Juliana*
^ »
pt JftJIade
I
PROM
TWO OLD ENGLISH MANUSCRIPTS OF 1230 A.D.
WITH
[inp into JW^rn v^**™,
BY THE
KEY. O. COCKAYNE, AND EDMUND BROCK.
EDITED BY THE
EEV. OSWALD COCKAYNE, M.A.,
ST. JOHNS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE; EDITOR OF LEECHDOMS STARCRAFT AND WORTCUNNING, ETC. ETC.
10 u> \
LONDON : 1
PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY, BY N. TRUBNER & CO., 8 AND 60, PATERNOSTER ROW.
MDCCCLXXII.
51
51.
HERTFORD :
PBINTID BY STEPHEN AUSTIN & SONS.
PREFACE.
IT had been my purpose, in editing }>e following text, to take some vivacious notice of any criticisms on J?e last treatise I had undertaken for J?e Early English Text Society ; but so long a time has elapsed since "Hali Meidenhad" appeared, J?at ]?e public interest in attack and defense, lunge and parry, must have long since died away. Whatever I say, ]?erefore, must be sobered down into temperance and calm; must be simply J?e result of J>e toil of ]?e student and translator.
My critics made some easy and cheap fun out of ]? and $ : none of ]?em seemed to have any distinct notions on J?e subject. I have lately, elsewhere, stated facts ; ]?at J»e earliest MSS. favour ]?e ft, and use it in combinations of all kinds, employing it, wi]> few exceptions, all trough a volume, and seeming to forget }> almost entirely : later writings use ]? more by far fan ]>e ojer form. Much learning arises in reviews out of mo)>er wit ; to supply J>e void of known tru^, a certain inborn fteory is developed ; and because Mr. Novice 'Sinks J?e Saxons ought to have made a difference, between Jorn in 'Sick, and forn in ]?aet, he holds opinion J>at ]?ey did. Jen some bold assertor tells us J>at all deviations from his doctrine are corruptions of ]?e Norman scribes, as if Frenchmen had written for King -ZElfred. Now I hold ]?at in our modern times it is very difficult to separate ]?e sounds, fe utterance in some instances is distinctly discernible, but in ofers J>e two change places easily. It is to be concluded J>at, using ]>e characters indifferently, ]?e English writers held J?e sounds to be identical.
An Edinburgh reviewer, a known writer, finds what he considers a mistranslation on page 36 of "Hali Meidenhad." " pe hound at ]>e hide" is, to his ears, not sense. When a householder kills a sheep or ox, }>e hide is valuable eijer for
VI PREFACE.
use or sale ; it stinks ; it is ferefore ftrown over ]?e palings, or over a pole outside ]?e house : a hungry dog, a lean dirty dog, ranging about, smells flesh, or guts, or blood, or hide, and coming, pulls at, and drags ]?e reserved skin : and )>at does it no good ; broomsticks and stones drive away J>e ruffian. "But," says he, "Hude is a well-known word in Anglo-Saxon, signifying Hearth." Some trace of Hude as HeorS may be found at p. 223 of ]?e folio edition of )>e " Laws and Institutes," but ]?e intervention of a friend and J>e courtesy of ]?e reviewer himself have made me aware that it is Je Scottish usage which makes J>e word " well known," and J»at J>is sense is recorded by Jamieson, as any may see.
Anofer gentleman of dialectic fame writes about Steap : and ]>e greater part of his remarks may be summed up by observing ]?e Latin Altus, high or deep ; similarly we might understand steap. He quotes Percy Folio, vol. i. p. 467 :
Heere in this ground deepe is a water strong and steepe.
Such a river seems to me to run at a steep gradient, or a fall of one foot in four : and so to deserve ]?e eprSet " strong." And I find I have noted two additional places out of " Salomon and Saturn," line 570, Se steapa gim, pe bright gem, and line 827, where f is word is applied to fire.
Neverfeless I will not conceal from ]?e reader, whose edifica tion is fe main point, fat a new and unexpected signification has come before me : >e passage quoted in St. Marharete, p. 108, from Horn. I. 456, is a translation from ]>e Latin pub- lisht in Acta Sanctorum, Aug. 25 (not 24), and Steape eagan represents Oculi grandes. And here I must leave >is word.
Under >e word Ranged in >e glossary of >e Cleveland Dialect some remark about Eondin is made.
On p. 4, St. Marharete, last line, Makelese, it is suggested, should be interpreted Matchless: and to >at I submit. ^ From want of subscribers enough to >e Early English Text Society, >is Juliana has taken so long to appear in type >at some
PREFACE. Vll
want of cohesion has crept into my association of ideas about it. J>e text on f e left page has been edited by Mr. Brock, from whose views I have taken one or two suggestions. To f e word Maumez I demur : it should come into type, I believe, as Maumets, but a Zed is on f e MS. ]3at Zed I read as TS, or of erwise, I hold f e MS. Z to be like Zeta, a double letter such as it is in Italian, and to be a contraction for TS, and not well exprest by a modern Zed. In f e Domesday Book occurs a Gozet explained by nobody : now if we take Zed as TS, Cotset is easy enough to understand, and a suitable interpretation may be assigned it, even when occurring in company wif Ootarii.
It gives me some pain to say, fat I believe ]>e story of St. Margaret is convicted of forgery by f e indulgences which in f e earliest MSS. conclude f e piece. One would not rudely tear a doll from a childs arms, denouncing it as a waxwork sham ; but readers of Old English are probably rid of early sentiment, and prepared to look Tru^ in fe face. f>e name 'of Juliana has never been so popular in England as fat of St. Margaret : her story may be read in f e Acta Sanctorum, Feb. 16, and in f e Codex Exoniensis in alliterative verse, wanting some leaves. She is a fabulous personage.
Mr. Mortons opinion fat f e Ancren Eiwle, and, by way of corollary, my suggestion fat "Hali Meidenhad" *J fe early lives of St. Margaret, Juliana *j Cayenne were written by bishop R. le Poor, grows more acceptable f e more I consider it. Some account of f e nunnery at Tarent is given in f e New Monasticon (Yol. Y., 619) : — " Though Ealf de Kahaines was the original founder, bishop Poor, who became bishop of Salis bury in 1217, was f e principal one, and has sometimes had f e foundation exclusively ascribed to him;" say the editors. Herbert le Poor, bp. of Sarum, died 6 Feb., 1217, and was succeeded by Richard le Poor, translated from Chichester ; died 15 April, 1237. Who so likely to interest himself? What call could an ordinary priest have to recommend an unwelcome rule of hard self denial to noble ladies ? What influence, if he
VU1 PREFACE.
had intruded himself upon J>eir consciences ? Even in fese days, when very commonplace mediocre scholars often arrive at ]>Q upper steps of ]?e prelatic stairs, a bishops name has weight wi]> fashionable ladies.
The auSor of f ese little tracts exhibits a fair amount of learning : ]?e illustration about ]>e jacinct •j ]?e carbuncle comes from }>e dialogues of St. Grregorius ; St. Cyrillus Hiersolymitanus (Catech. xii. p. 106), and St. Johannes Chrysostomos (vol. i. p. 94 ult., p. 122, 31 ed. Savile), so far countenance J?e doctrine J>at sin led to commerce of man wif woman, as J?at J?ey teach fat Adam knew not Eve, his wife, till after their expulsion from Paradise. J>is opinion was founded on ]?e circumstance fat ]?e text (Gen. iv. 1) follows fe account of ]?e expulsion : and doubtless, as still prevalent, was opposed in verse by Milton. It would sunder j>e Creator of J»e universe from )>e Deity to be worshipped, if it had any real support in our Scriptures, but such considerations are even now sometimes excluded in Geolo gical tenets, and were of no avail in ]?e 'Sirteenft century. J>e doctrine ]?at an eternal reward of a hundredfold is reserved to virginity, of sixtyfold to widowhood after one marriage, of Girtyfold to fe married, is compactly fus stated by Augustinus, as matter of discussion ; " Sive virginalis vita in centeno fructu sit, in sexageno vidualis, in triceno autem coniugalis" (de S. Virginitate xlvi.).
We recognize, >erefore, in our writer for >e nuns of Tarent Kaines, a scholar competently instructed in >e history and writers of his profession ; one who would be kindly heard, when he spoke, by >ose whom he wished to persuade ; and one whose eyes were turned to Tarent : and he will be bp. B. le Poor.
"From Lelands words >at Tarent nunry of late stode about Cray ford Iridge over Stowre ryvar, lower }an Blanford, it is inferred >at ]?e demolition of J>e buildings of >is house took place at an early period after >e Dissolution. All traces of its buildings have long dis appeared."
Its records are not in any public collection.
JULIANA.
JULIANA.
Eoyal MS. $« cumfrS }t uie of 0einte iuliane* ant tellrS of liffatic
17 A. xxvii. j,.'r- [Leaf 56.] ****
F
ure lauerdes luue ]?e is feader of frumfcliaft. ant on his deorewurSe funes nome. ant o J>es haligaftes. \at glided of ham ba^en. alle lewede men. ]>at underilonden ne mahen latines ledene. IrSin. T; luftnin ane meidenes i liflade. }>at is of latin iturnd into englifch. ]>at te lif hali lefdi. in heouene luuie us ]?e mare, ant of ]?is lihinde lif : •[Leaf 56, tack.] leade us wi^ hire e:rn*dunge. ]?e is icoren of crift into }>e eche of heouene.
[MODERNIZED.]
Here begins the life of St. Juliana, and tells of her life.
GnodthietnS?eu£f In tte love of our Ij0rd' wl10 ^S fatner of creation, and
ifstenetomen • ^n ^e name °^ his precious Son, and in (the name) of the
of a ma°iden! e Holy Ghost, that glides from them both, let all unlearned
men who cannot understand the Latin language, hearken
and listen to the life of a maiden, which is turned from
Latin into English, that the life-holy lady in heaven may
love us the more, and from this lying (deceptive) life lead
us with the intercession of her who is chosen of Christ,
into the eternal (life) of heaven.
JULIANA.
3f- pe featieref T; i }>e funef T; i }>e Imii cafleC ^Some* $er Bodl. MS.34. 9SiginnrS J?e liffafce* ant te paffiun of feinte 3fuliene*
IN ure lau^rdef luue J?e feader if of frumfcheft. ant i]?e deore wurftmunt of hif deorewurSe fune. % i)»e heiunge of ]>e liali gaft. ]?e of ham ba glided, an godd unagin euch godef ful. Alle leawede men. ]>e underftonden ne mahen latinef ledene. lide^S T> lufte'S }>e liflade of a meidew. *\at if of latin iturnd : to englifche leode. wi^ *[Foi. 37.] )?on Ipat teof hali leafdi. in heouene luuie uf ]>e mare. T; }mrh ]>if lihnide lif. leade uf to \at eche. }?urh hire eadi lihinde ; dis- erndunge. }at crift if fwi^Se icweme. appointing.
[MODEEJQZED.]
In ]?e name of }?e Fa]?er, and of ]?e Son, and of ]?e. Holy Ghost. Here beginne^ J>e life, and martyrdom of St. Juliana.
In ]>e love of our Lord, who is FaJ>.er of all creation, Translated from and in ]?e glory of his precious Son, and in ]>Q extolling th' of J?e Holy Ghost who proceeded from ]>em bo^, one God, wifout beginning, full of every good, all ye lewd men, who cannot understand the Latin language, hear ye and listen to ]>e life of a maiden which is turned from ]?e Latin into ]?e English language to ]?e end }?at J?is holy lady in heaven may love us ]>e more, and J?rough Jns loaned life, may lead us to ]>e eternal one, by her blessed merits, which are very acceptable to Christ.
4 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
"Ueof meiden. ant tis martir. wes iuliane inempnet. in y nichomedes burh. 1 of he^Sene cun icumew. ant hire flefchliche feder wes affrican ihaten. of ]?e he^ene meft }>eo }at criftene weren : derfliche droh ham to dea^Se. ah heo as ]?eo }at te heouenlich feder luuede. leafde al hire aldrene lahen. 1 bigon to luuien }>ene liuiende lauerd }>e luffum godd. \at wifle^ ant welded al }at is on worlde : T: al }at iwraht is. pa wes btyon time as redegunge telle^. Maximian J?e modi keifer ine rome heinde ant heriende he^Sene mawmez. wi'S unme^ muchel hird T;
-
unduhti duhe^Se. T: fordemde alle ]?eo : )>e on drihtin bi- lefden. }?es Maximian luuede an heh mon of cunne ant eke riche of rente elewlius wes ihaten. ant weren as feolahes ]>urJi muche freontfchipe. ]?is meidenes feder T: he. weren fwi^e wel togederes; as he fumchere if eh
Tllis ma^en and tnis martyr was named Juliana, in the \j?ity of JSlcomedia, and (was) come of heathen kin, and her Her father AM- fleshly father was called Africanus, greatest of the heathen.
canus persecuted
the Christians ; Those that were Christians, he strongly drew them to
yet she loved the
living God. death. But she, as one whom the heavenly father loved, left all her parents customs, and began to love the living Lord, the lovesome God, that directs and rules all that is in the world, and all that is wrought (created). Then was a at that time> as tlie reading tells, the proud Maximian emPeror in Rome, extolling and praising heathen idols, with an immensely great company and unworthy dignity ; and he condemned all those who believed on the Lord. This Maximian loved a man high of kin and also rich in revenue. He was called Eleusius. And they were as com panions through great friendship. This maidens father and he were very well together. As he on one occasion saw
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.)
"Keof meiden T; teof martyr ]>at ich of munne ; wef Ju- J liene inempnet. i Nichomedefe burh. Al of hea^Sene cun icumen T; akennet. T; hire fLefhIiche feader affrican hehte. ]>e heande 1; heafcede meft men ]>e weren criftene. T; droh ham ]?urh derue pinen to dea^e. Ah heo af )>eo ]>at te hehe heouenliche lau^rd hefde hif luue ileuet. leafde hire ealdrene lahen T: bigon to luuien ]?en aa liuiende go^ J?e luffume laiwrd. }at fchupte alle fchaftefT; wealde^S T; fcheaftef. wifle^S efter fet hif wil if. al }>at ifcheapen is.
Wes i]?on time af ]>e redunge tellers, f e modi Maximien keifer irome. heriende. T: heiende hea^ene maumez- wi^ unimea^ muchel hird. 1 wi^ heh duhe^e. T; fojjdemde alle ]>eo ]>e o drihtin bilefden. pef mihti maximien luuede an eleufium biuoren monie of hif men. Akennet of heh cun. T; fwi^e riche of rente. T: jung<? mon of jeref. ]?es junge mon eleuliws. ]>at Ipus wef wel wi¥> ^e king, hefde inune feolahfchipe to affrican. T; wef iwunet ofte to cumen wi^ him *to hif in. T; ifeon hif dohter. *[Foi. 37J
pis maiden and ]?is martyr of whom I make mention High birth of was named Juliana, in ]>e town of Nicomedia, come JuUana- entirely, and descended from a heaven race, and her fleshly fa]?er was called Africanus, who vexed and insulted very much men ]?at were Christians, and drew j>em trough doleful pains to dea^. But she, as one )?at had lent her love to j?e high heavenly fa}er, left her parents customs, and began to love ]?e everliving God, ]?e lovesome Lord, who created all creation and rule^ and directed according as his will is, all )>at is created.
In ]?at time, as }>e reading tellers, ]?e moody Maximian Date, was emperour in Eome, glorifying and extolling heaven mamniets, wij? an immensely great following, and wr8 high dignity, and condemned, all )?ose who believed in J>e Lord, pis mighty Maximianus loved one Eleusius before many of his men, born of a high race, and very rich in revenue, and a young man in years, pis young man Eleusius, who was )ms well wij? ]>c king, had close fellowship wij? Africanus, and was accustomed often to come wi^ him to his dwelling and to see his daughter.
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
hire utnume feir. ant freoliche. lie felde him iwundet. %at wi?S uten lechnunge of hire libben he ne mahte. African wifte wel $at he wef freo boren. 1 }at him
walde bicumen a freo boren burde. ant jettede him •[Leaf 57.] his dohter. 1 wes fone *ihondfald al hire unwilles.
ah heo trufte on him ]?at ne trukene'S narnon : }>at trufte^ treowliche on him. ant euch deis dei eode
to chirche to leornen godes lare. jeornliche to witen
I hu ha mahte beft witen hire unweommet. *\ hire merS-
had wiftuten man of monne. Elewfius le luuede hire
*
longe hit him ]?uhte. }>at tis dede nere idon. \at heo ibroht were ]?urh wedlac to bedde. ah as ha wende
Eieusius fell in her exceptionally fair and noble, he felt himself
love with
wounded, so that without healing of .her he could not
live. Africanus knew well that he was gently born, and
that a gently born bride would (well) become him ; and
and her father granted him his daughter : and (she) was soon hanselled
granted her to
all against her will. But she trusted on him that fails no man who trusts truly in him ; anil at each days dawn (day), ingthowwsaheseek" slie went to church to learn Gods lore, earnestly to know virginity un- how she might best keep herself unspotted, and her maiden hood without commerce of man. To Eieusius, who loved her, it seemed long, that this deed were not done, that she were brought through wedlock to bed. But as she thought
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.)
As he hefde en chere bihalden swrSe jeorne hire ut- numne feire. T; freoliche juhe^e ; felde him iwundet in wi'S in hif heorte wrS J>e flan }>Q of luue neo^S. fwa \at him ]?uhte ]?et ne mahte he nanef weif wi'S ute ]?e lechnunge of hire luue libben. Ant efter lutle ftounde wr3 ute long fteuene. wef him feolf fonde to Affrican hire feader. T: bifohte him jeorne ^at he hire jeue him. T: he hire walde menflun wift al ]>at he mahte. Af ]?e ]?mg i ]?e world ]>at he meafl luuede. Affrican wifte ]>at he wef fwrSe freo iboren. Ant walde wel bicumen him a freo iboren burde. T: ^etede him hif bone. Ha wef him fone ihondfald ]>ah hit hire unwil were. AH ha trufte upon him \at ne truked na mon. ha trewliche him trufte on. T; eode to chirche euche daheftef dei. to leornin godef lare. biddinde jeorne wrS reowfule reamef. \at he wiffede hire o hwuche wife ha mahte witen hire mer&ha'S from monef man vnwemmet.
Elewliuf \at luuede hire ]?uhte sw[i]*>e longe ]>at ha neren to brudlac T; to bed ibrohte. ah heo forte
As once he had very earnestly beholden her exqui- Juliana loved by sitely fair and ladylike you^S ; he felt himself wounded Eleusius' wijnn his heart, wij? ]?e arrow which flie^S from love, so ]?at it seemed to him, J>at he could nowise, wrSout ]?e medicine of her love, live. And after a little time wi^out a long tale, he was himself his messenger to Africanus her faj^er, and besought him earnestly, )>at he would give her to him, and he would grace her wij? all j?at he was able, as ]?e )?mg in J?e world, ]?at he most loved. Africanus knew J?at he was very gently born, and ]?at a gentleborn bride would well suit him, and he granted his request. She was soon hanselled to him, Given to him by J>ough it were against her consent. But she trusted upon her father- him ]?at deceives no man : she truly trusted in him and went to church at every days dawn, to learn Gods lore, praying earnestly wij? rueful cries, that he would direct her in what way she might preserve her maidenhood from mans commerce, unstained.
To Eleusius, J>at loved her, it seemed very long, that she were not to bridal and to bed brought, but she to
8 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
hire fummef weis to witene. fende him to feggen. ^at nalde ha lihten fwa lahe ne nehlechen him for nan liuiende mon. er
]>en he were under Maximjan heheft in rome \at is heh reue.
--==- -£»»— Sone fo he iherde ]?is. he bi-jet et te keifer \at he jettede
1 Altered from him1 reue to beonne as \at he mrnd hefde. ant he as me hem.
'jja luuede. lette leaden him into^ture. T; te riche riden in.
T; tuhen him jont te tun : from ftrete to ftrete. ant al J?e
tur wes bitild. \at he wes in. wrS purpre wrS pal. T; wrS
3 MS. ciclatur. ciclatun.2 T; deorewurSe elates, as ]?e ]>at heh ]?ing hefde to
k^/ ^ • heden. ant ]?a he hefde ]?is idon: he fende hire to feggen.
I at he hefde hire wil iwraht. T: heo fchulde his wurchen.
Ik f * i S— -
I Uliane ]>e e^i^iaesn criftef leouemon of his bliffule
*[Leaf57, back.] luue balde hire feoluen. fende him to onfwere. *bi
an of hire ibnden. Elewfiuf wite bu hit wel ireadi.
J
wra^^Si fo fu wra^S^i. no lengre nulich hit heolen
Juliana sent him to guard herself in some way, she sent to him to say that wouw^noVap- slie would not descend so low, nor approach him for any he°werehHighm liviDS man before he were, under Maximian, highest in S£defti5igS5 B>ome» that is> High Keeve. As soon as he heard this, from the em- he procured from the emperor that he should grant him to be reeve, as that which he had desired ; and he, as man loved (to have it) then, caused him to be led into a tower ; and ride into his province ; and they drew him about the town, from street to street. And all the tower that he was in was awned with purple, with pall, and with cicla- toun and precious cloths, as he that high things had to
her will. that he had wrought her will, and she ought to work his.
Juliana the blessed, Jesus Christ's beloved, with his blissful love, made herself bold, sent to him as answer, by one of her messengers, " Eleusius, know thou it well ready, be as wroth as thou mayst, no longer will I conceal it
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 9
werien hire wrS him fumme hwile : *fende him to feggen. *[Foi. 38.]
]>at nalde ha nawt lihten fe lahe to luuien. !N"e nalde ha
neolechin him for na liuiende mon. ear ]>en he were under <^/^
Maximien. heheft i Home. \at if ^JieLjceue. He afe j^u^^
timliche af he hefde iherd ]?if. bijet ed te Keifer fet he
^ette him al }>at he walde. T; lette af me luuede ]?a leaden
him i cure up o fowr hweolef. T; teon him jeon te tun
)>ron from ftrete to ilrete. Al ]>e cure ouertild \at he wef
itohen on : wi'S purpref T: pellef. wrS ciclatunf T; cendall
T: deorewurSe cla^ef. As ]?e ]?#£ fe heh J>ing hefde to
heden. ant fe riche reffchipe to rihten T; to readen. ]?a
he hefde J?uf idon. fende hire \us to feggen hire wil
he hefde iwraht. Nu hif ha fchulde wurchen. Juliene
)?e eadie ihesu criftef leofmon of hif bliffule luue balde
hire feoluew, T: fende him al openliche bi fonde to
feggen. )>is word ha fend te for nawt ]m haueft if-
wechte. wrea^Se fe }>u wreafte. Do }>at tu do wult nule
ich ne ne mei ich lengre heolen hit te ^ef }m wult
defend herself against him for some while, sent to him to say, that she would not condescend to love so low, nor would she come near him for any living man, till he she should be under Maximianus, >e highest in Home, ]?at is }>e High Eeeve. He, as soon as he had heard ]?is, pro cured from ]?e emperor ]?at he should grant him all ]?at he would, and so ordered J?at, as man would have it }?en, he was led about in a chariot upon four wheels, and drawn ]?rough ]>e town from street to street. All ]?e chariot was over awned, in which he was drawn, wr3 purple and palls, wi^ ciclatoun and sindon and precious clo^Ss, as one ]?at had so high jnngs to take heed for, and so mighty an office to direct and to advise in. When he had done ]ms, he sent to her to tell her he had wrought her will, and now she should work his. Juliana ]>e blessed, Jesus Christs leman, out of his blissful love, made herself bold, and sent to him all openly by a messen ger to say ; )>is word she sends ]?ee ; for nought hast ]?ou toiled, be as wra^S as J?ou may, do as )>ou do wilt ; I will not, nor can any longer conceal it from }>ee : if ]?ou wilt
10 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
fp. jef ]?u wult leauen ]>e lahen ]?^ tu lift in, ant leuen in godd feder. T: iw his deorewurSe fune. T; i]?e hali gaft. ichulle wel neomen ]>e. jef fu nult no : ]?u art wundi of me. T; ofter luue fech J?e. pa ]?e reue iherde ]?is : he wre^^Sede him fwrSe. 1 hire feder cleopede. ant feng on to tellen him. hu his dohfar droh him from deie to deie. ant efter ]>at he wende to habben his iwil fb ha him J?is word fulliche fende. Bi ]>at ilke godd qud% hire feder \ai me is la^ to gremien beo hit fo^ Tpat tu feift to wra^Ser heale feide ha hit. ant nu ichulle o great grome al biteachen hire ]?e. to wurchen j?i wil. T; al ]>at te wel like^ as mit tin ahne. °l me cleopede hire for^ biuoren hire feder. T; he feng feire to fondin his dohter Mi deorewurSe dohter hwer fore uorfakeftu ]?i fy. ant ti fellrSe. j?e weolen ant te 'wuwnen ]>at walden awakenin ant waxen of ]?i wedlac. \at
if he would be- from thee ; if thou wilt leave the customs that thou hem|houidrihave ^es^ ^f and believe in God the Father, and in his precious SherwS not Son» and *°- tlie Holy Ghost, I will indeed take thee ; if thou wilt not, thou art quit of me ; and seek thee' another c?mpiahledreteove love<" When tne reeve heard this, he became very wroth, her father, who and called her father, and began to tell him how his
swore that if it »•*•*•:•
were true, he daughter drew mm on irom day to day, and after he over to Keusius thought to have his will, she strangely sent him this PieaS°edw?thher. word- "B7 tliat same God," quoth her father, "whom I am loth to anger, be it true that thou sayest, to (her) sorrow she said it, and now I will in great anger alto gether give her up to thee to work thy will and all that pleases thee, as with thine own." And she was called Her father strives forth before her father ; and he began fairly to try his he™ ure osefr-om dauSnter : "My precious daughter, wherfore forsakest thou thy victory and thy happiness, the wealth and the joys that would arise and grow out of thy wedlock, which
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 11
leauen. }>e lahen ]?et tu liueft in ant leuen i godd feader. °l
in hif deorwurSe sune. T; i ]?e hali gaft folkene froure. an
godd *\at if igret wr3 euchef cunnef gode : Ich chule wel *LFo1- 386-J
neome }>e. T: jef ]?^ tu nult no : Jm art windi of me : T;
o^er luue fech ]?e. pa ]?e hehe reue iherde J>if ondfwere :
bigon to wre^en fwrSe : T: cleopede hire feder forS. °t
feng on to tellen. hwuch word ha fende him. Efter )at
he wende forte habben idon al fyat he wilnede. Affrican
hire feader wundrede him fwrSe. T; bigon to swerien. bi
]?e ilke godef ]>at me if la^ to gremien. beo hit fo^S J>at tu
feiift : to wra^er heale. ha felr$ hit. ant ich wulle o great
grome al biteachen hire )>e : T; tu do hire, al ]>at tu wult.
He ]?onkede him. 1 heo wef icleopet for^S. T; Affrican hire
feader feng on earft feire on; to lokin jef he mahte wi'S
eani luue speden. Juliene quoft he mi deorewurSe
dohter. fei me hwl ]?u forfakeft. ]?i fy T; ti felh^e :
]>e weolew T: te wunnen. ]?e walden awakenen. °l
waxen of ]?e wedlac J?a^ ich reade ]>e to : hit nif nan
leave ]>e customs bat tou livest in and believe in Juliana demand*
God >e Fa)er, and in his precious Son, and in fe
Holy Ghost, the Comforter of the world; One God ]?at
is magnified wrS good of every kind, I will readily take
]?ee, and if ]?ou wilt not do j>at, ]?ou art quit of me, and
seek ]?ee ano]?er love. "When ]?e high .reeve heard ]?is
answer, he began to be very wra^, and called her fa^er
for^, and began to tell him what a word she had sent
him, after he supposed he had done all J>at she demanded.
Africanus her fa]?er wondered at it much, and began
to swear, "By ]?e same gods, whom it is grief to me to
anger, be it true as ]?ou sayest, to her sorrow she sarS
it, and I will in great anger altoge]?er hand her over to
]?ee, and do }>ou to her all ]?at ]?ou wilt." He tanked
him, and she was called for'S, and Africanus her faj?er she is urged by
began first to look fairly on her, to see if he might wi> ^eerd
any love speed. "Juliana," asked he, "my precious
daughter, tell me why }>ou abandonest )?e triumph and
happiness, )?e felicity and joys, which would spring up
and grow out of ]?e wedlock ]?at I advise )?ee to. Tis no
12 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
ich }Q to reade. for lie if inoli lauerd elewfius ine rome. T;
tu maht beon leafdi doliter $ef >u wel wult. luliane >e
*[Leaf58.] eadie onfwerede him T; feide af )>eo )>at *ine godd hire
hope hefde. jef he wule leuen an god al mihti. ]?enne mei
he fpeoken ]?rof T: inohra^e fpeden. ant jef ];«£ he mile
nawt. ne fchal wiuen on me. wine }?er hif wil is. )a hire
• feder iherde }is : }?a feng he to fwerien. Bi mi kine-
wurSe lauerd apollo. ant hi mi deore leafdi diane. }at ich
muche Innie. jef ]m haldeft heron, ichulle leoten deor to
1 A hole in the teorew ant to luken Ire. T; ^eouen ]>i flefch : [to] 1 fuheles of
MS
]>e lufte. luliane him onfwerede T; fofteliche feide. ne wen
]?u nawiht leoue feder. \at tu affeare me fwa. for ih<?su
criil godes fune )at ich on leue T, luuie as lauerd luf-
fumeft on Hue. ]?ah ich beo forbernd. *\ to loken limel.
\ nulich heronont buhen fe nawiht pa feng eft hire [fe-
(der] on wi^ olhmwge to fondm ^ef he mahte eifweis
wend'en hire heorte. T; feide hire luffumliche. )a/t
but she declares I counsel thee to ? for Eleusius is lord enough in Eome, and
that if he will ., , .. , _ .. , , .„ .. .,, ., T ,. ,,
not believe in thou mayest be lady, daughter, if thou wilt. Juliana the
blessed answered him, and said, as one who had her hope marry her. in Q^ « If he wiu believe in Qod Almighty, then may
he speak of it an,d succeed quickly enough, and if he will
not, he shall not marry me, let him marry where his
Her father then will is." When her father heard this, then began he to
swears that he ,,-,-, ii-it-n -11 111
will let wild swear : " x>y my royal lord Apollo, and by my dear lady
beasts tear her. Jf thou holdegt to thigj j
let beasts tear and rend thee asunder, and give thy flesh to
fowls of the air." Juliana answered him, and softly said,
Sou Ae wire " Think not> dear fatner> that thou mayest terrify me so, for
torn limb from (by) Jesus Christ, Gods Son, on whom I believe, and whom
never give way. I love as lord, lovesomest in life, though I be burnt up, and
, plucked asunder limbmeal, I will not, as regards this, bow to
thee." Then began her father again with flattery to try if he
might in anyway turn her heart, and told her lovesomely that
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.)
13
e^elich ]?ing. )>e reffchipe of rome. ant tu maht jef ]?u wult.
beon burhene leafdi. Ti of alle ]>Q londef ]>e )>erto ligge^S.
Juliene fe eadie ontfwerede him Ti feide. [*af ]?eo )>at ine ' From MS. R.
godd hire hope hefde.] ^ef he wule luuien. T: leuen godd. al
mihti ; j^enne mei he [^fpeoken] J?rof. T; fpeden inoh rea^Se.
for jef he \at mile no ; ich fegge ]>e \at fo^ if. ne fchal he
wiuen on me. Sei nu hwet ti wil is. affrican wrea^ede Ti
*fwor swrSe deopliche. for ]>e drihtfule godd apollo mi *[Foi. 89.]
lau^rd. Ti mi deore leafdi ]?e deorewurSe diane }>at ich
muche luuie. jef j?u haldeft her on ; ich fchal leote wilde
deor to luken T; to teore ]?e T; jeoue )?i flefch fode to fuhelef
of }?e lufte. Juliene him ondfwerede. T; fofteliche feide. !N"e
lef ]?u nawt leoue feader ]?«^ tu offeare me fwa ; ich fwerie
ajein. }>e ih«?su crift godef fune. }>at ich on leue. T; luuie
af leoflukeft. T: luffumefl lauerd. ]?at ich cwic beo for-
bearnd ba^e lim T: li^ ileitinde leie. Nulle ich J?e her
onont Jjreate' fe ]?u Create buhe ne beien.
r A "Iffrican feng eft on. Ti to fondin ongon jef he mahte eft MS.
L/XJ eanif weif olhnunge wenden hire heorte : T; leof-
contemptible ]>ing ]?is prefecture of Eome, and ]?ou mayest, if )>ou wilt, be lady of ]>e town, and of all ]?e lands ^at belong j?ereto." Juliana, J?e blessed, answered him and said, "If he will love and believe in God Almighty, ]?en may he speak of it; and speed quickly enough : for if he will not, he shall not swive on me. Say now what J?y will is." Africanus was wra^S and swore very deeply. " Before the lordly god Apollo, my master, and my dear lady, )?e precious Diana, whom I much love, if ]?ou boldest to ]>is, I shall make wild beasts lacerate and tear ]?ee, and give J?y flesh as food to fowls of ]?e air." Juliana answered him and softly said, "Believe not, dear fa]?er, )?at ]?ou canst terrify me so; I swear on ]?e o]?er hand; by Jesu Christ, Son of God, on whom I believe, and whom I love as loveliest and lovesomest lord, ]>ough I be quite burnt up, bo^S limb and joint in gleaming flame ; I will not, as regards ]?is, bend nor bow to ]?e, ^reaten as J?ou mayest.
Africanus tried again, and began to attempt, if he were able, anywise, by flattery to turn her heart, and kindly
14 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
i
ne fclmlde ha nane wunne lihtliclie wilnin : }>at he ne fchulde welden. wrS \at ha walde hire jnrnc wen den Nai quo^S \at meiden ichuldich don me to him \at is alle deoulen bitaht. Ts to eche de7^ idemet. to furwurSen wrS him world abuten ende. for hif wedlakef weole o^er for eni wunne. for fo^ ich hit fegge unwurS if hit me. ichulle }>at he hit wite wel.
*[Leaf 58, back.] ant tu *eke mid him \at ich am iweddet to an }>at ichulle treowliche to halden ant wrS uten lef luuien. ]?e if unlich him. ^fc alle. worldlich men. ne nullich him now^er leauen. ne lihen for weole ne for wunne. for wa. ne for wunne ]?et je mahen don me. ]?a feng hire feder te wre^en fwrSe ferlich 1 fwrSe hokerliche freinede. Me hwet if he J?es were \at tu art to iweddet. }at tu haueft wr5 uten
1 A hole in the me ]nne luue ilenep]1 for hwam ]?u leteft lutel of )at tu fchuldeft luuiew. ne ich neuer ]/at ich wite nef wi^ him icnawen. Por gode quo*6 ]?et meiden }>in harm if ]?e
she should not easily desire any joy that she should not possess, provided she would alter her mind. "Nay," quoth the maiden, "should I join myself to him who is given up to all devils, and doomed to eternal death, to perish with him world without end, for the weal of his wedlock or for any joy? Forsooth, I say it, unworthy it is of me. I will that he should know
wedo {t Wel1' and thou also with him> that I am wedded to one whom she to whom I will truly hold, and without falsehood love, ill truly love. who is unlike him and M worldly men. Eor will I either leave or deny him for wealth or for pleasure, for woe nor for joy that ye can do me." Then began her £Svfat£ou£eCk" ?ather to get WToih verF strongly, and very mockingly ^ho this husband ln^uired> " But what is this husband to whom thou art wedded, to whom thou hast without me committed thy love, for whom thou carest little for what thou shouldest love? Nor was I ever, that I know, acquainted with him. " JBefore God," quoth the maiden, " thy harm is the
one
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 15
tede luueliche. 1, feide hire fikerliche. ])at ne fchulde ha
lihtliche wilni na wunne ; \at ha ne fchulde wealden. wrS
]70rean ]>at ha walde hire wil wenden. Nai quoK ha ]>at
nif nawt, fchulde ich do me to him* }>at alle deoflen ii
bitaht. '"I to eche dea^S fordemet. to forwurSe wrS him
worlt buten ende i]>e putte of helle : for hif wedlackef
weole o^er for ei wunne. To fo^e ich hit fegge ]?e.
Vnwur'S hit if me. Ich chulle ^at he wite hit ful wel.
T; tu eke mid al; ich am to an iweddet }>at ich chulle
treowliche wrSute leaf luuien. ^at if unlich him T; alle
worltliche men. ne nulle ich neauer mare him lihen ne
lea*uen. for weole ne for wunne. for wa ne for wontrea^Se *[Foi. 896.]
]>at je me mahen wurchen.
Hire feader feng on to wrea^in fwrSe ferliche T; eafkede hire hokerliche. Ant hwet if he }?ef were ^at tu art to iweddet. ]>at tu haueft wrS ute me fe for^S )?i luue ileuet. \at tu leteft lutel. of al ]>at tu fchuld- eft luuien. Ne ich nef neauer ^at ich wite jet. wrS him icnawen. for gode quo*6 ]>e meiden j?in hearm if ]>e
said to her, "pat surely she should not easily desire
any pleasure, ]?at she should not obtain, provided }>at
J?ereby she would alter her resolution." "Way," quo^S
she, " ]?at is naught. Should I join myself to him, who Juliana refuses
is given up to all ]>Q devils and doomed to dea^S eternal towed a heathen»
to perish wi]? }>em world wi^out end in ]?e pit of hell,
for ]>e weal^S of his wedlock, or for any joy? For
soo^S, I say to ]?e ; unworSy it is of me. I will ]?at he
know it full well, and ]?ou also J^erewi'S ; I am espoused and declares that
to one, whom I will truly wi]?out falsehood love, one she is esP°used
who is unlike him and all worldly men, nor will I ever
more him deny nor desert for wea^S or for joy, for woe
nor for misery ]?at ye may do me."
Her fa}er took to getting wro^ very strongly, and asked her tauntingly : " And what is J?is husband to whom j?ou art wedded, to whom ]?ou hast wrSout me so far ]?y love committed, ]?at )?ou carest little for all ]>ou shouldst love. No, I was never, ]?at I know as yet wrS him acquainted." " Before God," quo^S ]?e maiden, " ]?y injury is ]>e
16 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
mare nawt for>i >et tu naueft ofte iherd of him jare. }at if iefu godes fune. ]>e forto lefen moncun }at forloren fchulden
beon : lette hif deorwurSe lif on rode, ne ich ne feh him
• neuer }at me fare forjmnche^. ah ichim luuie ant leue
af on lauerde. ne fchal me firfin him from : now^er deouel
ne mon. For mi lif quo^S hire feder }>e fchal la^in hif
luue for }m fchalt beon ibeaten. mid befrnes fwa bittre \at
1 MS. wraftel. tu wummon were fchal to wra^Ser1 heale iwurSen. Swa
I muche quo^ ha ich iwur^e him ]?e leouere : So ich derure
fing for hif luue drehe. \at ti wil if: wurch nu. T; he het
hatterliche flrupen hire fteortnaket. T; beten hire fwa
lu^ere \at hire leofliche lich : IrSeri al oblode. T; fwa ha
duden fo hrSere ]>at te blod jet adun of ]?e jerden. T: heo
*[Leaf 59,] higon to jeien. Beaten fo je beaten je beliales bu*delef.
ne mahe je now^er mi luue ne min bileaue lutlen toward
him mi luffum leof mi leowinde lauerd ne nullich leauen
greater ; not because thou hast not often heard of him long ago, that is, Jesus Christ, Son of God, who, to liberate mankind, that must have been lost, gave up his precious life on the cross. I have never seen him, which grieves me sore ; but I love him and believe on him as Lord ; nor shall any remove me from him, neither devil nor man." Her father then " By my life," quoth her father, " thou shalt loathe his
IgXfbuAu in !ove' for thou slialt be beaten witn birches so bitterly that
vain.' it shall turn to sorrow (to thee) that thou woman wert."
" So much," quoth she, " shall I become the dearer to
him, as I suffer more pain for his sake. What thy will is,
work now." And he bade savagely to strip her stark
naked, and beat her so villanously that her lovely body
She is stript \ should lather all in blood. And so they did, so villanously
brutlnyakbeataenf that the blood g^ed down from the rods. And she
with rods. began to cry out, "Beat as ye will, ye ministers of Belial,
ye can lessen neither my love nor my faith towards him,
my lovesome dear one, my living Lord ; nor will I believe
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 17
mare. Nawt for f i f at tu naueft iherd of him jare. $at if
ihesu godef fune. f at forte alefen moncun }>at fchulde beon
forloren al ; lette lif o rode. Ich ne feh him neau^r Ti f at
me of f uncheft. Ah ich him luuie Ti wulle don. Ti leue on
af o laiwd. Ne fchal me firfen him from. Now^er deouel
ne mon. for mi lif quote hire feader fe fchal la^in hif
luue. for f u fchalt habbe frof hearm T fcheome ba^e Ti
nu f u fchalt on alre earft. af on ernesse fwa beon ibeaten
wite bittere befmen. f at tu were wummon of wummone See o>er Text.
bosum to wra^Serheale eau^r iboren if e worlde.
Swa muche quote \at meiden ich beo him fe leouure. fe ich derfre f ing for hif luue drehe. ^wnrch] f u f at ti erased in the & wil if. $e quote he blrSeliche. ant swrSe heatterliche. *[Foi°4i'Jrongiy ftrupen hire fteort naket. THLegge* fe hrSer*liche on hire ™b4orf8' °r leofliche lich : [fat] hit IrSeri o blode. Me nom hire Ti "^8. dude fwa \at hit_jejijdiin-a£_J 'Qj&x&BD* ant heo bigon to ^j/^ ?eien. Beaten fe je beaten je belialef budelef. ne mahe ^ ^ je now^er mi luue ne mi bileaue lutlin towart te liuiende godd mi leofsume leofmon. fe luuewurSe lauml. ne
greater. Not, for all fat, fat fou hast not heard of
him long since : fat is Jesu, Son of God, who to redeem J» g^s» the Son
mankind, which must of erwise have all been lost, gave
up life on fe cross. I have never seen him and fat
displeases me ; but I love him and will so do ; and
believe on him as on fe lord. Nor shall any remove
me from him, neifer devil nor man." " By my life,"
quo^ her fafer, "fou shalt loafe his love, for fou shalt
have of it harm and shame bo^S, and now fou shalt first
of all, by way of earnest, be so beaten wift bitter birches
fat fou [shalt lament] fou wert ever born into f e world,
woman of womans bosom.
" So much," quo'S fe maiden, " I shall be to him fe dearer, as for his love I suffer more pain; do by will on Juliana is beaten
isj«<«r u xx. v •! j { i, CIA. ' with rods.
me. "lea/ qwrS he gaily and very savagely, "Strip her stark naked, and lay on so hard on her lovely body fat it la^er in blood." She was taken and so treated fat f e blood ran down off f e rods, and she began to cry out, " Beat ye as ye will, ye ministers of Belial, ye can diminish neifer my love nor my belief toward fe loving God, my lovely leman, f e loveworf y Lord ; nor
18 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
,>'"$£ j^^-->
awer read ]Mtf forreade^ ow feoluen. ne ower mix maw-
1 So in MS. mex1 }at beo^ ]>ef feondef fetlef heien ne herien. for
teone ne for tintreow ]>at je mahen timbrin. Na quo'S he
2 falch MS. i if hit fwa hit fchal2 futelin lone, for ichulle biteachen
miflich }\ bodi to elewfium J?e riche reue irome ant he fchal forfwelten ant forreden ]>e efter ef wille wrS allef cunnef pinen. je quoft J?if meiden \at mei crist welden. for ne mahe je nawt don me bute hwet he wule j>eauien ow to muchelin mi mede T; te murSe \>at IrS to merShadef
• ; ^v /
menfke for euer fo je mare merri^ me her : fo mi crime brS brihtre T; fehere. for ichulle blrSeliche drehen euer- euch derf for mi deore lauerdes lime, ant fofte me brS euch derf hwen ich him ferui ]?ah ]>u me to elewfium willes biteache : ne jeue ich for inc now^Ser. \at je me mahen harmen. for fo ^e mare me her harmed, fo mare je me helped feoueuald to heouene. T; jef je me do^S to dea^e
in your counsel, which betrays yourselves, nor extol and
praise your dung idols, which are receptacles of the fiend,
Her father for harm nor for torture that ye can contrive." "No,"
threatens to » '
give her up to quoth he, " is it so? It shall soon appear, for I will
Eleusius; but j ,. ., ' , - _,. . _.
she sets his deliver thy body to Eleusius, the rich reeve in Home ;
naught, at an(i he shall (cause thee to) perish, and bewray thee after his will with torments of every kind." "Yea," quoth this maiden, " that may Christ rule ; for ye can do naught to me but what he will permit you, to enlarge my reward, and the joy that belongs to maidenhoods honour; for ever the more ye mar me here, the brighter and fairer shall
Sf 'suffer wU1 be my crown* ^or * wil1 blithely endure every hardship
every hardship for my dear Lords love, and soft shall be to me each
for her dear 1 , , . . T , .
Lords love. hardship, since I serve him, though thou willingly de liver me to Eleusius. Neither care I for you both — that ye can harm me ; for the more ye harm me here, the more sevenfold ye help me to heaven. And if ye do me to death,
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 19
nulle ich leuen ower read ]?e forreade^ ow feolf. ne j>e ^_mjx-maumez )?e beo^S ]?ef feondef fetlef ; heien ne herien. for teone ne for tintreohe \a>t je me mahe timbrin. Na nult tu quo¥> affrican. hit fchal fone futelin. for ich chulle fende }>e nu T; biteache }>i bodi to eleufiuw ]?e riche \at reue if oner rome. ant he fchal )>e forreaden. T; makie to forfwelten. af hif ahne wil if )nirh al )?et eauer far is.
qwo^ ]?if meiden ]?«£ mei godd welden. ne mahe je nawt do me bute )?et he wule ]?eauien T: ]?olien ow to donne to mucli mi mede T; te murlrSe ]^£ li^ to merS- hadef menfke. for eauer fe je nu her mearre^ me mare : fe mi crune fchal beon brihttre ba T; fehere. for ]?i ich chulle bli^Seliche T; wi7^ bli^e heorte drehen eauer euch derf. for mi leofmonef luue ]?e luffume lau^rd T: fofte me / ' bi^ euch far in hif feruife. ]m wult ]?u feift a^eoue me* to eleulium ]>e hrSere. a jef *me for nawiht ne jeoue ich *[Foi. 4i&.] for inc now^er. _pet ?e mahen ane pine me here. Ah hit ne hearme^ me nawt ah helped T; heue^S up T:
will I believe in your counsel, which betrays yourselves, nor extol nor glorify your dunghill mammets, which are homes of ]?e fiend, for harm nor for torture, )?at ye can con trive." "No, wilt ]?ou not," qwrS Affricanus, "it shall soon appear ; for I will send j?e now and grant ]>y body to Eleusius, ]?e powerful, J?at is prefect over Rome, and he shall bewray j?ee and make ]?ee to perish, j?rough all ]?at is painful, according as his will is."
" Yea," qwyS ]?is maiden, " J?at God can rule; nor are she defies her ye able to do aught to me, except he will to permit and t01 endure j?at you should so do to enlarge my reward, and ]?e joy j>at belonged to ]>e grace of maidenhood : for in whatsoever measure ye mar me )>e more in ]>at same shall my crown be bo^S brighter and fairer, perefore I shall blrSely and wij? gay heart sustain every hurt for my lemmans love, ]?e lovely Lord, and soft to me is every sore in His service. pou wilt, J?ou saist, give me to Eleusius )>e odious ; Give me to him, for naught care I for eij^er of you, J>at ye are able only to pain me here : but it harmed me not, but raised rne up and
20
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.]
K
hit \>r& me deorewurSe ant ich fchal )?er \urJi blrSe bi- cumen into endelefe bliffen ant je fchulen wrecches awei ower wur^es ]>at je iboren weren finken to wra^Ser heale ow to ]>e bale bitter deope into helle. Hire feder affrican \urh ]?if bittre teone bitahte hire to elewfium ]>e Inhere [Leaf 59, back.] *reue. ant he lette bringen hire biuoren him to hif heh ^feotel af he fet in dome af reue of ]>e burhe af he biheold ant ifeh hire leofliche leor lilies iliche-'t rudi af ]?e rofe T; hire leofliche fchape f He fikede af Jung ]>at fare were iwundet hif mod feng to heaten ant hif meari to melten ant wrSinnen bernde of ]?e heate of hire luue fwa \at him
Jmhte }>at he ne bede na mare blifle in fifle line bute hire bodi ane to wurchen hif wille ant feng on toward hire fweteliche to feggen. Mi lif ant mi leoueinon. mi lefdi jef ]m wel wult btyench }>at in rome richer! am
it shall be precious to me, and I shall thereby blithely enter into endless bliss, and ye wretches shall — alas ! your fates that ye were (ever) born — sink to your misery, to the bitter bale, deep into hell." Her father, Africanus, Juliana is given through this bitter vexation, handed her over to Eleu-
up to Eleusius, .
and brought be- sius, the wicked reeve. And he caused her to be brought ment seat. AS before him to his high seat, as he sat in judgment, as her, his passions reeve of the city. When h<jL beheld and saw her lovely
are roused, . *
complexion, like a lily and ruddy as the rose, and her
lovely shape, he sighed as a thing that was sorely
wounded. His mind began to heat and his marrow to
melt ; and he burned within with the heat of her love, so
that it seemed to him that he could ask no greater bliss in
this life, except her body only, to work his will. And he
mber*?fcb beSan toward her> sweetly to say, " My life and my leman,
words. mv la^ if thou wilt, consider that I am richest in Borne,
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 21
mine murlrSef monifalde in heouene. ant jef je do^ me to dea^. hit bi^ deore to godd. T: ich fchal blifte bicumen to endelefe bliflen. ant }e fchulen wrecchef wei ower wurSef. }at $e weren i }>e worlt iboren T; i broht for^ se wra^Ser heale je fchule finken adun to far T; to eche forhe. to bitterneffe ant to bale deope into helle. r A "iffrican hire feader bitterliche iteonet bitahtte hire LlJ-J eleulium ]?e lirSere reue of rome T; lette bringen hire biuoren hif ehfilrSe. af he fet T; demde. J>e hehe burh domef. ^ '
Af he bifeh T; biheold hire luffume leor lilief ilicnefle T: rudi u^
\ y^->^" afe rofe. T; under hire .nebfcheft al fe freoliche ifchapet ;
weorp a fie af a wiht ^at fare were iwundet. Hif heorte feng to heaten T; hif meari mealten ]>e rawen rahten of luue J?urh euch li^. of hif limef. T; inwi^S bearnde of brune fwa Ti cwakede af of calde. ]?et him jmhte in hef }onc. ]?et ne bede he tye worlt nanef cunnef bliffe. bute hire bodi ane. to wealden hire wi# wil efter }>at he walde. T; bigon wi^ fwotneffe foffte to feggen.
rll/Tni lif T; mi leofmon. T; leafdi jef ]?u wel wult afe
my joys manifold in heaven, and if ye do me to dea^, ]?at my dea^ is precious before God, and I shall in joy reach endless bliss ; and ye shall, ye wretches, weep your fates )>at ye should be born into ]>e world and brought for^S to misery ; ye shall sink down to woe and to eternal sorrow, to bitterness and to bale deep into hell."
Affricanus her fa]?er, bitterly vexed, gave her up to Her father gives Eleusius, >e vile prefect of Kome, and had her brought £eurs.up before his presence, as he sat and gave judgments in ]?e high city court. When he viewed and beheld her lovely complexion, in likeness of a lily and ruddy as ]?e rose, and all below her visage, so ladylike shapen, he drew a sigh, as a wight )mt was sorely wounded. His heart began to heat and his marrow to melt, be fine breads symptoms of
PI -LJI T- *• • A ,» i« f-t ji_the malady,
oi love reached prough every joint of his limbs, and he love, in Eieu- burned wi]?in wij? heat so, and quaked as if wij> cold, sius* so )?at it seemed to him in his bought, J?at he could pray in J?e world for bliss of no sort, except only her body, to deal wi]? her wi]? his will according as he pleased, and he began wij? sweetness softly to say. The loycr
"My life and my leman and lady, if it please ]?ee, 8uasive.cr
22
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
ant iboren heheft hwi deftu uf ba fo wa : }urh ]>i muchele unwit 1 wurchest fo wra^e nulli )?e na mare uuel J?en }>i feolf waldeft ah leof me were ]>at tu J?i hrSere j>onc lefdeft. T: te wel fchulde wrS alle wunne iwurSen. 1 neauer of J>i wil ne fchal ]>e nawt wontin. ant loke alfwa ]>e lahen af al ^at cun }>at tu art of icumen. Takennet of: leue^S ant luuie7^ hwi leaueftu ham ]?e ane. T: wurSe^S ]?e fo la^Se. ne wen }m nawt )?e ane wrS ]?i wifdom to ouerftihen ham alle. Et quo^ ha elewli ant ftew fwucche wordef for ne beo^S ha riht nohtef. for jef ]?u cneowe ant were cu^> wi^ ]?e king ]>at if ouer alle kingef icrunet in heouene, lutel waldeftu leoten of ower lahelefe lahen }>et
1 MS. repeats leare^S ow to luten dedliche fchaften af ?e fchulden to1 ' fchulden to. ' C^^tr^-f'^-
*[Leaf60.] *godd ant gremie^ ower fchuppent for ]>e cwike deoulen
do^ ham frin on hwet je bileue^S ant hwen fo je herie^ ham : ^e herie^ ]?en uhhwiht ant buhe^S af to healent ant he wule ower hwile bitterliche ^elden. For ne werge^S he neauer to wurchen ow al }at wandre^e world a buten
and highest born ; why dost thou cause us both such woe through thy great folly, and workest so fiercely ? I will " i wish thee no ^ee no more ev^ ^nan ^O{1 wouldest thyself, but it would more evil than be agreeable to me that thou leftest thy evil mind, and it thyseil"1168* should become well with thee with all joy, and naught of thy will shall ever be wanting to thee. And regard also the customs which all the race that thou art come and begotten of, believe and love. Why dost thou alone leave them ? Why become they so loathsome to thee ? Suppose not that thou alone with thy wisdom surpassest them all." "Leave," quoth she, "Eleusius, and stop such words; " if thouknewest for they are worth right naught. For if thou knewest kinga^Sud she, and wert acquainted with the king who is above all n'o\h0boJ°befo1e kinSS' crowned in heaven, little wouldest thou esteem lifeless crea*3-0™ y°ur lawless laws which teach you to bow before mortal (or lifeless) creatures, as ye should do to God, and anger your Creator, for the living devils get into (the idols) on which ye believe ; and whenever ye praise them, ye praise the Evil Being, and bow as to a saviour, and he will bitterly repay your time. For he will never weary of working you all misery world without
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 23
\_A leaf, 42, is here wctnting.~\
24 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvn.)
ende. Do }at tu don wult for nullich >e nan o^er don bute jef Jm IrSe ant leue min lare ant luuie godd al mihti -r- ant leaue alle ]>Q lahen }>at tu lift inne.
"IITE leof quo^ elewfiuf jef me fwa biluuede hit were -"-*• fone ifeid >e keifer ant ikudd to >e kinge. T; he me walde warpen ut of mine wike ant demen me to dea^e. f ant heo him onfwerede. jef ]>\L dredeft fo muchel an dedlich
mpn }& liue^ al ajein law ant leue^S al hif luue in liflefe fchaften : on hif fchuppent fcheomo. T: art ofFruht fwa to leofen hif freontschipe. fchuldich ]?enne forfaken ih^su crift godes fune ]?e if ort ant ende of al. }>at euer god if. ]>e wule hefter >if lif. }at ich lete lutel of. for hif luffum luue leue wrS him feolf ]>e fy ant }>e fellrSe of heouenriches wunnen. fpeche }>u maht fpillen ant ne fpeden nawiht ]?ah ]>u me bufte ant beate af ]>at if bitaht te. T: to derue pine don me ant te dreori de^. ne schaltu ]?ah fu famon flea
end. Do that which thou meanest to do, for I will do no other for thee, unless thou listen and believe my lore, and love God Almighty, and leave all the customs that thou liest in."
^mortaf'man681 " "^ ^ear>" ^oth Eleusius, " if I were pleased to do so, and fearest to it would soon be told to the emperor, and made known to
lose his friend- . -t , . ,, ,, ' „_ _ _
ship, should i tne king, and he would cast me out of my office and doom chrTst thTbe- me to death." And she answered him, « If thou dreadest so much a mortal man, who lives quite against law, and bestows all his love upon lifeless creatures to the dishonour of his Creator, and art so affrighted to lose his friendship, should I then forsake Jesus Christ, Gods Son, who is be ginning and end of all that ever is good, who will, after this life which I value little for his lovesome love, [that I] live with himself [in] the victory and the happiness of heaven-kingdoms joys ? Speech thou mayest spill (waste), and speed not, though thou bruise me and beat as it is given thee (to do), and put me to severe pain and to dreary death ; thou shalt not, though thou, foeman, flay
—n**-
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 25
\_A leaf, 42, is here wanting. ,]
26 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
*[Leaf60,back.] me : ne fchaltu feon *me ]>e fonre flakien to leuen ant te luuien godd alre gume lauerd. }>e reue rudnede ant ogrome grede. ftrupe'S hire fteort naket. 1 ftreche^ hire on ]?e
eorSe ant fix men heated hire hwil ha mahten drehen. }at ha al wef bigan mite blode T: hwil ha hire beoten ha bigonw0 to jeien : ]?if if fe biginnunge of ]>e far ant te 'fcheome }at tu fchalt drehen : bute ]?u to vf beie. jet tu maht jef ]?u wult burhen ]>e seoluen. ant jef J>u mare wrSfeift : wa wur^Se him wurft ]>at te meft fparie. won- dre^Se to donne. Do^S quo^ ha dea^Sef funef al \at te deouel hwaf driuelef je beo^ driue^S ow to donne. lutel if me of ower luue. lafle of ower wra^Se ]>at wite je to wifle. !N"u cwe^en heo wa him ]?enne ]>e ne wurche ]?e meft wa. ]?er wes forhe te feon hire leoflich lich
me, thou shalt not see me the sooner slacken to believe and
to love God, the Lord of all men." The reeve reddened,
naked aandStript ®*^ ^n an§er crie(^> " Strip her stark naked, and stretch her
meaneimbysiiseixis °n tbe eartl1' an(i six men beat ter wllilst they may hold
covered with out," so that she was all run over with the blood. And
whilst they beat her they began to cry out, " This is the
beginning of the pain and the shame that thou shalt suffer,
unless thou bend to us. Yet thou mayest, if thou wilt,
save thyself; and if thou longer refusest, woe be to him
worst that most spareth to work thee misery." "Do,"
quoth she, "(ye) sons of death, all that the devil, whose
Yet she tells her drudges ye are, driveth you to do ; little care I for your love,
she cares not for less for your wrath, know ye that for certain." " Now,"
said they, "woe to him, then, who works thee not the
greatest woe." There was sorrow to see her lovely body
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 27
*tu for na schahlt f e sonre seo me flakien to luuien ant *[Foi. 43.] to leuen of en liuiende godd alre gume \a\ierd..
|~TVle reue feng to nidnin igrome of great heorte. T;
LJ J het hif hea^ene men ftrupin hire fteort naket. T; ftrecchen of er eorSe. T; hwil }>at esmer fix men mahten idrehen beaten hire beare bodi ; ]>at ha al were bigoten of f e blode. Ha duden al af he bed. T; hwil \at ha beoten hire ; bigunnen to jeien. pif if a biginnunge of f e far ]>at tu fchalt; T; of fe fcheome drehen: ^ef fu nult to ure wil buhen T; beien. Ah jet fu maht jef fu wult burhe fe feolfen. ant jef fu mare wrSfeift; alre monne wurSe him wurft of wa T; of wontrea^e ]?e ne wurche ]?e meaft.
rT\~| o^ qucfe ha deoflef limen al ]>at te deoflen hwaf
L-L' -I driuelef je beo^S driue^ ow to donne. lutel me if of ower luue. leaffe of ower la^e. Ti of ]?ef ]?reatef riht noht ; wite je hit to wifle. Nu cweden ha. wa him ]?e ne fondi to dei for te wurche ]>e wurft. per wef forhe to feon on hire freoliche flefch hu ha ferden ]?er wi^S. Ah heo
J7ou shalt not'any quicker make me slow to believe in and love God, Lord of all men."
Je prefect began to redden in great anger of heart, and she is beaten 3 his heaven men strip her stark naked, and stretch again, her on ]?e earS, and as long as six men could hold out, beat her bare body, so ]?at she should be all suifused wij? ]?e blood. J?ey did just as he bade, and while )?ey beat her ]?ey began to cry, "pis is a beginning of ]?e soreness and shame )?at j?ou shalt endure, if ]?ou wilt not bow and bend to our will. But yet ]?ou mayst, if )>ou wilt, protect ]?yself; and if ]?ou longer refuse, let worst of all men befall to him of wo and misery, who works not most
"Do," quo^ she, "ye limbs of f e devil, all fat fe She defies her devil, whose drudges ye be, drivel you to do, little care persecutors still. I for your love, less for your hate, and for f ese treats just nofing, know ye fat for a surety." "Now," said fey, "wo to him fat tries not to spend his life in working her worst mischief." It was fen a sorrow to see how fey dealt wif her ladylike flesh. But she
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. XXVTI.)
faren fo reowliche wrS. T; jjuldeliche heo hit jjolede for ]?e luue of drihtin ant hwen ha meft far hefde fikerlukeft ha jeide. halden on longe ne leaue je neuer. for nullich
i/-
leauen J?if luue for luue. ne for eie.
"p%e reue ]?a he herde ]?if het hire hon up ant hongin •* bi]?e toppe. ant fwa me dude fone. T; leiden fwa lu^erliche on hire on euch half. \at euch dunt defde into hire liche "bat ha al bijet on gure blode. Lauerd godd
w 4 .f iJ~
almihti quoft heo ]?a. loke to ]?i meiden. j?u fondedeft abra- ham ant fundeft him treowe ]>\i lef me \at ich mote ]?e treowliche luuien. ' hald me min healent af ]?u haueft •[Leaf 6i.] bigunnen. for nabich na mahte bute *of }>i ftrenc^Se. ant on ]?e itrufte nawt ome feoluen ant fwuch hope ich habbe to ]?in help healent ^at her ich habbe bihaten ]?e \at ne fchal neauer mi luue ne min bileaue lutlin for na derf ne for nan wondre^e. ne for dute of dea^e J>ah ich hit fchulde
dealt with so ruefully. And patiently she suffered it for
the love of the Lord, and when she had greatest pain, she
m!verhat-vee ?" c™e(^ ou^ mos^ conndently, " Hold on long, nor ever leave
her love for the off, for I will not leave this love, for love nor for awe."
They' hang her The reeve, when he heard this, bade hang her up and
and Latter ir' suspend by the hair of the head ; and so was soon done,
and they laid upon her so villanously on each side, that
f each blow sank into her body, so that she altogether ran
V with gory blood. " Lord God Almighty," quoth she
she prays to God then, " look to thy maiden. Thou triedest Abraham,
and foundest him true ; grant me that I may truly love
thee. Hold me, my Saviour, as thou hast begun ; for
I have no might but of thy strength ; and in thee I
trust, not in myself. And such hope I have for thy
help, Saviour, that here I have promised thee that my
love and my belief shall never lessen, for no hardship,
nor for any misery, nor for fear of death, though I should
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 29
hit al jmldeliche Jwlede for drihtin. T: liwen ha felde
meaft far; fikerlukeft feide. Halde^ longe *ne leaue je *[Foi. «&.]
neauer. for nulle ich leauen hif luue. \at ich on leue.
ne for luue. now^er ne for hrSer eie.
rTjl-jleufmf iherde >if. 1 feng hif neb to rudnin ant L-LjJ tendrin ut of teone. T; hehte swrSe neomen hire T; teon bi]?e top up ; T; fwa me dude fone. fwa ]>at ha hongede feor from ]?er eorSe. bi )?e uaxane. T; leiden ]?a fe hrSer- liche on hire on euch halue ; \at euch dunt defde in hire ^^, . leofliche lich ]?e jet of ]?e jerdeii-al ^~£ure~blode. Ismerd. godd almihti quo^S ha loke to ]>i meiden. Jra fondedefl abraham. T; fundeft him treowe. lef me ]>at ich mote. }>Q treowliche luuien. Halt me healent min ihesu cn'ft gode£ fune af Jra hauefl bigunnen. for nam ich ftrong of na ]?ing buten of )?i ftreng^e. T; o ]>e itrufte al ; T; nawt o me feoluen. ant her ich bihate }>e. fwuch hope ich habbe to J?in help, milde godd al mihti. ne fchal neauer mi luue. ne mi bileaue towart te lutlin ne lihen. for na derf ne for na dea^ ; ]>at ich fchule drehen.
bore it all patiently for }>e Lord, and when she felt most soreness she confidently said, " Hold on long, nor ever leave off, for I will not leave his love, on whom I be lieve, nei]?er for love nor for fear."
Eleusius heard ]?is, and began to be red in face, and ghe is suspended to burn out of vexation, and gave orders quickly to £y the hair of the take her and draw her up by J?e hair of }>e head, and so was soon done, so ]?at she hung far from J?e ear8 by J?e hair, and J?ey laid upon her so villanously on each side )>at every blow dinted into her lovely body, which ran off ]>e rods all in gory blood. " Lord God Almighty," quo^ she prays, she, "look on J?y maiden, pou temptedst Abraham and foundst him true ; grant me J?at I may be able truly to love J?ee. Hold me, Saviour mine, Jesu Christ, Son of God, as J?ou hast begun ; for "I am not strong of any ^ing but of ]?y streng^, and I trust altogejjer in ]?ee and not at all in myself, and here I promise Ipee, such hope I have for ]?ine help, mild God Almighty, never shall my love, nor my belief towards J?ee lessen nor prove false, for any harm nor for any dea'S ]?at I shall endure."
30
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. XXVIT.)
j drehen. >a elewliuf ifeh Mf )at ha ]mf feng on to feftnen
,-*- — •—^U
hire feoluen j?ohte ]?a£ he walde anan don hire ut of dahene 1 bed fwrSe bringen hire brune of wallinde breaf ant healden on hire heauet \at hit urne endelong hire leof- liche bodi dun to J>e helen ant fwa me dude fone. ah hire hende healent wifte hire unweommet. elewfiuf war^S wod ut of hif witte. ant nufte hwet feggen \ het fwrSe don hire ut of hif ehfilr&e. % dreihen hire into dare huf t prifunef pine, ant he duden sone. Heo af ha ]?rinne wef in Jjeofterneffe hire ane feng te cleopien to crift ant bidden ]?eof bone.
LAuerd godd al mihti. mi murlrSe ant mi mede mi \A.tM
fy ant mi fellrSe ]>u. ifift hu ich am bifta^Set ant biftonden feftne mi bileaue fteor me ant ftreng me. for
suffer it." When Eleusius saw this, that she thus began to Eieusius,iivishing establish herself, he thought that he would anon do her out h°as boiiingVaS of days (i.e. put her to death), and bade quickly bring to
poured over her; .
but it does not ner burning 01 boiling brass, and pour it upon her head so that it might run along her lovely body down to the heels, and so it was soon done ; but her courteous Saviour kept her unblemished. Eleusius became raging, out of his wits, and knew not what to say, and bade her quickly to be put
Then he bids out of his eyesight, and dragged into a dark house and
them drag licr
into a dark prisons pain ; and they did (so) soon. She, when she was therein in darkness by herself, began to call upon Christ, and to pray this prayer : —
she prays :— <( Lord God Almighty, my ioy and my meed, mv victory
"Lord,strengthen _ J J J j > j J
me, for and my happiness, thou seest how I am bestead and be-
stood ; confirm my belief, steer me and strengthen me, for
prison.
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 31
|~"U"|a eleufius feh }at ha }m feng on to feftnin hire feo- LJ -I luen ifo^e bileaue ; jjohte lie walde don hire anan
ut of dahene : T; bed biliue bringen forS brune wallinde bref.
T: healden hit fe wal *hat hehe up on hire heaued. }at hit *[Foi.45,wrongiy
•: numbered.]
urne enddelong hire leofliche lich adun to hire healen. Me ^,
dude al af he het. Ah ]?e worldef wealdent }>at wifte fein tiff*** A ' iuhan hif ewanigelifte unhurt i]?e ueat of wallinde eoli ]>ei ^'
he wef idon in. \at afe hal com up J?rof ; af he wef hal meiden. ]?e ilke liuef lauerd. wifte him unwemmet. hif - brud of J?e bref \at wef wallinde. fwa \>at ne Imhte hit- r '
• — — ~* J * * if / -.?„.-£"• / .
hire buten afe wlggb. weater al \at ha felde. Eleuliuf wod )>a nufle hwet fegen. Ah hehte swrSe don hire ut of hif ehfilrSe, T; dreaien in to dorc huf to prifunef pine ant swa ha wef idon fone.
r|_l~|eo af ha ]?rinne wef i ]?eofternefle hire ane. feng
LJJ.J to cleopien to cn'ft T; bidde J?eof bone, lau^rd
godd almihti mi murh^e T; mi mede. mi fy T; al J?e
felh^e. ]>at ich efter feche J?u lift al hu ich am biftea^Set
T; biftonden. feftne mi bileaue. Eiht me 1 read me.
"When Eleusius saw ]?at ]?us he was proceeding to estab- Boiling brass is lish her in >e true fafS, he bought he would put her P°ured on her- anon out of light of day, and bade for^Swi]? bring forS fiery glowing brass, and hold so glowing hot high up on her head ]?at it should run along her lovely body down to her heels. Men did as he ordered. But ]>e Ruler of ]?e world, who saved Saint John his evangelist unhurt in ]?e vessel of boiling oil in which he was put, who came (Tertuiuan de up out of it as sound as he was a perfect maiden man, Prescript.Hser ]>e same Lord of Life, saved for himself unpolluted his ** bride from ]?e brass ]?at was glowing, so ]?at all ]?at she felt seemed to her but as lukewarm water. Eleusius ]>en madly knew not what to say, but ordered her hastily to she is sent to be removed from his presence and dragged to a dark v™°n' house, to prisons pain : and so was soon done.
She, when she was therein in darkness by herself, she prays, began to cry to Christ and pray ]?is prayer, " Lord God Almighty, my joy and my reward, my triumph and all ]?e happiness }?at ever I seek, j?ou seest how I am bestead and bestood ; confirm my farS ; direct me and counsel me,
32 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvii.)
al mi flrenc^Se is uppon J?e. mi feder. 1 mi moder for ich nulle forfaken }>e : habbe^ forfaken me t al mi iiefl falde cun me heane'S ]?et fchulden mine freond beon : beo^S me mefl feondes ant mine hinen me beo^ mefl heanen ah habbich ]>m anef help ich am wil cweme ne leaf ]>u me neuer liuiende lauerd as J?u wifleft daniel bimong ]?e wode
W
*[Leaf ei, back.] leunf ant te)?reo children ananie zacharie mifael inempnet.
biwifleft unweowmet from ]?e ferliche fur of ]?e furneife */&^
fwa ]?u wite ant witen me to witen me from funne. lauerd
'j^ ]?urh Jjif'leafe lif: lead me to leflinde to >e hauene of heale af ]m leddefl ifraelef folc jmrh ]>e reade fea buten Ichip druifot ant hare fan fenchteft ]>at ham efter fohten afal ]?u mine famen ant to drif drihtin ]>en deouel ^at me derue^S. for ne mei na mon wi'S uten ]>[ flrenc^e flonden him ajeines lef me ]>at ich mote ifeon him jet
ail my strength all my strength is in thee. My father and my mother,
because I will not forsake thee, have forsaken me, and all
my nearest kindred afflict me ; (they) who should be my
friends are my greatest enemies, and my hinds are my
greatest afflictions. But if I have the help of thee alone,
'AS thou didst I ani content; never leave me, living Lord. As thou
amongMtherTging protectedst Daniel among the raging lions, and guardedst
tS cwidrenein unhurt the three children, named Ananias, Zacharias,
s5epfireerserfvenmee; Misael, from the fearful fire of the furnace, so protect and
haavenmof t0saiva- Preserve me to shield me from sin. Lord, through this
S&STSSd0* false life> lead me to the ^sting (life), to the haven of
theRed sea?ugh salvation> as tbou leddest the people of Israel through the
Red Sea, without ship, dryfoot, and sunkest their foes that
pursued them ; fell thou my foemen and drive off, Lord,
the devil who afflicts me, for no man without thy strength
can stand against him. Grant me that I may yet see him
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 33
for al mi truft if on J>e. Steor me T; ftreng me for al
mi ftreng^e if of ]?e. mi feader T; mi moder for ]n }at
ich nule ]?e forfaken ; habbe forfake me. T: al mi
neftfalde cun. }at fchulde beo me beft freond ; beo^S me
meaft feondef. T; mine inhinen ; alre meaft hea[r]men.
herewurSe healent. habbe *ich j?in anef help, ich am wil- •[Poi.45J.]
cweme ne forleaf Jm me nawt luuiende lau<?rd. af j?u
biwifteft daniel bimong J?e wode liunf ilatet fe lirSere. T;
te )>reo children ]?e chearre nalden from ]?e lahen ]>at ha*
fchulden luuien. Ananie 1 Ajarie % Mifahel inempnet.
Al Jm al wealdent biwifteft haw unwemmet. wid \at
ferliche fur i }>e furneife. fwa ]>u wunne of ]?e worlt wite
me t were % witere. t wifle ]mrh ]>i wifdom to wite
me wi^S funne. lauerd liuef lattow. lead me ]mrh ]>if leafe.
)?is lutle leaftinde lif ; to ]?e hauene of heale. Af ]m
leaddeft ifraelef leode of egipte bute fchip dru fot ]mrh
}>e reade fea. 1 afenchtefl hare nan ]?e ferden ham efter.
t tu folkef feader. aual mine vamen. % tu drihtin to drif
]>e deouel }>at me derue^S. for ne mei na monnef ftreng^e
for all my trust is in ]?ee. Rule me and strengften me for all my streng^S is from }>ee. My fa]?er and my mo]/er, because I will not forsake }>ee, have forsaken me, and all my nearest kindred, ]?at should be best friends to me, are my greatest foes, and my indoor hinds are of all my greatest afflictions. Glory, wor^y Saviour ! I have J>ine only help : I am content, abandon me not, Loving Lord ! as ]?ou protectedst Daniel among J?e mad lions abandoned so vilely, and }>e ^ree children named Ananias, Azarias, and Misuel, who would not turn from ]>e laws J?at j?ey ought to love. All ]?em, ]?ou Allruler, ]?ou protectedst un stained against ]?at frightful fire in ]>e furnace ; so, )>ou Joy of ]>e world, protect and defend and preserve and save me wi]? }>y wisdom to save me from sin. 0 Lord, Guide of life, lead me J?rough J»is false, J?is shortlasting life, to ]>e haven of salvation ; as ]?ou leddest Israels people out of Egypts land wi]?out ship, dryfoot, J?rough ]>& Red Sea, and sunkest J?eir foes, which marched after j?em ; and do J?ou, PaJ^er of people, swallow up my foemen, and do ]?ou, Lord, drive off ]?e devil ]?at harms me, for no mans streng^
34 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
.- u^
fchent : \>at wene'S me to fchrenchen ant fchunchen of ]>e
l^S *tf (' ^-^
weie : lat leaded to eche lif. wite me from hif la^ ant wi'S \*r *
hif crefti crokes. wite me wi'S mine unwines \at tu beo
euer iheret ant iheiet in heouene ant in eor^e beo ]m aa iblefcet af fu were ant art. ant euer fchalt beon in eche
^ bliffe. amen.
"Ka ha hefde ibeden fuf. com a kempe of helle in englene heowe ant feng on to motin wi^ ]?if
edie meiden. luliane ]?e edie mi leof. ]m haueft for mi luue muchel idrohen ant idrehen ant haueft for
isf2"' &T~4^^
mi luue. feorliche fan \at te wi^S fehte^ ]>at ogrbme greie^ ]?e alles cunef pinen. ne mei ich hit J^olien Ipat ha ]?uf merren ]?e na mare ]?u haueft inoh min freontfchipe of-feruet. me areowe^S ]>i read, ah hercne I me nu^Sen. wurch elewfiufes wil. for ich jeue ]>e leue.
confounded who thinks to make me shrink and step from Preserve me the way that leads to eternal life. Protect me from his
from mine ene- ,-•,-,,. «, , ,
mies, that tbou hatred and his cratty devices, guard me against my praised, in hea- enemies, that thou mayst ever be praised and extolled, in
ven and earth."
heaven and in earth. Ee thou ay blessed, as thou wert, and art, and ever shalt be in eternal bliss. Amen." A devil in angel- When she had prayed thus, there came a warrior of hell her, andTteiis ° in form of angels, and began to discourse with this blessed
her she has suf- ., < * T i •
fered enough, maiden. "Juliana the blessed, my dear, thou hast borne
and that she may „
•work the will /of and sunered much for my love, and hast for my love
Eleusius. \ J J
J strange foes that fight against thee, that in anger prepare "S for thee pains of every kind. I cannot endure it, that they I mar thee thus any more ; thou hast sufficiently merited my friendship ; I rue thy purpose ; but hearken to me now. Work Eleusiuses will, for I give thee leave."
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 35
wi^uten }>in ftonden him to jeinef. lef * me \al ich mote i MS. lef. mihti meinfule godd ifeon him ifcheomet jet ]>e wene^S me to fchrenchen. t fchunchen of ]?e nearowe wei }at leaded to eche lif. loke me from hif la^ liuiende lauer¥>. Make me war 1 wite me wrS hif crefti crokef. \at ha me ne crechen. were me fwa wr3 ]?en vnwiue. helplefef heale. Ipat tu beo iheiet t iheret eaure in eorSe. af in
heouene. *Beo tu aa iblefcet lau^rd af bu were ant art *[Foi. 47, mis- numbered, 1 fchalt beon in eche. should be 46.]
As ha ]?eof bone hefde ibeden ; com akempe of helle on englene heowe. \ feng on to mo tin )ws wrS hif meiden. Juliene mi leofmon {u haueft for mi luue muchel idrohen t idrahen ]?u haueft feorliche fan \at te fehte^ aaein. ha grerSrS fe o grome nu allef cunnes pinen. ne mei ich ]?olien. ]>at ha ]>u£ mearren ]?e na mare. ]?u art inoh ifondet t tu haueft mi freondfchipe inoh fwi^e offeruet. me areowe^ ]>i far. Ah [hercne] mr$e mi read, wurch eleufiw/ wil. for ich ]?e jeoue leaue.
wi]?out )?ine can stand against him : permit me, Mighty, Mainful God, to be able to see him yet ashamed ]?at expects to make me shrink and step from }>e narrow way ]>at leaded to eternal life. Protect me from his hate, Loving Lord, make me wary and guard me against his crafty crooks, ]?at ]rey may never catch me ; so ward me against J?e evil one, Safety of ]?e helpless, ]?at )?ou mayst ever be extolled and glorified for ever in earS, as in heaven. Be ]?ou ever blessed, Lord, as ]?ou wert, and art, and shalt be, to eternity. Amen."
When she had bidden ]?is bede, ]?ere came a champion A devil in an of hell in hue of angels, and began to discuss ]ms wij? consoles her. Jns noble maiden. "Juliana, my dear, ]?ou hast suffered and endured much for my love : ]?ou hast strange foes )?at fight against ]?ee, }>ey are preparing now in rage pains of all sorts ; I cannot endure it, J?at )>ey should mar ]>ee any more ; ]>ou hast been enough tried, and j;ou hast ]?oroughly enough observed my friendship, pi sore I rue. But hearken now to my counsel ; and work }>e wil of Eleusius, for I give ]?ee leave."
36 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
•[Leaf 62.] ]>if meiden wef awun*dret fwrSe ant ]?ah feng to freinen >uf cwe^inde. hwet hwiht art tu J>at fwuch wqrd me s* w*r" bringeft. ich am quo'S }at unwiht godefjieh engel. for to feggen }>e ]nf ifend from }>e heouene. Heo awundrede fwrSe ant tah af J?eo ]>et nes nawt of lihte bileaue on hen wr3 hire heorte ftille bute ftefne ]mf to crifte cleopede
TEfu quo^ ha godef fune J>u art ]>i feder wifdom wifle *- me nuften hwet me beo to donne ant do me to underffconden jef ]?if if ]>i fonde }>at me }?if fer$. ]?a com ]>er fofte a ftefne fihinde from J?e heouene lihinde ant Jjuf^cwe^inde. luliane >e edie iblefcet beo )>e time }at tu iboren were, nule nawt }\ leouemon pollen na }>Q lef J?ing lihen ]>e longe. hit if ]>e ftronge deouel }at ftont ter biforen ]>e ga neor ant nim him ant bind him hete- fefle godd al mihti ^eue^ ]?e gode leue ant ]>e mahte
hit forte donne 1 tu fchalt him leaden efter fpat te
ant he fchal undone in his te'S cu^Sen ]>e ]>at tu wilneft.
Juliana is greatly This maiden was astonished greatly, and notwithstanding astonished. began to inquire, thus saying : " What being art thou that bringest me such word ? " "I am," quoth the Evil Being, " Gods archangel, sent from heaven to tell thee this." She wondered much, and yet, as one who was not of light belief, on high, with her heart, stilly without voice, thus to Christ called : —
she prays:— " Jesu," quoth she, " Son of God, thou art thy fathers meTo8' toow6 wisdom ; teach me now what I am to do, and give me to •whether this is understand if this is thy messenger that says this to me." AyvSceSefrlm'" Then came there Daftly a voice descending from heaven, thatTt L^ThT ^escenc^ing an^ thuTsaying : " Juliana, the blessed, blessed devil, and bids be the time that thou wert born, thy leman will by no
2!mabind him means suffer the false tnins to lie to thee long- It; is the
strong devil that stands there before thee. Go nigher and take him and bind him fast. God Almighty gives thee good leave and the might to do it. And thou shalt lead him according as thou pleasest ; and he shall, in spite of his teeth, make known to thee what thou desirest."
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 37
f meiden wef awundret fwrSe of ]?ef wordef. 1 af ha wef offearet ; feng on to freinin. Hwet wiht quote ha art tu. \at Jnilli word me bringeft. Ich hit am quote ]>e unwiht. godef heh engel. forte fegge ]>e ]?is ifent te from heouene. Ha wundrede hire fwrSe. 1 af ]?eo }>Q nef nawt of lihte bileaue. flille bute fteauene on heh in hire heorte cleopede to crifte.
IH>su quote ha godef fune \at art ]?i feader wifdom wiffe me ]>i wummon hwet me beo to donne. 1 jef ]>i deore wil if do me to underftonden. \at }>e }>at ]?if fei^S me ^ef he beo ]?i fonde. % com lihinde adun fofte l from heouene. l MS. fofte. afteuene \at feide. Juliene. ]>e eadie *iblefcet beo ]>e *[Foi. 476.1 time. ]>at tu ibore were, nule nawt ]?i leofmon }?olie na leas ]?ing ta lihe }>e longe. Hit if ]?e ftronge vnwiht ]?e ftont ter of helle. Ga nu neor 1 mm him. 1 wrS }>Q bondef }>at ter beo^S bind him heteuefte. Godd al mihti $euete ]>e mahte for te don hit. 1 tu fchalt leaden him al effter \at te likete. 1 he fchal al telle ]?e vn]?onc in hif te^ \at tu wilneft to witen. 1 kenne ]?e t cu^en al }at tu eaikeft.
pis maiden was much astonished at }>ese words, and she suspects his terrified as she was, began to inquire, "What being," -words. quote she, "art j?ou ]?at bringest me such a message ?" " I am," quo^ ]?e Evil One, " Gods archangel, sent from heaven to tell }>ee ]?is." She wondered much, and as one ]?at was not of light belief, stilly in her heart wij^out raised voice, called on Christ.
" Jesu," quo^ she, " Son of God, j?at art }>j facers Pray8> wisdom, instruct me, ]?y handmaid, what I must do ; and if it be j?y dear will, cause me to understand, whe)?er he be }>y messenger }?at sai^ this to me." And ]?ere came descending down soft from heaven a voice ]?at ]ms said A voice from to her, "Juliana, }>e saintly, blessed be ]?e time j^at ]?ou heaven- born wert ; }?y leman will not endure, ]?at any false ^ing deceive ]?ee any longer. It is }>e strong Evil One of hell who stands ]?ere/ Go now near and take him and wij? )>e bonds J?at be ]?ere bind him fast; God Almighty giveft ]?ee power for to do it, and J?ou shalt lead him wheresoever it pleased ]?ee ; and he shall tell J?ee all in spite of his tee^ )?at ]>ou choosest to know, and shall inform ]>ee and explain all j>at )?ou askest."
38 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
]?if eadie meiden af heo wef iwiifet of ]?en engel leop to ant lahte him ant feide. SwfSe fei me hwet art J>u ant hwe- onne ant hwa J?e hider fende' ant he w^nde heowes 1 warS
jj£s fwuch af he her wes unwiht of helle. lefdi quo^S he lef me isj
ant ich )?e wule feggen. SwfSe quo^S ha fei me for ich for ichulle ]?e leowlin ant leauen hwen me Jmnche'S. Deere lefdi Leaf 62, back.] quo¥> *he ];a ich am }>e deouel belial deoflene wureft ant meft if awariet. for wel nif me neuer bute hwen ich makie ~ i moncun wurchen to wundre. ich weorp adam ant eue of
^ r"
paraifes prude, ant ]?ene acurfede kaym to acwellen abel
hif broker, ant te ]?reo children \>at icoren weren beon
, , j a
iduft in }>e fur of ]?e ofne. ant ich makede nabugodonofor ]?e king of caldey makien ]>e mawmez igoten of golde. ant ich makede ]>en wittie yfaye beon ifahet J»urh ant jmrh to dea^e.
Juliana seizes the This blessed maiden, as she was instructed by the angel, khse leapt to and seized him, and said, " Quickly tell me what
1 ° thou art, and whence, and who sent thee hither." And he
changed colour, and became such as he before was, an evil
being of hell. " Lady," quoth he, " leave me and I will
fa tell thee." " Quickly tell me," quoth she, "for I will
loose thee and leave thee when it seems good to me."
He teUs her that " Dear lady," quoth he then, " I am the devil Belial,
he is the devil i? j -i j n -,i
Belial, who cast worst ol devils and most accurst ; for it is never well with
Adam and Eve . T
out of Paradise, me, save when 1 make mankind work strangely. I cast to slay his bro- Adam and Eve out of the pride of Paradise, and (caused")
ther. '
the accursed Cain to slay Abel his brother, and the three children that were chosen, to be dashed into the fire of the oven ; and I caused Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Chaldea, to make the idols molten of gold ; and I made the prophet Isaiah to be sawed through and through to death ;
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 39
}rif eadi meiden af ha wef iwiflet ]?urh j?en engel ; leop to 1 ilahte him. % feide. fei me fwrSe. hwet tu beo 1 hweonene. 1 hwa ]?e hider fende. ant he wr3 ]>at like feng to hwenden heowef ant warS fwuch af he wef vnhwiht of helle. leafdi quo*6 he leaf me. 1 ich chulle feggen. Do fwrSe fei me for ich chulle lowfe ]?e 1 leten hwen me Jmnche^.
Deore leafdi. quo¥> he ]?a ich hit am ]>Q deouel belial of alle unwrefle unwhihtef ]?e wurfte 1 meaft awa- riet. for nif me neau<?r wel ne nef ; bute hwen ich makede moncun to wurche to wundre. Ich hit am. \at weorp ut adam t cue ; of paraife sellrSe. % ich hit am ]>at
makede caym be acurfede acwalde hif broker abel. ant
• l-; » *
ich hit am ]>at makede nabugodonofor. }>e kene king of
caldey makien J?e maumez igoten al of golde. ant ich
*hit am }>at makede ]>at te ]>reo children icoren ouer *[Foi. 48.]
