dent
Ac Arthour him couered verrament,
Of his scheld he carf a corner
corner: first r is superscript.
& of his helme a quarter.
Þe dint swarf & flei forbi, {f.254va} View Facsimile
9360 Þerfore was non sori.
Arthour smot oȝainward
Vnder Riones scheld a dint hard
& smot Rion þurth armes alle,
Þurth þe side neiȝe to þe ȝalle.
9365 King Rion so feld him hert
& gan fle ful swiþe cert,
Arthour wald after sue
Ac sex king gun on him hewe
MS: hue crossed through before hewe.
Wiche y nemde tofore ȝou to
9370 Þat Herui drof & his feren also,
Þai grad ‘Abide traitour!’ on heiȝe
Wroþerhale þou Rion seiȝe.’
Wroþerhale: MS reads Wroþerhole.
Þo lete Arthour Rion scape.
Kehenans com wiþ gret rape
9375 & ȝaf king Arthour swiche a las
Þat Arthour al astoned was.
Arthour smot þat geant oȝan
A dint þat fro main cam,
He smot his schulder, wiþ arm & scheld,
9380 Þat it fleiȝe in þe feld.
Kehenans dede his stede forþ steppe
& king Arthour wald bicleppe
About his swere wiþ his riȝt arm
Þat þe oþer miȝt don him harm
9385 Ac bitven his hond & elbowe
Arthour him ȝaue a dint of howe
Wiþ his swerd, þat his hond
Amidward þe feld wond;
Þe stede him bar here & tere
9390 Criand so wode he were
Ac sone þerafter ded doun he þrewe,
His soule to þe deuel blewe.
Þe oþer dasched on Arthour al fiue
For to reuen him his liue
9395 Ac Arthour king Ferican smot
To þe hert God it wot,
Forcoars bi þe side he hitt
Þat ribbes & þi he of slit.
Þo com Naciens, Herui & Adragein
9400 Rideand to Arthour wiþ gret main,
Wiþ his to feren king Mautaile
Fram Arthour gan swiþe fle.
Arthour wiþ his feren þo liȝt {f.254vb} View Facsimile
Her hors girten & sadles riȝt.

9405 Now seiþ here þis romans

Of king Bohort & king Bans,
So driuen king Minados
Wiþ his þre feren of proude los
Þai metten wiþ ten heþen kniȝtes
9410 Strong geauntes fel & wiȝt,
Alle þritten þai smiten þo
On our Cristen kinges to
& perced boþe scheld & armes
& dede hem wel gret harmes.
9415 ¶ Ac Ban hit king Calufer
& cleued his heued into þe swere,
After he tok so Sinargos
His heued fram þe bodi was los.
¶ Bohort hit king Glorion
9420 His riȝt schulder anouenon
Þat al þe schulder & ek þe scheld
Wiþ þe ribbes fleiȝe in þe feld.
Sornigrens & Pinnogras,
Gaidon & king Margaras
9425 Wiþ vij heþen sikerliche
Ban asailed wodeliche,
Ac Ban so noble kniȝt & hende
Wiȝtliche gan him defende,
Pinogras he feld of hors
9430 & foiled al his cursed cors;
Sornigrens he smot wiþ main
Þurthout helme into þe brain.
King Bohort seiȝe his broþer fiȝt
Alon oȝain ten kniȝt,
9435 Þe stede wiþ þe spors he dust,
To þe grounde a paien he frust.
Anoþer þurth helme & bacin
Þurthout he clef him to þe chin;
Þo þre paiens wiþ wiȝt bones
9440 On þe helme him smiten at ones
Þat he nei hadde wiþouten balaunce
Ylorn hors & contenaunce
Ac he akeuered wiþ hert liȝt
& smiten hem on wiþ main wiȝt.
9445 Ac in þat ich toilinge
Fram Arthour com Rion þe king
catchword: fleand his sw.
Fleand, his sw[erd ydrawe],

