Of this Edition of The Percy Folio of Old English Ballads
and Romances 320 Copies have been printed on Hand-made
paper and 5 on Real Vellum. The Vellum Copies and 300 on
Hand-made paper are for sale in England.
No.
13^
THE KING'S LIBRARY
EDITED BY PROFESSOR GOLLANCZ
THE DE LA MORE PRESS FOLIOS
IV. THE PERCY FOLIO
FROM THE TEXT OF DR. F. J. FURNIVALL
AND PROFESSOR J. W. HALES VOLUME I
^f^
t>"
^^
/f^
Tl^^^^r^
/ h
^AfhW^YTW^
^s^/'i
teg
S#'*
»/- / .
(•
lll>/w
LONDON
ALEXANDER MORTNG
THE DE LA MORE PRES^|
r>2 .GEORGE STREET, HANOVER SCtUARE.W,
'^vV.
The Publishers and General Editor of '■'■ The Kings Library'' desire
to express their thanks to Dr. F. J, Furnivall and Prof. J. W. Hales
for kindly allowing the use of their text for the present issue.
THE PERCY FOLIO
OF OLD ENGLISH
BALLADS AND
ROMANCES VOL. I
LONDON
AT THE DE LA MORE PRESS
1905
11
THE PERCY FOLIO
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
PAGE
Robin Hood, Beggar, and Three Squires- - i
Robin Hood and the Butcher _ _ _ ^
Robin Hood and ffryer Tucke - _ _ ^
Robin Hood and the Pindar of Wakefield - 12
Robin Hoode and Queue Katherine - - 13
Little John and the Four Beggars - - - 19
Robine Hoode his Death - - - - 21
King Arthur and the King of Cornwall - - 25
Sir Lionell - - - - - - 37
Captaine Carre - - - - - - 41
Sir Lancelott of Dulake _ _ _ _ ^4
The Turke and Gowin - - - - 47
The Marriage of Sir Gawaine ~ " ~ 59
Lord Barnard and the Little Musgrave - - 67
Musleboorrowe ffeild ----- 69
Thomas Lord Cromwell - - - - 71
Listen Jolly Gentlemen - - - - 72
The Ballad of the '' Child of Ell " - - - 74
Kinge James and Browne - - - - 76
CONTENTS — co7iti7itiecl
PAGE
Sir Lambewell - - - - - - 8i
Sir Aldingar - - - - - 99
The Heir of Lin - - - - - 106
Lord of Learne - - - - - -iii
Scotish ffeilde - - - - - -127
Old Robin of Portingale - - - - 143
As it befell one Saturday - - - - 148
Glasgerion - - - - - -150
Came you not ffrom - - - - -154
I have a Love thats faire - - - - 155
Earles off Chester - - - - -157
Earle of Westmorlande - - - - 1 74
fflodden ffeilde - - - - - - 186
Eger and Grine ------ 205
n.
ROBIN HOOD, BEGGAR, AND THREE SQUIRES
In faith thou shal/ have mine,
And twenty pounds in thy pursse
To spend att ale and wine."
" Though your clothes are of light Lincolne green,
And mine gray russett and torne.
Yet it doth not you beseeme
To doe an old man scorne."
" I scorne thee not, old man," says Robin,
" By the faith of my body :
Doe of thy clothes, thou shalt have mine lo
For it may noe better bee."
But Robin did on this old mans hose.
They were torne in the wrist ;
When I looke on my leggs," said Robin,
" Then for to laugh I list."
<c
But Robin did on the old mans shooes,
And they were clutt full cleane :
" Now, by my faith," sayes Litle John,
" These are good for thornes keene."
But Robin did on the old mans cloake, 20
And it was torne in the necke :
Now, by my faith," said William Scarlett,
" Heere shold be set a specke."
(C
But Robin did on this old mans hood,
Itt gogled on his crowne :
'' When I come into Nottingham," said Robin,"
" My hood it will lightly downe.
^' But yonder is an outwood," said Robin,
" An outwood all, and a shade.
And thither I reede you, my merrymen all, 30
The ready way to take.
And when you heare my litle home blow.
Come raking all on a r^JWte"
* * *
Then Robin set his home to his mowth,
A loud blast cold he blow,
fFuU three hundred bold yeomen
Came rakinge all on a row.
But Robin cast downe his baggs of bread,
Soe did he his staffe with a 'face.
And in a doublet of red velvett 40
This yeoman stood in his place.
But Robin he lope, and Robin he threw,
He lope over stocke and stone ;
But those that saw Robin Hood run.
Said he was a liver old man.
" But bend your bowes and stroke your strings.
Set the gallow tree aboute.
And Christs cursse on his heart," said Robin,
" That spares the Sheriffe and the sergiant! "
when the Sheriffe see gentle Robin wold shoote, 50
He held up both his hands,
Sayes, ''Aske, good Robin, and thou shalt have.
Whether it be house or land."
*' I will neither have house nor land," said Robin,
" Nor gold, nor none of thy ffee.
But I will have those three squires
To the greene fforest with me."
" Now marry, Gods forbott, said the Sheriffe,
" That ever that shold bee;
For why, they be the kings ffelons, 60
They are all condemned to dye."
" But grant me my askinge," said Robin,
''Or be me faith of my body
thou shalt be the first Man
Shall fflower this gallow tree."
" But I wi// have /hose three squires
%
ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER
But Robin he walkes in the greene fforrest
As merry as bird on bughe,
But he that feitches good Robins head,
Heele find him game enoughe.
But Robine he walkes in the greene fforrest
Under his trusty tree,
Sayes " hearken, hearken, my merrymen all.
What tydings is come to me :
The Sheriffe he hath made a cry,
Heele have my head I-wis, lo
But ere a twelvemonth come to an end
I may chance to light on his."
Robin he marcht in the greene Forrest,
Under the greenwood scray.
And there he was ware of a proud bucher
Came driving flesh by the way.
The bucher he had a cut-taild dogg.
And at Robins face he flew ;
But Robin, he was a good sword.
The buchers dogg he slew. 20
" Why slayes thou my dogg? " sayes the bucher,
'* For he did none ill to thee ;
By all the saints that are in heaven
Thou shalt have bufietts three."
He tooke his staffe then in his hand
And he turnd him round about,
" Thou hast a Htle wild blood in thy head,
Good fellow, thoust have it letten out."
'' He that does that deed," sayes Robin,
^' He count him for a man, 30
But that while will I draw my sword.
And fend it if I can."
But Robin he stroke att the bloudy Bucher
In place were he did stand,
* * *
" I [am] a younge bucher," sayes Robin,
" You fine dames am I come amonge ;
But ever I beseech you, good Mistress Sheriffe,
You must see me take noe wronge."
" Thou art verry welcome," said Master SherrifFs wiffe ;
" Thy inne heere up take : 40
If any good ffellow come in thy companie,
Heest be welcome for thy sake."
Robin called ffor ale, soe did he for wine,
And for it he did pay :
" I must to my markett goe," says Robin,
" For I hold time itt of the day."
But Robin is to the markett gone
Soe quickly and belive.
He sold more flesh for one peny
Then other buchers did for five. 50
They drew about the younge bucher
Like sheepe into a fold,
Yea never a bucher had sold a bitt
Till Robin he had all sold.
When Robin Hood had his markett made,
His flesh was sold and gone.
Yea he had received but a litle mony.
But thirty pence and one.
Seaven buchers, they garded Robin Hood
ffull many time and oft, 60
Sayes "we must drinke with you, brother butcher.
Its custome of our crafte."
" If that be the custome of your crafte.
As heere you tell to me,
Att four of the clocke in the afternoone
At the Sheriffs hall I wilbe."
" If thou doe like it well,
Yea heere is more by three hundred pounds
Then thou hast beasts to sell."
Robin sayd nought, the more he thought, 70
" Mony neere comes out of time ;
If once I ca[tc]h thee in th[e] greene fforrest,
That mony it shall be mine."
But on the next day seven butchers
Came to guard the Sheriff e that day,
But Robin he was the whighest man.
He led them all the way.
He led them into the greene fforrest,
Under the trusty tree ;
Yea, there were harts, and ther were hynds, 80
And staggs with heads full high.
Yea, there were harts and there were hynds.
And many a goodly ffawne :
" Now praised be God," says bold Robin,
" All these they be my owne.
" These are my horned beasts," says Robin,
" Master Sherriffe, which must make the stake."
" But ever alacke, now," said the Sherriffe,
" That tydings comes to late! "
Robin sett a shrill home to his mouth, 90
And a loud blast he did blow.
And then halfe a hundred bold archers
Came rakeing on a row.
But when they came befor bold Robin,
Even there they stood all bare,
" You are welcome. Master, from Nottingham !
How have you sold your ware ? "
* * *
It proves bold Robin Hood."
^' Yea, he hath robbd me of all my gold
And silver that ever I had: 100
But that I had a verry good wife at home,
I shold have lost my head.
But I had a verry good wife at home
Which made him gentle cheere,
And therfor pro my wifes sake
I shold have better favor heere.
'' But such favor as he shevi^ed me
I might have of the devills dam,
That will rob a man of all he hath,
And send him naked home." no
" That is very well done," then says his wiffe,
" Itt is well done, I say.
You might have tarryed at Nottingham
Soe fayre as I did you pray."
I have learned wisdome," sayes the Sherriffe,
And wife, I have learned of thee,
But if Robin walke east, or he walke west,
He shall never be sought for me."
ffinis.
8
ROBIN HOOD AND FFRYER TUCKE
But how many merry monthes be in the yeere,
There are thirteen in May,
The Midsummer Moone is the merryest of all
Next to the merry month of May.
In May when mayds beene fist weepand,
Young men their hands done wringe
-;:J * *
"He . . . pe
Over may noe man for villanie ;
He never eate nor drinke " Robin Hood sa/V/
" Till I that cutted friar see." lo
He builded his men in a brake of fearne
A litle from that Nunery,
Sayes, " If you heare my litle home blow,
Then looke you come to me."
When Robin came to Fontaines abey
Wheras that fryer lay.
He was ware of the fryer where he stood,
And to him thus can he say : —
A pay re of blacke breeches the yeoman had on.
His coppe all shone of Steele, 20
A fayre sword and a broad buckeler
Beseemed him very weell : —
" I am a wet weary man," said Robin Hood,
" Good fellow, as thou may see.
Wilt beare [me] over this wild water
ffor sweete Saint Charity ? "
The fryer bethought him of a good deed.
He had done none of long before,
He hent up Robin Hood on his backe
And over he did him beare. 30
But when he came over that wild water,
A longe sword there he drew :
" Beare me backe againe, bold outlawe.
Or of this thou shalt have enoughe."
Then Robin Hood hent the fryar on his back,
And neither sayd good nor ill ;
Till he came ore that wild water.
The yeoman he walked still.
Then Robin Hood wett his fayre greene oze//
A span above his knee, 40
Says '' Beare me ore againe, thou cutted fryer""
good Sowmcn
Came raking all on a rowe.
*' I beshrew thy head," said the cutted ffriar,
" Thou thinkes I shall be shente ;
I thought thou had hadd but a man or two.
And thou hast whole comment.
" I lett thee have a blast on thy home.
Now give me leave to whistle another,
I cold not bidd thee noe better play 50
And thou wert my owne borne brother."
10
'' Now f [u]te on, fute on, thou cutted fryar,
I pray God thou neere be still ;
It is not the futing in a fryers fist
That can doe me any ill."
The fryar sett his neave to his mouth,
A loud blast he did blow.
Then halfe a hundred good bandoggs
Came raking all on a rowe.
, . ^ ''Every dogg to a man," said the cutted fryar, 60
^^^ t "And I mv selfe to Robin Hood."
" Ever Gods forbott," said Robin Hood,
" That ever that soe shold be;
I had rather be mached with three of the tikes
Ere I wold be matched on thee.
" But stay thy tikes, thou fryar," he said,
" And freindshipp He have with thee;
But stay thy tikes thou fryar," he said,
" And save good yeomanry."
The fryar he sett his neave to his mouth,
A lowd blast he did blow.
They doggs they coucht downe every one.
They couched downe on a rowe.
" What is thy will, thou yeoman," he said,
" Have done and tell it me."
" If that thou will goe to merry greenwood
*
1 1
ROBIN HOOD AND THE PINDAR OF WAKEFIELD
*' But hold you, hold you," now says Robi7i^
My merrymen, I bid yee,
^' For this [is] one of the best pindars
That ever I saw with mine eye.
But hast thou any meat, thou jolly pindar.
For my merrymen and me ? "
" But I have bread and cheese," sayes the pindar,
" And ale all on the best."
" Thats cheere good enoughe," said Robin,
" For any such unbidden guests. lo
" But wilt be my man ? " said good Robin,
" And come and dwell with me ?
And twice in a yeere thy clothing be changed
If my man thou wilt bee ;
'' The tone shall be of light Lincolne greene.
The tother of Picklory ;
Att Michallmas comes a well good time.
When men have gotten in their ffee."
'' He sett as litle by my Master
As he now setts by me; 20
He take my benbowe in my hande.
And come into the grenwoode to thee."
ffinis.
12
ROBIN HOODE AND QUENE KATHERINE
Now list you, lithe you, gentlemen,
A while for a litle space
And I shall tell you how Queene Katterine
Gott Robin Hood his grace.
Gold taken from the kings harvengers
Seldome times hath beene scene
* * *
" Queene Katherine, I say to thee."
" Thats a princly wager," quoth Queene Katherine,
'' Betweenc your grace and me.
" Where must I have mine archers ? " says Queene
Katherine, lo
"You have the flower of archery."
" Now take your choice, dame," he sayes,
'' Thorow out all England free :
" Yea from Northwales to Westchester,
And also to Caventry ;
And when you have chosen the best you can.
The wager must goe with mee."
" If that proove," says Queene Katherine,
'' Soone that wilbe tride and knowne ;
Many a man counts of another mans pursse, 20
And after looseth his owne."
The Queene is to her palace gone.
To her page thus shee can say,
" Come hither to me, Dicke Patrinton,
Trusty and trew this day ;
13
" Thou must bring me the names of my archers all,
All strangers must they bee.
Yea from North Wales to West Chester,
And alsoe to Coventrie.
"Commend me to Robin Hood," says Queene Katherine,
''And alsoe to Litle John, 31
And specially to Will Scarlett,
ffryar Tucke and Maid Marryan :
" Robin Hood we must call Loxly,
And Little John the millers sonne ;
Thus wee then must change their names.
They must be strangers every one.
((
Commend mee to Robin Hood," sayes Queene
Katherine,
" And marke, page, what I say.
In London they must be with me 40
Up07i Saint Georgs day.
" These words hath sent by me,
Att London you must be with her
Upon Saint Georgs day :
" Upon Saint Georgs day att noone
Att London needs must you bee ;
Shee wold not misse your companie
For all the gold in Cristinty.
" Shee hath tane a shooting for your sake,
The greatest in Christentie, 50
And her part you must needs take
Against her Prince Henery.
14
" Shee sends you heere her gay gold ring
A trew token for to bee ;
And, as you are banisht man,
Shee trusts to sett you free."
*' And I loose that wager," says bold Robin Hoode,
" He bring mony to pay for me,
And wether that I win or loose.
On my Queenes part I will be." 60
The Second part
In sommer time when leaves grow greene
And flowers are fresh and gay,
Then Robin Hood he deckt his men
Eche one in brave array ;
He deckt his men in Lincolne greene,
Himselfe in scarlett red,
Fa[r]re of theire brest then was it seene
When his silver armes were spread.
With hatts white and fethers blacke,
And bowes and arrowes keene, 70
And thus he jetted towards lovly London
To present Queene Katherine.
But when they came to lovly London
They kneeled upon their knee ;
Sayes, ''God you save, Queene Katherine,
And all your dignitie ! "
■sp ^ ^
15
of my guard,"
Thus can King Henry say,
" And those that wilbe of Queene Katerines side,
They are welcome to me this day. 80
" Then come hither to me. Sir Richard Lee,
Thou art a knight full good.
Well it is knowen ffrom thy pedygree,
Thou came from Gaw[a]ins blood."
^' Come hither, bishopp of Hereford," quoth Queene
Katherine, —
A good preacher I watt was hee, —
'' And stand thou heere upon a odd side.
On my side for to bee."
^' I like not that," sayes the bishopp then,
'' By faikine of my body, 90
For if I might have my owne will.
On the Kings I wold bee."
'' What wilt thou be against us," says Loxly then,
" And stake it on the ground?"
" That will I doe, fine fellow," he says,
'' And it drawes to five hundreth pound."
'' There is a bett," says Loxly then ;
" Weele stake it merrily ;"
But Loxly knew full well in his mind
And whose that gold shold bee. 100
Then the Queenes archers they shot about
Till it was three and three.
Then the ladys gave a merry shout,
Sayes " Woodcocke, beware thine eye."
16
" Well, gam and gam," then quoth our King,
The third three payes for all;"
Then Robine rounded with our Queene,
Says, '' the Kings part shall be small."
Loxly puld forth a broad arrowe.
He shott it under hand, no
s unto
" For once he undidd mee ;
If I had thought it had beene bold Robin Hoode
I wold not have betted one peny.
" Is this Robin Hood," says the bishopp againe,
''Once I knew him to soone.
He made me say a masse against my will
Att two a clocke in the afternoone;
'' He bound me fast unto a tree,
Soe did he my merry men, 120
He borrowed ten pounds against my will.
But he never paid me againe."
'' What and if I did?" says bold Robin Hood,
Of that masse I was full fiine ;
In recompence, befor King and Queene
Take halfe of thy gold againe."
'' I thanke thee for nothing," says the bishopp,
'' Thy large gift to well is knowne,
That will borrow a mans mony against his will.
And pay him againe with his owne." 130
D 17
" what if he did soe," says King Henery,
" For that I love him never the worsse ;
Take up thy gold againe, bold Robin Hood,
And put [it] in thy pursse :
*' If thou woldest leave thy bold outlawes
And come and dwell with me,
Then I wold say 'Thou art welcome bold Robin Hood,
The flower of archery.' "
" I will not leave my bold outlawes
For all the gold in Christentie; 140
In merry Sherwood He take my end.
Under my trusty tree ;
''And gett your shooters, my leeig, where you will.
For in faith you shall have none of me.
And when Queene Katherine puts up her {i7iger
Att her graces commandement Ik beeT
18
LITTLE JOHN AND THE FOUR BEGGARS
beggar ^^ he sayes,
" With none such fellows as thee."
I am not in jest," said Litle John,
" I sweare all by the roode ;
Change with mee," said Little John,
" And I will give thee some boote."
But he has gotten on this old mans gowne.
It reacht not to his crest :
" Christs curse ons hart," said Litle John,
"That thinkes my gowne amisse." lo
But he has gotten on this old mans shoes
Are clouted nine fold about ;
'' Beshrew his hart," says Litle John,
" That bryer or thorne does doubt.
'' Wilt teach me some phrase of thy begging ?" says John.
" I pray thee, tell it mee.
How I may be as beggar-like
• As any in my companie."
" Thou must goe two foote on a staffe,
The third upon a tree; 20
Full loud that thou must cry and fare,
When nothing ayleth thee."
19
But John he walket the hills soe high,
Soe did [he] the hills so browne ;
The ready way that he cold take
Was towards Nottingham towne.
But as he was on the hills soe high,
He mett with palmers three,
Sayes, ^'God you save, my brethren all,"
Now God you save and see! 30
^' This seven yeere I have you sought;
Before I cold never you see ! "
Said they, '^wee had never such a cankred carle
Were never in our companie."
But one of them tooke Litle John on his head.
The blood ran over his eye ;
Little John turnd him twice about
^ ^ -^
" If I . . . .
As I have beene but one day,
I should have purcchased three of the best churches 40
That stands by any highway."
ffinis.
20
ROBINE HOODE HIS DEATH
" I will never eate nor drinke," Robin Hood said,
" Nor meate will doo me noe good,
Till I have beene att merry Church Lees
My vaines for to let blood."
" That I reade not," said Will Scarllett,
*' Master, by the assente of me,
Without halfe a hundred of your best bowmen
You take to goe with yee ;
'' For there is a good yeoman doth abide.
Will be sure to quarrell with thee, lo
And if thou have need of us. Master,
In faith we will not flee."
^' And thou be feard, thou William Scarllett,
Att home I read thee bee, — "
"And you be wrothe, my deare Master,
You shall never heare more of mee : — "
" For there shall noe man with mee goe.
Nor [noe] man with mee ryde.
And Litle John shall be my man.
And beare my benbow by my side." 20
" Youst beare your bowe, Master, your selfe.
Nor shoote for a peny with mee."
^' To that I doe assent," Robin Hood sayd,
" And soe, John, lett it bee."
21
They two bolde children shorten together
All day theire selfe in ranke
Untill they came to blacke water,
And over it laid a planke.
Upon it there kneeled an old woman
Was banning Robin Hoode ; 30
"Why dost thou bann Robin Hoode?" said Robin,
" To give to Robin Hoode
Wee weepen for his deare body
That this day must be lett bloode."
" The dame prior is my aunts daughter.
And nie unto my kinne,
I knowe shee wold me noe harme this day
For all the world to winne."
Forth then shotten these children two.
And they did never lin 40
Untill they came to merry Churchlees,
To merry Churchlee within.
And when they came to merry Churchlees
They knoced upon a pin :
Upp then rose dame prioresse,
And lett good Robin in.
Then Robin gave to dame prioresse
Twenty pound in gold,
And bad her spend while that wold last.
And shee shold have more when shee wold. 50
22
And downe then came dame prioresse,
Downe she came in that ilke,
With a pair oflF blood irons in her hands
Were wrapped all in silke.
" Sett a chaffing dish to the fyer," said dame prioresse,
^^And stripp thou up thy sleeve."
I hold him but an unwise man
That will noe warning leeve.
Shee laid the blood irons to Robin Hoods vaine,
Alacke, the more pitye ! 60
And pearct the vaine, and let out the bloode
That full red was to see.
And first it bled, the thicke thicke bloode,
And afterwards the thinne.
And well then wist good Robin Hoode
Treason there was within.
^' What cheere my Master?" said Litle John,
" In faith, John, litle goode."
" / have upon a gow7te of greene
Is cut short by my knee, 70
And in my hand a bright browne brand
That will well bite of thee."
But forth then of a shop windowe
Good Robin Hood he could glide :
Red Roger with a grounding glave
Thrust him through the milke white side.
23
But Robin was light and nimble of foote,
And thought to abate his pride,
ffor betwixt his head and his shoulders
He made a wound full wide. 80
Says '' Ly there, ly there. Red Roger,
The doggs they must thee eate.
For I may have my houzle," he said,
'^ For I may both goe and speake."
*' Now give me mo[u]d," Robin said to Litle John,
'' Give me mo[u]d with thy hand ;
I trust to God in heaven soe hye
My houzle will me bestand."
'' Now give me leave, give me leave, Master," he said,
*' For Christs love give leave to me 90
To set a fier within this hall
And to burne up all Church lee ! "
''That I reade not," said Robin Hoode then,
'' Litle John, for it may not be,
If I shold doe any widow hurt, at my latter end,
God," he said, '' wold blame me ;
" But take me upon thy backe, Litle John,
And beare me to yonder streete.
And there make me a full fayre grave
Of gravell and of greete ; 100
"And sett my bright sword at my head.
Mine arrowes at my feete.
And lay my vew-bow by my side
My met-yard wi
* *
2+
KING ARTHUR AND THE KING OF CORNWALL
Sates ^ ^^ C07ne here Ctczeii Gawaine so gciy^
My sisters sonne be yee ;
ffor you shall see one of the fairest round tables,
That ever you see with your eye."
Then bespake Lady Queen Guenever,
And these were the words said shee :
" I know where a round table is, thou noble King,
Is worth thy round table and other such three.
"The trestle that stands under this round table," she said,
" Lowe downe to the mould, lo
It is worth thy round table, thou worthy King,
Thy halls, and all thy gold ;
" The place where this round table stands in.
It is worth thy castle, thy gold, thy fee ;
And all good litle Britaine."
" Where may that table be, Lady?" quoth hee.
Or where may all that goodly building be?"
" You shall it seeke," shee says, "till you it find,
For you shall never gett more of me."
Then bespake him noble King Arthur, 20
These were the words said hee ;
" He make mine avow to God,
And alsoe to the Trinity,
" He never sleepe one night, there as I doe another.
Till that round table I see !
Sir Marramiles and Sir Tristeram,
Fellowes that ye shall be ;
25
"Weele be clad in palmers weede,
Five palmers we will bee ;
There is noe outlandish man will us abide, 30
Nor will us come nye."
Then they rived east and they rived west,
In many a strange country ;
Then they tranckled a litle further.
They saw a battle new sett.
" Now, by my faith," saies noble King Arthur,
well 7nett
But when he cam to this . . C . . ,
And to the palace gate,
Soe ready was ther a proud porter, 40
And met him soone therat.
Shooes of gold the porter had on.
And all his other rayment was unto the same ;
" Now, by my faith," saies noble King Arthur,
" Yonder is a minion swaine."
Then bespake noble King Arthur,
These were the words says hee :
" Come hither, thou proud porter,
I pray thee come hither to me.
'' I have two poore rings of my finger, 50
The better of them He give to thee ;
Tell who may be Lord of this castle," he sayes,
*' Or who is Lord in this cuntry ?"
26
" Cornewall King," the porter sayes,
'' There is none soe rich as hee :
Neither in Christendome, nor yet in heathennest,
None hath soe much gold as he."
And then bespake him noble King Arthur,
These were the vvordes sayes hee :
" I have two poore rings of my finger, 60
The better of them He give thee
If thou wilt greete him well, Cornewall King,
And greete him well from me,
"Pray him for one nights lodging, and two meales meate.
For his love that dyed uppon a tree ;
A tone ghesting, and two meales meate.
For his love that dyed uppon a tree,
"A tone ghesting of two meales meate.
For his love that was of virgin borne.
And in the morning that we may scape away, 70
Either without scath or scorne."
Then forth his gone this proud porter.
As fast as he cold hye ;
And when he came befor Cornewall King,
He kneeled downe on his knee.
Sayes, " I have beene porter-man, at thy gate.
This thirty winter and three
our Lady was borne.
Then thought Cornewall King these palmers had beene
in Brittaine.
27
Then bespake him Cornwall King, 80
These were the words he said there :
'' Did you ever know a comely King,
His name was King Arthur?"
And then bespake him noble King Arthur,
These were the words said hee :
^* I doe not know that comly King,
But once my selfe I did him see."
Then bespake Cornwall King againe,
These were the words said he :
Sayes, ''Seven yeere I was clad and fed, 90
In Litle Brittaine, in a bower ;
I had a daughter by King Arthurs wife.
That now is called my flower ;
ffor King Arthur, that kindly cockward.
Hath none such in his bower;
" For I durst sweare, and save my othe,
That same lady soe bright.
That a man that were laid on his death bed
Wold open his eyes on her to have sight."
" Now, by my faith," sayes noble King Arthur, 100
''And thats a full faire wight!"
And then bespake Cornewall againe.
And these were the words he said :
" Come hither, five or three of my knights,
And feitch me downe my steed ;
King Arthur, that foule cockeward.
Hath none such, if he had need.
28
" For I can ryde him as far on a day,
As King Arthur can doe any of his on three.
And is it not a pleasure for a king i lo
When he shall ryde forth on his journey ?
" For the eyes that beene in his head,
They glister as doth the gleed."
" Now, by my faith," says noble King Arthur,
A7td thats a full fair e steeds
* * *
" Nobody say
But one thats learned to speake."
Then King Arthur to his bed was brought,
A greeived man was hee ;
And soe were all his ffellowes with him, 120
From him they thought never to flee.
Then take they did that lodly boome.
And under thrub chadler closed was hee;
And he was set by King Arthurs bed-side,
To heere theire talke and theire comunye ;
That he might come forth, and make proclamation.
Long before it was day.
It was more for King Cornwalls pleasure.
Then it was for King Arthurs pay.
And when King Arthur in his bed was laid, 130
These were the words said hee :
^' He make mine avow to God,
and alsoe to the Trinity,
That He be the bane of Cornwall Kinge,
Litle Brittaine or ever I see ! "
29
'' It is an unadvised vow," saies Gawaine the gay,
'' As ever King hard make I ;
But wee that beene five Christian men.
Of the Christen faith are wee ;
And we shall fight against anoynted King 140
And all his armorie."
And then bespake him noble Arthur,
And these were the words said he :
" Why, if thou be afraid. Sir Gawaine the gay,
Goe home, and drinke wine in thine owne country."
The Third part.
And then bespake Sir Gawaine the gay.
And these were the words said hee :
" Nay, seeing you have made such a hearty vow,
Heere another vow make will I.
'' He make mine avow to God, 150
And alsoe to the Trinity,
That I will have yonder faire lady
To Litle Brittaine with mee.
" He hose her homly to my h[a]rt.
And with her He worke my will;"
*
These were the words sayd hee :
" Before I wold wrestle with yonder feend,
It is better be drowned in the sea."
3^
And then bespake Sir Bredbeddle,
And these were the words said he: i6o
" Why, I will wrestle with yon lodly feend,
God ! my governor thou wilt bee."
Then bespake him noble Arthur,
And these were the words said he :
'' What weapons wilt thou have, thou gentle knight?
I pray thee tell to me."
He sayes, "Collen brand He have in my hand.
And a Millaine knife fast by me knee ;
And a Danish axe fast in my hands,
That a sure weapon I thinke wilbe." 170
Then with his Collen brand that he had in his hand.
The bunge of the trubchandler he burst in three ;
With that start out a lodly feend.
With seven heads, and one body.
The fyer towards the element flew
Out of his mouth, where was great plentie ;
The knight stoode in the middle, and fought.
That it was great joy to see,
Till his Collaine brand brake in his hand.
And his Millaine knife burst on his knee; 180
And then the Danish axe burst in his hand first.
That a sur weapon he thought shold be.
But now is the knight left without any weapons.
And alacke ! it was the more pitty ;
But a surer weapon then had he one.
Had never lord in Christentye :
And all was but one litle booke.
He found it by the side of the sea.
31
He found it at the sea-side,
Wrucked upp in a floode ; rgo
Our Lord had written it with his hands.
And sealed it with his bloode.
'* That thou doe not s
But ly still in that wall of stone ;
Till I have beene with noble King Arthur,
And told him what I have done."
And when he came to the Kings chamber.
He c[a]ld of his curtesie.
Says, '' Sleepe you, wake you, noble King Arthur?
And ever Jesus waken yee!" 200
" Nay, I am not sleeping, I am waking,"
These were the words said hee :
" ffor thee I have card ; how hast thou fared ?
O gentle knight, let me see."
The knight wrought the King his booke.
Bad him behold, reede, and see ;
And ever he found it on the backside of the leafe,
As noble Arthur wold wish it to be.
And then bespake him King Arthur,
'' Alas ! thow gentle knight, how may this be, 210
That I might see him in the same licknesse
That he stood unto thee?"
And then bespake him the greene knight.
These were the words said hee :
" If youle stand stifly in the battell stronge.
For I have won all the victory."
32
Then bespake him the King againe,
And these were the words said hee :
" If wee stand not stifly in this battell strong,
Wee are worthy to be hanged all on a tree." 220
Then bespake him the greene knight,
These were the words said he :
Saies, *' I doe conjure thee, thou fowle feend.
In the same licknesse thou stood unto me."
With that start out a lodly feend,
With seven heads, and one body ;
The fier towards the element flaugh
Out of his mouth, where was great plenty.
The knight stood in the middle and fought
That it was great joy to see, 230
And . . . they stood the space of an houre,
I know not what they did.
And then bespake him the greene knight.
And these were the words said he :
Saith, "I conjure thee, thou fowle feend,
That thou feitch downe the steed that we see."
And then forth is gone Burlow-beanie,
As fast as he cold hie ;
And feitch he did that faire steed,
And came againe by and by. 240
33
Then bespake him Sir Marramiles,
And these were the words said hee :
" Riding of this steed, brother Bredbeddle,
The mastery belongs to me."
Marramiles tooke the steed to his hand,
To ryd him he was full bold ;
He cold noe more make him goe
Then a child of three yeere old.
He laid uppon him with heele and hand,
With yard that was soe fell; 250
" Helpe ! brother Bredbeddle," says Marramile,
'* For I thinke he be the devill of hell.