}?e o]>Te ; weren iduft to fordon i)?et ferliche fur of ]>e
muchele ouen. ant ich hit am ]>at makede }>en muchele
witti witege yfaie. beon ifahet ]mrh t )?urh to dea^e.
pis holy maiden, when she was instructed by ]?e angel,
devil.
leapt at him and caught him, and said, " Tell me quickly, She seizes the
what ]>ou art and whence, and who sent j^ee hi)>er;" and he wi}> ]?at same took to turning colour; and became such as he was an evil one of hell. " Lady," quo7^ he, " leave me and I will say." "Do quickly, tell me; for I will loose ]>e and let go, when it seemed good to me."
"Dear lady," quo'S he )?en, " I am so, ]?e devil belial The devil avows of all cunning evil ones ]?e worst and most accursed ; for it is never well wij? me nor was, but when I made man kind to work for mischief. I am he who cast out Adam and Eve from paradise joy; I am he )>at made Cain, ]>e accursed, slay his broker Abel, arid I am he J?at made Nebuchadnezzar, ]>e keen king of Chaldea, make )?e molten images all of gold ; and I am he ]?at caused ]?e ^ree chil- '•, dren, elect beyond o]?ers, to be dashed into ]>e strange fire of ]>Q big oven to perish ; and I am he ]?at caused j>e great witty profet Isaiah to be sawed J>rough and j^rough to dea^.
40 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
1 ich makede tenden ierufalem ant driuen hit to dufte ]?et deore godef temple, ant ich make[de] ifrahelef Me to leuen tyat wildernefle ];en lauerd }>at heom alefde : ant igotene godes to tieien ant te herien. ant ich ]?e }>at reme J?en riche iob his ahte. 1 wrahte fo muche wondre^e. ant ich am \at wef fum hwile ]>urh ]>e wife falomon fefte bitunet. 1 ich am }e makede fein iuhan hefdef bicoruen. ant feinte ftefne mdd ftanef iftenet. *t ich ^m ]?e ]?et fpec
.*• viv.
]>urh fymonef mu^S ]?e wicche. )?et weorrede euer ajein peter ant pawel ant ich redde nerrun : )>e riche keifer of j rome to bihefden pawel ant don peter on rode ant ich makede ]>at te cniht Jmrlede criftef fide mit te fpere fcharpe. ]?ah ich ]>e talde al dei ne mahte ich ]>e tellen ]>e
wundref }>at ich iwraht habbe ant meft monne bone ibeon
*
~4 of alle mine bre^ren Do fei me quod \at meiden hwa
PA/
fende ]>e to me ant if meifter ouer ]>e. lefdi quod he
//
and I made Jerusalem to be set on fire, and the dear temple
of God driven to dust ; and I made Israels people in the
wilderness to leave the Lord who delivered them, and to
"i am be that extol and to praise molten gods. And I (am) he that
^possessions, spoiled the rich Job of his possessions, and wrought him
toUbedbeheadedJ so much misery ; and I am he that was at one time fast
bed stonTd^itS inclose(i bv tlie wise Solomon ; and I am he that made
stones." St. John to be beheaded, and St. Stephen stoned with
stones; and I am he that spake through the mouth of
Simon Magus, who warred ever against Peter and Paul;
and I counselled Nero, the rich emperor of Borne, to
behead Paul and crucify Peter ; and I caused the knight
to pierce Christs side with the sharp spear. Though I
should tell thee all day, I could not tell thee (all) the
wonders that I have wrought ; and (I have) been the bane
of men more than all my brethren."
sbe?" who'Hby " Come' tel1 me>" (luoth- the maiden, " who sent thee master?" to me, and is master over thee?" " Lady," quoth he,
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 41
ant ich hit am ^at makede to ontenden ieiusalem. % godef deore temple to driuen al to dufte. ant ich hit am ]>at makede. t readde ifraelef Me to leauen i]?e wildernefle. ]>G lau<?rd \at alefde haw of pharaonef ]?eowdom. 1 makeden ham godef igotene. to heien % to herien. ant ich hit am ]?e reafde )?e riche Job hif ahte. fwa \at he weolewede of wontre^Se tye mixne. ant ich hit am \at fum chearre wef jmrh ]?e wife Salomon et halden. ant ich hit am ]?et makede fein iuhan )>e baptifte beon heafdef bicoruen ; 1 feinte iileanet. ant ich hit am }>at fpec jmrh fimunef ]>e wicche. J>e weorrede eauer ajein peter t pawel. ant ich hit am J?e readde neruw J»e riche keifer of rome to don o rode peter, t to biheafdin pawel. ant ich makede j?e cniht to Jmrlin godef fide wrS fcharpe fperef ord. pah ich talde al dei ; ^et ich mahte tellen. for ma wundref ich habbe iwraht ; ]?ene ich mahte munien. t ma monne bone ibeon ; ]?en ei of mine bre^ren.1 i MS. brre-
fei me qucfe ]>Q merSen. hwa fende ]?e to me : ^ren* ant hwa *if meifter ouer ]?e. leafdi quo^S he *[Foi. 486.]
And I am he ]?at made Jerusalem be set on fire and Gods dear temple to be driven all to dust. And I am he caused and counselled ]?e people of Israel in ]?e wil derness to leave ]>e Lord ]?at released ]?em from Pharaohs servitude, and to make fern selves molten gods to extol and glorify. And I am he who robbed ]?e rich Job of his possessions, so J?at he wallowed up for misery on see notes to the J?e mixen. And I am he }?at once on a time was bottled ^°ra11' jT /* up by }?e wise Solomon. And I am he )?at caused x ^
Saint John ]>e Baptist to be beheaded, and St. Stefanos stoned. And I am he Jmt spoke jjrough ]?e mou^ of Simon Magus, who warred always against Peter and Paul : and I am he ]?at counselled Nero, j>e powerful emperor of Rome, to crucify Peter, and to behead Paul ; and made ]>e soldier to pierce Christs side with a sharp Longinus. spears point, pough I were to recount all day, yet I could not tell all ; for more miseries have I wrought ]>an I could remember, and have been bane of more men ]?an any of my bre]?ren."
"Come, tell me," quo^ J?e maiden, "who sent ]>e to me; and who is master over ]?ee." "Lady," quo^ he,
42 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
j{t/^
*[Leaf 63.] beelzebub *>e aide J>urf of helle, ant wet were if }at he , (meft wurche^. lefdi jef >i wil if he ifinde^S al uuel ant bi
al. ant fend us ]?enne hwider fo him jmnche^. I hwa fe wel ne fpet nawt hwerc he fent us to wrenchen eni
•'' rihtwife ut of ]>e weie ant we ne mahen ]?et don: J»enne darie we. % ne durren neuer cumen biuoren him % he hatterliche hat }>eo. }at habbe^ iwraht efter hif wille }at hwer fo ha uf finde^ : beaten uf ant binden. 1 mare wa don uf J>en euer eni mon mahte ]?olien. For ]?i we moten lefdi: buhen to ure leowunde lauerd ant wurchen hif wille.
/ — QEI me ^et witerluker quod ha hwuchef weif je ^ wurche^ ant bicherre^S godes children. Lefdi quod he iuliane ? ]?e ifont ant habbe ifulet me to wraggfc; heale. ich wende to habben ilead }>e into ]?in aldrene lahen ant makien ]?e to leauen ]?e luue of ]>i lauerd. ant feng to fondin le ant ich am afallet. Hwer fo euer eni
/
mon god wule biginnen we makie^ him to )?enchen ]?onckes )?er to jeinef ant wenden hare heorte toward o]?er willes }>at wulle^S ham harmen. ant makien ham to
"Beelzebub," "Beelzebub, the old giant of hell." "And what work is
says he; "he it that he most works ? " "Lady, if it is thy will, he
andensends uJ1 ' invents all evil, and considers all, and sends us then,
forth whither he whitherso seems him good, and whoso speeds not well
when he sends us to wrench any righteous person out of
the way, and we cannot do that, then we loiter and dare
never come before him ; and he fiercely orders those that
have wrought according to his will, whereso they find us,
to beat and bind us, and cause us more woe than ever any
man could endure. Therefore we must, lady, bow to our
living lord, and work his will."
" Tell me how " Tell me yet more plainly," quoth she, " in what way dlce7v0erkGodsd JG work and deceive Gods children." " Lady," quoth children." he, " Juliana, thee I found and have followed to my ruin ; I thought to have led thee into thy parents customs, and " wherever a to make thee leave the love of thy Lord ; and began to ?0aondbeweSmake temPt ^ee, and I am overthrown. Wheresoever any him 'to think man will begin good, we make him to think thoughts thatrwm°uharm in the opposite direction, and to turn their hearts toward him." other desires that will harm them, and make them to
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 43
belzeebub. ]?e balde ]mrf of helle. Hwet if quo* ha his were. 1 hwet wurche* he meft ; leafdi jef \i wil if. he ifint euch uuel 1 bij?enche* hit al. 1 fended uf )?enne ]?ider as him jmnche*. t hwen we nawt ne fpede* ne ne mahen wrenchen fum rihtwif of ]?e weie ; we dearie* 1 ne durren nohwer cume biuoren him. 1 he heterliche hat ]?eo }at habbe* iwraht efter hif wille. Hwer fe ha uf ifinden. beaten uf. t binden % don uf mare wa on ; ]?en ei mon mahte )?olien. for J?i we moten leafdi buhen fwrSe. 1 beien to ure luuewr^e feader. 1 wurchen alle hif willes.
Sei qwo* ha witerluker jet. hu }e wurchen % o hwuehe wife je bichearre* godef children, leafdi qwo* he Juliene ]>e ich font, t habbe ifolhet me to wra*er heale ; Ich wende iwif to leade ]>e into )>ine ealdrene lahen. 1 makie to leauen J?e luue of }>i lauerd. ant feng on to fondin ]?e. ah ich am aueallet. Ich chulle kenne )?e nu al }>at tu eafkefl Hwer fe we eauer ifeo^ mon o^Ser wummon earn god biginnen ; we wepnrS uf ajein ham. 1 makie^ ifwiken al }>at beft mahte wenden hare heorte ant [we]
"Belzebub, ]>e bold portent of hell." "What is," quo^ The prince of
she, "his work ? and what worked he most?" " Lady, the devUs-
if it is ]>y will, he discovers each evil and invents it all,
and )?en sendees us hij?er as seemed him fit ; and when
we have no success, nor are able to twist some rightwise
person out of ]>Q way, we loiter, and we dare not come
into his presence, and he fiercely orders )>em }>at have
wrought according to his will, wheresoever ]?ey find us,
to beat us and bind us and do us more woe, j?an any
man might endure ; ]?erefore, lady, we must bow entirely,
and bend to our lovewor^y fa]?er and work all his will."
" Say," quo^ she, " more distinctly yet, how ye work ^g^gxamhied and in what wise ye turn astray Gods children." " Lady," and8 rlveais the quo* he, "Juliana, >ee I found and have followed to secret8 of helL my own ruin. I weened, in tnrS, to lead )>ee into ]?e customs of )?y ancestors, and to make J?ee to leave ]>e love of ]?y Lord, and began to tempt }>ee, but I am disappointed. I will explain to ]?e now all ]?at )>ou askest. Wheresoever we see a man or a woman begin any good, we arm ourselves against him, and we make to cease all ]?at best might turn ]?eir heart, and we
44 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
t^^ '
leofen forto bidden jeorne )at godd binime haw ]?ene wil
]>at we ham in warped. % heo unftrenge^ ]?erwrS ant we ftrenge^ on ham. 1 ouerflihe^ ham er ha left w'enen. 1 ^ef ha chirche to bireowfen hare funnen. 1 lifteliche luftnin
rrV>
hali writen lare : ]?er we beo^S bifilukeft ant ]?er mare ]?en
*{Leaf 63, back.] elles hwer. to letten ham 1 wrenchen hare ]?onckes to ward o^er unnute )>ingef. ah J?eo ilke \at beo^ ftalewurSe e) ha underftonde^ ham ant warpe^ mid ftrenc^e ut of hare
heorte hare unwrefte wil )at ich in ham warpe 1 ^eorn-
f, ,»«'*•'
liche jeie^S efter godes grace to helpe. ant ]?ehne meft hwen
]>e preoft inwi^S ]?e 'mefle note^ godes licome ]>et he nom on ]?e laftelefe meiden ]?er if riht bileaue ant inward bone ant fwa icweme to godd : ]>et ]?enne biginne we to fleonne ant turned to ]>e lufte ant ]?if if al \at we do^> te deruen criftene men ant eggin to ]?en uuele.
lose (the desire) to pray earnestly that God may take away
from them the desire that we cast into them; and they be
come weak therewith, and we grow strong against them,
and surmount them before they the least think it. And if
« if they go to they go to church to repent of their sins, and mildly listen
the lore of Holy to the lore of holy writings, there we are most busy, and
gh tnere more than elsewhere, to hinder them and twist their Bute?hoseln?ho tnougnts toward other and useless things. But those who Goedstrforg 3° are stalwart, they understand them, and with strength then we begin to cast out of their hearts their wicked will that I cast into
fly and turn to ,
the air." them, and earnestly cry after Gods grace to help, and then
especially when the priest in the mass partakes of Gods body which he took in the blameless maiden ; there is right belief and inward prayer, and so pleasing to God, that then we begin to fly and turn to the air ; and this is all that we do to harm Christian men, and egg them on to the evil."
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 45
makien haw to J^enchen )>ohtef ]?er tojeinef. t wended
to o^Ser willef ]>at ham wulle'S hearmin. 1 maided haw
forte leofe luft. forte bidde jeorne ]>at godd bineo*me *[Foi. 49.]
ham ]?e wil : \at we in ham warped T: unftrengrS J?er
wrS. T; we ftrenged }?er wrS on ham al ear1 ha left 1 MS. car.
wenen. T; jef we feo^ ham ^eornliche fechen to chirche. T:
ter fwrSe hi ham feolf bireowfin hare funnen. T; leofliche
luftnin hali chirche lare. per we beo^ jetten bifiliche
ham abuten. T; mare }?er J?en ellef hwer to letten ham }ef
we mahen. T. wrenchen hare ]?onkef to wart unnette
Jnngef. Ah hwucche fe beo^S fe ftealewurSe ; \at ha
nnderftonden ham T: warpe^S ut wi^ ftreng^Se ; ut of hare
heorte. unwreafte willef ]>at ich ham in warpe. T: jeornliche
jeije^S efter godef gr«ce to help T; to heale. T: ]?enne meaft
hwen ]>e preoft in wi^S ]?e mefle note's godef licome ]>at he
nom of \at la^lefe meiden ; }>er if riht bileaue. T; inward-
liche bonen fwa icweme to godd. ]>at i }>at ilke time we
biginne^S to neon T: turned to fluhte }>is if al J7«^ we do^S
i cristemen T; eggrS eauer to vuele.
make 'em to ^Sink Noughts in ]?e opposite direction, and we turn ]?em to o]?er plans which will do ];em harm, and we make ]?em leave ]?e desire, earnestly to pray, )?at God would take from ]?em ]?e will, which we introduce into ]?em, and by which we take ]?eir streng^S away; and J7us fortified overcome j?em, ere ]>ey expect it at ]?e least ; and if we see 'em earnestly seek to go to church, and )?ere fully by ^em- selves repent ]?eir sins and affectionately listen to Holy Church lore (Scripture lore K.), ]?ere we are busily en gaged about ]?em, and ]?ere more ]?an elsewhere hinder J7em if we are able, and twist }>eir ]?oughts to unpro fitable subjects. But whosoever are so stallwart ]?at ]>ey understand ]?ese promptings and 'Srow out wi]? force out of ]?eir hearts ]?e mischievous wills ]?at I suggest to ]?em, and earnestly cry Gods grace for help and for heal'S, and most )>en when J>e priest in ]?e Service of J?e mass partake^ of ' Gods body,' which he took of ]?at blameless maiden ; where true farS exists and inward prayer, so acceptable to God, in J?at same moment we begin to flee and turn to flight, pis is all ]?at we do on Christian men, and egg }>em on ever to evil."
46
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.
/
j£
/?
^-'
ME je ateliche wihtef quo^S ]?if meiden hu durre je neomen ow to criftef icorne. Me feli meiden hu derftu nu hondlin me ant halden me fwa hardeliche. bute for )?i ]>at tu art trufti on ]?i lauerd. ant ich trufte on minne af }u deft oj^inne. ant mi lauerdef wil ich wurche ]>at if meifter ouer inixfchipe ouer al ]>er imei. ant jef ich mahte mare ich walde beon ]>e feme, ah nat i[c]h hwet me makede her forte fechen. bute mi muchel unfeli frS fohte ]?e te feonne wumme }at filrSe fariliche lit hit me ne fet me neuer naming fwa hrSere ne fwa fwere. wei hwi nefdich iwift hwuch weane me wef toward, ne mi kinewurSe lauerd me ne cu^Se nawt cu^en. }>er of }>ulli *wa if of fofter. for let me nu lefdi ant ichulle bileauen ]>e ant folhen an o^er. o^Ser ichulle forwreien to mi meinfule feder ah ichulle warnen ]?e biforen : nif hit nawt J>e biheue. f\ ^uo^ ^a frea*e^u me nu wrecche. ]>Q fchal ^~J iwurSen godd hit wat godes ]?e wurfe ant grap a great raketehe }at heo wes mide ibunden ant bond
U „
"I know
"But, ye hateful wights," quoth this maiden, "how dare ye betake yourselves to Christs chosen?" • "But, blessed maiden, how darest thou now handle me, and hold me so hard, but because thou art trustful on thy Lord ? and I trust on mine, as thou dost on thine ; and I work my lords will, who is master over wretchedness, every where that I can ; and if I could do more, I should be the gladder. But I know not what made me seek (to come) ^t here, unless my greatly unlucky journey sought to see
wh^didTnotsee thee. "Woe is me ! That sight, sorely it sits upon me ;
before^6? »was notlling ever sat so evil nor so heavy upon me. Alas ! why had I not known what misery was before me ? nor my royal lord, he could not inform me thereof. Such woe is of his foster-son, let me go now, lady, and I will leave thee and follow another ; another I will bewray to my mighty father. But I will warn thee beforehand, it is not to thy advantage."
" 0, "quoth she, " threatenest thou me now, wretch ? It shall turn out the worse for thee, God knows." And she seized a great chain with which she was bound, and bound
Juliana seize great chain binds
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 47
Me je eateliche wihtef qucft, }at eadi wuwmon. hu durre je eauer neomen ow to criftef icorene ; me fei me fell meiden qucrS he. hu derft tu halde me T; hondlin fe heterliche bute fuh }at tu art trufti o fi laiwd. T; ich do af f u deft trufte o mi lauerd ]>at if meiffor *of alle »[Foi. 496.] mixfchipef T; wurche hif wil ou<?r al afe forS af imei. T; jef ich mahte for^re ich walde beo f e feinre. ah nat i hwet vnfelisi^ makede me her to fechen. bute mi muchele un- fellrSe fohte }>e to feonne. wu/nme aa \at filrSe fe fariliche hit fit me. ne fet me neauer na f ing fe lu^ere ne fe fare, wei hwi nefde ich iwift. hwuch weane me wef towart. Ne mi kinewur^e feader ne cu^e nawt warnin of f ulli wa his fofter. forlet me mi leafdi T; ich chulle al bileaue ]?e. T; folhin an of er. ofer ich chulle forwreie fe to meiufule feader. Ah wel ich warni fe uore. hit nif nawt fin biheue. 0 quo% ha Juliene ih^su criftef leofmon freatef tu me wrecche ; f e fchal iwur^en godd hit wat godef f e wurfe. T; grap a great raketehe f at ha wef wi^S ibunden. T: bond
"But, ye odious wights," quo^ fat blessed woman, "how dare ye ever betake yourselves to Christs elect?" "But tell me, seely maiden," quo^S he, "how dost fou hold me and handle me so roughly except because fou art trustful on fy Lord ; and I do as fou dost, trust in my Lord, fat is master of all mischiefs, and I work his will above all fiugs, as far as I may, and I should be fainer if I might do so furf er. But I know not what bad luck made me seek to come here, except fat in my mickle unhap I sought to see fee. Woe is me ! Ah, fat sight ! it so sorely sits on me f Never did any f ing sit on me so wretched nor so sore. "Well away ! Why had I not known what woes were coming on me ! Nor my royal fafer, he could not warn of such a woe his fosterson. Let me go, lady, and I will altoge^er quit fee and follow anof er : some of er I will betray to my powerful fafer. But well I warn fee beforehand, it is not fy behoof."
" 0," quo^S she, Juliana, Jesus Christs lemman, " dost fou f reaten me, fou wretch ? to fee it shall turn out, God wot, so much fe worse." And she seized a great chain wif which she was ibounden, and bound
!»
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
*
A1
),y to hif ruge ba twa hif honden }at him eoc euch neil
blakede of }Q blode ant Jief him up an^ dufte him adun 1 MS. steorue. ruglunge ant Hod up on }?e fleorne1 1 nom hire ahne bondef bigon to beaten ]?en belial of helle. ant he to rarin reow- liche ant te ^uren ant te jeien. 1 heo leide fwa hrSerliche wa wef him online.
Mi lefdi lef me iuliane euenkg wift apoflel p^friar- chen ilich. ant leof wi^ ]>Q martirs englene ifere ant arcanglene freond fri^Se me ane hwile ich halfi }>e ogodes half, t on hif fune rode. ]>at we fo muchel drede^S. 1 o)?e pine ant te deft \at he droh for mon milce ant merce wummon haue of mi wreckedcm.7 Stew ]>e ! ftorne of helle quoft fe edie meiden-Tiif jia merci _wrS JL Je for J?i ne aheftu nan habben. ah fei me fwrSe mare of » •'' t&e wa \at tu hauefl mid woh iwraht monne. lefdi lef me
**s \^r"
hald ]nne edie honden -ich habbe i-blend men ant ibroken ham ]>e fchonken 1 te fchuldren *ba^en. ifur iwarpen ant iwater. ant hare ahne blake blod to fpitten ant te fpeowen ant te an to fleon fyat ofter ant hongin him
hands to his back both his two hands, so that him ached each L, and grew black from the blood ; and she raised him and dashed him down backwards, and stood upon withUher"18 the stern one, and took her own bonds, and began to beat
He^es'eechesher the Belial °f hel1' And he (began) to roar ruefully, and to
to leave him. yell and to cry out ; and she laid on so sorely that woe was him alive (i.e. his life was a misery).
"0 my lady, leave me, Juliana, equal of apostle, like
to patriarchs, and dear to the martyrs, companion of angels
and friend of archangels, spare me a while, I entreat thee
on Gods behalf, and by his Sons cross that we so much
dread, and by the suffering and the death that he endured
for man ; woman, have compassion and mercy on my
"stop, stern one misery." "Stop thee, stern one of hell," quoth the
moreCof the woe blessed maiden; "there is no mercy with thee, therefore
wr°oughtS» oughtest thou to have none ; but tell me quickly more of the
" i have' blinded woe that thou hast with wrong wrought upon man." ' ' Lady,
SThdanks0,ken leave me and hold oft thy blessed hands. I have blinded
cast them Into men, and broken their shanks and shoulders both, cast them
ad water, ^Q £re an^ water? an(j (made them) to spit and to spew their
own black blood, and one to flee the other and hang him-
^/>Ob*«-^*X>'»*rt*« •*» rJL./*--£*>} ' 1, / „ / ' V ^
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 49
bihinden hif rug ba twa hif honden. \at him wrong euch neil T: blakede of j?e blode. T: dufte him ruglunge adun riht to ]>er eorSe. T: flondinde o ]?e fteorue nom hire ahne bondef T: bigon to beaten ];en belial of helle. T; he to rarin reowliche. to juren ant to jein. T; heo leide on fe liche ]?et wa wef him o liue.
mi leafdi Juliene quo¥> he. Jm1 euening wi^S apoftel. 1 MS. J>a. p^riarchen ilich. 1 leof wi* alle martyrf. englene above the line' feolahe : T: archanlene freon'S frrSe *ane h while ich halfi *[Foi. 5°0 ]?e o godef half. T; on hif fune rode. \at we fe muchel ^Srede^. T; o )?e pine T; o ]?e dea^S. ]?^# he droh for moncuw milce haue T; merci wummon of mi wrecchedom.
rC<~jtew }>e fteorue of helle. qwo^S \at eadie meiden, LkXI merci nan nif wrS ]?e. for ]?i ne aheft tu nan milce to ifinden. Ah fei me fwi^Se. mare of ]?e wa \at tu haueft T; of woh iwraht mon. leafdi leaf ]>e hwile. T: hald ]?ine eadi honden. Ich habbe iblend men T; ibroken ham ]?e fchuldren. T; te fchonken. i fur iwarpen ham T; i water. T; hare ahne blod ich habbe ofte imaket ham to fpitten T; to fpeowen. T: te an to sclein ]?en o]?er. T; ahon him
behind his back bo^S his two hands, ]?at every nail wrung, till it turned black wi]? ]>e blood, and she dashed him back wards right down to ]?e earS, and standing on ]?e savage took her own bonds, and began to beat ]?e belial of hell. He began to roar ruefully, to yell and to cry, and she laid on him so heavily ]?at he was tired of life.
" 0 my lady Juliana," quo^ he, "]?ou equal to apostles, The imp of hell like to patriarchs, and as dear as all martyrs, fellow of cri angels and friend of archangels, give me rest for a mo ment, I entreat }>ee in Gods name, and by His Sons rood, which we so much dread, and by ]>e pain and by )?e dea^ which he suffered for mankind, have milce and mercy, woman, of my wretchedness."
" Stop ]?ee, brute of hell," quoft J?at blessed maiden, Juliana again " >ere is no mercy wi> >ee, wherefore J>ou oughtest to find ff no mercy. But tell me quickly, more of ]?e woe and of ]>e confession, wrong ]?ou hast wrought to man. Lady, quit J?e while and hold off j?y blessed hands. I have blinded men and broken j?eir shoulders aud shanks ; cast )?em into ]?e fire and into "e water, and have often made ]?em to spit and to spew eir own blood, and one to slay ano]?er, and to hang ]?em-
50 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
^ J-
feoluen. Me Ju witti wummon hu wultu f at ich endi ]?e
tale }at waxe'S aa af ich hit telle. fo feole ich habbe ifulet of )>eo )at neren nawt iblefcetlif wel afe ham bihouede. \at ne mahte hit na mon rikenin ne tellen. of al }at uuel fye world hwet wultu wurfe ich am an of ]?e fprunges f ]>at hit meft of fpringe^. ant neuer ear ]>en nu nef ich fuf sl^JL ihondlet. 0 ? ]m mihti. o]m merShad hu J>u art iwepnet
to weorren awei i ajeia us. jet tu wurcheft uf wurft af ]?u euer dudeft. of alle \at uf wa do^ ah we fchulen fechen efter wrake on alle ]>at we biwite^S ]?at ne fchulen ha beon fleer of ure weorre. we wulleft meidnes aa mare henen ant hatien. ant )>ah an etfterte uff tene fchulen etftunten. 0 ? ihesu godef fune }>at hauefl ifet in heh feotel meidenes mihte hire to muchele menfke f wa wurcheftu uf ]?er wi^S. ant al to wel }u witeft ham \at treowlich habbe^ hire in heorte to halden jef ha milde ant meoke beoft ah af meiden ah te beonne. wrS \at i ]?e unwiht jurde }>at monie weren awundret hwet te Curing mahte beon.
^defiled many self. But thou, witty woman, how wilt thou that I markederaright end the tale that waxeth ever as I tell it? So many with the cross, have I fouled of those that were not blessed (with the sign of the cross) as well as it behoved them, that no man could reckon or tell it. Of all the evil in the world (what wilt thou worse ?), I am one of the springs, which it springs from most. And never before now was I handled ma£hoSdghty thus. 0 thou mighty one ! 0 thou maidenhood, how art how art °thou thou weaponed to war, alas ! against us ! Yet thou workest us worst> as thou ever didst, of all that cause us woe; but we shall seek after vengeance on all that we guard, so that they shall not be quit of our war; we will maidens evermore humble and hate ; and though one start away from us, ten shall stand to us. 0 Jesus, Gods Son, who hast set on high throne a maidens might to her great honour, woe workest thou us therewith, and all too well thou protectest them that truly have her to hold in heart, if they be mild and meek, as a maiden ought to be." tTohyen!Vil begius With that the evil being jelled so, that many wondered what the yelling could be.
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 51
feoluen. Me witti wuwmon. hu wult tu \at ich endi
]?e. ]>e tale J?e waxe^ aa af ich telle. Se feole ich
habbe i-fulet of j?eo ]>e neren iblefcet nawt fe wel af
ham bihofde ; \at ne mahte hit na mon rikenin ne
reden. of al \at uuel tye world, hwet wult tu wurfe.
ich am of ]?e fprungef. )?e an \at hit meaft of fpringe^S.
ne nearer adet tif dei nef ich ]>us ihondlet. 0 ]?e mihte
of mei^Shad af ]?u art iwepnet to weorrin a jein uf. jet
tu wurcheft uf wurft of al \at uf wa de^S af ]?u dudeft so MS.
eaure. Ah we fchule fechen efter wrake on alle }>eo ]>at
te biwite^. ne ne fchulen ha neauer beo Iker of ure weorre.
we wulle^ meidenef a mare heanen T; heatien *T; j?ah monie *[Foi. 50&.]
etfterten uf fumme fchulen ftutten. 0 ihesu godef fune.
]?e haueft )?in hehe feotel o mei^hadef mihte. hire to
muche menfke. wa wurcheft tu uf ]?er wrS. to wel ]m witeft
ham ]>e treowliche habbe'S hire in heorte forte halden.
jef ha milde T; meoke beon. af meiden deh to beonne. wr6
\at he ]>is hefde ifeid ; bigon fwa te ^uren ]>at monie weren
awundret. hwet tet jur were.
selves. But, witty woman, how wilt ]?ou ]?at I should
end for ]?ee ]?e tale ]?at ever growe^ as I tell it ? so
many have I fouled of ]?em ]?at were not so well blest
wi\ ]>e sign of \e cross as )?ey should have been, ]?at
no man might reckon nor count ]?em. I am one of ]?e
springs of all ]?e evil in j?e world, (what wilt )>ou worse ?)
from whom it most springe^, and never till ]ns day was
I so handled. 0 ]?e might of maidenhood, as ]?ou art He professes
iweaponed to war against us ! Yet ]?ou treatest us worst £2 p°te^et a£
of all ]?at do us woe, as )>ou ever didst. But we shall versaries.
seek alter revenge on all ]?em j?at protect ]?ee, nor shall
]?ey ever be clear of our war. Maidens ever more we
will humble and hate, and ]?ough many start away from
us, some shall stand to us. 0 Jesu, Son of God ! who
hast ]?y high 'Srone in maidenhoods might, to ]?eir great
honour : woe ]>ou workest us )>ereby : too well ]?ou
guardest )?em who truly keep ]?ee to hold j?ee in J>eir
hearts, if ]?ey be mild and meek, as a maiden ought to
be." Hereupon, having ]?us said, he began so to yell, j>at
many were in wonder what }?at cry could be.
.„) huti Aa
52 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.J
J£ J-^
"UA het }e reue fwrSe bringen biuoren him jef ha
•[Leaf 65.] f ]?e jet liuede ant heo forS ant fun*den hire, ant of }?at grifliche ' fwifte agrifen weren ledden hire ]?ah forS ant heo lee efter hire ]>en ladliche of helle holhninde jeorne. Mi lefdi iuliane ne make ]?u me nawt men to huting ant to hokere. for inoh wa me if. )>ah J?u ne do me
^ . -.
heonne for^1 i ne dar ich cumen biuoren him. lefdi quo^S he lef me ogodef half ich halfi ]?e. ne beo^ criftene men jef hit fo^ if )at me fei^S merciable ant milzful ant tu art buten reowfte haue merci of me for }?i lau- erdes luue ]>i luffume leofmon lefdi ich j?e bidde Ant heo leac him efter hire endelong ]?e cheping chepmenne huting. ant heo leiden him to fumme wift flan fumme wi^ ban. 1 iletten him wi^S hundef ant leiden to wrS honden af lie wes imakot ]?uf armefl alre ]?inge. ft iberde ^ ''' af ful wiht f }>at ter fluhen monie. fwa ]>at te edie meiden
Juliana is Then ordered the reeve quickly to bring (her) before
?heUfeeve!eS him, if she still were living. And they (went) forth and foathiy one6 after found her, and of that grisly one were much terrified, yet her- they led her forth, and she lugged after her the loathly
one of hell, flattering earnestly : "My lady Juliana, make me not a hooting and a scorn unto men, for enough woe I have, though thou do me no more. My father I have lost so that nevermore henceforth dare I come before He beseeches her him. Lady," quoth he, "leave me, for Gods sake; I ™ go; entreat thee. Are not Christian men, if it is true that is said, merciful and pitiful ? and thou art without ruth. Have mercy on me for thy Lords love, thy lovesome leman> lad^' I Pra7 thee-" Alld slie tugged him after her along the market, a hooting of chapmen ; and they laid on him, some with stone, some with bone, and slit him with hounds, and laid on him with hands. "When he was thus made most wretched of all things, and behaved as a foul wight, so that many fled, so that the blessed maiden
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 53
r~n~|leufiw/)>e reue het lokin jef ha liuede. T; brugew LUJ hire biuoren him. jef ha were oliue. Heo^eweren ihaten for^S T; f unden hire fus. T: of ]>at gnflicheCTaweren a-grifen fwi^e. leadden hire }>ah forS. T; heo leac eauer efter hire ]?en laddliche of helle ]>at olhnede fwrSe. T; bed tuf T: bifohte. mi leoue leafdi Juliene ne make ]m me nawt men to hutung ne to hokere. ]m haueft ido me wa inoh ]?ah ]?u ne do me wurfe. Ich habbe wuwme forloren mi leoue feaderef freontfchipe. Ne neau<?r mare her on uuen ne der ich cumen biuoren him. Mihti meiden leaf me o godef half ich halli ]?e. ^e beo^ criftene men. ^ef hit if fo^S ]>at me fei^S. m^rciable T; miljfule. T: tu art bute reow^e. Haue m^rci of me for j?e lau^rdef luue. }i luue- wur^e leofmon leafdi i }?e bidde. T; heo leac him eauer endelong ]?e cheping chapmen1 to huting. ^ heo leiden to ! chapmen,MS. him fum wrS *ftan. fum wi^S ban. T: ileatten on him hundef. «[Foi. 51.] ant leiden to wrS honden.
I" A "] s he wef imaket tuf earmetf alre JuDge T; berde af fe LxA— I ful wiht \at ter jQLue monie. fe \at eadi wummon
Eleusius, ]?e prefect, bid his men see if she yet lived, juiiana with her and bring her before him if she were alive. J)ej )?at JJjJt^fore1 is were bidden set for7?) and found her Jms, and were much Eleusius. terrified by J?at grisly wolf : yet }?ey led her for^, and she lugged ever behind her )re loaftly one from hell, which flattered much and ]ms begged and besought ; "My dear lady, Juliana, make me not a hooting and contempt to men : ]?ou hast done me woe enough, j>ough J7ou do me no worse. I have, woe is me, lost my dear facers friendship ; nor ever hencefor^S dare I come before him. Mighty maiden, let me go on Gods behalf I be seech }>ee. Ye are Christian men, if it is true ]?at men say, merciful and kind ; yet Jx>u are wij^out nrS. Have mercy on me for ]>e Lords love, ]>j loveworSy lemman, lady, I ]?ee pray." Yet she pulled him ever along, for ]?e cheaping chapmen to hoot at, and }?ey laid on him, some wij? stone, and some wij? bone, and slot hounds at him, and laid on him wi]? ]?eir hands.
When he was made |>us most miserable of all Jungs and gave She flings away voice like ]?e foul one, so ]?at many fled, ]?at blessed woman her imp-
54 <f sv JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvn.)
wergede fum hwet ant reat him mitte raketehe unrudeliche \M fwi^e 1 warP nim f01^ efter ]>ei from hire into a put of fiiPSe. Com baldeliche for$ biuoren ]?ene feue af he fet on hif dom ' s<^ feotel. hire nebfcheft fchininde al af fchene af-te funne be
J J
; »[Leaf 65, back.] reue a^ ne ^ ]>if }>uhte muche wunder ant *bigon to feggen.
, ' Itiliane ]>e edie fei me ant beo fo^S cnawes hwer weren ]>e
- -r itaht ]?me wicliecEejSief \at tu ne telleft na tale of nanef
fcunnef tintreo ne ne dredeft nade^S ne nane cwke1 deoulen.
TTER me he^Sene hund quod ]>e edie meiden ich
! H heie ant herie godd feder ant hif fulliche fune
fat fiefu crift hatte 1 te hali gaft. godd af j?e ofter )?reo ant
[nawt J^reo godes ah if an euer ihwer untwemey he ]>e
kingene king helle bule haue^ ouercumen te dei belial
baldeft of helle. 1 )?i fire fathan ]>at tu leueft uppon ant
for feder haldeft ant af on lauerd leueft ant hif heste
forSeft ant wel bicume'8 to donne ant feme'S to beon
fwuch ftreon i of afwuch ftrun^e ant euer beo acurfet
colt of fwuch cunde. / ah j?e mihti godd \at ich a
munne he fende me mihte 1 mein from ]?e heouene
•f^ M.I
grew somewhat weary, and pulled him with the chain
s- with immense 'swiftness, and cast him forth after that
she comes boldly from her into a pit of filth. Came boldly forth before the
onhisjudgmefe reeve> as he ^ on his judgment-seat, with her face all
seat. He asks shining, as bright as the sun. To the reeve, as he saw
icItrnriSfwitch!! this, it seemed a great wonder, and he began to say,
crafts. a juijana the blessed, tell me and be a true informant,
where were thy witchcrafts taught thee that thou makest
no account of torment of any kind, nor dreadest any death,
nor any living devils?"
hoW- " Hear me> heatnen hound," quoth the blessed maiden, God, ' "I extol and praise God the Father and his wondrous
whor Son' called Jesus Christ> and tlie Holy Ghost, God as the this day kal ° other; three, but not three Gods, but is one ever every- '1' where undivided; he, the king of kings, hath overcome to-day a bull of hell, Belial, boldest of hell, and thy sire Satan that thou believest on and boldest for father, and believest on as lord, and performest his behest, and well it becomes (thee) to do; and beseems to be such a progeny of such a race. And ever be accurst colt of such a kind (birth). But the mighty God whom I ever remember, may he send me might and main from heaven
^/ <bjt~*^
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 55
wergede fuwhwet. T: reat hit wr$ ]>e raketehe vnrudeliclie fwrSe. T; weorp him for$ from hire awei into a put of fuPSe. com baldeliche forS biuore }>e reue af he fet on hif doin feotle fchiminde hire nebfcheaft fchene af }Q funne. ]?e reue ]?a he feh hire. Jmhte muche fullich T: bigon to feggen. Juliene fei me T: beo so^ cnawef. hwer were }>e itaht ]?eofe wicche creftef. )at tu ne teleft na tale of nanes cunnef tintreohe. ne ne dredeft now^Ser dea'S ne cwike deoflen. rTT~]er me hea^ene hund quo¥> }>at eadi meiden. Ich L-LLJ heie T: herie godd feader. T: hif fulliche fune ihesM cnft hatte T; te hali gaft. godd af ]?e o>re )>reo. 1 nawt ]?reo godef. Ah if eauer an. T: ihwer un- tweamet. He kempene king haue^S to dei, ouercumen helles bule belial baldeft of alle. T; ti fire fathanaf ]>at tu leuefl up on. T: ti feader hateft. T: hif heafte for^eft. T: wel bi feme^ }>e to beon. T: bikime^S to beo ftreon of a fwuch ftrunde. Ah eauer beo acurfet colt of fwuch cunde. )?e mihti mildfule godd \at ich aa munne. jef me mihte of heo*uene *fFoi. 516.]
grew somewhat weary, and pulled him wij? ]?e chain very rudely and flung him for$ away from her into a pit of filft. Boldly she came before j?e prefect as he sat on his tribunal, wij? her face shimmering sheen as ]?e sun. To ]>Q prefect when he saw her it seemed very strange, and he began to say: " Juliana, tell me, and be a true in formant ; where were gotten for ]?ee jjese witchcrafts ? ]?at J7ou makest no account of any kind of torture, and dreadest nei]?er dea^S nor living devils."
" Hear me, heaven hound," quo'S ]?at blessed maiden. Juliana addresses " I glorify and praise God }>& Fa]?er, and his wondrous Son, tem« impolite? Jesus Christ by name, and ]?e Holy Ghost, God as J?e o]?ers. Dree but not ^Sree Gods, but always One and every way indivisible. He, )>e King of Sabao4rha:S to day overcome a bull of hell, Belial, boldest- of hell, and ]?y sire, Satanas, on whom J?ou believest, and whom ]?ou callest )>y fa]?er, whose hest ]?ou performest ; and well it beseemed and become^ ]>ee to be begotten of such a race. But ever be accursed, colt of such a strain, ]>e mighty mild God, whom I ever remember, gave me power from heaven,
X'!
56 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
jff
me forto helpen ant him forto herien. ant ]?e forte
fchenden ant tu }at fchucke art f fchucken herien ant heien. weilawei f as ]?u were iboren wrecche owra'Ser time. }at ti fawle 1 )?i fari gaft fchal wrS ]>e fchucke pleiferen pleien in helle. Reue areow )?e feoluen unfeli mon bifih )?e hei'godd ant her me. crift if fo milzful ^at he walde blrSeliche alle monne heale. ah hwa fe jr j fiotote nule ganf ne fchal he beon iborhen. ^e quod he : haldeftu ^et uppon )?i gencling. weneftu }>at we beon £ •[Le'af 66.;] *fo e¥> to biwihelen ah we fchulen nu ifeon hu ]?e ;fchulen futelew Jnne wichecreftef. 1 witen ]>e ant werien. : : ' ' r^€ lette owdde wife a fwrSe wunderfule hweol meten
& ' J>"r
I ant makien ^ \urli fpiten hit al fpakew ant uelien 1 ! )>reuald ]?icke mid irnene gadien. kene te keoruen al \at ha rine^S to af neil cniuef. \at axtreo ftod iflraht on twa half in te twa ftanene poftles. Ipat hit af hit turnde ne ouer teoc now^Ser abuuen ne bineo^en to )>er eor^Se. grifen him mahen ]?et fehen hu hit grond in hwet fo hit rahte
to help me, both to praise him and to disgrace thee ; and
thou that art a devil to praise and extol devils. Well
^AiasHhatthou away ! since thou wert born, wretch, in evil time, that thy
thy soul shall he soul and thy sorry ghost shall play with the devils
the devils play- . . ,, . . ,. J _° *\ J . „ __
fellow in hell." playfellows in hell. Keeve, have pity on thyself. Un happy man, regard the High God, and hear me. Christ is so merciful that he would gladly have all men saved ; but whoso will not go to repentance, he shall not be saved." " Tea," quoth he, " boldest thou still to thy jangling ? Supposest thou that we are so easy to deceive ? But we shall now see how thy witchcrafts shall manifest thee, and protect and defend thee." And on a mad wise he caused a Vei7 wonderful wheel to be measured and made, and a11 sPitted through, spokes and fellies, and threefold
thick' Wltl1 ir°n g°adS' teen t0 CarVG a11 t]iat tteV toUcll>
as nailknives. The axletree stood stretched on two sides into two stone posts, so that, as it turned, it ran neither above, nor beneath to the earth. They might be horror- stricken who saw how it ground in whatsoever it reached.
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 57
him forte hearmin. T; te forte fchenden. 1 makien to fcheomien. ]>at fchalt fwucche fhuken. heien T; herien. weila af fu were iboren wrecche owra^Se time. \at ti fari fawle. T: ti forhfule gaft fchal wrS fwucche ploiueren pleien in helle. Eeue areow fe feoluen. Ynfeli mon bifih fe. hei godd T: her me. ihesu if fe mil^ful \at he walde blrSeliche heouenef heale to alle. Ah hwa fe obote ne gea^S ne fchal he beon i borhen.
r>~|e quo¥> eleufiuf haldeft tu jetten up o fi Cjuhelunge: •-c J weneft tu }>at we beon fe eft to biwihelin. Ah we fchulen ifeo nu : for hit fchal fone futelin hu f i wichecreft fchal wite f e. T; werien. T; lette o wodiwife a fwrSe wunder- lich hweol meten. T; makien ant ]mrh fpitien hit al wr6 fpaken T; felien jncke T; ]?reofalt wi^S irnene gadien. kene to keoruen. al \at ha rinen to ; ase neil cniuef. T; ftod }e axtreo iftraht o twa half in to ftanene poftlef. \at hit. af hit turnde ne oner toke nohwer bineo^Sen to ]?er eor^e. grifen him mahte \at fehe hu hit gront in to hwet fe hit of rahte.
him to harm and ]?ee to disgrace, and bring to shame ; ]?ou ]?at art )?yself devil to praise and glorify devils. Well away ! since ]?ou wert born, wretch, in time of wra^S, )>at J?y sorry sowl and ]?y sorrowful ghost shall wij? such play fellows play in hell. Eeeve, berue Jjyself. Unseely man, regard ]?e High God, and hear me, Jesu is so merciful ]?at he would gladly give heavens salvation to all : but who soever will not proceed to repentance, he shall not be protected."
" Tea," quo^ Eleusius, " dost ]?ou hold still to fy Eleusius holds cuckoo cry ? Weenest )>ou fat we are so easy to deceive ? But we shall see now ; for it shall soon be plain, how fy witchcraft shall protect and ward fee." And in a frantic manner he had a wonderful wheel designed and constructed, and spitted all frough wif spokes and fellies, ^Sick and %reefold, and wif ' iron goads keen to cut all torment fat fey touched like nail knives (now penknives] : and f e axletree stood stretched on its two sides into stone posts, so fat, as it turned, it overreached nowhere benea^ to fe ear^. One might be filled wif horror, who saw it how it ground into whatsoever it reached.
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
ant me brohte hire forS af belialef budel het ant bunden hire ]?erto harde 1 hetefefle. ant dude on erSer half fore of hif cnihtef. forte turnen \at hweol on ]?e edie meiden. wr3 hondlen imaket )>ron fo fwrSe af ha mahten. ]?e reue het on Hue ant oleomen fwingen hit fwiftliche abuten ant tidliche turnen. 1 heo af ]?e feond fputte ham te don hit.
1 MS. unswar- duden hit unfparlich.1 ]>at ha bigon te breoken al af }>at iftelet irn i to limede hire ant te leac li'S ba ant lire, burften hire banef 1 }>at meari weol ut i imenget wr8 blode. J?er ha mahten far ifeon alle }>at ter feten 1 abuten weren.
A S ha jeide to godd ant walde ajeuen hire gaft into "^ hif honden fo ]?er lihtinde com an engel of heouene. tjreaj; to, }>at hweol. fwa }at hit al to refde 1 burften hire bondes 1 breken alle clane ant heo af fichf al af ]?ah ha
*[Leaf 66, back.] nefde hurtes *nowher ifelet. feug fuf to ]?onken godd wrS honden upaheuene.
And she was brought forth, as Belials beadle bad, and Juliana is bound they bound her thereto hard and fast. And he set on ^?eethey either side four of his servants to turn the wheel upon ie blessed maiden, with handles made thereon, as quickly isercut0tohaiecese as ^ev could. The reeve bad (them) swing it swiftly both flesh and round upon life and limbs, and rapidly turn it. And they, as the fiend spurred them to do it, did it unsparingly, so 1 that she began altogether to break, as the steeled iron 1 limbed her to pieces, and rent both joint and flesh; her \ bones burst, and the marrow welled out, mingled with blood. There they might see sorrow, all those that sat there and were around.
An angel comes As she cried out to God and was about to give up her heaven and de- ghost into his hands, there came alighting an angel from Sanfis^ade heaven, and reached out to the wheel, so that it all rove whole as a fish. asunder, and her bands burst and broke all clean ; and ) she, whole_^s~a fish, as though she hurts had nowhere felt, began thus to thank God with hands upHfted : —
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 59
brohte hire uorS af belialef budel bet T; buwden hire J?erto hearde T: heteuefte. he dude on erSer half hire, fowre of hife cnihtef. forte twrnen \at hweol wrS hondlen imaket J?ron o }>at eadi *meiden fe fwrSe af *[Foi. 52.] ha mahten. T; het olif. T: oleomen fwingen hit fwiftliche. T: turnen hit abuten. T; heo af ]?e deouel fpurede ham to donne. duden hit unfparliche. \at ha bigon to broken al af ]>at iflelede irn ftrac hire in. over al. T: from ]?e top to ]?e tan. aa af hit twrnde. to limede hire T; to leac li'S ba T: lire, burflen hire banef. T; ]?#£ meari bearft ut imenget wrS ]?e blode. j?er me mahte ifeon alre forhene mealt ]>Q tyai ftude ftode.
r A ~|f ha jeide to godd. T: walde ajeouen hire gaft in to L£i— I hif honden ; fe ]?er lihtinde com an engel of heouene. T; reat to ]>et hweol fwa ]>at hit al to reafde. burflen hire bondef: T; breken alle clane. Ti heo afe fifchhal af ]?ah ha nefde nohwer hurtef ifelet. feng to J?onki ]>us godd wi^ honderc up aheuene.
She was fetched for'S, as belials beadle bad, and ]?ey The maiden is bound her to fis hard and fast. He set on ei>er side of cut topieces> her four of his servants to turn ]?at wheel, wij? handles fixed )?ereon, upon ]?at blessed maiden, as strongly as ]?ey could, and bad ]?em whirl it swiftly upon life and limbs, and turn it about. And ]?ey as )?e devil spurred )>em to do, did it unsparingly : so ]?at j?ey began to break her into fragments as J?at steeled iron found its way into her ; all over, from ]?e top to ]>e toes. Ever as it turned, it tore her limb from limb, and broke bo^ her joints and her flesh. Her bones cracked, and ]?e marrow burst out all mingled wij? blood ; )?ere men ]?at stood in ]?at place might see ]>e greatest of all sorrows.
As she cried to God and would surrender her spirit But an angel into his hands, ]?ere came all lightening an angel from m£ heaven, and reached out to J?at wheel so ]?at it fell all to pieces: her bands broke, and flew clean to pieces, and she, as sound as a fish, as ]?ough she had nowhere felt any hurts, began to ^ank God ]ms wij> hands upraised : —
60 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
\>r-~- fcyf*X
jf .^ "TiRihtin undedlich an godd al mihti al o^er unilich ^ heouene wruhte ant eorSef ant alle iwrahe ]?ingef J?c ich )?oncki to del alle J?ine deden. J»u makedeft mon of lame, ant jeue liuiende gaft ilich to }?e feoluen % fetteft for hif fake al )at if on eor^e. ah he for gulte him anan Jurh eggunge of eue 1 wef iput ut fone of paraifef prude 1 weox fwa hif team }>at ne mahte hit namon tellen. ant funegede fwa fwrSe \at tu hit forfenchteft al in noef flode. buten ahte }>at tu ftrSedeft. ]m chure fo^en i)?e aide lahe abraam. ifahac. 1 iacob. 1 hif children jeue to ; iofep ]?e wef jungeft hap in pharaonef halle. longe ]?refter Jm leddeft moyfen j?urh ]>at tu muche luuedeft buten brugge
ant bat }>urJi ]?e reade fea ant hif cunreden t feddeftam fi** . . '^~waf^'
fowrti jer tye wildernesse wrS heouenlich fode t wurpe
under hare fet hare fan alle t brohteft into \at lond )?et tu ham bihete. ]?er wef bi famuelef dei faul ]?e forme king
kempene keneft. in an weorre ]?er he wef ]m dudeft in ]?en
"Almighty God, "Lord immortal, one God Almighty, all others unlike, man of^iayfand wright (maker) of heaven and of earth, and all wrought gayest him a (created) things, I thank thee to-day of all thy deeds.
living spirit, Pp, j _A /i\ £ *_ T • T -
Ihou madest man 01 loam (clay), and gavest him a living
spirit, like to thyself, and settest for his sake all that is in
earth. But he made himself guilty anon through instiga
tion of Eve, and was soon put out from Paradises pride ;
and his progeny grew so that no man could count it, and
sinned so greatly that thou sankest it all in Noahs flood,
thou chosest except eight whom thou sparedst. Thou chosest after-
faaSjaSl Jacob; wards, in the old law, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and his
children ; gavest to Joseph, who was youngest, hap in
thou leddest Pharaohs hall. Long after that thou leddest Moses,
plopfe though whom thoT1 mucl1 lovedst> without bridge and boat,
the Red sea through the Bed Sea, and his kindred ; and feddest
StaSt 5 bridge them forty Jears in the wilderness with heavenly food,
and castest under their feet all their foes, and broughtest
them into the land that thou promisedst them. There
in Samuels day was in Samuels day Saul the first king, boldest of
warriors. In a war wherein he was, thou gavest the
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 61
|~T\~| Rihtin undeaftlich. an godd. almihti alle of re un- L-L/ J lieh. heouene wruhte. T; eorSef. T: alle iwrahte f ingef f e ich f onki to del alle fine deden. f u makedeft mon of lame. T; jeue him liuiende ^aililich to f e feoluen. T; fettefl for hif fake al ]>at if e worlt if. Ah. he forgulte him anan f urh ]>e eggunge of eue. T; wef iput fone ut of paraife fellrSen. weox fwa hif team her. ne mahte hit na mon tellen. Ah fwa fwrSe hit funegede. \at tu hit forfencteft al in noeef flod bute eahte \at tu frrSedeft. f u chure *feo75:Sen ife aide lahe abraham. T; ifaac. Jacob T; hif '[Fol-52M children. T: jeue to iofeph. f«£ wef fe jungefle hap ipharaonef halle. longe fer efter f u leddeft ]?urh moyfef J?«^ tu fe muchel luuedeft. bute brugge T: bat. ]?urh J?e reade fea al hif cunredden ]?ear af al pharaonef forde for- drewcte. T; feddefl ham fowrti jer i]?e wilderneile. wi^ heouenliche fode. T; wurpe under hare uet. hare fan alle. T; brohteft haw ]?urh iosue. into ierufalemef lond ]>at tu ham bihete. ]?er wes i Samuelef dei. Saul j?e forme King kempene icoreneft. In an weorre af he wef. }>u dudeft i f e
" Lord Immortal, One God, Almighty, unlike all o]?er, Juliana makes wright (demiurgus} of heaven and of earS and of all
created ]?ings, ]>ee I ^ank to day for all )»y deeds. Jjou and New Testa-
madest man of clay and gavest him a living spirit like mentet
J>yself, and settest for his sake all Jat is in ]?e world But
he ruined himself by guilt anon ]?rough )?e egging on of
Eve, and was soon put out of ]?e joys of paradise. His
progeny grew so ]>at no man could count it ; but it sinned
so much )>at ]?ou sankest it all in Noahs flood except
eight persons whom ]?ou sparedst. Afterwards J7ou chose
under fe old dispensation Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and
his children, and gave to Josef, who was fe youngest,
good luck in Faraohs hall. Long after fat fou leddest
by Moses, whom fou so much lovedst, wifout bridge or
boat, frough fe Red Sea all his kindred, where all
Faraohs army was drowned ;' and fou feddest em forty
years in f e wilderness wif heavenly food, and cast under
f eir feet all f eir foes, and broughtest em by Joshua into
Jerusalems land, which fou promisedst fern. pere in
time of Samuel was Saul f e first king, most approved of
warriors ; in a war he was engaged in, fou grantedst to f e
62
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
lutle darnS >e felhe \at he floh him wrS a flan to
r"'
•[Leaf 67.]
}?ene ftronge gulie ant reddeft him to rixlen in fawmuelef riche Jmf ]>u makeft milde alle )?eo muchele ]>at make^ ham meoke ant ]>eo J?et heie'S ham her leift ham fwrSe lahe. ]?er *efter )?a ]>e )mhte i]?oncket beo hit ]?e. lihteft hider of heouenlich leomen 1 nome blod 1 ban i]?e mere meiden ant were in bethlehem iboren moncun to heale ant to ]?e hirden fchawdefte f l?at te engel to ]?e tahten ant of ]?e }>reo kingef were kinewur^liche iwurget. weoxe ant wrahteft wundref. ah her ]m were ioffr^t^ wi'S lake alefet ant iflum iurdan of fein iuhan ifulhet. ]m heldeft al unheale ant deade of dea^e. alaft af ]?e biluuede. ]m leteft an of ]?e tweolue }>at tu icoren hefdeft Chepin );e ant fullen. ant ]?oledeft pinen ant paffiun jmrh giwef read on rode, deideft t were idon dead in ]?ruh of ftane ant 1 MS. sprnp- ftepe adun 1 ftrupteft1 helle. arife ant )>in arifte cuddeft }?ine icorne t ftihe abuuen J?e fteorren to fe hefte heouene ant cumeft king odomef dei. to demen cwike [t] deade.
David the vic tory over the great Goliah
Thou wert born in Bethlehem and royally honoured by the three kings ; baptized in Jor dan by St. John, sold by one of thy chosen, cru cified by the Jews, and laid in a grave of stone.
Thou rosest again and ascend- edst above the stars, -whence thou shalt come as judge of quick
little David the happiness to slay to death with a stone the strong Goliah, and appointedst him to rule in Samuels kingdom. Thus thou, Mild (God), makest great all they that make themselves meek, and those that exalt themselves here, thou layest them very low. Afterwards, when it seemed good to thee, thanks be to thee for it, thou descendedst hither from heavenly beams, and tookest blood and bone in the tender maiden, and wert born in Bethlehem for salvation of mankind, and showedst thyself to the shepherds whom the angel taught about thee, and by the three kings wert royally honoured. Grewest and wroughtest wonders, but here thou wert offered and redeemed with a gift, and baptized in the river Jordan by St. John. Thou healedst all unhealth and (raisedst) the dead from death. At last, when it pleased thee, thou lettest one of the twelve that thou hadst chosen barter thee and sell thee, and sufferedst pains and passion, through Jews counsel, on the cross ; diedst and wert laid dead in a grave of stone, and descendedst and striptest hell ; arosest and madest known thy resurrection to thy chosen, and ascendedst above the stars to the highest heaven ; and wilt come, as king, on doomsday to judge quick and dead.
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.)
lutle daui^ ]>e felh^e. }>at he ilong T; of floh wrS a ftan to dea^Se ]?e flronge Golie. T; readdeil him to rixlen ifaulef riche. ]>us ]?u makeft milde godd alle ]>eo muchele ; ]>e makie'S ham meoke. fl ]>eo }>e herS ham her : leift fwrSe lahe. Defter ]>o ]?e ]mhte i]?onket hit beo ]?e. lihteft hider to uf of heouenliche leomen. 1 nome blod T; ban i ]>at meare meiden. T: were i be^leem iboren moncun to heale. T; to ]?e hirden fchawdefl te \at te englef to }?e tahten T; of ]?e j?reo kingef were kinewurdliche iwurdget. weoxe T; wrahteft wundref. Ah ear ]?u were i offret T; wift lac alefet. T; i iordanef flum of fein iuhan ifulhet ; ]?u healdeft alle unhale. T; te deade. of dea^Se. Aleaft af ]?e biluuede letteft an of *J?e tweolue \at tu hefdeft icoren. chapi )?e. T; *tFol< fullen. Ti j^oledefl pine. 1 pafliun. ]?urh giwef read o rode, deideft. T: were idon dead, i ]?ruh of ftane. ftepe adun. T: ftrapteft. Ti herhedeft helle. Arife. T; >in arifte cuddeft J7ine icorene. T; fluhe abuue ]?e fteorren in to ]?e hefte heo- uene. T; kimeft king o domefdei. to deme cwike. T: deade.
little David ]?e happiness to sling and slay wty a stone to dea^ ]>e strong Groliah, and appointedst him to rule in Sauls kingdom, pus, Mild God, ]?ou makest all J7ose ]?at make much of J?emselves meek, and layst very low )>ose who exalt ]?emselves here. After Jns as it seemed good to )?e, ^anks be done to j?ee for it, ]?ou descendedst hi]?er to us from heavenly light, and took blood and bone in ]?at tender maiden, and wert born in Be^Slehem for man kinds salvation, and shewedst ]?yself to ]?e shepherds, whom )>e angels instructed about J?ee, and wert royally honoured by ]?e ^ree kings (of \e East}. Grew and wroughtst wonders. But before J>at fou wert offered (in }>e temple} and redeemed wij? a gift and baptized by Saint John in Jordans stream, pou healdest all infirm and raised )>e dead from dea^S who believed on )?ee. J?ou permittedst one of ]?e twelve )>at ]?ou hadst chosen, to sell ]?ee and make traffic of )?ee, and sufferedst pain and passion on ]?e cross by ]?e device of j?e Jews ; diedst and wert put dead into a coffin of stone ; descendedst and strippedst and harrowedst hell ; arose and madest known ]?y resurrection to J?y chosen and ascendedst above ]?e stars into )>e highest heaven ; and shalt come, as king, on doomsday to judge quick and dead.
64 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvn.)
J?u art hope of heale. ant ]?u art rihtwife weole. 1 funfule falue. Jra. art an }at al maht ant nijlt jaaw-tJbute riht. iblefcet beo ]m euer. ]?e ah euer euch jring to herien ant to heien. 1 ich do deore drihtin. J>in an meiden ]>at am. 1 luuie to leouemon liuiende lauerd. ]>u haueft for me fwa muche iwraht wrSuten min offeruinge. beo nu blifful godd wrS me. 1 were me wr$ ]>ef deoules driuelef. ant wrS alle hif creftef. ]m wurch fwuche wundref for me 1 *[Leaf 67, back.] for ]?i deorewurSe nome \at te reue-rudni. 1 *fheomie wrS hif fchucke ant tu beo iwurget aa wrSuten ende af ]?u art wurSe from worlde into worlde amen.
TT7TS ]>i{ }>at ha ftutte ftoden ]?e cwelleres. ant ^eiden T V lude ftefne. Mihti lauerd if ]?e }>at iuliane on leue^S. ne nis nan godd buten he we beo^ wel icnawen. Keue uf reowe^S ]>at f^6 \at we fo longe habbe^S ileuet ]?ine reades.
alle in ane ftefne. luuewurSe wummon we wended alle to
wenden alle anef weif abuten fif hundret ]>e ftoden ant ^eiden alle in ane ftefne. luuewurSe wummon we wended alle to f him ]>at tu on trufteft. Forloren beo ]?u reue wrS falfe bileaue. t iblefcet beo ih^/u crift mid alle hif icorne do ]?u
Thou art hope of salvation, and thou art weal of the
righteous and salve of the sinful. Thou art one who
canst do all and wilt do naught but right. Blessed
Blessed be thou be thou ever ; thee ought everything to praise and to
wvrought°muchst extol> and I do, dear Lord, who am thy maiden alone,
for me ; and love thee as leman, living Lord. Thou hast wrought
so much for me without my deserving. Be now with me,
blissful God, and defend me against the devils drudges,
work now such and against all his crafts. Work thou such wonders for
tbaubouma^st me' an(^ ^or ^ precious name, that the reeve may redden
be honoured and be ashamed of his devil, and that thou mayst be
Amen!"6" honoured ever without end, as thou art worthy, from age
to age. Amen."
The executioners Hereupon, when she stopped, the executioners stood and / crie<i witl1 loud voice : " Mighty Lord is he on whom [^ Juliana believes, nor is there any God but he, we do indeed acknowledge. Eeeve, we rue the course, that we so long have believed thy counsels." And they turned all in one way, about five hundred, who stood and cried all with one voice, " Loveworthy woman, we all turn to him on whom thou trustest. Be thou lost, reeve, with false belief; and blessed be Jesus Christ with all his chosen. Do thou
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 65
Jm art hope of heale. ]?u art rihtwifef weole. T; fun- fulef falue. JMI art an ]>at al maht. T: nult nawt bute riht. Iblefcet beo Jm eaure. ]>e ah e&uer euch )?ing heien T: herien. T: ich do deore drihtin y\ meiden an }at ich am. T; luuie ]>e to leofmon luuewende lau^ni. )at hauefl fe muche for me iwraht. wift ute mine wurSef. Beo mi bliffule godd wift me. T; wite me wiS }Q deouelef driuelef. T; wrS hare creftef. jmrch jet fwucche wundref for ]?i deorewurSe nome. Ipat te reue rudni T; fcheomie wrS hif fchucke. T; tu beo aa iwurdget af Jm art wurSe wurS- munt from worlde into worlde. Amen wrS uten ende.
ETTT-li^ >if af ha ftute ftoden >e cwelleref. 1 ?eiden lud T T J ileuene. Mihti lauerd if ]?e. ]?a^ Juliene on leue^S. ne nif na godd buten he; we beo^S wel icnawen. Eeue uf reowe^ ure li^ }>at we fe longe habbe^ ileuet ]?ine readef. T: wenden alle anef weif abute fif hundret ]?e ftoden T: jeiden alle in a fteuene. luuewur^e wummon. we wended alle to ]>at godd. }at tu on trufteft. *forlore beo ]>u reue wrS *[Foi. 53, back.] falfe bileaue. T; iblefcet beo crift. T; alle hif icorene. do
pou art hope of salvation ; ]?ou art weal of ]>e right- wise, and salve of ]?e sinful, ]?ou art one ]?at art able to do all; and wilt do noting but right. Blessed be ]?ou ever : every 'Sing ought to exalt and glorify ]?ee, and so do I, dear Lord, ]>y maiden, alone as I am, and love ]?ee for my lemman, Loving Lord, ]?at hast wrought so much for me wi]?out worS of mine. Be, 0 my Blissful God, wi)> me and protect me against ]>e devils drudges, and against )?eir crafts, by such wonders still for J?y precious name, so ]?at ]?e prefect may redden and be ashamed of his devil, and ]>ou mayst be ever wor shipped as J?ou art worSy of worship from age to age wij?out end. Amen."
Hereupon, when she stopped, ]?ere stood ]?e execu- The executioners tioners, and cried wi]? loud voice; " Mighty Lord is he are Averted, on whom Juliana believed, nor is ]?ere any God but he, we are well assured. Eeeve, we are rueful for our course, )?at we have so long believed J?y counsels." And ]?ey all turned in one wise, about five hundred who stood and cried all wi)> one voice ; " LoveworSy woman, who convertest all to }>at God, on whom ]?ou trustest. pou wilt be lost for ever, prefect, wi]? \y false belief ; and blessed be Christ and all his elect. Do ]>ou
/ ^ -
^< ^
^^ i
f
*[Leaf 68.J
sayin
toJe of God.
will
gnashes his
he
Eieusius has a
liana, bound
isTimist!d foot> She prays
JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvn.)
dedlich on uf al }at tu don maht. Reue make uf ananriht mifliche pinen. tend fur. 1 feche hweol 1 grei^e hwet fo ]?u conft grimliche btyenchen. forSe al ]?i feder wil }>ef feondef of helle. to longe he heold uf af he halt te jet. ah we fchulen heonne uorS halden to iefu godef fune moncun alefent J3wa ]>e reue gromede ]>at he grifpatede ajein ]?et wod he walde iwurSen. ant fende o wode wife to maximien ]?e heh keifer in rome herof hwet he redde. ant he het euchan hefdes bikepruen ant he lette fwa don fif hundret bi tale of weopmew t of wummen an hundret ant ]?ritti. euchan biuoren o^er forte beon hefdef bicoruen ant ferden alle martirf feire to crifte. Elewliuf lette hif men makien a muche fur *ant bed binden hire ba^e fet ant honden ant caften hire into ]>e brune J>ei forto bernen. af ha bifeh uppard. ant feh J?ene ley leiten. ha lokede to heouene wi'S honden up aheuene ant ]mf to crifte cleopede wi^ inwarde bone.
"TITildheortfule godd milce ]>i meiden ne leaf )m me
upon us, in deadly wise, all that thou canst do. Eeeve, make for us quickly various torments ; light a fire, and fetch a wheel, and prepare whatsoever thou canst savagely devise ; perform all thy fathers will, the fiend of hell : too long he held us, as he holds thee still. But we shall, henceforth, hold to Jesus, Gods Son, Eedeemer of man- kind." The reeve was so angered, that he gnashed his teeth again, so that he would become mad ; and sent on ma(i ™BG ^° Maximianus, the high emperor in Eome, about this, what he would advise ; and he bad (him) cut off each ones head. And he had five hundred in number of men served so, and of women a hundred and thirty. Each one (pressed on) before other to be be- headed, and went, all martyrs, fairly to Christ. Eleusius cause(l nig men to make a great fire and bad them bind her, both feet and hands, and cast her into the burning, there for to burn. As she looked upward and saw the flame blaze, she looked to heaven with hands uplifted, and thus to Christ called with inward prayer : —
" Mildhearted God, pity thy maiden ; leave thou me
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 67
nu deadliche on uf al \at tu do maht. make uf reue
ananriht miiliche pinen ontend fur T; feche hweol. grer&e on tentd MS-
al }at []?u] conft grimliche bi)?enchen. forSe al ]>i feaderf
wil ]?ef feondef of helle ; to longe he heold uf af he halt
te mrSe. Ah we fchulen heonne forS halden to ih^su
godef kinewurSe fune moncun alefent. fwa ]>e reue grome-
de \at he griilbetede wod he walde iwurSen. T; fende o
wodi wife forS to maximien. J?e mihti caifere of rome
her of; hwet he readde. T; he ham het euch fot heafdes
bikeoruen. fif hundret itald of wepmen T; of wimmen an
hundret T; ]?ritti }?rungen euchaw biuoren o^Ser forte beo
bihefdet 1 ferden alle martyrf wr$ murh/Se to1 heouene. ] criste crossed
through. rT^~|leuliuf ]?e hwile lette hif men makien amuche fur
UuJ mid alle. "I bed binden hire fwa >e fet T; te hondew. T; keaften hire in to ]>e brune cwic to forbearnen. Af ha lokede up. T; feh ]?if lei leiten : biheolt towart heouene. wi^S honden aheuene. T; \us to crift cleopede.
rVT"|e forleaf ]?u me nawt nu ijrif nede lau^rd of liue.
Lll J mildheortfule godd milce me ]>i meiden. Hb mid ti
now all deadly deeds on us, which ]?ou hast power to do. Contrive for us anon, reeve, various pains ; light up a fire ; fetch a wheel. Prepare all }?at ]?ou canst savagely ^Sink of ; fur]?er all ]>j facers will, ]>e fiend of hell : too long he held us m bondage as he holds }>ee now, But we, hencefor^, shall hold to Jesu, Gods Royal Son, Redeemer of mankind." J?e reeve was so angered ]?at he ground his tee^S, and would go mad, and sent in a mad manner to Maximianus, }>e mighty Kaisar of Rome, about ]?is, what he would recommend ; and he bid him carve oif ]?e head of every one, five hundred They are mar- counted up, men and women. One hundred and ^irty tyred- pressed on, each before ]?e rest, to get beheaded, and all went martyrs wi)> joy to heaven.
Eleusius, mean while, caused his men to make a very Eieusius pre. big fire ; and bad j?em bind her, feet and hands, and cast pares a fire, her into ]?e fiery heat, to burn her up alive. When she looked up and saw ]?is flame flare, she cast her eyes to heaven wi)> uplifted hands, and Jms to Christ cried.
" Abandon me not now in ]?is need, Lord of Life : mild- Julianas prayer, hearted God, be merciful to me ]>y maiden, and wij? }?y
68 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
,^ yfj^
neauer nu in fif neode ah mit ti fofte grace falue
fr i ' V rv
mine funnen. lefu mi fellrSe ne warp fu me neauer ut
of fin ehfilrSe. bihald me ant help me ant of f iffe reade leye ref me arude me f at f eof unfelie ne fume nawt feggen. f i lauerd f et tu luueft ant fchulde fi fcheld beon
hwer if he nu meiden. Nefde ha buten ifeid fwa \at an
engel ne com briht af f ah he bernde ant if at ferliche fur amidden riht lihte ant hit cwenchte anan euer euch fp^rke. ant heo ftod unweommet heriende hire hehe healent
T%E reue feh hit acwenct ant bigon te cwakien fwa * grimliche him gromede ant fet \at balefule beafl as an burfi bar. f at grunde hif tufkef. ant feng on to femin ant te grifpatien o fif meoke meiden. ant fohte on hwucche wife he mahte hire awelden ant lette fecchen a feat. wi'S pich hit fullen ant heaten hit walm hat. ant
never, now in this need; but with thy soft grace salve
my sins. Jesus, my happiness, cast me never out of thine
to be delivered eyesight, behold me and help me, and from this red flame
from the flame
for the sake of snatch me, deliver me that these unhappv men need not
the bystanders. r±v
say, ' Thy Lord whom thou lovest, and who should be thy
shield, where is he now, maiden?' " She had but said
An angel comes, so when an angel came, bright as though he burned ;
and lighting in .
the midst of the and in that strange fire, right in the midst, alighted and every spark. quenched it anon, every spark. And she stood unblem ished, praising her high Saviour with loud voice. The reeve, seeing The reeve saw it quenched, and began to quake: so
the fire quenched,
begins to grind savagely was he angered. And the baleful beast sat, as a
his teeth, and .
foam at the bristled boar that ground his tusks, and began to foam and to grind his teeth at this meek maiden; and thought in what wise he might overpower her. And caused a vessel to be fetched and filled with pitch, and heated boiling-hot ; and
(BODL. MS. 34.) 69
fofte grace falue mine funnen. ihesu. mi fellrSe ne warp
Jm me nawt ut of )?in ehfilrSe. bihald me ant help me. T; of
J>if reade lei reaf T; arude me. fwa \at *tef unfeli ne )mrue *[Fo1- 54-l
nawt feggen. )>i lau^rd ]>#£ tu leueft on. T; fchulde ]?i fcheld
beon. hwer if he mrSe. ne bidde ich nawt drihtin ]>if for
dea^ef drednefle. Ah falfe fwa hare lahe. Ht feftne ifine
icorene treowe bileaue. fchwau mi mihti godd ]?i meinfule
mahte. T: hihendliche iher me iheijet. T; ihere[t]j aa on
ecnefle.
mefde ha bute ifeid fwa ; }>at an engel ne com fe briht af ]?ah he bearnde. T: to f «£ ferliche fur. tyat lei lihte T; acwente hit anan. eau^r euch fparke. T; heo stod unhurt ]?er amidheppef heriende ure healent wi^S ^heheite_ jjguene. ]?e reue feh hit acwenct T; bigon to cwakien. fe grundliche him gromede. T: fet te balefule beafl I af eau^r ei iburft bar. ]>at grunde hif tufkef. T; fen[g] on to feamin. T; grift- beatien grifliche up o |fif meoke meiden. T; ]?ohte wift hwuch meft wa. he mahte hire awealden. 1 het feechen aueat. T: wr£ pich fullen. T; wallen hit walm hat. T;
soft grace salve my sins. Jesu, my joy, cast me not out of ]?y presence, regard me and help me, and snatch me and rid me out of ]>is red flame, so ]?at ]?is unseely one need not say, ' pj Lord on whom }?ou believest, and who should be j?y shield, where is he now ? ' I ask not }>is, 0 Lord, for dread of dea^, but do ]?ou Jms falsify f eir creed and fasten in j?ine elect ]>e true fai^ ; display now, Mighty God, J?y mainful might, and forSwij? hear me, ]?ou extolled and glorified ever to all eternity!"
She had but so said, when an angel came, as bright as if An angel on fire, and alighted amidst J?at perilous fire, in ]?at flame, §"1°° and quenched it anon, every spark of it ; and she stood at amidhips, up to %e waist, unhurt, praising our Saviour wij? voice on highest, pe prefect saw it quenched and began to quake, so it angered him to )>e bottom of his soul, and ]?ere sat J?e baleful beast, as ever a bristly boar, agrind- ing his tusks, and beginning to foam and grind his tee^ grisly upon ]>e meek maiden ; and bought how wi}> most woe he could get upper hand of her : and he bid fetch Eieusius orders a vessel, and fill it wi> pitch and heat it boiling hot, and a Pitchbath-
70 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
^Lxvt***^
*[ Leaf 68, back.] het warpen hire j?rin *hwen hit wodelukeft weolle. af me dude hire ]?rin '. ha cleopede to drihtin ant hit colede anan ant warS hire af wunfum. af euer em wlech weter. ]>at were iwlaht te ba^ien. ant leop wallinde hat up ajein ]?eo ilke \at hit hefderf ijarket. ant for fcaldede of ham feoluen fifti ant tene. ant fordude fifti al italde. ]>a ]?e reue ifeh ]?if i he rende hif blades ant toe him feoluew hi )?e top. 1 feng to fiten hif mawmez t laflen hif lauerd. Swi^e qiurS he ut of min ehfilrSe. \at ich ne feo hire na mare er ]?e bodi wi^S ]?e buc beo ifundret from hire heauet.
Q One af ha ]?if iherde ha herede godd in heouene. 1 /X warS fwrSe gled. For J?et heo iwilnet hefde me
ledde hire. [1] hleac forS ant heo wef e^-luke af ha ftutte o]>e stude }?er ha fchulde de^S drehen. ]?a com ]>Q ilke belial of helle. \at ha hefde ibeaten hire bihinden. ant gon to jeien. a i ftalewurSe men ne fparie je nawiht.
Juliana is put bad cast her therein when it should boil most furiously. full of boiling As she was put therein, she called upon the Lord, and coo°is ' and s<b^ it cooled anon, and became as pleasant to her as ever any lukewarm water, that were warmed to bathe (in). ' 'upland And ^ leaPt UP' boiling n°t, against those same who had mentors1161" tor" PrePared &> and badl7 scalded of themselves fifty and ten, and destroyed fifty, all counted. "When the reeve saw this, he rent his clothes and took himself by the hair, and began to quarrel with his idols and blaspheme his Lord. The reeve orders " Quickly," quoth he, " out of my eyesight, that I may see out of his sight, her no more, ere the body with the trunk be sundered from her head."
As soon as she heard this, she praised God in heaven
when she and became verv 8lad> for SGe nad desired that. She was reaches the place led and lugged forth, and she was easy to lug. As she Beiiai comes'be- stopped in the place where she was to suffer death, then encourages aher came tna* same Belial of hell, that she had beaten, behind persecutors. her, and began to G^ « ^ j staiwart meilj spare not ;
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 71
het warpen hire frin. hwen hit meaft were iheat 1 wodelukeft weolle.
r A "Is me dude frin. ha cleopede to drihtin. 1 hit colede J*
LlJLJ anan. T; warS hire afe wunfum af f ah hit were a wlech bea^S iwlaht for fen anef in forte bea^ien. T; fmat ; if* up a^ein f eo ]>Q ijarket hit hefden. T; for fchaldede of ham af , hit up fcheat ; *alle italde bitale. feoue fifte tene. T; for^Sre «f Foi. 54, back.] jet fiue. fa f e reue fis ifeh ; rende hife cla^ef T: toe him f
feolf bi >e top. T; feng to f [lliten1 hif feont. T; laftin hif » fiten in both
, y F MSS.
lauerd.
SwrSe quo¥> he. wr3 hire ut of min ehfih^Se. )at ich ne feo hire nawt heonne forS mare, ear J>e buc of hire bodi. T; tet heaued liflefe liggen ifundret. Sone fe ha ]?if iherde ; ha herede go^S of heouene. T; war^S utnume glead ; for ]?if ha hefde iwilnet. me leadde hire T; leac forS. 1 heo wef e^luke. Af ha ftutte \}at ftude. ]?er fe fordemde fchulden dea^ drehen ; fa com fe illke belial )at ha hefde ibeaten feorren to bihinden T: bigon to jeien. Aftalewur^e men ne fpearie je hire nawiht.
ordered her to be cast f erein, when it should be heated hottest and were boiling most fiercely.
"When men put her f erein, she cried to fe Lord, and But 'the pitch it cooled anon, and became as winsome to her as if it cools to her- were a warm baft, tempered for fat once to baf e in ; and it flew up against fern who had prepared it and badly scalded some of fern as it dashed up, all told by tale, j seven times ten, and furfer yet five. "When fe reeve J saw fis, he rent his clofes and seized himself by f e hair, and began to flite at his fiends (or mammets) and blasfeme his lord.
"Quick!" quo^S he, "wif her out of my sight, f at Eieusius orders I may see her henceforS no more, tiU f e trunk of her her beheaded, body lie lifeless sundered from fe head." As soon as she heard fis, she glorified fe God of Heaven, and became excessively glad, for fis she had wished. She was led and lugged forS, and she was easily (led) : as she stopped in fat place where f e doomed must endure dea'S ; fen came f e same belial fat she had beaten, far behind her, The imp is for- and began to cry, "Ah! stalwart men, spare her not, ward-
f2 jj JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvn.)
i ha haue^ uf alle fcheome idon. fchende^S hire ntriSen ant jelde^ hire jarewborh ne ftudgi je neauer. luliane fe edie openede hire ehnen ant lokede toward him. ant te bali blenchte. t braid him ajeinward af an ifchoten " arewe. •[Leaf 69.] wumme ]>at ich *libbe quo^S he fa ich beo nunan ilaht ant jef ha kecche^ me nu i ne findi neauer leche. igripe ha me enef i ne ga i neauer eft mare, ant leac him ajeinward
^— af a beore f f et unwiht. ne mahte him nawt letten^af ha
fchulde ftupen ant ftrecchen forS f e fwire ha bed firft ant
feng on f uf to learen f eo f et f er weren ant fus feide
T vfte^ me leoue men ant lide^S ane hwile bi-
-•^ wepe^S. 1 bireowfe^S ower funnen. t lafle^ wrS
fo^ fchrift. t wrS dedbote. leaue^ ower unlahen.
t bulde^ ower boldef uppon treowe fta^ele \at ne
drede^S na wind ne na weder now^er. loke^ \at te
heouenlich lauerd beo grundwal of al \at je wurche^.
<C^ H
-^<~ ;
she has done us all shame; put her now to shame, and But -when ju- yield her ready bail ; study ye never." Juliana the blessed
liana looks at J , . J -,,,,, -, , . -, ^ •, ^
him, he is forced opened her eyes and looked towards him ; and the bale ful one blenched and jerked himself backwards as a shotten arrow. " "Woe is me, that I live ! " quoth he then, "I shall now anon be caught, and if she catch me now, I shall never find a leech ; let her once seize me, I shall never more go (out of the noose)." And he flung himself backward as a bear, that evil being, and could not
when about to hinder himself. When she was to stoop and stretch forth
suffer death, she
teaches those the neck, she first prayed, and began thus to teach those
about her: ... ' . f '_•'
" Listen to me, that were there, and thus said : —
yoSr'iS, and6 "Listen to me, dear men, and hearken awhile. La- true ment and repent of your sins, and lessen them with true shrift, and with amendment ; leave your evil cus toms, and build your buildings upon a true foundation, that dreads no wind nor weather either. Look that the heavenly Lord be foundation of all that ye work ;
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 73
ha haiie^ uf alle fcheome idon. fchende^ hire mr$e. ^elde^ hire jarow borh efter }at ha wurSe is. Aftale- wurSe men do^ hire biliue todea^S buten abade.
Jvliene ]>e eadie openede hire ehnen T; biheold towart openenede MS. him ; af he JMS feide. 1 tet beali blencte. T: breid him ajeinwart bihinden hare fchuldren. af for a fchoten arewe. wumme }>at ich libbe quo*6 he. ich beo nunan ilaht. Ah ilecche ha me eft : ne finde ich na leche. Igripe ha me eanef : ne ga i neau^r mare. Jrefter o grene. T; leac him ajeinwart af Je beare [Jat] unhwiht in alre diche deofle wei ne mahte nawt letten. Af ha fchulde ftupin T; ftrecche forS *}>at fwire : ha bed firft T; feng on J«* forte learen Jeo *[Foi. 55.] Je Jer weren.
Lvfte7^ me leoue men T; liSSe^S ane hwile. Bireowfi'S ower funnen. T; falui^S wi^S fo^S fchrift T; wr6 dea^ bote. leaned ower unlahan. t buldef up o treowe eor^e. }>at ne drede^ na ual for wind ne for wedere. lokrS Jet te heouenliche lau^rd beo grund wal of al ]>at je wurche^.
she ha^S done us all shame ; shend her now ; yield her ready bail according as she's worS : ah ! stalwart men, do her to dea^S belive, wijout tarrying."
Juliana, J?e blessed, opened her eyes and cast a look The imp recoils, towards him, as he ]?us said, and J?e baleful one blenched, and jerked himself backwards behind j?eir shoulders as if at a shotten arrow. "Wo is me! ]?at I live," quo^S he, " I shall be now anon caught : but if she catch me again, I shall find myself no leech. Let her grip me once, I shall never more move after Jat out of her noose." And he flung himself backwards, did Jat evil one, as a bear, in all Je devils way, and could not hinder himself. When she was to stoop down and stretch for^ her neck, she prayed a moments respite, and began ]?us to instruct Jose Jat were Jere.
" Listen to me, beloved men, and attend to me a Juliana makes while. Berue your sins and salve Jem wij true shrift ex and wij repentance, abandon your ill customs and build upon safe ground, where one need not fear a fall for wind nor for weajer. Have a care Jat Je Heavenly Lord be Je foundation of all Jat ye do,
<&
74 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvu.)
/f^ tt
for }at ftont ftudelfaft falle. cleope^ jeorne to godd
in hali chirche }at he jeoue ow wit wel forte donne ant ttrenge ow wi'S hif ftrenc^e ajein ,}>en ftrpnge unwiht. }at -fele^S euer 1 aa ow forte Twolhen/lufte^ writen lare ant luuie^S ]>refter. wel if him ]>at wake^
^'" £*/' £'\s'~/-^
wel in ]?if lutle hwile t wite'S wel him feoluen. ant
! heorteliche like^S ofte for hif funnen. Hf world weint awei **\ JP ' L 6/^"
af weter ]>at eorne^ ant af imet fweuew afwinde^S hire
murlrSen ant al nif buten a lef wind lat we lime's, leaue^
'""" " "~"™> " * ' "
*[Leaf 69, back.] ]?e leafe ant luuie^ ]>e fo^e. for we fchulew *ieten ]>if lif
£v.i, nute we neauer hwenne ant reope we of \at ripe fed ]>at
we feowen fwrSe ich bifeche ow \at ^e bidden for me f
bre^ren ant fuftren t cufte ham a cof of pef alle af ha
ftoden ant biheold uppard ant hehede hire ftefhe.
T auerd godd al mihti ]m luueft treowe bileaue ne lef -*-^ ]?u to ]?in ifan ]?in ilicnefle. ah underfeng me to
-which stands for that stands stedfast, (whatever may) fall. Cry else' fau?evecry earnestly to God in holy church, that he give you wit strength/01 to do wel1 an(l strengthen you with his strength against the strong evil being, who lays snares ever and ay in order to devour you. Listen to the lore of scrip tures and love it thereafter. It is well for him that watches well in this little while, and guards himself This world passes well and often sighs heartily for his sins. This world nSreamrS wends awaJ» as water tnat runs, and as a dreamt l°drseavm?»h like dxe&m vanish its J0!8 J and a^ that we live is but a false wind. Leave the false and love the true ; for we must leave this life, we never know when, and we reap of that harvest seed that we have sown. Greatly I beseech you to pray for me, brethren and sisters." And she kissed
kise8ofvpe|atche!ma them a kis8 °f peace' ^ as tliey 8tood» and beneld upward and raised her voice.
