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SIR EGLAMOUR
A MIDDLE ENGLISH ROMANCE
EDITED BY
ALBERT S. COOK
PROFESSOR OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
IN YALE UNIVERSITY
NEW YORK
HENRY HOLT AND COMPANY
191 1
E3
WEIMAR : PRINTED BY R. WAGNER SOHN.
PREFATORY NOTE.
The object of this book is to provide a convenient
edition for college use. The text is taken, by the kind
permission of Professor Schleich, from his edition of the
poem in Palaestra No. 53 (Berlin, 1906), to which the
student is referred for fuUer information ; but I have dealt
freely with capitals and punctuation.
An especially difficult line is sometimes translated or
paraphrased at the foot of the page.
Yale University, June, 1911,
a 2
INTRODUCTION.
1. THE POEM.
Sir Eglamour was written between 1350 and 1400. It has
many Northern pecuharities, and is believed to belong to
the border region between Northern and Midland. Among
these peculiarities are the frequent (though not exclusive) use
of a for Southern English o (OE. a, a), the present participle
in -ande, etc. The verb normally has the 3 sing, in -5, the
plural without ending (but walkes, 286), the past participle
in -n(e), and the infinitive without ending. Note such
forms as es (ior am), 1204; the infinitives ma, ta (but take,
83; cf. gane, 372, 1021, 1227; sene, 1092; sayne, 838); gyff
{ior give) ; qn- for hw-; at, conj., 540 (Scand. for that; cf 626) ;
thir (= these) ; garte (Scand.) ; ilk, etc.
The poem has 118 stanzas, which normally are of 12 lines
each. This would make 1356 lines, but the romance in this
version has only 1335 (Percy, 1291 ; Thornton, 1841), so that
21 lines are lacking. Of these, 6 lines are wanting in stanza
21 ; 8 each in stanzas 67, 70, and 84 ; and 6, again, in stanza 107.
2. MANUSCRIPTS AND EARLY PRINTED BOOKS.
Manuscripts.
L.
Lincoln Cathedral A. i. 17. About 1440. Extracts printed
by Halliwell in the notes to F {The Thornton Romances,
pp. 273—287).
The text of the present edition.
4 INTRODUCTION
F.
Camb. Univ. Lib. Ff. ii. 38. Before 1461. The poorest of
the manuscripts (according to Schleich). Printed by Halli-
well in The Thornton Romances (London, Camden Society,
1844), pp. 121—176. This (and C) divides the poem into
cantos (Jyttes) alter stanzas 29, 53, 74.
C.
Brit. Mus. Cott. Caligula A. ii. Fifteenth century. A few
readings given in Haliwell's notes.
S.
Duke of Sutherland's library. The oldest manuscript;
end of fourteenth century. One leaf, containing lines 1—160.
Early Printed Books.
P-
Percy Folio Manuscript. About 1650. Printed by Hales
and Fumivall, Bishop Percys Folio Manuscript (London,
1868) 2. 341—389. This is a manuscript copy of an early
printed book.
e.
Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. Printed by Chepman
and Myllar, Edinburgh, 1508. Reprinted by Laing in The
Knightly Tale of Golagrus and Gawane (Edinburgh, 1827).
b.
Fragments of a book published at London by Richard
Bankes about 1530, and owned (1895) by Francis Jenkinson,
Librarian of Cambridge University Library. Printed by
J. Hall in Archiv fur das Studium der Neueren Spraclien
und Litteraturen 95. 308—311.
INTRODUCTION 5
w.
Brit. Mns. Printed by John Walley about 1540. Certain
extracts are printed by Laing (see under e). A version
in modem prose, with extracts from this edition, is given
by EUis, Specimens of Early English Romances.
a.
Brit. Mus. Printed by William Copland between 1548
and 1561.
d.
Brit. Mus. Douce 261. Copy of a book printed in 1564.
3. ANALOGUES.
The poem has more or less close analogies with Chau-
cer's Man of Law's Tale (also told by Gower, both being
dependent upon the French of Nicholas Trivet, or Trevet,
who died in 1328), with the romances of Torrent of Port-
ugal, Emare, Octavian, Sir Isumbras and Guillaume
d'Angleterre, and more remotely, with the legend of St.
Eustache. The story of the Man of Law's Tale is so
familiar that it need not be rehearsed here. The others
follow in the order named.
Torrent of PortugaL
Calamond, King of Portugal, has an only daughter,
Desonelle, with whom Torrent, son of a Portuguese count,
falls in love. After various adventures, in which he slays
several giants, he obtains possession of Desonelle, but with-
out a formal marriage. Torrent sets off on new advent-
ures, and his wife, having been delivered of twin boys,
is set adrift with them by her father, and lands on the
coast of Palestine. A griffin carries off one son, and a
leopard another; the mother dwells under the protection
6 INTRODUCTION
of the King of Nazareth. Torrent, returning to Portugal,
vanquishes Calamond, sends him to his death in a leaky
boat, and is made king in his stead. He then departs for
the Holy Land, where he spends fifteen years, and event-
ually is vanquished in single combat by one of his sons.
Finally, at a grand tournament, Torrent, Desonelle, and
their two sons, are reunited, whereupon they return to
Portugal.
Emare.
Emare (pronounced Emare) is the daughter of an Em-
peror; her father clothes her in a rich cloth of gold, with
love-scenes worked on it in jewels, and obtains the Pope's
dispensation to marry her ; she refuses, and is turned adrift
upon the sea ; is driven to the shore of ' Galys,' where the
king loves and marries her; she is delivered of a boy,
named Segramour, during the absence of her husband in
France, whose mother sends him word that the child is a
monster; the king sends back an order to keep her till
his return, but his mother turns her adrift, once more,
with her mantle and her child ; she is driven back to Rome,
and adopted by a merchant; the King of 'Galys' comes
to do penance at Rome, and lodges at the merchant's
house, his son bears wine to him; the Emperor, too, ar-
rives at Rome, to do penance also ; and they all meet to-
gether. ^
Octavian.
The Emperor ' Octavian ' marries the French princess
Florence, and she bears twin boys, named Florent and
'Octouyan.' The emperor's mother persuades him that
^ Ward, Catalogue of Romances i. 418.
INTRODUCTION 7
one of the children must be a bastard, and they and their
mother are turned out into the forest, 100 miles from Rome.
An ape runs away with one child, and a lioness with the
other. But they all meet happily in the end.^
Sir Isumbras.
The Poem tells how Sir Isumbras, in the height of his
pride, was warned by an angel ; how his horse, his hawk,
and his hounds died ; how his cattle were all lost, and his
castle burned, and nothing saved to him but his wife and
his three boys ; how they set forth on a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem ; how he was robbed of the two elder children
by a lion and a leopard, and of his wife by 'an hethen
kynge ' ; how a ' gryffyn ' flew away with his red mantle
and the gold left in it by the 'hethen kynge,' and his
youngest child was carried off by a unicorn ; how he took
service with a smith and made himself armor ; how he
was received, as a palmer, by his own wife, now become
' a ryche qwene ' ; and how, while both he and his wife
were fighting against ' two hethenne kynges ' and their
men, they were rescued by their three sons, riding on a
lion, a leopard, and a unicorn.^
Guillaume d'Angleterre.
Guillaume, a king of England, is commanded by an
angel to leave his home and to conceal his name and
dignity for twenty-four years. His wife discovers his in-
tended flight and leaves home with him. They live for a
time in the woods. She bears twin boys on a rock near
the sea. She is carried off by merchants, one of whom
1 Ward, p. 762. * Ward, p. 760.
8 INTRODUCTION
throws a red silk purse to the king. The purse is caught
in a tree and snatched away by an eagle. Guillaume finds
an empty boat; but whilst he is placing one of the boys
in it he sees a wolf running off with the other, and loses
both. At the end of twenty-four years, however, they all
meet again in England, and Guillaume regains his kingdom.^
St. Eustache.
According to the Greek Martyr Acts, which were prob-
ably composed in the eighth century, this saint was be-
fore his baptism a captain of Trajan, named Placidus. As
he one day hunted in the forest, the Saviour appeared to
him between the antlers of a hart, and converted him.
Placidus changed his name into Eustache, when he was
baptized with his wife and sons. God announced to him
by an angel his future martyrdom. Eustache was afflicted
by dreadful calamities, lost all his estate, and was com-
pelled to go abroad as a beggar with his wife and his
children. As he went on board a ship bound for Egypt,
his wife was seized by the shipmaster and carried off.
Soon after, when Eustache was traveling along the shore,
his two children were borne away by a lion and a -leo-
pard. Eustache then worked for a long time as a jour-
neyman, till he was discovered by the Emperor Trajan,
who had sent out messengers for him, and called him to
his court. Reappointed captain, Eustache undertook an
expedition against the Dacians. During this war he found
his wife in a cottage as a gardener — the shipmaster had
fallen dead to the ground as he ventured to touch her — and
in the same cottage he found again his two sons as sol-
» Ward, p. 759.
INTRODUCTION 9
diers: herdsmen had rescued them from the wild beasts,
and brought them up. Glad was their meeting again !