" Helpe ! brother Bredbeddle," says Marramile,
" Helpe ! for Christs pittye ;
ffor without thy help, brother Bredbeddle,
He will never be rydden pro me."
Then bespake him Sir Bredbeddle,
These were the words said he :
" I conjure thee, thou Burlow-beane,
Thou tell me how this steed was riddin in his
country."
He saith, ''There is a gold wand 261
Stands in King Cornwalls study windowe;
'' Let him take that wand in that window.
And strike three strokes on that steed ;
And then he will spring forth of his hand
As sparke doth out of glede."
34
And then bespake him the greene knight,
A lowd blast he may blow then.
And then bespake Sir Bredebeddle,
To the ffeend these words said hee : 270
Says, "I conjure thee, thou Burlow-beanie,
The powder-box thou feitch me."
Then forth is gone Burlow-beanie
As fast as he cold hie ;
And feich he did the powder-box,
And came againe by and by.
Then Sir Tristeram tooke powder forth of that box.
And blent it with warme sweet milke ;
And there put it unto that home.
And swilled it about in that ilke. 280
Then he tooke the home in his hand.
And a lowd blast he blew;
He rent the home up to the midst.
All his ffellowes this they knew.
Then bespake him the greene knight.
These were the words said he :
Saies, ''I conjure thee, thou Burlow-beanie,
That thou feitch me the sword that I see."
Then forth is gone Burlow-beanie,
As fast as he cold hie; 290
And feitch he did that faire sword.
And came againe by and by.
35
Then bespake him Sir Bredbeddle,
To the King these words said he :
''Take this sword in thy hand, thou noble King Arthur!
For the vowes sake that thou made He give it thee ;
And goe strike off King Cornewalls head,
In bed were he doth lye."
Then forth is gone noble King Arthur,
As fast as he cold hye ; 300
And strucken he hath off King Cornwalls head.
And came againe by and by.
He put the head upon a swords point.
*
36
SIR LIONELL
Sir Egrabell had sonnes three,
Sir Lyonell was one of these.
Blow thy home, good hunter,
As I am a gentle hunter.
Sir Lyonell wold on hunting ryde
Untill the Forrest him beside,
And as they rode thorrow the wood
Where trees and harts and all were good.
And as he rode over the plaine,
There he saw a knight lay slaine. lo
And as he rode still on the plaine.
He saw a lady sitt in a graine :
" Say thou, lady, and tell thou me.
What blood shedd heere had bee."
*' Of this blood shedd we may all rew,
Both wife and childe and man alsoe,
^' For it is not past three days right
Since Sir Broninge was mad a knight,
" Nor it is not more then three days agoe
Since the wild bore did him sloe." 20
n
1
*' Say thou, lady, and tell thou mee.
How long thou wilt sitt in that tree."
She said, ''I will sitt in this tree"
Till my freinds doe feitch me."
" Tell me, lady, and doe not miste.
Where that your freinds dwellings is."
'' Downe," shee said, ''in yonder towne.
There dwells my freinds of great renowne."
Says, "Lady, He ryde into yonder towne
And see wether your freinds beene bowne; 30
" I my self wilbe the formost man
That shall come, lady, to feitch you home."
But as he rode then by the way.
He thought it shame to goe awaw.
And unbethought him of a while.
How he might that wilde bore beguile.
" Sir Egrabell," he said, "my father was.
He never left lady in such a case ;
" Noe more will I " . . . . .
"And after that thou shalt doe mee 40
Thy hawkes and thy lease alsoe ;
38
" Soe shalt thou doe at my command
The litle fingar on thy right hand."
^* Ere I wold leave all this with thee,
Upoon this ground I rather dyee."
The gyant gave Sir Lyonell such a blow,
The fyer out of his eyen did throw.
He said then, ''If I were saffe and sound
As within this hower I was in this ground,
" It shold be in the next towne told 50
How deare thy buffett it was sold ;
"And it shold have beene in the next towne said,
How well thy buffett it were paid."
" Take forty daies into Spite
To heale thy wounds that beene soe wide ;
When forty dayes beene at an end,
Heere meete thou me both safe and sound,
"And till thou come to me againe,
With me thoust leave thy lady alone."
When forty dayes was at an end, 60
Sir Lyonell of his wounds was healed sound.
He tooke with him a litle page, —
He gave to him good yeomans wage, —
39
And as he rode by one hawthorne,
Even there did hang his hunting home.
He sett his bugle to his mouth,
And blew his bugle still full south.
He blew his bugle lowd and shrill ;
The lady heard, and came him till,
Sayes, '^The gyant lyes under yond low, 70
And well he heares your bugle blow,
''And bidds me of good cheere be,
This night heele supp with you and me."
Hee sett that lady uppon a steede.
And a litle boy before her yeede.
And said, ''Lady, if you see that I must dye.
As ever you loved me, from me flye ;
" But, lady, if you see that I must live,"
* * *
40
CAPTAINE CARRE
" ffaith, master, whither you will,
Whereas you like the best.
Unto the castle of Bittons Borrow,
And there to take your rest."
" But yonder stands a castle faire.
Is made of lyme and stone.
Yonder is in it a fayre lady.
Her lord is ridden and gone."
The lady stood on her castle wall.
She looked upp and downe, lo
She was ware of an hoast of men
Came rydinge towards the towne.
'' See you not, my merrymen all.
And see you not what I doe see?
Methinks I see a hoast of men
I muse who they shold be."
She thought it had beene her lovly lord
He had come ryding home :
It was the traitor, Captaine Carre,
The lord of Westerton towne. 20
They had noe sooner super sett,
And after said the grace.
But the traitor, Captaine Carre,
Was light about the place.
" Give over thy house, thou lady gay,
I will make thee a band.
All night within mine armes thoust lye.
To-morrow be the heyre of my land."
G 41
" He not give over my house," shee said,
Neither for ladds nor man, 30
Nor yet for traitor Captaine Carre,
Untill my lord come home ;
But reach me my pistoll pee,
And charge you well my gunne.
He shoote at the bloody bucher.
The lord of Westerton."
She stood uppon her castle wall
And let the hulletts flee,
And where shee mist
«
But then bespake the litle child 40
That sate on the nurses knee,
Saies, "mother deere, give ore this house.
For the smoake it smoothers me."
" I wold give all my gold, my childe,
Soe wold I doe all my fee,
For one blast of the westerne wind
To blow the smoke from thee."
But when shee saw the fier
Came flaming ore her head,
Shee tooke then upp her children two, 50
Sayes, ''babes, we all beene dead!"
But Adam then he fired the house,
A sorrowfull sight to see :
Now hath he burned this lady faire
And eke her children three.
42
Then Captaine Carre he rode away,
He staid noe longer at that tide,
He thought that place it was to warme
Soe neere for to abide ;
He calld unto his merry men all, 60
Bidd them make hast away,
" For we have slaine his children three,
All and his lady gay."
Worde came to lovly London,
To London wheras her lord lay,
' His castle and his hall was burned
All and his lady gay,
Soe hath he done his children three.
More dearer unto him
Then either the silver or the gold 70
That men soe faine wold win.'
But when he looket this writing on.
Lord, in is hart he was woe !
Saies, "I will find thee, Captaine Carre,
Wether thou ryde or goe !
" Buffe yee, bowne yee, my merrymen all.
With tempered swords of Steele,
For till I have found out Captaine Carre,
My hart it is nothing weele."
But when he came to Dractons Borrow, 80
Soe long ere it was day.
And ther he found him, Captaine Carre ;
That night he ment to stay.
* * *
43
SIR LANCELOTT OF DULAKE
When Arthur first in court began
And was approved king,
By force of armes great victorys wonne
And conquest home did bring.
Then into England straight he came
With fifty good and able
Knights that resorted unto him,
And were of the round table.
And many justs and turnaments
Wherto were many prest, lo
Weherin some knights did farr exell
And eke surmount the rest.
But one Sir Lancelot of Dulake,
He was approved well.
He for his deeds and feats of armes
All others did exelL
When he had rested him awhile
In play and game to sportt,
He said he wold goe prove himselfe
In some adventurous sort. 20
He armed rode in a fforrest wide,
And met a damsell faire.
Who told him of adventures great,
Wherto he gave great eare.
44
"Why shold I not?" quoth Lancelott tho ;
For that cause came I hither."
" Thou seemst," quoth shee, "a knight full good
And I will bring thee thither
Weras the worthiest knight doth dwell "
Ch 30
* * *
'' Thatts over much!" quoth Lancelott tho,
" Defend thee by and by."
They sett their speares unto ther steeds,
And cache att other flie.
They coucht theire speares, their horses run
As though there had beene thunder,
And every stroke in midst their sheelds.
Were with they broke in sunder.
They horsses bakes brake under them,
They knights were both astond ; 40
To avoyd their horsse they made great hast.
And light upon the ground.
They wounded were, and bled full sore,
They both for breath did stand.
And leaning on their swords awhile.
Quoth Tarqine "hold thy hand,
"And tell to me what I shall aske."
" Say on," quoth Lancelott tho;
" Thou art," quoth Tarqine, "the best knight
That ever I did know, 5^
45
Like to a knight that I doe hate,
Soe that thou be not hee,
I will deliver all the rest.
And eke accord with thee."
" That is well said," said Lancelott tho,
" But seeth it must soe bee ;
What knight is that, that thou dost hate ?
I pray thee show to mee."
((
His name. Sir Lancelott Dulake is.
He slew my brother deere ; " 60
46
THE TURKE AND GOWIN
Listen, lords great and small,
What adventures did befall
In England, where hath beene
Of knights that held the round table
Which were doughty and profittable,
Of kempys cruell and keene.
All England both east and west.
Lords and ladyes of the best,
They busked and made them bowne.
And when the king sate in seate, — lo
Lords served him att his meate, —
Into the hall a burne there cane :
He was not hye, but he was broad,
And like a turke he was made
Both legg and thye.
And said ''is there any will, as a brother.
To give a buffett and take another,
Giff any soe hardy bee?"
Then spake Sir Kay, that crabbed knight.
And said, "man, thou seemest not soe wight, 20
If thou be not adread.
For there beene knights within this hall
With a buffett will garr thee fall.
And grope thee to the ground.
47
Give thou be never so stalworth of hand
I shall bring thee to the ground,
That dare I safely sweare."
Then spake Sir Gawaine, that worthy knight,
Saith, " Cozen Kay, thou speakest not right,
Lewd is thy answere ; 30
" What and that man want of his witt.
Then litle worshipp were to thee pitt
If thou shold him forfore."
Then spake the turke with words thraw,
Saith, "come the better of your tow
Though you be breme as bore."
* * *
" This buffett thou hast
Well quitt that it shall be.
And yett I shall make thee thrise as feard
As ever was man on middlearth, 40
This court againe ere thou see."
Then said Gawaine, "my truth I plight,
I dare goe with thee full right.
And never from thee flye ;
I will never flee from noe adventure,
Justing nor noe other turnament,
Whilest I may live on lee."
The turke tooke leave of King with crowne.
Sir Gawaine made him ready bowne,
His armor and his steed. 50
They rode northwards two dayes and more ;
By then Sir Gawaine hungred sore,
Of meate and drinke he had o^reat need.
48
The turke wist Gawaine had need of meate,
And spake to him with words great,
Hawtinge uppon hee;
Says '^ Gawaine, where is all thy plenty?
Yesterday thou wast served with dainty.
And noe part thou wold give me,
" But with buffett thou did me sore; 6o
Therfore thou shalt have mickle care.
And adventures shalt thou see.
I wold I had King Arthur heere,
And many of thy fellowes in fere
That behaves to try mastery."
He led Sir Gawaine to a hill soe plaine ;
The earth opened and closed againe.
Then Gawaine was adread ;
The merke was comen and the light is gone ;
Thundering, lightning, snow and raine, 70
Therof enough they had.
Then spake Sir Gawaine and sighed sore,
" Such wether saw I never afore
In noe stead where I have beene stood."
" . . . made then noe answere
But only unto mee."
To the castle they then yode :
Sir Gawaine light beside his steed.
For horsse the turke had none ;
There they found chamber, bower, and hall, 80
Richly rayled about with pale.
Seemly to look uppon;
H 49
A bord was spred within that place.
All manner of meates and drinkes there was
For groomes that might it againe :
Sir Gawaine wold have fallen to that fare.
The turke bad him leave for care ;
Then waxt he unfaine ;
Gawaine said, ''man, I marvell have
That thou may none of these vittells spare, 90
And here is soe great plentye ;
Yett have I more mervaile, by my fay,
That I see neither man nor maid.
Woman nor child soe free ;
'' I had lever now att mine owne will
Of this fayre meate to eate my fill
Then all the gold in Christenty."
The turke went forth, and tarryed nought ;
Meate and drinke he forth brought.
Was seemly for to see; 100
He said, "eate, Gawaine, and make thee yare,
Infaith or thou gett victalls more
Thou shall both swinke and sweat ;
Eate, Gawaine, and spare thee nought!"
Sir Gawaine eate as him good thought,
And well he liked his meate ;
He dranke ale, and after wine
He saith, "I will be att thy bidding baine
Without host or threat;
But one thing I wold thee pray, no
Give me my buffett and let me goe my way,
I wold not longer be hereatt.
* * 55;-
50
There stood a bote and ....
Sir Gawaine left behind his steed.
He might noe other doe.
The turke said to Sir Gawaine,
" He shalbe here when thou comes againe, —
I pHght my troth to thee," —
Within an hower, as men tell me.
They were sailed over the sea; 120
The turke said, ''Gawaine, hee!
" Heere are we withouten scath" ;
But now beginneth the great othe.
When he shall adventures doe.
He lett him see a castle faire.
Such a one he never saw yare,
Noe wher in noe country.
The turke said to Sir Gawaine
" Yonder dwells the King of Man,
A heathen soldan is hee; 130
^* With him he hath a hideous rout
Of giants strong and stout
And uglie to looke uppon ;
Whosoever had sought farr and neere
As wide as the world were.
Such a companye he cold find none.
" Many aventures thou shalt see there.
Such as thou never saw yare
In all the world about :
Thou shalt see a tenisse ball 140
That never knight in Arthurs hall
Is able to give it a lout ;
And other adventures there are moe :
Wee shall be assayled ere we goe,
Therof have thou noe doute ;
51
"But and yee will take to me good heed,
I shall helpe you in time of need ;
For ought I can see
There shall be none soe strong in stower
But / shall bri?ig thee againe to hi . , , 150
"Sir Gawaine stiffe and stowre,
How fareth thy unckle King Arthur,
And all his company,
And that Bishopp Sir Bodwine
That will not let my goods alone,
But spiteth them every day ?
" He preached much of a crowne of thorne;
He shall ban the time that he was borne
And ever I catch him may ;
I anger more att the spiritually 160
In England nor att the temporaltie.
They goe soe in theire array ;
And I purpose in full great ire
To brenn their clergy in a fire
And punish them to my pay :
Sitt downe. Sir Gawaine, at the bord."
Sir Gawaine answered at that word,
Saith, "nay, that may not be,
"I trow not a venturous knight shall
Sitt downe in a kings hall 170
Adventures or you see."
The King said, "Gawaine, faire mot then fall !
Goe feitch me forth my tennisse ball ;
For play will I and see."
52
They brought it out with-out doubt ;
With it came a hideous rout
Of gyants great and plenty ;
All the giants were there then
Heire by the halfe then Sir Gawaine,
I tell you withouten [n]ay. i8o
There were seventeen giants bold of blood,
And all thought Gawaine but litle good
When they thought with him to play ;
All the giants thoughten then
To have strucke out Sir Gawaines braine ;
Help him God that best may !
The ball of brasse was made for the giants hand,
There was noe man in all England
Were able to carry it , , *
* * *
And sticked a giant in the hall 190
That grysly can hee grone.
The King sayd, "bray away this axeltree.
For such a boy I never see :
Yett he shalbe assayd better ere he goe ;
" I told you, soe mote I tho.
With the three adventure, and then no more
Befor me at this tide."
Then there stood amongst them all
A chimney in the Kings hall
With barres mickle of pride; 200
There was laid on in that stond
Coales and wood that cost a pound.
That upon it did abide.
A giant bad Gawaine assay.
And said, "Gawaine, begin the play !
Thou knowest best how it shold be ;
And afterwards when thou hast done,
I trow you shalbe answered soone
Either with boy or me."
A great giant, I understand, 210
Lift up the chimney with his hand
And sett it downe againe fairly.
Sir Gawaine was never soe adread
Sith he was man on midle earth.
And cryd on God in his thought.
Gawaine unto his boy can say
"Lift this chimney — if you may —
That is soe worthily wrought."
Gawaines boy to it did leape,
And gatt itt by the bowles great, 220
And about his head he it flang ;
Thrise about his head he it swang
That the coals and the red brands
«
saw of mickle might
And strong were in battell.
"I have slaine them thorrow my mastery.
And now, Gawaine, I will slay thee.
And then I have slaine all the flower;
There went never none againe no tale to tell,
Nor more shalt thou, thoe thou be fell, 230
Nor none that longeth to King Arthur."
54
The turke was clad invissible gay,
No man cold see him withouten nay,
He was cladd in such a weede ;
He heard their talking lesse and more.
And yet he thought they shold find him there
When they shold do that deed.
Then he led him into a steddie
Werhas was a boyling leade,
And welling uppon hie : 240
And before it a giant did stand
With an iron forke in his hand
That hideous was to see.
The giant that looked soe keene
That before Sir Gawaine had never scene
Noe where in noe country :
The King saide to the giant thoe,
''Here is none but wee tow;
Let see how best may bee."
When the giant saw Gawaines boy there was, 250
He leapt and threw, and cryed "Alas!"
That he came in that stead.
Sir Gawaines boy to him lept,
And with strenght up him gett.
And cast him in the lead ;
With an iron forke made of Steele
He held him downe wondorous weele
Till he was scalded to the dead.
Then Sir Gawaine unto the King can say,
"Without thou wilt agree unto our law, 260
Eatein is all thy bread."
55
The King spitt on Gawaine the knight :
With that the Turke hent him upright
And into the fyer him flang,
And saide to Sir Gawaine at the last,
''Noe force, master, all the perill is past
Thinke not we tarrie too longe."
*
He tooke forth a bason of gold
As an emperour washe shold.
As fell for his degree; 270
He tooke a sword of mettle free,
Saies, ^' If ever I did any thing for thee,
Doe for me in this stead ;
Take here this sword of Steele
That in battell will bite weele,
Therwith strike of my head.
**That I forefend ! " said Sir Gawaine,
"For I wold not have thee slaine
For all the gold soe red."
'*Have done, Sir Gawaine, I have no dread, 280
But in this bason let me bleed
That standeth here in this steed,
"And thou shalt see a new play.
With helpe of Mary that mild mayd
That saved us from all dread."
He drew forth the brand of Steele
That in battell bite wold weele.
And there stroke of his head.
56
And when the blood in the bason light,
He stood up a stalwortht knight 290
That day, I undertake,
And song *' Te deti?n latida?fiiis^
Worshipp be to our Lord Jesus
That saved us from all wracke !
"A ! Sir Gawaine ! blesed thou be !
For all the service I have don thee,
Thou hast well quitt it me."
Then he tooke him by the hand.
And many a worthy man they fand
That before they never see. 300
He said, '*Sir Gawaine, withouten threat
Sitt downe boldly at thy meate.
And I will eate with thee ;
Ladyes all, be of good cheere,
Eche ane shall wend to his owne deer
In all hast that may be ;
^' First we will to King Arthurs hall.
And soone after your husbands send we shall
In country where they beene ;
There they wold .... abide 310
% ^ '^
"Thus we have brought seventeen ladys cleere
That there were left in great danger.
And we have brought them out."
Then sent they for theire husbands swithe.
And every one tooke his oune wife.
And lowlye can they lowte.
And thanked the two knights and the king.
And said they wold be at theire bidding
In all England about.
I 57
Sir Gromer kneeld upon his knee, 320
Saith "Sir King, and your wilbe,
Crowne Gawaine King of Man."
Sir Gawaine kneeled downe by.
And said ^'Lord, nay, not I;
Give it him, for he it wan,
''For I never purposed to be noe king.
Never in all my livinge,
Whilest I am a living man."
He said, "Sir Gromer, take it thee.
For Gawaine will never king bee 330
For no craft that I can."
Thus endeth the tale that I of meane.
Of Arthur and his knightes keene
That hardy were and free.
God give them good life far and neere
That such talking loves to heere !
Amen for Charity !
ffinis.
58
THE MARRIAGE OF SIR GAWAINE
Kinge Arthur lives in merry Carleile,
And seemely is to see,
And there he hath with him Qqueene Genever,
That bride soe bright of blee.
And there he hath with Queen Genever,
That bride soe bright in bower,
And all his barons about him stoode
That were both stiffe and stowre.
The King kept a royall Christmasse
Of mirth and great honor, lO
And when
"And bring me word what thing it is
That a woman most desire.
This shalbe thy ransome, Arthur," he sayes,
" For He have noe other hier."
King Arthur then held up his hand
According thene as was the law ;
He tooke his leave of the baron there.
And homward can he draw.
And when he came to merry Carlile, 20
To his chamber he is gone.
And ther came to him his cozen Sir Gawaine
As he did make his mone.
And there came to him his cozen Sir Gawaine,
That was a curteous knight,
"Why sigh you soe sore, unckle Arthur," he said,
"Or who hath done thee unright ? "
59
"O peace, O peace, thou gentle Gawaine,
That faire may thee beffall,
For if thou knew my sighing soe deepe, 30
Thou wold not mervaile att all ;
"ffor when I came to Tearne Wadling,
A bold barron there I fand,
With a great club upon his backe.
Standing stiffe and strong ;
'^And he asked me wether I wold fight,
Or from him I shold begone.
Or else I must him a ransome pay
And soe depart him from.
"To fight with him I saw noe cause, 40
Methought it was not meet.
For he was stiffe and strong with-all.
His strokes were nothing sweete ;
"Therefor this is my ransome, Gawaine,
I ought to him to pay,
I must come againe, as I am sworne.
Upon the New Yeers day.
"And I must bring him word what thing it is
That a woman most desired
*
Then King Arthur drest him for to ryde 50
In one soe rich array
Toward the fore-said Tearne Wadling,
That he might keepe his day.
60
And as he rode over a more,
Hee see a lady where shee sate
Betwixt an oke and a greene hollen :
She was cladd in red scarlett.
Then there as shold have stood her mouth,
Then there was sett her eye,
The other was in her forhead fast 60
The way that she might see.
Her nose was crooked and turnd outward,
Her mouth stood foule a-wry;
A worse formed lady than shee was,
Never man saw with his eye.
To halch upon him, King Arthur,
This lady was full faine.
But King Arthur had forgott his lesson.
What he shold say againe.
*'What knight are thou," the lady sayd, 70
"That will not speak to me?
Of me be thou nothing dismayd
Tho I be ugly to see ;
For I have halched you curteouslye.
And you will not me againe,
Yett I may happen sir Knight," shee said,
"To ease thee of thy paine."
" Give thou ease me, lady," he said.
Or helpe me any thing.
Thou shalt have gentle Gawaine, my cozen, 80
And marry him with a ring."
61
"Why, if I help thee not, thou noble King Arthur,
Of thy owne hearts desiringe.
Of gentle Gawaine "
And when he came to the Tearne Wadling
The baron there cold he finde,
With a great weapon on his backe.
Standing stiffe and stronge.
And then he tooke King Arthurs letters in his hands
And away he cold them fling, 90
And then he puld out a good browne sword,
And cryd himselfe a king.
And he sayd, "I have thee and thy land, Arthur,
To doe as it pleaseth me,
For this is not thy ransome sure,
Therfore yeeld thee to me."
And then bespoke him noble Arthur,
And bad him hold his hand,
"And give me leave to speake my mind
In defence of all my land." 100
He said "as I came over a more,
I see a lady where shee sate
Betweene an oke and a green hollen ;
Shee was clad in red scarlett ;
"And she says 'a woman will have her will.
And this is all her cheef desire' :
Doe me right, as thou art a baron of sckill.
This is thy ransome and all thy hyer."
62
He sayes "an early vengeance light on her!
She walkes on yonder more; no
It was my sister that told thee this ;
And she is a misshapen hore !
" But here He make mine avow to God
To doe her an evill turne,
For an ever I may thate fovvle theefe gett,
In a fyer I will her burne."
* * *
The Second part
Sir : Lancelott and Sir Steven bold
They rode with them that day,
And the formost of the company
There rode the steward Kay; 120
See did Sir Banier and Sir Bore,
Sir Garrett with them soe gay.
See did sir Tristeram that gentle knight,
To the Forrest fresh and gay.
And when he came to the greene forrest,
Underneath a greene holly tree
Their sate that lady in red scarlet
That unseemly was to see.
Sir Kay beheld this ladys face.
And looked uppon her smire, 130
"Whosoever kisses this lady," he sayes,
" Of his kisse he stands in feare."
Sir Kaye beheld the lady againe.
And looked upon her snout,
^'Whosoever kisses this lady," he saies,
"Of his kisse he stands in doubt."
63
"Peace cozen Kay," then said Sir Gawaine,
"Amend thee of thy Hfe ;
For there is a knight amongst us all
That must marry her to his wife." 140
"What! wedd her to wiffe! " then said Sir Kay,
" In the divells name anon,
Gett me a wifFe where-ere I may.
For I had rather be shaine ! "
Then some tooke up their hawkes in hast.
And some tooke up their hounds,
And some sware they wold not marry her
For citty nor for towne.
And then bespake him noble King Arthur,
And sware there by this day, 150
"For a Httle foule sight and misliking
Then shee said "choose thee, gentle Gawaine,
Truth as I doe say.
Wether thou wilt have me in this liknesse
In the night or else in the day."
And then bespake him gentle Gawaine,
With one soe mild of moode,
Sayes, "well I know what I wold say,
God grant it may be good !
"To have thee fowle in the night 160
When I with thee shold play ;
Yet I had rather, if I might.
Have thee fowle in the day."
64
what ! when lords goe with ther seires," shee said,
"Both to the ale and wine;
Alas ! then I must hyde my selfe,
I must not goe withinne."
And then bespake him gentle Gawaine,
Said, "Lady, that's but a skill;
And because thou art my owne lady, 170
Thou shalt have all thy will."
Then she said, "blessed be thou gentle Gawaine,
This day that I thee see.
For as thou see me att this time,
From hencforth I wilbe :
"My father was an old knight,
And yett it chanced soe
That he marryed a younge lady
That brought me to this woe.
Shee witched me, being a faire young lady, 180
To the greene forrest to dwell.
And there I must walke in womans liknesse,
Most like a feend of hell.
"She witched my brother to a Carlist B . . ."
*
"That looked soe foule, and that was wont
On the wild more to goe.
"Come kisse her, brother Kay," then said Sir Gawaine,
"And amend they of thy liffe;
I sweare this is the same lady
That I marryed to my wiffe." 190
K 65
Sir Kay kissed that lady bright,
Standing upon his fFeete ;
He swore, as he was trew knight.
The spice was never so sweete.
"Well, cozen Gawaine," sayes sir Kay,
" Thy chance is fallen arright.
For thou hast gotten one of the fairest maids
I ever saw with my sight."
"It is my fortune," said sir Gawaine;
"For my unckle Arthurs sake 200
I am glad as grasse wold be of raine.
Great joy that I may take."
Sir Gawaine tooke the lady by the one arme,
Sir Kay tooke her by the tother.
They led her straight to King Arthur
As they were brother and brother.
King Arthur welcomed them there all.
And soe did Lady Genever his queene.
With all the knights of the round table
Most seemly to be scene. 210
King Arthur beheld that lady faire
That was soe faire and bright,
He thanked Christ in Trinity
For Sir Gawaine that gentle knight ;
Soe did the knights, both more and lesse,
Rejoyced all that day
For the good chance that hapened was
To Sir Gawaine and his lady gay.
ffinis.
66
LORD BARNARD AND THE LITTLE MUSGRAVE
" fFor this same night att Biicklesfeildberry
Litle Musgreve is in bed with thy wife."
'' If it be trew, thou litle foote page,
This tale thou hast told to mee,
Then all my lands in Bucklefeildberry
He freely give to thee :
" But if this be a lye, thou litle foote page.
This tale thou hast told to mee,
Then on the highest tree in Bucklesfeildberry
All hanged that thou shalt bee." lO
Saies, "upp and rise, my merrymen all.
And saddle me my good steede.
For I must ride to Bucklesfeildberry ;
God wott I had never more need ! "
But some they whistled, and some they sunge.
And some they thus cold say,
" When ever as lord Barnetts home blowes.
Away, Musgerve, away ! "
" Mie thinkes I heare the throstlecocke,
Me thinkes I heare the jay, 20
Me thinkes I heare lord Barnetts home,
Away, Musgreve, away ! "
67
''But lie still, lie still, litle Musgreve,
And huddle me from the cold.
For it is but some sheaperds boy
Is whistling sheepe ore the Mold.
''Is not thy hauke upon a pearch,
Thy horsse eating corne and hay.
And thou, a gay lady in thine armes.
And vett thou wold goe awaie! " 30
By this time lord Barnett was come to the dore,
And light upon a stone.
And he pulled out three silver kayes.
And opened the dores every one.
And first he puld the covering downe.
And then puld downe the sheete.
Sales, "how now? how now? litle Musgreve,
Dost find my gay lady sweet?"
"I find her sweete," sales litle Musgreve,
"The more is my greefe and paine; " 40
* *
" Soe have I done the fairest lady
That ever wore womans weede ;
" Soe have I done a heathen child.
Which ffull sore greiveth mee.
For which He repent all the dayes of my life
And God be with them all three."
ffinis.
68
MUSLEBOORROWE FFEILD
On the tenth day of December
And the fourth yeere of King Edwards raigne,
Att Musleboorrowe, as I remember,
Two goodly hosts there mett on a plaine ;
All night that they camped there,
Soe did the Scotts both stout and stubborne,
But "wellaway," it was their song;
For wee have taken them in their owne turne.
Over night they carded for our English mens coates.
They fished before their netts were spunn, lo
A white for sixpence, a red pro two groates ;
Now wisdome wold have stayed till they had been
woone.
Wee feared not but they wold fight,
Yett itt was turned unto their owne paine,
Thoe against one of us that they were eight,
Yett with their owne weapons wee did them beat.
On the twelfth day in the morne
They made a face as they wold fight,
But many a proud Scott there was downe borne.
And many a ranke coward was put to flight. 20
But when they heard our great gunnes cracke.
Then was their harts turned into their hose ;
They cast down their weapons, and turned their backes,
They ran soe fast that they fell on their nose.
69
The lord Huntley, wee had him there,
With him hee brought ten thousand men ;
Yett, God be thanked, wee made them such a banquett
That none of them returned againe.
Wee chased them to T>akyth.
Tk yfi ^
70
THOMAS LORD CROMWELL.
*
"ffor if your boone be askeable,
Soone granted it shalbe ;
"If it be not touching my crovvne," he said,
"Nor hurting poore cominaltye."
"Nay, it is not touching your crowne," shee sayes,
"Nor hurting poore cominaltye,
"But I begg the death of Thomas Cromwell,
For a false traitor to you is hee."
"Then feitch me hither the earle of Darby
And the earle of Shrewsbury, lo
"And bidde them bring Thomas Cromawell ;
Lets see what he can say to mee."
For Thomas had woont to have carryed his head up,
But now he hanges it uppon his knee.
"How now? How now?" the King did say,
"Thomas, how is it with thee?"
"Hanging and drawing, O King! " he saide;
"You shall never gett more from mee."
ffinis.
71
LISTEN JOLLY GENTLEMEN
Listen jolly gentlemen,
Listen and be merry !
A word or tow faine wold I speake
In the praiise of old King Harry,
For hee wold sware, and he wold stare.
And lay hand on his dagger ;
And he wold swive, if he were alive.
From the queene unto the beggar.
But let him alone, he is dead and gone,
Another wee have in his place, lo
Our noble King, of whome weele sing
''God blesse King James his Grace!
With a hey downe downe, with how downe downe.
With a hey downe, downe, downe derry, etc."
King James hath meate. King James hath men.
King James loves to be merry.
King James is angry now and then.
But it makes him quickly weary.
Of his office bestowed upon him.
For your whores and your knaves and your merry drunken
slaves 20
Cry a plauge and a pox upon him !
With a hey downe etc.