"Lord God Almighty, thou lovest true belief; leave not thy likeness to^ thy foes, but [receive me to
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 75
for fat flont ftudeueft falle. fat falle. ^eie^ to godd in hali
chirche. fat he jeoue ow wit wel forte donne. T: ftrenge
ow wrS hif ftreng^Se. ajein >e ftronge unwiht fat feke^1 1 seleS ui both
eau^r. ^i aa. ow to forfwolhen. Iuflnr5 luftiliche hali writef
lare. T; liuie^ }>refter. wel him ]>e wake^S wel. T; i ]?if
lutle hwile wit her him feoluen. T: heorteliche like^ ofte
for hif funnen. J>if worlt wewt awei. af ]>e weaker ]>e
eorne^. T: afe fweuen imet afwint hire murlrSe. °l al nif
bute a leaf wind fat J>e i]>if worlt liuie^S. leaned fat leal
if. % leote^ lutel >rof. T: feche^S fat fo^e lif fat aa leaflet.
for ]?if lif je fchulen leoten. T: nuten ^e neau^r hwenne. T;
reopen ripe of fat fed fat ^e her feowen. ]?#£ if underne
jeld of wa. o^Ser of wunne. eft^r ower werkef. SwfSe ich
bifeche ow. fat je bidden for me. bre^ren. T: fuftren. T;
cufte* ham coff of2 peif alle af ha floden. ant biheold up 2 MS. of.
L •> , , -, • n *[Fol. 55, back.]
part, ant hehede hire fteuene.
Lauerd godd almihti. ich J?onki ]?e of ]nne jeouen. nim jeme to me nu^Se. J?u luueft ouer alle ]?mg treowe bileaue. ne lef ]>u neau^r to ]?i va; J?in ilicnefle fat tu ruddeft
for fat will stand steadfast, happen what may. Cry to God in holy church, fat he give you wit to do well and streng^en you wij? his streng^S against J?e strong evil one, who seeke7^ ever and aye to devour you. Listen wi]? pleasure to lore of Holy Writ and live by it. "Well tis wij? him fat watched well and in ]?is little while here guards himself, and oft sighed heartily for his sins. pis world passes away as ]>e water fat runnel ; and its mir^ vanishes away as a dream dreamt ; and all fat lives in ]ns world is but a false wind. Leave what is false and esteem it but little, and seek fa true life which lasted for ever. For ]ns life ye shall quit, and ye never know when, and shall reap a harvest from fa seed ye have sown : fat is to say, an open recompense of woe or of happiness according to your works. Much I beseech you ]?at ye pray for me, bre]?ren and sisters," and she kissed fern bo^ a kiss of peace all as fey stood, and cast her eyes upwards and elevated her voice. " Lord God Almighty, I 'Sank fae for ]?y gifts, have a care for me now ; ]?ou lovest above all j^ings a true farS ; never to ]?y foes leave ]>j likeness fat ]?ou savedst
76 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. xxvn.)
J?e. 1 do me in fin englene bird wrS meidnef imeane. ich a^eoue to ]>e mi gaft drihtin. t wrS ]>at ilke beide t def duuelunge dun to fer eorSe fone bihefdet. ant ]>e edie englef wr3 bire fawle linginde fihen toward heouene. fo^en fone ferefter com a feli wummon fophie inempnet. bi nicomedef burh o rade toward rome. of beb cun akennet 1 nom )>if meidenef bodi. 1 ber bit in a batjbiwunden deorlicbe in deorewurSe cla^ef. af ha weren in wettre com a fteorm 1 draf bam to londe into campaine^-t fer lette fopbie from ]>e fea a mile fetten a chirche 1 don hire bodi Jrin in ftanene J?rub bebliche af bit deb alhen to donne. }?e reue
and commends thyself and set me in thine angels bo»t with company of
her soul to God.
t^th^arthT maidens- ! give up to thee my ghost, Lord." And with
angels bear her that same, she bent and sank sinkingly down to the earth,
soul to heaven.
soon beheaded. And the blessed angels with ber soul, sing
ing, ascended toward heaven. Then soon after that came
Sophia takes the a blessed woman, named Sophia, born of high kindred,
maidens body in
bein^drivS? to ^ ^e C^J °^ Nicomedia on (her) road toward Eome ; panS, causes the an<^ took this maidens body and bore it in a boat, wound
body 'to be put , . . . .. ,_
in a stone coffin, up dearly in precious cloths. When they were on water, a storm came and drove them to land, into Campania. And there, a mile from the sea, Sophia had a church set, and her (Julianas) body put therein in a stone coffin, solemnly, as it is right to do with saints. The reeve,
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 77
of deu^S ; }mrh ]?i dea^S o rode, ne let tu me neauer deien i]>e
eche dea^S of helle. Ynderueng me to ]?e. T; do me wrS
)nne. i)w£ englene hird wi'S meidenef imeane. Ich ajeoue
]>e mi gaft deorrewurSe drihtin. T; do hit bliffule godd for
J?in iblefcede nome to ro. T: to refte. wrS []?at J] ilke ha l Not in MS.
beide hire T; beah duuelunge aduu bihefdet to ]?er eorSe.
ant te eadie englef wrS ]?e fawle finginde lihen in to
heouene.
A nan ]>refter fone. com afeli wummon. bi Mchomedefle burh o rade towart rome. Sophie wef inempnet of heh cun akennet. T; nom Jnf meidenef bodi. Ht ber hit in to hire fchip biwunden fwrSe deorliche ideorrewurSe cla^Sef. As ha weren iwatere. com a ftrom ^at te fchip ne mahte na mon fteorin. T; drof ham to drue lond in to champaine )?er lette fophie. from ]>e fea a mile, fetten a chirche. T: duden hire bodi ]?rin in a itanene )?ruh hehliche af hit den halhe to donne.
"l%e reue fone fe he wifte. }>at ha wef awei ilead. leup
-• *for hih^Se wi^ lut men into a bat T: bigon to rowen «[Foi. 56.]
from dea7^ by ]?y dea^ on ]?e cross : nor let me ever die in }>e eternal dea^ of hell. Receive me to ]?yself and place me wi]? ]>y saints in J?e company of angels toge]?er wi)> maidens. I surrender ]?ee my spirit, precious Lord ! and Blissful God, for }>j Blessed Name, commit it to repose and rest." Wi]? )?at same she bowed and bent her self sinkingly down, beheaded, to }>e earS, and ]?e blessed she is beheaded, angels wi}> ]?e soul ascended singing to heaven.
Anon after ]?at soon, ]?ere came a seely woman by Nicomedia on her way towards Borne, Sofia she was named, born of high kindred, and she took ]?is maidens body and bore it in her ship, wound very preciously in sumptuous raiment. "While ]?ey were on ]>e water, ]>ere came a storm so ]?at no man could steer ]?e ship, and it drove J»em to dry land into Campania. J?ere Sofia had a church erected a mile from )?e sea, and placed Julianas Her body re- body )>ere in a stone coffin, as solemnly as it is fit to ceives t"UML deposit a saint.
pe prefect, as soon as he knew ]?at she was led away, The prefect leapt in hope wi)> his men into a boat, and began to row
78 JULIANA. (ROYAL MS. 17 A. XXVTI.)
]?a he herde ]?if f bigon te rowen efter forte reauen hit ham i 1 tye [fea] fenchte. for J?er arifen ftormef ftarcke % ftronge % breken ]?e fchipef bord. adrenchten on hare *[Leaf 70.] Jjrittu^e* fum an ]?erto eke fowre. ant warp ham adriuen to ]>e londe. ]?er af wilde deor limel to luken ham 1 te unfeli fawlen funcken into helle.
"Nvf \at edie meiden wende ]?urh pinen to heouenliche
wunnen in ]?e nomecu^e burh nicomede hatte o]?e
„ fi
fixten^e dei of feouerelef monfijS. J?e fortende kalende of mearch }>at cume^S efter. heo uf erndjLto godd ]?e grace of him feoluen. fet rixle^S in ]?reohad. % ]?ah if an untweamet iheret ant iheiet wur^e he him ane af he is wurSe ant euer ah te beonne world abuten ende. AMEN.
The reeve rows when he heard this, began to row after to bereave them of
after them; but ., , , . ,, ,, ,, , •,
his ship is it ; and sank in the sea ; for there arose storms, stark
droiraed witfc and strong, and broke the ships board, drowned some
thirty of them, and also four besides ; and drifted them
to the land, where wild beasts rent them limb from limb,
and the unhappy souls sunk into hell.
Thus the blessed Thus the blessed maiden went through pains to heavenly
NfcomSiii07 at J0^8' ^ ^e renowned city, called Nicomedia, in the six-
JeS fOTeiuM5ith teentiL day of Februarys month, the fourteenth before the
Godt kalends of March that cometh after. May she intercede
for us to God for the grace of himself, who reigns in three
persons, and yet is one, undivided ! Praised and exalted
be he alone, as he is worthy, and ever ought to be, world
without end ! Amen.
JULIANA. (BODL. MS. 34.) 79
fwiftliche efter. forte reauin hit ham. 1 i )>ea fea fenchen. T; arifen flonnef fe ffoHke T: fe ftronge. ]?«£ te bordef of ]?if bat burften T; to breken. T; te fea fencte him on hif ]>ritu^e fuw ant ]?er to jet fowre. T; draf him adrenchet dead to ]?e londe. ]?er afe wilde deor limmel to luken ham. T; to limeden eau<?r euch IttS from ]?e lire, an te unfeli fawlen funken to helle. to forfwelten ifar T; iforhe eauer.
"p%vf j?e eadi iuliene wende Jmrh pinen. from worldliche J weanen ; to heouerichef wunnen i]>e Nomecu^e burh Nicomede inempnet. i ]>Q Sixten^e dei of feoum-eref moneft. theis dai of >e fowrtu^e Kalende of mearch }at if feo**en. fhe^Talend
Heo uf erndi to godd. >e grace of him feoluen. >e of marche. pixle^S in ]?reo had. Ti tah if untweamet iheret T; iheiet beo he him ane af he wef T; if eauer in eche.
Hwen drihtin o domef dei windwe^S hif hweate. T: \ weoHp^ }at dufti chef to heHene heate. He mote beora a corn i godef guldene edene. ]?e turwde ]?if of latin to englilche...kdene. Ant he }at her leaft. on wrat fwa af he cirSe. AMEN.
swiftly after Tier body, to fetch it by violence from ]?em, pursues her Hfe- and sink it in )e sea ; and J?ere arose storms so stark and IsTosraTSi.^ so strong )?at ]?e planks of ]?e boat burst and broke to pieces, and sank him in ]?e sea with ^Sirty o]?ers, and four more besides, and drove him when drowned dead to ]?e land ; where wild beasts tore him limb from limb, and severed each joint from )?e flesh, and ]?e unseely souls sunk to hell to perish in sore and in sorrow for ever.
]?us ]>Q blessed Juliana passed ]?rough pains from tem poral miseries to ]?e joys of ]?e kingdom of heaven, in j?e famous town named Nikomedia, on }>e sixteen^ day of Date of her corn- February, ]>e fourteen^ of ]?e calends of March following. memorati°n-
May she intercede for us for ]?e grace of Himself who reigned in ^ree persons and yet is undivided, glorified and extolled be He, One as He was, and is, and ever shall be.
When ]>e Lord on doomsday winnowed his wheat and The translator ^rowe^ }Q dusty chaff to heats of hell, may he be.jng^8 for him- elect one in Gods golden Eden who turned ]?is out of Latin into ]?e English language : and he also, least in Jns matter, who penned it as well as he was able. Amen. ,
[In a sixteenth-century hand, at the bottom of page 56 of the Bodleian Text, is the following :]
Whan Judge at domesday dothe winnow his wheat
And drives dusty e chaffe into hellishe heat
God make him a come, in Eden to duell
That owt of latine this treatise did freat
And him that last wrote Amen. <5# Jtaiclwot (?)
SEYN JULIAN
(THE LIFE OF ST. JULIANA),
S
FROM ASHMOLE MS. 43.
SEyn Julian com of heie mew f as we fynde]? iwrite. Cristene stilliche he bicom f ]>at no mow ne scholde iwite. Maximan het ]?e emperour i ]>at he]?ene was ]?o. Alle cristenemew he dude to de]?e f J?0t he mijte of go. 4
A gret maister he hadde vnder him f ]?at het elise He wolde ]>ai Julian to him i iwedded scholde be. "Wi]? hire fader and moder he spek f so ]>at hi were at on. po he wende to ]?is holi maide f and wende habbe is wille anon. 8 Swete sire qua]?. Seyw Juliane i it ne ualle}? nojt to me #\JL i** / *
Bote ]?ou were mow of more power f to be ispoused to ]?e. pis mon was glad nor ]?is word f to ]?e emperour he wende. Noble ^iftes he hrnjef i and fair present hi?w sende. 12
So ]>at he made him vnder him i hext Justice of is londe. To don and hote wat he wolde f nor is jift «w<£ nor is sonde. ., ^gyS* pis Justice wende to Juliane i J?o^ is^ power jwas. And, wende hire habbe as is spouse i ac he failede of is as. 1 6 pis maide him uaire vnswerde i leue sire heo sede Bote we be bo]?e of one lawe J we ne mowe nojt be of one rede , Cristene womman icha?w iwis i I ne reche ho it wite. Bicome cristene for my loue i and me J>ou hast bi^ite. 20
Sori was ]?is lu]?er man J he nuste ]?o wat he mijte. Wuste ]?is he sede1 ]?e emperour i he wolde lu]?er ]?e dijte. ^if we cristene be]? bo]?e f we wor]?e]? sone dede. penne our loie were al ido i ]>at we scholde to gadere lede. 24 Ihote2 icham alle cristenemew f to de]?e do vp myn o]?e. peruore lemmon turn ]?i ^ofi'/and haue reu]?e of ous bo]?e. Leue sire qua]? }?<zt maide f jif ]?ou art adrad f Of ]?e emperour }>at is erliche3 man f iwis J?ou art amad. 28
1 Read (he sede). " if j?e Emperor knew ]m (said he). 2" Commanded." 3
82 SEYN JULIAN. (ASHMOLE MS. 43.)
pei is power be non such f sone it wole ago. Ac dred god ]>at power ha]? f of ech jnwg euermo. Foi. 255.] Swi]?e sori was ]?is lu]?er man f }>at he ne mijte hire }?0}t wende rv To habbe conseil of hire fader f after hiw he let sende. 32
po hi to gadere come f to gadere hi made gret feste. And fondede hire clene ]?ojt i to chauwge ]?oru uair biheste. po hi speke uairest wij? hire f ]?is maide hem }af answere Icholle holde )ai ichabbe itake f je ne do]? me ]?er of no dere. 36 At o word je ne twrne]? me nojt t £er aboute ^e spille}? bre]?. Do]? me wat pyne }e wolle]? f uor I ne drede nojt ]?en de]?. ]}& hi seie ]?at ]?is maide f hire ]?ojt chauwgi nolde. Hire fad^r bitok hire ]>e Justice i to do wi]? hire wat he wolde. 40 pe Justice let hire strupe naked f and legge hire plat to grownde. Six knyjtes eode hire aboute f and made hire mony a wouwde. Hi leide hire on wi]? harde scorges f }>#t hi weri were. Euer lay ]?is maide and louj f as hire noting nere. 44
po hi seie hire stable ]?ojt f ]?at heo nas in none fere. Hi nome and henge hire up abem f bi ]?e tresses of hire here, per bi heo heng half an day i knyjtes bi ne]?e stode. Wi]? scourges hi leide euer vpon ; ]>at [heo] stremd al ablode. 48 pe more twrment ]>ai hi hire dude f ]?e bet hi hire paide1 po hi ne mijte hor wille habbe f adoun hi nome }?is maide. ^w(? bed hire twrne biuore hire de]? i hire ]?ojt on alle wise. And J»ench on hire heie kuwne i and hire owe gentrise. 52
po hi ne mijte uor noting i bringe hire of hire ]?ojt. A chetel wol of iwelled bras f biuore ]?is maide was ibrojt. y» Hi jote adoun aboue hire scoldren f as heo vpri^t stod.
Bi rug and wombe it orn adoun f as it were flod. 56
JFram ]>e necke to ]>e fot ; ech stude it ]?oruj soutje. Euer stod ]ns holi maide f as hire no]?mg ne roujte. Louerd muche is ]?i myjte i so muche iweld bras. In hire wouwdede bodi ne greuede nojt'f uair miracle ]>er was. 60 Wod wro]? was ]>o ]?e Justice f he het his men hire lede. In to strong prison and bouwde hire faste f uorte me nome o]>er to rede.2
1 From Pacare. 2 Corr. Uorte nime o]?er rede.
SEYN JULIAN. (ASHMOLE MS. 43.)
po ]?is maide in prison was f ]?e deuel to hire wende.
In fourme of an angel '. and sede ]?0t our louerd him Jmder sende. 64
Forto saui hire iram ]>e de]? i and wissi hire wel to done.
pat heo tormentes uorte fle f dude1 ]?e Justices bone.
Vor our lord hadde of hire reu]?e i and wilnede hire lif.
And leuere hadde ]?en heo were ded f ]>at heo were iwedded to wif. 68
pis maide stod in grete ]?o?t I ]>at he hire ]?erto gan rede. [Foi. 26.] ,
And ]>at our lord hire so het f bi him as he sede. ^ fy^f'*/'7
Heo sat akne and bad our lord f ]>at he hire scholde lere.2
Wel to done and warny ek f wat ]?e messager were. "<? 72 '
As heo sat in hire orison f heo hurde a uois ,]>at sede.
Bejtudeuast in ]>i bileue f <w<Z icA ]>e wole wel rede.
Ac ]>e messager aske wat he be f and ne haue of him no drede.
And nym him uaste uor icholle f be wi]? ]?e in eche neode. 76 '
po ]?e maide Jns ihurde f ]?en-xleuel heo nom wel uaste.
Heo made ]>e signe of ]>e crois l. and to hire fet him caste. ^
Tel me heo sede wat ]?ou art f o]?er icholle ]?e quelle.
Leuedi he sede let me go f and icholle ]>e sone telle. ^ ^Jg) xU- ^^';
!N"ay ];ou schalt abide her f ]?is maide sede ]?o.
Y_pfJe fou me telle wat ]>ou art f aw^ J?a^ne ]?ou schalt go.
po sede he icham a deuel f ich hote belial. ^
Ajen ech mawnes good dede f ich can do lujer gal. 84
po adam <m<Z eue wolde f in godes seruice be.
Ich hem brojte in dedliche suwne f }?oru ]?e apel of ]?e tre.- J^*,
Bitwene caym was muche loue f and abel is broker.
Ich made ]?oru a lutel enuye i Tpai on sle ]>at o]>er.
Ich made ihesus on ]?e rode deie f ac ]?«t we se]?]?e abojte.
And herodes ]?e children sle f ]>o me ihe«w« so^te
Ichabbe ymad men o]?er sle f and scipes iw ]?e se drenche.
Alle wo ichabbe aner]?e ido ; ]?at maw may on ]?enche.
Ho sende ]?e huder qua]? ]?e maide f £e4euel-a$en sede.
Satan oure maister ]>at is atom f. ]?at schal ous alle rede.
^if he send jou qua]? ]?is maide f to eny holi mawne.
And $e ne mowe him nojt ouercome f wat de]? he wi]?
l?awne. 96
2 Compare On cneowum sittende ^Ifr. Oros. III. ix.
•^
84: SEYN JULIAN. (ASHMOLE MS. 43.)
pawne ne done we qua]? ]?e deuel f biuore our maister wende. Oure acouwtes uorte jelde f ac [he] let ous of sende. And }if we awer be]? ifouwde i he let ous bete sore, per uore wewne we fynde]? eny mow f stable iw godes lore. 100 "We fonde]? him in lu]?er ]?o$t i to bringe myd al our mijte. ,X\ Ac anon he mai ous ouercome f jif he wole ajen ous fijte.
Vor we nabbe]? power no mow to bringe f iw suwue ajen is mode. Yor ihesus bynom ous ]?ulke mijte '. J?o he deide on ]?e rode. 104 Of al ]>at ichabbe aner]?e igo i so clanliche ouercome. Neuer Inas as icA nou am i my mijte me is bynome. [Foi. 266.] Maide uor ]?yn hendescipe i ]?ou haue mercy of me.
Let me go at ]?is one tyme i Ine schal neuereft derie }e. 108 Alas ]>at Inadde er iwust : wat me scolde bitide. Certes qua]? ]?e maide ]?o i jut ]?ou schalt abide, pis maide nom ]?is foule best f 0w<? faste it gan bynde. Myd a raketeie \ai aboute hire was f his honden him bihinde. 112 Myd ano]?er Irene raketeie i heo bet him swi]?e sore. And euer sede ]?is foulde best ' hende maide ]>yn ore. Haue reu]?e of ]?i wreche prison i and ]?ench ]>at ]?ou art fre. Inabbe icome nei non i ]wt me dorste hondli ne ise. 116
And ]?ou me darst ]>us tormewti f alas wi ne mai icA fle. Wi artou so strong maidenhod f ]?#t ]?ou ne mijt ouercome be. Alas maidenhod alas f wi woltou wi]? ous fijte. Maidens ichulle euereft drede f Inabbe ajen hem no mijte. 120 pe wule ]?is maide tormentede f ]?w« ]?is foule wijt. "^pe Justice het ]?is maide uette f biuore him anon ri^t. pe maide nom ]?is foule best f #w^ after hire it drouj. Leue leuedi he sede }\n ore i iscend icham Inouj. 124
!Ne make ]?ou namo mew gawen on me '. nartou corteis and hewde. pench ]?#t maidens scolde milde be .' and bring me of ]?is bende. War1 is kuwde of }>i maidenhod f }>ai scholde be milde and stille. And ]?ou art a^en me so sturne f hou mijtou habbe ]?e wille. 128 So longe he on ]?is maide cride i as heo him drouj and ladde. After hire ]?oru cheping f ]?at reu]?e of him heo hadde. A chaumbre foreine heo isei f al ope to ward J>e strete. Yol it was of uel]?hede f old and al uorlete. 1 32
1 « Where."
SEYN JULIAN. (ASHMOLE MS. 43.) 85
J?is maide nom )?is foule ]>ing i and caste it amydde.
<r*'' .
Vor it was good Inou to him f bineJ7e and eke aboue.
Dai ]?at wolde neschere l bed f him biseche o]>er bidde. Vor it was good Inou to him f bine]>e and eke aboue. Wat seggej? ^e segge icA so]? f ne lie} nojt for is loue. ' fy 136
jut nolde ]?is lu]7er mew f ]>ai iseie al Jris dede.
Bileue on god and twrne hor J?o^t f ac }?e more hire wi)> sede.
J?o heo biuore J?e Justice com f hi wolde chauwge hire J70jt.
-4m? bihete hire prute and gret nobleie f ac al ne huld it nojt. 140
A wgoLx>£JrjOwi)>e strong f biuore hire hi caste. (jJ/£A- ^ ^
Al were ]?e velion2 aboute i wi]? rasours istiked faste. _ ^,^m
J?e weol hi twrnde aboute f )>e maide ]>er bi hi sette.
Bepe_;&ode in laire naked flech f ]>e rasours kene iwette.3 144
Jtat }>o hire flech was al icorue i so depe hi wode and gnowe. [Foi. 27.]
]pat ]?e bones hi to slitte f and ]>e marw out drowe.
j?e marw sprong out ...al aboute.' so outcome heo was
J?«t heo al mest jef }>en gost i and no wonder it nas. 148
Of al ]>at me drou hire tender lymes f it ne reu hire nojt enes sore.
Ac euer sede Ipat ihesu crist f ]?olede uor hire more.
Glade were ]?o ]?e lu]?^ men f ]>at so nei ]?e de)>e hire seie. /^ .
Ac our loumles wille nas it nojt f ]>at heo scholde ]?e ^ut deie. 152 '
An angel myd a naked swerd f to )?e weol alijte ^fL^~tl*Jtu
And hew it al to smale peces f ]>er was godes mijte. J-C^TW c^J^
And ]?is maide eode-jioj^a^hol f as hire nojnwg nere
Sore dradde ]?is lu]>er men i }>at ^ere aboute were. 156
Our lord crist can so is fon f wen is wille is afere. Vif hondred twrnde to him f uor jmlke miracle ]?ere. And an hondred wemmen and ]?ritti f \er ne bileuede nojt on. pat YIS lu]>er men in ]>e place f ne let biheuedi echon. Toward ]?is maide ]>e Justice ; uor wra]?J7e was nei wod. He let make of wpde and col i a strong fur and good. Amydde he let J>is maide caste f uor heo frobrewne scholde. Hi wende hire to sle anon f ac our lord it nolde. An angel \er com and )>is fur f to spradde wide and drouj. Amydde ]?e place ]>e maide stod i harmles and glad Inouj. Heo ]?onkede god and sat akne i and hire orison sede. _pe Justice sede wat scholle we do i wat schal ous to rede. 1 Softer. 2 Fellies. 3 Whetted.
86 SEYN JULIAN. (ASHMOLE MS. 43.)
"We ne scholle fis foule wiche i ouercome wif no dede. ^if no fur ne mai hire brewne i in led we scholle hire brede. , A chetel he sette ouer f e fur i and fulde it uol of lede. pis maide isei fis led boili f heo nas noting in drede. 172
Anow so heo was \er Inne ido i fat fur bigan to sprede. ( Fram f e chetel it hupte aboute i in lengf e and in brede.
Sixti mew and seuentene f it barnde in f e place. } Of lufer men ]>at stode ]>er hi i fer was godes grace, 176
Amydde f e chetel fis maide stod i al hoi wif f oute harm. pat led fat bolynde was .' vnnef e it f o^te hire warm. pe Justice bigan to wepe and crie i fo he fis isei Yor is men uorbarnd were f witles he was nei. 180
Wat dof je he sede myne godes i is joure mi^te jou bynome Schal a womman wif hire wichiwge f ous alle ouercome, [Foi. 276.] Helped l me nou ^if je mowe f fat we ne be brojt to scame.
Heo ne schal me wraffi fw« nammore' Ichulle pleie anofer game. 184
Com uorf he sede my mawquellare f led f is hore fram me. And smyt of hire heued wif f oute f e toun f fat ich neuereft hire ise. Glad was f is holi maide i f o heo wnste hire ende. Yor heo wuste after hire tormewtes f wider heo scholde wende. 188 J;, Heo f onkede uaste Ihesu crist ' fat after hire wolde sende. (o Go swife heo sede to f e quellare f and bring me of fis bende. As me ladde fis holi maide ' toward hire martirdom. Belial fis foule deuel f wel glad bihynde com. 192
Ne sparef nojt he sede ac heief uaste f fat heo of dawe be. Nabbef of hire nammore reuf e i fen heo hadde of me. Nolde heo nof ing spare me f of al fat ich hire bad. Ynnefe ic^ dar on hire loke f so sore icham adrad. 196
po fis maide hurde fis '. hire eien up heo casta A out out f e deuel sede f holdef hire nou uaste. Leste heo efsone cacche me f and fat me vuel bitidde. Fie ichulle f e wule f ich mai f dof fat ich ^ou bidde. 200
Ac f ei heo him hadde icau^t i and ileid as clene. In as uair bed as heo dude er f dait fat him wolde bymene.2 1 MS. Helped. 2 Bemoan.
'"
*x SEYN JULIAN. (ASHMOLE MS. 43.) 87
po heo com to f ulke stude i as heo scholde biheded be. - P^y"* iJr ^
To our lord heo made hire orison i and sat adoun akne. 204
pe quellare as heo bed hire beden '. adrouj is swerd wel kene. fy*jl
He smot of hire heued fram f e bodi i fat it uel in f e grene.
Angles were jare anon i hire soule uorte auonge.
pus heo bojte f e blisse of heuene f wif tormewte* stronge. 208 pt ^
Hire bodi hi lette ligge f hi nolde it burie nojt.
Vor bestes it scholde todrawe f and fat was hore f ojt.
A good womman fat het sophie f wonede f er biside.
Burie heo J?o}te fat holi bodi f wat so hire scholde bitide. 212
Vor \er nere none cristenemew f lede heo it bojte to rome.
1 *'•••-" ^ju^
Al bi scipe to burie it fere f ac f o hi in to f e scipe come.
pe wynd com and drof hor scip ' in to anof er londe.
In to fe londe of cawpanye i and f er it gan at stonde. 216
po hi ne mijte hor scip f awne bringe f hi nome f oru godes grace.
And burede f is bodi iftj?e_se '. in a wel uaire place. <^^r"/>
per it is jut uaire honoured i ac f o f e tiding was icome.
To f e Justice fat fis bodi was ' awei ilad and ynome. 220
He nom wif him uoure and f ritti mew ' and afterward he gan [Foi. 28.]
wende.
^if he mijte fis bodi of take i more he f ojte it scende. Amidde f e se f er com a wynd i as it were uor f e none. And caste hor scip vp to doun f and adreynte hem euerichone. 224 ,.j
pe Justice wreche bodi seff e f f e se to londe caste. And bestes and foweles it to drowe i f e wile f er apece ilaste. po hadde he is owe dom f fat he wolde f e maide scende. Ipus Seyw Julian f e holi maide i hir lif brojte to ende. 228
-~, /0~*
GLOSSAEY.
Adet, p. 51 = 0> >eet.
As, p. 81 = ^Ej-ce, gen. -an, f.
Aual, p. 33 = French Avale ; raJJer j?an Apell not in diet.
Axtreo, p. 57, axletree.
Beali, p. 73 = ]?8Bt bealuwe.
Berde, p. 53, from Bere, a voice, in Owl, 7 N; in La^amon; in Blooms ; in G. Douglas. Also Holy Rood, Index. Iberde, behaved = Gebaarde, Bed. 600, 32
BisteaSet, p. 31, gl. to S. Marh.
Biwihelin, p. 57. See gl. to S. Marh, on Piken.
Buc, p. 71, trunk. Pals. Dis. MS. p. 159.
Budeles, p. 17 = Bybelaj-.
Buste, p. 24, lasted
Cheping, p. 52; p. 84, 1. 130. Ceaping, market. On p. 53. B. text is faulty.
Cnawes, p. 55.
Crechen, p. 35.
Dai, Dait, p. 85, 1. 134; 1. 202. "Dehait, Dehe, Dehez, impre cation, qui a la meme significa tion que le Vae ! des Latins." Roquefort.
Dahene, p. 31. Dagena, a well sustained form.
Diche, p. 73, a slip of ]?e pen, wi]?out sense.
Erndi, p. 78.
Pischal, p. 59. Yarrells Pishes I. p. 350.
Ga o grene, p. 73 : ambiguous.
Gal, p. 83, 1. 84 : 5al a subst. on which is built Galjzull.
Gencling, p. 56. s. ^uhelung.
Godes, p. 47. of good (in respect of) as in Greek and Latin : so Beaduweorca beteran. Chron. 937.
^uhelung, p. 57, magnificence. In his Psalter, Ps. Ixvii. 37, Spel- man has printed as gloss on Magnificentia, Gennelung; ]?is is a word of anomalous form, destitute of krS and kin. Graff gives ur Guol, insignis, Guollih, gloriosus, Guollihi, gloria, Guol- lihheit, gloria, Guollichon, gloriari ; and ]?ese glosses enable us to correct Spelman, and read Geuuelung, magnificentia : which makes it plain J?at Mr. Brock should have read Geuel- ing on p. 56.
^etede, p. 7. See gl. to Lajamon.
Hap, p. 61.
Heascede, p. 5 : from, I presume, Husc ; to say for Eascede would involve a figure of speech not prettily named.
Her on uuen, p. 53, an error of ]?e penman for Heonne, as in R.
Hire ane, p. 31. Scottish "Her lane."
90
GLOSSARY.
Hutung. Huting, p. 53.
Ilatet, p. 33, perhaps of J>e lions,
visaged, from Lates, looks. Iburst, p. 69. from Bujij-r, bristle. Inune, p. 5. I read as Imane =
gemaene. Iswechte, p. 2, I read as TC-
j-penct. Kenchinde, in gl. to Hali M. read
risus excussus. Leirwite, in Higden ed. Gale, p.
202, is emenda pro corruptione
nativa, it is J>erefore an apoko-
pate form of Fopiligeripite,
punishment for unchaste deeds.
Hence corr. gl. H. M. Leoten, p. 22, p. 75, esteem, pr.
Lette. Lajam. 22753. Leoten, p. 75, abandon. Lsetan. Lihan, p. 3 ; p. 29 ft. ; 37, dis appoint. In Lyes diet. Leogan.
— luker, p. 7 1 . See Hali M. , p.
25,1.19; St.Marh.,p.23, 1. 11;
H.M. p. 41,1. 32. Lut, p. 77, few. Hali M., p. 19,
1. 6. Makelese, seems immaculate, ra]>er
ban matchless in St.Marh.,p. 17,
1. 16.
Nabich, p. 28=Ke habbe ic. Nam, p. 29 = Ne am = Ne com. Nestfalde, p. 33. None, p. 86, 1. 223. Nunan, p. 73 = Nu anan. 0>er, p. 27. Read 0>e, as p. 26,
On ]>e : j?gejie is out of place. Postles, p. 57. Prisun, p. 84, prisoner, so Wooing
o. 0. L., fol. 128, c.
Rawen, p. 21. See Somners
glossary: from "D." Se, pp. 31, 33. so, exaggerative.
Moyses ferst in his lawe told
A chyld J?er xuld be born so bold
To beje ajyn )>at Adam sold.
Sleatten, p. 53, slot, let loose, laid on track, pe subst. occ. Chron. 1087, granted \e riht to lay dogs on. Earles ed. p. 225 top. Ano]?er use takes an account of J?e game. Man fleatte J?a aenne jzeapjr periin^a Jsejr- uce. M. H., fol. 62, b. }e people worried wi]> dogs a bull, Of bole slatyng. Alysaundre, 200. So Halliwell in Slate from Yorkshire.
Spurede, p. 59, spurred. Mib fpujium, Gr. D.,5, b. wty spurs.
Steorue, p. 49, gl. to St. Marh.
Studgi, studge, gl. to St. Marh.
Stutten, p. 51, gl. to St. Marh.
Tendrin, p. 29, seems to come from Tynbjie, tinder, and Tenban.
Top, pp. 29, 71, applied here to ]>e topknot of hair.
Unrudelic, p. 55=Un£eri9eblice.
Wei, p. 21, Va! "Wei la ! wei, wellaway, whence Wail. But Text R. is more acceptable.
Wicche, p. 41, magus.
Windi, p. 11, related to Windan in -ZEtpinban, and so forS.
pin anes help, p. 31, tuum ipsius auxilium.
pen anes, p. 71, ]>e nonce, as spell ing goes now.
STEPHEN AUSTIN AND SONS, PRINTERS, HERTFORD.
CORRECTIONS.
Pp. 2, 3, titles, read liflade. P. 9, line 5, read bijeted.
P. 53, line 12; p. 57, line 6, read milzfule, milzful, /or miltsfule, miltsful.
P. 63, version line 3, correct as opposite.
P. 75, line 15, uppart error of penman for uppajrc, upwart.
A ROMANCE IN SEVEN-LINE STANZAS.
BERLIN: ASHER & CO., 63 MOHRENSTRASSE.
NEW YORK : C. SCRIBNER & CO. ; LEYPOLDT & HOLT.
PHILADELPHIA : J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
A BOMANCE IN SEVEN-LINE STANZAS.
EDITED FROM
THE UNIQUE PAPER MS. IN TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE (ABOUT 1440 A.D.),
W. ALDIS WRIGHT, ESQ., M.A.,
HONORARY FELLOW AND BURSAR OF TRINITY COLL., CAMBRIDGE, BDITOB oj 'BACON'S ESSAYS,' 'THE BIBLE WOBDBOOK,' ETC.; JOINT EDITOB QJS
'CAHBBIDGE SHAKSFERE,' ETC.
LONDON:
PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY, BY N. TRUBNER & CO., 57 & 59, LUDGATE HILL.
MDCCCLXXVIII.
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CLAY AND TAYLOR, PRINTERS, BXiKGAT.
PEEFACE.
THE present version of the story of Generydes is printed from a MS. in the Library of Trinity College, Cambridge, where it forms part of the Gale collection, and is marked 0. 5. 2. - From the fact that in the same volume are Lidgate's Siege of Troy and his Siege of Thebes, the whole volume was catalogued as Lidgate's Poems, and consequently the existence of an entirely unknown poem was not suspected. When Mr. Furnivall was engaged upon his edition of the Helmingham MS. of Syr Generides for the Eoxburghe Club in 1866, my attention was directed to some printed fragments of another version of the story in seven-line stanzas which had been discovered by Mr. Bradshaw in the binding of an old volume in our Library, Michaelis Menoti Sermones Qitadragesimales, Paris, 1525 ; a volume which had formerly belonged to Edmund Castell, the well-known Oriental scholar. After copying these for Mr. Furnivall, I found some other fragments of the same version among the papers of Sir John Fenn, the editor of the Paston Letters, which were in the possession of Mr. Philip Frere of Dungate, who had inherited them from his father, Sergeant Frere, the nephew and adopted son of Lady Fenn. These also I transcribed and forwarded to Mr. Furnivall, and a week later, accidentally opening the volume of Lidgate's Poems among the Gale MSS., my eye was attracted by the name ' Generydes/ and to my great satisfaction upon further examination I discovered that the MS. contained all but one leaf of the seven-line stanza version. It is a large folio, measuring 1 7^ inches by 1 2, vellum, and was written about the middle of the 15th century. No inference can be drawn from the fact that it is bound up with Lidgate's Sieges of Troy and Thebes, for it appears, upon closely examining it, to have been originally in a volume by itself, or to have formed a part of
vi PREFACE.
another volume. The evidence of this is that the edges of the book are adorned with coats of arms, but these ornaments do not extend over the portion occupied by the story of Generydes, which was therefore, in all probability, originally distinct. At the end of the Siege of Troy occurs the signature ' Antonius Thwaites me possidet,' and at the end of the volume ' Henry Thwayts ' and ' Henry Thwaites/ Anthony Thwaites may have been the son or descendant of John Thwaites of Hardingham, Norfolk, who married Anne, daughter of Sir "William Knevet, and died 22 Henry VII., leaving a son Anthony (Blomefield's Norfolk, v. 1198, folio ed.). The book has evidently been in the Thwaites and Knevet families, for their arms are found in various combinations on the margins; and as the Thwaites arms do not appear in the first part, which contains the story of Generydes, whereas the Knevet arms are of frequent occurrence, it is possible that this may have belonged originally to the Knevet family, and may have been bound up with the Lidgate portion after the above- mentioned marriage of John Thwaites with Anne Knevet. The other coats of arms 1 have been unable to trace with any certainty. To do so would involve a minute and curious, but certainly lengthy investigation, and is altogether foreign to the purpose of this preface. As a further proof that the Generydes portion of the volume was originally distinct from the rest, I may add that the signatures of the quires, which, except the last, consist of eight leaves, are quite separate from those of the quires that follow, which evidently began a volume. Of the Generydes part there were originally 38 leaves, but one of these has been cut out, leaving a gap of 187 lines in the MS. after 1. 4619. There are two columns in a page and an average of 45 lines in a column. The handwriting is very like that of the Siege of Troy and the Siege of Thebes, which follow, and all may have been the work of the same scribe.
The questions of the authorship of the English version and the source of the story are as obscure now as they were when Mr. Furnivall's edition of the other text appeared. I have applied to both M. Gaston Paris, and M. Paul Meyer, but neither of them has met with any French version of the story. It must have been sufficiently popular to have been twice translated into English, and
PREFACE. Vll
possibly may still be lying hid in some unexpected quarter. The disappearance of the original is scarcely more remarkable than the almost as complete disappearance of the printed edition, of which only a few mutilated fragments are known to exist. These, in all probability, belong to that which was licensed to Thomas Purfoote, as appears by the Eegisters of the Stationers' Company for the year 22 July, 1568—22 July, 1569, where the following entry occurs (Arter's Reprint, i. 389) :—
purfoote Eecevyd of thomas purfoote for his lycense for pryntinge of a boke intituled GENERYDES iiijd
From the poem itself we get no clue as to the original. The translator, to eke out his verse, occasionally introduces such phrases as ' the story tellith it me ' (651), « Mynne Auctour seith ' (686), ' myn Auctour tellith me' (967), < as the writeng seyth* (1081), ' myn Auctour doth witnesse' (1166), 'the story doth witnesse' (1348), 'the Story tellith me' (1648), 'the story makith mynde ' (2131), ' I me reporte onto the letterys blake ' (4526), ' as my Auctor doth write ' (6002), ' in the story leke as I do fynde ' (6732) ; but he tells us no more. In the Koxburghe Club version there is a French original spoken of, and a Latin translation from it by a clerk at Hertford, but here the information ends.
' Now of a geste that was sum tyme, That was radde in frensh ryme : A clerk itt in to latyn tooke Att hertford out of a booke, There in latin was it wretin, As clerkes wele knowen and weten.'
In order that those who read the story may not be interrupted by the gap which occurs in consequence of the loss of a leaf from the MS., I give in brief the missing portion from the other version.
After the slaughter of Sir Yuell, Generydes makes his way to the ship in company with Clarionas and the lavender, and reaches Persia in safety, where they are welcomed by the Sultan, who makes a great feast in honour of their return. After the first course had been served, appear three messengers from Auferius to the Sultan, begging him to send his son Generydes to assist him in recovering his lost kingdom
Vili PREFACE.
of India from Sir Amelok. The Sultan, who now hears for the first time that Generydes is a king's son, offers him half Persia and his daughter Clarionas in marriage. Generydes in return asks for a hundred knights, that he may win his father's heritage, and desires that his marriage with Clarionas may be put off till he comes back as a conqueror and can make her Queen of India. The Sultan grants his request, and allows Darel and those who were knighted with Generydes to accompany him. But when the plan was communicated to Clarionas she was filled with dismay.
The story then goes on as in the text.
I have in almost all cases printed the MS. as it is written, except where there was an obvious error destructive to the sense of a passage. In such instances I have sometimes corrected the text, putting the MS. reading at the foot of the page, and sometimes have introduced the correction in the Glossary. But I have not always attempted to fill up the defective or correct the irregular lines, and have sometimes left the reader to amend the text for himself. Professor Zupitza, in the first volume of Anglia, pp. 481 — 483, has printed some conjectural emendations, some of which I had already made in the margin of my own copy. They are included in the following list of correction : —
In 34 after pite insert was. In 39 for lesse read lest, as Professor Zupitza suggests. In 146 for sofhe read soche. In 307 for also read al so. In 308 Professor Zupitza conjectures that we should read preyse for plese. In 335 omit be. In 414 omit to. In 454 for hem read me, as Zupitza suggests, where the MS. has he. In 601 for fourth read fourth with. In 707 for renew read remew = remeve. In 864 the MS. has tell vs att it is, for which I originally conjectured telle what it is, or telle all as it is. I now think the true reading is telle it as it is. Zupitza conjectures as att (= that) it is ; but when at or att in this poem is used as a relative it is always preceded by 'that.' See 347, 591, 4388. In 1042 for send read sendeth. In 1163 the reference to the foot-note is omitted before Ayre. Omit full-stop at end of 1190. In 1330 for obeyed read obeye. In 1383 after all insert that, and omit that in 1386. In 1446 omit the second he. In 1455 Zupitza conjectures wrought for sought. In
PREFACE. IX
1460 Zupitza suggests that Anasere should be printed instead of Anasore, because it is made to rhyme with prisoners and ther. Per haps he is right, though in another passage, 2061, I had changed ther to thore for the sake of the rhyme, as the form thore occurs in 3394, 4316. The same correction would apply to 1725 (MS. Ana- sare), 2059, 2592, 2858, to which may be added 5575. In the present text, however, the forms of the name vary between Anasore and Anasare, while in the Roxburgh e Club version we find Anazaree and Anazare, and I do not feel certain that after all the instances noticed by Zupitza may not be cases of imperfect rhymes. In the various readings given from the printed fragments at p. 224 it will be seen that in 2059 the printed text has Anazere, but then in the next line the reading is altered to that there were. To proceed with the correction of the text : in 1556 omit hoole. In 1633 Zupitza conjectures ye rebulte for lie rebukitli ; perhaps the single change of tie to ye would be sufficient. In 1765 put a comma at the end of the line. In 2130 read traytourly. In 2481, 2482 something is wrong. Zupitza proposes to omit That in the first line. I would suggest the insertion of it ranne after baJc in the second. See 2678. In side-note against 2524 for Mountenor read Mountoner. In 2576 the MS. has hyn, which I have corrected to hym, a form of hem which occurs more than once in the poem. Zupitza suggests hem. In 2682 withoute moo should not be between inverted commas. See Zupitza's note on Guy of "Warwick, 719. In 2831 for man of age we should probably read maner age. In the side-note opposite 3018 for p. 60 read p. 69. In 3087 Zupitza suggests left for lost. In 3125 there is a corruption. We should probably read Thus for This, and the next word may be read towardly in the MS. In 3246 for on read on to. In 3297 for to fight read for to fight. In 3347 for his read he his ; but there is still a corruption in the passage, as is seen from the faulty rhyme. Perhaps we should read whanne he him understode. In 3392 for knew read knew how. In 3412 for take read to take. In 3414 after councell insert the; and in 3416 after sone insert be made, as Zupitza suggests. In 3570 for specially read speciall. In 3635 for siciff read swift. In 3695, 3696 transfer the comma from
X PREFACE.
voyse to courte. The number of leaf 20 should be opposite 3712. In 3761 ioisaid read saide, as MS. In 3780 omit luell and the full-stop at the end of the line, and in 3781 insert ride after cowde. At the end of 3859 omit note of exclamation. In 3921 the MS. has on on; per haps we should read and on. In 4069 for after now read now after. In the marginal note opposite 4201 for Four read A few. "For 2467 read 4267 (p. 136). In 4489 the line should be amended by reading at all aventure. In 4702 for be read he, as MS. In 5333 for noo read non. In 5628 for lorde read lady ; and in 5651 omit on after lay. In 5664 omit mayde ; and in 5705 for liir read his. In 5718 after please insert it. In 5821 insert on before apace. In 5858 for ganne yei fall read yei fill. In 5894 omit ought. In 6029 for thorough read thorough out. In 6087 for euerychone read euerych ; and insert so before stronge in 6091. In 6195 for them read hym. In 6271 the metre may be amended by reading Ther to Abide to tyme, &c. In 6296, 6297 there is some corruption, probably due to the omis sion of some lines. At the end of 6443 omit comma. In 6569 for swounyng read swoune. On p. 211, 1. 9614 should be 6614 ; and in the following line non should be inserted after of. In 6619 insert the before tideng. In 6640 for place read pales = palace. In 6693 for in read in to. In 6718 insert was glad or was fayn before of. There is a corruption in 6821, but I do not see my way to a restora tion of the text. In 6966 read, for the sake of the metre, All as myn Auctour doth reherse. In the marginal note, 3435, for untrew read untrue; and add ERBYS, sb. herbs, 6821, to the Glossary.
Besides these there may be many others, but they are not such as to cause a reader any difficulty, and the remedy is generally very obvious.
The Glossary will, I trust, be found fairly complete.
W. A. W.
Trinity College, Cambridge.
December 7, 1878.
GENEEYDES.
In olde Romans and storys as I rede, Of Inde Somtyme ther was a nobyH kyng, lentiH, curteys, fuH trew in worde and dede, Wyse and manly preuyd in euery thyng, To his people fuH good and eke lovyng, Mighty and ryche, a man of nobyH fame, And Auferius this was -the kynges name.
This worthy prince hadde weddyd in serteyne A fayre lady, and comne of nobyH kynne ; And what pleasure he cowde for her ordeyne, That shuld be do, ther was noo lette therin ; In euery thyng he dede hyr loue to wynne, He hadde nomore to lese and that he knewe, ffor afterward she was to hym vntrewe.
Hire fader was a man of grete powre, And kyng of aufrike as I vnderstonde, his doughter quene of Inde as ye shall here, kepyng right grete estate withynne the lande, And aH the reme obeyed to hyre hande ; And of hyr name to telle withoutyn lese, The story seytfr she hight Serenydes.
This kyng of ynd, of whom I spake before, hadde a Styward a man of grete renown, he gouernyd the centre bothe lesse and more, Also he hadde the Rule of euery towne, And namely tho that longyd to the crowne : him for to plese the pepiH were fuH fayne, And ser amelok his name was for sertayne.
GENERYDES. 1
Qeafl]
Auferius, king of India,
a man of noble fame,
3 married a fair lady, Serenydes, daughter to the king of Africa,
11
1 4 wn° was
unfaithful to him.
15
18
21 22
His Steward, Sir Amelok, who governed the country,
25
28
2 KING AUFERIUS LOSES HIS WAY OUT HUNTING.
was very intimate Kot long after ther felle suclie aqueyntaunce 29
Betwix the Quene and hym, that allway stitt hire mynde, hyr thought, was sette to his plesaunce, All his desire hooly for to fulfill, 32
And whenne he lyste she was aH atte his wille ; Gret pite that she in suche a wyse Shuld sette hyr wurchippe atte so litiH prise. 35
One day the king, Vppon a day the kyng4 for his disporte 36
An huntyng1 went onto a fayre forest, Whanne he was sadde to putte hym in coumfort, he lefte his men at home bothe most and lesse, 39
Save iiij or v suche as hym semyd best, And forth he gothe ther as the hartys hye, his houndys were oncopelyd by and by. 42
witn four or fiv attendants,
rode a hunting into a fair forest,
and Was separated from his companions.
An hert was fownde among the holtys hye, 43
And vppe vppofi his fete he was a nofi ;
The houndys went after with a mery crye,
The kyng rode after aH hym self alone, 46
TyH he hadde lost his knyghtes euerychone,
The houndes and the hert that was be fore,
"Withynne a while they harde of them nomore. 49
So rode he fourth as noo thyngge he rougrit, 50
He lost his way, hys game was lost, his knyghtes for]>e be hynde, And specially on them was aii his thought, For houghe they were he wyste not them to fynde, 53 Thus rydith he sore trobelyd in his mynde ; The day was gonne, wherefore right hertely To god he prayd to send hym) some remedy. 56
hut rode on And, As god wold, hym) happyd in a waye,
till he came to
a road which Whiche brought hym) streyte to a goodly place ;
led to a house, . , , . , . . ..
And as his goodis is redy to purvaye
57
A MAIDEN, SEREYNE, WELCOMES AUFERIUS TO HER HOUSE.
ffor good people in euery nedefuH case,
With that counfort he rode a better pase,
And whenne that he was come nygfi. hande derate,
A fayre mayde ther openyd hym) the gate.
GO
when a fair maiden opened 63 the gate
She seid he was welcome to that ostage, There were nomore but she and other twayri), One of them was a man) right ferre in age, The toder was hyr may den) in sertayne, To make hym chere they dede ther besy payn), To hyr chaunbyr she brought hym) verily, Whiche was arayed right wele and richely.
6 4 and welcomed him.
She and her mail and an old man 67 were the only inhabitants,
and she brought him 70 to her chamber,
In that chaunber ther was an hanged bedde, 71
Of sylk and gold fuH curyously wrought,
And ther vppon) a shete of launde was spredde,
As clenly dressed as it cowde be thought : 74
' And nowe,' qwod she, ' that ye be hedyr brought,
Yow to counfort is holy myn entente,
This howse is aH atte your comaundement.' 77
where was a bed with curious hangings.
Anonfi vppon) as she these wordis saide, 78
Ther come an hert in att the chaunber dore
AH embosed ; the kyng* was sore dismayede,
Semyng1 to hym), as it passid in the flore, 81
It was the same he chased in the more ;
This is, thought he, for me some maner trayne,
And ther with [att] she seyde to hym) ageyn) : 84
A hart came in at the chamber door,
which the king thought was the same he had chased.
' Be not a ferde of this sodeyn aventur ;
It is for no harme, it is aH for your beste,
This old fader he knowit very, sure,
Of vij Saugys callid the wysest
That was in Rome, but tJter he myght not rest,
rTuH wekydly he and his vj felawes
In to the see were cast among the wawis.
85 'Be not afraid,' said she, ' it is all for the best,
as the old man knows, who is 88 the wisest of the 7 Sages of Rone.
91
SEREYNE TELLS AUFERIUS OF HIS WIPES UNFAITHFULNESS.
when he was
cast adrift with
his fellows,
he was thrown
on the coasts
and became the council.
And as the grace of god it wold ordeyne, 92
In Surre was this goodman) cast a lande,
Where my fader is kyng1 and souerayne,
Seke and wery ye may wele vnderstonde ; 95
And whanne that he was founde on) the sand,
he sent for hym) to come and not to fayle,
And whenne he came was made chefe of his counceH.
By his advice 1 was sent here,
and 1 pray you now pardon me for what 1 shall say, [leaf 1, back]
He sayde the land of Surry shuld be lost 99
By a Gyaunte, and aH for love of me ;
Wherefore be his avyse in to this cost
I am come here, in lyke wyse as ye see ; 102
And forthermore I praye yow take in gre,
That I shall in your presence declare,
As fortune witt for youre ease and welefare. 105
for to-night a child shall be begotten between us that shall do wonders.
And in this case to telle the mater playne, 106
Of very trougth and make no more delayes,
This nyght ther shall be gotefi betwix vs twayne
A child? that shaH do mervelys in his dayes, 109
And moche a do he shaH haue many wayes
With" grete traveH, and aU eskape right wele,
This old fader canne teH this euery dele. 112
For this cause the hart led you hither.
Yet yon must know that the queen is untrue to you,
Only for this, and for non other thyng, 113
The hert that ye haue chased aH this daye,
he was trewly the cause of your* coniyng1,
And to this place he gidyd yow the weye ; l 116
This is the very trougtfr as I yow saye,
Yet most ye knowe a thynge that is be hynd,
Touchyng the queue, whiche is to yow vnkynd 119
And vtterly ontrew in euery thyng* ; 1 20
She and the Stiward bothe of on) assent, With ther sotilte and false Imageninge, 1 MS. we\e.
SEREYNE WAITS ON AUFERIUS, AND LIES WITH HIM.
130
133
134
Yow to distroye that is ther hoole entente, ffor she is hoole at his commaund[e]ment ; And aH to do yow hurte and hynderaunce, Whiche afterward shalbe to jour plesaunce.'
For these tidynges the kyng abasshid sore,
But ayenward whanne he thought on) that mayde
Anone his cher amendid more and more,
Kemembryng1 the wordis that she sayde
Of his abideng1 ther ; thenne he hyr prayed
To late hym) wete the very certente,
And she answerd ayen) that myght not be.
' This old fader that is my felaw here,
he canne telle that as wele as eny wight,'
The kyng1 hast[ed] to here of this mater1,
And prayed that man) that he wold telle hym) right.
he answered hym) and saide, ' as for that nygfrt
Go to your rest, for that is my councett,
To morow shaH ye knowe withoute fayle.' 140
Anon vpon) ther soper* was redy, 141
She seruyd hym, in1 like wyse as hym) ought,
And euery thing Accordeng1 by and by,
For his plesur* trowly ther lakkyd noght, 144
With aH deyntes trevly as cowde be thought ;
Hyre chere, hyr porte, it was in sothe awyse,
That more goodly that cowde nomafi devise. 147
After soper, withynne a litili space 148
She brought hym) to his bedde with torche light, And eyther stode so wele in otheris grace, That she with hym) layde in armys right ; 151
And what plesure they hadde as for y* nyght, Peraveiitwre fuH good, who so it wist, I canne not saye, deme ye as ye list. 154
1 MS. and in.
123 and with the Steward has plotted your death.' '
126
127 The king was sore abashed,
and asked to know the real cause of his being there,
but she said the old man could tell him,
and this he promised to do next day.
At supper the lady waited upon him, and
after supper brought him to his bed.
AUFERIUS BEGETS A CHILD ON SEREYNE. SHE WEEPS.
It so happened that a child was begotten,
after which the king fell asleep, but the lady lay awake sighing,
letting her tears fall on his shirt; so that he awoke,
saying he feared she repented of his coming.
But how that eu«r it was be twix them) thwayne, 155
It happith, so the writeng1 doth expresse,
That nyght ther was a child goten) certeyn) ;
After his hunteng1 and his besynesse, 158
ffor his traveH and his grete werynes
he felle a slepe, and for to saye yow more
She sleppyd not, but lay and syghid sore. 161
With hyr syghenyng1 a non) with AH she wept, 162
And on his armys dede the terys falle,
That thorough his shirte he felt it as he slept ;
Eight sodenly he brayded and wooke with Aft, 165
And curtesly on hyr he beganne to calle,
* I drede me sore,' quod he, ' in myn) entente
That of my comyng heder ye repente.' 168
'Nay,' said she, 'but my sorrow is for your departing.'
' Repente/ quod she, 'nay, nay, I yow ensure, 169
Your* departeng1 is cause of aft my smerte,
Only for that I do this payne endure,
ffor I shall lose the plesur1 of myn) hert, 1 72
And aH my loye, I may it not aster te,
Withoute socour1 or helpe 0 warentice,
My disteyney hath shape it in this wyse.' 175
' Fair lady,' he said, ' I hope we shall not part so soon,
but to-morrow the old man will tell us.'
' My fayre lady,' quod he to here Ageyne,1 176
' I haue good hoope we shaft not parte so sone,
And if we do, I seye yow certeyn)
My chefe counfort is aft to geder doon); 179
To morow shall we wete or it be none,
This old fader that ye kepe with you here,
he shall telle vs the trougtfi. of this mater.' 182
When) it was day and it was tyme to rise, This old fader on to the kyng1 he goth, And whanne he cam) he spak in this wise ; 1 MS. Aveyne.
183
AUFERIUS PARTS FROM SEREYNE, AND SEES HIS KNIGHTS.
' That I shaH sey, leve me withoute othe, This nyght is geten a sone betwix yow both, Whiche shalbe suche, myn) auctcmr doth expresse, That aH centres shall speke of his prowesse. 189
186 At daybreak the old man
told him that he must leave,
Here may ye a byde no lenger in this place, ffor very trougth for causes more thanne on ; But of your1 shirt I must telle yow the cause, Vppon) the whiche hir terys fett vppon) : Ther shaH non) wassfi. them) owt but she alone, Not be no maner of craft, take this of me, But she sette handes therto it wiH not be.
190
and that the tear-stained shirt 193 could only be washed by the lady herself.
196
And now to yow, madame, thus I saye ; Yow must departe, and I shall telle yow whye, The kyng youre fader is right seke this day, And lythe ner* vppon) the poynte to dye ; And but ye ryde this day right hastely, And leve aparte att other thyng1 therfore, Ye are not lyke to speke with hym) nomore.'
197 The lady he
warned to return to her father,
200 who was dying.
203
[leaf 2]
When) he seid aH that he thought to seye, 204
Ther nedid noo displeasur* to be sought ;
The kyng1 knewe wele ther was non other way,
They must departe, and that was att his thought ; 207
Thenne were they bothe so ferre in sorow brought,
Be cause of thei° so sodenly departeng1,
They cowde not speke a word for erthely thyng1. 210
He toke his leve in sorowfuli maner, hym for to be holde it was a grete pite ; And furthe he ridetli with fuH heuy chere, With his knyghtes to mete and it wold be : And at the last it happyd hym to see, Where as they rode in a fuft fayre vaile, he sporyd his hors and theder toke the way.
211 The king took his leave in sorrow,
214
217
and in a fair valley fell in with his knights,
SEREYNE RETURNS TO SYRIA. HER FATHER DIES.
who saw that he was sad.
They hym) perseyued sone, and forthe they went, 218
A none they mette the kynge vppon) the waye,
he was no thyng1 mery to ther entente,
That wist they wele yet durst they noo thyng1 seye, 221
"VVithynne his brest he kept it day be day ;
And whanne that he came home, I yow ensure,
Of his councett ther wist non) erthely creature. 224
Now to this lady lete vs turne ageyn, 225
The lady went Whiche to Surry hath take hir viage,
her way to Syria , . , . _ ,
with the old man And in hir companye no man but twayn),
hir mayde and the old man) ferre in age ; 228
So atte last they come to the village,
Ther for to rest as for a nygfetis space,
A dayes lurney owt of the kynges place. 231
and came to her father,
who gave her his blessing,
and died,
She Rode to court in grete heuynesse, 232
And fiirtS. with aft she came to the kyng1,
Which was febyH and sokyd with sekenesse ;
Yet not for thy he hadde trew knowleginge 235
Of his doughter, and gave hyr his blyssyng1,
his land, is good, withoute eny stryffe.
And so to god he passed owt of his lyffe. 238
and was royally buried.
There was wepyng1 and many a hevy chere, 239
Among1 them aH grete sorow ganne they take,
And as it is the custom) and maner*,
Anone they were arrayed in clothis blake ; 242
And sone1 vppon ordentmnce ganne they make,
In aH the hast posible as for his beryeng1,
In EyaH wise accordyng1 to A kyng*. 245
This yong1 lady so goodly and so faire, The lordes aH and the Comyns of the lande, Be cause she was his doughter and his ayre, 1 MS. sone A.
246
SEREYNE IS MADE QUEEN OF SYRIA, AND BEARS A SON. 9
They toke hir for ther quene I vnderstonde, 249 His daughter
was crowned
And crowned hir witn septer in hyr liande ; queen,
And afterward, as is the right vsage,
The lordys aH: to hir dede homage. 252
She was fuH wele belouyd in certeyne 253 and was well
Of hir lordes and of hir comenaute,
And of hir name she was callid Sereyne,
ifro the first day of hir natiuite, 256 but refused to
ffutt humbly they hir be sought that she
Wold be maryed, for that was ther a vise, Her name was
But that she wold not in no maner a wyse. 259
The tyme came that hirwombe be ganne to grow 260 At length, when
^ . her womb began
Som dele gretter thanne it was wont to be, to grow, she took
But yet she wold not it hadde ben knowe ;
here mayde she callid furth in priuite, 263 counsel with her
Meden she hight, the story tellith it me,
To whom) the quene hadde a right fey[th]fuH: trost,
ffor to that mayde she myght sey what here lyst. 266
And whan she came, she told here aH; the case, 267
lyke as it was of att here aventur :
* Madame,' quod she, 'I shall with goddes grace who promised to
~>VL, nll be true to her,
ffutr trewly kepe your counceH be you sure : 270
So went she fourth hyr seosynne to endure, and s« it went on
till the time of
Tin atte last, be goddes purvyaunce, her delivery
The tyme was come of hir delyueraunce. 273
Thenne was ther nofi of counceH saue Mecleyn ; 274
Ther was no noyse, nor ther was noo cryeng1,
I canne wele thynk the gretter was hir payne ;
her meny hadde lion other knowleginge, 277
But hir sekenes was of some other thinge :
So this lady, f uH debonerly and myld, she brought forth
Brought furth a sonne whiche was a threfte child. 280
10
SEREYNE'S SON, GENERYDES, COMES TO HER COURT.
but none knew save Medeyn, who took it to a lavender to be brought up.
Medeyne it toke and in hir lappe it leyde, 281
She brought it streyght on to a lavender ;
* This is sothely my Suster sonne,' she sayde,
' I wold it were kept in good maner.' 284
' Maistres,' seyde she, ' care not for this mater,
I shall it here on to A good noryse,
Whiche shall it kepe right wele o warantyce.' 287
First to a noiise, as fast as euer they canne, 288
They brought the child withoute eny lese ;
And thanne to chirch to make a cristenmaii,
And callid it be name Generydes ; 291
Thenne his moder, after aU hir dissese,
Askyd medeyfi if she hadde done wele
And she seid yae, and told hir euery dele. 294
Whenne the tyme was come that he cowde speke and goo,
And vnderstonde what folkys did hym) calle, the queen sent for The quene anon, withoute wordes moo, him to court. Callid Medeyn, and she came furth with aH : 298
'Medeyn,' qwod she, 'my witt in1 especial!
Is for to haue my sone Generydes
In courte2 with me his honour to encrese.' 301
A nurse was found for the child,
•who was christ ened Generydes.
As soon as he could speak
[leaf 2, back]
He came, and grew up at court,
To curte he came a pratye yong1 seruauni, 302
But what he was ther wyst noo creature,
Saue only this that Medeyn) was his Aunte,3
And so fourth in courte he dede endure, 305
TiH he was wexen) of a goodly stature,
And ther with also lentitt and curteys,
That4 aft the countre5 right gretely did hym) plese. 308
tin one day he Vppon A day he axkid of Medeyn)
asked Medeyn of r „ , .
his father. Ol his iiaaer, and hough is moder was,
She answeryd hym), and this she sayde ayen),
309
1 MS. is in. 2 MS. centre.
4 MS. Tlutll.
3 MS. Anmte. 1 courte.
GENERYDES WISHES TO SEEK HIS FATHER IN INDIA.
11
'I yow beseche of respite in this case 312
TiH on) the morow, and thenne with goddes grace
AH that ye haue desired now of me, Sone shall ye knowe the very serteynte.'
Of his desire the quene haddo knowleginge,
She sent for hym) and seid, ' Generydes,
Of ynde suerly your1 fader is the kyng1,
And I your moder am Avithoute lese ;
But ye must kepe this mater husht and pece,
ffor ther is non) that knoweth it saue we twayne
In aH the court, but if it be MedeynX'
And whenne he knowe this mater very right,
Streyght to the quene he seid for eny thing1 ;
Besechyng1 hir of licence that he myght
Se the courte where his fader is kyng1 :
ffor as hym) thought it were right wele semyng1,
ffor to do hym) seruice as in that case,
And rather ther thanne in a stranger place.
And he wold so demene hym) furth with all, That in the countre ther shuld no maner weight, But if it were the kyng1 in especial!, Wete what he1 were be countencmnce or sight. The quene Answeryd and seyd, ' aH is but right That ye desire, and therfore be myn) Assent Is and shalbe to f order your ente[nt].'
And furtfi. with aH she callid Natanell,2 A lentitt man right connyng and courteyse ; To hym) she told this mater euery dele, Of hyr and of hir sonne Generydes, And who is fader was withouten) lese, And how that his desire in eny wise Is for to do his fader some seruice.
1 MS. 7. 2 MS. Natavcll.
The queen told him she was his mother, and the king of India his father.
He begged that he might go to India to his father,
315
316
319
322
323
326
329
330 promising to keep the secret of his birth.
333
336
337
The queen en trusted him to 340 the care of Natanell,
343
12 SEREYNE PUTS GENERYDES IN CHARGE OF NATANELL.
' Therfore,' quod she, ' I prae yow feithfully, 344
That ye wift do the pleasure that ye may
Onto my sone, and teche hym throughely
That att longitfr to hym) to do or saye ; 347
ffor his expencez and for his aray,
ffor hors or men that maye be for your spede,
he shaft not lakke no thyng1 that hym) nede. 350
whom she warned But "be weft ware that the Stiward knowe not this, 351
to beware of the
stewund, Whiche is ontrewe and hath be many a daye ;
ffor if he may knowe who is sonne he is, he wift suerly distroye hym) and he maye : 354
Wherefore whanne ye come ther this shaft ye seye, A Dukes sone he is and born in Greke, To se the kyng1 and wurchippe for to seke. 357
and to convey a ring from her to the king.
And whanne ye maye fynd good leyser and spase, 358
That sekerly ye may speke with the kyng1,
Ye shaft me recomaunde on) to his good grace
ifuft humbly, and take ye hym) this ryng1, 361
he gave it me atte our1 last departeng1 ;
When) he it setfr it shaft his thought renewe,
And suerly knowe that your massage is trew.' 364
Natanell pro mises to obey her wishes.
This lentil! man gave answere1 in this wise : 365
' Madame,' quod he, ' my wiH is and shaft
To do your" sone pleasure and sendee,
As ye shalbe right wele content withaft, 368
With goddes grace and what that euer befaft,
Better or werse or what aventure be tyde,
Ye shaft witt wete I wiH with hym) a byde.' 371
Furthe on his way Kidetfe Generydes, 372
lakkyng1 no thing that cawde be hadde in mynde ; And of his labour1 wuld he never sese, 1 MS. an answere.
GENERYDES COMES, UNKNOWN, TO HIS FATHER'S COURT. 13
TiH he come streyght atte Reme of ynd, 375 They come to Thenne for^ermore as reasone wold hym) bynd, chief city
Of dyuerse folke lie asked wliere laye the kyng*:
Att parentynne, they seid withoute feyning1, 378 Parentine,
Off aH the land named the chefe Citee : 379
Then) NataneH as sone as euer he myght,
The "best loggyng1 of aU that he cowde see,
ffor his maister he dede it redy dight, 382
And ther he toke his rest as for that nyght,
And on) the morow in good and riche araye,
he went to see the kyng1 ther as he laye ;
where Natanell took a lodging,
and on the morrow they 385 went to court.
And Natanell with hym) in companye. 386
The kyng1 was sette and serued in the haH,
With" knyghtes and Esquyers throughely,
In grete astate among the lordes aH ; 389
Thanne NataneH the porter* ganne to calle,
he came anon withoute taryeng1,
And curtesly gaue them) ther welcomyng1. 392
The king was in the hall among his lords.
Furthe anon in to the halle they ganne goo, 393
And to the kyng1 they made Keuerence,
lyke as it was accordyng1 for to do.
Thenne Natanett in opyn) audience, 396
Before his lordes in his hye presence,
ffuH connyngly in aH his demeanyng1,
Bight in this wise he seide onto the kyng1 :
They made their reverence to him,
399 and Natanell said
400
' Bygh t noble pn'nce, this lentilman) present
To yow is come ferre out of his contre,
A dukes sone of Greke born) by disente,
here in your1 court desireng1 for to be,
To lerne connyng1 and wurchippe for to see :
The Duke his ffader wold he shuld do so,
And be right gladde ye leste excepte hym) so.' 406 court.
that Generydes was the son of 403 a duke of Greece,
[leaf 3]
who desired to be in the king's
14
The king gave them welcome,
and was re minded of the lady who had harboured hin so well,
GENERYDES LIVES, UNKNOWN, IN HIS FATHERS COURT.
When) lie hadde seid and made his Keuerence, 407
The kyng1 anon) thanne answeryd to NataneU,
And seid he was welcome to his presence,
Be holding1 wele his face and euerydele ; 410
Thenne that lady that harbdryd hym) so wele
fFeH in his mend, and thought he his visage
he was fuH lyke to be of hire lenage. 413
thinking Ge- nerydes might be his son.
He loked fast on to hym) in stede fast wise, 414
And thought alway his sonne that he shuld be :
Whenne mete was do the kyng1 be ganne to ryse,
To nataneH his maister thanne saide he : 1 417
' This yong1 Esquyer is right welcome to me ;
he shall lak noght, I say yow for certeyn) ; '
And he right lowly thanked hym) ageyn). 420
Generydes gives his mantle to the butler,
Natanell his to the porter.
They hadde mantellys and att of on) makyng1, 421
Whiche were right sone departed bothe in fere ;
Generydes withoute taryeng1
Gaue his mantiU on to the Boteler1, 424
Thenne Natanell, in right curtes maner1,
To the porter he gaue that was his owne,
In thankefutt wise the better to be knowen). 427
And so they live Thus in the courte dwellid Generydes, 428
Eight wele belouyd of euery creature, So well wexen that he was doutelys A very goodly man), I you ensure : 431
With good vesage, futt metely of stature, his porte, his chere, and all his behavinge ffuH like a lentilman) in euery thyng1. 434
After a time, It happyd so withynne a litiH space, 435
as the king was
alone in a gallery, The kyng1 a lone went in [a] Galery ; Thanne NataneH aspied where he was, 1 MS. he saide.
GENERYDES IS MADE KNOWN TO HIS FATHER AUFERIUS. 15
And to the kyng< he went trewly, 438
To late hym) wete his erand by and by,
lyke as he was comaunded for to sey,
And thus he seid withoute more delay : 441
' Syr, if I durst be bold as in this case, 442
My message wold I say, if it yow please,
The quene Sereyne commandith hir to jour grace, Nataneii gave
AT 1, i n Air h'm tlle rinS
And sent yow here your sonne Generydes : 445 and message
Be cause ye shall think it is noo lese, from Sereyne'
She chargyd me to take yow this ring1, Ye gaue it hir atte your bothe departyng*.' 448
The kyng1 toke gode avise vppon) the reng1, 449
It was his owyn), and that anon) he knowe ; The king recog-
To Nataneii he seid withoute feynifjnjg1,
' Gramercy, frend, for your massage is trew, 452 and thanked
Ye haue brought hym) that doth" my ioye renew ;
Whanne he come first hem1 thought it shuld be he,
Wherefore I prae yow bryng1 hym) on) to me.' 455
Thanne furtfc with att departed Nataneii, 456
Generydes he brought on to the kyng1 ; Generydes was
Whanne he was come the kyng be held hym) well, to the king,
And liked hym) right wele in euery thyng1, 459
God wote he was so gladde of his comyng1,
That ther cowde noman) deme betwix hem) twayne,
Whiche of them) bothe were gladder in certayne. 462 and both were
glad.
Whanne this was do he went to his semice, 463
The kyng dede call on to hym) ISTataneH,
And charged hym) in eny maner wise,
Aboue aH thyng1 that he shuld kepe hym) welle ; 466
Thanne seruyd he the quene att euery mele, After this Ge-
nerydes attended
Bothe att hir mete and soper decently, upon the queen,
The whiche he dede fuH wele and manerly. 469
1 MS. lie.
16 GENERYDES REJECTS THE PROFFERS OF HIS FATHER'S WIFE.
who liked him so well that all her love was set upon him,
Withynne a1 while it happyd in yis wise, 470
The quene beheld Generydes so weH,
And liked hym) so wele in his service,
That aft hir loue on) hym) was euery dele, 473
And in hyr self she cowde non) other1 fele ;
Withoute that she myght' have his loue ageyn),
She were on don) for euere in certayne. 476
and one day, when the king was gone a- hunting, she told him all,
promising him great worship if he would assent.
Generides said, ' I am the king's man, and can not be untrue to him,'
and took his leave.
Not long after the kyng1 on) hunteng1 went, 477
Generydes that day abode behynd,
The quene knew that, and sone for hym) she sent,
And told hym) aH that lay sore in hir mynd ; 480
1 Generydes,' quod she, ' if I myght fynd
That ye wold loue me best and so endure,
I shaH do yow the same I you ensure. 483
FuH long agoo I was in this purpose, 484
Butt thenne I myght not telle yow what I ment,
Desireng1 yow to kepe this mater close,
And lete me haue knowlage of your* entent ; 487
I promys you if ye wiH assent,
In grete wurchippe I shaft yow wele avaunce,
And alway do that may be your5 plesaunce.' 490
Generydes stode stift in grete musyng1, 491
And to the quene gaue answere in this case :
' Madame/ qwod he, ' I am bounde to the kyng1,
To be his man) her1 and in euery place ; 494
And I so moche am hold to his grace,
That for to haue his Reme myself alone,
I wold not be ontrew to his person).' 497
With that he toke his leve and furtli he went ; 498 And whanne she sawe it wold non) other be, She threte hym sore, and seid he shuld repent, 1 MS. ai.
THE QUEEN INCITES HER PARAMOUR AGAINST GENERYDES. 17
She rente hir here, a wonder thyng* to see, And brought hir self clene owt of charite ; The Stiward came and sawe aH was amys, ' Madame/ quod he, ' what grete affraye is this 1 '
501 Tlie queen en raged, tore her hair and threaten ed vengeance,
504
' Afraye,' quod she, ' so may ye wele it calle.' 'But who did this V quod he, * I prae yow saye Telle me the sothe, and late me dele withaH, ffor I shaH sone a wreke aH this arraye, What euer he be he shaH repente the daye That he was bold, in ernest or in game, To do to yow this villariy and Shame.'
505 telling the Steward
508
511
[Ieaf3, back.]
' It is,' quod she, ' that fals Generydes,
Be cause he myght not haue his witt of me ;
ffor by noo prayour5 he wold neuer sese,
But thus he hath arayed me as ye se.'
And whanne the Stiward hard that it was he,
' Madame,' quod he, ' be ye no mor* displesid,
ffor in this case your1 hart shaH sone be eased.'
512
515 that Generydes had offered her violence.
518
He toke a naked sward and forth he goth, Generydes to slee if that he myght ; But he wist wele beforn) the quene was wroth", Wherefore be tyme he went owt of hir sight : To his chaunber1 the Stiward goth full right, In euery place he sought hym) vppe and don), And he was atte his logging1 in the town),
Owt of daunger, and with hym) ISTataneH To whom) he told this mater aH in feere ; Qwod he ageyn), ' here in we shaft do weft TiH that the kyng1 come home we wilbe here, Thanne wiH it be good tyme to draw yow neer*, And do sendee like as ye did be foore, What euer faH they shaH preyse yow the more.'
GENERYDES. 2
519 The Steward took a sword and went forth to kill Generydes j
522
525 but he had gone to his lodging in the town,
526
and told Na- tanell, who advised him to
avvait tne kil>S' return.
532
18 SIR AMELOK HITS GENERYDES, AND IS STABBED BY THE KING.
The king came The kyng came home, with hym) his knyghtez aH, 533
home, and Ge-
nerydes served Generydes, as he was wont to do,
ffuH wele and goodly serayd in the haH :
The Stiward hadde futt grete enuy therto, 536
And in his hand he bare a staff also ;
So gotfi. he furthe in myddes of the prese,
In grete anger threting1 Generydes 539
Withoute reason), and seid, 'what dost yu here1? 540 here is nomaii) content of thii seniice.' Generydes he gaue hym) non answere ; ' Why spekist thu not 1 ' qwod he, ' thu art not wise.' And with that word, in fuH: creweH wise, when the steward he toke hym) be the heere ther as he stode,
And smote hym so that his nose braste on blode. 546
smote him.
The king, wroth And whanne the kyng1 pe?*seyuid aft the case,
to see his son wronged,
547
called to the Steward,
Thow he were wrothe ther ought noman hym) blame,
To see his sonne so wrongyd as he was ;
he callid on to the Stiward bi his name, 550
' TraytourV q?.<od he, ' god geve ye uery shame,
This yorig1 Squyer suerl-y dede non offence,
And thou hast snietyn) hym) here in my presence. 553
Not only now thu dost me villany, 554
Butt here afore thu hast do many moo : ' and stabbed him And with his knyff he smote hym)1 hastely
in the arm.
Thorough the arme, and when) he hadde so do, 557 ' Out of my sight I warne the that yu goo.' With that the quene was wroth in hir maner, Thought she anon this towchitfi. me right ner\ 560
The steward went Owt of the court the Stiward went his weye, 5G1
to his castle J '
To his easteH he toke the wey futt right, And made hym strong1 of men) and of array, 1 MS. 7iym hym.
GENERYDES BEGS KING AUFERIUS TO LET HIM LEAVE HIM. 19
And euermore his thought was day and nyght To avenge hym) of the kyng* if that he myght ; To that purpose he sette ali his entente, And moche people he hadde of his assent.
Now late vs leue aH this as for A space,
And to Generydes I wiH returne,
So rebukyd and skomfite as he was,
he cowde not make no chere but alwey mowrn),
And lenger ther he thought not to sogeowrne,1
But hastely to make his departeng1,
And furth withatt he came to the kyng1.
He knelid down) and seid right in this wise ;
' Ser, if it please your goodnesse for to hire,
With yow I haue contynued my seniice
In pese and rest, and now ye2 Stiward her1
hath smete me in fuH crueli maner,
And hatfi putte me to Shame in your* presence,
And wile I wote I dede hym) non) offence.
I may not ease my hert as in this case, That doth me harme whanne I remembre me, here afterward I shall, be goddis grace, Think ther vppon) whanne I a seasone see, I wiH no lenger dwelle in this centre, Wherefore, I you beseche, sithe it is so,' That ye wiH graunte me licence for to go ;
564
567
568
and plotted vengeance.
Generydes was so discomfited
571 that he could not remain,
574
575 and begged the king
578
581
582
585
588 to let him go.
589
And whiti I leue your* trew man shall I be, Where euer I traveft to and fro, To do yow pleasur* that at lithe in me, ffor right gretly am I holden) therto.' 592
And whanne the kyng1 knew well that he wold go, The king And that ther was non) other meane to fynde, God wote he was right heuy in his mynd. 595
1 MS. sogeovavur. 2 MS. now is ]f.
20
GENERYDES RESOLVES TO GO TO PERSIA.
and all his knights were sorry
when he took leave.
Generydes and Natanell
The knyghtes all, and the squyers truely, Were fuH sory of his sone departeng1, Notwithstondyng ther was noo remedy, But furth he goth withoute more taryeng1, Eight vmbly he toke leue of the kyng1, And so fourth he went thorough owt ye hall, ffuH curtesly he toke leue of them) aH.
trussed up their harness
Generydes arid also NataneH To ther logging1 they toke the redy waye, And trashed ther1 harnes euerj dele, Whanne that was do Generydes ganne saye, * Now late vs here appoynt for our* lurnay and resolved to go In to what land or contre we shaft goo.' Quod nataneH, ' that hold I wele to do :
596 599
602 603
606 609
[leaf 4] To Surry ward, hough seye ye now be that] 610
The quene Sereyne wold right fayne se you ther' 1 AH that is sothe,' qiiod he, ' but wote ye what ? In stranger* place fayne wold I that we were, 613
rfor I am now of age harmes to bere ; And to be knyght as I see other be, The more wurchippe the better think[eth] me.' 616
'AH this is very sothe,' qwod XataneH, 617
' To your entent I canne right wele agree ; Ther is a land I am remembryd wele,
to Persia. Men) call it Perse, a plenteuous contre, 620
Ther and [yow] wiH the Sowdon) may yow see, The whiche is knowyn) bothe ferre And nere, A myghti prince, a man) of gret powre.' 623
Generydes thanne answerd in this wise : 1 To that contre I rede we take the waye, ffor ther we may not fayle of good se?-uice,
624
GENERYDES OFFERS TO SERVE THE SULTAN OF PERSIA.
As ye suppose, teH me what ye seye.' 627
' Kepe still,' qwod he, ' youi° purpose I yow praye, To myn) entent ther is best abydeng1, I wote he wiH be gladde of your comyng1.' 630
Ther hors, ther men, were redy euerychou), To that centre they toke the wey full right, And on) hir wey so ferre fourth were thei goon), That of the Citee sone they hadde a sight, Theder they came be thanne it was nyght, ; And fourth withaH to ther loggyng* they went, The best that they cowde fynde to thei* entent.
It was the best Citee of aH the lande, And mountener it hight withoute fayle, Therin the Sowdon) was I vnderstonde, In a casteH futt riche of appareH. Generydes thanne after his grete appareH, And NataneH they bothe in good aray, To the Sowdon) they toke ye redy way.
631
634
637
638 They came to the chief city, Mountener,
where the Sultan Goffore dwelt,
641
644
And whanne they came ther* as the Sowdon) was, 645
Ther* wer* knyghtes and Squyers many on),
hym) self walkeng1 in his disporteng1 place,
They aft awaiteng1 vppon) his persone,
Generydes and NataneH anoou) •
Avaunsed them the sowdon) for to see,
Goffore he hight, the story tellith it me. 651
Whanne1 he hym) saw he did to hym obeseaunce, 652
ffuH manerly and seyd right in this wise ;
' Ser, if it be your1 wiH and youi° pleasaunce,
her am I come to offer1 my seruice
To your1 lordshippe, right as "ye list to devise,
Now please it yow to take me for your* man),
And I shall do suche seruice as I canne.' 658
and found him walking in his 648 pleasure ground.
655 Qenerydcs offered him his service,
MS. Thanne.
22 THE SULTAN'S DAUGHTER, CLARIONAS, LOVES GENERYDES.
The Sowdon) stode and hard hym) euery dele, he toke good hede att hym) in euery thing1 ; And dought ye not he lekid hym) right wele, Bothe his pe?-son) and aH his demeaneng1, And forthwith gaue hym) his welcomyng1 ffuH curtesly, and seid in lentiH wise ; ' I am) content of you to haue sendee :
"What1 is your* name 1 I prae yow teH it me/ * My name/ qwod he, ' ser, is Generydes.' ' Generydes,' he said, ' wele mote ye thee ; A lentilman) ye seme withouten) lese, And in wurchippe right lekely to encrese ; and was, accepted. Wherefore of suche as do to me sendee I wiH that ye be nexst in eny wise.'
The SiT.tan's daughter,
The Sowdon hadde his doughter and his ayre In his palys vnder his gouernaunce, And for certeyne she was right inderly fayre, And, as the writeng1 makith remembraunce, ffuH womanly of speche and countenance ; In suche wise hir* name beganne to sprede, That euery man) spake of hir1 goodlyheed.
loved Generydes, This fayre lady behelde Generydes,
In stedefast wise on) hym) she cast hir eye, AH his maners so wele it did hyr piece, 1 MS. TJiat.
059
6G2
665 666
669
672 673
676
679 680
And as the Sowdon) was sett att his mete,
Generydes softely he beganne to calle,
The best deynte that before hym) was sett
he toke it hym), and badde hym) goo with att 683
To his doughter : ' my lord,' qwod he, ' I shaH.'
So fourth he goth ther as this lady was,
Mynne Auctowr seith she hight clarionas. 686
687
GENERYDES LOVES CLARION AS. SHE SORROWS FOR LOVE. 23
That she constreyned was in certeyn)te 690
To loue hym best, it wold non other be ;
She thought it dede hir good on) hym to thynk,
And of hir cuppe she offeryd hym) to drynk. 693
He toke it of hir1 hand fuH curtesly, 694
And ferthermore, as I this mater fele,
In) his conseyte, I say1 yow certeynly,
hym) liked neuer creator1 so wele : 697
his mynde. his thought, was sett oon hir yche deell : and his mind w<u
Bet on her.
And, as I cowde perseyue in myn) entent,
There hartes bothe were sone of on) Assent. 700
Generydes he toke his leue anon), 701
To sone she thought as after hir avise,
Yet or2 that he departed was and goon),
To kysse hym) she forgate not in no wise, 704
he thanked hir and offerid hir se?'uice,
To be hire man) and alway to be trew,
So to endur1 and neuer to renew. 707
Vppe from) hir mete arose clarionas, 708
And on) hir bedde she leyde hir fourth with AH ;
hir mayden) had grete merveli what it was,
And fuH softely on) hir1 she be ganne to calle, 711
' Madame,' qwod she, ' what thing1 is now be faH 1
Of your1 dissese I prae yow telle it me,
To wete yow seke it is a gre[te] pite.' 714 [leaf 4, back]
Ther with the lady gaue ans were ageyn) 715 shetoidher
TT j. T_- j - -Mr- i 11 i i maid, Mirabell,
Vnto hir mayden, Mirabell was her1 name ;
* Of my dissese,' q?<od she, cyf I shuld layne of her disease,
Only to yow, I wis I were to blame ; 718
I haue founde yow, in ernest and in game, A.tt aH; tymes fuH secrete and fuH trew, And soth to saye I neuer other knewe : 721
MS. saw. 2 MS. of.
24
CLARIONAS TELLS HER LOVE TO HER MAID MIRABELL.
and that unless
she could see
it would not long be well with her.
And for to telle you plenly of my dissese, 722
This is the cause ; ther is on) specialy
hath don) me harme, god wote causeles,
I neuer offendid hym) truly ; 725
And me think ther is noo remedy,
ffor I was neuer seke on) this maneij,
A fore this tyme now knowe ye aH in fer'. 728
' Not aH/ qwod she, ' madame, that may not be ; 729
ffor yet I haue no knowlage whiche he is.'
' It is/ qwod she, ' a yong Squyer1, parde ;
he is but late come to my lord, I wis, 732
A very goodly man), so haue I blisse.'
' AH this may be, and I beleue the same ;
But good madame/ quod, she, ' what is his name?' 735
' To seye yow sothe,1 Generydes he hight.' 736
Qwod she ageyn, ' now wote ye euery dele ;
Butt I of hym) right sone may haue a sight,
With me I wote it wiH not long be wele, 739
ffor hym) only is aH that euer I fele,
And alway more and more it doth encrese ;
God wote I am no thing1 in hertys ease.' 742
' Madame/ qiiod she, 'dismay yow neuer a dele, 743
Be of good chere, hurt not yow to soore ;
Doughte ye noo thing1 AH this shalbe right wele,
ffor I shaft trewly do my part ther fore 746
With right good wiH, and for to say yow mor*,
ffor 2 this mater I shaH do wele ordeyne
That ye suerly shaft speke with hym ayen).' 749
With that anon) clarionas be ganne To take hir* chere moi0 comfortably, Notwithstondyng1 she was bothe pale and wanne, 1 MS. the sothe. 2 MS. And for.