{lines 9448-9622 are missing}

& Kay & Griflet & Lucan {f.255ra} View Facsimile
& Meraugis & Craddoc & Gernan
9450 & Belchin þe broun & Bleoberiis {9625}
& Galescounde & Lectargis,
Kalogreuant & Kehedins
Folweden & slowen þe Sarraȝins
Her & ter so seyt þe boke,
9455 & a compeinie oftoke, {9630}
To hundred paiens ful of grame;
For her ler & for her schame
& for king Rion was oway
Her hert was ful of ten & tray.
9460 Ich on oþer þer gan smite {9635}
Wiþ swerdes egge þat sore gan bite.
Þai weren arwe & our hardy
& hem todriuen sikerly,
& wenten oȝain to Danbleys
9465 & wiþouten þe gates iuel at ayse {9640}
Bileueden þer for her king
For to han of him tiding.
Þai no hadde of Merlin no conseiling
For he was went wiþouten lesing
9470 After king Galat of miȝti hond {9645}
Lord-ouer of herdene lond,
Wiþ ten þousand þat was aschape,
Sarraȝins wiþ gret rape,
For to make enchauntement
9475 Hem tofore verrament; {9650}
He made alle a valaye
Also it were a brod leye
Þat Galaþ no non of his
Þat niȝt no miȝt oway, ywis -
9480 Herafter sone in þis write {9655}
Whi he it dede ȝe schul it wite.

Now telleþ þis romaunce þat king Arthour
Com driueand gode scour
& bar Marandois in his hond,
9485 Worþ al þe swerdes of Jnglond, {9660}
Þat he hadde of Rion wonne,
He bad þe king þat made sonne
For his swete moder loue
He most þat niȝt his swerd proue;
9490 Auentours to seke his stede he smot, {9665}
King Ban rode after God it wot,
Bohort also & Nacien, {f.255rb} View Facsimile
Herui de Riuel & Adragein,
& com dasseand al bi cas
9495 Whar Goionar & Salinas {9670}
Wiþ a kniȝt of þe table rounde
To lix bataile founde.
Þese four smot on hem certes
So þe lyoun doþ on þe hertes,
9500 Arthour tauȝt on a lessoun of howe {9675}
& cleued him to þe sadelbowe,
Anoþer he biheueded, þe þridde he hit
þridde: r is superscript.
Vnto þe girdel he him slit,
Þe ferþ he tok on þe chine
9505 & carf him ato bi line. {9680}
Ten forsoþe in litel þrawe
Þer he brouȝt o liue-dawe
Wiþ his swerd Marandoise
Þat carf dounriȝt wiþouten noise.
9510 King Ban smot about also {9685}
& cleued a geant atvo,
Anoþer he schare of al þe side,
Þe þridde he dede of þe heued glide
& biheueded þre oþer þerto
9515 & þe seuend he smot ato; {9690}
& Bohort boþe þi & arm
Schare of [on] & dede him harm,
Anoþer he cleued to þe toþ
Þe þridde he biheueded forsoþ,
9520 Þe ferþ & fift also {9695}
To helle-grounde he de[de] hem go.
Þe gode kniȝt Adragein
Þurth hem smot on wiþ gret main,
on is written superscript.
Anoþer he cleued to þe brest
9525 & of þe þridde þe heued he daste, {9700}
Þus he binam þer fiue
Al arowe day o liue.
Nacien dede ful wel
Wiþ scharp swerd of broun stiel,
9530 On he cleued doun riȝt {9705}
& anoþer þerto, apliȝt,
Þe þridde to þe brest he cleued
& of þe ferþe þe heued of weued
& þre also þerto he slouȝ.
9535 Herui also it made touȝ, {9710}
To þe chine he on slitt {f.255va} View Facsimile
& of to þe heued of kitt.
¶ Goiomar & Balinas
& þe þridde þat wiþ hem was
9540 Seiȝen her noble socour {9715}
& leyden on wiþ gret vigour,
Ich of hem þo orpedeliche
Four slouȝ sikerliche,
Þo þan leued þer bot niȝe
9545 Of al þat iche companie {9720}
& þo flowen anonriȝt
Also swiþe so þai miȝt
Gredeand it ner non men
Ac deuelen þat þai fouȝten oȝen.
9550 Our hem suwed as men kene {9725}
Til þai herden michel dene
Boþe on helmes & ysen hatten
Þe dintes of swordes flatten,
Þo seyd Ban ‘we moten heye,
9555 Al niȝt & wiþ swerd drie.’
drie: MS reads duie.
{9730}
Quaþ king Arthour ‘þat haue y leue
leue: MS reads loued.
Al what ichaue mi swerd proued.’
Quaþ Ban ‘ȝe no haue it nouȝt deleid
Þat ȝe no haue it wele aseyd.’
9560 ‘Nay sir,’ quaþ Arthour ‘þat folk was lite
was: s is superscript.
{9735}
Þat y no miȝt to wille smite
&, to ek þat, ȝe slouȝ so fele
Þat half no miȝt y me bistere.’
Þo seyden our oþer hem bitvene,
9565 Most he libben & ythen, {9740}
Bitvene Breteine & Costentinenoble
No worþ anoþer kniȝt so noble.