But as they returned to Rome, they were all burnt in a
glowing bull of brass by the Emperor's order because
they refused to sacrifice to the heathen gods.^
The duel of father and son suggests the story of Sohrab
and Rustum, retold by Matthew Arnold ; and the marriage
of mother and son the King (Edipus of Sophocles.
' Adam, Vber Sir Torrent of Portyngale^ p. xxii.
SIR EGLAMOUR
SIR EGLAMOUR
I
Jesu, Jjat* es hevens kyng,
Gyif us alle his blyssyng,
And beyld * us in his boure ** ;
And giff Jiam joye Jiat will here
Of eldyrs Jjat byfore us were,
pat lyved in grete honoure.
I will gow telle of a knyghte
pat was bothe hardy and wyght*,
And stythe* in ilk** a stoure***;
lo Whare dedis of armes were, fere or nere,
pe gre * he Wynnes with jornaye **
clere ***,
And ever in felde J)e floure *.
that
shelter
* active
' bold
* prize
* flower
abode
■"^ each
[*** encounter
''""fighting
[*** splendid
II
In Artasse* was getyn** and borne,
And his eldirs hym byforne.
Herkyn ! I will gow saye
For dedis of armes whare he went:
With J)e erle es * he lent *
In derenes* nyghte and daye.
Sir Pryncesamour J)e erle hight*;
20 Sir Eglamour men callys Jje knyght,
Was* curtase ever and aye.
For jDe erle hym had in walde*,
Of dedis of armes was he balde * :
With* no man sayde he naye.
24 He refused a challenge from none.
Artois
begotten
* abode
* favor
■' -was called
* See 117, 149, 261, 266
* keeping
* bold
* To
14
SIR EGLAMOUR
(25-48)
III
The erle had na child hot ane :
pat was a dogheter, white als fame *,
pat his aj^ere sold * bee.
Cristabelle was hir name ;
A fayrere lady of flesche ne bane
30 Was nane in Cristyante.
Sir Eglamour sa* hym bare
pat alle |)is werlde he loved na mare
pan {)at lady free ;
Sertanly, bothe day and nyght,
Sa dose scho* Jiat gentyll knyght:
It was J)e more pete*.
* foam
* should
so
* does she
* pity
IV
The knyghte was hardy and bold in
stele * ;
parefore t^e lady loved hym wele,
Forsothe, als I gow telle.
40 Lordis come of ilk a lande
Hir to aske, I undirstande,
With many folkes and felle*.
Sir Eglamour, he garte crye*
Dedis of armes, witterly*,
For t)e lufe of Cristabelle.
What manere man come hir to hafe,
Swylke bofetes* he Jjam gaffe,
For ever he dyde* {jam dwelle**.
steel (armor)
* st7irdy
* had proclaimed
assuredly
* Such buffets
* made ** stay^ lie
(49-72)
SIR EGLAMOUE,
15
Till it byfelle appon a daye,
50 Till his sqwyere gun * he saye
In chambir, whare J)ay tyste * :
' Belamy, and ]dou couthe layne,
Of a thyng I wolde \>e sayne :
In the es alle my tryste*.'
' §a, mayster, par ma faye *,
What thyng Ipat ge to me saye,
§ow thare* noght be abaste**.'
' pe erles dogheter, so God me save,
pe lufe of hir bot* I may have,
60 My lyfe jDan * hafe I lost.'
* began, did
* rested
* trttst
* by my faith
* need ** dispirited
* unless
* then
VI
' §a,' * he sayd^, ' mayster free ** ;
§e hafe me told goure private*,
I sail gow gyff answare ;
Takis * it not to ill. I undirstande
§e are a knyghte of lytill lande.
And mekill wolde hafe mare.
If I wende and say hyr sa.
In a skorne scho will it ta*.
And lightly late me fare.
70 Mayster, J)e man \)Qi hewes overhey
The chyppis fallis in his e3'e;
Thus fallis* it ay whare**.
* Yea ** noble
* private affair
* Take, imp.
* take
* too high
* fareth (S), happis (C)
[*♦ cverywlicre
52 Dear friend, if thou couldst keep it secret.
66 And (those who have) much would (fain) have more.
b
16
SIR EGLAMOUR
(73-96)
VII
Sir, umb3i:hynk * gow of all thynge - - ,
pat hir wowes * emperour and kynge,
And dukes J)at are bolde ;
Eriis, barons hir dose* also;
And gitt ne will scho none of tho *,
Bot in gudnes hir holde.
Wist* hir fadir, by hevens Kynge,
80 pat hir were profirde swylke * a thyng,
Full dere it mond* be solde.
Now ne wolde scho never kyng forsake
And til * a sympill knyght hir take **,
Bot if* I)aire lufe were olde.'
* bethink ** things
* woo
* do
* those
* Knew
* such
* would
* for ** commit
* Unless
VIII
pan sayd Jie knyght {)at was so mylde :
' Sqwyare, sen J)ou was * a childe,
pou has bene aye with mee ;
In dedis of armes, or any stowre,
Whare herde ]50u ever my dyshonoure ?
90 Saye forthe, sa God save the ! '
'Nay, mayster, by God of myghte,
§e ere J)e nobileste knyghte
I knawe in Cristyante ;
In dedis of armes, be God onlyve*
§our body es worthe o{)er fyve.'
' Gramercy, sir ! ' sayd he.
* since thou wert
living
(97-I20)
SIR EGLAMOUE
17
IX
pe knyght syghede and sayd na mare,
Bot to his bedd |)an gode* he J^are, * -di'ent
pat richely was wroghte.
loo To Criste his handis he lyfte up sone :
'Lorde, ge grants me my bone,
On rode als {)ou me boghte :
The erhs dogheter, faire and free,
pat scho myght myn awen * bee * own
pat maste es in my thoghte ;
pat I myght wedd hir to my wyfe.
And rejoyse hir all my lyfe ;
To blysse Jjan ware I broghte.'
X
Appon t>e morne J^e mayden smalle
Byfore hir fadir ete in J)e halle,
Amang J)e beryns * bryghte.
like man semblede* in bot he;
pe lady sayde : ' For Goddis pete,
Whare es Eglamour, my knyght?'
His sqwyere answerd with febill chere * :
' Madame, he es seke, and dede full
nere,
Bysekis* gowe** of a syghte;
For he lyes castyn in swylk a care,
Bot if* ge mende hym of his sare.
He levys* noghte |)is sevenyghte.'
b 2
* barons
* gathered
* downcast expression
* Beseeches ** you
* Unless
* lives
18 Sm EGLAMOUE (121-144)
XI
The erle to his dogheter spake :
' Damesele, for Goddis sake,
Herkyn whate I will saye :
After mete dose * als J)e hende ** : * do, imp. ** courteous
Luke * Jjou to his chambyr wende. * Look
He hase servede us many a daye
Trewdy in his entent;
In batelle ne in tournament
He nytyde * us never with naye ** ; * refused ** denial
130 In dedis of armes, ferre or nere *, * See 10
pe gre* he Wynnes with journaye clere, * See 1 1
Oure menske* for ever and aye.' * regard
XII
Efter mete this lady gent*, * gentle
To do hir fadir* coma«dment * father's
Scho buskede hir* to wende; * tnad^ herself ready
And with hir tuke scho maydyns twa
To his chambir for to ga,
pat curtase was and hende;
For na man ne wald scho spare* * forbear
140 Till his chambir for to fare,
Whare {)at he gan lende *. * dwell
pe sqwyere sayd : ' Mayster, ma* gud * make
chere ;
Here comes Jjc erls dogheter dere ;
Cryste len * J)at ge part frende ! ' * grant
(145-168)
SIR EGLAMOUR
19
XIII
Than sayd Ipe lady J)at was bryght:
'How fans Sir Eglamour, my knyght,
pat doghety es ever aywhare?'
' Dameselle,' he sa3's, ' als ge may see,
Lyes bowndyn for pe luf of the
^50 In langynge* and in care.'
Than sayd \)e lady fayre and free:
' If ge be angrede for pe luffe of mee,
It greves me wondir sare*'
' Dameselle, myghte I torne * unto lyfe,
I wolde wedd gow to my wyfe,
If J)at gour will it ware.'
longing
sore
turn
XIV
pe lady sayd : ' So God me see *, * /r^iard
pou arte a gud knyght and a fre,
And comen of gentill blode ;
160 And doghetily undir J)i schelde
Hase wonne J)e gre in ilke a felde
Full menskfuUy*, by \>e. rode.
I sail avyse mc of it.
And at* my fadir, I rede, ge witt**
If ])at his will be gode.
Als I am mayden trewe and gent.
If ge be bothe at one assent,
I fayle the for na fode-.' * person
honorably
• from ** learn
20 SIR EGL AMOUR (169-192)
XV
The knyghte he kepis * no more of * heeds, cares
blysse ;
170 Now he hase getyn grant of this,
He made full ryalle chere.
He comand * his sqwy ere for to gaa, * commanded
Of golde a hundreth pownd to taa*, * take
To gyff hir mayd3^ns clere :
'Damesele, so God me save,
To goure maryage J)is sail ge have ;
For ge come never are * here.' * before
Scho thanked hym anone righte.