750
GENERYDES TELLS HIS LOVE TO HIS FRIEND NATANELL.
25
And to hir ma[y]de she seid fuH soberly, ' love MyrabeH, I thank yow hertely, ffor of myn) payne now I haue some respite, And if I leue I shaft it yow wele aquyte.'
753
756
757
Now late vs leue apart clarionas,
And to Generydes turne we ageyn),
WJiiche for hir sake stonditli in hevy case,
As fuH of thought as he myght be certayn) ; 760
Out of the cowrt he went for very peyn),
Straight to his logging1 hastely he hym) spedd,
Whanne he came ther he leyde hym on) his bedd. 763
Generydes, on his part,
767
His maister had merveH what it ded mene
So sodenly to see hym in that case,
AH distemperyd and out of colour1 clene,
he mused sore what maner a thing it was ;
And whanne that he myght gete a metely space,
Ri'ght thus he seid to Generydes,1
' I prae yow, ser, Telle me your1 dissese.' 770
' Mayster,' quod he, ' aH that lythe in my hert, 771
What euer it be, to yow I wolle not layn)
Why and wherefore I suffer aft this smert,2
Clarionas she causith it certayn), 774
ffor hir only I suffer aH this payne,
And for to sey the very certaynte,
I wote not why she shuld do this to me.' 777
764 told his master his case.
* Ye wote what, ser, after myn) avise, Be mery and that is my counceft, In this mater I shaft do yow seruice, And peraventur* sum what it shaft prevaile ; 781
To morow I shaH: be ther withoute faile, And speke witR hit* as touching this mater1, And what she seitli ye shaft haue pleyne answer*. ' 784 1 MS. Geroerydes. 2 MS. this certcyn smert.
778 Natanell pro mises to speak with Clarionas.
26 OLABIONAS'S MAID LEARNS THAT GENERYDES LOVES HER MISTRESS.
' Maister,' quod he, ' I thank you hartely, 785
To yow only is aH: my very trost,
And what ye think that I shaH do trewly,
In this mater* demeane me as ye list ; 788
hough I shaft spede fayne wold I that I wist.'
' Wele, ser,' quod he, ' I canne noo ferther saye,
To my power I shaH do what I may.' 791
With that he partid fro Generydes, 792
Next day he goes And on) the morow, whanne he hadde tyme and space,
to court and sees Mirabell,
795
who asks after Generydes.
Onto the court he went withouten) lese,
Therfor to speke with fayre clarionas.
Whanne he * was come ther as she was,
MyrabeH came and this to hym) ganne seye,
' Where is,' quod she, ' your5 maister, I yow prae ? ' 798
' He is at his lodging full ill at ease
since he was last here.'
Mirabell per- ceivfid his meaning,
anil thought all went well.
Deaf 5]
' Att his loggyng1, foil iH att ease,' quod, he, 799
' And so a be a sithe afore yester day ;
What hym) aylith I woote noo thing* parde,
His comfort and his chere is aH awaye, 802
Butt after myn) entent this dare I saye,
All this is grow, to teH the inater clere,
Sithe he now last was with my lady here.' 805
Whan) MirabeH perseivid what he ment, 806
And what desire he hadde thanne was she fayn),
Aft this goth wele, thought she, to myn) entent.
' Wele, ser,' she saide, ' to yow I wiH be playn) ; 809
Sithe your1 maister was here, I witt nott layne,
My lady hath be seke bothe day and nyght,
ffor she hadd neuer rest I yow be hight. 812
Yet not for thy, if ye haue ought to saye ffor your maister be his comaund[e]ment, Goo forth anon) with owt more delaye, 1 MS. *1ie.
813
MAID AND MAN ARRANGE FOR MASTER AND MISTRESS TO MEET. 27
816
Natanell sought the princess,
820 and told her of Generydes,
823
who begged that he might come 826 into her presence.
Mirabell advises that he should be sent for,
And telle hir aft the trougth of your* entent,
To speke with" yow she wilbe wele content.'
So farts withaH, after his purpose was,
Streight fourth he goth on) to Clarionas. 819
' Madame,' quod he, ' my lord Generydes To you hym) recomaundith for certayne, A wofuH man), clene o\vt of hartes ease, And for to telle yow aH the mater playn), If it please yow ye may respite his payn), Of your* goodriesse to graunt hym) that licence, That he may come on) to your* nobiH presence.'
" Whenne she had herd these wordes euerydele, 827 ' Come nere,' she said, ' Mirabell, I you p[r]aye.' ' Madame,' quod she, ' I vnderstonde hym) wele ; As me semyth with your* wurchippe ye may 830
Send me for hym and here what he wiH: saye, his maister here right sone for hym) wiH goo.' ' I am content,' quod she, ' that it be so.' 833
MyrabeH came and toke hym owt Aside ; 834
' Do after me,' quod she, ' as in this case :
Att this wyndow my lady shall abide,
ffor thorough owt the gardeyn) he shall pace, 837 into the garden.
And ther he shall haue good leyser and space,
To saye what that hym) list in secrete wise ;
Now goo furtfi. for this is myn) avise.' 840
Furtfi. on) his way departith NataneH 841
To his maister, and founde hym) passeng1 sadde : ' What tidynges now,' quod, he, ' will it be wele ? ' ' Eight wele/ quod he, ' be ye noo thyng1 adred : 844 Whanne ye knowe aH I wote ye' wiH be glad, As for the first, now take this of me aloon,1 She wiH that ye come speke with her anon).' 847
1 aloon added in another hand.
28, GENERYDES TELLS CLAEIONAS HOW HE LOVES HER.
Who was glad now but Ge- nerydes ?
He went to the garden to Clarionas,
and told her
of his pain of heart for her sake.
The truth was soon known on both sides
Now who was gladde, and who was well apayde, 848
And endly mery but Generydes,
Kemembryng1 what Natanett had seid 1
So furth he goth, and neue?« wold he sese,
Into the courte in myddes of the prese,
And so furth on vn to Clarionas,
In the gardeyn) where apoynted was.
851
854
"Whan he hyr saw, he fayled countenance, Where with suerly he was not wele apayed ; And in like wise, to sey yow in substance, On here behalf she was somwhat dismayde ; Yet atte last right thus to Mr* he saide, ' Madame/ quod, he, ' be cause I hadde licence, I am more bold to come to your1 presence :
855
858
861
862
And for to sey yow myn entent I wis,
As for my self this is the mater playn),
ffor I must suerly teH vs att l it is ;
My hert is ouercome with very payri) 865
AH for your1 sake, and so hath ben certeyn
Sithe I was here on massage sekerly.'
'hoo so]' quod she,2 'I haue grete wounder why. 868
What 3 cause haue ye to putte me in this witte 1 869
As for my part I do no thyng* nee sey,
I rede putte s'uche thougthes in respite ;
Where I haue not offendid be this day, 872
Wherby ye shuld be hurt by eny way :
Wherefore,' quod she, ' in ernest and in game,
To putte in me the defaute ye are to blame.' 875
* Trewly, Madame,' thenne seid Generydes, 876
' Of me ye ought no magry to purchase, And for to con) yow thanke for my dissese,
1 So MS. ; perhaps for tclle what, or telle all as.
MS. h
MS. That.
CLARION AS AND GENERYDES PLEDGE THEIR TROTH. 29
Now trewly that were a strange case. 879
Yet be the meane of fauowr and of grace Ye may me helpe all only and no mo,
0 trewtfi. it were your1 wurchippe so to do.' 882
Quod she ageyn, 'if it were for to blame, 883 though after
some bashfulness
My wurchippe were amend es for to make ; on ciarionas's
And in like wise ye aught to do the same,
If-ther were eny suche that for your sake 886
had so sufferyd payn or heuynesse had tak ;
Peraventowr I myght be on) of thoo,
"What will ye sey,' qiiod she, ' and it be so ]' 889
'Madame,' quod he, 'I here yow speke right wele, 890 ffutt fayne, god woote, I wold that it wer* soo.' ' Trewly,' quod she, ' it is thus euerydele,
1 yow ensure, I may not goo ther1 fro ; 893 But my wurchippe may not avowe it soo.
This is the very trouth withoute feyning,
ffor loue wiH haue his course for eny thing1.' 896
When) MyrabeH had hard att this array, 897
t After this wen-1,' quod she, ' god send vs pece :
I canne wiH think it wiH not lest alway.'
' Now god defende it,' quod Generydes ; 900
' I must depart,' quod she, ' withoutyn) lese,
As for A tyme your* pleasur* for to spare,
Of eviH speche it is good to be ware.' 903
And shortly for to say you as it was, 904
A full [ajcorde was made betwix them) twayn) :
he gaue a ryng1 on) to Clariorias,
And she toke hym) Another for certeyn) ; 907 and they ex-
•VTT-.L-L j. J/L f changed rings.
With trew promys eyther for ioye or payn), In stedefast wise ther hertys to ensure, Neuer1 to chaunge but alway [to] endure. 910
1 MS. Nouer.
30 GENERYDES OFTEN MEETS HIS LOVE. MALICHIAS HATES HIM.
And by that tyme fer passid was the day, 911
MirabeH seyd, ' it is hye tyme for to goo.' Thanne wist he wele ther was non) other waye, [leaf 5, back] he must departe wheder he wift or noo : 914
he toke his leue, wherewith he was fuH woo ; And as for hir she was nott wele contente, Yet not for thy she kist hym) or she went. 917
They often meet in secret.
Fuft of[te] tymes ther1 were betwix hem)2 twayne, 918
Dayes apoynted to mete in secrete wise :
Notwithstondyng1 I say yow for certeyn),
To hir wurchippe was thought noo preiudice, 921
Butt only to owe hir his se?*uice,
As feythfully as cowde be thought or ment,
Ther was non) other1 thyng1 in ther entent. 924
In court there was none like Generydea,
So furtfe he goth fuH streyte in to the halle, 925
To do seruice hym) thought it for the best ;
And for to sey yow soth among1 them AH,
Thorough owt the court he was the goodliest, 928
In his demeaning1 the most lentilest,
And with a spere to renne in warre or pece,
Ther was non like on to Generides. 931
Havkyng1, hunteng1, he cowd good skiH ther on); 932 And what that eny lentilman) shuld do, flbr very trougth in aH the courte3 was non, Knyght or squyer, so wele willyng1 ther to : 935
and all loved him Thorough owt the courte3 he hadde the love also
save Malichias.
Of euery creating bothe more and lesse,
Saue of A knyght callid ser Malichias. 938
As [for] a tyme leue we Generydes,
kingfof India's)6 Alld late VS n°W SPeke °f tllG kvn° °f y1"1'
steward And of hjs gtiward whiche wold neuer sese,
MS. they.
939
MS. hym.
MS. centre.
SIR A.MELOK REBELS, AXD SEIZES AUFERIUS S CAPITAL.
31
But of malice compasing1 in his mynd Aft mane?- weyes som treson1 for to fynd ; With aH the helpe that he cowde gete certeyn), ffor to distroye his lord and souereyn).
942
945 plotted against his lord,
and gathered an army
And to perfourme aH that he hadde take in hand, 946
This fals Stiward he had gaderid people grete,
To the nowmber* of iiij or v thousand,
Of men of warre the best that he cowd gete ; 949
And in A busshment full sone he had them) sett
Nyhand the town), his treson) to be gynne,
And be that meane the cite for to wynne. 952 to win the city.
Off his tresone the quene knowe wele also, It to perfowme she did aH hir entent, And of hir counceH ther were lordes2 moo, And certeyn) of them) were of iiir) dissente : Of aH this werk the kyng1 was innocent, And of ther falsed no thing1 perseyuyd, The more pite he shuld be so disseyued.
And shortly to procede whan this was do, There vWere iij lordes came on to the kyng1, Desireng1 hym) on huntyng1 for to goo, ffuH ontrewly ther with ymagenyng1 ; To ther desire the kyng1 was welewillyng1, So fourth on) huntyng1 he rode certeynly, The iij lordes with hym) in companye,
And ij Squyers, myn) Auctoz^r tellith me ; And while he was most besy in his game, This fals Stiward had goten) the Citee, The whiche was callid pareyntyn) be name, And made hym) self proclamed" in the same Aft openly bothe kyng1 and souereyn), Ther was no man) that durst saye ther ageyn). 1 MS. tresom. 2 MS. londes.
953 The queen knev the treason.
95G
959
960
963
While the king was hunting with three lords
966
967
970
the Steward took the city
and proclaimed himself king.
973
32 AUFERIUS HEARS OP HIS QUEEN'S AND AMELOK'S TREACHERY.
The king heard J}e kyng1 hym self knowe noo thyng1 of this case, 974
thereof from a
forester, Till atte kst a forster came rideng1 ;
And, wete ye wele, so sorowfuH he was,
That he oimethe myght speke to the kyng1, 977
And ther he told hym) euery maner thyng1,
Of his Stiward and of his fals treasone,
And what people he hadde withy nne the town). 980
' I must,' quod he, ' telle vow myn) avise and entent ; The quene is cause of this on) happy case,
and that the ffor these iij lordes ar1 of hir Assent,
traitors also. That are Abideng1 with you in the chase ; 984
And whanne the kyng1 perseyuyd hough it was, Aft his huntyng1 was don and his besynesse, An hevy man [he was] and coumfortles. 987
In this musyng1 he rideth furtfi. a pase, 988
The iij lordes they mette hym) on the waye :
' Traytours,' quod he, ' god geve yow euyH grace
ffor your* seruice that ye haue don) to me, 991
So vntrewly your1 prince for to be traye,
"Whiche neuer hurt nor harme on) to yow ment,
I trost to god ye shaft it sore repent.' 994
AH his wordes they sett Att litifi price, 995
ffor whye they drede hym) not the soth to saye : And to the kyng1 [they seyd] right in this wise, ' Take it in gre the fortune of this day.' 998
And whanne he saw ther was non) other way, He drew his he drow his swerd And smote on) of them so, one. And1 from the grownde he myght noo ferther goo, 1001
Butt felle down dede then) in continent. 1002
The others fled, his felawes fledde as fast as euer they mygh't ; The kyng1 sawe that, and after them) he went, 1 ? Tliat.
KING AUFERIUS KILLS HIS ATTACKERS, AND GOES TO THRACE. 33
And oner toke them) long or it was nygfrt. 1005 but the king
So ferthermore to saye yow the very right,
he slew them) bothe And sayde, ' traytowrs erante, and slew them
Of your falshed ye shati yow neuer avaunte.' 1008
too.
And vppon) this he turned bak ageyn) 1009
To his squyers, whiche were right ferre behynd, And in this wise he dede to them) complayn) :
* I have,' quod, he, ' founde yow bothe trew and kyride, Now lak I good where with" I shuld yow fynd,
And for to counfort me now in my nede,
I canne noo more but Ihesu be your1 spede.' 1015
Whenne his squyers had hard hym) thus complayn), peaf ci
They answerd hym ayen) in goodly wise ;
* Ser, think you not but we shaft do our* payn)
To coumfort yow, and do yow suche sendee, 1019
As our* connyng1 And Powre may suffice, And though your* hart be now noo thing1 in rest, With goddes grace AH shalbe for your1 best.' 1022
The kyng was plesid wele with ther coumfort, 1023
And as hym) thought he prayed them) for to saye
To what centre it were best to resorte,
That for hym) self he myght some what purvaye. 102G
One of them) seyde, ' lo yender lyght the waye ; with ins two
Streyght to the Reme of Trace it wift yow bryng1, he took his way
"Wherein d welly th a prince, A1 nobyH kyng1.' 1029
Toward that land he toke the waye fuli right, 1030 . Whiche was callid a plentevous centre ; Whanne he came ther, as fast as euer he2 myght To se the kyng1 he went in certayn[t]e, 1033
In humble3 wise, besechyng1 hym) that he Might do hym) seniice with his squyers twayne, In like wise as his pleasur* wold ordeyne. 1036
1 MS. a A. * MS. she. 3 MS, humbly.
GENERYDES. 3
34 KING AUFERIUS BECOMES THE KING OF THRACE'S STEWARD.
The kyng1 was wele contente of his comyng1, 1037 and entered the And of seruice he seid he shuld not fayle ; What he shuld do he told hym) euery thing1, That myght only to his wurchippe prevaile ; 1040
And so alway, after thought and travaile, God send rest and coumfort, be ye sure, To euery wele disposid creature. 1043
Thus in that centre abideth still alway 1044
The kyng1 of ynd, vnknowen) in euery wise,
With his ij squyers, a wayteng1 day be day
hym) for to serue as they made ther promys ; 1047
And so this prince contynued in seruice,
Eight weH be trost and cherishid with the kyng1,
ffor he cowde please hym) in euery thing1. 1050
AH that he dede was done so wittely, 1051
his demeanyng1 was suche thorough" owt the place, That euery man) hym) preysid by and by, And he so wele stode in the kyngges grace, 1054
That he hym) gaue, withynne a litiH space, and was made Of aft his lande the Stiwar[d]shepe to holde,
And fuH power to rewle it as he wold. 1057
When he dede as wele as cowde be thought, 1058
Onto the kynggez honour1 in certayne, Justice was kept like wise as it owt, Ther was noman) be resan) myght complayne ; 1061 And for he shuld his charge wele susteyn), The king gave The kyng hym) gaue clerly an) Erlys lande, land. The whiche but late was com in to his hand. 1064
Now of this mater* a while let vs sese 1065
As for a tyme, And speke of quene sereyne, That was moder on to Generydes,
QUEEN SEREYNE RESOLVES TO SEEK AUFERIUS AND GENERYDES. 35
And hough that she hadde herd the tidenggez playn), sereyne
heard how the
hough ontrewly his fader be a trayn) king of India had
been put out of
Of his lordes made after ther entente, his land,
he was putte owt of his land by ther Assent. 1071
Off hym) and of there sonne Generydes 1072
Was vtterly her mend and all here thought ;
And trewly to leue in hartes ease,
That cowde she nought till that she hadde hym sought ;
Of her estate no pleasure she ne rought,
Saue only for to knowe the certeynte
Of auferius the kyng where he shuld be. 1078
And fourth" with aft she ganne an) eiie to calle,
The whiche in sothe hadde widded hir Cosyn),
llight as the writeng1 seyth" in especiaH,
A fayre lady and nexst of AH hir kynne ; 1082
The Erie to truste was noo daunger in,
ifor he was ware and wise I yow ensure,
And ther with trew as eny creature. 1085
She told hym) AH the grounde of the mater 1086
In euery thing1, and how it was be faH,
Of auferius and of hir sonne in fere,
And hough the kyng betrayed was withaH, 1089
' Wherefore my purpose is in especiaH
To take on) me the labour1 and the payn),
Where euer he were to fynd hym) in certeyn).' 1092
Then)1 to the Erie she seid in this maner : 1093
* Ye shaft here haue the rewle and gouernaunce Of this centre, with aH my full powre ; My men) shaH be vnder your* obeiseaunce, 1096
And hough it be be disteyne or chaunce, What euer falle, if I come not Ayen), Ye2 shaH be here both lord And souerayn).' 1099
1 MS. When. 2 MS. he.
1079 and sent for an Earl
to take the rule of the country while she went in search of Auferius and Generydes.
36 QUEEN SEBEYNE REACHES INDIA, AND FINDS AUFERIUS'S MAN.
1 Madame,' he seid, 'to gouerne this centre 1100
It is noo liteH thing* to take in hand ;
ffor yow it is moche bettyr thanne for me ;
Yet neuer the lese, sithe I vnderstonde 1103
Your* purpose is to depart owt of the land,
I wolle fulfille your1 pleasur* in this case,
And trewly as I canne be goddes grace.' 1106
Queen Sereyne set off,
came to India
to Parentine,
Now Gothe quene Sereyn) fourth on) hir lurnaye, 1107
And in hir company she hadde a knyght,
A trosty man), and othe[r] squyers twaynne,
With but few moo ther hors for to dight ; 1110
So to the Kerne of ynd they went fuH right,
And sone vppon) ther labour5 and traveH
To parentyne she came with" owt fayle, 1113
[leaf 6, back]
and lodged with the faithful forester,
A towne whiche is rehersid here by fore. 1114
AnonVwithaH was purveyd a logging
ffor this lady ; and, for to say yow more,
hire oste was sumtyme dwellyng with the kyng, 1117
The same forster that brought to hym) tidengge,
Of his Stiward and of his fals treson),
As he rode in the forest vppe and down). 1120
As for a nyght ther toke she hir1 loggyng, 1121
And made on) calle the good man) of the place,
* Good ser,' quod she, ' telle me where is the kyng ;
I haue grete nede,' q^uod she, ' on) to his grace. 1124
Sumtyme a lady weft att ease I was,
And now be force,' quod she, ' siche is my chaunce,
I am putte ow[t] of myn) enheritaunce.' 1127
1 Madame,' quod he, ' here is noo remedy : The kyng suerly is putte owt of his right By grete tresone, I saye yow certenly,
1128
THEY JOURNEY TO THE CITY WHICH AUFERIUS GOVERNS, IN THRACE. 37
By his Stiward and by the quenys rnygfrt, 1131
Whiche I may soore repent bothe day and nygfrt ; ffor now A dayis I lese all that I wanne, Where here before I was1 a threfty man). 1134
Wherfor to hym) I wiH, this is noo naye, Where cue?- he be, I say yow certaynly.' Thanne sayd the quene, ' good ser, I yow pray, That ye wiH come with me in conipanye ; hym) for to fynd I purpose vtteiiy, And I shall paye your* costez euery dele.'
he, 'madanie, I gre me wele 1141
1142
1145
1148
1135 whom she
prevailed upon
1138 to come in search of the king.
In your1 presence to traveH day by day.' So on) the morow departed quene Sereyne, As erly as she cowde on) hir lurnay, With hir to goo the forster was right fayn). So many dayes she laboryd certayn), That of the Reame of Trace she had a sight, And thederward they toke the wey fuH right.
When) they came ther the[y] sawe a faire cite, As futt a pepiH as it cowde suffice, The fayre Reuer grete pleasur* for to see, With shippez grete of dyuerce merchaundise, AH goodly thing that eny cowde wele devise ; And as the Story makith reinembraunce, kyng Auferius had ther the gouernaunce.
On the morrow they departed
for Thrace,
1149 and came to a fair city
1152
1155
1156
And ther he was purposing to Abyde, As for A tyme for materys for the kyng1 : The quene Sereyn was be the Ryuers side Right Wele loggid, and whan) she hadde tideng1 1159 A[nd] trew knowlage of Auferius the kyng, hough he but late was come to the Citee, God wote fuH wele therof apayed was she. 1162
1 MS. wig.
of which Auferius was governor.
The queen lodged by the river side.
QUEEN SEREYNE WASHES AUFERIUS S SHIRT, AS SHE ALONE COULD.
On the bridge she saw three lavenders washing a shirt.
For hir* disporte she goth" to take the Ayre, 1163
And to the Keueres side she ganne hir dresse ;
Ther was a brygge futt strongly made and fayre,
And ther she sawe, myn) Auctowr doth witnesse, 11 GO
iij lavenders ded all ther besynesse
A sherte to wassh ; thanne seid she to them) iij,
' What do ye here, fayre susters myn) 1 ' quod. she.
They told her they had been about it for
two years.
Quod on) of them), 'that were good to be knowe, 1170
It is a wonder wark withouten) dough t ;
We wassh a shirte, and euer shall I trow,
ffor this ij yere we haue ben) it abought, 1173
And yet we cannot gete the spotte[s] owt,
Wherefore they calle vs noo good lauenders,
And we haue vsid it thus many yerez.' 1176
She took it from them
and washed it clean,
' Shewe me ye shirte,' thanne seid the quene Sereyii),
' And I shaft se what I shall do ther to :
Whanne I haue do, ye shaft haue it ageyn),
And do ther with what ye list to do.' 1180
She toke the Shirte withoute wordes moo,
And wesht it onys and ryneshed it so clene,
That afterward was noo spotte on) it seen). 1183
and returned to her lodging. The lavenders wondered,
When) she had don), she toke it them) ageyn), 1184
Or tyme that she departed fro the place ;
To hir logging went the quene Sereyn),
The lavenders hadde wonder of that case, 1187
They mused sore and mervelid how it was :
And home they went the women) euerychon),
Whanne it was drye they bare it fourth anon). 1190
and took the To auferius the kyng where as he laye,
shirt to Auferius,
In a casteH full goodly to behold ; And whanne he sawe his shirt in that aray, 1 MS. Araye.
1191
AUFERIUS HEARS OP THIS, AND MOURNS FOR SEREYNE. 39
Withoute spotte, lie beganne to be cold, 1194 who called to To thynk hough that a good old man) hym) told, oidmTn had e
Eotlie of [the] shirte and other thingez aH, told him'
Whiche sitfc that tyme full trewly hatfc be faH. 1197
The same forster that came with quene Sereyn), 1198 The forester To the castitt he toke the way futt right, the queen went
m i • i i -i i /> -,, n to the castle
lo se his lord, god wote, he was fun fayn).
Whanne he came ther of hym) he hadde a sight, 1201
And spake to hym) as sone as euer he myght ;
The kyng hym) knew, wherof he was fuH glad,
Not withstondeng he fond hym) passyng sadde. 1204 and found the
king sad.
' Ser, if it please your* lordshippe,' thanne qiiod he, 'Sir,' said he,
'why is this
' I yow beseche tell me yo?/r heuynesse : heaviness?*
To wete yow in this plight it grevith me,
ffor if I myght I wold it fayne redresse ; 1208
And oftentymes it hath be sene express^,
In grete materys, withouten) eny fayle,
A sympiH mannys counceH may p?*evayle.' 1211
To hym) Ay en) seid Auferius the kyng; 1212 The 'king
' I knowe your* trowth, and soo hath doori) Alway,
And for to sey yow [sothe] withoute feyneng^,
AH this is come to me sithe y ester day, 1215
And hough and in what wise I shall yow saye : '
And so fourth he told? of quene Sereyn), told him of queea
And hough a child was gote betwix them) twayne, 1218 Serey(-"eaf 7]
And of : his shert where on) hir1 terys felle, 1219 and of her tears
That non) shuld wassh them) owt saue only she : none but herself
* Now is it clene, whiche lekith me fuH ille, ffor thus I thynk It canne non) other be; 1222
But she is dede in very certente.' ' But she is dead.*
1 Nay,' qwod he, ' ser, I trow it be not soo, 'Nay' Sir'
ye shaH here better tydengez or ye goo. 1225
1 MS. his. But see 11. 1G2, 193.
KING AUFERIUS GOES TO SEE QUEEN SEREYNE.
I saw a fair lady wash a shirt by the river's side.
I saw but late vppon) the Byueres side 1226
One wassh" a shert, I wote not whose it is.'
Whanne he1 hard that he wold not long1 abide
But askid more, 'now telle me who did this/ 1229
Qiiod auferius, ' so haue ye loye and blysse.'
' A fayre lady,' quod he, ' I yow ensure,
And for to chese a goodly creature. 1232
i came with her I came with hir owt of the Berne of ynd,
out of India to seek you.'
1233
And atte myn) howse ther toke she2 hir loggyng1;
She askid me where that she shuld yow fynde,
And I told hir I hadd no knowlachyng1 ; 1236
So fourth she went and left aH other thing*,
At a venture your* welefare for to see,
And so came I with" hir to this citee.' 1239
•Now, help me to see her,' said Auferius.
* Now, for my loue, helpe that I may hir see 1240
In eny wise/ quod. Auferius the kyng ;
' ffor I canne think right wele that it is she,
Whom) that I loue aboue aH other thing'.' 1243
The forster seid, ' ser, on) to hir loggyng,
When) euer it please yow, I shaH be your' gyde ;
ffor she is here by vppon) the Kyuerez side.' 1246
Without delay he went to her lodging.
In this mater ther was no more to saye, 1247
2^0 lenger avise nor lenger abyding,
Butt fiirtE. he rideth" vppon) his hakeney,
Vppon) the Beuerys side to hir logging1 : 1250
And whanne she had knowlache of his comyng1,
Remembryng1 hough" that she shuld hym) see,
Wete ye right wele a glad woman) was she. 1253
When she saw him
When) he was come and knewe that it was she, ffor very glad he wist not what to saye ; Whenne she hym) sawe it wold non) other be, 1 MS. she. 2 MS. che.
1254
SHE EEJOICES WITH HIM, AND MOVES TO ONE OF HIS CASTLES. 41
Butt furth" with aft in swounyng1 tlier she1 lay.
As sone as he hir sawe in that arraye,
God wote he was an) hevy man) therfore,
And ther with [all] abisshid more and more. 1260
Yet Atte last fuU lentilly he went, 1261
And toke hir in his armys for sertayn),
hir to commfort he did aft his intent ;
With that she came vnto hir self ageyn). 1264
Thanne was ther ioye betwix them) twayn),
ffor to teHe yow aH: it were a wounder,
And ofte they kist or they wold1 part A sender. 1267
1257 she fell down in a swoon.
Then was there joy betwixt them.
Thanne was ther not ferre owt of the Citee
A fayre castett, and thederward he went
Owt of the Citee, not2 ferre past ij myle or iij,
That was his owen) att his comaundment. 1271
Whanne [he] came ther for moche people he sent,
The whiche held of his lordshippe and fraunchesse,
That tJtei shuld come to hym) in eny wise. 1274
And so they dede meche people in certayn); ^ 1275
Whanne they were come he told them) aH; the case,
Desireng1 them) to goo for quene Sereyne
To the Citee, and bryng hir* to this place ; 1278
ffor he purposith sone, with" goddes grace,
In as short tyme as he cowde wele devise,
hir for to wedde in honorabiH wise.
1268 Not far from the city was a fair castle.
He sends for
Sereyne thither,
To this casteH they came with quene Sereyn), Right wele( a compayned in euery wise, Of hir comyng1 the peopiH were full fayn), And offeryd hir right lowly ther seruice ; Atte hir pleasur* and atte hir owyn devise, In that casteH she tared for to rest, Onto the tyme they purvayed for the fest.
1 MS. *?. 3 MS. nor.
1281 that he might marry her.
1282
1285
1288
42 THE KING OF THEACE DIES. A PARLIAMENT IS SUMMONED.
Meanwhile the king fell
In this meane while, the kynges masscnger 1289
To Auferius he came withoute fey[n]ing<.
Curlus he hight and seid in this inaner :
'.My lord,' quod he, 'ye must come to the kyng1 1292
In aft the hast, and make noo taryng*;
I drede me sore he may not long endure,
ffor he is passyng seke I yow ensure.' 1295
and died
When) Auferius the kyng herd that he saide, 1296
AH sodenly he waxhid bothe pale and wanne ;
ffurth on) his waye to ride he hym) purvayde
Vnto the kyng As fast as euer he canne, 1299
And wete ye will he was an) hevy man) :
ffor by the tyme he came vnto that place,
The kyng was dede, whiche was a hevy case. 1302
For hym) was made grete ordenawnce I yow ensure ;
The peopiH wept, ther hertys were full sore,
And for to pwrvaye for his sepulture
They besyed them) echon), bothe lesse and more, 130G
Tlianne was ther made an) ordenawnce therfore,
ffuH rially with aH maner seruice ;
As feft to his estate in eue?y wise. 1309
without heir.
"W[i]thynne a wlnle after aft this was do, 1310
A non) ther was callid a parlement,
By Auferius and other lordis moo,
ffully concludid AH by on) Assent, 1313
Be cause the kyng left non) of his disente,
Nor of his blode of that land to be kyng1,
To chese them) on) And lefe aft other thing1. 1316
The parliament And whanne they were Assemelyd every chone, 1317 And them) Avised them) wele in every thing1 ; They were fully Accordid aH in one,
AUFERIUS IS MADE KING, MARRIES SEREYNE, AND GETS A SON. 43
That Auferius suerly shuld be tlier kyng1 : he was to them) so trew And so loving, And so rightwise in euery lugement, That so able was non) to ther entent.
1320 chose Auferius to succeed him.
[leaf 7, back]
1323
And shortly to precede in this mater, 1324
They chase hym) kyng1 by voice of the land,
The lordes and the lentilles aH in feere,
To hym) dede homage as I vnderstonde, 1327
With f'uft promes ther feithes in his hand,
Atte aH seasones to Jiym) to owe ther seruice,
And hym) obeyed in eny maner wise. 1330
Whanne this was do he sent for quene Sereyne,
And in as goodly hast as it myght be,
The mariage was made be twix them) twayn),
With" grete honour and grete solempnite,
So grete a gaderyng1 was neuer in that contre ;
ifor to that fest he bedde his lordes euerychone,
Theder thei came and ladys many on).
1331
The marriage was made
1334 betwixt him aud Queen Sereyne,
1337
And whanne the fest was aH to geder don), 1338
Not long after withynne a liteH space,
The quene Sereyne- was with" child fuH sone
And whanne tyme came, as god witt geve hir grace,
She bare a sonne, a threfte child he was ;
And whanne that he was growe to mannys age,
he was callid IsmaeH the Savage :
and in due ' time she bare a son.
For he was wild in aft his demening1, Vnto the tyme he drew to more sadnesse, Thanne afterward he was withoute feyning1 A nobyH knyght, the story doth" witnesse : Now late vs thenne speke of Generydes, What payn) he hadde for fayre clarionas, By grete envy of cursid malichias.
1344 Ismaelthe Savage.
1345
1348
1351
Now let us speak of Generydes.
44 MALICHIAS SETS THE SULTAN OF EGYPT AGAINST GEXERYDES.
One morning he went to speak with his lady.
In a mornyng1 arose Generydes, 1352
To his lady he toke the way fuli right,
To speke with hir as for his hartys ease ;
This Malichias of hym) he had a sight, 1355
And after hym), as fast as euer he myght,
ffuH secretly he goth hym) to aspye,
hym) for to do sum shame and velanye. 1358
Malichias hid in a tree to hear what they said,
and told the Sultan all that he could say to
And to perfourme aft his purpose in dede, 1359
Vppe in a tree he stode futt secretly,
That what they seid therof he toke good heede,
And to the Sowdon) told it "by and by : 1362
And where as he dede noo thyng1 ellys trewly,
But spake with" hir to telle hir1 his entente,
he hym) reportid wers thanne euer he ment, 1365
her dishonour.
The Sultan sware they should die,
To hir dishonour aH that he cowde say. 1366
Whanne the Sowdon) had knowlage of this case,
he sware his othe ther was non) other waye,
Butt bothe they shuld be dede be goddes grace. 1369
To hym) anon) thanne sayde Malichias,
' Of your* doughter ye may not avenge yow soo,
But as for hym) ye wote what is to do.' 1372
but could not kill Generydes for fear of the people.
Yet in his wraugth this thought he eue?* among1, 1373
If he shuld avenge hym) sodenly,
AH his pepiH wold say he did hym) wrong1,
Withoute lustice to cause hym) so to dye ; 1376
And to eschew the Eumber and the crye,
his purpose thanne he chaungyd ail in feere :
And Malichias was wroth in his maner, 1379
And thought he was mystr[est]ed vtterly, Be cause the Sowdon) dede not as he ment ; ffor he was fayn) to think that he shuld dye,
1380
HE SHOWS THE SULTAN GENERYDES TALKING TO HIS DAUGHTER. 45
Butt for aH he myst of his entent,
Yet in his malice he was so fervent
he wold not leve, butt stille alway opece1
Dede all that he cowde to hurt Generydes.
So on) a tyme furl streygnt he toke the waye To the Sowdon), and seid in this maner ; ' My lord/ quod, he, ' ye leve not that I saye, And if it please yow my counceH for to here, Ye shall haue knowlache of this mater clere.' ' Wele thanne,' qwod he, ' if I may fynd it soo, Ye shall sone wete what I shaft do therto.'
' In a mornyng1, if it please yow to rise,' Quod Malichias, ' I canne say yow nomore, But2 ye shaH se your* self in euery wise The very trougth, as I haue seid before ; And wete ye wiH it grevith" me fuH soore, That ye shuld me mystrest by eny waye, I wold not that for more thanne I wold saye.'
The3 Sowdon) sayde, 'as towchyng this mater,
I wolle gladly be after your1 avise.'
Soo on) a day the wedder was fuH clere,
In a mornyng1 the Sowdon) ganne to rise,
As erly as he cowde in eny wise ;
ifurth on he goth, and with hym) Malichias,
Streight to the chaunbow?* of Clarionas.
Save Malichias with hym) ther was noo moo,
Atte A wyndov they stode hym) to Aspye.
Generydes, as he was wont to do,
ffuH sone after he came futt secretly,
As oft tyme As he came; yet trewly
he mystrestid neuer erthely man) be fore,
Yet As he Stode he Seighed wonder soore.
1383 Malichias
did not leave his malice
1386
1387
Generydes.
1390
1393
1394 He took the Sultan one
morning
1397
1400 1401
1404
1407 to the chamber of Clarionas,
1408
where they watched the lovers from a
1411 window-
1414
Generydes was sad
1 MS. opoce. Perhaps we should read alway stille opece. 2 MS. Se. 3 MS. She.
4G
DREAMS OF EVIL. THE SULTAN SEIZES GENERYDES,
for a dream he had dreamt of Malichiijs.
[leaf 8]
Clarionas als had had a dream.
When they had spoken
the Sultan took Qenervdes
To hym) anon thanne seid Clarionas, 1415
' Ye seigfi gretly, I prae yow telle me why.'
* Madame,' quod, lie, ' for certayri) it was,
This nyght I hadde a wonder dreme trewly 1418
Of Malichias ; noo mo but1 he And I
Were in A place, this is the certeynfte],
And of my clothez ther he robbid me. 1421
I drew my swerd to reskewe hym) ageyn), 1422 Butt in that case I mygfit not haue my wiU,
The Sowdon) came and cast me downe, I wene,
In a depe pitte, whiche grevid me full iH : 1425
With that my swerd owt of myri) hand it fett
On) Malichias and gave hym suche a wounde
Vppou) the hede that downe he felle to the grownde.
Yet cowde I not eskape owt of the pitte, ' 1429
ffor aH the craft that I cowde wele devise ;
Butt atte last, as god wold fortune it,
Ye aft only, and by you]? interprise, 1432
Owt of daunger ye causid me to rise.'
To hym) anone thanne seid clarionas,
I 1 am a ferde,' quod, she, ' of Malichias ; 1435
For I dremyd that he wold haue me slayn), 1436
Save it lay not in his powere -to do,
ffor he purpositfi. by some maner trayn),
Whanne he may see a tyme to shew vs woo.' 1439
And whanne thei had to geder spoken soo,
Supposyng1 wele that aH: had ben) in pece,
The Sowdon) came and toke Generydes, 1 142
In grete anger rebukyng1 hym) furl soore, 1443
And chargid Malichias in aH the hast To bynd hym) fast, and also ferthermore 1 MS. be.
AND PUTS HIM IN PRISON ; FETTERED GRIEVOUSLY BY MALICHIAS. 47
That lie in prison) depe lie shuld be cast, Ther to abide while that his lyff may last ; Or ellys he shuld by1 Malichias avise Be putte to detfc in a right shamefuH wise.
1446 and ordered him to be put in prison.
1449
For his doughter he sent fuli hastely,
And in his hete gave hir1 a grete repreff,
And callid hir, god wote, right shamefully
AH other wise thanne he cowde make the preff: 1453
And in his hert it was an) vtter greff,
ffor he demyd on) hir that she ne sought,2
Whiche afterward futt gretely hym) for thought. 1456
1450 His daughter he called by a shameful r.ame.
Now Generydes gotfi. with. Malichias,
his handes bounden) as a prisonere,
Streyght to a towre wherein the prison) was ;
And hyu]) delyueryd onto Anasore,
A gentift knyght keping the prison) ther,
To kepe hym) hard and strayte in his office,
Withoute favour* in eny maner wise.
1457 Generydes was put in a tower,
1460 under the charge of Anasore,
1463
1464
And for to shew his malys vtterly,
With strong yrons this cursed Malichias
he feteryd hym, and that soo grevously
The blode sprange owt in many dyuerse places ;3 1467
And whith an hevy hammer that ther was,
On his leggys so sore he lette hym) falle,
Att euery tyme he brake the skynne with aU. 1470
Thanne Anasar* was wrothe in his maner, 1471
And in this wise seid to Malichias,
' Ye do me wrong, sithe I am keper* here,
To do that is myn) office in this case ; 1474
ffor his offence4 or how that [euer] it was,
It is agayn) aft reson in certayne,
To do [to] hym) this importabiH paynV 1477
and fettered grievously by Malichias.
MS. be by. 2 So MS. ; perhaps for that he ne ought. 3 So MS. ; perhaps for place. 4 MS. office.
48
GENERYDES KILLS MALICHIAS. ANASOR EXCUSES HIM.
For noo prayer yet wold he neuer sece, 1478
But trewely did as he did before : Longer suffer myght not Generydes, At length Nor nought he wold thow he shuld die1 therfore, 1481
Generydes smote
rum that he died. And with his fist he smote hym) wonder soore, That bothe his eyne owt of his hede ganne falle, And sodenly he died furtfr witfraH. 1484
The keeper gave out
And whanne the keper sawe that he was dede, 1485
Thanne was he sory for Generydes ;
If it were knowen) that he were don) to ded,
The Sowdon) wold be wroth" withouten) lese, 1488
Owt of reason) that noman) cowde hym) sese :
Wherefore he founde a meane to his entente,
By there avise that were with" hym) p?*esent. 1491
How2 Malichias whanne he came fro the towre, 1492 And don) that the Sowdon) bad hym) do, that he fell down- his fete fayled in vnhappy oure,
stairs and brake
his neck. And down) he felle and brake his nek in ij ; 1495
And for to make a preff that it was soo, They toke hym) vppe and layde hym) soft and fayr1, Down) Atte lowest foote of aH the stayre. 1498
Thus were they aH accordyd euerychone, 1499
Generydes to quyte aH vtterly ; Among1 them) aH ther was on,
A knight Dareii A knygfit that alway was in companye 1502
With" anasor, and lovyd hym) trewly ; And as he wold the toder wold the same In euery thing1, and dareH was his name. 1505
was chief of the Iii this mater1 he was chef of counceH 1506
council in this
matter, With anasor to helpe Generydes :
he bad hym) goo and in no wise to fayle
1 MS. did. 2 MS. Now.
ANASORE TELLS THE SULTAN THAT MALICHIAS DIED ACCIDENTALLY. 49
To the Sowdon), and telle hym) the processe, And he wold be1 on) of his cheff witnesse. Thanne anosor* ther as the Sowdon) was ffuft sone he went, and told hym) aft the case.
Eurtli in his waye goth now the Chastelyn), And. to the Sowdon) saide in this maner : * I shaft yow telle of a ventur1 certeyn), And that a strange, if it please yow to here, hough Malichias, withynne my office here, Toke vppon) hym) as for Generydes Aft that ye bad me do withoute lease.
And ouer that he dede fuft trewely, With strong Irons and feteryd hym) fuli sore,3 The blode ranne owt and that fuft petevously • Whanne he had don), to seye yow ferthermore, Downne of the greses he felle the hede before, And brake his nek, it myght non) other be, ffor this he died in very certeynte.'
1509 andAnasore
went to tell the Sultan,
1512
1513
Yet or [that] he departyd was and gone,
ffuft streyte he went vnto Generydes,
And of his bandis losed hym) anon),
That he somewhat myght be att his hartes ease.
ffor though2 ther were a noyse among the prese,
Yet wist he wele as for fayre Clarionas,
That he was no thing1 gilty in that case. 1519
first having loosed Generydes.
1516
1520
1523
1526
1527
1530
1533
He tells his tale.
[leaf 8, back]
Whanne the Sowdon) hard this, I yow be night Ther myght no man) be wrother thanne was he, 'What, serys ! ' he seitfi, ' this gotfi. not Att a right : Thow Chastelyn), in what- wise may this be 1 1537 AH this is done but for a sotilte, To hide your* falshede vnder a coverture, But he shaft dye to morow be ye sure.' 1540
3 MS. fa st.
1534 and the Sultan was wroth and suspicious,
1 MS. he.
GENERYDES.
MS. tliovght. 4
50 HOUNDS REND MALICHIAS's BODY TO PIECES.
To hym) anon) answered the Chastelyn) ; 1541
' Ser, if it please your* lordshepe for to here,
ffor your* wurchippe yow most your1 self reteyne,
And take a good avise in this mater, 1544
See that your1 grounde be very good and clere,
To your* entente accordeng1 to the same,
Or ellys it is but slaunder to your1 name.' 1547
and ordered Malichias to be buried.
The more he spak the more he lost his payn) ; 1548
Whanne Anasar* saw that he went his wey :
The Sowden) callid fourth his chaumbeiieyn),
'Goo,' quod he, 'as fast as eue?* ye may, 1551
And see that Malichias in good arraye
Be caryed thens, ther as his body is,
To the temple in honorabiH wise.' 1554
'Now gotli the chaumbeiiayn) furth on) his way, 1555 With aH the hoole howse att his comaundmewt, His body was And whanne they came ther as the body lay,
found torn to
pieces by hounds. It for to bery after ther entent, 1558
Ther they founde it with hundes alto rent, Some rede, some blak, and some of dyuerse hude, Ther cowde no man) nownber the multitude. 1561
The Sultan was more wroth,
Eche of them) bare a pece away, 1562
Of flessh ne boon) ther was no thyng behynd ;
The chammberleyn) whanne he sawe that arraye,
he went furth sore musyng in his mynde, 1565
And told the Sowdon) as he shuld it fynde >
In euery thyng thanne was he grevid soore,
And more wrother thanne he was before. 1568
Thanne for his lordes1 furtfi. with aH he sent, 1569 That they 2 shuld come withoute eny fayle : Whanne they were come anon) incontynent,
1 MS. lordes tJianne. 2 MS. lie.
THE SULTAN ACCUSES GENERYDES OF SEDUCING HIS DAUGHTER. 51
Generydes was brought owt of the layle, ffuH sore aferd as it was noo mervaH ; And ther he stode before them) euerychone, Eight in this wise the Sowdon) sayde anon)
1572 and sent for Generydes,
1575
' This felaw her, this yong man that ye see, Generydes/ he saide, ' that is his name ; he was suerly the man) that plesid me, Wenyng1 to me that he hadde be the same ; Butte now he hath don) me an) vtter shame, ffor he hath done my doughter villanye, And layne be hir I sey yow certenly.
1576 whom he accused before his lords
1579
1582
of seducing his daughter.
I saw hym) speke with hir in secrete wise, 1583
Wherefore I wote it may non) other be ;
And I shall wele aquyte hym) his seruice,
ffor he shall dye therfore, now trostith me ; 1586
That other may ensampyH take and see,
To be ware how they in suche case
here afterward offende in eny place.' 1589
With that anon) answerd Generides : 1590
' My lord,' quod, he, ' if ye cause me to dye,
Ye do me wrong, I take god to my witnesse ;
And wele I wote ther is no reasone whye, 1593
ffor in this poynt I am no thyng gilty,
And that I shall make good, I yow ensure,
On) knyght or Squyer whiH my lyif endure.' 1596
Whanne the-Sowdon) had hard all that he seid ; 1597
* Trowist thu to fyght,' quod he, ' as in this case ?
Nay think it not, thy bost shall sone be layde,
ffor thu shalt [dye] to morow withoute grace, 1600
And what that euer be withynne this place,
That wolle for the entrete in eny wise,
he shaH not spede I yow promysse. 1603
Generydes offered to prove this false,
but the Sultan urged his lords
52
ANASORE AND DARELL PLEAD FOR GENERYDES.
to condemn him to death.
All were silent but Anasore
Wherefore I wold ye gave your* full assent 1604
Among yow aH this processe to fulfille,
Accordeng1 plenly to that lugement.'
And ther withaH the lordes were ful stille, 1607
And seid noo word neyther good nee iH,
Thanne Atte last the Chastelyn) alone,
like as a knyght spake afore them) euerychone : 1610
1 My lordes Att,' he seid, < hough may this be ? 1611
This is a thyng whiche I n&uer sawe,
The Sowdon) doth vs wrong, As thinkith me,
To make vs deine a man) withoute lawe; 1614
And for my part, for favoz^r or for awe,.
I shall neuer assent to this mater,
Consideryng what he hath proferyd her.' 1617
Thanne was the Sowdon) owt of pacience 1618
With Anasor*, And spake fuH hastely ;
' Ye are,' quod, he, ' to bold in my presence,
Ayenst my wiH to speke so vtterly, 1621
It is noo sygne of very loue trewly,
Not withstondeng I wote wele what ye mene,
But troste rce wele it goo not as ye wene.' 1624
and Darell, who took the part of Generydes.
Thanne came DareH and putt hym) self in prese, 1625
Where here be fore rehersid is by name,
Of nobyH kynne he was withouten) lese,
The more bolder he was to take a blame 1628
In this mater accordyng1 to the same ;
And in this wise he seid be fore them) aH,
And to the Sowdon) in especiaH : 1631
Deaf 9]
* As for my felawe her, the Chastelayn), I haue merveH that he rebukith hym) soo ; Wele I wote that he hath don) his payn),
1632
THE SULTAN RESPITES GENERYDES FOR THREE WEEKS. 53
ffor your1 pleasur5 in aH that lie cowde doo, 1635
And vtterly this will I saye also,
he that wiH do Generydes a shame,
I yow ensure he shaft do me the same.' •> 1638
Thanne to the Sowdon) furth with all they went, 1639 The lords then
The lordes and the knyghtes euerychone, San to**
And prayed hym) to respite the lugement, Judgment!
ffor certenly his wurchippe laye ther on); 1642
And wele they wist that reson) was ther [n]on),
A man) to deme, in eny maner case,
Withoute lawe and in so litiH space. 1645
The Sowdon) was as wrothe as he mygftt be, 1646 Thesmtan
That in noo wise he wist not what to saye ;
Thanne was ther on), the Story tellitfi. me,
A knyght whiche hadde be with hym) many a day,
And wele cheryshed with hym) he was Alway, tmtwaspre-
like as he wold the Sowdon) wold the same Lucas,
In euery thyng1, and Lucas was his name. 1652
Ynto the Sowdon) he seid thus anon) : 1653
' Me think, ser, as ferre as I canne fele,
These lordes and these knyghtes euerychone
In this mater they haue not seyde but wele, 1656
hasty processe wiH shende it euery dele,
Avise yow wele and do be good counceH,
And that shaH gretly yow honour and provaile.' 1659
"VVhanne the Sowdon) had hard hym) euery dele, 1660
Withynne a while he was right temperate,
Of ail his wordes he remembryd wele,
And with hyin) self he was half atte debate ; 1663
he thought he wold noo more be obstenate,
And gaue them) respite be fore them euerychon), and gave
respiti days.
TiH one and xx" dayes were come and goon). 1666 respiteofxxi
54 GENERYDE'S AND CLARION AS GRIEVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.
Generydes vrent back to prison,
Therof was aH the felashepe fuH fayii), 1667
And wele content that he hadde suche [grace]
Generydes to pn'sone went ayeyn),
Atte hartes ease meche better thanne he was ; 1670
ffor Anasore hadde graunt hym) aH the place
ffor his Disporte, to take it as hym) list,
In hym) he hadde no maner of mystrest. 1673
and thought of Clarionas.
"Whille he was stille in prisone a bideng1, 1674
his thought was ali on) Clarionas ;
And euer in his mynd remembryng1,
how fayre1 of hewe and womanly she was ; 1677
And if he myght stonde in so good a case,
hir to reioyse and haue hir atte his wissh,
Of aH his payne he wold not sett a rissh. 1680
She was vppe on) A chaunbyr stiH opece, 1681
And euery man) that passid to and fro
She askyd fast aftur Generydes,
In very trougth if he were dede or noo ; 1684
They seid he was ageyn) to pn'sone goo,
And was a lyue they knewe it for certayn),
The whiche some what conforte[d] hir Ayeyn). 1687
The Sowdon) chargefd] them to kepe the day, 1688
In eny wise what thing that euer faH :
And so they dede his pleasure to obeye,
Theder they came ichon) in generaH ; 1691
Thanne was the place to litiH for them) aH, »
Wherefore the Sowdon) anon) dede ordeyne
A larger place aH owt vppon) the playn). 1694
And for to determytte this mater, 1695
Generydes was Generydes was brought owt of the gaile ;
brought out
of prison, The Sowdon) thanne rehersid thanne in fere
On the day fixed
MS. good fayre.
THE KING OP EGYPT CLAIMS THE SULTAN'S LAND AND DAUGHTER. 55
his displeasur* withoute eny fayle, hough he myglit best to his entente prevaile ; And sodenly, among them) euerychone, ffurth witfi. ther came a massanger anon),
1698 and the Sultan related his displeasure,
1701
In hast[y] wise as fast as he cowde ride, 1702
And to the Sowdon) he seid, right in this wise :
' I am not come my massage for to hide,
But boldly for to telle you myn) avise.
Ther is 'a kyng not ferre from) thise partise,
In aH centres ther as men) riden) and goon),
Vnder hevyn) so grete ther levith non).
when a mes senger came 1705 from the King
1708
demanding the Sultan's land,
Kyng* of Egipte he is, the sotfi. to saye, 1709 of Egypt,
And haue merveH, sithe ye be hold soo wise,
That ye so long haue putte it in delaye,
And come not forth to offer your1 semice ; 1712
Wherefore he wrH that ye in eny wise
Yeld vppe your1 land att his comaund[e]ment,
And vtterly obey to his entent : 1715
And for to take avise in this mater, 1716
he grauntith yow a moneth" day of space,
And by that day to geve a playn answere,
As ye wiH: be demeanyd in this case ; 1719
And your* doughter also clarionas,
I counceH yow to send hir to the kyng,
ffor your* ease and welefare in tyme comyng.' 1722
Whanne he hadde seid his massage aH in feere, 1723
The Sowdon) was displeasid for certayn) ;
And furth. with att he chargid Anasar*,
To take with hym) Generydcs ayeyn), 1726
And ther to kepe hym) suerly on) A payn),
ffor he myglit not precede furmabely,
Because the tidyngcz came so hastely. 1729
and liis daughter.
56 THE SULTAN OF PERSIA REFUSES CLARION AS TO KING BELEN.
1730
[leaf 9, back]
Belen the Cold the King of Egypt's name.
' Now telle what mane?' a man) is he/
Seid the Sowdon), ' that is of suche powre ;
And sey me now the very certente.'
To hym) anon) thanne seid the Massenger, 1733
' If it please yow to wete, that ye shall here :
Belen the bold his name is ouer aH,
And kyng of kyngges now men) do hym) calle ; 1736
His loggyng is vppon) a fayre Eyuer, 1737
Callid teger, not ferre owt of this cost ;
And there lie lit!i with right a grete powre,
his owne persone and also aft his oste ; 1740
he witt that it be knowen) to litiH l And most,
That fro that grownde he wiH nott part Away,
Titt he haue redy word what ye 2 witt saye.' 1743
The Sultan refused his daughter,
The Sowdon) thanne gave Answere furtfi. witJi aH, 1744
And in this wise seid to the massanger ;
' Of my doughter, as for the principal!,
I lete yow wete, for pleasur* nee for fere 1747
Think not ther on), for she shall not come ther*,
Mother in no nother place I yow ensure,
The whiche mygfrt sownne onto here dishoncm-/'. 1750
and for the rest of the message,
he would answer it in a month.
As for the Remenawnte of your> message, 1751
Be cause I wiH not letfce yow of your1 waye,
"Whanne euer ye wiH ye may take your* viage,
ffor your* Answere I wiH that ye shaH sey, 1754
I witt send word withy nne a moneth day
Vnto your1 prince, where euer he be present,
AH vtterly the fyne of myn) entent.' 1757
The mersenrer Tlie massanger anon) he toke his leve,
left, and the
sultan consulted And furth he went whanne he hadde his answer1.
his lords,
The Sowdon) anon) he ganne his counceH to meve
1758
MS. mm.
MS. he.
THE SULTAN'S LORDS ADVISE HIM TO FREE GENERYDES. 57
Of that mater that towchid hym) soo nere, 1761
And Askid ther avise in this mater,
Not on) nor twayne, but att in generaH,
Thanne spake ser DareH, and Answerd furtli with AH :
' These lordes here, that hen) of jour counceH 1765
And my falow, and I be on Assent
In that mater to se what may prevaile,
As we seme l best we shaH shewe our* entent.' 1768
Thanne spake lucas anon) encontinent,
' Ser, dought ye not/ quod he, ' in this case
It shaH be purvayde fore with" goddes grace ; 1771
Sithe tyme of mend this land ded neuer soo, 1772 who advised
him to resist
And as for vs we will not [now] begynne. Beien,
his lordes aft Assentid wele therto,
And thought that lucas seid right wele therin. 1775
* We trost,' qwod they, ' the victory for to wynne,
Vppon) that prince so myghti in his strength,
Or ij monethys be fully drawe o length. 1778
But this we wiH require yow euerychone, 1779
To shew your* grace on to Generydes : and to release
Generydes.
ffor wele we wote offence he hath do non),
Vs thynk he shuld the soner haue'his pece ; 1782
"We yow beseche your rancour for to sese,2
ffor att this tyme he may do good seruice,
And suche as shaH please yow in euery wise. 1785
And in this wise, yf it please yow to here, 1786
Be myn) avise ye shaH send3 for your ost : And these 'lordes that ben) with yow here, lett them) send for ther men) in euery cost, 1789
In aH ther best array both lesse and most ; And so shaH yow, with aH your1 baronage, Defende your* lande that it pay noo trewage.' 1792 'So MS. Ideate. * MS. sesee. 3 MS. .sent.
58
GENERYDES IS SET FREE.
The Sultan
agrees to free Generydes,
The Sowdon) rnarkyd wele ther wordes aH, 1793
And thought it was "but reason) that they seide.
' Now, seris,' quod he, ' sithe yow in general!
ffor this young man) so specially hath prayed, 1796
That ye desire of me shall nott be nayed ;
Ye may telle hym) he shaft stonde in my grace,
like as he dede before in eny place.' 1799
and Anasor and DareU
They were right glad and thankyd hym) icheon), 1800 That they for hym) had sped so wele that day; Thanne AnasoiJ and DareH went anon) Vnto the towre where he in pn'son) laye. 1803
' What tydinges now,' quod he, ' I praye yow saye.' ' Be of good chere,' quod they, ' dought ye no dele, Your* pece is made, and aH shaH be right wele.' 1806
set him free. They toke his feters of incontenent 1807
ffrom) his leggis, and whan) they had so do, Thanne was he glad Tnow, and furth he went To the Sowdon) as fast as he cowde goo, 1810
With DareH and ser Anas or* Also ; And whanne that he come to his presens, ffuH vmbely he did his Eeuerence, 1813
And to the Sowdon) seid right in this wise ; 1814
Generydes begs for the Sultan's
favour, t j woid beseche yow, ser, graunte me yowr grace,
I neuer offendid yow in my seruice, Mother to yow nor to Clarionas. But hir to wurchippe as my dute was In that that I cowde do, I yow ensure, As long as I in seruice dede indure.
1817
1820
And more ouer, as for the massanger, It grevid me fuft 1H to here hym) speke : he sett his wordes in soo grete maner,
1821
GENERYDES OFFERS TO FIGHT KING BELEN. 59
That I wolcf fayn) on) hym) haue ben) wreke ; 1824
With. your1 licence his purpose shaft I broke, and offers to
fight the king
And if I may your pleasure vnderstonde, of Egypt hand
to hand
With that prowde kyng< I wiH fignt hand be hand. 1827
He shaft not do your5 doughter dishonour, 1828
As long as god wift send me lyff and space ; [leaf 10]
!Nor of his pride shaft neuer come that our*
That ye shaft paye trebute, be goddis grace, 1831
This land shaft neuer1 stande in suche case ;
And if ye geve me leve, withoute fayle
ffor aft his strength I wift hym) onys assayle.' 1834
Whanne the Sowdon) had hard hym) sey so wift, 1835
' Generydes,' quod he, 'I geue yow grace, TheSuitan
restored Gene-
Aft myn) evift wift I for geve euery deele, rydes to favour,
And ye to stonde in soo good a case 1838
As euer ye dede withynne eny place ;
ffor now I know that ye, in euery wise,
haue contynued fuft trew in your* seruice. 1841
And ferthermore, withoute more dalay, 1842
To morow suerly I wift make yow a knygftt : a»d promised
on the morrow :
And for your* sake an hundred more that day to make him a
knight.
Ther shaft be made, and then) with goddes myght 1845
I shaft purvay as for the landes rignt,
It to defende, and that it may be clere
ffrom) aft smiage and clene owt of daunger.' 1848
Thanne was his thought vppon) Clarionas, 1849
Sithe he hir saughe hym) thought passing long ; He then sent
That she myght stonde in his favour* and grace like as she dede, for he had don) hir wrong1 ; 1852 And that he cowde remembre euer among1 : "Wherefore he thought hir to recompence, he senditfr for hir to come to his presence. . 1855 1 MS. Us grace.
for Clarionas,
60
THE SULTAN DECLARES CLARIONAS FREE FROM GUILT.
and took her in his arms.
Thanne Anasore was chargid for to goo . 1856
Vnto the chaunbyr of fayre Clarionas,
To bryng her furth. the Sowdoii) bad hym) soo,
That euery man) myght see withynne the place, 1859
hough wele she stode with hym) in eue?y case :
And whanne she came befoore hym), for certayn),
The Sowdon) toke hir in his armys twayn). 1862
' Doughter,' he seid, ' for yow I am to blame, 1863
ffuH wrongfully to me ye were accusid,
And not gilty I wiH recorde the same,
To say the soth" it may not be refusid ; 1866
So hold I yow all vtterly excusid
In euerj thing ' ; and here, or where ye be,
Att AH tymes right wele come on) to me.' 1869
Next day Vie assembled his knights,
Generydes the first of any.
They took their leave, and went to make ready.
Clarionas was fayn) whanne this was doo, 1870
Of hym) she toke hir leve fuH curtesly ;
Thanne was Generydes futt glad also,
Be cause hir pece was made so trewly : 1873
And as she went he cast on) hir his lee,
So as he durst, to saue hym) self fro blame,
And she ayenward Aquyte hym) with the same. 1876
Thanne was ther sone Assigned knyghtez twayri) 1877
To bryng hir to hir chaumber furth with AH,
And on) the morow the Sowdon) for certayn)
With his lordes he come in to the haH, 1880
And ther anone [among] his knyghtez aH,
And, soth to say, the first of eny man)
Generides the order ther beganne.
The lordes toke ther leve on) be on), To make, them) redy atte ther owyn) devise The fFelischepe departid euerychon) 1 MS. think.
188S
1884
THE PERSIAN SULTAN SUMMONS HIS HOST TO FIGHT KING BELEN. 61
To goo and come ageyn) to ther seruice, And euery man) in defensable wise, hors and harnes withoute eny more delay, To muster withynne a monetS. day.
Furst the Sowdori) sent his letters owt,
With massengers as fast as they cowde ride,
To kynges and to princes aft abought,
The nexst that were marching on) euery side,
Desireng them) armowr to provide
And in aft goodly hast for them) he sende *
To come to hym) his centre to defende.
These lethes came on) to these princez aft,
hym) for to helpe they grauntid euerychone,
Whanne they were come, furst in especial!
Groves the kyng of Arabye was on) ;
.ij. thousand knyghtes came with hym) alone,
Be side archers a nowmbyr fuH notabyH,
"Whiche for werre Were right good men) and able. 1904
1887
1890
1891 The Sultan sent letters to the kings and princes
1894
1897 to help him.
1898
There came IAA-I Ci-oven, king 1901 of Arabia,
The kyng1 was wele in age I yow ensur*,
And anasor1 his sone was for certeyn)
A goodly prince and comly of stature ;
Of his corneng1 the Sowdon was fayn) ;
Notwithstondyng it was to hym) a payn)
So ferre owt of his contre to travail,
But his promesse was suche he wold not fayle.
Nexst after hym) ther came owt of turkey A myghti prince, and with hym people grete, A thousand helmys with hym) in companye, 0[f] his contre the best that he cowde gete, his sonnes bothe with hym) were not 2 for yete, And for to sey yow sotR, and not to feyn), Trewly they were fuH semely knygthez twayn) ; 1 MS. sent. * MS. not ferre.
father of Anasor,
1905
1908
1911
1912 a prince of Turkey, and his two sons,
1915
1918
62 THE KINGS WHO ARE ON THE SULTAN OP PERSIA S SIDE.
Off grete wurchippe and of right nobiH fame, 1919 David and Abeii, The eldest hight ser Dauid, as I rede,
The yonger sone ser AbeH was his name,
Whiche of his enmys l had but litiH drede ; 1922
The kyng hym) self was a lest man) in dede,
Also he louyd wele fayre Clarionas,
Butt she hadde sette hir hert in other place. 1925
the king of Cffisarea,
[leaf 10, back] Cherydone, the father of Darell,
Thanne came the prince of Cesare sone vppon), 1926
With vij hundred knygfrtes of his own) lande ;
The Story seith his name was Cherydone,
And ser DareH his sonne was, I vnderstonde : 1929
This prince was hold fuH manly of his hande,
his archers and his foote men) wele arrayed,
The Sowdon) of hym) was right wele apayd. 1932
Obeth, king of Sicily,
Thanne came the fortlit, whiche was of SesiH kyng,
A wurthy prince, And Obeth was his name ;
.v. honderyd knygfrtes he dede with hym) bring1,
And men) a foote accordeng1 to the same ; 1936
The prince hym) self of good and noble fame,
Theder to come he was right wele content,
As sone as he his lettres to hym) sent. 1939
the king of Nicomedia, Esaunce, (with 3000 men black as coal,)
Nexst after come the kyng of JSTicomede, 1940
iij. thousand men) he brought on) to the Citee ;
As blak as cole icheon) thei 2 were in dede,
Save only ther tethe ther was noo white to see, 1943
Strong men) they were the story tellith it me :
Esaunce he hight, the story doth witnesse,
A curtese knyght and fuH of gentilnes. 1946
the king of Etliiopia,
From) Ethiope ther came another kyng, 1947
ij thowsand knyghtes att his gouernaunce, With3 meche pepiH on) foote Att his leding :
1 MS. elmys. * MS. ther. 3 MS. WhicJte.
THE SULTAN AND HIS ALLIES, 15 KINGS) ENCAMP TOGETHER. 63
1950
Thanne after caine A riaH ordenawnce, Too myghty princes with a grete pusaunce, ffro Masedeyn) and owt of Arkadye, Ther cowde no man) the nowmber specific.
and the princes of Macedon 1953 and Arcadia,
Thanne came Moab, of Capadoor the kyng,
To the Sowdon) as fast as he cowde hye
"With ij knyghtes in felashepe rideng,
Balam the tone And yeferus trewly, 1957
The kyng of Damask and of Ermonye,
Of knyghtes wel Arrayed with spere and Shelde,
xv. thowsand they brought in to the feld. 1960
1954 Moab, the king of Cappadociu,
the kings of Damascus and ofErmonye,
the king of Orkney, and after him two kings more,
Sone after come the kyng of orkenay, 1961
In his companye ther came also
Another kyng in good riche Arraye ;
And after hym) ther came ij kynggez moo, 1964
0 thirde CesaH the kyng was on) of thoo ;
And what peopyH they brought among them) three, andathirdCesaii.
Mynne Auctowr seith it is a wonder to see. 1967
"Now haue I here rehersid in substaunce
xv kynges, As shortly as I myght,
With ther powre and Aft ther hoole puysaunce,
Whiche was so grete, to sey yow very right,
The Cite myght resseyue them) day ne nyght ;
Butt vnder nethe a woode withoute the town),
Ther was sette vppe the Sowdones pavilyon)
Vppon) A playn), and made of silk and gold? As richely as £hei cowde wele ordeyne, With many moo fuH goodly to beholde, And tentys large, full riche and-wele besen), And who so had be thence a myle or twayn), Vppon) the feld to loke or cast his le, It shuld hym) seme a town) or A Citee.
1968
15 kings in all,
1971
and met in a wood without the town.
1974 The Sultan's pavilion
1975 was set UP on a plain,
pith many more.
1978
1981
64- THE TURKISH KING'S SON DECLARES PERSIA SHALL BE FREE.
1982
Upon a time the Sultan went
to see the host,
Yppon a tyme the seasons was fayre,
With" his lordes the Sowdon) toke the waye,
Owt of the Cite to take the ayre,
In the feld vppon) a Somerys day, 1985
And for to see the Ost in ther arraye ;
Beholdyng them) with countenance right stabiH,
hyrn) semyd they were pepift innumerable. 1988
and tola them Thanne seid he thus vnto them) euerychon), 1989
Egypt's demand That were princes and other lordes aH,
* In this contre,' quod, he, ' ther is come on),
And kyng of kyngges thus he doth hym) calle, 1992
"Whiche thing may neuer in my reasone falle ;
ffor ther may non) be suche in dede ne thought,
Butt he that fowrmed aH this world of nought. 1995
for tribute.
Sir Abell said,
Also he askid tr[i]bute of this land, 1996
Whiche may not be, what case that euer faH.'
The formest ganne to speke, I vnderstonde,
The kyngges sonne of turkey furth with AH ; 1999
A semely prince, aer abeH they do hym) calle,
Vnto the Sowdon) sone he gaue1 answer*,
As these wordes he seid as ye shall here : 2002
the land of Persia should pay no tribute.
We will meet the Egyptians in the field.
' As for the land of perse, this will I saye, ' 2003
It ought to paye noo tribute in noo wise ;
!N"e our* enmys shall neuer see the day,
ffor we are stroiigge I now I yow promys 2006
Too kepe it from) AH suche maner seruice ;
And for to make it good with spere and Sheld,
Goo we to morow and mete them) in the feld. 2009
Do as ye leke, for this is my councett; 2010
Besechyng yow to be remembryd here, That whanne the lande of perse hath gevyn) bateH, 1 MS. gaue an.
THE SULTAN OF PERSIA'S HOST MAKES READY FOR BATTLE. 65
2013
Of tyme passid before in many yere, My lord and fader hath ben) Banyere, And in the formest bateH for to be he and his ayeris claymeth it of dewte.
Also to be made constabiH of your' ost, And the voward? to haue in gouernaunce, ffor to Turkey of right it longith most ; Beseching yow with vmble obeysaunce, Of your1 lordshipe ye list so it Avaunce, That I may [here] withoute envy or blame The formest baner in my faders name.'
2016
2017 Let me be the constable of your host,
2020
2023 and standard- bearer.'
Anon) with aH the Sowdon) gaue answere ;
' AH your1 desire I graunt, it is but right.'
The kyng hym) thankid in fuH curtes maner,
Thanne to ther tentys sone they ganne them) dight,
And dressid aH ther harnes oner nyght,
That they myght on) the morow withoute fayle
AH maner men) be redy to Batett. 2030
2024 [leaf 11]
The Sultan granted his desire.
Whanne it was day, forward they ganne them) dresse
In bright harnes these princes euerychone,
With other dyuerce lordes more and lesse,
Of Dukes and Erles and Barons anon), 2034
Ther helmes garnysshed that they had vppon),
With perlys and dyamauntez of price,
Ther course[r]s trappid in the fressest wise. 2037
At daybreak they made them ready for batt'e,
In the Citee through owt in euery strete 2038
Ther was grete noyse of pepiH aft abought,
To dresse them) fourth ther enmys for to mete,
And sone vppon) withoute eny dought 2041
ffro the Citee the Sowdon) passid owt,
And rideth streyte to his pavilion),
With lordes abought hym) in euery rome. 2044
GENEEYDE8. 6
and went out of the city,
66 THE LEADERS OF THE FIRST SIX CORPS OF THE PERSIANS.
60,000 strong.
The foremost ward the king of Turkey had with
And whanne that they were redy to goo, 2045
And AH assemelid in a companye,
iij skore thowsand they were withoute moo.
Thanne were ordeyned the wardes by and by ; 2048
The formest warde AH redy for to gye
The kyng1 of Turkey had in gouemaunce,
Be very right of his enheritaunce. 2051
8000 knights;
the king of Arabia had the second, with 2000;
the third, Sir Anasore and Generydes,
with 1500;
Thre thowsand knyghtes att his demening1, Be side Archers and foote men) that were ther, And As his graunt was atte begynneng*, his sonne ser AbeH he was baneer. The secunde ward, to certifie yow here, Was putte on) to the kyng1 of Araby, ij thowsand knyghtez in his companye.
052
2055
2058
2059
The iijde ward? ther in was ser Anasore,
And with hym) was Generydes also,
And AH the new made knyghtez they were thore,1
And xv hundred men) withoute moo, 2062
Of chosen) men) what euer they shuld do,
AH vnder nethe bothe the rule of more2 and lesse,
Of Anasore and [of] Generydes. 2065
Cherydone was fourth,
The prince of Cesare, callid cherydone, he was the iiijth, aH in Another ward, his felisshepe wele be sene echon),
with 1000 knights A thowsand knyght[ez] wayteng1 on) his gard?. next came the ' Thanne came the kyng of Cesett afterward,
king of Sicily and ... ,. . . _ J ...
3000 knights; nj thowsand knyghtez in his companye, With Archers and foote men) by and by.
2066
2069
2072
the king of Nicomedia
Nexst after 'hym) came the kyng of ]STycomede, 2073 V thowsand knyghtes, wonder to behold, ffuH begely shapen) bothe in lengeth And brede, 1 MS. y". 2 So MS. 1 the rule bothe more.
THE LEADERS OF THE LAST SIX CORPS OF THE PERSIANS.
67
As blak as coole, as I befoore haue told*, 2076
The vjte bateH to rule it as he wold1,
And as in writeng in fynde1 remembraunce,
Was putte hooly on to his gouernaunce. 2079
ruled the sixth battle ;
The kyng of Ethiope, with" pepiH grete,
The vijte ward? he hadd in goue?*naunce,
ffuH wele pnrveid his enmys for to mete ;
And in the viijte ward', to saye yow the substaunce,
iij kyng[ez] moo, with aH ther ordenazmce,
Of Masedoyne and other kyngez twayne,
2080 the king of
Ethiopia had the seventh ; .
With moche peopiH to .sey yow the certayn).
the king of Maeedon and two others the eighth;
2086
The ixte ward the kyng of Capadoce, With the nowmber of knyghtez iij thowsand, ffuH wele wellyd to werre vppon) ther foys ; The xte batayli kyng Balam toke on) hond, With iij thowsand knyghtez I vnderstonde ; The xjte ward2 therin was zepherus, A myghti prince in armys corageus.
The xijte warcf the kyng of Orkenaye, With grete peopiU I say yow sekerly ; The xiijte, the southly3 for to say, Kyng1 phares with a nobiH companye ; The last saue on) the kyng of Barbary. These iij princes hadde after ther entente vj thowsand knygntez in ther poyntement.
The last bateH therin the Sowdon) was, iij thowsand knyghtez with hym) ther were, Some of his lande and some of dynerce place, And euery man) wele dressid in his geere ; In that bateH: DareH was Baner, And as the story seith in euery wise he was a likely knyght for that Office. 1 So MS. 1 I fynde. * MS. was. 3 So MS.
2087 the ninth, the king of Cappa- docia ;
2090 the tenth, Balam ;
2093
the eleventh, Zephyrus j
2094 the king of
Orkney twelfth j
2097
2100
the thirteenth, King Phares ;
the last but one the king of Barbary.
2101 The Sultan last of all,
2104
2107 ? uruthe,
and Darell his standard-bearer.
68 THE FIRST THREE BATTALIONS OF THE KING OF EGYPT'S ARMY.
It was a royal sight to see them arrayed.
Anon) with all ther Baneres were displayed, 2108
A riaft sight it was to behold*,
Eche of them) wele horsid and arrayed,
And in ther harnes dressid as they wolcf, 2111
Ther cote Armers of siluer and of gold' ;
And so forward' they partid aH in feere,
The trompettys "blew, it was A loye to here. 2114
Now let us turn again to the
[leaf 11, back] mighty king.
He was in the foremost ward.
Now late vs leue them rideng on) the way,
And to this myghti kyng turne we agayn),
Hough he purveith in aH that euer he may,
And in what wise that he may best ordeyne,
Of euery ward to make a capteyn),
ffirst he appoynted in especiatt,
hym) self was in the formest of them) aH.
Three kings were Three kynggez were with" hym) in companye, Also he hadde of1 knyghtes vj. thowsand, And in nowmber as many by and by, In euery warde was poynted afore hand, And by writeng as I vnderstonde ;
and Gwynan his G wynan his sonne, whiche was fuH dere,
son, standard- <-»» i • i . it i -11 s-r.
bearer. Oi his baten he made hym) JBanere.
2115 2118
2121 2122
2125
2128
Then came Sir Amelok, king of India,
who betrayed king Auferius.
Thanne came ser Amelok, the kyng of ynd, 2129
Whiche lande, god wote, fuH tray torn [s]ly he wanne,
And vntrewly, the story makith mynde,
Betrayed his prince whiche was a nobiH man). 2132
The secunde ward ser Amelok beganne
With meche pepiH, to say yow certenly,
ij kynges mo were in his companye. 2135
sanyk, So forthermore thanne came the kyng Sanyk 2136
Nexst afterward, and with hym) kynggez twayn) ; king of Africa, A myghti prince, and kyng2 of Auferyk,3
1 MS. haddesf. 2 MS. kyng he was. 3 MS. Anseryk.
THE NEXT FOUR BATTALIONS OF THE KING OF EGYPT'S ARMY. 69
2142 had the third battle;
2143 the king
of Thrace the fourth;
And fader to the quene of ynde certayn), 2139
The whiche forsoke hir husbond be a trayn) : This prince hadde in his rewle and gouernaunce The iijde bateH with att the ordencmnce.
The iiijte bateH to rule and to ordeyne Madane1 hadde it, whiche was kyng of Trace ; And as myn) Auctowr specifieth" certayn Eight yong And fressh a lest man) he was. And in the vte ther came Barachias, Kyng of Europe, and suche a companye As euery ward was poynted by and by.
Nexst after hym) came Ermones the kyng,
The vjte BateH to gouerne as he wold*,
ffuH boustous folk and ift faryng,
With visages fowle, full gresely to beholde,
Alt of on) sorte they were both yong and old?,
Ther bakkes and ther belly were soo large, so big that horses
could not carry
Ther was noo hors of them wold' here the charge ; 2156 them,
2146
2149
the fifth, Barachias, king of Europe ;
2150 the sixth, king Ermones,
with men
2153
Wherefore they rode on) camelys euerychon),
Think wele it was a vounderfuH array,
ffor as for spere or swerd they handelid non),
Ther wepons were more stronger, I yow say,
lyke as mattokez Shapyn) so were they,
Ther helvys long, that whanne they shuld fight
Ther strokes shuld come with grete wight. 2163
2157 so they rode on camels,
2160 and lla<* weaP°ns (see p. 80) like mattocks, with long helves;
Two kyngez moo were in his company, Of suche makyng and of on) maner kynd. The vijte ward the kyng of Assirye, Galad he hight in story, as I fynde, A prince worthy for to [be] had "in mynd ; The viijte BateH therin was manassen, And vnder hym) was his sone ruben).
1 MS. Madame.
2164
the seventh, . Galad, king of 2167 Assyria;
2170
the eighth, Manassen ;
70 KING AUFERIUS LEADS THE KING OF EGYPT'S 10TH BATTALION.
the ninth,' Lamadone, king of Libya ;
the tenth, Auferius,
king of India,
The kyng of lybie, callid lamadone, 2171
The ixte warde hadde att his leding* ;
And the xte, the last of euerychone,
Was auferius, the welebelouyd kyng 2174
That was of ynd, and ther had his dwellyng
TiH he was putte [from] his enheritaunce,
Wherof be fore was made remembraunce. 2177
who knew not that he had to fight against his son Generydes.
Two kynges mo were in his poyntement, 2178
With the nowmber of knyghtes accordeng,
Owt of the Eeme of Trace with hym) ther were,
To wayte on) hym) ther were [they] well willyng1, 2181
But of on) thing he had no knowlaching*,
That his fortune was suche withoute lese
To fight ayenst his sone Generydes : 2184
The last batell was putt on) to his garcJ, 2185
And for this cawse it was apoyntid so,
Ser Amelok he hadde the secunde ward?,
That noo debate shuld be bytwix them) twoo, 2188
Thanne after this ther was no more a doo ;
The men) of armys bothe with spere and sheld,
With grete corage dressid them) in to the feld. 2191
The Sultan sent out 8 knights to reconnoitre.
And on) the toder part forward they went ; 2192
Among his men) the Sowdon) came rideng1,
And prevely iij knyghtez owt he sent,
Of his enmys to knowe ther demeanyng*, 2195
They brought hym) word ay en ward thei were comyng1,
And so they rode ye space of half a nyght,
That euerychone of other hadde a sight. 2198
Thanne afterward thei made noo taryeng1,
But furth they goo withoute eny lett,
Wete ye wele ther was a sorowfuH encounteryng1,
2199
THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE PERSIAN AND THE EGYPTIAN HOSTS. 71
Whanne the batels to geder were mett, 2202 The battles met.
Euerychone on) other ferly they sette
"With grete corage, and trewly for to speke
It was a world to here the sperys breke. 2205
The kyng of kynggez rode on euery side, ffuH clene armyd formest of euerychone, There were butt fewe his strokes wold abide, So many he on) horsid one be one ; A comly prince he was to loke vppon), And therwith [all] right good and honorable, And in the feld a knyght right confortable.
2206 The king of kings
[leaf 12]
2209 unhorsed many one.
2212
Ser abeH was of perse the Banere,
Avaunsid hym) and to a kyng ganne ride,
And thorough owt the body he hym) bare,
That on) his hors he myght not longe abide, 2216
Butt to the grownde he felle and ther he dyed ;
And thanne ser AbeH, in a hasty brayde,
Vnto the kyng of kyngges thanne he seide : 2219
2213 SirAbellmet him,
' Good serf qiiod. he, ' how likith. yow this game 1 '
With tho wordes the kyng liked full itt,
he thought fuH wele to quyte hym) with ye same,
And ranne to hym) with a futt eger wiH, 2223
That from ser AbeH downe the baner fell,
And suche a stroke he hadde, to say yow trew,
That from) his hors almost he ther oner threw. 2226
but lost his banner in the fight,
The kyng his fader sawe the baner down), he hastyd hym) as fast as euer he myght, And with an' hundered knyghtes of renown) The baner sone they reisid it vppe right ; Thanne was the bateH sore, I yow be hight, And many slayn) ; but or the day was past The men of perse with drew them) atte last.
2227 which his father rescued.
2230
The men of Persia withdrew,
72
GENERYDES UNHORSES THE SON OF THE KING OF EGYPT.
but Generydes came up and won the ground again,
The nexs't batett, whanne thei wist how it was, 2234
Generydes and Anasore in certayn),
They brought ther felishepe bothe more and lesse,
And in a while they wanne the grownd ay en) ; 2237
Generydes sawe Guynan on) the playn),
The kyngges sone, rideng1 with spere and sheld ;
ho taryd not, butt mette hym) in the feld. 2240
fought with Gwynan,
unhorsed him,
Gwaynan on) to Generides he ranne, 2241
And with [his] spere he brake his sheld on)' twayne ;
Generides ayenward like a man)
With stode his stroke, and smote hym) so ageyn), 2244
That from) his hors he felle vppon) the playn),
And who that eucr that was wele payde or wroth,
he toke his hors with hym and furth he goth. 2247
Thanne was ther on) not ferre owt of ye prese, 2248
lyke a harowed he semyd for to be,
To hym) Anon) thanne seid Generydes,
' Good ser,' c^uod he, * doo now sum what for me ; ' 2251
' What is your* wiH and pleasure ? ' quod he.
1 My lorde,' he seid, ' that ye wili in this nede
Chaunge my SadyH and sett it on) this stede. 2254
Whanne ye haue do, take ye my stede therfore.' 2255
Sygrem hym did as Generides hym) badde,
he hight so, and to sey yow more
In his demeanyng he was wise and sadde ; 2258
Of bothe partys right grete favour* he hadde,
To gentilmen) he was right senrisable,
And ther withaH fuH good and companable. 2261
and took his horse,
Generydes leppe vppe vppon) his stede, A better was not onder nethe the sonne ; ffor grete suerte in story as I rede,
22G2
GENERYDES ASKS WHERE THE TRAITOR SIR AMELOK IS.
73
The kyng of kyngges gave it to his soime, 2265
Or the bateH was eny thing begonne ;
Sygrem was glad of chaungyng1 of his hors,
ffor of his owne he gave butt litiH fors. 22G8
giving his own to Sygrem.
To hym) anon) thanne seid Geiierydes,
' Sygrem,' qwod he, ' do me to vnderstonde
Ser Amelok, if he be in the preese,
Whiche trayturly hath wonne my faders lande.
ffayne wold I wete if he were here nye hande.'
* Trewly,' he seid, ' now I remembyr me,
Suche one ther is in very certente.
2269 HeasksSygreu where Sir Amelok is.
2272
2275
Butt as for yow, I wote not what ye be, hym) knowe I wele trewly, that is noo nay ; The first bateH saue on) ther in is he, This is the very trougtfc that I yow saye, And what ye be, I beseche and praye To lete me wete the truthe in euery wise, And I shall trewly owe yow my sendee.'
2276
2279
' I know him well ; he is in the first battle save one.
Tell me who
2282 youare''
Generydes thanne gaue hym) this answere ; 1 Sygrem,' he seid, * to yow I wiH not leyne, I shaH yow telle the trouth of this mater, kyng auferius is my fader in certeyn), Whiche was of ynd bothe lord and souereyn), And now is kyng of Trace, as I yow say, Butt lete this go noo ferther, I yow praye.'
2283 Generydes said,
2286 'Auferius is my father.'
2289
1 Kyng1 auferius,' quod, he, « I knowe hym) wele, 2290 'i know him
well,' replied Sygrem,
The last bateH of aH ther in he is,
As ferre as I canne vnderstonde and fele,
Ser Amelok is not his frende, I wis, 2293
And by what reason) I witi teH yow this ;
The kyng of kynggez partyd them) twayn),
Be cause they shuld noo debate begynne certeyn).' 2296
' and Sir Amelok is not his friend.'
74 GENERYDES FINDS AND FIGHTS THE TRAITOR SIR AMELOK.
• How shall I know Sir Amelok ? ' said Generydes.
'His steed is grey, with a white head,
' How shall I doo,' thanne seid Generydes, 2297
' Of Amelok to haue sum knowlachyng ?
ffor hym) that I may knowe among1 the preese,
But if I haue sum redy tokyni[n]g<.' 2300
' I shall yow telle,' quod he, ' withoute feyneng,
his stede is gray withoute layen),
The hede is whight, to say yow for certayn). 2303
and his arms are the field gules
[leaf U5, back] with three bands of gold.'
For more knowelage to telle yow which is he, 2304
his harmes are, who so list to be holde,
The felde of Goulys in very certeynte,
Ther with also iij bandes ail of gold.' 2307
And whanne that he Generydes had told
Of Amelok, and hough" he shuld hym) fynde, .
Wete ye wele he was the gladder in hys mynde. 2310
They ride on together,
and meet Sir Amelok in a valley.
Furth" on) his stede rideth" Generydes, 2311
To fynd ser Amelok if that he may,
With hym) ridetli Sygrem still opeese,
And as they twayne rode spekyng1 be the waye, 2314
Segrem was ware wher in a Yalay
Ser Amelok came on) rideng A pace,
hym) for to rest as for a litiH space : 2317
They fight.
1 Loo yender is ser Amelok,' he seid, 2318
' And saving1 on) with" hym) ther is no moo.'