Before I have done with our Kings brave sonne
I must sett forth his praise ;
England had never a livelier ladd
72
To prolonge our happy dayes ;
But I made this song, I must not be long,
For good King James his sake ;
God blese his Grace, his children and realme !
And so I make an end. ^q
ffinis.
IZ
THE BALLAD OF THE 'CHILD OF ELL'
Sayes "Christ thee save, good Child of Ell!
Christ save thee and thy steede !
"My father sayes he will noe meate,
Nor his drinke shall doe him noe good,
Till he have slaine the Child of Ell
And have seene his harts blood."
"I wold I were in my sadle sett.
And a mile out of the towne,
I did not care for your father
And all his merrymen ! lo
"I wold I were in my sadle sett.
And a little space him froe,
I did not care for your father
And all that long him to ! "
He leaned ore his saddle bow
To kisse this lady good ;
The teares that went them two betweene
Were blend water and blood.
He sett himselfe on one good steed,
This lady of one pal fray, 20
And sett his litle home to his mouth.
And roundlie he rode away.
74
He had not ridden past a mile,
A mile out of the towne,
Her father was readye with her seven brether,
He said, " sett thou my daughter downe!
For it ill beseemes thee, thou false churles sonne.
To carry her forth of this towne ! "
" But lowd thou lyest, Sir John the Knight!
Thou now doest lye of me ; 30
A knight me gott, and a lady me bore ;
Soe never did none by thee.
'* But light now downe, my lady gay,
Light downe and hold my horsse,
Whilest I and your father and your brether
Doe play us at this crosse ;
*^ But light now downe, my owne trew love,
And meeklye hold my steede,
Whilest your father and your brether bold "
^ ^ ■!&
75
KINGE JAMES AND BROWNE
As I did walke my selfe alone,
And by one garden greene,
I heard a yonge prince make great moane
Which did turne my hart to teene.
'' O lord ! " he then said untou me,
'' Why have I lived soe long?
For yonder comes a cruell Scott,"
Quoth hee, " that will doe me some ronge."
And then came traitor Douglas there, —
He came for to betray his King, — lo
Some they brought bills, and some they brought bov^es.
And some they brought other things.
The King was above in a gallery
With a heavy heart ;
Unto his body was sett about
With swords and speares soe sharpe.
'' Be you the Lordes of Scotland," he said,
" That hither for councell seeke to me ?
Or yoe bee traitors to my crowne
By my blood that you wold see? " 20
" Wee are the Lords of Scottland," they said,
" Nothing we come to crave of thee,
But wee be traitors to thy crowne ;
Thy blood that wee will see."
'' O! fye upon you, you false Scotts !
For you never all trew wilbe ;
My grandfather you have slaine.
And caused my mother to flee!
76
" My grandfather you have slaine,
And my owne mother you hanged on a tree! 30
And now," quoth he, '^ the like treason
You have now wrought for me !
" ffarwell hart, and farwell hand !
Farwell all pleasures alsoe !
Farwell th my head "
* * *
" If thou wilt
* «
And soe goe away with mee."
" Goe marry thy daughter to whome thou wilt,"
Quoth Browne, " thou marry s none to me.
For He not be a traitor," quoth Browne, 40
" For all the gold that ever I see."
This Douglas, hearing Browne soe say.
Began to flee away full fast ;
" But tarry a while," saies lusty Browne,
'' lie make you to pay before you passe."
He hath taken the Douglas prisoner.
And hath brought him before the King ;
He kneeled low upon his knee.
For pardon there prainge.
" How shold I pardon thee," saith the King, 50
" And thoule remaine a traitor still?
For ever since that I was borne,"
Quoth he, " thou hast sought my blood to spill."
77
" For if you will grant me my pardon," he said,
" Out of this place soe free,
I wilbe sworne before your grace
A trew subject to bee."
'' God forgave His death," said the King,
" When He was nayled upon a tree.
And as free as ever God forgave His death, 60
Douglas," quoth he, '' He forgive thee !
" And all the traitors in Scottland,"
Quoth he, " both great and small.
As free as ever God forgave His death,
Soe free I will forgive them all."
" I thanke you for your pardon. King,
That you have granted forth soe plaine ;
If I live a twelve month to an end,
You shall not alive remaine.
" Tomorrow yet or ere I dine 70
I meane to doo thee one good turne.
For Edenborrow that is thine owne "
Quoth he, " I will both harrow and biirneP
Thus Douglas hied towards Edenborrow,
And many of his men were gone beffore,
And after him on every side.
With him there went some twenty score.
But when that they did see him come.
They cryed lowd with voices, saying,
" Yonder comes a false traitor 80
That wold have slaine our King ! "
78
They chaynd up the gates of Edenborrow,
And there they made them wonderous fast,
And there Browne sett on Douglas againe,
And quicklye did him over cast.
But worde came backe againe to the King
With all the speed that ever might bee,
That traitor Douglas there was taken.
And his body was there to see.
" Bring me his taker," quoth the King, 90
" Come, quickly bring him unto me!
He give a thousand pound a yeere.
What man soever he bee."
But then they called lusty Browne ;
Sayes, " Browne, come thou hither to mee 1
How oft hast thou foughten for my sake.
And alwayes woone the victory ? "
*^ The first time that I fought for you.
It was in Edenborrow, King;
If there I had not stoutly stood, 100
My leege, you never had beene King;
" The second time I fought for you.
Here I will tell you in this place,
I killd the Sheriffs sonne of Carlile,"
Quoth he, " that wold have slaine your grace :
" The third time that I fought for you.
Here for to let you understand,
I slew the Bishopp of St Andrews,"
Quoth he, " with a possat in his hand^''
quoth hee 1 1 o
" That ever my manhood I did trye.
He make a vow for Englands sake
That I will never battell flee."
79
" God amercy, Browne," then said the King,
" And God amercy heartilye !
Before I made thee but a knight.
But now an earle I will make thee."
" God save the Queene of England," he said,
" For her blood is verry neshe.
As neere unto her I am 120
As a colloppe shorne from the fleshe.
" If I be false to England," he said,
" Either in earnest or in jest,
I might be likened to a bird,"
Quoth he, " that did defile it nest."
ffinis.
80
SIR LAMBEWELL
Doughty in King Arthures dayes
When Brittaine was holden in noblenesse,
And in his time a long while
He sojourned in merry Carlile.
With him he had many an heire
As he had else many a whide where ;
Of his Round Table they were knights all,
And they had much mirth in bower and hall ;
In every land of the world wide
They came to the court on every side, lo
Both yonge knights and squires eke.
All they came to the courte to seeke.
And with him there longed a bold bachelor,
And soe he did many a yeere,
A yonge knight of much might,
Sir Lambewell forsooth he hight.
And ever he spent worthilye.
And he gave gifts that were larglie ;
Soe largely his good he spent.
Much more than ever he had rent, 20
And soe outragiouslie he it sett
That he became far in debt.
And when he saw that all was gone,
Then hee begunn to make great moane,
" Alacke ! " he said, " noe goods I have ;
I know not how to doe, soe God me save,
And I can neither begg nor borrowe !
Thus I am brought far in sorrow.
And I am far in a strange land,
And have noe goods, as I understand. 30
Of all these knights that are soe feirce
M 81
of the Round Table, which are my peeres,
Eche one to have me they were glad,
And now for me they wilbe sad;
Both Sir Huon and Sir Gaion,
Some time of me that you were faine ;
fFarwell Sir Kay, that crabbed knight !
Farwell Sir Percivall the wight!
Of my companie that thou was faine,
The good knight Sir Agravaine ! 40
Farwell Sir Garrett and Sir Griffine,
Of my company that thou was faine !
ffarwell the knight Sir Iron side!
Of my company thou had much pride,
ffor my expence and noble wray.
And the rich gifts that I gave aye !
Certes you shall me never see;
ffarwell, I take my leave of you
As a single batchlour without blame.
Where before I bare a good name." 50
Then he leaped uppon a fresh courser
Without page or any squier.
And tooke his way towards the west,
Betweene the water and a faire fforrest.
The sun was at the even-tide^
The knight light downe, and thought to abide.
And layd him downe, the knight free.
Under the shadow of a tree ;
And what for weeping much and warle,
Asleepe I-wis this knight fell, 60
And what for sobbing and greet.
When he wakned, up he him sett.
And then he looked afore him tho :
Out of a fforrest came may dens tow.
Towards Sir Lambewell they did grow;
ffairer befor he never sawe.
Mantles they had of red velvett
82
Fringed with gold full well sett,
And kirtles of purple sandall,
They were small laced, and htted well ; 70
They were tyred above over all.
And either of them had a ffresh color,
They had faces as white as snowdowne.
They had lovesome color and eyen browne ;
And one of them had a gold bason,
And the other a towell of silke fine.
Towards Lamewell drew these maids twaine :
The knight was curteous, and rose them againe ;
They said, '' God speede thee, thou knight free.
There as thou lyest full of povirty ! " 80
" Damsell," saies Lamwell, '^ welcome to mee ! "
" Sir," quoth the one, "well may thou bee!
My Lady thats bright as blossome or flower,
Thee greets, Sir Lamwell, as her paramoure.
And prays you for to speake with her
And if it be your will, faire Sir,"
Lamwell answered them both there,
'* And I am faine with you to fare.
For which way soever your gate lies,
I deeme certaine be paradice, 90
For fairer maids then you tow bee
I never saw move with mine eye.
They thanked Lambwell, that knight curteous.
For giving them soo great a praise :
" But shee as much fairer then wee are seen,
And over us might be a queene.
Her bewtie passeth us as far
As betweene the flower and the steale."
They washed their hands and face alsoe.
And forth with those maids the Knight did goe. 100
Within that forrest they did see
A rich pavillion pight full hee.
And every pomell of the pavillion
83
Was well worth a hundred pound :
Upon the topp a gripe stood,
Of shining gold, fine and good ;
In his mouth he bare a carbunckle bright.
Like the moone it shines every night ;
King Alexander the conquerour.
Nor Salamon in his most honor, no
Nor Charlemount the rich King,
They never welded such a thing.
For sooth there was in that pavillion
The Kings daugter of Million ;
In that pavillion was a bed of price
That was covered ore with goodlie vice,
And therein sate a Lady bright,
From the middle shee was naked upright.
And all her cloathing by her lay ;
ffull seemlie shee sate, I say, 120
All in a mantle of white ermines
Was fringed about with gold fine.
Her mantle downe for heat shee did
Full right unto her girdle steed ;
Shee was as white as lilly in May,
Or snow that falls on winters day ;
The blossome, nor the bryar, nor noe kind of {lower ^
It hath noe hue unto her color ;
And the red rose when it is new.
To her rednesse hath no hue, 130
For it shone like the gold wyer ;
Yett noe man can tell of her attyre.
When of her he had had a sight,
Downe of his knees then fell the Knight,
And saluted her with mild Steven
As though that shee had come from Heaven,
And spake to her when he had space,
*' I put me, Lady, into your grace."
" Sir Lambewell," shee said, '' my harts sweete,
8+
For thy love my hart I leete, 140
And theres noe King nor Emperour —
But and if I loved him paramour
As much, Sir Lambevvell, as I doe thee, —
He wold be right glad of me."
He sett him dovvne the Lady beside,
" Lady," he saies, '' what-ere betide.
Both early and late, loud and still.
Command me ready at your will !
But as helpe me God, my Lady deere,
I am a Knight without hawere ; 150
I have noe goods, noe more nor men.
To maintaine this estate I find your in."
Then said that Lady, '' I doe you soe kind,
I know thy estate first and end.
And thou wilt trustilie to mee take.
And for my love all other forsake.
Then I will maintaine thine honor
With gold, with silver, and with rich treasure.
And with every man thou shalt spend larglie.
And I will give thee great plentie." 160
Then of that profer he was full blithe.
And thanked this Lady often sithe!
He obaid him unto her there.
He list this Lady that was soe faire.
And by that Lady downe him sett.
And bad her maides downe meat fet,
And to there hands watter cleer.
For then shee wold unto supper :
There was meate and drinke, great plentie.
Of every thing that was daintye. 170
When they had eaten and druken both.
Then to her bed this Lady wold goe.
Sir Lambwell, like a hailow Knight,
By her bedside stood up full right.
Said, " you displease, that wold I nought,
85
But, Jesus leeve you knew my thought."
Then spake that Lady free,
SaieSj " undight thee, Lambewell and come to me."
Then was Lambwell soone undight,
And in bed with this Lady bright, i8o
And did all that night lye there.
And did whatsoever their wills were ; —
For play they slept but litle that knight
Till it began to be daylight. —
And when the daylight was comen, tho
Shee said, " rise, Lambewell, and now goe !
Gold and silver take inoughe with thee.
And with every man thoust spend larglie ;
And more thou spendest, meryer thoust sitt,
And I will send thee innoughe of it; 190
But one thing. Knight, I thee forefendant,
That of mee thou never avant ;
For and thou doe, I tell thee before.
For ever thou hast my love forlore.
And when thou wilst, thou gentle Knight,
Speake with me by day or night,
Into some secrett place look you goe.
And thinke uppon me soe and soe.
And shortly I will with you bee.
Not a man save you that shall me see." 200
A maid brought him his horsse anon ;
Hee took his leave, and leapeth uppon ;
'' ffarewell my hony, farwell my swee;te\ "
" Farewell, Sir Lambwell, till oft we meete ! "
Of treasure then he had great plentie.
And thus he ryds thorrowout the cittye.
While he came there he shold have beene,
A merryer man they neere had scene;
Now Lambwell he makes rich feasts,
Lambewell feeds minstrelsie their jests, 210
Lambwell rewards religious,
86
Lambewell helpes every poore howse;
Were it knight, squier, or swaine.
With his goods he helpeth them;
Of his largnesse every man wotts,
But noe man witts how he itt gotts.
Alwayes when he lyed privy and still.
His lady was ready at his will ;
But well happy were the man
That in these dayes had such a one! 2 20
The Second parte
Soe uppon a day Sir Gawaine
The gentle Knight, and Sir Haion,
Sir Lambewell with them alsoe,
And other Knights twenty and moe,
Went for to play them on a greene
Underneth the tower where lay the Queene.
These Knights on there game plaid thoe,
But sithe to dancinge they wold goe ;
Sir Lambell he was before sett.
For his large spending they loved him best; 230
The Queene in a bower beheld them all,
And saies " yonder is large Lambwell !
Of all the Knights that be there.
There is none soe faire a bachlour.
And he hath neither lemman nor wiffe ;
I wold he loved me as his life !
Betide me well, betide me ill,
I shall," shee said, " goe witt his will."
Shee took with her a companie
Of damsells that were right pretty, 240
And downe shee goes anon-wright
For to goe dance with a Knight;
And shee went to the first end
87
Between Gawaine and Lambwell the hend,
And all the maids soe forth right,
One and one, betweene two knights.
And when this dancing did aslake.
The Queene Sir Lambwell to councell did take :
" Lambwell," shee saies, " thou gentle Knight,
I have loved thee, and doe with all my might, 250
And as much desire I thee
As Arthur that Knight soe free ;
Good hap is now to thee tane.
That thou wilt love me and noe other woman."
He saies, " Madam, noe, certez
I wilbe noe traitor never in all my dales,
For I owe my King fealtie and homage.
And I will never doe him that damage."
She said, " fie upon thee, faint coward!
Dastard harllott as thou art! 260
That thou livest, it is great pitye.
Thou lovest noe woman, nor noe woman loves thee !
He said, ^' Madadam, say yee your will.
But I can love both lowde and still.
And I am loved with my lemman.
That fairer hath noe gentleman.
Nor none soe faire, yett say I,
Neither mayd nor yett lady.
The simplest maiden with her, I weene.
Over you, Madame, may be Queene." 270
Then she was ashamed and full wroth ;
Shee clippeth her mayds, and forth goeth ;
To chamber shee wold all heavye.
For teene and anger shee wold die.
Then King Arthur came from hunting.
Glad and merry for all thing ;
To the Queenes chamber gone is hee ;
And then she fell downe upon her knee,
And fast, " Lord," that shee did crye,
88
" Helpe me, Lord, or ever I dye! 280
Without might
I shall die this yenders night.
I spake to Sir Lambvvell in my game,
And he desired my body of shame ;
As a false villane traitor
He wold have done my body dishonor,
And when I wold not to him aply,
He shamefully rebuked me.
And oi his lemman praisment he made,
' That the lowest maiden that shee had 290
Might be a Queene over mee ; '
And all. Lord, was in despight of thee."
The King therwith he waxed wroth.
And for anger he sware an oathe
That Lambwell shold abide the law,
Peradventure both to hang and draw.
And he commanded four Knights
To feitch the traitor to his sight.
These four Knights seeken him anon.
And to his chamber he is gone; 300
" Alacke," he sayd, " now my life is lorne!
Hereof shee warned me be-forne,
Of all things that I did use,
Of her I shold never make my rowze."
He clipped, hee called, he her besought.
But all availed him of nought ;
He sorrowed and he did cry.
And on his knees besought her mercy,
" O my Lady, my gentle creature.
How shall my wreched liffe endure ? 310
My worldlie blisse I have forlorne.
And falslie to my Lady forsworne ! "
For sorrow and care he made that stond.
He fell in soonde to the ground ;
Soe long he lay that they Knights came,
N 89
And in his chamber tooke him then,
And like a theefe they led him then, —
Thus was his sorrow, weale and woe, —
They brought the Knight before the Kinge,
And this he said at his comminge : 320
^' Thou false and untrue traitor!
Thou besought my wife of dishonour !
That shee was lothlier, thou her upbraid.
Then was thy lemmans lodlyest maid."
Sir Lambewell answerd with mild moode.
And tooke himselfe sworne by the roode,
That it was noe otherwise but soe,
'' And that my selfe will make good thoe ;
And therto over your court looke."
Twelve Knights were driven to a booke 330
The sooth to say in that case
Altogether as it was.
These twelve Knights, as I weene,
They know the rule of the Queene,
Although the King were bold and stout,
That shee was wicked out and out.
But shee had such a comfort
To have lemmans under her lord ;
Therefore they accquitt the trewman ;
But sithe they spake forth then, 340
For why that he his lemman bring
Wherby he made his advanting.
And alsoe that he prove in place
That her maids fairer was.
And alsoe more bright and sheene.
And of more beutye then the Queene,
And alsoe countenance and hue.
They wold quitt him as good and trew;
And if he might not stand ther till.
He shold abide the Kinges will, 350
This verditt was given before the King,
90
The day was sett
Sureties he found to come againe,
Both Sir Gawaine and Sir Hayon ;
'' Alacke," he said, '^now my Hfe is lorne !
Herof shee warned 7ne beforne,
Of all things that I did use,
Of her that I shold never make rowze."
He cleped, hee called, he her besought.
But all avayled him of nought; 360
He bent his body and his head eke.
He curst his mouth that of her did speake,
And thus he was with sorrow num,
He wold his ending day were come
That he might from his life goe.
Eche man for him was full woe.
For a larger spender then hee
Never came in that countrye.
And thereto he was feirce and bold,
None better in the Kings houshold. 370
The day was come of his appearing.
They brought the knight afore the King :
His barons that his surties was,
They brought him forth, alas !
The King let it be rehersed there.
Both the plaintiffe and the answere ;
The King bad him bring his lemman in sight :
He answered that he ne might,
"But this I say to you alone,
A fairer than shee was never none, 380
Both of bewtye and of shape ;
I am to simple to tuch her lappe
Or yett to come unto her bower,
Eccept it were for her pleasure.
Not displeasing her sickerlie.
Yet wold I you saw her ere I dye."
"Bring her forth," the King sayes,
91
''That thou dost now soe fast praise,
To proove the sooth that thou sayst of."
"Forsooth, my lord, that can I nought." 390
Then sayd the King anon thoe,
"fforsooth thy disworshipp is the more;
What may wee all know therby
But that thou lyest loud and hye?"
He bade the barons give judgment.
The barons answered verament,
"To it, lord, wee will gone.
Wee will to it soone and anon."
And then bespake the Erie of Cornwayle
Who was one of the councell, 400
And sayd, "wee know thee King our lord,
Hees owne mouth beares record,
The wich by his owne assent
Hath the g/ven the knight judgment ;
Therefore, and we shold by the law,
Lambewell shold both hang and draw ;
But villany it were to eche of us one
To let us fordoe soe a noble man.
Or yett soe doughtie a bachlour
Amongst us all had never peere, 410
And therfore say by our reede
Wee will the King such way leade
That he shalbe commanded to goe,
And void the court for evermore."
And while they stood thus speaking.
They saw two ladyes come ryding
Upon two ambling palfrayes.
Much fairer then the summers dayes,
And they were clothed in rich atire.
That every man had great desire. 420
Them espied Gawaine the gentle knight,
"Lamwell," he said, "dread for noe wight;
Yonder comes thy life, yond maist thou see ;
92
The love of thee, I wott, is shee."
Lambewell beholds them with much thought,
And said, "alacke, I know them nought!
My lady is much fairer certainlie."
When they came Sir LambwcU by.
Not tarrying with him they yode,
But to the King both they rode, 430
And said, "thou lord of worshipp, Arthur,
Lett dresse thy halls and thy bowers
Both by ground, roofe, and wall,
With clothes of gold rich over all ;
It must be done att device ;
Heere comes our lady of much price ;
Shee comes to you, as I weene;
Before yee, my lord, shee shalbe scene."
They commanded for her sake
The fairest chamber to them to take. 440
The ladyes are gone to bower on hye;
The King bade his barronrye ,
Have done, and give their judgment.
The barons were att verament,
"Wee have beholden this maiden bright,
And yee have letted us by this light.
But to it, lord, we will gone.
Wee will have done soone and anon."
A new speech they began thoe.
Some said "well," and some said "not soe," 450
Some to death wold him deeme
For to please the King and Queene ;
And other some wold make him cleere.
Whilest they stood pleading in feare.
The whilest they stood thus speaking.
Other tow ladies came ryding
Uppon tow goodly mules of Spaine,
They had sadles, and bridles were champaind ;
They were clothed in rich attire,
93
That every man had great desire 4.60
ffor to behold their gentryes ;
They came in oft soe rich a wise.
Them espyed Huon the hind ;
" Lambevvellj" he said, "my brother and freind,
Yond comes thy life, yond may thou see ;
The tone of these, I wott, is shee,
ffor fairer then shee there may be none ;
If it be not shee, choose thee none."
Lambwell beholds them both I-wis,
And said "of them two none it is; ^jo
My Lady is much fairer certainly,
But of her servants they may be."
These ladies that thus came ryding
Rode to the Castle to the King,
And when they came it Lamwell by,
Baysance they made certainly ;
Not tarrying with him they made.
But to the King both they rode.
And they said, "you lord of worshipp, Arthur,
Let dresse thy halls and bowers 4.80
By ground, by roofe, and by wall ;
With clothes of gold hang it all.
And death thy carpetts under her fFeete.
-:{:- * *
It must be done at device.
For heere comes our lady of much price."
Much sorrow had dame Genever
When shee saw the ladies color;
Then shee trowed of some guile
That Lamwell shold be holpen within a while
By his ladye that was coming. 490
Fast shee cryed upon the King,
And said, "lord, if thou love thine honor.
Avenge me on this traitor!"
To hang Lambwell shee wold not spare.
"Your barons make you not to care;
Without you him sloe without more,
I shall die my-self before."
He bad his barons give judgment,
''Or I will my-selfe, by Mary gent."
''We will him doome, Sir, soone anon!" 500
To tell they tale they once began :
The Third parte
"My lord, thus for-sooth agreed are wee."
"Peace," said Sir Haion, "noe more say yee,
fFor yonder I see her come rydinge
On whom Sir Lambwell made his avanting,
A damsell by her selfe alone.
On earth was fairer never none, —
Upon a fresh ambling palfray, —
Much fairer then the summers day;
Her eyes beene blossomed cleere and faire, 510
Jolly and jocund as the faulconer
Or the jay that sitts on a bough ;
Of all things she is faire enoughe ;
Lord ! shees a lovely creature.
And rides thus att her pleasure."
A sparhawk shee had on her hand,
A softly pace her palfray sand.
Three white greyhounds running her by.
As well beseemed for such a lady ;
She had a crowne uppon her head 520
Of precious stones and gold soe red.
Wife and child, yonge and old.
All came this lady to beholde.
And all still uppon her gazinge
As people that behold the sacring;
And all they stood still in their study,
95
And yet they thought them never weary,
For there was never man nor woman that might
Be weary of this ladies sight.
As soone as Sir Lambwell did her see, 530
On all the people cryed hee
''Yond comes my life and my likinge!
Shee comes that me out of baile shall bring !
Yond comes my lemman, I make you sure ;
Treulie shee is the fairest creature
That ever man see before ; indeed,
Looke where shee rydes uppon her steed ! "
This lady when shee came thus ryding.
Rode to the Castle to the King ;
The Knight there his owne worshipp did, 540
He rose up, and he gave her the steed,
And lovely he can her greete.
And shee againe with words sweete.
The Queene and other ladyes stout
Behold her comlye round about.
And there they sate as dumbe
As the moone is light from the sunn.
Then shee said to the King,
"Hither am I come for such a thing:
My trew lemman Sir Lambewell 550
Is challenged, as I heere tell.
How that he shold with villanie
Beseech the Queene of adoutry.
That is false to bleeve. Sir King ;
He bade not her, for shee bade him ;
If he had desired her, with-out let
Not a foot hither I wold have sett ;
You may beleeve me, every word ;
That this is right, I will make good ;
And for the other praisment that he made, 560
That mine owne lowtest mayd
Was mor of beawtye then thy Queene,
96
Let the proofe, Sir, soone be scene."
The King said, ** verament,
Barrens, heere shall be noe judgment.
But I my selfe the same will deeme
Both of the Queene and of the mayden ;
If I doe not right, then you may say
But Sir Lambwell
quoth the knight, 570
'' I will love him with all my might
Both in place and in stead
Much better then ever I did."
And when shee heard him soe say,
She leaped on her palfray
And obayd her to the King soe hind,
And tooke leave away to wend.
Then of all that while to Sir Lambwell
Shee wold not speake nor looke never soe deale ;
But wott you well, sorry was hee, 580
Befor her he fell on his knee.
And said, " Madam ! trespassed I have.
And I am come of your mercy to crave !
I knouledge me of that wicked deed
That was forbidden me when you yode ;
I am well worthy therfor to hange.
Or leade my life in paines strange ;
What pennance, lady, you will to me say
Or you depart from me away.
Lady, I desire noe more of thee 590
But once aside to looke on me !
My lord the King, of soe high a prow,
For all the service I have done you.
One good word for me to speake !
And all my fellowes, I you beseeke.
With the King pray you alsoe
Of her good word ; I aske no moe."
ffor that they saw he mad such mone,
o 97
The King and they prayd, every one ;
But for all that ever he cold doe, 600
Not a word shee wold speake him too,
But obayd her to the King soe hind,
And tooke her leave away to wend.
Then Lambewell saw that shee wold fare,
His owne hart he tooke to him there;
When shee turned her horse to have gone.
He leaped upon soone anon.
Upon her palfray ; what-soever betide.
Behind her he wold not abide ;
And he said, '' Madam, with reason and skill 610
Now goe which way soe-ere you will.
For when you light downe, I shall stand.
And when you ryd, all at your hande,
And whether it be for waile or woe
I will never depart you froe."
This lady now the right way num
With her maids all and some.
And shee brought Sir Lambwell from Carlile
Farr into a jolly iland
That clipped was Amilion, 620
Which knoweth well every Briton ;
And shee came there, that lady faire,
Shee gave him all that he found there.
That was to say, all manner of thing
That ever might be to his likinge ;
And further of him hard noe man,
Nor more of him tell can.
But in that iland his life he spend,
Soe did shee alsoe tooke her end.
Butt God that is the King of blisse, 630
Bring us thither as his woning is !
ffinis.
98
SIR ALDINGAR
Our King he kept a ffalse steward,
Men called him Sir Aldingar :
He wold have layen by our comely Queene,
Her deere worshipp to have betraide.
Our Queene shee was a good woman,
And ever more said him nay.
Aldingar was offended in his mind.
With her hee was never content.
But he sought what meanes he cold find out,
In a fyer to have her brent. lo
There came a lame lazer to the Kings gates,
A lazar was blind and lame ;
He tooke the lazar upon his backe.
Upon the Queenes bed he did him lay ;
He said, " lye still, lazar, wheras thou lyest,
Looke thou goe not away,
He make thee a whole man and a sound
In two howres of a day."
And then went forth Sir Aldingar
Our Queene for to betray, 20
And then he mett with our comlye King,
Saies, ** God you save and see !
" If I had space as I have grace,
A message I wold say to thee."
" Say on, say on. Sir Aldingar,
Say thou on and unto me."
99
" I can let you now see one of the greivos^x/ sights
That ever Christen King did see :
Our Queene hath chosen a new new love,
She will have none of thee; 30
*' If shee had chosen a right good knight,
The lesse had beene her shame,
But she hath chosen a lazar man
Which is both blinde and lame."
'^ If this be true, thou Aldingar,
That thou dost tell to me.
Then will I make thee a rich knight
Both of gold and fee ;
" But if it be false. Sir Aldingar,
That thou doest tell to me, 40
Then looke for noe other death
But to be hangd on a tree.
Goe with me," saide our comly King,
'' This lazar for to see."
When the King he came into the Queenes chamber,
Standing her bed befor,
" There is a lodly lome," says Harry King,
^' For our dame Queene Elinor!
" If thou were a man, as thou art none.
Here thou sholdest be slaine ; 50
But a paire of new gallowes shall be biilt
Thoust hang on them soe hye ;
" And fayre fyer there shalbe bett,
And brent our Queene shalbee."
fforth then walked our comlye King,
And mett with our comly Queene,
100
Saies, " God you save, our Queene, Madam,
And Christ you save and see !
Heere you have chosen a new new love,
And you will have none of mee. 60
" If you had chosen a right good knight.
The lesse had beene your shame.
But you have chosen a lazar man
That is both blind and lame."
" Ever alacke ! " said our comly Queene,
" Sir Aldingar is false to mee ;
But ever alacke ! " said our comly Queene,
" Ever alas, and woe is mee !
" I had thought swevens had never been true ;
I have prooved them true at the last; 70
I dreamed in my sweaven on Thursday at eveninge
In my bed wheras I lay,
^^ I dreamed the grype and a grimlie beast
Had carry ed my crowne away.
My gorgett and my kirtle of golde,
And all my faire heade geere ;
" How he wold have worry ed me with his tush
And borne me into his nest.
Saving there came a litle hawk
Flying out of the East, 80
" Saving there came a litle hawke
Which men call a merlion,
Untill the ground he stroke him downe.
That dead he did fall downe.
" Giffe I were a man, as I am none,
A battell I would prove,
I wold fight with that false traitor;
Att him I cast my glove !
lOI
*' Seing I am able noe battell to make,
You must grant me, my leege, a knight 90
To fight with that traitor, Sir Aldingar,
To maintaine me in my right."
" He give thee forty dayes," said our King,
To seeke thee a man therin ;
If thou find not a man in forty dayes.
In a hott fyer thou shall brenn."
Our Queene sent forth a messenger.
He rode fast into the south,
He rode the countryes through and through,
Soe ffar unto Portsmouth; 100
He cold find never a man in the South country
That wold fight with the knight soe keene.
The second messenger the Queen forth sent.
Rode far into the east.
But — blessed be God made sunn and moone ! —
He sped then all of the best :
As he rode then by one river side.
There he mett with a litle child.
He seemed noe more in a mans likenesse
Then a child of four yeeres old ; no
He askt the Queenes messenger how far he rode :
Loth he was him to tell ;
The litle one was offended att him.
Bid him adew, farwell !
Said, " turne thou againe, thou messenger,
Greete our Queene well from me ;
* When bale is att hyest, boote is att next,'
Helpe enough there may bee !
102
" Bid our Queene remember what she did dreame
In her bedd vvheras shee lay; i20
Shee dreamed the grype and the grimly beast
Had carryed her crowne away.
" Her gorgett and her kirtle of gold,
Alsoe her faire head geere,
He wold have werryed her with his tushe
And borne her into her nest,
" Saving there came a litle hawke —
Men call him a merlyon —
Untill the ground he did strike him downe.