Now seyt þe boke þat sir Antore
Wiþ his feren y nemd bifore
9570 At Danebleise Arthour þai no founde, {9745}
Oȝain þai went in þat stounde
Wiþ drawen swerd to sechen him,
An hundred geauntes wroþ & grim
Wiþ fauchouns & wiþ swerdes stett –
MS: this line copied at the foot of the column.
9575 Ich oþer sone mett. {9750}
Antore was feld among þat floc
& Gornain & Gales þe calu & Craddoc
& Blioberis & Beichardis,
Þat hem defended afot, ywis,
9580 & bi help of her feren seuen {f.255vb} View Facsimile {9755}
Oȝain an hundred – þat was vneuen.
¶ Arthour com rideinde in þis cas,
For sir Antour desmaied was
He smot amidward þe pres
9585 So grehounde doþ out of les, {9760}
A geaunt sone he tok, anne,
Þurthout helme & heued-panne
& þurth þe side & þe hert,
MS: 9763-4 in reverse order
with the correct order marked by the scribe
Of anoþer þe heued he girt,
9590 ȝete he tok þe þridde {9765}
& cleued him to þe midde,
In þe swere he toke þe ferþ
Þat þe heued fleiȝe to þe erþe,
Fiue & sex, seuen & eiȝte
9595 O rawe he biseiȝe so riȝt. {9770}
Þo gan king Arthour Marundois
His swerd to king Ban praise
& seyd it carf so wel men miȝt delite
Þat witeþ þe geaunce of þis smite;
9600 Hem fiue afot on hors he lift. {9775}
King Ban aside glift,
On a paien wiþ main he girt,
Þurthout þe heued into þe hert,
Anoþer he schar þe side of,
9605 Þe þridde þe heued he al todrof; {9780}
Þus her & tar he leyd adoun
So it were a wode lyoun.
¶ Bohort als a geaunt laiste
& þe heued al todaiste,
9610 Anoþer to þe chine he karf, {9785}
Þe þridde he hit þat he starf,
Al abouten he leyd on
& slouȝ to grounde mani on.
¶ Adragein wiþ wille fre
9615 Arawe biheueded geauntes þre {9790}
& oþer mo feld to grounde
Þat neuer more ner sounde.
¶ Þe gode kniȝt also Herui
Slouȝ so fele it was ferly,
9620 Nacien so seyt þe boke {9795}
Of a geaunt þat heued he tok,
Anoþer to þe chine he luȝste,
Þe schulder of þe þridde he duȝste.
Þus þai laiden her & tar {f.256ra} View Facsimile
9625 & her heuedes fram þe bodi schar, {9800}
Þe xii feren þat hye þer founde
Non no hadde dedli wounde
Ac þo þai seiȝen þis fair socour
Þai laiden on wiþ gret vigour,
9630 Ich of hem þre oþer to {9805}
Of þe paiens biheueded þo.
Þer was noble main ysene,
Of an hundred wiþouten wene
No leued paiens bot fourtene -
9635 Þe oþer lay dede opon þe grene - {9810}
& þe xiiii flowen swiþe
So her stedes miȝten driue;
Our sueden wiþ wille fin,
& metten þe clerk Merlin
9640 Þat hem wiþstode & dede hem liȝt, {9815}
Her stedes girten her sadles riȝt,
So þai dede & blisse made
Ich of oþers helpe was glade.
Whiles hye hem graiþeþ, resteþ & riȝteþ
9645 Listneþ hou Leodegan fiȝteþ. {9820}