And with that word Generydes abrayde,
' Now is,' qyod. he, ' good tyme for me to goo ; ' 2321
So furth he ridith" tiH that he came hym) too :
The toder sawe hym) c.ome with" spere and sheld,
And furth he gothe and mette hym) in the feld. 2324
Amelok breaks ir two Generydes' shield.
And atte first he stroke Generydes, 2325
And with that stroke he brast his sheld in twayn), Anone with aH he quyte hym) dowteles,
GENERYDES CUTS OFF AMELOK*S LIPS AND NOSE. 75
And smote his sheld quyte on) the playn). 2328 Generydes cuts
away Amelok's
Thanne seid Generides, ' now am I fayn), shield.
Thow shalt not laughe atte me in mokkery,
ffor thow hast lost thy sheld as wele as I. 2331
And as for on) thyng1 I shall the wele ensure, 2332
As for thy sheld thu shalt haue it no more,
ffor myn) is broke it may noo more endure,
Be thow right sure I wiH haue thynne therfore : ' 2335
And thanne begaiine the bateli passing sore,
Ther was non) of them) shewid favour1 to a nother,
ffor rignt dedely the tone hatid the toder. 2338
Syr Amelok was wrothe as he mygfrt be, 2339
And to Generydes right thus he sayde ;
' I shall yow quyte that thu hast doo to me,'
And smote hym) on) the hide with suche a brayde, 2342 They fight on.
That in hym) self he was some what dismayed :
Q?wd Amelok, * thu hast I now this day,
Eeche me my1 sheld and thu goo thy waye.' 2345
' Thow getist it not, fals tray tow [that] thu art, 2346 Generydes
Or thu goo ferther thu shalt haue myschaunse, Amelok for
ffor thu hast with thy fals envyous hert
Putte my fader from) his enheritaunce, 2349
Whiehe was his loye, his lyfe, and his pleasur*,
And in my faders presence thu me smote,2
Whiehe I haue not forgete yet, god it wote. 2352
And thanne I myght not ease my hert in dede, 2353 But now thu shalt repent it or thu goo : '
And with his swerd he smette hym) on) the hede, sir Amelok
The helrne j;o brast anon) in peces two ; 2356 iawounded
his lippys and his noose he smote away also, Clene from) his face, and ther with aH fuH sone, he bledde so fast that he felle in A swonne. 2359 and unhorsed,
1 MS. thy. 2 MS. smette.
76 GENERYDES SENDS HIS FATHER AUFERIUS AMELOK'S HORSE.
To hym) thanne seide Generides anon), 2360
* Whiti ere thu bad I sliuld reche the thy sheld, And now me think thu hast nede of on), ffor neyther spere ne sheld that thu may weld : ' 2363 but rescued And with that word vppeward his hede [he] helde, Risyng witfc att to helpe hym) self right fayne ; Generydes thanne smote hym) down) ageyn), 2366
by his knights.
Generydes took the horse he had won of Aroelok,
Hym for to slee was fully his entente. 2367
With that anon) his knygfctes came hym) to,
And sette hym) on) his hors and furth they went,
As soft a pace as yei myght witJi hym) goo, 2370
Too se hym) in that plight they were full woo ;
his stede anon) thanne toke Generydes,
And led hym) furth with hym) in to the prese. 2373
and sent it to Auferius by Sygrem.
And whanne that he was eskepyd trewly, 2374
Sygrem he found anon) in contenent,
' My frende,' qwod [he], * I prae yow fethfully
To do my massage after myn) entent, 2377
That ye wiH take this stede, and hym) p7*esent
To auferius my lord and fader dere,
And say to hym) that I haue wonne hym) here 2380
Off Amalok, the traykmr most vntrewe ; 2381
And if he aske as for more witnesse,
Who sent to hym) and how that I hym knewe,
Telle hym) it is his sone Generydes, 2384
And hough that Amelok in aE the prese,
Withynne his howse and in his high presence,
ffuft cruely smote hym) with violence ; 2387
And he ayenward smete hym) with his knyff Thorough the Arme in very certente.' Sygrem Ayenward seid, ' ser, be my liff,
2388
GENERYDES ENCOURAGES THE PERSIANS, AND FIGHTS FIERCELY. 77
I shali do that ye haue comaundyd me, 2391
And take hyin) this present where euer he be.' Now goo Sygrem, as fast as ye may spede, To Atiferius to present hym) this stede. 2394
And whanne this stede to Auferius was brought, 2395
And wist fro whense he came, thanne was he fayn ;
' Now, good Sygrem, as euer I may do ought Auferius asked
ffor thy pleasury qz/od auferius ay en), 2398 token by which
, /-vf. ,n , i s T N *>e might know
' Of my sonne telle me somme token) playn), [ieaf 13]
hough I may best knowe hym) among them aft ; '
' Ser,' qttod Sygrem, ' with right good wiH I shaft.' 2401
Sygrem hym) told tokynnes moo thanne on), 2402
his sonne to knowe be right of his office,
What colour* was his hors he rode vppon), He told him the
And what harmys he bare, and what devise, 2405 horTeVnVids
AH this he told hym) in futt redy wise ; Strm8<
kyng auferius ther with he was contente,
And hym) rewardid well for his presente.1 2408
As now putte we this mater in respite, 2409
And to Generydes turne we ageyn), Generydes found
Whiche founde his felawes aH most discomfete, almost dis-
fTor they had fought aH the day certeyn); 2412
Yet whanne they hym sawe thenne were tJiei fayn), when they saw
him they were
And ganne reioyse whanne they to geder mette, glad.
With knyghtly corage frely on) they sette. 2415
And thanne beganne the bateH passing1 sore ; 2416
They fought alway to geder stiH opece,
The men) of perse were hartid more and more,
AH be counfort of Generides : 2419 Every one went
, . .. down before the
he styntid not, nor neuer woldjhe sese, stroke of
And with his swerd where that his stroke glynt, Generydes.
Owt of ther sadiH fuft redely they went. 2422
1 MS. presence.
78
KING BELEN OF EGYPT SEEKS TO FIGHT GENERYDES.
The king of kings The kyng of kyngges toke good hede [ ], 2423
To hym) he callid Sygrem furth with aH anon), ' What knyghte is yender,' quod he, ' canne ye me saye el That in the feld outraytfi. eue?ychone ; 2426
So good a knyght as he me semyth non) In att the world, but on) thyng I mervett, My sonnys stede hath" he, withoute fayle ; 24.29
'What knight is yonder on my son's horse ?
I would he were dwelling with me.'
Where with trewly I am not wele apayed, 2430
Notwithstondeng1 a nobyH knyght is he,
And that ye knowe right wele, Sygrem,' he sayd,
' Wherefore I wold he were dwellyng with me ; 2433
Of gold and sillier he shall haue plente,
Townys and castelys at his obyseaunce,
And other thinges moo to his plesaunce.' 2436
•sir,' quoth . ' Ser,' quod Sygrem, ' trewly it wiH not be, 2437
Sygrem, ' he is of .
a high lineage, he is descendid of an high lenage,
And as fer1 furth as I canne fele and see,
he waytith after right grete heritage, 2440
ifor with the Sowdon he wiH take no wage,
and his trust And for to telle yow trouthe as in this case,
his trost is to haue fayre Clarionas.' 2443
'Nay,' said the ' Clarionas,' quod he, 'nay, lete be that: 2444
king, 'I take her ,.,.,.,, , .,
for my own, 1 take hir lor my owen), ser, be the rode, and will make it Whether he wiH or noo, for wote ye what,
good on his
body.1 Yppon) his body I wiH make it good : ' 2447
And whanne Sygrem these wordes vnderstode, ffutt sone he went to Generydes, And told hym) what he seid more or lesse. 2450
Belen now seeks Generydes,
IsTow kyng Belleyn) secheith Generydes Thorough the ost, to fynde hym) if he maye, And as he rode a side hand of the prece, 1 MS. /or.
2451
KING HELEN AND GENERYDES FIGHT ON HORSE AND ON FOOT. 79
he sawe where that he rode in [a] valaye ; 2454 and finds him in
a valley.
To hym) anon) fuli streyght he toke the waye,
And on) a high he beganne to crye,
' Turne the,' he seid, ' for tyme it is trewly : 2457 •
Vppon) my stede blanchard thu ridest here, 2458
Butt on) my list thu shalt hym) sone for goo.'
That word anon) Generides ganne here,
he turnyd hym) withoute wordes moo. 2461
They toke ther coursis and ranne to geder soo, They ran
Thanne iche atte other* and bothe ther sperys helde,
But thei were clene onhorsid in the feld. 2464 both unhorse;!,
Vppon) ther stedis sone thei were ayeyn), 2465 but got up on
And so they fought to geder* hand to hand, again, and
fought hand to
Ther was noo favour* shewid be twix them) twayn), hand.
Butt strokes grete and sore, I vnderstonde ; 2468
ij better knyghtes were not in aft the land,
ffor long1 thei fought and neuer wold thei lette,
Ne yet departe to tyme the ostes mette.1 2471
Thanne wax the bateH euer more and more, 2472 The battle waxed
As thei resortid on) euery side ;
lordes and knyghtez were hurt right soore,
And many ligging dede with woundes wide ; 2475
lucas ffutt sone Manessen had aspied, i^cas rode at
. § • Manassen,
With sheld and spere he dressid hym) full right,
And ranne to hym) in aH that euer he mygnt. 2478
The stede2 was good that lucas rode vppon), 2479
And suche a stroke he gave hym) with a spere, That thorough the harnes and the shulder bon), Thorough owt his bak and slew hym) ther ; 2482 and slew Mm,
Thanne to the kyng he seid in this maner : ' Take yow here this present or ye goo, And I shall do my part to send yow moo.' 2485
1 MS. mettez. * MS. gtode.
80 GENERYDES SPLITS KING BELEN's HELM, AND KILLS HIS HORSE.
Tho word.es toke the kyng in Mokkery, 2486
And made hym) redy with spere and sheld, To ser lucas he ranne full egerly but was unhorsed And stroke hym) fro his hors in to the feld : 2489
by the king,
and rescued by With that anon) Generydes' beheld
Generydes, .
[leaf is, back] how lucas was owttrayed among1 his toys,
And in he came and rescuyd hym) att onys. 2492
who slew the king's horse.
The king blew his horn,
Streyght to the kyng he rideth for certayn), 2493
And with his swerd he smote hym) on the hede,
The helme to brast anon) in pecys twayn),
And with that stroke he slewe his hors in dede, 2496
And so the stede feH vnder nethe hym) dede,
hym) self also ther with was astoinyd sore,
And blew his home, to saye yow forthermore. 2499
and a thousand Thanne came a thowsaund knyghtez of his ost, 2500
knights came up
And vppe thei sette hym) on) a nother stede, And glad they were, wenyng1 they had hym) lost, and carried him And furth owt of the prese with hym) they yede.1 2503
off.
Then came in the Thanne came ther in as fast as thei myght spede,
men of higher — ,, , „ ,, ., ., - . .
India, The buscommest folk, the men of higher ynd,
(see p. eo) e storv makit!i mend. 2506
with weapons out of all measure.
The men of Persia were discomfited,
Whanne they come in they made rome Alabought,
Ther wepons were made owt of aH mesur*,
ffuH ill shapyn) with pekys in and owt,
Ther strokes myght no man) endure ; 2510
The men) of Perse were att disccmfeture,
And whanne the Sowdon) hard? of that tiding1,
he came anon) and made no taryng1; 2513
Conforting1 them) in futt good maner, Arid for ther seruice thankyd them) Also : The prince of Cesare gave hym) this answere,
2514
THE PERSIAN SULTAN RETREATS, BUT GENERYDES FIGHTS ON. 81
* Now truly, ser,' quod, he, 'if it were so 2517 That they were men) with" whom) we haue a do,
We wold not dowte to mete them) on) be on),
But suerly they be fendez euerychone. 2520
Ther wepons be suche ther may no man) abide, 2521 Wherefore this is now myn) avise/ quod1 he,
* Vs to with drawe a liteft owt aside, That our enmys perseyue not that we fle.' The Sowdon) saw it wold non) other be, Butt nedis he must geve his assent ther to, And yet he was fuH loth so for to do.
and withdrew towards 2524 the city,
Mountenor.
2527
They drewe softely to the Citee Ward*, 2523
The Sowdon) blow his horn) that thei myght here,
The lordes and the knyghtez of his garde,
Whanne thei it hare? anon) thei drew hym) nyere, 2531
As as they rode to geder all in feer*,
Ther enmys made on) them) a newe afraye,
That vnnethe my<?ht the Sowdon) skape a wave. 2534 The Sultan
barely escaped,
V. hunderyd of his men) he lost also, And of horsis a thowsand atte lest Among1 them) AH thei lost withoute moo, And some lordes and knyghtez of the best ; The day passid, the sonne drewe to the rest, And be that tyme his felisshepe and he Were come to Mountoner the riche Citee.
2535 and lost 500 men and 1000 horses.
2538
2541
And of aH this wist not Generides, Nor anasoij, to say yow certeynly, ffor thei were aHway fightyng* stiH opece Ayenst Galad the kyng1 of Asirye ; 2545
And whanne they had knowlage vtterly, Of the Sowdon) and of his distresse, Thanne were they bothe in right grete hevynesse. 2548 1 MS. now qd.
GENERYDES. 6
2542 Generydes and Anasore wist not of this, but fought Galad, the king of Assyria,
82 GENERYDES TRIES TO RETREAT, AND IS REPORTED DEAD.
Yer1 fought thei stiH and reskew was ther non, 2549
oSTor non) comyng1 as ferre as they mygfrt see,
Ther men) almost distressid euerychone,
And many slayne, thenne of necessite 2552
They them) withdrewe, and towarde the Citee
They toke the way, and in conclusion)
Thanne was the oste be twene them and ye town) ; 2555
till their men were distressed, and they tried to retire, but found the enemy between tliem and the city;
That in no wise they wist not hough to pas, 2556
!Ne hough to do they knowe noo sertente,
Thanne Anasor* remembred that ther was
A postrene yssuyng1 owt of the Citee, 2559
And thederward they drewe to haue entree,
But or they myght in suerte come and goo
Be twix them) bothe they had I noughe to do. 2562
"Now to the Sowdon) lete us turne ageyn), 2563
fFor here peopiH what mone that he do make ;
Of euery man) he enqtieryd the certente,
Whiche of his men) were ded and which were take ;
The Citee made grete sorow for ther sake,
And specially thei made grete hevynes
ffor Anasore and for Generides ; 2569
And thought suerly it myght non) other be, 2570
Butte thei were bothe [putte] to discomforture.
Thanne sayde DareH, ' it were full grete pite
S-uche ij knyghtez to lese, I yow ensure ;' £573
And furth he goth vppon) his aventure,
Beseching1 god to counceH hyin) and rede,
ffor he wold' fynd hym)2 eyther quyk or dede. 2576
There was a Thanne was a noyse the Citee aH along1 2577
rumour in the city
that Generydes That they were slayn), and woo thei were therfore ;
and Anasore
were slain. Clanonas herd how the tydmgez sprong1,
Clarionas heai'd
1 MS. Tey. 2 MS. hyn.
CLARIONAS WEEPS; BUT DARELL FINDS GENTHIYDES ALIVE. 83
2580 it and wept sore,
here chere was don), she wept passing sore : MyrabeH sawe she wepit more and more, ' Madame/ quod, she, ' these tydengez that he now, A wager dare I ley they are not trew :
but Mirabell did not believe the 2583 news.
And if it please yow, for your' disporte, 2584
To walk vppe to the towre1 ther shaH ye see
Paraventur5 that may be your* coumfort.'
* I wiH:,' she sayde, ' do as as ye counceH me : 2587
Comforte or no, or hough that euer it be.' [leaf w]
So furth she went vppe to the towre on) hye, ciarionas went
Butt nought she sawe, she wept so wtterly.
to the top of 2590 the tower,
Thanne was DareH come to Generides, 2591
And glad thei were, bothe he and Anasor1,
ffor thei had long1 endured counfortles :
Whanne he was come amendid was ther cher), 2594
And att that tyme owt of the prese thei were,
To rest them) self a season) to endure,
Ther eche to other told his aventur*. 2597
but saw nothing for weeping. Sir Darell made his way to Generydes.
Ciarionas was on) the towre on) hye,
Of here wepyng1 she ded hir self refrayn),
And owt vppon) the feld she ganne aspye,
Where Anasore came rideng vppon) the playn) ; 2601
By his Armys she knewe hym) for certayn)
That it was he, and ther withaH anon)
A grete part of hir hevynesse was goon). 2604
Generides was also in the feld, 2605
Butt whiche was he she had noo knowlaching1. ffor he had on) ser Arnelokkez sheld, With his devise, in very tokenyng1 2608
That he it wanne att ther encounteryng1, And so they rode oyther with spere -and sheld, Toward town) ciarionas them) beheld. 2611
1 MS. town.
2598 Ciarionas on the tower
but did not know Generydes because he had Sir Arnelok's shield.
84 GENERYDES' FATHER AND BROTHER FIGHT AGAINST HIM. Auferiuswith 500 And as thei rode anon) thei were Aspied 2612
knights rode
By on) that was with" Auterms the kyng*, And in noo wise thanne wold he not abide, And told his lord withoute more taryeng* ; 2615
And he anon), leving1 AH other thing1, Sent furth. knyghtez v. C. in aray, to meet them. hym) self also to mete them) on) the waye. 2618
And all was to withstonde ther passage, 2619
With these knyghtes he rode on) still opece ; The foremost was The formest was Ismael the Savage,
Ismael the
savage, Kyng1 Auforius sonne withoute leese, 2622
And very brother onto Generides ; who encountered Be fore them) att he came hym) self alone,
Generydes.
Generides was ware therof anon). 2625
He toke his spere And mette hym) in the feld, 2626
They toke ther course and ranne to rownde :
he stroke Generydes vppon) the sheld,
That hors and man) Almost were att grownde, 2629
But vppe he rose anon) both hoole and sounde,
And with his swerd he smote hym) so ageyn),
That with" that stroke he brake his sheld on) twayn).
They fought tm g0 fought yei stiH withoute eny drede, 2633
Generydes smote
And neyther of them) wold to other yeld ;
Generydes hym) sette so vppon) the hede, off ismaei's helm, That his helme flew quyte in to the feld, 2636
With that anon) Generydes beheld and saw his The fetures wele that was in his visage,
Demyng1 that they were att of on) lenage. 2639
And for to haue ther of very knowlaching, 2640
To Ismael he said, in very certente,
' Good $er,' qiiod he, ' for loue of hevyn) kyng1,
GENERYDES MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN TO HIS BROTHER ISMAEL. 85
TeH me for trougth what mane?' a man) ye be,
And whense ye came, and owt of what contre 1 '
* What man) I am,' quod Ismael ayeyn),
1 And of what kynne I wiH not layn). 2646
2643 He asked him who he was.
Kyng1 auferius trewly my fader is,
To say yow sothe, and for to here noo blame,
And of the Reme of Trace is kyiig I wis,
Ther was I born) and brought vppe in the same, 2650
And Ismael the Savage is myn) name ;
Now I haue told yow aH withoute leese.'
' Gramercy, frende,' thanne sayd Generydes,
2647 'Auferius is my father,' quoth Ismael.
' For we haue fought to long I yow ensure.'
With that he toke hym) in his armys twoo,
' We are broderen),' quod he, ' of on) nature,
kyng1 auferius my fader is also ;
I may nott tary now, for I must goo,
My felawes hath merveH to see me heer,
Butt here after I shaH make yow better chere.'
Thanne ther was an hevy departeng1, hough iche of them) made to other mone. Generydes sawe where was thanne coniyng1 his faders men), wele horsid euerychone, And he fuH hevy butt hym) self alone, And they to many as to his entente, So furth on) was he to his felawes went.1
Whanne he was come ther as his felawes were, They sawe comyng along in a valay A grete peopiH, wele dressed in ther geere, To lette hym) and his felawes on) the waye, Thanne was ther on) a knyght in good aray, Be fore them) aH avaunsid hym) to ride, Generydes hym) had right sone aspyed ;
1 MS. was to his felawes he went.
2653 'Gramercy, friend,' said Generydes,
2654
' we are brethren.
2657
2660
2661 There was a heavy parting between them.
2664
2667 Generydes went on to his fellows,
2668
and in a valley saw a great people coining to hinder them with a 2671 knight at their head.
2674
86 CLARION AS RECOGNIZES GENERYDES. DARELL IS UNHORSED.
Generydes rode at him, and slew him.
Clarionas saw this, and recog nized her lover.
[leaf 14, back]
And furth with aH he mette on) the playn), 2675
In sight of aH the pepitt that were ther,
And Atte first he brast his sheld in twayn),
That thorough owt the body ranne the spere; 2678
Clarionas demyd that he was ther,
And to hir mayde she sayde fiitt sobyrly,
1 What kuyght is that that doth so worthyly T 2681
1 It is you]0 loue,' quod she, ' withoute moo.' 2682
' Now good Mirabel!, what is jour avise ] '
' Trewly,' qiiod. she, ' I trow that it be soo,
Me think it shuld ben) he in) eny wise ; 2685
The rede penseH I see att his devise,
The whiche in sothe ye dede for hym) ordeyn),
Gwynot brought it hym) your1 Cha[m]beiieyn).' 2688
' 0 trouth,' qiiod she, « Madame,1 that is trew ; 2689
Now am I wele remembryd ther vppon),
Butt euermore my sorow doth renewe,
Withoute reskewe to se hym) so alone, 2692
Thus shall they be distressid euerychone,
Namely my love, whiche is so good a knyght,
ffor hym) is aH my mone I yow be bight. 2695
Ismael and Darell meet,
For wele I wote, ther is noo knyght a lyve 2696
That better doith here and in eue?y place,
And this to say my reson) doith me dryve,
ffor I am his while I haue lyffe and space.' 2699
And while she remembryd aU this case
Come Ismael rideng1 with spere and sheld,
And to Darell he ridith in to the feld. 2702
Bothe to the grounde he bare hors and man), ffurth with came the ost vppon) the playn), And as ser DareH wold haue Ees[k]eu thanne, 1 ? Mirabell.
2703
GENERYDES RESCUES DARELL, WHO CHARGES AT KING AUFERIUS. 87
Ther came a knyght and held hym) down Ayeyn), 2706 And with liis swerd wold haue DareH slayn), Butt in the most and in the thikest prese
hym) to reskew thanne came Generides.
2709
and Darell would have been slain, but was saved by Generydes,
Straight as he cowde to that knvgfit he rode, 2710 and they rode
'forth together.
he brake his helme and stroke hym) on the heedc,
That on) his hors no lengger he a bode,
But downe he feH and fast beganne to blede; 2713
Generydes with hym) he toke his stede,
And furth fro them) he rode a litiH aside,
And toke it DareH theron) for to ride. 2716
Clarionas beheld this euery dele ; 2717
Q?/od she ayeyn) to MirabeH here mayde,
' The same is he, the whiche I love so weH •
1 Madame,' quod, she, 'so haue I alway sayde, 2720
ye nede noo thyng for hym) to be disrnayde,
Xor let no mo suche thoughtez yow assayle,
ffor it is he withoute eny fayle.' 2723
JS"ow rideth DareH with Generides,
As fuH of thought for his fortune that day,
And as they rode a litiH fro the prese,
kyng1 Auferius came crossyng1 them) the way,
ffuii clone arrnyd in riche and good Aray.
DareH anon) dressid hym) furl right,
And ramie to hym) in aft that eue?- he mygfrt.
2724
2727 Auferius crossed their path,
2730
and Darell rode at him,
And one the hede smote Auferius the kyng1; 2731
The helme was sure, or ellys he had hym) slayn),
kyngH auferius withoute more tarieng1 Auferius pave
him a blow in
he gave scr Darell another for certayn) 2734 return.
Vppon) the helme, the fyre thanne sprang1 owt ayeyn), And ther withaH, with a fuH soden) brayde, To aer DareH: rk'ht in this wise he saide : 2737
88 GENERYDES MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN TO HIS FATHER AUFERIUS.
•old men can ' The 1 yong1 knygfitez/ qwod he, * that hen) so prowde, Old men) canne smyte, wete wele it is trew.' Generides hard hough he spake so lowde, And hy the voyce his fader thanne he knewe, 2741 Toward them both anon) he drewe ; Whanne he was come in furl vmhle wise To his fader, he said right in this wise : 2744
Generydes heard his voice, and knew it was his father.
1 1 praye yow, ser, your1 hand fro me refrayn), w2745 To the tyme ye knowe my purpose vtterly, He parted them, here am I come to departe yow twayn),
ffor I must loue yow bothe and reason) whye ; 2748
And namely yow alone most specially,
As for this knyght whiH my life 2 maye endure,
I shall hym) neuer fayle I yow ensure.' 2751
' What maner a man) be ye thanne,' saide the kyng1,
1 That putte youi° self soo fer3 furth in the prese 1 '
* I shall yow telle,' qwod he, ' withoute feyneng1 ;
Of Surre am I born) withoute leese, 2755
As for my name I hight Generides.'
And ther with aft he tared not certayn),
Butt to 4 his felawes furth he goth ayeyn). 2758
Kyng1 Auferius thanne was sum what dismayed, 2759
Be cause that he departid so ayeyn) ;
ffor be the wordes whiche he to hym) saide,
he was his sonne, he knew it for certayn) ; 2762
Yet of the sight of hym) he was fuH fayn),
As nature wold, and in especial*
That he was wexen) soo goodly a knyght 'wiih aft. 2765
told his name,
and joined his fellows.
Auferius was dismayed.
Said Darell unto Generydes,
Now was the bateH dureng* still opece, 2766
The kynggez ost encresid more and more ; Thanne sayd DareH on) to Generides,
1 ? Ye. 2 MS. list. 3 MS. for. 4 MS. he to.
GENERYDES SEES CLARIONAS, AND UNHORSES KING RUBEN. 89
'ffor your* pleasure we shaft repente it sore.' 2769 'For your
'ffor hym)1,' quod he, ' now good teli me wherefore.' shall repent
I yes yes/ quod, he, ' this is the case,
your1 lee is euer stedfast in on) place.' 2772 your eye is ever
' What place is that 1 ' [quod he] ' I prae yow saye ;
As for the kyng1, I see hym nott I wise.'
' I mene not that,' quod Dareft, ' be this daye,
It is another thing1, so haue I blis. 2776 [leaf 15]
On yender towre on) highe I see where is on yonder tower.'
That causith yow these mastereys for to shewe,
Now haue I told yow aH with wordes fewe.' 2779
' In sothe,' quod he, ' ye bere me wrong1 in hand, 2780 'in sooth,- quoth
Generydes, ' I s.iw
ffor certenly I saugfi hir not to nowe ; her not uu now/
Sithe she is ther, as now I vnderstonde,
If I do wele she woH me more allowe. 2783
Now be not wroth, for by licence of yow
Yet onys I wiH assaye what I canne do.'
I 1 graunt,' quod Darett, « late vs goo thertoo.' 2786
Generides, and with hym) ser DareH, 2787
Bothe on) thei rode to knowe what was ther vre ; They rode on,
And with Generides was Nataneft,
Beryng1 a spere of tymber good and sure ; 2790
Generides ther mette att a venture and Generydes
The kyng1 Kuben, Eedy with spere and sheld,
And ther they strake to geder in the feld. 2793
Vppon) the sheld he strake Generides, 2794
And ther with brake his sheld in pecis twayn) :
A mighty man) he was, butt neue?' the lesse
Atte same course he smote hym) so ayeyn), 2797 and smote him
from his horse,
That of his hors he felle vppoji) the playn),
With that Generides both fair* and wele
his hors he delyuered on) to NataneH. 2800
90
GENERYDES SENDS KING RUBENS HORSE TO CLARIONAS.
which he sent ' I pray yow, ser,' he saide, ' haue here this stede, 2801 And take ye hym) on to my lady der* ; Me recomaunding1 on to hir* goodly hede, And say to hir that I haue wonne hym) here.' 2804 ' WeH ser,' quod he, ' as towelling* this mater, late me alone now that I knowe jour entente, In aH the hast I wuH hym) to hir present.' 2807
to Clarionas by Natanell.
Furtfi with the steede he went owt of ye prese, 2808*
And streygh" t he gotii on) to Clarionas ;
* Madame,' quod he, ' my lord Generides
hym) recofftmaunditfi. lowly to your* grace, 2811
And sent yow here a stede of his purchase
And where that he hadde it to tett yow very playn),
Of kyng* Ruben he wanne hym) for certaynX* 2814
She was right glad.
'Ye be right welcome, ISTatanett,' quod she, 2815
' Of this I am right gladde and wele content,
And moche gladder to knowe the certente
Of his welefare that hath yow heder sent.' 2818
' Madame,' quod he, ' right now encontynent
I wold that he hym) self were with" yow here.'
me,' quod she, ' so wold I that he were.' 2821
Nataneii returned Thanne Natanett departid furtfr wit/t att,
to Generydes,
2822
And had a token) onto Generides ; In to the feld he goth" among1 them aH, And founde hym) ther aside hand of the prese, 2825 and told him all. And furtfi. with ali told hym the- l hoole processe, In euery thing1 that he hadde done and saide, Tho was Generides futt wele apayed ; 2828
He took courage, And ther with" aft he toke anon) corage, And to the feld he dressid hym) to ride ; Of yong1 and old and euery man) of age 1 MS. all the.
2829
GENERYDES AND HIS MEN RETIRE, VICTORIOUS, TO MOUNTENOR. 91
Ther wer butt few his strokes wold abide. 2832 and few could
. abide his stroke.
Ihe kyngges ost drew to the Citez side, Generides was thanne vppon) the playn, A while ther to rest hym) tlier in certayn). 2835
The kyng* of kynggez thanne was in his tente, 2836 The king of
And of aft this he hard no maner thing1 ;
he harde a noyse and wist not what it ment,
But furtfi. he gotfi leving1 AH othej thing1, 2839
And toke his hors withoute taryeng1,
he blew his horn) that aft his men) myght here, blew his horn,
uiul his men
"With that thei come a1 bought hym) Aft in feere. 2842 came about Mm.
"Whanne Darett sawe the kyng* of kyngges ost, 2843 Daren prayed
Generydes anon) full fayre [he] prayed ; retire into the
' ffor love of god that is of rnyghtez most,
Goo we in to the Citee now,' he sayde ; 2846
' DareH,' quod he, ' wher of be ye dismayd ?
I see noo cause, for we shaft do right wele
And skape ther handes, doughte ye neuer a dele.' 2849
' I am contente,' quod he, 'that we do so ; 2850 'i am content,'
As for my part now late vs goo ther on.'
And with, hym) was ser Anosore Also ;
his horn) thanne blew Generides anon), 2853
With that ther came A bowte hym) euerychone,
his felasshepe and what that euer he ment,
Thei were redy atte his cowmaundment. 2856
And furth they dressid hym) in his gere, 2857 He, Daren, and
Anasore have
Generides, Daren, and Anasor*, done bravely.
Might neuer men) doo better on) a day ther, Thanne they dede ther so fewe pepill as thei were : Eche of them iij so wele quiete, them) ther, They slew iij knyghtez eu[e?']ychone for on), The remenauni were putte to flight euerychon). 2863 1 MS. an.
92 GENERYDES IS PRAISED BY ALL, AND THANKED BY THE SULTAN.
And while they fought to geder in the feld, 2864
The cite sent owt anon) in contenent
iij skore knyghtez, Armyd with spere And sheld ;
Ther with Generides was wele content : 2867
' lo serys I ' quod hee, * Aftur your own) entent,
The felissheppe is yourez that yender ye see,
Now may I suerly entre the Citee.' 2870
They took the way to the city, [leaf 15, back]
Then was there joy.
And whanne they were aft to geder inett, 2871
To the Citee they toke the wey full right,
And in they went withoute eny lette :
Thanne was ther loy, I yow be hight, 2874
In euery strete si[n]ggyng1 and fyres bright ;
And euery creature, both more and lesse,
Gaue a gret lawde onto Generides. 2877
The sultan anon Anon) withatt the Sowdon) for hym) sent,
sent for him and thanked him.
2878
And gaue hym) ther his thank in feythfuH wise ;
ffor he perseyuyd wele in his entent,
he hadde hym) do right wurchipfuH se?*uice : 2881
And ther the Sowdon) made hym) fuH promys,
Seyng1 his labour' and his grete travett,
That in noo wise he wold hym) neuer fayle. 2884
The king of kinprs sent for men of craft to
break the walls.
Ennones said
The kyng1 of kyngges erly vppe he rose, 2885
And sent for men) of craft in aU the hast,
To make engenys after his purpose,
The wattis to breke, the Citee for to wast ; 2888
Whanne this was purveyd for thanne atte last,
Kyng1 Ermones stode vppe before them) AH,
And to the kyng1 he spake in especiaft : 2891
' Me think, ser, as after myn) avise,
It nedith not to make aH this arraye,
To distroye the Cite it is noo grete entrepr/[se],
2892
THE KING OF EGYPT RESOLVES NOT TO ASSAULT MOUNTENOR. 93
It were better to saue it if ye may : 2895 it were better
ffor yow it were more wurchippe euery waye,
And in your* fame the lenger to endur1,
To wynne it in the feld I yow ensure.' 2898
' How may that be ? ' thanne saide the kyng Ayeyn, 1 Your1 counceH is right good, so mote I goo, 2900 Owt of the town) they wiH nott in certeyn), What think ye best thanne,' quod he, 'y* we shall doo 1 '
Ser, on) my life, ye shaH not fynde it soo,
And if ye wiH enbateH vs euerychone, 'They wm come
Owt of the Citee thei witt come anon) ; 2905 city.
f-t^t
I wote my self as wele as eny wight, 2906
ITor ther is on) that witt be aft ther gide ;
In aft the world' is nott A better knyght
Thanne he is on), and better dare Abide.' 2909
!N"ay,' quod, the kyng1, ' Aft that shalbe denyed, ffor in wurchippe and in knyghtoode sekerly I knowe hym) nott that is so good as I. 2912
Notwithstondeng1 After your good avise, 2913
late vs anon) goo sett our1 feld ayeyn), Let us go
set our field
And wheder they or we shaft bere the prise, again.'
Kyght sone we shaH haue knowlage in certaynX' 2916
Anon) withatt thei gaderid on) the playn)
The kyngez ost, and in conclusion)
They hym) enbatelid streyght as for the town). 2919
Thanne sayde madan, that was the kyng1 of Trase,
' Me think ye do right wele to sette this feld',
fibr ye shaH see withynne a litift space,
They witt come owt or ellys them) yeld'.' 2923
And whanne thei of the Citee them) beheld', They of the city
came forth
hough sone they were enbatelyd euerychone, They tared not, butt furth they come Alone,l 2926 1 ? anone.
94 GENERYDES SLATS MAD AN. THE EGYPTIAN KING GRIEVES,
and made no more delay.
Darell ran at King Sanyk, and broke his
A grete nowmber of men) in good arraye : 2927
Thanne they withoute anon to them) thei hyed, Eight sone thei mette, And made no more delaye, ffurl fressh on) [them] thei sette on) euery side, 2930 Darett anon) kyng1 Sanyk had Aspyed, And with his spere he ranne and smote hym) soo, That with that stroke he brake his arme on) twoo. 2933
Baraehias, king of E iiroiJe,
Thanne came rideng1 the kyng1 barachias, Of Europe he was lord and Souereyn) ; Whaime Anasore Aspyed where he was,
was smitten down Xo hym) he ranne and smote hym) for certeyn),
by Anasore.
That from) his hors he felle vppon) the playn),
2934
2937
And as he fell his legge was brokyn) soo,
That from) the grownde he myght noo ferther goo. 2940
Madan, the king of Thrace, was slain by Generydes.
Thanne the kyng1 of Trace putt hym) self in prese, 2941
Madan he hight so as I vnderstounde,
To hym) anon) thanne ranne Generides,
Right wele armed, a good spere in his hande, 2944
Ther myght no maner harnesse hym) withstonde ;
ffor thoroughowt he strake hym) quyte And clene,
That atte bak the rede penseH was sene ; 2947
The king of kings
beheld it with a heavy cheer.
And with that stroke he feH and ther he dyed. 2948
The kyng1 of kynggez harkenyd of that case,
he taryd not nor lenger wold! Abide,
Butt rideth furth streyght in to the place 2951
Ther as Madan the kynggez body was,
And it beheld with a full hevy chere,
Complayneng1 sore1 A pitevous thing1 to here. 2954
He hadde hym) do right wiirchipfuH seruice. And harmones, the kyng< of higher ynde, That what so euer he dede in eny wise 1 MS. sane.
2955
AND KILLS ABELL. THE FIGHT GROWS FIERCE.
95
Thoo ij princes wer* never owt of his mynde : 2958 And for be cause they wer* to hym) so kynd, And sware his othe as he was rightwise kyng1, Ther detfi. he wold' avenge for eny thing1. 2961
And in this hast he rode in to the felcP, 2962 He rode to
the field and
Abett that was of perse the Banere, slew Abeii,
To hym) he Eanne and smote hym) thorough ye sheldl, bearer of"
ffor thorough owt ye harnes persid ye spere, 2965
And afterward he bought that stroke fuH dere,
And with his swerd he smote hym) ayeyn),
And slew hym) or he passid owt of the playn). 2968
Persia.
fleaf 16]
Grete hevynes made his felissheppe aH, Whanne thei perseyued suerly how it was, And first and formest in especiarr, The dede body they caryed from) the place To the Citee not half a myle of space, And as the Costom was, after ther gise, They beryed hym1 in honorabiH wisB.
The baterl thanne enduryd passing sore, And many lordes slayn) on) euery side, They of the town) had fought so long1 afore, That thei ne myglit noo lenger ther abide, And to the Citeewarde furst ganne they ride ; Yet or they were entered euerychone, Of them ther were distressid manye on).
2969
2972
2975
2976
2979
2982
2983
They of the town rode city ward,
and many of them were distressed. The Sultan was mad to see them.
The Sowdon) was as woode as he myght be, To see his knygfrtes stande in suche distresse, AH full of thought and counfortles was he ;
To hym) anon) thanne seid Generides, 2.986 Generydes said,
' Good ser,' quod, he, ( take ye no maner of hevynesse, Nowshynneth. the sonne and [now] god senditfr showrez, This day was therys, A nother2 shalbe ourez. 2989 1 MS. them 2 MS. And A notJwr
96 THE PERSIANS REST, AND THEN ATTACK THE EGYPTIANS AGAIN.
' Let us rest a day or two,
and give them battle again.'
And late vs rest as for a daye or twayne, 2990
That your* pepitt may haue refresshing1,
Thanne we wolle geve them) bateH new ageyn),
Withoute delay e and lenger taryeng1, 2993
And with the grace of god and good gideng1 ;
And trust suerly, ye shall wele vnderstonde,
That we shaH haue of them) the oner hande.' 2995
Now they haue refresshid them) trewly, 2997
And are redy ther enmys to Assayle,1
A thowsand knyghtez in A company e,
And furth they went to geve them) new bateH, 3000
With" grete corage in knyghthode to prevayle ;
And whanne the toder meny them) beheld?,
Anon) they came and mette them) in the feld. 3003
The battle then began anew.
And in a valy togederwarcJ they went, 3004
The bateH thanne beganne new ayeyn),
No trewys was taken) ne noo poyntement,
Butt strong1 feightyng* and many knyghtez slayn) ; 3007
Generides, for to sey yow certeyn,
Whom) that euer he mette vppon) the grene,
ffrom) his sadiH he wente quyte And clene. 3010
The king's host fled.
Ermones,
Syr Anasore the knygn't, And ser DareH, And AH the toder knyghtez euerychone, Eche for his parte quyte hym) self fuft wele, And of the kynges ost slew many on) ; The remenawnte remevid bak anon), And as thei fled, the writeng1 makith mynd, Come Ermones, the kyng1 of higher ynd,
with his mighty "With myo-hti men) of mervelous makyne*
men and their J S>
foul weapons, like as it is rehersid here before ;
(see p. 60, p. 80,)
Ther wepons fowle and itt faryng1,
1 MS. Asscyle.
3011 3014
3017 3018
GENERYDES KILLS KING ERMONES OP HIGHER INDIA.
97
Wher with", they layde orD stroke[s] grete And sore.
Kyng< Ermones, to say yow ferthermore,
Ser Anosore right sone he had Aspied,
And furtfi. with aft to hym) he ganne ride : 3024
3025
rode at Sir Anasore,
With his wepon) long1 and ill faryng1,
he slew his hors and smote hym) on) the hede,
And in the feld he left hym) liggeng1,
Demyng1 non) other butt that he was dede,
With Anosore ther was non other rede,
Butte vppe he rose as god wold? geve hym) grace,
And to his felawes furth he gotfi. a pase. 3031
Hym to a venge his thought was and his mend, 3032
And sone he was vppon) another stede,
Streyght he ridetfi. to a knygftt of ynde,
And with a swercf he cleue a ij his hede, 3035
That in the feld he felle ther and was dede :
Whanne Ermones wist of this Aventure,
A hevy man) he was I ' yow ensur1,
And streygnt he ridetli onto Generides :
Butt2 he anon) was ware of his comyng1,
And with a naked swerd in to the prese
Ayenst hym) fuH fast he come rideng1 ;
As sone as Ermones the kyng*
Sawe that he was withynne his wepons length,
Anon) he smote Att hym) with aft his strength.
His wepon) light vppon) Generides, And brast his sheld with aH in pecys twayn), Also it ranne down) quyte thorough, the harnes, A grace of god that he had not ben) slayn) ; 3049
Ther with Generydes smote hym) ayeyn), Thoroughowt the helnie a hye vppon) the crest, And claue his hede streyte down) to the brest. 3052 1 MS. h. 2 MS. Be.
GENERYDES. 7
slew his horse,
and left him lying in the 3028 field for dead.
Anasore got another steed, and slew a knight of India.
3038
3039 rode at
Generydes,
3042
3045 and smote at him,
3046
breaking his shield.
Generydes cluv» his huad to the breast.
98
THE INDIAN MATTOCK-MEN FEAR GENERYDES.
And with that stroke kyng1 Ermones was ded ; 3053 if or hym) his knyghtez made grete ordencmnce,
His men They hym) with drew, ther was non) other rede,
And fast they hyed them) owt of ther distaunce, 3056 Thinkyng1 them) self owt of good gouernaunce, [leaf 16, back] And as they rode togeder complayneng1,
and met King Vppon) the way they mette Boleyn) the kyng* ; 3059
Helen,
who would have And fayn) he wold haue them) turne ayeyn), 3060
had them turn,
Comfortid them) in aH that euer he myght, '
Butt AH that euer he spak it was in vayn) ;
"With that anon) ther answerd hym) a knyglit, 3063
And as the story seith Otran he hight,
' Of our1 fortune in euery thyng1,' qwod he,
' I shaH suerly telle yow the certente. 3066
but they said, ' In yonder host is a knight who is a very fiend,
and hath slain our king.'
In yender ost/ qwod he, 'ther is a knygfet, 3067
he is noo very man), what ener he be,
Butt rather a fende, and that I yow be hight,
Ther is no man) alyve that he wolle flee ; 3070
Oure kyng1 is ded, whiche sore repentitB. me.
And suche a prince we canne not gete ayeyn),
And he it is suerly that hath hym) slayn).' 3073
Belen seeka Generydes,
but they were parted.
"Whanne kyng1 Bolyn) had kiiowlage of y* case, 3074
A hevy man) he was and comforteles,
And furth with aH he rideth on a pace,
AH in a rage seching1 Generides, 3077
And ther they mette togeder in the prese,
Thanne was the bateli aH togeder doon),
So att that tyme thei were departid sone. 3080
The men of Persia won the day.
The men) of percQ that day were fortenat, The toder fled as fast as euer thei might, And in hym) self they stode soo desolate ;
3081
THE KING OP EGYPT RESOLVES TO FIGHT GENERYDES. 99
Whanne kyng1 Bolyn) saw they were putte to flight,
That in noo wise they wold no lenger fight,
With hym) ther was non) other poyntement,
Butt lost the feld and ridetli to his tent. 3087
Too the Citee ridetfi. Generides, 3088 Generydes rides
With knyghtes and with Sqyers many on),
ffor hym) was made grete loy of more And lesse, and is received
And festis made among1 them eu[er]ychon). 3091 withgreat->°y-
Thanne to the Sowdon) furth he went anon),
Of whom) he hadde his thank right specially,
And grete yeftys as he was wele worthy. 3094
The kyng1 of kynggez stiff was in his tent, 3095 The King of
And yndly wroth that no. man) cowde hym) plese,
And in hym) self he cowde not be content, and would not
be content till
TiH he had fought with Generides, 3098 he fought
They twayn) to geder owt of aH the prese,
And ther vppon) he callid his counceH,
That his entent the souner my gilt prevayle. 3101
At his callyng* his lordes came anon), 3102 He called his
And this he sayde, that euerj man myght here,
' Now ye "be here in present eue/ychon, • we have been
This is/ quod he, ' the effecte of my mater, 3105 quarter of a
It is now a futt quarter of a yere,
Oure lyeng1 her the Sowdon) for to wynne,
And att this day we are new to be gynne. 3108 'and have to
begin anew.
And yet I wote right wele it lithe in me, 3109
The Sowdon) to distroye and aH his lande,
Of aH: maner vitayle I haue plente ;
Notwithstondyng1, if he wiH take on) hand 3112 Let the sultan
m f i i i , , -i , T nnd a knight to
lo lynde a knygnt, that I may vndersiond fight with me,
Be right wele born and of high lenage,
To fight with me for aH this Eritage, 3115
100 THE EGYPTIAN LORDS GO TO THE SULTAN OF PERSIA,
and make an end of this war.'
Three lords were appointed to go to the Sultan,
each with a branch of olive.
And so to make an) ende of aH this werre 3116
Betwix vs twayne ; and if he wold not so,
I wift distroye his land both nyghe and ferre,
his land and hym) self where euer hee goo, 3119
And for the Accompleshment Also,
Be cause I wold that it shuld? he endid sone,
Withynne iiij dayes I wold' that it were done.' 3122
King1 lamadon) gave answere in this case, 3123
And in his speche he was som what dismayed,
This cowardly his hert and his seruice
Was to the Sowdon), what so euer he sayde ; 3126
Yet not for thy his reasone furth he layde
AH opynly ; ' my lorcles,' quod he,
' The kyng* hath seid right wele as semyth me.' 3129
For this cause he gaue sone his assentt, 3130
That in that space a trety myght be hadde ;
And as he seid aft other were content,
Thanne was the kyng1 of kynggez passing glad, 3133
And vppon) these iij lordes wise and sadde
A poyntid were to goo on) this massage,
Onto the Sowdon) and his Baronage. 3136
On) of them) iij of Corynth l was he born), 3137
Callid Sampsone, the story doth expresse ;
The secunde, and his ancetors be forn),
In Damask born), the writeng1 doth witnesse, 3140
A man) of wurchippe and of grete sadnesse ;
The iijde was a man), to say yow right,
Of Ethiope, and lonathas he hight. 3143
Anon) these lordes went on) ther message, 3144
Eche man) A brawnche of Olyve in his hande, In token) of pece for ther viage,
1 MS. Cornyth.
AND ASK FOR HIS DAUGHTER. GENERYDES ANSWERS THEM. 101
Too goo and come saff, as I vnderstonde^ 3147
lyke as the custom) was in eue?y lande ;
So fourth they went withoute more1 delay,
To the Sowdon) ther errand for to say. 3150 [leaf 17]
And whanne that thei were come to his presence, 3151 They came to Of ther massage they kept noo thyng1 in store, and told him
Butt in att the hast they told? hym) the sentence, the message,
like as it is rehersid here before, 3154
In euery maner thing1 and summe2 what more, So as the kyng1 gave them) in commaundment, Accordeng1 sum what onto 'his entent; 3157
The whiche was this, to say yow in substaunce, 3158 and that he
' t should send
That he shuld send his doughter to the kyng1, his daughter to
the King.
And by that meane the striff and variaunce
Be twix them) bothe myght the souner haue endyng.3
ffor an answere in ther ayeyn) goyng1,
Of ther massag1 they praed them) to say
In att this mater playnly ye or nay. 3164
Whanne ther massag1 was att to geder sayde, 3165
Ther was noo lord nee knyglit that gave answer", The lords were
"VVher with trewly the Sowdon) was dismayde ; Sultan dismayed.
Generides sawe that, and drew hym) nere : 3168
4 Ser, if it like your1 goodnes for to here,
I shaft for yow,' qwod he, ' be in this place,
Be your* licence geve answer in this case.' 3171 •
And thus he sayde be fore them) eu[er]ychon) : 3172
* Thez massangers they shall wele vnderstonde,
Among1 your1 knyghtez aft that ther is on)
Shatt vnder take to Answer1 for this lande : 3175 Generydes
undertook to
ffor I my self witt take it att ther hand, answer :or .he
land.
And here is my glove, this mater to defende, AVithynne iiij dayes therof to make an ende. 3178
1 MS. n-ordes more. 2 MS. snnne. 3 MS. an end.
102 GENERYDES UNDERTAKES TO FIGHT THE KING OF EGYPT.
Generydes guaranteed that no dishonour should befall Clarionas.
And your* doughter also, Clarionas, 3179
he shaft do hir no mane?* of villanye,
JSTother dishonoi/r, whiH I haue liff and space,
And ferthermore I vnderstonde trewly, 3182
By ther massage declaryd opynly,
Ther shall non) take of hym) this enterprise,
Butt he be wele born) in eny wise. 3185
And to that ye shaH wele knowe my counceH, 3186
Was neuer man) herd' so moche of me ;
A kyngges sonne I am withoute fayle,
And my moder is a quene in certayn[te] : 3189
here afterward? ye shaH wele know and see,
Att though he be a prince of nobytt fame,
To fight with me to hym) shalbe noo shame.' 3192
Tt.e Sultan was glad.
Whanne the Sowdon) perseivid his entent, 3193
And herd? hym) wele in aH that euer he sayde,
Thanne was he gladde and verily weH content,
That he was of so good a knyght purveyd ; 3196
Yet with hym) self he was nott wele apayde,
And in his mende repentid hym) fuH sore,
That he so meche had wrongid hym) before. 3199
One of the lords said Generydes should take advice before meddling with a prince that was peerless.
Whanne these lordes had answere in this wise, 3200
One of them) sayde on to Generides ;
' It is weH don) that ye take a good avise,
Or that ye putt your* self so ferre in prese, 3203
To medyH with a prince that is perles ;
ffor he is knowen) in centres ferre and nere.'
Generides anon) gave hym) answere, 3206
Generydes said, And this he sayde, in presence of them) aft ;
' Your king is
a noble knight, ' As for your* kjBg*, he is a nobiH knyght
I canne wele think, and so men) do hym) calle ;
3207
CLARION AS FEARS FOR GEXERYDES IN THE COMING COMBAT. 103
Butt my quarett is growndid vppon) right, 3210
Whiche gevith me corage for to fight,
And here my trowth I wolle not fayle my day,
My self alone, and so I prae yow saye.' 3213
but I will not fail my day.'
They toke his glove, And to that prince thei went 3214
With ther answere in euery maner thing1 :
And of Generides and his entent
ffuH playnly thei told onto the kyng* : 3217
And whanne that he ther of had knowlaching,
The kyng1 hym) self, withoute eny more, The king
Ayenst that day he purveyd hym) therfore. 3220
Too aH his ost he gave A speciatt charge, 3221
Ayenst that day that he shuld fight alone,
They shuld remeve that place ij myle large,
And thei to geder abide euerychon) 3224
What euer fall, for reskewe wold* he non) ;
And ther vppon), to folow his entent,
To them) he gave a streight commaundment. 3227
gave his host charge to remove two miles away,
for rescue would he none.
The Citesens thanne was not wele apayde,
Be cause Generides tofke] this in hand :
They love[d] hym) so wele, and this they said,
* A better knygfrt ther is in noo land.' 3231
And whanne Clarionas ded vnderstonde
That he shuld take vppon) hym) this bateH,
Thanne was she Ml of thought and noo merveH. 3234
3228 The citizens were not pleased,
and Clarionaa was full of thought,
' Now, good MirabeH, what is best 1 ' qiiod she, 3235
' What shall I doo ? saye me your* good avise.'
And said, ' wold god he wold do Aftur me,
Thanne shuld he not take this-interprise.' 3238
' Nay, late be that in eny maner wise,
Madame,' qwod she, ' for sothe he hath it take,
ffor his wurchippe he may it not for sake. 3241
104
CLARION AS SENDS FOR GENERYDES TO COME TO HER.
[leaf 17, back]
Aether he witt, Madame, I telle yow playn).' 3242
' Now thanne,' quod she, ' me think this is to door) ;
I wiH send hym) Gwynot my chaunberleyn),
Tliis rede penseH I will send hym) anon); 3245
And or that he on) the batett goon),
ffor esing1 of my hert I wiH hym) praye,
To speke with me to morow or to day.' 3248
and sent for Qenerydes
to come and speak with her.
' That is wele doo,' quod, she, ' withoute lese.' 3249
Thanne chargyd she hir chaumberleyn) to goo :
' hye yow,' quod she, ' onto Generides ;
This rede penseli ye shaH bere hym) also, 3252
Whiche I myself enbrowdred and no moo :
Pray hym) also or he passe the Citee,
In eny wise that he wiH speke with me.' 3255
On this massage now gotfi hir chaunberleyn), 3256
And to Generides he takitfr the waye,
With hir tokyn) and aH hir errand playn),
In att the hast possible that he may ; 3259
And he also for gate nott for to say,
On hir behalf afore his departeng1,
hir for to see leving1 aH other thing1. 3262
Gcnerydes was glad of thia,
and promised to see her soon.
Off that massage Generides was fayn), 3263
And furth with aH rewardid hym) right weH ;
he sent a token) on) to hir ayeyn),
Bee cause that she shuld? vnderstonde and fele, 3266
That he had don) his massage euery dele,
And ferthermore he chargid hym) to say,
he wold? see hir in aH the hast he may. 3269
Now goth Gwynot1 vnto Clarionas, 3270
And told hir what he had don) that day. Generides, whanne he had tyme and space, 1 MS. Gwynan.
GENERYDES AND CLARIONAS PLIGHT THEIR TROTH.
105
To hir chaunber lie toke the redy waye ; And att a wyndow, sothely for to say, lie spake to liir, right as he wold devise, Att good leysere in honorabitt wise.
Whanne lie departid ther was grete hevynes,
And as he toke his leve in his goyug1
Thanne eche to other made to geder futt promyse,
To kepe hym) trew aboue aH other thing1,
Now late vs thanne speke of Belen) the kyng,
Whiche att his day thinkyth with spere and sheld
hym) self alone to come into the feld. 3283
3273 He came tolier
chamber window.
3276
3277
Each to other OTOA made promise 6'2oO to be true.
The iijde morow, as sone as it was day,
kyng1 Belyn) rose and made hym aH redy,
his stede moreH trappyd in good arraye,
With his harnes enbrowderyd by and by, 3287
hym) self armyd futt wele and fuH sure.py],
his helme was wele ordeynyd for the nonys,
Eight wele garnysshed with perle & precious stonys.
3284 On the third
day King Belen
armed himself,
Kyng1 Bellyn) rideth in to the feld alone, As it appoynted was betwix them) twayn) ; his pepiH were avoydid euerychone, And ther he taryed still vppon) the playn), Supposing1 weft ther was no man) certeyn), Consideryng1 his manhod and his myght, Wold be so bold ayenst hym) to fight.
The tidynggez thorough owt the Cite sprang1, hough kyng1 Bellyn) was armed in the mede, Generides thought he was passing1 long1, And furth anon) was brought OrisseH: his stede, A myghti hors and very sure atte nede , The Sowdon) gave it hym) in certente, Whiche no man) shuld haue saue only he.
3291 and rode to the field.
3294
3297
3298
Generydes mounted his 3301 horse Grisell,
3304
106
GENE.RYDES MEETS HIS FOE, KING EELEN OF EGYPT.
Hys trappowr was made in the fressest wise, 3305
Wrought with peerlys of mervelus makyng1,
hym) self armyd atte poynte devise,
his helme with stonys had his garnysshyng1 ; 3308
The rede pensett vppon) his spere hangyng1,
hyin) to behold and luge withoute dought,
A knyght hym) semyd for to be right stought. 3311
and all the people prayed
God to speed him.
Att the pepytt that in the Citee were, 3312
Men) and women) to prayer they them) gave,
Besechyng1 god, with devout mane/,
To spede hym) weH ther contre for to save : 3315
Clarionas, good tidenggez for to haue,
late nee erly she wold nott seese,
Butt nyght And day prayed for Generides. 3318
The Sultan brought him to the gate,
and he rode forth alone,
and found the King of kings.
The Sowdon) brought hym) streight on) to ye gate, 3319
And in like wise the Citezens euerychon),
And whanne that they had brought hym) Att yer at,
he toke his leve and forth he rode alone 3322
In to the mede, and ther he founde anon)
The kyng1 of kynggez vppe and down) rideng1,
And he anon) to hym) com) waloping1. 3325
' Say me sooth,' quoth Belen, ' whether thou art a messenger or nay.' ' I am/ said Generydes, 'and this is my message :
Whanne kyng1 Bellyn) saw he was comyn<
3326
To hym) he rode, and mette hym) on) the waye,
( Now say me soth,' quod he, ' withoute feyning1,
Wheder art thu a massanger or nay? ' 3329
' I am,' quod, he, ' a massanger I saye ;
This way I take for my right viage
ffro the Sowdon),, and this is my massage. 3332
Void my lord's ground,
To warre vppon) my lord thu dost hym) wrong1, he sent the word now, whanne I cam) hym) fro, To voyde his grownde and tary not to long1,
3333
GENERYDES AND KING BELEN OF EGYPT FIGHT. 107
Vnto thy centre wher thu hast to do : 3336
This thinkith me best, and if thu wilt do so, Ayeyn) I wiH goo as a massanger, And furl: trewly declare hym) thynne answer*. _ 3339
And if thu wiH: not follow myn) avise, 3340 [leaf is]
Thu shaHt wele knowe that I am not come on) massage, Peraventur1 thu may1 repent it twyes, ifnotthou
mayst repent it.'
That thu hast askid of this lande trevage ; 3343
To kepe it fre and owt of ail seruage
I shaH my self, as for this landis right,
With goddes grace defende it as a knyght.' 3346
And kyng* Bellyn) whanne his purpose harcfc, 3347 KingBeien
And wherefore that he came in to the felcJ,
Thanne wex he pale and chaungyd clene his mode, waxed pale;
hym) self anon) he closed in his sheld ; 3350
Generides his countenance behelde,
he tared not butt dressid hym) in his gere,
And in his hande anon) he toke his spere. 3353
Thanne was no more a do butt on they sett, 3354
Anon) they Ramie to geder in the feld, they ran together,
The kyng1 and he fresshly ther they mette,
And eche of them) smote other on the sheld, 3357 and smote each
other with great
With strokez grete, and bothe ther sperys helde, strokes.
80 ther vppon) they tared not certayn),
Butte furth" with aH they toke ther course ayeyn). 3360
Ther stedys were both Inly good and weight; 3361 Generides came rounde vppon) the grownde, in another
And brake the kynggez helme before his sight,
The spere went to the vesage quyte and rownde, 3364 helra> Duryng1 his liff it mygfrt be know that wound. The kyng* ayenward strake Generides and the King
Vppon) the side, and perisshed the haraes 3367
r MS. may it.
108 THE FIERCE FIGHT BETWEEN GENERYDES AND KING BELEN.
so that the blood Vnto the skynne ; the Mode ramie down) therby, 3368
Butt, as god wold', lie felt no harme in dede. He said in Tlianne saide the kyng sum what in mokkery,
mockery,
' Maister/ q«od he, ' thy side begynne for to blede, Wherefore this is my counceH and my rede, ffor this mater noo lenger for to stryff, •GO home again, G0 home ageyn) and thu slialt skape alyve.' 3374
and escape alive.' * J
1 1 know,' quod he, ' that on) lyve I may skape, 3375
And so I shaft wheder thu wilt or noo,
The bledingge of my side is butt a lape,
It encreasitfi. my corage to and too ; 3378
In thi vesage think on) thy wounde also,
The whiche shall neuer a way I the ensure,
Whift that yu art a lyvez creature.' 3381
•The bleeding,' said Generydes, ' is but a jape ; think of the wound on your face.'
The King was wrother, and they ran another course ;
horses and men went down. •
Thanne was the kyng1 wrother, I yow benight ; 3382
They toke ther course and ranne to geder new,
And ther the stedis mette with suche a myght
Ther hors foundred, and, for to say yow trew, 3385
Bothe hors and man) and aft yer oner threw ;
They of the Citee sawe that encownteryng1,
And hough it was befatt euery thing1. 3388
Clarionas was heavy for Generydes.
They rose up,
And ferd they were as for Generides, 3389
ffuH hevy was Clarionas thanne also,
And euer more in prayours stiH opese,
Vnto the tyme she knew it shuld goo. 3392
of that fortune kyng Bellyn) was fuH woo,
So was Generides a bashed ' also there,
Butte vppe they rose, to say yow ferthermore, 3395
and without And chaungyd horses onto them) bothe vnknowyn<
knowing it
changed horses, Wherefore they were furl: wrotli, I yow ensure ; each other with To geder thanne they went with swordes drawe,
their swords.
1 MS. and "bashed. 2 So MS. 1 rnltnowe.
BELEN PROPOSES TERMS OF PEACE TO GENERYDES.
109
And leycle on) strokes owt of aft mesure, 3399
Generides sward was passing sure,
And, as the story wele remember canne,
It was a princes callid lulyan), 3402
Generydes' sword had belonged to tlie Emperor .In. :ui.
"Wniclie was sumtyme of Rome the Emperowr; 3403
The Sowdon) had it after his deceasse,
And as a tresour* euery day and owre
he kept that sward? in grete tendernesse, 3406
And after gaue it on to generides ;
So ferthermore, as I this mater feele,
Whanne eche of them) had beten) other wele, 3409
The kyng1 of kynggez seid to hym) ayeyn), ' What aylitfi. the to fight for this mater ? A grete foly for the take the payne, To the it towchith not in no maner ; I councett ther for, while thow art here, Be come my man), and thu wilt do so The pese shaft sone be twix vs twoo.
3410 The King of
kings said to him. ' Why dost thou fight thus? it toucheth thee not.
3413
3416
Become my man,
I shall also in wurchippe the avaunce, 3417
And largely departe with the also ;
ffor meche better it lith in my puessence,
Thanne in the Sowdon) powre so to do : 3420
And for Clarionas I say also,
Whanne she is myn), here what I say to the,
Att thy pleasure hir shalt thu haue of me. 3423
I will advance thee,
and when Clarionas is mine thou shalt have her.
And thu wilt not do as I the saye, 3424
I late the now haue knowlage vterly,
That of my hand here shalt thu dye to daye ;
Troste noo lenger to my curtessy, 3427
I haue entretyd the fuH lentelly,
And how thu wilt be rewlid in this case,
Say ye or nay, or ye go owt of this place.' 3430
If not thou shalt die to-day.'
110 THE FIGHT IS RENEWED. GENERYDES' HORSE FALLS.
Generydea answers,
[leaf 18, back]
' I cannot be untrew to my promise j
Thanne furth with aH Answered Generides, 3431
' To thy smiice,' quod he, ' if I me bynde,
I se right wele I may sone haue my pece ;
But that was neuer enprentid in my mende, 3434
To be vntrew it come me never of kynde ;
That I haue said and take of my promys,
0 trowth I wiH: not breke it in noo wise. 3437
and as for Clarionas, I will never have her ofthee.'
And forth erinore, as for Clarionas, 3438
I vnderstonde thu proferest hir to me,
Whiche is not thyne truly ne neuer was,
And suche* a yeft is litift worth parde ; 3441
ffor one thing1 shaft I say in certente,
If I hir shaft reioyse, so god me save,
Of the playnly hir wiH I neuer haue.' 3444
The king was more wroth than ever, and they went together again.
The king's steed which Generydes rode began to fail,
Thanne was the kyng1 mecfi. wrother than) before, 3445
And on) they went to geder now ayen) ;
Thanne eyther other layde wonder sore,
"VVherof the sownd rebowndid on) the playn), 3448
The stede that was the kynggez for certayn)
Vnder Generides beganne to fayle,
Whiche hym) abasshed sore and,noo merveH. 3451
and went to the ground.
The kynggez stede was alwey good and sure 3452
ffor aft his labour*, yet onnese he swett ;
he saw right wele ye toder myght not dure,
Wherefore on) hym) right fressly1 he sett, 3455
The shulders of ther horsez to geder mett ;
Generides vppon) the feyntid stede,
Streyght to the grownde hors a[nd] man) yede. 3458
His sword fell His swerd ther with ouftl of his hand it feH,
from his hand,
but he caught it Butt as god wold he had it sone ayeyn), he lay not long^ but riseth fayre and stiH, 1 1 fersly.
3459
GENERYDES UNHORSES KING BELEN. BELEN WOUNDS HIM. Ill
And furth he gotfr, to sey yow for certayn), 3462
To kyng1 Bellyng1, And toke hym) be the reyne. he sporyd his hors and from) hym) wold haue goo ; l ' A bide/ quod he, 'thu shalt not skape me soo. 3465
This stede,' he seitfi, ' hath seruyd the fuH wele, 3466
The whiche trewly repentitfi me fuH soore,
Ayenst my will thu hast hym) euerydele,
Butt now o trowth" thu shalt haue hym) no more, 3469
This stede is myn), thu wist it wele [bejfore ;
A light anon) withoute wordes moo,
Or suerly I shall make the or I goo.' 3472
and seized the king's bridle.
The kyng1 presid fast away certayn), Generides helde still the reane alway ; And so be twix the striving1 of them) twayn), The horse reversid bak, and ther he lay. Generides anon) to hym) ganne say, ' Not long agoo thu haddist me in this plight, And now I trost to god I shaH the quyte.'
Generides his swarde toke in his hande, Claryet it hight, the store tellitfr me so, A better swerd ther was neuer in noo land. The kyng1 arose and wold a gon) hym froo, ifor of his fayling1 ther he was fuH woo ; Generides was noo thyng1 eviH apayde, And with his swerd fuH fast on) hym) he layde.
The kynges sheld he made a quarter lesse, The swerd? is glansid down) on) his kne, And ther is2 brake asonder the harnes, That aft to geder bare a man) mygtLt see : The kyng< Bellyn) was wrothe as he mygRt be, he strake att hym) with a fuH eger wiH, And in the tethe he woundid hym) fuH: iH. 1 MS. goon, a 1 it.
' This steed is mine, alight anon.'
3473 The king
pressed away, but Generyries held the rein, and between them the horse fell backward.
3476
3479
3480 Generydes took " his sword Claryet
3483
3486 and laid on the King full fast,
3487 cutting a piece off his shield, and breaking the harness on his knee.
3490
3493
The King wounded him in the teeth.
112 GENERYDES CUTS KING BELEN's EAR OFF. THEY FIGHT ON.
• NOW,' said he, Thanne seyde the kyng1, 'now att aft aventur' 3494 U1 y°U' I haue the quyte, and ther of ani I fayn), The nexst that I the geve I the ensure, I wilt thu vndersto[ii]de it for sertayn) : 3497
Ne shaft thu quyte it me ayeyn).' Witn thoo wordes wrothe was Generides, And to the kyng1 presid still opese. 3500
Generydes And thanne suche a stroke he gave hym) yer 3501
gave him such
a stroke that Vppon) the helme, the bare visage was sene ;
he cut his ear off. „.
Ihe swerdl was sharpe and ranne down) be his ere, That from) the hede he smote it quyte and clene, 3504 And from his swerd? it felle vppon) the grene : Tharaie l was 'kywg Bellyn) astownyd sore, The King was And in hym) self abasshed more and more. 3507
abashed.
Both were weary, They were fuH wery bothe, I yow be hight, 3508
but their hearts
were strong. Notwithstondeng1 ther hartys were fuH strong1, On them) ther was no pece of harnys right, Of plate ne mayle, but aH to geder wrong1 j 3511
And no wonder, for they foughten) long1,
The King struck Yet in his hert for anger and for payn),
again at
Generydes, The kyng1 stroke to Generides ayeyn), 3514
and smote him on And with his swerd? he smote [him] on the hede, 3515 That wher he was he wist not vterly ; ' If thu,' quod, he, ' had done after my rede, Thu shuldest not now haue ben) in this parte.' 3518 Generides hym) Answeryd trewelly, ' If I noo thyng1 dede after thynne entent, Trust me right wele yet did I not repent.' 3521
Generydes in And witn that worde he smote hym) so ayeyn), 3522
return smote
him on the same And cleue his hede down) and hurt hym)2 sore,
side where he
was hurt before, And by fortune it happid so certeyn,
1 MS. Thamc. 2 MS. kyn.
KING BELEN IS BEATEN, AND GIVES UP CLARIONAS.
3525
113
Vppon) that side that he was hurt "before : he bled so meche he myght stond no more, Butt to the grownde anorp yer he felle down), And sore for blode he Jay stift in swoune.
Generides stode stitt and hym) be x held,
And of the kyng1 thanne had he grete pite,
he toke hym) vppe and layde hym) on) his sheld ;
Thanne seid the kyng1, softely as it wold be,
* haue here my swerd, I yeld it vppe to the,
As to a knyght the wordes,' 2 he saide,
1 In all my lyffe that euer 1 assayde. 3535
and he lay in 3528 [leaf 19]
3529
3532 The King said '
Off aft this land I geve vppe my quareH, And so I do Clarionas also, ffor certayn) butt if she loue yow wele She do no thyng1 hir part as she shuld do, And this I wold require yow or ye goo, That I myght goo ther as my pepiU be, And so to passe furtn" in to my centre.'
To hym) thanne sayde Generides ayeyn), ' AH this request I graunt it verely ; ' And vppe he toke hym) in his armys twayn), And sett hym) on) his stede 3 full lentely. So fiirtS. he riditfi fayre and soberly ; Whanne his pepitt sawe hym) in that maner, They mett hym) aft with" a hevy chere.
3536
3539
I give up my claim to this land and Clarionas,
and will pass forth to my 3542 country.'
3543 'I grant this request,' said Generydes,
3546 and set him on his steed again.
His people met ^ him with a 3549 heavy cheer.
Vppon) the playn) restid Generides,
Wery and feynte, it was noo synne to saye ;
And whanne he was sum what more att his ease
Toward! the Citee streygftt he toke the waye.
They of the town) knewe wele be his araye
That it was he, and glad thei were eche on),
So furtfr he came rideng1 hym) self alone, 3556
3550 Generydes rested on the plain,
3553 and then went back to the city
1 MS. he. 3 So MS. GENERYDES.
1 worthiest. 8
3 MS. stete.
11 4: GENERYDES RETURNS, A CONQUEROR. KING BELEN DIES.
with his two swords. The lords all rnet him, and all the people
with royal procession.
Towards the Citee girde with" his swerdez twayn) : 3557
The lordes aH mett hym) withoute the town),
And aH the Citezens vppon) the playn),
With mynstrellys of many A dyuerse sownd, 35 GO
Preletys, prestys, witfi. rial! precession),
And Childryn) syngeng1 in the fressest wise,
With" merthis moo thanne I canne now device. 3563
They brought him to the Sultan, who him great
Clarionas was Clarionas she was noo thyng1 behynd, 3564
Aft hir counfort was by hir self alone ; In hir hart she was and in hir mende As weH content as aH they euerychone. 3567
To the Sowdon) thanne was he brought anon) Whiche gave hym) yeftez grete for his seruice,
lifts S thanked And thankid hym) in fuH specially wise, 3570
him.
Anon) witfi aH were brought fro dyuerse place, 3571 The best surgeons Good sorgeons, the best that cowde be fownde,
that could be .. ...
found came to And they fuH sone withynne a lititt space,
hym) vndertoke to make hym) hoole and sounde, 3574 Of Query hurt and eke of euery wounde, "Whiche that he had and so to hym) thei saide, Where witE. the Sowdon) was fuH wele apayde. 3577
Helen told his lords he had given up his claim to Persia and Clarionas,
and died of his wounds in a day or two.
Now kyng Belyn) lithe in furl hevy case, 3578
And told his lordis stondyng1 hym) before,
Of perce lande and of Clarionaa
he hath geve vppe his clayme for euermore : 3581
And ther with aH his woundes blede so sore,
his liff cowde no man) vnder take certayn),
And so he dyed withynne a day or twayn). 3584
For hym) his pepiH made grete hevynes, 3585
Among1 them) self with" peteuose complayneng1, And in aH goodly hast thei ganne hym) dresse,
BELEN'S SON, GWYNAN, SUCCEEDS HIM, AND CLAIMS CLARIONAS. 115
In to Egipte his body for to bryng1, Witfi. grete estate and honour like a kyng1 ; "Whanne that was don) with" grete solempnite, The lordes aft went home in to ther contre.
3588 His people took his body to Egypt, and the lords went home to their
3591 countries-
3592
3595 Gwynan.the King's son, succeeded him,
and told his people that he did not give up his claim to Persia and Clarionas.
"Now late vs leue them) in ther contres aH,
In to the tyme thei were sent for ayeyn),
Whiche was not longe, and in especiatt
To make Gwynan l ther kyng and souereyn),
"Whiche was the kyng1 of kyngges sone certayn),
And so thei were agreed on) hym) alone,
he for to Eeigne vppon) them) euerychone. 3598
And to sey yow in short conclusion), 3599
Be aH the hoole agrement of the lande,
Of Egipte he was kyng1 and "bare the crown),
Thanne to them) aH: seid he, as I wnderstonde, 3602
' Suche maters as my fader toke in hande,
Towchyng1 the Sowdon) and Clarionas,
Ye shaH sone wete my plesure in this case. 3605
As for the land of Perce aH maner way is, 3606
I wiH pleynly declare yow myn) entent,
My lord and fader quyte it in his dayes
Yet for aH that I was not of assentt, 3609
Nor noo wise I canne not be content ;
And in like wise as for clarionas,
I wiH: not be agreyd, nor neuer was.' 3612
Thanne was ther a man) of grete powre, 3613 There was a
subtil knight,
A knyght that was wele cherisshed with ye kyng1, he was right weel betrost both ferr1 and neere, What euer he saide or dede in eny thyng1, 3616
A witty man), And subtitt in werkyng1, Ser YueH the Barn), the story seith he night, 1
This was his name to say the very right. 3619
1 MS, Snrynan.
116 SIR YVELL TELLS KING GWYNAN HOW TO SECURE CLARIONAS.
3620
[leaf 19, back] to whom the King in secret told his love for Clarionas.
In secrete wise the kyng1 saide to the knyght,
' I shall yow telle my fortune as it was :
It happyd me/ quod he, 1 1 had a sight
Vppon) the towre of faire Clarionas, 3623
And here I loue ; play[n]ly this is the case :
here to reioyse I wold haue sought the waycs,
Butt I for bare it in my faders dayes. 3626
• HOW can i And now I prae yow telle me your1 a vise. 3627
beat obtain
her?' hough I myght best to my purpose Attayne.
The knight said, The knyght anon) gave answere in this wise :
' To folow your1 entent, I wold be fayn) 3630
To putt ther to my diligence and payn),
And in this case I hope to do so wele,
That ye shall haue your1 pleasure Query dele. 3633
' I must have a swift ship prepared for seven years,
and in that time I shall convey her to this country.'
Butt I must haue A shippe bothe good and wight, 3634
And that it be right swiff vnder a saile ;
ffor vij yere it must be redy dight,
With men) I now and plente of vitalle, 3637
And in that tyme withoute eny fayle,
I shall conveeye hir in to this contree,
And peraventur1 souner so may it be.' 3640
A ship was provided,
and the wind was ready.
IFe sailed to the land of Persia, and found a haven
With his promys the kyng1 was wele content, 3641
And thankyd hym) right hertely therfore :
A Shippe was purveyd after his entent,
With aH that is rehersid here before, 3644
And as fortune kepitn here thanke in store,
And ShewitS. favour1 to suche as ben) futt iff,
Come was the wynde fuH redy att his witt. 3647
So long1 he sayleth as I vnderstonde, 3648
That of the lande of Perse he hadde a sight ; Whanne he came nere a havyn) ther he fownde,
SIR YVELL GOES TO PERSIA, TO CARRY OFF CLARIONAS. 117
And thederward! he toke the way full right : 3651 "Whanne thei were in, as fast as euer thei myght, Ther ancers owt thei cast on) euery side, ffor ther awhile they cast them) to Abide. 3654
where he cast anchor,
Vppon) that havyn) ther was a faire Citee, 3655
Whiche stode fuH fayre vppon) the Ey vers side ;
This knyght anon) owt of the shippe goth" he,
Butt twayn) with hym) and on) to be his gide,
The remenaunt shuld in the shippe a bide
A day or twayne, and thanne, in craft[y] wise,
Go to the town) be waye of merchaundise,
To bye and seH as thei see other doo,
"Vnto the tyme they hard of hym) ayeyn).
So gothe he furtfi withoute wordes moo,
And as he went, he mette vppon) the playn)
A man) that was right ferij in age certayn),
And ati for growe, a pilgrim as he were,
Thanne to hym) saide the knyght in this maner : 3668
3658 and landed with two others, and a guide. The rest he ordered
3661
3662 to buy and sell
till they heard of him again.
3665 As he went he met an old man, a palmer,
* Fader,' quod, he, ' what tyme is of the day ] ' 4 ffor certayn), ser,' he saide, * ij after none.' Thanne seid the knyght, * I purpose, if I maye, This town) to se, and whanne I haue don) In to the shippe to come ayeyn) right sone.' Ay en) thanne seid the palmer to the knyght, 1 That may ye do long er1 it be nygfrt.'
3669 of whom he
asked the time of day,
3672
3675
' What do yow calle this town) 1 ' quod he ayeyn). 3676 the name of
the town, Clarionat,
* Ser,' quod the palmer, ' Clarionat it night.' ' Now, good fader, yet wold I wete fuH fayn), Wher is the Sow don), tell me very right : 3679
Of his estate fayne wold I haua- a sight.' ' The Sowdon),' he saide, ' ser, belevith me, he litfc att Mountoner the riche Citee. 3682
1 MS. longer.
and where the Sultan lay.
' At Mountoner,' said the palmer
118 SIR YVELL LEARNS THE WAY TO WHERE CLARION AS IS.
'i was there Therin I was but late withoute lese, 3683
and he made a And thanne he made a fest I vnderstonde ; knight Generydes, Ther is a knyght callid Generides,
lie hath made hym) Stiward! of aH his land ; 3686
who fought With kyng1 Bellyn) he fought hand to hand,
King Bellyn,
and kept this And wanne hym) in the feld as ye shaft here,
land from
danger. And kept this lande from) thraldom)1 and dangere.
He loves also Clarionas, the Sultan's daughter,
arid she loves him again.'
That knyght also lovith" Clarionas, 3690
The Sowdon) is hir fader in certayn),
And suche he dede first sendee in the place,
The love hath lastid still betwix them) twayn), 3C93
ffor in like wise she lovith [hym] ayeyn) :
And sekerly this is the comon) voyse,
In aH the courte that he shall hir reioyse.' 3696
Then said the knight,
'Stft me fat the
way to this city.'
Thanne saide the knyght, ' now, fader, I yow prae,
Be cause ye knowe so witt this centre,
To do so moche as sette me in the way
Whiche were most redyest to the Citee : 3700
And dowte ye not ye shall rewardid be.'
* Wele, ser,' he saide, ' I shall yow teft soo wele,
That of your* waye ye shall fayle neuer a dele. 3703
Said the palmer, ' Go by yonder forest, the way will bring you to a plain,
over which you must travel four days, and then come to the city '
Take hede of yender forest, I yow saye, 3704
ffor ther by must ye goo for eny thing1 ;
Withouten) fayle ther lithe the redy way.
Ynto a goodly playn) it2 witt yow bryng, 3707
Whiche shall endure yow iiij dayes traveling1,
And thanne anon), withoute eny more,
The fayre Citee ye shall see yow before.' 3710
[leaf 20] This knyght furtli with rewardid hym) right wele, 3711 came to the end And furth he gothe [fuH] streight vppon) ye way
ofhis journey fey]id ^^ &
MS. tkmldon.
MS. in.
SIR YVELL TAKES IN THE SULTxS.N OF PERSIA.
119
Tift he come to the ende of his lurnay, 3714
Whiche was atte after none the iiijth day :
And as it was abought the oure of three,
Ser lueH the knyght came in to the Citee. 3717
on the fourth day,
To the Sowdon) fuH Streigftt he toke the way ;
Whanne he hym) sawe he spake att his device,
* Ser, please it yow,' quod he, ' that I may saye
Wherefore that I am come and [in] what wise ;
The trougtfi. is this to offre my sendee :
Gwynan) the kyng hath bannysshed me his lande,
And for what cause ye shaH wele vnderstonde. 3724
3718 and went straight to the Sultan, whom he told his story,
3721
how that Gwynan had banished him
His fader made a clayme to yis contre,
And I was euer ayenst hym) in that case,
Wherefore the kyng1 his sonne now ha[ti]th me,
And vtterly hathe putte me from) his grace. 3728
here in this lande his fader slayn) was,
Thanne was I trobolid sore OB) euery side,
In Egipte durst I not lenger abide.' 3731
3725 for opposing his father's claim to Persia.
Ther with the Sowdon) answeryd hym) ayeyn) :
( To my presence ye are wiH come,' quod he j
1 1 must of reasone tender yow certayn),
Sithe ye haue be thus wrongyd for love of me, 3735
In my seruice now dayly shaft ye be ;
And if ye haue be trobelyd her before,
Of your* pleasure now shaft ye haue the more.' 3738
3732 The Sultan answered,
' Since you have been wronged for my sake you shall be in my service.*
So stiH opece he was ther abideng1,
In his seruice purposyng' to endure,
Passyng1 lentiH he was in euery thing1,
And fuH pleasaunt to euery creature ;
And aH that was don) vnder a 'coverture,
That what he thought ther shuld no man) vnderstonde,
Of his tresone that he had take in hand. 3745
3739 He abode in his service,
and was gentle and pleasant to 3742 everyone, to
cover his treason.
120 THE 'ARTFUL SIR YVELL ACCUSES GENERYDES TO THE SULTAN.
3746
one day the Vppon) a tyme the Sowdori) was alone,
Sultan was alone
in his garden. In a garden) was walkyng1 to and fro,
Sir Yvell was; aware.
and told him that Generydes
Ser luett Was ware therof anon),
To hym) he gotfr withoute wordes moo. 3749
' I must say yow,' quod he, ' a word or twoo ;
Beseching1 yow to kepe my counceU,
Whiche shalbe to your1 honow and [a]vayle. 3752
plotted to carry off Clarionas.
Ther is a knygftt caUid Generides, 3753
here in your1 howse, and thus standitfe. ye case ;
Bothe day and nygRt he laborytn" stitt opece,
fFrom) hense to haue away Clarionas, 3756
he restith not, butt waytetft tyme and space
To bryng1 abougfrt his purpose if1 he maye,
This is the very trougth that I yow save.' 3759
The Sowdon) trostid aH that euer he spake : 3760
The suitan asked ' TeH me,' he said, ' what is your1 best avise 1 '
* Yes, ser,' qwod he, ' this wolle I vndertake,
he shall not haue his purpose in noo wise, 3763
If ye will do as I shall yow device ; c GO hunting Go to morow on) huntyng1 for the dere, said he, ' Thanne shali ye know the trowth of1 this mater. 3766
' and take Generydes with you.
He will make an excuse to come home,
but I will stay and defeat his purpose.'
But yow must take with yow Generides, 3767
Not withstondeng1 he wiH be loth ther too ;
Whanne he is ther homeward he witt hym) dresse,
Thanne shali ye se anon) what he witt do. 3770
Be myn) avise me semyth best also,
That I abide atte home and kepe me close,
Thanne shali he not a tayne to his purpose.' 3773
The Sultan assented.
The Sowdon) gave his assent therto,
And furth he goth on huntyng1 to the woode,
With hym) he toke Generides also,
3774
SIR YVELL'S PLOT TO CARRY OFF CLARION AS TO KING GWYNAN. 121
And suche moo knygfttez as it semyd good ; 3777
And aH sone as ser yuett vnderstode
The Sowdon) was wele on warde on his way,
Vn to his shippe lueH he sent withoute delay 3780
One of his men) As fast as he cowde, 3781
Comaundyng1 them) be redy euerychone ;
his ij. squyers he toke them) owt Aside,
' helpe that I were Armyd anon), 3784
And in like wise cast your* harnes vppon),
Secrely, that no man) yow Aspye,
And that ye be on) hors bak aft redy. 3787
As soon as he was gone hunting
Sir Yvell sent one of his men to his ship to
order it to be ready,
and told his two squires to be armed
Withoute the Cite ther shaft ye abide, 3788
And tary stiH as for a lititt space.'
his hors was ther aH redy for to ride,
And furth he went toward! Clarionas, 3791
To hir chaunber ther as hir logging1 was :
' Madame,' he seyde, ' my lord, your* fader dere,
To yow hath sent me on) a massage her1.' 3794
' What wold! my fader ? I prae yow saye,' quod she.
' Madame,' quod, he, ' he hath right happy game,
Wherefore in eny wise he wold that ye
Wer l ther with" hym), that ye my gilt haue ye same.'
' Now may I goo,' quod she, ' withoute blame : '
And furth with aH sche answeryd hym) agayn),
' Att his pleasure to come I am right fayne.' 3801
Two palfreyes anone were brought owt of ye stable, In aH the goodly hast that mygfrt be do, One for hir, another for MirabiH', Bothe were sadellyd redy for to goo, 3805
And furth they rode withoute wordes moo ; And as ther couenaunde was in especiaH, his ij squyers mette hym) withoute the waH. 3808
1 MS. Whcr.
and wait without the city.
He then went and told Clarions
that her father had sent for her
to join the hunting, [leaf 20, back]
She and Mirabell mounted their palfreys and rode
forth on their way.
122
MIRABELL AT FIRST FRUSTRATES SIR YVELL's PLOT.
When they were two miles from the town, Mira- bell suspected something,
and marie her lady alight.
Thanne on) hir way ridetfi. Clarionas, 3809
JffuH Innocente was she of* y* in hir thought ;
Whanne thei were fro the town) ij myle of* space,
Mirabel! demyd sone that it was nought : 3812
ifro the forest a wayward he them) brought,
Thanne MyrabeH, prevely as sche ruyght,
Made hir lady from) hir palferay a light. 3815
Sir Yvell was wroth.
' Madam,' said Mirabell, 'we
are betrayed.'
Where with ser yueft passing1 wroth he was, 3816
vn perseyuyd be countenazmce or sight :
Thanne said MirabeH: onto Clarionas,
' Madame,' quod, she, « this gothe not all aright, 3819
I wote my self* as wele as eny wight ;
We are be trayde,' quod she, ' I dare weft saye,
God wote/ quod she, ' this is noo thyng* the way.'
As they sat, Natanell came up, chasing a hart.
Mirabel! beckoned to him,
And as thei sate to geder complayneng1, 3823
Came Natanell as fast as he myght ride,
Chasyng1 an hart as he come Reynyng1 ;
A none with aft Mirabeft had hym) aspied, 3826
With hir kerche she bekenyd hym) aside,
And he fuft curtesly left aH the chase,
And streight to hir he come ther as she was. 3829
and told him that Sir Yvell had betrayed them.
' NataneH, for goddis loue, helpe/ quod, she, 3830
' As for my lady here, Clarionas,
Ser yueH hath betrayed bothe hir and me ;
Sayng* suerly that he commaundyd was 3833
Be hir fader to bryng* hir to the chase,
Whiche hym) thought shuld be hir grete counfort,
To see his huntyng* And his disporte. 3836
' Go to your master and tell him this.'
But now I wote right wele it goth a mys ; Wherefore,' quod she, ' I prae you hertyly, Go to your* Maister now and tell hym) this,
3837
his hunting.