That dead he did ffall downe. 130
" Bidd the Queene be merry att her hart,
Evermore light and glad,
' When bale is att hyest, boote is at next,'
Helpe enoughe there shalbe had^
Then the Queenes messenger rode backe,
A gladed man then was hee ;
When he came before our Queene,
A gladd woman then was shee;
Shee gave the messenger twenty pounds :
O Lord, in gold and ffee, 140
Saies, " spend and spare not while this doth last.
Then feitch thou more of me."
Our Queene was put in a tunne to burne,
She thought no thing but death ;
They were ware of the litle one
Came ryding forth of the East
With a Mu
A lovelie child was hee :
When he came to that fier,
He light the Queene full nigh; 150
103
Said, " draw away these brands of fire
Lie burning before our Queene,
And feitch me hither Sir Aldingar
That is a knight soe keene."
When Aldingar see that litle one,
fful Utle of him hee thought.
If there had beene halfe a hundred such,
Of them he wold not have wrought.
Hee sayd, " come hither Sir Aldingar,
Thou seemust as bigge as a ffooder! i6o
I trust to God, ere I have done with thee,
God will send to us auger."
Saies, " the first stroke thats given. Sir Aldingar,
I will give unto thee.
And if the second give thou may,
Looke then thou spare not mee."
The litle one pulld forth a well good sword,
I-wis itt was all of guilt.
It cast light there over that feild.
It shone soe all of guilt. 170
He stroke the first stroke att Aldingar,
He stroke away his leggs by his knee,
Sayes, " stand up, stand up, thou false traitor.
And fight upon thy feete!
For and thou thrive as thou begins.
Of a height wee shalbe meete."
" A preist, a preist! " sayes Aldingar,
" Me for to houzle and shrive !
A preist, a preist," sayes Aldingar,
" While I am a man living alive! 180
104
" I wold have laine by our comlie Queene ;
To it shee wold nev^er consent ;
I thought to have betrayd her to our King,
In a fyer to have had her brent.
" There came a lame lazar to the Kings gates,
A lazar both blind and lame;
" I tooke the lazar upon my backe,
In the Queenes bed I did him lay,
I bad him ' lie still, lazar,' where he lay,
Looke he went not away, 190
I wold make him a whole man and a sound
In two houres of a day.
" Ever alacke ! " sayes Sir Aldingar,
" Falsing never doth well.
'^ Forgive, forgive me, Queene, Madam !
For Christs love forgive me ! "
" God forgave his death, Aldingar,
And freely I forgive thee."
" Now take thy wife, thou King Harry,
And love her as thou shold ; 200
Thy wiffe shee is as true to thee
As stone that lies on the castle wall."
The lazar under the gallow tree
Was a pretty man and small.
The lazar under the gallow tree
Was made steward in King Henerys hall.
ffinis.
105
THE HEIR OF LIN
Off all the lords in faire Scottland
A song I will begin :
Amongst them all there dweld a lord
Which was the unthrifty Lord of Linne.
His father and mother were dead him froe,
And soe was the head of all his kinne ;
He did neither cease nor blinne
To the cards and dice that he did run,
To drinke the wine that was soe cleere,
With every man he wold make merry. lo
And then bespake him John of the Scales,
Unto the heire of Linne sayd hee,
Sayes, " how dost thou. Lord of Linne,
Doest either want gold or fee?
Wilt thou not sell thy lands soe brode
To such a good fellow as me ? "
" ffor . . I . . " he said,
^' My land, take it unto thee ;
I draw you to record, my lordes all : "
With that he cast him a goodse peny. 20
He told him the gold upon the bord.
It wanted never a bare penny.
'' That gold is thine, the land is mine.
The heire of Linne I wilbee."
106
" Heeres gold inoughe," saithe the heire of Linne,
" Both for me and my company."
He drunke the wine that was soe cleere,
And with every man he made merry.
Within three quarters of a yeere
His gold and fee it waxed thinne, 30
His merry men were from him gone,
And left him himselfe all alone.
He had never a penny left in his pursse,
Never a penny but three,
And one was brasse, and another was lead,
And another was white mony.
" Now welladay ! " said the heire of Linne,
" Now welladay, and woe is mee !
For when I was the Lord of Linne,
I neither wanted gold nor fee; 40
" For I have sold my lands soe broad.
And have not left me one penny !
I must goe now and take some read
Unto Edenborrow, and begg my bread."
He had not beene in Edenborrow
Not three qwarters of a yeere,
But some did give him, and some said nay.
And some bid " to the deele gang yee !
'' For if we shold hang any land selfeer.
The first we wold begin with thee." 50
^* Now welladay ! " said the heire of Linne,
Now welladay, and woe is mee !
107
" For now I have sold my lands soe broad,
That mery man is irke with mee ;
But when that I was the Lord of Linne,
Then on my land I lived merrily ;
" And now I have sold my land soe broade
That I have not left me one pennye !
God be with my father ! " he said,
" On his land he lived merrily." 60
Still in a study there as he stood,
He unbethought him of a bill
He unbethought him of a bill
Which his father had left with him.
Bade him he shold never on it looke
Till he was in extreame neede,
" And by my faith," said the heire of Linne,
" Then now I had never more neede."
He tooke the bill, and looked it on.
Good comfort that he found there ; 70
Itt told him of a castle wall
Where there stood three chests in feare :
Two were full of the beaten gold.
The third was full of white mony.
He turned then downe his baggs of bread.
And filled them full of gold soe red.
Then he did never cease nor blinne
Till John of the Scales house he did winne.
When that he came to John of the Scalels,
Upp at the speere he looked then : 80
There sate three lords upon a rowe.
And John o' the Scales sate at the bords head,
And yohn 0^ the Scales sate at the bords head^
Because he was the Lord of Linne.
108
And then bespake the heire of Linne,
To John o' the Scales wiffe thus sayd hee :
Sayd, " Dame, wilt thou not trust me one shott
That I may sitt downe in this company ? "
" Now, Christs curse on my head," shee said.
If I doe trust thee one pennye." 90
Then bespake a good fellowe.
Which sate by John o' the Scales his knee,
Said, " have thou here, thou heire of Linne,
Forty pence I will lend thee, —
Some time a good fellow thou hast beene, —
And other forty if neede bee."
They druken wine that was soe cleere.
And every man they made merry ;
And then bespake him John o' the Scales,
Unto the Lord of Linne said hee: 100
Said, " how doest thou, heire of Linne,
Since I did buy thy lands of thee ?
I will sell it to thee twenty pounds better cheepe
Nor ever I did buy it of thee."
" I draw you to recorde, lordes all ; " —
With that he cast him Gods penny ;
Then he tooke to his baggs of bread.
And they were full of the gold soe redd.
He told him the gold then over the borde ;
It wanted never a broade pennye : no
*' That gold is thine, the land is mine,
And the heire of Linne againe I wilbee."
109
" Now welladay ! " said John o' the Scales wife,
" Welladay, and woe is me !
Yesterday I was the lady of Linne,
And now I am but John o' the Scales wiffe ! "
Saies " have thou heere, thou good fellow.
Forty pence thou did lend me.
Forty pence thou did lend me^
And forty pounds I will give thee, i20
He make thee keeper of my forrest.
Both of the wild deere and the tame."
But then bespake the heire of Linne,
These were the words, and thus said hee,
" Christs curse light upon my crowne
If ere my land stand in any jeopardye ! "
ffinis.
no
LORD OF LEARNE
It was the worthy Lord of Learen,
He was a lord of a hie degree ;
He had noe more children but one sonne,
He sett him to schoole to learne curtesie.
Learing did soe proceed with that child —
I tell you all in veretie —
He learned more upon one day
Then other children did on three :
And then bespake the schoolemaster,
Unto the Lord of Learne said hee, lo
" I thinke thou be some stranger borne,
For the Holy Gost remaines with thee."
He said, " I am noe stranger borne.
Forsooth, master, I tell it to thee.
It is a gift of Almighty God
Which he hath given unto mee."
The schoolemaster turnd him round about,
His angry mind he thought to asswage.
For the child cold answer him soe quicklie,
And was of soe tender yeere of agee. 20
The child, he caused a steed to be brought,
A golden bridle done him upon ;
He tooke his leave of his schoolfellows,
And home the child that he is gone.
Ill
And when he came before his father,
He ffell low downe upon his knee,
" My blessing, father, I wold aske.
If Christ wold grant you wold give it me."
" Now God thee blesse, my sonne and my heire.
His servant in heaven that thou may bee! 30
What tydings hast thou brought me, child?
Thou art comen home so soone to mee."
'' Good tydings, father, I have you brought,
Good tydings I hope it is to mee,
The booke is not in all Scottlande
But I can reade it before your eye."
A joyed man his father was.
Even the worthy Lord of Learne,
" Thou shalt goe into ffrance, my child.
To learne the speeches of all strange lands." 40
But then bespake the child his mother, —
The Lady of Learne and then was shee, —
Sales, " who must be his well good guide
When he goes into that strange country ? "
And then bespake that bonnie child
Untill his father tenderlie.
Sales, '' father, He have the hend steward.
For he hath beene true to you and mee."
The lady to concell the steward did take.
And counted downe a hundred pounds there, 50
Sales, " steward, be true to my sonne and my heire,
And I will give thee mickle mere."
1 12
" If I be not true to my master," he said,
" Christ himselfe be not trew to mee !
If I be not true to my lord and master.
An ill death that I may die ! "
The Lord of Learne did apparell his child
With bruche, and ringe, and many a thinge;
The apparrell he had his body uppon,
They say was worth a squiers livinge. 60
The parting of the younge Lord of Learne
With his ffather, his mother, his ffellows deere.
Wold have made a manis hart for to change,
If a Jew borne that he were.
The wind did serve, and they did sayle
Over the sea into ffrance land :
He used the child soe hardlie,
He wold let him have never a penny to spend,
And meate he wold let the child have none.
Nor mony to buy none trulie ; 70
The boy was hungry and thirsty both;
Alas ! it was the more pitty.
He laid him downe to drinke the water
That was soe low beneathe the brimn ;
He was wont to have drunke both ale and wine.
Then was faine of the water soe thinne ;
And as he was drinking of the water
That ran soe low beneath the brime,
Soe ready was the false steward
To drowne the bonny boy therin. 80
Q 113
" Have mercy on me, worthy steward !
My life," he said, " lend it to mee!
And all that I am heire upon "
SaieSj " I will give unto thee."
Mercy to him the steward did take.
And pulld the child out of the brime ;
Even, alacke ! the more pittye !
He tooke his clothes even from him ;
Saies, " doe thou me of that velvett gowne,
The crimson hose beneath thy knee, 90
And doe me of thy cordivant shoone
Are buckled with the gold soe free ;
" Doe thou me off thy sattin doublett,
Thy shirtband wrought with glistering gold,
And doe mee off thy golden chaine
About thy necke soe many a fold ;
" Doe thou me off thy velvett hat
With fether in thats is soe ffine.
All unto thy silken shirt
Thats wrought with many a golden swaine." 100
The child before him naked stood.
With skin as white as lilly flower;
For his worthy lords bewtie
He might have beene a ladyes paramoure.
He put upon him. a lether cote.
And breeches of the same beneath the knee,
And sent that bony child him froe,
Service for to crave, truly.
114
He pulld then forth a naked sword
That hange full low then by his side, no
" Turne thy name, thou villaine," he said,
"Or else this sword shall be thy guide."
" What must be my name, worthy steward?
I pray thee, now tell it me."
" Thy name shalbe pore Disaware,
To tend sheepe on a lonelye lee."
The bonny child, he went him froe.
And looked to himselfe truly,
Saw his apparrell soe simple uppon ;
O Lord! he weeped tenderlye. i20
Unto a shepards house that childe did goe.
And said, " Sir, God you save and see !
Doe you not want a servant boy
To tend your sheepe on a lonelie lee ? "
" Where was thou borne? " the shepard said,
" Where, my boy, or in what country? "
" Sir," he said, '^ I was borne in fay re Scottland
That is soe farr beyond the sea."
" I have noe child," the shepard sayd,
" My boy, thoust tarry and dwell with mee; 130
My livinge," he sayd, " and all my goods.
He make thee heire Rafter mee."
And then bespake the shepards wife.
To the Lord of Learne thus did she say,
" Goe thy way to our sheepe," she said,
'' And tend them well both night and day."
115
It was a sore office, O Lord, for him
That was a lord borne of a great degree !
As he was tenting his sheepe alone.
Neither sport nor play cold hee. 140
Let us leave talking of the Lord of Learne,
And let all such talking goe ;
Let us talke more of the falst steward
That caused the child all this woe.
He sold this Lord of Learnes his clothes
For five hundred pounds to his pay.
And bought himselfe a suite of apparrell
Might well beseeme a lord to weare.
When he that gorgeous apparrell bought
That did soe finelie his body uppon, 150
He laughed the bony child to scorne
That was the bonny Lord of Learne ;
He laughed that bonny boy to scorne;
Lord ! pitty it was to heare !
I have herd them say, and soe have you too,
That a man may buy gold to deere.
When that he had all that gorgeous apparrell
That did soe finelie his body upon.
He went a woing to the Dukes daughter of France,
And called himselfe the Lord of Learne. 1 60
The Duke of ffrance heard tell of this ;
To his place that worthy lord was come truly ;
He entertaind him with a quart of red Renish wine.
Sales, " Lord of Learne, thou art welcome to me!"
116
Then to supper that they were sett,
Lords and ladyes in their degree ;
The steward was sett next the Duke of France ;
An unseemlye sight it was to see.
Then bespake the Duke of ffrance,
Unto the Lord of Leearne said hee there, 170
Sayes, '' Lord of Learne, if thoule marry my daughter,
He mend thy Hving five hundred pounds a yeere."
Then bespake that lady fayre,
Answered her ffather soe alone,
That shee wold be his marry ed wifFe
If he wold make her Lady of Learne.
Then hand in hand the steward her he tooke.
And plight that lady his troth alone.
That she shold be his marryed wiffe.
And he wold make her the Ladie of Learne. 180
Thus that night it was gone.
The other day was come truly.
The lady wold see the robucke run
Up hills and dales and forrest free.
Then shee was ware of the younge Lord of Learne
Tending sheepe under a bryar, trulye ;
And thus shee called unto her maids.
And held her hands up thus an hie,
Sayes, '' feitch me yond shepards boy.
He know why he doth mourne, trulye." 190
When he came before that lady fayer.
He fell downe upon his knee,
117
He had beene so well brought upp
He needed not to learne curtesie.
" Where wast thou borne, thou bonny boy,
Where or in what countrye ? "
'* Madam, I was borne in faire Scottland
That is soe farr beyond the sea."
" What is thy name, thou bonny boy ?
I pray thee tell it unto mee." 200
" My name," he sayes, " is poore Disaware,
That tends sheepe on a lonely lee."
'* One thing thou must tell mee, bonny boy.
Which I must needs aske of thee :
" Dost not thou know the young Lord of Learne ?
He is comen a woing into France to me."
" Yes, that I doe, madam," he said ;
And then he wept most tenderlie ;
'' The Lord of Learne is a worthy lord.
If he were at home in his oune country." 210
" What ayles thee to weepe, my bonny boy ?
Tell me or ere I part thee froe."
*' Nothing but for a freind, madam,
Thats dead from me many a yeere agoe."
A loud laughter the ladie lought ;
O Lord ! shee smiled wonderous hie ;
" I have dwelled in France since I was borne ;
Such a shephards boy I did never see.
118
" Wilt thou not leave thy sheepe, my child,
And come unto service unto mee? 220
And I w^ill give thee meate and fee,
And my chamberlaine thou shalt bee."
" Then I will leave my sheepe, madam," he sayd,
'' And come into service unto thee;
If you will give me meate and fee,
Your chamberlaine that I may bee."
When the lady came before her father,
Shee fell low downe upon her knee,
" Grant me, father," the lady said,
'' This boy my chamberlaine to be." 230
" But O nay, nay," the duke did say,
" Soe, my daughter, it may not bee ;
The lord that is come a woing to you
Will be offended with you and mee."
Then came downe the false steward
Which called himselfe the Lord of Learne, trulie :
When he looked that bonny boy upon.
An angry man I-wis was hee.
^' Where thou was borne, thou vagabond?
Where? " he sayd, " and in what country? " 240
Says, '' I was borne in fayre Scotland
That is soe far beyond the sea."
" What is thy name, thou vagabond ?
Have done quicklie, and tell it to me."
" My name," he says, " is poore Disaware ;
I tend sheep on the lonelie lee."
119
" Thou art a theefe," the steward said,
" And soe in the end I will proove thee."
Then bespake the ladie fayre,
"Peace, Lord of Learne! I doe pray thee; 250
ffor if noe love you show this child,
Noe favor can you have of mee."
" Will you beleeve me, lady faire.
When the truth I doe tell yee ?
Att Aberdonie beyond the sea
His father he robbed a hundred pounds, three."
But then bespake the Duke of France
Unto the boy soe tenderlie,
Saies, " boy, if thou love harsses well,
My stable groome I will make thee." 260
And thus that that did passe uppon
Till the twelve monthes did draw to an ende ;
The boy applyed his office soe well,
Every man became his freind.
He went forth earlye one morning
To water a gelding at the water soe free;
The gelding up, and with his head
He hitt the child above his eye :
" Woe be to thee, thou gelding! " he sayd,
" And to the mare that foled thee! 270
Thou hast striken the Lord of Learne
A litle tinye above the knee.
120
" First night after I was borne, a lord I was ;
An earle after my father doth die;
My father is the worthy Lord of Learne ;
His child he hath noe more but mce ;
He sent me over the sea with the false steward.
And thus that he hath beguiled mee."
The lady was in her garden greene,
Walking with her mayds, trulye, 280
And hearde the boy this mourning make.
And went to weeping trulie :
" Sing on thy song, thou stable groome !
I pray thee doe not let for mee,
And as I am a true ladie
I wilbe trew unto thee."
" But nay, now nay, madam ! " he sayd,
" Soe that it may not bee,
I am tane sworne upon a booke,
And forsworne I will not bee." 290
" Sing on thy song to thy gelding
And thou doest not sing to mee ;
And as I am a true ladie
I will ever be true unto thee."
He sayd, " woe be to thy, gelding,
And to the mare that foled thee !
" For thou hast strucken the Lord of Learne
A litle above mine eye.
First night I was borne, a lord I was ;
An earle after my father doth dye; 300
R 121
" My father is the good Lord of Learne,
And child he hath noe other but mee.
My father sent me over with the false steward.
And thus that he hath beguiled mee.
" Woe be to thee, steward, lady," he sayd,
" Woe be to him verrily !
He hath beene above this twelve months day
For to deceive both thee and mee.
" If you doe not my councell keepe
That I have told you with good intent, 310
And if you doe it not well keepe,
ffarwell! my life is at an ende."
" I wilbe true to thee, Lord of Learne,
Or else Christ be not soe unto me ;
And as I am a trew ladye.
He never marry none but thee ! "
Shee sent in for her father, the Duke,
In all the speed that ere might bee ;
" Put of my wedding, father," shee said,
'' For the love of God, this monthes three : 320
"Sick I am," the ladye said,
"O sicke, and verry like to die!
Put of my wedding, father Duke,
ffor the love of God this monthes three."
The Duke of France put of this wedding
Of the steward and the lady, monthes three ;
For the ladie, sicke shee was,
Sicke, sicke, and like to die.
122
Shee wrote a letter with her owne hand
In all the speede that ever might bee; 330
Shee sente over into Scottland
That is soe ffarr beyond the sea.
When the messenger came beffbre the old Lord of Learne,
He kneeled low downe on his knee,
And he delivered the letter unto him
In all the speed that ever might bee.
First looke he looked the letter upon,
Lo ! he wept full bitterly.
The second looke he looked it upon.
Said, "False steward! woe be to thee!" 340
When the Ladye of Learne these tydings heard,
O Lord ! shee wept soe biterlye :
'' I told you of this, now good my lord,
When I sent my child into that wild country."
" Peace, Lady of Learne," the lord did say,
'' For Christ His love I doe pray thee ;
And as I am a Christian man,
Wroken upon him that I wilbe."
He wrote a letter with his owne hand
In all the speede that ere might bee; 350
He sent it into the lords in Scottland
That were borne of a great degree ;
He sent for lords, he sent for knights.
The best that were in the countrye,
To goe with him into the land of France,
To seeke his sonne in that strange; country.
123
The wind was good, and they did sayle,
Five hundred men into France land,
There to seeke that bonny boy
That was the worthy Lord of Learne. 360
They sought the country through and through,
Soe farr to the Dukes place of iFrance land ;
There they were ware of that bonny boy
Standing with a porters staffe in his hand.
Then the worshippfull, they did bowe,
The serving men fell on their knees,
They cast their hatts up into the ayre
For joy that boy that they had scene.
The Lord of Learne, then he light downe.
And kist his child both cheeke and chinne, 370
And said, "God blesse thee, my sonne and my heire.
The blisse of heaven that thou may wiine ! "
The false steward and the Duke of France
Were in a castle topp trulie :
"What fooles are yond," says the false steward,
"To the porter makes soe lowe curtesie?"
Then bespake the Duke of ffrance.
Calling my Lord oi Learne trulie.
He sayd, "I daubt the day be come
That either you or I must die." 380
They sett the castle round about,
A swallow cold not have flone away ;
And there they tooke the false steward
That the Lord of Learne did betray.
124
And when they had taken the false steward,
He fell lowe downe upon his knee,
And craved mercy of the Lord of Learne
For the villanous dedd he had done, trulye.
"Thou shalt have mercy," said the Lord of Learne,
"Thou vile traitor! I tell to thee; 390
As the lawes of the realme they will thee beare,
Wether it bee for thee to live or dye."
A quest of lords that there was chosen
To goe uppon his death, trulie :
There they judged the false steward.
Whether he was guiltie, and for to dye.
The forman of the jury, he came in ;
He spake his words full lowd and hiye :
Said, "Make thee ready, thou false steward.
For now thy death it drawes full nie!" 400
Said he, "If my death it doth draw nie,
God forgive me all I have done amisse !
Where is that lady I have loved soe longe.
Before my death to give me a kisse."
"Away, thou traitor!" the lady said,
"Avoyd out of my company!
For thy vild treason thou hast wrought.
Thou had need to cry to God for mercye."
First they tooke him and hangd him halfe.
And let him downe before he was dead, 410
And quartered him in quarters many,
And sodde him in a boyling lead ;
125
And then they tooke him out againe.
And cutten all his joynts in sunder,
And burnte him eke upon a hyll ;
I-wis they did him curstlye cumber.
A loud laughter the lady laught ;
O lord ! she smiled merrylie ;
She sayd, ''I may praise my heavenly King
That ever I seene this vile traytor die." 420
Then bespake the Duke of France,
Unto the right Lord of Learne sayd he there,
Says, '' Lord of Learne, if thou wilt marry my daughter
He mend thy living five hundred a yeere."
But then bespake that bonie boy.
And answ^ered the Duke quicklie,
" I had rather marry your daughter w^ith a ring of gold,
Then all the gold that ere I blinket on w^ith mine
eye.
But then bespake the old Lord of Learne,
To the Duke of France thus he did say, 430
" Seeing our children do soe well agree.
They shalbe marry ed ere wee goe away."
They Lady of Learne, shee was for sent
Throughout Scottland soe speedilie.
To see these two children sett upp
In their seats of gold full royallye.
ffinis.
126
SCOTISH FFEILDE
Grant, gracious God : grant me this time
That I may say or I cease : thy selven to please,
And Mary His mother : that masked all this world,
And all the seemlie saints : that sitten in heaven.
I will carpe of kings : that conquered full wide.
That dwelled in this land : that was alyes noble ;
Henery the Seaventh : that soveraigne lord.
How he moved in at Milford : with men but a few.
There were lite lords in this land : that to that lord
longed,
But of Derby that deare Earle : that doughty hath beene
ever, i o
And the Lord Chamberlaine : that was his cheefe brother.
Savage, his sisters sonne : a sege that was able.
And Gylbert the gentle : with a joUye meanye.
All Lancashire, these ladds : they ledden att their will.
And Cheshyre hath them chosen : for their cheefe
captaine ;
Much worshipp have they woone in warre : their was
of their names
In France and in few lands : soe fayre them behappen
Sith Brute heere abode : and first built up houses.
Sir James Blunt, that bold knight : he bowed to their
hands ;
Soe did Sir Edward Poynings : that proved was of
deeds; 20
Sir John Biron was never afrayd : for no burne living,
A more manfull man : was not of this mold maked :
Thus with a royal 1 re tine we : raked they forwarde,
127
On this side Bosworth in a bancke : they bred forth
their standards
With a dragon full dearfe : that adread was therafter,
Rayled full of red roses : and riches enowe.
There he bickered with a bore : that doughtie was called,
Richard that rich lord : in his bright armour,
He held himselfe no coward : for he was a king noble,
He fought full freshlie : his formen amonge 30
Till all his bright armour : was all bloudye beronen.
Then was he dungen to death : with many derfe strokes.
Cast him on a capull : and carryed him to Liester,
And naked into Newarke : I will mine him noe more,
But let droughten deale with all : as him deare liketh.
Then said Richmond this realme : with all the royall
cuntrye,
And raigine with royaltie : and riches enoughe
Full twenty-four yeeres : in this fayre land.
He made French men afeard : of his fell deedes ;
They paid him tribute trulie : many told thousands, 40
That they might live in their land : and him their
lord calL
But death at him drove that die must he needs ;
Thus went he forth of this world : this worship^//
wight
To the celestiall blisse : with saints enowe.
I will meddle with this matter : noe more att this time,
But he that is makeles of mercy : have mind of his
soule !
Then succeeded his sonne : a soverainge most noble.
That proved was a prince : most peerlesse of other,
That was Henery the Eighth : our most dread lord.
When his father, that feirce freake : had finished
his dayes, 50
He made Frenchmen afeard : and faire him besought
That he wold take their tribute : and traine them noe
further,
128
But he nickeed them with nay : and none of it wold,
For he wold see under their seigniory : some of theire
fay re townes.
Thus he greathes him godly : with a grat host,
Full fifteen thousand : that feirce was in armes.
For to fare into fFrance : att their free will.
Then left hee in this land : a leede that was noble,
Of Surrey that sure Earle : the saddest of all other.
As Lord and Lieuetenant : to looke this land over, 60
If any alyant in his absence : durst adventure him selven
To visitt or invade : our most valiant realme.
Then he dressed him to Dover : our most dread King,
With many lords of this land : our Lord give them joy !
Of Bucckingham, Duke bold : he was a btirne noble.
And of Darby the deere Earle : he hath beene doughtie
ever.
And Shrewsbury, that sure Earle : the saddest of all other.
As a warriour full wise : he wends with the vaward ;
The noble Earle of Northumberlande : with others full
many.
They wende att their will : and wrought as them
Hiked. 70
Thus they glenten to Callice : with great shipps of warre.
And many a sellcoth saylor : where seene on their masts.
When they to Callice comen : all this seemly meany,
Our knight full ^courage : carpeth these words,
Calleth to his councell : to witt their wills
On what wise was best : his warre to begine.
Some sett him to a cittye : that was sure walled.
And told him of Turwine ; a towne that was noble
And oft had beene assayd : with Emperour and other.
Yet wold it never be woone in warr : for noe way on
live; 80
There was noe wight in this world : that win it nay
might.
It was soe deepe delven : with diches about.
s 129
Then our king full of courage : carped these words,
Saves, ''I will seege it about : within this seven dayes,
Or win it or I hence win : with the leave of our Lord,
Or leave here my liffe : Lord, I you sett."
Thus he promised to the prince : that paradice weldeth.
There were carryages with carts : and many keene
weapons.
Then they waward fFull valiantlie : advanced them selven ;
With trumpetts and tabretts : forward they wenten ; 90
Beside the towne of Turwin : our tents downe we tilden,
And seeged it surlye : on all sides about.
Many a gaping gunn : was gurde to the walls,
Where there fell of the first shott : manie a fell ffboder.
That stones that were new sturrd : for stoutley they
shotten.
Now leave wee our King : lying att this seege,
And carpe of the French King : care him be-happen.
When he heard how unkindly : his townes they were
halched.
He hyed him to Paris : for things that might happen ;
There called he his councell : for to know their
minds, 100
Or what wise was best to work : his warrs to begin.
He durst not venter with our King : he was soe keene
holden.
For all the gloring gold : under the God of heaven.
Then his councell full keenlye : carped on this wise,
Says, "Make forth a messenge : to the mightye King of
Scotts,
And profer him a present : all of pure gold,
And bid him enter into England : and venter him selven ;
He may win it in warre : and weld it as him liketh ;
There is noe leeds in that land : save millers and masse
preists.
All were faren into France : that fayre were in armes. no
Then the King called a earle : that wold a lord noble,
130
Sir Delamonte, that deere duke : that was doughtye ever ;
He bad buske him and bowne him : to goe on his
message ;
He wold as wise of his words : as any way else.
Then that knight full courteouslye : kneeled to the
ground,
Saies, "I am bound to goe : as ye me bidd wold;"
And tooke his leave of the King : and a letter he taketh,
Shoggs into a sure shipp : and shoggs ore the water
Into Scottland, I you to hett : and there the King findeth,
And profered him a present : of pounds many a
thousand, I20
For to wend to that warr : and worke as him liketh.
And enter into England : and weld it for ever ;
There is noe lord in that land : to looke him against.
All were fareninto France : that feirce were in armes.
The King was glad of that gold : that he gan brought,
And promised him full peertly : his part for to take,
That his cozen the French King : soone shold it know.
Then summons he his soeged : in sundry places,
That they byde shold at Blakator : in ther best weeds.
By the eighth day of August to know their Kings
mind. 130
There came at his commandement : ketherinckes full
many,
From Orkney that He : there came a great host.
From Galloway a gay lord : with a great menie.
All Scottland thither came : to know their kings mind :
Many Scotts and ketherickes : bowed to his hand ;
Such an host of that nation : was never scene before ;
Their names were numbred : to nine score thousand
Truly by their owne tounge : as it was told after.
Then they light att a lott : the King and his lords.
That the mighty Lord Maxwell : should move them
before 140
With ten thousand by tale : that were tryed of the best,
131
To see wether any seege : durst sett him against.
Thus he rested in that realme : the riggs altogether,
Till they hard of that battell : how it with him hapened.
Then he bowneth him boldlye : over the broad waters,
And manlye him marcheth : to the Mill feelde ;
He robbeth like a rebell : the right him against ;
But all light on his leeds : att the latter ends,
For killed they were like caytives : as you shall here
after.
When the Commons of the country : of this comen
wisten, 150
Then fled they for feare : soe crulye tliey fareden.
And made aw^ with messengers : to tell my Lord Dacres
What mischeefe the fomen made : in the march ends ;
" But he V^^peth him in Carleile : and keire wold no
further,
He wold not meddle whithose men : for noe mans will."
Then a knight of that countrie : that was knowne fiill
wide,
One Sir William Bawbener : that hath beene bold ever,
He moveth towards these menie : with men but a few.
Not fully five hundred : that the freake followed ;
Then 7nett he with a man that had four hundred; 160
That was bold bastard Hearne : that bastard was
never.
A warriour full wise : and wittye of deedes.
When they were summoned and scene : these seeges
together.
They were numbered nine hundred : that was the highest
number.
And they were ten thousand by tale : upon the other
partye ;
ffull unmeete be them mached : Marry them speede !
Thus they fared over the feild : their formen to seeke ;
Never rest wold these rangers : but alwaies raked forward
Till they had scene that seege : that they sought after.
132
All these scaclech Scotts : that alwayes scath diden. 170
Then niiged they nighe : that abyde must they
needs ;
Every ranke to his rest : rudlie him dressed
Not the mountenance of a mile : from theire most
enemyes.
Soone after drayned the day : and the dew falleth,
The sun shott up full soone : and shone over the feilds,
Birds bradd to the bowes : and boldly they songen :
Itt was a solace to see : for any seege livinge.
Then every bearne full boldlye : bowneth him to his
weapons,
Full radlye in array : royally them dressed.
Our English men full merrilye : attilde them to
shoote, 180
And shotten the cruell Scots : with their keene
arrowes ;
Many horsse in that heape : hurled downe his master ;
Then they fettled them to flye : as false beene they ever.
That serveth not forsoothe : who soe truly telleth,
Our English men full eagerlie : fast followed after,
And tooke prisoners prest : and home againe wenten.