And tuke hir leve, and kyssede I)e
knyght,
180 And sayde: 'Fare wele, my fere*!' * mate
XVI
Agayne {)e lady tase * f)e waye ; * takes
pe erle hir fadir for to saye *, * assay
Laye in a holde* of stane. * stroyighold
'Welcome, dogheter, whit als floure !
How faris my knyghte, Sir Eglamour ?'
Scho answerde hym onane*: * anon
'Grete athes he me sware
pat he es coverde * of his care : * recovered
Slyke* comforthe hase he tane**. * ^^^ ** taken
190 He tolde me and my maydyns hende.
To mome* he wolde over revere** * To-morrow
wende
— With his hawkis ilkane,'
(I93-2I6)
SIR EGLAMOUE
21
XVII
pe erle sayd {Dan : ' Sekirly,
I will wend to see pam fly
For comforthe* of the knyghte.'
Appon f)e morne, when it was daye,
Sir Eglamour tase \>e waye
Till a revere full ryght.
The erle buskede and mad hym gare*,
*oo And bothe f)ay went to pe ryvare
To se {)at semly syghte.
Alle J)e daye J)ay made gud chere ;
A wrethe* bygane, als ge may here,
Be pat it neghede* to nyghte.
See 189
ready
wrath
By the time that it
[drew nigh
XVIII
Als J)ay went hamward by f)e waye,
pe knyghte unto {)e erle gun saye:
'Lord, will ge me here?'
'Saa,' he sayd, 'so mot* I the**!
Whatkyn* thynge J)ou says to mee.
It es me leve* and dere;
For Jje beste knyght arte J)ou
pat in my lande lyves nowe,
Ow{)er ferre or nere.'
'Gud^ lorde, pur* charyte, —
Cristabelle, gour doghter free.
When schall scho hafe a fere?'
* may ** thrive
* ll'hatever
* welcome
'for
22 SIR EGLAMOUR (217-240)
XIX
The erle sayde : ' So God me save,
I knawe na man my doghter sail have,
pat es so bryghte of blee *.' * hue
' §is *, gud lorde, I gow praye — * Yes
I hafe gow servede many a daye —
§e voche hir safe on me.'
The erle sayde : ' By Goddis payne,
Will J)ou hir wyn, als I the sayne *, * say
With dedis of armes three,
I sail J)e gyff J)e maydyn clere,
And alle Artasse, bothe ferre and nere ;
I halde * J^erto ', sayd hee. * hold
XX
The knyght sayd: 'So mote I the,
230 At my journaye wolde I bee.'
He buskede and mad hym gare.
' Bot a lyttill here by weste
A geant hase a fayre forest —
Slyke* sawe {)ou never are — * Such
With syprese trees growand * lang ; * growing
Gret hertis walkes |)am amange,
pe fayrest on fote may fare.
And* Jdou bryng me an** awaye, "^ If **
Sir knyght, {)an dare I safely saj'e
240 pat J)ou hase bene thare.'
222 You vouchsafe her to me.
07ie
(241-258) SIR EGL AMOUR 23
XXI
'Petir*,' sayde \)e knyght than, * By st. Peter
'Iff \>Q\x be a Cristyn man,
Hald |)at |50u hase hyghte*: * promised
Kepe wele my lady and my lande.'
parto |)e erle held up his hande ;
To hym his trouthe he plyght[e]*. * troth he plighted
XXII
After mete, als I gow saye,
Sir Eglamour he tase J)e waye,
To telle J)at lady free.
350 ' Dameselle,' he sayde onane.
For \)\ lufe hafe I undirtane
Dedis of armes thre.'
' Sir,' scho said^, ' make J)e glade.
For hardare journayes never I^ou hade.
Never in no contree.
Be* J)ou fra J)ose journayse passe, * By the time
For my luffe sail J)Ou say 'Alias,'
And I wele * more for the. * well
244 The early editions insert six lines bere.
24 SIR EGLAMOUR (259-282)
XXIII
Sir, sen J)ou on huntynge fowndis*, * goest
'^o I sail the gyffe twa gud grewhoundis,
Are donnede * als any doo **. * dusky, made dim
[** doe
Als I ame trewe gentyll woman, ^
per es no beste on erthe {)at ranne,
On fote J)ay will hym to.
And a gud swerd I sail gyflf the,
Was fonden in the Grekkes see,
Of J)am knawe I no moo ;
And * i)ou hafe happe to heve ** it * If ** heave, handle
wele,
par es no helme of irj^-n ne stele
270 pat it ne will cleve it in two.'
XXIV
The knyght kyssede |)at lady gent;
He tuke his leve and forthe he went,
His waye J)an hase he tane.
An heghe strete he helde feste* * fast
Till Jjat he come till a forest ;
Slyke sawe he never nane :
With syprisse bowes lyes owte * ; * ':*
pe wodd was walled all abowte,
And kervede of riche stane.
280 Forthirmare * {)an gan he fare ; * Further
A brade gate* {)an fonde he {)are, "^ gate
parein J)e kn3whte es gane.
264 But they will overtake him in running.
(283-306)
SIR EGLAMOUR
25
XXV
He blewe his home in J)at tyde;
pe hertis rase one ylka syde;
A nobill dere he chese.
The hundis at Jje dere gun baye;
pat herde J)e geant Jjer he laye,
And repid hym of his resse.
He said : 'per es som thefe comen here
290 In my foreste to stele my dere ;
Hym were wele better cesse*!
By hym J)at werede \>e crown of thonie,
In warre-tym blewe he never his home,
Ne derrare boghte no mese*.'
cease
* mess {of food)
XXVI
Than J)e geant tase the waye
To t)e forest-gatt* als it laye;
His bakk he sett t)er till.
Syr Eglamour hase done to dede*
A grete herte, and tane f)e hede ;
300 pe prysse * he blewe full schill *-.
When he come ware Jje geant was,
' Gude sir,' he sayd, ' Jjou latt me passe,
If l)at it be thi will.'
'Nay, traytour, |)ou arte tane;
My chefe herte hase f)Ou slane;
pat sail t)e lyk* full ill.'
•^ gate
* death
prize ** shrill
* please
288 And roused him from his rest? Meaning doubtful; cf. Sir
Tristrem 28; Cursor Mundi 25433, but also Schleich, p. 135.
300 See New Eng. Diet. s. v. pryse.
26
SIR EGLAMOUR
(307-330)
XXVII
To 1)6 knyght Jdc geaunt gun gaa ;
An iryn clube he gan hym taa,
Was mekill* and unryde-*.
310 Grete strakis he hym gaffe ;
In J)e erthe he strake his stafife
A fote on ylke a syde.
He sayd : ' Tray tour, whate dose J)Ou
here,
In my foreste to stele my dere?
Here sail {)ou habyde.'
Sir Eglamour his swerde owt droghe *, * drew
And in his eghne * it keste ** a * eyes
swoghe ***,
And blynddid hym J)at tyde.
* big ** zinwieldy
** cast
[*** glare
xxvm
Bot all * Jjoghe he had lost his syghte,
330 §it faghte he with Jjat nobill knyght
All J)at daye full gare
Unto J)e mome, J)at it was pryme*;
Sir Eglamour sawe his tyme.
And to {)e hert * hym bare ;
Thorow J)e strengthe of God Jjat mad^
man,
To {)e erthe he bare hym J)an;
pat fende bygane to rare*.
Syne* men mett** hym, als I saye,
On t)e playne grownd J)er he laye,
33« Feftene fotte and mare.
even
the first hour
erthe (C)
roar
Afterward ** found
(331-354) Sm EGLAMOUE 27
XXIX
Thorowe Goddis helpe and his knyfe,
Thus hase I^e geant loste his lyfe.
He loves Gode of his lane * ; * loan, grace
An heghe strete tuke he thare,
pe geauntis hevede* with hym bare -^ head
Till a castelle of stane.
pe courte come hally* hym agayne; * rvkolly
Slyk* an hevede, gun J^ay sayne, * Such
Hade J)ay never sene nane.
40 Before Jie erle gan he fare :
' Lo, lorde, I hafe bene J)are.'
pay bare wittnes ilkane.
XXX
pe erle said : ' What if J)is poynt be
done,
pou sail hafe a journaye sone ;
pou buske and make |)e gare.
In Sedoyne, in |)at riche contree,
pare dare na man belde * nor be * dwell
For dowt* of a bare; * fear
Man or beste t)at he overtase—
;o pat wylde swyn — he J)am slase.
And gyffes J)am wondis sare;
His tuskes are halfe a s^erde lange ;
pe flesche J)at jDay festyn* amange, * fasic7i
It coveres * never mare.' * recovers
28 SIR EGLAMOUE (355-378)
XXXI
pis nobill knyghte, he sayde noght
naye ;
Bot one* the morne, when it was daye, * on
His wayes f)an wendis hee
Till Sedoyne, I undirstande.
A monethe he travelde alle by lande,
360 And als mekill by t)e see,
Till it felle agayne an evyntyde,
Into {je forrest gan he ryde
Whare als J^at bare sulde be.
Takynnywges* of hym sone he fande, * Tokens
Slayne men one ilk a hande ;
It was dole to see.