SIR YVELL GIVES CLAEIONAS UP TO GENERYDES. 123
for thanne he wiH nott tary sekerly, 3840
And that he come as fast as he may hye ;
Now, good Natanett, think wele her vppon).'
' It shall be do,' quod, he, ' and that anone.' 3843
To the Cite streight he toke the waye, 3844 Nataneii went
straight to the
And Drought his maister harnes ther he was, city, and fetched
And told hym) ther, withoute more delaye, armour, and
Of1 ser yueH and of fayre Clarionas, 3847 about ciariouas.
Of1 her messaventur* and how it was,
And whanne Generides had hard hym) wele,
A none he lefte his huntyng* euery dele. 3850
In this seasone was fayre Clarionas1 3851
ffuH of sorow, god wote a wofuH weight ;
Ser yueH sawe in what plight that she was, Sir rveii tried
to comfort
And her comfort in aft that he myght : 3854 ciarionas by ' Madame,' quod he, ' this wiH I yow be hight, should be
Ye shaH suerly be weddid to A kyng1, mightiest king
Vnder hevyn) the migtiest lyvyng*. 3857 UIlder heavelu
Wherefore, madame, be ye noo thyng1 dismayde, 3858
AH these thoughtez late them) oner slide ! '
With that anon), as he these wordes sayde,
Generides come fro the forest side, 3861 Justthen
Generydes
AH clene armyd as fast as he cowde ride, came out of
To ser YueH streight vppon) the felde, ins sword drawn.
his swerd aH nakyd in his hand he held!. 3864
And whanne ser lueH saw hym) come rideng*, 3865 when sir Yveii
saw him he
he made good countenaunce, but neuer the lesse made good
countenance,
he was lun sore adrede of his comyng1, Purposing1 fully for to make his pece, 3868
And thus he seide on to Generides : and 8aid»
' Good ser/ qtiod he, * be ye no thyng1 displesid, ffor in this case your* harte shaft sone be easid. 3871 1 MS. Clarlanos.
124 SIR YVELL HATCHES A NEW PLOT TO GET CLARION AS.
' The king of Egypt would tiave this lady in marriage,
and this is the cause of my journey, and not to displease the Sultan or you.
Take the lady, and I will return to the city.*
This is trewly the mater in substance ; 3872
The kyng1 of E[g]ipte, born) of higfee lenage,
Wold haue this lady here in gouernaunce,
Desiryng1 hir be way of mariage ; 3875
And for this cause now I take this viage :
This is the trougtfi. like now,1 I yow devise,
Not to displese the Sowdon) in noo wise, 3878
Nor yow, and that ye shaft vnderstonde, 3879
ffor that came neuer in my thought certayn) ;
This lady here ye shaft in your1 hande,
And to the Citee witt I turne ayeyn), 3882
Be cause no man) shatt haue me in disdayn) ;
And forthermore, of that that I haue sayde
I yow beseche that I be not be wrayed. 3885
[leaf 21]
' I am content,' said Generydes.
Sir Yvell went in haste to the Sultan.
Generydes, thinking no harm, made two lodges,
and there they rested.
Sir Yvell told the Sultan,
' Your daughter and Generydes are this night out of the town on their way.
It is fuft late for yow and here also 3886
As for this day to traveft more And lesse,
Att youre pleasure to morow may ye goo.'
* I am content/ thanne seid Generides, 3889
ffuft Innocente2 of aH his dobilnesse,
The whiche ser yueft thought in his entente,
ffor to the Sowdon) hastely he went. 3892
Generides, withoute wordes moo, 3893
Made a logge as sone as euer he myght :
he made another for hym) self1 also,
Thinkyng1 noo harme ne malys to no weight ; 3896
And ther they restid stiH as for that nyght.
Thanne was ser yueft futt bold in his mane/*
With the Sowdon), and saide as ye shaft here : 3899
' Off your1 doughter And of1 Generides, 3900
ffuft trewly shaft ye fynde it as I say ; ffor as this nyght thei are, withoute lesse,
1 MS. now a. 2 MS. Innocence.
HE BRINGS THE SULTAN TO SEE CLARION AS IN HER HUT. 125
Out of the town) wele onward? on jer waye : 3903
And if ye witi goo ther anon), ye may
Se where they be and I shati be your* gide.'
' Yes,' quod the Sowdou), ' theder I witi ride, 3906
And that anon as fast as euer we1 may, 3907
In secrete wise, no mo but ye and I.'
Now goth forward? the Sowdon) on) his way,
And ser yueti with hym) futi secretly, 3910
he first be sought the Sowdon) feithfully,
As for the cheve guerdon) of his sendee,
ffor to sle Generides in eny wise. 3913
The Sowdon) grauntyd hym) for so2 to do ; 3914
And as he came owt of1 the forest side,
he sawe a logge, and in he went ther to ;
Ser yueti stode withouten) hym) to abide, 3917
And furtft with aft the Sowdon) had aspyed
Withynne the logge wher lay Generides,
In his harnes slepyng1 stiti opece. 3920
I will be your guide.'
He besought him to slay Generydes.
They came to a lodge, and
Hys sward was drawyn), on)3 the grownd it lay, 3921
To sle hym) the Sowdon) had grete pite,
Remembryng1 the sendee day by day,
Whiche he had don) in his necessite, 3924
And suche as no man) ded saue only he :
Wherefore he thought, be good and sad avise,
he wold not sle hym) in noo hasty wise. 3927
He toke Away the sward vppe from) ye ground, 3928 And leyde his owen) ther as the toder was ; Butt lititi thense another logge he founde, Ther lay myrabett and fay re Clarionas, 3931
ffuti stedefastly he lokid on) hir face, To knowe his doughter clerly be sight, ffor bothe thei sleppe as fast as euer thei mygfet. 3934 1 MS. he. 2 MS. to so. 3 MS. on on.
the Sultan went in and saw Generydes sleeping
with his sword drawn by his s.de.
The Sultan
would not slay him hastily,
but took away the sword and left his Own.
In the other lodge he found Clarionas and Mirabell,
126 THE SULTAN FOOLISHLY GIVES UP CLARIONAS TO SIR YVELL.
and took up his daughter fast asleep as she was, and
delivered her to Sir Yvell
He toke his dougfrter vppe as she laye, 3935
And furtfr he bare hir in his armys twayn)
Owt of1 the logge, she sleppe stiH alway,
And to ser yueft delyueryd hir ayeyn, 3938
And told hyni) that Generides was slaynX
Whahne ser lueH herd? of that aventure,
Wote ye wele he was a ioyfuH creature. 3941
to conduct her to the city.
But he meant nothing of the kind.
The Sowdon) went ayeyn to his disporte ; 3942
Ser lueH hym) promysed for to goo,
With his doughter ayenward to resorte
Yn to the Citee, ther as she came froo, 3945
Butt sekerly his thought was noo thyng1 soo :
The Sowdon) wende she had gon) ther she was,
Butt alway he led fayre Clarionas. 3948
Clarionas awoke and saw how it was;
she took on sore and swooned twice.
Anone witfi. aft Clarionas awoke, 3949
And whanne that she perseivid how it was,
ffutt of sorow she was and sore on) toke,
That twyes she swounyd in a lititt space ; 3952
God wote she stode in futt petevous case,
More sorow had noo creature levyng1,
for she had leuer a d*red than1 eny thyng1. 3955
He set her on a palfrey and led her to the ship.
On a palfrey he sette Clarionas,
And to the shippe he gideth hir full right ;
Generides, withynne a litiH space,
he woke anon) thanne was it dayle light :
When Gcnerydes Of Mirabeft sone he had a sight,
awoke, he asked Mirabell for Clarionas.
And first of1 aft he sayde in this maner, ' Where is Clarionas, my lady dere 1 '
With thoo wordes Mirabell woke anon) ; ' Alas,' qwod she, ' what aventur* is this 1
'Alas said she, ' my lady
is gone by false By false tresone now is my lady goon),
treason.
1 MS. tJiang.
3956 3959
3962 3963
GENERFDES FINDS CLAEIONAS GONE.
127
And ser luett I wote it is :
Of hym) I dremyd aH this nyght I wis,
I praQ god geve hym) sorow now,' she saide,
' ffor this is twyes that he hath vs betray de.'
3966 It is Sir Y veil,
3969 he hath betrayed us twice.'
' Butt is she goon) 1 ' thanne saide Generides. 3970 1 Yee,' quod MirabeH, ' and that me rewitfi. sore.'
* ffare weH:,' quod he, ' my comfort and gladnes,
flare weft my ioye for now and euermore ; 3973
What think1 ye best that I shall doo yerfore 1 ' ' This is the best,' quod she, ' that I canne saye, Go after them) as fast as euer ye may, 3976
And if it fortune that he may be take, 3977
ffor erthely good or eny fayre primes, Do make hym) sure what couenazmte that he make.' ' Yes,' hardly thanne seid Generides. 3980
* To the Sowdon),' quod sche, * I witt me dresse, And teH hym) trewly, as sone as euer I may,
' Farewell,* quoth he, ' my comfort and joy for evermore. What think you best to do ? ' ' Go after them,' said she,
[leaf 21, back]
' and I will go to the Sultan,
fibr he wiH trost the wordes that I saye.'
Generides thanne armyd hym) anon),
Aftur ser lueH to folow on the chase ;
he sought after his swerd and it was goon),
he founde another lying* in the place,
The Sowdons swerd he wist wele that it was :
To myrabeH he seide in this maner,
* My lord the Sowdor) suerly hath ben) here :
3983 for he will trust my words.'.
3984 Generydes then armed himself,
3987 and found the Sultan's sword,
3990
Where with I am comfortid verely,
ifor of1 my parte [he] demyd not amys,
And if he had, I say yow sekerly,
he wold haue slayn) me here, I wote wele this.' 3994
* Eight as ye say,' quod she, ' me think1 it is :
I will telle hym) [the] trougtft whanne I hym) see,
ffor I wift seche hym) wher* euer that he be.' 3997
3991 which comforted him.
128
GENERYDES FOLLOWS SIR YVELL AND CLARIONAS.
Then quoth he, « Thanne,' quod, he, ' MirabeH:, I yow prae,
•Tell Natanell to
come after me.' Byd NataneH anon) for eny thing1
3998
Come after me as fast as euer he may.'
' It shaft be do,' q?zod she, ' withoute fey[n]ing< : 4001
he be your1 spede that is our hevyn) kyng1,
Whanne ye are goo I wiH not long1 abide,
ffor to my lord the Sowdon) I wiH ryde.' 4004
Generydes follows Yvell,
and Mirabell goes to the Sultan,
but the Sultan knew all before,
Generides is in his way rideng1 4005
After lueft, to take hym) if he may.
Mirabell thanne made noo taryeng1,
Butt to the Sowdon) she toke the waye, 4008
To tett hym) aH the trougtfi. of here affraye,
But or she came the Sowdon) knewe it wele,
ffor ther came on) and told* hym euery dele, 4011
Whiche mette ser yueH and Clarionas : and was sore Where with" the Sowdon) was astownyd sore, He rides to the And furth witfi. ati he rideth" in to the place,
place where he •./» •« /-N &
found Generydes, Ther as he founde Generides before,
Of1 that fortune to harkyn) fortherinore ; This musyng1 in his thought more and lesse,
and met Mirabell he mette MirabeH in grete hevynes.
on the way,
4012
4015
4018
who told him how Clarionas was betrayed at first,
Be hir semlante he thought it shuld be she, 4019
And this to hir fuH soberly he sayde ;
1 Telle me, where is my doughter now 1 ' seith he ;
And ther withatt she was gretly dismayde, 4022
1 ffor certeyn), ser,' quod she, ' she is betrayed ;
Ser yueH seid that ye had for hir sent,
And brought fro yow a streyt comaundment. 4025
And in this wise away with hir he rode, ffutt vntrewly, and be a subtitt trayne j Vppon) the way we hovyd and a boode.
4026
MIRABELL TELLS THE SULTAN OF SIR YVELL's TREACHERY. 129
Generides thaime reskewid hir ayeyn), 4029 and how
rpi ,11 • i • Generydes
Inanne was the day passid in certayn), rescued her,
And nere nyght, wherefore he thought it best
Ther to abide as for on nyghtez rest. 4032
'As for Generides this dare I now saye, 4033
he was neuer that man), I yow ensure,
To dishonour your doughter be eny way,
NOT neuer while his liff may endure ; 4036 . >4
But whels he sleppe this cursyd creature and how,
/*. 11 , i -,*- i • • while he slept,
ffuH trayturly witn hir is goo ; sir Yveii had
ilutt wele I woote it is he and no moo.' 4039
To here answerd the Sowdon) in this wise; 4040
' Ye say futi trew, it may non) other be, 'it is full true
With his fayre wordes, fuft of flatrise,
he hath" deseyuyd now bothe yow and me, 4043 he hath deceived
Butt where is now Generides 1 ' quod he ; But where is
'Trewly,' quod she, ' ser, he hath take the waye
Aftur this knyght, and thus he bad me say.' 4046
1 What think ye best,' quod he, * that I shaft doo 1 '
* ffor sothe,' quod she, ' this is now myn) a vise ;
Aftur ser yueft Generides "is goo,
To take hyni) if he canne in eny wise ; 4050
And as for yow to take the enterprise,
It shall nede if his liff may endure,
he will do moche ther to I yow ensure.' 4053
And as thei spake to geder he and she, 4054 AS they spake
together
Came NataneH as fast as he cowde ride ; Nataneii
MyrabeH sone pevseyuyd it was he,
ffuH ertely she prayde hym) to abide : 4057
Anon) withaH he reynyd his hors aside,
Thanne seid he this to Mirabett, ' I yow p?-ae,
What is your1 wiH now pleasit yow to say.' 4060
GENERYDES. 9
130 SIB YVELL SAILS OFF WITH CLARIONAS. GENERYDES IS TOO LATE.
[leaf 22] Mirabell gave him Generydes' message.
' [MJynne owyn) lady,' quod, she, ' Clarionas, 4061
Ser yueH now ayeyn) with here is gone,
Whils we were bothe on) sleppe this is ye case,
Generides is after aft alone, 4064
And wold that ye shuld follow hym) anone.'
1 Maystres,' quod, he, ' now trost me verily,
To hym) I will as fast as I canne higfte.' 4067
Natanell rides after his master ;
the Sultan and Mirabell return to the city,
and Clarionas by this time is going on board with Sir Yvell.
Now Natanell, in aH the hast he may, 4068
Is rideng1 after now Generides ;
MyrabeH with the Sowdon) take the way,
And to the Citee ward! the Sowdon) ganne hym) dresse,
Complayneng1 sore in right grete hevynes ;
And by that tyme ser yueH redy was,
Takyng1 the shippe with fayre Clarionas. 4074
When they were under sail Generydes came up.
« It 5s too late,' said Yvell.
It was not long1 or thei were vnder sayle, 4075
And by that tyme come was Generides ;
Ser yueft knewe hym) wele withoute fayle,
By his stature and by his liken esse, 4078
And these wordes he sayde to hym) expresse ;
1 Generides,' quod, he, ' I telle the playn),
Thou comyst to late to haue hir now ageyn). 4081
• Thou hast lost her.'
Generydes was sore grieved,
Thow slepist to long1, and I woke the while 4082
To spede this mater after my device,
My purpose was the fully to be gile,
With the Sowdon) whanne I was in sendee ; 4085
I sette not be the thretyng1 in noo wise,
And vterly this wolle I saye the more,
ffro this day furth thu hast lost her y erf ore.' 4088
Generides thanne was agrevid sore, 4089
ffor thoo wordes were saide in mokkery, And in hym) self abasshed more and more,
GENERYDES SEEKS A SHIP TO FOLLOW CLARIONAS.
131
Butt att that tyme ther was noo remedy :
Clarionas be held hym) verily,
his countenance was aH togeder doon),
Anone with all ther she fylle down) in swoune.
4092 but there was no remedy. Clarionas saw him, and fell down
4095 inaswoon-
Syr yueH sawe she made suche hevynes, 4096
And with hir self she was not aft aright ;
ffor as the story doth witnesse,
xv tymes she swounyd in his sight : 4099
he hir comfortid in aH that euer he myght ;
To turne hir hart he dede his besy payne,
And aH; for nought his labour1 was in vayne.
Generides the porte goto" aH a long1,
To seke a shippe streight be the havyns side ;
Att last he saw a galy fayre and strong1
lay atte rode, which was both large and wide, 4106
And men) I nowe therin for to gide ;
The maister of aH was ther present,
Generides anon) to hym) he went. 4109
Sir Yvell tried to comfort her,
4102 but to no purpose.
4103 Generydes went all along the port to seek a ship,
and found a galley with master and men.
' Owt of what cost come ye, I prae yow say, Or what centre,' qwod he, ' telle me the right.' The maister thought anon) be his array, Be cause he was armyd and like a knyght, he was a man) of powre and of myght, Wherefore in sothe he was sumwhat dismayde, And to Generides right thus he saide.
4110 He asked
them of what coast they came.
4113
4116
The master was afraid,
1 Sir, be not ye displeasid now,' qwod he, 4117
' Be cause I haue of yow noo knowlachyng1,
Owt of danger I wold be and in surete.'
'Surete,' qwod he, 'drede yow no mane/' thyng1; 4120 but Generydes
' reassured him,
On your part ther is non) other desireng1,
Butt I haue a mater now to begynne,
And I wold favn) haue jour counceH therin.' 4123 fnd a,9k.ed
* * his advice.
132 GENERYDES FINDS A SHIP THAT IS IN SEARCH OF HIM.
«My counsel, ' My counceH is but symple, ser,' he seide ; 4124
sir, is but simple/
he said. * Butt as I canne I shall say myn) avice :
In this havyn) this galy now is layde,
I shall yow teH wherefore and in wha[t] wise; 4127 •i come from I come fro Surre and fro those partis,
Syria, where . .
King Aufeiius Kyng1 Auferius hatfi it in manage,
heth' And ther he lith with aH his Baronage. 4130
I was with 100 ships on the way to India to win
Auferius his
right again.
To one of
liis sons, Ismaell
the Savage,
A hunderyd shippes I lift ther Also, 4131
With them) I was in company certayn),
And toward? ynd they purpose them) to goo,
To wynne kyiig1 auferius right ageyn), 4134
And of his sonnys, to say yow trew and playn),
A likely knyght on) And of mannys age,
The whiche is callid Ismaell the Savage. 4137
the king has given Thrace ;
the other, Generydes, a good knight,
The kyng1 his fader hym) hath gevyn) fre 4138
The Reme of Trace, to rule it in his hand ;
And ferthermore, in very certente,
He hath a broder as I vnderstonde, 4141
As good a knyght as is in eny lande,
And as it is seide I telle yow very right,
And for certayn) Generides he hight. 4144
shall have Syria and India j
and my errand is to seek him.
After deceasse of auferius the kyng1, 4145
He shall haue Surre in his owne demeyn,1
And aH the Rerne of ynd withoute feyning1,
If fortune witt that he it gete ayeyn) ; 4148
In to this centre was myn) erande playn)
liyrn) for to seche, and as I vnderstonde
Withynne few dayes he was here in this land. 4151
And if ye knowe wher that I may hym) fynde, Now lete me wete, I prae yow hartely.'
Let me know where 1 may find him.'
[leaf 22, backj Generides remembryd in his mynd
4152
MS. demenyng.
GENERYDES AND NATANELL EMBARK FOR EGYPT.
133
he was not wonte hym) self to "be wreye ; 4155
Yet this to hym) he seid full soberly, ' My frend,' qiwd he, ' ye shall knowe my counceH, I am the same withoute eny fayle. 4158
Generydes said, ' I am the same, .
Generides I night, this is noo nay, kyng auferius my fader is certayn) ; Butt I am a carefuH man) this day, By fortune suche before was neuer sene, By a subtift and false compassing trayn), Clarionas, my lordis dough ter dere, Vntrewly is betrayed as ye shall here.
It is but late sithe she was vnder sayle, A knyght of Egipte, callid ser yueH, With here is gone away withoute fayle.' Thanne the maister seid, ' woll ye do weft ? This galy lith not here to by ne selle ; Do now be myn) avice, and hardely With goddes grace ye shall fynde remedy.
This galy shalbe redy for to goo, If ye wiH come ye shaft hym) ouer take.' ' Now,' quod Generides, ' late it be soo, I prae yow hartly for cristis sake.' And fiirtS with aft he did it redy make, In aH: the hast possible that l he may, To shippe he goth withoute more delay.
And whanne they were aH redy for to goo, Came NataneH onto the havyns side, his Maisters hors he brought with hym) Also ; And whanne Generides hym) had aspyed, he prayde the maister sumwhat to Abide, ffuH wele content he was of his comang1, Anone thei putt ther horses to shippyng*. 1 MS. that tint.
4159 my name is Generydes,
41G2
but I am full of care to-day, for
4165
my lord's daughter Clarionas is >, untruly betrayed.
4166
4169
A knight of Egypt is gone with her.'
The master said, ' Do now by my 4172 advice;
4173 this galley shall be ready to go, and we will overtake him.' ' Now,' quoth Generydes,
4179
4180
4183
When they were ready to go, Natanell came with his master's
4186 horse, and was taken on board.
134 SIR YVELL HANDS CLARIONAS OVER TO KING GWYNAN.
The master and Generydes sailed on,
and if the wind had not begun to slacken, Sir Yvell would have been taken, but he landed with Clarionas,
Now is the Maister and Generides 4187
Yppon) the see, and sayle beganne to make,
And in here viage sailed still opece,
Till atte last the wynde beganne to slake, 4190
And ellis in very trougth they had be take ;
Butt afterward, withynne a litiH space,
Syr yueH londyd with Clarionas. 4193
And thanne anon), as fast as &uer he myght, 4194
and hasted on to Thei hastid them) forward of ther lurnay ; Ser yueH gidyd hir the way fuH right, if or he had knowen) the centre many A day ; 4197 To kyng1 Guynan he toke the redy way, To his palys ther as his abideng1 was, to a city called In a Cite callid Egidias. 4200
Egidias.
Four hours after, Not long1 after1 the space of ourez fewe, 4201
Generydes landed . ;:>^
with me others The galy landyd with Generates ;
In gise of mercaundez thei decle them) shewe,
ffuH craftely in AH ther besynes, 4204
Not like no men) of warre but aft of pece,
So to gide them) thei wer> weft apayde,
To harkyn) tidynges what these pepiH saide. 4207
in the guise of merchants.
The king was glad when he heard of Clarionas,
and his knights went to meet her, himself following.
He sent for his lords to come to his marriage,
And whanne the tidynges came onto the kyng1 4208
Of ser yueH and fayre Clarionas,
A gladder man) was ther non) leving1,
Nor might not be more ioyfuH thanne he was : 4211
The Citee made grete festis in euery place,
his knyghtes went to mete here on) the way,
hym) self come after in fuH good Arraye. 4214
And for his lordes furtR with" aft he sent, 4215
They for to come onto the mariage, And to folowe the effecte of his entente, 1 MS. after after.
THE MARINER'S SCHEME TO GET GENERYDES TO CLARION AS. 135
To the Citee came Aft his Baronage : And as it is the custom) and vsage Aft way for princes shortly to device, The fiest was made in right solempne wise,
And lastid long1, my Auciour seitfr expresse ;
Another custome was in that centre
Of old vsage, the writeng1 doth" witnesse,
What tyme that eny kyng1 weddid shuld be,
Duryng1 the tyme of that solempnite,
The kyng1 and she shuld neuer togeder mete,
To tyme the fest were done And fuft complete.
Thanne seid the Maister onto Generides, ' Now it is wisdome to do be good avice, ffor by manhood1 suerly or by prow[e]se Yow shall spede your* mater in noo wise ; ffor your* entente I shaft a craft devise With goddes grace, and if it fortune wele, That ye shaft haue your1 purpose euery dele.
I haue A thing1 shaft lye vppon) your* face, That ye shaft seme a mesett [in] certayn), Butt dougfrt ye not withynne a litift space, Whanne euer ye list it shaft a voyde ayeyn), And your* visage to be as fayre And playn), As wele coloured and ther with also clene, ' "With onys wasshyng1 as it had neuer ben).
And forthermore ye must chaunge jour Array With sum pore man), and take ye his clothing1, And bere with yow sum tokyn) that she may Of your1 persone haue redy knowlaching1 ; And from here pales as she is comyng1, Bothe to and froo ther must ye haue A place, Now do as wele as god will geve you grace ; 1 MS. mandkood.
4218
4221 and the feast
was made,
4222 and lasted long.
It was the custom during the feast that
4225
the king and his bride should 4228 not meet.
4229 The master said to Generydes,
4232
4235
' I shall devise a craft that you may gain your end.
4236 You shall put something on your face which shall make you seem a leper,
4239
4242
4243 and you
must change your clothes with some poor man.
4246 Oaf 28]
Take with you some token by which she may
4249
136. GENERTDES DISGUISES HIMSELF AS A LEPROUS BEGGAR.
and she will ordain some way to speak with you.
Bid Natanell be ready to meet you with your horse.'
And, weft I woote, som way she wiH ordeyn) 4250
That she may speke you1 atte your* own device,
And as ye canne accorde betwix you twayne,
This wold I that ye did be myne avise ; 4253
Bid Natanell in eny maner wise,
That he be redy and in especial!,
To mete yow with your* hors what euer fall.' 4256
So Generydes
did,
and changed
his clothes with
a beggar,
who told him he had been at court,
and seen the queen,
but that she . looked unhappy as she came from the temple.
Generides dede after his counceH, And witfi. a begger he chaungyd his wede, The pore man) thought it was for his availe, And glad he was, for he ther of had nede. Thanne seide Generides, ' so god yow spede, Whanne were ye atte court I pray yow saye.' * Trewly,' q?/-od he, ' I come fro thense to day ;
4257
4260
4263
4264
And ther I sawe the quene in riche araye,
But as me semytfi. by here countenance,
And as she came from) the tempift by ye waye,
She likyd not that riall ordenaunce ; 2467
Me think ther was some cause of displesaunce,
Butt me ought not to speke therof in dede.'
' Now goo, fader, and Ifru be thy spede.' 4270
Now Generydes goes to the court
with his cup and clapper in his hand,
and stood in a place near the temple where she should pass.
He put a ring on his finger,
Now gotS. Generides furth", I vnderstonde, 4271
Yn to the courte, his clothis aH to Rent ;
holdyng1 his cuppe, his claper in his hande,
And on) his face he layde this oyntement, 4274
To bryng* abought the eifecte of his entent ;
And ther anon) he purveyd hym) a place,
Withoute the tempiH ther as she shuld pase. 4277
Whanne he had restid hym) he putte a ryng* 4278
On his fynger, be cause she shuld it see, And fro the tempiH as she is comyng1, 1 MS. yoin.
GENERYDES IS TAKEN TO CLARION AS's CHAMBER. 137
Thorough owt the prese anon) to hir com) he, 4281 and as she came
from the temple
And Askyd Almes lor seynt cnarite, he asked aims.
The ryng1 vppon) his fynger sone she knewe ; she knew the
'I shall,' thought she, ' here sum tidynggez newe.' 4284
Thanne seid the quene, ' good man), whense be ye ? ' and asked
' Madame/ qwod he, ' o trougtfi. I shall yow say ; • Madam,* said
In ynd I was goten) in very certente, gotten in India,
In surre I was born), this is no nay ; 4288 and bom in
Now come I owt of perse the redy way, and now i come
And ther I was brought vppe, I telle yow playn), wn™e fiHl
Sone1 I was first att mannys age [certayn]. 4291 brought up''
Ye are a lady born) of that contree, 4292
God hath" me visite as his creature,
Besechyng1 yow your1 almes man) to be.'
The quene Answeryd with countenaunce demure, 4295
' Of myn) Almes,' quod, she, 'ye shall be sure.'
And forth" with aH, withoute taryeng1, She ordered
She bad he shuld be brought to hir loggyng. 4298 brought to her
lodging.
To hir chaunbyr right sone he was conueyed, 4299 He was And ther he spake with hir hym) self alone ; to her chamber,
* Madame,' qwod he, ' be ye noo thing1 dismayde, her done! W'
Thoughe my visage be lothe to loke vppon), 4302 he/be'not^1"0 "With onys wasshyng1 it wiH away anone, mayed,
And trost that I say withoute othe,
n sothe.' 4305
Generydes,
I am your1 trew seruaunt Generides in sothe.' 4305 J am y°ar
true servant
' Generides ! ' qwod she, ' nay that is not so, 4306
It is to me a wonder thing to here.'
* Madame,' he saide, * ye shaft wete or ye goo,
Plese it yow to see a ryng1 that I haue here, 4309
The whiche I had of yow, my lady dere ;
And though2 I seme a meseft in jour sight, and though i
It is but counterfete,3 I yow be hight.' 4312 it is but
counterfeit.' 1 So MS. ? Sene. 8 MS. tlwught. 3 MS. coumterfete.
138
CLARIONAS VOWS SHE *LL FLEE WITH GENERYDES.
He had with him a water with which he washed his face, and he was as fair as ever. When she saw it she took him in her arms.
' Tliis ryng1,' q?fod she, ' I know it veryly, 4313
Butt of your* persone yet I merveH more.'
With hym) he had a water ther redy,
And from his face he wessft away it thore, 4316
he was as faire as euer he was be fore,
And whanne she sawe his vesage fayre and clene,
She toke hym) in hir Armys as I wene ; 4319
'Madam,' said he, ' appoint some ready place,
and Natanell and I will meet you.
She was soo glad, she had noo worde to saye. 4320
* Madame,' quod he, ' in sothe this is the case,
If ye will now for sake aH: this arraye,
And that ye list apoynte some redy place, 4323
Botjie NataneH and I, be goddes grace,
"With hors and harnes noo thing1 shall be lette
To mete yow ther, what our5 ye wiH sett. 4326
Tnere is a ship ready to sail.'
' Generydes,' quoth she,
'though he were king of ten realms,
I would go vrith you.
Ther is a shippe AH redy for to sayle, 4327
A bideng1 still opece of my comyng1.'
' Generides,' qwod she, ' I haue merveft
That ye putt dougfet in eny thing1 4330
As to meward, for though he were a kyng*
Of reames x, And so fourth" to endure,
yet wold I goo with yow, I yow ensure. 4333
And for to spede this mater to purpose,
YOU and Natanei In my garden) Att nygftt sone must ye be,
must hide in my garden to night early.'
[leaf 23, back]
Bothe JSTatanett and ye, and kepe yow close, Treis and busshes fuH thikke jer shall yow se, To kepe yow secrete in, and as for me I wiH be ther, trost me in feithfuH wise, Betwix the day and nygfet, I yow promys.'
4334
4337
4340
Generydes joined Generides owt of the Castell went
Natanell in
the forest, To NataneH, whiche in the forest lay,
put off his rags, .
Iner he dede of his ragyd garment,
4341
CLARIONAS ASKS HER LAUNDRESS TO HELP HER ESCAPE. 139
his disshe, his claper, and aH he cast awaye, And harnesid hym) aft now ayeyn) in his array To the garden) he toke the waye [att nyght], And tared ther as he had hir be bight.
4344
and armed himself again, and then waited
4347 inthegarden-
Thanne Clarionas is now in grete musyng1, 4348
And in this case be thinkitJi hir fuH stray te,
hir purpose craftely abought to bryng*,
And vterly hir seasone for to wayte ; 4351
Atte last she founde one of hir consaite
To whom) she told here counceH aH in fere,
And in certayne she was a lavendere. 4354
To here thanne sayde fayre Clarionas, 4355
' Ye are/ quod she, ' a woman) that is to trost
Of eny one that is withynne the place,
Of my councett fayne wold I that ye wist.' 4358
' Att your* pleasure, Madame, what euer ye list.'
Qwod she ageyn), ' withoute wordes moo,
That lith in me I witt be glad to do.' 4361
Clarionaa found a laundress to whom she told her plan.
' You are a woman to be trusted,' said she.
' Ye say right wele, and as it semyth me,' 4362
Qwod she onto the lavender thanne ayeyn),
1 1 am a straunger here in this contre,
This is my mater att togeder playn) ; 4365
The kyng1, whiche is my lord and souereyn),
On hym) my hert is sette, I yow be night,
That I for gete hym) not neyther day ne nyght ; 4368
And most I drede of eny maner thing1, 4369
That I to hym) am noo thing1 in this case,
Butt be the sterrys,' quod she, ' and be my connyng*,
"Where euer he goo or ride in eny place,
I trost to god to stond so in his grace,
And in his favour* longest to endure,
Of eny other levyng1 creature. 4375
' I am a stranger here,
and my heart is set on the king my lord.
I wish by the stars to stand 4372 always in his favour.
140 CLARIONAS'S LAUNDRESS DRESSES HER AS HER LAUNDRY-MAID.
You and I must go into my garden when the stars are up ;
I will wear your kirtle, and each of us must bear a truss on our beads.'
In to my gardeyn) yow and I must goo, 4376
Whanne sterrys are vppe and whan) it is very nyght,
Butt I must surely be disgised soo
That I may goo vnknowen) to eny wight, 4379
Your' kirtitt wiH I were be cause of light,
And iche of vs a trusse vppon) oure hede,
This is trewly my counceH and my rede.' 4382
The laundress answered, ' I will keep your counsel.'
Thanne Answeryd the lavender ayeyn), 4383
Seid [she], ' Madame, your* seruaunt wiH I be,
And aH your' counceH; kepe and layn),
I trost ther shaH no fawte be founde in me, 4386
haue here my hande for a surete ;
And trostith wele that at I shaft saye,
ffor erthely good I wiH not yow bewraye.' 4389
she went to And so fourth withoute wordis eny moo, 4390
her house and
brought a kirtie And to hir house as fast as euer she myght She went, and brought ayeyn) with hir also A kirtiH, like as she be fore bight. 4393
Whanne the day was passid and it was nyght, which the queen The quene dede on) hir kirtiH fayre and weft, her rich array, here riche aray she left it euery dele ; 4396
Her clothes were well tucked up,
and forth they went. ' Stop, stop,' said the laundress, ' your white le&s will betray us.'
And tokkyd vppe she was weH fro the grounde, 4397
Before hir eyne a kerche hanging1 side,
Ther trusses on) ther hedes aH redy bounde,
And furth thei went, them nede non) other gide ; 4400
Thanne saide the lavender, ' abide, abide,
This white leggys,' quod, she, ' I woote it wele,
They wolle shende oure purpose euery dele.' 4403
* Ye, wote ye what,' quod, she, ' that ye shall do ? 4404
She washed Clarionas's legs
with ashes and Bryiig1 me water, and thanne late me alone, A Coppe of Aisshes ye must bryng1 Also,
SIR YVELL STOPS THE LAUNDRESS AND CLARION AS. 141
Where witfi. my leggys shalbe wasshid anone, 4407
That Att the white I warant shalbe gon) ; '
Right thus she dede in like wise as I saye, she and cianonas
And to the gardeyn) right thus she toke the waye. 4410 garden.
Thorough owt the hall bothe to geder gan) goo, 4411
As no thyng1 were, fuH sofft And demure,
Thorough out the courte they toke the way Also,
And atte gate thei mette att aventure 4414 At the gate they
met Sir Yvell.
With ser yiieU, that cursid creature j
She hard hym) speke, and knewe hym) be ye voyse,
To me[te] hym) ther was none other choyse. 4417
•f
Whanne she perseivid weH that it was he, 4418 The queen was
afraid and
A bak she drew and was fuH iU apayde. <**™ back.
Thanne came he hir nere to knowe the certente,
What that she was ; * Whom) haue yow here ? ' he seid. 'Whom have
you here?'
' Me think,' quod, he, ' it is a praty mayde ; said he, and
I cast here for to se what euer faH : '
And vppe he lift here kerchewe furtfi. wa't/i aH. 4424 lifted up her
kerchief.
She was so ferde hir truse was in falling1, 4425
With that the lavender putt hym) abak aye, The laundress
put him back,
« Ye are to blame,' qwod she, ' be hevyn) kyng1 ; saying
Now late my mayde alone, ser, I yow praye, 4428 « Let my maid We must hast bofthel as moche as euer we maye, we must '
make haste;
These are the quenez clothes, I tea you playn), these are the
And she must haue them) att to morow ayeynX' 4431
* Yet woH I wete.' quod he, ' withoute fayle, 4432 «i win know/
quoth he, ' from
ffrom whense she came, and what she is,' quod he. whence she
' Now, good ser/ quod she, ' what shall it availe [leaf 24]
To make iche man) to speke of yow and me? 4435
Yet and ye wiU be rewlid well,' quod she,
' ffor your* entente and after myn) avise,
Ye shaH speke with hir att your* owyn) device. 4438
142 THE LAUNDRESS PUTS OFF SIR YVELL. THEY MEET NATANELL.
'Her father is a merchant of this town, and there is a knight who woos her for his paramour, so her friends put her with me for safety.
Go to my house, and wait there,
and you shall see her at your pleasure.'
This is the mater in short conclusion), 4439
I am hir maystres and here gouernowr ;
hir fader is a merchaunt of this town).
Ther is a knyght hir wowith euery owre, 4442
Not for to wedde butt for his paramowr ;
hir frendis wold haue hir in suerte,
And for that cause she is now here witli me. 4445
Not withstondyng1, withoute wordes moo, 4446
Go to myn) house and tary ther,' quod she,
' Till I haue washt, and this moche woH I doo ;
Whanne I come home I shall bryng1 hir with me^
And att your* pleasuij ther shaft ye hir see,
And speke with hir, ther shaH noman) sey nay.'
' I graunt,' quod he, ' will ye do as ye saye ? ' 4452
He goes
to her house,
He left them) ther, and on) he gotfr a pase Vnto hir howse as fast as euer he may :
4453
and the laundress The lavander with Clarionas
and Clarionaa r _
go into the In to the garden) aH another way.
Whanne thei were ther yer trussez down) thei lay ;
Now, faire Madame,' seide the lavender, Do now sum good for spede of this mater.'
4459
where they see Natanell,
who tells them Generydes is close at hand.
Thanne in to the gardeyn) came NataneH, 4460
Clarionas futi sone had hym) aspied ;
' Where is your maister ? ' quod she, ' will ye me tell ] '
' Madame,' he saide, 'her be the gardeyn) side, 4463
Att your* comyng ther he wiH abide,
And eue?y thing1 is redy to your5 entente.'
Thanne was Clarionas right wele content. 4466
The laundress wishes her- flelf hence,
The lavender thanne was some what dismayde ; 4467 ' I wold,' qwod she, ' I hadde be hense this nygftt, ffor we do noo thyng1 here as ye haue sayde,
CLARIONAS REASSURES THE FRIGHTEND LAUNDRESS.
143
Noyther in noo wise like as ye be hight ; 4470
Madame/ quod she, ' this goth not all aright ; '
* Now be not wrothe/ thanne seid Clarionas,
' And I shaH teH yow trougth of aft the case.' 4473
but Clarionas tells her that
To hir1 anon) thanne Answerd the lavender, 4474
' As for my part/ quod she, * this shaft I saye,
I wolle not here noo thyng* of this mater,
fFor me likitfi. noo thyng1 in this arraye, 4477
I wiH calle after helpe some maner way ! '
' Nay, god defende it/ quod Clarionas,
' That ye shaH inpert me so in this case ; 4480
I haue youi? faythe and promys in my hand, That ye shall kepe my counceH secretly ; If ye do this, ye shaH wele vnderstonde, Ye shaH repente it sore as wele as I, Me think ye were moche better certaynly To be rewlid as I shaft yow counceft, And it shaH suerly be to youre avayle :
4481
if she dies not
AAQA keePfaithshe 4484 will repent it sore ;
4487
To knowe the very trougth of this case, 4488
I shaH declare it aB [at] aventure ;
Ther is a knygfrt not ferre owt of this place,
I lone hym) best of eny creature,
And of his loue ayenward I am sure ;
Eight sone I wote he wift be here with me,
And streight with hym) I will goo in to my contre. own country.
that there is a knight whom 4491 she loves,
and who will take her to her
Wherefore I counceH yow leue aH this fare,
And come with me, it shaH be for jour best,
here shaft ye leve in sorow and in care,
I canne not thyrik that ye shaft leve in rest, 4498
And I suerly wiH make yow this behest,
If ye wiH take the payn) me for to plese,
I shaH o trowgth make yow right wele At ease.' 4501
4495 She advises her to come with them.
144 THEY ESCAPE WITH GENERYDES AND NATANELL.
The laundress The lavender be thought hir in hir mynd, 4502
thought that as
she had deceived That she disseyuyd ser yueH be a trayii).
Sir Yuell this J J J J
would be the best And if so l were that she abode be hyiid,
She were vndone for euer in certayn); 4505
Thanne seid she to Clarionas ayeyn),
' ifor your* plesure, madaine, I am contente,
With you to go att your* commaundment.' 4508
Off hir Answere Clarionas was fayn), 4509
And ellys she had gon) all womanles, Whiche had not ben) hir honour in certayn), And as thei went to geder stitt opese, 4512
Generydes came In to the garden) came Generides,
to the garden,
And atte first he wist not whiche was she :
' Where are ye now? fayre lady myn),' qwod he. 4515
Now what nedith long1 processe of yis mate?'1? 4516 and took up She was sette vppe behynde Generides,
Clarionas behind
him. And JNatanett sette vppe the lavendere
Nataneii took the vppon) his hors, and furth they ganne them) dresse. Att this while was ser yueH still opese, Euer wayteng1 whanne the lavender shuld bryng1 That she promysed att hir departeng1. 4522
Butt as it hath be sayde full long1 agoo, 4523
Some bete the bussh and some the byrdes take, And wheder that I be on) of thoo or noo,
[leaf 24,back] I me reporte onto the letterys blake, 4526
And reasone will it may not be forsake, he that entendith villany of shame, It is no synne to quyte hym) witn" the same. 4529
Meanwhile sir Syr lueH thought she taryed passyng1 long1, 4530
Yuell was waiting ,11
at the laundress's And vppe he rose and furth he goth alone,
house till he T , . , ., - , ,
thought In his conseite he demyd that it was wrong1,
something was
wrong. » MS. sore.
SIR YUELL RIDES AFTER THEM.
145
And to the quenys chaimber he is furtfr goii) ; ' Where is the quene ? ' quod he, ' telle me anon).' ' It is not long1,' they sayde, ' sithe she was here, And with hir also spake the lavander.'
Whanne he hard that his hert was aft away, thanne wist he wele it was not aft a right, 1 This lavender,' quod, he, ' this is noo naye, hath don) aH this, that most vnhappy wight. Butt I shaft do my powre and my myght hym) for to take, and if I happyn) wele ffuft sore thei shaft repent it eue?y dele.'
He armyd hym) and left aft other thing1, And furtfc he gotfi. in aft the hast he myght ; he and his page, withoute more taryeng1, After Generides toke the way fuft right, And att the last, of hym) he had a sight, Clarionas thanne cast hir yee a side, And ser yueft fuft sone she had Aspyde.
Thanne to Generides fuft sone she saide, ' yender comytfi. your* mortaft enmy,1 The whiche fuft oft hatR made me affrayde, Now may ye wele ordeyne a remedy ; "Wherefore,' quod she, ' I prae yow hartely, That what some euer he say be his promys late hym) not skape your1 handis in noo wise.'
To here answeryd Generides ayeyn), ' Be ye noo thyng a ferde as in this case ; Or we departe,' quod he, ' he shaft be fayn) his quareft vppe to yelde, be goddis grace.' Witn that anon) alight Clarionas ; Generides anon) hym) dressid in his gere, And Kataneft was redy witn his spere.
4533 He went to the queen's cli umber
and lie.ird she had been with the 4536 laundress.
4537 Then he wist well it was not all right.
4540
4543
4544 He armed himself
4547
4550
Generydes.
Clarionas saw him coming,
4551 and said to Generydes, ' Yonder is your mortal enemy.
4554
4557 Let him not escape.'
4558 ' Be not afraid,' said Generydes.
4561
4564
Clarionas alighted.
GENERYDES.
MS. clmy. 10
146
YDELL AND GENERYDES FIGHT,
Sir Ynell and Generydes meet,
and Yuell is wounded,
Syr yueH ranne onto Generides, 4565
Thorough owt the sheld lie smote hym) [in] certayn),
Butt for all that he skapid daungerles,
And faith" with att ranne to hym) ayeyn), 4568
That with his spere he brast his sheld on twayn),
And in his body he woundid hym) so sore,
That down) he felle, endure myght he no more. 4571
and yields up his horse to Natanell.
Hys stede he delyueryd to Natanett, 4572
A myghti hors and called passing1 wight ;
'I wold,' quod he, 'this hors were cherisshid wele,
ffor he is sure and good, I yow benight. ' 4575
Generides adown) from) his hors alight,
Ser yueH sawe it wold non) other be,
And vppe he rose and knelid on) his kne. 4578
He begs mercy of Generydes,
but Clarionas warned him not to trust him again.
Thanne s.eid he thus, 'mercy, Generides, 4579
I haue affendid yow, I wiH no more ; '
Clarionas cryed alway still opece,
' Though he speke fayre, trost hym) not th erf ore ; 4582
And if ye do ye shaft repente1 it sore :
Eemembre wele he hath desseyuyd yow twyes,
ShaH he neuer be trew, I yow promys.' 4585
Generides remeinbryd hym) ther one, 4586
She sayde hym) trew, he knewe it verily ; With" that Clarionas aspyed anon), Ser yueH held a knyffe in his hande secretly ; 4589 'He wm slay you, ' By ware,' quod she, and ganne hym) to Aspye,
he hath a knife I"',.,,, , ,
his hand.' he win sle yow, ye may wele vnderstonde,
A knyff aH way he kepitft in his hande.' 4592
He stabbed Generydes in the thigh,
He smote generides in to the thye, And he was not gretly hurt, it was his vre ; his purpose was to sle hym) vterly, 1 MS. repentid.
4593
AND YUELL IS SLAIX. 147
witS. fals tresone vnder a coverture : 4596
Thanne Generides thought on) hym) to be sure,
And with his swerd he clefe his hede on) twoo, and he in return
cleft his head in
That neuer after spake he wordes moo. 4599 two.
Thanne vppon) his stede lept generides, 4 GOO
Be hynd hym) was sett Clarionas his lady dere,
And NataneH all redy ganne hym) dresse,
Vppon) an hors beforn) the lavendere, 4603 so they ail got
on horseback
And soo thei rode togeder all in feer1, again and rode on.
Owt of ther enmys handes they were sure, Eue?*ychone talkyng* of ther aventure. 4606
In this meane tyme the body of the knygfct 4607
his page anon) vppon) his hors it layde,
And to the courte1 he went ayeyn) fuH right.
Whanne it was knowen) the kyng1 was sore dismayd, The king was
' Now haue I lost my wor[l]dly loye,' he seid : when he heard
Grete thought he toke and wayped] more And more,
Wher with the courte1 was trobelyd very sore. 4613
And how it was of aH that aventur*, 4614 of the ad venture
Thanne to the kyng1 he told aft the hoole process^, sir rueii.
' Ther is,' qwod he, l no levywg creature
So dere to hir as is Generides ; 4617
Whiche in long1 tyme hath dured still opese,
This is the trougtn" I say yow for certayn). 4619
\_A leaf has been here cut out of the MS., containing 187 lines. The catchwords of the next line are, ' And he it is suerly.']
1 And it obeye witfi humble reuerence, 4620 [leaf 25]
I[n] yow only is aH: my feithftift trest ; I am your1 child, demeane me as ye list.' 4622
1 MS. centre.
148
DESPAIR OF CLARIONAS.
She was glad for Generydes, but when she thought of his departure her joy turned to heaviness.
Rignt gladde she was as for Generides, 4623
But whanne she thought of his departeng1,
hir ioy was turnyd in to hevynes,
yet therof she made non) opyn) tokenning1, 4626
By countenaunce or by other thing*,
Butt alway kept it close in hir entente,
And to hir chaunber furtfr witfe she went. 4629
She lay on her bed in despair,
Down) on) hir bed she felle1 and ther she laye ; 4630
Mirabeii had merveH what it was,
' Madame,' she seid, * what is this new affraye ? 4632
What mysfortune2? and hougfi. be feH this case?'
To here anon) Answerd Clarionas,
' This is/ quod she, * come to me a late,
ye may wele saye I am vnfortunate.' 4636
' Vnfortunate,' quod she, ' that is not soo ; I canne wele think it is your* owyn) conseite.' ,' quod Clarionas, ' so mote I goo,
and told Mirabeii I doo none other but myn) owen) deth Awayte,
that Generydes
had deceived her Generides hath done me this disseite,
My fader hath geve hym) half his eritage, And me also ther with in mariage.
4637
4640
4643
in saying that he In to the reame of ynd now wiU he goo, 4644
inSa and be And ther he seitn that he shalbe a kyng1, and then come Thanne wiH he come ayeyn) whanne that is do, again> And so make an ende of our weddyng1 : 4647
But wele I wote att this is butt feyning1, he is purveyd of some new Acquentaunoe, Whiche I canne think is more to his plesaunce.' 4650
« Leave these fancies,' saith Mirabeii.
Thanne seid Mirabett, ' Good Madame,' quod she, 4651 1 ffor goddes loue leve all these fantesies, ffor this I knowe in very certente,
1 MS. lay. 2 MS. my fortune.
MIRABELL DEFENDS GENERYDES. 149
ye shaH not fynde it thus, I yow promes ; 4654
"Wene ye that he wiH departe from) jour seruice
And vtterly refuse yow now euerydele ?
Kay, Madame, I know his trougtn soo wele.' 4057 'i know his
truth so well.*
To hir anon) thanne answerd Clarionas ; 4658
* Ye make yow sure of euery maner thing*.
I warante yow/ quod she, ' as in this case,
That I haue seid ye shall fynde noo lesing1; 4661
he will wedde me, he seitfr, whanne he is a kyng1,
In grete estate and wurchippe many wayes,
And all these are butt triffolys and delayes.' 4664
So lay she stitt in right grete hevynes : 4665 Clarionas lay still Mirabett thanne owt of hir chaunber went ; heaviness,
In hir goyng1 she mette Generides,
And told hym) aH hir ladyes entent, 4668 and then
Mirabell brought
' ye must come now,' quod she, ' or AH is shent,
ffor she canne think non) other sekerly,
Butt that ye haue for sake hir vtterly.' 4671
Tor sake,' quod he, 'aye, benedicite, 4672 Generydes
"Why wiH she me mystrost in eny wise ?
Trewly MirabeH,' quod he, ' As for me,
My hert his heris, my trowth and my ceruice, 4675 to her
It grevith me futt sore suche fantesyce,
ffor be that lord that formyd me of nowgfrt,
Other to wedde came neuer in my thought.' 4678
' AH that,' quod she, ' I haue told here full playn),
Yet takith she noo credence what I say,
Ther is noo bote butte ye must come certayn),
And that anon) as fast as euer ye may.' 4682
' I come,' quod he, ' withoute more delay ; '
So with MirabeH furth he went anon),
And to Clarionas streight he is goon). 4685
150 GENERYDES IS RECONCILED TO CLARIONAS,
chamber. In to hir chaunber furth he goth a pace, 4686
Of his comyng1 fuH redely she knewe ; ' What do yow here ? ' thanne seid Clarionas,
she taunted him ' Of aft knyghtes/ quod, she, * the most vntrew : 4689
with his untruth. ;
Your fayre behest ail now may I rewe,
Your* beyng1 here is to my grete displesaunce,
Goo now away onto your* old Acqueyntaunce. 4692
• sir Ameiok tiath Syr Amelok hath a doughter certayn), 4693
a fair daughter ...
Whiche is right fayre and lucidas she hight, and the peace The pece is sone made betwix yow twayn),
will soo.n be made
between you.' ff or to the chaunge your* hert is wonder light ; 4696 I say for me, ther was no maner wight That loved yow better thanne I dede before ; AH that is doo, for now I wiH nomore.' 4699
Whanne she hadde sayde that pleasid hir to say, 4700 At this Generydes Thamie was Generides a wofuH man) :
fell down in a
swoon. Anone be felle in swouneng1 and ther he laye,
Aft discolored in vesage, pale and wanne, 4703
And fiirtll with remembre she beganne
What man) he was, and also what seruice.
That he hir fader dede in euery wise, 4706
With right good wiH he was redy alway : 4707
MirabeH saide, ' what maner thing1 is this ] Now certeynly ye are to blame, I saye ; ifor wele I wote in hym) ye demyd amys : 4710
yet atte last,'1 qwod she, ' ye shuld hym) kysse.' [leaf 25, back] Thanne seid Clarionas, ' sith it is soo,
If that may do hym) good, it shalbe doo 4713
With aH myn) hert,' quod she, ' what euer faH ; ' 4714 To se hym) soo she was right sore dismayde. Clarionas kisses Ther as he lay she kyst hym) furth withaH,
1 1 lest.
AND LEAVES FOR SYRIA.
151
And lie ther with" aH sodenly abrayde,
like as a man) had ben) sore affrayde j
* Madame,' quod he, ' now please it yow to here
What I shall say as towchyng1 this mater. 4720
4717 him, and he recovers,
As for my parte ther is noo creature, That wiH do more your1 honour to avaunce, And o my trowtB. it was I neuer sure, Vnto this our1 of now -none Acqueyntance, In that ther is noo cause of displesaunce, I haue ben) alway trew in myn) entent, And of aft this god wote I am fuU innocent.
4721 and all was forgiven.
4724
4727
Whanne he had seid so trewly and so playn), 4728
In euery thing1 as towchyng1 this mater :
' Aft is for geve,' quod she, ' betwix vs twayn),
And late vs stiH be frendis as we were.' 4731
* Ther to I graunt,' quod he, ' with right good chere
To endure ; ' so witn" good contenuaunce
Iche to other made thei futt assuraunce. 4734
Yppon) this thanne he toke his leve for to goo,
Of the Sowdon) and of fayre Clarionas ;
With hir he left a lititt dogge also,
Whiche went with hir a bought in euery place,
In here conseite a grete leweH it was ;
So toward ynd Generides is gon),
With hym) the new made knyghtes euerychone.
4735 He took his leave of the Sultan, and of Clarionas,
and left with her a little dog.
4738
4741
To Surre came Generides and his knyghtes a pace,
Ther was the ost of auferz'ws ye kyng,
In a Cite whiche was callid Damas,
Theder thei came withoute more taryeng1 :
Grete ioye made aH: the ost of ther comyng1,
And of ati other namyd in the prese,
They were most ioyfuH of Generides. 4748
The army of Auferius was at Damas when A >r A K Generydes came 4740 with his kuights.
152
AUFERIUS BESIEGES AMELOK
They took ship To the shippe they went in all the hast yci myght,
in all haste,
And as thei wold desire thei had the wynd ; Vppon) the see thei toke ther course fuH right, That sone thei were vppon) the cost of ynde, 4752 Eight fayre havenys aH redy ganne thei fynd, and soon landed. And sone thei landyd, shortly for to say,
Att atte ther ease, was no man) seid nay.
4755
ifurtft one thei went, and made noo taryeng1, 4756
The Cryes were made in euery good village,
AH thoo that wold obey the rightwise kyng
Shuld haue ther lyves and ther heritage ; 4759
And euery man) to haue his avauntage,
A monetfi. day to take avisement,
This was the kynggez own) poyntement. 4762
The king won the towns and castles,
all except one
Furtfr with his ost kyng auferius is goii), 4763
And many lordes in his companye,
The townys and the castelys euerychon)
Eiier as he went he wanne them) by and by, 4766
Save one, whiche was fuH stronge and myghty,
And as the story makith remembraunce,
Wold not be wonne withoute grete ordenaunce : 4769
called Vice,
near which Sir Araelok lay.
He was playing
chess.
And Vice it hight, whiche is a fayre Cite ; 4770
Ser Amelok fro thense a litiH he lay,
And of auferius comyng1 wist not he
"No maner o thing, ne of aH that Array e ; 4773
Thanne was ther on) that had hast in his way,
And ser Amelok Anon) he ganne hym) dresse,
Whiche with a knyght was playeng1 Att chesse. 4776
1 What tyme is now to play Atte Chesse ? ' quod, he,
' This is no time
one, 'it is check- ' Thu byddest thy felaw chese, I vnderstonde ; Butt for certeyn) I saye chek mate to the,
IN THE CITY OF VICE.
153
Kyng Auferius is here withynne the land, Townys and Castelys are yelde to his hand, With" hym) is come Generides also, Take hede be tvme or all is goo.'
4780 for Anferius and Generydea are here.'
4783
Syr Amelok, whanne he the tydenges hard, A wrother man) yet saw he neuer non), And as a man) beside hem) self he farde, These tydengys came so hastely vppon) ; Ther with he sent his lettres owt anon), AH men) to come and in hir best array e, Euery man) to make as many as they may
4784 Sir Amelok was beside himself for rage.
4787
4790
He sent out his letters
The townnys and the Castellys on) be on), he sett them) vnder rule and gouernaunce, And made them) to be vitaylid euerychon) With stuff of pepiH And of ordenaunce ; And specially in his remembraunce, And in his mende the fayre Cite of Vice, To make it strong1 in eny mane?- awise.
4791 and victualled his towns and castles,
4794
especially Vice.
4797
And so he ded in Aft that euer he mygiit j 4798
Withynne ij myle thanne was the kyngges ost, Auferius was
And ther was on) that gidid them) fuH right,
Whiche somtyme kept the forest in the cost, 4801
And brought tidengges whanne the Cite was lost, [leaf 26]
The same forster suerly was ther gide, led by the faithful
ffuH wele he knew the wayes on) euery side* 4804
Whanne the ost was come before ye town),
he sett his felde and made 110 more delay ;
Whanue that was do, the kyng rode vppe and down),
Beholding1 wele the grownde in euery way, 4808
And thanne he sette the pepiH in his arraye,
A xx. Rankys trewly for to accompt,
And iche of them A Ml men) affronte. 4811
4805 When he came before the town
he set his peop'e in array in 20 ranks, 1000 in each.
154
THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE BESIEGERS
They of the town They of the town) were ware of yer comyng1,
were ware,
And toke good hede hough they made ther feld ;
4812
and mustered 15,000 strong.
Among1 them) was noo lenger abideng1,
But flirts they dressid them) with spere and sheld 4815
Owt of the town), that myght a wepon) weld,
And ther thei made a feld vppon) the playn),
xv thowsand to say yow for certayn). 4818
The battles met, It was not long* or bothe the battellez mett, 4819
And on that side of Auferius the kyng1 Generides fuH fresshly on they sett, And was the first of that encounteryng1, 4822
ffuH wele horsy d att his likyng1, And with a spere, the story can) yow teH, he bare down) a knyght callid Ananyett, 4825
and Generydes
bore down
brother to Sir Amelok.
And broder to ser Amelok he was ; 4826
A semely knyght, a man) of grete powre,
Generides toke NataneH1 his stede,
And hym) he wold a taken) prisoner, 4829
Thanne was ther of his felisshepe soo nere,
That saw thei hough his stede was gon)
So furtS with aH they reskewe hym) anon). 4832
He had a sworn He had a felaw that callid was ser AmyseH,
brother called J
SirAmysell,
4833
whom Darell unhorsed.
his sworn) broder he was in sothfastnes ;
Anone with aH ranne to hym) ser DareH,
And hym) vnhorsyd ther in all the prese, 4836
And in like wise so ded Generides,
ffurtB. on he gotfr and yer as the prese was most,
Syr Darell toke the stede and led hym) to ye ost. 4839
The other party were wroth.
King Lamedon was there,
The toder part avaunce them) anone 4840
And wrothe thei were yer men) were so outrayed, kyng lamedon) was ther, and formest of euerychon), 1 So MS. for Ananyeii.
AND THE BESIEGED. 155
And aH for love of lucidas the mayde, 4843 and an for love
of Lucidas
The whiche was endly fayre, as it was sayde,
Of aH; hir manerys callid trew and p[l]ayne,
Ser Amelok hir fader was certayn : 4846 the daughter of
Amelok
Serenides hir moder was Also, 4847 and serenydes ;
And aH she was of another dissposicion) but she wa!»
of another
As ye haue hard, withoute wordes moo, disposition.
VnWurchipfuB of hir condicion), 4850
like as the story makith mention),
And so furth" on, to say yow forther more,
Anone beganne the bateH passing1 sore. 4853
Syr Amelok in the myddes of the playn) 4854 sir Amelok smote
a knight with his
Ranne to A knygEt, and smote hym) witn his spere spear,
Thorough owt the brest, and slew hym) in certayn).
Thanne he toke1 the kyng1 in this maner, 4857
* Be my counceH take ye this present here. and Bent to the
king— 'Take this
And so departe and ellys I yow benight, and go:
ye shaft haue more long1 or it be nyght.' 48GO
Thanne who was wrothe but Auferius yc kyng ? 4861
wroth,
"With a spere he ranne in to the prese
ffuH egerly, and atte first metyng1
he slew the kyng Sanyk withoute lese, 4864 and slew
king of Africa,
The whiche was fader onto Serenydes, the father of
kyng of Auferyk, the story makith" mynd,
As here before in writeng1 may ye fynde. 4867
Hys sonne was ther and saw hym) wher he laye, 4868 His son, sir
Ysores, said to
Ser ysores he hignt, to say yow fuH trew, sir Amelok,
Thanne to ser Amelok this ganne he saye,
' Woo worth the tyrne tha[t] euer I the knewe ! 4871 'Wo worth the
mi 1 n* time that evor
iny cursyd lyff, quod, he, 'and most vntrew, iknewtueei'
Thy hatefuH hart, and thy mysgoumiaunce hats browgtfi. abowt this onhappy chaunse.' 4874
1 ? told.
156
THE FATHER OF SERENYDES IS SLAIN. HER REMORSE.
with 1000 Syr ysores, as sone as it myght be, 4875
his father to Made certayn) knyghtes here his fader to town),
And with. A Mt knyghtes in his company ;
And aft they made grete lamentacion) : 4878
The prestis mett hym) with A procession),1
And of the Citee many a creature, to MS sepulture. Bight so they brought hym) to his sepulture. 4881
Serenydes saw them,
Quod Serenydes, 'beholde them) eu[er]ychon) ; ' 4882
And what it ment she wold a wist fayn) :
And so among1 all other was one,
' Madame,' quod he, ' the sothe I wiH not layn) ; 4885
The kyng1 your* fader ded is for certayn),
his knygntes yender here hym) on his sheld,
kyng1 Auferius hatn slayn) hym) in the feld.' 4888
and when she
wist how it was
she was a woful
creature.
She took Lucidas
apart, and said,
' My joy is gone, [leaf 26, back]
And whanne Serenydes wist hough it was, 4889
wete ye wele she was a wofuH creature ;
She toke aparte the mayden) lucidas,
' DoUghter,' quod, she, ' now am I very sure, 4892
My loy is gon), And AH good aventure ;
I myght right wele A knowen) AH this before,
I haue deseruyd it if it were more. 4895
This is all come For myn) on) trowth aH this come too [me], 4896
for my untruth to
For more vntrew I trow ther was neuer non) ;
A better prince was nener born),' quod she,
' In aH this world thanne I was sure of on), 4899
And vtterly for euer he is now gone,
Yppon) his grace it botitfi. not to wayte,
ffor I shaft neuer stonde in his conseite. 4902
Kyng1 auferius it is in certayn), To whom) I weddid was be manage, I toke a new whiche sore repentitn" me, 1 MS.
4903
SIR YSORES IS TAKEN PRISONER.
157
It hatfi. and will turne me to grete damage; 4906
And doughter myii), now ye be yong1 of age, haue this in mynde, "bothe now and euery owre, late noo thyng* meve yow to your* dishonor?-. ' 4909
In this meane tyme that she complayned soo, The bateH lasted alway still opece, Moche pepyH hurt and many slayn) Also ; ffiiH egerly thanne came rideng1 ser ysores, And witn a spere ranne to Generides, And witfi. grete corage aH redy to figfct, To avenge his faders detfi. if that he myght.
4910 The battle went OH meanwhile,
4913
4916
4917
and Sir Ysores ran at Generydes to avenge his father.
Generides fuft suerly hym) beheld,
hym) for to mete anone he ganne hym) dresse,
And ther they ranne to geder in the feld :
The toder knygfrt, callid ser ysores, 4920
vppon) the shelde he smote Generides ;
And with [the] stroke his stede came on) so rounde,
That hors and man) were almost cast to grownd. 4923
He struck him, and nearly brought him down.
Generides recoueryd vppe than) ayeyn),
Thinkyng suerly to quyte hym) to for on),
And with his swerd he brast his sheld on) twayn) :
The swerde poynte ranne onto the shulder boon), 4927
Sore hurt he was, and reskewse was jer non),
Nor non) comyng1, wherefore ser ysores
Anon) he y elded hym) onto Generides, 4930
4924 Generydes in turn cut him down with his sword,
and took him prisoner.
And furtfi. with aH delyueryd hym) his swerd.
To hym) thanne seide Generides ayeyn),
' What man) be ye that I haue here conquerred ?
* I am,' he seid, ' to say yow for certayn),
The kynggez sone that here to day was slayn) ;
And eyre to his landes withoute lese,
My suster is the quene Serenydes.'
1 MS. conquerred here.
4931
1 • What man be
ye {• ' he asked. 4934 ' I am son to the king who was slain to-day,
4937
and Serenydes is my sister.*
158
GENERYDES SETS HIM FREE.
' i know her well,' ' Serenydes,' quod he, 'I knowe here weH ; 4938
quoth he, , ,
This wane beganne noo creature but she, 1 she is crop and if or she is croppe and rote and euery dele,
root of the war.
yet as for your1 persone ye shall goo ire, Ten her i am he And say to Serenydes that I am he
that she would
have destroyed.' Whiche she wold? haue distroyed euer more ;
And now I trowe she wolle repent it sore.' 4944
Sir Ysores was sore wounded,
and Generydes held him up on his horse,
like a noble knight
Sore wondid Was ser ysores in dede, 4945
And sore for bled that vnnethe inyght he stonde,
Might had he non) to kepe hym) 011) his stede,
Butt as Generides put to his hande ; . 4948
Whereby a man) myght knowe and vnderstonde
A noble knyght and full of prow[es]se,
his enmy so to helpe in his distresse. 4951
Serenydes saw him from the wall.
To the Cite goth now ser ysores, 4952
Kideng1 alone soft and an easy pace ;
Vppon) the waH stode Serenydes,
And saw hym) come and callid lucidas ; 4955
' God wote,' quod she, ' I stonde in an hevy case,
I se my broder woundid passing1 sore,
My hevynes encreasith more and more.' 4958
Sir Ysores dismounted in great pain,
and told her what Generydes had said.
Ther anon) the mayde lucidas 4959
Comfortid hir in aft that euer she myglit ;
Ser ysores be that tyme come was,
And with grete payne down) of his hors light ; 49 G 2
To his suster he toke the way fuH right,
Eehersyng1 euery word1 bothe more and lesse,
Whiche he shuld telle hir fro Generides. 4965
And whanne Serenydes wist hym) so nere, God wote she was a wofuH creature, withoute eny comfort or eny maner chere,
4966
DARELL SEES LUCIDAS ON THE TOWER.
159
Trostyng1 vppon) noo better aventure, 4969
ffor of his frendshippe cowde she not be sure.
And so furth" on to telle yow ferthermore,
AH way the bateH lastid passing1 sore. 4972
Off Query side grete pepiH were slayn), 4973 Many people were
slain on each side.
And moche grounde of ser Amelok l thei wanne ;
Ser DareH with a spere vppon) the playn) sir Daren
J.IT tr\*-r> overthrew loatan,
Come ndeng1 on, and to an erle he ranne, 49 / 6
Born) in europe, his name was loatan,
And in serteyn), be writeng1 as I knowe,
Both hors with the Erie was ouer throwe. 4979
Syr DareH toke with" hym) his stede ; "With" that anon) his knyghtes were redy, hym) to reskew thei made hasty spede ; A long1 the Citee DareH rode by and by, Yppon2 A towre ther with" he cast his yee, And [on] that towre he sawe a mayde sittyng*, Eight Inly fayre she was to his semyng*.
And thanne he callid Sygrem furth" -with aH,
* Segrem/ he saide, ' now for the loue of me,
Of on) thyng telle me in especiaH,
A gentilwoman) that I yonder see,
"What that she is, sey me the certente ; '
1 Ser/ qwod Sygrem, ' the soth" I wiH not layn),
Ser Amelok is hir fader in certayn) ;
And she is callid good in euery place, Of hir maners soft and eke demure.' Thanne saide DareH, ' trewly this is the case, My semice she shaH haue I yow ensure, ffor me thinkith" hir a goodly creature ; And yet I drede Generides therfore, lest lie ther with" will be displeasid sore.'
1 MS. Amelek. 2 MS. A vppon.
4980 and took his horse,
4983 and as he rode along the city he saw a maiden on a tower,
4986 right fair as he thought.
4987 Then he called Sygrem,
[leaf 27]
4990 and asked who she was. * To tell the truth
she is the daughter of Sir 4993 Amelok.'
4994
'She shall have my service,' 4997 quoth Darell,
5000
'but I fear Generydes.'
160
DARELL SENDS LUCIDAS A RING BY SYGREM.
' Doubt not,' said Sygrem,
' for lie doth not hate her.'
' Syr,' quod Sygrem, ' dougftt not in this case, 5001 If he loue not hir fader by noo maner waye, In trowth yet hate[t]h he not lucydas. * Why, Who is that 1 ' quod he, ' I prae yow say.' 5004 It is the mayde,' quod he, * ye sawe to day, And if ye witt I shall a token) here To hir anon), and bryng1 a trew answere.' 5007
Darell then gave him a ring to carry to Lucidas,
and went back to the field,
* That I beseche yow hartely,' he saide ; 5008
And ther with" aH he delyueryd hym) a ryng1,
' Goo now,' qwod he, ' to lucydas that mayde,
With this tokyn) and make noo taryeng1, 5011
And do your* massage wele in euery thing1.'
Whanne he hadde told? hym) aH his erand playn),
In to the feld he returnyd hym) ageyn), 5014
and unhorsed Ananyell, who was uncle to Lucidas. She saw it,
And in the thikkest prece of aH the place 5015
he bare down) AnanyeH, hors and aH,
The whiche was vnkyH onto lucydas ;
She saw aft that stondeng' vppon) the waH, 5018
Thanne thought she this, what thing4 y* euer fatt
ShaH noman) think but that I do very right,
Though" I besette my loue on) suche a knyght. 5021
and asked her mother, • Which is Generydes ? I think it is he with the black steed.
Thanne sayde she to hir moder in this wise ; 5022
* wote ye whiche is generides ? ' quod she :
' As ferre furth" as I canne device,
his stede is blak, me think the same is he ; 5025
A noble knyght is he, in very certente :
And o thing shaH I telle yow that is trew,
Myn) owen) vnkiH now he oue?* threw. 5028
But there is Ther is.' quod she, 'another knyght also,
another knight
on a white steed.* his stede is whigS. t, this wote I for certayn), In aH the ost suerly ther is no moo,
5029
SYGREM DESCRIBES THE KING'S KNIGHTS TO SERENTDES. 16 L
That in knyghtwoode Are like to them) twayn).' 5032 Thanne to hir answerd Serenydes ayeyn), ' AH that is sothe,' she saide, * and as for me, Yett of them) bothe I wote not whiche is he.
But as for hym) .namyd first of a», 5036
I shaH declare yow trewly myn) entent,
With that ther myght be made a pece fenyaU,
And bothe partes beyng1 of on) assent, 5039
Whiche in this case were fuH conuenient,
And if it myght be soo thanne wold I fayn)
The mariage were made betwix yow twayn).' 5042
' I know not which of the two he is,' . ;
said Serenydes.
' But the first you named I would gladly see married to you when peace is made.'
In this mene while that she these wordes seid, 5043 Meanwhile
Sygrem came
Lome Sygrem vppe and founde them) sittyng*; . up,
Whanne she hym) sawe thanne was she wele apayd :
* Sygrem,' she saide, ' canne ye teHe me eny thing1,
Whiche are the knyghtes of auferius the kyng1 1 '
' Ye, ye, madame,' [quod he] ' soo mote I goo,
I know Generides and other moo. 5049
and she asked him of the king's knights.
And if ye will haue knowlache whiche is he, 5050
he wiH come here anon) be fore your sight,
his stede is white, this is the certente ;
With hym) ther is also, I yow be night, 5053
Another man) whiche is a worthy knyght ;
his stede is blak, and therto Wight and good,
hym) self also is come of right noble blode. 5056
' Generydes is he with the white steed,
but there is a knight on a black one,
son of the prince of Cesare,
Hys fader is a man) of grete estate, 5057
And p[r]ince of Cesare by his enheritaunce,
A famose man), and alway fortenate
In enery thing1 his honow shuld Avaunce ; 5$60 .
Now haue I told yow aH: the circumstaunce.'
' What is the knyghtes name ] ' quod she ayeyn) ;
* Ser DareH he higrit,' quod he, 'this is certayn).' 5063 SirDareii.
GENERYDES. 11
162
SYGREM EXCHANGES RINGS WITH LUCIDAS.
blushed Whanne lucidas had hard hym) euery dele,
5064
and Serenydes pretended not to notice.
As they were going, Sygrem whispered Lucydas,
and gave her the ring.
She hesitated about taking it
Anon) she wex a litiH rede with aH,
Serenydes perseyuyd it fuH wele,
She let as though she knew noo thyng1 At Aft, 5067
And ther with aH she rose vp fro the watt ;
And as thei l were remevyiig1 fro the place,
ffuH sustely2 Sygrem callid lucydas, 5070
[leaf 27, back]
but did so,
and gave him another,
And furth with aH delyueryd hir the ryng1, Wherwith in sothe she was right wele apayde, Yet made she danger in the reseyuyng1, Of his massage she was sum what dismayde, And soberly to Sygrem) thus she saide : ' Ryng ne Writeng1, as I remember canne, I neuer yet reseyuyd of noo gentilman) :
Butt this I trost, in his grete gentilnes,
That his desire suerly and his entent
Is only me yn honour1 to encrease,
And in that wise this ryng1 that he me sent,
It to reseyue I am right wele content.'
And so she toke the ryng1 in this maner,
And gave Segrym) another for to bere.
which Sygrem Now is Sygrem departid on) his way ffrom) lucidas, his erande for to do, In to the feld as fast as euer he may,
Carried to Dareii, To ser Dareti withoute wordes eny moo,
his tokyn) ther he delyueryd to hym) Also ; Whanne he it had he was right wele apayde, And to Sygrem fuH curtesly he sayde ;
who thanked Mm, < Ser,' qwod he, 'I thank yow right hertely Of your1 good wiH and trew sendee, And one thyng1 1 yow ensure verily,
1 MS. ther. * Isoftely.
5071
5074
5077
5078
5081
5084
5085
5088
5091
5002
DARELL UNHORSES LAMEDON.
163
The first stede that I wynne in eny wise, It shalbe your*, and that I yow promes ; So furtli he gothe in to the feld anon), And rode a course onto kyng1 lamedon).
Anone thei mette to geder in the feld,
Ther witfi ser Dareli saw his lady fre,
he smote kyng1 lamedon) vppon) the sheld,
And suche a stroke he gave hym) with a spere, 5102
That hors and man) bothe atte grownde were ;
And ther kyng* lamedon) his stede he lost,
Ser Dareli hym) toke and led hym) to his ost 5105
Callyng» anon) to his remembraunce, What furl promjs he had made before, "Vnto Sygrem for his trew attendaunce, That he shuld be rewardid wele therfore, And to Sygrein, I say yow forthermore, he gave that stede withoute more taryeng1, The whiche he wanne of lamedon) the kyng*.
Vppon) the towre on) higfre stode lucidas,
And saw all this to hir grete plesaunce ;
Serenydes perseivid hough" it was,
She seide noo word, nor made no contenawnce.
And so furtli on, to teU yow the substaunce,
The batett stiH endure[d] to And fro,
Moche pepyft slayn) And Alway moo And moo.
5095 and promised him the first horse he should win.
5098 He rode at King Lamedon,
5099
and brought horse and man to the ground.
The horse he gave to Sygrem.
5106
5109
5112
5113 Lucidas saw all this, to her great delight.
5116
5119
5120 King Lamedon mounted another horse and rode at Generydes,
Kyng1 lamedon), of whom) ye hard me speke,
Was sette aH now appon) anothefr]1 stede,
To that entent he wold hym) hym) self A wreke,
And to Generides he ranue in dede ; 5123
Ther hors came on) witfi. such§ a spede,
And sothely, atte first encownteryng1,
Generides strake lamedon) the kyng1 5126 who smote him
1 MS. originally A stede, but anothe[r] is written above.
164
GWYNAN BIDS AMELOK HOLD OUT.
to the brain, so that he fell dead.
His side then fled to the city.
Thorough the hede streygnt in to the brayn) ; 5127
The kyngi was dede withynne a litiH space,
ffor hym) was made grete hevynes certayn),
And for to teH yow certayn) as it was, 5130
Whanne he was dede they stode in hevy case ;
Thei lost the feld, and fled atte last
In to the Citee, and shette the gatez fast. 5133
They without pitched their tents,
Thanne thei withoute the tentys vppe yci pight, 5134
Eche after other streight abowt the town),
In aH the hast possibiH that thei myglit ;
And first of Att, the kynges pavilion) 5137
Set for the kyng1 and ther vppon) a crown) ;
and set up engines Engyins grete were purveyd for the nonys, the wails. To breke the waUys with casting1 of stonys.
5140
While they be sieged the city
And whiH that thei besegid the Cite, These lordes and these knyghtes euerychone,
the news came to Ther cam tidengys in very certente,
Gwynanthat
Generydes was Vnto Guynan the kyng1 be many on), hough in to ynde Generides is gon), With meche people and many a nobyrl knyglit To helpe the kyng1 his fader in his right.
5141
5144
5147
so he resolved to Thanne in to perse purposith he to goo, 5148
invade Persia,
and avenge his his faders detJi to venge if 1 that he myglit,
father's death,
andgetciarionas. And of Clarionas he thought also,
hir to haue he thought it was his rignt, 5151
he made a massinger redy day and nyght
He sent to Vnto ser Amelok, And hye hym) fast
Streyght in to ynde in AH the possible hast. 5154
bidding him hold out, and lie would come to his rescue.
1 Goo now to Amelok, and byd hym) kepe hym) close, That in noo wise he stere not to And fro, And kepe hym) owt of daunger of his foys, 1 MS. of.
LUCID AS TELLS HER MOTHER OF THE RING. 105
ffor with" myn) ost straight to perse I wift goo, 5158
To wynne the Sowdon) and his land Also ;
ffro thense I will into ynd? wi't/iout feyfnjing1,
And reskew hym) from) Auferius the kyng1.' 5161
Now gotfi the niassengrer on) his viage 5162 The messenger
came to Sir
Streight in to ynd, witfroute more taryeng1, Ameiok,
And to ser Ameiok seide his message,
Whiche likid hym) right wele in euery thyng1, 5165
And very glad he was of his comyng< : who P«^
Grete chere also made quene Serenydes, of his coming.
ffor she purposid wele to leve in pece. 5168
Than furtfi with aH qwod she to lucidas, 5169
' Telle me, doughter, of very frendlehede, L3?wi*at8
What Sygrem seid, and what his massage was, sygrem said.
And as longith to my womanhede,' 5172
With thoo wordes she wexe a lititt rede ; ^ ^d8l^cedr'of
' Madame,' quod she, ' if it please yow to here,
I shall tell yow the trowth of this mater. 5175
There is a knyght of good and noble fame, 5176
In very trowth hath sent me here a ryng*, sir Daren and
his ring.
ffor noo slaunder ne hurt onto my name,
Butt to wurchippe in art his demeaneng1, 5179
And myn) honour above aH other thing1,
This is his will and his desire certayn).'
Thanne seid Serenydes to hir ayeyn), 5182
1 What is the knygfttes name? now teH it me.' 5183 'Trewly, Madame,' quod, she, 'ser Darett he higli[t], And of Cesare the prince sonne is he,1 Of his handis callid a noble knyght, . 5186
And ayre to his lande, I yow be higRt ; Now haue I told yow aH the circumstaunce, I prae yow take it to no displeasaunce.' 5189
1 MS. he is.
166
SHE BEGS CLARIONAS' RING OP GENERYDES.
' If he love you,' said Serenades, ' let him get
'Therof,' quod she, 'dowte ye neuer a dele, 5190
Butt my conseite wiH I telle yow playne,
If it be so that he love yow so weft,
ye shaH right sone haue knowlage in se/iayne, 5103
your* pleasur* to perfowrme he wiH be fayn) ;
Send for Sygrem,' quod she, ' that he may goo
To ser DareH your* erand for to do. 5196
a gold ring from Generydes which Clarionas gave him.
I have a sick friend
And as he owith". yow feith" and trew semice, 5197
That of Generides he wiH purchase
A ryng1 of gold, in eny maner wise,
Whiche he in perse had of Clarionas ; 5200
Why and wherefore I shaft teH you ye cause,
I haue a frende, a fuH seke creature,
Grete payn) of ache aft way he doth endure. 5203
who has been toid And by B, vision) it come hym) too, 5204
in a vision that it
will make him he shhuld be hoole if he the ryng1 my gilt haue ; And for certayn) it were grete pite also, That he soo soone were dolvyn) in his grave, 5207 If suche a ryng1 myght hym) socour1 And save, ffor the whiche doughter I yow require, Send for Sygrem and tender this mater.' 5210
Lucidas sent Sygrem to Sir Darell to borrow the ring.
To hir anon) Answerd lucidas ayeyn), 5211
Whiche in this mater was fuH Innocente ;
' Madame,' quod, she, * I wiH putt to my payn),
In that I canne to folow youi) entente.' 5214
Sygrem anon) on) this massage was sent,
And to ser DareH: dede his erande soo,
The ryng1 to borow withoute wordes moo. 5217
sir Dareii thought As for ser DareH he thought noo thyng Amys, 5218 Nor he that brought the ryng1, but wote ye what ? ffuft ofte it hath be seide, and trew it is,
GUSARE TAKES IT TO PERSIA. 167
ffalshede and trougth is euer atte debate : 5221
And yet Sygrem was aHway fortenate : nor sygrem,
to whom Lucidaa
nor lucidas, whanne he brought hir the ryng1, gave a mantle
Gave hym) a mantett of hir owne weryng*. 5224 tLTing. r°
Sereiiides perseivid be the ryng1. 5225
J °1 well pleased,
hir prayowr was obseruyd and obeyde,
And furth with aH withoute more taryeng1,
She callid lucidas, and this she saide ; 5228
' Doughter,' quod she, ' I am right wele apayde,
ffor now I wote ye haue chose you a man),
That wiH please yow in ali that euer he canne. 5231
And fayre dougbter,' quod she, ' this I yow prae, 5232 »na begged to
As late me see the facyon of that ryng1.' which6 iTcfdas
' Madame,' quod, she, * ye wote right wele alway,
I haue not disobeyde yow in npo thing1; ' 5235
And from a lose anon) ther as it hyng*,
Be cause she wold in no wise her displese,
She toke the ryng onto Serenydes. 5238
Whanne she it hadde thanne was she wele content, she then called
And callid furth' on) of hir Acqueyntaunce,
Suche on) as wold do after hir entent,
And brought vppe was vnder hir gouemaunce, 5242
A man) that cowde hym) self right wele avaunce,
And born) he was, the story seith" the same,
In Ethiope, and Gusare was his name. 5245
Ther with ali right this to hym) she sayde ; 5246
* On my massage/ quod she, ' now must ye goo
ffurth in to perse, and this may not be nayde, «nii sent him
to Persia,
And ye shall bere with you this ryng1 Also.' 5249 to carry the ring
to Clarionas,
' Madame,' quod he, ' your' pleasure for to doo,
I wold be glad in eny maner wise,
To ryde or goo ye shaft haue my sendee.' 5252
GUSARE EXCHANGES CLOTHES WITH A PALMER,
"' Gusare,' quod she, 'in sothe this is the case, 5253 [leaf 28, back] haue here a ryng1 and kepe it still opece, To the tyme that ye come onto Clarionas, ffor she it gave on to Generides; 5256
The love of them) is grete, but,1 neuer the lese, I wold ther were a variaunce fuH fayn), So that the love were broke betwix them) twayn). 5259
that she might break the love between her and Generydes.
By this meane my pece I may purchase, 5260
And other wise I trow it will not be,
If ye do wele your* labour" in this case,
ffor your1 rewarde yow shaft wele know and se, 5263
That ye shall haue A cause to praye for me.'
'' Madame,' quod he, ' this shall be don) right wele,
In this mater dowte ye neuer a dele.' 5266
When Gusare came to Persia he met a poor palmer,
Ealshede and gile is now togeder mett, 5267
In A persone to awayte ther Avauntage.
vppon) han) hors [Gusare] 2 hym) self was sett,
And rideth into perse on) his massage. 5270
Whanne he come ther he mett in his viage
A pore palmer, goth" in sympiH gise ;
To hym) anon) he sayde right in this wise : 5273
and asked him
where the Sultan
was.
' At Mountoner,'
said he,
'with Clarionas.'
' Now good fader, what contre come ye fro 1 ' 5274
' ffro Mountoner,' quod he, ' the redy wave.'
' Good ser,' quod he, ' now or ye ferther goo,
Where lith,' he seide, ' the Sowdon) 1 I yow praye.'
' I left hym) ther,' quod he, ' as yesterday ;
A grete people surely with hym) ther was,
And his doughter also, fayre Clarionas.' 5280
•.And where is 'Where is now hir love, Generides]'
he is furtfi into ynd,' quod he, ' certayn) ;
hiSdSth°e?sar?ght!' his faderys right to maynteyne and encrese,
MS. but it.
2 001. MS.
5281
AND GOES TO MOUNTONER.
169
ffor ther shaft he be lord and souereyn).' 5284
* ffader,' quod he, ' of on) thyng* yet ageyn),
This wold I vnderstonde in myne entent,
What token) he gave hir whanne he went 1 ' 5287
'What token did
' In sothe,' quod he, ' that canne I tell some dele ; 5288
Whanne he departid owt of the Citee,
With" hir he left, I am remembryd wele,
A lityH dogge, and ther ye may hym) see.' 5291
' ffader,' he seide, ' do now sum what for me \
we ij wolle chaunge our1 clothyng1 or we goo.'
Qwod the palmer, ' I gree me wele therto.' 5294
•A little dog/ said the palmer.
They change clothes,
Now is Gusare well onward on) his way, And gave the palmer money largely \ To mountoner he came the redy way, Ther was brought tydengez sekerly, That Gwynan was enteryd certaynly Into the lande of perse withoute eny delay, ffor to make a feld and wynne it by bateH.
5295 and Gusare camo
to Mountoner,
5298 and heard of Gwynan's inva
5301
And so furtfi on) to say yow ferthermore, 5302
Gusare is now as besy as he may,
To do that he had promys[ed] before ;
And as the palmer went in his Arraye, 5305
So goth Gusare, and toke the [redy] way
Into A tempiH, wheare as the Sowdon) was,
With hym) ther was also Clarionas. 5308
He goes to a temple where the Sultan and Clarionas were,
On his fynger the ryng1 anon) he sett, And in the temple purveid hym) A place Among1 the prese, for no man) wold4 he let That he mygfit stonde before clarionas ; And ther he stode as for a certeyn) space, The ryng1 vppon) his fynger for to shewe, She sawe the ryng* and saide butt wordez fewe.
5309
5312
and puts the ring on his finger, and posted himself so that Clarionas might
When she saw the ring
170
CLARIONAS HEARS HIS FALSE STOBY.
countenance.
and asked the
Yet in Mr self she was gretly dismayde, 5316
And ther with aH she chaungyd countenance ;
.
observed MyrabyH sawe it wele, and this she saide,
' Madame, ye haue som) cawse of displesaunce ; 5319 I prae yow, tett me what is your* grevaunce.' ' That shaH ye knowe,' quod she, ' withoute fayle, And wele I wote therof ye wiH merveH. 5322
' I saw a palmer in the press, with a ring on his finger, which I gave to Generydes.'