There were killed of the Scotts : more then twelve score,
And as many more prisoners : were put to ther ransome :
Thus were they beaten att the first brayd : all that
brawling people.
And likwise in the latter end : as yee may here
after. 190
Second ffitt
Then the mightie Lord Maxewell ; over the mountaines
flees,
And kered to his King : with careful tydings,
Telleth him the truth : and tarryeth noe longer,
Sayth, "I am beaten backe : for all my bigg meny,
133
And there beene killed of the Scotts : I know not how
many."
Then the Scottish King : full nie his witt wanteth,
And sayd, ''On who was thou mached : man, by the
sooth?"
He promised him pertlye : they passed not one thousand.
" Yee beene cravens," quoth the King : "care mote yee
happen !
But He wend you to worke : wayes I you sett 200
Alonge within that land : the length of three
weekes.
And destroy all arright : that standeth me before : "
Thus he promised to the prince : that paradice weldeth.
Then hee summond his seeges : and sett them in order;
The next way to Noram ; anon then he taketh ;
He enclosed that castle : cleane round about.
And they deffended fast : the folke that were within.
Without succour come soone : their sorrow is the more !
The Earle of Surrey himselfe : att Pomferett
abideth ;
He heard what unhappiness : these scarlotts didden ; 210
He made letters boldly : all the land over.
Into Lancashire belive : he caused a man ryde
To the Bishoppe of Ely : that bode in those parts,
Curteouslye commanded him : in the Kings name
To summon the shire : and sett them in order ;
He was put in more power : then any prelate else.
Then the Bishopp boldlye : bowneth forth his standards
With a captaine full keene : as it was knowne after ;
He made away to wend : to warne his deare brother
Edward, that egar knight : that epe was of deeds. 220
A stalke of the Stanleys : stepe upp him selven.
Then full readilye he rayseth : knights ten thousand ;
To Scikpton in Craven : then they comen belive.
There abydeth he the banner : of his deare brother.
Till a captaine with it came : that knowne was full wide,
134
Sir John Stanley, that stout knight : that sterne was of
deeds,
With four thousand feirce men : that followed him after.
They were tenants to the booke : that tended the
Bishoppe,
And of his houshold, I you hett : hope you none
other.
Every bearne had on his Brest : brodered full fayre 230
A foote of the fayrest fowle : that ever flew on winge.
With three crownes full cleare : all of pure gold.
It was a seemly sight : to see them together,
Fourteen thousand eagle foote : fettered in aray.
Thus they cooasten thorrow the countrye : to the New-
castle.
Proclamation in that place : was plainly declared,
That every hattell shold him hie : in hast that hee might,
To Boulton in Glendower : all in goodlie haste.
There mett they a muster : then, many a thousand,
With knights that were keene : well knowne in
their contry, 240
And many a lovelye lord : upon that londe hight.
Then they moved towards the mountaine : these meany
to seeche.
These scattered Scotts : that all they scath didden ;
They wold never rest : but alway raked forward
Till they had scene the seeges : that they had sought
after.
But they had gotten them a ground : most ungracious
of other.
Upon the topp of a hie hill ; I hett you forsoothe.
There was noe way in this world : might wend them
againe
But he shold be killed i?i the close : ere he climbed the
mountaine.
When they lords had on them looked : as long as
them liked ^ 250
135
Every captaine was commanded : their company to
order.
"Tho wee are bashed with this bigg meany : I blame
us but litle,"
Then wee tild downe ouer tents : that told were a
thousand ;
At the fFoot of a fine hill : they setteled them all night.
There they lyen and lodged : the length of four daies,
Till every captaine full keenlie : callen to their lords,
Bidd them settle them to fight : or they wold fare
homeward.
There company was clemmed : and much cold did
suffer ;
Water was a worthy drinke : win it who might.
Then the Lord Leiuetenant : looked him about, 260
And boldly unto battell : busked he his meanye.
The Lord Howard, the hende knight : have shold the
vanwarde
With fourteen thousand feirce men : that followed him
after.
The left winge to that ward : was Sir Eward Howarde,
He chose to him Cheshire : theire chance was the
worse ;
Because they knew not theire captaine : theire care was
the more,
For they were wont att all warr : to wayte uppon the
Stanleys ;
Much worshipp they woone : when they that way
served,
But now lanke is their losse : our Lord itt amend !
The right wings, as I weene : was my Lord
Lumley, 270
A captaine full keene : with Sir Cutberds banner;
My Lord CHftord with him came : all in cleare armour ;
Soe did Sir William Percy : that proved was of deeds.
And Sir William Bawmer : that bold hath beene ever,
136
With many captaines full keene : whosoe knowes their
names.
And if I recon the rerward : I rest must to longe,
But I shall tell you the best tokens : that thereuppon
tended ;
The Earle of Surrey himselfe : surelye it guided ;
And the Lord Scroope full comlye : with knights full
many,
He wold witt the wing, : that to that ward longed ; 280
It was a Bishoppe full bold : that borne was att
Latham,
Of Ely that elke lord : that eke was of deeds,
And nere of blood to that earle : that named was
Stanley,
Neere of nature to the Nevills : that noble have beene
ever.
But now Death with his dart : hath driven him away.
It is a losse to this land : our Lord have his sonse ;
ffor his witt and his wisdome : and his wate deeds.
He was a pillar of peace : the people amonge.
His servants they may sighe : and sorrow for his sake ;
What for pitty and for paine : my pen doth me
fayle; 290
He meddle with this matter : noe more att this time^
But he that is maklesse of mercy : have mind on his
soule !
Then he sent with his company : a knight that was
noble.
Sir John Stanley, the stout knight : that sterne was of
deeds ;
There was never bearne borne : that day bare him better.
The left wing to the rereward : was my Lord Mounteagle,
With many leeds of Lancashire : that to himselfe longed,
Which foughten full freshly : while the feild lasted.
Thus the rere ward in array : raked ever after.
As long as the light day : lasted one the lands. 300
T 137
Then the sun full soone : shott under the clouds,
And it darkened full dimlie : and drew towards night.
Every ring to his rest : full radlye he dressed,
Beeten fires full fast : and fettlen them to sowpe
Besides Barwicke on a banke : within a broad woode.
Then dauned the daye : soe deere God ordayned ;
Clowdes cast up full cleerlye : like castles full hie ;
Then Phebus full faire : flourished out his beames
With leames full light : all the land over.
All was damped with dew : the daysies about, 310
Flowers flourished in the feild : faire to behold ;
Birrds bradden to the boughes : and boldlye they
songen ;
It was solace to heare : for any seege living.
Then full boldlye on the broad hills : we busked our
standards.
And on a faugh us beside : there we scene our enemyes
Were moving over the mountaines : to macth us they
thoughten.
As boldly as any bearnes : that borne was of mothers,
Soe eagerly with ire : attilld them to meete.
They trunmpetts full truly ; they tryden together,
Many shames in that showe : with theire shrill
pipes; 320
Heavenly was theire melody : theire mirth to heare.
How they songen with a showte : all the shawes over!
There was gurding forth of gunns : with many great
stones ;
Archers uttered out their arrowes : and egerlie they
shotte?! \
They proched us with speares : and put many over.
That they blood out brast : at there broken harnish.
Theire was swinging out of swords : and swapping of
headds ;
We blanked them with bills : through all their bright
armor,
138
That all the dale dunned : of their derfe strokes.
Then betid a checke : that the shire men fledden ; 330
In wing with those wayes : was with my Lord
Dacres,
He ffledd att the first bredd : and they followed after ;
When theire captain was keered away : there comfort
was gone ;
They were wont in all warrs : to wayt on the Stanlyes,
They never fayled at noe forward : that time that they
were ;
Now lost in their loofe : our Lord it amende !
Many squires full swiftly : were snapped to the death,
Sir John Boothe of Barton : was brought from his
liffe;
A more bolder bearne : was never borne of woman ;
And of Yorkshire a yonge knight : that epe was
of deedes, 34.0
Sir William Werkoppe, as I weene : was the wyes
name;
Of the same shire Figh William ; that was soe feirce
holden,
Besides Rotheram that knighte : his resting place hadd.
The Barne of Kinderton full keenly : was killed them
beside ;
Soe was Hauforde, I you hett : that was a hend sweere,
ffull-show full fell : was fallen to the ground ;
Christopher Savage was downe cast : that kere might he
never ;
And of Lancashire, John Laurence : God have mercy
on their soules !
These frekes wold never flee : for noe feare that cold
happen.
But were killed Hk conquerors : in their Kings
service. 350
When the Scotts and the Ketherickes : scene our
men scatter.
139
They had great yoy of their joyinge : and jolly came
downwarde.
The Scotts King keenlie : calleth to him a herrott,
Biddeth tell him the truth : and tarry noe longer,
Who where the banners of the bearnes : that bode in
the valley.
" They are standards of the Stanleys : that stands by
them selven ;
If he be faren into France : the Frenchmen to feare,
Yett is his standard in that stead : with a stiffe captaine,
Sir Henery Keeglye is called : that keene is of deeds.
Sir Thomas Gerrard, that jolly knight : is joyned
there under 360
With Sir William Molynex : with a manfull meany.
These frekes will never flee : for feare that might happen,
But they will strike with their standards : in their Steele
weeds,
Because they busked them att Barwicke : that holds
them the more.
Loe how he batters and beates : the bird with her wings.
We are feard of yonder fowle : soe feircly he fareth ;
And yonder streamer full straight : that standeth him
beside,
Yonder is the standard of Saint Towder : trow yee noe
other.
That never beaten was in battell : for bearne uppon live.
The third standard in that steade : is my Lord
Mounteagle, 370
And of Yorkshire ffiill epe : my yonge Lord Dacerrs,
With much puissance and power : of that pure shire."
Then the Scottish King : carped these words,
" I will fight with yonder frekes : that are soe feirce
holden ;
And I beate those bearnes : the battle is ours."
Then they moved towards the mountaine : and madly
came downwards ;
140
Wee mett him in the midway : and mached him full
even.
Then was there dealing of dints : that all the dales rangen;
Many helmes with heads : were hewd all to peeces.
This layke lasted on the land : the length of four
houres. 380
Yorkshire like yearne men : eagcrlye they foughten ;
Soe did Darbyshire that day : deered many Scotts ;
Lancashire like lyons : laid them about ;
All had beene lost, by our Lord : had not those leeds
beene ;
But the race of the Scotts : increased full sore ;
But their King was dowiie knocked : and killed in there
sight
Under the banner of a bishoppe : that was the bold
Standlye.
Then they fettled them to flye : as fast as they might ;
But it serveth not forsooth : who-soe truth telleth ;
Our Englishman ffull egerlye : after them followed, 390
And killed them like caitives : in clowes all about.
There were killed of the Scotts : that told were by tale,
That were found in the feild : fifteene thousand.
Loe what it is to be false : and the ffeende serve!
They have broken a bookothe : to their blithe Kinge,
And the truce that was taken : the space of two yeeres.
All the Scotts that were scaped : were scattered all
assunder ;
They removed over the more : upon the other morning.
And their stoode like stakes : and stirr durst noe further.
For all the lords of their lande : were left them
behind. 400
Besids Brinston in a bryke : breathelesse they lyen ;
Gaping against the moone : theire guests were away.
Then the Earle of Surrey himselfe : calleth to him a
herott,
Reade him farr into ffrance : with these fayre tydants ;
141
'' Comende me to our Kinge : these comfortable words;
Tell him I have restored his realme : soe right required;
The King of Scotts is killed : with all his cursed lords."
When the King of his kindnesse : hard these words.
He saith, " I will sing him a sowle knell : with the
sound of my gunnes."
Such awise, to my name : was never hard before, 410
For there was shott att a shoote : a thousand att once.
That all rang with the rout : rocher and other.
Now is this ferle feild : foughten to an ende !
Many a wye wanted his horsse : and wandred home a
ifoote ;
All was long of the Marx men : a mischeefe them
happen !
He was a gentleman, by Jesu : that this jest made,
Which say but as he sayd : forsooth, and noe other.
Att Bagily that bearne ; his bidding place had.
And his ancetors of old time : have yearded their
longe.
Before William Conquerour : this cuntry did inhabitt. 420
Jesus bring us to blisse : that brought us forth of bale.
That hath hearkned me heare : or heard my tale !
ffinis.
142
OLD ROBIN OF PORTINGALE
God ! let never soe old a man
Marry soe yonge a wiffe
As did old Robin of Portingale!
He may rue all the dayes of his lifFe.
iFor the Maiors daughter of Lin, God wott.
He chose her to his wife,
And thought to have lived in quiettnesse
With her all the dayes of his liiFe.
They had not in their wed bed laid,
Scarcly were both on sleepe, lo
But upp shee rose, and forth shee goes
To Sir Gyles, and fast can weepe,
Saies, " sleepe you, wake you, faire Sir Gyles,
Or be not you within ? "
" But I am waking, sweete," he said,
" Lady, what is your will? "
^' I have unbethought me of a wile,
How my wed lord we shall spill.
*' Twenty-four knights," she sayes,
" That dwells about this towne, 20
Eene twenty-four of my next cozens.
Will helpe to dinge him downe."
With that beheard his litle foote page.
As he was watering his masters steed,
Soe s
His verry heart did bleed ;
H3
He mourned, sist, and wept full sore ;
I sweare by the holy roode,
The teares he for his master wept
Were blend water and bloude. 30
With that beheard his deare master
As in his garden sate,
Sayes, '^ ever alacke my litle page !
What causes thee to weepe?
" Hath any one done to thee wronge,
Any of thy fellowes here.
Or is any of thy good friends dead
Which makes thee shed such teares?
" Or if it be my head bookes man,
Greived againe he shalbe, 40
Nor noe man within my howse
Shall doe wrong unto thee."
'' But it is not your head bookes man,
Nor none of his degree.
But or to morrow, ere it be noone,
You are deemed to die ;
^' And of that thanke your head steward,
And after your gay ladie."
" If it be true, my litle foote page.
He make thee heyre of all my land." 50
" If it be not true, my deare master,
God let me never dye."
'' If it be not true, thou litle foot page,
A dead corse shalt thou be."
144.
He called downe his head kookes man,
Cooke in kitchen super to dresse :
" All and anon, my deare master,
Anon att your request."
^* And call you downe my faire lady,
This night to supp with mee." 60
And downe then came that fayre lady.
Was cladd all in purple and palle,
The rings that were upon her fingers
Cast light thorrow the hall.
'' What is your will, my owne wed lord,
What is your will with mee ? "
" I am sicke, fayre lady.
Sore sicke, and like to dye."
" But and you be sicke, my owne wed lord,
Soe sore it greiveth mee, 70
But my five maydens and my selfe
Will goe and make your bedd,
" And at the wakening of your first sleepe.
You shall have a hott drinke made,
And at the wakening of your first sleepe
Your sorrowes will have a slake."
He put a silke cote on his backe.
Was thirteen inches folde.
And put a Steele cap upon his head,
Was gilded with good red gold ; 80
And he layd a bright browne sword by his side.
And another att his ffeete,
And full well knew old Robin then
Whether he shold wake or sleepe.
u 145
And about the middle time of the night
Came twenty-four good knights in,
Sir Gyles he was the formost man,
Soe well he knew that ginne.
Old Robin with a bright browne sword
Sir Gyles head he did winne, 90
Soe did he all those twenty-four.
Never a one went quicke out agen \
None but one litle foot page
Crept forth at a window of stone,
And he had two armes when he came in.
And when he went out he had none,
Upp then came that ladie bright
With torches burning light ;
Shee thought to have brought Sir Gyles a drinke,
But shee found her owne wedd knight, 100
And the first thinge that this ladye stumbled upon.
Was of Sir Gyles his ffoote,
Sayes, " ever alacke, and woe is me,
Heere lyes my sweete hart roote ! "
And the second thing that this ladie stumbled on.
Was of Sir Gyles his head,
Sayes, '' ever alacke, and woe is me,
Heere lyes my true love deade ! "
Hee cutt the papps beside her brest.
And bad her wish her will, no
And he cutt the eares beside her heade.
And bade her wish on still.
146
" Mickle is the mans blood I have spent
To doe thee and me some good,"
Sayes, " ever alacke, my fayre lady,
I thinke that I was woode ! "
He calld then up his litle foote page,
And made him heyre of all his land,
And he shope the crosse in his right sholder
Of the white flesh and the redd 120
And he sent him into the Holy Land
Wheras Christ was quicke and dead."
ffinis.
H7
AS IT BEFELL ONE SATURDAY
As it befell one Saturday att noone
As I went up Scottland gate,
I herd one to another say,
'^ John a Bagilie hath lost his mate."
Att Eaton watter I washe my hands —
For tickling teares I cold scarce see —
I lifted up my lillywhite hands,
" O Kattye Whitworth, God be with thee!
" There is none but you and I, sweet hart,
Noe lookers on we can allowe; lo
Your lippes, they be soe sugered sweete,
I must doe more then kisse you now!
" ffarwell, my love, my leave I take !
Though against my will, it must be soe : —
Noe marveill all this mone I make.
Whom I love best I must for-goe ! "
" If that thou wilt Scottland forsake,
And come into fayre England with mee.
Both kith and kinn I will for-sake.
Bonny sweete wench, to goe with thee." 20
There was two men, they loved a lasse.
The one of them he was a Scott,
The other was an Englishman,
The name of him I have quite forgott.
As I went up Kelsall wood.
And up that banke that was soe staire,
I looked over my left sholder
Where I was wont to see my deere.
148
" There is sixteene in thy fathers house,
Fifteene of them against me bee, 30
Not one of them to take my part,
But only thou, pretty Katye."
The yonge man walked home againe
As time of night therto moves ;
The fayre maid calld him backe againe,
And gave to him a sweet payre of gloves :
" Thy father hath silver and gold enoughe.
Silver and gold to maintaine thee.
But as ffor that, I doe not care,
Soe that thou wilt my true love be." 40
When I was younge and in my youth,
Then cold I have lovers two or three;
Now I am old and count the howers.
And faine wold doe, but it will not bee.
^' Upon your lipps my leave I take,
Desiring you to be my freind.
And grant me love for love againe;
For why, my life is att an end."
" My mother, Kate, hath sent for mee,
And needly her I must obay ! 50
I way not of thy constancy
When I am fled and gone away."
" I weepe, I waile, I wring my hands,
I sobb, I sigh, I make heavy cheere !
Noe marveill all this moane I make.
For why, alas, I have lost my deere ! "
ffinis.
149
GLASGERION
Glasgerion was a Kings owne sonne,
And a harper he was good,
He harped in the Kings chamber
Where cappe and candle yoode,
And soe did hee in the Queens chamber
Till ladies waxed wood ;
And then bespake the Kings daughter,
And these words thus sayd shee,
Saide, " Strike on, strike on, Glasgerrion,
Of thy striking doe not blinne, lo
Theres never a stroke comes over this harpe
But it glads my hart within."
" Faire might you fall. Lady ! " quoth hee,
"Who taught you now to speake?
I have loved you. Lady, seven yeere;
My hart I durst neere breake."
" But come to my bower, my Glasgerryon,
When all men are att rest;
As I am a ladie true of my promise.
Thou shalt bee a welcome guest." 20
But whomi then came Glasgerryon,
A glad man, Lord, was hee,
"And come thou hither, Jacke, my boy.
Come hither unto mee,
" For the Kings daughter of Normandy e,
Her love is granted mee,
And att her chamber must I bee
Beffore the cocke have crowen."
150
" But come you hither, master," quoth hee,
" Lay your head downe on this stone, 30
For I will waken you, master deere.
Afore it be time to gone."
But upp then rose that lither ladd.
And did on hose and shoone,
A coller he cast upon his necke,
Hee seemed a gentleman.
And when he came to that ladies chamber.
He thrild upon a pinn ;
The lady was true of her promise.
Rose up and lett him in. 40
He did not take the lady gay
To boulster nor noe bedd,
But downe upon her chamber flore
Full soone he hath her layd.
He did not kisse that lady gay
When he came, nor when he youd ;
And sore mistrusted that lady gay
He was of some churles blood.
But home then came that lither ladd.
And did of his hose and shoone, 50
And cast that coller from about his necke, —
He was but a churles sonne : —
^'Awaken," quoth hee, "my master deere,
" I hold it time to be gone,
** For I have sadled your horsse, master.
Well bridled I have your steed ;
Have not I served a good breakfast.
When time comes I have need."
151
But up then rose good Glasgerryon,
And did on both hose and shoone, 60
And cast a coller about his necke,
He was a Kinges sonne.
And when he came to that ladies chamber
He thrild upon a pinn ;
The lady was more then true of promise,
Rose up and let him in :
Saies, " Whether have you left with me
Your braclett or your glove,
Or you are returned backe againe
To know more of my love ? " 70
Glasgerryon swore a full great othe
By oake and ashe and thorne,
" Lady ! I was never in your chamber
Sith the time that I was borne."
" O then it was your litle foote page
Falsly hath beguiled me : "
And then shee pulld forth a litle pen-kniffe
That hanged by her knee.
Says, " there shall never noe churles blood
Spring within my body." 80
But home then went Glasgerryon,
A woe man good was hee,
Sayes, ^' come hither thou, Jacke, my boy !
Come thou hither to me !
" ffor if I had killed a man to-night,
Jacke, I wold tell it thee :
But if I have not killed a man to-night,
Jacke, thou hast killed three ! "
152
And he puld out his bright Browne sword.
And dryed it on his sleeve, go
And he smote off that Hther ladds head,
And asked noe man noe leave.
He sett the swords poynt till his brest,
The pumill till a stone :
Thorrow that falsenese of that lither ladd
These three lives werne all gone ! "
fBnis.
153
CAME YOU NOT FFROM
Came you not from Newcastle ?
Came yee not there away ?
Met yee not my true love
Ryding on a bony bay ?
Why shold not I love my love?
Why shold not my love love me ?
Why shold not I love my love,
Gallant hound Sedelee ?
And I have land att Newcastle
Will buy both hose and shoone,
And I have land att Durham
Will feitch my hart to boone ;
And why shold not I love my love ?
Why shold not my love love me ?
Why shold not I love my love,
Gallant hound Sedelee ?
lO
ffinis.
154
I HAVE A LOVE THATS FAIRE
I have a love thats faire,
Soe constant, firme, and kinde!
Shee is without compare,
Whose favor doth me blind !
Shee is the flower of maids that hath beene, is, or can bee !
When beautyes garlands made, it shalbe borne by Nancye.
Her golden haire with a face soe fayre,
Her cheekes like snow where roses grow;
Pretty Nancy lipps with a breath soe sweete,
A pretty chin with a dimple in, lo
Hath woone my hart even for her part;
Pretty Nancy, my mistress of true constancy !
If Venus will consent my vow to grace my bed,
I will not wronge my freinde by noe entisment led.
Nor the fairest dame on earth shall gaine me favor from.
If thou wilt but consent to be my true love, Nanny !
For shee may command both hart and hand,
And my body too to ryde or goe.
Both night and day, if shee will but say
" Good servant, do this ffbr mee/' 20
If I deny, then let me try
What it is to wronge soe fayre a one ;
Denyall dew He never vew!
Pretty Nancy, I have beene thine and wilbee !
To seall this bargaine up, receive my hart in pawne ;
I am that onlye man, constant love hath made me one ;
Then doe not thou disdaine my true love for to bee !
Grant love for love againe, my pretty sweet-hart Nany !
Since the heavens above record of love.
Let us agree most willinglie 30
15s
That the world may know it was only thou.
Pretty Nany, my mistress of true constancy !
And with a kisse He scale thee this.
To thee adew! pretty, be trew
From him whose hart shall never part !
Pretty Nancy, I have beene thine and wilbee
ffinis.
156
EARLES OFF CHESTER
When Saxons Harold, Godwins sonne,
Who had beene King without all right,
Att Hastings feelde to death was done,
And all his army put to flight.
To William, who had woone the feilde.
The English peeres the crowne did yeeld ;
By Herlott bastard sonne was hee
To Robert, Duke of Normandye.
He, once established in his seate.
Amongst his men devides his lande, lo
And now his power is growne soe great
The English cold not him withstand ;
He entring as a conquerour,
Lives, lands, and goods, were in his power;
To his owne use he ceased the best,
Amongst his soliders parts the rest.
His sisters sonne, Hugh Lupus called, Hugh Lupus
XT' *■ f 1
Whome then the rest hee held more deere,
The Earle of Chester was installde
With many rites that royall were, 20
Cheerfully by sword to hold the same
As hee by crowne did hold the realme;
Who made eighth barons of his owne.
The names of whom full well are knowne :
Negell of Halton was the first, Halton the
Whose heyres did beare the Lacyees name ; ^^^^^ Baron
They Earles of Lincolne have beene erst,
In Ireland likwise of great fame.
157
Thomas the Earle of Lancaster
Had AlHce to wiffe, who was their heyre; 30
He, ishulese, did loose his head,
And shee did never after wedde.
But to his brother Henery shee
Assured her lands ; since when they were
By carles and dukes undoubtedlye
Held by the house of Lancaster,
Till Bullenbrooke attaind the crowne
By putting second Richard downe.
Since when the castle and the fee
Are in the crowne continually e. 40
Harding, Robert Fitz Norman next was made
Second Of Mountrealt Baron ; in whose heyres
That barronry succession had
Two hundred and twenty-six yeeres.
The last, who was a worthy knight,
To Isabell gave all his right;
The second Edwards wiffe was shee;
Tho there did end that barronry.
Yet all or most of Mountrealts lands
And signioryes that were soe fayre, 50
To Stanly the Earle of Darbys hands
In latter times convayde weere,
Not only Harding, Hope, and Moulde,
But alsoe many a goodlye hold
Which, in reward of service good.
Were bestowed on Stanlyes blood.
Nantwich, The third was William Malbeddinge,
^^^^^ . Of Nantwiche Baron, from whose name
His grandchilds daughter did it bringe :
Vernon and Bassctt had the same 60
158
By marriage, which did come to passe
After the first created was
About of yeeres some seventy-three,
Were parted by coparsonarye.
But sithence then, that barronrye
Mongst coheyres many soe did rest,
That some of them but of that fee
A thirty-sixth part possesst.
Then Guarren Vernon after him
Of Shibbrooke next created hee, 70
The heyres of whom have barrons hi7i
For five descents continuallye.
The last deceased ; then it came
To Litle-bury, and Wilbraham,
And Stafford by his sisters three,
Who unto these three marryed bee.
And after this it scattered was
Amongst the heyres full many a day ;
Till att the lenght it came to passe.
The gratest part therof doth stay 80
With Sir John Savage, to whose name
By marriage and descent it came
From Bostockes daughter, maiden bright,
Whose father was a worthyc knight.
Robert Fitzhughe, the next in place.
Of Malpus Barron was created.
Which he enjoyed but litle space
Before his dayes grew out of date :
Leaving noe heyres, he being dead,
The earle created in his stead 9^
Eginion ap David, unto whomc
Succeeded Raphe, his onlye sonnc.
159
Two daughters, but noe sonne at all.
That Raphe hee had ; who, being dead,
The heritage forthwith did fall
To those that did his daughters wedde :
First, David Clarke, he had the one.
He was the William Belwards sonne ;
The other, Robert Patricke had ;
They twixt them selves paretition made. lOO
From Phillip, who was younger sonne
To David Clarke assuredlye.
The ancient house of Egerton
Doth truly draw their pedigree.
Long after this, full many yeeres.
By marriage made amongst their heyres.
The greatest part of all the same
To Sutton the Lord Dudley came,
From whom, by purchase after made.
That part Sir William Bruirtons is, no
To whom by marryage alsoe had
With Egertons daughter, as I gesse.
Another part of all that fee
Descended to him lineallye ;
Soe he seven parts of eight possest.
Sir Randle Bruirton had the rest.
Dunham, Upon Hughe Massey he did bestow
Sixth The Dunham Massey barronrye.
To whom there did succeed in row
Eight heyres of his successivelye ; I20
From thence-forthe mongst the femall heyres
It scattered was for many yeeres.
Yet most part after ages past
To Boothe of Dunham came at last.
i6o
The next was Gylbert Venables,
The Baron made of Kinderton,
From whome the same to these our dayes
In dovvne-right line did still hold on
To Peeter, who now holds the same,
Enjouing title, lands and name.
Few howses shall you find beside.
That in one name soe long abide.
Nicholas of Stopport was the last
To whome that title he did give ;
But after many ages past.
In which his heyres did barons live,
Warreyn of Poynton gott the same
By marryage : which Warreyn came
Of Earle Warreyn of Surrey, soothe,
As Camden doth affirme for truth.
These Barons all were councellors
Unto the Earle in his afi'aires.
And some were household officers,
And left their places to their heyres.
The yeere ten hundred and ninety-three
He built Westchaster Monasterrye,
And five and forty yeeres compleate
He did enjoye that famous seate.
Second Part
Richard his sonne, but seven yeers old,
Succeeded in his fithers place ;
He did this famous erldomc hold
For nineteen yeeres and three monthes space.
And sayling then from Normandye —
ffirst Hcnerys sonnes to accompanye —
Neer Barffleete being run on ground.
Them selves and all there traine were cirowiul.
Kiiuicrton,
Seventh
130
Stopport,
Kighth
140
I sO
Richard,
Second F!.irl<
of Chester
161
Randle & : Then Randulphe Gurnon, next Earle was he ;
Third Erie p^^ ^^s Huge Lupus sisters sonne.
Who but eight yeeres injoyed that place
Ere his lives glasse were ffully runn. i6o
Randle, Randulph Meshieeffes, Gernons heyre,
Fourth Earle ^y^s next that did enjoye that chayre.
This Randle both in peace and warr
Past all the English nobles ffarr ;
In his time Steven ruled this land,
To Maude the Empresse dew of right,
First Henerys heyre : him to withstand,
Shee labored all the freinds shee might.
The Earle, to avoyd him, raysed his power,
Woone many a citye, towne and tower; 170
And of all those he did obtaine.
He had the honor, shee the gaine.
The King, to Lincolne, seeige had layd.
And layne before it many dayes ;
The Earle came downe the towne to ayde.
With all his power the seeige to rayse.
Some thought the King durst not abide
With him the battell to have tryde ;
But though his coming he did know.
Yet from the seeige he wold not goe. 180
Upon the plaine before the towne.
They battell joyned couragiouslye ;
There many a knight was beaten downe
Ere either gott the victorye ;
Att lenghth the Earle did win the day,
The Kings power broke and run awaye.
The Kinge in chace himselfe was tane,
And most part of all his soliders slaine.
162
To the Empresse Maude att Glocester
He did deliver up the Kinge, 190
Who kept him as a prisoner
From midsumer unto the springe.
Then for the Erie of Gloster
Who taken was att Winchester,
Her bastard brother to sett free,
She gave the King his lybertye.
And after manye a bloodye feeld
Where counties numbers had beene slaine,
The King did to condicions yeeld,
Soe during life himselfe might rayne, 200
The Empresse soone at his decease
Shold have the crowne to her in peace.
And every one that tooke his part
He pardoned freelye from his hart.
The Welchmen did incursions make
On Randulphes Countye Palatine,
Whilest he such endles paines did take
In peace those princes to conjoyne.
But heering itt, such speed he made
With that small power then he hadd, 210
Whilest neere Nantwiche they sought their prey,
He slew all those went not awaye.
The first yeere of his dignitye.
An abbey there he helpet to founde, —
Where-to Hugh Malbancke devoutlye
Gave all the site and other grounde, —
Called the Abbey of Cumbermeare,
Indowed with livings good and fayre,
Wherto two lordshipps of great worth
The sayd Hugh Malbancke did tread forth,
16^
220
His wifFe and children being there,
Barfooted and bareheaded with-all
Did walke about from mere to mere.
These lordshipps ' Wilkslye ' men doe call,
And ' Dodcott ' eke, the which doe lye
And joyne together certainlye ;
Of ancient rent, as I doe heare,
Noe lesse then eighty pounds a yeere.
Begining thus, as wee may see.
Abbeys to build with godlye feare, 230
The last yeere Poolton fownded hee.
He governed five and twenty yeere,
Then died, as every other must;
" But though thy body turne to dust.
Religious, valliant, just, and wise.
Great Earle ! thy honor never dyes ! "
Hugh Keve- When great Mescheves was deceased,
lock 2nd: His Sonne Hugh Kevelocke did enjoye
Fifth Erie j^-^ }^Qnor, and the same encreased
By valor and by industrye. 240
He with his power did Wales invade, —
For inrodes which themselves had made
Upon his lands, — and conquered all
Broome feild, and greatest part of Yalle.