XXXII
Sir Eglamour laye undir an ake,
Till on J)e morne, J)at he gun wake,
pe sone rase bryght, and schane.
370 Into J)e foreste forthe he droghe ;
Of J)e see he herde a swoghe*, * noise
And thedir * gim he gane. * thither
Bryght^ helmys he fannd aywhare
pat men of armes had leved Jjare,
pat J)e bare hade slane.
Till a clyflfe t)an wendis he;
He sawe J)e bare com fra the see,
His mome-drynke hade he tane.
(379-402)
Sm EGLAMOUH
29
XXXIII
When J)e bare saw whare he stode,
i8o He whette his tuskis als * he ware
wode **,
And till hym droughe one syde.
And Jjc knyghte wennes* wele to do :
With a spere he rynnes hym to
Als swythe* als he myghte ryde;
Bot J)ofe* he rade never so faste,
His nobill spere on hym he braste,
It wold nott in hym bytt*.
pe bare Jjan come nerre * with a swoghe,
His nobill stede undir hym he sloghe ;
,50 On fote J)is knyghte most byde.
* as if ** mad
* weens^ plans
* hard
* though
* hUe
XXXIV
The knyghte on fote now most habyd ;
Untill a banke he sett his syde
In Jiose holtys so hare*.
His nobill swerde he drawes syne,
And faughte with J^at wylde swyne
Thre dayes and som dele mare,
Till on J)e fourte daye at none
His lyfe-dayes were nerehand* done,
Forfoghtten* with {)at bare.
♦°° The knyght hym couthe * na better
rede **,
Bot strake faste at Jje bares hede ;
His tuskes he strake owt J)are.
hoar
* nearly
* Worn out with fight-
* knew ** plan, idea
30
SIE EGLAMOUH
(403-426)
XXXV
Thorow J)e myght of God in |)at stownd
pe bare he gaffe his dedis * wounde, * death's
Als |)at f)e buke us telHs.
The kyng of Sedoyne on huntyng es
gane,
With fyfty men of armys ylkane:
pe bare he herde gyff * gellis. * give
He bade a sqwyere forthe to fare :
410 ' per es som in perill with J)e bare ;
I drede, full lange we dwelle*.' * delay
Till a clyflfe {)e s[q]wyere com sone,
And sees a knyghte hewand hym one * * alojie
And with swerde servelle *. * brain
420
XXXVI
pe sqwyere byhaldys J)am twa,
And tournes agayne and sayd |)am swa :
' Sir kynge, Jje bare es slane.'
'Saynt Mary, how may {)at be?'
'Sir, a knyght I on hym see,
For sothe, J)at es his bane*.
He beris of golde a semely sighte*;
A stede of asure, and a knyghte
Alle armede, als he solde * gane ; * should
pe crest J)at on his helme es,
A lady of go wlis * in hir reches ** ;
His bagges* are sabyll ylkane.'
* slayer
* quantity
* gules * riches
* badges^ cognizances
(427-450) SIR EGLAMOUR 31
XXXVII
pe kynge sayd : ' So mot I the,
pose gentill armes I will go see;'
And thedir he tuke pe waye.
430 By Jjat had Sir Eglamour
Vencuste* alle {jat stronge stoure; * Vanquished
Ourthwerte* {)e bare he laye. * Across
' Sir knyghte,' he sayd, ' God rist with
the!'
' Welcome, sirris, mot ge be ;
Of peese I wolde gow praye.
I hafe so foghetyn with {)is bare,
So helpe me God, I may no mare;
This es {)e fourte daye.'
XXXVIII
pe kyng sayd J^an : ' So mot I the,
440 Here sail no man fyghte with the ;
It ware synn the to tene.* * injure
For {)ou hase foghtten with a bare
pat hase walked full wydewhare*, "^ far and wide
And many mans bane* hase bene. * slayer
pou art doghety undir \a schelde,
Hase slayne thi fa, and wonn J)e felde ;
pat we alle hafe sene.
I hafe sene, I dare wele saye,
pat he hase slayne fourty on a daye,
4s<» Wele armede men and clene*.' * fine
32
SIR EGLAMOUR
(451-474)
XXXIX
Dylecyous metis forthe J)ay broghte,
pe Renyche * wyne ne spared {Day * Rhenish
noghte ;
Whitte clathis {)are {)ay sprede.
pe kyng sayde : ' So mot I the,
I will dyne for J)e lufe of the ;
pou hase bene strangly stedde *.' * beset
' So helpe me God,' {)e knyght says,
I hafe foghetyn foure dayes,
And never a fote I flede.'
460 ' Sir knyght,' J^e kyng says, ' I pray the.
All nyght {jat {)0u wold dwelle with
mee,
And riste the in a bed.'
XL
When J)ay had dyned, als I gow sayne,
pe kyng gan at {)e knyghte frayne* * ask
Of whate land Jjat he was.
' My name,' he said, ' es Sir Awntour ;
I dwelle with Sir Pryncesamour,
The Erie of Artase.'
pe knyghtis nerhande* J)e kyng droghe : * near to
470 ' Lord, J)is es he Jjat Arrake sloghe,
pe geanttes broJ)er Marrasse.'
' Sir knyght,' {)e kyng said, ' I pray Jje,
Twa dayes or thre J)ou dwelle with me
Or* {)at {)ou fra me passe. * Ere
(475-498)
SIR EGLAMOUR
33
XLI
pare wonnes a geaunt nere besyde ;
My dogheter, J)at es of mekill pryde,
He wolde hir hafe me fra;
pat I ne dare never nowhar wend owt,
Bot* I hafe armed men me abowte ; * Unless
So Full seldom es wight thus faa.* * hostile
pe bare {)at Jjou base slayne here,
He hase hym fed {)is feftene gere
Crystyn men to slaa.
Now es he went, with care ynoghe,
To bery his bro|jer Jiat t)ou sloghe ;
per evermare worthe * hym waa ! ' * be, befall
XLII
To bryttyn* J)e bare |)ay went full
tite**;
par wolde no knyves in hym bytte,
So hard of hyde was he.
90 ' Sir Awntour, sen {)ou hym sloghe,
We trowe {)at thyn be gud ynoghe,
If {)at J)i willis it bee.'
pe knyght agayne to J)e bare es gane,
And cleved hym by ]^e ryggebane* ; * backbone
It was grete joye to see.
' Lordyngs, I garte * hym down falle ; * made
Gyves me J^e hede, and takes gow alle ;
§e wate * it es my fee.' * know
c 2
ait up ** quickly
34
SIR EGLAMOUH
(499-522)
XLIII
The kyng said: 'So God me save,
soo Of Ipe bare what ]pou will have
pou hase it boghte full dere.'
After cartis \>e kyng hase sent;
Agayne \>e none hamwardes {)ay went ;
The cete was t)am nere.
pe courte was t>an alle full fayne
pat that wikked wilde beste was slayne ;
pay made full ryall chere.
The qwene said : ' God scheld me fra
blame !
What tyme Ipe geant comes hame,
510 New tydands get we here.'
XLIV
Sir Eglamour, this nobill knyghte,
He was sett with {jat dere wyghte,
For t^at he solde be blythe.
Men called {)at lady Organata;
Scho prayed hym gud chere for to ma,
By God, full ofte sythe * ; * ttmes
And after mete scho gun hym telle
How a geant walde t)am qwelle;
And he bygan to lythe *. * listen
520 ' Damesele,' he said, ' so mot I the.
And he come here whils I here be,
I sail asaye * hym swythe.' * test, assail
(523-546' SIR EGL AMOUR 35
XLV
Agayne J)e ewyn * J)e kynggart dighte ** * even ** caused to
A nobill bathe for Jje gentill knyghte, {prepare
Of herbys J)at were gode.
And alle {)e nyght {)erin he laye
Till on {)e mome J)at it was daye,
To * men to matyns gode **. * Till ** went
pe kyng went and herde his masse;
530 By {)at J)e geant comen wasse,
And cryede als he ware wode,
And said : ' Sir kyng, send owt to me
Organata, thi dogheter free,
Or I sail spill thi blode.'
XLVI
Sir Eglamour, this nobill knyghte,
Armed hym onone ryghte,
And to i)e wallis went hee.
The bares hevede garte he bere,
And sett it forthe appon a spere,
540 At* Marrasse myght it see, * Tltat
The geant luked on {)e baris hede :
'Alias, my gud bare, ert {)ou dede?
Mekill was my trayste* in the. * trust
By J)e laye* J)at I leve* in, * law ** believe
My littill spotted hogdyn*, * pig
Dere boghte J)i dede sail be ! '
36
Sm EGLAMOUR
(S47-S70)
XL VII
The geant on J)e wallis dange*;
After ilke a dynt f)e fyre owt sprange ;
For na man walde he spare.
55° Into \>e castell gan he crye :
' Thefes, traytours, g© sail dy
For slayng of my bare ;
§oure stane waUis I sail down dynge*,
And with myn handis I sail 50 w hynge*
Or J)at I hythen* fare.'
Thorowe J)e helpe of God, by * it was
nyghte,
pe geant had his fill of fyghte —
pe buke says, sum dele mare.