I saw a palmer stondeng1 in the prese, 5323
On) his finger/ quod she, ' ther is a ryng1,
The whiche I gave,' quod she, * onto Generides,
And to non) other creature that is levyng1/ 5326
' Madame/ quod she, ' that is a wonder thing1,
yet for AH that dismay yow neuer a dele,
ye shaH se aft this shalbe right weH ; 5329
•I will bring him to your chamber,' said Mirabeii:
and the palmer
For I myself will speke with hym)/ quod she ; 5330
' To your* chaumber I shaH hym) bryng1 anon),
Ther shaH yow fele and knowe the certente,
In very trougtS if it be so or noo.' 5333
So her vppon) MirabeH is gon),
And taryd not, but as hir commandement was,
She brought the palmer vnto Clarionas. 5336
and told her that Generydes was married to Lucydas
Whanne he hir sawe, he knelyd on) his kne, 5337
4 Madame/ quod he, ' take ye not in disdayne
Of on) fortune, whiche wiH non other be,
ffor in this case to yow I witi be playn) \ 5340
Generides is weddid in certeyn),
It passith not a fourthnyght sithe it was,
To Amelokkez doughter lucydas. 5343
[leaf 29] against his will,
It was ayenst his wiH in euery thing, 5344
The cause was suche that he myght not say nay, his fader chargyd hym) on his blissyng1,
SHE FALLS IN A SWOON.
That pece mygftt "be apoyntid for alway, If ye trost not the wordes that I say, here is a ryng1 whiche he sent yow be me, ye gave it hym) in very certente.
171
5347 to make peace.
5350
' Here is the ring you gave him.
And ferthermore also he chargid me, 5351
To late you wete and suerly vnderstonde,
That ye may now stonde att your* liberte,
To wedde where euer ye wiH in eny lande.' 5354
Whanne she herd that noo lenger myght she stond,
Butt downe she felle swoninge for very payn) ;
Mirabett ranne and toke hir vppe ageyn),
5357
And he charged me to let you
know that you were free to wed.'
Clarionas fell down in a swoon.
Comfortyng1 hir jn aj} that euer she myght, 5358
And whanne that she was recoueryd vp ayeyn),
To hym) that brought the ryng1 she went right,
And in noo wise she cowde not hir refrayn), 5361
And smote the ryng1 owt of his handes twayn) ;
AH sodenly the ryng1 from) hym) was gone,
With that Mirabel! toke it uppe anon),
And putte the ryng1 in fuft sure kepyng1.
Thanne saide Gusare onto Clarionas,
* Madame,' qwod he, * I haue forgete a thing1,
Whiche I shuld say as I cowmaundid was, 5368
Ye haue a litiH dog1, this is the case ;
My charge was this to teH yow euery dele,
In eny wise that ye shuld kepe hym) wele.' 5371
When she recovered
she smote the ring out of Gusare' s hands,
5364 andMirabell picked it up.
5365
Gusare then asked for the dog,
' As for the dog1,' qwod she, ' here it ys ; 5372
I witt noo lenger kepe it sekerly,
Nor no thing1 that I may knowe was his.'
To hym) she threw the dog1 fuH hastely,
With that MirabeH kaught it sodenly ;
' Thow shalt nomore/ qwod she, ' come in his way,
ffor lucidas with the shall never playe, 5378
5375 which Clarionas threw to him, but Mirabell caught it.
172
THE SULTAN HEARS OF HER DISTRESS.
Gusare then returned to India,
and Clarionas to her chamber,
And I witt hane the att myn) owen) device.' 5379
Whanne Gusare saw that ther was non other1 way,
he toke his leue anon) in hasty wise,
And so departid vppon) his lurnay, 5382
Ayeyn) to ynd as fast as euer he may.
Clarionas is to the ehaunber gone,
With syghys depe and thoughts many on), 5385
awofuiwoman. A wofuli woman) fuH of hevynes, 5386
Generides alway now remembryng1, Complayneng1 gretly of his vnstabilnes, Of wheche he was not gilty in noo thyng1 ; 5389
Mirabeii thought And so Myrabett alway demyng1
Of this mater to vnderstonde it wele,
there was treason. That it was do be treson) eue?*y dele. 5392
When the Sultan heard of it he came to his daughter's chamber,
and asked \ was amiss.
•hat
And whanne the Sowdon) hard of yls array, 5393
And hough his doughter toke suche a hevynes,
To hir ehaunber he toke the redy waye,
As nature wold and also gentilnes, 5396
And fond hir in hir bed in grete distresse ;
t Doughter,' quod he, ' ther is some thing1 amys,
What euer it be now tett me what it is.' 5399
• My lord,' quoth she, ' Generydea is false,
and married to Lucidas.1
* My lord,' quod she, ' plese it yow to vnderstonde,
ye gaue me onys onto Generides
In mariage, with half your1 lande ;
Now is he false alas, an[d] cawseles 5403
With" hym) ser Amelok hath made his pece,
And trewly accordid in euery case,
ffor he is weddid vnto lucidas.' 5406
' This aventure,' quod, he, ' is passing1 new, And as me think a very wonder thing1 ; * But is it true ? ' Butt wote ye verily that it is trew 1 '
1 MS. eyer.
5407
MIRABELL ASSURES HIM THE STORY IS FALSE.
173
5410 'Yea, yea, my lord, here is the ring ;
5413 it cannot be otherwise.'
* Ye, ye, my lord,' quod, she, ' withoute feynin< And ferthermore he sent me here a ryng1, That I gave hym) in very certente, Where by I wote it may non) other be.'
To his doughter the Sowdon) gave answer*, 5414 TheSuitan
' Who wold,' quod he, ' have thought in suche a knyght, Generydes should
That he wold be ontrew in this mater ]
A grete merveH to here, I yow be hight, 5417
ffor this is do [ajyenst aH maner right,
And if he shew yow suche onkyndnes,
yet for aH that take ye noo hevynes, 5420
For I will purvey for yow another waye, And moche better as after myn) entent ; kyng Gwynan wold be glad, I dare weH say, That he and I shuld make apoy[nte]inent Betwix yow twayne, and if ye wiH assent, That manage, I cowde wele vnderstonde, ShaH bryng1 a fyniaH pece in to this land.'
Clarionas seide neuer a worde ageyn), The whiche MirabeH liked neuer a dele ; To the Sowdon) than) spake she wordes playn), ' My lord,' quod she, ' as ferre as I canne fele, In this mater I canne think but wele ; And weH I wote that he is suche a knyght, he wiH not breke that he hath onys benight.'
' JN~ow, good MirabeH/ quod Clarionas, ' ye wote right wele he sent me here a ryng1.' ' In very trought, madame, and trew it is ; Butt this I wote as wele as eny thing1, AH that he saide,' quod she, ' it is lesyng*.' The Sowdon toke good hede of )>* she saide, Of hir wordes he was right wele apayde.
5421 but, said he,
5424
' Gwynan will be glad,
and if you will assent,
5427 we may make a final peace.'
5428 Clarionas said never a word, but Mirabell told the Sultan
5431
5434 5435
5438 [leaf 29, back] it was all false.
The Sultan took heed of her words 5441 and was well pleased.
174
AND GOES TO INDIA TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH.
4 What is best to be done, Mirabell ? '
1 Let me go,' said she, ' and find out the truth.
' What think yow best, MirabeH 1 ' thanne quod he,
' That shuld be do as towchyng1 this mater ? '
* Trewly,' quod she, * the best that I canne se,
late me go furtfi. and be the messanger ; 5445
And whanne I come ayeyn) thanne shall ye here
The very trougth, and trew as it is
Doo as ye list, for this is myn) avise I wis. 5448
But if i go, Iff I shaft goo, of one thing1 I yow praye,
promise to put
off the marriage That I may haue a surance or I passe,
The manage to putte in delay between my lady Betwix my lady here, Clarionas,
and Gwynan.'
And kyng Gwynan, rehersid here in this case, And att my comyng1 home ye shall wele know Aft other maner tidynges as I trow.'
5449
5452
5455
The sultan Too hir desire the Sowdori) seid not nay, 5456
assented
and she went And furtS. with gave hir license for to goo ;
off to India T -
In to the reame of ynde she toke hir way, with two squires With hir ther went ii squyers and noo mo, 5459
and two pages.
Save ij pages to kepe ther horses also,
On hir lurnay to kepe the way full right,
In AH the hast possible that she mygfct. 5462
Generydes in his sleep dreamed that the Sultan and his daughter came to him, complaining sore that his promise was not kept,
Now I shaH telle yow hough befelle ye case ; 5463
Generides was dremyd in his sleppe,
hym) thought the Sowdon) and Clarionas
Come hand in hand, and she with sighys depe 5466
Complayned sore, and first beganne to wepe,
And thanne anon) the Sowdori) to hym) spake,
* Awake,' quod he, * Generides awake ! 5469
and that he had taken
Thy promys is not kept that thow benight, And namely to my doughter and to me, ffor thu hast take, ayenst att maner right,
5470
DABELL ENDEAVOURS TO RECOVER THE RING. 175
Another wiff in very certente, 5473 another wife. By tresone colour* vnder a suerte.'
Thanne seid Clarionas, 'geve me my ring*, 'Give me my
ffor suerly I wiH haue Gwynan the kyng1.' 5476 ciarionas,
' for 1 will marry Gwynan.'
After aH this hym) thought Gwynan yc kyng1 5477 After this, he In to Egipte shuld lede Clarionas : Gwynan led her
Thanne came MirabeH as she was goyng1, but Mirabe'u
And toke hir from) him) as hir fortune was ; 5480 h0im. ier he awoke and of this soden) case, when he awoke
he told Darell
To DareH and to NataneH aH in fere, andNataneii.
Of his dremys he told them) the mater. 5483
Syr Darett, as sone as he hard of ye ryng1, 5484 AS soon as Daren
f heard of the ring,
his hart anon) mysgave hym) furth" with aft, his heart mis-
hym) thought som) tresone was ymagenyng,1
And fayn) he wold haue wist what was faH ; 5487
Vppon) Sygrem anon) he be&anne to calle, and he called
Sygre.n,
Whanne he was come he told hem) mor And lesse, Of aH the drerne of Generides. 5490
, good Sygrem, I prae yow goo,' quod hee, 5491 and sent him
to Lucidas to
' To lucidas and speke for the ryng*, get the ring
Besechyng1 hir that she wiH send it me,
As euer I may do for hir eny tiling1.' 5494
' Ser,' quod Sygrem, ' I say withoute feyning1,
I wiH do your* massage and see what she wiH say,
And bryng1 ayeyn) the ryng1 if that ye may.' 5497
Thanne went Sygrem the way to lucidas, 5498 sy&rem went
to Lucides.
ffrom) aer DareH to telle his erande playn), In euery thyng1 rehersid here the case, And specially to haue the ryng1 Ayeyn), 5501
It was his desire and his comyng1 certayn). Vppon) this anon) she gave an answere, ' I shaH,' quod she, ' speke for this mater/ 5504
1 MS. ymagcnyd.
176
LUCIDAS SUSPECTS TREASON.
and she to her mother,
but could not get it,
To hir moder anon) with aH she go the, 5505
And tenderly she prayde- here for the ryng1,
Butt lucidas wheder she was lefe or lothe,
She cowde not haue it for no maner thyng1, 5508
So partyd she and gretly complayneng1,
Right grete vnkyndnes she thought also.
That vnder trost she shuld be smiyd so. 5511
and went her way back to Sygrem.
' There is some treason, I pro mise you,
whanne she sawe it wold non) other be, 5512 ffutt hevilly she went hir way ayeyn), ' I shall telle yow the trowth, Sygrem,' quod, she, This ryng1 will nott be goten) for certayn,1 5515
I haue both lost my labour1 and payn), And wele I wote it is not aft a right, ffor some tresone ther is I yow behight. 5518
and Darell will bear the blame.
But tell him
And all I trow be for Generides, 5519
I canne weH think that Darett shaH bere ye name
Of this vnhappy werk, yet neuer the lese
Eight wele I wote that he is not to blame ; 5522
And I suppose ye wiH reporte the same :
Butt this I prae yow hartely/ quod she,
1 Do my message as sone as ye hym) see, 5525
that Gwynan is gone to Persia to destroy the Sultan and his land.
Beg him to get leave to go to [leaf 30] Persia,
where he will hear tidings of the ring,
And say I send hym) word this in sertayn) ; 5526
Gwynan the kyng1 is gori), I vnderstonde,
ffourth in to perse, and his erande is playn),
The Sowdon) to distroye and his land : 5529
It to perfowrme he hath made fuH covenawnt.
Now, good Sygrem, I prae yow say hym soo,
And that he gete hym) licence for to goo 5532
Furth in to perse withoute more taryeng1, 5533
And say hym) sueiiy this is myri) avice, Ther shaH he here some tidynges of the ryng1, 1 MS. certente.
DARELL SETS OUT FOB PERSIA.
177
And whoo that take on) hym) that enterprise, 5536 hough it was brought abought, and in what wise, And he most dele with all so sekerly, That no man) knowe it save he and ye and I.' 5539
but he must deal secretly.'
Now goth Sygrem, and noo thyng1 weH apayd, he mette ser DareH rideng1 on) the playn), And told hym) aft that lucidas had seide ; hough he had lost his labour* and his payn), And hough the ryng1 wold not be goten) ageyn) ; Whanne he had hard all this yan) was he wroth, And to Generides anon) he gothe.
' I pray yow, ser, now geve me leve,' quod he,
' ffurth into perse I purpose me1 to goo,
hough it is ther to knowe the certente,
ffor I am alway trobolyd to and to ;
ffor your1 dremys right I drede also.'
Generides ther of was wele apayde,
' Goo on) your* way, in goddis name,' he seide,
* As fast as euer ye may, and coin) ayeyn), Owt of that lande sum tidyngez wold I here ; I pray yow, dareH, bryng1 me word sertayn), And of Clarionas my lady dere.'
* That shall not be for gete in noo maner.' Ser dareti toke his leve, and went his way Into the lande of perse, as I yow saye.
Now is Gusare, that most on happy wight, Out of the lande of perce com)2 into ynd, ffuti fast seching, in aft that euer he myght, The redy way Generides to fynde, With new contrivid falshede hym) to blynd, In aft the hast to seche hym) furth he went, And atte [last] he founde hym) in his tent. 1 MS. ne. 2 MS. is com.
GENERYDES. 12
5540 Sygrem meets Darell,
and tells him all that Lucidaa 5543 had said.
5546
As soon as he heard all,
5547 he asked
Generydes leave to go into Persia
5550
to see if his dream were true.
5553 'Go on your way in God's name,
5554
and bring me some tidings of 5557 Clarionas.'
5560
5561 Gusare is now come out of Persia,
5564
5567
and goes straight with a new lie to Generydes,
178
GUSARE RETURNS WITH ANOTHER LIE.
that Clarionas is married to Gwynan.
' My lord,' quod, he, ' fro perse now am I come, 5568
ffro the Sowdon) with tidynges y* "be there,
ffor I will teH yow playnle all and som),
Gwynan the kyngi is ther with grete powre, 5571
They ben) accordid all bothe in on) maner,
The pece is made and cryed in euery place,
The kyng< is weddid on to Clarionas. 5574
The dog which Clarionas sent,
he had had taken from him.
These tydingez senditfi. yow ser Anasore ; 5575
Anoder erand haue I for to do,
A litiH dog1 Clarionas hath", ther,
She bad I shuld bryng hym) with me Also, 5578
Butte be the tyme I shuld part And goo,
Thanne shuld I haue brought it with me verily,
And it was taken) ayeyn) from me sodenly.' 5581
Generydes was Bore abashed,
and asked when the wedding was.
Generides hard wele aft that he seide, .5582
And in hym) self he was abasshed sore,
Thanne furtfc with aH the messagefr] he prayde ;
'Good ser,' quod he, 'yet telle me ferthermore, 5585
Whanne she was weddid and hough [long] before,
Of your' departeng1 sey me the certente.'
1 Ther of I shaft teH yow the trouthe,' <pod he ; 5588
• The same day that I left,' said Gusare.
' I come fro thense apoynted as thei were, 5589
The same day thei were weddid furl sekyrly ;
My hast was suche that I mygfrt not be ther,
To see the rewle and it was trewly.' 5592
Generides toke it fuH hevily,
In petuose wise complayneng1 euer in on),
Thanne NataneH comfortid hym) Anon). 5595
NOW let us speak Off MirabeH now late vs speke a while,
Whiche is reden), in aH that euer she may, Into the reme of ynd? fuH many A myle ;
5596
MIRABELL AND DARELL MEET.
179
Whanne she came nygh the ende of hir lurnay,
Ther mette she with Darell vppon) the waye,
A ferde she was in very certente,
fibr Atte first she wist not yat it was he.1 5 GO 2
5599 When she came near the end of her journey she met Darell,
Whanne she hym) sawe she was right wele apayde, 5603
And herd hym speke thanne very glad was she ;
' hough doth my lord, the Sowdon), now ? ' he said,
' And my lady Clarionas/ quod he,
* Is she weddid ] teH me the very certente.'
' Weddid 1 ' quod she, ' nay, nay, I yow ensure,
Nor neuer wilbe to non) erthely creature,
' How dotli my lord ? ' said he, 5606 'and is my lady Clarionas married ? '
'No,' said Mirabell, 5609 'and never will
Save only on to my lord Generides,
In whom) suerly is all hir fyence,
ffor this I canne yow teH in sothfastnes,
ffuH seldom is he owt of hir remembraunce,
And as for eny new2 founden) Acqueyntaunce,
Ther is noo suche, I saye yow feithfully,
ffor wele I wote she had moche lever dye
Butt now I prae yow telle me/ quod she, ' Generides is he weddid, or noo 1 ' ' Nay,' quod Darell, ' for certayn) levith me, It came neuer in his thought so for to do ; And for to say the very trowth Also, ffor hym) I dare wele answere in this case, he wiH non) other but fayre Clarionas.'
' The pece is not appoynted thanne,' quod she, * Of ser Amelok and of Generides 1 ' ' Nay/ quod Darett, * trewly it will not be ; holde on) your1 way/ quod she, ' stiH opece, And sette my lady3 more in hartes ease ; ifor on) thyng* shall I say yow that is sure, Ye shall fynde hir a wofuH creature.'
1 MS. she. 2 MS. now. 3 MS. lorde.
5610 except to Gcnerydes.
5613
5616 She would rather die.
5617 And now tell me, is Generydes married ? '
' Nay,' said Darell, 5620 ' it never came
into his thought.
5623 He will have none but Clarionas.'
5624 [leaf 80, back] ' Then the peace is not made between Sir Amelok and him?'
--^ 'Nay, 'quoth
5627 Darell.
' Hold on your way,' said she, ' and set my lady at rest,
5630 for you will find her a woful creature.'
180
GUSARE IS SLAIN,
' I will/ said
Darell,
• in all the haste
I can.
Generydes is
now sad for his
dream.'
1 In aH the hast/ quod Darell, ' that I canne, 5631
To hir I witt withoute eny more ;
Generides is now an hevy man),
As for a dreme whiche trobelyd hym) fuH sore, 5634
No thyng1 so meche sitn he was boore ;
And wenyng1 in his dreme, this is ye case,
kyng< Gwynan had weddid clarionas. 5637
They parted,
he for Persia, she for India, to seek Generydes.
She found him in his tent with the false Gusare,
The Sowdon) was agreyd well therto, AH hym) thought was trew in euery thing1, Now may ye teH hym) it is noo thyng1 soo, And putt Away att this Imagenyng1.' Thanne departid thei and noo taryeng1, he went to perse and she went to ynd, The redy way Generides to fynde.
5638
5641
5644
5645
Whanne she cam) yer, into ye ost she went,
Generides to seche she ded here payn),
Atte last she founde hym) in his tente,
And ther she founde that false Gusare ageyn), 5648
The massenger, wherof she was futt fayne ;
And bothe here squyers furth with att she prayde,
* lay on handes on) that false theff,' she saide. 5651
Whanne he hir saw he drew hym) owt aside, 5652
hir comyng1 theder likid hym) fuH iH ;
MirabeH thanne anon) hym) had asspyde,
She toke hym) be the hede and held hym) stiH, 5655
Thanne on) that knewe hir purpose and witt,
he smote Gusare so harde vppon) the cheke,
That leche craft hym) nede non) other seeke. 5658
And ther he dyed withynne a litiH stounde, 5659
Generides had mervett what it ment ;
wondered what
it meant, As he came owt MirabeH ther he founde ;
whom she seized by the head. One that knew her wish hit him a blow that put him beyond the help of doctors.
AND HIS TREASON REVEALED.
181
And as sche was comyng1 inward to his tent, 5662
Of hir he was full gladde in his entente,
And seid, ' mayde Mirabett, benedicite ; and asked
What thyng1 hath" brought yow into this centre V 5665 had brought
her thither.
' I shall,' quod she, 'telle yow the mater playn), 5666
And of my comyng1 heder all the case ;
This fals traytour that here this day was slayn),
he came and told to my lady Clarionas,
That ye were weddid onto lucidas,
She told him all Gusare's 5669 treason,
And on his fynger ther he brought a ryng1,
Whiche she gave yow Att your* both departyng1. 5672
and all about the ring
For aH his bost from) hym) I toke the ryng1, 5673
My lady it forsoke, she was so wroth ;
The litiH dog1 she toke that he shuld bryng1 ;
Butt as for that,' quod she, 'I hadde them) both : 5676
Now haue I told yow hough" the mater gothV
And he hir thankyd right curtesly,
And hir rewardid as she was worthy. 5679
and the dog,
' As for the ryng1,' quod she, ' loo here it is ; ' 5680
And furiS with aH delyueryd hym) the ryng1.
Generides knowe wele that it was his ;
' This ryng1,' quod, he, ' DareH had in kepyng1 : 5683
Wherefore,' quod he, * me think it is a wonder thyng1,
his trouth I knowe and haue don) many a day,
The fawte is not in hym) I dare wele say. 5686
and gave him back the ring.
Now, fayre myrabett, go to hir ayeyn), ffor this I canne vnderstonde and fele, She will not leve noo tidyngez in sertayn), Butt if she here yow speke, this wote I weH ; And yet DareH witt tett hir euery dele, Yet wiH she geve noo credence I am sure, Butt ye be ther, ellys to noo creature.
5687 'Go to her again, fair Mirabell,
5690
5693
182
DARELL COMES TO CLARION AS,
and tell her how unkind she is to mistrust me.'
And ferthermore I prae yow telle hir this, 5694
Me to mystroste trewly she is vnkynd,
ffor o thing1 shaft I say, and trew it is,
Vhtrew to hir she shaft me neuer fynde, 5697
And this I wift remembre in my mende
Eche creature of nature hym) delititS,
That on) good turne another quytitB..' 5700
At this Mirabell took her leave.
Sir Darell came to Mountoner,
WitS these wordes Mirabeft ganne to smyle, 5701
hir leve she toke, and furtR she gotfr hir waye ;
Of ser Dareft now late vs speke a while,
Whiche hastith hym) as fast as euer he may, 5704
So ferre fourth he was on) his1 lurnay,
That into the land of perse aryvid he,
And came to Mountoner the fayre Citee. 5707
and went straight Full streygfrt he went onto Clarionas,
to Ckirioiiiis.
And to her chaunber toke the redy waye,
5708
Her maid would not admit him,
he knockyd softely as the maner was,
Thanne came a mayde and this to hym) gan) say; 5711
* Go fro the dore,' quod, she, ' ser, I yow praye,
My lady had noo rest of aft this nyght,
Nor slept not to now, I yow be hight.' 5714
[leaf 31]
but he called upon Clarionas,
who heard,
and said to the
maid,
' Open the door.
Then Darell came in,
Fuft fast he prayde, but neuer the neer he was, 5715
And whanne he sawe it wold non) ojer wise be,
he callyd alow vppon) Clarionas ;
' Madame,' quod he, ' please yow for to see ; 5718
I am Dareft, now speke a word with me.'
Thanne spake Clarionas onto the mayde,
' Goo vpon) the chaumber dore,' she saide. 5721
Thanne Dareft came in and knelid on) his kne, 5722 And thus he saide onto fayre Clarionas, ' ffrom) ynd I come to this centre,
MS. hir.
AND TELLS HER OF GENERYDES. 183
Generides commaunditfi hym) on to your* grace ; 5725 and told her aii
„ .,..., about Generydes.
As for my comyng* now this is the case,
Off1 yow he hatfi be dremyd passing1 sore,
Whiche dayly hym) noyetfi. more and more.' 5728
Thanne he told hir the mater hotTgn" it was, 5729
She hard? hym) speke att his entente to fele ;
'lete be these wordes,' quod Clarionas, she professed
at first not to
1 This that ye say is lesyng1 euery dele, 5732 believe him.
Suppose ye not I vnderstonde yow wele ;
Generides. this is the mater playn), 'it is plain,*
said she,
To lucydas is weddid for certeyn). 5735 • that Generydes
is married to Lucidas.
To hir it is this message shuld be do, 5736 This message
should be to her.'
And not to me, for I haue not to don) with all.'
' Now good madame,' [quod he,] ' why say yow soo 1
My message is to yow in especiaH, 5739
Now please it yow onto your1 rnynd to caH,
hough good, hough" trew he was to yow alwaye,
And yet is he the same this dare I say. 5742
Off lucidas,' quod he, 'ye may be sure, 5743 Daren then told ffor I shall teH yow trougtfi. withoute feyning1, for Lucidas,
I love hir best of eny creature ;
She sent to me, noo malyce supposyng1, 5746 and how the
ring had been
By hir moderys subtile ymagening1, obtained.
The ryng1 to borow of Generides,
Seying* she had a frende in grete distresse. 5749
The ryng1, she said, wold make hym) hoole ayeyn), 5750 And for that cause I sent it lucidas ; Now wote ye wele, it was but for a trayn) Serenydes it had, this is the case; 5753
That false Gusare the messanger he was, ffor yow and for Generides also,
To make a variaunce betwix yow bo.1 5756
1 MS. lot he.
184
THE SULTAN WELCOMES DARELL.
This is/ quod, he, 'the trowth that I have seide, 5757
And putt me to what othe that ye list.'
In here conseite thanne was she weH apayde,
* To you/ quod, she, 'now haue I noo mystrost.' 5760
' Trewly, Madame/ quod he, ' and I had it wist,
That ye shuld me mystrost in my message,
I had not A take vppon) me this viage.' 5763
With that she became friendly,
and the Sultan welcomed Sir Darell,
"With that she made hym) very frendly chere, 5764
And whanne the Sowdon) wist of his comyng*,
To hir he went som) tidynggez for to here,
And gave ser Darell anone his welcomyng1; 5767
'What tidynges now/ quod, he, 'do yow bryng1?'
' ffor certayn, ser,' he seide, ' suche as thei be,
To yow I wiH declare the very certente. 5770
who told him that Parentyne was closely besieged,
The Sege is leyde to parentyne/ quod he, 5771
' A grete dele nerrer thanne it was before,
The gates ar aH shett of that Citee,
And of vitayle thei haue but easy store, 5774
Nor non) may haue, to say yow ferthermore j
So streyte them kepitfi. auferius the kyng1,
That owt thei may not for noo maner thing1. 5777
and that Generydes was at Vice.
Generides lithe atte Citee of vice, 5778
Whiche is the strongetfi. Citee of all the land ;
he hatS. besegyd it in suche a wise,
That thei may not skape I vnderstonde, 5781
The contre hoole obeyetfi. to his hand.'
The Sowdon) hard hym wele, and this he seid,
' Of these tidynges I am right wele apayde ; 5784
Butt now I wold! he were here with me, TeH hym) so, Darell, in eny maner wise.
' I would he were here," said the Sultan, ' for Gwynan is
in the land, Gwynan) the kyng1 is now in this contre,
5785
DARELL RETURNS TO GENERYDES. 185
And to my land he doth" grete praudice, 5788
Therfore haue I nede of his seruice.' and I have need
' Ser,' q^£0d Darell, ' as fast as I canne goo,
In aH: the hast your' erande shalbe doo.' 5791
Syr Darett toke his leve and went his way, 5792 sir Daren took
Whiche euer hath be founde both good and trew ;
MirabeH is homeward in hir lurnay,
Ser Darell and she mette togeder now, 5795 and met Mirabeii
. coming home-
Echeon) told! suche tidynggez as thei cowde, ward.
Betwix them) was noo lenger abideng1,
Butt furth they rode withoute more taryeng1. 5798
Ser Amelok came owt of the Citee of vice, 5799 sir Ameiok heard
that Generydes
With sertayn) of his pepiH furth he went, lay sick,
ffor it was told? hym) in credibiH1 wise,
Generides lay seke in his own) tent, 5802 and came out of
Whiche bolditS. hym) the more in his entent ;
yet were thei blynd in that opynyon),
ffor he was rideng* owt before the town). 5805
Now is ser Darell come ayeyn) to ynd, 5806 [leaf si, back]
And furth withatt into the feld? he went, sir Daren rode
over the field in
ffuH fast ndeng1 Generides to fynde, search of
And fartS withaH he sought hym) in to ye tent, 5809
To telle hym) aH the effecte of his entent,
Butt ther he founde non) erthely creature,
So flirtS. he rode secning* his aventure; 5812
And with a Duke of Ethiope he mette, 5813 and met with
a duke of
V ppon) a courser crossyng1 hym) the way ; Ethiopia,
Eche vppon) other ferly on) they sett,
And or thei partid, shortly for to say, 5816
The duke was slayn) and in the feld! he lay : whom he slew-
Whanne lucidas hym) saw thanne was she fayn). Lucidas saw this
and was glad.
And glad she was of his comyng1 ageyn). 5819
MS. credilbill.
186
GENERYDES FIGHTS WITH AN AN YELL,
Generydes rode to meet him,
and asked news of Clarionas.
•All is well,' Baid Durell.
Generydes was well pleased,
and rode into the press, and met with Ananyell,
the brother of Amelok.
He narrowly escaped his spear,
Generides thought wele that it was he, 5820
And furtfi with all came rideng1 apace,
' Darell,' he seid, ' right welcom) be ye,
What tydinges bryng1 yow fro Clarionas 1 ' 5823
' To telle yow,' quod he, * I haue noo space,
Goo now on) and take your' seasone as1 it is ;
ffor all is weft, ther is noo thyng1 Amysse.' 5826
Full wele apayde thaime was Generides, 5827
And in his mynd reioysid passing wele,
In to the feld he rode among1 the prece,
And in his way he mette ananyett, 5830
A manly knyght, the story canne yow tett,
A wise man) and sadde in euery case,
And broder onto ser Amelok he was. 5833
Anon) thei ranne togeder in the feld? 5834
"With sperys sharpe, and made no more delay ;
he smote Generides vppon) the sheld?,
The sheldl to brast and fro hym) feH away ; 5837
And as his grace and fortune was that day,
The spere ranne down) by generides side,
And ellys withoute fayle ther had he dyed. 5840
but struck him dead in return.
Sir Amelok saw this,
And forth" with" aH2 or they departid jer, 5841
Generides thanne smote hym) so ayeyn),
That thorough owt the body ranne the spere,
And with that stroke Ananyell was slayn), 5844
Down) from) his hors he felle vppon the playn) ;
And whanne ser Amelok saw aH the case,
ffor his broder an hevy man) he was, 5847
and ran at Sir Darell.
And to ser Darell he ranne with spere & sheldl ; 5848 Thanne lucydas was sory in hir hert, To see them) twayn) togeder in ye felcJ,
1 MS. at. 2 MS. all all.
AND DABELL WITH AMELOK. 187
And fast she prayde that thei myght sone departe,
like as nature required for hir part :
Butt bote was nori) to pray ne for to trete,
And bothe thei mette anon) with speris grete. 5854
FuH long1 thei fought, to say yow ferthermore, 5855 They fought tm
their horses fell
And lenger wold? haue don) as by ther wirl under them.
Vnder them) bothe ther stedys feynted sore,
That bothe togeder to the grownde ganne yei fatt, 5858
Ser Darett in the feld? ther lay he stiH, The crowd was
so great,
The prese was suche he myght not gete away, sir Dareii conia
Butt stffl defendid hym) ther as he lay. 5861 notgetaway'
Syr amelok was holpyn) att his nede, 5862
his knyghtes came and fechid hym) anon) ;
Sone after that ser Darell was on) his stede,
With" that Generides came rideng on), 5865 At length
Generydes
They made hym) rome among1 them) euerychone, came up,
and they made
And where that euer he rode in eny side, room for him.
Ther was non) in the feld wold? hym) abide. 5868
The dede body vppon) a sheld? they layde, 5869 Ananyeirs body
J J was carried to the
Toward the Citee thei caried it anon) ; city.
Ser amelokkez men) were so dismayde,
To the Citee thei fled his pepiH euerychon), 5872
And yet ther were distroyed many on),
And or thei myght gete the Citee, this is sertayn),
An C knyghtes were take and slayn). 5875
Whanne thei were in thei shette ye gates fast, 5876 Ananyett thei beried furth with aH ; and buried.
Thanne afterward in att the possible hast, Too knygRtes thei sent echone in general!, 5879 TWO knights
0 - were sent to
This was the message in especiatt, Generydes to
ask for two
ffuH tenderly Generides for to praye, months' truce,
To graunt them) truse for ij monethis day, 5882
188
A TRUCE. RETURN OF MIRABELL.
which was granted.
His knyghtes for to bery euerychone. 5883
he grauntid them) and was right wele apayde,
Ser DareH thanne he callid furth anon),
And Natanett Also, and this he saide ; 5886
' The trewse is now appoyntid and prevyed
Betwix the Cite and Me ij monethys day,
And now I witi goo see Clarionas I say. 5889
Generydes left Darell in command,
Wherefore, Dareft, I prae yow now,' quod he, 5890
' That ye wiH do so moche as take the payn),
To rewle these men), that hir be vnder me,
In my absence as lord and cheff1 capteyn), 5893
Or ought it be long1 I wiH be here ayayn),
And if ther fortune eny hasty nede,
Thanne witt I come as fast as I may spede. 5896
and ordered Off* knyghtes And squyers that be here,
Sygrem to come
with him with ioo Of them) will I haue A C and no moo :
knights to go to
Clarionas. fain secretly, he seid, in an maner,
Deaf 32]
5897
5900
I wol(J they were warnyd with" me to goo ;
And say to Sygrem that he come also
In eny wise, that he may be my gide,
ffuH wele he knowitfi. the wayes on) every side.' 5903
Meantime, Mirabell came home and told the whole story.
In this meane tyme thanne was come home ayeyn)
MirabeH on) to fayre Clarionas ;
She saide, * Madame, Generides for certayn)
hym, recomaundid onto your* good grace 5907
In humble wise, and as for lucidas,
hir for to wedde came neuer in his thought ;
The messenger is slayn) that the tidynges brought.
And so furt!i on) she told aft the hole processe, hough that she founde Generides s<?rtayn), AH discomfortid in right grete hevynes ;
5911
GENERYDES RIDES TOWARDS PERSIA. 189
Tlianne saide Clarionas to Mr ayeyn), 5914
' Moche thank to yow for jour labour* a[nd] payn).' And thus I leve them) bothe in hartys ease, And ferthermore I wiH speke of Generides. 5917
Now toward perse ridith" Generides, 5918 AsGenerydes
was riding
Takyng1 his viage in the evyn) tide, towards Persia
And of his1 lurnay wold he neuer sese,
TiH he came ther wher he shuld abide ; 5921
"With" hym) ther went Sygrem to be his gide,
Costyng1 the contre many dyuers way,
And so came he in to perse the redy waye. 5924
The contre was distroyed in that tide, 5925
And as he rode vppon) the way,
A lady he sawe rideng1 be a forest side, hesawaiady
J by a forest side,
Grete hast she had on) hir lurnay, 5928
To hir he rode withoute more delay, and rode after
her.
Whanne she hym) saw come toward hir so fast,
Away fro hem) she fledde in all the hast. 5931 she fled,
With hir ther were xviij. in company, 5932
Generides rode after hir so fast,
And on) his way so fast he ganne hym) hye,
he oner toke the lady atte last ; 5935 but he overtook
her,
1 Madame/ he seid, ' be ye noo thyng* agast, and told her no
one should do
Why ride ye thus and in so hasty wise ? her harm.
Ther shaft no man do yow harme o warantise.' 5938
< In trowtfr I am a wedow, ser,' quod she, 5939 «i am a widow,
said she, 'and
' The Sowdon) is myn) vncle in certayn) ; the sultan is my
kvng1 Gwynan wold that I weddid shuld be King Gwynan
wishes to marry
To his Cosyn), and me he wold? constreyne 5942 me to MB cousin.
_ but I will not,
So for to do ; this is the mater playn) : and therefore am
And thus fro hym) in aH the hast I went,
Because I wold not folow his entent. 5945
MS.
190 GENERYDES GOES IN SEARCH OF GWYNAN,
Too Mountoner now I witt take my way, 5946
And witn myn) vnkiil ther I will abide, ffor here I leve in drede and in affray.' • Madam/ quoth < Madame,' quod he, 'I prae god be your5 gide, 5919
he, ' I pray you
be our guide to After kyng1 Gwynan I purpose me to ryde,
ffayne I wold! knowe the way and not to mys.'
*I shaft yow tell,' quod she, ' where that he is. 5952
1 He is here in a In a casteft here be a forest side, 5953
castle a mile or
two off, ffrom) hens it passitfi. not a myle or twayne,
hold on) your* way streight as ye ride,
And ther ye shaH hym) fynde, this is certayn), 5956 waiting for the A bideng1 ther Otran the kyng< of spayne,
Whiche comyth the kyng1 to helpe I vnderstonde,
To warre vppon) my vncle and his lande.' 5959
' Now, Madame,' thanne seid Generides, 5960
'What pepytt hath he ther? I prae yow say.' ' Trewly,' quod she, ' as ferre as I canne gesse,
with 200 men, he passitfi not CO men) this day, 5963
And Chosen) men) they be in good arraye, he is noo thyng1 a drede in certente,
and every day he ffor euery day on huntyng1 lidetfi he.' 5966
goes hunting.'
' Madame,' quod he, ' thanne I beseche yow this, 5967
That it may plese yow do so meche for me,
Whanne ye be ther as your* vncle is,
That I to hym) may recomaundid be, 5970
A knyght of Surre gladly wold hym) see,
Butt now I may not come, the cause is soo,
ffor I wiH seche the kyng1 where euer he goo.' 5973
The lady went on Too Mountoner the lady toke the waye, 5974
to Mountoner, . ,
And to the forest Generides is gon),
And whanne it was ferre past on) the day,
AND LAYS HIS MEN IN AMBUSH.
191
In a buschement he layde his men) eche on), 5977
And thanne he callid Sygrem furth" anon) ;
1 Sygrem/ quod he, ' afore ati other thyng1,
I prae yow wete where lith Gwynan the kyng1. 5980
Off his demeanyng1 1 wold? wete also, 5981
And with my felisshepe I wiH abide.'
< Ser,' quod Segyrem, ' anon) it shalbe doo ;
Att your* commaundment now I wiH ride, 5984
And bryng1 yow worde her be the forest side.'
Now gotfi. Segrym), withoute more taryeng*,
To rnonperson), and ther he founde the kyng*.
and Generydes
laid his men
in ambush,
and se Gwynan was.
5987 He found him at Monperson,
The town) was fast by the casteH wher he lay, 5988
Thorough owt the town) he went among ye prese,
And whanne that he had Aspyed aH yer array,
Agayn) he came vnto Generides ; 5991
« I shall yow telle,' quod he, ' that is noo leese,
I left them) ther att dyner euerychon),
And to this forest he will come anon). 5994
and came and told Generydes
[leaf 82, back] they were all at dinner,
Armyd thei be eche on) atte poynte device, 5995
here wiH thei hunte I say yow verily ;
Butt this I counceH yow be myn) avise,
Whanne yow them) se late them) go by and by, 5998
Till thei be passid thanne may ye them) askry.
And this suerly if ye do after me,
Betwix them) and the Castett shaH ye be. 6001
and were coming out to hunt.
And furthermore,' as my Auctor doth" write, 6002
' Gwynan if ye will [know] whereuer he be,
his owne Array is att togeder white,
hors and harnes and so is non) but he, 6005
his spere also is white, that ye shaH see,
Now haue I sayde, do as ye semes best,
here wiH he come anon) in to this forest.' 6008
Gwynan dressed all in white.
192
The king rode out,
and Generydea kept his men quiet till they were all past,
when he called to them to turn.
THE ENCOUNTER WITH GWYNAN.
Anon) vppon) [on] huntyng* rode the kyng1, 6009
Generides was ware therof anon),
No noyse was made nor ther was noo steryng*,
To tyme the kyng1 and aH his men) were goon); G012
And whanne that thei were passid euerychon),
Generides anon) hym) ganne Askerye,
And bad them) ' turne, for tyme it is trewly.' 6015
The king turned With that the kyng< his hors he twrnyd then), 6016
bis horse
And to his knyghtes aft thanne he saye,
* Serys, now is tyme to shewe that we "be men),
ffor yender folk will lette vs of our* way.' 6019
Anone thei mette them) withoute more delay,
and in the first And atte first encounteryng1 certayn),
2oo°fhiseknights, kyng1 Gwynan had xx. of his knygthes slayn) : 6022
and 15 were taken.
In revenge the kuig slew Lucas,
And xv more were taken) furtli with aH, 6023
Where with the kyng* was greuyd passyng* sore,
And sware his othe what euer shuld hym) falle,
he wold? suerly avenge hym) therfore, 6026
And in that hete, to say yow ferthermore,
Anon) he ranne to lucas with a spere,
And bare hym) thorough and slewe hym) ther. 6029
and Qenerydes was full sad thereat,
remembering all his love and kindness.
Whanne he was dede ther was grete hevynes, 6030
And with Generides was full hevy chere,
Bemembryng1 the grete love and kyndnes,
Whiche he had shewid to hym) in aH: maner ; 6033
And specially whanne he was prisoner,
And by his meane the Sowdon) gave hym) grace,
Whanne he so long1 lay in prisone for Clarionas. 6036
He then ran at Uvvynan,
And for by cause kyng1 Gwynan had hym) slayn), 6037 To go vn quyte he thought noo wurchippe in, And with his spere ranne toward hym) ageyn),
GWYNAN RETREATS TO MONPERSON.
103
Tlianne was ther on of the kynggez kynne, Betwene them) "bothe his wurchippe for to Wynne, And with a spere in myddes of the prese, ffurth with alt he ranne vnto Generides. 6043
6040 but one of his
kin caine between,
And bothe thei mette to geder in the feld. 6044
And for to teli yow alt the mater playn),
Generides stroke hym) thorough the sheld?
Owt atte bak, and slew hym) for certeyn) ; 6047
And whanne ther felawes were take And slayn),
A bak thei drewe, and sperkelyd her and yer,
Thanne was the kyng1 fuU wrothe in his maner, 6050
and was pierced by the spear.
At this the king's men drew back, and scattered themselves.
And blew his horn) to geder them to bryng1, 6051
ffutt sory he was to se them) goo so wide ;
Thanne seid Sampson) these wordes to ye kyng1,
Off Cornyssfe was he born), and of that side ; 6054
1 It is noo tyme here for vs to Abide,
Drawe to your' CasteHward?, and that anon),
ffor here we do butt lese oure men) euerychon)/ 6057
Too monpersone the kyng1 with drew hym) yan),
Generides hym) folowid in the chase ;
* Syr,' quod Sygrem, ' thus shaft yow lese your men),
And wery them), withynne a short space : 6061
Butt this me think better in this case ;
Gete yow be fore, this wold I yow avise,
Betwix hym) and the town) in eny wise.'
6058 The king
withdrew to Monperson, pursued by Generydes.
' Get between him and the 6064 town,' said Sygrem.
Generides dede after Sygrems councett,
And to blanchard his stede he saide,
' Blanchard,' quod he, ' thow dost me neuer fayle,
Nor vppon) the I was neuer ovtrayde.'
With these wordes thoughtfuH in A brayde
A nother way he rode, and in a while
he was be fore the kyng1 welle half a myle.
GENERYDES. 13
6065
6068
Generydes called upon his steed Blanchard,
and outstripped Gwynaii by half 6071 « mile.
194
GENEBYDES INTERCEPTS HIM.
He crossed , his path,
and told him he should go no further, except lie did battle for Clurionas.
[leaf 38]
At the first encounter both their speara broke,
And whanne the kyng1 perseivid that it was he, 6072
Adrede ho was, And litiH wold he say ;
And verily he thought not hym) for to Asse,
'Nor hym) to mete he thought no more y* day: CO 75
Generides thanne crossid hym) the way ;
' This way,' quod, he, ' thu shalt noo f either pas,
Or thu do armys for fayre Clarionas.1 G078
The kyngi sawe weH: he-mygfrt non) oyer way, 6079
Nor to the town) he myglit not ride in pece ;;
Anon) he dressid hym) in his array e,
And thanne he turnyd vnto Generides : 6082
Ther rnette thei bothe withoute the prese,
And shortly the processe for to make,
Atte first encountering1 bothe ther sperys brake. 6085
and they went to work with their swords.
The sparks flew from them,
With yer swerdes to geder thei went, 6086
And layde euerychone on) other strokes grete,
The fyre spaTkelid and fro the harneys glynt ;
Betwix them) twayne it was noo tyme to trote, 6089
AH maner love and frenshippe was forgete,
The kyng1 in his conseite he was stronge,
he thought noniaii) shuld fight with hym) so long1. 6092
and Generydes* shield was broken.
'Go now,' said the king.
Hee strake Generides vppon) the shelcP, 6093
It aH to brast in peces to and fro,
The handdeH it feH in to the feld,
A grace of god that he askapyd soo, 6096
That with that stroke his arme was not a twoo !
Thanne seid the kyng1, ' if thu wilt leve in rest,
Goo now thy way and hold it for the best.' 6099
Generydcs was wroth,
Generides wrothe was in his maner,
That he shuld byd hym) voyde owt of yc place,
Kemembryng1 whiche was to hym) soo dere,
6100
THEY FIGHT, AND GWYNAN SURRENDERS. 195
That fayre lady, that mayde Clarionas, C103
he thought to ease his hert as in this case,
And ther with aft, withoute more taryeng1,
Vppon) the helme he smote Gwynan the kyng1, 610G
and struck liim ou the helmet,
And the helme to brast that was good and strong,
A quarter of it fett vppon) the grene, cutting off a
7 quarter of it,
The swerde ranne down) and clave ye sheld along, ami cleaving
And.ij fyngers he smete1 of quyte and clene, 6110 and two of his
Thanne was he bare his visage myght be sene,
AH discomfeyte and all forbled Also,
That in noo wise he wist not what to do. 6113
Thanne spake the kyng1, and seid in yls maner, * what maner a man), be ye ? I prae yow say ; ffor I will fight with yow noo longer here, My swerd? and aH I yeld it vppe this daye ; What is your1 name 1 ' quod he, * I prae you say ' Trewly my name,' quod he, ' I will not layn), Generides men) calle me for certayn).'
6114 'Who are you?' said the king,
•I will fight no more.
6117 Here is my Bword.'
6120
' My name is Generydes.'
The kyng1 toke hym) his swerd, and seid ayeyn), 6121
' Though I have ben) Ayenst yow in this case, and said»
yet am I not blame worthy in certayn),
By yow only my fader slayn) was,
Butt now it is for gevyn) certayn) y* trespas,
And this I wold desire of yow also,
In to my land that I may savely goo.
AH this I wiH: ensure yow be myn) othe, ShaH I neuer the Sowdon) trobiH more, hym nor his land ; and for his ayris bothe, I wiH be sworne like as I seid before, ifor I saw neuer that day sithe I was bore2, Atte my futt age and was att mannys mygnt, That euer I medled with soo good a knyght.'3 1 MS. mete. 2 MS. born. 3 MS.
' I am not to blame,
6124 you slew my lather.
6127
Let me go to my land, and I will
6128 never trouble tho Sultan more.'
6131
6134
196
THE SULTAN S DREAM.
Generydes in jest asked, ' What say you now about • Clarionas ? '
' You have bought her full dear/ said the king ; ' she is yours.'
Generides in lapyng1 said agayn), 6135
* What sey ye now as for Clarionas 1 '
' Syr,' quod the kyng1, * with grete trobitt,
ffuH dere ye haue hir bought, this is ye case ; 6138
Now is she yourez by fortune and by grace,
And I am weH content that it be soo,
And as for my part now ther with I haue doo.' 6141
Peace was proclaimed,
and they rode together to Monperson.
After afl this whanne pece was made and AH, 6142
The kyng therof sent tydinges to his ost,
Thanne were thei glad his men in esspeciaH,
Among them) AH whiche of them) mygfrt be most,
The pece was cryed abought in euery cost,
The kyng* and he no longer ther abode,
To monpersone to geder thanne they rode. 6148
Theder were come the kynges men) before ; 6149
As sone as he hym) see he seide anon),
' Now serys,' qiiod he, * withoute eny more
I wold? that ye went homeward! euerychon) : 6152
The pece is made and aH the werre is gon).
Now hye yow fast, I canne noo ferder say,
And I shall come as sone as euer I may.' 6155
The suitan had Now speke we of the Sowdon) in this case, 6156
Gwynan and Whiche hard! no maner thing1 of Att yis pece,
Generydes fought, .,.,,. j j •,
And in this mater dremyd sore he was ; hym thought kyng1 Gwynan and Generides 6159
had fought hand to hand, yet neuer the lesse and that Gwynan Eight this hym) thought it happid atte last,
was thrown into
a river. That in A Eyuer Generides hym) cast. 6162
The kyng1 hym) thought for mercy yanne he prayde, Generides thanne toke hym) vppe to grace ; Whanne this was do, this dreme Aforeseid
THE LADY GIVES GENERYDES* -MESSAGE. 197
he told them) AH in to fayre Clarionas; 6166 Retells it to
Thanne was the lady present in the place, and then the
whiche with" Generides spake on) the way,
She had forgete hir erande for to say. 6169 Generydes
Furl vmbely of pardon) she hym) prayde, 6170 remembered the
1 To yow I haue offendid, ser,' quod she, strange knight.
' ffor Amessage the whiche I shuld haue seide ;
Ther is a knygftt come in to this contre, 6173
To yow he recomaundid hym) be me, [leaf 33, back]
his name he wold not telle me, ne what he night,
Of Surre he1 was born) the gentitt knygfct. 6176
Eight wele armed this knygftt is also, 6177
And gladly wold haue sene yow or he went,
Butt nedis he must owt of this contre goo.'
Thanne was Clarionas not well contente, 6180 Clarionas guessed
who it was.
nor wele she vnderstode in hir entent,
And euer in one she thought still opece,
That it shuld be hir love Generides. 6183
And for by cause she had hym) in mystrost, 6184
Allway she demyd the2 wold! hir quyte,
hym) to Absente awhile while that hym) list,
And so to putte his comyng1 in respite ; 6187
Thanne ferthermore, as my auctowr doth wete, Gwynan ami
The kyng* and Generides for ther disporte and play,
.,,-... ., iii-ij-i-T n two days or more,
Att Mounperson) to geder bothe thei lay, 6190
Att ther pleasure ij dayes or a KtiH more, 6191
And thanne to Mountoner he toke the way : *»ifi tl>en go to
.Mountoner,
Sygrem was made the messenger before, sending sygrem
_ , before to say i hat
Onward to goo as fast as euer he may 6194 the war was
To the Sowdon), commaundyng1 them) to say : " The warre is att anende, and all is pece Betwix kyng1 Gwynan and Generides, 6197
1 MS. of he, but of is struck out. a So MS. for that he 1
198
SYGREM BRINGS- THE SULTAN NEWS OF THE VICTORY.
Sygrem delivers his message,
and the Snltan goes and tella Clarionas.
Neuer to vex tlie Sowdon) and his land, 6198
With grete suerte.in euery maner thyng1.'
Now hath Sygrem this message take in hand,
To the Sowdon) the tidyngges doth he bryng1 ; 6201
Thanne was he glad, as eny man leving1,
hym) self he gotfi. onto Clarionas,
And told hir aft these tidyngges hough it was ; 6204
And hough the kyng1 and he shuld mete Also, 6205
In the forest appoyntid betwix them) twayn) :
' Butt trow ye, ser1, that it be now soo ? '
'yae, dought ye not,' quod he, 'it is certayn) ; 6208
Sygrem is come which is boihe trew and playn),
ffro thense he come, he knowith aH in fere,
he shaft teH yow the trougth of this mater.'- 6211
She asks ' Where is Generydes ? ' ' At Mo»person,' said Sygrem.
Now goth Sygrem as fast as euer he may 6212
To hir chaunber, and told? hir this processe ;
' The warre is done/ quod she, ' this here I say ; '
' Madame,' he seid, 'for certayn) aft is pece ; 6215
' Butt now,' quod she, ' where is Generides 1 '
'ffor sothe,' he seide, ' I left hym) with ye kyng1,
To Mounperson) he is withoute feyneng1.' 6218
•And is he not coming here ? '
' No, madam, he is going back again to India as fust as he can.'
' Butt will he not come heder now 1 ' quod she ; ' Madame,' quod he, ' of that I canne not say, fFor atte this tyme I trow it witt not be ; his purpose is to ryde another waye, fFourth in to ynd as fast as euer he may, ffor to his ost he must take hede among1, his people after hym) think fuft long1.'
From hir he went withoute wordes moo, To the Sowdon) furth he goth his way ; ' My lord,' quod he, ' it is good tyme to goo, 1 MS. tero.
6219
6222
6225
6226
THE SULTAN RIDES TO MEET GENERYDES.
19Q
ffor ye wiH: mete with" hym) I dare weH say.' 6229
Now gotfi. the Sowdon) furth in good array,
With" lordes and with" knyghtes many on),
Toward the forest rode thei euerychone. 6232
In this meane while abode Clarionas In hir chaunber, noo thyng1 in hartes ease, Gretly musyng1 and in fuH hevy case, Whanne she be thought hir on) Generides ; And Alway she remembryd stiH: opece, hough" she had mystrostid hym) before, Supposyng1 well he1 wold se hir nomore.
To MirabeH thanne told! she aH hir hart,
In euery thing1 as it felle in hir mynde ;
' Madame,' quod she, ' for eny wo or smerte
That Quer he had, I wist hym) neuer on kynde, 6243
So vncurtese ye shaft hym) neuer fynde •
And ferthermore I warantt yow/ quod she,
* Or it be long1 here with yow wift he be.'
To the forest the Sowdon) doth ride,
And first of aH he mette Generides,
Thanne came the kyng1 along1 by ye forestes side,
And whanne that thei were mett in aH: ye prese, 6250
And made betwix them) bothe a fyniaH pece,
And with" a suraunce sworn) in broderhode,
Togeder bothe in grete frendshippe thei rode. 6253
Thanne they departid bothe the kyng1 and he, 6254 In aH maters to ben) of on) assentt ; The kyng1 gothe homeward in to his centre, The Sowdon) straight to Mountoner he went ; 6257 Generides ther was with hym) present, And prayeth" hym) of licence for to goo, The Sowdon) mervelid why he shuld do so. 6260
1 MS. I,
The Sultan and his lords ride fortli to the forest to meet him.
6233 Meanwhile
Clarionas was ill at ease in her chamber.
6236
6239
6240
Mirabell consoles her,
saying, that Generydes will 6246 soon be here.
6247 The Sultan met Generydes and the King in the forest,
and peace wae made.
The King goes home,
nnd Generydcs asks leave to depart.
200
GENERYDES COMES TO MOUNTONER SECRETLY.
•Will you not come and see Clarionas ? '
1 WyH1 ye not come and see Clarionas]'
* Noo trewly, ser,' he seid, ' that may not be ;
I must praye yow of pardon) in this case,
•NO, sir, i must ffor in to ynd now must I goo,' quod hee :
go back to India.' , .
Another tyme I purpose hir to see ; [leaf 34] And in certayn), herof ye may be sure, I love hir best of eny creature.'
6261
6264
6267
Tro the Sowdon) Generides is gon), He then sends his And to his men) he seid this for certayn);
' To Mounpe?-son) I wiH that ye goo euerychon),
6268
and he and Sygrem go secretly to Montoner,
And ther to Abide in to the tyme I come Ayeyn) ; 6271
Sygrem and I, this is the mater playn),
To Mowntoner we wiH goo sekyrly,
In secrete wise noman) but he and I.' 6274
and at night he stands in the garden, near her chamber,
Now is Sygrem gon) with" Generides, 6275
To Mountoner he take the way fuli right,
Savyng1 thei twoo ther was non) other preese,
Theder thei came be thanne2 it was nyght; 6278
Generides whanne it was sterre light,
hym) self auori) gothe vnto Clarionas,
Thorough owt the gardeyn) wher hir chaunber was. 6281
and hears a woman's voice complaining.
Whanne he came ther he hard a womannes voyce, 6282
In pytues wise complayneng1 more and more,
Save only detfi. ther was nori) other choyse,
She had so meche hevynes in store, 6285
vnkyndnes had greuyd hir so sore,
That Generides was in the countre her*,
Butt see hir wold he not in noo maner1. 6288
He knew it was Clarionas,
And whanne Generides had hard hir speke, Thanne wist he wele it was fayre Clarionas, ffor very payn) hym) thought his hert wold breke, 1 MS. Uyll. 2 MS. le twanne.
6289
HIS INTERVIEW WITH CLARIONAS.
201
And in hym) self discomfeyte sore he was, 6292
Speke myght he not as for a certeyn) space, Butt down) he feft and ther withaft he cryed ; Myrabeft hym) hard and sone hym) had Aspyde.
* Myrabeft,' she seid, ' what may this be 1
Whanne I hym) hard merveft it was.'
' In hevy plight my lady is/ qwod she.
' Whom speke ye to ? ' thanne seid Clarionas : 6299
' Madame/ quod she, ' in sothe this is the case,
Now shaft ye fynde me trew in my sendee,
here atte wyndow is generides.' 6302
and for very pain
hefell aery.
6296 Mirabell heard him, and said,
'Here is
Generydes at the window."
6303 At these words
Clarionas came to the window,
Thanne witfi thoo wordes arose Clarionas,
And to the wyndow came she aft dismayde ;
Generides fuft redely ther he was,
Ther was kyssyng1 butt noo wordes were seid ;
Eche of oyer wer1 fuft weft apayd! :
Anone thei putt Aft hevynes away,
And thanne Clarionas beganne to saye :
' Generides, why are ye so vnkynd, In this contre so long1 As ye haue be ? Me thought I was fuft litift in jour mynde, And aft be cause ye wold not come to me.' Thanne seid Generides, ' Madame,' quod he, ' I yow beseche of pardon) in this case, In very trougfrt a litift thyng1 ther was.
Ye wend that I had be weddid in certayn) To lucidas, whiche grevid me fuft soore ; To yow alway I haue be trew and playn), l!Now haue I lete yow wete why and wherfore, 6320 And yet I am mystrostid euermore, In easyng1 of myn) hert I haue don) this, ffor now is aft for geven) that is amys. 6323 But ail is forgiven.
1 This and the following line should be transposed.
6306 and then there was kissing, but not a word said.
6309 Then Clarionas began,
6310 'Gonerydes.why are you so unkind ? '
6313
6316
6317 you thought
I was married to Lucidas.
I have always been true to you,
and yet you mistrust me.
'202 GENERYDES RETURNS TO MONPERSON, AND SETS OFF FOR INDIA.
YOU must give mo Off vow I must haue licence for to go 6324
leave to go back
to India. ffurtfc in to ynd, and therof haue I nede ;
My felisshepe they wote not who to do, The treson of ser Amelok I drede : 6327
In aH: the hast homeward I will me spede, The sooner i go ffor euer the sonner that I goo certeyri), be back.1 Meche the sonner thanne I wiH come ayeynl' 6330
Quoth she, Qwod she ayeyn), 'my reson) doth me bynde, 6331
And as ferre furth as I canne vnderstonde, I canne wele think your* goyng1 in to ynd Shalbe wurchippe and profight to your1 land, 6334 Your* pepiH glad to wete yow so nygfi. hande :
« i must not wherfore,' quod she, 'if I me well aviso,
I may nott be ayenst it in noo wise.' 6337
That night, in all That nyght they were to geder as I rede, 6338
innocence, they
were together !N"or sownyng1 to [no] villany ne shame,
in great pleasure. . .
In grete pleasure and in att goodlyhede ;
She made hym) chere and he dede hir ye same, 6341
In feithfuft wise withoute spotte or blame,
Anone with aH withoute spotte or eviH fame bothe ; l
Whanne it was day, though thei were neuer so loth.
To Mounperson) ridetn Generides, 6345
Sygrem ride to
Monperaou to his In company with hym) Sygrem is gori), his men) were ther abideng1 stiH opece, like as he had cowmaundid hym) before icheon), 6348
and so away to Thei made no taryeng1 but furth anon),
With hors and harnes in ther best Array,
Streight in to ynde thei toke the [redy] way. 6351
The people were Whanne he was come ther as the pepiH lay, 6352
glad of hia return. . „ ..,
Thanne were thei loyfim eue?-y creature ; Ser amelok fuH bolcJ he was that daye, 1 This line is corrupted by the copyist from the preceding.
HE FIGHTS WITH SIR AMELOK AND DISABLES HIM. 203
fFor vnder a trete at AH aventure 6353
Of ser DareH he thought he had be sure : Butt of his werkyng1 ser Dareft knew it wett, And so he brake his purpose euery dele. 6358
Generides rode straight into the f eld! 6359 Generydcs rode
With his knyghtes, -for noo thyng wold he lette, his stede was blak, his spere and eke his sheldl, Anone with aH with Sampson) ther he mett j 6362 Generides fuH fresshely on) hym) he sett, and runs
Owt Atte bak he bare hym) quyte and clene, Sampsone felle down) and dyed vppon) the grene. 6365
Thanne came ser Amelok into the prese, 6366 up came sir
Amclok to avenge
And thought he wold? a be avengyd for his sake, Mm,
Vppon) the hede he smote Generides, aml struck
Generydes on the
A quarter of his helme ther with he brake : 6369 head,
cutting off a
Generides ther with to hym) he spak, quarter of his
helmet
'Thu wend,' quod he, 'that I had lakkid sight,
ffor now I may se better thanne I myghV 6372
And ther witfi. aH he smote ser Amelok 6373 in return
Generydes cleaves
Vppon) the hede, and brast [his] helme in twayn) ; - his helmet, Downe by the cheke his ere away he strake, and c«ts ofrlli9
ear and arm,
Aft quyte and clene it felle vppon) the playn) ; 6376
And with that stroke, I say yow the certayn),
his Anne was smette fro the body clene,
So from) his hors he felle vppon) the grene. 6379 so that ho fell.
Thanne was ser Amelok fuH woo begon), 6380
AH ouer come for angwissfi. and payn) ;
his men) were ther and reskewyd hym) Anon), His men rescued
him, and took
Vppon) his sheld thei brought hym) home ayeyn), 6383 him home.
Att for wondid and sore in euery vayne :
Thanne seid he this, complayneng1 passing1 sore,
'I hauo deseruyd this though it. were more.' 6386
204
SIR AMELOK'S REPENTANCE.
Sir Darell knew not of Generydes,
Syr DareH wist not of Generides,
B[utt] Alway deinyd that l it shuld be he ;
To Sygrem thaune he came in to the prese,
and asked sygrem < Sygrem,' seid he, ' tett me the very sertente,
who the knight
was on the black What knygfit is that that I may yender see 1 his stede is blak ; good Sygrem, teft me this, I canne weH think Generides it is.'
6387
6390
6393
it is as ye-haue rede, 6394
Generides it is withoute fayle ; he come butt late and right weH hath he spedd, Wherby his honour gretly doth" prevayle, 6397
ffor he hath" wonne kyng1 Gwynau in bateH ; The corde is made, the rnortuatt werre is sese, Betwix hym) and the Sowdon) AH is pece.' 6400
Sir Amelok, on his bed, repented of the time past,
and sent for Serenydes,
Now litfi ser Amelok vppon) his bed ; 6401
Of tyme past fuH sore he doth repente,
Wery and feynt, his wondys AH for bled,
A basshed passyng1 sore in his entent, 6404
And for Serenydes anon) he sent,
Whiche in hir mende fuH gretly was dismayde ;
Whanne she was come right thus to hir he seid : 6407
'Madame,' quod, he, 'ye vnderstonde fuH weft, 6408 Sithe I beganne to love yow first of Att, I haue my hert, my seruice, euery dele, To yow allonly in especiaH ; 2 6411
and told iter they And now reasone constreyneth me to caH
had both done
wrong. Ynto my mend and to my remembraunce this,
Bothe ye and I haue done ferre Amys. 64] 4
' I made you leave my lord Auferiua
Ye were the wyff of auferius the kyng1, Whiche was my very lord and souereyn), And trayturly first Atte begynneng'
1 MS. that that. » MS. especially.
6415
HE SENDS FOB SIR DARELL.
205
I made yow to forsake hym) in sertayn), And thanne vnder a false compassion) trayn), The lande anon) and I were atte accorde, To be rebeft ayenst our1 soueryn) lord.
I take noo hede of aH this werk before, Wherfore I am in bytter paynes strong1 ; And thougli that I shuld suffer1 meche more, In very trouth I thinke it were noo wrong1, As for my dayes thei witt not now be long1, And fayne I wold? my consciens were clere, Wherfore anon) do calle a messenger,
And to ser Darett chargid hym) to goo,
Besechyng hym) that he wiH speke with me ;
After his counceH gladly wold I doo,
To pray the kyng1 of grace and it wold be,
On me to shew his mercy and pitee.'
A Carefull woman) was Serenydes,
And euer wept that no man) cowde hir sese.
To lucydas she seid in this maner, ' Doughter,' quod she, ' this is now myn) entent ; Your* fader wold, as towchyng1 this mater, That to ser DareH a messenger were sent ; It were weH done that Sygrem theder went, And to your* fader prae hym) for to come, In aH the hast, loo this is aH and som).'
Now on) this message Sygrem furth [is] went, To2 ser DareH and this to hym) he seid ; * The mayde lucidas now heder me sent, And hir commaundement I haue obeyde ; ffor hir fader now good hath so purveyde, A febyH man) he is, I yow eilsure, And in this liff he may not long1 endure.
1 MS. gutter. 2 MS. And to.
6418
and the land to rebel.
6421
6422
6425
6428
6429 Send now
to Sir Darell
6432 to pray the king of grace.'
6435
Serenydes was sad, and wept.
6436 To Lucidas she said, ' Daughter,
6439 send Sygrem to Darell,
and pray him to come to your 6442 father.'
6443 Sygrem goes on his message to Sir Darell,
6446
6449
206 SIR DARELL HAS LEAVE TO GO FROM GENERYDES.
This is the effecte of my massage, 6456
That ye wiH doo so mekiH as take ye payn), To come so ferre hir fader for to se, The whiche gretly shuld counfort hym) certayii) ; G453 [ieaf35j To speke with yow truly he wold be fayn), That wote I wele, and she wold pwrvey so, That ye shaH savely come and savely goo.' G456
Off these tidynges was he weH contente, 6457
And part also as for his hartes ease ; Yet he remembryd hym) or euer he went, who asks leave of he wold haue licence of Generides, G4GO
CJcnerydes
ffor in noo wise he wold not hym) displease ;
And her vppon) he made noo lenger space,
To hym) he gotn and told hym) aH the case 6463
Off ser Amelok and of his repentaunce : 64G4
Generides answerd, and this he seid ;
' If I may fynde his wordes of substaunce,
In very trougtfr I wiH be weH apayde.' 64G7
* ffor my comyng1 his doughter hath so pwveyde,
Ser,' quod DareH, * and that in suche wise
I shaH goo save and come o warantise. 6470
And to be playn) to yow in euery wise, G471
This is the cause that he hath sent for me ; telling him of his I owe his doughter trewly my seruice,
love for Lucidas. ni , •,»- i 11 n »t~r t
So ye were well content ther witn,' qtioa he ; G474
'Ellys wili I not goo in very certente.'1
Off his wordis Generides was fuH fayn),
And smyling1 softely answerd thus ageyii) : 6477
'DareH,' quod he, 'I know this very sure, 6478
She is not long1 owt of your1 remembraunce, Ye love hir best of eny creature ;
1 MS. certentente.
SIR AMELOK GIVES LUCIDAS TO SIR DARELL.
Wlierin, god woote, I take noo displesaunce, G481 ffor AH that may be for your foryeraunce, I am contente to helpe yow to the same ; "Wherefore/ quod he, 'goth on) in goddis name.' 6484
207
'Goon, in God's name,' said Generydes.
To the CasteH ser DareH now is gon), 6485
Whanne he was come first atte begynneng1,
his doughter lucidas mette hym) Anon),
And thankfully she gave hym) his welecomyng1, G488
Thanne furtfi with aU withoute eny more taryeng1,
She brought hym) to hir fader ther he lay,
Seke and febyH, fuH nye his endyng1 day. 6491
Darell came to the castle, where Lucidas met him,
and brought him to her father.
Syr amelok was glad of his comyng1; 6492
' Ser DareH, I prae yow, bere me witnesse,
This I desire above aH other thyng1,
ffor to haue my pardon) of Generides : 6495
I haue affendid sore, yet neuer the lesse
Of Aft thynges that is past what euer it be,
Besechyng1 hym) now of mercy and pite ; 6498
Amelok begged him to pray Generydes to make his peace with Aui'erius.
And of his fader auferius the kyng1, 6499
If it wold be, fayne I wold haue his grace ;
ffor more vntrew ther was neuer non) levyng1,
Thanne I haue ben) to hym) as in this case : 6502
My life woH now endure butt short space,
.BesechyngH yow to prae Generides,
That he wold with his fader to make my pece. 6505
And for to do your1 dever in this case, 6506
Remembryng1 this mater Query dele,
here is,' quod, he, ' my doughter lucidas,
The whiche, if I may vnderstonde and fele,
That ye with hert and thought y* ye love hir wele
She shaft be youres, lo this shalbe your1 wage,
And aH my land with hir in mariagc.
' Here is my daughter Lucidas, 6509 whom you love:
I will give her (o /.r-ift you, and ull my 6512 laud.
208
AMELOK BEGS GENERYDES TO VISIT HIM.
6513
Pray also that And also, DaieH, as for Serenydes,
Serenydes may be
forgiven.' Tins I beseche yow hartely, quoa he,
* That ye speke with hir that she may haue hir pece, And so to leve in rest and it wilbe : 6516 And pray Generides to speke with me,
So wold god that he were here present,
loo her is aft the effecte of myn) entente.' 6519
To lucidas he seid in this maner; 6520
* Doughter,' qwod he, ' here is a nobiH knyght, his aunccetours were men) of grete powre ;
And of princes he is descendid fuH right, 6523
Ye shaH be his, this I haue hym) be hight,
In marriage, this is the mater playn),
And of my land I say yow for certeyn). 6526
And be ye so agreyd ther to, 6527
And as ye think now tett me your1 avise.' Lucidas agrees. ' Syr,' quod she, ' as it plese yow to do,
I am contente ther with in euery wise, 6530
like as ye will appoynte it and devise ;
In eueyy thing* to folow your1 entent,
I am hooly atte your* commaundment.' 6533
Daren goes back Thanne ser DareH departid home ayeyn),
to Generydes,
Vnto Generides the redy way,
And ther he told hym) aH to geder playn)
Of ser Amelok, and in what plight he lay ;
' And this,' q?^od he, ' he prayde me to say,
In vmbitt wise, desireng1 tenderly
That ye wold' come and see hym) or he dye.
6534
6537
6540
and at length "Wyth long1 prayow?* he brought hym) atte last
prevails upon .him
to visit vnto ser Amelok ther as he lay,
Sir Amelok. _ ...
He was in great In grete distresse musyng1 of tymes past, - .
distress,
6541
HE ENTREATS HIS FORGIVENESS. 209
And to Generides this ganne he say, 6544 [leaf 35, back] like as a man) had ben) half in affray ; Srcy! mercy,
' Mercy,' qwod he, < mercy, gentiH Generides, feT™ £
Graunt me that I with" yow may haue my pece, 6547 withyou
And with" your5 fader auferius the kyng1, 6548 and with Auferius,
ffor hym) I haue offendid specially, whom i have
_ specially offended.
To non) so moche a creature levyng1,
This land I hym) be raft Ml traytourly ; 6551
To god and hym) I yeld me now gilty, i yield myself to
God and him.
Pray hym) of grace and ellys, I wote certayn),
My sowle shatt lye in ever lastyng1 payn). 6554
And o thyng1 1 wold, this is the case, 6555
Ye myght haue knowlage or [I] feryer goo,
DareH shatt haue my doughter lucidas Dareii shall
marry Lucidas.
In manage, and all my land also, 6o58
Besechyng1 yow to be good lord therto, Be good lord to
And shewe your* grace onto Serenydes, That sne may prae for yow and leve in pece. 6561
And ferthermore, now I remember me, 6562 and forgive me
for smiting you
how I smote yow witfe villany and shame, in the court.'
Withynne the courte that euery man) mygRt see,
Nought remembryng1 the wurchippe of your1 name, 6565
And therfore on) that side I am lame,
ffuH vmbely besechyng1 your1 goodnes,
That of aH this I may haue forge venes.' 6568
Witfi that he fett in swouiiyng* for very payn), 6569
Wherof Generides had grete pitye,
And whanne he sawe he1 was awake ayeyn) ;
' Ser Amelok,' he seid, ' now as for me, 6572 'AH that is past,
AH that is past shall clene forgevyn) be,
And with" my fader I shatt make your* pece, and i win make
your peace with
ffor yow and also for Serenydes. 6575 my father.
1 MS. hym. lie. GENERYDES. 14
210
DESPAIR OF SERENYDES, AND DEATH OF AMELOK.
But before you
die, forgive me.
•That may soon
be done,' said
have done me no
wrong.'
Serenydes tears her iiair,
And or ye dye this I desire also,1 6576
That ye for geve me or I ferther passe.'
' Trewly,' quod he, ' ser, that may sone be doo,
As for to me ye haue do noo trespace ; 6579
And [as] ferfurtfr as god wiH geve me grace,
With all the world, with highe and low degree,
I shaft departe witfr loue and charite.' 6582
A CarefuH woman) was Serenydes ; 6583
She rent hire here, a petuose thing to see,2 and with a naked And witfi a nakyd swerd came to Generides,
sword comes to ITI» IT /» K o /»
Generates and * I yow requere for goddis loue, quod she, bobb
begs him to slay ., . . , . -. i • i j i>
he7. ' haue here this swerd, and make an ende ot me
Now or ye goo, and bryng* me owt of payn), ffor I haue well deseruyd it for certaynV 6589
•God forbid, * i)o away, Madame,' quod he, 'god defende;' 6590
madam," he said,
Ther witR he toke hir in his armys twayne, ' Att that is amys,' quod he, « may be amend, And so ye must comfort your* self ayeyn), •i have promised ffor this I haue promysed for certayri),
to make peace for
you.' Vnto my lord and fader for to goo,
To make the pec,e for yow and hym) Also,'
Sir Amelok died within a day or two,
Generides departid furtfc his way, -
Ser amelok lay in angwissB. and in payn),
Sighyng1 full oft vppon) his bed he laye,
And shortly to say yow the certayn),
he dyed anon) withynne a day or twayne,
Thanne who was hevy butt Serenydes,
ffor more and more hjr sorow ded increase.
And ouer wharte his body ther [s]he lay, AH in swoune, grete pite to be hold, And in noo wise she wold not thens away,
1 MS. desire of yow also. 2 MS. rent hire a petuose thing to here
6593
6596 6597
6600
6603 GG04
SERENYDES DIES. AUFERIUS FALLS SICK. 211
Moche sorow was made of yong1 and old : 1 6607 and in an hour
With that hir face wex aH to geder cold,
helpe was ther non), reskewe ne socoui3,
Bothe he and she were dede withynne An owre.j 6610
A woofuH creature was fayre lucydas, 6611 Fair Lucidas was
To se the maner of ther departeng1,
And bothe to geder in a fuH litiH space ;
So aH the day alone she sate wepyng1, 9614 and sat an day
She had noo comfort of erthely 1 thyng1, thinking Tf
Save euer more was ser DareH in hir mynde,
he was to hir so curtes and soo kynd. 6617
Generides sent furth a messenger, 6618 Generydes
To telle the kyng1 his fader tideng1,
hough ser Amelok hath yeld vppe AH in fere
The Berne of ynd, and knowith hym) for his kyng1, 6621
With petuese wordes gretly repentyng1,
And of aH his offence and trespace,
ffuH vmbly besechyng1 yow of grace. 6624
Off these tidengys the kyng1 was weH apayd, 6625 The king was
And toward Surre dressid hym) to ride, and prepared to
Thanne to the messenger right2 yuws he seid ',
'Sey to my sonne that he here abide, 6628 leaving Generydes
And sette the lande in rewle on) euery side,
hole to be and vnder his obeysaunce, [leaf 36]
And take it as his owen) inheritaunce.' 6631
Kyng1 auferius feH seke anon) vppon), 6632 Anon after he fell
sick,
Yet not withstondyng so as it myght be,
With hym) he tooke his knyghtes euerychon),
The straight way toward surre rideth he, 6635 but went back to
And whanne that he was come in to y* cuntre,
Tydvnges he hard whiche errevid hym) right sore, where he found
J J ' queen Sereyne
The quene Sereyne was dede a day before. 6638 had died the day
1 MS. etJierly. a MS. this right, the former word being marked for erasure.
112
DEATH OF AUFERIUS. GENERYDES IS KING OF INDIA.
He went where she lay, and swooned twice,
and within two days died,
Grete hevynes tlier was for hir deceas, 6G39
The kyng1 went to the place ther she laye,
And twyes he swouned among1 the prece,
ffuH sory were his men to se that day, 6642
Be one assent thei had hym) thens awaye,
And furth" with" aH in to his chaunber yei hym) brought,
AH disfortles he was and full of thought. 6645
And alway still he febelid passyng1 sore, 6646
So what with thought and feyntid with sekenes, Withynne ij dayes he dyed or lititt more ; . Thanne was the lande in grete hevynes, 6649
To think vppon) so noble a princez That dyed be fore, and ther kyng1 Also, So woo thei were thei wist not what to do. 6652
and they were both buried.
For hym) and hir was made grete ordena?mce, 6653
Prelettes, prestis, syngeng1 ther sendee,
And grete lordes doth ther obsemaunce,
ladys also in fuH lamentabiH wise, 6656
Euerychon) of them) in blak as is ther gise ;
Now late ys leue them) in rest and pece,
And speke wee ferther of Generides, 6659
Generydes, in India, set the land in order,
Whiche is in ynd, and doth grete diligence 6660
Thorough owt the land to sette good ordencmnce,
In ponyssheng1 of them) that doo amys,
Suche as be good of witte and gouernaunce, 6663
Them) to charisshe and putte to fortheraunce,
AH this remembert he both day And nyght,
And for to see that euery man) haue right. 6666
and was crowned
So wele he dede in euery maner thing1, The land of hym) were passing1 weH content, AS rightwise ayre thei toke hym) for jer kyng
6667
DEATH OF SIR DARELL's FATHER. 213
And Crownyd hym) be aH the hooH assent ; 6670
Thus were thei Aft att his coramaundment,
he was soo good soo curtese and soo fre,
he had the loue of all the hoole contre. 6673
The same forster that came on to [the] kyng1, 6674 The faithful
And told? of AH the treson) that was do, rewarded with
he lost his office ther and his levyng1,
And with quene Sereyne he went Also ; 6677
Ther for his trowth withoute wordes moo. and restored to
his office.
A C po wnde of fee he had ther fore,
With his office like as he had before. 6680
Owt of Cesare thanne cam) barons iij, 6681 Three barons of
Csesarea bring
And in ther lurnay thei rode passing1 fast, tidings to Daren
To teH ser DareH the very certente,
hough his fader owt of his life1 is past > 6684* of his father's
death.
Desireng1 hym) to come in aH the hast,
And by the Assent of AH his baronage,
Of that contre to cleyme his eritage. 6687
Whanne thei had told ther message hole and playn),
Ye may weH wete ser DareH was not glad ;
Vnto Generides he went certayn), He asks leave of
Generydes to go
And told hym) of the tidynges that he had, 6691 home,
Besechyng* hym), with countenaunce right sadde,
Of licence in Cesare for to goo ;
Generides consentid weH ther too. 6694
And whanne his leve of hym) thus takyn) was, 6695
if or AH the payn he sufferyd and the smert,
Ye shaH weH knowe the fayre mayde lucidas and sorrowfully
parted with
Right endly was inprentid in his hert; 6698
Vnto hir chaunber sone he made a stert, And curtesly of hir his leve he toke, Witfi kysseng1 fele as witnes[eth] the book. 6701
1 MS. list.
214 DARELL MARRIES LUCIDAS.
In to Casare now ser DareH is goon), C702
The countre hole was glad of his comyng<, He was made king And for ther prince thei toke hym) euerychon),
And gave hym) ther trout n withoute feyneng1, 6705
he was soo good to them) in Query thing1,
Shewyng1 them) favour1 and grete gentilnes,
he had the hartes hoole of more and lesse. 6708
Whanne ne had sett the rule and gouernaunce, 6709 Thorough owt the land to mayteyn) rest and pese, And made his officers to his plesaunce Suche as hym) thought his honour wold encrease, 6712
and then went Thanne ageyn) he went onto Generides,
Generydes, And in his Ittriiay fidetfi he fuH fast,
ffurtft in to ynd in ati the possibiH hast. 6715
Now is the prince of Cesare come ay en), 6716
Vnto the kyng1 of ynde Generides, Lieaf 36, back] The whiche in sothe of his comyn),
ffor he abode his comyng1 stiH opece ; 6719
and without delay And for to teUe yow shortly the processe,
was wedded to
Lucidas. Withoute delay or lenger space,
The prince was Wedotid onto lucidas. 6722
And whanne the fest was att to geder do,1 6723
ffor tender love and speciaH remembraunce, Witn hym) and here he gave the lande also, Whiche was hir faders old? inheritaunce ; 6726
He is made The prince also, his honowr to avaunce,
governor of India .
in the absence of he gave hym) futr powre signyd witn his hancle,
Generydes, 111-1 i f*r-i(\
til his absence to gouerne ail his lande. 6729
who goes to Syria, Xow goth Generides, the kyng1 of ynde, 6730
Toward Surre withoute more delay ; And in the story leke as I do fynde, 1 MS. done.
GENERYDES HEARS OP THE DEATH OF HIS* FATHER AND MOTHER. 215
Too Counstables ther mette hym) be the way, 6733 nnd is met by two
One of them) twayne, the very troutfi to say,
Of ati Surre cheff gouernour he was,
The toder kept the Citee of Damas. 6736
Aft sad thei were, and made fuli hevy chere, 6737 whotoid him
Generides had merveH' what it ment ;
To his presence he bad thei shuld come nere,
That he mygfit knowe the effecte of jer entente, 6740
And vppon) that A straight coramaundment,
Gevyng1 them) charge to tett hym) ali the case,
Trewly and playn) what maner a thyng1 it was. 6743
9
FuH lothe thei were to teH the certente, 6744
ffor hevy tidinges came to sone Alway,
Butte whanne thei sawe it mygh't non ojer be,
To hym) thei spake, ' ser, please it vow.' quod thei, 6747 of the death of
his father and
1 To take it in pacient that we shall saye, mother.
The kyng< your* fader dede is for certeyn,
And your* moder also the quene Sereyne ; 6750
Bothe he and she, withynne iij dayes of space : 6751
It is grete hurt to the land were it goddes wiH.'
Arid whanne Generides wist hough" it was, He MI from im
Down) from) his hors in swounyng* ther he feH, 6754
To tyme he was awake ther lay he stiH ;
Thanne euery man) dede grete diligence and payn),
And vppon) his hors thei sette hym) Ageyn). 6757
They brought hym) to the Cite of Damas 6758 and was carried
to Damascus,
And passing1 seke in his pales he laye, where he lay sick.
AH pale and wanne, owt of likeng* he was,
his fressh colour1 it fatid al away, 6761
And thanne to Natanett this ganne he sey,
' Goo now, I prae yow hartely,' quod he, He sent for
4 And sey to Segrem that he come to me.' 6764
216 GENERYDES LIES SICK AT DAMASCUS.
Wlianne lie was come thanne seid Generides, G765 and gave him a ' Sygrem/ quod he, ' I haue sent for vow here ;
ring to take to
ciarionas, God wote I am iioo thing1 in hartes ease,
And very seke ye se, and in what maner; G768
Goo to Ciarionas myn) owen) lady dere,
haue here this ryng1, bere it here for me,
I am aferde I shaft hir neuer see. 6771
TeH ye hir soo in very certente, 6772
Me recomaundyng1 in fuH humble wise, beseeching her to Besechyng1 hir that she wiH pray for me,
pray for him.
I aske no more for all my trew seruice ; 6775
Ser,' quod. Sygrem, 'right as ye wiH devise, What I shall do or say for your* entent, I am redy att your* owne co??nnaundment.' 6778
sygrem goes into Now gotfi. Sygrem withoute wordes moo, 6779
ffurtfi. in to Perce he riditfi. on) a pace,
To Mountoner Citee now is he goo,
On) his massage As he commaundid was, 6782
and teiis ciarionas go Streigfrt he gotfi. on to Ciarionas,
And ther he told? hir aH the circumstaunce
Of his sekenes with hevy countenaunce. 6785
And whanne Sygrem had aH to geder seide, 6786
she swoons, Anon) she feH in swounyng1 for very payn with aH,
Where witn" MirabeH gretly was dismayde,
and Mirabeii « Madame/ quod, she, ' what thing* that euer faH ] ' 6789 And on) hir lady fast beganne to catt, * hurt not your1 self, I prae yow, in this case ; ' With" thoo wordes a woke Ciarionas. 6792
'AH way your' comfort is fuH good,' q?/od she, 6793 ' Butt in this case I wote not what to sey.' ' Madame/ qno<l she, ' wott ye do After me 1 '
CLARIONAS COMES IN DISGUISE TO CURE HIM.
217
' Gladly,' she seide, (aR that I canne or may.' 6796
* Be my counceH thanne shall ye take your* way
To Surre warde,' quod, she, * be myn) Avyse,
In pore clothing1 and in fuH secrete wise. 6799
And haue witfi. yow Gwynot jour chaunberleyn), 6800
And one to kepe your* hors it shall suffice,
Take vppon) yow the labour and the payn),
And ye shaft make hym) hoole o warantice.' 6803
' I will/ quod, she, ' do like as ye haue device,
And certenly, withoute eny wordes moo,
To morow erly forward will we goo.'
to go to Syria secretly.
Fro Mountoner gothe Clarionas, Witfr hir rode Sygrem to hir gide, ffutt secretly as she appoynted was, That noman) of the Cite hir aspide ; ffurtfr on ther way to surreward thei hied, And in aH: goodly hast as it myght be, ffuH sone thei came to Damas the Citee.
Sygrem from hir departid furtfi. with aH,
Streigfct to the Castett gothe Clarionas,
Vppon) the porter she beganne to calle^
And he ayenward askid what1 she was :
' ffor certeyn), ser,' quod, she, ' this is the case,
The kyng1 is seke, it is infowrmyd me,
I trost to god to make hym) hole,' quod she.
' In strenthe or erbys that ben profeitable, In them I knowe the vertu that is sure, In euery kynd whiche is most comfortabiH, And accordeng1 to euery creature, And often tyme I haue putte it in vre ; Wherefore, I prae yow, do my eraunde,2 That I may see the kyng1 now or I goo.'
She agrees,
6806
6807 and goes from Mountoner with
[leaf 37] Sygrem,
6810
6813
6814
6817
6820
6821
6824
6827
till they come to Damascus.
Clarionas goes straight to the castle,
and tells the
porter
she is come to
cure the king.