Beloved both of King and peeres.
And greatlye feared of his foes.
He governed nine and twenty yeeres.
And then the way of all flesh goes.
And left to governe in his place
The cheefest man of all that race, 250
Randle 3rd : His sonne, called Randle Blondvile,
Sixth Earle xhe parragon of all that He,
164
Bold, bewtifull, religious, wise,
Profoundlye learned, liberall.
In all things dealing with advice
Of haughtye mind, yet milde with all,
This younge Erie ; which soe did move
The second Henery him to love,
That, his sonne Jefferey being dead.
He did to him his widow wedd ; 260
Of Britaine and of Richmond shee
In her owne wright a Countesse was,
Which added to his dignitye
Of mightye earledomes made in a see.
Of Chester, Lincolne, Huntinton,
His father Earle was ; but the sonne,
fflint, Denbye, and the Powesse lands
Besides, had gott with-in his hands ;
Five earldomes and three barronryes
He now enjoyes, with mannors fayre, 270
And many wealthy royaltyes
In Nottingham and in Stafordshire ;
But his great honors altered not
His mind nor manners never a jot.
For full of princlye curtesie
Even to the last continued hee.
When second Henery was deceaset.
And Cuer de Lyon wore the crowne.
His fame in forraine land increaset;
For that great King of high renowne, 280
The French King, and the Emperour,
And Austrich Duke, a man of power.
Did joyne together to redeeme
The Citye of Jerusalem ;
165
For that great Souldan, Saladine,
In open feild not long before
Tooke prisoners Guy of Lusignon
And many valliant Christians more ;
After which feild the Sarazen
Gott Joppa and Jerusalem, 290
Tyre, Sidon, Aeon and Trypolis,
And many cityes more then these.
Then before Messene in Cicilee
The Christen princes poynt to meete
With all their warlicke companye,
And their together joyne their jfleete.
But man doth purpose, God dispose,
For att the sea such tempests rose.
The Emperour lands on Syryan shore,
The French King att Tyrrana bore. 300
King Richard Cuer de Lyon lands
Upon the fruitfuU Cypresse He,
And there he marshalld all his bands, —
The vantguard Randle Blondvile,
Himselfe the battell as their head,
The rereguard the Erie of Pembrook ledd ; —
He heard how by a Sarazen
That land had never conquered beene.
The Turkish King on the other side.
Thinking his power made weake by sea, 310
The battell boldlye did abyde ;
But the English King did win the day.
The Turkish King was slaine in feild ;
His soliders that escapet did yeeld.
And to King Richard they did restore
All the holds they had gott before.
166
He garrisons in all did place,
And then forthwith mand out his fleete;
Att lenght came where the French King was,
Whose hart rejoced when they meete; 320
And being mett, they sayled amaine.
The Holy Land for to attaine.
And after landed in short time
Upon the cost of Palestine.
Third Part
To Aeon walls they seege did lay,
And compassed it by sea and land;
And after battery many a day.
To assaulte, eche one prepared his bande.
The Erie of Chester first of all
By force did mount the citye wall, 330
And there in signe of victorye
Pight Richards coulors upon hee.
They sett the Christian prisoners free ;
The Sarazens went all to wracke,
Save such as wold baptized bee ;
The citye all was put to sacke ;
Which done, the French King home returned ;
And valliant Richard still sojuorned ;
And after, he and Saladine
In battell did together joyne. 340
King Richard gott the victorye ;
For after countlese numbers slaine.
Great Saladine away did flee.
And being save, sent backe againe
A messenger to offer peace.
That for three yeeres all warrs might cease ;
Which offer Richard did accept;
They prisoners changed, and covenants kept.
167
How Richard in returne, by fraude
Was by the Archduke prisoner tane, 350
How long he there did make abode,
How he was ransomed home againe,
How afterwards he did advance
His standards gainst the King of France,
What forts and cityes he did gaine,
And how by chance he there was slaine ;
And how in all his bloodye warr
Earle Randle presence never fayld.
How when his foes had passed farr
In count, his courage never failde, 360
I over-passe : to show I come
In King Johns raigne what deeds were done
By this great Erie, what ayd he gave.
The crowne and kingdome both to save.
The sea of Canteburye voyd.
The monkes, by their authorytie
Which many yeeres they had enjoyed,
Chose Steven Langton to that sea.
But him the King wold not admitt;
Wherfore the Bishoppe did him gett 370
Unto the Pope, and such meanes made
That conformation there he had ;
But that the King did more incense.
As breach of his preroggative,
Wherfor the monkes he banished hence.
And did warning to Langton give
' On paine of death for to refraine.
And never come in this land againe.'
Which heard, he straight returned home
For excommunication 380
168
Against the King and all the land ;
Wherto the Pope did give consent ;
For such as did the Church with-stand,
They were accurst incontinent.
The neibouring kings he did perswade
King Johns dominions to invade,
And cut the subjects of his realme
From duty and obedyence cleane.
And by this means such warr to rise
Against the King both here and hence, 390
By out and inward enemyes,
That to procure the Popes dispence.
To his legatt he surrender made
Of crowne and all the power he had.
And then did backe receive his crowne.
And tribute to the Church of Rome.
But this did soe his peeres offend
As scandall was to the estate,
And they forthwith to France did send
To the French King, for to intreate 400
That he unto them presentlye
Wold send his sonne, their King to bee ;
And hostages he was content.
And with a power his sonne he sent.
Noe sooner was he come of shore.
But the English barrons joynd with him ;
Winchester first, and Winsor then
He gott, and did the seege begin
About Dover : but with inward greefe
Or surfett, John departs this life, 410
And left a sonne but nine yeers old.
The which of right succeed him shold.
z 169
The infants low distressed state, —
Being voyd of meanes himselfe to ayde, —
Erie Randle did comiserate,
And likwise valliant Pembrooke prayd
To joyne with him, young Henerye
To London to accompanye
From Newarke, where his father dyed.
And crownd him, spite of French mens pryde; 420
Which they accordingly e performed.
And there with dew solemnitye
The infant with the crowne adorned.
And swore his subjects to be true ;
And then the next insuing day
They towards Lincolne marcht away.
And by assault the citye woone.
Where many French to death were done.
But when French Lewis once did heare
What numbers of his men were slaine, 430
And of what force the two carles was,
Without delay himselfe was faine, —
Money being payd for his expence, —
Noe claime to make, but part from hence,
And all such places to restore
Wherof he conquest made before.
Thus having placed in peace and rest
Young Henery in his fathers throne,
By all good subjects hylie blest.
The Erie returned backe home, 440
And valliant Pembrooke to abyde.
The infant King to rule and guide.
Erie Randle did entend againe
A journey to Jerusalem.
170
And having gathered such a power
As fitting was for his intent,
With Quinsay, Erie of Winchester,
Who joyned with him, to sea he went ;
And by the way he understoode
How Christian bands by Nilus flood 450
Beseeged the citye Damyatte,
And long with losse had lyen theratt.
Wherfore he thither bent his course.
And came in time to give them ayde,
For rayse their seege they must of force
Through extreame want, but he them stayd,
And with the great applause of all
He chosen was Lord Generall ;
Nor gave they him that name in vaine.
For they by his meanes the citye gaine. 460
Inestimable was the store
Of gold and welthy merchandize
That there they gott : but he did more
Esteeme Gods glory then the prize.
The ^giptian Souldan Saladine
Did offer him Jerusalem
And all those holds he gott of late
In Jury, back pro Damiatte,
Which he accepted in the name
Of John, who was then Juryes King. 470
Him leaving to receive the same.
He into England backe did bring.
Without great lose, his famous bands
Renowned and feared in heathen lands.
And soe enriched, there was not one
But had enough to live upon.
171
And instantlye on his returne
Resolving now to live in peace,
The great strong Castle of Beeston
He built, with the Abbey of Delacreese, 480
And Chortley Castle : — in two yeeres
Those two great castles finished were ;
In twelve hundred and twenty
They both were finished perfectlye ; —
And after lived for twelve yeeres space,
Loden with honor, welth, and yeeres,
Both hielie in his princes grace,
And reverenced of all the peeres,
And, equall with all those above.
Most deeplye in the comons love; 490
But at the last, at Wallingford,
His erldomes lost their honored lord.
For fifty yeeres in four kings rayne,
Some times in peace, sometimes in striffe.
His earldomes in his hands remaines ;
Then ishulese he left his life.
He had four sisters, unto whom
His land successivelye shold come :
All in his life time marryed were ;
The eldest of whom John Scott did beare 500
By David of the royall line
Of Scottish kings, one of whose heyres
Kiijoyed the Scottish crowne in time.
As by the cronickle appeares.
Erie Arrundcll the second had ;
And Darby of the third choice made ;
And Quinsey, the Erie of Winchester,
Had to his wife the youngest of four.
172
In Chester Abbey was interrd
Erie Randies body: to whose place 510
John Scott, his nephew, was preferred, John Scott :
Who likwise Erie of Anguish was. Seventh Erie
He after five yeeres, ishules
Att Darnall dyed : the King did ceaze
His erldomes all into his hands,
Giving his sisters other lands ;
For he four sisters left alive.
And Allen, Lord of Galloway,
The eldest of them had to wiffe ;
She Derngill bore, that lady gay, 520
Who by John Balyoll forth did bring
John Balyoll, who was Scottish King.
The next was mached to Robert Bruise,
A Scottish lord of ancient house.
The three noe ishue had ; the fourth
And last did Henery Hastings wedd.
And to him iseue store brought forth.
Of whom are famous houses bredd.
King Henery, after sixteen yeeres.
Unto Prince Edward and his heyres, 530
Kings of this lande, did it convay
By patent; soe untill this day
All princes of this land did hold
The same with as great royaltye
As Lupus had the same of old.
And his succeeding progenie.
Soe Chester ever hath had since
An erle, when England had a prince ;
And when as princes there had beene none.
The profitts to the crowne have gone. 540
finis.
173
EARLE OF WESTMORLANDE
How long shall fortune faile me now,
And keepe me heare in deadlye feare?
How long shall I in bale abide,
In misery my life to leade ?
To ffall from my rose, it was my chance.
Such was the Queene of England fayre ;
I tooke a lake, and turned my backe.
On Bramaball More shee caused my flye.
One gentle Armstrong that I doe ken,
Alas with thee I dare not mocke, lo
Thou dwellest soe far on the West border,
Thy name is called the Lord Jocke.
Now hath Armstrong taken noble Nevill,
And as one Martin-feild did profecye,
He hath taken the Lord Dakers,
A lords Sonne of great degree;
He hath taken old Master Nortton,
And sonnes four in his companye ;
Hee hath taken another gentleman
Called John of Carnakie. 20
Then bespake him Charles Nevill ;
To all his men, I wott, sayd hee,
Sayes, '' I must into Scottland fare ;
Soe nie the borders is noe biding for me."
When he came to Humes Castle,
And all his noble companye.
The Lord Hume halched them right soone.
Saying, " banished men, welcome to mee ! "
174
They had not beene in Humes Castle
Not a month and dayes three, 30
But the Regent of Scottland he and god witt
That banished men there shold be.
" He write a letter," sayd the Regent then,
" And send to Humes Castle hastilye,
To see whether Lord Humes wilbe soe good
To bring the banished men unto mee.
" That Lord and I have beene att deadly e fuyde,
And hee and I cold never agree :
Writting a letter, that will not serve ;
The banished men must not speake with me ; 40
" But I will send for the garrison of Barwicke,
That they will come all with speede.
And with them will come a noble captaine
Which is called Captain Reade."
Then the Lord Hume he got witt
They wold seeke unto Nevill, where he did lye ;
He tooke them out of the Castle of Hume,
And brought them into the Castle of Camelye.
Then bespake him Charles Nevill,
To all his men, I wott, spoke hee, 50
Sayes, " I must goe take a noble shippe.
And weele be marriners upon the sea.
" He seeke out fortune where it doth lye ;
In Scottland there is noe byding for mee."
Then they tooke leave with fayre Scottland,
For they are sealing upon the sea.
175
They had not sayled upon the sea
Not one day and monthes three,
But they were ware of a noble shippe
That five topps bare all soe hye. 60
Then Nevill called to Martin-feeld,
Sayd, '' Martin-ffeeld, come hither to mee !
Some good councell, Martin-feeld,
I pray thee give it unto mee;
" Thou told me when I was in England fayre.
Before that I did take the sea.
Thou never sawst noe banner borne
But thou wold ken it with thine eye,
" Thou never saw noe man in the face,
Iff thou had scene before with thine eye, 70
Thou coldest have kend thy freind by thy foe,
And then have told it unto mee ;
" Thou never heard noe speeche spoken.
Neither in Greeke nor Hebrewe,
Thou coldest have answered them in any language.
And then have told it unto mee."
'' Master, Master, see you yonder faire ancyent?
Yonder is the Serpent and the Serpents Head,
The Mould-warpe in the middest ffitt.
And itt all shines with gold soe redde ; 80
Yonder is Duke John of Austria,
A noble warryour on the sea,
Whose dwelling is in Civill land.
And many men, God wot, hath hee."
,76
Then bespake him Martin-feelde,
To all his fellowes, I wot, said hee,
" Turne our noble shipp about,
And thats a token that wee will flee."
" Thy councell is not good, Martin-feeld ;
Itt falleth not out fitting for mee ; 90
I rue the last time I turnd my backe,
I did displease my Prince and the countrye."
Then bespake him noble Nevill,
To all his men, I wott, sayd hee,
" Sett me up my faire Dun Bull,
With gilden homes hee beares all soe hye,
" And I will passe yonder noble Duke
By the leave of mild Marye ;
For yonder is the Duke of Austria
That travells now upon the sea." 100
And then bespake this noble Duke,
Unto his men then sayd hee,
*' Yonder is sure some nobleman.
Or else some youth that will not flee ;
" I will put out a pinace fayre,
A harold of amies upon the sea,
And goe thy way to yonder noble shippe.
And bring the masters name to mee."
When the herald of armes came before noble Nevill,
He fell downe low upon his knee, 1 10
" You must tell me true what is your name,
And in what countrye your dwelling may bee."
2 A 177
" That will I not doe," sayd noble Nevill,
" By Mary mild, that mayden ffree,
Except I first know thy Masters name,
And in what country his dwelling may bee."
Then bespake the herald of armes —
that he spoke soe curteouslye, —
" Duke John of Austria is my Masters name.
He will never lene it upon the sea; I20
'' He hath beene in the citye of Rome,
His dwelling is in Civillee."
" Then wee are poore Brittons," the Nevill can say,
'' Where wee travell upon the sea.
" And Charles Nevill, itt is my name,
1 will never lene it upon the sea.
When I was att home in England faire,
I was the Erie of Westmoreland," sayd hee.
Then backe is gone this herald of armes
Whereas this noble Duke did lye, 130
" Loe, yonder are poore Brittons," — can he say —
" Where they travell upon the sea.
" And Charles Nevill is their Masters name.
He will never lene it upon the sea;
When he was at home in England fayre,
He was the Erie of Westmoreland, said hee."
Second Part
Then bespake this noble Duke,
And ever he spake soe hastilye.
And said, '' goe backe to yonder noble man.
And bid him come and speake with me. 140
178
" For I have read in the Booke of Mable,
There shold a Brittaine come over the sea,
Charles Nevill with a childs voice :
I pray God that it may be hee."
When these two nobles they didden meete,
They halched eche other right curteouslyej
Yett Nevill halched John the sooner
Because a banished man, alas, was hee.
" Call in your men," sayd this noble Duke,
'' Faine your men that I wold see." 150
" Ever alas ! " said noble Nevill,
" They are but a litle small companye."
First he called in Martin-field,
That Martin-ffeeld that cold prophecye ;
He called in then Lord Dakers,
A Lords Sonne of high degree ;
Then called he in old Master Nortton,
And sonnes four in his companye ;
He called in one other gentleman
Called John of Carnabye : 160
'' Loe ! these be all my men," said noble Nevill,
'' And all thats in my companye ;
When we were att home in England fayre.
Our Prince and wee cold not agree."
Then bespake this noble Duke,
" To try your manhood on the sea.
Old Master Nortton shall goe over into France,
And his sonnes four in his companye;
179
" And my Lord Dakers shall goe over into ffrance,
There a Captaine ffor to bee; 170
And those two other gentlemen wold goe with him,
And for to fare in his companye ;
'' And you your-selfe shall goe into Civill land.
And Marttin-ffeild that can prophecye."
" That will 1 not doe," sayd noble Nevill,
" By Mary mild, that mayden free.
" For they have knowen me in wele and woe,
In neede, scarsnesse and povertye :
Before He part with the worst of them.
He rather part with my liffe," sayd hee. 180
And then bespake this noble Duke,
And ever he spake soe curteouslye,
Sayes, " you shall part with none of them !
There is soe much manhood in your bodye."
Then these two noblemen labored together
Pleasantlye upon the sea;
Their landing was in Civill land.
In Civilee that ffaire citye.
Three nights att this Dukes, Nevill did lye.
And served like a nobleman was hee; 190
Then the Duke made a supplication
And sent it to the Queene of Civilee.
Saying, '* such a man is your citye within,
I mett him pleasantlye upon the sea,
He seemes to be a noble man,
And captaine to your grace he faine wold bee."
180
Then the Queene sent for these noble men
For to come into her companye.
When Nevill came before the Queene,
Hee kneeled downe upon his knee; 200
Shee tooke him up by the lilly white hand,
Said, *' welcome, my lord, hither to me!
You must first tell me your name,
And in what countrye thy dwelling may bee."
He said, '' Charles Nevill is my name;
I will never lene it in noe countrye ;
When I was att home in England fayre,
I was the Erie of Westmorland trulye."
The Queene made him captaine over forty thousand,
Watch and ward within Civill land to keepe, 210
And for to warr against the heathen Soldan,
And for to helpe her in her neede.
When the heathen Soldan he gott witt —
In Barbarye where he did lye —
Sainge, " such a man is in yonder citye within.
And a bold venturer by sea is hee."
Then the heathen Soldan made a letter.
And sent it to the Queene instantlye, —
And all that heard this letter reade
Where it was rehersed in Civillee, — 2 20
Saying, " have you any man your land within,
Man to man dare fight with mee?
And both our lands shalbe joyned in one.
And christened lands they both shalbe."
181
Shee said, " I have noe man my land within,
Man to man dare fight with thee ;
But every day thou shalt have a battell.
If it be for these weekes three."
All beheard him Charles Nevill
In his bedd where he did lye; 230
And when he came the Queene before.
He fell downe low upon his knee —
" Grant me a boone, my noble Dame,
For Chrissts love that dyed on tree !
iFor I will goe fight with yond heathen Soldan
If you will bestowe the manhood on mee."
Then bespake this curteous Queene,
And ever shee spoke soe curteouslye,
*' Though you be a banished man out of your realme.
It is great pitye that thou shold dye." 240
Then bespake this noble Duke
As hee stood hard by the Queenes knee,
" As I have read in the Booke of Mable,
There shall a Brittone come over the sea,
'' And Charles Nevill shold be his name.
But a childs voyce, I wott, hath hee;
And if he ben in Christendome,
For hart and hand this man hath hee."
Then the Queenes councell cast their heads together.
That Nevill shold fight with the heathen Soldan, 250
That dwelt in the citye of Barbarye.
182
The battell and place appointed was
In a fayre greene, hard by the sea,
And they shood meete att the Headless Crosse,
And there to fight right manfullye.
Then Nevill cald for the Queenes ancient.
And faine that ancient he wold see.
They brought him forth the Broken Sword
With bloodye hands therin trulye ;
They brought him forth the Headless Crosse, 260
In that ancyent it was scene :
" O this is a token," sayd Martin-feeld,
" That sore overthrowen this prince hath beene."
" O sett me up my fayre Dun Bull ;
And trumpetts blow me farr and nee,
Untill I come within a mile of the Headlesse Crosse,
That the Headlesse Crosse I may see."
Then lighted downe noble Nevill,
And sayd, " Marttin-ffeeld, come hither to me!
Heere I make thee choice captain over my host 270
Untill againe I may thee see."
Then Nevill rode to the Headless Crosse
Which stands soe fayre upon the sea :
There was he ware of the heathen Soldan,
Both fowle and uglye for to see.
Then the Soldan began for to call ;
Twise he called lowd and hye,
And sayd, " what is this ? some kitchin boy
That comes hither to fight with mee ? "
183
Then bespake him Charles Nevill, — 280
But a childs voice, I wott, had hee, —
" Thou spekest soe Htle of Gods might,
Much more lesse I doe care for thee."
Att the first meeting that these two mett.
The heathen Soldan and the Christen man,
They broke their speares quite in sunder,
And after that on foote did stand.
The next meeting that these two mett.
They swapt together with swords soe fine ;
They fought together till they both swett, 290
Of blowes that were both derfe and dire.
They fought an houre in battell strong ;
The Soldan mark[t] Nevill with his eye,
" There shall never man me overcome
Except it be Charles Nevill," sayd hee.
Then Nevill he waxed bold.
And cunning in fight, I wott, was hee,
Even att the gorgett of the Soldans jacke
He stroke his head of presentlye.
Then kneeled downe noble Nevill, 300
And thanked God for his great grace.
That he shold come soe farr into a Strang land
To overcome the Soldan in place.
Hee tooke the head upon his sword poynt.
And carryed it amongst his host soe fayre.
When they saw the Soldans head.
They thanked God on their knees there.
184
Seven miles from the citye the Queene hnn mett,
With procession that was soe fayre :
Shee tooke the crowne beside her heade, 310
And wold have crowned him king there.
" Now nay! now nay! my noble Dame!
For soe, I wott, itt cannott bee ;
I have a ladye in England fayre,
And wedded againe I wold not bee."
The Queene shee called for her penman,
I wot shee called him lowd and hye.
Saying, '^ write him downe a hundred pounds a day.
To keepe his men more merrylye."
" I thanke your Grace," sayd noble Nevill, 320
" For this worthy gift you have given to me ;
If ever your Grace doe stand in neede.
Champion to your Highnesse againe He bee."
ffinis.
2 B 185
FFLODDEN FFEILDE
Now let uss talke of mount of Flodden,
fforsooth such is our chance,
And let us tell what tydings the Earle of Surrey
Sent to our King into France.
The Earle he hath a writting made,
And sealed it with his owne hand;
From the Newcastle upon Tine
The herald passed from the land.
And after to Callice hee arrived.
Like a noble leed of high degree, i o
And then to Turwin soone he hyed.
There he thought to have found King Henery ;
But there the walls were beaten downe.
And our English soliders therin laine ;
Sith to Turnay the way hee nume,
Wheras lay the Emperour of Almaine,
And there he found the King of England :
Blessed Jesus, preserve that name !
When the herald came before our King,
Lowly e he fell downe on his knee, 20
And said, ''Christ, Christen King, that on the cross
dyed!
Noble King Henery ! this day thy speed may bee ! "
The first word that the Prince did minge.
Said, " welcome, herald out of England, to me!
How fares my leeds, how fares my lords.
My knights, my esquiers in their degree ? "
186
*' Heere greeteth you well your owne leaetenant,
The honorable Erie of Surrey ;
He bidds you in ffrance to venter your chance,
For slaine is your brother King Jamye, 30
And att lovelie London you shall him finde,
My comelye Prince, in the presence of thee."
Then bespake our comlye King,
Said, "who did fight and who did flee?
And who bore him best of the mount of fflodden,
And who was false, and who was true to me ? "
" Lancashire and Cheshire," sayd the messenger,
'' Cleane they be fled and gone;
There was nere a man that longd to the Erie of Darby
That durst looke his enemyes upon." 40
Still in a study stood our noble King,
And tooke the writting in his hand ;
Shortlye the scale he did unclose.
And readily e he read as he found.
Then bespake our comlye King,
And called upon his chivalree.
And said, "who will feitch me the King of Man,
The honnorable Thomas Erie of Darbye ?
" He may take Lancashire and Cheshire
That he hath called the cheefe of chivalree ; 50
Now falsely are they fled and gone,
Never a one of them is true to mee ! "
Then bespake Sir Raphe Egerton the knight.
And lowlye kneeled upon his knee.
And said, " my soveraigne lord King Henery !
If it like your Grace to pardon mee —
187
" If Lancashire and Cheshire be fled and gone,
Of those tydings wee may be unfaine,
But I dare lay my Hfe and lande
It was for want of their captaine. 60
*' For if the Erie of Derby our captaine had beene.
And us to lead in our arraye,
Then noe Lancashire man nor Cheshire
That ever wold have fled awaye ! "
" Soe it prooved well," said our noble King ;
'' By Him that deerlye dyed upon a tree !
Now when wee had the most neede,
Falslye they served them to mee ! "
Then spake William Brewerton, knight,
And lowlye kneeled his Prince before, 70
And sayd, '' my soveraigne King Henery the Eighth,
If your Grace sett by us soe little store,
" Where-soever you come in any feild to fight,
Set the Earle of Darby and us before.
Then shall you see wether wee fight or flee,
Trew or false whether we be borne ! "
Compton rowned with our King,
And said, '' goe wee and leave the cowards right."
" Heere is my glove to thee ! " quoth Egerton ;
" Compton ! if thou be a knight, 80
" Take my glove, and with me fight
Man to man, if thou wilt turne againe ;
For if our Prince were not present wright.
The one of us two shold be slaine.
188
" And never foote beside the ground gone
Untill the one dead shold bee."
Our Prince was moved theratt anon,
And returned him right teenouslye.
And to him came on the other hand
The honnorable Erie of Darbye ; 90
And when he before our Prince came,
He lowlye kneeled upon his knee,
And said, " Jesu Christ, that on the crosse dyed,
This day, noble Henery, thy speed may bee ! "
The first word that the King did speake,
Sayd, '* welcome, King of Man and Erie of Darbye !
*^ How likest thou Cheshire and Lancashire both.
Which were counted cheefe of chivalree ?
Falslye are they fled and gone.
And never a one is trew to mee ! " 100
" If that be soe," said the Erie free,
" My leege, therof I am not faine.
My comlye Prince, rebuke not mee,
I was not there to be there captaine ;
*' If I had beene their captaine," the Erie said then,
" I durst have layd both liffe and land.
He never came out of Lancashire nor Cheshire
That wold have fledd beside the ground!
'' But if it like your noble Grace
A litle boone to grant itt mee, no
Lett me have Lancashire and Cheshire both, —
I desire noe more helpe trulye ; —
189
" If I ffayle to burne up all Scottland,
Take me and hang me upon a tree !
I, I shall conquer to Paris gate
Both comlye castles and towers hye !
" Wheras the walls beene soe stronge,
Lancashire and Cheshire shall beate them downe."
" Bv my fathers soule," sayd our King,
And by Him that dyed on the roode, 120
" Thou shalt never have Lancashire nor Cheshire right
Att thy owne obedyence for to bee !
Cowards in a feild felly will fight
Againe to win the victorye."
" Wee were never cowards," said the Erie,
" By Him that deerlye dyed on tree !
Who brought in your father att Milford Haven?
King Henery the Seventh forsooth was hee ;
" Thorow the towne of Fortune wee did him bring.
And soe convayd him to Shrewsburye, 130
And soe crowned him a noble King ;
And Richard that day wee deemed to dye."
Our Prince was greatlye moved at that worde.
And returned him hastilye againe.
To comfort the Erie came on the other hande
The doughtye Edward, Duk of Buckingam ;
'* Plucke up thy hart, brother Stanlye,
And lett nothing greeive thee!
For I dare lay my lifte to wedd
It is a false writing of the Erie of Surrey. 140
190
" Sith King Richard feele, he never loved thee,
For thy unckle slue his father deere,
And deerlye deemed him to dye ;
Sir Christopher Savage his standard always did beare.*'
"Alas, brother!" sayd the Erie of Darbye,
" Woe be the time that I was made knight.
Or were ruler of any lande.
Or ever had manhood in feild to fight ?
" Soe bold men in battle as were they.
Forsooth had neither lord nor swaine. 150
ffarwell, my unckle. Sir Edward Stanley,
For well I wott that thou art slaine !
" Surelye whiles thy liffe wold last
Thou woldest never shrinke beside the plaine ;
Nor John Stanley, that child soe younge —
Well I wott that thou art slaine !
" ffarwell Kighlye ! coward was thou never!
Old Sir Henery the good knight —
I left thee ruler of Latham,
To be deputye both day and night. 160
" ffarwell Townlye, that was soe true !
And that noble Ashton of Middelton !
And the sad Southwarke that ever was sure,
Forwell ! I wott that thou art gone.
" Farwell Ashton unde Line
And manlye Mullenax ! for thou art slaine ;
For doubtlesse while your lives wold last
You wold never shun beside the plaine*
191
" ffarwell Adderton, with the leaden mall,
Well I know thow art deemed to dye! 170
I may take my leave att you all.
The flower of manhoode is gone from mee !
" ffarwell Sir John Booth of Barton, knight!
Well I know that thou art slaine !
While thy liffe wold last to fight.
Thou wold never shiin be-sids the plaine.
" ffarwell Butler and Sir Bode !
Sure you have beene ever to mee ;
And soe I know that still you wold.
If that unslaine you bee. 180
" ffarwell Christopher Savage, the knight !
Well I know that thou art slaine !
For whiles thy life wold last to fight.
Thou wold never slum besids the plaine.
^' ffarwell Button and Sir Dane !
You have beene ever trew to mee.
ffarwell the Baron of Kinderton !
Beside the feild thou wold not flee !
'' ffarwell, ffitton of Gawsworth !
Either thou art taken or slaine; 190
Doubtelesse while thy life wold last.
Thou wold never shun beside the plaine."
As they stood talkinge together there,
The Duke and the Erie trulye.
Came ffor to comfort him the trew Talbott
And the noble Erie of Shrewsburyc :
192
" Plucke up thy hart, sonne Thomas, and be merry,
And let noe tydings greeve thee !
Am not I godfather to our King?
My owne god-sonne forsooth is hee." 200
He tooke the Duke of Buckingam by the arme,
And the Erie of Shevvsburye by the other :
" To part with you it is my harme ;
Farwell my father and my brother!
" Farwell Lancaster, that litle towne !
Farwell now for ever and aye !
Many pore men may pray for my soule
When they lye weeping in the lane.
*' ffarwell Latham, that bright bower !
Nine towers thou beares on hye, 210
And other nine thou beares on the outer walls ;
Within thee may be lodged kings three.
" ffarwell Knowsley, that litle tower
Underneth the holtes soe whore !
Ever when I thinke on that bright bower,
White me not though my hart be sore.
" ffarwell Tocstaffe, that trustye parke.
And the fayre river that runes there beside !
There I was wont to chase the hinde and hart ;
Now therin will I never abide! 220
" ffarwell bold Birkhead, there was I boorne.
Within the abbey and that monesterye ;
The sweet coven t for mee may mourn e ;
I gave to you the tythe of Beeston, trulye.
2 c 193
" ffarwell Westchester for evermore,
And the watter gate, it is my owne ;
I give a mace pro the Serjeant to weare.
To waite on the Maior, as it is knowne;
''Will I never come that citye within;
But, Sonne Edward, thou may clayme it of
wright. 230
ffarwell Westhardin, I may thee myn !
Knight and lord I was of great might !
" Sweete sonne Edward, white lookes thou make,
And ever have pittye on the pore cominaltye !
ffarwell Hope and Hopedale !
Mould and Moulesdale, God be with thee !
I may take leave with a sorry cheere.
For within thee will I never bee.
Second Parte
As they stoode talking together there.
The Duke and the lords trulye, 240
Came Jamie Garsed, a yeman of the guard.
That had beene brought up with the Erie of Derbye:
Like the devill with his fellowes he had fared.
He sticked two, and wounded three;
After, with his sword drawen in his hand.
He fled to the noble Earle of Derbye.
'' Stand up, Jamye ! " the Erie said,
" These tydings nothing liketh mee.
194
" I have scene the day I cold have saved thee,
Such thirty men if thou hadst slaine, 250
And now if I shold speake for thee,
Sure thow weret to be slaine ;
" I will once desire my bretheren eche one
That they will speake for thee."
He prayd the Duke of Buckingam
And alsoe the Erie of Shrewsburye,
Alsoe my lord Fitz Water soe wise,
And the good lord Willowbye,
Sir Rice ap Thomas, a knight of price.