* smote
* smash
* hang
* hence
* by the time that
XLVIII
Sir Eglamour es noghte abayste * : * confounded
s6o On Goddis helpe es alle his trayste,
And on his swerde so bryghte.
'Sir Awntour,' saide {)e kynge than,
' Us bus * arme us, ilk a man ; * behooves
This fend will felly* fyghte.' * fiercely
Sir Eglamour said : ' By J)e rode,
I sail assaye hym, Jiofe* he be wode, * though
And sla hym thorow Goddis myghte.'
He rynnes a cowrse to prove his stede.
And tuk hys helme and forthe he gede ;
570 Alle prayed J)ay for {)at knighte.
(571-594)
SIR EGLAMOUR
37
XLIX
Sir Eglamour J)e feld tase;
pe geant sees, and to hym gase :
Sayd : ' Art J)ou comen, my fere ?
Arte t)ou ane of tha |)at slewe my bare ?
pou sail habye * or |)ou hethyn fare ; * atone
Never thynge J)ou did swa dere.'
The knyght wenys wele to do,
And with a spere he rynnes hym to,
Als man of armes clere.
580 pe geant buskes and made hym
bowne*; * ready
Horse and man he strykes alle downe,
pe knyghte to dede wele nere.
pan he ne couthe * no better rede **, * knew ** counsel
When {)at his nobyll stede was dede,
To fote he gane hym tane.
Nerhand J)e geant gan he ga.
His righte arme he strake hym fra
Fast by {je schuldir-bane.
The geant with |)e toJ)er* hande
59° Alle {)e daye he stode feghtande.
Till J)e sonne to ryste was gane.
Now may he no lengare dry*;
He es so febill, witterly*,
pat lyfe es lefte hym nane.
= l>et ofjer
* endure
* in truth
38
SIR EGLAMOUR
(595-618)
LI
Bot alle Jjat one Jje wallis ware,
When J)at |)ay herde |)e geant rare,
For joye Jie bellis {lay rynge.
Edmond was J)e kynges name ;
He sayd : ' Sir Awntour, by Sayne Jame,
600 Here J)Ou sail be kynge.
To morne sail J)ou crownede be,
pou sail wedd my dogheter free
With one so riche rynge.'
Than spake J)e gentill knyght so mylde :
, ' God gyffe J)e joye of thi childe,
For here may I noght be kynge.'
LIl
' Sir knyght, fian for thi doghety dede
I sail J)e gyffe a nobill stede,
Es rede * als any rone ** ;
6io In justes ne in tournament
Sail {)ou take no dedis dent*,
Whills* Jjou arte hym one.'
pan sayd Organata, J)at swet thynge :
'I sail gyffe \>e a gud golde rynge,
With a full ryche stone ;
Whareso J)ou walkes, on water or land,
Whills it es appon thyn hande,
pou sail never be slone.'
red
**
roan
* dint of death, tnortal
* Whilst [^^""'^
(619-642) SIR EGL AMOUR 39
LIII
' God forgelde, mayden clere ! '
620 ' I sail habyde the J)is feftene gere,
So |)at J)ou wold me wedd ;
Trewly, and so God me save,
Kynge ne duke nane for to have,
pofe Jjay be comly clede*.' * clad
' Damesele,' he sayd, ' par ma faye,
By J)at I sail wete Jje at* saye * to
How Jjat I hafe spedde.'
He tuk his leve forthe for to fare,
With J)e geant hevede and J)e bare,
630 pe wayes oure Lorde hym ledd.
LIV
By seven wekes were comen to ende,
In J)e lande of Artas gun he lende*, * /and
Whare ]Dat J)e erle war^.
Alle bot |)e erle were full fayne
pat he in qwerte * was comen agayne, * court
In trouthe, bathe lesse and mare.
Cristabelle, vvhytt als fame,
Herde telle J)at he was comen hame ;
Till his chambir mad hir ^^are *, * ready
640 ' Sir knyght,' scho sayde, ' how hase
J)OU fame*?' * fared
' Dameselle, wele, and travelde game* * gladly
To brynge us bathe of care.'
626 By that time I shall make trial.
40 SIR EGLAMOUR (643-666)
LV
pe knyghte kyssede {)at lady gent,
And into J^e haulle es he went,
The erle for to tene *. * ^.g^
The two hedis downe he layde ;
'Lo, lorde!' ^e knyght sayde,
' In Sedoyne hafe I bene.'
pe erle was {)an full wondir wa :
650 ' What, devell, may na thyng pe sla ?
By Sayne Jame, so I wane ;
pou arte abowte, I undirstande,
To wyn all Artas of my hande,
And my dogheter bryghte and
schene.'
LVI
pe knyghte sayde : ' So mot I the,
Noght bot if I worthy be ;
By God, Jjat es beste.'
The erle sayde : 'Slyke chans maye fall
That ane may come and quyte* all, * requite
660 Be thou never so prest*.' * keen
' Now, gud lorde, I the praye,
Of feftene wokes gyffe me daye,
My bonys for to reste.'
Thorowe prayere of f)ose gentill men,
Twelve wokes he gaffe hym I^en;
Na langere wold he freste *. * delay
662 Appoint me a period of fifteen weeks.
(667-690)
SIR EGLAMOIIR
41
LVII
After soper gan he fare
To Cristabelle chambir, whare scho
ware:
pare torchis brynnes bryghte.
670 The lady was of mekill pryde,
And sett hym on hir beddis syde,
And said : ' Welecom, sir knyghte ! '
' Dameselle,' he sayd, ' so hafe I spede,
Thorow J)e grace of God I schall J>e
wedd ; '
And {)are f)ay trouthes plyghte.
So gracyously he gun hir telle
Of dedis of armys {)at hym byfelle,
pat pare he dwellid all nyghte. —
LVIII
By \>e twelve wokes were alle gane,
63o The lady, why te als qwallis bane *, * (whale's bone) ,- walrus
Alle falowed* hir hewe. * paled \^'"°'^y
'My chambir- women, als ge are fre,
Sen ge knawe my prevate*, * privity
To me t)at ge be trewe ! '
pe erle, brym* als any bare, "^ fierce
Bad Eglamour make hym gare:
' Thi joumay comes newe !'
When Cristabelle herde {ierof saye,
Scho moumys bothe nyght and daye,
690 pat alle wyghttis myght hir rewe *. * pity
42 SIE, EGLAJklOUR (691-714)
LIX
' At grete Rome, als men me talde,
pare lyes a worme *, bitter and balde, * dragon
Forsothe, als I the saye,
pat fend es of so grete renowne,
pare dare no man come nere Jje towne
By seven mile of {)e waye.
Arme the, and thedir J)ou wende;
Luk |dou sla hym with thy hende,
Or ells J)ou saye me naye.'
700 pe knyght says : ' I hafe done poyntes
twa;
Thorow J)e myght of God I sail do ma,
Or ells ende J)er for aye.'
LX
Sir Eglamour to chambir gase;
Of Cristabelle his leve he tase,
Es faire als flour* one filde. * flower
'Damesele, I hafe a poynt undone;
I sail wende, and come full sone
Thorow J)e helpe of Mary mylde.
A gold ryng I sail gyff" the;
710 Kepe it wele, my lady free,
If God send the a childe. '
And, als {)e buke of Rome says.
To grete Rome he tase |)e wayes.
To seke J)at worme so wylde.
(715-738) SIR EGLAMOUR 43
LXI
pe knyght wendis on his waye —
Herkyns now, I sail gow saye —
To seke {)at dragone bolde.
Takynnyng of hym full son he fande :
Slayne men on ylk a hande,
720 Knyghttis lay full colde.
If he were never so gud a knyghte,
When he of J)e dragon had a syght,
Hiss hert bygan to folde*. "^ fail
It was no wondir jDof he ware wrothe :
He strake hym and his horse bothe
Unto J)e grounde so colde.
LXII
pe knyght rase, and his paynes sett ;
pe wylde worme appon hym bett* * beat
Bitter strakes and felle ;
730 And schott fyre appon hym gare
Ever agayne evyn mare and mare,
Als it ware owte of helle.
Sir Eglamour, als I gow saye,
Halfe his tayle he smate awaye;
pat fende bygan to gelle;
And, with {)e stompe * {^at hym was * stump
levede**, ** left
He strak J)e knyght in J)e hevede
A wykkid wonde and a felle.
44
SIE EGLAMOUR
(739-762)
Lxm
pe knyght sayd: 'I ame bot schent.'
74oNerehand Jjat wylde worme he went,
His hed he smate awaye;
And nerre hym jDare ])an gun * he ga, * began
His ryggebane he cleved in twa,
And wane* J)e felde for ay. * won
The emperour laye in his towre,
And sawe Jje knyghte Sir Eglamour;
Till* his men gun he saye: * To
'pe wylde worme, forsothe, es slane;
pat hase a knyght done by hym ane *, * ahtu
750 Appertly *, par ma faye ! ' * Plainly
LXIV
In grete Rome gerte he crye,
like an offessare in his baly *, * bailiwick
pe worme had mad endynge.
The emperour, als I gow saye.