1 MS. was.
2 So MS. ? my eraunde to do.
218 SHE IS BROUGHT IN TO GENEBYDES.
1 Damesett,' quod he, * your5 erande shaft be do x ; ' 6828 The porter brings With that the porter goth vnto the place,
And spake with Natanett a worde or twoo, who does not And brought hym) forth" onto Clarionas, 6831
recognize her.
V nknowen to them bothe what that she was ; > wi.at is your 'Ye are right welcom), suster myn),' quod he,
will ? ' said he.
'What is your* will? I prae yow telle it me.' 6834
woman
am a poor ' Trowly,' quod she, 'I am a pore woman), 6835
The kyng1 is seke, whom) gretly I complayne ; and wish to make And I wold Shewe suche connyng1 As I canne,
the king whole.'
Trosting1 to god to make hym hoole ayeyn).' 6838
He saw the ring Thanne he beheld? hir ferthermore certayn),
on her finger,
but still did not A ryng1 he knew whiehe on) hir fynger was,
Yet wist he not that it was Clarionas. 6841
and went straight From hir he went streight onto the kyng1, 6842
to the king,
' Ser, please it yow to vnderstonde,' quo d he,
4 Ther is a woman) whiehe is full connyng1
In euery sekenes and, as thinkith me, 6845
By here wordes her semytfi. so to be ;
here atte CasteH: gate with hir I spakke,
To make yow hoole this wolle she vndertake. 6848
« On hir fynger ther is a ryng1,' quod he, 6849
' The whiehe in sothe me think a straunge case ; And this I wote in very certente, Ye gave suche on) vnto Clarionas, 6852
And in myself I merveft hough it was.' who bade him Thanne seid the kyng1, ' I woH now y* ye goo,
Bryng* hir to me withoute wordes moo.' 6855
STow NataneH goth to the CasteH gate, 6856
si.e came in And brought this woman) streight onto the kyng1,
closely veiled, . - , -, ,
Butt she was wympelyd soo that woote ye what, 1 MS. don.
SHE RESTORES HIM TO HEALTH, AND RETURNS TO MOUNTONEB. 219
That he had no mane/* knowlaching1, With that anon) he had aspyed the ryng<, The whiche hym) thought he gave Clarion as, Yet for all that he wist not what she was.
6859 so that he did not know her,
6862
' I pray yow, ser, be of good chere,' quod she, 6863
' And if it please your* goodnes for to here
I am a woman) of ferre contre ; '
And ther withaH, in fuH curtes maner,
She proferyd hym) to kysse with louyng1 chere ;
' Kay, suster myn),' quod he, ' with goddes grace,
I must pray yow of pardon) in this case : 6869
6866 and offered to kiss him.
For I witt kysse no woman) be ye sure, 6870
Though she myght make me hoole as euer I was,
Butt only hir whiche is that creature
That I loue best, the mayde Clarionas ; 6873
And if that she were present in this place,
If I here kyssid, I think, so god me save,
It were the best fisykke that I cowde haue.' 6876
He refused to kiss any one but Clarioiias.
She, perhaps, could cure him.
'I haue,' she seid, ' brought with me hir ymage : ' 6877
' Ye,' quod the kyng1, ' I prae yow, late me see ; '
Anone she dede vnWympiH hir visage,
' Withoute fayle I am the same/ quod she : 6880
Thanne seid the kyng1, ' Aye, Benedicite !
hough" haue ye take vppon) yow aH this payn) ? '
Ther with he toke hir in his armes twayn).
She unveiled herself,
6883 and he took her in his arms
Thanne he kyssid hir withoute more taryeng1, And aH: that nyght, tiH day beganne to rise, They twayne were sett withoute departeng*, As glad ancl mery as thei cowde device, To bothe ther pleasurez in aH: goodly wise ; And on) the morow, sothely for to say, To mountoner she toke the redy way.
6884 and kissed her,
and they s.it together till daybreak.
6887
On the morrow she went back to 6890 Mountoner.
220 GENERYDES IS CROWNED KING OF SYRIA, AND MARRIES CLARIONAS.
6891
Generydes recovered,
And hole he was and very weH att ease, And atte his hartes rest in especial! ;
and was crowned The iijde day after Generides
Was crownyd kyng1 of Surry furth with Att ; Thanne the lordes echon) in generaH, With very dew and feithfuH obseruaunce, Dede hym) omage with vmble obeysaunce.
6894
6897
Whanne he had sette the land in gouernaunce, 6898 and soon after ffurth in to perce he takith his lurnay,
set off for Persia,
In grete estate And in grete ordenaunce, With his lordes and in suche array, 6901
Thus rideth he the redy way
to wed ciarionas. To Mountoner, ther as the Sowdon) was, [leaf 37, back] Ther for to wedde the mayde Ciarionas. 6904
Gwynan was there,
and Ismael the Savage,
and Darell was steward of the feast,
Whanne he was Come, the Cite was fuH fayn), 6905
ffor att aH tymes of necessite
he toke on) hym) the labour1 and the payrce,
And was ther sheld from) aH aduersite ; 6908
So thanne withynne the space of dayes iij,
As rially as thei cowde device,
The manage was made in solempn'e wise; 6911
Gwynan the kyng1 was atte mariage, 6912
The kyng1 of Trace also withoute lese,
Whiche callid was IsmaeH the savage,
Broder he was onto the kyng11 Generides, 6915
And so to gide and gouerne aH the prece
Appoynted was, likke as thei thought it best,
The prince of Cesare chetf stiward of ye fest. 6918
and
my others. And other grete estatis ther were moo, Bothe of lordes and ladyes many on), Grete lustis ther the Sowdon) made also, 1 Omit the kyng.
6919
NATANELL AND MIRABELL ARE MARRIED.
221
And aH the plesure that cowde be thought vppon) ;
And to be hold the pepiH euerychon),
Whiche came to se the fest of yong1 and old!,
It was a very wonder to be hole?. 6925
Sone after whanne the fest was don) and AH, And euery man) gon) home in to his cuntre, Withynne a while, as aventur* gan) faH, The Sowdon) dyed, whiche was grete pite ; Grete mone was made of men) of the Cite, Save ther comfort and trost in1 euery thyng1, Was only on) Generides thp kyng1,
Whiche sesid aH the lande in his demeane, Be right wise titeH of his mariage, Takyng1 homage, as lord and souereyn), Thorough owt the lande of aH the Baronage : Bothe yong1 and old? and euery man) of age, As glad thei were of hym), I yow ensure, As euer was land of eny levyng1 creature.
6926 Soon after,
He was to them) so lovyng1 and so kynd,
The laugh" abseruyd witt bothe ferre and nere,
No man) had Wrong that eny man) cowd fynde,
ffewe compleyntes or non) that men) myght here, 6943
Gentitt ther with, curtes in AH maner,
If eny man) wold wrong1 oyer day or nygfit,
he was redy for to forfete his right. 6946
when all had gone home,
6929 the Sultan died,
6932
6933 andGenerydes took his land, by right of his marriage.
6936
6939
6940
And for be cause it shuld not owt of mynd, The good seruice so feithfuH and so playn) Off NataneH, whiche he had founde so kynde, And for his love hadde grete labour1 and payn), he thought he wold remember it ayeyn), In suche a wise as hym) thought honorable, And maryed hym) to the made MirabeH. 1 MS. was in.
6947 He married Natanell to Mirabell,
6950
6953
222
SYGREM MARRIES THE LAUNDRESS,
an'l gave them the city ot'Seure.
Too hym) and her he gave a faire Citee, 6954
Withynne the Rerne of Surre callid Sevre,
A bought the town) a dosen) myle fre
Vnto hym) self, and yerly of valour1 G957
vj thousand pownde, to maynteyn) jer lionowr;
And of that land he made hym) cheff Justice,
To maynteyn) in euery maner wise. G9GO
sir Anasore was Syr Anasore with hym) was not for gete, 6961
made lord of a
great barony. he made hym) lord of A grete baronye,
The whiche was fallyn) in perce be eschete,
Whanne lucas dyed that was of ydonye ; 6964
And for grete trost that he hadde specially
In hym), AH myn) Auctour reherse,
he gave hym) ther the Stiwardshepe of perce. 6967
Sygrem was wedded to the laundress,
and had a fair lordship given him by the king.
Sygram also was in his remembraunce, 6968
Vn to the lavender weddid ther he was,
Whiche vtterly for soke hir acqueyntaunce,
And toke hir lurnay with Clarionas ; 6971
The king1 hym) grcmntid, of his special! grace,
A fayre lordshippe onto them) bothe in fere,
The whiche was wurth an CH be yere. 6974
Thus quyte he them) that were to hym) so kynd, 6975
And, for to seie1 yow in shorte conclusion),
A better prince was neuer had in mynd,
Thanne he was on) that euer bare crown); 6978
And thus he was a man) of grete renown),
Sowdon) of perce with ali his signory,
And also kyng1 of ynd and of surre. 6981
Generydes and In grete wurchipe Clarionas and he
Clarionas lived
many a year in Good lyff thei ledde to geder many a yere,
prosperity,
In hartes ease and moche prospmte,
MS. valon'e.
MS. scia.
6982
AND ALL ENDS HAPPILY. 223
Issue they had whiche was to them) fuft dere, 6985 and had i«sue.
Eight grete lordes and ladyes thei were,
"Whiche on) of them) of xv yere of age, The daughter was
rrri 1 P -r< • L -i -i • • married to the
The kyng1 of Egipt had m manage. . 6988 king of Egypt,
The remenannt grew to grete honow, 6989 «na the others
grew up in great
And thus I make an ende of this processe, honour.
Besechyng* hym that is our saviour*,
AH oure synnes of pardon) to relese,1 6992
And in the Toy and blisse that2 is endlese,
he graunt vs a place perpetual!,
In paradise where aU his seyntes dweli. 6995
Explicit the boke of Gene- rides and of his faire lady Clarionas.
1 MS. le relese, but the first word is struck out. 2 MS. tlis.
224
VARIOUS READINGS FEOM THE FEINTED FRAG- MENTS OF SIR GENERYDES,
GIVEN IN THE PREFACE AND POSTSCRIPT TO MR FURNIVALI/S EDITION OF THE HELMINGHAM MS. FOB THE ROXBURGHE CLUB.
2016. claymetJi it of] they clayme this
2017. Also to be made] And also to be „ your] his
2018. voward] forwards
2019. ofrightitlongitk] itlongethof
ryght
2021. so if] me so
2022. may withoute] may bere without
2025. it is but] for it is
2026. full curies'] curteys
2027. they ganne~\ gan they
2029, 30. withoute . . . BateU] withou[t dowte] Unto the kynge of kynges to gyue a strou[te]
2031. ganne them} gan
2032. princes'] knyghtes
2033. other dyuerce] dyuers
2034. Dukes and Erles] erles „ anon] many one
2035. that they Jiad.de vppon] so that
they shone
2036. perlys] grete perles
2037. in the fressest] on the best
2038. through owt in} thrughe 2040. enmysfor] enemyes
2042. ffrd] Forth of
2043. rideth] rode
,, to his pavilion] vnto his tente
2044. With . . . rome] With his lordes
aboute hym wente
2045. redy] all redy
2046. a companye] company
2047. mere] brought
2049. All redy to gye] to guyde truly 2052. att his demenyng] in his ledynge 2056. he was baneer] dyde the baner bere
2058. ij thousand . . . companye} [Sir
Crove]s with thre thousande in theyr company
2059. ward] batayll
„ ser Anasore] anazere
2061. they were thore] that there were
2062. withoute] withouten
2064. bothe the rule of more] the reule
more 2067. all] and
2072. by and by] ryght hardely
2073. after hym] after 2075. begely] vgly
,, bothe in] in
2105. was Bauer] bare the banere 2314. they twayne] they 2345. sheld and thu goo] shelde
agayne and go 5339. on fortune] a fortune
5343. AmelohJtez] syr Amelokes
5344. It was ayenst] This was
5345. cause] case
,, certente] certayne
5351. also he} he
5352. late] let
5354. where euer] where that „ eny lande] ony londe
5355. noo lenger myght she] she myght
no lenger
5356. for very payn] for grete doloure
5357. ageyn] that houre 5359. that she] she
„ vp ayeyn] agayne 5361. refrayn] restrayne 5365. full sure] sure
5371. sliuld hepe] kepe
5372. here] lo here
VARIOUS READINGS.
225
5374. that] elles that 6375. full hastely] hastely
6378. with the shall neuer] shall neuer
with the
6379. haue] kepe 6382. vppon] on 5383. as he] as euer he
6384 . the chaunber] her chaumbre 5386. full of hevynes] and full of per- plexcyte
6387. alway now] alway
6388. of his vnst abilnes] hisduplycyte
6389. not gilty] giltlea 5390. alway] had alway 6392. do be} done by 6394. a hevynes] mornynge
6396. also gentilnes] as a gentyll kynge 6690. here you spehe] here you 6692. I am sure] be ye sure 6694. ferthermore] f ortherinore
„ this'] so 6696. 0] one
„ is] is also 5701. these wordes] this worde
„ ganne] began 6702. goth] wente
5703. late] let
5704. hastith] hasted
6705. So] And so ,, hir] his
6706. into] in
6707. the] that
6708. onto] to
5709. redy waye] way redy
6711. this to hym gan say] to hym
sayde preuely 5712. the dore] this dore
„ I yon pray e] I pray you hertely 6714. to now] tyll nowe 5715. the neer he was] the nerer he
coude 6716. otherwise] other
5720. onto the] to hir
5721. vpon] open nowe
5722. Thanne JDarell] When he „ and] he
5723. onto fayre] vnto
6724. ffrom ynd . . . contre] Fro ynde I come now as faste as I can [te]
5725. on to] to
6726. now this] this
5727. be dremyd] ben drenchyd
6728. hym noyeth] and nyghtly is
6731. quod] nowe quod
5732. lesyng] lesynges
5733. yow] it
5736. this message] the erande
5737. not to don] done
5738. why] quod he why ,, yow] ye
5740. onto] to 6742. fe he] he is
„ this dare 1] I dare well 5744. I shall tell yow trougth] in very
trouthe
5752. wote ye] wote I 6753. Serenydes] Senerydes 5754. he was] was 6755. ffor] Fro
„ for] fro
5756. betwix] bytwene
5757. the troicth] trouthe
6758. tJuit] that euer
6759. she] the
5761. and I had it] if I had
5762. shuld me mystrost] mysdeme me
sholde „ my] ony
5763. not A take vppon] nat taken on
5767. ser Darell] hym
5768. now qitod] quod „ yow] ye now
5769. he seide suche] suche
5770. very certente] certeute 5772. nerrer] nere
5775. to say] I say 5780. it] them 5782. to] vp to „ hand] honde
5784. right tvele] well
5785. he] that he
5786. eny maner] ony 6788. preiudice] dyspyse
5789. nede] great nede
5790. canne goo] may gone 6791. doo] done
5793. both good] euer gode
6794. is homeward in] [homejwarde
gothe on
6795. now] a newe 5796. cowde] knewe
6799. Citee] towne
6800. ment] sente
6802. his own] his
6803. [ ]nes to hym verament 5804. that] theyr
GENERYDES.
16
226
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
A = He, 800.
A, Ah ! 3049, 6096.
A = of, 1150, 2752. A = in, 4810; unless this is an example of the indefinite article used redund antly with a numeral. A = have, 3483, 3955, 4829, 4883, 5763 (re dundant).
ABASSHID, v. pret. -was abashed or confounded, 127. ABASSHED, 4091 ; confounded, 3451. pp. ABASSHED, cast down, 6404.
ABELL, son of the prince of Turkey, 1921 ; constable and standard- bearer to the Persian army, 2017, 2023 ; slain by Belen, 2963.
ABIDENG, sb. dwelling, 4199 ; part. awaiting, 5957.
ABISSHID, v. pret. was abashed or confounded, 1260.
ABODE, v. pret. remained, 6147.
ABRAYDE, v. pret. started, 2320, 4717.
ABSERTJYD, v. pret. observed, 6941.
ACCORDENG, adj. corresponding, 143, 1936, 2179, 6824.
ACCORDYNG, adj. appropriate, be coming, 245, 395.
A COMPAYNED, pp. accompanied, 1283.
ACQTJEYNTATJNCE, sb. familiar friends, 6970.
ADO, sb. dealings, 2518. We use ' to do ' in the same sense.
ADRED, pp. afraid, 844. ADREDE, 3867, 5965, 6073.
AFERDE, ad;, afraid, 85, 1435,5601, 6771.
AFFENDID, pp. offended, 4580, 6496.
AFFRAY, sb. affright, terror, 6545. AFFRONTE, adv. in front, 4811. AFORE, prep, before, 5979. AFRAYE, sb. assault, attack, 2533. AFTER, adv. afterwards, 3407. AFTER, prep. ' After me,' according
to my advice, 6795. AGAST, adj. aghast, frightened,
5936. AGE. ' Wele in age,' advanced in
years, 1905. AGEYN, prep, against, 1476 ; ' ther
ageyn ' = against it, 973. AGREYD, pp. ' Was agreyd ' =
had agreed, 5638. A HYE, adv. on high, 3051. AISSHES, sb. ashes, 4406. A LANDE, adv. on shore, 93. A LATE, adv. of late, 4635. ALIGHT, v. pret. alighted, 4562,
4576.
ALL AND SOM, everything, gener ally and particularly, 5570, 6442. ALL IN ONE, adv. altogether, 1319. ALLONLY, adv. only, 6411. ALL ONLY, adv. only, alone, 881,
1432.
ALLOWE, v. t. to approve, 2783. ALL SONE, as soon, 3778. ALL THE HAST. ' In all the hast,'
in all haste, 1293, 1444, 2807,
2886, 5566, 5878, 5931, 6442,
6685. ALL THE HOOLE, all the whole,
3600, 6673. ALL THE HOLE, 5911.
ALL THE HOOLL, 6670. ALL UTTERLY, adv. entirely, 1500,
1757, 1867.
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
227
ALOW, adv. in a low voice, 5717.
ALTO, adv. altogether, 1559. ALL TO, 4272, 6094.
ALWAY, adv. always, 415, 490, 899, 1044. In 3948 it appears to be an error for ' all away.'
AMELOK, the false steward of Auferius, and usurping King of India, 28, 2129. AMALOK, 2381.
AMEND, pp. amended, 6592.
AMONG, adv. ' Euer among,' con tinually from time to time, 1373, 1853. Palsgrave gives, 'Amonge, parfoys.' See also Prof. Zupitza's note to Guy of Warwick, 1. 950.
AMYSELL, sworn brother to Anan- yell, 4833.
ANANYELL, brother of Amelok, slain by Generydes, 4825, 5016, 5830, 5844.
ANASORE, a knight of Persia, keeper of the prison, 1460, 5575, 6961. Son of Groves, 1906. ANASAR, 1471. ANASOR, 1503. ANOSORE, 2852, 3023, 3029.
ANGERS, sb. anchors, 3653.
ANCETORS, sb. ancestors, 3139.
AND, conj. if, 214, 354, 889, 3415, 4436, 6432.
AN HUNTYNG, 37.
ANONE YPPON, adv. immediately after, 78. ANON YPON, 141. See VPPON.
A PASE, adv. apace, swiftly, 988, 4453. A PACE, 2316, 3076.
APAYDE, pp. pleased, 848, 3485, 4206, 4419, 5072. APAYD, 1932. APAYED, 856, 1162, 2430, 2828.
APAYN, an error for 'and payn,' 5915.
APOYNTEMENT, si. arrangement, 5424.
APOYNTID, pp. arranged, 5347. APOYNTED, 5589. APPOYNTED, 5624. APPOYNTID, 5887.
APPARELL, sb. provision, 641. In the next line the word is repeated, apparently in error, perhaps for ' peril ; ' or it may merely be used in the other sense of 'prepara tion,' like Fr. appareil.
AQUYTE, v. pret. requited, 1876.
ARAB YE, Arabia, 1901.
ARAY, sb. condition, 1 193. ARRAYE. 1258.
ARAYED, pp. ' Thus hath arayed me,' hath made me in this guise, 515.
ARKADYE, Arcadia, 1952.
ARMYS. ' To do armys ' = to do battle, 6078.
As, redundant in the phrases ' as for that nyght,' 138, 152, 383; 'As for a nyghtis space,' 230; ' as in this case,' 442, 582 ; ' as for a space,' 568 ; ' as after hir avise,' 702 ; ' as for a tyme,' 902 ; 'where as,' 1191; 'as for his hartys ease,' 1354 ; ' as for the landes right,' 1846 ; ' as for more witnesse,' 2382 ; ' As now,' 2409 ; 'as towching,' 2805, 5443; 'as after myn avise,' 2892 ; 'as for a daye or twayne,' 2990; 'as for this landis right,' 3345 ; ' as for a litill space,' 3789 ; ' as for this day,' 3887 ; ' as for that nyght,' 3897 ; ' as this nyght,' 3902 ; ' As for the cheve guerdon,' 3912; ' as for on nyghte reste,' 4030 ; 'as for Generides,' 4623; 'As late me see,' 5233 ; ' as yesterday,' 5278; 'as for a certeyn space,' 5313; 'As for a drome,' 5634; ' as for a certeyn space,' 6293 ; 1 As for to me,' 6579.
ASKAPYD, v. pret. escaped, 6096.
ASKRY, v. to descry, 5999. ASKERYE, 6014.
ASPIED, v. pret. espied, spied, 437.
ASPIED, pp. 2476. ASPYED, 2674.
ASPYE, v. to spy, watch, 1357, 1409, 2600.
ASSE, v. to assay, 6074.
ASSEMELYD, pp. assembled, 1317. ASSEMELID, 2046.
ASSENT, sb. ' Ar of hir assent,' are in league with her, 983.
ASSIRYE, Assyria, 2166. Asm YE, 2545.
ASTATE, sb. state, 389.
228
GLOSSARIAL IND2X.
ASTERTE, v. escape from, avoid,
173. AsTOiNYD,2>p. astonished, stunned,
2498. ASTOWNYD, pp. astounded, 3506,
4013.
A SURANCE, si. assurance, 5450. AT, pron. that, 591,4388. ATT, 347. ATT, prep. In the phrase ' toke
good hede att hym,' 663. ATTE, at the, 2797, 2947, 4106,
6912. ATTE, in the phrase 'atte after
none5 = in the afternoon, 3715. A TWOO, adv. in two, 6097. AUCTOR, sb. author, 6002. ATJFERIUS, King of India, father of
Grenerydes, 7, &c. ATJFRIKE, Africa, 16. ATJFERYK,
2138.
ATJNCCETOTJRS, sb. ancestors, 6522. AVAILE, sb. advantage, 4259.
AVAYLE, 4487. AVAUNCE, v. to advance, 489, 2021,
3417, 4840, 5060. AVATJNSED, v. pret. advanced, 650.
AVAUNSID, 2214, 2673. AVATJNTE, v. to vaunt, boast, 1008. AVENTURE, sb. adventure, fortune,
370, 2597, 4893, 4969, 6928.
' Att all aventure ' = at all
events or hazard, 3494, 6355.
'At aventure' or 'Att aventure,'
by chance, 1238, 2791, 4414. AVISE, 258, 981, 1402, 1762, 2683 ;
or AVYSE, sb. advice, 101. ' Toke
gode avise,' considered well, 449 ;
consideration, 702. AYISE, v. to advise, 6063. AYISEMENT, sb. advice, considera tion, 4761. AYOYDE, v. i. to remove, disappear,
4239. AVOYDID, pp. cleared away,
removed, 3293. AVOWE, v. to avouch, acknowledge,
894.
AWAITENG, pr. p. waiting, 648. AWAYWARD, adv. away, 3813.
AWISE, in the phrase 'maner
awise ' = maner wise, 4797. AWREKE, v. to avenge, 508, 5122. AWYSE. In 146 ' sothe awyse ' is
probably an error for ' soche a
wyse.'
AXKID, v. pret. asked, 309. AYE, adv. again, 4426. AYEN, adv. again, 133, 1098. AYENST, adv. against, 5472, 6122. AYENWARD, adv. again, 128, 1876,
3366, 3944, 4492. AYERIS, sb. heirs, 2016. AYEYN, adv. again, 2718, 2735,
3942. AYRE, sb. heir, 5187, 6669; pi.
AYRIS, 6130.
BALAM, King of Damascus, 1957,
2090. BANYERE, sb. standard-bearer,
2014. BANEER, 2055. BANER,
2105. BANERE, 2128, 2213, 2963. BARACHIAS, King of Europe, 2147. BARONAGE, sb. the barons as a
body, 4218, 6936. BATELL, sb. a body of troops, 2077,
2101. BATAYLL, 2090. BE, pp. been, 352, 811, 1209, 5220,
&G. BE, prep, by, 412, 635, 2445, 2761,
&c. ; with regard to, 610. BE CAUSE, conj. in order that, 4279. BEDDE, v. pret. bade, 1336. BEFALL, pp. befallen, 1087, 3388. BEFORN, adv. before, 521, 3139,
4603.
BEGELY, adv. bigly, hugely, 2075. BEHAVINGE, sb. behaviour, 433. BEHEST, sb. promise, 4499, 4690. BEHIGHT, v. to promise, assure,
812, 2231, 2695, 3508. BELEN the bold, King of Egypt,
1735. BELLEYN, 2451. BELLYN,
3291. BELYN, 3285. BOLEYN,
3059. BELLYNG, 3463. BOLYN,
3074. BEN, v. inf. be, 2685; ind. 3 pi.
2738.
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
229
BE RAFT, v. pret. bereft, 6551. BERY, v. to bury, 5883; pret.
BERIED, 5877. BESEN, pp. beseen, provided, 1978.
BE SENE, 2068.
BESETTE, v. to set, bestow, 5021. BEST, adj. busy, 5303. BESYNESSE, sb. in the phrase * did
all ther besynesse' = busied
themselves, exerted themselves
to the utmost, 1167. BE TROST, pp. trusted, 1049, 3615. BETWIX, prep, between, 108, 905,
3117, 5259. BE TYME, adv. betimes, in good
time, 522.
BEWRAYED, pp. exposed, 3885. BE WREYE, v. to expose, betray,
4155. BLAME, sb. « To take a blame * =
to take blame, 1628. BLANCHARD, the name of King
Belen's steed, 2458; given to
Gwynan, 2265 ; and won by
Generydes, 2247, 6066. BLODE, ON. ' Braste on blode,' burst
out bleeding, 546. BLYSSYNG, sb. blessing, 236. BLISS-
YNG. 'On his blissyng,' as he
expected to receive his blessing,
5346.
BOLDITH, v. pres. emboldens, 5803. BOLEYN, BOLYN. See BELE^. BOORE, pp. born, 5635. BORE,
6132. BOTE, sb. use, advantage, 4681,
5853 ; v. 'It botith not,' is of no
use, 4901.
BOTELER, sb. butler, 424. BOUNDEN, pp. bound, 1458. BOTJSTOUS, adj. boisterous, rough,
2152.
BRAKE, pp. broken, 3489. BRAST, v. pret. broke, 2326, 2677,
3047, 4926, 6094, &c. BRASTE, v. pret. burst out, 54^6. BRAYDE, sb. a sudden movement,
a start, 2218, 2342, 2736, 6069. BRAYDED, v. pret. started, 165.
BREDE, sb. breadth, 2075. BRODER, sb. brother, 4826, 6915. BRODEREN, sb. brethren, 2656. BRODERHODE, sb. brotherhood,
6252.
BROWGTH, pp. brought, 4874. BUSCOMMEST, adj. buxomest, most
compliant or obedient, 2505. BUSSHMENT, sb. ambush, 950.
BUSCHEMENT, 5977. BUT IF, con/, except, 322, 332. BY AND BY, adv. 2048, 2072, 3287,
4766.
BYTWIX, prep, between, 2188. BY WARE, v. beware, 4590.
CALLED or OALLID, reputed ; in the phrases ' called passing wight,' 4573 ; ' callid good,' 4994. See 5186.
CAME, v. pres. come, 6745.
CAPADOCE, Cappadocia, 2087.
CAPADOOR, Cappadocia, 1954. Elsewhere CAPADOCE.
CAREFULL, adj. full of care, sorrow ful, 4161, 6434, 6583.
CASARE, elsewhere CESARE, 6702.
CAST, v. to intend, purpose, 4423 ; pret. 3654.
CAWDE, could, 373. A scribe's error for ' Cowde.'
CERTAYNE. ' In certayne,' 462, 476, 4856; 'For certeyn,' 419; 'For certayn,' 4934 j ' The certayn,' 2036, 6600.
CERUICE, sb. service, 4675.
CESALL, one of the Sultan of Persia's allies, 1965.
CESARE, Cesarea, 1926, 6681.
CESELL, Sicily, 2070.
CHARGED. Perhaps for ' chargeth,' the imperative, 6429.
CHARISSHE, v. to cherish, 6664.
CHARITE, owr OF, 502. SEYNT CHARITE, 4282.
CHASE, v. pret. chose, 1325.
CHASTELYN, sb. the keeper of a castle, 1520, 1609. CHASTELAYN, 1632.
230
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
CHATTNBOUR, sb. chamber, 1407.
CHAUNBYR, sb. chamber, 69; CHAUNBER, 71, 3792, 4629.
CHEFF, adj. chief, 5893, 6735.
CHER,S&. aspect, countenance, 129; condition, 2594, 6031. CHERE, 239, 433, 2953 ; happiness, 2580. ' To make chere ' = to be cheer ful, 571; 'To make better chere' = to treat better, 2660; 'To take chere,' 751; 'To make frendly chere' = to treat in a friendly manner, 5764 ; ' To make chere ' = to cheer, 6341 ; ' Made hevy chere,' were sad in countenance, 6737.
CHERYDONE, Prince of Cesarea, and father of Darell, 1928.
CHESE, v. choose, 1232, 1316.
CHESE, an error for ' Chek,' 4778.
CHEVE, adj. chief, 3912.
CHOSE, pp. chosen, 5230.
CLARIONAS, daughter to the Sultan of Persia, 686, &o.
CLARIONAT, a town in Persia, 3677.
CLARYET, the name of Generydes' sword, 3481.
CLAYMETH, v. 3 pi. claim, 2016.
CLEEE, v. pret. clave, cleft, 4598.
CLEUE, v. pret. clave, 3035, 3523.
COME, v. pret. came, 3017, 3042, 3829, 4214, 4281, 5204, 6396.
COMENAUTE, sb. the commonalty or commons, 254.
COMFORT, v. pret. comforted, 3854.
COMMANDITH, commendeth, 444.
COMMAUNDITH, 5725.
COMNE, pp. come, 9.
COMPANABLE, adj. companionable, 2261.
COMPASSING, adj. ' False compass ing ' = with a false design, 4163.
COMPASSION, 6419; an error for ' compassing.' See 4163.
COMPLAYNE, v. t. to lament for, 6836.
CON. ' To con thanke ' = to thank, 878.
CONFORTABLE, adj. comfortable, able to help, 2212.
CONFORTYNG, pr. p. comforting,
2514.
CONNYNG, adj. skilful, wise, 338. CONNYNG, sb. skill, wisdom, 404,
1020.
CONNYNGLY, adv. wisely, 398. CoNSEYTE,sfe. imagination, opinion,
696, 6091. CONSAITE, 4352.
CONSEITE, good opinion, favour,
4638, 4739, 4902. CONTENAUNCE, sb. ' Made no con-
tenaunce,' did not change the
expression of her face, 5116. COPPE, sb. a cup, 4406. CORAGEUS, adj. courageous, 2093. CORDE, sb. accord, 6399. CORNYSSH, the native county of
Sampson, 6054. Called CORNYTH
in the MS. 1. 3137. CORYNTH, Corinth, 3137. The MS.
has CORNYTH, and elsewhere
CORNYSSH.
COST, sb. coast, border, 6146. COSTOM, sb. custom, 2974. COSTYNG, part, traversing, 5923. COTJENAUNDE, sb. covenant, agree ment, 3807.
COUERTURE, sb. pretext, 4596. COTJMFORT, v. comfort, 1019 ; sb.
comfort, 1023.
COTJNFORT, sb. comfort, 61, 3565. COUNFORT, v. to comfort, 76, 1014. COURSE. 'Toke ther course, or
coursis,' a term of tilting, when
the combatants rode at each
other with their spears, 2462,
2627, 3360, 3383; ' Eode a
course,' 5098. COWDE, could, 381. COWD GOOD SKILL, was skilful, 932. CRAFT, sb. 'A craft' =: a cunning
contrivance, 4233. CREDENCE, sb. ' To take credence '
= to believe, 4680. CROPPE, sb. the top of a plant or
tree. " Croppe and rote," 4940.
CROSS YNG HYM THE WAY, Crossing
his path, 5814. See 6076. GROVES, King of Arabia, 1901.
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
231
CRYED, pp. proclaimed, 5573, 6146. CRYES, sb. proclamations, 4757. CURTESLY, adv. courteously, 166,
392, 602, 694, 5091, 6700. CURTEYS, adj. courteous, 3, 307.
COURTEYSE, 338. CURTES, 425,
2026, 6617, 6866. CURTESE, 1946, 6672.
DALAY, si. delay, 1842. DAMAS, Damascus, 4744. DAMASK, Damascus, 3140. DANGER, sb. 'Made danger =
made a difficulty, hesitated,
5073. DARELL, a knight of Persia, son
of Cherydone, Prince of Cesarea,
1505, 1929, 5058. DATJID, eldest son of the Prince of
Turkey, 1920. DAY, sb. space of time; in the
phrases ' ij monethis day,' 5882,
5888; 'a moneth day,' 1717,
1890.
DAYLE, a mistake for ' daye,' 3959. DEBATE, sb. quarrel, strife, 2296,
5221. DEBONERLY, adv. 279; perhaps
for ' deboner ' = debonair. DED, 'Don to ded' = put to
death, 1487. DEDE, v.pret. did, 692, 1327, 5216;
' Dede of = put off, 4343. DED,
3925, 4798.
DEFAUTE, sb. fault, 875. DEFENDE, v. to forbid, 900, 4479,
6590. DEFERABLE, adj. 'In defensable
wise,' in a defensive manner,
fully armed, 1888. DELAY. In 1. 5300 'eny delay'
is found to rhyme with « batell,'
where it must be a mistake for
'fayle.' DELE, sb. a part or portion. ' Euery
dele,' every bit, 112, 605, 892,
2717; 'Some dele,' somewhat,
261. DEELL, 698. DEME, v. to judge, 461, 1614 ; pret.
DEMYD, 1455, 4710.
DEMEANE, v. to deal with, treat
manage, 788, 4622. DEMEANYD, pp. 'To be demeanyd'
= to behave, conduct oneself,
JL7 1 1 '.
DEMEANYNG, sb. demeanour, 398, 2195, 5981. DEMEANENG, 662, 5179. DEMEANING, 929. DEMEN- ING, 1345. ' Att his demening,' under his command, 2052.
DEPARTE, v. t. to part, separate, 2747, 5851 ; and «. to share, divide, 3418; pp. DEPARTID 3080, 6254.
DEPARTENG, sb. parting, separation, 209, 2661.
DETERMYTTE, v. t. to put an end to,
1695.
DEVER, sb. endeavour, 6506. DEWTE, sb. 'Of dewte,' as their
due, 2016. DIGHT, v. to make ready, prepare,
382, 1110, 2027; pp. prepared,
3636. DILIGENCE, sb. ' Dede diligence ' =
was diligent, 6756. DISCOMFETE, pp. discomfited, 2411. DISCOMFETXJRE, sb. ' Were att dis-
comfeture ' = were discomfited,
2511.
DISCOMFEYTE, pp. discomfited, dis tressed, 6112, 6292.
DISCOMFORTH), pp. deprived of comfort, 5913.
DISCOMFORTURE, sb. discomfiture, 2571.
DISENTE, sb. descent, 1314.
DISFORTLES, an error for 'corn- forties,' 6645.
DISMAY, v. used as a reflexive verb, 5328.
DISPLESATOCE, sb. displeasure, 4268, 4691, 5189, 5319, 6481.
DISPORTE, sb. sport, 36, 3836. ' Disporteng place,' pleasure ground, 647.
DISSENTE, 956; apparently an error for ' assent.' See 983.
DISSESE, sb. discomfort, 292, 713, 878.
232
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
DISSEYUED, pp. deceived, 959. DISTEYNE, sb. destiny, 1097. DISTEYNEY, sb. destiny, 175. Do, in the phrases ' do ordeyne ' =
arrange, 748 ; ' Do calle ' = call,
6428. Do, pp. done, 11, 416, 555, 606,
960, 1179, 2881, 2955, 4646, &c.
Doo, 3249.
Do AWAY = put it away, 6590. DOBILNESSE, sb. duplicity, 3890. DOLVYN, pp. dug, 5207. DON, v. inf. to do, 5737. DOON, adv. down, 4094. DOTH, 3 pi 6655. DOUGHT, v. to doubt, 661. DOUTELYS, adv. doubtless, 430. DOWTE, v. i. to fear, 2519. DRAWE, pp. drawn, 1778, 3398. DREDE, v. pret. dreaded, 996. DREMYD, WAS, pret. dreamed, 5464,
6158 ; pp. BE DKEMYD, 5727. DRESSE, v. make ready, prepare,
1164, 3587, 4602; prepare to go,
3769, 3981 ; pret. DRESSED, 2028,
2477, 2830, 4563, 6626. DROW, v. pret. drew, 1000. DURED, pp. endured, continued,
4618.
DURENG, part, continuing, 2766. DYAMATJNTEZ, sb. diamonds, 2036.
EGIDIAS, a city of Egypt, 4200. Ellipsis of verb of motion, 2901,
6947. ELLYS, adv. else, otherwise, 4859,
5693. EMBOSED, pp. embossed, foaming
at the mouth. A hunting term,
80. ENBATELL, v. t. to set in battle
array, 2904. ENBATELID, pret.
2919. ENBATELYD, pp. 2925. ENBROWDERYD, pp. embroidered,
3287. ENBROWDRED, v. pret.
embroidered, 3253. ENCONTINENT, adv. incontinently,
immediately, 1769. ENCON-
TYNENT, 2819.
ENDLY, adv. inwardly, thoroughly, 849, 4844, 6698. See INLY.
ENDURYD, v. pret. continued, 2976.
ENGENYS, sb. engines, 2887.
ENMY, sb. enemy, 4951 ; ^Z.ENMYS, 2005, 2082, 2524, 4605.
ENSURE, v. assure, 169, 223, 431, 893, 2751.
ENTENT, sb. endeavour, 954. See INTENT.
ENTENT, sb. design, thought, 4668. 'To ther entente,' 220; 'To ther intent,' 1323; 'To myn entent,' 808; 'In ther entent,' 924 ; « After ther entente,' 1070, 2099 ; ' As to his entente,' 2666 ; ' Aftur your own entent,' 2868 ; ' In his entent,' 2880, 6404 ; ' In myne entent,' 5286 ; ' The effecte of his entente,' 4217, 4275, 5810. See also 6740.
ENTRETYD, pp. treated, 3428.
ERANTE, adj. arrant, 1007.
ERITAGE, sb. heritage, 3115, 4642.
ERMONES, the King of Higher Ind, 2150, 3017 ; slain by Generydes, 3053. See HARMONES.
ERMONYE, 1958.
ERTELY, adv. heartily, 4057.
ESAUNCE, King of Nicomedia, 1945.
ESCHETE, sb. escheat, forfeiture, 6963.
ESCHEW, v. to avoid, 1377.
ESKEPYD, pp. escaped, 2374.
ESPECIALL. 'In especiall' = especially, 5739, 6411.
ESTATIS, sb. persons of state and dignity, 6919.
ETHIOPE, Ethiopia, 1947, 3143.
EUER IN ON, adv. continually, 5594. EUER IN ONE, 6182.
EUERYCHONE, pron. every one, 5866, 5872.
EXCEPT, v. to accept, receive, 406.
EYNE, sb. eyes, 1483, 4398.
EYTHER, pron. each, 3447.
FADER, sb. father, 134.
FALL, pp. befallen, happened, 5487.
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
233
FALL, rhyming with 'will' and
' still,' 5858.
FALOW, sb. fellows, 1766. FALSED, sb. falsehood, 958. FALSHEDE, sb. falsehood, 1539,
5221, 5267. FANTESIES, sb. fancies, 4652.
FANTESYCE, 4676. FARDE, v. pret. behaved, seemed,
4786.
FARE, sb. course of life, 4495. FATID, v. pret. faded, 6761. FAWTE, sb. fault, 4386, 5686. FAYNE, adj. glad, 27, 3801, 5649.
FAYN, 1145, 1284, 2329, 4560. FEBELID, v. pret. grew feeble, 6646. FELASHEPE, sb. company, 1667,
1956. FELASSHEPE, 2855. FELAW, sb. companion, 134, 4833. FELD, sb. field. To ' sette a feld >
is to put an army in order of
battle, 2914, 2921, 4806; 'Made
ther feld,' 4813 ; ' made a feld,'
4817; 'To make a feld,' 5301. FELE, adj. much, 6701. FELISCHEPE, sb. company, 1886.
FELISSHEPE, 2540, 4830, 5982,
6326. FELISSHEPPE, 2869, 2969. FENDE, sb. fiend, 3069; pi. FENDEZ,
2520.
FENYALL, adj. final, 5038. FER, adv. far, 911. FERD, adj. afraid, 3389. FERDE,
4425.
FERDER, adv. further, 6154. FERE. 'In fere' or 'in feere' =
together, 422, 527, 728, 1326,
1378, 2113, 4353, 4604, 6210,
6620, 6973.
FERLY, adv. strangely, wonder fully; and hence, impetuously,
2203, 5815. FERRE, adj. far. 'Ferre in age,'
advanced in life, 66, 228, 3666;
adv. 3118.
FEYNTID, pp. rendered faint, 0647. FISYKKE, sb. physic, 6876. FLATRISE, sb. flattery, 4042. FOR BECAUSE, conj. because, 2959,
6947.
FOR BLED, pp» weakened by loss
of blood, 4946, 6112; bleeding,
6403. FOR BLODE. It is difficult to say
whether ' sore for blode ' (3528)
signifies ' sore for loss of blood,'
or 'having bled sore.' Most
likely the latter. Compare ' sore
forbled,' 4946. FOR BY CAUSE, conj. because, 6037,
6184.
FORDER, v. to further, 336. FORGETE, pp. forgotten, 2352, 5367,
5558, 6090, 6961. FORGEVE, pp. forgiven, 4730. FORGEVYN, pp. forgiven, 6125.
FORGEVEN, 6323. FORGROWE, pp. misshapen, 3667. FORMEST, adj. first, foremost, 1998,
2023, 2971. FORS, sb. care. 'Gave butt litill
fors,' took but little care, 2268. FORSAKE, pp. forsaken, 4671. FORSOKE, pret. gave up, abandoned,
5674. FORSTER, sb. forester, 975, 4803,
6674. FORTHERAUNCE, sb. furtherance,
advancement, 6664. FORTHERMORE, adv. furthermore,
103. FOR THOUGHT, v. pret. repented,
1456. FORTUNE, v. to chance, happen,
3977, 4234, 5895. FOR WHYE, conj. because, 996. FOR wo^DiD,pp. severely wounded,
6384. FORYERAUNCE, sb. furtherance.
6482.
FOR YETE, pp. forgotten, 1916. FOUGHTEX, pret. 3 pi. fought,
3512.
FOUNDED, pp. found, 5614. FOLTNDRED, v. pret. were worn out
with fatigue; used of horses,
3385.
FOURTHNYGHT, sb. fortnight, 5342. FOYS, sb. foes, 2491, 5157. FRAUNCHESSE, sb. franchise, 1273.
234
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
FEE, an error for ' fere ' or ' faire,' 5100.
FEELY, adv. 2415 ; perhaps for 'ferly.'
FEENDLEHEDE, sb. friendship, 51 70.
FEESSEST, adj. freshest, 2037, 3562.
FEO, prep, from, 792, 5712. FEOO, 3483, 3945.
FUEMABELY, adv. formally, con formably to precedent, 1728.
FYENCE, sb. affiance, trust, 5611.
FYLLE, v. pret. fell, 4095.
FYND, v. to provide, 1013.
FYNE, sb. end, 1757.
FYNIALL, adj. final, 5427, 6251.
GADEEID, v. pret. gathered, 2917. GADEEYNG, sb. gathering, 1335, GAILE, sb. gaol, 1696. G-ALAD, King of Assyria, 2167,
2545. GANNE, v. pret. began,- 243, 390,
933,1998,4870,5701. GAN,5711. GEEEE, sb. gear, equipment, 2104,
2670. GEEE, 2857, 4563. GENEEYDES, son of Auferius and
Sereyne, 291, &c. GETE, v. imper. get, 6063. GETEN, pp. gotten, begotten, 187. GEVE, v. to give, 4249; pp. given,
3581, 4642. GIDE, sb. guide, 4803. GIDID, v. pret. guided, 4800. GIEDE, pp. girt, 3557. GISE, sb. guise, 2974, 4203. GLAD, sb. gladness, joy, 1255. GLYNT, v. pret. glanced, 2421 ;
flashed, 6088.
GOFFOEE, the Sultan of Persia, 651. Goo, in the phrase ' goo sett,'
2914.
Goo, pp. gone, 4003, 4783, 6781. GOOD, sb. goods, possessions, 237. GOOD, inter j. 2770. GOODLYHEED, sb. goodness, 679.
GOODLY HEDE, 2803, 6340. GOOD MAN, sb. master, proprietor,
1122.
GOTEN, pp. begotten, 4287. GOTH, v. imper. go, 6484. GOUEENAUNCE, sb. government,
674, 1094, 1948. GOULYS, adj. gules, 2306. GEAMEECY, int. Fr. grand merci,
great thanks, 452, 2653. GEAUNT, pp. granted, 1671. GEE, v. to agree, 1141. GEE, sb. pleasure; to take in
gre = to be pleased, 103, 998. GEEE, v. to agree, 5294. GEEKE, sb. Greece, 356, 402. GEESELY, adj. grisly, 2153. GC,ESES, sb. steps, 1531. GEISSELL, the name of Generydes*
horse, 3301. GEOW, pp. grown, 804. GEOWE,
1343.
GUSAEE, an Ethiopian in the ser vice of Serenydes, 5245. GWYNAN, son of Belen, King of
Egypt, 2127, 3595, 5787. GTJY-
NAN, 2238, 4198. GWAYNAN,
2241. GWYNOT, chamberlain to Glario-
nas, 2688, 3244, 6800. GYE, v. t. to guide, 2049.
HAKENEY, sb. hackney, 1249.
HAN, an, 5269.
HAND. To 'bere in hand' = to
treat, 2780. HAND BE HAND = hand to hand,
1827. HANDE. 'Of his hande,' 1930;
'Of his handis,' 5186; 'Aside
hand of = beside, 2453, 2825. HANGED, adj. ' An hanged bedde,'
a bed with curtains, 71. HAP, v. to happen, 156. HAPPYD, v. pret. happened, 435,
3622. 'Hym happyd in,' he
lighted upon, 57. HAPPID, 3524,
6161. HAED, v. pret. heard, 516, 659,
2740, 3347, 3663, 5730. HAEDE,
49. HAED, pp. heard, 897.
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
235
HARKENYD, v. pret. heard: fol lowed by 'of,' 2949.
HARKYN, v. to hear : followed by ' of,' 4016.
HARMES, sb. arms, 614, 2305. HARMYS, 2405.
HARMONES, the king of higher Ind, 2956.
HARNES, sb. armour, 605, 2028, 2965. HARNESSE, 2945. HAR,-
NEYS, 6088.
HAROWED, sb. a herald, 2249. HARTID, pp. encouraged, 2418. HATH, 3 pi. 2659. HAUE. In the phrase ' have here '
= take here, 6587, 6770. ' Had
hym awaye,' took him away,
6643. HAUE, apparently for
'hath,' 1710. HEDYR, adv. hither, 75. HEDER,
168, 5667, 6219. HEERE, sb. hair, 545. HERE, 501,
6584.
HELME, sb. helmet, 6106, 6107. HELVYS, sb. helves, handles, 2162. HEM, pron. them, 5931. HEM SELF, pron. himself, 4786. HERE, pron. her, 4247. HERE BEFORE, adv. heretofore,
1134.
HERIS, hers, 4675. HEVILLY, adv. sorrowfully, 5513. HEVY, adj. sorrowful, 239, 595,
2665, 3038, 5847, 6602. HEUYNESSE, sb. sorrow, 887, 2548,
2604, 2987. HEVYNES, 2969,
3585, 4625.
HIDE, sb. head, 2342. • HIGH. ' On a high ' = on high,
aloud, 2456.
HIGHE, v. to hie, go, 4067. HIGHT, v. pret. was called, 21, 639,
1291 ; v. pres. am or is called,
2756, 4144, 4159, 4694, 5063. Hm, pron. their, 633, 4789; adv.
here, 5892.
HIRE, v . to hear, 576. His, is, 4675. HOLD, pp. holden, 495, 1710, 1930.
HOLPYN, pp. holpen, helped, 5862. HOLTYS, sb. holts, woods, 43. HOLY, adv. wholly, 76. HONOUR, sb. ' Hir honour ' = for
her credit, 4511.
Hoo, adv. how, 868. HOUGH, 1068. HOOLE, adv. wholly, 124. HOOLE, adj. whole, sound, 5205. HOOLY, adv. wholly, 32, 6533. HOUGH, adv. how, 1069. HOVYD, v. pret. tarried, 4028. HUDE, sb. hue, colour, 1560. HUSHT, adj. hushed, silent; and
so, secret, 320. HYE, v. to go, 41, 1955, 3056, 5153,
5934. HYM,^nm. them, 2919, 3280, 4542,
6150, 6348.
HYMSELF, pron. themselves, 3083. HYNG, v. pret. hung, 5236.
TAPE, sb. a jest, 3377. IAPYNG, sb. jesting, jest, 6135. ICHE, pron. each, 2662, 4381. ICHEON, each one, 1800, 1942.
ICHON, 1691.
IE, 1980. IEE, sb. eye, 1874, 2772. IENTILEST, adj. gentlest, 929. IENTILL, adj. gentle, 3, 307, 664. IENTILLES, sb. gentles, gentlemen,
1326. IENTILL Y, adv. gently, 1261.
IENTELLY, 3428. ILL FARYNG, adj. ill-conditioned,
ugly looking, 2152, 3020, 3025. IMAGENINGE, sb. plotting, devising,
122. IMPORTABILL, adj. intolerable,
1477. IN. 'In swounyng,' 1257, 6754,
6787; 'In falling, '4425. INCONTENENT, adv. incontinently,
immediately, 2865. INDE, sb. India, 2. INDERLY, adv. 675. Like INLY. INLY, adv. inwardly, thoroughly,
3361, 4986. See ENDLY. I NOW, adv. enough, 2006, 3637.
236
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
INPERT, v. to injure, 4480. INPRENTID, pp. imprinted, 6698. INTENT, sb. endeavour, 1263. I-NTO,prep. unto, 3593, 6166, 6271. IOATAN, a knight overthrown by
Sir Darell, 4977. IONATHAS, a knight of Ethiopia,
3143.
Is, pron. his, 237. ISMAELL the Savage, brother to
Grenerydes and King of Thrace,
1344, 2621, 6914. IT. Apparently an error for ' yet/
4723.
IUELL. See YUELL. ITTLYAN, Emperor of Rome, 3402. IURNAY, sb. journey, 607. I WIS, adv. certainly, surely, 718,
732, 5448. I WISE, 2774.
KECHEWE, an error for ' kerchewe/
a kerchief, 4424.
KERCHE, sb. kerchief, 3827, 4398. KIRTILL, sb. kirtle, mantle, 4380,
4393, 4395. KNOW, 3365. KNOWE, pp. known,
262 ; pret. knew, 323, 450, 974,
1170. KNOWIT, v. pres. 3 sing, knoweth,
87. Probably an error of the
scribe for ' knoweth it.' KNOWITH, acknowledgeth, 6621. KNOWLACHE, sb. knowledge, 1251,
5050. KNOWLACHING, KNOWLACHYNG, sb.
knowledge, 1236, 2182, 2606,
2640, 3218, 4118, &c. KNOWLEGINGE, sb. knowledge, 235,
277, 316. KNYGHTWOODE, sb. knighthood,
5032.
LAMADONE, King of Libya, 2171.
LAMADON, 3123. LAMEDON,
4842, 501)8. LARGE, adj. ' ij myle large/ a space
of two miles, 3223. LARGELY, adv. liberally, 3418,
5296.
LATE, v. to let ; inf. 132 ; imper.
607, 940, 2806, 3592, 4405. LAUGH, sb. law, 6941. LAUNDE, sb. lawn, 73. LAVENDER, sb. laundress, 282
1167, 4363, 6969. LAVENDERE,
4354.
LAWDE, sb. praise, 2877. LA YEN. ' Withoute lay en/ with out concealing, 2302. LAYNE, v. to conceal, 717, 772, 810,
2646. LAYN, 4385, 4885. LECHE CRAFT, sb. doctor's skill,
5658.
LEESE, sb. falsehood, 5992. LEFE, v. to learn, 1316. LEFE, adj. In the phrase ' wheder
she were lefe or lothe/ whether
she were willing or unwilling,
5507.
LEKE, v. i. to like, 2010. LEKE, adv. like, 6732. LEKELY, adv. likely, 670. LEKID, v. pret. liked, 661. LENAGE, sb. lineage, 413, 2438,
2639, 3114, 3873. LENGER, adv. longer, 190, 572,
2897, 5355. LENGGER, 2712. LENGEST, adv. longest, 4374. LEPPE, v. pret. leaped, 2262. LESE, sb. to lose, 13, 1133, 2573,
6057. LESE, sb. falsehood, 20, 289, 319,
794, 4936. LEESE, 2622, 2652. LESING, sb. falsehood, 4661. LES-
YNG, 5732.
LESSE, sb. falsehood, 3902. LESSE, a mistake for LESTE, 39. LEST, v. to last, 899. LEST, adj. active, nimble. Fr.
leste, 1923, 2146. LESTE, subj'. would please, 406. LET, v. pret. let be, allowed it to
be supposed, 5067. LETE, v. imper. let, 5731. LETT, 2200. LETTE, sb. hindrance,
11, 2873. LETTE, v. t. to hinder, stop, 1752,
GLOSSAR1AL INDEX.
237
2671, 6019; v. i. to stop, cease,
2470. LEVE, v. to believe, 186, 1389 ; to
live, 589, 1074, 5948; imper.
LEVITH, 5619. LEVING, part, living, 4210. LEVER, adv. rather, 5616. LEYNE, v. to conceal, 2284. LEYSEB, sb. leisure, 358, 838.
LEYSERE, 3276.
LIFF, sb. life, 3181. LYFFE, 2699. LIFT, v. pret. left, 4131. LIGGING, pr. p. lying, 2475. LlG-
GENG, 3027.
LIGHT, v. pret. lighted, 3046. LIKE, v. to please; pret. LIKID,
5165, 5653.
LIKENG, sb. condition, 6760. LIST, v. to desire, 154, 656, 5758.
' What here lyst,' what she
pleased, 266. LIST, sb. pleasure. ' On my list '
= at my pleasure, 2459. LONDYD, v. pret. landed, 4193. LONG, adv. ' To think long ' = to
long, 6225. LONG, v. to belong ; pres. LONGITH,
347 ; pret. LONGYD, 26. LOSE, sb. a string or lace, 5236. LOTHE, adj. loathsome, 4302. LUCAS, a knight of Persia, slain by
Gwynan, 1652, 6028, 6964. LTJCIDAS, daughter of Amelok,
4843.
LYBIE, Libya, 2171. LYGHT, lieth, 1027. LYSTE, v. pret. desired, 33. LYVEZ. ' A lyvez creature ' = a
living creature, 3381. Compare
Chaucer, Clerk's Tale.
MADANE, King of Thrace, 2144.
In the Roxburghe Club version
he is called King of Greece.
MADAN, 2920. MAGRY, sb. ill will, 877. MALICHIAS, a knight of Persia,
slain by Generydes, 938, 1484.
MANASSEN, one of the King of Egypt's allies, 2169. Slain by Lucas, 2482. MANESSEN, 2476.
MANER. 'Some maner trayne,' some kind of snare or plot, 83, 1438 ; ' In no maner a wyse,' 259 ; ' No maner harnesse/ no kind of armour, 2945; 'All maner vitayle/ all kinds of pro visions, _ 3111 ; 'Some maner waye,' in some way or other, 4478; 'What maner thing,' 4708 ; ' All maner right,' 5472.
MANERLY, adv. in a becoming maner, 653.
MASEDEYN, Macedon, 1952. MASE- DOYNE, 2085.
MASSAGE, sb. message, 364, 2377, 3165, &c.
MASSENGER, sb. messenger, 1892, 5162. MASSANGER, 3173, 3329. MASSINGER, 5152.
MASTEREYS, sb. efforts, displays of skill, 2778.
MEANE, sb. means, 594, 952, 3160, 6035.
MECHE, adj. much, 1275, 1670, 1949, 5146; adv. 3199, 3419, 3445, 5635.
MEDEN, Sereyne's maid, 264. MEDEYN, 274, 298, 299, 304. MEDEYNE, 281.
MEDLED, v. pret. ' Medled with ' = encountered, 6134.
MEKILL, adv. much, 6451.
MEND, sb. mind, memory, 412, 1073, 3032, 6413 ; mention, 2506. ' Sithe tyme of mend ' = since time within memory, 1772. MENDE, 3198, 3434, 4796, 6406. Ehyming with ' fynde,' 5698.
MENY, sb. retinue, attendants, 277 ; company, 3002.
MERCATJNDEZ, sb. merchants, 4203.
MERTHIS, sb. joyful songs and cries, 3563.
MERVELYS, sb. marvels, 109.
MESELL, sb. a leper, 4237, 4311.
MESSAVENTURE, sb. misadventure, 3848.
238
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
METELY, adj. Of good measure,
tall, 432 ; moderate, 768. ME THINK, methinks, 2362, 3243. MEVE, v. t. to move, 1760, 4909. MIRABELL, Clarionas's maid, 716,
&c. MYRABELL, 797. MIRABILL,
3804.
Mo, adj. more, 2722, 3908. MOAB, King of Cappadocia, 1954. MONE, sb, sorrow, complaint, 2695.
' To make mone ' = to complain,
lament, 2662. MoNPERSON,atown of Persia, 5987.
MONPERSONE, 6058. MOUNPER-
SON, 6190.
Moo, adj. more, 955, 1110, 1977. MORE, with a comparative, more
bolder, 1628 ; more wrother,
1568 ; more stronger, 2160. MORELL, the name of King Belen's
horse, 3286. MORTUAJLL, adj. mortal, deadly,
6399.
MOST, with a superlative, 929. MOST, adj. greatest, 2708. MOTE, v. may, 668. 'So mote I
goo,' 2900, 4639, 5043. MOUNTENER, the chief city of
Persia, 639, &c.
MYDDES, sb. midst, 538, 852, 6042. MYNDE, sb. ' To make mynde' =
to make mention, 2131. MYND,
3016, 4866. MYSGOUERNATJNCE, sb. misgovern-
ment, 4873. MYSTREST, v. to mistrust, 1399,
1413.
MYSTREST, sb. mistrust, 1673. MYSTROST, sb. mistrust. An error
for ' mystrest,' as it rhymes with
'list,' 5760, 6184. MYSTROSTE, v. to mistrust, 5695,
5762 ; pp. MYSTROSTID, 6238.
NATANELL, tutor to Generydes,
337, &c. NAY or NAYE. ' That is noo nay,'
there is no denying it, 2277 ;
'This is noo nay,' 4159, 4288,
4539; 'Said nay' = opposed,
4755, 5456. NAYED, pp. denied, refused, 1797.
NAYDE, 5248. NB, conj. nor, 4368. NEDE, v. 'That hym nede,' that
may be needful for him, 350 ;
' Them nede,' they needed, 4400. NEE, conj. nor, 3317. NEER, adv. nearer, 5715. Negative, double, 3317, 3413, 4205,
5361, 5374. NEW. ' We are new to begynne,'
we have to begin anew, 3108. NICOMEDE, Nicomedia, 1940. NY-
COMEDE, 2073. NONYS. ' For the nonys,' for the
occasion, 3289, 5139. NORISE, sb. nurse, 288, NORYSE, 286. NOT FOR THY, adv. nevertheless,
235, 813, 917, 3127. NOTHER, conj. neither, 1749, 1817,
3181.
NOTHER, pron. other, 1749. NOWNBER, v. t. to number, 1561. NOYETH, v. pres. annoyeth, 5728. NOYTHER, conj. neither, 4470. NYE HANDE, adv. near, 2273. NYERE, adv. near, 2531. NYGH HANDE, adv. near, 62, 6335. NYHAND, adv. near, 951.
0. ' o length ' = at length, 1778 ;
'o trougth' = in truth, 4286,
4501 ; ' o my trowth/ 4723. OBEISEATJNCE, sb. obedience, 1096.
OBEYSAUNCE, 6630. OBYSE-
AUNCE, 2435. OBESEAUNCE, sb. obeisance, 652.
OBEYSAUNCE, 2020, 6897. OBETH, King of Sicily, 1934. OBEY, TO, v. For this construction
see 19, 5782. OBSERVAUNCE, sb. ' To do observ-
aunce ' = to shew respect, 6655. OF = for, in construction with
'beseech/ 325, 6315, 649S ;
* thank,' 5093 ; ' praye,' 6263,
6432 ; = on, in construction with
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
239
'avenge,' 565; 'Sory of,' 597; ' To be of assent ' = to assent, 3609; 'Abiding of, '4328; ' Pur- veyd of ' = provided with, 4649.
OF, prep, off, 2798.
DEPEND, followed by 'to,' 6171.
ON. In the phrases ' on huntyng,' 962, 965, 3765, 3775, 5966; 'On lyve ' = alive, 3375 ; ' On sleppe ' = asleep, 4063.
ON, adj. one, 1316, 4791 ; redund ant in 2909, 6978.
ON, prep. in. ' On twayn ' = in two, 2242, 2632, 4569, 4926 ; « On twoo,' 2933, 4598. Of, 4597.
ON- in compounds = un.
ONCOPELYD, pp. uncoupled, 42.
ONFORTUNE, sb. misfortune, 5339.
O-NHAPPY, adj. unhappy, unlucky, 4874 ; mischievous, 5561.
ONHORSID, pp. unhorsed, 2464.
ONNESE, adv. perhaps for ' vn- nethe/ scarcely, 3453.
ONNETHE, adv. scarcely, 977.
ONTO, prep, unto, until, 282, 1288, 3136, 5178.
ON TOKE, v. pret. took on, 3951.
ONTREW, adj. untrue, 120.
ONTROWTH, sb. untruth, 4896.
ONYS, adv. once, 1182, 2492, 2785, 4242, 4303, 5401.
O PECE, adv. quietly, uninterrupt edly (? Fr. en parx), 1385, 1681, 2417, 2544, 2620, 2766, 3739, 3755, 3920, 4189, 4328, 4581, 4911, 5254, 5627, 6182, 6237, 6347, 6719. OPEESE, 2313. OPESE, 3391, 3500, 4512, 4618.
On, prep, before, 1185.
OR, adv. before, 917, 1005, 2232, 2968, 6540. OR EUER, 6459.
ORDENAUNCE, sb. array, 2084, 2142; arrangement, 4769.
ORKENAY, Orkney, 1961.
OSTAGE, sb. hostelry, 64.
OTHER, pi. others, 1587, 3132:
OTRAN, king of Spain, 3064, 5957.
OUER, adj. upper, 2996.
OUERTHROWE, pp. overthrown, 4979.
OUER WHARTE, prep, across, 6604.
OUGHT. ' As hym ought,' as was due to him, 142.
OUREZ, pron. ours, 2989 ; sb. hours 4201.
OUTRAYTH, outrageth, 2426.
OWE, v. to regard as owing or duo, 922, 1329.
OWTTRAYED, pp. outraged, vio lently treated, beaten, 3491.
OUTRAYED, 4841. OVTRAYDE
6068. OYTHER, cow/, either, 2610.
PACIENT, adj. 'In pacient' =
patiently, 6748. PALES, sb. palace, 4247, 6759. PARAUENTURE, adv. peradventure,
perhaps, 2586. PARDE, int. verily ! Fr. par dicu,
731, 3441. PARENT YNE, the chief city of
India, 5771. PARENTYNNE, 378.
PAREYNTYN, 970. PARTID, v. pret. departed, set out,
2113.
PARTISE, sb. parts, 1706. PASSITH, v. pres. exceedith, 5954. PAYDE, adj. pleased, 2246. PAYN. ' On a payn,' in 1727, is on
pain of something which is not
mentioned. PAYN, sb. pains, 68, 1018, 5213.
PAYNE, 3412. PECE, adj. quiet, 320. PEERLYS, sb. pearls, 3306. PEKYS, sb. pikes or pickaxes, 2509.
See 2161. PENSELL, sb. a small penon or flag,
2686, 2947, 3245. PEOPILL, sb. a body of people,
2670. PEOPLE. 'A grete people' = a
large multitude, 5279. PERAUENTURE, adv. perchance, 153,
781. PERAUENTOUR, 888. PERCE, Persia, 6780. PERISSHED, v. pret. pierced, 3367. PERSE, sb. Persia, 620, &c. PETEUOSE, adj. piteous, 3586.
240
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
PETEVOUS, 3953. PETUOSE, 5594,
6584. PETUESE, 6622. PETEVOUSLY, adv. piteously, 1529. PHARES, one of the Sultan of
Persia's allies, 2097. PIGHT, v. pret. pitched, 5134. PITEVOUS, adj. piteous, 2954. PLAYN, adj. honest, 6948. PLEASE IT = may it please, 3720,
6843. PLESE IT, 4309, 5400.
PLEASIT, 4060. PLENTEUOUS, adj. plenteous, 620,
1031. PLESAUNCE, sb. pleasure, delight,
31, 126, 654, 4650, 5114, 6711. PONYSSHENG, sb. punishing, 6662. Possessive case, mark of, omitted,
' Suster sonne,' 283 ; ' Hevyn
kyng,' 2642, 4002, 4427 ; ' Sowdon
powre,' 3420 ; ' maister harnes,'
3845; 'nyghte rest,' 4030;
* auferius right,' 4134 ; ' auferius
comyng,' 4772; 'prince sonne,'
5185.
POSTRENE, sb. a postern, 2559. POYNTE DEVISE, ATTE, perfectly,
completely, 3307, 5995. POYNTED, v. pret. appointed, 2125,
2149. POYNTEMENT, sb. appointment.
' In ther poyntement,' under their
command, 2100, 2178; arrange ment, 3006, 3086, 4762. PRATYE, adj. pretty, 302. PRATY,
4422.
PRECE, sb. crowd, 2453, 6641. PREFF, sb. proof, 1453, 1496. PRELETYS, sb. prelates, 3561. PRESE, sb. press, crowd, 538, 852,
2708, 2726, 5311. PREESE, 2299,
6277. PRESENT. ' In present ' = present,
3104.
PREUYD, pp. proved, 4. PREVYED, pp. provided, 5887. PRICE, sb. value, worth, 2036. PRIUITE, sb. secrecy, 263. PROCESSE, sb. story, narrative, 1509,
4615, 5911, 6213.
PROMES, sb. promise, 1328; v. to promise, 4654.
PROWSE, sb. prowess, 4231, 4950.
PUESSENCE, sb. puissance, power. 3419.
PURCHASE, v. to acquire, procure, 877, 5198, 5260; sb. acquisition, 2812.
PURVAYE, v. to provide, 59, 1026, 1365; pret. PURVAYDE, pro vided, 1298. PURVAYED, 1288; pp. PURYAYDE, provided, 1771.
PURVEY, v. to provide, 6455 ; pret. PURVEID, provided, 5310. PUR- VEYD, 3220, 4276 ; pp. PURVEID, provided, 2082. PURVEYD, 1115, 2889, 3196, 4649, 5139.
PURVYAUNCE, sb. providence, 272.
PUSAUNCE, sb. power, 1951. PUY- SAUNCE, 1970.
PUT TO, v. to apply, 4948, 5213.
PYTUES, adj. piteous, 6283.
QUARELL, sb. cause of quarrel, claim, 3536, 4561.
QUIETE, v. pret. acquitted, 2861.
QUYK, adj. alive, 2576.
Q,UYTE, v. t. to acquit, 1500; to requite, 3498, 5700; pret. re quited, 2327; acquitted, 3013; yielded, gave up, 3608; pp. requited, 3495, 6975.
QUYTE AM) CLENE, 6364, 6376.
EEAMES, sb. realms, 4332. EEANE, sb. rein, 3474. EEBELL, adj. rebellious, 6421. EECOMAUNDiD,v.^>re#. commended,
5907, 6174.
EEDE, v. to advise, 625, 871, 2575. EEDELY, adj. ready, 6305. EEDEN, pp. ridden, 5597. EEDY, adj. near, 3706, 6890. EEDYEST, adj. quickest, nearest,
3700.
EEHERSID, pp. mentioned, 1114. Eelative omitted, 5272. EEME, sb. realm, 19, 496, 1028,
2649, &c.
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
241
EEMEMBRYD, pp. reminded. ' Am
remembryd ' = remember, 619,
2690, 5290.
EEMEVE, v. t. to remove from, 3223. EEMEVID, v. pret. removed, 3015. EEMEVYNG, part, removing, 5069. EENNE, v. to run, 930. EEPORTE, v. to refer, 4526. EEPREFF, sb. reproof, 1451. EEQUERE, v. to require, 619, 6586. EESAN, sb. reason, 1061. EESKEWSE, si. rescue, 4928. EETEYNE, v. t. to restrain, 1543. EEUER, sb. river, 1151. EEWITH, v. pres. repenteth, 3971. EEWLE, sb. revel, 5592. The line is
corrupt. Order, 6629. EEWLE, v. to rule, 5892. EEYNYNG, running, 3825. EIALL, adj. royal, 1950. EIALLY. adv. royally, 1308, 6910. EIGHTWISE, adj. righteous, 1322;
Eightful, 2960, 6669, 6934. EISSH, sb. rush, 1680. EODE, sb. rood, 2445; roadstead,
4106.
EOMANS, sb. romances, 1. EOUGHT, v. pret. recked, cared, 50,
1076. EOWNDE, adv. direct, straight,
3364; and so, swiftly. ' Eanne
torownde,'2627. EOUNDE, 3362,
4922. EUBEN, son of Manassen, 2170,
2792.
EUMBER, sb. turmoil, 1377. EYALL, adj. royal, 245. EYNESHED, v. pret. rinsed, 1182.
SAD, adj. grave, serious, 3926. SADDE, 5832.
SADNESSE, sb. soberness, gravity, 1346, 3141.
SAPF, adj. safe, 3147.
SAMPSON, one of the King of Egypt's knights, 6053 ; slain by Generydes, 6362, 6365. SAMP- BONE, 3138.
QKNEBYDES.
SANYK, King of Africa, and father of Serenydes, 2136, 2931, 4864.
SAUGYS, sb. sages, wise men, 88.
SAVE, adv. safe, 6470.
SAVELY, adv. safely, 6127. 6456.
SAYE, v. pret. said, 6017.
SCOMFITE, pp. discomfited, 570.
SEASONE, sb. ' Take your seasone ' = take your time, 5825.
SECHE, v. to seek, 3997, 4150, 5566. SECHEITH = seeketh, 2451.
SECHING, part, seeking, 5812.
SECRELY, adv. secretly, 3786.
SEIGH, v. to sigh, 1416.
SEKE, adj. sick, 714, 6632, 6759.
SEKERLY, adv. secretly, 359, 867, 5298, 5538; certainly, 2095, 2911, 3695, 3840, 5373. SEKYRLY, 6273.
SEME, v. ' Him seme/ appear to him, 1981 ; 'Me semyth' = it seeineth to mo, 2427 ; 'Ye semes ' = it seems to you, 6007 ; ' Her semyth ' = she seemeth, 6846.
SEMELY, adj. comely, 1918, 2000, 4827.
SEMLANTE, sb. semblance, appear ance, 4019.
SEMYD. ' Hym seinyd ' = it seemed to him, 40, 1988 ; = he seemed, 3311.
SEMYKG, sb. ' To his semyng,' as he thought, 4986.
SENDE, v. pret. sent, 1896.
SENT, sendeth, 445, 2812, 3334.
SEOSYNNE, sb. season, 271.
SERENYDES, wife of Auferius and afterwards of Amelpk ; daughter of the King of Africa, 21.
SEREYNE,the mother of Generydes, and Queen of Syria, 255; her death, 6638.
SERTEYN. ' In serteyn,' 4978.
SERTTAGE, sb. servitude, 1848.
SERVAGE, sb. slavery, 3344.
SERYS, sb. sirs, 6018.
SESE, v. i. to cease, 941 ; pp. 6399.
SESE, v. t. to stop, 1489, 6435.
16
242
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
SESILL, Sicily, 1933.
SETT, 680. SETTE, pp. seated, 387.
SEVRE, a city of Syria given to
Natanell on his marriage, 6955. SHAPE, pp. shapen, 175. SHENDE, v. t. to injure, ruin, 1657,
4403 ; pp. SHENT, 4669. SHETT, pp. shut, 5773. SHETTE, v. pret. shut, 5133, 5876. SICHE, adj. such, 1126. SIDE, adj. long and flowing, 4398. SITHE, conj. since, 587, 800, 805,
1215. In 800 ' a ' is repeated in
error. SKAPE, v. i. to escape, 2534, 2849,
5781 ; pret. SKAPID, 4567. SLEE, v. to slay, 520, 2367. SLE,
3913, 3927, 4591. SLEPPE, v. pret. slept, 3934, 3937,
4037.
SLEPPYD, v. pret. slept, 161. SMETE, v. pret. smote, 2388, 6110.
SMETTE, 2355 ; pp. smitten, 579.
SMETTE, 6378. SMETYN, 553. So, adv. as, 4837. SOFTELY, adv. gently, quietly,
2528.
SOKYD, pp. 234.
SOMTYME, adv. at one time, 4801. SONE VPPON, adv. soon after, 243. SONNER, adv. sooner, 6329, 6330. SORGEONS, sb. surgeons, 3572. SOTHE, sb. truth, 507, 612, 4885.
SOTH, 996.
SOTHFASTNES, sb. truth, 4834, 5612. SOTILTE, sb. subtilty, 122; trick,
device, 1538.
SOWDON, sb. sultan, 640, &c. SOWNNE, v. i. to sound, tend, 1750.
SOWNYNG, part. 6339. SPACE, sb. ' While I haue lyffe and
space ' = while I live and move,
2699, 3181. SPECIALLY, error for 'special,'
3570. SPERKELYD, v. pret. dispersed,
scattered themselves, 6049. SPORYD, v. pret. spurred, 217.
STERE, v. to stir, move, 5156. STERT, sb. 'Made a start' = rushed,
6699. STOND, v. to stand, 4373. STOND-
ENG, part. 5323. STORE, sb. story, 3481. STORY, sb. history, 2167. STOUND, sb. space of time, 5659. STRAKE, pret. struck, 2793, 2794,
2946, 3366, 5126, 6375. STRAYTE, adv. strictly, 1462. STRENTHE, sb. strength, 6821. A
doubtful reading. STRIFF, sb. strife, 3160. STROKE, pret. struck, 2628, 3514. STRONGETH, an error for ' strongest,'
5779.
STRYFF, v. to strive, 3373. STTERTE, sb. surety, certainty,
2264; security, 4444. SURATJNCE, sb. an assurance, bond,
6252. SURE, adj. secure, safe, 2732, 4575,
4605.
SUHRE, Syria, 93. SURRY, 99. SUSTELY, 5070. Perhaps an error
for ' softely.' SUSTER, sb. sister, 4937. SWARD, sb. sword, 519, 3400, 3406,
3921. SWABDE, 3480. SWERD,
2707, 3486.
SWONNE, sb. swoon, 2359. SWORN BRODER. Knights who had
taken an oath of brotherhood to
each other were called 'sworn
brothers,' 4834.
SWOUNE, sb. swoon, 4095, 6605. SWOUNYD, v. pret. swooned, 4099. SWOUNYNG, sb. an error for
' swoune/ 6569 ; in swounyng,
1257, 6754.
SYGHENYNG, sb. sighing, 162. SYGREM, a herald, 2256, 4987, 5001,
5044. SEGREM, 6764. SEGRYM,
5986. SEGYREM, 5983.
TAK, pp. taken, 887. TAKE, v. to deliver, 361,447. TOKE, pret. 907.
QLOSSARIAL INDEX.
243
TAKE, pp. taken, 226, 946, 2566,
3240, 3977, 5472, 5763, 6882;
pret. took, 4070, 5536, 6422. TARED, v. pret. tarried, 1287, 2757,
2926, 3352, 4347. TARYD, 2240,
2950.
TARYNG, sb. tarrying, 1293, 2513. TEGER, Tigris, 1738. TENDER, v. to treat kindly, 3734 ;
to propose, 5210. THANK, sb. thanks, 2879, 5915.
THANKE, 3093, 3645. THAT, redundant in 'what thing
that euer fall,' 6789 ; ' what that
she was,' 6832. THE, pron. thy, 4086. THEDER, adv. thither, 217, 1337,
6278. THEDERWARD, adv. thitherward,
1269.
THEE, v. to thrive, 668. THEMSELF, pron. themselves, 2596,
3057.
THER AS, adv. where, 2668. THERFRO, adv. therefrom, 893. THERYS, pron. theirs, 2989. THING, sb. things, 1153. THINK. ' Me think ' = I think,
3243, 5408. THYNK. ' Vs thynk '
= we think, 1782; 'Thinkith
me ' = seemeth to me, 3337 ;
' Hym thought ' = seemed to
him, 5639, 6861. THIS, pron. these, 4402. THISE,
1706. THO, pron. those, 26, 2486. THOO,
888, 1965, 2958, 4090, 4525, &c. THO, adv. then, 2828. THORE, adv. there, 3394, 4316. THOROUGH, prep, through, 557,
2452. THOROTJGHOWT, adv. throughout,
2946. THOUGHT, sb. anxiety, trouble of
mind, 2725, 2985, 3234, 4612,
6647.
THREFTE, adj. thriving, 280, 1342. THREFTY, adj. thrifty, 1134. THRETE, v. pret. threatened, 500.
THBETING, part, threatening, 539. THRETYNG, sb. threatening, 4086. THROUGHELY, adv. thoroughly
388.
THYNG, sb. pi. things, 202, 466. TIDE, sb. time, 5925. TIDENG, sb. tidings, 1159, 6619.
TIDING, 2512. To, prep, until, 2781, 5714, 6012.
'Stroke to' = struck at, 3514;
at, 6218 ; for, 6808. To AND TOO, more and more, 3378.
To AND TO, 5550. To BRAST, v. pret. broke asunder,
2356, 2495, 5837, 6107. TODER, adj. other, 67, 1504, 2338,
3002, 3012, 3454, 3929, 6736. To GEDER, adv. together, 179, 1440. TOKE, v. pret. delivered, 683, 1184,
2716, 5238. TOKENYNG, sb. token, sign, 2608.
TOKENNING, 4626. TOKKYD, pp. tucked, 4397. TONE, adj. one, 1957, 2338. Too, adj. two, 5879. TRACE, sb. Thrace, 1028, &c. The
Roxburghe Club version reads
' Tharse ' in these passages, and
this removes the difficulty in
2144 compared with2288. TRASE,
2920.
TRAPPOUR, sb. trappings, 3305. TRAVELL, sb. labour, toil, 111, 159. TRAYN, sb. stratagem, artifice,
1069, 2140, 4503, 5752, 6419.
TRAYNE, 4027. TRAYTURLY, adv. traitorously,
2272, 4038, 6417. TRAYTOURLY,
655 1 . This is probably the read ing in 2130. TRESONE COLOUR. If this be the
true reading it seems to mean
' treasonable pretext,' 5474. TREST, sb. trust, 4621. TRETE, v. to entreat, 5853. TRETE, sb. treaty, 6355. TREW, rhyming with ' now,' 5793. TREWAGE, sb. tribute, 1792. TREV-
AGE, 3343.
244
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
TREWSE, sb. truce, 5887. TREWYS,
3006.
TRIFFOLYS, sb. trifles, 4664. TROBELYD, pp. troubled, 54, 3737.
TROBOLED, 3730. TROBOLYD,
5550. TROST, si. trust, 265, 786, perhaps
for ' tryst,' or ' trest/ as it
rhymes with ' lyst.' TROST, v. to trust, 994, 3760. ' That
is to trost' = that is to be
trusted, 4356. Perhaps we should
read ' trest,' as it rhymes with
' wist' and ' list,' as in- 4621. TROUGTH, sb. truth, 107, 816, 2279,
3722, 4473, 5447, &o. TROUGHT,
5437, 6316. TROW, v. i. to think, 1598, 5455,
5519.
TROWLY, adv. truly, 144. TRUSE, sb. truss, 4425 ; truce, 5882. TRUSHED, v. pret. trussed, packed
up, 605. TWAYN, adj. two, 65. TWAYNE, 108,
1218, 1763. THWAYNE, 155. TWYES, adv. twice, 3952, 3969,
6641. TYME. 'To tyme,' or 'To the
tyme' = until, 2471, 2746, 4228,
6755.
VAILE, sb. valley, 216. VALOUR, sb. value, 6957. VARIAUNCE, sb. strife, 5756. VELANYE, sb. villany, 1358. VENGE, v. to avenge, 5149. Verb of motion omitted, 5282, 6606. VERY, adj. true, actual, 2623. VIAGE, sb. journey, 3146, 3331,
5162, 5271.
VICE, a city of India, 4770, 5778. VISITE, pp. visited, 4293. VITALLE, sb. victuals, 3637. VMBLY, adv. humbly, 600. VM-
BELY, 6170, 6567. VJSTCURTESE, adj. un courteous,
6244. VNDERTAKE, v. t. to be surety for,
3583.
VNKYLL, sb. uncle, 5017. VNZILL, 5028.
VNNETHE, adv. scarcely, 2534, 4946.
VNQUYTE, adj. unrequited, un avenged, 6038.
VNWURCHIPFULL, an error for ' And wurchipfull,' 4850.
VNWYMPILL, v. to unveil, 6879.
VOWARD, sb. vanguard, 2018.
VOYDE, v. to avoid, remove one self, 6101.
YPON, an error for ' open,' 5721.
VPPON, adv. after, in point of time ; in the phrases ' sone vppon,' 1926, 1041; 'anon vppon,' 6009, 6632. On, 2035. ' Came so hastely vppon' = came upon him so hastily, 4787.
VRE, sb. usage, custom, 2788, 4594; use, practice, 6825.
VTERLY, adv. entirely, fully, 3516.
WAGE, sb. wages, hire, 2441, 6511. WALOPING, part, galloping, 3325. WANNE, v. pret. won, 1133, 2130,
2237, 2609, 2814; conquered,
3688, 4766. WARANTISE, sb. ' 0 warantise,' of
a surety, 5938, 6470. -WARD. 'As to me-ward' = as
regards me, 4331. WARE, adj. careful, cautious, 351,
1084 ; aware, 2315, 2625, 3040. WARENTICE, sb. ' O warentice,' of
a surety, 174 ; '0 warentyce/
287, 6803.
WARK, sb. work, 1171. WAWIS, sb. waves, 91. WAX, pret. waxed, 2472. WAY, pi. 5923. WAYTITH AFTER = waiteth for,
2440.
WEDDER, sb. weather, 1403. WEDE, sb. dress, 4258. WEIGHT, sb. wight, person, 331,
3852.
WEIGHT, adj. active, nimble, 3361. WELCOMYNG, sb. welcome, 392,
663.
GLOSS ARIAL INDEX.
245
WELE, adv. well, 5733.
WELEWILLYNG, adj. well-disposed, 964.
WELLYD, pp. ' Wele wellyd,' well- disposed, 2089.
WENE, v. to think, 4655; pret. WEND, 6317. WENDE, 3947. WENYNG, part. 2502, 5636.
WENT, pp. gone, 2667, 6443.
WERRE, sb. war, 898, 6153.
WERS, adj. worse, 1365.
WESHT, v. pret. washed, 1182. WESSH, 4316.
WETE, v. to know, 132, 180, 333, 714, 4153, 4432; pres. WOTE, 739, 777, 778 (read ' Ye wote ye what; ' see 6858); WOOTE, 891 ; pret. WIST, 153; WYSTE, 53, 913 ; imper. 2 pi. WETE, 1300, 2739.
WEX, pret. waxed, 3349, 5065, 6608. WEXE, 5173.
WEXEN, pp. waxen, grown, 306, 430, 2765.
WHAT SOME ETTER, pron. whatso ever, 4556.
WHAT TYME, whenever, 4225.
WHECHE, pron. which, 5389.
WHEDER, whether, 914.
WHELS, adv. whiles, 4037.
WHERE, adv. whereas, 1134.
WHO is, whose, 353.
WIDDED, pp. wedded, 1080.
WIGHT, sb. weight, 2163.
WIGHT, adj. nimble, swift, 3634, 4573, 5055.
WILL, adv. well, 371, 899, 1835, 3698, 6941. WILE, 581. WILL, « And it wilbe ' = if it may be, 6516. See WOLD.
WISE, sb. manner, 1036, 1045, 5780.
WlTHOUTEN, prep, without, 341, 794, 1171, 3706; WITHOTJTYN, 20.
WITHOTJTEN, adv. without, 3917.
WITTE, sb. blame, 869.
WITTELY, adv. wisely, 1051.
WOLD, would, 376, 1036. ' And it
wold be' = if it might be, 214,
6432; 'If it wold be,' 6500.
WULD, 374.
WOLLE, v. will, 4403, 4432. WONDER, adj. wonderful, 501,
1171, 1418, 2074, 4307, 5327;
adv. wonderfully, 1414, 3447,
4696.
WONNE, pp. conquered, 6398. Woo, adj. sorrowful, 915, 2371,
2578, 3484, 6652. WOODE, adj. furious, mad, 2983. WOOTE, v. pres. knoweth, 891;
imper. know, 6858. WORLD. 'A world to here,'
2205. WORTH, in the phrase 'woo worth'
= woe be to, 4871. WOTE, v. to know, 2696. WOWETH, v. pres. wooeth, 4442. WRATJGTH, sb. wrath, 1373. WREKE, pp. avenged, 1824. WULL, v. will, 2807. WURCHIPPE, sb. honour, dignity,
credit, reputation, 35, 404, 616,
882, 2896, 2911, 3417. WURCHIPPE, v. to honour, 5179. WYMPELYD, pp. wrapped in a
wimple or veil, 6858. WYNNE, v. to conquer, 5159. WYSE, sb. manner, 34. 'Inlyko
wyse,' in like manner, 102.
YAE, int. yea, 294. YCHE, pron. each, 698. YDONYE, a town of Persia, 6964. YEDE, pret. went, 2503, 3458. YEE, sb. eye, 4549, 4984. YEFERUS, King of Ermonye, 1957.
Called also Zeferus. YEFT, sb. gift, 3441 ; pi. YEFTEZ,
3569. YEFTYS, 3094. YELDE, pp. yielded, 4781. YELD,
6620. YENDER, adv. yonder, 1027, 2318,
2425, 2869, 4552, &c.; adj. 2777,
3704, 6019. YMAGENING, sb. device, plot,
5747.
216
GLOSSARIAL INDEX.
YMAGENYNG, pr. p. plotting, de signing, 963.
YND, sb. India, 375, 2505, 5598. YNDLY, adv. 3096. See INLY. YOUR, pron. yours, 5096. YOUREZ, pron. yours, 2869.
YSORES, son of Sanyk, 4869. YUELL the Barn, a knight of Egypt, 3618, 4167. IUELL, 3717.
ZEFERUS, King of Ermonye. Called also Yeferus, 2092.
EREATUM. p. 235, col. 2, line 12, under HUDE, for hue, colour, read hida.
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