They all spoke for long Jamye. 260
They had not stayd but a litle while there.
The Duke and the Erles in their talkinge,
But straight to the Erie came a messenger
That came latelye from the King,
And bad that long Jamie shold be sent ;
There shold neither be grith nor grace,
But on a boughe he shold be hanged
In middest the feild before the Erles face.
" If that be soe," said the Erie of Derbye,
" I trust our Prince will better bee; 270
Such tydings maketh my hart full heavye
Afore his Grace when that wee bee."
The Duke of Buckingam tooke Jamie by the one arme.
And the Erie of Shrewsburye by the other ;
Afore them they put the King of Man ;
It was the Erie of Darbye and noe other.
195
The lord Fitz Water followed fast,
And soe did the lord Willowbyghe ;
The comfortable Cobham mad great hast;
All went with the noble Erie of Derbye. 280
The hind Hassall hoved on fast
With the lusty Lealand trulye,
Soe did Sir Alexander Osbaston,
Came in with the Erie of Derbye ;
The royal 1 Ratcliffe that rude was never.
And the trustye Trafford keene to trye,
And wight Warburton out of Cheshire,
All came with the Erie of Darbye ;
Sir Rice ap Thomas, a knight of Wales,
Came with a feirce menye; 290
He bent his bowes on the bent to abyde.
And cleane unsett the gallow-tree.
When they came afore our King,
Lowlye they kneeled upon their knees;
The first word that our Prince did myn,
'' Welcome! Dukes and Erles to mee!
" The most welcome hither of all
Is our owne traitor long Jamie !
Jamie ! how durst thou be soe bold
As in our presence for to bee, 300
"To slay thy bretheren within their hold?
Thou was sworne to them, and they to thee."
Then began long Jamie to speake bold :
'' My leege, if it please your Grace to pardon mee,
196
" when I was to my supper sett,
They called me coward to my face,
And of their talking they wold not lett.
And thus with them I upbrayded was.
" They bade me flee from them apace
To that coward the Erie of Derbye. 310
When I was litle and had small grace,
He was my helpe and succour trulye ;
" He tooke 7ne from my father deere.
And keeped me within his woone
Till I was able of my selfe
Both to shoote and picke the stone;
" Then after, under Grenwich, upon a day
A Scottish minstrell came to thee.
And brought a bow of yew to drawe.
And all the Guard might not stirr that tree. 320
" Then the bow was given to the Erie of Derbye,
And the Erie delivered it to mee ;
Seven shoots before your face I shott.
And att the eighth in sunder it did breake;
" Then I bad the Scott bow downe his face
And gather up the bow, and bring it to his King ;
Then it liked your noble Grace
Into your Guard for me to bring;
" Sithen I have lived a merry liffe ;
I thanke your Grace and the Erie of Darbye ; 330
But to have the Erie rebuked thus.
That my bringer-up forsooth was hee,
197
" I had rather suffer death," he said,
" Then be false to the Erie that was true to me."
" Stand up, Jamie ! " said our King,
" Have heere my charter, I give it thee ;
*' Let me have noe more fighting of thee
Whilest thou art within ffrance lande."
" Then one thing you must grant," said Jamie,
" That your ward theron may stand, 340
" Who-soe rebuketh Lancashire or Chesshire,
Shortlye shall be deemed to dye,"
Our King comanded I cry I-wis
To be proclaimed hastilye; —
" If the Dukes and Erles kneele on their knees,
Itt getteth on sturr the comonaltye ;
If wee be upbrayded thus,
Manye a man is like to dye."
The King said, ''he that rebuket Lancashire or Cheshire
Shall have his judgment on the next tree." 350
Then soe they were in rest
For the space of a night, as I weene.
And on the other day, without leasinge.
There came a messenger from the Queene;
And when he came before our King,
Lowlye he kneeled upon his knee.
And said, " Christ thee save, our noble King,
And thy speed this day may bee!
Hcere greeteth thee well thy love and liking,
And our honorable Queene and ladye, 360
198
" And biddeth you in ffrance to be glad,
For slaine is your brother-in-law King Jamie ;
And att lovelye London he shalbe found,
My comlye Prince, in the presence of thee."
Then bespake our comlye Prince,
" Saiinge, "who did fight and who did flee?
And who bare them best of the mount of fflodden ?
And who his false, and who is true to mee ? "
" Lancashire and Cheshire," said the messenger,
" They have done the deed with their hand! 370
Had not the Erie of Derbye beene to thee true.
In great adventure had beene all England."
Then bespake our Prince on hye,
" Sir Raphe Egertton, my Marshall I make thee ;
Sir Edward Stanley, thou shalt be a lord,
Lord Mounteagle thou shalt bee;
" Yonge John Stanley shalbe a knight.
And he is well worthy for to bee."
The Duke of Buckingham the tydings hard,
And shortlye ran to the Erie of Darbye : 380
" Brother, plucke up thy hart and be merrye,
And let noe tydings greeve thee!
Yesterday, thy men called cowerds were.
And this day they have woone the victorye."
The Duke tooke the Erie by the arme.
And thus they ledden to the Prince tridye.
Seven roods of ground the King he came,
And sayd, " welcome. King of Man and Erie of
Derbye !
The thing that I have taken from thee,
I geeve it to thee againe wholly e, 390
199
" The manrydden of Lancashire and Cheshire both
AlU thy bidding ever to bee ;
ffor those men beene true, Thomas, indeed ;
They beene trew both to thee and mee."
*' Yett one thing greeveth me," said the Erie,
" And in my hart maketh me heavy e.
This day to heare they wan the feild.
And yesterday cowards to bee."
'^ It was a wronge wryting," sayd our King,
"That came ffrom the Erie of Surrey; 400
But I shall teach him his Prince to know.
If ever wee come in our countrye ! "
" I aske noe more," sayd the noble Erie,
'' ffor all that my men have done truly e,
But that I may be judge my selfe
Of that noble Erie of Surreye."
'' Stand up, Thomas ! " sayd our Prince,
" Lord Marshall I make thee.
And thou shalt be judge thy selfe.
And as thou saiest, soe shall it bee." 410
" Then is his liffe saved," sayd the Erie,
" I thanke Jesu and your Grace trulye ;
If my unckle slew his father deere.
He wold have venged him on mee."
'^ Thou art verry patient," sayd our King;
" The Holy Ghost remaines, I thinke, in thee ;
On the south side of Turnay thou shalt stande.
With my godfather the Erie of Shrewsburye."
200
And soe to that seege forth they went,
The noble Shrewsburye and the Erie of
Derbye, 420
And they laid seege unto the walls,
And wan the towne in dayes three.
And then bespake our noble King,
These were the words said hee,
Sayes, ^' come, Alexander Ratcliffe, knight.
Come hither now unto mee,
ffor thou shalt goe on the south side of Tournay,
And with thee thou shalt have thousands three."
Then forth is gone Alexander Ratcliffe, knight;
With him he leads men thousand three; 430
But or ere three dayes were come to an end.
The ffrenchmen away did flee.
Then King Henery planted three hundred Englishmen
That in the citye shold abyde and bee :
Alexander Ratcliffe, he wold have mad him governour
there,
But he forsooke it certainelye.
And made great intreatye to our King
That he might come into England in his companye.
And then bespake noble King Henery,
And these were the words said hee, 440
Sayes, " come hither, Rowland Egerton, knight.
And come thou hither unto mee;
" For the good service that thou hast done.
Well rewarded shalt thou bee."
Then forth came Rowland Egerton,
And kneeled downe upon his knee,
2 D 201
Sales, " if it like your Grace, my gracious King,
The reward that you will bestow on mee,
I wold verry gladlye have it in Cheshire,
ffor thats att home in my owne country." 450
And then bespake him noble King Henery,
And these were the words said hee,
" I have nothing, Egerton, in all Cheshire
That wilbe any pleasure for thee.
But five mills stands att Chester townes end,
They gone all over the water of Dee."
Still kneeled Rowland Egerton,
And did not rise beside his knee,
Sayes, '' if it like your Highnesse, my gracious King,
A milner called I wold never bee." 460
And then bespake him noble King Harrye,
These were the words said hee,
Saith, '' He make mine avow to God
And alsoe to the Trinitye,
There shall never be King of England
But they shalbe miller of the mills of Dee !
" I have noe other thing, Egerton,
That wilbe for thy delight ;
I will give thee the forrest of Snoden in Wales,
Wherby thou may give the home and lease; 470
In silver it wilbe verry white,
And meethinkes shold thee well please."
Still kneeled Rowland Egerton on his knee ;
He sayes, '' if itt like your Highnes, my gracious
King,
A ranger called wold I never bee."
202
Then our King was wrathe, and rose away,
Sayes, "I thinke, Egerton, nothing will please thee."
And then bespake him Rowland Egerton
Kneeling yet still on his knee, —
Sayes, "if itt like your Highnesse, my gracious
King, 480
That your Highnes pleasure will now heer mee.
In Cheshire there lyes a litle grange house,
In the lordshippe of Rydeley it doth lyee,
'' A tanner there in it did dwell, —
My leege, it is but a cote with one eye, —
And if your Grace wold bestow this on mee,
ffull well it wold pleasure me."
Then bespake our noble King Harrye,
And these were the words saith hee,
Saies, " take thee that grange house, Egerton, 490
And the lordshippe of Rydley faire and free ;
" For the good service thou hast to me done,
I will give it unto thy heyres and thee : "
And thus came Rowland Egertton
To the lordshippe of Rydley faire and free.
This noble King Harry wan great victoryes in France,
Thorrow the might that Christ Jesus did him send:
First our King wan Hans and Gynye,
And walled townes, the truth to say ;
And afterwards wan other two townes^ 500
The names of them were called Turwin and
Turnay ;
203
High Bullen and base Bullen he wan alsoe,
And other village townes many a one,
And Muttrell he wan alsoe, —
The cronicles of this will not lye, —
And kept to Calleis, plainsht with Englishmen,
Unto the death that he did dye.
Thus was Lancashire and Cheshire rebuked
Thorow the pollicye of the Erie of Surrey.
Now God that was in Bethlem borne, 510
And for us dyed upon a tree.
Save our noble Prince that wereth the crowne,
And have mercy on the Erles soule of Derbye !
ffinis.
204
EGER AND GRINE
It ftell sometimes in the Land of Beame,
There dwelled a lord within that realme,
The greatest he was of renowne
Eccept the King that ware the crowne ;
They called him to name Erie Bragas ;
He marryed a ladye was fiyre of face ;
They had noe child but a daughter younge,
In the world was none soe fayre thing :
They called that ladye Winglanye;
Husband wold she never have none, lo
Neither for gold nor yett for good,
Nor for noe highnese of his blood.
Without he would with swords dent
Win every battell where he went.
Soe there were many in that realme rich,
But they cold find but few such.
For the Erie rydeth with such a route
Of lords and knights hardye and stout.
There was in that same time
A curtoous knight called Sir Grime; 20
And of Garwicke lord was hee ;
He was a wise man and a wittye.
Soe there was in that same place
A young knight men called Egace,
But his name was Sir Eger,
For he was but a poore bachlour.
For his elder brother was livande.
And governed all his fathers land.
Egar was large of blood and bone.
But broad lands had hee none, 30
But evermore he wan the honour
Through worshipp of his bright armour ;
205
And for love that he was soe well taught,
Ever he justed and hee fought ;
And because he was soe well proved,
The Erles daughter shee him loved.
They ladye granted her good will.
Her father sented there soone till ;
He was glad that shee wold.
That shee wold in hart fold, 40
For to take, untill her fere,
A barun or else a bacheleere.
These knights, Sir Egar and Sir Grime,
They were fellowes good and fine ;
They were nothing sib of blood.
But they were sworne bretheren good ;
They keeped a chamber together att home ;
Better love loved there never none.
Upon a time Egar he wold forth fare
To win him worshippe, as he did ere, 50
Wherby that he might praysed bee
Above all knights of high degree.
Soe hee came home upon a night.
Sore wounded, and ill was he dight :
His kniffe was forth, his sheath was gone.
His scaberd by his thigh was done,
A truncheon of a speare hee bore.
And other weapons he bare noe more.
On his bed side he sett him downe.
He siked sore, and fell in swoone. 60
Sir Grime of Garwicke shortlye rose.
And ran to Sir Egar, and said, " alas.
For thee, Egar, my hart is woe
That ever I were soe farr thee froe!
For when wee parted att yonder yate.
Thou was a mightye man, and milde of state ;
And well thou seemed, soe God me speede.
To prove thy manhood on a steede ;
206
And now thou art both pale and greene,
And in strong battell thou hast becne; 70
Thou hast beene in strong battell ,
It was never litle that made thee fayle."
" Now as it hath behappned mee,
God, let it never behappen thee,
Nor noe other curteous knight
That ever goeth to the feild to fight,
For to win worshipp as I have done!
I have bought it deare and lost it soone!
For other lords have biddn att home.
And saved their bodyes forth of shame, 80
And kepeed their manhood faire and cleane !
Well broked my love before mine eyen,
And I am hurt and wounded sore.
And manhood is lost for ever-more."
Then said Grime to Sir Egar,
'' Ye greeve you more then meete were ;
For that man was never soe well cladd,
Nor yett soe doughtye in armes dread,
But in battell place he may be distayned.
Why shold his manhood be reproved, 90
Or his ladye or his love repine ? "
Then said Egar, " lett be. Sir Grime!
For fairer armour then I had.
Was never Cristian knight in cladd :
I had a body that seemed well to doe.
And weapons that well longed therto ;
Well I trusted my noble steed,
Soe that I did my good rich weed ;
And well I trusted my noble brand ;
The best of all I trusted my hart and my hand! 100
I heard tell of a venterous knight
That kept a fForbidden countrye bath day and night,
And a fresh iland by the sea.
Where castles were with towers hye.
207
Over the river were ryding frythes,
And soone I chose to the one of tho ;
In short while had I rydden
In that land that was fforbidden,
But I heard moving in the greete
As itt had beene of a steeds feete. no
My horsse, gladedd with that cheere.
Cast up his head and was a steere.
He groped together as he wold have runen :
I hearkned when more din had comen ;
I looked on the way nye before,
And see a knight come on a sowre ;
Red was his sheild, red was his speare,
And all of fresh gold shone his geere;
And, by the death that I must thole.
My steed seemed to his but a fole; 120
His speare, that was both great and long,
Faire on his brest he cold itt honge ;
And I mine in my rest can folde.
I gave my horsse what head he wold,
Our steeds brought us together soone :
Alas, that meeting I may mone !
ffor through coate armour and acton.
Through brest plate and habergion,
Through all my armour, lesse and more,
Clcane through the body he me bore; 130
And I still in my sadle sate.
My good spere on his brest I brake.
The second time he came againe,
He fayled of me, and my steede he has slaine.
Then I gott upp dcliverlye.
Not halfe soe soone as need had I ;
I thought to have wrocken my steeds bane.
But that great outrage my selfe hath tane ;
I drew a sword of mettle bright,
And egcrlye I sought unto that knight; 140
208
I stroke at him with all my maine,
I failed of him, and his steed has slaine.
When hee see that itt was soe,
To counter on ffoote he was full throe ;
Hee drew a sword, a worthy weapon ;
The first dint that on me did happen,
Throug all my armour, lesse and more.
Seven inches into the sholder he me shore ;
And I hitt him with wliole pith
Above the girdle, that he groned with, 150
And with that stroke I cold him lett.
Whiles another shortlye on him I sett.
And well I wott I had him gotten.
But with that stroke my sword was broken.
Then I drew a kniffe, — I had noe other,
The which I had of my owne borne brother, —
And he another out of sheath hath tane.
And neere hand together are we gone :
First he wounded me in the face ;
My eyen were safe, that was my grace; 160
Then I hitt him upon the head.
That in his helme my blade I leade.
God ! lett never knight soe woe be gon
As I was when all my false weapons were done !
Yett with the haft that was left in my hand.
Fast upon his face I dange.
That the blood sprang out from under the Steele :
He lost some teeth, that wott I weele.
My habergion that was of Millaine fine, —
First my fathers and then was mine, 170
And itt had beene in many a thrust,
And never a naile of itt wold burst ; —
My acton was of Paris worke.
Saved me noe more than did my sarke.
For his sword was of noble Steele,
He strake hard — and it lasted weele —
2 E 209
Through all my armour, more and lesse,
And never ceaced but in the fleshe.
Then, sore foughten, I waxed wearye,
For blood as drye as any tree; 1 80
I fought soe long, I ffell in swoone.
Till betweene his hands I fell downe.
When I came to my-selfe, my steed was away ;
I looked on the land where he lay ;
My steed lay slaine a litle me froe,
And his head backe striken in tow;
Then I was ware of a runing strand,
And thither I crope on foot and hand.
And from my eyen I washt the blood ; —
All was away shold have done me good; — 190
Then I looked on my right hand ;
My litle fingar was lackand.
Then I went further on the greene
Where more strong battells hadden beene ;
A slaine knight, and spoyled, lay.
His litle fingar was away ;
And by that knight I might well see
That one man had delt both with him and me.
Then of a sadled horsse I gatt a sight.
And by him lay a slaine knight; 200
His steede was both good and fine,
But not halfe soe good as mine.
All that day did I ryde
Till itt was in the even tide ;
The moone shone fayre, the starres cast light ;
Then of a castle I gott a sight.
Of a castle and of a towne.
And by an arbour side I light downe;
And there I saw fast me by
The fairest bower that ever saw I. 210
A little while I tarryed there.
And a lady came forth of a fresh arbor ;
210
Shee came forth of that garden greene,
And in that bovver faine wold have beene ;
Shee was cladd in scarlett redd.
And all of fresh gold shone her heade,
Her rud was red as rose in raine,
A fairer creature was never scene.
Me-thought her coming did me good,
And straight upon my feete I stoode. 220
*' Good Sir," quoth shee, " what causes you here to
lenge ?
For ye had meetter of great easmend ;
And heere beside is a castle wight.
And there be leeches of great sleight,
Cuning men with for to deale,
And wonderous good happ have for to heale ;
And there is the gentlest lady att will
That ever man came in misery till ;
Therfore I councell you thither to wend,
For yee had neede of great easmend." 230
'^ Lady," said Egar, " as itt be-happened mee,
I irke to come in any companye.
I beseeche you, lady faire and sweete,
Helpe that I were sounded with one sleepe,
And some easment for me and my hackney."
"Sir," sayd shee, "I will doe the best I may.
Sir, sith I am first that with you mett,
I wold your neede were the better bett."
Then a faire maid shee tooke my steede,
And into a stable shee did him leade, 240
And into a chamber both faire and light
I was led betweene two ladyes bright.
All my bloodye armour of me was done,
The Lady searched my wounds full soonej
Shee gave me drinke for to restore,
For neere hand was I bled before.
There was never alle nor wine
211
Came to mee in soe good a time ;
A silver bason she cammanded soone,
And warme water therin to be done; 250
The Ladye love some under line.
With her white hands shee did wash mine,
And when shee saw my right hand bare,
Alas ! my shame is much the more !
The glove was whole, the hand was nomen,
Therby shee might well see I was overcomen ;
And shee perceived that I thought shame;
Therfore shee would not aske me my name,
Nor att that word shee sayd noe more.
But all good easments I had there. 260
Then till a bed I was brought;
I sleeped never halfe soe soft;
The Ladye, fay re of hew and hyde,
Shee sate downe by the bedside ;
Shee a laid a souter upon her knee,
Theron she plaid full lovesomlye.
And yett, for all her sweet playinge,
Oftimes shee had full still mourninge ;
And her two maydens sweetlye sange,
And oft they weeped, and their hands wrange; 270
But I heard never soe sweet playinge, .
And, ever amongst, soe sore siking.
In the night shee came to me oft.
And asked me whether I wold ought ;
But alwayes I said her nay
Till it drew neerr to the breake of day ;
Then all my bloodye tents out shee drew,
Againe shee tented my wounds anew :
Wott yee well itt was noe threede.
The tents that into my wounds yeede; 280
They were neither of lake nor line,
But they were silke both good and fine ;
Twise the tenting of my wounds
212
Cost that Ladye twenty pounds,
Without spices and salves that did me ease.
And drinkes that did my body well please;
And then shee gave me drinke in a home ;
Never, since the time that I was borne,
Such a draught I never gatt ;
With her hand shee held me after thatt. 290
The drinke shee gave mee was grasse greene ;
Soone in my wounds itt was scene ;
The blood was away, the drinke was there.
And all was soft that erst was sore ;
And methought I was able to run and stand.
And to have taken a new battell in hand ;
The birds sange in the greene arbor,
I gate on foote and was on steere.
The Ladye came to me where I lay.
These were the words shee to me did say, 300
" I rede you tarry a day or to we
Till you be in better plight to goe ; "
But I longed soe sore to be at home
That I would needlye take leave to gone.
Shee gave me two shirts of raines in fere.
Put them next my body ; I have them here ;
And my owne shee did abone.
And my bloudye armour on me hath done,
Save my heavy habergion ; shee was afrayd
Lest they wold have mad my wounds to bleede ; 310
That Lady, with her milke white hand.
To the rason of my saddell shee it bound
With two bottels of rich wine.
And therof have I lived ever sinne.
I sayd, "a! deare good madam, how may this be?
The coningest leeche in this land be yee ;
For all my wounds lesse or more.
Of them I feele noe kind of sore.
As I had never beene wounded with sword nor speare,
213
Nor never weapon had done mee deere." 320
" Wold God," said shee, " that itt were soe!
But I know well for a day or two
Froe that love make you once agast.
Your oyntments may noe longer last.
Sith you will not abyde with mee,
Lett your Ladye in your countrye
Doe to your wounds as I wold have done ;
Then they will soft and heale full soone."
One thing did my hart great greeffe,
I had nothing that Ladye to give; 330
But my golden beades forth I drew,
That were of fine gold fresh and new.
Shee wold not receive them at my hand,
But on her bedside I lett them liggand ;
I tooke leave of that Ladye bright.
And homewards rid both day and night.
I fired full well all that while
Till I came home within two mile ;
Then all my wounds wrought att once
As knives had beene beaten thorrow my bones ; 340
Out of my sadle I fell that fraye ;
When I came to my selfe, my steed was away.
Thus have I beene in this flarr countrye;
Such a venterous knight mett with mee ;
Men called him Sir Gray Steele ;
I assayed him, and he ffended weele.
Second Parte
Then spake Grime to Sir Egar
With soft words and fiire,
" That man was never soe wise nor worthye.
Nor yet soe cuning proved in clergye, 350
Nor soe doughtye of hart nor hand,
214 .
Nor yett soe bigg in stowre to stand,
But in such companye he may put in
But he is as Hke to loose as win ;
And ever I bade you to keepe you weele
Out of the companye of Sir Gray Steele,
For he is called by command
The best knight in any land.
Sith the matter is chanced soe,
Wee will take the wayes of choice two: 360
From your love and Laydye lained this shalbee ;
Shee shall know nothing of our privitye."
But litle wist Egar nor Sir Grime
Where the Lady was that same time ;
For the Lady, that Egars love was.
Her chamber was within a little space ;
Of Sir Egar shee soe sore thought
That shee lay wakened, and sleeped nought.
A Scarlett mantle hath shee tane,
To Grimes chamber is shee gone; 3jo
Shee heard them att a privie dain ;
Shee stayd with-out, and came not in.
When shee heard that Egars body was in distresse,
Shee loved his body mickle the worse.
Words this Lady wold not say,
But turned her backe and went awaye ;
Yet soe privilye shee is not gone
But Grime perceived that there was one;
An unfolded window opened hee.
And saw the way-gate of that Ladye. 380
" What is that? " said Egar, " maketh that dinn? "
Grime sayd, " my spanyell hound wold come in."
To his fellow Sir Egar he said noe more.
But he repented that she came there.
Gryme hath gotten that same night
Leeches that beene of great sleight.
Coning men with for to deale,
215
That had good happ wounds to heale.
Yet long ere day word is gone
That Egar the knight is comen home, 390
And hath moe wounds with sword and kniffe
Then had ever man that bare Hffe ;
Seventeen wounds hee hath tane,
Seven beene thorrow his body ran ;
The leeches cold doe him noe remede,
But all said Egar wold be dead.
In the morning the Erie and the Countesse,
To Grymes chamber can they passe ;
The Erie said, " how doth Sir Egar the knight? "
Then answered Grime both wise and wight : 400
'' He doth, my lord, as you may see."
'' Alas! " said the Erie, " how may this bee? "
Grime answered him hastilye,
'' My lord, I shall tell you gentleye :
And uncoth land he happened in.
Where townes where both few and thinn;
Giffe he rode never soe fast,
Seven dayes the wildernesse did last.
He heard tell of a venterous knight
That kept a forbbidden countrye day and night, 410
And a mile, by the salt sea.
Castles fayre and towers hye ;
On the other side a fayre strand,
A faire fforrest on the other hand.
On the one side run a fresh rivere.
There might noe man nighe him nere;
For he that over that river shold ryde,
Strange aventures shold abyde;
Hee shold either fight or flee.
Or a weed in that land leave shold hee; 420
The wcdd that he shold leave in this land
Shold be the htle ffingar of his right hand,;
And or he knew himselfe to-slowe,
216
His litle fingar he wold not forgoe.
Boldlye Egar gave him battell tho ;
His helme and his hawberckes he tooke him fro,
See did he his sword and his spere
And much more of his golden gayre ;
And homewards as he rode apace
Thorrow the wylde forrestland the wyldenesse, 430
He thought to have scaped withouten lett.
Then fifteen theeves with Egar mett ;
They thought Egar for to have him sloe.
His gold and his good to have tooke him froe :
Thrise through them with a spere he ran,
Seven he slew, and the master man,
Yett had hee scaped for all that dread ;
They shott att him, and slew his steed ;
Hee found a steed when they were gone,
Wheron Sir Egar is come home ; 440
For if Sir Egar dye this day,
Farwell, flower of knight-hoode, for ever and aye! "
Then the Erie proferred forty pounds in land
For a leeche that wold take Egar in hand.
Nine dayes were comen and gone
Or any leeche wold Egar undertane ;
It was nine dayes and some deale more
Or his Ladye wold come there ;
And att the coming of that fayre Ladye,
Her words they were both strange and drye : 450
Shee saies, ''how doth that wounded knight?"
Then answered Gryme both wise and wight,
" He doth, madam, as yee may see."
" In faith," said the Lady, '' thats litle pittye :
He might full well have bidden att home ;
Worshipp in that land gatt he none;
He gave a flingar to lett him gauge.
The next time he will offer up the whole hand."
Gryme was ever wont to gauge
2 F 217
In councell with the Ladye to stand, 460
And ever told Egar a fayre tale
Till the knight Sir Egar was whole ;
For and her want and will had beene to him lenging,
It wold have letted him of his mending.
Soe long the leeches delt with Sir Egar
Till he might stoutlye goe and stirr;
Till itt once beffell uppon a day
Gryme thought the Ladye to assaye,
Whether shee loved Sir Egar his brother
As well as ever shee did before : 470
Grime said, " Madame, by Godds might,
Egar will take a new battell with yonder knight ;
He is to sore wounded yett for to gone ;
Itt were worshipp to cause him to abyde at home.
For he will doe more for you then mee."
Then answered that fayre Lady,
^' All that while that Egar was the knight
That wan the degree in every fight.
For his sake verelye
Manye a better I have put by; ^80
Therfor I will not bidd him ryde.
Nor att home I will not bid him abyde.
Nor of his marriage I have nothing adoe ;
I wott not, Gryme, what thou saist therto."
Gryme turned his backe of the Ladye faire.
And went againe to his brother Sir Egar,
Sett him downe on his bed side.
And talked these words in that tyde :
" Egar," he said, " thou and I are brethren sworne,
I loved never better brother borne; 490
Betwixt us tow let us make some cast,
And find to make our formen fast.
For of our enemies wee stand in dread.
And wee lye sleeping in our bedd."
Egar said, '^ what mistrust have yee with mee?
218
For this seven monthes if I here bee,
Shall never a man take my matter in hand
Till I bee able to avenge my-selfe in land."
A kinder knight, then Gryme w^as one,
Was never bredd of blood nor bone: 500
'' Methinke you be displeased with mee.
And that is not your part for to bee.
For sith the last time that ye came home,
I have knowen privie messengers come and gone
Betwixt your Ladye and Erie Olyes,
A noble knight that doughtye is.
Of better blood borne then ever were wee.
And halfe more livings then such other three."
Then Egar up his amies sprang.
And ffast together his hands dange, 510
With still mourning and siking sore
Saith, '' alas ! my love and my Ladye fayre.
What have I done to make you rothe,
That was ever leeve, and now soe lothe ? "
Gryme had of him great pittye,
" Brother," he said, " be councelled by mee;
If you will doe after my counsaile,
Peradventure it will greatly prevaile :
Another thing, my liffe I dare lay
That yee shall wed that Ladye within this monthes
day." 520
" How now! " quoth Egar, " how may that bee? "
" Peace ! " said Gryme, " and I shall tell thee :
I have a brother that men call Palyas,
A noble squier and worthye is.
He is welbeloved within this court
Of all the lords round about ;
Wee will him call to our councell,
Peradventur he will us prevayle ;
And I my selfe will make me sicke at home
Till a certen space be comen and gone, 53^
219
And that such a disease hath taken mee
That I may noe man heare nor noe man see.
Palyas my brother shall keepe you att home.
And I my selfe will to that battell gone.
And I shall feitch Gray-Steeles right hand,
Or I shall leave another fingar in that land."
Third Parte
They called Pallyas to their councell,
And he assented soone withouten fayle.
For he loved Sir Egar, both even and morne,
As well as he did Gryme, his brother borne. 540
" And iff you will to this battell goe,
Yee had neede of good councell betwene us two.
Gryme, if thou wilt fight with Sir Gray-Steele,
Thou had neede of weapons that stand wold weele ;
For weapons may be both fresh and new,
Fikle, false, and full untrue;
When a weapon faileth when a man hath need.
All the worse then may hee speede ;
And all I say by Sir Egar,
Where was a better knight knowen any where? 550
When his weapon faild him att most need.
All the worse then did he speede."
Palyas said, " there was somtimes in this countrye,
Egar, your unckle Sir Egranye,
And when that Egramye was livand
He had the guiding of a noble brand,
The name of itt was called Erkyin ;
Well were that man had it in keeping !
First when that sword was rought.
To King ffundus it was brought 560
Full far beyond the Greekes Sea,
For a Jewell of high degree.
220
when the King departed this world hence.
He left it with the younge prince ;
And some sayd that Egramye
Shold love that Ladye in privitye ;
He desired the sword in borrowing ;
The King deceased at that time ;
And when that Egrame was livande,
He had the guiding of that noble brand; 570
That man was never of a woman borne,
Durst abyde the winde his face beforne.
The Ladyes dwelling is heere nye;
Shee saith, ' there is noe man that sword shall see
Till her owne sonne be att age and land,
And able to welde his fathers brande.' "
Grime sayd, " I will goe thither to-morrow at day
To borrow that sword if that I may."
On the morrow when the sun shone bright.
To Egrames Ladie went Grime the knight ; 580
Kindley he halcht that Ladye faire :
She saith, "how doth my cozin Sir Egar? "
" Hee will forth, maddam, with all his might
To take a new battell on yonder knight ;
He prayeth you to lend him his unckeles brand.
And there he hath sent you the deeds of his land,
And all mine I will leave with you in pawne
That your sword shall safelye come againe."
Soe he desired that sword soe bright
That shee was loth to with-say that knight; 590
Then shee feitched him forth that noble brand,
And received the deeds of both their lands ;
She said, " there was noe fault with Egeking,
But for want of grace and governinge ;
For want of grace and good governinge
May loose a kingdome and a king.
For there is neither lin nor light
That Egeking my sword meeteth with,
221
But gladlye it will through itt gone.
That biting sword, unto the bone ; 600
But I wold not for both your lands
That Egeking came in a cowards hands."
And yett was faine Sir Gryme the knight :
To Egar he went againe that night;
Pallyas he said, " I read you be councelled by mee,
And take some gifts to that faire Ladye,
To that Ladye faire and bright
That lodged Sir Egar soe well the first night."
*' The best tokens," said Sir Egar,
Beene her sarkes of raines; I have them here." 610
He tooke broches and beads in that stonde.