To I)e knyght he tuke J)e waye,
To se {)at dredfull thynge.
Alle Jjat myghte ryde or gaa.
Sir Eglamour up |)ay taa;
With blys Jjay hym hame brynge.
760 For joye {)at ]De worme was slayne,
Procession come hym agayne *, * to meet
And swetly bellis |)ay rynge.
(763-786) SIR EGLAMOUR
LXV
The emperour with hym tuke hym
hame;
Octoveane was his name,
A lord of gret honour.
Bot alle ]5at ever saw his hede,
pay saydg pat he was bot dede,
This knyght, Sir Eglamour.
The emperour had a dogheter bryghte
770 Hase undirtane to hele pe knyght ;
Hir name was Dyatoure.
Scho saved hym t)are fra jDe dede,
And with hir handis scho heUd his hede
A twelvemoneth in hir bowre.
45
LXVI
Letters come unto Artas
pat pe worme of Rome dede was,
A knyght appon hym slane.
So lange on lechyng* gan he dwelle, * healing
A knafechilde * had Cristabelie * son
780 Als whitt als qwalHs bane.
The erle, hir fadir, mad his avowe :
'Dogheter, to t>e se schall po\x
In a schippe by J)e allane,
pat he na cristyndom* sal haf here, * baptism
This bastard, pdX es to J)e sa dere.'
Hir frendis wepid ylkane.
46
SIR EGLAMOim
(787-807)
LXVII
* Though
* Yet
If* scho were never so swet a wyght,
§it* {)e schippe was full sone dyght
pat scho schuld in fare.
790 Scho luked on hir son with ye ;
' Alias,' scho sayd, ' now mon * we dye ; ' * must
In hert scho mournys sare.
Scho wappid* hym in a mantill rede
' My dere child, dighte * es oure dede
Thi fadir seese us na mare.'
* wrapped
* prepared
LXVIII
Hir chambir-women in swon gan falle :
So did hir leve* frendis alle, * dear
pat wolde hir any gode.
'Gud fadir,' scho sayd, 'I 50W praye,
800 Late a preste a gospelle saye
For* fendis** on Jie flode.' * Against ** fiends;
Scho sayd: 'My chambir-women free, \zi. Beowulf
Grete wele my lorde, when ge hym
see.'
pay weped als Jiay ware wode.
Now leve {)is knyght. Sir Eglamour;
Speke of \\s, lady, whytt als flour,
So wilsome* wayes scho ,^ode** * dreary ** went
(808-828)
SIR EGLAMOUR
47
LXIX
The lady dryves nyght and daye
Till an ile, als I gowe saye,
810 pare* wilde bestis gan lende**
Scho was full blythe, I undirstande :
Scho wend * per had bene town and
lande,
And J)are scho gan up wende.
No thyng ellys fand scho pSLve
Bot see-fewlys* pat wylde ware,
pat faste flowe* fra hir hende.
pare come a grype* flyande pare:
Hir gonge sone fra hir he bare
Intill an lande unkende*.
* Where ** dwell
* weened
* sea-birds
* flew
* unknown
LXX
820 pe lady sawe, and cryed ' Alias,
In land pa\. ever borne scho was !
My childe es had me fra!'
In pQ. land of Iraelle * gan he lyghte ; * Israel
A gryffon, sayse pe buke, he highte,
pat wroghte pa\. lady waa.
The kyng of Iraelle on huntyng went,
And sawe whare pe grippe was lent*, * landed
And nere hym gan he ga.
48
SIR EGLAMOUE,
(829-852)
LXXI
A child he fand thorow Goddis grace ;
830 In a mantill wrappede it was
With an full riche pane*,
A golde gyrdill bowndyn with ;
The childe was large of lym and
lythe*
His eghne* als cristalle stane.
The kynge sayde : ' By J)e rode,
This childe es comen of gentill blode,
Ware* ever Jjat he was tane.'
And, for J)at he fra Ipe grippe felle,
He garte calle hym Degrebelle,
«4o pat wilsome* was of wane**.
* lining?
'joint
' eyes
* Where
* forlorn, void ** hope
LXXII
The kynge lefte his gamen Jjat tyde.
And with {)e chUde gun hame ryde
pat fra {)e gryppe he hent*. * took
Than sayd {)e kynge unto J)e qwene :
' Dame, I hafe ofte on huntynge bene ;
To-daye God hase us sent.'
The qwene Jjerof was full blythe,
And sent after a noresche * swythe ** ;
His sydis were longe and gent*.
850 Bot leva now here J)is gentill childe,
And speke we of his modir mylde,
What land oure Lorde hir lent *. * granted
* tmrse ** at once
* graceful
(853-876)
SIR EGLAMOUE
49
LXXIII
Alle nyghte pe lad}- undir Jje ile laye ;
The wynde turned agayne* Jdc daye, * about
And fra pe lande hyr dryves.
Scho hade no{)er maste ne rothir*.
Bot ylka wawe* gretter J)an o^er,
pat sterynly on hir stryves;
And, als \>e buke of Rome sayse,
860 Scho had no mete of sex dayes
Agayne pose carefull * cUvys
And by |3e sevent daye at none
(Jesu rewede* hir appon),
In Egyppe up scho ryves*.
*#
* rudder
* wave
* dreadful ** clip
* had pity
* lands
LXXIV
The kynge of Egippe laye in his toure,
And sawe pat lady whitt als floure
Castyn up on the sande.
And till a sqwyere J)an sayd he :
' Ga, luke what in gone schippe may be
870 The see hase broghte to lande.'
Thedir he went withowttyn delyt*;
Appon pe burdis* gun he smytte;
The lady gan up stande.
For fawte* scho myght speke no worde,
Bot lay and lened hir over pe borde,
And made synys with hir hande.
d 2
* delay
* skip's sides
* want (hunger ?) ;
[ feyntenes (C, J)
50 SIR EGL AMOUR (877-900)
LXXV
The sqwyere wyst noghte what scho
ment ;
Agayne unto J)e kynge he went,
And sett hym one his knee.
880 « Lorde,' he sayde, ' no thyng {)erin as
Bot a woman in lyknes;
Scho lyes and lukes on me.
If Jjat scho ware of flesche and bane,
A fayrere creature was never nane,
Bot* it ware Mary free. * Unkss
Scho makis me synys with hir hande
pat scho es of uncouthe* lande, * foreign
Begonde J)e Grekkis see.'
LXXVI
* Peter!' J)an sayd {lat riche kynge,
890 ' I will go se {)at swete thynge ; '
And to {)e schippe he gase.
pe lady, whytte als qwallis bane,
He bade hir speke in Goddis name ;
Agaynes hym up scho rase.
This damesele J)at was so mylde,
Scho had so wepid for her childe
pat wele* spylt** scho was. * well nigh ** per-
Into a chambyr {)ay her ledde, \ished
Dylecyous metis {)ay her bedde * ; * offered
900 With gude will scho J)am tase *. * takes
(90I-924) SIR EGLAMOUR 51
LXXVII
To \)e lady spekis the kyng:
'Whare was |5ou borne, |)ou swete
thyng,
That es* sa bryght of ble ? ' * a^^
'Lord, in Artas borne I wes;
Sir Pryncesamour my fadir es,
Es lorde of fiat cuntre.
It befell me anys on a day,
I and my maydyns went to playe
By J3e syde of the see ;
910 The wynd was lythe*, a bote J^er stode, */a/r
I and my sqwyere thedir in we gode ;
Uncrystyn man was he.
LXXVIII
On lande I levede my maydyns alle;
My sqwyere gan on slepe falle;
A mantill on hym I droghe.
The wynde rase, and to a roche us bare ;
A fowle tuke my sqwyere thare,
Sothe-est with hym he droghe.'
The kynge sayde : ' pou arte welecom
here,
920 pou ert my brojjer* dogheter dere.' "^ brotiur's
For joye on hym scho loughe*. * laughed
Leve here this lady, whytt als flour.
And speke now of Sir Eglamour;
Till* hym come kare 3'noghe. * To
52 SIR EGL AMOUR (925-948)
LXXIX
Sir Eglamour es hale and sownde,
And wele recoverde of his wownde,
And hamwardes made hym gare.
The emperour gan hym blysse,
Hys doghter and {)e emp^ryce,
930 And alle J)at he leved * {lare. * left
Of Crystabelle es alle his thoghte;
The wormes hede forgettis he noghte,
Appon his spere he it bare.
Be J)at* a monethe was comen to ende, * See 256
In J)e lande of Artasse gim he lende ;
To hym come letters of care.
LXXX
The erle herde tell, I undirstand,
Sir Eglamour was cumande
With that wormes hede.
940 A sqwyere gase agayne hym sone :
' Lorde, all thus the erle has done :
Fayr Cristabelle es dede ;
A man-childe has scho borne,
pe erle has als his lyfe forlorne ;
He was bathe whitt and rede.
In a schippe done war Jia}- twa,
And with J)e wawis lattyn ga.'
pe knyght swouned in {^at stede.
(949-972)
SIE EGLAMOUPt
53
LXXXI
' Saynt Mary ! ' sayd pe knyght so free,
950 ' Whare euer hir gentillwomen bee,
In chambir with hir pat was ? '
The sqwyere answerd hym full sone :
'Sir, when scho to \>e see was done,
Ilkane sere* way gun passe.'
He hyed hym sone into the halle
Amange the gret^ lordis alle,
Byfor Jje erle of Artasse.
'Have here,' he said, 'Jie wormeshevede ;
And whare es myn, J)at I here levede,
960 pou syttande in my place ? '
/lis own
LXXXII
It was grete pete for to here
How he cryed : ' Crystabelle, my fere,
Arte J)Ou in the see?
Jesu, J)at dyede [on Jje croyse] verrayly,
One thi saule he hafe mercy,
And on thi gonge sone fre ! '
The erle rase and tuk a toure*.
He was ferde* of Sir Eglamour;
pere evermare wa hym be !
970 ' Gentillmen,' he sayd^, ' God gow save !
Alle Jjat ordir of knyght will have,
Ryse upe and gase* with me.'
* tower
* afraid
go
54 SIR EGLAMOUB, (973-993)
LXXXIII
Sqwyers rase and come hym tyll,
pay were full bayne * to wyrke his * ready
wyll ;
He gaffe Jjam ordir sone.
In J)at haulle whils he habade *, * abode
Fyve and thrytty knyghttis he made
By |ie to{)er * daye at none. * second
Alle Jiat were sembled, ylke one,
9«o He gafe J)am for to lyfe appone,
For Cristabelle saule to mone;
And, sothely, als I undirstande.
He tuk J)e waye to {)e haly lande
Whare God on J)e rode was done.
LXXXIV
Sir Eglamour, als ge may here,
He dwellid Jiare fyfetene gere
The heythyn men amange ;
So doghetyly J)er he hym bare,
Whare any dedis of armes ware,
99* Agaynes J)am {)at did wrange.
And by {)e fyfetene gere were gane,
The childe J^at J)e gryffon had tane
Was waxen bathe stythe * and =* irave
strange.
(994-IOI7)
SIE EGLAMOUR
55
LXXXV
Now es Degrebelle waxen wyght * ; * hrave ?
The Kyng of Iraelle mad hym knyght
And prynce, ga, with his hande.
Now herkyns, lordyngs, lesse and mare,
What armes {)at J)e child bare,
If ge will undirstande.
looo He beris in azure a grippe of golde,
So richely betyn in J)e molde* * motdd
And in his clowes hyngand
A knave-child in a mantill wowndyn,
And with a golde girdill bowndyn,
Als he was broghte to lande.
LXXXVI
The Kyng of Iraelle wexe aide ;
Sir Degrebelle, his sone, he calde,
Sayde : ' Will Jdou hafe a wyfe
Whills J)at I lyffe, my sone so dere?
lojo When I am dede, ^ou getis na pere,
Thi reches beese * so ryfe **.
A messangere stode by {)e kynge :
' In Egippe wonnes * a swete thynge, * d-wells
I knawe none slyke * on lyfe. * such
The kynge, hir eme *, an athe has * wicU
sworne,
He will gyffe hir to na man borne,
Bot he wyne hir with knyfe.'
are ** abundant
56
SIE EGLAMOUR
([oi8— 1041)
LXXXVII
The kynge sayd : ' And * scho be gode, * If
parfore schalle we nott lett*, by J)e '' refrain
rode;
Do, buske us thedir swythe*.' * quickly
He byddis his messangere forthe gane*, * go
To comand his knyghtis everylkane
To come to hym bely ve *. * straightway
Rychely jDay made {)am _^are ;
Thaire armour to schippe {)ay bare,
To passe \& waters lythe*. * smooth
By Jjat {)e monethe was comen to ende.
In the lande of Egippe gun J)ay lende,
paire maysteries for to kythe*. * vmke known
LXXXVIII
1030 A messangere went for to telle
pare come {)e Kyng of Iraelle,
With a full riche nave * ;
The prynce his sone, with many a
knyghte.
For to see J)at birde * so bryghte,
Iff {)at yt J)aire willes bee.
The messangere spake with bly the ch ere :
' pe kynge of Iraelle comes here,
With a full faire semblee*.
' Sir,' sayd t)e kyng, ' I hoppe * I schalle
1040 Fynd gud justynge for |)am alle ;
Dere * welecome sail J)ay bee. '
navy
lady
* assembly
* hope
* Dearly
(i042— 1065)
SIR EGL AMOUR
57
LXXXIX
Trompis* in topcastells {)ay rasse**; * Trumpets
pe riche kyng to f)e land gasse,
His knyghtis weryn * in palle **. * were
pe gonge childe of feftene gere.
He gode amang Jjam, als ge may here,
A fote abowne* J)am alle. * above
pe kyng of Egippe come hym agane * ; * See 76 1
pe kyng hym by Jje hand haves tane,
1050 And ledde hym to Jie halle.
' Gud sir, we pray, gyf * {)at we myghte, * if
Of gowre nece hafe a syghte,
Es whytte as bone of qwalle.'
**
raise
** fine rai-
[nient
xc
The lady of* f)e chambir was broghte,
With manes handis als scho were
wroghte,
Or corven on* a tree.
Hir sone stode and hir byhelde;
' Wele were hym t)at myght J)e welde !'
Till hymselven sayd he.
X060 pe Kynge of Iraelle asked hir erne :
'Will {)0u scho weddid be over J^e
streme.
My sonnes wyfe to be ? '
'Sir,' he saide, 'gife {)at he may
Sytt me a schaft to morne at day,
Thyn askyng graunt I the.'
1064 Resist me a spear to-morrow morn.
'^ front
of (e,
P. d)
58 SIB, EGLAMOUR (1066- 1089)
XCI
Grete lordis were at the assent;
Waytys * blewe ; to mete jDay wente * Mtisidans
With a ryalle chere.
The kynges twa ])e borde bygane -, * sat at the head of the
1070 Sir Degrebelle and his modir J)an, [table
If* Jjay were syb full nere. * Though
Knyghttis went to sytt, iwys * ; * in truth
Ylke a sqwyer in Jjaire serv/se,
To serve t)aire lordis so dere.
After mett^ wesched {)ay ;
Clerkes gun Jje grace saye
In {)e hauUe, als ge may here.
XCII
Appon J)e mome, when {)e day sprange,
Gentillmen to armys thrange*, * thronged
1080 And Degrebelle was dyghte.
pe kyng of Egippe gun hym hy * * hasten
Into a faire felde, witterly,
With many a doghety knyghte.
Gretg lordis {)ay gun crye :
'What man es he J^at es so hye,
pat beris gone * gryffone bryghte ? ' * yon
Harawdis of armes gun J)am telle :
' He es f)e prynce of Iraelle ;
Bese warre*, for he es wyghte.' * Beware
(I090-III3) Sm EGLAMOUH 59
XCIII
1090 Trompis blewe on ylke a syde,
pe gret lordis togedir gun ryde;
pat semly was to sene.
pe kynge of Egippe tuk a schafte;
pe prynce {)at sawe and sadly satt,
If he were never so kene.
Agayne the kyng he made hym bowne,
Horse and man he strake al downe
Appon J)e felde so grene.
pan said \>e kyng : ' So God me save,
iioo pou ert beste worthy hir to have!'
Sa say J)ay alle by dene*. * at once
XCIV
Now grete lordis gan oJ)er assaye,
And sqwyers on thet ojjer daye,
That doghety ware in dede.
The kyngis twa paire trouthis plyght,
And Cristabell, that lady bryght,
To \>e kirke J^ay gun hir lede.
Thorow Jje myghte of God t)us haf
J)ay spedde,
His awen modir has he wedde,
mo Als clerkes |)us gun rede.
His armes ware byfore hym borne,
Scho thoghte on hir sone pat scho
had lome ;
Scho weped als scho wold wede *. * £-0 mad
60
SIE EGLAMOUH
(1114-1137)
xcv
He sayd : ' What now, my lady dere ?
Why makis J)ou \>us febill chere?
Me thynke als J)ou had thoghte*.'
'Sir, in thyne armes a fowle I see
pat somtyme tuk a childe fra me,
A knyghte full dere had boghte.
1120 In a skarelett mantill was he wownden,
And with a gold girdill bownden
pat full richely was wroghte.'
The kynge sayd : ' By Goddis myght,
In my foreste gun he lyghte;
A grippe to land hym broghte.'
anxiety
XCVI
He comand a sqwyere Jjat was hende
After ]De cofire for to wende
pat |)ay were in layde.
pay tuk ])am owte t^an full rathe *, * soon
1130 The mantill and t)e gyrdill bathe
pat richely was grayde*. * adorned
'Alias!' sayde Jjat lady free,
' Bathe were Jjay refte me in t)e see ; '
In swounynge down scho brayde* * fell
' How longe se^t'n ? ' \>e kynge gun saye.
'Fyfetene gere, sir, par ma faye.'
pay sent* to Jjat scho sayde. * assent
(1138-1161) SIR EGLAMOUR 61
XCVII
'My sone,' he sayde, 'if {dou be mde* * afraid
Ane over-syb-maryage* hafe we made * marriage between
1140 In J)e sprynge of J)is mone, [kindred
I rede ge luke, so God me save,
Whilke of myn erles scho will have.'
He answerd hym full sone :
'Sir, thyn erles hold I gode,
So do I my modyr, by |)e rode ;
I weddid hir byfore J)e none.
Sail nane hir have, by Saynt Marie,
Bot he wyn hir doghetyly,
Als I my selfe hase done.'
XCVIII
1150 Dke gret lorde gun to of)er saye :
'For hir love will we turnaye
With swerdis in oure \\ende,
Wha J)at Wynnes J)at lady clere.
For to wedde * hir to his fere, * welde (Schleich)
Whare hym lykes to lende*.' * d^veil
Hawrawdes of armes forthe ere* went * are
For to crye a tumament
In ylk a landis ende.
Sir Eglamour es hamward boune,
X160 Herde of {jat dede of grete renown,
And thedir wolde he wende.
1 154 To rule her as his mate.
62 SIR EGLAMOUR (1162-1185)
XCIX
Fro * Cristabelle was don in J)e see, * From the time that
Newe armes J^an beris hee;
Herkyns, I will J)am discrye :
On azure with a schippe of golde
A lady, als scho drowne scholde
(A child lyggand hir by,
Purtrayede of a nyghte aide)
In t)e see so grym and balde,
XI 70 And ever in poynte to dy;
Of sylver his maste, of golde his fane * ; * pennon
His sayle and his rapis ylkane
Purtrayede verrayly *. * exactly
Now gret lordis jDat herde Jjat crye,
Thedir went {jay full witterly,
Als faste als t)ay myght fare.
The kynge of Sedoyne com als sone
With doghety knyghtis many one,
pat full riche colours bare.
ti8o Rannges mad {)ay in the felde,
That grete lordis myghte J)am welde ;
paire selven made J)am gare.
Sir Eglamour, gife he ware laste,
§itt was he noghte away to caste:
pe knyght was cled in care.
(ii86— 1209)
SIR EGLAMOUR
63
CI
Haurauds of armes bygan to crye
Crete lordis full rathely*
Into a felde so brade.
Cristabelle, J)at lady smalle,
"9° Es broghte unto |)e castelle-walle ;
For hir the crye was made.
Hir sone of feftene gere elde,
He es aunterous* in the felde;
Into J)e stowre* he rade.
Fra Degrebelle bygan to smytt,
Fra his handis Jjay flede full tyte*,
pat nane his dynt habade.
* quickly
* adventtcroiis
^^ fight
* See 487
CII
His fadir hovede * and byhelde =*= tarried?
How he fellid in the felde
The knyghtis all bydene.
His sone hym sawe, and rade hym
till,
Said : ' Sir, why hovys Jjou sa stille
Amange thir* knyghtis kene?' "^^ these
'Sir,' he said, 'atrayed* I es**, * troubled
And comen owt of haythynnes ;
It ware syn me to tene *.' =•=■■ vex
'Sir,' he said, *sa mot I the,
pou sulde noghte t)an have armed be ;
pat mare menske* had bene.' * honor
**
64
SIR EGLAMOUR
(1210-1233)
cm
Sir Eglamour appon hym loghe :
'Sir, hase fou not tournayed ynoghe,
Bot J)ou for mare will praye ? '
He said : ' I am aunterous in t>is stowre,
For a lady, whytt als flowre,
Wyn hir gif I may.'
' Peter ! ' said the knygt J)an,
' I sail assaye gif I can
Anythyng turnay.
For som tyme hafe I sene,
' In als hard aunters hafe I bene,
And wonne full wele awaye.'
* flat of his sword
* stroke
CIV
pe doghety knyghtis on horse dange * * smote
In tournament with swerdis lange;
Thase ojjer byhelde ylk ane.
Sir Eglamour tuk his swerdplatte, *
And gyffes his son^ swylke a swappe *
pat to J)e grownde gan he gane.
'Alias,' Jjan said t)at lady free,
' My childe es dede, be Cristis pete ;
«3o §one knyght hase hym slane.'
Thase ojjer said hally * one J)e molde** :
' He tiat berys Jje schippe of golde
Hase wonne hir by his ane*.' * all alone
* {wholly) ; with o?ie ac-
\cord ** earth
(I234-I257)
SIR EGLAMOUE,
65
CV
Hauraudis of armes he gart cry {)an,
If Jiare were any gentillmane
Wald make his body gode,
Will juste or turnay any mare,
Say forthe, whiks he was Jjare,
He wold be aunterous, by \>e rode.
1240 His sone said : ' Ne ware his swerd so
brighte,
Alle day myght I with hym fyght,
pofe he were werse J)an wode.'
Gret^ lordis sayde nowe :
' Beste worthy, sir knyght, art {)ou
To hafe gone frely* fode**.'
* lovely
**
person
CVI
To unarme hym jDe lady gase,
A surcott unerte * t)e knyght tase ; * y
To mete {)an gan jDey wende.
This doghety knyght, {)at wan {)e gree*, * See 1 1
1250 Was sett with Jjat lady free.
Scho frayned * hym, als hir frende, * See 464
By what reson J)at he bare
The schippe of golde with maste and
are
oar
He answerd as the hende*:
' Damysell, to Jje se war done
My lady and my gonge sone,
And |)are J)ay made ]Daire ende.'
* See 124
c 2
66 SIR EGLAMOUR (1258- 1275)
CVII
Knawlege of hym gun scho taa :
' Swete sir, how felle it swa
1260 pat Jjay were broghte to grownde ? '
'I was in a ferre contre;
Hir fadir dide J)am to ]pe see,
With {)e wawes to confounde.'
CVIII
In swounywge felle Jiat lady free.
* Welcome, Sir Eglamour, to me ;
Dere hase J)ou boghte me are*.' * earlier
Grete lordis J)an told scho sone
How J)at scho to J)e se was done;
pay wepede bothe lesse and mare.
1270 ' In J)e wawes grete and graye
A gryffon bare my childe awaye ; '
Gentillmen syghede sare.
It es sothe sayd, by God of heven,
pat ofte metis men at unsett stevyn * ; * tmappointed time; see
Forsothe, sa did t)ay thare. [Chaucer,^ 7.666
(I276-I299)
SIR EGLAMOUR
67
CIX
The Kyng of Iraell gun pam telle
How J)at he fond Sir Degrebelle;
Knyghtis lythede* ilk ane.
Sir Eglamour knelid on his knee ;
"3o'Lord,' he said, 'God gelde* the;
pou hase hym broghte to man.'
pe kynge said: 'I sail hym gyffe
Halfe my lande whils pat I lyffe,
My sone, whytte als swane.'
The kyng of Sedoyne sayd alswa :
' I sail giff hym Organata ;
Me menys {)at J)ou hir wane.'
* listened
* repay
cx
Sir Eglamour prayed {je kynges three
In Artasse at his weddynge be,
1290 His ly kynge for to have.
pay graunted hym, bathe mare and
lesse,
The gret^ lordis |)at t)are wes;
pare Jesu Christ jDam save !
Kynges and dukis, I undirstande,
And gret lordis of oJ)er lande,
Thaire stremours made {Day rathe *.
Trompis in topcastells |)ay rase * ;
Alle maner men to schippe gase ;
A comly* wynd f)am drave.
* wave ?
* Sec 1042
"^ fair
1287 I think thou didst win her.
68
SIE EGLAMOUE
(1300-1323)
1300
1310
CXI
Thorow J)e myght of God J)is fayre
nave
Alle in lykynge* passed the see;
In Artasse up Jjay rive*.
pe erle in his castelle stode ;
Gentillmen to lande gode,
Knyghtis to horse gan dryve.
Fro he herde of Sir Eglamour,
He felle owte of his heghe toure,
And brake his nekke bylyue*.
A messangere went byfore to telle
Whatkyns* aunters |)at J)er byfelle.
With God may na man stryve.
* pleasure
* arrive
* straightway
* What sort of
CXII
And J)us in Artasse are J)ay lent.
Eftir {)e emperour ])ay sent
To ]3at mangery * so free. * banqueting
In alle |)e lande garte {)ay crye,
Wha |)at wolde com to |)at mangerye,
Dere welcome solde {Day be.
Sir Eglamour to J)e kirk gun ga,
Sir Degrebelle and Organata,
i3»o The ladys bryghte of blee.
pe Kyng of Iraelle sayd : ' I gow gyffe
Halfe my kyngdome whils I lyffe ;
Brouke* alle wele after me.' * Enjoy
(1324-1335) SIR EGLAMOUR
CXIII
With myrthe pat mangery was made
(Fowrtty dayes it habade)
Amange J)ase lordis hende.
And syne *, forsothe, als 1 gow saye, * afterward
Dk man tuke his awen waye,
Whare hym lyked beste to lende.
1330 Mynstrals were gyffen gyftis fre,
pat J)ay myght {)e better bee,
The boldlyere for to spende.
In Rome Jjis romance crouned is.
Now Jesu brynge us to his blysse,
pat lastis withowttyn ende !
69
lit
^Jglanour
2065
Sir Eglamour
:3
^911
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