Hou Leodegan now vnder an oke
Fiȝteþ so seiþ þis boke
Wiþ his steward Cleodalis,
Gentil kniȝt & trewe, ywis,
9650 Oȝain seuen & tventi fouȝten hye to; {9825}
Certes þat was michel wo.
On fot was Cleodalis,
So ich ȝou seyd er þis,
Leodegan on his hors was.
9655 Cleodalis fauȝt on þe gras, {9830}
Wiþ michel sorwe & gret pine
Þai werd hem oȝain þo Sarraȝine.
Colocaulnus, an hoge man,
Smot so to Leodegan
9660 Þat he aplat fel of his stede, {9835}
Boþe mouþe & nose gan blede;
For feblenis of oþer wounde
Streiȝt he lay on þe grounde.
Þe Sarraȝins to him come
9665 & þo him wold han ynome {9840}
Ac Cleodalis herof nam kepe,
He bistride his lord & wepe,
Abouten he leyd wiþ his sword {f.256rb} View Facsimile
& defended his lord;
9670 So he smot to his wiþþerwine {9845}
Þat non miȝt his lord winne.
Þai him þrewe wiþ kniues & stones
& ȝauen him woundes for þe nones.
Vp stirt Leodegan þe king
9675 Þo passed was his swoninge. {9850}
His steward miȝt stond vnneþe
For he him forfauȝt al to deþe.
He seiȝe his steward so ful of treuþe,
His hert was ful of sorwe & reuþe,
9680 He biþouȝt him, wiþ wrong {9855}
His wiif he hadde helden long
Oȝaines riȝt, þurth iniquite;
A word he seyd of gret pite
‘Hay,’ he seyd ‘Cleodalis,
9685 Trewe kniȝt wiþouten feintis {9860}
Þurth mi sinne & mi desray
Icham comen to mi last day;
Haue on me pite gentil man
& rewe on me, Leodegan.
9690 Ich was þi lord, now am y knaue, {9865}
On me pite & merci haue,
Forȝiue me now þe trespas
Þat y þe haue don, allas!
Y pray þe þat neuer mi misdede
9695 Mi soule into helle lede.’ {9870}
A-knowe he sat & seyd ‘Merci!
Mine owen swerd take, bel ami,
Mine heued smite of for mi misdede;
Crist me wil þe better rede.’
9700 Cleodalis wepe for pite, {9875}
He seiȝe his lord humilite,
He lift him vp in his arm
& forȝaf him al þat harm
Þat he him hadde don & schame
9705 & bad him fiȝt on Godes name; {9880}
So þai deden & fouȝten boþe,
Þe paiens þerof weren wroþe.
Þo com rideand a geaunt, ywis,
& smot to grounde Cleodalis,
9710 Þer he lay streiȝt along {9885}
Leodegan to him sprong
& him wered al about {f.256va} View Facsimile
Fram al þat ich curssed route,
So long he fauȝt he was weri
9715 & fel adoun wel dreri; {9890}
Cleodalis þo vp made a stert
As he nere nouȝt yhert
& wiþ main fair & hende
His lord king he gan defende.
9720 Þus þai ferd oft, when fel þat on {9895}
Þe oþer vp stert þo anon
& him defended wiþ alle his miȝt;
Þus þai fouȝten til midniȝt
Þo were þai wounded so strong
9725 Þat þai no miȝt doure long. {9900}
To Cleodalis þo seyd Leodegan
‘Help now þeself, gentil man,
For to lese & winne al þis lond
Y no may lenger stond’ -
9730 Often þai made dounfalleing {9905}
& when þai miȝt vpriseing -
& halp Cleodalis him to were & fiȝt
Also wele so he miȝt.
¶ In þis time hadde Merlin
9735 To Arthour & Ban teld her pine, {9910}
& þo hadde Leodegan ben ynome
ȝif Arthour no had ycome
Wiþ his sextene þat on hem plat
& euerich a paien to deþ flat.
9740 Merlin rode out in a stounde {9915}
& þider brouȝt xij of þe table rounde
Þat dede wiþ strengþe her swerd baþen
In bodi & blod of þe haþen,
King Arthour & Bohort & Ban
9745 Keuered on hors Leodegan {9920}
& Nacien þat kniȝt of pris
On hors keuered Cleodalis,
Þat also wele yfouȝten cert
So þai ner þat day yhert.
9750 Merlin he[m] tauȝt to four geauntes saun fail {9925}
Þat sustend þat bataile,
Naciens rod, Ancalnus to,
Þe side he schar his bodi fro,
Arthour cleued king Maulas
9755 & Ban ato girt king Ridras, {9930}
Bohort biheue[de]d king Dorilan {f.256vb} View Facsimile
& ich of þe oþer slouȝ a paien þan.
Þe oþer paiens flowe swiþe
& our went oȝain biliue
9760 Into þe cite of Carohaise, {9935}
Wiþ her feren hem made at aise;
Þai maden gret blis & fest
& after ȝeden hem to rest.