And other Jewells worth forty pound
And to reward that fayre Ladye,
And thanke her of her curtesie.
'' Wherby," sayd Gryme, " shall I her know
Amongst other ladyes that stands on a row ? "
" I shall tell you tokens," sayd Sir Egar,
Wherby you may know that Ladye faire :
Shee hath on her nose, betweene her eyen.
Like to the mountenance of a pin; 620
And that hew is red, and the other is white,
There is noe other ladye her like.
For shee is the gentlest of hart and will
That ever man came untill."
Early on the other day
Theese two knights did them array :
Into a window Sir Egar yeede,
Bookes of romans for to reede.
That all the court might him heare.
The knight was armed and on steere; 630
He came downe into the hall.
And tooke his leave both of great and small.
The Erie tooke Egars hand in his fist,
The countesse comlye cold him kisse ;
222
His oune Lady stood there by,
Shee wold here the knight noe companye :
He sayd, " ffarwell, my Lady faire ! "
Shee sayd, '' God keepe you better then he did ere! "
And all that ever stoode her by.
Did marveill her answer was soe dry. 640
He went to the chamber or he wold blin ;
Sir Gryme came forth as he went in.
Stepped into the stirropp that stiffe were in warr,
And Palyas his brother wrought him a spere.
Then wold he noe longer abyde.
But towards Gray-Steele can he ryde.
To the walls went Winglaine, that Lady faire.
For to see the waygate of her love Sir Egar ;
And Gryme the spurres spared not ; soe weele
To the steeds sides he let them feele, 650
His horsse bouted forth with noble cheere.
He spowted forward, as he had beene a deere.
Till he was passed out of her sight.
To Grymes chamber went that Ladye bright :
Yett long time or shee came there
Palyas had warned Sir Egar,
Drawen double curtaines in that place
That noe man of Sir Egar noe knowledg hath.
Palyas was full of curtesie.
And sett a chaire for that faire Ladye : 660
Shee said, " at the walls, Palyas, I have beene there
To see the ryding forth of Sir Egar ;
He rydeth feircely out of the towne
As he were a wild lyon.
Alas ! hee may make great boast and shoure
When there is noe man him before ;
But when there is man to man, and steed to steede.
To prove his manhood then were it neede ! "
Oftentimes Egar both cruell and keene
For h^r in strong battells oft hath beene, 670
223
And oftentimes had put himselfe in warr ;
And lay and heard her lovvte him like a knave !
He wist not how he might him wrecke,
But cast up his armes, and thought to speake,
And Palyas was perceived of that,
And by the sholders he him gatt;
He held him downe, both sad and sore,
That he lay still and sturrd noe more.
Palvas was full of curtesie.
And thus answered that faire Ladye ; 680
He said, *' Maddame, by Gods might,
Egar is knowne for the noblest knight
That ever was borne in the land of Beame,
And most worshipp hath woon to that relme !
That was well proved in heathenesse
When the King of Beame did thither passe ;
Soe did the lords of this countrye.
And alsoe your father, that Erie soe free.
There came a Sowdan to a hill,
That many Christen men had done ill, 690
The name of him was Gornordine,
That many a Christen man had put to pine ;
And he becalled any Cristen knight.
Or any five that with him wold fight.
Five hundred knights were there that day,
And all to that battell they saydden nay.
Egar thought on you att home.
And stale to that battell all alone ;
They fought together, as I heard tell.
On a mountaine top till Gornordine fell. 700
Sixty hethen were in a busment neere,
And all brake out upon Sir Egar :
Or any reshcew came to him then.
He had kild Gornordine and other ten.
Then was he rescewed by a noble knight
That ever was proved both hardye and wight,
224
The name of him was Kay of Kaynes ;
A northeren knight I trow he is.
There were but Egar and other ten,
And they killed sixty or more of the heathen men ; 710
Thus they reschewd the noble Egar,
And brought him to the host, as you shall hear.
The King of Beame in that stage
Offered Sir Egar his daughter in marryage ;
Yet that gentle knight wold not doe soe,
He loved you best that now be his foe.
You be his foe, he knowes that nowe
When he standeth in dread, I know."
The lady was soe wrath with Palyas,
Shee tooke her leave and forth shee goth. 720
Now lett us leave chyding att home.
And speake of Sir Gryme that is to the battell gone.
Fourth Parte
All the wildernesse that there bee,
Grime rode it in dayes three ;
He mett a squier by the way ;
With fayre words Grime can to him say,
" Sir," he said, " who is lord of this countrye? "
The squier answered him gentlye,
" It is a lord most worthy est in waine,
Erie Gares is his name." 730
Grime sayd, " how highteth that lords heyre? "
He sayd, " he hath none but a daughter fayre."
Gryme saith, " who hath that Ladye wedd ? "
The knight sayd, '' shee never came in mans bedd;
But Sir Attelston, a hardye knight,
Marryed that Lady fayre and bright ;
For he gave battell, that wott I weele,
Upon a day to Sir Gray-Steele :
2 G 225
A harder battell then there was done tho,
Was never betwixt knights two; 74.0
But Gray-Steele killed Sir Attelstone,
A bolder knight was never none.
Erie Gares sonne and his heyre, —
In all the world was none more goodlyere, —
He was soe sorry Attelstone was dead.
He thought to quitt Gray-Steele his meede;
Boldlye he gave him battell upon a day,
Ther-for many a man sayd ' well-away ' !
And there they both ended att this bane
As many another knight hath done; 750
ffor I have wist that tyrant with his hands two
Kill a hundred knights and some deale moe;
Shamfulye hath driven them to dead
Withouten succour or any remed."
For all the words he spake in that time,
Nothing it feared the knight Sir Grime.
Gryme sayd, '' how fFarr have wee to that citye
Whereas that Ladyes dwelling doth bee ? "
The knight said " but miles two ;
The one of them I will with you goe." 760
They talked together gentlye
Till he had brought Grime to that citye,
Att a burgesse house his ine he hath tane ;
To seeke the Ladye Sir Grime is gone;
Then he went into a garden greene
Where he saw many ladyes sheene ;
Amongst them all he knew her there
By the tokens of Sir Eger.
Egar was hurt under the eare ;
An oyntment Gryme had drawen there; 770
He held the glove still on his hand
Where Egers fingars was lackand ;
And when that knight came her nye,
He kneeled downe upon his knee,
226
And thanked her with humble cheere
" Sith the last time, madam, that I was heere."
" Sir," said shee, '' excused you must hold mee ;
Thus avised, I did you never see."
Then hee gave her the shirts of raines in that stond
And other Jewells worth forty pound, 780
And thus rewarded that fayre Ladye,
And thanked her of her curtesie.
" Now Sir," sayd shee, " soe have I blisse :
How fareth the knight that sent me this ? "
" I doe, madam, as yee see now,
Therof I thanke great God and you."
" Why Sir," said shee, " but is it yee
That in such great perill here did bee?
I am glad to see you so sound in sight."
Hastilye shee rose and kist that knight. 790
Gryme looke upon that Ladye faire :
Soe faire a creature saw I never ere ;
For shee was cladd in scarlett redd.
And all of fresh gold shone her head ;
Her rud was red as rose in raine,
A fairer creature was never scene.
As many men in a matter full nice, —
But all men in loving shall never be wise, —
His mind on her was sop sett
That all other matters he quite forgett; 800
And as they stood thus talkeand,
Shee stale the glove besids his hand.
When shee saw his right hand bare.
Softly shee said to him there,
" Sir," said shee, '^ it was noe marveill though you hidd
your hond !
For such leeches in this land are none !
There is noe leeche in all this land
Can sett a fingar to a hand.
To be as well and as faire
227
As never weapon had done it deere ! 8io
But game and bourd let goe together ;
Scorning I can well conssider !
It was never that knights commandement
Noe scorne hither to mee to send !
If thou be comen to scorne mee,
ffull soone I can scorne thee."
Before, shee was mild of state,
Now is shee high and full of hate !
And of all the Jewells that he hath brought,
Shee curset them to the ground, and wold them
naught. 820
Grime was never soe sore in all his day ;
He wist never a word what he shold say ;
And as shee was to the chamber passand,
Grime tooke that Ladye by the hand,
Saith, " I beseech you. Lady free,
A word or two to hearken mee,
And — soe helpe me God and holy Dame ! —
I shall tell you how all this matter was done.
The knight that was heere, he was my brother.
And hee thought me more abler then any other 830
For to take that matter in hand :
He loveth a Ladye within his land ;
If not in every fight he win the gree.
Of his love forsaken must he bee."
Shee sayd, " yee seeme a gentle knight.
That answereth a ladye with soe much right."
The Jewells the mayden hath upp tane.
And shee and the knight to chamber are gone.
Shee sent unto that burgesse place
A mayden that was faire of face ; 840
What cost soever his steede did take,
Twice double shee wold it make.
A rich supper there was dight.
And shortlye sett before that knight ;
228
Meate nor drinke none wold hee,
He was soe enamored of that fayre Ladye.
He longed sore to bee a bedd,
And to a chamber shee him led,
And all his armour of was done,
And in his bed he was layd soone. 850
The Ladye, lovesome of hew and hyde,
Sett her downe by his bedside ;
Shee layd a sowter upon her knee.
And theron shee playd full love-somlye.
And her two mayds full sweetlye sang.
And ever they wept, and range their hands.
Then spake Gryme to that Ladye fayre :
" Of one thing, madam, I have great marveile,
For I heard never soe sweet playinge.
And ofentetimes soe sore weepinge." 860
Shee commanded her sowter to be taken her froe.
And sore shee wrange her hands two :
'' Sir," shee sayd, " I must never be weele
Till I be avenged on Sir Gray-Steele,
For he slew my brother, my fathers heyre.
And alsoe my owne lord both fresh and fayre ;
For Sir Attelstone shold me have wedd,
But I came never in his bedd ;
He gave a battell, that wott I weele,
Upon a day to Sir Gray-Steele. 870
A harder battell then was done thoe,
Was never betweene knights two ;
Gray-Steele killed Attelstone ;
Therfor many a knight made great moane.
Then my brother that was my fathers heyre —
In all the world was none more goodlyer —
He was soe sorry for my husband indeed,
He thought to have quitt Gray-Steele his meede :
Boldlye he gave him battell upon a day ;
Therfore many a man sayd ' wellaway ' ! 880
229
And there they both ended att that bone
As many another knight hath done ;
For I have wist that tyrant with his hands two
To have killed a hundred knights and moe.
And shamefully driven them to dead
With-outen succour or any remedeye.
And if thou be comen to fight with that knight,
Jesu defend thee in thy right !
There is noe woman alive that knoweth so weele
As I doe of the condicions of Sir Gray-Steele, 890
For everye houre from midnight till noone,
Eche hower he increaseth the strenght of a man ;
And every houer from noone till midnight.
Every hower he bateth the strenght of a knight.
Looke thou make thy first counter like a knight,
And enter into his armour bright;
Looke boldlye upon him thou breake thy spere
As a manful! knight in warr ;
Then light downe rudlye for thy best boote ;
The tyrant is better on horsbacke then on foote ; 900
Presse stiflye upon him in that stoure
As a knight will thinke on his paramoure ;
But I will not bid yee thinke on me.
But thinke on your Ladye whersoever shee bee ;
And let not that tyrant, if that he wold,
Lett you of that covenant that Ladye to holde."
Then shee tooke leave of that gentle knight ;
To her chamber shee is gone with her maidens bright.
Sir Gryme longed sore for the day ;
The ostler soone can him array e, 910
He armed the knight and brought him his steede,
And he gave him red gold for his meede.
A rich breakfast there was dight.
And shortlye sett before that knight,
But meate nor drinke none wold hee
But a cuppe of wine and soppes three.
230
He tooke leave of that Ladye cleare,
And rydeth towards the fresh river.
Fifth Parte
Early in that May morning,
Merrely when the burds can sing, 920
The throstlecocke, the nightingale.
The laveracke and the wild woodhall,
The rookes risen in every river,
The birds made a blissfull here ;
It was a heavenly melodye
Pro a knight that did a lover bee.
On the one side to heare the small birds singing.
On the other side the flowers springing.
Then drew forth of the dales the dun deere,
The sun it shone both fresh and cleere, 930
Phebus gott up with his golden beames.
Over all the land soe light it gleames ;
Hee looked upon the other side.
See parkes and palaces of mickle pryde.
With seven townes by the salt sea
With castles fay re and towers hyee.
Over the river were ryding places two,
And soone Grime chose to the one of tho ;
And then he wold noe longer abyde,
But into Gray-Steeles land can he ryde ; 940
And yett was feared Sir Gryme the knight
Lest he wold have tarryed him till night ;
But, God wott, he had noe cause to doe soe ;
For Gray-Steele had over-waches two.
They went and told their master anon right,
" Into your land is comen a knight.
And thrise he hath rydden about the plaine.
And now is he bowne to turne home againe."
231
" Nay," sayd Gray-Steele, '' by St. John!
This one yeere he shall not goe home, 950
But he shall either fight or flee.
Or a wed in this land leave shall hee."
They brought him red sheeld and red spere.
And all of fresh gold shone his geere ;
His brest-plate was purpelye pight.
His helmett itt shone with gold soe bright,
His shankes full seemlye shone.
Was sett with gold and precious stone.
His armes with plate and splents dight
Were sett with gold and silver bright; 960
With his sheelde on his brest him beforne,
Theron was a dragon and a unicorne ;
On the other side a beare and a wyld bore,
In the middest a ramping lyon that wold byte sore ;
About his necke withouten fayle
A gorgett rought with rich mayle.
With his helme sett on his head soe hye ;
A mase of gold full royallye,
On the top stoode a carbunckle bright.
It shone as moone doth in the night; 970
His sadle with selcamoure was sett.
With barrs of gold richlye frett ;
His petrill was of silke of Inde,
His steed was of a furley kinde.
With raines of silke raught to his hand,
With bells of gold theratt ringand.
He stepped into his stirropp well armed in war,
A knight kneeled and raught him a spere;
And then wold he noe longer abyde.
But straight to Sir Grime cold he ryde. 980
When Grime was ware of Gray-Steele,
Through comfort his hart came to him weele ;
He sayd, '* thou wounded my brother Sir Egar!
That deed, traytor, thou shall buy full sore."
232
Gray-Steele answered never a word,
But came on Sir Grime as he was woode ;
They smoten their steeds with spurres bright,
And ran together with all their might ;
But Gray-Steele came on Sir Grime
Like a lyon in his woodest time ; 990
Soe did Grime upon Sir Gray-Steele,
And attilde him a dint that bote full weele;
Thorrow all his armour lesse and more,
Cleane thorrow the body he him bore,
That all his girthers burst in sunder ;
The knight and salle and all came under.
Through the strenght of Gryime and his steede
He smote downe Gray-Steele, and over him yeede ;
And well perceived Gray-Steele then '
That he was macht with a noble man. 1000
Then young Grime start out of stray.
And from his stirrops he light that day ;
He thought on that Ladye yore.
How shee had taught him to doe before;
He shooke out his sword Egeking ;
The other mett him manffully without leasing;
Grime sought him on one side
And raught him a wound full wyde ;
A hundred mailes he shore assunder.
And all the stufFe that was there under; 10 10
Throughout all his armour bright.
Five inch into the sholder, the sword light.
But Gray-Steele never with noe man mett
That two such dints did on him sett ;
Then thought Gray-Steele, that warryour wight.
To quitt Sir Grime, that noble knight :
He hytt him on the helme on hye
That the fire as flynt out can flye ;
Or ever he cold handle Egeking againe.
Three doughtye dints he sett on him certaine, 1020
2 H 233
That almost Sir Gryme was slaine,
The least of them might have beene a mans bane.
Thus these noble burnes in battele
Hacked and hewed with swords of mettle.
Through rich many and myny plee
The red blood blemished both their blee.
Sir Grime was learned in his child-hood
Full noblye to handle a sworde ;
With an arkward stroke ffull slee
He hitt Sir Gray-Steele on the knee; 1030
If he were never soe wight of hand.
On the one foote he might but stand :
"Thou wounded my brorther Sir Egar;
That deed thou shalt abuy full sore ! ;
Then answered Gray-Steele, that warryour wight,
" Wherefore upbraydest thou me with that knight?
" For he never went by watter nor lande,
But he was as good as the both of hart and hand ;
And hee had beene weaponed as well as I
He had beene worth both thee and mee." 1040
He hitt Sir Gryme on the cainell bone ;
A quarter of his sheeled away his gone ;
The other he clave in tow
That it ffell into the feyld soe far him froe ;
His noble sword Egeking
Went from him without leasing.
But Grime was wight upon the land.
He followed fast after and gatt his brand ;
But on Gray-Steele had had his other foote
To have holpen him in neede and boote, 1050
I cold not thinke how Gryme the knight
Shold have comen againe to that Ladye bright.
When he had gotten againe Ege-king,
Fell were the dints he sett on him ;
With an arkeward stroke full sore
Through liver and longs Gray-Steele he bore.
234
Gray-Steele went walling woode
When his sydes fomed of his harts blood ;
Then perceived the knight Sir Grime
That Gray-Steele was in poynt of time. 1060
Grime sayd, '^ yeeld thee, Sir Gray-Steele,
For thou can never doe soe weele."
The other said, " thou mayst lightlye lye ;
That man shall I never see ;
That man was never of woman borne
Shall make me yeelde, one man to one."
He was soe angry att Grimes words
That both his hands he sett on his sword.
And with all his strenght that was in him leade,
He sett itt on Sir Grimes heade 1070
That such a stroke he never gate,
Nor noe knight that was his mate ;
He thought his head rove assunder,
His necke cracked that was under,
His eares brushed out of blood.
The knight stackered with that stroke, and stoode.
For and he and had once fallen to the ground,
The Lady had never scene him sound.
Thus they fought together fell and sore
The space of a mile and somthing more. 1080
Gray-Steele bled withouten fayle.
His visage waxed pan and wale ;
Grime att his gorgett he gate a gripe.
And fast he followed in after itt.
And backward to the ground he him bare,;
He let him never recover more ;
His brest-plate from him he cast.
And thrise to the hart he him thrust.
Thus ungracious deeds without mending
Can never scape without an ill endinge. 1090
All this I say by Sir Gray-Steele,
For fortune had led him long and weele ;
235
I have wist that knight with his hands tow
Slay one hundred knights and moe,
Shamefullye driven them to dead
Without succour or any remed ;
And he lyeth slaine with a poore knight,
And for his sworne brother came to fight.
Then Gryme looked by him soone;
They steeds were fighting, as they had done; iioo
In sonder he parted the steeds two ;
To GraySteeles sadle can he goe ;
He right the girthes, and sadled the steed,
And againe to the dead body he yeede.
And pulled forth his noble brand.
And smote of Sir Gray-Steeles hande :
" My brother left a fingar in this land with thee,
Therfore thy whole hand shall he see."
Hee looked up to the castle of stone.
And see ladyes manye a one mo
Wringing, and wayling, and riving there heare.
Striking, and crying with voices full cleere.
Wight men, they wold not blin,
Horsse and harnesse pro to win :
It was ever Sir Gray-Steeles desiring
That for his death shold be made noe chalishing.
Grime leapt on Sir Gray-Steeles steed.
His owne by the bridle he cold him leade.
And he rode towards the fresh river.
There was noe man durst nye him nere; ii20
Yett it was an howre within the night
Before he came againe to that Ladye bright.
He rode strayght to the burgesse dore.
The ostler mett him on the flore :
"O master!" he said, "now is come that knight
That went hence when the day was light ;
He hath brought with him Sir Gray-Steeles steede.
And much more of his golden weede ;
236
He hath brought with him his chaine of gold —
His sadle harnes is fay re to behold, — 1130
With other more of his golden geere ;
In all this land there is none such to were."
Then to the dore fast cold they hye,
Bold men and yeamanrye.
The burgesse asked the knight
Whether he wold lodg with him all night.
Grime sayd, " to lye in a strange land —
And here is a strong castle att hand —
Methinke itt were a great follye ;
I wott not who is my freind or my enemy e." 1140
Hee tooke the hand, and the glove of gold soe gay ;
To the Ladyes chamber he tooke the way,
Att supper where shee was sett,
But never a morsel might shee eate ;
"A!" shee sayd, "now I thinke on that knight
That went from me when the day was light !
Yesternight to the chamber I him ledd ;
This night Gray-Steele hath made his bed !
Alas ! he is foule lost on him !
That is much pittye for all his kine! 1150
For he is large of blood and bone,
And goodlye nurture lacketh he none !
And he his fayre in armes to fold.
He is worth to her his waight in gold ;
Woe is me, for his love in his countrye!
Shee may thinke longe or she him see ! "
With that she thought on her lord Attelstone
That they water out of her eyen ran.
With that Grime knocked att the chamber dore.
And a maiden stoode ther on the flore; 1160
" O madam ! " shee said, ''now is come that knight
That went hence when the day was light."
And hastilye from the bord she rise.
And kissed him twenty sithe :
237
" How have you farren on your journey ? "
" Full well, my love," Sir Grime did say,
*' For I have taken such a surtye on yonder knight
That pore men in his country may have right;
Merchants may both buy and sell
Within the lands where they doe dwell." 1170
He gave her the hand and the glove gay,
And sayd, '' lay up this till itt be day."
Shee tooke the glove att him,
But shee wist not that they hand was in ;
And as they stoode still on the ground.
The hand fell out ther in that stond,
And when shee looked on that hand
That had slaine her brother and her husband,
Noe marveill though her hart did grisse,
The red blood in her face did rise : 11 80
It was red rowed for to see.
With fingars more then other three;
On everye fingar a gay gold ring,
A precious stone or a goodly thing ;
And yet shee hath it up tane
And put into the glove againe.
And unto a coffer did shee goe,
And unlocked lockes one or two.
A rich supper there was dight
And sett before that worthye knight, 1190
But meate nor drinke he might none.
He was soe furbrished, body and bone.
He longed sore to be a bedd.
And to a chamber shee him ledd.
And all his armour of was done.
And the Lady searched his wounds soone.
The Ladye was never soe soe sounde
When shee saw hee had no death-wound ;
For ever thought that fayre Ladye
His wedded wife that shee shold bee. 1200
238
And when shee had this done,
To her owne chamber shee went soone;
She tooke out the hand and the glove of gold
To her fathers hall shee sayd shee wold,
Att supper when he was sett.
And many lords withouten lett.
And when shee came into the hall,
Finely shee halched on them all :
" I can tell you tydings, father, will like you weelle ;
Slaine is your enemye Sir Gray-Steelee." 1210
Then they laughed all ffuU hastilye.
Said, "Maddam, it seemeth to be a lye:
That man was never borne of a woman
Cold never kill Gray-Steele, one man to one."
She cast out the hand and the glove of gold ;
All had marveill did it behold,
For it was red rowed for to see.
With fingars more then other three.
And on everye fingar a fine gold ring,
A precious stone or a goodlye thing. 1220
The Erie said, '' daughter, wher dwelleth that knight?"
Then answered that Ladye both faire a7icl bright.
And sayth, '^father, his name I cannott myn.
But he was borne in the land of Beame ;
He is large of blood and bone.
And goodlye nurture lacketh none ;
He is faire in armes to fold.
He is worth his waight in gold ;
But he rydeth in the morning when it is day."
" That I sett Gods forbott," the Erie can say, 1230
*' For I wold 7iot for a thousand pound
Of florences red and rounde.
Unrewarded of me that he shold goe
That soe manfully hath venged mee on my foe."
Earlye on the other day
Sir Gryme radylye can him array ;
239
And as hee was his leave takeand,
The Erie came att his hand ;
And when the Erie came him nye,
Sir Gryme sett him on his knee, 1240
And thanked him with humble cheerre
For the great refreshing he had there.
The Erie tooke Gryme by the hand,
And said, " gentle knight, doe thou upp stand !
And as thou art a warriour wight,
Tarry with me this day and this night."
** My lord," hee said, " I am at your will;
All your commandement to fulfill."
Then a squier tooke the steeds tow.
And to a stable then can he goe; 1250
The Erie tooke Gryme by the hand.
To the pallace they yode leadand ;
A rich dinner ther men might see,
Of meate and drinke was great plentye ;
The certaine sooth if I shold say.
He was meate fellow for the Ladye gay.
And when the dinner was all done.
The Erie tooke Grime into a chamber soone,
And spurred him gentlye,
" Sir, beene you marryed in your countrye? " 1260
Grime answered him hastilye,
"I had never wiffe nor yett ladye :
I tell you truly, by Saint John,
I had never wiffe nor yett lemman."
The Erie sayd, '' I am glad indeed,
For all the better here may you speede ;
For I have a daughter that is my heyre
Of all my lands, that is soe faire ;
And if thou wilt wed that Ladye free.
With all my hart I will give her thee." 1270
Great thankes Gryme to him can make;
Saith, " I love her to well to forsake! "
240
And afore the Erie and bishopps three
Gryime handfasted that faire Ladye.
The day of marryage itt was sett,
That Gryme shold come againe without let.
The Erie feitched him in that stonde
Two robes was worth four hundred pound :
They were all beaten gold begon ; —
He gave Egar the better when he came home. — 1280
He tooke leave of the Erie and the Ladye,
And rydes home into his countrye.
Sixth Parte
He came to a forrest a privye way,
And leaveth his steed and his palfray;
And when he had soe doone.
He went to his chamber right soone.
And privylye knocked on the dore.
And Palyas his brother stood on the flore.
Palyas was never more glad and blyth
When he see his brother come home alive. 1290
" How fareth Sir Egar? " Sir Grime can say.
" The better that you have sped on your journey."
" Rise, Sir Egar, and arme thee weele
Both in iron and in Steele,
And goe into yonder forreste free,
And Pallyas, my brother, shall goe with thee ;
And there thou shalt find Sir Gray-Steeles steed,
And much more of his golden weede;
There thou shalt find his chaine of gold.
His sadle harnesse full fayre to behold, 1300
With other more of his golden geere ;
In all this land is none such to weare.
To-morrow when the sunn shineth bright,
Looke thou gett into thy Ladyes sight,
2 I 241
And looke thou as strange to her bee
As shee in times past hath been to thee ;
For and thou doe not as shee hath done before,
Thou shalst loose my love for evermore."
Then forth went Egar and Pallyas
Where the steeds and steven was. 13 lo
A Scarlett mantle Grime hath tane ;
To the Erles chamber hee his gone
With still mourning and sighing sore,
" Alas ! slaine is my brother Sir Egar !
For seven dayes are comen and gone
Sith he promised me to bee att home ;
He rode forth wounded verry sore ;
Alas ! my sorrow is much the more !
Thy great pride of thy daughter free
Made him in this great perill to bee; 1320
Alas that ever shee was borne !
The best knight that ever was in this world is forlorne!"
Gryme upon his way can goe ;
The Erie and the Countesse were full woe;
Then they bowned them both more and lesse
To the parish church to hear a masse.
When the masse was all done.
To the pallace they went full soone.
One looked betwene him and the sunn,
Sais, "methinks I see tow armed knights come." 1330
Another sayd, ''Nay, indeed.
It is an armed knight ryding, and leads a steede."
And when they knight came them neere,
All wist it was Sir Egar ;
But Gryme was the first man
That ever welcomed Sir Egar home.
The Erie tooke Egars hand in his,
The Countesse cold him comlye kisse ;
His own Lady Winglaine wold have done soe ;
He turned his backe and rode her froe, 1340
242
And said, '^ parting is a privye payne,
But old freinds cannott be called againe ;
For the great kindnesse I have found att thee,
fforgotten shalt thou never bee."
He turned his steede in that tyde.
And said to Garnvvicke he wold ride.
The Lady sooned when he did goe ;
The Erie and the Countesse were full woe ;
The Erie profered Gryme forty pound of land,
Of florences that were fayre and round, 1350
For to gett the good will of Egar his daughter to ;
I hope that was ethe to doe.
Grime went forth on his way.
And faire words to Egar ca?i he say :
"Abyde and speake a word with mee.
Brother," he said, " for charitye."
Egar sayd, " here I am at your will ;
Whatere you command. He fulfill."
A squier tooke his steeds tow,
And to a stable can he goe. 1360
Gryme tooke Egar by the hand.
To their owne chamber they went leadand.
And all his armour of hath done.
And laid it downe where he put it on.
Gryme feitched forth tow robes in that stond,
The worse was worth four hundred pound :
They were all of beaten gold begon :
He put the better Egar on ;
Then was Egar the seemly est man
That was in all Christendonne. 1370
Gryme tooke him by the hand.
To the palace they yode leadand :
A rich dinner there men might see,
Meate and drinke there was plentye ; —
Certaine sooth if I shold say.
He was meate fellow with the Ladye gay ; —
243
And when the dinner was all done,
Grime tooke the Erie to councell soone :
'' As my lord Egar is the knight
That winneth the worshipp in every fight, 1380
And if hee shall have your daughter fi-ee,
Att your owne will I have gotten him to bee ;
I read anon that it were done."
The Erie and the Countesse accorded soone ;
The Erie sent forth his messenger
To great lords both far and neere.
That they shold come by the fifteenth day
To the marryage of his daughter gay.
And there Sir Egar, that noble knight,
Marryed Winglayne, that Ladye bright. 1390
The feast it lasted fortye dayes,
With lords and ladyes in royall arrayes ;
And at the forty dayes end,
Everye man to his owne home wend,
Eche man home into his countrye ;
Soe did Egar, Grime, and Pallyas, all three;
They never stinted nor blan.
To Earle Gares land till they came.
The Erie wist he wold be there.
He mett them with a royal fere, 1400
With a hundred knights in royall array
Mett Egar and Grime in the way.
With much myrth of minstrelsye.
And welcomed them into that countrye ;
And there Sir Gryme, that noble knight,
Marryed Loosepine, that Ladye bright.
Why was shee called Loospaine?
A better leeche was none certaine.
A royall wedding was made there.
As good as was the other before; 14 10
And when five dayes done did hee,
Egar desired all the Erles meanye
244
To ryde with him into Gray-Steeles land,
To resigne all into his brothers hand.
They chose Pallyas to be their captain wight;
The Erie dubd him, and made a knight.
And by councell of lords with him did bee,
Hee gave him a hundred pounds of fee.
Then wold they noe longer abyde.
But into Gray-Stceles land can they ryde; 1420
They brake his parkes and killed his deere,
Rasen his havens and shipps soe cleere ;
They tooken townes and castles of stone.
Gray-Steele had never a child but one
That was a daughter fayre and free ;
Untill that castle shee did flee ;
Egar tooke that Lady, as I understand,
And brought her into Earle Gares land.
When that Ladye the Earle did see,
Shee kneeled downe upon her knee, 1430
And said, '' if my father were a tyrant and your enemye.
Never take my land froe me."
The Erie sayd, "for thy curtesye
All the better the matter may bee :
For to weld thy land and thee
Choose thee any knight that thou here see."
Amongst all that there was
Shee chose unto Pallyas.
Glad and blythe was baron and knight,
Soe were Egar and Gryme that were soe wight; 1440
And there Sir Pallyas, that noble knight,
Marryed Emyas that was soe bright.
A royall wedding was made thore.
As good as was the other before.
I never wist man that proved soe weele
As did Sir Grine upon Sir Gray-Steele,
For he gate to his brother Sir Egar
An Erles land and a Ladye faire ;
245
He gate himselfe an Erles lande,
The fairest Lady that was livande; 1450
He gate his brother Pallyas
A Barrens daughter and a barronage.
Winglaine bare to Sir Egar
Ten children that were fayre ;
Ten of them were sonnes wight,
And five, daughters fayre in sight.
And Loosepine bare to Sir Grime
Ten children in short time ;
Seven of them sonnes was,
And three were daughters faire of face. 1460
Emyeas bare to Sir Pallyas
Three children in short spacee ;
Two of them sonnes were.
The third was a daughter faire and cleere ;
After, shee was marryed to a knight
That proved both hardye and wight.
There was noe man in noe countrye
That durst displease those brethren three :
For two of them were Erles free.
The third was a barron in his countrye; 1470
And thus they lived and made an end.
To the blisse of heaven their soules bringe !
I pray Jesus that wee soe may
Bring us the blisse that lasteth aye !
ffinis.
END OF FIRST VOLUME
246
FR
1181
P^65
v.l
Percy, Thomas
Folio of Old English
ballads and romances
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE ^
CARDS OR SLIPS FROM THIS POCKET
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY
